Mumbai, Feb 27 : The Maharashtra legislature has unanimously passed a bill making teaching and learning of Marathi compulsory in all schools across the state with the Assembly clearing the law on Thursday. The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020 was passed by the Legislative Council on Wednesday. The development came as Maharashtra celebrated 'Marathi Bhasha Din' (Marathi Language Day) on Thursday, coinciding with the birth anniversary of legendary poet-litterateur and Jnanpith Award winner, V. V. Shirwadkar. Among other things, the new bill provides for a penalty of upto Rs 100,000 on schools that fail to comply with the provisions. For the first time, the bill will cover all schools across the spectrum, irrespective of the boards to which they are affiliated. In the normal course, a bill is usually introduced in the lower house first and after its approval, is tabled in the upper house. However, this time, Legislative Council Chairman Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar permitted the government to first introduce the bill in the upper house. "As per legislative procedures, a bill is generally cleared in the assembly and then tabled in the Council. But as an exception, I am allowing Minister for Marathi Language, Subhash Desai, to table the bill (in Upper House)," Nimbalkar said on Wednesday. "I will pursue with the Centre the matter to grant a classical language status for Marathi. I am very happy that the Bill has been passed unanimously," Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said. Introducing the bill, Desai said that the bill was on the lines of similar laws in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana. Accordingly, from the academic year 2020-2021, Marathi learning and teaching will be made compulsory in all schools in a phased manner starting with Class 1 to 6 this year, and by 2024 upto Class 10, irrespective of the boards to which they are affiliated, and follow a curriculum prescribed by the state government. However, the government will have the power to exempt a student or a class of students from any or all of the provisions in the law, intended for students coming from out of Maharashtra, Desai said. Supporting the bill, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis, however, said that the provision of exemption could create a loophole. He also said that since some schools already charge fees ranging from Rs 500,000-Rs 12,00,000, the Rs 100,000 penalty is too low and pose no problems to them, besides seeking provisions to penalise repeat offenders. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:54:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- India's main opposition - Congress party Thursday submitted a memorandum to country's President Ram Nath Kovind over the deadly communal violence in Delhi that killed 34 people and injured over 200 others. The Congress delegation was led by Party President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "We decided that we should call on the president and hand over our demands. He very kindly agreed to meet us today," Gandhi told media. Gandhi read out the points mentioned in the memorandum to the media. "The central (federal) government and newly elected Delhi government have remained mute spectators as completely mindless rage, designed violence and organized looting of property has continued unabated. Due to the complete inaction on the part of the home minister and the central government, the violence has claimed lives of 34 people and over 200 have been injured," Gandi said. Death toll in the communal violence Thursday rose to 34. While 32 deaths have been confirmed at hospitals, two bodies were found in a drain in Gagan Vihar-Johripur area. "We called upon president to suggest to him that what has happened in last four days in Delhi is a matter of great concern and a matter of national shame in which at least 34 people have died and 200 people are injured, it is a reflection on the total failure of central government to control the situation," Manmohan Singh said. Local media reports said arson and unrest emerged from northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura, Maujpur and Karawal Nagar areas late on Wednesday, hours after country's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited violence-affected areas to offer personal guarantees about the restoration of peace. Unrelenting communal violence broke out in the northeastern part of the city following which mobs armed with sticks and rods resorted to arson, looting and vandalism. Reports said many people especially Muslims are leaving their homes in the affected areas and taking shelter in other safer locations. The clashes broke out between pro-and-anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) groups in the northeastern part of the city on Sunday and took an ugly turn on Monday and Tuesday. Protests against the controversial new citizenship law triggered on Dec. 11 last year, the day India's upper house of parliament passed the law. Since then there has been no let-up in the protests. The law aims at granting citizenship to illegal immigrants belonging to six religions - Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Parsi and Christianity - from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, it has kept out Muslim immigrants from applying for citizenship. So far, the violence against the law has killed over 60 people across India. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 07:57:03|Editor: ZD Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the international community to safeguard the existing multilateral arms control and disarmament mechanisms, and oppose treaty withdrawals and violations. Speaking at a Security Council meeting on non-proliferation, Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Noting this year marks both the 50th anniversary of the treaty's entry into force and the 25th anniversary of its indefinite extension, Wu said members of the Security Council need to recall the historical role played by the treaty and to look forward to its contemporary significance in promoting international peace, security and development. At present, challenges in the field of international security are on the rise and competition among major powers is intensifying, which has a serious impact on global strategic stability, said the Chinese envoy. He added that contradictions in nuclear disarmament have intensified, unilateralism has prevailed in the field of non-proliferation, and politicization of peaceful uses of nuclear energy has become prominent. "We should abide by multilateralism and safeguard the international order based on international law," he said, adding that the international community should work together for the setting of rules and regulations in new areas, such as outer space, cyberspace and artificial intelligence, to meet the new challenges to strategic security. A controversial facial recognition startup that scrapes the internet for billions of pictures for law enforcement agencies has had its entire client list stolen in a major data breach. Clearview AI said the compromised information includes the number of searchers its customers have made and how many accounts they control. Security is Clearviews top priority. Unfortunately, data breaches are part of life in the 21st century, the firms lawyer Tor Ekeland said in a statement. Our servers were never accessed. We patched the flaw and continue to work to strengthen our security. A notification sent to customers said an intruder gained unauthorised access to the client list, according to The Daily Beast, who first reported the breach. 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 has previously raised privacy concerns after it was revealed that it trawls through pictures posted to Facebook and other popular sites to build a vast database of faces. An investigation by The New York Times in January reported that the companys database contained more than 3 billion images. Clients with access to the database include police departments across the US and Canada. Recommended Facial recognition tech trained on of photos of people without consent Security experts have called on Clearview AI to provide a detailed report covering the timeline and nature of the attack, due to the sensitive data the company deals with. The nature of Clearview AIs business makes this type of attack particularly problematic, Tim Mackey, principal security strategist with cyber security firm Synopsys, told The Independent. Facial recognition systems have evolved to the point where they can rapidly identify an individual, but combining facial recognition data with data from other sources like social media enables a face to be placed in a context which in turn can enable detailed user profiling all without explicit consent from the person who's face is being tracked. Switch the Market flag Open the menu and switch the Market flag for targeted data from your country of choice. for targeted data from your country of choice. Russian MPs propose long prison terms for online drug propaganda Fotolia/ Sven Grundmann 13:38 27/02/2020 MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI) The State Duma Anti-Corruption Committees members have drafted a bill on criminal punishment for online inducing to drug use and propaganda of drugs. Amendments are to be proposed to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Currently, drug propaganda is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. However, the Code does not stipulate sanctions for online drug propaganda and inducement. The bill envisages jail terms from minimum 12 to 15 years for online drug propagation. According to the chairman of the State Duma Anti-Corruption Committee Vasily Piskarev, the initiative is necessary as the Internet seriously increases public danger of such criminal actions. The draft law has been forwarded to Russias government and Supreme Court for official comments. In October 2019, President Vladimir Putin ordered the Cabinet of Minister to draft a bill fixing criminal punishment for online inducing to drug use and propaganda of drugs. The same order applied to psychotropic substances or their analogues. The required measures are to be aimed at prevention of drug trafficking. Moreover, Putin demanded that legal requirements concerning out-of-court blocking of information on ways and methods of producing, buying and using drugs, psychotropic substances and new potentially hazardous psychoactive drugs be promptly fulfilled. The President also ordered the government and regional executive agencies to generalize a positive experience on prevention of illegal use of drugs and psychotropics, comprehensive rehabilitation and resocialization of drug addicts. In different circles at different points over the past year, it has been fashionable to hate Pete Buttigieg: Hes too clearly full of himself. Hes too far ahead of himself. What business does the 38-year-old former mayor of a relatively small city have running for president? What real claim to the job? How about this: He has drawn closer to it than prominent senators who came out of the gate with much more heat on them and were gone even before Iowans caucused. He outpaced and outlasted seasoned governors whose popularity across a broad section of the political spectrum was supposed to be electoral magic. Before hitting a snag in Nevada, he had more delegates from Iowa and New Hampshire than any of his rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, including Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, who began building their political bases and growing their political careers before Buttigieg was born. His surname is a nearly impenetrable thicket of consonants (BOOT-edge-edge), and yet tens of millions of Americans can now pronounce it just fine. You cannot chalk that up to novelty. You cannot call it a fluke. Its a powerful testament to his knack for fashioning a message that resonates with Americans, delivering it clearly, avoiding unnecessary trouble and mobilizing support. Those talents are precisely the ones that the person sitting at the Resolute Desk needs most. Buttigiegs campaign is his credential, and its a compelling one. Pope Francis blows his nose as he leads the Ash Wednesday mass which opens Lent, the forty-day period of abstinence and deprivation for Christians before Holy Week and Easter at the Santa Sabina church in Rome on Feb. 26, 2020. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images) Pope Francis Cancels Meeting With Rome Priests Over Slight Illness Pope Francis is sick and wont attend a planned Mass with Rome clergy on Thursday, Vatican officials confirmed. The Vatican said the 83-year-old has a slight indisposition and will stay near Santa Marta, where he lives in the Vatican, a spokesperson told The Associated Press. The spokesman added that Pope Franciss other commitments proceed regularly, according to the Catholic News Agency. Photos from Wednesday showed him touching masked well-wishers in the city. The Telegraph noted that he was seen coughing and blowing his nose during the Ash Wednesday Mass. In recent days, cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus have surged in Italy, namely in the northern regions. However, there is no suggestion that the pontiff has been struck by the illness. Pope Francis arrives leads the Ash Wednesday mass which opens Lent, the forty-day period of abstinence and deprivation for Christians before Holy Week and Easter, on February 26, 2020, at the Santa Sabina church in Rome. (ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) Pope Francis greets catholic faithfuls at St Peters square in the Vatican at the end of his weekly general audience on February 26, 2020. (TIZIANA FABI/AFP via Getty Images) There have been three cases of the virus in Rome, where the Vatican is located, but all three were cured, the Telegraph reported. During the Ash Wednesday Mass, Pope Francis expressed sympathy to those who have been sickened by COVID-19 and also the healthcare workers who are trying to stop the contagion, CNA reported. Francis had been scheduled to go to the St. John Lateran basilica across town to meet with Rome clergy and celebrate a penitential Mass at the start of Lent. Francis is bishop of Rome, but he delegates the day-to-day running of the archdiocese to a vicar. Francis has had a busy schedule lately, including his public general audience on Wednesday and the Ash Wednesday service later in the day in a Roman basilica. Italian officials confirmed on Thursday that two more people have died from COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 14. Italys Civil Protection chief, Angelo Borrelli, told reporters that officials were still seeking confirmation that the coronavirus was responsible for the two deaths. Schools, universities, movie theaters, and other businesses have been closed. Several public events have been canceled, according to the BBC. EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said, This is a situation of concern, but we must not give in to panic. There are still many unknowns about this virus and in particular its origin and how it spreads. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Playa del Carmen woman found deceased days after husband dies Playa del Carmen, Q.R. A 50-year-old woman of Argentine nationality was found dead inside her Las Palmas home Wednesday afternoon after an apparent suicide. The woman was discovered deceased inside her home in the Las Palmas I subdivision of Playa del Carmen days after being widowed. Neighbors said the woman, who was a retired teacher, was found by them in the home. They called police who responded to the call. La Policia Municipal arrived at the Zanates Street address to tend to the incident. According to the testimony of those who knew her, her husband died of natural causes a few days ago. Placement Completed and SPP Uplift Under Consideration Brisbane, Feb 27, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Lithium explorer and developer Lake Resources NL ( ASX:LKE ) ( FRA:LK1 ) announced today a further boost for its growth plans, following strong investor support that will facilitate the development of sustainable and scalable direct extraction technology at its flagship Kachi Lithium Brine Project.The technology developed by Lake's partner, Lilac Solutions has received backing from a fund led by Bill Gates and other global business heavyweights and offers a potential sustainable solution for the lithium brines industry.Under a placement to sophisticated and professional investors, Lake has now secured a total of approximately $3.37 million before costs, while the Share Purchase Plan announced on 10 February 2020 has been oversubscribed having secured some $2.1 million. Lake is now considering upsizing the SPP to accommodate the increased demand from shareholders, with such funding to help speed the Company's development plans.PlacementLake has completed its upsized private placement, with $1.915 million received before costs and the issue of 47,875,000 million shares, at an offer price of $0.04 per share, to sophisticated and professional investors. This brings the total amount raised under the placement to an amount of approximately $3.37 million. The Company is preparing a supplementary prospectus which will address these matters which is anticipated to be lodged on or around 28 February 2020.Share Purchase Plan (SPP) UpdateThe SPP and Shortfall Offer, to raise up to $1.5 million before costs, has been oversubscribed following strong support. The Company is currently considering upsizing the SPP Offer and Shortfall Offer and an announcement will be made shortly concerning a Supplementary Prospectus.The SPP closes this Friday, 28 February 2020 (Closing Date). Applications and funds must be received by the Company by the Closing Date.About Lake Resources NL Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) (OTCMKTS:LLKKF) is a clean lithium developer utilising clean, direct extraction technology for the development of sustainable, high purity lithium from its flagship Kachi Project, as well as three other lithium brine projects in Argentina. The projects are in a prime location within the Lithium Triangle, where 40% of the world's lithium is produced at the lowest cost. This method will enable Lake Resources to be an efficient, responsibly-sourced, environmentally friendly and cost competitive supplier of high-purity lithium, which is readily scalable, and in demand from Tier 1 electric vehicle makers and battery makers. Gauteng Premier David Makhura largely side-stepped the controversial topic of e-tolls in his state of the province address on Tuesday (25 February), despite expectations that the issue would finally be addressed. The premier only mentioned e-tolls once near the end of his more than two-hour-long address, noting that President Cyril Ramaphosa has made a decision on the matter, and would soon make an announcement. As the executive council, we made a strong and persuasive case to national government on the e-tolls. I have been assured by president Cyril Ramaphosa that a lasting solution has been found and an announcement by the president is imminent. Government has flip-flopped on the issue of e-tolls with the Gauteng government indicating that it supports the scrapping of the system, while Treasury has indicated that it can afford the debt repayments. At the end of 2019, finance minister Tito Mboweni said that the system cannot be scrapped unless a replacement revenue source is found. Mboweni said that financing the GFIP is done on a corporate finance basis and not a project finance basis. This means that borrowing for toll roads is done on the basis that there is a revenue stream to finance the debt, he said. A significant portion of the South African National Roads Agencys existing debt was to finance the upgrade of roads on GFIP and it requires a revenue stream to finance it, so e-tolls cannot be abolished without a revenue stream to finance existing commitments. E-tolls were also included in a recent government gazette focusing on toll pricing, indicating that the system may be here to stay. Read Makhuras full address below: Gauteng Sopa 2020 by BusinessTech on Scribd Now read: What taxpayers really want to hear from Finance Minister Tito Mboweni The meeting at the pub resembled a group therapy session, with participants - a town mayor, a former school board member and about 15 other moderate Democrats - sharing anxiety over Tuesday's presidential primary election in Virginia. They all wanted to know: How is it possible that Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., might win the party's presidential nomination? And why weren't they excited about any of the other candidates? "I don't get it," Ron Goodes, 74, said to the others at the SideBar pub in Leesburg, Virginia, referring to how the primary elections have gone so far. "I don't get why there's such disarray, why there's sniping, why there is less focus on 'what I can do' as opposed to 'how lousy that other person is.' It's just a freaking mess." "I can't vote for Bernie," said Sara Gallagher, 69. "He's just too left for me." In the affluent northern Virginia suburbs that will be ground zero for Democratic turnout in November, an "anybody but Bernie" movement is struggling to take hold. Moderate Virginia voters have turned out in droves for Democratic candidates since the election of Donald Trump in 2016, powering the party's takeover of the U.S. House, both chambers of the state legislature and county boards in booming suburbs such as Prince William and Loudoun counties. Now, those same voters are bouncing between presidential candidates, hoping that someone - anyone - can generate enough excitement to foil a November matchup between Sanders and Trump that they believe would be disastrous. Some see Sanders as a divisive populist who will turn off independents and moderate Republicans who are crucial in swing states such as Pennsylvania or Michigan. Others, averse to the democratic socialist's calls for Medicare-for-all and free college tuition, say they could stay home on Election Day if Sanders is the nominee. After canvassing for and donating to Democrats at the state and local level, they are ambivalent, at best, about billionaire Mike Bloomberg; former vice president Joe Biden; ex-South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg; and Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. Their uncertainty was reflected in a Monmouth University poll last month that showed just 1 in 4 Democratic voters in Virginia were sure about whom they prefer - and that those who back Sanders, as opposed to the rest of the field, were enthusiastic about their choice. "Moderates are very conflicted about the strengths of candidates in their lane," said Quentin Kidd, director of Christopher Newport University's Wason Center for Public Policy. "There's just not a candidate who is as exciting or energetic as, oddly enough, 78-year-old Bernie Sanders is." Virginia's long history of across-the-aisle politics makes the state seemingly fertile ground for a presidential candidate who hovers closer to the center than Sanders. In 2016, Democrats in the state chose Hillary Clinton over Sanders nearly 2-to-1. Yet, with establishment Democratic officials aligning themselves with different moderates - or not endorsing at all - Sanders appears poised to take a sizable portion of Virginia's 99 delegates into what is shaping up to potentially be the first seriously contested Democratic Party convention in 52 years. The same Monmouth University poll showed him locked in a tie at the top of the field with Bloomberg, the former New York mayor who will appear on the ballot for the first time in the 14 Super Tuesday states and has saturated Virginia with campaign ads. Biden and Buttigieg were second and third, respectively. But while Sanders has since gone on to decisively win the Nevada caucuses, Bloomberg has faced withering attacks on the debate stage over alleged mistreatment of women in his media company and a stop-and-frisk policy during his mayoral term that targeted African Americans and Latinos. An accompanying tide of uncertainty has rolled through Democratic social media chat groups, debate watch parties and even candidate rallies in northern Virginia. Outside a Warren rally in Arlington on Feb. 13, Marguerite Metzler said that "it's disturbing" to think of Bloomberg, a former Republican, as the only viable alternative to Sanders, whose "building-the-base strategy" she compared to Trump's. Though she believes Warren could be an effective president, Metzler, 69, said the senator may have blown her chances of winning in Virginia. "There are people who like her but haven't liked some of her ideas," she said. "And I think she squandered that by building such a strong association with free college and Medicare-for-all." After ticking off a list of misgivings over the other Democratic candidates - Biden lacks energy, Buttigieg is inexperienced - Metzler, who lives in Springfield, landed on a possible choice: "Maybe Amy?" Sanders's supporters don't understand the confusion. During a recent debate watch party in the city of Fairfax, Amber Beichler and Isabelle Oldfield happily cheered as Warren and the other candidates laid into Bloomberg, while Sanders emerged relatively unscathed. Both argued that the senator from Vermont is the only one who can inspire enough passion among Democrats to defeat Trump. They cited the support he has received so far from white, Latino and African American voters worried about climate change, rising health-care costs and stagnant wages in an otherwise robust economy - all of which Sanders has vowed to fix. "It'll be that inspiring platform that will get people off the couch and into the voting booth," said Beichler, 29, of Herndon. Added Oldfield, 24, who lives in Reston, "He's actually the perfect candidate to run against Trump, because you need a populist to win against a populist." Nearby, Mike Miner, 35, who supports Warren and is also from Reston, was philosophical about why Democrats are anxious about Sanders and unsure about who else should take on the president. "When you talk to people, their number one issue is defeating Donald Trump," Miner said. "You cannot run this experiment multiple times and see which candidate does better, which one does a little bit worse. You're going off your gut. And that's why you're seeing such huge fluctuations in polls and support rising and falling." At a Buttigieg rally in Arlington this past weekend, Joseph Brecht, 21, advertised himself as the kind of voter Democrats yearn to win over. The George Mason University student held up a "Republicans for Pete" sign that drew cheers from anyone who saw it, saying he voted for Trump in 2016 but is now disillusioned. "I consider myself a moderate Republican, but I'm not a socialist," Brecht said, referring to Sanders. In November, "I'm going to try to support the Democratic nominee, but if it's someone I really can't stand, I'm just not going to vote for that office." Jill Weiss, 49, showed up to the rally wearing a red Moms Demand Action T-shirt. The groups is an offshoot of the Everytown for Gun Safety group funded by Bloomberg that was instrumental in helping Democrats seize control of the state legislature last fall. "It doesn't mean I support Bloomberg," Weiss, of Leesburg, quickly said. She is leaning toward Biden because of his foreign policy experience but is also open to Buttigieg and Klobuchar. Reflecting on the possibility of a Sanders nomination, Weiss added: "I always thought I was a liberal Democrat. But everything has shifted." Inside the Leesburg pub, the group attending the event organized by the Loudoun County Democratic Committee expressed frustration with that shifting terrain. The suburb was key in Democratic victories last fall in the statehouse and on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. In 2018, Loudoun also propelled Democrat Jennifer Wexton to victory over then-Rep. Barbara Comstock, a Republican, helping to fuel a new Democratic House majority. Yet that afternoon, there were the formerly energized voters, wearing "Hello my name is . . ." tags and openly worrying about not having a significant voice in what they see as the mother of all elections. "I'm seriously contemplating not voting on March 3, which, for me, is really weird," said Charlotte McConnell, 40. "I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone." Gallagher, who said she is vehemently opposed to Sanders, said she will probably not cast a ballot in November if he gets the nomination. Jessica Puentes, 31, said she will probably stay home if Bloomberg is the Democratic nominee. Tony Fasolo, 82, lamented the strain that Sanders's 2016 presidential run had on his relationship with his son, who backed Sanders over Clinton and still "doesn't talk to me too much." Kelly Burke, the Leesburg mayor, said that without a candidate who has the same kind of gravitational pull that Sanders has, many moderates feel stuck. "We all realize what's at stake, in that this election matters probably like no election in the life of this country, and that's why we're struggling," she said. "We don't want to make a mistake." At the end of January, Matthew Hancock, the Conservative governments Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, claimed that Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were an incredibly successful innovation and that the government had a whole-scale programme of work to improve access for patients. The comments were in response to Jon Ashworth, Labours Shadow Health Secretary, who said that the government was bungling the general practitioners (GP) contracts through excessive red tape. Having implemented or acceded to decades of health cuts, Labour is cynically seeking to exploit widespread anger over a lack of access to GPs. Hancock said he knew the frustration many families feel and touted the government programme as one that would resolve the issue. He claimed the government would recruit 6,000 more doctors. The empty character of the pledge is demonstrated by the fact that the government failed to hire 5,000 extra doctors by 2020 as previously promised. The reality of the situation was shown last October, when the Mirror reported that 15 million patients had been left waiting at least a month to see a GP, during the 12 months preceding August 2019. A total of 55 million patients had to wait longer than a fortnight. Shortages of GP numbers are estimated as being at least 7,000. Ever greater numbers are leaving the profession as a result of the immense strains produced by a decade of cutbacks by successive governments. Hancocks comments came barely two weeks after the Local Medical Committee (LMC) for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire (BBO) declared the specifications of the PCN programme to be completely unrealistic. The LMC stated that it cannot in any way endorse these specifications, nor do we have any confidence that national negotiations will result in NHS England agreeing to sufficient positive changes. The document analysed five specifications that would have a significant impact on PCNs, which it stated were unsustainable given existing staffing levels and would result in massive costs to GP practices in six figure sums. It estimated that practices would incur an average of 105,000 in additional costs per annum but cautioned that this could be a significant understatement unless the gap in practice workforce was reduced at the cheapest possible rate. According to GP Online, the five draft specifications of concern covered support for patients in care homes, personalised care, initial cancer diagnosis, anticipatory care and structured medication reviews. These would require 14 sessions per week of clinical time per average practice, as well as another 26 hours of administration each week. The LMS document, which was released prior to the end of consultations between the British Medical Association (BMA) and NHS England, concluded: We do not recommend practices renew the PCN DES [Directed Enhanced Service] in 2020. We would advise practices consider urgently whether they wish to withdraw from the DES, and if so, also consider whether it is in their interest to remain a member of their PCN and continue to operate as a network under locally commissioned arrangements pending discussions with CCGs [Clinical Commissioning Groups]. The outcome of the consultation was released on February 7. The final agreement, between the BMA and NHS England, saw some changes to the specifications in question, with the responsibility for fortnightly care home visits shifting from GPs. Structured medicine reviews will be dependent on the capacity of recruited clinical pharmacists. Personalised care and anticipatory care specifications will be reviewed by April 2021. The pared down changes have been designed to let the BMA agree to the overall structure of the contracts, with a few moderations to try and damp down opposition from GPs. In June last year, Pulse reported that only 15 percent of GPs would have voted for the new 5-year-contract. Some 45 percent of the 810 GPs surveyed stated that if the contract had been put to a vote, they would have rejected it. Respondents raised various issues. One stated: No, not ever. Its appalling. Extra work, extra responsibility, extra liability, dumping extended hours then improved access. Network rules too restricting. Legal mess. In January, a conference of LMCs was called for March 11 to discuss the negotiations: the outcomes and what actions should be taken. The conference is to be hosted by the GP Committee of the BMA. The purpose of the conference is to rubber-stamp the sell-out deal already agreed to by the BMA. In a statement to Pulse, the association declared that the conference cannot overturn the contracts but can only express dissatisfaction. The GP Committee had negotiating rights for the entire profession, and with a 71 percent vote in favour of the contracts the BMA has managed to secure a done deal. The BMA declared that the conference will focus on the professions response to the contract and how it will operate. This is an anti-democratic maneuver aimed at enforcing the governments deepening attacks on healthcare workers. Whatever proposals are adopted at the conference will do nothing to alter the dire situation facing GPs across the country, or the continued sell off of the NHS. As the WSWS warned, last year: The current network of 44 Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs) are to be turned into more centralized Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) by April 2019. Every ICS will work towards an Integrated Provider Contract and these contracts will no doubt be awarded to or sub-contracted to the private sector. The record demonstrates that it is the BMA and the unions that are playing the central role in suppressing widespread anger over the escalating assault on healthcare, exemplified by this privatisation programme. The NHS FightBack campaign, established by the Socialist Equality Party, has been organised to unify and co-ordinate the struggles of healthcare workers in opposition to these corporatist, pro-business organisations. This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? Sixty is the new 45, 80 is the new 60, and 100 is well, really dang old. But even centenarians know that once you stop learning, you star... UCD students are pitching tents at the main gate of the campus as they fight a rent hike in on-campus accommodation. They say the increases are locking young people out of access to higher education and must be reversed immediately. The price of housing at the south Dublin university is to rise by 4% each year over the next three years. The Dublin university's Students' Union says campus rents have gone up by 76% over the last decade. Earlier this month, there was another protest where Students Union President Joanna Siewierska said the increases should be scrapped. "We will be rallying and demanding that the campus rent increase is stopped immediately and a campus rent decrease and rent freeze are introduced to help students," she said at the time. We are also demanding that management implement a rental support scheme for students who are struggling in the private market. Earlier this week, there was a similar protest in UCC. The UCC Students Union simply cannot stand by and support such dramatic rent increases, according to a statement issued by the union. These students are demanding that the 3% rent increase be reversed and that a rent freeze on all UCC-owned accommodation be put in place for a period of three years." Scientists studying a distant galaxy cluster have discovered the biggest explosion seen in the Universe since the Big Bang. The blast came from a supermassive black hole at the centre of a galaxy hundreds of millions of light-years away. It released five times more energy than the previous record holder. Professor Melanie Johnston-Hollitt, from the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, said the event was extraordinarily energetic. "We've seen outbursts in the centres of galaxies before but this one is really, really massive," she said. "And we don't know why it's so big. "But it happened very slowly--like an explosion in slow motion that took place over hundreds of millions of years." The explosion occurred in the Ophiuchus galaxy cluster, about 390 million light-years from Earth. It was so powerful it punched a cavity in the cluster plasma--the super-hot gas surrounding the black hole. Lead author of the study Dr Simona Giacintucci, from the Naval Research Laboratory in the United States, said the blast was similar to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, which ripped the top off the mountain. "The difference is that you could fit 15 Milky Way galaxies in a row into the crater this eruption punched into the cluster's hot gas," she said. Professor Johnston-Hollitt said the cavity in the cluster plasma had been seen previously with X-ray telescopes. But scientists initially dismissed the idea that it could have been caused by an energetic outburst, because it would have been too big. "People were sceptical because the size of outburst," she said. "But it really is that. The Universe is a weird place." The researchers only realised what they had discovered when they looked at the Ophiuchus galaxy cluster with radio telescopes. "The radio data fit inside the X-rays like a hand in a glove," said co-author Dr Maxim Markevitch, from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "This is the clincher that tells us an eruption of unprecedented size occurred here." The discovery was made using four telescopes; NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, ESA's XMM-Newton, the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) in Western Australia and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in India. Professor Johnston-Hollitt, who is the director of the MWA and an expert in galaxy clusters, likened the finding to discovering the first dinosaur bones. "It's a bit like archaeology," she said. "We've been given the tools to dig deeper with low frequency radio telescopes so we should be able to find more outbursts like this now." The finding underscores the importance of studying the Universe at different wavelengths, Professor Johnston-Hollitt said. "Going back and doing a multi-wavelength study has really made the difference here," she said. Professor Johnston-Hollitt said the finding is likely to be the first of many. "We made this discovery with Phase 1 of the MWA, when the telescope had 2048 antennas pointed towards the sky," she said. "We're soon going to be gathering observations with 4096 antennas, which should be ten times more sensitive." "I think that's pretty exciting." ### MORE INFORMATION ICRAR The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) is a joint venture between Curtin University and The University of Western Australia with support and funding from the State Government of Western Australia. THE MURCHISON WIDEFIELD ARRAY The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) is a low-frequency radio telescope and is the first of four Square Kilometre Array (SKA) precursors to be completed. A consortium of partner institutions from seven countries (Australia, USA, India, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and China) financed the development, construction, commissioning, and operations of the facility. The MWA consortium is led by Curtin University. Publication: 'Discovery of a giant radio fossil in the Ophiuchus Galaxy Cluster', published in The Astrophysical Journal on February 27th, 2020. Multimedia: Available from http://www.icrar.org/kaboom Contacts: Prof. Melanie Johnston-Hollitt (ICRAR / Curtin University) Ph: +61 400 951 815 E: Melanie.Johnston-Hollitt@curtin.edu.au Pete Wheeler (Media Contact, ICRAR) Ph: +61 423 982 018 E: Pete.Wheeler@icrar.org Lauren Sydoruk (Media Contact, Curtin University) Ph: +61 9266 4241 E: Lauren.Sydoruk@curtin.edu.au Proper structures must be instituted to ... A stolen hearse with a casket and a woman's body inside has been recovered after the driver crashed the vehicle during a police chase on a Los Angeles freeway. The casket was found still inside the hearse after the crash on the 110 Freeway on Thursday morning. Authorities confirmed that the black Lincoln navigator that crashed was the same vehicle that had been stolen from outside St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in East Pasadena on Wednesday night. Police said they had taken the driver into custody. A stolen hearse with a casket and a woman's body inside has been recovered after the driver crashed the vehicle during a police chase on a Los Angeles freeway on Thursday Video footage from news helicopters showed that the vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Benjamin Grubb told KTLA that a member of the public had reported seeing the SUV on the highway. The Los Angeles Police Department was pursuing the vehicle when it crashed. Video footage from news helicopters showed that the vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage. Grubb said the body did not appear to have been disturbed but it was unfortunate that the family of the dead person had 'to be put through further trauma'. The hearse was stolen from outside the church while one of two bodies was being unloaded a night earlier. The hearse belonged to a mortuary that had been contracted to transport two bodies to the church. A mortuary attendant had taken one of the caskets into the church while the other was left in the vehicle outside. Police said they had taken the driver into custody following the crash. Photo courtesy of CBS LA The casket was found still inside the hearse after the crash on the 110 Freeway on Thursday morning. Authorities confirmed that the black Lincoln navigator that crashed was the same vehicle that had been stolen from outside St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in East Pasadena on Wednesday night Video footage from news helicopters showed that the vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage Police said the hearse had been stolen by the time the worker came back out. The sheriff's department had appealed to the thief on social media on Wednesday to return the body. 'Out of all the bad decisions you have made, at least make one good one and bring back the deceased person and casket inside the Navigator,' it tweeted. The sheriff's office later tweeted their thanks to the person who reported seeing the stolen hearse. 'Huge THANK YOU to the good samaritan that called law enforcement when they saw the stolen vehicle,' they tweeted. 'We also want to send condolences to the family members of the deceased person, who had to deal with this tragedy.' Guest Column Indo-Myanmar Ties Should Go Beyond Geopolitical Interests Myanmar President U Win Myint (left) with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their discussions at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday. / Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India The India-Myanmar relationship is blossoming. It encompasses the highest levels of authority on both sides, from heads of state and government to military chiefs, as well as ministerial and functional-level visits. Myanmar President U Win Myint is currently visiting India at the invitation of his counterpart, President Ram Nath Kovind. He will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other high officials and ink key agreements to deepen ties. Looking to lessen its dependence on China, which has built up over many decades, Myanmar has sought to strengthen its links with India in the last decade so. Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw) commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and other high-ranking officers have visited the country repeatedly in a bid to boost defense cooperation. India not only trains Myanmar military officers, but also sells sophisticated weapons to the Tatmadaw. For instance, India delivered Shyena advanced lightweight torpedoes to Myanmars navy in July 2019. Myanmar has also reportedly received weapons and defense hardware such as rocket launchers, mortars, radars, night-vision devices, bridges and communication devices, as well as road construction equipment like bulldozers, dump trucks and soil compactors. In addition to equipment transfers, the two sides conducted the joint India-Myanmar Bilateral Military Exercise. However, rather than fostering democracy, ending the civil war and bringing peace to the country, Myanmars cultivation of closer ties with India is part of a geostrategic balancing act aimed at limiting the influence of China. Similarly, for India, Myanmar occupies a strategic geopolitical position as the country where New Delhis two major foreign policy initiativesAct East and Neighborhood Firstconverge. India is pushing its geopolitical goal of connecting to Southeast Asia through Myanmar. China, Indias regional rival, is pushing to build the China-Myanmar Economic Corridorpart of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)which includes a railway from Chinas Yunnan Province to Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State. India is thus in a hurry to finish the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. As China vies to link to the Indian Ocean through the Bay of Bengal, so India is attempting to exert itself in the Bay through the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project, which will connect the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata to Sittwe in Rakhine State, Paletwa in Chin State, and the Indian state of Assam. India has vowed to engage with Myanmar through five Cs: connectivity, commerce, capacity-building, culture and community. Such a strategic partnership is laudable. As a part of the connectivity pillar, land-border crossing points have been opened at Tamu-Moreh (between Sagaing Region and Indias Manipur State) and Rihkhawdar-Zokhawthar (between Chin State and Indias Mizoram State). However, relations between the two countriesmotivated so far by Myanmars balancing act and Indias geopolitical goalsshould go beyond such narrow interests. India, in fact, should help a Myanmar to foster its nascent democracy, build a federal union and end the civil war to bring about peace. A regional power that serves as a major linchpin in maintaining security, stability, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, India should deepen its engagement in Myanmar beyond just government-to-government and military-to-military relations. India should tighten its relationship with Myanmar by engaging in the following sectors. First, India should engage with Myanmars newly founded political partiesruling, opposition and ethnicby providing them with technical support. Doing so will be conducive to fostering democracy in the country. Even Chinaa communist regimehas engaged with some Myanmar political parties by inviting their leaders to Beijing. Second, India should engage with Myanmars civil society organizations (CSOs), which play a critical role in a democratic society. India has appeared somewhat aloof when it comes to engaging with CSOs in Myanmar. Undeniably, the role of CSOs in the democratization process should not be undermined. India should thus pave the way to engage with Myanmars CSOs by, for instance, providing financial support. Third, India should get involved in Myanmars peace process, which has become a political quagmire. India should not limit its concern to just the insurgent groups that operate along the shared Indo-Myanmar border. If India continues to shun involvement in Myanmars peace process, China will continue its interference in the process and direct it in its own interest. Thus, India should get involved by facilitating peace talks or offering financial support. Last but not least, India should strengthen its support for Myanmars education sector, which is the key to opening the doors of economic prosperity and democratization. India should provide more scholarships for Myanmars young leaders, who will be the leaders and change-makers of the future, and the drivers of democracy in the country. As a nascent democracy, Myanmar needs more Indian engagement. Taken for granted in an established democracy like India, the idea of democracy is still fresh and new in Myanmar. The health of these vital institutions and systems will require more than the pursuit of geopolitical interests, but rather the practical application of lessons from India. The aims of Indias engagement with Myanmar should not be limited to furthering geopolitical interests, but should include fostering democracy, building a federal union and achieving peace. Joe Kumbun is the pseudonym of an analyst based in Kachin State. He can be reached at [email protected]. You may also like these stories: Batmans Butler Alfred on Colonialism: Does Burning Down the Forest Work? Accountability Lacking as Civilian Casualties Mount in Myanmars Rakhine Conflict Todays Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. Email address By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy The C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) landed here on Thursday morning from China with 112 evacuees, including 36 foreign nationals. The flight arrived at 6:45 am. All evacuees will be taken to the ITBP quarantine facility in Chhawla after their thermal screening. The aircraft left for China's Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, on Wednesday. India has evacuated hundreds of people, including its nationals from China a few weeks ago. Coronavirus has infected more than 80,000 people in 37 countries, causing more than 2,700 deaths in the past few months. The virus was first detected in Hubei province in December last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 27.02.2020 LISTEN Hon. Kennedy Akompreko Agaypong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central in Ghana is set to visit Minnesota USA as the special Guest of Honor for a Town Hall Meeting thats being organized by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minnesota Chapter. The Town Hall meeting is scheduled to come off Sunday, March 8 in Minnesota USA. During the meeting, participants are expected to engage the lawmaker on diverse issues ranging from government policies and programs, government achievements and challenges as well as the security of Ghana leading to the 2020 elections. The event will also create the opportunity for the Assin Central MP to interact with the Ghanaian community as well as friends of Ghana. According to the Chairman of NPP Minnesota Chapter, Mr. J. B. Danquah, the chapter since its inauguration is committed to be a major player in influencing the discourse and policy directions of the NPP government in Ghana. He therefore believes that, the town hall meeting with Hon. Kennedy Agyapong will further energize the chapter to outline their alternative policy suggestions. Hon. Kens objectivity in dealing with national issues has certainly earned him massive following in Ghana and abroad, and his presence at the planned town hall meeting on Sunday March 8 will provide the desired environment to interact with the Ghanaian community in an objective and pleasant manner. In a related development, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong while in Minnesota, will be a special guest for Ghanas 63rd Independence Dinner Dance celebration on Saturday, March 7. The Dinner Dance is organized by the Ghana Council of Minnesota. The NPP Minnesota Chapter Town Hall meeting follows the next day on Sunday March 8. The night will conclude with music and dancing. A Korean man, who died near Bac Ninh provinces General Hospital on February 25, tested negative for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The crossroad where Jung Jin-yong was found unconscious (Source: Internet) The information was confirmed by Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Information and Communication Vu Huy Phuong. The victim, named Jung Jin-yong and born in 1976, entered Vietnam on January 28. He temporarily lived in a hotel in Bac Ninh city and worked at STN Vina Company at Que Vo districts Viet Hung Industrial Park. On February 7, he was examined at the provincial General Hospital and diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetes sufferer. At around 4pm on February 25, the patient continued going to the hospital for examination, during which he showed no symptoms of fever and breathing difficulties. However, he left the hospital without informing doctors. At 5pm of the same day, he was found unconscious at a crossroad, about 100m away from the hospital. When being hospitalised, he stopped breathing and suffered cardiac arrest. The blood glucose level was very high (27.9 mmol/l). The provincial investigation police agency is investigating the case./. Korean town in Hanoi less busy due to fears of COVID-19 COVID-19 has spread quickly in the Republic of Korea recently, causing fears among Korean community, even those who live abroad. In Hanoi, Korean streets are now far less crowded. Clive Cussler, the million-selling adventure writer and real-life thrill-seeker who wove personal details and spectacular fantasies into his page-turning novels about underwater explorer Dirk Pitt, has died. Cussler died on Monday at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, said Alexis Welby, a spokeswoman for publisher Penguin Random House. He was 88. The cause was not disclosed. The author dispatched Pitt and pal Al Giordino on exotic missions highlighted by shipwrecks, treachery and espionage, in popular works including Cyclops, Night Probe! and his commercial breakthrough, Raise the Titanic! Cussler, an Illinois native, was raised in Southern California and lived in Arizona for most of his final years, but he sent Pitt around the globe in plots that ranged from the bold to the incredible. The Treasure features an aspiring Aztec despot who murders an American envoy, the hijacking of a plane carrying the United Nations secretary-general and soldiers from ancient Rome looting the Library of Alexandria. In Iceberg, the presidents of French Guiana and the Dominican Republic are the ones in danger, during a visit to Disneyland. In Sahara, a race across the desert somehow leads to new information about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. 10 must-read true crime books Show all 10 1 /10 10 must-read true crime books 10 must-read true crime books In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1966) The first classic of the true crime genre was Capotes investigation of the four murders that rocked the small farming community of Holcomb, Kansas. He spent six years fascinated with killers Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, after travelling to research the tragedy with his childhood friend Harper Lee. No one will ever know what In Cold Blood took out of me, Capote once said. It scraped me right down to the marrow of my bones. It nearly killed me. I think, in a way, it did kill me. 10 must-read true crime books I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara (2018) In 2018, more than 50 rapes and 12 murders in California were finally matched to a single culprit after 40 years. Its possible to argue the killer would have gone undiscovered forever if not for the extensive research left behind by journalist Michelle McNamara after her death in 2016, which became this portrait of obsession. A true crime enthusiast since childhood, she gave the Golden State Killer his catchy name and turned national attention back to his crimes. The most compelling passages show her holed up with evidence, compulsively re-reading the gory details. Theres a scream permanently lodged in my throat now, she writes at one point. 10 must-read true crime books Happy Like Murderers by Gordon Burn (1998) Gordon Burns unflinching exploration of Fred and Rosemary West exposes the decay that lay at the heart of rural England. He shines a light on the brutality of the murderous couples backgrounds - not to make them sympathetic, but rather to show how a legacy of cruelty can curdle into violence. This notorious chapter of our countrys history unfolds through intelligent prose, and the Northern writer doesnt have to reach for exaggeration to terrify the reader. Gloucester City Council may have demolished 25 Cromwell Street, but the houses ghosts cant be silenced in Burns insightful non-fiction portrait. 10 must-read true crime books Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi (1974) The best-selling true crime book of all time covers the infamous Manson murders, which have stayed in the public imagination now for 50 years. Buglioso, prosecutor in the Tate-LaBianca trials, lays out the events that inspired movies like 2019s Oscar-winning Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Buglioso resented attempts to turn the cult leader into a mystical folk hero. In this book, he instead exposed how Manson exploited people who were already susceptible to anti-social ideas. It remains our primary source of information on a murderous motive that combined white supremacy, drug-fuelled paranoia, and Beatles conspiracy theories. 10 must-read true crime books Party Monster by James St James (1999) James St James paints an indelible picture of New York nightlife in this infamous tale of drugs, sex, fashion and murder. The 1996 death of a drug dealer named Angel kicked off a scandalous series of events that rocked the citys party scene. As a club kid himself, the author shows us how he became the confidant of one of the killers, and experienced the dark side of a subculture that embraced total anarchy. Formerly titled Disco Bloodbath, the novel later became a feature film starring Macaulay Culkin. 10 must-read true crime books The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcolm (1999) This unusual story focuses more on the ethics of journalism than the violent crimes of its titular murderer, Jeffrey MacDonald. Journalist Joe McGinniss befriended the man, who had murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters, and then wrote a book based on everything MacDonald had told him. An unprecedented trial eventually took place, in which MacDonald alleged that McGinniss had tricked and betrayed him. Malcolm analyses the relationship between the two men with level headed clarity, asking when a journalist becomes a con man. The chain of events is thrilling, and the debate is thought-provoking. 10 must-read true crime books Unbelievable by T Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong Recently adapted for a Netflix series starring Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, and Kaitlyn Dever, Miller and Armstrongs story of a shocking rape investigation won them numerous awards, including the 2016 Pulitzer Prize. The books central crime took place in Lynnwood, Washington, in 2008, and justice wasnt delivered until other cases emerged years later and 1,300 miles away in Colorado. The main victims story here is testament to the damage that incompetent police work can do. Miller and Armstrong ask a difficult question in this empathetic exploration: who earns the benefit of the doubt, and why? 10 must-read true crime books Columbine by Dave Cullen (2009) Two decades later, the Columbine shootings are as sadly relevant as ever. Dave Cullens 2009 examination of the massacre shows how the media storm obscured the tragedy at the time, creating myths instead of soberly investigating the circumstances. Nuance and accuracy are key to the books success. Cullen pushes past the image we have of the two shooters to get to the truth. In particular, this account shines a light on the students, teachers, and parents who were involved in the attacks. They are granted dignity and allowed to have a voice: a lesson in respectfully covering mass shootings that is tragically still needed today. 10 must-read true crime books The Red Parts: Autobiography of a Trial by Maggie Nelson (2007) Maggie Nelson is known today for genre-defying critical successes like The Argonauts and Bluets, but this 2007 book about her aunts murder shows an early foray into true crime. The case had haunted her since childhood, and when new DNA evidence emerged to lay blame 35 years after the tragedy, Nelson observed the new suspects trial closely. Through the prism of her familys grief, the book is beautifully lyrical at times. Her mothers perspective is particularly crucial, as she mourns her younger sisters short, turbulent life. Nelson remains rational and skeptical throughout, however, commenting on the nature of crime and punishment in enthralling prose. 10 must-read true crime books The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule (1980) Ann Rule aspired to be a crime novelist in the 1970s, but she couldnt have known that her best-selling debut would be inspired by the man who worked next to her. When she met Ted Bundy through her job at a suicide hotline, a friendship developed that gave her crucial insight into the serial killers psychological motivations. This personal angle adds fascinating colour to Rules meticulous reporting on his trial, conviction, and eventual execution. A list of true crime novels would be incomplete without this depiction of the human minds capacity for darkness. Again and again, Dirk Pitt, working for the fictional National Underwater and Marine Agency, must find a sunken vessel and retrieve some artifact, Mark Schone, summarising Cusslers novels, wrote in The New York Times in 2004. Evil forces, be they Commies or Blofeldian madmen, try to stop him. Along the way Pitt saves himself, the world and the damsel of the moment. Cussler has a new novel, Journey of the Pharaohs, scheduled for release on 10 March, with several more awaiting posthumous publication. In real life, Cussler founded his own National Underwater and Marine Agency and participated in dozens of searches for old ships, including one that turned up a steamship belonging to Cornelius Vanderbilt. Born an only child in 1931 in Aurora, Illinois, and raised in Alhambra, California, Cusslers name and writing persona have the air of a pseudonym, but he was born with his moniker, named for the British actor Clive Brook. He studied for two years at Pasadena City College before enlisting in the Air Force and serving as a mechanic and flight engineer during the Korean War. In 1955, he married Barbara Knight, with whom he had three children. Through much of the 1960s, he worked in advertising, as a copywriter and creative director. Among the better known slogans he helped coin Its stronger than dirt, for an Ajax laundry detergent campaign. In his free time, he was writing fiction and moonlighting at a skin-diving equipment shop, where his wife suggested he work to help gather material for his novels. When creating advertising, I had always looked at the competition and wondered what I could conceive that was totally different, Cussler said in an interview included in Dirk Pitt Revealed, a nonfiction book released in 1998. [James] Bond was becoming incredibly popular through the movies, and I knew I couldnt match Ian Flemings style and prose. So I was determined not to write about a detective, secret agent or undercover investigator or deal in murder mysteries. My heros adventures would be based on and underwater. Cussler finished manuscripts for Mediterranean Caper and Iceberg, but had no literary agent: so he created one. He purchased a thousand sheets of blank letter paper, got a friend in advertising to design a logo for The Charles Winthrop Agency and sent his first inquiry to Peter Lampack of the William Morris Agency. Lampack agreed to take on Cussler and remained with him long after the author confessed his charade. I told him the story of Charlie Winthrop with great trepidation, Cussler explained to the Arizona Republic. I sat there waiting for the result, and he sat there blank for a minute, and then he laughed himself under the table. Mediterranean Caper came out in 1973, followed by Iceberg two years later and Raise the Titanic! in 1976. He would turn out more than 20 Dirk Pitt novels and expand into childrens books and such adventure series as The Oregon Files and The Numa Files. The film version of Sahara came out in 2005 and starred Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz. An adaptation of Raise the Titanic! its title the same except for dropping the exclamation point, came out in 1980 and featured Jason Robards and Alec Guinness. In recent years, Cussler began working with co-authors and collaborated with his son on Poseidons Arrow, Crescent Dawn and Arctic Drift. Cusslers son is Dirk Cussler. Pitt himself had a son, called, of course, Dirk Pitt Jr. In addition to Dirk Cussler, the author is survived by his second wife, Janet, daughters Teri and Dayna, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The Associated Press contributed to this report D onald Trumps re-election campaign is suing The New York Times for defamation over an opinion piece on Russia. The lawsuit alleges the newspaper was responsible for an article by a former executive editor that claimed Mr Trumps campaign for the 2016 election made a deal with Russian officials to defeat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The presidents 2020 campaign said the newspaper knowingly published false and defamatory statements when the piece claimed there was an overarching deal with Vladimir Putins oligarchy to defeat Ms Clinton. The March 2019 article, The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo, by Max Frankel said the deal called for a new pro-Russian foreign policy, the lawsuit states. It also claims reporters at the paper had confirmed the inaccuracy of the statements but they were published anyway. Frankel was executive editor from 1986 to 1994. Eileen Murphy, a spokeswoman for the New York Times, said: Fortunately, the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgments and conclusions, especially about events of public importance. Southern Copper Corporation SCCO reported fourth-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 48 cents. However, the figure improved 4% from prior-year quarter figure of 38 cents. Net sales came in at $1,855 million, up 9% year over year. The top line improved on higher sales volume of copper, silver and molybdenum, and rising silver prices. However, lower copper, molybdenum and zinc prices somewhat offset these gains. Further, the reported sales figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,832 million. Adjusted EBITDA dipped 1% year over year to $787 million in fourth-quarter 2019. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 42% compared with the prior-year quarter figure of 47%. Southern Copper Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Southern Copper Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Southern Copper Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Southern Copper Corporation Quote Operating Highlights Copper: Southern Copper mined 256,461 tons of copper during the reported quarter, up 9% year over year. Molybdenum: The company mined 7,881 tons of molybdenum during the reported quarter, indicating year-over-year growth of 39%. Zinc: The companys zinc production improved 16% year over year to 20,364 tons in fourth-quarter 2019. Silver: Southern Coppers silver production surged 31.7% year over year to 5,663,000 ounces. Financials The company generated net cash from operating activities of $1,912 million in 2019 compared with $2235 million reported in the prior year. Cash and cash equivalents were at $1,925 million at the end of 2019, up from $845 million recorded at the end of the prior year. Long-term debt increased to $6,541 million at the 2019 end from $5,960 million at the end of the prior end. The company made capital investments worth $707 million during 2019. These are in sync with Southern Coppers growth program, which aims to reach annual production of 1.5 million tons of copper by 2028. Story continues Production Update In 2019, copper production reached over 1 million tons, which is a new milestone in the companys history. It also marks year-over-year increase of 12.5% primarily due to higher copper production at the Toquepala mine from the successful ramping up of the new concentrator at this facility; and the Buenavista mine as result of operating improvements at its SX-EW plants. However, lower production at the Cuajone mine due to lower ore grades was a minor concern. 2019 Results Southern Copper reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.92 in 2019, down 4% from the prior year. Earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.02. Sales were a record $7,286 million in 2019, up 3% from the previous year. The top line also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7,290 million. Price Performance Shares of Southern Copper have fallen 4.6% over the past year compared with the industrys decline of 4.4%. Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider Southern Copper currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are Daqo New Energy Corp DQ, Franco-Nevada Corporation FNV and Impala Platinum Holdings Limited IMPUY, each currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Daqo New Energy has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 29%. The companys shares have soared 96% in the past year. Franco-Nevada has a projected long-term earnings growth rate of 4%. Its shares have surged 57% over the past year. Impala Platinum has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 26.5%. The companys shares have appreciated 142% in a years time. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year. See their latest picks 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 Franco-Nevada Corporation (FNV) : Free Stock Analysis Report Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (IMPUY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO) : Free Stock Analysis Report DAQO New Energy Corp. (DQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Megachurch pastor challenges Americans easy Christianity, urges dangerous prayers Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A megachurch pastor and bestselling author has challenged American Christians to abandoned an easy version of their beliefs and pray dangerous prayers instead. In the final part of a sermon series titled Dangerous Prayers that was preached on Sunday, Life.Church pastor Craig Groeschel implored people to pray for God to break my heart. Groeschel labeled it the most dangerous prayer, telling his congregation that they probably wont like this prayer and some will refuse to pray it. It is not a common prayer, it is not an easy prayer, he said at the beginning of his message. It doesnt match the normal safe prayers that many of us pray. Its not consistent with the God should make your life easy version of Americanized popularized Christianity. Groeschel said he likes the easy prayers and its OK to pray them, citing examples of prayers for good meals, green traffic lights, well-behaved kids, and no zits on the important days. Nevertheless, Groeschel advocated for the breaking of heart prayer, stressing that following Jesus was never meant to be safe. God, break my heart, said Groeschel, who added that he wanted God to crush it and to strip me of comfort, ease, and spiritual apathy. Groeschel went on to suggest that Gods greatest blessings come from Gods greatest breakings, asking what if the very most special blessings from God come on the other side of the pain that moves you out of self to care about people on His behalf? What would happen if God really broke your heart to the things that break His? he asked the congregation. What if God blessed you with a heavenly burden, a divine burden, a holy hurt? Groeschel felt that this breaking and holy hurt was beneficial to a person, because comfort never once moved me to action. Groeschels comments on Sunday were part of a three-week sermon series titled Dangerous Prayers, which was centered on learning to pray with boldness. This included not only for God to break a believer's heart, but also to search their hearts and motives and also to send them out to meet the needs of other people. In the first part of the sermon series, preached on Feb. 9, Groeschel admitted to his congregation that he has oftentimes felt like he did not do a good enough job praying. Ive often felt like a prayer failure, he said. Some people, you intimidate me. Youre like hey, lets get together and pray for like an hour. Im like, lets not. Honestly, there have been times when I get very bored praying. Like Im bored. Im thinking Gods bored when Im praying sometimes. Like all you're praying is the same old routine, kind of prayer rut. I think thats a big problem for a lot of us. Groeschel suggested that maybe at the root of it for some of us, the biggest problems would be that our prayers are just too safe, predictable, mundane, rote. The sermon series came the same month of the release of Groeschels latest book, Dangerous Prayers: Because Following Jesus Was Never Meant to Be Safe. This book will show you how to pray the prayers that search your soul, break your habits, and send you to pursue the calling God has for you, explained the books description on Amazon. But be warned: if you're fine with settling for what's easy, or you're OK with staying on the sidelines, this book isn't for you. You'll be challenged. You'll be tested. You'll be moved to take a long, hard look at your heart. The CPI(M) has written to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal offering help in his efforts to restore peace in northeast Delhi, and urging him to convene an all-party meeting to "unitedly ensure communal harmony" in the city. The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed 34 lives so far and left over 200 people injured. "We write to assure you of our Party's cooperation in efforts to bring peace and communal harmony to Delhi," said the letter written by CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat and its Delhi State Committee Secretary K M Tewari. "We request you to urgently convene an all-party meeting in Delhi to decide how we can unitedly ensure communal harmony and peace in the Capital," the letter said. Karat and Tewari have also said the Left party has started a house-to-house campaign with an appeal for peace and harmony. The duo also demanded immediate action against AAP councilor Tahir Hussain who was allegedly behind the killing of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer during the violence. "Immediate action must be taken against him by the police," it said. Hussain has denied the charges of the IB officer's family. (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 Apollo Tyres said private equity firm Warburg Pincus will invest Rs 1,080 crore (around USD 150 million) in the company. The company's board has approved an issuance of compulsorily convertible preference shares in the company worth Rs 1,080 crore to an affiliate of Warburg Pincus, Apollo Tyres Ltd said in a statement. The investment represents a primary capital infusion into the company and is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, it added. "Their (Warburg Pincus) investment is a strong vote of confidence in our business, management team and growth prospects. I believe the company will benefit from the backing of a large financial investor of their pedigree and our partnership will further strengthen Apollo Tyres' board and governance," Apollo Tyres Chairman and Managing Director Onkar S Kanwar said. Commenting on the development, Warburg Pincus India Managing Director Vishal Mahadevia said, "We see a compelling growth story in Apollo Tyres and believe the company is well-positioned to build upon the strong leadership position it has carved out within the industry." Warburg Pincus is excited to partner with the management team of Apollo Tyres in this journey and looks forward to supporting them during the next phase of the company's growth, he added. The prosecution and defense spent all of Thursday morning debating whether the former could introduce new evidence during the trial, with Kem Sokhas lawyer arguing prosecutors were restricted to evidence uncovered during the investigation period. It has been seven weeks since Kem Sokhas trial began on January 15. On Thursday, there was no cross examination, no arguments made for or against the treason charge leveled against the opposition leader and another hearing where Kem Sokha remained completely silent. The prosecution on Wednesday submitted new evidence, which the council of judges took under consideration on Thursday morning. The prosecution said the evidence was needed to counter similar evidence introduced by the defense earlier in the trial. So, this evidence is valuable to give to the council of judges to consider and is in response to the one hour three minutes video from the defense, said prosecutor Plang Sophal referring the alleged treason video of Kem Sokha speaking in Australia in 2013. The defense immediately objected to the new evidence and said the prosecution was restricted to only use the evidence in the case file handed over by the investigating judge. They said Articles 312, 245 and 246 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, dealing with evidence admissibility and investigation period procedures, did not allow for the prosecution to introduce new evidence in the trial. The prosecutor has said [in the closing order] that there is enough evidence to find Kem Sokha guilty, so why do you need to submit more evidence, said defense lawyer Meng Sopheary, referring the closing order issued by the prosecutor recommending the case be sent to trial The defense then proceeded to make multiple suggestions for how the court should proceed should the contentious evidence be admitted. Meng Sopheary directly asked the judges to end the trial immediately and deliver a verdict, providing little explanation for her recommendations. Whereas, co-defense lawyer Ang Odom asked for a re-investigation of the charges and to ensure this time that foreign parties involved in the case be questioned as part of the investigation. Despite taking a break to deliberate, the council of judges did not rule on the admissibility of the evidence. Presiding judge Kuy Sao did respond to Ang Odom by saying the Vienna Convention prevented the court from summonsing foreigners to testify, seemingly referring to diplomats. It is illegal to invite them, he said. But the council of judges is not scared of any country who wants to come and speak [before the court]. Curiously, Kuy Sao proceeded to ask the prosecution to present their evidence in court in order to evaluate if it could be admitted, even allowing them to play video clips. However, the defense again objected saying that the evidence should not be viewed in court until the judges decide on its admissibility. Kuy Sao then asked the prosecution to list out the evidence instead, with prosecutor Vong Bun Visoth revealing that the evidence included seven video clips, mostly of Kem Sokha speaking to supporters at Freedom Park after the 2013 elections and allegedly calling for the toppling of the legal government. Despite another hour of arguments from all three parties, where the government lawyers supported the prosecutions request to submit evidence, the bench was unable to provide a clear interpretation of Article 321, which specifically deals with introducing new evidence during the hearings. After three hours of wrangling, the hearing was closed by presiding judge Kuy Sao, without any resolution to the basic questions of evidence admissibility and whether the prosecution was restricted to only use evidence in the case file. Also, Kuy Sao adjourned the proceedings till March 11, skipping all of next week, without giving any reasons. The announcement comes a day after the defense requested that the court increase the number of hearings a week, which was summarily rejected by the bench. MOSCOW, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Russia's Defence Ministry late on Thursday accused Turkey of illegally sending strike drones into Syria's Idlib region to support rebels fighting Syrian government forces, and of providing artillery support for them. The ministry made the allegation after Syrian rebels backed by Turkish forces said they had recaptured the crossroads town of Saraqeb, marking a first big push-back of a Syrian government offensive. Russian state TV earlier on Thursday said Turkish military specialists in Idlib were using shoulder-fired missiles to try to shoot down Russian and Syrian military aircraft. The Russian ministry said Turkey was in breach of agreements it had made with Russia over Syria. It said a Turkish strike drone had illegally entered Syrian airspace on Tuesday and been destroyed by Syrian government air defences while preparing a strike on government troops. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn; editing by John Stonestreet ) What is coronavirus? It has been identified as a new type of coronavirus, part of a family which mostly causes mild respiratory infections. Like other coronaviruses, it has come from animals. How severe is it? It causes pneumonia. Infected people have coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, there can be organ failure. There have been more than 80,000 cases confirmed worldwide. How is the virus spread? A Coughs and sneezes and touching or shaking hands. Regularly wash hands and cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. More people in Ireland who have potential symptoms of the new coronavirus will be tested. Why? This is due to extending the list of countries which have seen a surge in cases. Previously it was just mainland China but it now includes Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran and four regions in northern Italy - Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont. So if people have returned from one of these regions in the past 14 days and feel unwell they could end up being tested. If their doctor assesses their risk and recommends a test they will have to self-isolate until they get a result. Will this happen in hospital or at home? Up to now the numbers being tested were small and around 90 have had a swab sent to a lab. All have been negative. They were brought to hospital by ambulance and put in isolation for around 24 hours. The increase in people deemed suitable for testing means this is no longer practical so they will self-isolate at home. So there are now guidelines on self-isolation. How strict are they? The aim for people suspected of having the virus is to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as much as possible while they await a test result. This will prevent them from spreading the disease to their family, friends and the wider community. If they get the all-clear the isolation ends. What are the key guidelines? Stay away from other people as much as possible and keep your room well ventilated with a window to the outside that can be opened. Clean your hands often. Wear a face mask which you will get from your doctor if you are in the same room as other people. Don't share cups and dishes. Some of the advice sounds extreme, such as putting a sign on the door saying you are unavailable. Why is that? There is good reason for not inviting or allowing visitors to come into your house or answering the door to callers. People will appreciate you are acting in their best interests if you have to put a sign on the door saying you are not available. It is for their protection. What other precautions must be taken? If possible use a bath or toilet not used by others. If there is just one bath or shower clean anything you have touched and leave an hour before the bath or shower is used by anyone else. Is there advice for people sharing a house with a person suspected of having the virus? Stay away from them as much as possible and if it's possible only communicate by phone. Read More How long would self-isolation last? It could be just 24 hours. The Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD which conducts the tests is to scale up to avoid delays in the face of increased demand. If somebody tests positive will they have to go to hospital? It depends on how ill they are and their circumstances but it is probably likely they will be put in isolation. If there is a significant number of patients with the virus they will be accommodated in the 12-bed national isolation unit in the Mater Hospital in Dublin. Will there be more cancellations of public events after the decision not to go ahead with the Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and Italy? It looks inevitable there will be a cancellation or scaling down of events if there is a higher risk of spreading the virus should such events be attended by groups of people from the list of affected countries. Organisers will be given guidelines and a group of experts in the Department of Health will also provide a recommendation. Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland What about punters from Ireland gearing up for the Cheltenham Festival in the UK. What is the advice to them? Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said at this point there is no reason for them not to attend the racing festival. Is is the reality that the risk is changing hourly or daily? The spread of the virus means advice is shifting. By Trend The armed forces of Armenia occupied Khojaly on the night of Feb. 25-26, 1992, after mass shelling, with the help of the 366th infantry regiment of Soviet troops, Durdana Aliyeva, captured by Armenians that night in Khojaly, told Trend. Aliyeva spoke about the horrors that the people of Khojaly went through. Having razed Khojaly to the ground, the invaders committed genocide against the civilian population of the city with particular cruelty. Aliyeva was one of the postal workers in Khojaly. Aliyeva noted that for the first time, Armenians attacked Khojaly on Sept. 18, 1988. "That day, a wedding was held in Khojaly. Armenians launched an armed attack on the city thinking that the people of Khojaly were busy with celebrations. Men of Khojaly then gave a worthy responnse to the Armenians and forced them to retreat. For four years since then we lived in blockade. But the people of Khojaly did not leave their homes, men wanted to bring their families out of the city, but not a single woman left her house," Durdana Aliyeva said. She also recalled the events in Khojaly on the night of Feb. 25, 1992. "Then I was 20 years old. I worked as a postal worker in Khojaly. The city was suddenly bombarded at night. We were told that the Armenians captured the Khojaly airport. In the morning, heavy shelling of the city started again. "Bullets were flying all over the place. We crawled to the bridge in Khojaly, where everyone gathered. From there we wanted to cross through the forest to Agdam. It was cold, and we walked in the snow through the forest: all the Khojaly residents elderly, young and children tried to cross the mountain. I remember a woman who strangled her child so that the Armenians wouldnt hear the childs cry. There was a lot of snow, so it was very difficult to walk. Many had frostbitten hands and feet. The children were hungry, they were fed with snow. The witness to the tragedy notes that when crossing the Agdam district, they were blocked by Armenians armed with machine guns. They shot everyone - old people, women, children, Aliyeva added. I was wounded in the leg and I fainted, but when I regained consciousness, I was horrified by what I saw. Blood, corpses were everywhere. Then we were ordered to stand up. Lining us up and making us lay our hands behind our heads, women and men were taken away separately. Women were brought to the police department of the Askeran district, said the witness. In front of the police building, Armenian women began to insult and throw stones at us. Then we were thrown into the basement. My brother was taken hostage with me, to another place. There were about 50 women and children in the basement. Women and girls were abused, humiliated and tortured all night. Durdana Aliyeva said that on the night of Feb. 27, women were exchanged for gasoline, because the Armenians had no fuel. She recalled that she was tortured for eight days, kept in an icy cell. An Armenian named Karen poured cold water on me and beat me with a chain, Aliyeva said. "They forced me to say that Karabakh belongs to the Armenians and promised to let me go, but I didnt say anything, so they were torturing me. Every day I was beaten several times and they demanded me to say this phrase." After eight days Aliyeva was released with the help of National Hero Allahverdi Baghirov (Baghirov died in 1992). The general assessment of the causes and results of the war launched by the Armenian side against Azerbaijan and all the existing facts of the tragic events in Khojaly prove that the crimes committed in this Azerbaijani city are not accidental. They were not committed by chance. They are a part of the systematic policy of violence committed by Armenia. The targeted massacre of Khojaly civilians was aimed at their mass extermination because they were Azerbaijanis. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Z Natural Foods announced today the release of Organic 7 Mushrooms Blend, their newest superfood. Used by Chinese and Japanese cultures for centuries, the Ancient Greeks also believed in the medicinal and performance properties of mushrooms. From the mental fitness benefits of Organic Lion's Mane to the amazing longevity boosting of Organic Red Reishi, Organic 7 Mushrooms Blend features a wonderful mix of traditional mushroom powerhouses. Organic 7 Mushroom Powder from Z Natural Foods Z Natural Foods announces new Medicinal Mushroom Blend Z Natural Foods' Organic 7 Mushrooms Blend contains Turkey Tail, Lion's Mane Extract, Cordyceps Extract, Chaga, Shiitake, Maitake, and Red Reishi. "These mushrooms are famous for their medicinal properties; each ingredient is certified organic and comes from the highest quality growers that go through our stringent vetting process. Our blend is the most convenient way to get so much valuable immune-system boosting power," reports Sam Hirschberg, Director of Marketing for Z Natural Foods. Rich in beta-glucans, high in antioxidants and a natural source of Vitamin D, Organic 7 Mushrooms Blend is certified organic, has a pleasant taste and texture, and mixes easily with water, juice or smoothies. It is also soy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and does not contain any added preservatives or sugar. "Our great farmers grow the best mushrooms in their natural environment while maximizing the nutrition value during the drying and packaging process. This ensures each serving provides far more nutrition than virtually any other medicinal mushroom blend," says Hirschberg. Organic 7 Mushrooms Blend is $39.99 a pound (64 servings) and comes in an air-locked, freezer-tight, resealable, stand up foil pouch and can be safely stored for 2 years. For more information about Organic 7 Mushrooms Blend, you are invited to visit www.ZNaturalFoods.com. About Z Natural Foods Z Natural Foods is a leading provider of high quality, organic superfoods, and concentrated fruit powders. With over 400 specialty products, Z Natural Foods provides a wide range of natural foods to the biggest wholesalers and retailers in the industry. Offering services such as bulk purchasing, blending, packaging, wholesale delivery and retail, Z Natural Foods provides a unique niche to the food industry. For more information about Z Natural Foods, visit www.ZNaturalFoods.com or call 888-963-6637. Media Contact: Sam Hirschberg 888-963-6637 [email protected] SOURCE Z Natural Foods The three month old COVID-19 patient was discharged from the hospital on February 20. Photo: tuoitre.vn In the afternoon of February 21, the last and oldest COVID-19 patient in Ho Chi Minh City was discharged from the citys Hospital for Tropical Diseases, raising the number of recovered cases in Vietnam to 15 out of 16 infected patients. Earlier on February 18, two patiengs with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients left the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases (NHTD). These were the last cases among the total of five treated at the hospital. The NHTD is assigned to be the leading facilitation to receive coronavirus patients. The last two patients have been released from the hospital, and we hope these will be the last COVID-19 patients here, director Pham Ngoc Thach said. According to Thach, besides the aforementioned patients, the NHTD is also the medical facilitation where people coming back from Wuhan last week have been isolated. Asides from these people, we still receive other patients, too, he said. As a person who directly treats the infected, Ba Dinh Thang, a doctor from the Emergency Department, said that working in the isolated area is a daily duty of his and his colleagues. Curing and encouraging patients are the obvious duties of the medical team. The work is naturally quite hard. However, due to the disease, we have to be responsible for even more work, including classifying patients at risk for either quarantine or hospital discharge, Thang said. Working in the same department as Thang, young doctor Nguyen Viet Nam asserted that he was confident in working at the frontline. We have determined that being a physician of infectious diseases, we are not allowed to be hesitant in the face of epidemics. We work harder than usual and dont have days off, Nam said. Most of us stay in the hospital many doctors have been staying here for more than two weeks without getting home, in order to be ready to respond to different situations. Besides these silent examples of COVID-19 preventers at the NHDT, people have also been moved by images of medical delegations escorting a flight that picked up 30 Vietnamese citizens from Wuhan to Van Don International Airport in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, as well as doctors from Cho Ray Hospital and Thanh Hoa General Hospital seeing off cured COVID-19 patients. Particularly, female doctors from the Virus Department and the Infectious Disease Control Department under the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology have contributed to the successful isolation of the new strain of coronavirus. According to Hoang Vu Mai Phuong, head of the Virus Department, most of the employees there are women. The peak of the epidemic was on the Lunar New Year holiday, and most of us had to ask for support from our families. Some doctors have children who are under a year old, but still they have to work up to 12 hours per day, she said. On the first day of the holidays when many families gathered and went to visit relatives, Phuong and her colleagues welcomed Lunar New Year in the laboratories. We didnt have holidays this year. While the mobile anti-epidemic team including staff from the two departments went to collect the specimen, others had to conduct experiments to get quick results, Phuong said. The hard work of Phuong and her colleagues paid off, contributing to them successfully isolating the virus. With this achievement, the test results will be more accurate and involve shorter test times of just two days instead of three to five days like previously. We are always determined. As doctors, if we are not focused, we cannot treat patients. Besides the COVID-19, there have also been SARS, MERS, and Ebola. We are not allowed to be afraid, Phuong said. Talking about the contributions of doctors like Phuong, Thang, Nam, and their colleagues, Nguyen Thanh Long, Deputy Minister of Health said, They are bright models of great effort and I highly appreciate their merit. Like during the SARS outbreak, many doctors and nurses didnt get home for weeks. They tried their best to cure and save patients, and keep the disease from transmitting in the hospitals. They deserve to be praised and glorified. To recognise their contributions, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has presented them with certificates of merit. According to data from the Ministry of Health, by last Saturday afternoon the number of COVID-19 cases around the world reached 77,813, with 2,360 deaths. In Vietnam, 15 out of 16 infected cases have recovered, including a three-month-old patient. There have been no new cases since February 13. A U.S. Joint Forces bearer team carries the casket of Harry Reid into the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. (AP) The former Senate majority leader was remembered as a pragmatic dealmaker who became a political force across two presidencies. IONIA COUNTY, MI Police identified Judith McCausey Nye, 64, of Portland, as the victim of a head-on crash Tuesday, Feb. 26. The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. on East David Highway between Kelsey Highway and 40 Acre Town Road in Ionia Countys Orange Township. Sheriffs deputies said that a 42-year-old Ionia woman, driving a Chrysler minivan, lost control of her vehicle on the snowy road, crossed the center line and hit a westbound Oldsmobile Aurora head-on. A Portland woman died in a head-on crash Tuesday, Feb. 26, in Ionia County. (Photo provided by Ionia County Sheriff's Department) The victim was a passenger in the Aurora driven by a 64-year-old Portland man. Those involved in the crash had to be removed from their vehicles by Berlin-Orange Fire Department before they were taken to Sparrow Ionia Hospital. Nye died a short time after arrival. Police did not release the names of the drivers while the incident is being investigated. Speed and weather conditions are suspected factors in the crash. Once the investigation is complete, reports will be sent to Ionia County prosecutors for review, police said in a statement. Men cleared in federal fraud case should not have been charged, attorneys say Police rescue man before he can jump from I-94 overpass Man accused in road-rage body slam tried to avoid other driver, attorney says Dame Helen Mirren has praised the Duchess of Sussex as a fantastic addition to the royal family. Speaking to Variety, the actor also explained that she applauds Meghan Markles decision to withdraw from royal life, even if it is a loss. Meghan Markle was a fantastic addition to the royal family charming, did everything right, was gracious, was sweet-natured, and seemed to be... Wow! What a lovely addition, the 74-year-old said, adding that Meghan didnt seem to be neurotic. The actor, who won an Oscar for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film The Queen, continued to say that she supports Meghan and the Duke of Sussexs choice to move abroad. I think it is a loss in a way, but at the same time I think their instincts are absolutely correct, she said. And I think it will all, hopefully, sort itself out, and the tabloid pearl-clutchers will get over their trauma at not having someone to attack all the time. Theyll find another victim ... probably me! Mirrens comments come after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they would be dropping the word royal from their Sussex Royal branding, less than a year after they set up the website. The announcement marked a U-turn in the couples plans for their new charitable foundation, as it also comes just two months after they tried to register Sussex Royal as a trademark for the organisation when it is launched. World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Show all 24 1 /24 World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Italy World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Argentina World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Belgiam World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down US World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Brazil World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Chile World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Belgiam World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down Canada World reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan stepping down UK A spokeswoman for the couple said: While the duke and duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word royal, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation, when it is announced this spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use SussexRoyal in any territory post-spring 2020. The couple will officially stand down from the royal family on 31 March and their Buckingham Palace office will close on 1 April. The agreement between the UA and the Confucius Institute Headquarters in China shows that the institutes operations would primarily be funded by grants from China and money from classes and demonstrations. UA and the institutes headquarters each provided $100,000 for the institutes initial startup. China then provided funding for at least two salaried Chinese instructors, curriculum design and materials as well as additional grant funding. UA provided no-cost facilities and miscellaneous administrative support for the institute. It also paid at least $80,800 a year and allocated a total of $630,077 from fiscal years 2014 through 2019, UA said. In 2013, both entities signed a second agreement that included UA providing annual funds that would not be less than the amount provided by the Headquarters, in-kind or as otherwise..., the document said. Under Scrutiny In February 2019, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs found that there was little oversight regarding universities and their institutes, including selecting its teachers and staff. Advertisement Supermodel Candice Swanepoel sure works hard to promote her Tropic Of C swimwear collection on social media. This week the 31-year-old former Victoria's Secret model was at it again as she showed off her new leopard print two piece bikini which barely covered her toned body. 'Kingston Cat @tropicofc,' was all the South African native said in her photo caption as she added that the images were taken in Jamaica. In the wild: Candice Swanepoel sure works hard to promote her Tropic Of C swimwear collection on social media. This week the 31-year-old former Victoria's Secret model was at it again as she showed off her new leopard print two piece bikini which barely covered her toned body The star was posing in front of a wicker hut as she had on two gold necklaces and a red beaded choker. She added a gold belly bracelet around her waist which was dotted with microdiamonds. And the stunner also had on several gold rings. She is in the best shape of her life after welcoming two children - Anaca and Ariel - with her ex, model Hermann Nicoli whom she was with for 14 years. Meow: 'Kingston Cat @tropicofc,' was all the South African native said in her photo caption as she added that the images were taken in Jamaica In a second shot the model - who has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire - had on a bright cherry red bucket hat as she looked down. This time Candice had on eight yellow gold bangle bracelets. And the background was different - instead of the wicker background she was standing in front of a building with coral red and yellow paint as well as a padlock. Switching her look up: In yet another image, the siren has on a green and black print triangle bikini top with black high-waisted bottoms as she sits on a red bench Nice pose: The star added a chunky gold chain necklace. 'Feeling trippy in the #praia top in mystic green. #irie #sustainableswimwear,' she said in her caption In yet another image, the siren has on a green and black print triangle bikini top with black high-waisted bottoms as she sits on a red bench. The star added a chunky gold chain necklace. 'Feeling trippy in the #praia top in mystic green. #irie #sustainableswimwear,' she said in her caption. Last week she was seen in three new images where she was in a very strappy Tropic Of C bikini as she wore large silver hoop earrings with her hair slicked back. 'All tied up!' the single mother said in her caption as she added, 'Shine on in the shade. The #praia two-piece in #blackglow.' A model move: Last week Swanepoel took to Instagram over the weekend to flaunt her incredible supermodel bikini in a two piece swimsuit that showed a lot of skin The striking suit - which leaves little to the imagination - which costs $170. The triangular black bikini top goes for $90. She teamed the look with a pair of the matching $80 tie-up bottoms that showcased her long and lean legs. Last week the blonde bombshell was seen in similar poses in the same location. Against the vines: The fashion world fixture was seen in three new images where she was in a very strappy Tropic Of C bikini In one of the posts, the Elle and Vogue cover girl quoted Spanish-born poet George Santayana: 'The earth has its own music for those who listen.' The statuesque star was seen modeling the suit in a jungle in Ochos Rios in Jamaica which was rich in dark green fauna. The top kept her ample cleavage modest while drawing attention to her trim frame with the ties wrapped around her waist. Candice kept her feet dry with a pair of sandals and accessorized with a large scarf around her head. No fat on her: 'All tied up!' the single mother said in her caption as she added, 'Shine on in the shade. The #praia two-piece in #blackglow' The Victoria Secret Angel's hair was styled back and she appeared to be wearing a natural amount of makeup. Candice launched her brand, Topic Of C, two years ago. 'Tropic Of C is a brand with purpose, partnering with like-minded people to make a positive impact on the environment & beyond,' it says on her website. 'This vision is realized through our core values of sustainability, empowerment, community and quality.' She also took to her Stories to showcase her natural beauty while lounging around on a day off. And here it is again: Earlier she had on sunglasses as she posed by a wicker fence Candice juggles her career with being a mother to her two sons Anaca, three, and Ariel, 1, who she shares with her former fiance Hermann Nicoli. The pair began dating when she was just 17 after meeting in Paris. They became engaged in August 2015 after ten years together, but split in 2019. Celebrating Columbus was perceived as an affirmation for descendants of ethnic European immigrants, who faced discrimination and marginalization when they first arrived in the United States. Over the years, though, Native Americans gained recognition, with South Dakota changing Columbus Day to Native American Day in 1990. Berkeley, California, changed it to Indigenous Peoples Day in 1992 on the citys calendar, and in the ensuing years many communities have followed, including Evanston. A day after a Solano County resident tested positive for COVID-19, federal officials told the Fairfield-Suisun School Unified School District Thursday to prepare school sites for a potential outbreak of the pneumonia-like coronavirus. In light of the directive from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the district assured families in a message that staff has been working closely with Solano County Public Health officials for weeks to "ensure student and staff safety." "While this may be alarming and cause fear, we want to assure you that FSUSD is taking precautions to keep our school sites disinfected and clean," the Fairfield-Suisun district said. "Our staff will wipe down commonly shared surfaces every day with disinfectants." The Travis Unified School District, also in Solano County, and the Elk Grove Unified School District in Sacramento County said they received notices from the CDC to make similar preparations. District officials in Elk Grove said there are no confirmed cases in their district, according to KCRA. While this may be alarming to some parents, the risk to Solano County residents and the general public is still low at this time. We can assure you that our staff is doing everything in their power to keep school sites disinfected and clean for all students and staff, the Travis Unified School District said in a statement posted on its website. The Solano County patient was brought to UC Davis Medical Center from another Northern California hospital on Feb. 19, but it wasn't until four days later that the CDC heeded a request to test the patient for new coronavirus, according to an email sent to employees Wednesday by the hospitals interim CEO Brad Simmons and David Lubarsky, CEO of UC Davis Health. The patient arrived on a ventilator, and special protection orders were issued because of an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition, according to the email. The hospital asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to test for the coronavirus, but testing was delayed until Sunday since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, the email said. The CDC confirmed the test was positive on Feb. 26. The hospital, which has treated other coronavirus patients, has been taking infection prevention precautions since the patient arrived. The email said officials believe that there was "minimal chance" others at the facility were exposed to the virus. Nevertheless, a small number of medical center employees have been asked to stay home and monitor their temperatures, the email said. An email sent to the CDC for comment was not immediately returned Wednesday night. The CDC issued a statement on the new patient saying this is likely the first case of infection with unknown origin. "At this time, the patients exposure is unknown,'' the CDC said. "Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. Its also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.'' The California Department of Public Health said it is tracing people who may have come in contact with the COVID-19 patient. Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her news tips at agraff@sfgate.com. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Why San Francisco has declared a coronavirus state of emergency: Your questions answered Eerie photos show empty streets in Italy amid coronavirus fears Maps: Cases of new coronavirus multiples across the globe Local emergency declared in San Francisco amid coronavirus concerns Bay Area company to expand coronavirus drug trials to other companies CDC warns men with beards amid coronavirus scare CDC reportedly took 4 days to test Solano County resident for coronavirus JetBlue waives all change, cancellation fees on new bookings due to coronavirus Are elderly at a greater risk for coronavirus complications? By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy, who is known for his controversial comments on Twitter where he is very active, has a solution for controlling the violence in New Delhi. Remember Tienanmen Square, Beijing in 1988? And how Deng Xiaoping handled it? Perhaps there is a lesson there on how to handle the engineered disturbances of NE Delhi! Im sure all comrades will agree! he had tweeted on Wednesday until deleting the post later. The Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 were student-led demonstrations held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The protests had started on April 15 and were suppressed on June 4 after the government declared martial law and sent the military to occupy central parts of Beijing. Estimates of the death toll vary from several hundred to several thousand. Roy had also tweeted: Disturbances in NE Delhi (communal, as per Times Now) were engineered to coincide with the US Presidents visit. Trump, like a true statesman, did not discuss Indias internal matters like Art 370 abrogation, ban on Teen Talaq or CAA. Egg on the face of Left-Islamists. In another tweet, he wrote, It is my educated guess that a set of people (who?) were pursuing a slow but steady agenda of Ghazwa-e-Hind. Abrogation of Art 370, ban on Teen Talaq and CAA dealt them an unexpected body blow. The insurgency in Northeast Delhi looks like death throes of this Paki-backed lot. On Twitter, the governor identifies himself as a right-wing Hindu socio-political thinker, writer and ideologue. An IAF C17 transport aircraft evacuated a group of 112 Indians and foreign nationals from the coronavirus outbreak epicentre, Wuhan, early on Thursday ending a week-long wait for their anxious families back home and putting a close to a terse exchange between New Delhi and Beijing over delaying this flight. Besides the Indians, the US-made IAF relief aircraft also evacuated more than dozen nationals from seven countries: Bangladesh, South Africa, Madagascar, Myanmar and Maldives, US and China. The majority among the foreigners were Bangladeshi students. A group of OCI card-holding Chinese citizens were also on the flight. 76 Indian nationals are returning home on this flight, which also has on board 23 nationals from Bangladesh, 6 from China, 2 each from Myanmar and Maldives and one each from South Africa, USA and Madagascar , Indian ambassador to China Vikram Misri said. The flight was delayed on Wednesday night after a group of passengers had to be repeatedly tested after they exhibited fever syndromes; all registered passengers were finally allowed to board the flight. All the evacuees are likely to go through mandatory 14-day quarantine at facilities set up in New Delhi. India has already evacuated 647 nationals and seven Maldivians in two Air India flights in the first week of February. Earlier in the day, the Indian flight came in with 15 tonnes of medical supplies to aid China in its fight against covid-19 outbreak, which has so far killed 2718 people and infected 78196 more in mainland China. The relief flight was expected a week ago but had to be postponed because India received the clearance for the aircraft to land in Wuhan today only on Monday. An Indian government statement said the medical assistance comprised masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment. This assistance has been provided in the wake of the Coronavirus (Covid 19) outbreak in China and the request by China to provide supplies such as masks and medical equipment, it added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had written to President Xi Jinping on February 8, 2020 expressing Indias solidarity with the people and Government of China and also offered assistance to China in this hour of need as a gift. The medical supplies will help augment Chinas efforts to control the outbreak of this infection which has been declared as a Public Health Emergency by the World Health Organisation, the statement added. It was also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year, the statement said. On February 14, 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. 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 Students at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) have voted to ban beef from student union-led outlets. LSE has become the latest further education institution to vote for a beef ban following a string of votes at other universities. At a Students Union meeting on Friday 21 February, students voted 243 to 170 in favour of banning beef on campus. The Students' Union now intends to lobby the university authorities to implement the change on campus, according to i news. The vote was prompted by Phoebe Woodruff, a campus representative for vegan and animal rights charity PETA,. "More students than ever are looking to limit their environmental footprint and cutting out meat, eggs, and dairy is the best and easiest way to do that," she said. "It's encouraging to see LSE take a stand to protect animals and the environment. Everyone who wishes to eat with compassion can make the switch to a vegan lifestyle today it's never been easier." It follows a similar move by Goldsmiths, University of London, which voted last year to stop the sale of products containing beef at campus food outlets as part of a wider move to become carbon neutral by 2025. And in 2016, Cambridge Universitys catering service replaced beef with plant-based products in all of its fourteen outlets and 1,500 annual events. Not all university beef bans have been successful. Students at the University of East Anglia recently voted to overturn a ban on the sale of beef in student union outlets. Just this month, students at Edinburgh University voted to reject proposals to ban the meat from outlets. UK farm leaders have criticised university beef bans for misunderstanding the differences between British beef and beef produced elsewhere. Farmers have raised concerns that such moves are a knee-jerk response to fighting climate change, and that sourcing local, British beef is a better option. The NFU has frequently pointed out that beef production standards in the UK are among the most efficient in the world. The union's president Minette Batters has said that the current media sentiment toward British livestock farming and climate change is a 'deeply floored approach'. "Agriculture is the only industry that is both a source and a sink. So why can't everyone focus on the serious challenges like our clothing, technology, cars, holidays. Food waste?" she said. It comes as British farmers aspire to produce the most climate-friendly food in the world as the industry looks to become net-zero by 2040. AUSTIN, Texas Bernie Sanders packed a rodeo arena in Dallas. Mike Bloomberg has spent more than $13.5 million on television ads around Houston alone. And neither Joe Biden nor Elizabeth Warren can afford big losses. For a change, Texas matters in picking a presidential nominee. As more than a dozen states go to the polls next week, Texas is looming as both a major prize and a daunting proposition for many of the Democrats vying to take on President Trump. The red state with the growing blue streak is too big to ignore, especially for a party that sees it as a future game-changer in presidential and congressional politics. But its also too big to win without a serious investment of time and cash. Its not a matter of will. Its a matter of having the means, said Matt Angle, a longtime Democratic strategist in Texas. Texas is a very, very expensive state to compete in. To be sure, California remains the largest haul of the Super Tuesday states, awarding 416 pledged delegates to Texas 228. Taken together, the two states will award more delegates than the rest of the Super Tuesday states combined giving them unusual influence over the partys choice. Like their Californian counterparts, Texas Democrats have long grumbled that their presidential candidates show up only to raise money. Texans add to that complaint that the partys top candidates rarely bother to hunt for votes in such a deep-red state. Their party hasnt won a statewide office since 1994, the nations longest political losing streak, despite dominating the largest cities since first flipping Dallas in 2006. By 2018, though, Democrats swept every top office on the ballot in Harris County, home to Houston and more people than the states of Iowa and New Hampshire which led off the presidential primary combined. The party now has a chance to take control of the Texas House in November and is vying to pick up the four congressional seats being vacated by retiring Republicans. Some Democrats believe the states 38 electoral votes and a new path to the White House arent too far out of reach. The candidates are coming now with little time to spare. Sanders barnstormed across the state last weekend, drawing thousands to a rally in liberal Austin. Bloomberg is returning to Houston on Thursday, Pete Buttigieg, ex-mayor of South Bend, Ind., will be in Dallas, and Warren, a Massachusetts senator, is hitting San Antonio with its former mayor, Julian Castro, hoping the former presidential rival can give her flagging campaign a boost in his hometown. Joe Biden, the former vice president whose fundraising has been hurt by his poor showing in early states, has campaigned little in the state. The same goes for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Paul J. Weber and Will Weissert are Associated Press writers. Some 141,000 Detroit residences have had their water shut off since 2014, according to water records obtained by Bridge Magazine through the Freedom of Information Act. This figure corresponds to the payments collection campaign initiated after the July 18, 2013 Detroit bankruptcy filing. In 2019 alone, water was cut off for 23,500 Detroit residences that were in arrears on their payments. As many as 9,500 still remain disconnected. Each year a similar number of homes are cut off in a calculated effort to force impoverished residents to come up with enough cash to get their faucets turned back on. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, an affordable water bill is about 4.5 percent of a households monthly income. A recent University of Michigan study revealed that the average low-income Detroit household pays 10 percent of its income, or $45 a month more than it can afford. Keeping the water running often requires sacrificing other necessities such as gas, electricity or food. The payment assistance plan offered by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is onerous. It is called the 10/30/50 plan. Water can be reconnected with payment of as little as 10 percent of back debt, but the balance is then added to newly-incurred water bills and spread over six to 24 months, depending on the total owed. Any failure to make regular payments raises the down payment to 30 percent the next time and 50 percent for a third reconnection. Nearly 40 percent of Detroit household incomes are below the official poverty line. As a result, the citys policy of water shutoffs drives a large part of the population into an unhealthy and demeaning cycle of scrambling just to provide running water, electricity and heat for their families. The cutting off of water service has provoked public opposition since the policy began in 2014. In June of that year, as the cutoff of 30,000 homes made international news, the Human Rights Office of the United Nations issued a press release calling the practice of disconnecting water from people who cannot pay an affront to human rights. The World Socialist Web Site wrote at the time: That the social conditions in Detroit have become the subject of a declaration by a UN human rights panel, made in response to an appeal from various local organizations, is an expression of the staggering decay of social conditions in the city, once the center of American manufacturing. Last July, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), along with several NGOs and pseudo-left groups, launched a legal initiative to pressure the Democratic administration of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to declare a moratorium on water shutoffs in Detroit. The nine-page legal document was submitted to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to seek voluntary restraint or injunctive relief to stop the termination of water services to thousands of Detroit households, based on imminent danger as defined by the Public Health Code. Within two months, the MDHHS director denied the request, saying there is insufficient data to show that water-borne diseases are specifically caused by water shutoffs The Detroit News reported earlier this month that City Council President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield is drafting a similar resolution directly to Whitmer, saying, We have a governor that is willing, I believe, to address the issue. The timing is right. These efforts are designed to channel public anger over the shutoffs behind the Democratic Party. The 2018 election replaced the hated Rick Snyder, whose Republican administration created the water disaster in Flint and engineered the forced bankruptcy of Detroit, with the Democrat Whitmer. However, the bankruptcy proceedings against Detroit were the result of a bipartisan effort. Among the leading figures were State Treasurer Andy Dillon and Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr, both Democrats. The Obama administration backed the operation with a friend of the court brief. The city itself has been under continuous Democratic control since 1962. In late September 2014, US bankruptcy court Judge Steven Rhodes threw out a lawsuit against the water shutoffs in a ruling that explicitly denied any fundamental right to water. Rhodes acknowledged that water is a necessary ingredient for sustaining life. Nevertheless, he insisted, a finding of irreparable harm does not suggest that there is a fundamental enforceable right to free or affordable water. He added, There is no such right in law. Just as there is no such affordable right to other necessities of life such as shelter, food and medical care. Mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Director Gary Brownboth Democratsare opposed to the proposal to ban shutoffs. In an op-ed column in the Detroit Free Press, Brown adamantly defends keeping the shutoff policy in place. He writes: What we cant supportand we believe most of our customers and Detroiters will agreeis to allow water and sewer services to go unpaid by ending the ability to use service interruptions as a collection tool of last resort. This essentially passes their debt on to other customers, usually resulting in double digit rate increases. Most water utilities in America use service interruptions as a tool to collect unpaid water bills. As an alternative to ending shutoffs, Brown has proposed that the Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) run by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) provide more money and broaden the threshold for availability to 200 percent of the official poverty line. WRAP is a totally inadequate regional program operated by the regional water system, the GLWA, which was spun off as part of the citys bankruptcy and is not under the citys control. The GLWA has not officially agreed to Browns proposal, and if it does go into effect, it will not be until July, after the height of the shutoff campaign for 2020. WRAP, moreover, runs out of money every year. Brown and Duggan repeatedly make public statements blaming the victims of the shutoffs. No one would be cut off, they say, if they came to the DWSD and made an arrangement to pay. The problem, they would like the public to believe, is that some people just wont do that. This is a difficult lie to sell. Last summer, a Detroit Free Press commentary by Nancy Kaffer, headlined Detroit has 5,000 homes without water: New pilot program only helps 70, made the connection to the Detroit bankruptcy. She wrote: And for decades, the department tolerated unpaid bills, signaling to water customers that other financial needs could be met first. Former Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr changed that in 2014, citing roughly $90 million in overdue accounts owed by 90,000 customers. In a January column exposing the water departments assertion that the shutoffs werent as dire as the numbers indicated, she wrote, I'm getting tired of writing it, but: This is nuts. In a recent tweet, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders called the shutoffs a moral outrage. Political grandstanding notwithstanding, however, the official position of the Democratic Party is to adhere to the policies laid out in the bankruptcy proceedings. The insistence that the working class be held responsible for every penny potentially lost by the financial elite is a fundamental axiom of both capitalist parties. The Socialist Equality Party conducted a campaign culminating in the February 2014 Workers Inquiry into the Bankruptcy of Detroit and the Attack on the DIA and Pensions. In the opening report to the meeting, WSWS labor correspondent Jerry White said, The purpose of this inquiry is to cut through the lies, to reveal the class interests behind the bankruptcy of Detroit and outline a political program on the basis of which the working class can conduct a struggle. The bankruptcy of Detroit is a major turning point in class relations. It sets a precedent for an escalation of the war against the working class in the same way that Reagans firing of 13,000 striking air traffic controllers did in 1981. White called Orrs plan of adjustment a euphemism for a slash-and-burn policy and described its basic content: The working class is to pay for the financial crisis it did not create. Social crimes such as water cutoffs cannot be stopped by appeals to the ruling class and its two political parties. The defense of the basic social rights of the working class, including the right to water, electricity, heat and all of the elements of civilized life, requires the independent mobilization of the working class against both parties and the capitalist system they defend. Basic utilities must be guaranteed to all through the expropriation of the private utilities and the banks that control them and their transformation into public institutions democratically controlled by working people. This is the socialist program that is being advanced by the Socialist Equality Partys candidates for president and vice president in the 2020 elections: Joseph Kishore and Norissa Santa Cruz. All those looking to a way to secure the social rights of the working class should contact our election campaign and actively support it. 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 (Natural News) This week, Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders, who is now leading the race in many polls, turned heads when he offered backhanded praise for Chinese Communists. During a Monday night CNN town hall, Sanders attempted to bolster his logic by claiming that Communist China took more people out of extreme poverty than any country in history, USA Features News reported. If he winds up winning the Democratic nomination, no doubt Sanders will have to explain that statement and to a national audience because President Trump wont let him get away with that. And Trump shouldnt; the Communist government of China is repressive, authoritarian, and opaque, as were seeing when it comes to the handling of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. As reported by Zero Hedge, the governments notorious censorship has been turned up to eleven on a scale of one-to-ten since the outbreak began, and all in an effort to control information about what is really going on inside the country. Why so much censorship? Wouldnt Chinas leadership welcome any and all expertise they could get from around the world? No, not if youre a autocratic, authoritarian dictatorship and you dont want to appear incapable to your people. Thats why it is now illegal for healthcare workers, crematorium workers and anyone else involved in responding to the virus and its aftermath to discuss whats taking place. Beijing is also using their Orwellian grip over their internet to crack down on the spread of information from citizen journalists, such as Fang Bin and Chen Qiushi who recorded dozens of reports on the situation in Wuhan, and have both disappeared, Zero Hedge reports. The news site Vice has also begun a detailed look at the draconian efforts Chinas Communist leaders are taking in order to control the narrative surrounding the virus. That includes the use of online platforms to look for anyone who is spreading non-sanctioned information that is, the truth about whats really happening to the world. Chinese authoritarianism works against Beijings best interests The Chinese government is going to great lengths to locate Twitter and WeChat users in a bid to stamp out any negative news from being shared, and of course, authorities are using some of their favorite tried-and-true techniques: Intimidation, threats, legal action, and arrests. It should be noted that Twitter is banned in China, but some users there employ a virtual private network (VPN) in order to access the social platform. And it is there they can access the world with information before Chinese authorities can track it down and prevent it from being shared. But those Chinese citizens who are unfortunate enough to be found by authorities are subject to harsh treatment, confiscation of their personal computing devices and cellphones, and, of course, legal recriminations. This all comes after Beijing has been heavily critiqued for what many believe was its delayed response to the coronavirus outbreak. Also, the censorship apparatus was late in stamping out negative comments online to the governments response. What we did see in general with this outbreak was a brief period inside China when the censorship wasnt as strict and there was more muckraking journalism going on, Fergus Ryan, an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) who studies Chinese social media told VICE News. Ryan noted further that if Beijings controlling leaders would have been less stringent on the crackdown of information, that might have worked to the governments advantage because it would have allowed more information to get through so authorities could better understand the scope of the pandemic. But thats just not in the DNA of Communist authoritarians who instinctively clamp down, censor, and punish first. And remember, these are the folks Bernie Sanders is partial to. Sources include: Vice.com USAFeatures.news ZeroHedge.com 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. [February 27, 2020] Global Food Automation Market is Set to Grow at a CAGR of 6.8% Over the Forecast Period (2019 - 2027), Because of Rising Focus Towards Process Optimization and Enhancing Production Capability: Says Absolute Markets Insights Some of the major market players operating in the food automation market are ABB Group, Benchmark Automation LLC, Emerson Electric Co., FANUC CORPORATION, Fortive, GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, Kollmorgen PUNE, India, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The food automation market is witnessing a notable growth. Primary reason for this is rising demand for ready-to-eat and packaged food as well as beverages. The requirement for food automation varies as per the business requirements. On one and where a carbonated beverage company uses automation technology for beverage production as well bottling, a bakery plant may use the technology for dough preparation, product processing as well as packaging. The use of food automation and robot operating systems makes food processing and packaging easier as well as increases productivity and food safety. Moreover, the robot operated systems have the ability to work in extreme environmental conditions which is not fit for humans. Automation in food industry is also being adopted to reduce the overall time required in production, packaging as well as transportation. For instance, United Kingdom based, Boomf, modified marshmallow confectionary claims that commonly cutting and knife cleaning process requires 5 minutes by a manual labor but to do the same thing, a robot takes only 14 seconds. California based Prima Frutta, a fruit producer, in 2017, invested in cherry production machines and claimed that there was an increase in 50 %, in production without having to add manual labor. To gain more production Prima Frutta also depends on Inductive Automation's Ignition SCADA system to make available better plant data visibility. A web-based SCADA system gives alarm notifications and also permits suppliers to integrate and display production data. Request a [email protected] https://www.absolutemarketsinsights.com/request_sample.php?id=434 In terms of revenue, the global food automation market stood at around US$ 9,247.1 Mn in 2018 and is anticipated to reach US$ 16,674.4 Mn by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. The detailed research study provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the global food automation market. The market has been analyzed from demand as well as supply side. The demand side analysis covers market revenue across regions and further, across all the major countries. The supply side analysis covers regional product/service analysis. The geographical analysis done emphasizes on each of the major countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, MiddleEast, Africa, and Latin America. Enquiry Before [email protected] https://www.absolutemarketsinsights.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=434 Key Findings: On the basis of food industry, the beverages segment was relatively larger in 2018 and will grow at a higher of CAGR 7.8% during the forecast period. On the basis of application, the packaging segment accounted for the largest market share in 2018 and will grow at CAGR 7.7% during the forecast period. In global food automation market, Europe has the largest market share. The region held a share of 37.15% in 2018 owing to significant presence of food, confectionery and bakery companies. has the largest market share. The region held a share of 37.15% in 2018 owing to significant presence of food, confectionery and bakery companies. Some of the major market players operating in the food automation market are ABB Group, Benchmark Automation LLC, Emerson Electric Co., FANUC CORPORATION, Fortive, GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, Kollmorgen, Matrix Technologies, Inc, McEnery Automation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, NORD Drivesystems Pvt. Ltd. Olympus Automation Limited, Premier Automation, Rexnord Corporation, Rockwell Automation Inc, Schneider Electric, Siemens AG, YASKAWA Electric Corporation, Yokogawa Electric Corporation amongst others. Request for [email protected] https://www.absolutemarketsinsights.com/request_for_customization.php?id=434 Global Food Automation Market: By Offerings Solutions Services By Food Industry Type Dairy Bakery and Confectionary Grains and Oils Meat and Poultry Beverages Meat Substitutes Pet Food Dairy Alternatives By Application Processing Packaging Palletizing Picking Sorting Bio packaging Others By End Users Food Manufacturers Logistics Providers Others By Region North America U.S. Canada Mexico Rest of North America Europe France The UK Spain Germany Italy Nordic Countries Denmark Finland Iceland Sweden Norway Benelux Union Belgium The Netherlands Luxembourg Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India New Zealand Australia South Korea Southeast Asia Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Singapore Rest of Southeast Asia Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa and Saudi Arabia UAE Egypt Kuwait South Africa Rest of Middle East and Africa and Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America Get Full Information of this premium [email protected] https://www.absolutemarketsinsights.com/reports/Food-Automation-Market-2019-2027-434 About Us: Absolute Markets Insights assists in providing accurate and latest trends related to consumer demand, consumer behavior, sales, and growth opportunities, for the better understanding of the market, thus helping in product designing, featuring, and demanding forecasts. Our experts provide you the end-products that can provide transparency, actionable data, cross-channel deployment program, performance, accurate testing capabilities and the ability to promote ongoing optimization. From the in-depth analysis and segregation, we serve our clients to fulfill their immediate as well as ongoing research requirements. Minute analysis impact large decisions and thereby the source of business intelligence (BI) plays an important role, which keeps us upgraded with current and upcoming market scenarios. Contact Us: Company: Absolute Markets Insights Email id: [email protected] Phone: +91-740-024-2424 Contact Name: Shreyas Tanna The Work Lab, Model Colony, Shivajinagar, Pune, MH, 411016 Website: https://www.absolutemarketsinsights.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/831667/Absolute_Market_Insights_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Several County Commission members said Wednesday they want the County Attorney's Office to comply as expeditiously as possible with what County Attorney Rheubin Taylor referred to as a "voluminous" Open Records request from a mysterious group. The requests for a large number of correspondence from a number of county officials, including County Mayor Jim Coppinger, came from a group called HamiltonCAN (Citizens Action Network). County Attorney Taylor said the only name he had received from the group is someone named "Rawls." The group declined to give any name of anyone involved, but said it is "comprised of multiple individuals across the county and some surrounding counties working under confidential anonymity due to the retaliatory nature of the people/groups being investigated. The open records request is a small piece of a much bigger investigation. We are keeping certain Federal groups involved in our research as there is no confidence in the local DA to get the job done." The request and email back and forth from the requestor and the county attorney's office have been sent to all the County Commission members as well as members of the news media. The group said to Dana Beltramo, of the County Attorney's office, "The request was very specific and gave the exact date ranges, systems and FOIA participants in the Open Records Request. "It clearly states on every request on every line the date range 02/01/2019 - 02/02/2020: Include Items: - Email - Chat Logs ( Jabber ) - Browser Search History - Phone Logs for Jim Coppinger Michael Compton Marty Haynes Rheubin Taylor Randy Johnston Alan Johnson "We know exactly the what systems Hamilton County IT is using and this is a simple task to query the information and provide and extraction in electronic format, not paper redactions. It is becoming clear this is another attempt to violate the open records act and stone wall delivering of information. "Please provide this information as requested on the original FOIA date as specified on the request in the timeframe specified by law. It maybe time to bring in Federal agencies to investigate these activities. Thank You for your cooperation." County Attorney Taylor said the group apparently expected the request completely filled within seven days. He said the law only requires the government to alert the requestor of receipt of the request within seven days. However, he told the commission his office is proceeding with seeking to get the information. He said it will take some time to gather all the emails and other items and to go through for possible redactions. Commissioner David Sharpe said, "I would like to encourage you to respond with transparency and exediently on all these requests." Commissioner Sabrena Smedley said the group had made "some pretty big accusations. It is concerning to me that we may have missed the timeline." She added, "I would like to make sure that we are doing what we are supposed to do and doing everything we need to comply." At one point the Taylor office said the items from the Assessor's office should come from that office. The HamiltonCAN responded that it had been advised that some county official had directed that the assessor's information not be provided until the March 3 election is passed. Ms. Deltramo said the group may need to pay certain costs for the information. She said in one email, "I am in receipt of your public records requests (copy attached). As to the records you've requested for Mr. Taylor, Mr. Compton, and Mayor Coppinger, I anticipate being able to send these materials to you on, or before, Wednesday, February 26, 2020. "As to the records you've requested for Mr. Haynes, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Johnston, these records fall under the purview of Mr. Haynes who holds a constitutionally elected position. As such, Mr. Haynes' office is not subject to the Hamilton County General Government Public Records Policy. As a courtesy, I am hereby forwarding your request to Mr. Haynes. Please follow up with his office regarding these records. Thank you. " After more carefully reviewing your request, I have realized that your request is quite broad and will require clarification in order to proceed. The records you appear to have requested will require production, review and redaction, for which an up-front charge will be assessed pursuant to the Hamilton County General Government Open Records policy and the Tennessee Open Records Act. Therefore, please provide clarification as to exactly what records you wish to receive, as terms such as email, even where limited by date, are simply too broad and vague to permit me to determine with specificity what records should be produced. "Once I have a better idea of what specific records youre requesting, I will be able to determine what, if any cost, will be associated with producing those records, and will apprise you accordingly. Thank you." On the seven-day issue, the group said a section of state law says, (B) The custodian of a public record or the custodian's designee shall promptly make available for inspection any public record not specifically exempt from disclosure. In the event it is not practicable for the record to be promptly available for inspection, the custodian shall, within seven (7) business days: (i) Make the information available to the requestor; (ii) Deny the request in writing or by completing a records request response form developed by the office of open records counsel. The response shall include the basis for the denial; or (iii) Furnish the requestor a completed records request response form developed by the office of open records counsel stating the time reasonably necessary to produce the record or information. (3) Failure to respond to the request as described in subdivision (a)(2) shall constitute a denial and the person making the request shall have the right to bring an action as provided in 10-7-505. "We have received NO DATA on any request, even data on a deceased county employee in the Hamilton County Assessor of Property office. Why is that? "2. Mr Taylor stated the records would be provided after Redactions "The law makes very little provision for Redactions. This is not a Federal Agency, if there is fraud or crime being committed by rogue individuals in the county government these faux redactions may be used to hide their activities. "There is a provision for in the code where law enforcement can access to unredacted information with 3 days of the request. This avenue may be explored with some Federal Agencies to circumvent the stone walling by Hamilton County Attorneys Office. "(c) (1) Except as provided in 10-7-504(g), all law enforcement personnel records shall be open for inspection as provided in subsection (a); however, whenever the personnel records of a law enforcement officer are inspected as provided in subsection (a), the custodian shall make a record of such inspection and provide notice, within three (3) days from the date of the inspection, to the officer whose personnel records have been inspected: "3. Mr Taylor said it was a considerable amount of information to deliver. "What Mr Taylor failed to mention that every request was an individual request, filed separately. These are electronic data request, hence a database query to extract the information can be done in a short amount of time and delivered in a Excel/CSV file format. There is no paper involved at all and these queries. This is a smoke screen by Mr Taylor to delay information. "To date, no data for any request has been delivered, just excuses. "4. Mr Taylor stated his office provided additional instructions on where to send the conflicting open records request. These emails were provided in previous correspondence. "This is another stall tactic used by the Hamilton County Attorneys office to reset the clock with the new request to a different office, Assessor of Property. The end product is still delivered by the Hamilton County IT Department which services all county employees. The Assessor of Property DOES NOT have their own IT dept. This is another stall tactic and no conflict of interest here with the target of the request. "5. Mr Taylor said they are working on the request. "Mr Taylor has provided no timeline on delivering the materials and it has already been reported by sources they were told to stall the Open Records request until after election, which is violation of state law and potentially Federal Election Laws covering up illicit activities by a public officials to change the outcome of an election. "The chronic behavior of the Hamilton County Attorneys office to thwart open records request, destroy information and violate transparency appears to be a systemic disease that infest parts of our county government and needs addressing by State Reps and Federal Agencies. "Thank you again for looking out for citizens of Hamilton County and bringing the actions of the Hamilton County Attorneys office to light for the public. "Ms Beltramo, as we previously stated this record and others are from the Hamilton County IT Department which maintains all electronic records for county employees. The Property Assessor is not a special case. This is just another stall tactic. "We have now turned over all information for these requests to Federal and State Law Enforcement. It is apparent there is something to hide. Additionally, we are investigating filing ethics violations against County attorneys who are culpable in covering up illicit activities. "It was noted that your office stopped allowing receipt of open records request at County IT Facilities on Bonny Oaks, which had been customary in the past, in attempt to burden individuals making open records request. . "Our request is very simple. These records are property of the public and under transparency should be provided to the public under TCA open records request. "We look for your compliance." An expected growing demand for transport is putting pressure on the availability of skilled drivers worldwide. In Europe, for example, estimates show that around 20 percent of all driver jobs are vacant. To help customers recruit and retain the best drivers, Volvo Trucks has focused strongly on developing the new trucks to make them safer, more efficient and more attractive working tools for qualified drivers. "Drivers who handle their truck safely and efficiently are an invaluable asset to any transport company. Responsible driving behaviour can help reduce CO 2 emissions and fuel costs, as well as helping reduce the risk of accidents, injury and unplanned downtime. Our new trucks will help drivers work even more safely and productively and give our customers stronger arguments when competing to attract the best drivers," continues Roger Alm. The various truck models in Volvo Trucks' range are available with many different cab models and can be optimised for a wide range of applications. In long-haul trucks, the cab is often the driver's second home. In regional transport trucks it often serves as a mobile office, while in construction the trucks are robust, practical work tools. Therefore, visibility, comfort, ergonomics, noise level, manoeuvrability and safety were key focal points when developing all the new truck models. The truck exterior has also been upgraded to reflect the new trucks' properties and create an attractive overall design. New cab, offering more space and improved visibility Volvo FM and Volvo FMX The new Volvo FM and Volvo FMX have a brand new cab, as well as many of the same instrument display functions as their larger Volvo counterparts. Their interior volume has been increased by up to one cubic meter, providing better comfort and more working room. The visibility is now even better due to larger windows, a lowered door line and new mirrors. Efficient engines and alternative drivelines Both the environment and economics are important factors for haulage companies. As there will not be one singular energy source that addresses all climate change issues, and since different transport segments and assignments will require a variety of solutions, several types of drivelines will continue to exist in parallel for the foreseeable future. In many markets, the Volvo FH and Volvo FM are available with the Euro 6 compliant gas-powered LNG engine that offers fuel efficiency and performance on par with that of Volvo's equivalent diesel trucks, but with a far lower climate impact. The gas engine can run on either biogas, which cuts CO 2 by up to 100 percent, or natural gas which reduces CO 2 emissions by up to 20 percent when compared with Volvo's equivalent diesel trucks. This relates to emissions from the vehicle during usage, known as tank to wheel. Click here to view the range film Click here for high resolution images Click here for additional product releases About Volvo Trucks Volvo Trucks provides complete transport solutions for professional and demanding customers, offering a full range of medium to heavy duty trucks. Customer support is secured via a global network of dealers with 2,100 service points in more than 130 countries. Volvo trucks are assembled in 14 countries across the globe. In 2019 approximately 131,000 Volvo trucks were delivered worldwide. Volvo Trucks is part of Volvo Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. Volvo Trucks work is based on the core values of quality, safety and environmental care. For further information, please contact: Jan Strandhede, Media Relations Director, Volvo Trucks Email: [email protected], Phone: +46-31-66-00-00 UK Contact: Martin Tomlinson, Head of Media, Volvo Trucks Email: [email protected], Phone: +44-77-75-938-063 SOURCE Volvo Trucks Following Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns announcement that an election will be held on September 19, the International Socialist Organisation (ISO) published an article on January 29 providing the Labour Party-Greens-NZ First government with political support and advice for its re-election campaign. After two-and-a-half years in office, the Ardern government has failed to fulfil its promises to alleviate poverty and worsening homelessness, which the UN recently described as a human rights crisis. It has continued to starve public healthcare, education and other essential services of funding, while funnelling billions of dollars to the military, police and intelligence agencies. Along with its coalition partner, the anti-immigrant NZ First, Labour is preparing for another election campaign based on promoting nationalism and xenophobia. New Zealand workers, like their counterparts throughout the world, have begun to fight back, demanding that the government end austerity and increase wages. Teachers and nurses have staged nationwide strikes, only to have their struggles betrayed by the trade union bureaucracy (see: The right-wing record of Jacinda Arderns government). Under these conditions the ISO and other pseudo-left groups, having backed Labour and the Greens in the 2017 election, are desperately seeking to convince workers and young peoplewho are moving to the left and increasingly sympathetic to socialismto have faith in these parties. The January 29 article by Keith Davies, entitled The Fourth Labour government and the destruction of the welfare state, is ostensibly a left-wing critique of the sweeping pro-business restructuring carried out by the 1984-1990 Labour Party government of Prime Minister David Lange and Finance Minister Roger Douglas. In fact, the article underscores the ISOs hostility towards any fight to break the working class from Labour and the parliamentary establishment. The pseudo-left group promotes the dangerous illusion that Labour, one of the two main parties of big business and imperialism, can be persuaded to return to the policies of social reform that it abandoned four decades ago. Davies summarises the attacks on the working class by the Labour government in the 1980s, which were expanded by successive National Party and Labour Party governments. These included financial deregulation, the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax and university student fees, massive spending cuts on social services... personal and corporate tax rate reduction, relaxing of labour laws, and the sale of state-owned assets. The assault produced a major increase in unemployment and drop in living standards, from which the working class has never recovered. The ISO says all this can be reversed by the Labour Party itself. The article calls on the party to apologise for the past harm it has caused, and turn away from sucking up to the business and the bourgeoisie class, put in the hard work, live up to its party name and seriously help the working class for the first time in forty-five years. The ISO has not attempted to explain why it was so wrong about the Ardern government. In October 2017, after Labours announcement of its coalition with the right-wing NZ First, the ISO gushed: Labour has announced plans better than the International Socialists dared hope possible. There are real reforms set up here, and proposals which, if implemented, will bring real benefits to the lives of working people. These claims have been completely discredited by more than two years of worsening social inequality, repeated attacks on immigrants and a closer alliance US imperialism. Davies now states that the Ardern government has talked about fairness and wellbeing, but aside from minimal tinkering at the edges of problems, has done very little. In fact, it has strengthened the police state and deepened the attacks on workers living standards. Davies implores Labour to announce a bold policy, such as wiping student debt or increasing welfare benefits to a livable level to show the downtrodden public a sign of hope that the Labour Party can stop reneging on promises. The notion that Labour is willing or capable of making meaningful reforms is a fraud, underpinned by the ISOs false analysis of the 1980s Labour government. According to the ISO, Labours role as the direct instrument of big business was all just a big mistake: cabinet ministers fell under the spell of right-wing Treasury bureaucrats and big business lobbyists and carried out an economic experiment, with theories never tried, let alone proven anywhere else. In fact, by the 1980s the unprecedented global integration of production had completely undermined the social democratic program of suppressing the class struggle by offering concessions within a regulated national-based economy. Labour responded in the same way as Thatchers government in Britain and Reagans in the US, by removing subsidies and protections and drastically restructuring the economy, in the name of enhancing corporate global competitiveness. The pro-capitalist trade union bureaucracy suppressed any resistance from workers. Contrary to the mythology promoted by the ISO, Labour was never a socialist party; it was founded in 1916 as a reformist party dedicated to preserving capitalism. Its transformation into an openly pro-business, neo-liberal party was not just the outcome of subjective choices by bad leaders, but part of an objective international process. Social democratic parties in Australia, Britain, and across Europe all embraced the free market and adopted similar right-wing programs in line with the demands of finance capital. All have seen a dramatic collapse in their support in the working class as a result. In New Zealand, masses of people correctly see the Labour Party as no different from the conservative National Partya development which alarms Labours pseudo-left supporters. The ISO supports Labour not despite but because of its anti-working class and militarist record. The group has nothing to do with socialism, but represents elements of the upper-middle class, including trade union bureaucrats and academics, seeking to improve their positions under capitalism. For years the ISO has sought to more directly integrate into bourgeois politics: in 2011 it joined and campaigned for the Maori nationalist Mana Party, a pro-business, anti-immigrant party, which the pseudo-lefts falsely packaged as left wing on the basis of racial identity politics. When Mana failed to re-enter parliament in 2014, the ISO exited the party. The ISOs politics are essentially the same as those of its now-defunct US parent organisation, which functioned as a left apologist for the Democratic Party and US imperialism. Last year a murky MeToo-style sex scandal was used as a pretext to dissolve the ISO (US), enabling many of its leading members to join the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and campaign for the Democrats. The World Socialist Web Site exposed how the ISO had been funded largely by foundations linked to the Democrats. The ISO (NZ) has not seen fit to explain its position on these extraordinary developments. The global capitalist system is in a period of immense economic and political crisis and the resurgence of working-class struggle. The ruling elites and their political parties are responding not with progressive reforms but with threats of war, anti-immigrant poison and authoritarian policies, encouraging the growth of fascism. The alternatives facing the working class are not reform or revolution, but world socialist revolution or fascist barbarism. Jacinda Arderns promises of a capitalist system based on kindness and compassion are lies, as are the ISOs claims that Labour can seriously help the working class. Whichever capitalist party or parties form government in New Zealand after the 2020 election, they will accelerate the assault on the working class. Workers, students and young people who want to build a genuine socialist party should study the program and principles of the Socialist Equality Group and the International Committee of the Fourth International, the world Trotskyist movement. This is the only political organisation that has consistently fought for the political independence of the working class from all bourgeois parties, on the basis of socialism and internationalism. LAS VEGAS, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LV Criminal Defense has been recognized by the professional community at large with numerous awards and prestigious ratings. After observation of their ethical business practices and excellence in law, it is no wonder that LV Criminal Defense has been awarded the following honors: Elite Lawyer Top rated Las Vegas criminal attorney Nicholas Wooldridge, Esq The Elite Lawyer Award was awarded to Nicholas Wooldridge in 2020. 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Only those with an abundance of professional experience and peer recommendations, as well as a record clean of unethical behaviors, are considered for the award. Nicholas Wooldridge was awarded this prestigious title not only due to his reputation within the community but also for his excellence in practicing law. More Honors: Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Nevada 3 Best Rated Criminal Lawyers in Las Vegas Top 20 Criminal Defense Lawyers (Expertise) About LV Criminal Defense Founded in 2015 by experienced attorney Nick Wooldridge, LV Criminal Defense serves clients in the Las Vegas region who are in need of legal defense services. The elite and distinguished team gives each and every client the same care and attention, leading to excellence in and outside of the courtroom. LV Criminal Defense 400 S. 7th St #401 Las Vegas, NV 89101 702-623-6362 Related Images nicholas-wooldridge.jpg Nicholas Wooldridge Top rated Las Vegas criminal attorney Nicholas Wooldridge, Esq SOURCE LV Criminal Defense Related Links https://www.lvcriminaldefense.com Students are ramping up their protests against rent increases for on-campus accommodation . There has been a furious reaction to the decision by the majority of universities to hike rents in September , by 3pc-4pc. Under recent legislation, 4pc is the maximum allowable. At NUI Galway, where a 4pc rise is coming for the 2020/21 year, students have started an occupation of the campus quadrangle. They say they will stay there day and night until the decision is revoked. NUIG Students Union President, Clare Austick said they met students everyday who have to work two or more part-time jobs to stay in college. Students who commute huge distances, students who can't afford decent accommodation and students who arent in college who should be. We are outraged that in the midst of an accommodation crisis, the university is again looking to profit from the desperation of students looking for accommodation. Expand Close UCC protests. Photo: USI / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp UCC protests. Photo: USI The action at NUI Galway comes on the heels of a similar round-the-clock Occupy the Quad protest at University College Cork (UCC), which started on Monday. In Cork, students are camping in tents and demanding that a planned 3pc increase does not go ahead and that a three year rent freeze is introduced. Meanwhile, at University College Dublin (UCD) - where rents are set to rise by 4pc a year for each of the next three years - students staged a five to six hour protest today. The demonstration, during which tents were pitched at the main entrance to the Belfield campus, was a forerunner to a major rally at the campus being planned by UCD Students Union for next Wednesday. Meanwhile, students at Trinity College Dublin, staged a lunchtime protest at the main entrance today amid fears that rent increase are also on the way there. TCD Students' Union President, Laura Beston said good work being done to encourage less well-off students into college was being undone by the increases The protests have the backing of the Union of Students in Ireland (UISI). USI president Lorna Fitzpatrick, who joined the occupation at NUIG Galway today, said: Expand Close Protests in NUIG. Photo: USI / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protests in NUIG. Photo: USI Students have been struggling for a long-time, but these increases are absolutely a step too far. We think universities need to care more about their students welfare and less about making profits from students simply looking for somewhere to live. We are not letting up on this and completely support the action being taking by students and we will continue to back them until the increases are reversed and rents are frozen. "Members in UCC have been sleeping out since Tuesday, NUIG from today, and they will be until these decisions are reversed, which really shows that students cannot take anymore. She said universities needed to talk to their students to understand the hardships they are facing. Universities justify the increases on the basis of the investment required for new accommodation and the refurbishment of existing accommodation, for which no Government funding is available. Jacinda Ardern has touched down in Sydney for her annual bilateral meeting with her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison. The two leaders will sit down together on Friday to discuss trans-Tasman policies, following an eventful and tumultuous year for both nations. Ms Ardern and Mr Morrison have been known to sit on opposite sides of the political tracks, come from different generations and have very different leadership styles. However, the two have managed to forged a strong relationship befitting the two countries' recent history and long-held values. It's a relationship that, until now, has been sculpted in tragedy and hardship. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern touched down in Sydney ahead of her annual meeting with her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison Ms Ardern was met by Gerard Martin, representing the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as she arrived in Sydney on Thursday Ms Arden will spend two days in Sydney and will also meet NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Governor-General David Hurley before returning to Aotearoa on Friday night 'The last 12 months has, if nothing else, demonstrated just how close New Zealand and Australia are,' Ms Ardern said. 'Whether it's the fires in Australia, and the hundreds of personnel that have gone from New Zealand to Australia to support them and their efforts.' 'Or Whakaari White Island, or coronavirus, we've had plenty of examples in the last 12 months where we have been extraordinarily close together.' Most recently, there has been collaboration during the Covid-19 crisis, with New Zealanders and Australians sharing space on each others' mercy flights from the troubled Chinese region. Ms Ardern could have also added to her list the Christchurch mosque shootings of March 15 last year, given collaboration with Australian police and experts in the aftermath of the attack. The pair will have plenty to reflect on when they meet in Sydney on Friday for the annual meeting of prime ministers. 'Of all of the leaders that I work with, differently, Prime Minister Morrison is the one that I speak with the most,' Ms Ardern said. Ms Ardern said the last 12 months have shown how 'close New Zealand and Australia are'. Pictured: Ms Ardern and Scott Morrison at Government House February 2019 'I've had officials joke that they no longer think they need to do the work themselves because we often just resolve things directly together. 'It would be fair to say actually the very things that draw communities closer together are the things that often draw countries close together as well. 'We're countries that lean on one another in times of need. 'That is an incredibly important relationship and having that ability, I think it's meant we've been able to troubleshoot things very quickly.' Jacinda Ardern won hearts across the globe for her support of victims of the mosque terror attacks in Christchurch. Pictured with a mosque-goer after the attack wearing a hijab That doesn't eliminate the differences. In the Pacific, New Zealand is held up as a great ally on climate issues; Australia is lambasted for worshipping fossil fuels. The divide is such that Ms Ardern, who has enshrined into law a pathway to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, says she won't bother to raise the issue in Sydney. She has pledged to discuss the 'corrosive' issue of deportations, which has seen hundreds of New Zealanders - some with very few links to the country - deported from Australia after committing serious crimes. Australia has been unrelenting in its stance, and New Zealand is realistic on whether any concessions might be made. There will also be discussions about commerce, with Ms Ardern referring to 'what we can do at our borders to make it easier for our businesses to move between each other'. She has been praised internationally for being respectful and a great role model for women (pictured during a trip to Fiji) In a side meeting, Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt and Maori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta will also sign a groundbreaking collaboration agreement on indigenous issues. Ms Ardern will also meet NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Governor-General David Hurley before returning to Aotearoa on Friday night. Her visit comes as she prepares to get into election mode at home - where she's found herself under fire for failing to deliver on her promises. As New Zealand prepares to take to the polls on September 19, many locals are upset at her for failing to keep her promises in a number of key policy areas. During her stint as prime minister, Ms Ardern developed a prominent and sympathetic international profile, both as a young mother in the country's top job, and for her response to the Christchurch massacre and the White Island volcano tragedy. Australian National University professor John Wanna said the PM is 'regarded as a bit of a show pony who is not delivering,' among her constituents. Issues include the failed KiwiBuild Project, planting one billion trees to tackle climate change, reducing child poverty, free GP visits, and her backtracking on the capital gains tax. A man in his mid-20s regularly roams the streets of my small town in the middle of the night. He looks angry and doesnt communicate clearly. Not everyone living in the area knows him. But the police do. His father reached out to us, said Sgt. Adrian Acevedo of the South Orange, N.J., police department, to tell us his son is blowing off steam, has special needs, and wont make eye contact or listen to us. If we didnt have this information, we could mistakenly take him for a burglar. All of South Oranges police officers are aware of this mans disability. His name, his parents phone numbers, and brief details about his special needs are on file at the South Orange Police Office. Its a smart move, said Gary Weitzen, executive director of Parents of Autistic Children, a nonprofit based in New Jersey that provides training for parents and educators on how to teach children with autism to respond to people in uniform. The group also hosts workshops for police officers and other officials on how to interact with people with special needs. To date, theyve trained more than 70,000 police officers, firefighters and ambulance squads in New Jersey. A leading Tory backbencher has accused Boris Johnson of making 'really ill-judged' comments in the past and told him to 'think very carefully' about the impact his words have on women and ethnic minorities. Caroline Nokes, the chairman of the Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee, has also warned Britain has become less tolerant with a 'massive rise in hate crimes'. Ms Nokes, who was sacked as immigration minister by Mr Johnson when he became Prime Minister in July 2019, expressed concern at controversial comments he has made. Mr Johnson drew sharp criticism for comparing women who wear burkas to letterboxes and bank robbers in a newspaper column after he quit as foreign secretary. He has also been attacked for previously describing black people as 'pickaninnies' with 'water melon smiles' and referring to gay men as 'bum boys'. Caroline Nokes, pictured in Downing Street in May 2019, is now the chairman of the Women and Equalities Select Committee. She has attacked Boris Johnson in an interview with The House magazine Ms Nokes told The House magazine: 'I think that it is incumbent on the Prime Minister to think very carefully about what he is saying and the impact it could have on certain communities, on different ethnicities, on women. 'I think his comments have been really ill-judged, and the one that stands out to mind was the comment about letterboxes. 'And I have always held the view that it's not for any man to tell any woman what she should wear - advice that I would sometimes shout at my own father when he comments on what I'm wearing. 'But I think the Prime Minister's choice of words when grabbing headlines and being a newspaper columnist were unfortunate.' The Romsey and Southampton North MP described big increases in recorded hate crimes against ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people and the disabled as 'horrific'. She said: 'Do I think the country has become less tolerant? Yeah, I do. 'And I think it's incumbent upon government, it's incumbent upon the education system, it's incumbent upon all of us to be more tolerant, and to be more understanding. 'We're really good as a country at having some national outpourings of grief and upset over high profile things but actually that massive increase in hate crimes towards people from LGBTQ perspectives, from disabled people, from different ethnicities is just horrific.' The former Home Office minister also said it was wrong to brand the government department 'institutionally racist' in the wake of the Windrush scandal. It was recently claimed that the term had been removed from the conclusions of an official report into the immigration scandal. Ms Nokes said: 'Do I recognise it as institutionally racist? No. Do I think it was an organisation that has massive challenges? Absolutely. Ms Nokes said remarks made by Boris Johnson, pictured in London today, in the past were 'really ill-judged' 'I recognise that the Home Office was and is a department that had massive challenges, not least around resourcing. 'And I think that was one of my biggest concerns that we simply didn't have the numbers of people that we needed to process claims, particularly asylum claims, quickly and efficiently.' Ms Nokes also revealed that her experiences in Parliament have turned her into a feminist. 'You arrive here, and it is like arriving in a boys' prep school, where the inmates haven't quite got to 13 and it was a real shock to my system,' she said. 'If Parliament wants to take credit for one thing that it has done for me over the course of the last 10 years, it is turning me into a feminist.' 16-year-old Tiffany Taylor (pictured) disappeared in July 2015 after allegedly meeting Rodney Wayne Williams, 65, for paid sex arranged through the Oasis website The family of pregnant teen Tiffany Taylor was desperate for her to cut ties with a 'user' boyfriend more than two decades her senior before she disappeared, a court has been told. The 16-year-old disappeared in July 2015 after allegedly meeting Rodney Wayne Williams, 65, for paid sex arranged through the Oasis website. Her body has never been found. Williams has pleaded not guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court to murdering Tiffany after allegedly picking her up from the Waterford Motor Inn. Messages between the pair showed Williams agreed to pay $500 for sex, but he says it never happened. Tiffany's boyfriend, Gregory Hill, 45, denies pimping the teenager out despite 300 messages about money and meeting men allegedly being found on his phone. He also says he wasn't intimate with Tiffany when she was a child. But Tiffany's brother-in-law Nathan Stocks told the court Mr Hill began pursuing her for a relationship when she was about 12-years-old. Witness Nathan Stocks (left) and Tiffany Taylor's sister Chloe Taylor (centre) leave the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Thursday, February 27, 2020 Tiffany's boyfriend, Gregory Hill, 45, (pictured) denies pimping the teenager out despite 300 messages about money and meeting men allegedly being found on his phone 'He started to be friendly with Tiffany and asked to take her out for dog walks and to the beach,' he said on Thursday. 'At the start, it wasn't too bad but we all did not expect that was what his intentions were. 'He was obviously a much older guy and we just thought he was a friendly natured person.' Mr Stocks said Tiffany's family attempted to discourage Mr Hill but he 'just kept working his way in'. They also tried to 'talk sense' to Tiffany but she had begun smoking cannabis and chroming and was spending time with Mr Hill instead of going to school. 'Greg was a very demanding person ... she loved him but I couldn't see anything to say he loved her,' he said. 'He was just a user getting what he wanted out of her. 'There was always a bad feeling I got off him.' Tiffany left her family's home soon after and began living with Mr Hill. Mr Stocks told the court in the four years he knew Mr Hill he saw him work just 'one or two days'. 'He could have got a job ... instead of sitting in our house smoking weed,' he said. The body of pregnant teen Tiffany Taylor, 16, (pictured) has never been found After Tiffany disappeared, Mr Stocks said he searched for Tiffany at a well-known local drug house, where one man said he had recently seen the teenager. Earlier, prosecutor Philip McCarthy QC told the jury that after Williams picked up Tiffany he drove to Larapinta industrial park where 'something happens' while he is stopped for about 20 minutes He said Williams then drove to the Esk-Ferndale region, where police have searched dams and bushland for Tiffany's body, without success. Later in the day, Williams also allegedly set about laying a false trail of communication with the teen on the Oasis website. One message read: 'Sorry I didn't turn up, decided I wasn't going to pay for it.' The trial continues. Hours after the transfer of Delhi High Court Justice S Muralidhar raised eyebrows, the Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday (February 27) issued a statement saying that "well-settled process was followed" and that the whole thing is being politicised by the Congress party. In a series of tweet, the BJP minister wrote: "Transfer of Honble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well-settled process have been followed." Transfer of Honble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well settled process have been followed. Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) February 27, 2020 Prasad added, "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell-bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them." The minister said that his party respected the judiciary and that it was the Congress' record of compromising the independence of the judiciary. "We respect the independence of the judiciary. Record of Congress in compromising the independence of the judiciary, superseding judges even of Supreme Court during Emergency is well known. They rejoice only when the judgment is of their liking otherwise raise questions on the institutions itself," he wrote. On the issue of Judge Loya, Prasad said, "The Loya judgement has been well settled by the Supreme Court. Those raising questions do not respect the judgment of the Apex Court pronounced after elaborate arguments. Does Rahul Gandhi consider himself above even the Supreme Court?" Further, he slammed the Sonia Gandhi-led party claiming that they had no right to lecture the ruling party about objectionable speeches. "The Party, which is the private property of one family, has no right to lecture about objectionable speeches. The family & its cronies have routinely used the harshest words against the Courts, the Army, the CAG, the PM and the people of India," he said. Late on Wednesday (February 26) night Justice S Muralidhar, who was hearing cases related to Delhi violence, was issued a transfer notice. He has been sent to the Punjab and Haryana High Court as part of a routine transfer recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium. The Shiv Sena on Thursday accused the BJP of using Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar as a "shield" to play the of neo-nationalism. Terming the BJP's love for Savarkar as "fake", the Sena said that instead of targeting the Maharashtra government, the state BJP leaders should ask why the party- ruled Centre has failed to honour the freedom fighter so far. It also said that if the BJP thought that it could corner the Sena over the issue of Savarkar, then it was mistaken. "The BJP leaders in Maharashtra declared that they would target the (state) government on the issue of Veer Savarkar. This makes it clear that Savarkar is not a subject of respect or faith for the BJP, but just a political issue," the Sena said in its editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. "Veer Savarkar is not merely a subject of discussion, but he should be practised in life. Savarkar's life symbolised sacrifice, principles, radiance and struggle," it added. "Everyone paid respects to Savarkar on his death anniversary (observed on Wednesday). But those who pretend to remember Savarkar, have they really understood him? BJP says it will corner the government on the issue of Savarkar. But those who themselves are cornered, should not talk about cornering others," the Uddhav Thackeray-led party said. Instead of targeting the Maharashtra government, whether the BJP-ruled Centre has honoured Savarkar is the question that the BJP leaders in the state should ask, it added. "Why didn't the Centre confer Bharat Ratna on Savarkar on the Republic Day? Will the neo-fans of Savarkar throw some light on it? Demand for passing a resolution in Maharashtra Assembly in honour of Savarkar if fine. "But what happened to the letters sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in which he sought Bharat Ratna for Savarkar? The Centre did not even take note of the letters. This is an insult of Maharashtra and Veer Savarkar," the Sena said. After his release from Andaman (Cellular Jail), Savarkar devoted his life to social work in Ratnagiri. "Political leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and RSS founder Hedgewar, met him. Gandhiji sought his cooperation for eradication of untouchability and propagation of Swadeshi," it added. "Savarkar had a huge contribution in the freedom struggle. But where was the BJP or the then 'Sangh Parivar' during that movement? The RSS did not even recognise the national flag. Those who insult the national flag are called traitors," the saffron party said. "Sardar Patel had imposed a ban on RSS twice. While lifting the ban both the times Patel set the condition that it has to accept the tricolour as a national flag. Golwalkar Guruji (of RSS) accepted this condition, but "records" say that the Sangh did not keep its word till 2002. "The organisations which call themselves nationalist, were not ready to hoist the tricolour till 2002. Saffron flag is also the symbol of Shiv Sena, but along with that flag, the tricolour is also hoisted. This is our nationalism," the party added. "The BJP is playing the of neo-nationalism by using Swatantryaveer Savarkar as a 'shield'. If they think the Shiv Sena will be caught in a tight spot, then they are mistaken. Sena won't be caught in a dilemma. Instead, those who are pretending will be hit. Their love for Savarkar is all fake," it said. BJP's demand for a state government resolution honouring Savarkar for his contribution to the Independence struggle did not find support in both Houses of the Maharashtra Legislature on Wednesday. While Assembly Speaker Nana Patole rejected the BJP's demand, triggering protest from its leaders, in the Legislative Council, Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe refused to entertain the saffron party's move as she adjourned the House when a BJP leader stood up to speak about it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Fattah al-Sisi this Wednesday announced three-day mourning period to pay homage to former leader Hosni Mubarak who passed away Tuesday at the age of 91. The former autocratic leader was given military funeral, attended by President al-Sisi alongside several state authorities including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Coptic Pope Tawadros II and Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. The 91-year old late leader was buried in his family cemetery in eastern Cairo. Bahrain and the UAE also announced they would raise their flags at half-mast for one day in homage to the military man who ran the most populated Arab country for 30 years. Mubarak died nine years after he was forced to resign from power during the popular uprising in January 2011. There are problems with the law on acquisition of Armenian citizenship that were intentionally created for receipt of bribes. This is what High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of Armenia Zareh Sinanyan told reporters after the government session today. The laws have been made complicated intentionally so that Armenians who wish to acquire citizenship solve their problems by giving bribes in order to save time and not get frustrated, Sinanyan said, adding that his wife will also have to face these problems soon. My wife will also have to be a part of this bureaucracy. Her parents were born in Bulgaria, she was born in the United States, and her last name has been changed. This is why she will have to go from one window to the next, Zareh Sinanyan said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Ilhama Isabalayeva Trend: Azerbaijan and Turkey today act as the main guarantors of security and development in the region, Deputy Chairman of Board of the Social Research Center, Doctor of Political Sciences, Political Analyst Elshad Mirbashiroglu told Trend. The intensifying partnership between the two countries stipulates the geopolitical situation of the region as a whole, the analyst added. "The recent visit of the president of the fraternal country to Azerbaijan confirmed this statement, Mirbashiroglu added. The joint statement of the presidents emphasized the nature of the strategic partnership. The parties expressed gratification with the intensification of comprehensive cooperation in the military-industrial, defense, economic, transport, energy, tourism and agricultural sectors." The analyst stressed that trade turnover between the two countries increased by 33 percent in 2019. Of course, the newly signed documents will give a new impetus to the dynamics of the growth, Mirbashiroglu said. One of the most important geo-economic events on a global scale will occur at the end of this year, the political analyst said. The issue is the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project. The significance of this project is stipulated by the fact that it will make an important contribution to the development of not only our two countries, but the entire region as a whole. This project will greatly strengthen the regions geopolitical role in the world. Of course, one of the most important indicators characterizing fraternal relations between the two countries is mutual political support." Turkey makes the issue of Azerbaijans territorial integrity important on all international platforms and helps reveal Armenias aggressive policy, Mirbashiroglu said. Azerbaijan, in turn, demonstrates the political and moral support for Turkey in its struggle for justice. These aspects have been recently once again outlined in the statements of the presidents made for the press. "The extremely important negotiations on joint production of weapons were held, the analyst added. Taking into account that Azerbaijan is at war, the issue of improving and modernizing weapons is extremely important. The newly signed documents, in accordance with the spirit of strategic partnership, will make an invaluable contribution to the intensification of the comprehensive cooperation with Turkey." 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. Sorry! This content is not available in your region Srinagar, Feb 27 : The decision by the Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor G.C. Murmu-led UT administration to remove encroachments on government land in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region is likely to open a can of worms. Thousands of acres of government land of various descriptions like grazing land, 'Nazool' land (state land in Srinagar city), state land in rural areas and forest land in Jammu region and Kashmir Valley have been brought under construction during the last 32 years when the focus of the administration was on fighting militancy. There has been a virtual loot of state land under the so-called 'Roshni' scheme. The scheme came into force during the government of Farooq Abdullah and it was the brainchild of the then revenue minister, Abdur Rahim Rather. The act envisaged to create funds for hydro power generation in the state by giving proprietary rights to occupants of state land. "Without following any public auction process, prime lands were allotted to favourites of the ruling party or those who wielded influence on the government in power. "The result was that the scheme did not collect more than Rs 79 crore against the target of Rs 25,000 crores while prime land, both commercial and housing, worth billions was given to the beneficiaries," a senior revenue officer said requesting anonymity. The Jammu and Kashmir High Court is now seized of the matter while the anti-corruption bureau is investigating the allotments under the Roshni scheme that is no longer in force. Ironically, the UT administration is showing eagerness to remove encroachments on forest land, state land and those reserved for lakes, rivers and other water bodies while a construction boom continues in all the districts of Kashmir Valley on land exclusively reserved for agricultural purposes. Under the law of the land, all agricultural land classified as 'Abi Aawal' (A-grade cultivable land based on fertility and irrigation facility) cannot be converted for any other purpose. Thousands of acres of this prime agricultural land have been converted for other purposes as houses, shops and commercial complexes have come up on these lands. "The law is clear on this. Nobody can convert these lands as these are exclusively reserved for agricultural purpose. "Unfortunately due to the land mafia working in connivance with the officials of the revenue department, thousands of acres of such land are no longer under cultivation now," said a senior retired revenue official. The result of this conversion has been that despite thousands of hectares marked for paddy cultivation, almost the entire requirement of foodgrains for Kashmir Valley comes from outside Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir has some of the loftiest forests in the world and during the last four decades these forests have shrunk alarmingly. Huge forest areas in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam districts have fallen to the timber smugglers' axe. Clashes between officials of the forest protection force and smugglers ferrying timber in trucks, load carriers and even horseback had become a common occurrence during the last 30 years. The result has been that timber from foreign countries for construction purposes is now sold in Srinagar city. The irony is that timber imported from Australia costs less in Srinagar city than does the local Cedrus and Pine timber. "When former chief ministers and ministers built palatial houses on forest and state lands in Srinagar and Jammu how could governments headed by them stop encroachments?" said Fayaz Ahmed, who lives in the Kupwara border district. The Lieutenant Governor-led administration appears to be deeply concerned about the problem and stands committed to have all encroachments and illegal constructions removed quickly. Would Kashmir get back its biological lungs by way of forests and vast areas of green agricultural land and water bodies? Well, time alone will tell. (Sheikh Qayoom can be contacted at sheikhqayoom@gmail.com) A woman in Manila looks at help-wanted signs outside a recruitment agency for jobs abroad, March 2, 2018. Government officers intercepted 110 Filipino women who were to have been trafficked to the Middle East as workers via the southern Philippines and Malaysia, the Philippine immigration bureau said Wednesday. The women, who presented fake documents, were stopped at the southern Zamboanga International Seaport (ZIS) in three groups this month, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement. More than half of the women (56) were stopped on Monday before they could cross to Sandakan, a port in Sabah state in Malaysian Borneo, where the recruiters were to meet them and arrange for their onward travel to the Middle East, the bureau said. They were recruited in different parts of the Philippines and hired by agencies that some contacted through Facebook, it said. These illegal syndicates are seemingly attempting to look for other exit points to be able to evade strict immigration inspection, Morente said in a statement. What they have not realized is that we have spread out our personnel and are maintaining the same level of screening in all ports in the country to ensure that our compatriots will not be victimized by these unscrupulous individuals, he said. On Feb. 10, immigration agents intercepted 37 victims who attempted to board the MV Antonia 1 ferry bound for Sandakan. A week later, 17 were stopped attempting to board the same ferry and were found to be mostly traveling to Dubai to work as maids or caregivers, officials said. Morente said that the workers were trying to use Malaysia as a jump-off point to Middle Eastern countries. All the women had been turned over to representatives of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking. We are pushing that cases be filed against their illegal recruiters. This is clearly a case of human trafficking, Morente said, adding some from the north travel all the way to Zamboanga in an attempt to depart illegally to work abroad. Zamboanga is a regional hub in the southern Philippines and has been used by human traffickers to transport people to Malaysia and Indonesia, officials said. Muslim separatist rebels and militants also use the region to cross borders. Donald Trump will close out this week's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland on Saturday, but this year he won't be the man of the hour. The conference, which kicked off Wednesday, will certainly have plenty to say about Trump and his first term in office, yet Trump won't be the indispensable figure for the thousands of conservative activists in attendance. After 47 years of organizing, CPAC finally has the fight for which it has built itself. And it has Bernie Sanders to thank for it. Sanders won't appear at CPAC, of course, but his presence will be felt in nearly every presentation and in every corner of discussion. Sanders' socialist branding small-S or otherwise has given CPAC the explicit and immediate framing it has long used as one of its key themes. In this election year, Sanders' rise in the Democratic presidential race has reinvigorated the fight against socialism that marked the Cold War years of conservatism. Trump will use his own appearance to assume the mantle of leadership in this fight, and has indeed already positioned himself as the best banner-carrier in this battle. He began that effort in his State of the Union address with a clever decision to invite Juan Guaido as his guest, highlighting Guaido's fight to remove Venezuela's socialist strongman Nicolas Maduro from office. "The United States is leading a 59-nation diplomatic coalition against the socialist dictator of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro," Trump said in introducing Guaido, telling him directly to let Venezuelans know that "all Americans are united with the Venezuelan people in their righteous struggle for freedom." Turning back to Congress, Trump declared, "Socialism destroys nations, but always remember: freedom unifies the soul." If that was a dare on Trump's part to Democrats, their voters appear to have called him on it. Sanders has only gained momentum since Trump's February 4 speech, essentially tying Pete Buttigieg in the Iowa caucuses and then winning contests in New Hampshire and Nevada more convincingly. With Sanders rising in the polls for Saturday's South Carolina primary and in the pole position for many of the Super Tuesday races, the big question at the moment seems to be not whether Sanders can win more delegates, but whether he can win enough to ensure a first-ballot nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. Story continues The prospect of having a socialist at the top of the Democratic ticket in November has simplified matters for CPAC and for conservatives more generally. Even with Trump's surprise win in 2016, tensions remained within the conservative coalition about his performance as president. CPAC has tried to unify the Right in the past few years by focusing on the us-vs-them aspect of the Trump era, but significant voices in the coalition have continued to raise concerns about Trump's comportment as well as some of his policies. Those efforts to enforce unity have continued this year with a very public disinvitation to Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) after his vote to convict Trump in his impeachment trial, becoming the only senator in U.S. history to vote to remove a president of his own party. The more Sanders wins, though, the less those divisions matter. That may well be true in the Democratic primary as well, where Sanders has come under attack for his praise not just of the "Scandinavian" socialism he professes to represent but also of overtly repressive leftist regimes like the Sandinistas, Fidel Castro, and communist China. Democrats have begun to expose their own divisions by speaking out against Sanders, and not just Sanders' presidential competitors. Sanders' Senate colleague Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), an American of Cuban descent, told reporters, "I don't understand how you can praise any of that. ... I certainly think it's wrong for the person who would be the leader of the free world." The activists at CPAC will certainly agree with Menendez on that issue. Trump's qualifications for that job may have been part of the discussion at CPAC under different circumstances, but no longer. Even the MAGA agenda will take second place to the existential necessity of stopping a socialist from winning the White House. CPAC's agenda already reflects this reinvigorated focus. Eight of the presentations at the conference are specifically dedicated to socialism, such as Thursday morning's session on "Socialism: Wrecker of Nations and Destroyer of Societies," emceed by former Trump administration national-security official KT McFarland. Half of those events are main-stage sessions as opposed to breakout sessions, showing the heightened focus on this mission. By contrast, only three general-session events other than Trump's Saturday address to the conference has Trump as its explicit focus. Two of those are main-stage discussions with Trump family members (Lara Trump, Ivanka Trump), and the other an address by Trump campaign booster (and Donald Trump Jr. girlfriend) Kimberly Guilfoyle. To be sure, the conference will have plenty of training sessions for organizers and discussions of other policy areas. The most prominent theme, however, will be the call to arms against socialism. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about "Exposing and Defeating the Socialist Plot to Hijack America" in one session, or to hear "the Unshackled Voices of Socialist Regimes." Some will learn "words that work in persuading others [against] socialism" in one breakout session, or find out how to beat "Socialism & The Great Awokening" from the main stage. The agenda has its own message to activists emphasize "socialism." The words "liberal" and "progressive" are entirely absent from this agenda. In any other cycle, that would be seen as either hyperbole or an anachronism. Sanders' rise in the Democratic primary has made it both timely and at least within reach of Sanders' own rhetoric, especially after his remarks about Castro and the communist regime in China this week. Make no mistake about it Sanders will be the indispensable man at CPAC. And he might just end up as its most unifying figure since Ronald Reagan. Want more essential commentary and analysis like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for The Week's "Today's best articles" newsletter here. More stories from theweek.com What if Super Tuesday clarifies nothing? Harvard scientist predicts coronavirus will infect up to 70 percent of humanity The New Yorker wordlessly sums up Trump's coronavirus problem A study of tax incentives aimed at attracting and retaining businesses finds that the vast majority of these incentives ultimately leave states worse off than if they had done nothing. For the study, researchers at North Carolina State University examined data from 32 states from 1990-2015. The researchers evaluated all of the state and local tax incentives available in the 32 states, as well as an array of economic, political, governmental and demographic data. A computational model assessed the extent to which the effects of attracting or retaining businesses in a state offset the state's related tax incentives. "We found that, in almost all instances, these corporate tax incentives cost states millions of dollars - if not more - and the returns were minimal," says Bruce McDonald, an associate professor of public administration at NC State and corresponding author of the study. "In fact, the combination of costly tax incentives and limited returns ultimately left states in worse financial condition than they were to begin with." The two exceptions to the finding were job creation tax credits and job training grants. "In both cases, the cost of the incentives was more than offset by tax revenue created by new jobs or by previously underemployed people finding higher-paying work," McDonald says. "The takeaway message here is that maybe states shouldn't be offering these tax incentives. Or, at the very least, states need to examine their assumptions about the impact these incentives actually have, with the exception of incentives explicitly tied to job creation and training." The 32 states included in the study account for about 90% of state and local tax incentives nationally. The states were Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. ### The paper, "You Don't Always Get What You Want: The Effect of Financial Incentives on State Fiscal Health," is published in the journal Public Administration Review. The paper was co-authored by John Decker and Brad Johnson, who are graduate students at NC State. Advertisement Face-mask clad crew members on board The Spectrum of the Seas cruise liner arrived at Sydney Harbour on Thursday, just hours after Australia launched an emergency plan to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The Royal Caribbean ship pulled into port with about 30 people on board, many who wore protective masks as they disembarked. As they stepped onto Australian soil, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the nation a coronavirus pandemic was 'very much upon us'. Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared that a coronavirus pandemic is 'very much upon us' on Thursday. People are seen taking photographs of the Sydney Opera House as the ship arrived The Royal Caribbean ship (pictured) pulled into port on Thursday bringing about 30 crew members to Australian soil A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia no guests were on board the ship when it arrived on Thursday. She said the passengers were crew members sent to Australia to cater for firefighters who will be taken on a free four-day cruise along the country's east coast starting on Saturday to thank them for their efforts tackling the summer's bushfires. The spokeswoman said the ship has not been in China for more than two weeks, exceeding the public health guidelines. One male cruise ship employee wears a face mask as he gets off the Royal Caribbean ship in Sydney on Thursday Crew members are transported from the cruise liner to the shores of Sydney on a yellow merchant ship Royal Caribbean earlier this month announced dates for two free cruises open to volunteers who helped battle the bushfire crisis. The first four-night cruise will leave on Saturday, with the second on March 7. Both will travel north along Australia's coast before returning to Sydney. Around 7,000 first responders and their families have booked for the complimentary voyage. 'We are in a fortunate position to give back to the brave and dedicated members of our community and their families by presenting them with the chance to join us for a few days to relax,' Royal Caribbean managing director Gavin Smith said. About 30 crew members were brought to Australia on the Spectrum of the Seas, ahead of a free cruise for volunteer firefighters Two female cruise ship workers put on their face masks as coronavirus fears heighten across the globe Earlier this month, 200 passengers on board the Diamond Princess ship were trapped on the quarantined vessel in Japan for two weeks after a former passenger tested positive for the virus. The Prime Minister on Thursday instructed Health Minister Greg Hunt to identify 'gaps in capabilities' within Australia's state-based health services as they combat the spread of the deadly, flu-like illness from China. 'We believe that the risk of a pandemic is very much upon us,' he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday. 'We need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic.' Crew members are seen arriving in Sydney on Thursday. The World Health Organisation is yet to describe coronavirus as a pandemic People are seen taking in the sights of Sydney Harbour on Thursday after The Spectrum of the Seas arrived Mr Morrison said that during the past 24 hours, the 'rate of transmission of the virus outside of China is fundamentally changing the way we need to look at how this issue is being managed here in Australia'. 'As a result, we've agreed today and initiated the implementation of the coronavirus emergency response plan,' he said. 'Based on the expert medical advice we have received, there is every indication the world will enter a pandemic phase of the coronavirus.' The Australian government has declared the emergency response plan a day after the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention forecast it would turn into a pandemic. It is being co-ordinated by the National Security Committee. 'As a government, we need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic,' Mr Morrison said. The World Health Organisation is yet to describe coronavirus as a pandemic. The Prime Minister on Thursday also extended the travel ban to China for another week. Australia lays out national coronavirus plan Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the risk of a global coronavirus pandemic impacting Australia is likely, releasing the government's Australian Health Management Plan on Thursday. The government is currently at the 'Initial action stage' which includes: * Health Minister Greg Hunt assumes powers under Biosecurity Act. * Enhanced border screening measures and communications with incoming travellers. * Medical stockpiles deployed to states and territories ready for use. * Potential outbreaks investigated. * National response coordinated with states and territories. The declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organisation or evidence of a large-scale, sustained transmission of the virus in Australia will move the government to a 'Targeted action stage', which would see: * Department of Health coordinating response from National Incident Room. * Health services surging staff numbers. * Items from the National Medical Stockpile distributed to health services. * Consideration of any border or social distancing measures. * Response could be scaled up or down based on spread of virus. If infection numbers reach a level that it can be contained by normal healthcare services, government moves to 'Standdown stage', which includes: * Replenishing medical stockpiles. * Resuming elective or non-urgent medical procedures. * Monitoring for second wave of virus. Advertisement This picture taken on December 31, 2019 shows firefighters struggling against the strong wind in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra Fire Rescue Queensland crews are pictured on January 5, 2020 in Wingello in NSW The COVID-19 coronavirus has infected more than 80,000 people worldwide since it originated in December at an animal market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. That included 23 people in Australia. Another eight Australians had been flown from the Diamond Princess cruise ship at Yokohama in Japan to a quarantine centre near Darwin, where they tested positive. Coronavirus has killed more than 2,600 people globally and can cause severe lung damage and trigger multiple organ failure, particularly among the elderly or frail. In Australia 16 per cent of the population are over 65, compared to just nine per cent in China, where some 2,700 have died. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the nation on Thursday a coronavirus pandemic was 'very much upon us' [February 27, 2020] Strengthening Canada's Energy Systems Against Cyber Threats OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2020 /CNW/ - Cyber security is integral to safeguarding Canada's citizens, information, economy and infrastructure. The need has never been greater as threats evolve and threaten to disrupt our daily lives. The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced an $818,000 investment to strengthen the energy sector's ability to predict, prevent, respond to and recover from cyber threats positioning Canada as a leader in security standards. This investment will support the CIO Strategy Council in producing a series of cyber security standards for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices in the North American electricity sector. IIoT consists of Internet-connected machinery, infrastructure and advanced smart devices that collect, exchange and analyze data to enhance manufacturing, industrial processes and operational efficiencies. To protect our energy systems from cyber threats, Canada will work with partners to identify, prevent and mitigate cyber risks. Canada aims to play a leadership role in creating globally accepted standards and certification programs to significantly reduce the risk and severity of cyber threats through IIoT devices. Consumers, businesses, utilities and other sectors that rely on IIoT devices will also benefit from improved cyber security and the safety of Canada's energy systems. Government of Canada funding is provided through Natural Resources Canada's Cyber Security and Critical Energy Infrastructure Program (CCEIP). In support of Canada's National Cyber Security Strategy, the program received $2.42 million through Budget 2018 to enhance the cyber security and resilience of domestic and cross-border energy infrastructure. The CIO Strategy Council is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for Canada's chief information officers to focus on collectively transforming, shaping and influencing the Canadian information and technology ecosystem. Quote "The security of Canadians and our critical infrastructure is paramount. Cyber attacks are becoming more common and dangerous. That's why we are supporting this innovative project to protect the Canadian electricity sector." The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Canada's Minister of Natural Resources "Improving the cyber security of critical infrastructure in Canada requires careful planning and execution with trusted partners to be successful. The CIO Strategy Council is proud to be working with the federal government on leading the development of globally accepted standards and conformity assessment programs for IIoT devices, their supply chains, and for installed systems using these devices to address significant vulnerabilities in securing our critical infrastructure." Keith Jansa Executive Director, CIO Strategy Council Associated Links CIO Strategy Council Cyber Security and Critical Energy Infrastructure Program National Cyber Security Strategy Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Hong Kongs government said Wednesday it will give a HK$10,000 ($1,280) handout to every permanent resident in a bid to jump-start an economy in recession after months of protests and hit further by the coronavirus outbreak. Financial Secretary Paul Chan unveiled the cash gift in the annual budget, committing a colossal HK$120 billion to help alleviate the worst economic downturn the international financial hub has faced in a decade. Hong Kong boasts significant fiscal reserves of more than HK$1 trillion built up over the boom years, a stockpile that the government is now tapping into. The cash handout to around seven million permanent residents will cost HK$71 billion, but officials hope consumers will plough much of the money back into local businesses.- Making good use of fiscal reserves to support enterprises and relieve peoples hardship is certainly in line with our peoples expectations, he said, adding the cash handout was for permanent residents aged 18 or above, including those residing overseas. Chan said the stimulus and lower revenues would push government coffers into the red by a record HK$139.1 billion in the coming fiscal year, the first deficit in 15 years. Hong Kongs economy is reeling from the US-China trade war, months of pro-democracy protests last year and now the coronavirus: a triple whammy Chan described as exceptionally austere. Other measures announced in the budget included profits and salary tax breaks, as well as low-interest loans for businesses struggling to pay staff wages. The tourist, restaurant and retail sectors have been hit especially hard with bankruptcies soaring and traditionally low unemployment rising. Hong Kongs economy is facing enormous challenges this year, Chan said, predicting a range of 0.5 percent growth to a 1.5 percent contraction this year. The recession is a major headache for the citys unelected pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam, who currently boasts record-low approval ratings after facing down huge democracy protests. The massive rallies and regular clashes with police that became a weekly fixture last year were dying down before the virus outbreak began. But the virus has comprehensively ended mass gatherings. Yet public anger still simmers in a city where neither its leadership nor Beijing have addressed the issues fuelling years of rising resentment. In Wednesdays budget, the police received a 25 percent bump to HK$25.8 billion. Neighbouring Macau often announces universal cash handouts to residents in its annual budget, while Hong Kong has historically been more reticent. The last one for all residents was in 2011, three years after the global crash sparked the citys last recession. Last week Hong Kongs government announced a HK$30 billion relief fund for those hit hardest by the virus outbreak, including cash handouts for businesses such as restaurants and travel companies. The last time Hong Kong ran a deficit was between 2001 and 2004. Chan said the reserves should see the city through the current crisis In the medium term, the economic outlook of Hong Kong remains positive, he said. SOURCE: AFP Almost 1000 women a week are seeking urgent legal services, health and housing assistance after fleeing domestic violence in NSW, with court advocates "exhausted" by the steady flow of referrals. Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services assisted more than 51,000 women through 117 local courts in 2019, a 12 per cent increase on the previous year. Louise Webber, Mid-North Coast co-ordinator for Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services. Credit:Edwina Pickles "I don't think anyone is shocked because we are that exhausted. We are looking at those referrals everyday, making the calls and contacting the women," said Louise Webber, who co-ordinates the advocacy's services across the Mid-North Coast. "Often we don't have the capacity to do more than a safety assessment and refer on to other services ... so we're just outsourcing [women] again. We need additional funding to expand our program to provide more comprehensive support." Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd is quoting at Rs 207.3, down 0.74% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The stock tumbled 7.19% in last one year as compared to a 7.62% rally in NIFTY and a 5.26% fall in the Nifty Energy index. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd dropped for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 207.3, down 0.74% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.54% on the day, quoting at 11615.1. The Sensex is at 39648.31, down 0.6%.Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd has eased around 14.46% in last one month.Meanwhile, Nifty Energy index of which Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd is a constituent, has eased around 8.62% in last one month and is currently quoting at 14189.7, down 1.06% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 29.47 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 37.8 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark February futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 206.6, down 1.15% on the day. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd tumbled 7.19% in last one year as compared to a 7.62% rally in NIFTY and a 5.26% fall in the Nifty Energy index. The PE of the stock is 5.7 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.) Select the Somerset County Athlete of the Week for Jan. 3-7 Tyson Fury has reportedly been invited by Manchester United to share his inspirational life story to the squad following his remarkable victory over Deontay Wilder. Fury is on top of the world at the moment after his seventh round victory over American heavyweight rival Wilder on Saturday in Las Vegas, and United are looking to him to provide insight into how to battle back from the brink. According to the Metro, the Red Devils have asked Fury to come to their Carrington training base to give a speech about his battle with depression to becoming heavyweight world champion. Tyson Fury is on top of the world after beating Deontay Wilder in seven rounds on Saturday Fury suffered from drink and drug problems after his title win over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015. The Brit went up to a staggering 28 stone during his 32-month absence away from the ring before returning to his beloved sport in June 2018. And just last weekend, Fury defied the odds to produce a performance for the ages and fire himself to the pinnacle of the heavyweight division again by stopping Wilder at the MGM Grand. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is searching for methods to inspire his Manchester United squad The report claims that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his remarkable story will help inspire his United squad to ensure they never give up from the brink of defeat. The move comes after the Premier League launched their Heads Up campaign earlier this year to encourage players to open up about their struggles with mental health. Fury's incredible comeback story has already seen him receive invitations to meet Donald Trump at the White House and Pope Francis at the Vatican. Production of hydrogen fuel is a key goal towards the development of sustainable energy practices, but this process does not have feasible techniques yet. A team of Japanese scientists from Tokyo University of Science, led by Prof Ken-ichi Katsumata, have identified a novel technique of using rust and light to speed up hydrogen production from organic waste solution, a finding that can revolutionize the clean energy industry. In today's narrative of climate change, pollution, and diminishing resources, one fuel could be a game-changer within the energy industry: hydrogen. When burned in a combustion engine or in an electrical power-plant, hydrogen fuel produces only water-making it far cleaner than our current fossil fuels. With no toxic gas production, no contribution to climate change, and no smog, hydrogen may be the answer to a future of cleaner energy, so why is it not more widely used? There are two reasons for this. First, hydrogen is highly flammable and leaks very easily from storage tanks, causing potential explosion hazards during storage and transport. Second, although pure hydrogen occurs naturally on Earth, it is not found in quantities sufficient for cost-effective utilization. Hydrogen atoms must be extracted from molecules like methane or water, which requires a large amount of energy. Although several techniques exist to produce hydrogen fuel, scientists are yet to make this process "efficient" enough to make hydrogen a commercially competitive fuel on the energy market. Until this is achieved, fossil fuels will probably continue to dominate the industry. For decades, scientists have been working towards a cheap, efficient, and safe way to produce hydrogen fuel. One of the most promising methods to achieve this is through solar-driven processes, using light to speed up (or "catalyze") the reaction to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen gas. In the 1970s, two scientists described the Honda-Fujishima effect, which uses titanium dioxide as a photocatalyst in hydrogen production. Building on this research, a team of Japanese researchers led by Prof Ken-ichi Katsumata of Tokyo University of Science, sought to use a cheaper, more readily available semiconductor catalyst for this reaction, with the hope to increase its efficiency even further, reducing the production costs and safety of hydrogen fuel. Their study published in Chemistry: A European Journal indicates that, by using a form of rust called -FeOOH, hydrogen production under Hg-Xe lamp irradiation can be 25 times higher than titanium dioxide catalyst under the same light. The experiment conducted by Prof Katsumata and colleagues aimed to address common challenges encountered in using semiconductor catalysts in solar-driven hydrogen production. There are three major obstacles described by the authors. The first is the need for the catalyst material to be suitable for the use of light energy. The second is that most photocatalysts currently used require rare or "noble" metals as cocatalysts, which are expensive and difficult to obtain. The last problem arises from the actual production of hydrogen and oxygen gases. If not separated straight away, the mixture of these two gases can at best reduce the hydrogen fuel output, and at worst, cause an explosion. Therefore, they aimed to find a solution that can not only increase the reaction's efficiency, but also successfully prevent hydrogen and oxygen from re-coupling and creating a potential hazard. The team identified a promising candidate catalyst in -FeOOH (or rust) and set out an experiment to evaluate its efficiency for hydrogen production and the optimal experimental conditions for its activation. "We were really surprised at the generation of hydrogen using this catalyst," states Prof Katsumata, "because most of the iron oxides are not known to reduce to hydrogen. Subsequently, we searched for the condition for activating -FeOOH and found that oxygen was an indispensable factor, which was the second surprise because many studies showed that oxygen suppresses hydrogen production by capturing the excited electrons." The team confirmed the production mechanism of hydrogen from water-methanol solution using a 'gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry' method, showing that -FeOOH was 25 times more active than the titanium dioxide catalyst used in previous research, supporting stable hydrogen production for more than 400 hours! More research will be required to optimize this process. Prof Katsumata elaborates: "The specific function of the oxygen in activating light-induced -FeOOH has not been unveiled yet. Therefore, exploring the mechanism is the next challenge." For now, these findings of Katsumata and his colleagues represent new advancements in the production of a clean, zero-emissions energy source that will be central to the sustainable societies of the future! Every four years, party strategists, political junkies and, well, reporters ponder the question, some with dread and others with relish: Is this the year we will finally see a brokered convention? It has been nearly 70 years since there was a true nominating fight on the convention floor, with candidates nervously waiting for delegates to go through rounds of voting to pick the eventual candidate. Since then, both parties have made rule changes for picking and counting delegates to avoid that situation, primarily because a nominee in a brokered convention very rarely goes on to win the general election. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is leading the Democratic delegate race so far, and seems poised to continue his successful primary run. But none of his six competitors appear willing to drop out and party leaders continue to fret about a Sanders candidacy, increasing apprehension about a suspenseful convention in Milwaukee, rather than the predictable media event Americans have grown used to. A down-ballot primary race to fill a local judges seat generally is the last place to find election-year drama. But Aretha Blakes bid to return to the Mecklenburg County District Court has been roiled by attacks on her competence, claims of racism, and an increasingly bitter legal fight over media coverage that threatens to overshadow her showdown Tuesday with Charlotte attorney and fellow Democrat Lynna Moen. This week, the clamor escalated when Blake filed a libel and slander suit against local TV reporter Nick Ochsner while also asking a judge to block his future stories about her. The station has said it stands by the story. Judge loses fight to block critical Charlotte TV story days before election On Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Daniel Kuehner refused Blakes request for a temporary restraining order against future stories about her by Ochsner and WBTV. In arguing for the order, one of Blakes attorneys intimated that Blake had been singled out for what he described as defamatory coverage because she is an African American incumbent facing a white opponent. Blake faces allegations that she mismanaged dozens of cases during her time in Family Court. For two years, she was one of seven judges who heard hundreds of wrenching and drawn-out disputes over divorce, alimony and child custody, among other matters. In each case, a judges decision can impact a family for generations. According to her critics, Blake often added to the emotional toll in the eighth-floor courtrooms by chronically failing to make rulings in a timely way. Mecklenburg County Judge Aretha Blake Blake says the allegations are untrue, though she acknowledges that at first she was overwhelmed by her workload, which she says hit 1,000 cases in 2018 and forced her to work nights and weekends. Even so, she maintains that she successfully handled hundreds of cases on her docket while pointing out that she has the public support of at least nine of her District Court colleagues. There were cases I would have loved to have done faster because I knew how much the families needed it, she told the Observer. But I also know how hard we were working. Story continues An Observer review of dozens of Blakes cases partially corroborated her assertion. Public records indicate that nearly one-third of all pending Family Court cases in 2019 were more than a year old cases handled by all Family Court judges, not just Blake. Yet critics have come forward, and two years ago a higher court specifically ordered Blake to make an overdue ruling in one of her cases. Catastrophic to families Lawyers rarely publicly rebuke the judges who hear their cases. You dont throw rocks at the alligators before you go swimming in the lake, is how attorney Tom Bush put it. The Observer contacted almost 20 judges and attorneys for this story. Most either did not respond or declined to comment. But Bush says Blake too often dragged out decisions that froze families lives while driving up tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary legal fees. The former Mecklenburg County commissioner says he had one divorce case in which Blake took more than 18 months to make a child-custody ruling. Legal veterans say a ruling in one to three months is closer to the norm. Bush says the delay left the parents, now living in different states, unable to plan where their children would live or attend school. Judge Blake has some real skill and capability, he said. The problem is when you couldnt get her verdicts, the results were catastrophic to the families. Veteran family law attorney Jonathan Feit of Charlotte said he supported Blake when she first ran for the bench four years ago after a 17-year legal practice career. Now after practicing in Blakes courtroom, Feit says the judge has not earned a second term. He cited one case where Blake did not show up for a hearing in which she had promised to deliver a ruling. On multiple occasions, Blake kept families in limbo by not responding to attorney inquiries about the status of her rulings, he said. If judges are presented with the evidence and arguments but fail to make decisions, people suffer, families suffer, Feit told the Observer in an email. In my experience, Judge Blake had a difficult time or failed to make some of these important decisions. The result was uncertainty, confusion and incredible frustration from the families involved. Regardless of the judge, Family Court cases, which regularly involve lengthy and separate court fights over property, money and child custody, tend to run long and can span multiple judges. Statistics supplied by the Trial Court Administrators Office show that 33 to 41% of all pending Family Court cases in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 had been there for more than a year. Yet Moen claims that only Blake had a significant backlog of cases. The key to this race is to make sure we have someone in district court who has demonstrated the ability to manage the workload, she said. Backlog or slander? Just how many families were kept waiting under Blakes watch now drives an increasingly rancorous debate. A Feb. 6 report from WBTVs Ochsner claimed that as of this month, Blake had 52 cases dating back to 2017 in which she had not ruled. Separately, in a Jan. 17 letter to the Black Political Caucus, Moen claimed Blake left 35 cases unresolved when she left Family Court in December 2018 to become a Juvenile Court judge. Charlotte attorney Lynna Moen, running for a Mecklenburg County District Court judge seat. Blake, the only incumbent judge on Tuesdays ballot with an opponent, claims that both numbers are wildly inaccurate and that the attacks on her performance have been politically driven. She says her transfer to Juvenile Court two years ago filled a vacancy and was not caused by any performance issues on her part. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday against WBTV, Blake claims Ochsner had access to the case files that would have disproven the reported 52-case backlog but published his story anyway. Blake claims that the allegation of the backlog is tied to the leak of an internal planning document created by her clerk during Blakes early days on the bench to track ongoing cases a list that she and her clerk told the Observer had become outdated. Blake says the document actually lists 48 cases, not 52. After the WBTV story aired, Blake said she and other courthouse officials including staff members from the offices of Clerk of Court Elisa Chinn Gary and Trial Court Administrator Charleston Carter went back through the cases and found that Blake had ruled in 46 of them. Blake says two cases inadvertently had been left open but she issued orders within days. Blake says she asked the TV station to retract or correct its story. Then, she issued a public statement saying: We are only one week away from the start of early voting and the (WBTV) story was not intended to seek justice, inform or educate the people of Mecklenburg County ... Instead, the primary driver was a politically motivated attempt to distort and grossly miseducate the public about my integrity and the inner workings of the court. At a Feb. 20 press conference, members of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, including county Commissioner Vilma Leake, dismissed the WBTV report as false, lacking journalistic integrity and said it exemplifies bias and racism in the news media. Blake and five other judges supporting her watched as Leake threatened a boycott of the TV station and The Observer unless you print the truth. Finding the truth is not so simple. When an Observer reporter asked to see the cases listed on the leaked list, a member of the clerk of courts office pointed to dozens of files piled on a cart and dozens more stacked in a box beside it. Some cataloged family disputes that had stretched on for years before Blake became a judge. A search found 16 cases from the list of those in which Blake supposedly had not ruled. In fact, Blake had made rulings of some sort in all of them. However, the timeliness of her decisions was unclear. Ochsner has since told the Observer that, based on additional reporting, he now says that Blakes backlog actually is 35 cases for the years 2017 and 2018 combined, not the 52 from 2017 he first reported. WBTV News Director Kim Saxon said this week that she stands by her reporter and his work. Nick is careful, persistent, and responsible in his pursuit of the truth in his reporting, Saxon said in a Wednesday e-mail. Debacle in Family Court Still, there is another paper trail to consider. Blake was one of three Mecklenburg County Family Court judges almost half the jurists assigned there to be publicly sanctioned for late rulings in 2018. Gary Henderson was reprimanded by the state Supreme Court in May 2018 for taking more than two years to hand down a child-custody order in one case. Judge Ronald Chapman, now retired, was suspended for 30 days without pay in October 2018 for taking more than five years to rule on a motion for permanent child support. Blake received a Writ of Mandamus order in July 2018 from the N.C. Court of Appeals, giving her 30 days to rule in a divorce case she had heard 14 months before. The writs, which are basically Do your job edicts from a higher court, are infrequent. North Carolina has thousands of judges and elected officials. But in 2018, 140 writs were handed down, according to the Administrative Office of the Courts. An AOC spokeswoman said the agency did not have the number of judges who received the orders. Richard Boner of Charlotte, a former longtime District and Superior Court judge in Mecklenburg County, said such orders to judges are virtually unheard of. In almost 30 years, I never saw a judge get a Writ of Mandamus, he said. I suspect a lot of lawyers dont even know what that is. Charlotte attorney Gena Morris first sought the order against Blake in February 2018 after the judge failed to respond to at least seven letters regarding the status of the case, according to court filings. The Court of Appeals denied the initial request but said Morris could refile it if Blake had not ruled in 60 days. Blake did not, and the appeals court handed down its order on July 6, 2018, pointedly noting that it had repeatedly attempted to contact the Family Court coordinator assigned to (Blake) but did not receive a response. Morris declined to comment for this story. But in an email exchange with a former client whose case was heard by Blake, Morris called Blake the worst judge I can remember dealing with, and I have dealt with dozens. The client provided the Observer with a copy of the email and other documents from her case on the condition of anonymity, saying her divorce case remains in Family Court. Bush, the family law attorney, said Blake contributed to a general debacle in Family Court in which inexperienced judges are often assigned cases then moved to other parts of District Court after they have developed expertise. Mecklenburg attorney Lee Myers, who has practiced law for more than 40 years, says Family Court is home to the most difficult, the most stressful cases in the court system, and Ive done them all. He says Blake came into Family Court as a new judge and did the best she could do. He added: Perhaps as good as anyone could do. The Observer sent a series of questions to Chief District Judge Regan Miller. They included whether, given the sanctions against the three judges, Family Court is meeting the needs of the public, and whether Blakes transfer two years ago was tied to any performance issues. Miller, who is retiring next month, did not respond. Misinformation, Blake claims Local court races are normally decorous affairs, with low-key campaigns that draw little attention, particularly in a primary. But the exchanges between Blake and Moen have become increasingly personal. Blake says Moen is the only attorney she has sanctioned as a judge, accusing her of filing a frivolous and poorly argued motion for the purpose of unnecessarily delaying a custody case in 2017. Moen, who owns a law practice, says she decided to enter the race, in part, due to Blake taking six months to rule on spousal support for one of her clients. During that time, (the clients) bills went unpaid and she accumulated unnecessary debt and unnecessary legal fees, Moen said in her January letter to the Black Political Caucus. I am running because our community deserves better. Last week, a Moen campaign volunteer working at the Beatties Ford Library precinct accused Blakes husband, who was also working at the polls, of pressuring an African American early voter not to cast her ballot for a white woman over a black woman. Witness: husband of black judge pressured early voter not to support white woman I hope we all have the opportunity to cast our votes in a peaceful manner, and that its done in a way where no one feels intimidated or threatened, Moen said at the time. Blake told the Observer that her husband doesnt remember making the white woman comment, that he approached Moens volunteer only after he heard her sharing inaccurate information about Blakes supposed backlog of cases. After arriving at the voting site, Blake said she had a conversation with campaign officials in which she explained the intensity surrounding this campaign. She added: I also had a respectful conversation with my opponents campaign operative and expressed my regret that she was provided with misinformation about me. A week before election, judge asks court to block critical TV story she says is untrue Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 01:33:24|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- British car production dropped for the fifth consecutive month in January mainly due to the sharp decrease in domestic demand, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said Thursday. Data showed that British car production fell 2.1 percent in January compared with the same period one year earlier, to 118,314 units, hitting its lowest level in volume in January for nine years. Notably, car manufacturing for overseas orders rose 4.1 percent to 97,870 in January, with growing demand in key European and Asian markets. However, output for the domestic market decreased sharply, down 23.9 percent year-on-year. The industry body urged supportive measures to boost British market in the upcoming post-Brexit budget slated for March 11 as planned. Meanwhile, the group highlighted that "the biggest boost" for British car sector was to reach "a free trade deal" with the European Union (EU). Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: "Exports are the bedrock for UK car manufacturing so a rise in January exports is welcome following recent declining demand in overseas markets." "These figures, however, still give great cause for concern, with another month of falling car production driven by a lack of confidence and corresponding weak demand in the UK," said Hawes. The upcoming budget is an opportunity for government to provide supportive measures to stimulate market, said Hawes, noting that "the biggest boost would be the agreement of an ambitious free trade deal with Europe." "This would end the ongoing uncertainty and help the UK to recover its hard-won reputation as a great place for automotive investment," Hawes added. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British American Tobacco plc (BATS.L, BTI) reported profit from operations of 9.0 billion pounds for the year ended 31 December 2019, down 3.2% driven by adjusting items partly due to charges incurred. Earnings per share was 249.0 pence, down 5.4%, impacted by a number of adjusting items. Adjusted profit from operations was 11.1 billion pounds, up 7.6%, or an increase of 6.6% on a constant currency basis. Adjusted earnings per share was 323.8 pence compared to 321.6 pence. Fiscal year revenue increased by 5.7% to 25.88 billion pounds. Adjusted revenue was 25.83 billion pounds, an increase of 6.2%. On a constant currency basis, adjusted revenue was 25.68 billion pounds, up 5.6%. Revenue from the Strategic Portfolio rose 8.9%, or 7.3% on a constant rate basis. Fiscal year total cigarette and THP volume declined 4.4% to 677bn sticks, with cigarette volume down 4.7% and THP volume up 31.6%. Strategic Cigarette and THP volume was down 2.5%, for the period. Jack Bowles, Chief Executive said: 'Looking into 2020, we are confident of another year of high single figure adjusted constant currency earnings growth.' The Board has declared an interim dividend of 210.4 pence per ordinary share of 25 pence, for the year ended 31 December 2019, payable in four equal quarterly instalments of 52.60 pence per ordinary share in May 2020, August 2020, November 2020 and February 2021. This represents an increase of 3.6% on 2018. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. TUNIS - The Tunisian Parliament on Thursday approved a confidence vote for the new government of Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh, nearly five months after the October 6 elections, with 129 votes in favour, 77 against, and one abstention. Fakhfakh managed to gather various political forces in the name of the higher interest of the nation. His government is made up of 30 ministers and two undersecretaries, with a total of six women, distributed in a balanced way between members of political parties and independents. He said the members of the government were chosen "according to the highest standards of competence, integrity, and clean records" that he said "without a doubt will create a group dynamic and make the executive branch's actions more efficient". Voting in favour of the new government were the Islamic party Ennhadha, Achaab, Attayar, Tahya Tounes, and the parties of the National Reform group. Voting against the new government were Qalb Tounes, the Islamic coalition Al Karama, the Free Destourian Party (PDL), Machrou Tounes, and Afek Tounes, among others. "I chose political support for my government in harmony with the election results and I believe that all political families are represented in some way in my executive, which can also be considered a government of national reconciliation," Fakhfakh said just prior to the confidence vote. He said diversity within his team and alliances that were thus far deemed impossible are signs of success. During a speech on his programme, he announced the following priorities for his new government: security, improving purchasing power, price control and fighting against contraband and corruption, relaunching the economy through structural reforms, reducing the trade deficit and protecting the national economy, mobilising added financial resources, solving the crisis in the mining basin and resumption of the production of phosphates, and putting in place mechanisms for finding solutions to the problems of workers on construction sites and in schools. Fakhfakh, a 48-year-old economist, previously held the posts of tourism minister from 2011 to 2013 and finance minister from 2012 to 2014. His government's main challenge will be overcoming the country's economic and social crises, after last year's weak 1% growth, heavy debt, and average unemployment at 15%. In his speech on his programme, he promised "deep reform" to put the country back on track for economic and social stability. However, with a fragmented parliament in which no political force holds more than 25% of the vote, the new prime minister will have to try to broaden his coalition's consensus even further to give improved stability to the executive and a possibility for success of the reforms he intends to put into place. The UAE and other GCC citizens can't travel using national ID only under a temporary ban by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA). The measure, which will come into force at 12:01 midnight on February 28, is taken as part of a series of precautions to counter the outbreak of the new coronavirus, reported state news agency Wam. The authority highlighted the necessity of using valid passports, to monitor the movement of individuals to and from countries where the virus is present and could pose a threat to UAE citizens and residents. "The UAE citizens residing abroad who left the country using their ID cards, as well as GCC citizens who entered the UAE prior to the decision, are exempt," the ICA said, adding, that, "These procedures are temporary and subject to review and reassessment." Under siege by a U.S. regulator, former action film star Steven Seagal has agreed to pay more than $330,000 for touting an initial coin offering without revealing he was getting paid for his glowing recommendations. Seagal, who starred in "Above the Law, "The Patriot," and, yes, "Under Siege," in early 2018 used social media posts to urge fans and other investors not to "miss out" on Bitcoiin2Gen's initial coin offering, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in an order issued on Thursday. The 67-year-old actor and martial arts exponent's promotions also included a news release titled: "Zen Master Steven Seagal Has Become the Brand Ambassador of Bitcoiin2Gen," the SEC said. Actor Steven Seagal poses on the the red carpet during the closing ceremony of the 3rd edition of the El Gouna Film Festival in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of el Gouna on Sept. 27, 2019. However, Seagal failed to disclose that he'd been promised $250,000 in cash and $750,000 in Bitcoiin2Gen tokens in exchange for his recommendations. The omission violated federal securities laws that require celebrities and others who tout virtual tokens or coins that are securities to disclose any compensation they receive in exchange. "These investors were entitled to know about payments Seagal received or was promised to endorse this investment so they could decide whether he may be biased," said Kristina Littman, chief of the SEC Enforcement Division's Cyber Unit. "Celebrities are not allowed to use their social media influence to tout securities without appropriately disclosing their compensation." Although Seagal did not admit or deny the SEC's findings, he agreed to pay $330,448 in repayment of the funds he actually received, plus a penalty and prejudgment interest. He also agreed not to promote any securities for three years. "Mr. Seagal was not involved in the creation of this product, nor did he have any prior relationship with the individuals who approached him" for endorsements, defense attorney Ivan Knauer said in a statement. "To him, it was simply a case of someone paying a celebrity for the use of his image to promote a product." Story continues Seagal does not dispute the SEC's contention that the cryptocurrency was classified as a security, said Knauer, who stressed that the actor was not accused of any fraudulent conduct. "Mr. Seagal cooperated fully with the SECs investigation, and this matter is now behind him. He looks forward to continuing his lifes work as an actor, musician, martial artist and diplomat." Bitcoiin2Gen is an international online company with a website that describes the business as the "world's first self-sufficient cryptocurrency eco-system." The investigation of Seagal followed a 2017 SEC alert that urged investors to be leery of making financial decisions based solely on celebrity endorsements. "It is never a good idea to make an investment decision just because someone famous says a product or service is a good investment," the alert said. "Celebrities, like anyone else, can be lured into participating (even unknowingly) in a fraudulent scheme. Also, celebrities are sometimes linked to products or services without their consent so the celebrity may not even have endorsed the investment." Seagal is a U.S. national who currently lives in Russia, according to the SEC order. In 2018, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office announced that Seagal would not face criminal charges in connection with a sexual assault that allegedly occurred in 2002. Separately, Seagal has been the subject of sexual misconduct allegations made by several women, including actresses Jenny McCarthy and Portia de Rossi. He has not been charged, and Seagal attorney Anthony Falangetti, denied the allegations in a 2018 statement to USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steven Seagal settles SEC cryptocurrency investigation A Bangladeshi student of Visva Bharati University has been asked by the home ministry to leave the country for reportedly engaging in 'anti-government activities' Kolkata: A Bangladeshi student of Visva Bharati University has been asked by the home ministry to leave the country for reportedly engaging in "anti-government activities". Afsara Anika Meem, an undergraduate student at the central university, has been served a 'Leave India Notice' by the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office, Kolkata under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The notice which has asked Meem to leave India within 15 days from the date of its receipt did not specify the nature of the "anti-India activities". The woman, who hails from Kustia district of Bangladesh, got enrolled in the Bachelor of Design course at the varsity in 2018. She received the notice dated 14 February on Wednesday, one of her friends said. Meem had allegedly shared some posts on Facebook related to anti-CAA protests inside the campus in December, and has been trolled on social media since then, a member of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) told PTI. The Bangladeshi student, who did not receive calls, told PTI in a WhatsApp message that "I am not in a state to talk about this now". A Bangladesh Deputy High Commission source in Kolkata said it is yet to receive any official intimation in this regard. Visva Bharati University authorities, too, could not be contacted for comments. The notice said Meem also committed visa violation. "... She is found to have engaged in anti-government activities. And such activity being a breach of her visa, has thus, committed visa violation. "... The foreigner shall not remain in India, shall depart from India within 15 days of receipt of this order," it said. A teacher at the varsity termed the move "draconian" and said it is an attempt to gag "any dissenting voice". [February 27, 2020] According to Mordor Intelligence analysis, the share of the North American agricultural robots and mechatronics market was 62% in 2018 NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Overview The agricultural robots and mechatronics market was valued at USD 3.4 billion in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of 24.2%, during the forecast period (2019-2024). In 2018, North America was the largest geographical segment of the market studied and accounted for a share of around 42%. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05778170/?utm_source=PRN Big industrial indoor farms are using aquaponics, which includes high-tech plumbing and filtration systems that can recycle virtually all the fresh water and avoid the use of pesticides. The combination of indoor farming and robots is likely to enhance the production capacities of crops. This is likely to drive the agricultural robots and mechatronics market to an extent. Across the world, a huge decline of the workforce is observed due to many reasons, like the lack of skilled labor, aging of farmers, and young farmers finding farming an unattractive profession, thus encouraging trend for automated farming operations Scope of the Report Agricultural robots and mechatronics support farmers by performing agricultural operations, such as crop and animal sensing, weeding and drilling, integration of autonomous systems technologies into existing farm operational equipment such as tractors, robotic systems to harvest crops, and conduct complex dexterous operations and allied industry operations. Key Market Trends Increasing Adoption of Automation Technologies in Indoor Farming With the adoption of advanced technologies, large farms equipped with indoor farming are opting for the usage of robots, in order to automate the processes mentioned above. After the adoptio of advanced farming technologies in large farms, the labor force reduced by 22% globally, in the year 2017, compared to the previous year. Some of the major projects, like GARotics (Green Asparagus Robotics Harvesting System), GRAPE (Ground Robot for VineyArd Monitoring and ProtEction), and MARS (Mobile Agricultural Robotic Swarms) were funded by the European Commission to replace manual labor with automation technologies. Several such innovations are aiding the agricultural robots market to gain potential attraction in the near future. Big industrial indoor farms are using aquaponics, which includes high-tech plumbing and filtration systems that can recycle virtually all the fresh water and avoid the use of pesticides. The combination of indoor farming and robots is likely to enhance the production capacities of crops. This is likely to drive the agricultural robots and mechatronics market to an extent. North America dominates the market According to the analysis, the share of the North American agricultural robots and mechatronics market was 62% in 2018. The United States is one of the largest markets for autonomous tractors in the agricultural robots and mechatronics market in North America . Autonomous Tractor Corporation and Agrobotics LLC are some of the major players in the market studied, based in this region. The major factors driving the market studied in North America are large scale farming operations, decline in labor, and the need to enhance productivity of agriculture. Competitive Landscape The agricultural robots and mechatronics market is highly fragmented, with top nine companies accounting for about more than 30% share of the market, while rest of the companies account for the remaining share. There are various major companies which are highly involved in the introduction of new products. For instance, GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft has launched DairyRobot R9500 in January 2019 , Vision Robotics has launched Grapevine Pruner, Yamaha Motor Company has introduced agricultural unmanned helicopter in 2018 Fazer R, and DeLaval Inc. has launched robot OptiDuo and VMS milking system V300 in June 2018 . Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - Report customization as per the client's requirements - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05778170/?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 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/according-to-mordor-intelligence-analysis-the-share-of-the-north-american-agricultural-robots-and-mechatronics-market-was-62-in-2018-301012431.html SOURCE Reportlinker [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Communities around China have started to use electronic door seals to monitor people who are in self-isolation due to the coronavirus outbreak. The smart device will alert local officials when any residents attempt to leave their homes during their quarantine period. The news comes after Chinese people started returning to work and school, which could potentially result in further spread of the virus, according to Chinese media. A community worker is pictured installing the gadget on a door in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province Communities believe the 24/7 monitoring system will help keep track of the activities of their residents, as well as the swarm of migrant workers who are travelling back into the cities A video shows community workers installing the new gadgets on the front doors of residents in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province of eastern China. Residential areas in other cities, including Xingyang, Huizhou and Zhengzhou, have also followed suit, according to the local press. The communities believe the 24/7 monitoring system will help keep track of the activities of the residents under quarantine, as well as the swarm of migrant workers who are travelling back into the cities. One officer told Pear Video that the electric seals could 'massively improve our proficiency because we are very understaffed'. Community staff are pictured putting on an electric seal in Huizhou, Guangdong Province The picture shows a community officer installing an electric seal in Xingyang, Henan Province Chinese community officers are pictured installing the gadget in Zhengzhou, Henan Province Local workers will receive live alerts and real-time locations on their phones when residents activate the seals' sensor by opening their doors. Cities across China have enforced quarantine measures to curb the epidemic of the novel coronavirus. Local communities are required to regularly check on their residents whilst they are being quarantined. The deadly disease has killed at least 2,809 people and infected more than 82,500 globally Airport officials are pictured monitoring passengers' body temperatures in Krakow, Poland The deadly disease which spawned in Wuhan late last year has killed at least 2,809 people and infected more than 82,500. Two more cases of the killer coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK today, both of them travellers who caught the virus in Europe including one who is believed to have returned from a hotel in Tenerife where 160 Britons are quarantined. The second new case is a person who travelled from northern Italy, where an escalating crisis has left Britain and the rest of the continent engulfed with fear and confusion. North Macedonia and Greece yesterday became the latest countries to be struck down by the deadly virus as Europe remains braced for hundreds more cases amid an escalating crisis in Italy. Travellers are seen wearing protective masks at the airport in Brazil amid coronavirus outbreak Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Dmytro Kuleba has said that he believes that Ukraine's accession to NATO is possible even taking into account that a part of its territories are temporarily occupied. "Ukraine's accession to NATO is possible even with the existence of the temporarily occupied territories," Kuleba wrote on Twitter. As reported, Defense Minister of Ukraine Andriy Zahorodniuk has said that NATO's decision whether Ukraine should or should not present Enhanced Opportunities Programme (EOP) may be taken in October 2020. Justice S Muralidhar, who heard the petitions on Delhi violence on Wednesday and came down heavily on Delhi Police has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court upon recommendation by the Supreme Court. President Kovind gave the transfer orders following a recommendation by the Supreme Court. Justice Muralidhar during the hearing on Delhi violence had slammed Delhi Police for failing to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. His transfer had already been set in motion on February 12. The Supreme Court collegium had recommended the transfer of three Delhi High Court judges on February 12, following which Delhi High Court launched a protest against the move. The notifications for these transfers were issued on Wednesday evening. A bench headed by Justice Muralidhar expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders, including Kapil Mishra on Wednesday. The transfer has been severely criticised by the opposition and on social media. Taking a dig, Rahul Gandhi said, "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred. "Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell-bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them." The bench of justices S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh asked the special commissioner of police, who was present in court, to convey the court's "anguish" to the commissioner and observed that the city had seen enough violence. The bench said that when the police can register 11 FIRs in connection with incidents of violence, and questioned why it did not register FIRs against BJP ministers Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma, and Kapil Mishra who had allegedly given hate speeches. "Why are you not showing alacrity when it comes to registration of FIR in these cases? We want peace to prevail. We do not want the city to witness another 1984 riots. This city has seen enough violence and anguish. Let it not repeat 1984," the bench said, according to India Today. The bench was referring to the anti-Sikh riots in which thousands were killed in the national capital. Before delivering the order, the bench said, "The city is burning". To this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta replied, "The city is not burning. It's only a few areas." Justice Muralidhar also held a late-night hearing at his residence on Tuesday. He had asked Delhi Police to ensure the safety of all those who have been injured in Delhi violence. A notice issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice announced that President Kovind had taken the decision to transfer Justice Muralidhar after consulting the Chief Justice of India. Also Read: Delhi Violence Live Updates: 34 dead, over 200 injured; CM Kejriwal visits clash-hit areas Also Read: Delhi High Court invokes 1984 riots, says can't let it happen again This is the astonishing moment a coronavirus patient is dragged back into hospital by panicked health workers while being interviewed on live TV - as the first cases hit Holland and Nigeria. In the clip, the Iranian citizen thanked the people of Georgia and paid tribute to the doctors treating him, before health workers dragged him back into the Tbilisi hospital. The journalists present were expecting to hear from a medical official but were surprised when the patient turned up. In the footage that went viral the man, whose name is not known, said: I am so happy. Thank you very (much), people of Georgia. Thank you very (much), thank you so very (much). Hospital, doctors in hospital Georgia. This hospital is perfect and professional.' Later, the individual was transported to the Georgian town of Abastumani where patients are being quarantined. It comes as the escalating worldwide crisis has left countries scrambling to contain the spread of the deadly virus, with the first cases now confirmed in the Netherlands and in Nigeria. More than 82,000 people across the world have caught the virus and 2,800 have died Antarctica is the only continent yet to record a case. Sixteen cases have been confirmed on British soil but it has yet to spread between humans in the UK. Further afield, Germany and France have warned of the 'start of an epidemic', as Europe scrambles to contain a coronavirus outbreak spreading from Italy across the continent. The journalists present were expecting to hear from a medical official but were surprised when the patient turned up The man, whose name is not known, praised doctors at the hospital before health workers come out and get him A health worker tells reporters the man is not well and he is moved back into the hospital Later, the individual was transported to the Georgian town of Abastumani where patients are being quarantined Denmark, Estonia, Switzerland, Romania, North Macedonia, Greece, Norway, Georgia, Netherlands and Nigeria have all recorded their first cases in the last two days. Meanwhile the coronavirus crisis has continued to cause 'carnage' on the markets, with the London Stock Exchange plummeting 8 per cent in a week to a new 13-month low and shares in Wall Street tanking by 10 per cent compared with their record high over the week. In other worldwide developments in the coronavirus outbreak: Pope Francis cancelled a planned Mass in Rome with other clergy after suffering a 'slight illness' it comes a day after he kissed heads and touched faces as he met with crowds in St Peter's Square Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health is reporting its first case of coronavirus. The case was confirmed on Thursday in Lagos state. The Japanese prime minister ordered the closure of all schools in the country for a month in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus Iran's vice president and spokeswoman for 1979 hostage-takers, Masoumeh Ebtekar, has caught the deadly infection, state media has revealed A 'frightened' British mother trapped in a coronavirus-stricken Tenerife hotel said guests are ignoring strict quarantine rules to contain the killer virus Insurers were slammed by doctors for demanding sick notes for travellers trying to get a refund and cancel trips to countries with coronavirus outbreaks Staff at Southampton University NHS Trust have been asked to shave their beards to allow masks to fit more securely in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus The head of the World Health Organisation told governments to 'act aggressively' to contain the global coronavirus crisis The London Stock Exchange dropped to a new 13-month low and traders warned that the coronavirus could lead to 'anaemic global growth' Public health officials were retracing the steps of a Northern California woman on Thursday believed to be the first person in the U.S. to contract the highly contagious coronavirus without traveling internationally or being in close contact with anyone who had it. With new infections reported around the world now surpassing those in mainland China, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said even rich nations should prepare. 'No country should assume it won't get cases, that would be a fatal mistake, quite literally,' Tedros said, pointing to Italy, where 17 people have died in Europe's worst outbreak. In addition to stockpiling medical supplies, governments ordered schools shut and canceled big gatherings, including sports events, to try to halt spread of the flu-like disease known as COVID-19 that emerged in central China more than two months ago from an illegal wildlife market. The death rate appears to be around 2 percent, although it could be lower if there are many mild, undiagnosed cases, experts say. By comparison, seasonal influenza has a case fatality rate of around 0.1%, said Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, ahead of a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence, who has been put in charge of coordinating the U.S. response. 'So therefore you have somewhat of a serious potential for morbidity and mortality,' he said, adding, 'We're dealing with a serious virus.' There is particular concern over a case in Japan in which a woman tested positive for the virus for a second time. Second positive tests have also been reported in China and could imply contracting the disease does not confer immunity. Scientists warned that much remains unknown about this new virus. The head of the WHO's emergency program, Dr. Mike Ryan, said discussions were being held with organizers about the fate of the 2020 Olympics, scheduled for July in Tokyo, although no decision was expected soon. Their cancellation or relocation would be a massive blow for Japan, which said it was closing its entire school system for the next month in a bid to prevent spread of the virus. Iran is the hardest-hit nation in the Mideast, where Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour on Thursday reported 26 deaths out of 245 confirmed cases of the illness. The republic's death toll is the highest outside of China, where the outbreak began in December and has seen more than 82,000 cases worldwide and over 2,800 deaths. Experts are concerned Iran may be under-reporting cases and deaths, given the illness' rapid spread from Iran across the Persian Gulf. CORONAVIRUS: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR What is this virus? The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been identified as a new type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of pathogens, most of which cause mild lung infections such as the common cold. But coronaviruses can also be deadly. SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, is caused by a coronavirus and killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in the early 2000s. Can the Wuhan coronavirus kill? Yes almost 3,000 people have so far died after testing positive for the virus. What are the symptoms? The infection which the virus causes has been named COVID-19. Some people who catch it may not have any symptoms at all, or only very mild ones like a sore throat or a headache. Others may suffer from a fever, cough or trouble breathing. And a small proportion of patients will go on to develop severe infection which can damage the lungs or cause pneumonia, a life-threatening condition which causes swelling and fluid build-up in the lungs. How is it detected? The virus's genetic sequencing was released by scientists in China and countries around the world have used this to create lab tests, which must be carried out to confirm an infection. Delays to these tests, to test results and to people getting to hospitals in China, mean the number of confirmed cases is expected to be just a fraction of the true scale of the outbreak. How did it start and spread? The first cases identified were among people connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. Cases have since been identified around China and are known to have spread from person to person. What are countries doing to prevent the spread? Countries all over the world have banned foreign travellers from crossing their borders if they have been to China within the past two weeks. Many airlines have cancelled or drastically reduced flights to and from mainland China. Is it similar to anything we've ever seen before? Experts have compared it to the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The epidemic started in southern China and killed more than 700 people in mainland China, Hong Kong and elsewhere. SCROLL DOWN OR CLICK HERE TO SEE MAILONLINE'S FULL Q&A ON THE CORONAVIRUS Advertisement On Thursday, as fears of the spread of coronavirus gripped the world, Saudi Arabia banned foreign pilgrims from entering the kingdom to visit Islam's holiest sites, potentially disrupting the plans of millions of faithful ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and as the annual hajj pilgrimage looms. The decision showed the growing worry across the Mideast about the virus as Iran confirmed that infected cases in the country spiked by over 100, to 254 now. A total of 26 people have died so far, it said. That pushes the region's overall cases to above 350. It appeared Saudi officials worried about the risk of pilgrims spreading the virus as they had in Iran. The virus' epicenter in the Islamic Republic is the holy Shiite city of Qom, where the faithful in reverence reach out to kiss and touch a famous shrine. That shrine and others have remained open, despite Iran's civilian government calling for them to be closed. Authorities said Friday prayers in Tehran and other cities would be canceled, according to semiofficial Iranian news agencies. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday praised medical staffers, calling their work 'very invaluable'. But the virus has struck the official in charge of Iran's response to the outbreak, as well as a reformist lawmaker. On Thursday, a hard-line cleric from Qom who also serves in parliament posted a video online acknowledging he had been infected. The head of the parliamentary security and foreign relations commission, Mojtaba Zonnour, said he had also tested positive for the virus. 'Yes, my corona test is positive, too and I am in quarantine,' Zonnouri said in the video. 'God willing, our nation will overcome in fight against corona.' Pope Francis has been forced to cancel a planned Mass in Rome with other clergy after suffering a 'slight illness'. The Vatican said the 83-year-old pontiff had a 'slight indisposition' that meant he did not attend an event at the St John Lateran basilica in Rome on Thursday morning. His illness comes a day after he kissed heads and touched faces as he met with crowds in St Peter's Square, saying he had solidarity with those suffering from coronavirus. Italy is currently in the grips of a coronavirus outbreak that has seen towns in the north placed on lockdown and travellers from the region spread the infection to previously unaffected areas of Europe. The capital, Rome, had three cases, but all three infected patients were cured, officials said. Germany and France have warned of the 'start of an epidemic' as Europe scrambles to contain a coronavirus outbreak spreading from Italy across the continent. Alarm: A fleet of emergency workers and a halted train at Idar-Oberstein station in Germany yesterday after a passenger showed possible virus symptoms Empty shelves: Supermarkets were stripped of supplies in Romania (pictured) as panic-buying shoppers rushed to prepare for a coronavirus quarantine In Tenerife, a staff member wearing a mask cleans the swimming pool of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace today after guests were told they are facing a two-week lockdown Denmark, Switzerland, Romania, North Macedonia and the city of Athens have all confirmed their first virus cases in the last two days - all of them linked to Italy. Supermarket shelves were left empty in Italy and Romania as panicking shoppers rushed to prepare for a quarantine. In Germany, hundreds of people were quarantined in their homes today amid fears that a critically sick local patient could have infected countless others. The man had attended carnival parties, visited the Netherlands and gone for an unrelated hospital check-up in the days before he was taken seriously ill. A soldier in the German air force has also tested positive after having contact with the man, whose wife works at a kindergarten and also has the virus. Separately, a train was stopped for around two hours in Germany on Wednesday with a fleet of emergency workers descending on a remote station after a passenger returning from Italy showed possible virus symptoms on board. A shopper wearing a protective face mask walks through a street market in Milan this morning A German primary school in Gangelt near the Dutch border is closed today (pictured) after a woman who works at a local kindergarten was infected along with her husband French president Emmanuel Macron visits medical staff at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris today, where he said the country was facing an 'epidemic' The country's health minister Jens Spahn warned yesterday that 'we are at the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic in Germany'. CORONAVIRUS 'CARNAGE': STOCKS PLUMMET OVER VIRUS FEARS The FTSE 100 index of the UK's biggest listed companies has now fallen more than 7 per cent in the past four days, and fell 2.6 per cent in early trading on Thursday Wall Street stock markets have tanked 2 per cent already today while Europe's stock markets including in London slumped over three percent, as traders panic as the number of coronavirus cases worldwide exceeded 81,000. At midday trading, the S&P 500 index was 10 percent down from last week's record high, representing the worst week since October 2008. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 index of major British companies shed 62billion at close, tanking over 3 percent to 6,752.68 points and marking a new 13-month low. It earlier plummeted over 4 percent before last-minute trading late afternoon. The past four days, the UK index has shed 152billion in value amid fears of the continued and increased spread of the coronavirus. In Europe, the Paris CAC 40 shed 4.3 percent to 5,443.11, and Frankfurt's DAX 30 slid 4.1 percent to 12,254.94 compared with yesterday's closing levels. Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell warned of 'more coronavirus carnage on the markets' before noting 'this is one of the worst weeks in recent memory'. Mr Campbell added: 'Terrifyingly, it's not over yet. Friday is a tricky proposition.' The benchmark index has now dropped 8 per cent in four days amid concerns over more turmoil, with traders warning the virus could lead to 'anaemic global growth'. Advertisement French president Emmanuel Macron echoed those fears today, declaring that 'we are facing an epidemic'. 'We are facing a crisis, an epidemic that is coming,' Macron said while visiting staff at the La Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris today. 'We know that we're only at the beginning... we're going to try with all our caretakers to make the right decisions. 'You had a case here... I know this affected many of your teams,' he said, after a 60-year-old teacher who had not travelled to an outbreak hotspot died at the hospital on Tuesday. Spahn, the German health minister, said today that the country had plans in place for a pandemic but warned that 'we don't practise them often enough in this country'. In another sign of the widespread concern today, the Pope cancelled an event at a Rome basilica after feeling sick. The 83-year-old pontiff was seen coughing and blowing his nose during the Ash Wednesday Mass yesterday when he shook hands with the faithful and voiced his sympathy with virus patients. There was no word from the Vatican about the nature of his illness, except to say that he was staying in his residence because of a 'slight indisposition'. Denmark confirmed its first case of the virus early today, saying a man who returned from a skiing trip in northern Italy had tested positive. 'The man who came back from a skiing trip with his wife and son on February 24 has been suffering since then from a cough and a temperature,' Denmark's public health agency said. 'The man tested positive, but the results of his wife and son are negative,' it said. The man is relatively well and has returned to his home, where he remains in isolation with his family, officials say. The virus has also spread from Italy to Switzerland, where a man in his 70s from the Italian-speaking region of Ticino has been taken to hospital. The man was infected near Milan where he attended an event on February 15, federal health office chief Pascal Strupler told reporters. 'His state of health is good,' the health office said in a statement, adding that the risk of contagion for Switzerland as a whole remained only 'moderate'. Shoppers wearing masks buy goods at a supermarket today in Codogno, one of the Italian towns which has been locked down to contain the outbreak Protection: Passengers on Milan's metro wear masks in the carriage yesterday with northern Italy at the centre of Europe's coronavirus outbreak Italian football fans wear masks during a Champions League match in France last night, where French side Lyon played Turin team Juventus Pope Francis has cancelled an event at the Vatican due to a 'slight illness', a day after he was pictured coughing and blowing his nose during Ash Wednesday Mass Earlier in the day Francis had met with crowds in St Peter's Square where he touched hands and kissed faces, despite warnings over coronavirus But it also said that, because of the proximity to Italy, 'the probability is growing that other cases will be diagnosed'. The government said on Monday that it had stepped up testing on patients with flu-like symptoms and was working to raise awareness at all border points. Romania reported its first case on Wednesday - a man who was in contact with an Italian who visited the country last week. ILLNESS FORCES THE POPE TO CANCEL AN EVENT IN ROME... JUST A DAY AFTER SHAKING HANDS WITH CROWD Pope Francis has been forced to cancel a planned Mass in Rome with other clergy after suffering a 'slight illness'. The Vatican said the 83-year-old pontiff had a 'slight indisposition' that meant he did not attend an event at the St John Lateran basilica in Rome on Thursday morning. A spokesman said Francis would continue with the rest of his day's business, but preferred to stay within the Vatican rather than travel across the city. There was no word from the Vatican about the nature of his illness, but the pope was seen coughing and blowing his nose during the Ash Wednesday Mass. It comes a day after he kissed heads and touched faces as he met with crowds in St Peter's Square, saying he had solidarity with those suffering from coronavirus. Italy is currently in the grips of a coronavirus outbreak that has seen towns in the north placed on lockdown and travellers from the region spread the infection to previously unaffected areas of Europe. Rome had three cases, but all three were cured. Francis had been scheduled to go to the St John Lateran basilica to meet with Rome clergy and celebrate a penitential Mass at the start of Lent. Francis is bishop of Rome, but delegates the day-to-day running of the archdiocese to a vicar. Advertisement North Macedonia had its first case yesterday, after a woman who had returned from a month in Italy was found to be infected with the virus. In Greece, Athens announced its first infection on Wednesday, a woman aged 38 who had recently returned from northern Italy. The Greek government said that in the event of a mass outbreak, it would activate temporary restrictions on travel to and from countries with a large number of infections as well as temporarily close schools, places of worship, cinemas, theatres, sports halls and businesses. Estonia also confirmed its first case today, although that was believed to be linked to Iran - another coronavirus hotspot - rather than Italy. Local media said the man arrived in Tallinn by bus from the Latvian capital Riga. 'For now, there are no plans of putting cities in quarantine following this one case,' social affairs minister Tanel Kiik told public broadcaster ERR. Similarly, Norway's first virus patient, whose diagnosis was confirmed on Wednesday, had recently travelled from China rather than Italy. Italy has confirmed more than 500 cases of the virus with the death toll now at 14 and 50,000 people living under an armed lockdown in northern towns. EU leaders have rejected calls to shut down border crossings but a number of countries have said people may need to isolate themselves if they return from Italy. Poland has ordered all passengers returning from Italy and China to be medically tested while Israel, in an unprecedented move, has urged its citizens to reconsider any foreign travel at all. In Spain, hundreds of tourists are beginning a two-week quarantine at a Tenerife hotel after an Italian doctor brought the virus to the complex. The doctor, his wife and two more Italians who travelled with them tested positive for the virus after staying at the Canary Islands resort. Five other cases have been detected in mainland Spain in the last 24 hours - one in the Valencia region, two in the Madrid region and another two in Catalonia. Quarantine in Spain: Two hotel guests wearing masks wave from the window of the Tenerife resort yesterday where holidaymakers will have to stay put for 14 days Passengers wearing masks leave a plane at a Warsaw airport early this morning after arriving from Milan and being ordered into medical controls by Polish authorities In Poland, a health worker wears a surgical mask before passengers from Milan arrive at Krakow International Airport on Wednesday evening One was a a 22-year-old Spanish man who recently returned from Milan and who tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, local health authorities said. Spain on Wednesday issued assurances that a cluster of new coronavirus infections did not risk a broader spread, after ten cases were detected since Monday evening. Spanish health minister Salvador Illa has advised people not to travel to northern Italy and other global hotspots for the disease such as Wuhan in China, South Korea, Japan and Iran. In Germany, a passenger train was held up for around two hours in the town of Idar-Oberstein yesterday. A middle-aged man who had recently been in Italy on business was wearing a mask and showing possible virus symptoms - sparking alarm on board the train. The man was eventually taken to hospital for tests, the results of which are due back today, while other passengers continued their journeys, German media said. A health worker screens the temperature of a passenger who had arrived in Krakow after flying from Milan Bergamo last night Hospital workers walk outside the Creil hospital in Paris yesterday after the first French national died of coronavirus, having not travelled to an outbreak hotspot Germany has confirmed 21 cases, after a 47-year-old man with the virus was taken to hospital in serious condition in Dusseldorf and his wife also tested positive. Officials said the infected man was from Gangelt, near the Dutch border, and that he had been in contact with countless people in recent days, including during Carnival parties and while visiting a Cologne hospital for an unrelated health checkup. Israel warns its citizens to avoid ALL international travel Israel has urged its citizens to reconsider any foreign travel at all in order to contain the coronavirus outbreak. The warning from Israel's health ministry is the strictest advice that any country has yet issued about international travel. Israelis should avoid international conferences and 'consider the necessity of travelling abroad in general', the ministry said. 'The assessment is that there is a high probability the disease has already spread to other regions of Europe and many other places in the world,' officials said. The ministry had already instructed Israelis returning from Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea to go into isolation at home for 14 days. Israel has reported two infections of the coronavirus so far, both involving passengers who had been on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Others are in quarantine, including those who encountered a group of South Korean pilgrims who visited Israel earlier this month and were later found to have the virus. Advertisement At least eight schools in the UK have closed while others have sent pupils home amid fears they may have been exposed to coronavirus during trips to northern Italy. However, Public Health England (PHE) said that its general advice is not to close schools - a message echoed by health secretary Matt Hancock. The closures come after travellers returning to the UK from northern Italy were told they may need to self-isolate as part of measures to stop the spread of illness. In London, energy firm Chevron asked about 300 British employees to work temporarily from home after an employee in its Canary Wharf office reported a flu-like illness. France has so far registered 18 infections and two deaths, and has urged its nationals to delay any plans to visit virus hotspots in northern Italy. Students returning from China, Singapore, South Korea and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Venice are being asked to remain at home for two weeks after their return. In Italy there are fears of excessive panic with psychiatrists saying there have been concerning signs in some aspects of public behaviour. Rome-based psychiatrist Rossella Candela points to the empty shelves in supermarkets due to panic buying as one example. 'Certain people adapt. But others react as if they were under bombardment in the Second World War,' she said. The rush to buy face masks - which have now all but sold out in pharmacies in the country's north - is part of the phenomenon, she says. People wearing masks walk in front of the closed Duomo cathedral as they cross a mostly deserted square in Milan An Italian sanitation worker cleans a Venice water bus yesterday, with the province of Veneto one of the worst-affected regions of Italy Passengers wearing masks drag their luggage through the arrivals hall at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel, which has advised people to reconsider any foreign travel The scene at Idar-Oberstein station in Germany yesterday where emergency crews descended on a train where a passenger had reported possible virus symptoms Milan metro passengers wearing masks yesterday, with more than 400 coronavirus cases now confirmed in Italy While authorities are trying to reassure the population, it's difficult to combat fear when one is confronted by 'something intangible, invisible, like a virus,' says psychologist Gabriele Zanardi in Pavia to the south of Milan. He says that the most worried seem to be outside the areas most heavily affected, as they haven't experienced the reality of the outbreak. As a result of the invisible nature of the condition, 'people try to put a face to this invisible enemy, be it a Chinese person, someone with a cold,' Zanardi says. Milan's Chinatown has been deserted for three days. In a region governed by former interior minister Matteo Salvini's far-right League, many Chinatown business owners have avoided ostracisation by closing shops and restaurants. In Turin, after the first death from the outbreak was announced, a 40-year-old Chinese woman was attacked in the street by strangers who shouted: 'You have the virus, go away or I'll kill you.' Sofia Vergara was seen on a shopping spree in Beverly Hills on Thursday. The 47-year-old Modern Family star picked up some goods at Louis Vuitton before hitting Saks Fifth Avenue. The beauty was dressed down, however, in a pair of her signature Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara denim bottoms that cost only $27 at Walmart. Retail therapy: Sofia Vergara was seen on a shopping spree in Beverly Hills on Thursday. The 47-year-old Modern Family star picked up some goods at Louis Vuitton before hitting Saks Fifth Avenue The Colombia native, who has been the highest paid TV actress for the past seven years, smiled in her $27 boyfriend jeans, exclusively stocked at Walmart. The brunette bombshell wore her long, brown tresses in loose waves and carried a massive yellow handbag on her shoulder. While departing from the store off Rodeo Drive, the actress could be seen being escorted to her car, as a man carried a giant Louis Vuitton bag. The mother-of-one's combination of cropped, distressed denim and platform heels has slowly become her off-duty look over the years. Hands full: While departing from the store off Rodeo Drive, the actress could be seen being escorted to her car, as an employee carried a giant Louis Vuitton bag Signature look: The mother-of-one's combination of cropped, distressed denim and platform heels has slowly become her off-duty look over the years Her last size-inclusive collection sold out within weeks of launching, and racked up a wait-list of over 5,000 people before its restock one month later. In late January, the Hot Pursuit star went shopping clad in the familiar bottoms shortly after wrapping filming on Modern Family and debuting her new spring line. The ending of the beloved ABC sitcom, after over a decade on air, has been an emotional journey for Vergara, who skyrocketed to fame with her role as Gloria. 'Going to miss Gloria's trailer!!' she captioned a selfie of herself at the final tabling reading as the feisty, sexy Colombian wife of Jay Pritchett (played by Ed O'Neill) The natural beauty, who married Joe Manganiello in 2014, has been busy sharing behind-the-scenes footage in the final weeks of her iconic role as to fans on Instagram. 'Going to miss Gloria's trailer!!' she captioned a selfie of herself at the final tabling reading as the feisty, sexy Colombian wife of Jay Pritchett (played by Ed O'Neill.) The entire cast has publicly poured their hear-felt farewells and final thoughts about the final season across social media. Modern Family first premiered in 2009 and has won five Emmys for outstanding comedy series and lasted for 11 seasons. The finale is set for April 8. Basically family: The entire cast has publicly poured their hear-felt farewells and final thoughts about the final season across social media Dublin, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "The Liquor Industry in South Africa 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report focuses on the South African liquor industry, including manufacture, wholesale and retail. It includes comprehensive information on the state of the industry, local and international corporate actions, regulations, product innovation and distribution and marketing trends. There are profiles of 50 companies including the major global and local alcohol beverages companies such as South African Breweries, DGB, Diageo and Heineken, wine farms such as Simonsig, Lanzerac, Vergelegen and Backsberg and major liquor retailers such as Spar. Liquor Industry South Africa's liquor industry is considered mature and dominated by large global companies. The top liquor players, those which produce and distribute beer wine and spirits, all have strong brands, which gives them pricing power, which is enhanced through premiumisation. The top five companies, AB InBev, Distell, Heineken, Diageo and Namibian Breweries, collectively have a significant percentage of the local legal retail liquor market. Industry Trends Premiumisation through marketing or the creation of new premium variants is resulting in sales and profitability increasing faster than volume. New products, including craft products, zero alcohol, zero-calorie and zero carbohydrate sparkling water beverages infused with cannabis derivatives are increasing. But the more than 215 craft breweries accounted for less than 1% of the local beer market. The beer segment continues to dominate the market compared to wine and spirits. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition estimates that only 20% of informal liquor traders have applied for a licence. Wine Trends The wine industry has a much lower level of concentration than other liquor segments. South Africa is seen as a new world' wine producer along with countries such as Australia, Chile and Argentina. Over the ten years from 2008 to 2018, the number of wine producers declined by 33.6% and wine cellars declined by 7.7%, as drought and declining yields in the Western Cape increasingly render local growers and wine producers in the region unsustainable. Export sales volumes have declined but not export revenue, indicating positive international demand and acceptance of local wine. Key Topics Covered 1. Introduction 2. Description of the Industry 2.1. Industry Value Chain 2.2. Geographic Position 3. Size of the Industry 4. State of the Industry 4.1. Local 4.1.1. Corporate Actions 4.1.2. Regulations 4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 4.2. Continental 4.3. International 5. Influencing Factors 5.1. Economic Environment 5.2. Government Intervention 5.3. Health Issues 5.4. Illegal and Illicit Liquor Trade 5.5. Rising Operating Costs 5.6. Technology, Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation 5.7. Labour 5.8. Cyclicality 5.9. Environmental 6. Competition 7. SWOT Analysis 8. Outlook 9. Industry Associations Companies Mentioned Acheron Wines And Spirits (Pty) Ltd Backsberg Estate Cellars CC Beadica 276 Cc Big Daddy's Liquors (Pty) Ltd Boland Wingerde Internasionaal (Pty) Ltd DE Waal Wines (Pty) Ltd DE Wetshof Estate (Pty) Ltd DGB (Pty) Ltd Diageo South Africa (Pty) Ltd Diamonds Discount Liquor (Pty) Ltd Edward Snell And Company (Pty) Ltd Excelsior Marketing (Pty) Ltd Fairview Wines (Pty) Ltd Graham Beck Enterprises (Pty) Ltd Heineken South Africa (Pty) Ltd Kleine Zalze Wines (Pty) Ltd Lanzerac Estate Investments (Pty) Ltd Liquor City-The Liquor Boys Cc Massmart Holdings Ltd Meridian Wine Distribution (Pty) Ltd Morgenster (1711) (Pty) Ltd NCP Alcohols (Pty) Ltd Newshelf 1167 (Pty) Ltd Ocean Traders International Africa (Pty) Ltd Oranjerivier Wynkelders Co-Operative Limited P C Kelders (Pty) Ltd Pernod Ricard South Africa (Pty) Ltd Picardi Hotelle (Pty) Ltd Picardi Liquors (Pty) Ltd Pick N Pay Stores Ltd Really Great Brand Company (Pty) Ltd (The) Robertson Kooperatiewe Wynmakery Beperk Primary Co-Operative Robinson Liquors (Pty) Ltd Rustenberg Wines (Pty) Ltd Shoprite Holdings Ltd Simonsig Wines (Pty) Ltd South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd (The) South African Distilleries And Wines (S A) Ltd Spar Group Ltd (The) Spier Farm Management (Pty) Ltd Stellenbosch Vineyards (Pty) Ltd Tiger Brands Ltd Van Loveren Vineyards (Pty) Ltd Vergelegen Wines (Pty) Ltd Vinimark Trading (Pty) Ltd Warshay Investments (Pty) Ltd Wines Of The World Distributors (Pty) Ltd Woolworths (Pty) Ltd Zandwijk Wines (Pty) Ltd Zidela Wines (Pty) Ltd For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/1leewo Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MXR) (OTC: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to report two significant stratabound discoveries at "AM North". Initial results from AMN-1returned 10.4% copper + 88 g/t silver from a 1-metre continuous rock chip sample. Assays are pending for AMN-2, a second discovery located 1.8-km westerly of AMN-1. Both zones dip 20 degrees NW, on the CESAR copper + silver project, approximately 420-km north of Bogota, Colombia (refer to Figures 1 & 2). The CESAR style of mineralization appears to be similar to a large sub-horizontal sheet, with the edges partly exposed. Because of the extensive surface exposure, Max is using rock chip sampling to identify structures, continuity of thickness, and length of strike to determine potential size, prior to drilling. The two discoveries: AM North, which is located 35-km north of AM South, share the same mineralized trend; Furthermore, the stratabound copper + silver mineralization at AM North and AM South are hosted in a well bedded sandstone-siltstone similar to Kupferschiefer in Poland. Max cautions investors the copper + silver mineralization at Kupferschiefer is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization at Cesar. "The high-grade AM North discovery supports our model of a significant, large-scale stratabound copper + silver system, stretching over 35-kilometers from AM North to AM South," commented Brett Matich, CEO of Max. "We eagerly await initial assay results from AMN-2 and follow-up assays to the extensive AM South." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/52881_31246fc2045d3a04_001full.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/52881_31246fc2045d3a04_002full.jpg CESAR Copper + Silver Project The wholly owned CESAR Project is located in north east Colombia within Jurassic sediments and volcaniclastics that extend the length of northern South America and host significant stratabound copper + silver mineralization also in both Ecuador and Peru. It lies along a historic 120-km copper-belt within an oil-gas and coal mining district. The region has extensive infrastructure, major oil-gas and coal operations, ports, townships, railways and roadways. Considering the first pass exploration at CESAR commenced in mid-November 2019, the Company has enjoyed considerable success. Max's exploration strategy is to unlock the potential of the CESAR district as an up and coming world class copper and silver producing region. PGE Americas Metals Corp Max recently established "PGE Americas Metals Corp." as a wholly-owned subsidiary, to hold its PGE Choco Project. This is the first step towards building a portfolio of PGE assets with a targeted focus on palladium, platinum and rhodium. The corporate intent is to unlock this value in an accelerated and timely manner (refer news release February 25, 2020). The PGE Choco project is located 120-km SW of Medellin Colombia, within a district with historical platinum production of one million ounces (1906-1990) by Choco Pacific Mining. Compilation of historical records revealed the potential for related PGE's particularly palladium and rhodium. In addition, recent field work in 2019 by Max resulted in highlight concentrate values of 114 g/t platinum from a field program in 2019 (refer news release April 16, 2019). Colombia was the world's main source of platinum until 1820 and was world's largest producer between 1917 and 1923.Source: R.J. Fletcher and Associates (2011) Review of Gold and Platinum Exploration and Production in Choco Province Colombia Part 3. Private Report for Condo to Platinum NL. North Choco Gold and Copper Project North Choco consists of wholly owned mineral applications, located approximately 80-km SW of Medellin, Colombia. The NW Gold-Copper Discovery (refer to 29 October 2019 news release) outcrop reported 1-metre of 49.8 g/t gold and 4.3% copper, continuing under cover in both directions. Future work will focus on mapping and sampling along strike to extend the zone and on locating additional parallel zones. Max is assessing Joint Venture opportunities. Quality Assurance The rock chip samples were shipped to ALS Lab's sample preparation facility in Medellin, Columbia. Sample pulps are sent to Lima, Peru for analysis. All samples were analyzed using ALS procedure ME-MS41, a four-acid digestion with ICP finished. Over limit copper and silver were determined by ALS procedure OG-62, a four-acid digestion with an AAS finish. ALS Labs is independent from Max. Max is not aware of any other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein. About Max Resource Corp. Max is a mineral exploration company with an experienced and successful management team focused on advancing the development of its copper, silver and precious metals landholdings in the rich mineral belts of Colombia, with potential for the discovery of large-scale mineral deposits that can attract major partners. Tim Henneberry, P Geo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource Advisory Board, is the Qualified Person who has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release on behalf of the Company. For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/ For additional information contact: Max Resource Corp. Tim McNulty E: info@maxresource.com T: (604) 290-8100 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52881 Baskar Babu Ramachandran, MD and CEO, Suryoday Small Finance Bank live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Mumbai-headquartered Suryoday Small Finance Bank backed by the likes of International Finance Corporation (IFC) and HDFC has kicked off the process to raise around Rs 1,000 crore through an initial public offer (IPO) and has shortlisted four merchant bankers, sources with knowledge of the matter told Moneycontrol. IFC is the World Bank's private-sector investment arm. "Axis Capital, ICICI Securities, SBI Capital and IIFL (India Infoline) have been shortlisted for the IPO, which is primarily aimed at meeting RBI's regulatory norms for the niche segment," the source said. "The listing will be a mixture of primary and secondary issue of shares and the plan is to file the DRHP (draft red herring prospectus) before June-end 2020 and launch the IPO in October during the Diwali period." Axis Capital and ICICI Securities declined to comment in response to a query from Moneycontrol. Moneycontrol is awaiting an email response from Suryoday Small Finance Bank, IIFL and SBI Capital and will update this article as soon as they reply. Under RBI norms, small finance banks with a net worth of more than Rs 500 crore are required to list within three years of launching operations. Suryoday Small Finance Bank is required to list before April 2021. "The proposed IPO will also provide a complete/partial exit to select investors and private equity funds and a portion of the proceeds may be used for growth capital, said a second source Moneycontrol spoke to. The company has a simplified structure, unlike a holding company structure like some of its peers. It has better urban coverage and at 45 percent, its cost-to-income ratio is amongst the lowest in the small finance segment, with rivals in the 60-65 percent range, the source added. Small finance banks have been established with the objective of financial inclusion by serving small business units, small and marginal farmers and small and micro industries. The cost-to-income ratio is critical for determining the profitability of a bank. The promoters of Suryoday Small Finance Bank have around 30 percent stake and the remaining shareholding is held by numerous institutional investors (HDFC, HDFC Life, IDFC First Bank), development funds (IFC, Germany's DEG, DWM Mauritius Limited) and private equity players (Sarva Capital, TVS Capital and Gaja Capital). According to Suryodays 2018-2019 annual report, Sarva Capital is the single largest non-promoter shareholder with 7.5 percent stake. The firms deposit book grew by more than 100 percent to reach Rs 1,600 crore in the fiscal. Retail deposits accounted for 50 percent of the book. Suryodays AUM grew by 71 percent to Rs 3,003 crore, with 20 percent of this contributed by affordable home loans, commercial vehicle finance, and SME & NBFC funding. "Given the RBI requirement to list within 3 years of achieving Rs 500 crore net worth, there are 5-6 small finance banks, which are required to list in 2020 and 2021, said Prashant Gupta, Partner and National Practice Head (Capital Markets) at law firm Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas. Gupta added that the opportunity has been less-than-compelling for small-finance banks, which had a holding-company model (such as Ujjivan and Equitas). But AU Small Finance Bank, which was the first one to list in 2017 has done very well. The others (in which the main company is listed instead of the holding company) should attract a lot of interest given that a number of them are backed by PE firms with sustainable businesses," Gupta added. AU Small Finance Bank has been the star performer in the small finance bank segment with its stock rising 125 percent compared to its listing price. Equitas and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, on the other hand, have underperformed, with their share prices dipping by 21 percent and 15 percent respectively. Jana Small Finance Bank and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank are also in the process of finalising advisors for their respective IPOs. By Jung Min-ho The Jeju provincial government said Thursday that 34 members of Shincheonji, a doomsday "church" responsible for much of the spread of coronavirus in Korea, have shown symptoms of the disease a red signal for the island that has a population of 670,000. According to the Jeju government, 34 of the 603 Shincheonji members who responded to officials by phone Wednesday said they had shown symptoms such as fever and a cough. The officials said they have not been able to reach 43 others on the island. The 34 people will soon be tested for the virus, which has killed more than 2,700 people and infected nearly 82,000 around the world. They will be quarantined in their homes for two weeks. With police help, the Jeju government will look into Shincheonji facilities to ensure all members are tested. By Express News Service PARADIP: Turning tables on defaulters of Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY), Kujang Block officials on Wednesday staged dharna in front of the house of a beneficiary at Badang village in Balia panchayat for not constructing housing unit despite availing funds under the scheme. Assistant Block Development Officer (BDO) Santosh Satpathy along with executive officer of Balia Pratap Mohapatra, Gram Rozgar Sevak Prakash Behera, project coordinator Jitendra Rout and ward member Padan Swain staged a sit-in in front of the house of Madhusmita Bhol demanding immediate construction of her PMAY house. The block and panchayat officials took this step after the administration warned them of stopping their salary for non-completion of housing units under the scheme. Sources said thousands of beneficiaries of the district, who were selected for PMAY benefits, are yet to complete their houses due to various reasons such as high unit cost, rise in price of construction materials and negligence of block and panchayat officials. The State Government had directed the district administration to sensitise beneficiaries through door-to-door campaigning and village-level meeting to expedite construction of PMAY houses. However, the beneficiaries did not pay any heed despite frequent reminders by block and panchayat officials. After the administration warned of action, officials even beat drums in front of the houses of beneficiaries reminding them to complete their units or surrender the monetary assistance availed under the scheme. When this step too failed to yield any result, the officials decided to stage dharna in front of the house of beneficiaries. The Assistant BDO said the sit-in was staged to expedite construction of PMAY units and save themselves from Government action. On February 21, we decided to adopt this method in Kujang block, he added. Meanwhile, Bhol said of the 1.20 lakh assistance, she received Rs 20,000 in 2017-2018. However, she spent the money on funeral rites of her father and mother-in-law. After I gave assurance to complete the house by March 31, the officials called off their dharna, she said. The district administration has set a target to complete 869 PMAY houses in Kujang in 2019-2020. However, only 360 housing units have been completed so far. Let us survey the many moods of Molly Brown: She is perky, chirpy, spunky, bubbly, cheerful. Even stranded on a raft after the Titanic sinks, she cant help being, ahem, buoyant. The resilient heroine of the Meredith Willson musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown was always an upbeat go-getter, with an action-packed journey that took her from a hardscrabble Rockies mining town to the Denver upper crust. But the Transport Group revival that just opened at Abrons Arts Center has turned Molly (played by Beth Malone, a Tony nominee for Fun Home) into a human exclamation mark. The production is simultaneously busy and lifeless a feat of sorts, if not a desirable one. The 1960 show was Willsons follow-up to The Music Man, and lightning did not strike twice: There was a Hollywood adaptation four years later, but the stage steered clear, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown doesnt appear to have been revived on Broadway or Off in nearly 60 years. The choreographer/director Kathleen Marshall and the book writer/lyricist Dick Scanlan must have seen an opportunity to give vintage material a fresh start, so they went back to the drawing board: According to the production notes, none of the characters in the 2020 version appear in the 1960 version. Both have characters called Molly, but she says and does different things. The two versions share three lines of dialogue. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Competitive Analysis Some of the manufacturers operating in the global flexible epoxy resin market are Olin Corporation (US), Hexion (US), Kukdo Chemical Co., Ltd. (South Korea), Aditya Birla Chemicals (India), Huntsman International LLC (US), DIC CORPORATION (Japan), Emerald Performance Materials (US), EPOXONIC (Germany), Spolchemie (Czech Republic), Cardolite (US), Atul Ltd. (India), INTERTRONICS (Oxfordshire), Conren Ltd. (UK), Mereco Technologies (US), and Resoltech (France). The global Flexible Epoxy Resin Market Share is segmented by type, application, end-use industry, and region. Various types of flexible are available in the market such as urethane modified, rubber modified, dimer acid, and others. The urethane modified epoxy resins segment is leading the market due to its high flexibility, good tensile strength, and chemical resistance. These epoxy resins are highly used for offshore applications where gas and sea water resistance is required. The application segment includes primer, composites, adhesives, semiconductors, electrical laminates, and others. The primer segment is extensively used due to high demand from the paints & coatings industry. It is also used in decorative flooring applications for its chemical and abrasion resistance. The composites are extensively used in military & defense due to weight reduction, corrosion resistance, and part consolidation in military vehicles, military shelters and pallets, and in lightweight helmets & body armor. The adhesive application is used where reduced mechanical stress within the bond line is required, which is caused by the thermal mismatch of the bonded substrates. The end-use industry segment consists of paints & coatings, construction, automotive, electrical & electronics, and others. The paints & coatings segment is likely to dominate the market owing to their properties such as chemical resistance, durability, abrasion resistance, and others. The product is used in construction of cladding & facades, roofing, doors & windows, and others. Various automotive parts such as mud flaps, impact panels, underbody guards, bumpers, ducting & sheeting, and others are manufactured with the help of these resins. Moreover, silicone-free thermally conductive foils, flexible printed circuit boards, and pressure sensitive electronic devices are manufactured using flexible epoxy resin. Regional Analysis The global flexible epoxy resin market is spanned across five regions namely Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific dominated the global flexible epoxy resin market in 2016 on account of the high demand from the major end-use industries such as construction, paints & coatings, and automotive industries in the region. The high demand for these resins from the military & defense and automotive industry coupled with the rebound in construction activities in North America is projected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. The high product demand for the manufacturing of various automotive parts in Western European countries is likely to influence the market growth. The Latin American region is expected to grow significantly due to the growing automotive industry in the region. The infrastructural hub present in the GCC countries is likely to drive the growth of the Middle East & Africa market. Access Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/flexible-epoxy-resin-market-6009 Related: Chemicals And Materials Market Research Report Click for Reports Infographics Click for Videos Voting Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images If the Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread in the US, it has the potential to disrupt the primaries and general election. The virus could alter the candidates' plans to hold campaign rallies and conventions. State governments and Democratic parties haven't announced any plans to change voting procedures or otherwise respond to the potential spread of the disease. "The important thing now, before any disaster hits, is for election officials to come up with a 'Plan B' in the event of a pandemic," Rick Hasen, a professor of law and political science at UC Irvine, told Insider. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. While just 60 people in the US have been diagnosed with the Wuhan coronavirus, officials are warning the disease will likely "spread widely" in the US a reality that could disrupt upcoming elections. American health authorities announced Tuesday that the spread of the virus in the US is inevitable and that hospitals, schools, and businesses should begin preparing for a wider outbreak. Preparations should include "social distancing" measures, or minimizing contact between people to stem the spread of the virus. "It's not so much of a question of if this will happen anymore but rather more of a question of exactly when this will happen," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters on Tuesday. US election experts say the virus could have potentially far-reaching impacts on the primaries and general election if it prevents the president and his Democratic opponents from holding campaign rallies, disrupts the parties' conventions in July and August, and depresses turnout on election day. Rick Hasen, a professor of law and political science at UC Irvine, argued that states and localities need a "plan B" for election day. Story continues "The important thing now, before any disaster hits, is for election officials to come up with a 'Plan B' in the event of a pandemic," Hasen told Insider. "The plan should explain how voting might occur under conditions of quarantine or other safety measures." But US elections are largely controlled and administered by individual states, the vast majority of which conduct all of their voting in person at polling places. The Democratic National Committee hasn't made public any plan it might have to deal with potentially disruptive impacts if the virus continues to spread in the US. "Our number one concern is to ensure all eligible voters are able to make their voices heard without jeopardizing anyone's health and safety," Maya Hixson, a DNC spokesperson, told Insider. "We will continue to closely monitor as the situation develops." State governments and Democratic parties haven't announced any plans to change voting procedures or otherwise respond to the potential spread of the disease. Some state Democratic parties conceded they hadn't even considered the possibility of a disruption. "To tell you the truth, we haven't thought about any contingency plans for this," Matthew Patterson, the executive director of Utah's Democratic Party, told Insider. "We do have people working [against] disinformation campaigns to make sure people aren't dissuaded from voting through false information ... but in terms of natural disasters, we really haven't discussed that." Patterson added that he expects higher turnout this year than in previous elections, and he'd encourage Utahns to vote by mail. Passengers on the shuttle bus that brought them from the Diamond Princess to their plane to the US. Courtesy of Philip and Gay Courter/via REUTERS Jon Stokes, the co-founder of tech news site Ars Technica, argued in a Monday column for Wired that all states should immediately move to a vote-by-mail system for the general election, with funding help from Congress. Only 25 states currently have some form of mail-in voting. "If we don't quickly harden our election infrastructure against the imminent threat of coronavirus, we risk electoral chaos and a crisis of governance on a scale that our foreign adversaries couldn't even dream of instigating via even the most sophisticated electronic election-meddling efforts," Stokes wrote. Other countries are already feeling the effects of the coronavirus' political impact. Iran held parliamentary elections last Friday and voter turnout was the lowest since 1979, according to the government. 'We are not just fighting to contain a virus and save lives' Some public health experts aren't ready to predict the virus will impact the 2020 elections. Jeremy Konyndyk, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, said it's "too early" to know whether the coronavirus will have any impact on how Americans vote this year. "One of the measures that's taken if you have spread of a novel virus, a novel respiratory airborne virus like this one, is to avoid large public gathering," Konyndyk, who directed USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance during the Ebola outbreak, told Insider. "A polling place is not necessarily a packed environment in the way a movie theater is." There is no cure for COVID-19, and no vaccine yet either, though scientists in the US at the National Institutes of Health say one could be ready for testing within months. The best preventative measure is thorough, regular hand-washing. While relatively little is known as of yet about how the coronavirus spreads, it can be transmitted through close human-to-human contact, including within households and in crowded places. The World Health Organization announced on Wednesday that, for the first time, more cases of the virus were diagnosed outside China, where it originated, than inside the country. "All countries, whether they have cases or not, must prepare for a potential pandemic," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Wednesday. "We are not just fighting to contain a virus and save lives. We are also in a fight to contain the social and economic damage a global pandemic could do." Hilary Brueck and John Haltiwanger contributed to this report. Read the original article on Business Insider (CNN) Public health officials warned Wednesday that the spread of the novel coronavirus is inching closer toward meeting the definition of a global pandemic, as the number of cases outside mainland China continues to grow, including in South Korea where a US soldier has tested positive for the virus. Brazil announced its first case of coronavirus today, marking the first time the virus has been reported in South America. The outbreak has now spread to six of the world's seven continents. It has not yet reached Antarctica. Iran and Italy are also grappling with major outbreaks within their borders that have turned deadly, and a top official from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that the United States could see the virus spread within its borders. "Ultimately we expect we will see community spread in this country. It's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. South Korea currently has the largest outbreak outside mainland China, with more than 1,200 people infected -- including the first US soldier -- and at least 12 dead. Iran's health ministry has confirmed at least 139 cases and 19 fatalities. In Italy, at least 374 people have been infected and 12 have been killed, while Algeria, Croatia, mainland Spain and Switzerland all announced their first confirmed cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has so far held off on classifying the coronavirus' spread as a global pandemic, but the outbreak appears to be getting closer to meeting the global health body's definition of one. The CDC's Messonnier said Tuesday that the situation has met two of the criteria for a pandemic: "the fact that this virus has caused illness -- including illness that has resulted in death -- and sustained person-to-person spread." "As community spread is detected in more and more countries, the world moves closer towards meeting the third criteria: worldwide spread of the new virus," she said. To date, the virus has killed more than 2,760 people globally, 2,715 of whom are in mainland China. China's National Health Commission reported that 406 confirmed cases were identified on Tuesday -- all but five in hard-hit Hubei province -- and 52 people were killed by the virus. The total number of people infected in mainland China is now 78,064, bringing the global total to 80,970. The situation has rattled global markets and led to concern about the long term economic impact of the virus. Investors and economists have been particularly concerned about how the continued shutdown of factories in China could affect global supply chains, but the new outbreaks in two major economies -- Italy and South Korea -- have rattled markets and dashed hopes of a speedy recovery, sparking this week's worldwide stock rout. South Korean outbreak spreads to the military South Korean authorities are attempting to contain an outbreak that has gone from just 51 people infected last week to at least 1,260 as of Wednesday. The outbreak began in the southern city of Daegu and was centered around the Shincheonji religious group, but the virus appears to have spread now beyond practitioners. Twenty members of the South Korean military have been confirmed infected, and the country's defense ministry has placed significant restrictions on soldiers leaving their bases due to fears surrounding the virus. On Wednesday, it was announced that a US service member stationed in South Korea tested positive for the virus, according to US Forces Korea statement. The soldier, who is stationed at Camp Carroll which is approximately 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from the city of Daegu, is the first US service member to test positive for the novel coronavirus. "The patient, a 23-year old male, is currently in self quarantine at his off-base residence. He visited Camp Walker on 24 February and Camp Carroll 21-25 February. KCDC and USFK health professionals are actively conducting contact tracing to determine whether any others may have been exposed," the statement said. The virus' spread also prompted South Korea and the United States to scale back joint military drills, according to three US officials. The three officials said this would be the first major impact of coronavirus on US military readiness, according to the officials. Without the full exercise, the US could lose ground in being able to quickly conduct future operations in a coordinated and highly synchronized manner with South Korea against North Korea in the event of a crisis, one of the officials said. Iranian health official infected Tehran continues to grapple with a significant outbreak that one lawmaker in the holy city of Qom, the epicenter of the Iranian outbreak, said has killed as many as 50 people, though the country's health ministry has denied his claims. Among the infected is Iran's deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi. Harirchi appeared on television sweaty and ill to warn Iranians of coronavirus Monday, only to test positive for coronavirus on Tuesday. In a news conference on national television, Harirchi coughed and wiped sweat from his face using tissues on several occasions. He was later diagnosed with coronavirus, according to state media. Across the Middle East, flights from Iran have been halted and borders with the country have been closed as the region tries to keep the spread of a deadly coronavirus at bay. Several countries have also issued travel bans for the country. The heavy economic sanctions imposed against Iran by the US and other bodies have made tackling the disease harder, with the country struggling to access novel coronavirus test kits, a board member of Iran's Association of Medical Equipment Importers told the semi-official news agency ILNA on Sunday. Italian officials try to calm fears The worst outbreak outside Asia is in Italy, where authorities were on the defensive Tuesday as they faced tough questions over the country's handling of the deadly virus as it spreads across the country's northern regions. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tried to allay fears that the central government has no control over the affected regions after he was forced to admit that a hospital in the northern town of Codogno had mishandled the region's first coronavirus case and had contributed to the deadly virus' spread. The cases are heavily concentrated in the region of Lombardy where 212 infections have been confirmed. Around 100,000 people in Lombardy and nearby Veneto are facing travel and other restrictions. Conte on Monday night said that the hospital that treated the first coronavirus case in Codogno, known as Patient 1, had not followed protocol. Conte did not elaborate on what protocols were breached. It was clear "there has been a management of the hospital not entirely proper according to prudent protocols, which are recommended in these cases, and this has certainly contributed to the spread," he said. Italian authorities have identified Patient 1 as a 38-year-old man, giving only the name Mattia. Mattia was originally in intensive care for respiratory problems at a hospital in Codogno, but is now being treated at the Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia, about 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) south of Milan, Italian Civil Protection Agency spokesman Juri Pittaluga told CNN. Mattia's pregnant wife, Valentina, has also tested positive for the virus and is in the Sacco hospital in Milan, but her health condition is "not worrying at all," Pittaluga said. Authorities in Italy have not yet identified Patient 0, the individual who suspected of bringing the coronavirus into the country. Blame goes around in the United States Government officials in the United States spent much of Tuesday assessing the situation, with several leveling accusations against their domestic and international counterparts. US President Donald Trump has privately expressed frustration in recent days about some of the ways his administration is confronting a spreading coronavirus outbreak, according to people familiar with the conversations. Publicly, he has expressed optimism that the virus is "going to go away." Lawmakers in Congress, meanwhile, have voiced concerns that more needs to be done. Republicans and Democrats alike have suggested that the Trump administration's response has exposed vulnerabilities. "Looking ahead, we should be passing laws to make sure we have that manufacturing capability, that we have sufficient stockpiles. You know things expire. We need to be far more strategic about how we approach these things for the next potential pandemic," Republican Sen. Ron Johnson said. "These are serious issues." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was quick to criticize China and Iran, accusing both countries of a lack of transparency. He also alleged that attempts by both governments to stifle dissent has played a part in the virus' spread. "Had China permitted its own and foreign journalists and medical personnel to speak and investigate freely, Chinese officials and other nations would have been far better prepared to address the challenge," Pompeo said. The WHO has continually praised China's response to the crisis, a move that has led critics to question the relationship between the two entities and whether the global health watchdog is sufficiently independent from Beijing, one of its most important financial patrons. The 'Ease of Doing Business' rankings can go up by focusing on select parameters which are evaluated by the World Bank, former Sebi chairman said on Thursday, doubting if the progress in the list has made it easy for enterprises to operate. He also went public with his criticism on recent statements by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who reportedly asked bankers to work on relationships. The country's ranking on (EDB) ranking moved up to 63 for 2019 from the 77th in the year-ago period and 142nd when Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. "We have improved on rankings, has improved I'm not so sure," Damodaran said, speaking at an event organised by industry lobby CII here. He said there are ten parameters evaluated by the and working on them can improve the ranking, and added that India shares the space with sub-Saharan countries in contract enforcement, one of the factors evaluated. The career bureaucrat-turned-markets regulator and now an expert on corporate governance questioned that if the rankings had indeed moved up, why is investment "shy" of coming to India. Damodaran said India has been pushing for single-window clearances for the last two decades and quipped, "there are no single windows, but only closed doors" here. He also stopped himself from commenting on the judiciary of the country for the fear of attracting contempt. On taxation, he said there are perverse incentives for officials to collect gross taxation without worrying about the refunds and also wondered how creation of multiple slabs and also the options to tax payers will help achieve the goal of simplicity. Meanwhile, in an apparent retort to Sitharaman urging bankers to ensure borrower relationships continue without loaning, Damodaran wondered how one can sustain a relationship in finance without money exchanging hands. Teresa Giudice told her husband Joe their marriage was over while visiting him in Italy with their four daughters on Wednesday's season 10 finale of RHONJ. Joe, however, did not want to let her go at all, he revealed during The Real Housewives Of New Jersey episode titled Family Reunion. He was staying with relatives in Sala Consilina, Italy, where he had been allowed to move as he appealed the US government's decision to deport him to Italy on a permanent basis. Family reunion: Joe Giudice was told by Teresa Giudice that their marriage was over during a family reunion in Italy during Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives Of New Jersey Joe spent an entire weekend flattering Teresa, 47, and making advances to her, trying to buy her jewelry, and put his arm around her, and even suggested they might sleep together. At the hotel where Teresa was staying with daughters Gia, 18; Milania, 13; Gabriella, 14, and Audriana, 10, it seemed Joe wanted to sleep with his wife the first night they were there. 'I mean, we've got 20 years in our marriage,' he told her, ignoring Teresa's personal struggles and the fact that he'd been incarcerated or in ICE detention for a total of 49 months. Joe initially was sent to federal prison on bankruptcy and fraud charges in 2016, shortly after Teresa was released for serving nearly a year on related charges. Different person: Teresa, 47, told her husband that she became a different person while he was in custody Hands on: Joe flirted and made advances toward Teresa after she came to Italy with their four daughters Gia, 18; Milania, 13; Gabriella, 14, and Audriana, 10 Teresa sighed when she heard Joe's broad hinting, and rebuffed his clear advances. It was a moment that Joe would later say he knew spelled the end of his marriage. 'All right Joe, listen, we haven't been together in almost four years, so it's like, kind of weird, right?' Teresa said. 'I don't know, I mean, it's been a long time, you know? You need to like, slow it down.' Teresa had heard rumors of Joe's cheating since he'd been away, and in flashbacks, he not only called her a 'b***' but regularly insulted her, all of which had left his wife feeling cold. Long time: Teresa told Joe that it would be kind of weird for them to sleep together after being apart for four years Making matters worse, Joe still did not acknowledge the impact his fraud conviction had on her. The night before Teresa left Italy, she was forced to address their marriage with him again. 'How do you see us, with this whole situation?' she asked. 'You live here, and I live in America.' Relationship status: Joe was asked by Teresa how he saw their situation 'Well, you get in a plane and we meet places, that's all,' Joe considered, smiling at her. 'And we have fun. And that's what we do. We make things work.' That didn't work for Teresa, who explained to him that she was in a different place. 'The past five years have been really dark,' she noted. 'You've said a lot of hurtful things to meyou wish you'd never married me, and all this other stuff. It just makes me think about a lot of things.' Really dark: 'The past five years have been really dark. You've said a lot of hurtful things to meyou wish you'd never married me, and all this other stuff. It just makes me think about a lot of things,' Teresa told Joe 'Like, you know, you marry somebody, they're supposed to protect you. I trusted you, and then you made s*** happen,' Teresa said. 'Tre, s*** happens to everybody, are you out of your mind?' Joe retorted. 'My crime was a bogus crime. People don't even do time for that kind of crap. So let's just forget about it, it's in the past.' 'Listen, I haven't been the same since,' Teresa said, looking at him in shock. Bogus crime: Joe insisted that he had been punished for a 'bogus crime' 'All right, so blame me then,' Joe said. 'Listen, Tre, do you think I want our marriage to fall apart? Absolutely not.' 'But a lot's happened,' his wife noted. 'We live in two different countries.' 'I get it,' Joe rejoined. 'Do you just want to end it now?' The question: Teresa was asked if she wanted to end their marriage now 'I mean, do you want me to lie to you?' Teresa said. In a confessional, she was more forthcoming, saying, 'It's so infuriating to me. After four years of us both doing time, he still does not take responsibility for what he's done, and he hasn't changed.' 'I guess that's it,' Joe said, to which Teresa softly replied, 'Yeah.' It's over: Joe reacted as Teresa confirmed that she wanted to end their marriage 'Never in a million years would I ever want to hurt you. I hope you know that, right? I just want you to know that no matter what, I want you to be happy endlessly,' Teresa told him. 'And the same goes to you,' her husband returned. 'Listen, I'm gonna go spend the night with my girls,' he added, hugging her goodbye. Big hug: Teresa and Joe hugged after she declared their marriage was over Teresa did not tell her daughters her marriage was over, though she said she was happy they were reunited with their father. 'This is not the end,' she explained. 'The past five years I have been through a lot. Of course, I put everyone's needs before mine. Hopefully now since this chapter's closed, I can start thinking about what makes Teresa happy.' When Teresa first got to Italy, she was nervous to see Joe, though the girls were clearly overjoyed to be there, running to Joe and screaming 'Daddy!' Together again: The girls were excited when they arrived to see their daddy Joe Teresa kissed him quickly on the lips, saying, 'Hi! How are you?' 'I'm so glad you are here,' Joe said. 'Isn't it so much better coming over here to hug me?' Joe's Italian family welcomed them to town, then everyone sat down to a pasta feast as Joe thanked his relatives for helping him out, 'otherwise I would have been really screwed.' Tender moment: Teresa looked on as her girls embraced their father 'I didn't even exist here in Italy,' he admitted. 'I had no passport, no green card. The government, they literally threw me out of the plane with nothing. It took a little while to get everything, but we got it all. I gotta just get my passport on Monday now and I'm good.' After Teresa stayed alone that first night, Joe returned to take his girls to the Amalfi Coast. He admired Teresa's outfit, saying, 'Look at you with your little skin tight jeans on. You got some nice curves going.' Pasta feast: The girls and Teresa joined Joe and his family for a pasta meal On their trip, they saw a rainbow, which Teresa said was 'good luck.' 'I want to still take you up to Monte Carlo,' Joe told her, stroking her arm. 'We gotta still do that within the years to come. ...If you would have stayed a little longer, I would have took you now. Could still change your flight.' 'I can't do that,' Teresa replied. Nice curves: Joe told Teresa that he liked her outfit and complimented her curves Tight jeans: He also pointed out his wife's skin tight jeans 'I know Joe is trying to be sweet to me,' she noted. 'I think Joe wants to be a couple again. But I haven't been happy with Joe for a long time.' 'I truly do not want to hurt him, but sometimes you just can't get over what happened, and you just need to move on,' Teresa added. At dinner that night, Teresa asked her girls what their favorite part of the trip was. Family portrait: Joe beamed while taking a photo with his four daughters on the Amalfi Coast 'When I hugged my father,' Milania said, and Audriana agreed. 'I love you Audriana,' Joe said, his eyes red. 'I love all youse.' 'I just couldn't believe that we were all finally together again,' Milania cried. Wet eyes: The family got emotional as they enjoyed dinner together in Italy Teresa choked up as she addressed her daughters, saying, 'I know you guys have been waiting for this day for so long, and just seeing how happy you guys are makes me so happy and overjoyed.' 'Girls, I'm sorry about everything that's happened,' Joe admitted. 'Listen, I'm gonna do whatever I gotta do, and don't worry about it, alright? I'm gonna keep us together, always.' Teresa cheered them with wine, and Joe promised the girls reunions would happen more often. Choked up; Teresa choked up as she addressed her daughters, saying, 'I know you guys have been waiting for this day for so long, and just seeing how happy you guys are makes me so happy and overjoyed' Cheers moment: Teresa cheered them with wine, and Joe promised the girls reunions would happen more often At the hotel, Teresa asked Joe how he felt about her, and learned that he thought they could just meet up in countries outside the US. 'I don't want that,' Teresa said. 'I want somebody with me every single day.' 'Listen, I can't change what the present is,' Joe noted. 'We got an appeal going, and we still got a while before that.' Every day: Teresa told Joe that she wanted to be with someone every single day 'So we're both going to wait,' Teresa affirmed. 'I don't know, maybe it'll make our relationship stronger,' Joe offered, swishing wine in a glass. 'Stop swishing your wine,' Teresa said. 'I'm trying to talk to you and you're looking at your wine.' Wine swish: Joe swished his wine while talking to Teresa and it started to annoy her 'I'm looking at it to see if it's got legs,' Joe replied. 'Okay, but I have legs, so look at me,' Teresa said, before telling him it was over. Onscreen, an update said that Teresa and Joe had separated after 20 years of marriage, and that the girls spent Christmas with Joe in Italy. His appeal remains pending. Twenty years: An update said that Teresa and Joe had separated after 20 years of marriage, and that the girls spent Christmas with Joe in Italy As Wednesday's episode began, Teresa was at the Jersey Shore, attending a party with her castmates. When Melissa Gorga, 40, showed up, she explained that she'd just had lunch with Danielle Staub, 57, who'd recently gotten into a vicious argument with Margaret Josephs, 52. At a boutique opening, Danielle had yanked Margaret's ponytail so hard she allegedly gave her 'whiplash,' and Teresa had defended her, to everyone's horror. Explosive information: Melissa Gorga, 40, returned to the group after having lunch with Danielle Staub, 57, who'd recently gotten into a vicious argument with Margaret Josephs, 52 Danielle told Melissa over lunch that the boutique owner had actually been the one to suggest she pull Margaret's hair, and Teresa had then egged her on, repeatedly saying 'Do it!' Melissa reluctantly told the group of Teresa's role in the fray, and Margaret didn't believe it. '[Danielle] said she was on the fence and said, ''I don't knowshould I? Should I?'',' Melissa recounted. She looked at Teresa, adding, 'And then you said, ''Do it''.' Do it: Teresa reacted as her sister-in-law Melissa revealed that Danielle claimed she egged her on to assault Margaret 'I remember her saying something to me,' Teresa replied, as her friends' jaws dropped. 'I was drinking and everything happened so fast.' Margaret lost it, asking, 'Why would you ever tell her to pull my hair? 'How sick is that? You f***ing love this girl so much that you're just gonna f***ing let her hurt me? Um, for what? For what? You're a real f***ing a**hole.' 'This is who you want to associate with?' she continued. 'She just threw you under the bus in front of the f***ing world to save her own f***ing a**. How sick is that?' Bus toss: Margaret confronted Teresa for associating with Danielle who just threw her under the bus When Margaret stormed off, Teresa said, 'I mean, I feel bad. I hope they don't use this,' referring to the show's producers. 'They are going to use it,' Melissa emphasized. Teresa then flipped off the camera and threw a cup of beer at it, splashing Dolores in the process. She ran out of the frame, pushing a bunch of beer cups off a table as she did so. Drink toss: Teresa tossed a drink after realizing that Danielle betrayed her Table swipe: The mother of four also knocked several cups off a table as she stormed away 'You guys are f***ing a**holes,' she yelled at producers. 'I'm going home.' Melissa, Dolores and Jennifer Aydin, 42, all tried to get Teresa to talk to them in her room. Teresa, embarrassed, finally admitted that perhaps Melissa had done her a favor by revealing how disloyal and vicious Danielle was. Finally admitted: Teresa finally admitted that perhaps Melissa had done her a favor by revealing how disloyal and vicious Danielle was In private, she tried to remember what had really happened that day. 'I don't know. Was she just asking?' Teresa mused about Danielle. 'I was just like, ''Yeah. Do it.'' Everything was happening so fast. I was actually drinking a lot. I mean, I'm not gonna lie, I was angry at Margaret. I never thought anybody would get hurt. I wasn't even thinking.' While Teresa was waiting to talk to Margaret, she called Danielle to upbraid her for having said anything in the first place, and Danielle begged her not to be mad. So fast: The reality star in a confessional said she was drinking a lot when she told Danielle to yank Margaret's hair She also pointed out that Teresa had agreed with the ponytail yanking, to which Teresa replied, 'I didn't agree with attacking someone. That was your f***ing decision. And then afterwards, what did I tell you afterwards?' 'You said I shouldn't have done it,' Danielle acknowledged. 'I'm so mad at myself,' Teresa continued telling Danielle. 'I don't ever want to hurt anyone again. Like, it's f***ed up. I wish you all the best. I just don't want to be friends anymore.' Phone call: Teresa called Danielle and ended their friendship Teresa apologized to Margaret, admitting that she'd wanted Danielle to defend herself, but apologizing for having been so blind to her personality. 'It's an eye-opener for me,' Teresa shared. 'I don't want to be the girl I used to be. That's what I got so upset about. I feel like I let you down.' Margaret felt betrayed, and left Teresa sitting alone, saying she needed to process it all. Porch talk: Teresa apologized to Margaret for encouraging the attack Updates on the cast completed the segment, revealing that Jennifer was considering the purchase of a Hamptons home. Margaret meanwhile had settled the Vineyard Vines lawsuit, Dolores was still without a ring from her beau David, and Melissa had hired an au pair for her three kids. The first of three RHONJ reunion episodes will air next week on Bravo. Sitting alone: Teresa was left sitting alone after Margaret stepped away to process it all Busy woman: An update revealed that Melissa recently hired an Au Pair and was focusing more on Envy President Donald Trump has named Vice President Mike Pence to lead the nation's effort to combat COVID-19, the contagious disease from a coronavirus that originated in China and is spreading worldwide. At the same time, Congress is preparing to appropriate billions of dollars for prevention and treatment should the outbreak in the U.S. become serious. Meanwhile, the Democratic candidates for president in a debate leading up to this weekend's voting in South Carolina and the 14 state primaries on Super Tuesday next week - are still fighting over "Medicare for All." This week's panelists are Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner and Shefali Luthra of Kaiser Health News. Among the takeaways from this week's podcast: Some critics have argued that Trump should have named someone with broad public health experience to coordinate the administration's response to the coronavirus outbreak. But the Obama administration, facing concerns about Ebola virus cases in the U.S., turned to Ron Klain, who was the vice president's chief of staff, to handle its response, and that worked well. Pence's role as "coronavirus czar" is not his first effort in helping direct an emergency health response. He was governor of Indiana when the opioid epidemic helped propel a dramatic increase in HIV infections in one sparsely populated county. Pence was slow to adopt a needle exchange program recommended by public health officials to help keep that virus from spreading. Issues surrounding rural health care made a surprise appearance in the most recent Democratic presidential debate. There is not much disagreement among the candidates on the need to improve rural services. They also agree that if all states adopted the federal health law's Medicaid expansion program, more residents of rural areas would have better health care options. A study in the British medical journal The Lancet, frequently cited by Sen. Bernie Sanders as backing up his projections for the cost of a government-run Medicare for All health care program, makes assumptions that many other experts call flawed. They point out that the study was done by epidemiologists and not health care economists. An appeals court in California upheld the Trump administration's efforts to evict Planned Parenthood from the federal family planning program known as Title X. The new rules, unlikely to be blocked by an increasingly anti-abortion Supreme Court, require recipients of federal family planning funds to stop making abortion referrals and to physically separate facilities that do family planning and those that perform abortions. Also this week, Rovner interviews NPR's Sydney Lupkin, who reported the latest KHN-NPR "Bill of the Month" installment about how two versions of the same drug have dramatically different price tags. If you have an outrageous medical bill you would like to share with us, you can do that here. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read too: Julie Rovner: Consumer Reports' "GoodRx Saves Money on Meds - It Also Shares Data With Google, Facebook, and Others," by Thomas Germain Joanne Kenen: Politico's "Harmed Before Birth, America's 'Lost Children' Overshadowed by Opioid Crisis," by Brianna Ehley Kimberly Leonard: The Miami Herald's "A Miami Man Who Flew to China Worried He Might Have Coronavirus. He May Owe Thousands," by Ben Conarck Shefali Luthra: Last Week Tonight's "Medicare for All" by John Oliver To hear all our podcasts, click here. And subscribe to What the Health? on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, or Pocket Casts. KALKASKA COUNTY, MI A 25-year-old Michigan man was arrested after he allegedly choked and punched his girlfriend several times. Jared Cash Butterfield of Kinde has been charged with one count of assault by strangulation, a felony punishable by not more than 10 years in prison. He was already on parole for domestic assault and assault on police officer, according to the Michigan State Police Houghton Lake Post Butterfield was arrested without incident after troopers responded to a domestic assault call at a residence on South Lund Road in Kalkaska Countys Garfield Township around 1 a.m. on Feb. 25. Upon arrival, troopers could hear yelling and crying coming from inside. They knocked on the door and a woman answered saying she couldnt get the door open, but troopers eventually found their way inside. A short investigation revealed Butterfield had allegedly choked his girlfriend and punched her several times. He is lodged in the Kalkaska County Jail. Troopers were assisted on scene by Kalkaska County Sheriff Department. The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces have made three years since their deployment to the West African nation of Equatorial Guinea. Eagle Online exclusively broke this story three years ago how the Ugandan troops in February 2017 had been secretly deployed in Guinea without parliamentary approval. Stories Continues after ad Exactly making three years having deployed in the mineral rich Equatorial Guinea, Eagle Online has reliably learnt that UPDF has increased its troops from 200 soldiers deployed in 2017 to 700 soldiers in 2020. Security sources in 2017 told this website that the troops were deployed in batches to protect Africans longest serving President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. The first batch left early February in 2017 with their weapons and they were commanded by Lt. Col. Wycleff Keita who returned had from Somalia the previous year. He was working as the commander of the Ugandan troops guarding UN installations in Somalia. After the revelation, Parliament asked Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to give a detailed position on how the soldiers were deployed in Equatorial Guinea without approval from the legislators. Acknowledging its presence in the West African country, the UPDF Spokesperson Brigadier Richard Karemire said the Ugandan force had gained the necessary credentials to train other forces and therefore, they soldiers had been deployed to train Equatorial Guinea soldiers. UPDF professionalism has been upheld and now we are being considered as trainers and this is because last year, the British army chose only UPDF in Africa for training and indeed they came and trained and so after that help, we are also training others, Brig. Karemire, told EagleOnline. He stressed: It is not a peace keeping mission and it didnt need a Parliamentary approval; it is legal and in line with the two armies that signed the agreement. However, three years down the road, the UPDF soldiers are still training and even increasing its presence in Guinea. Brig. Kalemire couldnt be reached by phone as it was switched off. Its not clear under what arrangement UPDF deployed because according to the Uganda Constitution of 1995, deployment of soldiers outside the country must be approved by Parliament. However, President Museveni and Nguema have been so close. According to military sources, President Nguema requested his Ugandan counterpart to offer him security because Guinean national army is ill-equipped and poorly trained. NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick, one of the world's leading global communications and marketing solutions firms, today announced the appointment of Sung Chang as the agency's and the industry's first Chief Impact Officer. He joins from MRM, where he was Chief Creative Officer. At Weber Shandwick, Chang will oversee strategy and creative functions across the global network. With more than 20 years of advertising, design and digital experience, Chang has driven creative, strategy and digital transformation for many of the world's leading brands. In Chang's most recent role, he led a team of more than 120 creatives for MRM, a leading global customer relationship agency, supporting a wide range of assignments for brands like USPS, GSK, Honeywell, RB and Coca-Cola. "Sung embodies the collision of forces that will define the future of our work and continue to fuel our transformation creative muscle, strategic heft, a commitment to craft, deep digital and platform expertise and respect for the earned ideas that power the machine and drive tangible results," said Gail Heimann, president and CEO, Weber Shandwick. "He will join our tight-knit leadership team, ensuring that making high impact work that delivers for our clients is the highest priority of our firm." Over Chang's career, he's led creative work across a wide range of mediums and has overseen the launches of many new products and innovations. Prior to MRM, Chang was an executive creative director at AKQA where he led a team specializing in mobile, platform, ecommerce, branding, UX, experiential and retail work. He was also executive creative director and senior partner at Ogilvy, leading a team focused on digital, mobile, print and broadcast. Chang began his career pioneering interactive TV at NBC. He's worked for many of the world's largest brands, including Nike, Starbucks, Verizon, Maserati, BP and American Express. Over his career, Chang's work has been recognized with Cannes Lions, Clios, Webbys, Effies, One Show pencils and other prestigious creative awards. He has also taught at Columbia University, Miami Ad School and the School of Visual Arts. "I've worked across various communications disciplines and I'm now excited about the next frontier making data-driven creative work with a powerful, earned-led idea at its core," Chang said. "Weber Shandwick has the right teams and technology to continue to raise the bar for the industry and, most importantly, deliver meaningful solutions for clients." Kate MacNevin, Global CEO of MRM, said, "MRM has been growing and building momentum over the last few years as we've expanded and further integrated our capabilities in creativity, targeted relationship marketing and data & analytics. Sung has been an integral member of our team as we've harnessed these combined strengths to drive increased impact for our clients. We're delighted that he will be bringing this collaborative spirit and focus to this new role at Weber Shandwick, an agency partner with whom we work so successfully." About Weber Shandwick Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses and organizations in major markets around the world. Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, we have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Weber Shandwick was named to Ad Age's Best Places to Work in 2019 and was the only PR firm designated an Ad Age A-List Agency Standout in 2017 and 2018. Weber Shandwick was also honored as PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and The Holmes Report's Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2017 and 2019. The firm earned 25 Lions at the 2019 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Data-led, with earned ideas at the core, the agency deploys leading and emerging technologies to inform strategy, develop critical insights and heighten impact across sectors and specialty areas, including brand and B2B marketing, healthcare marketing, change management, employee engagement, corporate reputation, crisis management, data and analytics, technology, public affairs, social impact and financial communications. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com Contact: Jill Tannenbaum Company: Weber Shandwick Phone: 212-546-7815 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Weber Shandwick Related Links http://www.webershandwick.com BMA: quality, partnership, sustainability and how the human element will fit with technology in 2020 The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has outlined its goals for the next 12 months, with quality growth, partnership, sustainability and the effective use of technology sitting at the top of its agenda. Outlining his 2020 message to the industry, Captain Dwain Hutchinson, Managing Director and CEO of the BMA, said maintaining its position in the list of the worlds top 10 largest ship registries was essential to the BMA, but never at the expense of quality. Growth is important, but we will never compromise on our demand for, and expectation of, quality standards from our customers and the BMA team, he said. The fact that The Bahamas is the preferred flag for the worlds passenger cruise sector and a major player in the oil and gas sector further strengthens the aim of ensuring and maintaining compliance at the highest level. Top ranking from the perspective of port state inspections will be one measure to demonstrate the achievement of this goal. Captain Hutchinson added: Building on our achievements in 2019, the BMA values the role that it plays as a Government-backed registry. We will continue our hard work in enabling The Bahamas to meet all its international obligations and we will strive to maintain a leadership role in the regulatory process at important global fora such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) while still operating efficiently and professionally at a local and regional level. We have set as a priority to work closely with those companies and industry groups that share the same exacting standards and values, he said. We fully recognise that strategic partnerships, with effective communication and engagement, are important, not only to our quality service delivery as a ship Registry but also to the development of standards and measures that can be implemented by our customers and regulated by the BMA. Underlying the BMAs support for the IMOs 2020 World Maritime theme of Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet, Capt Hutchinson said an international rather than a regional approach to regulation would help the industry meet the challenges for a cleaner and more sustainable environment. 2020 is an important year for The BMA, as it is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Authority by The Bahamas Government. Over the course of the year, the BMA will be celebrating this milestone starting with the Bahamas National Maritime Week (to be held March 22-27) where the critical role that shipping and the maritime sector plays in The Bahamas and the broader Caribbean will be at the forefront of the weeks activities. People are at the heart of shipping, including the provision of a quality registration service. Competent and experienced seafarers and maritime experts are crucial to the designing, constructing, managing and operating of ships and their associated support services. To achieve the goal of a clean, efficient and sustainable shipping industry, we must keep people at the heart of everything we do and ensure that we attract, develop and retain the right people for all the variety of maritime roles. As shipping moves at a rapid pace towards a future dominated by smart technology and enhanced digitalisation, how do we factor in the human element? How do we prepare the next generation of seafarer, naval architect, ship manager for that future? What will we demand through our regulations from him or her? And will the industry be agile enough to have embraced their demands for a career sector that not only encompasses the sustainability principle but also is forward thinking on the use of technology and continues to drive for enhancement in the way it operates? The number of persons on our ships and in our offices may change but their skillset and experience will be more valuable in a different sort of way. Training and the sharing of knowledge will be crucial to preparing our teams who, notwithstanding technological advances, will always play a vital role in shipping, he concluded. HELSINKI, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The wooden Metsa Pavilion is to be built on the grounds of the Finnish Embassy in Tokyo. The Pavilion is constructed of prefabricated wood elements made of Kerto LVL (laminated veneer lumber). Metsa Wood, the producer of Kerto LVL, sees collaboration as an important factor in the growth of wood construction. Projects like Metsa Pavilion present a perfect opportunity for industry professionals to get together and share knowledge - making the most of Kerto LVL as a fast, light and green construction material. The wooden elements were produced by the element factory Timberpoint, located in Loviisa, Finland. "Trusting wood, and what can be done with it, is moving wood construction forward. This calls for collaboration with builders, architects, material producers and element factories," explains Marko Suonpaa, co-owner of Timberpoint. Collaboration during different stages of planning and building also helps with industrial efficiency: since the element factory had been part of the planning process from the early stages, production could be done with maximum efficiency. It took only seven weeks to manufacture all the elements. Design in collaboration The Metsa Pavilion project has been a joint effort from the very beginning. Metsa Wood brought the professionals together and shared knowledge about Kerto LVL's possibilities. Everyone involved got to focus on their core speciality and expertise. "We didn't really use any new or innovative techniques: we worked with what we already knew," says Jussi Bjorman, Director of Technical Customer Service at Metsa Wood. "You could actually build apartment buildings using similar techniques." "What was new, however, was the better use of element production expertise: Marko Suonpaa and other professionals from Timberpoint were in touch with the Pavilion's structural designer Lasse Hietanen from AINS Group from the very beginning of the project." According to Bjorman, collaboration between everyone involved has been fluent. The diversity of the group of professionals has brought many good ideas to the table when people working with different parts of the building process have been in contact with each other. "Metsa Pavilion has been an interesting project," says Suonpaa. "It has massive LVL column structures. And Kerto LVL is also visible on every surface," he continues. "As a material, wood is easy and fast to work with. The benefits of Kerto LVL are dimensional stability and strength." Wood elements to be proud of Suonpaa also had his hands on a very prominent detail that became his favourite part of the Pavilion. "The staircase was closest to my heart. It was uniquely demanding and prestigious, and it was nice to make," says Suonpaa. The idea was to cut 75 mm thick Kerto LVL panels into the shape of the stairs and glue them together. The veneers thus formed a striped and visually interesting surface for a striking staircase. "Metsa Pavilion will be in the public eye and a place of events. It has been a meaningful project for us, and it will remind us of the good quality work we've done." Watch the Talking Wood video with Marko Suonpaa. Images: https://databank.metsagroup.com/l/Rw99dNpKTzDS For more information, please contact: Viivi Kylama Marketing Manager, Metsa Wood tel. +358-40-820-9850 [email protected] Kirk Nichols VP Sales, Americas, Metsa Wood USA mobile: +1-(40)-861-1098 [email protected] For press information in UK, please contact: Matt Trace Director, Defero Communications tel. +07828663988 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/metsa-wood/r/metsa-wood--metsa-pavilion-brings-construction-professionals-around-the-same-table,c3046373 The following files are available for download: SOURCE Metsa Wood In response to national news surrounding coronavirus, Norwalks Health Department as well as Westport and Westons school districts are issuing precautionary steps for families and employees. COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is a serious international health concern. It now has become a focus of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state of Connecticut, Weston Superintendent William Mckersie wrote in an email to parents and staff on Thursday. Nationwide, there have been only 14 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Feb. 26, 2020. Nevertheless, school districts are being asked to inform families and employees of precautionary steps to mitigate the spread of the disease. The memorandum is meant to represent a be prepared moment, not to fuel rumors or fears. If needed and required, we will close the district, the email states. This would be a last resort and would occur only if medical experts and authorities are requiring drastic action. The difficult truth is that it is not advisable to partially open the district. All families and employees will be notified if coronavirus is medically confirmed and the district will announce specific action steps. In all communications, the privacy of individual students, families and employees will also be protected, according to the email. Students or employees are recommended to stay home if they have symptoms of acute respiratory illness, and to follow coughing and sneezing etiquette. The district will also be performing routine environmental cleaning. Norwalks Health Department also stated it will be closely monitoring the virus. We will continue to work with partners at the state and federal levels, as well as our partners here in Norwalk, to stay updated on this situation and to prepare for a response should the situation warrant it, it states on its site. Similarly, Westport Interim Superintendent David Abbey said in an email to parents this week that district officials are collaborating on a daily basis with the Westport-Weston Health District, as well as the state Department of Public Health. Please be assured that if there are health and safety risks to the community, they will be communicated and appropriate measures will be taken, Abbey said. Both districts stated they are developing action plans in coordination with guidelines and compliance requirements from the state Department of Health, Westport-Weston Health District, and the CDC. The District is also updating our operational pandemic plan to ensure the continuity of teaching and learning in the event that schools are closed, Abbey said. To that end, we are exploring alternate procedures for instruction, as well as developing plans to guarantee essential office functions remain in place. Regarding international travel, the district will continue to follow the interim United States Guidance for risk assessment and public health management of people with potential COVID-19 exposure in travel-associated or community settings. Please be assured that if there are health and safety risk to the community, they will be communicated and appropriate measures will be taken, Abbey said. The Maharashtra legislative assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a bill which makes Marathi a compulsory subject across all schools in the state. IMAGE: Senior writers staged a dharna demanding that Marathi be made the official language of Maharashtra, at Azad Maidan in Mumbai June 24, 2019. Photograph: ANI Photo. The development came on `Marathi Bhasha Din' (Marathi language day) which is celebrated on February 27, the birth anniversary of poet and Jnanpith award winner late V V Shirwadkar. The state legislative council had passed the legislation, titled `Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020', on Wednesday. Minister for Marathi Language Subhash Desai introduced the bill in the Lower House on Thursday. Desai said the legislation was on the lines of laws in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, and it makes teaching and studying Marathi compulsory in all schools (irrespective of the board to which they are affiliated). Marathi will become a compulsory subject in all schools from standard 1st to 10th in a phased manner from the academic year 2020-2021, he said. It will be introduced in the first and sixth standards from the coming academic year and extended to further classes in subsequent years. The subject will be, thus, taught from 1st to 10th standards from 2024, and the schools will follow a curriculum prescribed by the government. The government will have the power to exempt a student or a class of students from all or any of the provisions of the Act, Desai said. The Act also provides for a penalty of Rs 1 lakh for non-compliance. Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the bill but objected to the provision of exemption. "This will create a loophole. The penalty of Rs 1 lakh is too low. Several schools charge fees ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. Paying Rs 1 lakh would not be a problem for them," the BJP leader said. "There is also no provision for penalising repeat offenders," he added. Desai said the rules that are to be framed under the Act would ensure there is no misuse of the exemption. "The clause is for students coming from outside Maharashtra," he said. He cited the example of someone from outside the state taking admission in Maharashtra in the seventh standard. The exemption was meant for such students as they would not be able to catch up with local students who would be studying the subject from the 1st standard, the minister said. Fadnavis, however, was not satisfied by the clarification. Southern states do not have such a clause, he said. If someone comes to Maharashtra from outside, it does not mean he or she should not learn Marathi, the former chief minister said. The House then passed the bill unanimously. By Devjyot Ghoshal NEW DELHI, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Indian police used tear gas and smoke grenades to disperse a crowd of thousands of protestors in India's capital of New Delhi on Monday as violence broke out over a new citizenship law just ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's maiden visit to the city. New Delhi has been a hotbed of protest against the controversial new citizenship law and protestors have been camping out continuously in several parts of the capital for the last two months. Hundreds of people supporting the new law clashed with those opposing it, with stone pelting from both sides. The two groups have been clashing since Sunday and the people supporting the law were seen chanting "Jai Shree Ram," amid heavy stone pelting from both sides, according to a Reuters witness. "We are in support of the CAA. If they want to protest, they should go somewhere else," a protestor Amit said, giving only one name. The latest round of violence broke out just as U.S. President Donald Trump began his maiden visit to India, addressing a mega rally in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat on Monday. Trump is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi later on Monday. India's Citizenship Amendment Act, which eases the path for non-Muslims from neighbouring Muslim-majority nations to gain citizenship, has triggered weeks of sometimes violent protests against Modi's government. The law is seen by its opponents as discriminating against Muslims and has deepened concerns that Modi's administration is undermining India's secular traditions. Modi's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party denies any bias against the country's 180 million Muslims. (Reporting by Devjyot Ghoshal Editing by Euan Rocha) (Newser) George Clooney has been Nespresso's brand ambassador since 2006, but after an investigation claimed to find six of the company's Guatemalan coffee suppliers use child labor, the actor is expressing regret. Per Deadline and CNN, he says he joined Nespresso's sustainability advisory board seven years ago (along with the Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade International, and the Fair Labour Association) with an aim to improve the lives of farmers, and "we knew it was a big project when it started 7 years ago." Still, he continues, "honestly, I was surprised and saddened to see this story. Clearly this board and this company still have work to do. And that work will be done." The investigative report was carried out by journalist Anthony Barnett for the British documentary program Dispatches; it airs Monday. story continues below Clooney says the board has "improved the lives and livelihoods of thousands of farms all around the world. They've risked their lives trying to rebuild farms in South Sudan and spent a year on the ground helping farmers restore their farms in Puerto Rico after the hurricane. The simple truth is that this program is overwhelmingly positive for coffee farmers around the world." But he acknowledges, "it is also imperative to have talented investigative reporters showing the board where they have yet to succeed. ... I would hope that this reporter will continue to investigate these conditions and report accurately if they do not improve." Nespresso's CEO says the company has "zero tolerance of child labor" and has ceased purchasing coffee from farms in the region until it can guarantee no child labor is being used. (Read more child labor stories.) A boy wearing a mask walks on a road in the Asakusa district on February 02, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. Tomohiro Ohsumi | Getty Images The coverage on this live blog has ended but for up-to-the-minute coverage on the coronavirus, visit the live blog from CNBC's U.S. team. All times below are in Beijing time. 7:35 pm: China's central bank 'very worried' about coronavirus' impact on global economy "International organizations are worried about the negative impact of the (virus) to the global economy," Liu Guoqiang, a vice governor of the People's Bank of China, said Thursday, according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language remarks. "I'm also very worried," he said, "and this worry has become a reality." Liu noted how China, the world's second-largest economy, is one of the few countries in the world that has not resorted to "unconventional monetary policy." As a result, he said, "China has relatively larger space for policy action, and has the ability to cope with various challenges, something which should be cherished and maintained." He noted how domestic interest rates, as guided by the loan prime rate, have room to fall further. Evelyn Cheng 7:25 pm: Japan's Abe to ask all elementary, junior and high schools to close from March 2 through to spring break Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly said on Thursday that the government would ask all elementary, junior high and high schools to close from March 2 through to spring break. Abe's comments, according to Reuters, came at a meeting of the government's task force as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Spring break in Japan typically ends around the end of March. Sam Meredith 7:10 pm: Iran's health ministry confirms 245 coronavirus cases; death toll at 26 Iran's health ministry has confirmed 106 additional cases of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infections up to 245. Iran's death toll as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak has also been raised to 26, Kianoush Jahanpour, a spokesperson for the Islamic Republic's health ministry, said Thursday. Iran is at the epicenter of the outbreak in the Middle East, having recorded the highest number of coronavirus fatalities outside China. Health authorities from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates have all reported cases of the coronavirus that stemmed from Iran. Earlier on Thursday, Saudi Arabia announced it would temporarily suspend the entry of foreigners for pilgrimage and tourism purposes. (See 1:57 p.m. update). Sam Meredith A man wears a respiratory mask after deaths and new confirmed cases revealed from the coronavirus in Qom, Iran on February 25, 2020. Stringer | Anadolu Agency via Getty Images 6:15 pm: European stocks slide 2% as coronavirus outbreak spreads to more countries European stocks plummeted further on Thursday as the rapid spread of the coronavirus continues to dominate market sentiment. The pan-European Stoxx 600 fell 2% during European trading hours, with travel and leisure stocks plunging 3.6% to lead losses as almost all sectors and major bourses traded sharply in the red. The spread of the coronavirus which has now infected more than 81,000 people and killed over 2,700 continues to rattle markets and policymakers around the world. Elliot Smith & Holly Ellyatt 5:45 pm: South Korea confirms another record spike of coronavirus cases, outnumbers China for daily infections South Korea confirmed 505 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday, Yonhap news agency reported, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 1,766. It marks the sharpest daily spike yet in South Korea, outnumbering the 433 new cases in China. Most of the country's new infections stemmed from the city of Daegu, Yonhap reported, citing the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health authorities began testing more than 210,000 members of a religious sect at the center of South Korea's epidemic for coronavirus on Thursday. Sam Meredith A South Korean health worker sprays disinfectant as part of preventive measures against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, at a residential area near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu on February 27, 2020. JUNG YEON-JE | AFP via Getty Images 5:30 pm: Governor of Italy's virus-hit Lombardy region in isolation after staff member gets coronavirus The governor of the region of Lombardy, which is at the epicenter of Italy's coronavirus outbreak, has placed himself in isolation after one of his staff members tested positive for COVID-19. In a Facebook post published late Wednesday, Attilio Fontana said he would remain in quarantine for the next two weeks after an aide tested positive for the deadly flu-like virus. All members of the team were subsequently tested, with all results coming back negative for COVID-19, Fontana said. Italy has reported more than 300 cases of the coronavirus in Lombardy, with 10 deaths in the region. The country, which has recorded the worst contagion in Europe so far, has reported more than 400 cases of the coronavirus nationwide, with 12 deaths. Sam Meredith. 5:15 pm: UK reports two further cases of coronavirus, brings total to 15 The U.K. has confirmed two further people have contracted the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 15. The deadly flu-like virus was passed on in Italy and Tenerife, according to England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty. The patients have been transferred to specialist National Health Service infection centers in Royal Liverpool Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, London, Whitty said Thursday. Sam Meredith 4:22 pm: Man returning from Italy is first confirmed case in Denmark Denmark has confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus. The Danish Health Authority said a man returned with his family from a ski holiday in the Italian region of Lombardy on Monday, and was found to have flu-like symptoms such as cough and fever. The man later tested positive, while the tests for his wife and son came back negative. This is Denmark's first confirmed case of COVID-19, the health authority said, adding that it does not change the country's current low-risk assessment of the virus. Joanna Tan 3:50 pm: Estonia confirms first case of coronavirus The spread of the new coronavirus continues throughout Europe with Estonia reporting its first case. Authorities in the country said the infected man had recently returned from Iran. Estonia's Minister of Social Affairs, Tanel Kiik, told public broadcaster ETV that the person had been isolated, Reuters reported. Iran, meanwhile, confirmed Thursday morning that 22 people had died from the virus up from a total of 19 on Wednesday. The number of people with confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country has hit 141, the official news agency IRNA said, according to Reuters. Katrina Bishop 1:57 pm: Saudi Arabia suspends visas for pilgrimage Saudi Arabia will temporarily suspend the entry of foreigners for pilgrimage and tourism purposes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. The decision comes as health authorities take precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19 from reaching the kingdom, according to the ministry. Saudi Arabia has not reported any cases of the new coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization's latest situation report. The kingdom urged its citizens to "exercise caution before traveling to countries experiencing Coronavirus outbreaks," the ministry said in a tweet. Joanna Tan Saudi Foreign Ministry tweet 1:35 pm: Australian prime minister warns world is entering a 'pandemic phase' of the coronavirus "There is every indication that the world will soon enter a pandemic phase of the coronavirus," Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said during a press conference in Canberra. "In the event of a pandemic, the challenge... the goal is to slow it's spread if it gets to Australia, but with the number of countries that are now affected, we have to be realistic about the likelihood of containment strategies into the weeks ahead." As a result, he said, the country will be implementing its emergency response plan. Morrison also announced that the travel ban for China will be extended for an additional week and will be monitored on a weekly basis. The deadly virus has infected at least 23 people in Australia, according to the World Health Organization's latest report. Joanna Tan (This post was updated at 4:34 pm to reflect that Australia left open the possibility of extending its travel ban for China again) 1:15 pm: Standard Chartered says outbreak and slowing global growth could impact profit target Standard Chartered bank said recent headwinds including the coronavirus outbreak, "will likely result in income growth in 2020 below our medium-term 5-7% target range." Other challenges the British lender cited included lower interest rates, slower global economic growth and Hong Kong's economy. "These headwinds are expected to be transitory, but we now believe it will take longer to achieve our ROTE (return on tangible equity) target of 10% than we previously envisaged," the bank said in its outlook when reporting earnings for the year that ended Dec. 31, 2019. The bank's Hong Kong-listed shares rose more than 2% on Thursday, after the earnings release. Joanna Tan 11:19 am: Woman in Japan tests positive for twice A resident of Osaka has tested positive for the virus twice, Reuters reported citing the prefectural government. The woman, a tour-bus guide in her forties, is the first person in the country to test positive again after recovering, the news agency said citing a government statement. She first tested positive in January, but was discharged on Feb. 1 after recovering, Reuters said. But the woman tested positive again on Wednesday, the news agency reported citing Osaka's prefectural government. As of Thursday, Japan has reported 186 confirmed cases, as authorities urged people to avoid gathering in large groups. Joanna Tan Correction: This blog post has been updated to correctly reflect that Japan is urging people not to gather in big groups. 11:09 am: AmCham China survey finds almost half of the respondents expect a decline in China revenue The American Chamber of Commerce in China revealed results from a flash survey done between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20 with 169 member companies that included large, medium and small-sized enterprises, many of them with global operations. Nearly half of those respondents said they expect 2020 China revenues to decrease if businesses cannot return to the usual before the end of April. Almost 20% of the respondents said they predicted 2020 revenues to decline more than 50% if the epidemic extended through August. While many said it is still too soon to determine the estimated cost of delays from quarantine measures undertaken by Beijing to contain the spread of the infection, about 10% said they were losing at least half-a-million yuan (about $71,000) per day. Roy Choudhury 10:56 am: South Korea central bank says virus outbreak raises growth uncertainty Bank of Korea kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.25%, surprising markets. In its policy statement, the central bank said that "uncertainties regarding the future growth path are high" due to the impact of the outbreak. Infection cases have spiked in the country (see 9:05 am update), leaving authorities scrambling to ramp up measures to contain its spread. Economists at ANZ Research said they were lowering their 2020 GDP growth forecast for South Korea from 2.3% to 1.9%. "Although the virus risks faced by South Korea were initially limited to sectors related to China and inbound tourists, the spike in local confirmed infections will now exacerbate the strain on the economy via the tourism, consumption, and production channels," the economists wrote. Roy Choudhury 10:06 am: JetBlue scraps change and cancellation fees because of coronavirus in a US first JetBlue Airways in a surprise move Wednesday became the first U.S. carrier to cut its change and cancellation fees for travelers concerned about the coronavirus. The budget carrier's unusual measure, which could pressure other airlines to follow suit, comes during steep drop in airline stocks as investors fret over the spread of the virus. Josephs 9:51 am: US raises travel alert level for South Korea The U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for South Korea, from level 2 to level 3, which means "reconsider travel." It cited the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea. That comes days after the U.S. CDC also raised its alert level for travel to South Korea, which means "avoid non-essential travel," as there's widespread community transmission. Infections in South Korea have been surging in the past week. As of Thursday morning, it reported a jump of 334 cases. (see 9:05am update) Weizhen Tan 9:30 am: CDC confirms first possible 'community spread' coronavirus case in US The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday confirmed the first possible "community spread" of the coronavirus in the U.S., found in a patient in California. The CDC doesn't know exactly how the patient contracted the virus. Lovelace 9:25 am: China reports 433 more cases China's National Health Commission said there were 433 new confirmed cases and 29 additional deaths as of Feb. 26. Of the new cases, 409 were in Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak. 26 of the 29 deaths were in Hubei. That brings the country's total to 78,497 cases, and 2,744 deaths. Weizhen Tan 9:16 am: US and South Korea to postpone drills indefinitely The U.S. and South Korea have postponed joint military drills until further notice, according to Reuters, citing defense officials in Seoul. The decision comes as the outbreak continues to spread in South Korea. (see 9:05 am update). On Wednesday, the U.S. military said a soldier based in South Korea has been infected the first American service member to test positive for the new coronavirus. Weizhen Tan 9:05 am: South Korea reports 334 more cases South Korea confirmed a surge of 334 more cases on Thursday morning, bringing the country's total to 1,595, according to its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There were a total of 12 deaths as of Thursday morning, but no new fatalities. More than half of coronavirus cases in the country have been traced back to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu, the country's fourth-largest city. Weizhen Tan 8:58 am: US colleges cancel study abroad programs In the face of a global health emergency, thousands of U.S. college students studying abroad are scrambling. As the coronavirus spreads through northern Italy, some schools, including Syracuse University and New York University, announced they were closing their campuses in Florence immediately. All Seton Hall University spring study abroad trips are also cancelled, according to a tweet by the university. Italy is second only to the U.K. as the most popular destination to study abroad, according to data from the Institute of International Education, which has tracked the flow of international students since 1919. However, in recent years, China has also become a popular destination for American students, it said. Jessica Dickler 8:18 am: Japan dives more than 1% as US markets continue to slide Japan markets slid for the third day this week, as Wall Street also continued tumbling as virus fears continue to grow. The Nikkei 225 fell 1.31% in early trade, while the Topix declined 1.27%. Dow futures traded fell 170 points and indicated a loss of nearly 200 points at Thursday's open. Weizhen Tan 7:46 am: IMF, World Bank considering scaling back meetings or holding them remotely The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank could hold their April Spring Meetings remotely or even scale them back amid the growing coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported, citing sources. The Spring Meetings are scheduled for April 17 to 19, and 10,000 government officials and other delegates globally are set to gather in Washington D.C. Weizhen Tan All times below are in Eastern time. 7:20 pm: Trump says schools should prepare pandemic plans 'just in case' President Donald Trump said schools should start preparing their pandemic plans as a precaution in case the COVID-19 outbreak that's rapidly spreading through Asia, Europe and the Middle East takes hold in the U.S. "Every aspect of our society should be prepared. I don't think it's going to come to that," Trump said. "I think schools should be preparing, get ready just in case. The words are just in case. We don't think we're going to be there. We don't think we're going to be anywhere close." Watch the press conference here. Kopecki 6:50 pm: Trump says coronavirus risk to the American people 'remains very low' President Donald Trump addressed the nation on the coronavirus outbreak, saying the risk to the American public "remains very low." Trump said Vice President Mike Pence will be heading up the U.S. response to any outbreak in the country. Trump announced the news conference in a tweet Wednesday morning, shortly after returning from a state visit to India where he downplayed the threat of the virus to the U.S. "We're really down to probably 10 cases, Trump told reporters there. The CDC has confirmed 60 cases in the U.S., 45 of which are patients who were repatriated from Wuhan, China or the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined off the coast of Japan and are excluded from its official count. Watch the press conference here. Breuninger 5:47 pm: Germany says it can't trace cases and is heading for an epidemic Germany is at the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic after new cases sprung up that can no longer be traced to the virus's original source in China, Health Minister Jens Spahn said. A total of five new cases of coronavirus in the west and south of Germany taking the country's total to around 20 meant the disease appeared to be moving to a new phase, Spahn told a news conference, urging health authorities and employers to review their pandemic planning. 4:40 pm: Booking Holdings warns coronavirus will hit Q1 revenue Online travel giant Booking Holdings said the outbreak of coronavirus will damp travel demand and drive down sales in the first quarter. The company, which operates Booking.com, airfare-search site Kayak.com and others said its revenue could fall by as much as 9% on the year in the first quarter. It expects travel bookings to drop by 10% to 15%. "The coronavirus has had a significant and negative impact across our business during the 1st quarter. It is not possible to predict where, and to what degree, outbreaks of the coronavirus will disrupt travel patterns," the company said in an earnings filing. The company said its forecast included wider ranges than usual because of the "high level of uncertainty in forecasting the coronavirus and its associated impact on the company and the travel industry generally." Josephs 12:15 pm: CDC confirms 59 US cases US senators unveil bill to impose sanctions against Russia EU wants to help Lebanon avoid economic collapse CSTO to approve Kazakhstan peacekeepers withdrawal order German president calls for thorough discussion on mandatory vaccination Andranik Hovhannisyan elected UN Human Rights Council vice-president Aliyev: Peace treaty with Armenia not a guarantee for avoiding war Russian Foreign Ministry: Further NATO enlargement involves risks Aliyev not to let OSCE deal with the Karabakh conflict Ex-Mayor of Yerevan invited to police Boris Johnson apologizes for attending party during lockdown Global COVID-19 cases rise by 55% percent, deaths stable Thailand introduces $9 tourist fee Erdogan vows to tame Turkish inflation as scepticism grows Turkey's Turkic world ambitions face reality check in Kazakhstan Teacher in Baku beats student NEWS.am daily digest: 12.01.22 Turkish FM expresses concerns to Chinese counterpart OSCE Chairman-in-Office speaks on situation along Armenia-Azerbaijan border Iran cancels travel ban on common borders CSTO defense ministers council special session to be held Thursday Dollar loses value in Armenia Which NGOs, extra-parliamentary forces to be included in Armenia Constitutional Reform Council? 4,391 foreign nationals visit Artsakh in 2021 China calls on US to immediately close Guantanamo prison State Department says more progress must be made to salvage nuclear deal Measure ensuring implementation of law on addendum to law on Armenia state border is approved Davit Minasyan is sworn in as new mayor of Armenias Parakar enlarged community World Bank: Armenia economic growth expected to be 4.8% in 2022 and 5.4% in 2023 Azerbaijani Defense Minister receives new commander of Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh Biden names Kamala Harris as US president during Atlanta speech Ombudsman: Azerbaijan is launching provocations in Armenia territories where it earlier invaded Russia-NATO Council meeting kicks off in Brussels Serdar Kilic is appointed Turkey special representative for Armenia Armenia ambassador to Georgia informs Switzerland envoy about Azerbaijan's gross ceasefire violation Economy minister: Armenia government was guided by political considerations when lifting sanctions on Turkey goods Turkey defense minister expresses support for Azerbaijan in another military aggression against Armenia Pashinyan, Putin discuss Karabakh, Kazakhstan Toivo Klaar: Deeply worried by reports of renewed incidents and casualties on Armenia-Azerbaijan Germany: A record 80,430 COVID-19 cases detected per day 3 more persons die of coronavirus in Artsakh Criminal case launched into 3 Armenia soldiers killing by Azerbaijan shootings Copper rises in price One of main tasks of Armenia peacekeepers in Kazakhstans Almaty is to prevent water supply system poisoning About 80 Americans cannot fly from Afghanistan Turkey parliament ex-deputy speaker: Armenia must fulfill 4 preconditions Border situation in Armenias Gegharkunik Province was calm at night French FM says talks on Iranian nuclear deal are progressing slowly 289 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Gold slightly rises in price North Korea says it successfully tested another hypersonic missile OSCE calls on Azerbaijan, Armenia to refrain from the use of force Oil is trading without a single dynamic US State Department welcomes announcement on CSTO forces withdrawal from Kazakhstan Newspaper: Ex-ministers are summoned to Hayastan All Armenian Fund parliamentary inquiry committee MOD: Armenia soldiers dead body found at midnight after Azerbaijan provocation Newspaper: Casualties of Armenia PM Pashinyan's 'era of peace' US concerned about EastMed natural gas pipeline project Giant fish sold at auction for over 16 million yen German Marshall Fund: It Is not too early to think about political change in Turkey Armenian Foreign Ministry: We call on Azerbaijani authorities to refrain from provocations Armenia's Geghamasar community head: The situation is stable now Queen Elizabeth II's favorite fast food revealed Human Rights Defender: Azerbaijani troops open fire on Armenian sovereign territory World Economic Forum: Cybersecurity and space pose new risks to the global economy 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 Vietnam coronavirus impact to be worse than expected Laborers work in a textile factory in Thai Nguyen Province, northern Vietnam on February 6, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh. The coronavirus outbreak could cause more damage to the Vietnamese economy than the government anticipates, investment fund Vinacapital has warned in a report. The governments forecast that GDP growth could fall to 5.96 percent this year is too optimistic, and if it does not take measures to offset the drag on the economy caused by the outbreak, it could fall to 5.52 percent, Michael Kokalari, VinaCapitals chief economist, said. The company made this forecast after assessing the severe impact already on tourism and manufacturing. The tourism sector, which accounts for around 14 percent to GDP, has seen occupancy rates plummet at hotels and resorts to around 20 percent compared to 80 percent a year ago. Tourist arrivals, which grew by 16 percent last year, could fall by 5-10 percent this year, causing a one percentage point reduction in GDP growth, the report said. Manufacturing, which accounts for 20 percent of GDP, is also struggling as producers cannot import materials from China. This could reduce industrial production by 2.3 percentage points this year, knocking 0.5 percentage points off GDP growth. As one-third of the feedstock required by Vietnamese factories come from China, the supply chain disruptions are "likely to put a major dent in Vietnams manufacturing output growth this year." Thailand, which is similarly placed with regard to the epidemic as Vietnam, has reduced its GDP growth forecast by 1.2 percentage points. But one positive outcome is that the outbreak could be a catalyst that moves factories from China to Vietnam. A Moodys report last week estimated this shift could boost Vietnams GDP growth by 2 percentage points a year. The government has been saying it would make efforts to overcome the epidemic and achieve the growth target of 6.8 percent this year. Fitch Solution has lowered its growth forecast for Vietnam to 6.3 percent. Last year GDP growth was 7.02 percent, the second highest growth figure in the last decade, after the record 7.08 percent in 2018. 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. BALDWIN -- Officials with the Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts and Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be offering a presentation March 9 at the Pleasant Plains Township Hall, 7333 S. M-37 in Baldwin, on the impact invasive pests and diseases have on the forests of the northwest Lower Peninsula. FAP Forester Josh Shields, with the Manistee and Mason-Lake Conservation Districts, and Michigan DNR Forester Cheryl Nelson, with the Forest Health Response Team will discuss the difference between native and non-native invasive organisms and the importance of combating the latter. Craigellachie's latest travel retail release on exclusive sale at London Heathrow Craigellachie has chosen London Heathrow as the exclusive retail location for its latest travel retail release. The Craigellachie 39 Years Old Single Cask - currently the distiller's oldest bottling available to buy - launched at the airport last month and is on sale at World Duty Free stores and through Heathrow Boutique Reserve and Collect, while stocks last. The 138 70cl bottles available are priced at 3,499.99 each. Distilled in 1980, the whisky was laid down in a refill Bourbon hogshead and has been bottled at 51.5% ABV, with non-chill filtration. In 2019 it was singled out by Dewar's' Stephanie MacLeod for its notes of oak, charred pineapple and toasted cereal. Shoppers purchasing the rare expression will be entered into a competition to win a luxury three-day trip to Scotland, which includes a Craigellachie whisky pairing dinner in Edinburgh. In addition, a special offer has been made to members of the Red by Dufry loyalty scheme to get an engraved Craigellachie glass when they purchase a bottle of the 39 Years Old. David Hughes, regional director Europe, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, says: "First launched in travel retail in 2016, Craigellachie has gone from strength to strength thanks to its awards success and the following of its many fans who adore its bold character." Heathrow retail director, Fraser Brown, added: "Heathrow is always proud to showcase the best of Britain in our products. That is why we are so pleased to extend our diverse selection of Scotch whisky and to welcome this exclusive and rare edition of Craigellachie 39 Years Old." 27 February 2020 - Bethany Whymark DETROIT - A Michigan woman who ripped off dozens of couples seeking to adopt children while spending their money on luxury handbags, jewelry and household upgrades was sentenced Wednesday to more than 10 years in prison, although a judge said a life term would be more appropriate. Unfortunately I cant give it to you. It would be a no-brainer, U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman said. You deserve life. Youve ruined peoples lives for generations. Friedman was outraged after listening to hours of emotional remarks by victims who described how Tara Lee promised to help them adopt babies. Instead of making families, however, they were devastated as adoptions failed. Lee, 36, admitted she committed fraud. In many cases, birth mothers didnt exist. Couples were encouraged to get car seats and set up nurseries while waiting for children. One stored donated breast milk in the freezer. Another couple received an ultrasound photo from Lee to keep them informed. But it was all a scam. To gain peoples trust, she claimed to be a licensed social worker, doula, adoption agency and therapist. She was none of these things, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward said. Adam Belz-Thomas said tension with his husband over four failed adoptions with Lee almost led to a divorce. Do I hate you? Belz-Thomas said, turning to Lee in court. I hate what you have done to my family. ... I dont hate you. Im disgusted by you. Amber Morey said she travelled to Detroit from Arizona to witness her childs birth but was told by Lee that the birth mother had suddenly disappeared. She said she bawled for days and still wont get rid of a crib. The judge allowed Morey and others to directly question Lee. Did Stacie even exist? Morey asked, referring to the name of the supposed mother. In my heart she did, Lee replied. The indictment identified 17 couples cheated by Lee, but prosecutors said there were dozens more across the country. The government said she collected $2.1 million from 2014 through 2018 with her Always Hope Pregnancy Center. Some adoptions were successful, although couples learned that money that was supposed to help women during their pregnancies never reached them. Investigators found that Lee had fine tastes. She spent $44,000 on Louis Vuitton wares, $35,000 at Saks Fifth Avenue, $30,000 to improve her suburban Detroit home and thousands more on designer clothes, jewelry and travel. Lee sobbed as she took her turn and begged the judge for mercy. She acknowledged that she did the unthinkable. I would swim any ocean, I would climb any mountain to undo the hurt that I did, Lee said. I pray every night for the forgiveness of everyone on that indictment and everyone not on that indictment. Friedman wasnt impressed, repeatedly describing Lee as evil. You ripped their hearts. You put an arrow through their hearts, he said. The judge sentenced her to 10 years and one month in prison, the maximum, and added an extraordinary condition. While in prison, Lee must read aloud and record approximately 40 written statements that were submitted by victims ahead of the hearing. If you miss even one word, youre going to start over again, Friedman said. Sarah Scott said she drove nine hours to Michigan from Maryland we were over the moon before being told by Lee that a birth mother suddenly had backed out. She said she returned home with an empty car seat and had to console a young son while he cried at night. Church members hosted a baby shower for Jamie and David Poley of Portage, Wisconsin, who ended up with two failed adoptions after driving to Florida. I forgive you, Jamie Poley told Lee. I dont know what happened in your life that led to this. ___ Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwhiteap Outer Sunset, Parkside ODSY owners Yina Kim and Soojin Chae outside their old location on Taraval Street. | Photo: Kyoko Nishimoto/Courtesy of Odsy Here's our latest look at business happenings in the avenues. In this edition: a popular cobbler an leather workshop is moving, an acupuncturist has made its debut, and a new Chinese restaurant has opened near the beach. Odsy moving from Taraval to Irving Street Odsy, a small leather-working and shoe repair shop in the Outer Sunset, is moving from its current space at 1417 Taraval St. to a larger location at 2039 Irving St. The Taraval space had been home to cobbler Paul Cho for 40 years, before he trained and passed on the shop to married owners Yina Kim and Soojin Chae. In addition to repairing shoes and leather goods, Odsy makes its own line of apparel, such as aprons for Mister Jius in Chinatown and Cassava in the Outer Richmond. But Kim whom we last spoke to in 2016, a few months after the shop first opened told Hoodline that she and Chae always struggling with how the small the Taraval space was. I couldnt work there during the day because it was so crowded, so I would go there at night, after business hours, Kim said. [It] wasnt very convenient for us. The signage is up for Odsy's new, bigger spot on Irving Street. | Photo: Saul Sugarman/Hoodline Daunted by SF's commercial real estate market, the couple considered moving Odsy to New York, but finally found a space with a supportive landlord and reasonable rent. Most landlords were a little bit skeptical of our business," Kim said. "You know, rental prices are so high, they were wondering if we could make money to pay the rent." When it opens next Monday, March 2, the new Irving Street store will sell leather- and shoe-working toolboxes and other artisan-made tools, Kim said. She's also hoping to teach classes there, like a workshop on how to make sandals. Acupuncturist moves into 2007 Irving St. Bay Area Acupuncture that opened recently on Irving. | Photo: Saul Sugarman/Hoodline Shuya Chiu Hong, an acupuncturist, has set up shop at 2007 Irving St. The space was formerly home to longtime optometrist Dr. Sandra Lee, who retired last year. Hong only spoke briefly to Hoodline, saying her location had been open about two months. Dr. Lee closed her practice in mid-2019 after nearly 35 years, according to a note taped on her door. Story continues Dr. Lee's farewell message to patients. | Photo: Saul Sugarman/Hoodline It has been a great pleasure and an honor to serve my family of patients over the years, read the note, signed by Lee. Thank you for the privilege of taking care of you. Lee has referred her patients to Dr. Bruce Mebine (340 West Portal Ave.) Meet Nails opens at 1104 Vicente St. Interior of Meet Nails on Vicente St. | Photo: Meet Nails/Yelp A manicure and pedicure shop, Meet Nails, has been open at 1104 Vicente St. for about a month, its manager told Hoodline. It offers manicure, pedicure and gel nail treatments, manager Vincy Ng said by phone. So far, Yelp reviews have been pretty positive. Vincy was very polite as soon as I came in, said Yelp reviewer Helen W. in January. I really like the rose petals [and] milk solution she uses to soak your feet while prepping for the [pedicure]. Very relaxing, and my skin feels so smooth afterwards. A full list of services can be found on Meet Nails' website. Mr. Dragon opens at 3914 Judah St. Outside Mr. Dragon on Judah St. | Photo: Andrew D./Yelp Finally, out near Ocean Beach, new restaurant Mr. Dragon serves up classic Chinese dishes that are a little spicy, but not Sichuan spicy, restaurant owner Luzy Shao told Hoodline by phone. Shao said this is her first restaurant, and that she opened it because "I just love to cook." Mr. Dragon has been open about three weeks, she added, and it's gotten good feedback on Yelp. "The kung pao chicken was the best I have had in many years. So fresh and delicious," said reviewer Sarah B. "The green beans were cooked perfectly and garlicky." Curious about a new business in your neighborhood? Text Hoodline and well try to find out whats going on: (415) 200-3233. Nearly 200 Umrah pilgrims from Kerala were deboarded from their flights to Saudi Arabia from Calicut international Airport here on Thursday after the gulf nation enforced a temporary ban on foreigners seeking to visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madina, following coronavirus scare. Saudi Arabia halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam over fears about a viral epidemic just months ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, a move that came as the Mideast has over 240 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus. According to Airports Authority of India officials, as many as 84 of passengers from the Saudi Airlines and 104 from the Spice Jet Airlines were denied permission to board the flights and travel to Saudi Arabia. However, other passengers bound to Jeddah were permitted to fly, they said. A private tour operator here said two batches of 40 pilgrims each were denied permission to travel to Makkah to perform Umrah on February 27. Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage that can be performed at any time of year. "The pilgrims were denied entry by the two airlines, Spice Jet scheduled at 05.30 hrs and Saudi Airlines at 1130 hrs," Naiful Akbar, a travel agent said. The Airport Authority of India sources said, "the passengers were asked to alight by the Spice Jet airline staff following an instruction received by them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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 The Delhi High Court on Thursday was informed by aviation regulator DGCA that it will look into stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's representation against the airlines which banned him from flying. New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday was informed by aviation regulator DGCA that it will look into stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra's representation against the airlines which banned him from flying for allegedly heckling journalist Arnab Goswami on a flight. Justice Navin Chawla recorded the statement by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and asked it to make a decision on Kamra's representation within eight weeks. With the direction, the court disposed of the comedian's plea which had claimed that all the airlines imposed the flying ban on him without there being a complaint as required under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). Kamra, represented by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan and advocate Ujjwal Sharma, had said he was banned by IndiGo for a six-month period before it even received a complaint. He had further said in his plea that the complaint, as per CAR, has to be made by the pilot of the flight, but in the instant case it was not done and despite that, the airline constituted an internal committee. During the brief hearing, the committee set up by Indigo told the court that it has approved a flying ban on Kamra for three months, instead of the six months imposed by the airline initially. The court gave Kamra liberty to challenge the committee's decision and the indefinite ban imposed by the other airlines Air India, SpiceJet and GoAir. Kamra in his plea had claimed that the other airlines banned him for an indefinite period without even setting up an internal committee to enquire into the issue. The court on the last date had said the DGCA ought not to have "certified" action of the airlines, other than IndiGo, which imposed an indefinite flying ban without an inquiry on Kamra. The comedian had sought directions to the DGCA to direct the airlines to revoke the ban and also action against them for alleged violation of CAR. A team preparing for UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet's possible visit to the tightly controlled Muslim-majority Chinese region of Xinjiang this year should be given "unfettered access", she said on Thursday. In a speech in Geneva, Bachelet welcomed the invitation from China to tour the region but added: "We will continue to request unfettered access for an advance team in preparation for this proposed visit". "We will seek to analyse in depth the human rights situation in China, including the situation of members of the Uighur minority," she said, addressing the UN Human Rights Council. China has come under international criticism for its treatment of the Uighurs, with activists and witnesses saying it is trying to forcibly integrate the mostly Muslim ethnic group and strip them of their Islamic heritage. Beijing has described internment camps in which an estimated one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic Turkic minorities have been held as educational. China's Ambassador to the UN, Chen Xu, on Wednesday dismissed abuse allegations as "unacceptable" and said there had been "economic, social and human rights progress in Xinjiang". "We are looking forward to the visit of the High Commissioner Mrs Bachelet to China, including to Xinjiang, this year, and we are working closely with her office on detailed arrangements for her visit," he said. Bachelet first asked Beijing in December 2018 for permission to carry out a fact-finding mission in Xinjiang. Beijing has previously said it would welcome UN officials to Xinjiang on the condition that they stay out of the country's internal affairs. The UN rights chief typically only undertakes national visits provided the host government offers guarantees on certain conditions, including unfettered access to key sites and the right to speak with activists. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Forensic Swab Market Analysis The global forensic swab market is projected to touch USD 49.09 million at a 5.8% CAGR between 2015-2023, as per the recent Market Research Future (MRFR) report. A forensic swab is an initial process used in the crime scene for easy criminal profiling. Cotton, flocked, and foam is the most widely used forensic swabs. These swabs are utilized to adsorb saliva, blood, sexual assault evidence, and touch DNA, that is, skin cells that are shed at the time of handling an object. From the recovered samples, the DNA is purified. Besides, the DNA profile too is determined, which is called the genetic fingerprint. Get Free Sample Pages Of Forensic Swab Market @https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6929 Numerous factors are adding to the global forensic swab market growth. These factors, according to the recent MRFR report, include constant technological advances, increased R&D, rising prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases, favorable government support, growing forensic biotechnology sector, increasing use of DNA forensics, and rising criminal activities. On the contrary, irregular supply of products and the high cost of DNA free swabs are factors that may limit the global forensic swab market growth during the forecast period. Forensic Swab Market Segmentation The Market Research Future report provides an all-inclusive segmental analysis of the global forensic swab market based on end user, type, and swab shaft. By type, the global forensic swab market is segmented into cotton, flocked, and foam. Of these, the foam type segment will lead the market during the forecast period. Meanwhile, the cotton segment will grow at the highest CAGR. By swab shaft, the global forensic swab market is segmented into polystyrene shaft, wood stick shaft, and others. Of these, the polystyrene shaft segment will dominate the market during the forecast period and is predicted to grow at the highest CAGR. By end user, the global forensic swab market is segmented into forensic science laboratories, hospitals, and others. Of these, forensic science laboratories will have a major share in the market during the forecast period. Forensic Swab Market Regional Analysis By region, the global Forensic Swab Market report covers the recent trends and growth opportunities across the Americas, the Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and Europe. Of these, the Americas will dominate the market during the forecast period. Factors adding to the forensic swab market growth in the region include the development of laboratories in hospitals, an increase in forensic labs that are contributing to the number of microbiological tests, rising dependence on blood sampling, and the growing number of criminal cases. The global forensic swab market in Europe is predicted to hold the second-largest share in the market during the forecast period. Factors adding to the forensic swab market growth in the region include the increasing number of accident cases, rise in the total number of hospitals and research labs, increasing frequency of different diseases, and growing demand for blood sampling. This region is predicted to grow at a 6.1% CAGR. The global forensic swab market in the MEA is predicted to have a slow growth during the forecast period owing to low awareness levels and limited exposure to forensic labs. Forensic Swab Market Studied by Top Key Players Leading players profiled in the global forensic swab market report include Medtech Forensics, Dickinson and Company, Becton, Puritan Medical Products, Luna, MWE, SARSTEDT AG & Co. KG, Copan Italia S.p.A., Merck KGaA, Sirchie, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Industry players have incorporated several strategies to strengthen their position in the market, such as extensive R&D, mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, and strategic alliances. Industry News February 2020: MHA gives a nod to swab collection study in cases related to sexual assault. The research is being carried out by NICFS together with the gynaecology departments of RML, AIIMS, and Safdarjung hospitals. Browse Complete Report@ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/forensic-swab-market-6929 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 CAIRO Egypts Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, has been facing, since the end of January, a fierce campaign spearheaded by Egyptian media outlets owned by and close to the state. This follows a verbal duel that stirred nationwide controversy between Tayeb and Cairo University President Mohamed Othman Elkhosht, who is close to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during the second day of a conference at Al-Azhar, titled Al-Azhar International Conference on Renovation of Islamic Thought. The conference, held on Jan. 27-28, focused on renewing the religious discourse. The conference was attended by delegates and scholars from 46 countries of the Islamic world. The media attacks climaxed with the publication Feb. 3 of an article by Dandarawy al-Hawary, writer for Al-Youm Al-Sabeh newspaper, titled, Religious men in Egypt proclaimed themselves prophets and formed a special class above the people. Meanwhile, anger is mounting between the Egyptian state and Al-Azhar. The two disagree over the mechanism of renewing the religious discourse. Also, Tayebs positions differ from those of the state on many issues. In February 2017, Al-Azhar refused Sisi's proposal to abolish verbal divorce. Al-Azhar also refused to amend the conditions of the use of endowments. In its statement objecting to the abolishing of verbal divorce, the Supreme Council of Scholars at Al-Azhar urged the state to improve the citizens living conditions, which are deemed the main reason for divorce in Egypt, instead of seeking to cancel verbal divorce. A source close to Tayeb spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, saying, It seems that within Al-Azhar Tayeb is subjected to a campaign of intimidation from the state in order to renege on his independent stance and critical tone. The source noted that Sisi did not attend Al-Azhars conference organized under his auspices although he had previously confirmed his attendance. During his speech at the opening session, Tayeb renewed his implicit criticism of those calling for renewing the religious discourse, while lacking scientific formation. Sisi called for renewing the religious discourse for the first time in January 2015. The topic of renewing Islamic thought and the religious discourse has recently become a vague and ambiguous concept, because it has been frequently covered in newspapers by those lacking knowledge and those who have the skill of talking about any subject without adequate study or previous scientific formation, Tayeb said. The source said that at the end of the first day of the conference Tayeb's armored vehicle was shot at; the next day the conference activities were transferred from Al-Azhar conference hall to the conference hall at the Kempinski Hotel in Cairo. According to the source, the sheikh of Al-Azhar was infuriated when Elkhosht publicly handed him at the conference a copy of one of his books titled, Toward establishing a new religious age. In his book, Elkhosht calls for a different curriculum for religious studies based on scrapping heritage. The book also calls for creating a new religious thought rather than renewing the existing one. The source reckoned Tayeb may have interpreted Elkhoshts move as an attempt to embarrass him by insinuating that Al-Azhar is showing neglect in renewing Islamic thought. Professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University Abdel Maksoud Abu Basha concurred with the sources view. He told Al-Monitor that Tayeb understood the intention behind Elkhoshts move and he responded by elucidating some of the flaws in his approach to Al-Azhars methodology. He said that those who demand the renewal of the discourse do not understand what they specifically want. They raise general slogans to renew the Islamic discourse, but they do not explain exactly what they want to renew. Is it the discourse or the curriculum? Their criticism regarding the curriculum currently used in Al-Azhar is incomprehensible, he said. Abu Basha added, Tayeb is trying to preserve as much as possible the independence of Al-Azhar and prevent it from being politically hijacked. The successive authorities in Egypt are always seeking to control Al-Azhar and turn its religious discourse in their favor. At the end of November 2019, media outlets circulated statements by Tayeb to Al-Masriya channel, in which he complained of a media attack against Al-Azhar's positions. These statements date back to February 2016, Ahmed al-Sawi, Sawt al-Azhar's editor-in-chief, told Al-Nabaa news website. The media attack has escalated recently, according to Abu Basha. "There are attempts to marginalize Al-Azhar in the media. Professors and sheikhs of Al-Azhar rarely appear in government and private channels in Egypt, and if they do, they are demanded not to engage in any discussion that might cause controversy. This isolation was evident after US President Donald Trump announced his Middle East peace plan on Jan. 28. Following instructions of the Egyptian security services, Egyptian media called the plan "the US peace plan," without referring to "the deal of the century that is used often in the region. The Egyptian authorities banned media outlets from contacting Al-Azhar for any comment on the plan, a journalist at Al-Ahram newspaper told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. According to the journalist, sovereign bodies sent instructions to newspapers demanding them not to analyze the deal of the century from a religious aspect and not to involve Al-Azhar. The journalist clarified that the state fears Tayeb would fiercely reject this deal, which may embarrass the state authorities before the Egyptian public, especially since the first statement by Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the day Trump unveiled his plan, shows Egypt's tacit acceptance of the plan. It should be recalled that in December 2017, Tayeb refused to meet US Vice President Mike Pence in Cairo, after Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Lately, Al-Azhar has been also concerned by the Administrative Control Authority, according to the Al-Azhar source. This authority has managed to get many of the figures surrounding Tayeb dismissed on charges related to corruption and illicit profit through Al-Azhar. According to the source, the investigation of corruption cases at Al-Azhar has intensified in a bid to embarrass Tayeb. He explained that these investigations forced him to dismiss figures close to him suspected of corruption or push them to resign. These figures mainly include Tayebs legal adviser, Mohammad Abd al-Salam, Al-Azhars Undersecretary Abbas Shoman and Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy Mohiuddin Afifi. The sheikh of Al-Azhar was also forced to dismiss Momen Mitwalli from his position as secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Al-Azhar and transfer him to the position of secretary-general of Al-Azhar University, after pressure by the Administrative Control Authority. CITY OF OSWEGO, N.Y. -- A man accused of raping a child in Oswego after meeting the child on an app was an adjunct college instructor. Dwayne F. Arruza, 42, of 97 Center St., Apt. 1, Waterloo, was a part-time adjunct instructor at Cayuga Community College, college president Dr. Brian Durant confirmed in a statement. Arruza was fired Wednesday after the college learned of his arrest, he said. Students and staff were notified. Cayuga Community Colleges top priority is always the safety of our students and employees, the president said. Arruza taught English courses for the college, according to a list of CCCs fall classes. In 2019, Arruza worked as an adjunct instructor for the State University of New York College at Oswego, according to See Through NY, an online database of public employees salaries. He taught one course during one semester and no longer works for the college, a college spokesman said. Arruza used MeetMe, a free app, to meet a child, the Oswego City Police Department said. He then raped and sexually abused the child -- who was younger than 15 years old -- in Oswego, police said. The Waterloo man has been charged with: Second-degree rape, a felony Second-degree criminal sexual act, a felony First-degree disseminating indecent material to minors, a felony Second-degree sexual abuse, a misdemeanor Endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor As of Thursday afternoon, he remained in the Oswego County Jail. 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. Have a tip, a story idea or a comment? You can reach me at shouse@syracuse.com | text/call (315) 466-4160 | Twitter | Facebook Italian authorities have named two wealthy Australian businessmen, including a political donor, as the alleged local "capos" or bosses of a powerful international mafia network. Arrest warrants and court papers filed in an Italian court and obtained by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald identify multimillionaire fruit and vegetable kings Tony Madafferi and Diego (Danny) Luppino as having alleged dealings with a secretive criminal organisation called the 'Ndrangheta. Diego "Danny" Luppino at his fruit stall at Dandenong market. Credit:Eddie Jim The pair are not accused of any crime in either Italy or Australia and the arrest warrants relate to other individuals, but anti-mafia authorities have produced phone-tap transcripts naming them as alleged senior 'Ndrangheta figures. The phone taps were gathered during Operation Eyphemos, a sweeping investigation that led to the arrest this week of 65 men for alleged mafia activities including extortion and political corruption in Calabria, the southern Italian headquarters of the 'Ndrangheta. One of those arrested was Australian-born Domenic Forgione, who was allegedly corrupted by the group while holding political office in Calabria. In January 2020 the landlocked African nation of Mali received the first seven of 130 Typhoon MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected) armored trucks from the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Actually, 30 will be donated by Abu Dhabi and the rest (or as many as Mali can afford) paid for by Mali. The Typhoon is a popular MRAP and is technically a Canadian vehicle because Typhoons were first developed and built by the Canadian Streit Group in cooperation with Ukrainian firms that supplied components. The Typhoon first appeared in Ukraine in 2015 where it was hastily designed and built to deal with the 2014 Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine (Donbas). MRAP type vehicles have proved a lifesaver against rifle and machine-gun fire as well as many types of landmines and roadside bombs. The original Canadian Typhoon was based on Russian trucks that were modified to become MRAPs, in this case, a 12.5-ton vehicle with a payload of 2.5 tons (or ten passengers.) It is unclear how close Tufan copied the Typhoon design. Externally it appears identical with four bulletproof windows plus bulletproof front windows for the driver and commander. There is a remotely controlled turret on top for a machine-gun and V-shaped bottom to deflect explosions. There are three doors; two for the driver and vehicle commander up front and one in the back. There are four hatches on top. Inside the Typhoon, the seats are protected from concussion hitting the bottom of the vehicle during an explosion. There are special dome lights inside that do not illuminate the windows. There is an air filtration system and positive air pressure to keep noxious chemicals out (as well as chemical and biological weapons) and air conditioning. Typhoon also has vidcams all around so the crew can better see what is going on inside. Typhoons come equipped with military radio and a GPS navigation system. Typhoon sells for about half a million dollars each. The Typhoon was developed by Guerman Goutorov, a Russian immigrant to Canada who, in the 1990s began doing business by building armored trucks for banks to transport cash in. In 1992 Goutorov incorporated his operation as the Streit Group and by 2000 he had a thriving and rapidly growing firm that also added armored protection to automobiles. Major expansion began in 2005 when he made a deal to begin franchising manufacturing and sales to overseas firms. The main partner here was the UAE, where the main Streit Group manufacturing plant now is. There are smaller Streit Group manufacturing operations in Canada, the United States and seven other countries, in addition to the UAE. In 2016 Streit Group got into trouble with the Canadian government because the UAE franchise had sold Typhoons to participants in the Libyan and South Sudan civil wars. These conflicts were under a UN arms embargo which Canada supported and enforced. After much legal wrangling and the payment of some fines, Streit Group emerged unscathed by proving that Streit Group Canada did not control sales by its overseas sales franchises. Streit Group also made much of the fact that Typhoons were designed as defensive systems, often used by UN, foreign aid and diplomatic personnel in dangerous areas. Within the automotive industry, Streit Group has long been recognized as a major and legitimate manufacturer. The UAE has been a major investor in Streit Group and a major manufacturer of Typhoon. The UAE sells what it manufacturs and the customers are satisfied. MRAPs are built using the same construction techniques pioneered by South African firms that have, over the years, delivered thousands of landmine resistant vehicles to the South African armed forces. These were a great success. The South African technology was imported into the U.S. in 1998 and was first used in the design of vehicles used by peacekeepers in the Balkans and later in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. military bought over 10,000 MRAPs (from several manufacturers) by 2009 and then canceled orders as the fighting in Iraq died down (with the defeat of the Islamic terror groups there.) In mid-2019 a regiment of the Mali army was converted to a mechanized unit with the addition of several dozen 11 ton Casspir armored vehicles. These are from South Africa, which is where this late 1980s vintage vehicle proved to be the first effective modern MRAP design to enter wide use. Casspir will always be remembered as one of the earliest and most successful MRAP type vehicles. Originally designed for the South African police in the early 1980s, this 4x4 wheeled vehicle has remained in production ever since. The basic design has been upgraded over the years. Germany paid for these Casspirs and has provided trainers for drivers and mechanics. Casspirs carry up to twelve troops and have plenty of bulletproof windows (with gun firing ports) and are excellent for patrols. Like all MRAP vehicles, Casspirs (and their passengers) can survive most vehicle mines and roadside bombs as well as rifle and machine-gun fire. Earlier the U.S. and EU (European Union) donated several Bastion 4x4 wheeled APCs armored personnel carriers to Mali. In effect, the 12 ton Bastion is MRAP lite as it has many of the same design features of an MRAP but is not as well protected against mines and roadside bombs. It can carry up to twelve (usually 8-10) and has a turret-mounted heavy machine-gun or automatic grenade launcher. Bastion does have excellent cross-country mobility and was designed mainly as a reconnaissance vehicle that can also serve as convoy escort or in peacekeeping operations. Built in France, Bastion is also used by the French military. Now that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are back in the U.K. to attend royal engagements before officially stepping down on March 31, the war of words with the Queen continues to intensify. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly felt "insulted" after the palace forbid the couple to use "Sussex Royal" for their branding. A close friend of the Duchess revealed to the Daily Mail that the Sussexed released their lengthy official statement to voice out their sentiments against the Queen's orders. "Meghan said that [she and Harry] were left with no choice but to make a public statement," the close friend explained. "She said if anyone should feel insulted, it should be them. They never intended to capitalize on the word royal, and to insinuate they were somehow abusing their privileges is absurd." The friend added that despite the ongoing controversy, Harry and Meghan's relationship grew stronger as they strive to become a good role model to their 11-month old son Archie. "She said she and Harry will continue to rise above jealousy and pettiness and focus on the good they are creating and on being the best parents to Archie. "She said she will continue to champion Harry because out of everyone, he has the most integrity and the most loyalty." However, the source mentioned that Meghan believes the Queen was "under pressure" to give those mandates and does not really want to intentionally hurt the couple. The Sussex Being "Picked On"? Meghan and Prince Harry also pointed out being "picked on" and treated differently by the Buckingham Palace for seeking "independence" outside the royal family. This refers to their official statement saying: "While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek employment outside of the institution, for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place." Both media and public interpret this as a reference to Prince Harry's first cousins, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who have their own careers outside the monarchy and are not obliged to carry out official engagements on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Beatrice works full time at a finance and consulting firm while Princess Eugenie has a developing career in the art world. Aside from the Princesses of York, the Queen's son, Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie Countess of Wessex, were also given permission to pursue a career and make their own living while simultaneously representing the Queen. Post-Royal Plans When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released their statement through their official website "Sussex Royal,"they laid their future plans outside the royal family as they transition for an independent life. This includes being able to balance their time between the U.K. and North America and having a full-time career and being financially independent, meaning the duo will no longer receive money from the Sovereign Grant. However, Prince Harry and Meghan will continue to use their titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as the Baron and Baroness Kilkeel and the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton. Prince Harry will also remain as sixth in line to the throne. The death toll in China's novel coronavirus epidemic reportedly climbed to 2,715 with 52 new fatalities, confirmed National Health Commission in China. The number of confirmed cases spiked to over 78,000, while at least 29,700 people have successfully recovered, as per reports. As of February 26, the mortality rate of the novel coronavirus is put at 3.47 per cent contrary to 3.42 per cent reported a day earlier, suggest reports. Over 65,000 patients that contracted the COVID-19 are reported from the Hubei province alone, where the deadly virus first originated. At least 1,200 cases emerged from Henan and Zhejiang province. Meanwhile, the city of San Francisco has declared a state of emergency over the deadly coronavirus outbreak. The health officials in the United States warned that there could be spread of COVID-19 across the United States. Health emergency was declared by the city's mayor, London Breed as a preventive measure to stem the spread of the COVID-19. Read:UK: Man Beats Indian-origin Woman After Abusing Her Chinese Friend Over Coronavirus Read:Rupee Drops Further By 34p To Over 3-month Low On Coronavirus Threat Xi Jinping calls it 'public crisis' The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced earlier that the organization no longer had a process for declaring any new viral outbreak a pandemic, but the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak remains an international emergency. Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesperson for WHO told the media that there was no official category for a pandemic. He said that WHO ceased to employ the old phasing system. A 'pandemic' was used to denote the outbreak of a newer pathogen that was transmitted human-to-human across the globe. WHO still advises the world to put elaborate containment efforts to stop the global spread of the disease, confirmed reports. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general said, "We are still in a phase where containment is possible. Our window of opportunity is narrowing." President Xi Jinping reportedly said that the coronavirus epidemic was the most serious public crisis and a big test for China in his recent effort rallying to get people back to work. Xi Jinping was leading a response to the COVID-19 outbreak as he spoke at a meeting in Beijing. Read:Hong Kong To Ban Entry Of Non-residents From South Korea Amidst Coronavirus Outbreak Read:Two More Indians On Board Cruise Ship Test Positive For Coronavirus: Embassy Senior Producers, Larger-Cap Near-Term Production Royalty & Streaming Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 21-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Altius Minerals Corp ALS 1.8 C$10.47 42 $333 0.42 0.50 0.48 20.8 22.0 0.35 0.96 1.03 10.9 10.2 -- 1.6% Anglo Pacific Group PLC (UK) APF 1.8 GBP$1.53 181 $360 0.18 0.21 0.21 7.4 7.3 0.20 0.23 0.22 6.7 6.9 16.9 4.6% Franco-Nevada FNV 2.3 US$119.12 189 $22,464 1.17 1.72 2.15 69.2 55.3 2.55 3.25 3.88 36.7 30.7 46.2 1.1% Maverix Metals (CA) MMX 2.1 C$6.53 120 $591 0.04 0.06 0.13 NM 50.2 0.24 0.22 0.33 30.3 19.7 -- 0.0% Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd OR 2.1 C$13.79 157 $1,642 0.20 0.28 0.32 49.3 43.4 0.53 0.63 0.75 21.9 18.5 56.9 1.6% Royal Gold Inc RGLD 3.2 US$109.09 66 $7,153 1.60 2.04 2.67 53.5 40.8 4.45 4.51 5.32 24.2 20.5 26.3 0.9% Sandstorm Gold Ltd (CA) SAND 2.2 US$7.59 177 $1,346 0.03 0.09 0.13 84.4 56.8 0.24 0.30 0.40 25.3 19.2 36.4 0.0% Wheaton Precious Metals WPM 1.9 US$32.90 447 $14,720 0.48 0.57 0.89 57.9 36.8 1.22 1.16 1.50 28.3 21.9 25.8 1.4% Average 48.9 39.1 23.0 18.4 34.8 Gold Large-Cap Gold Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd AEM 2.2 US$51.95 239 $12,417 0.31 0.96 1.29 54.1 40.3 2.60 3.70 4.41 14.0 11.8 15.8 0.9% Barrick Gold Corp ABX 2.1 US$21.45 1778 $38,145 0.35 0.51 0.71 42.1 30.4 1.51 1.61 2.29 13.3 9.4 12.7 1.1% Kirkland Lake Gold (CA) KL 2.6 US$36.44 210 $7,639 1.36 2.74 2.82 13.3 12.9 2.58 4.38 4.54 8.3 8.0 39.4 0.4% Newcrest Mining Ltd (AU) NCM 3.3 US$19.03 769 $14,607 0.66 0.85 0.99 22.3 19.2 1.90 1.82 1.84 10.5 10.4 11.9 1.1% Newmont Goldcorp NEM 2.1 US$49.44 808 $39,927 1.34 1.32 1.92 37.5 25.8 3.41 3.89 4.85 12.7 10.2 19.1 1.3% Polyus Gold International (UK) PGIL 2.0 RU$8,507.50 134 $17,808 617.74 769.61 823.55 11.1 10.3 589.63 1054.82 998.69 8.1 8.5 -- 2.3% Zijin Mining Group (HK) 2899 1.6 CNY$3.50 25377 $16,000 0.18 0.17 0.21 20.0 16.4 0.44 0.37 0.49 9.5 7.2 24.9 0.0% Average 28.6 22.2 10.9 9.3 20.7 Mid-Cap Gold Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 21-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Alamos Gold AGI 2.2 US$6.99 391 $2,733 0.05 0.21 0.26 33.3 27.0 0.55 0.66 0.71 10.6 9.8 16.8 0.7% AngloGold Ashanti Ltd AU 2.8 US$22.54 415 $9,286 0.51 0.91 2.24 24.8 10.1 2.05 2.50 4.66 9.0 4.8 7.2 0.4% B2Gold Corp BTG 1.6 US$4.68 1026 $4,804 0.16 0.24 0.39 19.6 12.1 0.43 0.50 0.67 9.4 7.0 15.5 0.0% Buenaventura (ADR) BVN 2.9 US$12.47 276 $3,455 (0.02) 0.40 0.63 31.4 19.8 1.36 0.58 0.99 21.4 12.6 12.5 0.6% Centamin Egypt (CA) CEE 2.3 US$1.99 1156 $2,296 0.06 0.07 0.11 28.4 17.8 0.19 0.13 0.18 15.2 11.0 5.1 4.8% Centerra Gold (CA) CG 2.3 US$7.75 294 $2,277 0.26 0.71 0.97 10.9 8.0 0.74 1.43 2.05 5.4 3.8 6.7 0.0% Endeavour Mining Corp (CA) EDV 1.8 US$20.60 110 $2,265 0.49 0.60 1.48 34.6 13.9 2.33 2.91 3.89 7.1 5.3 12.7 0.0% Evolution Mining Ltd (AU) EVN 2.8 AUD$4.51 1704 $5,094 0.14 0.16 0.21 27.9 21.1 0.39 0.43 0.50 10.4 9.0 11.4 3.4% Gold Fields Ltd (ADR) GFI 3.0 US$7.46 883 $6,638 0.07 0.20 0.47 37.3 15.8 0.75 1.08 1.39 6.9 5.4 6.8 0.6% Harmony Gold Mining Ltd HAR 2.2 ZAR$59.30 542 $2,145 1.80 4.10 7.05 14.5 8.4 8.56 11.42 15.36 5.2 3.9 8.2 0.0% Kinross Gold Corp KGC 2.5 US$5.96 1254 $7,444 0.10 0.34 0.39 17.5 15.1 0.63 0.97 1.06 6.1 5.6 10.3 0.0% Lundin Gold Inc (CA) LUG 2.0 US$9.53 224 $2,131 (0.12) (0.10) 0.39 -- 24.2 (0.17) (0.10) 0.64 -- 14.9 -- 0.0% Northern Star Resources (AU) NST 2.9 AUD$14.48 740 $7,101 0.30 0.43 0.72 33.4 20.0 0.58 0.80 1.14 18.1 12.7 23.1 1.3% NovaGold Resources Inc NG 2.0 US$9.41 328 $3,097 (0.10) (0.09) (0.08) -- -- -- -- (0.03) -- -- -- 0.0% Polymetal International PLC (UK) POLY 2.4 US$17.43 470 $8,196 1.00 1.17 1.55 14.9 11.2 1.14 1.44 1.97 12.1 8.8 13.1 4.0% Saracen Mineral Holdings (AU) SAR 2.2 AUD$4.19 1103 $3,057 0.10 0.17 0.27 25.2 15.5 0.25 0.32 0.43 13.2 9.8 51.6 0.0% Sibanye Gold Ltd (SA) SGL 1.8 ZAR$44.33 2670 $7,830 (0.01) (0.40) 9.40 -- 4.7 5.31 3.67 12.87 12.1 3.4 13.4 -- SSR Mining SSRM 2.0 US$18.77 123 $2,310 0.23 0.81 1.02 23.2 18.4 0.50 1.10 2.11 17.1 8.9 10.2 0.0% Yamana Gold Inc AUY 2.4 US$4.66 950 $4,421 0.12 0.35 0.15 13.3 30.1 0.43 0.52 0.65 8.9 7.2 8.5 0.8% Zhaojin Mining Industry Co Ltd (HK) 1818 2.3 CNY$8.56 3270 $3,989 0.15 0.21 0.32 41.3 26.5 0.53 0.78 1.10 11.0 7.8 21.6 0.5% Average 25.4 16.8 11.1 8.0 14.2 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Small-Cap Gold Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 21-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Acacia Mining PLC (UK) ACAA -- US$2.93 410 $1,200 0.11 0.22 0.25 13.5 11.7 0.31 0.44 0.52 6.7 5.6 -- 0.0% Alacer Gold Corp (CA) ASR 2.6 US$5.19 295 $1,529 0.05 0.37 0.41 14.0 12.7 0.33 0.86 0.87 6.0 6.0 53.3 0.0% Continental Gold Inc (CA) CNL 2.3 US$4.13 214 $885 (0.16) (0.15) 0.13 -- 31.3 (0.07) (0.07) 0.35 -- 11.9 -- 0.0% DRDGold Ltd (ADR) DROOY 5.0 ZAR$11.08 865 $639 0.06 0.50 0.92 22.2 12.0 1.17 1.26 -- 8.8 -- 23.3 0.0% Dundee Precious Metals (CA) DPM 1.9 US$4.69 181 $847 0.16 0.19 0.54 24.7 8.7 0.55 0.55 1.00 8.5 4.7 11.5 0.0% Eldorado Gold Corp EGO 2.8 US$6.74 159 $1,574 (0.17) 0.04 0.86 NM 7.8 0.42 0.93 2.12 7.2 3.2 12.3 0.0% Equinox Gold Corp (CA) EQX 2.2 US$9.75 113 $1,106 (0.10) 0.17 0.65 58.7 15.1 (0.25) 0.79 1.33 12.4 7.3 -- 0.0% Gold Resource Corp GORO 2.0 US$5.83 66 $382 0.15 0.44 -- 13.4 -- -- -- -- -- 0.7% Gold Road Resources Ltd (AU) GOR 2.3 AUD$1.71 879 $991 (0.02) 0.01 0.09 NM 18.3 (0.02) 0.06 0.15 29.4 11.7 -- 0.0% Golden Star Resources GSS 2.5 US$2.88 161 $315 (0.02) 0.16 0.25 18.0 11.6 (0.09) 0.21 0.68 13.7 4.2 8.2 0.0% Gran Colombia Gold Corp (CA) GCM 2.0 US$5.27 61 $321 0.70 0.90 1.22 5.9 4.3 2.22 1.52 1.40 3.5 3.8 -- 0.0% Great Bear Resources (CA) GBR 1.5 C$9.08 46 $313 (0.13) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Hecla Mining Co HL 3.2 US$3.29 523 $1,721 (0.11) (0.13) 0.01 -- NM 0.22 0.25 0.31 13.2 10.5 9.1 0.3% Highland Gold Mining Ltd (UK) HGM 2.0 US$2.98 364 $1,084 0.15 0.31 0.32 9.8 9.3 0.37 0.44 0.49 6.8 6.1 8.6 6.1% Hochschild Mining PLC (UK) HOC 2.2 US$2.61 514 $1,340 0.05 0.09 0.14 29.0 19.2 0.36 0.55 0.46 4.7 5.7 4.4 1.8% Iamgold Corp IAG 2.6 US$3.13 468 $1,469 0.06 (0.03) 0.15 -- 21.0 0.41 0.51 0.78 6.1 4.0 3.7 0.0% K92 Mining (CA) KNT 1.4 US$3.31 213 $704 0.07 0.12 0.26 27.5 12.8 0.09 0.22 0.33 15.3 9.9 -- 0.0% Leagold Mining Corp (CA) LMC 2.5 US$3.23 285 $920 0.07 0.13 0.34 25.3 9.4 0.20 0.47 0.64 6.8 5.1 -- 0.0% McEwen Mining Inc. MUX 2.0 US$1.30 363 $471 (0.13) (0.11) (0.01) -- -- 0.00 (0.05) 0.02 -- 65.0 -- 0.3% New Gold Inc NGD 2.8 US$0.86 673 $580 (0.02) (0.08) (0.06) -- -- 0.33 0.43 0.39 2.0 2.2 4.1 0.0% Oceanagold Corp (AU) OGC 2.1 US$1.89 622 $1,200 0.20 0.04 0.15 42.9 12.5 0.55 0.28 0.40 6.7 4.7 4.9 0.0% Orla Mining Ltd (CA) OLA 2.0 C$2.55 187 $361 (0.17) (0.17) (0.09) -- -- (0.14) (0.12) (0.08) -- -- -- 0.0% Osisko Mining Corp (CA) OSK 1.8 C$4.00 291 $880 (0.18) (0.09) (0.05) -- -- (0.03) (0.06) (0.04) -- -- -- 0.0% Pan African Resources (UK) PAF 1.0 US$0.16 1928 $315 0.01 0.02 0.03 8.1 5.2 0.01 0.03 0.04 6.2 4.0 11.5 1.0% Perseus Mining Ltd (AU) PRU 2.2 AUD$1.27 1168 $981 0.00 0.02 0.05 54.2 23.9 0.10 0.14 0.17 8.8 7.3 -- 0.0% Petropavlovsk PLC (UK) POG 2.0 US$0.26 3310 $874 0.01 0.02 0.04 16.5 6.9 0.07 0.02 0.03 17.6 8.1 7.2 0.0% Pretium Resources PVG 2.9 US$7.82 185 $1,450 0.54 0.55 0.50 14.2 15.8 1.07 1.21 1.09 6.5 7.1 -- 0.0% Regis Resources Ltd (AU) RRL 3.0 AUD$4.52 508 $1,519 0.33 0.36 0.41 12.5 10.9 0.53 0.57 0.61 8.0 7.4 8.9 3.7% Ramelius Resources Ltd (AU) RMS 1.8 AUD$1.27 658 $553 0.05 0.06 0.10 20.9 12.4 0.23 0.23 0.26 5.5 4.9 9.1 1.4% Resolute Mining Ltd (AU) RSG 2.1 AUD$1.19 1036 $812 0.06 0.19 0.22 6.2 5.3 0.14 0.28 0.33 4.2 3.6 -- 0.0% St Barbara Ltd (AU) SBM 2.4 AUD$2.86 699 $1,323 0.32 0.23 0.25 12.6 11.5 0.52 0.41 0.46 7.0 6.2 6.8 2.9% Sabina Gold & Silver Corp (CA) SBB 2.1 C$1.84 297 $413 (0.03) (0.02) (0.01) -- -- (0.02) (0.01) (0.01) -- -- -- 0.0% Seabridge Gold SA 2.0 C$18.14 63 $870 (0.34) (0.12) (0.08) -- -- (0.16) (6.29) -- -- -- -- 0.0% Semafo (CA) SMF 2.3 US$2.43 334 $812 (0.01) 0.26 0.30 9.4 8.2 0.34 0.77 0.71 3.2 3.4 6.0 0.0% Silver Lake Resources (AU) SLR 2.8 AUD$1.75 880 $1,017 0.03 0.07 0.10 25.9 16.8 0.14 0.17 0.21 10.5 8.4 22.3 0.0% Silvercrest Metals Inc SILV 1.8 C$10.61 105 $846 (0.07) (0.10) (0.06) -- -- (0.08) (0.08) (0.05) -- -- -- 0.0% Teranga Gold Corp (CA) TGZ 1.3 US$6.39 108 $688 0.17 0.13 0.41 49.2 15.7 0.86 0.75 1.12 8.5 5.7 8.1 0.0% Torex Gold Resources (CA) TXG 1.9 US$16.28 85 $1,390 0.23 0.79 0.87 20.6 18.8 2.68 3.14 2.89 5.2 5.6 8.7 0.0% Victoria Gold Corp (CA) VIT 2.0 C$8.42 58 $367 -- 0.98 0.83 8.6 10.2 -- (0.40) 0.18 -- 48.1 -- 0.0% Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd (CA) WDO 2.2 C$10.74 138 $1,121 0.11 0.34 0.47 32.0 23.1 0.34 0.59 0.62 18.1 17.3 85.2 0.0% West African Resources Ltd (CA) WAF -- AUD$0.26 870 $337 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.04 -- 7.1 -- 0.0% Westgold Resources Ltd (AU) WGX 2.0 AUD$2.40 400 $635 0.02 0.09 0.24 25.5 9.9 0.13 0.31 0.47 7.8 5.1 -- 0.0% Average 22.2 13.3 8.9 9.4 15.1 Select (Gold >US$20MM Mkt Cap) Gold Springs Resource Corp (CA)* GRC 2.0 US$0.09 249 $23 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Lion One Metals Ltd (CA)* LIO 2.0 C$2.05 106 $165 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Minera Alamos Inc (CA) MAI 2.0 C$0.32 407 $97 (0.02) 0.01 0.03 31.5 10.5 0.03 -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Northern Vertex Mining Corp (CA)* NEE 2.0 US$0.16 247 $40 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Paramount Gold Nevada Corp* PZG 1.7 US$0.98 28 $27 (0.26) (0.21) (0.15) -- -- (0.19) (0.13) -- -- -- 0.0% Average 31.5 10.5 *includes research coverage by Scarsdale Equities. Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Silver Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 21-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Alexco Resource Corp* AXU 2.3 C$2.89 119 $259 (0.08) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Americas Gold & Silver Corp (CA) USA 1.8 US$3.19 83 $264 (0.25) (0.27) 0.14 -- 23.3 0.21 0.00 0.46 NM 7.0 60.5 0.0% Coeur Mining Corp CDE 3.1 US$5.52 243 $1,342 (0.01) (0.25) 0.19 -- 29.2 0.11 0.49 0.93 11.2 5.9 7.4 0.0% Endeavour Silver Corp EXK 3.2 US$2.04 140 $286 (0.10) (0.26) 0.04 -- 56.3 0.21 (0.02) 0.24 -- 8.6 8.1 0.0% First Majestic Silver Corp AG 2.6 US$9.95 205 $2,038 (0.21) 0.04 0.22 NM 45.8 0.18 0.53 0.50 18.8 20.1 18.1 0.0% Fortuna Silver Mines FSM 2.1 US$3.94 160 $632 0.24 0.17 0.40 23.5 9.9 0.52 0.37 0.76 10.6 5.2 8.4 0.0% Fresnillo (UK) FRES 2.7 US$9.24 737 $6,806 0.46 0.22 0.31 42.6 29.8 1.09 0.86 0.94 10.8 9.8 7.2 2.9% MAG Silver Corp MAG 1.9 US$11.41 87 $987 (0.09) (0.05) 0.28 -- 41.5 (0.05) (0.04) 0.08 -- NM -- 0.0% New Pacific Metals Corp (CA) NUAG 2.7 C$6.00 147 $669 (0.03) (0.02) (0.02) -- -- (0.02) (0.02) -- -- -- -- 0.0% Pan American Silver PAAS 2.6 US$25.22 210 $5,287 0.39 0.78 0.76 32.3 33.2 1.01 1.49 2.27 16.9 11.1 19.7 0.6% Silvercorp Metals Inc SVM 2.0 US$4.17 172 $720 0.21 0.21 0.21 19.5 19.6 0.40 0.43 0.40 9.7 10.4 -- 0.4% Average 29.5 32.1 13.0 9.8 18.5 *includes research coverage by Scarsdale Equities. Platinum Group Metals African Rainbow Minerals (SA) ARI 2.1 ZAR$166.00 224 $2,458 25.61 29.06 29.28 5.7 5.7 13.97 17.61 22.93 9.4 7.2 35.4 7.1% Anglo American Platinum Ltd (SA) AMS 3.1 ZAR$1,385.40 270 $24,715 28.22 70.61 117.34 19.6 11.8 59.17 107.94 126.51 12.8 11.0 38.4 2.1% Impala Platinum (SA) IMP 2.1 ZAR$163.73 799 $9,399 1.23 11.97 24.02 13.7 6.8 9.05 18.54 26.41 8.8 6.2 44.9 0.0% Lonmin PLC (UK) LMI -- US$0.96 290 $278 -- 0.41 0.40 2.3 2.4 -- 0.48 0.02 2.0 62.9 -- 0.0% North American Palladium Ltd (CA) PDL -- C$19.73 59 $883 -- 2.30 2.49 8.6 7.9 -- 3.95 -- 5.0 -- -- 1.3% Northam Platinum Ltd (SA) NHM 1.7 ZAR$147.41 510 $4,971 (0.92) 5.15 13.39 28.6 11.0 3.39 15.79 25.08 9.3 5.9 97.3 0.0% Average 13.1 7.6 7.9 18.6 54.0 Base Metals & Diversified Large-Cap Base Metals Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 21-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Anglo American PLC (UK) AAL 2.6 US$27.56 1366 $37,649 2.50 2.70 2.87 10.2 9.6 5.50 5.97 5.99 4.6 4.6 8.0 3.8% Antofagasta PLC (UK) ANTO 2.7 US$11.16 986 $10,998 0.52 0.52 0.50 21.3 22.5 1.33 1.89 1.69 5.9 6.6 9.0 0.9% BHP Billiton Ltd BHP 2.7 US$25.33 5058 $119,992 1.81 1.90 1.94 13.3 13.1 3.45 3.37 3.28 7.5 7.7 8.4 5.3% China Molybdenum Co Ltd (HK) 3993 2.5 CNY$3.00 21599 $13,255 0.22 0.08 0.12 38.1 25.0 0.44 (0.55) 0.30 -- 10.0 53.0 0.0% Freeport McMoran C&G FCX 2.3 US$11.94 1451 $17,325 1.52 0.02 0.36 NM 33.1 2.65 1.02 1.50 11.7 7.9 7.1 1.5% Glencore International PLC (UK) GLEN 2.1 US$2.91 13324 $38,768 0.41 0.18 0.21 16.2 14.1 0.81 0.63 0.63 4.6 4.6 7.1 6.4% Grupo Mexico (MX) GMEXICOB 2.5 US$2.64 7785 $20,576 0.17 0.22 0.24 12.1 11.2 0.22 0.32 0.37 8.1 7.1 8.7 7.0% Hindustan Zinc (IN) HZ 2.6 INR$182.35 4225 $10,762 19.47 17.85 18.81 10.2 9.7 21.39 21.57 23.63 8.5 7.7 5.4 0.0% MMC Norilsk Nickel (RU) GMKN -- RU$5,429.84 158 $54,820 -- 899.94 1210.92 6.0 4.5 -- 689.72 1388.13 7.9 3.9 17.5 11.7% Rio Tinto PLC (UK) RIO 2.8 US$54.50 1618 $91,973 5.12 6.22 5.40 8.8 10.1 6.88 8.76 8.01 6.2 6.8 8.2 5.3% Southern Copper Corp SCCO 2.4 US$37.85 773 $29,260 2.00 2.06 2.19 18.3 17.3 3.02 2.76 3.16 13.7 12.0 15.5 4.7% Vale SA (ADR) VALE 2.5 BRL$50.13 5284 $60,351 5.27 5.12 7.07 9.8 7.1 9.94 9.44 9.66 5.3 5.2 8.9 2.6% Average 14.9 14.8 7.6 7.0 13.1 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Mid-Cap Base Metals Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 21-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Assore Ltd (SA) ASR 2.8 ZAR$227.99 140 $2,105 55.70 58.61 50.79 3.9 4.5 14.60 18.27 27.33 12.5 8.3 7.7 6.5% Aurubis AG (GR) NDA 2.9 EUR$50.24 45 $2,435 5.17 3.23 3.79 15.5 13.3 4.75 5.49 5.65 9.2 8.9 6.5 2.3% Boliden AB (SW) BOL 2.7 SEK$226.90 274 $6,325 26.32 21.15 22.65 10.7 10.0 43.03 34.52 41.97 6.6 5.4 6.7 0.0% Exxaro Resources Ltd (SA) EXX 1.7 ZAR$123.95 359 $2,941 20.57 26.00 27.05 4.8 4.6 (0.17) 15.24 11.81 8.1 10.5 7.6 8.8% First Quantum Minerals (CA) FM 2.1 US$8.78 689 $6,054 0.71 0.36 0.32 24.4 27.8 2.87 1.29 2.50 6.8 3.5 15.5 0.1% Iluka Resources Ltd (AU) ILU 2.9 AUD$9.54 423 $2,667 0.72 0.66 0.76 14.5 12.6 1.49 0.76 1.14 12.5 8.4 -- 1.4% Independence Group NL (AU) IGO 2.7 AUD$5.80 591 $2,271 0.11 0.22 0.33 25.9 17.4 0.59 0.73 0.83 8.0 7.0 20.8 2.2% Ivanhoe Mines Ltd (CA) IVP 2.1 US$2.65 1196 $3,175 0.03 (0.00) (0.04) -- -- (0.02) (0.03) (0.04) -- -- -- 0.0% Jiangxi Copper Co "H" (HK) 358 2.3 CNY$8.62 3463 $6,108 0.70 0.74 0.83 11.7 10.4 2.36 1.57 1.14 5.5 7.5 14.6 2.2% Kazakhmys PLC (UK) KAZ 2.2 US$6.40 472 $3,023 1.18 1.17 0.98 5.5 6.5 1.51 1.43 1.49 4.5 4.3 24.9 1.7% KGHM Polska Miedz (PO) KGH 3.4 PLN$90.88 200 $4,599 8.29 11.01 10.24 8.3 8.9 19.30 20.72 19.15 4.4 4.7 5.6 0.0% Lundin Mining Corp (CA) LUN 2.0 US$5.69 734 $4,177 0.30 0.22 0.44 25.9 12.8 0.65 0.77 1.08 7.4 5.3 8.0 0.0% Mineral Resources Ltd (AU) MIN 2.0 AUD$19.21 188 $2,398 1.15 1.38 1.59 14.0 12.1 1.59 1.38 1.78 14.0 10.8 8.9 3.3% Oz Minerals (AU) OZL 2.5 AUD$9.89 324 $2,125 0.73 0.51 0.31 19.5 32.3 1.45 1.58 1.20 6.3 8.3 8.4 2.3% Sesa Sterlite Ltd (ADR) SSLT 2.4 INR$142.35 3702 $7,353 17.89 15.98 17.22 8.9 8.3 60.18 53.92 49.94 2.6 2.9 4.3 1.2% South32 Ltd (AU) S32 2.3 US$1.70 4900 $8,297 0.22 0.13 0.10 13.1 16.2 0.34 0.30 0.27 5.6 6.2 4.5 2.1% Sumitomo Metal Mining (JP) 5713 2.3 JPY$3,050 291 $7,912 265.40 213.88 243.73 14.3 12.5 438.78 431.14 381.96 7.1 8.0 10.9 1.7% Teck Resources Ltd TCK 2.0 C$14.45 547 $5,998 4.07 2.75 2.43 5.3 5.9 7.62 6.16 5.91 2.3 2.4 3.8 0.9% Vale Indonesia Tbk PT (ID) INCO 2.0 US$0.22 9936 $2,219 0.01 0.01 0.01 37.1 27.2 0.02 0.01 0.02 15.9 10.7 14.6 -- Vedanta Resources PLC (UK) VED -- US$10.85 285 $3,089 -- 0.87 1.24 12.5 8.7 -- 9.96 12.60 1.1 0.9 -- -- Average 14.5 13.3 7.4 6.5 10.2 Small-Cap Base Metals Adriatic Metals PLC (AU) ADT 1.7 GBP$0.85 311 $345 (0.02) 0.01 0.30 79.2 2.9 (0.02) -- -- -- 0.0% Atalaya Mining PLC (UK) ATYM 1.2 EUR$2.08 137 $307 0.25 0.24 0.42 8.5 4.9 0.40 0.17 0.27 12.2 7.8 19.4 0.0% Eramet (FR) ERA 1.7 EUR$30.99 27 $890 1.83 (0.12) 4.91 -- 6.3 16.01 9.44 15.74 3.3 2.0 5.7 -- Ero Copper Corp (CA) ERO 2.4 US$12.91 86 $1,106 0.03 0.60 1.06 21.5 12.2 0.94 1.46 1.73 8.8 7.5 -- 0.0% Hudbay Minerals HBM 2.3 US$2.84 261 $743 0.40 (0.20) (0.10) -- -- 1.84 1.19 1.18 2.4 2.4 3.0 0.4% Kenmare Resources (UK) KMR 1.8 US$3.40 110 $373 0.46 0.42 0.43 8.2 7.9 0.79 0.48 0.49 7.0 6.9 71.2 1.2% Mitsui Mining & Smelting (JP) 5706 2.3 JPY$2,990 57 $1,528 58.51 116.74 243.86 25.6 12.3 649.22 626.83 772.03 4.8 3.9 6.7 2.4% MMG Ltd (HK) 1208 2.5 US$0.23 8055 $1,831 0.01 (0.01) 0.01 -- 34.4 0.21 0.09 0.14 2.6 1.7 11.9 0.0% Nexa Resources NA NEXA 3.0 US$9.14 133 $1,218 0.25 (0.03) (0.17) -- -- 2.61 1.38 2.50 6.6 3.7 -- 6.5% Outokumpu (FN) OUT1V 2.8 EUR$4.04 416 $1,824 0.34 (0.20) 0.18 -- 22.0 0.52 0.90 0.68 4.5 5.9 9.4 3.6% PolyMet Mining Corp PLM -- US$0.30 1005 $304 (0.05) (0.02) (0.01) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.0% Sandfire Resources NL (AU) SFR 2.7 AUD$4.90 178 $577 0.72 0.63 0.75 7.8 6.5 1.44 1.48 1.75 3.3 2.8 3.4 3.5% SolGold PLC (UK) SOLG 1.6 US$0.30 1923 $570 (0.01) (0.01) (0.00) -- -- (0.00) 0.00 -- -- -- -- 0.0% Trilogy Metals Inc TMQ 2.2 US$1.88 141 $263 (0.18) (0.20) (0.09) -- -- (0.18) (0.17) -- -- -- 0.0% Turquoise Hill Resources TRQ 3.0 US$0.59 2012 $1,172 0.20 0.14 0.05 4.1 11.8 0.09 0.03 0.00 21.8 NM 6.8 0.0% Volcan Cia Ninera VOLABC1 2.3 US$0.15 4077 $2,055 0.01 (0.02) 0.01 -- 11.8 -- -- -- -- -- 9.9 0.0% Western Areas NL (AU) WSA 2.2 AUD$2.69 274 $488 0.04 0.14 0.25 19.0 10.8 0.32 0.44 0.51 6.1 5.3 8.9 1.0% Average 21.7 12.0 7.0 4.5 14.2 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Consensus Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Aluminum Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 21-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Alcoa Inc AA 2.6 US$16.10 186 $2,993 3.58 (0.99) (0.10) -- -- 2.38 3.70 2.60 4.4 6.2 5.3 0.0% Alumina Ltd AWC 3.3 US$1.47 2880 $4,229 0.24 0.12 0.08 12.5 19.2 0.22 0.13 0.09 11.0 15.9 5.7 11.2% Aluminum Corp China Ltd (ADR) ACH 2.4 CNY$2.08 17023 $7,181 0.04 0.07 0.10 28.5 21.3 0.77 0.84 0.85 2.5 2.4 14.4 0.0% Century Aluminum CENX 2.5 US$6.39 89 $570 (0.14) (1.35) 0.30 -- 21.3 (0.79) 0.20 1.01 32.0 6.3 28.0 0.0% United Company Rusal Ltd (HK) 486 2.1 US$0.57 15193 $8,612 0.11 0.08 0.11 7.1 5.4 0.05 0.10 0.08 5.5 6.8 10.7 0.0% Average 16.0 16.8 11.0 7.5 12.8 Iron Ore Cliffs Natural Resources CLF 2.7 US$7.09 271 $1,925 3.71 1.05 0.65 6.8 10.9 1.57 1.85 1.13 3.8 6.3 10.9 2.7% Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (AU) FMG 3.3 US$7.42 3079 $22,811 0.69 1.18 1.08 6.3 6.9 0.96 1.57 1.48 4.7 5.0 5.9 9.4% Kumba Iron Ore Ltd (SA) KIO 3.4 ZAR$358.10 322 $7,630 30.06 50.73 47.62 7.1 7.5 47.32 85.20 62.44 4.2 5.7 6.2 11.2% Labrador Iron Ore Royalty (CA) LIF 2.1 C$22.30 64 $1,079 2.01 3.27 2.59 6.8 8.6 2.32 3.56 2.67 6.3 8.4 15.2 5.2% Mount Gibson Iron Limited (AU) MGX 3.3 AUD$0.81 1158 $618 0.07 0.11 0.09 7.5 8.7 0.07 0.10 0.15 7.9 5.3 25.8 4.2% Average 6.9 8.5 5.4 6.1 12.8 Fertilizers CF Industries CF 2.6 US$39.35 217 $8,556 1.24 2.31 1.94 17.0 20.3 6.40 6.79 6.13 5.8 6.4 17.4 2.5% Compass Minerals CMP 2.2 US$62.84 34 $2,129 1.93 1.90 3.32 33.1 18.9 5.63 4.71 7.35 13.3 8.6 12.8 -- Incitec Pivot Ltd (AU) IPL 2.8 AUD$3.03 1613 $3,234 0.18 0.11 0.17 27.4 17.5 0.36 0.29 0.39 10.5 7.7 10.0 1.4% Intrepid Potash IPI 3.0 US$2.13 132 $281 0.09 0.12 0.13 18.1 16.4 0.49 0.33 0.32 6.6 6.8 -- 0.0% Israel Chemical (IS) ICL 2.4 US$3.73 1280 $4,777 0.37 0.37 0.39 10.1 9.7 0.48 0.77 0.71 4.8 5.3 7.0 3.9% K & S Aktiengesellschaft (GR) SDF 2.6 EUR$8.58 191 $1,770 0.22 0.49 0.58 17.6 14.7 1.61 2.69 2.69 3.2 3.2 8.7 2.0% Mosaic Co MOS 2.4 US$19.19 379 $7,268 2.12 0.19 0.78 NM 24.5 3.75 2.85 3.21 6.7 6.0 10.4 0.8% Nutrien Ltd NTR 2.2 US$42.56 573 $24,368 2.69 2.17 2.40 19.6 17.8 3.28 6.58 5.26 6.5 8.1 -- 3.7% Sirius Minerals PLC (UK) SXX 2.0 GBP$0.05 7020 $473 (0.00) (0.00) (0.01) -- -- -- (0.00) (0.00) -- -- -- 0.0% Sociedad Quimica Minera (ADR) SQM 3.1 US$31.85 263 $7,739 1.67 1.07 1.22 29.8 26.0 1.99 1.58 1.56 20.2 20.4 11.1 4.6% Yara International ASA (NO) YAR 2.3 US$41.27 272 $11,196 1.68 3.09 3.33 13.4 12.4 2.77 7.00 6.28 5.9 6.6 9.0 4.1% Average 20.7 17.8 8.3 7.9 10.8 Coal Large - Mid Cap Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 21-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Adaro Energy TBK (ID) ADRO 2.4 US$0.10 31986 $3,059 0.01 0.01 0.01 6.5 7.4 0.03 0.02 0.02 4.0 4.3 5.0 9.5% Banpu Public Co Ltd (TH) BANPU 2.8 US$0.29 5162 $1,495 0.08 0.01 0.03 34.1 8.5 0.08 0.08 0.06 3.6 4.8 15.1 -- China Coal Energy Co (HK) 1898 2.4 CNY$2.45 13259 $7,373 0.34 0.49 0.47 5.0 5.2 1.54 1.53 1.53 1.6 1.6 11.5 2.7% China Shenhua Energy Co (HK) 1088 2.5 CNY$12.70 19890 $45,462 2.22 2.23 2.09 5.7 6.1 4.44 3.98 3.43 3.2 3.7 4.8 6.3% Consol Energy CNX 2.6 US$6.66 187 $1,243 1.36 0.60 0.35 11.1 18.8 4.13 5.12 3.86 1.3 1.7 7.0 0.0% Whitehaven Coal Ltd (AU) WHC 2.3 AUD$2.24 1026 $1,520 0.54 0.34 0.16 6.7 14.3 0.87 0.61 0.39 3.7 5.8 6.4 5.5% Yancoal Australia Ltd YAL 2.5 AUD$2.92 1320 $2,507 0.69 0.29 0.36 10.1 8.1 -- -- -- -- -- -- 9.0% Yanzhou Coal Mining Co Ltd (HK) 1171 2.8 CNY$5.63 4912 $5,545 1.75 1.83 1.59 3.1 3.5 3.71 3.63 3.36 1.6 1.7 16.3 0.0% Average 10.3 9.0 2.7 3.4 9.4 Small Cap Alliance Resource Partners LP ARLP 2.3 US$7.55 127 $960 2.99 3.07 0.67 2.5 11.4 5.31 1.81 1.90 4.2 4.0 2.5 19.8% Arch Coal Inc ARCH 2.0 US$51.44 15 $778 15.15 12.58 10.61 4.1 4.8 20.26 24.26 22.19 2.1 2.3 -- 2.5% Fushan Int'l Energy Group (HK) 639 2.3 HK$1.58 5302 $1,077 0.21 0.22 0.22 7.1 7.2 0.31 0.32 0.42 4.9 3.8 6.4 10.0% NLC India Ltd (IN) NLCINDIA -- INR$53.10 1387 $1,027 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 8.0 0.0% Natural Resource Partners LP NRP -- US$17.19 12 $211 6.43 5.20 4.12 3.3 4.2 9.19 7.06 5.28 2.4 3.3 3.2 7.1% New Hope Corp Ltd (AU) NHC 2.0 AUD$1.60 832 $878 0.31 0.27 0.21 5.8 7.6 0.44 0.36 0.34 4.4 4.7 10.7 6.8% PT Tambang Batubara Bukit (ID) PTBA 2.5 IDR$2,410 11521 $2,027 477.00 371.62 324.44 6.5 7.4 746.44 297.65 315.30 8.1 7.6 8.4 15.0% Average 4.9 7.1 4.4 4.3 6.5 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Uranium Price Shrs O/S Mkt Cap Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Cash Flow Per Share Price/Cash Flow EV/EBITDA Div Yld Symbol Rating 21-Feb-20 (MM) (US$MM) 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2018 2019E 2020E 2019E 2020E 2019E % Cameco Corp CCJ 2.4 C$11.95 396 $3,577 0.53 0.10 (0.03) NM -- 1.68 0.90 0.63 13.2 18.9 8.0 0.7% Denison Mines DNN 2.1 C$0.51 590 $228 (0.04) (0.04) (0.03) -- -- (0.04) (0.05) (0.03) -- -- -- 0.0% Energy Resources Australia (AU) ERA 4.0 AUD$0.16 3029 $321 0.03 (0.03) (0.09) -- -- (0.11) 0.17 (0.03) 0.9 -- 7.9 0.0% Nexgen Energy Ltd (CA) NXE 1.7 C$1.47 356 $396 (0.06) (0.07) (0.08) -- -- (0.02) (0.04) (0.04) -- -- -- 0.0% Uranium Participation Corp (CA) U 2.1 C$3.96 138 $413 (0.03) (0.15) 0.43 -- 9.2 (0.04) (0.06) (0.05) -- -- -- 0.0% Average 9.2 7.1 18.9 7.9 Note: Currency shown is that used by the company for financial reporting. Currency does not always reflect the country/market in which the company/stock symbol trades. GAAP may differ between stocks due to countries and markets. The tables are compiled from the Thomson Reuters database of consensus Ratings & Estimates of equity analysts. The historicals and estimates of earnings and cash flows exclude non-operating, special items. Thomson Reuters Rating System: Buy (1.0), Buy/Hold (2.0), Hold (3.0), Sell/Hold (4.0), Sell (5.0) Source: Thomson Reuters. Commodity Prices Cash Price (21-Feb-20) Silver ($18.45 / oz) Palladium ($2614 / oz) Platinum ($973 / oz) Aluminum ($0.76 / lb) Cobalt ($15.20 / lb) Copper ($2.59 / lb) Lead ($0.85 / lb) Molybdenum ($10.35 / lb) Nickel ($5.64 / lb) Tin ($7.50 / lb) Zinc ($0.95 / lb) Uranium ($24.60 / lb) WASHINGTON - Sen. Bernie Sanders ascendancy as Democrats leading presidential hopeful fueled growing unease as lawmakers openly expressed anxiety that the self-proclaimed democratic socialist could cost them House control and questions abounded over what party leaders should do. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Washingtons most powerful Democrat, signalled Thursday its not her role to try thwarting Sanders to protect the House Democrats majority. Our responsibility is to win the House, Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol. My responsibility is to make sure that those we elected last time return to Congress, keep the majority and add to our numbers. The presidential is its own race. The speaker downplayed a meeting later Thursday at Democratic National Committee for lawmakers to review the partys rules for the July nominating convention in Milwaukee. This summer the elected officials could play an over-sized role as delegates helping to choose the partys nominee if no presidential candidate emerges with the majority. While Sanders suggested recently that a plurality was enough to secure the nomination, Pelosi reiterated the party rules that say the nominee needs the majority plus one. Whoever the nominee is of our party we will wholeheartedly support, she said. Our gospel is one of unity, unity, unity. Yet with Sanders, I-Vt., riding high after early nominating contest wins in New Hampshire and Nevada and a virtual first-place tie in Iowa, other House Democrats were less sanguine. Time was growing short to head Sanders off. South Carolina holds its primary Saturday, followed three days later by Super Tuesday, when contests in 14 states and one territory will decide one-third of the delegates to this summers Democratic convention. Rep. Tom Malinowski, a freshman from a closely divided New Jersey district, said Democrats have a simple path to defeating President Donald Trump by focusing on health care, the economy and a promise that their presidential candidate wont lie. I dont want to squander that opportunity by nominating a contender who divides Democrats, he said in an unspoken reference to Sanders. Freshman Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., who defeated an incumbent Republican in 2018 in a swing district in coastal Virginia, said a Sanders candidacy would be incredibly divisive and endanger more centrist lawmakers like herself. The former Navy commander said of GOP efforts to paint all Democrats as socialists, Bernie Sanders just adds fuel to that fire. Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., a leader of his partys House moderates, said there is widespread concern among lawmakers from competitive districts that a Sanders candidacy would sink their reelections. Peters, whose San Diego district is safely Democratic, said Sanders would complicate moderates reelection bids because the face of the Democratic Party might be spouting things that are absolutely anathema to your voters. Sanders advocacy for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal and student loan forgiveness has alienated many moderates. Asked what Pelosi was doing about Sanders, Peters said, I hope that we do have a conversation as a party about his impact on endangered Democrats. Trying to halt Sanders rise, one centrist candidate, Pete Buttigieg, arrived on Capitol Hill on Thursday to meet with lawmakers. He pitched his own electability to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus political arm, according a senior Democratic aide familiar with the private morning meeting. Buttigieg didnt rail specifically against Sanders, as he has on the debate stage, but made a case for support to about a dozen Latino lawmakers, the aide said. Of the 42 House seats Democrats gained in 2018 when they captured the majority, 29 are from districts that Trump either won in 2016 or lost by a narrow 5 percentage points or less. Most of them are moderates. Republicans will need to gain 18 seats in Novembers elections to win House control, assuming they retain three vacant seats held previously by the GOP. Pelosi said House Democrats won last time with an agenda rooted in lowering health care costs that remains the top priority heading into 2020. She was more pointed in remarks to reporters Wednesday. Were not going to lose the House, Pelosi said. Were going to be united by whomever is the candidate for president. But we are taking responsibility for winning the House, and were not assuming anything. But we feel very confident. Hours after No. 3 House Democratic leader James Clyburn endorsed former Vice-President Joe Biden for the Democratic nod, Clyburn declined to say Wednesday whether it was time for Pelosi to speak up. I dont tell people what to do politically, Clyburn, from South Carolina, told reporters. Asked if Sanders would cost Democrats the House, Clyburn said, I dont know if he will or not. Its not a chance I want to take. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one Democratic lawmaker from a competitive district said many party moderates were eager for Pelosi to do something to hinder Sanders drive toward the nomination. No lawmakers interviewed specified what leaders could do to help sidetrack Sanders. Any action they took would risk backfiring by antagonizing liberal voters who all Democrats will need this fall. Sanders rise has put many Democrats in a delicate situation similar to what many Republicans faced four years ago. As Trump roared toward the GOP nomination, his anti-immigrant views and personal foibles soured Republican congressional candidates, but many chose not to abandon him and risk alienating their partys base, conservative voters. Underscoring the tricky political terrain they face, several vulnerable Democrats said Wednesday that they would back whoever their partys nominee is, but stopped short of saying they would campaign with Sanders. We havent gotten that far yet, said Rep. Lucy McBath from a closely divided district outside Atlanta. Ill cross that bridge if I come to it, said Michigan Rep. Elissa Slotkin, from a Lansing-area district that leans toward the GOP. Some of Congress most liberal Democrats have endorsed Sanders. One of them seemed to apply pressure on Pelosi on Wednesday to not undermine him. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said Pelosi plays a very important role in staying neutral and calming everybody down. She said Pelosi and other leaders who have not endorsed a candidate should continue that stance. Theyre going to have to win the votes for their own leadership positions within the caucus, and I think that weighing in would not be appropriate for the speaker, Jayapal said. The House majority party elects the speaker for every new Congress. Democratic Party officials will brief lawmakers Thursday on the rules that will govern their nominating convention this summer in Milwaukee. The party has weakened the clout of superdelegates, who include members of Congress, but they could play an important role if the convention does not choose a nominee during the gatherings first ballot. ___ Associated Press reporter Laurie Kellman contributed. Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for the Savelugu constituency in the Northern Region, Muhamed Abdul-Samed Gunu has touted his achievements as unprecedented. He believes his achievements within the last three years are unprecedented, comparing them to what his predecessor achieved in his entire 20-year period serving as a legislator for the Savelugu constituency on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress. Mr. Gunu in an interview with Citi News said he has so far achieved 80 percent of his promises in the constituency, citing interventions in education, health and road infrastructure. When I made the promise in 2016, people thought I was joking. Currently, some roads are under construction, I have also provided 600 iron dual desks for some selected schools, the distribution is ongoing to serve other schools and I have also renovated a ward at the Savelugu hospital to ease congestion. I can not mention all the interventions but I intend to do more when I am given a second chance, he stated. As the NPP goes to the poll to elect parliamentary candidates for the 2020 general elections in April, the incumbent, MP, Muhamed Abdul-Samed Gunu is seeking a second term and is hopeful of victory. His main contender in the scheduled primaries was Alhaji Nashiru but he failed to file his nomination forms at the close of nomination on February 20, 2020, making Muhamed Abdul-Samed the sole candidate for the primary. His task however now is to prove his worth to the constituents to retain him as the MP. Even though the rating of his achievements is quite significant according to him, the constituency is still challenged when it comes to development. Describing himself as a selfless leader, the legislator has once again promised the electorates that he will work hard to tackle their various challenges. Looking at my contribution to the people, the only reward they will give me is to retain me to be able to continue the good works that I have started for the development of the constituency, he said. ---citinewsroom Jerusalem: A two-day hearing in the Jerusalem District Court, which featured the cross-examination of psychiatrists in the ongoing case against alleged child sex abuser Malka Leifer, has come to a close. Malka Leifer, right, is brought to a courtroom in Jerusalem in 2018. Credit:AP Three psychiatrists were cross-examined in total, all of whom had previously deemed Leifer fit to face extradition trial. The closed-court hearing is one in 65 of the nearly decade-long saga to bring Leifer back to Australia to face 74 charges of rape and child abuse. The charges stem from her time as principal at Melbourne's Ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel School. The obituaries that appear in today's edition of The Patriot-News are listed below, with links to each. They pay tribute to a centenarian, a respected attorney and a local businessman, among others. The photos used are those submitted with the obituaries. Don't Edit Cynthia Adams Don't Edit Nannette K. Baer Don't Edit Edward Baker Jr. Don't Edit Janet L. Barber Don't Edit Don't Edit Brenda T. Barndt Don't Edit Samuel Bellaman Don't Edit Dennis E. Bobb Sr. Don't Edit Eugene Britton Don't Edit Truman Cassel Jr. Don't Edit Don't Edit Elwood Cox Don't Edit Alessandro DiSanto Don't Edit Kathryn Dysinger Don't Edit William E. Hough III Don't Edit Roger Irwin Esq Don't Edit Don't Edit Kenneth Jovanelly Don't Edit James E. Marley Don't Edit Frank H. Menaker Jr. Don't Edit William J. Painter Jr. Don't Edit Sandra Papandrea Don't Edit Don't Edit Nancy L. Peck Don't Edit Richard Ramsay Sr. Don't Edit Christopher Rogers Don't Edit Madeline A. Ryan Don't Edit Burle L. Schofield Don't Edit Don't Edit Georg R. Sheets Don't Edit Marlene E. Shettel Don't Edit Clare Shumway Jr. Don't Edit Claire M. Snyder Don't Edit Russell G. Teets Don't Edit Don't Edit Carrie J. Zeigler Saeed Muhammad, commander of Khatam-al Anbiya Construction, an engineering firm controlled by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, has reportedly called for the use of cryptocurrencies to evade sanctions. "We are demanding a more sophisticated mechanism to circumvent sanctions, and we are calling for the activation of the use of cryptocurrencies, and we want bilateral or multilateral monetary agreements," said Mohammed, according to a report from Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) last week. Iran has been a target of U.S. sanctions since 1979. In recent years, several Iranian authorities have proposed the use of crypto to bypass those sanctions. Most recently, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani suggested creating a cryptocurrency for use in trade among Muslim countries as an alternative to the U.S. dollar. Rouhani said at the time that the U.S. has used economic sanctions as the "main tools of domineering hegemony and bullying" other nations. "Bitcoin cannot be sanctioned by anyone," an Iranian crypto expert Ziya Sadr, who has discussed bitcoin with local government officials, told The New York Times last year. "Not by the U.S. government or any other government or other financial entities." Egyptian Minister of Health Hala Zayed has revealed the ministry's precautionary measures to prevent an outbreak of coronavirus in Egypt as well as its plan to deal with it. Zayed said that passengers arriving in the country's airports and seaports are being subjected to medical tests and that anyone suspected of having the virus will be quarantined for 14 days. The minister added that all passengers arriving from countries where the virus has spread are tested periodically for 14 days. Zayed said that these measures are in accordance with the procedures announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The minister added that the ministry has put in place a plan on dealing with an outbreak based on the severity of symptoms. Suspected patients who are suffering mild symptoms of the virus will be put in home-based quarantine, whereas suspected patients with moderate symptoms will taken to a hospital specially equipped to deal the situation, the minister said, adding that such hospitals are in every governorate in the country with a capacity of 522 beds. If any patients display severe symptoms, a state of emergency will be declared, Zayed added. In case of a widespread outbreak, the assigned hospitals will be designated completely to dealing with coronavirus cases. Egypt's Ministry of Health and the WHO announced a week ago that the foreign national who was found to be carrying the coronavirus in Egypt had tested negative for the disease. Early in February, Egypt brought back hundreds of its nationals from the Chinese city of Wuhan and put them under quarantine for 14 days in El-Negelah Central Hospital in Marsa Matrouh. None of them have tested positive for the virus. Since the disease emerged last December, it has killed more than 2,700 people in mainland China and 44 people outside the country. Search Keywords: Short link: BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China will focus on preventing those infected with coronavirus from crossing borders and work to strengthen international cooperation, a spokesman for the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Thursday. The comments by Mi Feng at a news conference come after the number of new infections overseas exceeded those in China for the first time this week, with Italy and Iran emerging as new focal points. Some so-called imported cases have already been found, with the city of Shanghai on Thursday saying a coronavirus patient had arrived on Feb. 20 from Iran, having taken a flight via Moscow. The patient, who was wearing a mask throughout the journey, then traveled to Zhongwei via the city of Lanzhou by train. Shanghai officials said at a separate press conference that they would strengthen their monitoring of people traveling from countries with a large number of infection cases, and would work to prevent people from bringing the virus from overseas. The government will also work with the World Health Organization to set prevention and control standards for cross-border travelers to prevent the spread of the virus, state media cited a government meeting as saying, without giving details. The market regulator also said it had suspended 11,000 vendors involved in illegal wildlife trade and dropped more than 750,000 items from online platforms related to such trade. London: WikiLeaks Julian Assange committed a "purely political offence" because releasing classified US military and diplomatic files was aimed at changing American foreign policy, a court has heard. Julian Assange leaves in a prison van after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Credit:AP Defence barrister Edward Fitzgerald told an extradition hearing in London the Australian's actions in 2010 were "intimately connected" with exposing US wrongdoing and war crimes to make them change their ways. "We've seen WikiLeaks did effect change, that was one of the reasons there was [US troop] withdrawal [from Iraq], we also say that the US frequently said: 'WikiLeaks opposes US policy in Afghanistan'," he said in Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday. ''What other purpose can there be publishing the Apache helicopter strike and [US] rules of engagement showing that the war conflicted with fundamental human rights? Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Karachi, Pakistan Thu, February 27, 2020 05:36 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066d38e3 2 World Pakistan,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,outbreak,pandemic,epidemic Free Pakistan has detected its first two cases of novel coronavirus, a public health advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted Wednesday, days after Islamabad closed its land border with Iran, where 19 people have died from the virus. "I can confirm first two cases of corona virus in Pakistan. Both cases are being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols & both of them are stable. No need to panic, things are under control", tweeted health advisor Zafar Mirza. A statement issued by the southern Sindh province's health department stated that the first positive case was reported in Karachi in a 22-year-old male with a "history of travel to Iran where he has acquired the virus." The officials didn't confirm where the second case was reported. However, local media said it was in Islamabad. With porous borders, creaking hospitals and large illiterate populations, Pakistan faces a potentially devastating health crisis from the new coronavirus. The virus has spread to more than 30 countries, killing over 2,700 and infecting 80,000, mostly in China. But new outbreaks in Europe, the Middle East and in Asia have fanned fears of the contagion taking hold in poor nations which lack the healthcare infrastructure to cope. There are growing fears in Pakistan over how the country would deal with the outbreak. Islamabad has a history of failing to contain infectious diseases such as polio, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Meanwhile Pakistan's neighbor Iran has emerged as a major hotspot, with a total of 139 cases and 19 deaths. And Afghanistan, which also shares a border with Pakistan, reported its first case of coronavirus on Monday. While Pakistan has closed land borders with Iran, it has maintained air travel to and from China -- increasingly a source of trade and commerce for the country. "There is a limited concept of prevention unfortunately. I fear it's not well prepared at all for any health emergency," Pakistani public health expert Arshad Altaf told AFP. Pakistan this week moved quickly to quarantine at least 270 people near the Iranian border after a group of pilgrims returned and briefly mixed with other residents. Ziaullah Langove, home minister in southwestern Balochistan province, said there were nearly 10,000 Pakistanis still in Iran, mostly students and pilgrims that Iranian officials were planning to send back in small groups. A woman in Japan who recovered from coronavirus and was released from hospital has tested positive again. The 40-year-old woman, who was initially infected after working on a tour bus with sightseers from Wuhan, tested positive for a second time yesterday. Government officials say it is the first known incident of this kind in Japan. A female pedestrian crosses a busy road in Japan beneath banners promoting the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Concerns the competition may have to be cancelled are spreading as infected cases continue to rise The woman was first confirmed as infected with the coronavirus on January 29. After being discharged from hospital she tested negative for the virus on February 6, although she still had a cough at the time. She had no symptoms a week later, but returned to the doctor on February 21 complaining of a sore throat and chest pains. On Wednesday, she tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time, officials in Osaka said. The driver of the tour bus, which was carrying tourists from the city of Wuhan at the centre of the outbreak, also tested positive for the virus. Though a first known case for Japan, second positive tests have been reported in China where the disease originated late last year. At least 186 people in Japan have so far contracted the virus, with three deaths in the country linked to the outbreak. Almost 700 people have been diagnosed with the virus on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined off Japan, including passengers who were allowed to leave the boat after testing negative, with 45 now showing symptoms. There have been four deaths linked to the virus from the ship. The government has come under pressure for a relatively hands-off approach to the virus, but on Thursday the Osaka prefectural government said it would expand screening of patients to a broader group than currently stipulated by central guidelines. 'We will make sure that people who should be tested, get tested, and will avoid a worst-case scenario by preventing these people from developing symptoms and serious conditions,' Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said. One expert has warned that quarantine periods may have to be extended. Prof Rowland Kao, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology and Data Science at the University of Edinburgh, said: 'Assuming that there is a minimal possibility of misdiagnosis, it still remains unclear from the published reports whether the person involved was likely re-infected, or whether this represents an infection that may have been partially cleared or perhaps has gone latent. 'In either case, given the number of reported cases thus far, it would seem unlikely that this is a common occurrence, and thus should have only a small impact on the overall epidemic projections themselves.' 'Of possibly greater concern are the implications for control measures should quarantine periods be extended? It also makes contact tracing even more difficult, potentially straining resources.' However, Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia (UEA), cautioned against making any hasty decisions until more information becomes available. 'There is so much we do not know about this case to give a properly informed opinion. Did the woman test negative after her last positive and if so how many tests were negative before her initial discharge? Does she have any underlying illness or is she on any treatment that could affect her immune system? 'The report reinforces the fact that we have to investigate all such findings really thoroughly and report such information if we are to make the best decisions based on sound scientific evidence. 'At this time I would council against changing management guidelines based on this case but we do need to always keep them under review,' he said. Stop-and-frisk is back in the news, thanks to leaked 2015 quotes from Mike Bloomberg that to many seem too rough. The former NYC mayor, current plutocrat, and contender for the Democratic nomination recalled policies that targeted kids in minority neighborhoods to throw them against the wall and frisk them. Many Democrats were incensed (though not all polling data suggests Bloomberg actually gained with older black voters during this period). A wave of outrage, buoyed by enraged Twitter users, hit Bloomberg for his alleged racism. He responded by walking back his prior support for these policies, such as his op-ed in 2013, Frisks save lives. But they do or at least, they can. The murder rate has plummeted in New York City, from a peak of over 2,000 a year in the early 1990s, to below 500 a year by the time Bloomberg left office in 2013. The vast majority of murder victims in cities like NYC and Philadelphia are black. Shouldnt over a thousand avoided deaths per year be the lede, not just a stammered afterthought? Without condoning the mayors language, or arbitrary race-based stops, if stop-question-frisk was a part of the policing approach that led to thousands of lives saved a year, should we really be tossing it out the window? If you truly care about black lives, the principal goal must be to reduce crime. Black Americans, particularly those living in low-income urban areas, are most likely to be murdered, and not primarily by police by other civilians. Using stop-and-frisk properly, including respecting its full original description as stop, question, and frisk, can help prevent crime. The key to using it appropriately is reasonable suspicion: a police officer pulls aside someone who is fighting on the street or looks like theyre dealing drugs (the two scenarios, police data show, are most likely to lead to murder). He doesnt just indiscriminately throw a bystander against a wall. It is the existence of racial disparities in the stops that incenses many on the left. Unfortunately, what they often label racial profiling may just be a mirror of the racial disparities that exist in shooting rates. Bloomberg was wrong, speaking out of line, to suggest good law enforcement would target all or only young black men. That would still miss a lot of shootings, and moreover, most young black men arent ever going to get near a murder scene. Still, racial disparities will arise even in fair policing because those disparities exist in reality. Crime statistics suggest most shootings are perpetrated by black Philadelphians, affecting mostly black victims. The police may be understopping white men relative to the larger population, or 70-year-old black women, for that matter, but crimes are not perpetrated evenly, nor are victims distributed evenly. Any intelligent law enforcement strategy should be based on reality. Under the influence of activists, law enforcement is veering to the left in Philadelphia, and shootings and murders are surging. If current statistics hold in 2020, we will see 30% more murder victims by the end of the year, corresponding to over 80 more black lives snuffed out on our streets. These will be people like Ishan Rahman, who was gunned down, along with her unborn child, in an attempted robbery last week while she was sitting in the passenger seat of a car in North Philadelphia. Her killer was out on bail for an aggravated assault just days earlier. Perhaps were all being ill-served by an agenda which prizes academic talking points above realities, castigates all members of law enforcement including black and Hispanic officers as partaking in a racist system, and aims to disarm the police and replace them with what, I would ask? The need for a robust law enforcement presence, and using all the tools we have developed to prevent such crimes from spiking, does not erase the need for more community engagement from the police, de-escalation training, and an acknowledgment that many people feel unfairly targeted by the cops i.e., the state in their own neighborhoods. But lets remember: The police come from our community, and they are us. Every society needs laws, and every person in a civilized society should feel safe to exist without the threat of violence in front of their eyes, or outside their windows. Those concerned about crime as well as racial disparities can say yes to reforms but must say no to calls for disarming the police, no to not prosecuting or underprosecuting violent crimes, and no to any law enforcement conversation that does not center around the core of the issue: reducing rates of violent crime visited most heavily on lower-income black Philadelphians. Reform the police intelligently yes. But take away their tools to fight violent crime? No way. Hundreds of people with a form of lymphoma are set to benefit from the first chemotherapy-free treatment for the disease. Drugs watchdog NICE today approves NHS use of cutting-edge drug lenalidomide, which will benefit an estimated 900 cancer patients in England. Trials have shown the treatment freezes the progress of the disease for more than three years. Lenalidomide fights follicular lymphoma by halting the growth of tumours and stopping them from producing their own blood vessels. Drugs watchdog NICE has approved NHS use of cutting-edge drug lenalidomide (shown), which will benefit an estimated 900 cancer patients in England It will be used alongside another drug, called rituximab, which sticks to cancer cells to help the immune system recognise and kill them. As well as being the first non-chemotherapy treatment for the disease, the combination will also be used for patients who have tried chemotherapy but have become resistant to it. Health Minister Jo Churchill said: This new drug offers cancer patients treatment which is free from the gruelling side effects of chemotherapy, as well as giving fresh hope to those who have built resistance to existing medicines. Revolutionary treatments such as this demonstrate how our NHS continues to push boundaries to ensure patients receive the best possible care as research develops. Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system, a key part of the bodys immune response. Follicular lymphoma is a slow growing type of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. It forms when B-cells, the white blood cells that fight infections, become mutated. It will be used alongside another drug, called rituximab, which sticks to cancer cells to help the immune system recognise and kill them The treatment is not cheap with an average list price of 62,595 for the maximum 12-month course of the combination therapy. The NHS, however, was offered a confidential discount by drug maker Celgene, which was deemed sufficient to take the price below the strict cost-effectiveness thresholds used by NICE. Cancer expert Dr Kim Linton, consultant medical oncologist at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, said the news would be welcomed by doctors and patients alike. There are currently limited treatment options for patients who relapse or dont respond to therapy, she said. This option provides a novel chemotherapy-free alternative and adds an extra line to the treatment pathway with the potential to prolong survival for our patients. Ropinder Gill, chief executive at the Lymphoma Action charity, added: We know only too well the impact that relapsing follicular lymphoma has on people and their families, which is why there is always a need for additional treatment options that will help those who have the most limited options. We are delighted that lenalidomide in combination with rituximab will be available for these patients and look forward to the reassurance that additional treatment can bring for this particular lymphoma. Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR), a cannabis industry-focused real estate investment trust (REIT), reported powerful fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 results after the market closed on Wednesday. The company didn't release its results until 8:28 p.m. EST, which is after Wednesday's after-hours trading session ended. In a usual market, this stock would be poised to soar on Thursday, since the company crushed the Wall Street consensus estimates on both the top and bottom lines, and adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) came in strong. However, this week's market has been widely negatively affected by the spread of the novel coronavirus, so it's challenging to predict how Innovative Industrial Properties stock will fare on Thursday. The stock has returned 27.2% in 2020 through Wednesday, versus the S&P 500's return of negative 3.3%. Here's how the quarter worked out for IIP and its investors. Innovative Industrial Properties' key numbers Metric Q4 2019 Q4 2018 Change** Rental revenue $17.7 million $4.8 million 269% Operating income $10.6 million $1.8 million 487% Net income $9.6 million $2.3 million 311% Earnings per share (EPS) $0.78 $0.24 225% Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO)* $14.3 million $3.6 million 293% AFFO per share $1.18 $0.38 211% For the quarter, Wall Street was looking for earnings per share (EPS) of $0.57 on revenue of $14.4 million, so IIP sailed by both expectations. The company's revenue growth continues to be primarily driven by the acquisition of new properties, with contractual rental increases at certain properties also contributing. The year-over-year revenue growth rate continued to accelerate, up from 201% in the third quarter, 155% in the second quarter, and 146% in the first quarter. For full-year 2019, revenue soared 202% year over year to $44.7 million, EPS surged 171% to $2.03, and AFFO per share jumped 144% to $3.27. What happened with Innovative Industrial Properties in the quarter (and since the quarter ended through Feb. 26)? It paid a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share on Jan. 15 to stockholders of record as of Dec. 31, representing an increase of 28% from the previous quarter and 186% from the year-ago period. During the quarter, IIP acquired 15 properties (nine industrial, six retail/dispensary), and after the quarter ended through Feb. 26, it acquired five more properties (three industrial, two retail). In total, the 20 properties have about 1.0 million rentable square feet. In September, it "established an 'at-the-market' equity offering program, issuing shares of common stock from September through [Feb. 26] for net proceeds totaling approximately $184.8 million," according to the company's earnings release. After the quarter ended, in January, the company "completed an underwritten public offering of 3,412,969 shares of common stock, including the exercise in full of the underwriters' option to purchase an additional 445,170 shares, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $250.0 million." Here's the current snapshot of Innovative Industrial Properties' portfolio taken from the earnings release: As of Feb. 26, IIP owned 51 properties located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia [15 states], totaling approximately 3.2 million rentable square feet (including approximately 871,000 rentable square feet under development/redevelopment), which were 98.9% leased (based on square footage) with a weighted-average remaining lease term of approximately 15.6 years. [Emphasis mine.] Since I've been covering IIP (1.5 years), I believe this is the first time its occupancy rate has dipped below 100%. For these statistics, the company is treating its Los Angeles property as "not leased, due to the tenant's default in its obligation to pay rent at that location in January and February 2020," it said in the earnings release. Certainly, however, a 98.9% occupancy rate is still extremely strong. Earnings call: Thursday at 1 p.m. EST Management didn't provide a quote in the earnings release. However, investors will be able to hear management's thoughts on the company's performance and prospects by tuning into the analyst conference call, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27, at 1 p.m. EST. (Yes, you read that unusual time correctly.) Looking ahead Innovative Industrial Properties topped off a spectacular year with a powerful quarter. The company hasn't historically provided official guidance, though management will probably comment on the earnings call about its general outlook. For Q1 2020, Wall Street is modeling for EPS of $0.82 on revenue of $20.5 million, representing growth of 149% and 223%, respectively, year over year. The number of people dead in the violence that ravaged Northeast Delhi has climbed to 35. The Congress has asked President Ram Nath Kovind to hold Home Minister Amit Shah accountable for his inability to prevent bloodshed in Delhi. The death toll in the violence and rioting in Northeast Delhi has reached 35 on Thursday. An elderly woman suffocated to death when her home was set ablaze in Gamri Extension. The number of injured is said to be over 200. With the situation yet to return to normal, Delhi Police is keeping an eye on WhatsApp groups to monitor and curb rumors. The police registered 18 FIRs and arrested 106 people for the violence. Riot police were carrying out flag marches in areas that had seen largescale violence. The fire service logged some 19 calls in the wee hours of Thursday. On Wednesday, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited areas that had seen full-on violence against Muslims and their gutted shops. He spoke to several people and assured them that the violence will be contained not many of whom were convinced. The senior officers visit also marks a vote of confidence in the Delhi Police, which has been charged with supporting the mob instead of protecting Muslims and their property. BJP leader Kapil Mishra, whose recent speech was played in the Delhi High Court yesterday, in a new speech has accused AAP councilor Tahir Hussain of killing Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma, a claim which was first made by the deceaseds father. A resident of Khajuri Khas, Sharma was found dead in a drain in Chand Bagh. Hussain has denied the charge. Joint Commissioner OP Mishra inspected the Chand Bagh area and is said to have allowed the re-opening of grocery, medical and other shops. Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress submitted a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind demanding the removal of Home Minister Amit Shah for his inaction leading to the deaths in Northeast Delhi. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh, senior leaders AK Antony, P. Chidambaram, Mallikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmed Patel were among the leaders who met President Kovind. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met his Cabinet to discuss providing relief material to violence-hit areas. For all the latest National News, download NewsX App Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Catherine Triomphe (Agence France-Presse) New York, United States Thu, February 27, 2020 19:06 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20670be8c 2 Entertainment Harvey-Weinstein,film,Hollywood,Sexual-assault,rape,trial,united-states,MeToo Free Prosecutors have long been hesitant to take on cases of acquaintance rape, as they were convinced that jurors would have a hard time believing the victims -- and drawing fine distinctions about consent. But the conviction of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein on charges of rape and sexual assault should move the needle on such cases, and open the door to more prosecutions, legal experts told AFP. "We are in rapidly changing times," said Deborah Tuerkheimer, a professor of law at Northwestern University and an expert on sexual violence cases. "It matters that the #MeToo movement has been accelerating the last couple of years. The cultural change we are seeing is making a difference in the courts." For Susan Estrich, an attorney who teaches at the University of Southern California, the fact that Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance even decided to prosecute Weinstein based on allegations made by two women who maintained relationships with him after their alleged assaults shows that the US legal system has reached a new phase. "A case like this simply would not have been considered rape 10, 20 years ago," Estrich told AFP. Even Vance was not always ready to try such cases. In 2011, he gave up on prosecuting former International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who had been accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in New York. That shift speaks volumes about cultural changes in recent years. Read also: Harvey Weinstein: from Hollywood 'God' to convicted rapist 'Nuts and sluts' defense Estrich, who was raped in the 1970s, has worked for years to raise awareness about acquaintance rape cases. She coined the phrase "nuts and sluts" to describe how some men defended themselves against claims of sexual misconduct. Women make up claims because they are "nuts" or "sluts", went the logic. Estrich specifically used it to describe attacks on Anita Hill, who had accused Clarence Thomas, then a candidate to serve on the US Supreme Court, of harassment. "In this country and around the world, a woman forced to have sex by a man she knew was rarely considered as having been raped," Estrich said. Now, "you see women around the globe stepping up and saying we don't have to put up with this anymore -- this is not sex, it's coerced." For more than 30 years, American courts have tried to make it less painful for victims of sexual violence to file complaints. Police departments created specialized sex crimes units and specific prosecutors took those cases on, Estrich explained. In the US, where local prosecutors are elected and often evaluated on their conviction rate, victims were often submitted to grueling interrogations, especially on their sexual history, before their cases were accepted. In short, prosecutors did not want to take unwinnable cases. Courts complicated matters by not allowing attorneys to introduce any past assaults committed by the defendant into evidence. William Kennedy Smith, a nephew of slain president John F Kennedy, was acquitted of rape in 1991 after a trial that erupted into a media circus. Observers attribute his exoneration to the judge's refusal to allow into evidence claims by three other women that he had assaulted them. The retrial of comedian Bill Cosby in 2018 was perhaps the first perceptible shift -- what Kristen Gibbons Feden, one of the lawyers who prosecuted the actor, called the start of a "culture shift". The conviction of Cosby -- who was found guilty on three counts of aggravated indecent assault for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman he knew -- marked the end of a tortuous legal saga. Local prosecutors in Pennsylvania initially abandoned efforts to try Cosby over the 2004 assault, and then eventually revived the case in 2015. A first trial ended in a mistrial. Only in the second trial in April 2018 were five other accusers allowed to testify against Cosby, and he was convicted. "There were Cosbys and Weinsteins, R. Kellys and Epsteins long before Cosby was convicted. They were just institutionally protected," Feden said. Read also: 'You messed with the wrong women,' say Weinstein accusers, turning sights to LA Knock-on effects of #MeToo The #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, which began in late 2017 in response to Weinstein's case, "gave the police and prosecutors a will to investigate those crimes, the bravery to bring forth those complex trials," Feden said. The movement also "provided education to the jury to fully understand and discount those great myths -- myths that were historically used to discredit victims," she added. For Feden, these effects are already being felt in numerous cases, even if they are not headline-makers. The Weinstein trial shone a light on how these lessons are being learned. Prosecutors called forensic psychiatrist Barbara Ziv to testify. She explained that rape victims often knew their assailants, stayed in contact with them and never told anyone about the attacks. Her testimony highlighted the often complex relationships victims can have with the accused -- and ultimately showed that jurors could understand those relationships. Nevertheless, Weinstein's conviction does not mean that acquaintance rapes are now easier to prosecute, according to Tuerkheimer. She said several factors helped prosecutors in his case, including the number of women ready to testify against him -- six eventually did. Also, those women were all white and well-off -- witnesses that jurors are apparently more ready to believe than poorer, minority victims, Tuerkheimer said. A definitive shift is not yet certain, according to Estrich, but she expects to see the number of rape complaints go up, and also to see women "stand together and support each other". The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has swept the world, killing 2,770 people and infecting more than 81,000. Amid the health crisis, scientists from across the globe are racing to develop novel therapies and vaccines in the hope of stemming the spread of the deadly virus. Now, the first step in a clinical trial for a drug to treat coronavirus has commenced, thanks to a team of scientists from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Dr. Andre Kalil, an infectious disease specialist and professor of internal medicine, will oversee the drug trial on its first patient, who was repatriated after being quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. The study is currently enrolling hospitalized adults with COVID-19 in Nebraska. NIH begins clinical trial of drug to treat COVID-19. Image Credit: Rohane Hamilton / Shutterstock The drug "There is only one drug right now that we think may have real efficacy and that is remdesivir," Bruce Aylward, assistant director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said at a press conference. Developed by Gilead Sciences as a treatment for Marburg virus infection and the Ebola virus disease, remdesivir, is a novel investigational nucleotide analog with broad-spectrum antiviral activity. Though it is not approved globally for any use, it has demonstrated in vitro and in vivo activity in animal models against the viral pathogens SARS and MERS, which are coronaviruses akin to COVID-19. The drug is an experimental medicine that has only been utilized in a small number of patients with COVID-19 so far; hence, the company does not have a strong understanding of the drug's efficacy and potential for broader use. Gilead said it is working with global health officials to perform appropriate experimental use of the drug. The drug company is now working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Department of Defense, the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the China CDC and National Medical Product Administration. They are also working with individual clinicians and researchers to track fast the experimental use of the drug in the hopes that it can curb the infection. NIH clinical trial The clinical trial, which will be spearheaded by the UNMC and the NIAID, will be conducted at up to 50 sites across the world and will test the drug against a placebo. Bruce Alyward added that after a recent visit in China, remdesivir is the only drug that appears to have a promise in treating COVID-19, which is spreading rapidly across many countries, including the most affected nations next to China South Korea, Italy, and Iran, with 1,261, 401, and 139 cases, respectively. Iran has reported the highest death toll outside China with 19 deaths, followed by 12 deaths in South Korea and ten deaths in Italy. Currently, the drug is also being tested in two trials in Wuhan, in Hubei province, China, the outbreak's epicenter. Alyward, however, added that there is a slow enrollment in the trial due to a decline in patient numbers. Further, other drugs are also being evaluated. The patients they are enrolling in the trial have to be a little sicker than just a mild disease tied to COVID-19. They must have a positive coronavirus test, and the virus has already affected the respiratory tract. At present, there are no specific treatments or drugs approved by the FDA to treat people with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel pathogen, SARS-CoV-2 virus. The infection can cause mild to severe respiratory illness, including the symptoms of fever, dry cough, and difficulty of breathing. Another potential vaccine for COVID-19 A new vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will begin trials in six weeks. Developed by drug maker Moderna Inc., the first batch of the vaccine has been shipped to U.S. government researchers, who will oversee the first human clinical trial. The trial for the novel experimental vaccine will start in April, though the tests and approval for the vaccine to be used in large scales may take as long as one year. The vaccine, called mRNA-1273, is a candidate vaccine against the deadly virus and works by being immunogenic, triggering a response in the immune system that can help fight the infection. If the trial goes as planned, it may take about three months from the lab to human testing. Though it may take months before the vaccine will be available for use, this would be faster compared to the SARS 2002 outbreak, wherein it took 20 months for NIAID to have a vaccine tested in humans. Meanwhile, the U.S. government has asked Congress for coronavirus funding of $1.25 billion to track fast the development of drugs and vaccines against the virus. Also, the funds will be used for precautions, surveillance, and treatment of patients infected with the deadly pathogen. Vietnams Ministry of Health has declared the end of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa after having recorded no new infection there for 39 days. The decision to lift the epidemic status off Khanh Hoa was signed by Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen on Wednesday in accordance with the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed a decision declaring COVID-19 an epidemic in Vietnam on February 1, with the outbreak scope identified in the three provinces of Khanh Hoa, Thanh Hoa, and Vinh Phuc. Khanh Hoa reported its first patient, a 25-year-old hotel receptionist who had interacted with two infected Chinese men, on January 17. The province has since detected no other case. The receptionist was discharged from the hospital on February 4 after recovering from the disease. Khanh Hoa is the first disease-hit locality in Vietnam to be declared free of the COVID-19 epidemic. Of the two other provinces, the north-central province of Thanh Hoa is also eligible to have its epidemic status lifted as no new case has been recorded there for 34 days, while the northern province of Vinh Phuc is still considered at risk. Vinh Phuc has reported 11 patients so far, including five members of a group of workers who returned to Vietnam in January from Wuhan City. It has only been 14 days since Vinh Phuc confirmed its last case on February 13. Vietnamese localities are eligible to announce the end of their epidemic status if there are no new cases reported in the previous 28 days and preventative measures against the disease have been properly deployed. Vietnam has reported 16 cases of the viral infection, including 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese. All of them have been successfully treated and are out of the hospital. The country has recorded no new infection since February 13. Thirty-one cases of suspected infections are being monitored. An additional 5,675 people are under quarantine in the Southeast Asian country for having interacted with confirmed or suspected patients or having visited COVID-19-hit areas. Despite lifting the epidemic status in Khanh Hoa, the Ministry of Health anticipated that Vietnam might record new COVID-19 cases in the upcoming time with recent complicated developments of the disease worldwide. Over 82,100 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus and 2,805 killed globally as of Thursday afternoon, according to the South China Morning Post. The number of confirmed cases in South Korea the largest epicenter outside of China has reached 1,595, with 13 deaths. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! United Nations, Feb 28 : UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday invoked the "spirit of Gandhi" to ask for community reconciliation in Delhi that has been wracked by communal violence, according to his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. "Throughout his life, the Secretary General has been deeply inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and today the spirit of Gandhi is needed more than ever and it is essential to create conditions for true community reconciliation," Dujarric said. Guterres has been following the situation and is "saddened by the reports of death that we have seen over the past few days in New Delhi", he said. The Secretary General "again reiterates, as he has done in other places, his calls for maximum restraint and violence to be avoided," Dujarric added. As per the latest figures, at least 37 people have been killed in the violence this week sparked by protests against and counter-protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act designed to open an expedited pathway for victims of religious persecution from neighbouring Islamic or Muslim majority countries. Mosques, residences and businesses have been attacked. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) When The March, TIMEs virtual reality re-creation of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, opens to the public on Friday at Chicagos DuSable Museum of African American History, visitors will be able to experience being part of the crowd on the day in 1963 when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his I Have a Dream speech. For Joyce Ladner, summoning that feeling requires no VR headset. Ladner was a teenage college student when, on Aug. 28, 1963, she ended up right behind King during that famous speech. And her memories of that day as well as what came before and after will be part of the exhibit at the DuSable, too. Near the virtual reality experience, visitors will be able to ask questions of a voice-activated, pre-recorded video interview with Ladner, and receive answers in real time, thanks to artificial intelligence: its like talking to Siri or other voice-activated devices, except the answers come from a real person, speaking about real history. The video shoot was produced by StoryFile, a multimedia company best known for using an earlier version of this technology to preserve the testimony of Holocaust survivors. Ladners interview, which covers 343 questions that were asked over the course of three days, is the first StoryFile has produced with a civil rights activist. Looking back is a lot easier than it was [then] for me to look forward, Ladner, now 76, tells TIME. When Ladner was growing up, her great uncle, a veteran of World War I, would tell her and the other younger members of the family to be the Jackie Robinsons of their day. But it was the 1955 lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till that the Mississippi native says truly inspired her political awakening. People are going to ask me if I was afraid fighting for civil rights in Mississippi, and yes, theres always fear involved, but you cannot allow fear to immobilize you, she says. Courage isnt the absence of fear, but the ability to prevail in spite of it. Story continues Joyce Ladner at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on July 18, 2018, in Washington, D.C. | Larry French/Getty Images for March On Washington Film Festival By the summer of 1963, Ladner was 19 and a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) who had decided to spend six weeks in New York City to help plan the upcoming March on Washington. She gave speeches in the New York area about what life was like in the South, in order to raise money to charter buses to the event at the Lincoln Memorial; a highlight was receiving a $500 check (worth more than $4,200 today) from a woman who lived in Manhattan on Park Avenue. You had to tell stories about people who were killed, she says, noting that NAACP leader Medgar Evers was assassinated that summer too. People always want to hear stories about personal experiences if youre trying to recruit them to a cause, and there was not a lot of coverage of the day-to-day activities of trying to get black people registered to vote. She cites the literacy tests that black people had to take in order to vote, which set them up to fail by asking questions like How many grains of sand are on a beach? and How many bubbles are in a bar of soap? Ladner herself failed this test three times while she was in college. Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter So she was especially moved by the hundreds of thousands who attended the March on Washington to express their outrage at these injustices too. She got to stand on stage behind Martin Luther King Jr. because she had worked with Bayard Rustins organizing team in Manhattan. What she remembers the most are John Lewis speech calling for more protections for activists in the South and the overwhelming size of the crowd. I never imagined so many people would turn up, she says. Most people today dont know why the March occurred; they only know about Dr. Kings speech, but they dont know it was organized for jobs and freedom. The dream would come as a result of a lot of loss of life, of harassment, people losing jobs over trying to register to vote, losing their homes that were torched. Jobs were a critical part of why we were marching, and the freedom to have a decent life, to be free from these horrendous conditions in the South, she tells TIME. Many issues were never resolved at all, and now we see a resurgence of some of the issues that we fought against, like [challenges to] voting rights. I never imagined we would have to keep fighting to justify the existence of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. She saw participating in the StoryFile interview as a way to preserve the real reason people attended the March on Washington and to reach students in an engaging way. Im an educator, she says. When I go out to give speeches, most young people have never met someone who was in the civil rights movement. Were like relics of a bygone era. They can relate more to an event through [talking to and seeing] a person rather than just reading the history in a book. Indeed, StoryFile interactives are meant to create an opportunity for ordinary people to tell remarkable stories, says Stephen D. Smith, the companys founder and owner. Theyre a way for people to come closer to history and closer to the people who have made the world in which they live in. Step Into History: Learn how to experience the 1963 March on Washington in virtual reality What struck Smith about Ladners story was that history-making moments dont always feel history-making when youre in the thick of it, as exemplified by Ladners memory that, while the I Have a Dream speech was actually happening, she was mostly thinking about getting back to college in Jackson, Miss. Its a great insight into how history happens, Smith says. Its not all it might appear when youre in the middle of it. But even at 19, Ladner knew that the dream that King expressed was not a dream that we felt was going to be realized anytime soon that she would have to keep working, and so would others. Ladner went on to get a PhD in sociology, becoming a college professor and at one point acting president of Howard University. She was also appointed by Bill Clinton to oversee the District of Columbia Financial Control Board as it restructured the citys public school system; she still lives in Washington, D.C. And she hopes that young people who talk to her at the DuSable Museum will come away from the conversation inspired to become more civically engaged themselves. I hope the younger students understand they can do something about conditions they dont think should exist, she says. Theres an activist in all of us if you tap into it. Celebration, Florida is an example of what is called New Urbanism, modeled after older towns with compact downtowns, walkable streets designed for slower traffic, trees for shade. Some find it creepy; others admire it as a great model for urban design. But the things that people love about it, that make it work, may well change because Celebration is part of a larger community that has big eight foot wide fire trucks. There is often a conflict between the engineers and the emergency response people who want to move cars and fire trucks really fast, and the urban designers who want to slow cars and trucks down. There are almost always objections when bike lanes and speed bumps are proposed, that they might slow down reaction times by police and fire departments. Everyone has their own point of view; As Mark Twain noted, to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail. But when cities and towns already exist, police and fire departments usually assume that they have to deal with the hand they have been dealt and adapt to circumstance. They do not usually come in and demand retroactive changes. In Celebration, they are doing exactly that, demanding twenty feet clear so they can tear down the streets with their ladder trucks. To get this they have to eliminate on street parking and move trees, which are all actually there to slow traffic down and make it safe for pedestrians. The Deputy Fire chief is essentially saying what the General said in the Vietnam war about the destruction of the town of Ben Tre: In order to save the village, we had to destroy it It is an issue we have covered before, how we let the heroes in uniforms decide how our cities should be designed around their big trucks. I wrote "So what we get is urban design by road engineers and firemen instead of planners and architects. No wonder our cities look like they do." Celebration was different, and the firemen don't like it. So what if it all was approved and built according to plans, if the Chief of Osceola County wants 20 feet clear, he will get 20 feet clear no matter what it does to the town, no matter how many people get killed by speeding cars. That's another department. Or as Charles Marohn noted on Strong Towns: Strong Towns If someone was to write a stage play about the endless fight between urban designers and engineers, it might well sound like the minutes of the meeting between the Celebration people and the County Department of Fire Rescue, which I have transcribed and edited. Here is the cast: DM: Danny McCoy, Deputy Chief. GM: Geoffrey Mouen, Celebration resident and town architect. JZ: Joedel Zabarello, Traffic operations engineer. FM Floyd McCollum, Celebration community district county Liaison and Celebration resident. DM: Safety issues that arent addressed give me nightmares. I am trying to make the development liveable for all. The streets are causing problems for our service.The ladder truck cant make it down the boulevard one way streets with islands or the cul de sacs. DM: NFPA [National Fire Protection Association] says the road width must be 20 feet clear. There is no exception. GM: When was this code enacted? DM: I dont know the codes have changed but I dont know when. GM: So why was Celebration approved by the County? JZ: I dont know. I wasnt here. FM: Celebration pre-dates that requirement. DM: Thats not how NFPA works. You have to meet it. FM: The streets and plans for Celebration were approved multiple times in a timespan over two decades. You dont go back retroactively and apply new codes unless there are changes that trigger that. DM: Yes you do. FM: The town was purposely designed to have cars on the streets to narrow the travel lane and slow traffic and was approved by the County. This makes it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists... to make the boulevards 20 foot clear you will have to eliminate all parking. DM: We will do whatever we have to do to make it better. JZ: We are not eliminating all street parking FM: Yes you are, on the boulevards. They are all divided one way streets and you cant get 20 feet clear without eliminating all parking. Celebration, Florida/ WP/CC BY 2.0 So much attitude. "Yes you do. Yes you are." Not even a discussion, just orders. Then there are the trees, a very big part of the community design, serving a number of design functions besides just looking good. DM: Trees are a problem. They should be moved. GM: Street trees are common in traditional towns. They shade the sidewalk. They are in the right of way so that they are under public control. FM: It is also a safety issue. Trees slow down traffic which reduces traffic accidents and increases pedestrians safety. GM: If you removed the street parking and trees there would be no visual clues to the driver to slow down. People dont look at speed limit signs to decide how fast to go, they use visual clues that narrow the drive lane and cause drivers to slow down, as they dont feel safe enough to go faster. There are studies that prove more people die in automobile accidents and pedestrians crossing the street than in die in fires. Its a fact. DM: I dont agree. I am not here to debate that. Where I live the streets are straight and the police sit there writing tickets to control speed. It goes on; Geoffrey Mouen finally loses it (when the fire chief says he wont use the lanes, which are wide and set up with fire hydrants for exactly this purpose): Im leaving, Im upset. You have proven to me that I cant be saved. Im telling my neighbours. There is nothing further to talk about. You have stated that we are unsafe here in Celebration.... you have all given blanket statements about the street parking yet the alleys are accessible and even the fire hydrants are located there. I feel unsafe. Im leaving. Finally, Floyd McCollum asks: One last question, you have very large bumpers on your very large and powerful trucks. Will you push a car out of the way if it is blocking access? FR: We cant hit cars, thats just Hollywood. If we cause any damage, it goes to a review committee we get written up, and it goes in our permanent file. The county will be responsible for paying all damages. Celebration, Florida/ WP/CC BY 2.0 So there we are. The fire department wants 20 feet clear road for its 8 foot wide truck, because they want to go fast, and they don't want to get written up if they hit a car. So the trees will go, parking will disappear, cars will start speeding (because that is what cars do). And the fire department can do this retroactively in a community that was approved and built according to plans, because the Deputy Chief says the rules are retroactive, (which they are not), which would mean that almost every city in North America that New Urbanism was modelled on would have to be demolished and every street widened and every street corner rebuilt to larger curb radii. They are essentially destroying the village in order to save it. And because they are in uniforms, they will probably get away with it. Lego WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released information regarding an open house, youth devotional and rededication for the soon-to-be-completed renovation of the Washington D.C. Temple. The rededication of the temple will be held on Sunday, December 13, 2020, in three sessions. Prior to the rededication, a public open house will be held from September 24 through October 31 (except for September 27, October 3-4, 11, 18 and 25). Additional details will be available at a future date. A media day will be held September 15, with private tours taking place September 16 through 23. "This temple is one of the premier temples of the Church," said Brent Roberts, managing director of the Church's Special Projects Department. "The renovation that we're going through right now and that we'll soon complete will allow the temple to function for many years to come." This news was shared Thursday, February 27, at a media event at the Washington, D.C. Temple Visitors' Center. "For decades, millions of people have driven by or passed the Washington D.C. Temple. It has become an iconic part of the D.C. beltway," said Aaron Sherinian, a longtime resident and volunteer public affairs media specialist for the Church. "This fall, it can become an iconic part of people's lives in a new way. We invite people everywhere to join us inside the temple, to learn more about why it is so much more than a building and to feel the promise of peace it holds. We invite everyone to come and see." Renderings showing the planned completion of the temple have also been released. "The Washington D.C. Temple open house is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come and see for yourself what takes place inside these sacred spaces," said Anne Golightly, local public affairs director for the Church. "We want everyone to feel welcome. All are invited to feel the peace of this place, to feel the presence of God and to learn more about why and how we as a community seek to follow Jesus Christ." The temple closed in March 2018 for a significant renovation. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and lighting systems throughout the 160,000-square-foot structure have been refreshed, in addition to other work done to refurbish and renovate the temple. Workers plan to finish construction in the summer. Furniture and artwork will be installed before the open house in September. "The Washington, D.C. area includes many communities of faith, and we are honored to work side by side with the people of these congregations," said Kisha Sogurno, a member of the Church's local public affairs committee. "We are grateful for the dialogue of respect and dignity that so many have shown us as the temple renovation has been underway, and we look forward to welcoming congregations from around the region to join us at the open house in a spirit of understanding and goodwill. We have been honored to visit the sacred spaces of other faiths in this region and invite people to come and learn more about ours." "The Washington D.C. Temple has become a landmark for many in this area," added Kent and Kathryn Colton, who respectively served as president and matron of the Washington D.C. Temple from 2014 to 2018. "During the open house this fall they will have the opportunity to go inside and experience the beauty and spirit found there. We want everyone to have an individual experience that will help them feel the love of God. We invite people to make plans now to join us for this unique experience to tour first-hand a place that so many hold dear." As part of the rededication festivities, a youth devotional is scheduled for the evening prior to rededication on Saturday, December 12. The rededication and youth devotional will be broadcast to Latter-day Saint meetinghouses within the Washington D.C. Temple district. The groundbreaking for the Washington D.C. Temple, located in Kensington, Maryland, was December 7, 1968. President Spencer W. Kimball dedicated the temple on November 19, 1974. The temple serves Latter-day Saints in Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. The temple was opened to the public from September 17 to October 19, 1974, and more than 750,000 visitors toured the building. For more information visit: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/ https://dctemple.org/ SOURCE Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints CHICOPEE Theory Wellness will open a marijuana retail location its third, and the second for the city of Chicopee Saturday morning. Theory has hired 50 employees for the store at 672 Fuller Road, which will sell both medical and recreational also called adult use marijuana. It expects to generate $250,000 to $500,000 a year in tax revenues for the city, according to Thomas Winstanley, director of marketing. The business opens at 9 a.m. Saturday Leap Day, Feb. 29. The event will feature coffee brewed with pour-over coffee makers made by Chemex, a Chicopee company. Chicopees first legal marijuana store Mass Alternative Care, 1247 East Main St. opened in August. It sells both medical and recreational marijuana. The Chicopee Theory Wellness location will be Theorys third store and its second offering recreational marijuana sales. Theory has a Great Barrington medical and recreational dispensary and Bridgewater medical-only dispensary. The Chicopee location will have both medical and recreational marijuana sales, according to its website. A menu for the Chicopee store isnt online yet, but the recreational marijuana menu for the Great Barrington location shows an eighth of an ounce selling for $55 and variety names like Jabbas Stash and Purple Punch. 1/28/2020 -Springfield- These items were at the Theory Wellness booth at the "What's the Buzz about Cannabis" seminar hosted by the Springfield Regional Chamber and held at the Springfield Sheraton. (Don Treeger / The Republican) The Great Barrington store opened in January 2019 at 394 Stockbridge Road. The Bridgewater medical marijuana dispensary opened in 2017 at 1050 Elm St. Massachusetts voters approved adult recreational use of marijuana in November of 2016. The first two recreational stores opened 15 months ago in Northampton and Leicester. Today, 80 recreational marijuana licensees statewide have commenced operation. Gross sales of recreational marijuana since November 2018 top $471 million. The local tax is 3% of gross sales. But all in, the state and local governments tax marijuana at 20% Theory said the Chicopee opening is unique for both Massachusetts and the East Coast in that its offering farm-grown, outdoor cannabis in partnership with Ted Dobson of Equinox Farm in the Berkshire County town of Sheffield. Theory grows its own marijuana indoors in Bridgewater. Theory Wellness was one of the exhibitors at The Buzz About Cannabis: Marijuana in the Marketplace and the Workplace, a trade show and seminar put on a few weeks ago by the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. Some 8000 kilometres from Hubei province where this coronavirus outbreak began once-thriving Asian food districts in Sydney and Melbourne have been turned into ghost towns. Outside a small eatery in Sydney's Eastwood, a suburb with a large Chinese community, a chalkboard tries to reassure and lure in customers with words written Chinese characters: "The restaurant has been sanitised!" Clifford Qwah inside his flagship Chinatown seafood restaurant Secret Kitchen. Credit:Justin McManus Business is down 70 per cent since late January when the first case of the novel virus was reported in Australia, according to Lily Zhou, 39, who owns the Shanghai-style restaurant with her husband. If things continue as they are now, Zhou said she can only stay in business "at most three months". Australia's travel ban on Chinese visitors and students, and a misdirected fear about gathering in public places, is having an outsized impact across the restaurant industry. Many Chinese Australians are still stranded in China after the Lunar New Year holidays, or staying behind closed doors in self-quarantine. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Gemma Holliani Cahya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 28 2020 The Defense Ministry has been granted 14 Insitu ScanEagle drones and three Bell 412 helicopters from the United States, with Jakarta expecting the equipment to further strengthen the Navy's maritime patrol operations throughout the archipelago. House of Representatives Commission I overseeing intelligence, defense and foreign affairs approved on Wednesday the grant from the US, although lawmakers reminded the Defense Ministry to reassess the drones and helicopters conditions so as to prioritize national security. "We ask the government to take precautionary measures [...] such as to ensure that there are no wiretapping tools left attached unintentionally [in the equipment]," said House Commission I chairwoman Meutya Hafid. 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 Boris Johnson with Michel Barnier during previous Brexit negotiations. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via Getty Images) The UK government has announced it will consider walking away from trade talks with the EU in June if the broad outline of an agreement has not emerged from negotiations. The abandoning of talks would pave the way for a radical rupture in UK-EU relations when Britain departs from EU rules as the Brexit transition period ends in January next year. The UK could be treated as a third country by the EU if talks collapsed, trading with only the limited rights offered by World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. Businesses and experts have warned for years this risks heavy disruption to trade and other ties from new tariffs and barriers. Details of the governments negotiating plans emerged in an official document published on Thursday. The report makes plain prime minister Boris Johnsons wish for a significant break with Brussels. It argues Britain will fully recover its economic and political independence, and will always have control of its own laws, rules and politics. The government will not commit itself to aligning its laws with the EU, or to giving European courts jurisdiction over the UK. The vows mean UK negotiators are set for a clash with Brussels. European politicians say Britain must pledge a level playing field with the EU on employment and environmental standards, tax and state aid rules. EU states fear being undercut if Britain de-regulates in such areas. Britains determination to rewrite fishing rules on EU access to UK waters are also likely to prove a thorny issue in talks set to begin next month. Read more: US confused by UK fears over NHS and US food in tradee deals Officials hope the thrust of an agreement can be reached by June, ahead of the EUs deadline for any potential extension of the transition. But the report warns that if not, the UK government will need to decide whether UK attention should instead shift solely onto domestic planning for exit from EU rules in orderly fashion. The government repeated its pledge not extend Britains transition period under EU rules beyond the end of this year. Story continues That would mean trading on terms similar to Australia's from next year, the report said. The government has previously been criticised for this comparison, as Australia has no deal with the UK. Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), earlier this week called it code for no deal, and warned it could be economically and socially catastrophic. UK farmers could face crippling tariffs on exports to Europe. Read more: UK risks empty shelves for fruit and veg as farms lose EU workers But the new report sets out the governments hopes for a comprehensive free trade agreement like Canadas deal with the EU, with Britain outside both the single market and customs union. The government wants no tariffs, quotas or charges on trade in manufactured and agricultural goods. It hopes the deal will also address non-tariff barriers, but ministers have previously admitted imports and exports will face new paperwork and checks. Directors will be relieved to see a significant amount of detail in the Government's negotiating stance, but disappointed that securing market access continuity seems to be less than a fundamental priority, said Allie Renison, head of Europe and trade policy at the Institute of Directors. Frances OGrady, general secretary of the Trade Unions Congress (TUC), accused the government of gambling with peoples livelihoods by again threatening a disastrous no deal. She said jobs and living standards were on the line even under the governments plans for a deal, as they would make trade harder with the EU. Labour MPs also warned in the Commons on Thursday ditching talks threatened security collaboration. The report says the government will not seek to remain in the European arrest warrant, which requires other countries to arrest and transfer suspects on the UKs behalf. Black Caucus Chair Introduces Reparations Bill Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, has introduced, a new bill, AB 3121. It calls for setting up a task force to study and develop reparation proposals for African Americans. Existing law, the language of the legislation reads, requests the Regents of the University of California to assemble a colloquium of scholars to draft a research proposal to analyze the economic benefits of slavery that accrued to owners and the businesses, including insurance companies and their subsidiaries. AB 3121 requires eight members appointed to the task force. The proposal would empower the group to identify, compile, and synthesize the relevant corpus of evidentiary documentation of the institution of slavery that existed within the United States and the colonies, the language goes on. The bill would require the Task Force to recommend, among other things, the form of compensation that should be awarded, the instrumentalities through which it should be awarded, and who should be eligible for this compensation. ADVERTISEMENT Other members of the CLBC are co authors of AB 3121, including Senators Steven Bradford (D-Los Angeles) and Holly J. Mitchell (DLos Angeles); Assemblymembers include Autumn Burke (D-South Bay, Los Angeles), Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento), Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena), Reginald Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento). The Assembly has not yet assigned the bill to a policy committee for review. Before being taken over the L.A. Fitness and now Amazon, the Dominicks store had been vacant since closing in 2013. Albertsons, the parent company of Jewel-Osco, held the lease on the property as well as those of the vacant Dominicks at 1555 N. Aurora Road in Naperville and other Dominicks stores so competing stores could not move in. Uzbekistans Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov visited India on January 14-15, 2020, where he met with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and addressed the Raisina Dialogue, an international conference organized by India in which several foreign delegates share their views on global issues. This was one of several recent engagements between India and Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has emerged as the Central Asian country with which India has not only accelerated but also diversified engagements in the past few years. This is evident from the increasing number of bilateral visits between the two countries as well as cooperation in an increasingly diverse number of areas. BACKGROUND: During Kamilovs meeting with Jaishankar, discussions commenced on a Preferential Trade Agreement between India and Uzbekistan. Kamilovs visit to India was one in a series of recent high-level engagements between India and Uzbekistan. As a region, Central Asia has received special attention in Prime Minister Modis foreign policy. India has designated Central Asia as part of its extended neighborhood. In 2015 Modi visited all the five Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in a period of one week. He became the first Indian prime minister to visit all the five Central Asian countries in a single trip. Indias historical and cultural ties with the Central Asian countries are ancient, yet in recent years India has been pushing to diversify its ties with the region. This effort motivates Indias engagement in an extended number of areas. India has made several agreements with Central Asian countries in the past few years, yet three of these stand out as particularly important; deepening diplomatic interaction at the regional level, participation in connectivity initiatives and increasing strategic cooperation. Among the five countries of Central Asia, Uzbekistan has been Indias most active partner in all of these areas. As a part of moving Indias engagement with the region forward, the first India-Central Asia Dialogue was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 13 January 2019. The participants included India, the five Central Asian republics and Afghanistan. The purpose of this dialogue was to explore connectivity options between India and Central Asia, and to discuss avenues for stabilizing Afghanistan. The second India-Central Asia Dialogue is proposed to be held in India this year. India is also involved in three connectivity initiatives that involve Central Asia. These initiatives are the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Ashgabat Agreement and the development of Chabahar Port in Iran. A third area of cooperation is deepening strategic engagement between India and Central Asia. In November 2019, India and Uzbekistan held their first ever military exercise in Uzbekistan. In the same month on two different occasions, India and Uzbekistan entered a security cooperation agreement and a counter-terrorism pact. IMPLICATIONS: For India, connectivity and security are two principal areas of interest with respect to Central Asia, which India considers a resource rich region and a gateway to Eurasia. Thus, Central Asia forms a connecting link for Indias strategic outreach to different geographical regions. In this regard, Indias interests potentially compete with Russian and particularly Chinese influence in the region, especially on account of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While Central Asia is an important component in BRI, India has expressed its reservations about the project especially since the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a component of BRI, runs though Pakistani-administered Kashmir. For this reason, India has refused to join BRI and competition from China is a significant challenge for India in Central Asia. In light of this challenge, India needs to come up with its own connectivity projects along with economic and strategic cooperation with the Central Asian countries. India is developing Chabahar Port in Iran, which is intended to serve as a gateway to Afghanistan, Central Asia and Eurasia. Indias relations with Iran have been heavily affected by the U.S.-Iran conflict, which has disrupted both Indias oil purchases from Iran and its economic and strategic interests in the region. In May 2019, India complied with the U.S. imposed sanctions on Irans oil trade over the latters nuclear program. The recent killing of Qassem Soleimani and its aftermath has again raised the risk that the conflict may affect shipping lanes in the Gulf of Hormuz. India was a key participant in a meeting on the Hormuz Peace Initiative held in Tehran in January. Moreover, Jaishankar promotes the establishment of an air corridor between India and Central Asian countries in order to improve connectivity. Uzbekistan, a landlocked country, is also a stakeholder in improving connectivity with Iran. In this area, Uzbekistan and India are playing complementary roles. Uzbekistan was instrumental in making India a part of the Ashgabat Agreement on establishing an international transport and transit corridor, first signed in 2011 by Turkmenistan, Oman, Qatar, Iran and Uzbekistan. Qatar withdrew in 2013 while Kazakhstan and Pakistan joined the agreement in 2016. India was admitted in 2018. The corridor is expected to facilitate transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf, whereas India expects it to function as a gateway in addition to Chabahar Port. In return, India involved Uzbekistan in the Chabahar Project, which would grant Uzbekistan access to a deep-water port. Aside from other interests on either side to access Chabahar Port, this transit point would allow smooth supply of uranium from Uzbekistan to India. Uzbekistan is one of the few countries with which India has an agreement for the purchase of uranium for its nuclear reactors. While the tensions between the U.S. and Iran again disrupted Indias outreach in the region, Uzbekistan and India can together play an important role in protecting each others interests. Uzbekistans growing economic ties with Iran and its participation in different transit routes across Central Asia and Iran make Uzbekistan a major stakeholder in the stability of the region. Indias connectivity-drive from Iran to Central Asia and even further into Eurasia is directly dependent on regional stability. Security concerns stemming from the conflict in Afghanistan is one of the major challenges for Indias involvement in Central Asia. The unpredictable future of Afghan politics and the prospect of the Taliban becoming a stakeholder in the countrys government, along with radicalization and terrorism, present important challenges to Indias ability to effectively establish a presence in the region. The fact that the U.S. engages in discussions with the Taliban with Pakistani support leaves little room for Indias participation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizes a multi-polar order as a means for avoiding conflict between different powers and to protect the interests of all parties involved in a particular region. He has been highlighting this point with respect to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and the same reasoning can be extended to Central Asia. While India has strong relations with the U.S., it needs to apply multilateralism in Central Asia. First, India needs to define its economic and strategic interests in the region. Second, India must explore the extent to which it can act independently of the U.S. regarding Iran, Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries. A proactive foreign policy and participation in the regions security architecture is a way forward for India in order to become a stakeholder. India has already taken steps in this direction; it concluded a security cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan that includes sharing information on terrorism and training of Uzbek security personnel in India, and the two countries have conducted joint military exercises. Both countries perceive growing radicalization and terrorism as common threats and the proximity of India and Uzbekistan to Pakistan and Afghanistan make the former two vulnerable to terrorism emanating from the latter two. Like in the area of connectivity, India and Uzbekistan have taken joint security initiatives. Both countries need to continue these efforts in order to protect their national interests. Indias engagement in Central Asia relies on exploring the possibilities of building cooperation with Uzbekistan and other regional states as an alternative to either the U.S. or China. CONCLUSIONS: Relations between India and Uzbekistan are centuries old and the two countries have strong cultural ties. However, the emerging geopolitical situation requires India and Uzbekistan to restructure their relations along with their respective roles in the Central Asian region. India-Uzbekistan relations have significant development potential. Both countries are seeking to address this by diversifying their cooperation in different areas. Central Asia is an economically and strategically important region for India. As India seeks to increase its engagement with Central Asia, Uzbekistan has emerged as a key partner. AUTHOR'S BIO: Niranjan Marjani is an Independent Journalist and Researcher based in Vadodara, India. His articles mostly focus on strategic dimension of international politics. He tweets at @NiranjanMarjani. Image Source: Embassy of Uzbekistan in New Delhi accessed 2/25/20 CBSE- The Central Board of Secondary Education on Thursday February 27th 2020 announced that it will conduct fresh examination for those students who were unable to attend the examination as there were riots and violence going on in the northeastern parts of Delhi. TOI The Central Board has asked the schools as well to send details of class 10 and 12th students who were unable to appear for the exams due to violence hit the city. The CBSE has asked school principals to send the details to the regional offices concerned to the CBSE of all those students of class 10, 12 who have missed giving out the exams so far in Delhi, due to these violence and difficult conditions, said CBSE Secretary Anurag Tripathi. He further added To reduce the stress on students, the board will conduct fresh exams for these students. The next decision by the board for the students will be announced shortly." The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has assured all the students in Delhi, who all have missed exams due to violence that happened in North East Delhi, that it will conduct fresh exams for them. The Board has also postponed exams which were scheduled in the north east part or the affected areas of Delhi till February 29. However, the exams will be conducted in the rest of the capital as they are scheduled, said the board. All the exams will be held at the centres as per schedule in rest of the centres from March 2nd onwards, the board further added. Boeing's failure to conduct a critical software test on its Starliner capsule may have contributed to a failed mission late last year. According to NASA, the aerospace company didn't perform a full 'end-to-end' integration test of the software designed to automate maneuvers after the craft is launched into space. The Orlando Sentinel, who first highlighted NASA's findings, reports that the exhaustive test may have prevented an aborted mission Boeing's Starliner (rendered) may have been able to avoid having to abort a mission in December by undergoing a skipped software integration test 'Its pretty exhaustive. You gotta do that,' Christopher Saindon, a former member of NASA's safety panel told the Sentinel. 'That was somewhat surprising to us on the panel. There were certainly gaps in the test protocol.' In December, a glitch in the mission timing software caused Starliner to run to a different time than expected - it was 11 hours ahead - which triggered burns and control movements too early into its flight toward the International Space Station (ISS). As a result, the craft burned up fuel that it needed to get to the station and was forced to abort its mission and return to Earth. During that process of bringing the craft down NASA encountered another issue that could have resulted in Starliner colliding with its service module. Luckily, Boeing was able to avert the collisions and safely land its craft back to Earth. NASA also revealed this month that a second software glitch could have caused the wrong thrusters to fire upon re-entry and could have lead to a complete loss of the craft. As a result of the flaws, NASA has ordered a re-evaluation of all the software aboard Starliner which involves reassessing millions of lines of code according to The Sentinel. Likely increasing scrutiny on the company are software issues related to its line of airplanes which caused multiple fatal crashes and the deaths of 346 people. From left to right: NASA astronaut Nicole Mann, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, President and CEO of United Launch Alliance Tory Bruno, and senior vice president of Boeing's Space and Launch Division Jim Chilton spoke to the media after a software glitch caused Boeing's Starliner to launch into the wrong orbit Boeing says that it followed all the procedures mandated by NASA prior to the Starliner's botched flight and indeed the mission was cleared by the agency prior to launch. The Starliner test flight was intended as an important milestone in NASA's plans to end its dependence on Russia to ferry US astronauts to and from the ISS NASA has been forced to rely on Russian Soyuz rockets to transport its astronauts since the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011 after thirty years of service. Both Boeing and Elon Musk's aerospace company SpaceX have been awarded multi-million dollar contracts with NASA, and will share the operation of flights to the ISS and back. A worker wearing protective gears sprays disinfectant as a precaution on a train against the new coronavirus at Suseo Railway Station in Seoul on Feb. 25, 2020. (Lee Ji-eun/Yonhap via AP) Delta Reduces Flights to Korea as Virus Outbreak Spreads Delta Air Lines is reducing flights to South Korea while Hawaiian Airlines will suspend them entirely, as airlines deal with growing concern about the spread of the new virus beyond China. Delta said Wednesday that it will suspend flights between Seoul and Minneapolis after Saturday and running through April 30. Delta also said it will reduce flights from Seoul to Atlanta, Detroit, and Seattle to five times a week. The airline said last fall that it was operating about 28 flights per week on those routes. The Atlanta-based airline, the worlds largest by revenue, will also delay the start of new flights between Seouls Incheon Airport and Manila. Instead of beginning March 29, the launch has been pushed back to May 1. Hawaiian Airlines said it will suspend flights between Honolulu and Seoul starting next Monday and running through April 30. The carrier currently flies the route five times a week. Hawaiian CEO Peter Ingram called the suspension prudent because of the rise in COVID-19 cases in South Korea and the effect the outbreak is having on demand for leisure travel by Koreans. A Hawaiian Airlines jet taxies out to the runway at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Ariz., on Feb. 14, 2006. (Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images) Delta, United Airlines, and American Airlines have already suspended all flights to and from mainland China and Hong Kong. United said this week that demand for service to China had disappeared, and that March bookings for flights elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region had plummeted 75 percent since the outbreak. Fear about the virus is hitting cruise lines and other travel companies hard too. Booking Holdings Inc., the parent of travel search and booking sites including Kayak and Priceline, said the virus had a significant and negative impact across our business in the first quarter. It is not possible to predict where, and to what degree, outbreaks of the coronavirus will disrupt travel patterns, the company said. The number of new cases of the COVID-19 virus reported Tuesday was greater outside China than inside China for the first time, according to the World Health Organization. South Korea has reported more than 1,200 cases and 11 deaths. Medial workers wearing protective gear move a patient suspected of contracting the new coronavirus from an ambulance to the Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, South Korea, on Feb. 19, 2020. (Kim Jong-un/Yonhap via AP) Several airlines in Asia and the Middle East have suspended flights to other Asian countries besides China. The list includes Korean Air, Japan Airlines, and Philippine Airlines. Singapore Airlines, hurt by weak demand, has suspended flights to several destinations in the United States and Europe. Shares in the U.S. airlines that fly to Asia have been hammeredthey have been among the biggest losers during this weeks stock market downturn. The stocksalong with those of cruise companiescontinued to fall Wednesday, even as the broader market stabilized after a two-day rout. On Wednesday, shares of Delta Air Lines Inc. fell 2.6 percent. United Airlines Holdings Inc. plunged 5.7 percent, Hawaiian Airlines parent Hawaiian Holdings lost 3.8 percent, and American Airlines Group Inc. dropped 3.5 percenthitting its lowest level since late 2013, when the airlines predecessor parent company was under bankruptcy protection. The four biggest losers in the Standard & Poors 500 index on Wednesday were Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Carnival Corp., and online travel agency Expedia Group Inc. Royal Caribbean dropped more than 8 percent; the others fell more than 7 percent. By David Koenig The death toll in the communal violence in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law reached 32 on Thursday, senior officials said. It was at 27 till Wednesday night. "Five more deaths recorded at GTB Hospital, so death toll at that hospital has gone up to 30, taking total toll to 32," a senior Delhi Health Department official told PTI. The Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital had reported two fatalities on Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bernie Sanders: More opinions on the 2020 candidate Read Post op-eds by Sanders: Explore recent columns from Post opinion writers: See The Posts View from a recent editorial: Bernie Sanders shifts his tone, but will it last? Get more information on Sanderss candidacy and policy positions. How are Warren and other candidates faring in the Post Pundit 2020 Power Ranking? Heres the latest installment. Want more on the 2020 elections? See all of The Posts coverage. London: Three weeks ago there was much talk of a "Chernobyl moment" for China's Communist Party, discredited by totalitarian attempts to suppress news of the spreading coronavirus in Wuhan. But fast-moving events can play wicked tricks, especially on a White House allergic to scientific facts. The new coronavirus, or COVID-19, is more likely to be the Chernobyl moment for US President Donald Trump. His systematic destruction of the US pandemic defences - policy vandalism of the first order - and his surreal efforts to conjure away the virus with denialist spin suddenly brings an unthinkable prospect into play. President Donald Trump holds up a document during a press conference on the US preparedness for the new coronavirus on Wednesday. Credit:Bloomberg The coming backlash may sweep presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders into power on a socialist manifesto of Piketty wealth taxes, the partial closure of the US oil and gas industry, and vast increases in the size and role of the US government, all with an implicit budget deficit of $US3 trillion. Try feeding that into your models for GDP growth, equity prices, or bond yields. The Trump administration has cut funding for the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) by 9 per cent. This month he proposed slashing it a further 16 per cent. The worst hit area has been pandemic preparation. The CDC's global health security initiative has been chopped by 80 per cent. HONEY BOY (MA15+) 94 minutes "The only thing my father gave me that was of any value to me is pain." That's a real quote from Shia LaBeouf, who plays that father in the autobiographical Honey Boy, in what is certainly the best work he (the son) has done. LaBeouf has often seemed like another Hollywood headcase: a million-dollar talent and a five-cent head. Honey Boy feels like an attempt to find a way back - to take a shot at redemption. Shia LaBeouf stars as his father in the autobiographical Honey Boy. James Lort (LaBeouf) is a lunatic parent to 12-year-old son Otis, a child star in Los Angeles (played at that age by Noah Jupe). They live in a fleabag motel, smoking cigarettes and swearing at each other, acting out a complex father-son pathology that's gone into reverse: the kid earns the money and has a grip on reality, the father only thinks he does. James is a Vietnam vet, an addict and an alcoholic. He's also trying to be a good father, to instil some lessons in his son and protect him from the bad things he knows are out there. That's something the movie never lets us forget, and it makes the story raw and powerful. Especially since the film begins with Otis as a young man, 10 or more years into the future, now played by Lucas Hedges. Otis has become a movie stunt man, an out-of-control alcoholic and drug user who's sent to rehab to consider his mistakes. He begins writing as a way to exorcise his demons, which takes us back into his childhood, with scenes often running in parallel between the present and 2005. LaBeouf may be familiar as the young lead in the first three Transformer movies, but his career began as a teenager in 1999, on a Disney comedy show called Even Stevens. He might also be familiar from the excesses and eccentricities of his rise - a number of arrests for alcohol and drug abuse and his wry performance art pieces, such as walking the red carpet at Berlin with a paper bag on his head that said "I am not famous any more". He started writing Honey Boy while in rehab in 2017, after his arrest in Savannah, Georgia, for being drunk and disorderly. He was diagnosed then as suffering from PTSD. The writing was therapy more than project and he has said he never intended to play his own father (who's still alive and has seen the film). That was suggested by his friend Alma Har'el, an Israeli-born music clip director who makes her feature debut with this script. Both script and direction are impressive. The script has a searing honesty, but fractured time frames, as the older, tormented Otis recalls his life. Har'el imposes her own dream-like poetic style, but it's rigorously controlled, so that these disparate scenes come together in a disjointed unity. The dream-state suits the material, which is confessional and reflective, a journey into memory through which Otis tries to understand and forgive his father. [February 27, 2020] Cellcom Israel Ltd. Announces VP Marketing, Television and Content Resignation NETANYA, Israel, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE: CEL) (the "Company") announced today that Mr. Rafi Shauli, the Company's VP Marketing, Television and Content, informed the Company of his resignation from office, effective March 31, 2020. About Cellcom Israel Cellcom Israel Ltd., established in 1994, is a leading Israeli communications group, providing a wide range of communications services. Cellcom Israel is the largest Israeli cellular provider, providing its approximately 2.767 million cellular subscribers (as at September 30, 2019) with a broad range of services including cellular telephony, roaming services for tourists in Israel and for its subscribers abroad, text and multimedia messaging, advanced cellular content and data services and other value-added services in the areas of music, video, mobile office etc., based on Cellcom Israel's technologically advanced infrastructure. The Company operates an LE 4 generation network and an HSPA 3.5 Generation network enabling advanced high speed broadband multimedia services, in addition to GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks. Cellcom Israel offers Israel's broadest and largest customer service infrastructure including telephone customer service centers, retail stores, and service and sale centers, distributed nationwide. Cellcom Israel further provides OTT TV services, internet infrastructure and connectivity services and international calling services, as well as landline telephone services in Israel. Cellcom Israel's shares are traded both on the New York Stock Exchange (CEL) and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (CEL). For additional information please visit the Company's website http://investors.cellcom.co.il. Company Contact Shlomi Fruhling Chief Financial Officer [email protected] Tel: +972 52 998 9735 Investor Relations Contact Ehud Helft GK Investor & Public Relations In partnership with LHA [email protected] Tel: +1 617 418 3096 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cellcom-israel-ltd-announces-vp-marketing-television-and-content-resignation-301012623.html SOURCE Cellcom Israel Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Pope Francis has cancelled official audiences for a second day in succession after being taken ill. The Vatican said the 83-year-old had celebrated morning Mass as usual and greeted participants at the end. He planned to keep his private meeting schedule as planned but decided to cancel official audiences. It did not reveal what the pontiff is suffering from, but he was coughing and blowing his nose during Ash Wednesday Mass this week. On Thursday, he cancelled a planned trip across the city to celebrate Mass with Rome priests. His illness comes amid an outbreak of coronavirus which has infected 650 people in Italy and caused disruption across the north of the country. Rome has had three cases, but all three people have recovered. On Thursday, Vatican officials refused to comment on whether Pope Francis has been tested for coronavirus, confirming only that he had missed a planned Mass for the start of Lent due to a slight illness. "This morning, the pontiff did not go to St. John Lateran basilica for the Penitential Mass with Roman clergy," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement to The Telegraph. "Due to a light indisposition, he preferred to stay near [his Vatican residence] Santa Marta. Other duties are proceeding regularly." Mr Bruni declined to respond to the question of whether or not the pontiff had been or would be tested for coronavirus. Concern over the Pope's well-being circulated on social media after he was seen coughing and blowing his nose during Ash Wednesday celebrations, in which he greeted people without wearing a mask. On Sunday, he mingled with 40,000 faithful in Bari, hugging and kissing people in the crowd after expressing support for those infected by coronavirus, the health workers treating them and the civil authorities responding to the worsening outbreak. Pope Francis at his general audience in St Peter's Square on Wednesday - ABACA Pope Francis is missing a part of one lung. It was removed in his native Buenos Aires when he was in his early 20s after he suffered tuberculosis, according to biographer Austen Ivereigh. Story continues He also suffers some leg pain due to sciatica, for which he undergoes regular physical therapy and which accounts for his occasional difficulty climbing steps. But he is in generally good health and has been able to endure about four gruelling international trips each year since his election in 2013. HOUSTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- EMEX Holdings, LLC, a national leader in energy consulting and facility asset management, today announced that the company will begin operating under the newly formed holding company, Mantis Innovation Group, LLC. The new entity marks a systematic shift in the company's vision and strategy in the marketplace. Through its portfolio of companies, Mantis Innovation Group provides insightful energy procurement and facility asset management programs that empower clients to make data-driven decisions that can significantly reduce costs while simultaneously improving the performance of their roof, walls, pavement and sustainability initiatives. "The rebranding to Mantis Innovation Group better reflects our identity as the leading-edge energy, technology and managed solutions provider," said Daniel Marzuola, Chief Executive Officer of Mantis Innovation Group. "With our growing portfolio of companies, we believe Mantis Innovation will soon be the leading force in the marketplace." Mantis Innovation Group's current portfolio of companies includes, EMEX, a technology driven energy consulting firm, BLUEFIN, a leader in facility management, and Patriot Energy, one of the largest retail energy management firms in the country. "Mantis Innovation Group will continue to pursue additional acquisitions within the market to further growth and expand our core service offerings," commented Marzuola. "We are extremely excited to be able to provide even greater support and solutions to our clients across North America." For more information on Mantis Innovation Group, LLC and its portfolio of companies, visit: www.mantisinnovation.com. About EMEX, LLC EMEX, LLC, is a national leader in energy procurement and reverse auction technology. EMEX transacts annually in hundreds of millions of dollars of electricity and natural gas products for business and government entities, making it one of the largest privately-held energy consulting and risk management firms in North America. EMEX's reverse auction platform has created a strategic shift in how energy is bought and sold throughout the country and is now considered a best practice for energy procurement. Learn more at: www.emexllc.com About Patriot Energy Group Patriot Energy is one of the largest and fastest growing retail electricity and natural gas management firms operating in all competitive markets throughout the U.S. As a client-side energy broker/adviser Patriot works closely with clients to help manage risks associated with energy costs. Patriot offers professionally managed and diverse energy purchasing strategies, which combine unique fixed, index, and hybrid rate structures, as well as a comprehensive suite of energy efficiency and management options. Learn more at: www.patriotenergygroup.com About BLUEFIN, LLC BLUEFIN, LLC is a roof, pavement, building envelope, and energy consultant serving clients with large facility footprints. These areas are typically the largest investments for facility owners and hold the greatest opportunities to improve facility performance. BLUEFIN helps clients manage these assets utilizing predictive analytics to maximize service life, reduce capital and operating costs, prevent emergencies, maintain operational efficiency, save energy, and implement or improve sustainability. Learn more at: www.bluefinllc.com Contact: Daniel Holdridge 713.521.9797 x 610 [email protected] SOURCE Mantis Innovation Group By Trudy Rubin In 1999, I travelled to Afghanistan when the Taliban controlled the country. Swathed in shawls, exiting my taxi only when sneaking into buildings, I visited secret girls' schools in private apartments, where 10-year-olds braved beatings to learn how to read. I interviewed former female university professors who, under the Taliban, could rarely leave their homes, and then only when shrouded beneath a tent-like burka. And I interviewed then-Taliban deputy health minister Mohammed Abas Stanekzai, who is now one of the negotiators of a "peace deal" with the United States that will probably be signed on Feb. 29, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. So, it is useful to recall what Stanekzai said at the time. He firmly defended excluding girls from schools and women from any Kabul hospital except the sole facility where the Taliban permitted female doctors to work. And women could seek treatment only if accompanied by a male relative, even though many war widows had none. I can't help recalling Stanekzai's remarks as this "peace process" play out. Much has changed in Afghanistan over the past 20 years, but there's little sign the Taliban have changed their core positions _ on women or much else. So don't be fooled by any upbeat administration rhetoric _ U.S. talks with the Taliban are still in for a very bumpy ride. The deal Pompeo cited depends on a precondition of the Taliban holding to a seven-day significant reduction in violence nationwide, beginning with this past weekend. That is meant to test whether Taliban leaders can control their fighters. If the truce holds, intra-Afghan talks will supposedly begin between the Taliban and the elected Afghan government along with representatives of different civil society groups. Their goal: to devise a new political arrangement that would include the Taliban. (As if this isn't sufficiently daunting, the Afghan government is mired in a dispute over election results, which could delay the talks). If the U.S. is satisfied with progress over the next four months, it will draw down its 14,000 military personnel according to an agreed timetable, starting this year. Supposedly a final withdrawal will depend on progress in the Afghan talks and proof the Taliban will keep any new terrorists down. Yet is highly unlikely that the Taliban (or it fighters) will be willing to become one political party among many. They are demanding a restoration of their former Islamic Emirate, where religious law would replace the current Afghan constitution with its guarantees of basic human rights, including for women. And they want all U.S. troops out soon, which would mean the Afghan army would collapse. "The Taliban is poised to take it all," says Marvin Weinbaum, head of the Afghanistan-Pakistan program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. "They know the U.S. is desperate to get out." And they hope they can ride U.S. impatience to the victory they can't win in the field. Toward that end, the Taliban are already trying to burnish their image and airbrush their history. The New York Times ran an op-ed by one of their most bloodthirsty leaders, Sirajuddin Haqqani, on Friday, who is on the U.S. terrorist list, in which he claims "we were forced to defend ourselves" and "the killing must stop." You'd think from his piece that he spoke for all Afghans. You'd never know from this pious piece that this man's Haqqani network was responsible for some of the bloodiest suicide bomber attacks on Afghan civilians in Kabul. You'd never know that much of Afghanistan is fearful of a Taliban return as I heard over and over when visiting Afghan villages in the last decade because they think the group and its fighters distort Islam. You'd never know that Afghan Hazaras a Shiite ethnic group who make up 10 percent to 20 percent of the total population are terrified, because the Pashtun Sunni Taliban slaughtered them under its rule. And you'd never know that a new generation of educated Afghans, including female teachers, lawyers, judges, prosecutors and journalists who consider America an ally _ don't want to return to the days of burkas, male guardianship and limited religious education. Under such a regime, their choices would be flight, jail or worse. No wonder, the New York Times correspondent in Kabul, Mujib Mashal, tweeted that the Haqqani op-ed "omits the most fundamental fact: that Siraj is no Taliban peacemaker as he paints himself, that he's behind some of the most ruthless attacks of this war with many civilian lives lost." (I'd add that I find it shocking the Times published this piece without a background note on Haqqani, or a matching piece that challenges his pretensions.) This U.S.-Taliban deal may present an opportunity, but only if the White House holds out for a negotiated solution, not just a photo op at Camp David. And if Trump isn't gulled by Taliban sweet talk. Pulling the plug too soon will destroy all U.S. leverage and hand victory to the Taliban. In that case, this "peace" plan will only produce more tragedy for Afghans and more security threats to the U.S. Trudy Rubin (trubin@phillynews.com) is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her commentary was distributed by Tribune Content Agency. Sorry, we are currently running some maintenance and will be back shortly. Connect with us on social media for updates. Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria, Feb 27, 2020 -There is no other way to describe the Tuesday, Feb 25, 2020 request at Nigerias House of Reps by IGP Adamu Abubakar for 250, 000 rifles and 1000 APCs, etc than to link same link to service mediocrity. We further wonder when Nigeria Police Bosses and their military counterparts will grow beyond service emptiness and do away with archaic policing and soldiering. We also do not know why when other police services or forces around the world are fully embracing ICT policing; the NPF is busy racing back to the Yore and its concomitant archaic or anachronistic policing. It is recalled that the IGP had on the said date at the House of Reps Committee on Police Affairs, claimed that the Nigeria Police Force, apart from inadequate personnel, further need 250,000 rifles and associated munitions, 1000 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), 200, 000 riot gunners and smoke pistols, 2m tear gas canisters, 1000 tracking devices and 774 operational drones, among others. The Force is notorious in policing incompetence and has been haunted by chronic data system collapse including total collapse and mal-functionality of its central crime statistics and database. Till date, there are numerical contradictions with regard to the actual size of the Nigeria Police Force. While the newly introduced Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information (IPPIS) under the office of the Accountant General of the Federation puts the personnel size of the NPF to about 290,000-300,000 as at 2018, the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have consistently maintained that the NPF is peopled by 370,000 personnel. In other words, the present IGP is not sure of the accurate size of the present Nigeria Police Force. This is not to talk of near-total, if not total absence of a credible database of weapons in the armories of the Force and their movements, uses and safety. As a matter of fact, the data deficiencies in the NPF are inherently entrenched and chronic. A competent, lettered and ICT compliant IGP should have provided the credible statistics of the number and type of weapons and personnel at the disposal of the Force and their functionality index, before demanding for additions or otherwise. In other words, the IGP should provide concrete answers to the following: how many rifles, APCs and related weapons and ammunitions as well as personnel are there in the NPF? Where are they? Are the rifles and related weapons safely or porously managed? Are they being used for purposes they are legally meant for or illegally used for motley of service crimes and atrocities such as being used in aiding religious and economic terrorist activities and high profile street and roadway criminalities (i.e. kidnappings)? Are the weapons and personnel truly used for securing generality of the citizens or for sundry roadway crimes such as extortion? Is it correct to say that many of these weapons and personnel are channeled into protection of the so called VIPs and corporate establishments such as banks and multinational companies; all done in return for payment of billions of naira monthly which never reflect in any police budget except in private pockets or coffers? At the non state actor level, our questions are: are there credible statistics domiciled with the NPF showing the number, movement and use of illicit weapons such as small arms and light weapons in Nigeria or any part thereof? How secured by the NPF through Police Border and Waterways or Marine patrols are Nigerias four transnational borders and over 8,600 kilometers of waterways? Who are truly responsible for arming Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen or allowing them to openly source and bear rifles classified by the laws of the country as prohibited firearms? How possible is it to believe that the NPF is not complicit? Is it correct to say that the Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen are now recognized by the NPF as Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen Vigilante Group of Nigeria? Proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons is real, routine and indiscriminate in Nigeria; can the NPF tell Nigerians how many are in circulation and the number of their bearers and what they are used for? In all, by the NPF account, if any, how many small arms and light weapons are licitly and illicitly in circulation and in wrong or right hands in Nigeria and what are their effects or security and safety consequences for the country and its general citizens in the nearest or distant future? The truth is that none of the recent bosses of the NPF including the present IGP have had what it takes to move the Force beyond petty, ethno-religious, primordial and archaic policing. With the evolution of ICT including electronic or e-policing and intelligence, modern policing no longer relies heavily on quantitative manpower policing and gun-culture. The ICT has also outdated or reduced the applicability of the UNs 400-500 citizens per police person recommendation. The NPF is also productively at ground zero as it cannot even produce or manufacture ordinary tear gas canisters, not to talk of guns and ammunitions it uses. The modern policing is now powered or driven by man-mental-machine policing. Man and mental here represent skillfully and mentally developed police personnel while machine represents lesser gun culture and huge inroads into electronic policing which include e-intelligence, e-devices and e-investigation. The power of ICT in policing is exemplified by a case of an ICT compliant kidnapper holding a rifle and a smart phone. While the rifle is likely to remain un-fired throughout the kidnap operation or criminality, the smart phone will be put to function from the beginning to the end. Therefore, Intersociety makes bold to say that with the evolution of modern policing, what is needed in Nigeria is not flooding of the countrys space with ship-loads of assault rifles and related munitions or injection of over-bloated man power all in the name of equipping the Nigeria Police Force. The NPF has enough man power to police anywhere in the country. Until the arrival of this 2020 budget season, the NPFs annual budget had steadily gulped N300b and in this budget season of 2020, N408b is allocated to the Force, an increase of extra N108b; yet the Force has little or nothing to show for it in matters of internal security and law enforcement. Apart from being secularity challenged, the NPF is also embroiled in corruption and chronic incompetence. Most of its administrative and field personnel are computer illiterates and many more do not have the skills of modern policing including mental and physical skill development. Corporately, the NPF central crimes database, forensic and ICT are nothing to write home about. Weapons in the hands of the personnel of the Force are not only turned against the law abiding citizens but also ferociously used in robbing them at road and street ways, as well as torturing, maiming and killing them and destroying their properties. The truth is that the modern trends of policing and militarization across the world are now rested on downsizing and man-mental-machine powered policing and not proliferation of man power and gun culture. In China, for instance, a country of 1.42b people, it has 1.5m police personnel policing over 1.4b citizens with landmass of over 9.5m km2. In other words, Chinas landmass is over ten times more than that of Nigerias 923,000 km2. With population of over 1.4b citizens, China has 150, 000 police officers for over 142m citizens; 15,000 for 14.2m and 1.500 for 1.42m citizens. Comparatively, Nigeria with a population of about 200m is policed by 300,000-370, 000 or 30,000-37,000 police officers for 20m citizens or 3,000-3,700 for 2m citizens. Compared with China, it shows clearly that more police personnel police lesser number of citizens in Nigeria than in China where lesser number of police officers police higher number of citizens. China is cited here because it is noted with the highest population of police personnel and land army or soldiers in the world. The country (China) had steadily cut down the size of its soldiers from about 6m in the past few decades to less than 3m-3.5m in recent times. This was done in response to evolution of ICT soldiering and policing; ensuring sophistication, efficiency and capability. In Russia, too, a country of 17.1km2 of landmass, the largest in the world; it has a total of 904,000 police personnel policing its internal large territory in addition to its population of 144.5m. Signed: For: Intl Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chair Obianuju Igboeli, Esq., Head of Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Comrade Samuel Kamanyaoku, Head of Field Data Collection & Documentation Contacts: WhatsApp/Phone: +2348174090052 Email: [email protected] Website: www.intersociety-ng.org AMSTERDAM, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation has awarded the Erasmus Prize 2020 to the British artist Grayson Perry. The theme of the Erasmus Prize this year is The power of the image in the digital era'. At a time when we are constantly bombarded with images, Perry has developed a unique visual language, demonstrating that art belongs to everybody and should not be an elitist affair. Perry receives the prize for the insightful way he tackles questions of beauty and craftsmanship while addressing wider social and cultural issues. One of the best-known British artists of today, Perry (b. 1960) employs a wide variety of techniques and materials. His works range from large woodcuts, tapestries and cast-iron sculptures to prints, dresses and even an entire house. In both challenging and charming the public, he often provokes humorous clashes between old and new, between acceptable and shocking. Perry calls himself "a tranny potter" and explores a climate in which people fear difference and retreat to the safe confines of their own group. Perry also engages with public life beyond the walls of the museum and art gallery. He has written and presented documentary programmes about class, taste, masculinity and identity, and has written accompanying books. His unbridled interest in decoding materials and meanings prompted a crowdsourcing project during the Brexit debate in which he called on British people to submit images of beloved objects and subjects. The similarity between the submissions from the 'remain' and 'leave' camps inspired two vases entitled Matching Pair. They illustrate Perry's ability to unite a divided public, showing us that art can be a platform for an open and inclusive debate. Grayson Perry won the 2003 Turner Prize and received a royal distinction (CBE) as well as a number of BAFTA awards for his documentary series, among them All In the Best Possible Taste (2013), about taste and social class in modern-day England, and Who Are You? (2014), about identity, which was accompanied by an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London. His documentary series All Man (2016) examines masculinity and gender stereotyping, which were also the subjects of his book The Descent of Man. Perry's work is held in museum collections all over the world, among them the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. In 2016 he had an exhibition at the Bonnefantenmuseum in Maastricht the Netherlands entitled 'Hold Your Beliefs Lightly' a slogan that powerfully expresses the common thread that runs through his work. To mark the presentation of the Erasmus Prize, the Foundation is organizing a varied programme of events related to Grayson Perry and the theme. The Erasmus Prize is awarded annually to a person or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to the humanities, the social sciences or the arts. His Majesty the King of the Netherlands is Patron of the Foundation. The Erasmus Prize consists of 150,000 in prize money. The prize will be presented in the autumn of 2020. www.erasmusprijs.org SOURCE Praemium Erasmianum Foundation Related Links http://www.erasmusprijs.org/ Guatemala City, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Feb, 2020 ) :Guatemala's Constitutional Court on Wednesday suspended the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court amid concerns over influence peddling. Prosecutors obtained a court ruling halting the election process for 26 candidates to the Supreme Court and another 270 to appeals courts. Judges at the Central American country's top courts are elected for four-year terms by the Congress. The Constitutional Court said in a statement that its ruling "temporarily suspends the act of election that would be carried out by the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala." Prosecutors cited meetings that several candidate judges had with a businessman, who is being held on corruption charges. The businessman, Gustavo Alejos, has been serving pre-trial detention at a hospital where the meetings took place. Prosecutors suspect the aim of the meetings, which also included lawmakers, was to manipulate the election of the judges. Spokeswoman Julia Barrera said the process of selecting judges did not comply with the requirements of "ability, suitability, honesty and integrity". Lawmakers have to elect 13 new judges to the Supreme Court, and 135 judges for the country's appeals courts as well as 90 alternates. Several international organizations, including the Washington Office for Latin America, had questioned the process and urged reform to avoid influence-peddling. Minh Nguyen, senior associate and head of dispute resolution practice at ACSV Legal At the end of last month, the prime minister issued Directive No.06/CT-TTg which set out a number of multifaceted measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. A few days later, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) issued Official Dispatch No.01/CD-LDTBXH requiring Vietnamese-based companies to temporarily cease accepting Chinese employees or employees from epidemic zones returning to work after the Lunar New Year holiday. If employees already had come back to Vietnam and resumed work, the employers must inform local health authorities of these cases and carry out health surveillance for such employees within 14 days after their entry into Vietnam. The MoLISA also ordered a temporary suspension on granting new work permits to expats coming to Vietnam from epidemic zones. The 2012 Labour Code imposes obligations on employers to keep employees updated on the status of occupational safety and hygiene at the workplace and to propose solutions to eliminate or minimise relevant health and safety risks at the workplace. It is therefore advisable that employers make an official announcement to all of their employees about the status of the epidemic and to take necessary measures at the workplace to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Due to the epidemic, a company may encounter a temporary shortage of labour force when its employees are infected or suspected to be infected with the coronavirus, and therefore cannot perform their jobs. In such an event, the 2012 Labour Code allows an employer to temporarily shift an employee to another position to fill the vacancies, provided that the assignment does not exceed 60 accumulated working days within a year, unless otherwise agreed by the employee. If an employee has to temporarily cease working because of an objective reason rather than the fault of the employer (for example due to the epidemic), the employer can negotiate a wage for work suspension with the employee, provided that such a wage is not lower than the regional minimum wage stipulated by the government. As for temporary recruitment, should an employee take a long leave due to the epidemic, the employer can recruit a temporary employee under a labour contract of less than 12 months to fill the vacancy. According to the 2012 Labour Code, an employer has the right to require an employee to work overtime any day to implement tasks to protect human lives in light of the epidemic and the employee cannot refuse. This entitlement will likely be invoked by companies operating in the healthcare or pharmacy businesses during the epidemic. Workplace accidents must also be taken into account. According to the 2012 code, a workplace accident is defined as an accident that has occurred during working hours in connection with job performance and causing bodily injuries or death. Defining arguments In the case of a workplace accident, a company is required to inter alia immediately report fatal cases or serious injury cases affecting at least two employees to the inspectorate body of local labour authorities and take the necessary actions to investigate mild injury cases or serious injury cases affecting only one employee; and be responsible for medical expenses of the affected employee(s) and/or compensate the affected employee(s) if the company is found at fault. Based on the definition of a workplace accident, one can argue that where an employee is infected with COVID-19 during working time this will be considered as a workplace accident. This argument might particularly be explored by employees working while in direct contact with infected patients such as nurses or doctors. If this argument succeeds, this will be a large financial burden on companies being considered at fault in letting employees be exposed to the virus during working hours. It is advisable for Vietnam-based companies to consult the labour authorities about this issue to envision possible legal risks arisen. The Labour Code allows an employer to unilaterally terminate the labour contract with an employee with three working days of advance notice when he or she is sick for a long time. This includes an employee being sick for 12 consecutive months in case of an indefinite-term labour contract, six consecutive months in case of a definite-term labour contract; and more than half of the contract term in case of a labour contract of less than 12 months, and remains unable to work after having received medical treatment. Accordingly, an employer may apply this provision when an employee is infected with and unable to resume work after a long period of time. Having said that, the employer must consider taking the employee back to work after they recover. An employee can unilaterally terminate the labour contract with the employer with three days of advanced notice if he or she is sick due to being infected with COVID-19 and remains unable to work after having received treatment for 90 consecutive days in case of a definite-term labour contract, or a quarter of the contract term in case of a labour contract of less than 12 months. If the employee is currently working under an indefinite-term labour contract, the advance notice period is 45 days. Benefits for employees The Ministry of Health announced on February 6 that infected people or infection suspects will receive free diagnosis, treatment, and medicine regardless of whether the person is a medical insurance cardholder or not. According to the 2014 Law on Social Insurance, when an employee is absent from work for treatment of the disease caused by the outbreak and such employee has been subscribed to a mandatory social insurance package, the employees monthly salary will be covered by the states social insurance fund at a standard ratio of 75 per cent of the salary of the preceding month before the sick leave. Save for certain exceptions, the maximum period for sickness allowance is from 30 to 70 days per year, subject to the nature of the employees job and the number of years the employee has contributed to the social insurance fund. An employee who has taken all sickness leave days, but has not yet recovered, is entitled to certain days of leave for convalescence within the first 30 days upon returning to work. The total number of convalescent leave days per year is from five to 10, subject to the decision of the employer and the trade union. Convalescence allowance will be equal to 30 per cent of the basic wage currently being about VND1.5 million ($65 per month) and will be calculated on a pro rata basis. Some terms that come to mind when thinking of COVID-19, which business owners and managers may like to invoke, include force majeure and impediment. In the 2015 Civil Code, force majeure is defined as an event which is objectively unforeseeable and is not able to be remedied by all permissible and possible necessary measures. Impediment is defined as a hindrance caused by objective circumstances which result in a person with civil rights or obligations not knowing that his or her lawful rights and interests have been infringed, not being able to exercise his or her rights or fulfil his or her civil obligations. Although the terms are very commonly used in commercial contracts, there is no exhaustive list under Vietnamese law describing all circumstances these terms cover. Therefore, the question of whether the epidemic and/or the resulting government restrictions constitute a force majeure or an impediment from a Vietnamese law perspective can only be answered after examining the specific wording of force majeure and/or impediment clause in the contract. The Fremont City Council advanced an ordinance that would solidify the Keene Memorial Library Board of Trustees status as an advisory board, despite opposition from several councilmembers and Library Director Tina Walker at its meeting Tuesday night. Mayor Scott Getzschman provided the overriding vote in the 5-4 decision to carry the ordinance into second reading. Council members Glen Ellis, Brad Yerger, Mark Jensen and Susan Jacobus voted against the ordinance. The ordinance would strike out language in the Fremont City Code that clarifies the hiring power of the board. The ordinance would remove a sentence in Chapter 3, Article 7 of the city code that said the board would have the power to appoint a librarian and to hire other employees as they deem necessary. In 1999, the city council adopted an ordinance giving the library board authority to appoint a librarian and all other employees. That ordinance was later changed in 2010, modifying the board to an advisory board. That final line of Article 7 remained in the city code despite the 2010 changes and a municipal code overhaul in 2013 that again described the library board as advisory. In December, City Attorney Tim Buckley recommended removing a sentence in Article 7, which he said should have been removed when the ordinance was amended in 2010. Yerger provided a separate, blended version of the ordinance that would allow the board to operate in a hybrid fashion. He said this would give the board hiring power. Yergers version of the ordinance would still require any personnel, administrative or compensation policies and procedures applying to a director or employee of the library to be approved by Getzschman and the city council. Its about trying to make sure we look out for whats best for the library going forward, Yerger said. In speaking with the board, its the belief that they should be self-empowered. Concern over a lack of authority was seen last fall when the board learned the library might not be allowed to hire a full-time information technology specialist. Walker said a verbal vote took place during a previous board meeting with Councilmembers Michael Kuhns and Jacobus present regarding the potential change. She said board members supported the change by a 3-1 vote. That vote wasnt taken officially, however, meaning there is no reflection of it in the boards minutes, Walker said. The board believes we should have the authority that all other boards have and they have the authority to hire their own staff, she said. I cant even interview people about library positions. This will help us fill those positions that were budgeted for and will help me get back to work, which I havent been able to do since October. Since the verbal vote wasnt reflected anywhere in the boards minutes, Councilmember Mark Legband said it was difficult for him to take Walkers word. Im sorry, I trust you and believe you, but theres nothing in writing to say who voted for it, he said. Walker said she would be willing to hold an official vote on the matter during a future meeting, but she said nothing would change. She added that she felt she was not involved in the decisions being made for the library. My input is not being included, Walker said. There is not a single person in this room who knows the library better than me and the fact that Im not being included in these discussions means something needs to change. Assistant City Administrator Shane Wimer said applicants have the opportunity to interview at the library as long as Walker requests it ahead of time. However, Walker said Wimers statement wasnt accurate. She said she approached human resources regarding the information technology position earlier in the year, only to find that the position had been blocked from moving forward. Additionally, Walker said all interviews must take place in the city building with an HR representative present. She said Wimer believes the position should be split 50-50 between part-time staff rather than hiring a full-time IT specialist. With the IT position, I have no authority, Walker said. I cant start the hiring process on my own. Thats when I found out it was being blocked. Walker said the lack of a full-time IT position has affected the work in the library. During the council meeting, she had to request an extension on the library boards annual report due to short staffing. Kuhns said the issue has become too emotional. He said he believes every member of the council wants to see whats best for the library, but that it is important the correct process is followed. Legal counsel has advised us to do that and Im going to stick with that, Kuhns said. Yerger made a motion to approve his version of the ordinance, which was seconded by Jacobus. The motion failed on a 4-4 tie, with McClain, Kuhns, Bechtel and Legband voting against the ordinance. The council also voted on a resolution that would allow for an open prayer period before meetings. The resolution was previously introduced during the Jan. 28 meeting, but was pushed forward so legal counsel could research the policy further. In his staff report, Yerger mentioned 2014 Supreme Court ruling Town of Greece v. Galloway, which was narrowly upheld by a vote of 5-4. The case decided that the Town of Greece, New York, could permit the use of voluntary chaplains for prayer before each legislative session. The court may have ruled in favor of holding prayer, but City Attorney Travis Jacott believed the decision was far from unanimous. The nature of the opinion was so split up, making it hard to decipher how the court would proceed if it were brought up again, he said. The plan sets the framework for the prayer policy and the procedure for seeking volunteers for offering invocation. The prayer session would start at 6:55 p.m. and last three minutes. Jensen has remained staunchly against the resolution since it was first introduced to be researched in November 2019. He said he has no problem with prayer, but his objection stems from a matter of policy in a government building. During the Jan. 28 meeting, Jensen added that a persons reluctance to participate in prayer would be on public display. They could feel, real or imagined, there might be repercussions if they dont participate, he said during the January meeting. I choose to honor my faith by not doing anything to make somebody of a different background than mine feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in any way. Jacott added that there would be no way to construct a foolproof policy that would prevent someone from pursuing litigation against the city council. I will agree with [Yerger] that its time to bring this to a vote, Jensen said. As far as Im concerned, its a solution looking for a problem. Yerger said this resolution was inspired by a request from the public. He added that the resolution could help put people in the right mindset for the meeting. It would go a long way to promote civility in our meetings, Yerger said. When I heard this request, I thought this was important and I believe vocalized invocation is the way to go. Jacobus introduced a motion to approve the resolution, which was seconded by Yerger. That motion failed 3-5, with McClain, Legband, Jensen, Ellis and Kuhns being the dissenting votes. Around 11:30 p.m., Legband introduced a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Councilmember Matt Bechtel. The motion carried 5-4, with Getzschman casting the deciding vote and Ellis, Yerger, Jensen and Jacobus dissenting. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg arrives on stage for the Democratic presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina on Feb. 25, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Bloomberg Not Sure on Charter Schools, Warren Talks About Education Secretary Choice Education policy had its moment when seven Democratic presidential primary contenders gathered on Tuesday night for another debate in Charleston, South Carolina. While most presidential hopefuls remained mostly unchanged on their positions on education, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg took a step back when asked if he would support the expansion of charter schools across the United States, saying that he was not sure whether promoting charters could be a universal solution or not. During the debate, moderator Bill Whitaker noted the poor academic performance of students in South Carolinas schools, citing last years National Assessment of Educational Progress report, which was described by the U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos as devastating. A key element of your response to failing schools in New York City was a dramatic increase in public charter schools, Whitaker told Bloomberg, who has a well-recorded history of enthusiastically supporting charter schools. As president, would you pursue that same strategy and seek to expand charter schools nationwide? Im not sure theyre appropriate every place, Bloomberg replied, adding that charters provided parents with an alternative, and that both charters and traditional public schools helped each other and were mixed in with each other. He also emphasized that New York Citys charter schools are also public schools. Bloombergs remark draws a contrast with what he said last year. During a speech to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), he expressed much confidence that what has succeeded in New York could also succeed elsewhere in America. In New York, we showed that when charters are granted carefully and overseen rigorously, the results can be incredibly impressive among millions of kids, giving them the opportunity to succeed in life and pursue their dreams, he said. And that model can work nationally. To Whitakers question, the remaining candidates mostly answered that they would rather spend tax money on failing traditional public schools than financing charters, a point some of them have repeatedly made along the campaign trail. My secretary of education will be someone who has taught in public school, said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), likely expressing her disapproval of Betsy DeVos, who has no teaching experience in public school classrooms. My secretary of education will be someone who believes in public education. And my secretary of education will believe that public dollars should stay in public schools. Ive got a plan to put $800 billion new federal dollars into our public schools, she said. Education is not free. We must invest in the future of our children. Warren promised last month during an Iowa rally that her nominee for secretary of education would have to first be approved by a 9-year-old transgender boy, in order to make sure that nominee is absolutely committed to creating a welcoming environment, a safe environment, and a full educational curriculum for everyone. PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, February 24, 2020, the President of Parliament, Mr. Rolando Brison met with Member of the European Parliament, Ms. Samira Rafaela and Members of the Second Chamber, Mr. Rob Jetten and Ms. Antje Diertens, all from the Dutch D66 party. During this meeting Member of the European Parliament, Ms. Rafaela adequately expressed the importance of learning and understanding the current situation on the island of Sint Maarten and gaining clear insight as to what is important to the people. She expressed her objective to develop a better relationship with Sint Maarten as the next generation wants things differently in the Kingdom of the Netherlands however, she explained, to move forward a change of mindset is required. Ms. Rafaela further stated, there is a great opportunity and potential to make things better. The President of Parliament, Mr. Rolando Brison expressed to the parties in attendance that Sint Maarten has gone through quite a shift overall as more young people have been coming into the fold not just in the political arena but across the business sector and the executive branch of Government. Mr. Brison further stated that he believed that the previous generation of leaders is more allowing and receptive to new leadership. Both parties agreed that more awareness is needed as to what OCTS are and what legislation is applicable to them. Parties also expressed willingness to provide ongoing support and agreed to maintain contact with each other. At the end of the meeting, the President of Parliament Rolando Brison expressed his sincere appreciation to Member of the European Parliament, Ms. Samira Rafael and the Members of the Second Chamber for the courtesy visit to the House of Parliament. A man wearing a face mask walks past a deliveryman as he waits outside a Starbucks store as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China February 7, 2020. Starbucks has reopened most of its cafes in China after temporarily closing them to stop the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. CEO Kevin Johnson wrote in a letter to employees on Thursday that the company has 85% of its stores open across China, including its Reserve Roastery in Shanghai. Starbucks has roughly 4,300 cafes in the Asian country, which is its second-largest market. "With the number of new cases in China slowing, we are seeing the early signs of a recovery in the region," Johnson wrote in the letter. The global coffee chain closed more than half of its Chinese cafes in January in response to the virus. The company did not share any updates on the expected financial impact of the temporary closures. Starbucks said in late January that it expects that the virus will "materially affect" its results for the fiscal second quarter and fiscal 2020. China accounted for 10% of Starbucks' revenue during its first quarter. Shares of Starbucks, which has a market value of $93.2 billion, were down 1.5% in afternoon trading amid broader market losses. [February 27, 2020] AttackIQ Recognized as a Microsoft Security 20/20 Partner Award Winner for Emerging ISV Disruptor AttackIQ?, the leading independent vendor of breach and attack simulation solutions, today announced it has been named a Microsoft (News - Alert) Security 20/20 award winner for the Emerging ISV Disruptor category. The company was honored among a global field of top Microsoft partners for demonstrating excellence in innovation, integration, and customer implementation with Microsoft technology. "We're thrilled to be recognized as a winner in the Microsoft Security 20/20 Partner Awards," said Brett Galloway (News - Alert), CEO of AttackIQ. "As a long-time partner of Microsoft, AttackIQ shares the belief that all organizations in the security landscape must work together in true collaboration to keep companies safe. Our platform was built with this collaboration in mind, allowing partners and customers to measure the efficacy of their security solutions against real-world threats and to identify gaps in coverage or configurations so they may be remediated before an attacker finds and exploits those weaknesses." At the inaugural Microsoft Security 20/20 partner awards, held February 23, winners were announced from 16 categories that span security integration partners, system integrators and managed security service providers. The Emerging ISV Disruptor category specifically honors partners who show growth potential and have innovative emerging capabilities. "Solving our mutual customers' security challenges is very much a team sport," said Andrew Conway, General Manager, Security Product Marketing, Microsoft Corp. "We are pleased to recognize these leaers in the ecosystem at Microsoft's inaugural security awards." In August 2019, AttackIQ announced the integration of its platform with Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP (News - Alert)) to help joint customers and prospects validate the configuration and security coverage provided. With convoluted configuration options available, validating security controls can be precarious for organizations. Together, AttackIQ and Microsoft have developed an effective test that allows companies to validate Microsoft Defender ATP deployments within a few minutes. Only through collaborations can organizations help customers get clarity and become more secure. The security ecosystem must work together to create a vision for the future where people, information, and companies are made safer. Microsoft Security 20/20 provides an opportunity to honor Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered exceptional Microsoft-based solutions and services during the past year. About AttackIQ AttackIQ, a leader in the emerging market of breach and attack simulation, built the industry's first platform that enables red and blue teams to test and measure the effectiveness of their security controls and staff. With an open platform, AttackIQ supports the MITRE ATT&CK framework, a curated knowledge base and model for cyber adversary behavior used for planning security improvements and verifying defenses work as expected. AttackIQ's platform is trusted by leading companies around the world. For more information visit http://www.attackiq.com/. Follow AttackIQ on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Vimeo, and YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005797/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Residents on Rockhill Road, worried about potential asbestos contamination from Rockhill Quarry, are among those calling for the permanent closure of the quarry. Read more When Dan Soliday was a kid in the 1960s, he and his friends sometimes played at the expansive quarry near his home in East Rockhill Township, Bucks County. Now, hes scared for his 3-year-old granddaughter to even play in his yard a quarter mile from the site. The rock in the quarry contains naturally occurring asbestos, regulators discovered in December 2018. As a new operator seeks to begin mining, crushing rock, and running an asphalt plant in the long-dormant Rockhill Quarry, residents like Soliday worry about asbestos dust being carried out on truck tires, settling on leaves or grass, and making its way into their lungs. Quarry operations at the site are temporarily banned until the state determines the risk of asbestos exposure. But last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection discovered the quarry operator, R.E. Pierson Materials, was moving rock materials around the quarry without authorization. And on Monday, a court in Doylestown is expected to begin considering the townships challenge to the planned asphalt plant. Residents plan to protest the quarry outside the Bucks County Courthouse. We know that there is asbestos in that rock, State Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D., Bucks) said at a news conference Friday with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Bucks), calling for the quarry to permanently close. A residential community has grown up around this site. We know that families day in and day out live their lives in close proximity. READ MORE: As reports of asbestos in Philly schools pile up, teachers union calls for rapid-response team in the district The quarry, in the northwest corner of the county, is the only one in the state known to have asbestos within such a heavily populated residential area, Santarsiero said. When disturbed, asbestos becomes airborne and can be inhaled; the fibers can cause mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer. The asbestos in the quarry can be released into the environment if the rock is broken, crushed, or frayed, the Pennsylvania Department of Health wrote in a Feb. 7 letter to local activists. Naturally occurring asbestos is best to be avoided and left alone," it said. Owned by Hanson Aggregates PA, the quarry opened in 1976. But for the last 30 years, it had been essentially dormant, and a neighborhood grew around it; 11,000 children attend school within a five-mile radius, activists said. In 2017, R.E. Pierson Materials became quarry operator with a contract for construction projects for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Its operating plans, including processing 1,000 tons of rock per hour, were approved, though its surface mining permit needs to be revised, according to the DEP. The township has appealed the approval of R.E. Piersons rock-crusher plan to the state environmental hearing board. Theres no safe level of breathing of asbestos. Whether its manufactured asbestos like you see in the schools throughout Philadelphia ... or naturally occurring asbestos, its all harmful, said Soliday, director of the community nonprofit Rockhill Environmental Preservation Alliance. He raised two sons with his wife in the East Rockhill home they bought in 1989. The state ban on quarry work will be in place until the DEP finishes its review. Last week, the DEP ordered the company to stop the unauthorized work. It is now considering penalties. Determining the risk of naturally occurring asbestos and the potential quarrying of it is the very question DEP is working to answer and why we issued a cessation order on the quarry until we have what we need to make that determination, said DEP spokesperson Virginia Cain. Hanson Aggregates, the quarry owner, has been ordered to retest its samples using a different methodology because its first samples yielded inconsistent results compared with the DEPs sampling. READ MORE: Missed asbestos, dangerous dust: How Philadelphias Ben Franklin H.S. project went wrong In a statement, Hanson said its testing has not found asbestos in air samples near the work area perimeter, and questioned the accuracy of claims by officials and residents. The presence of the asbestos does not specifically equate to an inhalation risk, said Jeff Sieg, a company spokesperson. There are no indications of unsafe levels of asbestos in the air, and no indications that employees or the surrounding community have been, or are currently, at risk due to the quarry. Sieg said the company is committed to its mitigation plan and wants to meet with Santarsiero and Fitzpatrick to show the stringent safety and environmental controls that are in place. Slavic Mokienko, vice president for R.E. Pierson Materials, the quarry operator, did not return a request for comment. At Fridays news conference, Fitzpatrick said the company was trying to take advantage of citizens who feel that they dont have a voice" and that he had been disappointed in its response to the issue from Hanson and other stakeholders. He has asked the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a geologic investigation, air sampling and monitoring, and a dust-control program to stop asbestos from being emitted or tracked into public areas. The EPA has previously said that it cant intervene because the quarry isnt in a residential area. Locals disagree. Pennsylvanias right to clean air is protected under the law, and blasting asbestos in a residential neighborhood would be a clear violation of those rights, Katie Zackon, a Rockhill Environmental Preservation Alliance leader, said at the news conference. The Bucks County Commissioners also called for the quarry to be closed in a Feb. 19 letter to the DEP and state Department of Health, saying the potential risk to workers and citizens was too great to allow operations at the quarry to continue. Australia's prime minister on Thursday said the country considered the new coronavirus to be a pandemic, going a step beyond the WHO as he extended a travel ban on visitors from China. Announcing a national emergency response plan to the contagion, Scott Morrison said he was considering "additional measures" for monitoring travellers arriving in the country. "We're effectively operating now on the basis that there is one -- a pandemic," Morrison said. "We believe the risk of a global pandemic is very much upon us." The World Health Organisation has stopped short of calling the virus a pandemic, even as the number of new infections outside China exceed those inside the hardest-hit country. More than 2,700 people have died in China and some 78,000 have been infected. There have been more than 50 deaths and 3,600 cases in dozens of other countries. The extended travel ban will come as a blow to Australian universities which stand to lose USD 2 billion in fees as tens of thousands of Chinese students are unable to take up places Down Under. Students stuck in China "have been provided with a range of options", said Catriona Jackson, chief executive of Universities Australia, which represents the sector. They include postponing start dates, delaying assessments, fee-free deferrals and accessing course content online. Australia has reported 22 infections, but none that were contracted or passed from person-to-person inside the country. Morrison's warning comes as he scrambles to burnish his leadership credentials after fierce criticism of his handling of the months-long bushfire crisis. His government is also embroiled in a deepening political scandal over the funnelling of taxpayer money into areas his coalition targeted in last year's election. One minister has already been forced to resign as a result. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A judge has dismissed concerns about WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's mental state and refused to let him to leave the dock and sit with his lawyers when his hearing resumes in May. Assange, 48, is fighting to avoid being sent to the US on 17 charges under the Espionage Act and conspiracy to commit computer intrusion after the publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011. He saluted supporters in the public gallery as the case was adjourned on Thursday afternoon after four days of legal argument at Woolwich Crown Court, which is sitting as a magistrates' court. Mark Summers QC, representing Assange, today made a formal application for him to be allowed to leave the glass-enclosed secure dock and sit with his lawyers to hear evidence when the case resumes. Assange, who lawyers said is taking medication, had complained that he was struggling to follow proceedings or have confidential conversations with his lawyers. Julian Assange is seen behind a thick glass screen - where he struggles to hear the legal proceedings against him Mr Summers told Judge Vanessa Baraitser: 'Mr Assange is a vulnerable person. You are aware of the psychological issues in this case.' But rejecting the application, Judge Vanessa Baraitser told Assange: 'I have not been told of any particular aspect of your condition which requires you to leave the dock and sit with your legal team.' The judge said other measures could be put in place to ensure he could participate, instruct lawyers and get a fair trial. Assange will next appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court by video-link for a short administrative hearing on March 25 before a case management hearing at Woolwich Crown Court, where he will appear in person on April 7. The extradition hearing will continue on May 18, with an expected three weeks of evidence, but a decision could take months and is likely to be appealed against by the losing side, whatever the outcome. Julian Assange (pictured in a prison van in April last year) is fighting to avoid being sent to the US on 17 charges under the Espionage Act and conspiracy to commit computer intrusion after the publication of hundreds of thousands of classified documents in 2010 and 2011 Julian Assange supporters protest outside Woolwich Crown Court in London, 26 February Assange is accused of encouraging Chelsea Manning to steal classified documents, which allegedly included a bid to crack a password 'hash' (a scrambled password) on US department of defence computers to anonymously access a classified network called the Secret Internet Protocol Network. His lawyers point to evidence given by Manning at her own 2013 court martial, which they say refutes these claims. Assange also claims he is being mistreated in Belmarsh Prison after being strip-searched twice, handcuffed 11 times and moved from cell-to-cell on the first day of his extradition case yesterday. Assange's main barrister, Edward Fitzgerald QC, complained about his client's treatment inside high-security Belmarsh prison yesterday, at the start of the second day of the hearing today. CLEVELAND Everything sold in Ohio City Provisions comes from within the states borders. The all-local butcher and grocer sells fresh-cut meats, eggs, milk, cheese and seasonally-available produce. Trevor Clatterbuck and Adam Lambert opened Ohio City Provisions in 2016, with the philosophy of providing not only local food, but honest, traceable and high quality food. Not all local is created equal, Clatterbuck said. Were not buying local just to buy local. We look at farming practices. You get a trusted, clean source. Were looking for quality. With the exception of a few of the cheeses, everything comes from 100 miles of the shop, on Lorain Avenue, in Cleveland. The beef, pork, chicken and turkey comes from Clatterbucks Holmes County farm, Wholesome Valley Farm. Ohio City Provisions is a seam butcher, meaning the meat is cut off the bone, along muscle groups. They make their own sausage and lunch meat in-house. What they dont get from Wholesome Valley Farm, they get from a network of regional farms. With a short supply chain, it puts more money back into the producers hand, and you can charge a fair price, Clatterbuck said. Straight to the source Clatterbuck doesnt have a background in agriculture. He grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia. He has degrees in political science and business management from Case Western Reserve University. While he was a senior at Case Western in 2008, he started Fresh Fork Market, a weekly subscription service for local foods. Subscribers pick up a bag of local goods produce, eggs, meat, dairy products and whole grains sourced from about 100 farms all over northeast Ohio at pick-up locations throughout the region. Clatterbuck said he started his first business because he saw a void in the marketplace. I saw it as an economic opportunity, he said. Then I fell in love with the industry. As Fresh Fork Market grew, he began getting more involved in the farming side of things. The demand for pasture-raised meats was increasing, so Clatterbuck began buying breeding stock. He started working with Wholesome Valley Farms, an Amish-run farm, to raise animals for his supply. He later bought the farm in July 2015, in anticipation of opening the Ohio City Provisions. He wanted to ensure a steady supply of meat and have more control over the operations. Around the same time, Clatterbuck and Lambert, a friend and chef, started talking about opening a butcher shop. They wanted to offer the same thing Clatterbuck did through his Fresh Fork Market, but knew not everyone wanted those foods in bulk. They leased their current spot in Ohio City and, after extensive renovations, Ohio City Provisions opened in November 2016. Cheese renaissance Retired chef Parker Bosley came in to beef up the selection of cheese in the shop. Bosley grew up on a dairy farm in Trumbull County. He studied cooking at the La Varenne School in Paris and ran his own restaurant, Parkers New American Bistro, in Cleveland, that focused on serving foods produced by local farmers for more than 20 years. Hes now mostly retired, except for the work he does cultivating a small network of Ohio cheese producers for Ohio City Provisions. The shop sells cheese from 11 cheesemakers, mostly small, farmstead operations where the cheese is made on the same farm where the animals are milked, farms like Old Forge Dairy, in Portage County, and Mayfield Road Creamery, in Ashtabula County. Read more: Old Forge Dairy in Portage County makes it work with just 10 cows Theres a renaissance going on right now in small scale dairy production in Ohio, Bosley said, and hes excited to be a part of it. When he buys cheese from Old Forge Dairy, he pays $10 a pound and all that money goes to the farmer. It doesnt get spread out to distributors and processors in the middle. That is very, very important, he said. I think its wonderful that someone can afford to be a small-scale, sustainable farmer, respect the environment, respect the livestock. Susan Morris, of Mayfield Road Creamery, said making cheese helped their struggling family dairy farm become viable again. They started making cheese in 2007, while milking about 40 cows. They werent sure if itd work, but it only took three years for it to become profitable. And having customers like Ohio City Provisions buying and marketing their product has been invaluable. Theyre not just interested in local. Theyre interested in quality. They want a product thats good, Morris said. A look inside Ohio City Provisions 1 of 6 The local cost Does good mean more expensive? Sometimes, but not always. Not everyone can afford cheese that is $18 a pound, like some of the farmstead cheeses sell for at the store. But grassfed beef that was raised at Clatterbucks farm is $6 a pound at Ohio City Provisions, the same price grassfed beef fetches at large grocery store chains. Many people think buying local means shelling out more money. Thats a damaging belief, especially for shops like Ohio City Provisions, Clatterbuck said. Sometimes we get treated as a luxury item. But were not, Clatterbuck said. Buying local is often times very affordable. Right now, many of their customers are city-dwellers who walk to the store several times a week to buy what they need for that nights dinner. But Clatterbuck wants suburban families and others to know that buying local is accessible. We want people to know they can come here, get good food that was raised well and not break the bank, Clatterbuck said. (Reporter Rachel Wagoner can be contacted at 800-837-3419 or rachel@farmanddairy.com.) She loves spilling the tea on Married At First Sight. But Hayley Vernon's latest comments are bound to land her in trouble with her very own network, Channel Nine. The boisterous bride spoiled the outcome of Sunday's upcoming commitment ceremony during an interview Fox FM's Fifi, Fev and Byron on Thursday - revealing that both she and 'husband' David Cannon are booted off the reality show. She explained to the breakfast TV hosts: 'It's a bit controversial what happens. I write "stay", but for the first time in the show's history they kick us off.' 'It's a bit controversial': Married At First Sight's Hayley Vernon is in trouble with Channel Nine after spoiling the results of the commitment ceremony on Fox FM's Fifi, Fev and Byron on Thursday Hayley said the pair were were kicked off because 'David has a whinge'. 'David made a deal with production that no matter what I wrote, that they would let him leave,' she explained. Meanwhile, David told the Not Here To Make Friends podcast that he had 'begged' the producers to let him go home. Going rogue: She explained to the breakfast hosts: 'I write "stay", but for the first time in the show's history they kick us off'. Hayley said that David made a deal with the producers to leave the show regardless of her decision to stay or leave the experiment 'I begged to go home, they wouldn't let me... So I made a deal that no matter what Hayley wrote (at the commitment ceremony), I would get to go home,' he said. 'They fed me lines of, you know, telling me "This relationship is toxic for me, it's toxic for Hayley, it's toxic for other couples" the truth was that I was on the verge of a mental breakdown. 'I made a deal with the executive producer that no matter what (Hayley) wrote, I'd get to go home. And they were the terms I agreed to stay.' Daily Mail Australia has approached Channel Nine for comment. 'The truth was that I was on the verge of a mental breakdown': Meanwhile, David told the Not Here To Make Friends podcast that he had 'begged' the producers to let him go home The teaser for Sunday night's commitment ceremony shows relationship expert John Aiken scolding a couple on the couch and calling their marriage 'beyond repair'. He tells the couple: 'This is a decision that we don't take lightly. For the first time ever, both of you now will leave the experiment.' Their relationship came to an end after it was revealed that David scrubbed their apartment toilet with Hayley's toothbrush. Cruel prank: Their relationship comes to an end after it was revealed that David scrubbed their apartment toilet with Hayley's toothbrush That scandal comes just after Hayley admitted to kissing Michael Goonan and betraying fellow bride Stacey Hampton. Michael and Hayley's relationship will also come under the microscope in the upcoming commitment ceremony. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine : A rowdy was on Thursday shot dead in an alleged police encounter near here. Bharath alias 'Slum' Bharath was arrested in Uttar Pradesh two days ago and brought to the city. In the morning, he was taken to various places where he had committed crime. Police said his accomplices got a whiff of his arrival and attacked their team, and Bharath allegedly fired at the policemen. One of the bullets from his illegal pistol hit a police inspector but he escaped due to the bullet-proof jacket he was wearing. Another bullet hit the police vehicle, and later the history-sheeter then fled in a car with his aides Soon an alert was sounded and police teams chased him. At Hesaraghatta, the police tried to intercept him but he once again opened fire. In retaliation, a police inspector shot two bullets, which hit him in his abdomen and leg, police added. A critically injured Bharat was taken to the Sapthagiri Hospital and from there to Victoria Hospital but on the way he breathed his last, police said. There were over 50 criminal cases registered against him including the charges of murder and attempt to murder, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size With the spread of the new coronavirus into dozens of countries, international travel is being hit hard. The COVID-19 outbreak has now hit Asia, the United States, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. Johns Hopkins University reported that as of Thursday 82,164 cases had been confirmed, leading to 2801 fatalities. But apart from the health risks posed by the illness, there are logistical headaches for some. Across the globe, travellers' plans are being thrown into doubt and many are wondering whether it's worth going overseas in the first place. What should you do if you've booked a trip? Can you recoup costs if you cancel? And what's a useful framework for thinking about travel at the moment? What should you do if you've already booked an overseas trip and you still want to go? First, check with your airline and insurance company. Many airlines have cancelled flights because of reduced demand or to halt the spread of the disease, with flights to and from Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and much of Europe affected. Flights are also being delayed in Asian transport hubs because of increased measures to screen passengers. Check you're not at risk of missing your connecting flight if you're transiting through other airports even if there are no restrictions on your particular service. Advertisement Chairs left empty at cafes in Venice this week as travellers stayed away. Credit:AP Qantas has suspended its two direct services between Australia and mainland China until March 29, due, it says, "to the entry restrictions imposed by countries including Singapore and the United States". It says customers with tickets issued on or before January 24 will have the option to cancel or rebook flights; and people with bookings between February 9 and March 29 should speak to the airline and their original booking agent. There's no certainty beyond that anyone with tickets for travel in April, May and beyond will simply have to keep checking in with their airline and insurer, and the Australian government's Smartraveller website. It's highly recommended that you check the status of the country you're heading to and any country you might transit through to get there regularly before you go. Smartraveller also has a handy list of things to check before you go, if that's what you decide to do. It recommends talking to your doctor before you travel, particularly if you are, or are travelling with, elderly or pregnant people. Babies and people with compromised immune systems are also more at risk of contracting illnesses including COVID-19. Will travel insurance cover you for any coronavirus-related losses? That depends when you booked, and with whom. While every insurance company is different, most follow a basic rule of thumb they won't cover you for a risk you should have been aware of before you bought your policy. This is called a "known event" clause. Advertisement Chinese authorities cut off Wuhan from the outside world on January 23, and the World Health Organisation declared the new coronavirus a global health emergency on January 30. Loading As such, most insurers assume travellers should have known about the risks posed by coronavirus by January 21 to 23 for travel to China (policies differ), and by January 31 for travel to other countries. It's worth checking the fine print for any tickets and insurance you've bought before those dates, but also worth bearing in mind that many insurance companies won't cover customers for any coronavirus-related losses for policies bought after those dates. Choice travel expert Jodi Bird says most Australian airlines have their own cancellation policies. For example, if you had an airline booking to South Korea and the Australian government raised its risk level to "do not travel" to South Korea, you should be able to reschedule flights, or secure a credit for another trip. Insurance is likely to be another matter, however. "We're not aware of any insurance companies that will cover coronavirus claims as of now," he says. Mr Bird recommends that if people are contacting their insurer they do so either on the phone (phone calls to insurance companies are recorded) or via email. The consumer group has compiled a thorough list of advice about what rights travellers have in the midst of the crisis. It includes a list of which insurers will cover people for losses incurred due to epidemics and pandemics. Advertisement A man looks out on Hong Kong's Victoria Habour from the near-empty Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, which is usually bustling with tourists. Credit:Getty Images Can you change your mind about travelling? Intrepid Travel chief executive James Thornton says while Australians are some of the most adventurous in the world, his customers have shown real concern. "Around half of inquiries to our call centre are coronavirus related." Generally speaking, you won't get your money refunded by your insurer if you decide travelling is too hard and too risky at the moment unless you are booked to fly somewhere the Australian government has designated a "do not travel" destination. You can, however, try to negotiate with your airline. What about accommodation? According to Choice, Australian consumer law covers accommodation booked from Australia, including Airbnb. Booking sites should also be subject to Australian consumer laws, which offer some protection, particularly in the event of an epidemic or pandemic. If authorities warn tourists that travel to a particular region is no longer safe, Australians should be able to cancel accommodation with no fees or strings attached. Should you risk travelling if you feel unwell? Advertisement No. A number of Asian airports, including Hong Kong and and Singapore, are screening passengers passing through even those transiting to connecting flights and those who appear unwell could be taken into quarantine. Allow extra time to get through temperature testing and other screening measures at airports too. What happens if you contract the coronavirus and your insurance won't cover you? Australia holds reciprocal healthcare agreements with 11 countries, so that Australians in need of healthcare can be treated subject to certain conditions. Anyone who gets sick in other countries could find themselves coming home with a hefty medical bill. Loading How do you assess the risks of travel? Many people find it "really hard" to make decisions in conditions of uncertainty, says Macquarie University associate psychology professor Mel Taylor. "The difficulty here with the great uncertainty springs from the potential for many different negative consequences that could occur if we decide to travel, and we don't have enough information in this current COVID-19 pre-pandemic situation to be able to consider the relative probabilities of these different outcomes," Dr Taylor says. Advertisement After SP MP Azam Khan and his wife was sent to seven-day judicial custody in a forgery case, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Keshav Prasad Maurya on Thursday said that granting or denying bail to someone is under the ambit of courts. "Blaming the government for everything has become the nature of the Samajwadi Party. What has happened on the orders of the court, for which SP MP Azam Khan and his wife went to court to seek bail...whether the bail has to be granted or denied is under the ambit of courts. If he could not get bail in a case, then (going to) jail is a system. We too have gone to jail. He has also gone to jail," Maurya told ANI. Azam Khan, his wife Tanzeen Fatima and son Abdullah Azam were sent to seven-day judicial custody in a forgery case after they surrendered in a Rampur court on Wednesday. The court slated the matter for hearing on March 2. "Today, during the hearing, Azam Khan submitted a letter of surrender. 17 cases against him were heard in the court today. While he was granted bail in four cases, he was sent to judicial custody in some others," special counsel Ajay Tiwari had said. Tiwari had said that the family members were sent to jail in cases of forgery and criminal intimidation. A local court in Uttar Pradesh had last month issued a non-bailable warrant against the SP lawmaker. Over 80 cases have been registered against Azam Khan, many of which are about land encroachment by Mohammad Ali Jauhar University. Azam Khan, an MP from Rampur, is the varsity's chancellor. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Qatars ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of Qatari and Kuwaiti citizens from Iran due to the spreading of the coronavirus COVID-19, Trend reports citing Reuters. On Wednesday, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said that Iran had no plans to quarantine any cities and districts in response to the countrys coronavirus outbreak. The virus had killed 19 people in Iran until now and infected 139 others, the health ministry announced. A Laois primary school is calling for urgent repairs to its building backed by Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley. Scoil Mhuire NS in Abbeyleix held a public meeting last Tuesday night February 25 where both staff and parents called for repairs. While it has a modern extension, an engineers report commissioned by the school has confirmed serious building problems. Complete reroofing is necessary, the flashing around all skylights is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. The electrical system is unsafe the report said. It is substandard and dangerous work is visible. The ceilings have evidence of leaks from the flat roof. This is a major concern and an electrical hazard, safety issue. The building needs complete replumbing. As plumbing is outdated and in poor condition causing rising dampness and mould, re-plumbing of entire building is necessary. Heating system requires immediate attention. Not all systems were functional at time of inspection. Oil burner should be routinely checked by a professional heating technician," the engineers report said. Deputy Stanley said it should be an urgent matter for the Department of Education. The Department must move as a matter of urgency to address the severe problems in Scoil Mhuire Abbeyleix. The conditions that the 316 pupils and their teachers are enduring on a daily basis are intolerable and require immediate action," he said. He said the school is using state funding meant for daily use to pay for building repairs. "The Board of Management have been desperately trying to keep repairs carried out to the building, including occasionally patching of the roof and covering the cost by using the School Capitation Grant. This is meant for the day to day running of the school, not carrying out building repairs," he said. Some funding has this week been confirmed for a roof repair. "I have been in contact with the Department of Education at a number of different levels, to have funding approved and earlier this week they gave the go ahead for roof repairs on one section of the school. This is inadequate as there are also other immediate problems to be addressed with the sewerage system, plumbing and electrics," Dep Stanley said. He wants a plan started for new classrooms. "Both parents and staff that attended the public meeting are rightly demanding that remedial works are carried out. In the longer term the school classrooms need to be replaced. A site to the rear of the school is ideally positioned to cater for the 16 new classrooms required. I am requesting that the new Minister for Education meet with a deputation from the school with a view to getting Scoil Mhuire on the school building programme. The issue was first highlighted by parents at a pre-election public meeting in Portlaoise. Parents outlined how staff have to use plastic containers to catch leaks in several classrooms. They said toilets are overflowing, and there is inadequate insulation and heating. Americans have become increasingly familiar with Chinas aggressive theft of U.S. intellectual property. And whether its Huawei stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile, or a Chinese aviation company stealing the designs of 13 different aerospace companies, a clear pattern has emerged. Beijing is engaged in a massive, persistent attempt to obtain hard-won American technologies through any means necessary. But now, as a new FBI investigation has revealed, China is even attempting to steal medical and biological property from U.S. labs and hospitals. In one recent incident, a researcher named Zaosong Zheng was apprehended at Bostons Logan Airport. According to FBI officials, Zheng was attempting to travel to Beijing with vials stolen from a Harvard cancer research lab. Investigators subsequently learned that two other Harvard researchers, Lei Liu and Leina Mo, had successfully smuggled biological material to China. The Zheng case is far from unique, and China is now actively targeting U.S. laboratories. In response, the National Institutes for Health (NIH) and the FBI have begun a nationwide review of medical schools and hospitals to investigate individuals potentially stealing U.S. research. The FBI is currently investigating roughly 180 different scientists who have received grants from the NIH. A key concern is Beijings Thousand Talents program, which pays scientists to contribute to Chinas technological know-how. In one case, a U.S. researcher received a $75,000 payment as a likely bonus from Beijing for bringing research to China in violation of U.S. law. In another case, the FBI learned of a researcher attempting to steal biological samples, if he could figure out how to get a dozen tubes of frozen DNA onto an airplane. Arguably the most significant investigation came last month at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Two Moffitt executives and four researchers resigned over compliance violations that linked them to Chinas Thousand Talents program. Florida state representative Chris Sprowls summarized the issue: To accept vast sums of public moneystate and federaland then have the CEO and other employees secretly accepting money from China violates the public trust. U.S. taxpayers should be concerned because the NIH budget runs to $39 billion annually. Its the worlds largest funder of biomedical research, supporting 300,000 researchers at more than 2,500 institutions. Last year, Harvard Medical School received $80 million through 152 different grants; Tampas Moffitt Center received grants worth $46 million. Moffitt is one of Americas top ten cancer institutes, with 49 U.S. patents and 127 licensing agreements. Thanks to efforts like the Thousand Talents program, China is successfully targeting U.S. biomedical research. And that means U.S. taxpayers are paying for lab work that could end up in China. This is doubly problematic since the United States is already dependent on China for supplies of generic drugs. Blatant biomedical IP theft raises the prospect of China gaining leadership in cutting-edge healthcare treatments, genetic technologies, and pharmaceuticals. With such a broad, pervasive campaign to steal medical research, fundamental reforms are needed. Too many universities still hold naive views of global cooperation. But with Chinas aggressive attempts at IP theft, this can easily turn into blatant exploitation of U.S. research, hard work, and medical breakthroughs. And thats an unacceptable price for medical safety. Jeff Ferry is Chief Economist at the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA). Follow him on Twitter at @menloferry Disney has decided to remove a kissing scene from its $200million live-action adaptation of Mulan after their Chinese executives thought it was inappropriate for their audiences, it has been revealed. An early cut of the film featured a romantic scene in which Mulan shared a kiss with her love interest, Chen Honghui. But the production team eventually deleted the scene after reviewing the movie with Chinese audiences and local executives, the film's director Niki Caro told the press. Disney has decided to remove a kissing scene from its $200million live-action adaptation of Mulan after their Chinese executives thought it was inappropriate for their audiences Mulan is a Chinese folktale about a fearless young woman disguising herself as a man to save her ailing father from joining the marching army against the northern invaders in China Liu Yifei was seen as titular character, Hua Mulan, in the Mulan trailer released by Disney 'It was very beautiful, but the China office went, "No, you can't, that doesn't feel right to the Chinese people." So we took it out.' Caro said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Disney has also confirmed that the scene was cut from all versions. Mulan is based on a traditional Chinese folktale about a fearless young woman disguising herself as a man to save her ailing father from joining the marching army against the northern invaders in China. Disney first released its classic animated version of the story in 1998 before remaking Mulan as a live-action film. The picture shows a scene from Disney's Mulan remake which is due to release in March, 2020 Outrage was sparked after the leading actress, Liu Yifei, voiced support for Hong Kong police Liu Yifei is pictured attending a Tissot event in Shanghai. She is also the leading star in Mulan The upcoming remake has sparked a series of controversies before its scheduled release in March this year. Many called for a boycott after the leading actress, Liu Yifei, voiced support for authorities' crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The Chinese-American star, 32, shared a political post on the Chinese Twitter-like Weibo. Liu Yifei, a Chinese-American actress, plays the young woman Mulan in its live-action remake The actress is pictured attending Jackie Chan International Action Film Week in Shanxi, China The picture shows Mulan having a meal with her family in the multi-million live-action remake The leading actress, Liu Yifei posted a message on Chinese Twitter-like Weibo supporting Hong Kong police. The message led to a hashtag #BoycottMulan to trend on social media Her message which fans deemed to support police brutality in Hong Kong led to a hashtag #BoycottMulan, and it became trending online. Another flood of outrage was sparked after one of the characters from the animated film of Mulan, Li Shang, was removed from the new film. It is believed that this happened after Li, who is Mulan's commander and the eventual love interest, was interpreted by fans as bisexual in its original animated version. Another flood of outrage was sparked after one of the characters from the animated film of Mulan, Li Shang, was removed from its upcoming remake. He was replaced by a new character Disney first released an animated version in 1998 before remaking Mulan as a live-action film Li was replaced by a new character, Chen Honghui, who became Mulan's new lover. Mulan is scheduled to release in the UK and US on March 27. New Delhi, Feb 27 : The government has hit back hard and gave point by point rebuttal after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Prianka Gandhi Vadra raised questions over the transfer of Justice Muralidhar. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad called the transfer of Justice Muralidhar a "routine" affair. He explained, "Transfer of Hon'ble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge, his consent is taken. The well settled process has been followed." Hitting back hard at the Gandhis who earlier called the transfer "deplorable", the law minister alleged that by politicising the issue, Congress has displayed its "scant regard for the judiciary". He connected it with the party's dismal electoral performance and added, "People of India have rejected the Congress and hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them." Earlier, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted: "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certainly sad & shameful." Making a case for independence of judiciary, she went on to allege, "Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the government's attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable." Ravi Shankar Prasad minced no word in his reply. "We respect independence of judiciary. Record of Congress in compromising independence of judiciary, superseding judges even of Supreme Court during Emergency is well known. They rejoice only when the judgment is of their liking otherwise raise questions on the institutions itself," he alleged. Answering to Rahul Gandhi raking up the Judge Loya issue over this matter, Prasad cited Supreme Court order. Without mentioning Rahul Gandhi's name, the law minister asked, "The Loya judgement has been well settled by the Supreme Court. Those raising questions do not respect the judgment of the apex court pronounced after elaborate arguments. Does Rahul Gandhi consider himself above the Supreme Court?" The row that broke out after the Ministry of Law and Justice on Wednesday transferred Justice S. Muralidhar of the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on a day he came down heavily on the centre, the government appeared to be as unsparing as the opposition. Taking a personal dig at the Gandhis, the Law Minister responded, "The Party, which is the private property of one family, has no right to lecture about objectionable speeches. The family & its cronies have routinely used the harshest words against the Courts, the Army, the CAG, the PM and the people of India." Recently, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the transfer of Justice Muralidhar to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Though the transfer was procedural but the day of the government's issuance of notification has sparked off a political row, with the government refusing to let the allegations go unanswered. For years, experts have warned that Donald Trump has been squandering the credibility he could need in a moment of national emergency, like a terrorist attack or a public health crisis Washington: When Hurricane Dorian crashed into the Atlantic Coast in September, President Donald Trump assumed a take-charge role in response. But he undermined his own effectiveness after it became apparent that before displaying a map in front of the television cameras in the Oval Office, he had altered it with a Sharpie pen to match his inaccurate forecast of where the storm was headed. For years, experts have warned that Trump has been squandering the credibility he could need in a moment of national emergency, like a terrorist attack or a public health crisis. Now, as the coronavirus races across the globe and has begun to threaten the United States, Trump could face a moment of reckoning. Maintaining a calm and orderly response during an epidemic, in which countless lives could be at stake, requires that the president be a reliable public messenger. I think the president has a unique opportunity to dispel fears and calm the situation if people believe he is telling the truth, said Kathleen Sebelius, who served as secretary of health and human services during the Barack Obama administration. And I think thats really where a great disconnect occurs. On Wednesday evening, Trump delivered an almost casual account of the administrations response to the coronavirus, leaving it to the experts appearing with him to relay the real information and assure a jittery public. Still, he kept trying to suggest the risk was low. We will see what happens, the president said as he addressed the nation. But we are very, very ready for this, for anything. Trump said that Johns Hopkins University rated the United States No 1 for being prepared, holding up a chart printed on a sheet of paper. This will end, he said, comparing the coronavirus to the everyday flu. We really have done a very good job. During a crisis, presidents are looked to for direct and honest assessments of threats and for reassurance to the public about their impact. During the swine flu outbreak of 1976, then-president Gerald Ford announced during a news conference that the government planned to vaccinate every man, woman and child in the United States. Ford himself was photographed receiving the vaccine in the White House as part of a public awareness campaign. Responding to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014, Obama visited the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta to announce that the administration would send as many as 3,000 people to the region. Trump, in contrast, contradicted his own health experts in a news conference Wednesday evening, insisting that the spread of the virus was not inevitable, and excoriating two of his favorite foils, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, for trying to create a panic. For three-and-a-half years, Trump has repeatedly proved an unreliable narrator on a range of subjects. At times, he has exaggerated threats, like talking up the caravans of migrants he claimed were storming the southern border before the 2018 midterm elections. Other times, he has minimised potentially serious dangers that could be politically damaging, like the renewed nuclear threat posed by North Korea after the failure of his talks with its leader, Kim Jong-un, and now, the global spread of the coronavirus, which he has persistently tried to play down. In his response to the coronavirus, Trump has made inaccurate or questionable claims, twice misstating the number of Americans infected with the virus and insisting that it miraculously goes away when warmer spring weather arrives a prediction that health experts have said is premature. He based that prediction on a comment made at one of his briefings, when an expert noted that temperatures can affect the spread of viruses. Trump has used that data point as evidence in saying in public and in private to guests at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, that the global outbreak will be behind him by April. The president, as he often does, has also focused on coverage of his response, complaining that he is being treated unfairly and blaming the news media. If the virus disappeared tomorrow, they would say we did a really poor, and even incompetent, job, he tweeted on Tuesday. Not fair, but it is what it is. So far, by the way, we have not had one death. Lets keep it that way! Before he took office, Trump was an outspoken critic of the Obama administrations handling of the Ebola outbreak, arguing that infected people should not be allowed back into the United States. Current Trump allies said the fact that the president chose to address the growing public health crisis quickly after returning from a trip to India showed how seriously he was taking the outbreak. But privately, they say he has been reluctant to give in to what he has called an alarmist view of the virus potential to cause damage as he warily watches the effect of the outbreak on the stock market. He has been rattled by the Wall Street reaction to the spread of the virus in places like Italy, lashing out at the news media in tweets and accusing journalists of intentionally trying to harm the stock market. And polls show that Trumps credibility with much of the United States is low after an impeachment inquiry in which a majority of voters said they did not believe that he was telling the truth about his actions involving Ukraine. Federal health officials had been bracing for the arrival of the virus in the country with minimal intervention by the White House. As Ebola presented both a health and political threat to his administration in 2014, Obama carefully hewed to proven science, which he repeatedly invoked in his carefully calibrated public messages. We have to be guided by the science. We have to remember the basic facts, he said in an October 2014 radio message. Trump, in contrast, has not been focused on scientific detail. The secretary of health and human services, Alex Azar, has told officials they should give the notoriously impatient president simple, paint-by-numbers briefings on coronavirus. But a larger fear among experts in the field has been that he would contradict scientific experts. Thats where Trump is most pernicious, potentially, said Ron Klain, who served as Obamas Ebola czar, and now is an advisor to the presidential campaign of former vice-president Joe Biden. When he contradicts those experts, when he suggests they have biases, or when he intimidates them not to be straight, thats when the risk really grows. As Trump faces this emergency, his history of issuing false claims could make it harder to sell the public on any plans to address coronavirus. When youre trying to build trust in the governments response, people have to have trust, said Leslie Dach, a senior counselor at health and human services during the Ebola outbreak. Making false promises and them turning out not to be true undermines peoples confidence, Dach said. He pointed to Trumps claim this month about the virus that, We did shut it down, yes. As recently as this week, the president appeared to simply want to put the coronavirus response in his rearview mirror. I think thats a problem thats going to go away, he said in remarks Tuesday to a group of business leaders in New Delhi. On Wednesday, before Trumps news conference, his allies on television and radio appeared to be speaking to the proverbial audience of one as they sought to give their unsolicited advice to the president. Jason Miller, a top advisor to Trumps 2016 campaign who hosts a podcast that is currently focused on the coronavirus, tweeted that the president had to make clear full administration working around the clock on this, and explain in everyday, laymans terms what we need to both do and avoid to remain safe. On Fox News, daytime hosts noted the news conference presented an opportunity for him to act presidential. Trump, however, chose to conduct the news conference his own way. It is what it is, he said of the potential for a virus with a higher fatality rate than the flu to spread through communities. Weve got the greatest people in the world. Annie Karni, Michael Crowley and Maggie Haberman c.2020 The New York Times Company Security token platform Dusk Network says it will tokenize shares for thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Netherlands and the broader Benelux region. The Amsterdam-based company announced Thursday it has partnered with Firm24, one of the regions largest shareholder registries, and will use blockchain for an automated infrastructure that could introduce market efficiencies and transform how shares, that are not publicly listed, are traded. Blockchain infrastructure provider LTO Network will also provide an interface between Dusk and Firm24 to link off-chain activities to the blockchain system and manage procedures that require approval from a notary. Related: Australian Soccer Club Calls Off Purchase Deal With Controversial Crypto Company Dusk Networks business lead and director, Jelle Pol, told CoinDesk there were clear advantages in moving shareholder registries and operations onto a distributed ledger. For example, tokenization creates a new secondary market for investors to trade shares and having all the information in one place makes it easier for companies to monitor who owns their shares. Across the board, were definitely seeing these efficiency gains and especially also on the corporate side, the amount of data that theyre able to leverage additionally just opens up more custom-tailored services, Pol explained. Shareholder registries are essentially records of all the individuals and entities that own shares in a particular company and are supposed to be updated on an ongoing basis. However, that can be a laborious process, and in the EU notaries were required to sign off whenever share ownership records changed. Although the process has significantly improved in recent years, with notaries placed in a more supervisory position, there are still recurring problems in keeping track of who owns company equity. For smaller companies that arent publicly listed, paying out dividends and organizing shareholder votes can be next to impossible. Story continues Related: Binance-Backed FTX Exchange Seeks Billion-Dollar Valuation in Equity Token Sale This is a problem that Firm24, which has more than 35,000 SMEs from Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (known as the Benelux region), hopes to address with the new partnership. As many smaller companies arent publicly listed on exchanges, trades that take place in the secondary market happen privately. Cap table management breaks down because no one, not even the issuer, is made aware these trades have taken place. Even when they are recorded, they usually use a different notary which makes it hard to create and maintain a single source of truth. For almost a decade we have been bringing automation to everything related to the company incorporation procedure, said Firm24 CEO Martijn Migchelsen. Thanks to Dusk and LTO we are now ready to deploy our Tokenized Share Register, automating corporate actions, and lay the foundation to connect our customers directly with the world of alternative finance. Pol said that in initial discussions with Firm24 they had initially envisaged Dusk as an administrative mirror. But as they started playing around with it, other potential use cases arose. As well as cap table management, the firms also realized they could create tokenized representatives of share certificates that could be freely tradable on the platform. Tokenization either a representative of paper equity or a fully digitalized security creates significant cost and time efficiencies, Pol said. Dusk estimates SMEs can save anywhere between 20-30 percent on costs associated with the production and distribution of documentation and proposals. In the case of dividend payouts, blockchain technology can take costs down by as much as 90 percent. Dusk could tokenize stock for public companies, but Pol suggested SMEs had the most to gain from using blockchain technology. One of the key challenges brought up by SMEs is the difficulty in accessing new capital. Tokenization, Pol said, can broaden the investor pool, allowing companies to raise funds from retail investors and institutions outside of their immediate network. A Dusk spokesperson said the company expects the platform to go live in Q2 2020. After that it plans to tokenize as many as 10,000 newly incorporated companies by the years end, as well as start work on tokenizing an estimated 25,000 companies that are already incorporated. Registered firms are able to opt out of the scheme if they choose. Related Stories Photo: The Canadian Press Canada has rolled out new measures to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, but federal officials insisted Thursday the rules won't lead to more fishing closures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence or the Bay of Fundy. The changes are needed because the whales' migration patterns in Canadian waters have become difficult to predict, Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan told a news conference on Parliament Hill. "It's extremely important that we look after the North Atlantic right whale (because) it's an endangered species, partly due to human activity," Jordan said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "We recognize that putting measures in place are going to be critical to maintaining that species." Jordan said the new rules, which build on changes made since 2017, are aimed at reducing the main causes for the whales' population decline: ship strikes and entanglements with fishing gear. Since June 2017, an unusually large number of right whales have died, reducing the population in the North Atlantic to about 400 animals and prompting warnings that the species is on its way to extinction. In 2017, a total of 17 dead whales were found, 12 of them in Canadian waters. The following year, three dead whales were found in U.S. waters, and in 2019, nine dead whales were spotted in Canadian waters, and one in the United States. That's a total of 30 dead whales in the past three years 21 in Canada and nine in the United States. To prevent entanglements, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will use a new, dynamic system for fishing closures when whales are spotted or heard in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy. Unlike the static, season-long closures imposed in the past, fisheries officials will now declare closures in areas where whales are detected more than once in 15 days. Those areas, which will each measure 2,000 square kilometres, will remain closed to fishing until Nov. 15. "What we're doing is actually tracking where the whales are, and then we will close it almost in a grid around the whale as it moves, so that we're not closing off a full area," Jordan said. "That's something that's going to be extremely important to our fish harvesters because they have more ability to know where things are going to be, instead of closing off one big area." Once an area is closed, fishermen must remove all of their fixed fishing gear, such as lobster and crab traps. As well, the department confirmed Thursday it will expand the use of this type of closure into the Bay of Fundy, in response to a larger number of right whales returning to the bay last year. Another new measure calls for improved gear-marking. Lobster and crab fishermen will be required to mark all of their ropes to show what fishery they are being used for and where. The new markings will help officials and marine mammal researchers determine where entanglements have taken place. Meanwhile, Transport Canada says vessels longer than 13 metres will be required to comply with new rules to reduce ship strikes, including new speed limits for a vast area off northeastern New Brunswick and south of Anticosti Island. A new voluntary speed limit of 10 knots will be imposed in the Cabot Strait between April 28 and June 15, though it remains unclear how this rule will affect the ferry service that links Nova Scotia with Newfoundland. The voluntary limit will resume between Oct. 1 to Nov. 15 as the whales move out of the gulf. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 23:40:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A leading group of China's COVID-19 response on Thursday called for sending more advanced medical resources, especially life support system ECMOs, to Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic. The group, headed by Premier Li Keqiang, demanded further efforts to treat the severely ill COVID-19 patients to reduce mortality in Hubei, particularly in its capital city of Wuhan. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presided over the meeting. Precise prevention and control measures for key groups should be implemented, said the meeting. Despite a significant drop in the ratio of severely ill among confirmed cases recently, the number remains large, mostly in Hubei, the meeting said. According to the National Health Commission, there were still 7,984 severe cases in Hubei, including 7,049 in Wuhan, as of the end of Wednesday. "A prominent task of current containment is to strengthen treatment for the severely ill," the meeting said. The meeting stressed the work to ensure sufficient supply of daily necessities in Wuhan and Hubei, and to guarantee basic living conditions for people including non-Hubei residents who have been stranded in the province due to the suspension of transportation. Opening dates of the new semester for colleges, primary and secondary schools as well as kindergartens should, in principle, continue to be postponed, according to the meeting. The meeting also stressed cooperation with the World Health Organization and relevant countries and regions to continuously expand the positive trend in the prevention and control work, adding that cooperation in diagnosis and treatment plans and research on drug and vaccine development should be strengthened. Joint control measures with the international community should be adopted to effectively prevent imported and exported epidemic cases amid the cross-border movement of people, the meeting said. Wang Huning, also 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 National Green Tribunal on Thursday suspended the environmental clearance granted to the construction of a housing complex adjacent to the Delhi University campus and constituted a committee to study the viability of the project. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said there was no application of mind by the State Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) while granting the environmental clearance (EC). Applying the "precautionary principle" of environmental law, the NGT on January 8 had directed Young Builders (P) Ltd in north Delhi that no construction activity should be carried out. "We find merit in the contention on behalf of the appellant that there was hardly any application of mind by SEIAA to the available data and to the impact of the project on environment, before granting EC. To give effect to Sustainable Development and Precautionary principles, EC cannot be granted without such assessment and evaluation, which is also known as 'Carrying Capacity Assessment'. "Such assessment becomes all the more necessary when the available data shows that environmental norms are in excess of prescribed parameters," the bench said. The tribunal formed a committee comprising representative from the ministry, senior scientists from the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Central Ground Water Board, Central Pollution Control Board, representatives of National Disaster Management Authority, School of Planning and Architecture and senior scientists from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and G B Pant Institute, Almora and IIT Kanpur. First meeting of the committee may be held preferably within two weeks from Thursday, the tribunal said. It also made it clear that its order of status quo on construction of a housing complex will remain in force. The NGT said it is difficult to uphold sustainability of the project in terms of carrying capacity and permissibility of grant of EC without a proper assessment which has not been done. "While prima facie the project does not appear to be viable for the reasons already mentioned, we are of the view that least which ought to be done is to suspend the EC, consequential Consent to Establish and further activities of the project proponent and have an independent evaluation conducted in the interest of and public health," it said. The tribunal said the data furnished by the project proponent itself shows that air quality in the area has no carrying capacity to permit any additive load in terms ambient air. "In absence thereof, permitting a project adding to load of pollution will be against the Sustainable Development and Precautionary principles which are tenets of right to life. Similar is the position with regard to noise levels and traffic congestion," the bench said adding EC has been granted mechanically. "Considering that carrying capacity of the area to sustain such high rise building has not been conducted and that the air and noise levels are already beyond permissible limits, the building is located very close to reserve forest, river Yamuna, premier educational institutions and hospitals and areas with high traffic density, we find it difficult to hold that there is application of mind in granting the EC. "We are of the view that sustainability of this project was required to be evaluated by undertaking carrying capacity assessment," the tribunal said. The tribunal had passed the order on a plea by the Delhi University challenging the environmental clearance granted to a housing project by Young Builders (P) Ltd in north Delhi. The plea challenged the order of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority granting environmental clearance for the housing complex located at 1 and 3 Cavalry Lane and 4 Chhatra Marg at Civil Lines here. It said EC could be granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and not by SEIAA as the project is within 10 km from a critically polluted area, notified by CPCB. "Najafgarh, Naraina, Wazirpur and Anand Parbat are critically polluted areas. The project is in Silence Zone being within 100 m from Delhi University and Patel Chest Institute. The area is in water scarcity zone. The sulphate content of groundwater is above the specified limit. "As per the project proponent's own report, the project is susceptible to subsidence and liquefaction during major earthquake. Geo-Technical investigation needs to be carried out which has not been done. Traffic plans and congestion filed by the project proponent with the application is based on the statistics of July 2011," the plea said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The reboot of the iconic 1987 release, Mr. India has ruffled many feathers. After Sonam Kapoor voicing out her dismay, it is now the director of the film, Sherkhar Kapoor, who has expressed his shock on not being consulted for the project. Ever since the announcement was made on social media, there has been a lot of discussion about why the creators were not informed before taking up a project which is a cult classic now. Even though Sonam Kapoor later clarified that her father Anil Kapoor did have a word with Boney Kapoor, Shekhar Kapur is upset that no one even bothered to consult him before announcing the project. Speaking on this subject, Shekhar Kapur told a daily, "Where is the director's ownership on the material he has created? It [the reboot] is based on what I have created. Now, I am in touch with lawyers all over the world to [tackle] the issue. It's about creating a new understanding of the creative authorship of the principal director of a film. [The model] is [followed] in many nations of the world, including Australia, and the US. As the director, I am the prime author of the movie. I must have rights to the future remake of the film created by me. This calls for a change in the constitutional copyright laws. This is not about Mr. India anymore." The director is well aware that in India producers own the rights of the film, he added, "The poster reads Surinder Kapoor's Mr. India produced by Boney Kapoor. His father was the original producer." The director further reveled that he had reached out to Boney Kapoor when the reboot was announced. "[When I questioned him], he said nothing is set in stone. Anil was equally disturbed that he didn't know about it," Kapur said. Well, only time will tell how this story unfolds. Crimea wants Indian companies and entrepreneurs to invest and set up their businesses in the peninsula, its Deputy Prime Minister Georgy Muradov said on Thursday. Crimea's strategic location in the Black Sea can help India to accelerate bilateral trade with Russia as well, he said. Muradov, who is reportedly on a "working visit" to India along with his minister Irina Kivikov and other government functionaries, also said Crimea with the help of investment from Russia has made "tremendous" economic and social progress in the last few years. Since last few years, the Republic of Crimea has made tremendous economic and social development with investments from the Russian Federation. Crimea is one of the Russian largest tourist hubs, Muradov said in his keynote address at an industry even here. "The rapid infrastructure growth with social and economic development and the establishment of the innovative and investment-attractive economy has enabled the peninsular region of Crimea to become an important growth region of Russia," he said. "Its strategic location in the black sea can help India to accelerate bilateral trade with Russia," he added. The bilateral trade currently stands at around USD 11 billion. However, India and Russia are looking to increase it to USD 30 billion by 2025. Crimea on Thursday also invited Indian companies and entrepreneurs to invest and set up their businesses in the peninsula, saying its government offers a host of economic incentives and benefits for the promotion of trade and industry. "In 2018, Crimea attracted an investment of USD 290 billion. The government of Crimea is committed to attract investments in the Peninsula and is offering multiple incentives," Kivikov said in her address. These include huge land tax and income tax benefits, she said adding, besides the thrust on start-ups and SMEs have helped the economy to grow rapidly. "In the last five years, more than 1,200 investors have been registered in Crimea and have invested over USD 300 billion," he added. She invited Indian businesses to establish their business operations in the free economic zone to take "advantage" of Crimea's progressive economic policies. "One of the competitive advantages of the Republic of Crimea is a high level of diversification of the economy, which is widely represented by industry, agriculture and services," said Natalia Serova, Director of Southern Regional Export Support, Republic of Crimea. "The tourism industry as a whole makes a significant contribution to our economy. The establishment of three Indian tourist-friendly hotels is an important step to boost tourism from India. In addition to this, our government provides special incentives to women entrepreneurs," She said apart from tourism, the government has put a special thrust on pharmaceutical, heavy industries and logistics sectors as well, she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) However, Mr Fadnavis said that the Sena leader is only trying to divert attention from the Veer Savarkar issue. Mumbai: Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray Wednesday demanded an apology from former chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis over his remarks asking the Shiv Sena to wear bangles. Aaditya said that many strong women wear bangles and hence, it should not be ridiculed. However, Mr Fadnavis said that the Sena leader is only trying to divert attention from the Veer Savarkar issue. The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly asked the question following the Senas silence over a communal remark by AIMIM leader Waris Pathan. Mr Fadnavis said that the Sena may have worn bangles but the BJP would not keep quiet about the issue. Addressing a rally at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai Tuesday, the BJP leader said that he is unable to understand what is happening under the watch of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government helmed by the Sena. The Sena may have worn bangles on the issue. In fact, women dont like the use of the phrase wearing bangles, hence, I will not use that phrase. The Sena may have been tight-lipped on the issue, but we will not keep quiet. Taking note of Mr Fadnaviss comment, Aaditya expressed anger on his Twitter handle seeking an apology from Mr Fadnavis. Shri @Dev_Fadnavis ji, normally I choose not to retaliate. Kindly apologise about the bangles comment: bangles are worn by the strongest of all the women. Politics can go on, but we need to change this discourse. Rather disgraceful coming from a former CM (sic), he tweeted Wednesday. When Mr Fadnavis was questioned about Aadityas demand for an apology, the former said, I have very categorically said that nobody likes the wearing bangles remark. Therefore, I did not use this phrase. I have said that they have kept their mouth shut. If Aaditya has heard my speech completely, he would not have demanded an apology. According to the Migration Service of Japan, there are about 2,000 citizens of Ukraine in the country According to the Migration Service of Japan, there are about 2,000 Ukrainian citizens in the countrys territory. There is no information about the infected among the people who are listed, except for the crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise liner. This was reported by UNN with reference to the response of the Ukraine's Embassy in Japan to the information request. "According to the Migration Service of Japan, there are about 2,000 Ukrainian citizens in the country. Almost half of them are registered at a consular account at the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan," the diplomat said. The diplomats reminded that the citizens of Ukraine should go to medical institutions in case there are signs of respiratory diseases. "Information about the infected citizens of Ukraine, except for the crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise liner, is not available. Ukrainian citizens who have been infected and are in hospitals will be released after the results of the two tests are negative and Japanese doctors make a decision on their discharge," the statement reads. As we reported earlier, the fourth passenger from the Diamond Princess cruise liner, which was quarantined at off the coast in Japan, has died after testing positive for the new coronavirus. He was a Japanese man in his 80s. House of Penance review: 'an inspired and creepy take on one of America's lesser-known eccentrics' If you like Crimson Peak, you'll love House of Penance Taking care of someone with dementia is specialized work. For most family caregivers, caregiving itself is a new role, one for which training is needed, just as you would train for any new job. The Creating Confident Caregivers program at Midland's Senior Services Center helps families caring for their relatives better understand the changes their loved ones are experiencing and how to best provide individualized care for their relative throughout the progression of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. The hospital is meticulously tracing anyone who may have come into contact with the woman there, and monitoring scores of staff members who may have been exposed, Brewer said in a statement. She added that staffers who had direct contact with the patient have been tested for the virus and are on paid leave, tracking their health at home. So far, there have been no positive tests, she said. General view of the financial districts skyline of the Canary Wharf, London on November 18, 2019. (Photo by Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images) US oil giant Chevron (CVX) on Tuesday told around 300 staff based at its London office to work from home amid fears that one of its employees has contracted coronavirus. The move will raise fears about the spread of coronavirus in the UK, where only 13 people have been affected by the virus thus far. Chevrons office in the UK capital is located at Canary Wharf, the bustling and densely populated financial district. The employee, who is experiencing flu-like symptoms, recently returned from abroad, and has been sent for testing, according to the Financial Times. Read more: European stocks sink again as coronavirus panic deepens Chevron continues to monitor the situation very closely, utilising the guidance of international and local health authorities, Chevron said in a statement, noting that it would not provide personal details about the employee. Our primary concern is the health and safety of our employees and we are taking precautionary measures to reduce their risk of exposure. It is our policy to not provide details of our employees. Canary Wharf, Londons second-largest financial district, has a daily working population of 120,000 people. Five additional European countries on Tuesday reported new coronavirus cases linked to the outbreak in Italy. Spain, Austria, Croatia, Switzerland, and France all reported new infections, while there have been over 320 cases and 10 deaths in Italy, which has become an epicentre of the virus in Europe. CORONAVIRUS: PUBLIC INFORMATION Today Professor Chris Whitty @CMO_England has issued updated advice for travellers returning to the UK from specific areas affected by #coronavirus For the latest information, visit: https://t.co/rmGB2edxaN Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) February 25, 2020 The UK Foreign Office has now warned against all but essential travel to the quarantined towns in the country, and said that anyone returning from those towns must self-isolate. Story continues Englands chief medical officer said that the UK may have to curb travel and consider school closures if the spread of the virus accelerates across Europe. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK The department said Wednesday that it would conduct compliance reviews of K-12 schools and school districts. Officials did not say how many they planned to conduct but said they would originate in all 12 of the departments regional offices. A spokeswoman said districts would be chosen based on data collection and reports of problems from parents, the news media and others. Bill de Blasio has accused Mike Bloomberg of having 'no clue what everyday people go through' and said the Democratic candidate made 'racist' comments about his stop and frisk policies towards minorities. The New York City Mayor referenced a speech his predecessor made in 2015 in which he described how police targeted minorities who had to be thrown 'up against the wall' to be disarmed. De Blasio told Fox News that Bloomberg was 'totally out of touch with the people of his own city' when he made the comments to the Aspen Institute in which he defended his controversial stop and frisk policies. Bloomberg was heard in the tape from 2015 saying: 'We put all the cops in minority neighborhoods. Yes, that's true. Why do we do it? Because that's where all the crime is. 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 went on to say that 'the way you get the guns out of the kids' hands is to throw them up against the wall and frisk them'. Last night Bloomberg's successor to the post of New York mayor, de Blasio, denounced the comments as 'racist'. Bill de Blasio said Mike Bloomberg's 2015 comments about his stop and frisk policies as New York mayor were 'racist' Appearing on Fox News, current New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Bloomberg was 'totally out of touch with the people of his own city' Host Sean Hannity asked the Democrat, who previously dropped out of the race to win the presidential nomination: 'Is that [Bloomberg's remarks] racist to you?' He replied: 'Oh sure, Sean. And thank you for playing that for your millions of viewers, because now more people get to see who Mike Bloomberg really is.' De Blasio added that because of Bloomberg's expansion of stop and frisk use during his time in office from 2002 to 2013, it made policing in minority areas much harder. He added: 'He [Bloomberg] is totally out of touch with the people of his own city when he says that [his 2015 comments]. It's derogatory, it's unfair, it's not truthful. 'But on top of that, what happened? It made it harder for the police and the community to communicate and be on the same page. 'It created tons of pain for parents, grandparents, trying to bring up their kids the right way. 'Look, if you're stopped, your'e a law abiding guy your whole life, you're a young person, and you're stopped and frisked over and over again. Imagine what that does to someone? Mayor Bill de Blasio with Dr Oxiris Barbot, commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, yesterday Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg during the South Carolina Democratic debate in Charleston on Tuesday 'It takes away any sense of self-esteem or self-confidence. Look what happened, people came to him - clergy, elected officials - and said ''please, this isn't working it's hurting us''. He disdained them, he dismissed them.' The current New York mayor told Hannity that in the six years since the policy was stopped crime went down and more police were put on the streets. De Blasio, who endorsed Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination, also slammed Bloomberg as someone who is part of the 'elite' and who cannot relate to 'everyday people'. He added: 'When you watch Michael Bloomberg on that debate stage, he's got no clue what everyday people are going through. He doesn't care to know. 'When he was mayor here, if you tried to talk about what's happening in neighborhoods, what was happening to everyday people, all he could think about was that elite he comes from.' Bloomberg apologized earlier this month for the comments he made, saying hie heart 'was in the right place' in his efforts to reduce murders in the city. He said in an interview with his Bloomberg media company: 'I apologize. I own it. And there's nothing I'm going to live with it. 'My heart, I think, was in the right place of trying to do something of reducing murders but the police I didn't pay as much attention to them as I should have. And you know, I apologize.' Candidates including former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Sen. Bernie Sanders, talking after a Democratic presidential primary debate at the Gaillard Center on Tuesday In his previous Aspen Institute speech, Bloomberg claimed the fear of getting caught during stop and frisk initiatives led to guns being 'left at home'. He said: 'They are male, minorities, 16-25. That's true in New York, that's true in virtually every city 'And that's where the real crime is. You've got to get the guns out of the hands of people that are getting killed,' he said. 'So one of the unintended consequences is people say, ''Oh my God, you are arresting kids for marijuana that are all minorities''. Yes, that's true. Why? Because we put all the cops in minority neighborhoods,' Bloomberg said. 'Why do we do it? Because that's where all the crime is. And the way you get the guns out of the kids' hands is to throw them up against the wall and frisk them...And then they start...''Oh I don't want to get caught''. So they don't bring the gun. They still have a gun, but they leave it at home.' Bloomberg has spent the most out of all the Democratic presidential hopefuls, dropping $377 million on 444,000 ads since entering the race just three months ago. He goes into Super Tuesday in Texas having spent more than $100 million on the airwaves combined in Texas and California with over $13.5 million on television ads around Houston alone. I am not a big fan of Bill Hagerty, the early front-runner to replace Lamar Alexander as Tennessees next Senator, because I dislike the thought of six more years with a partisan puppet. Hagerty was in Chattanooga earlier this week to tell the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club how loyal he is to President Donald Trump, how much he enjoys laughing at the Democrats presidential field yet in every account I read, Hagerty has offered no clue of what voting for him would benefit Tennessee. I dont want a Trump Senator, I want a Tennessee Senator. I dont want a Republican puppet who will sacrifice his thought process on behalf of his GOP handlers. Hagerty left no doubt he would stand with Trump, when the voters of this state want a Senator who will stand with us. Marsha Blackburn, our other Senator, is already answering to the heckle of Moscow Marsha. But Hagertys biggest mistake was to call Democratic candidate Mike Bloomberg Mini-Mike, this due to the fact the third-richest man in the world stands 5-foot-8. When you are a critic, there are some honorable and tight boundaries. One should never criticize a candidates family; they are not running for office and, in due respect, should never be criticized for anothers actions. If Bloombergs height is an affront to anyone, take that up with God Bloomberg had nothing to do with how tall hes become. If you fault somebody for something beyond their control, you are not only a poor writer but a rube as well. If you foolishly taunt Bloomberg because it was Trump who first offered the moniker to initiate the smear, be careful how you follow him because if the President were to take a sharp change-of-direction while walking, following too close can snap your neck. Im on record in endorsing Manny Sethi, a Vanderbilt trauma surgeon who last year came in on his off day to tend to me when I was in a tight with infections. Mannys folks are from India and came to rural Middle Tennessee when other doctors would not. They were a Godsend to the communities around Manchester and were soon beloved. Why? Because they would come to help and heal 365 days a year. Again, Manny came on his off day. In a talk not long ago, he mentioned no Democrats while praising the President for acting quickly with emergency funding for the coronavirus. Had you rather hear an expedient plan for COVID-19 or giggle over Mini-Mike? Sethi was quick with his diagnosis: We have a massive international crisis brewing, and need something as bold and ambitious as a Manhattan Project-style effort to combat it. I appreciate President Trumps stand to defend Americans from this contagion. Congress must act quickly and give him what he has asked for, without politicizing the issue by adding extraneous requests to the emergency funding bill that have nothing to do with the coronavirus. We must stop listening to the Wall Street elites, who are more worried about not spooking the markets and their pocketbooks, than they are about protecting Americans. And we must start listening to the doctors and researchers who have been sounding the alarm on this. Lets direct every resource available at developing an accurate, reliable screening test capable of identifying virus victims quickly, and stopping them from unknowingly spreading the virus, Sethi continued. Time is not on our side we need thousands of researchers working on this around-the-clock, which means Congress must give the President the funding he needs to fight this crisis, the physician who is a proven veteran in a crisis added. It is my sincere hope and prayer that this crisis ends being less terrifying than it looks right now. But hope isnt a strategy we need our leaders to take every step we can to protect Americans and be prepared. This is the Senator Tennessee needs. Hes in it for us, and the fact Sethi is not a puppet is how to hold Trump accountable in his second term. The view today according to Las Vegas oddsmakers is that the Democratic Party is out of control. They are racing around like headless chickens, a ship with no rudder. Further, a Socialist president will not get elected in the United States, I can guarantee it, and if the other Dem candidates are all lagging behind so badly they cant catch Bernie, there you have the 2020 election. The Democratic candidates for Senator in Tennessee are even worse. So if I were a progressive Democrat faced without a winning horse, I would defy Trump by voting in the Republican primary and picking Sethi -- who is going to need votes not in lockstep with the state GOP in order to represent all Tennesseans instead of an avowed Trump Senator who doesnt give those in this state a passing glance. Sethi has bearing in the Republican Party but he swears he will never be a party loyalist. Instead he will use his own thoughts, virtues, and character to work for all Tennesseans. Sethi is the only way a Democrat in Tennessee will ever be heard versus a Republican who says hell side with Trump on every issue. Its a no-brainer. You want a Trump Senator or a Tennessee Senator? * * * MANNY SETHIS 8 STEPS TO CONTROL CORONAVIRUS IN TENNESSEE Manny is a Harvard-trained trauma surgeon and obviously hes given the COVID-19 epidemic some serious thought. If he were already a Tennessee Senator, here are eight steps he would insist for the Volunteer State: * -- No forced resettlement. Protect states from forced resettlement of coronavirus patients by the federal government. Any quarantine of coronavirus patients in any state must be approved by local and state officials, and the federal government must coordinate with the community surrounding a quarantine site. * -- Emergency funding to get thousands of researchers working on testing of an accurate PCR-based screening test for rapid diagnosis. The current diagnostic test has been validated at only a handful of public health laboratories and its accuracy is problematic at best. An accurate diagnostic test, available to state and local public health labs, is imperative, as well as coordination between all hospitals and the closest public health lab. * -- Ensure coordination between the Center for Disease Control and state and local health facilities to assure a clear and transparent reporting system which can provide a timely basis for quarantine decisions. * -- Emergency funding to bolster and hasten the development and testing of an effective and safe vaccine. * -- Increase surveillance and border security to ensure persons who are either (a) potentially exposed and at risk of infection or (b) potentially already infected are appropriately evaluated and triaged. * -- National preparation within hospitals to create sufficient capacity in case the needs arises for hospital admission. Current estimates are that approximately 80% of COVID-19 patients have mild disease; of the approximately 20% with more severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization, approximately 5% require intensive care. * -- International collaboration among clinicians knowledgeable on COVID-19 to determine the most effective treatments, including controlled clinical trials of anti-virals. * -- Development of an accurate antibody test to assist in the assessment of vaccine immunogenicity as well as to provide essential seroepidemiologic data including the role of asymptomatic cases in transmission of the virus. * * * FROM CHRISTIAN WHITON, WRITING ON NATONALINTEREST.ORG In Tennessee, Bill Hagerty, 60, is running for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Lamar Alexander. Hagerty held a senior position on Trumps presidential transition and helped U.S. Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer negotiate the new farmer-friendly trade deal with Japan after Trump-appointed Hagerty ambassador. Trump actually beat Hagerty in announcing his own campaign, which the president did without warning via Twitter. While Tennessee consistently votes Republican in presidential and Senate races, Hagerty represents a change from more passive figures like Alexander and Bob Corker, who left the Senate last year and was often critical of Trump. Hagerty has made clear he will be an activist senator, joining the states other senator, Marsha Blackburn, in actively promoting the Trump agenda. * * * Ill vote for a Tennessee Senator over a Trump-controlled insider bureaucrat every time. As one reader put it, We will never drain the swamp in DC if we keep supporting swamp creatures for office. royexum@aol.com 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. (Newser) Global opera star Placido Domingo has canceled his upcoming performances at one of Spain's main opera houses as officials and music venues in the tenor's home country reassess their ties after he apologized for sexually harassing women over the course of two decades. A statement from the Teatro Real in Madrid said that Domingo himself had taken the step of canceling his part in the upcoming La Traviata, with five shows scheduled in May, ahead of a meeting on Thursday in which the venue's patrons were to decide on his case. Domingo "won't be taking part in the upcoming production of La Traviata that opens in May," said the brief statement. The theater, it added, "reaffirms in its policy of zero tolerance of harassment and abuse of any kind, and in its permanent solidarity with the victims." story continues below On Wednesday, the Spanish government canceled two other upcoming performances by Domingo in the capital, making Spain the first country in Europe to cancel on the megastar since the allegations from women surfaced last year in the US, the AP reports. The Culture Ministry said the cancellation was in support of the women who have accused the tenor of misconduct. A day earlier Domingo said he accepted "full responsibility" for his actions and apologized for "the hurt" he had cause women in response to an investigation by the main US union representing opera performers that found the opera star had behaved inappropriately when he held senior management positions at the Washington National Opera and Los Angeles Opera. (Read more Placido Domingo stories.) Iran's Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Masoumeh Ebtekar has tested positive for the coronavirus, an official said on Thursday. Speaking to Iran's official IRNA news agency, Ebtekar's adviser Fariba Ibtihaj said the vice president tested positive for COVID-19, Daily Sabah reports. "Everyone in the vice president's team was also tested and the results will be available on Saturday," she said. Ebtekar had attended a cabinet meeting on Feb. 26, where she was sitting only a couple of meters from President Hassan Rouhani and other government officials. Ebtekar is not the first high-ranking Iranian official to contract the virus. On Tuesday, Iran's Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi the head of the government task force to contain the outbreak and another lawmaker, Mahmoud Sadeghi, tested positive for the coronavirus. Another official who tested positive for the virus was Mujtaba Zunnour, head of the countrys parliament national security and foreign policy committee. Britain's Court of Appeal on Thursday ruled in favour of green campaigners who oppose the building of a third runway at London's Heathrow airport, Europe's busiest. The court said the UK government -- which in 2018 approved the Heathrow extension -- had failed to take into account its commitments to the Paris Agreement to limit climate warming. The legal action against the approval was brought by various London councils, environmental groups including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. They lost at an original hearing in May. In a summary, judge Keith Lindblom said the Conservative government under then-prime minister Theresa May gave no explanation of how it took into account the 2015 Paris accord -- which seeks to cap climate warming to less than two degrees Celsius. "The Paris Agreement ought to have been taken into account... and an explanation given as to how it was taken into account, but it was not," Lord Justice Lindblom said. The judge added that the government did not oppose its declaration -- and had not sought permission to appeal to London's Supreme Court. In 2015 while he was London mayor, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to "lie down in front of... bulldozers and stop the construction" of a third runway, citing environmental as well as aesthetic concerns. Johnson may still have to make an official decision on scrapping the project, however, after Heathrow airport -- which is owned by a consortium led by Spanish construction giant Ferrovial -- declared it would appeal Thursday's ruling. Khan welcomed of Thursday's landmark legal victory. "We won! Today we blocked the Tory government plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport," the London mayor said. "Today's judgement is a major victory for all Londoners who are passionate about tackling the climate emergency and cleaning up our air." John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, called on Johnson to now formally axe the plans. "Boris Johnson should now put Heathrow out of its misery and cancel the third runway once and for all. No ifs, no buts, no lies, no U-turns," Sauven said. Prior to the ruling, building of the third runway had been expected to start in 2022 and take four years. Johnson, who wants big infrastructure projects to help drive Britain's post-Brexit economy, earlier this month gave his backing to the high-speed railway link HS2, dismissing soaring costs. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A New Jersey teenager is helping shelter dogs and cats get adopted one homemade bow tie at a time. Sir Darius Brown, 13, was born with a fine motor skill delay, so when he was eight years old his mother, Joy Brown, thought it would be useful for him to begin working with his hands. His sister, Dazhai Shearz, was a hair stylist and at the time was making her own hair bows. Sir Darius wanted to be just like her, so his mother had the idea that he could become her assistant, helping her cut fabric and eventually using the sewing machine. PHOTO: Sir Darius Brown says he decided to start helping dogs after he saw animals coming to New York shelters after Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. (Courtesy Joy Brown) When Shearz realized her brother wouldnt get much use out of hair bows, she gave him a strap and encouraged him to try making it into a bow tie. He started sewing bow ties together and wearing his own creations. (MORE: Kids read holiday 'tails' at shelter to help get dogs adopted) In 2017, two years after Sir Darius began making his own bow ties, Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma struck Texas and Florida. Sir Darius saw the damage through a telethon and asked his mother if they could send money to help the families who were impacted. PHOTO: Sir Darius Brown learned to sew because of his older sister Dazhai, who is a hairstylist and used to sew hair bows. (Courtesy Joy Brown) Brown explained that she didnt have the means to donate a significant amount of money, and told her son that if he wanted to help he would need to get creative. Sir Darius saw online videos of animals who were being shipped to shelters near him from Florida and Texas following the hurricanes, and decided that his bow ties would be his creative way to help. (MORE: This adorable rescue cat is going viral for her resemblance to Baby Yoda) At first I didnt get it, Brown said. But then he explained that he could donate his bow ties to the shelters and if the dogs wear them theyll be looking cute and dapper and people will want to adopt them. PHOTO: Sir Darius Brown says that it takes him about 30 minutes to make each bowtie. He estimates he has made 400 to 500 over the years. (Courtesy Joy Brown) Brown told her son it was a great idea and he soon brought his first batch of bow ties to their local ASPCA. It was during that visit he learned that some shelters euthanize animals if they arent adopted, and Sir Darius decided he wanted to help as many animals as he could. Story continues (MORE: Kansas City man moves in with shelter dog, plans to stay there until she gets adopted) Sir Darius began to make 10 to 15 bow ties a week, each bow tie taking around 30 minutes to make on his sewing machine at home. Sir Darius makes the majority of the bow ties on the weekend, so it doesnt interfere with his school work. The more bow ties he donated, the more demand came from shelters wanting them. Brown set up a GoFundMe account for her son so they could raise money for more fabric. PHOTO: Sir Darius Brown says he hopes his bow ties will make shelter dogs look cute in their photos and help them find forever homes. (Courtesy Joy Brown) In the summer of 2019, instead of just shipping the bow ties, Sir Darius and his mom visited seven states and delivered bow ties to shelters in need. At first its sad seeing the dogs in their cages, Sir Darius said. But I just keep reminding myself that I am doing this to help. Since Sir Darius began his bow tie initiative, he estimates he has made 400 to 500 bow ties and has helped more than 100 animals find their forever home. PHOTO: Sir Darius Brown says he hopes the dogs that he helps get adopted 'get a home in a place they're loved and they'll have the best life.' (Courtesy Joy Brown) Hes amazing. I really think I want to be like him when I grow up, Brown says. Hes selfless. He just gives from his heart. Sir Darius hopes to one day travel to all 50 states to personally donate his bow ties to shelters all over the country. I want to help as many dogs as I possibly can and to continue to give back to others, Sir Darius said. I want to inspire the youth to give back to the community as well, and use your passion to help others. 13-year-old boy sews bow ties in adorable effort to help shelter animals get adopted originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com On 28 February 1980 the people of Andalucia voted in a referendum to make the region an autonomous community with devolved powers from central government. Sixty-two per cent of the electorate, or 2.84 million people, turned out to cast their votes; of them, 55.4 per cent voted in favour of creating the autonomous region, while 3.4 per cent voted against and 36.2 per cent abstained. The remaining five per cent corresponded to unmarked or spoiled ballot papers. The vote would go on to pave the way for the creation of institutions such as the Junta de Andalucia, the regional government which oversees the eight provinces that make up Andalucia (Huelva, Cadiz, Seville, Malaga, Jaen, Granada, Cordoba and Almeria). The first steps for autonomy in different regions in Spain was included as Article 143 and 151 of the 1978 Spanish constitution, which was written as Spain transitioned into becoming a democracy after the death of Franco in November 1975. On 4 December 1978, the then 11 political parties which had emerged across Andalucia since the end of Franco's one-party regime met in Antequera where they signed Andalucia pact (pacto autonomico andaluz) or the Pacto de Antequera as it became known. This step paved the way for the referendum. Andalucia had existed as an area before 28 February 1980, but the referendum gave it a regional government with responsibility for areas as important as education and the health service. The status had already been granted to the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia under the 1978 constitution. Andalucia's flag consists of three equal horizontal bars. The top and lower stripes are dark green and the middle stripe is white. Andalucia's coat of arms is at the centre of the flag and bears an image of the mythical Greek hero Heracles between two columns; the Pillars of Heracles. The pillars are also said to represent the rocks on either side of the Strait of Gibraltar. Today is a regional holiday and official events will be taking place across the whole of Andalucia to celebrate. On a more positive note, Mr. Kosuth said that evidence from China suggested that children were more resilient to the coronavirus than adults were. In Miami-Dade County, Fla., Alberto M. Carvalho, superintendent of one of the nations largest school districts, said his systems preparation for hurricanes put it at an advantage in preparing for the coronavirus. The district has provided laptops, tablets and smartphones for some students to take home, as well as internet connectivity for some low-income students. Teachers would be asked to assign work remotely and could even teach some high school courses live online. I was a bit surprised that it took this long to offer national guidance specifically to school districts, Mr. Carvalho said of the C.D.C. statement this week. Many districts have already sent home letters about the coronavirus, asking parents to keep sick children away from school and to remember basic prevention measures such as hand washing, cough covering and vaccination against the flu. They have highlighted C.D.C. advice issued early this month, calling for all travelers returning from China to self-quarantine for 14 days. School officials have often tried to ratchet down panic among parents, reminding families that face masks are not broadly recommended and that the overall risk of infection is low. But few districts have publicly addressed what would happen to classes in the case of widespread infection and school closings like those that have taken place in China, Italy and Bahrain. [Read: Japan shocks parents by moving to close all schools in response to coronavirus.] The vast majority of districts have access to broadband internet, but they do not necessarily have expertise in how to effectively organize and teach classes online when schools are shuttered. Further complicating matters, not all families have home computers and high-speed internet. While 90 percent of households with children under 18 had broadband access in 2016, according to federal data, gaps remained along the lines of income, race and education level. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 17:23:09|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TAIYUAN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A freight train loaded with 45 carriages of goods left Thursday from northern China's Shanxi Province and headed for Uzbekistan, marking the first cargo train between Shanxi and Central Asia since the novel coronavirus outbreak. The cargo on the train, including train parts, ceramic tableware, generators and other commodities, will be transported to Alma Ata, Tashkent and other Central Asian cities through the Horgos Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. They will arrive in Tashkent in about 10 days. The resumption of freight trains provided strong support for the resumption of production for trade enterprises in the province. With Qeexo AutoML, we allow even non-experts to rapidly build machine learning models that run at the Edge, in order to analyze this data and generate actionable insights in real-time. Qeexo today announces several new features for its AutoML product, including support for Amazon Web Services (AWS) and tools designed to give Qeexo AutoML users greater flexibility and performance in the collection and analysis of sensor data: Support for AWS: Users of Qeexos AutoML now have the option to install the product locally on their private server, or to access it via AWS. This allows for increased scalability to serve more users and build more complex models faster by leveraging the Cloud. More machine learning models: Users can now select more machine learning algorithms (both deep-learning and non-deep-learning) when building models. Data and model visualization: Users can visualize the collected/uploaded sensor data, and also see more details for each model, including various graphs and charts that increases explainability. Support for microphone sensors: Users can now collect and analyze data from a devices microphone, greatly augmenting the supported use cases (e.g. keyword spotting). Qeexo also announces that its Qeexo AutoML product now supports the Renesas RA Family of Cortex-M MCUs. Qeexo AutoML is a fully-automated, end-to-end platform that builds lightweight machine learning solutions at the Edge. The Renesas RA Family of 32-bit MCUs is designed to help device developers create next-generation secure and low-power IoT devices. The combination will enable developers to rapidly build machine learning solutions for Edge devices using Renesas hardware and Flexible Software Package (FSP). International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that there will be 41.6 billion connected IoT devices, or "things," generating 79.4 zettabytes (ZB) of data in 2025. As the number of IoT devices grows, companies increasingly struggle to make sense of the vast amount of data that they generate, said Sang Won Lee, CEO of Qeexo. With Qeexo AutoML, we allow even non-experts to rapidly build machine learning models that run at the Edge, in order to analyze this data and generate actionable insights in real-time. Integrating our RA MCUs with an automated machine learning tool like Qeexo AutoML will greatly augment the user experience and applicability of our products. It will also make it easier for our joint customers to navigate the process from prototyping to production without prior expertise or much experience with artificial intelligence and machine learning, said Kaushal Vora, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Global Ecosystem at Renesas Electronics Corporation. We will continue our collaboration with Qeexo to enable even more Renesas hardware on Qeexo AutoML. Qeexo AutoML greatly simplifies the development process for machine learning solutions, allowing companies to create machine learning models without having to invest in expensive, in-house machine learning teams, resulting in huge time and cost savings. Qeexo AutoML can automatically generate models that can run locally on environments constrained by power and memory, such as IoT devices, wearables, and automotive sensors. ### About Qeexo Qeexo is the first company to automate end-to-end machine learning for embedded Edge devices (Cortex M0-M4 class). Our one-click, fully-automated, Qeexo AutoML platform allows customers to leverage sensor data to rapidly build machine learning solutions for highly constrained environments with applications in mobile, IoT, wearables, automotive, and more. Delivering high performance, solutions built with Qeexo AutoML are optimized to have ultra-low latency, ultra-low power consumption, and an incredibly small memory footprint. As billions of sensors collect data on every device imaginable, Qeexo can equip them with machine learning to discover knowledge, make predictions, and generate actionable insights. Spun out of Carnegie Mellon University, Qeexo is venture-backed and headquartered in Mountain View, CA, with offices in Pittsburgh, Shanghai, and Beijing. To learn more, visit http://automl.qeexo.com. For the last few weeks the eyes of the world have been fixated on a new coronavirus causing the illness COVID-19. Newspapers and screens are saturated with pictures of deserted cities, closed borders, healthcare workers in spacesuits, hospitals being erected in record time and stranded cruise-ships. One hopes that the virus will be contained, and that life will return to normal. But what if that is not the case? What if living with COVID-19 is the new normal? Officials wearing protective attire work to diagnose people with suspected symptoms of the new coronavirus at a hospital in Daegu, South Korea. Credit:Yonhap/AP We are not suggesting that this is what will happen. But as the virus spreads to countries where three-quarters of the world lives, it becomes increasingly likely. Fortunately, mankind can learn to live with such challenges. Every year, for decades on end, we have been visited each winter by the influenza virus (the flu). WHO estimates nearly a billion of us (likely 400 million children and 600 million adults) get infected with the virus each year, with 3-5 million having a severe illness resulting in 300,000 to 600,000 deaths. This is not just a challenge for the developing world. Taapsee Pannus Thappad is drawing praise from a wide section of the film fraternity as well as critics and politicians. Rajkummar Rao and actor girlfriend Patralekhaa have called Thappad director Anubhav Sinha a master storyteller' after watching the film at a special screening held in Mumbai on Wednesday. Praising the entire team of the film, Rajkummar Rao wrote on Twitter, #THAPPAD is a MUST watch film. @anubhavsinha youre a master storyteller sir, @taapsee u r a force to be reckoned with. @deespeak #Paveil #KumudMishra #RatnaPathak #Gayatri #TanviAzmi #Maya #ManavKaul #RamKapoor #NailaGulati what brilliant performances. Take a bow team. @TSeries. Revealing how she cried through some portions of the film, actor Patralekhaa wrote, #Thappad is such a beautiful film. I felt the pain I wept a bit I rooted for the women. N then I realised how fighting patriachy most women succumb to it.The cherry on the cake is that this film is directed by a man! @anubhavsinha sir you r a master storyteller. #Thappad is such a beautiful film. I felt the pain I wept a bit I rooted for the women. N then I realised how fighting patriachy most women succumb to it.The cherry on the cake is that this film is directed by a man! @anubhavsinha sir you r a master storyteller. Patralekhaa (@Patralekhaa9) February 27, 2020 Watch: Thappad: Taapsee Pannu, Ayushmann Khurrana among others attend special screening Huma Qureshi also confessed crying during the film. She tweeted, I saw #Thappad last night .. and wept...@anubhavsinha sir you have created such fine characters and portrayed the prevailing silent misogyny and stereotypes that surround us !! @taapsee my friend shines .. more power to all of you !! She added in another tweet, Special mention to the entire cast of #Thappad @pavailkgulati @deespeak #KumudMishra #Ratna maam #Naila @tanviazmi All faaab faaab. I saw #Thappad last night .. and wept... @anubhavsinha sir you have created such fine characters and portrayed the prevailing silent misogyny and stereotypes that surround us !! @taapsee my friend shines .. more power to all of you !! Huma S Qureshi (@humasqureshi) February 27, 2020 Earlier, Academy Award winner Guneet Monga had praised the film on Twitter. She had written, EVERY MAN EVERY WOMAN MUST MUST MUST WATCH #THAPPAD ! BLOWN AWAY BEYOND WORDS... THANK YOU @anubhavsinha @mrunmayeelagoo @taapsee @deespeak and the entire crew and cast... *aap sab magic ho*. EVERY MAN EVERY WOMAN MUST MUST MUST WATCH #THAPPAD ! BLOWN AWAY BEYOND WORDS... THANK YOU @anubhavsinha @mrunmayeelagoo @taapsee @deespeak and the entire crew and cast... *aap sab magic ho* pic.twitter.com/k3G31f2RDD Guneet Monga (@guneetm) February 25, 2020 A day before, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath praised the film and declared it tax-free in the state. He tweeted in Hindi, The Hindi film Thappad, to be released from 28 February in Madhya Pradesh, whose screenplay is based on a social message, is exempted from the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST). Calling it an important film, he further wrote in another tweet, The script of this film based on gender-based violence prominently features a womans struggle for change, equal rights and self-respect. 28 " " , ( ) 1/2 Office Of Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) February 26, 2020 , 2/2 Office Of Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) February 26, 2020 Also read: Taapsee Pannu says they are trying to change the thought process that says thappad se dar nahi lagta Taapsee plays the protagonist named Amrita who choses to walk out of her marriage after being slapped by her husband at a party.It also stars Ratna Pathak Shah, Manav Kaul, Dia Mirza, Tanvi Azmi, and Ram Kapoor in pivotal roles. Follow @htshowbiz for more Last monthdays after I railed against the Australian government for its failure to heed various climate changerelated bushfire warningsI got out of bed to watch a highly anticipated TV event. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, a leader in damage control, had agreed to sit down for a special one-on-one Sunday morning interview to address his governments response to the bushfire crisisa response many saw as severely lacking. The conservative government was tanking in the polls, and Australians seemed utterly fed up with Scotty from marketing, with protests calling for both his resignation and increased action on climate change. Advertisement Would he concede that he had been wrong on climate change? Would he admit that his government had ignored the warning signs and let the country down? Would he finally acknowledge the role played by global warming and admit Australia needed to do more to address it? It seemed, by now, impossible not to. The fires, one pundit noted, were Australias Sandy Hook moment: It was now or never on climate action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surprisingly enough, Morrison accepted the role of climate change in the firesin fact, he acted as if his government had never denied it. Sitting facing interviewer David Speers, with his hands folded penitently in his lap, Morrison acknowledged he could have handled things better on the ground and that, in hindsight, he would not have taken a holiday to Hawaii while the fires raged. He suggested that his governments climate policies would evolve. Advertisement Advertisement But when Speers asked how he intended to meet Australias emissions reduction targetswhich are both insufficient and far from on trackMorrison refused to make specific commitments. Instead, he just insisted we would meet and beat them. So how, then, would his policies evolve? Here, he introduced his governments new focus: resilience and adaptation. In other words, instead of agreeing more needed to be done to prevent climate change, Morrison was arguing that more had to be done to prepare for it. In the weeks since, Morrison has continued to push the resilience and adaptation line, declaring that Australias focus needs to be on practical measures to address the effects of climate change. I think we want to have a high level of confidence that as a nation we are improving our resilience and our adaptation, he later told reportersnever mind the fact that as treasurer, Morrison actually cut funding to the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. The prime minister has been light on details, repeating a few key ideas as to how we might bolster our resilience, such as building dams, native vegetation management, and land clearing. As the Guardians Greg Jericho notes, that means doing the very things conservatives have been desirous of for the past century. Advertisement Advertisement The conservative government has refused to commit to any moves to further lower emissions or, really, any moves that might mitigate climate change. Morrison has simply repeated ad nauseam his line from the Speers interview, that Australia is on track to meet and beat its 2628 percent on 2005 levels by 2030 emission reduction targetswhich we are not. As debate heats up around the idea of adopting a target of net zero emissions by 2050a target scientists say is required to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and something the opposition Labor Party has now thrown its weight behindthe conservative government remains unmoved. Morrison slammed Labor for making the target part of its party position without offering a plan or estimated cost while the government is reportedly already looking for ways to avoid signing up to the target at this years U.N. summit. Just this month, Morrison announced $4 million in federally funding for a feasibility study into a new coal-fired power plantmaking Australia one of the last developed countries actively considering new coal-fired power stations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is only so far that an already hot, already dry Australia can viably adapt itself. In doing so, the government has made its position clear: Adaptation matters more than mitigation. Advertisement Advertisement Adaptation and mitigation are considered the twosometimes complementary, sometimes conflictingmain ways of addressing climate change. (Geoengineering, the deliberate large-scale manipulation of the climate, is the more controversial third.) While mitigation addresses the causes of climate change, seeking to prevent it by curbing greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation addresses the impacts of climate change, seeking to survive it. The Climate Reality Project compares adaptation to pouring buckets of water out of a leaking boat and mitigation to stopping the leakone addresses the effects of the problem, the other the root cause. Mitigation is primarily an international issue, with a long-term focus, while adaptation is a local one, with short-term effects. There are disagreements worldwide over where the emphasis should be. The World Wildlife Fund calls them equally important. High-profile figures in the climate world have been arguing for a greater focus on adaptation, particularly in the developing world; considering how little progress has been made on curbing emissions, it doesnt seem likely that mitigation will be successful anytime soon. But whether mitigation can or will ever succeed remains a choiceone that people like Morrison are responsible for making. Advertisement Australia certainly needs to think about adaptation, as the fires have made painfully clear. Its too late to mitigate our way out of the nearly 1 degree Celsius of warming that has already hit Australia over the past century. With longer, hotter fire seasons already upon us, and with further warming more or less guaranteed, adaptation is a key part of the nations survival. As conservatives correctly point out, Australia cant stop climate changea global problemall on its own. Advertisement Morrison has been clever enough to insist that Australia is doing both mitigation and adaptation. They are not either/or; they are not one instead of the other, he has said. But hes made it clear which is his priority. When questioned in Parliament recently by independent MP Zali Steggall on whether he would commit to long-term plans to lower emissions, Morrison declared: Hazard reduction is [as] important, if not more important, than emissions reduction when it comes to protecting people from fire. Advertisement Advertisement Morrisons government isnt alone in pursuing this new argument. News Corp, the Australian branch of Rupert Murdochs right-wing media empire and a soapbox for climate change deniers, has also begun to push adaptation in recent months. In September, high-profile Sky News host Chris Kenny argued Australia should adapt to climate change rather than fight ita clip dutifully reshared by Murdochs Sydney papers. It also mirrors prominent U.S. climate skeptics strategic decision to adapt their messaging to one of resilience. Without a doubt, preparation matters. But focusing on adaptation at the expense of mitigation is dangerous. The problems with leap-frogging straight from denial to adaptation and past mitigation here can perhaps be summed up as the five Ds of adaptation: deficient, distracting, defeatist, denial, and, well, kind of dumb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deficient: Adaptation alone is not enough to ensure our survivalor as MIT professor John Sterman argues, adaptation without mitigation is futile. In Australia, former Fire and Rescue New South Wales Commissioner Greg Mullinsone of many figures who tried without success to warn the government of worsening fire conditionshas slammed Morrisons pivot on the same grounds as Sterman, writing, Adapting to climate change isnt enough. For one thing, certain impacts of climate change will be especially difficult to adjust to, including ocean acidification, climate refugees, andsurprise, surprisemore dangerous wildfires. Furthermore, there is only so far that an already hot, already dry Australia can viably adapt itself, and no amount of adaptation will be enough for worst-case scenario temperature increases. As climatologist and geophysicist Michael Mann wrote in an email to Reuters, There is no amount of adaptation that will allow Australians to contend with the impacts of climate change if we allow for a further escalation of the problem, calling Morrisons focus ridiculous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Distracting: By making it look like some climate action is happening, adaptation can present a dangerous diversion from the need for mitigation. As climate engineering expert George Collins wrote in a 2016 Future Tense article on geoengineering, treating the symptoms of climate change may give people permission to ignore the causes, even as the symptoms get worse. Just by talking up its newfound focus on adaptation and resilience, the Australian government is giving the impression that it is working on its climate issues, even as its lack of mitigation measures will inevitably bring Australia even worse fires. You talk about action on climate change, thats what that is, Morrison has said, speaking of hazard reduction strategies. Building dams is climate action now. It almost feels convincing, which is exactly the problem. As Sterman argues, if people believe they are protected from the effects of climate change, they may be even less inclined to support (or appreciate the need for) mitigation policies. Advertisement Advertisement Defeatist: In January, I wrote that the governments attempts to downplay the seriousness of the fires were not so much climate denial as climate dismissal. Now, it appears, we are facing climate defeatism. The Australian government has gone straight from climate change isnt contributing to these bushfires to nothing we can do, time to adapt, breezing right past reducing emissions. A focus on adaptation feels like giving up on even the possibility of mitigating climate change. Morrisons repeated use of the word reality (ensuring Australians are protected against this reality, responding to the reality of the environment in which we live) suggests there isnt anything that can be done to avoid it. Morrison has not just accepted that climate change is making fire seasons dramatically worse. Hes accepted the inevitability of it. Advertisement Climate change is inevitable now, to an extent. But there is still room to decide what we are adapting fora 2 degree Celsius increase, a 4 degree increase, an 8 degree increaseand the consequences we face can and must be limited. Every reduction matters, but turning to adaptation feels like giving up on even the possibility of mitigating climate change. Advertisement Denial: While the focus on adaptation can in some ways treat climate change as an inevitability, in other ways, adapting to the effects of climate change allows governments to subtly continue to deny its happeningminimizing disaster-related risk without acknowledging where the heightened risk is coming from. While the Australian government is no longer officially denying the link between climate change and the fires, the politically palatable path of adaptation is one that can satisfy even the climate change denying members of the Morrison governmentof which there are many. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dumb: Prevention is better than cure seems one of the most logically straight forward aphorisms there is (if you could even call adapting a cure). It seems obvious that Australia should attempt to prevent hotter and drier summers, to avoid experiencing deadly 50 degree Celsius days, to limit worst-case scenarios, rather than learning to live with them. Acting now, and acting ambitiously, will help avoid the future costs of adaptingwith the added bonus of not having a warmed climate. But its not just that prevention is preferable to cureits also expected to be cheaper in the long run. Much like forking out for prescription toothpaste to avoid a root canal, mitigating climate change will be cheaper and easier than adapting to it. We dont really know how expensive learning to live with climate change would be, but recent research from the World Wide Fund for Nature suggested that climate change under business as usual would cost Australia around $19 billion a year by 2050, making it the nation fifth worst affected by inaction on climate change. The U.S. came first in the World Wide Fund for Natures calculations, at $80 billion a year. Advertisement Advertisement This final D might just be the most infuriating element of the adaptation argument. Conservatives like Morrison claim they are being prudent by taking a measured response to climate change, as though they are the reasonable ones here. But while the government insists it doesnt want to raise taxes or energy prices, or unduly burden anyone with the costs of dramatically reducing emissions, the sad truth is that the Australian economy is already suffering, both from the cost of reacting to the (totally foreseeable) fires and from lost tourism revenue. As Australia Institute chief economist Richard Denniss writes, fiscal conservatives are usually stronger on the long-term cost saving logicjust not when it comes to the climate, apparently. When it comes to climate change, Australian conservatives opt for suck it and see, he writes. Advertisement Advertisement Why would a fiscal conservative be so reckless, so forgetful of the idea that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure? Perhaps its because a pound of coal looks to be worth a hell of a lot more than either. Australia is the worlds largest exporter of coal, and climate adaptation may seem cheaper than mitigation when you add in the profits Australia expects to reap from its continued relationship with coal, which is worth around $48.3 billion to the Australian economy. Morrison has continued to talk up the importance of coal, telling reporters that coal is important to communities across the country. It may not just be about the benefit to the country, however. Several of Morrisons senior staff are ex-coal executives, while a couple of his ministers have coal links. As Bernard Keane writes in Crikey, emphasising adaptation onlyrather than mitigationis the fossil fuel industrys preferred framing of climate policy. Like Donald Trumps new tree-planting climate plan or Republicans push for innovation as a solution to climate change, Morrisons adaptation strategy plays right into the hands of the all-powerful fossil fuel industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australias coal now, pay later approachpursuing coal now and worrying about the damage lateris frustratingly shortsighted. But whats more, its selfish. We are helping ourselves prepare rather than helping the world prevent. Focusing on the symptoms and not the cause of global warming leads to individualized, nationalistic strategies, benefiting local constituencies over global onesAustralia First. Its time for Australia to stop focusing on how it can use coal to protect itself and focus more on how its coal is hurting the world. It bears reiterating that preparation is important. Australia must now adapt, but even as we do, its important to acknowledge what a dodgy sidestep it is to use it as an excuse not to pull our weight on mitigation. No, Australia cant stop climate change on its own. But it can be a part of, even a champion for the global effort to do so. Conservatives love to claim that little Australia cant do much, when actually, as the worlds top coal exporter, it can do far more than it lets on The Morrison government is indeed showing remarkable resilience and adaptation. It is resilient enough to keep rejecting calls for increased emissions reduction targets, to continue pushing for new coal projects, even as Australia burns before our very eyes. And it has adapted its messaging, just enough, to make it look like its doing something. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. 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 A personal collection of Irish rugbys most iconic moments belonging to the countrys first Grand Slam captain is to go under the hammer. Irelands 1948 rugby Grand Slam captain Dr Karl Mullen, who died 11 years ago at the age of 82, was an avid collector of his rugby achievements. Now his family, are letting go of many of treasured items from his rugby career in the hope that, will ensure they are not just locked away in a cupboard but display them and record the integrity of the sports history. They are a rare and unique part of history that are intact and have stood the test of time rather than the instant phone text message or social media type of communication. Regarded as Irelands first professional captain he really did pave the way for the likes of Ciaran Fitzgerald, Brian ODriscoll, Rory Best and Peter OMahony, explained George Mealy, of Fonsie Mealy auctioneers who are selling the items on behalf of the late consultant obstetrician and gynaecologists family. His passing came barely a month after Ireland bridged a 61-year gap when completing a Grand Slam with a memorable win in Cardiff, Wales in 2009. Mullen, originally from Courtown, Co Wexford and the rest of the surviving members of the 1948 team were able to witness the Ireland team repeat the Grand Slam that year. Educated at Belvedere College, he went on to play for Old Belvedere and gained the first of his 25 Ireland caps as a hooker in 1947 against France. On the famous victory in Ravenhill against Wales on March 13, 1948, Dr Mullen said: We were tense and anxious, yet I knew and the players knew we could win. Every man had his say, it was an important part of the pre-match preparations in a side whose hallmark was team spirit. Included in lot 600, estimated to be worth up to 4,000 of Mealys rare book sale next month are Mr Mealy said: An important and significant scrapbook of news cuttings, press passes, tickets, and other rare items relating to the famous 1948 Grand Slam year, programmes from the matches, pen pictures, action shots, signed team sheet and articles. There is also the official IRFU appointment document of Karl Mullen as Captain, along with an interesting collection of press and personal photographs, and other items pertaining to the British and Irish Lions Tour of 1950 to Australia and New Zealand such as programmes, menus and signed items. The archive contains other related material from the start of his international career, and also his club career. Being a well-known art collector he knew what was important to keep hold of in terms of history. Fonsie Mealy auctioneers rare book sale takes place on March 11 at 10.15am in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny. Duncan & Duncan Rugby: Bacon & cabbage at the AIL pre-match but is rugby culture dying for profiteering? Electronics majors are hiking the prices of refrigerators, air-conditioners, microwave ovens and washing machines. This increase in rates, likely to start from March, is due to a sharp spike in component prices amid short supplies from China, which is battling the coronavirus epidemic. Some of the electronics majors including LG, Voltas, Samsung, Haier and Panasonic have decided to increase their prices by 3 to 5 per cent across models, as mentioned in a report in The Economic Times. This translates to an increase of Rs 3,000-4,000 for premium and large capacity models, the report mentioned. Pradeep Bakshi, Managing Director or Voltas, India's largest AC manufacturer, told the daily that component prices have gone up due to lower production in China as well as an increase in shipment cost. "The Budget had also increased duties on some components by 2.5 per cent. Taking these into account, we are passing some of it," he said. Bakshi also said that AC prices will increase by 3 per cent from March and that the company would review the situation again in May. Also read: 119 Indians on board coronavirus-hit Japan cruise land in New Delhi LG and Samsung sales executives have also informed key trade partners that there will be a price hike of 3-4 per cent for microwave ovens and washing machines from March. Prices of refrigerators and ACs will also be increased after that, the report mentioned. LG and Samsung did not comment on the queries by the daily. Panasonic is also planning an increase in AC and refrigerator prices but is monitoring the situation for other products and appliances. Haier is planning to increase AC and refrigerator prices by up to 2.5-5 per cent. Eric Braganza, President of Haier Appliances India said that factories in China were operating in half their capacity. He added that there is not much clarity on when component supplies will normalise. Also read: Coronavirus update: India doesn't want its people to travel to Korea, Iran, Italy The companies had also decided to increase television prices last week by 7-10 per cent from March following a 15-20 per cent jump in prices of LED television panel, which is one of the main components in television. China is one of the biggest suppliers of components such as AC and refrigerator compressors, washing machine motors as well as plastic parts. However, the industry does not expect a dip in the demand. The sales of refrigerators, ACs and washing machines were the best in 2019 since demonetisation, as per sales tracker GfK India. Also read: Coronavirus: Australian scientists develop vaccine candidate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad for the 'Namaste Trump' event (Image: ANI) United States President Donald Trump managed to have a successful visit to India despite some wondering if his mercurial temperament might result in some embarrassment for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. Under the Trump presidency, it has been a roller coaster ride for India-US ties. However, it can safely be concluded that while Trump has managed to disrupt a number of bilateral ties and challenged some of the fundamental assumptions of US foreign policy, New Delhi has managed to maintain a semblance of stability in bilateral ties which seemed difficult when Trump had come to office. Modis ability to build a personal rapport with Trump has given India some breathing space in tiding over some of the trickier issues in this bilateral engagement. In fact, during his visit, Trump refused to be drawn into matters pertaining to Indias internal affairs, something which any other US President would have been tempted to do. As this visit underscored, relations between India and US aren't just between two governments, but are people-centric and people-driven and these relations are very important for the most important relationship of the 21st century. Last few years have seen a raft of challenges clouding an otherwise robust partnership. From trade to Russia, from Iran to Afghanistan, differences between the two sides have been in the headlines. However, quietly away from the gaze of the media, Modi and Trump managed to lay the foundations of a substantive partnership premised on the strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific. As Trump went further than any US President in doubling down on Pakistani shenanigans pertaining to terrorism and extremism, Modi articulated more robustly than ever before New Delhis desire to play the role of a net security provider in the wider Indo-Pacific. Modis visit to the US in September was highly successful in alleviating tensions brewing in the ties. He not only generated a level of confidence in Washington that India was serious about engaging the US on trade but he also managed to sell India as a trade and investment destination to American and global investors at a time when there are growing concerns about economic slowdown in India. Modi also presented to the world, and to Trump in particular, Indias narrative on Kashmir against the backdrop of the abrogation of Article 370 and a sustained misinformation campaign launched by Pakistan. He used the Houston rally to great effect when in the presence of Trump he underlined the need for New Delhis change of policy on Kashmir as well as how India has managed to arrive at that decision through a transparent and democratic process. Trumps visit to India was in no small measure due to his sense that he could use Modis popularity with the Indian Americans for his own campaign back home where he hopes to pull in Indian American voters who tend to favour the Democrats. Beyond that, with energy and defence deals and directives to their respective bureaucracies to expeditiously work on a legal framework for concluding a mega trade deal, Trump and Modi managed to make the most of a visit that for critics was all about optics. The two nations are working on a rather expansive framework of cooperation in the wider Indo-Pacific, which ranges from strategic matters to connectivity and infrastructure. Even on Afghanistan where the two nations have divergent perspectives, there is a far greater understanding of the underlying issues and the two nations are seemingly at ease. Bilateral ties between the worlds oldest and largest democracies have been burgeoning but a section of the Indian commentariat has remained consumed by minor irritants. Trumps back-and-forth on Kashmir has been analysed and over-analysed to see if there has been a shift in the American position on the issue. Trade disputes were elevated to a point where they seemed to be on the verge of derailing the entire edifice of India-US ties. The reality, however, has always been quite different. India-US ties have blossomed under Trump and Modis substantive outreach to him has clearly paid dividends. India-US ties remain robust and, in the words of Indias former ambassador to the US and present Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the India-US strategic relationship has the potential to become the defining partnership within this century. Given how far this relationship has travelled in the last few years, this clearly doesnt seem like an exaggeration. A national women's strike sparked by the rash of killings of innocent women in Mexico has picked up additional support following the shocking murders of a mutilated woman and a kidnapped schoolgirl within a week of each other. Billed as 'A Day Without Women,' feminist activists are imploring women throughout the nation of 126 million to stay home and not attend work and school March 9. The initiative picked up momentum following the deaths of Ingrid Escamilla, 25, and seven-year-old Fatima Cecilia Aldrighett. The event will be the first women's-only strike in the history of Mexico. Feminists groups hope the protest will raise awareness of gender violence and inequality, and to show the magnitude that a day without women will have on society. Feminists activists in Mexico have scheduled for a national women's strike to take place March 9 to raise awareness of gender violence and inequality, and to show the magnitude that a day without women will have on society Ingrid Escamilla was brutally murdered by her boyfriend in Mexico City on February 9 Fatima Cecilia Aldrighett was kidnapped outside her Mexico City school February 11 by a friend of her family. The seven-year-old was raped and murdered, and her body was found inside a garbage bag February 15 A flyer distributed on social media demands "not a woman in the streets, at work, in schools, in universities or shopping.' The movement got the approval of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, keeping in line with Congress, universities and major private corporations, who are allowing females workers to stay home. During his daily press briefing last Friday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador opined that the protest is being used by certain activists to undermine his government. Lopez Obrador said he would respect the strike and there will be no punishment for civil servants who join. However, he did not openly support the event and asked women to take care 'not to be manipulated'. '(We must) be careful because conservatism, the right, is very hypocritical,' he said. 'They promote these movements against progressive governments'. A woman holds up the Spanish message: 'They're killing us' during a protest against gender violence outside the National Palace in Mexico City on February 18 Activists (photographed February 18) set fire to placards during a protest against gender-based violence following the murders of 25-year-old Ingrid Escamilla and Fatima Cecilia Aldrighett earlier in February First Lady Beatriz Gutierrez Muller initially backed the strike soon after the leftist leader's comments before pulling her support. She took to her Instagram account and posted an image that called for women and girls to stay home. Then she shared a second image protesting the strike, imploring females to go on on with their daily routines and to show support for Lopez Obrador in order to weed out violence. Angry demonstrations broke out in Mexico City two weeks ago as hundreds of women protested Escamilla's gruesome slaying and mutilation at an apartment she shared in Mexico City with her boyfriend, 46-year-old Erick Francisco Robledo, who confessed to the February 9 killing. On February 11, Aldrighett was kidnapped from her Mexico City school by Gladis Giovana Cruz Hernandez, a friend of her mother, after her boyfriend, Mario Alberto Reyes Najera, demanded she find him a young girl he could spend the rest of his life with. Aldrighett was raped and beaten, and her body was found inside a garbage bag at an empty lot February 15. An average of 10 women a day are killed in Mexico. Last year marked a new overall homicide record, official data shows, with 1,006 feminicides reported. Contra Costa District Attorneys Office An Oakland dental surgeon faces charges he molested two underage girls, attempted to kidnap a woman and filmed a young girl engaged in a sex act, according to a charging documents filed in Contra Costa County. Cassidy Migan Lavorini-Doyle, 36, faces seven felony counts after his arrest in December. Lavorini-Doyle is charged with human trafficking of a minor for a sex act when he tried to persuade two girls to engage in a commercial sex act. He is also accused of molesting both girls. California governor Gavin Newsom says more than 8,000 people in the state are being monitored for coronavirus infections. There are have been 33 confirmed cases of the flu-like respiratory illness in the state, including what is likely the first confirmed infection in a patient who was infected through "community spread" and didn't come into direct contact with another patient, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The governor confirmed that 8,400 California residents are being medically monitored for novel coronavirus COVID-19 in 49 local jurisdictions. While more than 800 people have flown into the state via government-sanctioned evacuations following the outbreak in China, thousands of other passengers landed in California through traditional travel. Officials also have told several school districts to prepare for potential outbreaks. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty The governor said his administration is in "constant contact" with federal agencies as it responds to the virus. "We're meeting this moment", he said. "We're not overreacting nor are we under-reacting. At the same time, [there is] no better resourced state in America to address this issue head-on." Mr Newsom said the state has 200 testing kits on-hand and will be receiving more in the coming days. The current stock is "simply inadequate to do justice to the kind of testing that is required", he said. CDC officials are not able to determine the source of the infection of a resident in Solano County after doctors confirmed that the patient did not have relevant travel history or contact with any known infected person. It likely marks the first possible case of "community transmission" in the US. The patient is receiving care in Sacramento County. Health officers are currently "in the field" to investigate whether people were exposed to the virus and helping them isolate themselves from the public, according to Dr Sonia Angell, California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer. She said officials had anticipated community spread of the virus in its planning for "both the worst situation and the best situation, so we're ready for anything". "This is a fluid situation right now and I want to emphasise the risk to the American public remains low", she said. "In the event that the risk changes, we will communicate with you. We will make everyone aware." More than 80,000 people in 40 countries have been infected with the virus, which has killed roughly 2,700 people since the outbreak was reported in December. Prepared: Reporter Aoife Walsh with a face mask and hand sanitiser which are in short supply due to the coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Steve Humphreys Irish pharmacies are struggling to meet a surging demand for protective face masks and antibacterial hand gel as fear of a coronavirus outbreak spreads. Pharmacy staff said suppliers are under pressure to stock masks and antibacterial gels, and have not been told when they can expect a restock. A retail assistant of Hickey's pharmacy on Henry Street, Co Dublin, said the store has not stocked surgical face masks in over three weeks. "It's three weeks since we had them, but we only had them for two days. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, they were all sold out," he told the Irish Independent. "People have said to me, 'why have you no masks? There's no outbreak here'. "And I said they're just being exported and taken away." Another staff member said suppliers were struggling to stock Irish pharmacies as the masks were being sent to countries where an outbreak has been reported, such as China and Italy. Hickey's O'Connell Street store had a small supply of masks yesterday. Kelly Marks, supervisor at Murray's pharmacy on Talbot Street, said some customers were shipping the masks they purchase to China. "The suppliers just said that there's been a huge demand in all pharmacies so they've sold out. When we get them in they just sell out. As soon as the supplier gets them in we'll have them back but we haven't been given a date as to when that is." Staff at two separate Boots pharmacy locations in Dublin city centre said they had not received a delivery of the masks in a month, and the stock the stores had before then began to sell out as soon as the first outbreak in China was reported. A spokesperson for Boots Ireland said while the company does not have "any further detail at present regarding the availability of surgical masks", a "limited supply" of hand sanitiser is available online and in-store. They added they were expecting to restock hand sanitiser soon to "help facilitate the high demand". A spokesperson for the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) said members were struggling to source stock to meet the growing demand. "IPU member pharmacies have reported a surge in demand for face masks and hand sanitiser and are having difficulty accessing adequate stock to meet the demand." Read More Roy Hennessy (38), who lives in Dublin city centre with his partner and two-year-old daughter, said he has spent 50 on face masks online as he fears a Covid-19 outbreak will occur in Ireland. "I have ordered masks on the internet, whether they arrive or not on time I don't know. "It's impossible to actually get masks. I have maybe 10 at home, but I've ordered professional masks on the internet," he said. "The price of those on the internet went up very quickly. So you're probably not in a good position to buy them right now. I spent about 50 on them." Irish pharmacy supplier MedGuard notified customers of the "extreme difficulty" it's having with replenishing face mask stock with a note on its website. "Currently, we have no stock of any face masks," it said. "We are trying to replenish our stock levels but we are having extreme difficulty in sourcing any type of medical-grade face masks." Irish pharmacy chain CarePlus confirmed there had been an explosion in demand for sanitising products over the past 10 days. "Stocks of hand sanitiser in our pharmacies are currently low and there are issues with supply globally given increased demand," a spokesperson said. "We are continuing to engage with manufacturers with a view of restocking a range of hand sanitiser products as soon as possible." Both the WHO and HSE have advised people to adhere to strict hygiene measures to prevent the virus spreading should a case eventually be confirmed here. The HSE said there was no evidence to show that using masks will benefit those who are not sick. Global manufacturers are dramatically increasing production of protective face masks - with supplies in Ireland being ring-fenced for medical professionals and emergency services in case of any outbreak. After five years of holding a 49% stake in Nguyen Kim Trading JSC, Thailands Central Group has now taken full control of the local firm's home appliance store chain, as confirmed in its recent financial reports. A Nguyen Kim electronics supermarket. Central Group has completed the acquisition of Nguyen Kim In June last year, Central Group acquired an additional 51% stake in NKT New Solution and Technology Development Investment Joint Stock Company, which owns Nguyen Kim Trading Joint Stock Company. The deal was valued at VND2.6 trillion, including VND2.25 trillion paid in cash and VND350 billion included in Central Groups non-current liabilities. NKT New Solution and Technology Development Investment Joint Stock Company was established in 2014 with charter capital of VND800 billion. At the time, Chairman Nguyen Van Kim and his family members held nearly 90% of the company. In 2015, Power Buy, an arm of Thailands Central Group, acquired a 49% stake in Nguyen Kim. From June to September last year, Nguyen Kim contributed VND3.25 trillion in revenue and VND42 billion in profit to the Thai firm. In its period of prosperity, Nguyen Kim was considered the leading home appliance store chain in Vietnam, according to a report by market research firm Nielsen. Before Nguyen Kim, Central Group had acquired the BigC supermarket chain and the Lan Chi Mart chain in Vietnam and had opened Robins stores in HCMC and Hanoi and GO! Market supermarkets in the country. SGT Alibabas Ant Financial quietly acquires stake in Vietnamese e-wallet firm Ant will not control more than 50% of eMonkey, but is expected to have significant influence and provide technical expertise to the e-wallet Entrepreneur Antonio Almeida has learned to navigate around the potholes of doing business in Angola. Since launching his business two decades ago, the 44-year-old has opened seven luxury clothing stores, a customs brokerage firm and a suburban shopping centre in the capital Luanda. Along the way he faced the 2014 global drop in oil prices, crippling Angola's debt-ridden, oil-dependent economy -- at a time when relatives and cronies of then president Jose Eduardo dos Santos were allegedly looting state coffers. The ex-president's tycoon daughter Isabel dos Santos, 46, stands accused of using her father's influence to siphon millions of dollars from state-owned companies to overseas accounts. She was indicted last month for a host of top-level financial crimes allegedly committed during her tenure at Angola's oil giant Sonangol, which she headed during her father's reign. Factfile on Angolan businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, charged last month with fraud and money laundering. By John SAEKI (AFP) Almeida and millions of ordinary Angolans are still paying for that graft-ridden era. "Corruption brought many inequalities and difficulties," Almeida said from the office of his Galeria Vida, which he opened in 2016. "If you needed a specific type of authorisation for your business you had to pay," he recalled. That discouraged local investment and created an over-reliance on imports and a serious dearth of foreign exchange. Almeida has had to scrap plans to open a second shopping centre because of a depreciating kwanza currency and elusive bank loans. Debt piling up "The project was initially priced at around 100 million kwanzas ($200,000, 185,000 euros)," Almeida said. "Today it would cost me 300 million." Five of his clothing stores have gone bankrupt since 2014 as most middle-class Angolans can no longer afford imported brands. The daily struggles of Angolans have piled pressure onto President Joao Lourenco, who has failed to reboot the economy since he took over from dos Santos in 2017. By Sofia Christensen (AFP) The daily struggles of Angolans have piled pressure onto President Joao Lourenco, who has failed to reboot the economy since he took over from dos Santos in 2017. Africa's second-biggest oil producer has suffered three consecutive years of negative growth and is not projected to ease out of recession until this year, according to the African Development Bank. "The economy is really underperforming," said Robert Besseling, head of business risk assessment firm EXX Africa. "There is this lack of money and worse, there is debt piling up," he said, adding that the situation was discouraging desperately needed investment. Some analysts believe Lourenco is investigating corruption under dos Santos just to retrieve money allegedly stolen during the ex-president's 38-year rule. If he succeeds, it would offer temporary relief and "go down quite well with the local population," Besseling told AFP. Since Lourenco pledged earlier this month to recover "illegally transferred" assets, prosecutors have seized more than 1,000 buildings owned by Chinese companies reportedly built using public funds. Rising prices Donors and foreign investors have looked favourably on Lourenco's anti-corruption drive, with the International Monetary Fund approving a $247 million loan to Angola in December. The ex-ruler's son and a former central bank governor are facing trial for alleged embezzlement, while the last transport minister was jailed for corruption last year. The market stalls are laden with grilled fish and meat cuts, household goods and clothes, while many offer cell phone repairs. Yet customers are scarce. By Sofia Christensen (AFP) But as high-profile, headline-grabbing prosecutions unfold, most of Angola's 30 million people wallow in poverty. "I am a qualified teacher," said Eva Mateus, who sells kitchen utensils in Luanda's bustling Congolese market. "If there had not been corruption I would not be in this market." The market stalls were laden with grilled fish and meat cuts, household goods and clothes, while many offered cell phone repairs. Yet customers were scarce. "Things are not easy these days," said Maria Eunice, 43, clutching a bag of flour and cake decorations for the bakery she runs from home. "We don't know why," she added. "Nobody can explain why prices are increasing." Graft still permeates society Angola's finance minister declined a request for an interview. Despite promises to diversify the economy, the government continues to rely primarily on oil and diamond exports, with little of the revenue trickling down. Manufacturing remains almost non-existent and small businesses have borne the brunt. "My boss buys flour from abroad in (US) dollars," said Thierry Konko, who manages a bakery. "Dollars are a huge issue." Six months ago, the owner switched to lower-quality flour to keep prices competitive, but customers have noticed. Africa's second-biggest oil producer has suffered three consecutive years of negative growth and is not projected to ease out of recession until this year, according to the African Development Bank. By Sofia Christensen (AFP) Economist Yuri Quixina warned that it would take time for Lourenco's anti-corruption drive to benefit ordinary Angolans. "As we are fighting... it is more important for the foreign community to believe in (Angola) and invest," Quixina told AFP. Mechanic Joao Pande said corruption still permeated all levels of Angolan society. "Here everyone is involved," said Pande, 30, as he repaired a car engine in his garage. "If you know someone... they will do what you want and then you pay." In some ways it was easier to do business during the dos Santos regime, he mused. "Now everything is more complicated than it used to be." But for some such as Almeida, the anti-graft drive is starting to bear fruit. "Some institutions have become more serious. People are more conscious that asking for money... to do their job is wrong," Almeida said. "This is good for everyone," he said. Bernie Sanders argues that if no candidate reaches the threshold of delegates needed to earn the Democratic nomination, then it should automatically go to the candidate who receives the most delegates. The Vermont senator is the only candidate of the seven other still in the race that feels this way, and it has further increased tensions between himself and the Democratic National Committee. 'No, no, I think the rules are set and we ought to follow the rules. Especially when someone says follow the rules who's not even a Democrat,' Democratic Congressman Juan Vargas, who endorsed former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, told Politico. 'He just wants us to rubber stamp his election, which we shouldn't do. I certainly won't do.' Montana Democratic Senator Jon Tester, who has not endorsed a candidate, added that the rules shouldn't be bent for any candidate. 'That's not what the rules say,' Tester lamented. 'Come on, we've been dealing with a president who breaks the rules all the time, let's not drop to that standard.' Establishment Democrats are concerned over Bernie Sanders' potential general election candidacy, especially as the Democratic socialist candidate has expressed he believes the contender with the most delegates should win the nomination outright, without the use of superdelegates After the third primary contest in Nevada, Sanders holds the most delegates with 45, but with eight candidates still in the running, it's likely the delegates will be more divided than in past primary elections With only three primary contests completed so far, Sanders has a good lead with 45 delegates so far and the second place candidate, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, is behind by 20 with 25 delegates. Buttigieg was in the lead before Sanders' took a massive win in Nevada, earning 24 delegates to Buttigieg's three. Democratic candidates usually need to earn 1,991 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention over the summer to earn the party's nomination. But if a candidate does not reach that threshold, it will fall to the 771 so-called superdelegates, which are made up of elected officials, party activists and officials, who can cast their ballot for any candidate they wish. And just like in 2016, it doesn't appear that the Democratic establishment, or party lawmakers, are taking sides with the Democratic socialist senator. Democrats are worried that Sanders has such a niche following that if he were to clinch the nomination, he would lose in the general election against Donald Trump and there have even been concerns voiced that he would cost Democrats their recently reclaimed majority in the House. Representative Scott Peters, who sits in a safely Democratic district in California, is a leader of his party's House moderates and he claims there is widespread concern among lawmakers from competitive districts 'that a Sanders candidacy would sink their reelections.' Peters added that Sanders would complicate moderates' reelection bids because 'the face of the Democratic Party might be spouting things that are absolutely anathema to your voters.' A freshman congressman from a closely divided New Jersey district, said Democrats have 'a simple path' to defeating Donald Trump, but feels that could be jeopardized by a Sanders' candidacy. 'I don't want to squander that opportunity' to beat Trump by nominating a contender who divides Democrats, Representative Tom Malinowski said in reference to Sanders. Congresswoman Elaine Luria, a Democrat who defeated an incumbent Republican in 2018 in Virginia, said Sanders would endanger centrist lawmakers. The former Navy commander said 'Bernie Sanders just adds fuel to that fire' of GOP efforts to paint all Democrats as socialists. Democrats gained 42 House seats in the 2018 midterms elections, which earned them the majority in the chamber. But 29 of those seats are from districts that Trump either won in 2016 or lost by just 5 per cent or less. Most of the newly elected Democrats are moderates. Republicans need to gain 18 seats in November's elections to win back House control. The DNC Convention will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 13-16, and there the party will officially nominate a candidate to take on Trump in November. Of the six candidates at the Las Vegas, Nevada Democratic debate last week, Sanders was the only candidate who said the rules of the convention should be thrown out in favor of the candidate who earns the most delegates Sanders believes instead of a majority, candidates should only need a plurality of delegate votes to earn the nomination and has argued against the use of superdelegates. At the ninth Democratic primary debate in Las Vegas, Nevada last week, Sanders was the only candidate of the six on stage who felt that way. The others said the rules of the Democratic nominating contest should be upheld. The New York State Democratic Party chairman and a superdelegate, Jay Jacobs, echoing many others interviewed by The New York Times, insisted superdelegates should be free to choose a candidate they believe has the best chance of defeating Trump if no candidate earns the threshold needed for a direct nomination. 'Bernie wants to redefine the rules and just say he just needs a plurality,' Jacobs told the Times. 'I don't think we buy that. I don't think the mainstream of the Democratic Party buys that. If he doesn't have a majority, it stands to reason that he may not become the nominee.' If all eight candidates running for the Democratic nomination stay in the running up until the convention, the vote could be further divided, making it almost impossible to earn the majority of delegates needed to outright win the nomination. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, when asked if it was time to oppose Sanders' candidacy to protect her party's majority, projected neutrality toward the matter. 'We're not going to lose the House,' she asserted Wednesday. 'We're going to be united by whomever is the candidate for president. But we are taking responsibility for winning the House, and we're not assuming anything. But we feel very confident.' Friday Prayers in Tehran have been canceled over the coronavirus outbreak, state media reported, as the authorities confirmed that infected cases in the country spiked by more than 100 -- among them Masoumeh Ebtekar, the vice president for women and family affairs. Ebtekar is the second member of the Iranian government known to be infected, after Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirshi, originally tasked with containing the spread of the virus, tested positive for the COVID-19 on February 25. All of the members of Ebtekar's team will now undergo testing for the virus, state news agency IRNA reported. Meanwhile, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said on February 27 that the number of deaths linked to the coronavirus outbreak in Iran has increased by seven to 26 over the past 24 hours -- the highest death toll outside of China, where the disease emerged in December. A total of 245 people had tested positive for the virus -- an increase of 106 on the previous day, Jahanpour told a news conference, adding that the large number of new cases came from more labs now testing for the virus. In Geneva, UN health chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the world can still stop the coronavirus from spiraling out of control if decisive action is taken immediately. "We are at a decisive point," Tedros said, adding that "this virus has pandemic potential." In Washington, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on February 27 the threat from coronavirus to the American public remains low, and the White House has begun discussions with leaders of the U.S. Congress on a supplemental spending bill to fight the disease. More than 82,000 people in about 40 countries have been infected with the new coronavirus, mainly in China. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, has killed more than 2,700 people globally. Late on February 27, the Netherlands reported the first confirmed case in the country, a man from the southern city of Tilburg who had recently traveled to Italy. Iran has become the main hot spot of the virus in the Middle East, where more than 350 cases have now been reported. Many of those cases have been linked to travelers who had gone to the Islamic republic for religious visits. As governments ramped up measures to battle a looming global pandemic, Iranian authorities announced domestic travel restrictions for people with confirmed or suspected infections, and placed curbs on access to major Shiite pilgrimage sites. In affected areas, school closures will be extended for three days, and universities for another week starting from February 29, Health Minister Saeed Namaki told a news conference. State TV later reported Friday Prayers in Tehran had been called off, and semiofficial news agencies quoted officials as saying the prayers would also be canceled in other cities. Chinese citizens were banned from entering the country, according to state news agency IRNA. A graphic published by IRNA showed that people were diagnosed with the disease in 20 of the country's 31 provinces. The most affected of those remained the central province home to the city of Qom, a popular place of religious study for Shi'a from across Iran and other countries. Epidemiologists fear Iranian officials are underreporting the number of cases of the new virus. In an interview with the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran on February 26, public-health expert Kamiar Alaei said Iranian authorities "don't want to admit that they're facing a major outbreak." The Iranian health-care system has the capacity and infrastructure to counter a coronavirus outbreak, but officials have not rapidly and effectively mobilized the country's resources "due to political concerns," according to Alaei, who has worked on HIV/AIDS prevention and other infectious diseases in Iran. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia on February 27 suspended visas for visits to Islam's holiest sites for the umrah pilgrimage, which goes on all year round. It was not clear if the annual hajj pilgrimage, which this year begins in July, will be affected. Pakistan shut schools in Sindh and Balochistan provinces, suspended flights to and from Iran, and began to screen hundreds of people who had recently arrived from its neighbor, officials said. The South Asian countries reported two cases of the infection on people who had recently traveled to Iran as part of groups of pilgrims from Pakistan's Shi'ite minority. The Iraqi government ordered the closure of schools and universities, cafes, cinemas, and other public spaces until March 7. Travel to or from some of the worst affected countries, including China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Italy, were also banned. Russia's Federal Tourism Agency recommended national tour operators suspend tours to Iran, Italy, and South Korea until the outbreaks there are brought under control. The move came after Moscow announced it would stop issuing visas for regular and transit travel for Iranian citizens. With reporting by Reuters, BBC, AP, AFP, and dpa BOSTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and dissolving wood pulp, was named a winner in the 2019 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards for Environmental Leadership. The award honors companies for specific environmental and sustainability initiatives measured by key criteria including impact metrics, innovation, insights and investment efforts. Sappi is a recipient of this award for the Land Application Program at its Cloquet, Minn. mill and is among notable winners including Adidas, Disneyland Resorts, Tide Eco-Box and others. The Cloquet mill's program began in 2004 in order to develop a solution to an impending challenge with landfill space. The Land Application Program repurposes boiler ash and lime mud byproducts into a sustainable agricultural fertilizer which is accessible to the local community at a minimal cost. Through the years, the program's dedication to waste reduction and efficiency have provided these natural byproducts to farmers, which reduces the commercial chemical products needed for high-quality growing conditions in the region. To date, Sappi North America has provided 200 tons of materials to 300 sites per year, with some farmers seeing a 30 percent increase in crop yield. "Our investment in sustainable production and waste is a continued priority for the leadership team at Sappi and this award is a proud moment for the all the employees and community members involved," said Tom Radovich, Managing Director of Cloquet Mill, Sappi North America. "The accomplishments of this program are possible because of the combined efforts with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's ag-lime program and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, both of which we look forward to developing more opportunities with for waste repurposing and other sustainable benefits." Sappi North America's Cloquet mill is the only current participant of the Land Application Program. Company leadership continues to develop similar programs to reduce waste effectively across other mills in the effort to reach the goal of zero-waste facilities. To see the full list of 2019 winners, please visit: https://sealawards.com/sustainability-award-2019. To learn more about Sappi North America's sustainability efforts, please visit: https://www.sappi.com/sustainability-in-north-america-0. About Sappi North America, Inc. Sappi North America, Inc., headquartered in Boston, is a market leader in converting wood fiber into superior products that customers demand worldwide. The success of our four diversified businesses high-quality Coated Printing Papers, Dissolving Wood Pulp, Packaging and Specialty Papers and Casting and Release Papers is driven by strong customer relationships, best-in-class people and advantaged assets, products and services. Our high-quality Coated Printing Papers, including McCoy, Opus, Somerset, and Flo, are the key platform for premium magazines, catalogs, books, direct mail and high-end print advertising. We are a leading manufacturer of Dissolving Wood Pulp with our Verve brand, a sustainable fiber, which is used in a wide range of products, including textile fibers and household goods. We deliver sustainable Packaging and Specialty Papers for luxury packaging and folding carton applications with our single-ply packaging brands, Spectro and Proto, and for the food and label industries with our specialty papers, LusterPrint and LusterCote. We are also one of the world's leading suppliers of Casting and Release Papers with our Ultracast, PolyEx and Classics lines for the automotive, fashion and engineered films industries. Customers rely on Sappi for high technical, operational and market expertise; products and services delivered with consistently high quality and reliability; and, state-of-the-art and cost-competitive assets and innovative spirit. Sappi North America is a subsidiary of Sappi Limited (JSE), a global company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with more than 12,000 employees and manufacturing operations on three continents in seven countries and customers in over 150 countries. SOURCE Sappi North America, Inc. Related Links https://www.sappi.com/ With an extra 24 hours to enjoy on Leap Day later this week, national beer company Miller Lite is giving away free 24 packs of beer for those who complete a couple small tasks. The Milwaukee-based beer maker says it will post a QR code on its Instagram and Twitter pages this Saturday, Feb. 29. that will send customers to a website where they can get their beer for free. Once youve scanned the code youll have a chance to submit your receipt showing you purchased a 24-pack of Miller Lite on Feb. 29. Once youve done that, Miller Lite will send a payment to your PayPal account for the amount you purchased the case for. Youll have to act quick because the fine print for the giveaway states the contest is limited to the first 5,000 submissions. The contest is open to residents in participating states -- dont worry, Michigan residents are eligible -- who are 21 years or older. Its worth noting Miller Lite will only pay out a maximum of $20 per case and you may only redeem one case during the promotion. It is unclear if Miller will cover the cost of tax and bottle deposit on the free cases. The global horse racing industry does its very best to attract spectators and handicappers to the industrys live races and marquee events. Although, given the way things have shaken out over the course of the past few months, a handful of racing entities have staked a hard pivot for a cautious 180. The world has been on alert since the current Coronavirus outbreak an epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus was identified this past December in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, China. As of this writing, at least 82,589 cases have been confirmed. Additionally, confirmed cases have come from all of Chinas provinces and 50 other countries, as well. Of the cases that have been confirmed, 8,469 have been classified as serious. More than 2,800 deaths have been attributed to the disease. Of those 2,800 deaths, 67 have occurred outside of mainland China. It is also important to note that more than 32,000 people have recovered since they were confirmed to have had been afflicted by the disease; and that the current epidemic is not related to the Coronavirus positive that was recently detected in a horse in North America. The South China Morning Post has explained that, in response to the outbreak, the Hong Kong Jockey Club recently made the decision to lock fans out of the Lunar New Year race meeting at Sha Tin in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading the Coronavirus. The article went on to state that only 8,000 patrons were allowed to attend the marquee racing event which usually draws more than 100,000 fans but those that were allowed to be present at the track were required to be subjected to temperature before entering. The South China Morning Post article explained that the policy would be in place indefinitely. Fans pictured packing Sha Tin during the 2019 Lunar New Year meeting. Fans pictured packing Sha Tin during the 2019 Lunar New Year meeting. A recent statement by the Hong Kong Jockey Club explained all will not be lost, handle-wise, though, as some 800,000 fans, that is the overwhelming majority of fans, hold a betting account with the club and are able to participate in racing outside the racecourses via online and phone platforms. With 700,000 to 800,000 fans watching our races on TV, it helps keep people at home rather than out on the streets and therefore helps to contain the situation, said Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. I think its a good step, theyve shown great leadership, Jockey Zac Purton was recently quoted as saying. Obviously everyones health and well-being is paramount and with how easily and quickly this virus can spread, everything they can do to try and reduce that is good. Other global racing jurisdictions have followed the Hong Kong Jockey Clubs lead when it comes to enacting policy in light of the outbreak. On Thursday, February 27, the Japan Racing Association announced that all central government-sanctioned horse races would still be contested, but that they would take place at empty race tracks for the foreseeable future. In nearby South Korea, horse racing events have been cancelled altogether. In Britain, with racings Cheltenham Festival less than two weeks away, the Coronavirus threat has spurred the establishment of a steering group that has been put together to ensure the sport is as ready as possible to deal with any situation that arises. Under attack: Civilians in Idlib have been bombarded by Syrian regime and Russian forces. Photo: Getty Images In Idlib, a new humanitarian disaster is playing out, one of the worst in the Syrian crisis that, in nearly a decade, has caused too many such disasters to even count. The Syrian regime continues its strategy of military reconquest of the country at any cost, regardless of the consequences for Syrian civilians. Since December, its operations in the north-west have grown in intensity, with support from Russian aircraft. The unremitting air strikes and dropping of barrel bombs have forced nearly one million Syrians to flee in just a few weeks. Relief structures are saturated. Hundreds of thousands of people - mostly women and children - are seeking shelter in makeshift camps, and are subjected to cold, hunger and epidemics. In defiance of international humanitarian law, the strikes deliberately targeted hospitals and health centres - 79 were forced to shut down - schools and shelters. A total of 298 civilians have been killed in Idlib since January 1, based on data from the OHCHR. It is perfectly clear to us there are radical groups in Idlib. We would never take terrorism lightly. We are fighting terrorism with determination and are on the front lines of the fight against Daesh. But fighting terrorism cannot and must not justify massive violations of international humanitarian law, which we are witnessing every day in north-west Syria. The United Nations has warned of the risk of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis if the current offensive continues. We call on the Syrian regime and its supporters to end this offensive and resume the ceasefire established in 2018. We call on them to immediately end hostilities and honour their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of humanitarian workers and medical personnel, many of whom have lost their lives because of their commitment to civilian populations in Idlib. We also call on Russia to continue negotiations with Turkey in order to de-escalate the dire situation in Idlib and contribute to a political solution. Beyond the urgency of a truce in Idlib, we call on Russia not to block the Security Council in the coming months from renewing the mechanism allowing for desperately needed cross-border humanitarian aid to be transported to north-west Syria; a mechanism it has already shut down in the north-east, where we now need to identify alternatives to the Al Yaroubiyah crossing. Who can currently claim the Syrian regime of its own accord will allow aid to reach those in need, when it bears the greatest responsibility for their situation? Finally, it is important to remember that only a politically negotiated end to the conflict can serve as a durable conclusion to the Syrian crisis. Political normalisation cannot happen before a genuine, irreversible political process is firmly under way. Focused on its military strategy, the regime seeks to undermine any type of inclusive political process, by blocking all constitutional discussions planned in Geneva under the aegis of UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen. But the reconquest under way is an illusion and the same causes will produce the same effects: radicalisation, instability in Syria and in the region, and exile, in a country where more than half the population is displaced or living as refugees. We have to acknowledge the tremendous efforts Syria's neighbours are undertaking, to provide shelter to these Syrians who had to leave their homes. In the face of the tragedy unfolding, Europeans too are shouldering their responsibilities. From a humanitarian standpoint, the European Union and its member states are the largest donors in support of the Syrian population. We will sustain and expand these collective efforts in reaction to the developing crisis. Europe continues to apply pressure on the regime to genuinely engage in the political process. On February 17, Europeans adopted fresh sanctions that target, on an individual basis, Syrian businesspersons who are fuelling the regime's war efforts and benefiting from its impact. It is also our responsibility to fight impunity with regard to the crimes committed in Syria. It is a matter of principle and justice. It is also a necessary condition for sustainable peace in a Syrian society that has been torn apart by nearly 10 years of conflict. We intend to continue to support the mechanisms to fight impunity that have been established by the United Nations: the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism. These collect proof that will be vital in the preparation of future proceedings against those who are responsible for the most serious crimes. We will also continue our work to refer cases to the International Criminal Court. We will maintain our commitment, including within the framework of our national jurisdictions, to ensure crimes committed in Syria do not go unpunished. These include the use of chemical weapons, breaching most fundamental norms of international law. We need to establish responsibilities and we need accountability. And we need clarity on what happened to the many detainees and missing persons. Opinion Article 27 February 2020 Hotel History: Carlyle Hotel, New York (190 Rooms) Advertisements The Carlyle Hotel was built by Moses Ginsberg and designed in Art Deco style by architects Sylvan Bien (1893-1959) and Harry M. Prince. Bien and Prince both had previously worked at the famous architectural firm of Warren & Wetmore. Since opening in 1930, The Carlyle has become a living legend that embodies the spirit of New York: elegant, sparkling, worldly and nostalgic. However, by the time the Carlyle was ready to open its doors, the 1929 stock market crash ended the boom times. The new hotel went into receivership in 1931 and was sold to the Lyleson Corporation in 1932. The new owners kept the original management which was able to improve occupancy and to stabilize the Carlyles' financial situation. In 1948, New York businessman Robert Whittle Dowling purchased the Carlyle and began to transform it into the most fashionable hotel in Manhattan. It became known as the "New York White House" during President John F. Kennedy's administration who maintained an apartment on the 34th floor for the last ten years of his life. He occupied the apartment in a well-publicized visit for a few days before his inauguration in January 1961. For almost nine decades, The Carlyle on the elegant upper East Side of New York City has pampered rich and famous guests from around the world with its timeless luxury, savvy discretion, attention to detail, smooth service and personalized touches. This swanky iconic hotspot, a Rosewood Hotels property, was celebrated in a cool new feature-length documentary film, Always at The Carlyle in 2018. The movie embraces more than 100 personalities, who share their colorful Carlyle stories. Among the celebrities spotlighted are George Clooney, Harrison Ford, Anthony Bourdain, Tommy Lee Jones, Roger Federer, Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola, Jon Hamm, Lenny Kravitz, Naomi Campbell, Herb Albert, Condoleezza Rice, Jeff Goldblum, Paul Shaffer, Vera Wang, Alexa Ray Joel, Graydon Carter, Bill Murray, Nina Garcia, Isaac Mizrahi, Buster Poindexter, Rita Wilson and Elaine Stritch. Yet some of the most gracious and insightful sound-bites are voiced by staff, many of whom have worked at The Carlyle for decades, such as the concierge Dwight Owsley. These well-trained employees personify what The Carlyle does best. The Cafe Carlyle is noted for the murals by Marcel Vertes, which were cleaned in the summer of 2007 as part of a renovation and redecoration of the cafe. Interior designer Scott Salvator oversaw the renovation and redecoration, the first significant alterations to the cafe since its debut in 1955. During the renovations, the cafe closed for three months and was widely praised after reopening in September 2007. Salvator removed the dropped acoustical ceiling, exposing two feet of newly found space which allowed for a modern sound and a lighting system to appeal to a younger generation. The Bemelmans Bar is decorated with murals depicting Madeline in Central Park painted by Ludwig Bemelmans. Bemelmans is the namesake of the bar, and his murals there are his only artwork on display to the public. Instead of accepting payment for his work, Bemelmans received a year and a half of accommodations at the Carlyle for himself and his family. Both the hotel's Cafe Carlyle and Bemelmans Bar are musical havens featuring outstanding performers. For decades dapper Bobby Short played piano and with his distinctive voice exemplified cafe society sophistication. More recently, the Cafe Carlyle has featured Rita Wilson, Alan Cummings, Linda Lavin, Gina Gershon, Kathleen Turner and Jeff Goldblum. It is interesting that the Carlyle has survived in splendid isolation that has heightened its visibility in comparison with most of these other pioneering residential towers. Much of the credit for that must go to Peter Sharp, the late developer who bought the hotel and also owned the low-rise building that fills the avenue blockfront across the street. That building was for many years the headquarters of Parke-Bernet, the auction house that was subsequently acquired by Sotherby's which relocated it to a warehouse-like building on 72nd Street and York Avenue. After World War II, Parke- Bernet was the center of the art world and largely responsible for many art galleries moving uptown around Madison Avenue from 57th Street. Sharp could have erected a very major new tower on the site after the auction house was moved, but he chose to not develop it and to protect the sweeping Central Park views for the Carlyle. The low-rise building now contains several important art galleries and some offices of the real estate division of Sotheby's as well as some high-end boutiques. The Carlyle has consistently been recognized as one of the top hotels by the world's leading publications, travel magazines and consumer organizations: Travel & Leisure Top 15 Hotels in New York City 2019 Conde Nast Traveler the Best Hotels and Resorts in the World: The 2019 Gold List Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award 2019 S. News Best USA Hotels 2019 S. New Best New York Hotels 2019 S. News Best New York City Hotels 2019 Harper's Bazaar The 30 Best Hotels in New York City My New Book "Hotel Mavens Volume 3: Bob and Larry Tisch, Curt Strand, Ralph Hitz, Cesar Ritz, Raymond Orteig" has just been published. My Other Published Hotel Books Great American Hoteliers: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry (2009) Built To Last: 100+ Year-Old Hotels in New York (2011) Built To Last: 100+ Year-Old Hotels East of the Mississippi (2013) Hotel Mavens: Lucius M. Boomer, George C. Boldt, Oscar of the Waldorf (2014) Great American Hoteliers Volume 2: Pioneers of the Hotel Industry (2016) Built To Last: 100+ Year-Old Hotels West of the Mississippi (2017) Hotel Mavens Volume 2: Henry Morrison Flagler, Henry Bradley Plant, Carl Graham Fisher (2018) Great American Hotel Architects Volume I (2019) All of these books can be ordered from AuthorHouse by visiting www.stanleyturkel.com and clicking on the book's title. If You Need an Expert Witness : For the past twenty-seven years, I have served as an expert witness in more than 42 hotel-related cases. My extensive hotel operating experience is beneficial in cases involving: PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 05:15:08 NTT DATA Creates and Makes Public a Digital Archive of the Historical Cultural Heritage of the ASEAN Region NTT DATA Corporation Public Relations Department (Kreab K.K.) Kazunori Koike TEL:81-3-5404-0640 FAX:81-3-5408-3225 Mail: NTT_DATA@kreab.com NTT DATA Corporation has built a digital archive system for the ASEAN Cultural Heritage Digital Archive (ACHDA) project, being conducted by the ASEAN Secretariat to digitize the valuable historical cultural heritage of ASEAN countries. The first phase of this project has been completed, with a digital archive created of 160 cultural assets from Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. The cultural heritage archive will be made publicly available from February 27, 2020, for anyone in the world to view online at the ACHDA website. This system supports the images, audio recordings, and video data that are available on other NTT DATA digital archive systems, as well as an expanded capability to handle three-dimensional models of physical objects. The second phase of the project, supposed to begin from fiscal 2020, will be to digitally archive cultural assets from Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos, and make them available on the archive site. Going forward, the project will be expanded to include all ten ASEAN member states in the future. This project is being conducted with financial support from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), established in 2006 with the contribution from the Japanese government. About the Digital Archive System Previous digital archiving projects focused on capturing image, audio and video data of valuable objects such as documents. This project has allowed digitization of precious 3D objects, including shape, color, and texture data to be preserved and made available to the public. This has been achieved by expanding the capabilities of our digital archiving solution AMLAD to prevent cultural heritage assets from being lost due to disasters, accidents, and aging, and to allow long-term preservation. The ACHDA digital archive site will be launched online on February 27, 2020, allowing anyone from around the world to freely access the cultural heritage of ASEAN nations in digital data form. Future work is being considered by the ASEAN Secretariat, and NTT DATA plans to further contribute to ASEAN by digitizing cultural heritage assets and building a sustainable digital archive system in all 10 ASEAN countries. Katsuichi Sonoda, Senior Vice President, NTT DATA I am truly honored that NTT DATAs information technologies can contribute to the preservation and sharing of ASEANs precious cultural heritage through the ACHDA Project. It is my sincere hope that the value of this initiative will be widely known throughout ASEAN, and that by conveying the precious cultural assets of the present to future generations, new culture will be fostered. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226006 Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 14:51:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Big data technologies have helped with China's nationwide fight against the novel coronavirus in fields including monitoring analysis, virus tracing, treatment and prevention, and resource allocation. Big data is shining a light on monitoring population flows and trends, which are of crucial importance in the epidemic control and prevention. In southwest China's Chongqing municipality, a big data map has been used for citizens to search if there are any confirmed patients nearby, as well as their activity trails. This technology helps citizens take the necessary precautions in their daily lives. In north China's Tianjin, local authorities have put into use a registry system to collect information from people who return to the city to facilitate further big data analysis. China's research institutions and enterprises are also capitalizing on big data through mining, analyzing and extracting useful information to fuel medical research, policymaking and social governance. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: A nine-year-old Meghalaya girl is set to charm the Silicon Valley with an anti-bullying app. Meaidaibahun Majaw, a student of Class IV in Shillong, has been selected by an online portal, White Hat Junior, as among 12 winners. The portal, which helps children learn the basics of coding, tweeted: Kudos Mae Mae, who is one of our winners of the 12 chosen ones! Mae Mae will soon be flying to #SiliconValley to meet #Google Scientists, Waymo Engineers, VCs from Nexus Ventures and Entrepreneurs from Owl Ventures. Meaidaibahun, who will meet the whos who in California in May, will probably be the Northeast's youngest entrepreneur. She will give a presentation on her app before the audience at the Silicon Valley. While bullying may not be as discussed an issue as ragging, it is a huge issue in the West. Given this, Meaidaibahuns app could be a huge hit across the world. She said her app would help children and students to alert their teachers, parents and others anonymously against bullies. She had developed it within three months since enrolling with White Hat Junior in September last year. If approved, it will figure in Playstore. Bullying is something that she came face-to-face with in school. Another app, which she has developed, can help a customer place an order at an eatery without human interface. The child said she was working on several other apps. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed joys on learning about the girls achievement. Ecstatic to learn that Meaidaibahun Majaw #Meghalayas 9yr old genius who created an anti-bullying app to help victims report cases of #bullying anonymously to parents and teachers is among the 12 chosen ones to go to #SiliconValley. A dream come true for Meai. So proud of her, he tweeted. Earlier, she was awarded a special appreciation certificate and memento by Union Human Resources Development Minister RP Nishank. MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A crash on Interstate 480 east closed the highways two left lanes Thursday morning, resulting in bumper-to-bumper traffic for miles. The crash happened about 7 a.m. between the Ohio 14 and Warrensville Center Road exits, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. No other information was immediately available. Traffic cameras show traffic snarled for miles, back to the Brooklyn area near the State Road exit. ODOT did not provide an estimate for when the crash will be cleared and the lanes will re-open. Snow fell last night and early this morning throughout Northeast Ohio, but the area could see more Thursday. Shifting winds could boost lake-effect snow later Thursday morning, the National Weather Service says. Dozens of Northeast Ohio school districts closed Thursday due to the weather. Columbia Gas agreed Wednesday to plead guilty to a federal felony, pay a $53 million fine and stop doing business in Massachusetts, but the company responsible for the deadly September 2018 natural gas disaster in the Merrimack Valley is not out of the woods just yet. Once the federal National Transportation Safety Board released its final report on the September 2018 over-pressurization incident that triggered natural gas explosions in Andover, Lawrence and North Andover, regulators with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities in October 2019 opened two separate investigations into the incident and Columbia Gass handling of it. The investigations aim to get to the bottom of Columbia Gass role and responsibility for the 2018 events, its compliance with federal safety regulations and DPUs own pipeline safety rules, the companys preparation for such an event, the implementation of the companys emergency response plan and more. Once the DPU investigations are complete, the Baker administration said the agency could levy a multi-million dollar penalty on Columbia Gas and take steps to improve the overall safety of the states natural gas distribution system. The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to ensuring Columbia Gas of Massachusetts is held accountable for systemic failures in its gas distribution system leading up to and following the tragic events in Merrimack Valley, and the Department of Public Utilities continues to investigate Columbia Gas of Massachusetts responsibility for and response to the incident, Craig Gilvarg, press secretary for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said Wednesday after federal prosecutors announced Columbia Gas had agreed to accept responsibility for the Merrimack Valley disaster. In a press conference to announce the charge and plea Wednesday morning, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling noted that every major urban area has hundreds of miles of gas lines underneath it and that it is only the gas companies themselves monitoring those pipelines on a day-to-day basis. There are various regulatory bodies -- theres the Department of Public Utilities at the state level, theres the NTSB, there are federal laws on maintaining pipelines -- so there is a regulatory structure in place to maintain pipeline safety, he said. I think, overall, it is adequate in that, thankfully, tragedies like this one are rare. Lelling went on to say that the possibility that another company either buys Columbia Gas or assumes its service area and then shows a similar disregard for safety is always an existing risk." And this is why you have state and federal regulations in place for natural gas utilities," he said. Private gas companies own this underground infrastructure nationwide; Massachusetts is no different that way. And, day to day, what we depend on is state and federal authorities to ensure that the company itself maintains the safety of those lines. When the News Service asked if the state DPU should have known more about the organizational failures at Columbia Gas before the deadly 2018 incidents, Lelling declined to delve into that topic. I dont want to opine on that, he said Wednesday. I can tell you that the state AGs office and the Department of Public Utilities are now involved in their own investigation of the company and DPU will also play a role in approving the sale of Columbia Gas to a third party. But beyond that, I dont want to comment on what DPU should or should not have done before the event itself. In the immediate wake of the Merrimack Valley incidents, then-gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez criticized the DPU for being too cozy with utilities and lax in its investigation of safety complaints. He said he planned to replace all three members of the DPU board if he had been elected. The people of this state deserve to know that even if we cant prevent every single accident from happening, that their state government that is here to work for them, not for the utilities, but here to work for them in doing everything in their power to prevent disasters like what happened in the Merrimack Valley from happening, Gonzalez said in September 2018. Gilvarg said the completion of the Dynamic Risk review was a critical part of the Baker-Polito Administrations efforts to improve pipeline safety in the Commonwealth including tripling the number of pipeline safety inspectors, requiring certified professional engineers to approve natural gas work, issuing regulations to reduce incidents of excavation damage and ensuring that natural gas companies move to adopt recommended comprehensive pipeline safety management standards. But the Dynamic Risk review team also looked into the Massachusetts DPU and identified it as having room for improvement in its first phase report. In the second phase report, Dynamic Risk said it had found that the DPU has made notable improvements since the September 2018 incident in Merrimack Valley and in response to the Phase I Report. Still, DPU has opportunities to continue its progress and improvements to pipeline safety, the report concluded. In the fiscal year 2021 budget the governor filed last month, he is proposing to sharply increase the fines the DPU can assess on companies that do work on or near natural gas pipelines and to make utilities establish a timeline for replacing leak-prone pipes, in addition to making a $5 million outlay for the DPUs Pipeline Safety Division to ensure natural gas companies are in compliance with safety regulations. Outside sections in Bakers budget (H2) would increase fines for Dig Safe violations, emergency response violations and for violations of the states pipeline code. They would also eliminate the exemption municipal water companies have from Dig Safe requirements and add new requirements for gas companies gas safety enhancement plans, which were introduced under a 2014 gas leaks law. I think from our point of view, there were a series of recommendations that were made in the original report that came out around Columbia [Gas] and I think our view was that making those investments would be an important part of our ability to do the work that we need to do here in Massachusetts to make sure that our grid is safe, the governor said when he unveiled his spending plan. During a state Senate debate on climate policy bills last month, a handful of senators withdrew their gas safety-related amendments saying that they are satisfied with a commitment from Senate President Karen Spilka and others to address the states gas infrastructure in standalone legislation in the coming months. Related Content: Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/25/2020 -- Market Characterization-: The overall Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market is characterized on the basis of different analysis-: Fiber optic connector in telecom market is expected to be witnessing market growth at a rate of 10.10% in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027. Data Bridge Market Research report on global fiber optic connector in telecom market analyses the market disruptors to enable the user with better understanding and information into the market's insights, although increasing utilization of wireless data transmission in various industries is expected to hinder the market's growth potential. Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market Definition-: These connectors enable better volume of bandwidth transmissions at a significantly high rate which is the need of the hour from the telecommunication sector to ensure efficient data transmission. High demands for more secure data transmissions amid rising concerns for security and data breach are expected to propel the market growth. Download Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom Research Report in PDF Brochure (Note: Kindly use your business/corporate email id to get priority): https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-fiber-optic-connector-in-telecom-market&sc Key Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market players Analysis-: The study given in this section offers details of key market players. It likewise clarifies the marketing strategies adopted by these players as well as portrays their shareholdings in the Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market. Details of few key market players are given here- Amphenol Fiber Optic Products, TE Connectivity, Molex, 3M, SHENZHEN DYS FIBER OPTIC TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD, Broadcom, FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., Corning Incorporated, HIROSE ELECTRIC CO., LTD., Hitachi Information & Telecommunication Engineering, Ltd., Diamond SA, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., OFA s.r.o., Fibernet, COMMSCOPE among other domestic and global players. Market share data is available for Global, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South America separately. DBMR analysts understand competitive strengths and provide competitive analysis for each competitor separately. Segmentation Analysis-: The total Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market is further divided by company, by country, by manufacturer and by application/type for the competitive landscape examination. Product Segmentation- Global Fiber Optic Connector in Telecom Market By Type (LC, MPO/MTP, SC, ST, FC, MU, FDDI, SMA, MXC, MTRJ, E2000, EC, Others), Cable (Simplex, Duplex, Multi-Fiber), Application (Telecom, Datacom, Networks, Others) Geographical Analysis-: Under this section, Regional and country-level analysis of the Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market has been performed- Regional Segments Analysis: The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt.) North America (the United States, Mexico, and Canada.) South America (Brazil etc.) Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia.) Set of Chapter covered in this report-: Part 01: Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom Market Overview Part 02: Manufacturers Profiles Part 03: Global Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom Market Competition, by Players Part 04: Global Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom Market Size by Regions Part 05: North America Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom Revenue by Countries Part 06: Europe Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom Revenue by Countries Part 07: Asia-Pacific Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom Revenue by Countries Part 08: South America Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom Revenue by Countries Part 09: Middle East and Africa Revenue Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom by Countries .so on New Business Strategies, Challenges & Policies are mentioned in Table of Content, Request Detailed TOC Click here https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-fiber-optic-connector-in-telecom-market&sc Highlights of TOC: Market Overview: It starts with product overview and scope of the global Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market and later gives consumption and production growth rate comparisons by application and product respectively. It also includes a glimpse of the regional study and Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market size analysis for the review period 2019-2026. Company Profiles: Each company profiled in the report is assessed for its market growth keeping in view vital factors such as price; Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market gross margin, revenue, production, markets served, main business, product specifications, applications, and introduction, areas served, and production sites. Manufacturing Cost Analysis: It includes industrial chain analysis, manufacturing process analysis, the proportion of manufacturing cost structure, and the analysis of key raw materials. Market Dynamics: Readers are provided with a comprehensive analysis of Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom market challenges, influence factors, drivers, opportunities, and trends. Market Forecast: Here, the Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom report provides consumption forecast by application, price, revenue, and production forecast by product, consumption forecast by region, production forecast by region, and production and revenue forecast. Buy Full Copy Global Fiber Optic Connector In Telecom Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-fiber-optic-connector-in-telecom-market&sc Thanks for reading this article you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia. Note: If You Have Any Special Requirements, Please Let Us Know And We Will Offer You The Report As You Want. Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate. Data Bridge Market Research US: +1 888 387 2818 UK: +44 208 089 1725 Hong Kong: +852 8192 7475 Corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com The Shiv Sena attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said that its attempt to corner Shiv Sena on the issue or Vinayak Damodar Savarkar or Veer Savarkar will not work. It said that the BJPs newfound love for Savarkar was false and that it was using the Hindutva ideologue as a shield and playing politics of nationalism. In a scathing attack on the BJP and its ideological fountainhead, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Sena asked in its mouthpiece Saamana what was the role of RSS in Indias freedom struggle and said that the Sangh did not even recognise Indian flag till 2002. The BJP is attempting to corner the Sena over the Savarkar issue after it formed the government with Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). On Wednesday, there was uproar in Maharashtra Assembly after Speaker Nana Patole rejected Opposition BJPs demand for moving a resolution honouring Savarkar on his 54th death anniversary in the House. The BJP leaders in Maharashtra have said that they will corner the government on the issue of Veer Savarkar. This shows that Savarkar has become a political issue for the BJP and not of respect and faith... Those who are feign to remember Savarkar today, have they really understood him? Instead of cornering the state government, [they should see] if the BJP government at Centre has respected him. Maharashtra BJPs Fadnavis, Patil, Mungantiwar, Shelar, etc. should ask the Centre, an editorial in Saamana said. It added that what happened to the Devendra Fadnavis demand to honour Savarkar with Bharat Ratna via two letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when Fadnavis was the chief minister. It also questioned the Centre as to why was Savarkar not given Bharat Ratna on this Republic Day. Attacking the RSS, the Sena said that it did not accept independence and the Indian tri-colour. It asked, Veer Savarkar has immense contribution in Indias freedom struggle. But where was the BJP or the Sangh parivar at that time? It added, The RSS was banned twice by Sardar Patel. The ban which was lifted on a condition that Indian tri-colour is the national flag. This condition was accepted by Golwalkar guriji, but it was not fulfilled till 2002. The saffron flag is Shiv Senas identity but with that Indian flag is also fluttered. This is our nationalism. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Governor orders complaint filed over disrespectful head swap photo of Phuket Heroines PHUKET: A formal complaint has been filed at the order of Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana calling for charges under the Computer Crimes Act to be pressed against a woman over a photo posted online with the heroines heads replaced with images of two other women. culturecrimepolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Thursday 27 February 2020, 05:48PM The woman who uploaded the modified photo of the revered Phuket Heroines may face serious charges. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub If found guilty of the two charges, the woman faces a combined maximum jail term of up to eight years in jail or a combined total fine of B160,000, or both. The complaint was jointly filed at Thalang Police Station today (Feb 27) by Thalang District Chief Adul Chuthong together with members of the Thalang Heroines Descendants Association and The Heroines Association. Mr Adul told the press at the police station that Governor Phakaphong had ordered the complaint to be filed as the photo posted online was considered profane. The complain explained that the photo was uploaded on to a Facebook page for Nong Phing Phranakhon (written in Thai) at 00:17am on Feb 24. The photo was of the two heroines Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn, but had photos of two other women superimposed over the heroines faces. Also superimposed on the photo were the words Bella & Phing Phing The heroines of Phuket typed in Thai. The photo was also tagged to link the Facebook pages of Uttama Thewakharuhabordi and Jae Lah Return (registered in Thai). The complaint alleged, The photo may damage the image of the heroines, who are widely respected. The photo could also be considered illegal under Section 14 (2) and Section 16 of the Computer Crimes Act B.E. 2550 (2007), the complaint noted. Section 14 (2) of the act stipulates that any person who puts into a computer system false computer data in a manner that is likely to damage the national security or cause panic in the public shall be subject to imprisonment up to five years and a fine of up to B100,000, or both. Section 16 stipulates that any person who imports into a publicly accessible computer system of computer data that will appear as an image of other person and the image has been created, edited, appended, or adapted by electronic means or whatsoever means, and by doing so it is likely to impair the reputation of such other person or to expose such other person to hatred or contempt, shall be subject to imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to B60,000, or both. Section 16 also stipulates that if the commission of such an act was made in good faith, the person shall not be guilty. It also makes clear that a breach of Section 16 is deemed to be a compoundable offense, meaning that the charge may be dropped if the complaint is withdrawn. More importantly, Section 16 also notes, If a party injured by an offense under paragraph one has died before filing a complaint, then their parents, spouse or children may file a complaint and shall be deemed to be the injured party. The complaint was received by Thalang Police Deputy Chief Lt Anukul Nuket, who declined to comment further on the case. After filing the complaint, The Heroines Association member Thanit Pratheep Na Thalang said, Thao Thepkrasattri and Thao Srisoonthorn fought to protect Thalang Town 235 years ago. The edited photo greatly affected Phuket peoples feelings, so I want police to prosecute the account owner. Recently, original housewife LeeAnne Locken announced she would not return to Real Housewives of Dallas for the fifth season. According to a Bravo insider, two Dallas-based ladies will allegedly join the cast after Lockens departure. Brandi Redmond, Stephanie Hollman, Kary Brittingham, Kameron Westcott, DAndra Simmons | Peter Larsen LeeAnne Locken leaving Real Housewives of Dallas In 2016, philanthropist and former pageant beauty LeeAnne Locken joined Real Housewives of Dallas as an original cast member. While she frequently butted heads with almost all of her castmates during the four seasons she spent on the show, many fans sympathized with her past and enjoyed her. In the last season, Locken made racially insensitive comments towards the newest housewife Kary Brittingham, who is of Hispanic heritage by referring to her as a chirpy Mexican. So annoying that LeeAnne keeps bringing up that Kary is from Mexico and how Kary should be big and strong because shes Mexican. It embarrasses me when white women are sooo easily triggered and threatened by women of color/other cultures. We need to do better. #RHOD pic.twitter.com/uJalf7Fa29 Ginger (@GingerRealityTV) December 9, 2019 When Locken faced backlash for her words, she apologized and denied she had a racist bone in her body. She eventually reconciled with Brittingham but announced she would not return for the fifth season. Even though the philanthropist noted it was a personal decision, former RHOD housewife Cary Deuber claimed Locken got fired, like me. Two new ladies are allegedly joining Real Housewives of Dallas According to Real Housewives insider The Bravo Boy, anesthesiologist Tiffany Moon, M.D., and realtor Jennifer Long are joining the cast as full-time housewives. Moon is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She is also married, and they parent two young daughters. Her husband owns Sam Moon, a successful jewelry, accessories, and apparel store. Recently, Moon attended the International Fashion Gala hosted by Harpers Bazaar. Jennifer Long is married to a man named David, and they have a two-year-old daughter, Davis ViVi. The Longs are real estate brokers and own commercial properties in Dallas. Moon is a friend of DAndra Simmons, and Long is associated with Kameron Westcott. Almost immediately after the first part of the RHOD Season 4 aired, Lockens wedding planner, Steve Kimble, uploaded a 2017 video of co-star Brandi Redmond seemingly mocking Asians. Redmond addressed the clip and claimed she made it when DAndra Simmons called her eyes squinty. Because this situation came on the heels of Lockens controversy, Redmond faced heavy backlash for the video and checked herself into a wellness center when it became too much. Therefore, many fans believe Redmond might get demoted to friend of, and these two ladies will replace Locken and the mother-of-three as full-time cast members. Fans react to the potentially new Real Housewives of Dallas housewives The majority of Reddit users only responded to the casting of Dr. Moon as theyre excited to see a person of Asian descent as a main cast member. Additionally, the anesthesiologist will be one of the first doctor housewives. Many fans also thought it would be karmic for Dr. Moon to replace Redmond because the mother-of-three recently came under fire for a racially insensitive video where she seemingly mocked Asians. Rumors are going around that this is the alleged Season 5 cast of #RHOD Tiffany Moon and Jennifer Long are the rumored new housewives. Not sure how legit this is, but if its true Im excited! pic.twitter.com/i3Z3MLdt8V HousewifeConnoisseur (@connoisseurhw) February 27, 2020 Bravo has not yet confirmed the casting of Long or Moon as of yet. Filming for Real Housewives of Dallas Season 5 is expected to start soon. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday left for a one-day visit to Qatar. The trip comes ahead the long-awaited deal seeking an end to decades-old long turmoil in Afghanistan is to be signed between United States and Taliban in Qatari capital Doha. The prime minister's visit was announced when Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed a press conference alongside US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Wednesday, ARY News reported. Sources further told the newspaper that the prime minister will call on Emir of Qatar and hold a meeting with his Qatari counterpart to discuss issues of mutual interest. According to Pakistani foreign office spokesperson, the focus will be on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on regional developments. Qureshi also announced that he himself would be present at the US - Taliban peace deal signing ceremony later this week. If secured properly, the deal would further lead to a withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. This will be the second visit of the prime minister to Qatar after taking office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Education officials across California are reviewing and updating emergency plans and preparing for the potential closure of schools if the new coronavirus spreads widely. Federal officials this week said schools need to start thinking about what to do in the event of a local outbreak. With the virus spreading to countries outside China, it appears to have breached containment efforts and will almost certainly spread in the United States at some point, officials said. A Solano County resident tested positive for the virus, officials announced Wednesday, marking the first case in the country from an unknown source. The Fairfield-Suisin Unified School District, which is in Solano County, notified parents that because of the new case, staff will be disinfecting surfaces on a daily basis, a recommendation made by county and state officials, to try to prevent the spread of the virus. While this may be alarming and cause fear, we want to assure you that FSUSD is taking precautions to keep our school sites disinfected and clean, officials said in a statement. Our staff will wipe down commonly shared surfaces every day with disinfectants. The state is also recommending students and staff to frequently wash their hands, cover their nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and stay home if they are sick. Officials can also consider canceling special events, like school dances, plays or other large gatherings.. But with the virus likely to spread across communities, closing schools, holding classes in smaller groups or remote education via the internet are all possibilities, said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. I understand this whole situation may seem overwhelming and that disruption to everyday life may be severe, she said. But these are things that people need to start thinking about now. According to the Center for Disease Control in a 2017 advisory regarding a flu pandemic, closing schools preemptively before flu becomes widespread in schools and communities can help slow the spread of disease in the community. In addition, officials might close certain schools if many staff and students are sick and regular school functions cannot be maintained. Parents also need to start considering what to do if schools are closed or classes are held remotely in their community, Messonnier added. I had a conversation with my family over breakfast this morning and I told my children that while I didnt think that they were at risk right now, we as a family need to be preparing for significant disruption of our lives, she said. You should think about what you would do for childcare if schools or day cares close. While many children in China are attending school remotely, most schools in the Bay Area or across the country wouldnt be able to conduct classes online given a lack of computer or internet access for many students. Such widespread school closures are not unprecedented, with many Bay Area schools shutting down in 2018 because of air quality issues related to wildfires. Individual schools have also closed from time to time because of outbreaks of illness like the norovirus. School districts must have emergency plans for earthquakes, fires, active shooters and other types of critical events, and in recent years, officials have added a pandemic flu plan for communicable diseases like the coronavirus. The pandemic influenza plan in Tulare County, for example, includes county guidance to close a school if more than 30% of students are ill. State and county officials have been providing guidance to California school districts about how to deal with a potential outbreak. 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. Although there are still zero confirmed cases in San Francisco residents, the global picture is changing rapidly, and we are working with the city to ensure we are prepared in the event that our schools are impacted, said San Francisco schools spokeswoman Laura Dudnick. We are planning for how we would manage in the case of an exposure at a school. Already, the state Department of Education has advised schools to bar travelers from mainland China from school grounds for 14 days. In addition, they are encouraging school staff to promote preventive measures, like hand washing and cleaning frequently used surfaces. Those with fevers should stay home until the fever is gone for 24 hours, according to the guidelines. More Information Parents: How to plan for an extended stay at home during a flu pandemic Ask your employer about how business will continue during a pandemic. Ask your employer if you can work from home during a flu pandemic. Plan for a possible reduction or loss of income, if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed. Check with your employer or union about leave policies. Check with your school district for home learning activities. Have materials, such as books, on hand. Plan recreational activities that your children can do at home. Source: Chula Vista Elementary School District See More Collapse The California Department of Education is monitoring the situation regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus and working closely with agency partners to determine best steps to be prepared, said Scott Roark, spokesman for the California Department of Education. Any decisions to close schools as a result of the coronavirus would be made by individual county health agencies and school districts. In Contra Costa County, officials said they are in constant communication with county health officials. Three people who have tested positive for coronavirus are currently being monitored in Contra Costa hospitals; they were all U.S. passengers evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan where the virus was spreading rapidly. But there is no evidence that the virus is circulating in the county, said Terry Koehne, spokesman for the Contra Costa County Office of Education. With that said, we also take seriously our responsibility to keep students and schools safe and protected, he said, and will work on a plan with health services ... on how to respond if any of our schools are at risk of becoming impacted. Jill Tucker and Erin Allday are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker @erinallday Bank of Queensland chief executive George Frazis has promised new mobile apps and an overhaul of the regional lender's technology core by the end of the calendar year, as part of a five-year strategy focused on growth and digitisation at the 145-year-old institution. BOQ blamed previous underperformance on its complex product offerings and long processing times and pledged to slash some of its 220 banking products and reduce conditional approvals for mortgages from five days to around one, as it unveiled its five-pillared strategy. BOQ chief executive George Frazis. Credit:Louie Douvis Mr Frazis acknowledged the bank had faced challenges in embracing technology but said acquisitions including Virgin Money Australia and Investec Bank had caused delays. "Weve got multiple core systems and multiple front ends," said Mr Frazis. "What this new strategy does is say we're going to migrate everything to a single retail platform and business banking platform which really simplifies the whole environment." UPDATE: March 1: To help prop up demand, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue have said that they will waive change or cancellation fees for flights booked in the next two weeks for trips through early June. It's important to note restrictions on these waivers, though. First, they only apply to bookings made now through mid-March they do not apply to tickets purchased before that. Also, these waivers do not include "get your money back" refunds for canceled trips. Instead, you'll be issued a flight credit that must be used within one year. Remember, you'll only get a refund from an airline if it cancels your flight; you will not get one if you decide to cancel your trip. Original post begins here... Several international airlines in recent weeks have waived fees for changing or canceling flights to areas affected by outbreaks of coronavirus, but JetBlue has taken that policy up a notch by allowing fee-free changes for all its flights booked in the next couple of weeks even though it doesnt fly anywhere that is currently threatened by the virus. Its a big step in a fast-changing environment, as each day brings news of additional coronavirus cases around the world, and it could put pressure on other airlines to do the same for their domestic flights. It could also be a sign that passenger bookings have started to nosedive for all air travel after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week publicly warned that Americans should be prepared to see the virus expand in the United States. Another sign of a gloomy outlook for the travel biz: United, which is heavily exposed in the Asian markets, pulled its full-year financial outlook today, citing concerns about COVID-19. Even MasterCard is warning investors that its business could take a hit as transborder travel (and, therefore, credit card transactions) declines sharply. So far, we have not seen any across-the-board fare sales as airlines scramble to prop up demand during the crisis. Specifically, JetBlue said it will suspend change and cancellation fees for new flight bookings made from Feb. 27 through March 11 for travel completed by June 1. The policy applies to all fare types, including the airlines no-frills Blue Basic which usually doesnt permit any changes or cancellations and for flights booked through JetBlue Vacations. Customers who book in the next two weeks will receive a full travel credit should they need to cancel their trip, and customers who wish to change their plans can apply the full amount from their original booking to a different itinerary, although fare differences may apply, the company said. JetBlue President Joanna Geraghty said that even though there are currently no travel restrictions to anywhere on JetBlues route map, we want to give our customers some peace of mind that we are ready to support them should the situation change. Recent polls have indicated that substantial percentages of both business and leisure travelers are rethinking upcoming travel plans due to the unfolding coronavirus situation, especially since it is no longer confined to China. This week, the CDC urged Americans to avoid unnecessary travel to South Korea, where coronavirus cases have surged in recent days, and warned travelers to be careful about trips to northern Italy, site of another outbreak. Delta, United and American, which already had fee waivers in place for travel to China, extended those waivers this week for flights to Seoul; Delta also extended waivers for travel to northern Italy. Don't miss a shred of important travel news. Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly email alerts Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Chris McGinnis is SFGATE's senior travel correspondent. You can reach him via email or follow him on Twitter or Facebook. Don't miss a shred of important travel news by signing up for his FREE biweekly email updates! SFGATE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. WASHINGTON Democratic presidential contenders are describing the federal infectious-disease bureaucracy as rudderless and ill-prepared for the coronavirus threat because of budget cuts and ham-handed leadership by President Donald Trump. Thats a distorted picture. For starters, Trump hasnt succeeded in cutting the budget. Hes proposed cuts but Congress ignored him and increased financing instead. The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention arent suffering from budget cuts that never took effect. A look at some of the Democrats remarks: MIKE BLOOMBERG: Theres nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing. And hes defunded hes defunded Centers for Disease Control, CDC, so we dont have the organization we need. This is a very serious thing. debate Tuesday night. JOE BIDEN, comparing the Obama-Biden administration with now: We increased the budget of the CDC. We increased the NIH budget. Hes wiped all that out. He cut the funding for the entire effort. THE FACTS: Theyre both wrong to say the agencies have seen their money cut. Bloomberg is repeating the false allegation in a new ad that states the U.S. is unprepared for the virus because of reckless cuts to the CDC. Trumps budgets have proposed cuts to public health, only to be overruled by Congress, where theres strong bipartisan support for agencies such as the CDC and NIH. Instead, financing has increased. Indeed, the money that government disease detectives first tapped to fight the latest outbreak was a congressional fund created for health emergencies. Some public health experts say a bigger concern than White House budgets is the steady erosion of a CDC grant program for state and local public health emergency preparedness the front lines in detecting and battling new disease. But that decline was set in motion by a congressional budget measure that predates Trump. The broader point about there being nobody here to coordinate the response sells short whats in place to handle an outbreak. The public health system has a playbook to follow for pandemic preparation regardless of whos president or whether specific instructions are coming from the White House. Those plans were put into place in anticipation of another flu pandemic, but are designed to work for any respiratory-borne disease. Among the health authorities overseeing the work are Dr. Anne Schuchat, CDCs principal deputy director and a veteran of previous outbreaks, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, NIHs infectious disease chief who has advised six presidents. The CDCs response has been excellent, as it has been in the past, said John Auerbach, president of the nonpartisan Trust for Americas Health, which works with government at all levels to improve the nations response to high-risk health crises. Some Democrats have charged that Trump decimated the nations public health leadership, but Auerbach said CDCs top scientific ranks have remained stable during the past three years. Will the preparations be enough? One of the lessons learned in prior crises, such as the anthrax attacks, is not to offer false assurances when scientists have questions about the illness. The CDC, for example, can accurately test for the virus but has struggled to get working test kits to state health departments. Thats key if theres a need to rapidly increase the number of tests being performed. The U.S. closed borders to travelers from China to buy time as preparations began but, classically thats not the way you address an outbreak, Fauci told The Associated Press this week. If you do it for a very limited period of time, temporarily until you can get things in order in your own country, it could have some benefit. But in general, the concept of closing borders, you cannot do that for an extended period of time. But with infections now in much of the world, one of the questions for U.S. policymakers is whether its time to modify any of those border or travel restrictions. ___ Associated Press writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report. ___ EDITORS NOTE A look at the veracity of claims by political figures. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck A convicted cancer faker who told her family she had just months to live before blowing the money raised for her 'treatment' is back before the courts. More than $40,000 was donated to Hanna Dickenson, from Ballarat in Victoria, by kindhearted friends and family who believed her lies that she was terminally ill. She set up a false bank account in the name of a doctor to accept donations then blew the money on alcohol, drugs and lavish holidays. She was jailed for three months in 2018 but upon appeal she was instead given a two-year community correction order. Ballarat woman Hanna Dickenson, 26, told her parents she was diagnosed with cancer and needed money for treatment before receiving $42,000 from the community Dickenson, 26, has now pleaded guilty to eight fresh charges including 'obtaining financial advantage by deception', The Herald Sun reported. Her charges relate to offences committed during her community corrections order including trying to use another person's identity to secure a $30,000 car loan. While working as an employment consultant for Max Employment in the Melbourne suburb of Oakleigh she targeted a 'vulnerable client'. Dickenson used her position to acquire the personal details of the client, faked a pharmacy signature to confirm the fraudulent identification and set up an email in the client's name. Senior Constable Kai Schulz told the Melbourne Magistrates Court Dickenson should be sent to jail. She said identify theft was not a victimless crime and is made worse by targeting vulnerable people. 'It's further aggravated by the fact Ms Dickenson was in a position of trust she's abused that trust for her own benefit,' Senior Constable Schulz said. Dickenson went into the car dealership to pay a $900 deposit and claimed to be the mother of the client whose identity she had used. Once she had secured the funds she blew it on parties, lavish holidays and drugs But when staff at Natloans ran Dickenson's phone number, they were able to link it with a past loan application she had submitted as herself. The old loan had been rejected due to a bad credit history and the fraudulent application was flagged, the court heard. Dickenson also put $10,168 worth of overpaid rent and bonds from seven customers into her own bank account while working as a property manager at Little Real Estate between May 2016 and March 2018, the court was told. Dickenson's lawyer Will May claimed her behaviour was a result of being bullied as a child for her weight. 'She saw money and material items as an avenue of happiness or to gain popularity,' he said. He also said Dickenson's spending was an attempt to show that she was 'well off'. She has been diagnosed with narcissistic and borderline personality disorders. Dickenson was sentenced to three months in jail, but immediately lodged an appeal and was granted bail pending that decision in the County Court at a later date. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) President Rodrigo Duterte's move to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States does not have the full support of his Cabinet, according to a lawmaker. Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson in a media briefing on Thursday said he's heard of reservations from several Cabinet officials about the abrogation of the two-decade-old military agreement with US which has brought billions of pesos in aid for the Philippines since 1999. "We talked to several Cabinet members... they are actually against the abrogation," Lacson said, without naming names. He also refused to say how many these Cabinet secretaries are, but said they are less than 10. "Openly, at least 'pag kami-kami lang hindi naman sila naghehesitate na magsabi na mali talaga ang decision to abrogate because we have not prepared for it," Lacson added. [Translation: Openly, when it's just us talking, they do not hesitate to say that it's really wrong to abrogate because we have not prepared for it.] The VFA, a 1998 agreement between Manila and Washington, legally allows the entry of a large number of American troops, exempting them from passport and visa regulations so they can participate in joint military drills in the Philippines. EXPLAINER: The Visiting Forces Agreement Duterte first threatened to junk the VFA on January 23 to condemn the US government's revocation of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's tourist visa. Dela Rosa acknowledged the travel restriction may have something to do with alleged extrajudicial killings under his watch as chief of the Philippine National Police from 2016 to 2018. On February 11, Duterte pushed through with sending the US a notice to terminate the VFA despite some senators' appeal that they be consulted. The Senate also passed a resolution calling for a thorough review of the VFA before deciding on its fate. Even Foreign Affairs Secretary Tedoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin, Jr. said in a Senate hearing that the continuance of the VFA "is deemed to be more beneficial" for the Philippines. He highlighted benefits the Philippines has been getting from the VFA, including military assistance, financial grants, and deterrence against possible attacks from other countries, among others. READ: PH could lose up to 10 billion in aid if VFA ends, Locsin says Locsin, the country's senior diplomat, later heeded Duterte's order to send the termination notice to the US. Lacson said some of the Cabinet members he has talked had to tried to discourage the President from abrogating the VFA. "Maraming takot kay Presidente... Nag-eexpress sila but you know, lagi silang nananantya ba. How to bring it to his attention, how to persuade him or dissuade him from proceeding doon sa abrogation. And sa tingin lang mukhang made up ang mind ni PRRD," Lacson said. [Translation: Many fear the President. They expressed (their reservations) but you know, they always seem to weight things. How to bring it to his attention, how to persuade him or dissuade him from proceeding with the abrogation. And they think PRRD has made up his mind.] Meanwhile, the Senate is not giving up on trying to save the VFA. Lacson said they are planning to question the President's unilateral termination with the Supreme Court. This will be similar to the senators' pending petition regarding Duterte's pullout from the International Criminal Court, which they said needed Senate's concurrence. The Constitution is silent on this matter, since it only requires Senate concurrence in the ratification of an agreement. The VFA will be effectively scrapped on August 9 180 days from the US' receipt of the termination notice. Panelo earlier said there's nothing the US government could do to "salvage" the VFA, while American President Donald Trump made it clear he does not have plans of doing so. "I view it as, 'Thank you very much. We save a lot of money,'" Trump said in an interview, in response to Duterte's move to junk the VFA. CNN Philippines' Joyce Ilas contributed to this report. A three-year-old twin who insisted on going home with her grandmother after visiting a trampoline park has been left in a critical condition after a horrific car accident. Avery Sinclair and her grandmother Melissa Sinclair, 42, were involved in a single-vehicle crash in Sanson, about 20km north of Palmerston North, New Zealand on February 16 about 4.20pm. Avery's parents Rochelle and Jonathon received a phone call at 6pm, where they were advised the pair had been in a car accident and were taken to hospital in a critical condition. Avery Sinclair and her grandmother Melissa Sinclair, 42, were involved in a single-vehicle crash in Sanson, about 20 kilometres north of Palmerston North, on Sunday February 16 about 4.20pm The crash happened about 600m from Avery's home. 'We got the kids in the car [after the phone call] and started to make our way, then I saw the accident cones right on the corner of my street, we put one on one together,' Rochelle wrote on a Facebook page for updates on her daughter. 'At this stage we did not know if Avery was going to survive, her injuries were serious and she was bleeding out from her lower abdomen.' The three-year-old was then flown by helicopter to the Starship Hospital in Auckland, where the family learnt she suffered spinal cord damage, a broken leg and torn ligaments in her neck. 'The leg and neck wouldn't be a issue, they will heal. But the spinal cord is a massive concern,' Rochelle said. Ms Sinclair - Avery's Nana and Jonathon's mum - remains at Palmerston North Hospital with serious brain injuries. Every bone in her face is broken, as well as a shoulder blade, ribs, legs and ankles. Jonathon and Rochelle are with Avery during her difficult road to recovery, while Avery's twin brother Lachlan and their five-year-old daughter Madison are staying with extended family in Palmerston North. The family do not yet know whether Avery will be able to walk. 'We hope Avery makes a full recovery and gains leg function back but at this stage it's a 50/50 chance and it's the unknown,' Rochelle told Daily Mail Australia. 'We are coping [with the situation] as best as we can and feel Avery has been thrown in the deep end. A patient update shared to the fundraising page on Thursday said the pair had reached amazing milestones 11 days after the accident. ''Avery is back to being mostly herself,' the update said alongside this picture 'She had anxiety prior to the accident and she also seems confused to what everyone is doing, why they are and why she isn't at home.' The accident is being investigated by the police serious crash unit. 'The wearing or not wearing of proper restraints is part of the ongoing investigation into the incident,' police said. Rochelle wrote on Facebook: 'Please drive carefully, do not text and drive, wear your seatbelt and if you are travelling with children make sure their car seat is installed properly and the child is in the correct harness.' On the day of the accident, Avery 'really want to go' with her grandmother after visiting Cloud 9 Trampoline Park in Palmerston North. 'We told her Nana to drive safe, and take care of our baby, not knowing what was about to come,' Rochelle said. A Give A Little page was created to ease the financial burden of Avery and Melissa's rehabilitation as well as the travel costs associated with family members visiting the patients. Ms Sinclair's daughter Jessica flew to New Zealand from Melbourne to be with her mother during the recovery process. The three-year-old twin insisted on going home with her grandmother after visiting a trampoline park A patient update shared to the fundraising page on Thursday said the pair had reached amazing milestones 11 days after the accident. 'Avery is back to being mostly herself... I'm so proud of how well she has been doing and she is handling everything as best as she can right now,' the update said. The three-year-old has been able to use her arms and even enjoyed a lollipop. A CT scan on Ms Sinclair on Wednesday showed an additional brain bleed, which is being closely monitored. 'She is still currently in ICU but is making small progress,' the fundraising page said. 'Her left leg will have surgery to remove the brace, repair broken bones and close wounds. 'Melissa's facial reconstruction has also been booked. 'Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for the support and well wishes.' More than $3,000 has been raised for the family in five days. Jimmy Johns on Monday stopped serving clover sprouts at all of its restaurants out of what it said was an abundance of caution. A day later, the Food and Drug Administration announced it had sent the company a warning letter, dated Feb. 21, outlining evidence that its sprouts and cucumbers were implicated in five outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella illnesses between April 2012 and December 2019 that sickened 88 people across at least 17 states. NEW DELHI The mob smashed through the gate and cut the electricity. The men stormed up the steps, chanting the name of a Hindu god and brandishing knives, chains, iron bars and pieces of pipe. The Musharraf family, who are Muslim, locked themselves in a dark room. The breadwinner, a 30-something rickshaw driver, threw himself under the bed and curled up in a wooden box. But the mob of more than 25 men found him. Please, Im also your brother, he pleaded and folded his hands in front of his chest, a gesture for mercy, according to several survivors. I also have young kids, like you. They clubbed him in the face and dragged him out. Family members, in hiding around the neighborhood, frantically called the police. No one came. As Indias worst spasm of religious violence in years entered its sixth day, with the death toll climbing to at least 38, questions are intensifying about why the New Delhi police failed to quell the bloodletting. Just when you thought it was safe to look into the mirror again, horror master Jordan Peele is bringing back one of the scariest movies of the 90s... or really any decade. Were talking, of course, about Candyman, the 1992 horror favorite starring Tony Todd as the titular bee-covered boogeyman who haunted the reflective surfaces of Chicagos infamous housing project, Cabrini-Green. Due in theaters on June 12, the new film takes place in the present day when Cabrini-Green is a memory, but the terror of Candyman is as real as ever. My connection with Candyman is pretty simple, Peele told journalists at a special unveiling of the first trailer for the 2020 version. It was one of the few movies that explored any aspect of the black experience in the horror genre in the 90s when I was growing up. It was an iconic example of representation in the genre. We have a reimagining of this story that were very excited about. And if the maker of Get Out and Us is excited, then you know audiences should be scared. (Watch the trailer above.) (Photo: Universal) For the record, Peele isnt helming the new Candyman: Instead, he used his creative power as executive producer to enlist the skills of director Nia DaCosta, who was born two years before the original film hit theaters but grew up in its shadow. The first thing I remember about Candyman was being dared to say his name in the bathroom of my middle school, the director confessed to the press. That scene from her own life is on display in the trailer when a group of teenage girls cluster in front of the bathroom mirror and utter Candymans name five times. At first, nothing out of the ordinary happens, but when they try to return to the school hallway, the door is locked and the bloodshed begins. My friends in elementary school: We're gonna go say Candyman in the bathroom. Wanna come? Me: pic.twitter.com/LfjsC41BNt Virgo Blade (@tellmeulovememe) February 27, 2020 I said Candyman so many times in the bathroom in elementary school lol. Jeevan Brown (@JeevanBrown) February 27, 2020 What makes that Candyman trailer funny is that theres wasnt one black girl in the mirror saying candy man...one just happen to walk to use the bathroom Kloudwalker (@Kendalltheman) February 27, 2020 Just saw the trailer for Candyman and it brought me back. Mann... growing in Chicago my older siblings and their friends would always mess with me and put me in the bathroom saying that damn name 5x Natasha K. (@NatashaKhawja) February 27, 2020 With the last of Cabrini-Greens buildings torn down in 2011, that area of Chicago has seen new development and, with it, gentrification. And DaCosta says that subject is very much part of this new telling of the Candyman legend. We talk about the ghosts that have been left behind, she confirms. The person hunting the neighborhoods ghosts is Anthony McCoy, played by breakout Watchmen star, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. An artist by trade, Anthony is obsessed with learning all he can about Candyman, to the chagrin of his new neighbors. Im hoping to spread the story, he insists. Based on the flood of terrifying imagery that follows scored to a haunting cover of the Destinys Child chart-topper, Say My Name he maybe should have curled up with a good book at home. Story continues Jordan Peele proves again he can take a classic R&B song Say My Name and remix it into a horror track we never knew we wanted for the #candymanmovie #Candyman pic.twitter.com/YnmVq5d5rg Pooj (@poojsvarietyhr) February 27, 2020 Me: Jordan Peele cant turn another classic into a horror theme.. he got lucky the first time. JP: Here is the horror version of "Say My Name" for Candyman Me: pic.twitter.com/gboJXZV8nL Urias Davis (@iLoveUrias) February 27, 2020 The fact that Jordan Peele flipped Destinys Childs Say My Name for #Candyman is not only nostalgic, but also genius. He will be seeing my coin soon. pic.twitter.com/Yuh3qP5eRr (@luuxuryan) February 27, 2020 Jordan Peeles juxtaposition of popular/upbeat songs in his thrillers is brilliant. Like, I Got 5 on It in Us and now Say My Name in Candyman?! A genius. pic.twitter.com/ac2c2brFLv Porsle (@jrayyy25) February 27, 2020 Just as the 1992 film was a landmark for representation in horror, both Peele and DaCosta wanted to make the 2020 version a showcase for black actors. In addition to Abdul-Mateen, the supporting cast includes Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett. There are so many black people in this trailer and in this movie, the director said, happily. Although DaCosta played it coy about if and how the now 65-year-old Todd will appear in the film, the trailer does reveal that Virginia Madsen is back, potentially reprising her role as sociologist Helen Lyle. The director also hinted that while she and Peele both share a passion for Candyman, her taste in horror movies differs from his in one significant way. I really love gore, she said, laughing. Theres a fair amount of things you dont want to see, but I make you look at. No need to tell us twice... or five times. Candyman opens in theaters on June 12. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle's newsletter. Advertisement She's been enjoying some much-needed downtime after the emotional Love Island final. And Laura Whitmore and her boyfriend Iain Stirling have shared a glimpse at their time in South Africa on their Instagram pages, offering insight into their stunning winery accommodation, safari trip and salmon skills. The Irish presenter, 34, and her voice over artist boyfriend, 32, are believed to be staying in a 2,500 per night winery as the couple unwind in South Africa after show's finale. Gorgeous: Laura Whitmore and her boyfriend Iain Stirling have shared a glimpse at their time in South Africa on their Instagram pages, offering insight into their stunning winery accommodation, safari trip and salmon skills Laura showcased the location's stunning scenery as she twirled around a vineyard wearing a lime green dress on Wednesday as she frolicked in the sun. The blonde beauty took to social media to share a snap from her sunny getaway while her boyfriend Iain posted his hilarious attempt at the salmon, after the couple brought the most recent series to a close on Sunday. She also showed her followers how Iain was getting on with perfecting the infamous salmon move into the swimming pool, by posting a series of attempts before he finally managed to get it right. Laura oozed summer chic in a beautiful green dress with pretty frilled layers as she wandered through the vineyards in the stunning South African sunshine. Wow: Love Island host Laura Whitmore looked incredible as she shared a rare swimsuit snap to Instagram on Tuesday A trying time: Having wrapped series six of Love Island, Laura and beau Iain Stirling have taken some time to enjoy South Africa and wind down - following a very difficult couple of weeks Third time lucky! She also showed her followers how Iain was getting on with perfecting the infamous salmon move into the swimming pool, by posting a series of attempts before he finally managed to get it right Cheeky: The Irish presenter shared another slew of posts from her getaway while beau Iain posted a video of his hilarious attempt at the salmon Beautiful: Laura oozed summer chic in a pretty green silk tiered dress as she enjoyed a stroll through a vineyard Getaway: Laura has been enjoying a spot of relaxation in South Africa after earning praise from fans for hosting the Love Island final, and paying tribute to her close friend Caroline Flack Tragic: Former Love Island host Caroline Flack sadly took her own life at her home earlier this month (pictured on the show last summer) The presenter teamed her low-key look with a black chain strap bag and white flat shoes as she wandered through the stunning scene. In the series of snaps Laura displayed the stunning views in the South African views, while another video showed her overlooking the valleys next to the stunning swimming pool. Laura captioned her post: 'Sometimes you just need to feel the sun on your skin...' Earlier in the week the TV host shared a sexy swimsuit snap as she looked out over the hills wearing a khaki green one piece, as she joked in the caption: 'Anyone elses a*** constantly trying to eat your bathing suit?!' Casual: Iain also shared a snap as he embraced the vineyard's stunning fights with his girlfriend Laura Meanwhile her beau Iain shared his own snap from the beautiful South African plains, along with a hilarious video of his attempt at the salmon. He captioned the post: Absolutely shocking technique, celebration after inexcusable. Sorry @christophertaylorofficial.' Another part of their trip included visiting the same safari that Mike Boateng and his girlfriend Priscilla Anyabu enjoyed their final date at during the last week in the villa. The couple spotted some lions and a mother and baby rhinoceros. It's been a difficult few weeks for the couple, who were devastated by the death of their close friend Caroline Flack, who tragically took her own life earlier this month. In the wild: Another part of their trip included visiting the same safari that Mike Boateng and his girlfriend Priscilla Anyabu enjoyed their final date at during the last week in the villa I did it! While he poked fun at his attempt in the post's caption, Iain seemed far happier with him display in the video Laura was lauded for handling the death of Caroline heroically, as she paid tribute to her friend during the Love Island final ahead of a montage of her work hosting the show. Iain - whose narrated Love Island since it began in 2015 - was also lauded for an emotional tribute to his friend when the show returned to the air last week after being pulled from air for several days. After the final, Laura and Iain marked the end of series with winners Paige Turley and Finley Tapp, who were crowned champions of the show's first ever winter series. The blonde beauty shared a cheery snap with the winners as they toasted their success with cups of champagne. She captioned the images: 'Your Love Islander Winners and finalists!! Their warmth, kindness and smiley faces helped me more than theyll ever know #loveisland.' If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org WASHINGTON - A professor at the University of Tennessee has been arrested on charges that he hid his relationship with a Chinese university while receiving research grants from the federal government, the Justice Department said Thursday. Anming Hu, an associate professor in the department of mechanical, aerospace and biomedical engineering at the universitys flagship Knoxville campus, was charged with three counts of wire fraud and three counts of making false statements. After the indictment was announced, the university said Hu had been suspended and that school officials had co-operated. University leadership is fully committed to adherence to grant procedures and the protection of intellectual property, the school said in a statement. The arrest is part of a broader Justice Department crackdown against university researchers who conceal their ties to Chinese institutions, with a Harvard chemistry professor recently arrested on similar charges. Federal officials have also asserted that Beijing is intent on stealing intellectual property from Americas colleges and universities, and have actively been warning schools to be on alert against espionage attempts. Prosecutors say Hu defrauded the National Aeronautics and Space Administration by failing to disclose the fact that he was also a professor at the Beijing University of Technology in China. Under federal law, NASA cannot fund or give grant money to Chinese-owned companies or universities. According to the indictment, as the University of Tennessee last December was preparing a proposal on Hus behalf for a NASA-funded project, Hu provided false assurances to the school that he was not part of any business collaboration involving China. In addition, prosecutors say, a curriculum vitae that Hu submitted when he applied for a tenured faculty position with the university omitted any affiliation with the Beijing university. This is just the latest case involving professors or researchers concealing their affiliations with China from their American employers and the U.S. government, Assistant Attorney General John Demers, the Justice Departments top national security official, said in a statement. We will not tolerate it. A federal defender assigned to represent Hu declined to comment. ____ Boko Haram terrorists The Federal Government has raised the alarm that Boko Haram insurgents are attacking Christians. FG said the aim of the terrorists is to divide the country. FG while admitting that terrorists are targeting Christians, said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has no systematic campaign to persecute Christians in Nigeria. It said since the insurgents were feeling hurt by troops, they have opted to be targeting Christians to cause chaos. It pleaded with religious leaders not to fall for the war antics of Boko Haram. It however explained that troops were winning the war including the recent killing of the Chief Judge of Boko Haram. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed made the position of the government known at a briefing in Abuja on the current security challenges facing the nation. He said: Recall that Boko Haram insurgents didnt use to discriminate between Christians and Muslims when they carried out their attacks in the past. Churches and mosques, Christians and Muslims were attacked without discrimination. When they targeted motor parks, the religion, gender, ethnicity or political leaning of the victims didnt matter, as long as they inflicted the maximum damage to lives and property. But in the wake of a renewed onslaught by our tireless military against Boko Haram and their ISWAP allies in recent times, the insurgents have apparently changed their strategy: They have started targeting Christians and Christian villages for a specific reason, which is to trigger a religious war and throw the nation into chaos. Apparently, they have realised how emotive and divisive religion can be, when exploited by unscrupulous persons. Lest I am misunderstood, let me repeat: the insurgents, who delude themselves as Muslims whereas they are nothing more than blood-thirsty, rapacious killers who subscribe to no religion, have recently started targeting Christians with a view to sowing the seed of confusion between the two great religions. This did not in any way signify that they have stopped attacking Muslims. But they seem to now have a deliberate policy of attacking Christians. The attack on a Christian village, Kwarangulum, near Chibok; the killing of the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika local government in Adamawa, Lawan Andimi; the killing of Ropvil Daciya Dalep, a student who was also a member of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) and the killing of 11 Christians on Christmas eve, etc, fit into this new strategy. Some have misinterpreted this to insinuate a systematic campaign to persecute Christians in Nigeria. This is absurd, and very unfair to the men and women who are daily battling the insurgents. The truth is that, having run out of options in their battle against Nigeria, the insurgents are desperate to stay relevant, to stay in the news, hence their cowardly and senseless strategy targeting Christians, as part of their increasing resort to the use of Guerilla tactics. Mohammed pleaded with religious leaders not to buy into Boko Haram agenda. He added: We want to therefore appeal to our religious leaders, both Christians and Muslims, not to fall for this desperate move by the insurgents, not to allow them to divide us as a people and weaken our resolve to deal the insurgents the mortal blow. In addition, we must also give our unalloyed support to the military, which has also upped the ante against the insurgents. The resort to the increasing use of Guerilla tactics by the insurgents is a sign of weakness on their part. Contrary to the belief in certain quarters, these insurgents are getting weaker by the day, thanks to the gallantry of our men and women in uniform. The Minister insisted that troops were doing well in curtailing Boko Haram insurgency. He said: The renewed vigour by the military in their war against the insurgents is paying off handsomely, judging by the victories they have recorded in recent times. These include: The killing of top ISWAP leaders at two separate meeting venues at Marte Local Government in Borno State a few days ago A similarly successful attack against the leadership of Boko Haram in Alafa Yagayaga in Borno earlier this month The killing of Boko Haram Chief Judge in Lake Chad The in-fighting in the leadership cadre of Boko Haram is a fallout of the pressure on the insurgents by the military The continued foiling by the military of many attacks by Boko Haram The continued decimation of the insurgents across the North-east- The inability of the insurgents to hold any territory or carry out the kind of spectacular attacks they used to carry out in the past. Deepa Anappara uses her journalistic background to weave a story about life in India's slums, the struggle of dwellers and their aspirations with a special focus on children going missing from there, in her debut novel. Nine-year-old Jai, who is the protagonist in Anappara's "Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line", lives in a slum in an unnamed Indian city with his parents and sister Runu. Though the family struggles to meet their ends, a television is the best thing, according to Jai, that they own. His favourite shows on television are the ones that his mother says he is not old enough to watch, like 'Police Patrol' and 'Live Crime'. Jai watches too many reality cop shows, thinks he's smarter than his friend Pari (even though she always gets top marks) and considers himself to be a better boss than Faiz (even though Faiz is the one with a job). When a boy at school goes missing, Jai decides to use the crime-solving skills he has picked up from episodes of 'Police Patrol' to find him. With Pari and Faiz by his side, Jai ventures into some of the most dangerous parts of the sprawling Indian city; the bazaar at night, and even the railway station at the end of the Purple Line. But kids continue to vanish, and the trio must confront terrified parents, an indifferent police force and soul-snatching djinns in order to uncover the truth. As the disappearances edge ever closer to home, the lives of Jai and his friends are never the same again. Drawing on real incidents and a spate of disappearances in metropolitan India, "Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line" captures the warmth, resilience and bravery that can emerge in times of trouble. Anappara says the children in "Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line", published in India by Penguin Random House India under the Hamish Hamilton imprint, are composites of the children she had interviewed while working as a reporter. "Many of them were in vulnerable situations because of poverty, or because of being displaced by religious violence. They were also often funny and sarcastic, traits I didn't convey in my reports, but I hope are captured in the characters in my novel," she says. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It started with a drug raid in Houston and a shootout that left two people dead, five police officers wounded and one of them charged with murder, accused of making up information to obtain a warrant. Now 69 people whose prosecutions relied on evidence from that accused officer are likely to have their convictions reversed under a process that began on Wednesday, and many more could in the future. The news had echoes of other high-profile police scandals, including the 1990s Rampart case in Los Angeles and the wrongful prosecution of dozens of African-Americans in Tulia, Texas, two decades ago. Almost all of the 69 defendants have already served their sentences, which ranged from a few months in jail to four years in state prison. They had all pleaded guilty as a result of deals in which prosecutors relied on evidence from Gerald Goines, the narcotics officer who was charged last year with two counts of felony murder for his role in the botched raid. The chief prosecutor in Houston, Kim Ogg, began a review of all the cases that Mr. Goines had handled. She said on Wednesday that her office had identified 69 defendants going back to 2008 who were prosecuted primarily based on his word. She said those defendants should now be entitled to the presumption that Mr. Goines had lied to obtain the convictions. Flash China and South Korea should jointly strive to minimize the COVID-19 outbreak's impact on bilateral exchanges as well as economic and trade cooperation, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday night. In a phone conversation with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Wang suggested that on the basis of effective epidemic prevention and control, the two countries should help their affected industries and enterprises ride out the current difficulties, maintain the stability of their industrial chains and supply chains, and push forward bilateral practical cooperation. Wang updated Kang on the latest progress in China's fight against the epidemic, saying that China and South Korea, as close neighbors, help each other and share weal and woe. China thanks South Korea for its continuous strong support for China's fight against the epidemic, which the Chinese side bears in mind, Wang said. Noting that China feels sympathetic about the recent aggravation of the epidemic in South Korea, Wang said that the Chinese side highly commends the rapid and effective prevention and control measures taken by the South Korean side and believes that South Korea will prevail over the outbreak at an early date. "South Korea's hardships are our own," Wang said, adding that the Chinese side stands ready to provide necessary assistance to the South Korean side and support its government and people in fighting the epidemic. Wang suggested that the two sides establish and improve communication and exchange mechanisms between their relevant departments, inform each other of their respective policies and measures in a timely manner, and carry out cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, as well as drug and vaccine research and development. According to the practices of various countries, including China's experience in fighting the COVID-19, controlling and reducing unnecessary cross-border movement of people at an early date is of crucial importance to preventing the spread of an epidemic, Wang said, adding that China is willing to communicate with South Korea on this issue. He stressed that the two countries share the same goal of more effectively protecting people's lives and health. Wang voiced belief that after the two sides jointly defeat the epidemic, China-South Korea friendship will be further strengthened and bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields will become more vibrant. Wang said the epidemic will have an impact on bilateral exchanges as well as on economic and trade cooperation, but the two sides need to jointly strive to minimize it. For her part, Kang said that since the COVID-19 outbreak, South Korea and China have been supporting and helping each other. While briefing Wang on measures against the epidemic in South Korea, Kang said the South Korean government has launched the highest level of response and President Moon Jae-in has visited the frontline to inspect and guide the work. There are reasons for the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in South Korea in recent days, said Kang. South Korea is confident of halting the further spread of the epidemic and hopes to continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with China to jointly meet the challenge, she added. 'The Supreme Court should take it up with the government and send a message that high court judges are not pawns in the transfer games.' IMAGE: Justice S Muralidhar. Photograph: Kind courtesy, @NyayaForum/Twitter A political slugfest has broken out over Justice S Muralidhar's transfer from the Delhi high court late night on Wednesday, February 26. Just hours earlier, the judge, who was hearing a case on the Delhi riots, had come down heavily on the Delhi police for not filing FIRs against Bharatiya Janata Party leaders for their hate speeches. To be sure, it was not the fact of the transfer itself -- the Supreme Court collegium had, on February 12, proposed his transfer, along with that of two other judges and the President's notification merely confirmed it -- but the timing of the transfer, plus the manner. For one, the notification was issued after 11 pm on Wednesday. For another, the notification did not mention when the judges were to report to their new courts -- unlike the practice followed thus far. While the Opposition has been quick to attack the government for what it called an 'attack on the judiciary's independence' and 'shielding the BJP's accused leaders', the government claims that due process was followed in the transfers and the judges's consent had been taken. Even as the controversy simmers, Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf spoke to former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B Lokur to ask if there was more to Justice Muralidhar's transfer. "I am wondering if this is going to be the new normal and overnight transfers will become the order of the day with disastrous results," says Justice Lokur. Do you think Wednesday's notification transferring Justice Muralidhar was bona fide, or do you see anything wrong with the decision? The timing of the notification is quite odd and the Supreme Court must take it up with the government. If the timing of the notification was intended only to ensure that Justice Muralidhar does not hear the (Delhi riots) case, then it is a direct encroachment on the independence of the judiciary, and the Supreme Court ought to be seriously disturbed by the turn of events. If the government is able to give a satisfactory explanation (as to) why it was issued well beyond normal office hours, at 11 pm (as reported), then perhaps it could be described as a coincidence, though not a happy one. There is some suspicion and it must be confirmed or removed. The notification is strange in that it does not give any 'joining time'. A far as I am aware, this is unprecedented -- not only in the transfer of Justice Muralidhar but also in the transfer of Justice (Ranjit) More and Justice (R V) Malimath. Is this going to be the new normal? What happens if these judges land up just now in the transferee high court, will the governor or the chief justice swear them into office immediately? Will they be allocated cases for hearing today itself? Many, many questions arise that have no rational answer. The Supreme Court should take it up with the government and send a message that high court judges are not pawns in the transfer games. The Opposition has been questioning the transfer and concluded that the judge was transferred for his tough stance in the Delhi riots case. I have no comment on the views of the Opposition. Could the transfer be seen as a message that those who question the establishment won't have it easy? Even if the transfer is not intended to send a message across, like it or not, it will certainly send a chilling message. This is one of the reasons why the Supreme Court should take it up with the government. The President's notification transferring the judge does not mention a joining date. Is that unusual? Does it also mean that Justice Muralidhar will continue to hear the cases that he has been hearing, including the Delhi violence case? That no 'joining' date is mentioned is most unusual. I am wondering if this is going to be the new normal and overnight transfers will become the order of the day with disastrous results. Given that the government of the day is the final arbiter of judicial appointments and transfers, what is the scope for the judiciary to be independent? Is the power of transfers a sword of Damocles being held over judges's heads? The judiciary has to stand up for its independence and not leave it to others to fight its battles. There is a Constitutional obligation on the Supreme Court to decide cases without fear or favour. The transfer can have a chilling effect on judges across the country, resulting in decisions being delivered in fear. This will be tragic and the death knell for the independence of the judiciary. The government in its clarification said the consent of the three judges had been taken for their transfer. Funnily enough, the collegium first takes a decision and then asks the transferee judge for his or her views. Shouldn't it be the other way around? The consent of the transferee judge is irrelevant, as shown in the transfer of Justice Rajiv Shakdher of the Delhi high court (the judge was transferred to the Madras high court in 2015, but following protests by eminent jurists was transferred to his parent court in 20 months). In the transfer of Justice Muralidhar, it has been mentioned on news channels that the judge had consented to his transfer. Where is that consent? I'd like to see it. The Supreme Court must come clean on this. In law, consent is not required -- so in fact, a game of charades is being played out. Justice Muralidhar is in line to be the second-most senior judge once the current chief justice of the Delhi high court retires. Is it normal for a senior judge to transferred out without an elevation but at the same level? Normally a senior judge is transferred out to take over as the chief justice of the high court in a short while. The indication, therefore, is that the incumbent chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana high court is likely to be transferred out or brought to the Supreme Court. That's transparency for you!! JetBlue Airways in a surprise move Wednesday became the first U.S. carrier to cut its change and cancellation fees for travelers concerned about the coronavirus. The budget carrier's unusual measure, which could pressure other airlines to follow suit, comes during steep drop in airline stocks as investors fret over the spread of the virus, known at COVID-19, to the U.S., following warnings from health officials. Airline shares have suffered more than the broader market's rout. The NYSE Arca Airline Index, which tracks 16 airlines in the U.S., Canada, Latin America along with budget European airline Ryanair, is down more than 15% this week, on track for its biggest weekly drop since 2009. JetBlue, serves the U.S. and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean unlike its larger U.S. competitors that fly to China, where most of the more than 81,000 coronavirus cases have been reported. "While authorities have not issued any travel restrictions to the locations we fly, we want to give our customers some peace of mind that we are ready to support them should the situation change," Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue's president and chief operating officer said in a news release. JetBlue said the suspension of change and cancellation fees, which can reach $200, would apply for new bookings made on Thursday through March 11 and for trips that would end June 1. "The policy is designed to give customers confidence that they will not be charged any JetBlue fees for changes or cancellations later given evolving coronavirus concerns," the company said. Airlines around the world have canceled hundreds of thousands of flights because of the virus, most of them China flights. United, American and Delta have suspended service to mainland China and Hong Kong, and lifted change fees for South Korea flights. Dean Koontz wrote The Eyes Of Darkness in 1981, describing the 'Wuhan-400' virus Fans of author Dean Koontz are insisting that a novel he wrote in 1981 predicted the coronavirus outbreak. Koontz's thriller The Eyes Of Darkness describes a killer virus named 'Wuhan-400' after the Chinese city it originated in the same city where COVID-19 was first reported. Says one character in the novel: 'They call the stuff 'Wuhan-400' because it was developed at their RDNA labs outside the city of Wuhan.' 'A Dean Koontz novel written in 1981 predicted the outbreak of the coronavirus!' wrote Twitter user Nick Hinton, who first posted a screenshot of the passage from the novel earlier this month. Koontz did not immediately respond to an inquiry from DailyMail.com about the purported prediction in his novel. Twitter user Nick Hinton kicked off a frenzy on Twitter by posting the above passage Although coronavirus was first identified in Wuhan, there is not yet scientific consensus about how and where it jumped to humans. Says one character in the novel: 'They call the stuff 'Wuhan-400' because it was developed at their RDNA labs outside the city of Wuhan' Initial theories suggested that it jumped to humans from exotic animals in a Wuhan 'wet market.' Others have suggested, so far without proof, that the pathogen may have escaped from the Wuhan Virology Lab, China's only biosafety-level four facility. Other than the city of origin, however, there is little similarity between the fictional Wuhan-400 and the real coronavirus. In The Eyes Of Darkness, Wuhan-400 is a bioweapon virus that has a fatality rate of 100 percent within 12 hours. The characters explain that the Chinese intended to use it 'to wipe out a city or a country' without the need for 'expensive decontamination'. 'Wuhan-400 is a perfect weapon. It afflicts only human beings. No other living creature can carry it. And like syphilis, Wuhan-400 can't survive outside a living human body for longer than a minute, which means it can't permanently contaminate objects or entire places the way anthrax and other virulent microorganisms can,' one character says. Differences between Wuhan-400 and coronavirus Despite the surface similarity, there are big differences between Koontz's fictional virus and the real coronavirus: Fictional Wuhan-400 Origin: Wuhan, China Incubation period: Four hours Symptoms: 'Literally eats away brain tissue like battery acid dissolving cheesecloth' Mortality rate: 100% Coronavirus/COVID-19 Origin: Wuhan, China Incubation period: Several days to two weeks Symptoms: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath Mortality rate: Estimated 2-3% Advertisement Coronavirus however has an estimated mortality rate of just 2 to 3 percent. It can survive on surfaces for much longer than a minute, possibly hours or days, though scientists are working now to determine such properties with more precision. In the Koontz novel, the Wuhan-400 attacks the brain. As one character describes it: 'The virus migrates to the brain stem, and there it begins secreting a toxin that literally eats away brain tissue like battery acid dissolving cheesecloth. It destroys the part of the brain that controls all of the body's automatic functions.' Coronavirus, on the other hand, primarily affects the respiratory system, in severe cases resulting in pneumonia. The primary symptoms are fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. The book also describes a virus that has an incubation period of just four hours, whereas coronavirus incubates for several days to two weeks. Finally, to the disappointment of conspiracy theorists, it turns out that in the first edition of The Eyes Of Darkness, the virus was originally called 'Gorki-400', after the Russian city where Koontz originally wrote the bioweapons lab. After the Soviet Union fell in 1991, Koontz apparently changed later editions to make China the villain. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 17:12:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Big data technologies have helped with China's nationwide fight against the novel coronavirus in fields including monitoring analysis, virus tracing, treatment and prevention, and resource allocation. Big data is shining a light on monitoring population flows and trends, which are of crucial importance in epidemic control and prevention. FIND THE PATIENTS In southwest China's Chongqing municipality, a big data map has been used for citizens to search if there are any confirmed patients nearby, as well as their activity trails. This technology helps citizens take the necessary precautions in their daily lives. In northern China's Tianjin, local authorities have put into use a registry system to collect information from people who return to the city to facilitate further big data analysis. Railway authorities of China are applying big data technology to epidemic prevention and control while handling the massive flow of passengers. The official online railway ticket-booking platform 12306 has put into place an emergency response mechanism after the outbreak of the epidemic. "Using its big data generated by real name ticketing, the platform has provided crucial help in tracking the close contacts of travelers who were diagnosed with the virus," said Zhu Jiansheng with the China Academy of Railway Sciences, the operator of 12306. The 12306 system has been gathering traveling data for 20 years. It processes hundreds of TB of data every day. In the busy season, it receives more than 100 billion visits a day. PRECISE DECISION-MAKING Big data is also helping government in decision-making. The State Grid's Dalian branch in northeastern Liaoning Province has used big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies to create a power index that helps itself and the government understand to what extent enterprises have resumed production. Through analyzing the power consumption of enterprises and setting up prediction models for different industries, the company will provide data support to government departments, allowing them to make precise and intelligent decisions. South China's Guangdong Province has launched a health code system. By having the QR code on their phones scanned, users will be able to prove their health condition instantly. The health code is based on health data collected when they enter Guangdong, visit public places, checked by disease control departments. Gao Shangsheng, an official from Guangdong's administrative big data center, said as more enterprises in Guangdong resume work and production, there is a great demand for workers. To guarantee the safe return of migrant workers and streamline the process of registering and reporting, Guangdong has established a health data sharing mechanism with other provinces such as Sichuan and Hunan, Gao said. "Once the migrant workers register in the system when they arrive in Guangdong, the big data center can link up with their health information and other relevant data collected in their home provinces and generate a health code for them," Gao said. A federal appeals court overturned the decisions of three lower courts on Wednesday and ruled that the US Justice Department can block federal funding to states and cities that resist cooperation with the Trump administrations assault on immigrants. The decision, which was hailed as a victory for public safety by the Justice Department, reversed previous rulings by appeals courts in Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco in 2018. The earlier rulings were in response to lawsuits filed by a group of seven states and New York City seeking to block the Trump administrations effort to deny grant money to cities that refused to share information about immigrants and make available city resources such as jails to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. ICE agents conducting an arrest in the sanctuary city of Philadelphia on February 18, 2020 [Photo credit: ice.gov] This latest ruling against so-called sanctuary cities across the US is the third in a recent series of court decisions backing the Trump administrations racist and fascistic anti-immigrant policies. It follows two 54 Supreme Court rulings in the past week against immigrant rights in the US. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected a suit by the parents of an unarmed 15-year-old Mexican youth, Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca, who was fatally shot by a US immigration agent on the border between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez in June of 2010. The decision, authored by Justice Samuel Alito and backed by the majority right-wing bloc on the court, stated that the parents had no legal standing to sue the officer who murdered their son. Alito wrote that deference had to be paid to ICE agents operating on the border on the grounds of national security, effectively granting the immigration cops a green light to use violence, including deadly force, against immigrants. Last Friday, the high court overturned a stay ordered by an Illinois court blocking the Trump administration from implementing its policy of imposing a wealth test on documented immigrants to prove that they will not require public assistance such as food stamps, Medicaid or housing subsidies before they are admitted to the US or granted permanent legal status. The conflict between the White House and the sanctuary cities erupted early in the Trump administration, when then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions moved to punish state and city governments that ordered their police agencies to limit their cooperation with ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents seeking to arrest and deport immigrants. Sessions argued that the refusal of sanctuary cities to cooperate with ICE and CBP was preventing the Justice Departments effort to take down MS-13 and other violent transnational gangs, and make our country safer. More recently, Trump has made sanctuary cities a central target of his fascistic campaign speeches, accusing the Democrats of unleashing criminal alien rapists and murderers on American citizens. At the center of the court battle over federal funding is the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG), through which Congress provides more than $250 million in annual resources to state and local criminal justice programs. By withholding such grant money, the Trump administration will deny New York City, for example, approximately $4 million in funding that pays the salaries of emergency responders and funds other court-related expenses. Federal courts had previously issued injunctions against Trumps executive order attacking sanctuary cities. The ruling by the San Francisco District Court in April 2017, for example, stated that the president was overstepping his executive authority because funds appropriated to cities and states was the specific purview of Congress. Wednesdays unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Manhattan was written by Judge Reena Raggi, an appointee of George W. Bush. Raggis opinion states that the Department of Justice and the attorney general have the jurisdictional authority to determine whether a city applying for the grant money has satisfied the statutory requirements spelled out in the application process, and can therefore withhold the funding. The primary requirement identified in the ruling is that grant applicants must certify to the Justice Department that they will comply with federal law prohibiting any restrictions on the communication of citizenship and alien status information with federal immigration authorities, provide federal authorities, upon request, with the release dates of incarcerated illegal aliens and afford federal immigration officers access to incarcerated illegal aliens. Responding to the ruling, Cody Wofsy, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants Rights Project, told the New York Times, This decision is a total break on what has been a unanimous decision from courts and judges across the country that this is illegal. While the JAG program is the specific target of the legal battle between the Justice Department and sanctuary citieslikely to end up in the Supreme Courtthe implications of the ruling go much further. States and cities could lose billions of dollars. In the case of San Francisco, the estimated loss of federal funding could be as high as one third of the citys revenue, or approximately $1.7 billion. While the Trump administrations war on immigrants is receiving increasingly open backing from the courts, congressional Democratsafter spending the three years since Trump took office promoting the Russian meddling narrative of the intelligence agenciesare facilitating the anti-immigrant policies of the White House. In the midst of the Democratic presidential primaries, the candidates have said virtually nothing about Trumps escalating assault on immigrants and the wave of right-wing court rulings supporting it. This is despite widespread popular opposition to the attacks on immigrants. A Scranton, Pennsylvania man was arrested Tuesday and charged with robbing two banks in three days in Camden County, police said. Leon Stanford, 51, is charged with two counts of second-degree robbery for holding up the TD Bank on White Horse Pike in Oaklyn on Feb. 22, and the Feb. 24 robbery of a Republic Bank in Cherry Hill, the Camden County Prosecutors Office announced Wednesday. In both robberies, Stanford passed notes to bank tellers demanding money, the office said. Stanford is currently on supervised release by federal authorities following a 10-year prison term - for bank robbery. He was identified as the alleged perpetrator of the Oaklyn bank robbery after the prosecutors office made public security camera footage and multiple witnesses came forward, the prosecutors office said. His white Saturn VUE also matched the car seen in the footage driving away from the scene. The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Camden Division arrested Stanford Tuesday. He was being held in Camden County Jail pending a detention hearing in Superior Court. Stanford pleaded guilty in 2010 to robbing a Citizens Bank and a Choice One Federal Credit Union over three days in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania in 2008, court records and media reports show. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was set free in August of 2018 and began a term of federal release. Court papers say he formerly worked in food services at a college in the Scranton area, and is originally from the Atlantic City area. 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 AN EVENT celebrating 175 years of education in Limerick is set to take place this weekend. Laurel Hill Colaiste are hosting a FCJ Women in Education Conference this Saturday, February 29. The event forms part of the FCJ Bicentenary celebrations, and marks the 175th anniversary of the opening of the FCJ schools at Laurel Hill in 1844 by the FCJ founder Marie Madeleine dHouet at the behest of the Bishop of Limerick. The event will celebrate the longstanding legacy and invaluable contribution of the FCJ Sisters to the education of women and girls both at home and abroad, and will also focus on the evolution of the FCJ tradition of excellence in education in the 21st Century School and provide a forum for discussion on the key issues in girls education as we look to the future. Conference highlights will include a keynote speech from Mary Immaculate College vice president professor Niamh Hourigan, tours, buffet lunch and a panel discussion. The conference will open with registration from 9.30am, and tickets for the event are free and are available online via Eventbrite or via the Laurel Hill Colaiste FCJ website. Alternatively, you can RSVP through contacting the school directly on 061 313636 or via email at reception@laurelhillcolaistefcj.ie. President Donald Trump has played down fears of a major coronavirus outbreak in the United States, even as infections ricochet around the world, prompting a ban on pilgrims to Saudi Arabia Washington/, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Feb, 2020 ) :President Donald Trump has played down fears of a major coronavirus outbreak in the United States, even as infections ricochet around the world, prompting a ban on pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. China is no longer the only breeding ground for the deadly virus as countries fret over possible contagion coming from other hotbeds of infection, including Iran, South Korea and Italy. There are now more daily cases being recorded outside China than inside the country, where the virus first emerged in December, according to the World Health Organization. More than 2,700 people have died in China and some 78,000 have been infected. There have been more than 50 deaths and 3,600 cases in dozens of other countries. "I think that there's a chance that it could get worse, a chance it could get fairly substantially worse, but nothing's inevitable," Trump told reporters at the White House. His comments contradicted US health officials who urged Americans to be ready to cancel mass gatherings and work from home. There are 60 cases in the US so far. Following Trump's upbeat assessment, the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said it had detected the first case of unknown origin in the country, signalling that the virus may be spreading within communities. The US and other countries are also bracing for more cases to be imported from abroad. Several governments have advised against travel to Italy -- which has 400 cases and 12 deaths. Iran's neighbours have shut their borders, while Mongolia has suspended flights from South Korea and Japan. Trump said his country was considering travel restrictions on Italy and South Korea, which has almost 1,600 cases, the highest number outside China. The US already restricts arrivals from China. Even China -- which quarantined an entire province and shut down cities across the country to contain the virus -- is now worried about importing cases as it mulls its own travel restrictions. Beijing has ordered people arriving in the capital from abroad to go into 14-day self-quarantine. 2013 saw the establishment of the Huawei ICT Academy program, under which Huawei has provided quality courses and support services to universities/colleges to help them train teachers, establish and optimize ICT majors, improve the curriculum system, and build standard labs. Huawei ICT Academy also introduces Huawei's ICT technologies and products to students in universities around the world, encourages them to participate in Huawei certification, and develops innovative and application-oriented technical talent for society and the global ICT industry. Since 2015, Huawei has partnered with more than 600 international universities to set up Huawei ICT academies, helping the universities improve their ICT teaching abilities and train more than 1500 teachers. To meet new requirements and challenges, the Huawei ICT Academy Program will enter the 2.0 phase in 2020. According to its five-year plan, Huawei will develop 2 million ICT professionals and continuously update its school-enterprise cooperation solutions in cutting-edge technologies, such as 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI). To achieve this goal, Huawei will set up the Huawei ICT Academy Development Incentive Fund (ADIF), with a total investment of at least US$50 million over the next five years. This fund aims to help ICT academies operate stably by the following four actions: Providing teaching experiment equipment for cooperative universities to improve students' practical skills. Training teachers through ADIF, providing free exam vouchers to encourage students to take Huawei's certification exams, and setting up an education fund to reward excellent teachers and students. Holding the Huawei ICT Competition to provide a platform for students to communicate with their peers and show their talents. Cooperating with partners on ICT Talent Job Fairs to help students find jobs and promote efficient matching between talent supply and demand. Hank Stokbroekx, Vice President of Enterprise Service, Huawei Enterprise BG, said that, Huawei will continue to establish more ICT Academies. Every year, we will build 600-1000 Huawei ICT Academies. By doing so, we aim to benefit more university teachers and students in the digital world, enable more people to enjoy equal and high-quality education, enhance digital skills, and inject fresh impetus into the industry. The launch of Huawei ICT Academy Program 2.0 marks a new stage of Huawei's talent ecosystem development. In the future, Huawei will deepen cooperation with all parties in the ecosystem, increase investment, and accelerate the construction of an all-round, full-cycle sustainable talent ecosystem to fuel the digital transformation of industries. SOURCE Huawei Related Links www.huawei.com/cn 2020 Toyota Corolla Research and Comparison Dan Cava Toyota is helping its local drivers learn more about the 2020 Toyota Corolla by adding a new model research page of the popular vehicle to its website and a detailed comparison of it against the 2020 Honda Civic. New car shoppers have many challenges when searching for a new car that will fit their specific needs and budget. The first step they must take is to learn more about the top choices to see which vehicle has all the technology and comfort features they want as well as the safety protection they need. The second step is to compare the top new car models to each other to learn more about their differences to determine which vehicle is the best choice. Dan Cava Toyota, a new and used car dealership in West Virginia, is helping its local drivers learn more about the 2020 Toyota Corolla by adding a new model research page of the popular vehicle to its website and a detailed comparison of it against the 2020 Honda Civic. The 2020 Toyota Corolla research page offers a closer look at many of the qualities that help make it top pick with so many drivers around the world. Detailed information about the new 2020 Toyota Corolla includes its performance specifications, engine options, technology features, safety systems and luxurious comfort options. With the information provided in the 2020 Toyota Corolla model review, drivers can make an informed buying decision. The 2020 Toyota Corolla versus 2020 Honda Civic comparison offers interested car shoppers a closer look at how these two popular compact sedans compare to each other in many categories, including each of their starting prices, passenger space, fuel economy ratings and advanced driver-assist safety features. To learn more about the new 2020 Toyota Corolla and how it compares to the 2020 Honda Civic, shoppers are encouraged to visit the West Virginia Toyota dealerships website by going to http://www.cavatoyota.com. Drivers may also contact the sales department at Dan Cava Toyota World to ask further questions and to learn more about current specials and incentives by calling 304-366-2720 or by driving to 2510 White Hall Blvd. RFE/RL contributor Mykola Semena -- a journalist who was convicted of separatism in Ukraine's Russia-occupied Crimea region before a court there expunged his criminal record -- has been removed from Russias list of terrorists and extremists. The news was reported on February 27 by Graty, a Ukrainian nonprofit that receives funding from the Czech People in Need foundation to monitor judicial and law enforcement issues. Semena, 69, is listed in the section of individuals who have been removed from the list on the website of the Russian Federal Financial Monitoring Service. Rights groups in Ukraine say in its current form, the terrorist and extremist list is an additional method of pressuring people Russia deems objectionable because, contrary to the principle of presumption of innocence, it allows authorities to impose sanctions before court decisions are made. The Crimean journalist is currently seeking medical care in Kyiv for a heart condition and damaged spine. In 2017, Semena was convicted of separatism and handed a 2 1/2-year suspended sentence together with a ban from "public activity" for three years. On January 14, a court in Crimeas capital, Simferopol, ruled to prematurely terminate Semena's sentence period and expunge his criminal record. The journalist has said he has plans to indefinitely stay in mainland Ukraine. As long as part of Ukraine is occupied, I cannot consider it my home. My family thinks the same, he said of Crimea, which Russia invaded and annexed in 2014. [February 27, 2020] Davenport becomes first university to earn recognition by Michigan Performance Excellence Council Davenport University announced today that it has been selected as a 2020 Michigan Performance Excellence Award recipient by Michigan Performance Excellence (MIPEx). This is the highest honor given to organizations in Michigan that demonstrate outstanding performance, leadership and operational excellence. Davenport is the first university to earn this distinction in Michigan. MIPEx is one of more than 30 state and regional Baldrige-based performance excellence award programs. It serves all organizations and industries including healthcare, nonprofit, education and others across Michigan. Using the Baldrige criteria as its framework, MIPEx utilizes an extensive business review process to determine top recipients. This rigorous evaluation process takes months to complete. There have not been any other recipients between 2012 and 2019. "This recognition represents the culmination of a lot of hard work by Davenport's faculty and staff," said Dr. Richard J. Pappas, president of Davenport University. "But more than that, it is tangible proof of our commitment to Davenport's mission to achieve the highest level of education and business outcomes for our students." Davenport University completed a 50-page application before MIPEx examiners spent 12-15 weeks evaluating the organization. Nearly half of Davenport's full-time employees were part of the interview process prior to selection. Organizations recognized at this level demonstrate effective, systematic and well-deployed approaches to process evaluation and improvement, organizational learning and innovation. As a result, these organizations see improved effectiveness and efficiency of key processes. "Davenport has exhibited wel-deployed processes that answer the questions of the criteria," said Geri Markley, executive director for MIPEx. "The leadership team uses a systematic strategic planning process to deploy an intense focus on students - first understanding student needs and then addressing them systematically." Using the Baldrige Framework, Davenport has deployed effective management programs that have improved several key initiatives for the university. For example, its student graduation rates have substantially improved over the last 10 years. The university has seen a 158% increase in student graduation rates - achieving both regional and national industry standards. In fact, Davenport student graduation rates went from 19% in 2008-09 to 49% in 2018-19. "Formed in 1994 as the Michigan Quality Council, MIPEx exists to improve the competitiveness of Michigan organizations that will, in turn, enhance the quality of life in the state," Markley said. "The organization is not funded by the state and all award evaluations are performed by volunteer examiners, with award decisions made by an independent panel of judges." About MIPEx: Michigan Performance Excellence exists to enhance the quality of life in Michigan by helping organizations improve their performance using the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. MIPEx is a non-profit 501c3 organization formed in 1993 as the Michigan Quality Council. MIPEx uses the national Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence as its framework. MIPEx provides services by relying upon the support of many volunteers from businesses, education and health care institutions, and non-profit and government agencies. Volunteers receive training that enables them to provide these services and improve their own organizations. To learn more visit www.miperformancexcellence.org About Davenport University: Founded in 1866, Davenport is a private, non-profit university serving about 7,500 students at campuses across Michigan and online. With tuition among the lowest of all private universities in the state, Davenport provides high academic quality, small class sizes, conveniently located campuses, faculty with real-world experience and more than 60 dynamic undergraduate and graduate programs addressing in-demand careers in business, technology, health professions and urban education. To learn more visit www.davenport.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005875/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] AFP via Getty Images Americans have been warned by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to begin preparing for the spread of the coronavirus. The data over the past week about the spread in other countries has raised our level of concern and expectation that we are going to have community spread here, Dr Nancy Messonnier, the CDC head of respiratory diseases, told reporters. Public health officials confirmed on Tuesday that there are currently 57 people in the United States with the virus, with only two instances of person-to-person transference. Donald Trumps administration has been criticised for not being more prepared and informed for a potential major outbreak. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said: All of the warning lights are flashing bright red. We are staring down a potential pandemic, and the administration has no plan. Mitt Romney joined the long list of US politicians airing concerns about a potential pandemic, saying Im very disappointed in the degree to which weve prepared for a pandemic, both in terms of protective equipment and in terms of medical devices that would help people once they are infected. Senator Patty Murray called the administrations handling so far unacceptable. Catch-up on events as they happened Please allow a moment for the liveblog to load Read more How many US coronavirus cases are there and where How Trump could lose 2020 election because of coronavirus Trump official says coronavirus death rate same as flu it is not Current cash reach to end of February 2021 Company has no outstanding financial debt as all outstanding convertible bonds were converted in early 2020 Phase 2 study with setanaxib in IPF expected to start in the coming weeks Regulatory News: Genkyotex (Paris:GKTX) (Brussels:GKTX) (Euronext Paris Brussels: FR0011790542 GKTX), a biopharmaceutical company and the leader in NOX therapies, announces its consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 20191, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union. A summary of the consolidated financial statements is included below. Elias Papatheodorou, CEO of Genkyotex, says: "2019 was a pivotal year that saw our company reach several milestones in the advanced clinical development of setanaxib. From a clinical perspective, the results of our phase 2 study with setanaxib in primary biliary cholangitis demonstrated the ability of our compound to significantly reduce liver stiffness and improve patients' quality of life, while being well tolerated. These important findings make us confident about setanaxib potential in multiple fibrotic diseases. We are looking forward to our end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA in which we would like to obtain an agreement on the design of the Phase 3 study. Simultaneously, setanaxib is evaluated in two other Phase 2 studies, one in diabetic kidney disease associated with type 1 diabetes (DKD) currently underway, and the other in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) that should start in the coming weeks. Both studies are funded by grants provided to our academic partners. In this context, the amount of 4.9 million raised in February 2020 with the support of our long-standing shareholders extends our financial visibility until the end of February 2021 and allows us to focus on the development of setanaxib in our targeted fibrotic indications and explore its potential in other therapeutic areas with high unmet needs." On December 31, 2019, Genkyotex had cash and cash equivalents of 2.4 million which does not include the 4.9 million raised in February 2020. The Company expects that its current cash position is sufficient to fund planned operations to the end of February 2021. Given its stage of development, Genkyotex has not generated any sales to date, as all of its product candidates are in the Research Development (R&D) phase. The subsidies received correspond to the expected French research tax credit for 2019 (899 thousand). R&D expenses are mainly related to the costs of the Phase 2 clinical trial of setanaxib in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). The study was completed in May 2019, driving the annual costs down compared to 2018. As previously communicated, the Phase 2 clinical trial in Diabetic Kidney Disease, initiated by investigators, is being financed by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF Australia) and the Baker Institute. Genkyotex recorded a consolidated net loss of -7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to a net loss of -11.4 million at December 31, 2018. 1 Consolidated accounts were approved by the Board on February 24, 2020. The auditors have completed their procedures on the consolidated financial statements. They will continue with the post-balance sheet event review until issuance of their audit report. Selected 2019 financial results thousands IFRS At December 31, 2019 At December 31, 2018 Income from customers agreement 750(b) Research Development expenses(a) (6,305) (9,282) Subsidies and Research Tax Credit 899 893 General Administrative expenses (2,160) (2,836) Other Income 142 44 Current operating loss (7,425) (10,430) Other operating expenses Operating loss (7,425) (10,430) Net loss for the period (7,203) (11,417) Net loss per share (in euros)(a) (0.88) (1.46) (a) The net loss per share as at December 31, 2018 has been adjusted to reflect the effect of the 10-for-1 reverse stock split of Genkyotex's common shares which became effective March 29, 2019. (b) In 2018, the Company received 750 thousand corresponding to the upfront payment resulting from the execution of the Serum of India Institute Private Ltd (SIIPL) licensing agreement extension announced on June 25, 2018. In accordance with the terms of this agreement, which provides for milestone payments based on development and sales, no payments have been received in 2019. The consolidated statement of financial position and the consolidated income statement prepared in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the European Union, for the year ended December 31, 2019 are included in appendix 1 of this press release. 2019 key highlights and outlook for 2020 Positive effect on liver stiffness in the PBC phase 2 trial with setanaxib : In May 2019, the Company reported top-line results of its PBC phase 2 trial with setanaxib. In this trial, setanaxib achieved clinically meaningful reductions in liver stiffness, and statistically significant reductions in gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (p<0.002) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p<0.001) over the 24-week treatment period, but did not achieve statistical significance in the reduction of GGT at week 24, the predefined primary efficacy endpoint. A post-hoc analysis reported in July 2019 showed that statistical significance of p=0.02 was achieved for the primary endpoint for 400mg BID at week 24 when correcting for the non-normal distribution in the 400mg OD group. Moreover, Setanaxib 400mg BID achieved a substantial reduction (-22%) in liver stiffness in patients with advanced disease (=9.6 kPa at baseline). In these patients, setanaxib also achieved clinically meaningful reductions in GGT (-32%) and ALP (-24%) at week 24. Importantly, setanaxib 400mg BID also achieved a statistically significant improvement in quality of life, and was well tolerated at all doses. Collectively, these data indicate that setanaxib could become a new therapeutic option for the difficult to treat patient populations with advanced liver fibrosis in PBC and other liver diseases, including advanced NASH. Based on these positive results, a phase 3 trial in PBC is being planned. The Company will be discussing with regulators to finalize the design of its phase 3 trial with setanaxib in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and plans to enroll patients with inadequate response to UDCA standard of care therapies, including the emerging population of patients receiving generically available PPAR agonists (e.g. bezafibrate). This is in contrast with other phase 3 programs which exclude these patients. The Company expects its phase 3 to include measurements of liver stiffness and quality of life, which remains an unaddressed medical need. An end-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA is scheduled and an agreement on the phase 3 design with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is envisioned in the first half of 2020. IPF phase 2 trial with setanaxib to be initiated in the following weeks: The FDA and the relevant Institutional Review Board (IRB) have approved the protocol of the Phase 2 IPF trial, allowing the initiation of patient enrollment. The first site initiation is anticipated shortly, with patient enrollment expected to start in the coming weeks. The trial size, design, and endpoints have been defined to adequately support the initiation of a phase 3 program in case of positive phase 2 outcomes. This trial is funded by an $8.9 million grant awarded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study is being led by Professor Victor Thannickal at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and includes a consortium of five investigational centers of excellence in the United-States. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of setanaxib in 60 IPF patients receiving standard of care therapy (pirfenidone or nintedanib). Enrolled patients will be treated with setanaxib or matching placebo for 24 weeks. Efficacy endpoints include changes in plasma o,o'- dityrosine, a biomarker based on the mechanism of action of setanaxib, as well as standard clinical outcomes which include the 6-minute walk distance and forced vital capacity (FVC). The safety and tolerability of setanaxib will be also evaluated. Extension of the Phase 2 DKD trial with setanaxib in New Zealand, Denmark and Germany: The principal investigators leading the diabetic kidney disease (DKD) trial decided, with agreement from Genkyotex, to expand the investigational network by adding centers in Germany, Denmark and New Zealand. Ethical committees have approved the study protocol in New Zealand and three sites are pending activation. Germany and Denmark will follow. Considering the positive efficacy and safety results of the Company's Phase 2 trial of setanaxib in PBC, the DKD trial protocol was amended to increase the dose to 400 mg BID. As of today, 13 patients have already completed the full 48-week treatment and no safety concerns have been reported. WHO recognized NOX enzymes as new therapeutic class: The Company announced in July 2019 that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized NOX inhibitors as a new therapeutic class, while approving the new stem "naxib". The WHO recommended setanaxib as the international non-proprietary name (INN, or generic name) for GKT831. New oncology grant: The Company announced in February 2019 that its academic partner, Professor Gareth Thomas of the University of Southampton (UK), was awarded a Biotherapeutics Drug Discovery Project grant by Cancer Research UK (CRUK), a leading cancer research and awareness organization based in the UK, to conduct a research program focused on the role of NOX inhibition in oncology. The 260 thousand grant will support the research program entitled "Combination immunotherapy for breast cancer: targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts to improving therapeutic vaccination." This is the second grant provided by CRUK to Professor Thomas for the evaluation of NOX inhibitors in oncology. Next financial press release: Q1 2020 business update and cash position: April 23, 2020 (after market) About Genkyotex Genkyotex is the leading biopharmaceutical company in NOX therapies, listed on the Euronext Paris and Euronext Brussels markets. Its unique platform enables the identification of orally available small-molecules which selectively inhibit specific NOX enzymes that amplify multiple disease processes such as fibrosis, inflammation, pain processing, cancer development, and neurodegeneration. Genkyotex is developing a pipeline of first-in-class product candidates targeting one or multiple NOX enzymes. The lead product candidate, setanaxib (GKT831), a NOX1 and NOX4 inhibitor has shown evidence of anti-fibrotic activity in a Phase II clinical trial in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC, a fibrotic orphan disease). Based on its positive Phase II results, a phase 3 trial with setanaxib in PBC is being planned. Setanaxib is also being evaluated in an investigator-initiated Phase II clinical trial in Type 1 Diabetes and Kidney Disease (DKD). A grant from the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) of $8.9 million was awarded to Professor Victor Thannickal at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to fund a multi-year research program evaluating the role of NOX enzymes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic lung disease that results in fibrosis of the lungs. The core component of this program is a Phase 2 trial with setanaxib in patients with IPF scheduled to recruit patients in first semester of 2020. This product candidate may also be active in other fibrotic indications. Genkyotex also has a versatile platform well-suited to the development of various immunotherapies (Vaxiclase). A partnership covering the use of Vaxiclase as an antigen per se (GTL003) has been established with Serum Institute of India Private Ltd (Serum Institute), the world's largest producer of vaccine doses, for the development by Serum Institute of cellular multivalent combination vaccines against a variety of infectious diseases. For further information, please go to www.genkyotex.com. Disclaimer This press release may contain forward-looking statements by the company with respect to its objectives. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs, estimates and expectations of Genkyotex's management and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as the company's ability to implement its chosen strategy, customer market trends, changes in technologies and in the company's competitive environment, changes in regulations, clinical or industrial risks and all risks linked to the company's growth. These factors as well as other risks and uncertainties may prevent the company from achieving the objectives outlined in the press release and actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, due to various factors. Without being exhaustive, such factors include uncertainties involved in the development of Genkyotex's products, which may not succeed, or in the delivery of Genkyotex's products marketing authorizations by the relevant regulatory authorities and, in general, any factor that could affects Genkyotex's capacity to commercialize the products it develops. No guarantee is given on forward-looking statements which are subject to a number of risks, notably those described in the universal registration document filed with the AMF on January 16, 2020 under number 20-0012, and those linked to changes in economic conditions, the financial markets, or the markets on which Genkyotex is present. Genkyotex products are currently used for clinical trials only and are not otherwise available for distribution or sale Appendix 1 Statement of consolidated financial position and consolidated income statement as of December 31, 2019 The statement of consolidated financial position and consolidated income statement of Genkyotex S.A. were prepared in accordance International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union. The auditors have completed their procedures on the consolidated financial statements. They will continue with the post-balance sheet event review until issuance of their audit report. The consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2019 were approved by Board of Directors on February 24, 2020 and will be submitted to the shareholders at the Shareholders' Meeting planned on June 10, 2020. GENKYOTEX 12/31/2019 12/31/2018 Consolidated Income Statement 12 months 12 months (in thousands of EUR) Sales Cost of sales Gross margin Income from customers agreement 750 Research and development expenses Research and development expenses (6.305) (9.282) Subsidies 899 893 General and administrative expenses (2.160) (2.836) Other income 142 44 Current operating loss (7.425) (10.430) Other operating income Other operating expenses Operating loss (7.425) (10.430) Financial income (190) (1.185) Financial expenses 412 197 Pre-tax loss (7.203) (11.417) Income tax (expense) Net loss for the period (7.203) (11.417) Attributable to owners of the parent company (7.203) (11.417) Non-controlling interests 12/31/2019 12/31/2018 Basic loss per share (EUR/share) (1) (0,88) (1,46) Diluted loss per share (EUR/share) (1) (0,88) (1,46) (1) The loss per share in 2018 has been adjusted to reflect the effect of the 10-for-1 reverse stock split of Genkyotex's common shares, as approved by Genkyotex shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting on January 24, 2019 and implemented by the Board of Directors the same day. GENKYOTEX 12/31/2019 12/31/2018 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (in thousands of EUR) ASSETS Intangible assets 9.086 10.221 Property, plant and equipment 154 51 Non-current financial assets 29 64 Total non-current assets 9.270 10.336 Other current assets 1.500 1.932 Current financial assets 3.280 Cash and cash equivalents 2.417 11.345 Total current assets 3.917 16.557 Total Assets 13.186 26.893 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Equity Capital 8.683 7.785 Additional paid-in capital 126.118 162.015 Cumulative translation adjustments (2.732) (2.258) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (697) (316) Accumulated deficit attributable to owners of the parent (114.332) (117.917) Net loss attributable to owners of the parent (7.203) (25.773) Equity attributable to owners of the parent 9.836 23.535 Non-controlling interests Total equity 9.836 23.535 Non-current liabilities Employee benefit obligations 1.348 822 Non-current financial liabilities 17 115 Non-current liabilities 1.364 937 Current liabilities Current financial liabilities 848 288 Financial derivative 64 Trade payables 562 1.312 Other current liabilities 512 820 Current liabilities 1.986 2.421 Total Liabilities and Equity 13.186 26.893 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005762/en/ Contacts: GENKYOTEX Alexandre Grassin CFO +33 (0)5 61 28 70 60 investors@genkyotex.com NewCap Dusan Oresansky +33 1 44 71 94 92 genkyotex@newcap.eu A Sydney-based chef has been recreating dishes that fed the women's suffrage movement. Liz Mason, from Song Kitchen in central Sydney, was inspired after she opened The Woman Suffrage Cookbook, which was first published in 1886. Inside the book she found pages filled 'mind-blowingly delicious' recipes such as 'Rebel Soup' and 'Election Cake'. Ms Mason said the cookbook had inspired her as a cook and a female as well. At the time, recipe books were garnished with propaganda in the fight to get women the right to vote. Liz Mason, from Song Kitchen in central Sydney, was inspired after she read The Woman Suffrage Cookbook, which was first published in 1886 Inside the book she found pages filled 'mind-blowingly delicious' recipes such as 'Rebel Soup' and 'Election Cake' Ms Mason called it 'peasant cooking'. 'It's very different to what we are used to now,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'There's lot and lots of different recipes, if you wanted to learn how to cook and egg for an hour and a half there's 50 ways to do that. 'There's an economical lemon curd...there's an amazing recipe for a brisket braised in beer.' Ms Mason said she had learned a lot from experimenting with the recipes. 'It was a lot of stripping it back to basics, just learning the processes. These dishes have old world flavours and a rustic, handmade feel.' The recipe book has proved challenging for Ms Mason as measurements back in those days were far from standard - some called for 'loaves of sugar' and 'capfuls' of lemon juice. Ms Mason said she had learned a lot from experimenting with the recipes (pictured: Fairy Land Pudding and Lemon Curd dessert) Song Kitchen is a profit-for-purpose restaurant in Sydney, where money goes towards YWCA funded projects to help victims of domestic violence 'The recipes are not like ones we are used to they are more like a guide rather than a step-by-step instruction.' Ms Mason has been testing and perfecting the recipes over the past six months in preparation for her three course menu to celebrate International Women's Day on March 7. What's on the menu? Lettuce soup Bread rolls with handmade butter Brisket braised in beer with pickled walnuts Spinach dumplings Fairy Land Pudding and Lemon Curd dessert Advertisement Her team has been hard at work creating all items from scratch - even the butter. Ms Mason's sous chef was given the grueling task of churning the butter by hand. 'Something that would take 10 minutes takes two hours,' Ms Mason laughed. Ms Mason said International Womens Day was the time to remind people of the resilience and fortitude of previous generations of women who fought courageously for gender equity. To celebrate International Women's Day on March 7 the restaurant is giving diners the chance to taste what food was like in he 1800s, it costs $75 per head. Song Kitchen is a profit-for-purpose restaurant where money goes towards YWCA funded projects to help victims of domestic violence. TO VIEW MORE NEWS STORY, PLEASE CLICK ON NEWS TAB ON MAIN MENU BAR a Tuesday, Jan 11th, 2022 Project Veritas battles for journalism, and against it By Caleb Pershan Early on the morning of November 6 last year, FBI agents armed with a search warrant raided the Mamaroneck, New York, apartment of James OKeefe, the right-wing provocateur who founded the website Project Veritas. While OKeefe stood handcuffed in his... In developing this one-of-a-kind urban headquarters experience at 110 N. Carpenter, our team has not only helped build a new and improved workplace culture for one of the worlds leading brands but has transformed Chicagos Fulton Market neighborhood into a hub for corporate innovation that now attracts top-tier economic drivers to our City, Sterling Bay CEO Andy Gloor said in the statement. CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) prepares to vote on the proposed closure of Chicago Virtual Charter School (CVCS), more than 100 students, parents and faculty members gathered at an ISBE appeal hearing this evening, citing numerous recent improvements made under a new administration. "My school is worth saving," said Lena Kelly, CVCS 9th grade student. "The Chicago Virtual Charter School hybrid learning model is important for hundreds of students just like me. I choose CVCS because I love my teachers and they give me hope." Today's hearing, previously scheduled for last week but cancelled last minute by ISBE because the meeting venue was not in ADA compliance and was in other ways inadequate, comes on the heels of a rally and march students and families led last week. In their last chance to save their school, the CVCS community of supporters presented testimonies on how the school has positively impacted their learning experiences. "Under the new administration, Chicago Virtual Charter School is moving in the right direction," said Winona Jackson, Parent of 5th and 7th grade CVCS students. "With many improvements already in the works and even more slated for future implementation we are urging the Board of Education to save our school, which enriches our entire community and our lives." Serving as the state's first and only primarily online public school for Kindergarten through 12th grade, CVCS empowers students to take charge of their own education while learning at their own pace. The school opened in 2006 as part of Renaissance 2010, an initiative that aimed to increase school options. Students and parents choose CVCS for many reasons, ranging from safety and bullying to religious diversity and acceptance. In December 2019, the Chicago Board of Education decided to rescind the charter for CVCS, which allowed less than six months for the school's new administration to implement changes, such as: new curriculum individualized tutoring two new principals new partners to provide data analysis for decision making new attendance policy, which includes home visits practice tests for standardized testing monitoring for seniors on track to graduate opportunities for faculty professional development In addition to these changes, CVCS is committed to making more data-informed improvements, as well as refreshing their Board of Directors, establishing a Professional Advisory Board and growing a partnership with the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS). "Our school is special it's the only one of its kind in the entire district and state," said Vikki Stokes, CVCS CEO. "We know what is possible and are committed to reaching the milestones needed to achieve the next level of service for our students and staff." Following the state appeal hearing, the Illinois State Board of Education is expected to vote on the charter by late March 2020. ABOUT CHICAGO VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL The Chicago Virtual Charter School is a public charter school that offers a unique blend of online and face to face courses. The online learning portion can happen anytime or place with an Internet connection. Our school offers a one-to-one computer device to support the learning environment. The face to face sessions are held once a week at the on-site downtown Chicago location in the west loop. As a public school, the Chicago Virtual Charter School is tuition-free. Whether targeting a top-tier, 4-year university, a local community college, or an immediate career, CVCS prepares students to maximize their post-high school success. Teachers and families come together to generate success in each student. Visit us online at www.ChicagoVirtualCharterSchool.org. SOURCE Chicago Virtual Charter School Related Links https://www.chicagovirtualcharterschool.org Teaming up with the Tabu was always on his to-do list, a wish filmmaker Anees Bazmee is now fulfilling with "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2". The director said he will be presenting the critically-acclaimed actor in a never seen before avatar, in the sequel to 2007's Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan-led horror comedy. "I so wanted to work with Tabu and this role was apt for her. I offered the role, which I felt will suit her stature as a performer. It is not a special appearance, but an important part. It is too early to talk about it in detail. "My attempt is to present Tabu in a different avatar, something which the audience has not seen before. She is a wonderful actor and she can do anything," Bazmee told PTI. The director also revealed that Tabu will feature in the recreated version of "Ami je tomar" from the original movie. The original was directed by Priyadarshan and Bazmee said he has added his own signature touch to the upcoming sequel. "This is a completely different film and a story. It has elements of horror and comedy and this is new to me. I am enjoying it. My films are always entertaining and so will it be. "A director should have his own language while making a film. The audience is intelligent they come to know what is new and what is copied," he added. The director said he is aware of the expectations from the new movie and he will be giving his best. "There is pressure with every film. With this film, the pressure is a bit more as the first one was loved very much by the audience. You forget about the pressure while shooting as you want to make a good film at the end of the day. There are expectations from the film and to live up to that is a little difficult. We all are working with honesty and giving our best." The shoot of the film, which also stars Kartik Aryan and Kiara Advani, is currently underway in Jaipur and team will soon move to Lucknow. "We will shoot here for a few days and then we will go to Lucknow for a month, then to Mumbai and there is a schedule in overseas." Co-produced by T-Series, the sequel will release worldwide on July 31. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Petoskey High School closed for in-person classes until at least Jan. 17 There was no school for high school students on Wednesday, while virtual classes will take place on Thursday, Jan. 13, and Friday, Jan. 14. The climate crisis and peak oil demand are making expensive projects like Alberta's Teck Frontier look like bad investments. Everybody in Canada is pointing fingers about Teck Resources cancelling its giant $20 billion open pit tar sands mine. Alberta's Premier Kenney blames "urban-green-left zealots" and says it will "further weaken national unity." Temporary leader of the opposition Andrew Scheer blames the Prime Minister, saying, "Justin Trudeaus inaction has emboldened radical activists" and "Make no mistake: Justin Trudeau killed Teck Frontier." But the fact is that it made no economic sense in a world awash in cheap oil; Teck needed $95 a barrel to break even and Canadian oil is selling for $38. Permian Basin oil sells for $50. And who was going to lend Teck $20 billion, when the people who fund these projects are pulling out of the market? Many have joined Climate Action 100+, "an investor initiative launched in 2017 to ensure the worlds largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change." Larry Fink of Black Rock, controlling $7 trillion, recently wrote that "climate change will upend global finance sooner than they might think." According to Bloomberg, "Mark Carney and Christine Lagarde are once again pushing investors to take the climate crisis seriously and ensure theyre considering the risks from emissions and higher temperatures." And now, JPMorgan Chase is warning that climate change is a threat to "human life as we know it." According to Bloomberg, The response to climate change should be motivated not only by central estimates of outcomes but also by the likelihood of extreme events, bank economists David Mackie and Jessica Murray wrote in a Jan. 14 report to clients. We cannot rule out catastrophic outcomes where human life as we know it is threatened. This is from a company that has invested $75 billion in fracking and Arctic oil, and right now is demolishing a perfectly good, recently renovated building, with an upfront carbon load in replacing the square footage of about 63,971 tonnes of CO2. Even they are now talking climate crisis. According to the JP Morgan report leaked to the Guardian, "The climate crisis will impact the world economy, human health, water stress, migration and the survival of other species on Earth." Drawing on extensive academic literature and forecasts by the International Monetary Fund and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the paper notes that global heating is on course to hit 3.5C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century... The authors say policymakers need to change direction because a business-as-usual climate policy would likely push the earth to a place that we havent seen for many millions of years, with outcomes that might be impossible to reverse. Although precise predictions are not possible, it is clear that the Earth is on an unsustainable trajectory. Something will have to change at some point if the human race is going to survive. JP Morgan is backtracking a bit, telling the BBC that the report was wholly independent from the company as a whole, and not a commentary on it, but it is all part of a trend. "Fossil fuels are done!" Take that Mad Money guy, Jim Cramer, who is saying "fossil fuels are done." He doesn't mention climate change, but blames investor attitudes. Quoted by Nick Cunningham in Oilprice.com: Were starting to see divestment all over the world. Were starting to see big pension funds say, listen, were not going to own them anymore, Cramer said on CNBC. The worlds changed. Theres new managers. They dont want to hear whether these are good or bad. Cunningham notes that companies are not suddenly getting concerned about sustainability, but see peak oil demand coming with the rise of electric vehicles. "It has become both a moral issue and a financial one." Were in the death knell phase. I know thats very controversial. But were in the death knell phase, Cramer warned. The world has turned on them. Its actually happening kind of quickly. Youre seeing divestiture by a lot of different funds. Its going to be a parade that says, 'Look, these are tobacco. And were not going to own them'... "[Oil is now] tobacco. I think theyre tobacco. Were in a new world. I am sorry, but you cannot blame Justin Trudeau for that. Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2020 -- Advance Market Analytics released a new market study on Global Fractional Flow Reserve 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 Fractional Flow Reserve Forecast till 2025*. Some are the key players taken under coverage for this study are Philips (Netherlands), Abbott (United States), Boston Scientific (United States), Bracco (Italy), Opsens (Canada), ACIST Medical Systems (United States) and Boston Scientific (United States). Fractional Flow Reserve, that is FFR, is referred to as a procedure of guidewire-based which can accurately measure blood pressure and flow through a specific part of the coronary artery. At the time of a coronary angiogram FFR is done with a standard diagnostic catheter. The measurement of the Fractional Flow Reserve is useful in assessing the performance of angioplasty on "intermediate" blockages. FFR is nowadays considered as a gold standard for assessing whether that any particular stenosis is responsible for the inducible ischemia. FFR is measured easily during the routine coronary angiography by using pressure wire for calculating the ratio between the coronary artery stenosis to coronary pressure distal and aortic pressure under the conditions of the maximum myocardial hyperemia. This ratio represents a potential decrease in a coronary flow distal to coronary stenosis. Free Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/81896-global-fractional-flow-reserve-market 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 report Philips (Netherlands), Abbott (United States), Boston Scientific (United States), Bracco (Italy), Opsens (Canada), ACIST Medical Systems (United States) and Boston Scientific (United States). ** 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/81896-global-fractional-flow-reserve-market Market Drivers - New companies are continuously seeking ways to gain approvals and launch new products in the market to improve their market share Market Trend - Rising number of clinical trials and regulatory approvals - Increasing focus on non-invasive FFR Opportunities - Increasingly focusing on their R&D efforts on developing FFR products To comprehend Global Fractional Flow Reserve market dynamics in the world mainly, the worldwide Fractional Flow Reserve 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. Get Reasonable Discount on This Premium Report @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/request-discount/81896-global-fractional-flow-reserve-market Try a limited scope research document specific to Country or Regional matching your objective. GET FULL COPY OF United States Global Fractional Flow Reserve market study @ --------- USD 2000 And, Europe Global Fractional Flow Reserve market study @ --------- USD 2500 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 Fractional Flow Reserve, by Market Segmentation and Geography (value, volume**) (2013-2018) ------ USD1400 Global Fractional Flow Reserve By Type: FFR guidewires systems, FFR monitoring systems By Application: Single-vessel, Multi-vessel Disease : Cardiology, Coronary Artery Disease Global Fractional Flow Reserve 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 Fractional Flow Reserve - 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 Fractional Flow Reserve, 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 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. About Advance Market Analytics Advance Market Analytics is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enable clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As. Contact Us: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com Traffic stands still at a red light on East Commerce Street. A tall, lanky man in ragged clothing moves haphazardly from car window to car window. With his left hand, he rubs his stomach. With his right, he forms a makeshift cup to collect spare change from Tuesday morning commuters. Given his dejected demeanor and destitute appearance, its understandable that some drivers might feel compelled to open their wallets or search their consoles for a couple of quarters. The city is trying to redirect that charitable impulse. Change the Way We Give encourages residents to donate to local organizations that serve the homeless rather than hand over coins to panhandlers on the street. A secure smartphone program called MobileCause makes the process quick and easy. Were encouraging folks to not roll their windows down and instead redirect that generosity toward homeless services in town, said Councilman Manny Pelaez, who has been leading the effort. To donate, benefactors text SAGIVES to 41444 on a smartphone. The donor receives a link to a screen outlining the impact of contributions of varying sizes. A gift of $5 to $10 can help provide transportation to a shelter, a job or a doctors appointment. A $15 donation can help pay for an ID, $25 can cover a prescription copay, $75 can help with housing application fees and security deposits, and $125 can be put toward rent or utility bills. Donors can make a single gift or a recurring contribution by credit card. WIN TICKETS: Spurs Nation is giving away four box seat tickets to the March 22 home game. Theres also a place to ask for help if you see someone in need of homeless services. Type in a description, location and other details. We will send a homeless outreach team to provide assistance, the screen states. As an alternative to sending a text, donors can go to https://bit.ly/2uvapNo and click on the Donate Today button. The initiative has been promoted on buses, at kiosks and by mail. Since it was launched last May by the city Department of Human Services and the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless, the program has raised just $4,100 but city officials hope its only the beginning. The money has been distributed to a dozen agencies that help the homeless, including Haven for Hope, Endeavors, Pay it Forward Clean and Sober Living, Visitation House, Corazon Ministries, Salvation Army, Thrive Youth Center Inc. and SAMMinistries. The city describes the program as a meaningful way that residents can compassionately give to organizations serving people experiencing homelessness in lieu of donating to people directly on the streets. But those on the street say they prefer to get their charity directly from donors. That is how I make all my money, said Jessica Barrera, who has been flying a sign soliciting handouts from passersby for about a decade. I dont have an ID, so I cant get a job, she said. Ive applied for an ID, but Im still waiting. In the meantime, this is my job. Others in Barreras shoes echoed the sentiment. They complain the city is trying to shut down their only source of income. I work hard for this money, said a downtown panhandler who identified himself as Eric. Its not easy. But Im here each day. Day in, day out. Eric Tars, legal director of the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., also found fault with the citys approach. I do think this can be harmful and, in a sense, reinforces myths many people have around homelessness and panhandling, he said. On ExpressNews.com: Chief McManus bares knuckles on panhandling Among those myths, Tars said, are the assumptions that panhandlers dont want to work and spend all their money on drugs and alcohol. Tars said the best way for city officials to help panhandlers is to talk to them one-on-one, build a rapport and find out what services they need and try to make affordable housing more widely available, so fewer people become homeless in the first place. Nobody is homeless by choice, Tars said. They are there, primarily, because of choices we made collectively as a society. Pelaez said Change the Way We Give is not just about raising money for homeless services. This is about raising awareness that there is an alternative method to providing a donation to somebody on the street, he said. Pelaez, who represents District 8 on the Northwest Side, said his office receives phone calls each week from constituents complaining about panhandlers. There is a lot of compassion and generosity on the North Side of town, he said. We have traffic, too. So it is a very productive place to panhandle. City officials say panhandling is bad for San Antonios image and can be unsafe if panhandlers walk in and out of traffic. Panhandling has been a consistent issue over the years throughout the city, police Lt. Jesse Salame said. Standing on the sidewalk and asking for money is not a crime. Aggressive solicitation is. A panhandler who touches or harasses a passer-by, blocks his or her path or continues to solicit after the person has said no can be charged with a class C misdemeanor and fined up to $500 if convicted. In 2011, the City Council made it illegal not only to solicit in an aggressive manner but also to ask for money within 50 feet of areas where the public is considered vulnerable, such as banks, parking meters or cash machines, as well as on buses and in parking garages. Edward Gonzales, assistant director of San Antonios Department of Human Services, explained the rationale behind Change the Way We Give at a council committee meeting. People want to give, he said. We thought, OK, how do we craft something so that there is an alternative way? Pelaez said: We are opening up a conversation. Its OK to be generous, but there are multiple ways to be. A runner makes her way along a path near the Charles River in the Charles River Esplanade park, in Boston, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, during unseasonably warm weather. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Following the warmest January in recorded history, February's expected above-normal global land/ocean surface temperatures could result in the warmest meteorological winter in 141 years of record-keeping. Meteorological winter in the Northern Hemisphere, which began on Dec. 1, 2019, and will end Feb. 29, 2020, consists of what are usually the three coldest months of the year. But the December 2019 through February 2020 stretch has been historically warm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The last month of 2019 was the second-warmest December in history and February has been warm across the globe, as well. "Based on the global temperatures I see so far through the 23rd, February 2020 probably will end up once again among the top 10 warmest Februarys on record," said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Brett Anderson. February 2019 was the fifth-warmest February on record and the warmest was February 2016 when the average global land/ocean surface temperature rose to 56.08 degrees Fahrenheit, 2.18 degrees above the 20th century average (53.9 F). As for the United States, a combination of factors led to the contiguous U.S. experiencing higher-than-normal temperatures from December 2019 through February 2020. A polar vortex that remained above the polar region without weakening and a strong positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) were among the contributing elements. The AO is an atmospheric phenomenon that can govern weather and climate patterns across mid- and high-latitude areas not only in North America but also across Europe and Asia in the Northern Hemisphere, and it is especially pronounced during winter. The AO is a measurement of the air pressure closer to the surface and can be in sync or couple with the polar vortex, which is measured higher up in the atmosphere. When the air pressure is low over the pole and higher over the middle latitudes, a strong counter-clockwise wind flow occurs around the pole. This causes a milder westerly flow of air across the U.S. and southern Canada, which will cut off and isolate the Arctic air to the north. Story continues "When you have a strong polar vortex that remains in the polar region, it tends to keep frigid air pent up so that it is difficult for long-lasting outbreaks of frigid conditions to reach the middle latitudes, including portions of the Midwest and Northeast," said AccuWeather lead long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok. "There are several reasons for the warmth - including the positive AO that remained positioned above the Arctic Circle - and at least two to three had to work side by side to bring the extreme high temperature averages that we saw in January and early February," Pastelok added. Also, warm sea surface temperature anomalies in the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, as well as warmer lake temperatures, less ice and a modification of air masses around the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley contributed to the mild pattern in the East. The strong southwest Atlantic upper high became the dominant feature, along with the positive AO and a transient pattern that led to eastern Pacific air overtaking much of the nation during the heart of the winter. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP The contiguous U.S. had its fifth warmest January on record (35.51 F) and no state ranked average or below average for the month. January is the coldest month of the year on average in the contiguous U.S.; the average January temperature over the 20th century was 30.12 F. Not every state, however, has had warm air. This meteorological winter, some of the major cities in Alaska, which had its warmest year on record in 2019, "can be ranked among the top 10 historically for coldest winters," said Pastelok. For the same reasons that the contiguous U.S. is running warmer than normal, Alaska - not a part of the contiguous U.S. - has been experiencing a colder-than-normal pattern since late December. The average temperature in Fairbanks was 5.9 degrees Fahrenheit below average (which is -10.8 F) from Dec. 1 through Feb. 24, and it was 4 degrees below average (3.3 F) in Nome. In 2019 for the same time period, the average temperature was 3.9 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in Fairbanks and 2.7 F above average in Nome. An extended break to the warm pattern does not appear likely soon for the contiguous U.S. as the start to meteorological spring on March 1 nears, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. "There is good consensus that the unusually strong positive phase of the AO will persist well into March," Anderson said. "This favors the polar vortex remaining over the polar region with just brief spells of colder air into the central and eastern parts of North America over the coming weeks as milder conditions dominate. The cold shot coming into the eastern half of the country late this week may be the coldest that we will have for a while." Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. . , . , , , , , , ... Hugginstown has an important place in the history of Kilkenny. On Sunday, March 8 the community will commemorate one of its most pivotal events, the attack and capture of Hugginstown RIC Barracks exactly 100 years ago. It was a seminal moment in the War Of Indepenence when volunteers of the 1st and 7th Battalions of the Old IRA laid siege to the outpost. The names of the local Hugginstown Company of the IRA are still recalled today and a song in their honour was penned at the time which is still sung today. It was the third successful RIC Barracks attack of the War of Independence in Ireland of 1919-1921. Events will begin at 2pm on Sunday, March 8 when local author and historian Jim Maher, author of In the Shade of Slievenamon, The Flying Column, West Kilkenny 1916-1921, will speak about that event of 100 years ago in Hugginstown village and then Jim will unveil a plaque at the site of the old RIC barracks. At 11.30pm on Monday, March 8, 1920, Tom Treacy, officer in charge of the brigade of the 1st Battalion of the IRA in Kilkenny looked at his watch and shouted through a megaphone to his fellow IRA attackers, commence fire. And so began the attack on the barracks by the 1st Battalion and the 7th Battalion of the IRA in Kilkenny. After the attack in Hugginstown most of the rural RIC Barracks in Ireland were vacated. One RIC man, Constable Ryan died as a result of injuries received during the attack on the barracks that night and he was buried in Ballybricken, Waterford. On Ascension Thursday of 1920, the local Hugginstown company of the IRA bombed and burned the vacated barracks so that it could not be reoccupied by the RIC or the Black and Tans. There were many arrests made by the RIC after the capture of Hugginstown barracks. Many men from the local area were arrested and were sent to Belfast prison and then most of them were sent over to Wormwood Scrubs prison in London. Those Kilkenny prisoners joined with other Irish Prisoners in Wormwood Scrubs on a hunger strike for 21-days when the prisoners were promised unconditional release. The Hugginstown fife and drum band met the Hugginstown prisoners that were on hunger strike after their release at Ballyhale Railway station and led a huge concourse of excited people in parade formation to Hugginstown village where they received an enthusiastic reception before a huge bonfire in their honour in the centre of the village. Celebration There followed an all-night celebration before the hunger strikers, eventually retired to the quiet shelter of their comfortable rural homes. The local ballad-maker, Paddy Carroll, did not forget to sing their praises: The Barrons and the Carrolls And Lynch from sweet Coolmore Were amongst the Irish prisoners That came from Erins shore. The Walshes, Raftis and OGorman, From historic Ballyhale Stood up for Irish freedom In Wormwood Scrubs Jail Mike Murphy too from Brownstown His name I will not fail To pin it down with high renown With the prisoners of Scrubs jail. The funeral has taken place of Kazakh civil rights activist Dulat Aghadil, who recently died in police custody. Some 1,000 people gathered in driving snow for the ceremony in Aghadil's native village of Talapker. Later, police in Nur-Sultan detained around 20 activists who had gone from the funeral to a demonstration in the capital to demand an independent investigation into Aghadil's death. A woman surrendered to police in Tennessee overnight in connection to the killing her housemate in Florida , whose body was discovered in the trunk of the suspect's car on Wednesday. Courtney Gibson, 27, was taken into custody in her native Lebanon, Tennessee, on suspicion of killing 36-year-old Anna Primavere last week more than 700 miles away in Titusville, Florida. According to investigators, Gibson worked as a baby sitter for Primavere's landlord at his home in the 4000 block of Trinidad Avenue in Titusville, where both women were renting rooms. Scroll down for video Courtney Gibson, 27 (pictured left in a 2019 mugshot), turned herself in to police in Tennessee in connection to the killing of her ex-housemate in Florida, Anna Primavere, 36 (right) Both women were renting rooms at this hose in Titusville, Florida, and Gibson worked as a baby sitter for their landlord Police believe on Friday, Primavere may have noticed injuries on her landlord's child and confronted Gibson about the alleged abuse, resulting in her killing, reported WFTV9. Primavera was killed in what police in Titusville have described as a 'violent manner' sometime between 7pm and midnight inside the house. Gibson and Primavere's landlord, Zongmu Wang, has been arrested on unrelated charges of child abuse Gibson was seen on a Ring doorbell camera driving away from the area early Saturday morning with a mattress resting on the roof of her red Kia Forte. According to police, the mattress fell off he roof along the way, and Gibson then burned it on the side of the road. When Primavera's family reported her missing on Sunday, officers went to her home and discovered that her mattress was gone. Investigators almost immediately named Gibson a person of interest in Primavere's disappearance and launched a manhunt for her. On Sunday, authorities in Tennessee were able to track down the 27-year-old at her parents' home in Lebanon, but she reportedly refused to cooperate and would not let officers search her Kia Forte. On Wednesday, police obtained a search warrant for Gibson's vehicle and discovered Primavere's body in the trunk, according to officials. 'Sadly, for everyone involved, this has ended in the worst-case scenario,' said Titusville Police Investigations Lieutenant Chris Deloach. Investigators believe Primavere was violently killed last Friday after confronting Gibson about injuries she saw on their landlord's child, who was in Gibson's care at the time Primavere's body was discovered in the trunk of Gibson's red Kia Forte parked in Lebanon, Tennessee, this week Gibson has been arrested at least six times since 2014 in her native Tennessee on drug possession and assault charges Primaveres sister previously told WESH2 News that she had moved into the residence on Trinidad Avenue just two weeks before her disappearance. Officials are now working to have Gibson extradited back to Florida to face charges. Police in Titusville also arrested Gibson and Primavere's landlord, Zongmu Wang, on unrelated charges of child abuse. Online jail records in Wilson County, Tennessee, indicate that Gibson has been arrested at least six times since 2014, most recently a year ago, when she was picked up on charges of assault and resisting arrest. Other counts in her record include drug possession, domestic assault and violation of probation. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 00:37:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- After finishing previous nominating contests disappointingly, U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden now has reason to be optimistic heading to the South Carolina primary Saturday. Biden, a long-time frontrunner nationally in the Democratic race who recently got surpassed by rival Bernie Sanders, ranked first in an East Carolina University poll released Wednesday, which saw him take the lead with a 31-percent support rate in South Carolina. Sanders, U.S. senator from the state of Vermont and a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, trailed Biden in the poll with 23 percent of support. Meanwhile, a Clemson University poll released the same day has Biden at the top with 35 percent of support, leading second-placed billionaire hedge fund manager Tom Steyer by 18 percentage points. Counting on African American voters in South Carolina, the former Vice President of the United States won a potentially vital endorsement from House Majority Whip James Clyburn, the highest-ranking black member of Congress and one of the most influential Democrats in South Carolina. "I want the public to know that I'm voting for Joe Biden. South Carolina should be voting for Joe Biden," Clyburn said in a speech attended by Biden on Wednesday in North Charleston, South Carolina. In an interview with FiveThirtyEight, a website specializing in presidential polls and other surveys, Clyburn said he is hopeful that South Carolinians will follow his lead as he made the endorsement. The South Carolina primary could well be a watershed for Biden, followed by what is known as Super Tuesday next week, when 14 states and the U.S. territory of American Samoa will hold primaries or caucuses simultaneously. The Democrats Abroad primary, in which Democratic voters living abroad will cast their ballots, is also slated for the day. Biden still falls behind Sanders in national polls, according to poll averages calculated by RealClearPolitics, which gathers and analyzes polling data. Besides Sanders, Biden is also competing with fellow centrists -- former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who together with Sanders is considered a progressive, also remains in the race. Lent is the time to turn off the television and open the Bible. It is the time to disconnect from smart phones and connect to the Gospel." "It is time to give up useless words, chatter, rumors, gossip, and give yourself to the Lord . It is the time to devote yourself to a healthy heart ecology. To clean. We live in an environment polluted by too much verbal violence, by many offensive and harmful words, which the network amplifies. Today insults are as commonplace as saying 'hello'. We are inundated with empty words, with advertisements, with subtle messages. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The Pope is close to "the Coronavirus sick and the health workers who treat them, as well as the civil authorities and all those who are working to assist patients and stop the infection". A thought about the disease that is raging in many countries concluded today's general audience, which Francis dedicated to the beginning of Lent, with the Rite of Ashes this afternoon. Adressing the 15 thousand people present in St. Peter's Square, Francis spoke of the "desert" to which Jesus withdraws for 40 days at the beginning of his ministry. And the "spiritual meaning of the desert" was at the center of the Pope's catechesis. Desert as "a place of detachment from the noise that surrounds us. It is the absence of words to make room for another Word, the Word of God, which caresses our hearts like a light breeze (cf. 1 Kings 19:12). The desert is the place of the capitalised Word". Lent is the right time to make room for the Word of God. It is the time to turn off the television and open the Bible. It is the time to disconnect from smartphones and connect to the Gospel. When I was a child there was no television, but there was a habit of not listening to the radio in Lent. " "It is time to give up useless words, chatter, rumors, gossip, and give the Lord 'you'. It is the time to devote yourself to a healthy heart ecology. To clean. We live in an environment polluted by too much verbal violence, by many offensive and harmful words, which the network amplifies. Today insults are as commonplace as saying 'hello'. We are inundated with empty words, with advertisements, with subtle messages. We have become used to hearing everything about everyone and we risk slipping into a worldliness that atrophies our hearts. And there is no by pass to heal this. We struggle to distinguish the voice of the Lord who speaks to us, the voice of conscience, of good ". Jesus, calling us in the desert, invites us to listen to what matters. To the devil who tempted him, he replied: "Man will not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt 4: 4). Like bread, more than bread we need the Word of God, we need to speak with God: to pray. Because only before God do the inclinations of the heart come to light and the duplicity of the soul fall. Here is the desert, a place of life, not of death, because dialogue in silence with the Lord gives us life again ". Let's try to think of a desert again. The desert is the place of the essential. Let's look at our lives: how many useless things surround us! We chase a thousand things that seem necessary and in reality are not. How good it would be for us to get rid of so many superfluous realities, to rediscover what matters, to find the faces of those around us! Jesus also sets an example on this, fasting. Fasting is knowing how to give up vain things, the superfluous, to go to the essentials. It is not just for weight loss. It is to seek the beauty of a simpler life . Finally, the desert is the place of solitude. Even today, near us, there are many deserts. They are lonely and abandoned people. How many poor and old people are among us and live in silence, without making a fuss, marginalized and discarded! Talking about them doesn't make audiences. But the desert leads us to them, to those who, silenced, silently ask for our help. Many silent glances that ask for our help ". The path in the Lenten desert is a path of charity towards the weaker. Prayer, fasting, works of mercy: here is the road in the Lenten desert. Dear brothers and sisters - Francis concluded - with the voice of the prophet Isaiah, God has made this promise: "Behold, I am doing a new thing, I will open a road in the desert" (Is 43,19). The road that leads us from death to life opens up in the desert. We enter the desert with Jesus, we will go out savoring Easter, the power of God's love that renews life. It will happen to us as to those deserts that bloom in the spring, making buds and plants suddenly sprout 'out of nowhere'. Take courage, let us enter this desert of Lent, let us follow Jesus into the desert: with him our deserts will flourish . Finally, a particular prayer was dedicated to Iraq, a "battlefield" country where, he said, his visit was scheduled for this year. "I pray for peace," he said. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders will rally Silicon Valley's haves and have-nots ahead of Super Tuesday. The campaign confirmed it will hold a rally at San Jose's City Hall on Sunday, March 1, at 1:30 p.m. The planned rally comes two days before the Super Tuesday multi-state primary, which includes California, and days after the Sanders campaign claimed victory in the Nevada caucuses. It also comes after months of the Democratic candidate publicly praising tech worker activism and condemning tech companies and their executives. Many tech workers live in San Jose -- the nation's 10th largest city and one of the most diverse cities in the country. San Jose and its Silicon Valley suburbs have felt the brunt of California's housing crisis as tech companies like Google continue to expand rapidly in the area. In the last year, several tech companies have announced housing investments to quell concern, but residents have protested their expansion plans, arguing that tech workers with high salaries would continue to support high housing prices, forcing lower-paid workers from other industries out. In early February, Recode reported that Sanders had received more support from Tech employees than any other candidate -- especially from Google workers. This support comes despite the fact that Sanders has been one of Big Tech's strongest critics in the presidential race. Sanders and candidate Elizabeth Warren have said that Alphabet should be split apart, using it as an example of Big Tech's unchecked power. After four Google workers were fired late last year, Sanders and Warren, two of the leading Democratic candidates, chimed in with their support for the employees and criticized Google for being "anti-worker." Sanders also recently congratulated workers of Kickstarter to be "the first major tech company to vote for a union," adding "Tech employees deserve job security, strong wages and benefits, and a voice in their companies." Sanders tapped Amazon employees last month to blast the company's record and CEO Jeff Bezos on climate change. Last year, Sanders slammed Apple's $2.5 billion housing commitment, saying that the company that doesn't pay its fair share in taxes, and therefore contributes to the California housing crisis. Apple, which refuted Sanders, pointed out in its announcement that 30,000 people had left the San Francisco Bay Area in three months earlier in 2019. Sanders quoted a stat that 134,000 California residents are homeless. WATCH NOW: Democratic candidates jumped into a chaotic debate. [February 27, 2020] Saki Corporation Announces New Scientific Advisor, Dr. Takashi Sato, Professor at Kyoto University Saki Corporation, an innovator in the field of automated optical and X-ray inspection and measurement equipment, announces that Dr. Takashi Sato, professor at the Graduate School of Informatics (News - Alert), Kyoto University, has been appointed as the Scientific Advisor for Saki. Professor Sato specializes in the design of integrated circuits and systems. The results of his studies on semiconductor integrated circuit design are widely used in industry. With the support of Professor Sato and his expertise in modeling semiconductor devices and systems and in optimizing the manufacturing process to ensure their reliability, Saki will accelerate the development of its total M2M solution for an automated inspection system. To further this collaboration, Saki is establishing and fostering an engineering community to further the implementation of the Smart Factory. "AsSaki is a leading company in the manufacture of automated inspection equipment, which plays a critical role in ensuring the quality of the assembly process, we are committed to the realization of the Smart Factory and the goal of creating a more prosperous society through technology," said Norihiro Koike, president of Saki Corporation. "Together with Dr. Sato, Kyoto University, and this newly launched academic partnership, we are confident the Smart Factory will become a reality in the not-too-distant future." For more information contact Saki at [email protected], or visit our website at www.sakicorp.com or www.sakiglobal.com. About Saki Corporation Since its inception in 1994, Saki has led the way in the development of automated recognition through robotic vision technology. Saki's 3D automated solder paste, optical, and X-ray inspection and measurement systems (SPI, AOI, AXI) have been recognized to provide the stable platform and advanced data capture mechanisms necessary for true M2M communication, improving production, process efficiency, and product quality. Saki Corporation has headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, with offices, sales, and support centers around the world. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005327/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A man who set himself on fire near the Office of the President was hospitalized in the severe condition as 112 Ukraine reported citing Head of Department of Surgery of hospital #2. In severe. The same as now; nothing has changed especially in his state, the doctor said. It is reported that the man sustained burns on his body, limbs and head. It is planned to provide him with treatment for about two months. There is no threat to his life. On February 26, a man set himself on fire during the protest against consequences of the medical reform; the event took place next to the building of Presidential Office in Kyiv. Other participants in the meeting rushed to put out the fire on his clothes. They rendered first medical aid, and the protester was able to get up. The man explained that he wanted to draw attention to his problem. He's been trying to complete a legal procedure to get the ownership of the land parcel in Sumy region, northern Ukraine. The government, he said, took no action in this. Later, Spokesperson of Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky, Yulia Mendel stated that he was agitated by a man who set himself on fire under the walls of the President's Office. Islamabad, Feb 27 : US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross visited Pakistan and explored areas where both countries could renew their economic partnership and step up efforts to enhance economic, trade and investment ties, the media and government officials said on Thursday. During his visit on Wednesday, the US official along with his trade delegation held detailed discussions with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, and Abdul Razak Dawood, advisor to the premier on commerce, textile, industry and production, and investment, reports Xinhua news agency. Khan said that Ross's visit would help in realizing the shared vision of Pakistan-US leadership to transform the bilateral relationship into a broad-based, multifaceted and economic-centred partnership. The Prime Minister also underscored the need to "take full advantage of trade and investment opportunities" in Pakistan, stressing the importance of enhancing business-to-business cooperation between the two countries. During his separate meeting with Dawood, the Commerce Secretary said that several American companies hoped to enhancing their investments in Pakistan, adding that Islamabad and Washington would have to collectively work to promote the volume of their bilateral trade. "We want to play our full part in the progress and development of Pakistan," Ross said. Oregons crowded Democratic primary for secretary of state gained a new contender Thursday: state Sen. Shemia Fagan of Portland. Fagan had acknowledged publicly in recent weeks that she was considering entering the race, after former House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, also D-Portland, dropped out abruptly earlier this month. However in a press release Thursday, Fagan cited this weeks legislative Republican walkout to stop a greenhouse gas cap-and-trade bill as the tipping point that helped her decide to run. Even here in Oregon, where the accuracy of our elections cannot be disputed, our elected officials have chosen to put their politics ahead of our voices," Fagan said in her press release. Republican politicians have shut down the government that Oregonians elected ... disrespecting our elections process and negating the votes cast by millions of Oregonians. Fairness cannot be taken for granted; we must fight for it. As Oregons Secretary of State, thats one fight I intend to take on and win. Fagan, an attorney who successfully challenged former Sen. Rod Monroe in the 2018 Democratic primary for his Senate seat, will likely run to the left of Sen. Mark Hass of Beaverton and potentially other Democrats in the secretary of state race. When Williamson announced she was dropping out, the former House majority leader said she was doing so before the March 10 filing deadline so that "another truly progressive leader will be able to step into this Democratic primary and continue the fight to protect our democracy. Fagan would not have to run for reelection to her Senate seat until 2022. Retaking the secretary of states office is a top priority for Democrats and their allies this year. Republican Dennis Richardson won election to the post in 2016. After Richardson died of brain cancer a year ago, Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, appointed former lawmaker Bev Clarno to the job. Brown said she wanted to pick a Republican who would not run for election in 2020, just as she selected a Democrat who did not plan to run for secretary of state when she ascended from secretary of state to governor in 2015 upon John Kitzhabers resignation. Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 | @hborrud Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. The 24th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council, a forum for the Centre and the states to cooperate and exchange ideas and experiences on issues related to health, security and social welfare, will be held in Bhubaneswar on Friday. The meeting will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and chief ministers of Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand -- Naveen Patnaik, Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee and Hemant Soren, respectively -- are expected to take part in it, a Home Ministry statement said. Patnaik, who is the host of the event, is the vice-chairman of the Eastern Zonal Council. Common interests pertaining to infrastructure, health, security, social welfare, linguistic minorities, border disputes may be discussed and action taken. The upcoming meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council will deliberate upon nearly four dozen issues, which include inter-state water issues, power transmission lines, royalty on coals, operationalisation of coals mines, land and forest clearance for rail projects, investigation of heinous offences, cattle smuggling across the country's borders, the statement said. With such senior level participation of political leadership and officers, a large number of issues are likely to get resolved by consensus in the meeting. The chief ministers will be accompanied by two cabinet ministers from each state as members of the council and chief secretary and other senior officers of the states. Secretaries and additional secretaries and other senior officers of the central government will also attend the meeting. Last meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council was held in Kolkata in October, 2018. Five zonal councils were set up in 1957 under Section 15-22 of the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The home minister is the chairman of each of these five zonal councils and chief minister of the host state, to be chosen by rotation every year, is the vice-chairman. Two more ministers from each state are nominated as members by the governor. The council takes up issues involving the Centre and the states and among the member-states falling in the zone and thus provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between them. The zonal councils discuss a broad range of issues, which include boundary related disputes, security, infrastructure related matters like road, transport, industries, water and power, matters pertaining to forests and environment, housing, education, food security. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump made Vice President Mike Pence his coronavirus czar in a sudden announcement Wednesday. He also declared the U.S. would spend 'whatever' it takes to beat coronavirus Wednesday at a White House press conference as the infection's scale grew around the world. 'We're very, very ready for this, for anything,' he said, even if it's 'a breakout of larger proportions.' 'Every aspect of our society should be prepared. I think schools should get ready - just in case,' he added later. And he revealed one of the 15 Americans diagnosed with coronavirus in the US is 'pretty sick' and being treated in a hospital. As he spoke the CDC confirmed a mystery new case in California, this time of a person had not recently traveled, and had no connection with other cases. It was unclear if he knew about the diagnosis when he spoke. But Trump said the risk to Americans' health remained 'low,' and that the number of people diagnosed with the virus was small. Trump said Pence would report to him. Pence has no medical training; Trump praised his running of healthcare in Indiana when he was governor. The vice president said extra personnel would be brought in to the White House for 'this whole of government response,' to the mounting worldwide health crisis. The president boasted that he had made 'early decisions' which had kept the level of coronavirus down in the U.S. - but said that he would make sure government health workers have the resources they need. 'They can do whatever they want,' Trump said at a White House press briefing surrounded by top officials including Alex Azar, his Health and Human Services Secretary - who had denied he was being replaced by a czar just hours earlier. Briefing: Donald Trump held an unprecedented White House press conference as the threat from coronavirus escalates Speakers: Donald Trump was surrounded by (from left): Robert Redfield, director of the CDC; Alex Azar, the HHS secretary; Mike Pence, now the virus czar; Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC; and Tony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Get ready: This was the scene in Wuhan, China, where the pandemic originated, on Wednesday. 9,000 people are in critical condition in the country Spread: A suspected coronavirus patient in Daegu, South Korea, offers a suggestion of the scenes the U.S. could see 'If Congress want to give us the money, we'll take the money.' At the podium, Trump defended his administration's response to the Coronavirus thus far, including shutting out non-citizens from China, where the first outbreak was reported. 'Decisions that were ridiculed from the very beginning,' the president said. 'A lot of people thought we shouldn't have done it that early, but we did and it turned out to be a very good thing.' Asked directly about closing the borders to people from areas with worse infections he said: 'At the right time we may do that, right now it's not the right time. 'But at the right time, and we are checking people as they come through, specifically for the problem, the problem that we're dealing with. 'So we're checking a lot of people coming from South Korea, that's been hit pretty hard, Italy's been hit pretty hard. China, it's obvious what's happening in China, but again the numbers seem to be leveling off and going down in China which is very good news.' He was also asked if he was prepared to quarantine entire cities - as has happened in Italy and China already - and replied: 'We do have plans on a much larger scale, should we need that. 'We don't think we're going to need it, but you always have to be prepared.' Trump marveled at the number of people killed annually by the flu, explaining that in the U.S. it numbered between 25,000 and 69,000 a year. 'That was shocking to me,' Trump said. The president said just 15 people in the U.S. have thus far had coronavirus, with eight returning home, one in the hospital and five fully recovered. Trump also pulled out a visual, a piece of paper he said that listed the best prepared countries to deal with an epidemic, a product of research from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. 'John Hopkins, I guess, is greatly respected,' Trump said. 'We're rated No. 1 for being prepared.' Trump also noted how the U.S. brought in 40 people - American citizens - from a Japanese cruise ship where they had been diagnosed with the virus. 'We thought we had an obligation to do that,' he said. 'We found that it was an obligation that we have, we could have left them and it would have been really bad.' The White House had asked for $2.5 billion in extra funding for the Centers for Disease Control, but had come under pressure to increase that spending by both Republicans and Democrats. The press conference was an apparent attempt to claim fears over the virus, which has seen stock markets plunge and Democrats and Republicans both criticizing the official response. Trump instead suggested that the Democratic 2020 field was largely responsible for the 2,000 point drop in the Dow Jones since Monday morning. Proof: Donald Trump brandished a Johns Hopkins University document which he said showed the US was the 'best prepared' country for a coronavirus outbreak Pence in charge: The vice president said he would make sure all government resources needed were devoted to coronavirus A total of 60 Americans now have coronavirus, but 45 of those cases are in people held in quarantines after evacuation from Wuhan or the cruise, while only a small number were detected in the US after traveling to China. The source of one infection remains unclear Only his second appearance: Donald Trump has only been in the White House briefing room for a press conference once before; it is more than 300 days since the last briefing by a press secretary You're hired: Donald Trump made Mike Pence his point man on coronavirus Source: 40 of the U.S. cases diagnosed with coronavirus were from citizens on the Diamond Princess who Trump said he felt there was 'an obligation' to return to American soil 'I think the stock market is something I know a lot about. I think it took a hit maybe for two reasons,' he said. 'I think they looked at the people you watched debating last night and they say if there's even a possibility that could happen, I think it really takes a hit because of that. 'And it certainly took a hit because of this. And I understand that also, because of supply chains and various other things there are people coming in. But I think the stock market will recover. 'The economy is very strong Our consumers are incredible. They're incredible. That's why we're doing well and other countries have not, even before the virus. We're doing great, other countries have not been doing great.' Trump made reference to his well-known reputation for germaphobia, and provided safety tips for Americans to follow. 'I do it a lot anyway as you probably heard,' he said. 'Wash your hands. Stay clean. You don't necessarily have to grab every hand rail unless you have to. You know, certain things that you do when you have the flu,' he explained. CORONAVIRUS: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR What is this virus? The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been identified as a new type of coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large family of pathogens, most of which cause mild lung infections such as the common cold. But coronaviruses can also be deadly. SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, is caused by a coronavirus and killed hundreds of people in China and Hong Kong in the early 2000s. Can the Wuhan coronavirus kill? Yes almost 3,000 people have so far died after testing positive for the virus. What are the symptoms? The infection which the virus causes has been named COVID-19. Some people who catch it may not have any symptoms at all, or only very mild ones like a sore throat or a headache. Others may suffer from a fever, cough or trouble breathing. And a small proportion of patients will go on to develop severe infection which can damage the lungs or cause pneumonia, a life-threatening condition which causes swelling and fluid build-up in the lungs. How is it detected? The virus's genetic sequencing was released by scientists in China and countries around the world have used this to create lab tests, which must be carried out to confirm an infection. Delays to these tests, to test results and to people getting to hospitals in China, mean the number of confirmed cases is expected to be just a fraction of the true scale of the outbreak. How did it start and spread? The first cases identified were among people connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan. Cases have since been identified around China and are known to have spread from person to person. What are countries doing to prevent the spread? Countries all over the world have banned foreign travellers from crossing their borders if they have been to China within the past two weeks. Many airlines have cancelled or drastically reduced flights to and from mainland China. Is it similar to anything we've ever seen before? Experts have compared it to the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The epidemic started in southern China and killed more than 700 people in mainland China, Hong Kong and elsewhere. SCROLL DOWN OR CLICK HERE TO SEE MAILONLINE'S FULL Q&A ON THE CORONAVIRUS Advertisement He gave guidance consistent with what public health officials have recommended: taking prudent steps to avoid viral transmissions, as with flu and seasonal colds. Then he told an anecdote. 'I mean, view this the same as the flu. When somebody sneezes, I try to bail out as much as possible when there's sneezing. 'I had a man come up to me a week ago. I hadn't seen him in a long time and I said how are you doing? He said, 'Fine.' He hugs me. 'I said, 'Are you well?' He says no. He said, I have the worst fever and the worst flu. And he's hugging and kissing me. I went back and started washing my hands. So you have to do that,' Trump said. The briefing was held as American coronavirus cases rose to 60 with the addition of two more Diamond Princess cruise evacuees and another American who tested positive on Wednesday. Officials have not yet revealed how the most recently diagnosed patient acquired the life-threatening infection. The CDC confirmed the positive test results of an additional six cruise evacuees, including four that had already been announced by local health departments. At least five of the new patients were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship last week. They were then transported to three different quarantine sites: military bases in California and Texas and the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska. Global cases have now surged past 81,000, with well over 2,700 deaths - though the vast majority of fatalities have still occurred in China, where the outbreak began. Nancy Pelosi, the House Speaker, dismissed Trump Wednesday, saying: 'I don't think the president knows what he's talking about - once again.' When asked about the criticism made by Pelosi, he slapped back by calling the California Democrat 'incompetent.' Trump also suggested under Pelosi, Democrats would lose the House again - and he said impeachment 'lifted my poll numbers up by 10 points.' 'She's trying to create a panic,' Trump said. 'And there's no reason to create a panic because we have done so good.' Azar was on stage to see Pence made czar - hours after he denied claims that he was about to be replaced by an epidemic czar in the project to oversee the US's handling of the coronavirus outbreak. He claimed after Trump spoke that he was still in charge. 'I'm still chairman of the task force,' he said. 'Having the vice president gives me the biggest stick one can have in the government, on this whole-of government approach. Not in the least. 'When this was mentioned to me I was delighted I get to have the vice president helping ... delighted, absolutely.' Also on stage was the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease (NIAD) Dr Anthony Fauci, who reiterated the news that trials are set to begin for a vaccine for coronavirus, a record-setting three months after the virus was sequenced. He added that the vaccine won't be ready for a year to a year-and-a-half. At that point, it will make little impact on the current outbreak but, in the likely event that the virus is here to stay in coming years, Dr Fauci expects a vaccine will be ready. The CDC's point person on the coronavirus outbreak, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases Dr Nancy Messonnier had advised parents to talk to their kids' schools about 'teleschooling' in the event the event of quarantines or class cancellations amid an outbreak. 'I told my children that they are not at risk now, but we as a family need to prepare for significant disruption in our lives,' Dr Messonnier told reporters in a Tuesday press briefing. In a bizarre twist, she is the sister of Rod Rosenstein, the former attorney general who oversaw the Robert Mueller special counsel investigation and who was a repeated target for Trump's ire. She was missing from the briefing. During the presser, Bernie Sanders, currently the Democratic frontrunner, sent out a statement blasting Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, who was present at the White House briefing, for not guaranteeing during Congressional testimony earlier Wednesday that a Coronavirus vaccine would be affordable to all. 'Under the Trump doctrine, if you are wealthy you can buy a vaccine and not succumb to the sickness. If you are poor or working class, you may have to get sick or even die,' Sanders said. 'That is an outrage. That is unacceptable. We need a vaccine that is available to all, not just those who can afford it.' The new cases for which details have been released are confined to the cruise ship evacuees. The number of people diagnosed in the US - without being repatriated - has held steady at 14 for weeks. Another two people who were among among the 800-some Americans repatriated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak in China, have also tested positive for coronavirus. This week's additional cases among evacuees may have come to little surprise to the CDC, which advised against letting 14 American Diamond Princess passengers whose coronavirus tests came back positive as they were about to board the evacuation flights to the US continue on the cargo planes. State Department officials ultimately overrode the health officials on the ground in Japan, where the ship had been quarantined. Of the 328 evacuated people, 13 'high risk' passengers were taken on to Nebraska's high-grade quarantine. CDC officials previously said they expected to see additional cases among the cruise ship evacuees, and diagnoses have indeed rolled in. Meanwhile, LAX airport and travelers are on high alert after a flight attendant on a Korean Air flight there from South Korea, where cases have surged to over 1,200 in a matter of days and one US soldier on Camp Carroll military base has been diagnosed with coronavirus. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Thursday launched an attack on Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, terming him the "most lawless minister the country has ever seen". Surjewala accused Prasad of having "scant regard for the Constitution and law". "He is the most lawless minister the country has ever seen. He is hell-bent at destroying the judiciary. He has scant regard for the Constitution and law. He is a prodigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," the Congress leader said at a press conference here."BJP feared that the conspiracy of the riots will get exposed and this is the reason why Justice Muralidhar has been transferred," Surjwala said, adding that "the transfer is an attempt to save the BJP leaders against whom Murlidhar had made strong observations". Surjewala made the remarks after Prasad tweeted that Justice Muralidhar's transfer came following the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium. The well-settled process has been followed". Continuing his attack on the opposition party, Prasad said the people of India have rejected the Congress and "hence it is hell-bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them". On the other hand, Surjewala accused the BJP of pressurising judiciary and said that this is not the first time that such a case of transfer of judge came to light. "It is not the first case of BJP pressurising judiciary or being vengeful. The appointment of Gopal Subramaniam, famous lawyer of the Supreme Court who was a lawyer against Modi-Shah in Gujarat riots, was forcibly stopped and orders of the Supreme Court Collegium ignored," he said. "Justice Geeta Mittal, who gave an uneasy judgment against the government about shell companies, was also transferred in a similar manner. It is clear that if judges curb government's policies as per the constitution, then the Modi government will work with a sense of revenge," Surjewala added. He said that the BJP is "drunk" on their electoral victory in the last year's Lok Sabha elections. "They should remember that the citizens of the country have chosen them to serve the country and run the government, not to intimidate, threaten and enslave the people," Surjewala said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There was a riot last time St Pierre's cathedral in Geneva hosted a Catholic Mass in 1535, with clergymen chased out and statues and treasures looted. On Saturday, the first Catholic Mass since that day in what became a centre of the Protestant Reformation promises to be a more sedate affair. Father Pascal Desthieux, who will celebrate the Mass, told AFP he planned to express "respect and gratitude" to Protestant friends for hosting it. Desthieux said he would also apologise on behalf of all the Catholics who had "disrespected, misjudged and condemned" Protestants over the centuries. The Reformation triumphed in Switzerland in 1536 under the leadership of John Calvin and the building -- which was run by the Roman Catholic Church for 1,000 years -- was taken over by the Protestant Church. The cathedral, which has Calvin's wooden chair on display, "is a symbolic place for all Genevans", Desthieux said, adding that nearby Catholic churches would be closed to encourage the faithful to go there. Pastor Emmanuel Fuchs, head of the Protestant Church in Geneva, said the 6:30 pm (1730 GMT) mass was a way of moving forward "on the path of reconciliation". "We cannot remain prisoners of history. History has to elevate us, not keep us in a straitjacket," he said. In a city where Catholicism is once again the main religion, Protestant and Catholic leaders said the two churches are already co-operating in many areas -- including joint chaplaincies for the sick or prisoners. - 'No hidden agenda' - Even with widespread approval in both communities, however, Saturday's Mass remains a sensitive issue. The Vatican and Protestant Churches still do not recognise each other's legitimacy and many Protestants remain highly suspicious of the papacy. Religious leaders are careful to play down any suspicion that the Mass is an attempt by Catholics to regain lost territory in the land of Calvin. "Some people are surprised, some disappointed, some may even be quite angry at this initiative," Fuchs said. "But we are a Church that has a habit of debating, a church where we take decisions democratically. I think a large consensus has been achieved." Desthieux said there was "no hidden agenda" and "no intention to take back the cathedral". "We already have our basilica and we have enough big churches," he said, referring to the Notre-Dame of Geneva basilica. Fuchs said he was sure the Catholic Church would celebrate the Mass "with the intelligence and subtlety that the place and the moment demand". Asked whether the experiment might be repeated, Fuchs said "let's see how things go" on both the Protestant and Catholic sides after the mass. "We will have time to discuss it afterwards, to see what the fruit of this initiative could be," he said. Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi left a handwritten note to his landlady apologising for 'any mess' he made, before detonating his rucksack packed with homemade explosives at the venue, a court has heard. Jurors at the Old Bailey were shown a scribbled apology on a sheet of paper left inside apartment 39, Granby House, central Manchester, which was recovered when police searched the rental property on May 24 2017, two days after Abedi brought terror to the city. It read: 'Sorry if there is anything missing in the apartment or any mess made, the extra 150 (pounds) and the rest of the week's rent can hopefully cover it. 'Sam'.' Abedi, 22, used the false name 'Sam Abdi' to rent the one-bedroom property from Ruth Bain, agreeing to pay 750 for a two-week short-term stay, jurors previously heard. Jurors at the Old Bailey were shown a scribbled apology on a sheet of paper left inside apartment 39, Granby House, central Manchester, which was recovered when police searched the rental property on May 24 2017, two days after Abedi brought terror to the city Jurors were previously shown CCTV of Salman Abedi making his way to the Manchester Arena (pictured) But four days into the let, he was seen on CCTV leaving the one-bedroom flat and heading to Manchester Arena, where he detonated his suicide bomb as thousands of men, women and children left an Ariana Grande concert. Prosecutors said Abedi and his younger brother Hashem used various addresses, vehicles and mobile phones to organise, stockpile and store components for the bomb. The brothers left their family home in Elsmore Road, Fallowfield, in April on one-way tickets, accompanied by their parents. But Salman returned, alone, on May 18, jurors were told. Hashem, now also 22, is on trial accused of conspiring with Salman over the plot, which killed 22 people and injured hundreds of others. The kitchen-lounge in the Granby House apartment, in central Manchester, where Salman Abedi lived for the four days before he detonated his suicide bomb at Manchester Arena Photographs taken during searches of the Granby House flat and the family home in the days after the bombing showed discarded oil cans, residue from bomb-making chemicals, and various nuts and bolts, the court heard. At Granby House, officers also discovered items including scrapings from match sticks, various bits of wire, black tape, a serrated edge saw, and a roll of clear acetate, prosecutors said. Jurors previously heard how Salman agreed to pay 600 upfront to Ms Bain, with a further 150 part-way through his stay, and handed the landlady a handwritten note containing his false name, a 'previous address' and some contact details. Ms Bain told police her subsequent attempts to contact the new, short-term tenant were unsuccessful. She later recognised his face from media coverage of the bombing suspect. The trial continues. A nurse adjusts his goggles in an intensive care unit treating COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 22, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) BTS Cancels Concerts in Seoul: Coronavirus Updates From Feb. 27 Countries around the world are taking measures to try to stem the spread of the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, as the death toll continues to rise. Below are news updates from Feb. 27. Click here for Feb. 28 updates. BTS Cancels Concerts in Seoul K-Pop superstar group BTS is canceling four concerts in Seoul scheduled for April amid a coronavirus outbreak in South Korea. (L-R) Jimin, RM, Jungkook, V, J-Hope, Jin, and SUGA of the K-pop boy band BTS visit the Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on Feb. 21, 2020. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) We regret to announce that the BTS MAP OF THE SOUL TOUR has been canceled, the Seoul-based Big Hit Entertainment said in a statement. It said the COVID-19 outbreak has made it impossible at this time to predict the scale of the outbreak during the dates of the concert in April. The seven-member boy band was scheduled to perform April 11-12 and April 18-19 at Seouls Olympic Stadium. South Korea has more than 2,000 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and has recorded 13 deaths. Read more here. Swiss Cases Rise to 9, Children in Precautionary Quarantine The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Switzerland rose to nine on Thursday, as the canton of Basel-City put a number of children into a two-week quarantine after one of their caregivers tested positive for the virus. A young woman who returned to work at a daycare facility after traveling to Milan has tested positive for the new coronavirus, authorities in Basel-City said late on Thursday. The young woman who resides in the canton of Basel-City is doing well given the circumstances, the regions health department said in a statement. As a carer for children and young children working at a daycare in Riehen, she came into contact with many children. The health department is now making extensive checks in the patients professional and personal environment accordingly. The daycare facilities in the town of Riehen normally care for around 100 children, the authorities said, but due to ongoing holidays, only a portion of the children had been present in the facility and in close contact with the affected woman. Read more here. California Monitoring Thousands for COVID-19 California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that 33 people in California have tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus, and officials are currently monitoring more than 8,400 people for the virus. Newsom stated that 5 of the 33 patients who tested positive for the virus have left the state. Health officials said some of the 33 positive cases were part of the group of evacuated Diamond Princess cruise passengers who were repatriated back to the United States after spending weeks on the quarantined ship held off the coast of Japan. Newsom said that 49 jurisdictions are monitoring 8,400-plus people for the virus. We knew this was inevitable due to the contagious nature of the virus, he said. As of Wednesday night, the United States had 60 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, 42 of which were on the ship, according to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A man wears a face mask onboard a public bus in the Chinatown section of San Francisco, Calif., on Feb. 25, 2020. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) Iran Death Toll Reaches 26 Iran said on Thursday its death toll from coronavirus had risen to 26, by far the highest number outside China, and the total number of infected people now stood at 245, including several senior officials. The outbreak prompted authorities to call off Friday prayers in the capitals of 23 of Irans 31 provinces, including Tehran and the Shiite Muslim holy cities of Qom and Mashhad as well as some other infected areas, state TV reported. Irans state news agency IRNA said Iran had banned Chinese citizens from entering. In the last 24 hours, we have had 106 (new) confirmed cases The death toll has reached 26, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur told state TV, calling on Iranians to avoid unnecessary trips inside the country. Iran has also imposed some restrictions on access to shrines in Qom and Mashhad, Health Minister Saeed Namaki told state TV, adding that visitors to the holy sites should pray and leave. Gatherings are not allowed inside the shrines, he said. Iranian authorities said hundreds of people initially suspected of having the virus had tested negative and been discharged from hospital. Authorities including President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran had no plans to quarantine any cities or districts, despite the sharp rise in numbers in a short time. The government extended the closure of universities and cinemas and a temporary ban on cultural, sports events and conferences for another week. The death rate among confirmed cases of the virus has been running at around 10 percent in Iran compared to around 3 percent elsewhere. Iran only announced its first infections and deaths from the coronavirus on Feb. 19. Workers disinfect subway trains against coronavirus in Tehran, Iran, in the early morning of Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo) Iranian Vice President Contracts Coronavirus: State Media Masoumeh Ebtekar, Irans vice president for women and family affairs, has contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to state-run media. Ebtekar, who was also an English-language spokesperson for Iran during the 1979 hostage situation, is suffering from mild symptoms and wasnt hospitalized, said state media, CBS News reported. She one of several Iranian officials to have contracted the virus. The death toll from COVID-19 in Iran has risen to 26 while 245 people have contracted the virus, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in a statement carried by state-controlled IRNA. The country is the hardest-hit in the Middle East, and many of its neighbors have closed their borders to travel and suspended flights. Iran has shut down schools, universities, and canceled public gatherings to combat the diseases spread. The majority of the cases have been confirmed in the city of Qom, the site of an outbreak late last week. Read more here. US Fixes Faulty Tests U.S. health officials said an issue that delayed expanded testing for the new coronavirus in the United States has been fixed, paving the way for public health laboratories across the nation to test patients locally for the disease the virus causes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent test kits to labs across the country earlier this month but one of three steps in the test led to inconclusive results. Dozens of labs were prevented from testing samples from suspected cases of the new COVID-19 disease because of the issue as some experts called for wider testing for the new virus. Twelve state or local labs could test samples as of Tuesday. That number has expanded to 40, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar told a congressional committee in Washington on Thursday. The jump came after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of those tests by using just the first and second step to provide a definitive diagnostic, Azar said, cutting out the problematic third step. Read more here. Concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in large gatherings, students from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts wear respiratory masks as they wait for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to speak to supporters during a rally and march to early vote in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Feb. 27, 2020. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images) Chinese Doctor: So Many Deaths There are so many deaths. The mortality rate of patients in critical condition is about 80 percent, and the mortality rate of patients in severe condition is 20 percent, said doctor Chen, who is treating the ill in one of the cities hard-hit by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China. In an exclusive interview with The Epoch Times on Feb. 27, Chen discussed what he saw and experienced in the city of Ezhou, about 50 miles east of Wuhan, where the outbreak first emerged. Both cities are within Hubei province. Chen is a young doctor dispatched from another province to Ezhou to help treat the large numbers of COVID-19 patients there. As a doctor with a lot of experience treating patients with respiratory diseases in intensive care units (ICU) and respiratory care units (RCU), he was assigned to the Ezhou Central Hospital in February to treat COVID-19 patients. Chinese authorities have forbidden medical staff from accepting media interviews. To protect Chen, The Epoch Times has decided to withhold Chens full name and hometown. Read more here. Coronavirus Infects Patient for Second Time A woman who was working as a tour bus guide was reinfected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, testing positive after having recovered from a prior infection, said a local government agency in Japan. Osakas prefectural government confirmed that a woman in her 40s, who tested positive twice, was a resident in Osaka. She tested positive Wednesday after developing chest pains and a sore throat, the government told public broadcaster NHK. She had first tested positive in late January and was released from the hospital on Feb. 1 and was declared coronavirus-free on Feb. 6, the government said. However, officials said she started feeling chest pain and throat pain on Feb. 19. After going to the doctor several times, she tested positive again about a week later. Read more here. Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio holds up a map of Italy showing the municipalities in regions of Lombardy and Veneto where it is not possible to travel, during a press conference at the foreign press association, in Rome on Feb. 27, 2020. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP Photo) Italy Changes Virus Count Methods at Urging of UN Agency With tourism tanking and panic rising, Italy is changing how it reports coronavirus cases and who will get tested in ways that could lower the countrys caseload even as an outbreak centered in northern Italy spreads in Europe, officials said Thursday. Italian authorities plan from now on to distinguish between people who test positive for the virus and patients showing symptoms of COVID-19, the illness the virus causes, since the majority of the people in Italy with confirmed infections arent actually sick. As of Thursday, Italy reported 528 cases and 12 confirmed deaths from the virus, the most of any country outside Asia. All the patients who died were elderly, sick with other ailments, or both. At the urging of the World Health Organization, Italy also is distinguishing between positive virus tests reported at a regional level and results confirmed by its National Institute of Health. The U.N. health agency insisted that only nationally certified cases are considered official. The cases that emerge from the regions are still considered suspect and unconfirmed, Walter Ricciardi, a WHO adviser to the Italian government, said. You will see that in the next few days, there will be outbreaks in other countries, too. But the other countries are much more rigorous in their reporting methods. Italys civil protection chief Angelo Borrelli said the Thursday count of 528 cases came from regional reports. Only 282 cases were certified by the national health institute, but that was all the test results it analyzed, Borrelli said. Official certification therefore wasnt expected to significantly alter the overall numbers in Italy once they were all counted, Borrelli said. Out of the 528 cases, 159 infected people have required hospital treatment and 37 were in intensive care, while the vast majority isolated themselves at home in self-quarantine, Borrelli said. The government is seeking to calm fears about the outbreak, which has seen countries issue travel advisories warning their citizens to avoid visiting hard-hit Lombardy and Veneto regions, which have seen the most cases. The Italian government has lashed out at what it called alarmist and inaccurate reporting about the degree of contagion and level of panic, and insisted Italy is a safe country and ready to receive visitors. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that the government would ask all elementary, junior high, and high schools to close from March 2 until spring break, typically around the end of March. He was speaking at a meeting of the governments task force to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. People wearing face masks ask directions from police officers who are also wearing face masks, at a police box by Shibuya crossing in Tokyo, Japan on Feb. 27, 2020. (Carl Court/Getty Images) Australia Starts Emergency Plan, Extends Travel Ban Australias government on Feb. 27 initiated its emergency response plan, warning its citizens to prepare for a coronavirus pandemic as the deadly virus continues to spread around the globe. We believe the risk of a global pandemic is very much upon us and as a result, as a government, we need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. Australia has 23 confirmed cases of coronavirus15 of these are reported to have recovered. Eight more Australians were infected while aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Morrison also announced Thursday the country has extended its travel ban to March 7, forbidding foreign nationals from entering the country from mainland China for a further week to protect Australians amid the outbreak. Read more here. Denmark, Estonia Report First Cases Denmark and Estonia on Thursday confirmed they had each detected their first known cases of COVID-19. The Danish Health Authority said that its first patient was a male who had recently returned from a ski holiday in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Reuters reported. He tested positive on Wednesday night and is in self-isolation at home. In Estonia, Tanel Kiik, the Minister of Social Affairs, told Eesti Television that their first patient is an Iranian citizen who arrived in the country on Wednesday. They are now being quarantined. At least five European countries confirmed their first known cases on Wednesday: Georgia, Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, and Norway. A woman wears a sanitary mask in downtown Milan, Italy, on Feb. 25, 2020. (Claudio Furlan/Lapresse via AP) Saudi Arabia Halts Travel to Islams Holiest Site Saudi Arabia on Thursday halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam just months ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, a move coming as the Mideast has over 220 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The extraordinary decision by Saudi Arabia stops foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure the worlds 1.8 billion Muslims pray toward five times a day. It also said travel was suspended to Prophet Muhammads mosque in Medina. The decision showed the worry about the outbreak potentially spreading into Saudi Arabia. The epicenter in the Mideasts most-affected country, Iran, appears to be in the holy Shiite city of Qom, where a shrine there sees the faithful reach out to kiss and touch it in reverence. Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus, and urges its citizens to exercise caution before traveling to countries experiencing coronavirus outbreaks, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement announcing the decision. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm. The hardest-hit nation in the Mideast is Iran, where Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 19 people have died among 139 confirmed cases. Experts are concerned Iran may be underreporting cases and deaths, given the illnesss rapid spread from Iran across the Persian Gulf. For example, Iran still has not confirmed any cases in Mashhad, even though a number of cases reported in Kuwait are linked to the Iranian city. In Bahrain, which confirmed 33 cases as of Thursday morning, authorities halted all flights to Iraq and Lebanon. It separately extended a 48-hour ban over flights from Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, through which infected travelers reached the island kingdom off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said there were no immediate plans to quarantine cities but acknowledged it may take one, two, or three weeks to get control of the virus in Iran. As Irans 80 million people find themselves increasingly isolated in the region by the outbreak, the countrys sanctions-battered economy saw its currency slump to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar in a year on Wednesday. A policeman and pedestrians wear masks to help guard against the coronavirus in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 23, 2020. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo) US Postpones Military Exercises As South Korea Confirms 13th Death The United States and South Korea have postponed their joint military exercises amid the local coronavirus outbreak in the East Asian country. The ROK-U.S. Alliance made the decision to postpone the combined command post training for the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command until further notice, the Combined Forces Command said in a statement, referring to the Republic of Korea. ROK JCS and USFKs commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance remains ironclad and unbreakable, and the decision to postpone the combined training was not taken lightly. The safety of the ROK and U.S. service members were prioritized in making this decision. The ROK-U.S. alliance remains committed to providing a credible military deterrence and maintaining a robust combined defense posture to protect the ROK against any threat, it added. Read more here. CDC Says 15th Case Could Be From Local Transmission The CDC has said that the 15th individual to test positive for COVID-19 in the United States could be the nations first case of local transmission. In a statement released Wednesday evening, shortly after President Donald Trump addressed the nation on the coronavirus threat, the agency said that one person from California with no travel history to COVID-19-impacted locations and no contact with known COVID-19 carriers had tested positive for the disease. At this time, the patients exposure is unknown, the CDC said in a statement. Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. The agency explained that community spread is the transmission of the illness from unidentified sources, which the agency added could have been a returned traveler who was infected. The resident of Solano County was identified by his local doctors in the public health system, who notified the agency of a potential case. The California Department of Public Health added in a separate statement: The health risk from novel coronavirus to the general public remains low at this time. While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate. From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80 percent do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization. There have been no confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States to date. California is carefully assessing the situation as it evolves. The 15th case is in addition to the 42 passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess and the three Wuhan evacuees who have also tested positive for the virus. Area Director Geir Bukholm and Department Director Line Vold of the Institute of Public Health hold a press conference on the first coronavirus case in Oslo, Norway, on Feb. 26, 2020. (Terje Bendiksby/NTB Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) Georgia, Greece, North Macedonia, Norway, Romania Each Detect First Cases Georgia confirmed on Wednesday its first confirmed coronavirus case who is a citizen who recently arrived back in the country from Iran through Azerbaijan. According to the countrys health minister Ekaterine Tikaradze, he was then quickly isolated in a hospital where he will remain for monitoring. A female who returned to North Macedonia from Italy after a month of travel has tested positive for the virus. She had received treatment for the virus while in Italy, but was not tested, according to the countrys health minister. Upon her return, she was immediately admitted to an infectious diseases clinic where she tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, Norway confirmed its first case of coronavirus on Wednesday, announced the countrys Institute of Public Health. The patient was identified as a Norwegian who had returned from a trip to China late last week. This person is not showing symptoms but was tested after returning from the region of China where the outbreak began, agency director Line Vold told a news conference. They are asymptomatic and unlikely to infect others, the agency said. The individual is now self-quarantined at home, reported Reuters. Romania has also reported its first casea man who came in contact with a visitor from Italy last week, according to AFP. Seven other people living at the same address as the man have all tested negative for the virus and will now remain in quarantine for 14 days as a precaution, an official with the countrys emergency department told reporters. Melanie Sun, Mimi Nguyen Ly, Frank Fang, Zachary Stieber, Jack Phillips, Nicole Hao, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. For updates from Feb. 26, click here. An Oklahoma man who kidnapped his stepdaughter when she was 12 and took her to Mexico, where he fathered nine children with her before she was able to escape, has been sentenced to life in federal prison. Henri Piette, 65, was sentenced to life on Thursday for charges of kidnapping and to a further 360 months, 30 days, for traveling with the intent to engage in sexual acts with a juvenile. Henri Piette, 65, was sentenced to life in federal prison on Thursday for kidnapping his stepdaughter, Rosalynn McGinnis He was also ordered to pay a $50,000 fine and $50,067 in restitution to his victim, Rosalynn McGinnis. Names of the victims of sexual crimes are generally withheld but McGinnis, who Piette says he married, went public with her story shortly before his arrest. Piette was arrested in Mexico in September 2017, a year after his stepdaughter-turned-wife McGinnis escaped and contacted police. In 1997, he abducted her from her school in Oklahoma in retaliation against her mother, who he was in a relationship with at the time. He took her to Mexico where McGinnis, now 33, said he forced her to 'marry' him. The pair had nine children and lived together in a filthy tent, undetected by US authorities for years. In 2016, McGinnis - with the help of a mystery couple - fled with eight of the nine kids and sought help from a US embassy. Piette was convicted of kidnapping in 2019. He denies wrongdoing. McGinnis claims that Piette's abuse began when she was 10 and he still lived in their family home in Wagoner. According to an affidavit filed in a federal court, he raped her for the first time when she was 10. 'According to R. Doe (McGinnis), she remembered when she was around 11 years old, (Piette) took her to a van and married her,' the affidavit says. 'She added Piette gave her a ring and (Piette's) son, Toby Piette, officiated the marriage.' During her 19 years in captivity, McGinnis had nine children after first becoming pregnant at 15. She shared this photograph of them during an interview with People in August 2017 Rosalynn McGinnis, now 33, spent 19 years in captivity after being kidnapped by Piette In this undated photo, McGinnis is shown as a young teenager with her stepfather. He abducted her from school when she was 12 and took her to Mexico Henri Piette as he was brought to the Tulsa, Oklahoma, courthouse for sentencing on Thursday Prosecutors argued that over the course of the next two decades, Piette raped her repeatedly and inflicted physical and emotional abuse on her. When he was eventually arrested, Piette said their sex had been consensual. 'Most of it are lies,' he told Fox23 News. 'Ninety-nine percent are lies. I'm telling the truth. 'I never raped any children. I made love to my wife. We were married'. In an interview on The Dr Oz. Show that aired in November 2019, McGinnis recalled the moment she was saved. 'We were in the grocery store, we were in front of them, and we had a bunch of kids, of course, and it was me and Henri Piette. 'The age difference and all the children. Actually, we were short on the bill to pay for the groceries and they paid it for us,' she said. 'They asked... where we lived. It started like that. Henri was the type that always kept people away. But they knew something wasn't right. So, they decided to do something about it,' she said. Piette forced them to move, but the couple found them. 'We moved and they found out where we were and she's like I know there's something wrong. If you can ever get away, I'll help you,' McGinnis recalls the woman telling her. McGinnis was taken form her home in Oklahoma when she was 12 and Piette 'married' her The tent where McGinnis was living in Mexico with Piette and their nine children McGinnis, right, standing beside Piette and the nine children he fathered with her 'Any kind of abuse that you can think of, he did to me,' she said. McGinnis says she was being abused by Piette for at least a year before he kidnapped her. 'As a young child, you don't really realize what's going on. As an adult now, I look back and then I can see exactly how that he was grooming me the whole time. But as a child, you don't know those things, you don't know.' She also revealed that she took the children without telling them they were fleeing and described the ways Piette would abuse them too. 'They didn't know. I kept the truth from them until I escaped from Mexico. They were really shocked. They've been through, especially my older children. 'The reason I didn't tell them, of course, was because what I knew inside was how much it's damaged me. I didn't want them to grow up knowing that. 'He would tell them they're animals. He would treat them like animals. That the only reason that they're alive is because your mother's here. Otherwise, if she wasn't that I'd kill all of you. He would hit them and then I would step in and it would just be horrible. McGinnis escaped from the tent in Mexico with eight of her nine children in 2016 'You don't know what's happening, you don't realize it,' she said. In 1997, her mother - who has never spoken publicly about the case - broke up with Piette because he had been beating her. He retaliated by snatching Rosalynn from school and going on the run. McGinnis said that before taking her to Mexico, they traveled through the US. She claims he introduced her to his children as their 'new mother'. In Mexico, she said she was subjected to daily sexual assault or rape and first became pregnant at 15. She claims they lived under the radar and that no one in Mexico suspected him of wrongdoing until she confided in a woman who lived near their tent in 2016. That woman then found a missing person's poster from 1997 with Rosalynn's name on it. In June 2016, she fled their tent with eight of the nine children she had with Piette and used a pay phone in Oaxaca City to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). They were then put in touch with the US embassy to be taken back to the US. McGinnis now lives in Missouri with her family. DUBAI, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Kuwait's health ministry said on Wednesday that the number of people diagnosed with coronavirus in the country rose to 18 after six more cases were confirmed, the state news agency reported. The ministry also confirmed in a statement that the six new cases were all Kuwaiti citizens "who are related to travel to Iran". (Reporting by Alaa Swilam; Editing by Hugh Lawson) 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 The animation industry has made strides when it comes to inclusion, but large gender disparities remain. The Animation Guild is trying to bring more attention to that imbalance. Mindy Johnson, who studies women and diversity in animation, said the animation classes she teaches are 75 to 80 percent female, and she's heard similar numbers from other animation and film educators. But only 3 percent of animated film directors are women, with only 1 percent being women of color, according to a 2019 USC Annenberg report. Johnson wrote about the history of women in animation in her book Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation. On Wednesday night, she moderated a discussion on diversity, inclusion, and bias for members of the Animation Guild, with a panel including animators Floyd Norman, Jane Baer, Willie Ito, and Enid Denbo Wizig. "Our numbers are shifting, and yet we need to get that representation reflected in the industry," Johnson said. The numbers are stronger in lower-level positions -- 28 percent of story editors are women, for example -- but those numbers don't hold with many higher-level jobs. The growing numbers of young women interested in animation is tied with female representation in animated film, according to Johnson. They grew up being able to watch movies like The Little Mermaid and Beauty & The Beast on home video -- but only 17 percent of recent animated films had a female lead or co-lead, according to the USC report. "When children are exposed and given a wider range of what their options are, they'll explore further," Johnson said. There was an effort in the late 1970s and early '80s to bring more women and minorities in at Disney, according to Johnson, helping to lay the groundwork for more gender diversity in animated movies. MORE SUCCESS WITH RACIAL DIVERSITY Floyd Norman attends a 30th anniversary screening of "When Harry Met Sally..." at the 2019 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 11, 2019 in Hollywood. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for TCM) Floyd Norman was one of the first African-American animators at Disney. From the time he started there in 1956, animation has been a largely color-blind industry for those breaking in, he said. "Animation is comprised of individuals who are basically creative individuals, where the only thing that mattered was the talent," Norman said. "I never felt anybody was shut out because of their ethnicity, their color, or anything like that." But while the doors were open to get into the industry, according to Norman, that didn't mean you could always rise to the top. He never got the chance to be a producer or a director, despite a legendary career that included working on Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, Pixar movies, and more. "While there was never any active discrimination in the cartoon business, I honestly feel that I could have gone further had I not been a person of color," Norman said. "When opportunities to promote someone to be the head of a department, to be an associate producer, to be a director -- I think that, as a person of color, I was often overlooked." Norman said he feels that the industry has made major positive changes since the time he broke in. As an example of the way things have improved for minorities, Norman cited Matthew Cherry's recent Oscar win for his short film Hair Love. "I look at myself as maybe being a trailblazer," Norman said. "We kind of hit the beach first -- didn't get a chance to advance as far. But I see the young people today doing a lot better than my colleagues of color and I did back when we started out decades ago. There just weren't that many opportunities for people of color back then." Willie Ito started at Disney in 1954, assistant to animation legend Iwao Takamoto, illustrating Lady and the Tramp's spaghetti-eating scene. Ito taught himself cartooning as a kid while he was interned by the U.S. government, along with 120,000 other Japanese people, during World War II. "I entered [animation] rather cautiously, because I wasn't quite sure if a big studio like Walt Disney harbored some sort of resentment," Ito said. But early diversity helped to provide him comfort as he broke in. The first person he encountered at Disney was a fellow Japanese-American who had also been interned: Iwao Takamoto. Takamoto recommended that Ito be brought back in for a test, which led to him being hired into Disney's training program. Ito said Takamoto laid the groundwork for animators like him. Ito went on to work for Warner Bros., where he noticed that he was the only Asian who seemed to be working at the studio. But he still felt that there wasn't any prejudice and that animation was a color-blind industry. Echoing Norman, Ito said there was more diversity in animation than the film industry at large thanks to the unique skill set that was required. One thing that helped to continue opening up the industry when it came to diversity was the outsourcing of animation, according to Ito. They would send extra work to studios in countries like South Korea and the Philippines, and it ultimately encouraged Asian animators to move to the U.S. That was also aided by the growth of computers in the animation industry, with Asians being early adopters of the technology, according to Ito. Ito has tried passing along the mentorship he got from Takamoto, going on to mentor young artists around the world. WOMEN IN ANIMATION THROUGH HISTORY Jane Baer near the Art Center photo lab when she was a student. (Courtesy Jane Baer) Jane Baer started at Disney in 1955, working on Sleeping Beauty. Baer had dreamed of pursuing art, but as a woman coming of age shortly after the Depression, she faced trouble getting an education. "My dad's feeling was, well, you don't want to waste money on a girl, because she's just going to get married and have babies," Baer said. Her family only had money to pay for one college education -- they decided to pay for her brother. So she worked her way through school herself. "It didn't occur to us that we could go further," Baer said. "Gender roles hadn't quite matured at that time," Norman said. "[Women] recognized there wouldn't be as many opportunities." Baer was laid off after Sleeping Beauty but continued to make her career in animation. In the 1980s, Baer started a small animation studio with her then-husband. After they divorced, she kept the studio going -- but had to deal with men who resented a woman owning and running a business, according to Baer. Johnson said that elements of strong female influences go back to the early days of animation, from the creation of Minnie Mouse alongside Mickey to the decision to focus Disney's first feature animated film on a female protagonist: Snow White. "But we, as a society, our collective conscious tends to lean towards male," Johnson said. THE PATH FORWARD FROM LOOKING AT THE PAST Floyd Norman, Mindy Johnson, and Jane Baer. (Susy Shearer Photography) The Animation Guild is looking to bring more attention to continuing diversity issues. In a press release, they cited both the small number of women directors working behind the scenes, as well as small percentages on-screen -- while making up 17.8 percent of the U.S. population, only 1.4 percent of animation children's TV characters are Latino. Johnson said that the advantages of increasing diversity include both financial and story incentives. She thinks it's important for women to be able to share through animation their unique perspectives. "We've all missed out on not getting these stories told," Johnson said. Clarification: While Floyd Norman is often referred to as Disney's first African American animator, Frank Braxton worked briefly at Disney before Norman in the early '50s. Valladolid (Castilla y Leon), Feb 27, 2020 (SPS) - Within the framework of the work visit to the Autonomous Community of Castilla y Leon, the Minister of Public Health, Jira Bulahi Bad, has held a meeting with authorities from the region to coordinate action of cooperation in the health sector for the benefit of the population residing in the Saharawi refugee camps. During the meeting held at the Ministry of Health, Bulahi Bad and Manuel Mitadiel, manager of Sacyl, addressed the challenges facing the health sector in the Saharawi Republic and the efforts that are implemented to cover the basic needs of the population. The parties agreed to implement an action plan focused on supporting health centers and providing medical attention to cases that need to be evacuated outside the camps. In the area of assistance to Saharawi evacuees, the head of Health has met with the Councilor for Social Services of the City of Valladolid to formalize the granting by the municipality of a house for patients who move to the community to receive medical care. In the field of health personnel training, Jira Bulahi Bad agreed with trade union forces in the region to study the possibility of creating distance training plans. The parties are committed to the use of the internet for the training of nurses and workers in the sector. In the political field, the two-day work agenda ended with the meeting held with political parties and the Intergroup supporting the Saharawi people in the Courts of Castile and Leon. The Saharawi leader explained the current situation and the block to the peace process in Western Sahara. He has also urged all political forces to join forces to enforce international legality in the last territory under the process of unfinished decolonization in Africa. The delegate of the Frente POLISARIO in the region, Mohamed Labat, the Director of the Department for Medical Commissions, Jatra Malainin, and members of the Saharawi people support movement accompanied the minister.SPS 125/090/TRA (Natural News) Ian Brownlee, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Consular Affairs, may have just unleashed the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) on America by blatantly defying orders issued by President Trump to disallow Americans with the disease from flying back to the United States from Japan. Rather than obey our Commander-in-Chief in the interest of public safety, Brownlee decided to load these people up on a plane anyway and ship them back to the country because this was an emerging and unusual circumstance, hes quoted as saying in his defense. We had 328 people on buses, a plan to execute and we received lab results on people who were otherwise asymptomatic, un-ill people on a bus on the way to the airport, Brownlee is quoted as saying. The people on the ground did exactly the right thing in bringing them home. Those who tested positive were reportedly put into special isolation units on board two different cargo planes before being hauled off to either Lackland Air Base in Texas or Travis Air Base in Northern California. These units, officials claim, were perfectly safe and every precaution, reports indicate, was taken to ensure that everyone was safe. But the problem is that President Trump said no-go, and Brownlee went ahead and flouted him by giving the go anyway a major breach of command. And if the Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) ends up spreading because of this, then Brownlee will have blood on his hands. Another Deep State employee thinks hes right and the President is wrong, writes Joe Hoft for The Gateway Pundit. This guy, who worked for the State Department in Mexico for years, thought it was important to send individuals sick with the coronavirus back to the U.S. where they could risk getting others sick. His decision may cost American lives, Hoft adds. Listen below as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, addresses the massive Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) coverup, which hes colloquially dubbed Dont Test, Dont Tell! Ian Brownlee defied a presidential order does that make him a traitor? So, who is this Ian Brownlee character, exactly? According to the Department of State website, he became the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs about a year ago, and before that served as an Inspector in the Office of the Inspector General. Brownlees previous experience includes serving as the Minister Counselor for Consular and Consulate Affairs in Mexico, where his job duties included coordinating consular affairs across Mission Mexicos nine consulates general and the embassy. Before that, Brownlee was Director of the State Departments Office of Central American Affairs, where he was tasked with implementing the U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America. Between the years of 2012-2015, Brownlee functioned as Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Prior to all of this, Brownlee held multiple positions in Mexico, Honduras, and Costa Rica, as well as in Mexico and Chile. And all of them involved handling affairs both within these countries as well as between them and the United States, meaning he was in charge of various aspects of U.S. foreign relations. If this goes beyond containment, hang him for the traitor that he is, wrote one commenter at The Gateway Pundit. He disobeyed a direct order from the CDC and his president. Potentially, yes he has hes endangered tens of millions of lives through one petulant, soiled-brat-like act, wrote another. In his world, direct orders are to be obeyed only if you feel like it, wrote yet another. I say fire [him] immediately, then arrest him for willful endangerment of peoples lives and waste of government resources. More of the latest Wuhan coronavirus (CoVid-19) news is available Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: TheGatewayPundit.com NaturalNews.com Representative Image Angel Broking's report on Crude Oil On Wednesday, WTI Crude prices plunged over 2.3 percent to close at $48.7 per barrel as the rapidly spreading Coronavirus continued to dent the demand prospects for Crude. Increase in number of cases outside China deepened the concerns over a possible economic slowdown which would in turn dent the demand for Crude. Markets assessed that the lethal virus breakout could lead to a far greater economic damage than initially thought which led to a significant downfall in oil prices. The OPEC+ stated that they would further trim their output to counter the slumping demand due to the coronavirus outbreak in the major Crude consumer, China. OPEC+ plans to meet in Vienna on 5 th -6 th March 2020. As per reports from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. Crude inventory levels increase by 452,000 barrels to 443.3 million barrels much lower than the market expectation of 2-million-barrel rise. Outlook Rising number of cases of the Coronavirus might further dent the demand worries for Crude and push the prices lower. On the MCX, oil prices are expected to trade lower today. For all commodities report, click here Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies 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. Read More Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Poonam Khetrapal Singh (The Jakarta Post) - Thu, February 27, 2020 18:38 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20670a34b 3 Opinion Wuhan-coronavirus,outbreak,Asia-Pacific,WHO,World-Health-Organization,global-emergency Free The approach of the World Health Organization Southeast Asia region to health security is guided by a simple yet powerful logic: When we work together we are protected together. Never has this been more important. The outbreak of COVID-19 is a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and provides significant challenges to countries in the region. We must stand together and work as one to face the outbreak down. The regions member states are leading from the front. In recent weeks, both India and Thailand have tested laboratory samples from neighboring countries. Ensuring all COVID-19 cases are detected early is critical to achieving the regions number one priority: preventing and controling local transmission. Across the region, the International Health Regulations (IHR) are guiding action and promoting cooperation and transparency, including through the regional IHR knowledge network. Countries must continue to report and share information on suspected cases early and provide detailed reports on confirmed cases. Solidarity must define our onward battle. The benefits are many. First, by working together countries promote efficiency. Each country in the region has different strengths and faces different risks. By continuing to share knowledge and resources, countries will build surge capacity a crucial asset that will help them prepare for all possibilities, including community transmission. The latest information suggests that the virus may be more transmissible than early data suggested. All countries must strengthen their readiness to respond. Second, by working together countries promote trust. Trust between countries allows national decision-makers to be confident that the public health measures they take are based on sound information, reflect ground realities and anticipate emerging trends. Measures that are unnecessary can spread panic and fear. Measures that are inadequate can spread virus and disease. As the outbreak unfolds, it is imperative that countries adopt and sequence their actions to protect the most vulnerable first. They must allocate resources accordingly. Third, by working together countries promote knowledge. Detailed case reporting will help us all learn more about COVID-19 and how it can be prevented and treated. Earlier this month, the WHO gathered 400 of the worlds leading experts for discussions on top research and innovation priorities. Based on those discussions, the WHO is developing a research and innovation roadmap that will help scientists and donors across the world strengthen our medical armory. We must all look out for one another. An important way to do this is by accessing and sharing high-quality information that empowers our friends, families, colleagues and communities to stay healthy. Regular hand-washing, coughing or sneezing into ones elbow, avoiding close contact with people with flu-like symptoms, and thoroughly cooking meat and eggs are all highly recommended for day-to-day protection against a range of germs. If you are traveling, an alcohol-based hand rub will help keep your hands clean. Limiting contact between your hands and eyes, nose and mouth will reduce transmission pathways. Avoiding close contact with people suffering from a fever or cough is always a good idea, as is informing crew members if you become sick. Community concerns related to COVID-19 are understandable. There is much that we do not yet know but that we are working to find out. As we learn more, the WHO will continue to provide member states and the public with high-quality information through regular situation reports and through our social media accounts. I encourage you to access them regularly, in addition to the advice of your national health authority. We must be very clear: False rumors and misinformation can facilitate transmission and cost lives. They are our common enemy. The WHO is working with member states and partners region-wide to bust myths, promote knowledge and empower communities. As we continue to tackle the outbreak, I urge all people in the Southeast Asia region to adopt what has become a rallying point across the world: facts, not fear; rationality, not rumors; solidarity, not stigma. The WHO is committed to ensuring solidarity and cooperation continue to be among the regions key weapons in the battle against COVID-19. For many years these values have been built into the regions health security architecture, from the Southeast Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund to the Delhi Declaration on Emergency Preparedness and Response. Though COVID-19 may very well test that architecture, its foundations are solid and must now meet the task at hand. Together we must fight. Together we must win. *** The writer is the World Health Organizations Southeast Asia Regional Director Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Delhi Riots: CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced compensation for injured in Delhi riots and demanded stringent punishment for the culprits. Kejriwal added no politics should be done on national security. Delhi Riots: After an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Tahir Hussains name was dragged into recent incidents of violence in North East Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did a presser on Thursday and asked for an investigation. Delhi CM said police should deal the situation with iron fist and politics over the national security should be stopped. Kejriwal, in his speech, demanded stringent punishment for culprits, asserting that if any one from Aam Aadmi Party found guilty, he should be punished double. Allegations of killing Ankit Sharma (Intelligence Bureau Personnel) were also leveled against Tahir Hussain, who was found dead in a drain of Jhafrabad area. Kejriwal said no one should be spared, irrespective to which party he belongs, if they are found guilty of riots and violence. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: Any person who is found guilty should be given stringent punishment. If any Aam Aadmi Party person is found guilty then that person should be given double the punishment. There should be no politics on the issue of national security. #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/ykrsL7sIA4 ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2020 Taking on Home Minister Amit Shah, Kejriwal asked is this how Indias criminal justice system work? Stop politicizing national issues, added the Chief Minister. Also read: Coronavirus in India: How to make hand sanitizers at home? Also read: Coronavirus in India: KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan says players, spectators health first The toll has constantly rising and the latest count, 35, was confirmed by the GTB Hospital doctors since Sunday. Reports said over 200 people got injured in the riots and are under treatment. Till now, public and private property worth thousands of crores have been vandalised and looted. To control the situation, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has handed over the responbility of law and order to the National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. The Delhi police has arrested more than 106 accused in relation to violence after filing 18 FIRs. For all the latest National News, download NewsX App By PTI NEW DELHI: Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said Delhi High Court judge S Muralidhar was transferred following the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium, asserting that a "well-settled process" was followed. The minister's reaction came after the Congress alleged that Justice Muralidhar was transferred by the government to save BJP leaders in the Delhi violence case. "Transfer of Hon'ble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated February 12 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India," Prasad wrote on Twitter. He added that a "well-settled process" was followed in the transfer of Justice Muralidhar to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary," Prasad said in a series of tweets. His reaction came after the Congress alleged that Justice Muralidhar was transferred by the government to save BJP leaders in the Delhi violence case. "Transfer of Hon'ble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated February 12 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India," the minister said. He said a judge's consent is taken before transferring him or her. Continuing his attack on the opposition party, Prasad said the people of India have rejected the Congress and "hence it is hell-bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them". Referring to a tweet by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the death of Judge Loya, the Union minister said the Loya judgement had been well-settled by the Supreme Court. "Those raising questions do not respect the judgment of the apex court pronounced after elaborate arguments. Does Rahul Gandhi consider himself above even the Supreme Court," he asked. "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred," Gandhi had tweeted this morning. Prasad said the government respects the independence of the judiciary. "The record of Congress in compromising the independence of the judiciary, superseding judges even of Supreme Court during Emergency is well known. They rejoice only when the judgment is of their liking otherwise raise questions on the institutions itself," he said. Prasad said the party which is the "private property of one family" has no right to lecture about objectionable speeches. "The family and its cronies have routinely used the harshest words against the Courts, the Army, the CAG, the PM and the people of India," the minister said. Matty and Sarah Marie Fahd's newborn son, Malik, has made his debut on the eleventh season of Gogglebox Australia. On Thursday, the four-month-old child joined his parents on the couch, alongside their friend Jad Nehmetallah and the family dog, Bane. The group gathered in the living room to watch Christian Wilkins and his dance partner, Lily Cornish, perform on Dancing with the Stars. Just like mum and dad! Matty and Sarah Marie Fahd's newborn son, Malik, has made his debut on the eleventh season of Gogglebox Australia. Pictured with their friend Jad Nehmetallah Matty, who was holding baby Malik, excitedly said: 'We're about to dance!' At one stage, Lily's racy dance outfit caught Jad and Matty's attention. Sarah Marie then cheekily covered her son's eyes while saying: 'Look away, mister!' Part of the family! The group gathered in the living room to watch Christian Wilkins and his dance partner, Lily Cornish, perform on Dancing with the Stars Sarah Marie recently told TV Week that becoming a mother has been challenging. 'I love being a mum now, but it has been hard. It's the toughest thing we've ever done and I didn't realise the extra problems you face,' she said. 'I've had some problems breastfeeding, but besides that it's been amazing - it's an overwhelming experience...' Couch crew: Sarah Marie, Matty and Jad have starred on Gogglebox since 2017 Sarah added that despite the ups and downs of being first-time parents, it 'has all been worth it'. The couple welcomed Malik on November 13. Sarah Marie, Matty and Jad have starred on Gogglebox since 2017. New Delhi, Feb 27 : In wake of reports that Pulwama attack accused Yousuf Chopan was granted bail as the NIA failed to file a charge sheet within the prescribed period, the anti-terror agency on Thursday clarified that he was not arrested in that case. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), in a statement, said that Chopan was "never arrested in Pulwama attack case. However, he, along with six others, was arrested in a Jaish-e-Mohammed conspiracy case registered in August last year". In that case, the anti-terror agency said that two charge sheets were filed against eight people, namely Sajad Ahmad Khan, Tanveer Ahmed Ganie, Bilal Ahmad Mir, Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat, Mehraj-ud-din Chopan, Mudassir Ahmad Khan, Karti Mufti Yaseer. These included two terrorists -- Mudassir and Yaseer, who were killed in a shoot-out with security forces. During investigation, the NIA had arrested seven Over Ground Workers (OGWs), out of which six accused were charge sheeted in two charge sheet and Chopan was not charge sheeted due to "inadequate evidence", it said. "As such he has been granted default bail by Special NIA court, New Delhi on February 18, 2020," the NIA said, adding that he has been sent back to Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu under Public Safety Act by the order of District Magistrate, Pulwama. The NIA said it "follows the policy of fairest possible investigation" and also that "significant leads have emerged in Pulwama attack case and a breakthrough in the case is expected shortly". The NIA's clarification came hours after the Congress slammed the agency for its "lacklustre" approach to the case and said it was an insult to the Pulwama martyrs. Hitting out at the NIA, senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel said: "Shocked to know that the Pulwama accused got bail because the NIA is so busy that it failed to file the charge sheet. It's an insult to the martyrs. Clearly, the government used this tragic attack for political purposes and was never serious about justice." Forty CRPF personnel, travelling in a convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, were killed on February 14 last year when a suicide bomber rammed a car loaded with explosives into their bus in Awantipora in Pulwama district. Following the attack, banned terror outfit JeM claimed responsibility and even released a video of the purported attacker. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More IndiGo has reduced the flying ban on comedian Kunal Kamra to three months. "The Internal Committee, after hearing both parties, passed an order pursuant to which Kamra has been suspended from flying for three months. IndiGo will comply with the order of the Internal Committee," the airline said in a statement on February 27. The country's largest airline had initially suspended Kamra for six months, effective from January 28. Following IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India and GoAir had followed suit. The decision was taken by an internal committee of the airline that was investigating the incident involving the comedian and Republic TV Editor Arnab Goswami. While IndiGo declined to comment. Kamra told Moneycontrol that he is yet to hear from the airline or the DGCA. The Delhi High Court is at present hearing a petition by the comedian, against the action taken by the airlines. The court had rapped industry regulator DGCA for asking domestic airlines to ban the comedian. Kamra had defended himself in court by saying he had only "politely"asked questions to Goswami in hopes of engaging in a conversation with him before the incident that led to his suspension. When this failed to elicit a response, he had indulged in, "a monologue about what he felt about his style of journalism". After IndiGo's action, the airline's captain had said that the comedian was not unruly. Google is doubling down on investments in offices and data centers around the country, pledging Wednesday to spend $10 billion this year on top of the $13 billion in 2019 it spent expanding its footprint across the country. The big picture: Google is growing its presence across the country as lawmakers and state attorneys general scrutinize its power. Iran has threatened to flog and imprison anyone caught 'spreading fake news' about the coronavirus outbreak that has already killed 26 people in the Islamic Republic. Hassan Norouzi, spokesman for parliaments legal and judicial committee, said 'spreading lies' is punishable by one to three years in prison with flogging, in accordance with Shariah law. 'Spreading fake news over coronavirus outbreak will [make] people panic. It also will pave the ground for the countrys shutdown,' the Tehran Times reported him saying in translation. Nourouzi added that 24 citizens were already in custody for 'spreading rumours' and that the harsh sentences were warranted by Shariah. Hassan Nourouzi (left), spokesman for parliaments legal and judicial committee, said 'spreading lies' is punishable by one to three years in prison with flogging. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (right) is pictured making a statement on coronavirus at a cabinet meeting in Tehran, Iran on February 26, 2020 A graphic shows coronavirus infections in the Middle East Pharmacists talk with customers at drugstore in downtown Tehran, amid fears the country is running low on medical supplies Iran uses Shariah law as the basis of its legal code, allowing crimes deemed malicious against the state to be punished with corporal beatings. On Monday, the Iranian government condemned moves to politicize the outbreak and criticised media outlets for what it saw as flinging accusations against the health ministry. Iran has confirmed seven new deaths from coronavirus over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said today, taking the overall toll to 26, the highest outside China. An additional 106 confirmed infections took the total number of cases so far to 245, ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told a daily cabinet briefing. In the wake of surging cases, officials have warned against visiting the holy city of Qom, where many of the infections have been detected, but President Hassan Rouhani yesterday refused to cordon off the religious hub, saying the regime will focus on containing individuals, not areas. Three women and a police officer wear masks in Tehran on Sunday to guard against the coronavirus in Iran, which now has the worst outbreak in the Middle East An Iranian woman wears a protective mask to prevent contracting coronavirus, as she is seen at a drug store in Tehran The city is the second most holy site for Shi'a Muslims and it's feared pilgrims could spread the virus through the Middle East. Rouhani admitted that it may take 'one, two or three weeks' to get control of the virus in Iran, which has been linked to almost all of the cases across the Middle East. However, Rouhani also attempted to turn Iranian anger against the United States, saying that the virus 'must not be turned into a weapon for our enemies to halt work and production in our country'. 'The Americans and our enemies during this time, around two years of which have passed, have wanted, with their sanctions and propaganda, to shut down production and economic activities in this country and for the people to suffer,' he said. Iran's economy has been battered by US sanctions since Donald Trump quit the nuclear deal in 2015, contributing to shortages of medical equipment. In a shock for the regime, the Iranian health minister announced Monday that he had been infected with the coronavirus, which has killed just over 2,800 people worldwide. In a video released on Tuesday, he vowed the regime will bring the spiralling outbreak under control. Iraj Harirchi said Iran would be 'victorious in our combat against this virus' in a video message he recorded after he was taken into quarantine yesterday. Iraj Harirchi was diagnosed with coronavirus on Tuesday, just a day after he appeared at a press conference sweating profusely while insisting the country had its outbreak under control Iraqis wearing masks walk on February 25, 2020 in the partially deserted streets of Iraq's central shrine city of Najaf Harirchi's diagnosis was an embarrassment for the regime after he had insisted a day earlier - while sweating heavily at a press conference - that the outbreak was not as bad as feared. Several of Iran's neighbours, including Iraq, Bahrain and the UAE have shut down transport links after the virus spread across porous borders and infected people across the Middle East. Bruce Aylward, who leads the joint WHO-China mission of experts, said Beijing's success in firefighting the infection has lulled other nations into a false sense of security. He said: 'You have to be ready to manage this at a larger scale... and it has to be done fast,' insisting countries have to 'be ready as if this hits us tomorrow'. Dozens of countries are now battling outbreaks, with South Korea, Italy, Japan and Iran among the worst-affected. Yehry Helmut Rivera, an indigenous Broran activist, was killed in Terraba, Costa Rica by an armed mob while trying to reclaim ancestral land, 24 February 2020. Photo: Hugo Navas / The Guardian By Nina Lakhani 25 February 2020 MEXICO CITY (The Guardian) A Costa Rican indigenous defender has been killed by an armed mob while trying to reclaim ancestral land the latest in a spate of violence targeting native communities in Central Americas safest country. Yehry Rivera, 45, from the Broran community in Terraba, was shot dead around 11pm on Monday after being surrounded by a group of angry locals armed with sticks, machetes, stones, and at least one gun. The attack took place amid mounting tensions in Terraba, where human rights groups had warned authorities in recent days about non-indigenous groups violently confronting Broran families reclaiming ancestral land. The events leading up to Monday nights fatal shooting remain unclear, but video footage seen by the Guardian shows members of the group throwing stones and insults over Riveras bleeding body, with a police car parked close by. Activists light candles during a vigil on 25 February 2020 for Yehry Rivera, an indigenous leader from Costa Rica who was killed on Monday night, on 24 February 2020, in San Jose, Costa Rica. Photo: Juan Carlos Ulate / REUTERS The killing comes just two weeks after Mainor Ortiz Delgado, 29, a leader of the Bribri indigenous people in neighbouring Salitre, was wounded in a gun attack, and less than a year since Sergio Rojas Ortiz, 59, was shot dead. Both cases remain unsolved. [] Early warnings about the growing tensions in Terraba were once again met with an ineffective response by the state, said Vanessa Jimenez, a lawyer with the not-for-profit organization Forest Peoples Programme who works with the indigenous communities. The government either cant or wont protect the Bribri and Broran from violence. Latin America is the most dangerous continent in the world to defend land rights and natural resources, and indigenous communities often bear the brunt of the violence. [more] Costa Rican indigenous land activist killed by armed mob A special resolution signifying a commitment to address historical inequalities passed unanimously in the Indianapolis City-County Council, but that will likely prove to be the easy part. The hard part going for substantive changes is still to come. All members of the city-county council, which consists of 20 Democrats and five Republicans, are listed as sponsors on the proposal, but council President Vop Osili, a Democrat, admitted there may be some difficult conversations and difficult decisions on the horizon. The special resolution, Proposal 85, creates a steering committee comprised of local leaders including Osili who participated in a workshop led by the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) in December 2019. According to Osili, the committee has commitments from every city and county public agency to, as the proposal reads, use available tools to assist in the elimination of racial and social disparities across key indicators of success, including health, education, criminal justice, the environment, employment and the economy. The committee then helps guide actions that are supposed to create a more equitable Indianapolis and, where necessary, fix systems created in the past that explicitly or implicitly maintain racial inequities. These disparities didnt happen overnight, Osili said. They wont go away overnight, but theres a commitment in our city and county to address them. Even as elected leaders on the city-county council decry the politicizing of crime and violence issues with deeply embedded and historical ties to racism there still appears to be a fair amount of gamesmanship to go around. Republicans wanted to create a commission to study violence and its disparate impact on African Americans, but Democrats rejected it. The city doesnt need more data to know whats going on and how to address it, Democrats argued, so now its time to take action. But it was unclear for a time what exactly that action was until councilor Leroy Robinson, a Democrat who chairs the councils Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee, told the Recorder about his plans for public safety. Shortly after, there seemed to be some bipartisan agreement on creating a citizen-driven public safety initiative, but even that has fallen through since Democrats backed away because of a misunderstanding about what the initiative would entail. While Osili understands he may have to change some minds in the coming months about what actions are appropriate based off the steering committees recommendations, hes hopeful a public commitment to addressing the issues will hold councilors and other leaders to account. Because weve made it a public commitment, he said, we will follow through with it and hold ourselves to the standard of that commitment. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Vop Osili speaks at a May 23, 2019, press conference at Horizon House about the 2019 Point-in-Time Count. (Recorder file photo) The National Leader of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday decried insinuations alleging that he deliberately turned down an invitation from the Ondo State Government in commemoration of the third anniversary of the state governor. Tunde Rahman, Media Adviser to Tinubu, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the APC leader did not turn down the invitation of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Rahman said Tinubu was invited by Akeredolu in commemoration of the third anniversary of his administration in Ondo State and to inaugurate some iconic projects initiated by his administration. He explained that the APC leader was invited to the state to inaugurate projects, which include the Ondo-Linyia Industrial Hub, Ore among other landmark projects of his regime. He said: But the APC leader could not honour the invitation as scheduled because of an earlier scheduled trip abroad. As much as I know, Asiwaju Tinubu did not turn down the invitation; the date suggested by Governor Akeredolu coincided with the timing of an already scheduled trip overseas by Asiwaju. He did not reject the invitation. Some opposition politicians in the state had interpreted Tinubus inability to keep the initial date for the inauguration of the projects as a clear rejection of the Governor Akeredolu and his projects. I can tell you that once he returns from his trip, a new date will be picked. He will be there in Ondo to inaugurate the projects as requested by the governor. One of the most sought after elephants of the Guruvayur temple, Gajaratnam Guruvayur Padmanabhan died on Wednesday (February 26). With his long tusks, majestic and composed demeanour, Padmanabhan earned him the title of Gajaratnam. The 84-year-old tusker, had been carrying the Guruvayur Sri Krishna idol for over 66 years. The tusker had been unwell for over a month and was being treated for the last two weeks after he developed swelling in his body At 9 am on Wednesday, his condition worsened and was declared dead at 2pm at the Punathoorkotta, a training centre for captive elephants near the Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple. He had a massive fan-following in the state of Kerala Hundreds of devotees thronged Padmanabhans funeral, chanting Narayana Narayana, to pay their last respects. Padmanabhan was offered to the temple by an individual from palakkad in 1954. Since then, the tusker has been carrying the Sri Krishna 'thidambu' or miniature idol of the presiding deity (for the last 66 years). A Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has questioned the credibility of the audit report by the Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo on the Ghana Education Trust Funds (GETFund) scholarship scheme which listed names of some Members of Parliament, politicians among others as beneficiaries. The Deputy Minister's name was listed as one of those who benefited from the scholarship. But he has denied ever receiving such an award and queried the Auditor-General over the matter. I want to state categorically that I have not benefited from any GETFund scholarship to study abroad, and I do not intend to apply for any scholarship from the GETFund administrators to pursue my education. I am capable of financing my education to whatever level I want to go whether doing it locally or abroad, Mr. Osei Nyarko told Citi News. I have not attended such university to pursue any program. I was surprised to see my name on the list. What was the motivation for putting my name there? I have instructed my lawyers to write to the Auditor-General to seek for immediate retraction for whatever list he has put out, he added. The Deputy Agric Minister further threatened to sue the Auditor-General if he fails to remove his name from the list of beneficiaries of the GETFund scholarship. Mr. Domelevo then directed the Deputy Agric Minister to the Ghana Education Trust Fund for answers on his inclusion on the list of scholarship beneficiaries. The Auditor-General in response to Mr. Osei Nyarkos request said that his office did not cause to be published any 'supposed list of top political figures' who are claimed to have benefitted from a scholarship at the Ghana Education Trust Fund as alleged by you. In a letter, Mr. Domelevo said that he has no intention of being biased to anyone and clarified that the information contained in an audit report is from the audited entity, and in this instance, every information or names that are contained in the performance audit report on GETFund came from GETFund, the audited entity. However, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, feeling justified by this response wondered whether the Auditor-General is trustworthy. It is clear from the foregoing that my position has been vindicated. The Auditor-General did not audit the information supplied his office by GETFund. Can this person be trusted as an Auditor-General? Can this one too be called Proper Audit? he questioned in a release. Auditor-General's report The Auditor-General indicted the GETFund for breaching its mandate and illegally funding foreign scholarships. A performance audit report from the Auditor-General said the GETFund Secretariat breached the object of the fund and administered the scholarship themselves. According to the GETFund's Annual Reports from 2012 to 2018, the secretariat spent GHS 425,698,937 on scholarships on 3,112 beneficiaries out of which 2,217 persons were unlawfully granted scholarships to study abroad. It also said GETFund's selection process was not robust enough, describing it as unfair, dominated by one person and porous. This allowed unqualified applicants to benefit rather than brilliant but needy Ghanaians as contemplated by Act 581, the report stated. Some politicians were also listed as beneficiaries of GETFund scholarships. The report noted that the current Education Minister, Matthew Opoku Prempeh and the current Procurement Minister and Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo benefitted from the scheme in the past. This was however before they became government appointees. The Procurement Minister is listed as having studied at the Harvard Kennedy School, benefiting from US$12,800 in allowances with US$17,004 in tuition fees. Education Minister, Dr. Opoku Prempeh is noted to have participated in a course on National and International Security at Harvard University, where he received US$12,800 for living expenses and US$11,200 as tuition fees. The Minister, in a statement, noted that he was the recipient of a GETFund award in 2014. ---citinewsroom File image Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will be on a day-long visit to Qatar on Thursday during which he and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will discuss matters related to bilateral ties and regional development, according to an official statement. "During the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Qatar the focus will be on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on regional developments," the Foreign Office said in a statement. This would be the second visit of Prime Minister Khan to Qatar after taking office in 2018. The Emir of Qatar visited Pakistan in June 2019 and the visit resulted in strengthening bilateral economic collaboration in diverse areas, FO said. The visit comes ahead of signing of the historic peace agreement between the US and the Afghan Taliban on February 29. Qatar has invited foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to attend the signing ceremony in Doha. India brings home its citizens, others from virus-hit Wuhan and cruise ship An IAF relief flight from China today brought back 76 Indians and 36 citizens of 7 other nations while a special Air India flight brought back 119 Indians, including 113 crew members and six passengers, who were stranded on board coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship docked off Yokohama, Japan. The C-17 Globemaster military aircraft delivered around 15 tonnes of medical assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment sent by India. In its return flight, the IAF relief plane to coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan has brought back 76 Indians and 36 nationals from seven countries, tweeted external affairs minister S Jaishankar this morning. Besides the Indians, the US-made IAF relief aircraft also evacuated nationals from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar. The C-17 Globemaster military aircraft brought around 15 tonnes of medical assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment sent by India. Jaishankar described the consignment of relief material as a strong expression of Indias solidarity with the Chinese people in their difficult time. The ministry of external affairs, in a statement, said that the flight which arrived in New Delhi from Tokyo, also evacuated five foreign nationals two Sri Lankans and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru. All the people brought back in the two flights are expected to undergo a 14-day quarantine in India like their previous batches to ensure that they are cleared of the COVID-19 virus. The will all be quarantined at a facility set up by the Indian Army in Manesar, Haryana. India operated two special Air India flights on 1 and 2 February and airlifted 647 Indian nationals, mostly students, and seven Maldivian nationals. Wednesdays flight was cleared by China after allegations of delay by Indian officials. Chinas worst-hit Hubei province and its capital Wuhan have been under complete lockdown since 23 January. The toll from coronavirus in China has now reached 2,715 while the number of confirmed cases jumped to 78,064, officials said on Wednesday. In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping on 8 February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed Indias solidarity with the people and government of China and also offered assistance in this hour of need as a gift. President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that the situation in coronavirus-hit Wuhan city remains "complex and grim" despite the decline in the number of cases and risk of rebound cannot be overlooked, as the death toll climbed to 2,715 and confirmed cases rose to over 78,000. China's National Health Commission (NHC) said that 52 fatalities were reported on Tuesday, all from the worst-hit Hubei province and its capital Wuhan, the lowest in three weeks. The death toll on Wednesday climbed to 2,715 while the confirmed cases rose to 78,064, amidst strong signs of COVID-19 slowing down even at its epicentre Hubei and Wuhan, the NHC said. Also, 406 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection were reported from all over the country while another 439 new suspected cases came to light on Tuesday. China, meanwhile, also made consultation of regular health services done online, by which the capacity of hospitals could be intensively used for COVID-19 cases, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. However, Wuhan, the capital city of the hardest-hit province of Hubei, remains the main battlefield for prevention and control of the coronavirus epidemic in the country. Hubei and Wuhan together with over 50 million population continue to be under lockdown since January 23 with all public and private transportation remained suspended. The coronavirus is spreading more quickly in Europe, the Middle East and other parts of the world than in China where the virus first emerged in the central city of Wuhan at the end of last year. The number of new infections inside China was for the first time overtaken by fresh cases elsewhere on Wednesday, with Italy, Iran and South Korea emerging as new hotspots for COVID-19. Japanese government said it will close schools nationwide to help control the spread of the new virus. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he has asked all elementary, middle and high schools to remain shut until spring holidays begin in late March. The measure affects 12.8 million students at 34,847 schools nationwide, the education ministry said. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Switzerland has risen to four, the country's health authority said. Iran's health ministry spokesman says the new coronavirus has killed 26 people amid 245 confirmed cases in the country. After Irans deputy health minister was hit by the virus, Mojtaba Zonnour, head of Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Relations Commission says he is infected with COVID-19. Iraq's health ministry said a young Iraqi man in Baghdad tested positive after returning from Iran. Iraq's vital religious tourism sector was already suffering after months of protests, political turmoil and sanctions hitting pilgrims from neighbouring Iran - then the novel coronavirus arrived. The United Kingdom said two additional patients tested positive for the new coronavirus, which was passed on in Italy and Spain's Tenerife. The latest cases raised the total number of infections to 15, including eight recovered patients. Crew members from a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship off Japan began leaving the vessel for a new quarantine on-shore after passengers left the boat, the government said. A Korean Air flight attendant who worked on flights between Seoul and Los Angeles subsequently tested positive for the coronavirus, South Korea's disease control agency and sources said. North Korea has postponed the new school term to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, reports said, the latest measure as the ill-equipped country ramps up efforts to prevent a devastating outbreak. Pyongyang has not reported a single case of the COVID-19. Estonia has confirmed its first coronavirus case in a man who returned from Iran, Russian news agencies TASS and Interfax reported on Thursday, citing Estonian health authorities. Saudi Arabia halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam over coronavirus fears just months ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as the Middle East recorded more than 220 confirmed cases. Denmark has confirmed its first coronavirus infection in a man who returned from a ski holiday in northern Italy, the Danish health authority said. The man was put in isolation in his own home. Australia will extend a travel ban on foreigners arriving from China by at least another week, Morrison said, although there was as yet no need to stop mass gatherings. 'Cult mom' Lori Vallow's new husband Chad Daybell appears to be packing up and moving out of his Hawaii home as his wife is being held on $5million bail. Daybell, a 51-year-old author of doomsday books, was spotted on Wednesday directing a furniture truck outside the Princeville apartment he and Vallow had been renting. He was seen helping workers move large furniture into the truck in photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, before his wife appeared in court later the same day. Vallow, 46, has been charged with desertion and nonsupport of dependent children JJ, seven, and Tylee, 17, who have been missing since September in Idaho. The mystery behind the missing children and the tight-lipped parents deepened when Daybell and Vallow left Idaho and emerged in Hawaii in January. Vallow was arrested last week by Kauai police on an Idaho warrant over the disappearance of her children. 'Cult mom' Lori Vallow's new husband Chad Daybell appears to be packing up and moving out of his Princeville, Hawaii home as his wife is being held on $5million bail. Daybell was spotted wearing a red T-shirt and jeans while moving items into a furniture truck on Wednesday A truck for furniture rental company R-A-C was seen in front of Daybell's home around 12.40pm Hawaii time A closer look at the moving truck reveals there was a large dresser inside After loading furniture into the truck Daybell shook the hand of a man who helped him Vallow claims that she had plans to move to Hawaii to be with Daybell before she was hit with charges over the disappearance of her two children in Idaho The couple had reportedly been holed up in this three-bedroom condo at the Kaiulani of Princeville Townhomes in Princeville, Hawaii Daybell was seen wearing a red T-shirt and blue jeans and black shoes in front of his Princeville home while speaking to workers hauling items into a truck belonging to furniture rental company R-A-C. Inside the moving truck a massive dresser was laid on its side. After working with movers, Daybell was at a local store shopping for a Sharpie marker. He appeared to be in good spirits and even flashed a smile as he roamed the store sporting a bright blue polo and jeans. When asked upon leaving the supermarket, 'How are you liking Hawaii, Chad?' he replied, 'Its nice'. When probed on how much longer he'll be there Chad replied, 'I dont know' shaking his head. While he was shopping, his wife Vallow appeared in court, where a judge refused to reduce her bail and it was confirmed at $5million. She appeared stone-faced in court in Kauai on Wednesday in an orange uniform where she gave curt one-word answers and waived an extradition hearing in order to expedite her return to Idaho to face charges. Vallow's lawyer argued that she came to Hawaii, where Daybell lives, in a move planned before Idaho authorities filed charges against her. Lori Vallow pictured in an orange jumpsuit in court Wednesday on the Hawaiian island of Kauai for a hearing to reduce bail, which was denied. She's being held on $5million bail Seven-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan have not been seen since September. Police in the city of Rexburg, Idaho, have said they 'strongly believe that Joshua and Tylee's lives are in danger' It's not immediately clear when Vallow will be taken to Idaho to face charges. Police say that Vallow and Daybell have repeatedly lied about the children's whereabouts and that the kids may be in danger. Meanwhile in Idaho, Madison County prosecutors filed several subpoenas on Tuesday calling upon Lori and Chad Daybell's landlord of their Princeville condo, Kauai Beach Resort and Kennedy Elementary in Rexburg, to provide documents. On Tuesday. Daybell made a surprise visit to the jail where Vallow is being held, DailyMailTV's exclusive photos revealed Wednesday. He visited her at the Kauai Community Correctional Center on Tuesday at approximately 2pm local time and was spotted afterwards in his car having an intense conversation on the phone. According to public information officer Toni Schwartz: 'Lori Vallows husband Chad Daybell was allowed a one-hour visit yesterday afternoon. 'Wardens have discretion to hold separate visits when a high-profile situation creates higher than normal levels of attention, traffic and security strain for our small jail facilities. The separate visit was allowed to prevent further disruption of normal security operations for staff, and was in consideration of other inmates and their visitors'. Earlier this week it was revealed Daybell and his former wife Tammy, who died under mysterious circumstances, were more than $350,000 in debt and filed for bankruptcy in 2008. While Vallow appeared in court for her bail hearing on Wednesday, Daybell was seen at a local supermarket buying a Sharpie marker pen Daybell sported a bright blue polo and jeans as he ran errands at the supermarket While he was shopping, Vallow waived extradition. It's not clear when she'll be taken back to Idaho to face charges over her childrens' disappearance Daybell searched around the store before checking out with a marker pen Daybell flashed a smile as he waited in line at the supermarket on Wednesday Daybell pictured after purchasing the marker and heading back outside Kauai Prosecutor Justin Kollar said he will work with Idaho authorities on logistics for her departure. The judge set a March 4 status hearing to make sure she has been picked up. The disappearance of JJ and Tylee captured worldwide attention after authorities pleaded for help in finding them late last year. Timeline of JJ and Tylee's disappearance July 11: Lori Vallow's husband, Charles Vallow, is killed by her brother, Alex Cox, in Arizona August: Lori moves children JJ and Tylee to Rexburg, Idaho September 23: The last time JJ was seen at his school in Idaho October 19: Chad Daybell's wife Tammy dies at their Idaho home October 25: A friend of Tylee receives a text from her phone November 5: Lori and Chad marry November 26: Out-of-state relatives ask Idaho police to perform a welfare check on JJ. Lori and Chad claim he is in Arizona with relatives. Police also learn Tylee has not been seen since September, either November 27: Police execute a search warrant at Lori and Chad's home, discovering the couple have fled Idaho December 11: Tammy Daybell's body is exhumed from the Utah cemetery December 12: Lori's brother, Alex Cox, believed to have died in Arizona December 21: Police issue a press release about JJ and Tylee, revealing they believe their disappearance is linked to Tammy's death December 24: Lori and Chad issue a statement through an attorney saying they love their son and daughter and look forward to addressing 'allegations once they have moved beyond speculation and rumor' December 30: Police accuse Lori and Chad of lying to investigators and say they believe the couple know where the kids are or what happened to them January 26: Lori and Chad are seen for the first time in months as police serve two search warrants in Kaua'i January 30 Lori misses court deadline to produce the children to authorities February 21: Lori is arrested in Kauai Advertisement The probe into JJ and Tylee's disappearance began in November when Idaho police tried to conduct a welfare check on JJ, who is adopted and has special needs. Vallow and Daybell claimed JJ was staying with a family friend in Arizona, which Rexburg police said was a lie. Vallow, also known as Lori Daybell, is also accused of disobeying a court order that required her to bring her children to Idaho authorities last month. The tangled case includes investigations into three deaths. Vallow's estranged husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed in Phoenix last July by her brother, Alex Cox. Then Cox, who claimed the shooting was in self-defense, died of unknown causes in December. Vallow moved her family to Idaho in late August. In October, Chad Daybell's wife, Tammy Daybell, died of what her obituary said was natural causes. When Daybell married Vallow roughly two weeks after Tammy's death, law enforcement became suspicious and had her remains exhumed. Test results on Daybell's remains and toxicology results for Cox have not yet been released. Vallow reportedly believes she is 'a god assigned to carry out the work of the 144,000 at Christ's second coming in July 2020,' according to divorce documents Charles Vallow filed before his death. Daybell has written several apocalyptic novels based loosely on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both he and Vallow were involved in a group that promotes preparing for the biblical end times. Rexburg police questioned Daybell and Vallow about the missing children in late November, and when detectives returned the next day for a follow-up interview they discovered the couple had left town. In December, Idaho authorities asked police on Kauai for help finding the couple. On Jan. 26, Kauai police served a search warrant on a vehicle and condo the couple were renting in the resort town of Princeville. The couple's move to Kauai was 'pre-planned,' De Costa said. Kauai police did not arrest Daybell and he doesn't face any charges. Photo: VCG The mandatory quarantine measures will not drive a wedge between China and South Korea. Some speculations about this are exaggerated. Some people may find it hard to adapt to the situation in the beginning, but this move will only cause a limited negative impact. The coronavirus epidemic in South Korea is raging. In the 24 hours before Thursday afternoon, South Korea reported 505 new confirmed cases, bringing its total infected cases to 1,766, far exceeding the total infections in any province of China outside Hubei Province. So far, 21 countries and regions have completely restricted the entry of travelers who recently visited Daegu and a nearby county of Cheongdo, and another 21 have strengthened quarantine measures for South Korean travelers. China is among the latter group. Many provinces in China have recently begun requiring people arriving from South Korea to be quarantined for 14 days without distinction of nationality. China has stepped up anti-infection measures against newcomers from South Korea. This is something South Koreans can anticipate. After comparing the measures taken by the two countries, some South Koreans found China's are more stringent than that of their country. But this is only their impression. South Korea has completely banned people from Hubei Province from entering. But some provinces of China have only started to quarantine South Korean travelers, and epidemic situations in regions other than Hubei Province in China are far less severe than that of South Korea. Thus, it's hard to say China's attitude toward South Korea is tougher. It can be said that South Korea was friendly to China when epidemic broke out in the latter, and China is now friendly to South Korea. After some 40 countries and regions have taken steps against the South Korean epidemic, China has joined in. More countries are likely to follow, and the US will hardly remain unmoved. The Chinese mainland is unlikely to be among countries and regions with the most rigorous conditions for entry for South Koreans. Some South Korean media outlets and netizens have been complaining about China in the past days. Some people in the country always like to find fault with China. It's not necessary for us to take it to heart. The epidemic in South Korea has been developing rapidly. Most of the countries that prohibited Chinese from entering will soon ban South Koreans. But China has the conditions and ability to provide South Korea with pragmatic experience and support. The epidemic will bring China-South Korea ties and people-to-people relations closer instead of becoming a trigger for more questions between the two countries. As the situation in South Korea becomes severe, China will adopt more measures to reduce contact between people from the two countries, but will not ban all South Koreans from entering its border. China has set up a powerful epidemic prevention system and is experienced in detecting and isolating people from epidemic areas. As China's situation eases, it will have spare resources and can offer help to South Korea when needed. As long as Chinese society is sincere and adopts reasonable measures, it does not need to worry if South Koreans will be sensitive to them. Even if they are, China does not have to feel bothered. Chinese people cherish China-South Korea relations, but also prioritize safety of Chinese people. We will treat South Koreans coming to China and the Chinese people squarely. There is little room for misunderstanding. Any preventive measures against people from foreign soils should not be extreme and radical. Online pictures show that residential communities in some cities in Shandong Province have put up banners that ban people from South Korea and Japan, which is disgusting and must be stopped. Such discriminatory actions are a shame on the communities, and even cities. Internationalized cities in China must withstand the test and prove that their sense of morality is in line with material growth. DAMASCUS, Syria - An Israeli drone fired a missile at a car in southern Syria on Thursday, killing one person, Syrian state TV reported, while an opposition war monitor said the man targeted was an anti-Israel operative. The state-run media outlet gave no further details on the attack near the southern village of Hader in the Quneitra region on the edge of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. It said the person killed was a civilian. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the man killed was a member of the Syrian resistance to liberate Golan. It did not elaborate. Quneitra Gov. Humam Dibyat identified the person killed as Adel Tawil and said he worked at a police station and was targeted while returning home from work. He was innocent. He was an honourable nationalist, Dibyat said. The Israeli military had no comment on the drone strike. Israel has repeatedly struck Iran-linked targets in Syria in recent years and has warned against any permanent Iranian presence on the frontier. A Syrian military statement reported this week an Israeli attack near Damascus International Airport and said its air defences confronted Israeli rockets coming from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. It said the defenders intercepted or shot down most of them. In a rare acknowledgment of operations in neighbouring Syria, Israel said its warplanes attacked targets late Sunday of the Palestinian militant Islamic Jihad group south of Damascus, in addition to sites in the Gaza Strip. It said the sites attacked were used for research and development of armaments manufactured in Syria and the Gaza Strip. It said the sites also produce dozens of kilograms (pounds) of rocket fuel each month. Ireland Weather Channel forecaster Cathal Nolan has said "there is gathering evidence that a potentially significant storm may develop across many parts of the country during Saturday". He said the system could arise "as a rapidly deepening Atlantic storm depression approaches Ireland from the west". "The latest GFS and ECMWF highlight the risk of stormy conditions for a time on Saturday with winds reaching in excess of 130km/h in western areas," he added. "Accompanying the potentially stormy conditions will be periods of heavy rainfall also, with rainfall to totals of 25-40 mm in some locations between Friday and Sunday, leading to further flooding in many western and central parts of the country. Further enhancing of flood defences is required due to the expected rainfall over the weekend." Stay up to date with Cathal's forecast on the Ireland Weather Channel Facebook page. Met Eireann has said "current indications suggest a cold and blustery day with widespread showers and coastal gales" on Saturday. "The showers will comprise of a wintry mix of rain, hail, sleet and possibly snow. There is also a risk of thunder. Daytime highs of 3 to 6 degrees in gusty southwest winds. "There is still significant uncertainty regarding the intensity of the wind on Saturday at present. Clear spells and scattered wintry showers for Saturday night. South to southwest winds veering westerly overnight. Lows of 0 to 3 with a risk of frost and ice," the national forecaster said. "Bright spells and further wintry showers are likely on Sunday. Top temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees in gusty southwesterly winds," their latest forecast said. TOCCOA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. (OTCQB:GAXY) ("Galaxy" or the "Company), a provider of interactive learning technology solutions, today announced that it received an additional purchase order of approximately $100,000 from Stephens County Schools, Georgia. The original contract was awarded to Galaxy in April 2019 and this repeat purchase order demonstates their continuing relationship and outstanding product solutions and service by Galaxy. Stephens County Schools is a public school district serving the communities of Avalon, Martin and Toccoa, GA. It has 4,087 students in grades PK, K-12 across four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Gary LeCroy, Galaxy's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are excited about the continued relationship we have with our local district and look forward to many more opportunities to come." About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. Galaxy Next Generation (OTCQB:GAXY) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales. For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors Contact: IR@GalaxyNext.us p 888-859-1274 SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578098/Galaxy-Next-Generation-Awarded-Additional-Purchase-Orders-from-Stephens-County-Georgia PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Emotions are one of the most important aspects of human intelligence and play a significant role in decision making . Using emotions and AI, Feelenials enables solutions that improve well-being and happiness across several vertical markets including healthcare, education, workplace and others. Feelenials collects data in multiple ways, such as facial expressions, voice and text analysis to infer emotional state. This comprehensive real-time data allows companies and organizations to make decisions to improve the overall well-being of a group, resulting in improved productivity and increased talent retention. "Companies are currently struggling with the challenge of figuring out how to manage those that are new to the workforce, says Pilar Rattan, CEO of Feelenials. "Their values are different from the ones that were important 20 years ago. They are emotionally driven and are more interested in personal fulfillment and empowerment. We found that emotion is an important metric to measure overall well-being and happiness. Our team merged technology, big data and emotion detection to develop a platform that could improve the way the world works and how companies make decisions about employee well-being." Feelenials is an emotion analytics platform that uses multimodal human centric AI-based technology, measuring emotions in an objective and continuous way. The platform ensures real-time data and insights on sentiment, enabling prognostic and predictive solutions for companies to manage their workforce. Feelenials is a strong advocate of ethical artificial intelligence. The platform does not store any personal user data such as names, emails or even images. The technology only measures the emotional information, making it an ideal platform of choice for individuals, employees and citizens who want to provide feedback while protecting their identity. Feelenials is a bootstrapped startup emerging from Colombia currently raising funding for commercial release in June 2020. The executive team comes from Colombia's premier consulting agency 9Alliance, partnered with a US-based engineering team KidzIdeazTech. Key executives include Pilar Rattan, CEO and Nathaniel D'Souza, the company's 16 year-old CTO. If you'd like to transform your company and workforce, contact us at [email protected] ! For more info check out our website: www.feelenials.com . Media Contact: Ronjini Joshua (949) 295-9779 [email protected] SOURCE Feelenials Related Links http://www.feelenials.com For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. (Alliance News) - Cobra Resources PLC on Thursday said that the first stage of the geochemical soil sampling programme has identified a "chemical fingerprint" for gold mineralisation at Wudinna gold project located in South Australia. The London-registered exploration company said the sampling has identified a unique and distinctive chemical fingerprint for gold mineralisation at Barns, White Tank and Baggy Green targets, which will significantly improve drill targeting of the mineralisation. The first stage of the sampling also indicated that the Wudinna project has potential for iron-oxide-copper-gold mineralisation, Cobra added. The company is now planning to undertake stage two sampling programme, which will focus on infilling sample sites that target extensions to Barns, White Tank and Baggy Green. Field work is expected to commence mid-March and will include the re-assaying of available soil and drill hole samples. Cobra Resources share in London closed at 1.41 pence each on Thursday, down 26%. By Tapan Panchal; tapanpanchal@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. A ferry service would soon be launched between the port at Karaikal and Jaffna in Sri Lanka, as part of Puducherry government's initiative to promote tourism, Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday. After a meeting at the Chief Secretariat here, he told reporters that the facility would be introduced under Public Private partnership mode. A committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to territorial government had been formed. The panel would submit a report on the modalities of operating the ferry service. He said the Centre would extend full support for the project. Health and Tourism Minister of Puducherry Malladi Krishna Rao, Welfare Minister M Kandasamy were among those who had participated in the meeting held to discuss the various features of the proposed ferry service. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Since 1939 when Kamal Selim directed Al-Azima (The Will), Egyptian cinema has maintained its interest in socio-economic issues. This is what many critics have identified as realism, though it more often focused on the middle rather than the upper or lower classes, since it was the rise of the middle class complete with contradictions, hopes and fears that formed the fabric of the 20th century in Egypt. Realism has persisted, therefore, though more recent efforts to deal with socio-economic issues are evidently not as successful as the films of the Golden Age. Egyptian producer-screenwriter Mohamed Hefzy (who has been president of the Cairo International Film Festival since 2018) recently wrote and produced Ras El-Sana (The New Year), Mohamed Saqrs directorial debut, which was released at the start of February. Using the device of New Years Eve, the film focuses on what is known as Egypts superclass of extremely rich businessmen and their families. The script is made up of a number of dramatic lines linked only by the place and time of the action. Using a drone camera to show yachts in the marina of a luxurious Red Sea resort, the filmmaker provides attractive opening shots. Later Mariam (Injy El Mokkaddem) is seen arriving there in a private jet with her husband and son. The plot thickens when at a pool party during the day before the New Years party, Mariams friend Rania (Basma) is introduced. Two of the girlfriends of her brother Sherif (Ahmed Malek) gossip about her revealing that she was divorced after her husband found her in bed with another man. Representing the opposite end of the class spectrum is Kamal (Eyad Nassar), a drug dealer who uses an ambulance to get through checkpoints. The pool party is an opportunity for the filmmaker to showcase the lifestyle of the super wealthy: beautiful people in swimsuits dancing and embracing. Sherif and his friends dont have enough cash on them to pay Kamal for cocaine, so Kamal drives the ambulance vehicle to the house of Sherifs friend Taimur to get some more. This allows the two of them to have a deep conversation about social issues, an opportunity for the film to discuss its deeper subject, but it is disappointingly banal: You have to know where you are and where youre going. Nobody will teach you that, there are those on the top and those at the bottom. I am the middleman in between. No single storyline develops. The drama evolves, rather, through each character and situations. This necessitates a coincidence to bring the stories together. During Ranias birthday at the villa of a third friend, Suzy (Sherine Reda), a masseur, Fathi (Ali Qassem), arrives as part of the celebration. While Fathi is giving Mariam a massage, Rania walks in and a love encounter is hinted at between Fathi and Mariam. Sherif enters the room, thinking the masseur was having sex with his sister, Rania. A fight between Sherif and Fathi ensues, before the former realises he is mistaken. In an early scene tension between Mariam and her husband, who since going on the hajj has been objecting to her wearing revealing clothes, is intended to justify that sexual encounter, but it is a very insufficient buildup to the resulting marriage crisis. The script slips into a stereotypical 1940s tragedy when Taimurs Nubian manservant Shaaban is arrested following a misunderstanding in which Taimur suspects him of stealing an amount of money similar to the amount he had just been given for his sons wedding by Taimurs father. Here as elsewhere the dramatic situation and the dialogue is flat and stale, and it ends on an even more banal note when many of the characters are seen together performing the communal Friday prayers. But why is the film set on Thursday 31 December 2009? In fact, nothing in the story gives a clear answer to this question. Perhaps Saqr and Hefzy chose this particular year so that they could criticise the superclass freely, since in 2009 it wouldve been linked to the corrupt former regime. Another, technical reason is that, before 2011, 1 January does not occur on a Friday except in 2010. The film seems to emanate from an interesting enough idea to reveal the contradictions and conflicts within societys highest class and thereby reveal what is wrong with all of society. But it ends up being a ball of yarn filled with shallow drama and intellectual cliches. Search Keywords: Short link: Dr. Stuart Smith added as Chief Consulting Geologist Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 26, 2020) - Carube Copper Corp. (TSXV: CUC) wishes to advise that Stephen Hughes, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will be taking a temporary leave of absence from his management role due to personal health issues, effective immediately. Steve will return to the business as and when he is able to resume full time duties. Mr. Tony Manini, Chairman of the Board, will assume the role of Executive Chairman to drive the ongoing development of the Company and its projects, supported by Jeff Ackert, VP - Business Development and newly appointed Chief Consulting Geologist, Dr Stuart Smith. Tony has worked closely with Steve and Jeff over the past two years and is intimately familiar with the Carube business and its projects. Carube is very pleased to have secured the services of Dr Stuart Smith in the position of Chief Consulting Geologist for their newly acquired Jasperoide project in Southern Peru. He has 30 years of global exploration experience spanning global project generation to mine geology with a successful track record of brownfield and greenfield discovery. Of particular relevance to Carube's Jasperoide project, Dr Smith has extensive experience evaluating and exploring Peru for giant porphyry-skarn copper-gold systems and is particularly excited by the potential at Jasperoide. Tony Manini, Chairman of the Board of Carube Copper stated: "The Carube Board is highly supportive of Steve's decision to step down from day to day activities to attend to his health. He has done a fantastic job reshaping the Carube portfolio since his appointment in 2018 and most recently has driven the acquisition of Latin American Resource Group to secure the potential Company maker Jasperoide project in Peru. Steve has completed all the planning and preparation for the phase one exploration program which is about to commence at Jasperoide and we wish him all the very best as he now focusses his efforts on returning to full health. Coinciding with Steve's need to step down we are fortunate that Dr Stuart Smith has agreed to join the Carube team in the capacity of Chief Consulting Geologist for the Jasperoide project. Jasperoide has the potential to be a major asset for the company and Stuart is very well equipped to oversee the execution and direction of the field programs. We welcome Stuart to the Carube team and I look forward to working with him again to make another big copper-gold discovery." Bio Summary - Dr Stuart Smith Dr Stuart Smith is an independent consulting geologist and mining company director with 30 years of diverse global exploration experience spanning the full spectrum from global project generation to mine geology. Stuart was most recently Technical Director for Strategy & New Projects at Teck Resources Ltd. based in Vancouver, Canada and Specialist - Global Copper for Teck, based in Santiago, Chile with responsibility for Teck's global Cu exploration portfolio. Prior to joining Teck, Stuart was Chief Geologist for the Oxiana-OZ Minerals-MMG group of companies and subsequently with the founders of Oxiana in the G-Resources, Tigers Realm and EMR Capital group. Here he was responsible for activities spanning global project identification and review to brownfields exploration and in-mine resource evaluation. Dr. Smith holds a PhD from CODES at the University of Tasmania, Australia. Jasperoide Project - Peru The Jasperoide Project is located in the highly prospective Andahuaylas-Yauri belt of Peru, an emerging porphyry copper province that is host to several producing mining projects. The Jasperoide Project is located approximately 50km east of Minmetal's Las Bambas mine (1.2BT @ 0.61% Cu, 197 ppm Mo1) and First Quantum Minerals undeveloped Haquira deposit (569 MT @ 0.56% Cu2), 40km northwest of Hudbay's Constancia mine (534MT @ 0.31% Cu, 0.059g/t Au, 97ppm Mo3) and 100km northwest of Glencore's Antapaccay mine (592MT @ 0.45% Cu, 0.09 g/t Au4). Historic exploration activities at the Jasperoide Project focussed on an outcropping and mineralized copper-gold skarn that shows similar features to Las Bambas and other skarn/porphyry copper-gold deposits such as Ertsberg/Grasberg (Indonesia) in respect of geologic setting and mineralization styles. 1 MMG Limited Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves Statement 30 June 2019 2 First Quantum Minerals Annual Information Form 2019 3 Hudbay Mineral Reserves as of January 1, 2019 4 Glencore Mineral Reserve Estimates December 31, 2018 About Carube Copper Carube Copper is focused on creating substantive long-term value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of world class copper and gold deposits. Carube currently holds a 100% interest in eight exploration claims in the Jasperoide Project and has an option to earn a majority interest in an additional five exploration claims. The Jasperoide Project covers a total of 5696 hectares. Carube has a 100% interest in 5 licenses covering 207 km2 of highly prospective copper-gold terrain in Jamaica, and a 100% interest in two porphyry copper-gold properties covering 337 km2 within the Cascade Magmatic Arc in southwestern British Columbia. It also holds a 100% interest in the 46 km2 Stewart Brook gold project in the Meguma gold belt of Nova Scotia and is actively searching for additional high potential copper and gold properties to add to its portfolio. For further information please contact: Tony Manini, Executive Chairman +1 (647) 953-5924 tmanini@carubecopper.com Jeff Ackert, Vice President, Business Development +1 (647) 957-2249 jackert@carubecopper.com Website: www.carubecopper.com Neither the 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. DISCLAIMER & FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, and by their very nature involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on currently available information, Carube Copper Corp. provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Factors which cause results to differ materially are set out in the Company's documents filed on SEDAR. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward looking statements". IMPORTANT NOTICE: Carube Copper hereby incorporates the entire disclaimer set forth on its website at http://www.carubecopper.com/uploads/1/6/5/2/16521880/disclaimers-and-forward-statements.pdf To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52880 North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a meeting for the second North Korea-U.S. summit at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi, in this February 28, 2019, photo. A year has passed since the end of the summit, but the denuclearization talks between the countries are showing few sign of progress. AFP-Yonhap By Jung Da-min A year has passed since U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met in Hanoi in late February 2019. Expectations had been high on the progress of denuclearization talks before their second summit, but the breakdown in negotiations created a deadlock that has lasted one year. North Korea experts say that such a stalemate is likely to continue this year as well, as the United States is gearing up for the presidential election scheduled in November. They state that there is little chance of another summit when Trump is focusing on the presidential race. Koh Yu-hwan, a professor of North Korean Studies at Dongguk University, said both North Korea and the U.S. know that the denuclearization negotiations will be protracted. He said the U.S. government is not in a position where it could present a new calculation North Korea is asking for unless Ppyongyang changes its stance, which is far from Kim's New Year announcement that emphasized self-reliance. HALIFAX - Canada has rolled out new measures to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, but federal officials insisted Thursday the rules won't lead to more of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Bay of Fundy being closed to fishing. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The head of a North Atlantic right whale peers up from the water as another whale passes behind in Cape Cod Bay near Provincetown, Mass. on April 10, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Stephan Savoia HALIFAX - Canada has rolled out new measures to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, but federal officials insisted Thursday the rules won't lead to more of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Bay of Fundy being closed to fishing. The changes are needed because the whales' migration patterns in Canadian waters have become difficult to predict, Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan told a news conference on Parliament Hill. "It's extremely important that we look after the North Atlantic right whale (because) it's an endangered species, partly due to human activity," Jordan said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "We recognize that putting measures in place are going to be critical to maintaining that species." Jordan said the new rules, which build on changes made since 2017, are aimed at reducing the main causes for the whales' population decline: ship strikes and entanglements with fishing gear. Since June 2017, an unusually large number of right whales have died, reducing the population in the North Atlantic to about 400 animals and prompting warnings that the species is on its way to extinction. In 2017, a total of 17 dead whales were found, 12 of them in Canadian waters. The following year, three dead whales were found in U.S. waters, and in 2019, nine dead whales were spotted in Canadian waters, and one in the United States. That's a total of 30 dead whales in the past three years 21 in Canada and nine in the United States. Jordan said the new regulations were drafted with the input of the fishing industry, Indigenous groups, scientists and environmental groups. Fishermen had complained some of the earlier measures were too restrictive. "As we go forward, we are talking to the industry, talking to the fishers and finding out what's working, what's not," Jordan said. "Everything we're doing is in collaboration with them every step of the way." Shannon Arnold, senior marine co-ordinator with the Halifax-based Ecology Action Centre, said the new measures are a strong start, but the group would like to see a better emergency plan in place. "We want to make sure the government is ready to respond quickly should the announced measures fail," Arnold said. With less than 100 breeding females left among the right whales, time is running out, she said: "If the recent trajectory continues, right whales will be functionally extinct in 20 years." To prevent entanglements, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will use a new, dynamic system for fishing closures when whales are spotted or heard in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy. Unlike the static, season-long closures imposed in the past, fisheries officials will now declare closures in areas where whales are detected more than once in 15 days. Those areas, which will each measure 2,000 square kilometres, will remain closed to fishing until Nov. 15. "What we're doing is actually tracking where the whales are, and then we will close it almost in a grid around the whale as it moves, so that we're not closing off a full area," Jordan said. "That's something that's going to be extremely important to our fish harvesters, because they have more ability to know where things are going to be, instead of closing off one big area." As well, the department confirmed Thursday it will expand the use of this type of closure into the Bay of Fundy, in response to a larger number of right whales returning to the bay last year. Another new measure calls for improved marking of fishing gear to help officials determine where entanglements have taken place. The minister said the changes announced Thursday are partially aimed at alleviating concerns in the United States, where some environmental groups have called for a ban on Canadian snow crab imports to pressure Canada to do more to save the whales. "This isn't only about protecting the whales .... It is also about making sure we can maintain the export markets to the U.S., because the U.S. has made it clear we have to do everything we can to protect the whales," Jordan said. Meanwhile, Transport Canada says vessels longer than 13 metres will be required to comply with new rules to reduce ship strikes, including speed limits for a vast area off northeastern New Brunswick and south of Anticosti Island. In a large, newly designated area that stretches from New Brunswick's Chaleur Bay to Quebec's Iles-de-la-Madeleine, large vessels will be required to avoid the area or reduce their speed to eight knots. However, the exact size of this area and the timing for the speed restriction has yet to be determined. Cargo ships typically cruise at speeds of between 12 and 25 knots on the open ocean, though speeds around 20 knots or less are more common. A new voluntary speed limit of 10 knots will be imposed in the Cabot Strait between April 28 and June 15, though it remains unclear how this rule will affect the ferry service that links Nova Scotia with Newfoundland. The voluntary limit will resume between Oct. 1 to Nov. 15 as the whales move out of the gulf. Traditional aerial surveillance using fixed-wing aircraft will resume this year, and officials confirmed Thursday that aerial drones and so-called underwater acoustic gliders will also be used as part of regular monitoring. The conservation group Oceana Canada called Ottawa's actions encouraging but said more needs to be done. "Fishing zone closures and speed requirements for vessels are triggered based on whale sightings, so we strongly urge the government to step up surveillance," campaign director Kim Elmslie said in a statement. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. With files from Kevin Bissett in Fredericton. Profits rose at Hachette Book Group last year over 2018 despite a 1% decline in revenue, HBGs parent company Lagardere reported. The earnings increase was attributed to improved operating efficiencies in the year, as well as to higher sales of digital audiobooks. HBG CEO Michael Pietsch said the small decline in sales was largely due to difficult comparisons to 2018, when The President Is Missing by President Bill Clinton and James Patterson and Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks were huge hits. Overall, revenue in 2019 benefited from a 28% increase in sales of digital audiobooks and solid performances in the adult and childrens divisions. Pietsch said the launch of the Voracious and Hachette Go! imprints also buoyed sales. Among HBGs top sellers in the year were what Pietsch termed news-driving nonfiction bestsellers, including Malcolm Gladwells Talking to Strangers, A Warning by Anonymous, and Ronan Farrows Catch and Kill. Fiction top sellers included James Pattersons 18th Abduction and Criss Cross, three novels from David Baldacci, and the late-year success of Andrzej Sapkowskis The Witcher. Backlist sales were also strong, he said. For all of Lagardere's publishing operations, revenue rose 5.9% over 2018, to 2.38 billion, and recurring EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) jumped 10% to 220 million. The revenue gain was led by a 10.3% increase in Spain/Latin America and a 6.3% rise in France. The increases in revenue in those countries were spurred by a sharp rise in education, Lagardere said, plus a solid increase in illustrated books. In terms of format, e-books accounted for 7.7% of total Lagardere Publishing revenue in 2019, down from 7.9% in 2018. Digital audiobooks represented 3.4% of revenue, up from 2.7% in 2018, the company said. With strong sales in other parts of the world, the U.S. and Canada accounted for 28% of Lagardere Publishings revenue (about $734 million at current exchange rates), down from 29% in 2018. Pietsch noted that HBG had completed two major initiatives in early 2020the purchase of about 1,200 childrens books from Disney and the signing of National Geographic as a distribution client. Another major distribution client, Lonely Planet, was signed in 2019 and HBG began distributing their books March 1. Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify the Lonely Planet distribution deal. The New York Yankees arent the only club in the American League East with pitching problems. The Boston Red Sox will begin the regular season next month with ace Chris Sale on the injured list. Interim manager Ron Roenicke made the announcement Thursday. Sale got a late start at spring training while recovering from a case of the flu and pneumonia. Roenicke said that at this point, Sale is about two weeks behind schedule. Chris Sale described learning he'd miss Opening Day as a "gut punch" but understands it's what's best for him and the Red Sox moving forward.https://t.co/uZMpaUR8vS Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 27, 2020 On Wednesday, The Boston Globes Pete Abraham reported Sale came through his bullpen work today fine, Ron Roenicke said. Live BP on Saturday and likely another round of that to follow before a game. Nothing official yet, but seems unlikely Sale will be on the Opening Day roster. If Sale, as expected, starts the season on the injured list and has it back-dated three days, the earliest he will pitch for the Red Sox is on Tuesday, April 7 at Fenway against the Rays. Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) February 27, 2020 The bigger concern for Sale his left elbow, which limited him to 25 starts last season. He missed the last six weeks of the 2019 season and went a career-worst 6-11 with a career-high 4.40 ERA. Sales presence in the rotation is magnified by the fact the Red Sox traded left-hander David Price to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the Mookie Betts deal. Buy Yankees tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek So Boston, like New York, will begin 2020 without two of its best pitchers. Left-hander James Paxton is recovering from back surgery and right-hander Luis Severino will need season-ending Tommy John surgery. With Sale a no-go for Opening Day, look for lefty Eduardo Rodriguez to take the mound for Boston on Thursday, March 26 against the Blue Jays in Toronto. The southpaw won a career-high 19 games in 2019 and finished in sixth place in voting for the American League Cy Young Award. Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook. N etflix has released a new docu-series called The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez -which already has true crime fanatics hooked worldwide. The latest addition to the streaming site's already impressive arsenal of documentaries explores the harrowing case of Gabriel Fernandez, an eight-year-old who was murdered by his mother Pearl and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre in 2013. Broken down into six episodes, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez not only revisits the child's horrific death, but also sheds light on the ongoing effect on the judicial system in LA County. Here, we take a look at the new Netflix show and the case in more detail. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is available to stream on Netflix now / Netflix Who was Gabriel Fernandez and what happened? On May 22, 2013, 911 received a call from Gabriel's mother, Pearl, saying her son had stopped breathing after hitting his head. However, when paramedics arrived at the scene in Los Angeles, they discovered the child not only had suffered severe burns and a fractured skull, he also had shattered ribs and BB gun pellets lodged in his skin. Gabriel was pronounced brain dead, before tragically dying in hospital two days later. Where are Gabriel's mum Pearl and her boyfriend Isauro now? Gabriel's mother's boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, appeared in court for the child's murder / Getty Pearl plead guilty to first degree murder, with the special circumstance of murder by torture, to avoid a death sentence. In exchange for her guilty plea Gabriel's mother received life without parole. At her sentencing hearing she read out a statement which said: I want to say Im sorry to my family for what I did, she said. I wish Gabriel was alive. Every day I wish that Id made better choices. Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them. She is serving out her sentence in Chowchilla State Women's Prison in California. Isauro Aguirre denied the charge, but he was convicted at trial and sentenced on the same day as Pearl. Aguirre is currently on death row in San Quentin. What happened to the four social workers? Four social workers accused of being involved in Gabriel's case were charged with child abuse and falsifying records. Stefanie Rodriguez, then 34, and Patricia Clement, 69, and their supervisors, Kevin Bom, 40, and Gregory Merritt, 64, were accused of failing to protect the vulnerable minor. However, the charges against the social workers were subsequently dropped in January 2020 by a panel of three justices at the 2nd district Court of Appeal in Los Angeles. Justice Francis Rothschild wrote in the court's ruling that the social workers "never had the requisite duty to control the abusers and did not have care or custody of Gabriel". Technologies such as deepfake and tracking used to harass women as they struggle to be taken seriously or get justice. Their toxic split in 2016 with accusations of domestic abuse, sexual jealousy, narcotics and boozing was thought to have been one of the most lurid and acrimonious in Hollywood history. But the ugly story of Johnny Depp versus Amber Heard is far from over. Indeed, nearly four years after the actors separated, they are fighting again in two separate legal actions on both sides of the Atlantic. Ms Heard, 33, who previously alleged Depp beat her, now says she feared for her life during their relationship and that he choked her and ripped out her hair. His side insist her allegations are a hoax, that she hit him and went so far as to paint on her bruises. On Wednesday, Depp, 56, was at the High Court in London wearing a three-piece suit, scarf, silver jewellery and dark glasses, for a preliminary hearing. Disastrously for him, some 70,000 private text messages from his phone were shared, including one from 2013 that read: Lets burn Amber. The case is expected to come to full trial next month. Here, ALISON BOSHOFF examines what revelations are yet to come . . . The stormy romance that turned into a bitter split Depp and Heard met in 2009 when she was cast as his love interest in a movie called The Rum Diary. They were first romantically linked in June 2012, just as Depp was splitting from Vanessa Paradis, his partner of 14 years. From the outset, it was a tempestuous liaison. By September 2012, Heard had dumped him apparently finding him too possessive. He wooed her back by sending her a bouquet of roses and a poem every day. He was smitten, even obsessed by Amber, 23 years his junior, who has been described by one friend as being a strong, out bisexual woman. Amber Heard and Johnny Depp attend The Art of Elysium 2016 HEAVEN Gala, Culver City, California, January 2016 Before she began dating Depp, she had a long romance with a female photographer named Tasya van Ree, and is currently in a romance with cinematographer Bianca Butti. In May 2013, Depp bought a ranch in Nashville, Tennessee, for them to live on together, and by January 2014 they were engaged.He told an interviewer: Shes a wonderful girl. Shes sharp as a tack. A southern belle and sweet as can be, and very good for me. He even said he hoped they could have children together. The couple married in front of 24 guests on the beach on his Caribbean island. Midlife crisis Legal fight: Johnny Depp in London this week Was marrying her the cause of his mid-life crisis, or a symptom of it? Certainly their marriage coincided with a down-turn in his fortunes. Depp, who became a famous hell-raiser during his vodka and cocaine years with model Kate Moss, started drinking again in 2014 after a sober period. His 2013 film The Lone Ranger was a big budget flop, as were the gangland thriller Black Mass and comedy drama Mortdecai. The filming of Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in Australia was even more of a disaster. Filming was halted while Depp had emergency treatment on his hand, allegedly injured during a row with Heard. The couple also ran into trouble in 2015 after being caught trying to smuggle their dogs Pistol and Boo illegally into Australia on a private jet. Depp and Heard posted an excruciating video apologising for breaking Australias quarantine laws, and advising travellers to respect them. She filed a restraining order against him a month later, saying she was extremely afraid of the star. Heard filed for divorce 15 months after their February 2015 marriage and three months later it was all over. The divorce Their divorce became final in early 2017, Heard receiving a $7 million settlement paltry against Depps 400million fortune. She also had to pay her own legal fees. She nonetheless donated the sum to the American Civil Liberties Union with a particular focus to stop violence against women. A joint statement was released which ran: Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm. Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future. The very damaging toxic texts and tapes A wealth of new evidence looks certain to be aired, among it possibly a 30-minute audio tape, released to the media in August 2018, in which Heard seems to admit to hitting Depp. She tells the actor that she cannot promise that she will not get physical again. A spokeswoman for Heard said: Anyone familiar with the dynamics of domestic abuse would immediately recognise what is really going on here. Throughout the extended tape recording that Johnny Depp vindictively turned over to the Press, Ms Heard repeatedly attempts to placate Mr Depp, ignore his accusations and force him to acknowledge what was really happening in their relationship. More fresh evidence will come from the cache of 70,000 text messages that Depps former legal team accidentally shared with News Group Newspapers. At the preliminary hearing at the High Court, the court heard a selection of those text messages, which Depp reportedly sent to his friend, actor Paul Bettany. The actor allegedly wrote in November 2013 two years before they married Lets burn Amber. Later on the same day, he reportedly wrote: Lets drown her before we burn her!!! I will f*** her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she is dead. Amber Heard attends the Art of Elysium's 11th annual Heaven Gala, in Santa Monica, California, on January 6, 2018 The court also heard another rambling text from Depp: Im gonna properly stop the booze thing darling. Drank all night before I picked Amber up to fly to LA this past Sunday . . . Ugly, mate . . . no food for days . . . powders . . . half a bottle of whiskey, a thousand Red Bull and vodkas, pills, two bottles of champers on plane and what do you get . . . an angry aggro Injun in a f***in blackout screaming obscenities and insulting any f*** who got near. Im done. I am admittedly too f***ed in the head to spray my rage at the one I love . . . for little reasons, as well Im too old to be that guy but pills are fine!!! The newspapers barrister Adam Wolanski QC called the messages very damaging to Depps cases. He explained that they corroborated an account given by Heard of an argument on a private jet from Boston to LA, during which Depp allegedly kicked her and threw a boot at her before passing out. Depps lawyers deny the account, calling it part of an elaborate hoax to generate positive publicity for Ms Heard. The trial is set to rake over various marital rows, including one over a painting. Wolanski said: The claimant was drunk and high on drugs, angry at Ms Heard because she had hung up a painting. It is claimed that he hit her so hard that blood from her lip ended up on the wall. The claimant sent her a message referring to that evening as a disco bloodbath and a hideous moment. Wolanski insisted the texts shed a light on Depps mental state, and misuse of alcohol and drugs. Depps barrister, meanwhile, insisted there was no smoking gun that proved Depp assaulted Heard. The London lawsuit Depp is suing News Group Newspapers, the parent company of The Sun, over a 2018 article alleging he abused Heard during their turbulent 18-month marriage. The legal case has reopened lurid claims of domestic abuse in Depps marriage to Heard, which ended in 2017. Referring to claims that Depp physically assaulted Heard, the actors barrister David Sherborne said on Wednesday: These are extremely serious criminal allegations made against Mr Depp by Ms Heard and he has a right to have himself publicly vindicated. The lawyer went on: It is black and white. One person is lying and one is not. We say it is Ms Heard, and Mr Depp is 100 per cent clear about that. The High Court hearing is scheduled to begin on March 23. Both Depp and Heard will attend. Some of their friends and associates are also expected to fly to London to give evidence, others may give testimony via video link. The American lawsuit The second lawsuit, taking place in the U.S., is a civil defamation suit in which Depp is suing Heard personally for $50 million. It was sparked by her writing an article in The Washington Post in 2018 which appeared to talk about his alleged abuse against her without referring to him by name. The piece was titled: I spoke up against sexual violence and faced our cultures wrath. That has to change. Depp filed a lawsuit against her in March 2019. The complaint argued it was clear Heard was referring to Depp in the column, even though it didnt name him. The suit added that Depp has suffered financial losses because of the accusations, including being dropped from his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates Of The Caribbean film franchise. This case is due to be heard from August 3. She hit me/He hit me Depps lawyers say they have overwhelming video, photographic and eyewitness evidence that will clear his name. He alleges Heard was the aggressor and once stubbed a cigarette out on his face. She was the perpetrator, and I was the victim. While mixing prescription amphetamines and non-prescription drugs with alcohol, Ms Heard committed innumerable acts of domestic violence against me, said Depp in his court complaint. His lawsuit also describes an incident in which Heard allegedly shattered the bones in the tip of Mr Depps right middle finger, almost completely cutting it off when she threw a glass vodka bottle at him in Australia. Left: Depp - bruises used in evidence. Right: Heard - face marks caused by phone Her claim describes how Depp repeatedly slapped and abused her. She claims he started abusing drugs and alcohol in 2012 and became a totally different person. She added: We called that version of Johnny the monster. Among the allegations are that a month into their marriage, he embarked on a three-day ecstasy binge in Australia, and during an argument over drug-taking allegedly slapped her and punched her to the ground. He then threw a glass and a table at her. She also claims he threw her phone into her face and a neighbour intervened. For the first time this year, Pennsylvania voters will be able to cast ballots in the mail, and state officials say theyre pleased with the number of people wanting that option. So far, more than 20,000 voters have signed up to vote by mail, Gov. Tom Wolfs administration said Thursday. The Department of State launched the online application for mail-in ballots on Feb. 11, so voters have only had about two weeks to sign up. Under the states new election reform law, voters will be able to use mail-in ballots starting with the Pennsylvania primary on April 28. And theyll be able to vote via mail in the general election in November. "The immediate popularity of the application site shows that Pennsylvania voters have welcomed the new bipartisan voting reforms and the convenience of mail-in voting, Wolf said in a statement. Pennsylvania has joined many other states in giving voters options in how they cast their ballots, making voting easier and more accessible than ever before. Last year, Wolf signed an election reform law that offered the most sweeping changes to voting in decades. The legislation included the provision for mail-in ballots. Previously, voters could only vote by mail by using absentee ballots and they had to explain why they couldnt get to the polls, due to illness or military service, for example. Now, Pennsylvanians can vote by mail without providing a reason. Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said she expects more people to sign up to vote by mail. The deadline for county election offices to receive applications for mail-in ballots for the primary is 5 p.m. April 21. Voters are already making great use of the opportunity to vote by mail for any reason or no reason at all, Boockvar said in a statement. We expect that in the weeks to come many more voters will discover the convenience of applying online and voting by mail-in ballot. Some election officials say they are worried that a large number of people voting by mail could delay efforts to count the vote. Under the new elections law, county officials can begin counting mail-in ballots only after polls close on election day. Some say they fear the count wont be finished until days after the election, a prospect that many voters would find intolerable. Lawmakers are indicating they may want to tweak the law. Earlier this week, House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler said lawmakers were crafting legislation that would allow for the opening of mail-in ballots, but not the tallying of the votes within, before the polls close for the general election on Nov. 3. The election reform law also provides more time to register to vote. Previously, those wishing to vote had to register 30 days before the election. Now, voters can register up to 15 days before the election. Those wishing to vote in the primary must register by April 13. Voters can apply for a mail-in ballot online. They can download the application and mail it to their county election office. Residents can also apply for the ballot and vote in person at their county elections office during business hours. For more information on voting, visit the Department of States website: www.votespa.com . 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio A firefighter is facing criminal charges after he attempted to arrange to have sex with a 15-year-old girl, according to reports. Walter Lash, 54, is on unpaid leave from his job as a Columbus firefighter after being charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and importuning on a telecommunication device with a minor, ABC 6 reports. Lash is being held in Franklin County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court this morning. We have been aware of the charges against Lash," Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin said in a statement to WBNS Channel 10. "This is devastating to the division and is in no way representative of the values that define us as public servants. Lash will be afforded due process in court as anyone would be and then will face appropriate actions by the division of fire. No further details were reported Wednesday night. More crime-related content on cleveland.com: Akron police ID suspect in string of robberies on Copley Road Body found dismembered and burned in Cleveland identified as Painesville woman Duo charged after shot fired at mans car during Cleveland road-rage incident, records say Former St. Edward High School teacher gets probation for trying to meet teen for sex Man with gun threatened employee of temporary homeless shelter at Cleveland church, police say Flag marches were conducted in the district on Thursday in view of the recent violence in parts of neighbouring Delhi which has claimed 38 lives so far. District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey said all steps are being taken to prevent any untoward incident in the district. "Flag marches were conducted in the whole district by the police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF)," he told PTI. Senior Superintendent of Police Kalanidhi Naithani said Laal Bagh, DLF embankment road of Loni-Delhi border and Tulsi niketan borders of Sahibabad, which are adjacent to the restive northeast Delhi, would be opened after the situation improves in the national capital. Pandey added that the district has been divided into 16 zones, adding 11 super zonal magistrates, 16 zonal magistrates and 59 sector magistrates have been deputed to maintain law and order. The death toll in Delhi's worst riots in more than three decades climbed to 38 on Thursday as the violence ebbed but did not subside completely and thousands of people began picking up the pieces of their shattered lives and livelihoods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security breaches, privacy violations and numerous scandals have done little to diminish the power of Big Tech companies like Facebook and Google. Federal institutions meant to punish these companies and protect the American people have failed. It is hard for companies with immense wealth and power to feel compelled to change when they receive little more than a slap on the wrist for wrongdoing. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., wants this to change. He has stepped forward with a proposal of meaningful reform, a plan to reshape the Federal Trade Commission into an entity with serious teeth. The FTC has taken fire from both sides of the political aisle for its inability to mete out meaningful penalties to tech companies caught illegally sharing user data or lying to the public. The agency also has found itself squabbling with the Department of Justice, as neither party has been sure who has jurisdiction when investigating Big Tech. Hawley has said the FTC is poorly designed, as its current structure limits the opportunity for improvement. So the senator has proposed remaking the agency from the ground up. First-time author Tracy Grimes has completed her new book The Medic: a page-turning narrative of Bo Wakefield and his perilous probing of serial murders in his district, resulting in him becoming the target of a shadowy serial killer. Author Grimes shares the notion of treading carefully in circumstances that result in dire consequences: Bo Wakefield is a paramedic married to Beth, who is a physical therapist. They are enjoying their young marriage with their three dogs and kitten. They have the world by the tail, planning a family, and nothing can get in their way. That is until a series of killings start occurring in Pulaski County, Arkansas. The vigilante killer is killing all the perpetrators of the defenseless victims in Bos district. Having already been arrested for suspicion, and with more evidence mounting and pointing to Bo, he is desperate to have the killer caught, so he hires J. P. Dayton, the best attorney/private investigator that money can buy. And together, they are in for the ride of their lives. Could a family massacre from twenty years ago hold the key to the identity of the vigilante killer? Bo seems to think so, but the detectives dont believe it. They are convinced that Bo is trying to transfer their attention off himself. Could the four-year-old lone survivor of the massacre, Jason Wesley Jones, have grown up to avenge his familys deaths and Bo just got caught in the crossfire? If so, where is he and who is he? Time is running out as the killer zeroes in on Bo and his wife. Published by Page Publishing, Tracy Grimess mind-bending tale is filled with moments of fear, wits, and faith in thwarting the unseen darkness that lurks among innocent lives. Readers who wish to experience this work can purchase The Medic 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 of 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 bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex, and time-consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 20:32:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Health institutions in regions across China deemed to be of low epidemic risks shall provide healthcare services in full, according to a circular issued by the National Health Commission. The circular demands local authorities adopt differentiated measures, based on local conditions in the battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, to guide health institutions to resume normal services to meet people's healthcare needs. Health institutions in low-risk regions should be guided to rationally allocate medical resources and ensure the smooth operation of various departments, including outpatient and emergency services, hospitalization, surgery, examination and testing. In medium-risk regions, hospitals, on the basis of doing a good job in epidemic prevention and control, should gradually shift their focus to ensuring daily healthcare services, according to the circular. Health institutions in high-risk regions are asked to step up services for key patients and meet people's basic and necessary healthcare needs while focusing on epidemic prevention and control. In high-risk regions, the circular says, effective measures should be taken to meet healthcare needs of patients with major diseases that require long-term treatment, such as chemoradiotherapy and hemodialysis, as well as of vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children and the elderly. At the same time, efforts should also be made to ensure that patients with acute and serious injuries receive timely treatment there, according to the circular. WASHINGTON Sixty-five years after 14-year-old Emmett Till was lynched in Mississippi, the House has approved legislation designating lynching as a hate crime under federal law. The bill, introduced by Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush and named after Till, comes 120 years after Congress first considered anti-lynching legislation and after dozens of similar efforts were defeated. The measure was approved 410 to 4 on Wednesday. The Senate unanimously passed virtually identical legislation last year, although that bill wasnt named for Till. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill, which designates lynching as a federal hate crime punishable by up to life in prison, a fine, or both. Rush, a Democrat whose Chicago district includes Tills former home, said the bill will belatedly achieve justice for Till and more than 4,000 other lynching victims, most of them African Americans. Till, who was black, was brutally tortured and killed in 1955 after a white woman accused him of grabbing her and whistling at her in a Mississippi grocery store. The killing shocked the country and stoked the civil rights movement. The importance of this bill cannot be overstated, said Rush, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. From Charlottesville to El Paso, we are still being confronted with the same violent racism and hatred that took the life of Emmett and so many others. The passage of this bill will send a strong and clear message to the nation that we will not tolerate this bigotry. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., who represents the area where Till was abducted and murdered, called the anti-lynching bill long overdue, but said: No matter the length of time, it is never too late to ensure justice is served. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., used similar language to urge the bills passage. It is never too late to do the right thing and address these gruesome, racially motivated acts of terror that have plagued our nations history, he said, urging lawmakers to renew our commitment to confronting racism and hate. The bill was unanimously supported by Democrats. Three Republicans Louie Gohmert of Texas, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Ted Yoho of Florida opposed the bill, along with independent Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan. Gohmert said he supported the bills concept, but preferred that those accused of lynching in Texas be tried in state court, where they could face the death penalty. Massie said he opposed the expansion of federal hate-crime laws. A crime is a crime, and all victims deserve equal justice, he said in a statement. Adding enhanced penalties for hate tends to endanger other liberties such as freedom of speech. Democratic Rep. Karen Bass of California, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, called lynching a lasting legacy of slavery. Make no mistake, lynching is terrorism, she said. While this reign of terror has faded, the most recent lynching (in the United States) happened less than 25 years ago. Although Congress cannot truly rectify the terror and horror of these acts, Bass said, a legislative body that once included slave owners and Ku Klux Klan members will belatedly stand up and do our part so that justice is delivered in the future. Democratic Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey applauded House passage of the bill, which mirrors legislation they co-sponsored in the Senate along with Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. The three are the Senates only black members. Lynchings were horrendous, racist acts of violence, Harris said in a statement. For far too long Congress has failed to take a moral stand and pass a bill to finally make lynching a federal crime. This justice is long overdue. Booker called lynching a pernicious tool of racialized violence, terror and oppression and a stain on the soul of our nation. While Congress cannot undo lynchings irrevocable damage, we can ensure that we as a country make clear that lynching will not be tolerated, Booker said. Congress has failed to pass anti-lynching legislation nearly 200 times, starting with a bill introduced in 1900 by North Carolina Rep. George Henry White, the only black member of Congress at the time. Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said passage of the anti-lynching legislation marks a milestone in the long and protracted battle against white supremacy and racial violence in our country. The bill makes clear that lynchings occupy a dark place in our countrys story and provides recognition of thousands of victims of lynching crimes, including Emmett Till and many others, Clarke said. [February 27, 2020] Chemetall Limited announces office move to Napier House, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. MILTON KEYNES, England, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF's Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, moves to a new facility in Milton Keynes, UK. Christophe Cazabeau, Senior Vice President Surface Treatment of BASF, officially opened the new Chemetall Limited office and laboratory facility at the Napier House, during a ribbon cutting ceremony. Napier House, the new home of Chemetall Limited, has been redesigned and reflects BASF's office interiors. The main floor exhibits an open floor design enabling teams across other departments to engage, and cultivate an environment conducive to collaboration. In particular, the new "break out area" is an ideal space for employees to come together for meetings, refreshments, and company events. The facility is also inclusive of conference rooms dedicated for departmental meetings. "The workspace was designed to meet modern work practices.The fully optimized office layout will help increase productivity and efficiency," explains Jason Bird, Chemetall Quality manager, who led the office transition project. The newly designed laboratory located on the ground floor offers: dye penetrant testing, a "wet lab" to process and test customer's products and panels, salt spray cabinets, and a powder coating room. The laboratory includes new testing equipments to meet customer demands and cater to current and future testing requirements. The SEM room is now open for customers to view images of the sample surfaces treated with Chemetall' s pre-treatment product portfolio. "The new workspace provides significant opportunity for the fusion of all departments and functions. It encourages greater employee communication and facilitates knowledge sharing between the teams," Managing Director, Wayne Brown commented. "Our newly enhanced facility not only fits the modern concept of collaborative workspace; it demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement in technology, safety and quality of ur production sites to drive sustainable solutions in a close, partnership-based cooperation with our customers."- Christophe Cazabeau. For more details on Chemetall's innovative products and solutions, please visit www.chemetall.com. About BASF's Coatings division The Coatings division of BASF is a global expert in the development, production and marketing of innovative and sustainable automotive OEM and refinish coatings, decorative paints as well as applied surface treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates in a wide range of industries. The portfolio is completed by the "Innovation Beyond Paint" program which aims at developing new markets and businesses. We create advanced performance solutions and drive performance, design and new applications to meet our partners' needs all over the world. BASF shares skills, knowledge and resources of interdisciplinary and global teams for the benefit of customers by operating a collaborative network of sites in Europe, North America, South America and Asia Pacific. In 2018, the Coatings division achieved global sales of about 3.86 billion. Solutions beyond your imagination Coatings by BASF. For more information about the Coatings division of BASF and its products, visit www.basf-coatings.com. About BASF At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around 63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1096152/Napier_House_Chemetall_Limited_facility_photo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1096153/Ribbon_Cutting_Ceremony_Chemetall_Limited.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/708518/BASF_Chemetall_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The state of Michigan on Thursday announced an $80 million settlement in a class-action case that alleged youthful offenders were sexually assaulted while housed in adult prisons. My hope is that this settlement allows us to move forward and brings closure for the inmates who have spent years of their lives litigating this matter. There are far better ways for the State to use its resources than to continue to engage in lengthy litigation, said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in a press release. Related: Is states defense of prison rape lawsuit another $100 million gamble? The class-action case involves more than 1,300 young prisoners and was filed in 2013. The settlement agreement will have the state pay $80 million over the next three years. The Michigan Department of Corrections will also implement new policies related to youthful offenders that address segregation, discipline, use of force, staff training and sexual abuse and harassment tracking and reporting. The department has already made strides in addressing related issues since the lawsuit was filed, Nessel said. Currently, MDOC oversees 38,000 offenders, and of those 29 are youthful offenders. In the past, as many as 90 have been youthful offenders. Prior to 2016, a 17-year old male treated like an adult by the court system would be housed with adults. But in 2016 the state changed that, sending people under 18 to a designated wing in the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer. Youthful female offenders are housed in a separate wing at the Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility in Ypsilanti. In addition, "While this case began before I became director of this department, it has been something I was determined to bring to an end, said MDOC Director Heidi Washington. Though this settlement brings finality to this case, we call on the Legislature to bring this issue to an end once and for all and prohibit youthful offenders from being placed in adult prison. She also called on the legislature and courts to allow younger prisoners to serve time in a facility meant for useful offenders. The settlement goes before the Washtenaw County Circuit Court for approval or disapproval on April 9. Class members can still opt out of the settlement or object to it. The legislature recently passed raise the age legislation to discontinue the practice of automatically treating 17-year-old offenders as adults in the court and prison systems. Related: Whitmer signs bills classifying 17-year-olds as youth in Michigans criminal justice system Note: This story was edited to reflect that the Michigan Department of Corrections oversees 38,000 offenders. The ministry said Vietnam welcome the FSISs involvement to ensure Vietnamese tra fish hold up to the strictest of safety and quality standards. Tra fish is processed at CASEAMEX in Mekong Delta Can Tho Province. Vietnamese tra fish imports will be inspected by the USs Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) in early March, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has said. The ministry said Viet Nam welcome the FSISs involvement to ensure Vietnamese tra fish hold up to the strictest of safety and quality standards, adding the US agencys approval will likely provide tra fish with additional proof of excellence to enter other markets. The MARDs deputy minister Phung Duc Tien said tra fish met all the US agency's requirements in production, transport and processing during its inspections two years ago. Vietnamese businesses consider the March inspections an opportunity to bring quality of tra fish to higher standards and to enter the US market with zero tariffs, he said. In preparation, the National Agro Forestry Fisheries Quality Assurance Department has conducted its own inspections of tra fish farms in the Mekong Delta. Tran Dinh Luan, head of the Directorate of Fisheries, said inspectors monitored quality of water coming in and out of the farms, breeding areas in 10 cities and provinces in the delta as well as sanitary protocols for harvest, transport, storage and processing of tra fish. By the end of last year, the delta was home to more than 200 tra fish farms with some 3,000ha of water surface for breeding, twice the figure reported in 2018. In recent years, Vietnamese firms have made significant investments in improving the environment and technologies to ensure tra fish surpass the technical barriers of the EU, the US and Japan. Their efforts seem to have paid off as Vietnamese tra fish has steadily built a reputation for quality in international markets. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, the USs Department of Commerce has allowed two additional Vietnamese firms NTSF Fisheries JSC and CASEAMEX to export tra fish to the US, bringing the total number of Vietnamese firms under the zero tariffs policy to four. Truong Thi Le Khanh, chairwoman of Vinh Hoan Group a major Vietnamese exporter of tra fish to the US said safety and quality of the fish have been among the groups top priorities for years to secure access to the market. Meanwhile, Vietnamese firms said they have been on the lookout for other international markets while continuing to improve on the quality and safety of their tra fish. VNS VN catfish sellers try to conquer home market Seafood companies have vowed to bring catfish to Vietnamese dining tables after their success in the world market. Daisy Leon struggles to sit still and read the letters on the eye chart. Her responses tumble out in a quiet, confused garble. "You know your letters?" asks optometrist Jolly Mamauag-Camat. "Umm, ya," says Daisy, almost inaudibly. The 6-year-old kindergartner had her eyes examined for the first time on a recent Thursday morning. Although she hadn't complained about headaches or blurry vision, her grandmother noticed she'd been inching closer to watch television. After Daisy's failed attempts at reading the eye chart, Mamauag-Camat inspects the little girl's eyes through a phoropter and writes her a prescription for glasses. At least 20% of school-age children in the U.S. have vision problems. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 15% of children get an eye exam before entering kindergarten. Because vision problems tend to worsen the longer they go undetected, many children suffer even though there are often simple, relatively inexpensive solutions such as prescription glasses. Half of the states plus the District of Columbia require screenings or exams for preschoolers, according to the National Center for Children's Vision & Eye Health. But California has no such requirement, said Xuejuan Jiang, an assistant professor of research ophthalmology at Keck School of Medicine of USC. California does require them for older children. "The system in California is not as good as it can be," Jiang said. In much of California's Central Valley, where roughly 1 in 5 people live in poverty, two school districts are working with two nonprofits, the Advanced Center for Eyecare and OneSight, to provide vision care to Kern County's underserved and uninsured children. Many of the neediest are the children of farmworkers. "We are an agriculture-based community," said Linda Hinojosa, coordinator of health services for the Delano Union School District. "Most of our families harvest table grapes 12 hours a day, with very limited time to take their children in for an eye exam." The program, funded by the nonprofits and the school districts, operates five school-based clinics in Bakersfield and Delano. Students receive comprehensive eye exams and glasses, along with free transportation. And breakfast. Most of the children who visit the clinics have coverage through Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program for low-income people. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the eye exams and glasses for them, or for children who are uninsured, said Alexander Zahn, chief business development officer for the Advanced Center for Eyecare. Almost half of the students examined need glasses. "The need was very apparent" in the Central Valley, Zahn said. "Sixty dollars for an eye exam and $80 for glasses might be the difference between eating dinner a couple days a week." Daisy was among 12 students who were bused to the Delano Union School District Vision Center, adjacent to Pioneer School, an elementary school with about 1,000 students. Almost all the students at Pioneer are Hispanic and about three-quarters qualify for free lunches. Students from throughout the Delano Union Elementary School District visit the clinic. Since it opened in 2018, the clinic has performed 961 eye exams and prescribed 517 pairs of glasses. For Daisy, whose parents are farmworkers, the clinic has been a tremendous help. "They prune out in the fields," said Guadalupe Leon, Daisy's grandmother. "They can't afford to take days off." This KHN story first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. The entire journalistic staff of the Cahiers du cinema -- the film magazine that launched the French New Wave -- have resigned from the influential title. The monthly which once employed legends like Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut before they went on to change cinema history, was sold earlier this month to a group of film producers and tech tycoons. But its 15 staff writers and editors said the new owners posed a danger to the magazine's cherished independence. "The new shareholders include eight producers who create a conflict of interest for a critical publication," the journalists said in a statement. "Whatever articles are published, there would be a suspicion of interference," they added. They are also unhappy that the new owners want to turn the often earnest review into a more relaxed and "fashionable" read. "Les Cahiers has always been engaged, taking clear positions," the statement added. The magazine's new management has yet to respond to the mass resignation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Red carpets can be stressful places at the best of times, but opening night of West Side Story in Times Square on Thursday was especially hectic. Around two dozen protesters stood to one side of the marquis on Broadway, demonstrating against Amar Ramasar, a cast member who has been accused of sending sexually explicit photos of his girlfriend. At the other end was Stephen Sondheim, the shows 89-year-old lyricist, who was having a hard time with the red carpet photographers. Enough, enough! he said, taking a swipe at one photographer with his cane. With more 1,700 hundred seats, the Broadway Theater is one of the areas largest, and foot traffic to get in was heavy. Alec Baldwin, Vanessa Hudgens, Debi Mazar and Chris Cooper walked the media gantlet, alongside musical theater talent like Celia Keenan-Bolger, Sherie Rene Scott and Sierra Boggess. [February 27, 2020] Tetra Bio-Pharma Enters into Co-Development Agreement with MAKScientific OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc. ("Tetra" or the "Company") (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF), a leader in cannabinoid-derived drug discovery and development, is pleased to announce that it has signed a co-development definite agreement with MAKScientific. This agreement provides Tetra with access to novel patented new molecules with CB1 and CB2 agonist or antagonist properties. In the long term, this agreement secures patented new drug candidates for Tetra to develop after Caumz and QIXLEEF receive marketing approval. MAKScientific is a recognized world leader in endocannabinoid research and drug development. MAKScientific has developed a pipeline of small molecule drugs that target the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) as well as other targets implicated in the endocannabinoid system. Under this agreement, MAKScientific will develop new molecules that will be screened by Tetra for potential efficacy in various indications including cancer, pain and inflammation as well as other potential targets of interest to Tetra. This collaboration with MAKScientific provides significant opportunities for Panag Pharma Inc to expand the companys research to derisk and advance novel lead drug compounds to the clinic. MAKScientifics founder, Professor Alexandros Makriyannis, is a pioneer in drug development in the cannabinoid space and his ground-breaking work has been instrumental to our understanding of how drugs interact with and modulate the endocannabinoid system, said Dr. Melanie Kelly, CSO Panag Pharma and Tetra. "A successful Biopharmaceutical company requires a pipeline of patent protected molecules that can become its next generation therapeutics. Patent protection is one of the most important aspects to safeguarding the companys assets and its shareholders investments," commented Dr. Guy Chamberland, CEO and CRO of Tetra. Tetra is growing rapidly into a fully vertically integrated pharmaceutical company that through its established agreements and strategic partnership can take a new molecule, developed and patented by MAKScientific, and bring it all the way to commercialization. Tetra can leverage this co-development agreement by using its current know-how: Leverage solubilization intellectual property from our partnership with Altus Formulation; Develop patent protected inhalation Rx drugs based on Tetra IP; Established supply agreements for GMP grade cannabinoids with several suppliers; Established collaborations with manufacturers capable of synthetic commercial pharmaceutical production; Leverage licensed technology from Vitiprints LLC for clinical trial supply and commercial scale production capacity to meet global demand. Internal core capabilities include research and development, regulatory affairs, pharmaceutical drug and device compliance, clinical trial operations; Initiated the preparation for commercialization of prescription drugs. Tetra is set for a strong future moving forward and is clearly shaped into a Biopharmaceutical Company of Rx products based on cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development," stated Dr. Guy Chamberland, CEO and CRO. About MAKScientific MAKScientific is a privately held Boston-based company founded in 2004 on the basis of research by Professor Alexandros Makriyannis in the chemistry and biochemistry of the cannabinoid syste. The Company is a leader in cannabinergic compound development with the ability to address major unmet medical needs for selected diseases with a clear competitive advantage over present therapies. Our mission is the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapeutics that modulate the endocannabinoid system: a key regulator of homeostasis. MAKScientific has extensive expertise in the endocannabinoid biochemical pathways and has validated therapeutic targets. These include two known GPCRs (CB1 and CB2) as well as enzymes that are in the modulation of this biochemical system including fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing amidase (NAAA), diacylglycerol lipase (DGL), and monoacylglyceral lipase (MGL) as well as the cannabinoid transporter system. The Company has proficiency in medicinal chemistry and drug design and has substantial drug development assets that include a large library of carefully designed druggable cannabinergic compounds as well as advanced preclinical drug candidates for treating metabolic disorders, chronic liver disease, pain, neurodegenerative, inflammatory diseases and addiction. About Tetra Bio-Pharma Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX-V:TBP) (OTCQB:TBPMF) is a biopharmaceutical leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development with a Health Canada approved, and FDA reviewed, clinical program aimed at bringing novel prescription drugs and treatments to patients and their healthcare providers. The Company has several subsidiaries engaged in the development of an advanced and growing pipeline of Bio Pharmaceuticals, Natural Health and Veterinary Products containing cannabis and other medicinal plant-based elements. With patients at the core of what we do, Tetra Bio-Pharma is focused on providing rigorous scientific validation and safety data required for inclusion into the existing bio pharma industry by regulators, physicians and insurance companies. For more information visit: www.tetrabiopharma.com Source: Tetra Bio-Pharma Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements Some statements in this release may contain forward-looking information. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding potential acquisitions and financings) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, the inability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to execute the Company's business plan; competition; regulation and anticipated and unanticipated costs and delays, the success of the Company's research and development strategies, including this trial, the ability to obtain orphan drug status, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the timing of clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or intellectual property decisions and other risks disclosed in the Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant securities regulatory authorities. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. While no definitive documentation has yet been signed by the parties and there is no certainty that such documentation will be signed. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation. For further information, please contact Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.: Investor Contact: Bruce Mackle LifeSci Advisors LLC 646-889-1200 [email protected] Media Contact: Andrew Mielach LifeSci Communications 646-876-5868 [email protected] Canada: Carol Levine Energi PR 514-288-8500 ext. 226 [email protected] Source: Tetra Bio-Pharma References: https://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/healthcare/the-global-market-for-pain-management-drugs-and-devices.html Compuscript Data 2013 from IQVIA The LANCET Oncology Volume 12, Issue 5, May 2011, Pages 489-495 DelveInsight Syndicated Report January 2020 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] CONQUEST, N.Y. Imagine every inch of the New York State Fair covered with solar panels. Now triple it. Thats the size of a solar farm that developers hope to build in Cayuga County. The proposed facility in the rural town of Conquest would contain hundreds of thousands of solar panels spread across 2,000 acres, or more than three square miles. Thats an area the size of Otisco Lake. A proposed Cayuga County solar farm would spread across 2,000 acres, the size of Otisco Lake in Onondaga County.Dick Blume Its as big as the entire village of Baldwinsville. A proposed Cayuga County solar farm would spread across three square miles. roughly the same size as the village of Baldwinsville.Google Maps The Conquest project would generate up to 200 megawatts. Over a year, it could supply enough electricity to power more than 30,000 average homes, assuming the solar panels produce at a typical capacity factor of 14%. Thats roughly enough power for every household in Cayuga County. In paperwork filed with the state, developer NextEra Energy said the solar panels and other equipment would cover 1,200 to 1,400 acres within the project site, a patchwork of parcels totaling 2,000 acres. The rest of the land would be used to provide setbacks from neighbors or to avoid environmentally sensitive areas. The layout is still undetermined. At 200 megawatts, the facility would be far bigger than any solar array built thus far in New York state. But there are even bigger projects on the drawing board. Dozens of huge solar farms have been proposed across Upstate in recent years. Next door in Wayne County, an even bigger facility is proposed 350 megawatts. Other massive CNY solar farms are planned in Oneida, Jefferson and Lewis counties, among others. In the past two months alone, nine projects filed permit applications with state officials. But none of the projects has been built. The largest solar farm in New York is 32 megawatts. Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week proposed a new fast-track approval process that could get the bigger projects built in a hurry. If state lawmakers approve, Cuomo would establish a permit office for renewable energy projects in the Department of Economic Development that would approve or deny applications in a year or less. Thats fast. The current regulatory process can drag on for five, six, seven, eight, nine years, Cuomo said in a conference call last week. Why speed up the process? State lawmakers last year enacted Cuomos goal of producing 70% of the states electricity from renewable sources by 2030. That is starkly ambitious. New York currently gets less than 30% from renewables. Meeting the target will require, among other things, a wave of big solar development the likes of which New York has not seen. It could transform New Yorks energy landscape as well as the landscape of some rural communities. That will never happen if the state does not accelerate the approval process, Cuomo said. NextEra Energy, of Florida, has leased these parcels in the Cayuga County town of Conquest for its planned solar farm.NextEra Energy Inc. NextEra Energy, of Florida is planning to build the Cayuga County project on land it has leased in rural Conquest, population 1,700, according to documents the company filed with the state. NextEra owns utility company Florida Power & Light and a national portfolio of power plants. The company made $4 billion in profits last year. More than Id make farming Conquest farmer Lawrence Waterman, 72, said he arrived home one day last summer to find a land agent waiting by his mailbox on the farm where Waterman grows corn and soybeans. After getting his lawyer involved, Waterman agreed to a lease option under which NextEra can lease his entire farm for 30 years, with the possibility of a 20-year renewal. The lease will take effect after NextEra gets approval to build, said Waterman, who has farmed the property since 1985. He declined to say how much NextEra will pay. Its more than Id make farming, he said. NextEra has negotiated similar lease options with other property owners near Watermans farm. Watermans property is crossed by a high-power transmission line operated by the New York Power Authority, which makes it especially well-suited for a power project. Solar power developers have scouted out similar locations around the state where they can build large-scale projects and tie into the electric grid, just as traditional power plants do. They would sell power on the competitive wholesale market. To buttress that revenue, most solar companies apply for subsidies from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. NYSERDA periodically solicits bids and awards 20-year contracts to subsidize renewable power production. NextEra has applied for the current round of funding, winners of which have not yet been announced. A new scale of solar Over the past decade, the number of solar panels on New York rooftops has soared. In Onondaga County alone, there are more than 1,200 solar installations, NYSERDA reports. Increasingly, municipalities and businesses have built freestanding solar installations as well. The town of DeWitt, for example, recently installed a 2.7-megawatt solar farm atop its landfill. But solar power still accounts for less than 1 percent of New York generation. The new wave of solar projects aims to be exponentially larger. Cuomos proposal to fast-track regulatory approvals should make it much more likely for projects like the one in Conquest to get built, said Anne Reynolds, executive director of Alliance for Clean Energy New York, a coalition of renewable energy companies and environmental groups. Lawmakers will consider Cuomos plan during the upcoming budget process. I think its really promising, Reynolds said. I think its great news that the governor recognized that business as usual wasnt going to work. One challenge for solar farms, compared with conventional power plants, is the need for lots of land. Solar panels in this region only produce about 14% of their maximum generating capacity over time. (For starters, they produce zero energy at night. And then there are clouds. And February.) So 1 megawatt of solar capacity is a lot less than 1 megawatt of, say, nuclear generating capacity. Compare: The three nuclear reactors at Nine Mile Point in Oswego ran at about 90% of capacity in 2018, according to records from the New York Independent System Operator, which manages the power grid. They generated enough electricity in 2018 for more than 2.8 million households. The nuclear plants occupy about 900 acres. Thats less than half the land needed for the Conquest solar farm, which would supply enough power for roughly 30,000 homes. Some proposed solar farms including two large projects in Niagara County have run into opposition from community residents who object to the transformation of farmland into solar generating plants. A Western New York group called the Coalition to Protect our Rural Communities is fighting to preserve the aesthetics of small towns with the motto, Solar farms are not agriculture. Word has spread through Conquest about the planned solar farm, but NextEra has not yet made any formal presentation to the town board or the public, said Lisa Tortorello, town clerk. In documents submitted to the state last month, the company said it hoped to begin operation in 2023. The facility, which would be known as Garnet Energy Center, is expected to operate for at least 30 years, the company said. Construction, which is estimated to take nine to 12 months, would provide up to 250 temporary jobs, the company said. The facility would require three permanent employees. Company officials this week declined to provide additional details, saying the project is still in the development process. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been granted permission to use face recognition technology to scan millions of Maryland drivers licenses without needing approval from the courts, it has been reported. ICE is mining the database of Maryland drivers to see if the person photographed on the license matches photos of any undocumented immigrants in the federal agencys system, according to The Washington Post. In 2013, Maryland became the first East Coast state to allow migrants who are here illegally to obtain a driver license without having to provide proof of legal status. Since that time, more than 275,000 driver licenses have been issued by the state. An ICE spokesperson told the Post that the agency does not discuss specific law enforcement tactics. Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses facial recognition technology to scan driver's license photos from the Maryland DMV database, according to The Washington Post. The above image shows an ICE agent detain a suspect in October 2015 The spokesperson said ICE's investigative activities are in compliance with federal law. The face recognition searches are 'routinely' used to enforce immigration law while other agencies use it to solve cybercrimes like possession of child pornography, according to ICE. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 15 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws allowing unauthorized immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. Washington State was the first to do so in 1993. Its law allowed driver's license applicants who did not have Social Security numbers to provide alternate proof of residence like home utility bills or tax identification numbers. Its a betrayal of immigrants trust for the [state] to turn around and let ICE run warrantless searches on their faces, said Harrison Rudolph of Georgetown University Law Schools Center on Privacy and Technology. Its a bait-and-switch. ICE is using biometric information in the shadows, without government notice or public approval, to hunt down the most vulnerable people. Last year, researchers at Georgetown Law learned that ICE was also employing face recognition technology to mine state drivers license databases in Utah, Vermont, and Washington State. The thousands of facial-recognition requests, internal documents and emails over the past five years indicate that investigators are using state DMV records to create 'the bedrock of an unprecedented surveillance infrastructure', The Washington Post reported. But in those cases, ICE agents had to ask a state official to run the search. There are an estimated 275,000 undocumented immigrants living in Maryland, which became the first East Coast state in 2013 to allow them to obtain a driver license. The above is a stock photo of a Maryland driver license ICE officials anywhere in the country can search Maryland's database without letting state officials know, according to the Post. They have a wide-open door to be able to search through anything in this database, said Maryland State Senator Clarence K. Lam, a Democrat. Lam has for years tried to get state officials to reveal the extent of their cooperation with ICE. Theyve not been forthcoming in their willingness to [stop it] or coming up with solutions. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (above) said last week that his state would grant federal agencies access to its DMV database The practice of cataloging biometric data such as fingerprints and DNA from criminal suspects has long been used by law enforcement. The FBI is allowed to scan drivers license photographs from DMV rolls in 20 states. According to the Government Accountability Office, the FBI has run more than 390,000 facial recognition searches since 2011. Maryland does not consider itself a sanctuary state - meaning its local law enforcement does cooperate with federal authorities on enforcement of immigration laws. States that allow illegal immigrants to get drivers licenses California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Hawaii Illinois Maryland Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York Oregon Utah Vermont Washington *District of Columbia Advertisement Several of the states most populous jurisdictions - including the city of Baltimore, Montgomery County, and Prince Georges County - have limited their cooperation with ICE. According to a Pew Research Center study done last year, more than 4 per cent of Maryland residents - or 275,000 people - are undocumented. New York became the most recent state to enact a law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. The Trump administration, which has made cracking down on illegal immigrants a central pillar of its agenda, was so angered by the new law that it retaliated by blocking New York residents from the Global Entry program's trusted traveler program. Last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he was willing to grant federal agencies like ICE and the Federal Bureau of Investigation access to the states DMV database, but he drew the line at handing over drivers Social Security numbers. I would give them anything but the Social Security numbers, Cuomo told WAMC radio. The Social Security numbers are the indicator of documented or undocumented, and I will never give them the Social Security numbers in the DMV database over my dead body will I do that. Because thats why ICE wants it Ill give them anything else. They can have the DMV database - just not with the Social Security numbers. Cuomo offered to allow ICE access to the DMV database in hopes of getting the Trump administration to lift the suspension from the Trusted Traveler Programs. 'I will give you access to a TTP enrollee on a case by case basis,' he said on WAMC last Wednesday. 'You want to look at our DMV database for TTP enrollees, fine, because a TTP enrollee is going to sit with the federal government anyway to do an interview'. The stream of pitches to Universal has been both steady and eclectic, with ideas coming from filmmakers not ordinarily associated with the horror genre. I wouldnt say we issued an open invitation, but we certainly talked to filmmakers who we admire, Cramer said. And once we put the word out with a few producers, people started coming to us saying, hey, Ive got this idea. In the works is Dark Army, directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) and starring a mix of classic Universal monsters and new characters. Its hard to describe the tone of that one, said Cramer. Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2) is slated to direct and star in The Invisible Woman, based on an original pitch she took to Universal. And Dexter Fletcher, coming off the success of the Elton John biopic Rocketman, will direct Renfield, based on a minor character in the Dracula legend, a spider-eating madman who doubles as the Counts henchman. Hes the guy who has to work for Dracula, which is the worst job ever, said Cramer. There are projects in the works based on nearly every classic Universal monster, Cramer said, including Frankensteins monster (theres a cool filmmaker involved, but its a little early to talk too much about that) and the monsters bride. A TEENAGE boy has pleaded guilty to taking part in a vicious attack on a garda who was subjected to an awful hiding while in pursuit of a suspect. The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Childrens Court to assault causing harm to a male Garda at Shemalier Road, East Wall on September 24, 2018. He also admitted he took part in violent disorder in the same alleged incident, which occurred when he was aged 16. Garda Sergeant Vincent Campbell said the Director of Public Prosecutions has recommended trial on indictment, meaning the case should go forward to the Circuit Court, which has tougher sentencing powers. However, Judge Brendan Toale accepted jurisdiction after noting the teens criminal record and background circumstances. Garda Sergeant Campbell said the officer and a colleague were on bicycle patrol searching for a male who had been observed acting suspiciously. They were separated from each other and the Garda tried to cycle through a lane but was blocked by a group of youths. They acted in an aggressive manner and refused to move. The court heard that as he attempted to deal with the situation the accused launched an attack on him by punching the Garda in the face several times. The Garda drew his baton and another male got involved in the attack which lasted 35 seconds. He lost his baton which was believed to have been taken by one of the youths at the scene. A passing cyclist went to aid the Garda as he feared he would get an awful hiding, in his own words, said Garda Sergeant Campbell. The injured garda suffered a fractured nose as well as cuts and contusions to his face. CCTV footage was shown to Judge Toale along with a medical report and photos of the injured garda. The court there were considerable psychological issues afterwards and he transferred to a different station because he could not return to work in the same area. Amy Deane BL, defending, told the court the boy had been exposed to extreme domestic violence from a young age. That would have had a severe effect on him, she suggested as she pleaded with the judge to keep the case in the Childrens Court. At the time of the incident the family had been warned of a threat to their safety. The teen had struggled with issues in school and had been referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. He has been attending a club that keeps youths off the streets, he was looking for work and interested in getting onto a construction work course. The teen, who was accompanied to court by his mother and a grandparent, did not address the court. Judge Toale accepted that exposure to violence at a young age can affect behaviour. The teens prior convictions were for motoring and public order offences, nothing involving violence. He granted an adjournment for a probation report to be prepared and added that all sentencing options remain open. An adult co-accused is also before the courts and will be dealt with separately. The statement was made by Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio while chairing a workshop on promoting the e-government development to serve the direction and administration of the Government, ministries, agencies and localities which was held in Hanoi on February 27. The event also took place under the chair of Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung. At the workshop, Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung extended her sincere thanks to Japanese Government, Embassy in Vietnam, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their support to the Vietnamese Government Office. The Government Office has worked closely with the ministries, agencies and localities to implement many systems, including national public service portal, and the information system for meeting and handling Government affairs (e-Cabinet). With the cooperation and support from Japan, Vietnam will continue to make steady steps in the development of an e-government. Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio speaking at the workshop (Photo: VGP) For his part, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio said that Vietnams politics is currently stable and the country is welcoming historic opportunities to progress leaps and bounds. He also noted that the two countries have witnessed remarkable results in their cooperation on administrative reform and e-government development. Japanese Government sincerely wishes that Vietnam will take advantage of cooperation opportunities to make sustainable development, contributing to the stability and prosperity of the Asia, added the Ambassador. A Lyons man stands accused of trying to kill a woman and other crimes after he reportedly choked her twice on Thursday night, causing her to l Editor: The achievements of President Donald Trump have been nothing less than astonishing. Since taking office he has made good on a number of campaign promises. He's responsible for an unprecedented economic boom, re-writing trade deals which favor American workers and farmers, destroying terrorist strongholds, and - whether we call it respect or fear - leaders from around the globe realize he means what he says. The previous administration lamented that we have to lower our expectations, that factories weren't coming back to the U.S. and the biggest farce, in my estimation, was that America was "leading from behind." That's not true at all with President Trump. He's reaching for the stars and taking the reins. Trump rallies are a testament to his popularity with the American people. He's made our military men & women feel strong & honored again. He has the backs of law enforcement including Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And by the way, he's building that wall on the southern border, too. In the Judicial arena he's had 190-plus judges confirmed to serve on federal courts, and of course, the Supreme Court. This will be considered one of his major legacies as POTUS. Religious freedom and gun ownership is a mainstay of President Trump's presidency. Unlike the previous president he will never be known to accuse Americans of "clinging bitterly to their guns and religion". Finally, he has been a faithful supporter of Israel and has recognized Jerusalem as its capital. In the ancient world, God said to Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you." America will certainly reap those blessings. John Sharkey, Ticonderoga Love 8 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 6 After the hearing, Mabry declined to elaborate on his comments about Gaines, saying he was precluded from doing so by the courts protective order. I cannot expand on that statement because they designated his deposition and all the other depositions in this case as confidential, Mabry said. I feel confident that if the general public saw the videotape of Mr. Gaines deposition, they would have a very different opinion of him. Meyer declined a Tribune-Herald request after the hearing to unseal the records. Patterson said he requested the records be sealed out of respect for the local bar. We have two plaintiffs in this case who are members of the local bar here in McLennan County, he said after the hearing. And once we saw the deposition transcripts that contradicted what was in the pleadings, we thought it best not to put that in public. In addition, the court asked us to be careful with negative media treatment, which started the case in the beginning, and we didnt want, certainly, to do anything against the courts wishes, and in addition, we didnt want to inflame the case in any way. This despicable ad is straight out of the Republican disinformation playbook, and its clearly designed to suppress turnout among minority voters in South Carolina, Katie Hill, a spokeswoman for Obama, said in a statement, echoing criticism from the Biden campaign which alerted Obamas team to the ad late Tuesday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The ad was paid for by a group called the Committee to Defend the President, a little-known but well-funded super PAC that has raised $7.8 million in the 2020 cycle, mostly in contributions from Republican donors ranging from $200 to $5,000, according to federal spending data. The PAC, based in Virginia and founded by Dan Backer, a veteran anti-Clinton activist, pumped $1 million into Marsha Blackburns successful Senate bid in Tennessee last year, and was also behind a Spanish-language ad distorting Bidens record on immigration. But the brazen effort could backfire, or at least that is what several Biden allies reached Wednesday night were predicting: Obama, who has tried to steer clear of the primary race, was forced to have his team jump to his friends defense. (Hill referred to Biden as the former presidents own esteemed vice president.) Even while Obama maintains his official neutrality, that could give Biden a small boost in a must-win contest for him. Trump confronts the coronavirus, and concerns about how hes handling it. Trump has drawn bipartisan criticism for his response to the coronavirus, and on Wednesday he sought to show a steady hand. The Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee's decision to confer this year's 'Poonthanam Jnanappana' award on noted poet Prabha Varma for his collection of poems titled "Shyama Madhavam". Varma is also press secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Taking up a plea filed by a lawyer seeking a direction to the Devaswom panel not to give the award, a division bench of Justices C T Ravikumar and N Nagaresh also issued notices to the Devaswom managing committee and Varma. In his plea, the lawyer alleged that "Shyama Madhavam" containing 15 short poems is nothing but mocking Lord Krishna. Giving the award in the name of mystic poet Poonthanam Namboothori to Varma is "to ridicule, belittle Lord Krishna and depict him as a cheat," the petitioner submitted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Air India flight on Thursday brought back to the national capital 119 Indians and 5 foreigners who were on board a coronavirus-hit cruise ship docked off Yokohama in Japan. The foreigners, who were brought back to India on board the special Air India flight, included two from Sri Lanka and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru. All the evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at a medical facility set-up by the Indian Army in Manesar. READ | Indians Aboard Diamond Princess Cruise Board Air India Flight, To Be Brought To Delhi Three Indian crew members did not board the special flight and conveyed their wish to continue their stay on board the cruise ship to complete the period of extended quarantine put in place by the government of Japan, a government statement said. Out of the total 138 Indian nationals originally on board the Diamond Princess, 16 Indian crew members have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) and are receiving necessary medical care and treatment at onshore medical facilities in Japan. They were among the 3,711 people on board the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at the Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on February 3. The ship was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the disease. READ | 'Second Line Of Defence' Air India Team Details 'challenging' Wuhan Evacuation READ | Coronavirus Outbreak: Air India Cancels Flights To Shanghai, Hong Kong Till June 30 On the Frontline Against China, the US Coast Guard Is Taking on Missions the US Navy Can't Do Competition with China has drawn more Pentagon resources to the Pacific, but the most visible U.S. military presence there... Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has found himself in hot water after a "60 Minutes" interview with Anderson Cooper Sunday in which he praised some of the actions of Fidel Castro following the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Twitter lit up, with most fellow politiciansboth Democrat and Republicancondemning Sanders for "sing[ing] the praises of a murderous tyrant," as Representative Donna Shalala, who represents the US Congressional district housing the largest population of people of Cuban descent, put it. Looking closely at his words, Sanders made a nuanced statement recognizing both the errors of the Castro regime and the gains made during the Revolution. He stated to Cooper, "We're very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba but you know, it's unfair to simply say everything is bad. You know? When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?" Yet Sanders was almost universally condemned, specifically by fellow candidates Pete Buttigieg, Mike Bloomberg and Joe Biden, who unsurprisingly used this as an opportunity to blast the current front-runner in the 2020 Democratic primary, and trumpet themselves as universally opposed to things like "coz[ying] up to dictators." Buttigieg and the Biden campaign got in an added dig at Sanders, likening his comments about Castro to the admiration President Trump has shown for authoritarian leaders, namely Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. In a CNN Town Hall held Monday night, Sanders doubled down on his comments, ultimately stating very forcefully, "truth is truth." He also named other authoritarian governments, in my view implying, though never explicitly stating, that we don't seem to level the same types of critique at those with which we have friendly or important trade relationships, namely Saudi Arabia and China. Also on Monday, Miami Herald columnist Andres Oppenheimer went even further in lambasting Sanders, stating, "Sanders' claim that it's unfair to say that everything was bad in Castro's Cuba is as stupid as claiming that Stalin's Russia's produced great dancers despite its mass murders. Or that Nazi Germany, despite its concentration camps, built great public highways and reduced crime rates." I found this to be an offensive suggestion: that a Jewish candidatethe most viable Jewish candidate in our country's historywas saying something comparable to praising Nazi Germany. Abhorrent comparison aside, I don't disagree with Oppenheimer's point that Sanders' comments will be taken badly in south Florida and that, if he's the Democratic nominee, Florida will likely go for Trump. It probably wasn't the wisest idea for Sanders to say something that he must have known would alienate so many Miami Cuban and Venezuelan exiles, given that Florida is likely to be a crucial swing state in the general election. That said, what Sanders said shouldn't be viewed as wholly controversial. Both the things he said were true: the Castro regime (and the successive iterations of it under Raul Castro and now Miguel Diaz-Canel) was and is authoritarian and looking to influence its citizens. And, early on in the 1960s, Castro initiated a grassroots program that resulted in a massive increase in literacy in Cuba, as well as building a strong universal healthcare and educational system. It's incredibly disappointing to see that the public conversation around Cuba is still so polarizing and reductive after 60 years, particularly because of the common-sense approach President Barack Obama took in initiating a rapprochement with Cuba in late 2014. In fact, in a historic visit to Havana in March 2016, Obama made remarks very similar to those of Sanders on Sunday night: "The United States recognizes progress that Cuba has made as a nation, its enormous achievements in education and in health care." Obama and Sanders were essentially recognizing what many Cubans on the island believe: they appreciate the gains of the Revolution and the ways it raised the standards of living for the poorest Cubans, many of whom were black or of mixed race, and yet they're also frustrated with the lack of freedom of speech and of free and fair elections. The Cuban education system overlaps with all of these concerns. Instead of obsessing about comments on a leader who died four years ago, the discussion should be focused on how harmful the Trump administration's policy is for Cubans in 2020. The rollbacks of Obama administration policies have included severely limiting travel visas and remittances and drastically cutting commercial and charter flights to the island, all of which is devastating the tourist-dependent Cuban economy, specifically Cuban entrepreneurs. These policies are wrong-headed and will make it particularly difficult and expensive for Cuban-Americans who have family in places outside of Havana, including my husband and family, to visit the island. As if Trump's draconian Cuba policy wasn't enough, Cuban migrants have been caught up in the southern border asylum crisis, suffering from the Trump administration's cruel detention policies; there has also been an increase in the deportation of Cubans since 2017. These changes in Cuban migrants' status stem from Obama's decision to end the preferential "wet foot, dry foot" policy that gave Cubans who stepped foot on US soil an automatic green card, even if they were entering illegally. Although the old guard of Cuban exiles still wields an outsized influence on American politiciansparticularly via Marco Rubio, who has become a "virtual secretary of state for Latin America" under Trumpthese policies are unpopular with many Cuban-Americans, who either want to see the island for themselves or are recent immigrants who still have strong ties to Cuba. I wish the other Democratic hopefuls had followed the lead of Elizabeth Warren, who has opted to remain silent regarding Sanders' comments. In fact, she recently outlined her own common-sense plan for Cuba, calling for a reversal of "Trump's counterproductive policies, which harm the Cuban people more than its leaders" and arguing that the "best way to promote change is by empowering the Cuban people, not punishing them." A few weeks ago, I published a piece arguing, "Democratic candidates also need to put in the work to try and earn the Cuban vote and not just write them off as Trump supporters." Trump only won the Cuban vote in 2016 by a slim margin; since then, it's likely some younger Cuban-American voters have been further alienated by his racist, xenophobic rhetoric. Now, I fear that, despite Sanders' truthful statements and even given his popularity with young Latinos nationally, he is essentially considered to be poisonous among south Florida exiles, which could be disastrous if he wins the Democratic primary. I desperately wish we could have more nuanced conversations about Cuba like the ones Obama was ushering in, but sadly, in the Trump era we've backtracked. Even after 60 years, we still aren't ready for a truly transformed relationship with Cuba. NASA The Smithsonian Channel aired a documentary this week telling the stories of NASA's first African American astronauts and the country's race with Russia to put a person of color in space. Black in Space: Breaking the Color Barrier, which debuted Monday and will air again Saturday at 9 p.m., features the personal stories of Edward Dwight, a U.S. Air Force pilot and early NASA contender, Guion Bluford, the first African American to go to space, Frederick Gregory, the first African American to pilot and command a NASA mission and then later NASA's first African American deputy administrator, and Ronald McNair, who died in the Challenger disaster. Pilot of helicopter that crashed heralded for 'miracle' landing The crew of a Hagerstown-based helicopter and the juvenile patient they picked up in Chambersburg, Pa., are OK after a crash near Philadelphia. To the Editor: Re Dems, You Can Defeat Trump in a Landslide, by Thomas L. Friedman (column, Feb. 26): The only way I could get to sleep after Tuesday nights acrimonious debate was by taking an antacid followed by an Ambien. So it was a great relief to wake up Wednesday morning to Mr. Friedmans column. What a brilliant suggestion making a place for everyone at the table. Putting one another down isnt helping Democrats defeat President Trump. If anything, its just giving him more Twitter fodder to energize his troops. Yes, the candidates are in competition for who is going to lead the party in November against the bully in the White House. But victory wont come when theres only one left standing and all who should be allies lie wounded on the battlefield. The fight is not progressive versus moderate, but rather the Democratic Party and all that it stands for united against Mr. Trump and his enablers in the Senate. I think Mr. Friedman has the right answer. Put aside the rancor and the winner-take-all mentality. Form a unified effort. Create a team of rivals to make sure that all the voices are heard. When everyones candidate has a role, everyone is a winner. Photo Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday reiterated that his government will not let the Kartarpur Corridor be shut down under any circumstances. Referring to it as a historic landmark, he said in the House that its opening had fulfilled the long-cherished wish of Punjabis to have khulle-darshan deedar of Sri Kartarpur Sahib, and that too during the 550th Prakash Purb celebration of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. Advertisement All of us were fortunate to have celebrated the occasion during our lifetime, he said, adding that the celebrations will continue throughout the year, and all the projects and schemes of over Rs. 3000 crore envisaged and started during the year would be completed. The State Government had also decided to celebrate the 400th Birth Anniversary of Hind ki Chaadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, starting from April this year, in a befitting manner, said the Chief Minister, adding that the Sri Anandpur Sahib-Banga via Garhshankar Road would be developed as four-laned Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Marg, with an estimated investment of Rs. 400 crore, to mark the occasion. The State Government also plans to observe the 350thbirth anniversary celebrations of the great Sikh Warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji in the most befitting manner, besides observing the Birth centenary of Acharya Shri Mahapragya 10thHead of Shwetambar Tera Panth and the 750th Birth Anniversary of Bhagat Namdev ji. RCMP began enforcing an injunction earlier this month that prevents interference with construction of a $6.6-billion natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Protesters stand at a rail blockade in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, near Belleville, Ont., on Monday Feb. 24, 2020, during a protest in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Nation hereditary chiefs attempting to halt construction of a natural gas pipeline on their traditional territories. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld RCMP began enforcing an injunction earlier this month that prevents interference with construction of a $6.6-billion natural gas pipeline in northern British Columbia. Here is a timeline of the dispute, which led to rail disruptions by people showing solidarity with the hereditary Wet'suwet'en chiefs opposing the Coastal GasLink project: Dec. 31, 2019 The B.C. Supreme Court grants Coastal GasLink an injunction calling for the removal of any obstructions including cabins and gates on any roads, bridges or work sites the company has been authorized to use. Jan. 1, 2020 The Wet'suwet'en First Nation serves Coastal GasLink with an eviction notice, telling the company workers are "currently trespassing'' on their unceded territory. Jan. 27 The British Columbia government appoints former New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen as a provincial liaison with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs in the LNG pipeline dispute. Jan. 30 The hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en agree to seven days of meetings with the province. Feb. 5 The talks that were intended to de-escalate the dispute fail after just two days. Feb. 6 The RCMP move in to Wet'suwet'en territory to enforce the court injunction that would have allowed construction work to resume. A handful of pipeline opponents are arrested. Hours later, outside of Belleville, Ont., east of Toronto, protesters start holding up railway traffic in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs. Feb. 7 Via Rail halts service along one of its busiest routes because of the Belleville-area blockade. All travel between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal is cancelled. Canadian National Railway obtains a court injunction to end a demonstration by members of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory near Belleville. Protesters also begin disruptions at ports in Vancouver and Delta, B.C. Feb. 8 Protesters in Toronto disrupt Canadian Pacific Railway traffic moving through the downtown area. Kahnawake Mohawk community members south of Montreal erect a blockade on a CP rail line. Feb. 10 Demonstrators in the Montreal area disrupt commuter train service on the Exo Candiac line. A shuttle bus service is in effect for affected rail stations. Feb. 11 CN stops transport between Prince George, B.C., and Prince Rupert, B.C., because of a blockade near Hazelton, B.C. The company says it has halted more than 150 freight trains since blockades started on Feb. 6. Feb. 12 The Manitoba government says it may seek a court injunction to end a blockade on a rail line west of Winnipeg, but CN obtains its own court order. Two hereditary Wet'suwet'en chiefs start a constitutional challenge of fossil fuel projects, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls for demonstrators across the country to observe the rule of law. Feb. 13 CN shuts down its operations in Eastern Canada. The railway says blockades have ended in Manitoba and may come down soon in British Columbia, but the orders of a court in Ontario have yet to be enforced and continue to be ignored. Feb. 14 A rail blockade that halted train traffic to and from the Port of Prince Rupert is lifted as First Nations leaders agree to meet with federal and provincial politicians. Feb. 15 Federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller travels to meet with protesters in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory near the site of the Belleville blockade. He says "modest progress'' was made during nine hours of talks, but declines to share details on what was discussed. Feb. 16 Trudeau cancels his planned trip to Barbados, less than 24 hours before his scheduled departure, so he can handle the protests in Canada. Meanwhile, protesters briefly shut down a busy Ontario border crossing. Feb. 17 Trudeau convenes the Incident Response Group, an emergency committee that meets in the event of a national crisis. Feb. 18 An emergency debate is held in the House of Commons, where the Opposition Conservatives advocate for forceful action and the governing Liberals push for ongoing dialog with backing from other political parties. Meanwhile, CN issues temporary layoff notices for 450 employees, citing the ongoing protests as the reason. Feb. 19 Protesters erect a blockade along a stretch of CN rail line in Edmonton, but are soon faced with counter-protesters who begin forcibly dismantling the barricade. The blockade is taken down later in the day. Via Rail announces nearly 1,000 temporary layoffs in light of ongoing service suspensions across much of Canada. The rail provider also cancels plans to resume a route between Ottawa and Quebec City as a new blockade is erected near Montreal. Feb. 20 Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says the RCMP has offered to move its officers from Wet'suwet'en territory to a nearby town. He says this concession meets a key condition from the hereditary chiefs and calls for all rail blockades to be dismantled. Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs travel to Quebec and Ontario to thank supporters who have maintained the blockades. Feb. 21 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the barricades must come down and the injunctions to clear the rail lines must be enforced, calling the situation "unacceptable and untenable." He points the finger at Indigenous leadership, who he says have not been receptive to his government's attempts at negotiation. Protesters who'd been blockading a CN Rail line near Montreal clear out shortly after riot police arrive on scene ready to enforce an injunction to clear the tracks. Feb. 22 Anti-pipeline demonstrations spring up, including a protest along the railway tracks in Saskatoon. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says a train was allowed to pass through the protest area as scheduled, warning that the protest must remain lawful and that transport routes cannot be disrupted by illegal blockades. Feb. 23 Ontario Provincial Police give protesters until midnight Sunday to clear the blockade near Belleville on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory or face an investigation and possible criminal charges. Feb. 24 Ontario Provincial Police move to enforce injunction aimed at clearing the Belleville-area rail blockade. Police make several arrests and officers line up in front of the remaining protesters at the encampment. A small group of protesters are served with an injunction by CN Rail to leave the tracks. In B.C., 14 people are arrested at a blockade near New Hazelton. Three other hereditary chiefs are also taken into custody as RCMP remove a demonstration on the CN Rail main line in northern B.C. About 300 people gather at the front steps of the B.C. legislature, despite a court injunction prohibiting protests blocking entrances to the building. Feb. 25 Metrolinx, operator of the GO Transit network in Ontario, suspends on multiple routes as a series of protests spring up in and around Toronto. Three people are arrested at a demonstration in Toronto's west end. A protest at a GO station in Hamilton causes numerous cancellations and delays during the morning commute. A court injunction is served to protesters, who leave the blockade site peacefully in the evening. In Vancouver, police arrest several demonstrators at a major intersection leading to the city's port, just hours after warning them the protest was violating a court injunction. Canadian Pacific Railway obtains an injunction to end a blockade in the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, south of Montreal. Feb. 26 A hereditary house chief with the Wet'suwet'en Nation says the federal and provincial governments have cancelled planned talks. Hours later, he says the meeting is back on and scheduled to start the following day. Chief Na'Moks says the cancellation was due to a "miscommunication." A rail blockade on the Kahnawake Mohawk territory south of Montreal is reinforced with concrete barriers and loads of rock. Quebec Premier Francois Legault suggests provincial police are not dismantling it because those on the reserve are armed, potentially with assault rifles. Kenneth Deer, the secretary of the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake, says the accusation is "highly irresponsible and ludicrous." Protesters block a major highway on Vancouver Island before the evening rush hour. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2020. After suffering a string of humiliations in his primary debate debut earlier this month, Mike Bloomberg lucked out on Tuesday when, miraculously, he found himself in front of what appeared to be the most Bloomberg-friendly audience in the country. It was all incredibly weird. Despite a number of questions about who was able to acquire tickets and how, an unnamed Bloomberg official told NBC that the campaign did *not* pay people to attend the debate and cheer for Bloomberg. One could be forgiven for having suspected otherwise. Just last week, 70 pro-Bloomberg Twitter accounts were suspended for violating the sites rules against platform manipulation. And a few days before that, the Wall Street Journal reported on a multimillion-dollar-a-month effort in which the Bloomberg campaign was paying more than 500 staffers to promote Mr. Bloomberg weekly to everyone in their phones contacts by text message and make daily social-media posts supporting him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if the Bloomberg campaign assures us its enthusiastic debate support was organic, who are we to question that? At least, thats the sentiment thats been filling my email inbox for the past 24 hours. After I wrote a post marveling at the sudden appearance of a small army of Bloomberg die-hards, a remarkable number of similarly devout fans began emailing me to inform me of the error of my ways. It has been perhaps the most passionate pushback Ive got from any candidates supporters since the primary began, quite unlike any other response Ive gotten. Have we simply underestimated the appeal of the largely reviled businessman? Was it just a coincidence that last nights audience was the first in history not to cheer wildly at someone slamming billionaires? And just how out of touch am I with the salt-of-the-earth popular movement in support of Bloomberg? My inbox has answers. (All typos as originally delivered.) Advertisement Advertisement From: Alan A. Subj: Bloomberg Former mayor NYC is endorsed by hundreds of mayors who know what a difficult job being Mayor is Mayors work for everybody From: Pooneh W. Subj: Bloobmerg He really cleaned up NY and runs one of the best companies. Why wouldnt he have a supportive crowd? Many moderate republicans say they would vote for him. Democrats need the crossover votes. I used to respect Warren but she has trouble staying on topic and has been more focused on division and attacks in the party rather than focusing on her real opponent. There needs to be more unity within the party. Bernie held up exceptionally well and defended his policies. Sent from my iPhone Advertisement From: Kelly H. Subj: Just say what you mean Advertisement Rather than suggest it with thinly veiled sarcasm. Im not a billionaire. My vote hasnt been bought. Mike may have had a lot of supporters in SC because many people like me think hes the most capable and productive of the pack. Youre likely to see more of that in the coming months. Kelly Sent from my iPad Advertisement Advertisement From: Josh A. Subj: Re Bloomberg supporters in audience in SC Have you considered that its simply because Mayor Bloomberg is growing increasingly popular? (After all, he is polling in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd depending on which state) Warrens underhanded, vile attacks on a good man, and a great mayor, citing alleged private jokes made over 30 years ago, are impressing no one, and rather, are annoying as hell Thats why. Josh Advertisement Advertisement From: Michael R. Subj: Duh! Its because Bloomberg IS the best and probably only hope we have to flush Dump down the toilet! Frankly it pisses me off the way you try to trash Bloomberg. Elizabeth Warren will lose if she is the Dem candidate as will Bernie Sanders or Pete . Dont you know that? The system is so degraded and corrupt at this point thanks to the SCOTUS handing Trump unlimited dark money that only equally unlimited funds in opposition have a chance. If its four more years of Trump, we can all kiss our asses goodbye! And it WILL BE if Bloomberg isnt the Dem candidate. He may not be your ideological favorite but so what? He isnt a fucking insane traitor and criminal like Trump! WAKE UP! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From: Maisa S. Subj: You are obviously Bernie bros! Not reading you any longer! Sad to think I thought you were unbiased! Done! Sent from my iPhone From: Alison T. Subj: Bloomburg last night I dont think people were cheering billionaires last night, and frankly I dont understand why people rail against them unless its envy. I think people realize that the only person who can beat Trump is Bloomberg. I like all the candidates, but lets get real here. Pete doesnt stand a chance because theres a lot of jerks out there who are offended by homosexuality. Steyers, who is that? I dont even think I got his name right. Bernie is a socialist, and a lot of people dont want that, including this Democrat. Warren disappointed me with her vendetta against Bloomberg because he backed her opponent, sounds like a female Trump to me. I was impressed that Amy tried to get Warren to stop digging up the past and focus on the issues. Biden is been there, done that. This election is crucial, and now is not the time to make a statement about the electability of women, or gays, or socialists or to creep under the protective blanket of Obama. Mike has class, which we desperately need in our president. He has governmental experience in getting results and surrounds himself with capable people. He deeply cares about our country, he doesnt need to work in government, he chooses to become involved. He could be lounging on a private island, but he threw himself into the race because he saw the writing on the wall. Hes not divisive, many times in these debates hes encouraged members of the Democratic party to pull together instead of tearing each other apart. The Democratic party has been espousing this pie in the sky nonsense where everyone gets everything they need, but they arent fooling anyone. They have to get realistic. And Mike is a realist. So, do we want to make a statement and get four more years of the Orange Horror, or do we want to have an electable person on the Democratic ticket? Theres a whole other country between California and New York. Who do you think theyll vote for? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From: Roy S. Subj: Bloomberg heads People are accepting the idea you need a raucous money man to fight and stand up against Trump. Hes not fighting on policy but personality. SC voters and others are coming to terms with this idea. From: Bob A. Subj: Mike is a hit. Why so? Why did I see the Billionaire Bloomberg as a great choice for POTUS? Billionaires who support ($$$$)candidates of every stripe contribute only for one reason: They make their wealth this way. Legislation that is favorable to their business increases their wealth exponentially. A big ah-ha for those that reason. Tell that story. Bloomberg does not use anyones money but his. He owes no one a favor! Thank you Mike Bloomberg. Im in Get Outlook for Android Advertisement From: Annette C. Subj: Mike Bloomberg I am throwing all my support behind Mr. BloombergI cant take it any longer how Warren and the rest of the candidates are trying to define Mike Bloomberg only by his billionaire status Im a forer New Yorker and I saw firsthand what Michael Bloomberg is all about and how he turn the city around. In my opinion and I think many others only a mayor who has ran such a diverse major city in the world is able to take on the challenges of the presidency. He is thoughtful he has integrity he is kind he is brilliant and also he just have the money to bury Trump. His philanthropy has brought great change and great assistance too many people and thats what he needs to make others aware of I feel its the Bloomberg its the one who can bring our country together as one United States of America again Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From: Karl N. Subj: Bloomberg supporters Advertisement Advertisement Sent from Mail for Windows 10 Using the following way to describe Warrens harsh attack on Bloomberg is certainly a way to make the reaction from the Bloomberg supporters to seem like weird angry jeering. after mentioning an allegation from a former Bloomberg employee Personally I thought that Warren came across like inspector Javert nailing some hateful culprit. Totally jeer worthy. Karl N. From: Janice J. Subj: Audience at Debate If youre looking to create a conspiracy theory then go elsewhere. I was not there but wish I could have been. Maybe more and more Americans are sick of petty attacks and finger pointing and want a candidate with integrity and middle of the road politics. Trump is the man driven by attacks and lies. Bloomberg can beat Trump. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Advertisement From: twisted sister Subj: (no subject) Yes, America sick of bashing. I DID like Elizabeth Wartrn but now find d her disgusting. Will not vote for her now from her ridiculous claims from 30 years ago towards Bloomberg. HE has my vote, spent alot of time in NYC and saw all he did while mayor. Hes the o ly one who can beat trump, so enough with all the bashing!!! Good for the crowd cheers and jeers. Advertisement From: Chuck S. Subj: Bloomberg I suspect the audience was comprised of normal people who want to win a general election in a country with a center-right electorate. From: Franklin R. Subj: (no subject) I dont know how they got there but positive reactions to negative criticism has always won out throughout our history. Sent from Mail for Windows 10 Advertisement From: G Subj: Bloomberg in Charleston What I know: - Is a candidate who grew up middle class, worked hard, got lucky, and became a billionaire necessarily bad? - Is a billionaire who doesnt brag about his 2019 donatIon of $1.5 billion to his alma mater for financial aid uncaring about kids getting a good education? - Is a billionaire who does not brag about his committment to give ~$450 million to an alternative energy research effort (in which he has no ownership) necessarily bad? - Is a billionaire who supported stop and frisk but who also (Per the judge in that case) is not a racist based on him starting the WeCare jobs program for low income citizens, the anti-poverty Ctr for Economic Opportunity, and other initiatives necessarily a bad candidate. He doesnt brag about them. Maybe he should. Since Mr Trump was elected, many Americans seem fixated on who says what wed like to hear, and what theyd like to do, irrespective of how well HOW they plan to do it reflects reality or the whole truth. Maybe the Charleston supporters noticed these things. Maybe we should all listen more carefully to what he says and how he plans to accomplish his goals. A lot to think about, certainly. But if you have anything youd like to add in the meantime, please do. The Supreme Court announced this week that it will look at same-sex foster parents, a case that began in Philadelphia. Read more A few years ago, an LGBTQ couple approached Bethany Christian Services and expressed an interest in becoming foster parents. Bethany Christian, which maintained a contract with the city of Philadelphia to provide foster care, turned them down based on a religious opposition to same-sex unions. The Inquirer ran a story on the incident and mentioned that Catholic Social Services (CSS) had a similar arrangement with the city and also refused to consider LGBTQ couples. After the article appeared, Bethany Christian changed their policy to accept members of the LGBTQ community. CSS did not, and their contract was promptly canceled. They sued the city on the grounds that their religious rights were being violated. The named plaintiff was Sharonell Fulton, a foster parent who had worked with the Catholic agency for many years. Two lower courts ruled against CSS, holding that the same-sex ban amounted to discrimination in violation of the city charter. This week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. And my reaction was: Amen. Many people mistakenly believe that receiving public funds requires you to accommodate without exception the requirements and mandates of your secular sponsor, even if they violate your own civil rights. A number of commentators praised the lower court decisions, expressing a view articulated by one of the women who had approached Bethany Christian in the first place, Megan Pazko: I simply think you shouldnt be able to use taxpayer dollars to discriminate against LGBTQ parents. But its not that simple. When trying to decide how far the government can go in forcing an agency that receives public funds to compromise its fundamental beliefs, courts employ a balancing test. The best explanation of that test can be found in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, legislation passed in 1993 and proposed by none other than Chuck Schumer when he was still a congressman from New York. The Act states that The government shall not substantially burden a persons exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability. In other words, an anti-discrimination law designed to protect LGBTQ citizens but that forces a Catholic organization to violate its tenets (even if this was not the primary purpose of the law) is unconstitutional under the First Amendment. There is a narrow exception: the burden on the religious organization must be necessary to further a compelling government interest and it must be the least restrictive way that the interest can be achieved. RFRA only applies to federal funding, so some states have passed their own baby statutes. Pennsylvanias was passed in 2002, and basically follows the original law. So if we apply RFRA to the foster care controversy, its not hard to see that in its laudable attempt to protect the rights of LGBTQ citizens, Philadelphia has trampled over the rights of Catholic Social Services. The organization operates according to the principles of our faith, one of which holds that marriage is limited to one man and one woman. Its not surprising, then, that CSS also refuses to place children with heterosexual unmarried couples. To my knowledge, none of them have sued. The ban is not directed at LGBTQ persons. It is directed at anyone who, in their principles or lifestyle, violates the most deeply-held values of the Catholic Church. There were other ways in which the city could have resolved the controversy. CSS is only one of 29 foster care agencies doing business in Philadelphia. That provided a wide pool of families for needy children, a pool which includes LGBTQ-friendly organizations. Shutting down CSS was a draconian reaction when there were other alternatives. Lori Windham, senior counsel at the Becket Law firm which is representing CSS, observed that We are confident that the court will realize that the best solution is the one that has worked in Philadelphia for a century: all hands on deck. And thats really the crux of the issue. If there were no other organizations accepting LGBTQ couples, perhaps the city would be right. But thats clearly not the case. Coming down on a Catholic organization for ministering to children according to the dictates of a faith that doesnt evolve with changing societal mores is patently wrong. Im betting this Supreme Court will agree. Romania reported its first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday -- a man who was in contact with an Italian who visited the country last week. "The patient, who is in good health and is showing no symptoms, will be transferred to Bucharest's hospital of infectious diseases," Health Minister Victor Costache told a press conference. Seven other people who live at the same address as the man in the southeastern Gorj county have all tested negative but will be quarantined for 14 days as a precaution, emergency department official Raed Arafat said. The Italian believed to be the source of Romania's first diagnosis tested positive for the deadly virus upon returning to Italy after a four-day visit to Gorj. New cases have been emerging across Europe, many linked to the continent's coronavirus hotspot in northern Italy. Several governments have advised against travel to Italy, which has now recorded 400 cases and 12 deaths. The COVID-19 outbreak has killed over 2,700 people and infected more than 80,000 in 34 countries, although the vast majority of cases remain in China, according to the World Health Organization. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) JFK Airport in New York. Mark Lennihan/AP The global spread of coronavirus is affecting air routes between the US and countries beyond China. Delta Air Lines became the first airline to suspend a route between the US and a city not in China with Hawaiian Airlines following soon after. Foreign airlines are beginning to reduce US service as well, with Singapore Airlines scaling back flights to the states. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Airlines were quick to suspend flights to mainland China following the outbreak of the deadly new coronavirus reacting to reduced demand and hoping to help prevent its spread. Some airlines even went as far as to cutting service to Chinese territories outside of the mainland including Hong Kong and Macau. With most foreign airlines divested from China for now, airlines are now taking a look at where the virus has spread outside of China to determine which routes are vulnerable and require temporary suspension. Air routes between the US and foreign countries outside of China are beginning to be affected. Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines became the first two US-flagged carriers to cut service on routes that don't touch Chinese territory, with foreign carriers beginning to scale back US service as well. Take a look at which airlines and routes are affected. Delta Air Lines Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 GREG BAKER/AFP/Getty Delta Air Lines was the first US airline to suspend an international route to Asia outside of China when it announced service would be suspended between Minneapolis and Seoul until the end of April on Wednesday. The move came as South Korea saw a rapid increase in the number of coronavirus cases being reported and many foreign carriers began suspending service to the country. Delta still operates flights to Seoul from its other US gateways including Atlanta, Seattle, and Detroit, but will do so five times weekly until April 30. The airline also had planned to launch service between Manila, Philippines, and Seoul at the end of March but is pushing that until May. Story continues Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian airlines Louis Nastro/Reuters Hawaiian Airlines became the second US-flagged airline to suspend service to Asia following the spread of coronavirus outside of China. The airline is temporarily suspending its Honolulu-Seoul route from March 2 until the end of April. The Honolulu-Seoul route is one of the most popular links between Hawaii and Asia, with numerous carriers competing for customers. Hawaiian Airlines is the only US airline to offer service on it, competing against Korea's top carriers among others. Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines A350 C. v. Grinsven/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Singapore Airlines reduced frequency to a number of US destinations as part of a network-wide reduction in service due to the spread of coronavirus and weakened demand for travel to Asia. Among those routes affected include Singapore-Los Angeles, Singapore-New York via Frankfurt, Singapore-San Francisco, Hong Kong-San Francisco, and Singapore-Seattle. The airline's iconic route between Singapore and Newark has not been affected. Read the original article on Business Insider The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra will be the first smartphone with support for up to 16GB of RAM when it ships early next month. But we could see more phones with that much memory soon, because Samsung has announced that its begun mass production of the first 16GB LPDDR5 memory chip for smartphones and other mobile devices. But itll probably be a premium option for the foreseeable future prices for a Galaxy S20 Ultra start at $1400 for a 12GB RAM/128GB storage model and go up to $1600 if you want a 16GB/512GB version. While its unclear if anyone really needs 16GB of memory in a smartphone today, Samsung says itll enable new features including enhanced 5G and AI applications for graphic-rich gaming and smart photography. Of course, most Android apps will run just fine on phones with far less RAM because almost no phones have 16GB just yet. So buying a 16GB phone today is kind of like paying a premium price in the hopes that youll be the first to take advantage of new capabilities or performance enhancements if and when they become available. That said, there are a few key advantages to Samsungs new 16GB RAM chip. Its an LPDDR5 memory chip manufactured using Samsungs 2nd-gen 10nm process. With top speeds of 5,500 Mbps, its about 30-percent faster than LPDDR4X-4266 memory, while consuming about 20-percent less energy. But Samsungs already looking ahead to its next memory chip. The company says in the second half of 2020 it will begin mass production of 16GB LPDDR5 6400 Mbps chips using a new 3rd-gen 10nm process to deliver even faster memory speeds. press release Representative image With the novel coronavirus having spread to almost 50 countries across the globe, the outbreak has claimed nearly 2,800 lives worldwide. Over 80,000 cases have been reported globally, with the death toll in countries like Iran and Italy having gone up to 22 and 12, respectively. Italy has reported more than 400 cases, with the country struggling to contain the spread of the virus in its northern region. Meanwhile, Iran has reported only 141 cases but the death toll due to the virus has gone up to 22. It is most likely the worst-hit country outside China. Iranian authorities have also announced that domestic travel curbs will be placed on people suspected to have contracted the virus, AlJazeera reported. Iraq reported its sixth case on February 27 while confirmed cases in Kuwait rose to 43. China reports 433 new cases, warns of risk of rebound in infection 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 Around 433 new cases of coronavirus infections were reported by China on February 26, the National Health Commission said on February 27. This was up from the 406 cases reported a day earlier, with a cluster of new cases in Beijing raising concerns about the management of employees returning to work. The commission also said in a statement that the risk of a rebound in infection in other regions "should not be overlooked". India evacuates 112 people from China, 124 from Japan A special Air India flight, on February 27, brought back 119 Indians, including 113 crew members and six passengers, who were onboard the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship docked off Yokohama, Japan. Read More | Air India flight brings back 119 Indians, 5 foreigners from coronavirus-hit cruise ship in Japan In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the flight which arrived in New Delhi from Tokyo, also evacuated five foreign nationals two Sri Lankans and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru. Meanwhile, another 112 people were evacuated from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan. Of these, 76 were Indian nationals and the remaining 36 were foreign nationals. The foreign national evacuated from Wuhan included 23 from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and Maldives and one each from South Africa, USA and Madagascar. Read More | Special IAF flight with 76 Indians, 36 foreigners arrives in Delhi Saudi Arabia suspends entry for pilgrims over coronavirus We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm#CoronaVirus#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/TEYvIW1Wbd Foreign Ministry Over fears of the COVID-19 infection, Saudi Arabia on February 27 suspended visas for visits to Islam's holiest sites for the "umrah" pilgrimage. Karla Souza received an outpour of support from Hollywood celebrities following rape allegations against Mexican director Gustavo Loza. The 'How To Get Away With Murder' star received supportive tweets from stars like Viola Davis, Brie Larson, and Gina Rodriguez after sharing her horrific experience with the Mexican director. Ana De La Reguera, a Mexican actress known for her role as Elisa Alvaro in Narcos, also showed support to Karla in a tweet after Loza went on a press tour to defend himself. Karla Souza, who famously plays Laurel Castillo in the hit series 'How To Get Away With Murder', spoke of the incident during an interview with Carmen Aristegui in CNN en Espanol. In the interview, Souza detailed the attack by the director during a one-month shoot in Mexico. "However, I get to the set, on location and we are to film there for a month and coincidentally they take me to a hotel ... and all the other actors were staying at another hotel," she said. She claims to have asked staff who else was staying in the hotel, to which they answered, "Well, just you and the director." Souza said the director visited her at 2 am to talk about a scene she was supposed to do. She also shared the director would attempt to flirt with her. She said she was psychologically abused by the director, saying whenever she rejected his advances, he would humiliate her in front of staff and cast the following day. Karla said she gave in after a month of dealing with the director's "total abuse of power," letting him kiss her and touch her in ways she "did not want him to." The actress also confirmed suffering from a violent attack and getting raped while wiping her tears during the interview. Televisa, an audiovisual content production company located in Mexico, has since broken all ties with director Loza in a statement read by Televisa journalist, Denise Maerker. The production company said the decision came after a preliminary investigation. The company also canceled projects where the director was a participant. "Furthermore, any project that has Loza's participation has been canceled. Loza is not an employee of Televisa, but has collaborated in projects with the network for several years. We want to manifest our solidarity with Karla Souza and are in the best disposition so the legal investigation. Televisa will not tolerate acts like the once revealed today," they said. Mexican director Gustavo Loza took to Twitter to deny accusations against him, saying Televisa accused him without foundation regarding the case of the alleged violation. In an interview for a digital radio show Aristegui Noticias, Loza said the allegations caused him and his family deep pain. He also questioned Televisa's accusation without having any proof. He described the production company's act as "lynching." He also claimed to have tried to contact Karla Souza after the announcement by Televisa but had failed to receive an answer. Loza claimed he and Souza were friends who, at one time, shared a consensual relationship, and even worked on projects after their relationship ended. The director maintained he has a clean and implacable reputation and believed his dismissal was because of other reasons. An organized pantry indicates a happy kitchen. But what happens when you run out of space? All those spices, jars, vinegar bottles, and boxes of cereal have to go somewhere. Once your dedicated storage space reaches max capacity, it's hard to ignore your kitchen becoming one cluttered mess. The solution? Get clever with your pantry overflowtry one of our storage alternatives below. With a little creativity, you can carve out the necessary space to house all of the pantry items you need. And the best part? Most of these solutions don't require any heavy lifting or help from a contractor. Repurpose a cluttered closet Photo by Cummings Architects Can you think of any underused closets in your home that can serve as a pantry? I have seen condos in which the homeowners have taken their boots and jackets out of the hallway closet and turned it into a kitchen pantry, says Nectaria Kladitis, a broker at Re/Max Hallmark Realty in Toronto. A mudroom or basement could also serve the same purpose. This area would be used for bulk purchases of food and consumable itemslike napkins, paper towelsand even some not-frequently-used kitchen appliances," says Andrea Walker, owner and certified professional organizer at Smartly Organized. This kind of space is often referred to as an overflow pantry. Install floating shelves Photo by ZEPHYR If you haven't jumped on the open shelving bandwagon yet, consider bringing this trend into your home. Put that empty wall to use and install a few floating shelves alongside the cabinets that already exist. By moving your plates, bowls, and glasseswhich will look pretty stacked togetherout of your cabinets and onto floating shelves, you'll have more room for items that don't fit in your pantry. Floating shelves ($199, Pottery Barn) in wood, glass, and metal are quite popular options and dont cost a lot of money to install. Most amateur DIYers can source floating shelves from a local home improvement store and install them, but you can also go the custom route. Hire a company that specializes in kitchen cabinetry, and ask them to measure, design, and install shelving that fits your needs, says Caleb Liu, owner of House Simply Sold in Orange, CA. Warning: Dont go overboard. Overspending on cabinets is one of the mistakes that can derail your kitchen reno. __________ Watch: Here's How to Clean the Grossest Place in Your Home __________ Relocate your dinnerware to a hutch Photo by Neptune If you dont want to go through the process of installing shelves, consider purchasing a prebuilt, free-standing storage solution. "Instead of using your kitchen storage for dishes or glassware, move those items into a hutch, and turn your kitchen cabinetry into pantry space, recommends Marty Basher, a storage design expert with Modular Closets. If you have room in your kitchen or dining area, grab this tall hutch ($306, Lowes), or source one with a vintage feel from a flea market or estate sale. Walker says shes even used an old-fashioned TV armoire. Get smart with cabinet organizers Photo by Declutter with Sarah Everyone looking to maximize space in their pantry should bring in some cabinet organizers. Walker recommends risers, turntables ($14, Amazon), and bins for all your bottles and jars. Also, remove the packaging to reduce the amount of space needed. So many snack items come individually wrapped that 'decanting' them into a bin saves considerable space, Walker says. Consider a mobile pantry Try a rolling cart that tucks into a space in your kitchen. Amazon We bet there are a few spaces in your kitchen that could be used for pantry overflow. One of those spaces is the area between your countertop and your refrigerator. Basher recommends purchasing a narrow metal rolling cart ($95, Amazon), which can slide in and out as you need it. If you have a lot of space in the center of the kitchen, a mobile kitchen island ($200, Amazon) is another option. This type of kitchen organizer can be used to store canned food, spices, cereal boxes, chutney jars, and so on, says Amalia Otet of Storage Cafe. Its a simple solution that can make a ton of a difference when trying to make a small kitchen space work. The post How to Increase Your Kitchen Pantry Space Without Breaking the Bank appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Naranjo settled on his lifes work while he laid in a Japanese hospital. In 1968, the Army soldier had been caught in an ambush, and a hand grenade was hurled toward him in the jungle in Vietnam. Then, darkness. He asked for some water-based clay. His right hand lay next to him, severely damaged. So with his left, he began to mould and shape the soft wad into an inch worm. He gave it eyes and a mouth. And he was thrilled. I knew that at the time, (the sculptures) would get better, said Naranjo, 75. Across more than 50 years, the sculptor has amassed a body of work that lives in collections at the Vatican and White House, among other places. More than 30 pieces of Naranjos work are on display through July 26 at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. The exhibit called Please Touch! also is an instruction to visitors to do just that. His current exhibit is the second at the Eiteljorg; the first was in 1992. After he became blind, Naranjo sought new ways to experience art. As his acclaim rose, so did the sculptors opportunities to touch great works. He brushed his fingers over the marble eyes of Michelangelos David at the Accademia Gallery in Florence. And he felt the End of the Trail, the sculpture of a weary Native man and his horse by James Earle Fraser at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Naranjos instructions to viewers to touch his own art not only turns the accepted protocol of viewing fine art on its ear, it totally transforms the visitors experience. He doesnt worry if the work is damaged; it can be fixed. What means more to him is that people appreciate the access. Braille labels and audio descriptions accompany the pieces. What art really is, I think, is a feeling. And you have to have some sort of feeling within and project it into what youre creating, said Naranjo, who is Tewa from Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico. As Naranjo healed from his injuries, his social worker at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center in California told him that he had a path to complete college, a journey hed started before he went to Vietnam. But the artist faced opposition when he expressed his goal to become a sculptor. As a boy, he wandered through galleries in Taos, New Mexico, stopping at the bronzes. Thats what I want to do, he thought. The dream wasnt far-fetched his mother, Rose Naranjo, was a well-known pottery artist. In college, he took art courses, playing in watercolour and oil painting, but finding more success in sculpture. Medical experts eventually gave up trying to convince Michael Naranjo to give up on a sculpting career. Naranjo moved to Santa Fe, talked to artists and read books about his craft. About 10 years into his career, Naranjo sculpted a dancer standing on his toes as hoops encircle his body. As he worked with the clay, he spent time with the woman who would become his wife. When I first met Laurie, I was working on this piece, Naranjo said. She would sit there and read books to me while I was making the sculpture. In the middle of the night, wed stay up late we didnt have any kids at the time just reading stories and listening to her read. In 1978, he finished the piece and married Laurie Naranjo. Naranjo has a vivid memory of his great-grandmother. He remembers her dress and how she, a medicine woman, ground corn and carried a baby on her back. This was the visual he saw before he built Tender Moment. Its one of the many ideas that come to him through his memories of when he could see. The images live within him as he thinks and dreams about them for days, weeks, even months. The 1986 sculpture shows a baby reaching toward a mothers face, and her acknowledgment as she turns her head toward the hand. The soft moment reverberates in the smooth curves of their arms and faces. All my pieces, I believe, have this gentle motion feeling within them because I think my world is that way. I cant move quickly. I cant run across the room anymore without someone leading me by hand, said Naranjo, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A man was gathering wood in the cliff dwellings outside Santa Clara Pueblo when he found a small wounded bird. He nursed it to health, and it grew until its wingspan became longer than the man was tall. Thats when he released it into the sky. Naranjo wrote the backstory to 1998s Skyward My Friend himself. It helped the sculptor project himself into the work, find its direction. You kind of place yourself in (the sculptures) so that you get a feeling of where theyre at with their thinking, what theyre doing and it makes it easier to work with the piece as well and maybe put some spirit into it that it needs, he said. The intricate feathers and faces show the level of detail Naranjo has mastered with his fingers and nails. Theres very little tools used in working, he said. If I have a tool in my hand, what am I touching over there? I dont know. What is it doing? How much is it taking away? The Eiteljorg exhibit shows how much the artists work has improved over the decades. More fluid lines, fuller figures, and more than one person or animal are part of a single sculpture. The Last Dance, from 2012, might show that best. Naranjo built the dancers figure first and then separately constructed the wings using a thin steel bar that stretched across them. I had the wings on the table laid out, he said. I picked up the wings, flung them up in the air and laid them on his back. ... The clay is soft, so I damaged the head, the arms a little bit, so I had to mend that. The very first time he came back in bronze was the first time I saw the whole thing, actually together. IF YOU GO: What: Please Touch! The Sculptures of Michael Naranjo. When: Open through July 26. Where: Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. Cost: $15 adults, $12 seniors (65 and older), $8 youth (5-17). Free for kids 4 and younger. Free for members, Native Americans, Indiana teachers (K-12), and IUPUI students and faculty. For more information: Visit eiteljorg.org or call 317-636-9378. __ Source: The Indianapolis Star Debjani Dutta By Express News Service PUDUCHERRY: In order to promote tourism, the ministry for shipping has mooted a proposal to start ferry service between Karaikal in the Union Territory of Puducherry and Jaffna in Sri Lanka covering a distance of 56 nautical miles (103.7 kilometres). Shortly after chairing a meeting with ministers and government officials of Puducherry, Union minister of state for shipping Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday addressed a press conference saying that the project is expected to take off in three to four months. Lok Sabha MP V Vaithilingam, who was present at the press meet along with the Union minister, said it would take around three hours for one-way ferry trip and would cost around Rs 6,5000 to Rs 7,000 for a round trip. Some investors have already expressed interest with their proposals, he Kandasamy added. Mandaviya said hundreds of Tamil-speaking people from Sri Lanka come to India on pilgrimage. Besides, many Sri Lankans also visit India to see Buddhist sites. The ferry service will facilitate their visit. It will not only give boost to tourism, but will also improve bilateral cooperation between the two countries, he said. A ferry service between India and Sri Lanka was operated between Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu and Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka, over a distance of 30 nautical miles. After the 1964 cyclone destroyed infrastructure at Dhanushkodi, the service was operated from Rameswaram. In 1984, the Union government suspended the service due to the rise of ethnic conflict in the island nation. In more recent years, the TN government has been looking at a fresh site at Rameswaram to resume operations. The project would be on public-private partnership (PPP) basis, where the operator would run the service, Karaikal Port will be the facilitator and the central government would extend support, Mandaviya said, adding, to take the proposal forward, a committee under chief secretary along with secretary (port) would be constituted at the earliest. The committee would go into the nitty gritty and submit a report. Issues related to immigration, customs and NOC by agencies concerned will looked after by the Union government, the minister added. It is a major tourism project that will help in the development of Karaikal, said Puducherry Health and Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao. Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and his ministers, who wanted to implement such a project, are happy to see the Union government initiating it. The project will bring business and economic development to Puducherry, said port minister M Kandasamy. Hitting back at Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi for demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for Delhi violence, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar on Wednesday said Congress, following similar lines, should ask for Maharastra Home Minister (Anil Deshmukh) for the Hinganghat case. In Hinganghat, a 25-year-old lecturer was set ablaze by a stalker in Maharashtra's Wardha, who succumbed to her injuries after a week-long battle on February 10. "There were many such riots that occurred during the Congress government's rule in the country, for which a Home Minister was responsible. If in these scenarios, one can be held a Home Minister responsible then they should ask for the resignation of Maharashtra Home Minister," Mungantiwar told media persons here. "They had no shame when the Hinganghat incident happened. Women are being stripped...but they ask for resignation at any time," he said. Calling the recent violence in Delhi as 'planned conspiracy', Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday demanded Amit Shah's resignation over the clashes that left at least 25 people dead in three days. "CWC (Congress Working Committee) believes Home Minister and Centre is responsible. The Home Minister should tender his resignation with immediate effect," the Congress party's interim chief told reporters here. Violent clashes erupted between pro and anti-CAA groups in parts of northeast Delhi on Monday, leading to widespread vandalism and arson for over two days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Liquibox, a portfolio company of Olympus Partners, has completed the acquisition of DS Smith plc's Plastics Division. The acquired division includes both rigid and flexible packaging businesses. The combined companies will have 35 manufacturing facilities and a global workforce of nearly 3,000 employees. The acquired division's flexible packaging and Worldwide Dispensers businesses will be consolidated into the Liquibox brand. The consolidation brings together two strong management teams and skilled workforces to help the company realize a shared vision and purpose - One Liquibox. As a global leader in liquid packaging and dispensing, Liquibox will be dedicated to servicing customers through a commitment to quality, sustainability, partnership and innovation. The acquisition of DS Smith's flexible packaging businesses provides a strong platform to further expand Liquibox's leading value proposition into emerging growth markets, such as coffee, tea, water and aseptic packaging. In addition, through its Worldwide Dispensers brand of custom engineered fitments, the company will now assume a leading position globally in dispensing technologies for both rigid and flexible packaging. The acquired division's rigid businesses for extruded products, injection molded products and foam products will be split into three newly branded and independently operated businesses, which will operate respectively as Corplex, DW Reusables and Engineered Foam Products. Each of these business units stands ready to execute on new growth plans under the new ownership structure. "We're excited to complete this transformational acquisition and welcome the DS Smith Plastics employees to our team," said Ken Swanson, CEO of Liquibox. "The new structure and brand identity of these businesses further supports our strategy and commitment to lead the way with sustainable packaging solutions. Our best-in-class converting and molding equipment, coupled with further advancements in materials and design will be a big benefit to our customers. We're excited to unlock additional value through an expanded range of film, bag and dispensing fitments, our best-in-class filler solutions and an expanded global reach." Manu Bettegowda, Partner at Olympus Partners added: "Liquibox is a core holding for Olympus Partners. The DS Smith Plastics acquisition is an important step in achieving our longer-term plan, and we plan to continue to invest in the business in support of its growth strategy." About Liquibox Liquibox has led the way in flexible liquid packaging and dispensing innovation for 60 years. Today, Liquibox is advancing a new era of sustainable performance, with an intensified commitment to minimizing environmental impact without sacrificing quality to deliver solutions that protect products and the world we live in. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Liquibox is a portfolio company of Olympus Partners with facilities in 23 locations around the world. More at liquibox.com. About Olympus Partners Founded in 1988, Olympus Partners is a private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for companies needing capital for expansion. Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries including business services, food services, consumer products, healthcare services, financial services, industrial services, and manufacturing. Olympus manages in excess of $8.5 billion mainly on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs. Advisors Barclays served as financial advisor to Liquibox, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel. Media contact: Paul Kase +1 (804) 433-3834 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1096462/Liquibox_Logo.jpg Desperate times dont always call for desperate measures. In fact, they sometimes loudly cry out for a good dose of realism. Though the Democratic Party desperately needs to nominate a candidate who can defeat President Donald Trump in November, it doesnt follow that the party should turn to someone making promises that can never be kept, offering solutions that are purely fantastical. Democrats need to nominate a realist. And a uniter, someone to bring together both the party and the nation. They need a candidate who can win in states where winning matters, in the all-important Electoral College Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin. They need to nominate a candidate who can expect to get votes from liberals and moderates and even from some Republicans who have tired of the nonsense that has been the Trump presidency. Democrats also need to nominate someone who wont frighten normal people with talk of revolution. Mike Bloomberg is the candidate best positioned to do all of that, and more. The former mayor of New York City is a pragmatist who gets results. Hes been wildly successful in business and in politics, has demonstrated an uncanny ability, in both arenas, to assemble successful teams, to find real-world solutions to actual problems. Hes also got the resources, from his own personal fortune, to be in the race for the long haul. Though Bloombergs first appearance in a Democratic presidential debate last week was broadly panned, a much different, more assertive Bloomberg showed up at Tuesdays debate in Charleston, South Carolina. He took it to Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont socialist who has become the partys front-runner. But not for long, one hopes. Though there are other moderates in the race who could, at least on paper, be solid standard-bearers for the Democratic Party -- Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg -- each has his or her own flaws. And while we would normally be inclined to support a home-state candidate such as Elizabeth Warren, whom we admire, we are dismayed by her campaign attacks on multiple other candidates and by appearing to move further to the left on many issues. Since Bloomberg skipped the first four nominating contests, hell first appear on primary ballots on March 3, also known as Super Tuesday, when 14 states, including Massachusetts, stage primaries. Bloomberg is a proven problem-solver, a realist, a man whose political views are what used to be called liberal, but not wildly so. Those looking for a uniter would do well to take a serious look at Bloomberg. Locals are pictured wearing masks in the city Najaf, where Iraq's first confirmed coronavirus Covid-19 case came to light, on 25 February. (Getty Images) The coronavirus outbreak has left many experts wondering how many people may catch the infection. Virtually unheard of just two months ago, the Covid-19 strain has spread well beyond its epicentre in the Chinese city Wuhan. More than 80,300 cases have been confirmed globally, of which 77,660 are in mainland China, according to John Hopkins University data. The death toll exceeded 2,000 on Tuesday. Read more: Coronavirus Covid-19 'mild' in more than four in five cases In the UK, 13 cases have been confirmed, with health secretary Matt Hancock stating more are expected. Amid fears the outbreak may become a pandemic, the World Health Organization stressed the term does not fit the facts. A Harvard doctor later predicted between 40% and 70% of people all over the world could catch Covid-19 within the next year, with the vast majority of cases being mild. Other experts have questioned this claim, stressing it is too early in the outbreak to predict how it may play out. People are pictured wearing masks in Milan on 25 February. Italy has the most confirmed Covid-19 cases in Europe, with 283 incidences. (Getty Images) Is it possible to predict how many people may become infected with coronavirus Covid-19? Plateauing infection rates have left some quietly optimistic Covid-19 may have peaked in China. A change in how the virus is diagnosed caused cases to spike over night, from 44,700 on 12 February to 59,800 the following day. Incidences have since been rising more slowly. Mainland China had 77,200 confirmed cases on 24 February, increasing by 500 patients the next day. Nevertheless, the infection is taking hold thousands of miles away. South Korea is second to China, with 977 confirmed patients and 10 deaths. Italy is faring worst in Europe, with 283 incidences and seven deaths. To try and get a handle on the outbreak, scientists from all over the world are investigating how infectious Covid-19 really is. Read more: How to stay calm amid the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak Dr Marc Lipsitch - from Harvard - predicts that within the coming year, some 40-to-70% of people around the world will be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, The Atlantic reported. Story continues But, he clarifies emphatically, this does not mean all will have severe illnesses. Other experts have questioned how much weight this prediction holds. These figures are calculations from the estimated basic reproduction number, said Professor Christl Donnelly from Imperial College London. This is the number of people an infected person goes onto infect. A reproduction number of two would mean every patient is expected to pass the virus to two others. [These calculations] assume transmission continues at that rate, said Professor Donnelly. Interventions bring the reproduction number down. The province Hubei, of which Wuhan is capital, has been under lockdown for more than a month. Its almost 60 million residents have seen public transport restricted, shops shut and flights suspended. Residents of Italys Lombardy and Veneto regions are also affected, with 11 towns under quarantine. This is not the first time Covid-19s reproduction number has been debated. Scientists from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) previously estimated the number fluctuated between 1.5 and 4.5 before travel restrictions were introduced in Wuhan, stressing substantial uncertainty. This led them to predict the outbreak may peak in mid-to-late February. Speaking at the time, Dr Robin Thompson from the University of Oxford, said: One proviso must be forecasting the peak of any outbreak is challenging, and so there is significant uncertainty in estimates of both the timing of the peak and the total number of cases that will occur. Read more: How is the coronavirus Covid-19 diagnosed? Despite ongoing research, Covid-19 remains somewhat mysterious. Transmission is a feature of the virus and thats not understood, said Professor David Heymann from the LSHTM. Models are estimations. They may be true today and not tomorrow. Professor Heymann described Professor Lipsitchs prediction as an upper estimation of what could be to come. Even when more is discovered about Covid-19, it may be difficult to classify the virus transmission, with rates varying according to the circumstances. Pathogens sometimes get stamped with a reproduction number, said Professor Donnelly. It can vary depending on household size and in hospital settings. A local tries to carry on as normal in Beijing on 25 February amid China's Covid-19 outbreak. (Getty Images) What is the new coronavirus Covid-19? Covid-19 is one of seven strains of the coronavirus class that are known to infect humans. Others range from the mild common cold to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak that killed 774 people in 2004. Most of the people who initially became unwell worked at, or visited, the Wuhan market. The only know method of transmission is face-to-face via infected droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out. Symptoms tend to be flu-like, such as fever, cough and breathlessness. In the most severe cases, victims develop pneumonia. This comes about when a respiratory infection causes the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs to become inflamed and filled with fluid or pus. The lungs then struggle to draw in air, resulting in reduced oxygen in the bloodstream. Without treatment the end is inevitable, said the charity Medecins Sans Frontieres. Deaths occurs because of asphyxiation. While no one can say for sure where the virus came from, bats seem most likely. The nocturnal creatures are thought to have been behind Sars and fellow coronavirus Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (Mers), which killed 858 people in its 2012 outbreak. Scientists from Peking University in Beijing suggested snakes may have been the intermediate host for Covid-19. A team from South China Agricultural University later found it could have jumped from bats to humans via pangolins. Covid-19 has no specific treatment, with care being supportive - like ventilation - while a patients immune system works to fight off the virus. To prevent infection, the NHS recommends regular hand washing and avoiding those with suspect symptoms. Former Fremantle Dockers captain and Nine News Perth sport presenter Matthew Pavlich has voiced his concerns over the potential for chronic traumatic encephalopathy a neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated blows to the head to affect AFL players. Eric Mackenzie of the Eagles tackles Matthew Pavlich of the Dockers after a marking contest. Credit:Paul Kane It was announced Thursday that CTE was discovered in the brain of the late, legendary player Graham 'Polly' Farmer, the first time the disease had been detected in a player from the AFL. Pavlich, a six-time Doig medallist, spoke to Nine News Perth's Michael Thompson about the "waiting game" past and present players would now have to endure particularly those who had suffered serious knocks to the head. "I am concerned as a former AFL player," Pavlich said. "I had three pretty significant concussions even prior to being drafted, and at least half a dozen while I was playing. The COVID-19 also know as the Wuhan Coronavirus his spreading rapidly not just in China but several other countries across the globe. In China, it has claimed over 2700 lives with over 80,000 confirmed cases. AFP With new cases surfacing every day in locations where people havent even visited China, the need for adhering to precautions is more important than ever. Here are the ways you can prevent the infection from spreading as well as entering your body, to contain this epidemic. Wash hands regularly Our hands are responsible for bacteria and viruses entering our body, as we often use them to either rub our nose, eyes or eat food with them. Thus, washing hands thoroughly is of utmost importance. Reuters Doctors recommend washing hands for 20 whole seconds -- not just the palms but also in-between fingers. Additionally, regularly sanitise your hands after touching common surfaces to prevent catching the infection. Avoid handshakes, high fives It is strongly advised that you avoid touching hands with strangers or even people you know to prevent contracting the coronavirus. However, this doesnt mean you shouldnt greet the person entirely -- a namaste can work just fine and keep you away from infections. Avoid eating half-cooked meat Coronaviruses come from animals. And in case youre consuming the meat of an infected animal, if its not cooked well, the infection will still be active in it, and will infect your body upon entering. Step out of the house wearing a face mask Wearing a face mask will not only prevent dust from entering your lungs, but it will create a barrier preventing you from touching your face with dirty hands. It will also prevent infected droplets from entering your body. Reuters If you feel sick, dont step out If youve come down with common flu or cold, taking a day off will not only help you get healthy quicker but also save others from catching the virus youre infected from. In case you feel severe cold or flu and have trouble breathing, head to the nearest hospital or healthcare centre. Clean commonly used surfaces Commonly used surfaces like door handles, armrests etc can have deposits of infections which can infect others that come in contact with that surface. Regularly cleaning such surfaces with the help of rubbing alcohol, disinfectants or even hand sanitisers will destroy the germs and not let it spread. Use handkerchief or tissue while sneezing Whether youre sick or youre not, make sure that you cover your mouth with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing. This will prevent the respiratory droplets from entering the air and infecting others in close proximity to you. Also, once used, dispose the tissue off appropriately in a dustbin, instead of keeping it lying around your desk like a souvenier -- no one likes that. Reuters Stay away from people who look unwell It is strongly advised that you avoid contact or being in close proximity with people whore unwell. Even if they dont have the coronavirus, you contracting whatever they have could still make you sick and impact your immune system. This will not keep your body ready in case you actually come in contact with the novel coronavirus. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank are ready to provide countries in need with immediate emergency funding to fight the coronavirus outbreak, a spokesman said on Thursday. While they have yet to receive a request for aid, the institutions "have now developed contingency plans. We have various financial instruments that could be used," IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said at a press conference. As the epidemic has spread beyond China, shuttering production and closing schools in Japan, economists are increasingly worried about a slowdown in the global economy. "We have various financial instruments that could be used to support countries with balance of payment problems that arise from epidemics or natural disasters," Rice said, noting that the lenders rapidly deployed funds during the Ebola epidemic. He singled out China, saying the IMF remains "very supportive" of the country where the coronavirus outbreak started with efforts to tackle its spread. The fund and the World Bank expect to make a decision soon on whether to hold their spring meetings in Washington. Thousands of people attend the twice-yearly gatherings, which attract activists, economists and investors as well as officials and reporters. The planning for the April meeting is "under active review," Rice said, but he added, "We are confident that, whatever the format of the spring meetings will be, that we will have effective meetings... and dialogue with our membership." The US Centers for Disease Control warned this week that the epidemic will reach American shores, and urged organisations to cancel mass gatherings. Health officials on Wednesday announced they'd found the first case of the virus of unknown origin in the United States. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Myanmar President U Win Myint called on External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar here on Thursday. Myint, who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, is also slated to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues. The Myanmar President, who is on a four-day visit to India, is accompanied by the First Lady Daw Cho Cho. The President of Myanmar is also scheduled to visit Bodh Gaya and Agra during his tour. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dipolog City (CNN Philippines, February 27) Authorities have captured the 7th most wanted person in Dipolog City in a drug buybust operation Wednesday night. The gasoline boy was identified as Roland Carreon Ogoc, and a 400,000-worth of shabu was seized under the possession of the suspect. After months of surveillance, a joint buybust operation by the Dipolog City Police Station with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Dipolog, successfully arrested Ogoc at Purok Tipo, Brgy. Sicayab, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte at 9:30pm. Authorities said that the arrest of the 27-year-old suspect was one of the biggest operations in Dipolog City this year. Cases will be filed against Ogoc while under the custody of the Dipolog City Police Station for further interrogation. CNN Philippines stringer Lyza Merille Bautista contributed to this report. Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday announced the suspension of seven policemen for their alleged inaction in a gang-rape case in states Balrampur district soon after home minister Tamardhwaj Sahu defended the police in the state assembly and said there was no laxity on their part. Sahu is a member of Congresss Central Working Committee. He was a front-runner for the chief ministers post after Congress won the 2018 Chhattisgarh assembly elections and ended the Bharatiya Janata Partys 15-year rule in the state. Baghel announced the suspension of station house officer (SHO) Umesh Baghel, sub-inspectors Akhilesh Singh and K P Singh and constables Johan Toppo, Sudhir Singh, Ajay Prajapati, Sashi Tirki in the state assembly after Congress lawmaker Brihaspat Singh raised the issue of the 12-year-old girls rape. Singh said the girl was returning home along with another girl when she was raped on February 19. Two youths came on a motorcycle and tried to abduct both the girls. While one managed to escape, the other was abducted. They brought the minor girl to village Dahejwar where one more accused person was waiting. All three raped the minor and fled, Singh said. He added the girl was in an extremely bad shape. Singh alleged when the girls parents rushed to the local police station to register a case, the SHO asked them whether they saw their daughter being raped. The SHO refused to register the complaint and did not provide any medical treatment. He also threatened the parents not to inform anyone about the incident. Sahu earlier said the case was registered on February 20 against the three accused under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. He added the three accused were arrested and an investigation was going on. Soon after Sahu spoke, Bhupesh Baghel stood up and announced the suspension of the seven policemen. Police is working on the behest of some people in the state, BJP spokesperson Gauri Shankar Shrivas said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg will campaign in Michigan for the first time in 2020 on Super Tuesday, one of the most important nights of the primary election. The former South Bend, Ind. mayor will hold a town hall in Macomb County on Tuesday, March 3, according to the campaign. Buttigieg is scheduled to speak while votes are being counted in 14 states holding their primary contests across the country. Details about the location of the town hall have not yet been released. The event is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Buttigiegs visit will come seven days before Michigan holds its March 10 primary. A recent poll conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found Buttigieg in fourth place in Michigan, trailing U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former Vice President Joe Biden, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Buttigieg earned the second-largest share of delegates after winning Iowa and finishing closely behind Sanders in New Hampshire. Buttigieg finished third in Nevada. Buttigieg made few public appearances in Michigan last year and hasnt returned to the state since July 2019. He held a private fundraiser in Saugatuck, attended a candidate forum held by the NAACP, held a rally in Detroit and participated in the Democratic debate in the same city all in the same month. 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. Trumps ability to flip Macomb County and 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 2016 Democratic opponent in those 12 counties and ultimately won the state by 10,700 votes. 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 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. Buttigieg called for the shutdown of the controversial Enbridge Line 5 pipeline through the Straits of Mackinac earlier this week. With such a high risk of an oil spill under the Great Lakes, Michigan cant afford to keep the Line 5 pipeline in operation. In every community, we need new clean energy solutions to meet our climate crisis, Buttigieg said on Twitter. Buttigieg earned the endorsement of Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and state Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit. Buttigieg raised $983,731 from Michiganders in 2019, according to Federal Election Commission data. Notable donors include philanthropists Kate Wolters and James Offield and former Michigan State University Trustee Nancy Schlichting. Source: ADB ADBs new office reinforces the growing importance of Clark as a hub for industry and business, said ADB Vice-President Ahmed M. Saeed. We have a large and growing portfolio of projects to strengthen road, rail, and other transport links in central Luzon. This new office will further improve our coordination with government agencies, especially the Department of Transportation, and support effective implementation of these important projects. The ADB Philippines Clark Office will help advance the USD2.75 billion MalolosClark Railway Project, one of the governments priority infrastructure projects and ADBs largest project financing in the Asia and Pacific region to date. Project construction is planned to begin by the middle of this year. The office will serve as a support and coordination hub for the South Commuter Railway Project, which ADB is preparing for financing this year. Both the Malolos-Clark and South Commuter projects are part of the NorthSouth Commuter Railway, a 163-kilometer suburban railway network aimed to connect New Clark City in Tarlac province in the north to Calamba in Laguna province in the south of Manila. The Clark office will also support the BataanCavite Bridge Project, which is under preparation for financing in 2021. It will help ADB continue to provide transaction advisory services to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority as the agency develops New Clark City, a smart and livable city designed to help ease the traffic congestion around the national capital region of Metro Manila. In 2019, ADBs sovereign lending to the Philippines reached a record USD2.5 billion, up from USD1.4 billion in 2018. Infrastructure accounts for more than half of ADBs 20182023 lending program in the Philippines./. ADDIS ABABA, EthiopiaAfrican leaders have decided to work on deploying 3,000 troops to West Africas troubled Sahel region as extremist attacks surge, an African Union official said Thursday. The force would be a significant new player in the sprawling, arid region south of the Sahara Desert where fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group killed thousands of people last year at times working together in an unprecedented move. The decision by African leaders comes as the United States considers cutting its military presence in Africa while urging African solutions to African problems. That has sparked pressure from worried security allies including France and regional countries as well as a rare bipartisan outcry among lawmakers in Washington. Smail Chergui, the African Union commissioner for peace and security, relayed the new troop decision that was taken at the recent AU summit during a meeting Thursday with visiting European Union officials. The AU continental body is expected to work with the West African regional counterterror force G5 Sahel as well as the West African regional body ECOWAS, which has formed peacekeeping units in the past, Chergui said. ECOWAS in September announced what Chergui called a very bold plan to counter extremism in the region, including mobilizing up to $1 billion through 2024. As you see and recognize yourself, the threat is expanding and becoming more complex, Chergui said. Terrorists are now even bringing a new modus operandi from Afghanistan and al-Shabab in Somalia. It was not immediately clear what the next steps would be in forming the AU force for the Sahel, which has become the most active region in Africa for extremist attacks. The force would join Frances largest overseas military operation, the 5,100-strong Barkhane, and the 15,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping force in Mali, one of the hardest-hit countries in the attacks along with Burkina Faso and Niger. India's rapid progress in lunar exploration has the attention of the president of the United States. During a speech Monday (Feb. 25) in India, President Donald Trump said the United States plans to cooperate more with India in the realm of space, after the "impressive strides" made under the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Chandrayaan moon exploration program. "India and the U.S. are ... working together on the future of space exploration," Trump said at a stadium in the city of Ahmedabad; his remarks were livestreamed worldwide. "You are making impressive strides with your exciting Chandrayaan lunar program that is moving along rapidly, far ahead of schedule, and America looks forward to expanding our space cooperation." Video: Trump praises India's space program Related: Presidential visions for space exploration: From Ike to Trump (Image credit: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty) India has a data-sharing agreement to provide images from its Chandrayaan-2 mission to NASA for the Artemis program, a multinational initiative (led by the U.S.) to put astronauts on the moon again by 2024, according to the Times of India. Chandrayaan-2 arrived at the moon in 2019 to begin a multiyear mapping mission to get high-definition photographs of the surface, photographs that could be useful for future landing missions. The country attempted to send a lander named Vikram to the surface, but the little machine was destroyed in a crash-landing . A predecessor mission, Chandrayaan-1, confirmed ice water on the surface of the moon in 2009; water is considered an important resource for human missions. India plans even more work after this pair of missions, with Chandrayaan-3 already under development for a launch and another landing attempt next year. The two countries are collaborating on other projects outside of lunar exploration, too. NASA and ISRO plan to launch a new satellite in 2022. The satellite, called NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, can monitor floods, glacial changes and soil moisture. Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 16:31:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Renowned Chinese respiratory specialist Zhong Nanshan said he is confident that the novel coronavirus outbreak would be basically under control by the end of April. Zhong made the remarks at a press conference in Guangzhou on Thursday. "With the strong measures taken by the central government and the joint efforts made by medics across the country, we're confident that the epidemic will be basically under control by the end of April," said Zhong, in south China's Guangdong Province. Talking about the ongoing epidemic, Zhong said though the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in China, it does not mean that it originated from China. "Though the COVID-19 was first discovered in China, it does not mean that it originated from China," said Zhong. "We need greater international cooperation. This is a human disease, not a national disease," Zhong said, adding that the Guangzhou Medical University has already strengthened cooperation with foreign universities. Latest research have found that the novel coronavirus has a prominent feature whereby patients have a large amount of very sticky mucus in their small airways, said Zhong, adding that obstruction of the airway can lead to secondary infections. "We are working to solve the problem." The mortality rate among critically ill patients in Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, is close to 60 percent, according to Zhong. Experts are searching for solutions to hypoxia, and some new methods have proved effective in relieving breathing difficulties of patients in Wuhan, he said. Addressing the question that some patients discharged from hospital after initial recovery have tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time, Zhong said COVID-19 is a new infectious disease, the process of which is not known yet. "We can't draw an absolute conclusion at present and have to follow its development closely. But according to the laws of microorganisms, those with enough antibodies will not be infected again," Zhong said. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has a significant lead over his opponents in the Wisconsin Democratic primary, according to the latest Marquette Law School poll. The poll results released Thursday show Sanders leading the state by 29%, 12 points ahead of his next closest rival, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Poll director Charles Franklin called the results a big move for Bernie Sanders. The results of the poll track relatively closely with those of a recent UW-Madison Elections Research Center/Wisconsin State Journal poll that showed Sanders leading the field with about 30% support and Bloomberg taking second place with about 13% support. In Thursdays Marquette poll, all major candidates in the race other than Sanders received between 9% and 17% support. Bloomberg received 17% , former Vice President Joe Biden had 15%, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg had 13%, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar had 11%, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren had 9%. Despite Bloomberg taking second place, the Marquette poll shows Bloomberg as the only major Democratic candidate who respondents viewed as more unfavorable than favorable. Among Wisconsin Democratic primary voters, 37% of respondents viewed him unfavorably, while 35% viewed him favorably. The Democratic primary race is still volatile, with 56% of voters saying they still may change their minds. The Marquette poll was conducted between Feb. 13 and 23 and included 1,000 registered voters in Wisconsin interviewed by cell phone or landline with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points. Democratic primary voters view Sanders as the strongest candidate to beat Trump, with 34% holding that view. Republicans view Bloomberg as the strongest candidate, followed by Sanders. Wisconsins Democratic and Republican presidential primaries are still more than a month away, on April 7. Before then, Democratic voters are set to decide in contests in South Carolina this weekend and in a number of Super Tuesday states March 3, where roughly one-third of Democrats nationwide head to the polls. The Marquette poll shows a tight general election match in Wisconsin, with the Democratic candidates and Trump either receiving either the same level of support or sitting within a few points of each other. All general election match-ups are well within the polls margin of error. This comes as Trump for the first time in Wisconsin has net neutral favorability, meaning just as many people view him favorably as those who do not. In previous Marquette polls, more respondents had viewed him unfavorably. The poll shows Sanders as the only Democratic candidate receiving more support than Trump in a head-to-head match up, although the figures are within the margin of error. In such a scenario, Sanders received 48% support to Trumps 46%. A few candidates received the same level of support as Trump. Biden and Trump were tied 46% to 46%, Buttigieg and Trump tied 45% to 45%, and Klobuchar and Trump tied 46% to 46%. Two Democrats received less support than Trump in the poll. Bloomberg trailed Trump 44% to 45% and Warren received 44% to Trumps 47%. The Democratic primary results in the Marquette poll show a significant decline in support for Biden, who led the field with about 23% support in a January poll by Marquette Law School. In that poll, Sanders was a close second, with 19% support. Warren also received less support than she did in January, dropping from 14% to 9%. Warren had 12% in the latest UW-Madison/State Journal poll. The UW-Madison/Wisconsin State Journal poll also showed a precipitous decline in support for former Vice President Joe Biden and an upswing for Bloomberg, the newcomer to the race. It also showed the Democratic contenders in a general election match up with slight leads over Trump, but all within the polls margin of error. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 95 The BJP on Thursday sought to corner the AAP as its councillor Tahir Hussain's alleged role in the violence in northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh area came under the scanner, even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said no rioter, whichever party they belong to, should be spared. Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari alleged that the recovery of petrol bombs, bags of stones, acid pouches and other items from Hussain's house have exposed a "well planned conspiracy" behind the riots. The violence in parts of north east Delhi in the past few days, has so far led to the deaths of 34 people and injuries to over 200, besides widespread damage to private property, including vehicles, houses and shops. "The AAP councillor had made advance preparations for violence in Delhi, but the AAP is trying to cover it up. The double standard of the AAP is exposed before the people," Tiwari alleged. Hussain denied any involvement in the riots or the killing of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer whose family accused him of being behind the murder, saying these are "baseless accusations". He called for an impartial probe into the incident and said action should be taken against the guilty. "It is wrong to target me. I and my family have nothing to do with it," Hussain said. Kejriwal, who is also the AAP's national convener, in a press conference said no rioter, whichever party they belong to, should be spared. "If those involved in the riots are found to be from the AAP, give them double punishment," he said. Tiwari said that Hussain's mobile phone should be confiscated and examined. "The AAP has been accusing the Delhi Police of failing to stop the violence in the city, but is now saving its own party councillor who has been accused of spreading violence," he said. East Delhi BJP MP Gautam Gambhir said the chief minister was maintaining silence over the issue. "A (public) representative is accused of throwing the body of IB jawan Ankit Sharma in a nallah, sheltering rioters and throwing petrol bombs. If this is proved, Tahir Hussain will not be forgiven either by the people or the law and God. Mr Arvind Kejriwal your silence is deafening," Gambhir said in a tweet in Hindi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lisa Nandy tonight blasted Sir Keir Starmer and labelled his Brexit policy a 'disaster' as she tried to salvage her Labour leadership campaign. Sir Keir and Ms Nandy engaged in fiery clashes as they and fellow challenger Rebecca Long-Bailey took part in the third TV debate of the race to replace Jeremy Corbyn. Ms Nandy wasted no time in attacking Sir Keir as she said the Brexit position he had steered the party towards of remaining neutral 'was a disaster' at the ballot box. She claimed voters on both sides of the divide felt 'profoundly disrespected' by the policy and that had played a major part in Labour's brutal general election defeat. Meanwhile, all three of the challengers engaged in fractious exchanges over the party's response to its anti-Semitism crisis. Tonight's debate came after a YouGov poll suggested Sir Keir is on course to cruise to victory in the leadership contest with his two rivals struggling to make an impact. The hustings event in Dewsbury hosted by Sky News represented Ms Nandy's and Ms Long-Bailey's best chance of gaining ground and the former took the fight to frontrunner Sir Keir throughout. Ms Nandy said there had been a 'collective failure of leadership' in the party on Brexit as she stood next to the shadow Brexit secretary. She claimed 'Leavers thought we were Remainers, where Remainers thought we were Leavers'. Sir Keir desperately tried to defend himself as he said he did not 'shirk' from his involvement in the policy but he urged Labour to now move on, claiming that 'Leave/Remain is over'. Sir Keir Starmer, Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey clashed at a Labour leadership TV hustings tonight Ms Nandy used the Sky News hustings to repeatedly attack Sir Keir as she labelled his Brexit stance a 'disaster' Ms Nandy, Sir Keir and Ms Long-Bailey also clashed over the party's handling of its anti-Semitism crisis. Ms Nandy, who quit the Labour frontbench in 2016, said that when she was in the shadow cabinet she 'spoke up' about the issue. Taking on Sir Keir, she said: 'I believe that you are sincere about this, but if we do not acknowledge how badly the shadow cabinet as a whole got this wrong we will not earn the trust of the Jewish community.' Sir Keir told her: 'You were in the shadow cabinet when this issue came up as well.' Ms Nandy shot back: 'I spoke out publicly and then I left and I didn't return.' Meanwhile, Sir Keir then turned his fire on Ms Long-Bailey as he claimed: 'Rebecca didn't speak out in the same way that I did, in my view, but I don't think it's fair and it's right for us to try to score points now off each other in relation to this.' Ms Long-Bailey told the Sky News debate: 'I'm not pointing fingers or making a note of the exact dates and times that particular individuals spoke at shadow cabinet. Keir knows that I spoke at shadow cabinet a number of times about this.' Ms Long-Bailey also admitted that Tony Blair was a 'good leader' of the Labour Party. The shadow business secretary has the backing of the current leadership in the race and is viewed as the 'continuity Corbyn' candidate of the hard-left - a label she has rejected. Pushed on whether she thought Mr Blair had done a good job when he was in charge of the party, she replied: 'Any Labour leader who won a general election was a good leader.' Sir Keir is the overwhelming favourite to win the Labour top job with Ms Nandy and Ms Long-Bailey already in desperation mode despite the fact that voting only started on Monday and is not due to finish until April 2, with a winner announced on April 4. Many party members are expected to vote early in the contest because they have already made up their minds which means the trailing pair must act now if they are to stop Sir Keir. A YouGov poll for Sky News suggested Sir Keir Starmer is cruising to victory in the Labour leadership race The severity of Ms Nandy's and Ms Long-Bailey's respective positions was highlighted by a YouGov poll published yesterday which suggested Sir Keir could secure an easy victory in the first round of vote counting. The survey of party members put Sir Keir on 53 per cent of the vote with Ms Long-Bailey second on 31 per cent and Ms Nandy on just 16 per cent. Should Sir Keir manage to replicate the poll numbers in the contest itself he would pass the 50 per cent needed to win at the first time of asking. The leadership battle uses an alternative vote system with activists asked to rank the candidates in order of preference, which can lead to multiple rounds of vote counting. If one of the candidates does not pass the 50 per cent threshold in the first round, the candidate in last place is eliminated and their second preference votes are then allocated to the two remaining challengers. But the YouGov poll suggests there may not be a need for a second round of vote counting if Sir Keir maintains his current momentum. All three candidates were asked this evening who they would put as their second choice on the ballot paper - but all three dodged the question. Ms Long-Bailey urged activists to 'just put one choice and that is RLB all the way'. The poll numbers published yesterday represented a massive boost to Sir Keir's campaign but they are likely to spark warnings from his allies against complacency. He was ahead of Ms Long-Bailey among most groups polled, including men, women, the young, old, trade unionists and Remain supporters. Ms Long-Bailey - the Corbynista candidate - was only ahead among Labour Brexiteers and supporters of hard Left organisation Momentum. Who has made it into the final round of the Labour leadership contest? Voting in the Labour leader and deputy leader contests will start next Monday and close on April 2 with the winners announced on April 4. There are three candidates in the running to replace Jeremy Corbyn: Sir Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy. There are five candidates in the running to be the next deputy leader: Angela Rayner, Rosena Allin-Khan, Richard Burgon, Ian Murray and Dawn Butler. Advertisement The publication of the poll numbers came after Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London, formally announced he is backing Sir Keir. Mr Khan tweeted: 'I will be voting for Keir Starmer to be the next Labour leader. I've known Keir for decades. He's the best person to unite our party, take the fight to the Tories and put Labour in government.' The Labour leadership contest was triggered after Mr Corbyn decided to quit following the party's disastrous general election in December. He led Labour to its worst set of results since the 1930s and immediately announced he would be standing down. The winner of the Labour leadership contest will be announced at a special event on April 4. The latest YouGov poll of 1,323 Labour members, affiliates and supporters also looked at the deputy leadership contest. It suggested that Angela Rayner is the clear front runner in the race but that she would not win in the first round of vote counting. The survey put her on 47 per cent, Richard Burgon on 19 per cent, Rosena Allin-Khan on 13 per cent, Dawn Butler on 12 per cent and Ian Murray on nine per cent. The numbers suggested that Ms Rayner would win the contest in the second round of vote counting after the last finishing candidate is eliminated and their second preference votes are reallocated. Ok, so now let's do some little education for those who are fair-minded and interested. I'm not purporting to be an auditor or specialist in accounting. No. But my experience as a manager has taught me how auditing is done. There are different kinds of audits. There're some done to detect fraud which is mostly, called forensic audit. Such audits are very thorough, rigorous, and in such audits, auditors go a step further to verify each claim, test vouchers and sometimes try to compare market prices to establish prudence of expenditure, etc. They simply follow trails of expenditures. Another form of audit is one that seeks to look at expenditures with supporting records. In this type of audit, the auditor comes to you, you provide him with your expenditure, and then the auditor requests for evidence supporting those expenditures. In such cases, the auditor hardly, in fact, rarely, delves deeper into the evidence. He only wants to be sure whether you spent within budget, and that, your expenditures are backed by records. In the first instance, ie, forensic audit, it's done when there is reasonable cause to doubt the audited institution or person. Or when an investigation is being carried to establish fraud. We should ask ourselves, whether the Audit Service under the abled leadership of the Auditor General, whom according to some legal interpretations, is distinct from the Audit Service, was doing a routine audit or forensic audit? Per the facts available, the audit was commissioned by GETFUND under the heading "performance audit". This then appears to be a normal routine audit though a special one. Special because it was requested at the instance of the GETFUND board. In this situation, it's only the uninitiated that would say, the audit should have reached out to the over 3,000 names provided by GETFUND, to verify if indeed, the scholarships were given to them. Absolutely preposterous! If you know nothing about audits, please keep your confusion to yourself and don't make it public. If all audits are carried out in that manner, ie, cross-checking claims from every vendor, validating every receipt, authenticating every voucher, then audit reports would never be ready in donkey years. If you have any anger to expend, direct it at the GETFUND. That's where all the names were generated. If the GETFUND board has reasonable suspicion based on the latest developments, they'd cause a forensic audit which would then look at each recipient with a microscopic eye. It is at that point, that, they'd reach out to beneficiaries. The competence of Domelovo is unparalleled. He knows his job so well. Having worked with World Bank and worked in Zambia, he's a professional enough to know the tiniest tips of his job. Politicians whose interest is all about party affiliation, should, therefore, back off and allow the independent man to do his work. Additionally, NPP should direct their anger at their communication team for allowing the NDC to pull a fast one on them instead of attacking intractable Domelovo. No auditor starts an audit with that level of inquisition until there's reasonable cause to do so otherwise, the auditor ends up chasing the wind. The Auditor-General did not cause any publication. The legal suit by the deputy minister was therefore misconceived. According to the law establishing Auditor General's mandate, he's supposed to put every report generated no matter how defective, on his website, periodicals, etc. Sumi Sukanya Dutta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Al-Hind hospital, a 15-bedded nursing home run by a single MBBS doctor-in a narrow, dingy lane in old Mustafabad area of north-east Delhi, has seen so many patients in last three days which it had never received even in a month. Of the 500-odd patients almost all of them Muslims it received since communal violence erupted in the area, about 50-60 who received stab wounds, bullet and pellet injuries and brutal assaults were serious enough to need prompt medical intervention at bigger facilities. But they could be shifted only after 1 am on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday after a Delhi High Court bench, in an unprecedented midnight hearing at the residence of a judge, ordered the immediate evacuation of the injured from the nursing home. The order came on a petition filed late Tuesday night by a forum comprising activists and doctors from various government and private hospitals, seeking police protection for ambulances heading towards medical facilities with those injured. Those who were evacuated to government facilities like Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and Lok Naik Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital included a young man who had been partly torn apart and received 92 stitches in his private parts, the mufti of a mosque with broken hands, legs and ribcage and a man who was stabbed nearly 30 times. I had to appeal to doctors I knew for the evacuation of the patients because I was witnessing the condition of many patients deteriorating fast and the murderous mobs in the area were not letting ambulances come near our hospital, Dr Ali Anwar, proprietor of the nursing home, told this newspaper. He runs the hospital with two other physicians with BDS degrees and few technicians. The centre usually gets 20-25 patients in OPD every day while the bed-occupancy is just two-three. So it was a dramatic transformation for the tiny hospital that was suddenly overwhelmed with a rush of patients shot, stabbed, profusely bleeding and in need of intensive medical care. For hours that Dr Anwar was left to deal with several injured patients and fast depleting supply of basics such as painkillers, sutures and antibiotics, he had no choice but to ask 7-8 quacks in the area to serve the patients with him. What we have seen in past several hours is not something we ever imagined was possible in the national capital, he said. By Wednesday afternoon, most of the patients had either been referred to bigger facilities or discharged but Dr Anwar and his younger brother Miraj Ekram, a dentist, are yet to experience a moment of rest. Mohd Uwais, 22, who received a stray bullet near his shoulder, said: I am born here-had never seen this ugly side of the city. Brutal cops Dr Miraj Ekram put a patient with a severe head injury and haemorrhagic shock onto a stretcher and ran with him for a km till the main road to find an ambulance. While cops allowed him to be taken to GTB Hospital, 3-4 others injured to put up in auto were beaten. HATE SPEECHES INVITE COURT IRE KAPIL MISHRA FEB 23 Mishra held a pro-CAA rally in Jaffrabad where he gave a three-day ultimatum to the Delhi Police to get the road cleared. They (the protesters) want to create trouble in Delhi. Thats why they have closed the roads. We have not pelted any stones. Till US president is in India, we are leaving the area... After that we wont listen to you (police) if the roads arent vacated, he said. Later he tweeted urging people to prevent another Shaheen Bagh at Jaffrabad. ANURAG THAKUR JAN 27 At an election rally in Rithala, the Union Minister of State for Finance was seen chanting desh ke gaddaron ko, to which the crowd responded goli maaro sa*** ko. He was barred from campaigning for 72 hours by the Election Commission, but the slogan summed up BJPs poll plank in Delhi. PARVESH VERMA JAN 28 ...Lakhs of people gather there (Shaheen Bagh). People of Delhi will have to think and take a decision. Theyll enter your houses, rape your sisters and daughters, kill them This is what they did in Kashmir Modi ji & Amit Shah wont come to save you tomorrow... the Delhi MP said in an interview. ABHAY VERMA FEB 25 The BJP MLA from Laxmi Nagar in east Delhi led a march where people raised the slogan Police ke hatyaaron ko, goli maaro saalon ko (Shoot the cop killers). The group was also heard chanting Jo Hindu hit ki baat karega, wohi desh pe raj karega (Only those who talk about Hindus will rule in India) [February 26, 2020] CommerceWest Bank Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend and Increases the Quarterly Dividend by 18% Irvine, California - February 27, 2020 - CommerceWest Bank (OTCBB: CWBK) announced the approval of a quarterly cash dividend by its Board of Directors. Mr. Ivo A. Tjan, Chairman and CEO, commented, "In recognition of the Bank's record 2019 financial performance, I am pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of CommerceWest Bank has increased the cash dividend by 18% to $0.20 per common share, up $.03 per share." The dividend is payable April 1, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 13, 2020. CommerceWest Bank is a California based full service commercial bank with a unique vision and culture of focusing exclusively on the business community. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Irvine, California. The Bank serves businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on clients in Orange (News - Alert) County, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties. We are a full service business bank and offer a wide range of commercial banking services, including concierge services, remote deposit solution, online banking, mobile banking, lines of credit, working capital loans, commercial real estate loans, SBA loans, and cash management services. Mission Statement: CommerceWest Bank will create a complete banking experience for each client, catering to businesses and their specific banking needs, while accommodating our clients and providing them high-quality, low stress and personally tailored banking and financial services. Please visit www.cwbk.com to learn more about the bank. "BANK ON (News - Alert) THE DIFFERENCE" Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, expectations for growth and income forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, loan production, balance sheet management, expanded net interest margin, the ability to control costs and expenses, interest rate changes, financial policies of the United States government and general economic conditions. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect future events or developments. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226006046/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The White House sought Thursday to gain control over an undisciplined communication response to the coronavirus requiring even top government health experts to run all media appearances through Vice President Mike Pence's office. The move comes hours after President Donald Trump put Pence in charge of the nation's coronavirus response, drawing immediate attacks from Democrats who scrutinized his record dealing with the spread of AIDS in his home state of Indiana. Government scientists and health experts must now clear all media appearances in advance with Pence's office, the New York Times reported. First meeting: The coronavirus taskforce, chaired by Mike Pence, held its first meeting late Thursday Government health experts need to run media appearances by the Vice President's office in a new effort to gain control of the narrative. His first public appearance however was at the CPAC conference of Trump ultra-loyalists Even NIH virus expert Anthony Fauci, a staple on TV who has spoken about the challenges of the outbreak and precautions people can take, must get permission to appear. He told associates about the White House directive, according to the report. Amid the bid to gain control over coronavirus messaging, Pence himself sat for an interview with Fox News Host Sean Hannity for his show on the outbreak Thursday, the White House told a pool reporter. The move comes amid continued uncertainty about the government flow chart for mitigating an outbreak that led to the hospitalization of a newly identified patient in California who had no known contact with people who had the disease. Dr. Deborah L. Birx will serve as the 'White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator,' the White House announced Thursday. She oversees the administration's response to global HIV / AIDS issues. The National Institutes of Health's Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci is among those who must run media appearances by the White House Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar testifies before a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2021 for HHS, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 27 February 2020 announced he appointed Ambassador Debbie Birx to serve as the 'White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator,' she is a medical doctor who serves as U.S. Global AIDS coordinator President Donald Trump designated Vice President Mike Pence to lead the effort coronavirus response Democrats attacked Pence for contributing to an HIV outbreak due to his resistance to needle exchange program 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) on January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield is among the officials who must pre-clear media appearances. He met with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham Thursday President Trump addressed the media Thursday after providing repeated assurances about the coronavirus The move comes as Trump insisted he was not designating a special 'czar' to oversee the effort. Many Republicans blasted President Obama for a proliferation of specially-appointed 'czars' during his tenure. Although he has taken on a number of challenges as Indiana governor and a former House GOP leader, Pence drew fire after his appointment from Democrats over his own decisions when confronting high AIDS transmission in his home state. He has no medical background of any kind. He studied history at Hanover College and went on to learn a law degree. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday cited Pence's response as governor when Indiana was experienced a record-high rate of HIV infections due to sharing needles among drug addicts. She pointed out he slashed the public health budget and closed a clinic that did HIV testing at the time. 'We look forward to working together in a bipartisan and in a very candid way about our concerns about past performance or statements that were made,' she said. 'Let's put that in perspective as we move to have adequate funding, the respect for science and evidence-based decision making and, again, reimbursement for state and local government and understanding the impact this has on our communities,' she said. 'Mike Pence literally does not believe in science. It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response,' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter after his appointment. chairwoman of the Home Affairs Committee, Labour's Yvette Cooper said: 'It is completely astounding that the Government says that these new plans will make the country safer.' Britain will pull out of the European Arrest Warrant system that allows it to fast-track the removal of foreign criminals at the end of the year, a Government document revealed today. The EAW was introduced in 2004 and replaced lengthy extradition processes between EU countries. It means a warrant issued by one EU country's judicial authority to arrest a person and surrender them for prosecution is valid throughout the bloc. It has been used in hundreds of cases, including an attempt by Sweden to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. It was the Scandinavian nation's attempt to take him to Stockholm for questioning over sex assaults that prompted him to spend seven years in the Ecuadorean embassy in London. But the future relationship negotiating mandate unveiled by No 10 today said that the UK would not seek to remain within its jurisdiction - but seek a new fast-track scheme to replace it. They are believed to want a new model that could introduce additional safeguards and improve the way the system works for victims and witnesses. But the decision was blasted by the chairwoman of the Home Affairs Committee, Labour's Yvette Cooper, who said: 'The Government's new red lines make it exceedingly difficult for anything more than the standard third-country relationship with the EU on security co-operation to be negotiated. 'That is not good enough and marks a huge scaling back in ambition. It has been used in hundreds of cases, including an attempt by Sweden to extradite Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. He is currently fighting a separate attempt to extradite him to the US 'The Government only have nine months before our existing security arrangements run out but the committee was told that it could take up to 18 months to ratify a new security treaty and possibly much longer for new extradition arrangements to replace the European Arrest Warrant. 'It is completely astounding that the Government says that these new plans will make the country safer when we have been told time and time again by senior police officers and security experts that the opposite is true.' The official 30-page document released this morning reveals the tough line the Tory administration is prepared to take to achieve a future trade deal by the end of the year. It notes: 'The UK is not seeking to participate in the European Arrest Warrant as part of the future relationship. The agreement should instead provide for fast-track extradition arrangements,' The EU has previously warned that Brexit would mean it was unable to participate in the scheme, and Britain has itself already talked about alternative arrangements for extradition. Britain has used the European Arrest Warrant system thousands of times since its creation, including to bring back a man who tried to carry out an attack in London in 2005 and then fled to Italy. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be in the city on March 1 when the West Bengal BJP will give him a civic reception at a rally here, a senior leader said. Besides Shah, BJP national president J.P. Nadda will also be given the civic reception for the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act during the rally to be held at the Shahid Minar Maidan, party national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said. The controversial CAA, which has triggered large-scale violence in the country, seeks to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists who fled religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014. As per the Act, such communities will not be treated as illegal immigrants now and will be given Indian citizenship. The legislation, passed by parliament in December last year, came into force on January 10. Shah's previous visit to the city was on October 1, 2019. Daytime Television Host Tamron Hall Talks Being A New Mother, Balancing Work Life and Her New Show Tamron Hall has been in the news and broadcast world for over 10 years, having major accolades and adding big-name daytime shows to her roster. In September of 2019, Hall, in partnership with Disney, debuted her very own, Tamron Hall Show and the success just keeps ringing in. The Tamron Hall Show has welcomed guests such as Tyler Perry, Kelly Rowland and Bishop T.D. Jakes. With topics ranging from online dating, drug addiction, transgender children and more. Her goal is to keep things real, relatable and at times, unpredictable. Its thrilling, she says of finally having her television show. But coming from a military family, I understand we need to keep our heads down and continue to do the work. I feel a sense of responsibility to my team and to our audience, to make sure were always excelling. ADVERTISEMENT As one of the highest-rated shows to come out within the last years, the show was renewed for a second season and announced at the end of last year. Hall expressed great excitement over the news, the second season she says is for growth. Were going to do better and do more. We want to grow every day and continue to evolve the show into its own voice in daytime, where we can come together and talk about things that are fun and entertaining, and also hear stories that are deeply moving. A newlywed to music producer Steven Greener and first-time mom, Tamron made a return to daytime television in control and on her own accord. Her son, Moses, was born in May of 2019, just months before her new show premiered. As a new mom, Hall balances her work and mommy-life with a ton of help and consistent support from her loving family. Its impossible to do it all, she expresses with emphasis. Thankfully I have help from my family members and a nanny who can make sure Moses is taken care of while I am at work. She shares her favorite part of being a mom, Motherhood is truly like having your heart live outside of your body. I did not know that it was possible for me to love my son this much and it is amazing to watch him grow. Regardless of the role, Hall believes in being true and remaining in that light. Her driving principles being honesty and authenticity, while, creat[ing] a show that my family, my son, and the people who have always cheered me on can be proud of. When I was starting the show, I knew that the TV landscape wasnt forgiving for women, especially for Black women and as it relates to age, she says of the challenges shes now overcome with her daytime talk show. I know how it feels to be the only woman in a room full of men, or the only Black woman in a room with no diversity. When I put together my show, it was important for me to have a diverse staff to address the gender and racial disparity in television and ensure Im building a show where everyone has a seat at the table. ADVERTISEMENT Setbacks dont mean failure; you never know when youre really getting set up for the next opportunity, she continued. So far, shes accomplished her goal of keeping her family and fans proud and on her side. Her show has been one of her biggest accomplishments and shes succeeded in breaking down barriers continuously reaching new heights. Her greatest joy, she shared, Having my very own show where I get to speak with legends like Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and Cicely Tyson every day and connect with the TamFam, who have supported me all these years. Watch the Tamron Hall show weekdays on your local ABC 7 channel and visit https://www.tamronhallshow.com/ to keep up with the latest on Tamron Hall. SURREY, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Statement from Brian Sauve, President: We are extremely disappointed but not surprised to see the provincial governments approval of this next step in the Mayor of Surreys proposed plan to transition from the RCMP to a new municipally branded police force. As the union representing the officers who best know and understand Surreys distinct communities and policing and safety needs, we have repeatedly asked to be engaged in this decision at both levels of government with no response. Now government is not only ignoring us as the union, but also a majority of Surrey residents who also want to be engaged. A recent poll of 800 Surrey residents by Pollara Strategic Insights found that 82% support a referendum on this topic, and 77% support retaining the RCMP with more focus on gangs and crime-prevention. The approval of a police board is only one more step in BCs multi-step transition process and there is still time to meaningfully engage those most involved in this proposal. We continue to call on Surreys Mayor and Council and the Province to listen to those who know policing best and the very people they represent through a referendum. About the National Police Federation: The National Police Federation (NPF) was certified to represent ~20,000 RCMP members serving across Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019, and its elected national Board of Directors confirmed in early 2020. The NPF is the largest police labour relations organization in Canada and the second largest in North America and is the first independent national association to represent RCMP members. The NPF will focus on improving public safety in Canada by negotiation the first-ever Collective Agreement for RCMP officers, and on increasing resources, equipment, training and supports for our members who have been under-funded for far too long. Better resourcing and support for the RCMP will enhance community safety and livability in the communities we serve, large and small, across Canada. For more information: https://npf-fpn.com/ . Media contact: Estimates vary but its widely predicted that Britain is well on the way to becoming a cashless society, and could reach that state within ten to 15 years. Has the public been consulted? No. Is the Government showing signs of concern about the millions of people who would struggle to cope with a cashless society? Not that Ive noticed. Most of us will have experienced how increasingly difficult it is even to get access to ones own money. First of all came the bank closures. A staggering 3,303 branches in the UK put up their shutters between January 2015 and August 2019 equivalent to 34 per cent of all the banks in the country. Last week, Money Mail carried a harrowing story of the disastrous effect of closures on local businesses in St Ives in Cornwall. The seaside town has lost seven banks since 2015, and the sole surviving one may be for the chop. And as that process continues apace nationwide, the banks are decreasing their financial support for the network that administers cash machines. Between January 2018 and December 2019, the number of free-to-use machines fell from 54,500 to 45,000. More and more ATMs charge up to 2 per transaction. As a result, fees paid by the public to withdraw their own cash have risen from 29 million to 104 million a year More and more ATMs charge up to 2 per transaction. As a result, fees paid by the public to withdraw their own cash have risen from 29 million to 104 million a year. In my bailiwick of Oxford hardly the back of beyond the four cash machines closest to my house have all closed in recent years, so that a car or bus journey is now obligatory in search of bank notes. According to the consumer group Which?, the remaining network of free cash machines faces collapse within two years unless the Government forces banks to maintain the system. Isnt it clear that, whether we like it or not, the banks are deliberately pushing us towards a cashless society by making it so hard for us to use cash? Whats in it for them are greater profits. They want us to use bank cards or smartphone apps such as Apple Pay wherever possible because it saves them the expense and time of counting and handling cash, and the cost of transporting the stuff. Banks and companies such as Visa and Mastercard also make billions worldwide in fees typically paid by the retailer for processing electronic payments. The big retailers also far prefer cards to cash. Whenever we use a piece of plastic, there is a record of our purchase. The data can be used by the shop, or sold on so that other retailers can target us with advertising for similar products. As for the Government, it likes cards because, unlike cash, their usage is theoretically traceable. They are supposed to reduce crime, and cut tax evasion in the black economy. In fact, these benefits could well be outweighed by the explosion in online fraud. This, then, is where we are hurtling towards a cashless economy without any questions being asked. I dont say it is all bad. Cards can obviously be more convenient. Like most people, I prefer to use them rather than cash for large payments. I can also see that contactless cards for purchases up to 30 can be handy if your wallet is empty. Introduced in 2007, they now account for a fifth of all payment transactions, according to government figures. It is also true that some young people live most of their lives without ever using money, though I cant help wondering whether their unfamiliarity with it may undermine their sense of what it is really worth. So Im no Luddite. Plastic is not always bad. But Ive no doubt there are many millions of people like me who dont want to be deprived of their cash by avaricious banks and sly retailers, aided and abetted by the Treasury. As recently as 2017, research by retail analysts Mintel suggested that only 33 per cent of adults are in favour of a cashless society As recently as 2017, research by retail analysts Mintel suggested that only 33 per cent of adults are in favour of a cashless society. Among those over 55, that figure fell to 20 per cent. Whats wrong with cash? Whenever you spend it, you are not being tracked by Big Brother. There is a marvellous sense of freedom and security simply in having it. Youre not a statistic on someone elses screen. Its yours. You can put a coin in a beggars hat, or give 5 on a whim to a favourite grandchild, or drop a note into the church collection (though some parishes are, almost unbelievably, introducing card readers). It is also undoubtedly the case that many people, most of them quite old, simply cant manage (or dont want to) the challenges of contactless cards or Apple Pay. Why on earth should they? A report last year by a body called Access To Cash Review speculated that there are eight million adults who would struggle to cope in a world without cash. That is an awful lot of people. I dont think Im particularly technophobic, but I am driven half-mad when I find myself, say in Central London, required to pay a parking charge on the street via a smartphone rather than with old-fashioned coins. Why should it be assumed that everyone has a mobile? What happens if one has left it at home? The business of texting or telephoning is about ten times more drawn-out than inserting coins, but of course it suits the council in question. Nor will I be hurrying to Tescos first cashless store on High Holborn in London, which opened on Tuesday. Is this really the way to treat customers who would prefer to use good old bank notes? I find it quite irritating enough to be made to use a card on a British Airways flight in Europe to buy food and drink which incidentally used to be free. Conspiracy is a much overused word, but its hard not to see a kind of orchestrated attempt by banks and shops to force us to change our established way of doing things to make life simpler and more profitable for them. Weve seen quite enough of banks misbehaviour over the past couple of decades from the duplicity of PPI to the scandal of dodgy mortgages before the 2008 financial crash to realise they are not going to do the decent thing voluntarily. The Government (and this means the new Chancellor, Rishi Sunak) must force banks to maintain the failing system of cash machines so that it does not become a major challenge for people to get their hands on their own money. And although preventing banks endlessly closing branches may not be possible, the Treasury cannot simply stand aside while small communities are deprived of these crucial financial institutions on which they so depend. Not all of us are tech-savvy, sleek, youthful, metropolitan types with agile fingers dancing effortlessly over smartphones, distributing money and settling bills in a flash. Millions of us value banks (ideally staffed with competent humans, not machines) and would like to be able to draw out, and spend, our own hard-earned cash. Does Boris Johnsons Government, with its eye supposedly fixed on ordinary folk far beyond the capital, realise that we dont want to be bamboozled by banks into a cashless society? By Jeff Ferry Americans have become increasingly familiar with Chinas aggressive theft of U.S. intellectual property. And whether its Huawei stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile or a Chinese aviation company stealing the designs of 13 different aerospace companies, a clear pattern has emerged. Beijing is engaged in a massive, persistent attempt to obtain hard-won American technologies through any means necessary. But now, as a new FBI investigation has revealed, China is even attempting to steal medical and biological property from U.S. labs and hospitals. In one recent incident, a researcher named Zaosong Zheng was apprehended at Bostons Logan Airport. According to FBI officials, Zheng was attempting to travel to Beijing with vials stolen from a Harvard cancer research lab. Investigators subsequently learned that two other Harvard researchers, Lei Liu and Leina Mo, had successfully smuggled biological material to China. The Zheng case is far from unique, and China is now actively targeting U.S. laboratories. In response, the National Institutes for Health and the FBI have begun a nationwide review of medical schools and hospitals to investigate individuals potentially stealing U.S. research. The FBI is currently investigating roughly 180 different scientists who have received grants from the NIH. A key concern is Beijings Thousand Talents program, which pays scientists to contribute to Chinas technological know-how. In one case, a U.S. researcher received a $75,000 payment as a likely bonus from Beijing for bringing research to China in violation of U.S. law. In another case, the FBI learned of a researcher attempting to steal biological samples, if he could figure out how to get a dozen tubes of frozen DNA onto an airplane. Arguably the most significant investigation came last month at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Two Moffitt executives and four researchers resigned over compliance violations that linked them to Chinas Thousand Talents program. Florida state representative Chris Sprowls summarized the issue: To accept vast sums of public money state and federal and then have the CEO and other employees secretly accepting money from China violates the public trust. U.S. taxpayers should be concerned because the NIH budget runs to $39 billion annually. Its the worlds largest funder of biomedical research, supporting 300,000 researchers at more than 2,500 institutions. Last year Harvard Medical School received $80 million through 152 different grants; Tampas Moffitt Center received grants worth $46 million. Moffitt is one of Americas top ten cancer institutes, with 49 U.S. patents and 127 licensing agreements. Thanks to efforts like the Thousand Talents program, China is successfully targeting U.S. biomedical research. And that means U.S. taxpayers are paying for lab work that could end up in China. This is doubly problematic since the United States is already dependent on China for supplies of generic drugs. Blatant biomedical IP theft raises the prospect of China gaining leadership in cutting-edge healthcare treatments, genetic technologies, and pharmaceuticals. With such a broad, pervasive campaign to steal medical research, fundamental reforms are needed. Too many universities still hold naive views of global cooperation. But with Chinas aggressive attempts at IP theft, this can easily turn into blatant exploitation of U.S. research, hard work, and medical breakthroughs. And thats an unacceptable price for medical safety. Jeff Ferry is chief economist at the Coalition for a Prosperous America. Follow him on Twitter at @menloferry. I love talking about Don Judd. Hes one of my heroes. I love the way he used color, and how it carried on his whole life. Thats an important part of my thinking and my work. When I started out, that kind of formal style didnt have color in it. I moved toward color in the 70s, like the primary colors in Little Three for Two: Red, Yellow, Blue [1976]. Judd was serious with color and not at all decorative, but there was an understory of a seductive idea. One thing I really liked about Judd was that his work related to domestic hardware. I saw a show in Pasadena in 1971 with rectangular things sticking out of the wall. They looked like shelves. Marfa is intimate, even though its also grand. It has this kind of domestic style to it even though its really big. The same for Spring Street. Its a home, but its kind of tight and formal in a provocative way. He always refused to make the plywood chair backs more comfortable to me that was significant and provocative, and not necessarily in a negative way. He was totally against negotiating. I saw him give a talk once. The main thing I remember about him was he was kind of antagonistic. I thought it was really great that he was a critic, too. He was both tough and seductive in his way. I was always sort of like that, too. Frank Stella The artist, a peer of Judds, began his career with hard-edge geometric paintings and moved to three-dimensional work, as Judd did. Jon Bednall became the CEO of Epwin Group PLC (LON:EPWN) in 2013. This analysis aims first to contrast CEO compensation with other companies that have similar market capitalization. After that, we will consider the growth in the business. Third, we'll reflect on the total return to shareholders over three years, as a second measure of business performance. This process should give us an idea about how appropriately the CEO is paid. See our latest analysis for Epwin Group How Does Jon Bednall's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? At the time of writing, our data says that Epwin Group PLC has a market cap of UK145m, and reported total annual CEO compensation of UK410k for the year to December 2018. While we always look at total compensation first, we note that the salary component is less, at UK250k. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations from UK77m to UK309m, and the median CEO total compensation was UK504k. That means Jon Bednall receives fairly typical remuneration for the CEO of a company that size. While this data point isn't particularly informative alone, it gains more meaning when considered with business performance. You can see a visual representation of the CEO compensation at Epwin Group, below. AIM:EPWN CEO Compensation, February 27th 2020 Is Epwin Group PLC Growing? On average over the last three years, Epwin Group PLC has shrunk earnings per share by 24% each year (measured with a line of best fit). The trailing twelve months of revenue was pretty much the same as the prior period. Unfortunately, earnings per share have trended lower over the last three years. And the flat revenue is seriously uninspiring. So given this relatively weak performance, shareholders would probably not want to see high compensation for the CEO. It could be important to check this free visual depiction of what analysts expect for the future. Has Epwin Group PLC Been A Good Investment? Epwin Group PLC has generated a total shareholder return of 4.7% over three years, so most shareholders wouldn't be too disappointed. But they would probably prefer not to see CEO compensation far in excess of the median. Story continues In Summary... Remuneration for Jon Bednall is close enough to the median pay for a CEO of a similar sized company . The company isn't growing earnings per share, and nor have the total returns inspired us. We wouldn't say the CEO pay is too high, but one might argue that the company should improve returns to shareholders before increasing it. Whatever your view on compensation, you might want to check if insiders are buying or selling Epwin Group shares (free trial). Arguably, business quality is much more important than CEO compensation levels. So check out this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. A day after a 26-year-old security assistant with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) was allegedly captured by an anti-CAA mob near his home in Khajuri Khas, authorities on Wednesday fished out his body from a clogged drain nearby on being informed by some local women that the rioters had dumped some bodies in it. The body of Ankit Sharma was identified by his uncle, soon after divers used a rope to pull him out around 11.30am. He had multiple stab wounds on his body. They even seemed to have stabbed him in his eye, Sharmas uncle relative said. Sharmas father is an assistant sub-inspector with the Delhi Police and works at the Karol Bagh police station in Central Delhi. Sharmas relatives have accused Tahir Hussain, Aam Aadmi Party councillor from Nehru Vihar, of plotting his death at the hands of the mob. The mob that snatched and killed my brother was operating from Hussains house. A mob was pelting stones from the terrace of that building, Sharmas brother, Ankur said. A senior police officer said they were investigating the allegations. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra took to Twitter demanded Hussains arrest, sharing a video that showed rioters pelting stones and petrol bombs from the roof of a house that Mishra and local residents said belongs to the leader. Hussain denied having anything to do with the murder or the riots. I have come to know from TV reports that I am being blamed for the murder of a man. These are lies and baseless accusations. For our safety, my family and I had moved away from our home on Monday in police presence. There should be an impartial probe into the incident and action should be taken against whoever is found guilty. It is wrong to target me. I and my family have nothing to do with it, he said. In a tweet, Delhi chief ministerArvind Kejriwal call the Sharma death a tragic loss of life. Ankur said Ankit had left for work around 8am on Tuesday and returned home around 4.30pm. He had gone out to see what was happening when Hussains men caught him, alleged Ankur. His uncle, Sudhir, said Ankur was accompanied by his two friends who too were captured with him. We have heard that one of them later managed to escape, but the other friend was killed with Ankit, alleged Sudhir. A local resident who claimed to be an eyewitness said the three were being taken away by the mob, some other people known to Ankit had tried to rescue them, but were forced to retreat because the mob fired at them. Around 10 pm, Ankits family began visiting different police stations and hospitals in east Delhi to search for him. Ankits body was found in the drain on Wednesday morning after some women nearby told the authorities that a mob had dumped some bodies in the drain and then rolled cement-laden sacks on it in a bid to drown it. The authorities then brought in divers to fish out the body. There was no word on his missing friend. The four-storey house that residents said belonged to the local AAP leader was found deserted and partially burnt on Wednesday. A neighbouring house that belongs to a Hindu was charred. Bacolod City (CNN Philippines, February 27) Cargo vessels from China and Vietnam, with 42 crew members on board, were not allowed to disembark at a port in Bacolod City in separate incidents this week. The MV Unicorn Bravo arrived at the coastal waters near the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corporation (BREDCO) port Monday night, while the MV BMC Catherine reached near the port Tuesday afternoon. The MV Unicorn Bravo, carrying ammonium sulfate, came from Xiamen in China on February 20 with 15 Chinese and four Myanmar crew members. The MV BMC Catherine from Nghi Son Port in Vietnam was loaded with cement. It had 23 crew members, including 19 Vietnamese and four Indian nationals. Both vessels are still at the port and all the crew were not allowed to disembark to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus disease in the city, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Negros Occidental chief Lieutenant Commander Jansen Benjamin said on Wednesday. The PCG is strictly monitoring the vessel. There will be no disembarkation and embarkation pending clearance from the quarantine officer, he said. The temperatures of the crew members were taken on Tuesday to check for flu-like symptoms linked to the deadly disease. Medical Quarantine Officer IV, Dr. Sebastian Tabuga conducted an inspection, but he did not board the vessel. He used an instrument that can reach up to 10 meters to take body temperature from a tug boat. The vessel from Vietnam was allowed to unload its cargo after given clearance by a quarantine officer, Benjamin said. But the crew were not allowed to alight despite their normal temperature due to safety precautions. Meanwhile, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia signed Executive Order No. 11 on Wednesday banning the entry into any Bacolod seaport all vessels coming from China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The move is to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Executive Director for Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) Mr. Mensah Thompson, has charged the government of Ghana to resource the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Auditor-General to work effectively in the fight against corruption. To him, CHRAJ and the Auditor-General have been doing fantastic work in the country and they must be resourced to continue to do the fine work they are doing as there is no hope and benefit coming from Mr. Martin Amidu and his office of the Special Prosecutor. We have CHRAJ and Auditor-General doing fantastic work in the country in the fight against corruption. lets resourced these institutions to continue to do the fine work they are doing and forget Mr. Martin Amidu and his office of the Special Prosecutor because there is no benefit from there, he declared. Mensah Thompsons comment comes after the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OPS) declined a petition by the ASEPA to investigate alleged acts of thievery and corruption hindering the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. The Office explained that it cannot establish acts of corruption or corrupt related offenses mandated by its binding law to investigate. A review of your letter of complaint, however, has led this office to the conclusion that the facts and conjectures upon which you underpin your complaints do not raise any issues of corruption and corruption-related offenses as narrowly defined under section 79 of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959) to warrant an investigation by this office, a statement signed by Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu read. Reacting on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, the ASEPA Boss claimed there is a deliberate attempt by Mr. Martin Amidu to allow the CID make a foolish case out of the matter. Martin Amidu said that CID is politically tainted and cannot be left to investigate matters such as politically-induced corruption. The same CID that Martin Amidu claims they are politically tainted is now saying that they should investigate the missing excavators? You could see that there is a deliberate attempt to allow the CID to make a foolish case out of this matter, he fumed. Without mincing words, Mr. Mensah Thompson said that Mr. Martin Amidu is actually working hard to make those involved in the missing excavators to get away with it; thus, they want to destroy the case and later they will come out to say that they have cleared all of them. The Executive Director of ASEPA thus called on Ghanaians not to waste their time and energy on the Special Prosecutor so the outfit cannot carry out any effective investigations. So clearly, the Special Prosecutors office has become redundant and it is not an office where I will send a petition to.... We have a case against the registrar of the nurses and midwifery council; that case is still with the office of the Special Prosecutor. We have other cases that are still pending with the Special Prosecutor and nothing better has been done about it. In fact, we sent a petition to CHRAJ not long ago on asset declaration against the chairperson of the EC, the two deputy chairpersons, and the Chief Justice and right now as we speak, CHRAJ is almost concluding their investigation and this goes further to buttress the point that the existing state institutions can effectively work; there was no need to have set up any office of the Special Prosecutor for Martin Amidu to waste Ghanaians time. Special Prosecutors office who cannot investigate acts of corruption against politicians, is that one too a special prosecutors office? what is special about this prosecutor?, he jabbed. 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 The insurance industry has been asked by the regulator to focus on the insurance business and get some money out of it. Your views Bhargav Dasgupta: Pricing (for the industry) was freed up in 2008. We have grown well at a time when pricing has collapsed in a few segments, particularly in the corporate line. So one way to look at it is that underwriting losses were made up by investment income. But while the topline has grown at compounded annual growth rate of 17 per cent, the bottom-line, which is profit after tax has reduced by 12 per cent compounded. In the long-term you have to ... He's best known for donning an apron and whipping up a storm in the kitchen. But on Tuesday, celebrity chef Curtis Stone cut a casual figure as he stepped out for a meeting in Los Angeles with his wife of seven years, Lindsay Price. Curtis appeared to be on his way to a business meeting, as he had several documents underneath his arm and was also carrying a pen. Taking care of business! Celebrity chef Curtis Stone (right) and his wife, Lindsay Price (left), were spotted walking to a meeting in Los Angeles on Tuesday The 44-year-old restaurateur, who grew up in Melbourne, wore a button-up navy shirt, matching shorts and unlaced white shoes. Meanwhile, actress Lindsay looked stylish in a light blue maxi dress and sandals, and accessorised with designer sunglasses and a Chanel quilted bag. With her dark hair styled into a bun, the Beverly Hills, 90210 star was seen holding her iPhone as she chatted to her husband. Stylish: Actress Lindsay looked stylish in a light blue maxi dress and sandals, and accessorised with designer sunglasses and a Chanel quilted bag Curtis juggles family life with running two successful LA restaurants, Gwen and Maude, and a catering business. He and Lindsay married in 2013 and share two sons: Hudson, seven, and Emerson, six. Despite his international success, Curtis hasn't forgotten his roots and recently said that his family may one day settle in Australia. 'I want my kids to be little Aussie kids as much as they are little American kids, it's important for them to spend time at home,' he told The Daily Telegraph. Celebrity chef: Despite his international success, Curtis hasn't forgotten his Australian roots and hopes to move back with his family one day 'I have no imminent plans [to move to Australia], but one day I'd love to,' he added. 'The kids are getting a little older, they're approaching school age, so you have to make decisions at some point.' The former Surfing the Menu host regularly travels between U.S., where he is based with Lindsay and their boys, and his native Australia. S ome use Instagram to document their every move. Every meal, every wedding, their childrens first steps even the loss of a loved one is all accompanied by a flurry of Stories, posts and likes. This year marks a decade of IGs existence and it has become a visual platform for people to show the world who they are, or at least who they want to appear to be. On 6 October 2010, Kevin Systrom and Michel Krieger launched a new app to make photographs fast, simple, beautiful; little did they know that by the end of that week IG would have 100,000 users, or that just two years later it would be bought by Facebook for $1 billion. And they didnt foresee quite how much their creation would, for better or worse, change society. Pre-IG, Britain was a country of wallflowers who cringed when anyone name-dropped or boasted, but Instagram has changed us into a nation of grammers where an estimated 42 per cent (24 million Brits) of us measure our lives in likes. Its where we go to see an idealised view of the world, where every day is sunny and every meal is Michelin starred. Simply put: where everything is filtered. True, there is no better shop window from which to sell ourselves to prospective friends, lovers and employers, but its an invitation for others to judge us, too. Every job interview and first date is preceded by a cheeky Insta-stalk. It takes 15 seconds to make an impression and mid-scroll, making yourself good looking can take nothing more than flattering lighting and a killer filter. To be funny you just have to know how to repost memes. And some things never change; the truly cool still make life look effortless. And nobody makes it look as easy as the people for whom IG has become a full-time job: influencers, a term that has matured alongside the platform. Today almost one in five British 11-to -16-year-olds wants to be an influencer when they grow up, according to a survey of 2,000 parents conducted by the marketing company, Awin. This is the infectious appeal of Insta. Just look at Harry and Meghan (@sussexroyal, 11.2m followers). They have ditched (sort of) their once-exalted royalty, attempting to become the prince and princess of lifestyle. Even the Pope (@franciscus, 6.5m followers), whose grid has exotic trips and meetings with Buddhist monks, is more like a gap yah Instagrammer than he might realise. However, some argue that Instagram doesnt encourage individuality quite the opposite. Unless you conform to its rewards system (originally techniques like using lots of hashtags but the IG algorithm now requires users to earn likes, reshares and for video posts, views, to get good feed positioning) you wont get anywhere. Clever, left-field thinkers such as Stephen Fry are languishing with 387,000 followers and must be looking at Cristiano Ronaldos 200m with bemusement. If you want to go far on IG, just do what everyone else with lots of followers does: pictures of your kids, your clothes and lots of selfies. Not that IGs selfie culture doesnt come at a cost. A month ago, model Madalyn Davis fell 100ft while posing for a selfie near Sydney. A survey published in the Journal Of Family Medicine And Primary Care found that from 2011 to 2018, 259 people died while trying to get the perfect selfie. And accidents like these are just the beginning of IGs woes. Concerns have consistently been raised about its impact on mental health. Just last week, pop sensation Billie Eilish told fans that shed stopped using social media because of comments left on her IG account were ruining [her] life. A 2017 survey by The Royal Society for Public Health found that 14-to-24-year-olds said IG had the worst effect on their mental health, including on major issues of anxiety, depression, bullying and Fomo. For most of us, Instagram is just fun, but it has also held up a mirror to peoples collective quirks and idiosyncracies. The world on Instagram isnt divided into Brexiteers and Remainers, but rather whether one is the kind of person who takes pictures of their food, or shudders at those who do, the kind of person for whom selfies are just part of modern life, or a damning indictment of modern culture. Who would have thought that a picture of an egg would be the worlds most-liked post, and what does that say about society? Here we explore the ways Instagram has changed us all for ever The invention of #foodporn by @ClerkenwellBoyEC1 Before Instagram, only professional critics could offer trusted opinions about restaurants. For restaurateurs and chefs, IG is the best way to get feedback about new dishes and reach millions of people for free. So it makes sense that its spawned a huge list of food-worshipping accounts that have, in turn, helped launch the careers of top chefs such as Dominique Ansel, the Cronut inventor. As Instagram has blossomed so, too, has the demand for food trucks, supper clubs and shows such as Chefs Table on Netflix and The Great British Bake Off. Thanks to incredible phone camera quality, anyone can be a food critic and the food industry is responding with more grammable content. There are different types of foodie-grams for varied tastes. From piles of doughnuts (@crosstowndoughnuts and @breadaheadbakery) to dumplings (@dumplingshack) and oozy pizza and pasta (@pizzapilgrims and @padella_pasta). Some prefer beautifully styled flat-lay shots (@Millykr and @igbrunchclub). Others in the wellness camp share healthy home-cooking (@deliciouslyella, @we_are_food). I focus on new openings and classic dishes across London, such as those confit potatoes at Quality Chop House and that Iberico pork sando at Tou by Tata Eatery. Im grateful for the experiences and opportunities Ive gained after being discovered on IG. #FoodPorn isnt just about great pictures IG can be a force for good, too. I co-founded #CookForSyria through the platform, which has raised 1m to support refugees impacted by war. So in some ways, you really can have your cake and eat it. Clerkenwell Boy is an award winning food and travel influencer, food judge and editor Internet breakers: posts of the decade by Jessica Benjamin Instagram posts of the decade 1 /12 Instagram posts of the decade The one with the Friends cast 15.8m likes It was the reunion everyone had been waiting for. Sure it looks like it was shot on a 2002 flip phone, but this post helped Jennifer Aniston become the person to reach 1 million followers the fastest, in just over five hours. Insta founders first post 126k likes The post where it all began. Nearly 10 years ago, Kevin Systrom posted a shot of a puppy beside a flip-flopped foot. The caption reads test. Bold. Enigmatic. Moving. Screenshot and frame for a keepsake of this slice of history. Kendall Jenners heart hair 3.6m likes The other Jenner sister has had her fair share of viral moments on IG. In 2015 Kendall posted a Sleeping Beauty-esque shot with her hair sculpted into hearts, which soon had every long-haired copycat recreating the image. The worlds most eco post 15.7m likes Instagram isnt all avos and influencers: this post by sustainable clothing brand Tentree, was and still is on a mission to save the planet. Five million likes = 500k trees planted in Indonesia. It already has 16 million likes. Beyonces baby bump 11.2m likes Queen Bey became a 21st-century Madonna (no, not that Madonna) with her 2017 pregnancy post. The now famous pose of her veiled, surrounded by flowers, hands on her stomach is oft imitated by expecting mothers. The Queens first Instagram 280k likes Queen Elizabeth II took to the Gram last year to post her first official photo. Despite the Royal Family sharing snaps since the early 2010s, Her Majesty shared her own on a trip to the Science Museum: a letter to Prince Albert. J-Lo walks Versace 16.1m likes The 50-year-old megastar set Instagram ablaze when she paid homage to her 2000 Grammys dress at Versaces SS20 show, sparking a 500 per cent increase in posts about J-Lo in the hour following her sizzling runway walk. The Sussex Royals Megxit 1.9m likes The post that shook the world and our monarchy. Meghan and Harry used Instagram to announce their departure from royal life. Posting on the grid before briefing the press? Very bold, and very millennial. All of Kylie Jenners posts 18.6m likes No other individual on Insta has as many most-liked posts as Kylie. When she was on the cover of ES Magazine she posted five shots from our photo shoot, which would be worth $1m each at her 2018 rate. My Life on Instagram by Laura Craik As status updates go, my first Instagram post a photo of a photo of my family visiting Santas Grotto in Harrods was about as #basic as it gets. Posted on 10 December 2011, it garnered an ego-boosting five likes. Although to be fair, in 2011, IG only had 10 million users and only 73 were following me. The first post Back then, IG didnt feel remotely like the sphincter-clenching, self-conscious making, ego-boosting but also ego-annihilating platform that it does now. I didnt put much thought into my posts. Most of my followers were friends, family or colleagues, so why would I? My first selfie was in August 2012 (nine likes) and my first pic of a celebrity in September 2012 (the back of Victoria Beckhams head at New York Fashion Week: four likes). In between, I posted riveting snaps of a couple wearing matching chinos at a bus stop, my daughter eating a prawn, me surrounded by policemen at the 2012 Olympics and my daughters stuffed sheep on holiday with a pint (caption: Sheepy likes a beer. Likes: seven). Laura Craik's selfie With such engaging content as this, its fair to say that nobody was going to pay me 10,000 to endorse a weight-loss tea. Yet with hindsight, I realise that in 2011, I was better placed to become an influencer than most of the eventual influencers were: I was a fashion editor whose job it was to attend the international shows, as well as all the parties. The content at my fingertips was elite: you couldnt buy that kind of access. It was invite-only, yet here I was being paid to write about it, at complete liberty to leverage all this for personal gain and become the next Chiara Ferragni. And what did I do instead? I posted pics of my kids school shoes. I eventually started posting catwalk pics, since everyone else was. Wed sit on the frow snapping blurry pics of models (video not having been enabled), and the experience changed forever as we all ditched concentration and critical faculty for the callous distraction of a screen. Eventually, people stopped clapping at finales, their hands too busy with their phones. Heaven forfend they miss the money shot. Hundreds of students were joined by friends and family as they signed letters of commitment at campuses in Denver, CO; East Windsor and Shelton, CT; Grand Prairie, TX; Indianapolis, IN; and Melrose Park, IL. The Denver event was sponsored by The National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3). "Lincoln Tech is honored to be the school of choice for so many talented, hands-on learners planning to further their education in the academic year ahead," says Lincoln Tech President and CEO Scott Shaw. "We want to recognize these students and their pursuit of technical education geared towards in-demand careers." Industry representatives and hiring managers also attended the events and spoke with students about the value of a technical education. Those same representatives may be meeting these students again as they approach graduation in a year or two when the employers are looking for new members to join their teams. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics projects millions of hands-on job openings by 2026, and employers are acutely aware that today's workforce doesn't include enough people with the skills required to do those jobs which has led to a skills gap crisis in our country. For high school students nearing graduation, this skills gap spells outstanding career opportunities. "We recognize that 4-year college degree programs aren't for everyone," Shaw adds. "The students who have committed today are positioning themselves well for more immediate career success because the majority of our programs can be completed in two years or less. That means a faster route into the workforce, and to a paycheck. We're excited to welcome them to the Lincoln Tech family." About Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. Lincoln offers recent high school graduates and working adults career-oriented programs in five principal areas of study: automotive technology, health sciences, skilled trades, business and information technology, and hospitality services. Lincoln has provided the workforce with skilled technicians since its inception in 1946. Lincoln currently operates 22 campuses in 14 states under three brands: Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences. Lincoln also operates Lincoln Culinary Institute in the states of Connecticut and Maryland. For more information, go to lincolntech.edu. Contact Information Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Peter Tahinos (973) 736-9340 x49233 [email protected] SOURCE Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Related Links http://www.lincolneducationalservices.com Construction plans are in the works for a proposed regional mental health crisis center. "We are hoping to have the construction documents finished soon, advertising for bids in early March and opening the bids after the required posting timeline," said Mat Miller, Olmsted Countys director of facilities and building operations. The news comes nearly a year after the county received word it would receive $5 million to build a 16-unit crisis center. The funds are the maximum amount allowed for any center established under 2018 legislation that set aside $28.1 million to create or renovate facilities to house services for people with mental illness or chemical-dependency disorders. The goal is to create a place for people within a 10-county Southeast Minnesota region to turn when facing a crisis. ADVERTISEMENT "The crisis center will fill an existing gap in care for people in Southeast Minnesota who are experiencing mental illness," said Dr. Bruce Sutor, practice chairman for the Mayo Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology. "The center will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that individuals can get the care they need when they need it in a calm, safe and welcoming environment." Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center are joining the 10 counties to financially support operations, with added insight from local National Alliance on Mental Illness representatives. On Thursday, the group announced the official name for the center -- Southeast Regional Crisis Center -- as well as a logo for the operation, which is expected to open in 2021 While the funding for construction of the new facility was approved in March, Deputy County Administrator Paul Fleissner said it was delayed, which has put the project behind its original schedule. Were already months behind on this," he recently told members of the Olmsted County Boards administrative committee. The county filed a site development plan last month, which would put the facility on nearly 1.9 acres on the countys east campus. Its located just south of Silver Creek Corner. The site development plans call for a one-story medical building with space for professional staff, as well as 16 single-occupancy rooms. It shows a driveway access from Campus Drive Southeast, with space for 24 cars. Allison Sosa, Rochesters community development planning supervisor, said the site plan is under review, with the expectation that a potential response to the county would be ready in the second week of March. ADVERTISEMENT Miller said the county is aiming for a groundbreaking in April, with an anticipated 13-month construction schedule. The countys construction documents are nearly complete, with plans to seek a contractor in early March. He said early estimates indicate the proposed building will fall within the $5 million provided by the state, but some aspects of the plans could be altered if project bids come in higher than expected. "If we have to value engineer something to be within that $5 million, we will have that flexibility," he said. Fleissner said hes also hoping to put out a request for an operations partner within the next month. He said reaching an agreement with a care provider to oversee operations is important as construction plans are being finalized. "We really could have used having them on board a month or two ago, because we need them on board to help with final design and get their team together to be ready to roll," he said. One reason for the delay in securing the operations partner has been the lack of a governance agreement between the entities that will oversee operations in the county-owned building. A copy of the agreement is slated to be considered by county commissioners at their March 10 meeting. ADVERTISEMENT While the county would maintain oversight of the building, the agreement calls for creating an executive board to oversee other aspects of the operations. The proposed board would include two representatives from the local 10-county mental health initiative, two Mayo Clinic representatives, one representative from Olmsted Medical Center, one local NAMI representative, and an Olmsted County representative. Fleissner the agreement and construction plans indicate the process is moving forward. "I feel like we are in a really good place," he added. Perhaps no city cares about the privacy of its residents as much as Oakland.Last year, the California city became one of just a handful around the country that have banned municipal use of facial recognition technology. That came on top of an earlier ordinance that put limits on surveillance technology.Those laws were largely the handiwork of Oaklands Privacy Advisory Commission, a citizen-led board that can review any and all city policies and regulations through a privacy lens. Other cities have privacy policies or staff in place, while a few have ad hoc groups to address particular issues, such as smart city policies. No other city has a standing group with such a broad charter.We know the activities that are going on in the city of Oakland, says Tracy Rosenberg, advocacy director for Oakland Privacy, a nonprofit watchdog group. Oakland is considering buying some drones. Im not happy about it, but I know about it, I can weigh in on it, and theres a body looking at the issues. Its not like were going to find out just by looking up when theyre already flying over our heads.In 2020, data privacy bills are being debated in numerous states many modeled on a California law that took effect this year. Meanwhile, the tech industry is lobbying Congress to put a national standard in place. The European Union already has stricter data protection policies in place than the U.S.While privacy can seem like an issue thats national or even international in scope, issues such as surveillance often play out at the local level, particularly in law enforcement.There is a really important role for local institutions, says Chris Calabrese, vice president for policy at the Center for Democracy and Technology, a civil liberties group based in Washington. That is, figuring out how their localities are using surveillance technologies. Its actually not unusual for a state or a town to get a grant from DHS [Department of Homeland Security] to get a drone or surveillance without any discussion by the city council.Thats exactly what happened in Oakland. The city had received DHS funding for a Domain Awareness Center (DAC), which collected and analyzed surveillance data from throughout the city. It began as a security project at the port and airport, but crept out to encompass the entire city, collecting information from 700 cameras in public housing and schools, outdoor gun detection microphones, license plate readers and other sensors.News about the DAC broke thanks to someone with a temp job in the citys technology office. If that sounds like Oakland had its own version of Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency contractor who made international news with revelations of mass data collection at the federal level well, the Oakland story happened to break just after Snowden himself burst on the scene.They have the great fortune of hitting the public safety agenda in the middle of June 2013, which was two weeks after somebody named Edward Snowden hit the front pages of newspapers, says Brian Hofer, who chairs the Oakland Privacy Advisory Commission.Realizing that the issues Snowden had brought to the fore were playing out right in their own hometown had a galvanizing effect in Oakland. City officials were already highly familiar with the large aggregation of activist groups that call Oakland home. Many of those groups were already on high alert. At the time, the Occupy movement was still fresh. The city had also been rocked by the killing of Oscar Grant by a transit officer, which formed the basis of the 2013 movieThere was just all this activist energy in Oakland at that exact time, Hofer recalls, and it was just like the match that lit the gasoline fire.At that time, Hofer had never before set foot in Oakland City Hall, but he became part of the coalition of opposition that grew in response to the Domain Awareness Center, which entailed not just lobbying but street protests. The citys project ended up dying a slow death, becoming limited to the port, which pulled all its funding and staffing for it.Activists then pushed for a standing body to deal with privacy matters so that such a project couldnt sneak up on them again.These kinds of technological projects, smart city projects in some form or another, keep coming, and you cant always mobilize the entire city to react, Rosenberg says. We were lucky, but in the future it might be harder.After a long struggle, the city council narrowly agreed in 2016 to create the standing commission. Hofer now consults formally and informally with other cities that are looking to put policies in place safeguards as concerns about the potential dark sides of technology use garners more attention. Through monthly conference calls, he trades ideas with municipal privacy professionals in several cities.Im still flying around to conferences where the Domain Awareness Center is still the case study, and that was from 2014, Hofer says. Its still the shot heard round the world like you can actually say no to the surveillance state, and also come up with a reasonable solution that still addresses public safety concerns.The ban on facial recognition and limits on surveillance have attracted most of the attention, but the commission has also worked on a broad range of policies, clarifying general data usage rules and reviewing agreements with outside agencies such as DHS, FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ( ATF ).Each member of the city council appoints a commissioner, and the body's members include civil rights attorneys, a retired police officer and the occasional technology company employee. In drafting some policies, the commission has relied on outside expertise from entities such as the University of California at Berkeley and the American Civil Liberties Union.The commission constantly encounters pushback, both from technology companies warning that constraints will hamper innovation and from city staff who worry about increased paperwork or other administrative burdens. Hofer does his best to address such concerns, arguing that an insistence on transparency and an airing of issues does not mean projects will fail to move forward.He feels that his most convincing argument comes from building consensus, both within the commission and among city staff. Since the commission started four years ago, its seen a grand total of one no vote and three abstentions. Every other position has been taken unanimously.Ive always said that Im going to resign as chair if theres ever a 5-4 vote that I have to send to the council, Hofer says. Were an advisory body. Were supposed to be subject matter experts, and if I send a 5-4 vote up, that means we didnt do our job.The commission is now working on an umbrella set of privacy principles that will govern all kinds of non-law-enforcement activities, such as business licensing and tax collection. Hes concerned, given the ever-evolving technological landscape, that information collected innocuously at first could eventually be used in ways that put people in harms way.Thats certainly been a theme with various uses of technology. License plate readers were initially brought in for parking enforcement, but the data they collect is then stored and used for broader surveillance. The same with smart streetlights, which may first be seen as just a way to cut the electricity bill, but can be equipped with surveillance cameras and sensors. Oaklands commission can ask vendors who come in promising labor and cost savings for the city about the potential privacy issues raised by their products and services.Four years after its founding, the Oakland privacy commission remains unique in allowing citizens to help draw the lines when it comes to the full range of privacy concerns. In many cities, privacy remains under the purview of government officials themselves, which may or may not provide a forum for hearing citizens concerns. There can also be turf protection, with police commissions, for example, insisting that they should handle any privacy issues that might arise.The list of technologies that will affect privacy at the local level, from biometrics to doorbell cameras, will only continue to grow. Governments tend to be reactive, but it might be time for cities and counties to try to get out in front.Our argument is its really a lot easier if you do it on the front end and set up a system for what you can see coming, Rosenberg says. If youre not actively doing something to be on top of it, youre going to throw up your hands, let everything come through and be dealing with privacy and usage concerns on the back end.GoverningTechwire The coronavirus outbreak that began last December in Wuhan, China has escalated into a global pandemic, requiring a coordinated international response to avert catastrophe. A planned, rational deployment of worldwide medical and industrial resources is essential to keep the disease from potentially claiming millions of lives. Workers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus at a bus garage in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) The danger of infectious, untreatable and potentially fatal viral outbreaks causing pneumonia has been known for decades. Two different coronaviruses caused regional outbreaks, SARS in 20022004, mainly in China, and MERS in 20122014, mainly in Saudi Arabia. However, while SARS claimed 774 lives after infecting 8,000 people, and MERS killed 886 after infecting 2,519 over two years, the highly contagious Wuhan coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading worldwide, infecting 81,296 and killing 2,770 in barely two months. Major outbreaks are surging not only in East Asia, but also in Europe and the Middle East, with 383 cases in Italy and at least 139 in Iran. China has managed to significantly slow the diseases spread, limiting the number of cases to 78,073, with draconian measures to place hundreds of millions of people under lockdown and shut down much of its economy. However, it is apparent we are only in the initial stages of a global epidemic. Initially, officials in the United States and internationally tried to downplay the new virus. Even yesterday, President Donald Trumpspeaking for the broad sections of the financial aristocracy who look no further than their stock portfoliostook to Twitter to ignorantly berate the media for trying to make the Caronavirus [sic] look as bad as possible, including panicking markets, if possible. Likewise their incompetent Do Nothing Democrat comrades are all talk, no action. USA in great shape! On Wednesday night, Trump gave a rambling news conference in which he alternatively downplayed the severity of the disease, shamelessly praised himself and his government for their response, and denounced his political opponents. Such ignorant and irresponsible comments notwithstanding, this coronavirus is a highly dangerous and deadly disease. Fully eight percent (2,770) of the 33,129 detected cases no longer under treatment have ended in death. Of the 48,167 detected cases still battling the disease, 8,867 (18 percent) are in serious or critical conditionkept alive by intensive care and access to artificial ventilation and oxygenation and requiring attention from multiple dedicated medical staff. Moreover, World Health Organization (WHO) advisor and University of Florida Professor Ira Longini told Bloomberg News epidemiological models show that without aggressive measures to contain the virus, up to one third of the world could catch the disease. This could overwhelm hospitals worldwideeven in the advanced capitalist countrieswith millions of desperately ill, highly contagious patients. This danger is all the greater as the disease spreads to Middle Eastern and African countries whose hospitals lack high technology, or have been devastated by decades of imperialist occupation, civil war orin the case of Iranvindictive US and European sanctions. An internationally coordinated response is essential to prevent the pandemic from devastating humanity. It is critical that the worlds health system be able to isolate patients, limit the speed of the diseases spread, and devote the necessary resources to provide intensive care for those patients who develop pneumonia from the infection. The production and use of necessary treatments and medical equipment cannot be subordinated to the diktat of the financial markets and the profit motive, or to imperialist war policies. Modern science provides medicine with tools of enormous power against the disease. The contrast with previous global pandemics, like the 1918 flu epidemic, could not be more stark. Only two months into the pandemic, we have vast knowledge of the virus: its internal genetic RNA code, the form of its outer shell, and what cells and receptors it targets in the human body. Multiple teams internationally, including in the United States, China and Europe, are racing to produce vaccines, hoping to clinically test them by as early as next year. Clinical trials in China show that pre-existing drugs like chloroquine, used to treat malaria, or fapilavir, used to treat the flu, may also block the coronavirus and accelerate recovery. At the same time, the pandemic is exposing the destructive irrationality of capitalism: it has wasted resources and wealth created by the international working class over decades, leaving humanity unprepared for the coronavirus. The risk of coronaviruses causing highly contagious, untreatable and potentially fatal pneumonia has been known for nearly 20 years. After the SARS and MERS epidemics, 2017 research by the EcoHealth Alliance showed that Asian bats harbored hundreds of strains of coronaviruses that could potentially infect humans. Nevertheless, with the production of vaccines, viral drugs and protective gear subordinated to the profit interests of major private investors, nothing was prepared to deal with for the risk of a major pandemic. While massive resources were needed to invest in medical and industrial infrastructure, trillions of dollars were instead wasted on the 20082009 bank bailouts for the super-rich in America and Europe, as well as on US-NATO wars like the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. While hospitals were shut down in cities across America, the European Union imposed austerity that slashed health care wages and staffing levels to the bone. Such policies have not only prevented the rational use of available technology to prepare for a global pandemic, but now cut across measures urgently needed to treat the pandemic. Iran, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the Middle East, provides perhaps the starkest illustration of this. Hundreds of Iranians have fallen ill and the disease is spreading rapidly, under conditions where US and European sanctions imposed first in 2012 and then again after the US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear treaty in 2018 have slashed Irans access to critical medicine. Last year, an Iranian doctor told Americas ABC News that Out of every 20 people, we have to tell at least 10 that we have run out of medications they need. There are shortages of drugs for many critical conditions, including several like asthma, diabetes and cancer that often lead to complications and death in coronavirus patients. This is in part because the US Treasury vindictively prosecuted international firms exporting medical supplies to Iran. Last year, the Atlantic Council think tank noted that in Iran in 20122013, the price of medicine increased by 5075 percent. Coupled with an economic downturn and an increase in unemployment, medicine became less affordable to Iranian patients. According to field research conducted in Iran during 2013, asthma, cancer, and multiple sclerosis patients struggled with either shortages of medicine or skyrocketing prices. This research further found that many cancer patients had stopped treatment because of an increase in the prices of medicine. Today, Iran is plunging into a coronavirus epidemic that is rapidly spreading not only to the Persian Gulf States, but to neighboring countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, whose health infrastructure has been devastated by decades of US-NATO sanctions, bombings and military occupations. With the lives of millions hanging in the balance, decisions in the critical battle against the coronavirus cannot be left up to the imperialist powers and the financial aristocracy. Sanctions against Iran must be lifted, hundreds of billions of dollars spent globally to fight the pandemic threat, and humanitys scientific and industrial resources fully mobilized under the democratic control of working people. [February 27, 2020] ROSEN, A LEADING LAW FIRM, First Files Securities Class Action Lawsuit Against Tupperware Brands Corporation - TUP Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces it has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) between January 30, 2019 and February 24, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for Tupperware investors under the federal securities laws. To join the Tupperware class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-1787.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. NO CLASS HAS YET BEEN CERTIFIED IN THE ABOVE ACTION. UNTIL A CLASS IS CERTIFIED, YOU ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL UNLESS YOU RETAIN ONE. YOU MAY RETAIN COUNSEL OF YOUR CHOICE. YOU MAY ALSO REMAIN AN ABSENT CLASS MEMBER AND DO NOTHING AT THIS POINT. AN INVESTOR'S ABILITY TO SHARE IN ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE RECOVERY IS NOT DEPENDENT UPON SERVING AS LEAD PLAINTIFF. According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Tupperware lacked effective internal controls; (2) as a result, Tupperware would need to investigate Fuller Mexico's accounting and liabilities; (3) consequently, Tupperware would be unable to timely ile its annual report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year 2019; (4) Tupperware did not properly account for its accounts payable and accrued liabilities at Fuller Mexico; (5) Tupperware provided overvalued earnings per share guidance; (6) Tupperware would need relief from its $650 million Credit Agreement; and (7) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 27, 2020. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. If you wish to join the litigation, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-1787.html or to discuss your rights or interests regarding this class action, please contact Phillip Kim, Esq. of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn (News - Alert): https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter (News - Alert): https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook (News - Alert): https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm. Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 3 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005786/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A pilot sustained an eye injury after someone kept pointing a green laser at an Ornge helicopter flying over downtown Toronto on Feb. 15. The incident occurred in the area of Richmond and Sherbourne Street in downtown Toronto around 8:50 p.m. The helicopter was on its way to Billy Bishop Airport after completing a call to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, when the pilot was struck with the laser. As a result of the strike, the pilot and another paramedic on board each sustained an eye injury, and had to go to a local Toronto hospital for evaluation. A video of the strike was captured by the flight crew and provided to Toronto Police. Ornge Corporate Communications Officer Rachel Scott said that the pilot and the paramedic are now doing okay. Following the incident, a report was filed with Toronto police and Transport Canada for investigation. Pointing lasers at an aircraft is a criminal offence. Under the Aeronautics Act, an individual convicted of pointing a laser at an aircraft faces up to $100,000 in fines, or five years in prison, or both. Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Toronto Police and Transport Canada. Although Toronto police says these incidents are not that common, news reports suggest otherwise. This year, there have been five reported laser strikes on Ornge helicopters alone, up from three last year. Toronto Star has reported on several incidents of laser attacks on Toronto-bound flights. In 2015, Peel police counted 111 reported laser strikes. Abhya Adlakha is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star's radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @AbhyaAdlakha Pointing lasers at an aircraft can distract pilots and cause temporary or permanent blindness. Lasers can also create a glare in the cockpit affecting the pilots vision and cause further injury to patients and paramedics in the aircraft. Stacey Hampton shocked Married At First Sight viewers this week when she sided with her 'husband', Michael Goonan, after he cheated on her with Hayley Vernon. And while Stacey's decision to lay all the blame on Hayley may have confused some viewers, there's actually a scientific reason behind it. According to Now to Love, a study by Cardiff Metropolitan University revealed that 'women are more likely to blame the other woman in an affair rather than her cheating partner'. The blame game! There's a scientific reason why Stacey Hampton took her husband Michael Goonan's side after he kissed Hayley Vernon, and blamed the other woman instead Psychologist Andrea Bonior said that women's roles as nurturers and caregivers influence how we see them in society. 'There's the deep-seated belief of women being the caregivers,' she explained. 'They should be able to nourish men and keep them happy.' Couples therapist Esther Perel added: 'What a man does is [seen as] a direct result of the woman. It's either that one tempted him, or one drove him away.' Michael's secret kiss with Hayley was exposed at Wednesday night's dinner party. Rivals: A study by Cardiff Metropolitan University revealed that 'women are more likely to blame the other woman in an affair rather than her cheating partner'. Pictured: Hayley Vernon The pair had hooked up a week earlier in Vanessa Romito and Chris Nicholls' apartment after a boozy night out in Darling Harbour. At the time, Stacey was in Adelaide with her children, and Hayley's 'husband', David Cannon, was down the hallway in his room. During the dinner party, Michael dodged allegations he was unfaithful by insisting he was 'too drunk to remember' what happened. Drunk on love! During the dinner party, Michael dodged allegations he was unfaithful by insisting he was 'too drunk to remember' what happened He acknowledged that he was acting 'stupid' and flirting with Hayley on the night in question, but claimed he had no recollection of kissing her. Hayley, who prides herself on being honest regardless of the consequences, told the group they had in fact kissed. Meanwhile, Stacey took her husband's side and accused Hayley of 'taking advantage' of Michael while he was drunk. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine SOUTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY Residents here on Wednesday told the county police board they want a new chief who has integrity, understands the countys communities and has already proven himself or herself to be a leader, among other suggestions. One by one, residents in south St. Louis County took turns at the microphone at The Pavilion at Lemay to address the county Board of Police Commissioners as it launches a search for the next police chief. What might be the most important is decisiveness, said Marion Monty Monteleone of south St. Louis County, a retired county police captain. You cant have a chief that grapples back and forth on how he thinks it should be done. The people who work for him and the community should know exactly how hes going to operate and how he makes decisions. Wednesdays meeting was the second held by the newly appointed board following Chief Jon Belmars announcement that he plans to retire. Last week, the board met in North County, where residents said they were looking for a chief they could trust. Some spoke about racism they said they experienced from officers. Over a week ago, German police arrested 12 right-wing extremists who were actively preparing mass murder against refugees, Muslims and political opponents. The arrests took place just before the murder of nine people in Hanau by a fascist gunmen, and the mowing down on Monday of bystanders at the Volkmarsen carnival. A girl takes a picture near candles at a vigil for the victims of a far-right mass shooting in Hanau, Germany Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) According to Der Spiegel, the group had amassed large quantities of arms and ammunition to launch a coordinated series of Kommando raids on mosques across Germany and kill the people at prayer. Their aim was to provoke a backlash and a civil war throughout Germany. According to the investigating federal prosecutor, they sought to use these methods of shock and awe to cause havoc to the state and social order of the Federal Republic of Germany. The suspected terrorists plans show striking parallels with those of the Saxon neo-Nazi group Revolution Chemnitz, the October 9, 2019, attack on a synagogue in Halle, and last years mass murder in Christchurch, New Zealand. In searches of houses, investigators discovered home-made hand grenades, large quantities of other weapons, including a functional large-calibre weapon built by a member from Saxony-Anhalt. The Halle assassin, Stefan Balliet, had built a similar slam gun and used it to murder two people. The arrests once again highlight the existence of extensive terror networks, actively preparing a fascist coup in Germany and discussing the murder of thousands of political opponents. In recent months, a number of neo-Nazi groups have been uncovered in the secret service, the police and the Bundeswehr (army). An administrative officer of the North Rhine-Westphalian policesince suspendedis among those who have now been arrested. According to Bild-Zeitung, a V-man (Verfassungsschutz or secret service agent) was part of the alleged terror cell, but was the only one not arrested. Although investigators described the V-man as among the closest confidants of the conspirators, they nonetheless stated that suspicion of his involvement had not been substantiated. German broadcasters SWR and ARD reported that the V-man had given extensive information to the police in early October. However, during the final week before the arrests, he had broken off contact with the investigators, who then made the arrests. Members of the alleged terrorist cell operated in a violent neo-Nazi milieu of fascistic groups, Freikorps and vigilantes. They pursued relations with right-wing extremists throughout Germany and other European countries, as well as with the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD). They discussed their plans for assault in chat groups with names like The Hard Core and during a minimum of two face-to-face meetings. According to media reports, the men agreed to raise 50,000 to procure additional weapons and to participate in future attacks. A week ago, more than 10 people who were under police observation attended a meeting in Minden, Westphalia, where, according to Der Spiegel, Werner S., the alleged leader of the group, presented the assault plans. For five months, the members of Group S., from all over Germany, have been the target of Baden-Wurttemberg police surveillance. The defence lawyer of one of the detainees stated that the police sometimes monitored every move by the suspect. Werner S. was also named a threat months ago. Investigators considered Werner S., alias Teutonico, the undisputed head of the group. Der Spiegel reported that Werner S. looked for men who were intelligent, tough, brutal, and quick in order to build an underground army along the lines of the radical right-wing Freikorps of the Weimar Republic. (The Freikorps were paramilitary organisations formed after Germanys defeat in World War I and formed the basis of Hitlers Nazi forces.) A Volunteer Association for the Mobilisation of Forces would be built through a process of military training. Treachery will be severely punished! said one of the chats. Anyone who believes in doing more than just taking part in demonstrations and the like should contact Werner S. In his apartment near Augsburg, investigators found a functioning nine-millimetre pistol and ammunition. Werner S.s Facebook friends include an AfD official from Borde in Saxony-Anhalt. Two right-wing extremists arrested as supporters of the group, Steffen B. and Stefan K., are also from Saxony-Anhalt. They are among the regional leaders of an extreme right-wing militia called Vikings Security Germania, a spin-off from the Finnish Soldiers of Odin, which first appeared during the 2015 refugee crisis. Another member of Group S., Markus K., reportedly participated in a 2009 neo-Nazi march in Dortmund, during which hundreds of right-wing extremists attacked a demonstration organised by the German Trade Union Confederation. Stephan Ernst and Markus H., the suspected murderers of CDU politician Walter Lubcke on June 2, 2019, took part in this attack. Thomas N. from Minden apparently hosted the groups last meeting before the arrests. According to Der Spiegel, investigators found a crossbow as well as axes, morning star medieval weapons, and numerous knives. Thomas N. is close to the ultra-right Reich Citizens Movement. Referring to anti-fascist youth, he posted on Facebook that It is time to get rid of this Dirt. According to the newspaper taz, Lower Saxonys neo-Nazi Tony E. was one of the driving forces in the group. He is in close contact with well-known neo-Nazis from Hamburg, Harburg and Luneburg; these people visited him after the police raid and were said to have threatened residents and journalists. Tony E. follows former Verfassungsschutz Director Hans-Georg Maassen on Facebook and identifies himself as a supporter of paramilitary organisations such as the German Defence League, Brigade 8 and the Hannibal association Uniter. According to taz, Tony E. is also a member of the Freikorps Heimatschutz, which advocates that members prepare for the day when war will come and when it will be a question of defending our families and the fatherland. The groups links with the security agencies and with Uniter are significant. This paramilitary association, which is registered as a non-profit, links former elite soldiers, reservists, security forces and arms dealers with one another; it trains the forces of far-right Philippine ruler Rodrigo Duterte. The group Uniter was founded in 2016 by an employee of the Baden-Wurttemberg Verfassungsschutz (secret police). It is the organisational backbone of an armed network comprising elite police officers, commando soldiers, intelligence officers, judges and lawyers, in whose ranks have been forged the concrete plans for an armed coup on a Day X, along with the mass murder of political opponents. This shadow army is orchestrated by Andre S., alias Hannibal, a former instructor of the Bundeswehr elite unit Command Special Forces (KSK). Hannibal was also a member of the founding board of Uniter and, according to taz, was the contact person for the German Military Intelligence Service (Militarischer AbschirmdienstMAD), with whom he maintained friendly relations. In 2018, he threatened to bring in the MAD against the newspaper taz in order to stop its questioning. The MAD contact person warned Hannibal of upcoming raids by the federal prosecutors office, so that he could hide a laptop with sensitive information. In December 2019, ARD news magazine Monitor published a 2018 drone video that documents the military operational training and combat exercises of the group. The video shows armed private individuals in combat gear who are practicing house-to-house fighting under the guidance of Hannibal. Because he illegally stashed cartridges along with fog and signal grenades, Hannibal recently had to appear in court for a violation of the weapons and explosives law; he was fined just 1,800. Werner S. is a close ally of the right-wing-extremist Bundeswehr soldier Franco A. and has met him personally several times. Franco A. is under suspicion for planning to carry out political assassinations while falsely posing as a refugee. Though Franco A. will be charged with preparing a serious crime that is dangerous to the state, both he and Werner S. are currently not being held in custody. Despite overwhelming evidence, including detailed reports from Focus, taz and SWR, at the end of January, MAD President Christof Gramm publicly denied the existence of a shadow army in the German state. Nevertheless, his own organisation is officially investigating 20 suspected cases of right-wing extremism in the secret Bundeswehr unit KSK. It is possible that the arrest of the 12 members of Group S. was carried out to limit the damage and cover up the truth of these accusations. However, the fact that the group appeared to be ready to act after just two face-to-face meetings raises the question of whether it received support from the authorities. What is certain is that the groups extensive plans for terror, and its far-reaching preparations for dozens, perhaps hundreds, of murders, took place under the noses of the security apparatus, which is riddled with right-wing extremists. That the danger of fascist violence in Germany is greater than at any time since the end of the Nazi dictatorship is a result of the shift to the right of the entire political establishment, the propaganda of the AfD, and the systematic trivialisation, promotion and adoption of radical right-wing positions by the federal Grand Coalition. The government has been accused of plotting a route map to the cherished no-deal Brexit as it outlined its Brexit plan. During a statement on the UK's negotiating mandate with the EU, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said the government has "no intention of doing anything other than honouring the Withdrawal Agreement. He also reiterated the governments pledge to conclude negotiations by the end of 2020. However, SNP MP Pete Wishart lashed out at Gove, accusing the government of sticking to the deadline so they could achieve a no-deal Brexit. SNP MP Pete Wishart blasted the government for setting out a path to a no-deal Brexit (PA) To Tory jeers and cheers, Wishart said: "What a load of bunkum, baloney and codswallop. This is nothing other than a route map to the cherished no-deal the real ambition of these Brexit zealots. They're even now prepared to break international law in order to achieve this outcome. Read more: Puppy who survived being shot in the face and stamped on finds home Shadow Brexit minister Paul Blomfield described the government's plans as "underwhelming" before warning: "They started with a commitment to securing the 'exact same benefits' that we currently enjoy. "This was scaled back to 'frictionless trade' to protect our vital supply chains. Then it was Canada+++, now it's 'Canada so long as it doesn't get in the way of ending our alignment with the standards we've previously enjoyed." Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove making a statement to MPs in the House of Commons on the future relationship with the EU (PA) Blomfield asked the Government to publish an economic impact assessment of the deal it is seeking with the EU along with an assessment of other trade deals. The Government set out its plans for the talks ahead of the first round of negotiations on Monday, making clear that it will not negotiate any arrangements in which the UK does not have control of its own laws and political life. The plans mean Boris Johnson could walk away from trade talks with the EU in June unless there is the broad outline of a deal. The government says the UK will rely on World Trade Organization terms under an arrangement with the EU similar to Australias if progress on a comprehensive deal cannot be made. Story continues Read more: Madeleine McCann detectives request more money' to fund 12m search In the Political Declaration agreed by the prime minister and EU last year, the two sides agreed to work towards a deal encompassing robust commitments to ensure a level playing field. The EUs mandate called for any agreement to use Brussels standards as a reference point over time indicating that the UK could be expected to keep aligned with changes to the rules covering state subsidies, environmental standards and workers rights in future, something that would breach Johnsons red lines. Boris Johnson could walk away from trade negotiations with the EU in June (AP) Downing Street insiders indicated the PM believes the mandate he won at the general election trumps the declaration, which does not have the status of a binding international treaty. And they said Brussels had also moved away from the Political Declaration, pointing to the EUs mandate published on Tuesday going far beyond the agreed terms on the level playing field. Responding to the plans, the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier tweeted: We will stick to all our prior commitments in the Political Declaration. We take note of the #UKs mandate published today and will discuss our respective positions on Monday. We will stick to all our prior commitments in the Political Declaration. We want an ambitious & fair partnership with the UK in the future Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) February 27, 2020 European Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant added: "In relation to any timeline that was referred to by the UK side today, there is a mid-year rendezvous in June to assess where we are with the negotiations. Read more: Briton aged 111 becomes world's oldest man "So this is probably a very fair timeline to take by the UK prime minister for a rendezvous in which we take stock of the future and chances for a deal, what type of deal. Asked whether the EU was preparing for the failure to reach a deal, she said it would be "premature to speculate" about the result of those negotiations. But the European Commission "retains its capacity to prepare for no deal following the result of those negotiations. Haiti - News : Zapping... The PNH open to internal dialogue This Thursday, February 27, the Facilitation Commission created by the PNH High Command, should meet with the representatives of the police who claim to be members of the SPNH union (unrecognized) around their claims in order to find a solution to the crisis confronting the police institution Warning from Moise J-C "Mobilization will resume across the country. If the people do not rise up to defend their rights, the situation will be worse. We must rise up to show the world that we do not agree with the interference of certain countries," said Moise Jean Charles, leader of the radical opposition of the "Pitit Desalin" platform. USA condemns violence in Haiti "The United States condemns the recent violence in Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30109-haiti-flash-clashes-in-champ-de-mars-at-least-a-dozen-victims-provisional-assessment.html and call on Haitians to reject violence and respect the rule of law. We encourage all Haitians to enter into a constructive dialogue with a view to resolving their differences." Protection of foreign investments The Ambassador of Haiti to the Kingdom of Spain, Claude Joseph met Jose Sanchez Tinico, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Gran Canaria, to discuss the efforts of President Jovenel Moise to guarantee foreign investment in Haiti. Review of the 3rd fat day of the carnival in Saint-Marc At the end of the 3rd fat day of the carnival in Saint-Marc, the Saint-Nicolas hospital reported 8 wounded, one of whom was shot. COVID-19 epidemic : Global report 27 February 2020 Thursday February 27, 2020, the number of people infected worldwide with the Coronavirus COVID-19 (laboratory confirmed cases) now stands at 82,170, an increase of 1,165 cases (+ 62.7%) compared to the previous day (716), https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30126-haiti-news-zapping.html ; 2,804 deaths (+ 1.5%) or 42 cases more than the day before (2,762). Average mortality rate 3.4%. 32,898 people healed, i.e. 2,782 people (+ 19.6%) more than the day before (2,327). To date, there have been 3,673 confirmed cases of people outside of China in a total of 49 countries (+ 24.9%), or 732 more than the day before. 56 deaths abroad since the start of the epidemic (December 2019), i.e. 7 more than the previous day : 22 in Iran, 13 in South Korea, 1 in Taiwan, 1 in the Philippines, 2 in Hong Kong, 3 in Japan, 2 in France and 12 in Italy. HL/ HaitiLibre Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:50:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Intense battles raged on Thursday as the rebels were attacking the key Saraqeb city in the countryside of the northwestern Idlib province that was recently taken by the Syrian army. The rebels operated with the aim of cutting off the Damascus-Aleppo highway, known as the M5. State news agency SANA said the Turkey-backed rebels are attacking the Saraqeb city in large numbers and with suicide bombers. It said the rebels' attack is backed by heavy Turkish shelling on the Syrian positions in Saraqeb, adding that the Syrian army is engaged in intense battles with the rebels. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Turkey-backed rebels actually captured Saraqeb and cut off the M5 highway that connects Aleppo province in the north with the capital Damascus in the south. The Syrian army secured the road earlier this month and opened it for travel and trade purposes for the first time in eight years. The watchdog group said the Syrian army started a counter-offensive in Saraqeb with the help of Russian forces. It said the battles for Saraqeb have been raging since Wednesday night. The Syrian army captured Saraqeb from the Turkey-backed rebels on Feb. 6, which enabled the army to secure the M5. SANA said a few rebels snuck on the highway near Saraqeb on Thursday, adding that the army is dealing with them. Securing the M5 was the main purpose of a two-month-long military operation by the Syrian Army in Idlib and Aleppo. Turkey, which backs the rebels, has pledged not to back down in Idlib. The current battles reflect the tension between Russia and Turkey in Idlib amid fears of further complications in the Idlib region. "This second contract award demonstrates the confidence the U.S. Air Force has in Sikorsky's proven ability to deliver and support the next generation combat search and rescue helicopter," said Greg Hames, Sikorsky's CRH Program Director. "Our team works daily and in close collaboration with our customer to ensure we build and deliver this highly capable and much-needed helicopter to the warfighter." Since achieving the Milestone C decision from the Air Force in September 2019, which moved the CRH program into low rate initial production, the program continues to progress, reaching key milestones and executing an aggressive flight test schedule. Currently seven CRH aircraft are in flight, two of which are with the Air Force at Duke Field, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, with all aircraft engaging in expanded flight tests to support the path forward to Required Assets Available (RAA). Low rate initial production of CRH Lot 1 aircraft major assembly is underway, with Lot 2 assembly to follow. The program remains on track to meet contract delivery of RAA in 2020. The HH-60W arrived today at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, the site of the annual Air Force Association (AFA) Air Warfare Symposium, offering a first-hand look of the much-anticipated aircraft to service members who perform critical search and rescue operations. The Air Force also assigned the new helicopter its proper name Jolly Green II in a name reveal event hosted by Barbara M. Barrett, Secretary of the Air Force. View the reveal video here. "We respect the long tradition of assigning a moniker that communicates the CSAR mission. Jolly Green II is a fitting tribute to its history and to airmen and women worldwide," said Dana Fiatarone, Sikorsky's Vice President, Army and Air Force Systems. "The name is greatly respected by our workforce past and present and it's an honor to build this critical aircraft for the Air Force and bring it to the symposium today to provide our customer with the opportunity to view the Jolly Green II in person. We look forward to continued production and executing on the recent Lot 2 contract award." The HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter is significantly more capable and reliable than its predecessor, the HH-60G Pave Hawk. The aircraft hosts a new fuel system that nearly doubles the capacity of the main fuel tank on a UH-60M Black Hawk, giving the Air Force crew extended range and more capability to rescue those injured in the battle space. The HH-60W specification drives more capable defensive systems, vulnerability reduction, weapons, cyber-security, environmental, expanded adverse weather sensor capabilities, and more comprehensive net-centric requirements than currently held by the HH-60G. The U.S. Air Force program of record calls for 113 helicopters to replace the Pave Hawks, which perform critical combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations for all U.S. military services. A total of nine aircraft will be built at Sikorsky's Stratford, Connecticut, facility during the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the program four EMD aircraft and five System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA). For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/crh. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. SOURCE Lockheed Martin Corporation SIOUX CITY -- The tax rate paid by city property owners to the Sioux City School District could drop by nearly 11 percent, according to the first projection of the levy for the 2020-21 school year. But the savings to local taxpayers likely will be blunted by a big jump in property assessments. The residential assessed valuation in the district increased by $440 million, or 15 percent, compared to the previous valuations. District administrators unveiled the projected property tax levy rate for the first time at Monday's school board meeting. The disclosure followed three months of budget talks. The board members have a few more weeks to finalize the budget by the state deadline of April 13, which includes decisions on such spending options as hiring about 30 new teachers. District Chief Financial Officer Patty Blankenship said the amount of new state aid may not be much more than 2 percent for 2020-21. State lawmakers are at odds over the rate of growth in supplemental state aid. Under a complex formula, K-12 districts receive state aid on a per-pupil basis. The Sioux City's district will benefit from enrollment growing by more than 400 students, to 15,017 pupils, compared to the previous year. Blankenship said the current projection lowers the levy from the current $15.30 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $13.66 per $1,000. The owner of a home assessed at $100,000 would pay $864.04 in property taxes to the district under the projected levy, down about $6 from the current tax bill of $870.85. Superintendent Paul Gausman said the new projected levy would be the largest decrease in his 12 years as the district's top executive. "We are able to take the levy down because the assessed valuation is going up," Gausman said. Gausman and some board members said they want to be careful on not dropping the levy rate too low, to avoid having a yo-yo effect by raising it more highly in a following year. In explaining the possibility of adding teacher positions, Gausman noted the key thing in setting a sound budget is matching revenues to needed spending to educate the district's more than 14,000 students. The Iowa House and Senate leaders are trying to decide whether to give an increase in state aid in the range from 2.1 to 2.5 percent, and with a projection of 2.25 percent in the Sioux City budget, the proposed targeted expenses total $177 million, which is up by $6.6 million from the current year. Adding 29 classroom teaching positions has been built into the proposed budget, and would cost $2.1 million, while adding other specialty teachers who would serve in special education, preschools and talented and gifted programs would cost almost another $600,000. School board member Taylor Goodvin said he would like to see most of the new teaching positions to go to the three middle schools for "core subjects." Gausman said he indeed aims to put many of those in the middle schools. Goodvin said he was joining board member Dan Greenwell in the quest to have district consulting and travel expenses be reduced. Two weeks ago in the prior meeting, Greenwell said $700,000 could be cut from consulting and professional services, plus another $150,000 from travel expenses. Board member Juline Albert on Tuesday said it is important to note that not all travel expenses come from the district's general fund, as some are from federal sources. Greenwell, who in recent years sought to get a host of financial statistics before he was elected to the board in 2019, continued to push for certain things in the budget, and gave his own printed financial summaries for board members to read Monday. Greenwell sparred with Gausman at least three times in discussing the budget, with Gausman saying district officials in this budget process were providing more financial detail than ever before. As Greenwell animatedly discussed the budget at one point, Gausman said he wasn't seeking to be combative in airing the projected financial plan. "I work for the entirety of the board," Gausman said. The 2020-21 budget will cover revenues and expenses from July 1 through June 30, 2021. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) Husband and wife duties have begun for the new Mr. and Mrs. Guidicelli. A day after actor Matteo Guidicelli confirmed he tied the knot with pop princess Sarah Geronimo, the newlyweds were spotted shopping for their new home. The rare public sighting of the couple who often opted to keep their relationship under wrapswas captured by celebrity doctor Vicki Belo. In a Twitter clip posted by Belo on Thursday, the Guidicellis were seen buying new silverware as Sarah prepares to move to her new house. A cameo of Belos daughter Scarlett Snow completed the scene, with the four-year-old helping out in the couples shopping duties. Geronimo and Guidicelli officially tied the knot last week in an intimate Christian wedding ceremony in Taguig. The long-time celebrity couple, nicknamed "AshMatt," announced their engagement in November 2019. The couple confirmed their relationship in 2014. Geronimo began her career in music in 2003 when she won the national singing contest, "Star for a Night." She has since been recognized as a powerhouse both in the local and international music scenes. Guidicelli recently made headlines when he joined the Philippine Army reserve force. Police are warning Torontonians of a potentially lethal mix of street drugs after an antidote failed to reverse the overdoses of a dozen people at a downtown supervised-injection clinic. Supt. Steve Watts of the organized crime enforcement unit told reporters Thursday that officers quickly arrested a 38-year-old man suspected of selling the extremely dangerous drugs, believed to be fentanyl mixed with one or more substances. While we have arrested an alleged dealer, there is also the possibility that further batches of this substance remain on our streets at this time, Watts said, adding that purchasing, ingesting street drugs truly is a form of Russian roulette with potentially deadly consequences. Public health staff at the city-run The Works supervised-injection site near Yonge-Dundas Square raised the alarm Wednesday night after a rapid increase in overdoses. Paramedics used a bus to transport patients to three different health facilities for treatment. Police at 51 Division called in the drug squad. Despite being administered (the opioid antidote) naloxone, none of these individuals recovered in a way that was typical for a normal fentanyl overdose, Watts said. This leads us to believe that the substance was fentanyl and another unidentified substance. Public health sent samples of the drug to St. Michaels Hospital for testing. Police have sent samples to Health Canada. Within two hours of being notified, police had arrested Whanny Mymuller of Toronto and charged him with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime. He was to appear in court at Old City Hall on Thursday. Watts noted that Halton Regional Police on Wednesday warned residents there of a drug mixture of flualprazolam, fentanyl, caffeine and dimethylsuplhone. Flualprazolam is a synthetically manufactured central nervous system depressant, similar to Xanax but far more potent. Flualprazolam is not an opioid. As a result, naloxone may not reverse overdose effects. Halton police said they arent aware of any overdoses resulting from the mixture but issued the alert knowing that flualprazolam has been linked to deaths in North America. Watts said the drugs seized by Toronto police may be the same or a similar concoction. The suspected dealer was arrested very close to The Works, he said, adding that officers routinely arrest dealers selling to people outside supervised-injection sites. The moment you establish a (no-arrest) safe zone around a supervised injection site you give free rein to predator traffickers to prey on people with substance-abuse issues, Watts said. Dr. Eileen de Villa, Torontos medical officer of health, said in a statement public health had to call in extra staff and extended hours until 11 p.m. Her department will notify the public as soon as it gets results of tests on the tainted drugs, she said. Drug overdose is a significant public health issue with devastating impacts for many, de Villa said. The events that unfolded yesterday clearly demonstrate the need for supervised consumption services in our community and the life-saving benefit they provide. As always, our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of our staff, clients and the broader community. The recent Iowa caucuses debacle reminded me of two things. First, my about-face as a member of the New Brunswick Commission on Electoral Reform with respect to electronic voting. Second, further confirmation that the electronic infrastructure continues to be an impediment in advancing digital democracy. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion The recent Iowa caucuses debacle reminded me of two things. First, my about-face as a member of the New Brunswick Commission on Electoral Reform with respect to electronic voting. Second, further confirmation that the electronic infrastructure continues to be an impediment in advancing digital democracy. The 21st century has empowered humanity with electronic connectivity and digital dexterity. The information technology revolution has been a catalyst for the kind of transformation that happens at most once every century. Internetization, in the form of global outreach and electronic connectivity, has proven to be a game-changer for society. It has precipitated transformation on practically every aspect of human endeavour. The way we bank, travel, communicate, educate and entertain ourselves, to name but a few, have been profoundly and positively impacted by internetization. All except one. The empowerment of democracy through electronic voting has been a dismal failure. Clearly, digital democracy isnt keeping pace with all the other success stories of digital empowerment. The recent democratic meltdown at the Iowa caucuses, during the U.S. presidential primary process, offers clear evidence that were not there yet. Technology failed and chaos ensued. There were unacceptably long delays in reporting the results and the electoral system collapsed. In the end, the system resorted to the reliable paper ballots. That fiasco was attributed to widespread technology issues and a near-total breakdown of the system. Software issues and a malfunctioning app triggered a cascading series of problems. The moral of this story is that for voting, the contemporary electronic system should never stand alone. It needs to be backed up to protect the integrity of an election. As a member of the New Brunswick Commission on Electoral Reform, I witnessed first-hand the disconnect between digital empowerment and electronic voting. All five commissioners were smug in our resolve that the stars were perfectly aligned and the technology had matured to the point where we could make a recommendation in good conscience to adopt electronic voting in New Brunswick. It took cyber-security experts and software developers to unanimously warn us by saying, "Not so fast, folks." They rained on our parade with the observation that the electronic ecosystem hadnt reached a level of maturity where electronic voting could be implemented without reservation. The naysayers were not Luddites; they were computer scientists who, after careful consideration, concluded that it was prudent to err on the side of caution, instead of recommending the approval of electronic voting and risk the consequences of throwing an election. In effect, throwing an election because of a computer glitch, electronic incapacity and software malfunction remains a clear and present danger. The principal reasons in favour of online voting include speed, convenience and accessibility. Internet voting could remove physical and geographical barriers for groups such as those with mobility challenges or visual impairments. Electronic voting has considerable appeal to younger voters and would remove the physical distance from the ballot box. The commissioners also felt electronic voting would enhance voter participation. 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. Perhaps the most persuasive argument was that most of us spend a large portion of our day communicating through emails and social media, we do our banking online and transfer important documents in digital format. The common belief is that if its safe to do your banking online, it should be safe to vote online. But cyber-security experts told the commission the process of electronic banking doesnt respect privacy or require an anonymous identification in order to make the transactions secure. And citizens have a right to cast votes in favour of their preferred candidates without being publicly identified. The commission abandoned electronic voting, based on the advice of cyber-security experts who emphasized that security, privacy and confidentiality couldnt be guaranteed under the current electronic infrastructure. The sacrosanct anonymity of a persons vote would be shattered by moving to electronic voting at this time. The shambles of the Iowa caucuses reconfirmed the digital fault lines in regard to electronic voting. Constantine Passaris is a professor of economics and an affiliate member of the Canadian Institute of Cybersecurity at the University of New Brunswick. He served as a member of the New Brunswick Commission on Electoral Reform. Troy Media By Trend The exhibitions have a positive effect on the development of alternative energy and attract new local and foreign investors in this sphere, Farid Mammadov, director of Iteca Caspian LLC, told Trend. "Of course, the exhibitions and conferences in the field of alternative energy have a positive impact on the development of the sphere, stimulate the growth of research and the influx of investments," Mammadov added. "Exhibitions are always at the forefront of the industry. Over 7,000 visitors attend these events every year. Participation in exhibitions gives the companies a chance to acquire new contacts and find investors. The exhibition also becomes the link between science and industry, developers and investors. This year the exhibition will be held on June 2-4." "During this period, Baku became the hub of the energy industry," Mammadov said. "The exhibition is supported by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy. We work very closely with Azerenergy company, which also officially supports the Caspian International Power and Alternative Energy Exhibition." "We are interested in the current needs of the market, local companies and are trying to develop these spheres within the exhibition," the director said. "This year, Azerenergy representatives will take part in the exhibition by using a stand and will demonstrate innovations in the electric power industry." Mammadov also stressed that since the creation of the Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Iteca Caspian company has established very good relations with it. "Throughout the past year, a joint stand of representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises with the support of the Agency has been presented at various exhibitions," the director said. "We have received many positive reviews and the Agency thinks that the exhibitions have a positive impact on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Azerbaijan." "This year we will continue to work in terms of attracting and stimulating participation on particularly favorable terms through the Agency at the exhibition in Azerbaijan," the director said. "The Agencys joint stand will also be organized at the Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Caspian International Power and Alternative Energy Exhibition, to be held at the Baku Expo Center in June," Mammadov added. "Helping small and medium-sized enterprises to become part of such well-known international exhibitions as the Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Caspian International Power and Alternative Energy Exhibition, the Agency gives an opportunity to demonstrate its developments, offers and services to a wide and professional audience of these big exhibitions," the director said. "Of course, now we are observing how small and medium-sized enterprises are actively participating in exhibitions, which testifies to the sustainable development of the economy," the director said. "Of course, representatives of medium and small enterprises may come to the exhibition as visitors and learn about current trends of the industry, but the main goal is to demonstrate the services at international exhibitions," Mammadov added. The Caspian International Power and Alternative Energy Exhibition is held in Azerbaijan for the tenth consecutive year and another anniversary will be marked this year. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Gulf Air has confirmed that it is complying with the order of the Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) in Bahrain to temporarily suspend flights to and from Iraq and Lebanon effective immediately and until further notice. The carrier has also suspended flights to and from Dubai International Airport for an additional 48 hours and has temporarily reduced flight frequencies to and from several destinations. The decision has been taken in order to safeguard the health and welfare of the kingdoms citizens and residents from the current Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak. The Gulf Air Contact Centre will be contacting affected passengers and assisting them accordingly. Passengers who have made their bookings through a travel agent are advised to get in touch with the agents directly regarding their rebooking and refund options. Furthermore, passengers should check the airline's website before travelling or to call the Gulf Air Contact Centre for more information. For further assistance, passengers may contact the airline on Facebook Messenger or through direct messages on Twitter. Gulf Air apologises to its affected passengers for any inconvenience that this may have caused and is working closely with the concerned authorities in Bahrain and to take all precautionary and preventive measures in order to ensure the safety and security of the citizens and residents of the kingdom of Bahrain along with its passengers and crew. - TradeArabia News Service BURLINGTON, Mass. and PLANO, Texas and ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc. (KDP) announced today that it has entered into a long-term, strategic agreement with Nestle USA (Nestle) to manufacture and distribute Starbucks branded packaged coffee in K-Cup pods in the U.S. and Canada. The new agreement with Nestle, which acquired the rights in August 2018 to market and distribute Starbucks CPG and Foodservice products globally, outside of Starbucks coffee shops, will replace the existing K-Cup pod agreement between KDP and Starbucks Corporation (Starbucks) following a transition period. Financial terms of the agreement between KDP and Nestle were not disclosed. Keurig Dr Pepper Chief Commercial Officer Derek Hopkins stated, "Today's announcement with Nestle recognizes the success of the Keurig and Starbucks strategic relationship, which dates back to 2011. It also underscores the mutually-beneficial nature of that partnership and the significant, untapped opportunities that still exist for the single serve coffee category in North America." "We are excited to enter into an agreement directly with KDP that enables us to continue the strategic partnership and accelerate growth of the Starbucks brand on the Keurig K-Cup platform," said Tony Matta, President of Nestle Coffee Partners. About Keurig Dr Pepper Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is a leading beverage company in North America, with annual revenue in excess of $11 billion and 25,000+ employees. KDP holds leadership positions in soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, water, juice and juice drinks and mixers, and markets the #1 single serve coffee brewing system in the U.S. and Canada. The Company's portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner brands is designed to satisfy virtually any consumer need, any time, and includes Keurig, Dr Pepper, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Canada Dry, Snapple, Bai, Mott's, CORE and The Original Donut Shop. Through its powerful sales and distribution network, KDP can deliver its portfolio of hot and cold beverages to nearly every point of purchase for consumers. The Company is committed to sourcing, producing and distributing its beverages responsibly through its Drink Well. Do Good. corporate responsibility platform, including efforts around circular packaging, efficient natural resource use and supply chain sustainability. For more information, visit, www.keurigdrpepper.com. About Nestle USA Nestle USA is committed to enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future for individuals and families, for our communities and for the planet. The company's food and beverage portfolio includes some of the most recognizable brands in the United States including Coffee mate, DiGiorno and Nestle Toll House as well as category disruptors such as Sweet Earth, and are in nearly every home in the country. With Nescafe, Nestle Starbucks Coffee and Chameleon Cold Brew, Nestle USA also boasts the largest coffee portfolio in the U.S. Nestle USA is part of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland the world's largest food and beverage company, which has been named among "The World's Most Admired Food Companies" by Fortune magazine for twenty-three consecutive years,. For product news and information, visit Nestleusa.com or Facebook.com/NestleUSA. Contacts: Media: Keurig Dr Pepper Katie Gilroy 781-418-3345 [email protected] Nestle USA Lauren Rubbo 703-682-7748 [email protected] Investors: Keurig Dr Pepper Tyson Seely 781-418-3352 [email protected] Steve Alexander 972-673-6769 [email protected] Nestle USA Lisa Gibby 703-682-7714 [email protected] SOURCE Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. Related Links http://www.keurigdrpepper.com Haiti - FLASH : DR must help resolve the crisis in Haiti ixit economist Vargas Dominican economist Luis H. Vargas (Director of Estadisticas e Investigaciones) said that the Dominican Republic should do more active management with foreign governments and international organizations to deal with the Haitian crisis, "which could become the main problem of Dominicans from a social point of view." Vargas explained that the Dominican Government should ask the international community, in particular the United States, Canada and France, for greater material, technical and financial cooperation in order to contribute to the resolution of the economic, social and environmental policy. In this regard, he believes that the Dominican Government should convene an international summit to address the Haitian question and in particular the United Nations Security Council. Likewise, he thinks that the Dominican Republic should coordinate more effectively the articulation of industrial free export zones between the two countries. He also urged to encourage dialogue between State, commercial, civil, university and ecclesiastical institutions of the two Nations. "This dialogue can be based on the formation or consolidation of entities dedicated to monitoring and research linked to government agencies, academic entities, business associations and civil institutions." Another of Vargas' proposals is that the Dominican Republic should continue to strengthen the program of customs establishments along the border and cooperate with Haiti to have the same number of control establishments in each of the countries at all existing border points in order to collect taxes in both Nations. The economist also suggests that the Dominican Government demand that the international community, in particular the main developed countries including the United States, implement a joint plan to contain and then reduce hunger in Haiti before it is too late. Finally, he believes that the Dominican Republic can help Haiti with a humanitarian aid plan managed by the Dominican Government, with contributions from the national budget and from various private companies and national institutions. SL/ HaitiLibre Andhra Pradesh minister Botsa Satyanarayana on Thursday accused TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu of creating "unwarranted ruckus" at Visakhapatnam after he came out of the airport. "TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu created hurdles to law and order situation and provoked chaos in peaceful North Andhra region. He has been demeaning the people of North Andhra region with his abusive comments since past two days," he alleged. The TDP chief had gone to Vishakhapatnam on Thursday. Satyanarayana said Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had announced Visakhapatnam as executive capital in order to develop the backward North Andhra region. "But Naidu doesn't want the development of that area. YSRCP did not indulge in any insider trading, we don't have to be afraid. It is he who did so," he alleged. "Naidu and TDP are making false accusations that police yielded to YSRCP when the police were doing their duty," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A global recession is likely if coronavirus becomes a pandemic, and the odds of that are uncomfortably high and rising with infections surging in Italy and Korea, Moody's Analytics said on Wednesday. "The coronavirus has been a body blow to the Chinese economy, which now threatens to take out the entire global economy," Chief Economist at Moodys Analytics Mark Zandi said. The outbreak of the virus, officially called COVID-19, was first detected in Wuhan in China in December and has since affected thousands of people across the globe. "COVID-19 is battering the global economy in numerous ways. Chinese business travel and tourism has all but stopped; global airlines are not going to China and cruise lines are cancelling most Asia-Pacific itineraries. This is a huge problem for major travel destinations, including in the US, where some 3 million Chinese tourists visit each year," Moody's Analytics said. Chinese tourists to the US are among the biggest spenders of any foreign tourists. Travel in Europe is also sure to be severely impacted as Milan, Italy, the centre of the new infections in that country, is a major travel hub for the Continent. Shuttered Chinese factories are also a problem for countries and companies fastened into Chinas manufacturing supply chain. Apple, Nike and General Motors are some prominent American examples. Shortages of some goods will likely result this spring, meaning higher prices for things we buy at Walmart and on Amazon, it said. "US exports to China will suffer given slumping Chinese demand. China is supposed to ramp up its imports of US products as part of the Phase One trade deal signed by the two countries late last year. "How much the Chinese would actually purchase from the US was already an open question. Given COVID-19, it is even more questionable. President Trump has suggested that the federal government will cut another check to hard-pressed US farmers to make up for the losses," it said. Because China is the biggest buyer of many of the worlds commodities, including oil, copper, soybeans and pork, and will be buying a lot less of these and many other things, prices are slumping. Americans will pay less at the gas pump, which is a plus, but it will be hard on the energy, mining and agricultural industries. Emerging economies, especially in Latin America and Africa, that rely on commodity production for their livelihoods will be slammed. "Global businesses cant seem to catch a break. They have been grappling with the trade war, the Brexit transition, and the economic policy implications of the fast-approaching US presidential election," it said. "COVID-19 is now another on this lengthening list of concerns, making it even more likely that already-cautious business executives will continue to sit on new investment and expansion plans. Moreover, they will likely be slow to ramp up their operations, fearful of the implications if they move too quickly and their workers get sick," it said. A doctor takes blood sample for Covid-19 test at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy. Test results revealed a South Korean man died in Bac Ninh Province Tuesday of non-coronavirus complications. Jung Jin Yong, 44, who entered Vietnam on January 28, stayed at a hotel in the northern province, employed by STN VINA Company. On February 7, he visited the provincial general hospital and was diagnosed with and treated for type 2 diabetes. Around 4 p.m. Tuesday, the man returned to hospital after suffering a backache and requested medicine. Doctors claimed he didn't show symptoms of fever or breathing complications. He was later found motionless at a crossroad, around 100 meters from the hospital, provincial police confirmed. Back at the hospital, the patient entered a state of apnea and cardiac arrest. Test results from the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology showed that he did not carry the Covid-19 virus. Police in Bac Ninh are cooperating with the South Korean Embassy in Vietnam to investigate the cause of death. Earlier, Facebook posts mistakenly ascribed Yong's death to the coronavirus epidemic after the South Korean government declared a red alert, its highest level of alarm. South Korea made international headlines as the worst-hit country after China, with nearly 1,600 infections and 13 deaths, many in the southeastern city of Daegu and nearby North Gyeongsang Province. Vietnam has suspended entry from all areas affected by the coronavirus outbreak under a prime ministerial directive issued Tuesday. The new policy came after the epidemic saw complicated developments in South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran. Visitors from infected countries must complete a health declaration and enter quarantine for 14 days, the directive said. On Wednesday, the last of 16 coronavirus patients in Vietnam was discharged. The country has recorded no new infections over the past two weeks. The global death toll has reached 2,807, mostly in China. [February 27, 2020] Regions Bank to Acquire Leading Equipment Finance Lender Ascentium Capital Regions Bank today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ascentium Capital LLC from Warburg Pincus (News - Alert), a global private equity firm focused on growth investing. Ascentium Capital, headquartered in Kingwood, Texas, is the largest independent equipment finance lender in the United States with approximately $2 billion in loans and leases as of year-end and originations of $1.5 billion in 2019. Partnering with nearly 4,000 manufacturers, dealers and distributors to finance essential-use equipment for small business customers, Ascentium Capital offers comprehensive financing solutions through more than 460 employees. "Ascentium Capital's experienced management team has built a strong company known for providing America's small businesses access to the capital they need to grow, and we are excited to welcome them to Regions," said Ronnie Smith, senior executive vice president and head of the Regions Corporate Banking Group. "Leveraging the technology, speed and convenience that Ascentium Capital is known for in combination with Regions' broad spectrum of banking solutions provides a meaningful opportunity to attract new customers and deepen relationships across our combined customer base." The addition of Ascentium Capital expands Regions' current offerings for small business customers and complements the bank's established equipment finance and commercial banking businesses serving middle market and large companies. The transaction provides Regions with a scalable, tech-enabled equipment finance organization with same-day credit decisions and funding for small business customers. Ascentium Capital's seasoned management team combined with its proprietary underwriting technology platform has delivered strong performance throughout credit cycles since its inception. "We are pleased to join Regions, a firm known for its commitment to the customer experience and a long history of providing comprehensive banking solutions to companies of all sizes," said Tom Depping, chief executiveofficer of Ascentium Capital. "This combination will enable us to expand our reach and relevance in serving our vendors and small business customers while continuing to provide seamless service." The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2020, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Financial terms are not disclosed. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as financial advisor to Regions in connection with the transaction and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as its legal counsel. Piper Sandler & Co. served as financial advisor to Ascentium Capital and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal counsel to Ascentium Capital and the sellers. About Regions Financial Corporation Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $126 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,400 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect Regions Financial's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. The words "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "will," "may," "could," "should," "can" and similar expressions often signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information, but rather are related to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time the statements are made. Those statements are based on general assumptions and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the views, beliefs and projections expressed in such statements. If underlying assumptions prove to be inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties arise, actual results could vary materially from these projections or expectations. Factors that could cause Regions Financial's actual results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include: the possibility that regulatory and other approvals and conditions to the proposed transaction are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all, or contain unanticipated terms and conditions; delays in closing the proposed transaction; expected synergies, cost savings and other financial or other benefits of the proposed transaction might not be realized within the expected timeframes or might be less than projected; difficulties in integrating the business; inability of Regions to effectively cross-sell products to Ascentium's customers; and risks identified in Regions Financial's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, these risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Other sections of such filings describe additional factors that could impact Regions Financial's business, financial performance and pending or consummated acquisition transactions, including the proposed transaction. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements that are made from time to time. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005265/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] HALIFAX - Proposed legislative changes in Nova Scotia would give the province regulatory authority over the nicotine content of tobacco and electronic cigarettes. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (684 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Proposed legislative changes in Nova Scotia would give the province regulatory authority over the nicotine content of tobacco and e-cigarettes. Health Minister Randy Delorey addresses the audience at a bill briefing at the legislature in Halifax on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan HALIFAX - Proposed legislative changes in Nova Scotia would give the province regulatory authority over the nicotine content of tobacco and electronic cigarettes. Health Minister Randy Delorey says the move is aimed at protecting youth from potentially hazardous nicotine levels and builds on a ban he announced on flavoured vaping products in December. Nova Scotia was the first province in Canada to ban flavours, and Delorey says the details of the nicotine regulations will be established at a later date. Delorey says another change would broaden the definition of tobacco to include types of tobacco-free nicotine products. Nova Scotia's ban on flavoured e-cigarettes takes effect April 1. Under Nova Scotia's current law, vaping products cannot be sold to anyone under 19. In Tuesday's spring budget, the province's Liberal government said that as of Sept. 15, it will tax vaping liquids at about 50 cents per millilitre and 20 per cent of the retail value of all vaping devices. The annual take is expected to be about $4.3 million. Many typical vaping devices hold slightly less than a millilitre of fuel, meaning the tax on a package of four would total about $1.50. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. Washington is warning about the prospect of a Chinese national heading up the UN patent agency, saying that putting Beijing in charge of global intellectual property protection would be a "terrible mistake". "We want a candidate who comes from a country with a history of protecting IP (intellectual property)," US Ambassador Andrew Bremberg told AFP in a recent interview. "China does not have that history," he said, voicing alarm at the idea of allowing the influential World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to be headed by a country where IP theft and counterfeiting are rife. China meanwhile has accused Washington of turning next week's election to replace Australian Francis Gurry after 12 years at the WIPO helm "into a political game". Chinese Ambassador Chen Xu told reporters on Wednesday that his country's candidate Wang Binying, who has served as WIPO's deputy chief for a decade, was clearly "the strongest candidate". But, he said, "we have got the impression that the Americans are trying to do whatever they can and ... they exert pressures (to vote for) anyone but China." Wang is among six candidates in the running for the post when Gurry steps down in September, with the others coming from Colombia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Peru and Singapore. The US has not officially endorsed any of the candidates, but according to diplomatic sources has been putting its weight behind Daren Tang, who currently heads Singapore's intellectual property office. Washington has meanwhile not been shy about its objection to Wang winning the post. In an opinion piece published in the Financial Times on Sunday, Peter Navarro who heads a White House office on trade and manufacturing, wrote that "giving control of WIPO to a representative of China would be a terrible mistake." Bremberg pointed to a recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development showing that 85 percent of counterfeit goods globally came from China and Hong Kong. "That is a problem," he said. "Counterfeiting damages owners and users of IP," he said, stressing in particular the impact such activities can have in developing countries in terms of job losses and factory closures. Bremberg acknowledged he was "working very closely with other WIPO member states...to ensure that a top-notch, very well-qualified candidate is the one who is elected." Chen pointed out that China was one of the world's top patent applicants and insisted that it has "firmly established the concept that protecting intellectual property is protecting innovation." He slammed the US "attack" as "unfair", adding: "We don't believe it is a constructive approach". Bremberg said he was seeing a "clear awakening" among country representatives to the importance of who leads WIPO. "The economic importance of WIPO really can't be overstated," he said. In the US he said, "IP-intensive industries account for nearly one-third of all employment and approximately 40 per cent of US GDP. That's an estimated USD 6.6 trillion." The US has also warned that allowing a Chinese national to ascend to the top of WIPO would give the country far too much influence within the UN as a whole. Chinese citizens currently head four out of 15 specialised UN agencies: the International Telecommunication Union, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the UN Industrial Development Organisation, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. If WIPO is added to the list, China would have nationals at the helm of a full third of the agencies, while no other country heads more than one, Navarro pointed out. "The US and the rest of the UN must also act quickly to assess -- and counteract -- China's broader efforts to control other international organisations," he wrote. Chen dismissed this argument, insisting that there was no "China's control or China's intention to dominate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A young mum has revealed the terrifying moment her abusive former partner threatened to 'incinerate her in an oven' and 'serve her up for dinner'. Lauren, not her real name, has come forward with her harrowing story of abuse and intimidation after the gruesome murder in Brisbane last week of Hannah Clarke by her ex-husband Rowan Baxter. Daily Mail Australia can also reveal how women under threat of death from their abusive ex-partners are being turned away from welfare agencies due to a lack of funding. Frightened women living in Melbourne's north-west cannot get access to vital domestic violence flexible support packages. Announced in 2016, the packages are supposed to provide up to $10,000 to victims experiencing family violence by assisting them to 'access support, move out of crisis, stabilise and improve their safety, well-being and independence into recovery'. Hannah Clarke (left) and her three children were burnt alive by her crazed ex Rowan Baxter (right) Lauren said she was unable to receive funding for security cameras at her house because the welfare agency had exhausted its allocation of packages. The young mum said she had been forced to move house in fear from her tormentor, who repeatedly threatened to kill her. She said her fears had been compounded by the torching in Brisbane of Hannah Clarke and her children. Baxter doused Ms Clarke and their children, Aaliyah, six, Laianah, four, and Trey, three, in petrol and set them on fire during the school run last Wednesday, in a family violence crime that shocked the nation. Baxter killed himself. In one menacing voice message left on Lauren's phone on Christmas day, the thug threatened to incinerate her in an oven and serve her up for dinner. 'I think that there are massive gaps in the funding for victims of domestic violence,' she said. Lauren has been divorced for 10 years, but her ex-partner's hostility has reached dangerous new heights over the past four years. The deadbeat dad has demanded his critically ill daughter move in with him despite refusing to even undertake the proper medical training required to care for the girl. Making matters worse, the NSW resident has been using the law to his advantage while openly flaunting it with his out-of-control rage. 'It was like a light switch flipped and then the verbal abuse started again, text messages, the threats,' Lauren said. With no Family Court orders in place, Lauren faced the constant fear that her ex-partner would simply take their sick daughter away. 'Legal Aid won't fund a case if you're initiating it. So if you're the respondent you can get funding to respond to a Family Court application but not if you are the applicant,' she said. 'So you've got to wait to be the victim and as the law stands if you don't have final court orders signed by a judge you can go to her school with her birth certificate and remove the child.' Lauren said once a child has been removed the Family Court is reluctant to order the child to be returned until the matter is finalised. 'I knew it was a possibility that he could do that. I never thought he would do it, he threatened to, and then he did,' she said. Under surveillance from the thug's goons, Lauren was forced to flee her home in country Victoria and move to the city where she thought her family would be safe. 'He located us through the courts,' Lauren said. He turned up at the sick child's school where worried teachers tried to delay him. The violent thug lost the plot and police were called. A victim of domestic violence has been denied access to cash that would have allowed her to sleep better at night A text message received by Lauren from a man she believed to be her husband under a false Facebook name 'The police took an hour-and-a-half to get there,' Lauren said. Despite the ugly incident, police did not take out an intervention order and told the frightened woman if he showed up again to call 000. 'Two weeks later I get a note from police apologising because they should have actually referred me to a welfare agency who would normally check in with you the next day to ensure everything's okay,' she said. With evidence of threats mounting up, Lauren said police resisted applying for an intervention order. 'They said you're not at risk enough because the perpetrator lives interstate,' she said. Court action was then launched in NSW, where Lauren was required to attend in person without funding for a lawyer. 'I was left to self-represent and I had to go there, which is crazy because Victorian Legal Aid said its Federal Court so that if we would fund a case in Victoria, NSW should fund it, but it didn't work out that way,' she said. Lauren was unable to obtain assistance from welfare agencies as her abuser's harassment escalated. With her current husband locked in immigration detention after a visa bungle, Lauren was left alone to deal with the looming threat. At one point her ex-husband was found lurking about her house after driving to Melbourne in a hire car. Homeless and afraid, Lauren was not able to even access a women's refuge because she cares for an adult son with severe autism. Instead, welfare agencies supplied her with a link to a 'how not to die' website for women trying to escape domestic violence. 'He told me he was going to burn me alive in an oven. He was going to cremate me,' she said. An intervention order was finally issued last month by a magistrate following months of torment. But Lauren has little faith in a system she believes is stacked against her. 'More women will burn,' she said. Brisbane mother Hannah Clarke wrote that she was a 'survivor not a victim' in one of her final social media posts Founder of the National Homeless Collective Donna Stolzenberg has having to help women at risk who cannot access government support Founder of the National Homeless Collective Donna Stolzenberg said she was seeing more and more cases of women being turned away from support services due to lack of funding or red tape making support inaccessible. 'Agencies refuse to pay bond and rent in advance for private rentals yet there is no public housing stock available for desperate families to rent,' she said. 'These women have almost always suffered financial abuse and control at the hands of their abusive partners. Theyre now turning to us desperately seeking support because there is no one else out there to help them.' Ms Stolzenberg said women living in certain zones could not access funding from agencies that still had money because they didnt live in the right catchment. 'Its incredibly frustrating because were not funded to help people so we have to call on the public to fundraise so women can move to safety,' she said. 'Were taking on the responsibility of the government yet theyre not funding us to do this.' Ms Stolzenberg said it was seeing an increase in desperate women whos ex partners have breached intervention orders time and again yet havent been charged. 'Offenders are released to come straight back and cause more fear and threats, meaning women have to move or go into hiding yet again, or stay like sitting ducks waiting for their ex to carry out his violent threats,' she said. Ms Stolzenberg lashed out at police, accusing officers of becoming complacent. 'Theyre too close to the source and because they see the worst end of the domestic abuse spectrum (homicide), things like threats are seen as nothing more than a nuisance and arent taken seriously even when theyre credible,' she said. 'Police are letting the offenders get away with breaching AVOs simply because they see so many cases of violence every day that a threat alone isnt seen as significant enough. 'The power to make that decision needs to be taken off the police themselves and made mandatory by law that all people breaching an apprehended violence order are immediately locked up for a minimum term, long enough to get the victim to safety and put extra measures in place including mandatory counselling for the perpetrators.' Victoria Police spokeswoman Cathy Le said family violence accounted for the majority of front line police work. 'We remain absolutely committed to reducing the prevalence of this crime in our community and the harm it causes,' she said. Ms Le said Victoria Police continued to respond to an increasing number of family violence incidents every year. 'In Victoria police responded to more than 84,000 incidents of family violence in the year ending September 2019,' she said. 'That means police are responding to more than 230 family violence incidents a day, or one incident every six minutes. 'Police are cracking down on people who fail to comply with reporting obligations or breach orders and this impacts the number of offences we see across the state. There were more than 45,000 breaches of family violence orders a record high (11.6 per cent increase from 40,633 to 45,334).' Ms Le said Victoria Police was committed to ensuring its police officers are better trained and more capable to respond to domestic violence crimes. A fundraiser has been started to help Lauren and other women at risk. LUCKNOW Going beyond the limits of imparting theoretical knowledge to students, Lucknow University is set to launch a model of happiness in its curriculum. The proposal for this course was put forward during the meeting of board of studies on Thursday. The proposal was passed. The course will be offered to students from the new academic session, said Prof Amita Bajpai of the education department. The education department has also chalked out the syllabus for the yearlong course, which will be interdisciplinary, allowing students of every department to enroll in it. The course includes portions ranging from Charvak (ancient school on materialism) to Sri Aurobindos philosophy. Happiness course will have five units, including the several aspects related to happiness. The aim will be to make students realise about what happiness is, said Bajpai. While researching for the course, we realised that the current generation has a false sense of happiness, which is overpowered by outward appreciation. The objective of the course will be to make students realise that happiness is internal and personal, said Bajpai. In this age and era, we tend to connect happiness with worldly possessions. But societies that dont have this mindset are usually happier. Bhutan, which tops the Gross National Happiness (GNH) index, is a great example. Bhutan is not very developed and people have very humble standards of living, but yet they are happy, the professor added. Bhutan is also linked to the idea of a happiness course at LU. The proposal to introduce the course was put forward during last years visit of Thakur S Powdyel, educator and politician, who served as the minister of education with royal government of Bhutan from 2008 to 2013. The syllabus designed by the education department also includes parts of Bhutanese society. Students, many of whom will become future teachers, will learn about happiness and we hope that they will pioneer the wave of awareness of happiness in the country, said Bajpai. The happiness course is in line with novel courses being offered at LU. The university administration recently announced to launch a course titled Garbh Sanskar to educate about better care during pregnancy. Foreign companies and JVs bullish on Chinese market From:ChinaDaily | 2020-02-26 09:52 FDI from nonfinancial sectors rises 4% to $12.68b in January, show official data Foreign-funded companies and joint ventures across the nation are demonstrating their confidence in the Chinese market as they gradually restart production amid the novel coronavirus epidemic. Their confidence has been cemented by the Chinese authority's efforts in helping them address problems in investment, production and business operations. Global machinery giant Caterpillar Inc restarted most of its Chinese operations on Feb 10, as per the direction of the Chinese government. "Since beginning operations in China, Caterpillar has been impressed by the resilience of the people in this country and we are confident that China will persevere during this difficult time," said Chen Qihua, vice-president of China operations at Caterpillar. "Be assured, the safety and wellbeing of our employees remain our top priority. We continue to follow government direction on remaining openings and assess daily to ensure the safety of our employees. We will continue to work with our customers and industry partners to build a better world," Chen said. Zheng Qi, vice-general manager of Airbus Tianjin Assembly Co Ltd, said the company has seen up to 1,300 people re-join the production team after health checks. The company will continue with stringent health examinations and protective measures to secure the staff's health. So far, up to 95 percent of foreign-funded companies in Tianjin resumed their production and businesses, said Zhou Lu, the deputy head of the local commerce bureau. Delivering an important speech at a meeting in Beijing on Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said major foreign investment projects should be well implemented, while the opening-up of finance and other services should be expanded. The business environment should continue to be optimized to strengthen the confidence of foreign businesses in long-term investment and operations in China, Xi said. The Chinese government has rolled out measures to facilitate foreign companies in smoothly resuming production and to restore their earnings strength. A recent circular released by the Ministry of Commerce called on local governments to provide timely services to large foreign-invested projects under construction, optimize online government services, and coordinate relevant government branches and public utilities to ensure their supplies to foreign companies. Zong Changqing, director-general of the commerce ministry's department of foreign investment administration, said although the epidemic will continue to affect the operation of both foreign and domestic companies in February and March, its impact on foreign investment will gradually ease once the virus is contained in the country. "China's competitive advantage in attracting foreign investment has not changed," Zong said at a news briefing. In January, foreign direct investment from nonfinancial sectors into the Chinese mainland rose 4 percent year-on-year to 87.57 billion yuan ($12.68 billion), data from the ministry showed. Foreign automobile companies too have been busy with resumption of production. In Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, German auto major Volkswagen has started rolling out its Audi A6 models from production line on Feb 17. Gaby-Luise Wust, president of Audi China, said that all their dealers, partners and employees have joined hands to overcome current difficulties. Echoing the sentiment, Jiang Xutong, the vice-director of Changchun Automobile Economic and Technological Development Zone Administrative Committee, said: "We have set up five service teams for auto producers here in the zone, helping to solve their difficulties 24 hours a day." "I appreciate the government for providing protection and disinfectant supplies despite the shortage of supplies at this difficult time," Brian Cargille, the global head of Printing Operations and Media in HP Inc, said in a letter to Liu Wei, director of the Administrative Committee of the Weihai Hi-tech Zone, in East China's Shandong province. To help companies resume production, Weihai has allocated personnel to help companies tackle each problem related to the resumption of production such as logistics and personnels. Min Dongzhi, external relationship team director of LG Display High-Tech (China) Co Ltd, said he has confidence that his company will make up for the economic losses caused by the epidemic in the following months and meet the company's annual production target. In general, the epidemic's impact is temporary since the Chinese government has sufficient policy space and maneuverability to boost the economy. The long-term positive trend of China's economy will also not change, Geng Shuang, spokesperson of Foreign Ministry said. "We are confident in meeting economic and social development goals," he said. Zhao Ruixue in Jinan, Liu Mingtai in Changchun and Zheng Caixiong in Guangzhou contributed to the story. New Delhi: Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra on Thursday (February 27) failed to respite from the Delhi High Court, which disposed of his petition against flying ban imposed on him by several airlines. The single judge HC bench of Justice Navin Chawla, however, directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to decide Kamra's representation within eight weeks. The comedian had filed the representation before the DGCA on February 20, prior to approaching the High Court. Notably, Kamra had posted a video of him confronting senior journalist Arnab Goswami, with whom he shared an IndiGo flight to Lucknow on January 28. IndiGo airlines had suspended Kamra from flying in its airline for six months for being an unruly passenger. He was intimated of the same via a tweet from IndiGos handle. Later, other airlines including GoAir, Air India, and Spice Jet, had also banned him from flying with them indefinitely. Pleading that the travel ban imposed on him was in violation of the Civil Aviation Rules, Kamra contended that punishment was imposed without following due process, as no Internal Committee was formed and no complaint was made in accordance with the law. Notably, Kamra had posted the video saying "I did this for my hero.......i did this for Rohit." In the video, Arnab Goswami is seen not reacting to the comedian`s statements and remained glued to his laptop. Indigo had issued a statement saying, "In light of the recent incident on board 6E 5317 from Mumbai to Lucknow, we wish to inform that we are suspending Mr Kunal Kamra from flying with IndiGo for a period of six months, as his conduct onboard was unacceptable behaviour." Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri had also criticised Kamra's act and asked other airlines to follow Indigo footsteps. Darbytown Art Studio, 241 Charles St. Works by local artists. 804/334-5156; facebook.com/DarbytownArt. Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, 813 Sophia St. Frederick Gallery: All Photography. Members Gallery: Works by Kathy Noel and Van Anderson. Through February. 540/373-5646; fccava.org. Gari Melchers Home & Studio, 224 Washington St., Falmouth. Rotating works of prominent portraitist and American Impressionist painter Gari Melchers. 540/654-1015; garimelchers.org. James Madison Museum of Orange County Heritage, 129 Caroline St., Orange. Permanent exhibits: Presidents Room, Black History Room, Paleo and Native Americans Room and Hall of Agriculture and Transportation. 540/672-1776; thejamesmadisonmuseum.net. The James Monroe Museum, 908 Charles St. New exhibit: James Monroe: the Library of a President, include books owned by James Monroe, as well as those obtained by the museum that are contemporary editions of works known to be in his personal collection. 540/654-1043; jamesmonroemuseum.umw.edu. Warriors also shared the challenges they have faced during recovery from their injuries and transition to civilian life. Army Spc. John Palmer illustrated that the voice of America's veterans is invaluable when implementing change. "I tell veterans that if they want change, that change begins with us," said Palmer. "Warriors need to advocate for the change they want to see, and our efforts will pave the way for the veterans who follow after us." Other warriors were challenged by the nature of the event, overcoming social anxieties and physical limitations to speak up for a generation of wounded veterans. "The biggest issue, like most events, was showing up because I have a lot of physical issues, and they tend to kickstart my emotional issues relating to those injuries," said Army Spc. Ryan Pearson. "But behind every veteran issue is a person. To be able to put my voice forward to explain how drastic some of these health challenges have been means a great deal." By speaking with warriors, Congress members and their staff not only gained a valuable perspective on these critical issues they were able to discuss solutions. "Meeting with the representatives when we told our stories, you could see their passion and motivation," said Army Spc. Yomari Cruz. "That triggered additional questions and discussion that allowed us to share our firsthand experiences. For me, it means that coming out here and having the courage to be the voice for our brothers and sisters is actually making a difference." "It's important for veterans to help our leaders come up with solutions to problems," said Army Staff Sgt. Cody Chism. "This advocacy event provided us with an opportunity to engage our elected officials at the highest level so that positive change can take place." "The work we do is no substitute for warriors themselves speaking with our nation's leaders. That's why events like today's matter," said Jose' Ramos, WWP government and community relations vice president. "It gives those who live these realities every day a chance to make their voices heard about what they're experiencing. We're proud of the work they did today and the conversations we were able to have. True progress can only come from understanding." These 26 warriors also attended a joint hearing of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs and Armed Services committees, where WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington discussed WWP's top legislative priorities for 2020. To see the full testimony, click here. About Wounded Warrior Project Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more. SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More DLF and TCS have been given the go-ahead by the government to set up IT special economic zones (SEZs) in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, sources told Moneycontrol. These proposals were cleared by the Board of Approval, the highest decision-making body for SEZs, at its meeting on February 26. The inter-ministerial body is chaired by the Commerce Secretary. DLF has got the nod for the setting up of two SEZs for IT/ITeS at Bandhwari in Gurugram, spread over 23.34 hectares and 23.98 hectares, entailing investments of Rs 793.95 crore and Rs 761.54 crore, respectively. "Both the proposals have been cleared subject to the condition that the letter of approval (LoA) for setting up of the units would be issued only after the requirement of contiguity of the SEZ is fulfilled by the developer as per the relevant rules and instructions," sources told Moneycontrol. TCS has also been given the nod to set up an Information Technology/Information Technology-enabled services SEZ over an area of 19.90 hectares in Sector 157 in Noida, sources said. The total proposed investment for the project is Rs 2,433.72 crore, they said. According to the sunset clause, there is a 100 per cent income tax exemption on export income for SEZ units under Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act for the first five years, 50 per cent for next five years and 50 per cent of the ploughed back export profit for subsequent five years. This will expire on March 31, 2020. SEZs had emerged as major export hubs in the country, but their shine has dimmed after the imposition of Minimum Alternate Tax and introduction of the sunset clause. As the old saying goes, you should never count your chickens until your eggs have hatched. Thats why were going to try to avoid getting too excited about the potential of an all-encompassing Free Trade Agreement between the United States of America and Kenya, even though the possibility of one now appears to be closer than at any other time in recent history. If such an agreement could be struck, it would mark a new high point not just in Kenyan-American trade relations, but also trade relations between the United States of America and all of sub-Saharan Africa. The news that the agreement is close comes off the back of President Kenyattas recent visit to the USA, where US and Kenyan business leaders met to discuss the possible involvement of the private sector in a future trading arrangement, and also avenues that could be opened up to each nation to ease the process of trade and also make trade exchanges more economically attractive for both nations. The concept of a Free Trade Agreement is a difficult one to grasp for the uninitiated. All too often, the way that stock and trade markets work looks and feels like an online slots game, where behavior cannot be predicted from one moment to the next. There are even similarities online slots work according to a risk and reward system with a percentage chance of making a return on investment, and so do the markets. Someone playing slots has no way of affecting the outcome of their next bet, though. An experienced trader or investor can control the market, even if the means by which they do so are difficult to comprehend for someone who doesnt have a background in economics. In its most basic terms and according to the guidance put out by the World Trade Organization, who ought to be viewed as the definitive voice on such matters a Free Trade Agreement is one that relaxes tariffs and barriers on trading arrangements between participating countries. This can apply to some of the goods traded between the nations, or it can apply to all of them. This is similar to being in a customs union, but some tariffs tend to remain in place in customs unions. Traditionally, in a Free Trade Agreement, there are none. When a Free Trade Agreement is in place, it makes it more advantageous for a country to buy goods from a country it has such an agreement with than a country that it doesnt, because the costs of acquiring those goods are lower. As we alluded to earlier, there are currently no sub-Saharan African countries that have Free Trade Agreements in place with the United States of America. If the proposed US-Kenyan deal is approved, Kenya will become the first. That could make Kenya a potential template for the way in which the US may choose to model and arrange Free Trade Agreements with other African nations in years to come. In theory, that fact alone provides an incentive to both sides to make sure the agreement is struck on mutually beneficial terms and is also exploited to its maximum potential. Its doubtful that a trading agreement would even be on the table were it not for the fiscal success and growth that Kenya has enjoyed through the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Kenya has shown a remarkable aptitude for trading value-added products and has become a regional leader in doing so. As a result of this improved performance, its thought that Kenyas construction, banking, health, and services industries are of significant interest to American firms, as is the countrys energy provision network. There will doubtless be fears from some domestic firms about what will happen to their share of the market should large American companies move on, but such is the reality of global trade. While there isnt a model to look for as a basis of comparison in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya could look to Morocco to see the possibilities that a Free Trade Agreement with the USA could bring. Such an agreement has existed between those two nations for some time, and it has brought both benefits and problems to the Moroccan nation. Through careful study, Kenya should hopefully be able to position itself to receive the majority of the benefits while simultaneously avoiding the majority of the problems. While the Kenyan Government is keen to get an agreement drawn up and signed as quickly as possible, its doubtful that the matter is as high a priority to the United States of America, and so it may be some time before the agreement is finalized. The Trump Administration has bee busily signing up trading agreements with many friendly nations in recent years, and there are other large countries attempting to put themselves ahead of Kenya in the queue. Perhaps the most notable is the United Kingdom, which is palpably desperate to sign a favorable agreement with the USA in the wake of its departure from the trading bloc of the European Union, and the traditional closeness between the two countries may mean that the British are taken care of before the Kenyans. We would have been certain of that fact if it werent for a recent disagreement between the two nations on the topic of Huawei. The Chinese company is considered to be blacklisted by the USA, and President Trump is believed to have been deeply displeased when UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson handed the firm a large role in the redevelopment of the countrys mobile network. Matters of trade and diplomacy between the United States of America and other countries are exactly like those online slots games we mentioned earlier on theyre out of Kenyan hands, and Kenyan actions cannot affect them. What Kenya can do is work hard to make itself as attractive a trading partner for the United States of America as possible, and therefore strike a deal that could bring economic prosperity to the country for years to come. At the same time, though, it cannot afford to give too much away to the American side without obtaining similar and worthwhile concessions in return. As with all major trade agreements and treaties, this will be a very delicate balancing act, and it may take time to get it while. We wish President Kenyatta and his team the very best in their negotiations, and we hope for a result that all of Kenya can be pleased and proud of. Africa will be watching. The South Korean and US militaries announced today that they were postponing joint drills due to concern about an outbreak of coronavirus that has infected soldiers in both countries. A viral outbreak has seen armed forces infected, put many troops in quarantine and closed base facilities. As a result their annual maneuvers have been suspended in a bid to limit the spread of virus. Twenty South Korean soldiers and one American service member in South Korea have tested positive for the new coronavirus, which has infected about 1,600 people in the Asian country, the second largest outbreak outside mainland China. It comes as the number of infections inside China - the source of the outbreak - was for the first time overtaken by fresh cases elsewhere. In a joint news conference, South Korean and US military officers said their joint drills planned for the first half of this year will be put off until further notice. A US military policeman and South Korean security persons at the US Army base Camp Walker in Daegu, South Korea, last week US Army's Col. Lee Peters, director of Public Affairs of United States Forces Korea, and Col. Kim Jun-rak, of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff briefing the media about the their postponed joint militaries drills at Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, today South Korean military chief Park Han-ki proposed the delay out of concerns for troop safety. Robert Abrams, the commander of the US military in South Korea, accepted Park's suggestion based on the severity of the virus outbreak, said Kim Joon Rak, a spokesman at the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lee Peters, a US military spokesman, said the postponement decision 'was not taken lightly' and that two countries' alliance remains 'ironclad and unbreakable.' 'Despite the postponement of combined training, the ROK-US alliance remains committed to providing a credible military deterrence and maintaining a robust combined defense posture to protect the ROK [Republic of Korea] against any threat.' South Korea boasts a 600,000-strong military, while the US has 28,500 troops in the country and those troops are at particular risk due to the close quarters at the bases where they are stationed. In recent days, South Korea suspended some unilateral field training, placed 9,570 troops under quarantine and banned most of its enlisted soldiers from leaving their bases. A South Korean marine wearing a mask stands in front of the Navy Base after a soldier of the unit was confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus on Jeju Island, South Korea A man wearing a face mask passing by US Army base Camp Walker, in Daegu, South Korea, today The US military closed some amenities at several bases and was urging its personnel to avoid handshakes and large gatherings if possible. US State Department issued a new travel warning for South Korea after the American military reported its first case of the coronavirus on Wednesday, in a 23-year-old soldier based near the South Korean city of Daegu. Experts say the postponement of the drills was inevitable because the potential spread of the virus into military barracks could significantly weaken military readiness. The allies have previously suspended or scaled back their regular military exercises, but that was part of diplomatic efforts to disarm North Korea, which views the training as a rehearsal for an invasion. North Korea has not publicly reported any case of the virus, but many experts say the the country also likely reduced its own military training as it's preoccupied with guarding against the virus. An epidemic in North Korea could cause a devastating consequence because of its dilapidated medical and health care infrastructures, experts say. Soldiers in the military truck spraying disinfectant as a precaution against the COVID-19 on the street in Gwangju, South Korea, earlier this month US and South Korean soldiers a floating bridge on the Hantan river after a crossing operation, part of an annual joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States in Yeoncheon, South Korea, in 2015 This makes it unlikely that North Korea would launch any major provocation anytime soon though leader Kim Jong Un in late December threatened to unveil 'a new strategic weapon' soon, said analyst Kim Dae-young at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy in South Korea. The allies were supposed to hold their major springtime drills in March, mostly tabletop exercises and simulations. Drills were revised to create more space in nuclear disarmament diplomacy with North Korea and replaced much bigger exercises that had particularly irritated Pyongyang. Yang Wook, a military expert who teaches at South Korea's Hannam University, said the springtime command post drills involve officers gathering at a small place so it's easier for them to catch the virus if there is a patient. 'If they all wear gas masks and train together, they could be safe. If they can't do so, it's not a bad idea to be more cautious,' Yang said. Brazil confirmed Latin America's first infection and the new disease - officially named COVID-19 - was also detected for the first time in Pakistan, Sweden, Norway, Greece, Romania and Algeria. China reported 433 new cases on Thursday, against 406 a day earlier. US health authorities reported the first possible case of community transmission in the United States involving someone who had no relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient. She won all three of her Senate campaigns in Minnesota by more than 20 percentage points. Trump, by comparison, lost the state by only 1.5 points in 2016. Klobuchar did it by winning suburbs that normally lean right and holding her own in many rural areas. Her strategy isnt exactly a secret. It is the same one that many congressional Democrats used in 2018, and not so different from Barack Obamas approach to his 2012 re-election. She emphasizes the pocketbook issues on which Democrats hold a huge advantage over Republicans. She doesnt make voters anxious by promising utopian dreams, like a mandatory version of Medicare that would ban private insurance. She promises to reduce the cost of medical care and points out that Republicans will raise those costs. Klobuchar also finds ways to demonstrate her respect to voters who disagree with her on many issues. She describes Minnesota as a proud hunting state and visits each of its 87 counties every year. She doesnt take unpopular positions on immigration, like border decriminalization. And yet Klobuchar is hardly a centrist. She wants to raise taxes on the rich, break up monopolies, vastly expand Medicare, fight climate change, admit more refugees, allow undocumented immigrants to become citizens, ban assault weapons and require universal background checks. A Klobuchar administration would probably be well to the left of the Obama administration. With more than 300 3-point shots made so far this season, Mountain America presented $17,000 to the American Red Cross at the final men's basketball home game on February 22, 2020. Mountain America awarded an additional $10,500 to the American Red Cross at the BYU football game on November 16, 2019. "I have followed and admired Mountain America Credit Union's long history of contributing so generously and meaningfully in the many communities we share and call home," says Adam Whitaker, executive director at the American Red Cross Central and Southern Utah Chapter. "The American Red Cross is grateful for the partnership we feel from the leadership, teams, and members of Mountain America. We acknowledge their weighty contribution to our mutual mission of saving lives, lifting those in greatest need, and making our local communities safer places to live, work, and play. We simply could not do it well without the Mountain America Credit Union family. They make the kind of difference that so many count on." "From house fires to major disasters, the American Red Cross works tirelessly with local authorities to provide the vital resources needed to begin rebuilding homes and lives," says Sterling Nielsen, president and chief executive officer at Mountain America Credit Union. "Thank you for the support and hope you provide to the community in times of need." About Mountain America Credit Union With more than 880,000 members and $9 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union assists members on the right path to help them identify and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 95 branches across five states, thousands of shared-branching locations nationwide and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain Americaguiding you forward. Learn more at macu.com. SOURCE Mountain America Credit Union Related Links http://www.macu.com S audi Arabia has barred foreigners from entering the country including those coming to visit the holiest sites in Islam following fears about the spread of coronavirus. The countrys decision comes months before the annual Hajj pilgrimage and after 220 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 illness have been recorded in the Middle East. Officials said the bar is temporary but no date for lifting it has been given. There have been no confirmed cases in Saudi Arabia yet. The decision stops foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure the worlds 1.8 billion Muslims pray toward five times a day. The centre of the outbreak in Iran, the most-affected country in the Middle East, appears to be in the holy Shiite city of Qom, where a shrine there sees the faithful reach out to kiss and touch it in reverence. Announcing the decision, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said: Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus, and urges its citizens to exercise caution before travelling to countries experiencing coronavirus outbreaks. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm. Disease outbreaks always have been a concern surrounding the hajj, required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their life, especially as pilgrims come from all over the world. The earliest recorded outbreak came in 632 as pilgrims fought off malaria, while a cholera outbreak in 1821 killed an estimated 20,000 pilgrims and another cholera outbreak in 1865 killed 15,000 pilgrims and then spread worldwide. Meanwhile, the US and South Korea have announced they are postponing the annual military drills between the two countries. China and South Korea have also each reported hundreds more cases of the virus. China reported 433 new cases, mostly in Wuhan, where the virus emerged in December, bringing the countrys total to 78,497 cases. Beijing also said there had been 29 more deaths, taking its toll to 2,744. South Korea reported 334 more cases, bringing its total to 1,595. Most were in the countrys fourth-biggest city, Daegu, where the outbreak has hit hardest. But there are signs the virus is spreading with dozens of cases in Seoul and South Koreas second-largest city, Busan. More than 6bn has been wiped off the value of Irish companies this week amid escalating fears about the impact of the global coronavirus outbreak. While the stock market saw some late recovery on Wednesday afternoon, analysts are warning of weeks of turmoil before the threat is contained. The Iseq All-Share Index of Irish shares listed on the Euronext Dublin closed at 6,832, down 5.6pc since the start of the week, including heavy falls on Monday. Some of the worst-hit individual stocks are in the travel and tourism sectors. Ryanair shares are down more than 17pc since their close on Friday, wiping billions of euro off its market valuation. Dublin-headquartered global holiday booking platform Hostelworld's shares have shed almost a third of their value in the past month, including a 16pc decline in the past week. Bank of Ireland shares are down almost 10pc this week, although that is more likely to reflect disappointing results from the bank itself. Kerry Group, an Irish multinational with operations in China, has largely bucked the trend; shares are 1.3pc lower since Friday's close. Pricing the impact of the coronavirus on the economy and on individual companies is difficult but some companies are offering guidance. Guinness parent Diageo warned that it expects to take a 200m (240m) hit to 2020 profits - equivalent to 5pc of last year's profits - because of disruption caused by the outbreak. Diageo joined a parade of multinationals, including Apple and Nike, that have issued profit warnings because of the risk that coronavirus could spread in Europe and North America, forcing more factories and customers into quarantine. The Covid-19 virus has killed more than 2,700 people and infected more than 80,000 worldwide, rattling global stock markets after an outbreak in Italy in particular. But analysts said world markets were overdue a correction following an almost unbroken 2019 run of gains to record US market highs reached earlier this month. "Markets get very volatile when you get shocks like this. Sell-offs can be short and sharp and then rebound. Markets are likely to be very choppy in coming weeks," said Tom McCabe, global strategist at Bank of Ireland Investment Markets. "If you look at the bull market since it began in 2009, you have a 10pc correction probably once a year. We had almost an uninterrupted rally in 2019. So this sell-off is a little bit overdue," he said. Bank of Ireland sees value in bonds and defensive stocks in the short term but also sees the coronavirus threat as a relatively short-term hit to markets. "Nothing has emerged unscathed in the last number of days. What you have seen doing relatively well is defensives and bond proxies. Sectors like utilities, real estate and Reit (real estate investment trust) plays, consumer staples - either bond yield proxies or steady eddies - have outperformed this week," Mr McCabe said. "People asked at the start of this year, why would you hold bonds," he said, noting the historic low yields they offer in the current low-interest environment. "This is why you hold bonds or gold - it's for shocks like coronavirus." Delhi to ease restrictions, if Covid cases come down in next 2-3 days: Health Minister Lata Mangeshkar health update: Doctor says,'She in ICU with Covid-19 and pneumonia, will be under observation' Coronavirus: 124 evacuees from Japan cruise ship back home, head to quarantine facility in Manesar India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 27: As many as 124 evacuees, including 119 Indian and 5 foreign nationals onboard Diamond Princess cruise ship, who were docked off at Yokohama in Japan, were brought back to Delhi in a special Air India flight on Thursday morning. A special Air India flight carrying 119 Indians and five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, and Peru, landed in New Delhi today. They will be quarantined in ITBP quarantine facility in Chhawla, Delhi after their thermal screening. Pakistan confirms first two cases of coronavirus; says 'no need to panic India thanked Japanese authorities for facilitating the evacuation of people. "Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo, carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again," tweeted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Embassy of India in Tokyo has established contact with these individuals and is continuously following-up on their recovery. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 Only those Indian who have not tested positive for the COVID-19 were scheduled to be brought back. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement said,''Out of 138 Indian nationals originally on-board the Diamond Princess, 16 Indian crew members have tested positive for #coronavirus & are receiving necessary medical care & treatment at onshore medical facilities in Japan.'' The Diamond Princess ship was put under quarantine by Government of Japan on February 5, 2020 for 14 days until February 19, 2020 as one of the passengers who had disembarked from the ship had tested positive for COVID-19. How deadly is coronavirus? It's still too early to tell The quarantine period was extended by the Government of Japan as the crew members were performing their regular duties during the initial quarantine period of 14 days. Coronavirus has infected more than 80,000 people in 37 countries, causing more than 2,600 deaths in the past few months. [February 27, 2020] SciBite Announces New Advisory Board Member CAMBRIDGE, England, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SciBite today formally announced that Philippe Fauchet, OBE, has become the latest addition to its advisory board. Joining Alexander Karle and Diane Harbison, who initially formed the SciBite advisory board back in April 2019. "We are pleased to formally welcome Philippe to our advisory board," said CEO & President Rob Greenwood. "With vast corporate experience within the pharmaceutical space, SciBite will hugely benefit from his strong global senior leadership perspective." Philippe has spent 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry, 20 of which he has spent in Japan, most of them as a General Manager of Sanofi-Aventis and then of GlaxoSmithKline groups in Japan. He was Head of Sanofi-Aventis Corporate Business Development before joining GlaxoSmithKline. Philippe is now providing consulting services to various companies within Japan. He is also a venture partner of an international venture capital firm and sits on the board of Japanese biotech start-ups. "SciBite has organically built a market-leading position in text analytics and clean data intelligence, it's an exciting time for the company as they near reaching the stage where they can see a case for raising investment," said Philippe Fauchet. "I look forward to bringing my corporate expertise to the board and being part of the continual rapid growth of SciBite." Philippe joins existing board members Alexander Karle and Diane Harbison. Alexander brings in-depth experience from the corporate business world. Having recently become CEO of social housing software provider Mobysoft Ltd, he was previously CEO of life sciences market intelligence provider Evaluate Ltd. Diane brings a wealth of scientific knowledge, she has a PhD in Molecular Biology and spent 10 years of her career at pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. Diane is currently CEO of start-up Decipher Analytics Ltd. "We are very fortunate to have such a high level of experience within our advisory board, ready to help strengthen our strategic positioning as we continue to support the delivery of our customer's data strategies with our innovative technology," said Rob Greenwood. "We are very excited to continue our growth journey and for the future direction of SciBite." About SciBite SciBite is an award-winning semantic software company offering an ontology-led approach to transforming unstructured content into machine-readable clean data. Supporting the top 20 pharma with use cases across life sciences, SciBite is headquartered in the UK with additional sites in the US and Japan. Find out more at www.scibite.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/617446/SciBite_Logo.jpg Press contact: Lauren Barham, Marketing Manager [email protected] +44-(0)1223-786-129 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] CHARLESTON, S.C. Bernie Sanders will swing through North Carolina, Virginia and Massachusetts in the coming days. Elizabeth Warren will make stops in Texas and Arkansas. Amy Klobuchar will be in Tennessee and Virginia. The South Carolina primary is just two days away, but the race is quickly going national as candidates pivot to the 14 states that vote on Tuesday. The move is in part a recognition of Joe Bidens strength in South Carolina, with most of the focus on the margin of his victory and who might come in second place. But its also an effort to tap into the hundreds of delegates at stake in the Super Tuesday contests. About a third of the delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination will be on the table. The tight turnaround between Saturdays primary in South Carolina and the contests that follow on Tuesday is creating a hectic stretch for campaigns. What happens in South Carolina does matter, mostly because of what the coverage is going to be over the three days leading up to Super Tuesday. If someone seems out of the running, theyre going to lose value, said Achim Bergmann, a Democratic strategist whose firm does work in a number of Super Tuesday states. Its a tough deal for the candidates who are perceived to be at the lower rungs at the moment to figure out where can they get some juice. New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg has sought to bypass the traditional early voting states including South Carolina to focus exclusively on the Super Tuesday states. But even he had to balance the competing demands as he qualified for Tuesdays debate in Charleston. He went back to New York after the debate only to return to South Carolina the next day to appear at a CNN town hall. Bloomberg will be in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina all Super Tuesday states over the next several days. The strains on some candidates are evident. Pete Buttigieg hopscotched from Nevada on Saturday to Colorado and South Carolina by Sunday morning. He then hit Virginia before returning to South Carolina. But even a meticulously crafted schedule can fall apart. Buttigieg had planned to swing down to Florida, which votes later in March, for three private fundraisers Wednesday. He abruptly canceled the events and a public campaign stop in the Miami area because of illness. His aides said he had flu-like symptoms. Buttigieg met with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and did media interviews in Washington, D.C., before returning to South Carolina on Thursday for another round of campaigning. Jim Messina, a top aide on both of Barack Obamas presidential campaigns, said Buttigieg is in a bind when it comes to the South Carolina-Super Tuesday dance. It is a big deal for his campaign if Buttigieg doesnt perform in South Carolina, he said, because more people like me are going to say on TV he cant get the minority vote, and thats not helpful to his narrative. Indeed, strategists in key Super Tuesday states say voters there are watching to see what happens in South Carolina before they make up their minds. Anybody who defies expectations and does better than you expect, it just builds a stronger narrative for them, said Matt Angle, a Texas Democratic strategist. Texas offers the second-biggest delegate pot on Super Tuesday, with 228 pledged delegates, and Buttigieg and Biden are expected to campaign there after South Carolina votes. But other candidates, including Sanders, Warren and Bloomberg, have all made stops there this week. Biden wasnt doing much outside South Carolina, where his flagging campaign is seeking its first win of the primary season. Likewise, billionaire Tom Steyer has essentially hunkered down in the state, while Bloomberg, who participated in the debate, has all but ignored the early four contests and instead will campaign across a handful of Southern states that vote next week. Buttigieg was not alone in trying to stir fundraising events into the mix. Klobuchar held a fundraiser in Charleston on Monday and was to duck out Thursday for one in North Carolina and another Friday in Tennessee, along with campaign events in both states over the two-day stretch. And Sanders had plans to dash up to North Carolina, a conveniently situated March 3 primary state, on Wednesday and again Thursday, when he also plans to cross into Virginia. While other candidates are making their final pitches in South Carolina, Sanders was also scheduled to make two campaign stops in Massachusetts, home turf for Warren and a critical Super Tuesday state. Its a very difficult time, logistically, to try to balance all this, acknowledged Sanders adviser Jeff Weaver. Suddenly, now you have contests all across the country, and candidates just have to do the best they can. Weaver underscored the stakes for candidates who head into Super Tuesday unprepared to compete, noting that in 2016, Hillary Clintons delegate lead coming out of the days contests was tough to overcome. But for much of the field, the Super Tuesday fight isnt just about racking up delegates its about survival. Candidates who just havent moved by Super Tuesday 41% of the delegates are gone. Youre not really going to have a chance at the nomination. Your moneys going to dry up very quickly, Messina said. I think youll soon after see some of these also-ran candidates out of this race. ___ Beaumont reported from Columbia, South Carolina. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. Heathrow executives said they would challenge the decision. In a statement, the airport said, Heathrow has taken a lead in getting the UK aviation sector to commit to a plan to get to Net Zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Accord. It added that expanding Heathrow was essential to achieving the Prime Ministers vision of Global Britain. We will get it done the right way, without jeopardising the planets future. A violent felon is at large after escaping parole custody in New York City, officials said. Travis Simon, who was released to parole supervision on Feb. 4, reported to the New York State Division of Parole's office in Manhattan on Wednesday and was told that he was being referred to a 45-day treatment program after it was determined he had violated his parole conditions "in an important respect." That's when the 30-year-old parolee fled custody, according to a statement from New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision spokesperson Thomas Mailey. MORE: Alabama inmate convicted of murder on the loose after escaping custody "Community Supervision staff have been working with the parolee since his release on various violations of his conditions of parole," Mailey said. PHOTO: Travis Simon is seen in this undated booking photo. (New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision) The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has since issued an absconder warrant for Simon and notified both local and state law enforcement agencies, who are actively looking for him. MORE: Death row inmates fight for his life shines light on use of jailhouse informants Simon was convicted on first-degree assault, a class B violent felony, and sentenced to seven years in prison in July 2011. He will be on parole supervision until June 2022, according to New York state inmate records. Felon at large after escaping parole custody in New York City originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Delta Air Lines, Inc. DAL will temporarily reduce the number of flight services to and from South Korea as the deadly coronavirus spreads rapidly across the globe with a large number of fresh cases being reported in Italy, Iran and South Korea. Having announced 334 new cases only on Thursday, South Korea currently has 1,595 confirmed cases of the infection. The Atlanta-GA based airline will be suspending service between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Seoul-Incheon effective Feb 29, 2020 through Apr 30. Additionally, the airline will reduce flights connecting Seoul with Atlanta and that connecting Detroit with Seattle to five times weekly through Apr 30. With these fight cancellations, Delta will operate 15 flights weekly from the United States to Korea compared with its usual 28 flights. Further, this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) airline is postponing the launch of its new service between Seoul-Incheon and Manila to May 1, from its previous scheduled date of Mar 29. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. U.S Airlines Suspend Flights Amid Persistent Drop in Demand Following low travel demand in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, U.S airlines are resorting to temporary flight suspensions to and from mainland China and Hong Kong. Effective Mar 2, 2020, Hawaiian Airlines, the wholly owned subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc., will also suspend its five-time weekly flights connecting Honolulu with Seoul-Incheon. These flight suspensions will run through Apr 30. Delta Air Lines, Inc. Price Citing a persistent drop in demand, United Airlines UAL suspended flights between the United States and Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai as well as Hong Kong through Apr 24, 2020. In the wake of this epidemic, near-term demand for travel to China is almost wiped out while demand for other trans-Pacific routes plunged nearly 75%, the airline management stated. Consequently, the carrier withdrew its 2020 view. Delta and American Airlines AAL also suspended all flights to and from mainland China and Hong Kong. JetBlue Waives Change and Cancel Fees as Outbreak Intensifies In the wake of the widespread health-crisis, JetBlue Airways JBLU wants to give its customers some peace of mind. Consequently, the carrier announced a suspension in change and cancel fees for all new flight bookings. Effective Feb 27, passengers can avail of the privileges on bookings through Mar 11 for travel completed by Jun 1, 2020. These benefits are applicable to all fares offered by JetBlue. Blue Basic, under which changes or cancellations are usually not allowed, too will not be devoid of this benefit. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year. See their latest picks free >> Click to get this free report JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report United Airlines Holdings Inc (UAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. In 2018 alone, OHSU Doernbecher saw more than 70,000 patients from every county in Oregon and SW Washington for a total of more than 289,000 visits. Approximately 40 percent of those patients come from outside the immediate area. "Our Refer a Friend campaign is one way we directly engage OnPoint members in giving back to our community," said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. "We are fortunate to have OHSU Doernbecher's lifesaving experts and facilities so close to home, and we are honored to support families who must travel to take advantage of the hospital's world class care." During the two-month campaign, OnPoint members invited friends, family and business associates to join OnPoint. For every new referred member who opened a personal or business checking account, OnPoint made a $50 donation to OHSU Doernbecher. As part of the campaign, both the referring member and the new member also received $50 from OnPoint. This is OnPoint's second Refer a Friend contribution to OHSU Doernbecher since the campaign started in 2018. "OnPoint and its members have been longtime supporters of OHSU Doernbecher," said Sarah Larson, Director of Corporate and Community Development, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital Foundation. "Campaigns like Refer a Friend bring our community together to raise critical funds to support children and families staying at the Rood Family Paviliona home-away-from-home for families who must travel to Portland for treatment at the hospital. Thanks to OnPoint, more families will be able to stay nearby, and heal together." For members who are interested in giving back, click here to learn more about OnPoint's Refer a Friend campaigns. ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 392,000 members and with assets of $6.3 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union's membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 13 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932. ABOUT OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital ranks among the nation's Best Children's Hospitals. Its nationally recognized physicians and nurses provide a full range of specialty and subspecialty care to tens of thousands of children annually, resulting in 200,000 discharges, surgeries, transports and outpatient visits annually in a patient- and family-centered environment. OHSU Doernbecher providers also travel throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, providing specialty care to more than 3,000 children at more than 200 outreach clinics in 15 locations. Using state-of-the-art, secure two-way video and audio communication, OHSU Doernbecher's Telemedicine Network connects pediatric intensivists and neonatologists to emergency room physicians statewide to help evaluate time-critical pediatric patient needs and assist with treatment plans. SOURCE OnPoint Community Credit Union Related Links http://www.onpointcu.com The 25-year-old getaway driver in two 2018 armed robberies in Tuscaloosa has been sentenced to federal prison. U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler on Thursday sentenced Jemarkus Vonsha Thompson, of York, to 214 months nearly 18 years- on two counts of robbery and two counts of carrying a brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. Thompson, convicted in October 2019, is the last of three defendants to be sentenced in the crimes. Quartaius Deandrew Rodgers, 24, pleaded guilty in July 2019 and was sentenced to 95 months. Ladarius Maurice Watson, 23, Tuscaloosa, also pleaded guilty in July 2019. He was sentenced to 180 months. Thompsons involvement in this robbery as the get-away driver is treated no differently under our laws than those who placed innocent citizens at gunpoint, said Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Jay Town. Thompson shares responsibility in this crime and he will share a cell in a federal penitentiary for 214 months as a result. The robberies happened Nov. 26, 2017. According to evidence presented at trial, Thompson was the driver of the suspect vehicle used to rob the Quick Stop Tobacco and Snack and the Subway on Old Greensboro Road. Testimony showed that Rodgers and Watson robbed the two stores at gun point using an assault-style rifle, while Thompson remained in the vehicle. Cell phone tower information placed Thompson at the scene of both crimes. Thompson and the two co-defendants were stopped by Tuscaloosa police minutes after the robberies, where evidence of both crimes where found in their possession, including money receipts and the firearms. ATF investigated the case along with the Tuscaloosa Police Department. Assistant U.S attorneys Brad Felton and Allison Garnett prosecuted. ATFs Crime Gun Intelligence partnerships with the Tuscaloosa Police Department as part of Project Guardian, continue to focus on reducing violent crime by those individuals who commit armed robberies, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. The Tuscaloosa Police Departments investigators, ATFs agents, and the U.S. Attorneys Office all worked very hard on this case, said Tuscaloosa Police Department Capt. Brad Mason. I am happy that we are able to bring this to a resolution where a violent criminal will be off of the streets for a long time. We would like to thank the ATF and the U.S. Attorneys Office for their work on this case. We look forward to working together in the future. Montana will likely lose $400,000 from a federal program that provides aid to rural schools serving students from low-income families this school year because of changes made by the Department of Education. The Rural Low-Income Schools program provides money for schools under the broad guideline of improving student achievement. The money comes in addition to Montana's regular funding system. "Schools would decide, well, we normally couldn't do that on our own, so we'll use these funds to do that," said Montana Rural Education Association director Dennis Parman. The could include things like after-school programs, or extra academic support for students. A spreadsheet provided to Parman by the National Rural Education Association shows that nationwide the program lost $5.4 million. Some states have modest increases, but most saw less money. Funds are labeled for the 2020 fiscal year, and are distributed on July 1, 2020. Montana could lose more than half of the $798,000 it got for the 2019 fiscal year, but other states were hit harder; Iowa lost 70% of its funding, about $256,000; Maine lost 72% of its funding, about $1.1 million; New Hampshire lost 88% of its funding, about $642,000. Even after Cabinet approval to the proposed bank merger plan, officials said, fixation of share swap ratio, shareholders consent and other regulatory approvals are expected to take at least 30-45 days. New Delhi: With the April 1 deadline for mega merger of 10 state-run banks into four fast approaching, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday asserted that there is no uncertainty about the consolidation process which is going on as per the schedule. Finance Minister says there's no uncertainty on bank mergers pic.twitter.com/Q8FUTKYYsw CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) February 26, 2020 Last year in August, the government announced the consolidation of 10 public sector banks into four mega state-owned lenders effective 1 April. United Bank of India and Oriental Bank of Commerce would be merged with Punjab National Bank, making the proposed entity the second largest public sector bank. It was decided to merge Syndicate Bank with Canara Bank, while Allahabad Bank with Indian Bank. Similarly, Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank are to be consolidated with Union Bank of India. "There is no uncertainty about bank merger ... I must thank all the banks because through their boards they have taken that call. There is absolutely no uncertainty," she said when asked if the government is reconsidering the proposed merger excercise. "We are also conscious of extra load on them in terms of the kind of demands that I put on them. I have asked them to reach out to 400 districts, I have asked them to reach out to MSME, restructure their loan. So there is a lot of core banking work which they are undertaking. I must be conscious of that also. So the merger and the decision taken by respective banks board are all well-taken. We are going as per schedule on that. There is no uncertainty on that. I am on course. There need not be speculation," she said after unveiling EASE 3.0, the Public Sector Bank (PSB) Reforms Agenda 2020-21 for smart, tech-enabled banking, and the PSB EASE Reforms Annual Report 2019-20. Many people voiced concern about meeting the deadline for want of many regulatory approvals. However, the government may relax those approvals. Even after Cabinet approval to the proposed mega merger plan, officials said, fixation of share swap ratio, shareholders consent and other regulatory approvals are expected to take at least 30-45 days. It is believed that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has sought details from these lenders about their financial projections for the next three to five years. Details in respect of NPAs, capital requirement, credit growth and cost savings on account of the mergers have been asked for, officials said. So, chances of the merger became a reality beginning next fiscal year seems a little unrealistic at the moment, a senior public sector bank official said. Besides, regulatory nods, the Scheme of Amalgamation has to be laid before Parliament for 30 days for the perusal of the members. The second half of the Budget session is scheduled to start on 2 March. EASE 3.0 seeks to enhance ease of banking in all customer experiences, using technology, alternate data and analytics. Dial-a-loan for doorstep loan facilitation, Credit@click for end-to-end digitalised lending, on-the-spot EASE Banking Outlets at well-frequented places like malls and stations, palm banking, digitalised branch experience, analytics-based instant credit offers, cash-flow-based credit and tech-enabled agriculture lending are part of a wide array of tech-enabled ease enhancements that PSBs would effect during FY2020-21. PSB Reforms EASE Agenda is a common reform agenda for PSBs aimed at institutionalizing clean and smart banking. It was launched in January 2018, and the subsequent edition of the program EASE 2.0 built on the foundation laid in EASE 1.0 and furthered the progress on reforms. Reform Action Points in EASE 2.0 aimed at making the reforms journey irreversible, strengthening processes and systems, and driving outcomes. Public Sector Banks have shown significant improvement in the Action Points of the EASE Reforms Agenda since its introduction. Following the completion of recognition of legacy stress as NPA, PSBs have returned to profitability with sound financial health and institutionalised systems to prevent the recurrence of past weaknesses. The improved financial health of PSBs reflects in many parameters including Gross NPAs reduced from Rs 8.96 lakh crore (14.6 percent) in March-2018 to Rs 7.17 lakh crore (11.3 percent) in December-2019 and a sharp decline in fraud occurrence from 0.65 percent of advances during FY10-FY14 to 0.20 percent in FY18-FY20; due to fraud prevention reforms and proactive checking of legacy NPA. Besides, there was a record recovery of Rs 2.04 lakh crore in the first nine months of 2019-20 driven by newly setup dedicated stressed account management verticals in PSBs that have recovered Rs 1.21 lakh crore in the same period and the highest provision coverage ratio of 77.5 percent in nearly eight years. After unveiling EASE 3.0, the Finance Minister along with MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari held a meeting with the heads of public sector banks on the MSME sector. The meeting reviewed loan restructuring, she said, adding that banks have been instructed to clear the pending cases by 15 March. As many as 5.28 lakh accounts have been benefited out of 5.53 lakh cases eligible for restructuring and the remaining cases would be cleared by 15 March, she said. Later addressing an awards function here, Gadkari said the meeting discussed four key issues including how lenders can support micro, small and medium enterprises and quick implementation of restructuring of the debt scheme for units facing difficulties. He said the issue of quick disbursement of loans by banks to MSME units under various government schemes was also taken up in the meeting. "I am confident that MSMEs will certainly be facilitated through cooperation by banks," Gadkari said. LONDON (Reuters) - Bank of England Governor Mark Carney called on Londons money managers on Thursday to help speed a transition to a low-carbon future, aiming to usher in a new era where every professional financial decision takes climate change into account. Carney wants to leverage a U.N. climate summit in November to strengthen a raft of initiatives to spur a major reallocation of capital away from polluting industries in time to prevent global warming toppling industrial society. Private finance will have a critical role to play in a successful transition to a net zero (carbon emissions) economy, Carney told an event at Londons Guildhall, also attended by European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde. We should make no mistake about it: Achieving net zero requires a whole economy transition. Every company, every bank, every insurer, every investor will have to adjust business models. But doing so will turn an existential risk...into the greatest commercial opportunity of our time, Carney said. Carney is due to take over as U.N. special envoy on climate finance next month after stepping down as governor. He has also been appointed to advise British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the run-up to the Nov. 9-20 climate summit in Glasgow. The Guildhall event was billed as the launch of a Private Finance Agenda component of the summit, consisting of existing initiatives Carney has championed since he began working to push climate change to the forefront of investors minds in 2015. These include moves to encourage companies to be more transparent about the risks they face in a rapidly warming world, stress tests to reveal how banks would fare as temperatures rise, and ways to allow investors to gauge the impact of their portfolios on the climate. Carney hopes such measures will help the financial industry drive transformational change in energy, agriculture, heating, transport, fashion and other sectors needed to help Britain achieve its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Lagarde, who began an overarching review of the ECBs policy framework last month, echoed Carneys calls for banks to be more open about their exposure to climate-related risk, saying disclosures on the issue have some way to go. The (ECB) is now reviewing the extent to which climate-related risks are understood and priced by the market and is paying close attention to how credit-rating agencies incorporate such risks into their assessments credit-worthiness, Lagarde said. Preparatory work is also under way for a macroprudential stress test to assess climate-related risks, with the first results expected by the end of the year. With the Earth on track for temperature increases that some scientists and economists believe could endanger the survival of modern societies, the Glasgow summit is seen as a critical test of the 2015 Paris Agreement to combat climate change. Newly appointed Business Minister Alok Sharma, who Johnson named as president of the summit this month after sacking a former energy minister from the role, backed Carneys call for the City, Londons financial centre, to step up. In Glasgow, the world must ramp up momentum towards a zero carbon economy, Sharma told the Guildhall event. All countries must commit to significant further cuts to carbon emissions by 2030 and to reach net zero as soon as possible. The VC520 Pro from AVer Europe offers a lifelike audiovisual experience that delivers for all meeting rooms AVer Europe, the award-winning provider of video collaboration solutions, has today announced the launch of its professional conferencing system the VC520 Pro in the UK. The VC520 Pro has been developed by AVer Europe as a solution for various meeting room sizes, alleviating the challenges that teams face on conference calls. The VC520 Pro has an audio pickup range of 15 feet and the ability to daisy-chain two additional speakerphones to reach up to 45 feet, offering ultra-clear unparalleled audio even throughout large meeting rooms. With Sony True WDR capability, AVer Europe's VC520 Pro offers clear and high-quality imaging even in high contrast backlit environments. With up to 1080p and 60fps even in poor lighting, the conferencing system's 12X optical zoom with precise detail enables teams to showcase items such as products or documents live in the room on camera. The VC520 Pro's SmartFrame technology uses face recognition to automatically adjust the camera to include all members in the room in the frame. This includes anyone new that enters the meeting room, saving any delays if any colleagues are running late. AVer Europe's VC520 Pro features advanced centralised management through an internet browser to enable users to remotely control the camera and stream on platforms such as Facebook or YouTube. "We've all been on video conference calls with poor sound or visual quality and it's hugely frustrating, not to mention a drain on business time, resource and money," explains Rene Buhay, AVer Europe Vice President of Sales Marketing. "The VC520 Pro's feature combination of 12X optical zoom, Sony True WDR, full HD and the opportunity to expand with extra speakers and microphones means that communication is transformed into a lifelike audiovisual experience." The VC520 Pro from AVer Europe has a 3-year warranty with a free 2-year warranty extension available at MSRP 1049. About AVer Europe AVer Europe provides intelligent technological solutions to harness the power of visual communications for business and education. For more information please visit www.avereurope.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005373/en/ Contacts: Press contact Alison Scarrott Senior PR Account Manager alison@brookscomm.com A Bangladeshi student of Visva Bharati University has been asked by the home ministry to leave the country for reportedly engaging in "anti-government activities". Afsara Anika Meem, an undergraduate student at the central university, has been served a 'Leave India Notice' by the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office, Kolkata -- under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The notice -- which has asked Meem to leave India within 15 days from the date of its receipt -- did not specify the nature of the "anti-India activities". The woman, who hails from Kustia district of Bangladesh, got enrolled in the Bachelor of Design course at the varsity in 2018. She received the notice dated February 14 on Wednesday, one of her friends said. Meem had allegedly shared some posts on Facebook related to anti-CAA protests inside the campus in December, and has been trolled on social media since then, a member of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) told PTI. The Bangladeshi student, who did not receive calls, told PTI in a WhatsApp message that "I am not in a state to talk about this now". A Bangladesh Deputy High Commission source in Kolkata said it is yet to receive any official intimation in this regard. Visva Bharati University authorities, too, could not be contacted for comments. The notice said Meem also committed visa violation. "... She is found to have engaged in anti-government activities. And such activity being a breach of her visa, has thus, committed visa violation. "... The foreigner shall not remain in India, shall depart from India within 15 days of receipt of this order," it said. A teacher at the varsity termed the move "draconian" and said it is an attempt to gag "any dissenting voice". Hong Kong's riot police officers will begin returning to regular law enforcement duties such as crime prevention and traffic control because violent pro-democracy protests have faded, the force said on Thursday. The announcement came a day after the force was given a 25 percent bump in its annual budget by the city's pro-Beijing leadership, including a doubling of its equipment allowance and plans to add another 2,500 officers. The police have been maintaining a permanent roster of riot officers after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests raged for seven straight months last year. The rallies and clashes have since died down, partly due to exhaustion and arrests but also because of the emergence of a new deadly coronavirus. "Given that large-scale violent protests have declined recently, the police will deploy officers in the anti riot brigades in stages and with flexibility to reinforce other frontline officers in law enforcement work, including community crime prevention and elimination and traffic control," the police said in a statement. Hong Kong's protests were triggered by a proposal to allow extraditions to mainland China's opaque and party-controlled courts with millions taking to the streets. As the government dug their heels in and deployed police to surpress the rallies the movement morphed into a popular revolt against Beijing as well as a call for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability. More than 7,000 arrests were made while police fired nearly 30,000 crowd control munitions such as tear gas and rubber bullets. Clashes became a weekly and at times daily occurrence with videos of police beatings and arrests quickly going viral. Polls show the city's once revered police force are now loathed by significant chunks of the population and officers are routinely heckled and abused. Police defended their tactics and said they used appropriate force to match hardcore protesters who embraced violence including arson, vandalism, petrol bombs, rocks and corrosive liquid. No police officer has been sanctioned over the protests and the top brass have said no instances of inappropriate force was displayed by their officers. The city's police watchdog is investigating the force's handling of the protests but activists accuse the body of being toothless and stacked with government loyalists. A group of international policing experts stepped down from advising the panel saying it had neither the resources nor expertise to do the job properly. Protesters want a judge to oversee a fully independent inquiry into the police, a demand city leader Carrie Lam and Beijing, as well as the force, have dismissed. Riot police have frequently clashed with democracy protesters in Hong Kong Sacked Governor-Elect of Bayelsa State, Chief David Lyon, has accepted the final decision of the Supreme Court on its judgement that n... Sacked Governor-Elect of Bayelsa State, Chief David Lyon, has accepted the final decision of the Supreme Court on its judgement that nullified his victory at the November 16th, 2019 governorship election. Lyon, in a statement he personally signed, said though the decision of the apex court to stick to its February 13th judgement dashed the hope of the people of the state, he accepted it in the interest of peace and the development of Bayelsa. the peace. He appealed to the supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his loyalists and the people that came out en masse to vote for him at the to accept the judgement and maintainthe peace. Lyon commended the leadership of the APC at the state and national levels for their tenacity in upholding the principles of constitutional democracy. He said: The Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Wednesday, 26 February, 2020, reviewed the judgment it gave against us on 13th February, 2020 and decided to maintain its earlier judgment I am aware of the extent to which this decision has further dashed the hope of Bayelsans as it upturned the democratic mandate of the Bayelsa electorate. I hereby unequivocally state my decision to accept the Supreme Court verdict however distressing as it is. It is the decision of the Supreme Court, and we are all bound to accept the outcome as law-abiding citizens of this great country. I wish to appeal to my party faithful, my supporters, all Bayelsans and all lovers of peace and justice to accept this verdict and maintain the peace. While they have a right to think that this is a case of judgment without justice, I strongly appeal against all forms of violence or any conduct that threatens the peace and development of our state. I strongly believe that God still loves Bayelsans and will still allow His Will to come to pass in their lives. I seize this opportunity to thank the leadership of our party, the All Progressives Congress at the National, State , local Government and ward levels for their tenacity in upholding the ideals of constitutional democracy. He added: I appeal to all Bayelsans not to shy away from participating in the governance of our dear state for the common good and wellbeing of its people. In the same vain, I urge the good people of the state to continue to uphold the dreams of our founding fathers in our aspiration to lead the state irrespective of party affiliations. which has bee in dire need of development. Lastly, it is my resolve to continue to join forces with well-meaning individuals, institutions and organisations towards bringing the much-needed development to Bayelsa Statewhich has beein dire need of development. Pay + Probanx Agreement Sydney, Feb 27, 2020 AEST (ABN Newswire) - iSignthis Ltd ( ASX:ISX ) ( FRA:TA8 ) is an ASX300 RegTech that provides services to banks, credit unions, FI's, exchanges and PSP's. We build and license technology stacks for payments, banking, and trading exchanges, as well as hold licenses to provide regulated services to business and consumers.As an EEA authorised Monetary Financial Institution, we provide payments processing, issuance of electronic money, IBAN addressable stored value accounts and KYCC identity verification services.iSignthis expects to shortly offer card acquiring services in Australia as a principal licensee of the major schemes, under the Reserve Bank of Australia's card access regime. It will also shortly (subject to ASIC and APRA licensing) provide "stored value" electronic money services to the Australian public as an authorised deposit taking institution and also offer custodial & depositary services.iSignthis will own 12.96% of the National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSXA), and will develop a DvP facility for the NSXA known as ClearPay. ISX is a direct competitor of the ASX's KYC and DLT Services, and the ASX's wholly owned Clearing and Settlement Facility, Austraclear, through its Joint Venture Vehicle ClearPay Pty Ltd.iSignthis operates a sophisticated & patented real time anti-money laundering and anti-fraud system that also provides transactional security to business and retail customers. It includes PEP, sanction and law enforcement screening in real time against transactions.iSignthis' inhouse developed ISXPay(R), PaydentityTM, Probanx(R) CorePlus and CoreConnect platforms allow us to deliver services to customers, with more than 25 other deposit taking institutions relying on our technologies globally.Probanx Solutions Ltd and ClearPay Pty Ltd enter into agreement valued at $4.5m, to deliver services in circa 24 months.Services include a DLT based Delivery versus Payment (DvP) platform, integrated with payments and identity verification.iSignthis eMoney (AU) Pty Ltd, iSignthis eMoney Ltd (CY) and iSignthis UK Ltd (ISXPay(R)) to deliver PaydentityTM and various card and e-Money services to ClearPay, across supported currencies.Subject to Australian licensing, ISXPay(R) to offer Participants custodial and depositary services (ISX.money), and retail End Users, Flykk(R) stored value services.Agreement provides for ClearPay to make payment to Probanx(R) upon attainment of 13 discrete milestones.ClearPay to operate and leverage DvP platform for NSXA, as well as for other market operators, subject to commercial agreements and licensing.ClearPay will provide the necessary platform to enable mass scaling of NSXA and automation, as well as provide distinct advantages to NSXA over the proposed ASX DLT platform.ClearPay DvP : ObjectiveObjective : To develop a DvP Platform suitable for the NSXA utilising Java on a Linux based cloud environment, secured to PCI DSS, ISO27001 and APRA CPS234 standards, as well as in compliance with other relevant and appropriate quality standards reasonably agreed by the Developer."DvP - The process of clearing and settling a securities or digital asset trade, which includes a number of key steps, including the matching of the terms of the trade, the calculation of the obligations of the counterparties as a consequence of matched trades (clearance), the discharge of those obligations (settlement) through the final transfer of securities (delivery) and the final transfer of funds (payment). "DvP Platform shall allow for assets to be digitised real world assets such as securities (book entry), futures, CFD's, and fungible digital assets (Stage 1) or non-fungible digital, with NSXA as the central authority.The DvP Platform shall be an hybrid BIS Model 1 and in future support Model 3, API based, near real time, multilateral (Participant) net, bilateral gross (retail End User), multicurrency, "lit" exchange, with distributed blockchain ledger to allow for credit (contra debit account), Management of Participants and End Users, and real time matching against known End Users.BIS Model 1: systems that settle transfer instructions for both securities and funds on a trade-by-trade (gross) basis, with final (unconditional) transfer of securities from the seller to the buyer (delivery) occurring at the same time as final transfer of funds from the buyer to the seller (payment);BIS Model 3: systems that settle transfer instructions for both securities and funds on a net basis, with final transfers of both securities and funds occurring at the end of the processing cycle.ClearPay DvP : Scope OutlineImplement BIS Model 1 (Stage 1) with contra debit facility or credit facilities for approved participants. At a later post Operation Date stage, implement Stage 2 as prioritised by NSXA or other customers.Participants and/or End Users deposit funds into an ISX.money and Flykk account respectively Participants may be a required to deposit funds and/or may be offered intraday credit, or both.DvP Platform will maintain a real time running virtual intraday ledger for each non-retail Participant of i) buy value versus ii) sell value plus deposit value (or preapproved credit limit for wholesale).Where a Participant is in overdraw, system will not match the buy order until the Participant within their credit (or advance) limit, with each further sell orders positively contributing to their ledger balance, and each buy order negatively contributing to their ledger balance. Multiple bilateral settlements during the day will allow for adjustment of position if intra-settlement credit not extended.Ledger shall be update in real-time using actual matched trade/order values.Where a Participant is beyond credit (or advance) limits, orders can in that time be matched by other Participants or queued until the requesting participant is back in the "black" on the virtual ledger.Net multilateral Participant settlement once per day, to take into account EU trading window (say 5am for previous day).Direct retail end users will maintain a positive gross position at all times, per trade.End Users may use FPS, SEPA Instant and debit cards for instant trading, or, a Flykk balance.ClearPay Overview & Revenue GenerationClearPay and NSXA will revenue share 50/50 the following fees charged to Participants and/or End Users:- Trade matching fee,- Settlement fee (after deducting cost of ISXPay fees)- Reporting fees- Customer Due Diligence Fee (after deducting Paydentity fee)- Other transactional feesNSXA shall retain all fees charged to the listed entity and non transactional fees ClearPay shall retain all fees related to integration or setup of Participants.ClearPay profits may be subject to dividend or retained to fund international growth.ClearPay Advantages- Provides a platform for digital and digitised asset exchange, including fractional asset trading- T+0 DvP facilities, providing end users with same day access to their asset- Fully lit exchange, eliminating dark-pools and high frequency traders, and mitigating money laundering concerns.- Multi-currency participant settlements- not restricted to $AUD only. Will also include EUR EUROS at launch, with GBPGBP and $CAD to follow shortly.- Retail end users may open Participating broker account using PaydentityTM within minutes, and fund via ISXPay(R) SEPA instant, debit card payments, or Flykk account. UK FPS to follow.- Platform designed for exchanges globally, with industry standard blockchain and open access to participants and share registry services.- Real time risk management of Participant position with multiple bi-lateral settlements per day, to allow for cash versus credit management of accounts.- The DvP platform presents ClearPay with global opportunities.To view the presentation, please visit:About iSignthis Ltd iSignthis Ltd (ASX:ISX) (FRA:TA8) is a hybrid monetary financial institution and also a RegTech leader in remote identity verification, payment authentication with deposit taking, transactional banking and payment processing capability. iSignthis provides an end-to-end on-boarding service for merchants, with a unified payment, electronic money and identity service via our Paydentity(TM) and ISXPay(R) solutions. By converging payments and identity, iSignthis delivers regulatory compliance to an enhanced customer due diligence standard, offering global reach to any of the world's 4.2Bn 'bank verified' card or account holders, that can be remotely on-boarded to meet the Customer Due Diligence requirements of AML regulated merchants in as little as 3 to 5 minutes. Paydentity(TM) has now onboarded and verified more than 1.5m persons to an AML KYC standard. iSignthis Paydentity(TM) service is the trusted back office solution for regulated entities, allowing merchants to stay ahead of the regulatory curve, and focus on growing their core business. iSignthis' subsidiary, iSignthis eMoney Ltd, trades as ISXPay(R), and is an EEA authorised eMoney Monetary Financial Institution, offering card acquiring in the EEA, and Australia. ISXPay(R) is a principal member of Mastercard Inc, Diners, Discover, (China) Union Pay International and JCB International, an American Express aggregator, and provides merchants with access to payments via alternative methods including SEPA, Poli Payments, Sofort, PRZ24 and others. Probanx Solutions Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of iSignthis Ltd, provides API based access to CORE Banking solutions, SEPA Core, SEPA Instant and SEPA business scheme, for neobanks, banks, credit unions and emoney institutions, and provides a bridge to the Eurosystem's Central Bank of Lithuania's CENTROLink service. Shahzad weeps as he waits to receive the body of his friend Mohsin Ali, who was killed during communal violence in northeast Delhi, outside the mortuary of GTB hospital in New Delhi. (Image: PTI) Description GIS - 27 February, 2020: According to the estimates of the Bank of Mauritius and Business Mauritius, the impact of the Covid-19 on the economic growth of the country may slow down between 0.1% to 0.3%, highlighted the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy, during a press conference held today in Port Louis. According to the estimates of the Bank of Mauritius and Business Mauritius, the impact of the Covid-19 on the economic growth of the country may slow down between 0.1% to 0.3%, highlighted the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Dr Renganaden Padayachy, Prior to the press conference, the Minister chaired a meeting with stakeholders of public and private bodies to discuss on the economic impacts of the coronavirus on Mauritius. The meeting took stock of the measures to contain the risks of the virus from reaching the Mauritian territory and the ways to minimise the impact on the economy. Minister Padayachy indicated that the tourism industry remains among the essential sectors, other than trade, manufacturing and supply chain, that should be given due attention in the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in mainland China and other affected countries. He spoke of the need to market Mauritius as a safe destination for tourists while adding that the country is geared towards promoting regional tourism. On this score, he stated that the prices of flights to Reunion Island have decreased and there is also an increase in the number of flights to the island so as to attract more tourists of the region to Mauritius. In addition, the Minister highlighted that the hotel sector in Mauritius is lowering their rates. The need, he said, is to render local products more attractive for exportation so as to maximise on the opportunities for the economic growth of the country. Minister Padaychy stated that the Ministry is acting proactively to monitor the economic impact of the coronavirus and will ensure that meetings will be held regularly with stakeholders so as to communicate effectively important information to the public as the situation evolves. As a member of Congress from 2001 to 2013, his deep opposition to abortion led him to initiate efforts to strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood clinic had been the only place for HIV testing in Scott County, where the outbreak took place. It closed in 2013, largely due to cuts in state public health funding. A 2018 study from researchers at the Yale School of Public Health estimated that putting in place a robust public health response, including needle exchanges and stepped-up HIV testing, in 2013, when Mr. Pence took office and opioid abuse was quickly growing in the state, would have averted dozens of HIV cases. Mr. Pence initially refused to expand Medicaid as other, mostly Democratic-led states hurried to do so in 2014, when the Affordable Care Act started giving them the option to do so with the federal government paying nearly all the cost. But he ultimately persuaded the Obama administration to let him expand the program on his own terms, including some that had not been allowed before under federal rules. Mr. Pence designed the plan with Seema Verma, then his top health policy adviser and now the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Under his program, called Health Indiana Plan 2.0, low-income adults above the poverty level had to pay monthly premiums equaling two percent of their household income, instead of receiving care entirely for free. In a first for the Medicaid program, they could be disenrolled for six months if they failed to pay. Newly eligible adults below the poverty level did not have to pay premiums, but got more health benefits if they did. It gives Hoosiers the dignity to pay for their own health insurance, Mr. Pence said at the time, and that transaction is important to starting people on a path toward really embracing greater ownership of their health care. A state evaluation in 2017 found more than half of those who signed up for the program and were supposed to pay premiums during the first two years failed to do so, most before their coverage even kicked in. Many said the program was confusing as well as unaffordable. Eighty-five-year-old Akbari was waiting eagerly for the birth of her great grandchild. But her dream of seeing the baby was cut short by a rampaging mob that set her house at Gamri village near Delhi's Khajuri Khas on fire, suffocating her to death. One of her seven children Salmani, an exporter of ready made garments, said that he had gone out to get milk on Tuesday. "While returning, I got a call from my son that a mob has surrounded our home with petrol bombs and sticks in hands. My mother, wife and three kids were on the second floor. I told them over phone to rush to the terrace," he said. According to locals, the mob set the ground floor, which served as a godown, ablaze and threw petrol bombs at the second and third floor. "Ten of my labourers were on the ground floor at the time of the incident. They too rushed to the terrace. My son later noticed that my mother was missing and he tried to get down. But by then, the whole house was full of smoke. By the time they climbed down the terrace, she had passed away," Salmani said. For Salmani and his four brothers and three sisters, their mother was no less than a hero. Hailing from Chanduari village near Uttar Pradesh's Meerut, Akbari had lost her husband 40 years back and toiled as a labourer to bring up her seven children. "I have suffered losses more than one crore. The rioters also looted jewellery and cash worth Rs eight lakh. I had come to Delhi with only Rs. 250 and started this business from scratch. I have lost everything now, but mainly my mother," he said. The family has been waiting to receive Akbari's body from GTB Hospital and at the same time Salmani's eldest son was at a private hospital where his wife has given birth to a girl. The bereaved family has called off all celebrations, but consoles themselves by thinking that Akbari was back in the form of the baby. Their severely gutted house now poses a risk for the neighbourhood and fire service officials have warned that it has be brought down to avoid any accident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) REERACOEN Helps Job Seekers with Fast Paced Search Process to Land in a Dream Job BANGKOK, THAILAND - 27th February 2020 - Reeracoen, reputed headhunter in Thailand helps job seekers with fast and efficient job search process. Today, in this age of digitalization everything is practically done online including Recruitment agency . Top firms and companies are now on a hunt for the best resources and their search always begins with The CPI(M)'s West Bengal unit has proposed party general secretary Sitaram Yechury as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in the state, party sources said here on Thursday. However, the party politburo will take the final decision on this matter. The CPI(M)'s state unit is keen to nominate Yechury to Rajya Sabha from West Bengal with the help of the Congress and the decision to this effect was taken at a recent meeting, sources said. CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra has been assigned to coordinate with the politburo to get the general secretary's name cleared from the party's highest decision-making body, the sources said. The election to five Rajya Sabha seats in West Bengal will be held on March 26. According to the distribution of seats in the present state assembly, the ruling Trinamool Congress is likely to win four seats, while a joint candidate of either the CPI(M)- Congress or the TMC-Congress has a chance to win the fifth one. The BJP with just eight MLAs is not a contender. Since the Lok Sabha polls debacle last year, both the parties have been unitedly fighting against the TMC and the BJP in the state. Yechury had an excellent track record as a member of the Upper House of Parliament between 2005 and 2017, and the party is "eager to nominate him" in the Rajya Sabha elections to be held next month, state CPI(M) sources said. In 2017, his name had cropped up for re-election. The then Congress president Rahul Gandhi was also keen on supporting his nomination from West Bengal. But the CPI(M) leadership had turned down the offer, citing party rules that no member could be nominated three times in a row for Rajya Sabha. The rule of not allowing anyone to be a member of Rajya Sabha beyond two consecutive terms will not apply now as Yechury has got a break since 2017. The CPI(M) West Bengal unit presently does not have any representation in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. This has happened for the first time since the party's inception in 1964. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tension prevailed at the Visakhapatnam Airport in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday (February 27) as ruling YSRCP workers went to protest against TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu's visit to Vizag and Vijayanagaram districts. A large number of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supporters reached the airport to welcome Chandrababu Naidu. It is to be noted that this is Chandrababu's first visit to Vizag after it was declared the executive capital by YSRCP government in January 2019. Carrying party flags and banners, TDP leaders and workers reached the airport to welcome Naidu. YSRCP workers also gathered there to protest against Naidu's visit as he is protesting against 3 capital proposal. Holding black flags, the YSRCP workers raised slogans of "Babu go back" and said that the former chief minister had no moral right to visit Visakhapatnam after opposing it as the executive capital. Naidu is leading the movement to demand that Amaravati be retained as the only state capital. There was a huge mobilisation of police personnel outside the airport to prevent clashes between the two groups. Police have denied permission to the TDP chief for taking out a rally from the airport to Pendurthy. Chandrababu, however, has vowed to go ahead with his two-day visit to north Andhra region. "When a leader like Chandrababu Naidu who have served for Andhra Pradesh for 14 years is coming to Vizag, which he developed a lot, it is quite common to hold a rally. we have 4 MLAs here but police denied the rally. when when we were in power we had never objected Jagan Mohan Reddy to conduct a padayatra and rallies. If police are to arrest TDP leaders we demand they must arrest YSRCP leaders also as they have created this tension here. Jagan Mohan reddy is behaving like a dictator. We will object Jagan Mohan reddy also in the same manner when he visits Vizag," said Ganesh, TDP MLA from Vizag South. Tribune Publishing, the owner of The Chicago Tribune, announced on Thursday that the newspapers top two editors were departing, just months after it revealed that a hedge fund known for aggressive cost-cutting at newspapers had secured roughly one-third of the company. Bruce Dold, the publisher and editor in chief, was replaced by Colin McMahon, effective immediately, Terry Jimenez, the president and chief executive of Tribune Publishing, said in a statement on Thursday. Mr. McMahon takes on the role of editor in chief in addition to his current position as Tribune Publishings chief content officer. Mr. Dold, a Pulitzer Prize winner who has worked at the newspaper for 42 years, will depart on April 30. Peter Kendall, one of two managing editors and a 32-year veteran of The Tribune, will depart at the end of the week. Mr. Jimenez said that Mr. McMahon had served as a foreign editor and metropolitan reporter, among other roles, at the newspaper. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- "Cant walk in the parade ... we dance." Thats the slogan for The Other Side of the Rainbow: Disco Party taking place in Empire Outlets on Saturday -- the eve of the St. Patricks Parade. The event, which is sponsored by Empire Outlets, the Pride Center of Staten Island, Partners in Sound Productions, Vinum, Beso Restaurant and The Stone House, comes shortly after the Pride Center was denied permission to march in Sundays parade along Forest Avenue. The center advocates for LGBTQ interests and provides social support. The Other Side of the Rainbow: Disco Party will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a free screening of the HBO documentary film Wig and a question-and-answer session presented by producer Jack Turner. The documentary, highlighting New York drag culture, features Lady Bunny, Charlene Incarnate, Flotilla DeBarge, Kevin Aviance, Neil Patrick Harris, William, Linda Simpson, Naomi Smalls and Tabboo. Flotilla DeBarge and Lunicorns will host the evening, which also will include dancing from 7 to 9 p.m., cocktails and hors doeuvres. Tickets are $50 each and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. All proceeds from the event will go to the Pride Center of Staten Island and Lunicorns, the boroughs first Latinx LGBTQ group. Empire Outlets is located at 55 Richmond Terr. in St. George. The Other Side of the Rainbow: Disco Party will take place in its VIP room. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the official Eventbrite page. Errington also attempted to introduce related amendments to two other bills last year. The first amendment would have created a medical marijuana program enabling both patients and caregivers who have received a physicians recommendation to possess a certain quantity of marijuana for treatment of chronic and treatable medical conditions. It also would have established a regulatory agency to oversee the program, and an opportunity for further study of the benefits of medical marijuana. Registered Northampton voters next week will decide the future of a $2.5 million property tax override Mayor David Narkewiczs office put forward late last year. Proposition 2 will be put to a vote on March 3, the same day as the states presidential primary elections. The override, if passed, will help alleviate Northamptons roughly $1.1 million budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year. The proposition aims to aid the city and its public schools operating budgets. The vote is the culmination of months of efforts on the part of the mayors office to convince residents of the importance of the override. Narkewicz announced in January that he would be going ward to ward in a series of town halls to explain the proposition to residents and why it is needed. The mayor has said the vote poses a question to residents about what services they want out of their city. Were kind of at a crossroads now, Narkewicz told MassLive in January. Ahead of Tuesdays ballot casting, heres what residents should know about Proposition 2. What is the override for? The city has projected there is a significant shortfall in its 2021 fiscal budget. The funds from Proposition 2 are expected to combat the financial gap and last another four years, though the mayor has said his office will try to extend the money beyond that timeframe. Narkewicz previously pointed out that more than 50% of Northamptons operating budget goes to education, and most of that money funds employees salaries. The alternative to the tax override is a fiscal cliff looming on the horizon, the mayor said at a previous town hall. If the citys fiscal stability plan is not renewed, the projected 2021 fiscal budget would need to be reduced by $1,122,223, according to the mayors office. Any cuts would have to be made to departmental budgets, as other budget items, like insurance and retirement, are fixed costs. If you make substantial cuts," Narkewicz said at the town hall, its going to be people. Yes!Northampton, a group campaigning for the override, said in a press release last year that structural deficits are inevitable, as state law caps property tax increases approved by local governments at 2.5% per year. The proposition is part of a longstanding fiscal strategy aimed at making the community a great place to live," the organization added. A yes vote will keep our schools vibrant, our streets safe and our infrastructure strong," said Marissa Elkins, co-chair of the group. A sample of Northampton's Proposition 2 ballot question. The $2.5 million property tax override will be voted on by city residents on March 3. (City of Northampton) How do I vote on it? The Proposition 2 question will appear on registered Northampton voters presidential primary ballots on March 3. Residents can vote either yes or no on whether to allow the city of Northampton to assess an additional $2.5 million in real estate and personal property taxes to fund the citys operating budgets. How much will my taxes increase by if Proposition 2 is approved? The average single-family home in Northampton, which is estimated at roughly $335,000, would have to pay an additional $225 every year if the override is passed, according to Narkewiczs office. That amounts to a $56 quarterly tax bill. Proposition 2 would add $67 a year to the tax bill of a $100,000 home, $134 for a $200,000 home, $201 for a $300,000 home, $268 for a $400,000 home and $335 for a $500,000 home, the mayors office said. Low-income seniors 65 years of age and older may also be eligible for tax exemptions. The city has also posted an online calculator to allow residents to search their address and see how much the override would increase their taxes by. Has recreational marijuana sale revenue aided the citys budget? Northampton has received $1,960,471 to date off of tax revenue from purchases at NETA, the first recreational marijuana store to open in Massachusetts. The money has aided the citys operating budget, and revenue from fiscal 2019 was used to lower the size of the override to $2.5 million, Narkewicz said. Its helped our budget this year, the mayor said at a recent town hall. The city has collected another roughly $1.8 million from community impact fees from NETA. However, the funds are only expected to last five years and are not built into Northamptons general funds, according to the mayor. Community impact fee money from fiscal 2019 was used for road and traffic safety improvements in and around NETA, and money from fiscal 2020 was deposited into the citys Marijuana Host Community Impact Fee Stabilization Fund, the mayor said. The funds will be used, subject to appropriation, to mitigate the impacts of marijuana operations upon the citys road system, law enforcement, inspection services, permitting services, administrative services and public health services, in addition to potential additional unforeseen impacts upon the city," the city said. Has the city voted in favor of tax overrides in the past? Another Proposition 2 override was passed in 2013. At the time, the city faced a $1.7 million budget shortfall and would have potentially cut more than 15 jobs in education, public safety and public works. Other less costly tax hikes were passed in 2009 and 1998, according to Narkewicz. Two overrides were also proposed in 1992 and 2004, though they did not pass when put to a vote. More than 6,000 residents cast their ballots in favor of the 2013 tax overhaul, allowing the measure to pass by a margin of roughly 1,000 votes. The $2.5 million was set to last four years but was extended instead through fiscal 2020. The mayor said his office was able to make the funds last longer due to building permit and motor vehicle excise revenues as well as cost savings in health insurance. With the 2013 override vote, the city was able to implement energy conservation measures like converting streetlights to LED, improve school facilities, invest in technology for classrooms, create master plans for historic cemeteries and fund planning designs for the streets of both downtown Florence and downtown Northampton. Weve really worked hard to figure out ways how to save money and work more efficiently, Narkewicz said during a February town hall. For more information on the potential override, Northampton Open Media recorded video of one of Narkewiczs town halls about the proposition. Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364. Related Content: Canada will stop paying towards Prince Harry and Meghan Markles security costs in the coming weeks, a government spokesman has said. Canada has been paying some of the costs for the duke and duchess since October 2019. A statement given to Yahoo News UK from the Office of the Minister of Public Safety in Canada read: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing to re-locate to Canada on a part-time basis presented our government with a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances. The RCMP has been engaged with officials in the UK from the very beginning regarding security considerations. As the duke and duchess are currently recognised as Internationally Protected Persons, Canada has an obligation to provide security assistance on an as-needed basis. At the request of the Metropolitan Police, the RCMP has been providing assistance to the Met since the arrival of the duke and duchess to Canada intermittently since October 2019. The assistance will cease in the coming weeks, in keeping with their change in status. Harry and Meghan have mostly been raising Archie in Canada. (Getty Images) Read more: Harry and Meghan reveal transition details and confirm end of Sussex Royal branding Harry and Meghan spent an extended break on Vancouver Island over Christmas, with their son Archie. They returned to the UK in January and thanked representatives at Canada House for their nations hospitality. But it was shortly after the visit that they made the shock announcement that they wanted to step back from royal duties, saying they would carve their own path. Over the weekend, it was confirmed that their last day of senior royal duties would be 31 March. In a statement on their website, they did not give any details on how their future security would be funded. Previously, Justin Trudeau said there were ongoing discussions about the funding. (Getty Images) Part of the statement on the Sussex Royal website said: It is agreed that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son. This is based on The Dukes public profile by virtue of being born into The Royal Family, his military service, the Duchess own independent profile, and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over the last few years. Story continues No further details can be shared as this is classified information for safety reasons. Read more: Prince Harry arrives in UK for final engagements as senior royal Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously said he and his country were supportive of the Sussexes living there, but that there were ongoing discussion about who would pick up the security bill. He added: I think most Canadians are very supportive of having royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have. There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the royal family, by the Sussexes themselves, as to what level of engagement they choose to have. We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well. Read more: Will losing Sussex Royal impact Harry and Meghan's brand power? Unofficial estimates put their annual security bill at 20m. Prince Harry returned to the UK this week ahead of his final round of royal duties. The duke asked people to just call him Harry at his summit. (PA Images) He spoke at a conference in Edinburgh for his sustainable travel brand Travalyst, and was introduced by Ayesha Hazarika who said: Hes asked we just call him Harry. Meghan is likely to return to the UK early next week when she has engagements. She and Harry will attend the Endeavour Fund awards together on 5 March. Read more: Prince Harry is 'relaxed' and 'defiant' over future, says Travalyst conference host She will mark International Womens Day on 8 March, but there are no details about what event she will attend. The couple will step back from duties on 31 March, meaning from 1 April they will not be funded by the Crown. They had been thought to be preparing to set up a foundation under the name Sussex Royal, but have confirmed they wont be using the word royal in any territory, owing to its limitations in the UK. The duke and duchess announced their intention to set up a non-profit organisation instead of a foundation. A spokesman for the couple previously said they would be focusing on the same issues after royal life as while they were senior members of the family. Unseasonal rains with hailstorm over the past two days have caused massive damage to crops at several places in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, officials said. According to Bihar government officials, rain and hailstorm in parts of south and north Bihar adjacent to Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday damaged flowering and fruiting oilseed, pulses, vegetables, tobacco crop, and blossoming mango orchards. In some parts of Kaimur, Rohtas and Aurangabad, hail of up to 20mm was recorded within a few hours on Monday and Tuesday, officials said. Strong winds with speeds of up to 40 km per hour resulted in damage to mango trees in several areas. We are finished, said Amit Singh, a farmer of Badhauna village in Vaishali district. The Rabi crop was our last hope for survival. Heavy rain in November, December and January destroyed our paddy crops. Umesh Kumar Mandal, joint director (agriculture), said rain and hailstorm may have harmed the flowering pulses and oilseed crops and the fruiting crops to some extent. The government would surely provide compensation to the farmers, he said. In Madhya Pradesh, hail damaged crops in at least 10 districts, including Mandla, Dindori, Katni, Satna, agriculture department officials said. Agriculture minister, Sachin Yadav, said a survey of the damaged crops is going on. It is only after the survey that the extent of the damage can be ascertained. The government stands by the farmers and it will extend assistance to them based on the survey report. In Chhattisgarh, the state government instructed district collectors on Wednesday to find the estimate of the crop loss. Heavy rain and hailstorm have affected crops in Surguja, Bilaspur, Durg and Raipur region, officials said. Indresh Pandey, a farmer, said all farmers of Raipur are badly hit as crops of chickpeas (gram/chana), wheat, and tomato had been damaged. I have grown wheat, tomato, and chickpeas on my 10 acres of land in Sejbahar village, which is of no use now, said Pandey. Agriculture minister, Ravindra Choubey, said chief minister Bhupesh Baghel has instructed all collectors to assess the damage and compensation will be paid to all the farmers. (With inputs from Bihar, MP Bureaus) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An Afghan government delegation is going to Doha to make "initial contacts" with the Taliban, a senior official said Thursday, days before the signing of a historic deal in Qatar to withdraw US troops. The accord would see thousands of US troops withdrawn from Afghanistan after more than 18 years, in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with the Kabul government. Representatives of the Kabul government will be conspicuously absent from Saturday's signing ceremony, which as many as 30 nation are expected to attend. But in the first sign of a potential opening towards intra-Afghan negotiations, National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal said the government would send a six-person delegation to Doha to meet the insurgents following a request from "the Taliban and our international partners". "It's a group called (an) initial contact group", he told AFP, adding that the delegation was "not a negotiating team and won't be negotiating anything with the Taliban". "This team isn't participating (in) the signing ceremony on Saturday," he added. In the run-up to the event, the Taliban, US and Afghan forces agreed to a partial week-long truce that entered its sixth day on Thursday. While the truce does not amount to a full ceasefire, the number of Taliban attacks has fallen dramatically. The situation remains fragile however, with the interior ministry reporting a policeman's death due to a roadside bomb in northern Balkh province on Thursday. Another person was killed and ten others were wounded in an explosion in Kabul the same day. The Taliban, which has vowed not to attack urban areas as part of the truce, immediately denied any involvement. Islamic State jihadists later claimed responsibility for the attack, the SITE monitoring group said. The presence of IS group in Afghanistan has complicated negotiations between the United States and the Taliban. While the Taliban want all American forces out, the Pentagon insists thousands must remain in Afghanistan to tackle IS group and other jihadist groups. The Afghan government said in November that its forces had largely defeated IS group but the group still maintains a diminished presence in parts of eastern Afghanistan. Search Keywords: Short link: The trees wont tell you what happened here. Just days after a quick-spreading fire broke out Sunday afternoon in Worthington State Forest, burning 80 scenic acres in the Delaware Water Gap, the towering leafless hardwoods lining the trail to one of New Jerseys most picturesque overlooks appeared largely untouched by the blaze. But as I hiked Wednesday afternoon, around Mount Tammany and through the recently singed part of the park, the land between those trees and the lingering smell of char weaved another tale. A squirrel eats among burned forest land in Worthington State Forest on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. (Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Sprawling black patches of burned forest floor tainted the mountainside, which is bound by I-80 below and the Red Dot trail above. Much of what went up in flames during the Rock Face Fire, as officials named it, was undergrowth, either naturally eaten by the fire or intentionally torched by firefighters who had worked to starve the fire of its needed fuel. What remains are splotches of blackened leaves and sticks that appear almost to ooze between the trees and down the mountain. Its a far cry from the charred quasi-moonscape left by last years 11,000-acre Spring Hill Fire and other massive South Jersey blazes, but the scene will still prove a jarring sight for the thousands of hikers who trek up Mount Tammany to take in the view in coming months. Burned areas along the Red Dot Trail in Worthington State Forest on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. (Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com On my way up Mount Tammany, I crossed paths with someone else who was curious to see the damage: David Snyder, a botanist who works for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections Office of Natural Lands Management. Snyder knows the plants of Worthington well. In 2018, he became the first person in a century to find endangered stalked woolgrass growing in New Jersey, at the edge of the park on the banks of the Delaware River. On Wednesday, Snyder was in the park to check on a different endangered plant: a small patch of a fern called mountain spleenwort, which grows on Mount Tammanys cliffs. This is one of only a handful of places in New Jersey that the plant is known to grow, Snyder said. The mountain spleenwort, Snyder found, was fine, but he admitted he was a little disappointed that the fire had not been a little more intense, to help clear out invasive plants like stilt grass and wineberry. After about a mile up the Red Dot trail, just shy of the Indian Head overlook, the black stretches of singed undergrowth disappeared. This is where the fire stopped; it didnt make it to the top or over the ridge. View from partway up Mount Tammany, overlooking Mount Minsi on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River, in Worthington State Forest on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. (Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Up here I met Sean Garvin, a photographer who lives in Hardwick. When the fire was burning, Garvin said he could smell the smoke from his house about ten miles away. He said hed been worried that the flames would spread quickly toward the nearby Lakota Wolf Preserve. Garvin said he came out as soon as it was announced that the trails up Mount Tammany had reopened; like me, he wanted to see what the flames had done. He was surprised that the trees had fared so well and how cleanly the fire appeared to stop at the Red Dot Trail. Burned areas along the Red Dot Trail in Worthington State Forest on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. (Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and Garvin told me that I had just missed a few firefighters on the job. Greg McLaughlin, the head of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, said in a call Tuesday that the fire was almost certainly human-caused. He noted that the weather Sunday afternoon, when the fire started, had been perfect. That rules out a lightning strike, and it means that dozens of hikers were out to enjoy the warm weekend. On the other side of the ridge, along the Blue Trail going down from Mount Tammany (itself just one peak on Kittatinny Mountain) the forest appeared just as it had in previous visits to the park. This part of the hike, descending into a ravine to meet the Dunnfield Creek below, is always strikingly different from the mountain face. The vegetation is lusher; even in winter, bright patches of green moss and ferns crawl their way into view. On this late Wednesday afternoon in February, none of the few other people I saw in Worthington were on the Blue Trail. The silence was surreal; no wind blowing on this side of the mountain, the traffic noise from I-80 completely blocked. The peaceful moment gave way to the sound of bubbling water as I retreated to the parking area. A message to hikers returning to Mount Tammany: The trail remains steep and the view is still spectacular, but the journey up is, at least for now, a little more dystopian. 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. It's an uncomfortable question: Did our government sell out the values we fought for in World War II to get a leg up in the Cold War? Amazon Prime Video's new streaming series "Hunters" rubs our noses in that question, digging out uncomfortable facts and blowing them up into an epic action show about a squad devoted to taking out America's Nazi elite in 20th-century New York City. Set in 1977, the show takes its inspiration from the real-life "Operation Paperclip," a United States government program that identified high-value German scientists and engineers in the waning days of WWII, brushed off their Nazi dirt and quietly installed them in American cities with (how to say it?) less Holocaust-sensitve populations. "Fake news," you cry? Tell that to Wernher von Braun, the genius NASA scientist who launched our space program after running Germany's V2 rocket program, which used concentration camp inmates as slave labor during the war. "Hunters" leans in to this reality and takes the story of real-life Nazi hunters and spins it into a wild yarn set in 1977 New York City about a vigilante crew that takes its inspiration from drive-in exploitation movies and action pictures. Al Pacino is Meyer Offerman, a wealthy Holocaust survivor who funds an action squad that's determined to hunt down Nazi war criminals and exterminate them with extreme prejudice. Logan Lerman ("Fury," the "Percy Jackson" movies) is Jonah Heidelbaum, a comic book store clerk who is drawn into the Hunters world after his grandmother, also a Holocaust survivor, is murdered by hidden Nazis in America. The Hunters team also includes a married couple of elderly Holocaust surivors (Carol Kane and Saul Rubinek); a Jewish-American action movie star who's pissed that he's losing parts to Dustin Hoffman and Richard Dreyfus (Josh Radnor); an Asian-American Vietnam War veteran (Louis Ozawa); a female African-American activist with martial-arts skills (Roxy Jones); and a nun who was born a Jewish girl and spirited out of Germany at the begninning of the war to be raised in a British convent (Kate Mulvaney). What we've got is a rag-tag team that's inspired by the misfits and outsiders who populate Jonah's comic books. And, while some of it is played for laughs, they're also a surprisingly violent and lethal crew. Lena Olin plays The Colonel, leader of the Nazi conspiracy in America who is in possession of one whopper of a secret. She's leading a plot to recreate the Final Solution by infiltrating the world's snack supply, and only the Hunters can stop her. Well, there's also a female African-American FBI agent (Jerrika Hinton) who's noticed a pattern of elderly German immigrants reaching a bad end. She starts investigating and ends up chasing both the Hunters and the Nazis. The show plays fast and loose with history. A disguised Nazi infiltrates President Jimmy Carter's cabinet and manipulates administration policy to the conspiracy's advantage. Wernher von Braun doesn't really die of cancer in June 1977; he fakes his death and disappears into the California woods after aiding the Nazi comeback. The program periodically flashes back to the stories of men and women in the concentration camps during the war. All the humor and attitude gets set aside as we learn the stories of what drives the Hunters to hunt in modern-day America. The show's creator David Weil says he was inspired by the stories he heard about Nazi hunters growing up, but he's filtered those true stories through "Death Wish," "Inglourious Basterds," kung fu movies, comic books, "Kill Bill" and (most likely) "The Six Million Dollar Man." "Hunters" is loud, violent, irreverent, cold-blooded and profane. If viewers embrace (or can get past) the presentation, there's a serious story about how descendants of Holocaust victims (and the rest of us) have a moral obligation to both remember the horrors and act to prevent them from happening again. Production values on the show are exceptional, and the creators (who include "Get Out" director Jordan Peele) have gone out of their way to create a remarkable facsimile of late '70s New York City. While it's not quite at the level of "Mrs. Maisel" extravagance, this seems like another Amazon show that got a generous production budget to make an expensive period piece. As someone who lived in Huntsville, Alabama, during the Operation Paperclip era, I've been waiting my whole life for anyone in popular culture to go Nazi hunting in Alabama. "Hunters" finally fulfills that wish but presents Huntsville as moonlight and magnolias instead of the cluster of low-rent, mid-century modern office parks and subdivisions that it actually was. That's just me. I should probably instead praise the inventive use of music cues that capture the era with a few famous songs ("Night Moves," "Paint It, Black") and a long list of well-chosen deep cuts (The Weirdos' "We Got the Neutron Bomb," the incredible choice of Top Drawer's "Song of a Sinner" over the closing credits). "Hunters" also presents an impressive cast to play the Nazis: Dylan Baker ("The Good Wife" and a hundred other television shows); William Sadler (Heywood in "The Shawshank Redemption"); Keir Dullea (Dave in "2001: A Space Odyssey"); Ronald Guttman (Lt. Melekhin in "The Hunt for Red October"); and Victor Slezak (President U.S. Grant on "Hell on Wheels") all make the most of their onscreen time as the personification of evil. "Hunters" resolves its season one plot, shocks with some huge revelations in the last episode and sets things up for a second season mission overseas. We haven't really learned exactly why everyone is on the team yet, so the show most definitely has more stories to tell. Here's hoping Amazon keeps the checkbook open and gives us an equally well-funded round two. Geneva Motor Show Organisers of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show have announced the cancellation of the show, blaming force majeure. The Swiss government has banned events with gatherings of more than 1,000 people, with immediate effect. The ban is effective until at least 15 March, effectively making hosting the annual Geneva Motor Show impossible. Organisers have also clarified that it is a true cancellation, rather than a postponement. The show cannot be postponed, they said during an emergency press conference. Its too big. In September, October? Its not feasible. In a statement, Geneva Motor Show officials insisted they regret this decision, but the health of all participants is our and our exhibitors top priority. Refunds of tickets for show visitors will now take place in the coming days. Earlier decision reversed Earlier this week, the organisers of the show had confirmed that the show would go ahead as planned, between the 5th and 15th of March 2020. A review followed concerns over the spread of coronavirus, as the first case has been confirmed in Switzerland. This followed the official Geneva 2020 press conference last week, held as construction of the stands was almost complete. A week ago, say officials, there was nothing to suggest that such a measure [cancellation] was necessary. The situation changed with the appearance of the first confirmed coronavirus diseases in Switzerland and the injunction of the Federal Council on 28 February. The event is cancelled due to this decision. For context, the International Exhibition of Inventions, also planned for the Palexpo facility in Geneva, has already been cancelled. It was due to take place on March 25. No-shows at Geneva 2020 Crowds at the Geneva Motor Show Many brands had already cancelled their show attendance. Chinese mobility company Aiways said it would not be debuting its U6ion electric crossover concept at the show as previously planned. The model will be revealed to the media at Geneva via alternative means. Story continues CEOs from Ferrari and Brembo will not attend, although the marques themselves should be present. Brembo CEO Daniele Schillaci has elected to stay away, given the escalating severity of the disease in Italy. We believe that protecting peoples health is a priority in the current fast-changing environment, a spokesman said. So far, there have been 374 confirmed cases in Italy. Ferraris CEO Louis Camilleri is said to not be going due to the fact that Ferrari isnt expected to have any debuts at the show, and therefore his presence isnt warranted. Its three chiefs of marketing, design and technology will, however, be going. Harman, an automotive technology supplier, has pulled out of exhibiting in response to the disease, to protect the safety and wellbeing of its employees. Some attendees and exhibitors could simply be deterred from attending because of the furore around the virus. The risk of quarantine and being detained is very real, alongside the risk of contracting the disease. Geneva and Coronavirus: health advice issued Geneva Motor Show crowds While the show is to go ahead, some strict advice has been given out to those planning to attend. Those who have showed symptoms within 14 days of the date they plan to go have been asked to stay at home. Show managing director Olivier Rihs has confirmed that the decision to close the show could be taken at any point up to, and during, its opening. The advice from the authorities here in Geneva is that the show can continue and they are the only ones who can say yes or no to the show going ahead, he said. Caught on the horns of a dilemma Commenting on the ongoing situation, automotive editor at GlobalData, David Leggett, said that The organisers of the Geneva International Motor Show are caught on the horns of a dilemma. Issuing health advice for exhibitors and attendees is undoubtedly the responsible thing to do, but it draws attention to the rising level of risk as the crisis spreads in Europe. The public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak has hit home this week with whole towns quarantined in northern Italy and the first case confirmed in Switzerland. This public health crisis is fast-moving and the authorities in Switzerland could yet decide that the risks are too great in allowing such a large show, with many international exhibitors and attendees, to take place. The post Official: 2020 Geneva Motor Show CANCELLED due to coronavirus appeared first on Motoring Research. La Trobe University and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) have embarked on an exciting new phase of their partnership, launching a Research Academy in India to address significant global social, community, health and technological challenges. The IIT Kanpur La Trobe University Research Academy will boost both organisations research capabilities and bring together La Trobe and IIT Kanpur experts to create a globally recognised centre for research. The Research Academy will be based in Kanpur, with a strong presence at La Trobes Australian campuses for visiting Research Academy staff and up to 40 PhD students, who will be eligible to apply for generous scholarships. Speaking at the launch, La Trobe Chancellor, The Honourable John Brumby AO, said the Research Academy will strengthen both institutions capacity to address global problems. We are delighted to be launching the IIT Kanpur La Trobe University Research Academy, to address a diverse range of challenges in health, food and water security, urban planning and transport, Mr Brumby said. The Research Academy will train the next generation of research and industry leaders. Through the Research Academys generous scholarship program, which includes support for tuition fees and travel, La Trobe looks forward to welcoming up to 40 PhD students to Australia to benefit from the strength of our relationship with IIT Kanpur, Mr Brumby said. IIT Kanpur Director, Professor Abhay Karandikar said the Research Academy will reflect the organisations shared commitment to research addressing global challenges and improving communities. "We are very excited about the setting up of the IIT Kanpur-La Trobe University Research Academy as it will facilitate a close partnership between our two universities, strengthen our research ecosystem and eventually lead to on-ground translation of this work, he said. We hope that this partnership will become a blueprint for more international research collaborations to spur study in critical fields," Professor Karandikar said. La Trobe also today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Amrita University. Dr Venkat Rangan, Vice-Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, added, Inspired by Chancellor AMMAs leadership, Amritas mission of imparting Education for Life to its students and carrying out compassion-driven research for sustainable development, will be further enriched by global impact through this strategic partnership with La Trobe University. LaTrobe is part of the 31 member delegation of Australian Education representatives to India led by Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham for the Australia-India Business Exchange 2020. La Trobe has significant historical and cultural ties to India that include being one of only two universities in Australia to teach Hindi; in 1968 hosting of Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi; in 2019 bestowing an honorary doctorate on actor and philanthropist Shah Rukh Khan in 2019; and today awarding the Shah Rukh Khan La Trobe University PhD Scholarship to an aspiring female researcher from India who will make a meaningful impact in the world, as well as signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Amrita University. 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. RICHMOND Over the weekend, Bernie Sanders unveiled a multi-billion-dollar plan to provide universal child care, promised to legalize marijuana nationwide, slammed a prominent pro-Israel advocacy group for promoting "bigotry," and praised some aspects of Fidel Castros reign in Cuba because he provided health care and education. As the Vermont senator emerges as the frontrunner to win the Democratic presidential nomination, he has shown little interest in softening his unapologetic rhetoric or progressive policies against the "billionaire class" that have endeared him to his supporters. Real change never ever takes place from the top on down, Sanders told a cheering crowd of several thousand during a campaign rally at the Arthur Ashe Junior Athletic Center in Richmond, Virginia. Real change always takes place when people stand together for justice. And thats what this campaign is about. Firing up his progressive base has largely worked for Sanders in the first three states of the nomination battle Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada thanks in part to his rivals splitting the support of moderates. But that success has more moderate Democrats wondering: Can Sanders can build on that momentum as the political calendar pivots to primaries in states with larger shares of moderate and conservative voters, starting with South Carolina Saturday and, three days later, the 14 Super Tuesday states including North Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee? Rev. Al Sharpton is reminding black voters in South Carolina that civil rights leaders faced the same political flak for being alleged socialists that Democratic 2020 candidate Bernie Sanders faces today and he urged them to ignore the label. (Feb. 26) And a bigger fear for some Democrats: Would nominating a self-described democratic socialist mean four more years of Trump and allow Republicans to retake control of the House, and in turn, the whole Congress? "That's the existential anxiety that moderates in the Democratic party have, which is, 'Are we headed down the path of another McGovern,' where the moderates are divided, the left base is energized enough to get a nomination but then in the general election, everything collapses," said Quentin Kidd, director of the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University in Virginia, one of the Super Tuesday states. Story continues 'I'd never vote for him' Kidd was referring to George McGovern, the liberal South Dakota senator who was the Democratic presidential nominee against incumbent Richard Nixon in 1972. McGovern lost every state but Massachusetts in a landslide that helped Republicans gain 12 seats in the House. "The Bernie progressives would argue this isnt 72. This is 2020," Kidd said. "And to win in 2020, you have to have a base that is going to turn out for you. And they would argue that moderates are going to be more willing to stomach a Bernie Sanders candidacy than a second term for Donald Trump and that moderates are ultimately going to come home." During Tuesday's debate in South Carolina, Sanders touted his lead in 47 of the 50 most recent national polls. "And if you want to beat Trump, what you're going to need is an unprecedented grassroots movement of black and white and Latino, Native American and Asian, people who are standing up and fighting for justice," Sanders said. "That's what our movement is about." But some Democratic moderates are having a tough time imagining they could support Sanders in November. Ed Davis, a former Boston City police commissioner who supports former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, said he would not pull the lever for Sanders in a head-to-head match-up with Trump because of policies such as Medicare for All he finds far too left-wing. He is a socialist and Im not," said Davis, who will be voting Tuesday in Massachusetts, another Super Tuesday state. "We need to take care of people all over this range of the economy. But to do it by taking insurance away from people and some of the things hes put out there? Id never vote for him. Super Tuesday expected to widen Sanders' lead Polls so far have Sanders either first or second in most of the 14 Super Tuesday states, which could help him build a lead among national pledged delegates that analysts say would be almost impossible for any of his rivals to overcome. The data-crunching website fivethirtyeight.com forecasts Sanders to win the most delegates in all but one Super Tuesday state (Alabama). A recent USA TODAY/Ipsos poll of voters showed the 78-year-old senator outscores not only his Democratic opponents but also President Donald Trump when it comes to likeability and on whether he shares their values key factors for swaying undecideds. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., right, with his wife Jane, speaks during a campaign event in San Antonio, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. And over the past 20 years, the share of Democratic and Democratic-leaning registered voters who describe themselves as liberal or very liberal has increased from 27% in 2000 to 47% in 2019, according to the Pew Research Center. The rest describe themselves as moderate (38%) or conservative (14%). KIdd said Virginia is a perfect example of that trend. Democrats won back both chambers of the state legislature running on progressive issues, such as gun control, "that they never would have run on a decade ago." And the professor said he has not met anyone who voted for Sanders in 2016 who said they won't support him again. Four years ago, Sanders won 35% of voters in the Virginia primary against Hillary Clinton and got clobbered. If he wins 35% Tuesday, he'll likely dominate the fractured Democratic field. Economic populism strikes a chord Sanders' populist platform calling for universal health care, higher pay for teachers and free public college has some moderates questioning how a country already saddled with more than $23 trillion in debt could afford to cover the cost of massive government expansion. Candis McCarty, 67, of Midlothian, Va., came to the Richmond rally to see what Sanders had to say. The retired manager for a furniture maker who supported Hillary Clinton in 2016 is undecided but favoring either former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg or Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Her biggest apprehension about Sanders? Medicare for all. The cost. The benefits. Sanders has said his programs will be largely paid for by increasing taxes on Wall Street, corporations and the wealthiest Americans. But his more moderate rivals say his plans are backed up by unrealistic math that many voters would never accept as prudent or possible. "I'll tell you exactly what it adds up to," former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg said during Tuesday's debate in South Carolina. "It adds to four more years of Donald Trump, (Republican) Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, and the inability to get the Senate into Democratic hands." But those proposals, and Sanders' constant drumbeat about the growing wealth gap in America, also have attracted Democratic voters who didn't support him four years ago. This time around Im pretty sold on him, said Amy Roberts, 42, of Glen Allen, Va., said as she stood to get into the rally. A Clinton supporter in 2016, the part-time retail stock manager said shes not worried about how his leftist policies will play in the rest of America given how far right she believes Trump has taken the country. Seeing whats happened over the last four years, if were going to go radical in that direction, Id rather try to go radical in the other direction and course correct, she said. From left, Democratic presidential candidates, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and businessman Tom Steyer, participate in a Democratic presidential primary debate at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, co-hosted by CBS News and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute. Jessica Bright-Matthews of South Carolina supported Clinton in 2016. But she chose to work as a political director in the Palmetto State for Sanders this time because the economic issues he champions resonate even more with her now. "I did the right thing. I went to college, went to grad school, came back home," she said. "And no opportunities." Moderates fret about Sanders-Trump matchup A Sanders nomination would lead to a more partisan election, according to an analysis by political scientists David Broockman of the University of California-Berkeley and Joshua Kalla of Yale University, who surveyed some 40,000 voters to assess the electability of the Democratic contenders. The researchers found that a moderate Democratic nominee would receive about 2 percentage points more among all voters than Sanders, a difference they label the "Sanders penalty." That includes approximately 2 percent of Republicans who are skeptical of Trump enough to support a more moderate Democrat, like Bloomberg, Buttigieg or former Vice President Joe Biden, but would likely support Trump if Sanders was the nominee. Democrats and independents also are slightly more likely to say they would vote for Trump if Sanders is nominated, they research found. "Swing voters may be rare but their choices between candidates often determine elections, and many appear to favor Trump over Sanders but not over other Democrats," the researchers said in their analysis. But Sanders could make up the gap if young voters (ages 18-29) turn out at a significantly higher rate at least 11 percentage points than they did in 2016, the analysis concluded. Polling has shown that young voters tend to support Sanders at much higher rates than they do other candidates. Rylee White, 22, of Richmond, supported Clinton in 2016 backs Sanders platform but remains undecided about voting for him in Tuesdays primary because she worries her family in Pennsylvania a key swing state might not support a democratic socialist as the nominee Thats why Im undecided, the masters student at Virginia Commonwealth University said as she stood in line to get into Thursdays rally. I know it shouldnt be my concern on how other people are going to vote and I should just vote for who I agree with, but thats what Im dealing with. Aisha Lewis, 45, a Buttigieg supporter from North Carolina, said she won't vote for Trump in November but she can't see herself voting for Sanders either if he's the nominee. I think right now you see a huge divide, Lewis said. You see Trumpism. You see populism (with Sanders). And I think most Americans want to go beyond them. They want healing. And at the end of the day, they want policies that speak to the majority." Contributing: Kirk Brown, Joey Garrison, Maureen Groppe and Rebecca Morin This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Super Tuesday primaries to shed light on Bernie Sanders' electability A. S. McConnell, a native Floridian who now lives in the Washington, DC area, where she enjoys photography, event planning, graphic design, and traveling with her family, has published her latest book Second Chances: an enthralling romance offering true soul mates a chance at lifelong happiness if they choose to take it. Ava Stillman, a rising star in a renowned New York firm, is on the verge of finalizing the largest deal her company has ever closed. Forging ahead in her professional life, she looks to her personal life to take the next step. When a whirlwind of the unexpected occurs, Ava is left realizing her world is not as it seems and everything that she thought was true might really be a web of lies. Determined to be there for her family while diligently working to bring in a billion-dollar deal, Ava must learn to overcome lifes painful and difficult challenges, while still listening to her heart. Published by Page Publishing, A. S. McConnells engrossing book is a gripping page-turner for romantic fiction readers. My aspiration with any novel is to establish a bond with the reader so they can take the journey alongside the characters. For me, to elicit an emotional response from your audience is amazing, but to provide an experiencethat is the ultimate honor. A. S. McConnell Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Second Chances 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. ALTON A Belleville hospital patient is being tested for coronavirus as local health officials stress people should be more concerned about seasonal influenza. The same precautions help prevent both illnesses. On Thursday, BJC HealthCare hospitals released a statement saying a patient at Memorial Hospital in Belleville has been referred to the Illinois Department of Public Health for testing. Results are expected in the next few days, officials said. The referral was based on medical symptoms and travel history uncovered during a routine screening of the patient. This strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, was first seen in China and has spread around the world. With one exception, all U.S. cases involve patients who have traveled to an infected area or were in close contact with someone who has. Two cases have been reported in Illinois, a Chicago-area woman who traveled to China, and her husband. On Thursday it was reported health officials are trying to trace the source of infection of Northern California case. Despite the COVID-19 concerns, Terri McCrery infection preventionist for OSF HealthCare which includes OSF Saint Anthonys Health Center in Alton said people should be more concerned about the flu. An OSF news release noted the CDC has said flu activity remains high and is expected to continue as late as April or May. The CDC has said the number of pediatric flue deaths, at 105, is the second highest since the figures were included in weekly reporting in 2004. Youre talking a handful nationally here with the coronavirus, and youre talking millions with the flu, McCrery said. So we need to be watchful of the flu. More Information To protect against the virus, the World Health Organization suggests: Wash hands frequently. Maintain a social distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) between yourself and anyone coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezeing, then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Stay home if you feel unwell; if you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, seek medical care. Call your health care provider before visiting. Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider. For more coronavirus information, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. See More Collapse The CDC said there have been increased hospitalizations but fewer deaths from the flu so far this season. In Illinois the risk remains widespread and high. McCrery said the flu can have a devastating impact, even on those considered young and with a healthy immune system. She noted a 16-year-old junior at Glenwood High School in the Ball-Chatham School District died from flu complications. Its not too late to get the flu shot, she said. Dont think youre going to be one of the ones that it skips by and not get the flu because you could get it and it could be deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, coronaviruses commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, such as the common cold. Other more problematic strains include the MERS and SARS viruses. For the most part, they appear as the usual cold symptoms or pneumonia, said Dr. David Warren at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. According to the CDC, the virus is mainly spread by person-to-person contact via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. That requires contact within about six feet, they say. There is also the possibility that someone can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. But this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, the CDC stated. Symptoms, generally considered flu-like, include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and can appear between 2-14 days after exposure. Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447. [February 27, 2020] Yacht Charters Market and Yacht Transport Market Report - Global Insights on Primary and Secondary Research, Competitive Dynamics, Key Growth Strategies, Demand Outlook and Revenue Study 2026 Dallas, Texas, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Yacht Charters Market Overview 2020: The global yacht charters market is majorly driven by the rising number of technological developments, increasing promotional programs for promoting yachts, growing various online yacht providers, increasing range of rental yachts. This factors are expected to increase the growth of the market over the forecast period. Likewise, the yacht charters market has experienced a huge adoption, specifically from young population. Nowadays, various offline yacht charter bookings is significantly increasing at a rapid pace. However, existence of yacht service providers have considerably proved to be an extremely cooperative marketing platform for consumers across the globe. Request a sample of Yacht Charters Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/3902690 It is expected to gradually attract a high number of consumers over the forecast period, which significantly add to the growth of the global yacht charters industry. In addition, owing to the rising interest of consumers towards marine tourism, the yacht charter market is set to huge growth in the coming future. Yacht charter companies is majorly emphasizing on offering online booking as well as guidance for yacht charter. Likewise, recreational boating has been witnessing huge popularity since the last few years. Increasing inclination and affluence towards luxurious lifestyle has substantially raised the demand for yacht charter services across the globe. Moreover, emergence of new tourist places like Southeast Asia providing luxury cruising has been hugely encouraging the UHNWIs and HNWIs around the globe to discover such tourist places. The growing efforts from service providers as well as yacht builders majorly focusing on offering further luxury features and improved experience is also one of the important factor helping to increase the growth of the global yacht charters market. Likewise, yacht charter industries are now highly concentrating on offering improved luxury cruising to their clients. Such companies have raised their focus towards increasing the overall infrastructure such as more sophisticated restaurants and bars, IT tools, as well as internet connectivity. Such factors also adding to the progress of the global yacht charters market over the prediction period. Browse Full Yacht Charters Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-yacht-charters-market-report-2019-competitive-landscape-trends-and-opportunities The worldwide yacht charters market is basically segmented into application, type, and geographical regions. According to the application, the market is segregated into Corporate Individual Family/Group Couple Others On considering the type, the global market is categorizing into Motor Yacht Sailing Yacht On considering the geographical outlook, the global yacht charters market is segregated into Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and the Middle East and Africa. The global yacht charters market is extremely fragmented owing to several leading players existed in the market. Leadng providers of the global yacht charters market are Camper & Nicholsons International Ltd., Fraser Yachts, Boatbookings Yacht Charter, Cosmos Yachting Ltd., Sailogy SA, Antlos Srl, Sunsail, Dream Yacht Charter SARL, Charterworld Ltd., Zizooboats GmbH, Princess Yacht Charter, Kiriacoulis Mediterranean Point Covered in Table of Content: 1 Yacht Charters Market Overview 2 Global Yacht Charters Market Landscape by Player 3 Players Profiles of Yacht Charters Industry 4 Global Yacht Charters Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type 5 Global Yacht Charters Market Analysis by Application 6 Global Yacht Charters Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2014-2019) 7 Global Yacht Charters Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2014-2019) 8 Yacht Charters Manufacturing Analysis 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers 10 Yacht Charters Market Dynamics 11 Global Yacht Charters Market Forecast (2019-2026) 12 Research Findings and Conclusion 13 Appendix Direct Purchase Single User copy of Yacht Charters Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase-single-user/3902690 Part-II Global Yacht Transport Market Research Analysis 2020-2026: The global yacht transport market is majorly driven by the increasing demand for recreational boating, and it is expected that this factor will increase the growth of the market over the prediction period. However, the demand boating is due to the rising active participation in several recreation activities, the existence of low-cost professional labors, rise in customer spending on recreational activities, as well as increasing disposable income. Likewise, due to the huge demand for recreational yacht, the replacement of existing yachts by innovative and newly manufactured yachts is significantly increasing the demand for the yachts transportation, which ultimately rising the growth of the global yacht transport market. On the other hand, blockchain technology across marine transportation is considerably influencing the global yacht transport market. Adoption of e-freight documentation is one of the major trends for the growth of the global yacht transport market. In addition, blockchain technology aid in transforming and storing data digitally, along with the increased security. However, yacht transportation includes a high number of documentation such as letters of credit, BoL (Bill of Lading), charter party agreements, etc., such documentations are supposed to be approved through longer chain of involved parties that makes the process bit time-consuming. Request a sample of Yacht Transport Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/3782050 Additionally, blockchain technology help to simply the process, and encourages the huge number of end-users to significantly invest in the yacht transport market. The growing demand for recreational boating along with the blockchain technology across marine transport has led the yacht transport market growth at a significant share over the forecast period. Moreover, severe administrative regulations in marine transport is one of the crucial factor expected to hinder the growth of the global yacht transport market into coming future. The global yacht transport industry is segmented into application, type, as well as regional landscape. In terms of regional viewpoint, the global yacht transport market is segregated into North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. In addition to this, the global yacht transport market is extremely concentrated. The industry is in the late step of its growth phase and the market competition is anticipated to become less intense over the forecast period. The complete analysis of the competitive landscape of the market offer client an accurate idea of the manufacturers operating in the market and investors who are interested to invest in the market. Browse Full Internet of Yacht Transport Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-yacht-transport-market-report-2019-competitive-landscape-trends-and-opportunities Some of the leading service providers of the global yacht transport market are: Raven Offshore Yacht Shipping, Global Boat Shipping, YachTransport LLC, Yacht Exports, Peters and May, Yacht Shipping Ltd, M&B Yacht Transport, Super yacht Shipping, Dockwise Yacht Transport (DYT), Express Boat Transport Company, United Yacht Transport, Joule Yacht Transport, PM SHIPPING GmbH, Star Class Yacht Transport, Seven Seas Yacht Transport, Kevin Henderson Boat Transport, International Yacht Shipping, Sevenstar Major Points From TOC: 1 Yacht Transport Market Overview 2 Global Yacht Transport Market Landscape by Player 3 Players Profiles of Yacht Transport Industry 4 Global Yacht Transport Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type 5 Global Yacht Transport Market Analysis by Application 6 Global Yacht Transport Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2014-2019) 7 Global Yacht Transport Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2014-2019) 8 Yacht Transport Manufacturing Analysis 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers 10 Yacht Transport Market Dynamics 11 Global Yacht Transport Market Forecast (2019-2026) 12 Research Findings and Conclusion 13 Appendix Direct Purchase Single User copy of Yacht Transport Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase-single-user/3782050 About Us: Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients. Contact Us: Hector Costello Senior Manager Client Engagements 4144N Central Expressway, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75204, U.S.A. Phone No.: USA: +1 (972)-362-8199 | IND: +91 895 659 5155 Email ID: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] According to local media reports Kapil Mishra, a local leader from Modi's political party, threatened to mobilise a mob to clear out the protesters. Tensions rose on Sunday and gangs of Hindu and Muslim men began throwing rocks at each other. The violence quickly spread to nearby suburbs and continued for days. Burnt and vandalised buildings in New Delhi after clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups. Credit:AP At least 34 people have been killed, including a senior police officer, and around 250 injured. Journalists covering the riots have been attacked with one reportedly suffering a bullet wound. Property damage is widespread. On Wednesday Delhis chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, called for the army to be deployed on the streets of north east Delhi amid widespread criticism of the local police force's failure to restore order. Loading Gulnaz, a 28-year-old woman who lives in a squatter settlement in the riot-torn neighbourhood of Jaffrabad, witnessed fierce fighting on the streets around her house. "The last few days have been very dangerous, I have been feeling in real danger," she told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Gulnaz said it felt as if Muslims were being "hunted". "I feel very afraid now because we are not safe," she said. "Nobody is going outside now, we are staying in the house." Modern India has been plagued by religious violence. In 1984 nearly 3000 people were killed in anti-Sikh riots after the then prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. In 2002 more than 1000 people, mostly Muslims, died in riots in the north western state of Gujarat. The attacks followed a suspicious train fire that killed 59 Hindu pilgrims. Modi, who was chief minister of Gujarat at the time, was accused of being slow to stop the anti-Muslim bloodshed although he denies these allegations and none have ever been proven. The bloodshed in Delhi came at an embarrassing moment for Modi who was hosting an official visit by US President Donald Trump. The Indian leader was silent on the riots until Wednesday when he used Twitter to call for "harmony". "I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times," it said. "It is important that there is calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest." Modi leads the Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, which draws on a Hindu nationalist ideology. Political opponents have accused the government of stoking religious tensions, especially between Hindus and Muslims. Indias last census showed about 80 per cent of the population are Hindus while just over 14 per cent are Muslims. Loading The demographic make-up of Delhis north eastern sprawl makes it vulnerable to religious conflict because large Muslim-majority enclaves are located adjacent to neighbourhoods which are predominantly Hindu. A senior Delhi police officer told The New York Times it is "a mixed neighbourhood and in seconds you can have crowds of tens of thousands. Even a small thing can lead to violence". Poverty is also rife. Many young people from both Hindu and Muslim backgrounds in Delhis north east are unemployed or underemployed. Following Rahm Emanuels maxim that a crisis is a terrible thing to waste, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says the Trump reaction to the coronavirus is too little too late and quibbles over how much money is enough to fight a possible pandemic. Yet at the same time, such is cryin Chucks concern for human life that he and his Democrats sustained a filibuster blocking a bill that would protect the lives of newborn infants that survive a botched abortion. Senate Democrats today blocked a request by Republicans to vote on a bill that would stop infanticide and provide medical care and treatment for babies who are born alive after botched abortions. The vote to stop the Democrat filibuster needed 60 votes but Democrats stopped the chamber from getting enough. The Senate voted 56-41 to end the filibuster and allow a debate and vote on the bill itself with Republicans supporting a vote on the anti-infanticide bill and Democrats opposing it. This is the third time Senate Democrats have blocked the bill to stop infanticide as 60 votes are needed to end the filibuster. Democrats whine about children being separated from their families and allegedly kept in cages at the border, and they worry about them catching the coronavirus, but they believe in abortion from conception until birth and even after, beholden as they are to an intolerant left that says reproductive care includes leaving a newborn baby on a table until it dies, as Dem. Gov. Ralph Northam, states. In an interview with WTOP Radio on January 30, Northam described his support for legalization of late-term abortion -- even as a mother is dilating, per state delegate Kathy Tran -- and took the concept further, discussing euthanizing newborn babies even after comforting and resuscitating them: When we talk about third-trimester abortions, these are done with the consent of, obviously, the mother, with the consent of the physicians -- more than one physician, by the way The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if thats what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mothers. They would decide if the comfortable baby would be killed or not. Now Senate Democrats, including the self-righteous hypocrite Chuck Schumer, have reaffirmed that babies that survive an attempt to kill them, babies that survive an abortion, be left to die on a table somewhere without any attempt to save them: During the debate, Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska noted how pro-abortion Democrats refused to stand up and explain why they would block a vote to save babies from infanticide. He said, I urge my colleagues to picture a baby thats already been born, thats outside the womb gasping for air. Thats the only thing that todays vote is actually about. Were talking about babies that have already been born. Nothing in this bill touches abortion access. Perhaps Chuck Schumer would like to stand up on the Senate floor and explain why a human life gasping for air must be left to die on a table. This is an all too common occurrence defended by Democrats oh so concerned about fighting the coronavirus. According to Congressional testimony: Data that the CDC collects also confirms babies are born alive after attempted abortions. Between the years 2003 and 2014 there were somewhere between 376 and 588 infant deaths under the medical code P96.4 which keeps track of babies born alive after a termination of pregnancy. The CDC concluded that, of the 588 babies, 143 were definitively born alive after an attempted abortion and they lived from minutes to one or more days, with 48% of the babies living between one to four hours. It also admitted that its possible the number is an underestimate. We know it is an underestimate because these are just reported numbers from hospitals, not abortion facilities. Kermit Gosnell is only one abortionist who was responsible for hundreds of snippings of born-alive babies, yet he did not report even one. His numbers alone exceed the definitive numbers of the CDC. The barbarism spawned by this indifference to human life knows no bounds, such as the baby born alive at 23 weeks that desperately gasped for air, fighting for its life, begging for its life, only to be thrown into a biohazard bag to die by an abortion clinic defended by Schumers Democrats who laughingly call such atrocities womens health care: Pierre Renelique was a Haitian-born man who received his medical education in that third-world country. He wasnt a particularly good physician, not by American standards, anyway. Nevertheless, after immigrating to the U.S., Renelique found a home working as an abortionist in South Florida, in the summer of 2006. On July 19, 2006, 18-year-old Sycloria Williams sought out Reneliques services North Miami abortion clinic where he worked. She was 23 weeks pregnant. Renelique inserted laminaria, gave her a drug that would stimulate uterine contractions, and sent her home with instructions to return to A Gyn Diagnostics in Hialeah the following morning when he would complete her abortion. When Williams arrived at the Hialeah clinic the next morning at 9:00 a.m., she was already experiencing labor pains, but Renelique was nowhere to be found. Despite an attempt to kill the infant, Williams birthed a baby girl who was in bad shape but with care by real doctors in a real medical setting, could have been saved. But panic ensued at a clinic designed to destroy human life run by those who had no idea how or desire to save it: The tiny baby was writhing, her chest rising and falling as she struggled for her first breaths. Had Gonzalez instead called an ambulance for the newborn infant, she would have had a good chance of survival. Babies born at 23 weeks gestation often survive premature births if they receive proper medical care. Instead, pandemonium broke out inside the clinic. (clinic co-owner) Gonzalez grabbed a pair of orange-handled desk scissors and severed the babys umbilical cord, but did not clamp it. She shoved the baby into a red biohazard bag along with caustic chemicals meant to speed decomposition, and tossed the baby onto the roof of the clinic. This is Schumers idea of womens health care. In recent hearings on the Born Alive bill, Sen. Ben Sasse made it clear why this barbarism should end: This hearing is not about overturning Roe v. Wade. In fact, this hearing is not actually about limiting access to abortion at all. This hearing isnt a debate about third-trimester, or second-trimester, or first-trimester abortion. This hearing is about making sure that every newborn baby has a fighting chance -- whether shes born in a labor and delivery ward or whether shes born in an abortion clinic. Once again Schumer and the Democrats embrace, condone, and promote infanticide, Their idea of womens health care is to toss babies born alive and gasping for air on the roofs of abortion clinics where they will never have to worry about being infected with the coronavirus. Daniel John Sobieski is a former editorial writer for Investors Business Daily and freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Human Events, Reason Magazine, and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications. The old drugstore is long gone. In its place stands the upscale Ambassador Hotel, part of Marriotts boutique Autograph Collection, with Siena occupying the ground floor of the building at 104 S. Broadway St. Zagat named its executive chef, Josh Rathbun, one of Denvers 30 under 30 culinary pros before he returned to his native Wichita. Rathbun has tapped into his early experience working at a butcher shop in his hometown, where he formed relationships with local farmers. At Siena, he capitalizes on those connections to source heritage meats and other fresh ingredients. Youll find beef from Creekstone Farms in Arkansas City in filets, rib eyes and strip steaks on his menu. Pasta and fish round out the entrees. His five-course tasting menu can be paired with wines or craft beers. The Marine Corps top commander called on his senior officials last week to review the removal of Confederate symbols or Confederate-related paraphernalia from bases worldwide. A spokesperson for Commandant General David Berger confirmed on Wednesday that a directive was sent to his senior staff ordering that all Marine Corps installations remove symbols related to the Confederate States of America. It is not known when they need to be removed by, and the exact types of symbols to be stripped were also not identified. The order comes after a recent poll revealed 36 percent of active-duty troops in the U.S. military have witnessed white supremacy and racism in their ranks. Commandant General David Berger has been praised for the effort to 'modernize' the Marines Demonstrators protest at the South Carolina State House calling for the Confederate flag to remain in 2015. The flag was removed after a white supremacist who killed nine was pictured with it. It will now also be removed from Marine bases The directive sent by Commandant General David Berger to his senior staff last week 'Last week, the Commandant of the Marine Corps directed specific tasks be reviewed or addressed by Headquarters Marine Corps staff,' spokesperson Major Eric Flanagan told Task & Purpose. 'Many of the tasks were published on Twitter Friday. Other tasks not published previously are mostly administrative matters. 'Any official policy decisions, changes or implementation plans will be published via appropriate orders and messages'. Berger was praised for his decision to 'modernize' the Marine Corps with the removal. 'We have the need within the country to try and create as much unity as possible and to suppress white nationalism and racism within the ranks of the military because, every once in a while, it crops up and causes an issue,' Richard Kohn, a history professor at the University of North Carolina, told Military.com. The Confederate flag is to be removed from Marine Corps bases around the world A recent poll by the Military Times revealed that 36 percent of active-duty troops have witnessed examples of white nationalism or racist ideology from fellow service members The general's decision comes after a MilitaryTimes.com poll revealed that 36 percent of active-duty troops have witnessed examples of white nationalism or racist ideology from fellow service members in the past few months. The 2019 survey showed that as many of half of minority service members were personal witnesses to racism with enlisted members more likely to see it than officers. The troops also cited white supremacy as a greater national security threat than domestic terrorism with a connection to Islam or immigration. 'The majority of my co-workers were absolutely outstanding regarding race and work-relations and I credit military service for that,' one participant said. 'Nevertheless, somehow more racists are slipping through the cracks into the military.' The debate over Confederate flags and statues as a hate symbol is troubling for military officials after several high-profile incidents in which troops were found to be engaging in white supremacy. Lance Corporal Vasillios Pistolis was kicked out of the Marine Corps in 2018 and sentenced to 28 days confinement after it was revealed that he attended the 2017 white supremacist 'Unite the Right' rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, at which a counter-protester was killed. Pistolis was identified in photos from the rally on August 12, 2017, violently smashing a Confederate flag onto a counter-protester. 'The Marine Corps' stance on membership in extremist or hate groups remains the same: there is no place for racial hatred or extremism in the Marine Corps,' Major Brian Block wrote in a statement after Pistolis' dismissal. In 2016, 18-year-old Anthony Bauswell was also turned away from the Marines for a Confederate flag tattoo reading 'Southern Pride'. Cpl Vasillios Pistolis was dismissed from the Marine Corps in 2018 for attending a white supremacist rally and being pictured hitting a counter-protester with a Confederate flag Cpl Vasillios Pistolis is reportedly the man seen here smashing a Confederate flag onto a counter-protester on August 12, 2017, during the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va Pistolis bragged in an online forum the day this photo was taken: 'Today cracked 3 skulls open with virtually no damage to myself'. He was dismissed from the Marine Corps for his actions General Berger initially revealed on Twitter on Friday a list of reviews and changes he had sent to senior staff to implement but failed to mention the Confederate symbol request. The section was tweeted by military analyst B.A Friedman, however. It reads: 'Direct the removal of all Confederate-related paraphernalia from Marine Corps Installations'. 'While I am aware of the good work already being done across the force in support of my planning guidance implementation, these are some of my most important matters for immediate execution,' he tweeted. Other tasks in the memo included revising the current parental leave policy to include adoptive parents and same-sex couples, identifying the costs associated with implementing a one-year maternity leave option, and updating recruitment policies to include disqualification if a candidate has a previous conviction for sex- or gender-based violence. The Confederate flag flies in front of the South Carolina statehouse for the last full day on July 9, 2015, after debate about the flag's racist symbolism resulted in its removal White supremacist Dylann Roof was pictured holding a Confederate flag prior to his 2015 racially motivated attack on a black church in Charleston in which he killed nine people Fort Hood in Texas is one of ten U.S. army bases that are named after Confederate generals The long-running debate about the Confederate flag and its symbols and statues has been increasingly heated in the past few years, especially in states such as the Carolinas. The debate became supercharged after white supremacist Dylann Roof was pictured holding a Confederate flag prior to his 2015 attack on a black church in Charleston in which he killed nine people. The racially motivated attack prompted major retailers to discontinue the sale of the flag and sparked debate about whether local and state governments should rename streets and remove statues associated with Confederate leaders. The debate has been the most heated on college campuses. There are ten army bases across the U.S. that are named after Confederate generals, including Fort Hood in Texas and Fort Lee in Virginia, according to Military.com. None of these bases include Marine Corps installations as they were opened after the turn of the 20th century when a nod to the confederacy was less likely. >>> Highlights of health sectors 65-year achievements >>> Khanh Hoa free from novel coronavirus outbreak On Wednesday afternoon (February 26), the Hanoi Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Combat convened to discuss disease prevention and control measures. Chairman of the capital citys People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung stated that against the complicated developments of the epidemic, Hanoi is focusing on strengthening communications for local people, tourists entering Vietnam and foreigners in the country so that they cooperate and voluntarily comply with measures related to disease control issues. Chairman of the capital citys People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung speaks at the meeting. (Photo: NDO/An Tran) With cases coming back from the epidemic areas, the city will carry out the separation and isolation right at Noi Bai Airport. For those returning from the epidemic areas before February 19, the city authorities have requested localities to intensify communication and timely detection to encourage them to carry out self-isolation at home. Localities and functional agencies in Hanoi were asked to be transparent with information and travel history of people returning from epidemic areas to proactively improve the effectiveness of epidemic prevention and control. On the same day, the Hanoi Department of Health said that it has sent an urgent dispatch to Noi Bai International Airport and Hanois districts and towns to apply the medical declaration and isolation for entries from or through the Republic of Korea (RoK). * The Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) has sent a dispatch to the local Departments of Education and Training and educational institutions on the implementation of measures to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools. Accordingly, in order to prepare to welcome students to return to school after a prolonged break, educational institutions were asked to carry out cleaning and disinfecting in accordance with the guidance from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and professional agencies, in addition to preparing disinfectants or soap at convenient locations and developing an education plan suitable to the actual conditions and the adjusted time-frame plan of the current school year. * On the same day, the Department of Health of Thanh Hoa Province said that the locality so far had one confirmed case who had recovered and there were 20 people suspected of being infected with Covid-19 but all had negative test results. Thanh Hoa currently has six people in compulsory isolation at health facilities, while 227 workers returning from the epidemic areas are in isolation at home and eight foreigners are in self-quarantine at their enterprises. Health officials provide advice on Covid-19 prevention and control measures for a family in Quang Long Commune, Quang Xuong District, Thanh Hoa Province. (Photo: NDO/Mai Luan) * On February 26, the Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI) under the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group has cooperated with HQGANO JSC to commercially produce VPI-Gel antibacterial dry hand sanitiser (capable of killing up to 99.99% of bacteria), helping ease the shortage of dry hand sanitiser amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. The first batch of the product will be offered to the market in early March. VPI and HQGANO have offered incentive policy in price support for individuals, charities, agencies, schools and industrial parks purchasing the product in high demand. * On Wednesday morning, the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Health to direct Khanh Hoa International Quarantine Centre to apply the medical declaration in accordance with the guidance from the MoH. The provincial police are in charge of coordinating with the concerned departments and agencies to firmly grasp the number of foreigners who are traveling, working or living in the province, especially Korean tourists, while regularly reviewing the number of visitors from the RoK that have arrived in Khanh Hoa since February 9 in order to perform medical surveillance and monitoring. * On February 26, Dak Nong Province Police, in collaboration with the provinces Steering Committee on Voluntary Blood Donation, organised a voluntary blood donation campaign in response to the 2020 Red Spring Festival and the Covid-19 fight. The event attracted more than 700 volunteers from the Dak Nong Provincial Police, who donated 580 blood units. Many officers from the Dak Nong Province Police have donated their blood twice or more. (Photo: NDO/Chan Hung) * A Korean man, who died near Bac Ninh Provinces General Hospital on February 25, tested negative for Covid-19, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department of Information and Communication Vu Huy Phuong confirmed one day later. The deceased, named Jung Jin-yong, was born in 1976 and entered Vietnam on January 28. He lived temporarily in a hotel in Bac Ninh City and worked at STN Vina Company at Que Vo Districts Viet Hung Industrial Park. On February 7, he was examined at the provincial General Hospital and diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetes sufferer. At around 4pm on February 25, the patient returned to the hospital for examination, during which he showed no symptoms of fever and breathing difficulties. However, he left the hospital without informing doctors. At 5pm the same day, he was found unconscious at a crossroad, about 100m away from the hospital. When being hospitalised, he stopped breathing and suffered cardiac arrest. His blood glucose level was very high (27.9 mmol/l). The provincial investigation police agency is investigating the case. * On Thursday morning, the Covid-19 Prevention and Control Steering Committee of Ca Mau Province said that the local authorities conducted quarantine for two Vietnamese citizens who have returned from the RoKs Deagu City and North Gyeongsang Province the epicentres of the coronavirus outbreak in the East Asian nation. An isolation area at the General Hospital of Ca Mau Province. (Photo: NDO/Huu Tung) At the time of entering isolation, both of them have normal health, without manifestation of fever, cough or shortness of breath. 12 other people who have had close contact with the duo are also in isolation at home. Up until now, Ca Mau has not recorded any cases of Covid-19 infection yet. Sanitation, disinfection and sterilisation work is conducted urgently in order to create the best conditions for welcoming students back to school in early March. * According to information from the MoHs disease surveillance system, up to 10 am on February 27, 82,147 cases of Covid-19 infection have been recorded worldwide in 43 countries and territories, including 2,801 deaths. The number of infected people is still mostly concentrated in China with 78,497 cases. Outside of China, on February 26, a rapid increase in the number of infected cases was recorded in the RoK, Italy and Iran. In Vietnam, there have been no new cases reported over the last 14 days. All 16 infected cases have recovered and discharged from the hospital. Currently, there are still 92 suspected cases are being monitored in quarantine, while 5,474 people who have had close contact or have returned from the epidemic areas are under health surveillance. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Elizabeth Warren started early. She kept at it for months. And, three contests later, she has very little to show for the vast grassroots network that, for a time, was the envy of the field. After bragging just one month ago that the Massachusetts senator had sparked grassroots enthusiasm across the country, Warrens campaign is approaching South Carolina and Super Tuesday with a bleak electoral reality: that the extensive and expensive operation she had worked to build for over a year has little to no return on investment. Oh God its so sad, said Sean Bagniewski, the chair of the Polk County Democrats in Des Moines, who spoke favorably about Warren and her team. There was a point this fall when all of us thought she basically had it in the bag. The reasons behind the disconnect, according to interviews with nearly a dozen Democratic operatives and activists familiar with early states, were difficult to overcome no matter how strong the ground game was. The candidates consistency and national messaging strategy came into question. And Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) ability to outflank her campaign from the left of the party, while dramatically out fundraising her, helped him capture the oxygen she desperately needed. A failure to successfully highlight her differences from Sanders earlier on only made things worse. While most Democrats interviewed seemed to have a theory of what went wrong, others remained utterly perplexed: With so much presence in states where retail politics rules, whats with third and fourth place? I still believe she had the strongest organization, staff, everything, Jeff Link, a long-time political strategist in Iowa, said. She built an impressive team here and theres no taking that away. The buzz about Warrens ground game started before most of her rivals, and was routinely mentioned whenever her campaign appeared to surge. The senator has built one of the most robust operations in, Iowa, Bloomberg reporters wrote in July. Elizabeth Warren's slow, steady ground game helped propel rise in latest Iowa Poll a Des Moines Register headline read in September. Earlier that same month, the New York Times wrote from New Hampshire that Warrens ground game is often regarded as the most extensive here. A report from Time just ahead of the caucuses cited 150 staffers on the ground and 26 field offices. Story continues By late January, Warrens campaign wasnt shy about the acclaim. Since last spring, weve had a robust staff footprint in the four earliest voting states, including what even rival campaigns acknowledge is the best organization on the ground, the campaign said in a memo released on Jan. 24 titled, Our Roadmap To Win. But with all that clout heading into the Feb. 3 caucus, Warren flopped. Assessing the lackluster performance, multiple Democratic operatives and activists who spoke to The Daily Beast said an advanced ground game is not enough to stop problems popping up elsewhere. What youre doing by building a strong ground game is youre buying an insurance policy in case its super close, Link said about the idea that having an immense ground game may not be enough to secure a win. If its not close, it doesnt matter, he said. Ultimately, it wasnt close for Warren, who came in a whopping eight points behind her top rivals, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sanders in the Hawkeye State. Worse, she came three points behind the candidate whose campaign had been lowering expectations, both privately and publicly, there for months. Finishing at 18 percent, Warren was firmly behind Buttigieg and Sanders, each at 26 percent, and just ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden, who earned 15.8 percent. They thought they were going to do better than they did, Bagniewski said. They were cautiously optimistic. Some Democrats pointed to a perfect storm of broadly negative factors. There was the Senate impeachment trial. And the Des Moines Register-poll-that-wasnt. And the technological meltdown. And, most consequentially, there was Sanders. Others, meanwhile, offered post-mortems more specific to Warrens own perils, with several pointing to a lack of cohesive messaging throughout the primary. With Sanders staking an early claim to the progressive mantle, Warren teetered between adopting more liberal positions like swearing off high-ticket fundraisers, and more moderate ones, like allowing for the choice of a public option in her Medicare for All plan. And unlike Buttigieg, who crisscrossed the state during President Donald Trumps impeachment trial, the Massachusetts senator was out of pocketa dynamic that stretched beyond her physical absence. While Sanders and Buttigieg both flooded the airwaves, Warren was silent for months. I could not go to any news outlet without seeing a Pete digital ad, Peter Leo, the Carroll County chairman who was Warrens precinct captain in his rural area. [Warren] stayed out of that conversation before finally getting up in the air, he added. When your field teams can basically fight to a draw, that traditional ad spending starts to make a difference again. While Leo praised Warrens operation as diligent and highly competent, he acknowledged the limitations. In one instance, as precinct captain, he was given a list of 16 voters who field staff and organizers had been assured through a written commitment would caucus for Warren. When caucus day came around, only four out of the 16 actually showed up. We had a 75 percent flake rate, Leo said. A good field plan can add on the margins but it cant do it for you all by itself. Youve got to be in the conversation, youve got to be on peoples minds. A fourth Iowa Democratic who supported Warren still wasnt sure how to pinpoint what went wrong. My class of people, the political operative types, most of us caucused for her, the state-based Democrat said. Ground game in general is always going to be a marginal thing. Field will get you 2 or 3 percent. After Iowa however, even Warrens own campaign manager didnt seem to fully acknowledge the limits of the field effort. We've built an organization to match what we expect to be a drawn-out contest to accumulate delegates everywhere, Roger Lau wrote in a memo under a section titled, What we learned from Iowa. The trend tracked in New Hampshire. For the first eight months of last year, Warren had out-campaigned neighbor Sanders, as liberal voters browsing for a fresher option took interest in the 70-year-old Democrat. By the fall of 2019, Warren supporters had plenty of reasons to be hopeful. She was in the state just four years ago to campaign for Hillary Clinton, who narrowly beat Trump to Democrats relief. And on the few occasion state party officials rallied candidate to cattle calls before the 2020 primary, Warrens campaign apparatus turned out in full force to support her. But it wouldnt last. I'm baffled by the result in New Hampshire," said Sarah Daniels-Campbell, another Warren endorser who leads the states Grafton County Democrats. "I think if I had that answer I'd be running for president," said Kevin Cavanaugh, a New Hampshire state senator supportive of Warrens bid. After coming in third place in Iowa, the benefit of just dropping by to see neighbors, as the senator liked to say on the stump, was shaping up to be less than expected. Having come in with every conceivable advantagevoters already knew her and her focus last year was meant to make that bond even tighterpolls showed her losing steam for months. Following an unremarkable debate performance in Manchester just days before the primary, she lost ground to an entirely different candidate: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who edged out Warren for the third place finish despite having a skeletal field operation and next to no name recognition locally. I know theres only going to be one winner, Warren said just before primary day. Im notIm not turning away from that. But I am turning away from the idea of seeing each other as if I win, you lose. You know, if you win, I lose. The message was part of the unity pitch she had been test-running in the days before voting started: that she is best poised to unite the country against Trump in November. But it was inconsistent with other aspects of her campaign. As she continued to slip in polls and momentum, she ramped up attacks on other candidates, including Sanders, who ultimately won the primary for the second time with a massive war chest. Having the most money doesn't guarantee a win, nor does having the best ground game, said Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic strategist in Massachusetts, and all the pieces have to come together. The piece that was missing for Warren in Iowa and New Hampshire was the strategy, she said. I think the strategy that she needed was one where she made stronger contrasts between herself and Sanders, Marsh said. One former staffer for a rival New Hampshire campaign described Warren's effort as doing much of the technical stuff right, in the same way that Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) had in his own campaign. But like in Iowa, the staffer questioned Warren's consistency, something that Sanders fans point to as being a major factor in their support for the now frontrunner. That difference proved key as Warren tried to peel away some of Sanders New Hampshire base. She's down to compromise because that's what being a smart politician is, the 2020 veteran said. Bernie's not down to compromise. But that base is not down to compromise either. A week later, Nevada proved to be more of the same. Heading into the Silver State, Federal Election Commission records showed in late January the campaign took out a $3 million line of credit, accessed $400,000 of it but never ended up using it. And, more strongly than in the first two states, Sanders was fully surging. Still, for a moment, it appeared Warren might get some reliefan aggressive debate night performance against former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in Las Vegas opened up the fundraising spigots. Lau took to Twitter to spin a path forward on Nevada caucus night, saying the campaign raised $9m in 3 days & more than $21m this month. But it didnt help her shore up a win in a state where early voting had begun a full week before and in the immediate aftermath of the results, Lau even acknowledged Sanders strength. Sanders had a good result in Nevada, he said, in a comment that other progressives echoed. Indeed, some contend Warrens Nevada finish was less about her own ground game and more a sign of how the Vermont senator had already swarmed the state. The Sanders campaign was relentless in Nevada and that is why they won, said Rebecca Katz, a progressive Democratic strategist. They didn't take one vote for granted and they went super-hard in communities of color, working-class communities. For the past several days, Warren has repeatedly pledged to move forward to March 3, where the bulk of the primarys delegates will be up for grabs. Lau noted that Sanders performance doesnt change the state of play for Super Tuesday. But to get there, shell have at least two more hurdlesa debate on Tuesday night and the South Carolina primary, where she is currently polling in fifth place. Her failure to either find a win or build a broad coalition makes her path forward even more difficult. "She was trying to be that unity candidate that appealed across different factions of the party and she wound up not being able to satisfy any significant part of the party," said Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire. Back in Iowa, Leo agreed. Im not convinced the pivot to being the unity candidate was enough. They wanted to see Elizabeth the fighter, and they finally saw her last Wednesday night. 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. Thousands of UK babies are at risk of disability or death because they are not being screened for rare diseases, experts said yesterday. Britain has fallen behind countries such as Poland, Hungary and Slovakia in testing for severe conditions at birth. MPs warned this could mean British babies becoming the sick children of Europe and called for changes to NHS screening. Every baby in the UK is offered a heel prick test for conditions such as sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis when they are a few days old. Ava Morton-Cutt, who was diagnosed with a rare and terminal illness called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) However, they are tested for only nine diseases significantly fewer than in other developed countries. The US tops the global list, screening its babies for up to 59 conditions, depending on the state, while Iceland tests for 47 and Italy for 43. How late diagnosis made life even harder for our girl Ava At the age of three, Ava Mortons parents called her jelly legs because she was always falling over At the age of three, Ava Morton-Cutt's parents called her jelly legs because she was always falling over. It was only when her hands started to shake that they realised there was something more to it. Doctors diagnosed Ava, pictured, with a rare and terminal illness called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD). Mother Georgina Morton, from Westminster, said: We were told to go home and make some happy memories. Fortunately, we discovered a clinical trial for gene therapy in Italy which saved Avas life. However while the treatment was working she lost the ability to walk and she now struggles to speak. If Ava was diagnosed sooner, she could have avoided life-long disability. Newborn screening for rare diseases with viable treatments could literally make the difference between life and death. Her plea was echoed by Nicola Elson, whose daughter Connie was diagnosed with MLD at five. Nicola, from Cumbria, said: She went from being a very happy and independent little girl to completely dependent on others. She is no longer able to walk, talk, sit up and even eat. Newborn screening would have caught Connies condition early and given her a chance. The UK is so far behind many other European countries and that must be addressed. Advertisement It means thousands of babies in the UK are at risk of severe infections, disability or even death because they do not have the same tests. Experts say an expansion of the UKs screening programme to test for these conditions has the potential to save hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. Bobby Gaspar, professor of paediatrics and immunology at University College London, said: If we can diagnose some of these severe conditions at birth through the heel prick test, we can offer treatments that can change the lives of those babies. Because our screening programme is so far behind, some children are now being born with severe diseases and cant access the treatments they need. If we can screen for more conditions, we can save more babies and thats why Im backing this campaign. The campaign is being led by Tory MP Nickie Aiken, who is calling for changes to the newborn screening programmes. She hopes to increase the number of conditions that are screened for and bring the UK into line with other developed nations. Extending the programme would cost an estimated 42 per baby and has significant saving potential for the health service through reduced hospitalisation rates, she said. This is because it would pick up conditions before children get sick and need potentially expensive treatment or care. Mrs Aiken, the new MP for Cities of London and Westminster, said: The UK should be leading the world in diagnosing and treating rare diseases, however we are lagging behind that of many of our European neighbours and the world. Its a disgrace. Our newborn screening programme needs to expand and catch up urgently with the likes of Poland, Hungary and America so that we can identify diseases early and our children get the treatment they need. We have the means to test for these conditions and we have the treatments by not screening for them we are doing wrong by our children, and they risk becoming the sick children of Europe. She will ask all MPs to sign a letter to all four chief medical officers in the UK next week to back changes to the system. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is said to be personally sympathetic towards expanding the system. The campaign will launch today, ahead of Rare Diseases Day tomorrow. Mrs Aiken is working with ArchAngel MLD Trust, a charity for sufferers of metachromatic leukodystrophy, as well as affected families and immunology experts. Recommendations on what to screen babies for are made to ministers by the UK National Screening Committee, which sits within Public Health England. One in 17 people (about 3.9million) in the UK get a rare disease in their lifetime, and 72 per cent of these are genetic. Currently, babies who are about a week old will have a heel prick test to screen them for nine rare but serious conditions. They include sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, congenital hypothyroidism, and six inherited metabolic diseases. Georgina Morton's plea was echoed by Nicola Elson, whose daughter Connie (pictured with brother Joe) was diagnosed with MLD at five The campaign is calling for testing for severe combined immunodeficiency disorders (SCID), metachromatic leukodystrophy, adrenoleukodystrophy and long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. The case for screening SCID in the UK was made in 2011, however it has not yet undergone a pilot study. Meanwhile, babies in Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Israel, New Zealand and Taiwan are all tested for the condition while pilots have been implemented in Spain, France, Sweden and the Netherlands. Four new rare diseases were added to the NHS list in 2014, but the process is a long and arduous one. The petition in support of the campaign which is called the Archangel Newborn Screening Review can be found at: www.nickieaiken.org.uk/Archangel Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Y K Joshi on Thursday said there has been a huge decline in stone pelting incidents and violence in Kashmir in the past six months. He said the Army was playing its role in ensuring peace and normalcy in the Valley. Lt Gen Joshi, who assumed the charge of GOC-in-C of Udhampur-based Northern Command this month, was speaking after presenting gallantry and distinguished service awards to 83 Army personnel and nine 'Veer Naris' at an investiture ceremony here. "During the last six months, there has been an improvement in all parameters of security in the Kashmir Valley," Lt Gen Joshi said. "There has been a huge decline in incidents of stone pelting, violence and agitations and this shows the faith of the people in peace and national integration," the Army commander added. On the security situation along the Indo-Pak border, he said the Army is "standing like a shield" against the Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. "We are alert and have kept the guard high against the enemies along the LoC," Lt Gen Joshi said. He also said the Army is maintaining a tight vigil along the Indo-China border in Ladakh. The Army commander complimented the soldiers for successfully foiling the misadventures of the enemies with high degree of alertness. "The nation is proud of you," he told them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Microsoft has issued a financial warning as the coronavirus outbreak disrupts its Chinese supply chain for Windows and Surface devices. The Washington-based tech firm has cautioned it will not reach the sales predictions for this quarter that it had issued to investors last month as production hits delays. Sales had previously been anticipated at between $10.75 billion$11.15 billion (8.33 billion8.64 billion). Microsoft has not yet provided a revised estimate. The complications caused by coronavirus are not expected to impinge on the firm's developing cloud-computing business. The announcement from Microsoft comes just a week after Apple revealed that is was facing similar constraints. Scroll down for video Microsoft has issued a financial warning as the coronavirus outbreak disrupts its Chinese supply chain for Windows and Surface devices 'Although we see strong Windows demand in line with our expectations, the supply chain is returning to normal operations at a slower pace than anticipated at the time of our Q2 earnings call,' Microsoft wrote in a statement. 'As a result, for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, we do not expect to meet our More Personal Computing segment guidance as Windows OEM and Surface are more negatively impacted than previously anticipated.' After market trading closed on Wednesday evening, Microsoft's stock was seen to have fallen by around 1 per cent. Personal computing which includes device sales and Windows installations on hardware made by other firms accounts for around a third of Microsoft's revenues. 'When bellwethers like Microsoft come out and talk about the supply chain and how it will negatively impact PC demand, it fans the flames of some of the worries out there for the broader supply chain,' Wedbush Securities' Dan Ives told the NYTimes. The developments underscore the vulnerability of technology supply chains in China, he added. While some have begun to relocate to other countries like Vietnam, many US tech firms are heavily reliant on large factories in China as part of their operations. Last week, Apple similarly warned that it was forced to lower its sales projections in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, which forced the firm last month to close its 42 physical stores with the count only seven of which have reopened. Apple is heavily invested in the Chinese market, with the current quarter containing the busy shopping period around the Chinese New Year typically being of particular importance to the company. In contrast to Apple, Microsoft makes relatively few sales within China itself with the nation's market accounting for less than 2 per cent of the firm's overall revenue. The Washington-based tech firm has revised the sales predictions for this quarter that it had issued to investors last month as production hits delays Following Apple and Microsoft's warnings, competing firms may find their competitors compelled to make similar admissions to follow suit, corporate governance expert David Larcker of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Before issuing such unusual financial disclosures, firms must consider their responsibility to inform shareholders, the imperative to get ahead of potentially bad news as well as the need to keep some information from competitors, he added. 'It may be they are still trying to understand this,' Professor Larcker noted. 'It may not be a satisfying answer, but its a truthful one.' The US and South Korean militaries on Thursday postponed forthcoming joint exercises due to the coronavirus outbreak, they said, as the Asian country reported 334 new cases, taking its total to 1,595. The decision to delay the training was made after Seoul declared its highest "severe" alert level over the virus, Combined Forces Command said, adding the postponement was "until further notice". The United States has 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect it against the nuclear-armed North, many of them based south of Seoul at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek -- Washington's biggest overseas military facility. The security allies have previously scaled back their annual joint military exercises significantly to facilitate nuclear talks with Pyongyang -- which condemns such drills as preparations for an invasion -- but a command coordination exercise had been planned for this spring. South Korea has the highest number of virus cases in the world outside China, where the disease first emerged in December. No new deaths had occurred, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement, with the toll at 12. South Korea has declared its highest "severe" alert level over the new coronavirus outbreak Advertisement If there was a competition for the most beautiful country on earth, Norway would surely be a podium contender. A notion underscored by these jaw-dropping pictures. They capture epic fjords, grand mountains, gravity-defying rock formations and impossibly picturesque island villages. The great news for travellers is that the country's breathtaking natural wonders - even those in remote corners - can be explored with ease by train, cruise ship or by foot via hiking trails. The hard bit? Deciding which slice of stirring landscape you want to visit. Scroll down for our pick of Norway's most captivating locations. Preikestolen, aka the Pulpit Rock, stands 1,981ft (604 metres) above Lysefjorden near Stavanger. Its almost flat surface at the top makes for an ideal viewing point You want to see nature at hits most dramatic? Pick a Norwegian fjord - any of them. Pictured is Naeroyfjord Voss, located in-between the famous fjords of Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord, looks enchanting in this beautiful nighttime photograph. It's billed as the adrenaline capital of Norway by the country's tourist board Hikers advance towards the colossal Jostedalsbreen glacier, which is the largest glacier in mainland Europe, according to Visitnorway.com. The glacier covers almost half of Jostedalsbreen National Park, the site says The best way of seeing Nordfjord (pictured) is from 1,011 metres (3316ft) up, courtesy of the Loen Skylift cable car Hikers pause to take in the jaw-dropping view from Besseggen ridge in Jotunheimen National Park Trolltunga rock juts out 3,600ft (1,100metres) above lake Ringedalsvatnet in the Odda municipality. It's one of the most popular, and nerve-shredding, tourist attractions in Norway Another epic picture of lake Ringedalsvatnet, which has an almost other-worldly quality A road weaves across the Hardangervidda mountain plateau - the largest plateau of its kind in Europe Flam village, in southwestern Norway, is hailed by many as the most beautiful village in Norway. It attracts 450,000 visitors a year and most reach it by train. The 12-mile-long Flam line between Flam and Myrdal is one of the steepest in the world and offers stunning valley and waterfall views. In 2014 Lonely Planet declared riding this line the most incredible train journey in the world Postcard-pretty Flam (its marina is pictured here) is found along Aurlandsfjorden a branch of Sognefjorden. It harbours traditional red-and-white wooden houses and a 17th-century wooden church The stunning landscape near the village of Flam, which has just 350 residents. It is a popular stop for cruise ships The thunderous Kjosfossen waterfall, which is located next to the Flam-Myrdal railway line. It is 738ft (225 metres) tall and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Norway The Stegastein Viewpoint gives visitors panoramic views of Aurlandsfjord, from 2,130ft (650 metres) above ground. The platform opened in 2006 and juts out 98ft (30 metres) from the mountainside The Kjeragbolten boulder made famous by countless Instagram posers is wedged in a mountain crevasse in Mount Kjerag above the Lysefjord The 26-mile-long Lysefjord in the Ryfylke area in Rogaland county, pictured, in southwestern Norway. Its name means 'light fjord', and alludes to the lightly coloured granite rocks along its sides. The added the bonus? A mesmerising winding road - Lysevegen Road - said by some to be one of the most spectacular in the world. It features 27 hairpins Pictured here is the majestic Trollstigen road, which has 11 hairpins and threads its way through a dramatic valley formed by mighty mountains over 5,000 feet tall. The road opened in 1939 A breathtaking view of the valley from the Romsdalseggen ridge. Hiking along the ridge can take up to 10 hours The Via Ferrata Loen (via ferrata is Italian for 'iron path), 2,395 feet above Nordfjord. The suspension bridge is the longest via ferrata in Europe The Jostedalsbreen National Park, pictured, boasts both lush vegetation and glaciers. The park covers 510 square miles and was established in 1991 Hardangerfjord, which is bordered by the Folgefonna glacier, is peppered with tiny islands (pictured) The Magdalenefjorden on the Svalbard archipelago, which is five miles long and up to three miles wide. It is one of the most famous fjords on the island of Spitsbergen The wooden huts in the centuries-old fishing villages on the Lofoten Islands are a charming sight on the Arctic archipelago. Pictured is the village of Henningsvr The Lofoten Islands are mesmerising all year round visitors can enjoy the midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter The Lofoten Islands, so good we just can't resist publishing yet another picture of them. This one shows the stupendous views of the islands available to hikers Digerronden is one of 10 mountains in Rondane National Park and lies in the municipality of Dovre in Oppland A panorama of the Kystriksveien coastal route, which offers 650km (403 miles) of spectacular scenery. Pictured here is the section that offers views of Aldra Island in the far north of the country The Oslo-Bergen railway, pictured, passes through beautiful forests, loops around Voss and arrives at Bergen with its passengers no doubt awestruck by what they've witnessed Jotunheimen National Park, in southern Norway, is a densely forested region that's home to reindeer, elk, mink and wolverines. It offers spectacular drives along 200 mountain peaks Dralen nature preserve in Hedmark county is a magnificent sight in autumn seen here from the Rondane mountain The rust-coloured birch trees in Rondane National Park and the Smiubelgen mountain range covered by a dusting of snow in autumn is a sight to behold. Smiubelgen means 'the blacksmith's bellows' The village of Olden, which sits at the mouth of the Oldeelva river. And amid some typically amazing scenery Vettisfossen in Jotunheimen National Park is one of Norway's tallest waterfalls, with a single drop of 275 metres (902ft) The Geirangerfjord is a Unesco World Heritage Site and possibly Norway's No1 fjord. Fjords are often described as 'natures own work of art', formed as seawater flooded valleys created by retreating glaciers A breathtaking aerial view of a cruise ship in the immense Geirangerfjord in northern Norway. On the right is the Seven Sisters waterfall, which is 1,345ft (410 metres) tall and consists of seven separate streams of water The beautiful Friaren waterfall, which tumbles down into Geirangerfjord opposite the Seven Sisters fall Stryneelva river winds its way through the Strynedalen valley before reaching Nordfjorden at the village of Stryn. The river is one of the best in Norway for salmon fishing The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, over Sakrisy island at the foot of Olstind, one of Lofoten's most iconic mountains High-rise buildings in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. The city sits on Norway's southern coast and is home to over 690,000 people Bergen, pictured, is Norway's second-largest city, with a population of over 280,000 people. The city is known for its damp climate - it gets around 200 days of rain each year For the best view of Bergen, head up to Mount Flyen. A scenic cable car ride takes visitors to its peak, at 400 metres (1,312ft) above sea level Bryggen, the old Hanseatic wharf of Bergen, is on the Unesco list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. These days, the colourful wooden buildings mainly house shops and restaurants A fjord cruise is spectacular any time of year. This tiny village can be found on a boat trip departing from Bergen The eye-catching Arctic Cathedral in Tromso in northern Norway. The city is often referred to as being 'the gateway to the Arctic' An aerial view of the city of Stavanger - the fourth-largest city in Norway. The city rapidly grew in the 20th century due to the booming offshore oil industry Drammen, pictured at sunset, is a port city in the eastern part of Norway. The city is split by the Drammenselva river The third-largest city in Norway, Trondheim, pictured, is located in the centre of the country. It is known as a university town and as Norway's capital of technology. But for Instagrammers, its coloured wooden houses are the biggest attraction The eye-catching port town of Alesund, on the west coast, is known for its art nouveau architectural style. The city had to be rebuilt after a fire in 1904 Lovatnet lake is yet another magical spot in Norway. Tragically, many people living next to it have lost their lives to landslides over the centuries ABC News After weeks of health experts urging Americans to upgrade their masks to protect against the omicron COVID-19 variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that it was planning to update its mask guidance to "best reflect the multiple options available to people and the different levels of protection they provide." The move by the CDC would be the first significant update to its mask guidance since last July when it urged all Americans to return to wearing masks, after the delta variant proved so transmissible that research found even vaccinated people could transmit the virus. While vaccinated people are considered infectious for a shorter period of time than someone who is unvaccinated, and they are considerably less likely to end up hospitalized, the CDC urged everyone to return to masking indoors to prevent community cases from rising. Risk of COVID-19 very much upon us, PM Scott Morrison sayd Sydney: Australia's prime minister said the country considered the new coronavirus to be a pandemic Thursday, going a step beyond the WHO as he extended a travel ban on visitors from China. Announcing a national emergency response plan to the contagion, Scott Morrison said he was considering additional measures for monitoring travellers arriving in the country. We're effectively operating now on the basis that there is one -- a pandemic, Morrison said. We believe the risk of a global pandemic is very much upon us.The World Health Organization has stopped short of calling the virus a pandemic, even as the number of new infections outside China exceed those inside the hardest-hit country. More than 2,700 people have died in China and some 78,000 have been infected. There have been more than 50 deaths and 3,600 cases in dozens of other countries. The extended travel ban will come as a blow to Australian universities which stand to lose $2 billion in fees as tens of thousands of Chinese students are unable to take up places Down Under. Students stuck in China have been provided with a range of options, said Catriona Jackson, chief executive of Universities Australia, which represents the sector. They include postponing start dates, delaying assessments, fee-free deferrals and accessing course content online. Australia has reported 22 infections, but none that were contracted or passed from person-to-person inside the country. Morrison's warning comes as he scrambles to burnish his leadership credentials after fierce criticism of his handling of the months-long bushfire crisis. His government is also embroiled in a deepening political scandal over the funnelling of taxpayer money into areas his coalition targeted in last year's election. One minister has already been forced to resign as a result. Ontarios attorney general has announced the governments long-awaited changes to the judicial appointments process, unveiling a plan critics promptly decried as both unnecessary and open for abuse. The proposed changes announced Thursday would require the independent judicial appointments advisory committee made up of judges, lawyers and members of the public to submit a shortlist of six candidates to the attorney general to fill a judicial vacancy, up from the current shortlist of at least two. The attorney general would also be entitled to send the shortlist back and ask the committee for the next six names, as he is currently permitted to do with the two-name shortlist. Attorney General Doug Downey has spoken publicly for months about wanting to revamp the way provincial court judges are appointed, saying the process is complex and opaque. Its put him at odds with the provinces major legal organizations, which say the existing system has produced quality, merit-based appointments. The plan, which will still need to pass the legislature, walks back some of the governments controversial proposals that were floated to legal groups in a consultation paper obtained by the Star in January. That paper had suggested the attorney general would be able to see the full list of candidates for a judicial vacancy, including those deemed not qualified, and he would be able to order the committee to re-assess a not qualified candidate. The government decided to drop that idea from its final proposal. It got complicated where it raised concerns for people, and integrity is key to the system and so it made sense not to leave it in the proposed changes, Downey told the Star in an interview, saying hed consulted with multiple groups and individuals on the changes. We didnt want to raise any concern that anybody but the committee makes the decision on who is recommended or not recommended. Thats exactly why we left it out of the final proposal. In a move criticized by legal organizations, the system proposed Thursday would allow the attorney general to see the names of all candidates the committee deems recommended and highly recommended. Under the current system, he only gets to see the shortlist. A concern, critics say, is that the attorney general could continue to reject the ranked shortlist until he gets the candidate he wants. It permits the attorney general of the day to exercise political control over the appointment and undermines the independent role of the expert (committee), said Scott Maidment, president of the Advocates Society, a national organization of lawyers. If the attorney general didnt want to appoint any of the six people on the shortlist, but preferred somebody down at No. 24, they simply keep requesting another list until they get to the person they want Maidment said the provision opens the process up to politicization, and risks undermining the publics confidence in the independence of judges. The more you politicize a judicial appointment process, the greater the risk of the public coming to see judges not as independent arbiters who apply the law to the facts, but rather as collections of individuals who are appointed because of their political viewpoints that align with the government of the day, he said. In his interview with the Star, Downey maintained it was appropriate that he see the recommended list, as he is accountable to the legislature for the appointments of judges and justices of the peace. That makes no sense, said William Trudell, chair of the Canadian Council of Criminal Defence Lawyers, adding: Well, it makes a lot of sense if you dont like the process and want to appoint who you want to appoint. Lets say, for the purpose of discussion that this attorney general would never appoint anyone for patronage or the wrong reasons, but what about the attorney after that, or the one after that? asked Trudell, a former member of the appointments advisory committee. This is a fundamental change to the independence of the judiciary. Under the proposed changes, the government, which already appoints seven of the committees 13 members, will also be able to appoint the representatives from three legal organizations, selecting from lists of candidates submitted by each organization. Currently, each of those organizations appoints their own representative to the committee. The legal groups were in agreement with some of the more minor changes being proposed by the government, including making the application process electronic and requiring the committee to publish diversity statistics about candidates. But they all highlighted that there had been no calls for the system to be significantly modified the Ontario Court of Justice has previously described the process as the gold standard and internationally recognized. The system was not broken. They recently appointed three terrific candidates to the bench who were given to them by the committee and who represented diversity, quality, and the specific needs of the justice system, said John Struthers, president of the Criminal Lawyers Association. When pressed on who exactly has been calling for changes to the appointments process, Downey said: It wasnt an area where people were writing to the newspapers, but I can tell you that individuals were frustrated. Its complex, its not transparent as much as it should be, and some people were dissuaded from applying because of that. Our Blended Herbal Tea effectively combines practices of the East and West for a beverage that is one-of-a-kind in taste and healthy ingredients to promote balance during ones busy day and as a way to detox and unwind in the evening. People all around the world love their tea. In fact, tea is the most consumed hot drink worldwide and the most consumed non-alcoholic beverage overall. Yet when it comes down to it, all teas are not created equal - with Japan long-recognized as the consummate tea lovers paradise. Now, the Tokyo-based all-natural health and beauty brand, EDOBIO, has introduced its uniquely blended herbal teas that promise to further solidify that reputation and kick it up a notch - with some help from Italy. Launched in 2018, EDOBIO is already known for its artfully packaged skincare and skin repair products that reflect the beauty regimens of Japanese women that date back to the 1600s. Now, its blended herbal teas, which are part of the companys Inner Beauty Secrets line, expand upon its commitment to honoring culture and traditions while incorporating modern day biotechnology to each of its products. The teas combine the highest quality Japanese tea leaves with the finest Italian herbs for a variety of unique and delicious blends that benefit both the mind and body. The selections include EDOBIO Green Tea Slim and EDOBIO Relax Flow, both of which can be served hot or cold and do not contain artificial colors or fragrances or any preservatives. Green Tea Slim contains herbs that have been found to rid the body of excess water and undigested waste while Relax Flow contains herbs that help with stress relief. Both are recommended for daily consumption for long-lasting well-being. Yet, what truly distinguishes both of the teas is one very special ingredient, the Japanese Blueberry Leaf which comes from blueberries (Kunisato Number 35) grown in Miyazaki Prefecture. The species is high in proanthocyanidin, which is an elite class of polyphenols. Official studies conducted by Jordi Merino (Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA) and Qi Sun (Diabetes Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA) between others, reported that polyphenols are proven to offer various health benefits and regular consumption is said to boost digestion, brain health, and protect against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even certain cancers. The blueberry leaf in the new EDOBIO teas also includes chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and fiber all nutrients that have been credited with positively influencing the aging process. Our Blended Herbal Tea effectively combines practices of the East and West for a beverage that is one-of-a-kind in taste and healthy ingredients to promote balance during ones busy day and as a way to detox and unwind in the evening, said explained Kenichi Arakawa, CEO. We chose the assortment of herbs based on their healing properties and flavor in partnership with experienced Italian naturopaths. Then we blended that together with Japanese tea leaves of unsurpassed flavor and quality. The EDOBIO Blended Herbal Tea collection is available at its stores in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as well as its online marketplace. For more information, go to http://www.edobio.com The Oak Ridge Boys are returning to the Great New York State Fair for the ninth time. The Country Music Hall of Fame group will perform at Chevy Court on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. The concert will be on the final Senior Day, which offers free admission to anyone age 60 and older. All Chevy Court concerts are free with admission to the fair. Great music is timeless, and the Oaks are the proof. Theyve been together nearly 50 years and have more hits than they can fit into one show. Were thrilled to be able to host them again and I know that fans of classic country music will enjoy their gorgeous four-part harmonies once again, said Troy Waffner, Fair Director. The Oak Ridge Boys had a slew of No. 1 hits in the 70s and 80s, mixing gospel with country on hits like Elvira and Bobbie Sue. More than 50 national acts will be scheduled for the 2020 NYS Fair, which is expected to expand to 18 days and run from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7. The 2020 Chevy Court lineup at the New York State Fair: The 2020 NYS Fair Experience Stage lineup: * * * * * 10,000 $2 NY State Fair tickets sell out in a flash Now its veterans, seniors and dairy princesses. Who else deserves a day at the NYS Fair? NYS Fair, Erie County Fair make list of top fairs in the country 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. Houses of worship tweak Ash Wednesday rituals in wake of coronavirus outbreak Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Some Christian leaders at houses of worship around the globe began the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday with tweaked rituals and caution in the wake of the deadly coronavirus while others remained shuttered in areas where cases have been diagnosed. At the Vatican in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis held his general audience Wednesday as thousands of people gathered with face masks to hear him pray for coronavirus sufferers mask-free. I want to again express my closeness to those suffering from the coronavirus and the health care workers who are treating them, as well as the civil authorities and all those who are working to help patients and stop the contagion, Francis said. A number of masses in northern Italy were reportedly canceled due to coronavirus fears. In the Philippines one of two majority Catholic countries in Asia, the other being East Timor instead of making the traditional mark of the cross of the foreheads of the faithful, priests sprinkled ashes on their heads to avoid physical contact. Wherever the ash is placed, on the forehead or on the head, the feeling is the same, its uplifting, Editha Lorenzo, a 49-year-old mother of two who was wearing a face mask, told The Associated Press in Manila. Teer Hardy, an associate pastor at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia, which has about 350 people on an average Sunday, described the Ash Wednesday ritual as "a very intimate moment. Youre a couple of inches from someones face," Hardy told The Washington Post. Pastors at his church planned to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer before conducting the ritual. On Thursday, media reports said the 83-year-old pontiff developed "slight indisposition" a day after his mask-free public appearance where he interacted with the public. The Vatican said Pope Francis would proceed with the rest of his planned work but "preferred to stay near Santa Marta," the Vatican hotel where he lives. On Tuesday, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned schools, hospitals and businesses to prepare for the inevitable spread of the deadly coronavirus in the U.S., which could be bad. Its not so much of a question of if this will happen anymore but rather more of a question of exactly when this will happen, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a news conference. The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. Since then, according to the CDC, it has spread throughout China and 31 other countries and territories, including the U.S. As of Feb. 23, there were 76,936 reported cases in mainland China and 1,875 cases in locations outside mainland China. There have also been 2,462 associated deaths worldwide. Many of the largest Christian denominations in the U.S. say they are monitoring the spread of the virus closely but have not yet issued any special directives to their churches on how to respond beyond guidance from the government. What does it mean to sit in the pew with people coming off the streets or folks who need a stopgap? Hardy asked. The decision is well follow the CDC and other health organizations. Were trained clergy, not health professionals. We dont want to spread unnecessary concern and panic. CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Latham BioPharm Group, Inc. (LBG), a premier provider of life science consulting services, today announced the recent addition of Dr. Thijs Beuming to the team to lead In Silico Drug Discovery services. LBG's new offering complements existing product development capabilities by providing full service and strategic support for companies seeking to apply In Silico Drug Discovery methods to streamline drug discovery, design, development, and optimization efforts. Dr. Thijs Beuming Dr. Beuming comes to LBG with more than 20 years of experience applying computational biophysics, computational chemistry, bioinformatics and cheminformatics to problems in biology and drug discovery, with working knowledge in academia and industry. Prior to joining LBG, he spent over a decade at Schrodinger, Inc, the global leader in providing computational chemistry and molecular modeling solutions to the pharmaceutical and materials industries. Dr. Beuming has made key contributions to novel methodologies to significant problems in computational chemistry, including the study of protein flexibility, protein solvation, thermodynamic binding affinity calculations, and small molecule and peptide docking. His work has been documented in over 50 peer-reviewed articles and reviews. He holds a Masters degree in Medicinal Chemistry from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and obtained his Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from Weill Medical College at Cornell University, where he focused on elucidating structure function studies of neurotransmitter transporters. He also serves as adjunct professor of Computational Biomedicine at Weill Medical College at Cornell University. LBG President and Managing Partner, Pete Latham, commented: "We are delighted to have Thijs on board and are excited about the integration of this new service into our existing capabilities set. This service will add a significant capability cornerstone to our product development services and will serve as a valuable resource to both existing and prospective LBG clients to ensure the best version of products are advanced forward to development." About Latham BioPharm Group Latham BioPharm Group (LBG), headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a leading life sciences consulting company that supports the following: Vaccine development programs from pre-clinical through clinical phases of the product life cycle Therapeutic product development, including small molecules and biologics Cell and gene therapy programs Medical devices and diagnostic product development LBG provides technical expertise, quality oversight, strategic analysis, and knowledge management necessary to successfully navigate the complex roadmap of life sciences product development. In addition, LBG has helped clients identify, evaluate, fund, manage, and monetize opportunities, generating over $1 Billion in non-dilutive funding and over $100 Million in licensing fees and investments. For more information, please visit www.lathambiopharm.com or contact Dr. Beuming at 978.266.9151. SOURCE Latham BioPharm Group Photo: Robert Cutts/Flickr Missed the most recent top news in Denver? Read on for everything you need to know. Denver Zoo announces birth of rhino calf Tensing, a greater one-horned rhino, gave birth to a calf Saturday morning. Read the full story on 9NEWS. How often are DIA's escalators really broken? It's Denver International Airport's 25th birthday, but there are thousands of reasons some travelers aren't celebrating: escalator, elevator and walkway outages. Read the full story on 9NEWS. Will Governor Polis offer clemency to three men on death row? Polis will determine whether Colorado allows another person to be executed. Read the full story on DenverWestword. Pocatello airport misses grant for Denver flight Officials with the Pocatello Regional Airport learned Tuesday they have missed out on a U.S. Department of Transportation grant to add direct service to Denver. Read the full story on www.apghub.com. Denver fire chief is third public safety official to resign in 6 months A third Denver public safety department will soon be without a permanent leader after Fire Chief Eric Tade submitted his resignation Monday amid controversy surrounding two parties reportedly rife with coarse humor. Read the full story on Denver Post. 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 study has named New Delhi as the world's most polluted capital for the second consecutive year. According to reports, New Delhi has topped the list of the most polluted capital's in the world in a report by a Swiss-based group that gathers air-quality data globally for the second consecutive year. The group, IQ AirVisual had in 2018 named New Delhi as the world's most polluted city due to its hazardous air quality. Read: Beach Please: A Student-driven Effort To Reclaim Polluted Water Bodies In Mumbai Pollution in India In 2019, New Delhis average annual concentration of PM2.5 in a cubic meter of air was 98.6, the study said, more than double the level of Beijing, which averaged 42.1 during the same year, making it the ninth most polluted city in the world. Read: Cleaning Yamuna, Ending Water Pollution Priorities: Delhi Environment Minister According to the group, India is home to 21 most polluted cities in the world out of its list of 30 cities. Along with Delhi, Agra, Mumbai, Noida, Lucknow, and Patna are other Indian cities to feature on the list. What's interesting is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency, Varanasi is also among the 30 most polluted cities in the world. Delhi is currently on second position in the list of poor air quality index on the IQ AirVisual page, Pakistan's Lahore city tops the list as of February 27. Read: Delhi: NGT Orders Jal Board To File Detailed Action Plan To Prevent Drain Pollution Other major polluters in the world are Bangladesh's capital city Dhaka and Afghanistan's Kabul, which are placed at number three and four respectively. China's Chengdu also features in the list of most polluted cities along with Thailand's Chiang Mai, Myanmar's Yangon, Mongolia's Ulaanbaatar followed by South Africa's Johannesburg, which is placed at number 10 on the list. Another interesting thing in the latest data of February is that India and China are the only countries on the list with two cities each featuring in 10 most polluted cities in the world index. Read: Research Suggests Global Cost Of Air Pollution By Fossil Fuels Is 3.3% Of World's Economy Lead Image Credit: PTI (Natural News) If you were skeptical from the beginning that Chinese authorities were accurately reporting on the number of Wuhan coronavirus infections since the outbreak began in December, your instincts serve you well. It turns out they werent, and now documents have leaked proving as much. The Epoch Times reported Wednesday that the outbreak of the virus in Chinas Shandong province is far worse than previously stated by the government, according to several official documents the news organization has managed to obtain. The outlet reported: Each day from Feb. 9 to Feb. 23, Shandong authorities underreported the number of infections, according to internal data compiled by the Shandong Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). The CDC kept a tally of the number of people who tested positive for the virus during nucleic acid testingusing a diagnostic kit to test patient samples and detect whether they contain the viruss genetic sequence. The CDCs day-to-day infection figures ranged anywhere from 1.36 times to 52 times more than the data that was officially published by the Shandong health commission and Chinas National Health Commission, the documents show. As of Feb. 25, the provincial government said that a total of 755 infections had been identified, but in fact, according to the internal leaked document, 1,992 had actually tested positive for the virus via nucleic acid testing as of Feb. 23. On Feb. 22, the provincial government said that four additional people had been positively diagnosed with the virus, but in fact, the internal document said that health officials had found that 61 people had actually tested positive for the day. And in the days since Feb. 23, official figures show that the infection numbers are actually leveling off, though there is no reason to believe them, obviously. For instance, the National Health Commission reported Feb. 25 there were just nine new cases of virus diagnosed outside of Wuhan City, the outbreaks epicenter. We have collected hundreds of thousands of samples for diagnosis In fact, The Epoch Times reported, Shandong alone had new infections in the double-digits daily. On Feb. 20, new infections spiked, with 274 people testing positive. While many geopolitical experts familiar with the historic opaqueness of the Communist government in China long suspected Beijing was not accurately reporting rates of infection, the documents provide the first substantial evidence of routine underreporting. Previously, The Epoch Times had interviewed workers at funeral homes in Wuhan who said they were having to work around the clock just to keep up with the number of bodies they had to process. As Natural News reported, citing Chinese and English-speaking media earlier this month, workers were flocking to Wuhan City in response to calls for more help from funeral home directors, some of whom were paying the Chinese currency equivalent of $143 an hour. And it was clear that, with the job announcements, funeral home directors believe that business isnt going to slow down anytime soon a point emphasized by some local medical workers who have also been revealing the true severity of the pandemic. We have collected hundreds of thousands of samples for diagnosis, Wang Hui, chief nurse at the Wuhan Tongji Hospital, one of more than 40 in the city that have been designated virus treatment centers, said during a recent media interview. Health experts have long doubted that China was officially reporting virus infections based on their own statistical modeling. Recently, a group of U.S. researchers published an as-yet non-peer reviewed paper suggesting that total infections and deaths from the coronavirus in China could be higher by a factor of 5 to 10. U.S.-based China experts have said that the government is underreporting cases because Communist leaders want to give citizens the impression theyve got a handle on the pandemic. It [Beijing] is trying to create an image that most of the country is safe enough to resume production, Tang Jingyuan told The Epoch Times. Sources include: NaturalNews.com TheEpochTimes.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriza Pinandita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 Tiffani Afifa is a K-pop fan and influencer, and even the alarming spread of the novel coronavirus in South Korea has not dissuaded her from visiting the country. Last Saturday, one day before South Koreas government announced the highest possible alert level over the virus, Tiffani flew to Seoul with her friends for a one-week vacation. Before I went, I was told by a lot of people about the possibility of quarantine as soon as I arrived at the airport. Turns out, it was just business as usual at the airport as well as within Seoul, Tiffani told The Jakarta Post via instant messaging. 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 northern Kenya, the next generation of locusts has already been born. But as the plague multiplies and spreads across East Africa and the Horn of Africa, governments - hit by violence or a lack of supplies - are struggling to hold back the tide. In a region where 19 million people already go hungry, the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization representative to Kenya, Dr Tobias Takavarasha, says it's a disaster that eclipses all others. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION (FAO) REPRESENTATIVE TO KENYA , DR. TOBIAS TAKAVARASHA, SAYING: "It is a big threat, it is the biggest threat. Much as we say drought is a threat, much as we say that floods can be a threat, but if we are trying to rank them I think they are all threats but the desert locust situation is an unprecedented threat on food security." A single square kilometer swarm can eat as much food in a day as 35,000 people and the FAO warned last month that, left unchecked, the number of locusts in East Africa could explode by 500 times by June. When eggs hatch, as they have doing recently in Kenya's Archer's Post the young locusts, or hoppers, are earthbound for two weeks and are more vulnerable to spraying. But this month, Kenya - the region's wealthiest and most stable country - ran out of pesticide for about a week and a half, leaving residents and farmers to watch helplessly as the crops they count on to feed their families were devoured. (SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) LOCAL RESIDENT, JOSPHAT ELUKUMANI, SAYING: "It's disturbing because we've never seen anything like this, and also when they land on vegetation like this, they eat everything, even the grass, if this continues they will eat all the vegetation." In neighboring Uganda the military has been deployed - hand-spraying trees in the morning before the locusts take flight. Somalia, where the infestation was first reported in December, can't provide security to exterminators. Ethiopia needs 500,000 liters of pesticide for the upcoming harvest and planting season but the country's single pesticide factory is struggling to produce its maximum 200,000 liters as foreign exchange shortages have delayed the purchase of chemicals. Story continues (SOUNDBITE) (English) FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION (FAO) REPRESENTATIVE TO KENYA , DR. TOBIAS TAKAVARASHA, SAYING: "The pesticides are available, but the pesticides require financial resources before they can be release." The FAO has put together an appeal for funds - initially estimated at $76m and later increased to $135m. So far $22m has been donated. But then another obstacle: The words grave site showed up on an 1809 map of the city but not on the 1810 map. Two depressions next to Prosser indicated other graves. One of them was the grave of Louis Wight, who died Sept 29, 1821, at 14 years old. Some other clues on Prossers marker, although very weathered: he died October 25, 1810, in the 38th year of his age. He was a truly affectionate and indulgent husband, fond father, a kind of master and sincere friend, the marker read. Few indeed possessed more of the social virtues. As he was believed and respected his death was deeply regretted by all who knew him. Historical records at the Library of Virginia and Virginia Historical Society listed many John Prossers, but the reporter was able to eliminate several because they lived before or longer than the man in question. Soon, some more clues emerged, He must have been fairly well-known, the reporter speculated. For his obituary was carried in four Richmond newspapers, one in Norfolk and one in Fredericksburg. The obituary provided that he lived between 1772 and 1810 and when he died he left a wife, the former Polly Poole of Henrico and four children. On February 25, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Dionne Van Zyl, a Georgia-based investment adviser, with defrauding dozens of clients by taking undisclosed fees, commissions, and other compensation over a period of more than six years. According to the SEC's complaint, from 2013 to 2019, Van Zyl used his position of trust as a senior Elder at a suburban Atlanta church, and held himself out to fellow church members as having a background in finance and private equity, to form investment advisory relationships with dozens of congregants. Van Zyl allegedly invested $23.5 million of his clients' funds into his own failing start-up companies and his related investment fund, and also used clients' funds for high-frequency forex trading, without disclosing to investors how he was using their funds or the associated investment risks. As alleged, Van Zyl also failed to fully disclose his compensation, telling clients only that he could take certain "advisory" and "consulting" fees. While his clients lost most of their investment funds as a result of his trading activities, Van Zyl collected nearly $3 million in undisclosed fees, commissions, and other compensation. The SEC's complaint, filed in federal court in Georgia, charges Van Zyl with violating the antifraud provisions of Sections 206(1), 206(2), 206(4) and Rule 206(4)-8 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, and seeks permanent injunctions, civil penalties, and disgorgement plus prejudgment interest against Van Zyl. The SEC's litigation will be led by Shawn Murnahan of the Atlanta Regional Office. The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and the Retail Strategy Task Force encourage investors to review the Investor Alerts Avoiding Investment Fraud in Your Faith-Based Community and Have Something in Common with Someone Selling an Investment? It May Make You a Target for Fraud to protect themselves and their communities from investment fraud. NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ATSG, a tech-enabled managed services and solutions company, announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company has named ATSG to its 2020 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Elite 150 category. This popular list identifies North American solution providers that deliver operational efficiencies, IT system improvements, and a higher rate of return on investments for their customers. This annual list is divided into three categories: the MSP Pioneer 250 who are focused primarily on the SMB market; the MSP Elite 150, large data center-focused on- and off-premises; and the Managed Security 100 made up of off-premises-focused, cloud-based IT security services. Placement in the Elite 150 of CRN's MSP 500 list identifies ATSG as one of the leading IT solutions and managed services providers. ATSG's growth in managed services is a testament to their core strategy, values and culture, while bringing innovation and commercial capabilities to their portfolio of customers. "MSPs are the critical bridge for customers looking to assess, implement and migrate their IT and cloud solutions to drive efficiencies, lower costs and secure your environment," said Bob Skelley, CEO of The Channel Company. "On behalf of our team at The Channel Company, I want to congratulate the accomplished companies on CRN's 2020 MSP 500 list and thank them for their commitment to finding innovative solutions that move the IT channel forward." "ATSG is honored to receive this highly regarded industry award," said Anthony D'Ambrosi, ATSG, Chief Executive Officer. "Our overall success as a technology-enabled managed services provider is highlighted by our comprehensive portfolio of Technology Solutions as a Service and our deep domain expertise. This award directly reflects ATSG's mission and vision, to provide exceptional client experiences by delivering innovative and effective digital solutions, while ensuring the highest standards of quality of service and cybersecurity." The MSP500 list will be featured in the February 2020 issue of CRN and online at: https://www.crn.com/news/managed-services/the-2020-managed-service-provider-500. Follow ATSG on: Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook About ATSG ATSG is a global tech-enabled managed services and solutions company focused on innovative solutions to enhance today's digital enterprise and end-user experiences. ATSG provides Intelligent IT through Technology Solutions as a Service (TSaaS) to a variety of customers; leveraging an offerings portfolio of rediTech, rediManage, and rediSecure, which delivers reliable, elastic, dynamic infrastructure, collaboration, applications, as well as world class IT operations. ATSG is a privately held company headquartered in Manhattan, New York. For more information on ATSG, please visit us on the web at www.atsg.net, like us on LinkedIn, follow us on Twitter or become a fan on our Facebook page. #AboutATSG About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end-users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com Media Contact: Elizabeth Kubycheck Chief Marketing & Administrative Officer 630.601.8698 SOURCE ATSG Related Links http://www.atsg.net (Photo : REUTERS/Yves Herman) Facebook Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seen before a meeting with European Commissioner for Values and Transparency Vera Jourova at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium February 17, 2020. Facebook, in 2017, had assigned at least 60 engineers to an effort to build a mind-laptop interface (BCI). Three years later, Facebook's research team is now focusing on its efforts on reducing noise in its optical brain-sensing system The BCI's goal is to allow mobile tools and computer customers to communicate at a speed of at least a hundred words per minute-far quicker than all people can type on the phone. Facebook-supported researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) posted the results of research demonstrating a Facebook prototype brain-computer interface that could be used to decode speech in actual time. Interface to measure blood oxygenation in a non-invasive way Facebook that month posted a blog post explaining a chunk about the generation developed so far. The setup defined a tool that shines near-infrared light into the skull and makes use of adjustments in a way brain tissue absorbs a mild degree to measure blood oxygenation of the brain cells. Just like a pulse oxymeter that measures the oxygen saturation level of a person's blood through his or her finger, Facebook said it is now working on their use near-infrared light to measure blood oxygenation in the brain from outside of the body in a safe, non-invasive way. "While measuring oxygenation may never allow us to decode imagined sentences, [recognizing] a handful of imagined commands, like 'home,' 'select,' and delete,' would provide entirely new ways of interacting with today's [and tomorrow's virtual reality and augmented reality glasses]," Facebook wrote. The employer hadn't talked much about the assignment since-until this month when Mark Chevillet, research director for Facebook Reality Labs and the BCI task leader, gave research at ApplySci's Wearable Tech, Digital Health, and Neurotech Silicon Valley conference. For starters, the team has been finishing up a flow to its new hardware design. It's no longer the very last version; however, they say it is vastly extra usable than the initial prototype. The hardware used for UCSF's research was big, expensive, and no longer all that wearable, Chevillet admitted. But the group has evolved an inexpensive wearable version, the use of lower value additives, and a few custom electronics. Chevillet says the so-called studies kit, shown inside the July blog setup, is currently being examined to verify that it's far just as sensitive as the regular device. ALSO READ: Hundreds of Misleading Accounts Targeting US Users Banned on Facebook Researchers focusing on pace, noise reduction Meanwhile, the researchers are focusing their efforts on pace and noise reduction. Chevillet said they are measuring the hemodynamic response, which peaks about five seconds after the brain sign. The current gadget detects the response on the peak, which can be too slow for a brain-computer interface. Chevillet says they could identify it before the peak if they can drive up their signal and drive down the noise. The new headsets will assist this effort, Chevillet said, due to the fact the most significant source of noise is movement. The smaller headset sits tightly at the head, resulting in fewer shifts in the role than is the case with the broader research tool. Researchers to use optic fibers for the item The crew is also searching into growing the dimensions of the optical fibers that collect the signal to come across more photons, Chevillet says. Another way to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of the tool, Chevillet suggests, is increasing the contrast. You can't necessarily increase the brightness of the light, he says; it has to stay underneath a safe degree for brain tissue. But the crew can boom the wide variety of pixels within the photodetector array. "We are attempting a 32-with the aid of-32-pixel single photon detector array to look if we will enhance the sign-to-noise ratio, and will file that out later this year," Chevillet says. Chevillet said the company is specializing in detecting the intellectual efforts that produce speech-it doesn't examine random thoughts. He said they could associate noisy signals with speech algorithms based on large quantities of audio. This approach to the brain-computer interface is intriguing but won't be easy to tug off, says Roozbeh Ghaffari, a biomedical researcher at Northwestern University and CEO of Epicore Biosystems. "There may additionally indeed be ways to narrate neurons firing to modifications in nearby blood oxygenation tiers," Ghaffari told Spectrum. However, he said the modifications in blood oxygenation ranges that map to neuronal interest are relatively localized and could be challenging to locate. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Boris Johnson put Britain on a collision course with the EU today, warning Brussels that the Government would pull the plug on trade talks in just four months time if it did not get its way. The Prime Minister's administration wants to see the 'broad outlines' of a 'Canada-style' deal with Brussels before a planned June summit, according to its confrontational official negotiating mandate, released this morning. Britain's negotiating strategy: key points Full UK control over key areas including state aid, workers' rights, environmental standards and fishing rights. 'Regulatory freedom' outside the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) Transition period is not extended past December 31. Progress on a Canada-style deal by June Preparations for Australian-style arrangement if this is not happening. 'Reciprocal arrangements not to weaken or reduce the level of protection afforded' by laws on labour rights and the environment. Full 'liberalised market access for trade in goods' with 'no tariffs, fees, charges and quantitative restrictions on trade in manufactured and agricultural goods'. On fishing, document sets out that UK wants 'annual negotiations on access to the parties' exclusive economic zones and fishing opportunities' An agreement on 'equivalence' in the financial services sector by June Advertisement If the two sides remain at loggerheads Britain is ready to withdraw and and concentrate on preparing the country for a bare-bones situation using World Trade Organisation terms under an arrangement with the EU similar to Australia's. The two sides are flexing their muscles to do battle over key areas like fishing rights and the so called 'level playing field' for worker and environmental rights the UK wants to abandon. Shortly after the document was published the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said he 'took note' of the UK's guidelines, but added: 'We will stick to all our prior commitments in the Political Declaration.' European Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant said the June meeting was 'probably a very fair timeline to take by the UK Prime Minister for a rendezvous in which we take stock of the future and chances for a deal'. She added that Brussels would 'keep an eye on the ball', and 'retains its capacity to prepare for No Deal following the result of those negotiations'. Whatever the outcome of the talks, businesses have been warned to expect friction at the border from January 1 because the UK will not extend the transition period and will therefore be leaving the EU's single market and customs union. Speaking this morning, Mr Johnson said: 'We're not going to engage in some race to the bottom. 'All we want is mutual recognition of each other's high standards, and access to each other's markets. 'We wouldn't ask the EU to follow every change in UK legislation, so it doesn't make any sense for them to make the same requirement of us, and that's where we are.' Michael Gove unveiled the UK's negotiating aims in the Commons this morning as tensions ramp up again between the two sides - just weeks after Brexit legally happened. The UK's main aims are: Full UK control over key areas including state aid, workers' rights, environmental standards and fishing rights. 'Regulatory freedom' and outside the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice Transition period is not extended past December 31. Progress on a Canada-style deal by June The official 30-page document reveals the tough line the Tory administration is prepared to take. Michael Gove unveiled the UK's negotiating aims in the Commons this morning as tensions ramp up again between the two sides - just weeks after Brexit legally happened The official 30-page document reveals the tough line the Tory administration is prepared to take, including a threat to walk away from talks in June Speaking this morning, Mr Johnson said: 'We're not going to engage in some race to the bottom. 'All we want is mutual recognition of each other's high standards, and access to each other's markets' 'The UK is committed to working in a speedy and determined fashion ... with an appropriate number of negotiating rounds between now and the June high-level meeting foreseen in the political declaration,' it states. Key sticking points in EU trade talks Level playing field The UK insists it wants an off-the-shelf free trade agreement, similar to that the EU struck with Canada. This would mean shunning almost all tariffs and quotas, and potentially bolting on preferential access for financial services. Crucially, it would not involve the UK aligning with EU rules or obeying legal edicts from the bloc's judges. However, Michel Barnier has said the Canada model is not appropriate as the UK is geographically closer to the EU and the competition issues are different. He insists that there must be a 'level playing field' for trade, with the UK following Brussels' standards. Fishing The EU is determined to keep access to UK waters after December 31. France is particularly keen to ensure that its fishermen have generous quotas when Britain leaves the EU Commons Fisheries arrangements. But Boris Johnson has said: 'British fishing grounds are first and foremost for British boats.' Food standards Mr Johnson and Donald Trump have vowed to push for a quick Transatlantic trade deal. However, the US is likely to demand concessions on better access to lucrative UK food markets in return for good terms in other areas. The EU is trying to thwart the discussions by insisting the UK must stay tied to its food standards rules. The Elgin Marbles The EU negotiation mandate includes a stipulation Britain should 'return unlawfully removed cultural objects to their countries of origin'. The passage is thought to refer to the Elgin Marbles, ancient Greek sculptures taken to Britain more than 200 years ago and now on display in the British Museum. Greece has been vocal about demanding the marble sculptures, once situated in the ancient Greek Parthenon temple, are returned to Athens. Downing Street has insisted the future of the marbles is 'not up for discussion as part of our trade negotiations'. Advertisement 'The Government would hope that, by that point, the broad outline of an agreement would be clear and be capable of being finalised by September. 'If that does not seem to be the case at the June meeting, the Government will need to decide whether the UK's attention should move away from negotiations and focus solely on continuing domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion.' Giving a statement on UK trade negotiations with the EU, Cabinet Office Minister Mr Gove said it is the Government's aim 'to secure a comprehensive free trade agreement' as well as agreements on fisheries, internal security and aviation. 'We're confident that those negotiations will lead to outcomes which work for both the UK and the EU, but this House, our European partners and above all the British people should be in no doubt - at the end of the transition period, on December 31, the United Kingdom will fully recover its economic and political independence,' he said. 'We want the best possible trading relationship with the EU, but in a pursuit of a deal, we will not trade away our sovereignty.' It is understood the Government will base its decision on whether to back out of talks on how well talks have progressed in areas where the two sides are most in agreement already. If even those areas remain contested, it is ready to walk away, with a serious of public announcements pencilled in to help the public prepare for the new trade regime. The document adds: 'If it is not possible to negotiate a satisfactory outcome, then the trading relationship with the EU will rest on the 2019 Withdrawal Agreement and will look similar to Australia's.' The document also sets out plans for a public consultation on 'the economic implications of the future relationship' in the spring, understood to be launched before Easter. But it is unclear what results from the scoping exercise will be published afterwards. The document also calls on any agreement to include 'reciprocal arrangements not to weaken or reduce the level of protection afforded' by laws on labour rights and the environment. Shadow Brexit minister Paul Blomfield described the Government's plans as 'underwhelming' before warning: 'They started with a commitment to securing the 'exact same benefits' that we currently enjoy. 'This was scaled back to 'frictionless trade' to protect our vital supply chains. Then it was Canada+++, now it's 'Canada so long as it doesn't get in the way of ending our alignment with the standards we've previously enjoyed'.' The mandate stresses Mr Johnson's priority to secure 'political and economic independence' when the 'standstill' transition period ends on December 31. Ignoring the provisions in the political declaration that was sealed along with the divorce deal, the document will reject calls for the UK to obey Brussels rules and standards. Instead it will call for a pact along the lines of that the EU has with Canada, with no tariffs on goods, or quotas restricting imports and exports. However, the looming talks are shaping up to be bruising - with the EU's Michel Barnier already having dismissed the idea of Canada-style terms, and warning there will be no agreement unless Britain limits competition and concedes on issues such as fishing rights. Canada or Australia? The two options in post-Brexit trade talks CANADA The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU was signed in October 2016. It meant 98 per cent of goods traded are exempt from tariffs - although there are still regulatory barriers and the system is being phased in. Companies in based in both jurisdictions can compete for public contracts. There are protections for products from specific geographical locations, such as Parma ham. But there is little coverage of services, aside from respecting intellectual property. AUSTRALIA The EU and Australia do not have a formal trade deal - although one is being negotiated. Instead the two interact based on World Trade Organisation terms. That means tariffs apply on many goods, with ad hoc agreements in specific areas. Advertisement Downing Street has angrily pointed out that other trade deals hammered out by the EU did not include the kind of 'onerous commitments' being demanded. Mr Barnier's mandate, published earlier this week, called for any agreement to use Brussels' standards as 'a reference point' over time. That suggested the UK would be expected to keep aligned with changes to the rules in future, something that would breach Mr Johnson's red lines. Mr Johnson signed the political declaration with the EU in 2019, which accepted there should be 'robust commitments to ensure a level playing field' on areas including state subsidies, workers' rights and environmental standards. But Downing Street insiders made clear he believes the mandate he won at the general election trumps the declaration, which does not have the status of a binding international treaty. In the Tory election manifesto, Mr Johnson promised 'no political alignment' with the EU, an end to the role of the European Court of Justice and 'full control' of the UK's fishing waters. Mr Barnier has insisted that fishing rights for EU vessels must be included in the deal or there 'won't be any agreement at all'. A Downing Street source said: 'The Prime Minister is working to a mandate which derives from his manifesto which set out very clear what he would be seeking in the negotiations, also set out what would not be acceptable to the UK, and that whatever happens at the end of this year, the UK will be regaining in full its political and economic independence.' On the eve of the UK setting out its red lines, Mr Barnier issued a fresh warning that the UK must accept common standards with the bloc if it wants continued preferential access to European markets. Boris Johnson (pictured in Downing Street yesterday) is unveiling the UK's negotiating aims as tensions ramp up again between the two sides - just weeks after Brexit legally happened. He said he accepted assurances from Mr Johnson that he did not want to turn Britain into a de-regulated 'Singapore-on-Thames'. What happens next in Brexit trade wrangling? Today: The UK's negotiating proposals will be put before Parliament, after the EU signed off its mandate for Michel Barnier on Tuesday. Monday: Talks on the trade deal are due to start in Brussels. They will initially focus on the schedule for discussions - which in itself will be tricky. The EU wants to talk about fishing first, but the UK says it must be considered as part of a wider package. June: EU/UK summit to discuss progress, by which Britain wants the outline of a deal to have emerged. July: This is theoretically the last point at which the transition period can be extended - although Boris Johnson has insisted he will not contemplate any delay. January 1: The transition period is due to end and the UK will be on new trade arrangements with the EU. This will either be the trade deal or World Trade Organisation terms. Advertisement However, he said that without agreement on a series of common 'ground rules,' efforts to prevent unfair competition and to tackle climate change would be undermined. Speaking to an ESCP business school seminar in Brussels, he said: 'We are ready to offer to the UK super-preferential access to our markets - a level of access that would be unprecedented for a third country. 'Is this something we can do without firm guarantees that the UK will respect the level playing field and avoid unfair competitive advantages? The answer, I'm afraid, is simple. We cannot.' Mr Barnier said that whatever the outcome of the trade talks, there would be checks on goods entering the EU from Britain from the beginning of 2021 when the current transition period ends. 'Of course we love 'Made in Britain' but we must guarantee that the goods we import from the UK - tariff and quota free - really are British. 'We cannot take the risk that the UK becomes a kind of assembly hub for goods from all over the world, allowing them to enter the single market as British goods.' Mr Barnier and the PM's Europe adviser David Frost will meet in Brussels on Monday for the first round of talks on the post-Brexit relationship, with a further session expected in London later in March. The looming trade talks are shaping up to be bruising - with the EU's Michel Barnier (pictured in Brussels yesterday) already having dismissed the idea of Canada-style terms The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has responded to the barbs from Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over Delhi violence, in which 34 people have been killed. Who started this? This did not happen in two days - the pot was boiling for two months. After the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed, the Congress held a rally at Ramlila Maidan where she said now we have to decide: Is paar ya us paar. Is this not instigation? Union minister Prakash Javadekar said at a press conference on Thursday. He also said that there is selective silence from these two parties despite so much happening. Also Watch | Centre, AAP were mute spectators during Delhi violence: Congress There are videos that show AAP leader Tahir Hussains house is a riot factory. We saw firearms, chemicals and other stuff at his house to prepare for violence. But these two parties are silent on this, said Javadekar. Amanatullah, who is now in AAP, said you wont be allowed to wear skull caps. Can you tell me where this is written in CAA? Then Waris Pathan made a statement. All these are inflammatory statements, but Congress and AAP have not uttered a single word. I am surprised, there is selective silence, he added. The BJP leader said that instead of speaking about the deaths of IB official Ankit Sharma and Delhi Police constable Ratan Lal, these parties are questiong the BJP government. We have launched investigation and restored normalcy in Delhi. We condemn this type of politics, said Javadekar. Congress president Sonia Gandhi led a delegation of party leaders to Presidents house and submitted a memorandum where she accused the Centre and Delhi government of being mute spectators to the violence in Delhi. She also demanded resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah. The AAP has, meanwhile, said action should be taken against the guilty, no matter which party he belongs to. Tahir Hussain has already given his statement in which he said that he gave all details to police and media about mob entering his house during the violence. He had asked police for protection. Police came eight hours late and rescued him and his family from his house, AAP leader Sanjay Singh said. New Delhi: An Air India flight on Thursday brought back to the national capital 119 Indians and 5 foreigners who were on board a coronavirus-hit cruise ship docked off Yokohama in Japan. The foreigners, who were brought back to India on board the special Air India flight, included two from Sri Lanka and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru. All the evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at a medical facility set-up by the Indian Army in Manesar. Three Indian crew members did not board the special flight and conveyed their wish to continue their stay on board the cruise ship to complete the period of extended quarantine put in place by the government of Japan, a government statement said. Out of the total 138 Indian nationals originally on board the Diamond Princess, 16 Indian crew members have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) and are receiving necessary medical care and treatment at onshore medical facilities in Japan. They were among the 3,711 people on board the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at the Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on February 3. The ship was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the disease. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 13:00:34|Editor: yhy Video Player Close HELSINKI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Finland is prepared to tackle the situation of the coronavirus and will take all scenarios and take things seriously, said Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Wednesday afternoon. "Preparations have been made since January, especially in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), but also in other ministries," even though the government currently does not have the information that the coronavirus situation is particularly serious in Finland, Marin said when discussing the current coronavirus situation in Finland on national television Yle's live. Finland on Thursday reported the first case of Finnish national infected with the novel coronavirus. The patient is a working-age Finnish woman, who had been infected while visiting Milan, Northern Italy, and is now treated in hospital in Meilahti, Helsinki. This is the second confirmed case in Finland. In late January, a Chinese female tourist tested positive for the virus in northern Finland's Lapland and was later discharged from the hospital. The government has decided to set up a coordination group under the Prime Minister's Office, with the participation of the heads of key ministries and an expert from the THL, Marin said. Marin also announced there will be a parliamentary debate on the virus situation on Thursday, which will be aired live on national television. "We are also giving the Prime Minister's announcement to Parliament to ensure that people have up-to-date and correct information and to dispel people's concerns," said Marin. Denmark will accept 30 refugees in the coming days as it reactivates a UN quota plan it suspended in 2016, authorities said Thursday. "They are Syrians or stateless persons from Syria staying in Turkey," the country's immigration agency told AFP in an email. A first batch are expected to arrive at the weekend under the aegis of the UN refugee agency UNHCR. The policy reversal came after elections last June brought in a new left-wing government led by Social Democrat Mette Frederiksen, who has vowed a strict but "fair" immigration policy. Legislation passed in 2017 with the support of the Social Democrats and the populist Danish People's Party has left the number of refugee arrivals to the discretion of the immigration ministry. Denmark took in around 500 refugees per year from UNHCR camps between 1979 and 2016, according to the UN agency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (TNS) Because you cant manage what you dont measure, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in his State of the State address last week that California will establish a unified homelessness data system to capture accurate, local information.He made it sound so simple and matter-of-fact. But for those homeless advocates who have long struggled to compile such data, the Democratic governor was evoking a quest like that for the Holy Grail a prize that is difficult to reach, but which everyone wants.Thats awesome, said Miguel Santana when asked to consider whether a statewide database should exist. But the former Los Angeles administrative officer who spent years involved in the citys homelessness planning wasnt sure that it could.The governors plan will only work, he said, if every jurisdiction, every county, every city, is asked to aggregate data across the board thats similar and that would be a project of immense complexity.Instead, one state agency is attempting a more attainable goal of collecting data on homeless people from Californias 44 so-called continuums of care. But thats no simple task either.These continuums of care are local agencies established to administer federal homelessness programs under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. There are four in Los Angeles County alone. The cities of Long Beach, Pasadena and Glendale each have one, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, or LAHSA, covers the remainder of the county.Each maintains its own database, or Homeless Management Information System, which tracks every person who comes into contact with the system of government agencies and nonprofits that work with homeless people. The information entered into each database by outreach workers and case managers must adhere to general federal guidelines, but also can vary from place to place.The challenge is consistency.The first step is to clean up the data, make sure its accurate. Secondly, is it usable? said Sarah Dusseault, chairwoman of the commission that oversees LAHSA. You dont want a system where, in Los Angeles we think matched to housing means this and yet in San Bernardino it means something else.With consistent data, California could, for the first time, track where homeless people live and move around the state, and identify those who are using housing and services in more than one place. That would make the process of getting people off the streets more efficient.Finding a way to achieve that is a job that rests with the California Homeless Coordinating and Finance Council. Even before Newsoms speech, the agency was preparing a contract that it hopes to award this fall to pull information from the states 44 continuums of care, said Lynn von Koch-Liebert, deputy secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.Whichever company receives the contract will set up an automated system to collect the data more frequently and for every homeless person, with names and other identifying information removed for privacy. Currently, that information is only collected annually by the federal government.Californias new system tentatively could be in place by the end of the year.One of the goals would be to see if individuals are exiting homelessness in a successful way or if they are moving between different types of housing, Koch-Liebert said. If they are leaving homelessness, we will be able to see those patterns.The next phase will be more ambitious, attempting to similarly compile data from more sources, such as county health departments across the state.LAHSA has just started building such a data system for Los Angeles County. And it has been a challenge.In addition to LAHSA, more than a dozen local and regional agencies provide services and maintain their own data systems. Some keep records on people. Some keep records on housing that has been provided. Some do both.As a result, a homeless person who has been entered into LAHSAs Homeless Management Information System might also be in a database run by the Department of Health Services or the Housing Authority for the city of L.A. with different information in each database.They understand data differently because theyve been programmed differently, Dusseault said.LAHSA has been working with the staff of those other local and regional agencies to build a complete data profile of each homeless persons contact with every agency. The goal is to find out whats working smoothly and whats not.An initiative along the lines of what Newsom has suggested to expand that across the state would be welcome, Dusseault said, if its done right.Wed want to make sure we had the help both to improve our system locally, she said, but (also) to make sure that other systems throughout the state are all at that same level of accuracy and usefulness, so that we can talk to each other in a way that gets better outcomes. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said it was not inevitable that the novel coronavirus would continue to spread in the United States, as he said he is considering travel restrictions on Italy and South Korea and appointed his vice president to lead the response. His optimism about containing the pathogen contradicted a senior health official in his own administration and came as authorities said they had identified the first case in the US that was of unknown origin. "I don't think it's inevitable. I think that there's a chance that it could get worse, a chance it could get fairly substantially worse, but nothing's inevitable," Trump told reporters at the White House. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Americans Tuesday to be prepared to cancel mass gatherings and urged schools and businesses to develop teleworking plans, amid dire warnings that countries are not ready to contain an outbreak that has infected 80,000 people, mostly in China. "It's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen," said the CDC's Nancy Messonnier. As of Wednesday, there were 60 cases in the United States -- 15 detected through the public health system, and 45 repatriated from abroad, either from a cruise ship off Japan or from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the first cases were identified. The CDC later said the latest case caught in California "did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient" -- meaning it could represent the first instance of "community spread" in the US, though this was not yet confirmed. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of the infection is unknown. - More travel restrictions? - Foreign nationals traveling from China within the past two weeks are currently banned from entering the US, and Trump said more countries, including South Korea and Italy where the disease has rapidly spread, could also be added to the list. "At the right time we may do it, right now it's not the right time," he said in response to a reporter's question. "Italy is, you know, a deeper problem, and we're checking people coming in very, very strongly from those and at some point we may cut that off," he later added. On Wednesday night the State Department raised its travel advisory caution level for South Korea to the second-highest, now urging Americans to reconsider traveling there. The president added that Vice President Mike Pence had been assigned to lead the charge in coordinating the government's response and reporting back to him, taking over the role from health secretary Alex Azar. - Extra funding - Trump's briefing came after US lawmakers accused the administration of downplaying the crisis and underfunding the response. On Monday, the White House asked Congress to make at least $2.5 billion available for preparedness and response, including developing treatments and vaccines and buying equipment for a strategic national stockpile. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the figure was "too little and too late," proposing instead $8.5 billion. Trump later told reporters he would be happy to accept more money. Trump also took to Twitter earlier in the day to insist his administration is "doing a GREAT job," blaming the media Wednesday for trying to stoke fear in a tweet in which he spelled the name of the virus incorrectly. "Low Ratings Fake News MSDNC (Comcast) & @CNN are doing everything possible to make the Caronavirus look as bad as possible, including panicking markets, if possible," he tweeted, using a derogatory name for cable news network MSNBC that suggests it is connected to the Democratic National Committee Wall Street stocks finished mostly lower Wednesday, stabilizing somewhat after a two-session rout amid growing worries over the economic impact of the coronavirus epidemic. With cases being reported in more countries -- and lockdowns in nations including Austria, Italy and Spain -- traders are worried about the impact on the global economy. In the US, officials have voiced fears for the supply of medical products because a high proportion of ingredients used to make medicine comes from China. The Food and Drug Administration has also identified personal protective equipment, such as face masks, respirators and gowns, as being among products at risk of shortages. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 12:09 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066eaccd 1 National COVID-19,coronavirus,BNPB,Sebaru-Island,Thousand-Islands-regency,WORLD-DREAM-CRUISE Free The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has promised that the 188 Indonesians quarantined on Sebaru Island in Thousand Islands regency, Jakarta, will be housed in better facilities than the Wuhan evacuees that were quarantined in Natuna regency, Riau Islands earlier this year. The 188 Indonesians are crew members of the World Dream cruise ship, which suspended its operations after docking in Hong Kong and spent days in quarantine at the Kai Tak Cruise terminal earlier this month. Three Chinese nationals, who had been aboard the ship between Jan. 19 and 24, tested positive for the virus. Rustian, the BNPBs director of logistics and equipment, said the uninhabited Sebaru Island already had the necessary infrastructure as it was once used as a rehabilitation center for drug users. The crew members will live in the rehabilitation building, which has been prepared to act as an observation center. There are decent bedrooms, all necessary facilities and is generally much better than Natuna, Rustian said in a statement on Wednesday. Rustian said the building had the capacity to board 200 people, adding that the government has deployed more than 760 personnel from the Indonesian Military (TNI), BNPB and Health Ministry to oversee the quarantine. Aerial photo of Sebaru Kecil Island in the Thousand Islands, Jakarta, Monday (2/26/2020). The island will be the site of observation for 188 WNI ABK World Dream. (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay) [The personnel] have prepare medical, sanitation, and public kitchen equipment to host the crew members, Rustian said. The crew members had been picked up naval hospital ship Dr. Soeharso on Wednesday before being dropped off on Sebaru Island. The quarantine will last for 14 days under the care of Health Ministry in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) protocol. (gis) The Nubia Red Magic 5G could feature a 6.65-inch display and a 4400mAh battery. It is tipped to support 55W fast charging technology as well. Nubias next gaming phone, the Red Magic 5G has appeared online. The company is said to launch it in China as soon as next month. The images and specifications have also surfaced online. The phone has been spotted on TENAA. Nubia has already confirmed that the Red Magic 5G will come equipped with a 144Hz refresh rate OLED screen. Further, the companys president Ni Fei already confirmed up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB storage for the phone. The device bearing model number NX659J has been spotted on TENAA. It comes in a dual-coloured frame with the left side sporting a blue coat of paint while the right-hand-side will tout a red finish. The rear panel is seen sporting a metal casing with visible grilles for the heat dissipation on the top and bottom. Theres also a long glossy strip that houses the triple cameras at the top. We can also see Red Magic branding in the middle and a logo on the bottom. As for the edges, we can see another air-vent on the right alongside what appears to be capacitive shoulder buttons. Further, the left-hand-side also packs an air vent alongside the alert slider and the volume rockers. According to the TENAA listing, the Nubia Red Magic 5G will sport a 6.65-inch display and a 4400mAh battery. The device will have an "air-cooled fast charging solution" to prevent the phone from overheating while charging and maintain the battery's longevity. As for the cameras, it is expected to come equipped with the 64MP Sony IMX686 sensor. It is tipped to support 55W fast charging technology as well. We expect more details to emerge about the phone as we approach the launch date. Clearview, the shady facial-recognition firm with links to law-enforcement and alt-right internet trolls, reports that its entire client list has been stolen. In the notification, which The Daily Beast reviewed, the startup Clearview AI disclosed to its customers that an intruder "gained unauthorized access" to its list of customers, to the number of user accounts those customers had set up, and to the number of searches its customers have conducted. The notification said the company's servers were not breached and that there was "no compromise of Clearview's systems or network." The company also said it fixed the vulnerability and that the intruder did not obtain any law-enforcement agencies' search histories. Not a good look for any security companyespecially one that prides itself on scraping private information from Facebook, Twitter and the rest of the web, irrespective of whether they're permitted to, and repackaging it for government and the police to identify and track individuals through surveillance. The UK and the EU have both set out their red lines ahead of trade talks that start on Monday. The UK has said it is prepared to walk away from the talks in June if not enough progress has been made, while Brussels has warned Britain faces a "tough road ahead". There are several areas where the two sides are already at loggerheads. Fishing Brussels has demanded the UK continues to allow EU fishing fleets access to British waters ahead of a free trade agreement. EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said fishing rights must be included in the deal or there "won't be any agreement at all". But the British government is putting its foot down, with prime minister Boris Johnson saying UK fishing territory should be "first and foremost" for British boats once the UK leaves the Common Fisheries Policy. The government has also refused to link fishing waters access to access to EU markets. Trade and a 'level playing field' The EU has said that due to the proximity of the UK, a trade deal cannot resemble one struck between Canada and Brussels - the free trade model Mr Johnson wants. Brussels said it wants to ensure there are no "unfair competitive advantages" between the two so a future trade deal should include "corresponding high standards over time" using the EU's rules "as a reference point". It wants to keep the UK aligned to its regulations in areas including workers' rights, environmental standards and state subsidies. However, the UK is adamant regulatory alignment is not required and said it will not agree to anything in which the UK does not have control of its laws. Mr Johnson said: "We wouldn't ask the EU to follow every change in UK legislation, so it doesn't make any sense for them to make the same requirement of us, and that's where we are." He said the UK will not be making any concessions. European courts Brussels wants European courts to be responsible for resolving legal questions arising from the interpretation of EU law. Story continues It says any questions over the interpretation of EU law should be referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union for a binding ruling. But, the UK says it will not agree to the court having any jurisdiction in the UK. Financial services The UK wants the deal to include "legally binding obligations on market access and fair competition" with regulatory co-operation agreements. Both sides had committed to carrying out assessments to check whether their current regulatory systems are compatible by the end of June - although the EU's mandate did not mention the date. Brussels said its assessment of UK rules could be changed at short notice - which could cause major problems for the City of London. Criminal justice The UK wants to pull out of the European Arrest Warrant agreement, but wants an accord on "fast-track extradition arrangements". That poses an issue as some European countries, such as Germany, forbid the extradition of their nationals to non-EU countries. The UK wants law enforcement to be part of a separate deal from the trade deal. However, the EU wants one agreement covering everything. Brussels has warned any co-operation must be based on the UK remaining signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights. :: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker Cultural objects The EU has demanded that both sides should "address issues relating to the return or restitution of unlawfully removed cultural objects to their countries of origin". The Elgin Marbles, the Parthenon sculptures brought to Britain more than 200 years ago which Greece wants back, is believed to be the main issue there. Downing Street has ruled out the marbles being part of the "discussion as part of our trade negotiations". LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Canyon Capital Advisors LLC, the investment advisor to funds and accounts (together with Canyon Capital Advisors LLC, "Canyon") that beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 13.9 million shares, or 4.1% of the outstanding common stock of Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. ("Santander" or the "Company") (NYSE: SC), sent the following presentation to the Company via the dealer manager. The presentation sent to the Company is as follows: FILE PHOTO: Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn gestures during a news conference at the Lebanese Press Syndicate in Beirut PARIS (Reuters) - French prosecutors have stepped up their investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds at Renault by former boss Carlos Ghosn, saying a judge had now been assigned to the case to launch a formal investigation. The prosecutor's office in Nanterre, on the outskirts of Paris, had since last year been looking into a party Ghosn had thrown for his wife at the sumptuous Versailles palace among other financial dealings. It said in a statement on Wednesday a judge would now examine several charges linked to Renault and levelled at an unnamed person or people. A judicial source confirmed that Ghosn was among them. A lawyer for Ghosn said he welcomed the opportunity to give his version of the events. "We will provide our explanations to the designated magistrate after we can finally have access to the case file," lawyer Jean-Yves Le Borgne told Reuters. Ghosn - now in Lebanon after he last month fled prosecution in Japan on financial misconduct charges - has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Reuters reported in January that judges, who have wider powers than investigators to pursue a criminal case, were set to get involved, potentially bringing prosecution a step closer. The prosecutor's office said the case involved suspect financial flows between Renault and a car dealership in Oman, as well as spending on trips and events. Prosecutors had been looking into whether Ghosn knowingly used company resources to throw a party that was for private purposes - his wife's birthday - in 2016. Ghosn's lawyers have said he did nothing wrong, but there may have been a misunderstanding between Versailles and party planners over who was to foot the bill for renting the venue. Another event at Versailles in 2014, when Ghosn held a corporate party to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of Renault's alliance with Japan's Nissan, will now also fall under the scope of the investigation, the judicial source said. Story continues At a news conference in January, Ghosn rejected allegations that most of the guests at the party - paid for by RNBV, a Dutch-based holding company for Renault and Nissan - were his own friends and family, saying the companies had invited business contacts from dealerships and other partners. Renault conducted its own internal inquiry into Ghosn's time at the carmaker and handed over information to prosecutors last year. This included its probe into millions of euros described as dealer incentives to an Omani distributor. (Reporting by Marine Pennetier, Gwenaelle Barzic and Sarah White; Editing by Geert De Clercq, David Evans and Alex Richardson) UPSC Recruitment 2022: One day left to apply for several vacancies at upsc.gov.in, here's direct link Don't make irresponsible statements: India slams OIC statement over Delhi violence India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Feb 27: The Centre on Thursday slammed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for its statement on Delhi violence, saying the comments are factually inaccurate and misleading. "Law enforcement agencies are on the ground and they are working to normalise the situation. So, I request (OIC) not to make any irresponsible statements," external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, adding that it creates more problems than it solves. India rubbishes US panels statement on Delhi violence 'The statements which have come out of OIC are factually inaccurate, they are selective, they are misleading. There is an effort on the ground, to restore normalcy, to create confidence,' Kumar said. 'We urge these bodies not to indulge in irresponsible statements at this sensitive time,' he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood, Kumar said, while referring to the efforts of the government to control the situation. He added that what led to the violence would be a matter of investigation. The OIC has condemned the violence in Delhi and alleged discrimination against Muslims. The OIC, in a statement, said it "condemns the recent and alarming violence against Muslims in India, resulting in the death and injury of innocent people and the arson and vandalism of mosques and Muslim-owned properties". Calling the violence "heinous", the organisation extended its condolences to the families of the victims. The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed at least 34 lives and left over 200 people injured. Kabul Chaos: Afghan Election Dispute Could Spill Over Into Peace Process By Frud Bezhan February 26, 2020 Afghanistan has averted a full-blown political crisis after the two main contenders in a bitterly disputed presidential election -- each claiming victory -- agreed to back down from their escalating feud. Incumbent President Ashraf Ghani -- who was officially declared the winner -- agreed to postpone his inauguration, while his main challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, pledged to halt his attempts to set up a parallel government. The postponement could allow the U.S. and Afghan power brokers to mediate a solution to the standoff, which threatens to spill over into violence and derail the signing of a historic U.S.-Taliban peace deal on February 29. The agreement would pave the way for direct peace talks between the Taliban and a delegation consisting of government, opposition, and civil society members. The negotiations are scheduled to start in March. But observers said the election dispute could further complicate the government's naming of a delegation to negotiate with the Taliban, a process already mired in delays and disputes. 'Destabilizing Actions' Election authorities last week declared Ghani the winner of the September 28 presidential election -- with some 51 percent of the vote -- narrowly giving him an outright win over Abdullah, who was named runner-up with around 40 percent. The vote was marred by allegations of vote-rigging, technical problems with biometric devices used for voting, and militant attacks. Local election watchdogs also criticized the transparency of the vote. Abdullah -- who also lost the two previous presidential elections and currently serves as Afghanistan's chief executive officer -- slammed the result announced on February 18 as a "coup" and vowed to form "an all-inclusive government." Since then he has named his own governors in two northern provinces while his supporters have held rallies in three other provinces and in the capital, Kabul, in the past week. Abdullah and Ghani both planned to take separate oaths of office this week. Ghani agreed to postpone his inauguration by two weeks. Abdullah's team said they had also postponed their parallel swearing-in ceremony for a fortnight. The United States has stopped short of recognizing either man's claim of victory, urging them to resolve the dispute through "constitutional and legal procedures." U.S. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus urged the sides on February 25 to refrain from "the use or threat of violence" and form an "inclusive" government. In remarks aimed at Abdullah, Ortagus said Afghan leaders should "desist from taking destabilizing actions," including establishing unconstitutional "parallel government structures." Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said "we're on the cusp of an enormous, enormous political opportunity," referring to the U.S.-Taliban peace deal, adding that Washington would not let any group "spoil it." The remarks came after the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, spent a week shuttling between Ghani and Abdullah's offices and meeting with their key backers in an attempt to mediate a solution. 'Acts Of Violence' "The worst-case scenario would be if the crisis, which has remained largely rhetorical and political up to this point, progressed toward civil unrest or open acts of violence," said Andrew Watkins, a senior analyst for Afghanistan at the International Crisis Group. "As much as Abdullah's camp may continue to show signs of pressing forward with a 'parallel government,' there are not many visible signs that these moves are progressing toward open, violent contest," added Watkins. The best-case scenario, analysts said, would be a de-escalation between the two sides that would allow the government to function and the peace process to continue. "Without a compromise, it would be difficult to break the current stalemate which might take a turn for the worst," said Ali Adili, a researcher at the Afghanistan Analysts Network, an independent think tank in Kabul. "No one can afford such a scenario given the current opportunity for the signing of a peace deal between the U.S. and the Taliban as well as the start of an intra-Afghan negotiation process," he added. Adili said several compromises had been pushed by Abdullah's team and others who have rejected the election results. One would be to annul those results declaring Ghani the winner and continue with the current government until intra-Afghan negotiations with the Taliban produce a political settlement. Another possibility could be to accommodate those outside the current government within a new power-sharing framework. In 2014, a bitter, fraud-marred presidential election pushed Afghanistan to the brink of civil war before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry brokered a power-sharing deal between Ghani and Abdullah. The agreement created the new position of chief executive officer, given to Abdullah to assuage his doubts about the election results. Incentives For Both Sides The political infighting in Kabul has threatened to disrupt the proposed U.S.-Taliban deal that would mean the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, in what could be a major step toward ending the nearly 19-year war. As part of the deal, the Taliban is obliged to launch direct negotiations with the Western-backed Kabul government and other Afghans about a permanent cease-fire and a power-sharing agreement. Those intra-Afghan talks are slated to start in mid-March. But there are fears that the feud in Kabul could further complicate the naming of a delegation to negotiate with the militant group. Washington has called on the government to name "an inclusive, national negotiating team," amid accusations by opposition political figures that they were being sidelined from the process. Watkins said that, while the current electoral crisis could complicate the naming of an Afghan negotiating team, it could also provide impetus for all parties to resolve the dispute. "Without the intra-Afghan talks looming -- potentially just weeks away -- there might not have been as much incentive for either side to mediate and resolve [matters] among themselves," said Watkins. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan- election-dispute-ghani-abdullah -peace-process/30456566.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Luck finally ran out on Roorh Ram, who was leading a comfortable life in Canada after migrating there in 1998 allegedly using fake documents to get a visa, as the CBI arrested him recently on his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, officials said on Thursday. The Interpol had issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Ram in 2009, on a request from the CBI in an immigration racket case, they said. The CBI had in 1998 busted the racket run with the connivance of Preeti Ahluwalia Grover, Immigration Program Officer at the Canada High Commission, who was booked by the agency, they added. Ram had allegedly used their services in 1998 to illegally get a Canadian visitor visa, the officials said. When he arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport with his family on a Canadian passport in the wee hours of February 25, immigration authorities alerted the CBI about the pending RCN, after which the agency took him into custody, they said. A trial court had convicted Grover in 2017. Ram has been sent to police custody, the officials said. The agency had registered a case against Grover, the then Immigration Program Officer in visitor visa section in the Canada High Commission, and five others on January 21, 1999, they said. It is alleged that the accused committed various illegalities while issuing Canadian visitor visas to Indian nationals between March and June 1998, the officials added. The accused allegedly issued visas in favour of Roorh Ram and others based on false and fabricated documents as well as by circumventing the general issuance process, they said. The CBI alleged that the intention was to smuggle Indian nationals into Canada for pecuniary gains. The agency had filed a charge sheet against Grover on December 22, 2001, followed by a supplementary charge sheet on March 21, 2013 against Roorh Ram and others. Ram had comfortably settled in Canada and had acquired a Canadian passport, the officials said. "He must have thought that the case has gone cold after the conviction of the main accused, and he can skip immigration to meet his family. But a Red Corner Notice was issued against him which led to his arrest," an officer said. He said entry to the USA and Canada was the most prized achievement in the 90s when lots of Indians sold their land to go there. The agents in connivance with Grover offered such deals to enter Canada using illegal means for pecuniary gains, the officials said. Image Credits: PTI Millie was shot and stamped on before being rescued (Caters) An adorable puppy who has already endured a painful and cruel start to life can look forward to a safe and happy life after finding a forever home in the UK. One-year-old Millie has undergone life-changing surgery after she was shot in the face multiple times and suffered severe facial injuries from what was most likely someone deliberately stamping on her. Millie or snot monster as she is affectionately named by her rescuer, Kasey Carlin was born a stray in Russia and found dying on the streets by animal activists. When Millie was rescued from the cold, she was attempting to claw the rotten mess of her snout away from her own face. The puppy was left with a disfigured face following her ordeal (Caters) Millies horrendous journey came to the attention of Carlin, a guardian angel for disadvantaged dogs. After weeks of begging, fundraising, and sending email after email to the Russian animal sanctuary Vyberimenya where Millie was based, Carlin was able to negotiate Millies evacuation to the UK with the help of her employers, the Wild At Heart Foundation, an animal rescue organisation looking to tackle the worlds 600 million stray dog population. Read more: Boy, 17, denies strangling teaching assistant to death Since arriving in the UK a little over a month ago, Millie has undergone surgeries to help her lead a normal life. Her right eye was removed as it was underdeveloped after bullet shrapnel became embedded during her torturous formative months and she had a new nose attached. Kasey Carlin rescued Millie and brought her to the UK to live. (Caters) Carlin, who is from the US state of Indiana but moved to England a decade ago, said: When I saw her, I just fell in love with her instantaneously. She had no nose and a tube to help her breathe and smell but she was just so happy in her videos. My heart melted and I had to have her. Speaking about the condition she found Millie in, Carlin went on: When she was picked up, her face was just totally shattered, a complete mess. Read more: Disgruntled worker who drove digger into Travelodge jailed She was trying to claw away the rotting mulch where her nose had been. Its possible that she was hit by a car but its much more likely she was stamped on as her injuries are almost all on her face. Story continues Millie's skull showed the extent of her injuries (Caters) There were several bullets in her too. Were not sure if she was used as target practice before or if someone tried and failed to euthanise her its more likely to be the former sadly. After multiple operations, Millie is now living with Carlin and three other dogs at her home in Brighton. Read more: Streatham terrorist died after being shot in neck and abdomen, inquest hears Carlin added: I love all my pets equally and theyre just normal dogs, none of them suffer at all. They eat, drink, and play like any other dog. Theyre super happy and they make everyone they meet happy too. The one-year-old was born a stray in Russia and left to die on the streets (Caters) Considering everything theyve been through, their spirit just constantly overwhelms me. They have so much love to give and they just want to be around people making them happy. Theyre perfect. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK NEWTOWN BOROUGH >> The Newtown Borough Council welcomes the new year with three new members of council and a new borough mayor. District Court Judge Mick Petrucci was on hand on January 3 to administer the oath of office to the towns new mayor, Republican John Burke, who replaces longtime mayor Charles Corky Swartz who decided not to run for... At least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed in the Syrian province of Idlib today in an escalating confrontation between Russian-backed Syrian forces on one side and Turkish forces and their Sunni rebel allies on the other, marking the highest number of Turkish losses in a single day since the start of the civil conflict in Syria nine years ago. The governor of the border province of Hatay who revealed the figures blamed the deaths on an air attack by the Syrian regime. Speaking after an emergency national security meeting convened by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, presidential communications director Fahrettin Altun pledged that Turkey's soldiers would be avenged. "Our operations in the Syrian theater will continue until the blood soaked hands taking aim at our flag are broken. The decision to retaliate with far greater force against the illegitimate [Syrian] regime that pointed its guns at our soldiers has been made." An unnamed Turkish official told the Reuters news agency that Turkey had decided to no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe by land or by sea. The move is widely seen as an attempt to pressure Western intervention in the conflict. Meanwhile, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin spoke to US national security advisor Robert O'Brien over the telephone and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made a seperate call to NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg. Details of where the strike occurred remain murky, though initial reports suggested that it was in a small village on the outskirts of Saraqeb. A Turkish supply convoy was reportedly struck as well. The reports followed claims in the Russian media today that Turkish military operators had targeted Russian and Syrian air force planes with shoulder fired missiles known as MANPADS. Crowds of people gathered around a hospital in Reyhanli in the Hatay province where the wounded were said to have been transported. Aaron Stein, director of the Middle East program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia, said, Ankara is in a bind. They have to do something, but doing something means tangling with a more powerful adversary, Russia. Aaron told Al-Monitor, They must be thinking they can try and calibrate a response to try and keep Russia out of it. They also must be thinking this may not be possible, so we are going to need help from our allies. There are few signs though that either the United States or Turkeys other NATO allies will intervene in a conflict they view as being largely of Turkeys own making. Stein continued, Russia can tailor an escalation in a number of ways. It can make life miserable for Turkish forces in Syria, either by bombing supply lines or by extending the fight into areas Ankara occupies and administers along the border. Erdogan showed no signs of backing down from a full-blown war with Russian-backed Syrian forces earlier today, claiming the situation in Syrias northwest province of Idlib has turned in our favor. Addressing members of his Justice and Development Party, prior to the nocturnal carnage, Erdogan vowed to press on, saying, We have three martyrs, may they rest in peace. But the regime forces losses are far greater. Erdogans comments followed news that Turkeys Syrian rebel allies had recaptured the strategic town of Saraqeb, severing the regimes control of the M5 highway linking Damascus to Aleppo. It would mark their first gain since government forces began their latest offensive to regain full control over the province dominated by former al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The city of Saraqeb has been liberated completely from [Bashar al-]Assads gangs," said Naji Mustafa, spokesman for a coalition of rebel factions called the National Liberation Front. Photos posted by pro-rebel accounts showed triumphant Turkish-backed fighters inside the town. They included Ali Jaber Pasha, the leader of the powerful jihadi militia Ahrar al-Sham, who was filmed walking near Saraqebs main roundabout. But an unnamed Russian official quoted by the Russian press denied that Saraqeb had fallen, saying government forces had repelled the attack. An unidentified Turkish official subsequently told Reuters that Syrian government forces backed by Russian airpower had launched a counter attack, leaving Erdogans claims of a reversal somewhat shaky. The fate of the town that was taken by the Syrian army three weeks ago, triggering Turkeys massive response as many as 15,000 Turkish forces are believed to have been deployed to Idlib remained unclear as of time of publication. Today's losses bring the number of Turkish soldiers killed in Idlib to 52 since the start of February. Several reportedly died in Russian airstrikes, though Turkey is loath to admit so, and the death toll will likely rise unless Ankara and Moscow strike a deal. Russia controls the skies over Idlib, giving the Syrian army a big strategic advantage over the Turkish air force. The fundamental problem is that when a diffuse insurgent group clumps together, it makes them easier to kill, noted Stein. Russian state television claimed Turkish military advisers were using shoulder-fired missiles to try to shoot down Russian and Syrian military aircraft above Idlib. Russia will switch now to higher altitude bombing. [Saraqeb] may be in rebel hands but Id guess that will invite more punishment. And that punishment will prevent the return of IDPs, the main issue Ankara has with the offensive, Stein said. This is pyrrhic, if you ask me. The conventional wisdom thus far is that Erdogan is playing a game of brinksmanship with Russia. His main concern is that further regime advances would lead to over 900,000 civilians, half of them children, pushed up against the Turkish border to cross into Turkey. Erdogans popularity has taken a hit as resentment against nearly four million Syrian refugees already inside Turkey grows. Our surveys consistently show that nearly 80% of respondents say they want Syrian refugees to go home, said a Turkish pollster who declined to be identified because of confidentiality clauses with his clients. Its become existential for Erdogan. Erdogan may well believe that Putin would be unwilling to forsake friendship with Turkey over Syria. It's allowed Russia to drive a wedge in NATO through the sale of S-400 missiles to Ankara, among other things. He may also believe that a growing humanitarian crisis, the gravest since the start of the conflict nine years ago, may shame the United States into intervening in some way. US officials, most recently Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in his remarks yesterday, consistently rule the possibility out. The Donald Trump administration faces significant barriers in responding to the situation in Idlib, US officials say. Speaking at a closed-door event in Washington on Thursday, Richard Outzen, a senior State Department advisor on Syria, said that the US lacks the legal authority to ground Assads air force or to shoot down Syrian warplanes, attendees told Al-Monitor. Meanwhile, the US administration is considering sending a high-level delegation to Turkey next week to look at the situation on the border that could include US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft and State Department envoy for Syria engagement Jim Jeffrey, two sources said. On Thursday at the off-the-record event at the Turkish Heritage Organization, a pro-government think tank, Outzen called for the international community to support Turkey and said the US would provide resources for humanitarian assistance, the attendees said. Since becoming president, Erdogan has surrounded himself with people who dont dare to tell him, You are making a mistake. Now hes left with a circle of bootlickers who are mostly so ignorant they cant even tell that he is making mistakes, said an Ankara-based source with close knowledge of Erdogans inner circle. And so Erdogan keeps testing the limits of Russias patience, apparently undeterred by Turkish soldiers now being killed by Russian planes. But Putin shows no signs of budging and the Kremlin denied today that the Russian president would meet Erdogan March 5 for face to face talks after a putative summit of Russian, Turkish, German and French leaders in Istanbul was scrapped. Putin has other work plans for March 5, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Meanwhile, efforts at shuttle diplomacy have failed so far. A Russian delegation headed by Vladimir Putins special envoy for Syria Sergey Vershinin has been in talks in Ankara since yesterday but there was no breakthrough yet again. Turkeys Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the sides were working on allowing access for Turkish drones, presumably to protect more than a dozen observation posts manned by Turkish forces under the terms of a 2018 cease-fire agreement struck between Erdogan and Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. But today's events will have buried any such hopes which were unrealistic to start with. Erdogan has set a Feb. 29 deadline for Syrian troops to pull back to the Sochi-delineated positions. With three days left and neither side backing down, its becoming unnervingly unclear how far they are willing to go. After todays Turkish losses, Erdogan will be forced to respond or lose credibility. Either way, its increasingly looking like a lose lose for Ankara. Additional reporting by Pentagon correspondent Jack Detsch. Editor's note: This article has been updated since its initial publication. BindTech has never looked better, with new branding and in partnership with Roswell Bookbinding Co-owner and CEO of BindTech, John Helline, expressed his vision for the future. This industry is evolving, and our firm will remain out front because of our innovative philosophy for growth and continuous expansion of reach by partnering with the best in the industry, such as Roswell Bookbinding. Signet LLCs family of graphic arts operating companies has expanded throughout the Midwest over the past five years with the acquisitions of Riverside Group in New York (15), PSSC in Massachusetts (15), BindTech in Tennessee (17), and Specialty Bindery in Tennessee (19). As of September 2019, their growth has expanded west with the acquisition of Arizona-based Roswell Bookbinding. Roswell Bookbinding has nearly 70 years of excellence in the trade with a one-of-a-kind combination of the latest high-speed technology and old-world hand binding craftsmanship. This allows the bindery to accomplish projects that no one else in the country can do, such as specialized restoration/conservation, short runs, prototype, luxury packaging, unique materials, and oversized projects. By adding Roswell Bookbinding to our family of post-press service companies, we grow deeper and wider in our service offering, said Chad Dillon, Vice President of Operations and Sales at BindTech. It is not just continued business as usual for Roswell Bookbinding clients. Together, we combine our strengths and minimize our weaknesses to gain further reach, more capacity, disaster planning, shared logistics, and the best service to our marketplace for all their needs. Signet LLC will maintain Roswell Bookbindings strong brand equity as well as their entire team, including President, Mike Roswell. Roswell is the second-generation leader of Roswell Bookbinding and looks forward to the expansion of resources in the partnership. The timing was right and my comfort level with the vision of Signet leadership made it a no-brainer, Roswell said of the acquisition. The Signet LLC team is honest, aggressive, and knowledgeable. Having them as a sounding board and being part of something bigger is a smart step forward for my company and my loyal clients. Roswell Bookbinding was established in 1960 in Phoenix, Arizona by Mark and Iris Roswell. The original focus of the company was on Library Binding, with binding service initially provided to private and public libraries statewide in Arizona. Edition Binding was added in the late 1960s, and the family-owned business has grown steadily over the past five decades. Mike Roswell, the son of the founders, has been involved in the business for 40 years, expanding it both nationally and internationally. With the acquisition comes the Arizona-based facility, taking the current total footprint of the Signet LLC graphic arts group to 350,000 square feet in manufacturing and warehousing and over 250 employees nationwide. This depth leads to a strong pool of talent, abilities, and bench strength within Signet LLC. The post press production industry is experiencing consolidation, but we know that it will never go away, said Anthony (Tony) Manna, Chairman of Signet LLC. Partnering with strong and well-respected industry leaders like Roswell Bookbinding with unique craft expertise keeps us at the forefront of this critical market. Co-owner and CEO of BindTech, John Helline, expressed his vision for the future, This industry is evolving, and our firm will remain out front because of our innovative philosophy for growth and continuous expansion of reach by partnering with the best in the industry, such as Roswell Bookbinding. Signets graphic arts expansion is rolling out in parallel with BindTechs updated brand look and website. Visit http://www.bindtechinc.com to learn more and see their new branding. About Signet LLC Signet brings an innovative, unconventional approach to global investment that embodies creativity and forward thinking to achieve long-term success. With leadership and expertise in the areas of project structuring, capital formation, operational investment and management, we tailor strategy and resources to meet each unique opportunity. Boundless in ideas and tactics, Signet has spent 20+ years crafting collaborative partnerships that advance initiatives in real estate, diversified manufacturing, health and wellness, emerging technologies, investment banking and finance. Learn more at https://www.signetllc.com/. About BindTech LLC Book binding is a family tradition at BindTech. Over four generations of excellence in this trade, and over 68 years of continued experience has earned our employees the title of "Master Craftsmen. From coast to coast, BindTech services major printers and publishers throughout the United States. From perfect binding to deluxe gilded edge leather binding, and everything in between, attention to detail is sewn in every stitch, and time-honored traditions of binding are performed by employees who each day stand behind our name. With operating plants in Nashville, Cleveland, and Church Hill, BindTech's commitment to quality and service has earned a trusted name throughout the Graphic Arts industry, a name which will forever preserve the ties that bind. Visit http://www.bindtechinc.com. About Roswell Bookbinding Roswell Bookbinding is an Arizona-based company with almost 60 years of bookbinding experience. We are proud to offer a variety of skillfully crafted bookbinding solutions. Roswell is the only bindery in North America that incorporates the latest high-speed technology combined with Old World hand binding craftsmanship. This enables us to provide specialized services including trade binding, luxury packaging, restoration/conservation, short runs, prototype, and specialty binding with clients in all 50 states and all Canadian provinces. Learn more at http://www.roswellbookbinding.com. About Publishers Storage & Shipping LLC For nearly 50 years, Publishers Storage and Shipping has provided end-to-end service solutions for inventory management requirements for publishers. With a deep knowledge of the industry, over 300,000 square feet of warehouse space, modern technology and a team of experts, PSSC meets the unique needs of the publishing industry. PSSC has established warehouses in Massachusetts, Michigan and Tennessee. Learn more at http://www.pssc.com. Regime and Russian warplanes have hit schools and nurseries in Idlib province, leaving at least 21 people dead reports Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Schools and nurseries in Idlib province were targeted in air strikes in northwest Syria on Tuesday, in a wave of bombing by regime and Russian forces that left at least 21 people dead. Six schools and two nurseries were hit in a wave of airstrikes in and around Idlib city on Tuesday, as the regime intensified its offensive on the opposition province, backed by Russian warplanes. Three teachers and a pupil were killed and six children seriously injured when a cluster bomb exploded in a playground, just as classrooms were being emptied due to heavy air raids in the area, according to The Guardian. We have been working under a state of emergency for two weeks due to the escalation in regime and Russian attacks on Idlib city Two of our teachers are now in a critical condition. Parents rushed to the school horrified and looking for their children, who were still in shock, a teacher told the British daily. Three medical facilities and a number of refugee camps were also targeted in bombing, according to the Syrian Response Coordination Group. It said that the silence by the international community regarding the Syrian regime offensive was an open invitation for the deadly assault to continue. Three more people were killed in Idlib province on Wednesday, as the regime bombardment continued. Regime forces captured Kafranbel on Tuesday, a town at the heart of revolutionary movement in northwest Syria with activists creating satirical, humorous and stinging placards about the war and global apathy. Other villages in Idlib province were also captured, as the regime continue their advance in the opposition province. But rebel forces, backed by Turkey, have made advances around Saraqeb, an important Idlib town given the location on the M4 and M5 highways. The regime intensified their assault on Idlib province in December, with around a million people displaced in a wave of bombing by the Russian-backed force. The humanitarian situation in northern Idlib is grim, where hundreds of thousands of children and their mothers have been forced to sleep in open fields or on the streets in sub-zero conditions. With families unable to find even a tent or temporary shelter due to overcrowding at camps in northern Idlib, children have frozen to death. Aid agencies fear the situation will collapse as the regime advance continues forcing thousands more to flee north Turkey and airstrikes approach the densely-packed Turkish border zone. 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. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 17:03 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206703343 4 National COVID-19,Sebaru-Island,coronavirus,Diamond-Princess,Japan,evacuation,cruise-ship,quarantine Free After a week of mulling over the best course of action, the government has made the decision to repatriate 68 Indonesian crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Yokohama, Japan. Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy said 68 out of the 78 Indonesian citizens on the cruise ship would be taken home by air, without specifying whether they would be flown out in a commercial or military airplane. What is important now is [the evacuation] would be carried out using an aircraft. The evacuation will occur after we coordinate over the time of the evacuation with the Japanese government, the minister said in his office on Thursday as quoted by kompas.com. Family member shows a picture of their son Dimas Wahyu Pratama who is still aboard the Diamond Princess in Need, Mojosongo, Boyolali, Central Java, Wednesday (2/26/2020). (Antara/Aloysius Jarot Nugroho ) Two Indonesian crew members who were declared healthy chose to stay in Japan, while the eight who tested positive for the coronavirus were still under treatment in Japan. Read also: Coronavirus: Indonesian citizens aboard Diamond Princess to be put in 28-day quarantine after returning home Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said initially that nine people tested positive. However, she later confirmed that authorities found that one of the nine had in fact tested negative, meaning only eight Indonesians aboard the ship were infected. The evacuation is voluntary. If our citizens decide to stay there, we cannot force them to be evacuated, Retno said. Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto said the 68 Indonesians would be quarantined on the largely uninhabited Sebaru Island in Thousand Islands regency, Jakarta, upon returning to Indonesia. Aerial photo of Sebaru Kecil Island in the Thousand Islands, Jakarta, Monday (2/26/2020). (Antara/Akbar Nugroho Gumay) The island will hold in quarantine 188 Indonesian crew members of the World Dream cruise ship, which suspended its operations after docking in Hong Kong and spending days in quarantine at the Kai Tak Cruise terminal earlier this month. The crew was picked up by the Dr. Soeharso naval hospital ship in the Durian Strait, Karimun, Riau Islands, on Wednesday afternoon and transported to Sebaru Island for observation. They [Diamond Princess crew] will be put on the same island [as the World Dream crew]. However, the quarantine zones and buildings will be separated, Terawan said. Read also: BNPB promises better facilities for quarantined World Dream crew members The government has been in discussions with its Japanese counterpart regarding the technicalities of the evacuation. The Indonesian government previously said evacuating citizens from the Diamond Princess would risk the spread of infection. [We are] being careful and considering [the possible consequences] in handling the situation. We cannot be pressured or in a hurry [] All decisions must be thought out carefully, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said on Wednesday. Japanese authorities quarantined the 3,711 passengers and crew members of the Diamond Princess for two weeks from Feb. 5. By the time the quarantine was over 14 days later, 634 of those aboard tested positive for the coronavirus. Before the decision to repatriate the Indonesians aboard the Diamond Princess was announced, the crew members had expressed hope that the government would airlift them home to prevent any further chance of infection. (syk) PHILIPSBURG:--- During the recent working visit of District Governor Denise Forrest, the Sint. Maarten Lions Club named Honorable Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs as an honorary member of the club. The official pinning of the special distinction was done when District 60Bs District Governor Lion Denise Forrest visited the Prime Ministers Office as is customary when a District Governor visits clubs in various countries and islands. The Sint. Maarten Lions Club President Lion Oralie Boirard, 2nd Vice District Governor Lion Claudio Buncamper, and Past District Governor Lion Maxime Larmonie also accompanied the Lions District Governor to the Prime Ministers office. The Sint. Maarten Lions Club bestowed this honorary membership on Prime Minister Jacobs for the assistance that she had given the club by presenting a law amendment while as member of Parliament as far back as 2015, which ultimately raised the legal drinking age from 16 to 18 years of age and is now in effect since the September 2019. As Parliaments Chairperson of the Education Committee of Parliament at the time, Silveria Jacobs took the initiative to meet further with the legal representatives of the Lions and got outside legal advice on changing the Permit Ordinance. The amendment prohibits businesses in the country from selling or serving alcohol to minors below the age of 18. The amendment was unanimously passed by parliament in November 2018. A similar law already exists in French St. Martin. The amendment to the law was Jacobs initiative and at the time of its passing was the second initiative law from an MP to be passed in parliament since its existence. A honorary member is not a member of the Lions Club but may be granted honorary membership by a Lions Club for having performed outstanding service for the community which in this case the Sint. Maarten Lions Club felt Prime Minister Jacobs so rightly deserved for her hard work and dedication towards the safe guarding the youth of Sint. Maarten from alcohol abuse at a young age. Louis A. Craco, a white-shoe lawyer who in the 1980s helped to expand the pool of volunteer attorneys providing free legal services to people in New York City who could not afford them, died on Feb. 15 in Manhasset, N.Y. He was 86. The cause was a stroke, his son William Craco said. Mr. Craco (pronounced CRAY-koh), a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, was a founder in 1984 of Volunteers of Legal Service, a program that more than doubled the amount of time private lawyers donated to public interest work. It had been formed in part to make up for cutbacks by the Reagan administration in federal legal services for the poor. At the time, he was president of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York at 50, the youngest ever to hold that post. Under the program, law firms and corporate legal departments, which together employed 5,000 lawyers, agreed to provide 30 volunteer hours a year per lawyer, mostly to cases involving civil fraud, landlord-tenant disputes and wrongful denial of government benefits. The Allahabad High Court on Thursday directed the Uttar Pradesh government to develop a mechanism to monitor security in courts across the state through CCTV cameras. A division bench comprising justices Sudhir Agarwal and Suneet Kumar also said that arrangements must be made so that no one can enter courts without a biometric card. Additional Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Avanish Awasthi, who was present in the court, informed the bench that a proposal for biometric cards has already been sent to the state government. The court also made it clear that no one except security personnel should be permitted to enter court premises with arms. Taking suo moto cognisance of a murder accused being shot dead inside a courtroom in Bijnor last year, the court had directed the state government to consider deploying special trained forces in court compounds, constructing boundary walls for courts and not allowing entry of lawyers and litigants without a valid identity card. Issuing these directives, the court had observed,"Now, even judicial officers are not safe since incidents are taking place in court rooms. It is high time that immediate steps must be taken. We cannot afford to delay and defer the matter." The murder accused, Shahnawaz, was killed in an attack inside a Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in Bijnor on December 17, 2019. Two policemen were also injured in the attack. Later, three persons were arrested in connection with the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Germany's highest court on Thursday upheld a ban on headscarves for Muslim trainee lawyers in courts, finding that the requirement of maintaining religious neutrality was justified. The Federal Constitutional Court's ruling came after a Frankfurt-born German-Moroccan legal trainee filed a challenge to Hesse state's rules. In the western state, trainees who keep their headscarves on are not allowed to take on tasks in which they may be seen to be acting as representatives of the judiciary or the state. This means for instance that headscarf-wearing trainees are not allowed to sit on the judges' bench as they observe proceedings like other trainees, but would need to follow the process from the floor. Likewise, they are not allowed to take evidence or lead hearings. Thursday's ruling was expected to impact a wider debate on the issue in Germany, where around 4.5 million Muslims live and where rules on use of the hijab headwear differ between the 16 federal states. German national law bans all civil servants from covering their faces, including with Muslim niqabs and burkas -- except for health and safety reasons, such as fire-fighters wearing breathing masks. But there is no nationwide ban on civil servants wearing the hijab and many states weigh the trade-off between freedom of religion and civil servants' neutrality rules on a case-by-case basis. A Berlin labour court in 2018 barred a teacher who wore the headscarf from teaching primary school classes, but found the she could continue teaching older vocational students in a public secondary school in the German capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bengal govt, SC rights panel at logger heads over visit to State to probe atrocities against Dalits Bengal vs Centre: Why the former Chief Secretary is bound by Centres rules WB planning to opt out of Centre's 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme India oi-PTI Kolkata, Feb 27: The West Bengal government is planning to opt out of the Centre's 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme due to "differences of opinion" with the central government, a state minister said on Thursday. Under the scheme, beneficiaries can buy subsidised foodgrains from ration shops in any part of the country. The system ensures that no poor is deprived of PDS entitlement even if that person shifts from one place to another. "We have not received any intimation from the central government in connection with its 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme. There is no question of joining them (the Centre) in this matter," state Food Minister Jyotipriya Mallick told PTI. Citing "differences of opinion" with the Centre, the minister said the West Bengal government has already spent around Rs 200 crore for issuing digital ration cards. "Who will give the amount back to us? We will not be implementing it ('One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme)." Amid Delhi violence, all police stations in West Bengal put on high alert "Other than that, there is a huge amount of fund which we are due to receive from the central government... It has reached Rs 6,000 crore," he said. Fund allocation to West Bengal is not the same as that of states like Punjab, though the eastern state happens to be the highest procurer of paddy in the country, Mallick said. "There is complete discrepancy which cannot be understood," the food minister said. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 The Centre has given states and Union Territories (UTs) time till June 30, 2020 to roll out the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme. Already 10 states -- Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharasthra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tripura -- are providing portability of Public Distribution System (PDS) entitlements, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had said last month. The state government is also yet to implement the central government's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Under the AB-PMJAY launched in 2018, the central government aims to provide health protection cover to 50 crore poor people. Since 2016, the state government has floated a group health protection scheme named 'Swasthya Sathi'. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 12:25 [IST] The Geological Survey of India (GSI) on Saturday said there has been no discovery of gold deposits estimated to be around 3,000 tonnes in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, as claimed by a district mining official. Such data was not given by anybody from GSI.... GSI has not estimated such kind of vast resource of gold deposits in Sonbhadra district, GSI Director General (DG) M Sridhar told PTI in Kolkata this evening. We share our findings regarding any resources of ore after conducting survey with the state units.... We (GSI, Northern Region) had carried out work in that region in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. The report was shared with UP DGM for information and further necessary action, he said. The exploration works of the GSI for gold was not satisfactory and the results were not encouraging to come up with major resources for gold in Sonbhadra district, he added. Sonbhadra district mining officer K K Rai had said on Friday that the gold deposits were found in Son Pahadi and Hardi areas of the district. The deposits in Son Pahadi are estimated to be around 2,943.26 tonnes, while that at Hardi block are around 646.16 kilogram, the official said. Rejecting the claim, Sridhar said that in its report after exploration in the district the GSI has estimated a probable category resource of 52,806.25 tonnes of ore with 3.03 grams per tonne gold (average grade) for a strike length of 170m in Sub- Block-H, Son Pahadi of Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The mineralised zone having an average grade of 3.03 grams per tonne of gold is tentative in nature and the total gold which can be extracted from the total resource of 52,806.25 tonnes of ore is approximately 160 kg and not 3,350 tonnes as mentioned in the media, the DG clarified. The GSI is headquartered in Kolkata. China's rocket-carrying ships back from missions PLA Daily Source: Xinhuanet Editor: Huang Panyue 2020-02-26 21:42:05 NANJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese rocket-carrying ships returned to the port of China Satellite Maritime Tracking and Controlling Department Wednesday after missions of transporting the Long March rockets. The Yuanwang-21 set out on Dec. 30, 2019, and completed a maritime transport of the Long March-7A rocket, a new generation of China's medium-sized high-orbit rocket. Afterward, the ship worked together with the Yuanwang-22 to transport the Long March-5B Y1 rocket to the launch site in southern China's Hainan Province. The rocket is expected to make its maiden flight carrying the prototype of China's new manned spaceship in April. "The Yuanwang 21 set a record with a 59-day voyage sailing more than 8,000 nautical miles in a single mission," said Li Jin, captain of the carrying ship. The two Yuanwang ships are China's first ships made exclusively to carry rockets. Crew members of the two ships will examine facilities and conducted rehearsals, preparing for intensive rocket transport missions this year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Remind , the leading communication platform in education, today announced the YMCA of Metro Chicago as a major new enterprise customer. With 18 YMCAs in the Chicagoland area, the Y plans to use Remind to support communication for more than 7,000 community members across its programs and centers, including staff, students, and families. By providing two-way messaging with administrator oversight, the Remind plan allows schools, districts, and organizations like the YMCA of Metro Chicago to streamline communication and improve engagement at every level of a community. To learn more, visit www.remind.com/plans . About Remind: Remind , the leading communication platform in education, helps educators reach students and parents where they are. With easy-to-use features that allow schools, districts, and other educational organizations to activate engagement across their communities, Remind connects the people and resources that help give every student the opportunity to succeed. Founded in 2011, Remind is backed by GSV Acceleration, Kleiner Perkins, Owl Ventures, and Social Capital. Contact: Jennifer Liu, [email protected] SOURCE Remind Visakhapatnam, Feb 27 : Tension prevailed at the Visakhapatnam Airport on Thursday as ruling YSRCP workers gathered there to protest against leader of opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu's visit to the coastal city. Large number of Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supporters, also reached the airport to welcome their party chief. Naidu was arriving on his first visit to the port city after it was declared the executive capital by YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government last month. Carrying party flags and banners, TDP leaders and workers reached the airport to welcome Naidu. YSRCP workers also gathered there to protest against Naidu's visit. Holding black flags, they were raising slogans of "Babu go back". YSRCP leaders said the former chief minister had no moral right to visit Visakhapatnam after opposing it as the executive capital. Naidu is leading the movement to demand that Amaravati be retained as the only state capital. There was a huge mobilization of police personnel outside the airport to prevent clashes between the two groups. Police have denied permission to the TDP chief for taking out a rally from the airport to Pendurthy. Naidu, however, has vowed to go ahead with his two-day visit to north Andhra region. While heading for Vizianagaram district, he is scheduled to stop at Pendurthy to meet the people, whose lands were being acquired by the government for housing for poor scheme. The state Assembly last month passed two Bills for decentralization of state capital. Visakhapatnam and Kurnool will be developed as the two other capitals in addition to Amaravati. Visakhapatnam will be developed as the executive capital while Kurnool will be developed as judicial capital. The state Assembly will continue to function in Amaravati. Is Bernie Sanders really going to be the Democrats' presidential nominee? It may seem strange for me to highlight any doubts on that score. Sanders has already achieved something no prior candidate ever has he won the popular vote in each of the first three contests and his margin of victory has only increased with each state. But while Sanders is the clear leader in national polls and delegate accumulation, he's still a long way from putting the nomination to bed. And the odds of nobody winning a majority of delegates rated at 42 percent by the folks at FiveThirtyEight may actually still be underestimated. We now have a number of polls from Super Tuesday states and beyond that reflect Sanders' strong victory in Nevada, as well as Mike Bloomberg's dismal debate performance in Las Vegas. And they tell a very mixed story about the upcoming contests. On the one hand, Sanders is way ahead in California, polling in the mid-30s against a very fragmented field where most of his competition doesn't clear the 15 percent threshold for getting delegates. There hasn't been much if any recent polling of Colorado, Utah, Vermont, and Maine, but based on demographic factors alone Sanders would be favored to win each of those states by comfortable margins. But beyond those states, the picture is much murkier and much less-favorable to Sanders. Biden leads or ties for the lead in the two most recent polls of North Carolina. He also leads in the most recent poll of Oklahoma, as well as Missouri, which votes after Super Tuesday but whose demographics make it useful for predicting states like Arkansas and Tennessee that haven't been polled recently. Those polls are especially remarkable given that Biden has been largely absent from the airwaves, and has had no really positive headlines, while Sanders has racked up three straight wins and Bloomberg has been bombarding these states with ads. There is a very plausible world, in other words, in which Biden wins South Carolina and goes on to win at least five and perhaps as many as seven additional Southern and border states on Super Tuesday. Who's the frontrunner then? Story continues It depends. Because of the proportional allocation of delegates, it matters a great deal who comes in second or third, and how well they perform. In recent polling of California, Elizabeth Warren is in second place and rising and polling strongly enough that she has a good chance of earning a respectable share of the delegates. Even a quarter of California's 415 delegates would be worth more than the entire delegate slate from Warren's home state of Massachusetts. A win there coupled with a strong second in California and a smattering of delegates from Colorado, Texas, and elsewhere might be enough for Warren to believe that she could wield some influence at the convention. In the Southern and border states where Biden looks strongest, meanwhile, his closest competition is as likely to be Bloomberg as Sanders. In the most recent polls, Bloomberg runs a strong second in Oklahoma and Missouri, and he was tied for the lead in one North Carolina poll while rating a strong third in the other. If he is able to convert those polls into votes, Bloomberg could take a real bite out of Biden's delegate haul even if he wins not a single state. The most recent polling of Texas and Virginia is particularly striking, for those are the states where the Super Tuesday narrative is likely to be decided. In a post-Nevada poll from Public Policy Polling, Biden and Sanders were tied for the lead in Texas, with Bloomberg a strong third and Warren nipping at Bloomberg's heels. Without Bloomberg in the race, Biden would have a clear lead, and Warren would be a closer third behind Sanders. In Virginia, the last pre-Nevada poll had Bloomberg tied with Sanders for first place, with Biden close behind, and while a new poll shows the state turning sharply in Sanders' direction, a Biden win in South Carolina could well tip the scales back again. A very realistic scenario after Super Tuesday, then, looks something like this. Sanders is the clear delegate leader; a big haul from California makes that almost certain, particularly given that he should earn delegates in states across the South even if he comes in third. But he might have won fewer states than Biden, and no states outside of the West and Northeast. While Biden may have won more states, though, and states worth more delegates in aggregate than those Sanders won, a strong Bloomberg showing could mean that his actual delegate haul is relatively modest, maybe as little as half of what Sanders brings home. And if Warren performs strongly in California and Massachusetts, and Klobuchar wins her home state of Minnesota, no candidate may have accumulated more than a third of the total delegates allocated. What happens then? It's hard to say. Since the Democratic Party may resist coalescing around a registered independent like Sanders and Bloomberg will never have to drop out of the race for lack of funds, a three-way or even four-, five- or six-way contest could well continue to play out well past March 3. In that case, the calendar isn't going to settle anything. Sanders would be favored to win Michigan and Washington, the two biggest delegate prizes on March 10. But he would be expected to lose badly in Missouri and Mississippi. On March 17, Sanders would likely lose Florida a poor state for him even before his comments on Castro and AIPAC made headlines, and one of Bloomberg's best states. But he can't be assured to win either Illinois or Ohio, both of which have characteristics that make them plausible wins for Biden, especially if he had done well on Super Tuesday. Sanders could expect to win Wisconsin and Oregon, but lose Louisiana and Georgia to Biden. And then come New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, all states where either Biden or Bloomberg could potentially outpace him. Sanders could mop up delegates in a number of smaller states, like New Mexico and Rhode Island, along the way but he could also lose smaller states, like Kentucky, where the demographics are less-favorable to his coalition. A true nightmare scenario is all too possible: Sanders limps into Milwaukee as the clear delegate leader, well ahead of Biden and Bloomberg, but with well under 40 percent of the delegates, having lost the entire South, including Texas, Florida, and Virginia, much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, and half of the Midwest. That outcome would be the worst possible result for the Democratic Party, which would have to choose between anointing an extraordinarily weak nominee or essentially invalidating the primaries. I can think of only two plausible ways such an outcome could be averted: if either Sanders breaks through or Biden consolidates. Sanders could break through on Super Tuesday with a decisive win in Texas. Even one win in a somewhat-Southern state would make Sanders the only candidate with truly national support. And as Texas is the second-largest delegate prize of the day, and the third-largest of the entire primary season, the victory would make it all but impossible for Biden to spin a scenario that he is actually the frontrunner. The fact that Sanders went to El Paso immediately after Nevada and then barnstormed across the state strongly suggests his campaign concurs about the vital importance of Texas. The task of the national party, in that circumstance, would be to make it clear that even if Sanders isn't their preferred nominee, he will have the party's support if he wins, and that there will be no organized effort by the party to stop him. The odds are that such a message would lead to natural consolidation by voters in later primaries around the clearly-leading candidate. Biden could consolidate by sweeping the South, and denying Bloomberg any victories on Super Tuesday. At that point, there would be no plausible path forward for Bloomberg to come in first or second in the delegate haul, to say nothing of Warren, Buttigieg, or Klobuchar. If the party wants the voters to decide, they should want the race to quickly narrow to a two-person contest at that point. They can make that happen simply by declaring that the convention is not going to be wide open. Either the delegate leader is going to be the nominee, or the laggards are going to be expected to align their support with one of the leaders in what would effectively be a ranked-choice vote by proxy. That should foreclose the possibility of Bloomberg buying the nomination, giving him a strong incentive to stand down, and leave it to Sanders and Biden to contest the remaining states through Milwaukee. The party doesn't have to decide the voters can and should. But the party needs to decide, and soon, how they are going to satisfy the voters that they have been heard, so that they can come together at the convention and not tear the party apart. Want more essential commentary and analysis like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for The Week's "Today's best articles" newsletter here. More stories from theweek.com Harvard scientist predicts coronavirus will infect up to 70 percent of humanity Afghanistan is cautiously optimistic about U.S.-Taliban peace deal What it's like to be in Venice during coronavirus lockdown WINDHOEK, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Choosing a career as a young man was very difficult for 21-year-old Namibian Festus Haulonjaba who is now a seasoned electrician at the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The international Chinese state-owned company changed his life six years ago when they offered him an opportunity to build a career and receive training in electricity installation. Taking a leap of faith, the young man agreed thus beginning his successful journey which has seen him lift his family out of poverty. "Working for China Harbour Engineering Company has changed my life, I have learnt so much. I had no idea what to do with my life before they took me on board. They gave me power to elevate myself. Instead of giving me fish, they taught me how to fish. They have given me a skill that I will use for the rest of my life," Haulonjaba said. CHEC has not only directly impacted the lives of ordinary locals in Namibia but it has also helped grow the country's economy. The company specializes in large-scale construction projects such as the building of harbors, railways, and bridges. It was in 2013 awarded the 260 million U.S. dollars contract to expand the port of Walvis Bay which has this day helped Namibia inch a step further towards realizing the country's plan of becoming the leading logistics hub in Africa. The container terminal was commissioned last year. The container terminal has now increased Namibia's port assets to 7.6 billion Namibian dollars (510 million U.S. dollars). According to Feng Yuanfei, manager of CHEC Namibia company, CHEC maintains a sense of social responsibility meant to improve lives of locals. "... these projects hold tremendous benefits for Namibia including employment of over 2000 Namibians on projects, transferred skills to 770 through local qualified training organizations and on the job training," Feng said. According to him, the company has donated a total of 5 million Namibian dollars to help develop education and poverty alleviation. "We have supported local economic development through the contracting of Namibian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to provide essential goods and services to the projects as well as contribute to environmental protection," Feng said. According to Namibian port authority Namport, statistics show on the job training of over 700 previously disadvantaged Namibian employees by CHEC, where close to 500 received full-training in areas such as plumbing, piling, marine work, steel fixing, and riggers. Another young local who is a part of these statistics is 32 year old Johannes Shitwomunhu who was employed at CHEC as a general worker but is now a marine. "I started as a general worker but later received training as a marine then they trained me on how to operate a boat," Shitwomunhu said. The young man is now a holder of a certificate in water and electricity installation and well as boat driving. Through the many projects that CHEC is a part of in Namibia, the company continues to help grow Namibia's economy while transforming people's lives. Bhubaneswar, Feb 28 : Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday discussed prospects of Japanese investment in the steel sector and downstream development in the state with Japanese Ambassador Satoshi Suzuki. Pradhan and Suzuki met Patnaik to discuss development of a steel cluster in the state. "Japanese investments and technology flow into Odisha will strengthen the steel sector, generate large scale employment and create win-win situation for all stakeholders," said Pradhan. More than 75 per cent of India's envisioned incremental steel capacity will come from eastern India with Odisha alone crossing 100 MTPA, he said, adding that there is immense scope for growth in high grade steel, downstream sector, ancillaries, capital goods and cluster development. "Japanese technological expertise and investments will further strengthen the steel sector in Odisha and drive socio-economic growth," he said. Patnaik said the state government is now focusing on encouraging value addition in steel and stainless steel so as to achieve at least 50 per cent value addition by 2030. In this context, he proposed Japanese investment in the sectors such as automobiles, food processing, chemicals and petro-chemicals. He also made an offer for an exclusive Japan Industrial cluster and township near Bhubaneswar for which the state government would provide all the necessary facilitation. The Chief Minister urged Suzuki to consider making Japan the country partner for Make In Odisha Conclave 2020 also. Japan had been the country partner for Make In Odisha Conclave 2018. The Chief Minister expressed hope for wider and deeper engagement between Odisha and Japanese industries in the coming years. Union Additional Secretary, Steel, Rasika Chaubey, gave a presentation about the new initiative called Purvodaya, which aims to drive accelerated development of eastern India through establishment of integrated steel hubs in eastern states for which Odisha has the best potential. Pradhan said: "Mission Purvodaya in the steel sector envisions creating an integrated steel hub in eastern India. With abundance of raw material, strategic location and strong and developing connectivity, Odisha is well-poised to be the heart of this eastern steel hub." "Dark". That's England from Jason Williamson's window. He means it literally, as the West Midlands winter night continues to steal the lion's share of daylight. But it works figuratively, too. "It's comedy, its make-do, it's ignorant and above all, it's shit," was his considered appraisal of his homeland with Sleaford Mods' fourth album, English Tapas. Their fifth, Eton Alive, acknowledges in one line that he now lives "in a house three times the size of my old one". Still, "all I can see outside the window is the house behind us with its bedroom light on," he reports. "Everything else is pitch black." Blink and miss it, but that includes his sense of humour. Sleaford Mods' Andrew Fearn (left) and Jason Williamson, touring Australia next month. Credit: Sleaford Mods' view of working class Britain is not for rose-colouring. Adele or Ed Sheeran or Robbie Williams might have us believe that ordinary, stout-hearted commonfolk can weather any storm and love will conquer all; that the stars are yours for the taking as long as you just believe. Northern Ireland's health service was short of more than 2,300 nurses, midwives and hospital doctors at the end of last year, it has emerged. There were 2,207 vacant nursing jobs at the end of December, while at the same time, health bosses were trying to fill 165 hospital doctor posts. However, one of Northern Ireland's most senior doctors has warned that the figures, released yesterday by health officials, do not reflect the full extent of the NHS staffing crisis. Dr Tom Black, chair of the British Medical Association's (BMA) Northern Ireland Council, said the statistics only refer to posts which health trusts are actively trying to fill. "So there are likely to be an even higher number of vacant posts across Northern Ireland," he said. The Londonderry doctor also said patients are suffering as a result of the staffing crisis. "Our consultant and specialty doctor members are telling us that they are working in highly pressurised environments where patient care is suffering," he said. "No-one wants to see patients on trolleys or waiting years for an appointment, but unless we address some of the pressures and transform our system then the number of vacancies will increase. "In addition, as doctors' pay continues to fall behind counterparts elsewhere in the UK, and the pension crisis continues, we run the risk of not being able to attract new doctors to work here or keep the ones we have in post. "We are also beginning to see a pattern where junior doctors are choosing not to go into training to become a consultant - 40% of junior doctors here say they would not recommend Northern Ireland as a place to undertake medical training. "We need to keep these young doctors in the system to make sure the problem does not get worse in the future," he said. The figures were released less than a week after Dr Black addressed the Stormont health committee and said that Northern Ireland needs an additional 1,000 consultants by 2033 in order to provide a safe service. A growing number of patients are spending longer than 12 hours on trolleys in emergency departments, while hospital waiting lists are spiralling out of control. The declining performance of the health service has been blamed in part on the staffing crisis. Pat Cullen, director of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Northern Ireland, last night said the figures demonstrate why nurses felt it necessary to strike in December and January. "The latest nursing vacancies for December of last year come as no surprise to nurses in Northern Ireland," she said. "Over the past year nursing has consistently had the highest level of vacancies among all staff groups working in health and social care services." According to the figures, the vacancy rate in nursing posts had fallen slightly in December - down from 2,482 in June 2019 to 2,114 at the end of the year. However, the number of empty nursing support posts has more than doubled between March 2017 and December last year, from 271 to 545. Ms Cullen said she was concerned by this and said the figures reinforce the need for the Health Minister to act urgently to address shortages across the nursing profession. The figures have also highlighted startling shortages in other NHS services. There were 366 empty social worker posts at the end of last year, compared to 151 in March 2017, while health bosses were trying to fill 636 domiciliary care worker posts in December. At the same time, the figures show health bosses were trying to recruit 529 allied health professionals - up from 301 in March 2017. A spokesman from the Department of Health said it "is taking a range of actions to reduce vacancies, both in the short term, for example, international nursing recruitment, and in the longer term, including implementation of the Workforce Strategy which was published in May 2018, increased training commissioning, and efforts to ensure that HSC is an employer of choice. "It is clear, however, that there are no quick fixes, and sustainable, multi-year funding is required, together with service transformation." A central Pennsylvania man convicted of running a sex-trafficking operation that peddled girls as young as 17 for prostitution up and down the East Coast will be spending the next decade in a federal prison. U.S. Middle District Chief Judge Christopher C. Conner slapped that punishment on Anthony DAmbrosio, 37, of Chambersburg, a little over two years after a jury convicted him of multiple interstate crimes. DAmbrosio received the second-longest prison term of the five men convicted of running the drug and sex ring from 2012 to 2015. U.S. Attorney David Freed said Thursday that an FBI probe found that the ring members were transporting girls and women ages 17 to 21 to prostitute themselves in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. The women often were paid in drugs, while the ring leaders kept most of the money they received for selling sex, investigators said. Others convicted in the case are Albert Pipo Martinez, who received a 15-year prison sentence; Keanu Martinez, who was sentenced to 10 years behind bars; Armando Delgdo, who has completed a 52-month prison term; and Brandon Hill, who was sentenced to 37 months in prison. (Reuters) - Microsoft Inc said on Wednesday it does not expect to meet the third-quarter revenue forecast for its 'more personal computing' business, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The company said its supply chain was returning to normal operations at a slower-than-expected pace (Reuters) - Microsoft Inc said on Wednesday it does not expect to meet the third-quarter revenue forecast for its 'more personal computing' business, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The company said its supply chain was returning to normal operations at a slower-than-expected pace. (https://prn.to/2VlmHTI) (Reporting by Trisha Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Operators of Unviersal Press (Uni-Pass), Korea Customs Service (KCS) electronic customs clearance system for trade facilitation currently being piloted at Takoradi port hcih will be deployed at Ghanas ports and frontiers are optimistic of successful business in Ghana. For them, their objective is to reduce the cost of doing business at Ghanas ports. According to them, they are unfazed by targeted negative media campaign by persons who have opposed the system from onset. Without any reasonable justification for their opposition other than mere hatred for persons behind UNI-Pass, the negative campaigners are already predicting doom for the system which has chalked success in other ports round the Global. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) commenced the piloti8ng of the UNI-Pass system at the Takoradi port after what they say was a successful test run of direct imports and exports at the Eastern frontier especially the Aflao Sector to ensure the system was fit for purpose. Though GRA is yet to issue its initial report about the ongoing pilot process at the Takoradi port, some pessimists are reporting that UNIPASS pilot has failed without providing any data to back such claims. IMANI which appears to back the naysayers in an advisory letter to the Ministry of Trade and Industry said, Our advice to the government will be to shelve UNIPASS until its promoters have demonstrated value far and above exiting system. Gives that the two systems West Blue and GCNet took two years to integrate and work cohesively. It is a wonder how long the transition period would be for UNIPASS, it added. These views expressed by IMANI has been the understanding of anti UNIPASS critics who are under the illusion that President Nana Addo or his cabinet had no idea about the contract and have consistently pointed accusing fingers at Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen. President of the Chamber of Freight Forwarders and Traders, Mr. Dennis Amfo-Sefah, at a press conference in May 208 said, The UNI-PASS deal will reduce port charges and make it more profitable for us freight forwarders to operate at the port. We wish to state categorically that as a Chamber, we are in full support of the UNIPASS, he stated. Currently importers pay one percent of CIF as Customs Classification And Valuation Report (CCVR) fee to West Blue and 0.4 percent on FOB to GCNet as network charge, a total of 1.4 percent, which adds up to the cost of doing business in or countrys ports. Mr. Amfo Sefa said. Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah, in May 2018 also said UNIPASS deal is good for the country as it will also lead to a reduction of some port charge from 1% on a consignment of imported items to 0.75% on the same quantity of goods. The deputy minister also assured stakeholders at the ports that the move would rather rake in more revenue at the ports. We are doing everything possible and if you see my report, it was geared towards reducing the cost of business in the portwe dont have anything against West Blue but we have everything against not maximizing revenue collection, he said. Mr. Ahenkorah discloses that shortfalls between GCNet and West Blue caused importers to clear goods at frugal prices. People were clearing brand new range rover from the port at GH5000. A whole container of fruit juice for GH11, 000 because two systems were not talkingthat is how bad we were losing revenue in this country, he revealed. Source: The Ghanaian Publisher 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 People arriving at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province have to declare their health condition. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Ngoc. Khanh Hoa Province, which was declared free of Covid-19 Wednesday, is having 36 arrivals from South Korea in quarantine. Among the 36 who landed at Cam Ranh International Airport, 19 are from Deagu City, seven from Gyeongsang, five from Busan while the others hail from different areas across South Korea. Eight of them showed symptoms like fever and coughing and have been taken to Khanh Hoa Hospital of Tropical Diseases for treatment while the rest are to be quarantined at local hospitals. On Wednesday afternoon, seven tested negative for the Covid-19 virus. On Tuesday, five Vietnamese students in Deagu flew to Khanh Hoa from Busan and entered quarantine at the tropical diseases hospital. Flights from Deagu to Cam Ranh Airport ceased on February 22. Khanh Hoa Province has additionally required health declarations from all South Korea arrivals. Khanh Hoa has reported only one Covid-19 infection, a hotel receptionist who was infected from two Chinese guests. She left hospital after recovey on February 4. The province was declared coronavirus free after recording no new patients for 39 days. Khanh Hoa, home to popular beach town Nha Trang, welcomed 305,000 tourists from South Korea in 2019, with the January number having reached 50,000. Vietnam declared the coronavirus outbreak an epidemic on February 1, and has recorded a total of 16 patients, all of whom have been cured and discharged. The country as a whole has recorded no new infections in the past two weeks. The country suspended entry from all coronavirus-hit areas around the world. Visitors from countries and territories affected by the virus are required to submit health declarations on arrival and will be placed in quarantine if they show symptoms like high fever, coughing and breathing difficulties. The global death toll is approaching 3,000, with most fatalities in mainland China, followed by Iran with 22, South Korea with 13 and Italy with 11. DANBURY The disposition hearing of the man accused of assaulting staff and patients at a rehabilitation center before being shot by a city police officer seven months ago is scheduled for Friday. Aaron Bouffard, 31, has been held at the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in Uncasville on assault, threatening, breach of peace and disorderly conduct charges, stemming from an incident at MCCA on Old Ridgebury Road back in July. Bouffard was accused of fighting with a staff member and clients at the rehabilitation center on Old Ridgebury Road the morning of July 3. Bouffard had been administratively discharged from the facility that morning for after assaulting a fellow patient and getting involved in a physical altercation with another, according to a police warrant affidavit. He was then seen pacing back and forth holding two big butcher knives in the back parking lot of the building before walking towards a fence separating MCCA and the Springhill Suites hotel, the affidavit states. A chef at MCCA told police Bouffard took the knives from the kitchen. Bouffard was gone by the time police got to MCCA. A manhunt ensued and ended around 10:45 a.m., when Bouffard was shot by Danbury Police Officer Alexander Relyea in the area of Old Ridgebury and Reserve roads. Police said Bouffard was armed with two knives and did not follow orders to drop them when Relyea the same officer who shot and killed a man months prior encountered him in a recreational area on the former Union Carbide property. Bouffards mother, Sherry Bouffard, said her son told her he didnt hear police orders to drop the knives. According to state police, Relyea fired several rounds at Bouffard, striking him in the thigh, pelvis area and finger. Bouffards mother, however, claims her son was also shot in the ribs and has a bullet lodged in his spine. Bouffard pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and first-degree threatening, and not guilty to the disorderly conduct and second-degree breach of peace charges. He also faces a violation of probation charge as a result of the incident. Retired colonel, astronaut honored for lifetime achievement Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday presented the states highest non-combat decoration for service to a retired fighter pilot and astronaut. Col. Guion Bluford of Westlake in suburban Cleveland flew 144 combat missions in South Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force and later earned a doctorate in aerospace engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. In 1983, Bluford became the first black astronaut to fly in space on a shuttle mission. DeWine presented the 77-year-old Bluford with the Ohio Distinguished Service Medal at an Ohio Statehouse ceremony. ADVERTISEMENT Your commitment and dedication over the course of your career in aviation are a tremendous inspiration to generations of Ohioans,`` DeWine said. Bluford was honored on the 58th anniversary of John Glenn becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. Bluford attributed his success to chasing his dreams and advised others to do the same by figuring out what gets you excited. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:15:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Bai Xu BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Since the COVID-19 outbreak, two notable media reports concerning the United States have gone viral in China. One is that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed up to 100 million U.S. dollars in emergency funding to help China combat the epidemic. In a letter to Bill Gates, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he deeply appreciates the act. The other is U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross' much criticized remarks that the disease in China could help quicken the pace at which jobs and manufacturing return to the United States. The sharp contrast between the two suggests that some U.S. politicians' xenophobic sentiments against China are not shared by the good-willed majority of the American people, who are working for a closer China-U.S. relationship amid the epidemic. Earlier this week, some 70 Americans who teach Chinese children online English courses donated thousands of masks to China through their employer VIPKid, a Chinese online education platform. One of the teachers, Juliet Hooks from Pennsylvania, bought 1,800 masks and wrapped them up in boxes decorated with Chinese characters translating to "Be strong, China). Another, Kelsey Covington from Virginia, chose to wear a T-shirt with a world map on which China was marked with a big red heart. Hundreds of adoptive families across the United States have joined in the Chinese-launched Masks for Orphans fundraising project, donating over 20,000 masks to 50 orphanages in China. From a warehouse in the U.S. state of California, 1.8 million masks and 80,000 disposable medical gowns were shipped to China thanks to U.S. humanitarian aid organization MedShare, with support from U.S. enterprises like Coca-Cola and UPS. Statistics show that as of Feb. 2, 188 foreign companies have donated 1.096 billion yuan (about 157 million U.S. dollars) to China, of which U.S. companies have donated the most. Ian Lipkin, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University who worked together with Chinese scientists during the SARS outbreak in 2003, has teamed up with his Chinese counterparts once again. As the American people are offering their assistance against the epidemic, those aforementioned U.S. politicians should stop engaging in anti-China rhetoric, listen to the voice of the majority, and take the COVID-19 outbreak as a chance to promote deeper China-U.S. cooperation in coping with unconventional challenges for the benefit of all. On the one hand, they need to understand that no one can stand alone against a global public health emergency in today's highly interconnected world, and that cooperation, not confrontation, is the only solution to beating a deadly virus that knows no borders. Differences and collaboration can go hand in hand. Just as Vice Chair of Indonesia's Center for Strategic and International Studies Jusuf Wanandi said, "amid competition, there is always room to help each other, particularly in an epidemic of this scale." On the other, they must realize that as the world's top two economies, China and the United States need to shoulder the responsibilities of major countries in the face of an unconventional global challenge. "This is a time for global solidarity -- political solidarity, technical solidarity and financial solidarity," emphasized Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization. As the fight against COVID-19 is entering a crucial stage, the two countries should work together to set a good example of global solidarity, making concerted efforts to safeguard international health and security, and join hands to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Cash payments over $10,000 could be banned in Australia in a bid to crack down on crime syndicates. Under the proposed legislation, cash transactions of more than $10,000 would carry a fine of up to $25,500 and two years' jail. Assistant Minister Michael Sukkar said the government's Black Economy Taskforce saw it as the best way to combat gangs to buy cars, houses and jewellery with cash from illegal activity. 'The key focus of the bill is reducing the ease with which organised crime gangs can operate throughout the country,' he said. However, consumer groups say the controversial Cash Ban Bill could hurt small businesses and bushfire victims. And now the Australian Taxpayers' Alliance (ATA) has slammed the bill and urged the senate to vote 'no'. Assistant Minister Michael Sukkar said the government's Black Economy Taskforce saw it as the best way to combat gangs to buy cars, houses and jewellery with cash from illegal activity (pictured: A person being arrested during a series of raids across Sydney in 2017) 'The key focus of the bill is reducing the ease with which organised crime gangs can operate throughout the country,' he said The Greens have also criticised the bill, saying it was a case of the 'cure being worse than the disease', The Sydney Morning Herald reported. 'The bill would criminalise the use of legal tender. In doing so, the bill challenges the freedoms that hard currency provides and lays a path towards further restrictions on the use of cash and even negative interest rates. EXPLAINED: THE $10,000 CASH PAYMENT BAN Australians will be banned from paying companies than $10,000 in cash for goods and services, under the proposed law. The bill would force people to use electronic transactions (or cheques) instead of cash. If they don't, people could face fines of up to $25,200 or a two year jail sentence. The Bill has been introduced to the Senate. The measure was proposed by the Black Economy Task Force in 2019. Advertisement 'Many Australians still use cash and wish to continue using this legal tender for their privacy and security,' ATA said. 'Look at the bushfire crisis and the thousands of Australians forced to use cash during a natural disaster.' The statement comes after evacuees on the New South Wales South Coast were forced to steal from petrol stations and convenience stores after a series of devastating bushfires caused power outages, rendering ATMs useless. People were also filling up their cars at petrol stations and driving off without paying, as they had no cash to spend. Sue Mazzuoli, a shopkeeper from Sussex Inlet on the state's South Coast, said her town had turned into 'chaos' as holidaying families were taking up resources that locals desperately needed. 'They were stealing from the supermarket because they had to feed the family and they had no money,' Ms Mazzuoli previously told A Current Affair. 'You can't access petrol, gas ran out, chaos at the supermarket.' In a petrol station in Batemans Bay, drivers were forced to wait hours until they could receive fuel only to find out the ATMs were down. In a petrol station in Batemans Bay, drivers were forced to wait hours until they could receive fuel only to find out the ATMs were down in January Many residents on the NSW South Coast were stealing food off the shelves of supermarkets as a power outage caused ATMs to break down Motorists at a petrol station in Bermagui were forced to queue for four hours as they waited for a generator to drive the fuel pumps. 'I feel like I'm a refugee in my own country,' one resident told 7 News. The ATA also said the cash ban would harm small businesses, give more power to corporate banks, and would fail to restrict any criminal activities. 'Law-abiding citizens, not lawless criminals, obey laws.' 'Experts in Europe have proven restrictions on cash fail to impact money laundering, tax evasion, and terrorism. This bill would cost Australians dearly without addressing the problems it claims to fix.' The ATA also said the cash ban would harm small businesses, give more power to corporate banks, and would fail to restrict any criminal activities (stock image) 'Ordinary Australians attempting to contribute to the economy through legal means will face the consequences should this bill become law.' Since the Federal Government first announced the proposed law during the 2018-19 budget, critics have openly slammed the idea. Professional accounting body CPA Australia general manager external affairs Paul Drum feared innocent people would be unfairly caught up in a system designed to crack down on criminals. 'To link all large cash transactions to criminality is a step too far,' he told the ABC. Economist John Adams claimed the proposal was an attack on civil liberties and rued the idea of giving banks more control. The bill has been introduced to the Senate and is making its way through Parliament. Technavio has been monitoring the electronic cash register market and it is poised to grow by USD 4.9 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 8% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226005756/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Electronic Cash Register Market 2019-2023 (Graphic: Business Wire) Adoption of electronic cash registers (ECRS) by SMES has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Request a free sample report Electronic Cash Register Market 2019-2023: Segmentation Electronic Cash Register Market is segmented as below: Type Standard ECRS Checkout/POS System Self-service POS End-User Retail Hospitality Geographic segmentation APAC Europe MEA North America South America 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=IRTNTR30965 Electronic Cash Register 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 electronic cash register market report covers the following areas: Electronic Cash Register Market Size Electronic Cash Register Market Trends Electronic Cash Register Market Industry Analysis This study identifies shift toward cloud-based solutions as one of the prime reasons driving the electronic cash register market growth during the next few years. Electronic Cash Register Market 2019-2023: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the electronic cash register market, including some of the vendors such as CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, Olivetti SpA, SHARP CORPORATION and Toshiba Tec Corporation. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the electronic cash register 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 Electronic Cash Register Market 2019-2023: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2019-2023 Detailed information on factors that will assist electronic cash register market growth during the next five years Estimation of the electronic cash register market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the electronic cash register market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of electronic cash register 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/20200226005756/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/ A customer leafs through a book at a stall at the Ekushey Book Fair in Dhaka, Feb. 18, 2020. Bangladeshs high court Wednesday ordered organizers of an annual book fair in Dhaka to remove two books whose content it said was harmful to the religious sentiment in the Muslim-majority country, while their author, Diarsi Arag, apparently fled to Kolkata. The courts ruling to ban the books, Grandmas Dictum and Dia Arefin both works of non-fiction and to order them removed them from stalls at the Ekushey Book Fair occurred on the fifth anniversary of the murder of U.S.-Bangladeshi secular blogger and writer Avijit Roy. He was killed in a machete-attack by Muslim zealots while leaving the literary festival. The court asked the Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Siraji to immediately withdraw the books from the publishers stall, Deputy Attorney General Amit Talukder told BenarNews. Lawyer Azharullah Bhuiyan had sought the court ruling. The contents of both the books hurt religious beliefs and an individuals choice of clothing. The contents could incite communal riots in the country, Bhuiyan told journalists but declined to give an example of objectionable material in Arags books. Bangla Academy officials, who run the month-long book fair every February, said the court notice was not necessary. The books were removed from the fair two or three days ago. We examined them and found some remarks, which can hurt religious sentiment, Jalal Ahman, a leader of the fairs organizing committee, told BenarNews. Ahmed said organizers did not grant a stall to Srishtighar, the publisher of books, so Arag turned to another publisher, Kalanjali, to sell them. We have cancelled the Kalanjali stall because it was selling those two books, Ahman said. According to the book fairs policy, no one can sell books from other publishers. Kaler Lekhak Likhon, who identified himself as the Kalanjali publisher, said he had been distressed since losing his stall on Friday. I have been made a scapegoat. I did not publish those books. Those who published the books are not being blamed, but me, he told BenarNews. Likhon said he allowed authors whose publishers did not have stalls to sell from his, and typically sold a few copies of their books. I could not comprehend that there was content in the books that might hurt religious sentiment, he said. Likhon said police, as well as Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and intelligence agency officers had come to his stall to ask about Arags books. I phoned the author and found it switched off. I have given his cell number to police. Now, from his Facebook post, I have come to know that he fled to India, Likhon said. Roy case The gruesome killing of Avijit Roy on Feb. 26, 2015, shocked the nation and was followed by a string of similar murders until 2018 that targeted secular bloggers, publishers and intellectuals. The killings created a cloud of fear and intimidation around Bangladeshs rich literary tradition. In 2017, during the Ekushey fair held two years after Roys murder, authorities restricted displays of books that could hurt religious sentiment. In the wake of the August 2015 killing of secular blogger Niladri Chottopaddhya (also known as Niloy Neel), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticized writers whose works raised questions about Gods existence. No one in this country has the right to speak in a way that hurts religious sentiment. You wont practice religion no problem. But you cant attack someone elses religion, Hasina said at the time. It wont be tolerated if someone elses religious sentiment is hurt. Five years after Roys murder, no one has yet been convicted. In 2019, a court indicted six suspects five of whom were alleged members of militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team on murder charges. Four of the accused in Avijits murder case are now in custody while two absconded, chief prosecutor Golam Sarwar Khan Zakir told BenarNews. Ten witnesses of 34 have testified before the court so far and we hope to complete the trial by the end of this year. A serial-saver has revealed how she bulk cooks 50 freezer meals for 60 in an effort to put enough money aside to enjoy more holidays together. Gemma Kennedy, 27, from Belfast, realised she and her husband Simon, 30, were regularly spending 500-a-month on food because they ate out three times a week and were wasteful with their groceries. She decided to overhaul their lifestyle, and by coupling meat from online retailer musclefood.com with cupboard staples and vegetables, she manages to cook 13 different meals for an average of 1.29 per portion - spending just 74p making chicken soup from leftovers. The recruitment consultant was fed up of throwing food away and wanted to start saving her money so she could travel with her husband, and has more than halved her bill to a food budget of 200-a-month. Gemma Kennedy, from Belfast, poses in a Roman Colosseum in Cartegena during one of the trips saved for with their food prepping And their plan worked so well it took the couple just over three months to save 3,500 for a two-week cruise around the Mediterranean last July. The couple previously since travelled to Cartegena in Colombia as well as Vigo, Barcelona and Ibiza in Spain. In Ireland they've driven the Wild Atlantic Way and enjoyed a Game of Thrones filming destination trip involving a visit to Ballintoy, Northern Ireland. They visited these destinations with money they'd put aside, but now that their savings pot is even bigger thanks to meal prepping, they're hoping to travel more often. The recruitment consultant, 27, was fed up of throwing food away and wanted to start saving her money so she could travel with her husband, 30 (pictured on holiday in Vigo, Spain) Gemma and Simon have since enjoyed a number of trips with their savings - including a Game of Thrones road trip to Ballintoy (pictured) Gemma is looking out over the cliffs in the Republic of Ireland's southernmost point Mizen Head - during part of their Wild Atlantic Way road trip Every few months Gemma spends 20 on a stock cupboard full of basics including chopped tomatoes, rice and kidney beans. She also plans what meals the couple will enjoy for the week, and makes a list of the exact ingredients needed. If there is any food left over, the once wasteful Gemma now creates dishes such as soups and fried rice to completely eradicate waste. By buying meat in bulk and pairing it with supermarket vegetables Gemma keeps costs low. Gemma and Simon enjoyed the sun during a holiday to Vigo in Spain (pictured) The couple braved the winds during their trip to Mizen Head along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way She cooks up eight portions of Chicken Noodle Soup, at 74p a portion, and four portions of Chicken Curry at 1.03 each. And once the meals have been made they go straight in the freezer, with Gemma and Simon pulling them out as and when they need them for lunches and dinners - meaning 50 portions usually last for weeks. Gemma's money-saving top tips 1 Pay bills monthly 'You should always be shopping around when it comes to insurance and more expensive bills. 'I always try and pay yearly instead of monthly. 'Although it means that there's a big one-off cost, in the long-run it means there's more money in your own pocket.' 2 Curb unnecessary spending 'Simon and I sat and went through our bank accounts and cancelled all the subscriptions we didn't use. 'We were paying for apps and things that we may only use once or twice a month, which we could easily live without.' 3 Put money aside asap 'As soon as my wages come in each month, I have a standing order for a certain amount that goes straight into my savings. 'This means that I never really see the money, making it much more difficult for me to spend it.' 4 Allow for treats 'The whole process of being frugal and saving cash would be a lot more difficult if I completely denied myself and stopped spending anything. 'So, I give myself a 100 budget for treats. I can spend this on getting my nails done, buying some new clothes or treating us to a meal out but once it's gone, it's gone.' Advertisement Gemma, who runs the Instagram account TheUndomesticatedWife told Femail: 'We were just spending so much money on nothing. 'We used to eat out because it gave us something to do, but as soon as you sit at a table that's around 60 gone straight away. 'We now give ourselves a food budget of 200 a month. If we spend over in one week that's fine, but we have to make up for it the next.' She has even joined a community on social media who support her in her bid to save. Gemma added: 'I found the moneysaving community on Instagram which was such a big help to me as it makes me accountable. 'I also started sharing my recipes on my page because I now see cooking as a hobby, and it's great to be able to share something you're proud of.' And she loves buying large chicken breasts from muscle food because they go further than the usual supermarket sizes. 'The chicken breasts are perfect because they're so big, so they go so much further the ones you'd usually buy at the supermarket,' she continued. 'One breast can sometimes make up two portions, which makes such a difference, especially when it comes to meal prepping. 'The chicken is all perfectly prepared as well, I can use it straight away without having to cut any of the horrible bits off. 'It's definitely our go to meat as it's so versatile and can be cooked up into any number of dishes, from tacos to pies, and they're all so tasty.' Gemma took a selfie while she and her husband Simon enjoyed a fairground ride in Barcelona The recruitment consultant looked wistfully out into the ocean during a holiday in Ibiza [February 27, 2020] Twilio Joins State Attorneys General Anti-Robocall Coalition Twilio (NYSE: TWLO), the leading cloud communications platform, today announced that it has joined the state attorneys general coalition to stop illegal robocalls. The public/private partnership consists of all 50 states attorneys general, including Washington, D.C., and numerous major stakeholders in the telecommunications industry to share information and coordinate efforts to protect consumers from phone scams and unwanted communications. As part of the effort, Twilio (News - Alert) supports and has agreed to take action on the group's eight robocall principles: Support carriers offering free call blocking and labeling Implement the SHAKEN/STIR call authentication protocol, intended to combat illegal spoofing Analyze and monitor network traffic to identify and monitor patterns consistent with robocalls Investigate suspicious calls and calling patterns to identify the party that is using its network to originate, route, or terminate suspicious calls and take appropriate action Confirm the identity of commercial VoIP customers by collecting relevant identity information Require traceback cooperation in contracts to help determine the origin of a call which can be used to find the source of an illegal robocall and identify the entities responsible for those calls Cooperate in traceback investigations conducted by law enforcement and USTelecom's (News - Alert) Industry Traceback Group Commnicate with state attorneys general about recognized scams and trends in illegal robocalling "Illegal robocalls present a complicated problem requiring a multi-faceted approach to bring trust back to the phone call for consumers," said Jeff Lawson, co-founder and chief executive officer of Twilio. "It takes a combined effort of public policy, law enforcement, industry cooperation and innovation to stop the calls we don't want, but more importantly, make sure the calls we do want still come through. We look forward to working with the state attorneys general and our industry colleagues to bring relief to consumers from phone scams as soon as possible." Joining the state attorneys general anti-robocall coalition continues a number of other proactive efforts by Twilio to combat illegal robocalls. Twilio recently joined as a steering committee member to USTelecom's Industry Traceback Group, where major stakeholders in the telecommunications industry come together to actively trace and identify the source of illegal robocalls, helping to prevent illegal robocalls from the start. Twilio also co-chairs the Robocalling and Communication ID Spoofing group for the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS), in addition to having a seat on the board of directors. ATIS, along with the Internet Engineering Task Force and the SIP Forum (Session Initiation Protocol (News - Alert)), all work together as an industry consortium with the telecommunications industry to develop and implement the SHAKEN/STIR protocol to eradicate illegal spoofing. Twilio also is a member of the Messaging, Malware and Mobile Anti-Abuse Working Group (M3AAWG), the premier industry group dedicated to combating bots, malware, spam, viruses, denial-of-service attacks and other online exploitation across platforms, including mobile, email, voice and emerging platforms such as social messaging. Lastly, the Federal Communications Commission appointed Twilio to the re-chartered North American Numbering Council (NANC). The NANC is a federal advisory committee that was created to advise the FCC (News - Alert) on numbering issues in the United States and to make recommendations that foster efficient and impartial number administration. ABOUT TWILIO Millions of developers around the world have used Twilio to unlock the magic of communications to improve any human experience. Twilio has democratized communications channels like voice, text, chat, video and email by virtualizing the world's communications infrastructure through APIs that are simple enough for any developer to use, yet robust enough to power the world's most demanding applications. By making communications a part of every software developer's toolkit, Twilio is enabling innovators across every industry - from emerging leaders to the world's largest organizations - to reinvent how companies engage with their customers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005234/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 13:01:34|Editor: yhy Video Player Close LAGOS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian police have recovered 43 high-caliber firearms and 1,117 rounds of ammunition in the northeast state of Bauchi, the state governor said Wednesday. The weapons, left and hidden by bandits who are now at large, were recovered at a forest in Ningi area of the state, said Governor Bala Mohammad. Mohammad said the state would encourage community policing to identify bandits and armed robbers who migrated from other states to Bauchi to look for safe haven. He also vowed that there would be no hiding place for criminals in the state. COLUMBUS JUNCTION For the 8th year, Columbus Junction is inviting members of the community to celebrate Saint Davids Day. From 1-6 p.m. Saturday, the city will celebrate St. David, patron saint of Wales, with a parade and a meal. It is believed he died March 1, 589 AD, and while the Welsh people typically celebrate that day, Columbus Junction will celebrate on March 7. I started this event eight years ago as a way to bring the community together with a fun celebration with the large Welsh population in the area and learn about our heritage, said resident Troy Pugh, whose grandfather is of 100% Welsh descent. He added 100 to 200 people have attended annually over the years, slowly growing each year. Some people have traveled from quite a way to the celebrations, Pugh said. A parade will start on Main Street under the viaduct and travel to the American Legion on 2nd Street. Those wishing to walk in the parade are asked to bring Welsh flags and banners with their Welsh name on them. We're often reminded by conservatives that the United States' federal and state governments are republics, and not democracies. See Article IV section 4 of the Constitution: America's founders used the terms interchangeably among themselves, so take it for what you will. However, if we separate the two terms, we find that Republicans aren't beholden to the idea of a republic any more than they are to a democracy. According to the conservative Heritage Foundation, America's founders defined a republican form of government as having three required elements: popular rule, no monarchy, and the rule of law. Republicans admitting that the president abused his power but allowing him the unaccountability of a monarch proves their lack of concern for the rule of law and preventing monarchies. In light of Wisconsin Republicans' approach to gerrymandering, voter suppression, Medicaid expansion, gun control, marijuana legalization and the dark store loophole, I offer a challenge to any Republican to offer evidence that Wisconsin is governed by popular rule. Not by arbitrary tracts of land; by its people. Gov. Tony Evers is trying to govern Wisconsin according to popular rule. The state's two highest ranking Republicans, meanwhile, have ignored the fact that the Wisconsin's sovereignty is vested in the public, and chosen to exercise it to codify their own pettiness and insecurities in statute; in spite of the public. It appears to this casual observer that the group most hostile to the Heritage Foundation's definition of a republican form of government is the Republican Party; they're zero for three on requirements. It's enough to make one wonder why they chose public service for a career. Gary Lyons Kenosha Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Around 8pm on Tuesday, nearly 18 severely injured victims waited to be shifted from Mustafabads Al-Hind Hospital to Guru Tegh Bahadur (GTB) Hospital. They required urgent treatment at the time. But two ambulances that were to transport the patients stopped at the Brijpuri T-point. Security teams there had warned them that going any further into the riot-hit area would be a risk. When the drivers asked them to escort them to the hospital just a kilometre away, they allegedly refused. In the meantime, two patients died. As the communal clashes in north-east Delhi escalated across the city throughout Tuesday, Al Hind Hospital had received over 50 patients, some of them shot and injured, others injured in stone pelting or assaults. They were one too many for the hospital to handle. Dr Harjit Singh Bhatti of the Progressive Medicos and Scientists Forum said that he was trying to get ambulances to assist doctors at the Al Hind hospital and transfer 10 gunshot victims. We were told that the situation is tense and if we wanted to go despite their warnings, the police will take no responsibility for our safety, said Shiv Ram, a medical attendant, who was in one of the ambulances. Ram said after trying to negotiate with the police personnel, the ambulance driver tried to reach GTB hospital via alternative routes, but barricades and the tense atmosphere kept delaying them. The wait continued till late night and frantic calls to drivers was met with replies that they were still reasoning with the police to allow them to pass. Security agencies told them that only government hospital ambulances will be allowed through the barricades. We kept getting calls from the hospital administration and we were all trying our level best to reach the injured on time. There have been instances when ambulances get stuck in traffic jams but this was an extraordinary situation. I have never felt this helpless, said Ram. While ambulance drivers were trying to find their way, another of their colleagues, a Delhi government Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) ambulance driver, was beaten up rioters and forced to return. We want to help but who will take responsibility if something happens to me? said a Delhi government ambulance driver, who did not wish to be named. It is a pity that courts have to intervene so that patients can avail of basic treatment. After 24 hours of struggle, our team of eight doctors reached Mustafabad around 3pm on Wednesday. Patients, who had suffered injuries yesterday (Tuesday), were looked at again because they did not get proper treatment, Bhatti said. Medical staff from other hospitals in the riot-hit north-east Delhi also narrated grim tales of helplessness. A junior doctor at Shastri Parks Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital said that on Tuesday evening, a man in his 20s was brought to the hospital with a bullet wound to the face. He had to be taken to GTB Hospital in a private car as their ambulance was surrounded by vandals at Bhajanpura. We had to stuff an oxygen cylinder inside the car along with the patient, Aman. We had an attendant and family members. When a patient has sustained such grievous wounds, improperly moving them may cause more damage, said the junior doctor adding that she later learnt that Aman had succumbed to injuries at the GTB hospital. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Soumya Pillai Soumya Pillai covers environment and traffic in Delhi. A journalist for three years, she has grown up in and with Delhi, which is often reflected in the stories she does about life in the city. She also enjoys writing on social innovations. ...view detail Theres a reason why so many of the 156 episodes of the The Twilight Zone made between 1959 and 1964 are available on YouTube, where theyre being discovered by new generations of viewers every year. Rod Serlings anthology series which Id argue is the greatest product of the first Golden Age of American television has lost none of its brilliance. It belies its age. Its dated only in the obvious ways youd expect a TV series that began 60 years ago to date: the clothes, the cars, the hairstyles, the language, and of course the fact that its in black and white. But in every other respect, it still feels box-fresh. The key lies in the scripts, roughly two-thirds of them written by Serling, the rest by leading authors including Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Reginald Rose, George Clayton Johnson and Charles Beaumont. As well as being hugely entertaining, they were always intelligent, literate and thought-provoking. Serling, a serious man, believed television drama should be about more than just amusing an audience and selling a sponsors products. Consequently, he used The Twilight Zone as a vehicle for social comment. The series regularly dealt, in an allegorical way, with issues such as racism, nuclear war, McCarthyism and mass hysteria. But it was done so subtly and ingeniously that it slipped right past the noses of the CBS network bosses, who would have flipped at the idea of a primetime series aimed at a mass audience dealing with such controversial material. Once Serling, who died in 1975 aged just 50, sold his share of the series to CBS, it was inevitable it would be resurrected at some point. The first revival ran from 1985-89. The second, lasting just one season, came in 2002. Neither matched the popularity of the original. Despite this, hopes were sky-high for the latest incarnation of The Twilight Zone, which landed on SyFy this week, following its broadcast in the US on CBS All Access last year. Video of the Day Putting the spirit of Rod Serling together with man of the moment Jordan Peele as executive producer and host/narrator looked like a match made in TV heaven. Who better to give The Twilight Zone the revival it deserves than the writer-director of Get Out and last years doppelganger chiller Us? Apart from anything else, Peele is a fan of the original. Hes stated that Us was inspired by the 1960 episode Mirror Image. All 10 episodes are available on SyFy on demand. Ive watched the first three. Sadly, theyre all squibs of varying degrees of dampness. Nightmare at 30,000 Feet, a very loose reworking of one of the most famous Serling episodes, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, is the weakest. Instead of William Shatner as a mentally fragile airline passenger who sees a hideous, destructive gremlin on the wing of his plane, it gives us Adam Scott as a PTSD-afflicted journalist who listens to a mysterious true-crime podcast about how the very plane hes travelling on crashed into the ocean. Despite being one of the shortest episodes (35 minutes), its painfully drawn out and predictable, and features a silly last-minute twist that makes absolutely no sense. The Comedian, a Faustian tale with Kumail Nanjiani as a stand-up comic who discovers that whenever he jokes about someone, they cease to exist, is equally long-winded. It makes its point, then keeps on making it over and over again. Replay features an African American mother (Sanaa Lathan) who discovers pressing the rewind button on her ancient camcorder reverses time. She and her son (Damson Idris) repeatedly find themselves having to rewind to escape the racist white cop (Glenn Fleshler) victimising them. Its the episode that probably comes closest to capturing the essence of Serlings Twilight Zone. But it falls apart in the final scenes, which are clumsy and preachy. Some are touting Replay as the best episode of the whole season. Time to rewind to the original series. THE TWILIGHT ZONE XX ALTON A judge on Wednesday sentenced a Madison County sexual predator to 25 years in prison, the maximum under a plea agreement, after a prosecutor said there were no words that could make things right for the victim, a toddler. Any remorse is too little, Assistant Madison County States Attorney Ali Foley told Associate Judge Neil Schroeder at a sentencing hearing Wednesday. He had a duty to protect her, and this is what happened. Press Release 27 February 2020 For the week ending 22 February, the U.S. hotel industry reported a 0.7% increase in average daily rate to $130.55, which was not enough to overcome a 2.1% year-over-year decrease in occupancy to 63.2%. As a result, revenue per available room was down 1.4% for the week to $82.55. Advertisements HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee - The U.S. hotel industry reported mostly negative year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 16-22 February 2020, according to data from STR. In comparison with the week of 17-23 February 2019, the industry recorded the following: Occupancy: -2.1% to 63.2% Average daily rate (ADR): +0.7% to US$130.55 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -1.4% to US$82.55 Of note, U.S. airport hotels reported a 4.8% decrease in occupancy for the week, which was the steepest decline among all location types tracked by STR. The decline was steeper in airport markets outside of the country's 10 busiest. "The obvious question is whether a dip in demand in airport hotels was directly connected to the coronavirus outbreak," said Jan Freitag, STR's senior VP of lodging insights. "However, one week of data is not sufficient for STR to make that correlation, especially considering last week was rather weak around the country in generalpossibly due to extended vacations after Presidents' Day." "We've maintained that we do expect to see a coronavirus impact in U.S. hotel performance data, especially in gateway cities that have historically seen a large number of Chinese arrivals. We'll continue to monitor the data each week. The next few weeks will be especially interesting considering the news to come out of the CDC on Tuesday." Among the Top 25 Markets, San Francisco/San Mateo, California, saw the largest drop in RevPAR (-21.8% to US$131.27), due to the only double-digit decreases in occupancy (-10.9% to 69.2%) and ADR (-12.3% to US$189.59). Houston, Texas, posted the second-steepest declines in ADR (-8.5% to US$102.03) and RevPAR (-13.3% to US$66.77). Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota-Wisconsin, experienced the second-largest decrease in occupancy (-9.3% to 54.5%), which resulted in the third-largest drop in RevPAR (-11.6% to US$58.15). Overall, 13 of the Top 25 Markets reported a RevPAR decline. Oahu Island, Hawaii, registered the largest jump in RevPAR (+8.2% to US$228.16), driven by the second-largest gain in ADR (+7.5% to US$256.00). Seattle, Washington, saw the highest rise in occupancy (+5.2% to 65.3%). New Orleans, Louisiana, recorded the only double-digit lift in ADR (+12.4% to US$190.45), which drove the second-highest increase in RevPAR (+7.9% to US$142.54). Download STR's weekly U.S. hotel review. Vijay Deverakondas recent film World Famous Lover has flopped, and this has hit the prospects of both the actor and director Puri Jagannadh. After the film incurred heavy losses, distributors Sunil Narang and Abhishek complained to the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) and petitioned for recovery of investments. The Chamber discussed the issue, in the presence of the films producer K.S. Rama Rao, says a source. Rama Rao blamed Vijay for the failure of the film, according to the source. The distributors requested TFCC to recover at least some of the money from the actor. So, the chamber sent a message to director Puri, who is now working with Vijay for a pan-Indian film, the source said. Puri is a worried man. He is pinning a lot of hope on the actor and making his film on a huge budget. In the message to Puri, the chamber said Vijay should compensate the distributors at least partially for the losses incurred by his film, said the source. If the actor does not cooperate, the chamber may ask the Distributors Association not to distribute Puris film. This may affect him as he is also the producer of the film, added the source. If Puri wants to avoid last minute tension before his films release, he should take the initiative to sort out the issues between his lead actor and TFCC. Israel has urged its citizens to reconsider any foreign travel at all in order to contain the coronavirus outbreak. The warning from Israel's health ministry is the strictest advice that any country has yet issued about international travel. Israelis should avoid international conferences and 'consider the necessity of travelling abroad in general', the ministry said. 'The assessment is that there is a high probability the disease has already spread to other regions of Europe and many other places in the world,' officials say. Passengers wearing protective masks walk through the arrivals hall of Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel, which has now urged people to consider any foreign travel The ministry had already instructed Israelis returning from Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea to go into isolation at home for 14 days. Israeli first responders were on high alert yesterday at a coronavirus nerve centre. A designated hotline launched on Saturday has been fielding around 6,500 calls a day, according to the Magon David Adom emergency services. Israel has reported two infections of the coronavirus so far, both involving passengers who had been on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Others are in quarantine, including those who encountered a group of South Korean pilgrims who visited Israel earlier this month and were later found to have the virus. They include nearly 200 pupils who were in proximity to the South Koreans, who visited from February 8 to 15. Planes at Ben Gurion Airport at the weekend, with Israeli officials warning that the virus is likely to have spread further A coronavirus response centre in the central town of Kiryat Ono is to send experts to take samples from Israelis in home quarantine. 'People are anxious and worried. They call saying they were near the Korean tourists in Beersheba, but not at the same time. We explain they are not among the group at risk,' said Yael Arava, a paramedic trained to deal with coronavirus. Anyone who was in contact with the group should self-quarantine, the health ministry said. South Korea has become a major virus hotbed in itself, with many cases linked to a secretive religious sect based in Daegu. Seoul has declared its highest 'severe' alert level over the virus, prompting the US and South Korean militaries to postponed joint exercises. The United States has 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect it against the nuclear-armed North. Senate Democrats block bills against late-term abortion, infanticide Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The United States Senate failed to get the necessary 60 votes to advance two pro-life bills, one of which was aimed at banning abortions after 20 weeks into a pregnancy while another required medical care for babies that survive the procedure. On a vote taken Tuesday, the Senate voted 56-41 on Senate Bill 311, known as the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Introduced by Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, S. 311 mandated that a healthcare practitioner must provide medical attention to a baby that survives an attempted abortion. Also on Tuesday, the Senate voted 53-44 on Senate Bill 3275, also called the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, S. 3275 banned most abortions performed 20 weeks or later into a pregnancy. Both measures failed to get the necessary three-fifths majority, with nearly all Democrats voting against both bills and nearly all Republicans voting in favor of both. Notable exceptions included Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who voted in favor of both measures, and Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who voted against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Also, Democratic Senator Doug Jones of Alabama voted in favor of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Pro-life groups like the Susan B. Anthony List denounced the results, arguing that the votes will have influence on the election. We believe this will provide President Trump and the pro-life Senate majority the margin of victory come November, stated SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. Given the popularity of these bills and the heavy political losses Democrats will continue to suffer by opposing them, it is only a matter of time until they become law. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York denounced both bills as fake, dishonest, and extreme legislation that has nothing to do with improving the lives of ordinary Americans. I say fake because these bills pretend as if we dont already have laws on the book that protect infants. Additional legislation is completely unnecessary and irrational, stated Sen. Schumer on the Senate floor on Tuesday. These bills are not intended to fix real problems faced by real Americans; they are intended to provoke fear and misunderstanding about a very difficult issue so Republicans can score political points with their far-right base. Prominent evangelical leader Russell Moore, who heads the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, argued that the measures are "basic and common-sense bills that would protect human life. He called the Senate vote a "national scandal." Syracuse, N.Y. -- The switch to daylight saving time this year is as early in the spring as it can get. Congress has decreed that daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March. This year, that falls on March 8. Thats the day well move our clocks forward one hour at 2 a.m. Daylight saving time means the sun goes down an hour later relative to the clock. In Syracuse, the sun will set Saturday, March 7, at 6:01 p.m. The next day, sunset will be 7:03 p.m. Daylight saving time will end as early as possible, too. The federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 decreed that standard time starts on the first Sunday of November. In 2020, that will be Nov. 1. Time zones and daylight saving time are overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The departments website says that daylight saving time saves energy, reduces traffic fatalities, and reduces crime. Not everybody agrees. The leading author on daylight saving time said it only cuts electrical use by 0.5 percent -- if that. A study in Indiana in 2008 showed little change in energy use when parts of the state went to daylight saving time. Similar results were found in Australia in 2000, when part of the country switched temporarily to daylight saving time to extend the hours for Summer Olympics events. States can opt out of daylight saving time, as long as the governor, state legislature and Congress agree. At least four daylight saving time bills have been introduced in the New York state legislature. One bill would make daylight saving time permanent, one bill would eliminate it altogether, and two would create task forces to study daylight saving time. All are stuck in committees. President Donald Trump broke with his attorney general Bill Barr and pushed for changes in U.S surveillance laws repeating his claim that the FBI 'spied' on his campaign in 2016. Trump weighed in on Twitter after Barr went to the Capitol in an effort to reassure lawmakers about expiring surveillance laws. He told them the administration could support a clean extension, amid an effort by libertarian Republicans and some Democrats to change existing law. 'They spied on my campaign!' Trump tweeted around 1 am on Thursday morning, adding his comment to a tweet by conservative Republican loyalist Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. President Donald Trump complained the FBI 'spied' on his campaign as Bill Barr is pushing to extend federal surveillance authority Jordan had written: 'Comey's FBI misled the [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance] Court 17 times. We can't simply reauthorize the system that allowed those lies and omissions to happen. Now is our chance to fix it.' Trump also retweeted Jordan after the lawmaker sent out a clip of himself being interviewed on Fox News calling for changes to the law. 'FISA Reform markup tomorrow in Judiciary. Remember, AG Bill Barr used the term 'political surveillance' to describe what took place. That should never happen in America! That's why we need to make changes,' Jordan said, flagging earlier testimony by Barr. With major provisions set to expire March 15, Barr clashed with Republican senators during his Tuesday visit. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants an extension, and told reporters Barr does as well. Trump retweeted Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who inveighed against the FBI and called for reforms Attorney General William Barr arrives for a meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill about expiring intelligence provisions, in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 Barr clashed with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), pictured, and Rand Paul of Kentucky During a tense private exchange, Barr faced off with Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. Politico reported Barr called Lee's critique dangerous, and that Paul said Americans couldn't be monitored by secret courts. Barr was making his first visit to Capitol Hill since news broke a week ago that he had contemplated resigning over President Donald Trump's refusal to heed his warning to stop tweeting about Justice Department cases. He told ABC News Trump's tweeting about criminal cases made it 'impossible' for him to do his job, after Trump weighed in repeatedly on ally Roger Stone's case. Trump kept up the public pressure afterward. The meeting with Republican senators at their weekly lunch was scheduled weeks ago, long before Barr raised the prospect of resigning. Tensions seem to have cooled in recent days, with the White House expressing its support for Barr and the Justice Department insisting he has no plans to resign. One area where Trump and Barr may allign is on the notion of spying, however. Barr said in a controversial interview last year regarding Trump's campaign: 'It was clearly spied upon. I mean that's what electronic surveillance is.' Trump advisor Carter Page had his communications monitored as authorized by a surveillance court judge although a Justice Department inspector general found multiple errors in the surveillance applications. Discussions over whether and how to extend government surveillance powers have the potential to drive a wedge between a president distrustful of the intelligence community and law enforcement leaders who see the authorities as crucial to the fight against terrorism. Trump's suspicions were only heightened by a critical watchdog report on the Russia investigation, while the FBI and Justice Department have sought to address the problems that were identified even as they more broadly push for an extension of the expiring provisions. The attorney general received a round of applause as he arrived at the closed-door lunch to ask the Republican senators to support an extension of several authorities under the USA Freedom Act that are set to expire next month. He did not revive his concerns over the presidents tweets or discuss the sentencing of White House ally Roger Stone that led to the spat with Trump. But at least five senators spoke up at the lunch with exclamations of support and encouraged him to stay on the job, even as some raised concerns about the surveillance bill. 'Hes in a good spot right now,' Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters afterward. He said Barr has the full confidence of '99%' of the Republican conference. 'There was a warm welcome for the attorney general, appreciation of him doing the job the way he believes it needs it to be done, not bowing to pressure from left, right or middle,' Graham said. 'Theres a great deep appreciation that hes the right guy.' Barr proposed to senators a multi-part strategy that would involve having Congress approve a continuation of the existing provisions while the administration makes some regulatory changes to the process of surveillance applications. At the same time, senators on Grahams Judiciary Committee could hash out broader reforms for future legislation. Barr told senators he had backing for his approach from the national security adviser, FBI Director Chris Wray and some in the White House. Even so, Trump has repeatedly complained about the surveillance of a former aide, and invoked the problems identified by the Justice Department inspector general to argue that changes are needed. 'My sense is the president is supportive of the reforms the attorney general is offering up. Whether he wants more than that, I dont know,' said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. Barr recently told people that he has considered leaving his post after Trump wouldnt respect his request to stop tweeting about the department's cases. Earlier this month, Barr took a public swipe at Trump, saying in a television interview that the presidents tweets make it 'impossible' for him to do his job. Barrs suggestion that he might quit left many close to Trump questioning whether the attorney general really was considering stepping aside, instead believing he was trying to quell an internal uproar at the department and bolster his own reputation and his ability to act on Trumps behalf. In the days that followed, some of Trump's closest GOP allies - including Graham and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell - scrambled to let him know they think Barr is the right person to lead the department. 'We think he's doing a terrific job,' McConnell said. Some of those lawmakers supporting Barr are also pushing for reforms to the governments surveillance authorities. Their efforts intensified after the inspector general in December issued a scathing report that detailed significant errors and omissions in four applications to the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page as part of the FBIs Russia investigation. But the push from Trump's allies to change the FISA wiretap rules could complicate efforts in Congress to renew parts of the USA Freedom Act that are set to expire next month, including one authority that enables the FBI to collect a wide range of documents and records in terrorism and national security investigations. The deadline is March 15, leaving Congress little time to act. The FBI believes the surveillance powers are vital in thwarting terrorism, with Wray urging Congress this month to permanently authorize them. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is surrounded by reporters after he and Republican lawmakers met with Attorney General William Barr about expiring provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and other government intelligence laws, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Wray told the House Judiciary Committee that none of the provisions at issue for renewal has anything to do with the mistakes made in the Page case and urged lawmakers to keep the issues separate. 'They are vital to our relentless efforts to keep something like 325 million American people safe,' Wray said of the surveillance powers. Congress has historically been reluctant to let the governments broad surveillance powers lapse, but calls for reform have received bipartisan support in the wake of the inspector generals report on the Russia investigation. The report produced an extraordinary, and rare, public rebuke from the chief judge of the surveillance court, who said the errors the FBI made in the Page case called into question the accuracy of applications made in other cases. In response, the FBI committed to a series of reforms, including better training and safeguards aimed at ensuring that surveillance applications are more thorough and accurate and that information that could undercut the governments arguments for surveillance is more clearly disclosed to the court. Senators said it was unclear if Barrs proposed administrative changes would satisfy those who want deeper changes. The changes Barr is considering would be largely in line with those recommended by the inspector general. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said he told Barr and his colleagues he wont support an extension. 'Thats a big mistake,' he said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 20:45:42|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NAIROBI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan security forces on Wednesday evening killed five members of a gang that had been terrorizing residents of the coastal city of Mombasa. Julius Kiragu, the police commander in Mombasa's Kisauni sub-county said that the five gangsters were members of a criminal network that was behind a spate of robberies targeting houses and business premises. "The criminals who were over 25 in number had been carrying out retaliatory attacks on civilians when police stepped in and managed to neutralize five of them as their accomplices disappeared," said Kiragu. He said police were in hot pursuit of over 20 gang members who managed to escape and urged members of the public to cooperate with security officers to contain the rising wave of crime in Mombasa and other coastal towns. The Kisauni area has witnessed a series of attacks from various criminal groups in the recent past. By Ofeliya Afandiyeva Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) are negotiating the aspects of a new agreement, which will form the legal basis for bilateral relations, Foreign Ministrys Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva said on February 26. Abdullayeva said that on February 25, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov held a phone conversation with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell to discuss the agreement. "They also talked about holding the next meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Cooperation Council. Moreover, the parties discussed the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor, which plays an important role in Europes energy supply, its future expansion, as well as transport and connectivity issues." During the conversation, the sides exchanged views on the current situation in the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov delivered to the attention of the EU High Representative the principled position of Azerbaijan on resolving the conflict on the basis of the norms and principles of international law and particularly, within internationally recognized borders on the basis of respect for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as stated by the President Ilham Aliyev at the Munich Security Conference. Minister expressed gratitude for the EUs position on the settlement of the conflict and its support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan," she stated. The EU High Representative Josep Borrell briefed the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister on preparation for the Eastern Partnership Summit to be held in June and stressed the necessity of giving a new impetus to the Eastern Partnership policy. The parties said they were looking forward to the upcoming meeting of ministers of the Eastern Partnership countries and the June summit. Borrell expressed his gratitude to minister Mammadyarov for his participation in the International Donors conference held for Albania after the earthquake and for the contribution made by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has donated $1m for earthquake relief efforts in Albania. The officials discussed bilateral and regional issues. Earlier, Presidential Aide, Head of the Presidential Administrations Foreign Policy Affairs Department Hikmet Hajiyev said that negotiations were underway between EU and Azerbaijan: There are certain fundamental areas, on which we have a little bit different views, but both sides with constructive engagement are working together to narrow this gap. Almost 90 percent of the text of the agreement has been finalized. But there are energy issues, also trade issues. We are looking for more engagement from the EU side. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell during his visit to Brussels on February 19, 2020 where they discussed the collaboration between Azerbaijan and the European Union and negotiations on a new agreement between Azerbaijan and the EU. EU relations with Azerbaijan date back to 1991 and are based on the EU-Azerbaijan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (signed in 1996, entering into force in 1999), which provides for a wide-ranging cooperation in the areas of political dialogue, trade, investment, economy, legislation and culture. Since then, the European Union has gradually expanded the scope of its assistance to and cooperation with Azerbaijan. Since 2004, Azerbaijan has been included (as a southern Caucasus country) in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), and also in the Eastern Partnership initiative since its inauguration in 2009. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Three Turkish soldiers were killed in an airstrike in Syrias northwestern province of Idlib, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, February 27, The Defense Post reports. Turkey, which supports several Syrian rebel groups in the area, immediately responded to the attack by hitting Syrian regime targets, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Twitter. We have three martyrs in Idlib, but the regimes losses are very high, Erdogan said during a speech in Ankara, without giving details. Russia and the Syrian government consider rebels fighting Assads forces to be terrorists. Idlib, the last rebel pocket in the country following nine years of civil war, is largely controlled by the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, but is home to millions of people displaced from other area of the country. The Turkish death toll rose after the defense ministry earlier on Thursday said two soldiers had been killed and two had been injured in the northwest province. The latest casualties bring the number of Turkish security personnel killed in regime fire in Idlib this month to 20. Despite the losses, Erdogan said developments in Idlib had taken a It has been well documented and met with zero opposition to the priority and significance of maintaining the Greater Little Mountain Area (GLMA) and its bountiful recreational resources. That being said, I am incredibly concerned about the future of the GLMA, southwest Wyomings crown jewel and one of its most important recreational areas in the region. The Department of the Interior has repeatedly shown in recent months that it refuses to listen to local input when deciding how to manage the nations public lands, a trend that could continue here. Recent news out of Colorado shows that... Dr Keith Curtis, 52, from California, has been arrested on drug and weapons charges after police seized meth and guns from his offices and home A California doctor has been arrested on drug and weapons charges after police searched his medical office and allegedly discovered methamphetamine, guns and ammunition. Dr Keith Curtis, 52, a longtime family physician at Raincross Medical Group in Riverside, was jailed last week after police received a tip accusing him of being high on drugs while seeing patients. According to a press release from the Riverside Police Department, detectives stopped Curtis as he was leaving work last Thursday and found him to be in possession of three bags containing 28 grams of methamphetamine. When police searched Curtis' medical office on Brockton Avenue, they allegedly discovered a used drug pipe and a shotgun. Narcotics and Vice detectives also found the upper receiver of an AR-15 style rifle and ammunition in another office used by Curtis. This photo released by the Riverside Police Department shows the guns, including a part of an AR-15-style rifle, that detectives acting on a tip seized last week from Curtis Even more meth and firearms were later seized from Curtis' home in Riverside. When questioned by police, the doctor 'admitted to using illegal narcotics while conducting his medical practice,' according to the news release. Curtis was then booked into jail on charges of possession of illegal narcotics, suspicion of being under the influence of illegal narcotics, and being a prohibited person from owning or possessing firearms due to drug addiction. He has since been released on $10,000 bail. According to the Raincross Medical Group's website, Curtis is married and has five children between him and his wife. His online profile states that Curtis is a second-generation doctor who has practiced medicine in Riverside for 25 years, treating adults as well as children, including newborns. 'He is best known among his patients for giving them plenty of time to express their concerns, rather than rushing them through,' the profile read. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crocs, Inc. (CROX) said, for 2020, the company expects revenues to be up 8% to 12%. An operating margin of between 11% and 13% is estimated for the fiscal year 2020. For the first-quarter, the company expects revenues to be between $305 and $325 million. Operating margin is anticipated to be between 9% and 12%, for the quarter. Fourth-quarter adjusted net income per share was $0.12, compared to a loss per share of $0.10, prior year. Fourth-quarter revenues were $263.0 million, up 21.8% year-on-year, or an increase of 22.7% on a constant currency basis. Wholesale revenues grew 22.4%, e-commerce revenues grew 34.3%, and retail comparable store sales on a constant currency basis grew 16.0%. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Share Market Update: Equity market indices Sensex and Nifty recovered from early declines to close 0.40% lower each, backed by heavy selling pressure in media, realty and metal stocks. Backed by all the sector-based-indices ending in red, barring pharma, BSE 30-share S&P Sensex closed 143 points lower at 39,745 and NSE 50-share index Nifty50 closed 45 points lower to 11,633. Domestic indices tracked volatility from global equities due to rising concerns over coronavirus epidemic outside China and on worries over its impact on the global economy. The CDC also warned Americans to brace for a possible coronavirus pandemic that drove another Wall Street tumble and pushed yields on safe-haven Treasuries to record lows. Traders said market is also likely to be bearish on the Futures and Options expiry day. Besides this, market is expected to be volatile as investors will also keep a watch on GDP numbers and eight core industries January YoY data, that will be released tomorrow. Here's a look at the live updates of the market action on BSE and NSE today: Expert Opinon 4: 00 PM Commenting on the market's bearish trend, Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services said, "Domestic & Global equity market got impacted by weak expiry of monthly F&O and selling in the global market due to the spread of new coronavirus cases in some parts of the world. Till last week the market was of the view that coronavirus is going to have only a minimum impact on global economy as situation in China was being contained. But an increase in the number of new cases is changing the view and there are fears of some slowdown in the economy." Closing Bell 3: 45 PM Equity market indices Sensex and Nifty recovered from early declines to close 0.40% lower each, backed by heavy selling pressure in media, realty and metal stocks. Backed by all the sector-based-indices ending in red, barring pharma, BSE 30-share S&P Sensex closed 143 points lower at 39,745 and NSE 50-share index Nifty50 closed 45 points lower to 11,633. Market Update 3: 20 PM The equity market indices Sensex and Nifty recovered from early declines to trade 0.40% lower each, backed by heavy selling pressure in media, realty and metal stocks, with all the sector-based-indices trading in red, barring pharma. BSE Sensex fell 150 points lower at 39,745 and NSE Nifty traded 48 points lower at 11,630. Oil today 2: 50 PM Brent Crude oil has hit its fresh 52 week low today of $52.53 per barrel. 52-week lows today 1: 45 PM Mahindra & Mahindra, Rico Auto, Larsen a& Toubro, Tata Power, LIC Housing Finance, Just Dial, IndusInd Bank, Indian Oil Corp, Hindalco Industries, Hero MotoCorp, GSFC, GAIL, Canara Bank have hit 52-week low in today's trade. Coronavirus update 1:00 PM More than 40 countries and regions outside mainland China have reported infections. On Wednesday, cases were detected for the first time in Brazil, Pakistan, Norway, Greece, Romania and Algeria. Coronavirus update: 29 deaths, 433 new cases reported in China on Feb 26 Indigo shares decline for fourth straight day 12: 50 PM A preliminary probe by markets regulator Sebi has suggested prima-facie violations of corporate governance and listing disclosure norms in certain related party transactions involving budget carrier IndiGo's parent firm InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, sources said. However, on Wednesday once again IndiGo refuted all charges of corporate governance and listing disclosure norms in certain related party transactions. IndiGo Whole Time Director and CEO Ronojoy Dutta said it has not received any communication from Sebi regarding any outcome of any preliminary enquiry by the regulator. "Further, IndiGo strongly denies any allegations of wrongdoing or avoidance of processes. It reiterates that it has strong processes for ensuring arm's length dealings with related parties and that such transactions were entered into in the ordinary course of business and were in the best interests of IndiGo," he said in a statement. Shares of IndiGo have declined 1.9% today to trade at Rs 1,367.50 on BSE. Jubilant Life Sciences climb almost 2% 12: 32 PM Jubilant Life Sciences' board has declared interim dividend of Rs 5 for FY20. The stock price of the company stands 1.9% higher at Rs 519 on BSE today. SEBI to allow investors deal in MF through bourses 12: 30 PM The markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Thursday said it has has asked stock exchanges to allow investors to directly access their platform in order to buy and sell mutual funds. "In order to further increase the reach of the platform, it has been decided to allow investors to directly access infrastructure of the recognised stock exchanges to purchase and redeem mutual fund units directly from MutualFund/ Asset Management Companies," the regulator said in a press release. CRISIL on Coronavirus 12: 25 PM CRISIL in its recent report on the deadly novel coronavirus (n-CoV) epidemic believes n-CoV's impact for India will be a mixed bag. "With the weather getting warmer over the next two months, we expect the impact of the outbreak to subside in China by April 2020. That is the base case. In the worst case, the epidemic might well extend through the first quarter of fiscal 2021, intensifying the severity of impact. If not contained quickly, the epidemic will have a knock-on effect in the world economy and disrupt global supply chains. China is the world's second largest economy and a major trade partner for many countries, including India," CRISIL added in its report. Rupee today 12: 20 PM Easing oil prices haunted by the deadly virus spread and RBI's announcement of two long term repo operations supported the Indian currency that closed higher for a second day. RBI in its official press release said,"Tt has now been decided that all new floating rate loans to the Medium Enterprises extended by banks from April 01, 2020 shall be linked to the external benchmarks." Oil prices today 12: 20 PM Oil prices fell for the fifth consecutive day as more coronavirus cases were reported in Asia, Europe and Middle East raising concerns over crude demand. Decline in gas prices will be beneficial for listed companies from sectors such as oil marketing companies (OMCs), paints, fertilisers, power and airline carriers. Brent Crude, the global oil benchmark, traded at $52.8 per barrel, down 1.10% today. FII declines for third straight day 12: 15 PM Foreign institutional investors continued to be sellers for the third straight day. FIIs remained net sellers in the capital market as they sold shares worth Rs 3,336.60 crore on Wednesday, according to provisional exchange data. FIIs sold shares worth Rs 2,315.07 crore on Tuesday and Rs 1,160.90 crore on Monday in the capital market. Revenue de-grew for Nifty by 1% in Q3 FY20 12: 10 PM Commenting on Nifty Results Q3 FY20, Edelweiss in its report said that revenue de-grew for Nifty by 1% as against estimates of growth of 4% as Broad based slowdown ,sluggish domestic demand and weak export orders translated to weak top line growth. Sectors which contributed the most to Nifty earnings were Banks, IT and Infra. Corporate banks contributed most to the profitability the report further said. RITES share price slumps over 5% 12: 00 PM RITES share price fell in early trade today amid the ongoing offer for sale by the government. Share price of RITES lost up to 5.67% to Rs 300 compared to the previous close of Rs 318.05 on BSE. The PSU stock opened 4.42% lower at Rs 304 today. Market capitalisation of the firm fell to Rs 7,532 crore. However, the mid cap stock has gained 66.17% during last one year and 3.8% since the beginning of this year. Market update 11: 50 AM Domestic market extended the fall for the fifth consecutive trading session today. BSE Sensex has lost 1,793 points or 4.34%, while NSE Nifty has dropped 4.6% since the closing of February 19, 2020. Sensex drops over 400 points, Nifty slips below 11,550: 10 things to know Cipal top loser today 11: 40 AM Cipla shares were the top losers for the second consecutive day on NSE after the pharma major informed the exchanges about the Goa manufacturing facility inspection conducted from 16-27 September 2019 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and said it has received a warning letter from USFDA. today, share price of Cipla were tradinfg 3% lower at Rs 409.20. Sectors Today 11: 30 AM Sectorally, all indices were trading in red. Nifty realty was falling 2.55%, with media and metal each declining over 2%, followed by near 1.5% decline on IT, auto, PSU bank and financials indices. 11:00 AM The Indian rupee appreciated by 5 paise to 71.60 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday amid easing crude oil prices and weakening of the greenback in the overseas market. At the interbank foreign exchange the rupee opened at 71.65 then gained further ground and touched a high of 71.60, registering a rise of 5 paise over its previous close. On Wednesday, rupee had settled for the day at 71.65 against the US dollar. Rupee vs Dollar: Rupee rises 5 paise to 71.60 per dollar amid easing crude prices Coronavirus Update 10: 35 AM The virulence of the novel coronavirus continues to show a declining trend in China which reported 29 new fatalities, the lowest in weeks, taking the death toll to 2,744 while the confirmed cases climbed to 78,497, officials said on Thursday. As per US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US has 60 confirmed coronavirus cases, and added that the number is expected to grow. 10: 30 AM Reduction in natural gas prices in India, in line with global prices, is expected to boost the business of city gas distributors (CGDs), fertiliser manufacturers and power generation companies, besides driving gas consumption in the domestic market. Gas prices in India are expected to get slashed by 25 per cent from April. In the next two revisions, which will fall in April and October, the price is expected to be cut by 45 per cent to 10-year low of $2 a million British thermal unit (MBtu). Decline in gas prices will be beneficial for listed companies from sectors such as Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), paints, fertilisers, power and airline carriers. Decline in natural gas prices from April expected to rekindle demand Market drops nearly 1% 10: 20 AM On February Futures and Options expiry day, equity market benchmark Sensex and Nifty dropped nearly 1%, tracking global sell-off on Thursday amid coronavirus epidemic that weighed on investor sentiments. BSE 30-share S&P Sensex traded 400 points lower at 39,530 and NSE 50-share index Nifty50 fell 112 points lower to 11,565. All indices were trading in red, with 2.8% decline in realty and 2% fall in media scrips. FII/DII action on Wednesday 10: 15 AM On a net basis, foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 3,336.60 crore, while domestic institutional investors bought shares worth Rs 2,785.67 crore on Wednesday, data available with stock exchanges showed. Global market update 10: 10 AM Asian shares fell on Thursday following US trend, with stock exchanges in Hong Kong, Seoul and Tokyo were trading with losses, while bourses in Shanghai were positive. SGX Nifty traded at 11,755, down 63 points or 0.53%. Equities in the US too ended on a tepid note on Wednesday, as the stocks continued their sharp two-day sell-off. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans to brace for a possible coronavirus pandemic that drove another Wall Street tumble and pushed yields on safe-haven Treasuries to record lows. US Futures (Dow Jones) traded at 27,314, up 197 points or 0.73%. Coronavirus outbreak: IMF, World Bank consider 'virtual' Spring Meetings Market update 10: 06 AM According to analysts, intense spread of coronavirus is pushing investors away. There is sharp foreign fund outflow led by strong dollar index, as investors reduce their exposure to emerging markets amid global uncertainty. Sensex pack losers and gainers 10: 05 AM Top losers in the Sensex pack included HCL Tech, HDFC Bank, TCS, M&M, IndusInd Bank, Sun Pharma, ICICI Bank and Reliance Industries. On the other hand, Titan, NTPC, Nestle India and Kotak Bank were trading with gains. TVS Motor falls almost 2% 10:00 AM TVS Motor announced today that the auto major has entered into partnership with Honduras-based co Motomundo SA, in a move to further consolidate company's presence in South America. Motomundo SA will facilitate the sales and service of TVS products across all their stores in the country in a phase-wise manner, the filing added. Currently the stock price TVS Motor is declining 8.20 points or 1.88% at Rs 427.10on BSE. Coronavirus Update 9: 55 AM 119 Indian nationals who were on board the Diamond Princess Cruise ship have been brought back in a special Air India flight. The flight has also delivered 15 tonnes of medical equipment. An IAF MCC C17 also evacuated 76 Indian & 36 foreign nationals from Wuhan. 119 Indians on board coronavirus-hit Japan cruise land in New Delhi Rupee today 9: 55 AM The rupee appreciated 2 paise to 71.63 against the US dollar in morning session. Brent Crude today 9: 50 AM Brent Crude traded at $55.33 per barrel, up 0.69%. Vodafone gains 2% 9: 40 AM Ahead of the crucial meet of Digital Communications Commission (DCC) on the AGR issue, Vodafone Idea has reportedly written a letter to the government asking for adjustment of Rs 8,000 crore of Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund towards AGR dues. In addition, the telco has requested deferment of the AGR payment schedule. Vodafone Idea is also batting for reducing license fee from existing 8 per cent to 3 per cent, and spectrum usage charges (SUC) from about 3 per cent currently to 1 per cent. Today, shares of Vodafone are gaining 4% higher at Rs 4.20 on BSE. SBI Card IPO 9: 30 AM The initial public offering (IPO) of SBI Cards and Payment Services, credit card unit of the country's largest lender SBI, will be launched on March 2 at a price band of Rs 750-755 per share. SBI Cards IPO comprises issue of fresh equity worth Rs 500 crore for strengthening the company's capital base and offer for sale by promoters of up to 13 crore shares. With the IPO, SBI Cards will become the fifth company under the SBI Group to be listed on bourses. SBI Cards IPO: 10 things to know about share sale on March 2 Opening Bell 9: 20 AM Extending the fall for the fifth straight session, market indices Sensex and Nifty opened majorly bearish on Thursday, following overseas trend, amid across- sector based heavy sell-off. BSE 30-share S&P Sensex traded 250 points lower at 39,635 and NSE 50-share index Nifty50 fell 70 points lower to 11,607. All indices were trading in red, with 2% decline in realty and 1% fall in media scrips. Stocks to watch today on February 27 9:00 AM State Bank of India, Ruchi Soya, D B Corp among others are the top stocks to watch out for in Thursday's trading session Stocks in news: State Bank of India, Ruchi Soya, DB Corp and more Last Close 8: 50 AM Sensex and Nifty closed majorly bearish on Wednesday, following overseas trend, amid heavy sell-off in almost all sectors. BSE 30-share S&P Sensex closed 392 points lower at 39,888 and NSE 50-share index Nifty50 closed 119 points lower at 11,678. Domestic indices tracked volatility from global equities due to rising concerns over coronavirus epidemic outside China and on worries over its impact on the global economy. Traders said market is also likely to be bearish ahead of Futures and Options expiry. RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Democrats are in the spotlight as they argue over how legislative and congressional boundaries should be drawn, with only a few days left to make a decision. Redistricting reform has been a top priority for Democrats in Virginia and around the country after a tea party wave a decade ago helped Republicans convert big electoral gains into favourable congressional and state legislative maps. Democrats have called those maps political gerrymanders that have helped accelerate polarization and entrench minority rule. Many Democrats have pledged to back changes to make sure voters pick their politicians and not the other way around, and Virginia represents a key opportunity to put their money where their mouth is. All eyes are on Virginia, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the actor and former California governor who is an anti-gerrymandering advocate, tweeted earlier this week. Virginia Democrats are split on what redistricting reforms should look like and lawmakers are continuing to put off any final decisions as this years legislative session winds to a close. The U.S. Constitution requires a census once every 10 years. The census conducted this year will be used to redraw districts for the U.S. House and state House and Senate chambers next year. Both parties have been accused of using partisan advantage to draw unfair maps and more than a dozen states, both conservative and liberal, have passed some sort of redistricting procedures designed to keep partisanship in check. This year, voters in 35 states will elect more than 5,000 state lawmakers who will help craft the new district maps. Virginia is ahead of the curve because it holds off-year legislative elections. Democrats won full control of the General Assembly last year for the first time in a generation and are now in charge of determining how maps are drawn next year. Schwarzenegger and many other anti-gerrymandering advocates around the country are urging Virginia lawmakers to accept a proposed constitutional amendment establishing a bipartisan commission made up of lawmakers and citizens charged with drawing maps. The measure passed the General Assembly last year with broad bipartisan support and must pass again without any changes this year before going to voters for final approval. Republicans said the delay in passage of the amendment is an ominous sign that Democrats arent serious about redistricting reform. Somebody needs to make a decision, let everybody know what their decision is, said House Minority Leader Del. Todd Gilbert. I hope its that they follow through with their longstanding commitment. But several black lawmakers in the state House objected to the proposed amendment last year on the grounds that it would dilute African Americans influence in drawing maps. They still oppose it this year, and have proposed an alternative they said ensures fair redistricting next year and allows lawmakers to come up with a better constitutional amendment in future years. Both the proposed constitutional amendment and the alternative plan would form a bipartisan commission made up of lawmakers and citizens who would present maps to the General Assembly for approval. But a key difference is who would have the final say in approving new maps if the commissions work ended in a stalemate. The proposed constitutional amendment would give the last word to the conservative-leaning Virginia Supreme Court while the alternative plan would still give the General Assembly that power. Proponents of the proposed amendments have advanced accompanying legislation that would ensure minority representation on the commission and limit the Supreme Courts discretion at drawing maps in the event of a stalemate. But opponents of the constitutional amendment said those measures are still inadequate and a new one is needed. There is no way that I get to a yes vote for a fatally flawed amendment that does not equally protect voters of colour, said Del. Cia Price. Prices alternative plan has the backing of some liberal groups and the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which is led by former Attorney General Eric Holder and endorsed by former President Barack Obama. The Senate has already passed the proposed amendment this year with strong support from black senators and there are more than enough votes to pass it on the House floor. After a lengthy delay, a House committee on Thursday scheduled a hearing on the amendment Friday. Meanwhile, the Senate has put off making a final decision on Prices alternative proposal. The session is set to end by March 7. The worst outcome, said some anti-gerrymandering advocates, would be if nothing passed. Terrance Carroll, the former Democratic Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, said it would hurt Democrats image nationwide. It would send a strong message about the commitment of the party to its own principles ... and whether the party is for power for powers sake or whether its really a party about empowering the people that elected them, he said. A Portland Parks and Recreation employee is under investigation by the citys human resources department for his participation in apparent harassment of Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty during a demonstration downtown on Saturday. Mayor Ted Wheeler said Portland police are looking into the incident at Lownsdale Square, described it as disturbing and said that the investigation would check whether any city policies were violated. The incident was first reported by The Portland Mercury. We do not tolerate threatening behavior, Wheeler said in a statement. Mark Ross, a Parks Bureau spokesperson, declined comment and referred all questions about employee Gregory Isaacson to the mayors office. Wheeler oversees the Parks Bureau. Isaacson works as an analyst in the citys Parks Bureau. He made nearly $103,000 in wages and other pay in 2019 and has worked for the city since 2016, according to city records. The Mercury reported that the event was organized by Portlands Liberation, an affiliate of Vancouver-based right-wing group Patriot Prayer. Isaacson is a Patriot Prayer supporter who takes part in right-wing rallies. Several videos posted on social media show Hardesty walking up to the small rally and asking what was going on and what they were protesting. Isaacson is seen on a bike, thanking Hardesty for being there and saying that he and fellow rally-goers were participating in free speech. Haley Adams, one of the groups organizers, said they were protesting attacks on independent journalists. About two dozen people are near Hardesty as she explains that she knew nothing about such attacks. Another person referred to by Isaacson and several others as Porkchop used a megaphone to talk over her, saying he wanted to talk about homeless people and calls her the head of Black Lives Matter. The videos show people continue talking over Hardesty as she tries to explain that shed be willing to talk to anyone who wants to have a conversation, then Hardesty walks away. At some point, Isaacson yells, Im sorry you didnt want to have a conversation, Jo Ann. Video footage also shows other people shouting expletives at Hardesty, calling her a sad excuse for a city commissioner and saying that she should resign. Some from the group follows Hardesty as she goes to a parked car and one person repeatedly yells out the license plate number. Hardesty said she wouldnt comment on the incident because of the ongoing investigations. I want to thank the community for their support and concern after this weekends incident, she said in a statement. This support reminds me Portland is still full of love. -- Everton Bailey Jr; ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 | @EvertonBailey Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. With the spread of the novel coronavirus, should you forgo this year's vacation? After all, who wants to be locked into to a windowless cruise ship cabin for days on end, or quarantined in a fancy hotel you could barely afford? And now you're running low on your prescription drugs, while the office is wondering when you'll ever get back to work. How to minimize the risk? First, you'll want to avoid certain destinations. The Centers for Disease Control maintains a list of places to avoid, as well as those that require "enhanced precautions." On Wednesday afternoon, the People's Republic of China and South Korea were on the list of countries to avoid because of the virus. The U.S. State Department also offers travel advisories at its website. You can also sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, where you'll get travel and safety updates. Are you healthy? If not, you may want to postpone your trip. In Italy, says Jean Gagnon of Plaza Travel in Latham, many of the people who died of novel coronavirus were at an advanced age or in compromised health. If you're sick, stay home. If you travel, wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, avoid people who are coughing or sneezing, and use hand sanitizer when you can't wash. Some travelers bring packs of disinfecting wipes to clean airplane tray tables and arm rests. If you do plan to travel, "always buy travel insurance," Gagnon advised. You may want to opt for the more expensive "cancel for any reason" policy, which doesn't have as many exclusions as less expensive policies. Still, the more expansive policies may cover just 50 to 75 percent of your costs. (We understand that state regulators may be seeking some changes in the wording of such policies and that for now, policies are only available through mid-March). Still, it will help cover any prolonged and unexpected hotel stay. Save your receipts, whether for meals, lodging or transportation. You'll need them to file a claim. Also, make sure you have adequate health insurance that covers you internationally if you're heading overseas. A good travel insurance policy will cover any expenses not covered by your primary health insurance, such as a $500 deductible. You may want to bring additional prescription drugs and have the paper that identifies your medications so that you can get refills. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. You also might want to make your arrangements through a travel agent, someone who can help with rebookings and other issues that might crop up. "It is excellent to have a travel agent," Gagnon said. If your travel goes awry in the United States, chances are you'll be able to make your way home in a rental car or alternative flight. Overseas, you might be temporarily stranded. Overseas, you'll want a smartphone that has an international calling plan. AT&T and Verizon offer plans for as little as $10 a day. And you may want to bring a laptop computer so that you can work remotely, if you're stuck in an extended quarantine (so far, they've typically lasted 14 days). While the fatality rate for novel coronavirus has been estimated at 2.3 percent, more than 80 percent of cases have been described as "mild." Nevertheless, the quarantines put in place to slow its spread likely will cause travel disruptions for the foreseeable future. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The two were previously granted the titles of His and Her Royal Highness, but upon stepping back as working royals, they agreed to give up that portion of their titles. At an appearance in Scotland earlier this week, Prince Harry requested to simply be introduced as Harry at a royal engagement not Prince Harry or Harry, Duke of Sussex. Will Meghan, who is typically introduced as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex start to do the same? And what statement are the two trying to make by removing their royal titles entirely? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Samir Hussein/WireImage Harry and Meghan are still adjusting to life outside the royal realm In January 2020, Harry and Meghan shocked the world when they announced that they would step back from their roles as senior royals. The two had been at the center of a media storm ever since Meghan joined the family, and it was largely speculated that thats why they opted to leave their roles. Though they wanted to continue working for the queen, it wasnt feasible in conjunction with their financial independence. Harry and Meghan left for Vancouver Island, Canada in January, and the two are still adjusting to their new lives. Theyve reportedly been much more active and have been enjoying each others company and spending time with Archie, but theyre only at the very beginning of their next chapter. And now, the two are back in the United Kingdom to fulfill some final royal duties before they officially step out of the role in the spring. Harry recently requested to be introduced sans Prince Since Harry and Meghans departure, theyve been in the news nearly every day for their decision. And Harry turned heads once more when he recently attended a royal engagement in Scotland. The prince was called on stage to make a speech, but during his introduction, it was made clear that he had requested to be introduced as Harry rather than Prince Harry or the Duke of Sussex. Harry said upon leaving the royal family that he was sad the decision had to come to this. But now, he seems to be taking pride in his exit and excited to start the next chapter far away from his family. Meghan could follow in his footsteps if the two are making a joint statement Its unclear yet if Meghan will also ask to be introduced sans title. Shes typically introduced as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, though now that Harry has dropped his title, she might as well. And if she does, the two could be making a powerful statement about their views on the rest of the royal family. There have been rumors circling that there is some animosity between the Sussexes and the other royals, and should Harry and Meghan drop their titles, it could suggest that theyre denouncing the family as a whole. It might also simply be Harrys way of adapting to his new lifestyle and have nothing to do with the other royals, but it seems these two are on a mission to redefine royal life one way or the other. The Grey Ghost of Spiti, as the endangered snow leopard is often called, may still be one of the most mysterious cats but may not be as elusive thanks to the efforts of the state forest department and conservationists. The recent sightings of Himachal Pradeshs state animal in the frozen white expanse of Spiti valley have come as a delight for wildlife enthusiasts as the population of the feline inhabiting the treacherous terrain is expected to have seen a rise. A recent video showed a snow leopard in front of an SUV in Hikkim village, while another resident recorded the felines atop a mountain in Kibber. Both videos were widely shared on social media. Though the exact number of snow leopards is difficult to ascertain given their shy nature, but the wildlife wing of the forest department pegs the population at more than 100. The wildlife wing and the Nature Conservation Foundation of India, Mysore, surveyed seven places, including Miyar, Thandi, Chandra and Bagha in upper Spiti region in Lahaul and Spiti district. The team spotted 49 leopards in all. We followed the landscape adoption approach under which we take care of snow leopards, their prey base and the livelihood of people. The surveys have been encouraging, says principal chief conservator wildlife Savita, adding that the final survey will be completed by March-end. The department conducted an estimate of snow leopard count in 2016 but it was not done in a scientific manner. At that time, it had put the number at 67. Earlier, it had estimated 20 leopards across the state that set alarm bells ringing. The frequent sighting of leopards is a good sign. It shows that they live in a healthy environment, says Sanjay Kumar Dhiman, a wildlife official who has authored Cats of Himalayas. HOME AND HABITAT In Himachal Pradesh, the snow leopards habitat ranges from Kibber wildlife sanctuary in Lahaul and Spiti to Pangi in Chamba district. The cats are usually found in the rugged terrain at altitudes between 9,800 feet and 17,000 feet. Snow leopards have been sighted in Lippa Asrang in the upper reaches of Kinnaur and the Great Himalayan National Park. The Helan Shan blue sheep, also known as bharals, comprise the main prey for snow leopards. But the growing population of stray dogs in Kaza close to Kibber, the main habitat of the leopard, has emerged as a threat for the feline. Snow leopards prefer to inhabit steep cliff areas, rocky outcrops and ravines. Such habitats provide them with the camouflage they need to ambush unsuspecting prey. They stalk their prey and usually spring from a distance of 20ft to 50ft. Their long and powerful hind limbs help them to leap up to 30 ft, which is six times their body length. SOURCE OF INCOME The snow leopards are emerging as a source of livelihood for local residents of the cold desert. Thirty youngsters of Spiti valley have been trained by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering in Manali. They earn from 1,000 to 1,500 from each tourist group for guiding them on leopard sighting trips. During winter, more wildlife enthusiasts visit Spiti to spot snow leopards. These excursions are a good source of income for us, says Chhering Tashi, a graduate from Kibber village located 14,200 ft above sea level. Tashi has studied the habitat of snow leopards in the region for three years. KEEPING TRACK In 2006, the forest department initiated the project to conserve the habitat of snow leopards in Spiti valley The wildlife wing is running the project along with the Nature Conservation Foundation of India, Mysore The Himachal Pradesh government has set up the Himalayan Snow Leopards Research Centre Himachal is the first state to have undertaken a project to conserve snow leopards More than 30 trap cameras have been installed in the region to keep track of snow leopards SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON What would you do for the ultimate foodie experience? Film your most intimate (travel) moments? Shovel manure on a farm? Sell your car? Uproot your family? These suggestions sounded outlandish ten years ago. Now theyre par for the plate. The internet is upon us, and these days a kitchenhands Instagram story is a more valuable marketing tool than prime time TV. Why? People no longer trust establishment cool and everyone wants something quirky to rub in their friends faces. Half the joy is the journey. However, you also dont want to go too far the other way, and grimace through trash (see: A.A. Gills the worst restaurant in the world review, arguably the best of all time). So how does one find a locations hidden gems? You turn to Travellers podcast Flight Of Fancy. Along with chef (and co-owner) of Firedoor, Lennox Hastie, and Fairfax foodie Sharnee Rawson, podcast host (and travel writer) Ben Groundwater discusses how to find a destinations best food. We recently had a listen, and found it helpful. Heres what we learned. Go beyond the broadsheets View this post on Instagram A post shared by Firedoor Restaurant (@firedoor_surryhills) on Feb 21, 2020 at 10:30pm PST Do your research but be new school. Or as former editor of Delicious Sharnee Rawson says, talk to someone in the know: Ask a chef or if youre not confident [enough to do that] stalk them on social media. I have a few people that I love to follow So many of my friends will want to go somewhere cos they saw it on Dan Hongs Instagram. Further tips include: Find a couple of people overseas and go through the archives of great publishers. Sharnee, for instance, likes to read guides (from The New York Times, to take one example) then work forward from that. They [The New York Times] might say youve got to go to this restaurant, and then you look up that restaurant, then you look up the people that work there and see what theyre eating and then go down the rabbit hole that way. Think of your preferences It [also] depends how you like to travel a lot of people chase those Michelin star experiences, which is great. But I like to book one or two nice restaurants and then leave the rest of it down to chance, Sharnee adds. Dont pester your concierge for advice Sharnee also pointed out that asking your concierge for generic advice isnt as smart as you think: A lot of people like to ask the concierge at their hotel, where do you eat?. I think its better to be a little bit more targeted. Say youre in Osaka, you want to look up the regional specialities there okonomiyaki or teriyaki say, where can I go to find the best teriyaki?' Ben Groundwater then jumped in with: Thats the danger of talking to locals a lot of them dont know anything about food and you end up in this place and youre like, This is terrible.' Sharnee then added: Most concierges will have about five places depending on what question you ask. You need to break out of that conversation. Make the most of your wins View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wyll Vncs (@wyllians) on Feb 27, 2019 at 5:27pm PST If you go somewhere great, ask the staff that work there [where they like to eat] too. Cheers, Sharnee. Take into account the sort of place youre visiting As Firedoor chef Lennox warns, not every destination is best experienced by booking a million restaurants: some places lend itself to that more than others. San Sebastian and its bar culture is a prime example: [You] go into one, try one bite to eat; if its good you stay. If not you go. People have this paseo [you go] bar to bar, bump into people from the last bar; they tell you where to go next. Get the right people talking Ben Groundwater then added: All you have to do is get people talking. I stayed in a hostel in San Sebastian and I bumped into a guy and I told him I was going to Arzak. This was like a 20 euro a night hostel, and he was like, are you kidding me. Once he realised I was into food, he got a map out and starting telling me: ok, here for tomato salad, here for prawn skewers, etc. Check out the local markets View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natalia Miler (@natalia_miler) on Dec 15, 2018 at 1:07am PST Once youre in your destination of choice you can do some feet-to-ground research (or maybe tongue to plate) by checking out the markets, seeing whats grown locally and whats in season. All three foodies on the podcast agree this will help you pick which restaurant to go to, and what to order when you get there. You wouldnt order asparagus in winter in Sydney. Play to your regions strengths As Ben puts it: so many people go to Italy and order carbonara in Venice and say it was terrible or order pizza in venice [and complain about it]. Dont be one. There is one exception to this rule though, according to Sharnee; burgers in Paris which she says are one of her favourite culinary experiences ever, recalling fondly how she ate a really rare bloody hamburger with a bottle of champagne. Read Next UK officials have raised the plight of jailed Briton Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe amid reports that her prison in Tehran has been struck by a coronavirus outbreak. Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said the hardline regime's denial that the global pandemic was affecting inmates at its punishing Evin penitentiary should not be regarded as 'authoritative'. He told MPs today that UK officials are trying to find out more information as the country struggles with an outbreak centered on a Shia Islam holy site. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual British-Iranian national, has been behind bars for four years after being convicted of trumped-up spying charges. Her husband Richard is leading a campaign for her release. Mr Rees-Mogg told the Commons today: 'It is a particular concern that the coronavirus has been rumoured - but I emphasise rumoured and not confirmed - to be in the prison in Evin where Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is. 'The UK ambassador to Iran has raised this with the Iranian ministry of foreign affairs and we're in contact with our international partners on this issue. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual British-Iranian national, has been behind bars for four years after being convicted of trumped-up spying charges Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said the Government was not convinced by the hardline regime's denials that the global pandemic was affecting inmates at its punishing Evin penitentiary. 'The Iranian authorities have denied this at the moment, but I must confess I for one would not always take as authoritative denials issued by the Iranian government.' He added: 'The Government is trying to do what it can in this very serious issue.' Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested at Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport while travelling to show her young daughter, Gabriella, to her parents in April 2016. She was sentenced to five years in prison over allegations, which she denies, of plotting to overthrow the Tehran government. She was later afforded diplomatic protection by the UK Government, which argues that she is innocent and that her treatment by Iran failed to meet obligations under international law. A total of 26 people have died so far in Iran, the world's highest death toll outside of China, where the outbreak began. Tehran confirmed today that infected cases in the country had spiked by over 100, to 254. Those with the virus in the Islamic Republic now include Iranian vice president Masoumeh Ebtekar, state media reported. The virus' epicenter in the Islamic Republic is the holy Shiite city of Qom, where the faithful in reverence reach out to kiss and touch a famous shrine. That shrine and others have remained open, despite Iran's civilian government calling for them to be closed. Saudi Arabia on Thursday banned foreign pilgrims from entering the kingdom to visit Islam's holiest sites over the new coronavirus, potentially disrupting the plans of millions of faithful ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and as the annual hajj pilgrimage looms. The president, as he often does, has also focused on coverage of his response, complaining that he is being treated unfairly and blaming the news media. If the virus disappeared tomorrow, they would say we did a really poor, and even incompetent, job, he tweeted on Tuesday. Not fair, but it is what it is. So far, by the way, we have not had one death. Lets keep it that way! Before he took office, Mr. Trump was an outspoken critic of the Obama administrations handling of the Ebola outbreak, arguing that infected people should not be allowed back into the United States. Current Trump allies said the fact that the president chose to address the growing public health crisis quickly after returning from a trip to India showed how seriously he was taking the outbreak. But privately, they say he has been reluctant to give in to what he has called an alarmist view of the viruss potential to cause damage as he warily watches the effect of the outbreak on the stock market. He has been rattled by the Wall Street reaction to the spread of the virus in places like Italy, lashing out at the news media in tweets and accusing journalists of intentionally trying to harm the stock market. And polls show that Mr. Trumps credibility with much of the United States is low after an impeachment inquiry in which a majority of voters said they did not believe that he was telling the truth about his actions involving Ukraine. Federal health officials had been bracing for the arrival of the virus in the country with minimal intervention by the White House. As Ebola presented both a health and political threat to his administration in 2014, Mr. Obama carefully hewed to proven science, which he repeatedly invoked in his carefully calibrated public messages. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 17:23 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206706071 4 National Terawan-Agus-Putranto,health-minister,health-ministry,Semarang,Central-Java,coronavirus Free A suspected COVID-19 patient who died in Semarang, Central Java, on Sunday tested positive for the H1N1 virus, which is a known cause for swine flu, according to Health Minister Terawan Agus Putranto. It was not COVID-19; we only found H1N1, which is a typical flu. It was verified twice through polymerase chain reaction [PCR] testing. [The patient] tested negative for the Wuhan coronavirus both times, he said in Jakarta on Thursday. The medication for H1N1 is widely available. Its called ometamisir; the Health Ministry has an entire supply of it. Fathur Nur Kholis, a doctor from Kariadi Central General Hospital in Semarang where the COVID-19 suspect had been treated, said the patient had succumbed to bronchopneumonia, a disease that gradually damages the lungs. Read also: [UPDATED] Death of isolation patient 'not COVID-19', says Indonesian hospital Responding to questions as to why the patient had exhibited symptoms resembling those of COVID-19, Terawan said the viruses were similar. Therefore, the patients body was treated in accordance with the established protocol to contain H1N1, he said. The suspect was wrapped in plastic before being cremated, which raised concerns over whether the death was indeed caused by COVID-19. Agoes Oerip Poerwoko, the hospitals medical and treatment director, previously said the method of the patients burial was in accordance with coronavirus containment procedures. Those in charge of the burial wore protective gear, including masks [...] in accordance with the procedure. The path to the morgue was cordoned off. The body itself was wrapped in plastic to prevent visiting family members from being infected by the virus, Agoes said on Wednesday. The COVID-19 outbreak, caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus, came roughly 11 years after the global swine flu outbreak, which infected more than 390,000 people in Asia alone and took as many as 200,000 lives worldwide. (rfa) GLEN CARBON On Feb. 28 through March 1, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois and Girl Scouts of the USA will celebrate National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend. The annual occasion honors the achievements of Girl Scouts who run successful cookie booth and door-to-door cookie sales as well as market their businesses online using the Digital Cookie platform. A new Lemon-Ups cookie also was introduced this year. The UK government on Wednesday vowed to end the reliance on cheap, low-skilled labour with a new points-based immigration system. The system which will apply to both EU and non-EU visa applicants will take affect from 1 January 2021. Here is what it means: UK border signs at passport control in London's Heathrow Airport. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images) What is a points-based immigration system? A points-based immigration system ranks a potential immigrant based on a number of factors, such as skills, experience, and language abilities. Under new proposals published on Wednesday, visa applicants including those from the European Union will need 70 points to be eligible to come and work in the UK. Having a job offer from an approved employer, having an appropriate skill level, and being able to speak English will get an applicant 50 points. If the job they have been offered comes with a salary of at least 25,600, they will get a further 20 points, meaning they would be eligible for a UK visa. But applicants will also get 10 points if they have a PhD relevant to the job, or 20 points if they have a PhD in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or maths. If the UK has a shortage of qualified workers in the field in which the applicant has gotten a job offer, they will get an additional 20 points. The Home Office said on Wednesday that it hoped to add further criteria in the future. Read more: UK to 'end reliance on cheap labour' with new immigration system What is the current immigration system? Under the European Unions freedom of movement system, workers from other countries in the bloc do not currently need to apply for a visa to work here. This will change once the UK exits the Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020. The current visa application process for workers from other countries already operates on a points-based system. There are four categories: temporary workers, students, skilled workers, and high-value applicants. Applicants get points for being able to speak English, for meeting a salary threshold of 30,000, and for being sponsored by an approved company. Story continues There is currently also a limit of 21,000 work visas per year. What are the big changes under the new system? While the government will continue a pilot of its seasonal agricultural worker scheme quadrupling the quota to 10,000 places there will be no route for low-skilled immigrants to come and work in the UK. This is because the system will treat EU and non-EU migrants in the same way. A high proportion of low-skilled immigrants currently come from other EU countries, meaning that, from 2021, they will essentially be shut out of working in the UK. A report from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which recommended a points-based system and salary thresholds, estimated that 70% of the EU citizens who came to work in the UK since 2004 would be ineligible under the new system. The lowering of the salary threshold, from 30,000 to 25,600, was also a key MAC recommendation. This, in theory, will make it easier for skilled migrants to come to the UK from other countries. While low-skilled workers such as waitresses and baristas will not be able to come to the UK, those in medium-skilled occupations, such as painters, carpenters, and plumbers will now have more opportunity. Home secretary Priti Patel said the aim of the system was to reduce overall migration while still attracting the brightest and the best to the UK. Were ending free movement, taking back control of our borders and delivering on the peoples priorities by introducing a new UK points-based immigration system, she said. Students from the European Union will now also have to prove they speak English, that they have an offer at an approved educational institution, and that they can financially support themselves while living in the UK. Which other countries have a points-based immigration system? Much has been made about Australias points-based immigration system, but Canada was actually the first country in introduce this kind of application process, which it did in 1967. New Zealand also has a system like this, but the criteria in each country differs significantly. For instance, applicants aged between 25 and 33 garner 30 of the required 65 points in Australia. Australia also has a health requirement for immigrants, which is designed to limit public health risks and reduce the impact of immigration on the countrys health and community services. Applicants must also undergo a character test that is designed to exclude those with a serious criminal record. By Humeyra Pamuk and Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration is in discussions about whether to renew a license for Chevron Corp's operations in Venezuela as Washington looks to increase pressure on its socialist leader, the U.S. special envoy to the South American country said. U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams said in an interview on Monday that he would not talk about specific future activities on Chevron. "But there are conversations taking place and at the appropriate moment OFAC will say whatever it needs to say," Abrams said about the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which makes announcements on sanctions. The Trump administration has been divided on whether to revoke California-based Chevron's ability to continue operations in Venezuela, home to the world's largest oil reserves and where the company has been active for about 100 years. It has renewed the license for Chevron and four other U.S.-based companies several times and the current one expires on April 22. State Department officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have wanted to keep Chevron operating in Venezuela to have a U.S. beachhead there and source of stability should President Nicolas Maduro be forced to step down. White House officials on the National Security Council have been more aggressive, arguing that Chevron's presence in Venezuela is not helping in the push to remove Maduro. The United States supports opposition leader Juan Guaido. Abrams found it unlikely that there could be other ways for Washington to halt Chevron's activities in Venezuela. "There are various reasons why Chevron might stop other than the revocation of the license but in terms of the U.S. government, I think that would be the only way," he said. Some analysts have said that if Chevron were to leave Venezuela its assets could end up in the hands of Russia's state-led energy company Rosneft or other Russian interests. Abrams said Washington had ways to deal with that. Story continues "The first question is whether Rosneft which portrays itself as just a business, just an oil company, would want to put more of its assets and activities in Venezuela, and that ought to be a business decision," Abrams said. "Lets see first if it is a business decision. That is who makes the decision? The company or the government of Russia," Abrams said. "Obviously we have ways of responding if they do that." Washington last week slapped sanctions on a trading unit of Rosneft that has emerged as a key intermediary for the sale of Venezuelan oil and President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned more actions will be taken. Rosneft has accused Washington of double standards saying it allows U.S. companies to work in Venezuela. Chevron says its Venezuelan crude exports last year represented about 2% of the country's total crude shipments and that its marketing activities are permitted under the license. It also said the proceeds go to maintenance of operations at joint ventures in Venezuela. "Proceeds are not paid to PDVSA," said Chevron spokesman Ray Fohr. "Our focus continues to be on our base business operations and supporting the more than 8,800 people who work with us and their families." (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk and Timothy Gardner in Washington; additional reporting by Marianna Parraga in Mexico City) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kapil Mishra on Thursday accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Municipal Councillor Tahir Hussain for the killing of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma, whose body was recovered from North-East Delhi's Chand Bagh area here on Wednesday. He also alleged that Hussain was in constant touch with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Taking to Twitter, the BJP leader said (roughly translated from Hindi), "The killer is Tahir Hussain. He dragged not only Ankit Sharma but also four other boys. Out of them, three of them have been found dead. In the video, Tahir Hussain can be seen with the masked boys carrying sticks, stones, bullets and petrol bombs. Tahir Hussain was constantly talking to Kejriwal and AAP leaders." Yesterday, family members of Intelligence Bureau Officer Ankit Sharma had also alleged that a few people who were pelting stones from the building belonging to AAP leader and Municipal Councillor Tahir Hussain in Chand Bagh, had killed Sharma. Ankit's father Ravinder Kumar has stated that his son was attacked while returning from his duty. At least 28 people, including a police head constable, have died while around 200 people have sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for three days in the North-East Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kano is no doubt a big province in Nigeria due to large land mass and huge populations. In the earliest interactions with Western civilization, it used to be West African trading post especially in the area of textiles and agricultural products in such a way that a huge number of continental traders thronged Kano for commercial transactions. Kano was once admired as the center of excellent farming activities and at a point there were some of these Groundnuts pyramids that obviously made Kano a nice place for tourists from all around the World. It is a thibg of wonder why all of a sudden when crude oil explorations started in commercial quantities in the Niger delta region, Kano's agricutural prowess disappeared because due to skewed political structures erected by soldiers, revenues derivable from crude oil are shared to all parts of Nigeria and sometimes the formula used in redistributing these incomes favours Kano state which is where most of the past Generals who hijacked political administrations through the barrels of the guns made sure that certain unverified statistical data such as landmass and population are used to share revenues from resources that are found in Niger delta region. Kano state still holds high attractions for traders but it has also witnessed some unfortunate violent conflicts in the past in which some Nigerians from outside of the North were targeted and their businesses destroyed. Those who killed other inmocemt Nigerians from other parts of Nigeria are not prosecuted as they are given state covers. I am not aware that there was any palliative measures implemented by the successive state administrations to ameliorate the economic loses of the victims of these social conflicts that took on Ethno-religious colorations in the past. A 78 year old woman from Imo state who had lived in Kano with her family all her life was slaughtered by Islamic zealots who accused her of denigrating their religion. The Kano state governor did nothing to bring the killers to justice. However the government said it has effected some measures never to experience such a dastardly criminal act. The current administration in Kano is credited with adopting some reconciliatory steps that the government touted was capable of mending the broken down social fences. These same scenarios highlighted above are not the centerpiece of this reflection which basically is stimulated and motivated by the ongoing moves by the Kano state government to stop the practice of street begging especially by Children known mostly as Almajiris. Good as these intentions are, but the ways and manners the Kano and a few other Northern States have gone about ending the scourge of street begging in the North of Nigeria appear simplistic and bereft of strategic thinking. This is because fundamentally, the best form of resolving such social catastrophic situation of begging is not to drive away these beggars and issue out threats to deal with their Parents but the same government will either not adopt any palliative measures that are in the long term and are SUSTAINABLE nor with the administrators of such states block the avenues for CORRUPTION amongst the officials of such state administrations. These States must deliberate implement palliative measures good enough to economically empower these beggars that may be displaced. Again, why is begging rife in these states and why is it that the EFCC have failed to prosecute past governors of these states who actually stole their states in the Nortj blind like their Southern counterparts some of wjom are in prisons? This interrogatory must be resolved before embarking on the revolutionary move to stamp out the social menace of begging which dehumanizes these beggars. It is not out of place to ask why Kano is one place corruption has remained defiant. Kano for over 4 years has been in the news for the notorious reason that one official or the other has been fingered for alleged large scale corrupt practices including the video that trended that appeared to be showing the current governor Abdullahi Ganduje allegedly pocketing huge wads of dollars into his Babanriga dress. The Kano state government under GOVERNOR Ganduje and the blogger who circulated the damaging video are at each other's throats regarding the authenticity or otherwise of the video evidence of alleged large size bribery by a contractor. Again, many former and current Kano State officials have been picked up at one time or the other by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations bordering on corruptions but these cases will inevitable be swept under the carpets since their godfathers are controlling the top echelons of political power. Unless the crime of corruption is combated any move to stop public destitution will remain cosmetic since the impoverished populations will rather insists on begging and be locked up in prisons whereby they are certain of some square meals than stay back in their ramshackle shelters and die of starvations. Why drive a beggar out of the streets when you are not prepared to teach him how to create wealth and you have not shown them alternative means of surviving? Do you wish them deaths? A look at the high profile arrests of state officials will tell you that the first challenge to resolve is official corruption after which government needs to increase the enabling environment for aggressive skills acquisitions by the populace who in turn can be empowered economically to become wealth and job creators. Every decent person know that begging is absolutely evil but again, should they be left to die in their huts? Looking at the recent trend of anti-graft wind blowing in Kano reveals that a current commissioner and a former Speaker have both been picked up. What will come out of the dramas is anyone's guess. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that its Kano Zonal Office arrested a serving Kano State Commissioner in the Ministry for Special Duties, Mukhtar Ishaq, for allegedly diverting monies meant for Kano Municipal Local Council, while he was Chairman. EFCC acting Spokesperson, Tony Orilade, disclosed that Mukhtars trouble followed a petition, which states that, while he was Chairman, he allegedly diverted N76,000,000 (Seventy Six Million Naira) only, which was meant for projects, development and empowerment of the people. According to Orilade, the petitioner further alleged that the suspect ordered the deduction of N30,000 (Thirty Thousand Naira) only from the account of each council member without justification. The Spokesperson maintained that the Commissioner was also alleged to have converted property of Kofar Nasarawa Primary School, Kano, into shops and sold same at the rate of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) only per shop and diverted the money to personal use. Also, the Kano State Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested former Speaker of the Kano state House of Assembly, Isiyaku Ali Danja for alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of fund meant for constituency projects. Danja got into trouble following a petition that funds meant for payment of tax liabilities to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by Kano State Government were allegedly diverted and misappropriated to the tune of over N1, 500,000,000 (One Billion, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from the sub-treasury account of the state government. Several suspicious payments were allegedly traced to some beneficiaries, including some made to Allad Drilling Limited, a company in which the suspect is the Investigation by the EFCC further revealed that the funds were on several occasions, personally withdrawn in cash by the suspect, while he was the only one who could officially state whether jobs were done before any payments could be made, it would be recalled that the EFCC had earlier arrested the commissioner for Special Duties in state, Mukhtar Ishaq, for allegedly diverting funds meant for Kano Municipal Local Government while he was chairman of the said local government. Mukhtar was arrested by EFCC following a petition that alleged that while he was chairman of Kano Municipal, he diverted funds meant for projects, development and empowerment of the people. The petitioner further alleged that Mukhtar ordered the deduction of N30, 000 (Thirty Thousand Naira), from the account of each council member without justification. Mukhtar was also alleged to have converted property of Kofar Nasarawa Primary School, Kano, into shops and sold same at the rate of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira), per shop and diverted the money to personal use. Both suspects would be charged to court on completion of investigations. Everyone knows that these officials may never be charged to court. Infact Kano has one meniature state wide EFCC they stylishly called Kano's anti-graft agency which is used for political witch-hunt. My honest counsel is that Kano and any other states must find beggars good alternative if we want them to quit begging and constituting social nuisances. *Emmanuel Onwubiko is the Head of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria and [email protected] ; www.emmanuelonwubikocom; www.thenigerianinsidernews.com ; [email protected] Drug syndicates are sending ice to Australia through the mail service, federal police say after a nationwide operation targeting the syndicates in February 2020. (Australian Federal Police) Australian Police Probe Into Meth Imports Shows Troubling Insight A coordinated nationwide Australian police operation into the methamphetamine supply chain last week has yielded troubling insight into the continuing demand in the country for the drug. According to a police announcement, authorities carried out a detailed intelligence analysis of trends in methamphetamine importations through the mail system, which they used to build a picture of potential targets for law enforcement activity throughout the operation. They said that syndicates who use the postal system to import methamphetamine have been put on notice. The Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), and state and territory police forces, as part of their weeklong operationknown as Operation Syndal, which started Feb. 17carried out five arrests, 26 search warrants, and 46 deterrence door knocks, as well as searched or scanned more than 10,000 mail items, according to the Feb. 24 announcement. In NSW aloneover the six months from July to December 2019, the AFP recorded approximately 143.52 kg (316 lbs) of methamphetamine seizures that had been sent through the mail stream and detected by the ABF, the announcement said. Large individual busts in the operation include the find of some 4.7 kg (10.3 lbs) of methamphetamine in a raid in Victoria, and the seizure of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) in the lining of a mail item from Mexico that was headed to an address in Sydney, NSW. Further arrests and charges have not been ruled out. AFP detective acting superintendent Robert Jenner said that authorities made a total of more than 100 drug seizures through search warrants and screening packages. This operation gave us a troubling insight into the continuing demand for meth in our community and how criminal networks will go to any length to try and meet that demand, Supt Jenner told reporters in Sydney, reported the Australian Associated Press (AAP). Jenner added that authorities uncovered intelligence to help with future investigations. When you consider some of the postal seizures are as small as 0.2 of a gram (0.007 oz) of meth, this is a serious number of importations flooding our borders, he said. These seizures were analyzed, and together with our partners the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, weve built a picture of where these methamphetamine imports were destined. ACIC Executive Director Capability Mark Harrison said the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program continues to indicate a steady increase in the demand for methylamphetamine in the country. Wastewater analysis shows regional use of methylamphetamine remains above capital city sites, he said in a police announcement. Understanding these preferences is important to develop and deliver tailored responses to target and disrupt the supply chain. For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the Australian National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- An article published in Experimental Biology and Medicine (Volume 245, Issue 3, February, 2020) (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1535370220904924) describes an association between dental health and dementia. The study, led by Dr. J. L. Caffrey, in the Physiology and Cardiovascular Research Institute at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas (USA), reports that a history of chronic dental health issues increase the odds of dementia. Experimental Biology and Medicine As the world population successfully ages, increasing numbers of the elderly are experiencing mental lapses that gradually progresses into Alzheimer's disease. Despite the prodigious societal and medical cost of this emerging pandemic, a clear cause and resulting therapeutic approach remain elusive. Recent studies suggest that damage to the brain results from local inflammatory cells defending the brain against a recurrent though low-level microbial assault. This hypothesis suggests that any process which helps maintain an infectious reservoir (chronic oral, lung and/or gastrointestinal illness), promotes the access of the resident microorganisms to the brain, or compromises the brain's ability to exclude microbes from entry would increase the odds associated with acquiring dementia. One corollary within this hypothesis suggests that the microorganisms which populate the mouth have a privileged route of access to the brain by traveling backward along the short nerves between the brain and mouth. In the current study, Dr. Caffrey and colleagues examined the association between oral health and dementia using an unprecedented number of new dementia cases (200,000+) identified in the National Insurance Database for the entire population of Taiwan. There were more women affected than men which appeared to result from their greater representation in the aging population. Factors that alter perfusion or oxygenation of the brain like stroke, hypertension, diabetes and pneumonia increased the odds of dementia. Records from the prior 10 years indicated that dental procedures that quickly restored homeostasis lowered the odds of dementia and a history of chronic dental problems raised the odds of dementia. Dr. Caffrey said, "Prevention and delay are key goals in the approach to dementia. Good dental care and perhaps simple daily dental hygiene with regular brushing and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash may be a productive intervention, especially among populations already having increasing difficulty performing their own routine daily care. Second, the impressive analytical power of this broad database strongly suggests that a coalition is needed among patients, the medical/dental establishment and major cloud-based enterprises to create an even better worldwide resource database to allow the research community to efficiently examine a wide spectrum of current and future public health issues with a never-before-realized confidence and precision." Dr. Steven R. Goodman, Editor-in-Chief of Experimental Biology & Medicine, said, "Caffrey and colleagues have utilized the Taiwan National Insurance database to study associations with dementia. They demonstrate an association between good dental health and decreased occurrence of dementia. These results, while not demonstrating causation, suggest that an important prevention procedure could be steps as simple as daily use of anti-microbial mouthwash and seeing dentists on a regular schedule." Experimental Biology and Medicine is a global journal dedicated to the publication of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research in the biomedical sciences. The journal was first established in 1903. Experimental Biology and Medicine is the journal of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine. To learn about the benefits of society membership, visit www.sebm.org. For anyone interested in publishing in the journal, please visit http://ebm.sagepub.com. Related Images logo.png Logo SOURCE Experimental Biology and Medicine Related Links http://www.sebm.org After canvassing for and donating to Democrats at the state and local level, they are ambivalent, at best, about billionaire Mike Bloomberg, former vice president Joe Biden, ex-South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. Their uncertainty was reflected in a Monmouth University poll last month that showed just 1 in 4 Democratic voters in Virginia were sure about whom they prefer and that those who back Sanders, as opposed to the rest of the field, were enthusiastic about their choice. Mr. Gantzs endorsement of the plan, at least as a basis for negotiations, made it less partisan but also blurred the lines between his party and Likud. Mr. Netanyahu has mockingly referred to Mr. Gantz as a Bibi from AliExpress, using his own nickname to denigrate his rival as a cheap imitation of himself. To remain in power, Mr. Netanyahu needs Likud to be the largest party and for the right wing-religious bloc to beat the center-left bloc. In the last two elections, however, the pro-settlement parties squandered votes because of internal squabbling and political fragmentation, a result that could easily repeat itself on Monday. In September, more than 58 percent of Yitzhars voters cast their ballots for Jewish Strength, a tiny extreme right-wing party that advocates Jewish sovereignty over the entire West Bank and other occupied territories and the transfer of enemies of Israel, meaning Palestinians, to neighboring Arab countries. But the party failed to win enough support to enter Parliament, and the more than 80,000 votes it garnered went to waste. The party has insisted on running again, despite Mr. Netanyahus pleas for it to drop out of the race and channel its voters to him or allied right-wing parties large enough to be assured of representation. Yitzhar, southwest of the Palestinian city of Nablus, is home to the Od Yosef Chai seminary, whose students have a reputation for violence against Palestinian villages and for clashing with Israeli security forces who try to curtail their activities. Some Yitzhar voters are now deliberating between the pro-settlement Yamina party and the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism. In the big picture Netanyahu did great things, said Yechiel Klein, 37, another member of Yitzhars council. But wed like to see a stronger stand on the things we believe in. Chinas top oil supplier and the worlds largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia, will be cutting its crude exports to the worlds top oil importer by at least 500,000 bpd in March because of a slump in refinery demand amid the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the plans. Chinas typical intake of Saudi crude oil is between 1.8 million bpd and 2 million bpd, according to Reuters sources. Last year, Saudi Arabia significantly raised its crude sales to the China, boosting its exports by 47 percent and beating Russia for the top Chinese supplier spot for the first time in four years. However, the coronavirus outbreak has significantly slowed fuel demand in China as the authorities imposed travel restrictions in an effort to quickly contain the outbreak. City lockdowns, domestic travel restrictions, and thousands of canceled flights to and from China have weighed on Chinese gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel demand over the past month. Due to weak fuel demand and depressed industrial activity, Chinese refinersfrom the biggest refiner in Asia, Sinopec, to the independent refiners in Shandonghave cut refinery runs, while commodity trading houses and oil majors have scrambled to find spot buyers for crude oil outside China. Chinese oil refiners have cut their daily run rates further, to around 10 million bpd last weekthe lowest level since 2014, according to industry insiders who spoke to Bloomberg. While refiners have cut run rates, Chinas fuel exports are booming amid battered domestic demand, analysts and trade sources tell Reuters as higher Chinese exports flood the Asian market, which sees depressed demand from the outbreak itself. The slowdown in Chinas industrial activity is causing the worst shock to oil demand in over a decade, Jeff Currie, global head of commodities research at Goldman Sachs, said in an interview on Bloomberg earlier this month. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The only place in the world where fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group are cooperating is in West Africa's sprawling Sahel region, giving the extremists greater depth as they push into new areas, according to the commander of the US military's special forces in Africa. "I believe that if it's left unchecked it could very easily develop into a great threat to the West and the United States," US Air Force Brig. Gen. Dagvin Anderson told The Associated Press in an interview this week. The leader of US Special Operations Command Africa described the threat even as the Pentagon considers reducing the US military presence in Africa. Experts have long worried about collaboration between al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. While the cooperation in the Sahel is not currently a direct threat to the US or the West, "it's very destabilising to the region," Anderson said. He spoke on the sidelines of the US military's annual counterterrorism exercise in West Africa, currently the most active region for extremists on the continent. The alarming new collaboration in the Sahel between affiliates of al-Qaida and IS is a result of ethnic ties in the region that includes Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. "Whereas in other parts of the world they have different objectives and a different point of view that tends to bring Islamic State and al-Qaida into conflict, here they're able to overcome that and work for a common purpose, Anderson said, emphasising that it's a local phenomenon. The cooperation allows the extremist groups to appeal to a wider audience in a largely rural region where government presence is sparse and frustration with unemployment is high. The past year has seen a surge in deadly violence in the Sahel, with more than 2,600 people killed and more than half a million displaced in Burkina Faso alone. Al-Qaida is the deeper threat both in the region and globally, Anderson said. "Islamic State is much more aggressive and blunt, and so in some ways they appear to be the greater threat, he said. But al-Qaida, which continues to quietly expand, is "for us the longer strategic concern." Al-Qaida has been successful at consolidating efforts in northern Mali and moving south into more populated areas "and taking various groups and galvanizing them together into a coherent movement," Anderson said. The most prominent of those affiliates is a coalition of al-Qaida-linked groups known as JNIM with about 2,000 fighters in the region, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. West Africa's Sahel, the vast strip of land just south of the Sahara Desert, for years has struggled to contain the extremist threat. In 2012, al-Qaida-linked fighters seized large swaths of northern Mali. French forces pushed them from strongholds in 2013 but the fighters have regrouped and spread south. The largest IS affiliate in the region, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, emerged more recently and claimed responsibility for killing four U.S. soldiers in Niger in 2017. The attack led to an outcry in Washington and questions about the U.S. military presence in Africa. Between the advances of al-Qaida and IS-linked fighters, once-peaceful Burkina Faso has become the latest front for what experts call an alarming rate of deadly attacks. The al-Qaida affiliates visit areas in advance to "engage with key leaders in key locations to recruit early," Anderson said. Others move in later. The fighters are funding themselves with kidnapping for ransom as they attempt to control access to markets via taxation methods, he said. They also are likely eyeing what has been a source of income for centuries: gold. "I believe they'd be happy to be able to control some of the artisanal mines and the other mines in the area, especially the gold and other precious metals that are easily transportable," Anderson said. While al-Qaida affiliates work toward establishing safe havens, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara is working to destabilise local governance, control territory and rally people to their cause, he said. The strategy for countering the growing threat from the patchwork of Islamic extremist groups is a whole-of-governance one that goes beyond military efforts, Anderson said: "There's no easy answer. Many young men in the largely impoverished region feel isolated from the government and are drawn in by extremists' promises of employment and purpose. "Al-Qaida, whether we agree with it or not, brings some level of justice to many of these areas, and some level of services that aren't provided by central governments, Anderson said. And they provide some representation to minority groups that don't feel part of the larger community, such as the Fulani or the Tuareg. African partners need to invest in governance, he emphasized, though international involvement is necessary. The French lead the military effort in the Sahel with more than 5,000 forces and they hope to bring in more European partners. But the French have urged the U.S. to reconsider any cuts to its already small military footprint of about 1,400 personnel in West Africa. The U.S. has about 6,000 personnel on the continent. Anderson countered that the U.S. is already doing a lot in the Sahel through the State Department, a large USAID presence and investment. Instead of looking at the size of the presence, I think we should look at what is the appropriate engagement across the government, from all levels, he said. With very small engagement, the U.S. can still help countries develop the capabilities to build coalitions and share intelligence, Anderson said. It's going to take all these nations working together, but also it's going to have to be African solutions to an African problem, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced nearly $1.1 million in grants to restore and enhance habitats for native and vulnerable freshwater aquatic species in watersheds within Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Texas. The grants will generate $1.1 million in matching contributions for a total conservation impact of $2.2 million. The grants were awarded through the Southeast Aquatics Fund, a partnership between NFWF and the U.S. Forest Service, the USDAs Natural Resource Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Southern Company. The Southeast has many endangered or at-risk aquatic species, and were encouraged to see our partners grow with us as we announce our third year of grants and expand our work to Texas, said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. The native habitats this program helps to conserve are absolutely imperative to the recovery of these unique species. The projects supported by the six grants announced today will improve more than 15 miles of stream habitat and restore 30 acres of wetland and riparian habitat for species such as the trispot darter, bridled darter, vermilion darter, Coosa creekshell, Alabama rainbow, Black Warrior waterdog and flattened musk turtle. All of these species are either listed under the Endangered Species Act or at-risk of listing, and this work will help improve their trajectories. The projects will also support technical assistance and outreach to private landowners to increase awareness of conservation needs, appropriate practices and available cost-share programs to improve water quality, quantity and connectivity. The projects will take place within the Conasauga and Locust Fork watersheds of the Alabama-Mobile-Tombigbee Basin, the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Basin and the Colorado River Basin in Texas. These watersheds hold incredible aquatic biodiversity and present opportunities to move the needle on addressing the key threats aquatic species face in their waters. Not everyone immediately thinks of aquatic species and the U.S. Forest Service, but the souths forests provide clean and abundant water for thousands of communities and this fund is a great way to ensure clean water continues to flow, said Ken Arney, regional forester for the southern region of the U.S. Forest Service. Partnerships that bring together governmental agencies, private industry and landowners are key to improving the health of aquatic ecosystems, said NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr. We are grateful to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, our many partners and landowners for working together to support private lands conservation and expand this important water quality and habitat effort. The aquatic diversity in the Southeast is second to none in the United States and well worth the investment. Its also atop the list of at risk, threatened or endangered species, said Leo Miranda, the U.S. Fish and Wildlifes regional director for the South Atlantic-Gulf & Mississippi-Basin regions. Its critical that we continue NFWFs fine work, along with our federal partners, state agencies and private landowners, to restore, connect, and manage these waterways. "Recovering native aquatic species and restoring critical watersheds in the Southeast is important," said Jeff Burleson, Southern Company's environmental and system planning senior vice president. "Southern Company supports conservation initiatives that enrich the communities we serve by protecting our natural resources for current and future generations." Launched in 2017, the Southeast Aquatics Fund is a competitive grants program that supports watershed-based restoration to improve the health of aquatic systems and secure populations of native freshwater aquatic species. Including this years grants, the program has awarded more than $2.7 million to 18 conservation projects expected to benefit more than 30 miles of stream habitat. A complete list of the grants announced today is available here. About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nations fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 4,500 organizations and generated a conservation impact of more than $5.3 billion. Learn more at www.nfwf.org. About the U.S. Forest Service The mission of the U.S. Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 30 percent of the nation's surface drinking water to cities and rural communities and approximately 66 million Americans rely on drinking water that originated from the National Forest System. The agency also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. For more information visit www.fs.fed.us. About the Natural Resources Conservation Service Since 1935, the Natural Resources Conservation Service has helped Americas private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources. NRCS provides technical assistance based on sound science and offers financial assistance for many conservation activities. About the Fish and Wildlife Service The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen visit www.fws.gov. Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfwssoutheast, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwssoutheast, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwssoutheast. About Southern Company Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is a leading energy company serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices below the national average. For more than a century, we have been building the future of energy and developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, advanced carbon capture technologies, natural gas, renewables, energy efficiency and storage technology. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation and a low-carbon future, Southern Company and its subsidiaries develop the customized energy solutions our customers and communities require to drive growth and prosperity. Out uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and govern our business to the benefit of our world. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have been recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Defense, G.I. Jobs magazine, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, Forbes and the Womens Choice Award. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com. ### President Trump held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss the coronavirus. Although many in the assembled press wanted to play "gotcha," Trump struck a great balance between relaxed and serious and refused to play the media's game. It was the perfect mien to reassure a nation that, while nothing serious is happening now, our federal government will be there should the situation change. Trump explained that Vice President Mike Pence will henceforth be the point person on the coronavirus issue. When he was governor in Indiana, Pence dealt with MERS in 2014, so he already has executive experience in managing an infectious disease. He also presents as an incredibly steady and competent person, which is reassuring. After Trump spoke, he handed the microphone over to Pence, then to Alex Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services; Dr. Anne Schuchat, the principal deputy director of the CDC; and Dr. Tony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH. Among all those speakers, including Trump himself, several points became clear: Trump's January decision to refuse entry to some airplanes arriving from China (which the Democrats lambasted as xenophobic) bought America precious time to get systems in place and to work on ways to limit exposure and treat patients. The federal government is working closely with state and city governments to have action plans in case the disease escalates. A vaccination may be ready in a year for the next flu season. Remdesivir, an antiviral drug, is already being tested in randomized trials and may work against this version of the coronavirus. Nobody in the federal government is panicking, but all are working diligently to get systems in place in case the situation changes. No one knows the future when it comes to the virus's trajectory in America. Trump had a few extra points to make: He's working closely with President Xi of China because the latter is desperate to end the disease. Forty-two of the cases in America were cruise ship passengers, so they should not be confused with other people who caught the illness here or brought it here directly. He's perfectly willing to take more money if Congress wants to give it to him, especially after fighting with Congress to get money for the wall. The Democrats are behaving shamelessly in politicizing this issue and panicking Americans, instead of working together to fight an infectious illness that knows no party lines. A video of the press conference is at the bottom of the post and makes for interesting watching if you haven't yet seen it. Meanwhile, here are a few other points to think about: Trump, in a calm, seemingly masterful way, is carrying out one of the government's core functions, which is the prevention and control of infectious diseases. This should inspire public confidence. Trump reminded the assembled press that the oronavirus is similar to the flu, which kills up to 70,000 Americans a year (although he glossed over the fact that it currently has a higher mortality rate than the flu). Dr. Schuchat specified what to do: The coronavirus that we're talking about is a respiratory virus. It's spread in a similar way to the common cold or to influenza. It's spread through coughs and sneezes. So those everyday sensible measures that we tell people to do every year with the flu, are important here. Covering your cough, staying home when you're sick, and washing your hands. Tried and true, not very exciting measures, but really important ways that you can prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. Use those disinfectant wipes stores place near shopping carts, which have truly filthy handles. Speaking of filthy, one of the problems with coronavirus is that, even though it's an upper respiratory disease, it's also spread by fecal matter. It will be a disaster in places that don't have good fecal matter control: China (primitive toilets and no culture of hand-washing); India (which is working hard to bring toilets to people, but it's slow going); Africa (a world drowning in fecal matter); and San Francisco (also drowning in fecal matter). San Francisco's mayor, London Breed, was wise to declare a state of emergency. Of course, if S.F. handles the problem the way it did AIDS, it will refuse to take steps against disease-causing behaviors because of political correctness. This is not 1348, nor is it 1918. We will survive this, using commonsense matters both to avoid getting an infection and to avoid infecting others. And at a certain point, just trust in the blessing of living in 21st-century America. Press Release 27 February 2020 For the week ending 22 February, Canadian hotels reported a 2.5% year-over-year decrease in occupancy to 58.5% and a 0.1% dip in average daily rate, which resulted in a 2.6% decline in revenue per available room. Advertisements HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee - The Canadian hotel industry recorded negative year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 16-22 February 2020, according to data from STR. In comparison with the week of 17-23 February 2019, the industry reported the following: Occupancy: -2.5% to 58.5% Average daily rate (ADR): -0.1% to CAD150.96 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -2.6% to CAD88.28 Among the provinces and territories, Prince Edward Island experienced the largest decrease in occupancy (-9.8% to 41.6%). Newfoundland and Labrador posted the steepest decline in ADR (-2.4% to CAD117.34), but saw the highest rise in occupancy (+7.6% to 40.7%). Alberta registered the only double-digit drop in RevPAR (-10.9% to CAD68.32), due primarily to the second-largest decrease in occupancy (-9.6% to 50.4%). Quebec saw the largest jump in RevPAR (+9.1% to CAD108.43), due primarily to the largest lift in ADR (+5.6% to CAD164.63) and the second-highest increase in occupancy (+3.3% to 65.9%). Saskatchewan recorded the second-largest gain in RevPAR (+5.1% to CAD59.76). The family of Quaden Bayles have said they will not be accepting money raised for the nine-year-old to visit Disneyland. Last week, American comedian Brad Williams launched a GoFundMe page to send the schoolboy to Disneyland after seeing a now-viral video of him crying about being bullied at school. Brad who was born with the same type of dwarfism as Quaden, achondroplasia successfully raised more than $700,000 (360,000) with the help of 20,000 global donors. However, the childs family have now stated that, while the fundraiser was a touching example of goodwill, they would prefer the money to be donated to charity. What kid wouldn't want to go to Disneyland, especially if you have lived Quaden's life. To escape to anywhere that is fun that doesn't remind him of his day to day challenges, Mundanara Bayles, the boys aunt, told NITV News. Recommended Cardi B defends bullied child Quaden Bayles over claims he is an adult "But my sister said 'You know what, let's get back to the real issue'. This little fella has been bullied. How many suicides, black or white, in our society have happened due to bullying? She continued: We want the money to go to community organisations that really need it. They know what the money should be spent on. So as much as we want to go to Disneyland, I think our community would far off benefit from that. [sic] The family has highlighted a number of charities that they would like the funds to be donated to including Dwarfism Awareness Australia and the Balunu Healing Foundation. We need to come together and work out how to make sure young people like Quaden don't have to deal with what they have been dealing with, Mundanara added. Britain's biggest fundraisers Show all 2 1 /2 Britain's biggest fundraisers Britain's biggest fundraisers Alex.jpg Britain's biggest fundraisers Alex 2.jpg JustGiving We've had seven kids at the Murri School in Brisbane, where I am on the board, take their lives in the last ten years. The family have confirmed that they are currently in talks with Brad regarding the GoFundMe page, which stated that after paying for the familys trip to Disneyland, any excess money would be donated to anti-bullying/anti-abuse charities. The comedian is not the only high-profile name to express their support for Quaden. Footage of nine-year-old Quaden Bayles went viral after his mother shared a video of him in tears to highlight the consequences of bullying (Facebook: Yarracka Bayles) After the video of the schoolboy in floods of tears went viral online, actor Hugh Jackman posted a clip to the schoolboy on his Twitter account. Quaden, you are stronger than you know mate, and no matter what, you've got a friend in me, Jackman said. The Greatest Showman star also sent a message to the childs bullies, saying that life is hard enough without people going out of their way to hurt others. So, everyone let's please be kind to each other, bullying is not OK, he said. Life is hard enough, so let's remember, every person in front of us is facing some kind of battle, so let's just be kind. She is the Love Island 2017 alum who always puts on a stylish display. And Gabby Allen looked toned to perfection as she joined fellow villa alum Francesca Allen on a reality star-studded night out at London's STK restaurant on Wednesday. The blonde beauty, 28, showcased her tanned and toned legs in a skimpy leather mini skirt paired with an edgy slogan tee. Love Islanders: Gabby Allen looked toned to perfection as she joined fellow villa alum Francesca Allen on a reality star-studded night out at London's STK restaurant on Wednesday Going for a rock chick look, she layered up in a black cropped jacket and boosted her height with platform boots. Her blonde tresses were styled in soft waves while her pretty features were enhanced with a radiant palette of make-up. Love Island 2019 star Francesca, 28, exhibited her braless decolletage in a plunging green patterned top teamed with black jeans and a leather jacket. Her brunette locks were styled in soft waves while fluttery lashes and berry gloss adorned her visage. Rock on: Going for a rock chick look, she layered up in a black cropped jacket and boosted her height with platform boots Beauty: Her brunette locks were styled in soft waves while fluttery lashes and berry gloss adorned her visage Here he is: Georgia Steel flaunted her honed legs in a tiny playsuit as she strolled Alum: Love Island 2019 alum Elma Pazar joined the girls on their glam night At the end of last year, Gabby was embroiled in resurfaced claims that she had an affair with Jacqueline Jossa's husband Dan Osborne back in 2018, something they both deny. It was reported that Gabby's ex, Myles Stephenson, 28, was quizzed about what he knew regarding the claims whilst appearing on I'm A Celebrity alongside actress Jacqueline. Myles is said to have told Jacqueline that he believed the pair DID have a fling, although Gabby has always maintained her innocence. Last week, Gabby shared a New Year's post where she reflected on 2019 and said she wants to fulfill her 'dreams' in the coming months. She shared: 'I have set myself goals and ambitions that I am adamant to achieve this year. I have dreams to fulfill and I have [been] dilly dallying around them, waiting for the right time. The time is now. 'I feel a change in my mindset and I going to climb this challenging, beautiful mountain we call life until I can shout from its peak that I have made myself proud.' Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - Izotropic Corporation (CSE: IZO) (OTC Pink: IZOZF) (FSE: 1R3) ("Izotropic" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update regarding early stage commercialization action plans to bring its globally licensed breast CT technology to market. The first initiative underway includes collaborative design and engineering of the commercial model and preparation for manufacturing and submission for FDA approval and European CE Mark. The second is a near-term initiative that includes proposals and presentations to early-adopter hospitals and medical organizations who have expressed interest in the Company's breast CT technology. The primary objective is to begin securing important collaborative relationships with major customers, to obtain product orders, support FDA procedural requirements, and to establish framework and in-hospital practices for the integration and day to day use of breast CT. The Company believes securing early collaborations with well-known hospital and medical organizations will set the stage for rapid adoption of breast CT and further validate the Company's technology. Other updates include recent additional listings on the Berlin, Tradegate, and Stuttgart Stock Exchanges and along with the listing in Frankfurt are under the symbol "1R3" (WKN: A2JNLV). The Company's shares continue to be listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "IZO" and on the OTC Markets under the symbol "IZOZF". The Company also advises that DTC has activated the Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program (FAST), which eliminates the movement of physical securities by allowing agents to act as custodians for DTC. DTC participants shall now see the security as a FAST security. This is an exciting time for the Company as it moves into the commercialization phase after years of breast CT technology research and development at UC Davis Medical Center. The Company is pleased to further expand access to Izotropic shares with the DTC FAST accreditation as well as listing its securities on additional European stock exchanges to broaden its exposure to investors and generate awareness for its technology and mandates. It is critical that the Company continues to increase its activities and engagement with both European investors and Scientific communities in Europe, as Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and France have the highest rates of breast cancer in the world according to the World Cancer Research Fund. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Robert Thast Chief Executive Officer About Izotropic Corp. Izotropic Corporation and its wholly owned U.S. operating subsidiary, Izotropic Imaging Corp. have been established to commercialize the next generation of breast imaging technology for early diagnosis of breast cancer. The Izotropic Breast CT Imaging System produces high resolution breast images in 3D. A single 10 second breast CT scan acquires approximately 500 images, without painful breast compression, providing radiologists with fully 3D viewing of the scanned breast. Mammography scanning requires compression of the breast between 2 imaging plates, resulting in 2D images. The Company has the exclusive license from the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) to commercialize the technology developed by principal founder and Company director Dr. John M. Boone and researchers at UC Davis. The license includes all intellectual property, trade secrets, patents and patent-pending applications that are the foundation of the Company's breast CT imaging platform. Approximately $20 million in research funding and over 15 years of research and development have been invested in developing this groundbreaking breast CT imaging technology. Research includes a current, fully funded $2.9M U.S. clinical trial at UC Davis Medical Center. The Company founders believe that this technology will be a disruptive entry to the market, overcoming many of the challenges faced by existing breast imaging modalities. Phone: 1-833-IZOCORP Email: info@izocorp.com Website: izocorp.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52860 LONDON Britains Court of Appeal issued a landmark ruling on Thursday that stymied plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport in London, declaring that the government illegally neglected its commitments to reduce carbon emissions and protect the planet from dangerously high temperatures. The ruling, among the first in the world to measure a states infrastructure plans specifically against its promises under the Paris Agreement on climate change, threw the expansion of Heathrow into doubt and opened up a new frontier for legal challenges to major projects in Britain and around the world. While the decision left the door open for Britains prime minister, Boris Johnson, to reformulate the plans and try again, it set back the runway expansion considerably, prolonging a battle that has raged for years. That posed a dilemma to a country a truly global Britain, in Mr. Johnsons words that is in the midst of severing its strong ties to Europe and looking for new trading partners farther afield. But analysts said the ruling also relieved Mr. Johnson of having to oversee a project that he once opposed so strongly, he once said, that he would lie down in front of bulldozers to stop it. And it halted one part of the governments aviation expansion plans at a moment when any additional flights jeopardize Britains own legally binding target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. She's found international fame as Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And now Black Panther star Letitia Wright, 26, is set to headline a new film The Silent Twins by Polish director Agnieszka Smoczynska, THR.com reported Wednesday.. It's based on the true story of identical twins June and Jennifer Gibbons who developed their own language and only communicated with each other, refusing to speak to anyone else. New role: Letitia Wright, 26, is set to star in The Silent Twins, based on the true story of British identical twins June and Jennifer Gibbons who would only communicate with each other Wright's co-star is fellow British actress Tamara Lawrance, 26. Filming is set to begin in April. Polish filmmaker Smoczynska's premiered her last film Fugue at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2018. Her debut movie The Lure, a period horror musical romance about two flesh-eating mermaid sisters, won the special jury prize at Sundance in 2015. Rising star: Wright is best known for her role as Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe; pictured in 2018's Black Panther Cast: Wright's co-star is fellow British actress Tamara Lawrance, 26, and filming on the movie is set to start in April June and Jennifer were born to parents from the West Indies and raised in Wales. In their teens, they became involved in petty crime and arson and were sent to Britain's high-security mental health hospital Broadmoor. Eventually, they agreed that in order to be free one of them had to die so that the other could live a normal life. Jennifer subsequently died from acute myocarditis, or sudden inflammation of the heart, although the reason for it remains a mystery. The film is based on the book The Silent Twins by journalist Marjorie Wallace. The sisters were also the subject of a BBC TV drama in 1986 and a 1994 BBC documentary Silent Twin: Without My Shadow, which aired in 1994. Wright recently wrapped filming on Kenneth Branagh's Death On The Nile with Gal Gadot, Annette Bening and Rose Leslie. She is currently shooting director Steve McQueen's BBC/Amazon TV mini-series Small Axe with John Boyega. A 30-year-old Army jawan allegedly killed his wife and tried to commit suicide in Maharashtra's Nashik city, police said on Thursday. Sunil Bawa allegedly strangled his wife Chaitali (23) to death, following a scuffle at their home in Indraprastha Nagar late on Wednesday night, an official from Mhasrul police station said. The accused, who is posted in Srinagar, had come home on leave 10 days ago, he added. After killing his wife, Sunil called up his cousin Kishore Bharti, who lives at Kalyan in Thane district and told him that Chaitali had died, the official said. Bharti informed Sunil's father Prakash Bawa, who lives in Cidco area and when the latter reached the scene, he found Chaitali dead, he said. Prakash Bawa noticed that Sunil had tried to commit suicide by stabbing himself with a knife, he added. The accused has been taken into custody and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital, the official said. The Mhasrul police have registered a case of murder and further investigations are on, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 02:23:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close HELSINKI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Helsinki, the Finnish capital, on Thursday announced an international competition to seek the best solution to its conversion to sustainable urban heating. Mayor of Helsinki Jan Vapaavuori invited innovators worldwide to use Helsinki as a test bed for sustainable urban heating. The final winner of the competition named as "Helsinki Energy Challenge" would get a million U.S. dollars as reward. The mayor said the competition could even lead to a revolutionary breakthrough for a more sustainable city life. Even though Helsinki has already pledged to be carbon-neutral by 2035, over half of the city's heat is still produced through burning coal. And Finnish law that took effect in 2019 bans the burning of coal for making electricity or heat from 2029. However, the city has not taken decisions on the ways to replace coal burning. Helsinki has declared that it will not rely on biomass-fired heating, but will seek for a fossil-free and sustainable heating solution. Helsinki is committed to sharing solutions and know-how gathered from the challenge. The Finnish capital city also announced that the cities such as Toronto, Vancouver of Canada, Amsterdam of the Netherlands and Leeds of Britain as well as several international organizations support the initiative and will make use of the results of the contest. BOSTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Dispatch, a field service software leader and customer experience pioneer, announced today that Patrick Burns has joined the company as its new President and CEO. Burns will focus on accelerating Dispatch's growth and revolutionizing the home services market to enable customers to unlock the full potential of flexible, independent service networks. Avi Goldberg, Dispatch's founder and CEO for the past seven years, will continue his involvement as the company's Chief Strategy Officer. Burns joins Dispatch with over two decades of experience leading, managing, and growing software companies, most recently in the field service management industry. He brings to the team a proven track record and strong rate of success in building and developing best-in-class teams and products. He most recently served as SVP of Product at ClickSoftware, and previously spent 11 years at Autotask, where he served in several roles including VP of Product and Strategy. "Field service management is an increasingly competitive field, and with Avi's influence and guidance, Dispatch has quickly proven itself to be one of the most innovative companies in the industry," said Burns. "We are experiencing great momentum and are in a position of strength in the marketplace. I look forward to working closely with Avi and the rest of the team to lead the company into its next phase of growth." As Chief Strategy Officer, Goldberg will work with Burns to strengthen Dispatch's market position by collaborating with customers and prospects and identifying and evaluating potential partnerships to add value to Dispatch's core business. "Pat was our number one choice as Dispatch's next CEO given his significant operational experience with high-growth enterprise software companies and his extensive experience leading high-performance, high-achieving teams," said Goldberg. "I'm thrilled that he's joining the company and eager to start working with him to continue innovating and delivering the value that our customers expect." As CEO, Pat plans to build on the achievements and momentum of the business over the past year. "We are very excited to welcome Pat on the heels of Dispatch's best quarter ever. We added several new strategic customers and significantly grew revenue and our base of engaged service providers," said Goldberg. "We have an amazing team and have built some great momentum, having Pat join us will be a force multiplier for the business in 2020 and beyond." Dispatch celebrated several milestones in 2019, including: Expanded the customer base in several industry segments including manufacturing, retail, warranty and claims providers, and home services franchises demonstrating their unique expertise in enabling home service enterprises and franchises to curate, engage, and manage their flexible, independent service networks to deliver world-class customer experiences; Further strengthened their partner and integrations ecosystem to increase the flexibility and functionality of the Dispatch platform by aligning the company with several leading field service management and CRM solutions. View Dispatch's full list of integration partners, here . . Made significant investments in product innovation, including expanded organizational profiling and matching capabilities for enterprises and real-time technician tracking and customer tipping for service organizations; and Launched a new website to better inform and serve enterprise customers. About Dispatch Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Boston, Dispatch is the world's only software platform that enables enterprises to successfully unlock the potential of flexible service networks. As the service industry shifts towards a more flexible and non-dedicated workforce, Dispatch's intuitive platform seamlessly connects the enterprise, service provider and customer together to create a world-class service experience that surpasses the rising expectations of the modern-day market. Through innovative mobile and web applications, robust APIs, and both cloud/on-premise connectors, Dispatch is revolutionizing the home services industry by enabling enterprises to simplify their service operations, curate and engage high-quality service networks, and collect unparalleled real-time visibility into service delivery. Dispatch was recognized by Inc. 5000 in 2019 as one of the top 10% of fastest-growing companies in America. Learn more at https://dispatch.me/ Contact Kate Preston, Director of Revenue Growth & Head of Marketing [email protected] SOURCE Dispatch Two Laois primary schools are among dozens across Ireland hoping to win a competition for solar panels to cut their energy costs. The Friends of the Earth competition Solar Schools 2020 will award schools with the best climate action idea that engages with their local community. Camross National School and Abbeyleix South School are both in the running. Every school had to make a short video, and the ones with the most 'thumbs up' clicked by viewers will win. Click on this link to watch them and make your vote. Schools with the most votes will progress to the next round where a team of independent judges will choose the winning schools. There are 4 regional areas, and there will be a primary school and secondary school winner in each region. 1. North Western Region (Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan Roscommon, Sligo) 2. Leinster Region (Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow) 3. Dublin Region (Dublin City and County) 4. Southern Region (Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford) The poll closes this Friday February 28. Winning schools will receive a 90% grant AND all of the support needed to negotiate putting solar on their roof. Each winning school will be required to fundraise for the final 10%. Friends of the Earth Ireland #ForTheLoveOfSolar campaign also has a petition to ask the Irish Government to make it easier to install solar panels. "We're working to change Government policy so everyone can go solar. Act now to make sure changing the rules on renewable energy is on the next government's agenda. Their petition asks the Irish Government in 2020 to remove the very strict planning restrictions for installing solar panels on buildings, and allow microgenerators access a feed-in-tariff so that they can sell any excess power they generate, but do not use. Sign their petition here "At least 8, and up to 16 schools will win solar panels for their school in 2020. The final number will depend on the level of grants available by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). 2020 will be the first year schools will be eligible to apply for grants for solar panels from the SEAI under their Communities Grant programme." they say. "There is a uniquely Irish rule that makes putting solar panels on schools extra challenging. Schools need to apply for planning permission to put up even one solar panel. Everyone agrees this needs to change! Minister Murphy promised in the Climate Action plan to change it this by the end of 2019, but he didn't. We will wait until this rule is changed before we install any solar panels (to apply for planning permission would add about 3,500 to the cost, and we'd rather spend that money on more solar panels)," the FOE say. Alabama pastor shot wife at church, killed himself after she preached powerful message, friends say Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Pastor Derek Scott Gandy remembers how high in the spirit everyone was at True Cornerstone Church in Mobile, Alabama, on Friday night after prophetess Alisha Woodard was done preaching. She was the speaker that night and she did a fantastic job. The church was so animated and inspired. Everybody was high in the Holy Ghost, Gandy told The Christian Post Wednesday. We just had an incredible worship experience that night. It was just fire from Heaven. It was the second night of the 2020 Women of God Through Promise Conference at True Cornerstone Church and prophetess Woodard, described by Gandy and his wife, Kula, as a woman in her 20s who recently graduated from college, brought a powerful message. That night, said Kula, Woodard preached from 2 Kings in the Bible about the story of Elisha the prophet and the Shunammite woman. In the story, the Shunammite woman shows great hospitality to Elisha so as a reward he prophesies that she would have a son to add to her childless marriage. She gives birth a year later and her son grows up. He eventually gets sick one day and dies, grieving the woman. She then goes back to Elisha for help and the prophet brings her son back to life. She was talking about how the Shunammite woman didnt ask for the son that she received, but when she received that blessing she fought for the blessing that she had received from the man of God and how even when she went to go get the man of God, when the servant even asked how she was doing, she said its well. So she kept the faith, she kept pushing on and going on, and when she got to the man of God, she just reminded him, Kula said. She was just encouraging us all that even when things like death is all around, even when it seems like the blessing does not look like its going to be there, just keep on pressing toward it. Little did the prophetess know that at the end of the service that night, she would be forced to wrestle with death after the devil showed up in a deadly way, according to Pastor Gandy. The Mobile Police Department said in a statement that at approximately 11:23 p.m. on Friday, they responded to the church on Halls Mill Road after receiving a report about a person being shot. When they got there, they saw a woman on the ground who had been shot. The suspect involved reportedly fled the scene as police arrived. He was pursued by authorities and subsequently returned to the church. As officers approached his vehicle, however, the suspect shot himself. His car then crashed into the church. He was pronounced dead at the scene while his wife was taken to a local hospital where she is recovering. Pastor Gandy and Kula identified the couple as prophetess Woodard and her late husband, Elder Ulysses Woodard. They both led True Word of Deliverance Church of God in Prichard, Alabama. But for about two weeks now, they had been estranged. It (the estrangement) was very fresh, said Gandy. Elder Woodard was Gandy's good friend and mechanic who always knew how to make him and his sons laugh. What happened on Friday, he said, he never saw coming. Elder Woodard, he said, wasnt a monster. I didnt see this coming. I didnt see this coming. He wasnt a monster, at least not that Ive ever seen, he said. Without getting into any details, Gandy said his friend had vented to him about things in his relationship that he thought could have been helped with counseling but saw nothing that would lead to this that his friend would shoot his wife in the chest while standing right next to him. Gandy explained that on Friday night he was the last person to get out of the church when Elder Woodard approached him. When I went outside, he just said, Pastor, can I talk to my wife please? And I said, Sure, thats your wife. And he never said anything to anyone. He did not stress anyone. He did not disrespect anyone. He never raised his voice at all, Gandy said. He said as he locked the door of the church he saw the elder and his wife talking. Everyone else had already left the church for the night except the Gandys and three of their children, two church members who were traveling with them, as well as the prophetess. Pastor Gandy said when he tried to offer the prophetess a ride home after noticing things appeared to be getting heated between her and her husband, things got worse. My initial response was I got back out of my car and I said to them, Let me take her home. We were going to give her a ride home. We had picked her up for our service, he said. He said he eventually left the couple alone because he didnt want to get involved in domestic issues. I sat in the car to wait for her to finish talking. But then when she started screaming, hollering, 'Let go, stop,' then he had come over, Gandy said. Prophetess Woodard was trying to get away to get into Gandys car but her husband grabbed her arm. He managed to keep her in his grasp and he managed to get to his car and thats where he had his weapon, Gandy explained. When asked if thats when Elder Woodard shot his wife, he said, Yes. When asked where he was at that point, he said: I was in my car. The door was open. We pulled on against the weapon, standing right next to me. And he shot her in the chest. I had had my daughter so when he shot her, I pulled off to the other side of the building. Pastor Gandy said he and his wife are still trying to process the tragedy and he is working on getting counseling for his children. What I struggle with is the fact that our young daughters were there. And I struggle with them actually returning (to the church). And Ive been thinking about how do we find a way to purchase a new church to leave that site. Of all of this, thats probably the toughest thing, Gandy explained. Our little daughter, she actually saw him shoot himself, so its tough. He was my friend. We didnt talk every day, we probably didnt talk every week. We didnt hang out other than when I go to the shop for him to fix my car but you know, we were friends, he said. He was my comedian. He was funny. ... He just kept me laughing. He kept my sons laughing. Kula Gandy described prophetess Woodard as a very sweet young lady. She was just doing her thing. She was about Jesus. She loves Jesus. She loves His Word. Shes just a vessel thats just willing to be used by God, Kula said. And thats why she wasnt surprised by how the prophetess fought with her faith to stay alive after she was shot. She was calling on Jesus. Myself and another sister, we went and were praying for her after he (her husband) had left. He was on a high-speed chase with the police. So as soon as his car left, we went there and she was on the ground and she was crying and she was calling on Jesus, and we got down there and we started praying over her and for her, Kula said. She said she visited her in the hospital on Saturday and doctors said shes looking to do good in terms of her recovery. Earlier this month, prophetess Woodard and her late husband celebrated the fourth anniversary of their church under the theme A Church Yet Holding On featuring 1 Corinthians 15:58, which says: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. True Cornerstone Church is asking anyone interested in helping with their recovery to donate by clicking here or via Cash App to $TCCgive. Love: Hollywoods favorite subject. Love: sometimes a beautiful hallmark card, other times a bouquet of roses. Love: always sold as a fantasy, always approached as a prize to claim, yet rarely exposed for the depth of pain it can elicit. Love songs are always about one of three things, as the lyrics to Youve Let Yourself Go remind listeners the guy meets the girl, the guy gets the girl, or the guy loses the girl (always in dramatic, heart-aching fashion). But what about the rest? What about the difficulties? What about the fights and the betrayals and the lies and the neglect and the lost attraction? What about the truth? The five showtunes below (from Broadway and Off-Broadway productions) visit the darker side of love the pain that comes from a loved one when they disappoint. Broadway at the Palace Theatre on March 19, 2009, in New York City | Neilson Barnard/Getty Images 1. Im Still Hurting from The Last Five Years Jason Robert Browns The Last Five Years recounts the five-year journey a couple takes from falling in love to falling apart. Yet, the shows non-chronological fashion keeps the viewers in a state of emotional unrest shifting rapidly from satisfying serendipity to somber sorrow and tearjerking trouble. Im Still Hurting opens with the Cathy singing of the man who gets to decide it all. He gets to decide when it starts and when it ends while she remains fixated on her loss, on her pain, on the fact that he is over and gone, while she has nowhere to turn. He decides it is time to move on, as she comes to claim the scars she did nothing to earn. 2. Not a Day Goes By from Merrily We Roll Along Sondheim writes about a woman who admits that she still loves the man who has been unfaithful to her. However, she cannot live with him knowing what he has done. Though she cant accept his actions, she will die day after day after day until the days go by, and she will not spend one single day on thoughts unrelated to the man she has lost; she will, for the rest of her days, comes to terms with who she is without him, who he was to her, and who he longer can be. From cursing and crying to waking and dying, she has experienced love and betrayal, and now faces the lifelong heartache bound to follow suit, as he will always be somewhere, a part of [her] life and he wont go away. 3. Stars and the Moon from Songs for a New World Stars and the Moon is a bittersweet, fast-paced love song about a woman who says no to all the men who offer her passion, all the men who offer her sincere love, all the men who offer her stars and the moon. Why? She dreams of a life like the movie stars lead. She dreams of champagne and yachts and Hollywood plots over true romance. And finally, she meets that man; they honeymoon in Beijing. She meets a man with a fortune in the back, who provides a townhouse in turtle bay. Yet, when the dust settles and the years go by, it doesnt change, nor does it grow. She awakes one day and thinks, My god, Ill never have the moon. 4. Losing My Mind from Follies This time around, Sondheim has written a Broadway tune about unrequited love. Need we say more when it comes to the lyrical genius who uses perfect rhyme to capture the intensity of every emotion and the complexity of thought tied to every single some minor, others major human experience? The sun comes up, I think about you. The coffee cup, I think about you. She thinks about him at all moments, so intensely; she is so preoccupied with the man she might as well be losing [her] mind. 5. See, Im Smiling from The Last Five Years Once again, Cathy comes in with the truth, yet this song stars out quite positive and takes a turn. When the man shes been trying to fix her marriage with, Jamie, comes to visit her in Ohio (where she is starring in a low-budget stage production), she is happy to see him. She is happy he has made the time for her. However, she finds out he cant stay for her show as he hasnt fully fit the visit into his busy schedule of parties and get-togethers tied to his recent success as an author. Such news leads her down a path of warranted hellfire. She thought he would stay with her on her birthday, but god forbid [he] even see [her] show, for if its not about [him], its not the priority. She comes to accept that through all the anguish he has put her through, all the times he has failed to live up to expectations, she will never understand one thing: how he can stand there, straight and tall, and see [shes] crying, and not do anything at all. A gay man deported to Chad last fall is expected to return to the U.S. soon a small victory for the 31-year-old San Francisco resident who has sought asylum for more than a decade. But officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said they plan to detain Oumar Yaide as soon as he lands at the airport, his attorney said. Its the latest twist in a unique and complex case that has mobilized local residents and angered Bay Area politicians who have called for his return. They do intend to re-detain him when he gets here, said Sean McMahon, Yaides attorney. They didnt give me a specific reason, but its not that unexpected. Were trying to make plans to stop them from doing that. McMahon said that officials are still finalizing details for Yaides return but that he expects him to travel to the U.S. in the coming days. Since Yaide is awaiting a decision on a motion to reopen his case, authorities will likely keep him in detention until a judge rules on the motion, McMahon said. ICE on Wednesday said it does not comment on pending litigation. Officials deported Yaide in November, three months after agents detained him in his home in the Mission District. But in December, a federal judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security to bring him back a rare move that showed the agency violated Yaides due process rights when it deported him, his attorneys said. Attorneys pushed for Yaides return for weeks, though U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that he be returned right away. Of particular concern is the fact that Yaide is gay Chad criminalized homosexuality in late 2016. Hes kept a low profile in his home country, bouncing around between residences in order to stay safe, according to McMahon, who doesnt know where hes living. Breyer granted Yaide a temporary restraining order on Dec. 18 requiring the government to return him to the U.S. as he awaits a court decision that may determine whether officials will reopen his case. Yaide immigrated to the U.S. in 2009. He petitioned for asylum as a member of the Gorane ethnic group and said he was at risk of persecution in his home country because his family expressed anti-government views. An immigration judge denied his petition for asylum in September 2014. The Board of Immigration Appeals and the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco denied his appeals, most recently in December 2018. ICE arrested Yaide in August after agents showed up at his apartment in the Mission District claiming to look for someone else, his attorney said. They took him to the Yuba County Jail in Marysville, where he was detained for about three months. McMahon filed a motion to reopen Yaides case in October, requesting that the court allow him to present a new basis for asylum. Yaide had not come out as gay when he originally petitioned for asylum in 2009. Returning to Chad would put him in grave danger, his attorney argued. But with the motion to reopen pending, authorities pulled Yaide out of Yuba on Dec. 1, transferring him to the Sacramento airport without notifying McMahon, he said. Friends found out he was no longer in the jail and notified McMahon. The next day, Pangea Legal Services attorneys petitioned the court and requested a temporary restraining order in a last-minute effort to halt Yaides deportation. 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. They had no idea where Yaide was but hoped he was still in the U.S., McMahon said. ICE had said the court did not have jurisdiction over the matter because Yaide was no longer in custody when attorneys filed their petition. A judge sided with attorneys and granted the order, halting Yaides deportation until oral arguments could be made in a formal hearing before Breyer on Dec. 4. But Yaide was already in Chad. He had been in Homeland Security custody out of the country on an airplane when attorneys petitioned on his behalf, McMahon said. They moved forward with the hearing, and Breyer issued a decision Dec. 18 ordering Homeland Security to bring Yaide back. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution this month calling on the government to return him home. Advocates delivered a petition to Sen. Dianne Feinsteins office last month containing nearly 30,000 signatures in support of Yaides return. McMahon said it may take a while for a judge to rule in his case. It doesnt make sense to make him wait in immigration custody, he said. Tatiana Sanchez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TatianaYSanchez. A SECOND lender has conceded that it will reinstate a large number of mortgage holders to tracker rates. It comes after it lost a case before the Financial Services Ombudsman, and has now said it will apply the findings to others in the same circumstances. The mortgages were originally issued by Bank of Scotland (Ireland) which is to restore the trackers and pay compensation despite selling on the loans, the Irish Independent understands. Earlier this month AIB indicated it will restore another 6,000 customers to a tracker rate and compensate them after a preliminary ruling against it by the ombudsman. Bank of Scotland introduced tracker mortgages to the Republic in 2001. The rate on these can only move with a set margin of the European Central Bank rate, and are often be set at 1pc over the ECB rate, making them very good value. Bank of Scotland originated the loans affected. The exact numbers impacted are not known but are understood to be in the hundreds. The banks portfolio of 20,000 Irish mortgages was sold to British rival Barclays in 2018, and are now serviced by Shannon-based Pepper. Up to now Bank of Scotland has admitted that close to 500 customers have been hit by an industry-wide debacle. This has meant they were either denied their right to a cheap home loan linked to the main ECB rate, or put on an incorrect rate. In the case published by Ombudsman Ger Deering he found that the bank, which he did not name, had denied a couple the return to a tracker rate of 1pc over the ECB rate when they fixed for a while. He directed that they get back their tracker rate, and that they be refunded overpaid interest going back to 2010. They are also to get compensation of 2,500. The originating bank has to pay up even though the loan has since been sold. In his summary of the case, Mr Deering wrote: At the time this decision issued there were a number of other, similar complaints against that same bank being investigated by the ombudsman. The bank has indicated its intention to apply the outcome of this decision to other customers in similar circumstances. Questioned by this publication, Bank of Scotland said: Following discussions with the Central Bank of Ireland, a recent decision by the Financial Services and Pension Ombudsman will result in additional customers having their mortgage reviewed in line with Tracker Mortgage Examination principles. The bank said it will inform those former Bank of Scotland customers who are included in this review as soon as it can and will provide any compensation due to them once assessments have been completed. 14 Pews hosts CatVideoFest. Photo: CatVideoFestival Photo: CatVideoFestival 800 Aurora; 14pews.org CatVideoFest A compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos and classic internet powerhouses. Festival will raise money for Friends for Life, a no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in Houston.7 p.m. Feb. 28-29 LEVY PARK 1001 Bissonnet; mfah.org Pokemon Detective Pikachu In a world where people collect Pokemon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective. 7 p.m. Feb. 29 MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON 1001 Bissonnet; mfah.org Putney Swope The 1969 film about an African-American ad executive is unexpectedly elected as his firms president and turns the industry on its ear through a series of outrageous, taboo-busting TV commercials. 7 p.m. Feb. 29 Downtown 81 Jean Michel Basquiat along with a couple of friends makes a film set in the Lower Manhattan of the 80s. 5 p.m. March 1 RICE CINEMA 6100 Main; cinema.rice.edu Films by Stan VanDerBeek Chelsea Spengemann, director of Stan VanDerBeek Archive, will screen 16 mm films by Stan VanDerBeek. 7 p.m. Feb. 29 RIVER OAKS THEATRE 2009 W. Gray; landmarktheatres.com Natural Born Killers Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis are two victims of traumatized childhoods who become lovers and psychopathic serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media. Midnight Feb. 28-29 ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA 2707 Commercial Center, Katy; drafthouse.com/houston Tucker and Dale vs Evil Affable hillbillies Tucker and Dale are on vacation at their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are mistaken for murderers by a group of preppy college students. 9 p.m. Feb. 28 Madagascar A group of animals who have spent all their life in a New York zoo end up in the jungles of Madagascar, and must adjust to living in the wild. 10 a.m. Feb. 29 EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER 5601 S. Braeswood, erjcchouston.org From Slavery to Freedom In 1977, Natan Sharansky, a famous human rights activist, was arrested on charges of spying for the USA, treason and anti-Soviet agitation. 1 and 7:30 p.m. March 5 MARKET SQUARE 301 Milam; marketsquarepark.com Anchorman Ron Burgundy is San Diego's top-rated newsman in the male-dominated broadcasting of the 1970s, but that's all about to change for Ron and his cronies when an ambitious woman is hired as a new anchor. 8 p.m. March 5 HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE 5555 Hermann Park Drive; hmns.org Back from the Brink 3D The remarkable true story of three animal species rescued from the brink of extinction. Multiple screenings daily. Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D The story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world where dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures once roamed freely in a lush landscape. Multiple screenings daily. "Great Bear Rainforest 3D" An exploration of the Great Bear Rainforest on Canada's Pacific coast in British Columbia. Multiple screenings daily. CHICO, Calif.- A Chico State professor is under investigation for alleged misuse of university funds, according to a 15-page report issued by the Chancellors office. It states an investigation was launched into accounting professor Curtis Deberg in 2018. The chancellors office recently wrapped up that investigation in November of 2019. University officials say it began after different departments at the university began to identify unusual activities regarding the professor's non-profit organization called Sage Global. They say the professor faced allegations claiming he had used the campus name, facilities and other resources inappropriately, that he had a conflict of interest due to his multiple roles on campus, and had used thousands of university funds inappropriately. Students who know the professor say theyre shocked at the claims. Chico State student, Jennifer Brissenden, knows Professor Deberg, she says, "I think Curtis is a good man he is a good accounting professor, considering accounting is very difficult." Provost and Vice President of Chico State Academic Affairs, Debra Larson, says, "This investigation has triggered his rights as part of the California Faculty Association and we are working with Professor Deberg in that space but there is still quite a bit of discussion going on." The university says Professor Deberg is currently still employed and is on sabbatical. They say is expected to continue teaching in August of 2020. However, they say his non-profit organization, "Sage Global" is not active anymore. Action News Now has reached out to Deberg for a statement, but have not heard back. View the full investigation report below: BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The 16th Annual Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) is pleased to announce The BIFF XR Experience ( www.biff1.com/xr ), celebrating the evolution of storytelling with the very best in virtual reality films, augmented reality art installations, and the Boulder XR Science Fair featuring XR Projects from over a dozen local Boulder companies and labs. Thanks to our many generous sponsors, this BIFF event is open and free to the public and takes place at Galvanize Boulder March 5 - 7, and the BIFF TalkBack Cafe on March 8. The XR Experience offers the local Boulder and surrounding community a chance to experience cutting-edge VR films from around the world, industry meetups, interactive workshops and a showcase of local AR/VR innovation in the Boulder XR Science Fair. "The future of storytelling will be an amazingly new and exciting experience that we can't even imagine today," said Kevin Smith, executive producer for BIFF. "The XR Experience provides a glimpse into this groundbreaking new medium while providing a great community event to mix, learn and experience." The BIFF XR Experience celebrates the melding of virtual reality and augmented reality into mixed reality, or XR. The XR Pavilion includes curated VR films from around the world, an opening kick-off party, industry meetups, interactive workshops, and the Boulder XR Science Fair, featuring the amazing VR and AR innovations from local university labs, tech teams and professionals. The VR line-up features the films "Cycles" and "Myth: A Frozen Tale," VR films from Disney Animation. Special guests include Jeff Gipson (Director and CU grad) and Jose Luis Gomez Diaz (Lead Software Engineer, VR/AR, Disney Animation) who will be presenting Saturday's keynote, "The Collaboration Between Art and Technology: Making Disney Animation's 'Cycles' and 'Myth: A Frozen Tale.'" XR Experience Schedule Thurs., March 5 (5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.) Location: Galvanize Boulder, 1023 Walnut 5:30 p.m. 8 p.m. XR Experience Kickoff Welcome Disney to Boulder ! (free to attend) Kick-off a great VR/AR/XR weekend with FREE Spiked Snowmelt Craft Hard Seltzer and beer from Upslope, as well as a tasty taco bar from Mojo Taqueria. Welcome Disney VR artists to Boulder and experience the power of virtual reality films in the VR Theater! Fri., March 6 (12 p.m. - 8 p.m.) Location: Galvanize Boulder, 1023 Walnut Street 12 p.m. - VR Theater and AR Cafe Films in the VR Theater include: "Cycles," "Myth: A Frozen Tale," "Ghost Fleet," "2nd Step," "Loxa" and "12 Seconds of Gunfire." The VR theater also includes two Reality Garage Experiences "Rock Climbing in Boulder Canyon" and "Denver Helicopter." The AR Cafe features world class Augmented Realty artworks from Heavy AR and other Boulder artists. Sat., March 7, (10 a.m. 8 p.m.) Location: Galvanize Boulder, 1023 Walnut Street 10 a.m. - VR Theater and AR Cafe Open 10:30 a.m. - Augmented Reality Workshop with Pat Mallek , Mighty Fudge Studios Noon -The Boulder XR Science Fair Check out the brilliance of local AR/VR from local university labs, tech teams and professionals. 12:30 p.m. - VLogging with Ryan Van Duzer Learn to vlog (video blog) with the inspirational Ryan Van Duzer , whose YouTube channel has garnered over one million hits. 2 p.m. - 360 Photography Workshop with Dave Blessing Check out the mind-blowing world of 360 photography with Boulder High teacher Dave Blessing , who will present a photo safari, introduce a 360 camera and explain this ground-breaking technology. 3 p.m. - Keynote Presentation, The Collaboration Between Art and Technology: Making Disney Animation's "Cycles" and "Myth: A Frozen Tale" with Disney's Jeff Gipson and Jose Luis Gomez Diaz Gipson (Director) and Gomez Diaz (Lead Software Engineer, VR/AR at Disney Animation) will discuss design challenges and new techniques to effectively tell a story in the VR medium, including VR storyboarding and unique use of light and color saturation. Gipson and Gomez's credits include Disney's Zootopia, Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet and Frozen 2. 4:30 p.m. Science Fair resumes 8:00 p.m. XR Theater and Science Fair Closes Sun., March 8, (3 p.m. 5 p.m.) Location: BIFF TalkBack Cafe in the Tent at 14th and Pearl 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. - VR Theater About XR Experience Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) celebrates the evolution of storytelling with XR Experience, a free event showcasing the latest in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). As cinema celebrates 100 years, how people view and engage stories continues to evolve at an unprecedented speed. In support of an evolving medium, BIFF's XR Experience provides film lovers and the local tech community the best in curated VR films, industry meet-ups, and interactive demonstrations and panels. BIFF is committed to showcasing the latest in AR and VR applications that transform the way people experience and interact with visual content. The BIFF XR Pavilion is generously supported by the CU College of Media, Communication and Information, and CU's Center for Documentary and Ethnographic Media. Other sponsors include Reality Garage, the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media, Gary Sharp Innovations, Galvanize, Boulder Community Media, Mighty Fudge Studios, Mojo Taqueria, Upslope Brewing, and Amante Coffee. About Boulder International Film Festival Named one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals" in the world by MovieMaker Magazine, the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF) brings films and filmmakers from around the world to Boulder for a four-day celebration of the art of cinema. BIFF has developed a reputation as one of the most influential film festivals in the U.S., with an extraordinary number of new-but-unknown feature films, documentaries, and shorts that have gone on from early screenings at BIFF to significant box-office success and multiple Oscar nominations. The Festival attracts more than 25,000 film enthusiasts, media and industry annually and takes place from March 5 March 8 2020. For tickets to the main events and more information go to biff1.com. BIFF has been proud to host and celebrate some of film's most talented artists, including award-winning actors Alec Baldwin, James Franco, Martin Sheen, Shirley MacLaine, Alan Arkin, Bruce Dern, Oliver Stone, William H. Macy, Peter Fonda, Blythe Danner, Maria Bello, and Chevy Chase, along with many other independent filmmakers and special guests including Lawrence Kasdan (The Big Chill, Raiders of the Lost Ark), Anthony Bregman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), Michael and Mark Polish (Northfork), Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree Congressman John Lewis (Freedom Riders), and writer John August (Big Fish), among many others. Contact: Terri Douglas Catapult PR [email protected] (303) 581-7760 SOURCE Boulder International Film Festival Related Links http://biff1.com/xr Douye Diri According to The Nation, an indigene of Plateau State and staunch supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Murtala Anas Jos, has trekked from Calabar, Cross River State to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital to celebrate the victory of Governor Douye Diri at the Supreme Court. Jos, who arrived Yenagoa on Wednesday, said it took him eight days to complete the journey, adding that he undertook the task to mark the victory of his party and Governor Diri. He said having followed the political trajectory of Diri, he was happy that the senator against all odds later emerged as an incumbent governor of Bayelsa. Jos claimed that the PDP remained the only party that understood the problems of the country and knew how to address the yearnings and aspirations of the people. He said: I came from Calabar to Bayelsa State. It took me like eight days trekking to reach Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. I decided to do this because of the love I have for my party, the PDP and to celebrate with Senator Douye Diri over his victory at the Supreme Court and subsequent swearing-in as the Bayelsa State governor. This act is to show how I love and cherish my party, PDP, and to encourage the distinguished gentleman, who has come to work for prosperity, growth and development of Bayelsa State. I hace never had any interaction with the governor not discussed with himbbut Ive been following him since his days in the House of Representatives and Senate, and I know he is the type of leader Bayelsa needs at this moment. Though, some hoodlums attacked me between Akwa Ibom and Rivers, they snatched my phones but I was not discouraged, because I was eager to celebrate my partys victory in Bayelsa State. Collecting stories: Jane and Kito de Boer and their passion for modern Indian art Ahead of a sale of works from their comprehensive collection spanning the late 19th century to the present day, Jane and Kito de Boer reveal how they felt compelled to begin collecting after moving to Delhi in the early 1990s Find greatness that you can afford, suggest the collectors Jane and Kito de Boer. It would be wise to take their advice the couple own one of the worlds most comprehensive collections of modern Indian art. Having spent a quarter of a century amassing paintings, sculptures and photographs ranging from the late 19th century to the present day, the de Boers now have more than 1,000 works, many of which are displayed in their homes in Dubai and London. Deepanjana Klein, Christies Director of South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art, describes the collection as a rarity in our field. On 23 September, more than 80 works from the de Boers collection will go on sale at Christies in New York, with an additional 70 lots being offered online between 4 and 25 September. Jane and Kito de Boers home in Dubai. Image reproduced from R. Dean and G. Tillotson, eds. Modern Indian Painting: Jane & Kito de Boer Collection, Ahmedabad, 2019 Dutch business consultant Kito de Boer and his wife Jane, an interior designer, knew little of Indian art when they first moved to Delhi with their three children in 1992. We were just finding our feet in the city, they explain. We had never heard of M.F. Husain or F.N. Souza. Paintings were purely images shorn of any contextual meaning. A chance invitation to the Kumar Gallery brought them into contact with a work by the reclusive modernist Ganesh Pyne (1937-2013). It cast a spell on us, they recall. Hes a very unsettling artist, says Kito. Part of the reason is because he is trying to find a way of synthesising all the complexities of Indian culture into one image there are all these layers, nothing is representational. His technique is very distinctive, adds Jane. He used tempera in layers, building up this incredible depth and transparency. They bought the painting and started to collect Indian art as a way of engaging with the country. Art is key to understanding a society, says Kito. Painting, poetry, literature, music and dance are powerful ways to transmit what people stand for. The de Boer collection begins at a critical moment in Indian art in the late 19th century, when artists started to reject the Western academic teaching of the British Raj. They begin to look East rather than West, to art innovations happening in Asia, says Nishad Avari, a specialist in South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art at Christies. By 1900, a nationalist art movement had formed. It was called the Bengal School and it centred around the Government School of Art in Kolkata where its leader, painter Abanindranath Tagore (nephew of the Nobel Prize-winner for literature Rabindranath Tagore) taught. The groups philosopher, Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, agitated for an all-Indian art, writing, Nations are made by artists and poets. His call was taken up by cultural activists keen to create a rich art immersed in ancient Indian traditions. In the wake of the Bengal Schools nationalism came artists who wanted to create an Indian modern art. They included the highly politicised Calcutta Group and the influential but short-lived Progressive Artists Group, with its charismatic leader Francis Newton Souza (19242002). The de Boers collection reflects this important shift between the early pioneers and the firebrands of the post-Partition era, many of whom are now household names, including Souza, Sayed Haider Raza (1922-2016) and Maqbool Fida Husain (1915-2011). They join painters in the de Boers collection like Pyne, Manchershaw Fakirjee Pithawalla (1872-1937) and Chittaprosad Bhattacharya (1915-1978) artists who played a significant role in the development of Indian art but who have arguably been ignored by the international community. The first question I get asked a lot is why do you have so many paintings from Bengal, says Kito, and I say, if you wanted to collect European art you would have a lot of paintings from Florence. Bengal is where Indian art started. At one time Kolkata was the fifth largest city in the world and the epicentre of the art world in India. Collecting art helped us appreciate Bengal and Kolkata. One of the joys of the collections, say the couple, is the relationships they have developed with artists over the years. Most notably their friendship with the contemporary artist Rameshwar Broota, whose reputation has risen since they first met him in the early 1990s. Sign up today Christies Online Magazine delivers our best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe Chandigarh, Feb 27 : Taking a jibe at Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in Punjab, opposition AAP legislators on Thursday staged a protest outside the assembly here by wearing masks and carrying placards that say the government is afflicted with 'karo-na' virus. Their protest came a day after the Chief Minister informed the House that the distribution of first set of smartphones among school toppers was delayed owing to coronavirus in China. Wearing face masks, the AAP legislators tried to send the message that the Congress government "was afflicted with coronavirus". AAP legislator Aman Arora told the media that he wanted to send the message that the government was afflicted with coronavirus or 'karo na' virus. The phones had already been ordered from China, which unfortunately had to delay release of the order due to the unprecedented coronavirus problem, the Chief Minister had told the House during his speech. The issue, he said, had been rightly raised by some of the members since the promise of smartphones was part of his government's election manifesto. Profile Evaluation: Reapply next year? [ #permalink I have a non-traditional path to an MBA, so I am uncertain how to move forward. I was enlisted U.S. Army for 6 years with two overseas tours, one in Afghanistan and one in South Korea. I had a significant amount of leadership experience in the army and I feel I have a strong profile in that regard. My trouble comes in the academic aspect. After my military career I enrolled at my current university. Its a public school in the 150-200 range of the U.S. News rankings. I am a Hispanic first-generation student who will graduate with a double major in Economics and Chinese Language and Area studies this semester. I currently have a 2.66 GPA that was impacted by early academic struggles. I applied to a few T15 in round 2 with a 610 GMAT, but Im not too optimistic. I did a self-initiated interview at one T15, and have yet to receive an interview invite from the other two. I have communicated with them that I will retake the GMAT in early March, but Im concerned about whether I will see any improvement on my score. Im taking 18 undergraduate hours, and half of them are in upper level Chinese courses. Its been difficult balancing my undergrad academics, GMAT study, and working nearly full-time. I was considering applying to lower ranked schools in round 3, but my initial goal was T15. I think I can put together much stronger applications for next cycle, and Im willing to wait as opposed to pursing lower ranked schools in round 3. I strongly believe that after I graduate in May, I can commit my summer to scoring a 700+ GMAT. I was making strides over winter break, but once the spring semester started it was difficult to prioritize my GMAT study. Would it be feasible for me to apply in round 1 next year? If I have to wait for the next cycle, I will turn 32 a few weeks before matriculation in 2021. I know that is on the older side, but would it be acceptable given that I have an enlisted military background? Fort Lauderdale, FL, Feb. 27, 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 first time attendance at the annual Global Pet Expo being held in Orlando, Florida from February 26 28, 2020. The Global Pet Expo will afford Veritas Farms the opportunity to introduce its recently launched line of pet products, Veritas Pets to pet industry retailers and distributors and discuss carrying the product line with them. Global Pet Expo, held at the Orange County Convention Center, is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) and is the pet industry's largest annual trade show featuring the newest, most innovative pet products on the market today. The 2019 Show featured 1,174 exhibitors, 3,604 booths and more than 3,000 new product launches. Over 7,000 of the most qualified pet product buyers in the industry attended the Show, including an impressive number of international retailers. We believe that attendance at Global Pet Expo benefits companies looking to market pet products, such as Veritas Farms and its Veritas Pets line, that are looking to showcase and expand their pet product lines to a large audience of potential buyers. Alexander Salgado, CEO and co-founder of Veritas Farms, stated, We are happy to have a booth set up at the Global Pet Expo and we plan to target a new audience and expand our product reach over the next couple days. We will have our Veritas Pets products on display, including our calming chews, ear cleansing system, paw rescue rub and pet tinctures. Exhibitors from every corner of the pet industry will be at this Expo and we believe that our attendance will be highly beneficial to our business. More information on the Global Pet Expo can be found here: https://globalpetexpo.org/ To learn more about Veritas Farms or purchase products, visit the company website at: https://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 A pedestrian crosses the street at the intersection outside of the Constitution Health Plaza at 1930 S. Broad St. in South Philadelphia on Wednesday. The building will be the site of the first supervised injection site in the country. Read more The big news in Philly yesterday was the reaction to the announcement that organizers planned to open a supervised injection site, the nations first, in South Philly. The disagreements were felt both in the neighborhood and in City Hall. And if youve ever dreamed of sleeping inside a six-story wooden elephant, your dream could come true. A Shore icon is now up on Airbnb, complete with tusks and a trunk, but no bathroom. Josh Rosenblat (@joshrosenblat, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com) Philadelphia has the nations worst big-city opioid crisis. And while supporters of a supervised injection site see it as potentially lifesaving, opponents have long derided the concept as sanctioning drug use. That disagreement can also be seen in City Hall, with Mayor Jim Kenney supporting the site as other Philly politicians remain angry. How Philadelphia got to the point where the nations first supervised injection site would open has been a long process that included a mayoral commission, years of court battles, former Gov. Ed Rendell, and more. Progressive Jews are trying to make the case that Bernie Sanders echoes Jewish values of justice and tikkun olam repairing the world. But at the same time, his views about Israel and his outspoken support for the Palestinian people present a complicated picture for some Jews of varying observance, economic, and political leanings. There was a time when Sanders seemed to avoid talking about being Jewish, as he referred to himself as the son of a Polish immigrant. But Sanders, who grew up in Brooklyn, has begun talking more about his Jewish roots, his view of the Bible as a document of justice," and the family his father left behind that was murdered in the Holocaust. But some Jews say his other actions have spooked them. [Winning Pennsylvania will go a long way toward winning the White House. And were launching a new weekly email newsletter covering how Pennsylvania is shaping the 2020 election. Sign up here, and dont forget to share it.] What you need to know today Through your eyes | #OurPhilly I like it: William Penn Wednesday. Does anybody have any suggestions on what to call Thursday? Thanks for the cool shot, @mcjw13. Tag your Instagram posts or tweets with #OurPhilly and well pick our favorite each day to feature in this newsletter and give you a shout out! Thats interesting Opinions As a young immigrant I dreamed for years about the day I would enter the voting booth and press that large green button. When I was a little girl, my father would take me to the polls on election day, whether the midterms, local elections, or the general election he made sure I was there watching him do his civic duty ... Yet today, the right to have my vote counted is called into question. writes Luisa Suarez, a sophomore at Temple, about her worries that her first-ever vote wont be safe. What were reading If a New Jersey legislator has his way, beachgoers who dont secure their umbrellas at the Shore could face fines, WHYY reports. I am a sucker for heist stories. And GQs account of a legendary one in Buenos Aires was riveting. AI vs. AI. Wired covers a technique that uses artificial intelligence to fool other artificial intelligence. Your Daily Dose of | Afrofuturism Afrofuturism, in a broad sense, takes black histories and realities and adds a dose of superpowers, magic, mysticism, or all three to create new worlds. The stories can take the form of sci-fi, horror, historical fiction, or a seemingly impossible future. They are stories of mystery and magic that pay homage to the black experience. My colleagues explored how Afrofuturism is now all around us. During talks with their Russian counterparts in Ankara, Turkish officials first declared the need to establish a ceasefire regime in Idlib. This is stated in the statement issued by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reports TASS. All the factors of the situation in Idlib were considered during the talks between the delegations. Our side reported on the need to establish a ceasefire regime first. For that, it is necessary to focus on the steps that need to be taken on land, the statement reads. In addition, the Turkish delegation informed about the need to stay true to full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Turkey and Russia and called on prohibiting a humanitarian situation during which massive migration may take place. (Alliance News) - Phoenix Copper Ltd said Thursday it has raised USD2.0 million through a share subscription and loan note issue, which will go towards funding a drilling programme at the Red Star silver deposit in Idaho, US. The US-focused base and precious metals explorer issued 7.9 million shares at a price of 15 pence per share to raise GBP1.2 million, around USD1.5 million. It further issued unsecured loan notes, repayable on September 30, 2021, to raise GBP354,000, roughly USD459,500. Shares in Phoenix Copper were up 6.3% at 10.10 pence on Thursday in London. The drilling programme will commence immediately at the Red Star deposit adjacent to the proposed open pit copper mine at the Empire project. The funds will also provide the company with additional working capital. "I am pleased to report on this fundraising, particularly the equity portion which has been placed at a 50% premium to our current market price. The new shares have been placed with existing shareholders demonstrating their ongoing support of the company and their belief in the underlying value of our assets," said Chief Executive Officer Ryan McDermott. "These funds will enable us to systematically drill the known vein system at Red Star and build onto the existing inferred silver resource reported in 2018. The planned drilling programme will target resource expansion, initial metallurgy and process engineering and development engineering," McDermott added. By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. The Piazza Duomo in Milan was almost deserted (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP) Italy has sought to rally international support for its coronavirus containment efforts as the number of cases reached 400 and the UNs health agency urged an increased response. Italian premier Giuseppe Contes government appealed to European neighbours for cooperation, not isolation and discrimination. Italy has been struggling to contain the rapidly spreading outbreak that made it the country with more coronavirus cases outside Asia than anywhere else. Viruses dont know borders and they dont stop at them, Italian health minister Roberto Speranza said at the start of a crisis meeting with World Health Organisation and European Union representatives in Rome. A woman prays in an empty church on Ash Wednesday in Milan (Antonio Calanni/AP) Twelve people infected with the virus have died in Italy since Friday, all of them elderly, having other health conditions or both, civil protection chief Angelo Borelli said. The Italian government has defended its handling of the crisis, even as it acknowledges alarm over its increasing cases and inability to locate the origin of the two clusters in the northern Lombardy and Veneto regions. Germany and France also reported two cases apiece in people with no known ties to Italy, travel to China or contact with an infected person, raising concern about additional clusters of no known origin possibly forming in Europe. We are at the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic in Germany, German health minister Jens Spahn said, adding that he had asked state health officials to review their emergency plans for pandemics. Greece and neighbouring North Macedonia registered their first confirmed virus cases on Wednesday, also involving people who recently travelled to Italys afflicted north. The first cases reported in Austria, Croatia and Switzerland on Tuesday also had travel ties to northern Italy. A scattering of people in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP) Spain has reported nine new cases since Monday, all with an Italy link, two of Frances five new cases had ties to Italy and Finland reported its second case in someone who had been in Milan, Lombardys capital. Local authorities in Austria took quarantine measures after two unconfirmed cases had an Italy link, only to remove them when tests came back negative. Over a 24-hour period from Tuesday to Wednesday, Italy confirmed 78 more cases, for a national total of 400. Hard-hit Lombardy, where 10 towns are on army-guarded lockdowns, still had the most cases with 288 four of them children. But Veneto saw a spike of 28 cases overnight, bringing its total to 71. In France, a 60-year-old Frenchman died in a Paris hospital, Frances second virus-related death. His case worried French authorities, because he was one of two new patients who tested positive for the virus in France this week who had not travelled to a risk zone, according to authorities in his home region north of Paris. A German man with the virus was in a critical condition and his wife also tested positive, but German officials to date have not been able to trace the origin of their contagion. Officials expressed fear of infections spreading since the wife works in a kindergarten and the man had been to carnival parties. The man had come into contact with dozens of people, including doctors and nurses at a Cologne hospital where he had gone for an unrelated health check-up, German officials said. Schools and kindergartens in the area where he became ill remained shut. Gov. Noem lauds state economy, but big legislative fights are coming Noems speech flowed between business and economic development, lifestyle issues and social issues that were united by their conservative themes. Hyderabad, Feb 27 : Hyderabad police have registered a criminal case against micro-blogging platform Twitter, Facebook-owned WhatsApp and Chinese short-video making app TikTok on charges of facilitating the spread of hatred and anti-national content on their platforms in the country. The Cyber Crime Police Station registered the case following the direction from a city court on a petition filed by a local journalist. This is believed to be the first case against the leading social media platforms for facilitating spread of hatred and anti-national content in the country. The case against the social media platforms was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony, conspiracy to wage or attempt to wage war, or abetting waging of war against Indian government, obscene acts and songs in public, statements conducing to public mischief and criminal conspiracy. Silveri Srishailam, who had filed the petition in a Nampally court seeking action against the three social media apps, claimed that more than 1,200 groups were created after the protests against CAA, NRC and NPR began in the country, which were spreading anti-national content. He even claimed that some Pakistanis were members in these groups. He made Twitter Communications India Limited and its India MD Manish Maheswari, WhatsApp Inc and its India head Abhijit Bose, and Tik Tok and its head Nikhil Gandhi the respondents in the case. When asked, a WhatsApp spokesperson shared an earlier statement that the company cared deeply about the safety of its users in India. "WhatsApp has made significant product changes and worked with partners across civil society, engaged with relevant government authorities and other technology platforms to help address the harmful consequences of misinformation," the spokesperson said. Inside sources told IANS that Twitter has not received any information on any such development so far. TikTok said it is looking into the matter. While WhatsApp has 400 million users in India, TikTok has crossed 200 million users. According to Statista, Twitter had nearly 35 million active users in India in 2019. Though the FIR was registered on February 18, the issue came to light on Thursday. A police officer said that notices would be issued to the respondents seeking their comments. The petitioner also sought ban on 42 apps, which he claimed were working against India. In 2003, then-president Hosni Mubarak collapsed while delivering a televised address before the Egyptian parliament. The 75-year-old was revived shortly afterwards and managed to complete the speech to rapturous applause. Later, Egyptians would joke that, as doctors feared he may not survive, they asked Mubarak if he would like to offer some farewell words to the Egyptian people. Why? Where are they going? he replied. Another joke has it that during a visit to the Giza Zoo, Mubarak was shown a tortoise thought to be one of the oldest animals on earth. When told the tortoise could live up to 250 years, Mubarak simply remarked, Well see. As he approached the end of his 30 years in power, perhaps the one thing Mubarak aimed to impress upon the people of Egypt above all else was his inevitability. He had beaten the odds and survived longer than his three predecessors combined. He inherited a country of 45 million people and saw that population double over the 30 years of his rule. In that time, he managed to dismantle the social welfare programmes established under Gamal Abdel Nasser and reverse the relative political openness of Anwar el-Sadats years. Today, under the iron fist rule of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, that Egypt is one of widespread poverty and mass repression. This week, as Egyptians ranging from liberal politician Mohamed ElBaradei to former Salafi jihadist Nagih Ibrahim took to their social media accounts to mourn the death of Mubarak, it is worth recalling that the recent bouts of nostalgia for that era appear oblivious to the fact that Egypts current tragedy is Mubaraks lasting legacy. Following el-Sadats assassination in 1981, Mubarak announced his presidency by declaring an emergency law that suspended many basic rights. Initially assumed to be a temporary measure, the emergency law was never lifted and the resulting human rights abuses arbitrary arrests, military trials, torture became permanent fixtures of the Egyptian state. Meanwhile, over time, the space for political contestation became increasingly limited to the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). Little more than a rubber stamp, the NDP oversaw Mubaraks dismantling of the states welfare obligations towards citizens, and ushered in the privatisation and crony capitalism that became the regimes most prominent feature in later years. Known in Western capitals as a moderate Arab leader, Mubarak became heavily reliant on the $2bn in annual aid that the United States dutifully paid to ensure Egypt would protect US regional interests, chiefly Israels security amid its ongoing occupation and settlement of Palestinian land. The 1991 US-led war to reverse Iraqs invasion and occupation of Kuwait proved to be a turning point for Mubarak. As a reward for the countrys participation in the campaign, $20bn in outstanding national debts were wiped clean, allowing Egypt to aggressively solicit new loans and foreign investments. Mubarak put much of that windfall towards further consolidating his rule, creating new patronage networks and enriching his own family. A 2014 report released by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights showed that during the last 10 years of Mubaraks rule, poverty rates continued to rise despite the countrys steady economic growth. During the 2011 uprising, a widely-shared report suggested that the Mubarak family fortune could be as high as $70bn, offering some clues as to where much of that growth had gone. During the same period, Mubaraks prime fixation shifted towards creating the conditions to allow his son Gamal to inherit the presidency upon his fathers eventual death. Towards that end, the elder Mubarak sidelined elements within the military thought to be hostile to the hereditary project. He granted increased powers to the civilian security apparatus and police forces, and cracked down harshly on civil society organisations, calling for political and socioeconomic reforms. As the most deeply entrenched social movement, the Muslim Brotherhood emerged as Mubaraks chief adversary, taking advantage of the states withdrawal of crucial services to establish a robust social welfare sector, and challenging the NDPs dominance in parliament. Nevertheless, whenever the group was perceived to have threatened his grip on power, Mubarak was quick to dismantle its organisations, seize its assets, and imprison its leaders, making clever use of the global war on terrors logic to paint Islamist activists with the brush of violent extremism. Union leaders, academics, intellectuals, and liberal and leftist activists were similarly repressed or co-opted, leaving little space for the emergence of genuine political alternatives. In 2011, amid deteriorating socioeconomic conditions and increasing political repression, the Egyptian revolution broke out under the banner of dignity, freedom, and social justice. During the 18 days of the uprising, Mubarak repeatedly made clear that Egyptians did have a choice: it was him or chaos. For the brief moments in which Mubarak appeared in court in 2011-13 dressed in a white prison uniform to answer for some of the crimes committed during his rule, it seemed the choice was a false one. But the judges overseeing his trial owed their positions to him, as did the military officials managing the countrys political transition, and the oligarchs entrusted with keeping the economy afloat. Although its head was overthrown, the regime, it seemed, was going nowhere. After his farcical acquittal in 2014, Mubarak would spend his remaining years in his private seaside estate. And so it was fitting that, upon his death by his familys side, Mubarak was given a state funeral and accorded all of the honours worthy of the regime of his successor. Weeks after the 2013 coup that brought el-Sisi to power, security forces massacred 1,000 protesters in a single day with the same brutality with which in 2011, on Mubaraks orders, they killed hundreds at Tahrir Square and across the country. Tens of thousands of political prisoners continue to languish in the dungeons el-Sisi inherited from Mubarak. None of their victims were afforded the same dignity in life or in death. Meanwhile, the regime has only intensified Mubarak era policies. Austerity measures have been pursued more ruthlessly, with food and fuel subsidies being stripped down. As a result, a third of Egyptians now live below the official poverty line; many more suffer under dismal socioeconomic conditions. Draconian legislation heavily restricting NGO work, independent media, and the right to assemble have enshrined past abuses into law. A slew of constitutional amendments have strengthened el-Sisis control over state institutions like the judiciary and could extend his presidency for decades to come. This, inevitably, is Hosni Mubaraks legacy. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Six Chinese nationals, three women married to Indians and their three children with Chinese citizenship, are among 36 foreign nationals evacuated on Wednesday night along with 76 Indians from the outbreak city of Wuhan, China. They arrived on Thursday morning and were whisked away for 14 days quarantine in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) facility at Chhawla in the outskirts of Delhi. Apart from the six women and children from China, the foreign nationals in the Chhawla camp include people from Bangladesh (23), Myanmar (2), Maldives (2), Madagascar (1), South Africa (1) and the United States (1). Eight families and five children are part of the batch housed in the ITBP camp. After first (thermal) screening at the airport, this batch was brought to the Chhawla camp daily monitoring and check-ups will be conducted for the entire quarantine period. None of the evacuees in the camp have shown any covid-19 symptoms as of now, said an ITBP spokesperson. In another flight sent to Japan, India also evacuated 124 people (119 Indians and 5 foreign nationals) who were quarantined on board the Diamond Princess Cruise ship at Yokohama due to cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The evacuees from the ship have been kept in the Indian Army-run quarantine facility at Manesar in Haryana. The five foreigners retrieved from the ship belong to Nepal (1), Sri Lanka (2), Peru (1), and South Africa (1). 119 Indians (110 men; 9 women) and five foreign nationals, who were on board Diamond Princess Cruise Ship, off Japan Coast and brought back in an AI special flight from Japan have been quarantined at Indian Army facility at Manesar, said an Army spokesperson. The evacuations were conducted by the Indian Air Force. A C17 transport aircraft went to China, and a special Air India flight to Japan on Wednesday night. The Air Force plane had left for China with 15 tonnes of medical supplies, and returned with the evacuees. As many as 124 persons have been evacuated from Japan, including 119 Indian citizens and five foreign nationals by an Air India flight. These were quarantined on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship... In addition, 112 persons have been evacuated from Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak by an IAF flight, said Union health minister, Harshvardhan, in a statement. Of the 138 Indians on board the cruise ship, 119 out of 122 who were tested and found negative have been brought back as three Indian nationals opted not to come back. All the other 16 are in hospitals in Japan getting treatment in quarantine. The Government of India, as an expression of solidarity with Chinese people at this difficult time, has also sent a consignment of 15 tonnes of Indian Medical Relief for COVID-19 to Wuhan, China. Apart from expressing gratitude, I am extremely proud of the way multiple ministries, our Armed forces, our doctors, Air India, our embassies, both at China and Japan, and the many unseen who worked behind the scenes, made this happen. All have put India and Indians first... Harshvardhan said. As the number of cases is rising outside China, India revised its travel advisory, asking people to avoid all non-essential travel to Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy. People coming from the Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy or having such travel history since February 10, 2020, may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival to India. Health ministry is closely monitoring surveillance and disease management efforts by the states. As many as 4,82,927 passengers have been screened from 4787 flights since January 17, 2020, when India began thermal screening. Screening at 21 airports, 12 major seaports and 65 minor seaports and land crossings, particularly bordering Nepal, is currently on. Passengers are also monitored under community surveillance through Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme network on a daily basis. Asia Asian Cities Urged to Bolster Defenses Against Rising Seas An aerial photo shows a flood-hit section of Jakarta, near the Ciliwung River, on Jan. 2 2020. / REUTERS KUALA LUMPURMajor Asian cities, including Tokyo, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City and Shanghai, are most at risk from rising sea levels, researchers warned on Thursday, urging authorities to invest more in flood defenses and plan to relocate assets and people. A study by UK-based risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft analyzed 500 cities worldwide with more than 1 million residents and identified places likely to experience sea level rise of 67 cm-2 meters by 2100, in line with scientific estimates if global warming increases at its current pace. It found that 11 of the 15 highest-risk cities are in Asia, with Dubai, Alexandria and New York also featuring. As a species we tend to like to live by coastswith all the resources and transport it provides, said Rory Clisby, a climate change analyst at Verisk Maplecroft in Singapore. In Asia, cities with high population densities tend to develop land that other parts of the world might leave, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Many of Asias rapidly expanding cities are coastal and low-lying, making them vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather such as flooding and cyclones. This week, torrential rains flooded Jakarta for the second time in 2020, while Bangkok last month trucked in drinking water after the encroaching ocean increased salinity. To lower flood risks, countries should combine hard and soft engineering options, such as building sea walls and tidal barriers and restoring mangroves, said Clisby. Sea defenses would need to be reinforced every decade or so, he added, noting, Its not a one-off expense. Building in flood-prone areas and ill-conceived land reclamation projects should be stopped, he said, adding that some cities should consider moving key assets to safer places. Sponge city schemes in China, which incorporate sustainable drainage systems into infrastructurelike water-absorbing asphalt and green spaces to prevent water from poolingcould also work across the region, he added. The highest-risk cities globally are Guangzhou and Dongguan in Chinas Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, which generates 20 percent of the countrys GDP and 3.8 percent of global wealth, the report said. It is a massive global manufacturing hub, said Clisby, adding that both cities should look at relocating key assets and investing in large-scale engineering projects. Across China, US$348 billion (nearly 503 trillion kyats) of GDP and nearly 8 million people are located in areas at high and extreme risk of sea level rise, the report noted. While China and Japan have the resources to put in place measures to mitigate flood risks, Clisby said, Vietnam, India and Indonesia have more limited resources and institutional capacity to meet the challenges posed by rising seas. Indonesia is already planning to move its capital to the island of Borneo, as Jakartaon the north coast of Java islandis slowly sinking and suffers regular flooding. They are starting to think about a decade time-scale to readjust their risk exposure, and things like that will be more common in the next decade, said Clisby. You may also like these stories: North Koreans Told to Avoid Group Meals to Prevent Virus Spread Virus Deaths in China Top 2,700; Total Infection Cases Exceed 78,000 Chinese Minister Blames Police Force for Prison Coronavirus Cases A teacher accused of molesting boys as young as 11 has been pictured in hospital hooked on a drip and sprawled out on a Louis Vuitton blanket as his health deteriorates. Garry Paul Mulroy allegedly persuaded six boys, from poor families, to have sex with him in exchange for food and money. The 64-year-old has spent the past year inside Siem Reap Prison in Cambodia since he was arrested on January 29 last year. Images have emerged of Mulroy dressed in an orange jumpsuit in a Cambodian hospital Mulroy, who suffers from diabetes, was moved from the prison to a hospital where he is receiving urgent medical attention. Pictuers taken inside the hospital show him dressed in an orange jumpsuit and attached to a drip. Another photo shows him sprawled on a Louis Vuitton blanket. Mulroy is set to have his case heard in an appeal court in Phnom Penh next week where a judge will decide if the charges should be dropped or not. If convicted he faces 15 years imprisonment for soliciting children for prostitution. Mulroy was photographed sprawled out on a Louis Vuitton blanket with the IV drip hanging from his arm Mulroy's defence commissioned a report by Ross Milosevic, a Gold Coast-based risk management consultant, into his arrest. It followed a 10-month investigation that found the charges were a bid by police, NGOs, judiciary and government officials to extort money. 'This is a common occurrence and practice in Cambodia within the judicial process that has provided a lucrative minority of government officials and corrupt defence lawyers to work hand in hand with an extra bonus or what I call, reparations,' Milosevic said. He said police interviews with the six boys were not conducted with adult/parental supervision or legal representation and were made 'under extreme duress, intimidation and extortion', and made to ensure charges against Mulroy would secure a conviction. 'These interviews were a clear violation of Cambodian and standard police procedures,' he said, adding this was grounds for the case to be annulled when heard by the appeals court on March 6. Mulroy (pictured) was arrested on January 29 last year, and accused of molesting boys aged between 11 and 14 Mulroy has spent the past year in jail after having bail denied. His case is due to be heard in an appeals court next week Copies of the report alongside requests for help have been sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, the attorney-general and the head of the Australian Federal Police. 'Garry's friends and supporters have been advised to prepare for the worst but hope for the best by his lawyer, simply as a result of the corruption that he faces within the Cambodian justice and law-enforcement systems working together in a well-organised extortion ring within small-town Siem Reap,' said a letter to the prime minister signed by Joel Saye, who holds power of attorney over Mulroy. In response, a letter from Payne's office said the Australian embassy in Phnom Penh was monitoring Mulroy's case and offering consular assistance. 'However, as you appreciate, the Australian Government must respect the legal processes of another sovereign country and cannot intervene in it's judicial processes,' she said. Mulroy, a former teacher at Lismore's Trinity Catholic College, led a group of Year 11 students to Siem Reap in 2014, where they built houses for Cambodia's poor. He moved to Cambodia and worked as a volunteer for Feeding Dreams Cambodia (FDC) and the Cambodian English School of Higher Education Organization (CESHEO), Milosevic said, before later establishing Education House with the six boys as his initial students. The 64-year-old retired teacher (pictured) is accused of sexually abusing boys aged 11 to 14 in November 2018 According to local press reports, Khoem Vando, a child protection specialist with Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE), has claimed Mulroy brought the boys, aged 11 to 14, to his home in the commune of Slorkram where he allegedly sexually abused them in November 2018. Milosevic said there was a close and 'extremely pertinent' relationship between FDC and it's director Kerry Huntley. His report sent to Mr Morrison includes a statutory declaration from another expatriate who spent time with the boys after Mulroy was arrested. 'Each of the boys clearly stated that Garry had done nothing inappropriate to them,' the declaration said. 'I can honestly say these boys were never abused by the accused. The boys' honesty and demeanour showed no attitude that they were ever mistreated or abused sexually in any way,' it said. Quarantine officials conduct COVID-19 virus tests at a "drive-thru" screening center at Yeungnam University Medical Center in Daegu, Thursday, to assist in the prevention of human-to-human infections. /Yonhap From partying in Las Vegas after his sensational victory over Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury has returned to normality, eating breakfast in a small coffee shop in Morecambe! The undefeated heavyweight champion returned to the UK on Tuesday and has since indulged in a meal of smashed avocado, smoked salmon and sourdough toast in Keegans coffee shop. Dressed in a black jacket, red chinos and a woolly hat, Fury seemed in high spirits upon leaving the outlet and being back in his beloved hometown in the north of England. Tyson Fury went to the local coffee shop to eat breakfast in his hometown of Morecambe The WBC heavyweight title holder appeared in good spirits as he left the premises Fury dined on smashed avocado, smoked salmon and sourdough toast for breakfast The menu board at Keegans coffee shop showing the range of breakfast selections FURY'S NEXT STEP? Deontay Wilder (44-1-1) - trilogy fight Anthony Joshua (23-0-1) - all-British unification fight Dilian Whyte (27-0-1) - WBC mandatory challenger Advertisement The scene was a far cry from his lavish post-fight celebrations at the weekend in Vegas. He was photographed and videoed at a party at famous nightclub Hakkasan, and spent the next day at an Irish pub opposite the MGM Grand with friends and family. Fans are now waiting with baited breath as to Fury's next move, with Wilder likely to invoke a trilogy fight, as is his right to do so under the terms of the second fight. However, most of the general public is calling for a blockbuster all-British unification fight with Anthony Joshua this year. The 31-year-old heavyweight boxer sat at a table by the window of Keegans Following Fury's victory, talk immediately turned to a potential all-Brit fight vs Anthony Joshua Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn is desperate for the fight to take place, and has targeted a potential slot in November or December. Hearn told the Sun: 'People don't want the third fight. They've had 19 rounds now, Wilder's probably won three of them and in the last fight he got battered. 'But I understand the contractual position. He does have a right to a rematch clause. Tyson Fury celebrates after beating Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas on Saturday night Eddie Hearn has urged the pair to 'get it out the way' so the winner can face Anthony Joshua 'I'd just say "Hurry up, please" and do it quickly. We just hope they get on with it and get it out of the way.' Joshua's promoter, who also claimed he would love the British showdown to go ahead at Wembley, added: 'We can't get Fury, we've got to fight Pulev and we'll get that out of the way. 'Hopefully, Fury can get his out of the way and we can get this done in November or December this year.' Its been less than a week since 38-year-old Angelique Manriquez was shot and killed inside a tent north of Downtown across from Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless in a spot where people congregate to sleep, listen to music and talk. Wednesday afternoon, sitting on a bench next to a shopping bag of clothes, Lisa Hall recalled the night Manriquez was killed. Hall said she had been sleeping under a tarp in a makeshift tent about a block from Manriquezs tent when she heard a car drive by, yelling for people to wake up and calling out an expletive. They threw a bunch of eggs, Hall said. We thought, Theyre going to come back around with more eggs, then maybe five minutes later, we heard four gunshots. It sounded like it was right by us. We all ducked when we heard it. Hall said someone came around to check on her and her friends. In the morning, she learned Manriquez had been shot in the abdomen and had died. Police have not arrested anyone in the case. A spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department said they are still investigating whether Manriquez was targeted or was shot at random. Hall, who has been living on the streets on and off since she came to the city in 2014, said she would say hi to Manriquez when she saw her using a computer or other services at Health Care for the Homeless. Yolanda Gallegos, Manriquezs aunt, said she hadnt seen her niece in three years and was surprised and saddened to learn of her death. We hadnt heard from her or nothing, Gallegos said. We thought she was doing good. We didnt even know she was living out on the streets. Gallegos said Manriquez grew up in Albuquerque, the middle child of three, and started getting into trouble when she was a teenager. She said she had four children, ages 12 to 19, who live with their paternal grandmother. Police reports and court documents indicate Manriquez had been struggling with mental health issues over at least the past year. A report from January 2019 says she was yelling and saying she was talking to God or Satan. Her ex-boyfriend told officers she kept banging her head against the wall, and had been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and possibly bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia. In September, an officer wrote in a criminal complaint charging her with shoplifting that she was screaming and appeared to be talking to people who were not there, stating she was married to Michael Jackson and he told her to take the items, so she took them. Studies have shown that about 50% of people who are experiencing homelessness report being victims of some sort of violent attack, compared with 2% of the general population. Its 17 to 25 times more likely that someone who is sleeping rough or out on the streets without a home will experience this kind of violent victimization, said Jenny Metzler, CEO of Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless. Were always shocked by it. Its always tragic. We think about the families and think about the people who were connected to someone when we hear of someone on the streets who is lost. As for Hall, she said she has been feeling more afraid since the shooting. Ive been nervous about walking everywhere, Hall said. Every time I hear a car drive by, I want to duck. I have been feeling unsafe ever since then. Two alleged Playa del Carmen extortionists taken into police custody Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Agents of the National Guard arrested two male persons thought to be extortionists after responding to a citizen complaint. The suspects were taken into custody while still inside the convenience store. Police reported finding 25,000 peso in cash on their person. The arrests took place Tuesday afternoon when elements of la Guardia Nacional received a complaint about two people inside a convenience store charging floor rights to merchants of Fifth Avenue. The agents deployed an operation in the vicinity where they saw two men, being identified as the alleged extortionists. Taken into custody were Cesar Andres L.O. from the state of Puebla and Ariseo G.R. Between them, police found 25,000 peso in cash in their possession. New York: Bernie Sanders' Democratic presidential rivals warn that nominating the self-described democratic socialist will ensure President Donald Trump's re-election, but a growing number of the party's voters see the senator as their best chance of winning in November. Sanders' dominating performance in last week's Nevada caucuses, powered by growing support across age, race and ideology, has set off alarm bells among Democratic Party officials who believe putting the progressive stalwart at the top of the ticket will harm the party's chances up and down the ballot. Sanders' electability was a prime topic at Tuesday's Democratic presidential debate in South Carolina. Rivals contended his ambitious liberal policy ideas, such as Medicare for All, which would replace private health insurance, would be an electoral "catastrophe," costing the party the White House and control of Congress. But the latest Reuters/Ipsos polling shows Sanders' rising momentum in the race - a near win in Iowa, a narrow victory in New Hampshire and a decisive win in Nevada - has given him more credibility with Democratic voters. Some 26% of Democrats and independents polled Feb. 17-25 said they believed Sanders was the strongest Democrat in a head-to-head matchup with Trump, compared with 20% who picked billionaire businessman Michael Bloomberg and 17% who named former Vice President Joe Biden. That was a big change from a month earlier, when 27% of respondents gave Biden the edge, and just 17% thought Sanders could beat Trump. In the Nevada caucuses, Sanders won the support of a majority of Latino voters and led among most demographic groups broken out by gender, income and political leanings in Nevada. Notable exceptions were those aged 65 years and older, as well as black voters, more of whom supported Biden. That too could be changing. The same Reuters/Ipsos polling showed that Sanders had overtaken Biden in support among black voters nationally for the first time. Saturday's South Carolina primary will be the first major test of Sanders' appeal among African-American voters, who represent about 60% of that state's Democratic electorate. Three days later, 14 states will cast ballots on Super Tuesday, when Sanders could build an overwhelming advantage if he captures the lion's share of the available delegates. His path has been smoothed by the fragmentation among the moderate candidates. Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar all of whom say Sanders' policies are too radical to win in November, have each recorded at least one top-three finish thus far, while Bloomberg's name will appear on ballots for the first time on Super Tuesday. 'NOT RADICAL' Sanders argues the enthusiasm powering his campaign will lead to record turnout in November, particularly among young and infrequent voters, making up for any deficiency among swing voters or Republicans. "A large voter turnout would mean that down-ballot Democrats will ... do better than they have in the past," Sanders told Reuters on Saturday in El Paso, Texas. "Our campaign is the campaign to do that: We have the energy, we have the excitement, we have the grassroots movement." At Tuesday's debate, he said the biggest misconception about him, "and you're hearing it here tonight, is that the ideas I'm talking about are radical." "They're not. In one form or another, they exist in countries all over the world," he added. "Healthcare is a human right. We have the necessity, the moral imperative, to address the existential threat of climate change. Other countries are doing that." The results in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada have not provided evidence of a massive turnout surge, but Sanders' fortunes have improved with each succeeding state contest. "If you want to win in red and purple places, the most important thing you need is people who like you or who are willing to fight for you," Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who ended her own presidential bid last year, told MSNBC on Tuesday. "You need passion, and what Bernie showed so far is that he's got a lot of passion in his campaign." 'MAJOR CONCERNS' AMONG MODERATES After gaining a majority in the US House of Representatives in 2018, dozens of Democrats will be defending seats in Republican-leaning areas. In recent weeks, several moderate Democrats openly fretted that Sanders at the top of the ticket would risk flipping those seats. "I hear from constituents that they are afraid they are going to have a make a choice between a self-described socialist and an aspiring dictator," said U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy of Florida, co-chair of the congressional Blue Dog Coalition of moderate Democrats, referring to Sanders and Trump. "That's not a choice any American should make." Polling released by Bloomberg's campaign on Tuesday showed voters in 42 of the most vulnerable House Democrats' districts preferring Trump to Sanders. Guy Cecil, chairman of Democratic super PAC Priorities USA, said Sanders "has some capacity to expand the Democratic vote among younger voters," adding: "At the same time, he'll need to make sure he's doing more to reach out, in particular to those women - suburban women - that were really the benchmark of us taking over the House in 2018." Cameron Brand, 24, a patient care adviser at a medicinal dispensary in Plymouth, New Hampshire, said he knew people who voted for Trump in 2016 because they disliked mainstream Democrats, but would vote for Sanders. "Although he is being labeled as this radical leftist or whatever, he actually does have a lot of policies that the majority of Americans agree on that cross party lines," Brand said. Entrance polls of Nevada caucus-goers from Edison Research showed more than 60% favored replacing private insurance with a government-run plan. [nL2N2AN05V] "He tells it like it is," Brand said of Sanders. "He tells the truth." Investigation claims Ukrainian defense concern massively overpaid for Russian components to military hardware 23:10, 26.02.20 2208 Ukroboronprom had been buying embargoed Russian components through intermediaries at inflated prices. Morehu-Barlow would tell friends and colleagues he was a Polynesian prince A fake Tahitian prince who siphoned $16million from the state government has been deported after his release from prison. Joel Morehu-Barlow, now 44, spent five years behind bars after he pleaded guilty in 2013 to stealing money from his employer, Queensland Health, over a four year period. At the time, he was working as a finance officer after climbing the ranks with a fake law degree. He was sentenced to 14 years behind bars with a non-parole period of five years. The New Zealander was granted parole in November and released on Thursday. He was immediately deported back to his homeland, where he is expected to live with his mother in Auckland. Television footage aired on Friday showing Morehu-Barlow flanked by Australian Border Force officers as he was escorted to an airport where he was put on a Qantas plane bound for Auckland shortly after his release in Thursday. While employed as a middle manager at Queensland Health, he used his position to siphon off funds between October 2007 and December 2011. He was able to keep a lavish lifestyle by using the money he siphoned out of Queensland Health The extra cash afforded him a lavish lifestyle that included the purchase of an exclusive waterfront apartment in inner Brisbane. He had the initials HRH (His Royal Highness) on a black American Express credit card which he used at Brisbane nightclub Cloudland, where he drank top of the range champagne and tipped waiters $1000, according to former staff members. His cash-splashing habits were so outlandish that one Fortitude Valley businessman described it as an economic stimulus package for Brisbane's restaurants, pubs and retailers. His was was brought undone in December 2011 when he attempted to redirect $11 million in a single transaction. He'd previously taken about $5 million in total. Morehu-Barlow was flanked by Australian Border Force officers as he was escorted to a Qantas plane bound for Auckland shortly after his release in Thursday He was spotted picking up his belongings, which were all contained in a single plastic bag When police searched his residence, they found hundreds of luxury items including a life-size horse lamp, saddle, a Chanel watch and a Louis Vuitton surfboard, which were seized and later sold at auction. Overall about $11.9 million was recovered from the sale of items, including the apartment. Before his arrest, Morehu-Barlow would tell friends and colleagues he was a Polynesian prince During one of his court proceedings, Morehu-Barlow's lawyer told the court that even his client knew his 'simple' fraud - which just happened to involve an extraordinary amount of money - would be exposed. 'It was a simple fraud which was bound to be discovered,' defence barrister David Shepherd said. Morehu-Barlow's first request for parole in February 2017 was denied while a second request in November 2017 was deferred before it was again denied. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 The governments plan to empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and cooperatives through the omnibus bill on job creation is facing backlash from stakeholders. Association of Indonesian MSMEs (Akumindo) chairman Ikhsan Ingratubun said the plan would harm micro and small businesses. The President said during his inauguration speech in 2019 that the government would empower MSMEs. However, the bill may actually harm businesses, Ikhsan told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. 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 On July 1, 1863, a Union officers hard-nosed response kept J.E.B. Stuart away from Lee for six hours At about dusk, an exhausted Confederate officer, accompanied by a bugler holding a flag of truce, passed a few frightened but curious citizens as they rode into Carlisle, Pa., in search of the towns Union commander. They did so to deliver Brig. Gen. Fitzhugh Lees ultimatum: Surrender or the shelling would resume. Unfortunately for Fitz Lee, he was not facing an easily rattled local militia officer. Brigadier General William F. Baldy Smith was an experienced, combative former Army of the Potomac corps commander, who had no intention of surrendering Carlisle. So he sent the messenger back to Lee with his responsereported as either shell away or if he wanted the town he must take it. Whether it was bluff, bravado, or genuine confidence, Baldy Smiths decision to defend Carlisle had a number of ramifications that extended beyond July 1, 1863the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Major General J.E.B. Stuarts ride into Pennsylvania following the Battle of Brandy Station in June 1863 was beset by bad luck from the start. Whether it was the unexpected presence of the Union 2nd Corps blocking his preferred crossing point on the Potomac River or a bold charge by 95 Delaware cavalrymen at Westminster, Md., Stuart encountered one obstruction after another. Each delay kept his three brigades from rejoining General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia. The situation became even more critical on June 30 when Stuarts command collided with Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatricks Union cavalry at Hanover, Pa. The two sides punched it out all day in and around Hanover until darkness brought an end to the fighting. Heading east, Stuart pressed his command as hard as he dared to put some distance between it and the Union cavalry. Unaware that Kilpatrick had opted not to mount a pursuit, Stuarts command moved toward Jefferson and then north to Dover, which it reached in the early morning darkness of July 1. Granted four hours of desperately needed rest, many troopers fell to the ground and slept with their reins in their hands. Desperate to make contact with R.E. Lees army, Stuart roused his men and chased reports that Lt. Gen. Richard Ewells Second Corps was at Carlisle, roughly 25 miles northwest of Dover. Fitzhugh Lees Brigade led the way, with Colonel John Chambliss following and Brig. Gen. Wade Hamptons Brigade still in the rear at Dillsburg. While the rumor was true, it was dated; Ewell had been in Carlisle on June 30 but had marched southward toward Gettysburg. Even Brig. Gen. Albert Jenkins cavalry brigade, which rode through the town in Ewells wake, was long gone. Thus, Stuart would find no friendly force at Carlisle. The town, however, was occupied. Called out in response to the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania, Baldy Smith rushed his force of mostly inexperienced Pennsylvania and New York militia units (along with a 120-man contingent from the veteran 1st New York Cavalry and some artillery) to the Harrisburg area on June 26. For the next four days, his men maintained positions along the Susquehanna River, opposite Harrisburg and stretching some 30 miles westward to Sporting Hill, guarding the Pennsylvania & Northern Central Railroad bridges. The green troops held their own during two days of skirmishing with Jenkins cavalry brigade before the Confederates moved off on June 30. After Jenkins departed, Smith ordered his small cavalry force to cross the Susquehanna and head west to occupy Carlisle, as part of a cautious pursuit of Ewells command. His two infantry brigades followed the next morning, July 1. Bogged down by administrative duties, Smith was unable to set out for Carlisle until 3:30 p.m. Although neither he nor Stuarts Confederate cavalry knew it, the race to Carlisle had begun. The New York cavalrymen entered the town about 10 a.m., followed by an advance contingent of Colonel William Brisbanes brigade of Pennsylvania emergency troops. By the time Brig. Gen. John Ewens New Yorkers reached town about 3 p.m., the locals had prepared a reception for them. After intermittent occupation by Confederate forces the past few days, they showed their appreciation for the Union militia by receiving them with prepared refreshments of bread, biscuits, cake, meat, fruit, and coffee. While some troops enjoyed the hospitality in Carlisle, Smith, riding through a mass of stragglers, received reports that a large Confederate cavalry force was in the vicinity. Before he reached town, he ordered scouts to patrol the approaches to Carlisle. The reports were confirmed when he heard artillery fire as he neared town. While inaccurate, the Confederate fire scattered soldiers running hither and thither to find their regiments; men, women, and children running about, each trying to find a place of safety. It was not long after that first barrage that Stuart ordered Fitz Lee to send in the flag of truce demanding Smiths surrender, threatening to indiscriminately shell the town if he did not. Even though Smith was isolated from any timely assistance and believed he was outnumbered, he told the Confederate commander that he had no intention of surrendering. In fact, Smith, who reached the town before the surrender demand arrived, had already deployed his infantry in defensive positions on the eastern edge of town. Unwilling to waste men so tired that many slept despite the cannon fire, Fitz Lee sent a second surrender demand, receiving a similarly curt reply. Frustrated by the obstinate Smith, but knowing he could not pry him away from the town, Stuart ordered the shelling resumed and the U.S. Cavalry barracks and the towns gas works burned. About midnight, Lee sent a captured Union officer to Smith with a third futile surrender demand, which Smith predictably refused. By then, surrender demands were moot. Not long after Lees troopers played arsonist, two of Stuarts officers brought news of Robert E. Lees whereabouts along with orders to join him at Gettysburg. About 1 a.m., Stuart ordered Lee to stop the shelling and prepare for a night ride south to Gettysburg. At 3 a.m., the horse artillery sent three final rounds into Carlisle as the cavalrymen, reeling in their saddles from exhaustion, disappeared into the darkness. It was an anticlimactic end to what had been a frustrating delay at Carlisle. Smith, his men, and Carlisles citizens rejoiced at the Confederate cavalrys departure. On July 2, Smith concentrated his forces in Carlisle, his combat role in the campaign effectively over. Despite not inflicting any casualties and consuming less time than other impediments that Stuart encountered, Baldy Smiths defense of Carlisle had an impact greater than the evenings actions. He kept Stuarts exhausted and hungry cavalrymen at bay for more than six hours, rejuvenated the harried local population, and resurrected his military career. In October, he was given a fresh start as the Department of the Cumberlands chief engineer. An impressed Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant later assigned Smith to command of the 18th Corps, Army of the James, in March 1864, which Smith led until he was relieved in July. That ended his active participation in the war. Even after serving at the divisional and corps levels, Smith is probably just as remembered for his actions on that fateful July 1, 1863. James R. Jewell, Ph.D., is professor of history at North Idaho College in Coeur dAlene, Idaho. This story appeared in the May 2020 issue of Americas Civil War. Strong winds will sweep into Toronto Thursday night, picking up and blowing around the 12 cm of snow that came down during the storm. The storm is tapering off, but not completely because gusty winds are in store for the GTA, said Gerald Cheng, a metrologist at Environment Canada. Were back in winter mode you can forget about the mild temperatures. Cheng says that, in addition to 12 cm that fell on Wednesday, 3 cm of snow dusted the city from midnight to around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. Whitby and Richmond Hill were hit the hardest by the storm, receiving 22 and 20 cm of snow, respectively. Itll be cold waking up on Friday morning, Cheng says, with the wind chill pushing the temperature down to -16 C. Theres also a risk of snow squalls in the GTA with northwest winds carrying moisture from Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Cheng added that these gusty winds can undo the work that city crews have worked very hard to do overnight. Heavy winds forecasted at nearly 60 km/h are forecasted overnight into Friday morning. The bleak forecast follows back-to-back days of snow, wind, and cold and resulting delays. Dozens of flights from Pearson Airport were cancelled on Wednesday and flights continue to be cancelled through Thursday, with most flights to Montreal and Ottawa delayed until Thursday afternoon. There was also a spike in the number of collisions in Toronto and along Hwy. 401, according to OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt. Schmit said at around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday night that the OPP had responded to around 25 crashes across the GTA. It doesnt look that pretty out here on the 401, Schmidt said in a video posted to Twitter. By Thursday morning, he told the Star there had been approximately 250 collisions over the previous 24 hours. A little after midnight on Thursday, a loaded cattle hauler broke down on the 401 near Leslie Street after hitting a pothole, blocking traffic until a replacement trailer arrived to pick up the stranded cows. We got situations like this across the GTA, I know the cows are getting a little restless theyve been sitting here for a little while now, Schmidt said in another video. Then, at around 1:45 a.m., traffic was delayed again when a transport truck skidded into a concrete barrier as it was headed eastbound on the 401 close to Avenue Road. In Toronto, six cars were involved in a collision near the intersection of Bathurst Street and Davenport Road around 10 p.m. Wednesday, with one of the cars involved fleeing the scene. One person was sent to hospital with minor injuries and TTC buses were detoured as a result. In the same hour, two other vehicles were involved in a collision around Yonge Street and Carson Crescent, resulting in one colliding with a pole and bus shelter. Another car crashed into a pole near Dundas and De Grassi Streets. No one was injured in either collision. Earlier on Wednesday in Brantford, Ont., a 20-year-old Hamilton woman was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being ejected from her vehicle on Highway 403. OPP Const. Ed Sanchuk said the woman was driving east on the 403 just before 6 p.m. when she struck a guardrail on the west side of the highway and flew air-born into a transport truck going westbound. Miriam Lafontaine is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @mirilafontaine Ted Fraser is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ted_fraser A popular Chinese restaurant has closed after trading for more than 30 years - and other restaurateurs believe it is because of coronavirus fears. King of Kings Seafood Restaurant, in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, has unexpectedly shut its doors. The business owners have not revealed why the restaurant has shut down, but local restaurateurs said there has been a dramatic drop in patronage following the outbreak of coronavirus. King of Kings Seafood Restaurant, based in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, has closed after trading for more than 30 years - and other restaurateurs believe it is because of coronavirus fears. Nelson Chung is the co-owner of Super Bowl Chinese Restaurant, also in Fortitude Valley. He said the area has experienced less foot traffic due to coronavirus fears and China travel bands. 'Their main business was dependent on Asian tourism,' Mr Chung told Broadsheet. 'Everyone wants their business to flourish. No one wants a bad week, because all the people working there will lose their jobs. [Restaurant owners] are so dependent on people eating [out].' Australia China Business Council boss Helen Sawczak said Chinese hospitality business have taken a massive financial blow following the coronavirus outbreak. ustralia China Business Council boss Helen Sawczak said Chinese hospitality business have taken a massive financial blow following the coronavirus outbreak She said the travel bans led to a drop in tourism and Chinese international students returning to Australia. 'It's important that there is not a backlash against these Chinese businesses which have been operating in Australia for decades,' she told Seven News. 'We really need to stand by them.' She said coronavirus is a global crisis and people should not target members of the community who might be of Chinese ethnicity. Coronavirus fears have prompted people to wear face masks, stop travelling and stop eating in Chinese restaurants (stock) Iran Coronavirus Outbreak Strands Pakistani Visitors, Fuels Fear of Prison Contagions By Michael Lipin, Hafiz Ullah Sherani, Behrooz Samadbeygi, Kambiz Tavana February 26, 2020 Iran's growing coronavirus outbreak has triggered more angst in the country, preventing thousands of visiting Pakistanis from returning home and fueling fears of contagion in prisons. At least 5,000 Pakistanis have been stuck in Iran since authorities in the Pakistani province of Baluchistan closed the border with their western neighbor Sunday, according to a provincial government spokesman who spoke to VOA Deewa. In a Monday phone interview, Liaquat Shahwani said the stranded Pakistanis include Shiite pilgrims, traders and other visitors. A group of stranded Pakistani traders expressed concern about their plight in several videos that they apparently filmed Monday and sent to VOA Deewa as they were taking a bus toward the Iran-Pakistan border. VOA could not independently verify the authenticity of the clips. In one video, a Pakistani man who identified himself as Haji Taj Mohammad Malakhel from the city of Quetta said he was among 17 businessmen on the bus ride from Isfahan in central Iran to Zahedan in the southeast. He said they decided to try to go home due to concerns about the coronavirus spreading in Isfahan, where Iranian authorities have confirmed two cases. Another video of the bus ride showed a view of the road outside. It appeared to have been filmed on an eastbound road in Isfahan province, probably near the town of Toodeshk. "We appeal to Pakistan's prime minister and Baluchistan's chief minister to accommodate us at the border with Iran," Malakhel said. "Iranian authorities say we can leave [Iran] when Pakistan gives them permission [to let us cross the border], so kindly let us go back to our homes because our children, brothers and sisters are waiting for us in Quetta." Baluchistan's provincial disaster management authority (PDMA) has set up a tent camp in the Pakistani border town of Taftan to accommodate and quarantine more than 200 Pakistanis who crossed the border from Iran before it was closed. Provincial government spokesman Shahwani said Pakistani officials have asked Iran to not to let any more Pakistanis cross into Taftan unless Iranian authorities issue them a document certifying that those people are free of the virus. Document holders would be allowed through the border crossing and quarantined at the same Taftan tent camp for 14 days, he said. In a Tuesday visit to Taftan, Baluchistan province's home affairs minister Meer Zia Ullah Langau said he was satisfied with the safety precautions taken in the area. One of the Pakistani traders who was on the bus journey from Isfahan later told VOA Deewa that the group had arrived in Zahedan on Tuesday and was staying at a local hotel. "No one tells us what is going on. We are very worried and don't know how long we will be here," he said. There was no word on whether or when Iranian authorities would provide documents to the stranded Pakistanis to certify that they were healthy enough for Pakistan to let them back in. In another development, Iran's judiciary faced growing calls to grant prison furloughs to political dissidents due to public fears about the virus spreading quickly inside prisons. A Tuesday report by the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said relatives of prisoners of conscience wrote an open letter to Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi appealing for the furloughs to be granted "as soon as possible to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe." Outgoing Iranian lawmaker and government critic Mahmoud Sadeghi, who used Twitter on Tuesday to announce that he had contracted the coronavirus, also used his tweet to echo the pleas of political dissidents' relatives to let the detainees return to their families to avoid potential exposure to the virus in prison. In Tuesday's edition of VOA Persian's Straight Talk call-in show, Iranian global health scholar Kamiar Alaei said there is a high risk of virus contagion in Iranian prisons due to people being kept in closed environments 24 hours a day. "I would advise eliminating all visitations [to prisons] for two weeks, and if there is a need for someone to make a prison visit, do it from behind glass windows," said Alaei, co-president of the Institute for International Health and Education in Albany, New York. He also said it would make sense for Iranian authorities to grant prison furloughs now, because next month's Persian New Year is approaching and prisoners usually get some time off for the holiday. "What is important is to reduce the concentrations of people," Alaei said. "Whenever lower numbers of people are gathered in any environment, the contagion risk is reduced." This article originated in VOA's Persian Service, in collaboration with the VOA News Center and Extremism Watch Desk. Arshad Ali of VOA Deewa and Arash Sigarchi of VOA Persian contributed to the report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Houston-based Telluraian, along with its $28 billion export project, has been rattled by the attempts of a potential major customer in India to probe the market for competing supplies, highlighting mounting pressure on sellers amid a global glut of the fuel. Indias largest liquefied natural gas buyer, Petronet LNG, has started soliciting offers for supply under terms similar to a tentative agreement it signed with Tellurian last year, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The Petronet tender, combined with the lack of a deal announcement that was expected during President Donald Trumps visit to India this week, adds to doubts that Tellurian will be able to secure a sizable anchor investment from Petronet for its Driftwood LNG project, according to Michael Webber, managing partner of Webber Research & Advisory LLC. SETTING THE STAGE: LNG industry watching Tellurian as Trump visits India Its supportive of our overall skepticism of the deal, he said. The combined news spooked investors, sending Tellurian shares down 23 percent, the biggest one-day drop since January 2016. The development highlights how a flood of new supply and record low spot prices are strengthening buyers hands and ramping up competitive pressure among sellers. Tellurian didnt respond to requests for comment Wednesday. A Petronet spokesman didnt answer calls seeking comment. Petronet issued the tender to glean price and market information that it will use to back its position during talks with Tellurian, which are expected next month, as well as to justify to shareholders its final decision, one of the people said. The companys main backers include state-controlled firms such as Oil & Natural Gas Corp. and GAIL India Ltd. Petronet Managing Director Prabhat Singh, who often speaks on behalf of the company, didnt answer calls seeking comment. Fuel Fix: Get daily energy news headlines in your inbox For most LNG projects, locking up long-term sales agreements for the bulk of the production is a key requirement to secure financing. Tellurian Chairman Charif Souki said in late January that the company would finalize a deal with Petronet soon, and that it plans to make a final investment decision on the first phase of Driftwood in the next couple of months and break ground in the second quarter. Under the preliminary non-binding deal in September, Petronet would buy as much as 5 million tons of LNG annually from the Driftwood project in Louisiana, which is slated to startup in 2024. The companies have been targeting a final deal by the end of March. Webber said its possible Tellurian and Petronet could reach a scaled-back deal, which also earlier included Petronet taking a 18% stake in Driftwood. New Delhi, Feb 27 : The stage has been set for an honourable exit for Delhi Police chief Amulya Patnaik, who came under fire for the police incompetence in handling a spate of violent clashes over the last few months. According to sources, while bodies of riot victims were being fished out from drains and recovered from lanes of northeast Delhi, Patnaik was busy in effecting transfer and posting of his favourite officers. A transfer list of fives officers were released by Patnaik when people were killing each other on the city streets. Another list of lower level officers are expected before his retirement. Patnaik, who could not gauge the communal situation in northeast Delhi that led to mayhem, has been expecting a post-retirement job from the central government. His closeness with a former Gujarat cadre IAS officer, who is basically from Odisha and is posted at Prime Minister Office (PMO), made him untouchable. His ties made him invincible in the bureaucratic circle and empowered him to subjugate the Delhi Police officers who flagged loopholes in the city's law and order, sources said. Many young officers is said to have opted for the central deputation because of his alleged 'arrogance', they added. He created his own coterie of officers and indulged in the blatant game of transfer and posting, sources said and added, many transfers were done allegedly on the behest of his predecessor Alok Verma. Even when Verma was unceremoniously removed from Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Patnaik continued to follow him, they added. He was about to be shunted out from the force in 2018 when four Intelligence Bureau (IB) officers were humiliated outside Verma's residence, but he managed to save his skin due to the retired IAS officer's blessings, according to Home Ministry sources. His batch-mate Prabhat Singh's name was proposed by the Home Ministry as Patnaik's replacement, but the move was was dropped by the PMO at the last minute. The friendship with Verma and the ex-IAS officer and their bureaucratic circle helped him sail through even when his own force protested against him. For the first time in the history of any uniformed force in India, the Delhi Police personnel protested against Patnaik and sat on dharna (strike) in 2019. He was hooted by his own men. But with the "blessing" Patnaik became stronger, the police sources said. It didn't matter to him whether his men were beaten up by lawyers or the cops entered Jamia Millia Islamia campus and wrecked havoc. Amid this, he ensured that his batch-mates S.N. Srivastava and Ajay Kashyap were not transferred back to the Delhi Police from their deputation postings, sources said. A spate of incidents pushed the force's morale to all-time low, but it was overlooked by Patnaik as well as the government. He ensured his reporting bosses remained happy, for which he was awarded a month's extension to oversee Delhi Assembly elections. All this, sources said, made him untouchable. When riots started in Delhi, he was casual and took it as the 2010 peaceful protests during an anti-corruption movement. He didn't deploy additional forces in riot-hit areas, leading to mob attacks on DCP Amit Sharma and death of Head Constable Ratan Lal death. All this forced the cops to fend for themselves, instead of containing the riot. And Patnaik has ensured that he get a grand farewell On February 29. (Sumit Kumar Singh can be reached at sumit.k@ians.in) Advertisement An adorable baby orangutan was less than impressed when his mother had to pull him away from playtime at Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium. Three-year-old Berani was dragged along the floor by doting mum Sari as he threw a tiny tantrum, but the pair quickly made up with the youngster planting a kiss on his parent. Other snaps of the playful orangutan show him snuggling under a yellow blanket and enjoying a refreshing sip of water after working up a thirst from making mischief. Photographer, Koen Hartkamp, captured the delightful moment during a visit to the park, which works to raise awareness of palm oil exploitation and participates in projects to restore the Borneo forest for orangutans. Koen, 34, said: 'Just like all small children, Berani still has to listen to what mum says even though he's getting a bit more independent ... and judging by the picture he didn't like it.' The orangutan family, which also includes father Ujian, arrived at the award-winning zoo in 2017 after moving from Germany. I don't want to go! Three-year-old orangutan Berani looked less than impressed as he was dragged along the grass by his nonplussed mother Sari after she interrupted his playtime at Pairi Daiza zoo in Belgium What a cutie! The cheeky youngster was soon back to his happy self and looked very content as he snuggled under a fluffy yellow blanket during a break from his mischievous antics Pucker up! Although throwing a mini tantrum earlier in the day, Berani gave his mother a big kiss to make friends again Two more people have tested positive for coronavirus in England. The two patients have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres after contracting the virus in Italy and Tenerife, according to Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty. The new cases bring the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the UK to 15. Authorities in Italy say the number of people infected in the country has increased to 447 and 14 people have died, while Denmark has reported its first case. In Japan, all schools will close for several weeks, while in the US experts have reported the first case of unknown origin, which suggests the virus is spreading there. Prof Whitty said: Two further patients in England have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15. The virus was passed on in Italy and Tenerife and the patients have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres in Royal Liverpool Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, London. One of the cases is understood to be a parent from Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire, who caught the virus while in Tenerife. Some 168 Britons in Tenerife are currently confined to the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in the south west of the island, after at least four guests were diagnosed with coronavirus. Parents were told Burbage Primary would be closed on Thursday due to a confirmed case of coronavirus amongst our parent population. Burbage Primary School in Leicestershire, which has been closed (Peter Byrne/PA) The school, which has 350 pupils, sent a message to parents via WhatsApp on Wednesday night saying the decision had been taken as a precautionary measure and to enable a deep clean to be completed. Buxton Medical Practice in Derbyshire, a two-minute drive from the school, urged patients not to attend on Thursday due to a confirmed case. In a message to patients, a spokesman said: We have a confirmed case of the coronavirus. We are liaising with Public Health England and the Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure all appropriate actions are taken. Story continues Please do not come to the practice. (PA Graphics) Across the UK, at least eight schools have closed while others including Prince Georges have sent pupils home amid fears they may have been exposed to coronavirus during half-term trips to northern Italy. But Public Health England (PHE) said that its general advice is not to close schools a message echoed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock. Travellers returning to the UK from northern Italy have been told they may need to self-isolate as part of measures to stop the spread of illness. The second patient diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK on Thursday had travelled to Italy. The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to 10 towns in Lombardy (Codogno, Castiglione dAdda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano) and one in Veneto (VoEuganeo). In Tenerife, Britons have expressed frustration at quarantine measures there, with guests walking around the hotel without face masks and sharing meals at the buffet. One guest told the PA news agency an aqua gym class was held in the hotel pool on Thursday. TV doctor Hilary Jones has blasted the isolation measures at the hotel and warned that guests may need to stay on well beyond an initial 14 days. The Foreign Office has no current plans to repatriate Britons from the hotel but said it is keeping the situation under review. So far in the UK 7,690 people have been tested for the virus and of the 15 to have tested positive, eight have so far been discharged from hospital. In China, where the virus originated, 78,497 cases have been reported, including 2,744 deaths. Outside China, there have been 3,651, cases including 50 deaths. After Brazil confirmed Latin Americas first case on Wednesday, the virus has reached every continent except Antarctica. In Japan, there are reports that a woman tested positive for coronavirus after having it once and being given the all-clear. Sydney's newest cemetery will have 136,000 burial plots, but they will be discreetly located in "burial rooms" behind hedges designed to be slightly higher than the headstones they mask. After eight years of opposition from residents in the Scenic Hills of Campbelltown, the first sod of the Macarthur Memorial Park cemetery at Varroville was turned on Thursday after an Indigenous smoking ceremony to remove bad spirits. Construction will begin in March. The first large cemetery in Sydney since 1960 will be at Varroville. Credit:Nick Moir For many, including the NSW government, the cemetery comes just in time to avert a grave shortage as death rates increase. A 2017 government report forecast that greater Sydney would deplete its entire cemetery capacity by 2051 if there was no change to the rate of cremation and burial. Hong Kong Hands Out Billions to Police Force in Wake of Protests 2020-02-26 -- Hong Kong's government on Wednesday announced a huge financial boost to the city's police force, which has faced widespread criticism for violence against protesters and abuse of power in recent months. The police will benefit from HK$5.1 billion in additional spending, an increase of 25 percent compared with last year, to include funding for six new armored vehicles. The police force will also receive a huge cash handout of HK$25.8 billion equivalent to HK$85,000 per officer, according to the annual budget released by financial secretary Paul Chan. The city's police force had already received an additional HK$950 million in overtime pay and HK$135 million in allowances in the second half of 2019. In addition, every permanent resident of Hong Kong over the age of 18 will receive a cash payout of HK$10,000 each. The additional police funding will be used for more than 2,500 newly recruited officers, who will swell the ranks of 35,000 existing officers, among other things. Civic Party lawmaker Alvin Yeung said the police were the biggest winners from budget, personal cash payouts notwithstanding. "Does the Hong Kong government believe that the violence meted out to the people of Hong Kong was insufficient?" Yeung said. "They are getting more weapons?" "The biggest winners in this budget are the police," he said. "Everyone is focusing on the HK$10,000 payout, but they have seen a significant boost in their resources." 'We are disgusted' Pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo said the payout was intended as a reward to officers for doing the government's bidding during recent months of pro-democracy and anti-extradition protests. "We are disgusted," Mo told government broadcaster RTHK. "RTHK ... has hardly got any increase in its expenditure, and it tells you what sort of favouritism they are playing when it comes to giving out money," she said. Democratic Party leader Wu Chi-wai told the station: "The financial secretary has not responded to people's concerns, in particular about the brutality of the police force," Wu said. Financial Secretary Paul Chan told the Legislative Council (LegCo) that Hong Kong will see a budget deficit of HK$139.1 billion next year, accounting for 4.8 percent of GDP. The city's deficit reached HK$63.3 billion in 2004, the year after the SARS epidemic. Hong Kong is in the middle of an economic downturn brought on by a China-U.S. trade war, the protest movement, and the coronavirus outbreak, Chan said. 'Bloodied, but not broken' Amnesty International said in its 2019 annual report that Hong Kong protesters are 'bloodied but not broken' in the wake of abusive policing tactics for which the authorities have yet to be held accountable. It said the Hong Kong protest movement, which began in June 2019 with mass popular opposition to extradition to mainland China, had demanded accountability in spite of increasingly harsh treatment by the authorities Last month, eight victims of the attack sued the city's chief of police over the force's inaction over the Yuen Long mob attacks on train passengers on June 21, 2019. Hong Kong police failed to respond to more than 24,000 emergency calls from the area as the white-shirted mob ran amok, bludgeoning passengers for 39 minutes before police arrived on the scene, leaving 45 people in hospital. Video footage at the time showed police officers chatting to men who closely resembled the attackers. Frontline protesters, eyewitnesses, journalists, and human rights groups have repeatedly said that the majority of violence during the protests has originated with the Hong Kong police, who have been widely criticized for the excessive use of tear gas, water cannon, pepper spray, as well as both non-lethal and live ammunition weapons on unarmed protesters. Around one third of adults in Hong Kong have reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since the protest movement escalated last June, according to a mental health survey published in The Lancet, which said the incidence of psychiatric problems was similar to those usually associated with war zones or terrorist attacks. Reported by Lu Xi for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Man Hoi-tsan for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Copyright 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Industries Busch vacuum pumps operating at hospital in Wuhan, China Vacuum pumps from Maulburg during the installation at Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan. The installation was completed on February 2 and the vacuum pumps are now in operation. 27.02.2020 11:46:06 - (live-PR.com) - The Huoshenshan Hospital attracted worldwide attention at the beginning of the month. It was built in just a few days in the Chinese city of Wuhan to accommodate patients infected with the coronavirus. The hospital has been officially in operation since February 3, 2020. Busch Vacuum Solutions supplied twelve vacuum pumps for the central vacuum supply of the entire hospital, - The Huoshenshan Hospital attracted worldwide attention at the beginning of the month. It was built in just a few days in the Chinese city of Wuhan to accommodate patients infected with the coronavirus. The hospital has been officially in operation since February 3, 2020. Busch Vacuum Solutions supplied twelve vacuum pumps for the central vacuum supply of the entire hospital, and they were installed within two days. In response to the coronavirus epidemic in Wuhan, the authorities quarantined the entire city on January 23. The construction of Huoshenshan Hospital started on the same day. A total of 4,000 workers were deployed during the construction phase, working around the clock in three-shift operation. Busch delivered the vacuum pumps on February 1. They were assembled on site to form a central vacuum system. Via a pipeline network, this system supplies the entire hospital with vacuum for the extraction of body secretions and virus-infected breathing air. The hospital was officially opened on February 3. Since Monday the 17th of February 2020, the hospital has been fully occupied with 1,000 patients. A total of up to 1,400 medical professionals are expected to work in this hospital. Some of them will have been recruited from the army. However, many volunteers from all over the country have also signed up to work in the hospital. The construction of a second hospital in Wuhan was started at the same time, but has not yet been completed. The Chinese employees who installed the vacuum pumps have either returned home after their assignment or are still staying in hotels. In both cases they are under quarantine and may only leave their accommodation with official permission. However, there have not been any cases so far of Chinese Busch employees being infected with the coronavirus. The vacuum pumps have been running day and night since February 3. The engine room in which they are housed may only be entered by authorized personnel of a state company under considerable safety precautions. Busch has been supplying hospitals in China with vacuum pumps for a long time. Only last November, a Chinese delegation of state hospital operators and manufacturers of medical vacuum supply systems visited Busch in Maulburg to find out about the latest vacuum technology. Many Chinese hospitals are equipped with outdated vacuum pumps made in China that use water as an operating fluid. This carries the risk that viruses or bacteria can accumulate in the water circuit and escape from the pumps under unfortunate circumstances, such as leaks, or during maintenance work. Busch, on the other hand, supplies vacuum pumps that manage completely without operating fluids and are run at high temperatures that kill viruses or bacteria. But the major significance of this technical distinction was not yet apparent when the Chinese delegation visited Maulburg at that time. A vacuum specialist from Maulburg has since traveled to China to advise hospital operators there and support local Busch employees. Busch Vacuum Solutions is one of the worlds largest producers of vacuum pumps, vacuum systems, blowers and compressors. Its extensive product portfolio comprises solutions for vacuum and overpressure applications in all industries, including the chemical, semiconductor, medical technology, plastics, and food sectors. It also covers the design and construction of customized vacuum systems, as well as a global service network. The Busch group is a family-owned company and is still managed by the Busch family. Busch Vacuum Solutions has 3,500 employees in more than 60 companies in over 40 countries worldwide. Busch is headquartered in Maulburg, in southwest Germany. This is the location of Busch SE headquarters, as well as the German production facility and German sales company. In addition to Maulburg, Busch also has its own production plants in Switzerland, the UK, Czech Republic, Korea and the USA. and they were installed within two days.In response to the coronavirus epidemic in Wuhan, the authorities quarantined the entire city on January 23. The construction of Huoshenshan Hospital started on the same day. A total of 4,000 workers were deployed during the construction phase, working around the clock in three-shift operation. Busch delivered the vacuum pumps on February 1. They were assembled on site to form a central vacuum system. Via a pipeline network, this system supplies the entire hospital with vacuum for the extraction of body secretions and virus-infected breathing air.The hospital was officially opened on February 3. Since Monday the 17th of February 2020, the hospital has been fully occupied with 1,000 patients. A total of up to 1,400 medical professionals are expected to work in this hospital. Some of them will have been recruited from the army. However, many volunteers from all over the country have also signed up to work in the hospital. The construction of a second hospital in Wuhan was started at the same time, but has not yet been completed.The Chinese employees who installed the vacuum pumps have either returned home after their assignment or are still staying in hotels. In both cases they are under quarantine and may only leave their accommodation with official permission. However, there have not been any cases so far of Chinese Busch employees being infected with the coronavirus. The vacuum pumps have been running day and night since February 3. The engine room in which they are housed may only be entered by authorized personnel of a state company under considerable safety precautions.Busch has been supplying hospitals in China with vacuum pumps for a long time. Only last November, a Chinese delegation of state hospital operators and manufacturers of medical vacuum supply systems visited Busch in Maulburg to find out about the latest vacuum technology. Many Chinese hospitals are equipped with outdated vacuum pumps made in China that use water as an operating fluid. This carries the risk that viruses or bacteria can accumulate in the water circuit and escape from the pumps under unfortunate circumstances, such as leaks, or during maintenance work. Busch, on the other hand, supplies vacuum pumps that manage completely without operating fluids and are run at high temperatures that kill viruses or bacteria. But the major significance of this technical distinction was not yet apparent when the Chinese delegation visited Maulburg at that time. A vacuum specialist from Maulburg has since traveled to China to advise hospital operators there and support local Busch employees.Busch Vacuum Solutions is one of the worlds largest producers of vacuum pumps, vacuum systems, blowers and compressors.Its extensive product portfolio comprises solutions for vacuum and overpressure applications in all industries, including the chemical, semiconductor, medical technology, plastics, and food sectors. It also covers the design and construction of customized vacuum systems, as well as a global service network.The Busch group is a family-owned company and is still managed by the Busch family. Busch Vacuum Solutions has 3,500 employees in more than 60 companies in over 40 countries worldwide. Busch is headquartered in Maulburg, in southwest Germany. This is the location of Busch SE headquarters, as well as the German production facility and German sales company. In addition to Maulburg, Busch also has its own production plants in Switzerland, the UK, Czech Republic, Korea and the USA. Contact information: Busch Vacuum Solutions Schauinslandstrasse 1 79689 Maulburg Contact Person: Jasmin Markanic Coordinator Global Press&Media Relations Phone: + 49 7622 681-3376 eMail: eMail Web: http://www.buschvacuum.com Author: Jasmin Markanic e-mail Web: http://www.buschvacuum.com Phone: 076226813376 27.02.2020 11:46:06 - Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party. CLEVELAND, Ohio A seventh Ohioan tested negative for coronavirus, known as COVID-19, according to the Ohio Department of Health. There are currently no people being tested, who are considered under investigation. (This is an update to an earlier report.) People considered under investigation are those who have been tested for COVID-19 and whose lab results are still pending, ODH said. These are people who have symptoms of respiratory illness and have either traveled to China or been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 within 14 days of the onset of the symptoms, the state health department said. Another 212 people are under public health supervision in the state, ODH said. There are no confirmed cases of the illness in Ohio, and seven people have now tested negative, according to ODH. Read more: Gov. Mike DeWine says Ohioans must have a sense of urgency against coronavirus When a person is under investigation in the state, a test swab for COVID-19 is sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said ODH spokeswoman Melanie Amato. ODH only provides updates about potential cases on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The department stated that 212 people have been or currently are under public health supervision, meaning they have been or are currently being monitored or voluntarily quarantined in their homes, Amato said. It is a cumulative number compiled since Feb. 2. None of the 212 has ever showed signs of illness, she said. Some of the 212 people have already completed their 14-day quarantine and are now able to move around freely, she said. The number of people currently in quarantine wasnt immediately available. These are people who traveled in China and passed through one of the airports that the CDC is monitoring during the COVID-19 outbreak, Amato said. These travelers had no symptoms, and were not tested for COVID-19. They were asked to comply with a voluntary 14-day quarantine when they reached their destination in Ohio. The CDC passed on the names of these travelers to ODH. Local health departments monitor these travelers while they are in quarantine, Amato said. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to those of the flu fever, cough and shortness of breath that has sickened thousands and killed more than 2,700 in China, according to the World Health Organization. There is not yet a vaccine for COVID-19, nor are there any medications approved to treat it, the CDC said. How the virus spreads or transmits, while suspected to be respiratory (coughing, sneezing), still is unknown, said Dr. Elie Saade, medical director for infection control at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. For now, the coronavirus seems to be mostly affecting older people and people who are already sick, he said. So far, COVID-19 is concentrated in Wuhan, China, where the virus was first detected, but has spread to 37 countries, according to the World Health Organization. The CDC said Tuesday that its inevitable the disease will spread to the community level in the U.S. and characterized the potential threat to public health in the U.S. as high. Previously, the CDC had said the risk in the U.S. was low. There are 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., 45 of which are people repatriated to the U.S. by the State Department, including three people who had been in Wuhan and 42 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, health officials said. On Wednesday, the CDC confirmed that a person in California who reportedly did not travel to China or have contact with another person with COVID-19 had contracted the virus. Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States, the CDC said in a news release, noting that its possible this person could have been exposed to an infected traveler. The CDC is working with global, state and local authorities, as well as public health officials to control the spread of the disease. More cases are likely to be identified in the coming days, including more cases in the United States. Its also likely that person-to-person spread will continue to occur, including in the United States, the CDC said. If widespread transmission were to occur, large numbers of people could need medical care; schools, workplaces and childcare centers could see more absences; public health and health care systems could become overloaded; and infrastructure, including law enforcement, emergency medical services and transportation, could be overwhelmed, the CDC said. This story was updated to correct information provided by ODH. Read more COVID-19 coverage: Protecting patients, health care workers priorities as Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth and UH prepare for coronavirus Inside the coronavirus outbreak: Former Clevelander gives account of daily life in Shanghai Ohio economy could feel impact if Chinas coronavirus outbreak continues much longer Novel coronavirus less deadly than past epidemics, local experts say Asian community group, worried by coronavirus-related racism, urges Clevelanders to get the facts DENVER A planned highway that would complete a belt route around the Denver area has seen a major setback after a city pulled out over elevated plutonium levels found in soil along the route near a former nuclear weapons plant. The Broomfield City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to withdraw from the $250 million project. State officials said in August that a soil test found plutonium levels five times higher than the cleanup standard, but a second test found much lower levels. After that soil sample, I think it would be irresponsible to move forward with this alignment, Councilman William Lindstedt said. Broomfield, Jefferson County and Arvada have been part of the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority since it was formed in 2008. The highway project would run from Arvada and along the eastern border of the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge to Broomfield, where motorists could connect with the existing Northwest Parkway. The Rocky Flats plant made plutonium triggers for nuclear warheads from 1952 until 1989. Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge was created on the former buffer zone around the perimeter of the site. The center of the site, where the plutonium is handled, is closed to the public. The date of Broomfields exit from the project is unclear because the council must notify the board of the highway authority of its decision. If approved by the Broomfield council, the request will be considered by the authority members pursuant to negotiation under the terms of the authoritys establishing contract, authority Executive Director Bill Ray told The Denver Post. He didnt say how the project will go forward without Broomfields participation. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Indias approach to combating terrorism has undergone a major change as the armed forces now do not hesitate to carry out cross-border operation to protect the country from terror attacks, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on the first anniversary of the Balakot air strike on Wednesday. A fleet of Indian Air Force aircraft bombed a terrorist training camp in Balakot inside Pakistan on February 26 last year to avenge the killing of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14. India today celebrates the first anniversary of Balakote airstrikes. It was a successful counter-terror operation launched by the fearless @IAF_MCC air warriors, Singh tweeted. He said the Modi government has adopted a new approach to combat terror reflecting a strong resolve to even carry out cross border strikes to protect India from the scourge of terrorism. The surgical strikes of 2016 and Balakot airstrikes of 2019 are testimony to this change. This is certainly a new and confident India in making, Singh said in a series of tweets. Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Chief of the Air Staff, flew a five aircraft mission at Srinagar Air Base along with aircrew from squadrons that had participated in the operations on 26th and 27th February last year. The Air Force said February 26, 2019, was a momentous day as it bore testimony to the professionalism and operational preparedness of men and women of the IAF. Remain alert, be prepared for any security challenge Army Chief General M M Naravane on Wednesday exhorted the troops deployed along the Line of Control in the Kashmir Valley to remain alert and be prepared to meet any emerging security challenge. Gen Naravane, who arrived on his maiden visit to Kashmir on Tuesday after taking over as the Army Chief, visited the formations and units deployed along the LoC on Wednesday. General Naravane reviewed the security situation of the Valley and at frontiers and directed troops to give a befitting reply to ceasefire violations by Pakistan. General Naravane accompanied by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Y K Joshi and GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen KJS Dhillon interacted with officers and jawans at the forward formations and units on snow-clad heights. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Twenty-five years ago today, Jean Chretiens federal government tabled a historic budget that tackled head-on the pressing fiscal challenges facing the nation, finds a new book of collected essays released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. The 1995 federal budget was historic not just for its bold fiscal reforms, but also for the 10-plus years of prosperity that followed as a result, said Jason Clemens, executive vice-president of the Fraser Institute and contributing editor of The Budget That Changed Canada: Essays on the 25 th Anniversary of the 1995 Budget . From 1969 to the mid-90s, successive federal governments didnt balance a single budget and the national debt ballooned from $20 billion in 1969 to nearly $600 billion by 1995. As a result, debt interest costs soared. In fact, by 1995, the federal government was paying $39 billionor more than one out of every three dollars of federal revenuesjust in interest on the debt. This was the fiscal crisis facing the Chretien government when it tabled the 1995 budget, which included: Smaller government : The budget reduced program spending by 10 per cent over two years. : The budget reduced program spending by 10 per cent over two years. Balanced budgets : Two years later, Ottawa produced a balanced budget for the first time in nearly three decades. : Two years later, Ottawa produced a balanced budget for the first time in nearly three decades. Reduced debt : With balanced budgets, the government could pay down the national debt, which was reduced by $100 billion (15.2 per cent) from 1996/97 to 2007/08. : With balanced budgets, the government could pay down the national debt, which was reduced by $100 billion (15.2 per cent) from 1996/97 to 2007/08. Tax relief : Due to the balanced budgets, the federal government was able to reduce personal and business income taxes, and capital gains taxes, spurring economic activity and improving competitiveness. : Due to the balanced budgets, the federal government was able to reduce personal and business income taxes, and capital gains taxes, spurring economic activity and improving competitiveness. Improved federal-provincial relations: The 1995 budget reformed transfer payments to the provinces, giving provincial governments more autonomy over how money was spent in their jurisdictions. Crucially, the 1995 budgetand the foundation of prosperity that it producedis the main reason Canada weathered the 2009 global recession better than almost any other country. The current federal government, however, has explicitly rejected the successful policies of the 1995 budget by pursuing the oppositelarge increases in discretionary spending financed by higher taxes and deficits, which has resulted in growing debt. As the federal government prepares to table its next budget, the anniversary of the historic 1995 budget is a good time to reflect on its successes, particularly given the fiscal policies the current government in Ottawa is pursuing, Clemens said. MEDIA CONTACT: Jason Clemens, Executive Vice-President Fraser Institute For interviews for more information, please contact: Bryn Weese, Associate Director, Communications Fraser Institute 604-688-0221 ext. 589 bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Authorities in California are searching for a hearse with a womans body inside, after it reportedly was stolen Wednesday outside a church near Pasadena. The Lincoln Navigator had not been found, as of Thursday morning, according to an NBC New York report. The L.A. County Sheriffs Department posted a tweet directed at whoever is responsible. Out of all the bad decisions you have made, at least make one good one & bring back the deceased person & casket inside the Navigator." More details given in the Senedd on metro projects in Wrexham, north east Wales and Cardiff This article is old - Published: Thursday, Feb 27th, 2020 Earlier this week Economy & Transport Minister, Ken Skates (Lab, Clwyd South) updated the Senedd on the three metro projects. In summary: The next phase of the South Wales Metro project has started, focusing on electrification, new trains and improved service frequency. Control over the Valley Lines will be transferred to the Welsh Government by the end of March 2020. The Borderlands Line between Wrexham and The Wirral will form the spine of the North Wales Metro to provide through-services between Wrexham and Liverpool (up to four-per-hour). The proposals include an integrated bus service including a long-distance, possibly segregated, bus rapid transit route between Deeside and Rhyl a new station at Deeside Industrial Park and co-locating activities in and around Wrexham General station. Transport for Wales is working on measures in Swansea Bay, with the Minister suggesting passenger services will be introduced on the Swansea District Line. Again, this will include an integrated bus service. Mr Skates said: Plans by the UK Government to increase spending on infrastructure in this Parliament are very welcome, and Waless share of this will amount to some 3.7 billion. With this funding, and a fair share of the HS2 spend over the next 10 years, we will deliver our plans to transform urban and inter-city connectivity in Wales. Shadow Economy Minister, Russell George AM (Con, Montgomery), was keen to know what progress has been made, stating that the north Wales metro was announced three years ago, so would there be a proper timetable for these projects. While Plaid Cymru agreed with the Minister that there was clearly an issue with historic underfunding by the UK Government, Helen Mary Jones AM (Plaid, Mid & West Wales) and the Minister got into a bit of an argument over High Speed 2 and who was first to stake Wales claim for a fair proportion of funding relating to it. Adam Price AM (Plaid, Carms E. & Dinefwr) later added that the Welsh Government had reneged on a budget agreement promise to undertake a feasibility study on integrating the Swansea, Neath and Gwendraeth valleys into the Swansea Bay metro. David Rowlands AM (BXP, South Wales East) hoped there was a consultation on business needs, particularly the requirement for speedy transport under a just in time supply system. Meanwhile, Jack Sargeant AM (Lab, Alyn & Deeside) welcomed the proposals in Flintshire, he hoped that more rural towns and villages away from the Borderlands Line wouldnt be left out. Mark Isherwood AM (Con, North Wales) thought there could be better linking in with decarbonisation policies as only two double chargers are being provided at the Deeside park and ride. In response to a question from Mick Antoniw AM (Lab, Pontypridd) on the UK Governments reverse Beeching fund, the Minister was keen to point out that the 500million earmarked for that (in England) wouldnt go any way to delivering much. Keep up to date with what is going on in the Senedd via SeneddHome.com Two unidentified men allegedly opened fire on the car of the owner of an engineering firm near Palus in Western Maharashtra's Sangli district, the police said on Thursday. Pradip Vetal, owner of Sujata Engineerings Associated, however, escaped unscathed. The incident took place when Vetal was on his way home for lunch, the police said. "Vetal was driving the car. When he reached near a school, two unidentified people on a motorbike opened fire. "Luckily Vetal managed to dodge the bullets," said an officer of Sangli police. As people gathered hearing the shots, the attackers sped off, he said. "The reason for the attack is yet to be ascertained. Investigation is on," the police officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BERLIN By the time German health officials in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia had confirmed the states first case of the coronavirus, the patient was already so ill that he had been placed on a respirator. He was in no position to help authorities, who urgently needed to retrace his steps to try to stop, or at least slow, the virus from spreading. Already, they had lost time. The virus has a 14-day incubation period, so they knew that the man, who was hospitalized on Monday, could have infected many more people before he started receiving care, all of whom were now in a position to pass the virus across Germanys most populous state and beyond. We were faced with a puzzle that we thought had 10,000 pieces, only to realize it has endless pieces, Ulrich Hollwitz, a spokesman for the Heinsberg district where the man lives with his wife and two children, said on Thursday. Where was he and when? Who did he have contact with and how close? We had to start working like detectives. What the authorities were able to discover was worrisome: The man had not traveled to China, or to other virus hot spots like Italy, nor was he known to have come in contact with someone confirmed by the authorities to have been infected. A woman is doing exercises on a rooftop in Wuhan, China on Feb. 26, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Chinese Regime Punishes Officials for Reporting Incongruous Data on Coronavirus Infections Five senior officials in Jingmen city located in Hubei province, the center of the coronavirus outbreak, were punished by provincial authorities on Feb. 26, after the city reported -107 new diagnoses of COVID-19 patients. In fact, 10 cities in the province also reported negative patients that day. Chinese state-run media Xinhua reported that on Feb. 26, the Hubei Commission for Discipline Inspection, the Chinese Communist Partys anti-corruption watchdog agency, punished five Jingmen officials for reporting confusing data on Feb. 19. The citys Party boss Zhang Aiguo and the mayor Sun Bin received an admonishment. The vice mayor Liang Zaoyang received a verbal warning and a record of wrong behavior in his official resume. The director and deputy director of the citys health commission, Li Zhizhen and Li Aie, both received a severe warning and a record of severe wrong behavior in their official resumes. The watchdog agency said that these officials didnt understand the policy accurately, didnt do their job properly, and didnt check the reported data strictly, which caused a bad impact [to society]. Strange Data The incongruous data occurred due to a change in the Chinese regimes methodology for diagnosing coronavirus patients. Chinas Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published guidelines on Feb. 5, which allowed Hubei province to use CT scan results to diagnose whether a patient is infected with the virus. Patients typically exhibit ground glass opacity, or indicating fluid in the lungs. On Feb. 13, eight days after this guideline was published, Xinhua reported an almost tenfold jump in the number of new diagnoses in Hubei. The province had 14,840 new cases on Feb. 12, compared to 1,638 new infections announced for Feb. 11, and 2,097 for Feb. 10. But on Feb. 19, Chinas National Health Commission revised the rule and said nucleic acid testing, which involves taking body samples and testing whether it contains the virus genetic sequences, would be the only method to diagnose a coronavirus patient hereafter. From midnight of Feb. 18 to midnight of Feb. 19, newly-diagnosed cases in Hubei totaled 349, while there were 615 newly-diagnosed patients in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei and where the outbreak first emerged. The officials explained that the Hubei total was less than the Wuhan count because other cities had reported negative cases upon implementing the new diagnosis criteria. In other words, some cities had patients whose CT scans were consistent with virus infections, but did not test positive during nucleic acid testing. The Jingmen city health commission reported on Feb. 20 that there were five newly diagnosed patients in the city on Feb. 19. But according to the new criteria, there were 112 diagnosed patients who were previously diagnosed by CT scans but did not test positive in nucleic acid testing. So, the total number of newly-diagnosed patients would be -107. After a public uproar about the figures, Chinese officials admitted to their folly. The modification of diagnosed data attracted the attention of the public, and people doubted our data, Tu Yuanchao, deputy director of the Hubei health commission, said at a daily press conference in Wuhan on Feb. 21. Tu said that he recognized several cities did the same thing of revising down their numbers. U.S.-based China affairs commentator Tang Jingyuan said that Chinese officials likely lowered the numbers because it shows to their superiors that they are doing a good job in combating the outbreak. After people complained, provincial-level officials are asking city-level officials to take the responsibility for reporting irrational data, Tang said. It shows you how ridiculous the official data is. Chinas official infection and death toll figures have been challenged inside and outside China. According to a series of internal government documents obtained by The Epoch Times, daily new infection numbers collected by the Shandong province Center for Disease Prevention and Control were 1.36 times to 52 times higher than officially published data by the Shandong health commission. Each day, Shandong authorities chose to publicly report only a portion of the internal data collected from hospitals that perform coronavirus diagnostic testing. Until this week, U.S. health officials had tamped down worries about coronavirus, urging the public to focus more on flu prevention even as COVID-19 spread from China to 48 other countries, sickening 80,980 people and causing nearly 3,000 deaths. That changed Tuesday, when officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that the spread of coronavirus in this country is inevitable. Its not so much of a question of if this will happen anymore but rather more of a question of exactly when this will happen, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a news briefing. Hospitals and schools should begin preparing for an outbreak, Messonnier said, adding that Americans should brace for significant disruptions in school, work and daily routines. The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. remains relatively low at 60. Officials, including President Trump, are right to warn against panic. But Messonniers warning must be taken seriously. Public officials, health care providers and elected leaders need to ready plans of action. Such efforts start with clear messaging in Washington. Despite warnings from the nations top health officials, the president on Wednesday disagreed that the virus spread here is inevitable. He continued to echo a tweet sent a day earlier that his administration is doing a great job. That was not the impression given by the acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf or Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, who seemed unable to give basic answers before Congress on the governments response. I thought, boy, were in trouble, Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine, told the Editorial Board. The open disagreement between federal agencies is a red flag, he said. Weve got to fix that. One way to streamline coordination is to appoint a czar to manage the administrations response, as President Obama did during the Ebola outbreak. Trump did something similar Wednesday in designating Vice President Mike Pence to head a coronavirus task force. The appointment was not reassuring. As Indiana governor, Pence helped ban needle exchanges only to reverse course and sign an emergency order allowing them when an outbreak of HIV that was linked to intravenous drug use sickened nearly 200 residents in rural Southern Indiana. Neither was the presidents playing down risks, even as news broke that a coronavirus case in California is the first in a person who didnt recently recently return from a foreign country or have contact with a confirmed case. The president and health officials must get on the same page on risk, prevention and preparedness. That includes adequate funding of the response Trump has asked for $2.5 billion while Sen. Chuck Schumer proposed $8.5 billion. It also includes precautions for medical providers, including providing them with enough masks. In China, more than 1,700 health care workers have been infected. The elderly need special protection, and those with underlying diabetes or heart disease, said Hotez, who also urged the public to make sure they are up-to-date on flu and measles vaccine. Outbreaks of those illnesses could lead to false diagnoses and would drain resources. Dr. Umair Shah, executive director of Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, said it is also imperative for the entire medical delivery system hospitals, clinics, emergency responders, to create plans and have enough supplies in place. The same planning should be going on in our homes. Practice the basics: wash hands often, cover coughs, stay home when sick, avoid touching your face. But also: keep an adequate supply of prescription medication, a contingency plan in case schools are closed or you are forced to work remotely. Ensure that youre getting updates from credible sources, such as the CDC and local public health officials. This is not the first time the country has faced this kind of threat. In the last few years alone, we have seen outbreaks of Zika, Ebola, and swine flu. Officials must take the lessons learned to fight coronavirus and respond to this crisis with transparency, urgency, and yes, cooperation. For the president, that means practicing what he preaches: We have to be on the same team, he said Wednesday. This is too important. A brand strategy is like a ship: It might sail with a few holes in the hull, but it's just a matter of time before the whole thing starts to sink. A winning strategy requires a clear, consistent core message bolstered by great customer service and attention-grabbing content. Like every other part of your business, your brand strategy needs regular attention to be effective. Here are some gaps to watch out for, and how you can fix them. 1. Prioritize the people already on board. Many businesses choose to overhaul their brand by focusing on attracting new customers. However, it's important to ensure your brand appeals to current customers as well, who represent the majority of your sales. Drew Neisser, CEO of New York City-based strategy agency Renegade, cautions that many brands hurt themselves by overemphasizing the need for new customers. Neisser suggests that, rather than focusing on new growth above all else, businesses should create a sensible brand strategy that focuses on the company's long-term growth by catering to its existing customer base. By focusing on your current customers, you ensure that your company will continue to have a solid foundation to work from, even during a rebrand. In addition, serving existing customers well will make those clients brand ambassadors who can share the benefits of your company with untapped areas of your target audience. 2. Check your compass. A brand strategy is a long-term plan that defines what your company stands for at its core, and what it envisions as its future direction. As your company grows and changes its brand, it's important to make sure you are staying on track toward your vision. Making brand adjustments is key to growth, but it's important to not allow these adjustments to throw you off course. Instead of updating your brand by adding layers of complexity--new initiatives, a laundry list of tag lines--the better solution is often to return to what your organization is about at its core, and build a brand that emphasizes those qualities. Ask yourself: Why was your business started in the first place? 3. Prioritize your ports. If your brand seems lost at sea, one way to get it back on track is to focus on the entry points for your customers. You can't grow if you aren't taking careful stock of where customers connect to your company and how you handle those early touchpoints. When potential customers come to your website, are they able to recognize that you provide a service they need? If you attend events and conferences, do your booth branding and team members effectively communicate what your organization does best? Often, it's better to focus more on the few things you do well from a branding standpoint, rather than spending too much energy addressing every possible aspect of your brand. 4. Get on deck. It's easy to forget that how you view your brand isn't necessarily the same thing your audience sees. Putting yourself in your customers' shoes can expose weaknesses in your brand strategy that you can't see from the inside. Take Verizon's "Can You Hear Me Now?" campaign. Right in the slogan itself, Verizon made sure to emphasize the customer pain point. The ads didn't discuss superior equipment or service; they spoke to the customers' interest in having a carrier that doesn't drop calls. In other words, Verizon focused its brand on reflecting customers' needs, not telling them what they should want. Deloitte found that brands that focus on the customers' point of view are 60 percent more profitable than those that don't. As you reevaluate your brand strategy, make sure you're speaking to customers on their terms. 5. Share the spoils. Companies are often perceived as being overly focused on the bottom line. However, behind every company is a team of human beings. To demonstrate that, companies should strive to emphasize corporate social responsibility (CSR) in their brand strategies. The key is ensuring that any CSR initiative is closely aligned with your business. If you're not sure where to start, consider choosing a "kitchen table," issue. Promoting fair wages, community involvement, and safe working conditions is important to both business leaders and consumers. If you take the time to weave things like your corporate culture and CSR initiatives into your brand's story, you'll be better equipped to send a message that resonates with clients. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The NYPD is asking for the publics help to identify a man sought for questioning in connection with a bank robbery in Port Richmond Center. An unidentified man entered the TD Bank at 1600 Forest Ave. on Wednesday at about 3:34 p.m. and handed a demand note to a teller, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The teller complied and the man fled the location with $500, the statement said. No injuries were reported in the incident. A photo of the man sought for questioning was taken at TD Bank and supplied to the media by police. Police previously described the individual as a white male between the ages of 30 and 40. He was wearing a black jacket, black pants and sunglasses, police previously said. Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 (TIPS). For Spanish, dial 1-888-577-4782 (PISTA). The public also can submit tips on the Crime Stoppers website, or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential. The NYPD responds to the TD Bank branch at 1600 Forest Ave. in Port Richmond Center on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (Staten Island Advance/Irene Spezzamonte) ALARMING WAVE CONTINUES Staten Island -- and in particular Forest Avenue -- has seen an alarming wave of bank robberies this year, contributing to a spike in robberies in the borough. Between Jan. 21 and Wednesday, the NYPD responded to eight bank robberies and attempted bank heists on Staten Island. Five of the incidents during that time have occurred on Forest Avenue. While police have arrested and charged two individuals in connection with three incidents, five of them still remain unsolved, with the same man sought in at least three. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has apologised to a Northern Ireland family after they were advised to isolate themselves in their home after their son returned from an Italian ski trip. Dan Douglas (14), from Banbridge, Do Down, was told to self-isolate in his bedroom for 14 days after experiencing a cold after a visit to San Valentino in northern Italy. He had not been to any of the 11 towns at the epicentre of the outbreak in the country but was given incorrect advice after his mother Elaine made two separate phone calls to the PHA helpline. It comes after the PHA revealed there have been in the region of 900 calls to the helpline over the past two weeks. The agency said they have no record of which helpline operator - who are not medically trained - gave the advice but said they have now put new measures in place to strengthen the service being offered. It comes after Elaine Douglas called the helpline this week when she was told by Dan's school to contact their GP after he displayed symptoms of a cold. Dan's father Dougie Douglas said: "The helpline said get him out of school, get him home and put him in isolation and phone us back when you've done that." Mrs Douglas said the helpline advised her to undertake measures including: Keeping her 14-year-old son in his room while the rest of the family were asked to isolate themselves in their house Serve Dan his food on paper plates with plastic cutlery to be disposed of in a strong plastic bin bag Not to take anything out of his room for a period of two weeks Make sure Dan only used one bathroom, not to be used by the rest of the family Dan should clean his room with antiseptic spray every couple of hours To clean every handle he uses Speaking while her son was in isolation, Mrs Douglas said: "I phoned back the helpline this morning to say he doesn't have the symptoms they've listed on the website. Because he had a headcold, they said he has to [stay in isolation]. She said it would get a lot worse very quickly "I assumed somebody would come out and test him but the helpline said just to monitor his condition and if it gets worse call 999. She said it would get a lot worse very quickly." Mrs Douglas said she asked for her details to be passed on to a surveillance team but hadn't heard anything from any public health body. She said she feared the public stigma around the virus. "We live in a development and there are lots of neighbours and we don't want people to say that's the house that has coronavirus." Teenager Dan said he was bored in his room but that he understood the measures that were being taken. "It's for the safety of everyone else around me. "People in school are making these false rumours about me being in hospital and that and it's sort of worrying when I go to school, that people are going to look at me in a different way." When we landed in Dublin we didn't get checked or anything, just got on the bus and went home Speaking of his experience in Italy, he said: "When we landed, the towns around where we were staying were put in lockdown, which made everyone worried and wary of the people around them. You saw how many people were wearing a mask. "When we landed in Dublin we didn't get checked or anything, just got on the bus and went home." But when he went back to school, he had a runny nose so went to the nurse to get medication. "I went to the nurse to get paracetamol and she told me to make sure I binned the tissue when I sneezed and cleaned my hands. "I went home and did my homework that night and then out of nowhere I got taken away." On Wednesday, after Dan had spent two days in isolation, the Douglas family received a call from Dr Philip Veal of the PHA who told them they had been given the wrong information. Mrs Douglas said: "I'm relieved we can have our life back and we're not going to have to spend two weeks in the house. I was more concerned that my son as going to be in a shoebox of a bedroom with all his food rubbish and waste in a black bag for two weeks." Mr Douglas added it was a real relief that the information around the coronavirus had been clarified. "I didn't really know what to do and I didn't feel the information we were given was enough. They didn't even ask for our address, even for somebody to speak to my son." Mrs Douglas said she would advise anyone with any doubts to phone the PHA directly and not to use the helpline. Dr Philip Veal of the PHA said he was surprised to hear the family had been given incorrect advice and that the agency was keen to send the right message to the public. "We very much regret and apologise to the family for the inconvenience and discomfort this has caused them," he said. "At the moment what we're doing is asking people have they travelled to an area where there has been a spread of coronavirus and if they have associated symptoms like a cold or shortness of breath to make contact with their GP." Dr Veal said the PHA has taken steps to bring the situation under control following this incident. "We've improved our quality assurance measures around the advice given, for example regular reviewing of the scripting given to the helpline, twice daily contact with the call line handlers to give them support and a direct line of contact with us should they need further advice. "The coronavirus is a fast moving situation and new areas of concern are constantly evolving. We're constantly working to update and sometimes when the information goes out there can be a lag," he said. "Two wrong bits of advice is two too many so we've taken very robust steps to improve the quality of our helpline." JERUSALEM Shame. Disgust. And not a little despair. Heading to the polls for a third time in less than a year is bringing out strong emotions in Israeli voters. Everybody is laughing at us, said Ange Galula, 72, shaking his head the other day over an espresso at a Jerusalem cafe. A French Tunisian who immigrated to Israel five years ago from the Paris suburbs, he expressed astonishment that Israelis, who he said were ordinarily gifted at problem solving, seemed incapable of or unwilling to fix their political system. Its the third election, and were preparing for the fourth, and yet nobody thinks its maybe necessary to define new rules, Galula said. The run-up to Mondays parliamentary election feels as if nearly everyone involved candidates, campaigns, voters, the political media is staggering through the motions like the undead, doomed to repeat the process without cease. A good portion of the voting-age public seems to have some disturbing thoughts on the brain: Is this election more Groundhog Day or an episode of the Twilight Zone? A Sartre novel, or a Beckett play? Its understandable. Twice last year, in ballots in April and then in September, Israelis tried to decide whether accusations of corruption against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, their longest-serving premier, were serious enough to run him out of office. A new centrist ticket, Benny Gantzs Blue and White party, fought Netanyahus Likud party to a draw each time. But neither man was able to form a governing coalition in Israels crazy-quilt multiparty system. The difference this time is that Netanyahu has now been indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. So Gantz, a former army chief and the champion of the just-not-Netanyahu forces, gets another crack at thanking the longtime incumbent for his service and sending him on his way. Gantz, however, has been campaigning almost taciturnly, as if all he needs to say is Netanyahu and indictment to win support. Polls now show the two mens parties roughly even, and the vagaries of Israeli coalition politics suggest it is again unlikely that either will be able to assemble a majority government. David M. Halbfinger and Gabby Sobelman are Associated Press writers. WASHINGTON Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday urged party unity amid Bernie Sanders surge in the presidential race, even as House Democrats worry about a volatile election season that could put a self-described democratic socialist atop the ticket and threaten their majority. I would hope that everyone would say, no matter who the nominee is for president, we wholeheartedly embrace that person, Pelosi, D-Calif., told the House Democratic caucus at a closed-door meeting. We cannot show any division. This has to be about unity, unity, unity, she said, according to a Democratic aide who attended the session. The aide was not authorized to discuss the private meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity. Down-ballot jitters are apparent as the Vermont senator takes an increasingly commanding lead in early voting and withstands the constant pummeling by rivals who have been unable to slow his rise. With South Carolinas primary on Saturday, followed by the Super Tuesday contests on March 3, House Democrats are navigating how best to hold onto their seats while opponents try to lasso them to Sanders socialist label. Many first-term Democrats are counting on their own well-crafted brands, not the partys eventual presidential nominee, whoever that may be, to see them to reelection. The House majority was built by lawmakers who come from districts where President Donald Trump is popular, and his campaign operation will be turning out voters in the fall. But in a campaign cycle full of unknowns as the party tries to unseat Trump, they are relying on the backgrounds that pushed them to office in the first place to do it again. I will go into my race with the same degree of confidence, no matter who is at the top of the ticket, said Rep. Tom Malinowski, a freshman Democrat from a competitive New Jersey district who supports former Vice President Joe Biden in the primary. Malinowski said he will absolutely support Sanders if the senator becomes the partys nominee. But the congressman said Democrats need to simplify their message and seize the moment with a candidate who can topple Trump. Why we would risk this extraordinary opportunity by nominating somebody who has a tendency to divide our own side is beyond me, he said. Other Democrats, though, are more open about their fears of a Sanders nomination. First-term Rep. Elaine Luria, who defeated an incumbent Republican in 2018 in a swing district in coastal Virginia, said a Sanders candidacy would be incredibly divisive and could endanger more centrist members of Congress like herself. Her opponents are already trying to tag Luria, a former Navy commander and Naval Academy graduate, as a socialist, she said. Luria rejects the label as ridiculous. Bernie Sanders just adds fuel to that fire, Luria said. She has endorsed Biden but had praise for former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, calling both of them politicians who build bridges rather than break them down. Hoping to propel Bidens lagging candidacy in a state he has pledged to win, the No. 3 House Democrat, Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, an influential leader and the highest-ranking African American in Congress, announced his endorsement on Wednesday. Veteran Rep. David Price, D-N.C., said of Biden: Theres not a congressional district in this country he couldnt campaign in. Divisions run deep among House Democrats, whose primary preferences span the partys ideological reach, from the most liberal and progressive members backing Sanders to those preferring Biden, Bloomberg or the other more centrist candidates. Freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is one of Sanders most high-profile backers in the House. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is a Sanders campaign co-chairman. Many liberals say Sanders is the only candidate able to energize base voters and take on Trump. His commitment to curbing income inequality and his bold policy proposals, including Medicare for All and tuition-free college, are galvanizing voters, they say. They point to Sanders strong showing in Nevada as a snapshot of the coalition he could build nationwide against Trump. Campaigning Wednesday in South Carolina, Sanders warned that a conventional campaign like Bidens wont defeat Trump. In Tuesday nights presidential debate, candidate Pete Buttigieg warned of the potential down-ballot consequences in Congress if Sanders won the nomination. Senate Democrats are struggling to flip the chamber from Republicans, who have a slim majority, while House Democrats are working to retain their advantage. Pelosi said she thinks that whoever our nominee is, we will enthusiastically embrace and we will win the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. House Democrats hold a modest majority, and while Trump is eager to have his party in control of the chamber, House Republicans have seen a rush toward the exits with retirements. The House GOP is still recruiting candidates to challenge the Democrats and has lagged in fundraising. Pelosi said lawmakers will have a briefing Thursday at the Democratic National Committee headquarters about the nominating process. The party convention is in July. Democrats changed the nominating rules to reduce the power of superdelegates lawmakers and other VIPs to choose the nominee. If no candidate secures the nod outright on the initial round of voting at the convention, the superdelegates, including lawmakers, may have a role to play in casting votes. At an earlier debate in Las Vegas, the 2020 candidates were asked whether the candidate with the most delegates should be the nominee, even if that person lacked a delegate majority. Almost every candidate suggested that the convention process should work its way out. Sanders, who helped force the changes to the nomination process this year and expects to take a significant delegate lead in the coming weeks, was the only exception. The person who has the most votes should become the nominee, he said. House Democrats, particularly the freshmen, are being told to chart their own course as they did running in 2018. In much the way some House Democrats won their seats as they distanced themselves from Pelosi, they may be faced with running for reelection by distancing themselves from the party nominee. This is tough, Pelosi told the House caucus. We have to win. ___ Associated Press writers Michael Tackett and Laurie Kellman in Washington and Alexandra Jaffe in South Carolina contributed to this report. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. ___ This story has been corrected to show that Super Tuesday is on March 3, not March 2. Stand up comedian on Thursday said he was neither sorry nor regretful of his actions, hours after IndiGo's internal panel decided to reduce the flying ban to three months. The reduction in ban period was informed by Indigo to the on Thursday. "... I have no comment to offer on IndiGo banning me for 3 months instead of the 6 months now," Kamra said in a Facebook post on Thursday. In a statement, IndiGo said the airline's internal committee after hearing both parties passed an order. Pursuant to the order, Kamra has been suspended from flying for a period of three months. "IndiGo will comply with the order of the iternal committee," it added. "I trust the IndiGo pilot's e mail & social media has helped explain why I did what I did. All I'd like to say is that I am neither sorry nor regretful of my actions," Kamra said in the post. IndiGo had last month suspended Kamra from flying with the private airline for six months, after he allegedly heckled journalist Arnab Goswami aboard one of its planes. Kamra thereafter approached the against his suspension. After a dismal calendar year 2019, during which its shares slid by about 31%, Charlotte's Web Holdings (OTC:CWBHF) isn't performing much better in 2020. In the weeks since the new year kicked off, the company's shares are down by 23%. On the one hand, it isn't surprising that Charlotte's Web has been performing so poorly. Industrywide issues, such as poor financial results and the disappointing retail environment in Canada, have dragged pot companies down of late. Charlotte's Web is currently hovering near its all-time lows, and there are several reasons why investors should consider buying shares of this company. A growing retail presence Charlotte's Web develops and markets hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) products. The company's portfolio of products includes capsules and gummies, among others. The CBD market will likely grow at a nice clip in the next few years, and to take advantage of this opportunity, Charlotte's Web has managed to build a retail presence that is wider than that of most of its competitors. At the end of the third quarter, the company's products were found in almost 10,000 stores across the U.S., including such retail giants as CVS Health. At the end of 2018, Charlotte's Web products were sold in 3,680 stores. In other words, the company has been growing its industry-leading retail presence, and there's no reason to expect that trend to stop anytime soon. Expanding operations Along with its retail presence, Charlotte's Web has been growing its production capacity. During the calendar year 2018, the company planted 300 acres of hemp. That number increased by 187% to 862 acres in 2019. Furthermore, Charlotte's Web is currently building a 137,000-square-foot production facility in Colorado. The company's current facility is only 40,000 square feet, so the new facility will represent a significant improvement over the old one. This facility should be operational by the end of 2020 and will multiply Charlotte's Web's current production capabilities by 10. Management says the new facility will help it operate more efficiently, as well as decrease costs, thereby having a positive effect on its bottom line. This new facility is a central part of Charlotte's Web's vision moving forward. As COO Stephen Lermer put it, "This is a time of rapid growth and transformation for Charlotte's Web and these new facilities are necessary to support the production, warehousing and distribution of our growing product lines and volumes." A major caveat Perhaps the biggest knock against Charlotte's Web is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Last year, the health industry administrator sent out a press release warning consumers about the potential dangers of CBD. According to the FDA, CBD can have negative health consequences such as liver injury. The FDA also warned that the claims regarding the potential health benefits of CBD -- such as claims that it can cure some forms of cancer -- are unproven. The FDA presents a challenge to Charlotte's Web in a different way, as well. The agency has yet to deliver "clear regulatory direction" in the CBD market, and the delay is hindering Charlotte's Web's progress. Fortunately, the company seems well-positioned to deal with both of these issues. First, Charlotte's Web is in good standing with the FDA, meaning it isn't one of the companies that received a warning letter for making unsubstantiated claims about its CBD products. In fact, according to the company's CEO, Deanie Elsner, Charlotte's Web is in enthusiastic agreement with the FDA's stance on unsubstantiated products. Second, once the FDA finally issues regulatory direction in the CBD space, Charlotte's Web believes the CBD market will grow even more, and the company is "ready with the infrastructure and capacity to disproportionally capture that growth." In short, while the FDA's recent warning may present short-term headwinds for Charlotte's Web, the company's long-term prospects still look reasonably attractive. Why you should consider buying Some will choose to avoid the cannabis industry altogether, and that is an understandable sentiment. After all, cannabis stocks have been hammered over the past few months, and there's still a lot of uncertainty as to how things will unravel moving forward. But for those looking to profit from this growing industry, Charlotte's Web is a strong option thanks to its leading position in the U.S. CBD market and its ongoing growth efforts. Angrezi Medium: Radhika Madan Shares Her Experience Of Working With Co-Star And On-Screen Father Irrfan The government of the Cook Islands has appointed a new chairman to the countrys regulator ahead of a planned break-up of the monopoly currently held by Vodafone in the market. Bernard Hill is currently the Telecommunications Commissioner for the Solomon Islands, and previously worked as the Head of Competition Affairs for the communications regulatory authority in Hong Kong. He will oversee the process of tendering for a new operating licence in the market as stipulated in the new Telecommunications Act. Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown said: I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Hill to this very important role as the first Cook Islands telecommunications regulator. The Authority and its Chair are critical to ensuring a successful transition from the current monopoly situation to an efficient, effective and competitive telecommunications market for the benefit of the industry and consumers. Vodafone Cook Islands CEO Phillip Henderson said: As a licensed operator Vodafone looks forward to working with Mr Hill to deliver on the outcomes of the new Act. We are anticipating that the Authority will release regulations over the coming months associated with the telecoms sector and Vodafone will ensure that we will be in full compliance. By IANS NEW DELHI: Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman was one of the guests at the recent dinner in the Capital hosted in honour of US President Donald Trump, during the latter's India visit. Although the grand gala at Rashtrapati Bhavan was teeming with dignitaries including Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, the "Jai ho" composer took out some time for a very special "little friend" -- a monkey! At the dinner, Rahman went clickety-click, and a video he posted on Instagram has a monkey eating from a flower pot. The musical genius revealed a bit of his humorous side in the caption: "Meanwhile our little friend was having dinner too!" He had also posted an image with Army officers, besides an old shot of former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam. "One of our heroes at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Extremely grateful for the kind invitation by the President for a special occasion!," he captioned it. Chef Vikas Khanna was also a part of the gathering. He posted a photo featuring him engaged in a conversation with Modi and Rahman. "The moment I entered Rashtrapati Bhavan, everyone kept asking, if I was cooking for Trump-Modi Dinner. Here I'm telling @arrahman that we have #ChefMontuSaini creating magic in the kitchen. The Chef whose #CulinaryDiplomacy is Legendary," Chef Khanna captioned it. What if lawmakers writing one of the most consequential laws to come out of last years legislative session, legalizing hemp in Texas, forgot to include a small, but crucial detail that could get your marijuana possession charges dropped? Thats what happened last week, after a Brazos County court judge concluded the new law omitted a date typically included in state crime legislation. As a result, misdemeanor charges against a Texas A&M University student arrested on the day of his 2018 college graduation were summarily tossed. The decision is the latest stumbling block that Texass nine-month-old hemp law has presented for police and prosecutors committed to pursuing low-level marijuana possession cases. Although the decision does not bind other judges, attorneys said the successful tactic had the potential to change the course of hundreds of pending cases across the state. On the morning of May 12, 2018, a College Station police officer pulled over a Kia sedan because the driver wasnt wearing his seat belt. As he approached the car, the officer said he smelled marijuana. David Darley was sitting in the front passenger seat. When the 23-year-old opened a backpack to get his identification, the officer said the odor of pot became even more pronounced. A search uncovered several small bags of what appeared to be marijuana, and Darley was charged with possessing less than two ounces of pot, a Class B misdemeanor. For subscribers: Texas Highway Patrol is releasing some, jailing others who are caught with marijuana As his charges wound through Brazos County courts, the Texas Legislature was meeting. Following changes in federal statutes, House Bill 1325 legalized hemp in Texas. Although the law was primarily about agriculture, it had huge implications for law enforcement. Previously, it was simply a crime to possess marijuana, so anyone busted with it could be charged. But to legalize hemp, which comes from the same plant, the new law had to distinguish the legal product from the illegal drug. It states that products containing less than 0.3% of THC, the chemical that in higher concentrations produces a high, are legal hemp; anything over is pot. The law was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 10. Mark Loeffler, a spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture, said the hemp regulation program should be live by March, with licensed farmers able to start planting by the end of the month. In the meantime the statute has shaken up law enforcement. Legal hemp and illegal pot can look and smell the same. The new law now means that if police want to make their cases they may have to test the seized marijuana to prove it has enough THC to be illegal. Yet public drug labs didnt perform the testing. And despite being warned, lawmakers did not include money to pay for equipment and staff to handle the sudden need for the tests. Prosecutors in several large counties including Bexar and Harris said they would not accept new misdemeanor marijuana possession cases. Arrests plummeted across the state. Earlier this month, jurisdictions that had vowed to continue to pursue low-level possession arrests suffered another blow. Many had been waiting for the Texas Department of Public Safety, whose labs conduct tests for smaller police departments, to get its marijuana testing equipment up and running. But on February 18, Director Steve McGraw announced lawmakers had not provided enough money to test evidence in the approximately 80,000 misdemeanor marijuana arrests state law enforcement agencies made annually. So local police departments would have to pay private labs about $100 per test if they wanted to make their low-level possession cases. Darleys case could mean another headache. Hundreds? Thousands? of similar cases New state crime laws always include a clear dividing line, typically written as a date, said Shannon Edmonds, director of governmental relations for Texas District and County Attorneys Association. Before the date, the old law applies; after, the new law does. Yet the hemp bill, which was passed through the Agriculture and Livestock Committee instead of the regular criminal justice panels, neglected to specify when the new pot definition started. A little-known provision of Texas law says that without clear transition instructions, if a new law lowers the penalty for a crime it can be applied retroactively. The district and county attorneys association noted the missing language early on. The law went into effect on June 10, 2019, but it is unclear whether it applies to previously-filed marijuana cases pending on that date, it warned In a June letter to member prosecutors. The bills sponsor, Rep. Tracy King, D-Batesville, did not return a call to his office seeking comment on the AWOL date. Criminal defense attorneys noticed it, too, and began seeking cases to test if the new law could also be used to challenge older possession charges. Greening, whose Bryan practice does a busy pot-possession defense business, said it wasnt easy to find willing defendants. With a guilty verdict often meaning a fine and a 6-month to a year suspension of driving privileges, he said most were happy to accept the deferred adjudication plea deals prosecutors typically offered. Darley, however, didnt want a deal; he was prepared to argue at trial that the pot wasnt his. He also was irked family members had come from California to witness his graduation and hed spent the ceremony in jail. He agreed to have Greening try to get his case dismissed based on the new hemp laws missing date. It worked. On February 18, Brazos County Judge Jim Locke agreed the new law applied to old cases. Because prosecutors hadnt tested the marijuana seized from Darley, he said, they lacked the evidence to go through with the trial. He dismissed the charge. Edmonds said it was the first such decision hed heard of. Legally, he added, a county court decision sets no precedent, so the immediate impact would remain local. Brazos County Attorney Rod Anderson, who said he remains committed to prosecuting misdemeanor pot possession arrests, said it means that, at least in Lockes courtroom, evidence in all pot cases not just the new ones will now have to be tested. Anderson added he didnt think there were many old cases to which the new law could be applied retroactively. Greening said hes not so sure. He said his office alone had three dozen possession cases filed before the new hemp law went into effect last June. Greening said hes been sharing the decision with attorneys around the state. An associate, Sarah Wilkinson, said shes already been contacted by a dozen defense attorneys interested in deploying the strategy. I have no idea how many old cases are pending, Edmonds said. Hundreds? Thousands? Michelle Bachelet, the UN Human Rights Chief, on February 27 accused Brazil and the US of rolling back on environmental protection, international media reported. However, Bachelet, who is also the former President of Chile, lauded the European Union for taking ambitious action for reducing emissions. 'Human health at risk' Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, she said that protection of the environment is fundamental to the enjoyment of all human rights. She further said that the United States was rolling back environmental protections, including for waterways and wetlands. She added that the untreated polluted may now be poured directly into streams and rivers, putting ecosystems, water and human health at risk. Read: Religious Minorities Continue To Face Violence In Pakistan: UN Rights Chief Speaking about Brazil, she pointed to significant rollbacks of policies which protected the environment and indigenous peoples rights under the president Bolsenaro. Bolsenaro, who is a right-wing politician has been globally condemned for easing restrictions on the exploitation of the vast Amazon forests. Read: Ryan Reynolds And Josh Brolin's Fun Moments On Social Media Will Make Your Day However, she praised EUs leadership for the Green Deal plan to finance its goal of making the bloc carbon neutral by 2050. She said that the plan couples ambitious action within the EU with a strong dimension of external action, engaging both climate diplomacy and green cooperation aid. She further said its implementation will greatly advance the enjoyment of the right to a healthy environment and that she encourages strong social measures to ensure that just transitions leave no one behind. Read: UN Demands 'unfettered Access' For China Uighur Region Visit Read: UN Chief 'very Saddened' By Casualties In Delhi Violence In another statement, Bachelet said that religious minorities in Pakistan continue to face violence and repeated attacks on their places of worship and government's failure to amend the blasphemy law provisions led to violence against them. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, briefing the ongoing 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on human rights developments around the world, mentioned the case of Junaid Hafeez, a university lecturer in Pakistan, who has been sentenced to death in December for blasphemy. No one in public life has forgotten what the Democratic Party press did to President George W. Bush after Hurricane Katrina. It later came out that the governments response to Katrina was both the largest and the fastest in world history, but the press so grotesquely misled Americans that it pretty much destroyed Bushs second term. President Trump understands, no doubt, that the Democrats are waiting in the wings with their knives out, hoping that coronavirus turns into a disaster that impacts the 2020 election. The Trump administration took prompt steps to protect the U.S. from coronavirus, and tonight, Trump and others conducted a press conference to announce various initiatives. There wasnt actually a lot of news; the message was that the administration is on the case. Among other things, Trump announced that Vice President Mike Pence is heading up the administrations coronavirus team. You can watch the whole thing here, if you are a patient person. Around 23 minutes in, the president retakes the microphone for questions, mostly hostile and all from Democrats. He handled them well: The stock market has obviously reacted strongly to coronavirus and its impact on the Chinese supply chain, as well asPresident Trump points outthe apparent ascendancy of a socialist pretender to the presidency. But the virus itself doesnt seem especially threatening. Time will tell, but fatality rates are low, and it is questionable whether coronavirus will exceed, in the U.S., the typical 30,000 to 60,000 annual deaths from flu. Democrats hope that coronavirus will be a deus ex machina that will turn the White House over to them, as a result of a Black Death-like pandemic or an international economic collapse. I suppose those things could happen, but my guess is that the Democrats will be disappointed, and their hoped-for catastrophe will fizzle. NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Overview The market for Middle East paints & coatings is anticipated to register a CAGR of around 3.60% during the forecast period (2019-2024). Paints and coatings are used for various applications in interiors and exteriors of houses for protection from bistering summers, freezing winters, soaking rain, and also from UV radiation. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865925/?utm_source=PRN - Increase in the construction of hotels and restaurants, re-painting of old hotels and maintenance of architectural and decorative infrastructure (to attract the tourists), are expected to boost the market studied. - The costs of the commodities are important for paint manufacturers, as more than 50% of the operating costs are allotted to raw materials (pigments, solvents, resins, and additives). Thus, commodity price increments impact the product's final price more severely than other positions in business calculation. This is likely to hinder the market growth. - The paints and coatings industry is exhibiting its concern over harmful VOCs emissions. The conventional petroleum-based products are constantly coming under the scanner, owing to the increasing efforts to reduce carbon footprints. These very concerns have encouraged the emergence of bio-based paints and coatings, which are eco-friendly in nature, are projected to act as an opportunity for the market in the future. Key Market Trends Increasing Demand from the Automotive Industry - In the automotive sector, paints and coatings are used in interior and exterior parts of the vehicle, to add a pleasant appeal to vehicles. They are also used in metallic parts, plastic vehicle components of both interior and exterior types. - Automotive coatings are used as protection against sunlight, material corrosiveness, and environmental effects, such as acid rain, hot-cold shocks, stone chips, UV radiation, car washing, and blowing sand, among others. Over a period of time, various companies have come up with different and new variants in coatings, such as heat and anti-reflective coating, electro-chromatic and smart coatings for windows, self-cleaning top coats, UV curable, powder coating system, iridescent and color changing base coat, and abrasion-resistant coatings for head lamps, among others. - Surface treatment chemical, cathodic electro deposition (CED), surfacer, top coats, and bumper paints, among others, are also developing eco-friendly products. All these coatings and paints provide different, eco-friendly benefits. The Middle Eastern automotive manufacturing industry has had some periods of decline in the recent years, which has been tempered by periods of strong growth. - All the aforementioned factors are expected to drive the market during the forecast period. Saudi Arabia to Dominate the Market Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich country, has an emerging economy that had slowed down in 2017, due to low crude oil prices and the country's regulatory policy. On a country-by-country basis, Saudi Arabia is by far the largest national market in the Middle East, accounting for nearly half of the total demand for paints and coatings in the region. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the kingdom has announced a bold reform program under its Vision 2030, due to which the growth is expected to be robust over the medium-term, as structural reforms are implemented. The country has generated large-scale projects worth USD 800 billion, to boost its infrastructure in the coming years. The government has expansive plans for the development of social infrastructure, transportation, and energy and utility construction in the country. The country's primary growth in construction has been largely powered by the massive investments done by the government and increased inflow of FDI. Rapid urbanization, and increase in population growth and tourism are expected to drive growth in the building sector, especially in the residential and leisure markets. The government is stepping up investment in KSA's transport infrastructure, fast-tracking key projects, and creating new opportunities for the service sector. Competitive Landscape The market is fragmented, with the top six players contributing to about 35% of the market share. Key players in the Middle Eastern paints and coatings market include Akzo Nobel NV, Al Jazeera Paints, BASF SE, Berger Paints Emirates Ltd (Asian Paints Ltd), Beckers Group, RPM International Inc., and National Paints, among others. Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - Report customization as per the client's requirements - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865925/?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 Bahrain Airport Company, the authority responsible for managing and operating Bahrain International Airport, announced that the instability caused by the outbreak of coronavirus infection (CODVID 19) in the region may affect departure and incoming flight times at Bahrain International Airport, and the company recommended all Gentlemen, travelers need to communicate with airlines and confirm their flight times well in advance of departure time. They can also contact the Bahrain International Airport call center on 80007777 or international number 80114444 to check their flight status and review their details. The Bahrain Airport Company stressed that maintaining the safety of all travelers and airport employees and protecting their health is always a top priority, and the company takes all necessary measures and measures to ensure this, and the Bahrain Airport Company thanked the travelers for their understanding and cooperation during this period. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Saudi Arabia on Thursday closed off the holiest sites in Islam to foreign pilgrims over the coronavirus, disrupting travel for thousands of Muslims already headed to the kingdom and potentially affecting plans later this year for millions more ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan and the annual hajj pilgrimage. The unprecedented move, which wasn't taken even during the 1918 flu epidemic that killed tens of millions worldwide, showed the growing worry about the virus across the Middle East, which has more than 360 confirmed cases. The region's hardest-hit nation is Iran, which is Saudi Arabia's biggest nearby rival, with the death toll reaching at least 26, the largest behind only China, where the epidemic began. The number of infections in Iran has spiked by over 100 to at least 254, but a World Health Organization official said he believes that figure is a substantial underestimate of the true number. Those Iranians who have fallen ill include Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, better known as Sister Mary, the English-speaking spokeswoman for the students who seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and sparked the 444-day hostage crisis, state media reported. Saudi Arabia barred pilgrims from Mecca, home to the cube-shaped Kaaba that the world's 1.8 billion Muslims pray toward five times a day, and also the holy city of Medina. Authorities also suspended entry to travelers holding tourist visas from nations affected by the virus. We expect that this will give Saudi Arabia a chance to really strengthen their own disease control measures for the moment, said Rick Brennan, the WHO's emergency director for the Eastern Mediterranean. The kingdom's Al Saud ruling family stakes its legitimacy in overseeing and protecting the sites, and it appeared to reflect worries about pilgrims spreading the virus. The outbreak's epicenter in Iran is the holy city of Qom, where the faithful are drawn to a famous Shiite shrine that has stayed open despite calls by the civilian government for it and other sites to be closed. Authorities have canceled Friday prayers in Qom, Tehran and other cities. Story continues There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Saudi Arabia, although infected Saudis are under care in neighboring Bahrain. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement announcing the decision. By leaving the suspension of travel to the holy sites open-ended, Saudi Arabia has raised the possibility of disruption for Ramadan and the hajj. The news shocked the world's Muslims, many of whom save their entire lives for a chance to see the Kaaba and walk along the path of the Prophet Muhammad and visit his tomb in Medina. Some of them who are already headed to Saudi Arabia heard about the ban as they reached airports in Pakistan, Indonesia and Turkey. Authorities at Cairo's international airport said the decision created intense confusion and extreme anger among thousands of passengers waiting for flights. Reinforcements were called to control the crowd as the news broke, according to security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't allowed to talk to reporters. "This is a long-awaited journey for me and my four members of family," said Achmad Warsito, a disappointed pilgrim in Indonesia. No words can describe how I feel today. Disease outbreaks have always been a concern surrounding the hajj, which is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their lives. Pilgrims fought off a malaria outbreak in 632, cholera in 1821 killed an estimated 20,000, and another cholera outbreak in 1865 killed 15,000 before spreading worldwide. More recently, Saudi Arabia faced danger from a different coronavirus, one that causes the Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS. The kingdom increased its public health measures during the hajj in 2012 and 2013, urging the sick and the elderly not to take part. In recent years, Saudi officials also instituted bans on pilgrims coming from countries affected by the Ebola virus. Since the new coronavirus emerged in December, it has sickened 82,000 people globally and caused more than 2,800 deaths from the illness that has been dubbed COVID-19. While millions attend the hajj, which this year is set for late July into early August, millions more visit the kingdom's holy sites year round. Those other pilgrimages are referred to as the umrah, which drew 7.5 million people in 2019 alone. One of the biggest times for the umrah is the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins at the end of April. The exact dates for the hajj and Ramadan always depend on the sighting of the moon due to the lunar calendar. Pilgrims spend upward of 10 days at holy sites, mingling in tight quarters. Many are older, have pre-existing diseases and come from countries with suboptimal disease surveillance, according to a letter Thursday in The Lancet medical journal. Respiratory infections already are the most-common illnesses. We do not need to wait for the first case to emerge in Saudi Arabias holy sites," the letter said. "The time for preparedness is now. Dr. Ziad A Memish, a Saudi professor who studies infectious diseases and co-signed the letter, welcomed the kingdom's decision. This is a very tough decision, he told The Associated Press. But with the rapid spread of COVID-19 and a lack of good diagnostics, preventative vaccines and therapeutics, this is the best decision that could be taken at such difficult times. Kristian Ulrichsen, a research fellow at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, called the Saudi decision unprecedented. "Given the worldwide spread of the virus and the global nature of the umrah, it makes sense from a public health and safety point of view, he said, especially since the Iranian example illustrates how a religious crossroads can so quickly amplify the spread and reach of the virus. Dalia Samhouri of the WHOs regional health emergencies department told AP that the Middle East is plagued by emergencies, adding that two-thirds of its 22 countries are directly or indirectly facing complex emergencies. She said weak health systems increase the vulnerabilities of populations and the risk of disease spread so that they may not have the capacity to early detect and rapidly respond to the COVID-19." Brennan, the WHO regional director, said the biggest area of concern was Iran. We believe the figure 250 is a substantial underestimate of the true number, he said. "And thats because our disease surveillance now, our documentation, hasnt really caught up with the disease yet. But we expect in the coming days that the numbers will increase substantially. Iran's Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour seemed to address that, saying new labs in Iran were conducting tests and the number of confirmed cases could continue to rise. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised medical workers, calling their efforts very invaluable. The virus has struck the official in charge of Iran's response, as well as at least two lawmakers. The state-run IRNA news agency reported that Ebtekar, the Iranian vice president and hostage-takers' spokeswoman, had been infected and had quarantined herself at home. She had attended a Cabinet meeting Wednesday with President Hassan Rouhani and other top officials and appeared pale in video on state media. During the 1979 hostage crisis, Ebtekar threatened to destroy the Americans if a military raid tried to rescue them. IRNA separately reported 81-year-old cleric Hadi Khosroshahi, Iran's former ambassador to the Vatican, died of the coronavirus infection at a Tehran hospital after falling ill in Qom. ___ Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad; Isabel DeBre and Maggie Michael in Cairo; Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia; Andrew Wilks in Ankara, Turkey; and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 04:11:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke over phone with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday over bilateral ties and regional issues, said the U.S. State Department. The two sides discussed recent regional developments, U.S.-Qatar bilateral relations, and Iran's "destabilizing behavior" in the region, the department said in a statement. The two also discussed the importance of Gulf unity as a critical element to regional stability, it added. During their talks, Pompeo thanked Qatar's efforts including hosting peace talks to end the war in Afghanistan. Pompeo said Tuesday that Washington was preparing to sign a deal with Afghan Taliban "on or about Feb. 29" only after successful implementation of the weeklong violence reduction beginning Feb. 22 in Afghanistan. The signing ceremony of the U.S.-Taliban pact could be held in Doha, the capital city of Qatar, media reports said. BOLOGNA, Italy and HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Menarini Silicon Biosystems, the pioneer of liquid biopsy and rare cell technologies, announced today that it is developing several new products that could help advance precision medicine research by expanding the capabilities and applications of its CELLSEARCH and DEPArray technologies, for rare cells isolation and single cell analysis. The new solutions include an assay for the enumeration and molecular characterization of circulating multiple myeloma cells (CMMC) from peripheral blood samples, the DEPArraysystem upgraded to 9 colors and artificial intelligence software. The company's technological developments will be highlighted during a presentation by Mark Connelly, PhD, Chief Research and Development Officer at Menarini Silicon Biosystems Inc, as part of the Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference's Circulating Tumor Cells & Liquid Biopsy track. "We are continually working to develop additional tools that will facilitate the exploration of new areas of inquiry," said Connelly. "Providing researchers with more information from a wider variety of cell populations and the ability to examine tumor heterogeneity in real-time could help address some critical questions in pharmaceutical and clinical research." The CMMC assay based on the capabilities of CELLSEARCH to enrich and enumerate rare cells allow researchers to monitor the number of CMMCs in peripheral blood; furthermore when combined with the DEPArray system, will allow to perform molecular analysis at single cell level**. Research suggests that the ability to obtain CMMCs via liquid biopsy may help clinical researchers to better monitor disease state and treatment response, though, not only the cell enumeration but also the real time cell molecular profiling. Menarini Silicon Biosystems currently offers a CMMC assay (Research Use Only) as a service through its Global Laboratory Services. The company plans to release the assay for Research Use Only in the summer of 2020. The 9-Color DEPArray will offer more fluorescence channels to examine the heterogeneity of markers expression on various rare cells, enabling researchers to simultaneously identify and characterize multiple cell populations. The artificial intelligence software will reduce operator variability by automating cell identification and selection and will help researchers move beyond enumeration to unravel hidden information in the cell image data. Connelly's presentation will also feature new research supporting the potential use of CTCs as a response biomarker for prostate cancer treatment. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology indicates that using CTC counts obtained from liquid biopsy after 13 weeks of treatment can provide an accurate assessment of response to treatment. PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is one of the only markers currently available for the disease but is not considered to be a sufficient indicator of treatment response. Menarini Silicon Biosystems is working with the FDA to get this application qualified as a response biomarker. This would enable researchers to incorporate CTCs as a response biomarker into clinical trials to expedite the drug development process. Jennifer Davids, PhD, Director of Field Scientific Support at Menarini Silicon Biosystems Inc, will also be presenting on how the DEPArray technology can overcome the challenges of sample heterogeneity by enabling rare cell sorting with single cell precision. Presentation Details Location: Moscone South Convention Center Monday, March 2 at 1:05 pm Title: Advancing Liquid Biopsy - presented by Mark Connelly, PhD Program: Circulating Tumor Cells and Liquid Biopsy Track: Companion Diagnostics with Liquid Biopsy Tuesday, March 3 at 11:40 am Title: Utilizing the Next Generation Single Cell Sorter, DEPArray - presented by Jennifer Davids, PhD Program: Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers and Companion Diagnostics Track: Neoantigen Approaches "These exciting developments demonstrate our continued commitment in advancing the applications of liquid biopsy," said Fabio Piazzalunga, President of Menarini Silicon Biosystems. "Our goal at MSB is to contribute to the advancement of precision medicine through innovative rare cell technologies, and we are actively working with our partners in the research community to provide advanced integrated and automated solutions." To learn more about the CELLSEARCH and DEPArray Systems , MMTC attendees can visit Menarini Silicon Biosystems at Booth #601. The 27th International Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference will be held March 1-4, 2020 in San Francisco. About Menarini Silicon Biosystems Menarini Silicon Biosystems offers unique rare cell technologies and solutions that provide clinical researchers with access to unparalleled resolution in the study of cells and their molecular characterization. The company's CELLSEARCH and DEPArray technologies together provide an end-to-end solution** for enumeration and sorting of rare cells with single-cell precision. Menarini Silicon Biosystems , based in Bologna, Italy, and Huntingdon Valley, Pa., U.S., is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Menarini Group, a multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics company headquartered in Florence, Italy, with 17,640 employees in 136 countries. *For more information on the full intended use and limitations of CELLSEARCH system, please refer to the Instructions for Use on http://documents.cellsearchctc.com/. **The workflow described is for research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. The performance characteristics, safety, and effectiveness of the workflow have not been established and are not cleared or approved by the FDA. Contact: Liz Dowling, (415) 388-2794 Dowling & Dennis PR [email protected] SOURCE Menarini Silicon Biosystems Related Links http://www.siliconbiosystems.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stephane Orjollet with Sofia Christensen in Johannesburg (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France Thu, February 27, 2020 22:07 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20671090f 2 Environment coronavirus,China,endangered-species,environment,pangolin,Beijing Free The novel coronavirus outbreak in China may end up saving one of the world's most trafficked animals after Beijing announced a total ban on the sale and consumption of the pangolin. The scaly mammal -- listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) as threatened with extinction -- is a traditional delicacy across China and much of southeast Asia. Following research linking the critters with the transmission of coronavirus to humans in the outbreak epicenter of Wuhan, Chinese officials on Monday slapped a ban on eating wild animals. The measures, intended to halt the spread of the virus that has infected over 80,000 people worldwide and killed more than 2,700, could end up helping a number of endangered species -- but only if the ban holds long term. "I applaud the ban, as we see that the Chinese government is determined to change a thousands-year-old tradition which is so inappropriate in today's society," said Jeff He, China director at the International Fund for Animal Welfare. "I think the ban is an important Step One for wildlife conservation in China." He called for "stronger and more progressive revisions" of China's existing wildlife protection laws. Beijing implemented similar measures following the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s, but the trade and consumption of wild animals, including bats and snakes, made a comeback. "I do think the government has seen the toll it takes on national economy and society is much bigger than the benefit that wild-eating business brings," said He. Read also: Nearly 900,000 pangolins trafficked in Southeast Asia: Watchdog Most-trafficked mammal The pangolin, the most trafficked mammal on Earth, is prized for its meat and its unique scales, which are said to have medicinal properties. Peter Knights, CEO of the WildAid charity, said that while China's ban was welcome, a global effort was required to end the drastic decline in the world's pangolin populations. "The only question is what will happen in the longer run," he said. "We hope that China can lead the world in banning these markets globally." The coronavirus outbreak should serve as a "warning" for humans to seek to conserve more of nature, or face health and financial backlashes, Knights said. "If we heed the warning not only will we protect human life but we could actually save species like pangolins," he added. The international sale of pangolins was outlawed in 2016 under the CITES convention against species exploitation. CITES secretary-general Ivonne Higuero welcomed China's move to ban the domestic trade but stressed that the animals were far from out of the woods. The illegal trafficking of wild species is estimated by the WWF to be worth around $15 billion annually, particularly among booming Asian markets. "What we've seen is that there is a lot of illegal wildlife trade going on with China as a destination country," said Higuero. She said a ban on pangolin consumption in China could significantly dent international trafficking by removing the financial incentives that drive criminal gangs to smuggle the creatures en masse. While the ban has been welcomed by the conservation communities, there are fears that humans could come to blame pangolins for the outbreak, and seek revenge. "People could become more wary of pangolins and therefore become more sensitive to their consumption and use," said Ray Jansen, Chairman of the African Pangolin Working Group and member of the ICUN. "But on the other side of the sword, they could also start viewing pangolins as a threat, which would put them in danger. We are not quite sure how the public will take it." For Andrew Muir, CEO of Wilderness Foundation Africa, the solution is simple. "If we do not eat wildlife they will not harm us," he said. 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. Saudi budget carrier flynas has officially announced joining the International Air Transport Association (Iata), which culminates its remarkable journey of developing services and internal operations and achieving top security and safety standards. In this regard, the chief operating officer at flynas, Captain Mansoor Al-Harbi, expressed his delight with the airlines acquisition of the Iata membership, stating that it will enable greater cooperation with other member aviation companies through codeshare agreements and internal connectivity, and will consequently contribute towards enhancing services that enrich guests experiences with flynas and provide them with a seamless travel experience to and from Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Captain Al-Harbi highlighted new opportunities to be presented by the Iata membership enabling flynas to share expertise with its counterparts around the world, further strengthening its position within the global air transport industry, and facilitating its access to global knowledge and best practices. He also stressed that the membership would enable flynas to participate alongside specialised work groups to review and develop aviation policies and procedures. Notably, flynas had acquired Iata membership after it had accomplished the IOSA Program registration, which is an internationally accepted evaluation process of an airlines operational and safety management and control systems. IOSA is the main benchmark in operational safety for all airlines around the world, and earning it is a prerequisite for obtaining an Iata membership. - TradeArabia News Service Satellite communications specialist IEC Telecom, along with its partners, will introduce OneGate Aid, an integral communications solution for humanitarian missions and e-camps, at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition 2020 (DIHAD) next month. DIHAD is being held in Dubai World Trade Centre from on March 11 and 12. When an emergency or a disaster strikes, a coordinated approach and time critical intervention by humanitarian organizations is imperative to enable fast and effective recovery. During these situations, telecommunications in general and satellite communications in particular are key contributors to the success of the humanitarian intervention and development activities. IEC Telecoms OneGate Aid, a satellite-based network management solution operating from a virtual platform, is designed to efficiently manage crisis situation, enabled with monitoring and updating the communications network as rapidly as field demands. With an increased focus towards connecting the unconnected, the technology also provides different output and traffic type based on the requirements, such as to optimise workflow and divert costs, access and share high data volumes between remote and response teams, empower priority communications by segregating networks for response teams and camp inhabitants. With an option to build special apps on demand, OneGate can be termed as one of the most agile and future ready satcom solutions for humanitarian industry, enabling the organizations to better utilise the technology and make a difference to the affected communities. For the past several years, UAE has been a key player in the humanitarian field with its generous distributions towards international aid. The commitment to give more and help as many people as possible is aligned with the countrys core values: a broad generosity, the desire to ease suffering and help rehabilitate people from living in conditions that they had no control in creating; taking the countrys total foreign aid contributions to more than Dh28.5 billion in 2018. IEC Telecom with its long-standing dedication has served more than 350 satisfied humanitarian sector customers around the world. IEC Telecom will be at Stand No C15 in Sheikh Rashid Hall at Dubai World Trade Centre. TradeArabia News Service Minority-led start-ups can face several hurdles to stay alive let alone thrive even in one of the most diverse states in the nation. In an effort to improve access to funds for Black- and Latinx-owned enterprises, the state Economic Development Authority will announce Thursday its considering building a fund allocated to minority entrepreneurs, NJ Advance Media has learned. We have not seen nearly enough minority-led start-ups grow in scale around New Jersey, EDA CEO Tim Sullivan told NJ Advance Media. It doesnt reflect the states diversity and we have to do more than just wish its going to change. We have to put some resources on the table to bring that reality forward," he said. Before building a potential fund for minority enterprises, the agency will release a request for information to firms and people with perspectives on obstacles and disparities Black and Latinx entrepreneurs face. The RFI will be available in English and Spanish. Diversity is one of New Jerseys greatest strengths, and it is time that our start-up sector reflects that, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. The information we receive through this RFI will be critical to understanding Black and Latinx entrepreneurs needs and to ensuring we craft the effective tools to move us toward our goal of building the most diverse, inclusive innovation ecosystem in the nation. The questionnaire asks what obstacles in securing public and private capital businesses have faced, the optimal size for an initial seed fund, and if any previous attempts to obtain financing from the state and EDA have been unsuccessful, according to a copy obtained by NJ Advance Media. Its pretty fair to say the state hasnt done enough historically to encourage diversity in its entrepreneurial startup ecosystem. This is a big first step around communities of color, Sullivan said. And while venture capital tends to lean on tech companies and life sciences, Sullivan said the EDA will seek a broader array of wealth opportunities, such as consumer and beauty products that cater to specific ethnic markets. The EDA, which historically has primarily catered to large corporations, said the diversity seed fund for Black and Latinx business owners would be the first of its kind in the state. The agency has been mired in controversy since a Murphy-appointed task force found it was awarding large tax incentives to politically connected companies and insiders. The fund stemmed from a diversity summit last September, where Sullivan and minority entrepreneurs discussed how to bridge the wealth gap, as well as creating jobs for minorities. One of the things we heard is, Is this just another conversations or are we actually going to do something? Sullivan recalled of the forum. And were trying to do something here. Murphy, a former Goldman Sachs executive, has made diversity a top issue since taking office in 2017. The Democratic governor previously laid out goals to boost economic growth in underserved communities and grown the Angel Investors tax-credit program, boosting the tax break from 10 percent to 20 percent. An additional five percent is tacked on for businesses owned by women or minorities. He touted four woman he recently appointed to the EDA in his State of the State address in January, saying they mirror our state in its diversity and breadth of experiences, and they recognize that economic development isnt one-size-fits-all, but that the unique needs of each business, and each community, must be given full consideration. EDA officials said it would be premature to estimate the size of the fund, but expect it could be in the millions. The agency wouldnt be the only provider of capital investors and philanthropic groups will also have the opportunity to join. If theres a fund created, it could shine a light on an under-appreciated and underinvested marketplace, Sullivan said. We have a national marketplace and want to encourage the growth and development of those communities as well. I think people are going to be excited about this. The EDA is accepting RFI responses through April 23. Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. 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. The Slovak Spectator will publish live results and political analyses February 29-March 1. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled On February 29, 2020, Slovak citizens will cast their votes in the parliamentary election. The Slovak Spectator will closely follow and report on the election in it's entirety, providing our readers with: Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement exit poll results - published as soon as the moratorium is over, when the polling stations close at 22:00 (unless any unexpected development occurs) real-time coverage of election results, accessible on the homepage of spectator.sk - the first election results start coming in at around 22:30 political analyses of the results on February 29 and March 1 - relevant result numbers can be expected when some 70 percent of the vote is counted, typically just after midnight if everything goes as planned politicians' reactions to the results graphs and visual comparisons Join us on February 29 - March 1 to stay up to date with the latest political developments in Slovakia. >>> For more information leading up to the election, click here. - The chairman of the finance committee of Parliament, Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah, has claimed a constantly strong currency is bad for Ghana - According to him, a weak currency boosts the tourism drive of a country and it is therefore a good thing - He explained that tourists earn a lot of money when they bring in dollars to exchange and that helps them spend a lot Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in The Member of Parliament (MP) for New Juaben South, Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah, has argued that that a weak currency sometimes works well for a country. According to him, a weak cedi is a bait to bring tourists into Ghana since a strong currency has a negative effect on the number of tourists that could visit Ghana. Dr. Assibey-Yeboah, who is also the chairman of the finance committee in Parliament, explained that the currency cannot get stronger and stronger forever thats why you have the central bank at a certain point, the Bank of Ghana has to intervene so that the currency does not become so strong. Dr. Mark Assibey-Yeboah Source: Graphic.com.gh Source: UGC READ ALSO: Kenya begins work on sub-Saharan Africa underwater educational centre To him, having a weak currency makes the country a fair place as people on vacation exchange a lot with countries with such currencies. Per a classfmonline.com report, he cited an example to the effect that one needs a lot of cedis to get Pounds during a visit to the United Kingdom (UK). Dr. Assibey-Yeboah went on to say that those who visited the country as part of the Year of Return project chose Ghana because the currency is weak. In that respect, they earn a lot of money when they bring in dollars to exchange and that helps them spend a lot. He further noted that a currency that gains strength affects tourism and is, therefore, a bad thing. READ ALSO: Ghana re-examines expensive power contracts to cut down on bills In other news, Senegal has launched what has been described as the largest wind power plant in West Africa. This, YEN.com.gh has learned, is in line with efforts to commit to renewable energy solutions. The zero-emissions power plant is designed to provide up to 15% of energy production provided by Senelec, the countrys national electricity company. The plant, which has a capacity of 158 megawatts is located at Taiba Ndiaye, which is about 86km from Dakar, the nations capital. Per a report by cnn.com, the power plant was reportedly built in 24 months and has been described as a new step in the energy market towards an emerging Senegal, by the president, Macky Sall. The power plant was reportedly built by Lekela, a British renewable power company, which also operates wind farms in Egypt and South Africa. Per a plan designed by the government, the power sector would be a key component of a plan to make the country an emerging economy by 2025. READ ALSO: Bob Chapek to replace Bob Iger as CEO of Disney with immediate effect Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Playstore now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news! Ghana News Today: Accra Beautification Project causes Ako-Adjei Interchange to sparkle | #Yencomgh Want to be featured on YEN.com.gh? Send us a message on our Facebook page or on Instagram with your stories, photos or videos Source: YEN.com.gh STUDIO DEI NOTAI RUBEN ISRAEL - ELENA TERRENGHI Via Filippo Carcano, 47 - Tel. 02/4980219 20149 MILANO File no. 32489 Volume no. 12993 Minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting REPUBLIC OF ITALY In the year 2020 (twenty-twenty) On the 5th (fifth) Of February at 04.18pm (eighteen minutes past four in the afternoon). In Milan, at my office on via Carcano 47. Before me, Mr. Ruben Israel, notary in Milan, registered in the Notarial District of Milan, personally appeared: - Mr. Fabio Regolo, born in Milan on the 12th of August 1964, domiciled for the purposes of office at the registered office, known to me to be the person whose name is declared herein, who, declaring to act in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors and in the interest of the Italian joint-stock company: "Mybest Group S.p.A." With registered office in Sesto San Giovanni, Viale Casiraghi 359, share capital 7,462,592.50, subscribed and paid in for 3,334,309.50, Milano - Monza-Brianza Lodi business register registration number and tax code: 04227580968, R.E.A. number MI-1735084, Asks me to enter in the record the extraordinary general meeting of the company, which met here on second call, with notice published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana Part Two - no.8 of 18 January 2020, in accordance with article 9 of the deed of incorporation, to discuss and decide on the following agenda 1) Provisions of article 2447 of the Civil Code; 2) Appointment of the new administrative body and auditor; 3) Possible adoption of ancillary instruments to protect creditors. Accepting the request made, I hereby acknowledge that the meeting takes place as follows. According to the deed of incorporation, the appearing party, act in his capacity as specified above, presides over the General Meeting and, after performing all the checks required by law, ascertains and acknowledges that: - the general meeting to be held, on first call, at this place and at this time, on 4 February 2020, as deserted; - the share capital of 3,334,309.50 consists of 6.666.619 shares with no nominal value, of which 144.340 are treasury shares; - in addition to treasury shares, there are, after verification of the identity and validation by the Chairman: * FOR2NET S.r.l., with registered office in Milan, holding 2,649,544 shares, here represented by its Chairman of the Board of Director, Mr. Daniele Vigano; * Agenzia Generale Ina - Assitalia Monza B.B.R. Assicurazioni S.r.l., with registered office in Milan, holding 89.324 shares, here represented by Mr. Giorgio Alessandro Bramati by proxy, duly recorded by the company, for a total of 2.883.208 shares of the 6,666,619 ordinary shares existing today, equal to approximately 43.248% of the share capital; - the shares have been previously deposited by authorised intermediaries, as required by the notice of call pursuant to article 10 of the deed of incorporation and as shown by the deposit situation here attached under A, which are consistent with the Company records, as declared by the Chairman; - of the Board of Directors, in addition to the Chairman, the Director Daniele Vigano attends the meeting; - for the Board of Statutory Auditors, the Standing Auditors Riccardo Pratesi and Leopoldo Turetta attend the meeting, while the Chairman of the Board of Statutory Auditors, Alfredo Fossati justified his absence; - the deed of incorporation (article 13) does not require any quorums higher than those provided for in articles 2368 and 2369 of the Italian Civil Code for the validity of the shareholders' meeting and its resolutions. The Chairman, therefore, declares that the shareholders' meeting is validly convened on second call and can decided on the items on the agenda, as legally notified and in compliance with the legal quorums and the deed of incorporation. Proceeding with the joint discussion of the items on the agenda, the Chairman reminds the those present that the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018, approved by the ordinary shareholders' meeting of 18 December 2019, show a negative shareholders' equity of 3,336,63, and points out, therefore, that, in view of today's meeting, the Board of Directors has prepared interim financial statements as of 15 December 2019, which consists of the balance sheet, the income statement, explanatory report drawn up by the Board of Directors (also containing the indications of a note)and comments by the Board of Statutory Auditor (but without the report by the independent auditing firm, which, moreover, had declared that it could not give an opinion already on the financial statements as of 31 December 2018) and filed at the registered office on 28 January 2020; all attached here as a single file under B. This situation - the Chairman continues resulted in a loss (carried forward) of 22,960,816, which, following the allocation of reserves to shareholders' equity (for a total of 18,105,489, of which 16,740,995 for share premium reserve, 840,374 for extraordinary reserve, 524,120 for legal reserve and 1,196,055 for profit for the period) and the(negative) reserve for treasury shares for 1,815,613, amounts to 5,474,885. Net of the subscribed and paid-up capital of 3,334,310, the shareholders' equity, therefore, shows a negative value of 2,140,575. The Chairman, also referring to the comments made by the Board of Statutory Auditors on the aforementioned balance sheet, highlights the need not only to fully cover these losses, but also to adequately capitalise the company, in order to guarantee business continuity. Then, the relative majority shareholder FOR2NET Srl takes the floor through its representative, who declares his unavailability to proceed with the recapitalisation of the company, suggesting, therefore, to take note of, and in any case to approve the early dissolution of the company with consequent appointment of a liquidator. The President of the meeting, having taken note of the proposal, suggests to evaluate, at the same time, the possibility of expressly authorising the liquidator to be appointed to resort to procedures that may allow to repay, to some extent, the company creditors. The majority shareholder takes the floor again, through its representative, who communicates that, after examining the profiles of a shortlist of possible candidates, he believes he has identified a professional, competent and independent person, that is, Mr. Enrico Aliberti, born in Milan on 10 November 1954, domiciled in Milan, via Ricciarelli 16, tax code: LBR NRC 54S10 F205M, Italian citizen, whose curriculum was added to the company records. Given the above, the Chairman invites the Shareholders' Meeting to postpone the decisions regarding the appointment of the directors and the auditors, making it clear, however, that the auditing firm, in accordance with the law, is still in office. The Chairman declares that no significant events have occurred since the preparation of the balance sheet. The Statutory Auditors present, on behalf of the entire Board, making reference to the indications in the attached Comments, declare that they agree with what was stated by the Chairman. Since no one else asked to speak, the Chairman puts the following proposed resolution to the vote by show of hands: "The Extraordinary General Meeting of Mybest Group S.p.A. * after hearing the Chairman's report, * having taken note of the proposal made by the relative majority shareholder with vote by show of hands: decides to 1.) approve the company's balance sheet as of 15 December 2019 with all the relevant documents, as above attached under "B"; 2.) dissolve the company in advance by putting it into liquidation with effect from the registration of this document in the Business Register; 3.) entrust the liquidation to a liquidator identified in the person of Mr. Enrico Aliberti, whose personal information is given above; 4.) grant to the appointed liquidator, subject to registration, with sole signing authority, full powers to perform all the necessary and/or useful actions for liquidation, with all the faculties allowed by article 2487 of the Civil Code, and therefore, by way of example, the faculty to proceed with the sale of the company, its branches, shareholdings or even individual assets or rights, or units, giving it the power to decide on any act necessary for the preservation of the value of the company, including its provisional budget, and the provisional budget of individual branches, in order to make the highest profits; 5.) expressly grant the liquidator the right to submit, in accordance with the law and where deemed necessary or even only appropriate, a request for a composition with creditors pursuant to articles 160 and subsequent of the Bankruptcy Law, for debt restructuring pursuant to article 182-bis of the Bankruptcy Law, or for a recovery plan according to article 67 of the Bankruptcy Law; 6.) enter in the records that the appointed liquidator has already accepted this office with all the powers conferred herein, and therefore with sole signing authority and full powers to perform all the necessary and/or useful actions for liquidation, and for submitting the above requests; 7.) temporarily postpone the decisions regarding the audit of financial statements; 8.) give an express mandate to the liquidator for the implementation of all the procedures related to these resolutions, with the obligation to add the wording "in liquidazione" to the company name and to accept this resolution and make all the amendments and additions required during any approval and registration; 9.) enter in the records that the deed of incorporation remains unchanged". The resolution is approved unanimously by those present with voting rights and therefore with a majority of approximately 41.083%, higher than the percentage required by law and by the deed of incorporation. The Chairman proclaims the result. The meeting continues for the discussion of other items subject to separate minutes. It is 04.50pm (fifty minutes past four in the afternoon). This deed, which I read aloud to the person appearing before me, who has approved and signed it in my presence, the Notary, at consists in its entirety of two double sided sheets which by an individual whom I trust, and of five pages written by me. I have not read the annexes aloud, as requested by the person appearing before me. Ruben Israel - Elena Terrenghi Notary office Via Filippo Carcano 47 20149 Milan Tel. +39 02/49 80 219 Fax +39 02/49 81 247 email terrenghi@itnotai.com israel@itnotai.com I, the undersigned Ruben Israel, notary in Milan, registered in the Notarial District of Milan, hereby certify that that the meeting held today, whose minutes were taken by me, of the Italian joint-stock company: Mybest Group S.p.A. with registered office in Sesto San Giovanni, Viale Casiraghi 359, share capital 7,462,592.50, subscribed and paid in for 3,334,309.50, Milano - Monza-Brianza Lodi business register registration number and tax code: 04227580968, R.E.A. number MI-1735084, has decided, among other things, to 1.) dissolve the company in advance by putting it into liquidation with effect from the registration of this document in the Business Register; 2.) entrust the liquidation to a liquidator identified in the person of Mr. Enrico Aliberti, born in Milan on 10 November 1954, domiciled in Milan, via Ricciarelli 16, tax code: LBR NRC 54510 F205M, Italian citizen; 3.) grant to the appointed liquidator, subject to registration, with sole signing authority, full powers to perform all the necessary and/or useful actions for liquidation, with all the faculties allowed by article 2487 of the Civil Code, and therefore, by way of example, the faculty to proceed with the sale of the company, its branches, shareholdings or even individual assets or rights, or units, giving it the power to decide on any act necessary for the preservation of the value of the company, including its provisional budget, and the provisional budget of individual branches, in order to make the highest profits; 4.) expressly grant the liquidator the right to submit, in accordance with the law and where deemed necessary or even only appropriate, a request for a composition with creditors pursuant to articles 160 and subsequent of the Bankruptcy Law, for debt restructuring pursuant to article 182-bis of the Bankruptcy Law, or for a recovery plan according to article 67 of the Bankruptcy Law; 5.) enter in the records that the appointed liquidator has already accepted this office with all the powers conferred herein, and therefore with sole signing authority and full powers to perform all the necessary and/or useful actions for liquidation, and for submitting the above requests; Milan, 5th of February 2020 Attachment A makeup artist who was diagnosed with acute leukaemia after she noticed bruises on her legs while travelling has urged women to trust their gut and see a doctor if they notice any unusual physical changes. Nadia Peri, who is in her 20s, was diagnosed with leukaemia two days after returning home to Melbourne from Los Angeles early this month. 'I had flown to LA and when I got off the plane I noticed heavy bruising on my feet and my legs actually ached and I felt a little bit nauseous,' Nadia told FEMAIL. 'I also had a rash which was made up of red spots on my skin but because I had done a long haul flight, I attributed the swelling in my legs and the nausea to the flight.' Melbourne makeup artist Nadia Peri (pictured) was diagnosed with leukaemia in February, just two days after returning to Australia from Los Angeles What is leukaemia? Leukaemia is the general name given to a group of cancers that develop in the bone marrow. Leukaemia originates in developing blood cells that have undergone a malignant change. The causes of leukaemia aren't known. There are several types of Leukaemia. Some types appear suddenly and progress rapidly over days to weeks. Others are less apparent and progress slowly over months to years. In 2019, there were 4,251 new cases - 2,609 males and 1,642 females - in Australia Advertisement Nadia continued to notice bruises appearing on her body during her three weeks in LA and was also feeling tired but decided it was probably linked to her travel. 'I ended up getting a bruise on my chest, I had a small bruise on my back, I started to get larger bruises on my wrists. I also noticed that I fell over a few times', she said. 'I was losing my balance and was feeling a little bit dizzy when I was there as well but I was going to a lot of events when I was in LA so I attributed some of that to feeling exhausted and maybe not drinking enough water.' 'I was at an event... and I felt really really weak. I actually said to my boyfriend "can we sit down because I'm feeling so tired" and that's really unlike me.' Nadia said she noticed bruising appearing on her body, red spots on her skin and she felt dizzy and exhausted during her trip Before returning home, Nadia called her mother, who is a nurse, and told her about what she had been experiencing. Her mother booked her a doctor's appointment just hours after she landed back in Australia. 'The day after I landed I went to a nail appointment and I got a call from the doctor to come in urgently. That's when I knew in my heart that something was wrong,' Nadia explained. Before returning home, Nadia called her mum (both pictured), who then booked her a doctors appointment for the day she landed 'I had been told that one of the causes for my symptoms could be leukaemia, so when I had got the call to come in I called my mum immediately.' Nadia said she 'knew something wasn't right' and made her way to the hospital with her mum and sister. 'The next few hours of tests and waiting were honestly the worst moments of my life. I was just crying to my mum and my sister because when you hear the C word or leukaemia, you just think you're going to die.' Nadia said she was terrified in the hours leading up to the diagnosis but felt strangely relieved when it was confirmed. Nadia said she is 'so lucky because I've had the best support in my family, in my friends, in my boyfriend (pictured), even the people that follow me [on social media]' 'I know it sounds crazy but in that moment I felt a sense of relief because I finally knew my diagnosis and it was no longer a fear of the unknown,' she said. 'When you're in hospital and everyone is doing all these tests, you're panicking because you don't know what is.' Nadia has acute leukaemia, which 'occurs when immature white blood cells grow out of control and continue to divide but never mature', Chris O'Brien Lifehouse website states. There are two types of acute leukaemia: acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). She encourages women to go and visit a doctor if they have any concerns about their health or notice any change in their bodies Nadia is currently going through chemotherapy to treat the disease and is hopeful of a full recovery. 'My mum saved my life really because she is the one that really pushed for all this,' she said She said she has no family history of cancer and her diagnosis was a complete shock as 'no one ever expects to have cancer'. What are the common symptoms of leukaemia? - Fever or chills - Persistent fatigue, weakness - Frequent or severe infections - Losing weight without trying - Swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen - Easy bleeding or bruising - Recurrent nosebleeds - Tiny red spots in your skin (petechiae) - Excessive sweating, especially at night - Bone pain or tenderness Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement 'If anything is concerning you about your health and you notice a change in your body, do not wait. Book an appointment to see your GP because it could potentially save your life.' 'I read a really good quote online when I was going through this whole process and it really spoke to me: 'Listen to your body when it whispers so you don't have to hear it scream.' Nadia also said that anybody dealing with a diagnosis should try to stay positive and follow doctors' advice. 'I'm so lucky because I've had the best support in my family, in my friends, in my boyfriend, even the people that follow me. I am just so grateful in the support that I have been given during this time,' she said. She said something has really helped her through this is 'having a sense of humour' and being able to laugh. 'It has really saved me and helped my mental health. I truly believe that laughter is the best form of medicine.' Nadia explained that it's important to keep 'doing little things' that you love in order to keep a sense of normality 'Don't to let your diagnosis stop you from living because obviously you can't control your diagnosis but for me I love creating content so I've made sure I can continue doing what I love from hospital,' she said. She explained that it's important to keep doing 'little things' that you love in order to keep a sense of normality. 'Even though I'm in hospital I still do little things like my daily skin care and I still put makeup on to keep my sense of normality and daily routine,' she said. 'That is so important for your mental health. It's a small thing but many people underestimate that.' To hear Nadia's story, check out her YouTube channel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Wednesday night that a person in California who tested positive for coronavirus may be the first case of community spread in the United States. This person did not recently travel out of the country or come into contact with anyone infected with the coronavirus, known as COVID-19. The case was "detected through the U.S. public health system," the CDC said, and "picked up by astute clinicians." The CDC said this could be an "instance of community spread of COVID-19," which means the source of infection is unknown, but also acknowledged that "the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected." Lawrence Gostin, director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law, told the Los Angeles Times this is "the first signal that we could be having silent transmission in the community. It probably means there are many more cases out there and it probably means this individual has infected others and now it's a race to try to find out who that person has infected." There are 60 cases of COVID-19 in the United States. More stories from theweek.com Harvard scientist predicts coronavirus will infect up to 70 percent of humanity Late night hosts, like the stock market, reacted poorly to Mike Pence as coronavirus czar What it's like to be in Venice during coronavirus lockdown UPDATE: EMS squad demands hearing to fight state officials over proposed fine New Jersey officials have issued a $108,000 fine to a Burlington County ambulance squad after finding the crew drove an ambulance to 90 emergencies even though the vehicle was not licensed through the states Department of Health. Shamong Medical Services, which is part of the Indian Mills Volunteer Fire Company, responded to those calls between Oct. 7, 2018 and Oct. 9, 2019, according to a Feb. 19 notice from the state to EMS Chief Dave Taylor. The squad is licensed to provide basic life support within the state and operates two vehicles that are licensed with the state, according to the notice. However, an audit prompted by an anonymous complaint found a third ambulance responded to 90 emergency assignments over 72 days, even though (the ambulance) was unlicensed (through the state health department), the notice states. The states Office of Emergency Medical Services also found that Shamong failed to staff its ambulances with at least two EMTs as required by state law. Shamong staffed its ambulances with only one EMT on 36 (occasions), the notice states. The notice states Shamong must either pay the fine within 30 days or submit a written request for a hearing to contest the states findings. Chief Taylor and Charles Bergin, president of the Indian Mills fire company, did not immediately respond Thursday to a requests for comment on the states findings. 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. The fall and New Yorks hunting and bow hunting seasons are months away. However, Upstate NY wanna-be hunters should start thinking now about signing up for a hunter safety course or bow hunting safety course, which are required to get hunting licenses for this fall. Every year, a number individuals wanting to hunt wait until the last minute in September to sign up for one of these courses .They lose out because the few remaining courses get filled and no more are offered. The courses, taught by state-certified volunteers, are free and start being offered statewide on March 1. These courses have played a huge role in the decrease in recent years in hunting accidents across the state. This past fall was the safest on record. Some of the early courses scheduled are already full. See a complete list of courses scheduled at this point on the state Department of Environmental website. More courses will be added to the list as the year progresses. Harlee Lucier, 14, of Parish, NY, shot this 4-point buck in Cato during the 2016 Columbus Day weekend Youth Firearms Hunt, She was mentored by her father, Shane Lucier. The estimated live weight was 150 pounds; 120 pounds when field dressed SYRSYR The following, according to the DEC website, is what you need to know about these courses: Hunter Safety Course: * The course covers the necessary safety techniques and responsibilities that a hunter must know when using a gun, muzzleloader, crossbow or bow to pursue wild game. Individuals who take the course must be 11 years or older. (Note: In New York State the minimum age to hunt is 12-years old for small game; turkey, waterfowl and migratory game birds; 14 for big game ((deer, bear)). * There are no online-only courses. Homework and the in-person instruction portion of the course are both required for all New York courses. * Those who take this course must complete homework prior to attending an in-person course. Proof of completed homework must be brought to the in-person course. The homework can take several hours to complete. See the DEC website about how to obtain the required study materials. * The in-person course is a minimum of 7 hours in length. These courses may be scheduled for one full day or split up into several shorter time frames over several days. Students under 16 years old must have a signed permission slip from a parent or legal guardian to allow for the handling and shooting of a firearm during this course. * Topics covered in this course are: Firearm and crossbow handling and safety techniques; history of firearms; knowledge of firearms and ammunition; proper gun handling and storage; marksmanship fundamentals; hunting laws and regulations; principles of wildlife management and wildlife identification; outdoor safety; hunter ethics and hunter responsibility toward wildlife, the environment, landowners, and the general public. See the DEC website for the locations and dates of classes and how to sign up. Bowhunting Safety Course *The course is required for hunters who use a bow and arrow to hunt deer or bear. While this course is not required for hunting deer with a crossbow, or for using a bow and arrow to hunt small game or turkey, DEC encourages you to take this course to learn bow and tree stand safety techniques.) *Individuals who take the course must be 11 years or older. Bowhunter Scot Garland, of Minoa, poses with his 8-point buck he arrowed on Halloween morning 2015 in the Town of Onondaga. It field dressed out at 190 pounds. The shot was from 17 yards, he said. *There are no online-only courses. Homework and the in-person instruction portion of the course are both required for all New York courses. *Those who take this course must complete homework prior to attending an in-person course. Proof of completed homework must be brought to the in-person course. The homework can take several hours to complete. See the DEC website about how to obtain the required study materials. *The in-person course that is a minimum of 6 hours in length. These courses may be scheduled for one full day or split up into several shorter time frames over several days. *Topics covered in this course are: Aspects that make bowhunting challenging; becoming a more successful bowhunter; tree stand safety; bowhunting techniques; hunter ethics and hunter responsibility toward wildlife, the environment, landowners and the general public. See the DEC website for the locations and dates of classes and how to sign up. Morgan Long, 16, of Fabius, NY, with his first buck -- a 12-pointer that he took with his crossbow in Fabius during the fall of 2016. SYR Crossbow hunters: Crossbow hunters are required to take the hunter safety course above to get a hunting license. The minimum age to hunt with a crossbow is 14. See the DEC website for regulations concerning hunting with this hunting instrument and additional safety training requirements. MORE: 2019 New York hunting seasons safest on record: See complete summary of accidents, causes Big Buck Bonanza: Upstate NY firearm hunters share pictures of their big deer Crossbow season: Upstate NY hunters share pictures of their big bucks Bowhunting for deer: Upstate NY hunters share eye-opening photos of big bucks Have a question or suggested story concerning the Upstate NY outdoors scene? Outdoors writer David Figura can be reached by email at dfigura@NYup.com, on Facebook or by calling 315-470-6066. [February 27, 2020] Glendale Water & Power Enters Into Agreement To Purchase Geothermal Energy, Increasing Its Renewable Portfolio GLENDALE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Glendale City Council adopted a resolution on Tuesday to enter into a set of long-term Power Sales Agreements (PSA's) with the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) to purchase geothermal energy. The projects, Whitegrass No.1 Geothermal and Star Peak Geothermal, under the management of Open Mountain Energy, LLC located in Nevada, will commence on April 2020 and April 2021 respectively. The two projects combined will bring 15.5 MW of 100% renewable energy to Glendale and GWP customers, and will move Glendale significantly further towards meeting the State of California's mandates of Senate Bill (SB) 100. The geothermal projects will equate to an estimated11% increase in Glendale Water & Power's (GWP) Renewable Portfolio Standard. The zero-carbon energy provided to our customers will reduce carbon emissions by 52,600 metric tons per year. Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian stated, "This agreement marks another successful milestoe in Glendale's path towards its clean energy goals while maintaining a reliable power supply for Glendale. Instead of only generating power when the sun is shining or when the wind is blowing, a geothermal project produces energy continuously, so we can rely on it for power around the clock; a partnership and achievement we are very proud of." Geothermal energy is consistent and has high capacity factor at approximately 90%, as compared to the lower capacity factors of intermittent resources like solar and wind, which are at 25% and 34% respectively. Glendale is definitely on a path to transition to a low carbon future and to establish Glendale as a clean energy leader. "We are reducing our use of fossil fuels and bringing environmentally sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy alternatives to our customers," stated Steve Zurn, General Manager of GWP. In December, GWP also announced that it entered into a 25-year PSA with SCPPA for a 12.5% share of renewable solar energy, battery storage, and environmental attributes from the Eland 1 Solar and Storage Center in Kern County, California. Glendale Water & Power (GWP) is the City of Glendale's water and electric utility. GWP provides water to 34,181 customers and generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to 88,849 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Glendale, California. www.GlendaleWaterAndPower.com. Twitter @COGWaterPower Facebook /GlendaleWaterAndPower Contact: Atineh Haroutunian Glendale Water & Power (818) 548-3381 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/glendale-water--power-enters-into-agreement-to-purchase-geothermal-energy-increasing-its-renewable-portfolio-301013023.html SOURCE Glendale Water & Power [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Two Carrick-on-Shannon Community College students are hoping their simple but clever idea for farm safety will see them chosen from over 30 groups to be finalists in this year's Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition. Grace McKeon from Drumshanbo and Jane Carty from Croghan, Co Roscommon have made it through to the final of the competition in Croke Park next week. The transition year students submitted a project on Farm Safety with the simple idea of an Emergency Contact sheet for farms. The sheet includes phone numbers for the local doctor, vet, poison centre, ambulance and fire brigade but also includes the name and contact details for neighbouring farmers. The girls explained that quite often when an accident or issue happens on a farm, farmers turn to their neighbours for help. They might need a tractor or a trailer, they could just need an extra pair of hands, a tool or a sheepdog. If you lose your phone into a pit or water, you won't have access to your neighbour's number. The students said the idea came to them after they watched a video on farm safety and realised that a neighbouring farmer is one of the most important contacts to have. They said a number of students from farming backgrounds in the school have already taken the idea and brought it to their farm. The annual competition created by Irish Angus Producer Group, ABP and Kepak challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves for beef production. It aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus Beef brand while communicating the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers. Over 30 groups from around the country have been chosen to attend the final next Wednesday, March 4 in Croke Park. Five groups will be chosen to rear Irish Angus calves for beef production. The winning students also receive an additional grant of 2,000 for their further education. Also read: Gold stars for Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens They always ensure to enjoy regular date nights and keep the spark alive. And Joan Collins, 86, was spotted enjoying yet another outing with her husband Percy Gibson, 55, on Wednesday, dining out at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills, California. The veteran actress was dressed to impress in a smart blazer and a three-tier pearl necklace, looking more glamorous than ever. Dinner date: Joan Collins, 86, was spotted enjoying yet another outing with her husband Percy Gibson, 55, on Wednesday, dining out at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills, California Joan matched her elaborate bling with a pair of giant earrings and carried a quilted clutch bag. She kept to a black and white palette with her outfit, donning a pair of white trousers and coordinating heels. Percy was the perfect gent as ever, offering his wife a helping hand as she climbed into the passenger seat of their car. Ladylike: Joan matched her elaborate bling with a pair of giant earrings and carried a quilted clutch bag Joan and Percy tied the knot in 2002 at Claridge's Hotel in London, the fifth time walking down the aisle for the star. In May 2018, the legendary actress revealed her top tip for 'lasting marriage' to Hello! - saying that the reason it works is because they 'really support each other'. She said: 'You won't always agree about everything, but you need to enjoy each other's company. Percy is such an amazing man, he is so kind and so caring. Loved up: Percy was the perfect gent as ever, offering his wife a helping hand as she climbed into the passenger seat of their car 'People get married on the crest of lust. Once that's gone, they look and think: 'What the hell? Who is this person? 'There has to be something else to fall back on. If there isn't, they start looking.' Joan's acting career has spanned more than six decades with her most recent roles being in the hit TV series American Horror Story and Hawaii Five-0. Businessman Oscar Yao Doe is disappointed in the office of Special Prosecutor for failing to deliver on its mandate since the establishment of the outfit. Martin Amidu was sworn in as Ghanas first Special Prosecutor on February 23, 2018 after he received unanimous approval from Parliament. The setting up of the office of the Special Prosecutor was one of the key campaign promises made by President Akufo-Addo ahead of his election victory in 2016. The office is mandate to investigate and prosecute cases of alleged corruption under the Public Procurement Act 203 Act 63 and other corruption-related offences implicating public officers, political office holders and their accomplices in the public sector. But Mr. Doe opines that the office appears useless following the failure to deliver two years after it became operational. Does it worth the tax payer funding? What was the main aim at creating the Special Prosecutor office? Is it to score political points? "Or using the office to please every sitting presidents in the future to carry out their personal political witch-hunts of investigations? Or to protect public purse? Which is which! We should be careful not to set a dangerous precedent which could become catastrophic for our justice system, his post read. "Once upon a time, 11th January 2018 (to be precise), Ghanaians were in a jubilant mood. The excitement could be felt across the country, because (most people thought) it was a good news. The good news was that the self-proclaimed citizen vigilante, Honourable Martin A.B.K Amidu had been appointed the long-awaited Special Prosecutor. (But the question now is) is it worth the tax payers'funding? What was the main aim of creating the Special Prosecutor's office? Is it to score political points? Or using the office to please every seating or future President, to carry out their personal political witch-hunts of investigations? Or (is it) to protect the public purse? Which is which? We should be careful not to set a dangerous precedent which could become catastrophic for our justice system. Has Martin Amidu performed well? Has he been truthful, fair and honest in the discharge of his duty? After 2 years in office, Ghanaians are surprised about the SP's silence on many corrupt activities going on in the 'opens' with government machineries and it appointees. Most people are saying the Special Prosecutor's Office has become 'redundant' and 'no more relevant', because it has lost public confidence, and that it should be abolished immediately to protect public purse. Most Ghanaians no longer have faith in the Special Prosecutor's Office. I personally agree totally with this overwhelming Public sentiment. I do". Source: Thecityscoopng.blogspot.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 With technology radically changing how their customers find restaurants and place orders, San Francisco restaurant owners at a hearing Wednesday said they opposed the increasingly common practice of food delivery apps listing their businesses without permission. The special hearing called by the Small Business Commission on Wednesday sought to understand the impact of delivery apps and ghost kitchens on traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants in San Francisco. Ghost kitchens, also known as cloud, virtual or commissary kitchens, are venues where food is prepared for delivery or takeout but no sit-down meals are served. Many restaurateurs who spoke at the hearing said they supported virtual kitchens, and some said they used such facilities to expand their business amid rising customer demand for meal deliveries. But they criticized Postmates, Grubhub and DoorDash for listing restaurants without their knowledge on their apps and websites. Its thuggish behavior, said Pim Techamuanvivit, who owns the Michelin-starred Thai restaurant Kin Khao in Union Square. Techamuanvivit complained on Twitter last month after she found out that Grubhub had listed her restaurant which doesnt offer takeout or delivery of any kind without her knowledge or permission. They basically say, Well, you really want to do this with us because if you dont, your customers wont be happy with you, she said. Grubhub at the time said the listing was a mistake. The Small Business Commission, an advisory group, cannot create or pass legislation but does offer guidance to the Board of Supervisors and the mayor on issues affecting the business community. Vikrum Aiyer, Postmates vice president of global public policy, was the only representative of a delivery company who spoke at the hearing. He said these issues should be sorted out between businesses, not through legislation. Postmates and DoorDash are based in San Francisco, while Grubhub is based in Chicago. Uber of San Francisco also has a food-delivery business, Uber Eats. Food-delivery apps are increasingly listing restaurants whether or not they have a deal with them to gain market share in a highly competitive market. Aiyer said restaurants should be given tools to remove themselves from the sites. But restaurateurs at the hearing responded that they shouldnt have to remove themselves from a service they never signed up for. Anjan Mitra, co-owner of Dosa, a Fillmore Street restaurant known for South Indian food, emphasized the need to look at the larger issues affecting physical restaurants: city policies, high costs and scarcity of labor. You cant solve the symptom of an issue, he said. Regulating virtual kitchens is not going to help brick-and-mortar restaurants. Mitra, who works with a venture-backed commissary kitchen called Virtual Kitchen Co., said delivery was a force thats coming. San Francisco counts six licensed commissary kitchens, large complexes housing multiple tenants. These are places where food is prepared for delivery. A Department of Public Health representative at the hearing said these six venues have obtained the necessary permits to operate and handle food, like physical restaurants must do, and are subject to inspections like regular restaurants. But zoning rules may give virtual kitchens an advantage. Most have obtained permits as catering businesses, which can bypass some requirements restaurants face. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Such operations are not subject to zoning rules that limit chain stores in the city. A fast food chain could set up shop in a virtual kitchen and do delivery in San Francisco without facing the reviews a physical outlet would undergo. Commissioner William Ortiz-Cartagena said he knew of a chain restaurant already doing this but did not name it. The legislation that has gone on in San Francisco has killed our restaurants and now we literally have ghosts roaming around, Ortiz-Cartagena said. Were here to protect small business, said Sharky Laguana, president of the commission. At a minimum, a small business should have agency over who they do business with. The right moment to step in and create regulation is when an industry is unable to regulate itself. The commission plans to meet March 9 to further discuss the issues raised at the hearing. Shwanika Narayan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: shwanika.narayan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @shwanika TORONTO, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Express Employment Professionals has released its inaugural compensation report for Canada, highlighting average national wages for light industrial, office services, skilled trades and professional jobs. Compensation data provided in the report includes jobs such as food servers, marketing managers, landscapers, executive assistants, medical transcriptionists, construction managers and several types of machinists, among several others. In todays tight labour market, talented job candidates know they have options. That means offering competitive compensation is more important than ever to attract the best and brightest workers. Additionally, businesses that are unwilling to compete on pay risk losing employees to the competition. KV Aulakh, Express franchise owner in Barrie, Ontario, said he sees this trend play out on a regular basis. He noted that clients are forced to fill the same positions over and over againmostly because of wages. Candidates do their research and know what their wage should be, Aulakh said. Sometimes, they might take the job simply because they need the money. Once they realize that the wage does not align with their position or responsibilities, they will move elsewhere. Aulakh added that the cycle often repeats itself for many businesses. Catherine Ackerman, sales and networking activities lead with the Express team in Coquitlam, British Columbia, agreed that market forces are having a significant impact on pay. We are experiencing one of the most competitive employment markets in over four decades, and that competition is driving up wages, she said. Ackerman believes that businesses failing to react are putting themselves at a real disadvantage. Hiring the right people and having a good understanding of the cost of talent is incredibly important, she added. If business owners arent up to speed, they often struggle with employee retention and satisfaction. High turnover is costly. It negatively impacts productivity and ultimately the bottom line. Express franchisees have been hard at work for several years educating local businesses about current market conditions and how quickly they evolve. Bruce Hein, Express franchise owner in Sarnia, Ontario, noted that companies he works with can adapt quickly. Most companies are very reasonable when you sit down with them to explain how turnover and retention affect their bottom line, he said. If we are able to provide the talent they need at a slightly higher pay rate, often they are willing to be flexible. Its all about providing data, so companies can make informed decisions. Aulakh stressed that part of his work involves showing companies market trends. Knowledge is everything, he said. Companies with similar jobs provide a good comparison. We guide our partners and encourage them to increase their wages, when necessary. Express CEO Bill Stoller said he hopes businesses will find value in Express 2020 Compensation Report and the insight it offers. We are pleased to be able to provide this wonderful tool to help businesses evaluate local market conditions, he said. When competition for talent is at an all-time high, data is key to attracting and retaining the best. All data within the report was provided via Emsi, a third-party, labour market data and analytics research company. More information about Emsi and their research methodology is available at EconomicModeling.com . If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Adria Minsky at (416) 620-7111 or email adria@mapleleafstrategies.com . About Bill Stoller William H. Bill Stoller is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has more than 800 franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Since its inception, Express has put more than 8 million people to work worldwide. About Express Employment Professionals At Express Employment Professionals, were in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, our international network of franchises offer localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve, employing 552,000 people across North America in 2019. For more information, visit www.ExpressPros.com . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b225b0f1-259a-434d-aafd-457fb7a63fb7 Steven Seagal, the actor best known for playing hard-bitten cops and commandos in action movies, has agreed to settle charges brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission for failing to disclose that he was being paid to promote a cryptocurrency investment on his social media accounts. The S.E.C. said on Thursday that Mr. Seagal, who lives in Moscow and holds both Russian and American citizenship, was promised $250,000 in cash and $750,000 worth of cryptocurrency from the company Bitcoiin2Gen in exchange for endorsing its initial coin offering, a crowdfunding strategy that involves creating and selling the virtual currency. In 2018, Facebook and Twitter accounts belonging to Mr. Seagal posted several times about the coin offering, calling him the worldwide ambassador for the company, the S.E.C. said. The posts did not disclose that Mr. Seagal, 67, was being paid for the promotions. The S.E.C. said that Mr. Seagal, who is also a trained martial artist, had 6.7 million Facebook followers during the time that he posted about the cryptocurrency company. The S.E.C. noted that Mr. Seagals posts about the coin offering came more than six months after the commission announced its decision that initial coin offerings like initial public offerings of stocks may be considered sales of securities and are subject to federal securities laws. Anti-touting provisions in those laws require individuals to disclose the amount of compensation they will receive in exchange for promoting a security. Federal health officials warned on Tuesday that hospitals, schools and businesses needed to start preparing for outbreaks in the United States. Containment strategies may have to expand to include steps like closing schools, ordering people to work from home, and restricting public gatherings. The secretary of health and human services, Alex M. Azar II, said he was alarmed by the infections occurring in some parts of the world that have no clear link to confirmed cases. Until now, the vast majority of infections and deaths have been in China, where the coronavirus originated in Wuhan before spreading to about 40 other nations. So far, at least 81,109 people have been infected and at least 2,718 have died. But other countries may not have confirmed cases because they havent tested very many people or dont have the resources to run tests. Some public health experts fear stealth transmissions may already be occurring in communities in the United States. But if sick individuals have no direct link to China, they will not be eligible for testing, so they will not be detected. That may help spread the disease. To our knowledge there is no sustained transmission in this country at this point unless it is under the radar, Dr. Fauci said. In Italy, health officials in some regions have taken a different approach. After 10 deaths attributed to the new coronavirus, health officials started aggressive and widespread testing in some regions. They turned up hundreds of other infections, including many in people who did not display any symptoms. The Trump presidential campaign announced on Wednesday that it had filed a libel suit against the New York Times over a March 27, 2019 column by former Times editor Max Frankel. In the column, Frankel alleged that the 2016 Trump campaign accepted help from Russia to beat rival Hillary Clinton in exchange for a new U.S. foreign policy more beneficial to Trump once he won the election. The Trump campaign and Putin had an overarching deal: the quid of help in the campaign against Hillary Clinton for the quo of a new pro-Russian foreign policy, starting with relief from the Obama administrations burdensome economic sanctions, Frankel wrote. Donald Trump for President, Inc. today filed a libel lawsuit against the New York Times over a story falsely reporting as fact a conspiracy with Russia, read a statement from the Trump 2020 campaign. The lawsuitaims to hold the news organization accountable for intentionally publishing false statements against President Trumps campaign. Frankels column was published in the Timess Opinion section, so it is unclear whether the libel suit will have any effect. The announcement of the lawsuit follows controversy over a February 21 article in the Times in which several anonymous sources alleged that top election security official Shelby Pierson told the House Intelligence Committee that Russia was interfering in the 2020 election to boost Trump. On Wednesday, two senior intelligence officials, one former and one current, told NBC they believed Piersons briefing was misinterpreted by Democratic lawmakers on the Committee. More from National Review When concerns grew over a potential coronavirus epidemic in the U.S., President Trump addressed the country at Wednesday night's White House press conference to explain how his administration handled the virus threat - stating a vaccine is now being "rapidly" established and "coming along very well." Nonetheless, Anthony Fauci, who leads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, mentioned during the news conference that due to the delay in research, development, manufacturing and distribution, a vaccination wouldn't be available for "a year to a year and a half." The press briefing was a rare appearance for the President in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, since he normally answers questions from the press outside of the White House whilst his Marine One helicopter is ready for departure. Despite the current environment, some of Trump's targets continued to remain the same. Of particular, the president castigated the Federal Reserve and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, naming her "incompetent" after challenging his answer to the virus and saying that she can not be trusted on the issue. The president declared that he would actually put Vice President Mike Pence "in charge" of the efforts to stop coronavirus, effective immediately. Reportedly, the White House had considered naming a virus czar as the point person on the infection. As of now, a total of 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus have occurred in the U.S.. The list includes people who were later acknowledged on the podium by Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, who have been repatriated to the United States. Fifteen individuals have been in the initial batch of incidents, three more originated from evacuation flights, and 42 were all from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined earlier in the month by Japanese public health officials. Asked if he could trust the numbers of coronavirus in China, Trump said only that the Chinese government was very talented, tough and smart. Moreover, the president said that it was not certain that the rate of death of coronavirus was higher than that of flu. Senior legislators on Capitol Hill asked for a joint budget plan which would provide additional funds to federal, state, and local officials. Congress has taken a similar path in recent years with the opioid epidemic, pouring out federal funds for prevention and treatment. New York's Senate Democratic Leader, Chuck Schumer, revealed a proposed $8.5 billion budget for the virus, while taking shots at the President's proposed budget. For bashing the administration's financing proposals, Trump, at the news conference, labeled Schumer "Cryin ' Chuck," claiming he merely wants to be contrary. Democrats haven't slimmed down words on the issue. Earlier this week, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said the Trump administration is utterly botching the response to coronavirus, placing the society's health and the economy in danger. However, Democrats are quicker to criticize the President, than they are to attempt to work along side the administration, using every possible opportunity to undermine President Trump's policies. Concern regarding the current economic impact of the virus outbreak originating in China this week has fuelled a heavy sell-off that destroyed the gains from the market for the year. The first workshop of the year had participants drawn from different fields of profession, from several organizations, including students, aimed to give a more in-depth insight into real use cases of Data Science and Cyber Security, highlighting modeling, programming, decision making, structured thinking, and machine learning. Other areas of cybersecurity talked about fraud prevention, strategies, social engineering, identity theft, amongst many more areas of interest. The Data Science and Cyber Security workshop were organized together with its partners by the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana on 19 February 2020, at The Digital Transformation Hub, in Accra, meant for its members. The workshop had three resource persons, who gave real-life scenarios in their various fields of expertise, bringing the narrative to the barest understanding, in order for professionals and students in the ecosystem to realize the very essence and impact of data science and cybersecurity in todays digitization agenda. Speaking on Data Science, Dr. Stephane Nwolley, Chief Executive Officer of Npontu Technologies, and an Adjunct Lecturer at the Asheshi University explained that Data Science involved an understanding of Computer Science, Statistics, and Mathematics, in addition to ones domain area. This could be health, education, agriculture, banking, finance, etc. He cited many examples accounting for the design of data sets. Such as the multiplicity of dialects made it difficult to design data sets to make predictions in local dialects for use by data scientists. He said globally, only a few people ventured into the field of data science and with limited access to the needed technology to help in the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies. Thus, he called on government and other institutions to tap into data science to aid them to develop effective policies and take business decisions. Mr Derek Kweku Degbedzui, a Research Data Scientist at TechBooth Technologies Limited, and founder of the Ethical Al Lab also called on the government to develop a long-term framework to guide professionals in the application of artificial intelligence. He mentioned that the framework should encompass an inclusion of the technology into the educational curriculum and the setting up of skills acquisition centres to develop the requisite know-how for students to fit into the business world. He emphasised that students should have internships with various institutions to help them gain practical knowledge and later integrate into the job market. Over the years, Ghana has taken steps in joining the awareness creation of cybersecurity, and as the country places 9th on global social media rankings in terms of hours spent on social media, it means that more people or devices are connected online than before. This also means these connected devices are open to all forms of attacks, hence the need for real case explanations backed with vivid data for professionals and students to realize the very essence of staying safe online and further understanding in the cyberspace. To ensure Cyber Security, Dr. Yankson encouraged participants to comply with security measures stipulated by their institutions. He called on companies not to centre training programmes only on the Information Technology (IT) staff but to include all other members because anyone could be used as a medium to carry out cybercrime and its related activities. He said most people and organizations did not report cases of cybercrime due to personal ego, protection of the organisations reputation, ignorance that the fraudulent behaviour was a crime, while others regarded the criminal justice processes as a lengthy one. He encouraged and assured the public that any report on cybercrime would be treated with privacy; hence, should be bold to report any such case to the appropriate authorities. Dr. Yankson, Director of the Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Ghana Police Service, cited critical infrastructure sectors such as health, government, communications, banking amongst others that needed to pay attention to cybersecurity issues. He also clarified more on mobile money and cyber fraud schemes in Ghana, with interactive questioning from the participants. He ended by pointing out that cyber threats are real, dynamic and all around us. Knowing the threats and how they operate is the first step to cybersecurity, thereby employing the best cyber hygiene practices is the way. As awareness, training, and education are important, so is a well-planned and rehearsed response to the detection. Dr. Yankson added that Artificial Intelligence has the ability to improve cybersecurity in the country. He said the technology has the potential to detect changes that occurred periodically in the cyberspace and could adapt to those changes accordingly, hence prevent ones device from being exposed to threats. Safe cyberspace is the responsibility of all. The Institute of ICT Professionals, Ghana (IIPGH) has a keen interest in data science, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, amongst other emerging technologies, and is playing an instrumental role through education and advocacy. IIPGH is a non-profit professional association made up of professionals of over 1,600 members in various domains of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) practice. The Institute is a connector of ICT professionals from Government MDAs, educational institutions, corporate organizations, start-ups, investors and civil society organizations to create a vibrant ICT ecosystem. The organization aims at using its platform to equip businesses, professionals, and students with skills in emerging technologies needed for business decisions, entrepreneurship, and employment in today's fast-moving technological world. In addition, use the expertise at its disposal to advise the government and other stakeholders on best practices and public policies that would enable the use of ICT in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Government should spread win-win moves with policy support The voluntary reduction of rents, initiated by property owners in Jeonju Hanok Village, is spreading to the rest of the country. The new movement is aimed at providing support for small businesses and the self-employed reeling from sluggish consumption and the new coronavirus outbreak. The Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) has recently decided to lower rents at its buildings by 30 percent for three months, starting in March. The decision, designed to help ease the financial difficulties of SMEs and owner-operators that have been aggravated by the COVID-19 epidemic, comes after 14 property owners in the hanok village in the southwestern city lowered rents by 40 percent or more for three months. Tenants in traditional outdoor markets in major cities, including Namdaemun Market in Seoul, could benefit from the cutting or freezing of rents. KB Bank and Woori Bank are moving to reduce the lending rates and interest payments for small business owners in Daegu and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province, hit hardest by the novel coronavirus. KORAIL will also apply a discounted rental price to stores in train stations by 20 percent between February and April. All these moves are welcome in that they could give some breathing room to struggling SMEs and independent proprietors. President Moon Jae-in has also shown interest in the move. "I hope the movement will spread to the entire nation," Moon said on Facebook. "The government, too, will seek ways to support helpful landlords who assist troubled SMEs and the self-employed." The government should work out ways to encourage the private sector's spontaneous acts and lead them to create a public atmosphere of solidarity. A building owner in Seomun Market, Daegu, expressed his intention to exempt rents for about 20 tenants in a text messages sent to their cell phones. He said, "I have owned this building for 17 years, and received lots of help from renters." This indicates the rent cuts could benefit leaseholders, too, in the long run. We hope the government will come up with policy support so that the climate of mutual aid and coexistence between landlords and tenants will help struggling businesses ride out frozen consumption, declining sales and slumping regional economies. Punjab minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Thursday raised the issue of Delhi violence in the state assembly here, saying "humanity is being killed" in the national capital. Noting that the violence took place during US President Donald Trump's visit to Delhi, the jails minister asked if "we want to show that our country is against one religion". Randhawa also read out a report in the House stating that the Delhi High Court had cautioned the Delhi Police to ensure that the national capital does not see a repeat of the 1984 riots. "Humanity is being killed, hate speeches are being delivered in Delhi. It is a serious matter," he said during the Zero Hour. "These incidents of arson took place when the US president was there. Do we want to show that our country is against one religion?" he asked. "It (India) is a secular state. The country does not belong to only one religion, all religions are equally respected," he added. Randhawa praised Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat of Sikhs) Jathedar (head priest) Giani Harpreet Singh who has asked managements of Delhi gurdwaras to help the victims of violence. At least 34 people were killed and over 200 injured in the communal clashes that broke out in northeast Delhi after violence between anti and pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control on Sunday. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at local residents and police personnel. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar areas were mainly affected by the riots. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After the liquor license for the popular University of Oregon bar was canceled last week, Taylors Bar and Grill has shut down forever," the Eugene Register-Guard reported Tuesday. The Register-Guard shared an image of a sign posted with a Band-Aid to the front door of the bar which reads, Closed forever. No trespassing. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission voted to cancel the bars license last week after citing 42 serious incidents since June of 2017, including theft, assault, druggings, rape, DUIs and a fatal drunk driving crash. The problems at Taylors arent limited to the last two years, the paper reported. From Oct. 11, 2008, to Feb. 20 this year, officers were called to Taylors 492 times, Eugene police call logs show, wrote reporter Jordyn Brown. By way of comparison, there were 89 calls over the same time period to Rennies Landing, another popular bar near campus. The bar was able to remain open for several days while the paperwork for the canceled license was completed. After closing for the day Thursday, the day the license was canceled, the Register-Guard reports the establishment re-opened for a "Customer Appreciation Weekend. On Monday night before the bar closed for good, the paper reported, Taylors was charging a $40 cover and serving drink specials to a packed house. Police were called twice to Taylors after the liquor license was canceled, but no arrests were made. -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday accused the opposition of irresponsible behaviour over the amended citizenship law, calling it a sickening effort to tarnish the countrys image. During his two-hour speech in the assembly, Adityanath also provoked the opposition when he referred to an Indonesian cultural troupes attitude towards Ram and asked how anyone in India could distance themselves from the deity. The chief minister repeated his warning that those damaging public property while protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act will pay the government for the losses. "This is a most irresponsible behaviour on the part of the Opposition and it is not a good sign for democracy. It is a sickening effort to damage the image of the country," he said. The chief minister was taking part in a discussion on the state Budget tabled on February 18. There were interruptions by the Samajwadi Party MLAs and thumping of desks by ruling BJP members, who also shouted Jai Shri Ram. "Why is there so much commotion over the CAA? What do they want to gain by damaging the image of the country? he said, and warned against taking the law hostage. That will never happen, he said. The CM accused the opposition parties of creating a wrong impression of the CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR) and said they are causing an irreparable loss for which the coming generations will not pardon them. Adityanath said his government was not against peaceful demonstrations over the CAA. But if protesters resort to vandalism and arson, the loss to property will be realised from them, he added. He recalled a recent visit by an Indonesian troupe that performed the Ram Lila and said all characters were played by Muslims, who believed that Lord Ram was their ancestor. "How can it be that people live here, eat here and maintain distance from Ram, he said, triggering protests from the opposition. You should look at the history of India. The first mosque here in Kerala was constructed by a Hindu king," the chief minister said, referring to a legend. Adityanath said he held the responsibility of 23 crore people of the state and not of any particular caste, religion or creed. He termed the state's Budget for 2020-21 balanced and development-oriented. "We have made schemes for all sections of society. No one can say that we have discriminated against anyone. The government has adopted the 'ekatmata manavvad' (integral humanism) of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay in the Budget," he said. He accused the opposition of focusing on caste when the BJP government talked about development and schemes like housing for the poor. He said shelters have now been set up for 4.5 lakh head of stray cattle and suggested that instead of burning stubble, the crop residue should be transported to these shelters with the help of MNREGA, the rural employment guarantee scheme. Adityanath claimed that deaths due to encephalitis in the state have come down drastically under his government, while the previous dispensations never realised the pain of the poor. "For the past 40 years, children had been dying. Almost 90 per cent of those who fell prey to the disease belonged to Dalit and minority communities," he said. A Chicago judge was removed from the bench after video footage revealed she led a young child, believed to be related to her, into a holding cell for behaving badly. Cook County Court Judge Jackie Portman-Brown was seen in the footage leading the child into the cell after lecturing her about behaving poorly and when sheriff's deputies refused an order to lock the child up, sources say. Portman-Brown is seen leading the girl into the cell herself while still wearing her judicial robe. Video footage shows a Chicago Judge Jackie Portman-Brown leading a young child, believed to be related to her, into a holding cell for behaving badly In the footage, Portman-Brown is seen leading the child into the holding cell behind her court while still wearing her judicial robe Portman-Brown was seen in the footage leading the child into the cell after sources say sheriff's deputies refused an order from her to lock the child up The video footage shows Portman-Brown exiting a holding cell behind her courtroom where she left a young child locked up for behaving badly The child is believed to have been locked up for less than 10 minutes but was described as being 'emotional' during the ordeal, WGN reports. The judge has since been placed on administrative duty, reports the news outlet. The deputies also are the subject of an internal investigation, says the Cook County Sheriff's Office. Surveillance video revealed that the child was brought into the courtroom, where Portman-Brown hears adult felony cases, by an unidentified woman on Feb. 19. The video footage then shows both the judge and woman initially dragging the child, who is about 6 to 8-years-old, out of the courtroom. They take the child through a sheriff's work space and into a holding cell area. Additional footage then shows the judge personally taking the child into the cell. Portman-Brown is later seen leaving for the day with the child and the unidentified woman who brought her. Surveillance video revealed that the child was brought into the courtroom, where Portman-Brown hears adult felony cases, by an unidentified woman (pictured) The footage further reveals both the woman and judge dragging the child through a sheriff's work space. The child's image has been blacked out The footage shows Portman-Brown (center), along with the unidentified woman who brought the child, dragging her as a third, unidentified woman watches All exited a back door reserved for court staff. The chief judge learned of the incident a week later and took action. 'Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans [reassigned] judge Jackie Marie Portman-Brown to administrative duty, pending a meeting of the executive committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County on March 4,' said court spokesman Pat Milhizer. WGN reached out to Portman-Brown by phone as well at an address associated with her. The news outlet was told she wasn't home. The World Health Organisations (WHO) coordinator for the response to the corona virus, Dr David Nabarro has warned that there could be multiple waves of the virus and that it is going to continue spreading. The world is getting ready for more outbreaks, it's been only seven weeks. "We need to ramp up readiness, he told Today with Sean ORourke. Readiness is important - it is going to go on spreading, we are doing everything to help people and working to keep it the lowest possible levels. Meanwhile, the HSEs director of public health Dr John Cuddihy, who has coordinated the HSEs response to the virus told the programme that there has been a review of ICU facilities and that a plan is in place in the event of an outbreak of the virus in Ireland. He was responding to media reports where the head of department of anaesthesia and critical care in St Vincents Hospital, Dublin, warned that Ireland will struggle to deal with even a small number of severely ill patients should coronavirus cases occur here. As Ireland should 'expect cases' of coronavirus, Japan closes schools nationwide An expert in virology has praised the HSE for its handling of preparations for the coronavirus. Dr Kim Roberts, Leader of Virology at the Department of Microbiology in Trinity College Dublin told RTE Radio that Ireland that the HSEs advice is fantastic and it will help in stopping the spread of the infection. Meanwhile, two more people have tested positive for the virus in England, the UK's Department of Health said. Elsewhere, Japan is announcing the closure of schools across the country to help control the spread of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he has asked schools to remain closed until spring holidays begin in late March. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe The measure comes amid growing concern about the rise in the number of untraceable cases in northern Japan and elsewhere. Japan now has more than 890 cases, including 705 from a quarantined cruise ship. Earlier: We should 'expect cases' of coronavirus in Ireland; Two more cases confirmed in UK An expert in virology has praised the HSE for its handling of preparations for the coronavirus. Dr Kim Roberts, Leader of Virology at the Department of Microbiology in Trinity College Dublin told RTE Radio that Ireland that the HSEs advice is fantastic and it will help in stopping the spread of the infection. Meanwhile, two more people have tested positive for the virus in England, the UK's Department of Health said. The two patients have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres after contracting the virus in Italy and Tenerife, according to Englands chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty. The new cases bring the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the UK to 15. In Ireland, the advice is about slowing down transmission of the virus, Dr Roberts said. This will mean longer exposure, but avoidance of a high peak. The HSE has to prepare for the possible spread of the virus and to plan to ensure the impacts is lessened, she explained. Dr Roberts said she hoped that levels of the virus had peaked in China, but this is unknown as yet. It was inevitable that there would eventually be a case in Ireland. Its only a matter of time, we should prepare for and expect cases to arrive here and plan to make the impact as less as possible. As the virus is spread by close contact, it made sense to reduce the incidents of large groups of people gathering together such as the Ireland v Italy rugby game. Apart from cancelling such events, it was also likely that turn out would be smaller if events went ahead, because of public concern, she said. The HSE plans should help slow down the spread of the virus which will give medical services time to prepare and treat patients. Self containment is effective, she said and where possible the person should also isolate themselves from their family to protect them. Washing hands is an important preventative measure, said Dr Roberts. Hands should be washed in either soap and water or anti bacterial liquid for at least 20 seconds. That mechanism makes a big difference," she said. Earlier: Ibec say virus won't have major impact on economy Ibec says it doesn't expect the coronavirus to have a major impact on the Irish economy. The business group is anticipating growth in GDP of almost 4% this year in its latest economic outlook. "We'll look back on this period in 12 months time and I don't think we'll notice in any material way that the virus disrupted the economy," said Fergal O'Brien from Ibec. "Right now, definitely, it is having an impact on some businesses, there is no doubt about that. We see it in some of the supply chain issues, we're going to see it in some sectors of the economy. We expect this to be a relatively short-felt impact but we think there'll be a catch-up when we return to normality. Meanwhile, the outbreak has now spread to every continent apart from Antarctica. The World Health Organisation has said, for the first time, that the virus is now growing at a faster rate outside of China. In Ireland, the HSE is stepping up its campaign on the virus. Posters, leaflets and HSE staff will be at ports and airports over the coming weeks. - Additional reporting Digital Desk, Joel Slattery and Press Association PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 14:30:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 407 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TOCCOA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. (OTCQB:GAXY) ("Galaxy" or the "Company), a provider of interactive learning technology solutions, today announced that it received an additional purchase order of approximately $100,000 from Stephens County Schools, Georgia.The original contract was awarded to Galaxy in April 2019 and this repeat purchase order demonstates their continuing relationship and outstanding product solutions and service by Galaxy.Stephens County Schools is a public school district serving the communities of Avalon, Martin and Toccoa, GA. It has 4,087 students in grades PK, K-12 across four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.Gary LeCroy, Galaxy's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are excited about the continued relationship we have with our local district and look forward to many more opportunities to come." About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc.Galaxy Next Generation (OTCQB:GAXY) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales.For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us Safe Harbor StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect the company's current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. A more extensive listing of risks and factors that may affect the company's business prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the reports and other documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.Investors Contact:IR@ GalaxyNext.us p 888-859-1274SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. Weather Alert ...Winter Storm System to Impact the Region this Weekend... A strong winter storm system will push east through the Quad State Saturday into Sunday. Wintry precipitation will spread eastward into southern Illinois and southeast Missouri late Friday night, and then southeast over the remainder of the region Saturday morning. The evolution of the storm for the remainder of the weekend is quite uncertain at this time. The ultimate path and intensity of the storm system, along with the temperature forecast, will determine how impactful it will be across the Quad State. For now you are encouraged to monitor the latest forecasts and follow your winter weather preparedness plans ahead of this potentially impactful winter storm. A pair of Bridgewater police officers helped deliver a baby early Wednesday morning in a car at a Home Depot parking lot. Authorities responded around 2:40 a.m. to a 911 call from a driver, identified later as Herkins Francois, who said he and his wife, Latonia Francois, were heading to the hospital because she was in labor and that they may not make it in time for the delivery, according to a statement from Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte and Fire Chief Thomas Levy. Herkins Francois was instructed to pull off Route 24. He pulled into the Home Depots parking lot at 1453 Pleasant St., and Officer Michael Clark soon arrived at the scene. Clark noticed Latonia Francois was in the back seat of the car and that her husband as well as their two children were also in the vehicle, the statement said. Shortly after, Bridgewater Police K-9 Officer Steven Kingsley arrived to assist Officer Clark, Delmonte and Levys statement said. Once Officer Clark realized that the delivery was eminent, he assisted the mother with the delivery of the child just prior to the arrival of the Bridgewater Fire Department. Paramedics and Massachusetts State Police soon arrived at the scene after the child was delivered. The healthy mother and newborn boy were taken to Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, authorities said. Herkins Xavier Francois Jr. was born weighing 6 pounds and 13 ounces, police said. 'His secularism merely declared the equality of all religions in India under fundamental rights.' It took more than five decades and 100 volumes for the Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru -- containing letters, speeches, interviews and other writings of India's first prime minister -- to be completed. Given the political discourse prevalent in the country for the past several years, completion of this giant project assumes even bigger importance. As its chief editor, distinguished historian and former professor of Jawaharlal Nehru University Madhavan K Palat took this mega project to conclusion. Professor Palat, who became the full-time chief editor of the project in 2011, has edited 42 of the 100 volumes covering the last six years of Nehru's life. In an e-mail interview with Rediff.com's Utkarsh Mishra, Professor Palat, below, explains how his view of Nehru went through considerable change while working on this project. In an earlier interview you said that your perception of Nehru changed during this project for the better. Can you share with us some of your previous thoughts and beliefs that went through a change? Like so many, I had assumed that Nehru was woolly in theory and fumbling in practice. This was not based on any serious study and I was just absorbing a common prejudice. But it is very different when you read him. About theory he was quite precise, be it on socialism and planning, or secularism, nationalism, federalism, non-alignment, and much else. But he refused to spout theory on the ground that life was so fluid that the preoccupation with theory leads you into dogma and rigid positions. As for practice, he saw that being coercive is counter-productive, as his successors have discovered. He sought to persuade, which meant making some concession, which then seemed weak, especially to the bureaucrat. Different people have different opinions about Nehru, and most of it based on secondary, unverified, information. As Aatish Taseer wrote in a New York Times article, 'Nehru is one of those people I thought I knew without ever feeling the need to read'. Why do you think it is easier to spread misinformation about him? I don't suppose it is easier to spread misinformation about him than about anybody else. When opinions are divided, and there is an interest group anxious to attack, they may always do so, whatever the evidence to the contrary. As a historian I encounter this ceaselessly. Look at how the emperor Augustus fashioned the image of Cleopatra as the greatest seductress in history. It has been a practice, especially for the past few years, that Nehru's differences with some of his contemporaries are not only played out of proportion, but also Nehru is always portrayed as being on the wrong side in such disagreements. As someone who has read most of Nehru's correspondence, how do you respond to this? Nehru's differences were with both the right within and without the Congress and with some of the Left. When a non-Congress government is in power, their views are dinned into our ears; but a Congress government used to trumpet Nehru's virtues with the same energy. But after liberalisation even the Congress had little good to say about Nehru's socialism although his regime was never socialist. But the fact that such polemic is conducted with such bitterness reveals how deeply divided India is. America is united around the image of (Franklin D) Roosevelt, but Russia is too divided to unite around (Josef) Stalin, or even (Vladimir) Lenin. The danger is less with Nehru's image than with internal cohesion, which was a problem Nehru understood better than most. Nehru has his critics among both groups: One which says he did not deal with communalism with an iron fist and others who say he 'imposed' the Western notion of secularism on a country which is deeply and inherently religious. What is your opinion on both these beliefs? To what extent are they true? You cannot suppress major social phenomena like communalism with an iron fist, and Nehru understood that well. You need to fight it ideologically and electorally, and demonstrate that secularism is better, so that people make a choice. Europeans needed a hideous war and total defeat of the Axis to be convinced that democracy is better than Nazism and its weaker version fascism; but even today they revive such defeated causes. As for secularism, he did not 'impose' anything; and his secularism merely declared the equality of all religions in India under fundamental rights, which Constitutionally guaranteed religions an honoured and secure space in our politics. I have just expanded on this in the Nehru Memorial Lecture on November 14, 2019, which you may access on www.madhavanpalat.academia.edu (external link). Madhav Godbole, the former Union home secretary, makes a pinpointed criticism in his book that Nehru did not take up with vigour the legislation to ban communal political parties. How correct is his assessment? Banning does not solve the problem. It goes underground or reappears in other guises. If you ban a movement, you must be prepared to persecute all forms of its reappearance; this means gradually erecting a dictatorship. We remember Nehru so fondly precisely because he refused any such temptation. Godbole, I regret, writes like a bureaucrat who imagines that passing an order on a file means it will be translated into reality. Nothing of the kind. The problem with our governance is that so many of our laws are simply not enforced. He has not suggested how he would enforce such a ban. When I read Nehru, I get the impression of a nice man whose good intentions and expectations were often betrayed. Do you agree with this observation? Does it show a lack of foresight or political acumen in him? I don't like the expression 'nice'. It suggests an ineffective do-gooder. To remind ourselves, he fought 30 years in the independence movement, spending 10 years in jail. He was then prime minister for 17 years winning three general elections, and astonishingly popular, more than anybody has managed after him. Obviously there is great substance in such a person, not just 'niceness'. He had the best of intentions of course, but also great foresight and political savvy, as you see when you read how he dealt with crisis after crisis. Is it true that many of Nehru papers were destroyed by the Indira Gandhi government because they contained some 'uncomfortable truths'? What are the documents that the government still hasn't made public? I have never heard of any documents being destroyed, by Indira Gandhi or anybody else. That is different from saying they are not in the public domain. Nothing on Kashmir or defence and most on China are not public. That is how all governments function in this country. If Indira Gandhi had destroyed anything, that would certainly have become public knowledge by subsequent hostile governments. IMAGE: Sheikh Abdullah with Jawaharlal Nehru in this 1948 photograph. Five years later, the Nehru government dismissed the Abdullah government. The current government has criticised Nehru several times, even in Parliament, for his handling of Kashmir. How do you see Nehru's role in addressing the issue? Would you disapprove of any of his actions? It is not merely the present government, but nearly everyone has done so. The two big questions are going to the UN security council and the arrest of Sheikh Abdullah. Even if he had not gone to the security council, Pakistan would have been a pain in the neck because it had American support. The problem is not with Pakistan, but with America supporting Pakistan. And America can create trouble on any matter, so unlimited are their resources, as the Soviet Union found to its cost, and Russia still finds. The arrest of Sheikh Abdullah reflects perhaps poor judgement, but the Sheikh was toying with the idea of independence a bit too much for Nehru's comfort. Even so, it could perhaps have been sorted out Constitutionally, just as he should not have dismissed the (E M S) Namboodiripad government in Kerala in 1959. It is when you examine these errors or misjudgements that you realise why banning movements are futile, to go back to one of your earlier questions. The volumes you have edited cover those years of Nehru's life when he was also dealing with the China problem. How did his views or impressions of the Chinese change over the years? Did he actually 'reject' a permanent seat at the UN security council in favour of the then newly created People's Republic of China? Nehru had set out with high hopes of China as a close partner in the post-colonial world; thereafter he saw her as unreliable, then as utterly perfidious. He never did receive an offer of a seat in the UNSC. What probably happened is that the United States aired an idea and dropped it. Nehru would not have wanted such a 'gift' from any source. And it was not 'offered' in lieu of the permanent seat for China, since she already held that seat. The only question was which China, Taiwan or the People's Republic. In 1971, the People's Republic replaced Taiwan. Please take us through your journey as the editor of Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru. What challenges did you face in completing this mega project? My major concern was to be exhaustive, although this was the Selected Works. I wanted the scholar to get everything in this published version rather than suffer the misery of working through archival documents which were badly typed on bad paper, often in multiple copies, and without annotation. Hence, out of a total of 100 volumes, I edited 42 covering just five-and-a-half years, from late 1958 to May 1964 when Nehru died. Next, I ensured that original documents were maximally used and that I did not insert my views or texts. Thus, if Nehru was replying to somebody, I had to ferret out the letter to which he was replying or referring, and publish it as an appendix. It was the earlier practice to summarise such documents in annotations. But I wanted the reader to see exactly what Nehru himself saw. Another was to put in the original Hindi text of his speeches, not merely the translation, as done previously. Here the problem was to find an editor who could handle the Hindustani orthography of Nehru's time. It was not as easy as we might assume. I did the same with Russian, German, French, and Arabic. Nehru did not write in these languages, but interviews appeared in them, and we did not always have the English recording of the interview. The only language I missed out was Japanese because I could not trace the Japanese original. How would Nehru have viewed the India of today and what advice would he give to the leadership and the people? He would have been deeply distressed by the extent of polarisation and the nature of the political discourse today. His advice would be the obvious: Read the preamble to the Constitution and be guided by it. Government scraps Jammu and Kashmir Bank recruitment process India oi-Deepika S Srinagar, Feb 27: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday scrapped the process for the recruitment of 250 probationary bank officers and 1,200 banking associates. The recruitment process began in 2018. "Ongoing recruitment process for Bank recuitment posts has been scrapped. Bank is being advised to ensure that applicants eligible in the last recruitment process shall be eligible for the fresh recruitment," said Rohit Kansal, Jammu and Kashmir Principal Secretary. "Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Council has directed to Finance Dept to advise J&K Bank to initiate a fresh, fair and transparent process for recruitment of 250 Probationary Officers and 1,200 banking associates through IBPS. Process to be completed within 3 months," he added. Kansal said that the issues had been ongoing since 2018 and noted that various "legal infirmities" had been pointed out in the ongoing process. Kansal, who is also the government's spokesperson, said that the decision was taken by the Administrative Council which met here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor G.C. Murmu. The Council, he said, therefore, directed the finance department to advise J&K Bank to initiate a fresh, fair, norm based and transparent recruitment for 250 Probationary Officers and 1200 banking Associates in the J&K Bank through the IBPS. "The entire recruitment process will be completed on a fast track basis within three months. The detailed modalities and announcements in this regard will be finalised by the bank in its next board meeting", Kansal said. The bank is being advised to ensure that all applicants eligible in the last recruitment which has been cancelled shall be eligible for the fresh recruitment also, he added. In October 2018, J&K Bank had advertised for 250 vacancies of POs and a three-phase recruitment process. According to the bank's notification, an initial preliminary examination is to be followed by the mains, and finally the interview round. The San Antonio Housing Trust was created by the city in 1988 to produce and preserve affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. But the San Antonio Housing Trust shouldnt be confused with the San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation, which was formed in 1991 to make low-interest loans to nonprofit housing developers, hire staff for the trust and use its resources. Nor should the San Antonio Housing Trust and San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation be mixed up with the San Antonio Housing Trust Finance Corp., which was begun in 1997 to issue bonds for housing projects. And, certainly, the San Antonio Housing Trust, the San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation and the San Antonio Housing Trust Finance Corp. should never be mistaken for the San Antonio Housing Trust Public Facility Corp., which was given life in 2009 to finance housing developments by exempting them from property taxes. But if members of the public are confused by these various names and functions, we dont blame them. An octopus has more arms than the entity collectively known as San Antonio Housing Trust, and yet the eight-armed mollusk also has better coordination. That lack of coordination limits the San Antonio Housing Trusts effectiveness in creating quality affordable housing for the poor, one of several conclusions reached in a startling city-commissioned report on the nonprofit. The study, reported on by Express-News writers Joshua Fechter and Madison Iszler, was conducted by the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, or NALCAB. It was also critical of the lack of oversight, surprisingly low number of apartments developed for the poorest of low-income residents, the absence of expertise in creating affordable housing, and the lack of transparency of its strongest arm, the San Antonio Housing Trust Public Facility Corp., or PFC. The San Antonio Housing Trust was seeded in 1988 with a one-time $10 million investment by the city to leverage public resources with private-sector dollars for addressing San Antonios shortage of quality low-income housing, and the continuing decline of inner-city neighborhoods inside Loop 410. To date, of the nearly 9,500 apartments completed or in various stages of development with the trusts aid, nearly half are designated for families making 60 percent of the area median income, or AMI. But less than 5 percent are for families making 50 percent of the AMI, and only 2.2 percent for families making 30 percent of the AMI. This reflects a failure in mission and oversight. The PFC has the authority to decide which housing developments are exempt from property taxes, an incentive for the construction of housing for the poor. OK, but as the report makes clear, the trust hasnt been producing much inventory for the poorest of the poor even though the projects receive property tax exemptions. The upshot, then, is shifting the tax burden from these projects to homeowners and businesses. Much of the controversy surrounding PFC swirls around attorney Jim Plummer, who doesnt work for the city, the trust or PFC, but runs the PFC. Plummer negotiates with private developers on the financial terms of a project, presents the agreement to the PFC board of five City Council members, along with a clause approving his law firm as the closing attorney on the deal. There isnt a competitive bidding process. Plummer and his firm are guaranteed 1 percent of the bond financing the deal or a flat $200,000 fee. But the report notes that the staff of the San Antonio Housing Trust Foundation arent significantly involved in these transactions and its left to a consulting attorney acting in a pro bono capacity to explain the details of complex housing projects to the board of City Council members. That attorney is Plummer, whose expertise in affordable housing finance doesnt detract from what appears to be a conflict of interest. The assessment team is unaware of any other agency in which members of Council make financial decisions of similar scope and scale with comparably little advice and support, writes NALCAB. NALCABs most important recommendation for realignment of the trust is that it clarify its goals and work with other city agencies toward a coordinated housing system. That should be expedited with the hiring of a city housing officer, which has inexplicably taken months. This person can potentially bring a greater focus to the future, but that means nothing for the missed opportunities of the past. Shaun Johnson and Nelson Mandela [Source: mandelarhodes.org] Shaun Johnson, founding Executive Director of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation and dedicated member of Rhodes Universitys Board of Governors, died at his home on Monday 24 February 2020, at the age of 60. Johnson first became involved with Rhodes University as a first year student in the late 1970s. In 1981, he graduated with a BJourn degree, followed by a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Politics from Rhodes University in 1982. Johnson continued his studies at the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar and later recognised as a Distinguished Rhodes Scholar (2019). During the 1980s, Johnson became a renowned anti-apartheid journalist and was one of the early members of the Weekly Mail team (now Mail & Guardian). During his media career, he occupied positions at The Star (Johannesburg), Cape Argus, Saturday Star, and The Sunday Independent (as founding Editor). He was a member of Independent News & Media plcs International Advisory Board, Chairman of the Cape Town Partnership and a Trustee of various charitable organisations. In 1994, he published a bestselling book about South Africas transition, called Strange Days Indeed, with an introduction by Nelson Mandela. In 2007, he published his first novel, The Native Commissioner, which went on to win a Commonwealth Writers Prize, the MNet Literary Award and Neilsen Booksellers Choice Book of the Year Award. It also received endorsements from Nobel Laureates JM Coetzee and Nadine Gordimer. In 2003, Johnson founded The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. According to the Foundations website, it was built by Johnson from the ground up, invigorated by Madibas vision of changing Africa through its young leaders. The Foundations vision of building leadership excellence in Africa exemplifies Rhodes Universitys motto where leaders learn. Over the years, 66 Rhodes University students have qualified and were awarded the Foundations flagship scholarships, often in record numbers compared to other universities. In 2004, the year Rhodes University celebrated its centenary year, Johnson was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award an honour which is bestowed on alumni who best represent the Universitys vision. As his Foundations website describes him, Shauns leadership was characterised by aspiring for the most audacious of goals, delivering to the highest standards of excellence, while inspiring and galvanising everyone around him. Johnson returned to his alma mater in 2013, when he began his five-year term to serve on the Universitys Board of Governors. Our deepest condolences go out his family and loved ones. Shaun Johnson was the epitome of the kind of leader Rhodes University tries to inspire our students to be. We were privileged that, through the years, he remained involved with the University in some way or another. His generosity, dedication and humanity will persist in the hearts of the Rhodes University community for many years to come, Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, said. According to the Foundation, details of a public memorial service for Johnson will be announced in due course. In the interim, the family thanks friends, colleagues and acquaintances for their care and concern and asks that their privacy be respected during this time. Shaun Johnson leaves behind his wife Stefania and daughter Luna. Source: Communications Please help us to raise funds so that we can give all our students a chance to access online teaching and learning. Covid-19 has disrupted our students' education. Don't let the digital divide put their future at risk. Visit www.ru.ac.za/rucoronavirusgateway to donate BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday demanded a Supreme Court-supervised probe into the communal violence in parts of northeast Delhi and said that the Centre and the AAP government should pitch in together to compensate people for the loss suffered in the riots. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said police should be given a free hand to control the law and order situation in the national capital. In a statement, she said the recent violence in northeast Delhi was much like the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. "It is very sad and condemnable," the statement said quoting Mayawati. She alleged that under the garb of the riots, cheap politics was being played by the parties in the city, saying the parties must desist from it. Demanding a Supreme Court-supervised probe into the violence, she said the central and the Delhi government should together compensate for the loss of lives and property in the riots. She would soon be writing a letter to the president in this regard. The Bahujan Samaj Party chief said the parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, must take stern action against its leaders for inflammatory statements. The communal riots, which broke out on Sunday in various parts of northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law, have so far claimed 34 lives. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the news that Dunkaroos will be making their long-awaited return to store shelves this summer, many millennials found themselves reminiscing on beloved snacks from their childhood. And while many of these goodies have since been discontinued, the memories of them have endured. "For those who grew up in the '90s, the original cookie-frosting combo represents the taste, color and fun of being a kid during that decade," Jeff Caswell, president of snacks at General Mills said in the blog post about the re-release of Dunkaroos. (TNS) The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania has weighed in on Mayor Michael Helfrich's plan to review York City's policy of never releasing police body-camera footage to the public.Responding Tuesday to a York Dispatch article reporting that Helfrich hopes to modify the policy, the state chapter of the ACLU noted on Twitter that making such police videos more readily available to citizens is in the public interest."He appears to be taking this very seriously," Liz Randol, legislative director for ACLU of Pennsylvania, told The York Dispatch on Wednesday. "Certainly we would encourage that and would be more than happy to assist in any way."Making public certain body-cam footage such as disputes between officers and citizens is a way for officials to be accountable to the people of a community, according to Randol."Accountability and transparency are hard to come by if the public doesn't have access to (that information)," she said.Pennsylvania's Act 22 of 2017 has an investigative exemption that allows police agencies and public officials to withhold body-camera video indefinitely even after a case is closed and the defendant and victim are dead, according to Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association."That's bad for public access and doesn't help law enforcement either. ... I can't fault law enforcement for being cautious, but I think that caution is sometimes applied too broadly, and is inconsistent with the public interest," she said. "Once you reach a certain point in an investigation, there needs to be some guaranteed access."Randol noted that Act 22 excludes body-camera video from the state's Right-to-Know Law and instead creates a "byzantine," or overly difficult, process for members of the public to navigate.For example, citizens who are refused what they believe is a public document can appeal to the state Office of Open Records. But Act 22 changed that process for police body-camera video, meaning a member of the public must actually appeal in common pleas court, which could be cost-prohibitive for those who can't afford attorneys.Now-retired York City Police Chief Troy Bankert's policy was to never release body-camera video, according to the mayor.Helfrich said he hopes to create a fair, logical policy going forward that gives the public access where appropriate."I'm glad the ACLU is in support of us reevaluating the city's policy," Helfrich said.He noted that for mayors, the issue of releasing or not releasing body-camera footage "is something we are all struggling with."The mayor said he is especially interested in finding a way to release body-camera footage that will assuage citizens' concerns about a police incident, or even help quell public unrest.Helfrich said he intends to review policies of a number of cities that do release body-camera footage when certain criteria is met.Specifically, he said, the policy in Louisville, Ky., is for an executive team that includes the police chief, mayor and others to evaluate whether video should be released, and to try to do that quickly especially in cases where officials are trying to push back against "potential disinformation that could cause public unrest."On Tuesday, the ACLU of Pennsylvania stated on Twitter that when the state's Legislature was debating changes to the state wiretap act, which is what led to the creation of Act 22, "we adamantly advocated for balancing transparency and privacy.""They didn't listen and exempted police-produced video as an open record. But local governments can be more transparent. Police body cameras have been trumpeted as a tool for accountability. But they're not if the police decide when and if video is ever released," the ACLU tweeted. "It is in the public interest for (Helfrich and York City) to consider policy revisions that make police-produced video more readily available to the people."Helfrich's review of York City's current policy came after York City and the York County District Attorney's Office declined requests from The York Dispatch to release body-camera video of a confrontation between a city police officer and York County Common Pleas Judge Matthew D. Menges.Officer Alexander Nova noted that the judge nearly ran him over on Jan. 21 after refusing to obey a traffic directive.The York County District Attorney's Office later determined Menges didn't recklessly put Nova's safety at risk.Menges pleaded guilty Feb. 18 to three traffic summary offenses. He has 30 days to appeal, but Pennsylvania's Act 22 allows law enforcement agencies to keep video footage from the public even after a case is closed.The mayor confirmed that once a new policy is in place, it will be used to determine whether the Menges video will be made public. The probable cause affidavit stated New Chicago police officials learned on Oct. 11 that Murga was fired after admitting to stealing money from the police department. She said she was behind on bills and needed to feed her children. Written by Lana Law Feb 26, 2020 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( ) Costa Rica is a land of jungles, volcanoes, oceans, and of course, beautiful beaches. Beaches in Costa Rica are diverse and offer different experiences for travelers. People come here to surf, swim, soak up the sun, or simply enjoy the laid-back beach towns sprinkled along the coasts. As you travel to different parts of the country the nature of the beaches changes. One thing they all have in common is warm water. In the north, on the Nicoya Peninsula is where you'll find many of the best beaches. In the dry season it's less green than areas to the south, but the sun almost always shines. As you head south, things become lusher and more tropical. On the Caribbean side, it's humid, hot, and damp. The beaches are, for the most part, easily accessible. Just park your car under the nearest palm tree, grab your gear, and find a patch of sand in the sun or shade. Discover the perfect place for your vacation with our list of the best beaches in Costa Rica. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. Known for their commitment towards their Dharm and Karm, the Marathas have been referred to as protectors and not fighters. They were not just ferocious fighters safeguarding their motherland but also ethical warriors with a simple code of honor. Director Ashutosh Gowarikers magnum opus Panipat delves into a significant chapter in Indian history that lauds the unshakeable bravery, courage and the strong principles of the Marathas displayed during the Third battle of Panipat. Even till their last breath, they fought fiercely just to keep their motherland safe from the Afghani invaders. Celebrating the vigor and valor of the Marathas, Zee Cinema is all set for the World Television Premiere of Panipat on Saturday, 29th February at 8 pm only on Zee Cinema. Donning the role of the brave Sadashiv Rao Bhau is Arjun Kapoor who leads the Marathas into battle against the intruders led by the Afghan king Ahmad Shah Abdali played by Sanjay Dutt. Kriti Sanon takes center stage as the leading lady Parvati Bai along with an ensemble cast comprising of Mohnish Bahl, Padmini Kolhapure, Sahil Salathia to name a few. Featuring as Sakina Begum is the elegant and veteran actor Zeenat Aman who is seen in a cameo. Ashutosh Gowariker says, As a filmmaker, I have always tried to simplify the storyline of important moments in Indian history so that everyone can watch and know about these happenings. Panipat was one of the rarely narrated incidents as this was one of the few battles where we were defeated. It was a battle in which the Maratha army consisted people from different strata and backgrounds who travelled 1000 kms to stop the invader. I have always tried to go beyond the story by giving it an insightful perspective. And now, I am looking forward to the World Television Premiere of Panipat on Zee Cinema as it will make this lesser known part of Indias history reach a larger audience in their homes. Essaying the role of Paravati Bai, Kriti Sanon said, Just like other heroines in Ashutosh Sirs films, my character Parvati Bai is a powerful and independent woman who is a vaidya (physician). She is emotionally and physically strong and is one of the important characters during the Third battle of Panipat. Initially when the character was narrated to me, I didnt realise how courageous and fearless she was. Parvati Bai is someone who knows sword fighting and doesnt fear from coming to the forefront to guard her people. Unlike the other female characters of that time, she is also very vocal and doesnt hesitate about expressing her love for and to her husband Sadashiv Rao. All in all, it was really a unique experience portraying this role. Mohnish Bahl shares, This is the first time I have taken up a role in a historical drama film and I am playing the role of Sadashiv Raos cousin Nana Saheb Peshwa. He is one of the important characters of the film, who has several layers as an individual and hence seems as a very complicated character. I am glad that I got an opportunity to work with Ashutosh Gowariker as he is a phenomenal director who pays attention to the smallest of details. I hope I have done justice to the role and that the audience watches the World Television Premiere of Panipat on Zee Cinema. The plot narrates the events from 1758, when Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao, popularly known as Nana Saheb was in charge of the Marathas. With able commanders like Raghunath Rao, Shamsher Bahadur and Sadashiv Rao in his council, the Marathas returned victorious after defeating the Nizam of Hyderabad. But, due to internal politics, Sadashiv Rao was made in charge of the financials affairs. While everything was going well, a new storm came knocking at their door with the entry of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the king of Afghanistan whose intention was to expand his powers in India. On finding out about his inroads into India after forming an alliance with Najib Ud Daula, the able commander Sadashiv Rao was chosen by the Maratha Peshwa to lead their army in Delhi. Even with less armed forces, the Marathas didnt give up and fought with valor to protect their motherland. To witness one of the most iconic and largest battle that was ever fought, watch the World Television Premiere of Panipat on 29th February at 8 pm! PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 16:40:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 942 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / Strategic Metals Ltd. (TSXV:SMD) ("Strategic") is pleased to announce that it has completed three option agreements relating to three of its projects, with an arm's length private Alberta company ("the Company").Hartless Joe OptionThe Company has been granted an option to acquire a 60% interest in the Hartless Joe project (the "HJ Option"), located 22 km east of Whitehorse, Yukon. The Hartless Joe property covers a 6.5 km by 3.5 km belt of high-grade goldsilver showings where 2019 drilling by Strategic intersected gold mineralization over an 800 m strike length (see Strategic news release dated January 16, 2020). The Company can exercise the HJ Option by incurring aggregate exploration expenditures of $5,000,000 by February 25, 2024. The Company and Strategic will then form a joint venture to continue exploration and development work on the property. Initial joint venture interests will be 60% (the Company) and 40% (Strategic).Forty Mile OptionThe Company has been granted an option to acquire 100% interests in the Clint and Magnum properties (the "Forty Mile Option"), both are road accessible and located within the Forty Mile Placer District northwest of Dawson City, Yukon. The Clint and Magnum are prospective for both polymetallic Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) mineralization and orogenic gold mineralization. The Company can exercise the Forty Mile Option by making aggregate cash payments to Strategic of $150,000 and by incurring aggregate exploration expenditures of $1,850,000 by February 25, 2024. The Company at its sole discretion may satisfy the cash payment requirements under the Forty Mile Option by making any outstanding cash payments to Strategic at any time in advance of the required payment dates. The Company at its sole discretion may also satisfy the expenditure requirements under the Forty Mile Option by making a cash payment to Strategic equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding expenditure balance.Following the exercise of the Forty Mile Option, Strategic will retain a net smelter return royalty interest in all future commercial production from the properties equal to two percent (2%) on all precious metals and one percent (1%) on all non-precious metals. The Company may purchase half of the royalty interest at any time for $500,000.Sixty Mile OptionThe Company has been granted an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Sixty Mile project (the "SM Option") which is located within the second-most productive placer gold district in Yukon, near the Yukon - Alaska border, 65 km west of Dawson City. The Sixty Mile project consists of the 73 wholly owned claims ("SM property") and 119 claims under option from a third party ("Sixty Mile property"). In 2019, drilling by Strategic intersected multiple shear zones and strongly brecciated intrusive rock, associated with widespread, intense pyritization and sericite-chlorite alteration indicating the presence of a large hydrothermal system (see Strategic news release dated January 16, 2020). The Company can exercise the SM Option by making aggregate cash payments to Strategic of $100,000 and by incurring aggregate exploration expenditures of $1,850,000 by February 25, 2024. The Company at its sole discretion may satisfy the cash payment requirements under the SM Option by making any outstanding cash payments to Strategic at any time in advance of the required payment dates. The Company at its sole discretion may also satisfy the expenditure requirements under the SM Option by making a cash payment to Strategic equal to two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding expenditure balance.Following the exercise of the SM Option, Strategic will retain a net smelter return royalty interest in all future commercial production from the SM property equal to two percent (2%) on all precious metals and one percent (1%) on all non-precious metals. The Company may purchase half of the royalty interest at any time for $500,000.Included in the agreement with the SM Option was the assignment by Strategic to the Company of an existing third party option held by Strategic to acquire a 100% interest in the Sixty Mile property. In consideration for the assignment of the third party option, Strategic will retain a net smelter return royalty interest in all future commercial production from the properties equal to one percent (1%) on all precious metals and one-half of one percent (1/2%) on all non-precious metals. The Company may purchase half of this royalty interest from Strategic for at any time for $250,000.About Strategic Metals Ltd.Strategic is a project generator with a portfolio of more than 130 projects that are the product of over 50 years of focussed exploration and research by a team with a track record of major discoveries. Current projects include 112 wholly-owned, 5 joint ventures, 6 under option and 8 royalty interests. Projects available for option, joint venture or sale include drill-confirmed prospects and drill-ready targets with high-grade surface showings, geochemical anomalies and geophysical features that resemble those at nearby deposits.Strategic has a current cash position of over $7 million and large shareholdings in a number of active mineral exploration companies including 42.3% of GGL Resources Corp., 36.3% of Rockhaven Resources Ltd., 24.3% of Precipitate Gold Corp., 17.7% of Silver Range Resources Ltd., 8.7% Trifecta Gold Ltd., and 6.4% of ATAC Resources Ltd.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"W. Douglas Eaton"President and Chief Executive OfficerFor further information concerning Strategic or its various exploration projects please visit our website at www.strategicmetalsltd.com or contact:Corporate InformationStrategic Metals Ltd.W. Douglas EatonPresident and C.E.O.Tel: (604) 688-2568Investor InquiriesRichard DrechslerV.P. CommunicationsTel: (604) 687-2522NA Toll-Free: (888) 688-2522rdrechsler@ strategicmetalsltd.com This news release may contain forward looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of exploration and other risk factors beyond its control, and actual results may differ materially from the expected results.Neither the TSX Ven Gardai are making a public appeal for information on the whereabouts of missing person, Vasile Tsapchuk. Tsapchuk, 44, was last seen on February 1 on O'Connell St, Dublin. Described as being 5'10" and of medium build, he is from Finglas, Dublin, and it is unknown what he was last seen wearing. Anyone who can assist in the search for Tsapchuk or has seen the missing man can contact Pearse St garda station on 01- 6669000 or else contact any other Garda Station. The garda confidential line, 1800 666 111, is also available. Hundreds of new cases of coronavirus were reported in Asia on Wednesday. One of the American soldiers is also infected. From the terror of the Coronavirus, European stocks have also declined. At the same time Lufthansa has announced a program for saving in view of Coronavirus. On the other hand, worried Chinese are now contacting doctors online. For your information, tell me that Indian aircraft will bring 120 people back from Wuhan on Thursday. These include 80 Indian citizens and 40 people from neighboring countries. At the same time, the first death case has also come out from France. However, the US had also warned about the spread of this epidemic originating from Italy and Iran to other countries. In Iran, this coronavirus killed four more people. With this, the death toll due to virus infection reached 19 here. Iran's president has expressed anger at the US for creating an atmosphere of fear over the Coronavirus. President Hassan Rouhani accused the US of trying to spread fear in Iran over the Coronavirus. 15 people have died in Iran due to coronavirus. Also Read: Corona is beyond the comprehension of scientists, have no idea how deadly this virus is America mass shooting leaves six people dead including gunman Big announcement of Hong Kong government, every permanent citizen will get so much money Imran government announces fugitive to former prime minister, accused of breaking bail conditions Online travel booking agency Expedia plans to lay off 3,000 employees globally. The company that has already started its layoff process is trimming its workforce in the face of the spread of coronavirus that has crippled the travel industry. Expedia Chairman Barry Diller described by its workforce as 'bloated'. The layoffs will start from Singapore and Hong Kong, where the staff will get redundancy notices starting this week. The company has around 100 employees in Hong Kong and 343 in Singapore. "Over the last few years, Expedia has been chasing growth in the intensely competitive travel sector by adding employees and layers of complexity until frankly very few people could figure out what the hell they were supposed to do during the day," its Chairman Barry Diller said. The company is laying off its employees as a part of a plan to remove 3,000 redundancies. The company has stopped several projects, is trimming its workforce by 12 per cent and is also reducing the number of vendors due to its poor financial performance last year. Its revenue growth was only 7.5 per cent. CEO Mark Okerstrom and CFO Alan Pickerill also left the company in December last year. Guotai Junan's hotel and gaming analyst Noah Hudson, who expects the coronavirus outbreak to extend past the first quarter says many companies in the travel industry will need to find ways to cut costs. "A large proportion of expenses are operating costs which are still ongoing; they can cut it to some extent, but they can't completely eliminate it." Coronavirus has already caused severe damage to businesses in Hong Kong as tourism in the city plummeted. Several shops, restaurant, cafes remains closed. This technology results in membranes that solve critical issues in the production of biopharmaceuticals, as well as having the potential to improve membrane functional attributes in laboratory and industrial settings significantly, Dr. Yun Li, Filtravate CEO. VIC Technology Venture Development, LLC (VIC), has formed Filtravate, its newest portfolio company. Established to develop and commercialize a manufacturing platform for the production of ultrafiltration membranes based on technology exclusively licensed from New Mexico State University (NMSU). The patent-pending technology results in membranes with controllable pore size and improved function, including anti-fouling properties and increased flow capacity. Applications include biomanufacturing, viral filtration, and industrial membrane uses. Yun Li, PhD, Managing Director of VICs New Mexico Branch, is serving as CEO of Filtravate. Dr. Li provides management expertise in the areas of technology commercialization, strategic planning, and business development. She will oversee technology development, execution of key commercial milestones, fundraising and partnering. This technology results in membranes that solve critical issues in the production of biopharmaceuticals, as well as having the potential to improve membrane functional attributes in laboratory and industrial settings significantly, said Dr. Li. The biomanufacturing and pharmaceutical membrane filtration market is large, estimated at just over $5B for 2019, and expected to double by 2025. The technology behind Filtravate allows membranes to be built from the ground up using the smallest building block to create controlled pore sizes, consistent pore distribution, and allows for tuning of the membrane surface properties to meet the exact needs of the end-user. Taken together, these atttributes allow for us to meet major unmet market needs in bioprocessing, continued Dr. Li, as current membrane products lack the combination of high flow rates, low membrane fouling (blocking), and precise separation capabilities at the nanoscale over long use periods. Researchers in Dr. Foudazis lab at NMSU developed the novel manufacturing method for the production of nanopore membranes that requires less energy as compared to conventional methods and does not require the use of organic solvents, resulting in a process that is both highly scalable and less costly. The development of the technology was mainly achieved during the PhD thesis of Dr. Sahar Qavi, a recent graduate from Dr. Foudazis group. When fabricated into membranes, our technology creates precise pores on the nanoscale in an extremely regular pattern. This results in the membranes having both high permeability and low fouling, which allows for very high (fast) flow rates over long periods, while maintaining extremely precise separation capabilities, said Dr. Foudazi, Associate Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering at NMSU and the co-inventor of the Filtravate technology. The other inventors of this technology are Dr. Sahar Qavi and Aaron Lindsay (a former undergraduate researcher in Dr. Foudazis group). The work was initially funded by the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Cooperative Agreement No. R16AC0002). Dr. Foudazi will serve as the technical advisorto the company as the company moves the invention into the bio-filtration market. About Filtravate, Inc. Filtravate, Inc. is a membrane technology company founded in 2020 to develop and commercialize ultrafiltration membranes for applications in the bioprocessing and biopharmaceutical industries. By building membranes from the ground up using the smallest building blocks, Filtravates membranes have controlled and tunable pore size, even pore distribution, and functionalized surfaces. Based on patent-pending technology exclusively licensed from NMSU, Filtravates products provide significant anti-fouling and improved flux characteristics. Filtravate, Inc. is a VIC Technology Venture Development portfolio company. For more information, please visit http://www.filtravate.com. About VIC Technology Venture Development, LLC VIC Technology Venture Development, LLC is a technology venture development firm that creates innovative new companies with world-changing science- and engineering-based technologies. VIC carefully selects and licenses technologies from universities and research institutions around the world, then partners technology entrepreneurs with VICs team of business and technology experts, and allocates seed capital through the nationally comprised VIC Investor Network. VIC provides its portfolio companies with senior management expertise, extensive knowledge of technology startups, and proven processes to execute business strategies, including legal, financial, operations, marketing, capital acquisition, and technology management. For more information, please visit http://www.victech.com. About New Mexico State University (NMSU) NMSU is New Mexicos land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research, and service at all levels. Recognized as a top-tier university by US News & World Report, NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff, and students who are working together to make a difference. As a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico, NMSU offers an accessible education that shapes bright futures. For more information, please visit http://www.nmsu.edu/ BP will leave three U.S. energy trade associations, including the main refining lobby group, the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), due to differences over climate policies, the UK-based oil supermajor said on Wednesday. BP will be withdrawing its membership from AFPM, the Western Energy Alliance (WEA), and the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), after finding in an in-depth review that those three associations dont have climate policies aligned to BPs goals and its support to the Paris Agreement. BP has just set an ambitious target to become a net zero company by 2050, but has drawn criticism due to the lack of specifics on how it would achieve this goal. A week after new CEO Bernard Looney took over from Bob Dudley as BPs boss, BP unveiled earlier this month a plan to achieve net zero carbon footprint across BPs operations on an absolute basis by 2050 or sooner. The oil major also aims to halve the carbon intensity of the products it sells by 2050 or sooner, joining other international companies such as Shell and Equinor which also target to reduce the carbon footprint of the energy products they sell. BP has reviewed the climate policy alignment of 30 key trade associations to which it belongs and will review the policies of the associations in which it continues to be a member in around two years time. Our priority is to work to influence within trade associations, but we may publicly dissent or resign our membership if there is material misalignment on high-priority issues, chief executive Looney said in a statement on Wednesday. BP is not the first European supermajor to quit the main U.S. refining group AFPM. In April last year, Royal Dutch Shell said it would leave the association because of material misalignment in climate-related positions, becoming the first major oil and gas group to quit the refining lobby over climate policy disagreements. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Now that Strongsville Catholic priest Robert McWilliams is facing federal criminal charges, his case in the Geauga County Common Pleas Court has been dropped. Geauga County Prosecutor James Flaiz wrote in the Feb. 26 motion to Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge David M. Ondrey that the potential penalties for this conduct in federal court carry the potential for a life sentence, which far exceed the penalties available in state court. Ondrey approved the motion later the same day. Flaiz said he will be assisting with the federal prosecution upon the request of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Ohio. McWilliams, 39, is a former seminarian at St. Helens Catholic Church in Newbury Township. He was arraigned in Chardon Municipal Court in early January on a second-degree felony sexual performance on a minor charge for allegedly soliciting a nude photo from a minor. The Geauga County Prosecutors Office was expecting to bring more charges against the priest when they presented their case to the Geauga County grand jury. During the course of that investigation, the office allegedly uncovered evidence that McWilliams solicited child prostitutes online, according to court records. Following that discovery, prosecutors met with the U.S. Attorneys Office and requested that they prosecute the matter in federal court. McWilliams is now is now facing federal charges of child pornography, child exploitation and juvenile sex trafficking. These charges are related to the defendants conduct in Geauga County, Flaiz wrote in the dismissal motion. Additionally, a warrant has been issued for (McWilliams). It is necessary that the charges in the instant matter be dismissed so that defendant can be transferred to federal custody. McWilliams has been held in the Geauga County Jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond. Our office is grateful on behalf of Geauga County for the assistance of the U.S. Attorney, who continues to be an outstanding partner in law enforcement, Flaiz said in a statement. McWilliams was first arrested Dec. 5, 2019, at St. Joseph in Strongsville after the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force raided his office and living space. The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland placed McWilliams on administrative leave following his Dec. 5 arrest. Records from the diocese show McWilliams was ordained in May 2017. A Cuyahoga County grand jury in January indicted McWilliams on multiple charges, including 19 counts of second-degree felony pandering sexually oriented material. A spokesperson for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office said they intend to seek a dismissal of their case in the coming days. According to a Feb. 21 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Ohio, McWilliams allegedly used a social media network to make contact with a minor male victim for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex. He allegedly met the victim on multiple occasions, and, in exchange for sex, paid the 15-year-old approximately $100 per act. He is also accused of being in possession, receiving or distributing child pornography, which included approximately 1,700 images and videos, according to the news release. He also allegedly had about 150 files of child pornography in a Dropbox cloud storage account. McWilliams also allegedly pretended to be a woman on social media applications, which he used to make contact with minor male victims. Allegedly, certain of McWilliams victims were young boys McWilliams knew because he served as a priest in parishes with which these children and their families were affiliated, the news release stated. Posing as the female, McWilliams allegedly enticed the minor male victims to send sexually explicit photographs and videos, sometimes threatening to expose embarrassing information McWilliams already knew about the victims if they did not send such images. McWilliams is alleged to have at times threatened to send those photos to family and friends if the minor victim did not send additional photos and videos. McWilliams is also alleged to have followed through on this threat by sending the mothers sexually explicit photographs he received from minor male victims, according to the new release. Anyone with knowledge of McWilliams contact with children is asked to contact Homeland Security Investigations at 216-749-9602. NEW DELHI: The Centre and the Delhi Police on Thursday (February 27, 2020) told the Delhi High Court that they needed more time to file charges against the BJP leaders for making alleged hate speeches. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Delhi Police, said the petitioner in his wisdom selected only three speeches as hate speech but there are many such hate speeches. Mehta also urged the high court to accept his application for impleadment of the Union of India as a party to the petition. The Solicitor General, on behalf of Delhi Police, urged the high court that there should be no hurried intervention till normalcy is restored in northeast Delhi, where violence has so far claimed at least 34 deaths and left over 200 people injured. We have received a large number of videos. But we came to the conclusion that this is not the appropriate time to go into this. A reasonable time should be granted...Let the normalcy be restored. I may be given time to file a reply, Mehta further informed the high court. Sharing more information with the court, Mehta said that 48 FIRs have been lodged till date in relation to arson, looting and the deaths due to the recent violence in northeast Delhi. According to the Delhi Police, at least 106 people have been arrested and all are locals in connection with the violence. More arrests will be made on the basis of CCTV footage recovered, it added. The police also said that they have got visuals of outsiders and they are being identified. The submissions were made during hearing on plea moved before the Delhi High court seeking lodging of FIR against three BJP leaders. Plea caalling for registration of FIRs against Congress president Sonia Gandhi, ex-president Rahul Gandhi, its general secretary Priyanka Vadra and others for allegedly giving hate speeches have also been filed in the high court. One of the pleas has sought registration of FIR against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Aam Aadmi Party leader Amanatullah Khan for allegedly making hate speeches. The plea has also sought setting up of a Special Investigation Team to look into the alleged hate speeches. Another plea, filed by Hindu Sena, alleged that hate speeches were given by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and Akbaruddin Owaisi. One plea alleged that inflammatory speeches were made by AIMIM MLA from Mumbai Waris Pathan and said that his speeches surcharged communal tension in Delhi which resulted in death of several people. The high court, while allowing the impleadment of Centre in PIL seeking lodging of FIRs and arrests in northeast Delhi communal violence over CAA, granted Centre and police 4 weeks to file their replies to the PILs and posted the matter for next hearing on 13 April. Uttar Pradesh assembly on Thursday witnessed noisy scenes after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna accused the Opposition of creating anarchy in the state by supporting anti-CAA protesters. Khanna made the allegation during a heated exchange with Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary, who earlier said the minister had ignored a question raised by him on the Budget tabled in the House on February 18. Khanna, who is also the finance minister, had earlier finished his reply to the debate on the 2020-2021 budget. With Chaudhary accusing Khanna of ignoring his question, the minister took a dig at him over the Opposition leader's earlier statement outside the House that those sitting on anti-CAA dharna would be given pension. This triggered a heated exchange between Khanna and Chaudhary with the later reiterating that the pension is given to patriots. "Those struggling for restoration of democracy are given pension. We are also getting it as 'loktantra senanis' (those arrested during emergency)," Chaudhary said. Khanna at this asked what was there to oppose in the CAA. "The SP, BSP and Congress are trying to create anarchy in the state," he asserted. The minister's remark triggered an uproar in the House with the Opposition members going on their feet and the ruling party members seen trying to shout them down. Chaudhary earlier accused the ruling party of pursuing the politics of dividing the society on Hindu-Muslim lines. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) R esidents in riverside properties in Ironbridge have evacuated their homes and businesses over fears that flood barriers will buckle overnight. The barriers holding back the floodwater from the River Severn moved overnight in Shropshire and police said they appeared to be buckling under the pressure. Flooding along parts of the river, which remained close to its highest levels in some areas, is likely until at least Sunday, the Environment Agency said. West Mercia Police Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss said on Wednesday evening that officers were still in the process of evacuating properties along the Wharfage. Buildings are seen behind temporary flood barriers in Ironbridge / Getty Images He said in a statement: We are waiting to see what happens overnight and we are monitoring closely with colleagues at the Environment Agency, and an operational plan is in place with Shropshire Fire and Rescue should it be required. Mr Moss said virtually all residents who had previously chosen to stay in their properties in Ironbridge, where a severe flood warning remains in place, have now left. He added that the multi-agency response is set to continue for the next 10 days while flood waters are likely to be topped up during additional rainfall expected over the weekend. A street sign is part submerged by floodwater after the River Severn burst its banks / Getty Images Earlier, police could be seen knocking on doors along the riverside to ensure that residents living on Wharfage had left their homes. Barriers were also erected in side streets to ensure that people did not approach the river. Temporary flood defences along Wharfage had been pushed back towards a pub and other businesses, sparking fears that the defences could be fully breached. Some residents declined to leave their properties, including one occupant who also opted not to move a car parked within yards of the riverside. A street sign is part submerged by floodwater after the River Severn burst its banks / Getty Images Residents in the Worcestershire town of Bewdley were forced to evacuate earlier after the river spilled over barriers at Beales Corner. The Environment Agency forecasts the river level in the town, which has risen more than two metres in the past 72 hours, from 3.36m to 5.45m, will peak at 5.48m on Wednesday and remain at a near-record high into Thursday. It reached its highest level of 5.56m on November 2, 2000. Marc Lidderth, environment manager for the Environment Agency, said: Over the next 24 hours, we will see the river levels remain elevated at Ironbridge and further upstream at Shrewsbury. Further downstream into Bridgnorth and Bewdley, the peak is making its way down the system. We will be seeing the peak at Bewdley happening round about later this afternoon. Unfortunately we have already seen some of our barriers over-topped there in the early hours, where properties have flooded. Obviously our thoughts go out to everyone thats been affected by that. As the Environment Agency said that flooding is expected to continue into the weekend across parts of England, Boris Johnson was criticised by Jeremy Corbyn over his silent response to flooding across the country. The swollen River Severn that breached emergency defences / AFP via Getty Images But the Prime Minister said he was proud of the response by ministers following the recent storms and defended the Governments investment in flood defences. The most recent flooding happened after England received double the average amount of rainfall in February, with some areas receiving a months worth of rain in 24 hours. Some 92 flood warnings and 132 flood alerts issued by the Environment Agency remained in place at 8pm on Wednesday. A picture shows a canoe outside a flooded home in Ironbridge / AFP via Getty Images Operational teams have put up more than 6km of temporary flood barriers across the country and flood defences have protected more than 34,184 properties over the last week. Flooding along parts of the River Severn is likely until at least Sunday and significant river flooding is also possible for parts of Yorkshire over the next five days and along parts of the River Trent in the East Midlands on Wednesday. In East Yorkshire, flood warnings remain in place in the Snaith area, with the Environment Agency saying the washlands at Gowdall Ings are continuing to fill and are over-topping, as designed, into Snaith Ings, with flooding affecting properties nearby. The Met Office said more wet weather is forecast, with the South West, the North West and southern parts of Wales expected to see the most rain on Friday and into the weekend. And a yellow warning for snow and ice stretching the length of western Scotland down to Loughborough in the Midlands is due to come into force at 10pm on Wednesday. Toby Willison, executive director of operations at the Environment Agency, said: Our operational teams continue to work night and day to protect communities alongside the River Severn, which is experiencing record levels. River levels will remain exceptionally high on the Severn for some time and communities, in particular Shrewsbury, Bewdley, Bridgnorth and Ironbridge, should prepare for potentially ongoing severe flooding. Mr Willison added: We have already seen 200% of the average rainfall for February with more wet weather forecast. River levels have exceeded existing records across the country this winter with hundreds of the Environment Agencys river gauges surpassing all-time readings this decade. The Rivers Colne, Ribble, Calder, Aire, Trent, Severn, Wye, Lugg and Derwent are among the many rivers where records have been broken due to continuous wet weather. Just days after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the rule change to go into effect, three judges on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, including one who participated by video, grilled Gerard Sinzdak, the attorney representing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, on the definition of public charge. U.S. Appellate Chief Judge Diane Wood pressed for evidence to support changes in the rule, saying some of it seemed to be plucked "out of thin air and not from data on immigrants. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Rain and snow showers this evening. Overcast overnight. Low 26F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 50%.. Tonight Rain and snow showers this evening. Overcast overnight. Low 26F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 50%. The Maharashtra government's "smart gram yojana" will be named after former Deputy Chief Minister the late R R Patil, the assembly was informed on Thursday. Since November 2016, the 'smart gram yojana' (smart village) is being implemented in the state whereawards are given to gram panchayats at taluka and district level for their performance on certain parameters. The scheme seeks to transform rural Maharashtra through development initiatives. Villages performing well in a range of areas, including cleanliness, health, education, environment, use of infotech and renewable energy sources, rewarded by the state government. Rural Development Minister Hasan Mushrif told the assembly that Patil had worked tirelessly for development of villages. Patil, as Rural Development Minister in the Congress- NCP government, had implemented cleanliness and quarrel-free village schemes. The NCP leader had also held the home portfolio. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [February 27, 2020] Benevity Announces Winners of the 2020 Corporate Goodness Awards PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Benevity, Inc., the global leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee engagement software, today announced the winners of its 2020 Corporate Goodness Awards. Celebrating the bold, innovative, inclusive and creative ways that Benevity clients are making a difference in the world and inspiring their people through purpose, the Goodies were presented last night at the companys annual Goodness Matters conference in Palm Springs, California. With more nominations than ever before , this years Goodies Awards included an impressive array of entrants across industries and geographiesall demonstrating the impact that companies, their employees, customers and communities can have when they work to harness the power of Goodness through their corporate purpose programs. Here are the winners in each of The Goodies eight categories: Levi Strauss & Co. / The Bestie Award Chosen as the winner for best-in-class approach and overall impact, Levi Strauss & Co. bakes purpose into everything the company does. In just one year, the companys global ambassadors created more than 120 volunteer opportunities, resulting in 4,000 volunteer shifts in 53 cities. Levis is engaging customers through the platform too, enabling shoppers to round-up their online purchases to support various causes throughout the year. When it comes to giving as a percentage of earnings, Levi Strauss & Co. ranks at the top of U.S. companies and CEO Chip Bergh often says the company is committed to never choosing easy over right. Adobe / The People Power Award Adobe was recognized for empowering its 21,000 global employees to create change and work together to help address some of the worlds most pressing issues. In one year alone, Adobe employees gave an estimated $1.13 million worth of their time and talent, through skills-based volunteering and nonprofit board service. To amplify its peoples impact, Adobe pitched in $9.2 million in matching and volunteer grants to causes that employees got to help choose. Albertsons Companies/Albertsons Companies Foundation / The Community Hero Award Recognized for its best-in-class approach to community investment, Albertsons raised $43 million to support cancer treatment and research, disaster relief, education, programs for people with disabilities and hunger relief in the last year alone. Through its Hunger Is initiative, and a little help from Benevitys rantmaking software, the company has efficiently mapped and matched a network of 250 nonprofits to each of its 2,300 stores across 34 states. The outcome amounts to 70 million breakfasts to kids in need all across America. Splunk / The Moonshot Award Splunk was recognized for the boldness and creativity of its approach to corporate purpose. By tapping into data stores to focus its CSR strategy, Splunk constantly identifies gaps in areas that can be optimized to drive greater participation and impact. The Splunk 4 Good team also produces top-notch creative to engage its 4,700 employees across 23 countries through localized guerilla marketing campaigns that make sure everyone in every location feels truly included. Intel / The BeCause Award Awarded to Intel, The BeCause Award recognizes a company that finds unique, successful ways to help community causes and advance their social missions. With 110,000 highly skilled employees in 43 countries, Intel is providing nonprofits with specialized skills they otherwise couldnt afford. In one year alone, Intels legal team donated more than 4,000 hours of time and talent, estimated at a value of more than $800,000a huge win for nonprofits that are challenged with lean budgets. TELUS / The Buzz Award TELUS was recognized for catalyzing purpose through communications and storytelling through its #MostGivingCompany campaign, which reached six million people on social media and secured nearly 60 earned media stories to generate excitement for the companys Days of Giving event. Focusing on its 60,000 employees and retireesand a strong We Give Where We Live philosophyTELUS highlighted personal, buzzworthy stories and the contributions of individual team members company-wide to boost participation in a host of giving and volunteering-related activities. Arm / The NewB Award Awarded annually to a newly launched Benevity client, this years NewB Award went to UK-based Arm, for its transformative approach to community engagement. When Arm launched its Giving Hub with Benevity in 2018, the company immediately adopted giving, matching, volunteering, grants, rewards, incentives, and even FlexPot dollars, a pot of personal funds that employees can spend on anything from language courses to flying lessons, to now doing good. Team Arm Champions have created more than 200 giving opportunities that led to more than a half million pounds in charitable donations and 13,000 volunteer hours. Tricia Stevens from Lush / The BUFFY Award Celebrating individuals who exemplify what is known as the Benevity Unicorn Factor, Tricia Stevens received the BUFFY award for her passion, innovation, imagination and leadership in the corporate purpose space. During her 12 years at Lush, Tricias team of 16 people and 270 employee ambassadors have run hundreds of events and global ethical campaigns, and granted more than $36 million to 2,800 grassroots organizations in 83 countries. What makes her a true unicorn is that her fight never ends. Her team says that while theyre celebrating a win, shes saying Okay, heres whats next. Last years Goodies Award winners included Micron Technology, TC Energy, MUFG Union Bank, LinkedIn, Accenture Canada, Jennifer Mitchell of PlayStation and Tiana Austel of Illumina. The Goodies never cease to inspire all who attend Benevitys annual Goodness Matters conference, said Bryan de Lottinville, Benevity Founder and CEO. The real-world stories of how our clients are creating positive impact within their companies, communities and around the world are the reason we all do what we do. Congratulations to this years winners, who have raised the bar for innovation and action around corporate and personal purpose to admirable new heights. About Benevity Benevity, Inc. , a certified B Corporation, is the global leader in corporate social responsibility and employee engagement software, including online giving, matching, volunteering, community investment and purpose driven actions. Many of the worlds most iconic brands rely on Benevitys award-winning cloud solutions to power corporate Goodness programs that attract, retain and engage todays diverse workforce by connecting people to the causes that matter to them. With software that is available in 17 languages, to an employee base of 12 million users around the world, Benevity has processed more than 4 billion dollars in donations and 23 million hours of volunteering time to 230,000 charities worldwide. Media Contact Amanda Orr Kickstart for Benevity 1.323.601.5734 [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/65ab67be-f693-43e7-8430-77eb16eb278c [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 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. 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During the conversation, she opened up about the struggle and said she still feels like she is locked in a battle and it won't end until one of them dies. On Katz's asking, McGowan said the trial didn't give her much closure, "Probably not until he's dead now, I feel like he and I are strapped in this battle together until one of us is dead. That's how it goes. I energetically, we're like just locked. It's a really disgusting feeling. I just would love to be able to be like other people and live my life. That would be really nice, you know?" McGowan took to her social media account and thanking everyone involved she wrote, "Today we can exhale. The stinky trash is gone," she added. McGowan also talked about the statistics and said, only 2% of rapes actually lead to a conviction, and called being able to see your rapist go to jail as a privilege. "More work is to be done for sure, but today I can say that due to the strengths of many, the prosecutor's tenacity, the jury who did better than most, and especially the women who took the stand, there is a monster off the streets." I'm proud of the brave women who testified, they have taken out a monster on earth. Thank you to the prosecutor & jury who said not one more. Thank you to the public for examining things more deeply. I can finally exhale rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) February 24, 2020 In 2017, many women including McGowan accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct and rape. In 2018, McGowan also provided a detailed account in her book, titled Brave. A week ago, jurors in New York court convicted Weinstein of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping former aspiring actor Jessica Mann in 2013. He has also been charged with predatory sexual assault charges, carried with a maximum life sentence. Harvey Weinstein Found Guilty Of Rape: Taapsee Pannu, Swara Bhaskar And Tanushree Dutta React New York Jurors Present Naked Photos Of Harvey Weinstein British actor Michael Medwin, best known for his role as radio station boss Don Satchley in the BBC detective series Shoestring, died in a Bournemouth hospital yesterday at the age of 96. Medwin, who also played Scrooge's nephew in the film adaptation of A Christmas Carol, debuted his career on stage in 1940. He appeared in films alongside Michael Caine, Albert Finney and Sean Connery. British actor Michael Medwin, pictured above, best known for his role as radio station boss Don Satchley in the BBC detective series Shoestring, died yesterday at the age of 96 Medwin (pictured right) as Don Satchley alongside Trevor Eve as Eddie Shoestring in the TV drama which ran for two series between 1979 and 1980 Medwin as Barry (pictured left) and Dennis Waterman, right, as Terry McCann in the British comedy-drama series 'Minder', which ran for 10 series between 1979 and 1994 Medwin is pictured in 1955, nailing a sheet of paper with his name to the door, on the set of the film 'Charlie Moon', directed by Guy Hamilton Lindsay Anderson's film If.... (1968), Charlie Bubbles (1968), Spring and Port Wine (1970) and O Lucky Man! (1973) are among the films Medwin produced. He was born in London in 1923 and educated in Dorset and Switzerland before being trained at the Italia Conti Academy in London. Medwin was made an OBE in 2005 for his services to drama. He married Sunny Sheila Black in 1960. The pair divorced 11 years later in 1971. Medwin and his guest pictured attending the opening of Greens Restaurant and Oyster Bar on September 1, 2009, in London From left to right: Mr Eve, British actress Doran Godwin, who played Erica Bayliss in Shoestring, Medwin and Liz Crowther who starred as Sonia, the station's receptionist, at the filming of the Christmas edition of the TV series From left to right: Malcolm McDowell, Lindsay Anderson, Medwin, Albert Finney and Glenda Jackson outside the Indonesian Embassy protesting about the abuse of human rights From left to right clockwise: Actors Louisa Rix, Medwin, Mel Smith and Mike Grady seated in a dinner table scene in the episode 'Flaunt It' for the BBC sitcom Colin's Sandwich English entertainer and presenter Bruce Forsyth performs on stage with Medwin on his television series 'The Bruce Forsyth Show' back in 1966 The actor began his Shoemaker role in 1979, with the BBC drama running for two series until 1980. His final roles on screen included appearing as a speechmaker in The Duchess, Carruthers in the TV series Heartbeat and Dr Louie Farraday in Framed. David Pugh, who formed a theatrical production company with Medwin in 1988, wrote on Twitter: 'To Michael thank you for everything I'm going to miss you so much'. Iran has reportedly announced that out of 141 confirmed coronavirus cases, 22 people have died. Iran Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour declared the new figures saying that the large number came from research labs testing for the COVID-19 virus. According to the reports, the holy Shiite city of Qom has been the largest hit province of the novel coronavirus with 63 confirmed cases so far. A parliamentarian representing Qom City revealed that Irans government was late in announcing the COVID-19 outbreak as the disease had already spread among the people. He further added that Qom lacked adequate equipment to tackle the immediate health crisis. Read: Australian PM Downplays Coronavirus Threat, Says 'you Can Still Go To Cricket' Several countries sealed borders with Iran Several countries sealed borders with Iran imposing a travel ban in an effort to curb the disease spread. Turkey, Armenia, Jordan, and Pakistan temporarily suspended all movements on ground and air after the alarming spike in the coronavirus cases within Iran. Meanwhile, Turkeys Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan reportedly said that exports from Turkey to Iran would continue in a controlled way. Read: Iraq Confirms Sixth Case Of Coronavirus In The Country, Total Reaches 6 Iranian authorities had reportedly announced earlier that instead of administrating quarantine procedures, the country will impose travel restrictions for people with confirmed or suspected cases of the coronavirus. Health Minister of Iran, Saeed Namaki said, Instead of quarantining cities, we are going to implement movement restrictions for those suspected of infection or those infected. According to reports, coronavirus has spread to at least nine middle eastern countries including Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain with most of its confirmed cases in Iran. Three new coronavirus cases were confirmed in Bahrain surging the total figures of confirmed cases to 26. All patients were confirmed to have arrived at the Bahrain International Airport on indirect flights from Iran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reportedly said that the country will get through the COVID-19 outbreak which was an uninvited and inauspicious passenger. He further added that no fear must be spread amongst the people of Iran and everyone must follow instructions of the Health Ministry to combat the malignant crisis. Read: Coronavirus Will Be Under Control By End Of April: Chinese Expert Read: Three More Dead In Iran Coronavirus Outbreak: State Media A March 23 trial date for two cousins accused in the 2015 kidnapping and slaying of a Highland Road couple was canceled Thursday. No new trial date was set for Ernesto Alonso, 47, and Frank Garcia, 52, in the killing of Denis "Bubbie" Duplantier, 71, and Suzanne "Suzy" Duplantier, 70. +2 Trial in 2015 killing of Highland Road couple pushed back to March The trial of two cousins accused in the robbery, beating, kidnapping and strangling of a Highland Road couple in 2015 was pushed back Thursday The parties involved in the case are still awaiting a decision from an appeals court on whether East Baton Rouge Parish jurors can hear the high-profile case. State District Judge Trudy White ruled last March that they cannot due to extensive pretrial publicity. The Duplantiers were robbed, beaten, abducted and strangled. Their bodies were found Oct. 19, 2015, in the back seat of their red pickup at a Hammond gas station. Alonso, who performed landscaping work for the Duplantiers and lived on other property owned by them, and Garcia are charged with first-degree murder and face life in prison if convicted as charged. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up +4 Grand jury charges two men with first-degree murder in the slaying of Highland Road couple A landscaper and his cousin were indicted Thursday on first-degree murder in the kidnapping and slaying of his former employer, a Highland Roa Alonso's white pickup was captured on surveillance video as it followed the couples truck into the Petro truck stop, authorities have said. Alonsos truck was later discovered at Garcias residence in Hollywood, Florida. A safe inside the Duplantier home was found open, with cash missing, and blood was located in several rooms. A large amount of cash and a number of unspecified items believed stolen from the home were found at Garcias home in Florida, authorities said. Prosecutors announced in 2016 they would not seek the death penalty against either man after discussions with the victims' families. A status conference in the case will be held March 23. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. An Arizona woman who was maimed by a propeller on a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon can proceed with a lawsuit against the tribal corporation that ran the excursion, the state Supreme Court said in a ruling that has broad implications for such entities. The opinion issued Tuesday establishes benchmarks to determine whether businesses created by tribes share in the same immunity from lawsuits as the tribes themselves. Those guidelines would apply to tribal gambling enterprises, and resorts, RV parks, concert venues, convenience stores and other tribally owned ventures. This has statewide importance, said John Torgenson, an attorney for the woman and her husband. Anything we can do to make sure people can attain and keep their right to sue when they get hurt when a corporation doesnt do the things necessary to keep them safe, Im proud of that. Scottsdale residents Sara and William Fox sued the Hualapai Tribe and the Grand Canyon Resort Corp., which runs one-day rafting trips on the Colorado River under the name Hualapai River Runners. The tribe was dismissed as a defendant because it, like state and federal governments, are shielded from lawsuits unless they consent to being sued. The high court justices said they couldnt determine whether the corporation met its burden to prove it is a subordinate economic organization of the tribe, upholding a lower court decision. The justices said the corporation can renew a request to be dismissed as a defendant by presenting more evidence in Mohave County Superior Court. The Grand Canyon Resort Corp. said it is confident it can show that it provides vital services and funding to the tribe and, therefore, is entitled to sovereign immunity. As many courts have made clear, Indian tribes have sovereign immunity, the corporation said in a statement. That sovereign right does not end when a 100-percent tribally owned and controlled entity does business with non-tribe members. The corporation is best known for operating the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped glass bridge that juts out from the canyon walls on the Hualapai reservation. The National Congress of American Indians, the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona and the Navajo Nation sided with the Hualapai corporation. They urged the justices in a friend of the court brief not to unduly burden the ability of tribes to provide for their citizens through tribal enterprises. The state Supreme Court did not have a test to identify whether tribal entities are shielded from lawsuits, the justices noted, while saying theres no national consensus. The opinion in the Fox case sets out six factors for Arizona courts to consider when determining whether a tribal entity has sovereign immunity. It drew from Arizona case law involving disputes with a tribal timber company, farm and construction company, as well as other factors that courts outside Arizona examine. The factors include include the creation of the entity and its business form, the relationship between the tribe and the entity, the tribes intent to share immunity, and whether that immunity furthers federal policies underlying sovereign immunity. This has come up in cases across the nation, especially the jurisdictions that have large tribal populations, said David Abney, an attorney for the Foxes. Sovereign immunity applies to a tribes commercial and government activities, on and off tribal land, the court documents state. In the Foxes case, a court determined Sarah Fox was on state land on the Colorado River when she fell from the front of the raft and was sliced from her thigh to her chest by the propeller. The Foxes allege the river guides were negligent because they didnt immediately turn off the motor when Sara Fox went overboard. She twice screamed at the boat operator before the propellers stopped spinning but as the blades cut her, according to the lawsuit that seeks unspecified damages. The Foxes separately sued the Flagstaff travel agency, Grand Canyon Custom Tours, that they used to book their trip, alleging it failed to notify the Foxes of the rafting companys claim of sovereign immunity. The travel agency has said it doesnt hide information on who operates the rafting trips, and argued the Foxes knew or should have known. When Canadas largest credit union experienced a massive data breach in December 2018, the story quickly gained momentum. As the press reported on the incident, it was discovered that the breach was larger than initially expected, impacting all 4.2 million customers. Although the credit union took decisive action, they had to combat months of fallout from press coverage and work overtime to regain consumer confidence. The highly sensitive nature of financial information makes credit unions an attractive target for malicious actors, and vulnerabilities within a credit unions operations can allow unintentional privacy violations as well as identity theft. To counter threats to your members data, you need more than cybersecurity policies. You need good cyber defense. Many businesses look to regulations like the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and such security requirements as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard for guidance in safeguarding sensitive information. While certifications like these are extremely important, businesses also need to actively prevent, detect and respond to security incidents. To mount an effective cyber defense, make sure these six elements are in your arsenal: threat intelligence and risk assessment, incident response, continuous monitoring, access control, security awareness training and communication. India on Thursday "encouraged" the UN's human rights body to develop a "better understanding and appreciation" of the freedoms and rights that are guaranteed and protected in a vibrant democracy like India before coming to any conclusions on issues like the amended citizenship law and the Kashmir issue. India's strong statement came after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thursday voiced "great concern" over India's amended citizenship law and reports of "police inaction" in the face of communal attacks in Delhi, urging political leaders to prevent violence. Updating the ongoing 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on human rights developments around the world, Bachelet also spoke about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. An Indian representative, who read out India's Statement, said the country's engagement with the global discourse on human rights has always favoured an inclusive and constructive approach based on dialogue, consultation and cooperation. "We encourage the OHCHR to develop a better understanding and appreciation of the freedoms and rights that are guaranteed and protected daily in a vibrant democracy like India before coming to any conclusions. "We would continue to engage constructively with the Council and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for the promotion and protection of human rights across the world," the statement said. Referring to Bachelet's statement on the violence in Delhi, the statement noted that peaceful protests and demonstrations are part of India's democratic traditions. "However, at the same time, violence has no place in the democratic ethos of India. We have taken all measures and restored peace and normalcy in the affected areas in Delhi," the statement said. It also noted that India is committed to reduce statelessness and has recently enacted legislative measures to address historical grievances of a group of persecuted persons to ensure that they enjoy full rights as citizens of India and are not pushed into statelessness. Earlier, Bachelet said the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) adopted last year by India's Parliament was of "great concern". "Indians in huge numbers, and from all communities, have expressed - in a mostly peaceful manner - their opposition to the Act, and support for the country's long tradition of secularism," she said. "I am concerned by reports of police inaction in the face of attacks against Muslims by other groups, as well as previous reports of excessive use of force by police against peaceful protesters. "This has now widened into broader inter-communal attacks...... I appeal to all political leaders to prevent violence," said the former Chilean president. The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed 38 lives and left over 200 people injured. Frenzied mobs have torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at police personnel. On the issue of Kashmir, the statement informed the Council that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was fast returning to normalcy despite serious provocations and attempts made by one country to derail this process through its active support to terrorist groups and related entities. "Security forces have exercised maximum restraint and not a single live bullet has been fired and no civilian life has been lost in police action. India's democratic institutions are robust enough to respond to these external challenges while protecting and respecting the human rights of all," the statement said. Hitting out at Pakistan, the statement said, "our advice to our neighbour would be to desist from such actions and devote more attention to the well being of its own citizens in particular persecuted religious minorities, which are suffering due to rampant mis-governance in this failed state." The statement also pointed out that India recently celebrated 70 years of the adoption of its Constitution, one of the longest such written documents, which has stood the test of time. "It provides for extensive collective and individual fundamental rights and freedoms to the people of India. This human rights-based approach which has been enshrined in India's Constitution has been the moral guide of the government," it added. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. Irans VP, Masoumeh Ebtekar Irans vice-president has been diagnosed with coronavirus, state media have reported, as the country struggles to stop the spread of the disease, IndependentUK has reported. Masoumeh Ebtekar is among 254 people infected with the virus in the Middle Eastern nation, where 26 people have been killed. The vice-president for women and family affairs is better known internationally as the English-language spokeswoman for the hostage-takers who seized the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, sparking a 444-day diplomatic crisis. Recall that Irans deputy health minister also tested positive for the virus earlier this week, hours after appearing visibly unwell at a press conference during which he denied the government was suppressing the scale of the outbreak. Coronavirus cases in Iran spiked by 106 over the last 24 hours, the countrys health ministry announced on Thursday. The countrys death toll from the outbreak is higher than any country except China, where the epidemic began. The outbreak has prompted Iranian authorities to cancel Friday prayers in Tehran. Health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said there were also plans to impose restrictions at some holy Muslim sites but the plan needs the approval of the president before being carried out. Mr Jahanpur, speaking to state TV, urged Iranians to avoid unnecessary trips inside the country. State news agency IRNA said Chinese citizens have been banned from entering the country. Similar restrictions have been implemented by dozens of other nations including the US, Russia, South Korea and Australia in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus. Michael Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organisations emergencies programme, said Irans 10 per cent mortality rate five times higher than China was probably due to milder cases of the disease not being picked up. She dropped jaws earlier this week with a series of striking shots from her In The Style shoot in a luxurious Marbella location. Yet Jacqueline Jossa was lifting the lid on the secrets behind the glamour as she took to Instagram to share a video as her newly shorter locks were removed - revealing that she had tricked fans into thinking she had gone for the chop. The EastEnders actress and I'm A Celeb victor, 27, stunned fans as she pulled her hair off and shared the cheeky caption: 'Hair today, gone tomorrow!' Removal! Jacqueline Jossa was lifting the lid on the secrets behind the glamour as she took to Instagram to share a video as her newly shorter locks were removed On Wednesday, Jacqueline revealed her newly chopped locks while on a trip to Marbella, Spain, to shoot her new In The Style collection. The stunner looked dramatically different as she showcased her new shoulder length hair in a series of Instagram stories while wearing pieces from her range. And the mother-of-two said she was channelling 'Kylie Jenner vibes' with the cut by celebrity hairstylist Carl Bembridge, comparing her new look to the youngest Kardashian's power-bob. Yet one day later all was revealed as she posted the clip with her hair being removed and her usual longer locks still in place underneath. Haha! The EastEnders actress and I'm A Celeb victor, 27, stunned fans as she pulled her hair off and shared the cheeky caption: 'Hair today, gone tomorrow!' Before the chop: The former EastEnders star looked dramatically different in a snap that she shared just a day before getting her locks chopped as she showcased a dress from her range Inspired! Her look was inspired by Kylie Jenner Days earlier Jaqueline also shared a snap of herself glowing before the cut in a more dressed-up item from her range, a ruched white mini-dress fit for the Marbella sun. She captioned the image: 'On top of the world right now. Perfect sunset in the perfect dress.' Earlier in the week Jacqueline wowed in a green bikini as she was transformed from a make-up free beauty to a striking glamourpuss for the first day of the photoshoot in Marbella. 'Hair today gone tomorrow': Jaqueline reshared a snap of her hair on the floor following her cut by Carl Bembridge (left) 'Being happy never goes out of style': The actress shared a snap of herself sporting a loose fitting floral dress Taking to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot she showed herself before and after her transformation. First, Jacqueline shared excitedly shared a glimpse of herself bare-faced with her hair in a bun, pre-hair-and-make-up, while wearing a skimpy green bikini. With her hairdresser Carl then styling her brunette tresses into amazonian waves with hair extensions from Color Wow Hair. Make-up artist Krystal Dawn expertly painted her face with a bronzed contour and a soft pink smokey eye accentuating her natural beauty. Jacqueline displayed the results of her makeover on Instagram, with a breathtaking snap of herself captioned: 'Jungle Jaq,' posted to the grid. Description GIS 27 February, 2020: The event was organised by Alteo Milling Ltd. The Attorney General and Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, Alteos CEO, Mr Andre Bonieux, and Alteos board members were present. Title deeds were presented to 27 ex-employees of former sugar estates of Mon Loisir and Beau Champ , yesterday afternoon, during a ceremony held at the Club House of Alteo, in Union Flacq.The event was organised by Alteo Milling Ltd.The Attorney General and Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, Alteos CEO, Mr Andre Bonieux, and Alteos board members were present. Each beneficiary has been allocated a plot of land based on a Blue Print which was elaborated following the closure of Mon Loisir and Beau Champ sugar estates in 2012 and 2014 respectively. The land allocated varies between 10 to 16 perches and are located in the regions of La Clemence, Rivieres-des-Creoles and LAmitie. In addition, beneficiaries can avail of several infrastructure namely: roads, access to water and electricity and playgrounds and green spaces. In his address, Minister Gobin, encouraged beneficiaries to take good care of their newly acquired land. He pointed out that a lot of work has been put in to ensure that beneficiaries receive the title deeds of their land despite several administrative-related issues that have cropped up in the process. Government has set up an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by the Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, to fast-track the procedure and find solutions not only to such bottlenecks that may arise but also to address topographic problems that have cropped up on certain sites, he indicated. The Minister also spoke about the need for reform in the sugar sector including biomass, controlling the use of pesticides and opting for bio-friendly alternatives as well as reforms in the livestock sector, the crop industry and the tea sector. He further indicated that work with experts from the World Bank on the sugar industry had started in 2019, and that the World Banks report on the sector will certainly shed light on the way forward to address the concerns and expectations of this sectors players. As regards the tea sector, Mr Gobin stated that Mauritius has fertile land for the cultivation of tea and this particular segment has a viable market that can be exploited. Moreover, the agriculture sector of Mauritius has a promising future and, with the adequate investments, our country can become competitive in the region, he added. For his part, the CEO of Alteo, Mr Andre Bonieux, congratulated the beneficiaries for the acquisition of land and highlighted that they truly deserve to become owners of their plot of land given that they have toiled hard to reach where they are now. Land value grows yearly, he pointed out, thus the need for the new owners to safeguard their acquisition well. Mr Bonieux also thanked Government, District Councils, the Road Development Authority and other stakeholders for having worked collaboratively with Alteo on this particular project. He expressed hope that other projects in the pipeline will be finalised soon. As regards the sugar industry, he recognized, that the sector is going through a difficult phase and lauded Governments initiative for having requested a study to be effected by the World Bank in that regard. Alteo has owned and operated the Union Flacq Factory since 1912. The business owns 15,300 hectares of prime agricultural land in eastern Mauritius, of which 11,000 hectares are planted with sugarcane. Most of the sugar produced is exported. T heres a small scene in Hilary Mantels entrancing trilogy of novels about Tudor England which steps back from the main plot. A few of the faithful search for the bones of one of their number who has been burned at the stake for their beliefs. They have lost almost everything, but stand firm. The last of Mantels series is coming out and its easy to make crude parallels with today: harsh politics, national fragmentation and a traumatic break with Europe. Boris Johnson would make a decent Henry VIII. Dominic Cummings is too flash to be a Thomas Cromwell but theres similar resentment at court. Im most struck in Mantels story, though, by those who dont give in to the regime, the hold-outs, the stubborn who stick to what they think is right the mournful few who rake through the ashes to find lost friends. One evening this week I shared a room with a few good people like this. I was interviewing David Gauke at a defiant meeting of the Conservative Group for Europe. They are the sort of people who remain unafraid of identifying themselves with a cause their party or former party has abandoned. No one these days risks being burnt alive for heresy although dont rule out Cummings striking a match. But their isolation still hurts. This time last year Gauke was near the top of a Tory cabinet. If the referendum in 2016 had gone the other way, he was in line to become Chancellor. In the election in December he urged voters to give him their support as an independent, having given up hope of a soft Tory Brexit deal. Almost 16,000 people backed him but he lost anyway, as did all the other brave souls from Anna Soubry to Dominic Grieve who tried to resist the tide as independents or Liberal Democrats. Julian Glover / Daniel Hambury It would be pleasant to say that we ended the evening in good heart. But what stood out is that the degrading consequences of Brexit arent over not by a long way. Whats going to happen, Gauke predicted, is that the EU and the United Kingdom are going to fall out hard and fast. Its likely to be no deal all over again, only this time there will be little parliamentary opposition and no alternative plan. To most of those who voted for Brexit, and even some of those who didnt, no deal will seem the only way forward. Weve got so deep into this morass maybe the only thing is to keep ploughing on through the mud. Today the British government publishes its negotiating position. A couple of days ago the EU did the same. Although there are areas of overlap, fundamentally these documents arent compatible. Unless one side gives in the talks will collapse and probably soon, in a row about fishing rights: a dispute which the EU wants sorted by summer. A year ago, a no-deal Brexit looked like a total catastrophe. Now it is on the brink of being official policy You can question whether its fair to ask us to sign up to a close relationship with common standards. But its not long since the then new Prime Minister Johnson agreed we should. In October he signed a Political Declaration which contained more references to a level playing field than the Eton prospectus. The Withdrawal Agreement, which carries even more weight, made it clear, too, that goods moving from Britain to Northern Ireland would be subject to a form of customs scrutiny, so the border in Ireland could remain fully open. Since then a massive majority has sent Johnsons confidence surging. Now he says he wants freedom from EU standards and promises there wont be checks in the Irish Sea. So already theres a collapse of trust. You can only assume the Government doesnt care. The Prime Ministers EU negotiator, David Frost, gave an important speech last week which more or less wrote off a close relationship with the EU. He said one had never really been possible: Nobody knew whether a deal with Britain would stick. He was talking about the past but thats even more true of the future. If even the man in charge of negotiating the next deal thinks our countrys word isnt to be trusted why would the EU ever meet Johnsons shifting demands? As I sat chewing this over miserably with Gauke, the grim logic became clear. The thinner the deal, the less it matters whether we get it and the deal the government wants now is very thin. It would be worth much political pain to win something like single-market terms of trade but slogging through talks and selling-out fishermen to get a narrow deal aimed at avoiding queues at Dover might not be. The economys taking a hit either way, the reasoning goes. Why not go all out for freedom? The immediate consequences of a form of managed no-deal will surely be awful but the Government will get away with blaming EU intransigence for the pain. Next year it will try to start trade talks again. That way it would be building up from nothing, not down from the intimate ties we have now. If you start with rubble, at least you cant make the ruin worse. The outbreak of Coronavirus has disrupted the shooting schedule of Darshans upcoming movie Roberrt. Director Tharun Sudhir was set to shoot a song sequence for the film in Spain. But now, the team has decided to cancel the plans as the outbreak has reached Europe. As a precautionary measure, the makers will now shoot the song in Bengaluru. Confirming the aforementioned news, director Tharun said, The initial plan was to shoot a song in an exotic location of Spain. We even had our cinematographer Sudhakar S Raj finalise a location after a recce. The recce team along with the cinematographer landed on Sunday night. However, the announcement about the outbreak reaching Europe was made on Monday night, and we didnt want to take chances. So, as a precautionary measure, the song shoot now stands cancelled. (sic) The highly anticipated Sandalwood biggie is all set to release simultaneously in Kannada and Telugu on April 9 during the Good Friday weekend. Produced by Umapathy Films, Roberrt also stars Vinod Prabhakar, Sonal Monteiro, Shivaraj K R Pete, Ravi Kishan, Chikkanna and Ravi Shankar in pivotal roles. The emotional action thriller will see Asha Bhat as the female lead opposite Darshan. The motion posters and teaser of the movie have generated an enormous amount of buzz amongst the audiences and the trade circuit. The dialogues of the film have been penned by Chandramouli and K L Rajasekhar and the music has been composed by Arjun Janya. ALSO READ: Challenging Star Darshan To Star As Wing Commander Abhinandan In Munirathnas Next Film ALSO READ: Darshan Sports The Iconic Get-Up Of Hanuman In The Second Look Motion Poster Of Roberrt The Fonterra logo is seen near the Fonterra Te Rapa plant near Hamilton (Reuters) - The world's largest dairy exporter Fonterra on Thursday cut its milk collection forecast for fiscal 2020, citing adverse weather conditions in several parts of New Zealand. The company lowered its expectation to 1,515 million kilograms of milk solids (kgMS) from the prior forecast of 1,530 million kgMS. While it maintained its full-year adjusted earnings guidance and farmgate milk price range, the company flagged "significant risks" in the second half from the coronavirus outbreak. "We have already contracted a high percentage of our 2020 financial year's milk supply and this is helping us manage the impact of coronavirus," the company said in a statement. Fonterra said it would provide a further update on the impact of the epidemic on its business when it releases its interim results next month. (Reporting By Rushil Dutta in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur) The global real estate software market is expected to post a CAGR of almost 9% during the period 2020-2024, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. Request a free sample report This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005420/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Real Estate Software Market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) Factors such as growing competition, rising prices of land, and increasing prices of raw materials have increased the cost burden on the companies operating in the real estate sector. This is resulting in the reduction of profit margins, which is driving companies in the real estate sector to shift their focus on optimizing their operational costs. Real estate software keeps track of the budget and provides accurate information regarding the financial resources involved in construction projects. This helps project managers to overcome various challenges associated with costs to achieve cost optimization. For instance, real estate software eliminates the need for consulting and over hiring of employees to do minimal tasks. Many such cost benefits offered by real estate software is increasing its adoption among end-users, which is driving the growth of the market. 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=IRTNTR40543 As per Technavio, the increasing adoption of cloud-based software will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other significant trends and market drivers that will influence market growth over 2020-2024. Global Real Estate Software Market: Increasing Adoption of Cloud-Based Software The high installation costs associated with on-premise software is driving many enterprises to adopt cloud-based services offered by market vendors. This trend is gaining traction among companies in underdeveloped and developing countries as they lack sufficient budget to purchase on-premise real estate software. Cloud-based software allows real estate companies to avail services through monthly and annual subscription plans. Moreover, cloud-based services are scalable. This allows real estate companies to increase or decrease storage according to their requirements. Therefore, the increased adoption of cloud-based real estate software is expected to boost the growth of the market during the forecast period. "Growing middle-class population in developing economies and the rise in the number of first-time property buyers will further boost market growth during the forecast period", says a senior analyst at Technavio. Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Global Real Estate Software Market: Segmentation Analysis This market research report segments the global real-estate software marketby deployment (cloud-based and on-premises), end-user (architects and engineers, project managers, and real estate agents), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA). The North American region led the real estate software market in 2019, followed by Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA respectively. During the forecast period, the North American region is expected to register the highest incremental growth. This is due to the rise in the number of immigrants and increasing investments in the real estate sector in the region. 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 Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario 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. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005420/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/ By Akbar Mammadov Ivana Duarte, Head of the EBRDs (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) Baku office has praised Azerbaijans efforts to develop the countrys alternative energy sector. In an exclusive interview to Azernews, she also said that the EBRD is spearheading the effort to launch competitive tendering of renewable energy through auctions in the country. Below is the text of the full interview: How would you evaluate Azerbaijan's efforts to develop its alternative energy sector as well as the country's potential in this field? We see a huge potential in the renewables sector and aim to make a real impact in this area. Continued efforts by the authorities to reform the energy market and improve the business climate are key in unlocking our own funds and mobilising financing from other sources. And the authorities are strongly committed. Reflecting this commitment, a new legislative framework for the support of renewable energy sources is currently under preparation. The draft Renewable Energy Law is expected to provide the legal basis for developing renewable energy projects in the country. It envisages different support mechanisms, including a competitive procurement scheme to select, and determine the level of support provided to various projects, for example auctions. As the leading financier of renewable sources in our region, we are spearheading the effort to launch competitive tendering of renewable energy through auctions in the country. Our work is focused on helping the Ministry of Energy to identify true market prices for specific sources of renewable energy and to create a fair, transparent auction process. We took note of the recently announced plans by the government to develop a solar and a wind pilot project. This is a promising development for this nascent sector. How will the development of alternative energy resources affect Azerbaijans economy? Developing and adopting energy efficiency measures and renewable sources of energy in any country fuels economic growth, creates new employment opportunities, enhances human welfare and contributes to a climate-safe future. The positive impacts on the economic growth are driven by the increased investment in renewable energy deployment, which triggers ripple effects throughout the economy. Greater demand for renewables will also create more jobs in the sector. Privately developed renewables are also helping make energy systems more efficient, environmentally and people-friendly and sustainable. Azerbaijan, where state-owned companies are responsible for 90 per cent of the energy generation, will in particular benefit from private investment in cutting-edge renewable projects. In addition, making better use of the countrys renewable energy potential can help direct more natural resources to higher value export market while helping to diversify the countrys economy. How do you think SMEs (Small and medium-sized enterprises) can benefit from alternative energy resources? Renewable energy can boost SMEs in many different ways. - Lower energy bills by using own energy (e.g, waste-to-energy technologies or solar on the roof) or using less of it; - Energy security (when companies produces its own energy from renewable sources); - Improve a firms reputation as a business that cares about the environment, customers and community; - Create jobs and stimulate economy by creating a larger demand for renewable energy production; - Fewer emissions and smaller carbon footprint everyone benefits! --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Vodafone Idea has said that it will need 5 years to pay AGR dues of Rs 53,000 crore it is expected to pay. GDP numbers, which will be released on Friday, are expected to paint a bleak picture once again. Hong Kong announces a stimulus package as its economy suffers due to violent protests and coronavirus. Read for more top stories on business and economy: 1. Vodafone Idea needs 15 years to pay AGR dues; wants Rs 8,000-crore GST refund Vodafone Idea's own estimate pegs its AGR dues at Rs 23,000 crore, whereas the DoT has demanded more than twice this amount. The telco has paid Rs 3,500 crore to the telecom department so far. 2. Will it be another frightful Friday? Finance Minister will keep fingers crossed Despite somewhat positive numbers, the economy may still not be out of slumber. Some improvement was seen in October and November but many high-frequency indicators showed negative growth in December. 3. Richest Chinese Woman vs Richest Indian Woman - a gaping $22.5 billion difference Women made up 15.7 per cent of the Hurun Global Rich List 2020, marginally up from last year's 15.5 per cent. Out of the list this year, 68 were self-made billionaires, up from last year's 56. 4. Expedia to lay off 3,000 employees as coronavirus hits travel industry The layoffs will start from Singapore and Hong Kong, where the staff will get redundancy notices this week. Expedia has around 100 employees in Hong Kong and 343 in Singapore. 5. Hong Kong to hand out $1200 each to 7 million residents; here's why The handout is part of a $15.4 billion stimulus package Hong Kong has announced to save its recession-hit economy reeling under violent protests and the coronavirus outbreak. [February 27, 2020] Weyland Tech Launches CreateApp Marketing Campaign Across Indonesia in Partnership with National Telco, Indosat Ooredoo NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weyland Tech, Inc. (OTCQX: WEYL) a leading global provider of mCommerce platform-as-a-service (PaaS), eCommerce managed services and fintech solutions, has partnered with Indosat Ooredoo, Indonesias second largest telecom provider, to launch a nationwide marketing campaign for Weylands CreateApp mCommerce platform. To drive signups, Indosat will offer the more than 6 million small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) in its nationwide subscriber network a 30-day free trial subscription to CreateApp. Indosats internal sales teams will lead the effort, with its customer service supporting the end-users. Indosat SMB customers who subscribe to CreateApp will be billed through their Indosat cell phone bills. Weyland will provide Indosat an ad channel on CreateApp via Google AdMob. The CreateApp platform-as-a-service enables businesses to create and deploy native mobile applications for Apple iOS and Google Android without technical knowledge or background. It empowers SMBs to increase sales, reach more customers, manage logistics, conduct financial transactions, and promote their products and services in an easy, affordable and highly efficient way. The CreateApp user base, comprised of businesses across Southeast Asia, grew 47 percent last year to more than 360,000. This major marketing campaign with a trusted and large telecom provider like Indosat greatly expands our market reach in Indonesia where there is strong smartphone penetration and virtually no competition for DIY app platforms like CreateApp, noted CreateApps chief product officer and founder, Eddie Foong. This campaign also presents up- and cross-sell opportunities for AtozPay, our fintech solution for businesses to go cashless in a market where 60% of the adult population is unbanked. The Indonesia market has the fastest adoption of mobile apps, as well as the largest and fastest-growing Internet economy expected to grow at a 49% CAGR to more than $100 billion by 2025, according to Adjust Global App Trends 2019 Global Benchmarks Report. Our DIY app platform is a great fit with Indosats subscriber base, allowing users to easily market, promote and sell their goods and services via mobile, commented Weyland CEO, Brent Suen. CreateApp offers a valuable, unique and much needed solution for Indosats subscribers looking to compete in the fast-growing mCommerce and eCommerce markets. For Indosat, we see it creating more loyal and engaged business customers. Weylands recent acquisition of Minneapolis-based Push Interactive is also expected to provide lead-generation tools for Indonesian SMBs to increase their online sales. About Indosat Ooredoo Indosat Ooredoo, an Indonesia Stock Exchange listed company and member of Ooredoo Group, is building Indonesias leading digital telco, enabling access and greater connectivity for everybody and every business. Focusing on human growth, Indosat Ooredoo aspires to enrich the lives of Indonesians in the digital world and proactively offer solutions to fulfill their needs. Indosat Ooredoo was recognized in the Most Innovative Company of the Year category in the 2015 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards. For more information, visit indosatooredoo.com. About Weyland Tech Weyland Tech is a developer and global provider of mobile business software applications. The company operates its CreateApp platform-as-a-service (PaaS) across three continents and 10 countries, including some of the fastest-growing emerging markets in Southeast Asia. The platform provides a mobile presence for small-and-medium sized businesses (SMBs) that is supported locally by distributor partnerships. Offered in 14 languages with more than 70 integrated modules, CreateApp enables SMBs to create and deploy native mobile applications for Apple iOS and Google Android without technical knowledge or background. The technology empowers SMBs to increase sales, reach more customers, manage logistics, and promote their products and services in an easy, affordable and highly efficient way. For more information, visit weyland-tech.com. About Push Interactive The e-Commerce platform of Weylands Push Interactive subsidiary features comprehensive customer acquisition capabilities, highly productive media and channel strategies, well-tuned product promotion and messaging, and sales funnel development and optimization. The direct-to-consumer platform provides an end-to-end solution for SMBs and major brands, allowing these organizations to dramatically increase online revenue while lowering the cost of customer acquisition and order fulfillment. Post-sale, Push supports fulfillment, customer relationship management, and further monetization through re-engagement and remarketing toolsets that enhance customer lifetime value (LTV). For more information about Push Interactive, visit www.pushint.com. About AtozPay and AtozGo Through Weyland Techs minority-owned subsidiary, Weyland Indonesia Perkasa (WIP), the company operates AtozPay and AtozGo. The AtozPay mobile payments platform serves the burgeoning mCommerce and e-Payment markets in Indonesia, the worlds fourth most populous country. AtozGo is a fast-growing short-distance food delivery service operated in Jakarta, Indonesia. For more information, visit atozpayindonesia.com. Important Cautions Regarding Forward Looking Statements 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 ability of the Company to successfully integrate Push, the continued growth of the eCommerce 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 Companys 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 Companys periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (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. Company Contact Brent Suen, CEO Weyland Tech Inc. Email contact Media & Investor Contact Ronald Both or Grant Stude CMA Tel (949) 432-7566 Email Contact [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] February 27 : Shah Rukh Khan has got one more feather to add to his life achievements this year and we are truly happy for him. This 2020, La Trobe University had decided to add his name a scholarship for research students and this fine actor was most happy to be part of this idea. The prestigious Shah Rukh Khan La Trobe University Ph.D. Scholarship was given to Indian Female Ph.D. research student Gopika Kottantharayil Bhasi, from Thrissur and the event took place in Mumbai. It was truly a moment of pride when $200,000 (AUD), that was about 9.5 million Indian rupees Scholarship was awarded to this brainy girl. SRK mentioned his gratitude for how the Indian Film Festival, Melbourne, had helped the Indian cinema gain more recognition on the global front. He revealed that I am a staunch believer of education. Empowering and educating women is key and the world goes forward with educating women. I think education in India or anywhere else in the world is a step forward. Image Source: Cine Photos Shah-Rukh-Khan at la Trobe University Scholarship Event He congratulated Gopika for her victory and also getting this golden chance to do her Ph.D. with such a fantastic university. He wished her luck and admired her determination to pursue her dream in life. With such a golden opportunity, she would now be able to travel to Melbourne and hopefully improve the face of agriculture in India. He commented that he always felt that Women are much conscientious than us, Men and he smiled away. During the speech, he recollected that he happened to have a fairly memorable association with Melbourne, as his film Chak De was mostly shot in this beautiful city. The DDLJ actor praised the hospitality of the people of Australia and how this association will spark a more good time for all. He also suggested that though a lot of funds are being given for the Indian cinema, it should be given for small and medium budget movies as they are ones who are truly in need of funds. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said the situation in violence-hit Delhi was returning to normal. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited here, Singh said, "The situation in Delhi is becoming normal to a good extent." He was responding to a query on the increasing toll in the riots in the national capital following the protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act. The Defence Minister, however, declined to reply to a question on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's demand for bringing in Army to restore normalcy in Delhi. Kejriwal had on Wednesday said the Army should be called in as the police was unable to control the situation despite all its efforts following the violence in parts of northeast Delhi. The toll in the communal violence in Delhi over the amended citizenship law has reached 32 on Thursday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Raiders of the Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg. Seen here, Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images) Harrison Ford will be in his late 70s if and when Indiana Jones 5 finally arrives in cinemas, so the plot should revolve around Indy enjoying a nice cup of tea in a retirement home, his feet up on the Ark of the Covenant. All joking aside though, the time period the new film is likely to be set is a goldmine, plot-wise. Each Indiana Jones film has stuck to the fictional chronology of his life, so 1983s Raiders of the Lost Ark featured a 39-year-old Indy battling Nazis in 1936, while 2008s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was set in 1957 featuring a 66-year-old Indy. This suggests that the as-yet-untitled fifth Indiana Jones movie will be set amid the historical milieu of the late 1960s, early 1970s. Read more: Spielberg drops out of Indiana Jones 5 So what could this mean for the potential plot of the film? Weve got a few ideas for stories of that era that rumoured new director James Mangold could explore. Indiana Jones and... the moon landings Indiana Jones and the Race for the Moon? The space race was nearing its ultimate destination in the late 60s with the Apollo 11 moon landing taking place in July 1969, so it wouldnt take a giant leap of imagination to see Indy getting embroiled in a lunar mystery involving the dark side of the moon. Many people still believe Stanley Kubrick conspired with NASA to fake the moon landings, maybe this was a cover story for something even stranger that Indy could investigate? Indiana Jones and... the Vietnam war 5 possible storylines Indiana Jones 5 could explore Indys no stranger to getting involved in real life conflicts: He battled the Nazis as a civilian and as an OSS agent during WWII, and he tussled with the Ruskies in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull but would Spielberg be brave enough to pit him against the Viet Cong? Its a potential minefield for a family film, but Southeast Asia is fertile ground for the ancient civilisations Indy likes to investigate. Indiana Jones and... Nazis on the run 5 possible storylines Indiana Jones 5 could explore At the end of World War II many high-ranking Nazis fled Europe and found refuge in South America. Wed love to see Dr. Jones chasing down his old adversaries in the Amazon as they both race to discover El Dorado, and the lost cities of gold. Story continues Read more: Everything you need to know about Indys whip Raiders of the Lost Ark opened in the jungles of South America so this would bring neat some symmetry to the (probably) final chapter in the franchise. This is definitely our favourite idea. Indiana Jones and... the satanists 5 possible storylines Indiana Jones 5 could explore A darker side to the 1960s cultural rebellion was the rise of the occult. Counter culture belief systems were springing up all across America and 1969 saw The Manson Family committing a series of horrific murders in a bid to trigger Helter Skelter, an apocalyptic race war. Again, this is dodgy ground for a family film but it didnt stop them Temple of Doom with its graphic ritual sacrifices. Indy battling Satanists and witchcraft is something wed love to see on screen. Indiana Jones and... the assassinations 5 possible storylines Indiana Jones 5 could explore Even now, some 50 years later, were still obsessed with the high profile assassinations of the 1960s. Despite countless investigations and committee hearings, theres still a lot of ambiguity surrounding the murders of the Kennedy brothers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. which has led to the proliferation of countless conspiracy theories. Perhaps Indy investigates what happened on the grassy knoll that day in Dallas? When I was a kid growing up in a coal mining community and regularly visiting the Shawnee National Forest, my heroes were the guys in green uniforms who rode around in green trucks maintaining recreation areas: the U. S. Forest Service. I thought their mission was to keep the places I loved green and I was totally on board with that. I remained on board for decades. Only in recent years have I come to understand that my heroes and their bureaucracy are the victims and agents of regulatory capture. I spent nearly half my life as an environmental activist; but only in the past few years, have I come to understand regulatory capture. Nobel Prize laureate George Stiglitz wrote about this phenomenon before I was born. Regulatory capture is defined as the process by which regulatory agencies eventually come to be dominated by the very industries they were charged with regulating. This occurs in countries around the globe, but is nowhere more apparent than in the world which surrounds me here in Southern Illinois. Decades ago, when I first heard about logging proposals on the Shawnee National Forest, I fully supported them. After all, the motto of the Forest Service is Caring for the land and serving people. I considered these government foresters the professionals who best knew how to manage the Shawnee. It was not until after I cruised some of their advertised timber sales that I realized the Forest Service was proposing to cut very low-value timber in places where it made no sense steep hillsides in shallow soil on fragile watersheds above ecologically sensitive recreation areas. I listened to their rationales as they distorted facts and defied logic in order to justify their money-losing logging program. How do you lose money selling truckloads of timber? By spending more money than the timber is worth administering the sale; and most egregiously by reimbursing the timber/paper companies for the cost of building their own logging roads. Just recently, after environmentalists exposed this practice, the Forest Service has juggled some digits to better hide this subterfuge but it still exists. Why on earth would the professionals, who are paid handsomely to manage our national forests, agree to such a scheme? Because funding for the Forest Service is tied to archaic laws such as the Knutson-Vandenberg Act, which incentivizes this environmental degradation and fiscal mismanagement. The bottom line is that the more money the Forest Service loses selling our timber, the more money they get in their budget. And the overriding principle of any bureaucracy is to perpetuate the budget. You can bet that laws and budgetary gimmicks like this were not dreamed up by environmentalists nor average citizens. Timber industry lobbyists and the lawmakers they bankrolled crafted this legislation and maintain it to this day. Most recently this kleptocracy has set its sites on the waterfall timber sale, packaged as a phony stewardship project. This corruption is not confined to federal agencies. It abounds on the state level as well. There was a time in Illinois when we had an Illinois Department of Conservation and an Illinois Department of Mines and Minerals. The former included staff biologists charged with monitoring, managing, conserving, and protecting the natural resources of the state. The latter was staffed with geologists and political appointees responsible for issuing permits for extractive industries such as mining and drilling. The two departments sometimes clashed, as when IDOC biologists issued assessments which were not always conducive to keeping the DMM's industry permits flowing smoothly. So politicians who were well-compensated by lobbyists arranged to merge these two state agencies with the Illinois Department of Energy and voila! problem solved, the newly formed Illinois Department of Natural Resources rarely saw an industry permit application which they did not see fit to approve. This once-proud agency is now a de facto arm of the industries which they are supposed to regulate. Another state bureaucracy, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, has the ostensible mission of safeguarding environmental quality in Illinois. A few years ago, it came to light that one of their inspectors lost his job for falsifying reports regarding a local landfill. This public employee's collusion with industry reportedly went on for years before it was discovered. It is not unusual that when such colluders are caught or retire, they then conveniently and lucratively get employed by the very industry which they were previously supposed to regulate. At least they recycle! Just recently, public relations experts in the IEPA announced that it would be a fine idea to pump millions of gallons per day from the Pond Creek underground coal mine into the Big Muddy River. Anyone who thinks there was no collusion between agency and industry in this instance has a weak grasp on reality. This regulatory capture is not confined to government agencies. It is facilitated by legislators in the pocket of industry. Our local State Representative a few years ago who sponsored fracking legislation in Illinois received tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-state contributions from the fracking and other extractive industries. He shouted until he was hoarse to get that Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act passed. Then it was up to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to spell out the rules for enforcing the law. No one was surprised when the rules they proposed watered down the legislation to even further favor industry. The foxes are truly guarding the henhouse for other foxes. Regulatory capture has been elevated to an art form but there is still hope for participatory democracy. The key is participation. Once a citizen exhausts the administrative procedures of a particular regulatory agency, then he or she can seek judicial review and force the agency to obey the law. This takes time, but can work. It does, however, require participation. The world is run by the people who show up. See you at the next meeting Sam Stearns is the Public Education Coordinator for Friends of Bell Smith Springs. You can email Stearns at bellsmithsprings@hotmail.org, or visit the website at www.fobss.org. Love 11 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Heathrow Airport says coronavirus impact small so far FILE PHOTO: A British Airways aircraft takes off from Heathrow Airport in west London By Sarah Young LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Heathrow Airport, the busiest hub in Europe, has so far seen little impact from coronavirus on passenger numbers, but its chief executive said it was too soon to say whether or not its growth this year would be curtailed by the outbreak. Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said the airport was going beyond official guidance to ensure passenger safety, by deep cleaning across the airport and making hand sanitiser available. He said the airport, whose owners include Ferrovial, Qatar Investment Authority and China Investment Corp, could take passenger temperatures if the authorities requested. Coronavirus originated in China late last year, infecting about 80,000 people and killing more than 2,700, the vast majority in China. But in recent days it has spread rapidly across northern Italy and to other European countries. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic cancelled flights between Heathrow and China last month, while an outbreak in Italy has prompted some countries to advise citizens not to visit the north of Italy, prompting fears over travel demand. But Holland-Kaye said the airport was still seeing growth in passenger numbers coming through at the moment. "We will be updating the market I think at the end of March when we will probably have a better view, but from a financial point of view, at this stage, we don't see it being material," he said in an interview. Last year, 2% of Heathrow's 81 million passengers came from China. Chinese airlines such as China Eastern, China Southern and Air China continue to operate between Heathrow and Chinese cities. Heathrow has grown passenger numbers for the last nine years. Holland-Kaye said it was "too soon to say" if the virus could throw that trajectory off course. Heathrow reported on Wednesday adjusted core earnings (EBITDA) of 1.9 billion pounds ($2.47 billion) for 2019, up 4.6%, on revenues that rose 3.4% to 3.1 billion pounds, boosted by a 1% rise in passenger numbers. Story continues The airport has a project to build a third runway, which it says it can do without compromising environmental targets, but the expansion is subject to a legal challenge. A ruling on an appeal is due to be made by a judge on Thursday. Heathrow has said it needs the new runway to keep its position as one of Europe's leading airports and help grow Britain's trade links and exports after Britain's departure last month from the European Union. France's hub airport Charles de Gaulle is set to overtake Heathrow as the busiest airport in Europe in the next two years. (Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by James Davey and Edmund Blair) The number of deaths in Delhi violence rose to 34 on Thursday after one of the injured at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital succumbed to injuries, reported news agency ANI. Two people had earlier died at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital. There is relative calm in Jafrabad, Maujpur, Chand Bagh and other areas of Northeast Delhi, where violence broke out on Monday and continued till Tuesday evening. Delhi Police and security forces are conducting flag marches in the area to monitor the situation. All the security personnel are equipped with riot gears and batons during the march. The area is under prohibitory orders till March 24. Watch | Delhi violence: Death toll rises to 34; police conducts flag march in NE areas This comes after newly appointed Delhi Police Special Commissioner (Law and Order) SN Shrivastava late on Wednesday took stock of the situation in violence-affected areas in North-East district. Delhi Police have registered 18 FIRs and 106 people have been arrested in connection with the violence in North-East Delhi, reported ANI. This weeks battles have seen mobs armed with swords, guns and acid raze parts of Northeast Delhi. The clashes, which also left more than 250 injured, were triggered by protests over Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA. They exploded into brutal violence on Monday and Tuesday, with residents forced to flee their homes after seeing dwellings destroyed and a tyre market set ablaze. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important... calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Wednesday. Delhis Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, meanwhile, called for the army to be deployed in the city. The US embassy issued a travel warning advising citizens to exercise caution. The latest flare-up in violence occurred as US President Donald Trump held talks with PM Modi in Delhi on Tuesday. The visit was not visibly interrupted. HONG KONG, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Walton International Group, a North America based real estate investment and land asset company, administers and manages over 106,000 acres of land across the United States and Canada. The Group offers a new approach for leading homebuilders and developers to meet their land light strategies with the advantage of achieving financial flexibility. In response to evolving investor needs, Walton has further diversified its investment solutions with the innovative Builder Option Land Developer Fund (BOLD Fund). Boasting over 40-years of experience, the Walton Group's disciplined approach and unique industry solution attracts investors seeking to diversify their investment portfolios with alternative assets. The Walton Group's real estate assets, which span across 23 major North American markets and comprise 179 master-planned communities with multiple uses and purposes, offer global investors unique land investment opportunities that capitalize on the stable economic growth in these regions. Finding the Right Land Through Proprietary Research At the core of the Walton Group's land investment strategy is exit focused pre-development land. The Walton Group takes a multi-phase approach towards investing in pre-development land, a process that begins with identifying the right land. Walton spends a minimum of two years researching and assessing a prospective area to identify parcels of land in the "path of growth". This multi-layered due diligence process analyzes environmental, geographic, political and economic factors to determine the development potential of a land project. Concurrent with the strict due diligence process with independent third parties, Walton will engage a major US homebuilder ("Builder") to assess the new property, review the financials of the project and enter into an exit focused agreement ("EFA") that would allow the Builder to ultimately purchase the property from the land owners at a future price and date. Macroeconomic analysis of the Metropolitan Statistical Area is especially relevant to provide an accurate forecast for ongoing housing demand. This thorough research process provides both investors and developers with a comprehensive understanding of the land and its potential for future growth and development, and therefore is critical to the ultimate success of the land investment. Seasoned Experts in Exit Focused Pre-Development Land Investment This rigorous land research process is followed by the syndication of the land through the Walton Group's distribution channels across North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The Walton Group has acquired over 85,000 acres of land diversified across the growing sunbelt cities in the United States since 2008. During the hold period, the Walton Group manages and administers the land, carries out pre-approved planning activities on behalf of landowners, and keeps investors informed through regular project updates. Strategic Land Solutions and Strong Partnerships The Walton Group's strategic portfolio of land assets are well positioned to meet the rising demand for land development in North America. The US in particular is seeing ever-growing housing needs as the economy, jobs and overall population continue to expand. Three million people added to the U.S. annually equates to average annual demand of 1.3M housing starts since 1959. Continued housing demand will provide opportunities for owners of land assets located in markets with strong population and housing permit growth. This significant demand for development-ready land located in key growth centers provides a profitable exit strategy for land investors, as homebuilders and developers acquire land for development. Over the years, the Walton Group has worked on multiple deal structures with best-in-class homebuilders and developers to monetize pre-development land assets. Now, with secular shifts in the homebuilding industry leading homebuilders and developers to focus on land light strategies, the Walton Group has adapted to provide innovative solutions to the industry's challenges. Walton's new approach offers homebuilders the financial flexibility to acquire properties in phases. As a result, investors benefit from realizing investment returns incrementally and at an earlier stage. To date, the Walton Group has exited 116 projects and distributed more than USD 1.5 billion to global investors. Diversification Through Innovation The BOLD Fund offers investors the opportunity to participate in the growing US home building market. Working together with large volume US homebuilders, the fund will acquire properties for near term residential development and sell them to homebuilders in phases with an adjustable takedown schedule and flexible financing options. Investors are anticipated to receive annual distributions as homes are developed and sold in phases. Walton's unique investment solutions offer investors access to land investments which typically have high capital requirements and were historically the preserve of institutional investors. Walton's 40 years of experience in researching, syndicating and monetizing land assets has contributed to its emergence as one of the largest real estate asset managers in North America. Walton's exit focused pre-development land projects and the BOLD fund will continue to evolve over time in response to investor needs and their appetite for innovative and profitable investment products. About Walton Global Holdings Walton Global Holdings is a privately owned, leading global real estate investment, land asset management and administration company that has focused on strategically located land in major growth corridors for over 40 years. The company manages and administers US$3.8 billion of real estate assets in North America, on behalf of its investors and business partners. Walton has more than 106,000 acres of land under ownership, management and administration in the United States and Canada. For more information, please contact Timothy Haywood at timothy.haywood@walton.com. A Canadian family flying to France was thrown off a plane after passengers complained that their coughing toddler could be infected with the deadly coronavirus. Emmanuel Faug, his wife Clementine Ferraton and their three children boarded an Air Transat flight from Quebec City to Paris for a family celebration on February 23. Their 21-month-old daughter, Lila, was also brought along for the trip despite having symptoms of the common cold and coughing. According to Ouest-France, concerned passengers began complaining to the flight crew before takeoff that the child could be infected with the coronavirus. A flight attendant approached the couple and asked Ferraton if she could provide a medical document proving that their daughter was not contagious. Air Transat has received backlash after telling a Canadian family to exit the plane after passengers complained that their coughing toddler could have coronavirus She assured the flight attendant that the child was safe to travel and it had been confirmed by a doctor the morning of the trip. However, the couple was not able to provide a written document about their daughter's health. A doctor aboard the plane also took time to examine the child and determined that Lila's health was not a problem, but this was not enough. The captain reportedly sought further advice from Medlink, a company specializing in aviation medical issues, Mirror reports. Canadian couple Emmanuel Faug (left) and Clementine Ferraton (right) were told by a doctor that their sick 21-month-old daughter was safe to travel, but the flight crew thought otherwise The company advised that the child be removed since they did not have verification. In a statement, a Air Transat spokesperson said: 'After analyzing the situation, MedLink determined that the passenger's medical condition posed a significant potential risk to passengers and crew during the flight'. 'They [MedLink] follow the recommendations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regarding contagious diseases'. The family was asked to leave the plane and were escorted off the flight without an opportunity to speak with any Air Transat customer service personnel. Ferraton told TVA Nouvelles that Air Transat's reaction was overboard. 'At no time did I think I was putting people in danger by taking my child on a plane. I think this is overkill,' she said. Faug said that on several occasions, while speaking with a chief steward, that she referenced the 'current context'. He believes they was alluding to the coronavirus, COVID-19, and that they were dismissed to avoid controversy. 'I think that's where his fears came from. I can understand it in a way, but I found it a bit excessive. I have the impression that she was amalgamating and zealous,' he said. 'I feel like I was kicked out of a plane to avoid a scandal'. The couple said they feel they were escorted off the plane to avoid a scandal about coronavirus, which has infected more than 82,000 people worldwide Air Transat has since denied kicking off the family due to increasing panic surrounding coronavirus and that they simply followed protocol. 'The only case where a passenger, showing obvious signs of a contagious disease, could be accepted on board, would be when the latter provides the appropriate documentation, completed by a qualified doctor,' the company said. The family has filed a complaint against Air Transat and request compensation for their forcibly cancelled flight. Health officials across the globe are working to stop the spread of coronavirus, which appeared in the Hubei province in Wuhan, China, in late December. As of Thursday, coronavirus has infected at more than 82,000 people worldwide in every continent except Antarctica and killed at least 2,809 people. Although the majority of deaths have occurred in China, at least 11 have been reported in other countries. There are 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. and Canada, including 10 in California and seven in British Columbia South Korea now has more than 1,700 cases, Italy has 528 cases and Iran has 254 cases. In the United States, there are 60 confirmed coronavirus cases with no deaths as of yet. It was announced on Wednesday that President Donald Trump has appointed Vice President Mike Pence to oversee the coronavirus response. 'Mike will be working with the professionals, doctors and everybody else that is working. The team is brilliant. I spent a lot of time with the team the last couple weeks,' Trump said. 'But they are brilliant and we're doing really well and Mike is going to be in charge and Mike will report back to me. But he has a certain talent for this,' he added. Several Democratic politicians blasted Pence's position, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez saying he 'literally doesn't believe in science' and Bernie Sander noting that Pence allegedly tried to 'pray away' an HIV epidemic. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump (center) assigned Vice President Mike Pence (right) to oversee the White House's response to coronavirus Democratic politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) and Bernie Sanders (right) have criticized Pence's appointment In California, the first person who contracted coronavirus from an unknown source has been reported after the CDC took four days to test the patient. Officials said the patient is being treated at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. The patient, who is a resident of Solano County, was admitted into the hospital on February 19. But questions are now being asked over the CDC's handling of the case after an email from medical center officials to employees revealed that the CDC took four days to test the patient for the deadly disease despite requests from staff at the center. The leaked memo also suggested medical center staff may have been unnecessarily put at risk after some have now been told to go into isolation and watch for symptoms. According to the email, the CDC didn't test the patient, who has not been identified, for coronavirus until February 23. According to the internal memo from UC Davis Medical Center obtained by CBS13, the patient was transferred from another Northern California hospital on February 19 and was already intubated and on a ventilator. However, despite requests from medical center officials for the CDC to test the unknown individual, the patient was only tested for coronavirus on Sunday - four days after they were admitted to the hospital - because 'the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19', the email said. The first person diagnosed with coronavirus without a known source has been reported in California this week The email from David Lubarsky, vice-chancellor of human health services, and Brad Simmons, interim CEO of UC Davis Medical Center, to the center employees confirmed that the test had come back positive Wednesday. 'Upon admission, our team asked public health officials if this case could be COVID-19. We requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC, since neither Sacramento County nor (the California Department of Public Health) is doing testing for coronavirus at this time. Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered,' said the email, which added that, 'UC Davis Health does not control the testing process'. The hospital has been treating one other confirmed case of coronavirus, though the other patient contracted the disease through travel after returning to the US from China on February 2. 'This is not the first COVID-19 patient we have treated, and because of the precautions we have had in place since this patient's arrival, we believe there has been minimal potential for exposure here at UC Davis Medical Center,' the email said. However, the email said some staff members had been warned to go into isolation and to stay vigilant to any developing symptoms. Medical staff members wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly virus which began in the city, walk at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in China 'A small number of medical center employees have been asked to stay home and monitor their temperatures,' the email said. The CDC confirmed that the person had not recently returned from a foreign country, and had not been in contact with another confirmed case. News of the first case where a patient has no known connection to travel abroad or to another known case has raised concerns over how the disease could spread across America. A statement from CDC confirmed the first possible instance of 'community spread' in the US Wednesday evening. 'At this time, the patient's exposure is unknown. It's possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown,' the statement said. The CDC did not rule out that the patient may have been in contact with an infected individual who is yet to be diagnosed or linked to the individual. 'It's also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected,' the statement said. Pictured: Staff from the U.S. embassy walk in a cargo plane, chartered by the U.S. State Department to evacuate Americans and Canadians from China due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus 'This case was detected through the US public health system picked up by astute clinicians. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the United States to 15.' Officials said they will be tracing the infected individual's contacts to see how they may have been infected and if any other individuals may be at risk. A chief doctor at the medical center refuted Trump's claims that the US is 'ready' for an outbreak and sent a stark warning that the local Californian community is not prepared. 'We don't have that much data, so we don't really know how many symptomatic, or asymptomatic patients there are in the community right now. The testing is very limited. We would like to have more widespread testing so we know where this virus is who's sick and who is at risk,' Dr Dean Blumberg, the Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the UC Davis Children's Hospital, told CBS Sacramento. Blumberg said that if community transmission is confirmed, there could be many more cases out there. 'We only have this one confirmed case of community transmission, but it suggests that we don't know where they got it from, so the person who exposed them, so there's probably other cases in the community that we don't know about,' Blumberg said. As the coronavirus epidemic slows down global trade and grinds on economies, there may be an upside for WA according to the head of one of WA's biggest apartment developers. Fresh after posting a $6.6 million profit from July to December 2019 Finbar managing director Darren Pateman said despite global uncertainty he predicted Perth could benefit in the long run if governments started spending big to get their economies back on track. The Pelago apartments in Karratha. "Its incredibly difficult to predict or adequately prepare for possible impacts because this is really uncharted territory. At this stage, were undertaking fairly standard scenario planning for the possibility of operating in softer economic conditions," he said. "In the long term, however, we see only good things for Perth. The Obuasi East Local Management Committee (LMC) has been entreated to adopt a bottom-up approach with the aim of ensuring transparency when engaging their communities. They have again been urged to understand the plight and prioritize the request of the communities and apply funds efficiently. This mandate includes managing the governments Mining Community Development Schemes under the Minerals Development Fund. Inaugurating the committee in Obuasi East, Board Chairperson of the Minerals Development Fund, Esther Edjeani, said the Board since its inauguration in April, 2019 has initiated a survey to identify sustainable alternative livelihoods interventions for various mining communities. The status report, she said indicates that over 20 of the interventions have been identified. These include; Oil Palm processing plant, School feeding program market, household electronics and appliances repair app among others. She assured that the final report will be made available to the Local Management Committee as a guide in selecting sustainable alternative livelihood intervention programmes for the Board's consideration. The LMC consists of representatives from the traditional council, youth, technocrats, interest groups and Anglo Gold Ashanti. Mr. Fred Nsarkoh, the Operations Manager of Anglogold Ashanti Ghana who represented the General Manager of the company said the company has established a 3 year Social Management Plan to support the creation of alternative industry, building individual and institutional capacities as well as maintaining strong partnership with local government agencies and private institutions with the aim of ensuring that the communities they operate within are better of. He pledged the support and commitment of Anglogold Ashanti to the Local Mining Committee as a member to ensure it carries out its mandate effectively. Honorable Dr. Patrick Boakye-Yiadom, the Member of Parliament for Obuasi East who read the speech on behalf of the minister of Lands and Natural Resources said the main reason for passing the Minerals Development Fund Act (Act 912) is to provide financial resources for the direct benefit of mining communities, holders of interest in land within mining communities, traditional and local government authorities within mining communities and institutions responsible for the development of mining in Ghana. He advised members of the LMC to judiciously apply the funds made available to them since they will be held accountable. He said, "a team under the direction of the Coordinator of the Scheme, would be monitoring the operations of the Committee and reporting to the Mineral Development Fund Board for informed decisions". Sir. Joseph Afoakwa, the Chairman of the Obuasi East Local Management Committee on behalf of the members said they welcome the challenge and will work diligently for the benefit of the mining communities. He called for the support of all stakeholders to enable them function effectively. The newly inaugurated Obuasi East Local Management Committee was presented with GH 500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Ghana cedis) seed money, to facilitate socio-economic development in all mining communities. The District Chief Executive of Obuasi East District Assembly, Honorable Faustina Amissah, the District Coordinating Director, Mr. Emmanuel Ntoso and other Heads of Department were present at the inauguration. An Indonesian official is facing possible sanctions on Thursday after she warned women they could get pregnant by swimming in a pool where a man with "strong sperm" had ejaculated. Sitti Hikmawatty, a child protection commission member, drew controversy and online ridicule after her unscientific comments to a major media outlet last week. "In a swimming pool, there's a certain kind of sperm that is very strong," Hikmawatty told Tribunnews.com during a video interview about teen pregnancies. "If a person is aroused and ejaculates (in the pool) a pregnancy can happen even though there is no sexual penetration." Online, some men pledged to buy condoms before heading to the pool, while a picture of shark-shaped sperm closing in on a female swimmer -- parodying a poster for the 1975 movie Jaws -- went viral. "Not all men are aroused when they're swimming with women," health influencer Blog Dokter told his 1.7 million Twitter followers in a rebuke to Hikmawatty's comments. "But even if a man was aroused and ejaculated in a pool the sperm would quickly die in chlorinated water." While Hikmawatty quickly retracted her remarks, a three-member government commission has been assembled to decide if the former university professor will be sanctioned. "This should serve as a lesson for all officials to be extra careful when they make public statements," the newly formed commission's chairman Susanto, who goes by one name, told AFP on Thursday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government is still not aware of any cases of the new virus being present in Hungary, Gergely Gulyas, the head of the prime minister's office, told a press conference. Gulyas noted coronavirus is spreading in Europe, adding that there was little chance Hungary could avoid COVID-19. He said the government knew of two Hungarians who had contracted the virus: a woman living in Vienna and a man on a boat in Japan. The press will be immediately informed if any person in Hungary is identified to carry the virus, he said. Gulyas said that for the time being, the effect of the epidemic of the Hungarian economy cannot be assessed. Gulyas said there were five Hungarians among the thousand people quarantined in a hotel in Tenerife. According to the latest information, they are well and the foreign ministry is in touch with them, he added. Human Resources Minister Miklos Kasler said Hungarian procedures in connection with the new virus were slightly stricter than those generally applied in Europe. He said GPs have received the latest protocols connected to the COVID-19 virus, providing details as to how it can be identified as well as procedures in case of suspected infection. MTI Photo Three children between 3 and 6 years old abducted Thursday in southeast Georgia and believed to be in extreme danger were found hours later in Indiana, police said. Officials issued an Amber Alert for Autumn Leann Gentry, 5, Meadow Lin Gentry, 6, and Cole Arron Gentry, 3 after they were reportedly abducted by Marshall Arron Gentry, 26. They were last seen in St. Marys, Georgia, a town on the border with Florida near Interstate 95. Police say the suspect was the childrens father, according to WMAZ. The family was later found in Indiana, WTOC reported. Officials are investigating whether they left the Camden area voluntarily. Police say Marshal Gentry may be heavily armed. Investigators in Camden County and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation initially said they were searching for a black 2019 Toyota Tundra with GA license tag RTQ7135, according to the Amber Alert. Marshall Gentry was believed to be suicidal and heavily armed, police said, according to WGXA. Police told WMAZ that Marshall Gentry recently got divorced from the childrens mother and was living on base at Naval Submarine Base Kings. MONTREAL, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dios Exploration Inc. is completing a non-brokered $412,000 private placement consisting of flow-though shares at $ 0.10 per share. Proceeds will be used to pursue exploration work on wholly-owned K2 property., directly adjacent in strike SW of Azimut's Elmer gold discovery property, James Bay, Quebec. Work completed by DIOS on K2 uncovered wholly-owned 3 km long WI target electromagnetic conductor and, among others, ATTILA gold-copper-silver prospect, in direct strike south-west of Azimut Patwon, and bearing similarities in some host rocks (felsic intrusive), alterations and 3 sets of quartz veining. K2 property is underlain by same stratigraphy as Azimuts property, north of Opinaca Fault, a northeast-southwest major regional structure. Securities issued under this financing will be subject to a hold period of four months. This private placement is carried out pursuant to prospectus exemptions of applicable securities laws and is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. Three directors participated in the financing for $40,000. This press release was prepared by Marie-Jose Girard, Geo M.Sc., President of DIOS, Qualified Person following 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. Contact information : Marie-Jose Girard, President, Geo M.Sc. mjgirard@diosexplo.com Tel.: (514) 923-9123 Website: www.diosexplo.com Eighteen FIRs at various police stations had been registered and 106 people arrested under various sections over violence in northeast Delhi that erupted on Sunday, the Delhi Police said on Wednesday. Addressing the media, the Delhi Police spokesperson said no untoward incident was reported on Wednesday. Two telephone numbers -- 22829334 and 2282935 -- have been activated to help citizens. They will remain operational for 24 hours. They would work along with the emergency number 112, he added. The Delhi Police spokesperson said, search for perpetrators of violence was on and CCTV footages were been scanned to identify the accused. He said drones were used to monitor the areas. The police forces were also removing bricks and stones from rooftops of buildings in the area. Its been 150 years since railroads came to Wyoming. They built the state, with towns like Cheyenne, Rawlins and Evanston springing up at important points along the great arteries of transcontinental commerce. Locally, theyve proven to be the states lifeblood, granting miners and ranchers alike access to distant markets without the need for the public to maintain thousands of miles of right of ways through winter storms, spring floods and summer heat. Access to privately financed freight infrastructure isnt a given; other places must rely on taxpayers to build the roads and highways we need to get raw resources to market. In other words, people can only access this non-taxpayer-funded infrastructure when someone can earn enough of a profit on a particular strip of right of way to pay for any associated maintenance and management costs. Unfortunately, a law proposed by Rep. Stan Blake, D-Green River, threatens to upset the delicate infrastructure funding balance that the states policymakers work hard to maintain. At issue is whether Wyoming will set state-level rules that govern how freight locomotives must be staffed. The new bill would require all freight locomotives to operate with at least two crew members on board. A similar effort last year saw the proposal fail in the state Senates Transportation Committee after passing the House. Wyoming does not currently regulate staffing levels on freight trains, leaving railroads and their labor unions to work out the matter through mechanisms in established federal law. There is no safety reason for setting minimum railroad staffing requirements, as the Federal Railroad Administration made clear when it preempted similar laws last year. Regrettably, FRAs ruling did not affirmatively stop states from passing laws that would ground minimum staffing rules in naked economic protectionism. Railroad staffing has long been a controversial issue that has invited politicians to intervene. Railroad workers are well-compensated, and many love their jobs. But these jobs depend on the health of the industry, and the decline of Wyoming coal shipments has made that reality abundantly clear for some unfortunate workers. Protectionist laws that increase railroad operating costs, like the one Rep. Blake proposes, would only add fuel to this fire, potentially jeopardizing far more in upstream economic benefits than they can hope to preserve. Worse still, laws that wade into labor for one particular mode of transportation threaten to harm others in this case, the proposal could easily divert loads from railroads maintained with private capital to state highways, where taxpayers are on the hook for maintenance and congestion relief. In a state dependent on resource exports, the idea of finding this money in the state budget as coal revenues continue plummeting should give forward-looking Wyoming politicians pause. Contrast the proposed crew-size rule with whats going on with other aspects of railroad regulation in Wyoming. Last year, Union Pacific conducted a test of pioneering track inspection technology under an FRA waiver on its coal loop in 2019. Current law says that most tracks must be inspected by workers using a stop and verify method that requires shutting down the track for periodic inspection. Under the waiver, UP was able to conduct the nations first pilot of continuous track inspection technology that allowed the railroad to check track conditions with trains traveling at standard speeds. By not having to shut down segments of track for inspection, continuous track inspection technology stands to allow track inspections to happen far more frequently than they do today. The day the test ended, the FRA announced new rule-making that stands to expand continuous track-testing nationwide in the near future. Wyoming could play a similar role as a leader in innovation for freight rail train staffing. As a large, low-population, resource-rich state, Wyoming will likely rely on railroads as a crucial part of its freight network for decades to come should labor costs prove economical enough. Alternatively, lawmakers could follow Rep. Blakes recommendation and set a protectionist floor on railway labor costs, which may preserve a few jobs in the near future but will likely stunt rail innovation without improving safety. Nick Zaiac is a resident fellow in transportation and infrastructure at the R Street Institute. Love 7 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 20 PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 09:02:04 Canadian manufacturer is getting ready to launch Reveal, enabling bone and tissue differentiation without motion artifacts KA Imagings X-ray Detector Allows Any X-ray System to Be Upgraded to Dual-Energy Fernanda Fraga ffraga@kaimaging.com 226 215 9897 Canadian manufacturer KA Imaging is preparing to launch Reveal, a premium x-ray detector that upgrades any x-ray system to Dual-Energy. Reveal is the ideal retrofit solution as it will fit into any ISO standard size tray, explains Amol Karnick, president and CEO of KA Imaging. Thanks to this feature, the cost of implementation can be reduced to a fraction of the price: whereas conventional dual exposure dual-energy systems can cost as high as half a million dollars, KA Imagings Reveal can be obtained at a quarter of this price. You can simply replace your old detector with Reveal, as it will work with any conventional portable or fixed x-ray source, continues Amol. The competitive pricing strategy is just one of the advantages. KAI developed a unique technology that can improve dual-energy x-ray images. Reveal is the worlds first portable digital detector capable of separating different energy levels with a single exposure. It delivers three images: traditional DR, soft tissue and bone. Our patented technology eliminates the motion artifact problem often seen in traditional dual exposure dual-energy X-Ray imaging systems, explains Dr. Karim S Karim, CTO at KA Imaging. According to Karim, the detector simultaneously enables DR images with very high DQE (detective quantum efficiency) allowing for low radiation exposures to the patient and excellent quality soft tissue and bone images. The Reveal detector has been used clinically on more than 20 patients with lung cancer. The clinical trial is being held at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ontario and is expected to scan up to 30 patients. Reveal is being submitted to the US FDA for clearance in 2020. Radiologists globally can learn more about Reveal at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) between March 11th to 15th at the Austria Center Vienna. KA Imaging is exhibiting at booth #G41. ECR is one of the largest medical meetings in Europe. Canada is a featured country at this event. We are proud that as a partner country, we are able to present Canadian technology at this years ECR says Stephane Charbonneau, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Canada in Vienna. Reveal detector www.kaimaging.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005 KA Imagings x-ray detector allows any x-ray system to be upgraded to dual-energy. Canadian manufacturer is exhibiting at the European Congress of Radiology, ECR 2020. In an unprecedented move, the Delhi High Court heard a plea at 12.30am on Wednesday when a petitioner approached it to seek directions to the police to ensure safe passage of those requiring emergency treatment from Al Hind Hospital in Mustafabad to bigger hospitals. The matter was heard at Justice S Muralidhars residence where Justice AJ Bhambhani joined him. Advocate Suroor Mander brought the plea before them and in their presence were joint commissioner Alok Kumar, DCP (crime) Rajesh Deo and Delhi government counsel Sanjoy Ghose. The issue was that the police allegedly refused to provide security to ambulances. The court directed the police to ensure safe transfer of patients to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) hospital. The court heard the case again later in the day in the court in the presence of the same judges. Petitioner Mander confirmed that the patients were treated, and that the earlier order had a positive effect in general. The court appreciated the police. It then issued a slew of directions to the Delhi government and police while commenting that security is for everyone. Highest constitutional functionary move in Z+ security. This is the time to reach out and show that this security is for everyone, a bench of Justice S Muralidhar and Justice AJ Bhambhani said. It said that every victim should be attended by the highest functionary so that they are assured of their safety. Keep aside your political differences and make your highest functionary to visit the victims, the court said. The fear that we cannot return to our house must gothis is a country which is plural, it is inclusive. The bench ordered the police to ensure safe passage for fire engines and ambulances, and also to send requisitions for adequate number of private ambulances from private hospitals and other charitable organisations. The court was informed that many people had been displaced from their homes due to the riots and are afraid to return till the situation is effectively under control. Advocate Rahul Mehra, standing counsel of the Delhi government (criminal), told the court that the victims can be accommodated in the night shelters and community centres till then. The court ordered the Delhi government to ensure adequate number of such shelters. The bench also appointed advocate Zubeda Begum to assist it and co-ordinate between the various authorities in this regard. The police also told the court that they would request a district judge to assign designated Night Magistrates, who would be available after sunset to address the urgent needs. SCENE AT AL HIND HOSPITAL Have you seen movies on Bhopal gas tragedy? It was like that over here yesterday. We had to down the shutter because every inch of the hospital was full of those injured. There were many more outside banging on the shutter asking to be let in, said MD Meraj, a dentist who was among those trying to keep the 250 people with severe injuries alive. He is the brother of the owner of Al Hind hospital, where 24 people had been held hostage by the mobs outside. There were seven people who had been knifed in vital organs. It was as if a doctor had told them where to stab. We were stitching up people, doing whatever we could. When our supplies ran out, we asked the medical stores nearby, all of them sent over whatever supplies they had, said Dr MA Anwar, who is the owner of the nursing home. People trained in traditional forms of medicine also came to the hospital to help. Sheets and mattresses were put up in an empty hall to accommodate the patients. Ropes had been tied across the room to hand intra-venous bottles. There were just three oxygen cylinders and two Ambu bags. We taught the people who had come with the injured on how to administer emergency first-aid like CPR and mouth-to-mouth respiration to keep the people alive till the ambulances arrived, said Dr Anwar. But until the midnight court hearing the ambulances at different parts of the city were stuck because police were yet to provide security. INVESTOR ALERT: Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation of PlayAGS, Inc. (AGS) on Behalf of Investors Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf PlayAGS, Inc. ("PlayAGS" or the "Company") (NYSE: AGS) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. On August 7, 2019, PlayAGS reported a net loss of $7.6 million for second quarter 2019, which included a $3.5 million impairment to goodwill and $1.3 million impairment to intangible assets related to the Company's real money gaming business. On this news, te Company's share price fell $8.99, or nearly 52%, to close at $8.31 per share on August 8, 2019, on unusually heavy trading volume. If you purchased PlayAGS securities, have information or 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 Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226006045/en/ Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. San Francisco, 27 February 2020: The Report Capillary Blood Collection Devices Market Analysis Report By Material (Plastic, Glass, Stainless Steel), By Product, By Application (Whole Blood, Plasma Tests), By End Use, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 2025 The global capillary blood collection devices market size is expected to reach USD 1.75 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc., progressing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period. Increasing incidence of chronic, infectious and autoimmune diseases are some of the major factors propelling market growth owing to rising number of blood tests globally. Capillary blood draw technique has been most widely used for glucose and hemoglobin testing in clinics and hospitals. Ease of usage and minimally invasive nature also makes it ideal for home care diagnosis and testing, thereby boosting the markets growth potential.The use of this technique in conjugation with PoC diagnostics has become the chosen mode of testing in remote and ambulatory health settings. Blood gas detection, leukocyte & metabolite count, biomarker, nucleic acid, blood glucose, ferritin, lactate, effect of vitamin K-antagonist, and heavy metal ions analysis is commonly done using these samples. Thus, with rising adoption of rapid PoC diagnostics, usage of these devices is anticipated to increase in the near future. Chronic diseases are a global healthcare problem with over half of the adult population in the U.S. suffering from chronic diseases, which contribute to over 75% of the total healthcare cost in the nation. Thus, rising number of infectious and chronic diseases creates a huge demand for diagnostic testing, thereby propelling growth of these collection devices. Capillary blood draw technique is most often used in case of pediatric patients as it is difficult to draw venous and arterial blood from infants. Capillary blood draw is preferred in many ICU settings as patients lose large amount of blood during surgeries. Other blood drawing techniques are more invasive and might result in delays in the healing process or pose a risk of contamination. Ease of usage and effectiveness is another factor facilitating the use of these devices for home care diagnosis and testing, typically in case of diabetics. Access Research Report of Capillary Blood Collection Devices Market @ www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/capillary-blood-collection-devices-market Further Key Findings From the Report Suggest: Plastic devices held the largest market share in 2017 owing to their lightweight, cost-effective, and biocompatible nature coupled with extensive usage in medical devices Durability, non-porous nature, and impermeability are boosting the demand for glass devices Plastic and glass based collection devices are anticipated to dominate the market throughout the forecast horizon during the forecast period due to their extensive use in the manufacture of medical devices and other related products. North America will lead the market throughout the forecast period owing to existence of large number of major market players and high incidence of chronic and infectious diseases The Asia Pacific market is expected to rise at the highest CAGR during the same period. High population along with rising incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes are the major factors contributing to the growth of the regional market Some of the major players are Becton, Dickinson and Company; NIPRO Europe Corporation; Sarstedt AG & Co; Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.; Terumo Medical Corporation; B Braun Melsungen AG; Kabe Labortechnik GmbH; Greiner Bio One International GmbH; Cardinal Health; and Owen Mumford Ltd. Browse more reports of this category by Grand View Research at: www.grandviewresearch.com/industry/clinical-diagnostics Grand View Research has segmented the global capillary blood collection devices market on the basis of material, product, application, end use, and region: Capillary Blood Collection Devices Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Plastic Glass Stainless Steel Ceramic Others Capillary Blood Collection Devices Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Lancets Micro-Container Tubes Micro-Hematocrit Tubes Warming Devices Others Capillary Blood Collection Devices Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Whole Blood Plasma/ Serum Protein Tests Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Tests Liver Panel / Liver Profile/ Liver Function Tests Dried Blood Spot Tests Capillary Blood Collection Devices End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Hospitals and Clinics Blood Donation Centers Diagnostic Centers Home Diagnosis Pathology Laboratories Capillary Blood Collection Devices Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America MEA Access Press Release of Capillary Blood Collection Devices Market @ www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-capillary-blood-collection-devices-market About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. For More Information: www.grandviewresearch.com KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- National Advisors Trust announced today that they have partnered with Dynasty Financial Partners to offer a combination of trust services and wealth management to financial advisors seeking to expand and unify their services to clients. According to James A. Combs Jr., President and CEO, National Advisors Holdings, Inc., "National Advisors Trust is excited to be partnering with Dynasty Financial Partners to help advisors expand their products and service offerings to help them retain and consolidate client assets. Trust services are an essential component of any comprehensive wealth solution. When integrated with the Dynasty platform, National Advisors Trust's solutions will help advisors unify the advice and planning processes. We welcome the opportunity to provide trust and custody solutions to its community of advisors." National Advisors Trust is a support system that will continue to enhance the Dynasty platform giving financial advisors a means to increase asset retention and consolidation. This partnership is designed to provide a solution to the firms on Dynasty's platformand creates a readily available trust solution to the firm's business model. "The partnership between National Advisors Trust (NAT) and Dynasty has a singular focusproviding our Network Partner Firms with additional tools and resources to deliver to their clients. We felt NAT's client-centric focus fit well with our philosophy and we are excited about all of the potential synergies between the two firms," said Austin Philbin, Chief Administrative Officer, Dynasty Financial Partners. Who Is National Advisors National Advisors is a family of companies providing expert trust, custody, and concierge services to trusted advisors and the families they serve nationwide. National Advisors Holdings, Inc. is a bank holding company governed by the Federal Reserve Bank. National Advisors' wholly owned subsidiaries include: National Advisors Trust Company, a non-depository trust company with a national banking association charter; National Advisors Trust of South Dakota, Inc., a state chartered non-depository trust company; and National Advisors Concierge Services, an LLC that provides ancillary products and services to advisors. The headquarters for the industry-leading, independent, advisor-friendly trust platform is located in Kansas City, Missouri with satellite offices located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Houston, Texas. The companies serve trusted advisors of all types including RIAs, CPAs, banks, brokers, lawyers, and family offices. Partnering with National Advisors is the ultimate trust relationship. You have spent years building relationships with clients who trust your judgment. You need a trust services partner you can depend on to help preserve and strengthen the enduring relationships you have created with your clients. Working together, we help you extend those relationships across generations. National Advisors Trust Company was the nation's first independent, advisor-owned national trust company. It was founded, in part, as a response to the dominance that large banks and trust companies exerted over the trust services market. The concept is simple; allow trusted advisors to cultivate and maintain the crucial client relationships, while providing reliable trust administrative services. This not only makes trust services more widely available and affordable for clients, but it also gives independent advisors the ability to offer trust services without fear of losing their clients to the large banks and trust companies. About Dynasty Financial Partners Dynasty Financial Partners is known for assisting advisors of integrity to better service their clients, run their businesses more profitably, grow faster, and enhance the enterprise value of their firms. Dynasty does this by providing wealth management and technology platforms for select independent financial advisory firms. Dynasty creates access to valuable resources and industry-leading capabilities through an open architecture platform, enabling advisors to address their clients' needs and to protect and grow their wealth. Dynasty supports independent advisors and their teams in being independent, but not alone, by creating exclusive community events and experiences. Dynasty also offers access to flexible capital solutions to help advisors expand, scale, and grow their business and provides M&A support to firms looking to grow inorganically or to plan for succession. Dynasty's core principle is "objectivity without compromise," and the firm is committed to developing solutions that allow investment advisors to act as true fiduciaries to their clients. Dynasty has a leading network of RIAs who leverage its integrated platform and Dynasty's growing Enterprise Services Group supports larger institutional clients who often have multiple advisors in multiple cities by delivering Dynasty's platform at the home office and firm level. Dynasty has helped to level the playing field for advisors and firms looking to deliver Private Wealth Management capabilities to their UHNW clients vs many of the larger Wall Street firms in providing a robust suite of capabilities, products, and services when combined with Dynasty's support offers independent advisors the ability to compete at the highest levels of wealth management client opportunities. For more info on National Advisors Trust please visit website: https://www.nationaladvisors.com/ Visit National Advisors Trust on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-advisors-trust-company-fsb/about/ Twitter: @natrustco Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaMPKNWLo3hNElAu4_HHBXw For more info on Dynasty please visit website: https://dynastyfinancialpartners.com/ Visit Dynasty on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynasty-financial-partners Twitter: @DynastyFP Youtube: http://bit.ly/1MKXhC8 Contact: Tucker Swiastyn 913-320-2137 [email protected] SOURCE National Advisors Trust Company Related Links https://www.nationaladvisors.com " " President Barack Obama used a legal pad to handwrite many of his presidential speeches, like this one seen of a speech he gave in Oslo, Norway, in December 2009. Notice the notes he wrote in the margin. Barack Obama Presidential Library Comic Jerry Seinfeld, former national security adviser John Bolton and the late American author Pat Conroy are just a few of its millions of devotees. We're talking about the quintessential office supply the legal pad. It's simple, professional, cheap and instantly recognizable. Part of its lure is the unwritten rule that legal pads are for adults only; some people describe a feeling of satisfaction when they finally reach the point where they're "sophisticated" enough to use them. After all, legal pads equal important business. Advertisement The most recognizable characteristic of a legal pad? The yellow color. But why are they yellow? Good question. To answer it, though, requires a brief explanation of its history first. The legal pad was invented by a paper mill worker, Thomas Holley, in Massachusetts around 1888. Holley came up with the idea of collecting the tons of paper scraps off the floor of the mill and stitching them together to make pads of paper. He was apparently irritated that he had to pick up paper scraps that littered the floor, and before long, his paper pad invention was a hit. Though the paper in his pads was originally white, they were so popular, Holley was able to quit his job at the mill to form the American Pad and Paper Company, or AMPAD. Now back to why legal pads are yellow. There are lots of theories about that, but no one really knows for sure. Some say they were yellow from the beginning. The theory is that because the pads were originally created using pieced-together scraps, they looked cheap and low quality. So Holley dyed them to make them a classier, more uniform yellow. This sounds reasonable, but it's probably not true. Dyeing paper at that time would have been prohibitively expensive and not worth cutting into profits. Some accounts are from a little later probably after Holley's time. They include the belief that yellow is easier on the eyes because it doesn't create as much glare as white, and thus, yellow paper was the obvious way to go. Others hypothesized that yellow paper was beneficial because it didn't show age like white paper. Still some believed that Holley's pads went from white to yellow because yellow stimulates the mind, including areas of recall and creativity. While we may not know the real answer why they're yellow, we do know the origin of a legal pad's margin. Around 1900, a local judge asked Holley to add a vertical line down the left side of the paper to create a margin where he could make notes. Those margins also known as down lines are always red and drawn 1.25 inches (3.1 centimeters) from the left edge of the page. Aside from the yellow paper, blue lines and a gummed, tear-off top, the red margin is the only requirement for a pad to qualify as a legal pad. In other words, yellow, blue, pink or purple paper, without the red margin, it's not a legal pad. Now that's interesting In 1982, Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger banned all legal-size documents from federal courts. This policy is estimated to have saved millions of dollars in storage space. Losing your loved one is indeed a pain, but what is more painful is to wait for their body for days. My cousin Shahid was killed three days back. The hospital is just not releasing the body, said Mohd Rashid, his eyes brimming with tears. For the second day, families of the dead waited outside the mortuary of Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, where most of those injured in the violence in north-east Delhi were taken for treatment. The delay is due to autopsies, hospital authorities said on condition of anonymity. The hospital had to create a medical board of five doctors to oversee autopsies. That was done only by Wednesday morning, two days after the first deaths were reported. The request for creating the medical board just to ensure no questions are raised later has to come from the police. The police also has to complete some paperwork before the autopsies can be done. Our doctors are ready to do it, said a senior official from the hospital on condition of anonymity. The bodies of the two of the people who died at central Delhis Lok nayak hospital will also be preserved for 72 hours, doctors from the hospital said. A medical board was yet to be formed here. Of the five who died on Monday, only the body of head constable Ratan Lal was released on Tuesday after autopsy. Mohd Furkan succumbed to bullet injuries on Monday evening. His brother Mohammad Imran has been coming to the hospital at 10am every day since for his body. Several others waited for the news of their missing loved ones. Mohsin Alis cousin, Haider Ali, kept showing his photograph to doctors and hospital staff enquiring where he could be found. He was in the mortuary. Mudassir Abbas, brother of Ashfaq Hussain, had a similar story. Ashfaq was an electrician and was shot near Brijpuri Puliya at 6pm on Tuesday. He died saving a group of women near a mosque. We have no idea how long our wait will continue, Abbas said. Ashfaq had got married on February 14. The Injured At GTB hospital, Vivek Chaudhary who had been brought in with a drill bit in his head underwent a surgery and recovered on Wednesday. He is walking and talking. He is fine. Thank god, said his sister Babita. Asghar Ali, 26, who works as a driver in a Gurgaon-based firm, was brought in at the Jag Pravesh Chandra hospital at around 2:30 pm with injuries to his head, shoulders and arms. I was stopped by a mob in Karawal Nagar. They told me to get off the car and asked my name. As soon as they saw a talisman in my car, they started to beat me with sticks and rods. They set my car on fire and snatched my phone, he said. Ali was rescued by some policemen and rushed to the hospital. I would have died there if the policemen would not have reached there, he said. At Lok Nayak Hospital, the toll of injured reached to 41 on Wednesday evening. Two of them were declared dead. Blaming BJP leader Kapil Mishra for the attack, Mohammad Irshad, brother of a victim said, This is the result of his hate mongering. Why police is not taking any action against him? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Its so great that we have that continuous support. We do plays as well as we can. We put on some really good plays but we are not professionals so we work really hard at it. Yet, we have a really good time. The Karnataka government is proposing to amend provisions under section 109 of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, wherein the time of obtaining clearance for projects will be brought down to 30 days from the existing 60, Large and Medium Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar said on Thursday. This will be applicable for both acquisition and conversion of land, a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) release quoted him as saying. Shettar said during the recently held 'Invest Karnataka' conference at Hubbali, 52 companies signed MOUs with the State government with an envisaged investment of Rs 72,000 crore and potential employment of 90,000. Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Karnataka, Gaurav Gupta said Karnataka is a USD 250 billion economy of which USD 90 billion is exports. With growth rate higher than the national average and lowest unemployment rate in the country, the State is key to fulfilling India's aspirations of becoming a USD five trillion economy, Gupta said, according to the statement. "There are several advantages that Karnataka offers including robust ecosystem, skilled manpower and vast talent pool. However, one of the key concerns is job creation. We need to analyse in what way industry can create more jobs across the social spectrum and not just for the skilled and educated," he said. The Karnataka government is committed to changing the image of the state to an innovation hub from an outsourcing hub, Gupta said, addressing the annual members meet of the CII Karnataka State Council. The soon-to-be-announced industrial policy of Karnataka would work on pushing industrial growth beyond Bengaluru to tier 2 and 3 cities of the state where industry will find ample opportunities to invest and grow, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump with Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, back center, and Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health Anthony Fauci, right, during a news conference at the White House on Feb. 26, 2020. Read more President Donald Trump has closed the gap in swing-state Pennsylvania with most of the Democrats seeking to defeat his bid for a second term, according to a new poll. But theres a double-whammy hiding in plain sight among the good news for Trump. Voters give Trump his best marks 58% approval on the economy. But some of his worst numbers 36% approval are on health care. The Muhlenberg College/Morning Call poll landed Thursday. That was just a day after Trump addressed the nation from the White House, seeking to downplay distress about COVID-19, the coronavirus spreading around the world from China even as Trumps own health advisers warn of the diseases dangerous potential in the United States. Those warnings have sent the stock market an economic indicator frequently touted by Trump stumbling into a prolonged plummet. Chris Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, called that a potentially damning confluence of factors. If the current outbreak does impact the economy, and its likely it will, at least to some degree, and his handling of the situation further chips away at his poor marks in health care management, that could be very damaging to his standing, Borick said. I think he knows that. You could sense the urgency from the White House. Trumps position in Pennsylvania, which was key to his 2016 victory and is expected to play a similarly decisive role in 2020, has improved since Boricks last poll in November. Still, 54% of voters said Trump does not deserve a second term, while 42% said he should be reelected. The poll of 424 voters, conducted from Feb. 12 to 20, has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.5 percentage points. Only U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the current Democratic front-runner, leads Trump in Pennsylvania, 49% to 46%. Such hypothetical matchups so far from Election Day have little predictive value. The greatest fall in numbers, Borick noted, was for former Vice President Joe Biden, who is now tied with Trump at 47%. Biden, who often emphasizes his family roots in Scranton, led Trump in November, 52% to 43%. He doesnt seem to have, at least at this point, a clear message, Borick said of Biden. Trump is also in a statistical tie with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind. Borick found one surprise in the polls results: Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg trails Trump, 48% to 45%, despite unprecedented spending by the billionaire on television ads and political infrastructure in Pennsylvania. Like Biden, he is someone who is pitching electability, Borick said. It seems that key message is tenuous at this point. Petition season shenanigans: Part One Tuesday marked the deadline for legal challenges to nomination petitions filed by candidates to be listed on the April 28 primary election ballot. Jeff Dempsey took a novel approach to that. Dempsey, one of the Democrats challenging State Rep. Mary Isaacson in the 175th District, saw what appeared to be a buddys signature on her petitions. The buddy, John Wilt, denied signing it. Together, they created a website notmysignature.com and a robocall asking people to review Isaacsons petitions to see if their names were improperly signed. The result: zero complaints. Isaacson, needing 300 valid signatures to get on the ballot, submitted 980. No legal challenge was filed. Were not going to spend our money on some high-priced attorney to come up with some fakakta way to get her off the ballot, Dempsey said. Isaacson noted there is no proof she or the Democratic committee member from the 31st Ward who circulated the petition in question did anything improper. Someone may have signed Wilts name without their knowledge. Its just a shame that in todays atmosphere, caused by the hyperactivity of political rhetoric, that the man running against me has chosen to start his campaign by being disingenuous with the voters, Isaacson said. Petition season shenanigans: Part Two Former State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, who resigned from office in December 2018 after being convicted of bribery and other charges, said she had a team circulating petitions for other candidates this cycle. One of her clients, Parthenia Izzard, now faces a legal challenge. Izzard, one of the Democrats seeking to challenge State Sen. Daylin Leach in the 17th District, really didnt want to talk about it. Im finding out things probably at the same time youre finding out things, she said before hanging up on Clout. The challenge filed by attorney Timothy Ford says three out of every four of the 790 signatures submitted for Izzard are invalid for some reason. A few problems of note: The district covers parts of Montgomery and Delaware Counties but signatures appear to have come from five other counties and three other states. Izzard needs 500 valid signatures from inside the district to qualify for the ballot. Brown, who signed off as circulator on all of Izzards petitions, said she had not seen the legal challenge. She defended her work, saying Izzard came to her in the final week of the three-week petition season. Ive been just doing odd jobs and doing what I can to get by, said Brown, who is still on probation. It has not been easy. Youre managing a team of folks and you do the best you can, especially when it comes in at the last minute like that. Bernie Sanders in California, where indies are a big part of his base. Photo: Ronen Tivony/Echoes Wire/Barcroft Media via Getty Images If you thought the brouhaha over Iowas delayed vote count was the last complaint youd hear during the nominating season, get ready for another in California on March 3. No, Im not talking about the likelihood of a very slow count in the Golden State (more about that later), but about the increasingly loud complaints from the Bernie Sanders camp about the difficulties independent voters face in participating in this primary, as Politico reported recently: Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders charged Friday that Californias primary system threatens to disenfranchise millions of independent voters whose support he has cultivated in the nations most populous state. Sanders said Friday during a press conference in Santa Ana that he and his team have been campaigning hard to reach Californias 5.3 million no-party-preference voters, who now represent the second largest voting bloc in the state at 25.9 percent ahead of Republicans, who comprise 23.7 percent Unfortunately, under the current NPP participation rules, we risk locking out millions of young people millions of young people of color and many, many other people who wanted to participate in the Democratic primary but may find it impossible for them to do so, he said. And that seems to me to be very, very wrong. The root of the problem here is that party preferences in California have become relatively insignificant thanks to the establishment via a 2010 ballot initiative of a nonpartisan top-two primary system in which everyone in the state gets the same ballot for sub-presidential contests that includes all the candidates competing regardless of party, with the top two vote winners proceeding to the general election. But voters are still asked to designate a party preference when registering, which makes those registration rolls a hot property for campaigns and other purchasers, and also guides the one partisan primary still remaining: the quadrennial presidential primaries. Under California law, the parties are allowed to decide whether to let NPP registrants participate in their presidential primaries; Democrats have said yes and Republicans have said no. But NPP voters are, logically if somewhat ludicrously, presented with blank presidential primary ballots because there isnt any NPP primary unless they ask for a Democratic ballot to send in along with the top-two ballot for state and local offices that everyone gets. What makes this affirmative requirement especially tricky is that big majorities of California voters now vote by mail, which means theres not going to be some friendly election official in their faces to explain to NPP voters how to participate in the Democratic primary. So election officials have sent vote-by-mail NPP registrants postcards, which they are asked to return if they want to replace their empty NPP ballots with a chock-full-o-candidates Democratic ballot. It has not worked very well, as Capitol Weekly reported last week: To participate in the open Democratic presidential primary, independent voters need to request the partisan crossover ballot. To expedite this, counties sent all vote-by-mail independent voters a postcard for them to select their partisan ballot and then return the card to the registrars. But as the cards were mailed to independent voters over the holidays, very few of these voters responded to get the crossover ballots that would allow them to participate in the Democratic primary Remarkably, only 9% of Californias growing independent and vote-by-mail population have successfully obtained a partisan presidential primary ballot. For 91% of nonpartisan voters, there is no presidential race on the ballot they received in the mail. Were talking 3.7 million voters with those empty NPP ballots, even though a significant majority of them wanted to vote in the Democratic primary. Given Sanderss regular over-performance among indies generally, he probably will be affected most, with Mike Bloomberg also taking a disproportionate hit. Theres another, smaller (if still quite significant) problem for nearly 600,000 voters who are registered members of the American Independent Party. The AIP is the zombie survivor of George Wallaces 1968 third-party candidacy thats stuck around all these years mostly because voters persistently misunderstand the independent in the right-wing partys name and think they are registering NPP. A bill to force the AIP to change its name to get independent out of it was vetoed this year by Governor Gavin Newsom on grounds that it was likely unconstitutional. In order to vote in the Democratic presidential primary, these low-information voters will have to change their party registration. Now all these indies who have missed the deadline for requesting a Democratic ballot by mail can still fix the problem by showing up on primary day (so long as they havent already mailed in a ballot) and asking for the Donkey option, and presumably Team Bernie is letting them know that. But in response to the steady decline in live Election Day voting, some California counties have been replacing traditional precincts with voting centers that may confuse some by-mail voters. And in the states largest county, Los Angeles, new touchscreen voting machines are being deployed on March 3, which could create some additional confusion and delay. Even if Sanders wins the state easily, which he is favored to do (FiveThirtyEight gives him a five-in-six chance of carrying the state), a shortfall in indie voting could cost him some delegates. So you will definitely hear about this on March 3. The other problem all the candidates and the news media will be dealing with on March 3 is Californias slow count of ballots, which is mostly attributable to the rule allowing mail ballots postmarked by March 3 (and received by March 6) to be counted. These and other late mail ballots have to be opened individually and tabulated, which takes a while. But candidates who see themselves ahead on Election Night but then lose later arent happy about it, and some of them hint darkly at fraud or other dirty deeds (e.g., California Republicans after they lost half their U.S. House delegation in 2018). Unlike Iowa, California has baked late returns right into the electoral cake, and people just need to get used to it as a by-product of reforms to make it easier to vote if not easy enough for a lot of indies. YEREVAN. Zhoghovurd daily writes: There is a shortage of [face] masks in Armenia today, and the warehouses are empty. And why has such situation been created? And who is responsible? Recall that Armenia had joined the international campaign recently and had sent masks to our friendly country, China, as assistance [in the fight against the new coronavirus]. At the same time, there are rumors that there were people who bought a large batch of masks for cheap, but instead of selling [them] in Armenia or sending [them] to China, they exported [them] to other countriesRussia, for exampleand sold them [there] at a higher price. And this situation has led to the fact that the relevant bodies [of Armenia] are now committed to addressing the issue of the shortage of masks [in the country] being observed day by day. And the coronavirus already reached [neighboring] Georgia yesterday. Somrita Ghosh and Sana Shakil By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Darr kyu nahi lagega mahaul kharab aur darawna thaa (of course we were scared, the situation was volatile and scary). But the locals (Muslims) ensured that no one could hurt us, said Vimlesh, a resident of Mustafabad who is in her 50s. When the violence escalated, our Muslim neighbours gathered in front of homes where Hindus live. The mob wanted to come inside and kill us. Our neighbours faced the mobs wrath, cooled them down and sent them back, said Bharti, Vimleshs neighbour. Areas such as Brijpuri, Mustafabad and Shiv Vihar have witnessed spiralling communal violence since Tuesday. While Brijpuri and Shiv Vihar are Hindu-dominated areas, Mustafabad has a Muslim majority, with a handful of Hindu residents living there. Despite the mobs hatred and anger, our Muslim neighbours stood firm and refused to budge. They guarded us throughout the night. We felt safe and are lucky to have such neighbours, said Dasharath, who has been living in Mustafabad since the 1960s. The residents said there was an uneasy calm on Monday but things took a violent turn from Tuesday evening. I was born here and my family lives here despite living in a Muslim area, not for a day have we felt unsafe. I knew we could trust our Muslim neighbours, Harikant Sharma said. Locals also protected temples in the locality from all harm. The moment riots broke out, we knew the mob would come looking for Hindu houses. The first thing that came to our mind was ensuring their safety. I am ready to take a bullet from my community but no harm should come on any Hindu family, Adim, a resident of Mustafabad for decades, said. Religious battles only benefit politicians. The poor are the worst affected. What is the point of killing each other? said Nisar Ahmed. A madrassa teacher Shamshuddin is the only Muslim living in gali number 3 of Khajuri Khas. When the riots broke out, he was naturally scared. Shamshuddins neighbour Ashwani ensured that no one could touch his house. In the next colony, 25 Muslim houses were burnt on Tuesday. School district vans working on an asbestos job at McClure Elementary in Hunting Park are shown in this file photo. The city has hired an environmental firm to oversee asbestos jobs in the Philadelphia School District and to bring the PFT and district to consensus on how to handle such work going forward. Read more With Mayor Jim Kenneys blessing, the city has hired an environmental firm to provide oversight on the Philadelphia School Districts asbestos abatement efforts, which have often been marred by problems. The move comes amid strained relations between the district and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, which monitors environmental work inside city schools. The city will pay Arc Environmental, a Baltimore-based firm, up to $90,000 through the end of the school year to help the district and the PFT agree on asbestos abatement protocols. The firm is also another layer of transparency, and to make sure there are best practices," said Rich Lazer, deputy mayor for labor. The district has closed 10 schools since early fall because of asbestos contamination. After longtime teacher Lea DiRusso was diagnosed in late summer 2019 with mesothelioma, an asbestos-linked cancer, the school system stepped up environmental inspections inside its more than 200 buildings. READ MORE: Read more: Longtime PFT president fends off leadership challenge, but a progressive group raises its profile The stepped-up scrutiny has meant more imminent hazards are being discovered in classrooms, gyms, and common areas where children and teachers gather. Officials have made it plain that the district does not have the money or the capacity to complete all the work that must be done to make schools safe from asbestos. It has also been hampered by personnel shifts the district reassigned its chief operating officer earlier this year, and its environmental manager recently resigned. Its current facilities chief is a part-time consultant. READ MORE: Read more: How botched environmental jobs put Philly kids at risk District officials have acknowledged that asbestos work done by their own teams and outside contractors has been shoddy at times. The districts inspector general is investigating what went wrong in the construction and asbestos work at Benjamin Franklin High School, a job that could end up costing the school system $50 million. Lazer said that Arc "will make sure things are up to snuff, that procedures are followed and no corners are cut. READ MORE: Read more: Philly schools to pay $850k to teacher diagnosed with mesothelioma The city moved in, Lazer said, because theres distrust among some of the labor organizations and the district on how things are done." He said he was confident that if disputes arose on whether to close a school while asbestos work is completed, as has been the case in the past, Arc would bring the two sides to consensus. Arc has overseen large-scale environmental work at universities and state and federal sites. Kenney, in a statement, said that Arcs extensive "experience will help them fulfill this important task of making sure that the Districts Asbestos Abatement Program is jointly finalized and trusted by all parties, and that it will best serve our students and families. The district, the PFT, and 32BJ, the school systems blue-collar workers union, all gave their blessing to hire Arc. Our children and teachers deserve our best," School Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said in a statement. That is why we have been working with the PFT for the last year to define a set of protocols and procedures on how to manage the asbestos repair and removal process in the School District. We are looking forward to working with Arc to finalize this process for our current projects and prepare for even more projects in the coming months. The district already pays several environmental firms to conduct federally mandated asbestos inspections in its schools and to oversee abatement jobs. The teachers union has its own environmental scientist with asbestos expertise. The two sides, both well-schooled asbestos regulations, have been struggling to address thorny questions surrounding whether to close schools with multiple areas of damaged asbestos in student-occupied spaces. I dont know if weve gotten ourselves in the middle of a therapy session between two parties that dont agree, Arc president R. Shannon Cavaliere said Wednesday night. Hopefully, we didnt get in over our heads with a real bees nest. Jerry Roseman, the PFTs director of environmental safety, said the PFT has explained and insisted on best practices for some time but was hopeful that this process, and the support of the mayor, will result in significant and important improvements in addressing asbestos and other environmental hazard conditions in our schools. Arc project manager Stacy Kahatapitiya, who has worked on asbestos jobs at schools in D.C. and Baltimore, said exposure concerns related to asbestos will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. I cant make a blanket statement about whether a damaged material is `safe,' but the ultimate goal of administering any asbestos program is to be able to safely manage asbestos-containing material, Kahatapitiya wrote in an email. Since October, district officials have temporarily closed nine schools and one early childhood learning center because of asbestos hazards, prompting the relocation of thousands of students across the city. The list includes three high schools: Benjamin Franklin, Science Leadership Academy, and Franklin Learning Center. Six elementary schools: T.M. Pierce, Alexander McClure, Carnell, Hopkinson, Clara Barton, and James Sullivan. And a Head Start program at Pratt Early Childhood Center. India and Myanmar signed on Thursday 10 agreements with a focus on the socio-economic development of the southeast Asian nation as Prime Minister held wide-ranging talks with Myanmarese President U Win Myint. The Myanmarese president, who arrived in India on Wednesday, received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He and First Lady Daw Cho Cho were welcomed by President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Modi. The prime minister and President Myint later held talks at Hyderabad House and 10 agreements were signed between the two countries. The focus of many agreements was on development projects under India's assistance, particularly in the conflict-torn Rakhine state. The agreements included an MoU on 'Cooperation for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons; Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Re-Integration of Victims of Trafficking'. An agreement regarding Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIP) was also signed between the two sides. Three agreements for development projects in the conflict-torn Rakhine state were also signed during the president's visit. The Rakhine state has witnessed a lot of violence in the past and scores of Rohingyas had fled the state facing persecution. The Myanmarese President and his wife also paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. EAST HAMPTON The Chatham Health District is offering a program on the coronavirus outbreak at the East Hampton Public Library next month. The illness, cases of which were first identified in Wuhan, China, in January, has been documented in many different countries, including in the United States, according to Library Director Ellen Paul. OTTAWA - Its imperative for Canada to ratify the new North American free-trade deal, says a leading business group, as the federal government released its long-awaited economic assessment of the pact Wednesday. Goldy Hyder, the president of the Business Council of Canada, said the uncertainty created by rail blockades and the spread of the novel coronavirus could cause serious harm to the Canadian economy. Given the backdrop in which this discussion is happening weve had the CN Rail strike, weve had the blockades, weve had the virus, weve had the China-U.S. deal, we have our own foray with China were involved in all of these things are elements of a perfect storm that are really impacting economic growth, Hyder said in an interview. The governments assessment predicts a very modest gain in the Canadian economy, estimating the deal will be worth an additional $6.8 billion by 2025 which amounts to a 0.25 per cent gain in gross domestic product compared with having no continental trade agreement at all. It does not compare the new deal to the old NAFTA. The assessment the Liberals released comes after demands by opposition parties to explain the economic benefits of the new deal, which is still awaiting final ratification by Parliament. Hyder said its time to set domestic politics aside and get on with ratifying the deal. A leading trade specialist says all the fuss about the economic benefits of the deal misses an important political point. What econometric assessments dont show is the significant geopolitical value to Canada of a solid rules-based framework for dealing with the U.S. in the years ahead, said Lawrence Herman, a Toronto-based international trade lawyer. Negotiations over continental trade were forced on Canada and Mexico by U.S. President Donald Trump, who mused about scrapping the old North American Free Trade Agreement if it werent renegotiated in Americas favour. Throughout the negotiation, the Liberal government was seized with not only protecting Canadas market access to the United States but protecting the survival of the global rules-based trading order that has come under threat from Trumps protectionism. Theres much more to this agreement than pure economic models suggest. Black box assessments might turn up numbers that dont seem stratospheric and headline-grabbing but there are important political and strategic gains for Canada in this deal. These cant be measured in purely economic terms, said Herman. The U.S. and Mexico have both ratified the new deal, which the Trump administration has dubbed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The assessment says the new Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA as Canada calls it, is much better than letting the U.S. tear up the old NAFTA and impose tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and automotive exports. The Liberals have made deals with the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois to quickly ratify the deal. Randy Hoback, the Conservative trade critic, said his party wants the new deal passed as quickly as possible but it is frustrated that the Liberals have not provided more details about its impact. The Liberals are clearly hiding how bad the new NAFTA deal will be for the Canadian economy. This is proven by the fact that the Liberals chose to compare the new NAFTA deal to having no NAFTA deal, Hoback said in a statement. The Liberals say that they got a better deal, but they have no way to prove it. So, the only way we can quantify this deal is by third-party reports. A report earlier this week by the C.D. Howe Institute think-tank said all three countries will be worse off under the new agreement than under the existing one but the researchers there agreed that its better than nothing. A 2018 analysis by the Conference Board of Canada predicted a 0.5 per cent decline in the countrys economy, and a loss of about 85,000 jobs within a year if NAFTA were terminated. No deal is ever going to be perfect, Hyder said, adding that the deal the Liberals reached has buy-in from the provinces, business, labour and political conservatives. Why would you not pass the most important trade deal that we have, that was done in the most inclusive way? To the governments credit, it is one example where it was really done well, said Hyder, a former senior staffer with the Progressive Conservative party. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2020. Massachusetts Episcopal priest pleads guilty to child porn possession Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An Episcopal priest in Massachusetts who formerly taught kindergarten and had recently been suspended by his diocese has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. The Rev. Gregory Lisby of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts pleaded guilty to one count of child porn possession last week. He could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Last September, Lisby was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after authorities uncovered evidence that Lisby possessed approximately 180 images and 15 videos that likely depicted child pornography. The evidence was discovered during a search of Lisby's home, which he shared with his husband, the Rev. Timothy Burger of St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Worcester, and their two daughters. Burger has not been implicated in any of the charges and has filed for divorce from Lisby. The diocese considers Burger to be in good standing. Bishop Douglas J. Fisher sent out a pastoral announcement in response to the news, stating that the diocese was undertaking an official disciplinary process to remove Lisby from the priesthood. In addition, even after he is released from prison, Lisby will not be permitted any contact with congregations in this diocese without my express permission, wrote Fisher last week. Please know that we take the safety of children very seriously in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, and our clergy and lay leaders participate in the safe church training programs mandated by the Episcopal Church. Fisher also explained that the diocese has recently received what he called devastating credible evidence that Lisby sexually abused a teenager years ago. I am deeply saddened to know that a priest is alleged to have committed such a grievous sin, and on behalf of the entire church, I offer my most heartfelt apology to the victim, the victims family and to everyone whose trust in the church has been violated, Fisher continued. I cannot undo this terrible situation, but I can commit our diocese to telling the truth and seeking healing and reconciliation for anyone who has been harmed by Lisby. Lisby previously served in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, in New Jersey. This included time at Christ Church of Ridgewood from June 2010 through May 2015. The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes, bishop of the Newark Diocese, said in a statement last September that there was no evidence that Lisby engaged in misconduct while serving at Christ Church. At this time, there is no indication of this behavior during the Rev. Lisbys tenure in this diocese. Still, we will monitor this investigation carefully and are ready to launch a diocesan investigation if deemed necessary, wrote Hughes at the time. We join the people of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts in praying for all children exploited by child pornography, and for the Reverends Burger, Lisby, and their family. Lisa Dorrian was last seen on February 28 in 2005 (PSNI/PA) Police have appealed to anyone who knows what happened to Bangor woman Lisa Dorrian to help "relieve the pain" of her family by bringing her killers to justice. A senior officer said they remained resolute in their investigation of the 25-year-old's murder. Thursday is the 15th anniversary of the Ms Dorrian's disappearance. She had been at a party at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park in 2005 and police believe she was killed - by someone she knew - that night or in the early hours of the following morning. Over the years police had carried out extensive searches in the area and made numerous appeals for information. Last May police carried out large scale searches in parts of Co Down. Loyalist paramilitaries - namely the UVF-linked Red hand Commando - have been blamed. Every anniversary for the Dorrian family is incredibly difficult," Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said. "But with each year that passes, their determination to find Lisa increases. It is now 15 years since Lisa inexplicably vanished and our thoughts today are with her family and friends." I am asking again for the public to help the Dorrian family help relieve their pain and anguish. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy It has been reported that police believe a father and son may have been involved in the killing and neither has so far given the other up. Expand Close Lisa Dorrian / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lisa Dorrian Mr Murphy continued: I believe she was murdered that night or in the early hours of the following morning. There is nothing to suggest that Lisa came to harm at the hands of a stranger, I believe she knew her killer. I have always believed that a small number of people hold the key to us finding out what happened to Lisa. Those individuals must live forever with a heavy conscience because at this time every year, the Dorrian family will renew their vigorous and unending search for Lisa. "The police service stands right alongside them and our determination remains equally resolute. This has been a significant investigation to date and it remains absolutely active. We have conducted searches recently and will continue to identify other areas in which Lisa or clues to her disappearance might be." The officer appealed to anyone with information to help the Dorrian family. "Help relieve their pain and anguish and allow them to lay Lisa to rest," he said. "None of us can imagine the turmoil that they live with every single day. "Somebody knows what happened and it is not too late for those people to come and talk to me and my team. I know that individuals will have wrestled with their conscience for many years and today I am giving them an opportunity for them to put that conscience to rest too. Expand Close Police search a former airfield in Ballyhalbert, Co Down in May 2019 (Rebecca Black/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police search a former airfield in Ballyhalbert, Co Down in May 2019 (Rebecca Black/PA) "My direct appeal is to those within that close circle of knowledge to contact us. Only a small number of people are aware of what happened and I believe that they may have discussed this with their friends or families in the past 15 years. "I want you to get in touch with police. I want the killer to know that we have pursued them for 15 years and we remain resolute in seeking justice for Lisas family. Anyone with information should call detectives on 101 or information can be provided anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. MERLIN, Ore. Two Josephine County men made their first appearance in court on Thursday following a drug deal-related shooting that left another man with serious injuries. The shooting itself went down in the late hours of Tuesday night. By Wednesday, an Oregon State Police spokesman was only able to confirm a few details about the Merlin-area shooting. He characterized the incident as a probable "marijuana sales deal gone bad." 32-year-old Tanner Gilmore received a serious gunshot wound to the hand, and was taken by paramedics to a Medford hospital before being transferred to Riverbend Hospital in Springfield, OSP said. Officers soon found two men believed responsible for the shooting, 30-year-old Zachary Leahy and 24-year-old Christopher Watson. They were both arraigned in court on Thursday. According to probable cause statements filed by the arresting officers, Leahy and Watson were looking to buy marijuana and "dabs." They met with Gilmore and another man at a house, then Leahy allegedly told them that he was taking the product, and they could leave empty-handed. "The victims became vocal about the robbery and Watson entered the living room area, leveled off a shotgun at the victims," police said. "[Gilmore] pulled a pistol out, fired rounds into the ceiling, and Watson shot the victim in the hand and right shoulder." Gilmore ran out of the house, injured from the shotgun blast, before Watson allegedly picked up the man's fallen handgun and left the house as well getting into a car and driving away. Police said that Watson stopped at the 6th Street bridge and tossed Gilmore's gun through the open car window and into the river before heading to his mother's house in Grants Pass. According to the statements, Leahy later admitted to officers that he'd set up the "drug rip." Watson also reportedly admitted to shooting Gilmore. Leahy was lodged on charges for Robbery I and Assault I, with bail set at $250,000. Watson was lodged on charges for Assault I, Robbery I, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He's also being held on $250,000 bail. This is a developing story and will be updated with more details as they emerge. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday held a high-level meeting over the violence in the capital, wherein a decision was taken to provide relief material to the victims of the mayhem. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Minister Kailash Gahlot and senior officials attended the meeting. Earlier, the Chief Minister had announced the compensation of Rs 1 crore and a job to a family member of Police Head Constable Rattan Lal, who had lost his life during the violence in North-East Delhi. On Wednesday, the Chief Minister and his deputy had visited the violence-affected areas in the North-East district of the capital. The two leaders interacted with locals at Johripur following a Delhi High Court order that "the Chief Minister and Deputy CM should also visit the affected areas for confidence-building among people." At least 33 people, including a police head constable, have died while around 200 people have sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for three days in the North-East Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Persistent rains have been pounding the Southeast, and a week ago, the Pearl River in Jackson, Mississippi, spilled over its banks, submerging a dozen city blocks in several feet of water. The river had crested at 36.7 feetits third-highest level on record. Yet the damage to homes could have been much worse, according to Hinds County Emergency Management Director Ricky Moore. In a survey conducted a few days ago, the county found that hundreds fewer homes had been impacted compared to the last big flood, he said. The unlikely hero of this story is the Ross R. Barnett Reservoir just north of town. Before the flooding, the waters in the reservoir were far below their peak capacity. Thats because the city had opened up the dam weeks earlier to let water flow out in an effort to clear an invasive plant. The result was that when storms stalled over the county and dropped unexpectedly large amounts of rain, the engineers had space in the lake basin to store tens of thousands of cubic meters of water. Eventually the basin filled and more water had to be released, but the delay was long enough for some residents to evacuate with all their possessions and for others to avoid flood damage altogether. Due to warming temperatures, communities across the world are increasingly finding that previously unimaginable flooding and fire are the new normal. England and Wales are currently also experiencing record precipitation. In fact, some areas of the U.K. received a months worth of rain in just one day. Local Role The result is that in many places infrastructure like the Barnett reservoir, which was built in the 1960s and not intended for flood mitigation, now has a critical role to play in holding back cresting waters. Local authorities are finding themselves playing a more active role in water management. We are seeing this across the country, says Harriet Festing, co-founder and executive director of the Anthropocene Alliance, a nonprofit group that organizes grassroots communities most impacted by flooding. In cities like Chicago and Detroit, it is peoples basements that are serving this purpose of taking up overflow waters. In other places, it is the local reservoir. However, the aging infrastructure is often fragile and imprecise. Moreover, Festing says that unlike in Jackson, many decisions on whether or not to use local infrastructure in flood mitigation comes with winners and losers. Controlling flood waters through local dams and reservoirs has been controversial. People who live lakeside often dont like to see the water lowered by their vacation properties. And then there is the risk that if local authorities hold flood water too long, the water will either back up and flood properties upstream or surge forward and overcome the damcausing a worse flood. Outside of Houston, there have been big battles around Lake Conroe. Those downstream want seasonal lowering of the lake for flood protection. But people who live on the lakeshore want to keep water levels high to protect their property values. They are not as susceptible to flooding because their homes are on higher ground. Senator Jim Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma, added an amendment to a recently passed law that limits the Grand River Dam Authoritys ability to consider the impact of raising lake levels on upstream residents. Those residents have argued that high levels in Grand Lake cause water to backup and flood their homes sometimes catastrophically. However, Inhofe has a summer home on the lake and a yacht that requires deep water. We are pitting resident against resident, Festing says. Instead of we should be standing back and saying we have much bigger problem and come up with a plan for how to mobilize the infrastructure we have in an organized and fair way. Photo: Water from the Pearl River floods this northeast Jackson, Miss., home and car, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020. Authorities believe the flooding will rank as third highest, behind the historic floods of 1979 and 1983. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Flood Tennessees 2020-21 fishing regulations are effective March 1 and anglers are encouraged to obtain the new Tennessee Fishing Guide now available at locations throughout the state, on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website (www.tnwildlife.org) and on the TWRA On the Go App. Hard copies of the guide are available wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold and at the TWRAs four regional offices located in Jackson (Region I), Nashville (Region II), Crossville (Region III), and Morristown (Region IV). This years statewide and specific region regulation changes are featured in the Whats New section on page 2 of the guide. The 2019-20 Tennessee hunting and fishing licenses expire Feb. 29. The 2020-21 licenses are available at licenses agents, regional offices, and available anytime at www.GoOutdoorsTennessee.com, or the TWRA On the Go App. [February 27, 2020] National Land Realty Expands Footprint in Florida National Land Realty, the nation's fastest growing real estate land brokerage company specializing in farm, ranch, plantation, timber, recreational, and commercial development properties, today announced that Crosby & Associates, Inc | Agriculture and Commercial has agreed to a merger of the two firms. "Ben Crosby has built a tremendous land brokerage business in Florida and the Southeast and we're excited to welcome him and his team of brokers into the National Land family," said Jason Burbage, President of National Land Realty. "This merger will allow us to benefit from Crosby's extensive presence across the Sunshine State and the Southeast U.S., and they'll have access to our state-of-the-art technology, marketing and support capabilities. In addition, they'll be able to tap into our national team of expert brokers to leverage their unique knowledge and to do deals around the country." The Crosby team brings their expertise in agriculture and commercial land sales to enhance National Land Realty's current roster as both firms merge into one greater team of more than 275 brokers nationwide. "National Land Realty has a powerful brand and simply put, the best technology available for buying and selling land," said Ben Crosby, CCIM, ALC, President of Crosby & Associates, Inc. "After being an independent brokerage for more than 38 years, we were looking to partner with a company that's innovative and aggressive in helping us expand our capabilities exponentially. For National Land, the ways we will provide unprecedented results for clients o this new Florida forefront are endless." Highly regarded for its proprietary land touring technology, Land Tour 360, as well as its GIS land mapping system, LandBase, which catalogues land data in extremely detailed ways, National Land Realty makes it easy for customers to view and zero in on the right property in the right place. Crosby's residential and property management clients and customers will not be affected by the merger and will stay with CAAI, effectively splitting the company into two parts. They will retain the Crosby & Associates, Inc. name. About National Land Realty National Land Realty is the fastest growing full-service real estate land brokerage company in the nation. The firm specializes in a proactive marketing strategy and a unique, research-based approach to buy and sell farm, ranch, plantation, timber, recreational, and commercial development properties across the country. Founded in Greenville, S.C. in 2007, the company now has over 70 offices in 32 states and counting from coast-to-coast. To learn more, visit www.nationalland.com or call (855) 384-5263. About Crosby & Associates, Inc. | Agriculture and Commercial Over 38 years, Crosby & Associates, Inc. aims to be the most trusted and effective real estate brokerage and investment firm in the Southeast United States. Comprised of a highly skilled team of over 20 land specialists, Crosby & Associates, Inc. holds expertise in analysis and marketing of rural, agricultural and commercial development land. Services include Land and Commercial Brokerage, Auctions, Real Estate Consulting, and Property Management. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005060/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The last time she came to Australia, she was slipping in quietly for a family holiday. She still managed to cause a stir. I was completely star struck, said an employee of a cheese shop in Tamborine Mountain, south-east Queensland, where New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern took a private vacation last month with her family. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrives at Sydney International Airport on Thursday. Credit:Getty I was shaking a little bit but she put me at ease. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed elation over victory against Real Madrid saying that they played 'really good'. "I'm happy for the victory - but the performance as well to try to play against this team with a good personality. The first 10, 15 minutes it was very difficult, but we played really good. We conceded a goal we shouldn't have conceded," the club's official website quoted Guardiola as saying. Manchester City secured a 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Thursday. Gabriel Jesus and Kevin de Bruyne scored a goal each. Despite the victory, Guardiola insisted that it is not over yet. "After scoring we found our rhythm and we scored the second. Today we are happy but it's still not over. For our people hopefully we can do a good performance," he said. The second leg of the last-16 tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid will be played on March 18. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the Long Beach Unified School District commits to keeping classes in-person, the city a new testing site opens for LBUSD employees and students only. The city is also ramping up its own testing efforts with a new 3,000-person per day testing site. Crystal Senter Brown has been in love with words since she was a youngster in Morristown, Tenn. soaking up tales sewn together by C. S. Lewis in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Words have taken her on quite the journey. Shes authored seven books, one of which was turned into the feature film, The Rhythm in Blue, and shes graced the theater stage in productions such as The Vagina Monologues and The Wiz. Born to musician and Baptist preacher Joseph Senter and Janice Treece-Senter, a painter who works with mixed media, acrylic and charcoal, Brown first discovered poetry at the age of six. In the home, there was scripture and books about art history and she spent a lot of time at the Morristown-Hamblen Public Library reading books and acting the stories out with puppets, a memory that came full circle last year when she returned to the library to share her books with a room full of youth from the local chapter of Girls Inc. Her mother, Janice, has worked as an illustrator on several of Browns projects. It wasnt just the inspiration from all those stories long ago that compelled Brown to write, but the lack of what was present in them. Storytelling, to me, means making sure that people see themselves in different stories. Growing up I didnt see a lot of books with children who looked like me in it. I want to make sure our stories are being told along with everyone elses, Brown says. The beloved characters in her books Gabby Saturday and AJ and the Magic Kite have entertained western Massachusetts children for years. In addition to their messages of learning, service and diversity, theyve also accompanied her into classrooms to promote literacy and philanthropy through endeavors like her annual back-to-school backpack/school supplies drive. I feel most alive with children. I love connecting with kids and showing them characters that are kind and that they can look up to. Its especially important now because of social media and a lot of things [children see]. I want to always have a hand in them seeing the good that we do, Brown says. Yet, shes found success beyond her childrens books. In 2017, her novel, The Rhythm in Blue was turned into a feature film by 15L Productions and catapulted Brown to screenwriter. Directed and produced by Toni Parker, the story follows Mason, a groom-to-be who loses his fiance in the midst of running to his hometown to escape the pressures of his upcoming nuptials. The film explores his guilt and path to forgiveness and happiness. The film was shown at more than seven film festivals and was the winner of 13 film festival prizes, including the World Cinema Cinematography Award at the Amsterdam Film Festival and Best Feature Film at the Ocktober Film Festival. I got an email from the films producer. I didnt even think it was real. She came and met me at Maxs Tavern within three months, we were casting in New York and filming in three months, Brown says. Im a creative writer and not into technical writing. A screenplay is different than writing a novel. Brown says she had a steep learning curve and initially got so caught up in the technical aspects of screenplay writing, that she lost the heart of what made the story so great. She was thankful Parker didnt pull any punches. She called me and said, one of the things I loved about the book was the dialogue. My first draft was from memory and not looking at my book. I had to go back and rewrite after that. Between juggling rewrites, auditions and working at Bay Path University, she and her husband, Corey, who often doubles as her sounding board and first draft editor, managed to make it to the last week of shooting on location in South Carolina. And, he isnt her only cheerleader. Her son Adonte is often seen at her events and has continued on her familys love of the arts. A music producer known by the name Eskay, he produces for some of the world's biggest hip hop acts such as Little Yachty, Soulja Boy and Chief Keef. Brown relocated to western Massachusetts in 1994 when he was a baby because she wanted more opportunity than what existed in her hometown at the time. She says the idea of having to move to Los Angeles or New York City to have a fulfilling career is misguided. I think [western Massachusetts] is a great place to live and the opportunity to grow is everywhere. You have to bloom where you are. You cant wait to be in the perfect situation. There are people in LA who are not making it, who are sleeping on couches and eating ramen. The longtime resident of Chicopee credits local support for her success. Brown worked at the American Cancer Society in Holyoke for 15 years before becoming an adjunct professor at Bay Path University where today she works as director of employer relations. My lifes mission is to build wealth for myself and my family but to also empower other women to do the same, Brown says as a first-generation college student. Teaching at Bay Path allows me to have a part in educating women of all ages whether they are right out of high school or starting their third act after retirement. A coronavirus outbreak in the United States appears inevitable, and the only question is when and how many people will experience severe illnesses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday. Dr Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said public health officials have no idea whether the spread of the disease to the US would be mild or severe but that Americans should be ready for a significant disruption to their daily lives. "We are asking the American public to prepare for the expectation that this might be bad," she said. "It's not so much of a question of if this will happen in this country anymore but a question of when this will happen." In reaction, San Francisco Mayor London Breed declared a state of emergency Tuesday over coronavirus concerns, although the city has seen no confirmed cases. "The global picture is changing rapidly, and we need to step-up preparedness," Breed said in a statement. Messonnier said reports of the virus spreading in countries like South Korea and Italy have made it increasingly unlikely that the US will avoid an outbreak. "Disruption to everyday life may be severe," she warned at a news conference. Messonnier said people must start thinking about the possibility of working from home. "For adults, businesses can replace in-person meetings with video or telephone conferences and increase teleworking options," she added. Messonnier said schools should consider plans to divide students into smaller groups, or use "internet-based teleschooling", and parents should contact their schools to ask about plans for dismissal or even alternative childcare should the virus affect their communities. Her warning came as the CDC said the number of novel coronavirus cases in the US jumped to 57. That includes 14 who either traveled to China or were close relatives of travelers; three Americans repatriated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak in China; and 40 passengers returned home from the cruise ship Diamond Princess, which was quarantined in Japan. In Washington on Tuesday, US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said during a hearing on the agency's budget request that there is no evidence the virus has spread in the US beyond patients infected overseas and a few close relatives. "We cannot hermetically seal off the United States to a virus, and we need to be realistic about that," he said. "We'll have more cases in the United States, and we've been very transparent about that." If it happens, "we'll work to mitigate those". On Tuesday, during a trip to India, US President Donald Trump predicted that the coronavirus is "going to go away", expressing confidence that the epidemic will not seriously harm the global economy. At the HHS budget hearing, Republican Senator Richard Shelby said he is concerned that the Trump administration is "lowballing" its request for emergency coronavirus funding and that he will recommend a higher number. Shelby, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told Azar, "It seems to me at the outset that this request for the money, the supplemental, is lowballing it, possibly, and you can't afford to do that. If you lowball something like this, you'll pay for it later." Shelby told reporters afterward he doesn't have a new number in mind but that it will be higher than the $2.5 billion requested by HHS. Azar said the administration would work with Congress if lawmakers believe more money is needed. The administration's request includes $1.25 billion in new funding, with the rest to be taken from existing health programs, including $535 million from fighting the Ebola virus. The White House budget office said the funding would be used for vaccine development, treatment and protective equipment, but Democrats immediately criticized the request as insufficient. Republican Senator Mitt Romney told Trump administration officials Tuesday that they are not adequately prepared for the possibility that the coronavirus may spread more widely in the US. Romney, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, told administration officials at a private briefing on Capitol Hill that he does not believe that the administration has done enough to prepare for the virus spreading. "I'm very disappointed in the degree to which we've prepared for a pandemic, both in terms of protective equipment and in terms of medical devices that would help people once they are infected," he said. Azar said the government currently has stockpiled 30 million special N95 respirator masks, but 300 million masks would be needed to protect healthcare workers in the event of an outbreak. The World Health Organization on Monday determined that the term pandemic "did not fit the facts", but experts including Messonnier said it soon could. She said the coronavirus already has caused sickness and death and it has sustained person-to-person transmission. That's two of the three factors for a pandemic, she said. Jessica Alba enjoyed some family time with all three of her children on Wednesday. But the actress, 38, had some help from her eldest daughter, Honor. The 11-year-old pushed her little brother Hayes, two, in his stroller as the brood left a parking lot. Helping hand: Jessica Alba's daughter, Honor, 11, pushed her little brother Hayes, two, in his stroller as the brood left a parking lot in Los Angeles on Wednesday Young Hayes sat relaxed as Honor pushed his stroller through the parking lot with a beverage in hand. The entire family were color coordinated for the laid-back outing. Jessica and her girls all wore black, while baby Hayes and his big sister Haven wore matching red sweatpants. However they were also coordinated in other ways, with Jessica, Hayes, and Haven all choosing sweatpants and sweaters from Sol Angeles. Outfitted in sweats, Jessica looked stylish with a silver chain necklace and pristine white sneakers. Big sister: Baby Hayes sat relaxed in his stroller as Honor pushed the stroller through the parking lot with a beverage in hand Jessica seemed to be enjoying a day off from filming her Bad Boys spin-off series, L.A.'s Finest. Jessica and Gabrielle Union play detectives in the buddy cop series, which will return for a second season this year. From raising her children to filming her TV series, it's safe to say the leading lady has had her hands full. Not pictured during her family outing on Wednesday was her husband, Cash Warren. Don't sweat it! Outfitted in sweats, Jessica looked stylish with a silver chain necklace and pristine white sneakers The couple spontaneously decided to get married at a Beverly Hills courthouse one day in 2008 while Jessica was heavily pregnant with Honor. Cash, who is the son of Hill Street Blues actor Michael Warren, met Jessica while assistant directing her critically savaged 2005 hit film Fantastic Four. Although she rose to fame as an actress Jessica is also the founder of the consumer goods brand The Honest Company, which she launched in 2011. During a 2018 interview with InStyle she shared that 'I feel like my purpose in life was to create Honest, and everything led me to that.' 27.02.2020 LISTEN Officials of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) have busted a Ghanaian taxi driver based in The Netherlands for allegedly trafficking in a narcotic drug. The suspect, Oppong Kwaku Owusu, 52, was arrested at the Departure Hall of KIA while going through departure formalities to board a flight back to his base in The Netherlands. He was pulled aside by NACOB officials on suspicion of having ingested some foreign substances, but he denied vehemently. However, a search in his carry-on bag revealed three large parcels of a substance suspected to be a narcotic drug, for which reason he was detained for further questioning. When he realised that time was running out for him, he broke down and confessed that he had swallowed some pellets of cocaine. He was then placed under close observation by NACOB officials, during which he managed to expel all the 100 thumb-sized pellets of a powdery substance suspected to be a narcotic drug which he had swallowed. The powdery substance were field-tested and it proved positive for cocaine, a narcotic drug. According to the Head, Communications, Media Relations & Protocol of NACOB, Mr Francis Opoku Amoah, the suspect had two passports a Ghanaian passport No. G2563315 issued in Accra and a Kingdom of The Netherlands passport No. NYDK14RP7 issued in The Netherlands. Arrival in Ghana He said the suspect was a Ghanaian taxi driver resident in The Netherlands who arrived in Ghana on February 7, 2020, to meet some people. After staying in Ghana for some days, he decided to return to The Netherlands on February 18, 2020, but as he was going through departure formalities at the KIA, nacob operatives at the airport pulled him aside on suspicion that he had ingested some drugs. Arrival in Ghana He said the suspect was a Ghanaian taxi driver resident in The Netherlands who arrived in Ghana on February 7, 2020, to meet some people. After staying in Ghana for some days, he decided to return to The Netherlands on February 18, 2020, but as he was going through departure formalities at the KIA, nacob operatives at the airport pulled him aside on suspicion that he had ingested some drugs. The officials, not convinced by his responses, probed further and then decided to conduct a thorough search of his carry-on bag. Mr Amoah said the carry-on bag was opened and searched in Owusus presence and three parcels of a powdery substance suspected to be cocaine were found concealed in a compartment of the bag. Parcels found During interrogation on the spot, he denied knowledge and ownership of the said parcels found in his carry-on bag but claimed ownership of the clothes in the bag. Later, realising that the delay would cause his death, he confessed that he had ingested some of the substance found in the carry-on bag. Suspect Owusu was born on July 31, 1968. His Ghanaian passport was issued in Accra on August 22, 2019, and is expected to expire on August 21, 2029, while the Kingdom of The Netherlands passport was issued in The Netherlands on December 15, 2015, and is expected to expire on December 15, 2025. Owusu was put on observation from February 18, 2020, and by 12 noon on February 19, 2020, he had expelled all the100 pellets of the drug he had swallowed. Exhibits of drug In his caution statement, suspect Owusu said while working as a taxi driver in The Netherlands, he was contracted by one Alhaji, also a Ghanaian resident in Amsterdam, to come to Ghana and carry some drugs to The Netherlands for a fee of 1,500. He claimed that the said Alhaji paid for his ticket, but declined to give full details of all his contacts on arrival in Ghana. Nacob says it will forward the three parcels found in the carry-on bag and the 100 expelled pellets of a whitish powdery substance to the Ghana Standards Authority for analytical examination and report. Mr Amoah said the suspect was put before court on Thursday, February 20, 2020 and was remanded in prison custody to reappear on March 2, 2020. He said the board would continue to collaborate and partner other stakeholders and its international partners to make Ghana and in particular the KIA unattractive to drug traffickers. ---graphic.com.gh Keith Block, co-chief executive officer of Salesforce.com Inc., speaks during the opening keynote at the DreamForce conference in San Francisco, Sept. 25, 2018. RBC Capital on Thursday outlined three of the most likely companies it thinks former Salesforce co-CEO Keith Block might join following his Tuesday departure as chief executive. Block is well positioned to join Workday, Oracle or Amazon Web Services, according to the analyst note. Workday, which provides cloud-based human resources and other software for enterprises, seems to be most likely, according to RBC analysts. "Not only does Workday, today, have a completely complementary product set relative to Salesforce's (thus potentially preserving his relationships by not competing directly with his former employer), Workday offers, in many ways, a similar situation to what Keith Block inherited when joining Salesforce seven years ago," RBC's global equity team wrote in a note. Salesforce said Block will stay on as an advisor for a year. Block could also return to Oracle, though RBC said it was "exceedingly less likely." After more than 25 years with Oracle, Block left in 2013 to join Salesforce as president and vice chairman. "The opportunity to re-position Oracle as a cloud infrastructure and application software leader would potentially put Keith in the same conversation as Satya Nadella in terms of corporate turnaround master-strokes," according to the note. "We believe that there is a rare opportunity to heal old wounds." Block may possibly join Amazon Web Services, the analysts added. Amazon could benefit from Block's leadership in enterprise sales as it competes against Microsoft Azure. "With Microsoft Azure competing more aggressively and taking share in the IaaS market, we think Amazon Web Services could be well served in adopting both an increasingly verticalized and application strategy that is more familiar to Fortune 500 enterprises," according to the note. Shares of Salesforce sank 3% on Tuesday after the company announced Block will step down as co-CEO, with Marc Benioff to transition to the sole chief executive. The stock fell about 4.1% in early trading Thursday as part of the broader market drop. London: Former British Conservative Party leader William Hague has called on Scott Morrison to end Australia's climate wars and adopt a net-zero carbon emissions target ahead of the United Nations climate change conference to be held in Glasgow this November. Lord Hague, also Britain's former Foreign Secretary, was highly critical of the Australian government's approach to climate policy and called on climate denialists within conservative ranks to acknowledge that the science was accepted and settled. He said leaving the issue of climate change to left-wing politicians would result in responses that were socialist, rather than driven by technology or market forces. The coalition should also consider carbon pricing as a way of curbing emissions. The Australian Labor Party last week adopted a net-zero target, without saying what mechanisms would be used to curb carbon emissions. This prompted a scathing attack from Morrison who said in Parliament this week: "I'm not going to put a tax on them to get emissions down". Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 10:22:18|Editor: yhy Video Player Close BUCHAREST, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Health Minister Victor Costache confirmed late Wednesday that a 20-year-old Romanian had been tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He had contact Tuesday with a visiting 71-year-old Italian who was infected with the virus after returning home. According to Costache, the young man, who had been asymptomatic, was screened for the virus because of his close contact with the Italian man who visited southern Romania on Feb. 18-22. The other seven family members of the young man were uninfected for the time being and are currently in home quarantine in Gorj County, some 300 km northwest of Bucharest, capital of Romania. Local epidemiological investigations are underway and 33 blood samples are waiting for test results, said the minister, adding that "it is in a rural environment, not in a city with a large population, and we can take effective measures." According to a release of the foreign ministry, the Italian citizen had been in southern Romania, visiting the relatives of his Romanian wife. He also had several business meetings before returning home. Two people were arrested for allegedly cheating 27 people of Rs 16 lakh by promising them jobs abroad, police said on Thursday. The police have nabbed Feeroz Khan alias Zibran Ahmed and Sanjay Singh alias Jaswinder Singh from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, while the third accused Nazim Ahmed alias Rizwan Ahmed is absconding, an official said. The accused opened an office in the western suburb of Goregaon here a year and half ago and lured job aspirants with promise of employment abroad, he said. The trio has duped at least 27 people since October last year and took around Rs 16 lakh from them, with the promise of jobs and foreign visas, the official said. "An FIR under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), 468 (forgery) and 34 (common intention) has been registered in this regard," deputy commissioner of police (zone 12) DS Swami said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rival Iraqi factions signalled progress in efforts to form a new government, but many ghosts still haunt the party. Worried about the possibility of further political chaos, Iraqs main factions searched this week for a last-minute exit from the almost six months of political turmoil in the country that have been triggered by massive anti-establishment protests. The leaders of the parliamentary blocs that represent the countrys main communities met several times this week to try to find common ground on forming an inclusive government amid sharp political and communal divisions. Any solid agreement would need to guarantee support from the countrys Kurdish and Sunni political factions, which have been playing hard ball trying to extract concessions from Prime Minister-designate Mohamed Tewfik Allawi who was nominated by the majority Shia blocs. Another stumbling block is strong opposition to Allawi by the anti-government demonstrators, who have been pushing for a prime minister who is not part of a ruling elite accused of corruption and incompetence. The first sign of progress came from the parliaments presidency, which said in a statement on Monday that it would convene an extraordinary session of the full assembly on Thursday to vote on Allawi and his cabinet. The announcement ended a controversy about the parliaments vote of confidence in the government and gave more time to the parties for wheeling and dealing about the cabinet line-up and agreed agenda. Yet, Iraqs desperate attempt at forming a new government has been facing severe and growing difficulties. It seems to be haunted by several major problems, each of which could bring about more turmoil. Iraqi President Barham Salih nominated Allawi to replace former prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who resigned in November in the face of widespread anti-government protests which were largely blamed on his poor leadership. Salihs decision was controversial as many saw it as having no constitutional basis. But it was probably taken as a matter of political expediency after the ruling factions failed to find a candidate for two months, leaving the country largely leaderless at a time of increasing instability. Iraq has been sinking deeper into crisis since protests began last October against corruption and nepotism in the country. The protesters were demanding jobs, better public services, security and an end to government dysfunction. The mass street protests in Baghdad and across the oil-rich Shia heartland of southern Iraq grew despite a violent crackdown by the security forces and their allied Shia militias. They then evolved into a broader national uprising, with demands for the resignation of the government and for new elections, challenging the countrys entrenched Shia political elite. Shia groups that traditionally nominate the prime minister threw their weight behind the appointment of Allawi after the main Kurdish and Sunni blocs and the protest movement initially rejected his nomination. Backing the nomination of the political outsider Allawi was an attempt by the Shia ruling factions to head off the protesters, who have resisted attempts to install politicians affiliated to the factions. Abdul-Mahdi, who has remained in his post as a caretaker prime minister, has warned he will be forced to leave office if a cabinet is not agreed by 2 March, leaving the country in a dangerous constitutional vacuum. Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr has also threatened to organise protests outside parliament unless the MPs back the government of Allawi in a parliamentary confidence vote. Al-Sadr, whose supporters form the largest bloc in parliament, has spent most of the past few months in neighbouring Iran, but he came back on Saturday to whip up support for Allawis endorsement. Nevertheless, the political wrangling continues. The Iraqi Forces Alliance, the main Sunni bloc, announced on Monday that its representatives in parliament would boycott Thursdays confidence vote session. In a statement, the bloc, which has some 40 seats in the 329-member parliament, described Allawis platform as crisis-ridden. The main Kurdish parties, meanwhile, have scoffed at Allawi as lacking the confidence and trust of many Iraqi communities. In a joint statement, the Kurdish groups called on Allawi to reconsider his governments line-up so that it will be representative of all Iraqi communities. But the Kurdish parties stopped short of threats to boycott consultations on forming the new government. Under Iraqs post-2003 political order, Iraqs multiple sects and ethnicities share power and wealth. Political groups representing the Shia majority were given the key executive post of the prime minister, while the Sunni Arab parties hold the post of the speaker of the parliament, and the Kurds hold the presidency. All the communities should also have the right to nominate their own representatives to become ministers in the federal government on a quota-based system. Upon his nomination as prime minister, Allawi expressed his support for the protests and pledged justice for demonstrators killed by the security forces. He urged the protesters to continue with the demonstrations to help him to fulfill his promises. He pledged to turn a new page in Iraqs political system and re-establish trust between the public and the government, vowing to break away from an era that saw political turmoil and government dysfunction. Allawi has spent most of his life in exile and is largely seen as a political novice. A cousin of former prime minister Ayad Allawi, the 65-year-old architecture graduate joined the latters political bloc in Iraqs first election after the US-led invasion in 2003. He served twice as communications minister under former prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki, who headed a government that was widely seen as the most corrupt in post-Saddam Iraq. Allawi resigned in 2012, accusing Al-Maliki of interference in his ministry and the government and turning a blind eye to corruption by people close to him. He was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Baghdad court in March 2016 on charges of corruption in a government deal to buy surveillance cameras from a French company. Though Allawi was later acquitted by an appeal court that found no evidence of corruption against him, he was widely blamed for participating in two governments which were seen as deeply corrupt and brimming with incompetence. Allawi, much like Abdul-Mahdi, lacks a political base and will find it difficult to withstand pressure from the entrenched political groups that control the governments departments and have their own militias. Among the challenges Allawi is expected to face is the rising power of the pro-Iran Shia militias that are working under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF). While the PMF itself remains loosely under government control, some of the most powerful and influential militias operate across the country and many Iraqis blame them for mounting lawlessness and violence. His government also faces tough decisions to try to fight ruinous corruption, jump-start economic reforms, eliminate inefficiency and dismantle the cronyism and patronage networks that stifle the government. Allawi will also need to grapple with the balance between the US and Iran, two rivals which have been vying for influence in Iraq since the US-led invasion toppled former president Saddam Hussein in 2003. Among other key challenges that Allawi must face is the future of the thousands of US forces in Iraq, there to help in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group. Shia groups and Iran are pressing hard on the government to implement a parliamentary decision to expel US forces from Iraq. But Allawis main challenge will be to meet the demands of the protesters across Iraq who were unconvinced with his nomination and have pledged to escalate their movement further, saying he is not the independent they have long demanded. On Tuesday, the protesters resumed their sit-ins in Baghdad and other southern cities voicing opposition to Allawis nomination. The street protests might be less well attended because of government announcement of Coronavirus spread in Iraq but their resentment against the authorities is still growing. Since 2003, Iraqs ruling elites have failed disastrously to stop the downturn in the country. A course correction is long overdue, in order to give the Iraqi people the direction and hope they deserve. Allawis appointment and whatever cabinet he will be able to form will unlikely be able to relieve Iraqs agony by ending government ineptness and stopping the countrys descent. It will likely not take long for the praise that the United Nations mission in Iraq and some Western governments heaped on Allawis nomination to prove to be misleading and the reality surrounding his appointment to be exposed. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: ANKARA, Turkey - Nine Turkish soldiers were killed in an air strike in northeast Syria late Thursday, a Turkish official said. Hatay Governor Rahmi Dogan said other soldiers were severely wounded in the attack by Syrian government forces and were being treated at hospitals in Turkey. Hatay borders the Syrian province of Idlib. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called an emergency security meeting in Ankara, broadcaster NTV reported. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg by telephone, according to state-run Anadolu news agency. The deaths are the largest number of fatalities suffered by Turkish forces in a single day since Ankara started sending thousands of troops into Idlib in recent weeks in a bid to halt an advance by Syrian forces that has sent hundreds of thousands of displaced people towards the Turkish border. Russia is eyeing an increased share of Mena multi-billion-dollar power sector with the showcasing of its cable, generator and transmission providers at a dedicated national pavilion at the upcoming Middle East Energy in Dubai, UAE. The 45th edition of the global power platform runs from March 3 to 5 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The pavilion, which is co-funded by Made in Russia, the Russian Export Centre, will feature 14 exhibitors, including six leading manufacturing companies, and the first collective participation from Chuvash Republic - the countrys main centre for electrical equipment. Furthermore, the pavilion will host the global launch of several Russian industry breakthroughs including the worlds first diagnostic connection for power transmission line repair. Russia is emerging as a new power technology export titan, explained Natalia Sherstobitova of Concord Business Services, which organises the Russian pavilion. The countrys breakthrough technologies have been shaped by huge investment in research and development and a national commitment to help transition the industry to an environmentally-friendly and resource-conservation focused energy sector. While many of the exhibiting companies are already exporting to some Middle East countries, they are now looking to expand that regional footprint via new distributorships and proven business partners. One of the Russian pavilion stars is FutureLab, a Ural Federal University start-up, that will use the show to unveil to the region CableWalker the world's first wire drone diagnostics connection for power transmission line repair which is claimed to significantly help reduce health risks. Cablewalker, an idea conceptualised by both FutureLab and an entrepreneur from the Skolkovo IT-cluster, is a breakthrough software and technology solution for monitoring and maintaining overhead power lines. Future Lab already has an agreement with Dubai Water & Electricity Authority (Dewa) for a pilot project for comprehensive data monitoring and analysis of its power lines, the creation of a Dubai digital power system and the opening of a local service company. Meanwhile, the Yaroslavl Engine Plant, Russia's leading manufacturer of multi-purpose diesel and natural gas engines, clutches and gearboxes, is preparing for the international debut of its state-of-the-art YaMZ-53613 diesel engine at Middle East Energy. The 4-stroke, 6 cylinder in-line engine is equipped with liquid cooling, a turbocharger and air-air intercooler to delivering high fuel efficiency and durability. Yaroslavl Engine Plant, which has a 45% home market share, is looking to the show to build its already broad service network. STC TECHNO-AC will be out to expand its Middle East dealer network for its cable and pipe locators, water leak detectors and cable fault locators, and to capitalise on large-scale identified potential. Locators capable of measuring cable depths up to 10 meters are in high demand, as are search devices for defects in cable lines that can detect damage at distances of up to 250 km from the connection point, said a spokesperson. Gaztehnika LLC is hoping to increase its share of the Mena diesel generator market, which is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.3 per cent to 2023, according to the Energy & Utilities Outlook 2020, the latest industry report produced by Informa Markets, organiser of Middle East Energy. Gaztechnika is looking to win over new customers for its range of diesel generators from 7 kva up to 2500 kva and its ability to deliver tailor-made engineering solutions for projects of varying complexity. We produce and distribute a range of products under the brand name ERGA and all are manufactured under strict existing EU regulations, said a company spokesperson. We require all our suppliers to be a brand of reference and to comply with high quality standards. Priborenergo, which specialises in manufacturing relay protection and automation, will display its vast array of products including surge protectors and solutions for voltage relay, time relay, phase control relay, electronic phase switch and many more. Making its Middle East Energy debut as part of the Russian pavilion is the Chuvash Republic, which boasts over 200 electrotechnical organisations, who collectively produce 40 per cent of relay protection and automation needs in the Russian Federation. At Middle East Energy, Chuvash entities will showcase some of their 10,000 product lines, including transformers, relay equipment and automated systems. Middle East Energy, formerly known as Middle East Electricity, has attracted an exhibitor field of more than 1,200 organisations from over 130 countries bidding for business across five dedicated sectors of power generation, renewables, transmission & distribution, energy consumption & management and digitalisation. The industrys most pressing issues will be aired in an expansive associated knowledge programme featuring more than 30 conference sessions with over 150 speakers representing 25 hours of learning. TradeArabia News Service GRAND RAPIDS, MI Federal prosecutors dismissed charges against the former chief executive officer and the former sales representative of a Grand Rapids marketing company who were accused of fraud. Ex-CEO Dennis Tubbergen and former salesman Christopher Ostrowski had their cases dismissed after the defense convinced prosecutors that a sales program, while not successful, was not intended to defraud customers. The company, GTBK Marketing, however, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania to a single count of mail fraud with restitution set at $300,000. The government originally set losses at $2.1 million. Attorneys for the two men said they hadnt been in trouble before and shouldnt have faced criminal charges. Dennis Tubbergen is a man of integrity and a solid businessperson who never should have been charged in the first place, his attorney, Michael Engle, said in an email. As we investigated the allegations against Dennis Tubbergen it became clear that Dennis committed no crime. Fortunately this also became clear to the government and all charges against Dennis have been dismissed. Matthew Borgula, a former assistant U.S. attorney who represented Ostrowski, said it is virtually unheard of for federal prosecutors to dismiss charges once a grand jury brings indictments. Borgula said that the case should have been a civil case, if anything. His client, who had no stake in the company other than a job, was devastated when he was indicted in 2016. It has been a long, costly legal process. The defense was able to show through recorded phone calls that the defendants were not trying to deceive clients, attorneys said. The company was selling a program designed to increase customers but wasnt successful. Thank God the assistant U.S. attorney was willing to listen. They were very open-minded and willing to listen to us, Borgula said. The calls recorded for quality assurance - showed that alleged victims "were more disgruntled customers than victims of fraud, he said. Tubbergen, a Grand Rapids syndicated radio host who has appeared on nationally televised news shows, long denied the allegations. Early on, he said in a statement: "I recently learned 14 former financial advisers, who purchased educational and support materials from GTBK Marketing, have made allegations regarding the successes of their independent businesses. GTBK Marketing, a business of which I was a partner from 2000 until it closed in 2011, provided support to nearly 23,000 financial professionals nationwide. "The allegations being made are without merit . Borgula said that his client, who formerly lived in the Grand Haven area, moved up north. He has lost jobs because of then-pending charges. Publicity about the case in the small town made life difficult. Ostrowski wasnt just found not guilty, Borgula said. He is actually innocent. He works in sales, and raises funds for charities, so his reputation is everything, his attorney said. In a sentencing memorandum, Engle, who also represented the company, wrote: While recognizing the seriousness of the offense at issue in this case, this course of conduct was not the norm for GTBK Marketing. He said that emails and letters provided to the court came from a variety of satisfied customers and others who held the company in high regard. Alleged victims of the marketing plan said they were misled by supposed endorsements for its Immediate Legacy Program as well as its alleged successes. GTBK said the ILP was a financial system to help nonprofits raise funds by allowing wealthy donors to make immediate charitable contributions to their favorite charity at no cost to the donor, the government said. Tubbergen was originally charged with wire fraud and attempt and conspiracy to commit mail fraud while Ostrowski was charged with aiding and abetting wire fraud, attempt and conspiracy to commit mail fraud, obstruction of a grand jury and making false declarations to a grand jury and FBI, court records showed. More on MLive: I just hope they give me a chance: Ex-offenders search for housing in Grand Rapids Police rescue man before he can jump from I-94 overpass Man accused in road-rage body slam tried to avoid other driver, attorney says By Express News Service CHENNAI: A week after three persons were killed after a crane allegedly fell on them in a shooting spot of a big-budget film at EVP film city, director S Shankar on Thursday appeared before the Central Crime Branch for inquiry. After the investigation was transferred to the CCB, the sleuths summoned the director for questioning, and he arrived at the commissioner office at around 11 am and the deputy commissioner of police of the central crime branch (CCB) G Nagajothi conducted the inquiries. A senior police officer said, Shankar's statement has been recorded and further investigations are on. The officer said actor Kamal Haasan will also be summoned soon. ALSO READ: Kamal announces Rs 1 crore to families of deceased, sheds light on safety of workers Previously, Nazarathpet police station registered a case against the Lyca production and the crane operator, Rajan under sections 287(negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 304 A(death due to negligence) of the Indian Penal Code. The police arrested Rajan he was remanded in judicial custody by a magistrate court. The incident happened on January 19 when the men were preparing to set up the set for shooting a fight scene of director Shankar's 'Indian 2' starring actor Kamal Hasaan. The crane fell down killing three persons and left nine others injured. (Newser) Barack Obama has remained relatively quiet on the political scene in the years since he left the Oval Officebut he's voicing his displeasure with an ad attacking his former VP. CNN reports that the law office representing Obama sent a cease-and-desist letter Wednesday to a GOP super PAC demanding it stop airing the ad, which uses words from Obama's 1995 memoir. Fox News details the 30-second ad by the Committee to Defend the President, which juxtaposes Obama's voicetaken from his audiobook Dreams From My Fatherdiscussing such things as police brutality, lack of jobs and housing for black Americans, and "plantation politics," all while showing claims about Biden's record on racial issues on the screen. story continues below Fox Business notes that, while the implication is that Obama is talking about Biden, the excerpt is actually lifted from a decades-old conversation Obama was recalling with a barber about Chicago politics. Obama has stood firm in not publicly endorsing any of the Democratic presidential contenders, spokeswoman Katie Hill said Wednesday, per CNN. However, Hill notes, the ad is a "despicable" attempt to influence minority voters in South Carolina to stay home "by taking President Obama's voice out of context and twisting his words to mislead." Hill adds that TV stations shouldn't play the ad and help "bad actors" who want to "sow division." A Biden rep also uses the word "despicable." The super PAC's response on Facebook Wednesday to Obama's demand: "Good luck with that!" (Read more Barack Obama stories.) CONNELLY SPRINGS A woman on probation is facing drug charges after a Feb. 11 search of her home. Angeleigha Nicole Smith, 28, of 2781 Old Blue Ridge Lane in Connelly Springs, received felony charges of possession of methamphetamine, trafficking in opium or heroin and possession of heroin, as well as misdemeanor charges of simple possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and a probation violation, according to a release from the Burke County Sheriffs Office. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The charges came after North Carolina Probation and Parole officers started an investigation at her home on Feb. 11, the release said. After officers made contact with Smith, BCSO detectives were called to the home to assist. Officers found methamphetamine, heroin and drug paraphernalia in the home, the release said. Smith was held under a $28,000 secured bond at the Burke County Jail with a court date set for March 6, the release said. Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Thursday advocated for increased use of the state's waterways for trade and commerce to ensure the North Eastern region's accessibility to the Southeast Asian countries. Mukhi said the Northeastern region has immense natural resources accounting for 34 per cent of the country's water resources and 40 per cent of hydropower potential. Therefore the waterways of Assam should be exceedingly utilised to ensure the region's accessibility to the Southeast Asian countries, the governor told a programme organised by ASSOCHAM here. Considering the vast extent of rivers Brahmaputra and Barak in the state and the status of National Waterway 2 and 16 given to these two rivers, they should be increasingly used to get access to the traditional domestic market of eastern India along with Bangladesh and ASEAN countries, he said. The governor also said because of the strategic location of the Northeast, its expanse of fertile farmland and huge untapped human capital, the area has the potential to be the country's most prosperous region. The Northeast is an unexplored territory for most investors, Mukhi said adding that ASSOCHAM can play a catalytic role in shaping up trade, commerce and industrial landscape of the region, particularly Assam. The Central government has been focusing on the development of the region through the Act East Policy, and its isolation is gradually reducing because of improvement in connectivity through road, rail, telecom, power and waterways, the governor said. [February 27, 2020] HP Appoints Richard Clemmer to Board of Directors PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) today announced the appointment of technology industry leader Richard (Rick) Clemmer to HPs Board of Directors. Chip Bergh, Chair of HPs Board of Directors, said, Rick has a proven record of balancing disciplined cost cutting with growth investments, including through strategic transactions, that we believe will be additive to HP. The HP Board benefits from world-class directors with diverse skills and expertise to oversee the Companys business and strategic execution. We are pleased to welcome Rick to the HP Board. Enrique Lores, HP President and CEO, said, We are fortunate to have a strong board that knows the industry well and is committed to ensuring we create maximum value for all of our shareholders. Ricks experience in the tech sector and operational leadership is directly relevant to our strategic and financial value plan. We will benefit from his expertise as we continue to lead HP forward. Clemmer said, This is an especially exciting time for HP. Innovation across HPs Personal Systems, Print, and 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing businesses provides a strong foundation for growth and value creation. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Enrique and the Board to help guide HPs continued market leadership. About Clemmer Clemmer is currently CEO and Executive Director of NXP Semiconductors N.V., a global leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications. Under his leadership, NXP has unlocked new sources of profitable growth, created significant shareholder value and strengthened the companys position in key markets, including the acquisition and successful integration of Freescale. Prior to becoming CEO of NXP, Clemmer was a member of NXPs supervisory board and a senior advisor of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., a private equity and global investment firm that manages multiple alternative asset classes. Clemmer also previously served as President and CEO of Agere Systems, where he drove the turnaround and re-emergence of Agere Systems Inc., a spin-out from Lucent Technologies Inc. Clemmer also served as Chairman of u-Nav Microelectronics Corporation, a GPS technology provider, and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Quantum Corporation. Before that, Clemmer was Senior Vice President and Semiconductor Group Chief Financial Officer of Texas Instruments. Clemmer also serves on the board of NCR Corporation. About HPs Board With Clemmers appointment, the HP Board has temporarily expanded to 13 directors, 11 of whom are independent. As previously announced, former HP CEO Dion Weisler will continue to serve on HPs Board of Directors until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, at which point the HP Board will comprise 12 directors, 11 of whom are independent, including an independent Chairman, and the Companys current CEO. In connection with Clemmers appointment as a new independent director, HP has provided notice to Xerox that it has 10 days to nominate an additional candidate in connection with the 2020 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the HP Board and its recommended slate of director nominees will be presented in the Companys definitive proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and mailed to all shareholders eligible to vote at the 2020 Annual Meeting. The date of the 2020 Annual Meeting has not yet been announced. Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied bysuch forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including any statements of expectation or belief; any statements relating to the plans, strategies and objectives of management or the HP Board of Directors for future operations and activities; any statements regarding HPs strategic plans, potential future share repurchases or any potential strategic transactions; any statements concerning the expected development, performance, market share or competitive performance relating to products or services; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include factors relating to HPs ability to execute on its strategic plan, including the recently announced initiatives, business model changes and transformation; execution of planned structural cost reductions and productivity initiatives; potential developments involving Xerox Holdings Corporation; HPs ability to complete any contemplated share repurchases, other capital return programs or other strategic transactions; the need to address the many challenges facing HPs businesses; the competitive pressures faced by HPs businesses; risks associated with executing HPs strategy, business model changes and transformation; successfully innovating, developing and executing HPs go-to-market strategy, including online, omnichannel and contractual sales, in an evolving distribution and reseller landscape; successfully competing and maintaining the value proposition of HPs products, including supplies; the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the need to manage third-party suppliers, manage HPs global, multi-tier distribution network, limit potential misuse of pricing programs by HPs channel partners, adapt to new or changing marketplaces and effectively deliver HPs services; challenges to HPs ability to accurately forecast inventories, demand and pricing, which may be due to HPs multi-tiered channel, sales of HPs products to unauthorized resellers or unauthorized resale of HPs products; the protection of HPs intellectual property assets, including intellectual property licensed from third parties; risks associated with HPs international operations; the development and transition of new products and services and the enhancement of existing products and services to meet customer needs and respond to emerging technological trends; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its suppliers, customers, clients and partners; the hiring and retention of key employees; integration and other risks associated with business combination and investment transactions; the results of the restructuring plans, including estimates and assumptions related to the cost (including any possible disruption of HPs business) and the anticipated benefits of the restructuring plans; disruptions in operations from system security risks, data protection breaches, cyberattacks, extreme weather conditions, medical epidemics or pandemics such as the novel coronavirus, and other natural or manmade disasters or catastrophic events; the impact of changes in tax laws, including uncertainties related to the interpretation and application of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 on HPs tax obligations and effective tax rate; the resolution of pending investigations, claims and disputes; and other risks that are described in HPs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, and HPs other filings with the SEC. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. HPs Investor Relations website at http://investor.hp.com contains a significant amount of information about HP, including financial and other information for investors. HP encourages investors to visit its website from time to time, as information is updated, and new information is posted. Important Information This document is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. If a tender offer or exchange offer is commenced, HP will file with the SEC a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. Any solicitation/recommendation statement filed by HP that is required to be mailed to stockholders will be mailed to HP stockholders. HP STOCKHOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ HPs SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO ANY EXCHANGE OFFER BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders may obtain free copies of the solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 (when available), as well as any other documents filed by HP in connection with any tender offer or exchange offer, without charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. HP intends to file a proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Any definitive proxy statement and a white proxy card will be mailed to HPs stockholders. HP STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ ANY PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. These and other SEC filings made by HP may be obtained (when available) without charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov and at the investor relations section of HPs website at http://www.hp.com. In addition, investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents from HP by directing a request to Investor Relations, 1501 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, or by calling (650) 857-1501. Certain Information Concerning Participants HP and certain of its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies under the rules of the SEC. HP stockholders may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of HPs directors and executive officers in HPs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on December 12, 2019, and its proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on February 26, 2019. To the extent holdings of HP securities have changed since the amounts printed in the proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants in any proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will also be included in the proxy statement to be filed by HP with the SEC in connection with the 2020 Annual Meeting, if and when it becomes available. About HP Inc. HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers and 3D printing solutions, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at www.hp.com. Editorial contacts HP Inc. Media Relations [email protected] HP Inc. Investor Relations [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Photo Chandigarh : On the 5th day of the ongoing Budget Session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, led by Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema and state Kisan Wing president and partys Kotkapura legislator, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, on Thursday, protested outside the assembly in support of the demands of the farmers and farm hands in the state. On the occasion, the AAP MLAs made a mockery of the government by covering their faces with masks. Taking a swipe at Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singhs statement made by him after the Governor's speech, on Wednesday, saying that the promised smart phones could not be given to students in view of the spread of Corona virus in China, which the AAP leader said was a mere face-saving exercise. Giving his reaction to newsmen during the protests, Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora and Kultar Singh Sandhwan took pot shot on the dismal performance of the Punjab government, saying that it was not China which was afflicted with the deadly virus it was the Captain government which had been the victim of corona virus, which was why it had failed to fulfill the election promises it pedaled before assuming power in 2017 even as three years had rolled by. The AAP leaders alleged that by reneging on poll promises, the government in the saddle had disappointed not only the farmers and farm hands, but also every section of society, who were passing through financial hardships. The LoP said that the ruling Congress government grabbed power in 2017 by pedaling false promises about a complete loan waiver, saying that it was now running away from the promises made to the farmers and farm labour. He said that while backtracking on the promises, the government indulged in false propaganda by splurging worth crores of rupees on the hype on loan waiver. The AAP leaders raised the issues of complete loan waiver to the peasants and farm laborers, check the menace of stray cattle to protect their crops, the implementation of Swaminathan reports in Punjab on the line of Kejriwal-led government in Delhi, ensuring of minimum support price (MSPs) by union government for farmers crops and abolition of the existing marketing structure in the state. Others who were present on the occasion included Principal Budh Ram, Prof. Baljinder Kaur, Sarabjit Kaur Manuke, Rupinder Kaur Ruby, Meet Hayer, Jai Krishan Singh Rouri, Manjit Singh Bilaspur and Master Baldev Singh (All MLAs), party spokesman Govinder Mittal and State Media Head Manjit Singh Sidhu. The authorities of Poland stated that there are 47 cases of suspicion for coronavirus infection in the country The Ministry of Health of Poland denied mass media information about the hospitalization of a patient infected with coronavirus who arrived from Thailand as Wpolityce reported citing the ministrys representative Wojciech Andrusiewicz. Andrusiewicz stated that there are 47 cases of suspicion for coronavirus infection in the country; however, they are not confirmed. Besides, 55 people are in quarantine. Earlier Poland has reported about a case of coronavirus infection: an infected woman was taken to a hospital in Lodz. As we reported, the first case of infection with coronavirus spotted in Estonia. An infected person is a citizen of Iran who returned to Estonia. Earlier, the first case of coronavirus infection was recorded among Ukrainians in Italy. Moreover, the infection with coronavirus was spotted in mainland Spain. The incident was observed in Catalunya. A 36-year-old Italian was hospitalized; she traveled to Milan and Bergamo for ten days, and then she felt sick. Currently, she just suffers from typical symptoms of influenza. Medics consider it is a light case of coronavirus infection. More than 1,000 people rallied on the Greek island of Lesbos on Thursday to protest against new migrant camps, a day after violent clashes left more than 60 injured, mostly police officers. Lesbos businesses and unions called for a general strike on the island to continue, with shops shuttered for the second day in a row. "No camps on the islands, either open or closed," the demonstrators chanted as they marched in the port town of Mytilene. On the neighbouring island of Chios, hundreds of protesters took part in a similar rally. The demonstrations on Thursday were more peaceful than the previous day when locals had clashed violently with police over the construction of new migrant camps on the islands of Lesbos and Chios. On Wednesday, hundreds of angry islanders threw stones at police who responded with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. The Greek government said that hundreds of anti-riot police who had deployed to the islands to ensure the construction work could continue had now left. "The first phase of digging is complete, (so) the police forces can now return," said government spokesman Stelios Petsas. "The overwhelming majority of riot police left the islands on Thursday morning," police spokesman Thodoros Chronopoulos told AFP. "Forty-three officers were injured slightly on Lesbos on Wednesday... but they are not in any danger," the spokesman said. Three had foot injuries from rifles fired by local residents, he said. After weeks of fruitless talks with island officials on where to build the new facilities, the government had on Monday secretly shipped construction machinery and hundreds of riot police to Lesbos and Chios, causing outrage. Lesbos "has become an enormous prison for migrant souls. We've shown our solidarity all these years, but the burden on the islands now needs to be eased," said one demonstrator, 47-year-old university employee Michael Hakas. - Overcrowded camps - The Greek islands of Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Leros and Kos have been at the forefront of the migration crisis for the past five years, with residents long complaining that the presence of thousands of asylum seekers threatens safety and public health. More than 38,000 migrants are crowded into the islands' camps despite an official capacity of just 6,200. The islanders say they will only accept small facilities where asylum-seekers are screened and then either moved to the mainland or sent back to Turkey outright. The conservative government which came to power in July has announced that the camps on Lesbos, Samos and Chios will be shut down this year, to be replaced with new facilities that are to be operational by mid-2020. On Leros and Kos, existing facilities are to be revamped and expanded. Local authorities have rejected the government's plans to build the new camps to replace currently overcrowded facilities where asylum-seekers live in dire conditions. But the government says that the new camps, where entry and exit will be tightly controlled, will actually address most of the islanders' concerns by ending a currently "chaotic" situation. - Appeal for calm - Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for calm and invited the islands' mayors and the North Aegean governor to talks in Athens later on Thursday. "I understand the situation on the islands," he said during a cabinet meeting on Thursday. "But we have to isolate extremist elements," Mitsotakis said, adding that an investigation would be opened into "the use of excess violence" by some people. Chios mayor Stamatis Karmantzis stressed the need for dialogue. "A truce is needed," he told Greek radio on Thursday, indicating that he would travel to Athens to meet Mitsotakis. "The migrant question is a national and a European issue, not just a problem for the Aegean islands," he said. The demonstrations on Thursday were more peaceful than the previous day when more than 60 people were injured in clashes between protesters and police Islanders said they had shown their solidarity for years, but now their burden needs to be eased Most of those injured during the clashes on Wednesday were police officers Newly appointed Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine Serhiy Hlushchenko will be responsible for coordinating activities in the agricultural sector of the economy. Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine Tymofiy Mylovanov wrote about this on his Facebook page. On February 26, 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed Serhiy Hlushchenko to the post of Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine. At the Economic Development Ministry, together with Taras Vysotsky, Serhiy Hlushchenko will be responsible for promoting and coordinating activities in the agricultural sector, Mylovanov wrote. He added that a detailed list of powers will be published after Hlushchenkos approval at the post. ish Israel is on the brink of its third election in just 12 months, facing an unprecedented electoral deadlock that has left the country in political turmoil. The poll follows two failed elections and the current prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus indictment for fraud, bribery, and breach of trust. Heres everything you need to know about the contentious Israeli election. When will the election be held? The election is set to be held on Monday, 2 March 2020. The election was called on the 11 December 2019. As per previous elections, after voting closes exit polls will be published and negotiations of a coalition are expected to begin. The president will task the party leader most likely to put together the government to lead talks. They will then have 28 days to form a government. If they fail the opposition will have a chance to form a government under a new deadline. If this fails parliament will once again be left in a hung state. Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Show all 20 1 /20 Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power An Israeli man holding his dog casts his ballot EPA Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Chief Rabbi of the Vizhnitz (Hasidic Dynasty) Israel Hager (left), casts his ballot AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara casts their votes AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power A man takes a selfie with his mobile phone as he casts his ballot Reuters Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israel's former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman and his wife Ella cast their ballots AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israeli children accompany their father during Israel's parliamentary election at a polling station AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz and his wife Revital vote AP Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin prepares to vote AP Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power A family votes in the settlement of Tekoa AP Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Ballots lies on a table AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israel's former justice minister Ayelet greets supporters after casting her ballot AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power A mother takes a photograph of her daughter near a ballot box Reuters Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Children stand with their relative as they place his vote in a ballot box Reuters Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power A woman holds her dog's leash as she prepares to vote Reuters Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israel's head of the Joint List alliance Ayman Odeh casts his ballot accompanied by his family AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power EPA How is the government structured? Unlike Britains first past the post system, a much larger number of parties run in the Israeli elections and are elected through proportional representation. There are always a host of parties that sit in the Knesset, Israels 120-seat parliament, but a government is formed when a party or coalition has more than 60 seats. Ballot papers also give voters a choice of parties, rather than choosing individual candidates. The main two parties that front-run the election are Likud, a right-wing party headed by Mr Netanyahu, and the main opposition party, Blue and White a centrist liberal alliance led by the Israel Defence Forces 20th chief of general staff, Benny Gantz. A mixture of other right and left-wing parties support the two front runners to secure a coalition in government. Why is this the third election in the space of a year? Israel has been in a political deadlock since its general election in April 2019. Likud won the most votes, but failed to form a coalition with enough other parties. Another election was then held in September, but this time the opposition Blue and White party won. However, the party was also unable to form a coalition. Mr Netanyahu, who was then offered a second opportunity to form a government by president Reuven Rivlin, faced similar problems. The Israeli parliament has now been left in an unprecedented position, forced to call a third election in the space of a year. What are the most important points of contention? Mr Netanyahu is the first sitting prime minister to be indicted on criminal charges, but that does not mean he wont be re-elected. However, his opponents say this has raised concerns among voters that Israels democracy is under threat, as he could seek immunity from prosecution while he is in office by altering legislation. Another point of contention is Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and the strategic area of land known as the Jordan Valley. Mr Netanyahu has pledged to annex the Jordan Valley upon re-election, in a move condemned by the international community - with the notable exception of the US. Mr Gantz has expressed support for the move but only in coordination with international cooperation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing his plans for a 'unitied Jerusalem' What do the polls say and who is likely to win? According to Haaretz, a local newspaper, the Blue and White party are edging ahead of Likud in the polls with 34.5 projected seats. However, this seems to have been the case in many prior elections and even if the polling is accurate, the opposition is still at least 26 seats away from forming a government. To make matters worse for the party, a series of public opinion surveys published this week are showing a comeback of Likud for the first time since the series of new elections were called, Haaretz reported. Additional reporting by Bel Trew On Valentines Day, Nguyen Van Tuan wanted to send flowers to his wife, but he didnt. He was called away from Hanoi on an emergency and didnt have time to. Unexpected calls are part of being a doctor, and Tuan, a doctor at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, was not surprised. But this was no ordinary emergency. Tuan was part of a team of medical professionals who treated the first Vietnamese patients to test positive for the novel coronavirus at the end of January. He stayed in hospital for 14 days, sleeping on a camp bed in his room. It was uncomfortable, but just like my colleagues, I was too tired every night to even think about it, Tuan said. On February 14, he received a phone call from his boss telling him he had been assigned to a special task force to work on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic in Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province. Vinh Phuc Province is home to 11 of the 16 confirmed COVID-19 infections recorded thus far in Vietnam. The source of the infection was a group of eight workers whod returned from Chinas Wuhan City on January 17. Tuan was only able to call his wife late that night after he was settled at the heart of the nations epidemic fight. She was worried. But its my job Standing at the gate of Vinh Phuc Provinces Quang Ha General Clinic with a mask covering his face, Tuan said he missed his wife and two kids because he hadnt been home for almost a month, but also said he was ready to see everything through. When I read the news about doctors who had died of the virus in China, I was heartbroken. We doctors and nurses tell ourselves we have to stay safe and healthy so we, together with our colleagues in preventive healthcare, can fight the epidemic until its over, Tuan said. Doctor Nguyen Van Tuan from the National Hospital for Tropical Disease pictured with the first patient to recover from the novel coronavirus who was discharged from hospital on February 18 in Binh Xuyen District, Vinh Phuc Province. Photo Courtesy of Nguyen Van Tuan Nguyen Trong Khoa, deputy head of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment under the Ministry of Health, arrived in Vinh Phuc on February 13, but his involvement with the epidemic started much earlier. On January 11, he held his first meeting about the novel coronavirus and its potential risks to Vietnam with Government leaders. On January 24, the first novel coronavirus cases were reported in Vietnam. Since then, he has only taken one day off the first day of the Lunar New Year when he took his family to see his parents-in-law in Thai Binh Province. On February 13, he met up with the special task force and headed to Vinh Phuc. The first week was very tense, since a whole commune had been locked down. Nguyen Trong Khoa, deputy head of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment under the Ministry of Health, works with a member of a task force assigned to monitor suspected cases after the last coronavirus patient in Binh Xuyen District recovered on Tuesday. VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tung There were so many things that needed to be done. It was not only about screening suspected cases and treating people who tested positive, it was also about controlling and preventing the disease from spreading further, and providing normal healthcare services for those in need, he said. Some 160 doctors, nurses and healthcare staff from central and regional hospitals were sent on the special mission to Binh Xuyen District. They were divided into different groups: one in charge of screening suspected cases and treating infected cases; another in charge of monitoring and controlling the epidemic; and another in charge of providing on-the-spot healthcare services. Son Loi Commune, home to 10,600 people, has been locked down since February 13. Three quarantine stations were set up in Binh Xuyen District: Quang Ha General Clinic, Phuc Yen Hospital and the provincial Military College 2. You can imagine the workload, Khoa said. But it was not just hard work and the risks involved that stressed the healthcare staff. One of them, who was sent to work at Quang Ha General Clinic, said his family had faced discrimination when their neighbours found out where he was working. My family, with whom I have had no direct contact since I joined the task force, was isolated and discriminated against by our own neighbourhood, and that made me very sad, he said. No time to lose Doctor Tran Nhu Duong, deputy director of the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, has been placed in charge of the overall operation of the task force. On February 13, after arriving in Vinh Phuc, he attended a six-hour training course for more than 200 doctors, nurses and healthcare staff. That night, in a small room provided by local authorities, Duong and his colleagues worked on guidelines to quarantine suspected cases. It was an important, urgent task, so we had no time to lose, he said. The task force set up 60 local health groups, each in charge of 20 families in communes where special supervision was needed. Every day, these groups of both local healthcare staff and members of the task force visited each and every family to take their temperatures and give clear and detailed instruction on how to prevent the epidemic from spreading. People with suspected symptoms such as coughing or a high fever were taken into quarantine stations. It was crucial to make people understand and co-operate with us in the fight to stop the epidemic from spreading, Duong said. While doctors on the frontline face the risk of being infected, its no less dangerous for those involved in preventive and control jobs, Duong added. Doctor Nguyen Trung Cap, head of the Emergency Department at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases, said his colleagues in the preventive healthcare sector had done a really good job. When the virus is detected, treatment is usually in the final stages. The most important thing is to stop the epidemic from entering the country again, and if it does, preventing it from spreading, he said. The success depends largely on these two stages if disease prevention and control is done properly, we wont have to do anything, or at least, the workload would be much easier to handle. So far, it has been successful, he said. Its not over yet Last Sunday at around 10pm, Khoa received a phone call from Doctor Tran Nhu Duong. The sixteenth coronavirus case in Vietnam, who is receiving treatment at the Quang Ha General Clinic in Binh Xuyen, had tested negative for the virus for a second time. I think it was the most joyful and touching moment Id felt since I became involved in the epidemic task force. I could feel relief flooding through me, Khoa said. In an online meeting on Tuesday morning, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam announced that Vietnams last case of the 16 novel coronavirus infections had recovered. No new infections have been reported in the country over the past 13 days. But Khoa knows his job is far from done. The latest developments in the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea and other countries means Vietnams health sector cannot afford to let its guard down. After South Korea raised its epidemic alert to the highest level, the Vietnamese Government tightened controls for visitors from the country. Anybody coming from South Korea will have to submit health declarations, and those with symptoms will be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days. As of Tuesday, the global COVID-19 death toll had climbed to 2,700, and confirmed infections topped 80,000. More than 27,000 patients have recovered, but health experts have sounded pandemic warnings. Vietnamese healthcare staff on the frontline are well aware their work is not done and are braced for more cases. Ill only return to Hanoi once Vinh Phuc is free of the epidemic, but the fight will go on for at least several months. We must pay close attention to the disease because the situation now is becoming more complicated in other regions. There is a person from South Korea, where hundreds of people have tested positive for the virus, who has returned to the district. We have already quarantined that person and will monitor the situation closely. Doctor Tuan was forthright: Ever since I started working as a doctor, I knew I would always have to be on the frontline.VNS Thu Van Last coronavirus patient in Vietnam allowed to leave hospital The 16th and the last COVID-19 patient in Vietnam was declared cured and discharged from hospital on February 26. Vietnam sees positive signs in fight against COVID-19 Vietnam has seen positive signs in the fight against the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), heard a meeting of the national steering committee for prevention and control of the disease on February 17. Profiteering is on the rise amid the coronavirus epidemic in China, with food aid going to waste amid rising food prices in worst-hit Hubei province, RFA has learned. Officials in China are violating the country's laws on medical quarantine during the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic by forcing people to pay for their own keep while being held in isolation and observation, residents said on . Hubei resident Wang Yan said township and village committees are charging quarantine fees to anyone coming in from elsewhere who remains in 14 days' mandatory quarantine. "[In Xiangyang], anyone coming from out of town has to stay in quarantine for 14 days, and they are being charged more than 6,000 yuan in hotel charges," Wang Yan said. "Some of them don't have that money, and they are being prevented from leaving after their quarantine is over," she said. "They have to pay for their own food and accommodation." "Some people are making huge profits off the back of this opportunity," Wang Yan said. A Hubei resident surnamed Mao said local officials in a district of Guangzhou, capital of the southern province of Guangdong, are charging people 8,400 yuan for their quarantine stay. Mao said the practice is in clear violation of central government rules. "I have observed lately all around the country ... that quarantine fees are being collected from returning migrant workers ranging from 6,000 yuan to 8,400 yuan," Mao said. "According to Article 41 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, quarantine measures must be implemented by the people's government at or above the county level and ensure people's daily living needs are met," he said. Hospitals hiking meal prices Rather, the law states that the authorities should compensate people held under quarantine for financial losses incurred by not being available for work, Mao said. "People in quarantine shouldn't have to pay for anything," he said. In Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, hastily constructed cabin hospitals are hiking the prices they charge to patients for meal provision. Wuchang and Qiaokou Fangcai hospitals recently raised the daily meal charge from 100 yuan for three meals to 150 yuan, according to an official document seen by RFA. Jianghan Fangcai hospital also hiked its charge from 130 yuan a day to 150 yuan a day. Meanwhile, donated shipments of vegetables and other foods are being left to rot in the central Chinese province of Hubei, amid a highly bureaucratized system that fails to deliver aid to where it's most needed. Social media posts have been accusing local officials of siphoning off coronavirus relief supplies, including medical equipment, for the past few weeks. But residents of Wuhan say patients who have been isolated by the authorities as part of epidemic control measures are now being charged anything up to 8,000 yuan for meals and accommodation during their stay in government facilities. The charges apply both to hospital patients receiving treatment and people who are isolated because they are close contacts of known coronavirus patients. As transportation links were shut down by the central government, so the inward flow of goods supplying Wuhan's estimated 11 million residents with food slowed, sending prices ever higher. 'Left to rot' Local authorities have been spotted by social media users dumping large sacks of white radishes, carrots and green vegetable -- even meat -- into garbage bins, with some posts showing them even digging a huge pit to bury the rotting supplies, because no distribution network is in place to deliver them where they are needed. "This is how we reached the point of national crisis," an Wuhan-based volunteer surnamed Wang told RFA on . "People are sending us fresh meat and vegetables from across the country, but once these donated goods get to Hubei, nobody coordinates [what happens next]. "They are all just left to rot. Why? Because the government has to guarantee the supply of foreign-invested and state-owned supermarket chains," he said. "If all of this free stuff is given to ordinary people, then that would be bad for their interests, wouldn't it?" He said bureaucrats at every level were instituting systems of passes and permits to restrict foreign food aid being sent to help Wuhan in its hour of need. "These bureaucrats are going against the spirit of what the central government has ordered, and are doing nothing to help ordinary people," Wang said. He called on the ruling Chinese Communist Party to send someone to Wuhan to investigate, and to ensure that relief donations are actually delivered to people living through the epidemic in the city. Mainland China reported a total of 78,497 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on , 65,596 of which were in Hubei. The province has reported 2,641 deaths from the virus to date. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Following President Trumps press conference on the novel coronavirus that is spreading around the globe, Dr. Mark Rupp, director of infectious disease at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, joined Lou Dobbs Tonight where he contradicted Trump. The CDC has said the spread of the virus in the U.S. is inevitable, while Trump has repeatedly said otherwise. And on Wednesday, the president doubled down. Well, I dont think its inevitable, Trump said. I probably will. I possibly will. It could be at a very small level. It could be at a larger level. Whatever happens, were totally prepared. Despite Trump downplaying the possibility of an outbreak, Rupp, who is currently working with infected patients evacuated from the quarantined Japanese cruise ship, is sticking by his fellow healthcare professionals. Well, the fact of the matter is that this virus has shown the ability to spread far and wide and fast, and that was clearly demonstrated in China, Rupp said, later adding, So I guess I would be of the opinion that were gonna see more of this. Hopefully well be able to take measures to stem its spread and buy us some time so we can develop some therapeutics and a vaccine. Later, Rupp added, Infectious diseases dont respect political announcements or geographic borders. I think we will see spread here in the United States. It will test our resolve. Following Trumps press conference, the first case of the disease in the U.S. with unknown origins was discovered in Northern California, and Rupp advises not to take the possible spread of the virus too lightly. This is still nothing to trifle with if youre talking about a disease that spreads like the flu and has a mortality of somewhere less than one percent, Rupp said, this could be very impactful for the United States. Lou Dobbs Tonight airs weeknights at 7 p.m. on Fox Business. Watch Chris Christie say Trump is wrong about Russian tampering being a hoax: Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Story continues 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. The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla might trim its faculty due to deepening money problems at the center, which is known worldwide for its studies of cancer, dementia, addiction and HIV-AIDS. The institute will finish the fiscal year on September 30 with a $20 million operating deficit, which is $3.4 million higher than projected, according to Fitch Ratings, a major credit rating company. This is the fifth consecutive year of deficit spending at Scripps Research, which has been struggling to raise federal research money. The non-profit institute also is suffering from the expiration of a research contract with a pharmaceutical company that was bringing in $20 million a year, Fitch said in a statement this week. On the expense side, there may be a gradual reduction of faculty in California, by attrition and retirement, the agency said. The institute has 190 principal scientists. Advertisement Fitch announced that the financial problems, and leadership turnover, led it to downgrade $40 million in Scripps Research bonds. The rating fell from AA- to A+, a change announced on Wednesday. The money will be repaid with a $146.9 million bond that the institute will float this summer for a variety of projects. Fitch labeled the institutes credit status as stable, partly because it has a decent endowment. The agency also praised Scripps Researchs decision last fall to hire two highly-respected scientists -- Steve Kay and Peter Schultz -- to run the institute. Kay, who is president, and Schultz, who is chief executive, say theyll restore the institutes financial health by having scientists focus on rapidly turning discoveries into new drugs and therapies, a field called translational medicine. Such discoveries can be worth millions in royalties and licensing fees. If this strategy works, there could be a lot of upside to it, Fitch analyst Emily Wongsaid on Friday. Schultz told the Union-Tribune Friday, We are quite optimistic regarding both the financial stability of TSRI and its long term growth. This optimism stems from a combination of operational efficiencies, an increased focus on philanthropy, and several impending royalty streams. Moreover, we are developing a new self-sustaining model for nonprofit research that not only continues the TSRI tradition of outstanding biomedical research, but also effectively couples new research discoveries to translational research capabilities that will both accelerate their benefit to the public, as well as provide additional funds for future research. The financial problems at Scripps Research came to light in 2014 when it was revealed that former President Michael Marletta was quietly discussing a sale or merger of the institute to the University of Southern California. Institute faculty were outraged that the talks were occurring without their input. Many researchers also didnt want to become part of USC because it doesnt enjoy the level of prestige that Scripps Research has built in the life sciences. Scripps Research has helped to develop such well-known drugs as Humira, which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, Benlysta for lupus, and Surfaxin for infant respiratory distress syndrome. The institute also has been helping lead the effort to develop a vaccine for HIV-AIDS. The faculty pressured Marletta and his board to break off negotiations with USC. But that didnt solve the institutes financial problems, which included operating deficits of $1.7 million in 2012, $25.5 million in 2013, $14.3 million in 2014, and $13.8 million in 2015. Scripps Research also has experienced a huge drop in funding from the National Institutes of Health, the largest government underwriter of biomedical research. Funding has fallen by more than $55.2 million since 2012. The institute has blamed the drop on increased competition for NIH money. However, many institutions, including UC San Diego, fared reasonably well, or experienced smaller losses during that same period. And the NIH budget was recently increased. Scripps Research also has had trouble raising private donations. The opposite has been true at the nearby Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. At times, Scripps Research has downplayed its problems -- or denied that they exist. Last fall, prominent institute chemist Phil Baran criticized the medias coverage of the upheaval. The press didnt give the full picture, Baran told the Union-Tribune. The financial problems were overblown. Scripps is actually in a very good position at this point. We are not bleeding money. We dont have turmoil. Other faculty say the problems and tension persists, and that some professors are leaving. They include Ulrich Mueller, directror of the Dorris Neuroscience Center. Hes going to Johns Hopkins University, the institute said on Friday. Fitch Ratings is closely monitoring what happens. The agency said in a statement, Scripps operations are currently dependent upon the receipt of federal grantand drug royalty revenue. Should either of these sources experience further declines that cannot be managed budgetarily, the rating and/or outlook may be negatively affected. Mid-market RPO leader implements industry leading talent acquisition solution to offer clients transformative recruitment outsourcing DUBLIN, CA, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - Saba Software, a leading global provider of personalized talent experience solutions, today announced that Orion Novotus, the mid-market leader in recruitment process outsourcing, has selected Saba TalentLink to power its growing range services for clients. Orion Novotus will leverage Saba's industry-leading talent acquisition capabilities as the backbone technology to enable the complex, custom recruitment processes for its growing client base, and additionally use for its own recruiting requirements. The Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) industry is evolving rapidly, with providers competing to support a blend of services including entire hiring process management, project-based initiatives, employer branding and talent pool services. As an RPO provider with ambitious growth plans, Orion Novotus recognized the need for a total talent solution that could increase the company's competitiveness in the outsourcing market. "We're committed to helping our clients overcome their greatest recruitment challenges, address skills shortages, and meet unexpected demand and to do that well, we need a recruiting solution that is quick to deploy and flexible enough to support any type of hiring strategy or process for our clients," said Cory Kruse, President at Orion Novotus. "We're impressed with the flexibility and mutli-tenancy capabilities that TalentLink has to offer, and we believe Saba's RPO team, with its extensive expertise will prove to be a strong partner to us." Saba TalentLink for RPOs was built natively for outsourcing and managed service models. As one of the flagship offerings added to Saba's talent portfolio with the acquisition of Lumesse, the solution is already used by the world's leading RPO organizations (including more than 80% of the HRO Bakers Dozen best-in-class RPO vendors) and mid-sized project outsourcing vendors to deliver recruiting services to their clients efficiently and cost-effectively. Andrew Brown, Global Head of RPO and Alliances at Saba said, "We're delighted to partner with Orion Novotus to support them in enabling their clients to revolutionize hiring and drive efficiencies, and we look forward to building a strategic relationship to help guide their ambitious goals for the future." Saba is a proud sponsor of the Recruitment Process Outsourcing Association (RPOA) and is taking part in its virtual conference on Thursday February 27th from 1:00-4:00 ET. For more information visit https://www.rpoassociation.org/2020-RPO-VIRTUAL-CONFERENCE . About Orion Novotus Orion Novotus is an Orion Talent company, and the mid-market leader in Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). A winner of ClearlyRated's Best of RPO Award, and an annual fixture of HRO Today's Baker's Dozen, Orion Novotus provides businesses with strategic, transformative recruitment outsourcing services that result in measurable, lasting workforce improvements: better hires, shorter hiring cycles, lower costs and greater efficiency. In order to better serve its growing base of RPO customers, Orion Novotus acquired Accolo, a U.S. focused provider of RPO solutions to mid-market customers. Visit www.orion-novotus.com to learn more. About Orion Talent Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, Orion Talent provides a total talent solution for enterprises nationwide, including skilled talent acquisition, recruitment optimization and military hiring solutions. As a military recruiting leader for 29+ years, Orion Talent has a long history of supporting veterans in their search for meaningful careers and has found employment for more than 50,000 veterans. Visit www.oriontalent.com to learn more. About Saba At Saba, we know that every organization has the potential to be a great place to work, and no matter what your business does, or who you serve, or what you sell, success starts with your people. But in today's diverse, mobile, social world, successful organizations must deliver an experience at work that's more connected, and more personal than ever before. And the most successful do this with Saba. Because we combine the science of talent with intelligent technology to deliver a "just-for-me" talent experience for every individual - in the moments that matter most. With powerful tools and insights talent leaders need to prove the experience makes an impact on business success. So from attracting candidates who are the perfect fit, to designing paths for personal growth, to creating a culture that nurtures the unique talents of every individual, Saba helps you give your people and teams the message: Work to your strengths. Work like you envision. Work like it's personal. Work like you. Learn more at http://www.saba.com. SOURCE Saba Software Canada Inc. Related Links https://www.saba.com/ India and Myanmar signed 10 agreements on Thursday with a focus on the socio-economic development of the southeast Asian nation's conflict-torn Rakhine state as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Myanmarese President U Win Myint. The two countries also vowed to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation. The Myanmarese president, who arrived in India on Wednesday, received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He and First Lady Daw Cho Cho were welcomed by President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Modi. The prime minister and President Myint later held talks at Hyderabad House and 10 agreements were signed between the two countries. The focus of many agreements was on development projects under India's assistance, particularly in the conflict-torn Rakhine state. The agreements included an MoU on 'Cooperation for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons; Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Re-Integration of Victims of Trafficking'. An agreement regarding Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIP) was also signed between the two sides. Three agreements for development projects in the conflict-torn Rakhine state were also signed during the president's visit. The Rakhine state has witnessed a lot of violence in the past and scores of Rohingyas had fled the state facing persecution. A joint statement on the Myanmarese President's visit said India reiterated its commitment to support Myanmar's efforts for promoting peace, stability and the socio-economic development in Rakhine State through the Rakhine State Development Programme. Myanmar appreciated India's provision of 250 pre-fabricated houses and relief materials for displaced persons in northern Rakhine in 2019. Both sides agreed to expedite the implementation of a set of 12 projects under the second phase of the Rakhine State Development Programme and to further strengthen their development cooperation within the framework of High Impact Community Development Projects and Quick Impact Projects under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation mechanism. India also expressed its support for the bilateral agreements signed between Myanmar and Bangladesh for the repatriation of the displaced persons from Rakhine State and hoped that Myanmar and Bangladesh would continue to work together for voluntary, sustainable and speedy repatriation of displaced people currently in the Cox's Bazar area of Bangladesh to Myanmar in accordance with their bilateral agreements, the statement said. Recognizing the threat posed by terrorism, the both sides agreed to cooperate in countering terrorist groups and their actions. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised on the need for stronger international partnership in countering terrorism and violent extremism, including through increased sharing of information and intelligence, the statement said. Both sides reiterated that defence and security cooperation remains one of the key pillars of Myanmar-India bilateral relations, it said. During the interactions, the leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest. They welcomed the synergy between Myanmar's independent, active and non-aligned foreign policy and India's 'Act East' and 'Neighbourhood First' policies, and reaffirmed their commitments to further strengthen partnership, explore new avenues of cooperation in order to expand bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples. Both sides reiterated their mutual respect for the already-demarcated portion of the boundary between the two countries and affirmed their commitments to settle pending issues through the existing bilateral mechanisms, such as the Joint Boundary Working Group Meeting, the statement said. The Myanmarese President and his wife also paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. President Myint and the Myanmarese delegation will also be visiting places of historical and cultural importance, including Bodh Gaya and Agra. For an asset class that has already seen an appreciation of around 25 per cent in a year, analysts expect the onset of coronavirus (Covid-19) to fuel a further upside in gold prices over the long-term should the panic spread. In the short-term (six months), however, they expect the upside to be limited given the rally since the past year. Gold, which was hovering around $1,321 an ounce in January 2019, has already breached $1,600 per ounce in the past few sessions to a seven-year high. The effects of coronavirus is adding to global woes. At a time when we were beginning to ... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Baghdad, Iraq Thu, February 27, 2020 09:05 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066ddcca 2 World Iraq,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,outbreak,COVID-19,travel-ban Free Iraq banned all public gatherings and barred entry by travellers from Kuwait and Bahrain, the health minister said on Wednesday, banning travel to or from a total of nine countries as fears grew over the spread of the coronavirus. Iraqi citizens are now banned from travelling to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Italy, Bahrain, and Kuwait, Health Minister Jaafar Allawi said in a decree seen by Reuters. Allawi also ordered the suspension of schools and university and the closure of cinemas, cafes, clubs, and other public gathering spots nationwide from Feb. 27 to March 7. Fears over the spread of the virus come as Iraq faces a domestic crisis with nearly 500 people killed since Oct. 1 in mass anti-government demonstrations. "All gatherings in public places, for any reason, are banned, and the relevant authorities must take all measures to enforce this," said Allawi, who heads the government task force handling response to the virus. Coronavirus is believed to have originated in a market selling wildlife in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year and has infected about 80,000 people and killed more than 2,700, the vast majority in China. Houston Police Department Houston police say a missing 94-year-old man was found safe nearly 100 miles from home. Richard Terrell Jennings last called his family around 6 p.m. Wednesday claiming to be stuck in traffic along Emancipation Avenue. Police say Jennings was driving a dark brown 2011 Volkswagen Jetta with Texas license plate number 2DDPH. Director of the New Orleans Department of Health Dr. Jennifer Avegno said at a press conference today that the risk of the respiratory illness COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus, is very, very low in Louisiana. There have been no diagnosed cases of the virus in the state and more than 50 confirmed cases in the United States, according to the World Health Organization. Globally, there have been more than 81,000 infections and 2,700 deaths. China has seen more than 78,000 of those cases and the vast majority of reported deaths. At this point, there is no heightened danger to us in New Orleans or to us in the region, Avegno said. But, she said, there is another illness going around that is far more dangerous right now than the coronavirus the flu. Avegno said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that this flu season has been particularly brutal, killing an estimated 16,000 people nationally since October. Louisiana had 78,816 reported flu cases between October and Feb. 15. She said New Orleanians were not necessarily at a higher risk of the coronavirus with tourists coming in from Mardi Gras, but that the influx of people could have increase the likelihood of the flu spreading. Since the illness caused by the coronavirus is new, Avegno said health officials dont yet know how deadly it is because its hard to count all of the cases, especially with the majority of them happening abroad. But she did say it doesnt seem to be as deadly as other recent viruses like ebola. Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment for the coronavirus whose symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. But Tulane University announced last week that researchers at its National Primate Research Center in Covington will be studying the virus in hopes of developing a vaccine and treatments. Researchers will study how the strand of the coronavirus is transmitted and its effects. +2 Tulane primate center will receive coronavirus samples for vaccine development Researchers from the Tulane National Primate Research Center are entering the race to develop a vaccine and treatment for coronavirus, the cen Avegno said medical professionals in the state are being trained to look for symptoms and ask patients their travel history. Physicians can also call a 24/7 hotline staffed by state epidemiologists to help them determine if a patient needs to be tested for the virus. Tests for the coronavirus are sent to the CDC, which is monitoring reported U.S. cases. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 15:18:50|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government's latest proposal to impose countervailing duties (CVDs) on products from countries accused of undervaluing their currencies is harmful and inconsistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, according to former U.S. officials, trade lawyers and experts. The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) earlier this month published a final rule that would allow the department to treat "currency undervaluation" as countervailable subsidies under the U.S. countervailing duty law amid wide concerns. The controversial rule, which will take effect in April, paves the way for the department to levy CVDs on imported goods from countries that allegedly undervalue their currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest lobbying group in the country, has voiced opposition to the proposal, as there is no agreed way to measure undervaluation of currencies and it violates obligations the United States has undertaken in WTO agreements. "When the first case citing currency undervaluation is decided by Commerce, it will eventually be appealed to the WTO. That will probably not happen for at least a year," Gary Hufbauer, a former U.S. Treasury official and senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Xinhua on Wednesday. "My guess is that the WTO panel will decide that alleged currency undervaluation does not provide grounds for a CVD," Hufbauer said, adding that "it was a mistake" to allow the Commerce Department to apply CVDs to offset currency undervaluation. "Commerce argues its proposal meets the World Trade Organization's test for a subsidy's specificity. This is a novel interpretation, disputed by trade lawyers, experts, and the conclusion reached by the Bush and Obama administrations," said Mark Sobel, U.S. chairman of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum, an independent think tank. Sobel, also a former U.S. Treasury official, called the proposal "poorly conceived" and "harmful" to longstanding U.S. international monetary and financial policies, as the Treasury Department has long been the lead agency with responsibility for currency issues while the Commerce Department has "zero expertise" on currency matters. Jeffrey Frankel, a professor at Harvard University, has also "strongly" opposed the proposal to modify regulations on CVD proceedings to "include attempted judgments of trading partners' currency manipulation." "It would be impractical to implement, because it is impossible to say when a currency is undervalued or overvalued, let alone by how much. If implemented nevertheless, the proposal would harm the U.S. economy," Frankel wrote in comments submitted to the Commerce Department. Daniel Ikenson, director of trade policy studies at the Cato Institute, warned that CVDs could magnify its adverse impact on U.S. exporters by keeping foreign products that would have been bound for the United States in the foreign market, increasing the supply and suppressing prices. "There might also be overt retaliation. U.S. exporters, in other words, would get no relief and, in fact, would be punished by CVD measures," he said. It is "highly likely" that the Commerce Department's initial currency undervaluation determinations, as well as the final rule itself, will face legal challenges before the U.S. Court of International Trade or the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body, according to Scott Lincicome, an international trade attorney with the law firm White & Case in Washington. "DOC's final rule expands upon or changes outright past agency practice on the treatment of currency policy under U.S. CVD law, and Congress repeatedly considered and rejected legislation to amend the law so that DOC could act," Lincicome wrote recently in a report, adding that plaintiffs might argue that the Commerce Department lacked the statutory authority to alter its approach without congressional action. "Commerce's proposal is the wrong way forward. It is more in keeping with the protectionist 'currency war' mentality of the 1930s," Sobel said. While U.S. trading partners will take the proposal seriously, currency wars are not likely to happen, according to Stephen Roach, senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute of Global Affairs. "I think there's an understanding that currency wars are lose-lose, and they can create multilateral trade wars, the likes of which we saw in the early 1930s ... so this is not the way to go," he said. A part-time janitor has been charged with first-degree murder after he shot and killed a worker at a crowded suburban St. Louis community center before an officer who was outside the building rushed in and opened fire on the gunman, possibly preventing a much larger tragedy, authorities said on Feb. 25. Michael J. Honkomp, 30, of the St. Louis suburb of Florissant, Missouri, had just been told he was being sent home from work Monday night and he reacted with anger, killing 45-year-old Maria Lucas, the buildings acting supervisor, Maryland Heights police Chief Bill Carson told reporters Tuesday. About 150 people were in the Maryland Heights Community Center exercising about 8 p.m. with pickleball, karate classes, swimming, and other activities when the gunfire erupted. Carson described a chaotic scene as the shooting unfolded. Employees helped children get out or find a hiding place. Adults took refuge in closets and darkened rooms, some clutching weights as weapons in case the shooter found them. A patron ran out and found a uniformed officer in the parking lot. The officer ran into the building, engaged the shooter in a gun battle, leaving the shooter seriously wounded, Carson said. The officer was not hurt. Its my belief that the actions of the officer-involved were absolutely heroic, Carson said. He immediately went and sought out the threat. His actions may have prevented further bloodshed. We dont know right now the intentions of the gunman. Carson declined to name the officer but said he graduated from the police academy just 14 months ago. Carson declined to say why the janitor was being sent home or if Lucas, a customer service representative who was working the front desk while also serving as the acting supervisor, was involved in the decision. Carson said the worker confronted Lucas at the front desk, then pulled out a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun and shot her in the head. Several other people near the front desk scattered, while the shooter started pacing back and forth, according to Carson. The officer had just exited the building after finishing paperwork at a police substation inside the community center. When a woman ran out and told him what had happened, the officer immediately and without hesitation went inside, Carson said. The gunman saw the officer coming through a glass door and opened fire, shattering the glass but missing the officer. The officer and gunman then exchanged several shots. The gunman was struck multiple times before becoming incapacitated, Carson said. The officer was not hit. Police spent hours after the shooting searching to make sure everyone was accounted for. Sasha Kondratyeva told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that she was working out when she heard a series of loud shots. Everyone on the second floor then began running to the back rooms, and Kondratyeva hid with about 20 people in a utility closet, where some called family members to tell them they loved them and parents fretted about children that were in the centers child care facility. I thought this could be it, she said. Carson said investigators were still reviewing the officers body camera as well as footage from security cameras inside the center. He planned to meet with St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell later Tuesday in anticipation of charges. City Council member Susan Taylor recalled Lucas as sweet and funny. She said she once ran into Lucas at a pharmacy and their conversation was so joyful they ended up talking in the aisle for 30 minutes. So when I heard last night that that person is gone thats really hard, Taylor said. By Jim Salter After three days of riots, an uneasy calm has settled in Delhi. So far, 35 people have been killed and over 200 injured in the communal clashes that broke out after violence between anti and pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control. Meanwhile, Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar, who was hearing the Delhi violence case, has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Muralidhar had expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. The Delhi Police has been accused of not doing enough to contain the riots. On Wednesday, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited the violence-hit parts to bring the situation under control. After this, the police filed 18 FIRs and arrested 106 people for their involvement in riots. Check all the latest updates on BusinessToday.In live blog 12:59pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting today to review the situation in Delhi. The home secretary and other senior officers were part of the meeting. 12:56pm: Congress urges President Kovind to call for removal of Amit Shah A delegation from the Indian National Congress led by Smt Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh met President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday. The party has urged the president to remove Home Miister Amit Shah and accused him of abdication of duty. Sonia Gandhi-led delegation also urged President to use the power to protect 'rajdharma'. The Congress party said President Kovind would take cognisance. 12:17pm: Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and other party leaders meet President Ram Nath Kovind over Delhi violence. A delegation from the Indian National Congress led by Smt Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh called on President Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/EVhRmbUsI4 President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 27, 2020 12:13pm: Situation is better now: medical store owner in Chand Bagh "Situation is better now. I'm trying to provide medicines to the people who have urgent requirements," Raisul Islam, a medical store in Chand Bagh area. Delhi: A medical store owner Raisul Islam in Chand Bagh area says, "Situation is better now. I'm trying to provide medicines to the people who have urgent requirements. Members of both communities carried out a peace march in the area to help restore normalcy." #DelhiViolencepic.twitter.com/mzLPxWMNOF ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2020 12:06pm: Normalcy is returning: Delhi Special Commissioner of Police "As of now the situation is returning to normal. We are registering cases and proceeding with legal action, soon we will be making arrests. I hope all these things will contribute to normalcy," SN Shrivastava said. 12:04pm: 2 bodies recovered from Gagan Vihar area 12:00pm: Adequate strength of security forces deployed in violence-hit area of northeast Delhi: Home ministry As against cited shortages of police personnel in Delhi, it is stated that there is adequate strength of forces on ground since this Monday. Based on professional assessment, 73 Coys of CAPFs deployed in addition to 40 Coys of Delhi Police. 11:50am: Toll rises to 34 Death toll has risen to 34 in northeast Delhi's violence, senior Delhi health department official told PTI. 11:48am: AAP leader Sanjay Singh, "Tahir Hussain has already given his statement in which he said that he gave all details to police and media about mob entering his house during the violence. He had asked police for protection". 11:43am: Delhi police joint commissioner OP Mishra inspects Chand Bagh area Delhi police joint commissioner OP Mishra has said, "Grocery and medical stores can be opened". He told people to not assemble in groups and added, "There is nothing to fear, police are here for your security". #WATCH Delhi Police Joint Commissioner OP Mishra during a flag march in Chand Bagh area announces, "Grocery, medical and other shops can be opened. There is nothing to fear, police are here for your security. Please don't assemble in groups, especially the youth". #DelhiViolencepic.twitter.com/nYhseSjf00 ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2020 11:28am: Arvind Kejriwal visits trouble spot Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Babarpur MLA Gopal Rai have visited the violence affected areas in Delhi on Thursday. 11:20am: Delhi violence targeted against Muslims: US Commission on International Religious Freedom The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has said that the Delhi violence in which over 30 people were killed, was specifically targeted against the Muslims. 11:10am: BJP's Kapil Mishra accuses AAP's Tahir Hussain of killing IB officer Ankit Sharma BJP leader Kapil Mishra has accused Aam Aadmi Party's municipal councillor Tahir Hussain for killing intelligence bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, whose body was recovered from northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh on Wednesday. 11:00am: USCIRF, sections of media politicise Delhi violence The Ministry of External Affairs, on Thursday, said that United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), sections of media and a few individuals had made inaccurate comments on Delhi communal clashes. The MEA said the remarks were made to politicise the issue. The MEA has urged people to avoid irresponsible comments and assured government was working to prevent further violence. 10:50am: WhatsApp goups, 'outsiders' under scanner Several WhatsAPP groups and people from outside Delhi are under scanner in connnection with Delhi violence. According to ANI news agency, WhatsApp chats revealed hate speeches, rumour-mongering and plan for attacks. Phone chats also included content like-stones to be brought from Maujpur, Barbarpur, Chand Bagh and Kardampuri. Apart from locals, police has said that several outsiders, especially from Uttar Pradesh participated in Delhi violence. 10:40am: Transfer of Justice Muralidhar done on recommendation of SC collegium, says Ravi Shankar Prasad Union BJP minister Ravi Shankar Prasad gave a clarification on the transfer of Justice Muralidhar. Prasad said that his (Muralidhar) transfer was done on recommendation of SC collegium. "A well-settled process was followed," Prasad added. 10:35am: Classic 'hit-and-run' injustice by BJP govt: Congress on HC judge S Muralidhar's transfer Congress, on Thursday said that Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar transferred by government was to save BJP leaders in Delhi violence case. The party also stated that, "It seems those doing justice in country will now not be spared". Congrss attacked BJP saying, "Classic 'hit-and-run' injustice by BJP govt, its politics of revenge exposed". 10:30am: BJP leader files PIL to implement Law Commission's report on hate speech BJP leader and lawyer, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Supreme Court seeking its immediate direction to implement the Law Commission's report on alleged hate and inflammatory speech. 10:25am: Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday, wrote a tweet in which he remebered Justice Loya. The tweet was in a reference to the transfer of Delhi High Court Justice S Muralidhar, who was hearing the Delhi violence case. Justice Loya died on December 1, 2014 due to cardiac arrest where he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. Reportedly, Loya died when he was hearing a matter related to the allegedly fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh. In this fake encounter Home minister Amit Shah was one of the accused but was later acquitted of all charges. Incidentally, Shah was Gujarat state minister when this fake encounter took place. 10:20am: Class 8 student who went to take exam missing since Monday A 13-year-old girl, who had gone to school to take an examination in the Khajuri Khas area two days ago, went missing amid violence in northeast Delhi, according to police. 10:15am: Death toll rises to 32 The death toll in violence-hit areas in northeast Delhi has risen to 32, according to senior health department official. 10:05am: 'Hindu-Muslim, Sikh-Issai Sab Hain Bhai-Bhai': AAP's Sanjay Singh takes out peace march in east Delhi Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh took out a peace march in east Delhi's Gandhi Nagar assembly constituency in a bid to ease tensions after three days of communal violence. Chants of 'Hindu-Muslim, Sikh-Issai Sab Hain Bhai-Bhai', 'Bhaichara Zindabad' and 'Humari Ekta Zindabad' were heard during the march. 10:00am: Death toll touches 30 at GTB hospital Death toll has increased to 30 at the hospital, Sunil Kumar Gautam Medical Superintendent at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital said. 9:55am: Delhi Police issues two helpline numbers Delhi Police has issued two helpline numbers 22829334 and 22829335 wherein people can contact for any assistance or can share any information with the police. 9:50am: Over 100 people arrestd in connection with Delhi violence Police has registered 18 FIRs so far and 106 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, Delhi Police spokesperson, M.S Randhawa said. 9:45am: Security personnel deployed in Maujpur, Jafrabad, Seelampur and Babarpur 9:40am: Received 19 calls in 8 hours from violence affected areas; 100 firemen deployed: Fire department Atul Garg, Fire Department director stated that he received 19 calls from 12 am till 8 am on Thursday from the violence affected areas of Northeast Delhi. Garg added, "More than 100 firemen have been deployed. The four fire stations in these areas have been provided with extra fire tenders". 9:35am: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee writes a poem condemning the violence in Delhi Search for an address getting lost A storm raging the country at gunpoint A peaceful country turned violent Is it the end of democracy? Who will give the answer? Will there be a solution You and me are deaf and dumb The sacred land turns into a hell 9:30am: Priyanka Gandhi blasts over midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar- "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad and shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient and upright judiciary, the government's attempts to muzzle justice and break their faith are deplorable," Congress general secretary said. Press Release Nokia deploys 5G private wireless network for Lufthansa Technik virtual inspection trial Trial to utilize hyperfast wireless connectivity to enable remote engine parts inspection High definition video link takes customers directly to the overhaul shop floor 5G network to save time and cost, as well as improving efficiency and operational performance 27 February 2020 Espoo, Finland Nokia and Lufthansa Technik, the leading provider of technical aircraft services, have deployed a 5G industrial-grade private wireless network to accelerate a project that enables remote engine parts inspection for its civil aviation customers. Through Lufthansa Techniks Virtual Table Inspection proof of concept project at its Hamburg facility, the hyperfast 5G private wireless network will remove the need for customers to physically attend servicing by providing seamless video access to the engine overhaul shop floor. Currently, its customers travel to Hamburg to carry out components inspections when engines are overhauled, which means that they are entirely disassembled and inspected in utmost detail. With the new system, Lufthansa Technik will trial inspections of individual engine parts collaboratively over a fast, high-definition video link. Soeren Stark, Lufthansa Technik Executive Board Member, responsible for Technical Operations, Logistics and IT said: "Continuous innovation is part of our corporate DNA, and this is what drives us to constantly try out new approaches. The first application cases already impressively demonstrate the valuable contribution 5G technology can make to the aviation industry. It will also pave the way for numerous new innovations at Lufthansa Technik that will benefit our company, our employees and also our customers. Kathrin Buvac, President of Nokia Enterprise said: "This application captures the essential value of fast, secure 5G private wireless networking to help improve operational efficiency, productivity and service. It highlights the potential for new ways of working that benefit not only our customers, but also the markets they serve." In the Virtual Table Inspection project, customers will be guided through the engine shop using a third-party mobile device that provides real-time, high-resolution video streaming with mechanics and engineers. This will allow virtual inspection of dismantled parts enabling joint decision making about inspected components. Nokia is delivering 5G private wireless network connectivity by deploying the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) solution. Nokia DAC is a plug-and-play digital automation platform that can easily scale from a small local deployment to multiple sites of large systems, all managed from the same web portal. Its flexibility will enable Lufthansa Technik to configure and adapt the network to precisely meet the projects needs. Remote, high-resolution screen inspection calls for high-bandwidth and low-latency capability to accommodate demanding upload and download speeds as well as adequate computing power to handle the processing requirements of live transmission. Maik Voigt, Project Lead, Lufthansa Technik said: Not only does the Nokia solution help to transform how we work with our customers, but its also a great fit for our industrys needs. Dr. Claudius Noack, Project Lead, Lufthansa Industry Solutions said: In early phases, the private wireless network has shown to be technically first rate as well as being flexible to deploy and easy to tailor to our applications and work environment. Buvac added: Lufthansa Technik has a strong reputation for innovation. By being a first mover and investing in private wireless today, it has the opportunity to gain a clear competitive advantage over those who choose to wait. Our industrial-grade wireless connectivity provides the platform to capture the benefits of digitalization and opens the door to many new innovations that are set to transform industry. Nokia Digital Automation Cloud is an industrial-grade global digital automation service platform that provides a reliable, secure, and high-performance private wireless network, which is scalable according to needs. Nokia has deployed over 1,300 mission-critical networks with leading customers in the transport, energy, large enterprise, manufacturing, webscale and public sector segments around the globe. Nokia has also pioneered the private wireless space with many verticals, and now has over 130 large enterprise customers deploying private wireless networks in their industrial premises around the world. About Nokia We create the technology to connect the world. Only Nokia offers a comprehensive portfolio of network equipment, software, services and licensing opportunities across the globe. With our commitment to innovation, driven by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, we are a leader in the development and deployment of 5G networks. Our communications service provider customers support more than 6.1 billion subscriptions with our radio networks, and our enterprise customers have deployed over 1,000 industrial networks worldwide. Adhering to the highest ethical standards, we transform how people live, work and communicate. For our latest updates, please visit us online www.nokia.com and follow us on Twitter @nokia. About Lufthansa Technik With some 35 subsidiaries and affiliates, the Lufthansa Technik Group is one of the leading providers of technical aircraft services in the world. Certified internationally as maintenance, production and design organization, the company has a workforce of more than 25,000 employees. Lufthansa Techniks portfolio covers the entire range of services for commercial and VIP/special mission aircraft, engines, components and landing gear in the areas of digital fleet support, maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, completion and conversion as well as the manufacture of innovative cabin products. Now, a fresh video of Anand receiving Sonam at the airport in Delhi after the latter attended an event in Doha has gone viral. Anand is seen waiting for his wife at the airport with flowers to give her a sweet surprise. Check out the video here. Sonam was last seen in Zoya Factor and now we hear that her sister Rhea Kapoor is planning to make the sequel to her 2018 hit film, Veere Di Wedding. Well, we are sure this girl is going to kill it on the big screen soon. Back in the 1980s, I was a competitive analyst for IBM, and it was one of the most interesting jobs I ever held. The practice largely has died out, but at the time we were like the corporate version of the CIA. Since Id been an internal auditor as well which is somewhat like the corporate version of the FBI I was a rarity. Few people serve in both agencies. The downside of the job was that both roles were missioned to provide assessments that generally pissed off powerful people. In audit, I red-flagged the division president for severe violations of a security policy, which didnt endear me to him, and in competitive analysis I caught the SVP of sales sharing one of my highly confidential reports with a competitor which, at different times, had both men looking to find me a new life. They were exciting times. I thought it would be interesting to devote this column to looking at the Democratic presidential field and do what we used to do to competitors, and I realize this undoubtedly will piss off people who are invested in the candidates subjected to this exercise. If youre one of them, I apologize, but at the same time Ill point out that executives often didnt follow analysts advice, and that generally ended badly. I expect that is why that profession largely went into decline. After all, while it was annoying when we were wrong, it was maddening when they didnt believe we were right, because it actually made the executives look like idiots. This topic choice may make it seem I have a death wish, but Ill dive in anyway, because this entire primary process, given the Democratic Partys primary goal, bugs the hell out of me. Ill close with my product of the week: a new chiliPAD item that could be useful in the winter or summer to help with naps or even improve your sleep. The Analysis Process This is going to be an abbreviated effort similar to what typically would be an executive summary of a formal report prepared by a competitive analyst. Thats mostly because Im writing this on a plane, but also because I doubt any of you want to read a detailed report. (Dont feel bad I doubt many of my old executives ever read the detailed report either.) Typically, the process would be to look at the environment including the customer requirements and the strengths and weaknesses of the company and then, against that backdrop, make a comparison of our proposed or existing product and what the competition had to offer. Even though Im a moderate Republican, Im going to put Trump in place of the competitor, and the Democratic candidates I think will end up being the top three in place of our products. It has been decades since Ive done this, so forgive me if Im a tad rusty. Here goes. Our Competitor: President Trump Strengths: The president is the incumbent, and that provides him with more focused funding, a clear message going into the election, and the advantage of being a known entity. These three things are why incumbent candidates generally win. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Challengers tend to enter the contest wounded badly by the primary process. The incumbent has the advantage of the collective effective competitive positioning created during the primary. All else being equal, this alone gives a typical incumbent one that has retained the team that got him elected an overwhelming advantage (more on this later). The president is both tactically strong and incredibly lucky. My old peers likely are rolling their eyes at this point, but I believe that luck needs to be factored in when considering people. He knows how to use social media, and he has one of the most powerful TV networks as an effective part of his campaign. (I wonder why someone hasnt flagged this as a potential campaign funding violation, given that Fox News and the White House appear to closely coordinate.) He knows how to capture and own a news cycle not just for hours or days, but seemingly for years. Ive never seen even Steve Jobs do this as effectively. While it appears clear he massively overestimates his net wealth, he should have access to more personal funding than most potential challengers. He is very motivated, given the job currently is protecting him from a massive amount of adverse litigation, and he is using all his resources to win. Finally, he appears to have a somewhat rare combination of little or no empathy and high charisma. He isnt concerned about collateral damage. If pushed, he could be willing to do anything to ensure both his win and that Congress continues to prove ineffective as a check and balance. This collectively would make him unbeatable, but Weaknesses: Many team members who got him elected, with clear exceptions, have been forced out of his orbit, so he will enter the election process with what appears mostly to be a brand new core team. Those attempting to protect him from himself have been forced out. At the time Im writing this, his hand-picked attorney general appears to be going rogue. His use of Twitter and his tendency to rant often make him appear unhinged, and this behavior seems to be getting worse. Every self-inflicted wound runs the risk of being fatal to his campaign. He is at war with an increasing number of powerful people. He seems to relish publicly proving that the moderate Republicans who believe he will get better are wrong. The Republican-controlled Senate just tried to prevent him from going to war with Iran, and I expect that effort ultimately will fail. While he is an impressive counterpuncher and an expert at ad hominem attacks, he is strategically surprisingly weak and tends to be his own worst enemy. I expect the president to be very difficult but not impossible to beat. It is likely he will be impeached and removed from office during his second term, which would give Republicans a safer president in Mike Pence unless there is some path to a third term for the president. Many of the senior Republicans are strategic. They are aware that the runaway debt and potential for another war could lead to the kind of backlash that occurred after George W. Bushs presidency, and they likely have concluded that removal in the second term would be the best way to avoid that outcome, given they have no control over an increasingly erratic president. Our Product: The Ideal Candidate To create parity, the ideal candidate will have to pull from a larger pool of voters and get those voters to vote, which is often problematic when you have a primary. The process requires the winner to alienate a significant number of the partys voters. The challenger, therefore, should have a limited presence in the primary process so that the damage is minimized. A D V E R T I S E M E N T The candidate must be a moderate because its essential to pull from the middle, given that an increasingly acrimonious primary will compromise the hard left. The candidate will need to have a counter resource to Fox News. So far, MSNBC, the likely counter, does not coordinate with Democratic candidates as Fox does with the president. The ideal candidate will need to have the ability to get to a war chest that approximates Trumps war chest, and be able to match the president tactically and execute a successful strategy. Lets look at the three candidates Ive chosen. 1. Bernie Sanders I expect Sanders is the candidate Trump would like to face. He was most afraid of Biden, but Biden has not been able to win a presidential primary, and weve seen that play out again. Frankly, I think Biden could have won in 2016 but he aged out, and his performance on stage makes the word lackluster seem like an understatement. Ironically, the president put his presidency at risk to go after an opponent who wasnt a real risk anymore, which should have been obvious, and I say this knowing Biden matches my views better than any other candidate. Hillary Clinton beat Sanders and Trump beat Clinton badly, suggesting Trump could do the same to Sanders if Trump had the same team he beat Clinton with but he doesnt. Still, Sanders doesnt pull from the middle. Hillary Clinton also seems to want him to lose. He lacks the needed strategic skills and doesnt have a counter to Fox News. He cant come up with the same kind of war chest Trump currently has from donors, let alone Trumps wealth. Finally, his history in primaries hasnt been successful at a national level. 2. Pete Buttigieg Buttigiegs performance in elections has been mixed, and he is new to the national stage. On the positive side, that means he has far less baggage, and he tends to appear impressively competent and ethical. If he connected to millennials, he might be an ideal candidate, but he appears to be polling older. As an outsider, it isnt clear if he can get the party behind him like President Obama did. Though Buttigieg has similar advantages, Obama was introduced more strongly at a prior Democratic National Convention. Buttigieg is a member of the LGBT community, which is untested in elections but has proven to be cohesive, if not critically so in the past (that may have changed). He is moderate and should pull better from the middle than Trump can, but he lacks an offset to Fox News. However, some of the power players in networks competing with Fox are likely to back him more aggressively than they back the other candidates. He is polling poorly with the black community, which is has been an impressive power in past elections. He lacks the needed war chest, and he is taking fire from primary opponents, both of which suggest he will lose in a heads-up fight without significant additional support than he has generated so far. I think hell do better than Sanders will in a heads-up match, but barring an admittedly likely major Trump mistake, hell likely fail in the general election. 3. Mike Bloomberg Im putting Mike Bloomberg in next because he is the only candidate with the funding and the potential to offset Fox News. Granted he has weakened this substantially, but he has proven to be strategic, and he understands media potentially better than Trump. Trump built a popular show, but Bloomberg built a powerful news network. Bloomberg is also very lucky. He is a known quantity with a decent reputation, but the downside is that hes also pulling weakly from the black community. His combined experience of running a very large company and governing New York successfully suggests he could do the job well. Given he is moderate, has the strongest potential to appeal not only to the middle but to the moderate right. He hasnt shown much support among Millennials but neither has Trump, making this something of a wash. The primaries havent badly damaged him, though that could change as he formally enters the race. He has shown that he can counterpunch at Trumps level, which is not an unusual skill for a top executive. While trying to match Trump with a similar skill in the last Republican primary ended badly, Id argue that it was because Trumps challengers sucked at it. On paper, Bloomberg is largely untested at a national level. He is the strongest alternative to Trump and has the greatest potential to win, but only if he can use his own company to counter Fox News or find a way to separate Fox from the president. In theory, he could buy Fox News and shut it down, or reverse his decision to put Bloomberg News on the sidelines neither of which currently appears likely. Another path to success for all these candidates is Trump continuing to go off the rails in terms of his behavior. He remains the greatest risk to his success as of this writing. Wrapping Up If I were to call the election today, Id likely call it in favor of Trump but argue that he is likely to lose the Senate and not recapture the House of Representatives, much like both George W. Bush and Obama did. This will set up a second impeachment, the first in U.S. history. Hell likely be removed from office as the Republicans scramble to save their careers for fear Trumps behavior will degrade further, costing not only their jobs but increasingly their person safety. Most dont want what could become a global conflict, and the Iran close call appears to have many rattled, given the recent attempt to reduce presidential authority. Mike Pence is far more malleable and certainly safer, and while I doubt he could win an election at a presidential level, the Republicans easily could bring in an external candidate who would put them on a firmer path to the future. An ideal outcome for the Democrats appears to be to embrace Bloomberg early and put taking over the presidency ahead of far-left initiatives that probably cant get through Congress anyway, particularly if they lose the election. However, that is an unlikely outcome at this time. It is increasingly likely that the president will damage his re-election effort critically through his behavior, but as likely as that may appear, you cant ever bet on the other side screwing up. Were I advising a company in a similar position one that was unwilling to do what was needed to win Id recommend a path with a more certain outcome. In this case, Id recommend setting up early for that second impeachment instead of betting on the unlikely favorable outcome of the general election. With this, Ive showcased not only how we used to do this stuff but why it is very hard to find many who still do this, because Ill bet I have pissed off a large chunk of folks in both parties at this point. I expect that many of the folks doing similar opponent analysis in the parties have learned this, and instead of a report like this one, they have chosen to give their candidates a report that is far more positive and in line with what they want to hear. Ill leave you with one more story. In IBM, we had a sister organization that did exactly what I just suggested and told the executives that IBM was invulnerable. While my group was disbanded and we had to find new jobs, the folks in the other group got raises and promotions. They also were instrumental in taking IBM from a market leader to a company that almost went out of business. As Ive aged, my ability to get a good nights sleep has gone from great to dismal. Like a lot of men, I dont sleep well when Im hot. Electric blankets and pads give me concerns due to the long proximity to electric fields, and they mostly arent very smart. Id thought that an ideal solution was to use something like what they use for race car drivers, jet pilots and astronauts, and circulate water instead of warming wires both to eliminate the field and provide a much more even and manageable field. Plus, you could both heat and chill the water something you cant do with an electric blanket or pad alternative. I use and love the new Ooler, as I think it is both a smarter and better-engineered product than the older chiliPAD design. Chilis latest offering is the chiliBLANKET, which combines a weighted blanket something I like, but my wife isnt a fan of with this same technology. chiliBLANKET + chiliPAD Control Unit Its designed more for a single user youd need two for a couple in bed, though it works fine for two on a couch. This gives people who want the heat and weight on top a better solution. While I think the couch solution is attractive as a concept, the heater/chiller doesnt integrate well in a living room. Also, the hose became problematic in my use. Unless youre more creative than I seem to be, the better and more likely use is on a single bed, or with two of them on a larger bed. At US$499, it is an interesting and potentially more portable solution than the chiliPAD, and its ideal for someone who either sleeps alone or has a partner who doesnt want a heating/cooling solution. What I found is that I like to nap outside, but for much of the year it is either too hot or too cold to do that. This does address that problem reasonably well, so the chiliBLANKET is my product of the week. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ECT News Network. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 15:11:50|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in Delhi's communal violence against a new citizenship law rose to 32 on Thursday, health officials said, with over 200 people injured. While 30 deaths have been confirmed at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, the other two deaths were reported at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital. "The death toll now at this hospital is 30," Dr. Sunil Kumar, medical director of Guru Teg Bahadur hospital said. The dead include a policeman and a junior-level official from the Intelligence Bureau. Local media said arson and unrest emerged from northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura, Maujpur and Karawal Nagar areas late on Wednesday, hours after country's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited violence-affected areas to offer personal guarantees on the restoration of peace. India's main opposition Congress party has demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah and blamed him for the violence. The unrelenting communal violence broke out in the northeastern part of the city, following which mobs armed with sticks and rods resorted to arson, looting and vandalism. Reports said many people especially Muslims were leaving their homes in the affected areas and taking shelter in safer places. The clashes broke out between pro- and anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) groups in the northeastern part of the city on Sunday and took an ugly turn on Monday and Tuesday. Protests against the controversial new citizenship law were triggered on Dec. 11, 2019, the day India's upper house of parliament passed the law, and there has been no let-up in the protests since then. The law aims at granting citizenship to illegal immigrants belonging to six religions, namely Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Parsi and Christianity from countries including Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, it has kept out Muslim immigrants from applying for citizenship. So far, the violence against the law has killed over 60 people across India. Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba plans to visit Hungary on March 26 to discuss a NATO issue and the implementation of bilateral projects. Ill be in Budapest on March 26. Well continue the discussion. We need to find a solution to unblock the NATO issue and launch joint investment and infrastructure projects with Hungary in Zakarpattia region, Kuleba wrote on Twitter, answering his followers questions. As for the language issue, according to the deputy prime minister, the government is now seeking a solution that will meet the interests of both countries. On January 16, 2020, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law On Complete General Secondary Education which regulates, in particular, the provision of secondary education in the languages of national minorities. According to the law, representatives of national minorities in Ukraine, whose languages are not official languages of the European Union, get the basic and specialized secondary education at the state, municipal or corporate educational establishments in the state language during at least 80 percent of the annual academic time. The representatives of national minorities, whose languages are the official languages of the EU, get basic secondary education in the fifth grade at the state, municipal or corporate educational establishments in the state language during at least 20 percent of the annual academic time. ish Ikea, the worlds largest furniture retailer, will open its store in Navi this summer, India Managing Director. Peter Betzel said on Thursday. He was speaking at the sidelines of the Retail Leadership Summit in Alongside, Betzel, an Ikea veteran who took charge of the India market two years ago, said the retailer was lining up at least one more smaller store within Mumbai, as it sought to tap the potential of the city. This would rollout by the end of this calendar year, he said. Industry sources said smaller stores targeting central business districts and residential areas in were in the works by the retailer. The smaller stores would come up in South Mumbai and the western and central suburbs of the city. The Navi Mumbai store is coming up in Turbhe. Betzel said Mumbai would be the first market in India to have the retailers hybrid model, along with the offline large- and small-format stores and the online store, which was launched in August 2019 in Mumbai. Ikea had first indicated that it would adopt a hybrid retail model for India, for which it had set aside over $1.5 billion in investment, saying that a combination of online and offline retail would be the strategy for the company in the country rather than simply setting up large signature outlets. Betzel said its hybrid retail model would be unveiled in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad, where Ikea had set up its first store in India in August 2018. Since then, Betzel said the Hyderabad store had seen 6 million visitors and had done a business of over Rs 400 crore, which had set a benchmark for the retailer as far its future large-format stores in the country went. Betzel also said the retailer had no plans to increase product prices following the governments recent move to raise import duties on items such as furniture and kitchenware. Ikea imports over 75 per cent of the goods it sells in India from multiple places. We will not increase prices of our products for now because we want to stay affordable, Betzel said. We are disappointed by the import tariffs and it will have a negative impact on our business. We are talking with the government on the tariffs, he added. One of the markets where Ikea products for India are sourced includes China, which is currently reeling from coronavirus impact. Betzel did not specify the impact of the virus on its supply-side operations, adding it was working on identifying local suppliers who could meet its stringent quality standards and product requirements. This, he said, would take time since many of its products were not manufactured by Indian suppliers. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has denounced the repeated violation of the truce and the bombing, on Thursday, of Maitigua airport in Tripoli, the only airport operating in the city, as efforts are being made to resolve the Libyan crisis Advertisement Adorable photographs show a family of polar bears play-fighting, running around and sleeping in their natural habitat in Alaska. A photographer spent four days in sub-zero conditions to capture these stunning images of bear cubs and their parents on the edge of the Beaufort Sea. The playful animals were snapped rolling around in the snow, clambering over each other and snuggling up to keep warm. One amazing shot shows a polar bear looking directly into the camera lens while standing with its cub. Another snap shows a young cub standing on its hind legs holding a bone in its front paws. Wildlife photographer Brant Bady, from Canada, braved the cold for days to get the snaps for his travel blog. He spotted the 40 bears - including males, females and cubs on Beaufort Sea - which has seen a loss of sea ice in recent years due to climate change. Breathtaking photographs show a family of polar bears appearing to pose while in their natural habitat in Alaska A photographer spent four days in sub-zero conditions to capture these stunning images of the bear cubs The vulnerable species were snapped in their natural habitat rolling around in the snow and clambering over each other One intimate shots shows a polar bear looking directly into the camera lens while standing with its cub Three bears appear to chase each other as they explore their home in Alaska. There are between 22,000 and 31,000 of the majestic beasts left on earth Wildlife photographer Brant Brady, from Canada, braved the cold for days to get the snaps for his travel blog. A mother bea ris pictured playing with her cub Former commercial diver Brant started photography 30 years ago and has travelled to over 70 countries capturing images. One happy bear rubs his along the ground Another amazing snap shows a young cub standing on its hind legs holding a bone in its front paws The 40 bears, including males, females and cubs, were spotted on Beaufort Sea - which has seen a loss of sea ice in recent years due to climate change Three bears look adorable as they snuggle up to keep warm in sub-zero temperatures. Beaufort Sea has seen a loss of sea ice in recent years due to climate change This adorable pack was captured play-fighting, dancing, sleeping and even posing in the snow in Alaska Two adorable cubs are pictured play-fight with a branch while their mother sleeps by their side on the water's edge Heres whats in store for health care in the Northwest Complex patient needs are pushing health care systems to update infrastructure, replace aging facilities, and construct new clinics, outpatient centers and hospital wings. By JOHN WILLIAMSON and MARK HOWELL Skanska USA Building Williamson Howell Theres one thing we know about the future of construction in health care, which is not exclusive to the Northwest: The U.S. population is aging and demand for acute care is increasing. With it, the nature of health care is evolving, so planning, development and building health facilities must likewise change. As we forecast the future of health care design and building, we know three principles must drive health cares built environment: Build for patients, build for efficiency and build for outcomes. Those are tall orders, but our owner-partners expect this of us. Trends in play For more than a decade, the steadily accelerating pace of health care-related construction starts has continued. Early on, some Pacific Northwest industry watchers pegged this growth to the slight increases in hospital margins due to Oregons and Washingtons status as Medicaid expansion states under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed by Congress in 2010. Overall, expanded dollar-for-dollar Medicaid reimbursement dollars helped reduce rates of uncompensated care. This positively impacted the financial margins of regional hospitals, medical centers, federally qualified health centers, clinics and providers. Additionally, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements grew for care in prevention and outpatient settings. And the parallel growth in commercial health insurance coverage rates also contributed to more investment in the modernization and construction of health facilities. Image by NBBJ [enlarge] At Oregon Health & Science University, a new wing of the Casey Eye Institute is being constructed to expand space for clinical and applied research. Fast forward to a decade later, building pace remains unabated here in the Northwest. Oregon and Southwest Washington have experienced a very active health care construction market with a new maternity/obstetric wing to a new hospital in Vancouver, substantial expansion of more than five large buildings on a new medical campus at Portlands South Waterfront, two brand new critical access hospitals in Oregons northern coastal communities, a new mental health inpatient facility in Portland, extensive expansion of new acute inpatient space in Central Oregon and more. Since 2010, the Washington market has seen a number of new acute towers started, completed and others in design and planning phases to support the growing population, as well as fulfilling commitments made during health care systems mergers and acquisitions. In the past several years, many of those projects included space to support the need for more inpatient beds. Many of the Puget Sound regions health care systems continue to update diagnostic and radiology treatment areas to support newer, more advanced technology and growing demands. Outpatient medical office and ambulatory surgery centers continue to expand rapidly to serve the growing outpatient service lines. In addition, a number of new behavioral health facilities were constructed and several larger inpatient facilities are on the drawing boards to meet the market demand. And active planning is underway in the Northwest for more long-established health care systems to get much needed infrastructure updates, new clinics and outpatient facilities, new hospital wings, aging facilities and even full replacements to manage the ever-increasing complexity of care needed by patients. Other previously predicted trends are still in play. One is the drive to make care more geographically accessible. Clinics and micro-hospitals, funded by larger health care systems, continue to increase in number and spread, under the notion of bringing health care to the person/community, instead of assuming the person will be able to locate a larger centralized care location. These trends are clearly seen in the Pacific Northwest. We are seeing the focus on wellness and preventive care in outpatient/clinic facilities in many communities as the vehicle to take health care to the people, yet still relying on some centralized inpatient facilities for higher-acuity patients. Emerging examples Health care strategic planners now can virtually walk in the path of the patient to examine service/care delivery and flow. The concept of the neighborhoods of care at the St. Charles Medical Centers new patient tower and ICU in Bend, Oregon, was first planned as a cardboard city. In an off-site warehouse, care providers and hospital employees modeled how reconfiguring patient rooms could simultaneously accommodate overlapping care providers, visiting family members, lifting equipment and multiple bio-monitor units. In the neighborhood, several micro-stations exist throughout the unit for charting, professional consultation, medication dispensing and remote patient monitoring. The initial structure of the nursing station in the inpatient behavioral health unit at the PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, Oregon, was reconfigured early in the planning process because the centralized station didnt afford a full visual spectrum of patients in their rooms. Providers found when they can make eye contact with patients, better and more timely assessments can happen and safety is improved. At Oregon Health & Science University, a new wing of the Casey Eye Institute is being constructed to expand space for clinical and applied research, so the research can done in partnership with direct patient care, connecting leading edge treatments seamlessly in time and space to the ophthalmology patients who need them. For many health systems, community-based care is a strategic focus, bringing health care to the people. Patients are getting more engaged and empowered in this age of information and rise of consumerism. Patients are expecting more choice and more access to data to inform their decision making. With services such as telehealth, patients can meet with their doctors via an internet connection at their own kitchen counter instead of an exam room. And the broad-based information technology adoption by health care providers, such as practice management and electronic medical record systems, are driving facilities to implement extensive data connection requirements. These factors are driving the design more than ever of new hospitals, clinics and health facilities. The original patient floors at the MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup were configured with centralized nursing stations. When they elected to build out the remaining two floors, they utilized cardboard and virtual mock-ups so that the care teams were able to confirm improved patient visibility by the nursing staff through decentralized nursing stations. This approach brought the staff closer to the patients and increased one-on-one time with the patients by reducing time between charting, nutrition, medication and the patients bedside. The health care ecosystem continues to expand its reach into the communities through urgent care clinics and freestanding medical office buildings. Kaiser Permanente also is growing rapidly as they continue to expand their services in the Northwest. We continue to see clinics moving to an onstage and backstage program. This approach groups the providers in backstage, open-environment teaming areas to create more collaboration between doctors and nursing staff. Double-sided exam pods then allow patients and their families access from the public corridors and the care providers to enter from the backstage, creating more efficient flow and less travel time between the nursing areas and exam rooms. Focusing on outcomes ? Building for outcomes is perhaps the most critical function for which we plan and prepare. In the array of potential acute, outpatient and ambulatory settings, we work with our clients to create flexible environments that anticipate changing needs of patients. We work to customize and align the design goals to create the desired outcomes and to facilitate the environment of safety and healing. The best project outcomes occur when the design and construction team work collaboratively with the providers and users. Sustainability is also an important element in health care construction not only to be environmentally responsible but also to reduce operating costs, including building for environmental resiliency. Similarly, creating sustainable structures can lead to the efficient use of resources since health care facilities require large amounts of energy and resources to run multiple systems. Reducing operating costs can be a significant positive impact to the financial health of a hospital. To build for efficiency, Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital in Lincoln City, Oregon, made smart use of tall windows to maximize light and reduce electricity needs, and implemented efficient mechanical systems designed to save operating costs. Samaritan North Lincoln also sought to build for the future by creating a hospital that would grow with the community, anticipating future health needs such as expanded birthing and obstetric triage rooms, larger and better-configured emergency and trauma care services, and modernized acute patient care space. After completing the first LEED Gold hospital in Washington in 2010, we continue to see increased interest in carbon reduction, and more sustainable solutions on health care projects. It only makes sense that more emphasis is taken to reduce new hospitals Energy Use Intensity (EUI), as they are 24/7 facilities and large consumers of energy. Several years ago, Target 100 challenged new hospitals to achieve an EUI of 100 or less. Many of the newer facilities are getting close through utilization of daylighting, lighting controls, heat recovery, more efficient equipment, advanced system monitoring and automation controls, and improved building envelopes. In addition, there is more emphasis on right-sizing patient rooms, exam rooms and procedural spaces to ensure patient care and procedures are performed efficiently while minimizing wasted space. More focus is placed on standardization and streamlining patient care to increase efficiencies and reduce errors. These efforts can improve patient outcomes. More health care organizations are embracing lean principles like Virginia Mason Hospital and Seattle Medical Center has done for years to improve procedural outcomes, improve predictability and reduce cost. Todays hospitals, clinics and health care spaces must be built with the focus on evolving and increasingly complex patient care. This well illustrates the ongoing and strong interest in redesigning facilities with flexibility, cost efficiencies and provider engagement in mind. John Williamson is manager of Central Oregon, and Mark Howell is senior vice president and account manager in Seattle for Skanska USA Building. Other Stories: Greek workers face a growing health crisis amid attacks on the public National Health System (ESY). Years of austerity measures have plunged large swathes of workers and youth into poverty and unemployment. A new study published by the non-profit research agency, diaNEOsis, paints a devastating picture of the malignant effects on the health of workers and their ability to access health care. A sign outside a pharmacy in Athens (Credit: Flickr.com, Pat Guiney) The study notes, The difficulties of accessing and using health services have grown particularly for those who need them most, thus jeopardising the element of equality and social justice. Titled A New National Health System, the study found one in five Greek people are unable to pay for health services when they need it; one in three cancer patients are unable to see their doctor regularly while one in four have difficulties obtaining the medicine they need; and six out of ten diabetic patients have difficulties paying for their diabetes care. This is made worse by growing illnesses among Greek workers, a byproduct of austerity measures. Almost one in four Greeks has some form of chronic disease, seven in ten are obese or overweight, four in ten are physically inactivei.e., do not engage in any kind of exercise. The study states Greece spends 5 percent of its gross domestic product on public health care versus the European Union (EU) average of 7 percent. The Panhellenic Medical Association stated last year that the minimum safe limit for every health system, as we have repeatedly stressed, is 6 percent of GDP. Meanwhile, the situation facing 9.7 percent of Greek families that spend money on health care is described as catastrophicas it exceeds a certain proportion of the income, meaning that they cannot afford health care. The authors of the study ascribe the health care crisis to cuts to funding, understaffing and mismanagementthe source of which is linked to a decade of austerity measures. The pseudo-left Syriza government slashed health spending over its four years in power. Its 2019 Ministry of Health budget was 3.9 billion (500 million less than the 2015 budget when Syriza first came into power) and around half the amount of health spending in 2009. This was the year prior to Greece signing the austerity bailout programme with the EU, International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank troika, which led to years of devastating attacks on living standards. According to statistics provided by two health care trade unions in September 2014, 850 medical clinics had already been abolished since the beginning of the crisis, 10,000 hospital beds eliminated and 30,000 front-line positions slashed. Eleven hospitals were closed and 6,000 doctors at public clinics laid off. Funding for mental health care was slashed by 55 percent. By 2015, 3 million Greeks, around a quarter of the population, had no health insurance and no right to receive state-funded health care. The cuts imposed on Greeces health care system are manifested in a reduction in the life expectancy of workers. According to a study published by the Lancet in July 2018, the death rate for Greek workers surged from 997.8 per 100,000 in 2010 to 1,174.9 per 100,000 in 2016an increase of 17.7 percent in just six years. The Lancet study connected the surge in deaths to the slashing of health services, stating that many of the causes of death that increased in Greece are potentially responsive to care, including HIV, neoplasms, cirrhosis, neurological disorders, chronic kidney disease, and most types of cardiovascular disease. The deteriorating conditions described by the diaNEOsis study makes clear that Greeces death rate can only worsen. The last decade demonstrates that Syriza and the traditional parties of the Greek ruling elite all represent the interest of the financial elite. Acting on behalf of the troika, the social democratic PASOK regime imposed the first of five austerity programmes, unleashing a decade of social counter-revolution. Unemployment, homelessness and poverty reached levels not seen in decades. Syriza came to power in 2015 on the promise that it would fight austerity measures, before rapidly betraying the masses and implementing the austerity diktats of the EU. Youth unemployment levels skyrocketed and today stand at roughly 35 percent, while Greeces adult population suffers a 17 percent unemployment rate. Syriza strengthened Greeces police apparatus, which it used against workers and students during protests as well as against helpless refugees fleeing from war. Todays ruling conservative New Democracy (ND) government is continuing the onslaught against the working class. It has strengthened the state and brutally attacked refugees. NDs new budget leaves the national health budget intact from last year, for now, but slashes the previous Syriza budget corporate tax rate of just 29 to an even lower 24 percent. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pledged to reduce it to 20 percent. NDs push to implement new tax cuts will be paid for by cuts to social programmes, including further cuts to the public health system. The human cost of the devastating assault on public health care may be greater still under conditions of the spread of the coronavirus. The Greek Reporter website noted Tuesday, Three suspected cases of coronavirus have now been reported in Greece. According to MEGA TV network, one of the victims is in Athens Aghia Sofia Childrens Hospital. Another victim is currently being rushed to Attikon Hospital, while the third is a Navy sailor, hospitalised in isolation in Sotiria Hospital. Tests on the sailor were found to be negative. On Wednesday, the first confirmed case of coronavirus was reported in the northern city of Thessaloniki, while another case was reported in the bordering country of the Republic of North Macedonia. According to the Athens Macedonia news agency, pharmacies in Thessaloniki have been running out of face masks. Euractive reported yesterday, More than 10 different contingency plans for the spread of coronavirus in the country are ready for implementation by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection. Each of them is based on separate scenarios regarding the incidence area and rate of proliferation. The nightmare scenario, where the pandemic spreads in one of the two biggest citiesAthens and Thessalonikienvisages the activation of the police and the armed forces, measures to block traffic on large building blocks as well as shutting down the metro. [February 27, 2020] IAB Unveils the Now and Future of Video, Audio, and Streaming at Totally Revamped 2020 NewFronts NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's IAB NewFronts have been reimagined to address the explosion of new streaming content, data, targeting, and measurement options now available to buyers and sellers. From April 27 through May 6 in New York City, industry leaders will come together to develop relationships that ignite collaboration, strategic discussion, and generate unique ideas to address this radically new and modern content marketplace. "This year's event is an entirely 'new NewFronts'. Digital video, streaming, and audio is no longer the future; it is happening now and demands an entirely new program. We've made major commitments and investments, from event programming to launching the first-ever Streaming Week. This is the only event that brings digital, streaming, and audio together to make opportunities for brands and the entire ecosystem clear," said Randall Rothenberg, CEO, IAB. The changes reflect intensive counsel and input from IAB's new advisory board of agency, brand, technology companies, and publishers. From April 27 to May 1, NewFronts will gather the digital community together to preview the best streaming content from major publishers and content creators including Amazon, BBC News, Conde Nast, Ellen Digital, Hulu, Meredith Corporation, The New York Times Company, Roku, Inc., Twitter, Verizon Media, VICE Media Group, YouTube, Vudu (A Walmart Company), and others, as well as Digitas, the original founder of NewFronts. The 2020 NewFronts will also introduce "Spotlight: Influencer Marketing" on April 29, an opportunity to interact with influencers who are turning traditional marketing on its head, inspiring and creating some of today's top content, and "Spotlight: Audio " on May 1, a deep-dive into audio storytelling, sonic identity, and measurement in the rapidly growing audio world that encapsulates both streaming and audio on-demand / podcasting. Partners including iHeartMedia, NPR, and Pandora will be among a number of audio-first companies taking the stage on May 1. On May 4 to May 6, IAB will host the first-ever Streaming Week to "unpack" everything streaming. Beginning with a two-day, single-venue conference, the event will bring together leaders from across the streaming ecosystem for dialogue, insight-sharing, and education. Hulu, a Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International streaming service, will partner with IAB to deliver a program that examines the most pressing issues and opportunities in streaming. Entrepreneur Media Inc. and Samsung Ads, as well as other streaming publishers and brands, will take part in the festivities. Additional content companies will be added to the schedule. The week will culminate with Hulu's NewFronts presentation on May 6. "It's obvious streaming is big, but it's not always obvious what marketers should do next. We're bringing the streaming ecosystem together so that the next steps snap into clear focus," said Rothenberg. "Consumer behavior has changed, but the advertising industry has not kept pace. As a leader in streaming TV, we have an obligation to help the industry to arrive at where consumers are, faster and with ease," said Peter Naylor, SVP & Head of Advertising Sales, Hulu. "Streaming Week will give focused attention to the category, and deliver a real opportunity for marketers, platforms, creators, and technology partners to arrive at where the industry is going, faster and smarter." IAB 2020 NewFronts (Week 1: April 27 - May 1) Mon, 4/27 Tues, 4/28 Wed, 4/29 Thurs, 4/30 Fri, 5/1 9-11am The New York Times Vudu Spotlight: Influencer Marketing Meredith Corporation Spotlight: Audio (9-am-3pm) 12-2pm BBC News Roku Spotlight: Influencer Marketing Amazon (11:30 1:30 pm) 3-5pm TBD Conde Nast VICE Media Group Digitas (2:00 5:00 pm) 6-8pm Twitter Verizon Media Ellen Digital Network YouTube IAB 2020 NewFronts Streaming Week (May 4-May 6) Mon, 5/4 Tues, 5/5 Wed, 5/6 9am-7pm Streaming Week Streaming Week Hulu (9am-11am) For more information and regular NewFronts updates, please visit: https://www.iab.com/events/newfronts-2020/ About NewFronts The NewFronts is an annual series of events founded by Digitas, Google/YouTube, Hulu, Microsoft, and Verizon Media (formerly known as AOL and Yahoo), in 2012. It is committed to the creation of valuable partnerships between brands and native digital content. Our mission is to shape the NewFronts into a new and practical marketplace for connecting the wealth of digital content and content creators to brands and their media and marketing agencies. About IAB The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership is comprised of more than 650 leading media companies, brands, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iab-unveils-the-now-and-future-of-video-audio-and-streaming-at-totally-revamped-2020-newfronts-301012896.html SOURCE Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Haiti - Reconstruction : Monitoring visit to construction sites funded by Japan Wednesday, Fils Aime Ignace St Fleur, Director General of the Monetization Office for Development Aid Programs (BMPAD) accompanied by Taisei Inoue representative of the Japanese Ambassador to Haiti (Mizuno Mitsuaki) paid a follow-up visit to the site of the Faculty of Human Sciences (FASH) funded by Japan to the tune of 70 million Gourdes https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27818-haiti-japan-rehabilitation-of-the-faculty-of-human-sciences-9-years-later.html Work which is at a very advanced stage and which should be completed by the beginning of April 2020. In addition, Fils Aime Ignace St Fleur and Taisei Inoue visited the Lycees Marie Jeanne and Cent Cinquantenaire (Lycee des Jeunes Filles) sites https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-28575-haiti-education-soon-reconstruction-of-the-high-schools-cent-cinquantenaire-and-marie-jeanne.html financed to the tune of 200 million Gourdes, by matching funds, coming from the monetization by BMPAD of rice donations from the Japanese Government within the framework of the Japanese cooperation KR program, the reconstruction and rehabilitation work of which is scheduled to start at the very beginning of March 2020. HL/ HaitiLibre Welcome Guest! You Are Here: By Ofeliya Afandiyeva Azerbaijans capital will host the VIII Global Baku Forum on March 12-14, local media reported. The forum organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and to be held in Baku, will focus on Challenges and Opportunities of the Coming Decade. The forum will be attended by President Ilham Aliyev, foreign heads of state and government and former presidents. Last years edition of the forum held in Baku focused on "A New Foreign Policy and was attend by around 450 guests from over 70 countries took part in the forum. Addressing the opening ceremony last year, President Aliyev said that Baku Global Forum is one of the most important international platforms to address important issues on global agenda as well as urgent issues. The topics of the previous forums reflect todays agenda of global affairs. The forum participants discussed global political and economic issues, various aspects of modern international relations and other issues. One of the main meetings of the forum was devoted to the role of young leaders in global politics. Panel meetings titled Role of big forces in changing global politics, Sustainable Development Challenges, Middle Eastern cooperation for security, Role of science and culture in making modern decisions and other topics were held during the forum. Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Albanian President Ilir Meta, Member of Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic, Moldovan President Igor Dodon, Montenegrin President Milo Dukanovic, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, former heads of state and government, heads of international organizations, well-known public and political figures, and scientists were among the participants of the forum. The Global Baku Forum was first held in 2013 under the name of the I South Caucasus Forum. Since 2015, the forum has been organized at international level and renamed Baku Global Forum. In 2019, the agenda of the forum included actual topics like intercultural dialogue, conflict settlement methods in difficult situations, democratic development, interfaith dialogue, global security and so on. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Two hi-tech traffic surveillance vehicles were launched in December 2019 and the Thane traffic police claimed they have caught 3,500 violators in the past three months. Two such surveillance vehicles, equipped with speedometers, breathalyser, tintometer device and cameras, patrol along highways between Thane and Badlapur. According to traffic officers, the vehicles help them nab motorists speeding on highways. The vehicles have speed gun technology, which can scan around 300 metres. We have noticed that motorists slow down after spotting the vehicles deployed on the highways, said Amit Kale, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Thane. Vehicles which have fancy number plates and motorists driving without helmet or seatbelt are given an e-challan. The vehicles capture the image of the violation and we take immediate action, without any argument between traffic personnel and motorists, added Kale. Traffic officials said speeding is one of the common violations. Since the hi-tech vehicles have been deployed, it has nabbed many violators on major highways in Thane, said Kale. Thane traffic department has four divisions Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan and Ulhasnagar. It records between 60,000 and 70,000 cases of traffic violators every month. After the surveillance vehicles were launched, around 1,400 more cases are registered. Around 1,000 motorists are caught for speed violation every month. The two surveillance vehicles cover highways from Thane to Badlapur. Each of the vehicles has a team of three traffic personnel, said an official from Thane traffic department. The first case of possible "community spread" of the coronavirus meaning the origin by which a person was infected is unknown was detected in the US. The patient is being treated at UC Davis Medical Center after being transferred from VacaValley hospital in Vacaville after her condition worsened, KGO reported. A UC Davis internal memo said medical workers requested that the person be tested a week ago, but the CDC declined to test the patient as the person did not meet the required criteria for a test. The patient had not recently traveled to China nor had any known contact with another person infected with COVID-19. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The crown shape gives the coronavirus its name. BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed what may be the first case of community spread of the coronavirus in the US in which the origin by which a person was infected is unknown. The CDC said the woman "reportedly did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19." The patient, who is the 15th confirmed case of the coronavirus in the US, is being treated at UC Davis Medical Center after being treated at VacaValley hospital in Vacaville, California, KGO reported. "At this time, the patient's exposure is unknown," the CDC said in a statement. "It's possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States." A UC Davis internal memo said that the woman was transferred from another hospital on February 19 but that the CDC declined to test the person, who had not traveled to China or had known contact with another person infected with COVID-19. "Upon admission, our team asked public health officials if this case could be COVID-19," the memo said. "We requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC since neither Sacramento County nor CDPH is doing testing for coronavirus at the time. Story continues "Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered. UC Davis Health does not control the testing process," the memo continued. UC Davis Medical Center said it suspected a viral infection and had implemented "droplet protection orders" and on Sunday, when the person was tested, "airborne precautions." The hospital said this was not the first coronavirus case it had treated and believed there was "minimal potential exposure." The memo did say that some healthcare workers were told to stay home and monitor their temperature. Rep. John Garamendi of California, who represents the district where the patient is being treated, tweeted that he was in "close contact" with the CDC and the state regarding the situation. "We all have the responsibility to protect ourselves and others by washing our hands and carrying out procedures to avoid infecting ourselves and others," he continued. "Please monitor CDC's website and Facebook for further information." At least 60 cases have been reported in the US: 15 US cases; 43 Americans who were repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was under quarantine in Japan; and three people who were evacuated from Wuhan, China, the origin of the novel coronavirus outbreak. As of Wednesday, the coronavirus has amassed a death toll of over 2,800 people and infected over 82,000 worldwide, with the vast majority of cases and deaths in China. Business Insider could not immediately reach UC Davis Medical Center. Business Insider "China has mobilised its full efforts throughout all its provinces, and turned the fight into a popular war to prevent the spread of the virus and to eliminate it," said deputy chief of mission at the Chinese Embassy The Chinese Embassy in Egypt held on Wednesday the first Chinese-Arab Diplomatic Salon on Coronavirus Crisis. The symposium, organised at Cairo's Conrad Hotel, was chaired by Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Cairo Xiao Junzheng, with the participation of the Director of Early Warning Unit at the Egyptian Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Centre (IDSC) Samaa Suleiman, political science professor at Cairo University Mohamed Kamal, professor of risk management at Cairo University Ghada Ali, and head of the Asian Studies Programme at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies Mohamed Fayez Farahat. Xiao initially reviewed China's measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. "China has mobilised its full efforts throughout all its provinces, and turned the fight into a popular war to prevent the spread of the virus and to eliminate it," Xiao said. The virus is believed to have originated in a market selling wildlife in the Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. China's National Health Commission (NHC) reported on Wednesday 406 new infections, down from 508 a day earlier, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in mainland China to 78,064. The death toll rose to 2,715. "A state of emergency has been declared in all Chinese provinces, and state resources are distributed across all the sectors where the virus has spread," Xiao said. He added that some people believe that because China has a strong economic foundation, it has successfully harnessed its capabilities and implemented all the measures to combat the virus; and that it is difficult for countries suffering economic challenges to do the same. "I personally disagree with this", Xiao continued, citing the Egyptian experience in eradicating bird flu (Avian influenza H5N1) in 2008-2009. "Egypt enforced a host of preventive measures, including isolation in schools and hospitals," in addition to raising the people's awareness at mosques, and urging patients to seek treatment, he said. Because coronavirus has become a global crisis, China is taking the opportunity to learn from successful experiences in this field, Xiao stated. Suleiman reviewed Egypt's efforts to fight the virus, in addition to the preventive and precautionary measures at airports and educational institutions. "Egypt was one of the first countries to send back, for free, its expats in Wuhan, and designated El-Negelah Central Hospital in Marsa Matrouh as a quarantine hospital to house the returnees," she said. Last week, Health Minister Hala Zayed announced that Egypt has ended a 14-day quarantine for hundreds of Egyptians who had returned Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus. Egypt's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a joint statement also last week that said the foreigner who was rumoured to be a carrier of the coronavirus in Egyp tested negative. Globalisation vs coronavirus "From the very beginning, China has taken a responsible attitude towards international cooperation. It has also balanced between the preventive and precautionary measures on one hand and international cooperation on the other," said Xiao. On Tuesday, China's foreign ministry said that Beijing is working closely with the governments of Japan and South Korea, which recorded the highest number of people infected with the virus in Asia outside China, to strengthen the countries' joint response to the outbreak. Kamal said that globalisation is believed to have an important role in the fight against coronavirus. "Being a global crisis, there must be international cooperation to jointly combat the virus in addition to sharing and benefiting from other experiences," Kamal said. Earlier this month, Egypt's health ministry announced that Egypt provided China with 10 tons of preventive medical items, such as masks and alcoholic antiseptics, to help deal with the epidemic. International cooperation in this regard, Kamal said, should not be limited to healthcare because the crisis is tied to the economy. The spread of coronavirus in China affected the majority of "international products, because most of them depend on Chinese parts and supply chains. Hence, cooperation should also include the economy," he added. Farahat emphasised that the coronavirus crisis is a test for the Chinese concept of decentralisation, or Chinas common destiny. "As a result, China didn't export the outbreak as a global crisis, addressing the epidemic as if it were purely a Chinese crisis to some extent," said the head of the Asian Studies Programme at Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. China addressed the epidemic internally by means of a common community's destiny, but it should have taken another perspective and interacted with the whole world from the perspective of a common destiny, Farahat noted. Many countries' economies were negatively affected by the repercussions of the spread of the coronavirus outside China, Farahat said, adding that China didn't compensate the affected countries nor cooperate in that field despite it being part of the Chinese responsibility towards the global economy. Lessons learned Farahat said "we are confident in China's ability to overcome this ordeal, and the way the crisis is being handled has demonstrated that civil society organisations and local institutions have a major role to play alongside decentralisation." Kamal believes there are various lessons to be learned from the Chinese experience in combating the virus, among which are transparency and the importance of circulating information. Each has a fundamental role and without them public panic could have spread, exacerbating the crisis even further, he said. "There is a need to document what happened and how China handled the situation to allow other countries to benefit from the Chinese experience," Kamal added. Given the fact that sometimes transparency might be seen as a double-edged sword due to the possibility of spreading panic, Xiao responded to Ahram Online when asked how China has achieved transparency and at the same time delivered a sense of reassurance to its citizens, saying that "I agree that sometimes transparency results in panic. Maintaining a good balance between both aspects was the critical test for the Chinese government regarding good governance." On the governmental level, Xiao said, disseminating information is a principle of governance in China because people can be better mobilised by raising their awareness against possible dangers. Although the spread of the epidemic coincided with the Chinese New Year that witnesses people's celebrations, gatherings and family visits, China cancelled the celebrations and asked the people to stay home to avoid the spread of the virus, he noted. "If the government did not release all the information, there wouldn't have been sufficient awareness among the people to prevent infections," he added. Kamal said that sometimes too much or too little information and transparency can cause panic among the masses. "More important than publishing information is the means of publishing it," professor of risk management Ali said. Transparency is indeed essential but sometimes using simple speech/language is needed to make the citizen aware of the correct information without causing panic or confusion, she added. Search Keywords: Short link: As the new coronavirus continues to spread in Europe, the Middle East and Asia and Solano County recorded the first U.S. case unrelated to international travel, raising fears of a local outbreak Bay Area hospitals are bracing for the possibility of large numbers of coronavirus patients at a time many are already stretched thin because of the flu season. Hospitals are doing practice runs for workers on how to triage and treat coronavirus patients, including putting on and taking off protective gowns, gloves and glasses, and are considering plans to potentially add isolation rooms or isolation wards if the need arises. Many of these infectious disease protocols were established after the last global pandemic the 2009 H1N1 influenza that killed at least 152,000 people worldwide, including 12,000 in the U.S. and are similar to the way hospitals treat patients with highly infectious airborne diseases like tuberculosis and measles. We have done drills and simulations to be ready for COVID-19, said Dr. Stephen Parodi, an infectious disease physician at Kaiser Permanentes Solano County medical centers. Certainly the emergency departments have received quite a bit of training and simulation. ... And weve also done training for medical and surgical staff individuals who work in a regular medical ward and have received training as well. That includes isolating patients in whats called negative pressure rooms, which have a separate air circulation system from the rest of the hospital. These rooms have HVAC systems that suck in contaminated air, filter it, and release it outside so that it doesnt contaminate the air in the rest of the hospital. Every hospital is required to have negative pressure rooms, though the number at each hospital varies depending on the level of risk for infectious diseases in their region. The San Francisco Department of Public Health said there are more than 100 at hospitals in the city. Northern California hospitals have collectively admitted at least 17 people who have tested positive for coronavirus, most of them passengers from the cruise ship Diamond Princess, and are said to be deploying these practices already though county health officials have declined to name most of the hospitals. If the number of coronavirus patients were to grow into the dozens or even hundreds as is the case in Italy, South Korea and Iran hospitals cannot add negative pressure rooms because they are constructed when the hospital is built. But they can add isolation rooms, which are less stringent than negative pressure rooms and are used for people with viruses that are spread by droplets, such as the flu, as opposed to viruses that are airborne, such as measles and TB. Droplets are spread 3 to 6 feet if someone sneezes or coughs, then settle onto the floor and are not as transmissible as when a virus is airborne, when contamination stays in the air for much longer. It appears the new coronavirus is likely spread by droplets, and is not airborne. So if a large number of cases were to appear in the U.S., hospitals could potentially do droplet isolation protocols instead of airborne protocols. It gives us more options if its a droplet-spread disease, in the types of rooms to allow us to safely isolate an individual, Parodi said. Hospital administrators are in constant conversations with state health officials to monitor supplies that would be needed in the event of an outbreak, such as masks, protective gowns and glasses. Hospital systems and public health departments maintain a regional stockpile of such items so they can be shared with other nearby hospitals if they need it, said Dr. Kathleen Jordan, an infectious disease specialist and chief medical officer at Dignity Healths St. Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. We have not tried to order and not been able to get any at this time, she said. Weve been able to fill our current demand. There have been 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S., including 28 in California (mostly cruise ship passengers), and they have either self-isolated at home or been hospitalized after testing positive while under quarantine at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield. On Wednesday evening, the CDC confirmed one Solano County resident tested positive for the virus but had not traveled recently to countries where coronavirus is spreading, or had any known contact with anyone with a confirmed case of coronavirus. This suggests the virus may be spreading in the community. If the number of U.S. cases increases, most of the protocols should be pretty reasonable, but what we really need to be wary of is the volume, said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, an infectious disease specialist at Stanford Medicine. How many people do we think are going to come in? What we think may happen is the vast majority of people wont be very sick, but even if the proportion isnt high of severe illness, even a small number of people coming in ... could overwhelm a hospitals facilities, she said. If you need to isolate people, we dont have a lot of isolation rooms. We all deal with how to figure those plans out. Hospitals can and have moved quickly to accommodate large numbers of unexpected patients. When an Asiana Airlines flight crashed at SFO in 2013, for instance, Stanford Hospital got about 55 patients and improvised space to treat them. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes That wasnt a viral infection, but there were a lot trauma patients, Maldonado said. You have to figure out where to put everyone. You tailor your needs to what you know you have available. ... You can decide to put everyone we know that has a particular symptom in one ward, if that ward is bigger. ... You can turn wards into isolation wards if you have a lot of patients. Maldonado said the hospital has not made any of those types of decisions yet with the new coronavirus, but if the number of cases grows, hospital administrators would start discussing with their engineers which rooms would have the best air flow to prevent contamination from going into other areas of the hospital. Its hypothetical because we dont have an outbreak, she said. A more pressing problem, she said, is that many hospitals have yet to receive lab test kits from the CDC that would allow for faster test results to confirm whether someone has coronavirus. The CDC sent out test kits earlier this month so state and local labs could help relieve the CDC backlog, but some of the tests turned out to be flawed and replacement tests have not been distributed. The biggest question is when are we going to get the test kits? Maldonado said. Without those, we dont know who has a respiratory virus versus who has coronavirus because you dont want to put people in the same unit. ... Test kits would be really helpful for us to be able to run those tests in a couple hours and know, This is the flu versus COVID, and if its the flu its a little easier for us to deal with. We really want that kit. Its just been taking such a long time to get the kit. It might not be hospitals alone that end up housing large numbers of coronavirus patients, most of whom are likely to be asymptomatic or show mild to moderate symptoms that dont require hospitalization. State health officials are seeking sites to potentially house cruise ship passengers currently being held at Travis Air Force Base including one potential state-owned facility in Costa Mesa (Orange County), Fairview Developmental Center. The plan was met with resistance from Costa Mesa officials who say they were not properly consulted and fear that it might put local residents at risk for infection. Costa Mesa sued the state in an attempt to prevent the potential transfer of the patients, and a federal judge on Monday agreed to halt the transfer, at least until next week. Parodi of Kaiser said the more widespread availability of telemedicine today, compared with its more limited use a decade ago during the H1N1 pandemic, may prove helpful in containing the coronavirus. You can video chat, text with medical providers, and not necessarily have to go to see your doctor, he said. The ability to evaluate somebody or even get medication if thats needed to a person via virtual means is something that were actively discussing in our preparation. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho - A power plant regarded as the largest in West Africa has been built in Senegal to provide alternative energy solutions - The plant was reportedly built in 24 months by Lekela, a British renewable power company which also operates wind farms in Egypt and South Africa - The plant is an important component of the country's energy sector as Senegal plans to become an economic powerhouse by 2025 PAY ATTENTION: Click See First under the Following tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed! Senegal has launched what has been described as the largest wind power plant in West Africa. This is in line with efforts to commit to renewable energy solutions. The zero-emissions power plant is designed to provide up to 15% of energy production provided by Senelec, the countrys national electricity company. READ ALSO: Sam Chabalala's convoy hits traffic officer while leaving court The plant, which has a capacity of 158 megawatts, is located at Taiba Ndiaye, which is about 86km from Dakar, the nations capital. The power plant was reportedly built in 24 months and has been described as a new step in the energy market towards an emerging Senegal by the president, Macky Sall. The power plant was built by Lekela, a British renewable power company, which also operates wind farms in Egypt and South Africa. As per a plan designed by the government, the power sector would be a key component to make Senegal an economic powerhouse in the region by 2025. READ ALSO: Dudu Myeni's lawyer unconvinced case against ex-SAA chair will prevail In other news, leading economies in Africa are turning towards wind energy in a bid to provide power to homes. This forms part of a trend to take advantage of clean energy all over the continent. The continents most advanced economy, South Africa, had paved the way in a bid to take advantage of policies and projects geared towards green energy. It is therefore poised to lead the drive for wind power installations as it takes advantage of an additional 3.3 gigawatts added to its energy capacity by 2024. Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news! Source: Briefly News Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, has assented to the bill that prescribes death sentence for anyone found guilty of kidnapping in... Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, has assented to the bill that prescribes death sentence for anyone found guilty of kidnapping in the state. Sule signed into law the Nasarawa state kidnapping act prohibition law 2020 and child-protection executive order bill on Wednesday. I need to state that the Nasarawa State Kidnapping Act Prohibition Law was extensively deliberated and passed by the State House of Assembly, Sule said. This law spelt out various offences relating to kidnapping and prescribed stringent punishment for perpetrators, such as life imprisonment and the death penalty. The governor said the law stipulates forfeiture of any property used by kidnappers to the state while the owners of such property would be liable to 20 years jail term. He listed various penalties ranging from death to imprisonment for those involved in kidnapping, conspiracy to kidnap, attempt to kidnap, fake kidnap, false representation to release a kidnapped victim, and assisting in the escape of kidnappers as various penalties. The governor also inaugurated a committee to reform the penal code in line with modern realities. Earlier, Abdulkarim Kana, commissioner of justice and attorney-general of the state, expressed gratitude to the governor for signing the law and the inauguration of the committees. Kanar said the action would go long way towards tackling criminality in the state and said the ministry would ensure that kidnappers face the full wrath of the law. Aliyu Abubakar, director-general, legal aid council of Nigeria, commended the state government for its effort to curtail kidnapping. He asked other governors to emulate the Nasarawa governor so as to ensure that insecurity in the country is tackled. Russian war planes have conducted a number of strikes across Idleb province, targeting jihadists preparing to attack Saraqeb writes Sputnik. The Russian Air Force has joined their Syrian partners in an attempt to stop the ongoing Turkish-backed offensive in eastern Idleb this evening. According to the latest field report from the Idleb Governorate, Russian and Syrian warplanes unleashed a flurry of strikes over eastern Idleb, mostly targeting the Turkish-backed militants and their jihadist allies in and around the towns of Afis and Nayrab. The report said Russian warplanes have mostly concentrated their strikes on the jihadist rebels that have gathered near Saraqeb, as they prepare to launch another push to seize this strategic city along the Aleppo-Damascus M5 Highway. Prior to the entry of the Russian Air Force into this battle, the Syrian militarys aircraft came under heavy attack by the Turkish-backed militants, as the latter utilized their anti-aircraft missiles in an attempt to down the warplanes. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Dennis Bland is celebrating 20 years as president of the Center for Leadership Development (CLD), but his roots with the organization extend much further than that. Bland became a CLD student in 1982, five years after the organizations founding with its mission to help prepare African American children for their futures in education, business and community leadership. Helen Bundles, wife of the late Henry Bundles, who was CLDs founding president, remembered an assertive and attentive young man who always tried to use what he learned. As a student at Broad Ripple High School, she said, Bland was once unhappy with a grade he received in a class. He talked to the teacher, who said that was the grade he deserved. So Bland gathered all of the work he did that school year, laid it in front of the teacher and showed he actually should have gotten a better grade. Bundles said the class at CLD applauded Bland when they heard the story. Hed done exactly what he was taught to do, she said. Thomas King, who has been on the board since the organization started and now serves as board chair, also got to watch Bland grow up as someone who knew what he wanted to do. His promise as a student materialized as his good work as an adult, he said. Back then, CLD program materials could be unloaded from the back of a car and then packed back in at the end of the day. Things have changed a lot over the years with 15 programs now and a 20,000-square-foot building and much of that is thanks to Bland. One of the biggest developments in the organizations history happened recently when Lilly Endowment announced it would donate $11.6 million so CLD can expand its impact with satellite locations, taking programs into schools and adding to its main location on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street. Its all about honoring and respecting the mission of the organization and just trying to be true to that mission, Bland said. Its always an unwavering commitment to stewarding resources that are entrusted to you. Eastern Star Church Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr. said Bland took CLD to another level by gaining more exposure in the community and attracting more volunteers. Johnson, who went to CLD in the late 1970s, said he appreciates the work CLD does because it means theres less pressure on other institutions his large church, for example to come up with the answers. For a church like ours, we dont have to create the program, Johnson said. We could, but why would we? Why would we not empower CLD, empower Dennis Bland? Jeffrey Harrison, Citizens Energy CEO and a longtime CLD board member, said in a statement CLD has been successful primarily because the organizations values come from its leader. In Indianapolis, there is no better example of a servant leader than Dennis Bland, Harrison said. Bland has been with CLD in some capacity since he became an intern after college. Even after taking the role of president 20 years ago, Bland continued as an instructor until last year. It all goes back to the reason I came here to begin with, he said, and that is to try to elevate the human condition. Try to really inspire the highest achievement in African American youth and other youth, just to try to help them realize their potential. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Dennis Bland, president of the Center for Leadership Development, speaks at a Nov. 18, 2019, press conference to announce an $11.6 million grant from Lilly Endowment. (Recorder file photo) An Oxford University lecturer who once published a paper on the ethics of child pornography has pleaded guilty to making nearly 3,000 child sex images. Peter King taught philosophy part-time at Pembroke College until he emailed students to say he had been suspended last Friday. He appeared at Oxford Crown Court the day before and pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one of possession of a prohibited image of a child. The offences were committed in Oxfordshire between 2010 and 2018 and relate to 2,992 images, including 183 of the most serious 'Category A' nature. In 2008 he published a controversial paper entitled: 'No Plaything: Ethical Issues Concerning Child-pornography'. Philosophy lecturer Peter King (pictured) has pleaded guilty to four charges involving thousands of indecent images of children A summary of the piece he published 12 years ago reads: 'I look at the question of harm to the children involved, the consumers, and society in general, at the question of blame, and at the possibility of a morally acceptable form of child-pornography.' According to the Oxford Blue student newspaper, King emailed his students to say he had been 'immediately suspended from his employment in college, pending disciplinary proceedings' on February 21. Students at the college told the paper they had not heard from him for weeks and he had not organised any recent lectures or seminars. Pembroke's academic director Nancy Braithwaite wrote to them to offer her support following the shocking news. She said: 'This will come as a shock and my concern now is to ensure that you receive any support that you might need. 'I am sorry to have to relay such distressing news. This will be a difficult time for our community and we must do everything we can to support each other.' King's name or picture is no longer listed on the university's official websites. He will be sentenced on March 19. A spokesman for Pembroke College said: 'Pembroke College was made aware of the police investigation and charges against Peter King only the day before his court appearance. 'He was immediately suspended from his employment, pending disciplinary proceedings. 'The College moved swiftly to put in place welfare and counselling arrangements for students and staff, and alternative teaching arrangements and academic support for all affected students.' Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday announced suspension of seven policemen, including a station house officer (SHO), for alleged inaction following a gang-rape in Balrampur district. Baghel made the announcement in the state Assembly after the issue was raised by Congress MLA Brihaspat Singh through a calling attention motion. On February 19, a Class 8 student from Tangarmahri was returning home with a friend after visiting a temple when two motorcycle-borne men tried to abduct the girls, Singh said. While one of the girls managed to escape, the accused took the other one to a house in Dahejwar village where they, alongwith a third accused, raped her the whole night before fleeing in the morning, said Singh, MLA from Ramanujganj. The victim returned home, but when her parents took her to Balrampur police station, the police treated them with insensitivity, Singh alleged. The SHO asked the victim's mother if she had seen the girl being raped, Singh alleged, adding that the victim and her family were made to wait at the police station and no medical treatment was provided nor was an FIR lodged. Villagers had to gherao the police station for the victim to be taken for medical examination, he said. The MLA also alleged that the police was trying to protect the accused. Refuting the charges, Home Minister Tamradhawaj Sahu said when the victim's friend returned to the village and informed about the abduction, a police team along with villagers had carried out a search the whole night. When the girl was brought to the police station on February 20, an FIR was lodged under sections 363 (kidnapping), 376(2)(N) (continuous rape), among other provisions of the IPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the home minister said. Pintu alias Ravi Thakur (23) and Kuldeep Ram (20) were arrested and sent in judicial remand while the third accused, a minor, was presented before a juvenile justice court, Sahu added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Researchers at the University of Bonn are investigating the conservation status of the reptile, which is up to 20 million years old The tiny forefoot of a lizard of the genus Anolis was trapped in amber about 15 to 20 million years ago. Every detail of this rare fossil is visible under the microscope. But the seemingly very good condition is deceptive: The bone is largely decomposed and chemically transformed, very little of the original structure remains. The results, which are now presented in the journal "PLOS ONE", provide important clues as to what exactly happens during fossilization. How do fossils stay preserved for millions of years? Rapid embedding is an important prerequisite for protecting the organisms from access by scavengers, for example. Decomposition by microorganisms can for instance be prevented by extreme aridity. In addition, the original substance is gradually replaced by minerals. The pressure from the sediment on top of the fossil ensures that the fossil is solidified. "That's the theory," says Jonas Barthel, a doctoral student at the Institute for Geosciences at the University of Bonn. "How exactly fossilization proceeds is currently the subject of intensive scientific investigation." Amber is considered an excellent preservative. Small animals can be enclosed in a drop of tree resin that hardens over time. A team of geoscientists from the University of Bonn has now examined an unusual find from the Dominican Republic: The tiny forefoot of a lizard of the genus Anolis is enclosed in a piece of amber only about two cubic centimeters in size. Anolis species still exist today. Vertebrate inclusions in amber are very rare The Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History has entrusted the exhibit to the paleontologists of the University of Bonn for examination. "Vertebrate inclusions in amber are very rare, the majority are insect fossils," says Barthel. The scientists used the opportunity to investigate the fossilization of the seemingly very well preserved vertebrate fragment. Since 2018 there is a joint research project of the University of Bonn with the German Research Foundation, which contributes to the understanding of fossilization using experimental and analytical approaches. The present study was also conducted within the framework of this project. The researchers had thin sections prepared for microscopy at the Institute for Evolutionary Biology at the University of Bonn. The claws and toes are very clearly visible in the honey-brown amber mass, almost as if the tree resin had only recently dripped onto them - yet the tiny foot is about 15 to 20 million years old. Scans in the micro-computer tomograph of the Institute for Geosciences revealed that the forefoot was broken in two places. One of the fractures is surrounded by a slight swelling. "This is an indication that the lizard had perhaps been injured by a predator," says Barthel. The other fracture happened after the fossil was embedded - exactly at the place where a small crack runs through the amber. Amber did not protect from environmental influences The analysis of a thin section of bone tissue using Raman spectroscopy revealed the state of the bone tissue. The mineral hydroxyapatite in the bone had been transformed into fluoroapatite by the penetration of fluorine. Barthel: "This is surprising, because we assumed that the surrounding amber largely protects the fossil from environmental influences." However, the small crack may have encouraged chemical transformation by allowing mineral-rich solutions to find their way in. In addition, Raman spectroscopy shows that collagen, the bone's elastic component, had largely degraded. Despite the seemingly very good state of preservation, there was actually very little left of the original tissue structure. "We have to expect that at least in amber from the Dominican Republic, macromolecules are no longer detectable," says the supervisor of the study, Prof. Dr. Jes Rust from the Institute for Geosciences. It was not possible to detect more complex molecules such as proteins, but final analyses are still pending. The degradation processes in this amber deposit are therefore very advanced, and there is very little left of the original substance. Acids in tree resin attack bone Amber is normally considered an ideal preservative: Due to the tree resin, we have important insights into the insect world of millions of years. But in the lizard's bone tissue, the resin might even have accelerated the degradation processes: Acids in the tree secretion have probably attacked the apatite in the bone - similar to tooth decay. ### Publication: H. Jonas Barthel, Denis Fougerouse, Thorsten Geisler, Jes Rust: Fluoridation of a lizard bone embedded in Dominican amber suggests open-system behavior, PLOS ONE, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228843 Contact: Jonas Barthel Institut fur Geowissenschaften Universitat Bonn Tel. +49-(0)228-739338 E-mail: jbarthel@uni-bonn.de Workers disinfect subway trains against coronavirus in Tehran, Iran, in the early morning of Feb. 26, 2020. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo) One of Irans Vice Presidents Contracts Coronavirus: State Media Masoumeh Ebtekar, Irans vice president for Women and Family Affairs, has contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to state-run media. Ebtekar, who was also an English-language spokesperson for Iran during the 1979 hostage situation, is suffering from mild symptoms and wasnt hospitalized, said state media, CBS News reported. She is one of several Iranian officials to have contracted the virus. The death toll from COVID-19 in Iran has risen to 26 while 245 people have contracted the virus, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in a statement carried by state-controlled IRNA. The country is the hardest-hit in the Middle East, and many of its neighbors have closed their borders to travel and suspended flights. Iran has shut down schools, universities, and canceled public gatherings to combat the diseases spread. The majority of the cases have been confirmed in the city of Qom, the site of an outbreak late last week Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told a cabinet meeting that health authorities are not planning to lock down cities like what has been implemented in China, where the virus originated. A worker disinfects a public bus against coronavirus in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 26, 2020. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo) Corona should not be turned into a weapon of our enemies for shutting down work and production in the country, Rouhani said, reported Reuters. Among those currently in quarantine is the head of Irans taskforce on COVID-19, Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, who announced he contracted it earlier this week. I wanted to tell you that I got corona, said Harirchi, according to a translation from the Guardian. I had a fever yesterday. The tests came back positive last night. I isolated myself. Just a few moments ago, I was told that the final test came. Ill start taking medicine. Generally, I feel fine. I just felt a bit tired, I had a fever, and it will drop. Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour confirmed to The Associated Press that Harirchi contracted the virus, while the news agency and other outlets noted that Harirchi was the head of Irans task force to stop the spread of COVID-19. Harirchi, in photos and videos, was seen wiping his forehead during a press conference before he tested positive for the virus. Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, and Pakistan have reported cases of coronavirus involving people who had recently traveled to Iran. Meanwhile, concerns over the virus in the Middle East have prompted Saudi Arabia to restrict travelers from going to the country and making the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and other sites. Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus, and urges its citizens to exercise caution before traveling to countries experiencing coronavirus outbreaks, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement announcing the new plans. KYODO NEWS - Feb 27, 2020 - 23:17 | World, All, Coronavirus A Malaysian woman who returned from Japan has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the Health Ministry said Thursday. Noor Hisham Abdullah, the ministry's director general of health, said the 53-year-old woman arrived home last Sunday and the next day and sought treatment for fever at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur. She tested for the pneumonia-causing virus and was confirmed positive on Thursday, raising the number of cases in Malaysia to 23. [Getty/Kyodo] The other 22 COVID-19 patients have recovered and have been discharged, including an 83-year old woman from the United States who was a passenger of the Westerdam cruise ship that grabbed headlines after five ports in Asia refused to allow it to dock for fear of the coronavirus outbreak. It eventually was accepted to dock in Cambodia and 145 passengers flew through Malaysia in transit to their respective destinations. The ministry urged Malaysians to postpone their traveling plans to not only China, the epicenter of the outbreak, but also to Japan, South Korea, Italy and Iran due to the spike in the number of infections in those countries. Related coverage: Riken, Kanagawa Pref. create test to detect coronavirus in 30 min. IOC president "fully committed" to Tokyo Olympic schedule PM Abe asks all schools in Japan to temporarily close over coronavirus By Trend Reports regarding the alleged closure of the border checkpoint on the Azerbaijan-Georgia state border are not true, Azerbaijan's State Border Service told Trend. There are currently no restrictions on crossing the border. "So far, no decisions have been made on the matter. If such a decision is made, the public will be informed," the Border Service said. The first case of coronavirus infection was detected in Georgia on Feb. 27. The virus was detected in a Georgian citizen who was returning from Iran to Georgia via Azerbaijan. Currently, his condition is assessed as stable. During the investigation, footage on this person's passage via customs control was checked and it was established that during the check at the Astara customs checkpoint on Iran-Azerbaijan state border, his body temperature was normal and there were no signs of health issues that could cause suspicion of infection. Presently, all necessary measures are being taken. All persons, who were in contact with Georgian citizen, including customs officers, border guards and medical workers, have been identified and they are under medical supervision. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz National Geographic WILD showcases the strangest, freakiest and weirdest animals - from incredible marine mammals and out of this world fish to the bizarre world of creepy crawlers. Fridays from 8:30pm AEDT. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page The youngest victim of the Delhi violence, Aman, was 17 years old, while two 70-year-olds were the oldest victims of the violence. The Delhi Police on Thursday released details of 37 people killed in the recent riots in the northeastern part of the city, a day after the violence subsided. Among those who lost their lives is one police official, while the other 36 are civilians. The majority of the victims (21) died of gunshot wounds, four each of "stabbing injuries" and "assault", three due to "assault with burns" while the cause of death was not known for four people. Of the deceased, 15 were Muslims and 10 were Hindus, while the religious identities of the others is not clear. The youngest victim, Aman, was 17, while two 70-year-olds were the oldest victims. Twenty-nine of the deceased were male, one female, while the gender of the others was not known. Thirty-four of the victims were declared dead at the Guru Tegh Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, while the rest were declared dead at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. Medical Superintendent of GTB Hospital Sunil Kumar said, "Over 215 riot victims have been brought to our hospital and treated since 24 February. However, at present only 51 patients are admitted. The condition of almost all patients are stable except one." The following is a list of riot victims who have been named till now STAMFORD Attorney Norm Pattis is considering taking his appeal of a gag order in the Jennifer Dulos case to the U.S. Supreme Court after the state justices have dismissed his argument. The state Supreme Court dismissed the appeal late Wednesday without issuing any reasoning for its decision. The decision came after both sides submitted briefs about why the appeal should still be considered since Fotis Dulos died last month from an apparent suicide. The gag order remains a repulsive stain on the states constitutional terrain, Pattis said Thursday. The courts decision to use Mr. Dulos death as a pretext for avoiding the issue is chilling. Pattis represented Fotis Dulos in the murder and other charges in connection with the May 24 death and disappearance of his estranged wife. Pattis filed the appeal in October, seeking a state Supreme Court ruling on the gag order imposed by Stamford Superior Court Judge John Blawie in the criminal cases against his client. Senior Assistant States Attorney Robert Scheinblum, who represented the state in the appeal, said the case before the Supreme Court was moot since Fotis Dulos has died. Scheinblum contended there would be no available remedy if the states highest court struck down the gag order since Fotis Dulos is dead. The others whose speech was curtailed by the gag order also have no remedy since it will expire when the charges against Dulos are likely dropped next week, Scheinblum said. Scheinblum said Pattis argument about the appeals effect on other high-profile cases has no bearing since appeals of any future gag orders can be filed. The order in the Dulos case has banned police, attorneys and witnesses involved in the investigation into the death and disappearance of the New Canaan mother from speaking publicly about the case. Defense attorney Jon Schoenhorn, who was hired this month to represent Fotis Dulos former girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, said Thursday the gag order is so broad that hes unsure if it applies to his client. "The order was so broad, it applies to any witness, so I have no idea if that would apply," Schoenhorn said. "I don't believe it applies to another defendant, but it's absolutely random, that's why I'm waiting until March 3 to see what happens." Pattis and the state had until Tuesday to file a five-page memoranda with the court stating their positions on whether the appeal should be dismissed. In his filing, Pattis said even though his client is dead, the gag order still applies to Mr. Dulos counsel and the other defendants charged in connection with Jennifer Dulos disappearance. Pattis said Fotis Dulos estate has a liberty interest in his legacy that public speculation tarnishes while a gag order silences his advocates and family. The court can still grant practical relief through the disposition of Mr. Dulos appeal. Pattis is hoping to mount a defense posthumously to clear his clients name in accordance with the wishes of his family, he said. The gag order would continue to hamper their efforts, Pattis said. The appeal was argued before the state Supreme Court in December about three weeks before Fotis Dulos was charged with the murder of his estranged wife. Scheinblum went along with the appeal in the hopes that the justices would set precedent for future gag orders, which are rare in Connecticut criminal courts. Scheinblum, however, argued against lifting the order in a brief filed with the high court and during oral arguments in December. Fotis Dulos and Troconis were each charged last year with two counts of tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution. Fotis Dulos was additionally charged with murder, felony murder and first-degree kidnapping on Jan. 7, while Troconis and his friend and former attorney, Kent Mawhinney, were each charged with conspiracy to commit murder on that day. Pattis contended that the order favored Chief States Attorney Richard Colangelo, the lead prosecutor in the case, since arrest warrants detailing police beliefs of how the disappearance and death occurred were public documents. Colangelo sought the gag order after Pattis floated theories to the media that Jennifer Dulos may have disappeared like the main character in the novel Gone Girl, to get back at her estranged husband as the two were involved in an acrimonious two-year divorce. Blawie wrote in his order that pervasive information or misinformation in the social media age could prevent a fair trial in this type of high-profile case. The 35-page warrant for his arrest on murder charges details the exhaustive investigation into the disappearance and likely death of Jennifer Dulos at the hands of her estranged husband. Police believe Fotis Dulos was lying in wait for his estranged wife when she returned to her New Canaan home after dropping their children off at school the morning of May 24. He used zip ties, which were later found stained with her blood, according to arrest warrants. Jennifer Dulos suffered injuries that the states Chief Medical Examiner James Gill called non-survivable without medical intervention. Gills conclusions were based on blood splatter found in her garage and bloodstained items found a week later in trash bags that Fotis Dulos and Troconis had dumped along a busy street in Hartford that night, the warrants state. New charges brought against ex-police colonel Zakharchenko RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 16:34 27/02/2020 MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI) Investigators brought new corruption charges against Dmitry Zakharchenko, sentenced to 12.5 years in a penal colony for taking bribes and obstruction of justice, his lawyer Valeria Tunnikova told RAPSI on Thursday. The lawyer insists that the new charges are to be challenged as, she alleges, they have been brought in violation of her clients rights. According to Tunnikova, Zakahrchenko was not provided an opportunity to voice his opinion about the charges as there were no interrogations, expert reports, or face-to-face meetings with witnesses. Investigators inform that Zakahrchenko has been freshly incriminated with bribe-taking on an especially large scale. Zakharchenko was sentenced in June 2019 by the Moscow City Court to 12 and a half years in prison and a 117 million rubles (about $1.8 million) fine after he had been found guilty of corruption charges and obstruction of justice. The former policeman still does not admit guilt. However, the court acquitted him of a $800,000 bribery count. The court held that these charges against the defendant were not proven. Investigators claimed that in 2014 Zakharchenko and his accomplice initiated audit of restaurant business. The check was completed when Zakharchenko received $800,000 from a businessman, they insisted. Ex-Russian anti-corruption official was arrested on September 8, 2016. During searches at his sisters apartment law enforcement officers found around 9 billion rubles ($140 million). He denied any relation to the seized funds. DENVER, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Bank Holdings Corporation (NBHC) announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Companys common stock from time to time either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. To date, the Company has repurchased $37.4 million of its previously authorized $50.0 million stock repurchase program announced in August 2016. The new program will go into effect once the existing program is completed. As of the close of business on February 25, 2020, the Company had outstanding 31,177,476 shares of Class A Common Stock, excluding 120,623 shares of restricted Class A common stock issued but not yet vested. Since early 2013, the Company has repurchased 26.6 million shares, or 52% of shares issued, at a weighted average price of $20.03 per share. About National Bank Holdings Corporation National Bank Holdings Corporation is a bank holding company created to build a leading community bank franchise delivering high quality client service and committed to shareholder results. Through its bank subsidiary, NBH Bank, National Bank Holdings Corporation operates a network of 101 banking centers, serving individual consumers, small, medium and large businesses, and government and non-profit entities. The banks core geographic footprint consists of Colorado, the greater Kansas City region, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. NBH Bank operates under the following brand names: Community Banks of Colorado in Colorado, Bank Midwest in Kansas and Missouri and Hillcrest Bank in New Mexico, Texas and Utah. It also operates as Community Banks Mortgage, a division of NBH Bank, in Colorado. Additional information about National Bank Holdings Corporation can be found at www.nationalbankholdings.com. For more information visit: cobnks.com, bankmw.com, hillcrestbank.com or nbhbank.com. Or, follow us on any of our social media sites: Story continues Community Banks of Colorado: facebook.com/cobnks, twitter.com/cobnks, instagram.com/cobnks; Bank Midwest: facebook.com/bankmw, twitter.com/bank_mw, instagram.com/bankmw; Hillcrest Bank: facebook.com/hillcrestbank, twitter.com/hillcrest_bank; NBH Bank: twitter.com/nbhbank; or connect with any of our brands on LinkedIn. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements contain words such as anticipate, believe, can, would, should, could, may, predict, seek, potential, will, estimate, target, plan, project, continuing, ongoing, expect, intend or similar expressions that relate to the Companys strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements involve certain important risks, uncertainties and other factors, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Such factors include, without limitation, the Risk Factors referenced in our most recent Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports and documents filed with the SEC. The Company can give no assurance that any goal or plan or expectation set forth in forward-looking statements can be achieved and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not intend, and assumes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances, except as required by applicable law. New Delhi, Feb 27 : Appleby, a Bermuda-based legal services provider said on Thursday it did not disclose any data with regard to Paradise Papers, rather it considers data hack was a criminal act and the leak of information does not involve any of its officials. The issue comes amidst the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) setting the March 31 deadline for completion of the Panama and Paradise Papers probes and filing of the report for initiation of prosecution. In this context there are names of several companies floating in the media about who disclosed much of the data on these Papers. Appleby said on Thursday it did not disclose any data. "The data hack was a criminal act, the work of a sophisticated cyber-criminal and not a leak involving anyone at Appleby", the company said in a statement . The revenue department had unearthed over Rs 1,000 crore undisclosed income in Panama Papers, in which several prominent personalities, like Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Sameer Gehlaut and K.P. Singh of DLF, were allegedly named. Around 714 entities and individuals had been named in Paradise Papers case in 2017. Around 426 Indian entities with offshore accounts were under the income tax department lens in 2016. Former Minister of State Jayant Sinha, an MP from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand, was also named in the case. The income tax department is investigating these cases under the Black Money Act, 2015, under which any person unable to justify the source of funds in question will have to pay nearly 300 percent penalty on the applicable tax liability. London: New Zealand has made a pioneering international donation to a fund to help Fijian communities forced to move by rising seas and extreme weather driven by climate change. The $US2 million ($3 million) donation, part of a broader $US150 million package of climate change assistance to Fiji, aims to support efforts already underway to resettle people at risk from rising sea levels and other climate-related threats. "The relocation of communities has already started in Fiji," said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, announcing the donation in Suva, Fiji's capital on Thursday. NZ PM Jacinda Ardern made the donation to help the relocation of Fiji's climate refugees. Credit:Getty Images "Five communities have been moved to date and a further 42 have applied for government support to move," she added. Before Leah Freeman's body was found outside of her hometown of Coquille, Oregon, in 2000, her gym shoes, one of them bloody, were virtually the only physical clues police had to figure out what had happened to the missing 15-year-old. Nearly 20 years later, one of those same shoes has played a key role in freeing from prison the only person who has ever been convicted of killing her: Freemans high school boyfriend Nick McGuffin. To this day, no other arrests have been made in Freemans case. That's the reason why I'm here...to keep Leah's name in the light. To bring her name forward, to get somebody to come forward with the truth of what happened. To get resolution for myself, for her family, said McGuffin, who is now 37. I'm an innocent person, he added. They foundvindicating DNA evidence that finally shows what I've been saying for nearly 20 years. Watch the full story on "20/20" Friday, Feb. 28, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. McGuffin was a high school senior when he and Freeman, a freshman, were dating. PHOTO: Leah Freeman was 15 when she went missing from her hometown of Coquille, Oregon in 2000. (Courtesy of the Freeman family) I asked Leah if shed go to the prom with me, he said. She had a gorgeous white dress, she had her hair done perfectly Im glad we went and got the pictures that we did together. But Freemans mother, Cory Courtright, had concerns about their relationship. In a 2010 interview with 20/20, she said she thought McGuffin seemed like an OK kind of guy, but she said their age difference bothered her. I found out that they were being sexually active, and that was disturbing to me, Courtright said at the time. It caused some conflict between Leah and Ibecause she wanted him to be her boyfriend and I didnt. PHOTO: Freemans mother, Cory Courtright, had concerns about Freeman and McGuffins relationship. (ABC) On the night of June 28, 2000, McGuffin dropped off Freeman at her friend Cherie Mitchells house with plans to pick her up a couple of hours later for a double date. Mitchell said she and Freeman got into an argument about how much time Freeman was spending with McGuffin. She said that Freeman, who was upset, took off on foot after storming out of the house. Story continues I followed her out to the road and thats when I told her, Its just, its not about you, Mitchell told 20/20 in a 2010 interview. He was trying to take her away and take her away to do things that I wasnt really welcome [to join]. When McGuffin came to pick up Freeman at around 9 p.m., Mitchell told him that Freeman had already left. Freeman was last seen walking alone near her high school in downtown Coquille, according to witness testimony, but she never made it home. PHOTO: Cherie Mitchell said she and Freeman got into an argument the night Freeman went missing. (ABC) McGuffin said he drove around for hours looking for her. I went back to Fast Mart probably five or six times, he said. There was different people there every time They didn't see Leah. I didn't see Leah. McGuffin said he spoke to police officers on two separate occasions that night as he drove around in his 1967 Ford Mustang. The officers had pulled him over for having a broken headlight. MORE: Friends say they warned Travis Alexander that Jodi Arias was dangerous for months before she killed him After the second time, McGuffin said he asked his friend at the time, Kristen Steinhoff whom he said he had run into earlier, to help him look for Freeman. He said he and Steinhoff drove around for about an hour or so in her car. I dropped Kristen off. I think it was around 2:00 [in the morning], probably. I decided to go by Leah's house one more time, McGuffin said. I saw a glare on her window, thought it was her TV. It was 2000. It's not like she could send me a text. She couldn't call me on a cellphone. So I thought she was home, and I went home after that. The next day, when Freeman hadnt turned up, her mother and McGuffin went to the police, who initially treated the 15-year-olds disappearance as a runaway teen case. PHOTO: Nine years after he was convicted for a crime that he has always maintained he never committed, Nick McGuffin was able to walk out of prison a free man. (ABC) I knew something was wrong, Courtright told 20/20 in 2010. Again, this girl had no reason to run away. MORE: Family discovers a sinister scheme to cover up their son's murder by his business partner The night she went missing, a mechanic found and picked up one of her gym shoes by a cemetery near the high school. He believed it may have belonged to one of his kids but days later, realized it may be connected to the missing girl and turned it into police. Her other shoe was found about a week later, outside of town with blood on it. About five weeks after she disappeared, on August 3, 2000, Freemans decomposing body was found on a steep wooded embankment, eight miles away through back roads from where the first shoe was found. When he heard the news, McGuffin said, It was like my world was over. I broke down, he continued. That's the saddest moment that I've ever gone through. PHOTO: That's the reason why I'm here...to keep Leah's name in the light, Nick McGuffin said of his high school girlfriend Leah Freeman. (Courtesy of Nick McGuffin) McGuffin said he voluntarily went to the police to be interviewed and turned over his Mustang in hopes it would help with the investigation. [I] tried to give them any information that I knew that may be helpful, he said. After his initial meeting with police, McGuffin said he was called in again for questioning. He allowed officers to take photos of him, and later learned that they were checking for defensive wounds. As time passed, the case went cold. McGuffin said he tried to move on with his life, but that he wasnt able to grieve for Freeman while people suspected he was responsible. With public perception turned against him, he also said it was hard to go out in public. You're basically looking over your shoulder to try to figure out who's gonna come around the corner, who's gonna start yelling at you, he said. Within two years after her death, McGuffin said he was hospitalized for anxiety and tried to end his life. It was just a buildup... It's like when a tea kettle boils and it starts to make that hum, that's what it was like, you just get an overload, he said. MORE: A receipt from Target, a stolen car in Mexico and a third unsolved murder: Investigation into yacht murder of California couple Eventually, McGuffin found a passion for cooking and graduated from culinary school, later becoming head banquet chef at The Mill Casino in North Bend, Oregon. After starting a new relationship, he had a daughter in 2007. He said she brought a sense of renewal into his life. I was very excited that I was gonna be a father, he said. My daughter helped me through a lot. As the years dragged on, police could not make any arrests in Freeman's case, and the small community of Coquille -- a town of about 4,000 residents -- became more furious that her killer hadn't been caught. Freemans mother, especially, was upset the case remained unsolved. In 2008, the town got a new police chief, Mark Dannels, who pushed to have the case re-examined. When I arrived in Coquille...everybody was talking about the Leah Freeman case. And one of the expectations as a new police chief was, What are you going to do about it, chief? Dannels said. Thats pretty uncommon, number one, to have a 15-year-old teenager killed in a small community town like that. So you can see where the people were upset. Why hadnt this been solved? And the more I looked into it, the more I felt I had to do something on this case. Dannels assembled a team from across the state to organize and consolidate all the old files and re-examine the case with fresh eyes. They were surprised to discover how scattered the evidence was, with some of it even as far away as Scotland Yard in London, where it had been sent years ago for testing. Police also discovered rolls of undeveloped film from the original investigation, and spent months working overnight just to figure out what evidence they had to start to reinvestigate the case. Coquille Police went back through the evidence, interviewing hundreds of witnesses, combing through old witness statements -- including McGuffins -- and retesting old evidence to re-examine it with assistance from the new team of forensic experts. When they reopened the investigationI just figured the truth will come out and the real person or persons would be found. And so, yeah. I mean, I didn't see any of this coming, McGuffin said, referring to his eventual arrest. During this round of investigating, police questioned Steinhoff, the friend who helped McGuffin look for Freeman on the night she disappeared. Steinhoff told authorities that McGuffin had stopped by her house around midnight, they had done drugs, and when he then tried to have sex with her she says she told him to stop. McGuffin admitted that he did smoke marijuana and kissed Steinhoff that night, but he said everything else she claimed wasnt true. The things Kristen and I did that night, when we were kissing, was wrong. I accept that, McGuffin told 20/20. It doesn't mean just because I did thatthat I didn't care about [Leah]. It's not an easy thing to deal with. After hearing from more than 100 witnesses, a grand jury returned an indictment against McGuffin. He was arrested on Aug. 23, 2010, and charged with murder. PHOTO: That's the reason why I'm here...to keep Leah's name in the light, Nick McGuffin said of his high school girlfriend Leah Freeman. (Courtesy of Nick McGuffin) At McGuffins trial in July 2011, a witness said he had seen McGuffin and Freeman together some time after she left Mitchells home. The prosecution argued that the couple quarreled and when it turned physically violent, McGuffin killed her. McGuffin claims he never saw Freeman after he dropped her off at Mitchells home at 7 p.m. that night. Ten of the 12 jurors voted to convict McGuffin on the lesser charge of manslaughter instead of murder. At the time, Oregon was only one of two states that allowed non-unanimous jury verdicts in criminal felony cases. My trial came down to people's words, McGuffin said. My story has really never changed. McGuffin was sentenced to 10 years in prison, which he first spent at Snake River Correctional Institution before being sent to a labor camp in Oregons Tillamook State Forest due to good behavior. Steinhoff died five years after McGuffins conviction. In 2014, after McGuffin had been incarcerated for four years, attorney Janis Puracal decided to take up McGuffins case. During her review, Puracal said bombshell evidence was revealed an unidentified mans DNA on Leah Freemans shoes that eventually led to McGuffins conviction being overturned. When Freemans shoes were first tested in 2000, the Oregon State Police crime lab discovered something that DNA technology 20 years ago could not conclusively characterize. They did not mention it in the official report. At the time, we used interpretation guidelines that didnt necessarily discern or distinguish really low levels of DNA, Chrystal Bell, Forensic Services Division director for the Oregon State Police, told ABC News. As a result of that, the analysts at the time chose to be very conservative and chose not to actually call out that potential male DNA because she couldn't decide what it was. So she made no conclusions or statements about that DNA because it was at a very, very low level. At the time, Bell said, it was entirely up to the analysts discretion over what they were going to report. When McGuffin went to trial in 2011, the DNA technology had advanced enough that the sample could have been re-analyzed to determine that it was a man's DNA. But no one connected to the case had asked for retesting because they had no idea the sample existed. "Had they asked us to re-examine that evidence, we would have done so," said Bell of the Oregon State Police crime lab. "We don't always have an automatic trigger to go back and do re-examination every time we get additional evidence, whether it's two years later or five years later or 10 years later." In 2017, however, Puracal made that request. Finding that exculpatory DNA on the shoes, that was a huge moment for our case, Puracal told 20/20. That was a game-changer for us. We were looking for DNA that would tell us who actually committed this crime. And here, there was DNA of some other man on the victim's bloodstained shoe and never reported. That changed everything for us. PHOTO: Nine years after he was convicted for a crime that he has always maintained he never committed, Nick McGuffin was able to walk out of prison a free man. (ABC) I was overly excited to find the DNA, McGuffin added. It didn't match me. I told my attorneys, I told Janis, Let's go find out what happened... Let's solve this case once and for all. I mean, that was my push. Judge Patricia Sullivan agreed with Puracal that the revelation of this DNA was a game-changer. In December 2019, she ruled that there is a "reasonable probability" that McGuffin's guilty verdict would have been different had the presence of the unidentified man's DNA been disclosed to law enforcement, prosecutors and the defense. "However, without the DNA evidence, Trial Counsel was reduced to showing that (Nick McGuffin) could not have committed the crime and was not able to produce any evidence of an alternative theory," wrote Judge Sullivan. The judge set aside McGuffins conviction and remanded it back to the trial court. Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier told 20/20 he decided not to seek a retrial for McGuffin for several reasons, including the labs report, the fact that key witnesses had died and the jury had been split on the verdict, and Courtright's wishes. She just flat told me, I cannot take the strain of another trial. I can't do it, and she asked me not to try the case again, Frasier said of Courtright. That was probably the biggest factor. Nick's already served, 97 percent of his sentence, Dannels said. So we go back, put this all back together, retry it. You put the family back through this again. For what? To say we were right? Nine years after he was convicted for a crime that he has always maintained he never committed, McGuffin was able to walk out of prison a free man. I just knew that we had to fight and we had to fight for what's right, McGuffin said. However, Judge Sullivan also said in her ruling overturning the conviction this did not demonstrate his innocence. "There have been cases in the United States where the evidence clearly shows, beyond any doubt, that the person in jail or prison didn't do it, and that person needs to get out. That's an exoneration, in my book," Frasier said. "What happened here was [McGuffin] was ordered to [get] a new trial. I made the decision not to go forward for a new trial. I still stand behind the investigation of this case... There's evidence in this record to find this defendant guilty. But we have decided, for a variety of reasons, not to go forward at this time. It's not that I believe he's not guilty or innocent, it's I believe it is not appropriate to proceed." Puracal said it was disappointing that police and prosecution continue to say that Nick is guilty in this case. The Department of Justice could have appealed the post-conviction court's ruling and they chose not to, she said. It's important to recognize where the DNA was found. The DNA was found inside Leah's shoe as well as outside Leah's shoe. And it's found in and around bloodstains on her left shoe. That's important to know. In the weeks since his release, McGuffin has tried to piece his life back together. After my exoneration...I had an idea of what it was going to be like, and I was wrong. It's not easy. It's actually really hard, he said. [The] D.A., law enforcement, a crime lab...should have some accountability for what they did, he added. All I'm asking is for accountability and for them to do their jobs properly. There are not enough markers to put it into the database to see if we can identify somebody that way, Frasier explained. If we have a suspect, we can get a DNA sample from them send it in and have them compare it. And that's what we did with the other potential suspects in the case. And they all came back as not being the donor of that DNA. The central problem is that even though authorities now definitively have a sample of male DNA, the sample is so small that it can only exclude matches, but it cannot be used to confirm there is a match with a suspect. [The sample] is not suitable to put into the FBI's database for forensic samples and convicted offenders, Bell added, The quality of the DNA was not good enough in 2000, it was not good enough in 2010, and it is still not good enough. Today, McGuffin is doing his best to reclaim his life, getting accustomed to keyless cars and talk-to-text on a smartphone. He's also working on re-establishing his relationship with his daughter, who is now 12. I look at her with the strength that she has at her age, I think that helps me, McGuffin said. Even though his conviction was overturned, McGuffin said finding a new job has been difficult, which has been hard on him because he said he was looking forward to resuming his career as a chef once he was released. It's not an easy feat. The stigma, even now, trying to get a job. ... I want to work. I'm passionate about my career, McGuffin said. I remain an innocent man. That's not going to change. McGuffin said he still thinks about Freeman and the life she could have had. She should be, what, 35 now? She would have had a family, he said. Now that hes out, McGuffin said he is determined to fight for the truth for Freeman and get answers as to who killed her. I want people to come forward with the truth. I just want the truth. I want to know what happened, he said. [We] have a chance right now to clean the slate to make it right. I mean, I'm pretty sure a lot of people would want that. I know Leah would. I know her family wants that. I want the truth for them. What more can I ask for? How a man convicted of his high school girlfriends killing was freed by decades-old DNA evidence originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Those on their way into work in San Francisco's Financial District Thursday morning again got a surprise sneak peek at a death-defying Matrix 4 shoot in progress. It might seem a bit familiar to those who've taken a moment to look up on their morning commute while the production has been in town; Thursday's high-flying filming appears to be a re-shoot of a scene shot February 16. A woman accused of leaking intimate photos of a Brandon Police Service candidate to senior members of the force during a hiring competition has now filed a claim against the City of Brandon, alleging BPS is jointly and severely liable for their involvement in the distribution of images. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us A woman accused of leaking intimate photos of a Brandon Police Service candidate to senior members of the force during a hiring competition has now filed a claim against the City of Brandon, alleging BPS is "jointly and severely liable" for their involvement in the distribution of images. Manitoba Justice Sandra Zinchuk granted a motion last month allowing Terry Lynn Peters the defendant in a lawsuit filed in Brandon Court of Queens Bench by plaintiff Brittany Roque in 2018 to file a third-party claim against the city. The lawsuit alleges that Peters distributed intimate images of Roque without her consent as an act of revenge after discovering the photos on her then-partners computer. None of the allegations has been proven in court. According to initial court documents, Roque said she took and sent intimate photos to Ryan Friesen, a BPS officer, during a three-month affair with him in 2015, under the pretense he would not share the photos and would destroy them if the relationship ended. Peters, a former civilian employee with the BPS, allegedly found the photos and distributed them to senior members of BPS approximately a year later while Roque was in the middle of a hiring competition to become a police officer in Brandon at the time. Roque is now a police officer in Rivers. Peters initially denied distributing the intimate images, but said that if any distribution occurred, "it was for the public good and in the public interest," according to her statement of defence. In the most recent third-party claim filed against Friesen and the City of Brandon earlier this month, Peters stated she discovered "approximately 100 images of women in various states of undress and intimacy" in Friesens email, approximately a dozen of which were of Roque. Having previously worked for BPS and knowing that Roque was a candidate for employment with the force, Peters "was aware of a general call to members of the force and the public to provide any information about the character or background of a candidate that might be relevant," the claim said, so Peters contacted Chief Wayne Balcaen and told him she had information concerning Roque that might be relevant to the hiring process. Deputy Chief Randy Lewis was delegated to follow up, and he and Peters spoke over the phone about the intimate images. Lewis arranged to visit Peters home and retrieved the images, the claim said, bringing with him his own thumb drive to copy the images onto. "At all material times BPS was carrying out a background investigation to determine the fitness of Roque to be an officer in accordance with its duties as a police force," the claim said. "At all material times, Peters acted in the capacity of a quasi-informant, providing information to BPS and then, upon their request and insistence, providing documents in support of that information." Peters claimed that Lewis did not warn her that the provision of the intimate images could or would be in contravention of the Criminal Code of Canada or the Intimate Images Protection Act. Peters said BPS owed her a duty of care not to encourage unlawful activity and that BPS breached that duty by requesting she release the images to them. "The Roque images were provided to BPS in reliance upon BPS having the lawful right to ask for and receive the photographs and that Peters relied on the authority of BPS to her detriment," the claim said. In 2018, Peters also filed a third-party claim against Friesen as well as Devon LeBlanc, stating she had reason to believe the images were not private and claiming that both Friesen and LeBlanc possessed the intimate images of Roque, as well. The third-party claim against LeBlanc has since been discontinued. In a statement of defence, Friesen said Peters hacked into his email account using her personal computer and took the images of Roque which he believed had been deleted without his consent. Friesen has also filed a motion requesting the third-party claim against him be dismissed on the grounds that, to his knowledge, the intimate images of Roque were deleted and that Peters went into his email without his consent and forwarded the images she found in the trash folder to herself. Zinchuk has yet to deliver a decision on that request. Balcaen told The Brandon Sun on Wednesday he was not prepared to make any comments on the lawsuit at this time. "I dont believe it would be appropriate for me to comment at a time while this is before the courts," Balcaen said. A trial for this matter has been set for February 2021. edebooy@brandonsun.com Twitter: @erindebooy Almost a month after British adventurer Bear Grylls and southern superstar Rajinikanth shot for Discovery Channel's show 'Into the Wild' in Karnataka's national park, the channel released a teaser of the episode and announced that it will premiere on March 23. Sharing the teaser, Discovery Channel India tweeted, "Gear up to venture into the wilderness of India with survival expert @BearGrylls and the ultimate superstar @Rajinikanth in an action-packed adventure. Premieres 23 March at 8 PM, only on Discovery #ThalaivaOnDiscovery." The teaser features Bear Grylls and the Thalaiva in action at Karnataka's Bandipur Tiger Reserve and National Park. "Deep in the heart of the Indian jungle, it's one man's mission to unravel the man behind the legend," the audio in the backdrop of the teaser states. "Prepare yourselves, its gonna blow your mind," says the host of the show, Bear Grylls in the teaser. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajinikanth becomes the second Indian personality to be featured on Grylls' survival show. The episode with Prime Minister Modi was aired last year in August. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) When I started music school, I hoped for a career both performing and teaching. Though I came close to realizing my goal, adult responsibilities forced me to step back and reconsider my options. I come from a long line of Idahoan musicians and educators, and while I love and respect the wonderful teachers I had during my public education here, I feared the life of an educator and its accompanying difficulties. After graduate school, I had to choose between my dream job and a secure life for my young family. I left music behind to accept a job in Utahs booming tech industry. This job was productive and stimulating, but over time, I slowly fell into depression. I became emotionally unavailable to my loved ones as this depression drained my energy and bled into my personal life. After a year like this, my discerning wife a musician herself encouraged me to return to my passion, even if it meant compromising our financial health. She told me she would rather have me than my money. She helped me understand that even with a comfortable paycheck, I was not bringing home the best version of myself. With newfound determination, I sent my resume to schools back home in Idaho. I was soon offered a job to teach music at Renaissance High School in Meridian. I received the call just hours before my second daughter was born. Even as we faced the added expenses of another child, we made the decision to move home. I am halfway through my first year as an educator, and I am as fulfilled as I have ever been. I love my school, my colleagues, and especially my students. My family is happy in Idaho. But I do worry about our wellbeing now and in the future. This year, I will make 40% less than I did at the entry-level job I left behind. This story is far from unique many educators forego the material comforts of other careers because they love teaching. They understand that having great teachers for our children is an essential service. I do not view this as a sacrifice but rather an investment. Even so, teachers should not make this investment alone. Teacher compensation is not the only educational shortfall facing our state. Idaho ranks dead last nationally in its investment per student. I see these shortcomings in my classroom. My school is fortunate to have supportive administrators who love students and help teachers any way they can. Yet we still struggle to find enough resources to best serve our students. Earlier this year, an administrator explained that, in the annual funding allocation, the district must always deny urgent needs to serve other essentials. That is heartbreaking. Districts should not have to determine which schools crises are more urgent than anothers. We can and should be doing more to fund our schools. What can we do? Our current situation is discouraging but theres good news: As Idaho voters, weve been given the power to act. Reclaim Idaho, a nonpartisan movement, is gathering signatures for a new ballot initiative called Invest in Idaho. This initiative will establish an estimated $170-200 million Quality Education Fund that will be used only to benefit students: reducing class sizes; providing adequate classroom materials; funding special education, technical, art, music, and drama programs; and attracting and retaining qualified teachers and support staff. Whats more, Invest in Idaho will be made possible without a tax increase for 95% of Idahoans. For more information on the initiative and how you can get involved, visit www.reclaimidaho.org. Investing in our students is an easy choice. Logan Anderson is a Music Teacher living in Meridian who grew up in Blackfoot Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Eldar Janashvili - Trend: The platform for introducing Islamic banking in Azerbaijan is ready, said Orkhan Mammadov, chairman of the board of Azerbaijans Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Mammadov made the remark at a press conference by Azerbaijans Ziraat Bank dedicated to Azerbaijani-Turkish cooperation in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Trend reports from the event Feb. 27. Mammadov noted that in this direction, the Azerbaijani government has set certain tasks for the development of Islamic banking, and all of them have been completed. We expect that the new parliament, having fully started work, will pay attention to this and by the end of this year all work in this direction will be completed, said the agency chairman. Mammadov expressed confidence that Islamic banking will be a very useful tool for alternative sources of income for the national economy. Gerry and Kate McCann, parents of four-year old Madeleine McCann, are 'encouraged' by the ongoing work (AP) Detectives working on the investigation to find Madeleine McCann have asked for more money to fund the search, according to reports. The taxpayer-funded cash that goes to the Metropolitan Police for the 12m search runs out in four weeks time. The Home Office has now been asked for more money, on top of the 300,000 awarded to the team in June last year, according to The Sun. Kate and Gerry McCann have not giving up of finding their daughter (AP) Madeleines parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, are said to be greatly encouraged by officers believing that there is active work left to be done. Read more: Flood-hit Midlands towns warned to expect '10 days of difficulty Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell told the paper: Whilst an active investigation is ongoing it gives them hope that one day they will find out what happened to Madeleine after all these years. "The Met has an iron will determination to find the answers Kate and Gerry so desperately want. Read more: Puppy who survived being shot in the face and stamped on finds home in UK The Met Police would not comment on the reports of extra funding. A Home Office spokesperson told Yahoo News UK: Requests for funding will be considered in due course, in line with our standard Special Grant process. The Home Office maintains an ongoing dialogue with the Metropolitan Police Service regarding funding for Operation Grange and regularly reviews its progress. The Ocean Club which is next to Apartment 5A in Praia Da Luz in Portugal, where Madeline McCann went missing in 2007 (AP) Maddie was three years old when she vanished from an apartment complex in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. Read more: Man accused of murdering mother and stepfather at their home The search to find the missing girl received a boost of nearly 100,000 in royalties from a book about the toddlers disappearance last year. Donations were reported to have gone down in recent years but Kate donated 84,096 in royalties from her bestselling book, Madeleine. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK A fresh parliamentary inquiry has been launched into the state government's $1.5 billion plan to relocate the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta, as well as disparities in funding support for city and regional galleries and museums. The future of the museum and its priceless collection will be scrutinised by the same select upper house committee which urged last year that the museum's relocation to Parramatta be abandoned and western Sydney be given its own world-class institution. Renders of the Parramatta Powerhouse, where 70 per cent of the site is public space to accommodate performing arts festivals and community events. The wide-ranging inquiry will investigate the vision behind the move, governance of the project, including the effectiveness and adequacy of planning, the business case, design briefs, project management, public reporting, costs and cultural and demographic justifications. Greens MP David Shoebridge said special focus would be given to the consequences of floods after the carpark on the riverfront site was on February 10 turned into a swimming pool during the one-in-a-10-year flood event. Nearly 1,000 allegations of sexual assault or other sexual incidents in England's social care system were reported to the health watchdog in just three months, a report reveals. The Care Quality Commission, which compiled the report, said the impact on vulnerable people and their families of such attacks is 'utterly devastating'. The report details 899 allegations of assaults or other sexual incidents, including 47 alleged rapes, between March and May 2018. Three quarters of the alleged incidents took place in nursing homes or residential care homes - and the victims were most often women over the age of 75. Some 12 per cent took place in vulnerable people's own homes. The Care Quality Commission, which compiled the report, said the impact on vulnerable people and their families of such attacks is 'utterly devastating'. Stock image shown The remainder took place in more than one location, or in 'supported living' services. The report details the case of one female care worker who filmed herself sexually assaulting residents at night - including an elderly woman with Alzheimer's disease. The woman, who has been jailed, attacked 'the most vulnerable' people in the care home so they would not be able to speak out when she sexually abused them, according to the report. Almost half the cases are categorised as alleged sexual assault. The allegations refer to care workers as well as residents who assaulted other people in their facilities. Some 11 per cent of cases were classed as exposure or nudity. Lack of cash driving up the frequency of poor social care Funding issues are driving up the frequency of poor social care, a report by the Ombudsman revealed last September. Faults were found in 66 per cent of adult social care complaints investigated by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in the last year up from 43 per cent in 2010. The report said the rise in upheld complaints reflects 'rationing' of funds and 'mounting pressures on those who work in the care system'. Head of the service Michael King said: 'While I recognise the challenging environment both commissioners and providers are operating within, any attempts to reduce costs must also properly consider the impact on the rights and dignity of people who use services.' The Ombudsman received 3,070 complaints about adult social care in the past year with just 435 of those from people who fund their own care. Some 1,220 probes were carried out, with 1,279 recommendations made. Mr King said: 'It is vitally important care providers let people know about their rights to bring their complaints to us.' Advertisement And 5 per cent reports were for cases of 'consensual' sex, which often have to be reported if the participants are judged not to have the capacity to consent to sexual relations. The report said: 'Sexual incidents were nearly four times more likely to be carried out by men than women during the period reviewed. 'And women were over three times more likely to be affected by sexual incidents than men. 'Forty-five per cent of all people affected were women aged 75 and over in our findings.' Officials last night stressed that with 1million people using social care across England, the number of sexual incidents are very small. CQC's chief inspector of adult social care, Kate Terroni, said: 'Supporting people as individuals means considering all aspects of a person's needs, including sexuality and relationships. 'However, our report also shows all too starkly the other side of this - the times when people are harmed in the very place they should be kept safe. 'This is utterly devastating, both for the people directly affected and their loved ones. 'While we are aware that sexual incidents in care services are not common, we know from speaking to those affected that the impact and consequences can be life-changing. Their message to us is that more needs to be done to prevent sexual abuse happening. She added: 'It is not good enough to put this issue in a 'too difficult to discuss' box. 'It is particularly because these topics are sensitive and complex that they should not be ignored. 'We are clear that abuse in any form can never be accepted and we must act on the findings of this report to help providers and care staff protect people from sexual harm, while enabling people to continue or develop intimate relationships.' The authors called on social care providers to encourage people to talk about sexuality and raise concerns around safety. But Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK described the report as a 'wake-up call. 'Being kept safe from the risk of abuse of all kinds is the least that any older person and their family should expect when they are receiving care, so this report is both very welcome and a wake-up call to every care provider to do everything possible to protect them from being sexually abused,' she said. 'Abuse in any form is completely unacceptable and it is deeply distressing that most of the sexual abuse reported in this report happened in a residential or nursing care home to women aged over 75. 'Sexual abuse must not be swept under the carpet and it is clear from this report that in some cases care providers are failing to keep some of our most frail and vulnerable older people safe.' Veronica Gray, deputy CEO of the Action on Elder Abuse organisation, said: 'More needs to be done to protect those most vulnerable to sexual abuse. 'The first priority of adult social services must be the safety and wellbeing of those in their care.' But Kathryn Smith, chief operating officer at Alzheimer's Society said people's rights should not be infringed - even if they have advanced disease. 'Consensual relationships can bring great joy, and many people with dementia are still in intimate relationships or marriages they may have had for decades,' she said. 'They have an equal right to those relationships like everyone else. 'Being able to speak about consensual relationships is part and parcel of safeguarding vulnerable people in care homes from potential abuse and is an important part of their welfare.' A nine-year-old boy has won a 17 million payout from the NHS after medics left him brain damaged by failing to ensure he got the proper nutrition when he was born. The child's blood sugar levels fell dangerously low after his birth at Hertfordshire's Lister Hospital, and now needs 24-hour care and cannot do anything for himself. The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, suffers from body-wide cerebral palsy, severe visual impairment and epileptic seizures which sometimes strike more than once a day. The child's blood sugar levels fell dangerously low after his birth at Hertfordshire's Lister Hospital, and now needs 24-hour care and cannot do anything for himself East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust admitted liability for his injuries and today agreed to a final settlement of his damages claim. Together with a 5.9 million lump sum, he will receive index-linked annual payments to cover the costs of his care for life. They will start at 147,500 a year, before going up to 200,000 a year when he is 11. When he is 19, they will rise again to 299,000 a year. The total value of the settlement, capitalised over his expected lifespan, is about 17 million, his legal team told London's High Court. Judge Sir Robert Francis commented on the size of the payout, but Mr Glancy replied: 'Sadly, that is the cost of care regimes nowadays.' Although he can sit up, the child has no independent mobility and and his sleep is frequently disturbed, said Mr Glancy. East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust admitted liability for his injuries and today agreed to a final settlement of his damages claim But the barrister added: 'He can tell light from dark and can recognise his parents...he laughs and smiles if he is happy.' His parents had devoted themselves to his care 'without any complaint, without any sense of grievance or bitterness,' said Mr Glancy. Their son was 'born intact' and would probably have suffered no injury had medics made sure he received the nutrition he needed. But the barrister added: 'His parents haven't shown any hint of anger or bitterness against the NHS.' The judge had no hesitation in approving the settlement and expressed his admiration for the boy's parents. Bernie Sanders faced political crossfire during the debate in South Carolina on Tuesday night, some of it because he lavished praise on Communist dictators in Cuba, Russia, and Latin America. This weeks Acton Commentary, The key to understanding Bernie Sanders, details his history of moral equivalence between Marxist dictators and Western democracies and explains the socialist reasoning that fuels it. This specious moral reasoning rings a deep, discordant bell among all those who encountered or are conversant with the Left during the Cold War, the commentary states: Western fellow travelers justified Stalins show trials, Castros persecutions, and Maos Cultural Revolution as, perhaps regretful, but necessary to defend the greater good of the socialist revolution. The noxious notion that the ends justify any means is as endemic among Marxisms defenders as it is within socialism itself. One by one, the socialists idols came crashing down. Secret speeches exposed their crimes. Dissidents smuggled out undeniable evidence. Socialists found themselves caught in a moral and practical conundrum. To cope, democratic socialists created an interpretive hermeneutic that is key to understanding Bernie Sanders moral equivalence. . Read the full commentary here. Are you lost in the wild? Sorry, but the page you're looking for has not been found Try checking the URL for errors, goto home or try to search below. A 10-year-old boy is in critical condition after his 19-year-old aunt 'accidentally' shot him while taking selfies. Caitlyn Smith was babysitting the child Tuesday and while posing for pictures holding a gun, the teenager fired by mistake. The young boy was hit in the stomach during the incident around 4pm in an apartment on the 18200 block of Chisholm Trail in Houston, Texas. 'There was an unsecured weapon inside the home,' Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told Fox 26. 'The female indicates that she retrieved that weapon to take pictures, and in the course of taking pictures the gun went off and struck the child.' Scroll down for video Caitlyn Smith, 19, was babysitting the child Tuesday and while posing for pictures holding a gun, the teenager fired by mistake The scene of the incident in Houston, Texas, is an apartment pictured left The boy was hit in the stomach and is in hospital in serious condition but expected to survive. Emergency vehicles are seen responding The child was rushed to hospital and the Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez initially reported that his condition was unknown. It's unclear who owned the weapon. The circumstances surrounding what happened were also unknown when the boy admitted to medical care. But Gonzalez visited the hospital to investigate, the woman's nephew was classed in critical condition Wednesday. However no vital organs were hit and the sheriff shared in the update that the youngster is expected to survive the injury. Smith was arrested and charged with injury to a child serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony. Smith was arrested and charged with injury to a child serious bodily injury. The post-shooting scene is pictured She remained at Harris County Jail and is due in court Friday morning. Gonzalez credited the department's Child Abuse Unit for the 'great work' in a tweet Wednesday. It's unknown whether anyone else will be charged. A woman whose son attends school with the boy said it's ridiculous he was seriously injured for the sake of a photo. 'Its really sad. To know that you even pull out a gun in front of a child is really crazy,' Cece York told Fox 26. The sheriff added that it's not all that uncommon. 'Very tragic situation, we see this quite a bit,' he told Fox 26. 'In my opinion, no child should ever have to undergo anything like this.' Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland added to CNN: 'Firearms are dangerous weapons, so take precautions to make sure things like that dont happen. Taking selfies was not the best thing to be doing.' Meghan Markle's mother Doria Ragland was present at the royal wedding in May 2018, beaming and waving at the public as she rode to St. George's Chapel alongside her soon-to-be-royal daughter. Doria has been spotted in England several times since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were married. Meghan and Doria might have a close-knit relationship but media reports suggest that their relationship may not be as rose-tinted as portrayed. A source said that the former "Suits" star is not close to her mother. The yoga instructor in Los Angeles, 63, reportedly had no plans of moving to Canada just to be close to her daughter. Doria seeks to continue her quiet life in California. Another source said that Doria is currently giving private yoga lessons to a select few clients. The tables have also apparently turned for Prince Harry and Meghan with regard to their relationship with the Doria. An insider revealed that Prince Harry has grown extremely close to his mother-in-law and he sees Ragland Doria as a mother figure. He is even closer to her than the other members of the royal family. Also read: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to Return to UK for Princess Beatrice's Wedding Other reports said while Prince Harry stayed in England to configure the details of the couple's royal exit, Meghan had her mother and friends to keep her company on Vancouver Island. Reports also claimed that the Duchess of Sussex and her husband spent Christmas with Doria in Canada. As the couple welcomed their son Archie into the world, Doria was photographed at her grandson's christening and appeared to share a close relationship with the couple. She was the only representative of Meghan's family in her wedding ceremony with Prince Harry 2 years ago, unlike her father Thomas Markle who could not be a part of the ceremony after he got caught staging photos with the paparazzi. However, when Meghan was an actress, "Doria would only see Meghan once or twice a year while filming Suits in Toronto. Meghan isn't as close to her mom as is known." Meghan's father, Thomas Markle Sr., and half-sister, Samantha Markle, divulged in the past that the former "Suits" actress grew up with their side of the family. Thomas supported Meghan to go to school. On January 13, Thomas revealed that he is ashamed of his Prince Harry and Meghan's Megxit. Doria has yet to publicly comment on the couple's decision to step down as senior members of the royal family, which is being dubbed as Megxit. This is contrary to her estranged father and half-sister pulling no punches when it comes to commenting about Megxit. Her half-sister, Samantha, said straightforwardly, "When people ask us questions we answer honestly... We're not going to candy-coat the truth, she was treated people horribly." Doria gets along pleasantly with the rest of the family especially Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Related article: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Working With Kim Kardashian's Endorsement Company? @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Alliance News) - Red Emperor Resources NL on Thursday reported a substantially narrowed loss for 2019 due to absence of a share-based expense charge and lower recurring costs. For the year, the exploration company reported a pretax loss of AUD498,016, around GBP254,087, narrowed from AUD1.4 million the year before. This was due to a share-based payment expense of AUD700,330 incurred in 2018 that was not repeated in 2019, as well as lower costs from employee & director benefits, and professional consultants. During the year, Australia Red Emperor signed a letter of intent with Pilot Energy Ltd and Key Petroleum Ltd to secure an option to acquire a 70% stake in the offshore Perth Basin exploration permit, WA-481-P. The group has agreed to fund the completion of an existing work programme, comprising geological and geophysical studies required to be undertaken in the final year of the current permit term. As part of the programme, Red Emperor and the existing joint venture partners have applied for a renewal of the permit, which expired on Wednesday last week. Past the period-end, Red Emperor has provided AUD150,000 to the joint venture partners of the offshore Perth basin permit to fund the completion of the work programme. In Alaska North Slope, consortium partners purchased additional 3D seismic data within the Western Blocks and are reviewing plans to either reprocess or reinterpret the legacy 3D data. Shares in Red Emperor Resources were 11% lower at 0.57 pence each on Thursday in London. By Dayo Laniyan; dayolaniyan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Is Nicolas Cage back in the dating scene? Recently, the "National Treasure" star had a morbid stop and visited his own tomb in New Orleans along with a mystery woman. The two were spotted hand-in-hand wearing matching leather jackets, black pants and white v-neck shirts. Cage and the unidentified woman were said to be acting really close while leaving his nine-foot pyramid-shaped tomb in a famed New Orleans graveyard. Per Daily Mail's source: "They pulled up in a private car with a driver. He just walked in with the woman." The onlooker also added: "He was probably in there for 15 minutes looking at his tomb and then he came out. He waved to everyone and said: ''Have a great Mardis Gras.'''' pic.twitter.com/LIvnV90GoP Nicolas Cage visits tomb he bought for himself in New Orleans cemetery with mystery woman https://t.co/4ZQLrcENVt SimpleNews.co.uk (@Simplenewsuk) February 26, 2020 Dating History It has been quite a while since Nicolas Cage was photographed with a rumored girlfriend after his short-lived marriage with make-up artist Erika Koike on March 2019 in Las Vegas. Their marriage only lasted for four days after the actor filed for a divorce. The 56-year-old "Ghost Rider" star, however, previously revealed that he was saddened with the whirlwind relationship with Koike. "There was a recent breakup," Cage mentioned in his 2019 interview with The New York Times Magazine. "I don't really want to talk about it. I was pretty upset about that and the way things happened." The Academy Award winner also claimed that he was unaware that his ex-wife was in a relationship with another person. The actor even blamed the alcohol and admitted that he and Koike drank "to the point of intoxication" before the wedding. Before his relationship with Koike, the actor had three failed marriages. The first is with actress Patricia Arquette from 1995 to 2001. Next is with Elvis Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie, which only lasted for two years after their extravagant Hawaii nuptials in 2002. His longest marriage is with Alice Kim, whom she shared a 13-year-old son named Kal-El. They were together from from 2004 to 2016. The "Face/Off" star has another son named Weston (27) from his previous relationship with actress and writer Christina Fulton. Unlike Hollywood actors Zac Efron and Chace Crawford who admitted they used a variety of dating apps, Cage showed a lack of interest in online dating. "No, definitely not. I'm not on social media, but everyone else is so I'm like, well, what do I do?" he previously said/ Eccentric Style The critically acclaimed actor was also known for his eccentric behavior both on and off cam. Going back to his oddly unique mausoleum, the actor purchased a nine-foot tall tomb for his final resting place. It is also inscribed in Latin maxim, "Omnia Ab Uno," which translates to "Everything From One." Reports claim that the "Con Air" actor's love of Voodoo motivated him to locate his tomb in the same ancient cemetery as the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau. Aside from his pyramid tomb in New Orleans, he also purchased the infamously haunted LaLaurie Mansion and the historic Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel, both were said to be foreclosed in 2009. Washington: A day after US lawmakers reacted sharply to the violence in the Indian capital, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders here accused US President Donald Trump of failing on the issue of human rights. Slamming the US president, Sanders said the Trump's statement regarding the violence in New Delhi during his India visit was a "failure of leadership". Asked about incidents of violence during his India visit, the US president had said, "As far as the individual attacks, I heard about it, but I didn't discuss that with him (Modi). That's up to India." Reacting to the issue, Sanders on Wednesday tweeted, "Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying 'That's up to India'. This is a failure of leadership on human rights." Reacting to the statement, BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh tweeted that Sanders was "compelling" them to "play a role in presidential elections". The tweet, however, was later deleted. Screenshot of Santhosh's tweet in response to Sanders. Sanders is the second Democratic presidential nominee after Senator Elizabeth Warren to speak against the violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act in New Delhi. Apart from the Democratic presidential candidate, other influential senators too expressed concern over the developments on Wednesday. "We are alarmed by the recent violence in New Delhi. We continue to support an open dialogue on issues of significant concern in order to advance our vital long-term relationship," Senator Mark Warner from the Democratic Party and John Cornyn from the GOP said in a joint statement. Warner and Cornyn are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, the largest country-specific caucus in the US Senate. Congressman Jamie Raskin said he was horrified by the violence, which was fueled by religious hatred and fanaticism. "Liberal democracies must protect religious freedom and pluralism, and avoid the path of discrimination and bigotry," the Congressman said. Richard N Hass, who heads the powerful Council on Foreign Relations, said the reason for India's relative success has been that its large Muslim minority saw itself as Indian. "But this is at risk owing to govt attempts to exploit identity politics for political advantage," he said. Earlier in the day, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom urged the Government of India to take swift action for the safety of its citizens. Expressing "grave concern" over the violence, the US body said the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith amid reports of attack on Muslims. Los Angeles, Feb 27 : Hollywood star Mark Ruffalo has tagged US President Donald Trump the world's "public enemy number one", and urged people to "get radical" in their protests against the politician. The "Apartment 12" actor, 52, has never made a secret of his dislike for Trump, and frequently slams him in posts on his social media pages, aceshowbiz.com. However, during an interview with Sky News to promote his upcoming film "Dark Waters", Ruffalo took his campaign against the president to another level as he said there are no problems in the world bigger than Trump. "I think the world should consider my president as public enemy number one at this point. What we do probably in the next ten years will be crucial to the future of the planet, and this is only gonna become more and more evident to us. We're not, we're not going backwards from here. And it's not just this story, this is a system," he said. Asked if he believes there are any heroes in the world, Ruffalo said climate change activist Greta Thunberg, as well as praising radical protest group Extinction Rebellion. In fact, it's the organisation's method of using disruptive demonstrations to promote their cause that the "Avengers: Endgame" star believes is the way forward. "It's happening all over. And we're gonna have to make people uncomfortable. We're gonna have to get radical. We're gonna have to do peaceful, um, peaceful demonstration. Peaceful protest, peaceful actions that stop the system." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text The grieving family of 31-year-old Mohammad Dilshad waited with anxiety outside the morgue at the GTB Hospital on Thursday after search for him at various places in Delhi ended in vain. His mother stood near an entrance of the mortuary, and held out a passport-size photograph of his "missing son" appealing to authorities to help trace him. "Dilshad made automobile shockers for a living. He had gone out for work on Monday, but did not return home. We were worried as violence had broken out in the streets. He did not carry any phone, so we could not reach out to him," said Shaida Begum, his mother. Begum, 50, and and Dilshad's sister-in-law Fareen Bano were gathering courage to enter the morgue as bodies were being collected by several family members after identification and post-mortem. "We searched for Dilshad at places of all family members, but in vain," Begum lamented. The agony of another family was palpable, as Mohd Nasiruddin, 27, and his wife Gulshan, 27, who had came all the way from Hapur, frantically looked for body of her father, who he said, "had been killed in the riot, after his home in northeast Delhi was set afire". "They killed my father, Anwar (58), by burning him to death during the communal violence. Many goats were there, they all were charred to death. But, we are yet to find his body in the morgue," Gulshan said. Also among the missing was 24-year-old Mohsin Ali, who was on his way to Karawal Nagar to rent out a generator for a marriage function there. He had been missing since February 25 evening, his family friends said. "Ali had three mobile phones and all his numbers are found switched off. After we got information that violence had hit Karawal Nagar area, we took two cranes on rent and started hunting for Ali in areas of Karawal Nagar. We also received a call from an unknown number on the internet asking about Ali. We suspected something had gone wrong," a friend of Ali, Mustakeen Ali, said. When they reached an area at Karawal Nagar, they were guided by a policeman who showed them some torched vehicles, he said. "We identified Ali's car which was also set ablaze and later we rushed to GTB Hospital to check about his whereabouts," Mustakeen said as he waited at the mortuary of the hospital. Relatives, including the mother of Shahbaz (25), who has been missing since February 25, waited anxiously outside the mortuary at the GTB Hospital since morning to know if their son was alive or not. "Around 2 pm, he had gone to Karawal Nagar for treatment. He had suffered injury in his eyes while he was doing some welding work. When I called him around 3 pm, his phone was found to be switched off," his inconsolable mother said. Shahbaz and his family live in Loni. A relative said they have been going from one hospital to another since February 25 looking for him. "We have been here at the hospital since morning and still we haven't received any information about Shahbaz," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Riyadh, Feb 27 : Saudi Arabia authorities on Thursday have temporarily suspended entry for people planning to visit the Kingdom for 'Umrah' (Pilgrimage) or for visiting the Prophet's mosque in Medina over fears of the deadly coronavirus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The Kingdom has also suspended the entry of tourist visa holders coming from countries where the coronavirus was spreading at an accelerated rate, reports the Saudi Gazette citing the statement as saying. The Ministry said that this precautionary step comes in completion of the efforts taken to provide the utmost protection to the safety of citizens and residents and everyone who intends to come to the the Kingdom to perform Umrah or visit the Prophet's Mosque or for the purpose of tourism. "This precautios based on the recommendations of the competent health authorities to apply the highest precautionary standards, and take proactive preventive measures to prevent the arrival of the new coronavirus to the Kingdom and its spread," it added. In addition, Saudi nationals and citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations will not be able to use a national identity card to travel to and from the Kingdom for the time being, reports the Arab Times newspaper. Exceptions to this will be granted to Saudis returning home, and citizens of the GCC members who are in the Kingdom and want to return to their home countries, provided that they left or entered the the nation using a national identity card. Health authorities at entry points will verify which countries travellers visited before arriving in Saudi Arabia and apply all necessary precautionary measures. Overall, 220 coronavirus cases have been detected in the Middle East. A research group led by Prof. WANG Feng from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently developed a photocatalytic method for the conversion of biopolyols and sugars to methanol and syngas. The results were published in Nature Communications. Methanol is considered to be the most promising clean liquid fuel for the future and one that can be deployed on a large scale. In addition, it's a fundamental chemical material used for industrial production of ethylene and propylene. Currently, methanol is industrially produced from natural gas and coal. Production of methanol from renewable and abundant carbon resources rather than fossils is a promising route. The bio-derived syngas to fabricate biomethanol is traditionally produced via gasification at high temperature (700-1000 oC). The process usually generates a mixture of CO, CO2, hydrocarbons and deficient H2 as well as coke, char and tar. In the current study, the researchers converted biomass-derived polyols and sugars into methanol and syngas (CO+H2) via UV light irradiation at room temperature. The bio-syngas could be further used for the synthesis of methanol. Cellulose and even raw wood sawdust can be converted into methanol or syngas after hydrogenolysis or hydrolysis pretreatment. The researchers also found that Cu dispersed on titanium oxide nanorods (TNR) rich in defects effectively promoted selective C-C bond cleavage that produced methanol. Using this process, methanol was obtained from glycerol with co-production of H2. A syngas with CO selectivity up to 90% in the gas phase was obtained by controlling the energy band structure of Cu/TNR. The gas product could be facially tuned from CO2 to CO by controlling the energy band structure of Cu/TNR. ### This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities. Stephenson Harwood advises Nordea on US$533 million refinancing of 31 vessels Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has advised Nordea Bank Abp (Nordea) on a US$533 million secured revolving credit facility provided to Teekay Tankers group, in relation to the refinancing of 31 vessels across two flag states. Nordea, acting as agent on behalf of a syndicate of 15 banks, advanced the funds in order to enable the Teekay Tankers group to repay some of the company's existing US$455 million debt and extend balloon maturities from 2020 to 2024. Three existing facilities held by the borrower group were refinanced as part of the transaction. The support provided by Stephenson Harwood included extensive and technical legal advice concerning the financing. The Stephenson Harwood team was led by partner Dora Mace-Kokota and of counsel David Metzger, with support from associates Michael Burgess and Catherine Tse. The UN Security Council's western members called Thursday for a "humanitarian ceasefire" in Syria's war-battered Idlib region, but Russia was unmoved, saying the only solution was "to chase the terrorists from the country." The representatives of Belgium and Germany issued a joint statement, decrying the toll taken by a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive in the region. "The displacement of nearly one million people in only three months, the killing of hundreds of civilians, the daily suffering of hundred thousands of children must stop!" the statement by Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said. "A humanitarian ceasefire is essential. Full humanitarian access is needed," they said. Belgium and Germany are non-permanent members of the Security Council and are responsible for monitoring Syria's humanitarian affairs. The United States, France, Britain and Estonia also called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities," in the words of French ambassador Nicolas de Riviere. "France condemns with the greatest firmness the intense bombardments by the aviation of the regime and its allies, in particular Russia," he said, citing "indiscriminate" attacks on hospitals, schools and refugee shelters. "We must concentrate all of our efforts on immediately establishing a durable and verifiable ceasefire -- one brokered by a fully empowered UN," US ambassador Kelly Craft said. "This will require Russia to ground its planes at once and tell the regime to pull back its forces," she said. But Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said the Security Council was spending too much time in meetings on Syria. "The only long-term solution is to chase the terrorists from the country," he said. China's deputy permanent representative, Wu Haito, said "terrorists and foreign combatants" are "the biggest obstacles" to peace in Syria and called for "the elimination of terrorist fiefs." Ursula Mueller, assistant UN secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said earlier that what was happening in northwestern Syria "is beyond imagination." "It is not humanly tolerable. Our latest available data indicate that almost 950,000 people have fled the advancing frontlines in the northwest since December 1," she said. UNICEF director Henrietta Fore told the Security Council she was going to Syria and the region over the weekend. "We desperately need a cessation of hostilities in northwest Syria. We need regular humanitarian pauses," she said. Search Keywords: Short link: Learning a language after ones early childhood home language is often referred to as second-language learning (despite the fact people may in fact be learning their third or fourth languages). In Canada, an officially bilingual country, both English and French are widely taught in superdiverse urban centres. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Learning a language after ones early childhood home language is often referred to as second-language learning (despite the fact people may in fact be learning their third or fourth languages). In Canada, an officially bilingual country, both English and French are widely taught in superdiverse urban centres. Increasingly, a popular avenue for adult language learners is mobile language learning via free or cheap downloaded apps. A number of apps for mobile language learning claim top-market share: Duolingo claims to teach 200 million language learners worldwide; Busuu, 90 million learners; Babbel and Memrise are also major players. I analyzed these four apps for their approach to and treatment of language and language learning. I found that they rely problematically on past models of what language is and what language does. How the apps teach grammar None of these four top-selling apps is capitalizing on how language is changing in online communication, where features such as emojis or hashtags conventions used in texting and tweeting are fundamentally altering how people communicate. Rather, these apps tended to teach by testing, drilling vocabulary and simple phrases. Thus, "I read a book" is presented for memorization and contrasted with "She reads a book," with little if any grammatical explanation. Grammar is the backbone of a language; its the structure that words fit into so they make sense for users of the language. Online grammars have diverged from standard "sentence" grammars, which typified printed texts, in myriad ways. Language structures meaning Grammatical study involves chiefly two levels of language structure: elements added to a word (morphology), and the organization of words in a sentence (syntax). Languages that are organized predominantly according to the order of words in a sentence, such as English, are described as analytic. Languages that put more information on word formation, such as Russian, are described as synthetic. Some languages are extremely synthetic or polysynthetic, using whats called "agglutination" to create long, long sentence-type words that would in an analytic language require many words in a sentence. Agglutination builds meaning by gluing word parts together. An excellent example is the Ojibwe (or Anishinaabe) language (Anishinaabemowin). For example, in The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway, spiritual leader and teacher Edward Benton-Banai breaks down the word Anishinaabe rooted in the peoples creation story: ani (from whence) nishina (lowered) abe (the male of the species). Ojibwe scholar and historian Alan Corbiere, who developed the Anishinaabemowin Revival Program, explains that adding the final morpheme "-mo" to the word Anishinaabe refers to vocalization and speaking the language. Adding "-win" to Anishinaabemo, Corbiere explains, renders the verb back to a noun meaning Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) language. Saying the single word Anishinaabemo in English requires an entire phrase ("speaking the Ojibwe language"). This grammatical lesson is particularly interesting because digital word-like conventions, such as #OscarsSoWhite, follow the rules of agglutination. These rules are different from the grammatical patterning of print-era English, which would require something like: "The Oscars are biased toward whites." Digital shifts Word-like forms such as #topic or @onlinehandle are instantly understood as typical communication in their respective digital genres. Moreover, these digital forms are crossing over from online platforms into paper media: see #MeToo headlines in the New York Times, the Telegraph and the Globe and Mail. Circulating #hashtags carry coherent packages of information, such as #nolitetebastardescarborundorum. This feminist rallying cry hashtag agglutinates (nonsense) words that reference a fake Latin phrase that came to pop culture prominence with the popularity of Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale. On Twitter, users learn the forms and boundaries of tweet grammar, limited by characters (280), not words. Tweets, like texts, use abbreviations in grammatically systematic ways, such as RT for retweet or DM for direct message. Texting functions as a conversation that is typed at the speed of speech otherwise it would not work as a quick, unedited speech bubble. Emojis in texts suggest the way digital users can share pictorial and graphic information alone or with words to show instantly readable emotional nuances: consider OMG (with a laughing-face emoji) versus OMG (with an angry-face emoji). 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. Impact on language learning Most second-language teaching, even that in mobile apps, continues to focus on old-school grammar according to print, not digital, conventions. Grammar instruction, which has faded considerably in formal grade school education, is still alive and well in second-language teaching and particularly testing. Such instruction ignores the creative interactive language that happens in digital exchange, which is breaking the old mould describing how English grammar works. Language instruction programs need to acknowledge that new word shapes and grammar forms are here to stay, and use them in language teaching and learning. Language learners would then be able to lean on cross-linguistic elements such as: #, @ and (happy face). All grammars adjust with changing language use over time and through usage in particular contexts. We may not use English quite the way that Shakespeare did, methinks, but we can look to his early modern update on Chaucers me thinketh as evidence that language change is constant. The #hashtags emergence as a new kind of word shape with its own form and spelling conventions is actually restructuring how we build words and meaning in a new way. Why not teach languages the way we actually use them? Heather Lotherington is a professor of multilingual education and associate dean of research at York University. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. MIDDLETOWN Middletown Public Schools has been named a National Innovative District by the International Center for Leadership in Education making MPS one of only a select few recognized districts across the country for 2020. Middletown Superintendent of Schools Michael Conner, along with other members of the districts grants, innovation and academic teams, will accept the honor at the Connect with Courage National Model Schools Conference, in Orlando, Fla., in late June, according to a press release. I am thrilled for our district. It recognizes the tremendous work our team has done, and to borrow a phrase innovate by design: to push the envelope and not accept things as they are or have been, but to think big and to go for it, on behalf of our kids, Conner said in a prepared statement. We are seeing the academic fruit of the seeds weve planted over the last two and half years. Maker spaces, which sponsor creativity in learning at our elementary schools, an innovation hub planned for our new middle school, teaching and learning across the entire district, supplemented by new digital technologies and progressive approaches, Conner added. All of it, adds up to success, and we know, success only breeds more success, he said. The June conference is host to over 5,000 educators and nearly 300 professional development sessions on variety of educational topics, the release added. It showcases Model Schools and Innovative Districts, like Middletown, that have seen rapid improvement and transformation in student learning. In addition to receiving their awards, the named 2020 innovative school districts, including the MPS team, will present the innovative measures that have been implemented and the corresponding student growth that has been achieved. Middletown School Board Chairwoman Deborah Cain also praised the achievement. Its really a recognition for every teacher and staff member working with all our students across the whole district. This makes me very happy so see and hear. As board chair, I know the hard work and dedication Dr. Conner and the entire district has shown, toward not only achieving academically, but to ensuring all our students have the latest innovative tools and approaches at their disposal, to grow and learn, Cain said. The Middletown Public Schools serves over 4,500 students with nearly 1,200 faculty, paraprofessionals, student-centered staff and administrators dedicated to unlocking the potential for all students. Two senior students at a Catholic school in Indonesia have been expelled after they force-fed 77 younger pupils human faeces with a spoon. The degrading act took place at the Mother of All Nations Catholic seminary school in the southern Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara. Most of the younger group were only 12-years-old. An unnamed senior student found a plastic bag filled with excrement in the year-seven students' changing rooms. When none of the younger pupils would answer how the bag got there he reportedly picked up a spoon and made the entire class eat faeces against their will. Two senior students at a seminary school in Indonesia have been expelled after they made 77 younger pupils eat human faeces they found in a bag in the year-seven students' changing rooms One unnamed boy said: 'We just gave in and accepted it. It was disgusting, but we weren't able to resist.' Local media reports said that the faeces belonged to a year-seven student who was unable to make it to the toilet in time and relieved himself in the plastic bag instead. The class was told to keep quiet about the incident but one student reported the bullies to his parents who then complained to school leaders. A boy called Arnold claimed the older students had physically abused them in the past. School head Father Deodatus Du'u said the seminary had issued an apology to the parents while confirming that both students responsible for the incident have been expelled. The commissioner of the Indonesian Children's Protection Commission urged the victims' parents to make the case a police matter However, he did also appear to justify their actions. 'The term 'eat' used by the media is inaccurate. What actually happened was one of the seniors touched the lips and tongues of the year-seven students with a faeces-filled spoon,' he said. The commissioner of the Indonesian Children's Protection Commission (KPAI), Retno Listyarti, suggested that the two students may even face legal trouble under child protection laws, and urged the victims' parents to make it a police matter. 'The KPAI expresses its concern for the 77 students who were forced to eat faeces,' said Listyarti. PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) Hyderabad: TS Congress working president and Lok Sabha MP A. Revanth Reddy has written an open letter to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on the problems being faced by red grams farmers. He alleged that the regulations were preventing farmers from selling their stock at the district purchase centres. Mr Revanth Reddy said that the state government officials at the purchase centres were asking farmers to provide that they had cultivate the red gram. The government had failed to assess the extent and yield of red gram he said and alleged that the officials had sent false information to the Centre about the red gram productivity. The MP alleged that the government had surrendered before the private traders and was not purchasing the red gram at the centres. He asked where the Rythu Samanvaya Samiti coordinators in distritcts were when the farmers were protesting against the refusal to purchase red gram. He alleged that the samitis had failed to ensure minimum support price (MSP). Mr Revanth Reddy expressed worry about the plight of farmers who are selling their produce for Rs 3,800 when the MSP was Rs 5,500. He demanded that the government conduct a review on the existing situation and purchase the red gram through the civil supplies department. The MP said if the government failed to resolve the red gram issue, the Congress would will take out a programme, Rythu Gosa. A top Chinese health expert said on February 27 that he is confident that the deadly coronavirus outbreak will be under control at the end of April. According to the reports, Zhong Nanshan, the director of Chinas National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, spoke in a news conference on Thursday and said that he had so far reasonably accurately projected the course of the virus. He added that earlier they predicted the peak number of cases should be in mid or late February, but it was witnessed that the number of new cases began to plummet after February 15. READ: Iraq Confirms Sixth Case Of Coronavirus In The Country, Total Reaches 6 'Deeply concerning' He also added that they predicted that the total number of infected cases would be 60-70 thousand, but now it is around 78-79 thousand in China. The Chinese expert revealed that his original global projections regarding the deadly outbreak needed to change as the cases outside China soared to the next level. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said on February 26 that there are more coronavirus cases outside China than those inside the country for the first time since it originated in Wuhan in late December. WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva that the drastic increase in cases in Italy, Iran and Korea are deeply concerning. Since the cases linked to Iran have spread to Kuwait and Oman, and those linked to Italy have been tested positive in Algeria, Austria, Croatia, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. READ: Japanese Woman Tested Positive For Coronavirus Second Time After Recovery Ghebreyesus also updated that a day before, a joint team of WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control had arrived in Rome to review the public health measures and to provide technical support. Moreover, WHO has also accused too many affected countries who are not sharing their data with the organisation. According to the official website, Ghebreyesus said that the United Nations health agency cannot provide appropriate public health guidance without disaggregated data and detailed line lists. READ: Coronavirus Outbreak: Japanese Man Dies At Hospital After Being Tested Positive READ: Donald Trump Mulls Travel Ban On Italy, South Korea As Coronavirus Cases Rise CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Day & Zimmermann (D&Z), the century-old, family-owned provider of construction, engineering, maintenance, staffing, and defense solutions for leading corporations and governments around the world, has announced the acquisition of Minnotte Contracting Corporation (Minnotte), a Pittsburgh-based union mechanical contractor and construction company. The acquisition broadens D&Z's union staffing and project management capabilities. Minnotte, a privately owned company founded in 1961, is a leading union mechanical contractor and maintenance company serving industrial customers and power utilities in the Ohio Valley. "This transaction helps to not only strengthen our service capabilities for existing construction and maintenance customers but also allows us to support the development of the country's natural gas and petrochemical infrastructure," said Michael McMahon, President of Day & Zimmermann's Engineering, Construction & Maintenance group. "I have long admired Day & Zimmermann as one of the most respected companies in the electric utility industry. This acquisition will be a true benefit for our customers and our employees," said Minnotte Contracting Owner Dave Minnotte. "We are excited to join a leader in the industry and contribute to the continued success of D&Z." "This acquisition demonstrates our continued commitment to helping our power and industrial customers realize the lowest total cost of operations and project execution" continued Mr. McMahon, "Minnotte provides critical resources in an environment where the supply of skilled labor management is scarce. They're a great cultural fit and complement to our business." ABOUT DAY & ZIMMERMANN Founded in 1901, Day & Zimmermann is a family-owned company with a workforce of 46,000 specializing in construction & engineering, operations & maintenance, staffing, security and defense solutions for leading corporations and governments around the world. Operating from more than 150 worldwide locations with 2.8 Billion USD in revenue, Day & Zimmermann is currently ranked as one of the largest private companies in the U.S. by Forbes. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, our first work was to develop "Betterment Reports" that helped modernize American factories. Today, we are still in the business of bettermentmaintaining the nation's power infrastructure, protecting American freedoms and accelerating innovation around the world. We do what we say. For more information, visit www.dayzim.com ABOUT MINNOTTE CONTRACTING Minnotte Contracting is a family-owned business that meets the construction and maintenance needs of heavy industrial businesses throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. For more than 60 years, Minnotte Contracting has been safely completing projects utilizing skilled craft workers from the Boilermakers, Pipefitters, Ironworkers and other union trades. Minnotte's staff of Project Managers have earned a reputation of excellence completing lump sum projects of up to $40 Million while consistently meeting our goals for safety, quality and on-time performance. SOURCE Day & Zimmermann Related Links http://www.dayzim.com Penn State University said in a news release Wednesday night that there are no confirmed COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, cases at its University Park campus at this time. The school released a statement hours after speculation began online that a possible case was reported as experts warn about a potential outbreak of the virus in the United States. University administrators were made aware of a false report on social media indicating that there was a possible case of COVID-19 at University Park, Penn State said. This report is not true." Updates are available at https://sites.psu.edu/virusinfo/ according to the university, which said the site can also be accessed off the Penn State News and Penn State homepage. It adds: "As information can be falsified easily on social media we recommend you bookmark one of these sites to secure the most accurate and up-to-date information from the University." According to previous reporting from PennLives David Wenner: "As of Tuesday, there were about 80,000 cases worldwide of COVID-19 and about 2,700 deaths, with the vast majority in China, with a much smaller number of cases, and some deaths, in 14 other countries. But concern intensified in recent days as the result of troubling outbreaks in Italy, South Korea and Iran. An official of the U.S. National Institutes of Health this week said the world is teetering, very, very close to a pandemic, which refers to a global outbreak. There have been 57 cases and no deaths in the United States. All the cases involved people who had traveled in China or Asia, or who had close contact with people who did. Read more: Gujarat model replicated in Delhi, Amit Shah must go: NCP India oi-PTI Mumbai, Feb 27: Alleging that "Gujarat model" has been replicated in Delhi which has witnessed large-scale communal violence over the CAA, the NCP on Thursday called for Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation. The responsibility of maintaining law and order in Delhi is with the Union home ministry. Maharashtra minister and NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik also demanded a probe into whether the home minister could not handle the situation in the national capital or he had allegedly given instructions to the police to not respond quickly to the situation. Opposition parties have accused the police of being a silent spectator to the riots in the national capital, where the death toll has reached 34. The Congress has already demanded Shahs resignation. The Gujarat model has been repeated in Delhi, Malik told reporters in Mumbai, apparently referring to the 2002 riots in the BJP-ruled western state. Whether the home minister could not handle the situation in Delhi or he himself had given such instructions to the police should be probed. He should resign immediately, Malik said. Malik accused the Delhi police of not discharging their duty and falling prey to political pressure. He also pitched for resignation of another Union minister, Anurag Thakur, and Delhi BJP leader Kapil Mishra for allegedly making provocative speeches. Meanwhile, Malik said the Mumbai NCP will organise a meeting of party workers on March 1. NCP president Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and party's state unit chief Jayant Patil will attend the meeting, he added. Speaking about the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Malik said the right of implementing the law lies with the Centre and not the state government. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 20:31 [IST] Milton, Georgia, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exide Technologies, LLC (exide.com), today signed a partnership agreement with the U.S. Army to join its Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program. The PaYS program is a strategic partnership between the Army and a cross-section of private industry, academia and state and local public institutes designed to help Soldiers prepare for a career after the Army. The program helps Soldiers make connections with prospective employers and secure job interviews. Exide signed the partnership agreement at a ceremony attended by Captain Martin Ursitti, Company Commander, Atlanta Recruiting Company; Lieutenant Commander Fredrick Parker, Battalion Commander, Atlanta Recruiting Battalion; City of Milton, Ga., public officials; and Exide Chief Executive Officer Tim Vargo and Chief Operations Officer Mike Judd, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. We are honored and excited to be part of the U.S. Armys PaYS program and its mission of preparing our youth to make the transition from Solider to a future career, said Vargo. Exide has a long-standing commitment to hiring veterans, and this partnership with the U.S. Army will help us reach more Soldiers and connect them with resources to build their post-Army careers. As part of the PaYS program, Exide will conduct job interviews with qualified Soldiers and consider them for full-time positions. Exide will also participate in U.S. Army events and recruiting functions. As a veteran myself, I can tell you that theres nothing more rewarding than supporting others who have served our country, said Judd. Its a win-win for companies who are getting employees with a strong sense of discipline and work ethic and who have numerous skills to bring to the workforce. A global company with its headquarters in Milton, Ga., Exide has numerous locations across the U.S. that produce battery and energy storage systems and specialty applications that power everything from cars and trucks to forklifts and heavy-duty equipment to marine vehicles, locomotives and more. For more than 100 years, Exide has partnered with the U.S. Military to provide batteries for submarines and heavy tanks as well as solar, UPS and standby systems for remote monitoring sites. In August 2019, Exide was recognized for earning the Bronze Military Friendly designation the standard that measures an organizations commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful opportunities for the military community. To learn more about Exides activities and opportunities for the military community visit exide.jobs. About Exide Technologies For more than 130 years, Exide Technologies, LLC (exide.com) has been Powering the World Forward as a global provider of stored electrical-energy solutions for the Transportation and Industrial markets. Headquartered in Milton, Georgia, Exide operates in 80 countries with more than 9,000 employees. Exide produces a range of battery and energy storage systems and specialty applications for the Transportation, Network Power and Motive Power markets and industries including agricultural, automotive, electric, light and heavy-duty truck, marine, materials handling, military, mining, power-sport, railroad, security, telecommunications, utility and uninterruptible power supply (UPS), among others. As one of the worlds largest secondary recyclers, the company is committed to environmental sustainability. Attachment File image The BJP on Wednesday launched a campaign in Uttar Pradesh to inform the people of the state about various provisions of the Union Budget. Speaking to reporters here, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said, "This (drive) will create awareness about the various provisions of the Budget among the people in the state, and also help the the party." He said the practice earlier was to tell the people about the achievements, but now the focus has shifted to spread awareness about various provisions of the budget. "If the details of the budgetary provisions are publicised, people will then consider them as their rights," Singh said, and added that the drive will be completed by March 31. The party will make leaflets listing the details of various public welfare schemes of the Centre and the UP government, and distribute them among the public, he said. When asked which village will he adopt in UP, Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from the state, said, "I am looking for a village in Mirzapur as it is my home district. The village will be either a tribal or SC dominated and where development has been less." Reacting on SP leader Azam Khan, his wfe and son sent to judicial custody, the BJP's national general secretary said, "Azam Khan committed irregularities and fraudulent acts, and the court sent him to jail. It can be said jaisi karni vaisi bharni (as you sow, you shall reap). A person should abstain from doing wrong things, he should not violate any law, nor suppress the poor people. 'Der hai, andher nahi' (better late than never). Experiencing job insecurity in the form of short-term contracts or casual work over a long period of time may negatively change an individual's personality, according to a study unveiled on Thursday. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, found that people exposed to job insecurity for more than four years became less emotionally stable, less agreeable, and had reduced conscientiousness. "Traditionally, we have thought about the short-term consequences of job insecurity -- that it hurts your well-being, physical health, sense of self-esteem," said Lena Wang from RMIT University in Australia. "But now we are looking at how that actually changes who you are as a person over time, a long-term consequence that you may not even be aware of," Wang said. The study used nationally representative data from Australia for 1,046 employees over a nine-year period. It applied a well-established personality framework known as the Big Five, which categorises human personality into five broad traits: emotional stability, agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion and openness. The results showed that long-term job insecurity negatively affected the first three traits, which relate to a person's tendency to reliably achieve goals, get along with others, and cope with stress. Wang said the results went against some assumptions about job insecurity. "Some might believe that insecure work increases productivity because employees will work harder to keep their jobs, but our research suggests this may not be the case if job insecurity persists," she said. The researchers found that those chronically exposed to job insecurity are more likely to withdraw their effort and shy away from building strong, positive working relationships, which can undermine their productivity in the long run. Previous research has shown that insecure work -- including labour hire practices, contract and casual work, and underemployment -- is on the rise globally. The data drew on responses from employees belonging to a broad cross-section of professions and jobs, who were asked about how secure they perceived their jobs to be. According to study lead author Chia-Huei Wu, a professor at Leeds University in the UK, types of job insecurity might include short-term contracts or casual work, jobs threatened by automation, and positions that could be in line for a redundancy. Wu said there are ways that employers can support workers who are feeling worried about their jobs. "This is as much about perceived job insecurity as actual insecure contracts," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court has dismissed a suit filed by Akinwumi Ambode, the former governor of Lagos State, to stop the Lagos State House of Assembly from probing him. Mr Ambode filed the suit in October last year to challenge the legality of the intended probe of his administration over the purchase of 820 buses for public transportation system in the state. While ruling over the application on Thursday, the judge, Yetunde Adesanya, dismissed the suit saying the court has no jurisdiction to restrain the lawmakers from probing the ex-governor. Details later Backstory Mr Ambode had filed a suit to challenge the constitutionality of the probe of his administration by the House of Assembly over procurement of 820 buses for public transportation. The House had suspended the probe following an order of the court which directed parties to the suit to maintain the status quo. At the resumption of the matter, a team of lawyers to the defendants led by Lawal Pedro and Olukayode Enitan informed the court of the counter affidavit filed in opposition to the motion for interlocutory injunction and a notice of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter. Mr Pedro said he had been served with claimants (Ambodes) written reply on point of law to the counter affidavit with a written address. He, however, asked for time to react to the process served on him in court by the claimants legal team. In response, the claimants counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, confirmed the receipt of the preliminary objection but informed the court that the defendants were yet to file a defence to the suit. At the instance of both counsel especially the need to put in all necessary processes, the matter was adjourned to January 16, 2020 for hearing. It will be recalled that according to his statement of claim before the court, Mr Ambode had said contrary to deliberate misrepresentation of facts by the lawmakers, the procurement of the 820 buses was well captured in the 2018 Appropriation Law which was duly approved by the House. In section 1 of the Bill, the 1st Defendant (House of Assembly) authorized the total Budget for the year 2018 to be One Trillion, Forty Six Billion, One Hundred and Twenty One Million, One Hundred and Eighty-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Naira (N1,046,121,181,680.00) comprising the sum of Three Hundred and Forty Seven Billion, Thirty-Eighty Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Eight Thousand, Eight-Hundred and Seventy-Two Naira (N347,038,938,872.00) only and Six Hundred and Ninety-Nine Billion, Eighty-Two Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Naira (N699,082,242,808.00) only as the Recurrent and Capital Expenditures respectively. Part of the items authorized by the Bill under Capital Expenditure was: LAGBUS Public Transport Infrastructure (MEPB); Part financing of 820 buses which was item 8 under schedule 1- Part C of the Bill, the former governor said. He added that having prescribed the manner of withdrawal of funds in sections 3 and 4 of the 2018 Appropriation Law, it was unconstitutional for the House to attach another condition in section 9 of the law for further approval to be sought before incurring any expenditure on the purchase of the buses. Highlighting the specific breach of his constitutional rights to fair hearing by the House, the former governor said on August 27, 2019, during proceedings of the Assembly, some lawmakers thoroughly vilified and disparaged him as having purchased the buses without budgetary approval and that the procurement was a waste of public funds, while at the end of the proceedings, the House resolved to constitute an Ad Hoc Committee to probe the procurement. He said it was surprising that the very lawmakers who contributed actively in vilifying, disparaging and denigrating him constituted the bulk of the members of the committee, which was a clear derogation of his right to fair hearing. Mr Ambode added that in continuation of deliberate misrepresentation of facts of the issue, the House falsely claimed that an invitation had been extended to him to appear before the Committee but that he failed to honour the said invitation. Details added (first version posted at 17:00 on Feb.25) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: The eighth meeting of the Azerbaijan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council has been held with participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The heads of state addressed the meeting. President Ilham Aliyev said: - Dear Mr. President, dear brother! I would like to sincerely welcome you to Azerbaijan. Welcome to Azerbaijan, to your homeland! Your visit is of great importance. Today, during our one-on-one meeting, we reviewed many directions of Turkish-Azerbaijani friendship and fraternal relations. We were further convinced that the ties between us are strategic in nature and rest on friendship and fraternity. Last year was a successful one for our ties. We met several times. Huge success was achieved in all areas political, economic, energy, transport. Among them, of course, we can mention the TANAP project reaching the border with Europe. In a word, I am sure that the regular meeting of the Azerbaijan-Turkey Strategic Cooperation Council being held today will be very important for the further development of our ties. There are many issues on the agenda. Their discussion and the decisions to be made, as well as the bilateral documents to be signed, will significantly strengthen our ties. Welcome again! I wish you and the delegation, the fraternal Turkish people success, the best of luck and good health! President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: - I would also like to express our deep appreciation to the distinguished Mr. President, my dear brother for the hospitality extended both to me personally and the delegation from the moment we arrived. During our one-on-one meeting, we had the opportunity to discuss Turkish-Azerbaijani relations in detail. We discussed in detail everything we can do and what has been done in all areas political, military, economic, commercial, cultural. I also want to emphasize that we are pleased to chair such a meeting the eighth meeting of the Council. May Allah rest the soul of our Azerbaijani brother Ibrahim, who became a martyr yesterday. Prior to this, another brother of ours became a martyr, may Allah rest his soul too. On my own behalf, on behalf of the delegation and the people of Turkey, I also want to express my condolences to the entire Azerbaijani people. During the meetings today, our ministers will hold the necessary discussions. Last year, my brother Mr. Aliyev explicitly defined his opinion, saying: Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijan and exclamation mark. Turkey supports these words, and I repeat them here. I hope the results of the 9 February elections to the Milli Majlis benefit our Azerbaijan. We are very pleased and happy that the elections ended in an atmosphere of stability and tranquility. We also observe with approval the process of reforms being implemented under the guidance of my esteemed brother Mr. Aliyev. I want to express my readiness to share with you our experience in all areas to support the reform process. We have implemented such gigantic projects together as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, TANAP, the Star Oil Refinery. At present, our main goal is to increase our trade of $4.5 billion to $15 billion, as we outlined in 2019. My brother and I have reached agreement on this issue. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has urged the government to reduce licence fee from 8 per cent to 3 per cent and asked for a slew of fiscal measures to offset the stress stemming from Supreme Court's verdict on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. "We request the government to allow set-off of GST credits lying with the government. Further, after the GST set-off, the payment of balance amount of interest, penalty, and interest on penalty be allowed in a staggered manner," said Director General Rajan Mathews. "It is requested that a moratorium of three years be provided as we expect that it will take at least that much time to recover the health of the sector followed by a payment tenure of 15 years at a simple interest of 6 per cent," he said. "The amounts payable under the Supreme Court judgement after mutual discussion may be frozen to avoid recurring claim of interest, penalty and interest on penalty. In the alternative, the government may consider granting loan equal to the AGR amount at 6 per cent rate of interest so that the AGR liability may be discharged immediately." Mathews said this in a letter to Secretary at the Department of Telecommunications Anshu Prakash and marked the copies to ministers and senior officials at the Ministry of Telecommunications, Finance, the Prime Minister's Office and Chief Executive Officer at NITI Aayog. The telecom industry has invested over Rs 10.44 lakh crore in setting up world-class mobile networks over the last 20 years and has committed around Rs 3.68 Lakh crore in spectrum through auctions since 2010. However, revenues and profitability have declined significantly. The debt burden is well over Rs 7 lakh crore and there is still significant investment required in the future, said Mathews. The industry stress is well acknowledged by all stakeholders including the government. "With the recent AGR judgement, the situation has become even more critical. The industry therefore requests support from the government to take steps to make the telecom sector sustainable," he said. Given the current stress in sector, said Mathews, and the accumulated funds of over Rs 50,000 crore collected in the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund, it is requested that license fee be immediately reduced to 3 per cent. India is the world's second-largest telecommunications market with a subscriber base of 115 crore. However, the average revenue per user of Rs 108 to 128 per month is the lowest in the world. "Therefore, floor pricing is imperative to ensure the sector is sustainable and in a position to bear the deferred spectrum and AGR dues while continuing to invest in world-class networks and services," said Mathews. "We believe that with the necessary and timely support of the government, the industry will rise from its current financial woes and play a strong role in contributing to achieving the objective of Digital India, achieve the targets envisaged in National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) 2018 and in catalysing the national goal of achieving a five trillion dollar economy," he added. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) McCLELLANVILLE, S.C. As the race for the Democratic presidential nomination cruises toward a potentially decisive Super Tuesday, one Democratic superstar with the power to alter the course of the contest is clinging steadfastly to the sidelines: Barack Obama. Those close to the former president expect him to stay there. Wildly popular within the party, Obama has mostly avoided a contest that features his former vice president, Joe Biden, even as his legacy on health care, immigration and other issues has played a central role in debates and advertising by the candidates so far. As they crisscross South Carolina ahead of the state's primary on Saturday and the 14 states that make up Super Tuesday on March 3, several candidates including Biden and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg are touting their ties to Obama. JoAnn Thompson, 64, a retired teacher from Pawleys Island, S.C., said Obama "just might" endorse but said that neither Biden nor anyone else should count on it. "It would be great if he does, said Thompson, who is undecided. But, she added, Biden "can do it on his own. Hes going to be president, not Obama." Obama is aware of the "agita" among some centrist and establishment Democrats about Sen. Bernie Sanders' surge after strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, but has "always been a believer in the nomination process" and feels "voters themselves must pick our nominee," according to a source familiar with the former president's thinking who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy. More: Will moderates warm up to Bernie Sanders as Super Tuesday approaches? More: How billionaire Michael Bloomberg is campaigning for the White House "President Obama is uniquely positioned to help unify the party once we have a candidate," the source said. "If he were to try to put his thumb on the scale now, it would limit his capacity to do so when his voice is most needed: The general election." Story continues Obama, who tied with President Donald Trump for the most admired man in America in a Gallup poll this year, hasn't remained completely silent. He made an appearance in the race Wednesday by demanding that South Carolina television stations and a pro-Trump group stop airing an advertisement that used his voice to attack Biden. The ad, aired by the Committee to Defend the President super PAC, recycles an attack used in a Georgia congressional race in 2017. It includes audio of Obama reading from his memoir, "Dreams From My Father," about Democrats who only court black voters at election time. But in the book, Obama is paraphrasing the words of someone else. More: Obama demands TV stations stop airing 'despicable' anti-Biden ad Obama spokeswoman Katie Hill described the ad as "despicable" in a statement. "President Obama has several friends in this race, including, of course, his own esteemed Vice President," Hill said in the statement. Still, Hill said, Obama "has said he has no plans to endorse in the primary." Biden is leading in polls in South Carolina, but his position is shakier in some of the biggest Super Tuesday prizes, including California, Texas and North Carolina. Though Biden built his campaign around a theme of electability, it is Sanders who has emerged as the party's frontrunner. Obama's legacy has never been far from center stage as the candidates have debated what kind of party will emerge in response to Trump's presidency, and what kind of candidate is best positioned to beat him. Sanders has sought to steer the party left, such as by upending Obama's signature health care law and replacing it with a Medicare-for-All, government-run insurance system. Without saying a word, Obama became an even bigger factor in the race recently when Biden began accusing Sanders of contemplating a primary challenge to the incumbent president in 2012. Sanders has denied the claim, but Biden has doubled down with an advertisement making the same allegation. Biden, sporting his trademark aviator sunglasses at a rural South Carolina health center Thursday, repeatedly named Obama in his remarks. He said he worked with Obama on health care policy, including to secure money for clinics in underserved areas. "I was proud to work with President Obama to get that done," he said. All of the focus on Trump's predecessor has raised speculation in some quarters of the party about his role in the race, particularly after a report in Politico last year indicated Obama had relayed privately he might intervene if Sanders was running away with the nomination. Allies have denied that Obama ever made such an assertion. By jumping into the race now, Obama would risk souring his popularity with a large segment of the Democratic Party even though it's not clear his endorsement would fundamentally change the shape of the contest. And it would make it far harder for him to play the role of peacemaker after the contentious fight for the nomination is settled. "I think there are only a handful of people whose voices really make a difference. Certainly President Obama's would," said Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., who added House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's name to that list, along with Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., and Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., who did endorse Biden earlier this week. Former U.S. President Barack Obama in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Dec. 13, 2019. More: South Carolina kingmaker Rep. James Clyburn endorses Joe Biden "They could be justified in weighing in," Kildee said, "but they could be equally justified in trying to be that source of unity after we have a nominee. I think right now, if they were to ask my advice, I would say that's going to be a more important role that they could play then trying to shape the race." Those close to Obama appeared to agree with that assessment. Dan Pfeiffer, who served as a top aide to Obama, described him as "the person with the best ability to unify the party at the end of the process." Pfeiffer disagreed with the notion that Obama would have a harder time as peacemaker if the nominee is Sanders, who represents a significant break with many of Obama's policies. "I think the opposite is true," he said. Not sure if youre registered to vote?: Check your status. For Democratic voters attending the Biden health care event in this small fishing town on the Atlantic Coast, Obama remains a revered figure. Few seemed concerned about the former president's moves in a contest that will have major implications for the party. Voters said it would be fine if Obama endorsed, but they dont think it is necessary. Linda Lynah, 66, said that some candidates may be "on edge" about Obamas endorsement, but said the president is under no obligation. She said she was confident that Obama would at some point endorse Biden, but did not know when. Its really hard to say when it will happen, said Lynah, who lives near North Charleston, S.C. The two of them really worked well together." Charles Johnson, 79, from McClellanville, speculated that Obama didn't want to give any candidate "an unfair advantage" this early. Obamas silence, he said, carried an implicit message: All of them are qualified. So hes going to wait and see. Dont have a lot of time?: Find FAQs on the key issues and where the candidates stand Contributing: Christal Hayes, Savannah Behrmann This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Obama won't endorse Biden as South Carolina, Super Tuesday nears A South Korean restaurant on Hanoi's Tran Van Lai Street has no customer at lunchtime on February 25, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Nga. South Korean stores and restaurants across HCMC and Hanoi stand deserted due to the Covid-19 scare. In the four years she has worked as a parking attendant in Korea Town, Hanois My Dinh District, Nguyen Phuong Anh has never seen the place so desolate. It is almost midday and she is seated on a plastic stool in the area famous for South Korean shops and restaurants. "In the past, whether in summer or winter, going back and forth to find a parking slot would exhaust me," the city transportation department employee says. The two-kilometer street would usually be packed with cars parked in front of restaurants, she says. Now, she hardly has to leave her seat to help anyone park. Earlier this month, when the coronavirus first hit Vietnam, the number of customers at Korean eateries began to shrink. Now, the street has gone quiet, as South Korea is making international headlines as one of the countries worst hit by the epidemic. A few taxis and motorbikes drop off passengers and leave. Not far from where Anh sits, a Korean owner rushes into her restaurant, telling her staff to buy alcohol and sanitize tables, chairs and doorknobs. But business at the restaurant with around 20 tables is at its "slowest ever." "It decreased by 30-40 percent during the Tet (Lunar New Year) break (from January 23-29), and is even worse these days," Tran Van Giap, 44, its manager says, adding Koreans are avoiding crowds while Vietnamese do not want to have contact with Koreans due to the fear of infection. Bich Trams traditional South Korean restaurant in an alley off Tran Van Lai Street faces a similar situation. Since the beginning of this week, Tram has closed her business during lunchtime. The only two "clients" are her daughter and niece, who have remained at home because schools are closed. Business has reduced by 70-80 percent in the evening, she says. "If the situation remains so bad, I may not have enough money to pay rent." Many other locations stand eerily quiet, with South Korean stores and restaurants closed. Nguyen Van Minh, manager of a restaurant on Hanoi's Hoang Dao Thuy Street, describes business as "catastrophic." Dozens of his staff have to work four hours less every night because they have no one to serve. "Our revenue used to be VND50 million ($2,155) [a day], now it is only VND4-5 million ($172.4-215.5)," Minh says. In Ho Chi Minh City, every afternoon cars and taxis with carrying South Koreans would fill Hau Giang Street in Tan Binh District, which is well known for its South Korean shops and restaurants, leaving little space for pedestrians. Since the epidemic hit South Koreas Deagu City, all Koreans in the area vanished as if someone cast a spell. "The street is empty and quiet, just like during Tet," Nguyen Thi Thanh, a senior living in the area, says. It makes it easier for her to go walking since she does not have to dodge motorbikes and cars. But it also means the over 40 restaurants and stores in the area have few customers. Both locals and South Koreans in Hanoi and HCMC are confident things are under control. On February 25, the roadside tea shop belonging to Nguyen Thi Be in My Dinh is packed with Vietnamese white-collar workers, a completely different scene from South Korean shops nearby. "South Koreans rarely sit and drink on the sidewalk like us and always wear masks while going out; so I do not worry," Be says. Min Keang, owner of a South Korean restaurant, says wearing a mask on the street apart, none of his other activities have changed. After living in Vietnam for five years, he knows Vietnam is doing well in containing the epidemic. "I live in Seoul, not Deagu, and the last time I went to my hometown was in November; so the possibility of getting infected is zero," he says, adding he is at ease because every coronavirus patient in Vietnam has fully recovered. At the end of Hau Giang Street in Saigon, Thanh Hais hotel welcomes South Korean guests as usual. Hai says he feels safe because all of them wear masks. "People from South Korea are being watched closely and so I do not worry. However, if the epidemic in their country worsens, I will consider not taking them in." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Songphol Sukchan (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 12:05 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066e8f41 3 Opinion opinions,Thailand,Indonesia,international-relations,diplomacy,diplomatic-relations,diplomatic-tension,diplomatic-missions,ASEAN,bilateral-relation Free Celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year will be more meaningful if Thailand and Indonesia can establish their new normal of relations at this time of turbulence. Friendship between Thailand and Indonesia has existed since 1871 when King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) of Thailand made his first visit to Java followed by another two visits to the island. The bronze elephant statue in front of the National Museum in Jakarta, a gift from King Chulaongkorn, and his inscription at Curug Dago waterfall in Bandung, West Java, represent this historical tie of friendship. It was on March 7, 1950, when the two countries established formal diplomatic relations. Similarities of hearts and minds of Thais and Indonesians have bonded us together since then. Both nations have been enjoying a luxury of zero wound and conflict during our 149 years of relations. We were side by side in difficult times. Indonesia shipped oil to Thailand during the oil crisis in 1970 and supported Thailand during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Thailand supported Indonesia and dispatched troops for peacekeeping operations in East Timor in 1999. Thailand played a constructive role in the peace-making process in Aceh and its development afterward. At present, when uncertainties spread across the world, we cannot take for granted our cordial and nonviolent relations. President Joko Jokowi Widodo made an interesting speech at the Bank of Indonesia meeting last December, citing the movie Cast Away. He cited the ability to find new resources to support survival as the thing that allowed Tom Hanks character to survive on the island. Trade spats between the United States and China have already affected us. COVID-19 is now hurting 26 countries across the world. The effects land hard on the economies that have strong linkages with China, such as those in Southeast Asia. However, COVID-19 can be turned into an opportunity. Individual countries are prone to over linkages and to be affected by pandemics, economic volatility, security and political influence. Those economies need to take the opportunity to rethink if their economies rely too much on China or any single country or if their economies are resilient enough to function independently. Thailand and Indonesia are no exception. China sends the most tourists to Thailand globally (27 percent of 39 million foreign tourists are Chinese). Indonesia imports 26 percent of its goods from China and 16 percent of its exports go to China, its biggest trading partner. Thailand and Indonesia are the two largest economies in ASEAN, whose combined gross domestic product accounts for over 50 percent of ASEAN. We therefore need to join forces and operationalize our development and competitiveness by strengthening our economies. Thailand has worked with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, which are the fastest growing economies of mainland ASEAN, to formulate the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Development Master Plan pooling our resources in creating competitiveness in trade, investment and connectivity across the region. The Master Plans fund of US$500 million has been set up to support development and infrastructure connectivity projects. Indonesia is progressing well as the biggest Muslim-majority country in the world and the largest archipelago nation, with an abundance of resources. Indonesia is forecast to be the fifth-largest economy globally by 2045. Indonesia and Thailand can tap into each others economic potential to reap advantages and connect the seas with mainland Southeast Asia. We should connect more and rethink our strategic partnerships by creating a new normal of relationships. Both will need utilization of our collective strengths in areas that will be mutually beneficial for our future economic developments. Thailands strength includes manufacturing, agro-industry, hospitality and tourism, meetings, conventions and exhibitions, sustainable development and the circular economy. Indonesia is at its best when looking at the digital economy, agriculture, creative economy, energy and diverse resources. While this bilateral new normal of relations develops, we should expand our collective strength with other ASEAN members. ASEAN is the fifth-largest world economy and the third-largest economy in Asia, with a collective population of 644 million across the 10 country members. The people of ASEAN trade, invest and travel among the ASEAN group, much more than they do with China. Making ASEAN a regional supply chain, a regional production house and a potential market can make the ASEAN economy self-resilient, raise our voice internationally and strengthen the world community. ASEAN members must find a balance between internal and external interests and expedite their part in operationalizing connectivity and sustainable development. Indonesia and Thailand, together with ASEAN members, have the ability to survive. Finding new resources among ourselves by combining our strengths and competitiveness is the best way for us not only to survive, but also to be resilient and grow strong like we are supposed to. *** Ambassador of Thailand to Indonesia Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 02:27:28|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on the international community to provide sufficient funding and material support to the United Nations and continue to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians throughout Syria. Speaking at a Security Council meeting, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN Wu Haitao said the political, economic and security situation in Syria is complex and the humanitarian situation remains grave. He added the UN and the Security Council should take a comprehensive and just approach to the humanitarian issue in Syria. Noting that years of fighting have led to harsh living conditions for syrians unable to buy fuel, food and medicine, Wu said the international community should continue to provide necessary assistance to Syria, and at the same time, efforts should be made to stabilize the economy and ensure the Syrian people's livelihood. The Syrian government is repairing housing, medical and educational facilities and removing explosive remnants of war in areas where security is relatively stable, Wu said, describing "these efforts are conducive to resolving the humanitarian issue in Syria." According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Wednesday, at least 21 civilians were reported killed by airstrikes as well as ground-based attacks in two days in the beleaguered governorate in northwest Syria. The airstrikes also damaged educational and medical facilities, including several that were serving as shelters for displaced people. A bill seeking an amendment to the Nigerian Constitution to give room for community policing passed second reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The same constitutional amendment bill reached the same stage in the Senate a fortnight ago. The amendment sought by the bill introduced by Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) is similar to that read in the upper chamber by Halliru Jika (APC, Bauchi). In his lead debate, Mr Gagdi said the existing law guiding the police force is still the same as it was enacted in 1943. Therefore, he said the law is weak in tackling current security challenges. Current times demand an amendment that is more effective to tackle the realities of police preparedness in gathering intelligence and tackling banditry and kidnapping, he said. Mr Yagdi said the bill seeks to repeal the Police Act of 2004 and enact the Nigeria Police Bill. This he said he hopes would provide a framework that would foster a partnership between the police and host communities. Similar to the Senate version, too, Mr Gadgi added that the bill aims to increase the tenure of the inspector-general of police to five years. He said this was informed by the short span of the tenures of IGPs since 1999. Ten IGPs, averaging an IGP in every two years since the dawn of democracy is not good for the force, he said a belief shared by his Senate counterpart. Indeed, Nigeria has had eleven IGPs since 1999. Community policing has been much in discussion in the country. South-west governors recently set up a regional security outfit, Amotekun, to combat rising crimes in their states. Likewise, south-east governors endorsed a new community policing model of the Nigeria Police for more effective security management in the zone. Beaumonts aging housing stock and population along with the number of people with incomes on the lower side of the national average contribute to the need for affordable housing in the city. Private companies are coming in to address a housing gap that persists despite Beaumonts having more than double the median number of affordable housing units for cities across the state. Most of the developers building housing units that have or plan to apply for tax breaks are focusing their attention on seniors, a demographic a 2018 market study said still demanded more than 7,900 housing units. The same study, conducted by a developer building senior housing, shows about 99% of the almost 2,500 low-income senior housing units are occupied, said Chris Boone, Beaumonts director of planning and community development. Boone said he thinks thats in part because Beaumonts houses are aging and getting more expensive and time-consuming to maintain, so older people are looking for rentals instead of homes to buy. The City Council on Tuesday passed a resolution of no objection for Beaumont Trails, an 80-unit senior living complex to be located at Spindletop Square and North 13th Street. The council also gave its full support and a $500 permit fee waiver to Virginia Flats, a 110-unit complex at 2250 West Virginia St. ITEX is purchasing the complex, which it will rehabilitate, from Virginia Estates for almost $2.6 million, according to the purchase and sale agreement. The council has to express support, or a lack thereof, for projects looking for tax credits for low-income housing because the city has more than twice the median number of low-income housing units. Boone said he believes that regulation is in place so that the local governing body has a say in what kind of housing is built after it reaches a certain level. In the past seven or eight years in which the council has reviewed proposed developments such as these, Boone said he cant remember a time the council didnt decide to support at least one of the projects. Usually, multiple developments receive some level of council support. The program is not saying Beaumont has too many units. Its just saying we have more than twice the state average, he said. Every city is different and the characteristics of our city lend itself to having more affordable housing. Chris Akburi, CEO of the ITEX Group, which is also building a senior housing complex called the College Street Apartments, said hes not sure how his project will do as more senior housing complexes have been approved since his application was submitted about 17 months ago. At that time, the market seemed very stable for his complex, which he believes is attainable for varied incomes. His analysis also was before Tropical Depression Imelda, yet another variable in Southeast Texas that drives some people to look for affordable housing. Homes in the most popular price ranges have been gutted by natural disasters, with average home prices rising more than $23,000 in three years. The highest previous increase was about $7,000 from 2012 to 2013. The average home price in 2019 was at $186,833 and yearly listings dropped by almost 200 homes, all while the median household income has steadily risen as high-earners move to the area, raising the price of whats considered an affordable home in Southeast Texas. If these trends continue, its likely Beaumont will continue to see a need for affordable housing complexes to be built. Boone said he isnt currently aware of any complexes angling for tax credits to be approved next year, although developers usually submit their applications to the city closer to the end of the year. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com Hospitals giving way to other care options as providers look to cut costs More patients are getting routine care through networks of retail clinics, urgent care centers, and ambulatory surgery and specialty facilities. By BRYAN MAGGIO M.A. Mortenson Co. Maggio The health care sector is growing rapidly, with the Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicting a 14% increase in health care employment by 2028. While this is an exciting time for the field, growth presents both challenges and opportunities for health care systems. In a 2018 survey conducted by M.A. Mortenson Co., two-thirds of industry leaders expected to increase their investment in medical facilities to remain competitive. However, of those polled, 35% reported insufficient capital resources as their biggest challenge. In this environment, health care systems are innovating to meet the demands of the market and the needs of patients by embracing more cost-efficient and time-sensitive approaches to delivering their real estate needs. On a foundational level, health care systems are evolving to meet the market demands of a changing demographic and transition to a value-based care model brought on by the Affordable Care Act. Hospitals, traditionally viewed as the primary patient care facility, are giving way to the rise of networks of retail clinics, freestanding urgent care centers, and ambulatory surgery and specialty facilities as part of a hub-and-spoke real estate strategy. These sorts of facilities are more cost effective to construct and operate and can be delivered on a shorter timeline. Improving access Photo courtesy of Scott Amundson Photography [enlarge] The Minneapolis Heart Institutes design and construction team used integrated product delivery to meet the projects 10-month timeline. In the hub-and-spoke model, the hospitals at the center treat only the most acute cases, with the primary focus on keeping patients out of the hospital through early intervention in the form of primary and ambulatory care. This approach ultimately keeps people healthier and in turn reduces a health systems operating expenses, allowing it to be most efficient with its valuable capital. From a patient perspective, this trend translates into more access to preventive and routine care in convenient locations through networks of surrounding facilities. Freed from some of the complex regulatory requirements of hospitals, these facilities are often able to integrate retail-like amenities to create a more comfortable, welcoming environment. Behavioral health treatment facilities are at the forefront of this trend as one of the most significant growth areas in the health care sector. In the past, mental health care was often associated with a strong cultural stigma and largely inaccessible to patients who were not able or willing to seek care in a hospital environment. This system has led to a scarcity of available beds for patients in crisis. In fact, Washington ranks second to last in the nation in terms of the availability of beds at in-patient facilities, according to a recent report from the Seattle Times, leaving nearly a quarter of adults in our state unable to get the care they need. To address these limitations, the governors office has spearheaded investment into behavioral health care facilities, which many expect to reach $1 billion in the coming years. As part of a paradigm shift, these resources are not solely directed toward large state-run hospital facilities but also fund smaller community hospitals and clinics dedicated to mental health care. An example is the 115-bed Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital in Marysville constructed by Mortenson in 2017. For health care systems in Washington, this investment presents an opportunity to expand their operations, reach and impact through new facilities. With that expansion comes a need for more physicians, nurses and social workers to care for this population. The University of Washington Medical Centers future Behavioral Health Teaching Facility on the Northwest Hospital campus is an example of this trend in action. With funding from the state of Washington, the facility is expected to add to Washingtons bed capacity and provide a training environment for the next generation of caregivers. Design-build and IPD With the growing need to expand quickly to meet patient needs and stay ahead of competition, many health care systems are shifting the way they deliver new facilities. When asked in a 2018 survey conducted by M.A. Mortenson what project delivery method their organization would most prefer to utilize, 54% of industry leaders responded with either design-build or integrated project delivery (IPD). This represents a dramatic transformation in a market sector that for decades has leaned towards more traditional delivery methods like design-bid-build and CM-at-risk. Embracing more new-age approaches like design-build and IPD allow for greater collaboration, shorter timelines and a more nimble design and construction process. IPD is a flexible model that adapts to each individual project but generally begins with the selection of teams and the finalization of a value-based fee structure. Instead of working separately, everyone from architects to trade partners and fabricators are often co-located to foster increased collaboration. Most teams work from a single model, providing real-time cost and constructability feedback, allowing for the most efficient use of resources, and eliminating the need for costly and time-intensive design iterations. Both the University of Washington and Kaiser Permanente are recognized as national leaders in IPD. Currently, Mortenson and design partner HOK are leveraging the IPD method to target-value design a new 150,000-square-foot ambulatory facility as part of the expansion of Kaiser Permanentes Everett Medical Center. In addition to design consultants, key trade partners and suppliers are actively engaged in the process at this early stage, ensuring the ideas and perspectives of those who are eventually responsible for building the project are heard during design. These interdisciplinary teams are combining their expertise to explore design solutions that support prefabrication and modularization and shorten the overall construction duration. The Allina & Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Minnesota provides an example of IPDs potential. Allinas Minneapolis Heart Institute had short-term lease that was set to expire, making the need for a new facility urgent. Mortenson helped foster a new partnership with Cuyuna Regional Medical Center that brought together stakeholders from two separate organizations. The project embraced an integrated delivery model designed to achieve the level of collaboration and speed that the complex project required, completing the new health care center in 10 months. From delivery models to design features and patient experience, health care facilities are evolving to meet regulatory changes and patient needs in a highly competitive market. As one of the most rapidly growing sectors in our state and nationally, health care will continue to challenge the design and construction field to innovate solutions that deliver shorter timelines and a more efficient use of resources. With these challenges comes the opportunity to increase access, overcome limitations, and build facilities that will serve communities for many years to come. Bryan Maggio is a health care market executive for M.A. Mortenson Co. Other Stories: Iraq has recently reported a new case of coronavirus, bringing the total of positive cases in the country to six. The newest case is that of a young man in Baghdad who had travelled from Iran. The Health Ministry reported the new case on Thursday. Iraq has taken several measures like preventing its citizens from travelling to certain countries amid growing coronavirus fears. Travel ban to 9 countries The countries on the ban list are China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Italy, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Reports have also claimed that Iraq has ordered the suspension of schools and university and the closure of cinemas, cafes, clubs, and other public gathering spots nationwide from February 27 to March 7. According to reports, due to fears regarding a possible coronavirus outbreak, Iraq has banned all public gatherings and also banned travellers from Kuwait and Bahrain from entry into the country. The most recent ban of Kuwait and Bahrain takes the total number of countries on the ban list to 9. Read: UEFA Already Monitoring Coronavirus Outbreak In Italy As Euro 2020 Hangs In The Balance Read: Xi Jinping To Go Ahead With Japan Visit Despite Coronavirus Outbreak Bahrain discovers new cases and suspends flights Three new coronavirus cases were recently confirmed in Bahrain bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 26. According to reports, all three new cases include Bahraini women who arrived in Bahrain International Airport on indirect flights from Iran. As per reports, nine additional cases were also confirmed in which all the Baharani and Saudi citizens that were discovered to have the coronavirus were travelling from Iran via Dubai and Sharjah through Bahrain airport. After the discovery, it was announced that all flights from Dubai and Sharjah would be suspended for two days, starting on February 26. According to reports, the authorities on Tuesday confirmed that they were conducting tests for all those entering Bahrain from affected countries. Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: CDC Warns Some Beards Could Make Face Mask Ineffective Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Bahrain Confirms Three New Cases Of Deadly Epidemic In addition, the health ministry also asked all those who had visited Iran in the month of February to voluntarily come forward for testing. Dubai has been screening passengers on incoming flights from China, where the outbreak began. Long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad are among the few international airlines still flying to Beijing. However, the outbreak in Iran only became public in recent days. Arun Jaitley A New India: Selected Writings 2014-19 Arun Jaitley Juggernaut Books By (Late) Do you know the name of Sardar Patel's father? If not, it's because everyone else's contribution to building the nation has been erased by the apotheosis of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty whose names have been pasted on to airports, streets, stadiums and universities for decades. But within political dynasties lie the seeds of their own failure. Dynastic political parties like the Congress leave no space for merit, talent, organisational structure or internal democracy. The family is all. But India is an aspirational society where such dated notions of noblesse oblige no longer find any followers. What Was the Name of Sardar Patel's Father? Posted on 27 November 2018 The debate whether India should be a dynastic democracy has been ignited by a self-goal of the Congress party. The prime minister's mother's age was made a subject matter of the electoral debate. His father's anonymity was commented upon as an inadequate credential of the prime minister. The argument given was that if you represent the legacy of a well-known family, it is a political point in your favour. Millions of talented political workers who come from modest family backgrounds would fail by the Congress's test of leadership. Merit, talent, ability to inspire and lead would not be a virtue. The Congress considers only a great surname as a political brand. Image Source: IANS News On hearing this rationale, I asked a few well-informed friends of mine three questions: What is the name of Gandhiji's father? What is the name of Sardar Patel's father? What is the name of Sardar Patel's wife? None of my well-informed friends had a definitive answer. This is the tragedy of Congress politics and its impact on the nation. Gandhiji led the most extraordinary freedom movement of India. He created, through political awareness, Satyagraha and non-violence, an environment where the British found it impossible to continue in India. Sardar Patel's contribution was second to none. Besides being a frontline leader of the freedom movement, he, as the deputy prime minister and home minister of India, negotiated the transfer of power with the British. He negotiated the integration of India with over 550 rulers. He gave to India, within the short period of a few months, its present geography. Incidentally, Gandhiji's father was Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi, Sardar Patel's father was Jhaverbhai Patel and his wife's name was Diwali Ba. No photographs of his wife or details are available even after extensive research by modern-day historians. The officially glamourised family The reason for this is simple. Decades of Congress rule, naming colonies, localities, cities, bridges, airports, railway stations, schools, colleges, universities, stadiums after one family was intended to declare the Gandhis as India's royalty. They were officially glamourised as the blue-blooded family of India. The others did not matter. In fact, upon Sardar Patel's death in Mumbai, Prime Minister Nehru requested many of his cabinet colleagues that the best tribute to the Sardar would be to work on the day of his funeral and not go to Mumbai. The then head of state and several union ministers defied the advice. The proposal for building his statue at Vijay Chowk was rejected. The country had to be satisfied with the installation of his statue at a traffic roundabout on Parliament Street. Many believe that Sardar Patel was a farmer leader because of his participation in Bardoli Satyagraha. On the contrary, he was one of Ahmedabad's most successful practising barristers. Panditji is passed off as a great lawyer though he never argued a single case in his entire career. He only went to court once for reasons of tokenism to sit behind senior lawyers led by Bholabhai Desai who was arguing for the three INA officers in the mutiny trial inside the Red Fort. The danger of ignoring the great stalwarts The dangers of officially glamourising one family at the cost of those who made a far greater contribution is dangerous both for the nation as also for the party to which they belong. The contribution of other great stalwarts like Patel and Subhash Chandra Bose is downplayed. Members of one family are projected as being larger than life. Their aberrations become national aberrations. The party adopts them as its ideology. When Panditji promoted his daughter as his successor, he laid the foundation of India as a dynastic democracy. When the daughter, in 1975, turned dictatorial, it became the party's ideology to convert India into a 'disciplined democracy'. When the Sikh were massacred in 1984, communal polarisation against them was considered a legitimate electoral strategy. Today 'anti-BJPism' leads the Congress to a situation where it can tie up even with its political rivals and sympathise with the Maoists, separatists and disruptionists. The country pays a price for dynastic policies as we have witnessed in several regions. Three families -- two of them in Srinagar and one in New Delhi in the last seventy-one years, have played with the destiny of Jammu and Kashmir. The consequences are obvious. Following the dynastic pattern of leadership within the Congress, several other parties have followed the same principle. In such organisations there is no inner party democracy, there are no ideological principles. There is a complete flexibility to switch sides and align with your erstwhile political opponents. In Andhra Pradesh, NTR filled up the political vacuum and created an alternative to the Congress. Gradually the party went into a control of the present chief minister who is willing to switch sides in every general election. There is no second line of leadership and the option offered is of 'a coalition of rivals'. The political parties in question also pay a price. The only leaders who have a political future are the ones which are acceptable to the leaders of the dynastic parties. You fall foul of the family, you are thrown out of the party or marginalised. Talent has no space. Merit is no virtue. Organisational structure need not exist. The charisma of the family alone is the party's votebank. The crowd around the family is the cadre. The weakness of the dynastic parties This model, however, has one significant weakness. Strength of the party is co-existent with the strength of the current generation of the dynasty. If he is found to be non-inspirational or inadequate in leadership, the party has to throw all its eggs in an incomplete basket. The basket may be worth only forty-four Lok Sabha seats, at times slightly less, at times slightly more. The ill-informed reactions of the leader become the new ideology. The silver lining, however, is that India is changing. It has very large middle class and very strong aspirational class aspiring to get into the middle class. This aspirational India judges parties and leaders very harshly. They don't accept whoever is imposed. They ask difficult and penetrating questions and their yardstick is very tough. They look for leaders of integrity, they look for men and women who can inspire them, who are decisive and can lead the nation. To them surnames don't matter -- competence and capacity does. The challenge of 2019 The real strength of Indian democracy would be when the charismas of some families is completely shattered and parties, through a democratic process, throw up leaders of merit and competence. This was more than adequately proved in 2014 where most dynastic parties lost miserably. India of 2019 is different from India of 1971. If the Congress party wants the 2019 elections to be between Prime Minister Modi, who is the son of lesser-known parents and someone who is known only for his parentage rather than capacity, merit and competence, the BJP would gladly accept the challenge. Let this be the agenda for 2019. (This is an extract from by the late , who had been Union Finance Minister and one of the most important leaders of the BJP. Printed with permission from the publishers, Juggernaut Books) Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston -- Syndicated from IANS Rama also said that the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship would support the way forward for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama had a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on February 26 during which he called on Russia to implement the Minsk peace agreements on Donbas. "The crisis in and around Ukraine is today the most pressing security challenge in Europe. Addressing this is a top priority for Albania's OSCE Chairmanship, not least to stabilize the security situation and ease the hardship of civilians living in conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine," Rama stressed, the OSCE said in a press release on February 26, 2020. Read alsoOSCE SMM: Recent developments in eastern Ukraine positive, but full implementation of ceasefire required Rama also said that the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship would support the way forward for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. "In doing so, we will do our utmost to ensure respect for OSCE principles and commitments. And we will strongly encourage the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, supporting the efforts of the Trilateral Contact Group and the process of the Normandy Format." He stressed the importance of continuing to build on the positive steps made in the last months, including at the Paris Normandy Summit. Emphasizing his full support to the work of the dedicated women and men of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Rama said: "The Mission needs to be given safe, secure and unhindered access in order to fully implement its mandate, together with the necessary support and resources it requires." Flights from Gold Coast to Wellington or Christchurch are just $140 one-way Jetstar announced one-way flights from $130 from Melbourne to Christchurch The airfares went on sale on Friday and are available for travel from mid-March It'll cost passengers just $69 to fly from Christchurch to Melbourne one way The airline is offering one way $69 flights from Christchurch to Melbourne Air New Zealand has slashed fares to Australia to as little as $69 in a bid to boost sales amid the global coronavirus epidemic. The airline is offering the one way flights from Christchurch to Melbourne, while fares for Auckland to Sydney and Brisbane will set Kiwis back $79. The cheap airfares went on sale on Friday and are available for travel from mid-March. Air New Zealand is offering $69 one way flights from Christchurch to Melbourne , while fares for Auckland to Sydney and Brisbane will set Kiwis back $79 Budget airline Jetstar has also announced one-way flights for as little as $130 from Melbourne to Christchurch Air New Zealand chief revenue officer Cam Wallace said customers will be able to fly across the Tasman for cheaper than a night's accommodation at most hotels. 'Customers are going to get some ridiculously good deals on flights across the Tasman,' said in a statement. 'Like all airlines we have seen some softness in demand on routes like the Tasman where we now have some empty seats due to travellers mainly from Asian destinations not connecting between New Zealand and Australia.' Budget airline Jetstar has also announced one-way flights for as little as $130 from Melbourne to Christchurch. The See NZ Sale is on sale until March 2 while tickets last. Flights from the Gold Coast to Wellington and Christchurch are just $140 one-way. Sydney to Auckland will set passengers back $149 one-way, while fares from the Gold Coast to Auckland start at $135. As a result of coronavirus travel bans, Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have reduced the amount of flights heading across the ditch. Cheap flights to and from New Zealand Air New Zealand's cheap flights for travel from mid-March Auckland-Melbourne: $69 ($66AUD) Auckland-Brisbane: $79 ($75AUD) Auckland-Sydney: $79 ($75AUD) Christchurch-Melbourne: $69 ($66AUD) Christchurch-Brisbane: $79 ($75AUD) Wellington-Sydney: $79 ($75AUD) Jetstar's cheap flights to New Zealand Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Christchurch from $130 one way Gold Coast to Auckland from $135 one way Gold Coast to Wellington from $140 one way Gold Coast to Christchurch from $140 one way Sydney to Auckland from $149 one way Gold Coast to Queenstown from $165 one way Melbourne (Tullamarine) to Queenstown from $175 one way Sydney to Queenstown from $179 one way Advertisement But they are lowering ticket prices to fill up the planes as much as possible. So far 23 people in Australia have been diagnosed with coronavirus. Another eight, who were caught on the Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers in Japan, are being treated in their home states. It's now affecting 47 countries, has killed more than 2,800 people and infected more than 82,500. Overnight on Thursday the World Health Organisation said the coronavirus outbreak, which began in China's Hubei province in December, had reached a 'decisive point' and urged countries to redouble efforts to contain its spread. It's now affecting 47 countries, has killed more than 2,800 people and infected more than 82,500. 'This virus has pandemic potential,' WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned. Coronavirus is affecting 47 countries, has killed more than 2,800 people and infected more than 82,500 An Austrian newspaper on Thursday reported that a member of the Austrian Foreign Ministry delegation that visited Tehran on February 22 has contracted COVID-19 (coronavirus) and has been quarantined in a Vienna hospital. Iran announced a coronavirus outbreak on February 19 with the first two deaths reported on the same day. The Austrian delegation headed by Alexander Schallenberg, the Foreign Minister of Austria, met with President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during their stay in Tehran. Before receiving the Austrian Foreign Minister at the Mirrors Hall of the Foreign Ministry, Iran's Foreign Minister joked with the present journalists and said he had to shake hands. "I'm not carrying coronavirus," he said laughing. The unnamed Austrian member of the delegation had remained in Iran until Monday, February 24 by which time he already had some symptoms. Upon his return to Austria he sought medical advice by calling the health hotline but was not taken seriously and was several times told to go to his family doctor. It was not until Thursday that he took his illness seriously as the typical symptoms of coronavirus including fever, dry coughs and shortness of breath got worse. After once again calling the health hotline and talking to an expert, a medical team immediately transferred him to the Kaiser Franz Joseph hospital under isolated conditions where he is being looked after now. According to Austria's Kurier, the Austrian Foreign Ministry has not commented on the situation but said they will issue a statement at a later point. Coronavirus has struck several high-profile people in Iran, including Masoumeh Ebtekar, Vice-President in Women's Affairs, who has tested positive and quarantined herself at home. She had attended a cabinet meeting with the President on Wednesday. During his visit to Tehran, the Austrian Foreign Minister and his Iranian counterpart conferred about a number of issues including non-proliferation, regional issues and coronavirus outbreak. QualityIP, the IT Services leader in Northeast Ohio and Southwest Florida, has recently launched its new VoIP (voice-over-internet-protocol) calling platform, QVoIP. When Ryan Markham first founded QualityIP in 2004, it was primarily a VoIP company providing affordable voice solutions to businesses in Northeast Ohio. Over time, the company expanded their service offerings and rapidly grew to become the one-stop-shop for all business technology needs. The launch of QVoIP now allows QualityIP to further extend their services, and return to their roots as a hosted voice solutions provider. This feature-rich and affordable voice solution allows businesses of any size to enjoy enterprise-level features and benefits of a modern phone system at an affordable rate. The platform is fully implemented and supported by the same QualityIP team that manages the rest of a companys business technology needs, making QualityIP both the provider and carrier of this innovative hosted voice solution. QVoIP Business Telephone combines the best traditional phone system features with modern Internet Protocol (IP) capabilities, making it an easier, more suitable and inexpensive solution for your business. QVoIP also provides a number of customer benefits, including: Low fixed monthly costs Fast and friendly support available 6:00 AM 1:00 AM and on weekends Fewer people you must call for help since QualityIP is the carrier and the phone system Improved business continuity options over legacy systems User-Friendly Travel Options take the stress out of communications on the go Mobile Integration Access your work phone from your cellphone To guarantee compatibility with QVoIP for their customers, QualityIPs technology consultants complete a no-cost site survey, evaluating existing infrastructure and network speed to ensure that QVoIP is the right fit. Businesses of all sizes deserve a simple, reliable and affordable telephone solution to meet their businesss needs. With QVoIP by QualityIP, you can now let users stay connected and enhance telecommunications for any business. Were excited and proud to commercially deploy our new VoIP platform called QVoIP, said Ryan Markham, QualityIPs Chief Executive Officer. Our IT team has worked diligently on this project for a year, and were excited to finally release this feature rich environment for general release. This new VoIP architecture allows QualityIP to better support its customer needs by coupling voice services with their existing menu of IT support services. Netflix original film, The Last Thing He Wanted, is reportedly been on viewer's watch-list. However, the film helmed by Dee Rees is receiving not so good reviews for its incomprehensible plot. All the movie buffs who have been asking What really happened in the film?, heres taking a look at what exactly happened in, The Last Thing He Wanted. 'The Last Thing He Wanted' Explained Elena McMahon (Anne Hathaway) is a reporter at The Atlantic Post. She is sent to cover the Salvadoran Civil War which was fought amongst the El Salvador military-led government and an alliance of the anti-government groups. And later due to some issues, Elena gets pulled off from the case that she was working on and is sent to cover US President Ronald Reagans re-election campaign trial. Elena is unhappy with her post and secretly covers the story on the Civil War. While she is covering the story for the re-election campaign, she tries interviewing the secretary of state, George Shultz about weapons which are being smuggled through Nicaragua. Later, she receives photographs of the weapons being smuggled along with a note telling her to stay away and not get involved in it. She later finds out that the weapons in those photographs are from the National Guard surplus and later gets to know that the weapons are being shipped from Florida to Central America. Elena is later informed that her father, Dick McMahon was admitted in the hospital. She soon leaves the campaign trail and goes to meet her father. Elena later gets to know that her father was involved in some illegal activities in Central America. He also has a big deal with his partner, which he wants Elena to complete it for him. Elena agrees to complete her fathers work and goes on to take a plane loaded with weapons where she has to deliver this stuff to Costa Rica, collect the cash and return back. Also read | Netflix Original 'The Last Thing He Wanted' Fails To Impress; Fans Call It 'confusing' As soon as Elena delivers the stuff she does not receive her payment and also misses her flight back home. Elena later realises that she is in danger as she was taken to the military base camps. She manages to escape the place by stealing a car and drives herself to a safe spot. She later calls her friend from the news agency to do some digging about her dads partner, Max Epperson where she then finds out that there is no one with the name or identity that exists. Also read | What Time Does 'The Last Thing He Wanted' Release On Netflix? Know Details Elena soon manages to get flight tickets to go back to her hometown from the person who had organised her trip to Costa Rica. She then gets to know that all the men who were working with her father are trying to defame her for smuggling and back in the US her father has been killed by the men. Till then she was staying at a hotel where she met a guy named Treat who she begins to trust after all the mishaps that happened to her. The hotel that she was staying in, is attacked the very next day and Treat soon sets her up in an abandoned hotel and tells her that she is safe and the government will rescue her in few days. Elena soon hides her reporting documents in a safe place and later Elena gets to know that the place she is living in has been raided and runs to Treat, who then shoots her on the spot. Later, a guy named Jones, who was working for the Nicaragua government, retrieves Elenas documents that she hid and gives it to her friend who completes the story and publishes it. Soon, the world gets to know the entire story that was hidden from them all this while. Also read | 'The Last Thing He Wanted Is Alarmingly Unthrilling Also read | 'Love Is Blind' Cast, Contestants & Couples; Know All The Details Of Netflix's Dating Show Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. OMAHA, Neb.The curtain rises on a scene in another land. A man who holds a stable job, status, and good income helps his younger brother buy a beautiful flower for the girl he fancies. But then, the elder brothers boss orders him and his colleagues to attack the girl on the grounds of her faith. The younger brother steps in to defend her, only to be shocked when he finds himself face to face with his beloved sibling. This is the story that touched advertising firm owner Robert Richardson of Nebraska the most in Shen Yun Performing Arts stage production when he attended at the Orpheum Theater on Feb. 26, 2020. Out of its roughly 20 vignettes, New York-based Shen Yun chooses themes gathered from throughout Chinas 5,000-year history as well as significant present-day events. Richardson felt it was a beautiful show and enjoyed seeing principles like family, independence, and freedom returning to Chinese culture and spreading around the world. Some stories in Shen Yun are legends, but the drama of the brothers is a scene that is all too real inside China today. There, the Chinese Communist Party employs security forces to carry out a campaign of eradication against religious believers and spiritual practitioners such as followers of Falun Dafa. I think as with any communist regime, Richardson began, the totalitarian society of understanding the rights of the people, you know, it can be verydramatic. And from family members being separated and everything else, so. And my daughters from South Korea. She had to face that from North Korea as well. So its a very cruel world over there. In real life, as well as on stage, the fate of the brothers is heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful. Falun Dafa practitioners and those who defend them endure indescribable torture in prison for adhering to their beliefs. In Abetting the Wicked, the brothers piece that so moved Richardson, the younger brother suffers at the hands of the communist regime. But in the end, the dance story depicts an ancient Chinese belief that the Creator will return to earth to reward those who choose good over evil, and there is hope and redemption. I thought it was a beautiful demonstration of freedom, Richardson said about the stories in Shen Yun. Shen Yuns mission is to revive authentic Chinese culture through performing arts such as classical Chinese dance, a highly-expressive art form uniquely capable of expressing profound meaning and complex emotions. [Shen Yun] definitely clarifies some things, the firm owner added, referencing Shen Yuns depiction of Chinas grand history and communisms obliteration of it in modern times. People forget, need to be reminded, Richardson said about the effort by communism to wipe out humanitys spirituality. And I think the same things happening to our country where weve, where our grandparents and fathers have fought foreign wars to stop that and I see that coming to our country now because people forget of what this country represents. About Shen Yuns portrayal of heaven interacting with the earth, and the groups effort to breathe new life into the spiritual side of our societies, Richardson said, I dont understand all [of it], but Im learning. I like it Its good. With reporting by Stacey Tang 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. TEHRAN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Iran Chang Hua on Wednesday said China has delivered equipment to Iran to help detect coronavirus cases in the country. "5,000 kits to detect coronavirus, which are contributed by China's embassy and Chinese companies in Iran, have been delivered to the Iranian side," Chang tweeted in Persian language. "Our efforts will continue," said the Chinese envoy. On Tuesday, China's embassy in Tehran delivered 250,000 masks to Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education as a support to protect Iranians against COVID-19. Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced on Wednesday that the coronavirus outbreak in the country has affected 139 people and 19 of them died over the past week. The Center for Disease Control has confirmed the first likely case of a person-to-person transmission of novel coronavirus in the United States on Wednesday, and the person infected with the disease is a Solano County resident receiving treatment in Sacramento, according to the California Department of Public Health. The Solano County resident had no known exposure to the virus through travel and no close contact to a known-infected individual, CDPH officials said. They won't be identified due to patient confidentiality practices. UC Davis Medical Center officials confirmed the patient is being treated at their Sacramento hospital late Wednesday after being transferred from another hospital in the region. UC Davis officials said the patient wasn't immediately tested for the disease. "Since the patient arrived with a suspected viral infection, our care teams have been taking the proper infection prevention (contact droplet) precautions during the patient's stay," UC Davis Health officials said in a statement Wednesday. "Upon admission, our team asked public health officials if this case could be COVID-19. We requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC, since neither Sacramento County nor CDPH is doing testing for coronavirus at this time. Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered. UC Davis Health does not control the testing process." An exact date of admission for the patient wasn't provided, but they were tested for the disease early this week. "On Sunday, the CDC ordered COVID-19 testing of the patient and the patient was put on airborne precautions and strict contact precautions, because of our concerns about the patient's condition," UC Davis Health officials said. "Today the CDC confirmed the patient's test was positive." UC Davis Health officials said it is not the first COVID-19 patient the system has treated and the potential for spread is minimal due to precautions set into place at the hospital. CDPH officials touted the state's health care system and infrastructure in saying it is ready to respond to a spread of COVID-19, which originated from Whuan, China and spread throughout Asia before finding its way across the globe, reaching every continent except Antarctica, per the CDC's website. "The health risk from novel coronavirus to the general public remains low at this time," CDPH officials said. "While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate. From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80 percent do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization." As of Thursday morning, there are no confirmed deaths of the disease in the U.S., CDPH officials said. Previous person-to-person transmission cases in the U.S. have been discovered in Chicago and another in San Benito County, with both cases involving infected people with family members who had returned from Wuhan and tested positive for COVID-19. There are also 7 other travel-related cases and a close-contact case. The CDPH advises community members to do the following to protect themselves from contracting or spreading disease: washing hands with soap and water; avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; and staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough. 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. Video was released Monday of the arrest of Kaia Rolle, a six-year-old student who was charged with battery and taken to a juvenile facility where she was fingerprinted and had her mugshot taken in September 2019. According to her grandmother, Rolle suffers from sleep apnea and was acting out of frustration when she struck her teachers at Lucious and Emma Nixon Academy, a charter school in Orlando, Florida. 6-year-old Florida girl cries, screams for help as Orlando police arrest her at school The video from a police body camera shows Rolle seated and listening calmly to a teacher while they wait for the officers to arrive. Dennis Turner, a police officer employed by Nixon Academy as a school resource officer (SRO), and another police officer arrived with zip ties to restrain the young girls arms and trundle her away in a waiting police SUV. Rolle cried out for help and broke into tears after Turner affirmed that the ties were for her and the accompanying officer bound her arms together, her wrists too small and delicate for handcuffs. I dont want to go in a police car, she sobbed, Please, give me a second chance. Turner bragged to school administrators that he had made more than 6,000 arrests over the course of his career, including a child as young as seven for shoplifting. Informed that Rolle was only six, Turner boasted that she had broken the record for the youngest person he had ever arrested. On the same day, Turner also arrested an eight-year-old student at Nixon Academy. After news of the two arrests made their way to the public, Turner was fired for violating an agency policy, which states that a supervisor must be present before an SRO can arrest a student under the age of 12. It has also come to light that Turner has had a long record of violence. In 1998, he was charged with aggravated child abuse after beating his seven-year-old son. The child had welts and bruises on his torso and arms, and had reportedly received the beating after bringing home low test scores. The Orlando Sentinel reported that in 2016 Turner, then a 20-year department veteran, used a Taser on a man five times. The last two jolts came after the suspect was on the floor and had stopped resisting. In 2003, Turner had reportedly told the husband of a woman he was dating that he could hurt him and authorities couldnt do anything to me. Turner retired as a full-time police officer in 2018. He had an annual salary of $100,000 for years, and despite being fired for his arrest of children in 2019, he is still collecting his pension. Throughout the United States, police officers have beaten members of the public, planted evidence and committed murder without receiving the slightest punishment. A Wall Street Journal report in 2015 found approximately 1200 people were killed by police that year, yet no officer was found guilty of murder or manslaughter. In 1985, the supreme court case of Tennessee v. Garner ruled that police officers could use deadly force if it is objectively reasonable. In practice, US courts universally defer to a police officers personal assessment of threat at the time, which has allowed officers to literally get away with murder. Law enforcement officers like Turner, who enjoy the privilege of protection from the law, are an increasing presence in schools, turning encounters between students and teachers, which once would have led to detention or a stern reprimand, into criminal offenses that become a permanent stain on the records of students, and negatively impact the development of their young lives. According to Samuel Sinyangwe, co-founder of the project Mapping Police Violence and a public policy analyst, since the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 schools have become increasingly militarized. From 1999 to 2010 the Department of Justice has spent over $753 million to aid in the hiring of school police officers and from 2010 to 2018 another $1 billion was spent. This has resulted in an increase of over 10,000 police officers in schools from 1999 to 2018. The result of this increase in policing has made no impact on rates of school shootings, but has had disastrous consequences for schoolchildren. Arrests of young schoolchildren like Kaia Rolle are not anomalies but are becoming increasingly common. In 2015, the Americans Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against a local sheriffs department in Kentucky after an SRO cuffed two disabled children, an eight-year-old boy and nine-year-old girl. A report last year from ABC News found that nearly 30,000 children under the age of 10 were arrested across the United States between the years of 2013 and 2017. Data collected by the FBI reveals that a staggering 719,000 children under the age of 18 were arrested in 2017, including 38,000 between the ages of 10 and 12 and 3,500 under the age of 10. SROs have also collaborated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to send young children to concentration camps. A recent ProPublica report revealed that a Long Island high school student legally in the US was deported after drawing a doodle of the symbol for MS-13, a predominantly Salvadoran gang founded in Los Angeles. School resource officers facilitate arrests and deportations by sending tips and information over to federal agencies. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 08:32:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan need to boost coordination to prevent cross-border spread of the COVID-19 epidemic and effectively safeguard public health in both countries and the region at large, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday night. In a phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Wang also urged the two countries to actively explore ways to strengthen international cooperation on public health within multilateral frameworks. 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. The upcoming implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the accompanying Investment Protection Agreement is driving transformation of Vietnams logistics industry. According to Tran Viet Huy, managing director of Tracimexco Supply Chains and Agency Services JSC (TRA-SAS), the logistics market will enjoy a positive impact from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Trading and investment will increase drastically, creating remarkable opportunities for all market players. Almost all of the EUs biggest logistics service providers have done their business over 10 years. They are providing most of the logistics services in Vietnam, including overseas forwarding, warehousing, and local distribution, even though some services have not opened for foreign logistics companies at present. Once the EVIPA is approved, more EU logistic service providers will want to do partake in merger and acquisition (M&A) activities with domestic counterparts. Thus, the investment capital will increasingly flow into Vietnams logistics industry, Huy stressed. Furthermore, inquiries by EU clients offer chances for Vietnamese logistics service providers to improve and invest in their processes as well as hard and soft resources to meet their clients inquiries. Nestor Scherbey, president of Customs, Trade and Risk Management Services (CTRMS) Vietnam is optimistic about the outlook of Vietnams logistics sector. After the EVFTA comes into effect, Vietnamese exports to Europe will increase and the logistics sector will benefit by carrying out new exports and deliveries through their services, he said. Meanwhile, foreign logistics companies will invest in the Vietnamese sector if they see a decent demand for such services in the country. The Ministry of Planning and Investment forecasts that Vietnams export turnover to the EU will increase by 20 per cent in 2020, 42.7 per cent by the end of 2025, and 44.37 per cent by the end of 2030. The EVFTA will remove tariffs on 65 per cent of the value of EU exports the moment the agreement comes into force. Thus, increasing trading as well as investment activities between Europe and Vietnam will create lots of opportunities for the logistics industry. According to Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industrys WTO Centre, the EVFTA not only commits to a mutual opening of markets but also contains provisions to enhance transparency, stability, and predictability for businesses. In accordance with the commitments, Vietnam will continue to improve administrative procedures and remove business conditions especially in the fields of customs and specialised inspections. This will help businesses to cut costs and administrative workload as well as save time in import and export activities, thereby facilitating the development of the logistics industry. Indeed, many European providers have increased operations in the Vietnamese market in recent years. A third-party logistics provider from France, FM Logistic, is expanding its footprint in Vietnam by building a $30 million warehouse and distribution centre in the northern province of Bac Ninh. The company has also decided to acquire two pieces of land located in premium locations at VSIP Bac Ninh and VSIP2 Binh Duong, in order to build modern facilities. Meanwhile, Rent-A-Port NV, a Belgian-based company that specialises in the development of marine infrastructure and industrial zones, is investing in Deep C Industrial Zones in the northern port city of Haiphong. Deep C is conveniently connected to Lach Huyen Deep Seaport, which will cut shipping times from Vietnam to Europe from 30 to around 23 days. In 2016, Belgiums Herfurth Group, a global shipping, logistics, and forwarding company, also signed an MoU with Vinalines, a Vietnamese state-run shipping group, to establish a logistics centre so as to facilitate trade and logistics operations in advance of the EVFTA coming into force. Huy from TRA-SAS said that the EVIPA will provide more legal background for investors. However, the abilities of both foreign and local logistics companies in Vietnam still do not meet the increasing demand. He expected that the new investments will bring a positive outcome for the logistics market, which will improve investor sentiment in Vietnam. Vietnams logistics costs currently account for nearly 20-25 per cent of the GDP, double that of developed economies and higher than the global average of 14 per cent. The Vietnamese government should take efforts to improve the competitiveness of the local logistics industry. Huy noted that the government should build a favourable business environment for logistics companies by highlighting some investment sectors which have an interest in it, such as rail-transport, waterway transport, and IT. Vietnam should increase co-operation with international organisations in the education of a high-skill workforce in logistics. Meanwhile, Scherbey from CTRMS said that the Vietnamese government needs to continue the process of modernisation of trade procedures which all foreigners complain would involve too much paperwork. VIR Thanh Van Vietnams logistics wins in US-China trade war Falling one place to 11th in the global index of emerging logistics markets, Viet Nam was still seen as a clear winner in the US-China trade war. The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought response of the Centre and the AAP government on a Jamia Millia Islamia student's plea seeking compensation for injuries suffered by him allegedly in police action against anti-CAA protesters on December 15 last year. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi government and police seeking their stand on the plea which also wants registration of an FIR into the offences allegedly committed by the police forces. The court listed the matter for further hearing on May 20. The petition filed by Mohd Mustafa has sought that the authorities be directed to pay a compensation of at least Rs one crore for physical and mental losses suffered by him. The plea has sought direction for reimbursing the student the expenses of his medical treatment that he had already incurred, including cost of travelling to hospitals. On February 17, another similar petition had come up for hearing before the high court which sought response of the Delhi government and police on the plea. It was filed by Shayaan Mujeeb who contended that he was in the university library on December 15, 2019 studying, when police personnel entered the building and allegedly beat up the students there. The court was initially of the view that the petitioner ought to have filed a civil suit if he was seeking compensation as the claims made by him would have to be proved through evidence which cannot be done in a writ petition. Earlier, another student Mohd Minhajuddin had moved a plea seeking a probe into the incident and demanding compensation for injuries he suffered. Minhajuddin, according to his plea, lost vision in one eye in the incident. On December 15 last year, a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act near Jamia Millia Islamia turned violent, with demonstrators pelting stones at police and setting public buses and private vehicles on fire. Police later entered the university, firing teargas shells and baton-charging students. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 12:33:31|Editor: zh Video Player Close LONDON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Wednesday the country has a "clear four-part plan" to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19. In a statement made in the House of Commons, the health secretary said as of Wednesday morning a total of 7,132 people in the country have been tested for the virus. So far 13 people were confirmed positive, of whom eight now have been discharged from hospital. But the government expects more cases to arise, he said, adding that it has a four-point strategy for dealing with the outbreak. "We have a clear four part plan to respond to the outbreak of this disease: contain, delay, research and mitigate. We're taking all necessary measures to minimize the risk to the public. We've put in place enhanced monitoring measures at UK airports and health information is available at all international airports, ports and international train stations," he said. He added that a supported isolation facility has been established at Heathrow airport to cater for international passengers who are tested. The government is currently in the "contain" phase but has plans in place should a pandemic take hold and warned people not to overreact, he said, urging schools to stay open. He advised people to only travel to the quarantined areas in Italy if their travel is essential and people who have been anywhere in northern Italy to self-isolate if they have symptoms on their return. Public Health England has said it is not advising that schools shut in an attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus. "Schools have to take difficult decisions given the complexity of issues that they are facing. What I would say is that our general advice is not to close schools," said the organisation's medical director, Paul Cosford. At least a dozen British schools have sent staff and pupils home for a 14-day quarantine after they returned from half-term trips in northern Italy. The High Court Thursday allowed the Centre's impleadment in the seeking lodging of FIRs and arrests in the northeast communal over the amended citizenship law. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar granted four weeks to the and the police to file their replies to the seeking lodging of FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that as the is responsible for maintaining law and order in Delhi, it be made a party in the matter, which was allowed by the court. At the outset, Mehta told the bench that 48 FIRs have been lodged in relation to the and there be no judicial intervention till normalcy is restored in the capital. The FIRs lodged so far relate to arson, looting and deaths. The death toll in the reached 34 on Thursday with around 200 people injured. Lanvin designer Bruno Sialelli quoted from decades of fashion history on Wednesday in a ready-to-wear show fully befitting Frances oldest fashion house. With French actress Isabelle Huppert and the rapper Tyga in the front row, Lanvins Winter 2020 runway celebrated old-school glamour as it mixed modernity with icons from long-gone eras. A year after his appointment as new artistic creator, Sialelli drew inspiration from the Lanvin heritage with trademark embroidered gowns and tailored suits. Supermodel Bella Hadid paraded down the catwalk wrapped in a fluffy fur-collared double-breasted coat, sporting crimson-red lipstick and a retro hairstyle straight out of a 1950s American movie. Her older sister Gigi closed the Paris Fashion Week show in a beaded see-through dress under a long navy coat, and silver-glittered heels. Sialelli added to the collection with ultra-long gloves, a 60s-style short dress with a delicate white checkered print and headbands matching a tiny lunchbox-like handbag. Lanvin, bought by Chinese Fosun <0656.HK>, is attempting a turnaround after it plunged into losses following the departure of its longtime star designer Alber Elbaz in 2015. Paris Fashion Week is the fourth and last leg of the month-long catwalk season that began in New York and also visits London and Milan. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter How Iran-backed Fighters Are Making Life Hell for Iraq's Assyrians A street scene in Bartella, an Assyrian town in North Iraq. ( Rami Esa Saqat and Fadi Esa Saqa) In the Nineveh Plains, near Mosul, Iraq, some 32,000 Christians live in areas controlled by Iran-backed militias. As tensions between the United States and Iran, Nineveh Christians hope for an end to the influence of Iran in their day-to-day lives. With the liberation of parts of Iraq from ISIS in 2017, Iraq's Syriac and Chaldean Christians returned home to two unwelcome developments. First, unsurprisingly, their homes had been burned, looted or destroyed by ISIS. Second, Iran-backed groups who helped defeat ISIS--known as Popular Mobilization Forces--now controlled the towns their ancestors had inhabited for more than a millennia. Today, the largest Christian town, Baghdeda as it is called by Christians--it is also known as Qaraqosh--is surrounded by an Iran-funded militia. The second-largest town, Bartella, is controlled by such a militia. Both are around 20 minutes from Mosul, where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had declared the doomed ISIS caliphate in 2014. This picture is complicated by a demographic shift also taking place in these communities--once largely Syriac Christian and now Shabak Muslim. The Shabak are primarily a Shiite minority who, like Christians and Yazidis, were persecuted by ISIS. This demographic shift is most pronounced in Bartella, which sits on the crucial artery road between Erbil and Mosul. As recently as 2003, Bartella was 95 percent Christian. In the space of a decade, it has become majority Shabak, and members of this religious and ethnic community now control the town's government and checkpoints into the city through their wing of the P.M.F., the Shabak Militia. Today, this militia receives arms, vehicles and money from Iran. Amjad, 33, a Syriac worker in an electricity shop, complained of treatment as a second-class citizen by this militia. "Frankly speaking, if they had the chance, they'd take everything from us," he said of the Shabak Militia. "If they have the chance to attack, they'd do more damage than ISIS did." (Pseudonyms have been used for most of the people interviewed for this article to protect them from reprisals.) Like many Christians, he thinks the Shabak P.M.F. is corrupt. "A few days ago, there were some P.M.F. members at the gas station. The gas station was providing 40 liters to each person, but they provided more than that to their members or relatives." Christian business owners, in particular, are targeted by the P.M.F., who demand bribes for allowing goods through at checkpoints or opening a shop. "At the checkpoint toward Erbil, which they control, they don't let some cars go through without a bribe of $1,000," said Amjad. Some locals complain of restrictions on free movement. "I have a business partner from Mosul," said George, 31, an electronics shop owner. "A few days ago, they stopped him at the checkpoint and refused to let him in." Christian businesses are also affected by a supposed boycott on the part of Shabak residents. Bashar, 35, a security guard, claimed, "The Shabak only purchase from the Shabak, and they tell others not to purchase from Christians." Others make the same claim, including Amjad, who added that the Shabak Militia deliberately set fire to wheat and barley fields in the summer. Although these events, well-documented in the press, were widely attributed to ISIS, the lack of security makes it difficult to establish responsibility for such events. Kamal, 60, a shop owner, said that the Shabak, including members of the P.M.F., have stolen wheat from his shop twice, a story corroborated by one other interviewee and confirmed by security camera footage. "There is no future for Christians in Iraq," he said. Although the same pattern of harassment and discrimination that began in 2017 continues in Bartella, locals disagree on the specific impact of rising U.S.-Iran tensions in December and January. Some believe that the tensions have led to more scrutiny of Christians at Shabak-controlled checkpoints, especially since Christians are associated with Americans. "It's increased their hatred because they consider America a Christian country," said Amjad. He cited an incident in January when, after leaving a funeral, a BMW driver refused to let him through a certain area. "It was clear to me that the driver was a member of the P.M.F.," he said. Others think the militias, rattled by the assassination of Iranian commander Qassim Soleimani and anti-Iran protests in Baghdad, have dialed back the worst of their behavior. "They are afraid and weaker now," said Kamal. George said that when anti-government protests began in Baghdad in October, the P.M.F. militia members stopped demanding bribes at checkpoints. The Most Rev. Petros Mouche, Syriac Catholic archbishop of Mosul, told America that "the tensions between Iran and the U.S. haven't changed anything for now, but that doesn't mean the situation is good." "As long as the presence and influence of Iran remain in Iraq and especially in the Nineveh Plains, there is a risk of more problems and difficulties in co-existing peacefully with our neighbors," he said. The recent disappearance of four employees of the Catholic aid group SOS ChrAtiens d'Orient in Baghdad on Jan. 20 has only added to Christian anxiety in the north. One employee was a Syriac Catholic, who may be the first Christian from Baghdeda to have been taken by an Islamist group since 2017. The remaining three were French nationals. SOS ChrAtiens d'Orient has organized a prayer campaign for their safe return. Although it is impossible to discount ISIS being involved, the Baghdad area is mostly controlled by Iran-backed militias. They have kidnapped dozens of protesters since October, when anti-government demonstrations began. These protests initially focused on jobs and government corruption, but they have also included a strong anti-Iran component. "Everyone is not only saddened by the disappearance of the three French men and their companion, but this has also increased our fear and our uncertainty in the future--whatever group it is that's responsible for this drama," said Archbishop Mouche. Ali Almikdam, an Iraqi journalist and human rights activist, thinks it likely an Iran-backed group is involved. "The Hezbollah Brigades militia has previously kidnapped journalists," Mr. Almikdam said. "The first possibility is that they will be in a Hezbollah prison in Baghdad." The Hezbollah Brigades are allied with the League of the Righteous, a separate Iran-backed group with an office in Bartella. If the employees of SOS ChrAtiens d'Orient were taken by an Iran-linked group, it would be an unusual development. Many Shiite Islamist groups, unlike their Sunni counterparts, at least publicly profess to esteem the role of Christians in Iraq. While intimidation, looting and extortion are common, disappearances at the hands of such groups are infrequent and difficult to confirm. In January, two French journalists were briefly kidnapped in Baghdad, likely at the hands of the Hezbollah Brigades. The most direct consequence of rising insecurity is practical: emigration. Large numbers of Christians who returned after ISIS was driven off have decided to abandon the effort to re-establish themselves in the communities of the Nineveh Plains. They are leaving for the United States, Australia or Europe. This problem is especially pronounced in Baghdeda. Although the economy is poor, emigrants overwhelmingly say it is the poor security and sectarian tensions that are driving them out of Nineveh. Many residents say that emigration would slow or stop if the national Iraqi security forces, rather than the P.M.F., controlled the area. "If the current situation remains the same, things will get worse," said Bashar. "There will be no future in Bartella since they control everything here." While George pauses to say that not all Shabak are bad, he, like many other Christians, offers the same policy prescription. "We don't need either the P.M.F. or the Shabak. They are both related to Iran. We want them out." Additional reporting by Rami Esa Saqat and Fadi Esa Saqat in Iraq. South Africa has a major skills shortage, and qualified professionals are continuing to leave in search of better opportunities overseas. Young professionals previously told MyBroadband that they enjoyed better job opportunities, travel, salaries, and quality of life after leaving South Africa. I am earning almost three-times as much as I was in South Africa, and although it is a lot more expensive to live here, I am able to save more money and travel a lot more than I did when I was living in South Africa, one young IT professional who now lives overseas told MyBroadband. To determine how lucrative job opportunities are overseas compared to South Africa, we compared the average salaries of popular IT positions in South Africa and in Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands. It is important to note that as we are comparing the average national salary in South Africa with the city average in the Netherlands, the former would be expected to be slightly lower in an even payment scenario to accommodate for less urban areas. Amsterdam is a popular destination for South African emigrants, however, making it important to inspect the salaries available in the city specifically. IT salaries comparison We used figures from Indeed, PayScale, and Glassdoor to compare average pay in both South Africa and Amsterdam. The Amsterdam salary figures are listed in Euros and are paired with a converted rand figure based on the exchange rate at the time of writing. The average salaries for 10 popular IT jobs in South Africa and Amsterdam are below. IT Salary Comparison Job South Africa Amsterdam (Netherlands) Computer Support Specialist R216,000 43,325 (R706,818) Web Developer R227,076 36,466 (R594,918) System Administrator R231,787 47,500 (R774,931) Database Administrator R308,872 64,871 (R1,058,326) IT Manager R368,112 70,637 (R1,152,395) Software Engineer R401,676 59,244 (R966,526) Information Security Analyst R509,892 66,256 (R1,080,922) DevOps Engineer R575,250 60,205 (R982,204) Data Engineer R592,079 52,737 (R860,368) Senior Solutions Architect R804,509 81,043 (R1,322,162) Taxes and net earnings Amsterdam has a higher average salary, but it is also important to account for taxes and spending power. The amount of tax you pay in South Africa and the Netherlands depends on how much you earn placing you within different tax brackets. The Netherlands individual income tax brackets have been refined year-over-year, and the country now boasts a strikingly simple tax structure. Below are the tax rates for the Netherlands for 2020, which consist of only two tax brackets. Netherlands tax rates 0 68,507 37.35% Over 68,507 49.50% Below are the 2021 tax bands for South African citizens, according to SARS. SA Tax Bands (1 March 2020 28 February 2021) Up to R205,900 18% of taxable income R205,901 R321,600 R37,062 + 26% of taxable income above R205,900 R321,601 R445,100 R67,144 + 31% of taxable income above R321,600 R445,101 R584,200 R105,429 + 36% of taxable income above R445,100 R584,201 R744,800 R155,505 + 39% of taxable income above R584,200 R744,801 R1,577,300 R218,139 + 41% of taxable income above R744,800 R1,577,300 and above R559,464 + 45% of taxable income above R1,577,300 Spending power The cost of living is more expensive in Amsterdam than it is in all cities across South Africa, which means that even though you have a higher salary, you might not have as much spending ability. The Big Mac Index is by no means an accurate tool for noting currency misalignment, but it can provide a rough idea of how currencies are valued against one another. The index compares the price of a Big Mac in multiple countries across the world to provide a rough estimate of spending power. The cheaper a Big Mac is in a country, the more purchasing power people in that country have. Below is the spending power in South Africa, the Netherlands, and the United States, according to the Big Mac Index for 2019. The graph shows that purchasing power in South Africa is much higher than both the Netherlands and the United States. Now read: The powerful US legal weapon against Huawei The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is asking anyone who reels in tilapia at two San Antonio lakes to not return it to the water. There is apparently a lot of tilapia, a non-native species of fish that have been taking over freshwater lakes and rivers in Texas, including Calaveras and Brauning Lakes in San Antonio. Boris Johnson looks on the brink of killing off Heathrow's third runway plan today after campaigners won a crucial legal battle. The government has effectively washed its hands of the battle for the 14billion project after the Court of Appeal ruled that it had not yet met environmental standards - with No10 confirming that it will not support taking the case to the Supreme Court. Judges declared the Government had acted unlawfully by failing to take account of its commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change when endorsing airport expansion in the National Policy Statement (NPS). The Prime Minister - who as London Mayor once vowed to 'lie down in front of bulldozers' to prevent the new runway - now seems set to pull backing for the scheme. Asked about his bulldozer remark during the election campaign, Mr Johnson said he would 'find some way of honouring that promise'. There are claims that Uxbridge MP Mr Johnson and his aides have been looking at alternatives to the plans, including enlarging Gatwick in Sussex. Heathrow has said it will appeal the judgement, arguing that the issues raised by the court were 'eminently fixable'. It has warned that failure to go ahead with the project - which has been in preparation for more than 15 years - would destroy hopes for 'global Britain'. Business groups also voiced dismay at the latest setback to efforts to increase aviation capacity. However, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps pointedly said the government had 'taken the decision not to appeal', and insisted any expansion will be a 'private sector project'. In a statement to Parliament, he noted that the NPS had been produced under the 'previous government'. 'It is critical that vital infrastructure projects, including airport expansion, drive the whole UK economy, level up our regions, and unite our country,' he added. There are serious doubts over whether such a massive project can proceed without active government support. Environmental campaigners celebrate the Court of Appeal's decision today to block plans for a third runway Boris Johnson (pictured at a homeless centre today) is personally against the scheme and when he was London mayor he promised to 'lie down... in front of those bulldozers' to stop the runway being built A computer-generated image released last year of how Heathrow airport could look with a third runway The Heathrow scheme was signed off by MPs in 2018 but could now be going back to the drawing board Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the government will not back an appeal to the Supreme Court, saying any expansion will be 'industry led' The successful challenge today was brought by Friends Of The Earth and Plan B, backed by a group of councils in London, environmental charities including Greenpeace, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The UN's Paris Agreement, which came into force in November 2016, commits signatories to tackling climate change by taking measures to limit global warming to well below 2C. What are the alternatives to the expansion of Heathrow Airport? Here are some of the alternatives to expanding Heathrow Airport which have been put forward: Don't do anything: Some say Britain should stop fuelling endless airport growth. But critics warn that not increasing UK airport capacity will harm trade. Boris Island: One of the more eye-catching suggestions, Boris Johnson previously suggested a floating airport built in the Thames Estuary should be built. This would mitigate issues of noise, air pollution and space would all be mitigated. It would also provide the chance to close Heathrow entirely - solving the problem of noisy flight paths that have plagued West London and allowing new development of the area. Expansion of Gatwick or Stansted: Fewer people live near Gatwick and Stansted airports meaning that airport development could be less controversial. Combine Gatwick and Stansted into a super hub airport High speed rail links could join the two airports - providing a super hub that would eliminate the need for Heathrow to be London's main hub airport. Increase capacity at local airports: Regional airports elsewhere in the UK have more spare to build on. These could be expanded eliminating the need for a large hub airport. More limited expansion at Heathrow Extending one of the existing runways could be considered as a cheaper way of increasing capacity. Advertisement In a summary of the ruling, Lord Justice Lindblom told a packed court: 'The Paris Agreement ought to have been taken into account by the Secretary of State in the preparation of the NPS and an explanation given as to how it was taken into account, but it was not.' The judge said that, having seen the decision in advance, the Government did not oppose a declaration that the NPS was unlawful and had not sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. Clarifying the meaning of the ruling, Lord Justice Lindblom added: 'Our decision should be properly understood. 'We have not decided, and could not decide, that there will be no third runway at Heathrow. 'We have not found that a national policy statement supporting this project is necessarily incompatible with the United Kingdom's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change under the Paris Agreement, or with any other policy the Government may adopt or international obligation it may undertake. 'The consequence of our decision is that the Government will now have the opportunity to reconsider the NPS in accordance with the clear statutory requirements that Parliament has imposed.' Lawyers for the campaigners told the court at a hearing in October, when considering the proposals, that then-transport secretary Chris Grayling did not take enough account of environmental legislation or of climate change issues. Mr Johnson opposed the expansion of the west London airport when he was London's mayor and promised to 'lie down ... in front of those bulldozers' to stop the runway being built. He repeated his opposition as MP for Uxbridge in west London, which would be affected by the plans, and earlier this month said there was 'no immediate prospect' of construction beginning. Mr Shapps said today: 'The Court of Appeal ruled today that when designating the Airports National Policy Statement, which was backed by Parliament, the previous Government did not take account of the Paris Agreement, non-CO2 emissions and emissions post 2050. 'We have always been clear that Heathrow expansion is a private sector project which must meet strict criteria on air quality, noise and climate change, as well as being privately financed, affordable, and delivered in the best interest of consumers. The Government has taken the decision not to appeal this judgment. The promoters of the scheme will be able to seek permission from the Supreme Court to appeal if they wish. What happens now on Heathrow? Boris Johnson holds future of project in his hands Judges were asked to rule on whether the Government had considered its duties under the Paris Agreement on climate change when supporting the third runway. The issue revolved around the official national policy statement (NPS) - which set out ministers' views on the project, and has previously been endorsed by the Commons in a vote. The Court of Appeal decided the document did not sufficiently explain how the runway could be compatible with the Paris Agreement. The judges stressed that did not mean the project could not go ahead - but the NPS would need to be rethought. Boris Johnson has always personally opposed the runway, and the government has declared it will not support Heathrow's intention to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. It is unclear what prospects for success the appeal would have without government backing. And it is very difficult to see how such a massive infrastructure project can happen without active support from ministers. Advertisement 'As part of its judgment, the Court has declared that the Airports National Policy Statement is of no legal effect unless and until the government carries out a review under the Planning Act 2008. The Court's judgment is complex and requires careful consideration. We will set out our next steps in due course.' A Heathrow spokeswoman said: 'The Court of Appeal dismissed all appeals against the Government - including on noise and air quality - apart from one which is eminently fixable. 'We will appeal to the Supreme Court on this one issue and are confident that we will be successful. 'In the meantime, we are ready to work with the Government to fix the issue that the court has raised. 'Heathrow has taken a lead in getting the UK aviation sector to commit to a plan to get to net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Accord. 'Expanding Heathrow, Britain's biggest port and only hub, is essential to achieving the Prime Minister's vision of global Britain. 'We will get it done the right way, without jeopardising the planet's future. Let's get Heathrow done.' The coalition of councils, environmental campaigners and Mr Khan appealed against a High Court ruling in May, which rejected four separate judicial reviews of the Government's decision to approve the plans. They argued that the Government's NPS setting out its support for the project failed to properly deal with the impact on air quality, climate change, noise and congestion. Support from Labour MPs helped push through the proposals to expand Europe's busiest airport with an overwhelming majority of 296 in a Commons vote in June last year. Mr Grayling said at the time that the new runway would set a 'clear path to our future as a global nation in the post-Brexit world'. Heathrow says it could open the third runway 'between early 2028 and late 2029'. Its previous target date was 2026. The airport said the delay was due to the Civil Aviation Authority, which refused to approve its bid to nearly quadruple the amount it spends before obtaining final planning permission. When he was London Mayor, Mr Johnson pushed the idea of a 'Boris Island' airport in the Thames Estuary The decision prompted joy from environmental campaigners today, but Heathrow has vowed to appeal Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell called today's decision a 'tremendous victory' for eco campaigners Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who supported the legal action, welcomed the decision outside court today Pictured are plans for what the third runway was due to look like. The future of the project is now unclear Campaigners gathered outside court before the ruling, from 9am, and reacted with joy after hearing the judges' decision, with one group popping a bottle of champagne. Seventeen years of Heathrow wrangling December 2003: Labour ministers publish plans for a third runway, saying it is needed to keep pace with other European hubs. January 2009: Gordon Brown green lights plans despite opposition from residents, environmental activists and many of his own MPs. October 2009: As Opposition leader, David Cameron publicly states he will block Heathrow expansion. May 2010: The Tory-Lib Dem Coalition emerges after the election, and rules out the west London plans. September 2012: The idea is revived as an independent commission is set up to look at expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick, and a new airport in the Thames Estuary. July 2015: The Airports Commission recommends Heathrow should get a new runway. July 2016: David Cameron resigns as PM in the wake of the EU referendum, and is replaced by Theresa May - with no decision taken on Heathrow. July 2017: Heathrow scales back proposals for a new terminal to reduce project costs. June 2018: Revised plans with a 14billion price tag are approved by Cabinet, with the proviso that taxpayers will not face any cost. June 25, 2018: Greg Hands resigns from government to vote against the National Policy Statement (NPS) - effectively outline planning permission. But Boris Johnson, who previously vowed to 'lie down in front of bulldozers', is abroad in Afghanistan when MPs vote in favour by a majority of 296. December 2019: As PM, Boris Johnson does not change official policy on Heathrow but says he will 'find a way' of honouring his bulldozer pledge. February 2020: The Court of Appeal rules that the NPS was unlawful as government had not considered its obligations under the Paris Climate Change Agreement. The government says it does not support appealing the case, but Heathrow says it will go to the Supreme Court. Advertisement Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who supported the legal action, said: 'We won! Today we blocked the Tory government plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Today's judgment is a major victory for all Londoners who are passionate about tackling the climate emergency and cleaning up our air. Mr Khan said he was concerned about other issues such as noise pollution, adding: 'I'm worried about future generations.' 'I think what the Government has got to do is realise that the right choice to make is to abandon plans for a third runway,' he said. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell joined protesters outside the Court of Appeal and hailed the decision as a 'tremendous victory'. He added: 'There's no way we can tackle climate change and allow Heathrow expansion to go ahead. I think that project is now dead.' Environment minister Lord Zac Goldsmith, who lost his seat as MP for Richmond Park in the election last year before being made a peer, simply tweeted: 'HUGE!!!' The ruling was also greeted by Richmond Council in west London, which has always opposed the plans due to its impact on local residents. Its leader, Gareth Roberts, said: 'This judgment is nothing short of a victory. It leaves the Government's airports policy in tatters. It surely must be the final nail in the coffin for Heathrow's attempts to steamroll over local and national opposition to their disastrous third runway plans.' John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, said: 'The third runway is already on its knees over costs, noise, air pollution, habitat loss and lack of access, and now Heathrow Ltd has yet another impossibly high hurdle to clear. 'No amount of spin from Heathrow's PR machine can obscure the carbon logic of a new runway. Their plans would pollute as much as a small country. 'Boris Johnson should now put Heathrow out of its misery and cancel the third runway once and for all. No ifs, no buts, no lies, no U-turns.' Aviation Environment Federation deputy director Cait Hewitt said: 'This is a huge win for the climate, and leaves Heathrow's third runway plans in tatters. 'In presenting plans for a third runway to MPs, the Government failed, the court has found, to assess whether this was compatible with the Paris Agreement.' Tanya Steele, chief executive of the WWF, said: 'No plan for net zero emissions, either from the UK Government or from Heathrow itself, can be credible if it includes a third runway.' And Will Rundle, head of legal at Friends of the Earth, added: 'This ruling is an absolutely ground-breaking result for climate justice. 'We were fighting a project that would have had dire implications for present and future generations.' Environmental campaigners hailing their victory outside the Court of Appeal today However, there was dismay from the aviation lobby, which has supported the project as a means to boost capacity and cement Heathrow's position as a world-leading hub airport. Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: 'Today's decision is extremely disappointing. 'The Sir Howard Davies Airports Commission spent several years looking at airport capacity in the South East and was clear Heathrow is the only game in town, with other schemes being considered and ultimately rejected. 'The economic prize is enormous if expansion is done right, with airlines ready to respond to the unlocking of new capacity by creating new routes and helping to connect the UK to new markets and destinations, and Heathrow to regions across the country. 'UK aviation has committed to net zero carbon by 2050 and this factors in the emissions created by Heathrow expansion. It is not a question of being pro-aviation or pro-environment.' Richard Burge, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: 'The delivery of the Government's ambitions for Global Britain are dependent on world-class connectivity. That will require a UK hub airport, linked to the existing transport network. It's hard to see where else is better positioned to deliver that than Heathrow. Following today's ruling we need to know what the Government's strategy is for ensuring our airport capacity delivers our international ambition.' Miles Celic, chief executive of financial sector industry body TheCityUK, said: 'Ongoing uncertainty over the UK's airport capacity is a blow to any serious vision of a 'global Britain'. 'Building an integrated world class infrastructure network is vital to the UK's international success and to boosting economic growth and jobs across the whole country. 'The UK seems stuck in the international infrastructure slow lane. We shouldn't be surprised if it means that we get overtaken by our competitors.' Scott Morrison has declared a coronavirus pandemic is 'very much upon us' as he launched an emergency plan. The Prime Minister has instructed Health Minister Greg Hunt to identify 'gaps in capabilities' within Australia's state-based health services as they combat the spread of the deadly, flu-like illness from China. 'We believe that the risk of a pandemic is very much upon us,' he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday. 'We need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic.' Scott Morrison has declared a coronavirus pandemic is 'very much upon us' as he declared an emergency The Prime Minister said that during the past 24 hours, the 'rate of transmission of the virus outside of China is fundamentally changing the way we need to look at how this issue is being managed here in Australia'. Pictured are commuters in Tokyo wearing face masks Mr Morrison said that during the past 24 hours, the 'rate of transmission of the virus outside of China is fundamentally changing the way we need to look at how this issue is being managed here in Australia'. 'As a result, we've agreed today and initiated the implementation of the coronavirus emergency response plan,' he said. 'Based on the expert medical advice we have received, there is every indication the world will enter a pandemic phase of the coronavirus.' The Australian government has declared the emergency response plan a day after the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention forecast it would turn into a pandemic. It is being co-ordinated by the National Security Committee. 'As a government, we need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic,' Mr Morrison said. The World Health Organisation is yet to describe coronavirus as a pandemic. The Prime Minister on Thursday also extended the travel ban to China for another week. The COVID-19 coronavirus has infected more than 80,000 people worldwide since it originated in December at an animal market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. That included 23 people in Australia. Another eight Australians had been flown from the Diamond Princess cruise ship at Yokohama in Japan to a quarantine centre near Darwin, where they tested positive. Eight Australians had been flown from the Diamond Princess cruise ship at Yokohama in Japan to a quarantine centre near Darwin, where they tested positive. Pictured are evacuees at Darwin International Airport Coronavirus has killed more than 2,600 people globally and can cause severe lung damage and trigger multiple organ failure, particularly among the elderly or frail. Australia is still in the containment stage of coronavirus. The Prime Minister launched the coronavirus action plan just hours after a leading infectious diseases expert told Daily Mail Australia COVID-19 was likely to kill a greater proportion of elderly Australians, compared with China. Professor Raina MacIntyre, the head of Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales's Kirby Institute, warned hospital intensive care units would be overwhelmed should coronavirus turn into a pandemic. 'The disease, it's clearly more severe the older you get,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday. 'So we would see proportionately more severe disease because we have more older people than China does.' In Australia 16 per cent of the population are over 65, compared to just nine per cent in China, where some 2,700 have died. Professor Raina MacIntyre, the head of Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales's Kirby Institute, warned hospital intensive care units would be overwhelmed should coronavirus turn into a pandemic Forty CRPF personnel were killed in the Pulwama attack last year An accused in the Pulwama terror attack conspiracy, Yusuf Chopan, has been granted bail by a Delhi court due to the National Investigating Agency's (NIA) failure to file a chargesheet, according to a report by legal news portal Live Law. The court observed that the accused was entitled to statutory bail as the NIA (which was the investigating agency in this case) had failed to file a chargesheet within the statutory period of 180 days. After Chopan had already been in custody for around 180 days, the application for his bail was moved since the time to file the chargesheet had already elapsed, the court order noted. Special NIA judge Parveen Singh observed that the said time period ended on February 11, 2020, adding that the chargesheet had not been filed against the accused "due to insufficient evidence". Having set certain conditions, the court then granted him bail. Chopan was asked to furnish a bond in the sum of Rs 50,000 along with one surety of the like amount. He would also be required to join the investigation as and when required and attend the court in accordance with the conditions of the bond executed by him. On February 14 last year, a terrorist drove a truck laden with explosives into a convoy of vehicles carrying paramilitary troops on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. Around 44 Central Reserve Police Forced (CRPF) personnel were killed with another 20 having sustained injuries in the attack. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A federal appeals court in San Francisco on Wednesday rejected a free-speech lawsuit filed against YouTube and Google by a conservative nonprofit group. Prager University, also known as PragerU, claimed YouTube and its parent company, Google, violated PragerU's constitutional First Amendment right of free speech by designating some of its videos for restricted mode. PragerU, founded by radio talk show host Dennis Prager, is a media organization that creates five-minute videos giving a conservative viewpoint on social and political topics. YouTube's optional restricted-mode setting enables users such as libraries and parents to block age-inappropriate content. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously dismissed PragerU's lawsuit, saying that YouTube is a private platform and not a government entity that would be subject to the Constitution's guarantee of free speech. The free-speech requirement applies only to the government, the court noted. Circuit Judge Margaret McKeown wrote, "Despite YouTube's ubiquity and its role as a public-facing platform, it remains a private forum, not a public forum subject to judicial scrutiny under the First Amendment." The panel cited U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have held that providing a platform for speech by others does not transform a private organization into an entity acting as a government. The court also rejected a second claim in which PragerU contended that YouTube engaged in false advertising by making statements such as "everyone deserves to have a voice." McKeown wrote, "YouTube's braggadocio about its commitment to free speech constitutes opinions" that are not subject to the federal law prohibiting false advertising. The appeals court upheld a similar ruling in which U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh of San Jose dismissed the case in 2018. PragerU attorney Peter Obstler said, "We're obviously disappointed. The court's ruling today concerned two very important issues but they were narrow issues." He said he is pursuing other claims against YouTube in the state court system on behalf of other clients. YouTube spokesman Farshad Shadloo said in a statement, "Google's products are not politically biased. We go to extraordinary lengths to build our products and enforce our policies in such a way that political leanings are not taken into account. "Our platforms have always been about sharing information everywhere and giving many different people a voice, including PragerU, who has over 2 million subscribers on their YouTube channel. The court's ruling vindicates important legal principles that allow us to provide different choices and settings to users," Shadloo said. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- K2 Intelligence Financial Integrity Network (FIN) today announced the firm's participation in the AML & ABC Forum 2020 in London. The firm will be speaking at and sponsoring the event, held March 10 and 11. The forum, which is designed to enable the financial services industry to benchmark compliance processes and understand the impact of regulatory developments in anti-money laundering (AML) and anti-bribery and corruption (ABC), will include a panel featuring Michelle Goodsir, managing director in K2 Intelligence FIN's financial crimes risk and compliance practice. The day-one panel- "Aligning AML & ABC: What Are the Benefits?"-will discuss the efficiencies and cost benefits of AML and ABC convergence. "AML and ABC verticals have historically operated in silos, but this can no longer be the case," said Ms. Goodsir. "I am excited to help guide an important discussion for financial institutions seeking to solidify their compliance programs and bring attention to how these two critical areas can work together to deliver renewed strength to risk and compliance teams." K2 Intelligence participates in and sponsors a range of events throughout the year. For more information on the AML & ABC Forum 2020, click here. About K2 Intelligence Financial Integrity Network (FIN) K2 Intelligence is an industry-leading investigative, compliance, and cyber defense services firm founded in 2009 by Jeremy M. Kroll and Jules B. Kroll, who is credited with originating the modern corporate investigations industry. Redefining 21st-century corporate intelligence, the firm combines subject-matter expertise with cutting-edge technology, bringing to bear the industry's best multidisciplinary teams to solve its clients' most difficult problems. With offices in New York, London, Washington, DC, Madrid, Geneva, Los Angeles, and Chicago, K2 Intelligence advises governments, companies, boards, and individuals in business areas including investigations and disputes, regulatory compliance, cyber defense, construction and real estate, strategic risk and security, and private client services. With the addition of Financial Integrity Network (FIN) in 2019, the firm assists financial institutions, sectoral clients, and governments with strategic advisory, policy, controls, and training to protect against the full range of illicit financing threats. For more information, visit www.k2intelligence.com or www.finintegrity.com. CONTACT: Paula Zirinsky Global Chief Marketing Officer pzirinsky@K2Intelligence.com Lindsay Sweeney Media Relations Manager lsweeney@K2Intelligence.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/999005/K2_Intelligence_and_Financial_Integrity_Network_Logo.jpg Kenosha Police are warning people to be more cautious about leaving keys in vehicles after a sharp rise in auto thefts. Automotive thefts have gone up substantially, said Lt. Joe Nosalik. According to data from the department, there were 51 vehicles reported stolen in the city in 2018. Numbers are still being finalized for 2019, Deputy Chief Eric Larsen said, but he said there were approximately 134 vehicles reported stolen in the city in 2019. In the vast majority of those cases, he said the owners of the cars had left keys in the ignition, often while warming up vehicles in cold weather. Last year, 105 cases were people who left keys in cars and the cars running, and the cars were stolen, Nosalik said. All of those were preventable crimes. That is a crime of opportunity. Among the victims was Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary and former state representative Peter Barca. Barca and his wife were getting ready to leave their home in Kenosha to attend Gov. Tony Evers inauguration in January 2019 when their Jeep Cherokee was stolen from their driveway. Barcas wife, Kathleen Barca, had pulled the Jeep out of the garage and left it running in the driveway as she went back inside for a few minutes to grab some belongings. When they came back outside, the Jeep was gone. A short time later police got into a chase with the stolen vehicle, but the thieves fled into Illinois. The Jeep was found in Illinois about a month later. In November, a 17-year-old Waukegan, Ill., boy was charged in the theft. More police pursuits The Barca case was common in another way: Police pursuits are also up, often involving stolen vehicles. Larsen said Kenosha Police officers were involved in 29 pursuits in 2018. This substantially increased in 2019 to 83 pursuits, he said. In 24 of those cases, the vehicle being pursued was positively identified as a stolen vehicle. Larsen said many more of the pursuits may have involved stolen vehicles, but the vehicle could not be positively identified as stolen, in some cases because police were unable to verify license plate information. In areas of the Kenosha County Sheriffs Departments jurisdiction, auto thefts were down, from 37 in 2018 to 20 in 2019, according to Sgt. Christopher Hannah. Pursuits in the county were up, from 14 in 2018 to 20 in 2019. Nosalik said thefts of running vehicles are often spontaneous gateway crimes and said that if residents would be more cautious about leaving running cars unattended, the opportunity for the crime would collapse. Kenosha Police created a video urging residents to stop leaving vehicles unattended while warming up. To view the video, go to https://www.facebook.com/55321332206/videos/1075394876159584/ Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Leadership consultant Anton Gunn discusses why succession planning is important not only for C-suite executives but everyone in an organization. He also shares insights about how to train and develop up-and-coming leaders either to take ove... live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Vodafone Idea has sought permission to clear its pending adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues over 15 years and requested concessions on the total amount owed, media reports suggest. It wants to clear the payments in a staggered manner over 15 years after a three-year moratorium, the telecom major said in a letter to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the finance ministry and the NITI Aayog, The Economic Times reported. The cash-strapped firm wants its AGR-related dues be adjusted against its Goods & Services Tax (GST) refund demand of Rs 8,000 crore, the reports stated. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the reports. The company is said to have also requested a cut in license fees and spectrum usage charge (SUC). Vodafone Idea wants licence fee to be lowered to 3 percent from the current 8 percent, and SUC to be cut to a percent from 3 percent. The telco, which owes the maximum amount to the telecom regulator TRAI, said in the letter that it is not in a 'sound financial state', Business Standard reported. According to the DoTs estimate, Vodafone Idea owes over Rs 53,000 crore as AGR dues, of which the company has paid Rs 3,500 crore. But Vodafone Ideas self-assessment pegs the amount due at Rs 23,000 crore, reports said. Telecom companies have until March 17 to pay AGR-related dues worth Rs 1.47 lakh crore. After Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Tata Teleservices have the highest pending dues. [February 27, 2020] Churchill Mortgage Acquires Elev8 Mortgage Churchill Mortgage, a leader in the mortgage industry providing conventional, FHA, VA and USDA residential mortgages across 46 states, announced today that it has acquired Elev8 Mortgage. In Bend, Ore., with a population of 94,520, Elev8 grew from a new broker shop to producing an average of $100 million a year. With the acquisition of Elev8, Churchill Mortgage will be transitioning their entire team and office into a leading Churchill branch made up of former Elev8 employees offering more than 100 years of combined experience. "We made the decision to join Churchill Mortgage because of the unique position that the company holds in the industry," said Dan Williams, President of Elev8 Mortgage. "Churchill's current broker model is unlike others in the mortgage space. The company has a culture and brand behind it that stands for more than just closing a loan - it is about leaving customers in a better position by helping them achieve debt-free homeownership. Churchill Mortgage does all of this while offering incredible products and rates, delivered with technology that is best in class. There was no downside to this acquisition. It will only improve our business and our incredible team." "Acquiring Elev8 made sense because the team's culture, vision and innovative mindset are all aligned with Churchill Mortgage," said Churchill Mortgage Vice President of the Northwest Region, Kevin J. Hanna. "We believe in putting people over profits and creating an exceptional experience for our borrowers, employees and partners alike. Our shared goals and ideals make the acquisition a perfect fit. There is continued growth and expansion on the horizon in the Pacific Northwest for Churchill Mortgage. With Team Elev8, powered by Churchill Mortgage, we will move the industry forward." The Pacific Northwest continues to have one of the most competitive housing markets in the natio. In addition to the recent acquisition of Elev8 Mortgage, Churchill Mortgage has continued its expansion in the area with locations in Eagle Creek, Alaska as well as Lincoln City, Ore. to equip local borrowers with the tools and services to make smarter mortgage decisions. Churchill is continuing to actively seek talented, driven mortgage professionals for its expansion efforts. For more information, visit our careers page or contact: [email protected]. About Churchill Mortgage Founded in 1992, Churchill Mortgage is a privately-owned company by its more than 400 employees. A full-service and financially sound leader in the mortgage industry, the company provides conventional, FHA, VA and USDA residential mortgages across 46 states. As heard on personal finance expert and author Dave Ramsey's nationally syndicated radio show, the lender's mission is to help borrowers achieve debt-free homeownership and build wealth through a smarter mortgage plan, regardless of their starting point. Churchill Mortgage is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Churchill Holdings, Inc. Churchill Mortgage's notable achievements include recognitions as a "Top Lender" by Scotsman Guide: Residential, a seven-time "Top Workplace" by The Tennessean, one of the "Best Mortgage Companies to Work For" by National Mortgage News and a "Top 100 Private Company" and "Best in Business" by the Nashville Business Journal. For more information about Churchill Mortgage, visit www.churchillmortgage.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter (News - Alert) @ChurchillMtg, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005633/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 15:15 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066f9bde 1 World Indonesia,Afghan-women,Afghanistan,networks,cooperation Free Indonesia plans to establish a women's network with Afghanistan to encourage Afghan women to contribute to the peace process in the war-torn country, the Indonesian Foreign Minister announced on Monday. "In early March, together with Indonesian women leaders, I plan to visit Kabul to formalize the formation of the Afghanistan-Indonesia Women's Women's Network," Retno L.P. Marsudi said in a press statement issued on Monday in Geneva. The minister is a speaker at an event of the Good Human Rights Stories Initiative being held on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which runs from Feb. 24 to March 20 in the Swiss capital. Indonesia was elected in 2019 as a council member for the 2020-2022 term. As Indonesias first female foreign minister who has championed womens empowerment in foreign policy and peacebuilding, Retno has been encouraging the empowerment of Afghan women so they might play a more significant role in peacebuilding. She has consistently called for more inclusive policies and the promotion of affirmative action in the ultra-patriarchal country. Last year, Indonesia hosted a dialogue featuring dozens of Afghan women led by Acting Minister for Information and Culture Hasina Safi, and promised to follow the dialogue with training and skilling projects for Afghan women. Indonesia has offered various forms of assistance over the years in support of the Afghan peace process, from training Afghan diplomats and hosting dialogues, to establishing the Indonesia Islamic Center (IIC) in Kabul. In May 2019, Jakarta hosted a trilateral ulema conference with participants from Indonesia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Two months later in July, then-vice president Jusuf Kalla met with the Taliban's de facto political leader, Abdul Ghani Baradar, in an effort to broker peace between the movement and the Afghan government. "Indonesian women have played a role in promoting peace not only at the national level, but also at regional and global levels," said Retno, referring to the many Indonesian women working in a variety of UN peacekeeping operations around the world. The UN has encouraged countries to deploy a peacekeeping force composed of at least 15 percent female personnel, and Jakarta has declared a commitment to increase the composition of women in its peacekeeping force to 10 percent. According to the Indonesian Military, however, the current ratio of women in Indonesias peacekeeping delegations hovers at just 4 percent. "Women's empowerment is an important element in the promotion and protection of human rights," said Retno, who also spoke about women's empowerment during the UNHRC session. In addition, she mentioned the importance of preventing human rights violations and strengthening the UNHRC's synergy in promoting and protecting human rights, in particular the issue of human rights for the Palestinian people. "Non-fulfillment of the basic rights of the Palestinian people, exacerbated by the plan to build more illegal settlements on Palestinian land, is an example of human rights violations that must be resolved immediately," she said. Indonesia was also working on establishing the Southeast Asia Network of Women Peace Negotiators and Mediators in an aim to "strengthen the contribution of women in promoting sustainable peace in the region" the statement said. Toward this end, Indonesia has hosted regional training workshops on women, peace and security to increase the capacity of female peace negotiators and mediators in conflict resolution and mediation, it added. The Tamil Peoples National Alliance (TPNA), recently formed on the initiative of former Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, is another mechanism to trap the anger of war-affected Tamil people and curry favour with US imperialism and India by serving their strategic interests. Wigneswaran is the leader of Tamil Peoples Alliance (TPA) formed last year. Other groups in the front launched on February 9 include the Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) led by Suresh Premachandran, the Tamil National Party (TNP) and the Autonomous League of Eelam Tamil (ALET). Though this alliance proclaims itself as an alternative to the discredited TNA, all these groups have associated with the TNA in the past. The TNA promoted Wigneswaran as northern chief minister in 2013. The TNP has been formed by former leaders of Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) and was a partner of TNA along with EPRLF. ALET was formed by former provincial council member Ananthi Sasitharan who won his position as a candidate of the TNA. The policy statement of TPNA appeals for a political solution on self-determination. It calls for maximum autonomy and sovereignty based on federalism merging north and east, according to the changes in global politics. In accordance with changing global politics means nothing but backing the US war preparations against China and in return obtaining Washingtons support to secure the interest of the Tamil bourgeoisie. In an article in Veerakesari, C.A. Jothilingam, one of the mentors to form the TPNA, noted: Sri Lanka is unprecedentedly tightly attached to the international agenda Tamil politics too is compelled to go behind it and should handle the international politics. The international agenda cited by Jothilingam is the policy of the US and its regional ally, India, against China to secure their geopolitical interests. The TNA, which follows the same reactionary line, backed the US orchestrated regime change operation to oust Mahinda Rajapakse and install Maithripala Sirisena as president in 2015. Washington did not oppose Rajapakses communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or his anti-democratic rule but was hostile to his close relations with Beijing. US imperialism is seeking to bring Sri Lankastrategically located in the Indian Oceanwithin its orbit. The TNA party fraudulently campaigned among Tamil masses in 2015 to promote Sirisena as a man who would address human rights violations and democratic rights. After he was installed, the TNA has supported every move of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government: integration of the countrys military with the US Pacific Command, the suppression of any probe into war crimes and the International Monetary Funds austerity program. All the parties and individuals now regrouped in the TPNA backed these policies. Its appeal for a so-called political solution is a plea for greater power sharing for the Tamil elite in the joint exploitation of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim workers by local and international capital. After directly backing it for years, Wigneswaran in his speech at the inaugural meeting cynically accused the TNA of making concessions to the previous Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government. The TNA has created a situation for Sinhala leaders to declare bravely that Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country and the minority people should not request a solution disliked by Sinhalese, he declared. President Gotabhaya Rajapakse, who was elected in November, and his allies have intensified their Sinhala-Buddhist supremacist campaign. Pointing a finger at Rajapakse, Wigneswaran and his supporters, organised as the Tamil Peoples Council (TPC), have initiated their own reactionary communal campaign including Eluka Tamil or Rise up Tamils. The former chief minister last week welcomed the travel ban imposed on Sri Lankas Army Commander Shavendra Silva, by the US. Wigneswaran commented: The action shows the essential obligation of the international countries to prosecute cases of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide by Sri Lankan security forces. The travel ban on the general has nothing to do with prosecuting the gross human rights violations of the Sri Lankan military. The US is the biggest human rights violator on the planet and helped the previous Colombo government to suppress any action on war crimes. It is again exploiting human rights to pressure President Rajapakse to adhere to Washingtons war drive against China. The travel ban will to do nothing to address the demands of Tamils for justice for the crimes of political leaders in Colombo and the military during the 30-year civil war, including the final phase of the war during which tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were killed, executed after surrendering or simply disappeared. Wigneswaran last year told the TPC central committee: India began to understand that the maritime security of South India is depending on the strengthening the safety of Sri Lankan Tamils. It is necessary to maintain a smooth relationship with India After last years Easter Sunday bombings by a Muslim terrorist group in Sri Lanka, he openly supported the anti-Muslim chauvinism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying: There are more than 200 million Muslims in India, Kashmir is still in a troubling situation. India is now confronted with the problem of foreign and domestic Islamism. The EPRLF and TELO are also loyal allies of New Delhi. Both parties took part in atrocities of the so-called Indian Peace Keeping Force, sent to north and east of Sri Lanka in 1987 as part of the Indo-Lanka Accord. The Indian troops were not there to promote peace or defend democratic rights but to disarm the LTTE and suppress opposition to Colombo government. The new alliance has been formed amid growing opposition of Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim workers to the austerity agenda of the previous government, now continued by President Rajapakse. Like their counterparts in Colombo, the Tamil elites are terrified and hostile to any movement of the working class. As the TNA has been discredited for its betrayals, offshoots of this organisation are forming one alliance after another to block the development of a unified movement of working people. None of these parties have uttered a word against or about Rajapakses moves to establish authoritarian rule to suppress the working class. Tamil workers and youth must draw the necessary lessons from the military defeat of the LTTE and the treachery of other Tamil parties. The LTTEs defeat was not just a military question, but was a product of the bankrupt perspective of appealing to the international community, above all US imperialism for the creation of a separate Tamil state. At the same time, the LTTE which reflected the interests of the Tamil bourgeoisie, was organically opposed to any appeal to the working class in Sri Lanka and internationally. The defence of the democratic rights of the Tamil people can only be achieved through the united struggle of workers across ethnic lines and internationally on a socialist program to overthrow capitalism. On this basis, the Socialist Equality Party fights for a socialist republic of Sri Lanka and Eelam as part of the fight for socialism in Asia and internationally. We urge working people and youth to reject the reactionary politics of the Tamil parties and to fight for this program. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 13:10:36|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANGZHOU, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Early in the morning, while the fog still lingered in the deep mountains, a teacher was already sitting beside a cluster of bare trees, using a laptop to give an online class to her students over 700 km away. Liao Xiaolan, who teaches science in a middle school of Hangzhou, the capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, was stranded in her hometown village due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The county where she lives, located in the Jinggang Mountains of east China's Jiangxi Province, was said to have two COVID-19 patients, who were later transferred to the capital city of Nanchang for better treatment. Following the requirements of the epidemic prevention and control, Liao and her husband, who had journeyed to her parents' home to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, stayed in the village for a protracted holiday, just as the government suggested people do all over the country. But her school decided to resume classes via live online services from Feb. 10, the first day for many schools in China to start Internet schooling amid the epidemic. It is a tough problem. Surrounded by mountains, the village has almost no connection to the 4G network to support online teaching. Liao was unable to return to Hangzhou, nor could she get out to a nearby town for a better Internet connection, as the village shut off outgoing traffic from Feb. 8. Thus, she made a signal amplifier out of bamboo, wires and circuit boards, with the help of her husband who majored in engineering at college. Two days prior to the first online class, the couple went out early in the morning, searching for a place with a stable Internet signal. Late that afternoon, they found a place where their little amplifier invention could work in the woods just 1 km away from home. When the big day came, the 40-year-old teacher felt a rare sense of nervousness, despite years of face-to-face teaching experience. Besides the laptop and signal amplifier, she had only a table and a chair in the open air. She also made a magnetic needle model out of bamboo for her first online class. Her students, among the 50 million students who have joined the cloud classroom program supported by Alibaba's communication app DingTalk, saw a very unusual virtual classroom. "When I saw the scene full of leafless trees and fallen leaves in the remote mountains, my respect for her grew spontaneously," said Liu Xuan, one of the students. After finishing two classes in the wintery open air about two hours, Liao felt her legs almost frozen stiff. During the first week after the new semester began, Liao gave six online lessons in the village. She finally returned to Hangzhou on Feb. 17. Although Internet speed was no longer an obstacle in the city, Liao was looking forward to meeting her students in real classes. Online lessons are convenient under special conditions, but still lack direct interaction when compared with offline lessons. The students cannot raise their hands to ask questions, and it is not easy for teachers to know whether they have mastered the knowledge, she said. "It is my duty to teach the children. Compared with doctors and nurses who are risking their lives to save the COVID-19 patients, I am not worth mentioning," she said. He said he does not make decisions with his legacy in mind. He has won praise for modernizing the offices use of data to target violent criminals, spending millions to clear a backlog of rape kits, setting up a special domestic violence unit and routinely prosecuting sex traffickers. Ultimately, my legacy, such as it is, is to leave this office to be an office capable of handling all the variety of crimes that we have in the 21st century and to be modern about the way we investigate cases, he said. Before the #MeToo movement, Mr. Vances office had a reputation for being conservative in sex-crimes prosecutions. His decision to bring the case against Mr. Weinstein was a gamble, several criminal lawyers said, because the two main accusers Miriam Haley and Jessica Mann had consensual sex with Mr. Weinstein after the attacks. Many prosecutors would not have taken the chance, fearing that the womens credibility would have been shredded on cross-examination. Mr. Vance said he decided to press ahead despite the complex relationships the two women had with Mr. Weinstein. We felt that what we had was raw, open and honest, and they were credible and believable even if they werent the typical witness that a courtroom expects to see, he said. When he made the decision in May 2018, Mr. Vance was under intense public pressure. He had been hammered for declining to bring charges in 2015 when a Filipina-Italian model accused Mr. Weinstein of groping her breasts and shoving his hand up her skirt during a meeting at his office in TriBeCa. The governor had asked the attorney general to review that decision, and feminists from organizations like the National Organization for Women protested, demanding he take action against Mr. Weinstein. The Congress on Thursday alleged that the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge S Muralidhar was aimed at saving some BJP leaders in the Delhi violence case and exposed the Modi government's "intimidation and vendetta politics" against the judiciary. The notification of Justice Muralidhar's transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court came late Wednesday evening, on a day when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hit out at the government over the transfer, saying the Centre's attempts to "muzzle" justice and "break people's faith in an upright judiciary are deplorable". "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certainly sad and shameful," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted. "Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient and upright judiciary, the government's attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable," the Congress general secretary said. Taking a dig at the government over Muralidhar's "sudden" transfer, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred." Special CBI judge B H Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, died in allegedly mysterious circumstances on December 1, 2014. At a press conference on the issue of Justice Muralidhar's transfer, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it seems those doing justice in country will now not be spared. He alleged that the government was "waging a battle of revenge" against the judiciary. Slamming the Congress over the allegations, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the judge was transferred on the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium and accused the opposition party of politicising a routine transfer. Surjewala hit back at Prasad, describing him as the "most lawless minister" this country has ever seen. "Mr Prasad at the instance of Prime Minister Modi is hell-bent on destroying the independent institution of judiciary. Perhaps it arises out of his malice and scant regard for the Constitution and the law. But it is not his actions. He is only a protege who speaks on behalf of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah," Surjewala said. Calling the transfer a classic case of "hit-and-run injustice" by the BJP government, he said the saffron party's " of revenge" has been exposed. He accused the BJP of attacking the impartiality of the judiciary. "Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar transferred by the government to save BJP leaders in Delhi violence case," the senior Congress leader said at a press conference here. "The sudden and vindicative removal of the Delhi High Court Judge justice S Muralidhar hearing the case against BJP leaders has shocked the conscience of the entire nation. The intimidation and vendetta of the BJP against India's judiciary is now out in the open," he said. The judge who reminded the government of its 'raj dharma' and initiated and directed action against the BJP leaders making inflammatory statements was transferred overnight from the Delhi High Court, he said. "The entire country is shocked but no longer surprised at the brazenness, maliciousness and the high-handedness of the Modi-Shah government which will go to any lengths to shield those who have on record given hate speeches and sown the seeds of discord and riots in Delhi," Surjewala said. He said the people want to ask three big questions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah -- were they scared that the role of their party colleagues in the violence and the "entire conspiracy" of Delhi riots would get exposed if a free and fair investigation was conducted. "How many judges will you transfer to prevent justice being delivered fairly and efficiently?" Surjewala said as he went on to ask his second question. "Were you unable to find a way to justify the obvious and toxic statements made by your own protgs and were therefore compelled to transfer the judge who had ordered the police to investigate your party colleagues?" he added. Surjewala said there were several past instances that "expose" the BJP's attack on the independence of the judiciary. "Will PM Modi and his lawless law minister answer why Gopal Subramanium's appointment as the Supreme Court judge, cleared by the same collegium of the Supreme Court that he (Prasad) cites, was blocked forever by the Modi government," Surjewala said. "Was it not because that the known jurist Gopal Subramanium was a lawyer against Modi ji and Shah ji during the Gujarat riots?" he asked. Surjewala also asked why the appointment of Justice K M Joseph on the decision of the collegium was blocked for months by the Law minister and the prime minister. He wondered whether it was because Justice Joseph quashed the "illegal order" of the Modi government in dismissing the Congress government in Uttarakhand. He expressed the hope that the new judges who hear the Delhi violence case will take forward the courage, independence and conviction with which Justice Muralidhar held this "broken, vindictive and inept" government to account. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Politicians across party lines on Thursday welcomed the Maharashtra Assembly passing a bill that makes it compulsory for schools in the state to teach Marathi. Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi said he felt happy over the passage of the bill, which was passed unanimously in the Lower House. The bill was passed in the legislative council on Wednesday. Each person should learn Marathi in Maharashtra. Because Marathi is the language of the state. I am happy that the bill has been passed, Azmi told reporters outside the legislature building here. The MLA said he tells people from all religions to learn Marathi if they were to stay in the state. Azmi wondered why students from schools in the state opt for foreign languages like French instead of Marathi. Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande, too, hailed the development. It is a golden moment that the government, of which the Shiv Sena is a part, has brought this law, she told reporters. Maharashtra Housing minister Jitendra Awhad said mandating schools to teach Marathi subject will help spread the language. People from different regions of the country come to Maharashtra. Marathi will spread if they learn the language," the NCP minister told reporters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Board of Secondary Education has postponed class 10 and 12 exams scheduled on February 28 and 29 in the violence-hit North East Delhi and parts of East Delhi, officials said. IMAGE: A woman carrying a child walks past charred remains of vehicles set ablaze by rioters following communal violence over the amended citizenship law, in Yamuna Vihar area of northeast Delhi, on Thursday. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo The exam postponement announcement by the CBSE came for the third time this week due to communal violence in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law which has claimed 34 lives so far and left over 200 people injured. "In view of a request received from the Delhi government and to avoid inconvenience to students, staff and parents, the exams scheduled for February 28 and 29 in North East Delhi and other affected areas stand cancelled. "The next date for the affected students will be notified shortly," CBSE Secretary Anurag Tripathi said. "All exams in all centres across Delhi will be conducted as per original schedule from March 2 onwards," he said. The board also announced that it will conduct fresh exams for students who have not been able to appear for the papers in other parts of the national capital due to the violence in northeast Delhi. It has also sought details of the students who failed to appear for exams due to the prevailing situation in the city. "We have asked school principals to send the details to regional offices concerned of the CBSE of all such students of class 10, 12 who have missed out on the exams so far in Delhi, due to these difficult conditions. "To reduce the stress on students, the board will conduct fresh exams for them. The next date of exam for the affected students will be notified shortly," he said. "The board has maintained regular contact with the principals of all schools, especially in the affected areas, and it has been brought to the notice that some students residing in the affected areas have not been able to appear in exams outside the affected areas due to the situation prevailing in the city," Tripathi added. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at locals and police personnel. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Shiv Vihar are among the areas mainly affected by the riots. As the unprecedented outbreak of deadly coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, Denmark and Estonia confirmed their first case of COVID-19 on February 27. According to international reports, a journalist of a TV channel in Denmark is the country's first confirmed case. However, in Estonia, reportedly the Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik told a state broadcaster that the infected person was an Iranian citizen who had arrived in Estonia on February 26. At least seven European countries have confirmed their first cases of the fatal virus in just two days. According to international reports, Georgia, Greece, Romania, Norway and North Macedonia announced their first cases of coronavirus on February 26 which has now infected 82,000 people globally after originating in China. As of February 27, more than 2,700 people have died due to coronavirus in China with confirmed cases soaring up to 78,497. Other than the mainland, fatalities have also occurred in Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran, Taiwan, France, and the Philippines. The COVID-19 has now spread to at least 50 countries, reaching every continent except Antarctica. Read - Pak Confirms First Two Cases Of Coronavirus; Educational Inst In Sindh & Balochistan Closed Read - Odisha Man Hospitalised With Suspected Coronavirus Symptoms WHO says 'no need for panic' WHO Europe director Hans Kluge has also said that there is no need for panic over the deadly coronavirus outbreak. In news conference in Rome, he said that there is no need to panic adding that the mortality rate is about two per cent and now just one per cent in China which has 96.5 per cent of the global cases. Kluge also wanted people to bear in mind that four out of five patients have mild symptoms and recover. Kluge further added that the response cooperation to the deadly pathogen will be enhanced by the organisation in order to ensure that all regions of Italy are equally prepared following the surge of cases in the northern part of the country. The press conference by the regional manager of WHO Europe came after France reported its second death which is also the first French victim of the coronavirus. He was a 60-year-old teacher, and the first was a Chinese tourist. However, Italy has reported at least 12 deaths due to COVID-19. Read - Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games May Get Cancelled If Coronavirus Not Controlled: Senior Official Read - Donald Trump Ready To Boost Funds For Coronavirus If Offered By Democrats (With agency inputs) EgyptAir has decided to cancel all bookings of Umrah pilgrims as of Thursday and until further notice. The cancellation comes after the Saudi government's decision to temporarily impose a ban on the entry into the kingdom for Umrah pilgrims and for those holding tourist visas from countries, where the new coronavirus has spread, the national carrier said in a statement. The company asserted its full commitment to the Saudi decision, while continuing to operate flights from and to Saudi Arabia, the statement read. Search Keywords: Short link: STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Actor and former Staten Island resident Steven Seagal has agreed to pay a $157,000 fine, and the same amount in promotional payments he received, in connection with a digital-coin scandal, authorities say. The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Seagal, 67, with failing to disclose being paid to promote a digital currency company, as part of U.S. regulators ongoing crackdown on token offerings, according to a statement issued Thursday by the government agency. Seagal was promised $250,000 in cash and $750,000 worth of tokens for promoting an initial coin offering (ICO) from a company called Bitcoiin2Gen, authorities said. That allegedly included posts on his public social media accounts encouraging the public not to miss out on Bitcoiin2Gens ICO and a press release titled Zen Master Steven Seagal Has Become the Brand Ambassador of Bitcoiin2Gen. Celebrity endorsements of ICOs -- in which companies raise money by selling digital tokens instead of shares -- became increasingly common as Bitcoin surged to a record high in 2017, according to a Yahoo Finance report. Seagal agreed to settle, without admitting or denying wrongdoing. Boxer Floyd Mayweather and music producer DJ Khaled also settled recently with six-figure payments, after accusations by the SEC that they failed to disclose they had received payments for promoting ICOs. The SECs Office of Investor Education and Advocacy cautions investors to be wary of celebrity endorsements and to always independently research investment opportunities. Seagal -- a former Eltingville resident and a frequent fixture at popular borough dining spots -- catapulted to fame in the 1990s with a series of blockbuster martial arts movies, such as Hard to Kill and Under Siege. Dec. 30, 1991 was proclaimed Steven Seagal Day by then-Borough President Guy V. Molinari, who hailed the actor for "boosting the local economy'' by shooting much of the footage for his films in New York City. On the sixth anniversary of Russias attempted annexation of Ukraines Crimean peninsula, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo released a press statement to confirm that Crimea belongs to Ukraine. United States reaffirms: Crimea is Ukraine. As underscored in our July 2018 Crimea Declaration, the United States does not and will not ever recognize Russias claims of sovereignty over the peninsula. We call on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea, reads the statement posted on the website of the U.S. Department of State. Pompeo underscores that Russias occupation of Crimea and its increasing militarization of the peninsula is a threat to our common security. Russian occupation authorities continue their assault on human rights and fundamental freedoms, brutally silencing critics in civil society and the media, and curtailing religious freedom. Over 80 individuals from Crimea, including members of the Crimean Tatar community, have been imprisoned by Russia and some subjected to torture for peaceful opposition to the occupation, the U.S. Secretary of State emphasizes. He recalls that members of the Crimean Tatar community continue to experience unjustified raids on their homes and mosques. The occupation authorities intimidate them, restrict cultural events, and criminalize the Mejlis. In addition, Russia has forcibly conscripted nearly 20,000 Crimean men, in violation of international law. The United States calls on Russia to free all Ukrainians it has wrongfully imprisoned in retaliation for their peaceful dissent and to end Russian abuses of fundamental freedoms in Crimea, Pompeo notes. He adds that six years on Russia continues to rely on lies and disinformation in its failed attempt to legitimize the illegitimate but its efforts are doomed to failure. The world will never forget Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The United States condemns Russias illegal actions in Crimea and its continued aggressive actions against Ukraine, including in the Donbas, and will maintain sanctions against Russia until it returns control of Crimea to Ukraine and fully implements its commitments under the Minsk agreements, the U.S. Secretary of State emphasizes. ol The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday a new case of coronavirus in a Northern California resident, and at this time, the origin of the patient's infection is unknown. Officials say the patient is a Solano County resident and is being treated in Sacramento County, according to the California Department of Public Health. This is the first coronavirus case of unknown origin in the United States. "Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States," the CDC said in a statement. "Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. Its also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected." This new case was identified by clinicians in the U.S. public health system, the CDC said. The total number of people testing positive in the United States is now 60, with 45 of those patients linked to the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was docked off Japan. The CDC on Tuesday warned the American public to prepare for an an outbreak of the disease, which has spawned more than 81,000 cases around the world mainly in China. Up until today, the patient count in the United States has included only people who traveled back from outbreak areas in China or their spouses. There have been nine cases in the Bay Area. Two Santa Clara County residents had traveled to Wuhan, and seven people were evacuated from a cruise ship docked in Japan. They were flown to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield and later transported to Bay Area hospitals for treatment. Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Why San Francisco has declared a coronavirus state of emergency: Your questions answered Eerie photos show empty streets in Italy amid coronavirus fears Maps: Cases of new coronavirus multiples across the globe CDC warns men with beards amid coronavirus scare Local emergency declared in San Francisco amid coronavirus concerns Sioned Jones at Cork Court charged with Criminal Damage by cutting down 250 spruce trees belonging to Coillte at Kealkil, West Cork Pic Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision A GRANDMOTHER who described herself as an "Earth Protector" said she cut down or killed 500 Sitka Spruce trees in a Coillte forest to protect insects, wild flowers, fungi, berry-bearing plants, native trees and her local community. Sioned Jones (61) said she conducted her campaign of spruce removal at the sprawling west Cork forest, owned by Coillte since 1995, to promote native broad-leaf Irish trees - and planted such trees herself in clearings she had restored in the woodland from spruce. The revelation came as Ms Jones of Maughanaclea, Kealkill, Bantry, Co Cork denied charges of criminal damage and dishonest appropriation before Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Her trial began as more than 25 supporters staged a colourful demonstration outside the Angelsea Street courthouse to demonstrate their solidarity with Ms Jones over environmental protection. Judge Sean O'Donnabhain and a jury of eight women and four men heard that Ms Jones denied the two charges. She was charged with criminal damage at Maughanaclea between November 1 2018 and December 4 2018 involving the felling of 250 spruce trees and the ring-barking of a further 250 trees. The charge was brought contrary to the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. Ms Jones was also charged with dishonestly appropriating felled spruce wood between November 1 2018 and December 4 2018 to the value of Euro 500 contrary to the Criminal Justice, Theft & Fraud Offences Act, 2001. Coillte official Donal Murphy said he was made aware two years ago of chain-saw activity in a Coillte-owned forest outside Kealkill. He went to the forest involved and met Garda Fintan Coffey at the scene. Garda Coffey said, a short time later, he saw a green Toyota Starlet car approaching from the forest and, when it stopped, Ms Jones got out. The garda said her clothing was covered in saw dust and a chain saw was later spotted in her car. Garda Coffey said Ms Jones confirmed at the scene that she had been felling spruce in the forest. In a subsequent Garda interview, she said she had been acting to protect her local environment and to promote bio-diversity. Mr Murphy said damage to a total of Euro 3,000 was done to spruce trees at the site. In evidence, Ms Jones described herself as "an Earth Protector." A native of Wales, she moved to Ireland in 1987 and lived in a small cottage outside Kealkill. She claimed the local landscape and environment had been transformed over the past 32 years with Coillte's planting of thousands of acres of Sitka Spruce forests, a non-native species. "I was shocked, outraged and appalled," she said. Ms Jones said that such intensive monoculture was very bad for the environment and ran contrary to European and world guidelines for the promotion of biodiversity. She said that, since 1995, she had been cutting spruce trees in the Kealkill forest to protect meadow-style mountain clearings full of native species. Ms Jones said she had also planted almost 100 native Irish trees herself in the Kealkill forest including oak, birch, roan and hazel. Some of these were grown in her own cottage nursery from acorns and seedlings. The court heard she had also attempted to purchase the valley site involved from Coillte. "I think thousands of acres of spruce is an environmental crime," she said. Ms Jones said that, as the American-indigenous trees mature, they knit together and block out all the light to the forest floor - wiping out herbs, berry-bearing plants, mushrooms, insects and wild flowers. She explained that, since her arrival in Ireland, she had foraged from the local land for berries, nuts, mushrooms, wild flowers and firewood. "But all of my resources were being squeezed out. It was my right under ancient law to forage from the countryside...to live a healthy and sustainable life and live off the land." Ms Jones said the vast spruce forest was also threatening the local environment - with spruce needles gradually making the soil and water more acidic. In contrast, she said a mix of native trees help maintain a proper balance of nature and waterways. The grandmother said she was also very worried about possible pesticide run-off entering the groundwater and thereby her water well. However, Coillte insisted it was a mature 'free grown forest' with no use of chemicals. Ms Jones explained her property was at the bottom of the forest - and she was worried about what runoff was going into her water well. "I am concerned about the type of environment we are leaving for future generations," she said. "I am a conscientious protector. We are here to protect the earth from danger and to work for biodiversity." "I am not a criminal. I was acting to protect the ecology and the environment." "This is not about me - this is about the native trees of Ireland." "I am duty bound - citizens have a duty of care to protect eco-systems and to protect bio-diversity for future generations. Duty bound." Ms Jones said she had not intended to upset anyone at Coillte - and merely wanted to protect the local environment for all local residents and future generations. She insisted she wanted Coillte to plant more native tree species. "I apologise if I have caused upset to (any) Coillte employees. But this was not take-take. I have done this with the best intentions." Judge O'Donnabhain adjourned the trial for legal argument. The case will resume Friday. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A West Michigan college student studying abroad in China is back home and avoiding exposure to the public because of coronavirus. Dylan Tulett, 23, returned home to Grand Rapids Monday, Feb. 17, from his study abroad trip to China and has spent nearly two weeks avoiding the public under guidelines from federal officials to prevent the spread of coronavirus, he said in an interview with MLive. Tulett, a senior at Western Michigan University, arrived in China on Sept. 4 to study Mandarin. During his holiday break, he traveled to Congzhang village in the province of Guizhou where he became stuck for nearly four weeks because of the infectious disease in other parts of China, he said. My family couldnt sleep. They were super worried, Tulett said. The new strand of a coronavirus caused a deadly outbreak beginning in Wuhan, China. The United States reported the first confirmed instance of person-to-person spread of this virus on Thursday, Jan. 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in Michigan, according to the CDC. Tulett kept family and friends informed about his travels on social media. Being stuck in the rural village had its ups and downs, Tulett said, though it gave him the opportunity to live like locals. What a thrill to be living like the locals here in Guizhou province, Tulett said in a Facebook post. I couldnt be in a better place here in China during the tragic time of the Corona virus. The village I'm currently residing in. What a thrill to be living like the locals here in Guizhou province. I couldn't... Posted by Dylan Tulett on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 In the village of Congzhang, Tulett said he lived for four weeks with his girlfriends family. Villagers were instructed to stay put and roads were blocked by piles of rocks to prevent the illness from reaching the 300-some people living in the remote village, Tulett said. Tulett remembers foraging for food once the villages supplies ran low. He and his girlfriend climbed banana trees for edible flower buds before they were able to travel to a nearby village to buy two-weeks worth of ramen noodles, he said. The village was remote and rural, Tulett said. Everything is made from scratch, he said. Food is cooked on fires. His parents worked with the university to get Tulett home safely, he said. Tulett said two government officials showed up to the home where he was staying on Feb. 16. Though the officials said he was safer to stay in the village than travel through China where he could be exposed to the virus, Tulett said his parents wanted him home back in the states. Tulett landed at the Chicago OHare International Airport where officials took his temperature and instructed him to continue monitoring his temperature for two weeks while staying at home following guidelines from the CDC. While staying at home with his parents, Tulett must report his temperature daily to his local health department, he said. Since his quarantine began, Tulett hasnt experienced any symptoms of coronavirus, he said. He may leave his home if he wears the appropriate mask, he said. These restrictions will be lifted Monday, March 2, he said. Kent County Health Department spokesperson Steve Kelso said he cant speak on any specific case, but that in general, this is a self-quarantine process. People monitor their temperatures and possible symptoms and report back to the health department, Kelso said. The health department has monitored about a dozen people over two-week periods because of the coronavirus, Kelso said. No one has experienced symptoms, he said. The public should be more concerned about preventing the spread of the flu, he said. About 29 million cases of influenza nationwide have been reported to U.S. health officials since October, and there have been at least 16,000 deaths nationwide related to the flu. Now in Grand Rapids, Tulett is taking online Mandarin courses through his university in China, though he hopes to return to China to complete his studies, he said. Paula Davis, spokesperson for WMU, said there are currently no students, faculty or staff on university travel to China. The university issued a travel prohibition to China in January to prevent the spread of the illness. There is one student studying in South Korea who will return to the states and other students currently in Italy, Davis said. We have been in ongoing contact with all of these students, none of whom are within the boundaries of a quarantined zone, Davis said. WMU leaders continue to monitor this unfolding situation through our travel advisory system in conjunction with information from the CDC, the governments of our host countries and the local partners we have hosting our students. We will continue to act in the best interest of student and employee health and well-being, she said. Also on MLive: What Michiganders need to know about coronavirus Coronavirus outbreak prompts WMU decision to ban university-approved travel to China The chief executive of UK housebuilder Persimmon has stepped down after just over a year in the role. The company announced David Jenkinsons departure as it reported that pre-tax profits dipped to 1.04 billion in 2019, from 1.09 billion in 2018, after it sold fewer new homes. Persimmon saw revenue decline by 2.4% to 3.65 billion for the year after it sold 15,855 new homes, down 4% on the previous year. However, the firm also saw its average selling price increase over the period, rising to 215,709 from 215,563 in 2018. It added that customer demand has been encouraging in the initial weeks of 2020, with sales rates tracking above previous years. Persimmon said Mr Jenkinson will step down as chief executive in due course, after 23 years with the business. Chairman Roger Devlin said: Dave has played a critical role in the development of a new Persimmon. As chief executive, he quickly set about designing and implementing a programme of change and started the process of resetting the culture of the business. Mr Jenkinson said: Im very pleased with the progress that weve made over the last year in reshaping Persimmons approach and culture while at the same time maintaining our operational momentum. The departing boss took over the top job in early 2019, after predecessor Jeff Fairburn faced criticism from investors for receiving almost 85 million in remuneration over a two-year period. Julie Palmer, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: Persimmons financials may be on a solid base currently, but the companys reputation is continuing to show cracks as reports of customer complaints are rife for the housebuilder with concerns around its build quality. This has ultimately led to Dave Jenkinsons departure and his replacement will need to rebuild the companys image in the wake of an independent review that reported a failure to install fire-stopping cavity barriers in properties causing a wave of customer complaints. Shares in the company slid 5.2% to 2,919p in early trading on Thursday. Countries around the world are taking measures to try to stem the spread of the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19, as the death toll continues to rise. Below are news updates from Feb. 27. Click here for Feb. 28 updates. BTS Cancels Concerts in Seoul K-Pop superstar group BTS is canceling four concerts in Seoul scheduled for April amid a coronavirus outbreak in South Korea. We regret to announce that the BTS MAP OF THE SOUL TOUR has been canceled, the Seoul-based Big Hit Entertainment said in a statement. It said the COVID-19 outbreak has made it impossible at this time to predict the scale of the outbreak during the dates of the concert in April. The seven-member boy band was scheduled to perform April 11-12 and April 18-19 at Seouls Olympic Stadium. South Korea has more than 2,000 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and has recorded 13 deaths. Read more here. Swiss Cases Rise to 9, Children in Precautionary Quarantine The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Switzerland rose to nine on Thursday, as the canton of Basel-City put a number of children into a two-week quarantine after one of their caregivers tested positive for the virus. A young woman who returned to work at a daycare facility after traveling to Milan has tested positive for the new coronavirus, authorities in Basel-City said late on Thursday. The young woman who resides in the canton of Basel-City is doing well given the circumstances, the regions health department said in a statement. As a carer for children and young children working at a daycare in Riehen, she came into contact with many children. The health department is now making extensive checks in the patients professional and personal environment accordingly. The daycare facilities in the town of Riehen normally care for around 100 children, the authorities said, but due to ongoing holidays, only a portion of the children had been present in the facility and in close contact with the affected woman. Read more here. California Monitoring Thousands for COVID-19 California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that 33 people in California have tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus, and officials are currently monitoring more than 8,400 people for the virus. Newsom stated that 5 of the 33 patients who tested positive for the virus have left the state. Health officials said some of the 33 positive cases were part of the group of evacuated Diamond Princess cruise passengers who were repatriated back to the United States after spending weeks on the quarantined ship held off the coast of Japan. Newsom said that 49 jurisdictions are monitoring 8,400-plus people for the virus. We knew this was inevitable due to the contagious nature of the virus, he said. As of Wednesday night, the United States had 60 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, 42 of which were on the ship, according to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Iranian Vice President Contracts Coronavirus: State Media Masoumeh Ebtekar, Irans vice president for women and family affairs, has contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus, according to state-run media. Ebtekar, who was also an English-language spokesperson for Iran during the 1979 hostage situation, is suffering from mild symptoms and wasnt hospitalized, said state media, CBS News reported. She one of several Iranian officials to have contracted the virus. The death toll from COVID-19 in Iran has risen to 26 while 245 people have contracted the virus, health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in a statement carried by state-controlled IRNA. The country is the hardest-hit in the Middle East, and many of its neighbors have closed their borders to travel and suspended flights. Iran has shut down schools, universities, and canceled public gatherings to combat the diseases spread. The majority of the cases have been confirmed in the city of Qom, the site of an outbreak late last week. Read more here. US Fixes Faulty Tests U.S. health officials said an issue that delayed expanded testing for the new coronavirus in the United States has been fixed, paving the way for public health laboratories across the nation to test patients locally for the disease the virus causes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent test kits to labs across the country earlier this month but one of three steps in the test led to inconclusive results. Dozens of labs were prevented from testing samples from suspected cases of the new COVID-19 disease because of the issue as some experts called for wider testing for the new virus. Twelve state or local labs could test samples as of Tuesday. That number has expanded to 40, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar told a congressional committee in Washington on Thursday. The jump came after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of those tests by using just the first and second step to provide a definitive diagnostic, Azar said, cutting out the problematic third step. Read more here. Chinese Doctor: So Many Deaths There are so many deaths. The mortality rate of patients in critical condition is about 80 percent, and the mortality rate of patients in severe condition is 20 percent, said doctor Chen, who is treating the ill in one of the cities hard-hit by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in China. In an exclusive interview with The Epoch Times on Feb. 27, Chen discussed what he saw and experienced in the city of Ezhou, about 50 miles east of Wuhan, where the outbreak first emerged. Both cities are within Hubei province. Chen is a young doctor dispatched from another province to Ezhou to help treat the large numbers of COVID-19 patients there. As a doctor with a lot of experience treating patients with respiratory diseases in intensive care units (ICU) and respiratory care units (RCU), he was assigned to the Ezhou Central Hospital in February to treat COVID-19 patients. Chinese authorities have forbidden medical staff from accepting media interviews. To protect Chen, The Epoch Times has decided to withhold Chens full name and hometown. Read more here. Coronavirus Infects Patient for Second Time A woman who was working as a tour bus guide was reinfected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, testing positive after having recovered from a prior infection, said a local government agency in Japan. Osakas prefectural government confirmed that a woman in her 40s, who tested positive twice, was a resident in Osaka. She tested positive Wednesday after developing chest pains and a sore throat, the government told public broadcaster NHK. She had first tested positive in late January and was released from the hospital on Feb. 1 and was declared coronavirus-free on Feb. 6, the government said. However, officials said she started feeling chest pain and throat pain on Feb. 19. After going to the doctor several times, she tested positive again about a week later. Read more here. Italy Changes Virus Count Methods at Urging of UN Agency With tourism tanking and panic rising, Italy is changing how it reports coronavirus cases and who will get tested in ways that could lower the countrys caseload even as an outbreak centered in northern Italy spreads in Europe, officials said Thursday. Italian authorities plan from now on to distinguish between people who test positive for the virus and patients showing symptoms of COVID-19, the illness the virus causes, since the majority of the people in Italy with confirmed infections arent actually sick. As of Thursday, Italy reported 528 cases and 12 confirmed deaths from the virus, the most of any country outside Asia. All the patients who died were elderly, sick with other ailments or both. At the urging of the World Health Organization, Italy also is distinguishing between positive virus tests reported at a regional level and results confirmed by its National Institute of Health. The U.N. health agency insisted that only nationally certified cases are considered official. The cases that emerge from the regions are still considered suspect and unconfirmed, Walter Ricciardi, a WHO adviser to the Italian government, said. You will see that in the next few days, there will be outbreaks in other countries, too. But the other countries are much more rigorous in their reporting methods. Italys civil protection chief Angelo Borrelli said the Thursday count of 528 cases came from regional reports. Only 282 cases were certified by the national health institute, but that was all the test results it analyzed, Borrelli said. Official certification therefore wasnt expected to significantly alter the overall numbers in Italy once they were all counted, Borrelli said. Out of the 528 cases, 159 infected people have required hospital treatment and 37 were in intensive care, while the vast majority isolated themselves at home in self-quarantine, Borrelli said. The government is seeking to calm fears about the outbreak, which has seen countries issue travel advisories warning their citizens to avoid visiting hard-hit Lombardy and Veneto regions, which have seen the most cases. The Italian government has lashed out at what it called alarmist and inaccurate reporting about the degree of contagion and level of panic, and insisted Italy is a safe country and ready to receive visitors. All Schools to Close in Japan For Most of March Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that the government would ask all elementary, junior high and high schools to close from March 2 until spring break, typically around the end of March. He was speaking at a meeting of the governments task force to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. Australia Starts Emergency Plan, Extends Travel Ban Australias government on Feb. 27 initiated its emergency response plan, warning its citizens to prepare for a coronavirus pandemic as the deadly virus continues to spread around the globe. We believe the risk of a global pandemic is very much upon us and as a result, as a government, we need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. Australia has 23 confirmed cases of coronavirus15 of these are reported to have recovered. Eight more Australians were infected while aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Morrison also announced Thursday the country has extended its travel ban to March 7, forbidding foreign nationals from entering the country from mainland China for a further week to protect Australians amid the outbreak. Read more here. Denmark, Estonia Join Others in Europe to Report First Cases Denmark and Estonia on Thursday confirmed they had each detected their first known cases of COVID-19. The Danish Health Authority said that its first patient was a male who had recently returned from a ski holiday in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Reuters reported. He tested positive on Wednesday night and is in self-isolation at home. In Estonia, Tanel Kiik, the Minister of Social Affairs, told Eesti Television that their first patient is an Iranian citizen who arrived in the country on Wednesday. They are now being quarantined. At least five European countries confirmed their first known cases on Wednesday: Georgia, Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, and Norway. Saudi Arabia Halts Travel to Islams Holiest Site Saudi Arabia on Thursday halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam just months ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, a move coming as the Mideast has over 220 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The extraordinary decision by Saudi Arabia stops foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure the worlds 1.8 billion Muslims pray toward five times a day. It also said travel was suspended to Prophet Muhammads mosque in Medina. The decision showed the worry about the outbreak potentially spreading into Saudi Arabia. The epicenter in the Mideasts most-affected country, Iran, appears to be in the holy Shiite city of Qom, where a shrine there sees the faithful reach out to kiss and touch it in reverence. Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus, and urges its citizens to exercise caution before traveling to countries experiencing coronavirus outbreaks, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement announcing the decision. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm. The hardest-hit nation in the Mideast is Iran, where Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 19 people have died among 139 confirmed cases. Experts are concerned Iran may be underreporting cases and deaths, given the illnesss rapid spread from Iran across the Persian Gulf. For example, Iran still has not confirmed any cases in Mashhad, even though a number of cases reported in Kuwait are linked to the Iranian city. In Bahrain, which confirmed 33 cases as of Thursday morning, authorities halted all flights to Iraq and Lebanon. It separately extended a 48-hour ban over flights from Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, through which infected travelers reached the island kingdom off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said there were no immediate plans to quarantine cities but acknowledged it may take one, two, or three weeks to get control of the virus in Iran. As Irans 80 million people find themselves increasingly isolated in the region by the outbreak, the countrys sanctions-battered economy saw its currency slump to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar in a year on Wednesday. US Postpones Military Exercises As South Korea Confirms 13th Death The United States and South Korea have postponed their joint military exercises amid the local coronavirus outbreak in the East Asian country. The ROK-U.S. Alliance made the decision to postpone the combined command post training for the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command until further notice, the Combined Forces Command said in a statement, referring to the Republic of Korea. ROK JCS and USFKs commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance remains ironclad and unbreakable, and the decision to postpone the combined training was not taken lightly. The safety of the ROK and U.S. service members were prioritized in making this decision. The ROK-U.S. alliance remains committed to providing a credible military deterrence and maintaining a robust combined defense posture to protect the ROK against any threat, it added. Read more here. CDC Says 15th Case Could Be From Local Transmission The CDC has said that the 15th individual to test positive for COVID-19 in the United States could be the nations first case of local transmission. In a statement released Wednesday evening, shortly after President Donald Trump addressed the nation on the coronavirus threat, the agency said that one person from California with no travel history to COVID-19-impacted locations and no contact with known COVID-19 carriers had tested positive for the disease. At this time, the patients exposure is unknown, the CDC said in a statement. Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. The agency explained that community spread is the transmission of the illness from unidentified sources, which the agency added could have been a returned traveler who was infected. The resident of Solano County was identified by his local doctors in the public health system, who notified the agency of a potential case. The California Department of Public Health added in a separate statement: The health risk from novel coronavirus to the general public remains low at this time. While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate. From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80 percent do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization. There have been no confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States to date. California is carefully assessing the situation as it evolves. The 15th case is in addition to the 42 passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess and the three Wuhan evacuees who have also tested positive for the virus. Read more here. Georgia, Greece, North Macedonia, Norway, Romania Each Detect First Cases Georgia confirmed on Wednesday its first confirmed coronavirus case who is a citizen who recently arrived back in the country from Iran through Azerbaijan. According to the countrys health minister Ekaterine Tikaradze, he was then quickly isolated in a hospital where he will remain for monitoring. A female who returned to North Macedonia from Italy after a month of travel has tested positive for the virus. She had received treatment for the virus while in Italy, but was not tested, according to the countrys health minister. Upon her return, she was immediately admitted to an infectious diseases clinic where she tested positive for the virus. Meanwhile, Norway confirmed its first case of coronavirus on Wednesday, announced the countrys Institute of Public Health. The patient was identified as a Norwegian who had returned from a trip to China late last week. This person is not showing symptoms but was tested after returning from the region of China where the outbreak began, agency director Line Vold told a news conference. Melanie Sun, Mimi Nguyen Ly, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. For updates from Feb. 26, click here. From The Epoch Times India on Thursday hit out at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for its statement on Delhi violence, saying the comments are factually inaccurate and misleading. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also urged bodies like the OIC not to make irresponsible statements at this sensitive time. "The statements which have come out of OIC are factually inaccurate, they are selective, they are misleading. There is an effort on the ground, to restore normalcy, to create confidence," Kumar said. "We urge these bodies not to indulge in irresponsible statements at this sensitive time," he said. The OIC has condemned the violence in Delhi and alleged discrimination against Muslims. The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed at least 34 lives and left over 200 people injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meeks built a career for himself after his famed mugshot went viral for his chiseled good looks. Now there's a whole Instagram and Twitter account entitled 'Mugshawtys' dedicated to documenting attractive felon fatales that boasts nearly 200,000 followers. The page posts mugshots of female offenders with model-like good looks wearing expertly applied make-up, posing with perfect pouts, or in some cases smiling. Some of the women on the page have been arrested for marijuana possession, DUI, and criminal trespassing. Instagram and Twitter account 'Mugshawtys' posts the mugshots of attractive female criminals and boasts 200,000 followers. Pictured left is former Bachelor contestant Amanda Stanton, who was booked for domestic battery in 2018. Pictured right a woman booked for receiving stolen property Felon Fatales! The woman on the left was booked for obstruction of an officer without violence and the woman on the right was booked for possession of a controlled substance This woman posed booked for DUI and failure to comply dramatically posed for her mugshot with mascara running down her face The account is run by 24-year-old California electrician Josh Jeffrey, who says that his page is mostly submission based. 'A lot of people send me their own mugshots I get probably 15 to 20 plus [direct messages] a day of different ones,' he said to the New York Post. 'A lot of what I post is submissions'. Every day Jeffrey posts a mugshot and along with it the charge they were booked for. Hilarious comments on the photos include messages like 'I'm gonna bail her out', 'she stole my heart', 'free her now!!' and 'she's a cutie let her go'. While the page is lighthearted, Jeffrey says if a person finds their picture on the website and asks to have it taken down, he always complies. 'If theres anybody that doesnt want their picture on there, I take it down with no questions asked,' he said. 'I dont put information out there if the [women] dont want it'. This woman was booked for criminal damage to property and criminal trespassing The woman on the left was booked for DUI and property damage and the woman on the right was booked for possession of a controlled substance The woman on the left was booked for DUI and the woman on the right for a probation violation The woman on the left was booked for driving on a suspended license. The woman on the right for cocaine possession The woman on the left was charged with failing to appear in court and the woman on the right was busted for driving while impaired But Jeffrey has his fair share of haters. 'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meeks started a trend when he shot to fame in 2014 after his mugshot was posted to Facebook by the Stockton Police Department 'I get random people all the time saying' "oh, this isn't right." I can see where they're coming from,' he said. He added that he makes no money off running 'Mugshawtys' and he's even looked into charities that could benefit people in the criminal justice system if it ever does. Jeffrey says that after running the page since 2016, he's become critical of the American criminal justice system. 'Our system is a joke,' pointing out how he often sees women charged with felonies for minor offenses. He says he frequently sees women arrested in relation to marijuana. 'I think the US is the only country where theres a public mugshot database,' he said. 'Ive posted some international mugshots, too, but every one of those the person sent me.' His piercing blue eyes and full lips attracted thousands of likes and comments, and saw him walk out of prison and on to the runway at New York Fashion Week. Meeks went on to date Topshop heiress Chloe Green and in May 2018 Green gave birth to their first son Jayden Meeks-Green. Pictured with Chloe Green in Monaco in November 2018 'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meeks started a trend when he shot to fame in 2014 after his mugshot was posted to Facebook by the Stockton Police Department. The former criminal, who had been arrested on a felony weapons charges in California, became an internet sensation. His piercing blue eyes and full lips attracted thousands of likes and comments, and saw him walk out of prison and on to the runway at New York Fashion Week. Meeks went on to date Topshop heiress Chloe Green and in May 2018 Green gave birth to their first son Jayden Meeks-Green, but the duo have since split. The Flathead Audubon Society meeting will feature guest speaker Laura Katzman, who will share her African experience traveling to the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Victoria Falls area of Zimbabwe at the Monday, March 9, Flathead Audubon meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gateway West Meeting Room in Kalispell. The meeting is free and open to the public. She will talk about the colorful and unique birds seen on her trip. In addition, she will tell stories of her adventures with lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras and other animals encountered in her travels. Even though she did not travel to Africa specifically to bird, she was amazed by the 120 species of birds she did see. Entry ban for Umrah and visas for people from countries affected by the epidemic are suspended. The measure is temporary in nature but there are no certain dates on the duration. Fears ahead of Hajj, scheduled for late July. The invitation not to travel to the countries where the virus has spread. Riyadh (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Saudi authorities have ordered the ban on foreign visitors to enter for Umrah (the minor pilgrimage) and tourists from areas where the new coronavirus has spread to epidemic levels. The measure was announced in conjunction with the first time since the beginning of the health crisis that the number of infections in the world has exceeded those in China where the disease originated. The Wahhabite kingdom, home of the two holy places par excellence of Islam welcomes millions of faithful and visitors every year, reaching peak during the Hajj, the major pilgrimage. Last October, Riyadh's leaders introduced a new type of tourism visa, which benefits 49 nations. In a note, the Saudi foreign ministry stressed that the suspension measure is temporary in nature, although it does not indicate the duration. To date, there are no official indications about the Hajj, the major pilgrimage, which should begin in late July. Entrance to the prophet's mosque in Medina is also prohibited. So far, Saudi Arabia has not recorded cases of Wuhan's new coronavirus (Covid-19), however the epidemic is spreading to various areas of the Middle East where there are over 220 cases in total. T The most critical situation is in Iran where, according to official estimates, there are 19 deaths and 139 infections. In reality, experts fear that the number could be far greater, also considering the rapid spread from the Islamic Republic to other areas of the Gulf. The Saudi ministry did not indicate which nations will be affected by the measure and added that health authorities will determine whether the nation with an outbreak is a danger. Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus, and urges its citizens to exercise caution before travelling to countries experiencing coronavirus outbreaks, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement announcing the decision. The attention of the authorities is concentrated on the major pilgrimage, which in the past has already been an occasion for the outbreak of epidemics, the first of which occurred at the dawn of Islam, in 632 when pilgrims had to face malaria. In 1821 a cholera epidemic killed a total of 20 thousand people; another cholera epidemic in 1865 killed 15 thousand pilgrims, and then spread all over the world. Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) had recently appeared, but the security measures implemented by Riyadh in 2012 and the following year it nipped possible epidemics in the bud without registering victims. Claire Williams says the British team is suffering from multiple engine problems in Barcelona. The British team slumped to dead last by some margin last year, but boss Williams says many of those problems have now been solved. But she revealed: "We've had several problems with the power unit." Williams is powered by engines that are identical to the ones powering reigning world champions Mercedes. "Today's problem was the third of these tests," Claire Williams said on Wednesday. "It wasn't a problem with our car. Everything is fine with the car. "Everyone is a little upset about the problems, because we only have six days of testing and a busy program, so we've lost a lot of time. "We've just got to hope that everything will be fine in the remaining two days." Ironically, having spent most of the whole of 2019 dead last with Williams, new team reserve Robert Kubica was quickest overall for Alfa Romeo on Wednesday. "I definitely felt it," the Pole laughed when asked to describe the difference between his cars from 2019 and 2020. "But I'm glad that Williams has also made some progress. There are a lot of good people there so it's great if they are no longer always at the back." (GMM) (Alliance News) - Conroy Gold & Natural Resources PLC said Thursday progress has continued at the Orlock Bridge fault in Ireland during the half-year period. The Irish-based resources company said for the six months ended November, its pretax loss narrowed to EUR278,008 from EUR285,604 at the same period a year ago. During the period the company raised a total of EUR350,000 in two separate tranches, by way of an unsecured convertible loan note with an existing shareholder. During the period, the presence of gold in bedrock in target area 4, a new gold zone in target area 1, and gold mineralisation between the Clontibret deposit and Corcaskea was confirmed at Orlock. Conroy said "it is envisaged the development will take the form of a joint venture agreement with a suitable industry partner," and noted significant interest in the project has been shown from potential partners. Richard Conroy, chair, said: "The drill programme has confirmed our belief in multi-million-ounce gold exploration targets on the 65 kilometre (40 mile) district scale gold trend we have discovered. "We intend to actively continue and accelerate our development and exploration programme along the trend including our first gold mine and to this end we are in talks with a number of potential partners," Conroy said. Conroy shares were trading 6.1% lower in London at 11.50 pence each on Thursday. Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Still to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones in violence in parts of northeast Delhi, relatives are anxiously waiting outside GTB hospital's mortuary for the postmortem to be conducted before the bodies are handed over to them. Family members of people, who are missing since the violence broke out, also have been asking hospital authorities to check whether were brought dead or are being treated. Relatives of 35-year-old Mudassir Khan who have been waiting at the mortuary at GTB hospital said they are still to recover from the shock. "We have been coming here since last two days. Yesterday, the in-charge IO said that files were ready and the post-mortem would be conducted. Today, we have been waiting here since 8 am and the post-mortem is underway. "We hope to get the body soon. We will conduct the last rites today itself," his nephew Arbaaz Khan said. Talking about the situation in his area in Mustafabad, Arbaaz said with security deployment, it is returning to normal but there is still fear among people. "No one is able to sleep peacefully. There is still fear. Children are not going to school, everyone is preferring to stay indoors and we are not even using our vehicles to commute. We are in shock over what happened within three days," he said. Mudassir was outside his house in Kardampuri on Monday when he was attacked by a mob, his family said. He sustained bullet injury on his head and was declared brought dead by doctors at GTB hospital. He used to work in a plastic scrap manufacturing unit and lived with his wife and children in Kardampuri area of northeast Delhi. Many relatives and friends of riot-affected victims are waiting in the hospital anxiously to get details about their loved ones. Some of them claimed that neither police nor the hospital authorities are telling them exactly when will the post-mortem be conducted. Relatives including the mother of of 22-year-old Shahbaz (25), who has been missing since February 25, are waiting anxiously outside the mortuary at GTB hospital since morning to know if their son is even alive. "Around 2 pm, he had gone to Karawal Nagar for treatment. He had suffered injury in his eyes while he was doing some welding work. When I called him around 3 pm, his phone was found to be switched off," his inconsolable mother said. Shahbaz and his family live in Loni and worked in a welding shop in the area. A relative said they have been going from one hospital to another since February 25 to know his whereabouts. "We have been here since morning and still we haven't received any information about Shahbaz," she said. Thirty-five-year-old Musharraf's family has been at the mortuary in GTB since two days. "I have been narrating the stories of what happened with my husband to everyone out here but no one is telling us when will the post-mortem be finally conducted," his wife said. Musharraf lived with his wife and three children at Bhagirathi Vihar area of Gokalpuri. Recalling the horror, Musharraf's wife said "a group of people barged inside our house and thrashed my husband brutally. They dragged him out of our house and kept beating him." The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed at least 34 lives and left over 200 people injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There might not have been a need for rapid hospital construction and mobilization if the authorities hadn't played down the severity of the coronavirus and silenced early whistleblowers like Li Wenliang, a doctor in Wuhan who tried to share news about the new virus. His posts were censored, and the police forced him to sign a letter stating that he'd made " false comments ." That's not so different from what happened to my fictional first responder in "World War Z," Kwang Jingshu: He was gagged by those in power. Unlike Kwang, however, Li eventually died of the disease he tried so hard to stop. His death sparked an online outcry among outraged Chinese citizens, who called for freedom of speech. They were also silenced, their posts removed and hashtags deleted. In recent weeks, state-run media has been instructed to cover only positive stories about the relief efforts, and Internet platforms have been more vigilant about removing articles critical of the government. This domain name expired on 2022-01-07 01:51:04 Click here to renew it. The Original Ninfas on Navigation is a James Beard Award semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category. Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Photo: Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Veterans on the Houston dining scene, including Justin Yu, Anita Jaisinghani and Manabu Horiuchi, as well as beloved restaurants, such as Hugos and the Original Ninfas on Navigation, made the semifinals for the 2020 James Beard Foundation restaurant and chef awards. The foundation announced its preliminary list Wednesday, which will be narrowed to a finalist list on March 25. The awards considered the countrys most coveted culinary honor will be presented in May during a ceremony in Chicago. This is the first year Texas was established as its own regional category for the awards recognizing regional cooking accomplishments. Houston chefs scored five places in the newly created Best Chef Texas category, including Horiuchi of Kata Robata, Jaisinghani of Pondicheri, Dawn Burrell of Kulture, Trong Nguyen of Crawfish & Noodles and Jason Vaughan of Nancys Hustle. A crop of newcomers in the national categories made the list even more interesting. The Blind Goat, a newish Vietnamese spot by chef Christine Ha at Bravery Chef Hall, won a place in the Best New Restaurant category, along with Squable, the Heights restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Yu and bartender extraordinaire Bobby Heugel. Heugels Anvil Bar & Refuge made the Outstanding Bar Program long list, as it has in previous years. Other newbies: Rosie Cannonball, the Italian restaurant in Montrose run by chef Felipe Riccio, pastry chef Shawn Gawle and sommeliers David Keck and June Rodil, placed in the Outstanding Wine Program category. Kaitlin Steets, chef de cuisine at Theodore Rex, made the cut for Rising Star Chef, which recognizes the talents of chefs 30 or younger across the nation. Yu, whose efforts at the late Oxheart have been previously recognized by the Beard judges, found himself included among the best chefs in the United States in the Outstanding Chef category. His work at Theodore Rex landed him on the long list for that top prize. The H-Town Restaurant Group put in a great showing, too. Hugos for Outstanding Hospitality, and Tracy Vaught again represented as a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur. The H-Town group owns Hugos, Xochi, Caracol and other restaurants. And the lone Houston restaurant in the country-wide Outstanding Restaurant category? That distinction went to the Original Ninfas on Navigation, which was a semifinalist in the same category last year, too. In 2019, Houston had 11 semifinalists, but not a single finalist a blow to the Houston restaurant community, especially since Houston hosted the Beard Foundations live announcement. This years new crop of seminfinalists represents the breadth of the Houston restaurant scene, said the Blind Goat chef Ha. I am struck by the diversity in cuisine and experience on the list. I think its a particularly great group to be a part of. I feel honored yet humbled to be included on the long list next to such great names, giants that I look to for inspiration, she said. Rodil said shes happy that Rosie Cannonballs team efforts have been noted early on the restaurant opened in August. We are so thrilled and surprised to be recognized, she said. Thanks for drinking with us, Houston, Texas! For her part, Jaisinghani of Pondicheri a five-time semifinalist said shes happy for the Houston chefs and restaurants on the list: Houston has wonderful food and that needs to be recognized. But, she adds, there are bigger issues in the food world than focusing on culinary awards. She said sustainable fishing and farming and the effect that coronavirus is having on livelihoods among restaurateurs in Chinatown are more pressing matters. greg.morago@chron.com twitter.com/gregmorago Shortly after a video depicting a racially-fueled attack in San Franciscos Bayview district went viral, a second video showing two private security officers at the scene prompted more outrage. The two officers, who appear to instruct the victim to leave the area after he was robbed, were placed on administrative leave while their company, Critical Intervention Patrol, investigates the incident. I would say that with all due respect to the rest of the officers, this does not depict how we conduct business or how we service our community, said Capt. Ladale Slocum of the private security firm based in Napa. This was a situation that was very unfortunate and we are dealing with the matter internally. The first video, which circulated on Monday, shows a man swing what looks like a metal pole at the victim, an elderly Asian man, while a crowd gathered near Osceola Lane and La Salle Avenue mocks him. Police said the victim was robbed of recyclables he had collected. I hate Asians, n, one person yells at one point. The disturbing incident, which happened last weekend on Osceola Lane, was condemned by many officials and community members. On Wednesday, San Francisco police identified the victim with community assistance, but did not release his name. The second video appears to capture 10 seconds at the end of the attack. Two officers talk to the victim, though it is unclear what they said, while onlookers continue to shout. Meanwhile, the assailant drags a heavy load of trash bags with recyclables from the scene. San Francisco police confirmed on Wednesday that the officers were not from their department. Slocum said the officers arrived at the scene after the fight had escalated. He believes they were trying to separate the men to calm the situation and prevent harm. He said he did not want to comment on whether the officers did anything right or wrong. 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. Its a situation where there is a lot going on, and we would like to look further into the matter before we make any decisions, Slocum said. The company was hired roughly two years ago to patrol the Housing Authority properties, Slocum said. Slocum said he would like to meet the victim, shake his hand and tell him that the security company values his safety and well-being. I am doing my due diligence to make sure that this is deeply looked into and to make sure that we are servicing our community appropriately, Slocum said. We just want to make sure that everybody is safe, we want to make sure everybody has a place to live without having to live in fear. Anna Bauman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: anna.bauman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @abauman2 Coates was refused bail due to concerns about potential re-offending (stock photo) A man allegedly beat his girlfriend with a metal pole and "laughed" at cuts she inflicted to self-harm, the High Court has been told. Robert Coates (48) is also accused of pulling out a clump of the woman's hair and punching her about the head at his home in Co Down. Coates, of Crochan Court in Bangor, denies charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment and possessing an offensive weapon with intent. During a bail hearing prosecution counsel David McClean said the alleged attack occurred on February 19. The woman told police Coates followed her into a bedroom after she had straightened her hair and put on make-up, shouting and throwing something which cut her mouth. It was claimed that he grabbed the woman as she tried to leave, pushing her to her knees, taking hold of her hair and punching her repeatedly about the head. "She said he lifted a white metal pole and hit her with this," Mr McClean submitted. According to her account the woman thought Coates was going to kill her. The woman claimed she broke a lamp to use on her wrists in an attempt to self harm before the defendant exited the room. "She said he then returned later and laughed at her cuts," Mr McClean added. Mr Justice Colton was told she sustained cuts and bruising, while some hair had been pulled out of her scalp. During police interviews Coates claimed the injuries were sustained in an earlier fall, and that the woman had pulled her own hair out. Defence barrister Michael Boyd said: "He denies raising a hand or touching her in any way. "She was behaving erratically and in a very bad-tempered way, he was trying to stay away from her." Coates was refused bail due to concerns about potential re-offending. The judge acknowledged: "I accept there's a volatile, toxic relationship with the complainant in this case." The hand sanitiser production line at a Melbourne factory is running around the clock with customers crying out for the product in the face of an impending local coronavirus outbreak. Pharmacies and supermarkets have been out of stock, or running low, on hygiene products and surgical masks since late January when the flu-like illness began to hit the headlines. The Ego production line is running 24 hours a day. Credit:Jason South Ego Pharmaceuticals, one of the biggest hand sanitiser producers in the country, is running its factory 24 hours a day on weekdays in order to meet soaring demand. The family-owned business's Braeside factory, in Melbourne's manufacturing-heavy south-east, doubled its operating hours early this month and is producing four times as much sanitiser as usual. Hyderabad: Union minister of state for home G. Kishan Reddy made it clear on Thursday that the delimitation of Assembly constituencies in the Telugu states will be done along with the other states in the country. He said that the legal provisions do not allow taking up of the delimitation process separately for two the states, as specified in the AP Reorganisation Act. Speaking to the media at Delhi, Mr Kishan Reddy criticised that the previous UPA government including several issues according to its wish in the bifurcation Act. He said the issue of increasing of Assembly seats in the Telugu states was was brought up by the UPA government at the last minute. Mr Kishan Reddy said the Union law department will take a final decision on increasing of Assembly seats in both Telugu states. He said that the Centre was thinking about increasing Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir for which it has to bring in a law in Parliament. It has been stated that the next delimitation in the rest of the country would take place after the first Census after 2026. The solidarity and cooperation of the international society are highlighting the global efforts to get through the hard time amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. However, harsh and racist voices have also been made by certain media outlets, which was nothing but a shame. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) was one of them. In a recent op-ed of the newspaper, it slandered the efforts made by the Chinese government and Chinese people to combat the virus, and its editors even made the title extremely racially discriminatory - China is the Real Sick Man of Asia. The headline seemed to attract audience, but it reflects only arrogance and contemptibility, and a lack of humanity. Such practice received strong condemnation from the international society. By Feb. 25, a total of over 115,000 people have signed a petition launched on White Houses website, demanding a formal apology from the WSJ for the article, and either a retraction of the article or a rectification of the title. Racism cannot be tolerated. The last sentence of the petition expresses the firm stand of the signers. WSJs 53 employees also requested their employer to correct the headline and apologize to those who were offended in a recent letter they submitted to the management board of the press. This is not about editorial independence or the sanctity of the divide between news and opinion. It is about the mistaken choice of a headline that was deeply offensive to many people, not just in China, they wrote in the letter. Obviously, both readers and professionals share broad consensus on this racially discriminatory practice. Its totally rational and reasonable for the Chinese side and the international society to request proper rectification from the WSJ. However, the newspaper not only turned a deaf ear to such voices of justice, but also made excuses in other commentaries it published. The arrogance and illogic it exposed further indicated its lack of justice and righteousness. The consequences of publishing an opinion like this by mainstream media include stoking more fear and anxiety, and increasing hostility against Chinese and other Asians throughout the world, said Catherine Ceniza Choy, a professor of ethnic studies at the University of California, Berkeley, adding that this is extremely harmful and wrong. What she said exactly explained the real damage caused by the WSJs headline. Humans, regardless of their ethnicity and nationality, should combat epidemics with each other to jointly defeat the virus just like what the World Health Organization (WHO) called on . To fan up racial discrimination and slander China will only hurt the people who are fighting the epidemic, bring panic to the international society, and damage the joint efforts made by the world. Such a headline is not telling truth, but distorting it and hurting public interests. What it has exposed is the newspapers arrogance and prejudices. The resounding efforts made by the Chinese government and Chinese people to fight the virus have already won wide respect from the world, which is something that will never be covered by any slandering or smearing. Chinas national efforts aim to not only protect the lives and health of its own people, but also contain the spread of the virus in other parts of the world. The country has made remarkable contribution to the battle against the epidemic. The world is in your debt, said Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General of the WHO and team lead for the WHO-China joint mission on coronavirus after a field investigation in China. When this disease finishes, hopefully well have a chance to thank the people of Wuhan for the role that they played in it, he noted, adding that the people of that city have gone through an extraordinary period. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said that the Chinese are making efforts for humanity. Both news and opinions must be based on facts and shall not break the bottom line of civilization. In the era of globalization, only by sharing the same goal and cooperating with each other can countries forge a more powerful force to defeat the epidemic. Those media that stick to racial stereotyping with distorted views on China and contaminate the international environment can only receive forceful condemnation from the international society, including both righteous individuals and media, who said such discrimination is disgusting. They believe to stop the spread of virus is by no means to indulge discrimination, and humiliation and prejudices will only create negative impact on epidemic prevention and control. Their voices prove that to stop the attack of racial discrimination is also a part of the battle against the epidemic. Biased viewpoints hide the truth, and one must pay for his discriminatory and humiliating practices. Only with rationality and righteousness can a healthy environment for public opinion and cooperation be nurtured to expand common interests. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by Peoples Daily to express its views on foreign policy) The SIT has questioned her friends and gathered information from her native Chikkamagalur district. BENGALURU: The special investigating team (SIT) probing the case of activist Amulya Leona, who was arrested on charges of sedition for shouting Pakistan Zindabad during an anti-CAA programme in Bengaluru, has taken her into police custody for further interrogation. Amulya was produced before the court where the investigating officers sought her custody based on the investigation in the case so far. The SIT has questioned her friends and gathered information from her native Chikkamagalur district. Sources explained that Amulya shared a room with Arudra, another girl arrested for holding a poster asking for liberation of Kashmir during an anti-CAA function. Amulya and Arudra have reportedly denied any connection between them. Nor have the police been able to secure any information or photos of them when their mobiles were seized. It is said that recently, they moved to separate rooms. Sources say that after corroborating the evidence, they will start zeroing in on the persons who are allegedly behind these young women. They maintained that it is this think tank which emboldened the young girls to make seditious statements and create disturbance in society. Montevideo (AFP) - Women across Latin America are organizing a wave of protests to force gender politics into the public arena amid staggering rates of femicide and highly restrictive abortion laws. Thousands of Argentines who demonstrated last week in Buenos Aires for the decriminalization of abortion are part of pan-continental movement that has seen action from Chile and Peru to Mexico. "This time, it will be historic," said Mabel Gabarra, a lawyer and founder of a campaign to provide free, safe and legalized terminations in Argentina. Despite some progress, and the enormous profile the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct has given women's rights in the West, many of the goals of Latin American advocates remain unrealized. In Argentina, a bill to decriminalize abortion passed the lower house in 2018 but was rejected by the senate, which boasts 30 women among its 72 members. Since center left President Alberto Fernandez assumed power in December, there has been renewed hope that the balance of a decade-long fight will tip in favor of abortion rights. Several times, Fernandez has expressed his support for a change to Argentina's laws that allow the procedure only in cases of rape and risk to the mother's life. "The history of feminist movements shows that the demonstrators need to impose their will, they need to maintain the pressure," said Argentine historian Lissell Quiroz-Perez, of the University of Rouen in France. - Systemic problem - In a demonstration of the solidarity underpinning Latin America's feminist movements, the protest in Buenos Aires was attended by Chilean feminist collective LasTesis. In November, the group performed a song back home in Santiago called "The Rapist is You," which portrays violence against women as a systemic problem with a political context. The anthem -- also known as "A Rapist on Your Way" -- quickly spread across the globe with its denunciation of a lack of action from the government, courts and police on violence against women. Story continues Seen as emblematic of a wider feminist pushback, it shone a global spotlight on inequality in a country engulfed for months by protests that have been marred by police violence, some of it sexual. In 2017, Chile adopted a law legalizing abortion in the cases of rape or risk to either the mother's or baby's life. "We still don't have a law for violence against women," Claudia Dides, director of the Miles feminist charity, said. "We still don't have a parliament that realizes the importance of eradicating this type of violence." - Spike in femicide - Depending on where you are in the region, there are wildly differing laws when it comes to abortion. In Uruguay, Cuba and Mexico the procedure is entirely legal but in much of Central America it is totally banned, including El Salvador, where a woman can be jailed for a miscarriage. In Colombia, the supreme court was due to rule Wednesday on whether or not to legalize abortion. The arrival of a left wing government in Mexico at the end of 2018 gave feminists hope that the issue of violence against women would be tackled. But with more than 1,000 femicides in 2019, two recent brutal murders -- one of a seven-year-old girl -- once again highlighted a lack of action by authorities. Mexican feminists have demanded more effective policies from President Andres Manuel Lopez to combat the wave of violence. It's a similar case in Peru where 2019 femicides were the highest in a decade. "Feminist movements in Latin America are very dynamic. They inform and mobilize much better than in other countries," said Quiroz-Perez. Many countries in the region have passed "pioneer laws" to promote equality and tackle violence against women. In practice, says Quiroz-Perez, their application is blocked by "male chauvinism ingrained in (public) institutions." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 14:49:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close GENEVA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy in Geneva on Wednesday categorically rejected certain Western countries' accusations against China on Xinjiang-related issues. Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said at the ongoing 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council that the Chinese government has received more than 1,000 diplomats, officials of international organizations, journalists and religious leaders who visited Xinjiang, and they all concluded that what they have seen in Xinjiang is quite the opposite of what is presented by some Western media. Chen said China has taken a series of counterterrorism and de-radicalization measures, including establishing vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang. "These measures have greatly improved the security situation in the region, protected the human rights of people from all ethnic groups and contributed in a significant way to international counterterrorism and de-radicalization efforts," he said. "No terrorist attack has occurred in Xinjiang for more than three years. Trainees of the de-radicalization program at vocational education and training centers have all graduated. With the help of the government, they have got stable jobs, reintegrated into society and are living a better life," he added. China is ready to invite more people to Xinjiang to see for themselves the economic, social and human rights progress there, the Chinese envoy said . China is looking forward to the visit of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Madam Michelle Bachelet to China, including to Xinjiang, this year and "we are working closely with her office in this regard," Chen said. The number of homeless people in emergency accommodation crept back up over the 10,000 mark last month, the latest figures from the Department of Housing reveal. There were a total of 10,271 homeless adults and children availing of emergency accommodation through local authorities, including hotels, B&Bs, hostels and other facilities during the week of January 20 to 26. The figures include 6,697 adults and 3,574 children. They also include a total of 1,611 homeless families, including 925 single parent families. The largest number of homeless people were concentrated in the Dublin region with a total of 4,600 adults aged between 18 and 65. The largest age cohort of homeless nationwide were 3,850 adults aged between 25 and 44, followed by 1,814 adults aged between 45 and 64. There were also 869 young people aged between 18 and 24 in emergency accommodation, followed by 164 seniors over the age of 65. The vast majority of homeless, 3,406, were housed in private emergency accommodation in hotels, and B&Bs followed by 3,233 who were housed in supported accommodation such as hostels. A spokesman for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government said the increase in the number of homeless in January over December which experienced a 7pc decline in numbers from the previous month to a total of 9,713 adults and children at the end of December is disappointing. Over the 12 months in 2019 we saw the number of people in emergency accommodation falling for the first time in many years," he said. "This overall fall in numbers was not always obvious from the month to month figures. January has always been a challenging month. The challenge now is to continue the overall 2019 trend through 2020." A spokesperson for the Simon Communities said the homelessness and housing crisis requires urgent attention. "While a January increase in emergency accommodation numbers is not unexpected following seasonal declines over Christmas, it shows that there is still a mammoth amount of work to be done to turn the corner and move toward everyones shared goal of ending homelessness<" national spokesperson Wayne Stanley said. "The three months of decline of families in emergency accommodation in the Dublin Region at the end of 2019 was an encouraging sign that these combined efforts can have an impact. "However, to help these efforts and allow people to move on from homelessness permanently, the lack of affordable and social housing supply nationally must be addressed as a matter of urgency. RENO, Nev., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ormat Technologies, Inc. (ORA) is pleased to announce that its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 9:30AM local time at the Companys offices, at 6140 Plumas Street, Reno, Nevada 89519. Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 6, 2020 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ANNOUNCES 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ABOUT ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES With over five decades of experience, Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading geothermal company and the only vertically integrated company engaged in geothermal, solar and recovered energy generation (REG), with the objective of becoming a leading global provider of renewable energy. The Company owns, operates, designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and REG power plants primarily based on the Ormat Energy Converter a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electricity. With 68 U.S. patents, Ormats power solutions have been refined and perfected under the most grueling environmental conditions. Ormat has 578 employees in the United States and 830 overseas. Ormats flexible, modular solutions for geothermal power and REG are ideal for vast range of resource characteristics. The Company has engineered, manufactured and constructed power plants, which it currently owns or has installed to utilities and developers worldwide, totaling approximately 3,000 MW of gross capacity. Ormats current 914 MW generating portfolio is spread globally in the U.S., Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Guadeloupe. Ormat expanded its operations to provide energy storage and energy management solutions, by leveraging its core capabilities and global presence as well as through its Viridity Energy Solutions Inc. subsidiary. Ormat Technologies Contact: Smadar Lavi VP Corporate Finance and Head of Investor Relations 775-356-9029 (ext. 65726) slavi@ormat.com Investor Relations Agency Contact: Rob Fink FNK IR 646-415-8972 rob@FNKIR.com Jolly Joseph, the main accused in Kerala cyanide killings, tried to commit suicide by slitting her wrist early on Thursday. She was immediately rushed to Kozhikode medical college hospital. Officials of the Kozhikode district jail said that they got to know about the incident at 4.30 am when fellow inmates alerted them after which they sent Joseph to the hospital. Joseph was arrested last year for allegedly killing six of her family members by giving cyanide-laced food. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the case, had filed chargesheet in all the six cases. It all started with a police complaint by a family member, who suspected foul play and alleged a pattern in deaths of his kin, leading to the police exhuming bodies of the six family members of Ponnamattam House and eventually blowing the lid off arguably Keralas most shocking case of suspected cold-blooded serial killings in recent times. Retired teacher and Jollys mother-in-law Anamma Thomas was the first to die in 2002 followed by husband Tom Thomas in 2008 and son Roy Thomas in 2011. Anammas brother Mathew Manjadiyi died in 2014 and two years later, another relative, Cily, and her one-year-old child died under similar mysterious circumstances. Jolly was the only person to be present at the time of all the deaths. Investigators said that Joseph was leading a jolly good life, with booze, extra marital affairs and real estate deals. Her journey came to an abrupt end, just when she was planning to get married for the third time. The SIT had arrested four people last October in connection with the case. The other accused are Mathew, Prachi Kumar and K Manoj, a former CPI(M) leader who was later expelled from the party. All six suspected killings took place in Koodathayi, a small village in Kozhikode district in north Kerala. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A revamped flagship crop insurance scheme unveiled last week by the Cabinet is the Modi governments first real reform in the farm sector, with the Centre virtually exiting the scheme and handing the insurance market and states a deciding role, analysts say. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which became operational in 2016-17, has been hobbled by long delays in paying off claims, upsetting farmers. To be sure, the scheme is crucial in a country where crops are vulnerable to drought, unseasonal rains and pest attacks. Nearly 54% of the net-sown area lacks irrigation and 12 million hectares, on average, suffer annual weather shocks. A key change in the scheme is that farmers can now choose whether to buy crop insurance or not. Earlier, insurance was compulsory for any farmer with a crop loan. This change is not just aimed at addressing a common gripe of farmers, but will also have a deeper impact on premium rates and how the scheme eventually fares, several analysts said, after reading the fine print. Farmers share of premium remains unaltered: they continue to pay between 1% and 2% of the total premium. Earlier, the rest of the premium was shared between Centre and states equally. The Centre has now restricted its share of subsidy to 30% of every ~100 of sum insured for crops in unirrigated areas and 25% for irrigated lands. A straight calculation shows that if the new premium for an insured crop area is 30%, the Centre will now pay 14% and the states pay equal share, since the farmers will pay 2%. For irrigated areas, the Centre will pay up to 11.5%. But if the premiums are beyond 30%, the states burden of subsidy will rise because the Centre has now capped its share. It is a reform that is aimed to discipline states and ultimately, the scheme itself because state governments have to now take a major responsibility in implementing the scheme because they have to do everything, said Rajeev Choudhary, the general manager of the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd. Since the scheme has been made optional for farmers, premium rates are likely to go up because only farmers who perceive their crops to be high risk will go for insurance, Choudhary said. The earlier scheme made for indiscriminate coverage and companies got a lot of business from low risk areas. Now, the pool of clients will shrink and insurance companies will no longer have a ready platter of a large business, which included farmers who were forced to buy insurance. This may not be a bad thing, said Amulya Ghosh, an industry expert, since there was a lot of adverse selection of farmers who didnt really need insurance. Giving a deciding role to insurance players and state governments means they will now have to sort out the scheme. Someone will have to do the deep dive, said a senior government official who asked not to be named. States will not be allowed to implement the scheme in case they make a considerable delay in releasing their share of premium subsidy to Insurance companies. Cut-off dates for invoking this provision for kharif and rabi crops (monsoon and winter) will be 31st March and 30th September. According to the official, insurance companies often quoted very different rates for the same crop because states would not provide required data, such as crop failure rates. The Centre has expanded its share of premium subsidy to 90% for north-eastern states from the existing sharing pattern of 50:50 between Centre and states to promote insurance in relatively uncovered region. If the new experiment succeeds, it will spell a huge relief for the Modi government, which has often faced huge protests from farmers for unpaid dues and low crop prices, said Ghosh. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday accused Congress of "politicising" the transfer of Delhi High Court Justice S Muralidhar to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and said that party has "displayed its scant regard for the judiciary". In a series of tweets, Prasad wrote, "Transfer of Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well-settled process have been followed." He added, "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell-bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them." Prasad later slammed Rahul Gandhi and wrote, "The Loya judgment has been well settled by the Supreme Court. Those raising questions do not respect the judgment of the Apex Court pronounced after elaborate arguments. Does Rahul Gandhi consider himself above even the Supreme Court?" He added, "We respect the independence of the judiciary. Record of Congress in compromising the independence of the judiciary, superseding judges even of Supreme Court during Emergency is well known. They rejoice only when the judgment is of their liking otherwise raise questions on the institutions itself." Prasad also termed Congress as "private property of one family." "The party, which is the private property of one family, has no right to lecture about objectionable speeches. The family and its cronies have routinely used the harshest words against the Courts, the Army, the CAG, the PM and the people of India," Prasad tweeted. "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred," Rahul gandhi had tweeted. Reacting to Justice Muralidhar's transfer, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that it is sad and shameful that the Centre is attempting to muzzle justice. "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certainly sad and shameful," Priyanka tweeted. She also said, "Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient and upright judiciary, the government's attempts to muzzle justice and break their faith are deplorable." A government notification about the transfer was issued on Wednesday which said that after consultation with Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, President Ram Nath Kovind transferred Justice S Muralidhar, Judge of Delhi High Court, as Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The notification further said the President has directed Muralidhar to assume charge of his office in Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Supreme Court Collegium had in its meeting held on February 12 recommended transferring Justice Muralidhar from the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A customer reaches into a drink cooler. Drexel University researchers found that Philadelphia's tax on sweetened beverages did not impact residents' consumption of such drinks. Read more Philadelphias tax on soda and other sweetened beverages has not reduced residents consumption of such drinks, according to a new study. Philadelphians reported a slight but not statistically significant decrease in sugary beverage consumption compared with residents of nearby cities without a tax, Drexel University researchers found in surveys taken before and after the tax took effect. We have ample evidence that sugary beverages are connected to type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues, but were seeing that raising the price of sugary beverages may not impact consumers who dont drink a lot of soda, Amy Auchincloss, an associate professor at Drexels Dornsife School of Public Health, said in a statement about the research. Philadelphia became the first large U.S. city to pass a tax on soda in 2016. Mayor Jim Kenney championed the tax as a means of funding pre-K, community schools, and improvements to parks, recreation centers, and libraries. Public health advocates praised Philadelphias levy and have pointed to taxes on soda as a means of reducing consumption and improving residents health. READ MORE: A timeline of Philadelphia's soda tax Drexel researchers surveyed Philadelphia residents during a 30-day period when the tax was first implemented, and followed up a year later. They also included residents of Camden, Trenton, and Wilmington in the random telephone survey of 515 adults. A year after the 1.5-cents-per-ounce tax took effect, researchers said, 39% of Philadelphians reported drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, compared with 34% of adults in other cities. But the researchers said that difference was not statistically significant. The Drexel study was published this month in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Other studies of Philadelphias tax have focused on the impact on beverage sales and overall store sales. City Council voted to complete its own economic study of the tax last year. It has not been released. Lauren Cox, a Kenney administration spokesperson, said that reducing consumption was not the citys primary goal in implementing the tax. But she noted that the studys sample size was small and included many people who rarely drink sweetened beverages. This study didnt look specifically at the consumption of heavy-soda consumers whose health would benefit the most from cutting their soda consumption, and who in other studies have been more inclined to reduce consumption as a result of a tax," Cox said. Anthony Campisi, a spokesperson for the beverage-association funded Ax the Philly Bev Tax Coalition, said the better way to help people reduce the sugar they consume from beverages is to offer more choices with less sugar or zero sugar and smaller portion sizes. A study published in September by researchers at Cornell University, the University of Iowa, and Mathematica Policy Research found that the tax had reduced adult consumption of soda by 31%, and that Philadelphians drank about 10 fewer taxed beverages per month compared with residents outside the city. But Drexel researchers noted that the previous study focused on lower-income residents who lived with children and drank an average of one sweetened beverage per day. Their study, they said, was more reflective of typical adults; just 25% of participants reported drinking sugary beverages every day. Doctoral student Yichen Zhong, the lead author, said the lack of reduction in consumption found among residents could be explained by the availability of untaxed beverages outside the city limits, the still relatively lower price of these drinks compared to healthier ones and marketing and advertising. Shocking photos have emerged showing Woolworths shelves stripped of medicine, toilet paper and food staples amid rising panic over coronavirus. Customers were greeted with near empty aisles when they arrived at the supermarket giant's Bondi store in Sydney on Thursday night. The grocery store appeared to be struggling to keep the shelves stocked with paracetamol, toilet paper, tea, milk, pasta, oats and rice crackers. Basic medical supplies, toilet paper and food staples are flying off the shelves as panicked shoppers stockpile goods amid growing fear around the coronavirus Tea, Milk, pasta (pictured) oats and rice crackers were also in low supply at the Eastern Suburbs branch of the supermarket giant Just hours earlier Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the federal government would be launching an emergency response plan to deal with the virus, and warned 'the risk of a global pandemic is upon us'. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Woolworths for comment. Meanwhile Priceline stores have run out of hand sanitiser as fears grow over the development of a global pandemic. Increased demand has forced some chemists to ration supplies, including a number of Priceline stores in Sydney which are limiting the number of products customers can buy. The pharmacy chain is also experiencing shortages of the product online, with 26 different types of antibacterial hand sanitiser completely sold out. Customers were greeted with near empty shelves when they arrived at Bondi Woolworths in Sydney on Thursday night Individual outlets of Priceline pharmacy have been limiting customers to how much hand sanitiser they can buy according to 9 news The pharmacy chain is also experiencing significant shortages of the product on its website (pictured) 26 different types of antibacterial hand sanitiser are completely sold out on Priceline Australia's website (pictured) Priceline's Wynyard store manager Yucando Garcia told 9news they've been struggling to meet demand. 'We have actually been out of stock for a good three weeks. Anytime we get a little bit of stock, maybe 12-24 in one day, they go,' Mr Garcia said. 'We obviously say to each person there is a maximum of two or three because we want everybody to be able to buy some.' A Priceline spokesperson said any decision to limit customer purchases around hand sanitiser are made by individual stores. The spokesperson said the rationing is not a directive among stores across the company. The Wynyard chemist has sold about 75 1L bottles of hand sanitiser in the past month, when it would normally only sell five. Australia's supermarkets are facing a similar shortage of the products. A Priceline spokesperson told 9news any decision to limit customer purchases around hand sanitiser are made by individual stores A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia said they're working to get the product back on the shelf as the chain struggles to meet high demand. 'We are currently experiencing shortages of some antibacterial hand wash and sanitiser products in our stores due to higher than usual customer demand,' the spokesperson said. 'We are working very closely with our suppliers to get these products back on shelves as quickly as possible.' At rival Coles, it's a similar story- and they're also reporting low stock of items like stationary, clothing and electrical goods. A sign posted outside of Chemist Warehouse's store in Chatswood reading 'no masks available, out of stock' A Coles Spokesperson told 9news they have been impacted by challenges overseas. Why medical supplies are selling out Face masks have been in high demand over the bushfire season Now, face masks are seeing increased demand due to corona virus fears However, face masks are not 100% effective as they do not completely seal off the mouth and nose Face masks are more effective at quarantining an infected person Professionals say that washing your hands is the best protection as it can stop virus from spreading This is why hand sanitisers are selling out across Australia Advertisement 'Logistics remain challenging, especially through some major ports and, like most retailers, we have been impacted by the extension of Chinese New Year, which saw factories closed for longer than planned and delays in production due to staff requiring government permits to return to work' the spokesperson said. The shortage of hand sanitiser and face masks started in January as hysteria began to set in around the coronavirus outbreak. Images from Chemist Warehouse's store in Chatswood last month showed shelves empty of hand sanitiser and face masks. A representative from Chemist Warehouse Chatswood previously told Daily Mail Australia they were uncertain when stock would be back on the shelf after selling out. 'Masks have been in really high demand,' the representative said. 'Since the beginning of January, the masks have been in short supply.' Chatswood Chemist Warehouse received a delivery of face masks in the beginning of January and ran out before the end of the month. The retailer has been trying to order more every day to keep up with customer's demand. Chemist Warehouse Chatswood stock ten different brands of hand sanitiser, and all had been sold out on January 30. Their delivery at the start of January lasted less than one day, with the entire shipment of stock being sold out in one morning's trade. Signs have been put up in chemists around the country including Chemist Warehouse in Chatswood to notify customers that there are no supplies of face masks and hand sanitisers A sign posted in a Chemist Warehouse store in Brisbane, where no face masks were available New Delhi, Feb 27 : Twitterati on Thursday paid rich tributes to revolutionary freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad on his 89th death anniversary. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu wrote, "I join the nation in paying my humble tributes to revolutionary freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad on his death anniversary today." Taking to Twitter, Home Minister Amit Shah wrote, "Chandrashekhar Azad ji is the golden chapter of Indian history and our freedom movement, whose memory still evokes a sense of immense pride in every Indian's heart even today. His reverence and sacrifice for the motherland will always be a source of inspiration for us." Union Minister Sadananda Gowda wrote, "A humble tribute to Chandrashekhar Azad ji on his death anniversary. #ChandrashekharAzad ji kept open the front against the British government with his valour & courage and gave rise to a new sense of freedom among the countrymen." Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote: "My humble tributes to the revolutionary freedom fighter #ChandraShekharAzad on his death anniversary. His patriotism & valour remains an inspiration. The nation remains forever indebted to his supreme sacrifice." BJP National Secretary Sunil Deodhar tweeted, "Tributes to revolutionary freedom fighter & a great patriot #ChandrashekharAzad on his Punyatithi. He dedicated his life wholeheartedly & sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country. He will always be remembered for his immense contribution for the freedom of the country." A user wrote, "Remembering the indomitable #ChandrashekharAzad, the fearless freedom fighter who fought for the country & left a strong legacy of courage, on his martyrdom day." Another wrote, "Remembering our brave, valiant freedom fighter #ChandraShekharAzad on his death anniversary. Our nation is forever indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice." Chandrashekhar Azad was born on July 23, 1906, in Bhawra, Madhya Pradesh. He killed himself on this day in 1931 in Alfred Park in Allahabad after his associate betrayed him. After his death, the park was renamed as Chandrashekhar Azad Park. You are here: World Flash Seven people, including the shooter, were killed in a shooting on a company campus in Milwaukee in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Wednesday, local media reported. The shooting rampage took place on the Milwaukee campus of beer brewer Molson Coors. The company notified its employees at the complex of an "active shooter" by email, according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Milwaukee Police Department said in a series of tweets that it was investigating "a critical incident" and responding to "an active scene," urging people to stay away from the area. The campus was on lockdown, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said, citing Twitter posts from witnesses. (Newser) The campaign to reelect President Trump is suing the New York Times for defamation, saying it was responsible for an essay by a former executive editor for the newspaper that claimed the campaign made a deal with Russian officials to defeat Hillary Clinton in 2016. In the lawsuit filed in state court in New York Wednesday, Donald J. Trump for President Inc. said the newspaper knowingly published false and defamatory statements when the op-ed piece claimed the campaign had an "overarching deal" with "Vladimir Putin's oligarchy" to defeat the Democratic candidate, the AP reports. The March 2019 article, "The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo," by Max Frankel, said the deal called for "the quid of help in the campaign against Hillary Clinton for the quo of a new pro-Russian foreign policy." story continues below Frankel was executive editor of the Times from 1986 to 1994. The lawsuit said Times reporters had confirmed the falsity of the statements, but the newspaper published them anyway because of its "extreme bias against and animosity toward the Campaign, and the Times' exuberance to improperly influence the presidential election in November 2020." Eileen Murphy, a spokeswoman for the Times, said in a statement that the Trump campaign "has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable. Fortunately, the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgments and conclusions, especially about events of public importance. We look forward to vindicating that right in this case." (Read more New York Times stories.) When new viruses or bacteria spread to humans, it is essential to clarify their special characteristics as quickly as possible. For example, why is the coronavirus resistant to common drugs? In the future, new Big Data technology can help to identify the characteristics of new strains of viruses and bacteria in a short time. It does this by comparing the genome of a single organism with the genome of all the strains of a species. This procedure can also be used for more highly developed organisms such as mammals. The new project 'Pangaia' at Bielefeld University is investigating how the masses of data used in this process can be ordered and analysed for use in biomedicine. The university is one of eleven project partners from Europe and North America. The EU is funding the project with 1.14 million euros over three years. When biomedical scientists want to find out whether the genetic material of a living being shows particular variations, they usually use a reference genome. They combine several genomes in such a way that they exhibit the typical characteristics of an entire species. This enables researchers to compare a new influenza virus with a reference genome that summarizes the typical features of the virus strains from which it originates. 'In these cases, we compare only two genomes with each other--differences and similarities are relatively easy to identify on the computer,' says Professor Dr Jens Stoye from the Faculty of Technology, who is taking part in Pangaia with his Genome Informatics research group. 'With the new approach, we can compare one genome to thousands of other genomes in a single step.' Researchers call this exploration of the genetic repertoire of a population 'pangenomics'. 'Until now, the problem with computer-assisted pangenomics has been the lack of transparency caused by the mass of data,' said Professor Dr Alexander Schonhuth from the Faculty of Technology, who has been head of the Genome Data Science working group since January 2020. He is coordinating Bielefeld's Pangaia sub-project. Like Jens Stoye, he and his group are carrying out research at Bielefeld University's Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec). Genetic data are represented by the letters A, C, G, and T. These represent the nucleotides, the building blocks of the genetic material. Genomes can be made up of billions of these information units. To make them easier to compare, they can be displayed next to each other as 'letter chains'. This traditional sequence-based representation is widespread today. 'But with hundreds of comparison genomes, it takes a great deal of time to analyse step by step how the genome under investigation differs from each of the comparison genomes,' said Schonhuth. 'The new technology enables a simultaneous, integrated analysis of many strains of the same organism. These can be viruses, bacteria, and sometimes even higher organisms,' explains Jens Stoye. 'This makes it possible to highlight the similarities and differences between the individual members. In the case of pathogens, it is often even possible to understand and predict the processes that led to the development of particularly infectious strains. 'The technology can also be used to detect hereditary diseases in humans or to determine which mutations in a tumour have led to strong, abnormal growth. 'Over the next few years, we want to develop new algorithms and data structures with our project partners that will make computer-assisted pangenomics faster and more user-friendly,' says Schonhuth. One goal is to develop algorithms for variation graphs. With these programs, the computers search for similarities and differences between the comparative genomes and present the results graphically: 'Variation graphs enable a rapid and high-resolution differentiation of pathogenic and harmless variants of a virus,' says Schonhuth. 'In particular, they also allow us to identify completely novel mutations, such as those that have presumably occurred in the variant of the coronavirus currently breaking out in China and that have led to resistance to the usual medications.' ### The full name of the Pangaia project is 'Pan-genome Graph Algorithms and Data Integration'. It will run from January 2020 to December 2023. The European Union is funding Pangaia through its Horizon 2020 research framework programme and the University of Milan (Italy) is coordinating the project. Other partners besides Bielefeld University are: the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), Comenius University Bratislava (Slovakia), the biotech companies Geneton (Slovakia) and Illumina Cambridge (Great Britain), the Institut Pasteur (France), Simon Fraser University (Canada), University of Tokyo (Japan), Cornell University, and Pennsylvania State University (both USA). Further information: * Website of the Pangaia Project: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/872539 * ZiF Working Group 'Computer Aided Pangenomics': https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/(en)/ZiF/AG/2019/09-30-Stoye.html WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - EQT Corp. (EQT) reported the successful renegotiation of its contractual midstream rates with EQM Midstream Partners, LP and the exchange of 50% of its equity stake in Equitrans Midstream Corp. On February 26, EQT and EQM executed a gas gathering agreement, consolidating nearly all of EQT's existing Pennsylvania and West Virginia gathering contracts with EQM into one new consolidated agreement. EQT Corp. said the new agreement will provide the company with gathering and compression fee relief, effective upon the Mountain Valley Pipeline's in-service date. EQM has also agreed to defer approximately $250 million in current credit assurance posting requirements. EQT exchanged half of its equity stake in Equitrans Midstream Corp, or ETRN for a combination of $52 million in cash proceeds and substantial incremental fee relief. EQT Corp. said these transactions will result in approximately $535 million in total fee relief over a three-year period starting in 2021. Also, EQT has signed a letter agreement with EQM to award a minimum of $60 million of water services to EQM for a period of five years commencing with the Mountain Valley Pipeline's in-service date. EQT Corp. reported fourth-quarter adjusted loss per share from continuing operations of $0.03 compared to profit of $0.79, previous year. On average, 15 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report a loss per share of $0.21, for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Fourth-quarter total operating revenues declined to $1.01 billion from $1.25 billion, prior year. Analysts expected revenue of $938.64 million for the quarter. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. North-east Delhi was incident-free on Thursday, as people picked up the pieces of their lives and livelihoods after the worst communal violence Delhi has seen in at least three decades. While it would be too much to expect political parties not to politicise the issue narratives and counter narratives are already at play it is imperative that the home ministry, the National Security Adviser (whose entry seems to have played a major part in normalising the situation), Delhi Police, other law enforcement agencies, and the state government work together to answer key questions that could shed light on just what happened. Given that both the pro- and anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) groups whose clash sparked off the communal riots were extremely well organised the pro-group was bussed in from neighbouring states, according to one theory; and both appear to have been well-armed some of these questions have to do with the identity of the individuals and the organisations behind the protests, and the source of funding and arms. Were local leaders of political parties involved? As a corollary, it is also important to get to the underlying motives. Was the motive, as some believe, to embarrass the Narendra Modi government during the visit of United States President Donald Trump? If so, who was behind the effort? Or was it to vitiate the situation in the national capital? And who could gain from that? There are other questions as well. For instance, on the role of hate speech in inciting the riots. While this may not have lit the spark, did it, for instance, heat things up to the extent that a fire was inevitable? Or on the role of the unresolved and open-ended protests against the CAA (with protesters sticking to their stand, the home ministry not keen on engaging, the courts, deferring both the larger issue of the law and the smaller one of a protest at Shaheen Bagh on a public road)? Some hard questions will also have to be asked about gaps in the polices intelligence-gathering and risk-assessment processes, and their near- glacial pace of response to initial skirmishes. After all, it is becoming clear that a better and faster response on Saturday, when the clashes started, may have prevented events of Monday and Tuesday, which saw the most casualties. Many of these are tough questions. Some are inconvenient. But we owe it to the 37 dead as of Thursday evening (across both Hindus and Muslims), the hundreds of injured, and the thousands whose livelihoods have been affected to ask them and then, to sincerely try and answer them. Four children were hurt, one seriously, when a car crashed through a front window and into a day-care center Thursday afternoon in Bucks County, authorities said. The black BMW traveled through a classroom with 17 children inside and came to rest against a back wall, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office said in a news release. It occurred about 1:30 p.m. at Children of America Educational Childcare on Knowles Avenue in Upper Southampton Township, according to the release. The four children injured were taken by ambulance to Abington Hospital. There were 79 children total in the building at the time, and all have been accounted for and reunited with family, the office of District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said. The driver was identified as a female Philadelphia resident, according to the release. She was hospitalized for treatment of minor injuries. The district attorney's office Crash Investigation Team and Upper Southampton police were continuing to investigate. NBC10 in Philadelphia reports the classroom where the car came to a rest is used for children to take naps. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. This article has been updated to reflect news developments. Until the night of Jan. 18, Mila Orriols, a 16-year-old lesbian and atheist schoolgirl from southern France, probably did not expect to initiate a national controversy. But that is what happened when she live-streamed herself on Instagram while applying makeup, only to get into a quarrel with a man who, in her words, began hitting on her heavily. The online fight soon turned into matters of identity, and at some point the angry Mila said, the Quran is a religion of hatred, and used a vile vulgarity to describe Islam. The very fact that she defined the Quran as a religion was a sign that Mila was not in touch with Islamic theology. (The Quran is the holy book of Islam, the religion). Yet still, her comment, which quickly spread on social media, was taken seriously by many French Muslims, some of whom reacted with anger. I receive 200 messages of hate each minute, Mila said, before she was put under police protection against death threats and went into hiding. Since then, the Mila affair has become a national controversy in France, with numerous media stories, comments from President Emmanuel Macron, Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet, and the far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Countless Twitter posts adopted the hashtag JeSuisMila# (I am Mila), evoking #JeSuisCharlie, the motto for supporting the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo after Islamist terrorists claiming ties to Al Qaeda in 2015 attacked its office and murdered 12 people. In other words, the Mila affair has become yet another episode in an oft-repeated pattern: A Westerner mocks or openly demeans Islam, often labeling it as a harsh, intolerant and violent religion. In return, some Muslims have harsh, intolerant or even violent reactions without realizing that they only seem to confirm the accusation. OAKLAND (BCN) A Singapore-based shipping company pleaded guilty in federal court in Oakland Wednesday to a criminal charge of concealing a cargo ship's discharge of oily bilge water into the ocean as it prepared to moor in Richmond last year. Unix Line PTE Ltd. pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar to one count of violating the federal Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships on Feb. 11, 2019, when the crew of the Zao Galaxy failed to record that oily bilge water was discharged without the use of required pollution-prevention equipment. U.S. Coast Guard inspectors became aware of the violation when a whistleblower crew member approached them during an inspection after the ship had moored, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case in October. That crew member and a second crew member showed the inspectors cellphone videos of four illegal discharges of bilge water between the ship's departure from the Philippines on Jan. 21 and Feb. 11, 2019, according to the complaint. The Feb. 11 incident occurred 3 nautical miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge, the document said. The shipping company will be sentenced by Tigar on March 20. The federal law allows for a fine of up to twice the amount of financial gain derived from a violation. Federal prosecutors alleged in a filing that the company's gain was at least $825,000. The Zao Galaxy was carrying a load of palm oil. A ship's oily bilge water is wastewater contaminated with oil leaked from machinery and pipes that collects at the bottom of a ship. Charges in the case remain pending against the ship's owner, FGL Moon Marshall Ltd., based in the Marshall Islands, and the first assistant engineer, Gilbert Dela Cruz, a citizen of the Philippines. A trial in Tigar's court is scheduled to begin March 16. 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. Apple CEO Tim Cook had gifted Berkshire Hathway CEO Warren Buffet several smartphones for the last many years. Buffet has finally accepted Apple CEO's gift. He announced on Monday that he would no longer be using his $20 flip phone. Buffett told CNBC in an interview that his Samsung SCH-U320 flip phone is gone and has been replaced by a brand new iPhone 11. Buffett had been a long time user of the 'flip phone' and had publically resisted the shift towards smartphones, even though the entire world was making the move. Buffet said that he is an 89-year-old man who is just getting used to the smartphone and he has not figured out how to use all of its features. Buffett said that he had not purchased the smartphone but it was gifted to him by Tim Cook. Buffet revealed this information while he was talking about smartphones and how crucial a product they have become. Buffett was last seen using the flip phone in 2019. According to CNBC, Tim Cook in an interview back in 2018, had said that he would personally fly out to Ohama if Warren Buffet ever required technical help in setting up a smartphone. The headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway is located in Ohama, Nebraska. Buffett, whose company Berkshire Hathaway owns 5.6 percent of Apple, said that he would only be using the iPhone 11 for basic phone calling. Berkshire owned more than 245 million shares of Apple, worth nearly $72 billion. According to The Verge, Buffet had already been using an iPad for research and stock trading. Buffett's shift away from the 'flip phone' comes at a time when they are making a comeback of sorts. Flip phones Huawei Mate X and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip were released in the market last year. Motorola, who were famous for their flip phones, recently unveiled the RAZR 2. The new generation of flip phones has high prices and sleek designs. Also Read: Warren Buffett calls coronavirus 'scary' but won't sell stocks Bullying is one of the main reasons young people leave school early. That was the finding of a new report on early school leaving in Carlow. The report also found half of young people who leave mainstream school early quit for mental health reasons. "There are serious gaps in our system around emotionally counselling supports for young people in Carlow affecting their early school leaving today, said Dr Paul Downes, from the educational disadvantage centre in DCU. "This is an issue not only of relevance in Carlow but points to failures of national policy also." Meanwhile, 30% percent of children with autism are 'suspended' by short school days, according to a new report. Technical University Dublin and Inclusion Ireland also found 25% of all kids with disabilities are placed on reduced timetables. The MH-60 helicopters can be employed for offensive and defensive roles including Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Ship Strike, Low Intensity Maritime Operations, Search and Rescue, over the horizon Network Centric Opera-tions and Electronic Warfare. (Photo: AP) New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Thursday announced that the delivery of 24 American multi-role MH-60 Romeo helicopters will start from early 2021. They will play an important role in maritime security at a time when the Indian Ocean region is witnessing increasing security threat due to proliferation of submarines. India signed the $2.4 billion deal to buy these 24 helicopters during the visit of US President Donald Trump. These helicopters are a replacement for the Sea King 42/42A helicopters already decommissioned in the 1990s and envisaged to operate from front-line ships and aircraft carriers providing them the critical attributes of flexibility of operation, enhanced surveillance and attacking capability, said the press release from the Navy. The MH-60 helicopters can be employed for offensive and defensive roles including Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Ship Strike, Low Intensity Maritime Operations, Search and Rescue, over the horizon Network Centric Opera-tions and Electronic Warfare. The helicopters capability of prolonged maritime operations and seamless integration with the P8i and ships makes it a force multiplier, the release added. New Delhi/Washington, Feb 27 : India on Thursday hit back at the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), by calling their scathing remarks on the Delhi violence "factually inaccurate and misleading". The USCIRF had said that the Delhi violence in which over 30 people were killed, was specifically targeted against Muslims. Rebutting their comments, the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said: "We have seen the comments made by USCIRF, sections of the media and a few individuals regarding recent incidents of violence in Delhi. These are factually inaccurate and misleading, and appear to be aimed at politicising the issue." The government said that the law enforcement agencies were working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. "Senior representatives of the government have been involved in that process. Prime Minister has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time," the statement added. Earlier, USCIRF had expressed "grave concern over the ongoing violence taking place in Delhi" and accused India of "targeting and potentially disenfranchising Muslims across the country, in clear violation of international human rights standards". USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava in a statement had said: "According to reports, several mosques have also been set alight or vandalized. Many Muslim residents have been forced to flee the area. This unrest comes in the wake of widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act following its passage in December 2019." "The brutal and unchecked violence growing across Delhi cannot continue," Bhargava said, adding that the Indian government must take swift action to ensure the safety of all of its citizens. "Instead, reports are mounting that the Delhi police have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims, and the government is failing in its duty to protect its citizens." USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said the ongoing violence in Delhi and the reported "attacks against Muslims, their homes and shops, and their houses of worship are greatly disturbing". One of the essential duties of any responsible government, he said, is to provide protection and physical security for its citizens, regardless of faith. "We urge the Indian government to take serious efforts to protect Muslims and others targeted by mob violence." In its annual report last year, the USCIRF classified India as a "Tier 2" country for engaging in or tolerating religious freedom violations that meet at least one of the elements of the "systematic, ongoing, egregious standard for designations as a "country of particular concern (CPC)", under the International Religious Freedom Act. The ongoing violence in North-East Delhi erupted after clashes between pro and anti-CAA protesters on Sunday. Besides the casualties, over 200 others have been injured in the deadliest violence in the national capital in decades. NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ocean Energy market worldwide is projected to grow by 20.4 Million Kilowatts, driven by a compounded growth of 42.1%. Ocean Energy, one of the segments analyzed and sized in this study, displays the potential to grow at over 42.1%. The shifting dynamics supporting this growth makes it critical for businesses in this space to keep abreast of the changing pulse of the market. Poised to reach over 22.3 Million Kilowatts by the year 2025, Ocean Energy will bring in healthy gains adding significant momentum to global growth. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05478520/?utm_source=PRN - Representing the developed world, the United States will maintain a 47% growth momentum. Within Europe, which continues to remain an important element in the world economy, Germany will add over 556.9 Thousand Kilowatts to the region's size and clout in the next 5 to 6 years. Over 938.1 Thousand Kilowatts worth of projected demand in the region will come from Rest of Europe markets. In Japan, Ocean Energy will reach a market size of 1.3 Million Kilowatts by the close of the analysis period. As the world's second largest economy and the new game changer in global markets, China exhibits the potential to grow at 40.2% over the next couple of years and add approximately 3.3 Million Kilowatts in terms of addressable opportunity for the picking by aspiring businesses and their astute leaders. Presented in visually rich graphics are these and many more need-to-know quantitative data important in ensuring quality of strategy decisions, be it entry into new markets or allocation of resources within a portfolio. Several macroeconomic factors and internal market forces will shape growth and development of demand patterns in emerging countries in Asia-Pacific. All research viewpoints presented are based on validated engagements from influencers in the market, whose opinions supersede all other research methodologies. - Competitors identified in this market include, among others, Able Technologies L.L.C. Albatern Ltd. Applied Technologies Company, Ltd. AquaGen Technologies Aqua-Magnetics Inc. Atargis Energy Corporation Atlantis Resources Ltd. BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd. Blue Energy Canada Inc. Carnegie Clean Energy Limited Minesto AB Nova Innovation Ltd. Ocean Power Technologies Inc. Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC OpenHydro Group Limited Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd. Tocardo International BV Verdant Power, Inc. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05478520/?utm_source=PRN I. INTRODUCTION, METHODOLOGY & REPORT SCOPE II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. MARKET OVERVIEW Ocean Energy: Harnessing the Sheer Potential of Oceans & Seas for Meeting Future Energy Needs Important Factors Influencing the Global Ocean Energy Market Recent Market Activity Shift to Renewable Sources of Energy: An Inevitable Reality Huge Untapped Kinetic Energy Potential of Oceans: A Fundamental Growth Driver Fast Facts Growth Drivers in a Nutshell Key Market Inhibitors Government Intervention Critical for Commercial Success of Ocean Energy Domestic Targets for Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Select Regions/Countries Technology Commercialization: Need of the Hour Ocean Energy - A Review of Current Scenario Global Market Outlook Europe Leads the Global Ocean Energy Market Asia-Pacific: Frontrunner in Tidal Barrage Power Plants Global Competitor Market Shares Ocean Energy Competitor Market Share Scenario Worldwide (in %): 2020 & 2029 2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS Able Technologies, L.L.C. (USA) Albatern Ltd. (UK) Applied Technologies Company, Ltd. (Russia) AquaGen Technologies (Australia) Aqua-Magnetics Inc. (USA) Atargis Energy Corporation (USA) Atlantis Resources Ltd. (UK) BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd. (Australia) Blue Energy Canada Inc. (Canada) Carnegie Clean Energy Limited (Australia) Minesto AB (Sweden) Nova Innovation Ltd. (UK) Ocean Power Technologies Inc. (USA) Ocean Renewable Power Company, LLC (USA) OpenHydro Group Limited (Ireland) Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd. (Scotland) Tocardo International BV (Netherlands) Verdant Power, Inc. (USA) 3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Growing Number of Wave Energy Projects Worldwide Drives Strong Market Growth Major Wave Energy Projects Worldwide: Project Proponent, Technology, Location, Capacity (MW) and Development Stage Tidal Energy Gains Momentum MeyGen - A Multi-Turbine Tidal Stream Project in Scotland Tidal Energy Projects Worldwide Tidal Stream Projects Lends Traction to Market Growth Tidal Range Projects to Face Challenges Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) - A Niche Segment OTEC Project on the South Pacific Ocean Obtains Bureau Veritas Approval Other FOWT Projects Major FOWT Projects Worldwide: Project Proponent, Technology, Location, Capacity (MW) and Development Stage Rising Investments in Renewable Energy Sources Benefit Market Expansion Superior Attributes of Tidal Energy Attract New Developers, Benefits Market Adoption Horizontal Axis Turbines Grab Lion?s Share of Tidal Energy Devices Tidal Energy: Abundant Resources despite Technology Barriers Despite Dominance of Tidal Energy, Wave Energy Garner Growing Attention and Investments Small Islands Provide Big Push for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plants Surveys to Play a Vital Role in Project Developments Robust Electric Power Consumption Drives the Need for Alternative Energy Sources Burgeoning Global Population Propels Demand for Electric Power Key Challenges Hampering Ocean Energy Development Financial Support and Markets Administrative and Environmental Issues Availability of Grid Close to Projects Grid Integration Technology Advancements PLAT-O Driving Down Tidal Energy Costs bioWAVE: The New Ocean Energy Harnessing Device Deployed off the Australian Coast THWAT Turbine for Tidal Energy HiWave: A Novel WEC Technology that Works on the Human Heart Blood Pumping Principle Xenesys and Saga University to Develop OTEC Technology Japan Houses the State-of-the-Art OTEC Center Technology Developments to Harness Salt Power 4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE Table 1: Ocean Energy Global Market Estimates and Forecasts in Kilowatts by Region/Country: 2018-2025 Table 2: Ocean Energy Market Share Shift across Key Geographies Worldwide: 2019 VS 2025 III. MARKET ANALYSIS GEOGRAPHIC MARKET ANALYSIS UNITED STATES Market Facts & Figures Market Analytics Table 3: United States Ocean Energy Market Estimates and Projections in Kilowatts: 2018 to 2025 CANADA Table 4: Canadian Ocean Energy Market Estimates and Forecasts in Kilowatts: 2018 to 2025 JAPAN Table 5: Japanese Market for Ocean Energy: Annual Sales Estimates and Projections in Kilowatts for the Period 2018-2025 CHINA Table 6: Chinese Ocean Energy Market Growth Prospects in Kilowatts for the Period 2018-2025 EUROPE Market Facts & Figures Market Analytics Table 7: European Ocean Energy Market Demand Scenario in Kilowatts by Region/Country: 2018-2025 Table 8: European Ocean Energy Market Share Shift by Region/Country: 2019 VS 2025 FRANCE Table 9: Ocean Energy Market in France: Estimates and Projections in Kilowatts for the Period 2018-2025 GERMANY Table 10: Ocean Energy Market in Germany: Recent Past, Current and Future Analysis in Kilowatts for the Period 2018-2025 ITALY Table 11: Italian Ocean Energy Market Growth Prospects in Kilowatts for the Period 2018-2025 UNITED KINGDOM Table 12: United Kingdom Market for Ocean Energy: Annual Sales Estimates and Projections in Kilowatts for the Period 2018-2025 REST OF EUROPE Table 13: Rest of Europe Ocean Energy Market Estimates and Forecasts in Kilowatts: 2018-2025 ASIA-PACIFIC Table 14: Ocean Energy Market in Asia-Pacific: Estimates and Projections in Kilowatts for the Period 2018-2025 REST OF WORLD Table 15: Rest of World Ocean Energy Market Estimates and Forecasts in Kilowatts: 2018 to 2025 IV. COMPETITION Total Companies Profiled: 61 Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05478520/?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 The 2020 F1 race, to be organized for the first time in Vietnam this April, will be the highlight of the tourism promotion campaign amid the coronavirus outbreak. Dinh Ngoc Duc, director of the Market Department under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), said the agency is preparing a plan for recovery after Covid-19, with programs that will advertise Vietnam as a safe destination. Foreign travelers in Vietnam in February The images of F1 Race, the event that has attracted the attention of international travelers, will help convey the message. International travelers have shown their high interest in the event. The US TV channel CNN said if the two sides cooperate to advertise Vietnams tourism, the images of F1 race will be used in the campaign, Duc said. Some travel firms said that many travelers have canceled tours to watch the F1 race in Hanoi, but others are still going in April. The 2020 F1 race, to be organized for the first time in Vietnam this April, will be the highlight of the tourism promotion campaign amid the coronavirus outbreak. They repeatedly contact us and ask if F1 is canceled because of Covid-19, a senior executive of a travel firm said. Nguyen Dang Cuong from Vietnam Airlines also said passengers from Europe, Australia and Japan have shown interest in the race. A representative of the national flag air carrier in Europe said that all the groups of travelers booking tickets to fly to Vietnam to watch the F1 race will depart as initially scheduled. On February 21, VNAT and Vietnam Grand Prix Co Ltd signed a cooperation agreement in 2020-2025 on carrying out the advertisement and tourism promotion activities associated with F1 race. Travel firms and airlines these days meet each other to discuss the organization of tourism promotion campaigns to show international travelers that Vietnam remains a safe destination. The travelers need to be informed that Vietnam is controlling the Covid-19 epidemic and many foreign travelers still will cole to Vietnam. Tran Hung Viet, chair of the HCM City Tourism Association, said Vietnam needs to provide updated information regularly. The information about the control of the epidemic in Vietnam, plus the images of foreign travelers in Vietnam will help foreigners better understand the current conditions of Vietnam. Some markets have closed because of the epidemic, but other markets are still open. The spread of positive information about the epidemic will help better exploit the market at this moment and prepare for the recovery after the epidemic ends, he said. A representative of Fiditour said many travelers have canceled tours, but the firm still receives 10 groups of European travelers this February. The travelers stay for 7-10 days on average in Vietnam. Formula 1 VinFast Vietnam Grand Prix will take place in Hanoi on April 3-5, 2020. Mai Lan Thousands of Russian tourists continue to visit Vietnam on chartered flights Despite the coronavirus outbreak, Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa province is still receiving thousands of Russian travelers each day. Residents of Cork's newest private student accommodation will pay rents of around 1,000 a month. Strong interest has been reported in the 420-bed Lee Point complex, which has been developed on the former Beamish and Crawford brewery site on South Main Street, and which opens for viewings this weekend. Video viewings are also being offered to those overseas ahead of its official opening for the 2020/21 academic year. A spokesman for the management company, Uninest, which opened its first student apartment complex in Cork last year Amnis House on the Western Road said there has been a strong interest in the newt development so far. Open days are being held this weekend for students from Friday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm with no appointments required. Though there is no waiting list for Lee Point at present, Amnis House, Uninests first Cork-based student accommodation complex is now sold out for the 2020/21 semester. Lee Point has 420 ensuite student beds across 62 apartments, with rent for a standard ensuite room starting at 237 per week, with prices rising to 256 per week for a top-spec premium plus room. The rent covers bills, including gas and electricity, with a four-stage instalment payment option available to cover the 38-week contract which runs from August 28, 2020 to May 21, 2021. The complex boasts broadband speed of up 100MB, with Wi-Fi as standard in all rooms. It also features an onsite gym, a number of communal areas, games rooms and study rooms, and pay-as-you-use laundry facilities. A Uninest spokesman said residents will also be able to avail of a range of student well-being supports and services including regular classes and programmes on mental health, fitness, financial literacy and career advice: This student well-being framework has been successfully rolled out across Uninests residences in Ireland." Uninest manages seven student residences in Dublin and also manages a number of student apartment complexes internationally, including in England, Germany, Spain and Japan. A number of other private student complexes are either planned or in construction across Cork city. Builders are on-site on the former Crow's Next site at the junction of Victoria Cross and Carrigrohane Road working on a 255-bed student apartment complex for UCC. It is close to the existing UCC-owned University Hall, Victoria Lodge and Victoria Mills developments. Building work is also advancing on a 348-bed development on the former OMahony Packaging Building on Melbourne Road near Cork Institute of Technology. Plans for the citys biggest student accommodation complex, a 629-bed scheme on the former Coca-Cola bottling plant site on Carrigrohane Rd, are advancing. A 550-bed space complex is proposed for a site near the Lough, a 285-bed space complex is proposed for a site on North Main St, and a 292-bed omplex is proposed for the former Square Deal site on Washington St. UCC is planning to build a 4,000-student capacity business school on South Terrace in the heart of the city centre over the coming years. Earlier this year, CIT president, Dr Barry O'Connor, warned of a student-bed shortage in the city. To control the population of leopards and prevent incidents of man-animal conflict in Gujarat, the state government has sought the Centre's permission for sterilising leopards, the legislative Assembly was informed on Thursday. While a proposal seeking permission to sterilise leopards was sought in December 2019, the state government is yet to receive the nod from the Centre, Forest Minister Ganpat Vasava informed the house during the Question Hour. Notably, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, during the 18th State Wildlife Board (SWB) meeting held in December last year, had asked officials to initiate process of acquiring necessary permissions from the Central government to sterilise leopards. The announcement came a day after a leopard was shot dead by a forest department guard in Amreli district after two people were killed by the big cat. On Thursday, Vasava informed the house said there are 1,395 leopards in the state as per the 2016 census. In 2019, as many as 442 leopards were captured from different parts of the state, he said. While 360 of them were released in the wild, 82 leopards remained in captivity for being 'man eaters', said the forest minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China Enterprises Deal with Confidence Crash Amid Coronavirus Outbreak By Joyce Huang February 26, 2020 The coronavirus outbreak will likely take a bigger-than-expected toll on China's economy this quarter as the latest business conditions index, compiled by the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) since 2012, dropped to a historic low in February. Analysts say, amid a slowing economy, China is already trapped in a corporate debt default crisis, which further threatens the survival of local businesses especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being badly hit by the epidemic. The monthly index, which measures the business sentiment of private SMEs in China, dropped from January's 56.2 to an all-time low of 37.3 in February far below the threshold of 50 that suggests the variable will keep falling. Confidence crash The sharp fall reflects "the extreme pressure faced by Chinese companies" or "a confidence crash," said Li Wei, finance professor at the CKGSB and head researcher of the index, in a commentary. Two of the indicator's four sub-indices sales and profits fell sharply to 32.8 and 24.3 this month respectively from last month's 72.1 and 60, which suggests companies surveyed are in a revenue crisis. The financing sub-index slightly dropped since the companies' financing needs are put on hold if they can't operate while their inventory forecasts edged up an improvement that Li said is hardly a good thing now. The survey also looks into prospects for costs, prices, investments and recruitments in the next six months. It showed that forecasts of labor and overall costs as well as consumer prices went south this month. Among them, if the sub-index of consumer prices forecasts, which already dipped to 37.6 from 53.6 in a month, keeps plummeting dramatically, "we can expect deflation," according to Li. Another cause for concern, Li added, is this month's massive drops in investment and recruitment prospects from 60s to 40s, which suggest companies are expecting contraction. Contraction in sight? "If this goes on, economic downturn is a natural conclusion," Li said. The survey also found that 45 percent of respondent companies said they have not been able to resume operation as a result of strict quarantine measures while another 49 percent said they have just restarted work. And 61 percent of surveyed companies have no faith that their production capacity will recover more than 60 percent by the months' end. Based on such a grim prospect toward the disease's impact on businesses, Li projected that China's economic output value may shed by half in the first quarter. That means that China has little chance meeting its 6 percent growth rate target this year. The full-year economy, instead, will likely contract by 3.2 percent or worse by 6.7 percent even if growth in the next three quarters remains unaffected by the outbreak at 6 percent according to two of Li's most optimistic assumptions, based on the Chinese government's favorable outlooks. Li's forecasts are a sharp contrast to those by major global economic institutes including IHS Markit, the International Monetary Fund or the Economic Intelligence Unit, which took reference from the 2003 SARS impact pattern and revised downward China's GDP target by 0.4 to 0.5 percentage points. " If the outbreak can be contained this quarter, then this full-year growth will be at around 5.5 percent [from China's 6 percent target]. However, shall the outbreak's impact extend to another quarter, China may have a hard time keeping a 5 percent economic growth this year," said Darson Chiu, a research fellow at the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research in Taipei. On Saturday, China's former central banker David Li, director of Tsinghua University's center for China in the world economy, forecast that the coronavirus outbreak will drop China's economic growth by 0.17 to 0.77 percentage points this year. That means the Chinese economy will grow 5.23 percent this year even if the outbreak ravages till the year's end, according to Li's estimates. To boost the Chinese economy, it is important that companies soon resume their production, which he said works better than any fiscal or monetary stimulus. Liquidity crunch Chiu, however, warned that China's debt default rate has been on the rise during the U.S.-China trade war, which may further push outbreak-hit businesses into a liquidity crisis. Shall that worsen, massive business closures and labor layoffs may follow, he said. Statistics showed that China ended 2019 with record corporate bond defaults, amid the slowest growth in almost three decades. More than 150 onshore companies reneged on debt payments totaling about US $19 billion. That was up from 120 companies and US $17.6 billion in 2018. CKGSB's Li urged the Chinese government to optimize quarantine measures so that workers can return to work. He also urged the authorities to tend to the business sector's financing need, in particular, SMEs, saying that liquidity, released at a state level, doesn't necessarily trickle down to small companies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Overview Europe is a leader in the global contract logistics market. The market for contract logistics in Europe is expected to register a CAGR of more than 2.5% during the forecast period (2019-2024). Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865872/?utm_source=PRN - Owing to the rise in demand for more integrated services, data management and the preference for flexible solutions, the contract logistics market is expected to witness high growth. - As the demand for specific processes along the value chain and comprehensive services is growing, the contract logistics is becoming the ideal solution for the companies. - The Western Europe region dominates the market, by taking more than three-fourths of the market, with Germany accounting for the major share. However, countries in the Central and Eastern Europe region are expected to achieve high growth in future. - The retail sector is a key end-user sector of the contract logistics market, in general. With Europe being a global hub for the automotive industry, it accounts for a significant share of the European contract logistics market. - The contract logistics market across the world is witnessing the trends of consolidation. From strategies adopted by major players, it can be observed that the companies are following the trend of acquisition, to maintain a competitive edge in the market. Scope of the Report A complete background analysis of the Europe contract logistics market (market overview, market size estimation for key segments, emerging trends by segments, and market dynamics) are covered in the report. Key Market Trends The Outsourced Contract Logistics Market to Grow at a High Pace The degree of outsourcing in contract logistics is low, indicating significant room for growth. Globally, the share of outsourced contract logistics in the total market stands in the range of 10-15% only. For Europe, this share is estimated to be more than 20%. The levels of outsourcing vary significantly between countries. Generally, transport and warehousing services are majorly outsourced. E-Commerce is expected to be a major driver for the growth of outsourcing. As the e-commerce market is growing rapidly, the consumer expectations for faster and reliable deliveries is also growing. In this context, outsourcing of services, such as warehousing, and order fulfilment, among others, is expected to grow. Contract logistics offers the e-commerce businesses of all sizes advantages, such as easy management of business, advanced technological solutions, reduced risk, and scalability. The e-commerce market of Europe is valued at more than USD 600 billion, and it is growing at a rate of more than 10%. Growth in Manufacturing is Expected to Drive the Demand for Contract Logistics Services With the advent of technology, automation has become key for manufacturing companies. Moreover, the developed countries in Europe are of high importance, as they have the required infrastructure and skills that are readily developed. This is expected to result in a trend of reshoring manufacturing back to Europe, and automation is very often one of the reasons for reshoring in Europe. As of February 2019, 253 reshoring cases were observed in Europe between 2014 and 2018 in the United Kingdom, Italy, and France witnessing the high number of reshoring cases. The Central and Eastern Europe region have a significant opportunity with emerging economies, and the manufacturing sector in the region is growing steadily. The automotive sector has been one of the leading growth sectors in this region, with the German companies investing large amounts. Competitive Landscape The prominent players in the market include Deutsche Post DHL Group, Schenker AG (DB Schenker), Ceva Logistics, Kuehne + Nagel International AG, DSV AS, and SNCF Logistics/Geodis. These players based out of Europe have a significant presence across the world, they are among the top 20 global contract logistics companies. Even though these major players have strong footprint across the region and account for significant market share, the market is still fragmented to some extent, with many players providing contract logistics services at different levels. It is necessary for the companies to make sure that they are constantly evolving to match the trends in the industry. This is likely to help them gain a stronger foothold in the market by attracting new customers. Most of the major companies are based out of the Western Europe region, the number of local contract logistics providers in the CEE region are comparatively lower. This is an opportunity for the existing local logistics players in the CEE region, to enter the contract logistics market and gain significant market share. As mentioned earlier, the companies are following the trend of acquisitions, in order to grow and be competitive. Few of these in the European market in past five years include acquisition of Logiter by ID Logistics and Norbert Dentressangle SA by XPO Logistics. Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - Report customization as per the client's requirements - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865872/?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 Bengaluru, Feb 27 : With the opening of the third railway terminal here soon, more long-distance passenger trains would be introduced from Bengaluru, Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi said on Thursday. "I have directed the South Western Railways (SWR) to run more train services to and from Bengaluru once the third terminal in the city at Byappanahalli (in the eastern suburb) commences with 7 platforms," Angadi told reporters here. With 10 platforms at the Bengaluru city terminal and 6 platforms at the Yeshvantpur terminal in the northern suburbs congested due to heavy traffic, the SWR will soon convert the Cantonment station in the city centre into fourth terminal. "The two new terminals at Byappanahalli and Cantonment will enable us to decongest the Bengaluru city (Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna station) and Yeshvantpur terminals through which 80 per cent of the traffic passes through daily," an official told IANS. As the Bengaluru metro rail stations are located adjacent to Bengaluru city, Yeshvantpur and Byappanahalli railway stations, long-distance train passengers will be able to commute to their destinations across the city conveniently and faster. "The proposed suburban passenger train service around the city will offer integrated transport service to the 11 million people of Bengaluru, which is the fastest growing metropolitan city in the country," said the official. Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa assured the railways of providing adequate funds in the budget for 2020-21 to speed up the pending rail projects across the southern state. "The state government will jointly work with the railways to increase the rail network density in the state to provide safer and economical transport service to the people," he said after flagging off, by remote control, the by-weekly Shivamogga-Chennai Tatkal Express, connecting his home town in the Malnad region to the Tamil Nadu capital via Bengaluru. Angadi asked the state government to speed up land acquisition for extending train services, doubling lines and laying new tracks for running more passenger and freight services. The Chief Minister also dedicated the first phase of the rail display network at the city station. The display network is said to be the first in Indian Railways. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Emergency physician-led teams are on the frontlines of coronavirus treatment, prevention and response. JACEP Open, a new official open access journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), explores coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns in two new analyses. The first paper explores risk factors for transmission while the second outlines broad public health concerns amplified during an outbreak. "The impact of coronavirus is significant but pales in comparison to global influenza," said Dr. Matthew J. Fuller, MD, assistant professor and director of global health for the Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Utah and lead study author. "Lessons learned from past outbreaks are instructive while risk factors for transmission of coronavirus are still being assessed." There are more confirmed cases of coronavirus thus far, but SARS (sudden acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), which are in the same virus family, have higher fatality rates and bring on more severe illness. A three percent fatality rate has been reported for coronavirus, compared to 35 percent or 15 percent for MERS and SARS, respectively, according to "Novel Coronavirus 2019: Emergence and Implications for Emergency Care." Patients admitted to a Wuhan, China hospital with confirmed coronavirus had symptoms like fever (83 to 98 percent) or cough (76 to 82 percent) and roughly one-third had shortness of breath. About one-third of those patients required intensive care, mostly for oxygen support. Patients at high risk for contracting the virus include anyone with flu-like symptoms who recently traveled to China or came into close contact with somebody who recently traveled to China. No risk is identifiable simply from passing by a person with a confirmed case of coronavirus. Transmission from a person who has an early stage of the virus but does not yet show symptoms has not been confirmed, according to the analysis. Should that be proven possible, it would mean the novel coronavirus could be transmitted during the incubation period, like chicken pox or measles, the authors note. Like other respiratory viruses, human-to-human transmission is thought to occur via droplets produced by cough or sneeze. It is believed that facial contact with contaminated surfaces (public water fountains, for example) could contribute to the spread, but that is less likely. The highest casualty rates are reported among elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions. A second paper, "Coronavirus Disease 2019: International Public Health Considerations," discusses economic and social risks posed by this outbreak and others. "Misinformation can spread just like a virus, obscuring communication from the international health community to medical professionals and the public," said Christopher J. Greene, MD, MPH, assistant professor of global health and international emergency medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham and lead study author. "Everyone would like to avoid a scenario where anxiety drives public behavior change." In the initial response to an outbreak, global resource concentration can shift away from routine care toward outbreak management. One estimate referenced in the analysis concluded that reductions in service cost more than 10,600 lives during the Ebola outbreak. Indirect costs to affected regions (tourism, commerce) can also be substantial, Dr. Greene notes. "Effective public communication helps ensure compliance with quarantine directives or other instructions. It's important for health professionals to break through the noise to encourage people, especially those potentially at risk, to take appropriate precautionary measures and heed the recommendations of health professionals," said Dr. Greene. JACEP Open is the official open access journal from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). JACEP Open delivers high-quality, peer-reviewed research in an open access format and joins Annals of Emergency Medicine as the leading sources of original research, case studies, clinical reports and perspectives dedicated specifically to emergency medicine and related topics. SOURCE American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Related Links www.acep.org ICSE Class 10th English Paper Analysis: LUCKNOW Students in Lucknow on Thursday found ICSE (Class 10) English paper one (language) to be easy and balanced. They said paper was clear, simple and straightforward. Shikhar Tiwari, a student of City Montessori School Kanpur Road branch said, The prepositions were easy and we managed to finish in time Shivansh Bhatnagar, another student said, The essay topics were good and I did well. Arunima Singh said, The letter and the notice topics were easy to understand and write Kovidh Singh added, Im sure to get a high score in language. Paper was on expected lines Ashutosh Tiwari came out bubbling with zeal and laughter, claiming cent percent marks. Teacher of the same school, Shashi Kanti, ICSE in- charge expressed that children came running out of the examination hall beaming with happiness. Principal Dr Vineeta Kamran, said, Both my students and teachers have worked hard and Im sure their work will bloom fruits of success for our campus. English teacher at St Teresas College, Aashiana, Jyoti Mehta said the ICSE English Language paper was very scoring paper is up to the mark and covered the whole syllabus in a very easy manner. It was as per expectations and all the questions were well- practiced by the children. Topics of compositions were too easy and interesting, she said. Nikhil Sharma, student said that exercises as well as unseen passage was easy. Mohammad Jainal said that questions paper was set in a simple language. Aayush Verma said that paper was lengthy but a balanced one. He is expecting good marks. Shreyashi Mishra said that paper was easy as compared to the pre- board examination paper. Students seemed happy with the paper. WEST BENGAL Chirag Agarwal, a student of St Joseph School, Darjeeling, who is appearing for ICSE exams, said, The English paper met our expectations. I had no difficulty answering the questions. I hope to score what I was aiming for. Bidhya Nivedita Toppo, an English teacher at Don Bosco School, Siliguri, which is under ICSE board, said, Many students were expecting difficult questions but all of them found them quite easy to answer. The syllabus was well covered. Stuti Abigail Raj, a ICSE student from La Martiniere for Girls in Kolkata, said, The paper was comparatively easy. I am happy and satisfied. PRAYAGRAJ The English language question paper for ICSE students appearing in the ongoing Board examinations of Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) examination had a balanced approach for gauging knowledge of an average student. As per teachers of the subject the question paper was well set and questions on comprehension writing, letter writing, essay writing, notice or email writing besides the grammer portion comprising of transformation of sentences, prepositions and types of verbs was easy to attempt. As per Sameen Zehra, teaching English at Bishop George School and College, Prayagraj, the question paper was well within the prescribed syllabus and in accordance to pattern adopted by the Board in past 10 years. The average student also found the question paper easy as practicing of question papers of the Board of past 10 years gave them an idea of the pattern. Essay writing and comprehension each carrying 20 marks was scoring while Letter writing and Notice or email writing, each carrying 10 marks were easy to attempt. The grammar portion of 20 marks was also easy to answer, she said. Yashraj Ranjan, a student of the college said the question paper was easy and scoring. Likewise the English examination for class 12 of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) also was in accordance to the syllabus and pattern prescribed by the Board. According to Aradhana Tripathi, teaching class 12 at Ganga Gurukulam School in Prayagraj, the question paper had the academically weak students in comfort zone. The literature part had long answer type questions and short answer type question of 6 marks each while Reference to Context from prose and poetry of 4 marks each was also easy to answer. Any average student with adequate preparation would perform well in the exam, she said. As per Tripathi, letter writing for placing order for books besides article writing on familiar topics were also scoring. Divya, a student of class 12 of the school said that the paper was easy and she had answered all questions as repeated practice of previous years question papers had helped her do well. Similarly, Animesh, another class 12 student also termed the question paper as easy and scoring. (With inputs from Rajeev Mullick in Lucknow and Tanmay in Kolkata and Kenneth John in Prayagraj) One of the 15 Americans diagnosed with coronavirus in the US is 'pretty sick' and being treated in a hospital, President Trump announced during a Wednesday night press conference. Ahead of his announcement that US health officials will now report to Vice President Mike Pence - although he is not designated the health czar - Trump drew a sharp line between people who were in the US before borders were shut and those repatriated. Encouragingly, President Trump claimed that five of the coronavirus patients have recovered and gone home. Another eight are at home but still sick and one is hospitalized, but ostensibly faring better than the 'pretty sick' patient. Of that person, Trump said: 'Hopefully they will recover.' SCROLL FOR VIDEO President Trump announced that one American with coronavirus is 'pretty sick' in the hospital, but that five have fully recovered and gone home in a Wednesday press briefing A total of 60 Americans now have coronavirus, but 45 of those cases are in people held in quarantines after evacuation from Wuhan or the cruise, while only a small number were detected in the US after traveling to China. The source of one infection remains unclear Director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Disease (NIAD) Dr Anthony Fauci reiterated the news that trials are set to begin for a vaccine for coronavirus, a record-setting three months after the virus was sequenced. He added that the vaccine won't be ready for a year to a year-and-a-half. At that point, it will make little impact on the current outbreak but, in the likely event that the virus is here to stay in coming years, Dr Fauci expects a vaccine will be ready. Trump's assertions that the US has the outbreak 'very well under control' had butted heads against Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases Dr Messonnier's warning that it 'could be bad' in the US. Dr Messonnier, who has taken point for the CDC's coronavirus press briefings was notably absent from the Wednesday briefing, but Trump did agree with her Tuesday advice that schools should prepare for closures amid the outbreak. Coronavirus cases on US soil have now risen to 60 with the addition of two more Diamond Princess cruise evacuees and another American who tested positive on Wednesday. Officials have not yet revealed how the most recently diagnosed patient acquired the life-threatening infection, according to the Washington Post. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the positive test results of an additional six cruise evacuees, including four that had already been announced by local health departments. At least five of the new patients were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship last week. They were then transported to three different quarantine sites: military bases in California and Texas and the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska. Global cases have now surged past 81,000, with well over 2,700 deaths - though the vast majority of fatalities have still occurred in China, where the outbreak began. CDC officials on Tuesday warned Americans to prepare for the infection to spread, despite President Trump's reassurances the same day that the virus is 'under control' in the US. On Wednesday, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar dismissed claims that President Trump was considering appointing an epidemic czar to replace him and oversee the US's handling of the coronavirus outbreak. The CDC has reported 14 cases in the country and 45 cases among people evacuated from the cruise ship and the city of Wuhan in China. The agency's website does not yet reflect the 60th case, announced Wednesday by Secretary Azar. So far, only two cases of human-to-human transmission of coronavirus have occurred in the US, but CDC officials believe it's no longer a matter of 'if' but 'when' the virus will be active in US communities. The CDC's point person on the coronavirus outbreak, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases Dr Nancy Messonnier advised parents to talk to their kids' schools about 'teleschooling' in the event the event of quarantines or class cancellations amid an outbreak. She's already called her own children's schools. 'I told my children that they are not at risk now, but we as a family need to prepare for significant disruption in our lives,' Dr Messonnier told reporters in a Tuesday press briefing. Another two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed among American passengers of the Diamond Princess Cruise ship who were evacuated from Japan earlier this month (pictured) CDC officials told Americans to expect US coronavirus cases to rise after the repatriation of the passengers of the cruise ship (pictured), which had the greatest number outside China It's somewhat reassuring, however, that the new cases for which details have been released are among the cruise ship evacuees. The number of people diagnosed in the US - without being repatriated - has held steady at 14 for weeks. Another two people who were among among the 800-some Americans repatriated from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak in China, have also tested positive for coronavirus. This week's additional cases among evacuees may have come to little surprise to the CDC, which advised against letting 14 American Diamond Princess passengers whose coronavirus tests came back positive as they were about to board the evacuation flights to the US continue on the cargo planes. State Department officials ultimately overrode the health officials on the ground in Japan, where the ship had been quarantined. Of the 328 evacuated people, 13 'high risk' passengers were taken on to Nebraska's high-grade quarantine. CDC officials previously said they expected to see additional cases among the cruise ship evacuees, and diagnoses have indeed rolled in. Meanwhile, LAX airport and travelers are on high alert after a flight attendant on a Korean Air flight there from South Korea, where cases have surged to over 1,200 in a matter of days and one US soldier on Camp Carroll military base has been diagnosed with coronavirus. The White House Tuesday requested an additional $2.5 billion in funding for the coronavirus response. Secretary Azar told the Senate Appropriations Subcomittee on Tuesday that the money would go to covering the costs of housing and quarantining Americans on military bases, improved surveillance, vaccine, treatment and diagnostic development, and ensuring that the government has a stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE). Azar estimated that about 300 million N95 face masks would be needed to protect American health care workers if the outbreak spreads in the US. Subcommittee slammed the HHS for having secret briefings with lawmakers and accused Azar and the White House of submitting a 'low-ball' budget request with precious little detail. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) A "total revamp" of hundreds of immigration personnel was implemented in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as a result of the discovery of the so-called "pastillas" bribery scheme, officials have disclosed. Commissioner Jaime Morente of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Thursday the shake-up at the NAIA terminals 1, 2, and 3 covers all immigration employees from the deputy port operations division chief all the way to the counter personnel. Nearly 800 personnel were reassigned to different terminals and shifts, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval added. "Total revamp, pinagpapalitan natin lahat even yung mga counter personnel. We shook up the system... Para mabasag po kung mayroon mang collusion of any employees sa ating airports," she told CNN Philippines. [Translation: Total revamp. We replaced all of them, even the counter personnel. We shook up the system. We did this to shatter the connivance between airport employees.] An immigration officer exposed the irregularities at the BI during a February 20 Senate hearing, saying that 90 percent of the bureau's personnel were involved in the so-called "pastillas" bribery scheme, which allows special treatment to Chinese nationals entering the country of a fee. On Thursday, Sandoval said the 19 officers who have been relieved from their posts are facing administrative cases, adding they may also face criminal charges after the fact-finding committee completes its report by the second week of March. President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday warned that more people in the bureau will be removed from their posts. Last week, Duterte vouched for Morente, who was also the former police chief of Davao City, despite the bribery scandal in his agency. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed Class 10 and 12 exams scheduled on Friday and Saturday in riot-affected north-east Delhi and parts of east Delhi. This was the third time the exam was postponed by the CBSE in this week due to the communal tension prevailing in north-east Delhi. In a statement issued on Thursday, CBSE secretary Anurag Tripathi said, In view of a request received from the Delhi government and to avoid inconvenience to students, staff and parents, the exams scheduled for February 28 and 29 in North East Delhi and other affected areas stand cancelled. The next date for the affected students will be notified shortly. All exams in all centres across Delhi will be conducted as per original schedule from March 2 onwards, he added. The board has also announced that it will conduct fresh exams for students who have not been able to appear for their papers in other parts of city due to the violence in north-east Delhi. It said that it has come to their notice that some students residing in the affected areas have not been able to appear in exams in other parts of Delhi due to the situation prevailing. We have asked school principals to send details to regional offices concerned of the CBSE of all such students of class 10, 12 who have missed their exams so far in Delhi, due to these difficult conditions. To reduce the stress on students, the board will conduct fresh exams for them. The next date of exam for the affected students will be notified shortly, Tripathi said in another statement issued on Thursday. The Delhi government also announced that all private and government schools in violence hit areas of north-east Delhi and some parts of east Delhi will continue to remain closed on Friday. The government also decided to postpone all internal examinations scheduled in schools across north-east Delhi on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday. ENDS Expansive aerial view of a pit mining project in Alberta's Oilsands near Fort McMurray. Husky Energys (HSE.TO) chief executive officer says major energy projects are unlikely to move forward in Canada unless Ottawa does more to reduce political uncertainty and lengthy, expensive approval processes. Speaking on a conference call following the release of the Calgary-based integrated oil producers latest financial results, Robert Peabody commented on the increasingly challenging environment for new energy infrastructure in Canada. Governments should make every effort to ensure that companies in any industry dont invest significant dollars in a project, and in project applications, only to be derailed by policy or political uncertainty at the very last moment, he said on Thursday. That certainly is a situation that has to be rectified if people want projects to move ahead. His remarks come in the wake of Teck Resources (TECK-B.TO)(TECK) decision last Sunday to pull the plug on plans for a $20 billion oilsands mine in northern Alberta. The company said the full potential of Canadas energy sector will not be realized until the government reconciles conflicting natural resource development and carbon reduction priorities. Teck began the regulatory process for the planned Frontier mine in March 2008. Last July, the Alberta Energy Regulator and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency recommended approval of the project. The federal government was expected to issue its decision by the end of the month. All you have to do to frustrate large project investment is make the regulatory process longer than sort of five years, Peabody said. What killed Teck, ultimately, was a regulatory process that just went on and on and on. While Teck had not deemed the project viable given current commodity prices and the lack of take-away capacity in Canadas oil patch, the project became a political flashpoint, pitting Ottawas commitment to reduce carbon emissions against the need to support Albertas long-suffering resource economy. Story continues Teck warned last week that it would face a $1.13 billion impairment charge if the plan did not go ahead. The abandoned Frontier mine plan is the latest casualty in a long line of energy projects impacted by regulatory hurdles and environmental opposition, including the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion sold to the government by Kinder Morgan (KMI), and TC Energy Corps (TRP.TO)(TRP) Keystone XL pipeline. The latest pressure point has been TCs Energy Coastal GasLink pipeline in Northern British Columbia. The project aims to transport natural gas 670 kilometres from near Dawson Creek to a facility near Kitimat, where LNG Canada will prepare the gas for export to global markets. While the project has the approval of all 20 elected Indigenous band councils governing the route, the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs have not consented. They insist their authority trumps governance structures created under Canadas controversial Indian Act. Nationwide protests in support of the hereditary chiefs have erupted in recent weeks. Demonstrators have blocked trains on key rail arteries, resulting in a range of setbacks for businesses across the country, including temporary layoffs. A new poll by the Angus Reid Institute found 78 per cent of Canadians feel the countrys reputation as a prime destination for investment has taken a hit as a result. Goldy Hyder, chief executive officer at the Business Council of Canada, said the disconnect between the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and their elected counterparts adds another layer of complexity to the already challenging process of building energy projects in Canada. He said the federal government keeps moving the goalposts on project approvals, and his members in the energy sector are getting fed up. What else do you want from us? Thats what I hear, Hyder told Yahoo Finance Canada. His advice for the government: Don't politicize regulatory processes. Build the regulations strong enough that you are comfortable that you are getting the policy outcomes that you want. Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Judges in Germany have told a Muslim law clerk that she can be prevented from wearing a head scarf during court proceedings. Germany's highest bench, the Federal Constitutional Court, ruled that the judiciary's obligation to complete neutrality outweighed her freedom of religion rights. The Frankfurt-born woman of Moroccan heritage sued after she became a legal clerk in 2017 and was restricted as to what she could do by Hesse state authorities. She was allowed to wear her head scarf, but was prohibited from following court proceedings from the bench while wearing it, and instead had to sit among the courtroom observers. Judges in Germany have ruled that Muslim law clerks can be asked to remove their head scarfs, similar to the ones pictured above, or be faced with a restricted role in court proceedings She was also unable to take evidence from witnesses or lead any courtroom sessions. Other German states such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Berlin have similar regulations, dpa new agency reported. There is no guidance in other regions because the issue has never come up or has been dealt with case-by-case. In 2017, a German judge told a Syrian woman she had to remove her Islamic head scarf in court during a divorce hearing or she would not be able to legally separate. The judge warned there was no place for religious symbols in the courtroom. A court in Germany ruled against an attempt by authorities in Hamburg to forbid a 16-year-old schoolgirl from wearing a niqab during lessons In addition, eight German states currently maintain restrictions on wearing the hijab by female teachers, after a 2015 decision by Germany's Constitutional Court overturned a blanket ban on teachers wearing hijabs, ruling that it was against religious freedom. Earlier this month a German court overturned a school's niqab ban after a 16-year-old girl was told she had to show her face to teachers. Hamburg education officials had ordered the girl's mother to ensure that her daughter did not wear the veil at school, a decision which an administrative court overturned. Civil servants and police officers have already been banned from wearing the niqab, burka or hijab or any religious symbol, but this has not previously extended to members of the public. PUNE: A 21-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly trying to kill an 83-year-old bed-ridden woman on February 23. The man was identified as Ganeshprasad Dangdejesi Khanal, 21, a resident of Samatanagar area of Navi Sangvi and a native of Nepal, according to the police. Khanal was friends with two other Nepali nationals who were employed as domestic helps in the house of the elderly identified as Shakuntala Sharma and knew the family, according to the police. That day, he [Khanal] had come with his friends to the house and the 83-year-old woman had scolded him for coming to their house without a purpose. He is telling us that the woman verbally abused him. So when nobody was in the house, he came back to exact his revenge, said assistant inspector Dattatray Gulig of Sangvi police station who is investigating the case. A relative of the old woman entered the house around 2:15pm and found Khanal in the house while the woman was on the floor. In that moment, he told the relative that he had heard the woman fall and had come to help her. The family took her to the hospital where the doctors told the family that she had been a victim to attempted strangulation. She has been sick ever since, said Gulig. The complaint was lodged by the womans son Pradeepkumar Pruthvirahh Sharma, 60, a resident of Samatanagar area of Sangvi. We looked for him for around two days. Some of these Nepali nationals do not have an address. We found him yesterday (Wednesday) and arrested him. He will be produced in court on Thursday, said Gulig. A case under Section 307 (attempted murder) of Indian Penal Code was registered at Sangvi police station against Khanal. [February 27, 2020] 2020 Lenovo Annual Sale starts March 9 (Sneak Peek March 2-8) RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb. 27, 2020 /CNW/ -- The highly-anticipated Lenovo Annual Sale runs from March 9 to March 22 this year, offering customers across the U.S. and Canada great prices on some of today's best business, home and gaming PCs and technology. Whether you go for one of the daily doorbuster deals or grab an early bargain during Sneak Peek Week (March 2-8), the Lenovo Annual Sale is the perfect time to find top-rated tech at rock-bottom prices. Here are just a few of the offers Lenovo will unveil over the two weeks of the 2020 Annual Sale: Legion Gaming PCs starting at $939.99 ( $1,279.99 in Canada ) ( in ) 40% off all ThinkPad X, T and P Series laptops and ThinkCentre desktops/towers A 15-inch touchscreen IdeaPad L340 laptop for only $399.99 ($539.99) Up to 43% off versatile, easy-to-use tablets for work or home The super-intelligent Lenovo Smart Clock priced at just $39.99 ($49.99) "It only happens once a year, so you don't want to miss the Lenovo Annual Sale," said Carlo Savino, executive director of North America eCommerce at Lenovo. "From 40% off ThinkPad business laptops to Legion gaming PCs priced from just $939.99 (1,279.99) we'll be posting great sale prices in all of the most popular tech categories." 2020 Lenovo Annual Sale (March 9-22) The 2020 Lenovo Annual Sale includes two weeks of 40% savings on all ThinkPad X, T and P Series laptops, ThinkCentre desktops and towers and a broad selection of ultraportable ThinkBooks. It also includes these time-specific offers:* Sneak Peek Week ( March 2-8 ) Get early access to some of the sale's best doorbuster deals: Get early access to some of the sale's best doorbuster deals: Legion gaming PCs starting at $939.99 ( $1,279.99 in Canaa ) ( in ) Yoga 2-in-1 laptops from just $699.99 ($949.99) Touchscreen IdeaPad L340 laptop for only $399.99 ($539.99) Week 1 ( March 9-15 ) In addition to the "40% off Think" offer, the first week of the Annual Sale features 28% off all Yoga 2-in-1 laptops and IdeaPad laptops starting from just $289.99 ( $389.99 in Canada ). There will also be Monday-Thursday and Friday-Sunday doorbusters with amazing offers like these: In addition to the "40% off Think" offer, the first week of the Annual Sale features 28% off all Yoga 2-in-1 laptops and IdeaPad laptops starting from just ( in ). There will also be Monday-Thursday and Friday-Sunday doorbusters with amazing offers like these: ThinkPad X1 Carbon laptop from just $1,499 ( $1,999 in Canada ) laptop from just ( in ) Legion gaming PCs starting at $939.99 ( $1,279.99 in Canada ) ( in ) ThinkPad T480 laptop priced at only $829.00 ($1,119.00) Touchscreen IdeaPad L340 laptop from just $399.99 ($539.99) Week 2 ( March 16-22 ) As the "40% off Think" offer continues, the sale's second week adds still more Monday-Thursday and Friday-Sunday doorbusters, featuring deals like these: As the "40% off Think" offer continues, the sale's second week adds still more Monday-Thursday and Friday-Sunday doorbusters, featuring deals like these: Chromebooks from $179.99 ( $239.99 in Canada ), and up to 43% off tablets ( in ), and up to 43% off tablets Select ThinkPad laptops discounted as much as 74% Up to 27% off 2-in-1s (including the $699.99 ($949.99) Yoga model (20%) listed above) Yoga model (20%) listed above) Gaming monitors priced from just $132.99 (179.54) *Offers valid while supplies last. Ready to shop? In the US, go to https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/d/deals/doorbusters/. In Canada, go to https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/d/deals/doorbusters/. Plus, don't forget that U.S. customers can use their MyLenovo Rewards on everything they buy on lenovo.com -- even these great Annual Sale offers and get access to the "40% off Think" sale during Sneak Peek Week. To sign up and start earning rewards on every purchase, go to https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/rewards/. ABOUT LENOVO Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$50 billion Fortune Global 500 company, with 57,000 employees and operating in 180 markets around the world. Lenovo designs, engineers and develops world-changing technologies that create a more inclusive, trustworthy and sustainable digital society, including the world's most complete portfolio of smart devices and infrastructure. For more, visit https://www.lenovo.com, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Weibo, and read about the latest news at our StoryHub. Contact: Cynthia Hever, Lenovo [email protected] Ph: +1 (919) 294-0970 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2020-lenovo-annual-sale-starts-march-9-sneak-peek-march-2-8-301012194.html SOURCE Lenovo [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Mehreen Pirzada has been grabbing the headlines these days. The actress has become the subject of talks as producers of her last venture, Aswathama have leveled allegations against her. As per reports, Shankar Prasad, the producer of the film and also father of Aswathama's male lead, Naga Shaurya, had told a leading daily that the actress' hotel bill will not be paid. After days of silence, finally, the actress has responded to the rumours. She took to her social media page to open up about the same, and wrote, "I was maintaining a dignified silence regarding the entire issue but when my reputations is tarnished I am forced to tell my side of the story. After wrapping my Sankranti releases promotions, I went to visit my family in Punjab. I returned to Hyderabad to do promotional work for the film, a few days before it's theatrical release." She added that her grandfather had a heart attack and has subsequently had stents put which was even mentioned by the lead actor Shaurya during an interview. As per the statement, she had missed the interview as she got a skin allergy and had later sent a doctor's prescription and a photograph to the producers and apologized for the same. Eventually, this irked the producers who later refused to settle the hotel bills and her day staff. "After my manager asked them to settle these due to no avail, I asked him to settle the hotel bills on my behalf and also pay my staff what was due to them. This was done so immediately upon my instructions." The producer had also told the daily that the actress had only shot for 15 days out of the 30 scheduled shoots with her remuneration being made in total. The actress' attitude towards her co-star was also blamed by him. According to buzz, when the lead actor of the film, Shaurya had met with a major accident, Mehreen did not inquire about him, rather she got upset with the makers for the shooting delay. On a relating note Aswathama, directed by debutante Ramana Teja, released on January 31st, 2020. The movie also featured Prince Cecil, Krishna Murali Posan, Pavithra Lokesh in supporting roles. The headquarters of Prudential Life Insurance Company of Korea in Seoul; and MBK Partners Chairman Kim Byung-ju / Korea Times file By Park Jae-hyuk MBK Partners, Hahn & Company and IMM Private Equity are facing another stumbling block to their ongoing bids to take over Prudential Life Insurance Company of Korea. The Korea Finance Consumer Federation (KFCF) said Tuesday it jointly organized a committee with four other consumer groups to oppose the private equity firms (PEFs) that are trying to acquire the U.S. insurance giant's Korean unit. The KFCF urged the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to bar PEFs which the civic group defined as "vulture funds" interested only in profits from holding a controlling stake in an insurance company. It also said lawmakers should revise laws to fundamentally prohibit PEFs from owning insurers. "A life insurance company should not be a mere target for investment," said Bae Hong in charge of monitoring the insurance industry at the KFCF. "Benefits that are supposed to be paid to beneficiaries are coming from insurance companies' assets, and the assets are necessary for at-risk policyholders to continue with their lives. PEFs that pursue short-term profits should be banned from acquiring insurance companies." The KFCF alleged PEFs are highly probable to seek unfair competition and exaggerate their assets, because they would sell the insurance companies they bought within a short period of time. It said MBK exaggerated Orange Life Insurance's value to sell it to Shinhan Financial Group. According to the KFCF, such strategies allow shareholders to take assets away from policyholders. Considering the financial authorities have put a top priority on consumer protection lately, the protest from the consumer groups could be influential enough to prompt the FSC to take measures against MBK and the other two domestic PEFs. At the same time, this will be an opportunity for KB Financial Group and Taiwan's Fubon Financial. The two strategic investors have engaged in a fierce battle against the three financial investors to win one of the most lucrative items on the M&A market this year. According to sources, all five bidders have offered around 2 trillion won ($1.6 billion) in preliminary bidding, showing the competition has heated up for the life insurer. Against this backdrop, Woori Financial Group is still mentioned as a potential bidder, although it did not take part in the preliminary round. Some observers expect Woori may join hands with Fubon which holds a 4 percent stake in Woori. If the protest intensifies against a PEF's acquisition of Prudential, Woori may lean more toward the partnership with Fubon, instead of an alliance with IMM which holds a 5.62 percent stake in Woori. IMM had also been mentioned as one of Woori's potential partners for the Prudential takeover. The main bidding for Prudential is slated for March 19. Prudential's risk-based capital ratio a measurement of financial soundness stood at 515.04 percent in the third quarter of 2019, the highest among the nation's insurance companies. It ranked 11th in terms of assets and fifth in net profit in the first half of last year. Mumbai, Feb 27 : Actors Paritosh Tripathi and Rithvik Dhanjani, who had earlier hosted the dance reality show "Super Dancer", are teaming up again for another show. The two have now joined hands to host a special show titled "Salaam-E-Ishq". "During the shoot, we both recalled our hosting memories. Before the shot, we used to read the script together and chit-chat. I missed working with him because we gel very well," said Paritosh, who rose to fame as TRP Mama in "Super Dancer". "In the show, the audience will experience something new, a very different version of Paritosh. It's a special show which will be aired on February 29 and March 1," he shared. While shooting for it, he got emotional too. "The programming team played a friendship-based song 'Tera yaar hu main', and Rithvik and I had to dance. I hugged him tightly. He is just like a brother from another mother," he said. The "Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches: European Market overview" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report includes EU market analysis and defines all the tobacco-free brands of nicotine pouches, also known as nicotine snus. The analysis of tobacco-free nicotine snus included 17 brands marketed in the EU and, in particular, 137 products were studied that varied in flavor, nicotine strength and portion weight. Numerous limitations and restrictions are in place throughout the EU on the sale of oral tobacco products, the non-tobacco nicotine snus brands have emerged as a popular alternative to tobacco-based portion pouch products. The large tobacco manufacturers appear to be adopting tobacco-free nicotine pouches as a focus of corporate harm reduction strategies, and accordingly, given the opportunity to switch existing smokers from cigarettes to oral products at profitable margins, the level of innovation in this segment is likely to increase in the short to mid-term. The rapid growth of the smokeless oral nicotine pouch market has resulted in new market entrants and new products configurations available in the European market. Scandinavian snus manufacturers are increasingly switching to non-tobacco compositions infused with nicotine and flavors as an alternative to tobacco as part of their current brand offerings. Consumer acceptance for these tobacco-free oral smokeless products has grown in recent years, with rapid adoption throughout Scandinavia, Central Europe and increasingly in Eastern Europe. In its latest forty-page novel nicotine oral smokeless products report entitled European Non-Tobacco Nicotine Snus: Market Analysis Report, analysts present a detailed overview of current portion pouch product offerings by major category manufacturers as well as new market entrants in Europe. The report comprehensively sets out detail on: Sizes and types of nicotine pouches The current regulatory environment in Scandinavia and the EU Current package offerings Current portion pouch sizes by brand Nicotine pouch content by brand Total nicotine content per package Average pouch weight by brand Average total weight per brand Total pouch count per brand Flavor profile analysis for the overall nicotine pouch category Conceptual packaging designs Average pricing by brand Key Topics Covered: Disclaimer 1. General Tobacco-Free Snus industry overview 1.1. Tobacco-free snus definition 1.2. Regulation in the EU region 1.3. Snus relative patents 1.4. Types of cellulose packing 1.5 Types of packaging boxes 1.5.1 Real designs 1.5.2 Concept designs 2. EU Non-tobacco snus market analysis 2.1. Average weight of portion 2.2. Average quantity of portion per package 2.3. Average weight of per package of portions 2.4. Labelled nicotine content per portion 2.5. Packages analysis 2.6. Flavor profiles analysis 2.7. Price range for tobacco-free snus 2.8. EU Brands ownership 2.9 EU Brands presence in CIS market 2.10 EU Customs statistics for tobacco-free snus 2.10.1 Import from Sweden 2.10.2 Import from India Conclusions Companies Mentioned Altria Group British American Tobacco (BAT) Imperial Brands Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Swedish Match For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qp3xvr View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005805/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 Police Focus on 'Political Stability' as Wuhan Nurses Appeal For International Help 2020-02-26 -- Two nurses working at the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic -- the central Chinese city of Wuhan -- have made a global appeal for assistance on the website of the medical journal, The Lancet. Zeng Yingchun and Zhen Yan, who hail from the southern province of Guangdong, were among a wave of medical personnel dispatched to the front line of the epidemic at the beginning of the year. They arrived in the city on Jan. 24 to bolster the ranks of existing medical staff, who were stretched beyond endurance faced with overwhelming numbers of patients and rapidly dwindling supplies. "The conditions and environment here in Wuhan are more difficult and extreme than we could ever have imagined," the nurses write, citing a severe shortage of protective equipment like N95 respirators, face shields, goggles, gowns, and gloves. They said the nurses are suffering physical symptoms such as rashes and blisters from the layers of protective clothing they are expected to wear, and often go for hours without eating or drinking because it is so tiring and time-consuming to take the garments off, sterilize equipment and then don it all over again. "Wearing four layers of gloves is abnormally clumsy and does not workwe can't even open the packaging bags for medical devices, so giving patients injections is a huge challenge," the letter says. "In order to save energy and the time it takes to put on and take off protective clothing, we avoid eating and drinking for 2 hours before entering the isolation ward," it says. "Some nurses have fainted due to hypoglycemia and hypoxia." "In addition to the physical exhaustion, we are also suffering psychologically," they wrote. "While we are professional nurses, we are also human. Like everyone else, we feel helplessness, anxiety, and fear." 'We need much more help' The letter said that frontline medical staff are at the highest risk of infection with the COVID-19 virus, citing nine deaths and 1,716 infections among colleagues. "Due to an extreme shortage of health-care professionals in Wuhan, 14,000 nurses from across China have voluntarily come to Wuhan to support local medical health-care professionals," Zeng and Zhen write. "But we need much more help. We are asking nurses and medical staff from countries around the world to come to China now, to help us in this battle." The nursing staff in Wuhan are largely focused on providing oxygen, ECG monitoring, tube care and airway management, ventilator debugging, haemodialysis, central venous intubation and disposal and disinfection tasks, the letter said. The letter came as the number of total deaths from COVID-19 reached 2,770 on Wednesday, with 2,615 in Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital. Total confirmed cases reached 81,245 globally, with 78,064 in mainland China and 1,261 in South Korea, according to an online tracking website compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The new figures came as police minister Zhao Kezhi said the government's top priority is "maintaining political stability" amid the epidemic. He called on departments at all levels of government to "resolutely crack down on hostile forces at home and overseas." Police must "resolutely obey the orders of President Xi Jinping" at all times to create a "secure and stable political and social environment for epidemic control and prevention," Zhao told a news conference. Tension over cost of care Zhang Chunyu, an employee of a state-own enterprise in Wuhan, said Zhao's warning comes amid growing tension between medical staff and patients over access to -- and funding for -- medical care. "If you have coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, you are referred to as a suspected patients prior to diagnosis, and suspected patients have to meet all of their medical bills out of their own pockets," Zhang said. "This can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars." "Treatment is only free in the case of confirmed diagnosis: if you are a suspected patient, it's about how much treatment you can afford," he said. Reports emerged this week that 71-year-old Tan Minhua -- an employee of the Dongfeng Automobile Factory in Hubei, had died at home, likely of coronavirus, while his six-year-old grandson was left alone with his body in the same apartment, trying to stave off hunger by eating cookies for an estimated three days. Tan's son is currently in the southwestern province of Guangxi, and has been unable to return to Hubei because of travel restrictions there. A Dongfeng employee surnamed Liu said the area around the factory is currently under military control, meaning that nobody is allowed to leave their home. "Nobody's allowed to go out, now that we're under military control," Liu said. "My parents haven't been outside in more than a month, at any rate." An official who answered the phone at the nearby Zhui New District Health Center, where Tan was a registered patient, declined to comment. "We don't know about this," the official said. Calls to the local ruling Chinese Communist Party propaganda office rang unanswered on Wednesday. A local resident surnamed Ye said the epidemic is hitting the most vulnerable in Chinese society hardest. "The people at the bottom of the heap are in a terrible way, and the government doesn't care at all," he said. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Siu-san and Sing Man for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Copyright 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bhumika Popli By Express News Service An interview with Amol Palekar, scheduled the day after his Delhi performance on February 1, was delayed by 90 minutes. No, the actor wasnt late, as most Bollywood celebrities are infamous for. He was too generous with the audience, answering every question to their satisfaction. The audience had come to attend a directors meet where Palekar and his wife Sandhya Gokhale discussed the nuances of Palekars play Kusur, staged at Kamani Auditorium in Delhi. This 80-minute play is an adaptation of the Danish thriller film Den Skyldige. The actor, known for films such as Chhoti Si Baat (1976), Gol Maal (1979), and Baaton Baaton Mein (1979) among others, is an institute in himself. This is evidenced by the fact that the exclusive interview promised to this journalist took place in the presence of at least 10 theatre enthusiasts whod surrounded him. Moreover, during the play, it appeared that Delhi audience were so in awe of the actor that they forgot the rules behind watching a play. In the last scene of Kusur, when Dandavate, a retired Assistant Police Commissioner (essayed by Palekar), walks down the stairs from the stage, his monologue is interrupted with sudden and sharp sounds of applause from the viewers. One doesnt hear what the monologue is all about and almost misses out the activity on stage. Palekar, in conversation with The Sunday Standard, said, It was the first time such a thing happened. We have staged this play in other cities too but we didnt encounter the applause before the curtain fall. May be the Delhi audience was too impatient to applaud me but they realised soon that the play hasnt ended yet. The 75-year-old actor had performed at the same venue in the capital city (Kamani Auditorium ) in 1971. So much has changed in almost 50 years since I performed here. I think most of the people in Delhi are not aware of my theatre connection. To them I am a film actor. So it was both exciting and challenging for me to be able to perform again. But the standing ovation yesterday was a humbling experience. I was privileged, said Palekar. The most important element for Palekar in acting is the use of silence on stage. He said, Once during a play, I was able to hold the effect of silence for five seconds. I remember nobody wanted to move in the audience, probably nobody wanted to breathe in order to let the sanctity of an emotion stay. This experience had me believe in the power of silence and I worked on this skill much more than before. Palekar has always immersed himself in different art forms. A graduate of Sir JJ School of Art, Bombay (now Mumbai), the actor-director is also known for his abstract paintings. His first solo exhibition launched in Taj Art Gallery in Bombay in 1967. The painter debuted as a theatre director in the same year. The next year he started as an actor. According to Palekar, Just a handful of people get to dabble in these art forms simultaneously. I consider myself very lucky. He said that the stage, similar to a canvas, gives him additional elements to display his thoughts. Palekar is also gearing up for his next art exhibition in 2021. The actor, who learned his craft from masters like Badal Sircar, and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, doesnt believe in offering any suggestions to young theatre folk. The job of advising is very elegantly taken up by our politicians. They tell us what to eat and what to wear so I have nothing to say on this front, concluded Palekar. LADWP Commitment to Fostering Gender Equity Honored by Society of Women Engineers SAN DIEGO (February 24, 2020) The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) was honored with two Society of Women Engineers (SWE) WE Local awards this month at the WE Local San Diego conference in San Diego, Calif. The Department received the Sustaining Benefactor award, while its LADWP-SWE chapter was selected for the Outstanding Professional Development Event award. WE Local awards recognize outstanding SWE members, groups and individuals and honor regional excellence in empowering women to achieve full potential in their careers as engineers and leaders. The Sustaining Benefactor award recognized LADWPs significant and ongoing support to the formation and growth of the internal LADWP-SWE chapter, which was established in March 2018. LADWP-SWE has become a key career development organization within LADWP that counts over 200 employees from 40 different job classifications across its Water, Power and Joint systems among its membership. Leadership at LADWP, from executive management to the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, has also prioritized public recognition of the group in Board meetings to raise awareness about gender equity and the importance of bolstering opportunities for women in underrepresented career paths. ADVERTISEMENT LADWP is very pleased to support an employee-led organization that is committed to promoting gender equity, diversity and closing the managerial gender gap values that our utility is also prioritizing through our recruitment efforts and customer program development, said LADWP General Manager and Chief Engineer Martin L. Adams. LADWP-SWEs mentoring and training programs are effectively helping connect members of our workforce to ensure they have the tools to equitably rise up the ranks and succeed. A five-part Leadership Training Series developed by LADWP-SWE that included video as well as in-person training, captured the Outstanding Professional Development Event award, which highlights projects that help members achieve professional goals. In September 2019, SWE also showcased LADWP by honoring Senior Assistant General Manager of Power Engineering, Planning and Technical Services Reiko Kerr with the SWE Spark Award for individuals who have contributed to the advancement of women by mentoring those around them. Kerr is the first woman to lead the Departments Power System. ADVERTISEMENT LADWP-SWEs mission is to stimulate employees to achieve full potential in their careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) by providing supportive networking opportunities, mentoring and fostering a culture that recognizes and respects the contributions of all. Though its members primarily come from STEM backgrounds, 13% of participants work in non-STEM related fields. Campus News Symposium to examine 19th Amendments long-term impact on U.S. politics A woman marches to the White House in support of the suffrage movement. Photo: Courtesy of the Gender Institute By BARBARA BRANNING Given that 2020 is a pivotal election year, one aim of the symposium is to link the history of the 19th Amendment with contemporary issues related to womens involvement in political campaigns from the local to the national levels. Symposium speakers will include Anastasia Curwood, associate professor of history and director of African American & Africana Studies at the University of Kentucky, who is currently writing a book on Chisholm. She will discuss how Chisholms run for Congress in 1968 and for the White House in 1972 were two critical moments in the development of black feminism that forever changed the political landscape in the United States. Given that 2020 is a pivotal election year, one aim of the symposium is to link the history of the 19th Amendment with contemporary issues related to womens involvement in political campaigns from the local to the national levels, says Gender Institute Director Carrie Tirado Bramen, professor of English. The main event, a day-long symposium titled Legacies of Suffrage: Womens Activism Then and Now, will take place March 6 on the North Campus. The symposium will address the history of the 19th Amendment, and the effect it had on the political career of longtime New York Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm. In addition, the event will feature local officials, national scholars and activists who will discuss the past, present and future of the womens movement in the United States. One hundred years after the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote, UBs Gender Institute, in conjunction with The Baldy Center for Law & Social Policy in the School of Law and the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, will sponsor two events that dig deeply into the lasting impact the womens rights movement has had on American politics. Also presenting will be Holly Jackson, associate professor of English at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and author of American Radicals: How 19th-Century Protest Shaped the Nation. Jackson locates the long history of womens suffrage in an intersectional history that includes labor activism, slavery and race, gender and sex. In addition, Lisa Tetrault, associate professor of history at Carnegie Mellon, and author of the award-winning book The Myth of Seneca Falls: Memory and the Women's Suffrage Movement, 1848-1898, will speak about forgotten histories of the 19th Amendment, histories that have been filled with predominantly white feminist leaders. She will explore how African American women, immigrant women and Native American women also shaped the history of womens activism. The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion on how one local organization, First Amendment, First Vote, is preparing young women today to work on political campaigns with an eye toward encouraging more interest and involvement in politics. Bramen explains that the idea for the symposium first arose two years ago when the Gender Institute won a Humanities New York grant to form a reading group on womens suffrage history. A group of students and faculty convened once a month with Shannon Risk, a Niagara University professor and historian who is a local expert on womens suffrage history. Following their discussions, Bramen applied for a Baldy Center conference grant to fund a symposium marking the centennial of the 19th Amendment. Bramen says the centennial provides an important opportunity to reflect on the political gains that women have achieved, as well as to acknowledge the challenges that still remain. The schedule of events: All morning presentations will take place in the Screening Room, 112 Center for the Arts. 9 a.m.: Registration and continental breakfast. Registration and continental breakfast. 9:15 a.m.: Welcome, presented by Carrie Tirado Bramen, director of the Gender Institute and professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences. Welcome, presented by Carrie Tirado Bramen, director of the Gender Institute and professor of English, College of Arts and Sciences. 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Voting for the Right is Doing Nothing for It: 19th-Century American Radicalism and the Turn to Suffrage, presented by Holly Jackson. Voting for the Right is Doing Nothing for It: 19th-Century American Radicalism and the Turn to Suffrage, presented by Holly Jackson. 10:45-11:45 a.m.: When Women Won the Right to Vote: A History Unfinished, presented by Lisa Tetrault. When Women Won the Right to Vote: A History Unfinished, presented by Lisa Tetrault. Noon-1:30 p.m.: Lunch served in the CFA atrium. All afternoon sessions will take place in Baird Recital Hall, 250 Baird Hall. 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Black Feminist Power: Shirley Chisholm and National Politics, 1968-1982, presented by Anastasia C. Curwood. Black Feminist Power: Shirley Chisholm and National Politics, 1968-1982, presented by Anastasia C. Curwood. 2:30-2:45 p.m.: Coffee break. Coffee break. 2:45-4 p.m.: The Future: Reimagining the Political Playbook, panel discussion moderated by Maria Whyte, deputy Erie County executive. Panel participants will include Karen King, commissioner of public advocacy, executive director of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women and co-director of First Amendment, First Vote; Melina Carnicelli, founder and co-director of First Amendment, First Vote; and Jennifer Hibit, chief of staff to Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. A companion event will take place at 7 p.m. March 5, when the hit 2019 documentary Knock Down the House will be screened at the Burchfield Penney Art Center at SUNY Buffalo State, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. The screening is a joint venture of the Gender Institute, Erie County Commission on the Status of Women and the Office of Equity and Diversity at SUNY Buffalo State. It is being presented as part of the Burchfield Penneys Beyond Boundaries film series. Writer and director Rachel Lears Netflix film follows four women Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Cori Bush of Missouri, Amy Vilela of Nevada and Paula Jean Swearingin of West Virginia who, in 2018 and with no political experience or corporate funding, built upstart campaigns to unseat powerful congressional veterans. After the film, King will moderate a discussion featuring Juanita Perez Williams, the first Latina mayoral candidate in Syracuse. Both the symposium and the screening are free and open to the public. Bramen says organizers are expecting 50 or more people for the screening and 75 or more for the symposium. Catered lunch is available free of charge for those who register in advance. There is no deadline to register, but advance notice is requested For more information or to register, visit the symposium website. A visually impaired woman has filed a lawsuit against the cities of Midland and Odessa alleging the EZ Rider bus system is partially inaccessible for persons with disabilities. The suit was filed Jan. 27 in the U.S. District Court and names the Midland Odessa Urban Transit District, the cities of Midland and Odessa, RATP Dev USA and Midland-Odessa Transit Management as defendants in the case. Midland and Odessa formed the Midland Odessa Urban Transit District to operate the EZ Rider bus system, which is now overseen by the subcontractors RATP Dev USA and Midland-Odessa Transit Management. The plaintiff in the case, Yadira Uranga of Odessa, uses EZ Riders paratransit services to travel from her home in Odessa to locations along Odessas bus route, the suit states. Paratransit services are available to pick up and drop off persons with disabilities at locations within three-quarters of a mile from a bus stop. According to the suit, Uranga has requested to be taken from her Odessa residence to locations in Midland but has been told paratransit services arent available between the two cities. The suit alleges this is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the city of Midlands official answer to the lawsuit, which responds to each allegation listed, the city admits that paratransit services arent offered for riders traveling from one city to the other. However, the city states they arent obligated to provide these services because the bus line between the cities is a commuter bus service. There are six EZ Rider lines in Midland and six EZ Rider lines in Odessa, as well as one line that takes riders from Midland Park Mall to Music City Mall in Odessa, or vice versa. That line, or the EZ Express line, is the only line that goes between the cities and it does not make any other stops in Midland or Odessa. Ngon Pok remembers his father and grandfather returning triumphantly to his tribal village in Myanmar's far north with a human head -- and the agony of the tattoo he was given to celebrate their victory. He is a proud member of the Lainong, one of dozens of Naga tribes -- many with grisly histories -- wedged in a semi-autonomous zone near the Indian border. Ngon Pok, who believes he's around 80, gestures to his six-year-old grandson, saying he must have been about the same age when he received his tattoo. "People had to catch me and hold me down," he tells AFP, removing his jumper to reveal his chest adorned with parallel, vertical stripes and two warrior figures. Tribes and villages commonly waged war over land, and there are reports of warriors hacking off their enemies' heads for trophies as late as the 1960s. To celebrate, a thorn would be used to drive tree sap under the warrior's skin to ink a permanent reminder of his headhunting prowess -- and his family would often follow suit. Ngon Pok's wife, aged about 75, says she chose to have the geometric designs etched on her arms, legs and face as a teenager. "It was so painful," Khamyo Pon Nyun remembers, hoisting up her skirt to expose her legs. "But I told myself if my mum and my aunts could do it then so could I," she says, adding with a smile that -- unlike her husband -- she did not need to be restrained to withstand the pain. - Naga nationalism - The Naga consist of dozens of tribes in a region so isolated that neighbouring villages often speak completely different languages and dialects. Divided between India and Myanmar by a border many deem as artificial, today a proud sense of nationalism unites the disparate tribes. This is one of the poorest corners of Myanmar, where many must walk for days to reach the nearest town, few children progress beyond primary school education and only 40 percent of villages boast electricity. People subscribe to a complex patchwork of customs, blending animist beliefs with various forms of Christianity brought by missionaries in recent decades -- and intertwining their warrior traditions. American anthropologist and author Lars Krutak has travelled the world studying tribal tattoos, including among the Naga. "What strikes me as unique is the diversity of Naga tattooing patterns," he says, adding there are more than 20 tribes that tattoo across both sides of the border. They can signify tribal identity, life accomplishments or the completion of a rite of passage. In some cases, people believed they would need the designs to transition to the afterlife, Krutak explains. - Gory tradition - One of the most feared tribes was the Konyak, now divided between India and Myanmar, their villages so remote Christianity only made inroads here in the 1970s. The Konyak village of Longwa actually straddles the border, set on a high ridge commanding a view of both countries and is the seat of the tribe's king, whose house symbolically lies directly on the frontier. Only a handful of the village's former headhunting warriors remain, sporting formidable tattoos that cover much of their faces in dark blue ink with skull-like patches left bare around the eyes. Houn Ngo Kaw, 75, claims he helped put an end to the gory tradition in his village after he converted to Christianity in 1978 and admits "it's better now." Younger generations of Naga rarely wear the traditional tattoos associated with headhunting, but there are exceptions. Ku Myo, 35, says her parents were less than impressed after she came home aged 15 with her face tattooed. "I did it without them knowing and they beat me when they found out," she says, admitting she too would be furious if her children exhibited the same rebellious streak. But few seem to lament the passing of a tradition that will soon be lost forever. "I wanted to be one of the last tattooed warriors and I am," Konyak elder Houn Ngo Kaw says with a huge grin. "Of course I'm happy." LIVE Updates | File image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the nation Disney-owned Hotstar has not uploaded the latest episode of John Oliver's popular talk show "Last Week Tonight" in which the comedian has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government over the Citizenship Amendment Act and his handling of the protests against it. The latest episode, "Modi: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver", was expected to be available to Hotstar subscribers from 6 am on February 25 but subscribers who logged in on their apps only found last week's show. Disney and Hotstar did not respond to requests for a response, while an Information and Broadcasting Ministry official said the government has "nothing to do with the matter". An 18-minute video of the 30-minute episode was uploaded on the show's official YouTube channel on February 25 and has since been watched by more than five million people. A new episode of "Last Week Tonight" is streamed on Hotstar every week on Tuesday at 6 am. The HBO show has won multiple Emmys. Oliver decided to focus the episode on India because of US President Donald Trump and his family's trip to the country. The 36-hour visit came as the communal clashes over the CAA broke out in northeast Delhi, killing 20 people and injuring more than 180. From demonetisation and the RSS to anti-CAA protests and the government flagship programmes, the British-American TV star brings up a range of issues in the episode. He explores the rise of Modi in the country while also acknowledging his delivery on campaign promises such as providing cooking gas connections and building toilets. Oliver was praised by many, including activist Prashant Bhushan and comedian Vir Das, for his stinging criticism of the CAA. "Must watch: John Oliver on Modi. A man who fans hate against Muslims and seeks to divide us on religious lines. But the CAA/NRC might end up uniting India against this divisive figure. Modi has certainly brought India to the world map but not in the way he wanted," Bhushan wrote. "I honestly don't care whether you thought the John Oliver episode on Modi was accurate or fair. I'm just happy there's at least one comedian that this govt can't access. Now waiting for Bhakts to boycott Oliver Twist Slightly smiling face," Das tweeted. In an act of self-censorship last November, Amazon Prime Video removed the first episode of season five of American political series "Madam Secretary". The episode's focus was on Hindu nationalism, Kashmir and violence against Muslims and other minorities in India. WASHINGTON Federal health employees interacted with Americans quarantined for possible exposure to the coronavirus without proper medical training or protective gear, then scattered into the general population, according to a government whistleblower. In a portion of a complaint filing obtained by The New York Times that has been submitted to the Office of the Special Counsel, the whistleblower, described as a senior leader at the health agency, said the team was improperly deployed to two military bases in California to assist the processing of Americans who had been evacuated from coronavirus hot zones in China and elsewhere. The staff members were sent to Travis Air Force Base and March Air Reserve Base and were ordered to enter quarantined areas, including a hangar where coronavirus evacuees were being received. They were not provided training in safety protocols until five days later, the person said. Without proper training or equipment, some of the exposed staff members moved freely around and off the bases, with at least one person staying in a nearby hotel and leaving California on a commercial flight. Many were unaware of the need to test their temperature three times a day. I soon began to field panicked calls from my leadership team and deployed staff members expressing concerns with the lack of HHS communication and coordination, staff being sent into quarantined areas without personal protective equipment, training or experience in managing public health emergencies, safety protocols and the potential danger to both themselves and members of the public they come into contact with, the whistleblower wrote. In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services acknowledged the complaint without elaborating. We take all whistleblower complaints very seriously and are providing the complainant all appropriate protections under the Whistleblower Protection Act, said Caitlin B. Oakley, deputy assistant secretary and a national spokeswoman for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs. We are evaluating the complaint and have nothing further to add at this time. The account surfaced after President Donald Trump sought to play down the danger of a domestic coronavirus outbreak amid bipartisan concern about a sluggish and disjointed response by the administration to an illness that public health officials have said is likely to spread through the United States. The first U.S. case of coronavirus in a patient with no known contact with hot zones or other coronavirus patients emerged near Travis Air Force Base this week. The whistleblowers account raised questions about whether the Trump administration has taken adequate precautions in its handling of the virus to date, and whether Trumps minimization of the risks has been mirrored by other top officials when confronted with potentially disturbing developments. Similar episodes appear to have happened elsewhere. Employees with the Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families were also dispatched to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to help other evacuees from Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the outbreak, someone with direct knowledge of the effort said. It was the first time to his knowledge that employees of the family administration had ever dealt with a federal quarantine. Employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appeared to have one set of guidance. Other employees of the Health and Human Services Department operated under a different protocol. The levels of protection varied even while he was at Miramar, he said. Standards were more lax at first, but once people arrived who appeared to be sick, workers began donning personal protective equipment. He is now back at work, and has yet to be tested for coronavirus exposure. In the complaint, the whistleblower painted a grim portrait of agency staff members who found themselves on the front lines of a frantic federal effort to confront the coronavirus in the United States without any preparation or training, and whose own health concerns were dismissed by senior administration officials as detrimental to staff morale. They were admonished, the complaint said, and accused of not being team players, and had their mental health and emotional stability questioned. After a phone call with health agency leaders to raise their fears about exposure to the virus, the staff members described a whitewashing of the situation, characterizing the response as corrupt and a coverup, according to the complaint, and telling the whistleblower that senior officials had treated them as a nuisance and did not want to hear their worries about health and safety. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., whose office received the complaint, appeared to allude to it on Thursday morning at a hearing with Alex Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services, in the House Ways and Means Committee. Gomez was contacted by the whistleblower, whom he had met before his congressional service, in part because his committee has jurisdiction over the health agency. At the hearing, Gomez had a tense exchange with the secretary in which he suggested that staff from the Administration for Children and Families had been exposed to the virus without the requisite training and equipment, and then dispersed elsewhere in the United States. To your knowledge, were any of the ACF employees exposed to high-risk evacuees from China? Gomez asked Azar. They should never have been, without appropriate PPE, Azar responded, using the abbreviation for personal protective equipment, the term used for special suits designed to protect against infection. If you were anyone in quarantine, to maintain quarantine, that should be the case. Gomez said his understanding was that the teams sent to March and Travis airbases faced a chaotic situation. I would not accept your proposition that it was chaotic at all times, Azar said. I am not aware of any violation of quarantine or isolation protocols. Do you think that breaking basic protocols and exposing untrained human service employees to the coronavirus before allowing them to be dispersed around the country could have endangered the employees and other Americans? Gomez asked. I dont believe that has taken place, Azar replied. The complaint, which was reported by The Washington Post, surfaced the day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first known instance of a person testing positive without exposure to anyone known to be infected with the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, or recent travels to any of the countries where it is circulating. The CDC said that it was possible the patient, who is a resident of Solano County, California home to Travis Air Force Base could have been exposed to a returning traveller who was infected. March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California, housed 195 people evacuated from Wuhan, China, for 14 days beginning in late January, while Travis in Northern California has housed a number of quarantined people in recent weeks, including some of the approximately 400 Americans on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that had docked in Japan. The staff members, who had some experience with emergency management coordination, were woefully underprepared for the mission they were given, according to the whistleblower. They were not properly trained or equipped to operate in a public health emergency situation, the official wrote. They were potentially exposed to coronavirus; appropriate measures were not taken to protect the staff from potential infection; and appropriate steps were not taken to quarantine, monitor or test them during their deployment and upon their return home. Some of the staff raised concerns with top officials with the agency, but saw no changes. The whistleblower said they complained to Charles Keckler, an associate deputy secretary at Health and Human Services, in an email on Feb. 10. After the email, the complaint said, top officials, including Lynn Johnson, the assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, admitted that they did not understand their mission, and that her agency broke protocols because of the unprecedented crisis and an all hands on deck call to action by Dr. Robert Kadlec, the top official for public health emergencies and disasters. Since learning of the whistleblowers concerns last Wednesday, Gomezs office and officials with the Ways and Means Committee have repeatedly pressed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for details. The whistleblower has also notified the CDC and the health agency inspector general about the concerns. Rep, Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said the complaint appeared to be part of a pattern of ineptitude and mistrust of civil servants by the Trump administration. The president has spent years assaulting our health care system, draining resources from key health programs, and showing utter disdain for career federal employees who are the backbone of our government, Neal said in a statement provided to The Times. Its sadly no surprise were seeing this degree of ineptitude during a terrible crisis. Read more about: Health officials are tracking people the patient came in contact with and are on high alert for what they call community spread. A new coronavirus case in California could be the first in the U.S. that has no known connection to travel abroad or another known case, a possible sign the virus is spreading in a U.S. community, health officials said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the case Wednesday. California officials said the person is a resident of Solano County, northeast of San Francisco, and is getting medical care in Sacramento County. They said they have begun the process of tracking down people who the patient has been in contact with, a process known as contact tracing. Officials did not immediately release any other details. All of the 59 other cases in the U.S. had travelled from abroad or had been in close contact with those who travelled. Health officials have been on high alert for so-called community spread. Earlier U.S. cases included 14 in people who travelled back from outbreak areas in China, or their spouses; three people who were evacuated from the central China city of Wuhan; and 42 American passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were evacuated by the federal government to the U.S. from where the ship was docked in Japan. Some of those evacuated were taken to Travis Air Force Base, which is in Solano County. A number of the earlier cases have been in California, including among some of the people taken to Travis and one in which a traveller who returned to San Benito County spread it to a spouse. California officials have been preparing for the possibility that community spread of the virus might first surface there. We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S., and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California, said Dr. Sonia Angell, Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer, in a statement. The outbreak, which began in China, has infected tends of thousands of people in more than three dozen countries, with the vast majority in mainland China. The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family that can cause colds or more serious illnesses such as SARS and MERS. The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. Health officials think it spreads mainly from droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how the flu spreads. Officials are advising people to take steps to avoid infection with coronavirus or other respiratory infections like a cold or the flu, including washing hands with soap and water and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. A NEW course at the University of Limerick will provide training to law enforcement in the area of proceeds of crime investigation, asset identification, seizure, confiscation and recovery. UL and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) are to work together on the new Postgraduate Diploma in Proceeds of Crime and Asset Identification. UL President Dr Des Fitzgerald and Chief Bureau Officer Detective Chief Superintendent Patrick Clavin launched the programme this Wednesday. The new course is expected to start in September and will be run out of ULs School of Law under course director Professor Shane Kilcommins. The objective of the postgraduate diploma is to provide a recognised standard of training for staff in CAB and other law enforcement, regulatory and administrative agencies in both Ireland and internationally who require academic and professional training in the field of specific investigations. Such training and education will help to establish standard operating procedures and identify established best practice in effective proceeds of crime investigations. It builds on an already strong relationship between UL and An Garda Siochana, which UL President Dr Des Fitzgerald was enabling a professional community of practice to engage with a professional community of scholarship. The programme will enhance ULs position by continuing to build a critical mass in the areas of law enforcement and criminal justice, he said noting that UL already accredits the Garda Siochana level 7 and level 9 training programmes. The new programme also fits with ULs strategic objectives by engaging with a key stakeholder in the field, he added. Speaking at the launch, Detective Chief Superintendent Clavin said: The Criminal Assets Bureau looks forward to building on our close working relationship with University of Limerick. The Bureau welcome this opportunity to upskill its Bureau Officers to meet the challenges posed, both nationally and internationally, in asset identification, asset confiscation and asset recovery. The University of Limerick @UL in partnership with the Criminal Assets Bureau launched a Post Graduate Diploma in Proceeds of Crime Investigation, today, 26/02/2020. Please see further -https://t.co/ZB51EPXmZc pic.twitter.com/bVihEBW7VV Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) (@criminalassets) February 26, 2020 The new postgraduate diploma at UL will utilise a variety of leading specialists to deliver lectures including the bureau legal officer, a forensic accountant, a financial crime analyst and other internal bureau experts. Barristers and experts from within An Garda Siochana will give tuition, while academic experts will also be involved in the delivery of content relating to reflective practice, research methodologies and skills. Professor Shane Kilcommins, Head of ULs School of Law, commented that since 1996 the Criminal Assets Bureau has been leading the way both nationally and internationally in new approaches to tackling criminal wrongdoing. Its originality lies in its capacity to employ civil mechanisms alongside more expressive criminal law instruments. This multi-agency approach to wrongdoing has proven to be very effective in permeating illegal organisations and operations, particularly the Bureaus ability to permanently alter the social, financial and physical structures around the wrongdoer the enterprise, its financial structures, its working capital, and the proceeds arising therefrom, he said. Burma MP for Military-Proxy USDP Supports Myanmar Nationalists With Apartment, Funding A nationalist rally in downtown Yangon on Feb. 9. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YANGONA Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) official is now providing an apartment for Myanmar nationalists to use as an office. U Maung Myint, a Lower House lawmaker for Mingin Township who was recently promoted to the central executive committee of the USDP, handed over an apartment in Yangon to a group of nationalists in a meeting on Saturday. Our party is a nationalist party. I am a defender of national interests. Nationalist organizations also work for national interests. So you just think to yourselves if this is in line with the partys policy or not, U Maung Myint told The Irrawaddy. It is not strange that nationalists provide support for organizations that work for national interests. The apartment, called the The Rendezvous of Patriots, is located on 154th Street. The lawmaker has given the apartment to a group that includes prominent nationalist Daw Khin Waing Kyi. The apartment is no-strings-attached. It was not given in exchange for vote, it was presented in good faith, she told The Irrawaddy. I welcome and am happy that [U Maung Myint] has helped meet the needs of nationalists. In an interview with Myanmar Open Voice on Feb. 22, U Maung Myint said that he arranged the apartment at the request of some nationalists, adding that the cooperation between nationalist organizations and a party dedicated to national interests can strengthen both their positions. The apartment was given by a businessman, but it is not like a transfer of ownership. They can use the apartment as long as they engage in nationalist activities, said U Maung Myint. I did not arrange the apartment just because the election is drawing near. According to the lawmaker, the apartment is equipped with wifi and utilities will be paid. He also gave the group 300,000 kyats (US$208) at Saturdays meeting to cover expenses. The military proxy USDP has always positioned itself as a protector of race and religion. After the 2010 general election, the USDP-led government adopted a package of four controversial race and religion laws. The now-banned Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, better known by the Burmese acronym Ma Ba Tha, applauded the USDPs laws as a success for nationalism. In May 2017, the state-backed cleric organization Ma Ha Na declared that Ma Ba Tha was an unlawful organization, though the group subsequently changed its name to the Buddha Dhamma Charity Foundation. More nationalist groups such as Nationalists Without Borders and the Myanmar Nationalist Organization (MNO) have emerged more recently. The MNO was formed earlier this month and organized a protest march and talks in front of Yangon City Hall on Feb. 9 in opposition to what they call threats to race, religion and sovereignty. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. You may also like these stories: USDP Proposes Suu Kyi Lead Rakhine Investigation Lower House Names Mon State Bridge After Gen Aung San Despite Protests Myanmar President Vows to Punish Officials Responsible for Failed Toddler Rape Investigation Two Ohio University students pleaded guilty Thursday for their involvement in the hazing death of an 18-year-old freshman, prosecutors said. Dominic A. Figliola, 21, and Cullen Willi McLaughlin, 21, both appeared before a judge to enter their pleas in the death of Collin Wiant, who died of asphyxiation from nitrous oxide ingestion on Nov. 12, 2018, according to a statement from Athens County Prosecuting Attorney Keller Blackburn. Figliola pleaded guilty to hazing, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, while McLaughlin pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of LSD, a fifth-degree felony, according to the statement. A third person, Zachary Herskovitz, 22, of Coraopolis, PA, also appeared in court and pleaded guilty to permitting drug abuse, a felony of the fifth degree. Herkovitz was convicted of hazing, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, and ordered to complete one year of non-reporting probation and pay a fine of $250. MORE: 9 people indicted in alleged hazing death of 18-year-old Ohio University student Collin Wiant Neither were hit with jail time. They will instead have to successfully complete the Prosecutor's Office Athens County Empowerment Program. PHOTO: A 2016 photo of the apartment house, center, in Athens, Ohio, where Collin Lewis Wiant, 18, of Dublin, was found unresponsive on Nov. 12, 2018. (Google Maps Street View) Figliola was also ordered to complete a year of probation. Blackburn said that both students were part of a "cycle of hazing that has existed within Ohio University Sigma Pi fraternity for years." Wiant was a freshman at the university and had been selected as a pledge two months before he died, according to a wrongful death suit filed by his family in February against the fraternity and 10 individuals. The teenager died inside a Sigma Pi Epsilon annex house in Athens, Ohio, where he was allegedly beaten with a belt, pelted with eggs, deprived of sleep and forced to take drugs and drink a gallon of alcohol in an hour, the lawsuit alleged. Seven other people were also arrested in his death and indicted on a range of charges, including involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, trafficking and tampering with evidence. Figliola and McLaughlin will testify against those defendants as part of their guilty plea, according to prosecutors. 2 Ohio University students plead guilty in 18-year-old's hazing death originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Advertisement Thousands of protesters today marched through the streets of the Greek island of Lesbos in a rally to demand the government halts work on new migrant camps, a day after violent clashes left more than 60 injured. Business owners and unions called for a general strike on the island to continue, with shops shuttered for the second day in a row. It comes as dozens of riot police were injured yesterday, as petrol bombs were thrown causing fires to spread during the violent clashes. The Athens government infuriated residents of five Aegean islands - all straddling a key route to Europe used by thousands of migrants - by announcing two weeks ago that it would expedite the construction of secured detention centres to replace open-access, severely overcrowded camps. Thousands of protesters march through the streets of the Greek island of Lesbos on Thursday to protest against new migrant camps, a day after violent clashes left more than 60 injured 'No camps on the islands, either open or closed,' the demonstrators chanted as they marched in the port town of Mytilene. On the neighbouring island of Chios, hundreds of protesters took part in a similar rally. The demonstrations on Thursday were more peaceful than the previous day when locals had clashed violently with police over the construction of new migrant camps on the islands of Lesbos and Chios. On Wednesday, hundreds of angry islanders threw stones at police who responded with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. The Greek government said that hundreds of anti-riot police who had deployed to the islands to ensure the construction work could continue had now left. Business owners and unions called for a general strike on the island to continue, with shops shuttered for the second day in a row 'No camps on the islands, either open or closed,' the demonstrators chanted as they marched in the port town of Mytilene 'The first phase of digging is complete, (so) the police forces can now return,' said government spokesman Stelios Petsas. 'The overwhelming majority of riot police left the islands on Thursday morning,' police spokesman Thodoros Chronopoulos told AFP. 'Forty-three officers were injured slightly on Lesbos on Wednesday... but they are not in any danger,' the spokesman said. Three had foot injuries from rifles fired by local residents, he said. After weeks of fruitless talks with island officials on where to build the new facilities, the government had on Monday secretly shipped construction machinery and hundreds of riot police to Lesbos and Chios, causing outrage. Lesbos 'has become an enormous prison for migrant souls. We've shown our solidarity all these years, but the burden on the islands now needs to be eased,' said one demonstrator, 47-year-old university employee Michael Hakas. The demonstrations on Thursday were more peaceful than the previous day when locals had clashed violently with police over the construction of new migrant camps on the islands of Lesbos and Chios Demonstrators protest against the construction of new migrant camps in Mytilene, on the island of Lesbos Thousands gathered holding banners and signs to march through the streets to protest against the new migrant detention centres The Greek islands of Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Leros and Kos have been at the forefront of the migration crisis for the past five years, with residents long complaining that the presence of thousands of asylum seekers threatens safety and public health. More than 38,000 migrants are crowded into the islands' camps despite an official capacity of just 6,200. The islanders say they will only accept small facilities where asylum-seekers are screened and then either moved to the mainland or sent back to Turkey outright. The conservative government which came to power in July has announced that the camps on Lesbos, Samos and Chios will be shut down this year, to be replaced with new facilities that are to be operational by mid-2020. On Leros and Kos, existing facilities are to be revamped and expanded. Local authorities have rejected the government's plans to build the new camps to replace currently overcrowded facilities where asylum-seekers live in dire conditions. Locals, who oppose the building of a new closed migrant detention centre, take part in a demonstration in the city of Mytilene Thousands gathered to protest after yhe Athens government infuriated residents of five Aegean islands - all straddling a key route to Europe used by thousands of migrants But the government says that the new camps, where entry and exit will be tightly controlled, will actually address most of the islanders' concerns by ending a currently 'chaotic' situation. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for calm and invited the islands' mayors and the North Aegean governor to talks in Athens later on Thursday. 'I understand the situation on the islands,' he said during a cabinet meeting on Thursday. 'But we have to isolate extremist elements,' Mitsotakis said, adding that an investigation would be opened into 'the use of excess violence' by some people. Chios mayor Stamatis Karmantzis stressed the need for dialogue. 'A truce is needed,' he told Greek radio on Thursday, indicating that he would travel to Athens to meet Mitsotakis. 'The migrant question is a national and a European issue, not just a problem for the Aegean islands,' he said. Increased reports of coronavirus cases around the world saw Australian shares tumble for a fifth consecutive session on Thursday, wiping out all the gains achieved earlier in the year. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 fell 50.2 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 6657.9, extending the slide from the record high hit one week ago to 7.5 per cent. All sectors aside from healthcare and utilities finished in the red, led by steep declines in technology and energy shares. As was the case earlier this week, the weakness was driven by uncertainty on the human and economic toll the coronavirus may bring. It is impossible to make any meaningful estimate of the full potential impact of the coronavirus on the global economy right now, said Paul OConnor, the head of Janus Henderson Investors multi-asset team in the UK. When the virus was largely contained to China, consensus expectations were generally focused on a v-shaped recovery in global growth. Mr OConnor said the spread of the virus worldwide raises questions about the prospects for a quick recovery. If the virus continues to spread internationally, then consensus expectations will shift from a v-shaped recovery to a deeper and more protracted setback for the global economy, he said. Even with the recent correction, Mr OConnor believes markets still arent prepared for the growth downgrades and corporate earnings misses that could accompany such a scenario, recommending investors adopt capital preservation and defensive strategies until uncertainty begins to lift or valuations have repriced sufficiently to offer better risk-returns opportunities. This may take quite some time yet, he said. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Much of the weakness during the session came from significant falls in the big four banks which all slid more than 1 per cent, led by ANZ which slumped 2.1 per cent to $25.53. Macquarie also slid 1.3 per cent to $139.42. BHP Group fell 1 per cent to $35.19 while Rio Tinto tumbled 1.6 per cent to $90.41 after the release of its annual result overnight. Elsewhere, Telstra shed 1.7 per cent to $3.44, Woodside Petroleum 2 per cent to $28.92 and Wesfarmers 1.3 per cent to $41.86. Those declines were partially offset by healthcare giant CSL which rallied 2.2 per cent to $317.50. Building materials supplier Adelaide Brighton was the top performer on the benchmark, jumping 6.3 per cent to $3.06 following several analyst upgrades. Business services firm Link Administration finished at the other end of the scoreboard, tumbling 13.5 per cent to $5.00 after the release of its interim results. MILWAUKEE, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP is investigating GCAP (NYSE: GCAP) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of the law in connection with the sale to INTL FCStone. Click here to learn how to join the action: http://ademilaw.com/case/gain-capital-holdings-inc or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you. Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP alleges GCAP's financial outlook is improving and yet shareholders will receive only $6.00 per share, representing approximately $236 million in equity value. The merger agreement unreasonably limits competing bids for GCAP by prohibiting solicitation of further bids, and imposing a termination penalty if GCAP accepts a superior bid. GCAP insiders will receive millions of dollars as part of change of control arrangements. We are investigating the conduct of GCAP's board of directors, and whether they are (i) fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders, and (ii) obtaining a fair and reasonable price for GCAP. If you own common stock in GCAP and wish to obtain additional information, please contact Guri Ademi either at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995, or http://ademilaw.com/case/gain-capital-holdings-inc. We specialize in shareholder litigation involving buyouts, mergers, and individual shareholder rights throughout the country. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contacts Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP Guri Ademi Toll Free: (866) 264-3995 Fax: (414) 482-8001 SOURCE Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP Related Links http://www.ademilaw.com An innocent taxi driver needed 19 stitches in his arm after he was attacked and robbed by a group of masked thugs with an axe. Ravinder Singh was set upon by four men in Queen's Park, Perth, after they got out of a silver sedan and approached his cab about 3.40am on Saturday. One of Mr Singh's attackers was armed with an axe, which was used to smash the car windows and hit the taxi driver. An innocent taxi driver needed 19 stitches in his arm after he was attacked and robbed by a group of masked thugs with an axe One of Mr Singh's attackers was armed with an axe, which was used to smash the car windows and hit the taxi driver Mr Singh is understood to have sustained his injuries from the glass splinters of the shattered car windows. The gang of men stole cash before fleeing the scene in the sedan they arrived in. Mr Singh told SBS Punjabi he 'screamed for help' once escaping and arriving at his house. 'As soon as I parked the car, I shouted for help: ''Please save me'',' he said. 'My wife and a couple who stays with us immediately came out and were shocked to see me wounded and my clothes drenched in blood.' The taxi driver was treated at Royal Perth Hospital. Pictures shared online showed Mr Singh's scratched and bloodied arm as well as shards of glass littered throughout his car. Pictures shared online showed Mr Singh's scratched and bloodied arm as well as shards of glass littered throughout his car He said the car also suffered a flat tyre as he hit the kerb while being chased by the men. Reliving the attack, Mr Singh said he was 'terrified'. 'My first instinct was to save my life. I could not see their faces as they were covered,' he said. Mr Singh said at least $180 was stolen and the thieves also took his phone and another one a customer had accidentally left in the cab. The taxi driver no longer feels safe behind the wheel and is thinking about changing his career. Ukrainian company managed to earn over 5,1 million dollars at auctions in addition to the starting price land Open source The state-owned SETAM company has sold 72,000 hectares of seized land since October 2016 for 17.4 million dollars. Ukrinform reported this. SETAM state enterprise of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on electronic platform OpenMarket sold 1784 lots with the seized land plots for the amount of around 17.4 million dollars, the message says. The total area of the seized land plots sold at OpenMarket for more than 3 years is 72,000 hectares. It is reported that the competition between the bidders shows good results. The company succeeded in earning over 5,1 million dollars in addition to the starting price. Earlier, Ukrainian parliament considered 1049 amendments to draft law on land market. The bill undergoes a second reading. Earlier, Davyd Arakhamia, chairman of the Servant of the Peoples parliamentary faction claimed that the final vote on the land market bill will take place in April 2020. After another tie vote Tuesday night, the Boyertown Area School Board abandoned its plan to narrow its seven applicants for a board vacancy down to two finalists, and instead picked from the entire list, thereby choosing Marianne Scott as the newest member. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government on Thursday decided to file an appeal against the high court ban on strikes, gherao, protests in campuses including colleges and schools. Higher education minister K.T. Jaleel said that the perception that agitations were not required in campuses will only weaken democracy. The state government is currently engaged in the process of formulating a law to govern students union activities in campuses. The minister said the government will seek the opinion of legal experts to make the required changes in the draft bill taking into account the court order banning campus politics. Kerala High Court on Wednesday had banned strikes, gherao, marches, demonstrations and protests that adversely affect academic atmosphere in campuses. The directive came after hearing about 20 petitions filed by a cross section of college managements in Kerala over a period of three years. The court said, learning is the fundamental right of students. Campuses are places for dialogue and discussions. They should not become venues of protests. COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Wulf, M.D., Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians (COPC), has been appointed chair-elect of America's Physician Groups (APG). A steadfast advocate for independent primary care physicians, Dr. Wulf has been a longtime member of APG. "We are honored to have Bill Wulf as our new chair-elect," said Don Crane, APG President and CEO. "Bill has demonstrated an unmatched commitment to improving the primary care physician field, and we welcome his leadership as APG continues to drive the transformation of healthcare delivery in America." "I believe that APG has a similar philosophy to COPC -- with a goal of providing a better work environment for primary care physicians and delivering the best quality and most cost-effective care to patients," said Dr. Wulf. Dr. Wulf has been CEO of COPC since 2013 and has overseen the incredible growth of the physician group. Today, COPC is the largest independent primary care physician group in the country. He was also among the founders of agilon health, an organization which partners with primary care physicians in creating a purpose-built and financially aligned total care program for their practice's Medicare Advantage patients. Following COPC's lead, three additional independent primary care practices in Ohio have joined the agilon health platform, which provides care for over 50,000 Medicare Advantage patients. About COPC Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians was founded in 1996 when a group of 33 physicians joined together to give greater focus to patient care than the administrative duties that were weighing them down. From the onset, COPC physicians have always been dedicated to finding new ways to offer the best patient care. Today COPC has more than 75 offices and serves more than 450,000 patients. About agilon health agilon health of Long Beach, California, a company founded in 2016 by world-class health care leaders, is partnering with U.S. physicians to manage the transition from fee for service to integrated payment and care delivery. The company has now expanded its operations to leading positions in nine U.S. markets. For more information visit www.agilonhealth.com. About APG America's Physician Groups (APG) is a professional association, representing over 300 medical groups, independent practice associations, and integrated healthcare systems across the nation. SOURCE Central Ohio Primary Care Related Links https://www.copcp.com The House proposed increasing corporate taxes on certain businesses to fund transportation, sparking criticism from business leaders across the state. The corporate minimum tax changes, proposed as part of the transportation revenue bill, would update state law to create a nine-tiered system of taxes based on a business annual sales in Massachusetts. House Speaker Robert DeLeo said the corporate minimum tax hasnt been increased in three decades. Companies with annual sales below $1 million a year would continue to pay the current $456 annual tax. For companies who make more than that, they would have to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $150,000, according to the bill released on Wednesday. We are calling on the business community to contribute further to our transit system, said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, the House Ways and Means chairman. Lawmakers project the taxes could generate up to $150 million in annual revenue that would go into the Commonwealth Transportation Fund. The fund covers maintenance of the MBTA, repairs of roads and bridges and other infrastructure projects. The bill creates a nine-tiered system for corporations making under $1 million to those making more than $1 billion. Businesses with annual sales below $1 million would not see a change. Their corporate minimum tax would stay at $456 a year. Businesses making between $1 million and $5 million in annual sales would face a corporate minimum tax of $1,500 each year. Businesses with annual sales between $5 million and $10 million would face a tax of $2,500. Businesses with annual sales between $10 million and $25 million would face a tax of $3,500. Businesses with annual sales between $25 million and $50 million would face a tax of $5,000. Businesses with annual sales between $50 million and $100 million would face a tax of $10,000 Businesses with annual sales between $100 million and $500 million would face a tax of $25,000 Businesses with annual sales between $500 million and $1 billion would face a tax of $75,000. Businesses with annual sales above $1 billion would face a tax of $150,000. Michlewitz, a Boston Democrat, said lawmakers aimed to create a package that would balance the need for greater investment in transportation without harming constituents and businesses. We are quickly heading in a direction where disruptions in our transit system will reach a tipping point that will cause our economic success to grow stagnant, making it all the more critical that we address these issues right now," he told reporters Wednesday morning. But Jon Shaer, executive director of the New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association, said the bill penalizes businesses that may buy or sell in high volumes but profit little, such as gas stations. You dont feed your family on sales. You feed your family on profit, Shaer told MassLive. You feed your family on what you bring home. That tax is going to impact you now on a way that it didnt impact you before. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce said the Houses move to address complex transportation problems is appreciated, but urged the Legislature to reconsider the corporate minimum taxes. Although we appreciate the Legislatures work in tackling the complex challenge of transportation funding, the legislation includes a problematic $150 million increase in corporate minimum taxes," the chamber said in a statement. "This is a troubling signal to business in a time when cities and states around the country are competing for jobs and economic growth. The bill also includes a 5-cent gas tax and 9-cent diesel tax, increased fees for ride-hailing services and tax for rental car purchases DeLeo, a Winthrop Democrat, said the plan serves as a bridge to the ballot question on the Fair Share Amendment, which would ask voters to decide whether the state should tax household incomes over $1 million. This plan, I want to point out, in no way supplants the Fair Share ballot question, to which we remain committed, he said. Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook orTwitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364. Related Content: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of those killed in the communal riots in Delhi, as he listed out several peace and rehabilitation measures for the city where 34 people have been killed and over 200 injured in the clashes. Addressing a press conference here, Kejriwal also said an immediate relief of Rs 25,000 would be given to those whose houses have been burnt, while the government would also provide free books and uniforms to students who have lost them to the riot. The violence mainly hit the northeast Delhi and localities such as Jafrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar are among the areas majorly affected. Kejriwal said the Delhi government will bear the cost of treatment of those injured in the violence and have been admitted to private hospitals. The families who lost any minor member would get Rs 5 lakh as ex gratia, while those seriously injured will get Rs 2 lakh, he said. Those who have suffered minor injuries will get Rs 20,000, and the orphaned children will get Rs 3 lakh, he announced, adding special camps will be set up for people to get essential documents they lost in the arson. He said round-the-clock helpline numbers for riot-affected people will be set up and four night magistrates deployed to coordinate relief and rehabilitation activities. "The Delhi Financial Corporation will also provide subsidised loans to small businessmen who have lost their livelihood in the violence. If children have lost books, Directorate of Education will provide books and notebooks free of cost to children of both government schools as well as private schools," Kejriwal said. He said that Rs 5 lakh, which includes Rs 1 lakh to tenants, will also be provided to those whose houses have been totally damaged. When asked about the alleged involvement of his party councillor Tahir Hussain in the riots, the AAP chief said no rioter irrespective of their party should be spared. "If those involved in the riots are found to be from the AAP, give them double the punishment," he said. "An app will be developed by the divisional commissioner, through which citizens can lodge details of loss of property, loss of vehicles, damage to business, details of injury and death," Kejriwal said. The revenue department will undertake intensive confidence building measures and make a quick survey of the quantum of losses suffered by individuals, families, business establishments, shops and institutions among others, he said. Peace committees will be constituted by the Delhi government at mohalla level, he said, adding the finance department has been asked to convene a meeting of heads of insurance firms and direct them to organise special camps for immediate clearance of insurance claims. The government said cooked food and around 300 litres of milk is being provided to around 2,000 people of Shahdara (Noor-e-ilahi & Kardampuri) and North-East (Brahampuri & Mustafabad) Districts for which around 350 Civil Defence Volunteers have been pressed into service. According to the government, it is in the process of revising the ex gratia amount which has not been updated since 2011. The government said people can call helpline number 1077 for any assistance. People can also call on 011-22115289 (Northeast district), 011-22574468 (Yamuna Vihar), 011-22827367 (Seelampur), 011-22574469 (Karawal Nagar), 011-22111077 and 011-221100 (Shahdara). Thirty-four people have been killed and over 200 injured in the communal clashes that broke out in northeast Delhi three on Sunday after violence between anti and pro Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Super Tuesday is coming up and so is the Michigan March 10th Presidential Primary Election! What happens if my candidate dropped out of the race for president? The list of candidates for the March 10th Presidential Primary was finalized on December 13, 2019 and ballots for this election went to print by mid-January. If you see your candidate on your ballot, but know that they have decided not to run, it is not a mistake. Once the list was finalized and the withdrawal period passed, a candidates name could not be removed from the official listing. If you have already voted for a candidate that has dropped out of the race and you still wish to vote for that candidate, there is nothing further you need to do. If you have already voted for a candidate that has dropped out of the race and you wish to change your vote to another candidate, see the below answer regarding switching your vote. Can I switch my vote? Absolutely. If you made an error on your ballot or wish to change your vote, you must submit your request in writing to your city or township clerk no later than 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020 or appear in person at your local clerks office prior to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2020 to spoil (remove and replace) your voted absent voter ballot. With less than two weeks until the election, the best way to do this is to visit your local clerks office and make this request in person. You will be handed a new ballot at that time and can take it home, or better yet, vote it and hand it back over to your clerk. Please note that state law requires local clerks to be open for 8 hours on the weekend prior to an election. You may contact your local clerk to find out when they will be open. If you make an error on Election Day, when you are voting at the polls, you may simply contact an election inspector and ask to spoil your ballot, and you will be issued a new ballot to vote. How to register to vote and still vote in the March 10th Presidential Primary Election? Now that we are within two weeks of the Presidential Primary, you must register in person at your city or township clerks office. During this period, you must show a document that has your name and current address, which may be your drivers license or State ID, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or government check, or other government document. A digital copy of the document is acceptable. After registering, you can vote an absent voter ballot at the clerks office or you can vote at your polling place on Election Day. Is it too late to request an absent voter ballot? Not yet, and even when the regular deadlines have passed, there is still an option for an emergency absent voter ballot. With that said, please do not wait. The most guaranteed way to ensure that you have your ballot with enough time to vote is to pick it up from your local clerks office directly. When do absent voter ballots have to be returned to be counted? In order for your absent voter ballot to be counted, it must be to your local clerk before polls close, which is at 8 p.m. on March 10. Local clerks are required to hold office hours on the weekend before the election, so if you are still holding onto your ballot to decide who to vote for, have no fear. Many local clerks also offer a drop box, outside of their office so you can even drop it off in the middle of the night, if you would like. Election results will be available as soon as polls close, right? Nope. Once polls close, and even once all ballots have been counted, there are numerous procedures that must be accomplished before results are transmitted. Depending on the County and the layers of security they employ, some results will take minutes, while others may take hours. In Ingham County, you can visit my website to get up-to-the-minute results as they become available. Why are some clerks saying that election night results are likely going to be more delayed as a result of Proposal 2018-3, while other clerks say it is not a big deal? Most larger municipalities have Absent Voter Counting Boards (AVCB), which operate as a standalone precinct for the processing of absent voter ballots, while other, smaller municipalities process absent voter ballots in the precinct, during slow voter traffic times. Many municipalities are seeing significant increases in the number of absent voter ballots coming in and they are limited on how quickly they may process those ballots. Under current law, they may not open the absent voter ballot envelopes until the polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day. This means the poll workers then work in an assembly line to review and open the envelope, remove the ballot stub, remove the ballot from the secrecy envelope, flatten out the ballot, and feed the ballot through the tabulator in batches of multiple ballots. The thought, then, is to create additional AVCBs but there are constraints to that as well, as there would be a need to hire more election inspectors, something that is very difficult for clerks as they are always looking for more workers, assuming that they have the budget available to hire additional workers. Then there would be a need for additional tabulators, and out of Michigans 83 counties, 65 currently use the same election equipment, Dominion. This is the same election vendor as the entire state of Georgia and, as a result, election tabulators that were ordered over a month ago are on backorder. In recent news, former Michigan Secretary of State and current State Senator Ruth Johnsons proposed legislation to allow for early processing of absentee ballots has been amended, and I believe it is a good compromise. It still does not allow for tabulation on the Monday before the Tuesday election, but does allow for processing (opening of envelopes, etc) on the day before. Unfortunately, this legislation may not pass, as State Senator Mike Shirkey was recently quoted as saying that If I had to choose between early voting, early counting, versus late reporting, Ill take late reporting all day long. It is very unfortunate that he is taking the position of I dont necessarily think we should be trying to solve a problem before it actually occurs, as I would hate for local and county clerks to be put in a similar position of those in Iowa as a result of his inaction. Election officials have been sounding the alarm about the need for early processing of absentee ballots and without any concrete solutions, we are sure to see a delay in election night reporting of unofficial results. Just yesterday, it was noted that Senator Shirkey noted that perhaps his mind could be changed. Are absentee votes even counted? Are they only counted if the race is close? Every vote in Michigan is counted, no matter how close the race is, every time. Absentee ballots are no different. Published on 2020/02/27 | Source A man puts up a sign banning Koreans and Japanese at an apartment complex in Shandong Province, China, in this photo from Twitter. More than 30 countries are either banning or restricting travelers from Korea, including some parts of China, where the virus is rampant. Advertisement Japan on Wednesday banned any foreigners who have visited Daegu and Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made the decision in a meeting to discuss responses to the outbreak. Japan had already banned travelers from China's Hubei and Zhejiang provinces. El Salvador and Seychelles banned all visitors from Korea, and the Philippines and Vietnam all travelers from Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province. Fears are spreading among Korean expats that authorities in their host cities could force them into quarantine as central governments there decline to take responsibility. The Chinese central government is not banning travelers from Korea, according to Cheong Wa Dae, but some regions including Shanghai are. The U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Korea again on Wednesday, urging travelers to "reconsider travel" to the country. It came two days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its highest travel advisory for Korea, recommending that Americans "avoid all nonessential travel" to Korea. "If suspected to have COVID-19 (coronavirus) in [Korea], you may face travel delays, quarantine, and extremely expensive medical costs", it said on its website. But U.S. President Donald Trump said the same day that it is too soon to put travel restrictions on Koreans. "At a right time we may do it", he told reporters. "At the moment it's not the right time". Korean newlyweds arrive at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday after being sent back from Mauritius. /Yonhap Meanwhile, a bevy of honeymooners who were denied entry in Mauritius returned to Korea on Wednesday. The 17 couples flew back by transiting through Dubai. Yedioth Ahronoths Palestinian affairs correspondent Elior Levy shed light Feb. 13 on the work of Hamas observation units along Israel's borders with the Gaza Strip. The newspaper quoted Israeli security and military sources as saying that Hamas is following every movement of Israeli soldiers near the border, with the mission of observation and control units being to monitor any strange Israeli movements on the borders, be it by land, air or sea, and relay them to the operations room of Hamas military wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Hamas observation posts are deployed along the eastern border with Israel, namely east of the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, in Maghazi and Bureij in central Gaza, in Shajaiya east of Gaza City, and in Jabaliya, Beit Lahia and Beit Hannoun in northern Gaza. Levys article included audio clips of members of the observation units reporting to other Hamas groups all field events near the border. Al-Qassam Brigades have developed monitoring points along the Gaza border. They also mobilized more members along the border and reinforced their units on the border with technological capacities to help them monitor the Israeli armys moves on land, sea and air, Levy reported. Wasef Erekat, a Palestinian military expert in the West Bank and former artillery unit commander of the PLO, told Al-Monitor, Hamas observation units are necessary to compensate for their modest land, sea and air capabilities compared to Israel. However, Hamas has only ground observation units and focuses its attention on ground surveillance and the naked eye to gather information. [Hamas] field posts may be considered defensive and not offensive since the latter needs information [from deep inside the Israeli border], which is not available to the movement. With its monitoring sites spread along the Gaza Strip, Hamas cannot cover the entire border. So the Israelis still have gaps to operate from, and this is a weakness in Hamas monitoring system. Hamas spokesmen refused to talk about this military issue, as it is confidential. But Al-Monitor took a field tour along the border with the Gaza Strip to look at Hamas observation sites. The units are deployed along the border from north to south. A unit is stationed in primitive watchtowers on sandy hills; another is in vehicles moving along the border. A third unit is on the ground in the heart of the Strip, a fourth along the seacoast. All of Hamas' monitoring members gather details on the latest developments on the ground for the war room. Mohammed al-Braim, a spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees, told Al-Monitor, The observation units play a pivotal role in setting the scene for the resistance operations and defining targets in preparation for any military confrontation with Israel. They help the resistance by giving an accurate field position assessment based on its information on land, air and sea, and by identifying the Israeli plans in Gaza. Israel thus targets these observation units along the Gaza borders in every confrontation, which pushes the resistance to search for alternative means to collect the required information about Israel's movements on the ground. Perhaps Israels awareness of the seriousness of these Hamas observation units and security points along the Gaza border pushes it to try and deceive Hamas monitoring members by showing fictitious field moves intended to convey inaccurate information to al-Qassam Brigades' operations room, causing interference with its operational decisions. This represents a serious challenge to the Hamas monitoring system in terms of differentiating between correct and misleading information. Mohammed Abu Harbeed, an expert in security affairs in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Hamas possesses a security information infrastructure provided by its observation units whose members are trained to gather information. They use motorcycles and vehicles to move around and share information with the military operations room by primitive means, either face to face or through messages on papers. Some information that needs to be quickly shared may, however, be lost through these slow means. Yet these units try to steer clear from technical methods such as mobile phones and the Internet, fearing that Israel might hack them. Abu Harbeed noted, There are hundreds of observation unit members, along with the residents of the border areas, who provide them with security information. Since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Hamas has clearly sought to develop its means to monitor the borders and focus on its observation sites. It began these operations from small tents hidden behind dunes and later built proper structures with armed fighters, cameras and other surveillance means, then moved on to build watchtowers and buildings that are very close to the border. Military expert and retired Gen. Yusuf al-Sharqawi told Al-Monitor, Observation sites are an essential focal point for the resistance operations rooms in order to carry out their attacks, but their weakness is that Israeli intelligence has spies who may uncover observation unit members and thus sabotage their efforts. In addition, Israel possesses very advanced technological and technical capabilities that exceed those of the resistance. Saeed Bisharat, editor-in-chief of Al-Hudhud news network focusing on Israeli affairs, told Al-Monitor, The amount of security information provided by Hamas monitoring sites makes Israel unable to surprise it in light of the growing work of observation units, which employ a large number of information carriers and processors, who share with the movements military and political leadership every detail the Israeli forces surrounding Gaza do or say. It seems clear that Hamas observation sites deployed along the borders represent a security system for monitoring and control that provides the movement with an extended amount of data that is updated day by day and operates in a professional and trained manner, and with a broad and secret intelligence system, despite its apparent weaknesses. As soon as any round of escalation begins in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, the movement will vacate the watchtowers so that the Israeli response does not cause human losses in their ranks. This also prevents its security personnel from moving in cars and motorcycles, with the goal being the security of the monitors even though Israel still manages to find and kill them. Hundreds of adults have attacked Quaden online since he went viral last week Brisbane rapper Intrikit Wayz took to Instagram to call out adults trolling Quaden His mother filmed the heartbreaking video which made international headlines Quaden said 'I want to kill myself' after he was bullied over his dwarfism A nine-year-old boy who was bullied by schoolkids for having dwarfism is now also copping online abuse from adults. A video of Quaden Bayles, from Brisbane, went viral last week when his mother Yarraka filmed him saying he wanted to die after kids picked on him at school. But since making international headlines and garnering millions of supporters, Quaden has also attracted a slew of online criticism from adults. Brisbane rapper 'Intrikit Wayz' took to Instagram to call out trolls for doubting the nine-year-old's age and questioning if he was really bullied or not. 'I got your back Quaden. your (sic) only 9 years old and you have had bullies from school and in public and now u got adults cyber bullying u,' he wrote. Brisbane rapper 'Intrikit Wayz' took to Instagram to call out trolls for doubting the nine-year-old's age and questioning if he was really bullied or not Quaden Bayles, from Brisbane, made international headlines last week when his mother Yarraka filmed him saying he wanted to die after being bullied at school 'Anyone whos on my insta just know bullying has gotta stop. ur deadly my boi stay strong #nomorebullying #educate.' But false rumours questioning Quaden's age and accusing him of being an 18-year-old man started circling shortly after the heartbreaking video racked up more than 20 million views. One post circulating on Twitter said Quaden's high-profile Instagram page and modelling were proof he 'scammed everybody'. The accuser also pointed to a photo of Quaden at an 18th birthday party, falsely saying the celebrations were for him when they were actually for a friend of his named Garlen. But since making international headlines and garnering millions of supporters, Quaden has also attracted a slew of online criticism from adults Quaden has a number of photos posing with wads of cash and making gangsta signs with his hands. 'I have never seen a 9 year throw up gang signs, flashing money and carrying on the way he does,' one troll wrote. 'They have been numerous people from the school that have said that he is trouble in school and picks on everyone else. 'I would love to hear from the kids and teachers from his school. There are always two sides to every story.' 'Okay so a 9 year old would be posing with a gun...and flipping of the camera constantly???? And he wears top of the line clothing. Gucci and Yeezy. Seriously.,' said another. 'I just don't really see why a 9 year old is asking for a rope and a knife. Where is he seeing that?' another social media user asked. 'I swear its all a joke cause they arent defending themselves or proving the bullying was real???' 'If his behaviour on Instagram is anything like his behaviour at school it's no wonder the other kids didn't like him.' A post falsely claimed Quaden was actually an 18-year-old man, and not a nine-year-old primary school student Quaden (pictured far left) was actually attending the 18th birthday celebrations of a friend called Garlen Another post had Quaden displaying cash accompanied by text falsely claiming the schoolboy was actually a paid actor. 'Quaden Bayles is an Australian actor whose mom, Yarraka, posted a fake sobbing video of him,' the misleading tweet said. Why Quaden IS a nine-year-old 1. He was at his friend's 18th birthday - not his own - in January 2. His modelling profile, which may not have been updated, says he is eight-years-old 3. He appeared on TV toothless and playing with toys as a four-year-old 4. A photo of him purportedly drinking alcohol has been cropped to remove the Appletiser beside him 5. A baby photo from 2010 shows him at 16 days old Advertisement 'The MSM [mainstream media] and Hollywood fell for it and got him $300K+ in donations. Quaden's mother Yarraka shared the distressing video which sparked the outpouring of support after picking her son up from school last week. The schoolboy, who has achondroplasia - the most common type of dwarfism - told his mother: 'Give me a rope, I want to kill myself.' In the video, which has been viewed more than three million times, Quaden also said: 'I just want to stab myself in the heart... I want someone to kill me.' Quaden also scratched at his neck and said: 'I want to die... I want to scratch myself.' The confronting prompted celebrities across the globe to publicly defend the schoolboy, including actor Hugh Jackman, rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston, rapper Cardi B and broadcaster Piers Morgan. China convened a meeting on Feb. 23 to advance the work on coordinating the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and economic and social development, once again demonstrating to the world its strong organizing and mobilizing capability. It was an important meeting to sum up the current experiences on epidemic prevention and control and make comprehensive deployment and major measures. It manifested Chinas capability, willpower and confidence. The COVID-19 outbreak is a major public health emergency that has spread in the fastest speed, caused the most extensive infection and is the most difficult to contain in the country since the founding of the People's Republic of China. To protect the lives and health of the Chinese and safeguard global public health security, China has launched a peoples war against the epidemic with centralized commanding and unified actions. Both the United Nations and the international society recognized Chinas efforts, saying the countrys response is very strong and very impressive, and the measures are unprecedented. The World Health Organization hailed that the leadership and political will demonstrated by China are worth learning from. Under the command and deployment made by general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, the Chinese people have stood together and helped each other in the epidemic, and industries of the country also joined the battle against the virus under national coordination. The country, with great political courage, urged the epicenter Hubei province to implement comprehensive and strict control of population outflow, and dispatched over 41,600 medical staff from 330 medical teams to assist the province. Besides, makeshift hospitals Huoshenshan and Leishenshan, as well as Fang Cang, were built in a record speed, and 19 provinces offered paired assistance. These missions impossible were accomplished by China in a very short period of time, which enhanced the confidence of the international society in Chinas victory over the epidemic. Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin noted that the Chinese governments strong organizing and mobilizing capabilities demonstrated in the epidemic were impressive, and such capabilities were exactly Chinas institutional advantages. In the meantime, China is also enhancing economic and social development amid epidemic control, trying its best to reduce the impact from the epidemic on its social progress. It is believed by the international society that China is in a leading position in terms of leadership, response, mobilization and execution, and has set an example for the world in epidemic control. As a Chinese saying goes, good governors deal with matters at hand, great governors make improvement on the system. During the work of epidemic prevention and control, China has always been improving its national governance system and capability, eyeing its future capacity to deal with emergencies. The country is taking effective and concrete actions to enhance its legal safeguard for public health, improve disease prevention and control system, reform prevention and control system for major epidemics, improve medical insurance and aiding system for major diseases, and strengthen the unified system for emergency supplies. By doing so, it will be able to turn the experiences in the epidemic into practical mechanisms to cope with major public health emergencies. The exploration and efforts made by China on national governance well explained that socialism with Chinese characteristics is advancing with the time. The system is an important institutional guarantee for China and offers valuable experiences for the world to win the battle against the virus. To prevail over a disease that threatens all, unity and cooperation are the most powerful weapon. Guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, China is acting with a sense of responsibility not only for the lives and health of its own people, but also for global public health. China actively cooperated and exchanged information with WHO and the international community, shared the whole genome sequence of the virus strain at the first opportunity, and rapidly developed the testing kit. The country has also endeavored to curb the spread of the virus outside its territory by giving support and assistance to other countries and regions affected. These actions reflect the sense of responsibility of a major country, and underline the open mind of socialism with Chinese characteristics, setting the tone of the concerted efforts of the world in combatting the epidemic. Over 170 heads of state and 40 leaders of international and regional organizations have voiced sympathies and support for China, conveying their high recognition over Chinas responsible measures. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Chairman of the Kuhn Foundation in the U.S. recently had a profound analysis over Chinas prevention and control measures. He said history may well thank China for pioneering how to deal with virulent contagions in a globalised world. The world must be aware that combating the epidemic calls for the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind. Chinas explorations and practices have enlightened the world global countries must showcase strong mobilizing capabilities, improve governance system and capability, and enhance solidarity and cooperation with an opener spirit, so as to withstand the test of epidemics. Millennials are leaving the trade industry in droves as more than a third of quitters have experienced workplace bullying. In some industries, such as construction and food trade, half of apprentices and trainees who started their education in 2014 have already cancelled their contracts. Of the thousands who have quit, more than 35 per cent of apprentices who quit their position said bullying was a problem for them, according to Federal Government data obtained by the Courier Mail. Female apprentices were even more affected with 44.7 per cent of those who resigned saying they experienced workplace bullying from bosses or colleagues. The bullying statistics come after it was revealed on Wednesday that plummeting tradie numbers were forcing average Australians to fork out hundreds of dollars more for basic household call-outs. Millennials are leaving the trade industry in droves as more than a third of quitters have experienced workplace bullying, it was revealed on Thursday Food Trade Workers were the most likely to be bullied, which resulted in just 41.2 per cent of apprentices completing their courses. Meanwhile, just 51.2 per cent of construction apprentices and 61.3 per cent of automotive and engineering tradespeople completed their education. Another reason why millennials are turning their back on trade apprenticeships is that they are increasingly seen as a 'second class' career. As a result, universities are churning out degrees in social sciences while there has been a drop of more than 50 per cent in the number of traineeships in some states. Female apprentices were even more affected by bullying with 44.7 per cent of those who resigned saying they it. Food trade workers were also more likely to be bullied, which resulted in just 41.2 per cent completing their courses Advanced manufacturer PFI's General Manager of Defence and Aerospace Nick Green said that while tradies were a struggle to find, he was inundated with university graduates. 'We are letting our kids down - in our company we have 20 engineers and over 110 tradesmen and what that means is there is a massive skew in society,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'Trades are seen as second class and they should be first they are an amazing first step for a successful career.' There has been a rapid decline in the number of traineeships and apprenticeships available across Australia between 2013 and 2019 (pictured) On Wednesday, it was revealed that the cost of lower number of tradies was being passed on to average homeowners. There is a substantial shortage of builders, particularly bricklayers and carpenters, as well as plumbers, electricians, handymen and air-conditioning repairmen. As a result, there has been an 8 per cent annual increase in the price of skilled labour. The number of traineeships and apprenticeships available has also dropped by around 50 per cent in Sydney and Adelaide. In NSW as a whole, there was a 30 per cent drop, and a 35 per cent drop in Victoria. Queensland didn't fair much better, suffering a 32 per cent decline, while South Australia was hardest hit with numbers plummeting by 50 per cent. DENVER, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vista Gold Corp. (NYSE American and TSX: VGZ) (Vista or the Company) today announced its audited financial results and highlights for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Managements quarterly conference call to discuss these results is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. MST on March 5, 2020. The Companys consolidated audited financial statements and Managements Discussion and Analysis together with other important disclosures can be found in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Highlights for 2019 Reported positive results for the updated October 2019 preliminary feasibility study (the 2019 PFS) for the Mt Todd gold project (Mt Todd or the Project) with improved after-tax net present value at a 5% discount rate (NPV 5% ) of $823 million and internal rate of return (IRR) of 23.4% at a gold price of $1,350 per ounce and a $0.70=A$1.00 exchange rate and after-tax NPV 5% of $1.5 billion and IRR of 38.3% at a gold price of $1,650 per ounce and a $0.65=A$1.00 exchange rate; ) of $823 million and internal rate of return (IRR) of 23.4% at a gold price of $1,350 per ounce and a $0.70=A$1.00 exchange rate and after-tax NPV of $1.5 billion and IRR of 38.3% at a gold price of $1,650 per ounce and a $0.65=A$1.00 exchange rate; Completed a comprehensive metallurgical optimization program that demonstrated improved life-of-mine gold recovery of 91.9% and total recovered gold of 5.3 million ounces (1) ; ; Completed an independent benchmarking study to assess the appropriateness of capital and operating cost estimates, construction and ramp-up schedules, owners costs and key components of the Project; Received $3.2 million cash in option payments and related fees from Prime Mining Corp. under the option agreement for the Companys Los Reyes gold / silver project in Sinaloa, Mexico; Amended the Companys royalty agreement for the Awak Mas gold project in Indonesia, pursuant to which PT Masmindo DWI Area has the option to cancel the 2% net smelter return (the NSR) royalty payable to Vista by making an initial payment of $100,000 and issuing 666,667 shares of Nusantara Resources Limited (received by Vista in November 2019), and making future payments to Vista in the amounts of $2.4 million payable April 30, 2020 and $2.5 million payable April 30, 2021, with each payment canceling 1% of the NSR royalty; and Strengthened Vistas board of directors and senior management team with the appointments of Deborah Friedman as a Director, Doug Tobler as Chief Financial Officer, and Pamela Solly as Vice President of Investor Relations. (1) The life of mine plan includes both proven and probable mineral reserves. See Project Mineral Resources and Reserves below for further information. Frederick H. Earnest, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vista, stated, During 2019 we achieved several significant milestones as we continued to advance and de-risk the Mt Todd gold project. We completed several major project initiatives highlighted by the 2019 PFS, generated cash of $3.3 million from non-dilutive financing opportunities, and strengthened our senior management team and board of directors with the appointments of several accomplished and experienced mining executives. As part of our 2019 initiatives, we completed a comprehensive metallurgical optimization program, the 2019 PFS, and an independent benchmarking study. These initiatives, combined with other de-risking activities, demonstrate the robust economics and advanced stage of Mt Todd. In 2020, our primary focus will be to secure a strategic partner for the development of Mt Todd. With the continued improvement in gold price, we are evaluating the positive impact of higher gold prices on mine plans and project economics. The following figures illustrate the Projects after-tax economics at various gold price and exchange rate assumptions. We continue to de-risk Mt Todd in a cost-effective manner and work with NT Department of Primary Industries and Resources to receive authorization of the Mt Todd Mine Management Plan. A graph accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1c089604-2dec-46c3-b8a4-dbcf1e14e6e2 Summary of Financial Results For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, Vista reported a net loss of $9.4 million, or $0.09 per share, compared to $8.7 million, or $0.09 per share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 is comprised of $8.1 million of operating expenses and a $1.6 million mark-to-market loss on our investment in Midas Gold Corp., offset by other income of $0.3 million. The loss for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 is including $10.8 million of operating expenses and a $1.7 million mark-to-market gain on our investment in Midas Gold Corp., and other income of $0.4 million. Working capital at December 31, 2019 was $7.8 million, including cash and short-term investments (comprised of government securities) of $4.7 million. Working capital at December 31, 2018 was $13.2 million, including cash and short-term investments (comprised of government securities) of $8.1 million. The Company has no debt. Project Mineral Resources and Reserves The table below presents the estimated mineral resources and reserves for the Project. The effective date of the Batman and Quigleys deposits mineral resource estimates is January 24, 2018. The effective date of the heap leach mineral resource estimate is July 9, 2014. Mt. Todd Gold Project Mineral Reserves 50,000 tpd, 0.40 g Au/t cut-off and $1,250 per ounce gold Batman Deposit Heap Leach Pad Quigleys Deposit Total Tonnes (000s) Grade (g/t) Contained Ounces (000s) Tonnes (000s) Grade (g/t) Contained Ounces (000s) Tonnes (000s) Grade (g/t) Contained Ounces (000s) Tonnes (000s) Grade (g/t) Contained Ounces (000s) Proven 72,672 0.88 2,057 - - - - - - 72,672 0.88 2,057 Probable 135,015 0.82 3,559 13,354 0.54 232 - - - 148,369 0.79 3,791 Proven & Probable 207,687 0.84 5,616 13,354 0.54 232 - - - 221,041 0.82 5,848 Note: Mineral reserves have been calculated using a US$1,350 gold price, average recovery of 91.9%, 1% gross proceeds royalty, life of mine mining costs of US$6.02 per tonne ore, life of mine processing costs of US$7.88 per tonne ore, life of mine general and administrative costs of US$1.11 per tonne ore, US$0.16 per tonne ore for project services and US$0.077 per tonne ore for refining. Mineral reserves are quoted using a 0.40g Au/t cutoff grade. Mineral reserves are estimated pursuant to Canadian disclosure standards and do not constitute mineral reserves under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards. See Cautionary Note to United States Investors below. Mt. Todd Gold Project Mineral Resources Batman Deposit Heap Leach Pad Quigleys Deposit Total Tonnes (000s) Grade (g/t) Contained Ounces (000s) Tonnes (000s) Grade (g/t) Contained Ounces (000s) Tonnes (000s) Grade (g/t) Contained Ounces (000s) Tonnes (000s) Grade (g/t) Contained Ounces (000s) Measured 77,725 0.88 2,191 - - - 457 1.27 19 78,182 0.88 2,210 Indicated 200,112 0.80 5,169 13,354 0.54 232 5,743 1.12 207 219,209 0.80 5,608 Measured & Indicated 277,837 0.82 7,360 13,354 0.54 232 6,200 1.13 225 297,391 0.82 7,818 Inferred 61,323 0.72 1,421 - - - 1,600 0.84 43 62,923 0.72 1,464 Note: Measured & indicated mineral resources include proven and probable mineral reserves. Batman and Quigleys mineral resources are quoted at a 0.40g Au/t cut-off grade. Heap Leach mineral resources are the average grade of the heap, no cut-off grade applied. Economic analysis conducted only on proven and probable mineral reserves. Rex Bryan of Tetra Tech is the Qualified Person responsible for the geologic mineral resource estimates. Thomas Dyer of Mine Development Associates is the Qualified Person responsible for developing mineral reserves for the Batman deposit. Dr. Deepak Malhotra of Resource Development Inc. is the Qualified Person responsible for the metallurgical data and program, and for developing mineral reserves for the heap leach. See Cautionary Note to United States Investors below. The 2019 PFS was authored by Tetra Tech Inc. (Tetra Tech) with Mine Development Associates, Resource Development Inc., Proteus EPCM Engineers (a Tetra Tech Company, Tetra Tech Proteus), JDS Energy & Mining, Inc., and POWER Engineers, Inc. John Rozelle, Vistas Sr. Vice President, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has approved the information in this press release. For additional information on data verification, quality assurance and control, key assumptions and other matters relating to the Project, see Vistas Annual Report Form on10-K as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml on February 26, 2020. Technical Report on Mt Todd For further information on the Mt Todd Gold Project, see the Technical Report entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report Mt Todd Gold Project 50,000 tpd Preliminary Feasibility Study Northern Territory, Australia with an effective date of September 10, 2019 and an issue date of October 7, 2019, which is available on SEDAR as well as on Vistas website under the Technical Reports section. Management Conference Call A conference call with management to review our financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and to discuss corporate and project activities is scheduled for Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. MST. Participant Toll Free: 844-898-8648 International: 647-689-4225 Conference ID: 3097238 This call will also be web-cast and can be accessed at the following web location: https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=3CD037F2-42AA-4A38-9B54-9C7837619AC3 This call will be archived and available at www.vistagold.com after March 5, 2020. Audio replay will be available for 21 days by calling toll-free in North America: 855-859-2056. If you are unable to access the audio or phone-in on the day of the conference call, please email questions to Pamela Solly, Vice President of Investor Relations, at ir@vistagold.com. We will try to address these questions prior to or during the conference call. All dollar amounts in this press release are in U.S. dollars. References to A$ refer to Australian dollar. About Vista Gold Corp. The Company is a well-funded gold project developer. The Companys principal asset is its flagship Mt Todd gold project in Northern Territory, Australia. Mt Todd is the largest undeveloped gold project in Australia. For further information, please contact the Company at (720) 981-1185. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as the projected economics of the Mt Todd gold project in the 2019 PFS, including the after-tax net present value at a 5% discount rate and the internal rate of return, the estimated life of mine gold recovery and total recovered gold for the Mt Todd gold project, estimated capital and operating costs, construction and ramp-up schedules, owners costs and other key components of the Mt Todd gold project, receipt of future option payments for the Awak Mas project, the Companys focus on securing a strategic partner for the development of Mt Todd, continued efforts to de-risk Mt Todd, timing and receipt of authorization of the Mt Todd Mine Management Plan from the NT Department of Primary Industries and Resources and reserve and resource estimates at Mt Todd are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained in this press release include the following: no change to laws or regulations impacting mine development or mining activities, our approved business plans, mineral resource and reserve estimates and results of preliminary economic assessments, preliminary feasibility studies and feasibility studies on our projects, if any, our experience with regulators, our experience and knowledge of the Australian mining industry and positive changes to current economic conditions and the price of gold. When used in this press release, the words optimistic, potential, indicate, expect, intend, hopes, believe, may, will, if, anticipate, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, uncertainty of resource and reserve estimates, uncertainty as to the Companys future operating costs and ability to raise capital; risks relating to cost increases for capital and operating costs; risks of shortages and fluctuating costs of equipment or supplies; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of gold; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; potential effects on our operations of environmental regulations in the countries in which the Company operates; risks due to legal proceedings; risks relating to political and economic instability in certain countries in which the Company operates; uncertainty as to the results of bulk metallurgical test work; and uncertainty as to completion of critical milestones for Mt Todd; as well as those factors discussed under the headings Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors in the Companys latest Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on February 26, 2020 and other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information; whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Cautionary Note to United States Investors The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) limits disclosure for U.S. reporting purposes to mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. This press release uses the terms Proven reserves and Probable reserves. Reserve estimates contained in this press release are made pursuant to NI 43-101 standards in Canada and do not represent reserves under the standards of the SECs Industry Guide 7 and may not constitute reserves under the SECs newly adopted disclosure rules to modernize mineral property disclosure requirements, which became effective February 25, 2019 and will be applicable to the Company in its annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. Under the currently applicable SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a final or bankable feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and all necessary permits and government approvals must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. Additionally, this press release uses the terms Measured resources, Indicated resources, and Measured & Indicated resources. We advise U.S. investors that while these terms are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101, such terms are not recognized under SEC Industry Guide 7 and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Mineral resources described in this press release have a great amount of uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. The SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant reserves as in-place tonnage and grade, without reference to unit measures. The term contained gold ounces used in this press release is not permitted under the rules of the SEC. Inferred 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 any or all part of an Inferred resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. U.S. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 reserves. Latest: The HSE has bought 1.7 million masks in preparation for the spread of Covid-19. It has also distributed additional protective equipment for staff to hospitals and GP offices. HSE CEO Paul Reid said it has already secured a further supply for the future. Mr Reid said: "[The aim] was to give us an extra supply above and beyond because we are very conscious the market would become volatile so we have secured a significant number of incremental supports to sustain us in a very volatile market. "However, we have locked down a supply with our suppliers for the future." Earlier: GPs inundated with coronavirus calls; Irish teen tested for virus Calls have been made for a dedicated phone line for people to contact if they have concerns regarding the coronavirus, amid claims that GPs are being inundated with calls and queries. A leading Irish GP has warned that general practice does not have the capacity to deal with the level of demand that has occurred in light of the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak, a virus which has killed thousands across the globe and affected many more. Dr Maitiu O Tuathail, former president of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP), was speaking after Health Minister Simon Harris instructed anyone with concerns regarding Covid-19 to contact their GP. If your child has been in an infected region, or indeed you have, and youre showing symptoms, please self-isolate, please contact your GP by phone and go to the HSE website which also contains information, Mr Harris advised. Your GP knows the pathway to go which could include testing but thats a matter for a GP to do a risk assessment. His instructions came after several schools across Ireland revealed concerns regarding possible infection after returning from tours to infected regions such as Italy. It comes as a Westmeath teenager has been tested for COVID-19 after arriving home from Italy. The Castlepollard Community College student had been on a school ski trip to the north of the country. The individual was tested last night after displaying some symptoms of the infection. Speaking to Midlands 103, Deputy Principal James McGrath outlined the information the HSE sought from the school. "They would have sought information on the route that the student's would have taken from the resort back to the airport in Milan," Mr McGrath said. "I can confirm that last night one student has undergone a test. The student in question I believe didn't show all of the symptoms but some." Dr O Tuathail, meanwhile, called for a different approach after highlighting the severe pressure general practitioners across Ireland currently find themselves under. "Currently, GP practices are inundated with calls from concerned patients with regards to the coronavirus, he explained. Patients have difficulty getting through to GP surgeries at the best of times and the capacity simply doesn't exist in general practice to adequately deal with the huge demand that this will create. "In other EU countries, and in the UK, they have one dedicated number that everyone who is concerned can call for advice and further information, he added. This is to ensure that general practice doesn't become inundated. We need to adopt a similar approach here, otherwise general practice and emergency departments will become overwhelmed. "Currently, the approach taken has been inconsistent, with some schools where children have been back from affected areas advising children to self quarantine for two weeks, and other schools in the same jurisdiction advising children to attend as normal. This inconsistency is not helping the confusion that currently exists." Elsewhere, a travel insurance provider is reporting a massive spike in travel and wedding insurance sales because of the coronavirus outbreak in Europe. Blue Insurance has found that the number of people taking out travel insurance, has increased by 425% compared to last year. The number of wedding insurance policies have also increased by 4,500% in recent days because of the continued spread of the virus is making couples nervous about their wedding plans abroad. And there has been a 1,400% increase in existing and new policyholders adding travel disruption cover to their travel insurance policy. Managing director of Blue Insurance, Ciaran Mulligan, said they are not surprised by the spike in travel and wedding insurance sales. We have seen the highest number of travel insurance sales since we opened our doors in 2003, he said. Travel disruption is an additional cover but it must be purchased in advance of any public announcement prohibiting travel to the particular area. There is also a seven day moratorium period on the additional cover from the date it is added to a policy. If within 14 days of departure the Department of Foreign Affairs advises all but essential travel to a certain area then the limit on that policy will cover you under government travel advice for cancellation, said Mr Mulligan. If you add travel disruption cover to your policy and at the time of travel the department advises against travel to that region you will be covered for up to 1,000 per person in the event you need to cancel or move your flights or move your accommodation. For a policy for as little as 49 up to 129, people are risking losing between 25,000 and 100,000 on the cost of their wedding. Additional reporting Joel Slattery and Evelyn Ring TALAPKER, Kazakhstan -- Hundreds of people have gathered to bid farewell to Dulat Aghadil, a well-known Kazakh civil rights activist who mysteriously died hours after he was detained by police at his home. Despite a heavy snowstorm and cold weather, more than 1,000 people took part in an Islamic farewell ceremony near a mosque in Aghadil's native village of Talapker, near the capital, Nur-Sultan, on February 27. After the ceremony, Aghadil's relatives, friends, supporters, and colleagues carried his body to a local cemetery on foot, chanting "Freedom!" and "Old man, go away!" addressing ex-President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who is now the lifetime chairman of the Security Council and the leader of the ruling Nur-Otan party. Aghadil died on February 24 in pretrial detention after being arrested for failing to meet a court order to report to local police. Following the burial ceremony, dozens of Aghadil's supporters gathered in front of the Astana Concert Hall in Nur-Sultan, to hold a rally to demand the creation of an independent commission including the participation of civil society representatives to investigate Aghadil's death. Police violently dispersed the gathering, forcing about 20 people into police buses and taking them away. In Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, opposition figures, rights defenders, and their supporters also gathered to honor Aghadil's life and his legacy. A leading opposition figure, Zhasaral Quanyshalin, said at the gathering that he was "absolutely confident that Dulat was killed by police on the orders by power-holders." "The authorities not only killed the hero, they sent a message to all of us, saying if you refuse to be tamed, this is what is going to happen to you, and that can happen to any of us," Quanyshalin said. "When this corrupt and criminal system in Kazakhstan collapses, Dulat's name and the names of many others fallen in the fight for democratic values will take the honorable places in the history of our country." Earlier in the week, activists said at least eight people who wanted to travel to Talapker to take part in Aghadil's burial were detained by police. Alice Wells, principal deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asian affairs at the U.S. State Department, expressed condolences to Aghadil's relatives and her concerns about his death. "We expect a full & thorough investigation & encourage full implementation of President [Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev's] reforms for greater political freedom," Wells wrote on Twitter. The British Embassy in Kazakhstan expressed similar concerns on Twitter. "We urge the Kazakh authorities to investigate [Aghadil's] death thoroughly and transparently," the embassy's post says. As of February 27, President Toqaev had yet to comment on Aghadil's death. According to police, Aghadil was intoxicated at the time of his arrest and died from heart problems hours later. Aghadil's relatives and colleagues, however, have insisted that Aghadil did not drink alcohol due to health issues and had never complained about his heart. Aghadil, a 43-year-old father of six, was widely known for his civil rights activities. He was sentenced to several days in jail several times for taking part in unsanctioned rallies and resisting arrest. Since August last year, he had spent at least 60 days in jail. In November, Aghadil made headlines after he escaped from jail just one day before his expected release. He later explained that he made the move "to protest my illegal arrest." With reporting by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service and KazTAG Subscriber content preview First supervised drug injection site in US is almost ready to open The facilities have long operated in Canada and Europe and have been considered by several U.S. cities, including Seattle. By MARYCLAIRE DALE The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA A Philadelphia nonprofit group detailed plans Wednesday to open next week what would be the nation's first medically supervised injection site to combat overdose deaths, despite outrage from neighbors and opposition from the local federal prosecutor. The announcement came after a federal judge who oversaw months of litigation ruled Tuesday that the Safehouse plan wouldn't violate federal drug laws because it aims to reduce drug use, not encourage it. . . . login or purchase a To read this story in fullor purchase a subscription. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 07:07:59|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime and eliminating the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation. Speaking at a UN meeting, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Wu Haitao, told the Security Council that the proliferation of nuclear weapons has complicated root causes and needs to be addressed in a comprehensive way. He added that the authority and universality of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime should be strengthened and double standards and selectivity should be abandoned. The Chinese envoy also called for full development of the potential to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and related international cooperation. The peaceful use of nuclear energy is an inalienable right granted by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to states parties, he said, adding that preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons should not undermine the legitimate rights of all countries, especially developing countries. Noting that China is committed to the path of peaceful development and pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, Wu said China will continue to actively practice multilateralism, firmly uphold the international arms control and non-proliferation regime and contribute to the lofty cause of peace and security for mankind. The United States Army Special Forces is on the verge of admitting its first-ever female Green Beret. The woman, an enlisted soldier in the National Guard, is reportedly in the final stages of training. She is just weeks away from completing the mandatory yearlong qualification course - also known as Q Course. Once she finishes, she will be a Special Forces engineer sergeant, according to The New York Times. While the soldier has not completed the required coursework, she is at a far-enough stage that graduation is virtually a foregone conclusion, according to the Times. Members of the United States Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets, are seen above at the US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in January 2020 DailyMail.com has reached out to the Army for comment on the womans identity. Several women have passed the 24-day assessment program, which is a prerequisite to get into the qualification course. The program is a grueling test of skills that are key for any elite forces soldier, including land navigation, marching with heavy gear, and other physical and psychological fitness criteria. The three-week trial process, which is known as the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS), usually sees about 15 percent of would-be enlistees drop out. Once completing the assessment program, soldiers are evaluated by Special Forces supervisors, who must then decide whether to allow entry into the qualification course. At least one other woman, a medical sergeant, is also in the qualification course, according to the Times. Soldiers who make it into the qualification course must then complete the program, though its length varies depending on the specific job within the military. The Green Berets are a unit whose soldiers occupy several positions and specialties, including intelligence and operations, weapons, medical, engineering and communications. Green Berets are often on the front lines of combat. Their troops do everything from soft power missions, including inoculating children and building rapport with local leaders, to actual fighting. In 2016, Kristen M. Griest became the first female infantry officer after she graduated the demanding Ranger school. She is seen above in August 2015 at Ranger school in Fort Benning, Georgia The military sends the Green Berets to establish relationships with local forces and militaries that are in need of equipment and training, usually for counterinsurgency operations. Since the United States launched military action after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Green Berets have played an active role in various theaters. The Green Berets are also among the last outposts in the military that do not have any women. Out of an estimated 65,000 women who have enlisted in the Army, more than 700 have been allowed to take up combat roles that were previously limited to men. In 2017, a woman made history by becoming the first female to be accepted into the Armys 75th Ranger Regiment, a crack light infantry special forces unit that is part of the Army Special Operations Command. The year before that, Captain Kristen M. Griest became the first female infantry officer after graduating Ranger school - one of the toughest in the military. Hindustan Unilever informed that the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Chandigarh has approved a scheme of amalgamation between GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and the company. The FMCG major had announced on 6 November 2019 that the scheme of amalgamation was previously approved by the National Company Law Tribunal, Mumbai Bench vide it's order dated 24 September 2019. It added that the effective date of the scheme will be communicated upon being finalized by the Transferor Company (GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) and the Company (HUL), in accordance with the procedure specified under the Scheme approved by the Mumbai NCL T and Chandigarh NCLT. Shares of Hindustan Unilever added 0.21% to Rs 2245.60 while those of Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare gained 1.11% to Rs 9745. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fears are growing for an elderly Australian who has been rushed into intensive care after being infected with coronavirus on the doomed Diamond Princess cruise ship. The 78-year-old was one of 223 Australians quarantined on the ill-fated ship in Japan, and was flown to Darwin last Friday. After tests showed the man had the deadly coronavirus, he was taken to his home state and is now in intensive care at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The elderly man was evacuated with his wife, who does not have the virus, and was said to be a in a 'serious but stable' condition. He is one of 23 people in Australia battling the virus, but there have been no deaths. The ill-fated Diamond Princess cruise ship (pictured) was put into isolation in Japan, after passengers contracted the deadly coronavirus Worldwide, the virus has wiped out more than 2,800 people and infected 82,000. A spokeswoman for the hospital said the move into the intensive care unit was 'precautionary', and confirmed he had been in isolation at the hospital. The hospital has four negative pressure rooms to treat coronavirus patients. So far, two Japanese passengers who caught the virus on board the Diamond Princess have died. Both were in their 80s, and suffered underlying health conditions. At least 621 people on the ship tested positive for the virus, officially named Covid-19, making it the biggest cluster outside China. It comes after Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared a coronavirus pandemic is 'very much upon us'. Launching an emergency plan on Thursday afternoon, he said the government were identifying 'gaps in capabilities' within Australia's state-based health services. Evacuees from the Diamond Princess (pictured) are seen arriving in Darwin after being rescued from the doomed cruise ship, which had been docked in Japan Foreign embassies are seen lining up outside the Diamond Princess cruise ship (pictured) as citizens from across the world are finally being let off the boat 'We believe that the risk of a pandemic is very much upon us,' he told reporters in Canberra. 'We need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic.' Speaking again on 2GB on Friday morning, he insisted that the public should 'go about our business'. He confirmed there are still 23 cases in Australia, eight of whom were on the Diamond Princess. 'One of these is in a more serious condition in WA, we learnt today,' he said. 'But in the rest of the community we can go about our business.' Crew members are seen aboard the doomed cruise ship, which has been docked in the Japanese port of Yokohama for weeks Mr Morrison said that during the past 24 hours, the 'rate of transmission of the virus outside of China is fundamentally changing the way we need to look at how this issue is being managed here in Australia'. 'As a result, we've agreed today and initiated the implementation of the coronavirus emergency response plan,' he said. 'Based on the expert medical advice we have received, there is every indication the world will enter a pandemic phase of the coronavirus.' At least 621 people on the ship (pictured) tested positive for the virus, officially named Covid-19, making it the biggest cluster outside China. Medical staff wait in Darwin (pictured) as the Diamond Princess evacuees arrive for their quarantine period The Australian government has declared the emergency response plan a day after the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention forecast it would turn into a pandemic. 'As a government, we need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic,' Mr Morrison said. The elderly man is one of eight Australians evacuated from the cruise ship, which had been docked at Yokohama in Japan, who have tested positive for the disease. China's BeiDou navigation satellites are helping the country in the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic through precision positioning functions. (Photo/People's Daily Online) When the country was building the makeshift Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals in Wuhan, the epicenter of the epidemic, equipment of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) provided highly-precise positioning services for measurements at construction sites and therein helped workers speed up construction. Drones backed by the BDS have been used to transport emergency medical materials in a fast and accurate manner. On Feb. 12, a total of 20 drones were utilized to deliver medical materials to hospitals in Wuhan. Such drones were also used to spray disinfectant and patrol virus-hit areas. A drone-based on the BDS can cover a spraying area of 5,000 square meters during a single mission and get to places beyond the reach of many other kinds of disinfection vehicles. In Ruichang, in east China's Jiangxi province, police are using BDS-based drones to patrol crowded places to prevent significant gathering in groups. Through the BDS terminals, the Ministry of Transport sent epidemic prevention and control as well as transportation service information to more than 6 million vehicles. It provided information services for the transportation of emergency materials to the most-hit areas. China Post Group Co., Ltd. installed 5,000 BDS terminals on its vehicles and ensured timely delivery of epidemic prevention materials through the accurate positioning information. In addition, information products based on the BDS have been developed to locate patients confirmed to be infected with the virus and release their movement information to the public. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 15:22:51|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ROME, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Italian officials Wednesday discussed with the European Commission on whether Italy's efforts to fight the novel coronavirus should count against its national debt, with its economy already teetering on the brink of a recession. Vice President of the European Commission for the Euro and Social Dialogue Valdis Dombrovskis said that the commission will be "flexible" toward the fiscal account of Italy and other countries hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. The commission has also promised to provide some financial aid to help offset some costs of battling the virus. Italian officials said the commission should allow the government to focus on controlling the spread of the virus without worrying about how it could affect the country's accounts. "There are resources that the EU can give us in relation to economic events that could lower GDP (gross domestic product) considerably," Deputy Minister of Economy Laura Castelli told Italy's state broadcaster. "This is one of those situations where the European Union should help a member state in need of help. The talks about this are active and I hope they will end well." According to the Italian National Institute of Statistics, in the final quarter of 2019, the economy shrunk 0.3 percent, its biggest contraction in six years. Economists said that costs spent on paying the national debt -- which was worth an estimated 138 percent of the country's GDP at the end of 2019, one of the highest rates in the world -- were one of the main factors acting as a drag on economic growth. Impacts from the coronavirus, including factory closures and fewer tourist arrivals, are expected to further slow growth. A total of 400 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Italy till Wednesday evening. The government has placed 11 towns, 10 in Lombardy and one in Veneto, under lockdown in an effort to contain the epidemic. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex released a statement that laid out their plans for exiting the royal family, including the agreement to give up the word royal in their branding but not everyone was won over by the wording. Many critics believed that the statement was disrespectful to the queen. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan will officially exit on March 31 Prince Harry and Meghan announced their plans to step back in January and Queen Elizabeth gave her blessing for their request for financial independence from the royal family. The queen released a statement sharing her support of their decision, explaining: Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family. I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life. The Sussexes moved to Canada and will officially end their royal duties on March 31. The Sussexes statement comes under fire On Feb. 21, Prince Harry and Meghan released a statement that said, in part, that they wont use the Sussex Royal name. While The Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding the use of the word Royal, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation will not utilise the name Sussex Royal or any other iteration of Royal, the statement on the couples website shared. For the above reason, the trademark applications that had been filed as protective measures and that reflected the same standard trademarking requests as done for The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been removed, the statement continued. Further, the statement noted: While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word Royal overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use Sussex Royal or any iteration of the word Royal in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020. Did they disrespect the queen? Royal photographer Arthur Edwards weighed in on their statement, sharing how he believes that Prince Harry and Meghan showed a lack of respect for the queen. I think it was a little bit insolent it was written obviously by a lawyer, an American lawyer by the sounds of the way its written, who doesnt understand quite how it works here. You know, when the queen says you cant do something, you cant do it, Edwards told The Sun. He continued, And thats it. Shes not saying it because shes being spiteful to Harry, who she absolutely adores, but its because its the law and you certainly cant use a royal title for commercial gain. They cant have tea-towels and cups with their brand on it, its not on. Edwards further shared, whoever wrote that statement and put in on their website, it was insolent. I think it just speaks of lack of respect for the queen and I dont agree with it. I think Harry has chosen to quit the royal family, thats fair enough. Everybody should determine what they do in life, but if youre doing that, then you quit. You dont take what you want out of it and leave the rest. You cant, as they say, have your cake and eat it. WASHINGTON California Sen. Kamala Harris effort to make lynching a federal hate crime is on the cusp of becoming law, nearly 140 years after the first of many efforts to outlaw the racist attacks failed. The House on Wednesday passed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, which is nearly identical to a Senate version of the bill that passed a year ago. After the versions are reconciled, the bill will head to President Trumps desk. The president is expected to sign it, a spokesman said. Harris, who co-sponsored the Senate bill, called the House vote a sign that Congress is closer than ever to correcting a historic injustice. At least 4,742 people were lynched in the United States from the late 1800s to 1968, according to the bill. Measures to outlaw lynching were considered more than 200 times in Congress between 1882 and 1986 and never passed. Lynchings were racially motivated acts of violence and terror that represent a dark and despicable chapter of our nations history, Harris said in a statement. The House passed the bill on a 410-4 vote. The no votes were cast by GOP Reps. Louie Gohmert of Texas, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Ted Yoho of Florida, and by independent Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan. Murder is usually prosecuted under state laws, but a federal anti-lynching law would increase penalties for violators. The House version of the bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., is named after Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955. Till was tortured and killed after a white woman accused him of grabbing her and whistling at her. The killing shocked the country and stoked the civil rights movement. 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. Rush, a Democrat whose Chicago district includes Tills former home, said the bill will belatedly achieve justice for Till and more than 4,000 other lynching victims, most of them African Americans. Both the House and Senate versions would make injuring or killing someone through lynching because of race, color, religion or national origin by two or more people a federal crime punishable by up to life in prison. San Francisco Chronicle Washington correspondent Tal Kopan contributed to this report. Dustin Gardiner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner ELLICOTTVILLE, NY -- Peter Kreinheder has been a part of the New York state craft beer industry for a quarter of a century. So when the owner of Ellicottville Brewing Co. in western New York saw an opportunity to step up and save another 25-year Central New York beer brand, he did it. Ellicottville is now brewing several of the beers once made by the now-closed Empire Brewing Co., and adding some new styles under the Empire brand label. They will start hitting the market soon. Theyd been around 25 years and weve been here 25 years, Kreinheder said. So I reached out to see what we could do to keep that brand going. Empire shut down last fall in a double collapse: Its original brewpub in Syracuses Armory Square closed in October after a rent dispute with its landlord. The big Empire Farm Brewery in Cazenovia had declared bankruptcy in August, and was sold at a bankruptcy auction in October. Both were owned by David Katleski, but operated as separate businesses. The Cazenovia brewery is expected to reopen this summer as Meiers Creek Brewing Co., which is owned by the Feldmeier Equipment Co. of DeWitt. In the bankruptcy auction, Feldmeier bought the property, equipment and furnishings, but not the intellectual property -- the Empire name, logos, beer names and other trademarks. Kreinheder acquired those in recent months and has been working with his team to decide which of Empires dozens of beers to bring back and what other beers to make under the Empire name. The new Empire beer will include versions of its legacy brews Black Magic (a nitro stout), Skinny Atlas Light (a kolsch) and Local Grind, a coffee ale. At least one new beer -- Empire State of Mind -- is also in the works. Kreinheder has been in contact with Katleski, the founder and owner of Empire Brewing. Were looping him in -- hell help us out consulting and in marketing, Kreinheder said. But, he said, Katleski does not have an ownership stake in the new Empire brand. Still, it was important to Kreinheder to create a role for Katleski, who not only co-founded Empire in 1994 but later also founded the New York State Brewers Association, which has lobbied for legal changes that have led to the surge of breweries across the state. David is the foundational person in the creation of craft brewing in New York, Kreinheder said. So, yeah, its important for us to look to him to add his insight and expertise in this. Kreinheder opened the first Ellicottville Brewing Co. in the Cattaraugus County ski town of the same name in 1995. It built its reputation on a Pale Ale, a Blueberry Ale and more, expanding to various styles over the years. It has since added brewpubs in Fredonia and Bemus Point, and a big new production brewery in Little Valley, just a few miles from Ellicottville. The Ellicottville distribution network in recent years has been strong in western New York, up to Buffalo, but not so much into central and eastern parts of Upstate New York. Kreinheder said he hopes the Empire brand name, which originated in Central New York, could help his beers achieve statewide sales. Katleski, who has had success selling Empire beer as far as New York City, can assist with that. We dont want to be ginormous, Kreinheder said. But if we do this right we could expand our reach right across the state. Related: Empire Brewing beers return under new ownership Update: Meiers Creek Brewing in Cazenovia They bought the former Empire Brewery. Heres their plan Empire Brewing owner helped create New Yorks craft industry. Now hes out Ellicottville Brewing expands to fourth location Don Cazentre writes about craft beer, wine, spirits and beverages 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. (CNN) There are people who can sleep anywhere, any time, in any position including upright in an economy-class airplane seat. And then there are the rest of us. Neck pillows just don't cut it. Reclining a few inches does nothing. We need to lie flat, which is what makes Air New Zealand's prototype sleep pods so exciting. On February 26, the airline filed patent and trademark applications for the "Economy Skynest" the result of three years of research, development and testing based on input from more than 200 customers at a hanger in Auckland. First, the specs. According to Air New Zealand's announcement, the Skynest will consist of six full-length lie-flat sleep pods in the Economy cabin. The exact location within the aircraft is yet to be confirmed. Each pod will be about 200 centimeters (6.5 feet) long and 58 centimeters (22 inches) wide, and come with a pillow, sheets, blanket, ear plugs and privacy curtains. The airline is reportedly also exploring additional features such as reading lights and USB outlets. "A clear pain point for economy travelers on long-haul flights is the inability to stretch out," says Air New Zealand chief marketing and customer officer Mike Tod in a statement from the airline. "The development of the Economy Skynest is a direct response to that challenge." So will the Skynest actually take flight? There's reason to be hopeful. After all, this is the airline that's already proved its commitment to making economy class more comfortable, given so many of its flights are long-haul. It launched the "Economy Skycouch" in 2011, allowing passengers traveling together to transform their seats into a bed. Staff from Air New Zealand tell CNN Travel no formal certification application is in process yet, "however we have designed the concept to meet all regulatory requirements." As for pricing, the airline is yet to determine the costs and is still assessing the commercial proposition and product viability. But given there are only six pods on one aircraft, they will likely be in high demand. "We see a future flying experience where an economy-class customer on long-haul flights would be able to book the Economy Skynest in addition to their Economy seat, get some quality rest and arrive at their destination ready to go," says Nikki Goodman, general manager of Air New Zealand's Customer Experience. The airline will reportedly make a final decision on the Economy Skynest in 2021, once it has assessed the performance of its inaugural year of Auckland-New York operations, due to take flight in October this year. That flight will take an estimated 17 hours and 40 minutes one way, making it one of the longest in the world. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Air New Zealand unveils economy-class sleeping pods." Terming as "unforgettable" her visit to a Sarvodaya School in New Delhi where she attended a 'Happiness Class' session, US First Lady Melania Trump thanked 'extraordinary' students and faculty for a warm welcome. "Unforgettable afternoon at the Sarvodaya School in New Delhi! It was an honor to be surrounded by extraordinary students and faculty. Thank you for the warm welcome! #Be Best," Melania tweeted on Thursday while sharing a video of the highlights of her visit to the school on Thursday. The First Lady, who was accompanying husband US President Donald Trump, during his first official visit to India, attended 'Happiness Classes' at the Sarvodaya Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School co-ed school in South Moti Bagh on Tuesday as a part of the Happiness Curriculum, in which students are taught various activities including meditation, street plays and basic obedience aimed at reducing anxiety and stress levels among children. Upon arrival at the school, Melania was given a traditional welcome by students who lined the entrance holding flags of the two countries. A young girl student handed a bouquet to the US First Lady and applied tilak on her forehead welcoming her with an 'aarti thali'. Expressing her delight, Melania thanked the school's students for welcoming her with a traditional dance performance. "This is my first visit to India and I cannot express how delightful it is. People here are so welcoming and so kind. I learned that 'Sarvodaya' means 'prosperity for all.' As I walked around, I was able to see how the concept exists amid the curriculum in the leadership of the teachers as well as the spirit of enthusiasm of the students," she said while addressing students and teachers. She also visited one of the primary school classrooms and learned about the reading programs. The wife of US President said that back home she works with children to promote similar ideas of well-being through the 'BE BEST' initiative. According to the White House, the mission of BE BEST is to focus on some of the major issues being faced by children today. As the name suggests, the goal of the program is to encourage children to be best in their individual paths, while also teaching them the importance of social, emotional and physical health. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sen, Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) arrives as the impeachment trial of U.S. President Donald Trump continues in Washington on Jan. 27, 2020. (Reuters/Joshua Roberts) Sen. Rubio Urges National Security Review of Deal Between AT&T, Czech Firm, Citing China Concerns A U.S. senator has requested that the government review AT&Ts pending sale of its stake in a European media company to a Czech investment firm, because of the Czech companys links to the Chinese communist regime. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), in a Feb. 26 letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Attorney General William Barr, urged a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to consider the national security implications of AT&Ts pending $1.1 billion sale to PPF Group of its stake in Central European Media Enterprises (CME Group). The sale was announced last November. CFIUS, a U.S. interagency panel thats chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, reviews mergers, acquisitions, and stock purchases to ensure they dont harm U.S. national security. Rubio said in the letter that PPF Group and its chief executive officer, Petr Kellner, have a record of acting as Chinas proxies inside the Czech Republic. The claim was based on revelations made by Czech online daily newspaper Aktualne.cz that PPF funded a public relations firm to improve the Chinese regimes image among Czech media, politicians, and the public. This work included spying on Czech politicians, pressuring media to withdraw news articles critical of China, and creating a new think-tank, Sinoskop, to employ biased analysts to influence public debate, Rubio wrote. He noted that about a third of PPFs profits come from its subsidiary Home Credit, an individual lending business in China. According to business publication Ekonom, PPF earned more than 2 billion euros (about $2.2 billion) in China in 2017. As a result, Mr. Kellner and his companies have supported Chinas malign activities abroad, Rubio wrote. It has come to my attention that PPF has already used its expected acquisition of CMEs Czech media outlets to intimidate Czech media and politicians into silence, he said. CME has 30 channels that reach about 45 million viewers across five countries: the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. The senator said the United States has an interest in preserving a free and open media environment overseas as well as preventing the Chinese Communist Party from subverting these platforms in its efforts to undermine democratic norms worldwide. The Justice Department and Treasury Department didnt immediately respond to requests by The Epoch Times for comment. The Chinese regime has ramped up efforts in recent years to influence public perceptions abroad through its state-run media and by directly or indirectly injecting its propaganda and narrative into foreign media outlets. In 2013, CFIUS reportedly blocked a deal by Phoenix TV to buy two Los Angeles radio stations. Phoenix TV is a Hong Kong-based broadcaster owned by a former Chinese military officer and has close ties to Beijing officials. Alleging that "Gujarat model" has been replicated in Delhi which has witnessed large-scale communal violence over the CAA, the NCP on Thursday called for Union Home Minister Amit Shahs resignation. The responsibility of maintaining law and order in Delhi is with the Union home ministry. Maharashtra minister and NCP national spokesperson Nawab Malik also demanded a probe into whether the home minister could not handle the situation in the national capital or he had allegedly given instructions to the police to not respond quickly to the situation. Opposition parties have accused the police of being a silent spectator to the riots in the national capital, where the death toll has reached 34. The Congress has already demanded Shahs resignation. The Gujarat model has been repeated in Delhi, Malik told reporters here, apparently referring to the 2002 riots in the BJP-ruled western state. Whether the home minister could not handle the situation in Delhi or he himself had given such instructions to the police should be probed. He should resign immediately, Malik said. Malik accused the Delhi police of not discharging their duty and falling prey to political pressure. He also pitched for resignation of another Union minister, Anurag Thakur, and Delhi BJP leader Kapil Mishra for allegedly making provocative speeches. Meanwhile, Malik said the Mumbai NCP will organise a meeting of party workers on March 1. NCP president Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and party's state unit chief Jayant Patil will attend the meeting, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) She opened up the day before about the anxiety she felt upon returning to the rebooted Jersey Shore. Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi continued her Jersey Shore media tour on Wednesday as she arrived ahead of a Good Morning America taping in a lustrous black dress. The 32-year-old reality star was joined on the raining day by her co-stars Jenni 'JWoww' Farley, 33, Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, 37, Deena Nicole Cortese, 33, and Vinny Guadagnino, 32, before moving on to SiriusXM studios. Making the rounds: Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, 32, continued her Jersey Shore: Family Vacation media tour on Wednesday as she arrived ahead of a Good Morning America taping in a lustrous black dress Snooki looked fierce as she walked up to the studio in her black dress, which was covered in textured stripes. The short outfit highlighted her toned legs, and she also had on a pair of black suede boots. She covered up on the chilly morning in a sheer black coat and had a beige Gucci handbag slung over her shoulders. Back in black: Snooki looked fierce as she walked up to the studio in her black dress, which was covered in textured stripes Revealing: The short outfit highlighted her toned legs, and she also had on a pair of black suede boots On Tuesday, Snooki and the Jersey Shore: Family Vacation crew stopped by the Today show to chat about the reinvigorated reality series. She opened up about her struggles appearing for three seasons on the new series and why she was planning on departing after the third season finished airing. She said appearing on the show was 'a lot' and that filming took long hours for extended periods. She also got 'anxiety' while filming because she didn't 'get a lot of help with the three children she shares with her husband Jionni LaValle. Missing her family: On Tuesday, she opened up on Today about the 'anxiety' she felt while filming the new series because of the long hours and time away from her three children JWoww rocked a lighter ensemble as she hit the studio. The Snooki & JWoww star wore a hypnotizing black and white prominent gold buttons and a black blouse. She covered up with a pair of thigh-high black boots and wore a set of round-frame sunglasses. During her GMA appearance, she stunned the audience when she revealed that the entire cast didn't receive a salary during the first season of Jersey Shore, which aired in 2009. Each person received a $200 per week allowance, but no substantial payment. Classy: JWoww rocked a lighter ensemble as she hit the studio. The Snooki & JWoww star wore a hypnotizing black and white prominent gold buttons and a black blouse Low key: JWoww arrived with Deena, who had on a sheer white shirt covered in silver crosses and left mostly unbuttoned, over sparkling black leggings and black boots Dodging raindrops: She pulled a black and brown plaid coat over her head to stay dry before her TV appearance JWoww arrived with Deena, who had on a sheer white shirt covered in silver crosses and left mostly unbuttoned, over sparkling black leggings and black boots. She pulled a black and brown plaid coat over her head to stay dry before her TV appearance. The Situation, who was released from prison in September after pleading guilty to one count of tax evasion, looked casual in a puffy black down jacket over a white shirt, dark sweatpants and white Yeezy Boost 350s. He shared an anecdote during the broadcast about meeting President Donald Trump's convicted former attorney Michael Cohen, who would regularly sit next to him at lunch and dinner time and tried to smuggle extra chicken for him. His co-star Vinny arrived in a thick black coat, a gray shirt, dark jeans and charcoal trainers, along with a bag for a change of clothes. During the interview, he was asked to show off one of the stripping moves he had developed while appearing on the rebooted show, which was a cross between a push-up and an undulating worm motion. Bundled up: The Situation, who was released from prison in September, looked casual in a puffy black down jacket over a white shirt, dark sweatpants and white Yeezy Boost 350s Bulking up: He shared an anecdote during the broadcast about meeting President Donald Trump's convicted former attorney Michael Cohen, who sat next to him at mealsand tried to smuggle extra chicken for him Incognito: His co-star Vinny arrived in a thick black coat, a gray shirt, dark jeans and charcoal trainers, along with a bag for a change of clothes While at the GMA studio, Snooki had a fortuitous run-in with one of her celebrity idols: The Invisible Man's Elisabeth Moss. 'I realized @elisabethmossofficial was at GMA & i was stalking her all morning. I had to go potty and low and behold , there she was. I attacked her and screamed. After i assaulted her i asked for a picture and she was the nicest woman ever. I LOVE YOU, BLESSED BE MAWMA,' she wrote. Following their TV appearance, the whole group sans Vinny headed over to SiriusXM studios for an interview with Bravo boss Andy Cohen. The ladies stuck with the same outfits, though Mike stripped down to show off his bulging biceps. Star-struck: While at the GMA studio, Snooki had a fortuitous run-in with one of her celebrity idols: The Invisible Man's Elisabeth Moss Persistent: 'I realized @elisabethmossofficial was at GMA & i was stalking her all morning. I had to go potty and low and behold , there she was. I attacked her and screamed,' she wrote On the move: Following their TV appearance, the whole group sans Vinny headed over to SiriusXM studios Flexing: The ladies stuck with the same outfits, though Mike stripped down to show off his bulging biceps Indias massive build up will deter Chinese from indulging in misadventure Unless trust deficit is removed, we will be very weary says Army Chief Ladakh standoff: No de-escalation without complete disengagement at all friction points, says Army Chief Be prepared for security challenge: Indian Army chief tells troops India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Srinagar, Feb 27: Army Chief General M M Naravane exhorted the troops deployed along the Line of Control in the Kashmir Valley to remain alert and be prepared to meet any emerging security challenge. Gen Naravane, who arrived on his maiden visit to Kashmir on Tuesday after taking over as the Army Chief, visited the formations and units deployed along the LoC on Wednesday. "The Chief of Army Staff was briefed by the local commanders on the situation on the Line of Control, ceasefire violations, our retaliations, counter infiltration operations and operational preparedness being maintained," a defence spokesman said. The Chief of Army staff was accompanied by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Y K Joshi and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen K J S Dhillon. Mukund Naravane: The no-nonsense General of the Indian Army He exhorted the soldiers to remain alert for any eventuality and reinforced the need to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges effectively at all times. "During his interaction with the soldiers on snow-clad heights, Gen Naravane was appreciative of the sharp vigil and alertness along the Line of Control and high morale of the troops," the spokesman said. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 The army chief was earlier briefed by the Chinar Corps Commander at the Badami Bagh Cantonment here on the overall situation pertaining to the LoC and the hinterland. Gen Naravane also interacted with senior officials of the Jammu and Kashmir administration and security forces. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 8:37 [IST] The government will from March 2020 withdraw military component of its anti-illegal mining task force, Operation Vanguard, from the field. Citi News sources at the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining suggested that this is because, so far, over 1,000 small scale miners have been vetted and cleared to mine under environmentally friendly laws. To continue effective monitoring, mining guards and 144 trained Nation Builders Corps drone pilots will be deployed. Operation Vanguard started as a Military-Police Joint Task Force set up in 2017 to combat the operations of illegal miners in Ghana. More soon ---citinewsroom AltMed Florida Dispensary Design Were excited to be opening another MUV location to serve patients on the east coast of Florida as we continue our rapid expansion throughout our home state, and we're proud to be the first MMTC in Ormond Beach AltMed Florida will become the first company to open a medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC) in Ormond Beach, with a grand opening scheduled at its newest MUV Dispensary at 290 Clyde Morris Boulevard, Suite 2, set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 (approved by the Florida Department of Health's Office of Medical Marijuana Use and pending final approvals from local government). With the opening in Ormond Beach, the Sarasota-based company now has 18 MUV Dispensaries across the state and continues to be one of the fastest growing MMTC in Florida (source: OMMU). The new MUV Medical Cannabis Dispensary is located within a cluster of several other medical offices and clinics just south of West Granada Boulevard and about three miles east of Interstate 95. Were excited to be opening another MUV location to serve patients on the east coast of Florida as we continue our rapid expansion throughout our home state, said AltMed Director of Corporate Affairs Todd Beckwith. Were proud to be the first MMTC to open in Ormond Beach to provide more convenient service for patients in this community. During the grand opening, all licensed Florida medical cannabis patients will receive 25 percent off their entire first purchase and the first 100 patients will receive a MUV SWAG bag with their purchase. Patients can also order online at muvfl.com for express pickup or delivery after the opening weekend. The Ormond Beach MUV Dispensary will offer an extensive selection of award-winning products including flower, pre-rolls, a wide range of vaporizer pens, metered dose inhalers, topicals, oral sprays, patent-pending encapsulation formulations in its Tinctures, 72-Hour Transdermal patches and transdermal gels. MUV is also recognized for having one of the widest selections of concentrates for patients needing macro-dosing options. Our dispensaries set the standard for quality products, service and overall patient experience at our current locations and were excited to offer our premium MUV medical cannabis brand to even more patients as we expand our presence throughout the state, said AltMed Florida CEO John Tipton. Our MUV dispensaries are unlike any in the state and were excited to invite licensed patients throughout Volusia County, and nearby Lake, Flagler and Seminole Counties, to visit our newest state-of-the-art location in Ormond Beach. Like AltMed Floridas 17 other locations (Apollo Beach, Clearwater, Deerfield Beach, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville/San Marco, Jacksonville Beach, Lakeland, Longwood/Orlando, Lutz, Downtown Orlando, Pensacola, Sebastian, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa and Wellington/West Palm), the new Ormond Beach MUV Dispensary stands out from others because its designed as a premium experience think Apple Store, with a modern, open-concept design and expert staff with extensive training. The MUV brand already has a wide following in other legal medical cannabis markets, including Arizona, where it has won five Best of Arizona medical cannabis awards. MUV products are sold exclusively in Florida at MUV dispensaries because, unlike other states, Florida does not allow wholesale of product between license holders - only products that license holders make themselves can be sold in their dispensaries. For more information about the new ADA-compliant MUV Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Ormond Beach, including hours and available MUV products, visit muvfl.com. AltMed Florida is on pace to open 40 MUV Medical Cannabis Dispensaries across the state, all supplied by its 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art cultivation facility. Visit this link for images of AltMed Floridas cultivation operations and watch this brief video to see what makes AltMed Florida and its MUV Medical Cannabis Dispensaries stand out. About Plants of Ruskin, LLC - d.b.a. AltMed Florida, LLC- With a focus on quality and attention to detail, Plants of Ruskin has more than 35 years of experience in providing seedlings to farmers for vegetable and medical product production. Plants of Ruskin founders, the Dickman Family, are 4th generation farmers with a long history of working in conjunction with the University of Florida, including an endowed chair specifically dedicated to plant improvement. About AltMed Enterprises - Alternative Medical Enterprises, LLC, headquartered in Sarasota, FL and doing business as AltMed Enterprises, is a fully integrated medical cannabis company that brings compassion, community engagement and pharmaceutical industry precision to the development, production and dispensing of medical cannabinoids. About MUV - The MUV brand of cannabis infused products was launched in Arizona in 2016 and quickly gained international attention and recognition. In its first six months alone, MUV received four best of Arizona medical cannabis awards, including two first prizes for its proprietary Ethanol extractions that are the basis of all MUV products. Forward-Looking Statements - To the extent any statements made in this press release contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking in nature and merely express our beliefs, expectations or opinions. For example, words such as may, should, estimates, predicts, continues, believes, anticipates, plans, expects, intends, potential, strategy and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations or estimates and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) our ability to implement our business strategy of distributing high quality cannabis products where permissible under applicable law; (ii) availability and cost of additional capital; (iii) our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees and management; (iv) the impact of federal, state or local government regulations; (v) competition in the cannabis industry; (vi) our ability to generate revenues; and (vii) litigation in connection with our business. All forward-looking statements included in this press release and attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are qualified by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, regardless of whether new information becomes available, future developments occur or otherwise. MANILA, Philippines Another Filipino worker in Hong Kong has tested positive for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Philippine Consulate General said Thursday. Citing information from the Hong Kong Health Department, the consulate said the latest case is a 29-year old Filipina. The Hong Kong Health Department officially informed the Consulate General this morning that a 29-year old Filipina has tested positive for COVID-19, the consulate said in a statement. It added that they immediately coordinated with the Filipina to ascertain her condition. She is in good spirits and said she no longer has fever. She added that she is well taken care of but hospital visits are not allowed given that she is in isolation, it said. The latest report brings the number of Filipinos infected with novel coronavirus in Hong Kong to two. The first Filipino COVID-19 patient in Hong Kong is expected to be released from the hospital this week, provided her test results remain negative, the consulate said. It added that as of Thursday, February 27, the remaining Filipino undergoing quarantine remains healthy and asymptomatic, and will be released on Friday, February 28. The consulate assured it will continue to closely monitor the condition of all Filipinos in Hong Kong and render all necessary assistance to the them. The post Another Filipina contracts COVID-19 in Hong Kong appeared first on UNTV News. Apple's plans for a new iPhone could be delayed amid problems with coronavirus, according to a new report. New travel restrictions intended to stop the spread of the disease have arrived just as the company would be expected to start production on the iPhone 12, which is expected to get its release date in September. Though the phones don't usually go into production until the summer, the first months of the year are usually spent ensuring that manufacturers are ready to cope with the demand for the new handsets. But problems with travel, and sickness could cause problems as the company enters a key stage of iPhone production, Reuters reported, citing experts in the company's supply chain. Usually, Apple employees would work with those from Foxconn the Chinese company that runs the factories where most iPhones are made on a process called "engineering validation". That sees a small number of workers assemble the phones and troubleshoot any problems that arise, Reuters reported. 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 "They probably have one assembly line they're trying things out on," one of the former employees, quoted by Reuters, said. "Are Apple's engineers with the Foxconn engineers? If they are, they're probably making progress. But if they're not, if they're quarantined, that could be bad." In March and April, Apple engineers would usually work with staff at Foxconn to set up the assembly lines and try them out, before making any required adjustments in April and May, Reuters reported. Everything would be ready by June so that it could gradually step up the output of iPhones to have enough ready to meet the demand once the handsets are released. Almost all of the components that go into Apple's phones are custom-made, meaning that the timing and engineering work must line up to ensure that the pieces are ready to be assembled in their millions ahead of the September release date. Jens Spahn noted that it is impossible to follow the whole infection chain in Germany Open source German Health Minister Jens Spahn warned that Germany is at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic as DW reported. Unfortunately, during the last hours, the situation has changed. It is a shame, but we have to recognize it, the minister said. According to the official, during the phone talk with states ministers of health, he urged them to activate their plans of emergency events in case of the epidemic and prepare their possible implementation. Moreover, Spahn mentioned that it is impossible to follow the whole infection chain in Germany. That is why the issue is raised whether the assumed measures and strategies to stop the virus will prove their values as the minister recognized. Meanwhile, the German doctors confirmed 19 cases of infection with coronavirus. 14 of them spotted in Bavaria; all diseased are workers of one company. They infected with coronavirus via a college from China who arrived in Munich for a conference. Other cases are spotted in Baden-Wurttemberg state, where three infected are spotted and North Rhine-Westphalia state, where one of the couple was diagnosed with coronavirus. As we reported, the first case of infection with Chinese coronavirus has been observed in Romania. The patient is now at the infectious disease hospital in Bucharest. Besides, the infection with coronavirus was spotted in mainland Spain. The incident was observed in Catalunya. A 36-year-old Italian was hospitalized; she traveled to Milan and Bergamo for ten days, and then she felt sick. Currently, she just suffers from typical symptoms of influenza. Medics consider it is a light case of coronavirus infection. Moreover, a patient with the suspicion on coronavirus was hospitalized to University Hospital in Krakow, Poland. HARTFORD A week after Gov. Ned Lamont pulled the plug on his signature proposal for trucks-only highway tolls, his chief of staff Ryan Drajewicz, a former hedge fund executive from Westports Bridgewater Associates, has resigned. Lamont said Drajewicz, who initially led Lamonts transition team, was always on a one-year timeline as a member of the governors administration, but extended his work as the tolls saga played out. As chief of staff hes been my friend, my compadre, he talks me off the ledge when I ought to be talked off the ledge, he comes with me into battle when its time for battle and I love working with this man every day, but hes told me its time for him to go back into the private sector, Lamont said. Paul Mounds, the states chief operating officer, will take over as chief of staff, becoming the first African American to hold the role in state history. Mounds has worked in staff roles for several Connecticut Democratic elected leaders. Im usually the guy who likes to be in the background, Mounds said during an official announcement of the staff changes in Lamonts office. Thats going to change. Josh Geballe, commissioner of the state Department of Administrative Services, will become the COO while also maintaining his current role. Mounds said Geballe will not receive a pay increase for taking on the additional role. The COO role was created by Lamont to oversee agency commissioners and work with them to translate his strategic agenda into operational initiatives. He said Thursday there is some overlap now between that role and work Geballe has already been doing as DAS commissioner. Geballe said he has put in a place a strong team within DAS that requires less operational oversight, which will allow him to take on the second position. It frees up time to expand the aperture of working with the other agencies on new and expanded agencies, Geballe said. Drajewicz, who lives in Fairfield with his wife and six-year-old son, said he has not yet thought about his next step, but that he intends to spend more time with is family now that he will no longer have to commute to Hartford. In reflecting on his time as chief of staff, said that while the outcome of the transportation plan was disappointing, hes pleased with the work that went into the project. Its easy, I think, to score that as it relates to an outcome, but what actually went into that was a big win, he said. Pulling that together, what we learned from our partners in Washington as well as the other states, I think really changed the dynamic with respect to how we think about our infrastructure, how we think about funding our infrastructure and theres new things that, while the plan as we put forth, will be much different. I ultimately think the governors commitment to our infrastructure will remain, and were just going to get it done in a different way. Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, who traveled to Washington, D.C. with Drajewicz over the summer to learn about federal transportation funding, wished the outgoing chief of staff well as he departs state government. While we may have disagreed on policy issues, I was always able to communicate with him directly and openly, Fasano said. He is a hard worker who welcomed dialogue on how to improve our state and help its residents. The moves come just over a week after the deputy chief of staff, Marc Bradley, also resigned. Bradley was campaign manager for Lamont in 2018. The leadership transition will take place over the course of the next week. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt Washington, DC, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), is pleased Wells Fargo has continued to honor and invest in our nations publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) through their support of TMCF with $1.2 million contribution for 2020. The total investment from Wells Fargo into the lives of thousands of deserving students has been over $8 million since 2007. These funds have been used for scholarships, leadership development, career opportunities, financial wellness, and other critically important support services for the nearly 300,000 students TMCF represents. Wells Fargo has proven to be one of the nations strongest corporate supporters for the entire black college community, said Harry L. Williams, TMCF president & CEO. I am most proud of the support they have provided for not only scholarships but the financial literacy education all of our HBCU students, especially our first-generation college and corporate scholars so desperately need. We are most grateful for their continued support of TMCF, our work, and our students through this most recent investment of $1.2 million. The TMCF programming this significant gift from Wells Fargo will support is far-reaching and impactful across many different offerings for HBCU students such as The Pitch 2020, TMCFs Innovation and Entrepreneurial competition, Teacher Quality and Retention Program (TQRP), the 20th Annual TMCF Leadership Institute, 33rd Anniversary Awards Gala, and the return of the TMCF | Wells Fargo scholarships for deserving students. I am deeply proud of Wells Fargos partnership with The Thurgood Marshall College Fund. As a member of TMCFs board, I have seen the direct impact Wells Fargo is making in the lives of these brilliant students and their families for generations to come, said Rob Engel, co-head of Wells Fargos Corporate and Investment Bank. Together, we are paving a path to excellence by attracting and training the best and brightest students who will continue the legacy of Wells Fargos partnership with TMCF and make a significant difference in and around their communities. ### About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nations largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: www.tmcf.org. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks at a press conference to announce the impeachment managers on Capitol Hill January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday called the stock market sell-off "disturbing," and she criticized the Trump administration's response to the global coronavirus outbreak and outlined conditions for emergency funding. The California Democrat also pushed back on President Donald Trump's suggestion during a Wednesday evening White House briefing on the health crisis that the market plunge was at least in part the fault of Democratic presidential candidates. "Lives are at stake," she said. "This is not a time for name-calling or playing politics." Pelosi's comments at her weekly press conference came as equities sank into correction territory of a 10% retreat from recent highs. Investors have been shaken by warnings that the coronavirus, which has killed more than 2,700 people globally and infected tens of thousands, is likely to spread further into the U.S. "The market drop," Pelosi said, "is disturbing." "We want to instill confidence" and work to prevent the coronavirus in the U.S. "without panicking people about this," she said. "The market will do what it does with the invisible hand," Pelosi added, but "it does show some fragility on the part of the market that it would drop so much." Pelosi also raised concerns about the Trump administration's leadership in its response to the virus. She said she spoke Thursday morning with Vice President Mike Pence, whom Trump put in charge of coordinating the crisis, and "made some of these concerns known to him." Pelosi said she's "always had a very candid relationship" with Pence "and I expressed to him the concern that I had of his being in this position." She noted Pence's handling of an HIV outbreak in Indiana when he was governor there, which was criticized as being slow and driven by ideology over science. New York, USA, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a report published by Research Dive, the global chromatography system market is anticipated to reach $16,014.9 million by 2026 at a CAGR of 6.6% from $8564.3 million in 2018 during the forecast period, 2018-2026. The report provides a definition of the market, segment analysis, inclusions and exclusions, its primary characteristics and differentiators, and sheds light on the various aspects of the competition the market has been going through. The report also includes an overview of the market size, different segments of the market, scope, trends and opportunities. The report offers an overview of the chromatography system global market with a concise outline of its key segments. The research report divides the market by type, end-user, and region. Based on type, the report divides the market into liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and others. Based on end-user, the report divides the market into hospital and research industries, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, agricultural and food industry, and others. This comprehensive study offers well-researched data regarding the driving factors, obstacles, and opportunities prevailing in the global chromatography system market. Ask for Sample Report at https://www.researchdive.com/download-sample/37 Major Growth Drivers The global chromatography system market is mainly driven by the hospital & research industry, due to wide range of usage in R&D activities, separation of complex mixtures and cancer cells identification in human body. In food industry the chromatography technique is utilized for separation of organic compounds, vitamins, amino acids and contaminants in the food product, these will enhance the growth of the chromatography market. The chromatography system has wide range of applications such as air quality monitoring. In chemical industry air monitoring is used to identify the purity of chemicals and examining the chemical compounds that will enhance the chromatography system market growth. Obstacles on the way The price of the device and availability of alternative techniques will restrict the growth of chromatic system market. Lack of skilled labor is the major factor hindering the chromatography systems market growth. The market is mainly restrained by cost of the instrument and it requires skilled personal to conduct analysis and operate the instrument. Additionally, less accuracy and uncertainty of analytical results when compare with alternative techniques may hinder the chromatography system market growth. Opportunities Growing the importance of chromatography system in research laboratories, protein purification and forensic laboratory is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. Additionally, rising the number of research & developments and improvements in chromatography techniques in order to improve the accuracy and precision of analytical results will create better growth opportunities in the near future. Increasing investments from governments in forensic labs to determine the reason for death, to identify alcohol content in body of the victims by using body parts, this is achieved with the help of chromatography system. These factors will enhance growth of the market. Gas chromatography to reign the market till the end of 2026 Gas chromatography system market led the market share in the year 2018, generated a revenue of $3.6 billion and anticipated to account for $6.3 billion over forecast period, owing to wide range of usage in quality control in production of petroleum chemicals and R&D in pharmaceutical, environmental and biomedical industries. Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology segment to dominate the market with a CAGR of 7.3% Hospital & research segment generated a revenue of $3,254.4 million in 2018, and it is expected to account for $5,983.1 million by 2026, at a CAGR of 7.0%. Chromatography is the most powerful diagnostic technique in hospital & research sector. Additionally, the chromatography system industry size for pharmaceutical & biotechnology industry is expected to reach $5,651.4 million over forecast period, owing to growing the pharmaceutical industries in Asia Pacific region countries. Asia Pacific to bring massive opportunities Europe will experience a robust growth over forecast period. Owing to strong presence of pharmaceutical companies in this region, and these manufacturers are investing on research activities and geographical expansion. Along with Europe, Asia Pacific chromatography system market is experience substantial growth in the coming years and it is anticipated to account for $3,283.9 million by 2026, and increasing from $1,712.9 million in 2018, due to rising the pharmaceutical industries, medicines developments and biological research. Key Players of the market The key players of the chromatography system market include JASCO Inc., Agilent Technologies Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., Shimadzu Corporation, Pall Corporation, GE Healthcare, Novasep Holding, Waters Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., GL Sciences Inc., and Quadrex Corporation among many others. MANILA, Philippines The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said it is now tracing passengers who arrived Tuesday in Cebu from north Gyeongsang province in South Korea, a day after the government imposed partial travel restrictions on the East Asian nation due to the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) there. The DOH issued the statement following reports that 26 South Koreans from Daegu landed at Mactan Cebu International Airport on Tuesday evening. Daegu is among the areas covered by the Philippines temporary entry ban on travelers from north Gyeongsang, which was announced on Wednesday after South Korea reported increase in confirmed coronavirus infections. DOH-7 regional director Jaime Bernadas said they are now working to locate the passengers, with the help of the Bureau of Quarantine and other local government agencies. Bernadas said the passengers will be treated as persons under monitoring even if they are not manifesting symptoms of the deadly disease. Susubaybayan natin sila kung saan sila pupunta, kung saan sila pumunta, kung saang hotel sila and advise the hotel kung nasaan sila at kung anong mga restrictions. Sa hotels, sa resorts, i-veverify natin ang kanilang whereabouts, he said. He also said that the travelers will not be placed under quarantine, but they will be advised to follow self-isolation protocol. They will also be brought to a hospital should they develop symptoms. Wala tayong advisory on doing the quarantine on them, i-momonitor lang natin sila muna. At kung may nararamdaman na sila, dadalhin na diretso sa ospital, he said. As of February 27, there are now 82,164 people infected with the virus. Outside China, South Korea reported the highest number of confirmed coronavirus infections with more than 1,200 cases. RRD (with details from Correspondent Gladys Toabi) The post DOH traces 26 Korean passengers of Cebu-bound flight amid coronavirus spread in South Korea appeared first on UNTV News. Diplomat Abhishek Singh has been appointed India's next Ambassador to Venezuela, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. Singh, a 2003-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, is currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian embassy in Kabul, the MEA said in a statement. He is expected to take up the assignment "shortly", it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The wedding band is normally worn stacked first on the finger, to be closest to the heart. When the bride begins her journey down the aisle she may wear her diamond engagement ring on the ring finger of her right hand, to slip on after the band goes on. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 05:46:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BOGOTA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A Colombian military helicopter crashed on Thursday in central Cundinamarca Department, killing three of the five crew members on board, Colombia's Air Force (FAC) said. "The air force reports that the Huey II helicopter ... which was flying between Air Combat Command No. 4, in Melgar-Tolima, and Air Maintenance Command, in the city of Madrid, in Cundinamarca, crashed in the area of Bojaca," the FAC said. Cundinamarca's risk management agency said the two survivors remained trapped in the fuselage. Firefighters from nearby towns, as well as rescue teams from the air force and army, had been dispatched to the accident site to attend to the victims. According to the FAC, the aircraft last communicated with ground control at 11:10 a.m. local time (1610 GMT). FORT MYERS, Fla., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Chico's FAS, Inc. (NYSE: CHS) (the "Company") today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per share of its common stock, a 3% increase over the March 2019 dividend rate. This represents the tenth annual increase since the dividend was established in 2010. The dividend is payable on March 30, 2020 to the Company's shareholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 2020. ABOUT CHICO'S FAS, INC. The Company, through its brands Chico's, White House Black Market, Soma and TellTale, a digital-first intimates brand, is a leading omnichannel specialty retailer of women's private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates and complementary accessories. As of February 1, 2020, the Company operated 1,341 stores in the U.S. and Canada and sold merchandise through 70 international franchise locations in Mexico and 2 domestic franchise airport locations. The Company's merchandise is also available at www.chicos.com, www.chicosofftherack.com, www.whbm.com, www.soma.com and www.mytelltale.com as well as through third party channels. For more detailed information on the Company, please go to our corporate website at www.chicosfas.com. The information on our corporate website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this press release or incorporated into our federal securities law filings. Investor Relations Contact: Tom Filandro ICR, Inc. (646) 277-1235 [email protected] Chico's FAS, Inc. 11215 Metro Parkway Fort Myers, Florida 33966 (239) 277-6200 SOURCE Chico's FAS, Inc. Related Links http://www.chicos.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) A Supreme Court decision which would supposedly rule out ABS-CBNs bid for continued operations sans a franchise is not applicable to the media giants case, a senator said Thursday. Disagreeing with the sentiment of former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the 2003 ruling (Associated Communications & Wireless Services versus National Telecommunications Commission) does not directly apply to the network, as the petitioner in the case did not have an existing franchise nor had a pending franchise application before the legislature. The case cited by Chief Justice Puno, with all due respect, is not squarely applicable here, Drilon told CNN Philippines The Source. After that Congress expired and no franchise was issued, and no application was made in the next Congress, the SC said yes, you need a franchise In the case of ABS-CBN, it's a different situation. There is a pending application, it is being debated upon actively, he added. The high courts unanimous decision penned by Puno himself stated that there is a need for an existing license before a corporation can operate. The former top magistrate, in a separate interview, said even Congress order for a provisional permit from the NTC would not be executory if the Lopez-owned network fails to renew its 25-year franchise, which is set to lapse on May 4. RELATED: ABS-CBN cannot operate without a franchise ex-Chief Justice Gaps in the law? While the lawmaker respects Punos view, Drilon emphasized the interpretation of the Constitution is not the exclusive monopoly of the high court. He said the opinions of other government agenciesincluding Congress and the Justice Department should also be given due consideration. Both houses of Congress all said the franchise can continue to be valid while we are deliberating on the application. (Justice) Secretary (Menardo) Guevarra concurred with that view. Here, we have two branches of government who are co-equal to the Supreme Court saying yes, we can do it, added Drilon, who filed Wednesday a concurrent resolution seeking the issuance of a provisional permit for ABS-CBN. The Justice Department meanwhile stressed there is "sufficient equitable basis" to allow media companies to operate while their measures are being tackled in Congress, as the practice has been done in the past. In its legal guidance sent to NTC, the department admitted there may be "gaps" in the Constitution, as our laws do not indicate whether or not a company should be prohibited to run pending judgment on its franchise renewal. "This practice of Congress is not merely a matter of procedure, as it significantly affects substantial rights. For such reason, it is imperative that the same treatment be extended to all entitities seeking the renewal of their franchises which are about to expire. Otherwise, it runs afoul of the basic principles of fairness and justice," DOJ said in its opinion dated February 26 and released Thursday. Action for provisional permit The House committee on legislative franchises formally asked Wednesday the NTC to grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority so it can continue operating pending legislative action on the 12 bills currently filed before the lower chamber. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said the House may only tackle the pending measures by May at the earliest, as more urgent bills are still on the table for lawmakers. Resolutions seeking to prolong the validity of the networks existing franchise until 2022 have also been filed in both houses of Congress. Drilon said the move would give lawmakers the platform to dissect ABS-CBNs case more dispassionately. A 1994 agreement between the House of Representatives, the NTC, and the media group Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas provides a mechanism for media entities with expiring Congressional franchises. The memorandum of understanding states that the NTC "shall continue to issue and grant permits or authorizations to operate" for radio and TV stations for a two-year period as long as there is a pending bill seeking to renew their franchise. ABS-CBNs franchise renewal was highlighted earlier this month following the quo warranto petition of Solicitor General Jose Calida. Calida had cited highly abusive practices by the network including foreign ownership and operational issues allegations that ABS-CBN itself had debunked. READ: Duterte accepts ABS-CBN apology, silent on franchise support [February 27, 2020] Schwab Index Funds, Trust Bank Earn Key Roles in $375 Million Private College 529 Plan Charles Schwab announced today its role in the $375 million conversion of Private College 529 Plan, a unique college savings program collectively owned by nearly 300 private colleges and universities nationwide. As of February 10, approximately 65% of the plan's portfolio - or $240 million - has been invested in low-cost cap-weighted index funds managed by Charles Schwab Investment Management (CSIM). In addition, Charles Schwab Trust Bank has been named as custodian for all assets in the plan. "We are so pleased to be part of a program that supports a key planning need for families in such a unique way," said Omar Aguilar, Chief Investment Officer, Passive Equity and Multi-Asset Strategies at CSIM. "Our goal is to support Private College 529 in its mission to make private college education more affordable." In April 2019, Private College 529 appointed Intuition College Savings Solutions, a well-established independent administrator of college savings and prepaid tuition plans, to provide record-keeping and customer services for schools and families. Intuition selected Charles Schwab Trust Bank to serve as custodian for the plan. Private College 529 also tapped CSIM's Portfolio Construction Framework analytics team to take a close look at the plan and conduct asset / liability modeling. Through framework simulations, Schwab was able to illustrate how Private College 529 Plan could help deliver a diversified portfolio designed to have potentially less risk at a lower cost than it was previously paying and still address its liability needs. "We are thrilled with the collaboration of Intuition and the teams at Charles Schwab to help us enhance service to our college and university members while reducing custody and investment costs," said Bob Cole, President, Private College 529 Plan. "This helps our member schools, who after all, guarantee tuition and pay these costs. Families pay no fees." "Charles Schwab and Intuition were both attractive to us because of their emphasis on helping even more families save for college," said Timothy R. Warner, Chair of Private College 529's Board and Vice Provost at Stanford University. About Private College 529 Plan Private College 529 Plan launched in 2003. It is authorized under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. It is the only 529 plan not operated by a state government. Private College 529 is owned by nearly 300 private colleges and universities nationwide. The institutions offer prepaid tuition that can be used at any member or any that join in the future. Ownership of a Private College 529 account does not guarantee admission to any institution or affect the admissions process. About Intuition College Savings Solutions Intuition College Savings Solutions is the leading provider in the 529 industry, focused exclusively on development of premiere solutions for the college savings marketplace for over 30 years. ICSS consists of a team of seasoned experts, coupled with Align529 - a proprietary, adaptable platform - which allows ICSS to continually deliver on the vision of providing the best innovative online experience and custome support in the industry. ICSS currently administers eleven 529 plans with over one million accounts from offices in Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida. For more information about Intuition College Savings Solutions and Align529, visit intuitioncss.com or email [email protected]. About Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. With a straightforward lineup of core products and solutions for building the foundation of a portfolio, Charles Schwab Investment Management advocates for investors of all sizes with a steadfast focus on lowering costs and reducing unnecessary complexity. As of December 31, 2019, Charles Schwab Investment Management managed approximately $468.9 billion on a discretionary basis and approximately $18.1 billion on a non-discretionary basis. More information is available at www.schwabfunds.com. About Charles Schwab Trust Bank Charles Schwab Trust Bank (CSTB) provides directed trustee or custodian services for more than 15,000 retirement plans, other employee benefit plans and savings plans, with more than $293 billion in total assets as of January 31, 2020. CSTB also serves as trustee for a number of collective trust funds including the Schwab Managed Retirement Trust Funds, the Schwab Indexed Retirement Trust Funds and the Schwab Institutional Trust Funds, with combined assets of $18.1 billion as of December 31, 2019. About Charles Schwab At Charles Schwab we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients' goals with passion and integrity. More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. Disclosures Private College 529 Plan (the Plan) is established and maintained by Tuition Plan Consortium, LLC (TPC). Intuition College Savings Solutions, LLC (Intuition) is the Plan Administrator. Charles Schwab Investment Management, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Charles Schwab Trust Bank (CSTB) or any of its affiliates are not sponsors of, investment managers or distributors for the Private College 529 Plan. CSTB provides custody services to the plan. Investors in mutual funds and ETFs should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, or if available, the summary prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can view and download a prospectus by visiting schwabfunds.com/prospectus. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. As with any investment, it's possible to lose money by investing in a 529 or other educational savings plan. Additionally, by investing in a 529 plan outside of your state, you may lose tax benefits offered by your own state's plan. State tax treatment of earnings may vary. Purchasers of tuition certificates through the Private College 529 Plan should carefully consider the risks associated with purchases and refunds of tuition certificates. Investors should consider, before investing, whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available in such state's qualified tuition program. Information provided here represents Charles Schwab Investment Management's emerging thoughts on portfolio construction. Nothing should be construed as a recommendation or considered an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. You should not buy or sell any investment without first considering whether it is appropriate for your client based on his or her own particular situation. Diversification strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets. Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM) is the investment advisor for Schwab Funds, Laudus Funds and Schwab ETFs and provides non-discretionary advisory services to the Charles Schwab Trust Bank (CSTB) Collective Trust Funds. Schwab Funds and Laudus Funds are distributed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), (Member SIPC) which also provides brokerage products and services. Schwab ETFs are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO). Trust and custody services are provided by CSTB. CSIM, Schwab, and CSTB are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation and are not affiliated with SIDCO. 2020 Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. All rights reserved. (0220-0W8P) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005153/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, Feb. 27 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Three-day seminar entitled "The National preparation to mutual assessment by the Eurasian Group (on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism (EAG)): best practices of the OSCE states" began in Ashgabat on Feb. 26, 2020, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. Representatives of various ministries and state entities of Turkmenistan, including the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central Bank and State Committee for Statistics are taking part in the event. On the first day the participants touched upon the process of mutual assessment according to the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) method, including the issues of technical correspondence of the legislation to the FATF standards, understanding of relevant risks, transparency of legal persons and establishments, supervision in the private sector. In the consecutive days, the participants of the seminar will discuss the international cooperation in the area of combating money laundering and financing of terrorism, financial target sanctions, as well as the supervision in the field of established non-financial entities and professions. Recently, an interdepartmental commission was set up in Turkmenistan to prepare for the EAG event, which the country joined in 2010. In 2009, Turkmenistan adopted a law on combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Later, according to the recommendations of the FATF, an article was introduced on criminal liability for the financing of terrorism. T he biggest explosion in the universe since the Big Bang has been discovered by astronomers. The blast came from a supermassive black hole at the centre of a galaxy hundreds of millions of light-years away. Scientists say it released five times more energy than the previous record holder. Professor Melanie Johnston-Hollitt, from the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, said the event was extraordinarily energetic. The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) in Western Australia, one of the telescopes that detected the explosion in the Ophiuchus galaxy cluster / PA This is the most energetic outburst we have seen since the Big Bang, she told the PA news agency. She added that the age of the outburst is between 240 and 400 million years, as radio properties suggest it must have happened at least 240 million years ago and optical data indicates the upper limit to the age is 400 million years. Prof Johnston-Hollit explained: Weve seen outbursts in the centres of galaxies before but this one is really, really massive. But it happened very slowly like an explosion in slow motion that took place over hundreds of millions of years. The explosion occurred in the Ophiuchus galaxy cluster, about 390 million light-years from Earth, and was so powerful it blasted a hole in the cluster plasma the super-hot gas surrounding the black hole. Lead author of the study Dr Simona Giacintucci, from the Naval Research Laboratory in America, said the blast was similar to the 1980 eruption of Mount St Helens, which ripped the top off the mountain. Amazing NASA Space Images - In pictures 1 /80 Amazing NASA Space Images - In pictures Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the lunar surface during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 NASA This 1969 photograph of the eclipse of the sun was taken with a 16mm motion picture camera from the Apollo 12 spacecraft during its trans-Earth journey home from the moon. The fascinating view was created when the Earth moved directly between the sun and the Apollo 12 spacecraft NASA Astronaut Bruce McCandless II photographed 320 ft from the Space Shuttle Challenger during the first untethered EVA, made possible by his nitrogen jet propelled backpack (Manned Manuevering Unit or MMU) in 1984 NASA The brilliant tapestry of young stars flaring to life resemble a glittering fireworks display in the 25th anniversary NASA Hubble Space Telescope image NASA Space shuttle Atlantis blasts off from Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida in 2011. This lift off is the last in the 30-year-old shuttle program Getty Images The first teklevision image of Earth from a weather satellite taken by the TIROS-1 satellite in 1960 NASA The Echo 2 satellite in 1960. Once the balloon was launched into orbit, a prerecorded message from President Dwight Eisenhower was transmitted from California and heard with clarity in New Jersey NASA The original seven Mercury astronauts and pioneers in human space exsploration pose in their silver spacesuits in 1961 NASA President John F. Kennedy calls for a moon landing in 1961 durning Congress NASA Astronaut John Glenn climbs into his Friendship 7 space capsule in the Atlas rocket in 1962. Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth NASA A close-up view of an astronaut's bootprint in the lunar soil, photographed with a 70mm lunar surface camera during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity (EVA) on the moon in 1969 NASA Man's first landing on the Moon. Lunar Module, "Eagle," touched down gently on the Sea of Tranquility on the east side of the Moon. Astronauts Edwin Aldrin and Neil Armstrong wre the first men to walk on the Moon in 1969 NASA After an 8 month voyage to Mars, Mariner 4 makes the first flyby of the Mars (the red planet) in 1965 and became the first spacecraft to take close-up photographs of another planet NASA Astronaut Edward H. White II, pilot on the Gemini-Titan 4 spaceflight, is shown during his egress from the spacecraft. His face is covered by a shaded visor to protect him from the unfiltered rays of the sun. White became the first American astronaut to walk in space. He remained outside the spacecraft for 21 minutes during the third revolution of the Gemini-4 mission in 1965 NASA The X-15 completed 199 flights to the edge of space from 1959-1968. Neil Armstrong was one of it's budding young pilots NASA Earthrise over the moon from Apollo 8 in 1968 NASA American astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin and Michael Collins lift off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, in the mammoth-sized Saturn V rocket on their way to the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 Astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr. saluting the US flag on the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 11 lunar mission in 1969 NASA Home View of Moon limb with Earth on the horizon in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission NASA Apollo XI astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin laugh with President Richard Nixon aboard the USS Hornet in 1969 Richard Nixon Foundation via Getty Images Lunar mission Astronaut John W. Young, commander of the Apollo 16 lunar landing mission, leaps from the lunar surface as he salutes the United States flag at the Descartes landing site during the first Apollo 16 extravehicular activity (EVA) in 1972 NASA First image of Viking 1's foot plantid on martian soil foot in 1976 NASA The first ever long distance image of the Earth and Moon together. The image photograph was taken by Voyager 1 in 1977 NASA A dramatic view of Jupiter's Great Red Spot and its surroundings in 1979 NASA The first space shuttle launch Columbia lifts off in 1981 NASA Astronaut Sally Ride on the flight deck of the space shuttle Challenger in 1983. She became the first American woman in space NASA One of the most celebrated images taken by the Hubble called 'Pillars of Creation' NASA Space shuttle Challenger destructs after lift off in 1973 NASA NASA's Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope aboard ESA's SOHO spacecraft took this image of a huge, handle-shaped prominence in 1999. Prominences are huge clouds of relatively cool dense plasma suspended in the Sun's hot, thin corona NASA Trailing a column of flame and smoke that dwarfs it, Space Shuttle Endeavour leaps into the clear blue Florida sky on mission STS-99 in 2000 Space Shuttle Atlantis clears the tower as it roars into space on mission STS-106 after a perfect on-time launch in 2000 NASA 2004 The deepest view of 10,000 galaxies taken by the Hubble Space Telescope called the Hubble Ultra Field Deep (2004) NASA 2005 A new view of the Eagle Nebula, one of the two largest and sharpest images Hubble Space Telescope has ever taken (2005) NASA International Space Station pictured by the crew of Atlantis in 2008 NASA The rim of Gale Crater is visible in the distance, through the dusty haze, in this view of NASA's Curiosity rover of a sloping hillside on Mount Sharp NASA Taken on June 03, 2008 and released by NASA on June 4, 2008 shows US space shuttle Discovery Mission Specialist Michael Fossum being photographed by US Mission Specialist Ronald Garan (reflected in Fossum's face shield) as they work outside The International Space Station during the first of three planned space walks. AFP/Getty Images In celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, NASA's Great Observatories -- Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and Chandra X-ray Observatory -- have produced a matched trio of images of the central region of our Milky Way NASA A striking black and white image showing the detail of the planet Saturn NASA This majestic false-color image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows 'mountains' where stars are born. These towering pillars of cool gas and dust are illuminated at their tips with light from warm embryonic stars NASA The space shuttle Atlantis is seen over the Bahamas in 2011 prior to a perfect docking with the International Space Station NASA Aurora Australis, seen from a point over the southeast Tasman Sea near southern New Zealand. in 2011 NASA NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, Expedition 32 flight engineer, appears to touch the bright sun during the mission's third session of extravehicular activity (EVA). During the six-hour, 28-minute spacewalk in 2012 NASA Behold one of the more stunningly detailed images of the Earth yet created. This Blue Marble Earth montage, created from photographs taken by the VIIRS instrument in 2012 on board the Suomi NPP satellite, shows many stunning details of our home planet NASA Numerous recognizable features appear in this detailed view of London, photographed by an Expedition 10 crew member on the International Space Station (ISS). The most striking visual features are green open spaces such as Regent's Park, Hyde Park and St. James's Park east of Buckingham Palace NASA International Space Station image of London at night NASA This image of Tropical Storm Anna taken from the International Space Station in 2015 NASA Pluto's haze layer and its blue colour, taken by the New Horizons Ralph/Multispectral Visible Imaging Camera (MVIC) in 2015 NASA NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, dark, narrow streaks on the slopes of Hale Crater are inferred to be formed by seasonal flow of water on surface of present-day Mars. These dark features on the slopes are called "recurring slope lineae" or RSL NASA Earth observation taken during a night pass by the Expedition 49 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016 NASA The moon rises in low Earth orbit by NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik from the International Space Station in 2017 NASA Hurricane Harvey is pictured off the coast of Texas in 2017 NASA The International Space Station continues its orbit around the Earth as Expedition 50 astronauts captured this night image of sparkling cities and a sliver of daylight framing the northern hemisphere in 2017 This composite image made from a series of 2018 photos shows a self-portrait of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover in the Gale Crater NASA US. National Parks From Space. Mt Saint Helen's looking spectacular from above NASA SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as it lifts off on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in 2018 NASA NASA's Juno spacecraft captures Jupiter's southern hemisphere, as the spacecraft performed its 13th close flyby of Jupiter in 2018 NASA The stunning iamge was shared on social media by astronaut Paolo Nespoli NASA The Bailey's Beads effect is seen as the moon makes its final move over the sun during the total solar eclipse NASA The Moon is seen passing in front of the Sun during a solar eclipse from Ross Lake, Northern Cascades National Park, Washington NASA Swirling cloud belts and tumultuous vortices within Jupiter's northern hemisphere picture taken by NASA's Juno spacecraft as it performed it's 13th flypast. Juno was about 9,600 miles (15,500 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops. NASA She added: The difference is that you could fit 15 Milky Way galaxies in a row into the crater this eruption punched into the clusters hot gas. Professor Johnston-Hollitt said scientists initially dismissed that hole could have been caused by an energetic outburst, because it would have been too big. She explained: People were sceptical because the size of outburst. But it really is that. The Universe is a weird place. Astronomers only realised what had happened when they looked at the Ophiuchus galaxy cluster with radio telescopes. The radio data fit inside the X-rays like a hand in a glove, said co-author Dr Maxim Markevitch, from Nasas Goddard Space Flight Centre. This is the clincher that tells us an eruption of unprecedented size occurred here. The discovery was made using four telescopes; Nasas Chandra X-ray Observatory, ESAs XMM-Newton, the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) in Western Australia and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in India. Professor Johnston-Hollitt said the finding is likely to be the first of many. We made this discovery with Phase 1 of the MWA, when the telescope had 2,048 antennas pointed towards the sky, she said. Were soon going to be gathering observations with 4,096 antennas, which should be 10 times more sensitive. I think thats pretty exciting. The process, which starts with discussions between cyber security experts before EU governments are eventually requested to sign off, may take around two months. The European Union may target a Russian and a Chinese entity, as well as several individuals, with sanctions over cyber attacks, adding to signs of increasing alarm in the bloc over network security. Five diplomats familiar with the matter said talks on the proposed measures will begin as soon as this week, declining to name the entities targeted and the incidents concerned. Diplomats are typically wary of sharing details about sanctions in advance out of concern for legal action and that those targeted may move their assets to evade punitive measures, as reported by Bloomberg. Read alsoTrump prolongs U.S. sanctions over Russian aggression against Ukraine The move would be the first application of the EU's so-called cyber sanctions regime a toolbox including travel bans and asset freezes intended to deter cyber attacks. The measures could help quell some U.S. concerns about the EU being soft on China, after the bloc resisted pressure from Washington to ban Huawei Technologies from next generation telecom networks, despite warnings about spying. The adoption of sanctions requires unanimity among the EU's 27 members, a clause that has frequently paralyzed EU foreign policy decisions, amid competing national sensitivities and interests. One of the diplomats familiar with the matter said, however, that there is consensus in the bloc that there's little point in having a cyber sanctions tool, without using it. The process, which starts with discussions between cyber security experts before EU governments are eventually requested to sign off, may take around two months, the diplomat said. Michael Bloomberg is reportedly trying to convince entreprenuer and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang to join his campaign as his running mate. According to individuals with knowledge of the discussion, aides working with the former New York City mayor reportedly reached out to Mr Yang to discuss how the businessmen could join forces in Mr Bloombergs quest for the Democratic nomination. The Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Yang hasnt committed to join forces. Mr Yang dropped out of the race earlier in February. A spokesperson for Mr Bloombergs campaign said Mr Yang wasnt seriously being considered for the former mayors running mate. Before dropping out, Mr Yang consistently ranked in the top 10 of the Democratic candidates in polls and had a small but passionate following online known as the Yang Gang. Mr Yang was best known for his Freedom Dividend, a type of universal basic income that would give Americans 12,000 a year to offset the growing threat of job losses due to automation. Arkansas Woman Causes Courthouse Evacuation by Claiming to Have Coronavirus: Officials An Arkansas woman claimed she had the COVID-19 coronavirus while in court, prompting a courthouse evacuation. Celia Hill, 34, was appearing on drug charges in Mayflower District Court on Wednesday when she made the claim, authorities told KATV. Hill, without elaborating, said she had contact with an infected person and has a 102-degree fever. Hill was in court to face a misdemeanor drug offense when the incident unfolded. Officials then cleared the courthouse and took her to a nearby hospital for testing. Mayflower Police Chief Robert Alcon told the station Hill later tested negative for the virus, which has sickened and killed thousands of people in China. Hill will now face new charges related to the incident. As far as we can tell, she lied about having the coronavirus, City Prosecuting Attorney David Hogue said. Two witnesses who were at the courtroom told the news outlet that people began running from the courtroom. People were running. There were no walkers, one witness told KATV. The Arkansas Department of Health said that after an investigation, the person in question is not being suspected as a COVID-19 patient. There are no confirmed cases of the virus in Arkansas. President Donald Trump said Wednesday night that the threat posed to the United States is very low. The vaccine is coming along well, and we think this is something that we can do fairly quickly, the president told reporters. Of the 15 people [to have contracted the virus] eight of them have returned to their homes, to stay at their homes until theyre fully recovered. One is in the hospital. And five have fully recovered. And one we think is in pretty good shape, Trump also said. Two weeks after Jussie Smollett was indicted on felony charges filed against him over the fake hate crime attack that happened in January of last year, the former Empire star is now back in court to plead not guilty. Smollett also pleaded not guilty in the Illinois Supreme Court to stop the case late last year. Tina Glandian, the lawyer of Jussie Smollett, filed to the motion of not guilty pleas on behalf of the actor over the recent six new charges of a felony for disorderly conduct. In a published article from the Associated Press, it was reported that the actor was indicted for the second time because of lying to the police about the racist and anti-gay attack that he allegedly staged on himself in Chicago last year. Fox News reports that prosecutors dismissed the charges filed against the actor last year that angered police and city hall following the not guilty plea of the actor regarding the 16 charges filed against him last year. Meanwhile, Smollett has denied police allegations that he staged the hate crime attack to get attention and further his career. He will first appear to Chief Judge LeRoy Martin Jr. who will tell him as to which judge will be assigned to preside over his case. The former U.S. attorney, Special Prosecutor Dan Webb, is also expected to attend. Two things are expected to happen during the appearance of Smollett before Chief Judge Martin. Either he will tell the actor to return on another day for his first hearing to the assigned judge or tell Smollett along with the lawyers to report immediately to the trial judge. Typically, the accused, or the defendant, like Smollett enter into a not-guilty plea during the initial hearing before the trial judge so that they can set a bond amount to release the accused temporarily from custody. Most of the time, the lawyers of the accused arrange this at the clerk's office. The issue with Jussie Smollett made headlines in different news outlets last year after he told the police on January 29, 2019, that two masked men attacked him while he was going home. He told the police that the attackers made racist and homophobic slurs and one of them was a white man who told him that he was in "MAGA Country." MAGA means Make America Great Again and is the slogan of President Donald Trump. However, just two weeks after the investigation, police alleged Smollett had paid two black friends to help him stage the attack. Moreover, Smollett maintained his innocence over the accusation and told reporters after the charges were dropped that "I would not be my mother's son if I was capable of one drop of what I was accused of." Meanwhile, the lawyer of the former Empire actor questioned the integrity of the investigation of the special prosecutor following the new charges that were announced early this month. Press Release February 26, 2020 Senate OKs bill repealing the Anti-Terrorism Law The Senate, voting 19-2, today approved on final reading Senate Bill No. 1083 which provides more teeth to the law against terrorism and effectively repealing the Human Security Act of 2007. Senators Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Grace Poe, Imee Marcos, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar, Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, Win Gatchalian, Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Richard Gordon, Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Bong Revilla, Francis "Tol" Tolentino, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Majority Leader Migz Zubiri and Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III voted in the affirmative while Senators Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros dissented. The proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 would provide a strong legal backbone to support the country's criminal justice response to terrorism, provide the law enforcers the much-needed tools to protect the people from the threat of terrorism and, at the same time, safeguard the rights of those accused of the crime. "We need a strong legal structure that deals with terrorism to exact accountability, liability and responsibility. Those who have committed, are about to commit, or are supporting those who commit terroristic acts should be prosecuted and penalized accordingly," Lacson, sponsor of the measure, said. The measure includes a new section on foreign terrorist fighters to cover Filipino nationals who commit terrorist offenses abroad. Senate Bill 1083 introduced provisions imposing life imprisonment without parole on those who will propose, incite, conspire, and participate in the planning, training, preparation and facilitation of a terrorist act; as well as those who will provide material support to terrorists, and recruit anyone to be a member of a terrorist organization. Under the bill, any person who shall threaten to commit terrorism shall suffer the penalty of 12 years. The same jail term will be meted against those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism. Any person who shall voluntarily and knowingly join any organization, association or group of persons knowing that such is a terrorist organization, shall suffer imprisonment of 12 years. The same penalty shall be imposed on any person found liable as accessory in the commission of terrorism. The measure not only establishes Philippine jurisdiction over Filipino nationals who may join and fight with terrorist organizations outside the Philippines but also ensures that foreign terrorists do not use the country as a transit point, a safe haven to plan and train new recruits for terrorist attacks in other countries. The bill also removed the provision on payment of P500,000 damages per day of detention of any person acquitted of terrorism charges. But the number of days a suspected person can be detained without a warrant of arrest is 14 calendar days, extendible by 10 days. A new provision, designating certain Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) as Anti-Terror Courts, was also introduced to ensure the speedy disposition of cases. Also, the use of videoconferencing for the accused and witnesses to remotely appear and testify will be allowed under the measure. The amendments also provide for the police or the military to conduct a 60-day surveillance on suspected terrorists, which may be lengthened to another non-extendable period of 30 days, provided that they secure a judicial authorization from the Court of Appeals (CA). Any law enforcement or military personnel found to have violated the rights of the accused persons shall be penalized with imprisonment of 10 years, the senator said. To allay concerns of possible excesses by the authorities, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) shall be notified in case of detention of a suspected terrorist. The measure also mandates the CHR to give the highest priority to the investigation and prosecution of violations of civil and political rights of persons and shall have the concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute public officials, law enforcers and other persons who may have violated the civil and political rights of suspects and detained persons. Hontiveros and Pangilinan opposed some provisions of the bill that they feel would impinge on rights and liberty. Pangilinan noted that the proposed definition of terrorism is vague and encompassing, making it open to abuse as simplest or common crimes can be framed by errant law enforcers as acts of terrorism. "The prolonged detention is an impingement of rights and liberty. Why 14 days? If security officials and law enforcers are doing their job, why will it take them long to file a case? Or, is the practice of arrest and detain now, produce or invent evidence later still prevalent, as it was when opposition leader Jovy Salonga was arrested, detained, and charged in 1981? The current law is not perfect, and we, in Congress, should be working continuously to make it work for the people," he said. "The amendments, however, are worrisome and could make the Human Security Act an even worse tool for repression instead of an instrument for thwarting terrorists," Pangilinan added. Hontiveros expressed the same, adding that safety and security can never be at the expense of the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. "While all rights permit exceptions, I fear that certain provisions of the bill - specifically those allowing the preliminary proscription of suspected terrorist organizations prior to their being given an opportunity to be heard as well as those lowering the standard for warrantless arrest and detention - go too far and might lead to a number of pernicious consequences," she said. Dela Rosa, one of the co-authors of the bill, rallied behind the measure saying that the bill will fully equip the law enforcers not only in terms of weapons and funding but in protecting their rights as well. "The enactment of this law will send a brave message to the world that we are in solidarity in the global fight against terrorism. I would like to extend my gratitude to our seasoned legislator and staunch ally against terror, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, for shepherding and ensuring the swift but very deliberate passage of this legislative measure," Dela Rosa said. STOCKHOLM, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hygiene and health company Essity has signed an agreement to acquire 75% of the Swedish medical solutions company ABIGO Medical AB. The company as a whole is valued at SEK 900m on a debt-free basis. ABIGO Medical AB develops, manufactures and markets products including the Sorbact technology, which is a clinically established innovation for advanced wound care. Jan G. Smith will retain a 25% stake in the company and remain as chairman of the board. ABIGO Medical AB is a Swedish company with its head office in Gothenburg, Sweden, and was founded in 1989 by the brothers Jan G and Leif Smith. The company has about 170 employees and reported net sales of approximately SEK 403m in 2019. ABIGO Medical AB is currently a key partner and sub-supplier to Essity. "The acquisition is a good strategic fit for Essity and strengthens the innovation capacity of our Medical Solutions business. ABIGO Medical has leading innovations in advanced wound care that reduce the spread of bacteria without increasing resistance to antibiotics," says Magnus Groth, President and CEO of Essity. "Essity's values and strategy are well aligned with ABIGO's ambitions for the future and with Essity as a partner, we believe there is great potential to continue our shared journey of growth," says Jan G. Smith. Sorbact is a technology that Essity, through ABIGO Medical AB, already uses in its wound care products to prevent and treat infections. It does this using a natural mode of action that binds bacteria and fungi. Sorbact does not contain antiseptics or other toxic substances, which is positive for both the patient and the environment. The completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing is expected to take place during the second quarter of 2020. CONTACT: Johan Karlsson Vice President Investor Relations +46-8-788-51-30 [email protected] Henrik Sjostrom Media Relations Manager +46-8-788-51-36 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/essity/r/essity-acquires-75--of-the-medical-solutions-company-abigo-medical-ab,c3047833 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/15798/3047833/1202092.pdf Essity acquires 75% of the medical solutions company ABIGO Medical AB SOURCE Essity Formerly high-flying, media-friendly lawyer Michael Avenatti faces a trial on April 21 that he bilked AVN Hall of Famer Stormy Daniels out a book advance payment totaling almost $300,000 in 2018. At the time, Avenatti represented Daniels in multiple lawsuits against Donald Trump. That legal crusade saw Avenatti making near-nightly TV appearances and quickly becoming a national celebrityeven briefly considering a run for president in the 2020 Democratic primary. The highly public lawsuits also made Daniels the countrysand likely the worldsmost famous adult performer. As one result of her newfound fame, with Avenattis assistance, she secured a lucrative book contract for her memoir, Full Disclosure. (The memoir netted Daniels a 2020 AVN Award for Mainstream Venture of the Year.) But according to the charges against him, Avenatti diverted her $300,000 advance payment for the book into his own bank account, and used it to pay for a variety of personal expensesincluding a Ferrari, expensive restaurant meals, and dry cleaning bills. On Tuesday, however, Avenattis own lawyer, Thomas Warren, telegraphed his strategy for the trial: attack Daniels. I wouldnt pass up the opportunity to cross-examine Stormy Daniels in a million years, Warren said on Tuesday, as quoted by Law.com. It isnt a documents case, really. Its a case about the credibility of Stormy Daniels. Avenatti is coming off a conviction on February 14 for extortion against the Nike shoe corporation. He is scheduled to be sentenced in July. On Tuesday, Daniels current lawyer, Clark Brewster, took a shot at Avenatti for his recent conviction, suggesting that attacking Daniels is a better defense than making Avenatti's credibility a central issue. Brewster told Law.com, That didnt work the last time. I guess thats off the table, so now he wants to attack her. Good luck with that. Avenatti, in shackles, appeared with his lawyers in a Manhattan federal court on Tuesday before Judge Jesse M. Furman of the Southern District of New York. Furman takes over the case from Deborah Batts, who died earlier in February. But Furman said that nothing in the case had changed and the trial remains on schedule to open on April 21. Warren said that, in fact, Daniels owed Avenatti thiousands in unpaid legal feees. But Brewster said that there is a long record of correspondence between Daniels and Avenatti showing that she owed no money, based on the representation agreement signed between the two. He can try to obscure and smear and make up testimony as he goes along, but the upshot is that the agreement was very simple, Brewster told The Associated Press. Photo by The View YouTube Screen Capture The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. VANCOUVERA member of the special parliamentary committee on Canada-China relations says this country should consider following in the footsteps of the United States and forcing state-owned media outlets from mainland China to register as foreign missions. That means they would be considered the same as embassies and consulates instead of media outlets. Garnett Genuis, a Conservative MP from Alberta, said Chinese state-owned media outlets should be studied as part of other efforts to determine how Beijing is trying to influence Canadian society. The developments in the U.S. hold a convincing logic, he said. One of the issues the Canada-China committee needs to dig into is concerns about influence and infiltration, Genuis said. That applies to a wide variety of state-backed, state-directed entities, so I think this is one area that should be a part of that agenda for studying consideration. The committee on Canada-China relations was formed to examine all aspects of Ottawa and Beijings relations due to recent turmoil in the relationship and questions about Chinas activities in Canada. Concerns over China have also been a focus in Washington D.C., where last week, the U.S. State Department said it will be treating Chinese state media outlets as foreign missions. The designation means Chinas state media must adhere to the same administrative requirements as embassies, such as disclosing their staff rosters and real estate holdings. The U.S. State Department said the move should not hinder journalistic endevours. In a statement to The Star, the department named five state-run broadcasters from China operating in the U.S., saying the news organizations are effectively controlled by the Chinese government due to their ownership structures. It listed Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International, China Daily, and Hai Tian as the organizations with which Washington is concerned. Some of the five also run operations in Canada, including bureaus in Ottawa for the Peoples Daily and Xinhua. CGTN is available in Canada on cable. Global Affairs Canada said it is monitoring the situation in the U.S. In what observers say was retaliation, China expelled three U.S. journalists from the Wall Street Journal, blaming them for a headline Beijing claims was racist. Geng Shuang, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson, called the U.S. move wrong, likening it to cold-war thinking. The U.S. touts its press freedom, Geng said Feb. 19. However, it is wantonly restricting and thwarting Chinese media outlets normal operation there. This is totally unjustified and unacceptable. But what normal operations are for Chinese state media are part of the reason the U.S. argues they should register as foreign missions. In Canada, there have been a number of controversies over those operations. In 2011, a senior state-media journalist told the Star on the condition of anonymity China routinely places state agents in news bureaus around the world to gather intelligence. The source said a number of the reporters their outlet had sent abroad had no prior reporting experience. A year later in 2012 Mark Bourrie, a Canadian journalist and author working on Parliament Hill, quit his job writing for Xinhua after he was asked to gather information on the Dalai Lamas visit to Ottawa and told it wouldnt be used in news articles. Bourrie went public with the story in Canadian media. In 2014, the then-Conservative government banned two of Chinas state media outlets from a tour of Canadas Arctic due to past incidents and behaviours, according to the Associated Press. More recently, international human rights organization Safeguard Defenders filed a complaint with the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission over the broadcasting of what it says are forced confessions on China Global Television Network. Safeguard Defenders filed another round of complaints in the United Kingdom on Tuesday arguing CGTN is owned by a political body and therefore not allowed to broadcast in the U.K. Sean Holman, a professor of journalism at Mount Royal University in Calgary, said freedom of expression and press freedom concerns would surely play a role for Chinas state media in Canada. Earlier this month, the Liberal government asserted it will not move to licence media in Canada after uproar over comments made by Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault had some suggesting it would seek government regluation of journalistic organizations. But, Holman said theres a case for limits to press freedoms and Canada would need to ask if the work being done by outlets like Xinhua have earned protection. Theyre undermining the democratic principles and democratic governments that freedom of speech and freedom of expression depend upon, Holman said. In that context, are they deserving of the kind of rights and freedoms that would be afforded to an organization that characterizes itself as being a journalistic organization? Charles Burton, a China expert and former diplomat with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa, said the answer is no. Burton said while he isnt sure what it would look like if Chinas state media is denied the same status as other foreign media by having to register in Canada, past incidents suggest they should not be treated as regular media. Why does the government of Canada tolerate the activities of agents of the Chinese state who are engaged in activities which are not consistent with their status in our country? he said. I would assume that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service should be aware of the activities of these people. Burton said, unlike other government funded news services like the CBC and BBC, often reporters for Chinas state media abroad dont file news stories regularly, raising questions about what they are actually doing. Genuis said he, too, doesnt think Chinas state media in Canada perform the same function as other media. But he wants to see more study on the area before making a decision. The work that someone like (the Star) does as an independent journalist in a free society asking me whatever questions you want to ask me is fundamentally different than the sort of corporate communications function played by state-controlled media entities, Genuis said. I understand its complicated and there may be some challenges in there as well, which is why Im not prejudging the conclusion. With files from The Associated Press Read more about: Britons have already started panic buying water and canned food, with some even setting up 'isolation' rooms at home in case coronavirus shuts down their communities, it can be revealed today. Among the essentials that worried families have been stockpiling include nappies, toilet roll, soup, tinned fruit, pet food, medicine, and wine. Families are building up reserves to ensure their homes are 'fit for a pandemic' with some purchasing new chest freezers to fill with food and portable camp toilets to avoid sharing a loo if a relative tests positive for the killer virus. A shortage of germ-killing antibacterial gel has seen a spurt in sales of surgical spirit on eBay and Amazon by people desperate to sanatise their hands, with Boots sold out today. On social media one panicked Briton revealed that they have turned one small room in their house into an 'isolation zone' equipped with cooking equipment, bedding and food if they have to be in quarantine for a fortnight. Another Mumsnet user said: 'I've cleaned and prepped the farm caravan so if needed it could be an isolation suite. Useful place to store surplus supplies, tinned food etc as well'. Others are drawing up spreadsheets of the items they need to buy to last them weeks or months in self-isolation. Professor Ratula Chakraborty, professor of business management at the University of East Anglia (UEA), said: 'The prospect of whole towns being in lockdown and shops closed is heightening the fear and stockpiling may become rife'. This Tesco shopper picked up packets of microwavable rice, Dettol wipes and cold and flu tablets as people start stockpiling because of the coronavirus crisis Superdrug and Boots has sold out of hand gel and face masks at their stores with emergency orders on their way These bare shelves in a Boots pharmacy as panic buying over the UK took hold Britons have admitted stockpiling items ranging from loo roll and tinned food to new freezers and toilets because of coronavirus This Mumsnet user revealed her stockpiling shopping list on a thread called: 'Prepping for a pandemic', which included olive oil, dips, crackers, chocolate and printer paper In a thread on coronavirus this user sent out her 'dear husband' to pick a large chest freezer to store more food This user set out a plan for 'a house fit for a pandemic' once all the stockpiling is up to date Experts believe the stockpiling of medicine and food in family homes 'may become rife' as people grow increasingly concerned about coronavirus disrupting British life. Professor Chakraborty, said: 'One big opportunity for the supermarkets may be home delivery, where online grocery retailers could see a bonanza as consumers shy away from visiting stores and instead prefer to shop from the safety of their own homes. 'There is no immediate need to stockpile or panic buy any goods, but people should be prepared to help out and shop for vulnerable relatives and friends who are elderly or have underlying conditions which places them at a greater risk of developing severe symptoms if the coronavirus spreads. In one discussion on Mumsnet, a poster asked if they were being unreasonable 'to be considering a small stockpile or supplies because of corona?' They added: 'Reading about the Italian villages that have been put on lockdown and families can't leave their homes has got me thinking...Italy isn't a million miles away. It's not a third world country. If it's happened there...' Almost 200 people responded to the message, with most saying they are also stockpiling tinned goods, toilet rolls and other supplies. Boots is sold out of surgical spirit online, which people are using as an alternative to antibacterial hand gel, which is being rationed by some shops This user has confired she is buying powdered egg for baking in case fresh ones become hard to come by 'Julie' was looking to order a camp toilet for at home. Some are concerned about sharing toilets at home if someone falls ill Some have revealed they are building spreedsheets with lists of items they have bought, use by dates and meal plans One said they were 'filling the cupboard with soup, tomatoes, tinned fruit, flour, crackers etc in advance. 'I'll still eat them all, but they last for months anyway, and when people are surging into supermarkets stripping the shelves I won't be adding to the masses worried they won't have enough. I'll be out of the way and not contributing to shortages.' On Tuesday, an official at the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned of the potential for 'severe' disruption to daily life in the event of coronavirus becoming a pandemic. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC, said there was a need for 'new strategies'. The CDC has been urging businesses, schools and families to prepare for a possible outbreak of Covid-19 in the US, including potentially allowing employees to work from home and internet-based lessons. In the UK, England's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has said school closures could occur if the virus spreads, while people could be asked to stay at home with their families. Johnny Depp has appeared at the High Court in London for a hearing in his libel case against a British newspaper. The Hollywood actor is suing the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article which alleged he had been abusive to his former wife, Amber Heard. The Pirates Of The Caribbean star, wearing a suit and blue-tinted glasses, sat in court behind his lawyers at a pre-trial review hearing yesterday. Mr Depp (55) denies domestic abuse and has accused Ms Heard of being the "aggressor" in their relationship, which ended in May 2016. He listened as barrister David Sherborne told the court that the case was "very unusual" in the sense that Ms Heard's allegations against her ex-husband have been "publicly aired on a massive scale in the media", largely by the actress herself. Mr Sherborne said the trial, which is due to start on March 23, will involve evidence which is "diametrically opposed". "There is such a contrast between the version of events that is provided by Ms Heard and that provided by Mr Depp," he told Mr Justice Nicol. "One person, one side, is lying, and one is not. "Obviously, we say that it is Ms Heard [who is lying]." The barrister said Ms Heard's allegations date back to the early stage of the couple's relationship in 2013, before they married in 2015. He also referred to recordings of Ms Heard (33), which recently came to light, in which she appears to discuss having been violent toward Mr Depp. Mr Sherborne said that evidence "demonstrates in her own voice that she was not a victim of domestic abuse, but rather that she was the aggressor". He added that, in the recordings, Ms Heard is apparently heard to say that no one would believe Mr Depp if he claimed to be a victim of domestic violence. The court heard a number of witnesses will either attend the trial or appear over a video link, many from California, to give evidence in support of either Mr Depp or Ms Heard. Removed The libel claim arises out of publication of an article in The Sun in April 2018 under the headline "Gone Potty How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy' casting wife-beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?" Mr Sherborne said the words "wife-beater" were later removed from the article online. The court previously heard Mr Depp's case is that the article bears the meaning that he was "guilty, on overwhelming evidence, of serious domestic violence against his then-wife, causing significant injury and leading to her fearing for her life, for which the claimant was constrained to pay no less than 5m (5.94m) to compensate her, and which resulted in him being subjected to a continuing court restraining order; and for that reason is not fit to work in the film industry". Mr Depp has brought separate libel proceedings against Ms Heard in the US, which Mr Sherborne said are "ongoing". In May 2016, Ms Heard obtained a restraining order against Mr Depp after accusing him of abuse, which he denied. The couple settled their divorce out of court in 2017, with Ms Heard donating her $7m (6.43m) settlement to charity. Both actors signed non-disclosure agreements barring them from discussing their relationship publicly. In a joint statement, they said their relationship was "intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love". "Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain," they added. "There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm." The on Thursday informed the legislative Assembly that the state's public debt has risen by over Rs 28,000 crore in one year and now stands at Rs 2.4 trn. Responding to a written query raised by Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar during the Question Hour, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister said as on December 31 2019, Gujarat owes Rs 2,40,652 crore, a rise of Rs 28,061 crore from 2018-19. On Wednesday, Patel had presented a Rs 2,17,287 crore state budget for 2020-21, with healthy allocations to education, health and agriculture sectors. In a written reply to a sub-question about interest paid on loans taken in the last two years, Patel said in 2017 -18, the state had paid Rs 17,146 crore interest and Rs 13,700 crore as principal amount. In 2018-19, the government had paid Rs 18,124 crore in interest and Rs 15,440 crore as principal, he added. The present debt comprises a market loan of Rs 1,79,353 crore, while Rs 14,691 crore were borrowed from financial institutions, Rs 39,385 crore from National Small Savings Fund and Rs 7,223 crore in Central debt. Queensland's fake prince, Joel Morehu-Barlow, who was imprisoned over the theft of $16 million from Queensland Health, has been deported to New Zealand after his release from jail. Morehu-Barlow, now 44, pleaded guilty to five fraud and three drug offences in 2013 after re-directing money meant for charity into his own accounts. He was jailed for 14 years with a non-parole period of five. Queensland Corrective Services said on Thursday the New Zealander was no longer in its custody, with the Australian Border Force later confirming he had been "removed voluntarily" to New Zealand after being granted parole. News Corp reported he was now expected to live with his mother. A total of 13 books translated from eight different languages have been selected for this years International Booker Prize longlist. Aimed to encourage more publishing and reading of foreign novels, the International Booker Dozen is the foreign-speaking alternative to the Booker Prize, where books that have been translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland are recognised. The winning author and translator will split the 50,000 prize between them, and each of the shortlisted books (which will be announced on April 12) will receive 1,000 for both the author and translator. Included in this years longlist is Samanta Schweblin from Argentina, author of Little Eyes who has previously been longlisted for Mouthful of Birds and shortlisted for Fever Dream in the International Booker Prize. The International Booker Prize Longlist for 2020 Red Dog by Willem Anker (Afrikaans South Africa), translated by Michiel Heyns The Enlightenment of The Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar (Farsi Iran), with an anonymous translator The Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezon Camara (Spanish Argentina), translated by Iona Macintyre and Fiona Mackintosh The Other Name: Septology I II by Jon Fosse (Norwegian Norway), translated by Damion Searls The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili (German Georgia), translated by Charlotte Collins and Ruth Martin Serotonin by Michel Houellebecq (French France), translated by Shaun Whiteside Tyll by Daniel Kehlmann (German Germany), translated by Ross Benjamin Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor (Spanish Mexico), translated by Sophie Hughes The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa (Japanese Japan), translated by Stephen Snyder Faces on the Tip of My Tongue by Emmanuelle Pagano (French France), translated by Sophie Lewis and Jennifer Higgins Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin (Spanish Argentina), translated by Megan McDowell The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld (Dutch Netherlands), translated by Michele Hutchison Mac and His Problem by Enrique Vila-Matas (Spanish Spain), translated by Margaret Jull Costa and Sophie Hughes Also included in the longlist is Serotonin by Michel Houellebecq, described as Frances most important writer by the Standards literary editor, David Sexton. A panel of five judges selected the works in this years longlist, chaired by Ted Hodgkinson, Head of Literature and Spoken Word at Southbank Centre. It also includes Lucie Campos, director of the Villa Gillet, France's centre for international writing; Booker International Prize-winning translator and writer Jennifer Croft; LA Times Book Prize for Fiction-winning author Valeria Luiselli and writer, poet and musician Jeet Thayil, whose novel Narcopolis was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2012. Hodgkinson says: What a thrill to share a longlist of such breadth and brilliance, reflecting a cumulative artistry rooted in dialogue between authors and translators, and possessing a power to enlarge the scope of lives encountered on the page, from the epic to the everyday. Whether reimagining foundational myths, envisioning dystopias of disquieting potency, or simply setting the world ablaze with the precision of their perceptions, these are books that left indelible impressions on us as judges. In times that increasingly ask us to take sides, these works of art transcend moral certainties and narrowing identities, restoring a sense of the wonderment at the expansive and ambiguous lot of humanity. Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi, translated by Marilyn Booth won the 2019 Man Booker International Prize - the last that the Man Group sponsored, it is now sponsored by Crankstart, the charitable foundation of Sir Michael Moritz and his wife, Harriet Heyman and known simply as The Booker Prize. This years winner will be announced in a ceremony in London on May 19. Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced settled charges against Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network for failing reasonably to supervise investment advisers and registered representatives who recommended single-inverse ETF investments to retail investors, and for lacking adequate compliance policies and procedures with respect to the suitability of those recommendations. The SEC ordered Wells Fargo to pay a $35 million penalty, which will be distributed to harmed investors. As noted in the SEC's order and reflected in Wells Fargo's internal guidance, when single-inverse ETFs are held for longer than a day, particularly in volatile markets, investors may experience large and unexpected losses. The SEC's order finds that from April 2012 through September 2019, Wells Fargo's policies and procedures were not reasonably designed to prevent and detect unsuitable recommendations of single-inverse ETFs. Further, Wells Fargo failed adequately to supervise its employees' recommendations regarding single-inverse ETFs, and did not adequately train them concerning those products. The order finds that some Wells Fargo brokers and advisers did not fully understand the risk of losses these complex products posed when held long term. As a result, certain Wells Fargo investment advisers and registered representatives made unsuitable recommendations to certain clients to buy and hold single-inverse ETFs for months or years. According to the order, a number of these clients were senior citizens and retirees who had limited incomes and net worth, and conservative or moderate risk tolerances. "Firms must maintain effective compliance and supervisory programs to ensure that the securities they recommend are suitable for their clients," said Antonia Chion, Associate Director of the SEC Enforcement Division. "As a result of Wells Fargo's failure to meet these important obligations, some of its employees recommended complex instruments to retail investors who did not understand the risks involved." The order finds that Wells Fargo failed to adopt written compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent unsuitable recommendations of single-inverse ETFs, and failed adequately to implement its existing written policies and procedures. The order also finds that Wells Fargo failed reasonably to supervise its financial professionals with a view to preventing their unsuitable recommendations. Without admitting or denying the findings, Wells Fargo agreed to pay a $35 million penalty and distribute the funds to certain clients who were recommended to buy single-inverse ETFs and suffered losses after holding the positions for longer periods. The order also censures Wells Fargo and requires Wells Fargo to cease and desist from committing or causing any future violations of the relevant provisions. The SEC's investigation was conducted by Roger Landsman and Breanne Atzert, with assistance from Matthew Scarlato, Dean Conway, Jan Folena, and Eugene Canjels. The case was supervised by Lisa Deitch and Ms. Chion. New Delhi, Feb 27 : Announcing Rs 10 lakh each as compensation to the families of those killed in violence in northeast Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday asserted that any AAP member found guilty of involvement should get double the punishment prescribed in law. The Chief Minister appealed that no politics should however be done over the issue of national security. Asked about charges of involvement in violence and arson in northeast Delhi against AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, Kejriwal said: "Any person found guilty should be given strict punishment. If any Aam Aadmi Party member is found guilty, he or she should be given double the punishment." Earlier in the day, BJP leader Kapil Mishra had demanded a scrutiny of the call details of Tahir Hussain whereas BJP MP Gautam Gambhir claimed that the Chief Minister's "silence is deafening". Unverified video clips have gone viral on the social media, wherein a man reported to be Tahir is seen holding a stick, after which both Mishra and the BJP upped the ante against the AAP. This comes a day after the AAP press conference to question Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the violence. Kejriwal announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for the kin of those who died in the riots. He also announced the widening of the ambit of the 'Farishte' scheme, whereby anyone affected by the violence can also avail of free treatment at any private hospital. Those seriously hurt will get Rs 5 lakh each. He also announced compensation for damage to property and possessions like rickshaws. Kejriwal said that an app would be rolled out for filing of compensation claims by the affected. Those who lost their homes will be accommodated at Rain Baseras (night shelters) till their houses are rebuilt, said the Chief Minister. He also said his government will provide food in riot-affected areas, in view of curfew imposed in some areas. Violence in northeast Delhi was triggered on Sunday afternoon after a face-off between pro- and anti-CAA groups, leading to the death of at least 36 persons, including a police official and an IB staffer. Over 200 persons were injured. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text A rabbi who knocked down two pedestrians and crashed into a pharmacy while helping to park a pensioners car has been banned from driving for eight years. Ralph Berisch, 75, accelerated on to the pavement during the botched manoeuvre, striking David Richards, 44, and carrying him on the Jaguars bonnet before crashing into Simon Elkouby, 79. The incident, which happened in Golders Green Road on March 28, 2018, also caused 70,000 of damage to Victoria Pharmacy. Berisch was found guilty at Harrow crown court of two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and yesterday was handed a 22-month prison sentence suspended for two years. Driving ban: Ralph Berisch had failed to park / Tony Palmer He was ordered to do 60 hours of community service and banned from driving for the next eight years. Personal Injury Lawyer in Hamilton We are a small boutique firm, but we take a big stake in our communitys welfare, and this serves to remind us that were fighting the good fight. We are both thrilled and moved to receive this level of recognition from those we serve, said Bernstein Law Group Partner Stephen Bernstein. We are a small boutique firm, but we take a big stake in our communitys welfare, and this serves to remind us that were fighting the good fight, he added. Father and son team Stephen and Robert Bernstein serve some of the most vulnerable people in the rapidly changing municipality of Hamilton, ON. These range from clients facing criminal charges, to the critically injured to those struggling with mental illness. These individuals are too often ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of the judicial system alone. The firms expertise in the fields of Personal Injury Law & Criminal Law, dedication and deep local knowledge enable it to vigorously and effectively represent its clients best interests on every file. Bernstein Law makes an extra effort to get to know all clients personally and seek the best possible outcomes for them. Prior to bringing his son Robert on board, Stephen Bernstein enjoyed a longstanding position in the Hamilton legal sphere, earning a reputation for compassion through several decades of spirited advocacy. Today, clients who engage the firm benefit from the capability of a team that works seamlessly as one, toils around the clock, and truly enjoys helping to make a difference for those they serve. Bernstein Law Group has earned multiple local awards in previous years for its legal work. It also assists the Good Shepherd Charity, organizing fundraisers and galas to benefit a local hospice. The firms offices are located at 250 James Street South, Hamilton, ON L8P 3B3 in a welcoming and comfortable heritage building just south of Hamiltons city centre. Confronted by widespread hostility toward his government over its contemptuous and inadequate response to this summers bushfire disaster, Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week announced a royal commission inquiry into the calamity. In the first place, this is a desperate act of damage-controlan attempt to divert the ongoing outrage over the catastrophe, which killed more than 30 peopleincluding volunteer firefightersdestroyed more than 2,500 homes, devastated livelihoods and eco-systems, and created a potential health disaster for millions of people who endured weeks of hazardous smoke pollution. An Australian National University poll published last week, just before Morrisons announcement, showed a precipitous decline in confidence in his Liberal-National Coalition governmentdown to 27 percentdue to the bushfire catastrophe. The poll also underscored the sheer scale of the infernos impact. It found more than 15 million people, or 60 percent of the population, were exposed to the fires, either directly or indirectly, and 2.9 million had their property damaged, threatened or had to be evacuated. At the same time, the inquiry is intended to bury the root causes of the unprecedented crisisthe intensifying impact of global warming, poor infrastructure and chronic under-funding of fire-fighting and other essential civil services. Morrison flatly rejected the inquiry proposing any action to cut Australias rate of carbon emissions or otherwise reduce climate change. Instead, he insisted that hotter, drier and longer summers were simply inevitable. Echoing the words of the inquirys terms of reference, he spoke of practical action to enhance preparedness, resilience and recovery. Above all, the inquiry is designed to be a whitewash of the culpability of the federal and state governments. The terms of reference say nothing about the criminal lack of civilian resourcesaerial water bombers, modern fire trucks and equipment, professional firefighters and evacuation infrastructurelaid bare by the bushfires. Just days before Morrisons announcement, the Australian reported that volunteer firefighters were dispatched to confront fire-storms with outdated trucks and personal protective equipment, poor radio communications and substandard technological capabilities, despite multiple official reviews recommending urgent upgrades. While slashing civil services, successive governments, both Coalition and Labor, have poured billions of dollars into boosting the military, both for war and for dealing with domestic social and political discontent. As a result, the military alone possesses the resources needed to deal with large-scale fires and other disasters. This then provides the pretext for internal military mobilisations that seek to condition public opinion to the sight of troops on the streets. Notably, the terms of reference particularly focus on changing land management practices, including hazard reduction burning. This mainly means overturning limited restrictions on land clearing by agricultural, mining and industrial businesses, which will exacerbate global warming by reducing tree coverage. As for back-burning, it is increasingly impossible because of the extension of the dangerous fire season throughout much of the year. A group of former emergency service chiefs quickly discredited this agenda. Former Emergency Management Victoria commissioner Craig Lapsley said this years fires were so severe that areas where hazard reduction burns had been carried outand even mown lawnswere torched. The group insisted that measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions were the only way to keep Australians safe. Through the royal commission, the government is seeking to exploit the disaster to push for national emergency powers, including to mobilise the military. Morrison emphasised: In particular, we need to consider the need to establish new powers for the federal government to declare a national state of emergency to trigger direct federal government responses to national disasters, including the direct deployment of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Morrison said his government had entered a constitutional grey zone by unilaterally ordering a military mobilisation, including the first-ever compulsory call out of Reservists. This took place without the approval of the state governments, which are responsible for fire-fighting and other emergency services. In other words, a central purpose of the inquiry, to be headed by a former chief of the armed forces, is to hand unprecedented powers to the federal government, overturning constitutional constraints on the call out of the military on home soil. Emergency powers would allow the federal authorities to impose virtual martial law, with authority to tear up basic democratic rights by suspending all existing laws. Under the 1901 Australian Constitution, the federal government has no designated emergency powers. Instead, they are held in the hands of state governments. The New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian governments activated some of these powers several times during the summer, giving them the authority to override any law, issue orders and directives, and arrest anyone who failed to comply. Such powers, while invoked in the name of dealing with emergencies, can be utilised to suppress popular unrest including strikes by workers. The Victorian legislation, for example, was introduced under the banner of responding to the Black Saturday fires of 2009, which killed 173 people. But it defines emergency to include a hi-jack, siege or riot or a disruption to an essential service. The governments proposed new military deployment provisions would be on top of the expanded powers that it pushed through parliament in 2018, backed by the opposition Labor Party, to call out the armed forces to deal with domestic violencethat is, civil unrest. Significantly, the royal commission will be led by ex-Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, who was Chief of the Defence Force from 2014 to 2018. In order to find a way around the constitutional grey zone, he will be joined by a former Federal Court judge, Annabelle Bennett. The third commissioner, Professor Andrew Macintosh, is described as a specialist in climate risk and impact management. Throughout the political and media establishment, there has been no criticism of the drive for sweeping emergency and military powers. The Labor Party, which agrees with such powers, backed the inquiry, but said people wanted action on climate change. Likewise, the Greens leader Adam Bandt, who supports declaring a climate emergency, was silent on the governments plan, while saying the terms of reference were designed to skate over the climate crisis. There has been silence too on the Australians shocking revelations about the conditions facing firefighters. The newspaper reported: Around the countryfrom NSW to Queensland, Victoria to South Australiavolunteer firefighters contended with trucks that lacked the latest emergency sprinkler systems and heat-resistant materials, or did not have roll bars and protection against falling tree branches. A funding plea from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) to upgrade thousands of outdated trucks, some nearly 30 years old, had been sitting with the state government for months. The most ill-equipped trucks were in rural locations that bore the brunt of the fires. There were sub-par breathing apparatuses, antiquated IT systems and poor face masks, unable to keep out gas or smoke. Some volunteers paid for their own breathing apparatus. Three volunteer firefighters died in last Decembers fires when their trucks rolled over. Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew ODwyer, near Buxton, southwest of Sydney and Samuel McPaul near Albury, NSW, died and a further five were injured in the two incidents. All this is excluded from the inquirys terms of reference, setting the framework to absolve the political establishment of any responsibility for the bushfire crisis and to cover up the critical and urgent issues posed by the catastrophe. MONTREAL, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX-V: PYR) (OTCQB: PYRNF) (FRA: 8PY), a high-tech company, (the "Company", the Corporation or "PyroGenesis") that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma atomized metal powder, plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, is proud to announce the launch of its redesigned website taking effect this March. The website has been revamped to include new features and improved functionality that provide instant access to essential information and features geared towards PyroGenesis interested parties. PyroGenesis new website will be continuously updated with business developments, events, company presentations, media mentions and press releases. Once launched, visitors are encouraged to explore the website and sign up for direct emails from the Company. "We are happy to unveil our redesigned website which offers a clean and modern design providing a more comprehensive understanding of PyroGenesis technologies," said Mr. P Peter Pascali, CEO and President of PyroGenesis. "We believe that this website will allow our visitors to have a very informative experience as we continue to grow and increase our market presence. I trust the timing of this news release is not lost on our readers. Of note, it is possible that, during this transition, PyroGenesis website may be under maintenance for a period up to 24 hours. It is also important to note that, during the weeks following the launch date, the redesigned website may be experiencing some minor technical adjustments. PyroGenesis team will work diligently to ensure all issues are resolved in a timely manner. The company looks forward to hearing your comments and feedback. About PyroGenesis Canada Inc. PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a high-tech company, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and products. We provide engineering and manufacturing expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced materials (including 3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m2 manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. Our core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. Our operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, and have been since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded Canadian Corporation on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR) and on the OTCQB Marketplace. For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward- looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Corporation's current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Corporation with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Corporation's ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com , or at www.otcmarkets.com . Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc. For further information please contact: Rodayna Kafal, Vice President Investors Relations and Strategic Business Development Phone: (514) 937-0002, E-mail: ir@pyrogenesis.com 'He is wily and has everything that a political leader needs to succeed at that level.' 'He would be outstanding as a counter to Modi in the Lok Sabha, if he had the Opposition benches behind him,' says Aakar Patel. IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his wife Sunita offer prayers at the Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place on the eve of the Delhi assembly election, February 7, 2020. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo Arvind Kejriwal's superbly executed victory over the Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi has thrown up a few questions that we must consider. The BJP has shown total dominance in Indian elections over everything, from narrative to booth management. For the first time, in a highly polarised match, it was not the BJP that came up with the goods in the end. That must lead us to examine the victory and see what it portends. First we must look at the role of Delhi's Muslims in the victory. Only 12 per cent of the population, they could not have made a significant impact in the election, and they did not. The Aam Aadmi Party got over 53 per cent of the vote compared to the BJP's 38 per cent, a margin of 15 per cent. Even if no Muslim had voted in the election, AAP would have won more votes than the BJP, and it is the vote of Hindus that put Kejriwal on top. It was an election the BJP insisted was being fought between the desh bhakts (nationalists) and gaddars (traitors). Kejriwal's ability to skilfully avoid this and press home his advantage on governance and grassroots execution was what took him to victory. But it was quite clear that this was not a triumph of his liberalism. Columnist Mihir S Sharma expressed this best, writing that 'It might feel wonderful to declare that this was the voter in Delhi rejecting divisiveness and declaring her disagreement with what the BJP had to say, but that would be a brazen misinterpretation of what has actually happened.' 'In fact, the BJP won the argument. It simply did not win the election. AAP has not disagreed with the BJP on the themes or substance of its critique of Shaheen Bagh, of the anti-CAA protests, and so on.' 'Arvind Kejriwal himself complained the problem with the CAA was that Indians themselves were not getting jobs. He also declared that if given a free hand, he would clear Shaheen Bagh in a couple of hours, and that nobody had the right to block traffic indefinitely.' Kejriwal bolstered his credentials with a (possibly planned) recital of the Hanuman Chalisa, unfamiliar to most Indians. This gave him the space to move on from the Hindu versus Muslim frame the BJP had made and was probably the moment at which it became clear he was through to his third election win. Even before the Hanuman Chalisa episode, it should be mentioned here that AAP had also promised to add desh bhakti to the school curriculum, on the assumption that there is currently a shortage of it in the market, which there is not. There is far too much nationalism in India as opposed to rationalism and free thinking, but AAP is going with that flow, telling us that its position as a culturally traditionalist (that is, Hindu) party is strategic. So if we were to take this approach as a strategy, can we apply it elsewhere? Is the AAP model of governance plus a deliberate avoidance of liberal positions replicable elsewhere in India? Can another party (or possibly AAP itself) do to the BJP outside of Delhi what it did in February 2020? This is easily answered and unfortunately for those who are hardcore AAP fans, the answer is no. AAP's success is to a pretty large extent rooted in its location. Delhi is a small state with a population of 20 million or so. It controls a Rs 60,000 crore budget that runs a surplus. This is not the sort of situation that other states in India are familiar with. They have resources per capita that are much smaller than what is available to AAP. This is one reason why the party can promise and deliver its so-called freebies. These included free or highly subsidised water, Wi-Fi, electricity, public toilets, free public transport, teerth yatras for senior citizens, home delivery of ration and English tuition classes for the poor. These are not the sort of things that other states can give. It they did, it would bankrupt them. Of course it is the case that AAP must have managed its finances competently and this is not to say that its success is entirely the product of its location. It is not. But it is premised on it. The second part of the question is whether AAP can expand to other parts of India, given its undeniable brand equity and the quality of its execution. Here again, the neutral observer must conclude that it is not possible. India's political parties are formed on the back of large, already available community groupings that we refer to as caste. The BJP in Karnataka has been built on the back of a support base of the community known as the Lingayats. In Gujarat it is the Patidar who provides the primary voter and around whom the other communities coalesce. AAP is not caste based. Its leader comes from a very small community, the Agarwals, who are disproportionately powerful and influential compared to their numbers, but politics is about mass base. The AAP brand is urban, middle-class, modern (even though tinged with strong traditionalism) and to the extent that this is possible in politics in India, free of caste-based support. This leaves it bereft of the initial impetus needed to establish itself as a player of prominence in, say, Tamil Nadu or Madhya Pradesh. The most important thing on this issue is my wish that AAP not pursue 'soft Hindutva' of any sort. Because even if it were to succeed politically, it will be disastrous for the country. AAP is not the first and not the last party to flirt with traditionalism and so-called soft Hindutva. For decades before and after Partition, it was the Congress that has represented Hindu majoritarian sentiment. It is only the death of its last real Hindu leader (Indira Gandhi) and the rise of the much harder Hindu BJP that gave Congress the image of being secular. Those of us who remember the 1980s and what they brought didn't automatically classify Congress as being secular or soft. The success of any sort of majoritarian politics, and especially Hindutva, whether soft or hard, and whether led by Narendra Damodardas Modi or Kejriwal, will lead us to disaster. It will surprise readers to know that what is seen as the original sin on the subcontinent, Partition, can accurately be put down to the soft Hindutva approach of the Congress. Partition happened three decades after Muhammad Ali Jinnah first hammered out an agreement with the Congress in Lucknow. It was not the whim of an individual or the desire of Muslims to break up Bharat Mata that produced Partition and Pakistan (and later Bangladesh). It was the inability of Hindus led by the Congress to arrive at a power-sharing mechanism that would satisfy the world's largest religious minority. Had Jawaharlal Nehru accepted the Cabinet Mission plan, with a federal structure and a relatively weak centre, India would have come into freedom intact. But Nehru wanted a strong Centre, a desh bhakt centre, as India continues to have and as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has always insisted on. Any assertion of independence of action by the federation units is seen as secession. Any act of defiance by the minority to counter majoritarianism is seen as sedition and separatism. This is the root of the goli maaro saalon ko sentiment. Jinnah's concerns about how India would treat its minorities on achieving independence have been fully validated. His insistence on separate electorates with the option of voluntary integration was eminently sensible. Today, the party running the Indian government has 303 Lok Sabha MPs, of whom none is Muslim, the largest minority in the world. It is incorrect and cruel to say that Muslims partitioned India when their every attempt was to preserve the Union. It is equally wrong to assume that a weak Congress capitulated. It is the strength and backing received from over 90 per cent of the Hindus that gave the Congress the arrogance to go it alone and dismiss the legitimate demands of India's Muslims. We must weigh any future success AAP achieves through its soft Hindutva against what this approach has produced in the past. To end on a note more positive and upbeat, let us accept that there is, however, one very good way in which Kejriwal might be able to rise to prominence nationally. This is if the Opposition unite behind him as the person to take on Modi. He is in Delhi, from the Hindi belt, gifted at debate and in control of his material. He is wily and has everything that a political leader needs to succeed at that level individually. He would be outstanding as a counter to Modi in the Lok Sabha, if he had the Opposition benches behind him. We will, however, have to classify that as a pipe dream, though the fact is that the Delhi win has made many in India dream again. Public Enemy Radio to Perform at Bernie Sanders Super Tuesday Rally Torry Threadcraft Torry Threadcraft is a writer who covers music, sports, and The rally takes place on March 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Bernie Sanders has another high-profile figure to add to his list of endorsements. On Wednesday, Public Enemy Radio announced theyd be performing at a Sanders rally in March. The time is now! Chuck D said via Instagram caption. FIGHT THE POWER! Pull Up and see Public Enemy and Bernie Sanders March 1st at the LA Convention Center. Sanders has drawn a significant amount of support from the hip-hop community. Over the last five years, Killer Mike of Run the Jewels has spoken with Sanders at numerous campaign stops. Last week, The Coups Boots Riley announced his endorsement of Sanders. Public Enemy Radio consists of the bands original members, save for one Flavor Flav. The band was named Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award honorees back in December. Sarah Silverman, Dick Van Dyke, and controversial activist Shaun King will also speak at the rally. The rally takes place just two days before Californias Democratic primary on the pivotal Super Tuesday. 14 states will decide their nominee on that date: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia. Public Enemy joins a substantial list of activists to endorse Sanders. Earlier this month Barbara Smith, the activist who coined the term identity politics, announced her endorsement of Sanders for the second time. SOURCE: Chuck D Instagram Turkey and Russia are discussing opening Russian-controlled air space in Syria's Idlib region for armed and unarmed drones, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying on Thursday, but he added that problems over the issue persisted. Speaking to reporters in parliament, Akar said Ankara was "hopeful" about ongoing talks between Turkish and Russian officials in Ankara over the northwestern Idlib region, where Turkey's military is backing Syrian rebels against government forces backed by Russia. Akar also said he would speak with U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper by telephone later on Thursday, broadcaster NTV said. Search Keywords: Short link: Questioning the transfer of Delhi High Court judge S Muralidhar, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday asked the central government what message it was trying to convey. The notification of Justice Muralidhar's transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court came late Wednesday evening, on a day when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur. "What message is central government trying to give by transferring Justice Muralidhar, who showed his resentment against police inaction during Delhi violence and in failure of police to act against BJP leaders for their hate speeches" Gehlot tweeted on Thursday. "People have so much faith in the judiciary and the government's attempts to undermine the justice system are very unfortunate," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Congress delegation, including party chief Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday urged President Ram Nath Kovind to call for Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over his alleged "abdication of duty" during the communal violence in Delhi and remind the Centre of its "raj dharma". The delegation, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed Patel, P Chidambaram, K C Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala, also submitted a memorandum to the president over the wave of violence in Delhi. Reading out parts of the memorandum before the media outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Sonia Gandhi said that instead of taking remedies to diffuse the situation in Delhi, the Centre and the newly-elected Delhi government have remained "mute spectators" to the violence. The violence has taken the lives of 34 people and businesses have fallen prey to looting, Gandhi said. The party also asked the president to call for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged "abdication of duty" during the violence. Manmohan Singh, in his remarks to the media, said the Congress leaders called upon the President to convey to him that what has happened in the last four days in the national capital is a matter of deep concern and national shame. He alleged that there had been a "total failure" on the part of the central government to control the situation. The Congress requested the President to remind the central government of its 'raj dharma', Singh said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mike Pence is now in charge of the United States response to coronavirus, Donald Trump announced at a press conference Wednesday night. Mike Pences qualifications, per Trump, include that he is terrific in many ways, very good on health care, and really very expert at the field. OK! Here are a few fast facts about Mike Pence and public health: When he was governor of Indiana, Mike Pence signed anti-abortion bills at a rate of two per year. Advertisement Mike Pence has argued that sending kids to daycare stunts their emotional development, specifically their affection for their mothers. Mike Pence sure does not like Planned Parenthood, a health care provider. Mike Pence had to be told by an ER doctor at a restaurant about his own administrations proposed cuts to Medicare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Pence hasnt repealed Obamacare, but not for lack of trying! It sure sounds like Mike Pence advocated for conversion therapy when he ran for congress in 2000. The specific language from his campaign website: federal funding for HIV patients should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior. He did not mean condoms. Frankly, condoms are a very, very poor protection against sexually transmitted diseases, said Mike Pence in 2002. Researchers suggest that Mike Pence could have averted dozens of HIV infections in Indiana if he had supported basic public health measures when he took office as governor in 2013. At the very least, he could have not waited months to declare a state of emergency when it was clear there was a full-on outbreak. But he did. Mike Pence is not a doctor. Mike Pence is also not a scientist. Smoking doesnt kill. Mike Pence Euro initially tried to rally, and it did break above the 1.09 level initially, but then turned around to show signs of exhaustion. Ultimately, the market is one that is in a downtrend so Im not looking to buy this market at this point, so having said that Im simply looking for signs of exhaustion which we are starting to see yet again. The US dollar of course is one of the favorite currencies out there considering that the market continues to have plenty of reasons to be concerned that of course the European Union is very soft. Remember that the Euro is the anti-dollar, and you need to pay attention to the fact that if the US dollar is strengthening elsewhere, it almost has to by extension here. EUR/USD Video 27.02.20 If we do break above the top of the candlestick for the trading session on Wednesday though, that could send this market back towards the 1.10 level. With that in mind, I would not be a buyer on a break higher, I would just simply look to sell again at the 1.10 level once we get there and show signs of exhaustion. The 50 day EMA is sitting just above the 1.10 level, and that is something that should be paid attention to as well. If we were to close above there on the weekly chart, then you could start to talk about at trend change, but right now I just dont see it in the fundamental certainly dont line up with it. This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: After three days of riots, an uneasy calm has settled in Delhi. So far, 35 people have been killed and over 200 injured in the communal clashes that broke out after violence between anti and pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control. Meanwhile, Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar, who was hearing the Delhi violence case, has been transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Muralidhar had expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. The Delhi Police has been accused of not doing enough to contain the riots. On Wednesday, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited the violence-hit parts to bring the situation under control. After this, the police filed 18 FIRs and arrested 106 people for their involvement in riots. Check all the latest updates on BusinessToday.In live blog 12:59pm: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting today to review the situation in Delhi. The home secretary and other senior officers were part of the meeting. 12:56pm: Congress urges President Kovind to call for removal of Amit Shah A delegation from the Indian National Congress led by Smt Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh met President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday. The party has urged the president to remove Home Miister Amit Shah and accused him of abdication of duty. Sonia Gandhi-led delegation also urged President to use the power to protect 'rajdharma'. The Congress party said President Kovind would take cognisance. 12:17pm: Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and other party leaders meet President Ram Nath Kovind over Delhi violence. A delegation from the Indian National Congress led by Smt Sonia Gandhi and Dr Manmohan Singh called on President Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan pic.twitter.com/EVhRmbUsI4 President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 27, 2020 12:13pm: Situation is better now: medical store owner in Chand Bagh "Situation is better now. I'm trying to provide medicines to the people who have urgent requirements," Raisul Islam, a medical store in Chand Bagh area. Delhi: A medical store owner Raisul Islam in Chand Bagh area says, "Situation is better now. I'm trying to provide medicines to the people who have urgent requirements. Members of both communities carried out a peace march in the area to help restore normalcy." #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/mzLPxWMNOF ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2020 12:06pm: Normalcy is returning: Delhi Special Commissioner of Police "As of now the situation is returning to normal. We are registering cases and proceeding with legal action, soon we will be making arrests. I hope all these things will contribute to normalcy," SN Shrivastava said. 12:04pm: 2 bodies recovered from Gagan Vihar area 12:00pm: Adequate strength of security forces deployed in violence-hit area of northeast Delhi: Home ministry As against cited shortages of police personnel in Delhi, it is stated that there is adequate strength of forces on ground since this Monday. Based on professional assessment, 73 Coys of CAPFs deployed in addition to 40 Coys of Delhi Police. 11:50am: Toll rises to 34 Death toll has risen to 34 in northeast Delhi's violence, senior Delhi health department official told PTI. 11:48am: AAP leader Sanjay Singh, "Tahir Hussain has already given his statement in which he said that he gave all details to police and media about mob entering his house during the violence. He had asked police for protection". 11:43am: Delhi police joint commissioner OP Mishra inspects Chand Bagh area Delhi police joint commissioner OP Mishra has said, "Grocery and medical stores can be opened". He told people to not assemble in groups and added, "There is nothing to fear, police are here for your security". #WATCH Delhi Police Joint Commissioner OP Mishra during a flag march in Chand Bagh area announces, "Grocery, medical and other shops can be opened. There is nothing to fear, police are here for your security. Please don't assemble in groups, especially the youth". #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/nYhseSjf00 ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2020 11:28am: Arvind Kejriwal visits trouble spot Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Babarpur MLA Gopal Rai have visited the violence affected areas in Delhi on Thursday. @AapKaGopalRai @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/Y6AUPaBcqO AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 26, 2020 11:20am: Delhi violence targeted against Muslims: US Commission on International Religious Freedom The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has said that the Delhi violence in which over 30 people were killed, was specifically targeted against the Muslims. 11:10am: BJP's Kapil Mishra accuses AAP's Tahir Hussain of killing IB officer Ankit Sharma BJP leader Kapil Mishra has accused Aam Aadmi Party's municipal councillor Tahir Hussain for killing intelligence bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, whose body was recovered from northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh on Wednesday. 11:00am: USCIRF, sections of media politicise Delhi violence The Ministry of External Affairs, on Thursday, said that United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), sections of media and a few individuals had made inaccurate comments on Delhi communal clashes. The MEA said the remarks were made to politicise the issue. The MEA has urged people to avoid irresponsible comments and assured government was working to prevent further violence. 10:50am: WhatsApp goups, 'outsiders' under scanner Several WhatsAPP groups and people from outside Delhi are under scanner in connnection with Delhi violence. According to ANI news agency, WhatsApp chats revealed hate speeches, rumour-mongering and plan for attacks. Phone chats also included content like-stones to be brought from Maujpur, Barbarpur, Chand Bagh and Kardampuri. Apart from locals, police has said that several outsiders, especially from Uttar Pradesh participated in Delhi violence. 10:40am: Transfer of Justice Muralidhar done on recommendation of SC collegium, says Ravi Shankar Prasad Union BJP minister Ravi Shankar Prasad gave a clarification on the transfer of Justice Muralidhar. Prasad said that his (Muralidhar) transfer was done on recommendation of SC collegium. "A well-settled process was followed," Prasad added. 10:35am: Classic 'hit-and-run' injustice by BJP govt: Congress on HC judge S Muralidhar's transfer Congress, on Thursday said that Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar transferred by government was to save BJP leaders in Delhi violence case. The party also stated that, "It seems those doing justice in country will now not be spared". Congrss attacked BJP saying, "Classic 'hit-and-run' injustice by BJP govt, its politics of revenge exposed". 10:30am: BJP leader files PIL to implement Law Commission's report on hate speech BJP leader and lawyer, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in Supreme Court seeking its immediate direction to implement the Law Commission's report on alleged hate and inflammatory speech. 10:25am: Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday, wrote a tweet in which he remebered Justice Loya. The tweet was in a reference to the transfer of Delhi High Court Justice S Muralidhar, who was hearing the Delhi violence case. Justice Loya died on December 1, 2014 due to cardiac arrest where he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. Reportedly, Loya died when he was hearing a matter related to the allegedly fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh. In this fake encounter Home minister Amit Shah was one of the accused but was later acquitted of all charges. Incidentally, Shah was Gujarat state minister when this fake encounter took place. 10:20am: Class 8 student who went to take exam missing since Monday A 13-year-old girl, who had gone to school to take an examination in the Khajuri Khas area two days ago, went missing amid violence in northeast Delhi, according to police. 10:15am: Death toll rises to 32 The death toll in violence-hit areas in northeast Delhi has risen to 32, according to senior health department official. 10:05am: 'Hindu-Muslim, Sikh-Issai Sab Hain Bhai-Bhai': AAP's Sanjay Singh takes out peace march in east Delhi Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh took out a peace march in east Delhi's Gandhi Nagar assembly constituency in a bid to ease tensions after three days of communal violence. Chants of 'Hindu-Muslim, Sikh-Issai Sab Hain Bhai-Bhai', 'Bhaichara Zindabad' and 'Humari Ekta Zindabad' were heard during the march. @SanjayAzadSln pic.twitter.com/W6oHR9bdPB AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 26, 2020 10:00am: Death toll touches 30 at GTB hospital Death toll has increased to 30 at the hospital, Sunil Kumar Gautam Medical Superintendent at Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital said. 9:55am: Delhi Police issues two helpline numbers Delhi Police has issued two helpline numbers 22829334 and 22829335 wherein people can contact for any assistance or can share any information with the police. 9:50am: Over 100 people arrestd in connection with Delhi violence Police has registered 18 FIRs so far and 106 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, Delhi Police spokesperson, M.S Randhawa said. 9:45am: Security personnel deployed in Maujpur, Jafrabad, Seelampur and Babarpur 9:40am: Received 19 calls in 8 hours from violence affected areas; 100 firemen deployed: Fire department Atul Garg, Fire Department director stated that he received 19 calls from 12 am till 8 am on Thursday from the violence affected areas of Northeast Delhi. Garg added, "More than 100 firemen have been deployed. The four fire stations in these areas have been provided with extra fire tenders". 9:35am: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee writes a poem condemning the violence in Delhi Search for an address getting lost A storm raging the country at gunpoint A peaceful country turned violent Is it the end of democracy? Who will give the answer? Will there be a solution You and me are deaf and dumb The sacred land turns into a hell 9:30am: Priyanka Gandhi blasts over midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar- "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad and shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient and upright judiciary, the government's attempts to muzzle justice and break their faith are deplorable," Congress general secretary said. Newark, NJ, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As per the report published by Fior Markets, the global bottled water processing market is expected to grow from USD 420.9 Billion by 2025 at a CAGR of 10.51% during the forecast period from 2018-2025. Bottled water is defined as the processed and packed water which is made appropriate for drinking. The standards for checking the quality of drinking water are established by governments with reference to international standards. These standards mainly emphasizes on minimum and maximum concentrations of minerals, TSS etc. All the water handling units should be properly approved and certified by the regulations and standards given by the government. A newest trend of fortifying water with vitamins and electrolyte is being followed so as to revitalise the body. The process of desalination of ocean/sea water in which the salt is removed from water has gained high importance in the regions where there is lack of fresh water. After the process bottle water is available in plastic and glass water bottles, and is the most convenient way for the body to full its hydration needs being easily available in nearby retail stores and supermarkets. The market determined by the rise in healthcare awareness about waterborne diseases such as malaria, typhoid, diarrhoea, food poisoning, and others. Furthermore, bottled water is more transportable and appropriate to use as it is handy, thus supporting the market growth. Increase in health alarms has subsequently led to better consumption of bottled water which has powered the growth of the market. Also, growth in per capita expenditure and rapid urbanization is additional key driver of the market. DOWNLOAD FREE SAMPLE REPORT AT https://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/375945/request-sample Key players operating in the global bottled water processing market include Pall Corporation, Dow Chemical Co., Velocity Equipment Solutions Inc., Liquid Packaging Solutions Inc., and General Electric among others. Leaders are providing improved opportunities and endlessly focused on new product expansions and venture capital investments to capture market share. To enhance their market position in the global bottled water processing market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as product innovations, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, joint venture, collaborations, and partnership. In February 2017, PepsiCo (US) launched a finest bottled water brand LIFEWTR, a purified water bottle that has balanced pH with electrolytes added for taste. In April 2017, Danone (US) launched Mizone, a quality bottled water brand in China and marketed its products in business with regional superstars and key social influencers. Dow Water & Process Solutions, a commercial unit of The Dow Chemical Company, was designated by SUEZ, a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant design, construction and processes leader since 1969, to supply its advanced RO elements to desalinate seawater at the Barka Desalination Plant Phase 4 (Barka IWP), situated in Barka in the South Batinah governorate of Oman. Situated in the Middle East, one of the thirstiest regions in the world, the new purification plant has a volume to deliver 281 million liters of safer drinking water per day, serving alleviate water shortage in the area and definitely donating to the safety of water supply in the country. The plastic segment is supervisory the bottled water processing market and valued with USD 88.54 Billion in 2017 The packaging material section is classified into plastic, glass and others. The plastic part is controlling the bottled water processing market and valued with USD 88.54 Billion in 2017. Plastics displays various characteristics such as durability, safety, hygiene, and lightness of weight which have augmented the popularity of plastic bottles. Sparkling water part is growing with the highest CAGR of 12.6% in the forecast period Product type section is divided into segments such as a still water and sparkling water. Sparkling water part is growing with the highest CAGR of 12.6% in the forecast period. It is predictable to experience a noteworthy growth due to rising demand of substitutes for carbonated beverages. The filters segment is ruling the market and valued around USD 54.67 Billion in 2017 The equipment segment comprises filters, bottle washers, fillers & cappers, blow molders, shrink wrappers and others. The filters segment is ruling the market and valued around USD 54.67 Billion in 2017. Filters are mostly used for the elimination of visible particles and for removing the microorganisms from potable water. The filtration process segment is leading with the highest share of 39.20% in 2017 The technology division comprises Ion exchange and demineralisation, disinfection, filtration and packaging. The filtration process segment is leading with the highest share of 39.20% in 2017. The filtration process is one of the method used for the purification and purification of water. The major membrane filtration methods used for processing bottled water includes microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF). Browse full report with TOC at https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-bottled-water-processing-market-by-product-type-still-375945.html Regional Segment Analysis of the Bottled Water Processing 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. Asia Pacific region conquered the global bottled water processing market with USD 1.80 Billion in 2017 where as the North America region held the second dominant position in the market. The Asia Pacific region is controlling due to increasing population coupled with rapid urbanization in countries such as India, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia which is likely to be the key driver for the market About the report: The global bottled water processing market is analysed on the basis of value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analyzed on global, regional and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each segment. The report offers in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining the key insight of the market. The study includes porters five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution and marketing channels analysis. For Instant Purchase: Single User License: https://www.fiormarkets.com/checkout.html?reportid=375945&type=single Corporate License: https://www.fiormarkets.com/checkout.html?reportid=375945&type=corp Customization of the Report: The report can be customized as per client requirements. For further queries, you can contact us on sales@fiormarkets.com or +1-201-465-4211. Our executives will be pleased to understand your requirements and offer you the best-suited reports. About Fior Markets Fior Markets is a futuristic market intelligence company, helping customers flourish their business strategies and make better decisions using actionable intelligence. With transparent information pool, we meet clients objectives, commitments on high standard and targeting possible prospects for SWOT analysis and market research reports. Fior Markets deploys a wide range of regional and global market intelligence research reports including industries like technology, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, food and beverages, chemicals, media, materials and many others. Our Strategic Intelligence capabilities are purposely planned to boost your business extension and elucidate the vigor of diverse industry. We hold distinguished units of highly expert analysts and consultants according to their respective domains. The global market research reports we provide involve both qualitative and quantitative analysis of current market scenario as per the geographical regions segregated and comprehensive performance in different regions with global approach. In addition, our syndicated research reports offer a packaged guide to keep companies abreast of the upcoming major restyle in their domains. 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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.magnifierresearch.com Related Reports Global Quinoa Seeds Market - https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-quinoa-seeds-market-by-seed-type-organic-375953.html Global Rice Syrup Market - https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-rice-syrup-market-by-nature-organic-conventional-375954.html Global Soap Noodles Market - https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-soap-noodles-market-by-product-type-vegetable-375955.html Global Wood Vinegar Market - https://www.fiormarkets.com/report/global-wood-vinegar-market-by-method-slow-pyrolysis-375956.html The Government of Mexico has returned an Ile-Ife bronze sculpture to Nigeria after it discovered that it was illegally exported. This was contained in a press statement obtained on Mexicos website yesterday. The statement said the origin of the sculpture was authenticated by experts. It read in part, The customs agency of Mexicos Tax Administration Service, in coordination with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, returned a bronze Ife sculpture of the Yoruba people to Nigeria. The sculpture was discovered by customs officials at the Mexico City International Airport when the buyer tried to get it into the country. The sculpture and its provenance were authenticated by experts and agencies of both countries, with the participation of specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History. It had been exported illegally. The statement added that returning the sculpture to Nigeria was part of Mexicos commitment to protecting cultural heritage. It added, Mexico strongly opposes illicit trafficking in cultural property. By returning it to Nigeria, the government shows its commitment to protecting cultural heritage. International monitoring and cooperation are essential for complying with current laws, including the 1970 UNESCO Convention. The illicit trafficking of cultural property is one of the main causes of the impoverishment of cultural heritage. It deprives the world of valuable information about the origin, context, and nature of these objects. The statement quoted Nigerian Ambassador Aminu Iyawa as thanking Mexico for its assistance. Mexico and Nigeria have strong bilateral ties and channels of dialogue that made it possible for this sculpture to be returned, the statement added Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Big Insurance Must Help End Surprise Medical Billing It is a serious financial problem that far too many African Americans from impoverished individuals to working-class families face these days in the bewilderingly complicated health-care market: Getting hit with an unexpected bill after a hospital stay or visit to the emergency room. Known as surprise medical billing, these unexpected costs arise when a patient goes to a hospital for emergency or non-emergency care, only to find out afterwards that one of the medical providers who administered care was not covered in the patients insurance network. This outrageous situation benefits one group and one group alone: powerful insurance executives, who have managed to get off the financial hook for such bills, even as insurers shrink insurance coverage networks to wring more and more profits out of the system. ADVERTISEMENT But this predatory practice is overwhelming to a family already dealing with the emotional and financial burdens of a medical crisis, typically adding thousands of dollars in unexpected expenses that can wipe out savings accounts or otherwise strain tight household budgets. So, what can be done to stop and end surprise medical billing? The good news is that both Republicans and Democrats in Congress agree that legislation is needed to protect patients against unexpected medical charges. But as with many complicated issues confronting Congress, lawmakers have been divided on the details of such legislation. Part of the paralysis in Congress stems from confusion and disinformation, as insurance executives and their allies try to frame the debate to their advantage. When Congress tried to address the issue last year, for example, the insurance lobbying machine swung into action, attempting to place the blame for surprise bills on out-of-network medical providers who end up having to charge patients when insurers refuse to cover a medical bill. Big insurance almost got its way in that legislative debate when a handful of lawmakers threw support behind a legislative proposal that would shield insurance companies from paying what they ought to pay. The legislation, championed by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), specifically called for setting benchmarked rates for out-of-network medical providers. ADVERTISEMENT But far from solving the problem, this approach would make matters worse. It not only frees insurers from their responsibilities. It fails to compensate providers for the cost of the care that they actually provide. And that, in turn, means either patients will get stuck with the bill or medical providers will have to absorb big losses that ultimately jeopardize their ability to stay in business. Fortunately, the proposed bill stalled after the medical community warned that the benchmarked rate favored by the insurance industry would allow insurers to exert a new troubling level of control over health-care prices and the larger health-care delivery system. Now, as Congress begins to take up the issue once again, health insurance companies that evaded significant scrutiny last year seem to be drawing close scrutiny now, both inside and outside of Washington. Speaking to a group of faith leaders and policymakers in South Carolina, an important stop for the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, Reverend Al Sharpton criticized the surprise medical billing legislation backed by insurers and stressed the urgent need to deal with the continued lack of access to adequate health insurance coverage for minority communities. Washington is getting it wrong, he wrote in an opinion piece published after his South Carolina trip, adding that the bill introduced by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to `solve the surprise billing problem would literally insulate insurance companies from covering these costs, at a time when profits for insurance companies have reached record highs. In the U.S. House of Representatives, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Ma.) predicted that health insurers would do little more than look out for their own interest if they were given the authority to set rates for out-of-network providers. My concern with giving too much weight to such a benchmark rate is that we already know insurers are looking for any way they can to pay the least amount possible, he said. They will work to push those rates down, regardless of what it means for community providers like physicians, hospitals, and our constituents who they employ. There were similar concerns in the U.S. Senate, where Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) warned that insurers began gaming the system in California once benchmarking rates became the law of the land in that state in 2016. Insurance companies cancel contracts and then they have the negotiating power and they establish their own rate, he said, adding that such benchmarking of rates would likely put hospitals out of business. Its worth noting that lawmakers are raising such concerns despite the considerable backing the insurance-industry legislation has had from two powerful lawmakers: Senator Alexander, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and Frank Pallone, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, whose jurisdiction includes health care issues. More than that, Senator Cassidy introduced legislation that would eliminate surprise medical billing by establishing an arbitration system between insurers and providers rather than sticking the disputed medical charges to patients. And that legislation is gaining strong bipartisan support, as is a similar bill in the House that is being advanced Representative Phil Roe (R-TN) and Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA), both of whom are doctors. Surprise medical billing is a problem we can no longer ignore, particularly at a time when roughly two-thirds of Americans say that they are concerned about their ability to pay for an unexpected medical expense for themselves or for a family member. And this practice it is especially hard on African Americans and other people of color in the U.S. who already face significant barriers to health care and who generally receive lower quality of care than the rest of the nation. Congress has an opportunity to make things right by ending the practice of surprise medical billing. Black Americans and all others in America shouldnt be saddled with exorbitant bills that they had no reason to expect and that impose an unjust financial burden. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached at [email protected] The Economy Ministries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of mutual understanding and cooperation in Tashkent on the sidelines of Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan Forum of Interregional Cooperation, Trend reports citing Kazinform. The forum with participation of the Heads of Government was held on February 25-26, the Ministrys press service reports. The parties are expected to share open economic, legal and other information, and texts of the corresponding legislative acts, including amendments. Todays forum is another step towards mutually beneficial cooperation and the establishment of strong ties between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It will give an impetus to promoting inter-regional and trans-border investment, mutual cooperation between business circles and regions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Kazakh National Economy Minister Ruslan Dalenov said. Over the next 10 years, the population of the Toronto area will hit 8 million people. How will the city handle the rapid growth and fill its ever-increasing employment needs? Already experts are pointing to a talent gap in Toronto too few people to fill the jobs needed in information technology, the skilled trades and health care. Experts warn that without government, industry and schools working together, those skills gaps could grow even bigger by 2030, exacerbated by retiring baby boomers, Torontos high cost of living and lingering bias against blue-collar work. So what can the city do to retain talent and attract skilled workers? We asked five people why they left Toronto to pursue work opportunities. Their reasons shed light on what Toronto could do to hold on to talent. Heres what they had to say. Ryan Radersma, 25 Left Toronto for: Los Angeles in 2017 Works in: Film and TV industry as a marketing producer Why did you leave? I had no choice! Toronto is my favourite city in the world, but after having sent out hundreds of applications to jobs I was qualified for without receiving even a single callback, I reached out to contacts I had made during a previous internship in L.A., and was able to score an interview on the very first job I applied for here. Ive spent three years in L.A. now; I continue to apply for jobs in Toronto hoping to one day be able to move back without success. Meanwhile, its a completely different world here recruiters in the media industry reach out to me regularly to offer interviews I cant accept due to my very limited work visa. I hope one day to be able to do what I love in my home country, but unless some drastic expansion of the Canadian media industry occurs, it doesnt seem likely. And its a shame. Samuel Yuen, 25 Left Toronto for: Apple, Cupertino, Calif., in 2017 Works in: Consumer electronics and technology as a product design engineer Why did you leave? Primarily, I left Toronto and moved to California because the Bay Area simply offers better opportunities in tech both in terms of quantity and quality of opportunities when compared to what can be found in Toronto. It doesnt even feel like it comes close. I found this especially true for hardware and product development jobs (electrical and mechanical engineers). The available positions are much more compelling in the Bay Area in terms of both total monetary compensation as well as the opportunity to work on interesting and challenging projects or problems with large scope and impact. Theres also a good variety of tech companies, all of varying sizes, to choose from and work at. This gives me more flexibility in terms of career development, growth, and where I want to go next. Another reason I left is because most of my friends from university also moved down to the Bay Area when we graduated. I think they also left Toronto for better opportunities and its way easier to move to a brand-new place with people you already know and hang out with. Lastly, I like being outdoors and I find that there are a lot more things to do in California (surf, ski, hike, etc.) and youre a lot closer to the mountains! And I cant complain about the weather in California. Mecha Clarke, 28 Left Toronto for: Ghana in 2018, has returned, but is planning to go back Works in: Art, graphic design and UX/UI experiential design as a volunteer Why did you leave? While my (former design) job was very rewarding, as I worked with great people and on very impactful projects, I had wanderlust and felt the strong desire to get out of Toronto for a bit. Although an extended vacation was my first thought, I quickly remembered that I would still need to be able to financially support myself and develop my skills, so I reached out to a non-profit volunteer organization whose objectives aligned with my vision for my first overseas volunteering experience. Working closely with the program co-ordinators, we were able to come up with a custom mandate geared toward building the capacity of a local NGO in Ghana in the areas of graphic design, website design, creative writing and more. Something I think about now that Im back in Toronto is how saturated the graphic design field is here versus the complete lack of that industry in Ghana, a country that prioritizes STEM occupations. Finding a design job in Toronto is a very strenuous task and, unfortunately, really feels like its entirely about who you know. In Ghana, my skills were a major asset to the organization and I secured many freelance projects that definitely had the potential to become full-time positions had I been interested. I do have plans to go back. Eva Konca, 30 Left Toronto for: London, U.K., in 2015 Works in: Fashion and HR as a resourcing specialist Why did you leave? I felt there werent many opportunities in Toronto within the fashion industry and London was recommended to me by a few friends and acquaintances who had moved there (from Toronto). I was also curious to see what the lifestyle was like in Europe. The main reason I moved was because of the opportunities to connect and network in Europe in the fashion field that wouldnt be accessible or as rich in Toronto. Now Im very well connected in the industry and can find work easily. Chris Plosaj, 33 Left Canada for: Hong Kong in 2015 Works in: Digital strategy and e-commerce as a design and development specialist Why did you leave? I felt undervalued as a designer. The design industry is more mature in Canada, but there is also an oversaturation of designers. Also, Hong Kong provides a much better salary, less taxes. I also left to have fun and to challenge myself and gain a new career perspective. In Hong Kong you often compete with the best and working in Asia Ive learned more in a year than I did in three years working in Canada. Things move at a much different pace here. Also, a big reason is Hong Kongs approach to hiring. Many companies in my industry actively seek to hire some expat employees and everyone works through recruitment agencies. In fact, its pretty much the only way to get a job here and it means that you constantly have a network of recruiters and are being regularly approached about work opportunities. In fact, on a random holiday in Hong Kong, I met a recruiter that helped me find a job here and move within the same year. The rest is history. Disclaimer: I lived in Hong Kong as a kid for some time, and although moving back here didnt feel as familiar as you might expect, it was a bit easier to find work since I didnt need a work visa. Israel approved nearly 1,800 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank Thursday, the countrys right-wing defence minister announced, four days ahead of a general election. The ministry said a planning committee "approved the construction of 1,800 housing units, according to the proposal of the Minister of Defence Naftali Bennett", in a statement that quoted figures adding up to slightly below this amount. "We don't wait, we act. We will not give an inch of the land of Israel to the Arabs, but for that, we must build there," the statement quoted Bennett as saying. Anti-settlement NGO Peace Now said a total of 1,739 homes were earmarked, 92 percent of which were deep inside the West Bank. It said 1,036 were approved through a first major stage, while 703 went through a final major hurdle. Separately a new industrial park was approved for construction near Qalqilya in the West Bank, Peace Now said. The announcement was praised by the Yesha council which represents settlers throughout the West Bank. "This decision strengthens the Israeli presence in Judea and Samaria and we are delighted," the council's head David Elhayani said in a statement, using the biblical name for the West Bank. It was the second major settlement statement in recent days, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday announced 3,500 new homes in the E1 corridor, a highly sensitive part of the West Bank. The international community has warned repeatedly that Jewish settlement construction in the E1 corridor, which passes from Jerusalem to Jericho, would slice the West Bank in two and compromise the contiguity of a future Palestinian state. Israel is due to hold a general election on March 2 in which Bennett's far-right Yemina coalition and Netanyahu's rightwing Likud vie for the support of Israel's more than 600,000 settlers. "In the battle over the settler right-wing vote, Bennett and Netanyahu are dragging Israel to invest in thousands of harmful and unnecessary settlement units," Peace Now said in a statement. Israel seized the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the Six-Day War of 1967 in moves never recognised by the international community. Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories are considered illegal by the United Nations and most foreign governments. Monday's election will be Israel's third in a year after deadlocked polls in April and September 2019 saw neither Netanyahu nor his centrist rival Benny Gantz able to form a governing coalition. Opinion polls ahead of Monday's election showed the two parties near neck-and-neck yet again. Netanyahu, 70, will stand trial next month after being indicted for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. The Iranian government has covered up an outbreak of coronavirus that now threatens the Middle East and has led to border closures and hospitalizations in five countries. Over the weekend of February 21, president Hassan Rouhani and other Iranian officials downplayed the growing crises as Irans death toll from the virus climbed. It is now apparent that the regime, which has threatened the region with ballistic missiles, drones, naval mines, and militias over the last few years, has become a health threat as well, as it incubates a potential pandemic. The coronavirus has likely traveled from China to Irans city of Qom along the same route that pilgrims and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps uses to travel, illustrating the regimes disregard for its own citizens and neighbors. It all began with Irans wanting to show the world it had higher turnout at recent elections. Iranian member of parliament Mahmoud Sadeghi called on officials to take the coronavirus seriously during elections, and alleged that the government was hiding the outbreak of the contagious virus last week. Instead, Irans regime kept the extent of the spread of the virus under wraps, keeping it off the homepages of major local media. Turkish officials also warned last week that there were 750 coronavirus cases in Iran, and that it had spread from the religious city of Qom to other regions. Yet Irans deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi downplayed fears on Monday, claiming rumors of 50 deaths were false. Now Haririchi and Sadeghi are both sick, and Irans death toll is the second-worst for the virus, after China itself. Irans failure to confront the health crises is not just due to the regimes authoritarianism. China has fought the virus with authoritarian quarantining of Wuhan. Instead, it is the regimes preexisting arrogance, conspiracy-minded behavior, and siege mentality that led to its discounting an emerging crisis and enabled Shiite pilgrims traveling to Qom from all over the world to continue praying together and traveling without checks, becoming incubators of the virus. People returning from Iran have spread the virus across the Gulf to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. They have returned to Najaf, a holy city in Iraq, where dozens are now under observation. Story continues Iran couldnt have chosen a worse time in the Middle East to do this. Countries such as Iraq are beset by protests and uncertainty, with Iraq specifically lacking a new government and threatened by ISIS resurgence. The Gulf already has one crisis between Saudi Arabia and Qatar and is economically on edge due to serving as a transport hub linked to global trade amid all this. Chinas coronavirus has spooked markets, and Iran is adding to the disaster. The Iranian regime has mocked coronavirus as similar to the flu in recent comments. And it has weaponized the tragedy to use it against U.S. sanctions by claiming that, like the sanctions, it is overrated. Irans government is using the Iranian people as a human shield, and their alleged lack of suffering from the virus as a propaganda tool. Yet ultimately, the virus may be more of a threat to Rouhanis government than he realizes. With officials sick, schools closed, and the military, police, and IRGC mobilized, the regime may find that propaganda wont cure this crisis. Irans regime has survived using brutality, killing protesters last year, shooting down an airline this year, and blaming others for its problems while it seeks to attack Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. But Iran was unprepared for an epidemic, and its normal arsenal wont save it. Unfortunately for the Gulf, Iraq, and other countries, Irans incubation is a threat to the world now. Its airlines, such as Mahan Air, have likely spread the virus to Lebanon and brought it from China. Mahan Air and other Iranian IRGC-linked firms have transported arms and operatives throughout the region. It wouldnt be a surprise if a similar route enabled the virus to spread unchecked. The regimes toxic blend of religion, militancy, and authoritarianism have come together in the worst possible way at the worst time in a fragile region. More from National Review Damien has said he is frustrated over Matt Hancock seemingly going against Foreign Office travel advice. A British traveller has accused the health secretary of making ridiculous comments about travelling to coronavirus-hit northern Italy. Damien Hellewell, 36, from Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire, travelled to the country with his Italian girlfriend on Saturday to visit her relatives. The Foreign Offices travel website tells visitors the Italian government has locked down 10 towns in the north of the country but does not recommend against travel, instead directing potential tourists to a travel advice website. But today, when repeatedly asked on Sky News if he would be happy to travel to northern Italy, health secretary Matt Hancock said: Certainly southern Italy is perfectly reasonable to travel to. Im not planning on (going to northern Italy) - put it that way. We havent changed the official government travel advice but Im not planning on going. That led Hellewell, who is in Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region, to criticise the health secretarys remarks which he interpreted as suggesting Hancock was unwilling to go to the north of Italy because of coronavirus fears. Emilia-Romagna has been affected by coronavirus but Modena is not under lockdown. Matt Hancock told Sky he was not planning to visit northern Italy, though he added that the south was "perfectly reasonable" to go to (PA) I think its ridiculous that a member of the cabinet can say he wouldnt go to the north of Italy when the official advice is its fine, he told Yahoo News UK. Surely they have to be speaking with one voice on this, either its fine or its not. If hes the health secretary he should be the one most knowledgeable of whats happening, he should be dictating what that advice is. The advice is its fine to go to Italy, if you go back you dont have to be in quarantine unless you have symptoms, but hes saying he wouldnt go. Its not right. Hancock said official advice is that if you go to affected regions in Italy and develop flu-like symptoms you should self-isolate for two weeks. Modena is not in the quarantine zone where 50,000 people have locked down across towns, but Damien is worried that advice may change by the time he is due to fly back on Friday. Story continues He is not worried about catching the virus but has concerns about whether his ability to travel will be hindered, with some countries shutting their borders to places that have had a coronavirus outbreak. Austria temporarily halted a train from Italy when fears rose that some of the passengers had flu-like symptoms. Yahoo New UK has contacted the UKs Department of Health and Social Care for comment. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Torrence Otten (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Thu, February 27, 2020 10:05 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066e19a2 2 World US,mass-shooting,GunViolence,weapon Free A gunman killed five employees of one of America's best-known breweries on Wednesday before turning the weapon on himself in the latest burst of mass gun violence in the US. More than 1,000 employees were at the Molson Coors brewing complex in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when the early-afternoon tragedy occurred, the city's police chief Alfonso Morales told reporters. He said officers found the suspect, a 51-year-old local man, dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. News reports said the gunman was an employee. Mayor Tom Barrett said five other people, all workers at the facility, were killed. "This is an unspeakable tragedy for our city," Barrett said at the same press conference. President Donald Trump earlier gave the first official word of the toll. "A wicked murderer opened fire at a Molson Coors brewing company plant, taking the lives of five people, a number of people wounded, some badly wounded," Trump said at a press conference on the new coronavirus. US media including ABC News and the local Fox affiliate reported the shooter had been fired earlier in the day from the beer giant, which owns the Coors and Miller brands. The local CBS affiliate said the shooter appeared to have stolen the nametag of another employee, then returned to the office complex with a gun. But The New York Times quoted Representative Gwen Moore, a Democrat whose district includes Milwaukee, as saying the gunman was an employee who was in uniform. A view of a sign above one of the Molson Coors campus buildings following a shooting on February 26, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ( AFP/Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) Company restructuring Molson Coors, a Canadian-US company, said it was working with the police department, adding: "Our top priority is our employees." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel quoted the husband of a brewery employee, Lasonya Ragdales, as saying she was informed by the company of an active shooter on the premises, and was texting him while locked in a room with co-workers. Nearby schools were also placed on lockdown. Known until last year as MillerCoors, the brewer announced in October that it would undergo a large restructuring and officially changed its name to Molson Coors Brewing Co. It also moved its North American headquarters office from Denver to Chicago and shifted hundreds of corporate office jobs to Milwaukee. The company was expected to cut 400 to 500 jobs throughout the organization during the restructuring. The scene of the shooting is known locally as the "old Miller" brewing company, Morales said. It was the latest in a long list of gun-related violence in the US, which saw a record 417 mass shootings in 2019, according to the research group Gun Violence Archive. Democratic presidential hopefuls weighed in on the latest case. "May we find the strength and will to act against gun violence, and never accept the unacceptable," said Pete Buttigieg. "I'm devastated for the victims, and my heart is with their loved ones and all those affected by this tragedy. We shouldn't have to live with this constant horror and grief. We need to act now to end the gun violence epidemic," said Senator Elizabeth Warren. Knives Out Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references, and drug material Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97 percent Available on Disc and Streaming Writer/director Rian Johnson (Looper, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) continues his Hollywood hot streak with this A-lister mystery pic about a Southern detective (Daniel Craig) who is hired to investigate the possible murder of a famous author (Christopher Plummer), where every member of his family are suspects. Also starring Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Colette, as well as a star-making performance from newcomer Ana de Armas, the movie meanders through a web of deceit, lies and greed, making you feel comfortable in your whodunnit guesses until the very end where you realize how wrong you are. It is a fun, well-crafted comedic thriller with exceptional acting, all stemming from one of the biggest creative talents in the industry. A Frozen II Rated PG for action/peril and some thematic elements Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77 percent Available on Disc and Streaming In Disneys latest princess musical, Elsa and Anna are happy and content in Arendale, when Elsa hears a mysterious call that leads her and her sister on a journey to discover the real truth about their parents and their past. As expected, the animation is gorgeous and much of the movie is fun and enjoyable. The music isnt nearly as good as the first, but there are some decent songs, including a terrific 80s style ballad Lost in the Woods which could have only been better had Peter Cetera been the crooner. My biggest problem with the film is that I think Im still a little Frozened out and I need to defrost. The first one was such a massive success which Disney has more than capitalized on, and this sequel feels like too much, too soon. Its a quality show, but I wonder if it would have been more successful, both critically and financially, if they had waited a few more years. That being said, the kids dont seem to mind too much so Im sure it will be remembered fondly from the audience that matters the most here. B- Danny Minton may be reached at danny@dannyminton.com. MANILA, Philippines (AP) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said Filipino forces can fight insurgents and Muslim extremists without American military help, in a defense of his recent decision to terminate a U.S. security pact. Duterte also said in a speech that he would stick to a decision made early in his presidency, when he was enraged by then President Barack Obamas criticism of his deadly anti-drug crackdown, that he will not travel to the United States. The brash Philippine leader has often criticized U.S. security policies while praising China and Russia since taking office in mid-2016 for a six-year term. U.S. President Donald Trump invited Duterte to join a meeting he will host for leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Las Vegas next month. Duterte has better relations with Trump than with Obama, but his remarks Wednesday support an earlier statement by his spokesman that he would not attend the Las Vegas meeting. Do we need America to survive as a nation?" Duterte asked. "Do we need ... the might and power of the military of the United States to fight our rebellion here and the terrorists down south and control drugs? The military and police said, `Sir, we can do it, he said. If we cant do it, we have no business being a republic, Duterte said. You might as well choose. We can be a territory of the Americans or we can be a province of China. The Philippine government notified the U.S. two weeks ago that it intends to end the Visiting Forces Agreement, which allows American forces to train in large numbers in the Philippines, in the most serious threat under Duterte to the two nations' 69-year treaty alliance. The termination takes effect after 180 days unless both sides agree to keep the VFA. The waiting period allows the allies to renegotiate contentious terms of the 1998 agreement. The accord allows the entry and temporary stay of American forces along with U.S. military ships and aircraft for joint training with Filipino troops. The maneuvers include annual drills that Philippine security officials have credited with helping beat back communist insurgents nationwide and Islamic State group-aligned Muslim militants in the southern Philippines. Story continues The VFA specifies which country has jurisdiction over American soldiers who are accused of crimes while in the Philippines, a sensitive issue in the former American colony. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has called the decision by the Duterte administration unfortunate. Trump, however, reacted dismissively, saying, If they would like to do that, thats fine. Well save a lot of money." Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who signed the notice of termination at Dutertes direction, has proposed a review of the agreement to fix contentious issues instead of abrogating it. Duterte threatened to terminate the agreement after Washington reportedly canceled the U.S. visa of a loyal ally, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who was linked to human rights violations when he enforced the presidents deadly anti-drug crackdown as national police chief in 2016. Duterte gave the U.S. a month to restore dela Rosas visa, but U.S. officials have not publicly reacted to his demand. Thousands of mostly poor suspects have been killed under Duterte's campaign against illegal drugs, alarming the U.S. and other Western governments and human rights groups. Duterte rejected on Wednesday what he said was the portrayal by some U.S. officials of his administration as persecuting a detained opposition senator and being incapable of investigating extrajudicial killings. We were being portrayed as a republic incapable of administering simple justice, Duterte said. Vatican City: Pope Francis is sick and skipped a planned Mass with Rome clergy across town on Thursday, officials said. Vatican officials refused to comment on whether the 83-year-old has been tested for coronavirus, confirming only that the pontiff skipped the Mass for the start of Lent due to a slight illness. "This morning the pontiff did not go to St John Lateran basilica for the penitential Mass with Roman clergy," Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman, told London's Telegraph. The Vatican said Francis and would proceed with the rest of his planned work but Francis "preferred to stay near Santa Marta", the Vatican hotel where he lives. TOWN OF ITHACA, N.Y. -- A Cornell University student was stabbed Wednesday night while trying to break up a fight inside a restaurant near the university, an official said. The student was one of two people stabbed during a fight inside Agava Restaurant on Pine Tree Road, John Carberry, Cornells senior director of media relations and news, said in a statement. Our prayers go out to our student and to the second victim of the attack, and to their families and friends," Carberry said. The names and conditions of two people injured in the double stabbing have not been released. The stabbing was reported at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office said.. A suspect, described as a black man between 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall and wearing a leather jacket, fled from the scene in a white Nissan Altima, Cornell University Police said in a campus alert. The car was later found abandoned in Lansing, police said. The Tompkins County Sheriffs Office reported that more suspects may have been involved but are unidentified at this time, Cornell police said. Deputies have asked anyone with information about the stabbing to call (607) 257-1345 or the departments confidential tip line at (607) 266-5420. Have a tip, a story idea or a comment? You can reach me at shouse@syracuse.com | text/call (315) 466-4160 | Twitter | 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. Flash A Chinese envoy in Geneva on Wednesday categorically rejected certain Western countries' accusations against China on Xinjiang-related issues. Chen Xu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said at the ongoing 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council that the Chinese government has received more than 1,000 diplomats, officials of international organizations, journalists and religious leaders who visited Xinjiang, and they all concluded that what they have seen in Xinjiang is quite the opposite of what is presented by some Western media. Chen said China has taken a series of counterterrorism and de-radicalization measures, including establishing vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang. "These measures have greatly improved the security situation in the region, protected the human rights of people from all ethnic groups and contributed in a significant way to international counterterrorism and de-radicalization efforts," he said. "No terrorist attack has occurred in Xinjiang for more than three years. Trainees of the de-radicalization program at vocational education and training centers have all graduated. With the help of the government, they have got stable jobs, reintegrated into society and are living a better life," he added. China is ready to invite more people to Xinjiang to see for themselves the economic, social and human rights progress there, the Chinese envoy said . China is looking forward to the visit of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Madam Michelle Bachelet to China, including to Xinjiang, this year and "we are working closely with her office in this regard," Chen said. The 76 Indian nationals evacuated from Wuhan included three Indian embassy officials who were in the city for coordination. New Delhi: India on Thursday evacuated 76 of its nationals along with 36 foreigners from the Coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan and another 119 Indian nationals along with five foreigners who were earlier quarantined on the ship Diamond Princess from the Japanese capital, Tokyo. The 76 Indian nationals evacuated from Wuhan included three Indian embassy officials who were in the city for coordination. The 119 Indian nationals evacuated from Tokyo comprised 113 crew members and six passengers. The foreign nationals brought to India from Wuhan in the third evacuation flight included 23 nationals from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and Maldives and one each from South Africa, USA and Madagascar. The foreign nationals evacuated from Tokyo included two Sri Lankans, one Nepalese, one South African and one Peruvian. The MEA said that three other Indian crew members on the Diamond Princess cruise ship didnt board the special flight and conveyed their wish to continue their stay on-board the cruise ship to complete the period of extended quarantine put in place by the government of Japan. Out of the total 138 Indian nationals originally on-board the Diamond Princess, 16 Indian crew members had tested positive for Coronavirus and are receiving treatment in Japan. In a statement on the evacuation flight from Wuhan, the MEA said, On its return from Wuhan the IAF Flight also brought back 76 Indian nationals (including 3 Indian embassy officials who were on ground in Wuhan to coordinate the evacuation) and 36 foreign nationals including from some of our neighbouring countries who had sought assistance in travelling to India... A total of three flights have been organised including the one today. Two earlier flights were on 31 January and 1 February. In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 Foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, China in these three flights. In a separate statement on the evacuation flight from Tokyo, the MEA said, A special Air India flight arrived in New Delhi from Tokyo, on 27 February 2020, bringing back 119 Indian nationals (113 crew members and 6 passengers) who were on-board the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked off at Yokohama in Japan... the special flight also evacuated five foreign nationals ...All the evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at the facility set up by the Indian Army in Manesar, Haryana. The Diamond Merchant cruise ship was put under quarantine by Japan on February 5 for 14 days as one of the passengers who had disembarked from the ship had tested positive for COVID-19. The quarantine period was extended as the crew members were performing their regular duties during the initial quarantine period of 14 days. A woman who was kidnapped as a newborn from a Romanian hospital has been reunited with her family 25 years later. Shortly after Belle Barbu was born, her biological parents were informed that she had a heart condition that required medical attention. When Barbus parents returned to the hospital a few days later to pick up their newborn daughter, they were told that their daughter had died. However, Barbu, who was born premature but healthy at birth, was actually kidnapped from the hospital and taken to a human trafficking orphanage, where she was eventually sold to a family in America. According to the 25-year-old, who was raised in Wisconsin by her adoptive family but always knew she was adopted, she eventually uncovered the truth with the help of her friends, a DNA test, and a Facebook group that helps adopted Romanian children find family members. After using the DNA test to trace her heritage back to India, Israel, Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean, Barbu, a Latter-Day Saint, told DeseretNews that she was pointed to the Facebook group that had more than 500 success stories. Less than 48 hours after reaching out to the group, Barbu says theyd found her family, who were living in Italy. According to Barbu, she eventually learned that her parents, lower-class farmers who still live without running water, had been told the truth about their daughters fate by a worker at the hospital. Despite knowing their daughter was alive, they were not able to find her. For a year they looked for me but couldnt find me because I was adopted out to the US, Barbu said. Recommended The UK needs to do more to protect victims of human trafficking Barbus case eventually captured the attention of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), a nonprofit organisation that aims to bring an end to child trafficking and child slavery. They use the legitimate orphanage system, falsify the birth certificate, send the child to an orphanage, adopt it out and make a ton of money - around $15,000 to $20,000 a kid, the organisations founder Tim Ballard told the outlet. A newborn is very valuable. Upon hearing Barbus story, and about her intent to travel to Italy, the organisation decided to help by contributing the funds for the trip. OUR also ensured that Barbus sister, who was living in Germany but could not afford to travel to Italy for the reunion, would also be there. We couldnt stand the thought of these sisters not being able to reunite after a 25-year-long nightmare because of money, Ballard explained. At OUR, this is what we aim to do. First and foremost, we aim to reunite kidnapping victims, trafficked victims, with their lost families. So we volunteer to cover these costs. On 14 November 2019, the family was finally reunited - an emotional moment captured on camera that Barbu described as such a blessing. Explaining that she cant imagine the pain her mother went through, Barbu said: My mom thought I was dead multiple times in her life and yet Im alive giving her a hug. It was such a blessing and to know they were excited to see me. I was so happy. Barbu's reunion with her mother was caught on camera (OUR) OUR hopes that Barbus success story teaches others about the power of genealogy study and the importance of asking for help. Since the reunion with her biological family, the 25-year-old has decided to write a book about her lifes journey. She is also volunteering with OUR so that she can help other trafficking victims. According to the Polaris Project, which works to stop human trafficking, 10,949 cases of human trafficking in the US involving 23,078 individual survivors were reported in 2018. The 43rd Annual Leesburg Art Festival will be held March 14-15, 2020, in downtown Leesburg, located in Lake County, Florida. There are plenty of hands-on activities planned for the kids and young at heart. Art aficionados will enjoy strolling down Main Street while browsing the artwork as well as visiting downtown merchants and enjoying food from local restaurants. The 43rd Annual Leesburg Art Fest promises to stimulate the senses with a variety of unique art, handcrafted jewelry and clothing, sculptures, live music and theater performances, childrens art activities, and literary arts. The free two-day festival, presented by The Leesburg Center for the Arts, will showcase approximately 100 artists, from throughout Central Florida and the Southeast, displaying their work along Main Street, in Downtown Leesburg, on Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15, each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Among the artists, Eustis-based Jennifer Harper, with Harper Printmaking Studio, who created the 2020 Leesburg Art Fest event poster. Harper will host the Little/Big Print event where local artists who hand carved relief plate designs will print them on fabric and paper using an industrial steamroller. Other festival artists include Lucas McGowan, from Hilton Head, SC, with his custom-made sunglasses made of wood from around the world and Groveland, Fla. potter Xiubo Pierce who creates functional art. There are plenty of hands-on activities planned for the kids and young at heart. Art aficionados will enjoy strolling down Main Street while browsing the artwork as well as visiting downtown merchants and enjoying food from local restaurants. The Leesburg Center for the Arts relies on generous sponsors to put on the event: Event Sponsors include Insight Credit Union, Lake County Tourism and the Downtown Leesburg Business Association. Creative Sponsors are UF Health and Leaf Filter. Corporate Sponsors include Kenkay Solar, WMFE 90.7 and Minuteman Press. The WeSupportARTs Sponsors are Vision Auto Glass of Florida, Diamond Resorts, and Millie5 & Co. The Block Sponsor is The Orlando Sentinel. In Kind Sponsors are The City of Leesburg, The Leesburg Partnership, Uncommon on Sixth, The Daily Commercial, Drawing on my Heart, Carrabbas Italian Grill and Starbucks Coffee. For information about the 43rd Annual Leesburg Art Fest, visit http://www.LeesburgArtFest.com. The Leesburg Center for the Arts strives to promote growth and vitality to the community by providing educational opportunities in the arts for all ages, providing cultural events for the community and providing a central location which attracts talented artists, artisans, musicians and appreciative audiences. Many Democratic lawmakers, and presidential contenders, have lambasted Sen. Bernie Sanders recent comments on Fidel Castro, who the Vermont progressive said implemented a successful literacy program in Cuba. But Politico reported that Republican lawmakers today plan to force a procedural vote on legislation that would condemn Sanders for his 60 Minutes remarks, placing Democrats in a difficult position at a time when many are concerned about their own races with Sanders as a frontrunner to face President Donald Trump for the White House. Sanders, at Tuesday nights Democratic debate in South Carolina, argued that he has consistently spoken out against authoritarianism, including in Cuba. Sanders argued that what he said mirrored comments by former President Barack Obama, who worked to normalize diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba and said they made great progress on education and health care. Authoritarianism of any stripe is bad, Sanders said. That is different than saying governments sometimes do things that are good. Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who barely edged out Sanders to win Iowa and lost narrowly to Sanders in New Hampshire, went after Sanders for his Cuba comments on Tuesday, highlighting angst among Democratic lawmakers as their nominee for president "is telling people to look at the bright side of the Castro administration. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Republican of Florida, is the chief sponsor of the proposal to condemn Sanders, Politico reported. A Cuban American, Diaz-Balarts family fled the Castro regime and more than 300,000 of his constituents are of Cuban descent. Politico reported that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said of the proposal, Do (Democrats) stand with Bernie or do they stand with freedom? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said in a closed-door caucus meeting Wednesday that whatever the atmosphere is and I would hope that everyone would say, no matter who the nominee is for president we whole-heartedly embrace that person, Politico reported. By Ofeliya Afandiyeva The development of renewable energy sources is a priority in Azerbaijan and major progress has been made in recent years to increase the production of alternative energy sources in the country, expert on energy, PhD in International Relations Emin Akhundzade has said in an interview with Azernews. Solar and wind energy Touching upon Azerbaijans renewable energy potential, the expert stated that sunny days in Azerbaijan vary between 2500-3200 hours per year, which can be highly evaluated for power generation. Over the past five years, the production volume of solar power plants increased by 15 times, from 2.9 million kWh to 42.3 million kWh.. He also spoke about the countrys potential in wind energy. Absheron peninsula is distinguished with its massive wind potential, with an average annual wind speed of 8.6 m/s. According to calculations, Azerbaijans annual wind energy capacity reaches about 800 MW. In other words, it implies that Azerbaijans wind energy potential is able to produce 2.4 billion kWh of electricity per year. Wind energy production in Azerbaijan has increased 46 times over the past 5 years, from 2.3 million kWh to 106.2 million kWh, which just last year rose to 85 percent, Akhundzade said. However, despite this fact, only 8 percent of electricity in Azerbaijan is currently generated from alternative sources of energy and is projected to reach 30 percent by 2030. The activity of the Yeni Yashma Wind Energy Park is crucial in terms of the alternative energy market. Creation of such parks will contribute to provide sustainable energy supply in Azerbaijan, increasing export revenues and improving the environmental situation in the country. Last year, the park produced approximately 90 million kWh of electricity, which would save 30 million m3 of natural gas per year. He stressed the importance of the creation of a special Training and Education Center on Renewable Energy in the Park. This, in turn, promotes the training of highly qualified staff. This investment in human capital will lay the groundwork for the rapid development of an alternative energy sector in Azerbaijan in the future, Akhundzade pointed out. Furthermore, the expert said that the development of the agricultural industry in Azerbaijan opens up broad opportunities for the production of biomass energy. In this regard, cooperation between SOCAR and SNAM on the development of renewable gas and sustainable energy use is crucial for the development of biogas and biomethane production, he stated. Energy saving Akhundzade said that alternative energys role in Azerbaijans economy is twofold: Firstly, it is necessary to diversify primary energy consumption in terms of energy security. This, in turn, reduces dependence on fossil fuels. At the same time, as in the world, in Azerbaijan also the main source of electricity production is natural. With the increase in production of alternative energy, the consumption of natural gas can be reduced in the country. The saved natural gas can be used as a raw material in the industry, or can be exported, which in turn will increase the export revenues of the country. I would like to point out that at present SOCAR Methanol and SOCAR Carbamide plants use natural gas as raw material. As an example, when the natural gas is processed and produced urea, its value becomes doubled. In other words, conserved natural gas can create added value in industry. In this regard, I consider that the contract between Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power Company and the UAE's Masdar Company on the construction of solar power plant and wind farm is noteworthy, he told. Describing the benefits of the alternative energy sector, Akhundzade said that first of all, it is important that Azerbaijan attracts foreign investment in the renewable energy, along with the traditional energy sector. About $ 400 million will be invested in this area: This, in turn, will contribute to revival in the real sector, the development of employment, and in the future will pave the way for implementation of new projects. At the same time, the new stations will produce 1.4 billion kWh of electricity annually, which will save 470 million m3 of natural gas per year. This is more than the annual natural gas demand of the SOCAR Carbamide plant. Along with it, the transportation capacity of TANAP and TAP pipelines are expected to double in the future. For this purpose, additional gas volumes are necessary. Moreover, the full operation of the Southern Gas Corridor means raising direct revenues for Azerbaijan. Because we involve as a key player in each of the 4 components of this project, and as an operator in TANAP. Therefore, the more gas is transported through this corridor, the more Azerbaijan will benefit from both gas sales and transportation, he stressed. Biogases The expert also drew attention to fertilizers and told that biogas is obtained mainly by the use of chicken manure, which is considered unsuitable for agriculture as it causes salinity in the soil: However, this fertilizer can be economically useful by turning it into biogas. At the same time, when producing biogas, it is also possible to obtain fertilizers that can substitute for chemical fertilizers and can be used as additional fertilizers. This, in turn, may contribute to the increase of soil fertility in agriculture and plant disease resistance. Azerbaijan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, the expert reminded. As renewable energy is environmentally friendly, it will also contribute significantly to the fulfillment of Azerbaijan's commitments in compliance with the Paris Agreement as well as to improve the ecological situation in the country. The development of the non-oil sector, diversification of exports and increased employment are of vital importance in terms of sustainable economic development of our country. In this context, I think that the development of an alternative energy sector can bring many opportunities for Azerbaijan, he pointed out. Furthermore, Akhundzade emphasized expanding scope of renewable energy sector in Europe: I would like to underline that today, 11 million people worldwide work in the alternative energy sector. In the European Union alone, the figure is 1.2 million. One of the most substantial reasons for the rapid growth of alternative energy production in the EU in recent years is related to the impetus for the development of SMEs and the creation of new jobs. In Germany alone, about 300,000 people work in this sector. Germany, by producing solar panels and wind turbines, also produces renewable energy at a lower cost, and boosts its economy by selling these equipment to foreign countries. Renewables role in SMEs Akhundzade said that alternative energy sources have the potential to develop Small and Medium-Size Enterprises (SMEs) in Azerbaijan. Most of the countries around Azerbaijan are heavily dependent on oil and natural gas consumption. Even in some countries, the share of natural gas in the total primary energy consumption is 85 percent. These countries are interested in reducing their dependence on oil and natural gas by using alternative energy sources over the medium and long term. Thus, by manufacturing devices for solar and wind energy production, Azerbaijan can make alternative energy production more efficient inside the country and increase its export revenues by selling to foreign countries. All this, in turn, will enable the development of SMEs in the country, diversification of economy and increase in employment, he uttered. The expert underlined that although Azerbaijan is rich in oil and gas resources, it is commendable to encourage the use of alternative sources of energy in the country and the steps taken in this direction. In recent years, the development of technology has made it possible to produce alternative energy production more efficiently. The International Energy Agency estimates that in the next five years, the cost of alternative energy technology to reduce by 35 percentage. This, in turn, will increase the production of alternative energy by 50 percent over the next 5 years. It is estimated that if the share of alternative energy in global energy consumption doubles, this will increase global GDP by $ 1.3 trillion. Thus, we can take more advantage of this opportunity and rapidly expand the alternative energy market in Azerbaijan, the expert highlighted. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz CROWN POINT, Ind. (WLFI) Indiana State Police said a "driver error" caused a semi's trailer to crash into an overpass near Crown Point Wednesday night. According to ISP, around 10:17 p.m., a semi hauling a dump trailer was northbound on I-65 when at some point, the driver of the truck inadvertently activated the trailer's dump control. This resulted in the trailer tilting to the upright position striking the 113th Ave. overpass as the truck drove underneath. The driver, David Chavez, from Chicago, Illinois, was able to stop the tractor shortly after the impact. The trailer was empty at the time of the crash and no injuries were reported. The roadway was closed for approximately 3 hours for scene cleanup and bridge inspection by INDOT. Frantz Beldorin's mugshot after he was charged with battery on a person 65 or older An employee at Gulf Coast Hospital in Florida has been arrested for sucking a patient's toes. Frantz Beldorin, 23, is being charged with battery on a person 65 years of age or older, according to NBC2 in Fort Myers, Florida. The patient said she felt someone licking her feet three times. When she looked up, she said she saw Beldorin kneeling with his head hovering of her foot. The patient said at first she thought the person touching her right foot was just a nurse checking for swelling. When she realized what was going on, she quickly pulled her foot away. Beldorin then retreated to his seat in a corner of the room. 'It makes me look crazy or creepy and I'm not! Like I'm not that type of dude,' Beldorin told NBC2. Beldorin had been assigned to sit in a chair and watch after the patient's roommate who was considered a flight risk, according to a Lee County Sheriff's Office arrest report. Scroll down for video Gulf Coast Hospital in Florida where Beldorin was accused of sucking on a patient's toes The patient said Beldorin then stood up, peeked around the curtain that divided both beds, and asked the patient if she was okay, the report read. The patient finally called for the nurse who then called security. After police, arrived, Beldorin was arrested. But he claims the incident is just one big mistake. 'I dropped my phone under the bed. I'm trying to get my phone and she kicks,' Beldorin said. He added: 'She's afraid and we're in the dark. It's a dark room with a dark male at the foot of her bed. I can understand.' Beldorin had worked at the hospital for four years before he was fired for this incident. Now he's worried a felony conviction would keep him from getting other employment. Beldorin said it 'makes me look crazy or creepy and I'm not! Like I'm not that type of dude' He has denied the claim and said two other patients were in the room at the time of the incident. Beldorin was released Wednesday on a $1,500 bond. He now has to wear an ankle monitor as he awaits his March 30 trial. Lee Health, which operates the hospital, released a statement confirming it is working with law enforcement, but it couldn't comment further because the case is under investigation. He talked about humility and how he was not seeking the presidency for exaltation but to be the chief servant of the people. He talked about not knowing the black experience but wanting to surround himself with those like Miss Black America sitting right next to him, who might be able to guide him. A 41-year-old history sheeter, who had won the panchayat polls in 2016 from Uttar Pradesh, was arrested from Dehradun on February 20. The police seized weapons from him. Thane crime branch unit 1 police helped Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh police to track the accused, who was wanted in 20 cheating cases registered with the UP and Mumbai police. He has escaped many times from the police, said the Thane police. Manoj Sinha Thakur, is from Ajamgarh, and lived in Mumbai for some years. He was arrested by Mumbai police in economic offence case in September 2019 and was lodged in Arthur Road jail. On February 9, Mumbai police took him to Varanasi for a court hearing. He told the police that he wanted to meet his mother at Azamgarh. When the police took him there, he escaped after meeting his mother. On February 11, six Mumbai police officers were suspended over the incident. UP police had announced a reward of 25,000 for those who give information about him. He was wanted in UP but he contested for panchayat elections from Martinganj village in Azamgarh district. He won the elections in 2016. He did not turn up for the oath-taking ceremony at first for the fear of getting arrested. He was arrested in 2017 and he resigned from his post. After a few months, he escaped from Didarganj and was arrested by Mumbai police in 2019. Senior police inspector from Dehradun, Aishwary Pal, said, Thane police got a tip-off about the accused and helped us trace him. We learnt that his wife lives in Dehradun and they live separately. He went to Dehradun to meet his son. After tracking him for three days, arrested him. We found a pistol and cartridges in his possession. For the past 10 years, there are 20 cases registered against him in various police stations. He has cheated several people of more than 6 lakh on the pretext of giving jobs in railways; he promised people of houses under the chief ministers relief fund and cheated them of 8 crore. When recent evidences of Amber Heard abusing Johnny Depp surfaced, people sided with the 56-year-old actor. After all, the revelations were all damning and sexist. However, there might be another side to the story after another bombshell testimony against Depp came to light. Weeks after the massived leaked recordings buried Heard with hate comments online, Depp seemed to be on the verge of receiving the same amount of criticisms after his past texts to Amber circulated online. On Wednesday, Depp attended a pre-trial hearing in his libel battle with The Sun newspaper at the London's High Court. It was for the publication's article about Depp being abusive toward Heard. Later that afternoon inside the Royal Courts of Justice's courtroom 13, the official read the texts concerning the claimed threats of the actor to his ex-wife. The 56-year-old "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor allegedly sent the unseen 2013 text messages to actor Paul Bettany and stated that he would "burn and drown" his ex-wife. The most severe and alarming words came when Depp allegedly texted: "I will f*** her burnt corpse afterward to make sure she is dead." Depp allegedly forwarded the texts to Bettany when his marriage with Heard hit rock bottom. The barrister for The Sun Adam Wolanski QC and the publication's executive director Dan Wootton pushed the actor to the edge even more when they publicized another text to Bettany regarding the alleged "altercation" with Heard on a plane in May 2014. A part of the message read: "I'm gonna properly stop the booze thing, darling... Drank all night before I picked Amber up to fly to LA, this past Sunday...Ugly, mate." Wolanski added that Depp was accused of "screaming obscenities" during the flight as he slapped Heard in the face. The actor also kicked the "Aquaman" actress in the back before throwing a boot at her, causing her to allegedly "pass out" inside the plane's toilet. However, Depp denied the claims and said that he was "sketching" throughout the flight. Aside from their battle over the libel case, The Sun's barrister shared that they will also dig the actor's drug and alcohol abuse, as well as the steps he took to deal with his issues -- including the time he surrendered himself into a detox facility in the Bahamas. Depp's Representative Fire Back Representing Depp, David Sherborne told the court that the former couple's issue became widespread, and it was Heard who should be accountable. The lawyer argued that Amber made countless false allegations against her former husband. "One person, one side, is lying, and one is not. Obviously, we say that it is Ms. Heard (who is lying), Mr. Depp is 100% clear about that," Sheborne said before promising that they would do their best to show "diametrically opposed" versions of the case. Depp's representative went on and pointed out to the gestures of The Sun's lawyers. He said that The Sun's team examined the 70,000 communications but only revealed the undisclosed messages. "There is no document where Mr. Depp says 'I hit Ms. Heard' let alone 'I hit her on numerous occasions,'" Depp's representative continued, referring to the leaked audios recordings which unveiled Heard's confession about abusing the actor in the past. READ MORE: Amber Heard Runs Away From Johnny Depp Issue by Doing THIS on Social Media In a marked improvement, Chhattisgarh's Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) has clocked its highest ever production of UTS 90 rail in FY 2019-20 by breaking the million-tonne barrier. BSP produced 10.46 lakh tonnes of UTS 90 rail till February in the ongoing year, as compared to 9.85 lakh tonnes production in 2018-19, according to Director (Projects) SAIL and CEO, BSP, Anirban Dasgupta. Dasgupta, however, added that the plant has set a target of 13.5 lakh tonnes production from the Universal Rail Mill (URM) by the end of this fiscal year. The state of the art URM produces the world's longest rail of 260 metres with a single weld as per the requirements of the Indian Railways and can also produce rails up to 520-metre length in future. Among the most notable products from the Bhilai plant, however, will be the rolled maraging steel 'MDN 250' which BSP provides exclusively to the Indian Space Research Association (ISRO). The MDN-250 grade steel although produced by the Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) is rolled as per the requirements of the space agency at BSP's Plate Mill. The first lot of 40 tonnes of MDN-250, used in the outer motor casing of satellite launch vehicles (SLV) for India's first manned space mission programme, Gaganyaan was flagged off by Dasgupta on February 6. Apart from the more commercial ventures, BSP has also been supplying specially toughened warship grade steel plates, DMR 249 A grade, which have been used in the construction of India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, and in antisubmarine warfare Corvette like INS Kamorta and INS Kiltan. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 4.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Dr. Celine Gounder said that the muzzling of health officials tells her that Trump isnt listening to his scientists on the coronavirus. Dr. Gounder said on MSNBCs Deadline: White House, Im extremely concerned because that means the white house is not listening to its best scientists. They are more concerned about political messaging. Fauci has served under Ronald Reagan, both Bushs, and was never prevented from speaking out in this way. During the HIV epidemic, he was able to say what he needed to say to bring it under control. Video: Dr. Celine Gounder says on Deadline: White House that the Trump administration is not listening to their best scientists on the coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/4DGBLLunwz Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 27, 2020 Trump is more worried about trying to pump up the stock market with happy talk than he is a matter of public health and safety. Any president should be listening to the scientists, but Trump is placing politics and his own political interests ahead of the health of the nation. The presidents behavior is not surprising. During the impeachment trial, Rep. Adam Schiff warned that Trump would behave in exactly such a way. A pandemic is getting closer, and Trump is ignoring the science in a bid to save his reelection campaign. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare change-maker ZCP announced today the launch of its new website. ZCP, a pass-through PBA/PBM, provides a host of tech-based and marketing solutions in the field of pharmaceutical claims processing. Serving pharmaceutical manufacturers, copay assistance programs, and third-party administrators, ZCP also provides affordable alternatives for other PBMs looking for bold technology that meets today's standards and requirements. The new website highlights ZCP's unique offerings, which includes its proprietary patent-pending InfinityRx Claims Processor (ICP) software. This software generates unlimited customized reports with data analytics to improve sales strategies, provides access to up-to-the-minute transaction data and summaries regarding product performance, and offers the ability to connect products to 66,000 retail pharmacies nationwide. Another offering includes the ZCP Infinity Brand Loyalty (IBL) platform, a marketing and support toolkit designed for pharmaceutical manufacturers, as well as employers in search of benefit programs for their employees. "As we proceed on our growth path as a company, it is important that our website accurately reflects our vision to our current and future clients," said Yuriy Davydov, Founder & CEO of ZCP. "We are thrilled to unveil our new website, which showcases the solutions that we offer to help our clients take control of their healthcare services. Our clients know where their money is and where it goes, every step of the way in real-time with no surprises. And it doesn't stop there. I would like to invite the Office of the Inspector General of the NYS Department of Health, to contact us so we can discuss ways to save taxpayers and New Yorkers millions of dollars!" The new website launch comes on the heels of ZCP's relocation of its headquarters. Recently, ZCP tripled its office space to a new building in New Hyde Park, which is located across the street from Long Island Jewish Hospital and Northwell Health System offices, known as Long Island's center of health services and care. To view the new website, visit: www.ZeroCopayProgram.com About ZCP Affordability, accessibility, and transparency are the building blocks of who we are. ZCP is a leading pharmaceutical claims processor and marketing company providing clients in the health care industry with comprehensive solutions to measure and improve their performance and providing patient access to affordable choices. Led by a team of change-makers, ZCP has a passionate commitment to improve health care for all involved physicians, payers, and most importantly, patients. Our proprietary patent-pending technology is capable of processing 25 million pharmaceutical claims per month, provides access to transactions in real-time, and on demand infinitely customized reports. For more information visit: www.zerocopayprogram.com. #ZCPBold Media Abbey Chakalis CIO ZCP Tel: 516-604-0716 [email protected] Related Files ICP 2.COLOR.jpg IBL 2.COLOR JPEG.jpg Related Images pharmaceutical-claims-processor.jpg Pharmaceutical Claims Processor Pass Through PBA/PBM SOURCE ZCP Related Links http://www.ZeroCopayProgram.com McConnell: Senate Hopes to Take Up Coronavirus Funding in Next 2 Weeks The Senate hopes to take up a funding measure to fight the spread of the new coronavirus within the next two weeks, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Feb. 27. I have faith the [Appropriations] Committee will carefully consider the right sum to appropriate at this time to ensure our nations needs are fully funded, he said, while speaking on the floor of the Senate in Washington. I hope they can work expeditiously so the full Senate would be able to take up the legislation within the next two weeks. The White House submitted an emergency request for $2.5 billion to bolster efforts to prevent community spread of the virus in the United States. Congress grilled top health officials on Feb. 26 about the request and the nations preparedness for the possible spread of the virus. Some lawmakers said the funding request was inadequate and want additional funds committed to the efforts against the new virus. President Donald Trump, speaking at a press conference on Feb. 26, said that the government might end up spending more than was requested. Some Republicans would like us to get $4 billion and some Democrats would like us to get $8.5 billion, Trump said. Well be satisfied whatever it is. Concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in large gatherings, students from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts wear respiratory masks as they wait for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to speak to supporters during a rally and march to early vote in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Feb. 27, 2020. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images) Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) outlined a proposal for $8.5 billion to fund the emergency response to the virus, which has 60 known cases in the United States so far, 45 of which are patients who were repatriated from Wuhan, China, or the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined off the coast of Japan. McConnell criticized Schumer by saying bipartisan talks should have taken place before a proposal that differed from the administrations was made public. I feel confident that the coronavirus does not care about partisan bickering or political news cycles. This new disease is not going to press pause so that members can engage in performative outrage that gets us farther from results rather than closer, he said. McConnell says theres little doubt the virus will ultimately cause disruption in the United States, echoing warnings by federal health officials. The Trump administrations early actions, including restricting travel to and from China, helped blunt and delay the spread of the virus here in our country, he said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks to reporters in Washington on Feb. 27, 2020. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) But a nation of nearly 4 million square miles and more than 300 million people cannot be hermetically sealed off from the rest of the world. There seems to be little question that COVID-19 will eventually cause some degree of disruption here. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), noting that lives are at stake, said Congress should make sure the government has the resources to combat the virus. Speaking at her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill, she said that Congress is getting close to a bipartisan agreement on funding for the virus response. Pelosi and Schumer said in a joint statement that Democrats are worried that Trump would try to transfer some of the funding that Congress approves for something else, and aim to make sure that doesnt happen. They also want the cost of a vaccine, if one is developed successfully, fixed at a certain amount, although Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told lawmakers Feb. 26 that would be difficult. We cant control that price because we need the private sector to invest. The priority is to get vaccines and therapeutics. Price controls wont get us there, he said. The Development Lotteries Board (DLB) is one of the most prominent lottery boards in Sri Lanka. The DLB holds multiple lotteries every week, each with a different name, entry fee, and total jackpot amount. The DLB website also announces the winning numbers of each lottery every week. Here are the winning numbers and DLB lottery results for Ada Kotipathi, Saturday Fortune, Lagna Wasana, and Development Fortune, on February 26, 2020. February 26, 2020, DLB winning numbers for Ada Kotipathi, Saturday Fortune, Lagna Wasana, and Development Fortune Also Read | Bodoland Lottery Result Today 26.02.2020: Bodoland Lottery Result Live DLB Lagna Wasana DLB's Lagna Wasana is an interesting lottery that not only requires the contestants to match the winning numbers but they also need to match their zodiac sign to that of the chosen symbol. So, if the lottery's symbol is chosen as a Scorpio, then a contestant also needs to be a Scorpio if he wants to win the jackpot. If four numbers and the zodiac sign are matched, then the player is considered the winner and gets a cash prize of 2,000,000. If their sign does not match the chosen symbol, but they still get all the winning numbers, then they get a cash prize of 500,000. DLB Ada Kotipathi Also Read | Afternoon Lottery Sambad Result 26.02.2020: Assam Lottery Results Today 5 pm Ada Kotipathi's gimmick involves the first alphabet of a person's name. Each Ada Kotipathi Lottery has a lucky alphabet that is announced along with the winning numbers. If a person's first name has the same first alphabet as the lottery's lucky alphabet, then they are eligible to win the jackpot. So, if a player's name starts with a 'B', and the lucky alphabet is also 'B', then the player can win the cash prize. If all four winning numbers and the alphabet match, then a contestant is considered the winner and gets a total of 50,000,000. If the four numbers match but the alphabet does not, then the player will only get 1,000,000. DLB Saturday Fortune DLB's Saturday Fortune has the same gimmick as Ada Kotipathi. However, in Saturday Fortune, four numbers are chosen out of 75 balls instead of 77 (as done in Ada Kotipathi). Moreover, another bonus number is selected from the remaining set of 71 balls from the same machine. Along with the four winning numbers, the winner also has to match the lucky alphabet. The winner gets a cash prize of 30,000,000. Getting the four winning numbers but not matching the lucky alphabets only wins 1,000,000. DLB Development Fortune Also Read | Evening Lottery Sambad Result 26.02.2020: Assam Lottery Results Today 8 pm DLB's Development Fortune not only has the alphabet gimmick but it also has an added 'Fate Number'. Only three winning numbers are chosen from a set of 70 balls. Then one single 'Fate Number' is chosen from a different set of 9 Balls. If one managed to Match all three winning numbers, the fate number, and the lucky alphabet, then they win a cash prize of 10,000,000. Matching the three numbers with the fate number but not the letter nets a total of 500,000. Matching the winning numbers and letter but not the fate number wins 100,000. Also Read | Sports Toto 4D results: Malaysian lottery winning numbers for February 26, 2020 Charred remains of vehicles allegedly set ablaze by rioters during communal violence over the amended citizenship law at Shiv Vihar area of the riot-affected northeast Delhi. At least 30 people have lost their lives as police struggled to check the rioters who ran amok on streets, burning and looting shops, pelting stones and thrashing people. (Image: PTI) What were the highlights of Sanofi Vietnams performance and contributions in 2019? David Tick, head of Vaccines under Sanofi Indochina Sanofi is the only multinational pharmaceutical company which has been continuously present since the 1950s in Vietnam. With a strong commitment, we have always accompanied and supported the Vietnamese government in the implementation of national strategies to develop the local pharmaceutical industry. Currently, we are focusing on broadening the access of Vietnamese patients to our integrated healthcare solutions with more than 150 innovative and research-based products for millions of Vietnamese patients to prevent and treat ailments. Last year, we brought around 2.8 million vaccine doses to help protect adults, adolescents, and children from infectious diseases such as polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and encephalitis. Between 2017 and 2019, we launched 35 new therapeutic solutions to meet the different needs of treatment for Vietnamese patients, and this journey will go on. Besides this, we have also positively contributed to healthcare science by organising around 50 dedicated training programmes for more than 20,000 healthcare workers in various therapeutic areas with investment amounting to $24.5 million. Last year was a special one for Sanofi as it marked our important milestone of becoming the first multinational pharmaceutical company to acquire import rights. We believe in the bright future of the Vietnamese healthcare industry which will help Sanofi ensure a stable supply of imported innovative products. Vietnamese patients have an increasing need for innovative healthcare solutions, especially vaccinations. How will the company respond to the markets evolution? At Sanofi Pasteur, our global vaccines business unit, we are currently investing in our portfolio which is led by our innovative pediatric and influenza vaccines that offer the protection against a wide range of infectious diseases, including polio, pertussis, tetanus, and meningitis, to name but a few. Sanofi Pasteur is a world leader in influenza and pediatric vaccines, and the largest supplier of polio injectable vaccines worldwide. However, challenges might not come from these typically preventable diseases but primarily from non-communicable and chronic diseases. Rising expectations of a growing middle class who will demand better quality and more technological sophistication in healthcare will also put pressure on the sector. Therefore, as a research-based vaccine manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur is committed to continuously collaborating with our immunisation partners including major universities, research institutes, government bodies, and biotechnology companies to forge solutions and maintain ongoing dialogues. Together with our partners, we will share efforts for immunisation, in concert with a policy climate supportive of continuous investment in research and manufacturing for a sustainable supply of high-quality and innovative vaccines within a balanced ecosystem. Moreover, we closely collaborate with health authorities to sustain the vaccine ecosystem, starting from manufacturing over sustainable supply and delivery to vaccine implementation programmes all of which are crucial in ensuring vaccine access to the communities who need these the most. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has been ratified. What are Sanofi Vietnams plans to cash in on the deals benefits? We are very excited about the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreements ratification by the European Parliament. We are working with different stakeholders and partners in this industry to be better prepared for its implementation. The goal is to ensure that Vietnamese patients have privileged access to our innovative healthcare solutions. At a global level, our recent collaborative efforts with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to leverage previous development work for a SARS vaccine, which may unlock a fast path forward for developing a COVID-19 vaccine, are the best demonstration of our commitment. In addition, our researchers are seeking effective methods to extend the benefits of vaccinations. In Vietnam, we continue to partner with public and private health organisations as well as medical and scientific communities to improve access to life-protecting vaccines and increase their coverage. Meanwhile, we are striving to bring in new and innovative vaccines to enhance peoples health and wellbeing as we believe that no one should suffer or die from a vaccine-preventable disease. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 22:49:00|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Britain will plan for an "orderly exit" from the European Union (EU) if no trade deal is agreed by the summer, a government report revealed Thursday. Downing Street said if not enough progress has been made with Brussels by June, the government will need to decide whether Britain's attention should move away from negotiations and focus solely on continuing domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion. A 30-page document spelling out Britain's negotiating mandate confirms that the British government will not extend the current transition period beyond Dec. 31. The document says Britain hopes a broad outline of an agreement with Brussels would be made clear and could be finalized by September 2020. Details of Britain's approach, including a call for a Canada-style trade deal with the EU, was outlined as MPs in the House of Commons debated Prime Minister Boris Johnson's strategy. In that debate, Cabinet Minister Michael Gove said there will be no border down the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of Britain. The government said it wants regulatory freedom from the EU and will not accept any role for the Court of Justice of the EU in dispute resolution mechanisms, Downing Street added. Political commentators have said Britain's approach to a trade deal clashes with the negotiating mandate published by the EU earlier this week, setting the scene for tough negotiations when talks open next week. Britain's negotiating mandate calls for a liberalized market for trade in goods, with no tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions on trade in manufactured or agricultural products. It also wants a separate agreement on fisheries, allowing for annual negotiations on access to each other's waters and an agreement on equivalence on financial services to be decided before the end of this June. The document states, "The vision for the UK's future relationship with the EU is a vision of a relationship based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals. Whatever happens, the government will not negotiate any arrangements in which the UK does not have control of its own laws and political life." A comprehensive free trade agreement should be at the core of a trade deal, which should be on the lines of free trade agreements already agreed by the EU in recent years with Canada and with other friendly nations, the document also states. Discovery of a Northern California coronavirus patient believed to be the first U.S. case from an unknown, community-spread source is an alarming twist that means it could be time to practice "social distancing," experts say. The U.S. has confirmed 60 patients, but this one is alarming because no exposure chain has been found. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it remains possible that the female patient at UC Davis Medical Center was somehow exposed to a returned traveler who was infected in China. But investigators have been unable to find that connection. The alternative is "community spread," meaning the source of infection is unknown, the CDC said. That's a problem for the effort to identify those who have come into contact with the patient, says Ogbonnaya Omenka, an assistant professor and public health specialist at Butler University's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Coronavirus updates every day: Get USA TODAY's Daily Briefing in your inbox "Contact tracing may not suffice in containing the spread if the source cannot be identified," Omenka told USA TODAY. "The implication for other states, both proximate and remote, is big." William Haseltine, a former Harvard Medical School professor who returned last fall from the Chinese city of Wuhan the epicenter of the global outbreak says the unknown exposure indicates many people may be unaware they have the virus because they barely notice the symptoms. "On one hand that is good news as it means the virus causes very mild symptoms in many people," Haseltine said. "On the other hand, it means that people can unknowingly infect others." Truth or fiction? Trump addressed the nation on coronavirus. We checked the facts. On Thursday, the CDC updated its testing criteria and took steps to increase testing. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has expressed frustration with the criteria and the limited number of test kits available. Story continues Im not going to politicize this moment. And Im not going to point fingers, Newsom said. We have had a very strong working relationship with the (Trump) administration. Linda Lee, chief science officer at UV Angel, a technology disinfection company, noted the repercussions caused by fear of the outbreak. The stock market already has fallen thousands of points, and supply-chain issues on such products as masks and respirators are emerging. Workers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus at a bus garage in Seoul, South Korea, Feb. 26, 2020. The number of new virus infections in South Korea jumped again Wednesday and the U.S. military reported its first case among its soldiers based in the Asian country, with his case and many others connected to a southeastern city with an illness cluster. Lee says the basic tenets to combating the flu must be prioritized: Stay away from people to prevent transmission to others, cover your cough and wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. "It appears this virus is easily spread so it is important that anyone feeling sick protects others from getting ill," she said. "Practice social distancing." Virus outbreak: Trump addressed the nation. We checked the facts. The California patient was transferred to UC Davis Medical Center on Feb. 19, according to a staff memo from Dr. David Lubarsky, the CEO of University of California, Davis, Health. But the CDC did not test for the virus until four days later, despite a request from the hospital, the memo says. "Upon admission, our team asked public health officials if this case could be COVID-19," the memo says. "Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered." The CDC ordered the test four days later. The patient from Solano County, southwest of Sacramento was also put on strict contact precautions "because of our concerns about the patients condition," the memo said. The CDC confirmed the patients test was positive on Wednesday. "The delay in testing equally delayed the required tracing of contacts and other required answers," Omenka told USA TODAY. "For instance, who else have been infected by the original case, and who else have they been in close contact with?" Coronavirus, explained: What are symptoms? How can I prepare? Late Thursday, the CDC said a preliminary review indicated it had not been informed of the case until Feb. 23, when it requested specimens for testing. Haseltine said a delay in testing should not be surprising because coronavirus remains so rare in the U.S., with 15 cases identified so far. Lee said it's difficult to gauge the impact of the testing delay. "This virus did not start in the U.S., so I think everyone on the front line of this is pedaling as fast as they can with the information that changes daily," she said. "There are infrastructures already in place to deal with these types of emergencies and they have happened before." Also Thursday, California emerged at the center of a government whistleblower complaint alleging that some federal workers didn't have the necessary protective gear or training when sent to help Americans evacuated from China. The complaint was filed by a high-ranking official at the Administration for Children and Families, an social service agency of the Health and Human Services Department, said California Rep. Jimmy Gomez, a Democrat. The whistleblower contacted Gomez's office to file the complaint with regards to HHS employees who were sent to Travis and March air force bases in California to assist with quarantined evacuees. The complaint also alleges retaliation by higher-ups for having flagged safety issues. The global death toll rose to 2,858 on Thursday night. There are more than 83,370 confirmed cases around the world including Nigeria's report of the first infection in sub-Saharan Africa, an Italian citizen who became ill on a business trip to Lagos. Public officials' balancing act Across the country, public officials are trying to balance preparation for an outbreak with a desire to avoid creating undue anxiety. Governors and legislators in several states have proposed pumping millions of dollars into programs to combat the virus. State health officials are also checking on stockpiles of supplies such as face masks and respirators and arranging potential isolation sites for sick patients. I think weve entered a new phase in terms of the preparations. Its not a matter of if, its when, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz told reporters. We are starting to step up our coordination amongst agencies. The increased efforts require funding, and some states are approaching the limit of their resources and asking Washington for help. Delaware Public Health Director Karyl Rattay said its incredibly important the federal government come through. Already, we are seeing our capacity maxed out, Rattay said. Staff are spending many, many hours on this, and theres still core public health work that needs to be completed. We cant just stop everything else that we do on a regular basis. Several jurisdictions are also seeking federal approval to conduct their own tests for the virus instead of having to send samples to the CDC and wait for a response. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is among those urging the federal government to take advantage of advanced laboratories in major U.S. cities for testing. Right now, the CDC posture is they are letting the perfect' be the enemy of the good, de Blasio said. We believe that if they would empower local laboratories, we could work with them to do high-quality testing faster. We want to be their partners, but we need more flexibility. Contributing: Kevin McCoy and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus: CDC initially didn't test COVID-19 community spread case (@FahadShabbir) Federal Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Dr Farogh Naseem Thursday said the government was planning to establish a well-equipped law university in the federal capital ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Feb, 2020 ) :Federal Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Dr Farogh Naseem Thursday said the government was planning to establish a well-equipped law university in the federal capital. He was addressing the participants of a ceremony, held here at Islamabad Bar Council (IBC) as a chief guest for distribution of certificates among the advocates recently promoted to high court. Speaking on the occasion, he said such university campuses would be established in all the provincial headquarters whereas art of the facilities online library of international standards would also be operational in such varsity. The minister said the government was planning to attach such varsity with IBC for better practical education and research. He said the government believed in welfare of lawyers as the whole judicial set up was based on lawyers community adding hefty efforts were needed in this regard. He said Pakistan was also came into being due to the efforts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was professionally a lawyer. He stressed the young lawyers to avoid short term plannings for success. The minister hoped that Islamabad High Court (IHC) would be shifted to its new building at constitution avenue which would help reduce the problems of judiciary as well as lawyers being faced at F-8 Katchery. He said due to over load of cases and less number of judges causing delay in speedy justice and added number of IHC judges would be increased to fifteen after consultation with lawyers and making amendments. He said recruitment of judges should be on merit instead of quota system. About amendments in the code of civil procedures, he said over hundred years old laws framed by British were being practiced in the country and needed amendments. He invited the legal fraternity in this regard to play their role. Later, the certificates were distributed among the newly promoted lawyers. An Indian man has been sentenced to one year in prison after he was found guilty of stealing 86 expensive watches worth over USD 2 million from a shop in Dubai's famous Gold Souq. The 26-year-old man, who worked as a cleaner, was sentenced by the Dubai Court of First Instance on Wednesday. He was accused of stealing as many as 86 expensive watches worth over 8.3 million dirhams (USD 2.2 million) and the valuables from a watch and jewellery shop where he worked, the Khaleej Times reported. Two Pakistani men (cousins), aged 44 and 25, both fugitives, who were accused in absentia for possession of the stolen watches, received one year imprisonment each, it said. The court ordered deportation of all the three men after they have served their jail terms. A complaint about the stolen watches was filed on January 6 at the Naif police station. "On December 25 last year, I was in one of my shops when an Indian salesman brought to my attention that a watch, worth Dh30,000, was found in its box in the trash bin," the owner said in the complaint. According to the owner, they then checked the shop's CCTV cameras which captured the cleaner taking the watch, putting it in a box and dropping it in the trash bin so he could smuggle it outside the shop later. When the owner asked the defendant about the theft, he confessed he had stolen two watches worth 250,000 and 270,000 dirhams, the report said. He sold each of them to a Pakistani man for 10,000 dirhams. He claimed he was not yet paid for the second watch, it said. During the public prosecution investigation, the defendant admitted he stole the watches and then sold them to the two accomplices who knew they were stolen. The cleaner can appeal the ruling within 15 days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A complaint has been registered at a Muzaffarpur court against BJP leader Kapil Mishra for allegedly giving a provocative statement that caused violence in the national capital. Muzaffarpur: A complaint has been registered at a Muzaffarpur court against BJP leader Kapil Mishra for allegedly giving a provocative statement that caused violence in the national capital. M Raju Naiyar, who hails from Mithanpura stated that Mishra gave a provocative statement regarding anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protesters in Delhi's Jaffrabad on 23 February that led to stone-pelting in the area. The court will hear the matter on 12 March. The toll in the violence in North-East Delhi that began on Sunday rose to 38 on Thursday. On Sunday, Mishra had issued an ultimatum to the Delhi Police to clear the streets of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters. Mishra tweeted (roughly translated from Hindi) stating, "Giving a three-day ultimatum to Delhi Police to clear the roads in Jaffrabad and Chand Bagh of protesters. Don't try to reason with us after this, because we won't pay heed." He also attached a video with his tweet and wrote, "We will maintain peace until Donald Trump is in India. After that, we refuse to listen to even the police if the roads are not cleared.... we will be forced to hit the streets." A former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Maurice Iwu, has urged a federal court in Lagos to transfer his N1.2 billion alleged fraud case to Abuja due to old age. Ahmed Raji, counsel to Mr Iwu, on Thursday told Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court that at the age of 70, his client was too old to be coming from Abuja to Lagos to stand trial. Mr Raji noted that the transactions leading to the charges against Mr Iwu took place in Abuja. My Lord, this defendant is over 70 years of age and he always travels down to Lagos and books a hotel whenever this matter comes up. It will amount to great agony for him to continue with this trial in Lagos, the lawyer said. But counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the request saying that the case was investigated in Lagos and the witnesses to be called are in Lagos and Ibadan. Citing Section 98 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Mr Oyedepo also argued that only the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and not Justice Oweibo, has the power to direct the transfer of Mr Iwus case to Abuja. READ ALSO: After listening to arguments by the two sides, the judge adjourned till March 6 for the ruling. The EFCC in October last year re-arraigned Mr Iwu on four counts of laundering N1.2 billion in the build-up to the 2015 general elections. According to the EFCC, Mr Iwu, a professor, between December 2014 and March 2015, aided the concealment of the fund in the account of Bioresources Institute of Nigeria Limited with number 1018603119, domiciled in the United Bank for Africa. The EFCC said Mr Iwu ought to have known that the N1.2 billion formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act. The prosecution said the ex-INEC chairman acted contrary to sections 18(a) and 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering ((Prohibition) Act 2011 and was liable to be punished under Section 15(3) of the same Act. Mr Iwu pleaded not guilty to the charges. DALLAS, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, today announced that Designit, its strategic design arm, is opening a new studio in Dallas to bring the firm's unique approach to strategic design to the city, signalling the expansion of the design-driven mindset outside of the traditional hotspots of Silicon Valley and New York City. The studio will be officially launched with an event at the Dallas Museum of Art on March 3, 2020. Designit, a Wipro company, is a global strategic design firm that works with some of the world's largest companies including Abbott, BMW, BP, CBRE, Cisco, FedEx, GM, Novo Nordisk, Lloyds to "design what matters" and help create people-centered experiences and organizations. Designit plans to work with local organizations and leverage its global knowledge and expertise, to design innovative business offerings, user experiences, services, and organizational processes. Dallas is an ideal new location for the firm as the region has a large and growing market with a unique combination of old and new - several corporate headquarters alongside a booming tech and startup community. "At Designit, we believe everything can and should be designed. Through design, we focus on solving needs and pain points for people. What matters to people, matters to business, matters to society. Our approach to design is holistic, and multidisciplinary, working together with business and technology to deliver solutions that serve people, and drive sustainable business growth," Ayal Levin, Executive Director, Designit, Dallas said. "We're very excited to setup the new studio in Dallas, and to provide strategic design services outside of the traditional coastal corridors and help Dallas' companies design what matters." The Designit Dallas studio will work within Wipro's Dallas regional offices, which currently have over 1,500 employees in the region as well as some of Wipro's most established enterprise customers. Designit will be hiring new employees from within the greater Dallas region as well as Texas' most prestigious universities. "Wipro is proud that Designit is part of our team; their strategic design services lead to digital experiences that our clients and their customers love," said Rajan Kohli, President Wipro Digital, Wipro Limited. "Designit's studios in San Francisco and New York have been extremely successful, and we expect our Dallas studio to follow suit." To celebrate the launch of the Dallas studio, Designit will be hosting an opening celebration at the Dallas Museum of Art on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 5:30 pm CT. The event will include discussions about designing the future today, a tour of the "Speechless" exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art and networking with local innovation leaders. Speakers will include: Ayal Levin , Executive Director at Designit Dallas , Executive Director at Designit Dallas Kate Canales , Chair of Design Department at University of Texas , Chair of Design Department at Dave Copps , Co-Founder & CEO of Worlds. Residents of the Dallas-Ft. Worth region interested in attending the launch party can register to attend for free on the Eventbrite page here . About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 175,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future. Media Contact: Jim Cameron Ruder Finn [email protected] Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. SOURCE Wipro Limited Protesters across Latin America faced rampant violence and state repression as millions took to the streets to protest inequality, corruption and impunity in 2019, Amnesty International said Tuesday in its annual report on the region. "Intolerant and increasingly authoritarian leaders" used ever-more violent tactics "to stop people from protesting or seeking safety in another country," said Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty's director for the Americas. In total, at least 210 people died violently in the context of protests across the Americas, the report said: 83 in Haiti, 47 in Venezuela, 35 in Bolivia, 31 in Chile, eight in Ecuador and six in Honduras. Highlighting protests in Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela, Haiti and Puerto Rico, Amnesty said authorities typically responded "with repressive and often increasingly militarized tactics" instead of mechanisms to promote dialogue and address protesters' concerns. The organization highlighted severe repression in Venezuela, with President Nicolas Maduro's security forces responsible for "extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions and excessive use of force that could amount to crimes against humanity." In Chile, security forces had "set out deliberately to injure protesters" to discourage protests in which four people were killed and thousands wounded. Colombia remained the deadliest country for human rights defenders, with at least 106 killings, mostly of indigenous leaders. "Impunity remains the norm across the region," it said, citing Guatemala's shut-down of a UN-backed anti-corruption commission. "With yet more social unrest, political instability and environmental destruction looming over the region in 2020, the fight for human rights is as urgent as ever," it said. Riot police in Chile take aim at protesters during anti-government demonstrations in Santiago on February 21 Numerous Soviet tanks posed the main threat to NATO in the Cold War. After the Soviet collapse, Russia decommissioned most of them and sent to warehouses. The tank fleet radically reduced, the Independent Military Review writes. T90 M battle tank (Picture source: Army Recognition) The number of Soviet tanks was on a par with NATO and China taken together. It is claimed that such huge production doomed the country. However, there were other problems as well. In particular, there was a big number of various tanks (T-64, T-72, T-80 and various modifications). They were built by a single concept (125mm gun, loading mechanism, low profile, antitank missile fire from the gun), but with various engines and equipment. Right after the Soviet collapse, T-64 of all modifications (produced in Kharkov) were scrapped, as well as most tanks of the first and second generations (T-54, T-55, T-62) and T-72, T-80 of early modifications. However, T-90 appeared as a synthesis of the most successful T-72B and T-80U. In the first Chechen war, the Russian armed forces lost over 300 T-62, T-72, and T-80. Some of them could be restored. Irreplaceable losses comprised at least a hundred tanks. Some of them were handed over to the Chechen opposition in the autumn of 1994 and were destroyed during the first assault on Grozny in November. In the second Chechen war, all tanks had dynamic armor and were protected by infantry. The losses decreased several times. The Russian army lost at least two T-72 in the first half of the 1990s in Tajikistan. In the five-day war against Georgia in August 2008, Russia lost two T-72 and one T-62 but seized 34-43 Georgian T-72. Eighteen of them were exploded on site. Twelve Georgian T-72 were destroyed in combat. Traditionally, a three-company tank battalion in the Soviet army had 31 tanks. A motorized infantry division comprised six tank battalions (186 tanks). A tank division had ten battalions (310 tanks). However, few divisions were armed in full. The 2008-2009 reform decreased tank battalions to four companies and a motorized rifle brigade retained only one tank battalion. Tank brigades continued to have three companies (plus commanders tank). Divisions have been revived of late and are developing to have the Soviet number of tanks. All T-54/55/62/64 and most T-80 were scrapped or dumped. T-72 tanks are gradually upgraded to T-72B3 option. The production of the T-90A tank was stopped earlier than planned to develop the fourth-generation T-14 tank on tracked uniform Armata platform. However, the production resumed of T-90M upgrade. Units in the North and the Far East began to receive stored T-80BV (upgraded to T-80BVM) in 2018 to replace T-72. The Kantemirovskaya 4th tank division of the Western Military District deployed in Naro-Fominsk in Moscow region operates 188 T-80U and 41 T-72B3. There are no more T-80U in fighting forces. The 7th tank brigade of the Central Military District in Chebarkul in Chelyabinsk region was developed into the 90th tank division. It has at least 120 T-72B which are to be replaced by T-90. There are two tank brigades: the 5th in Ulan-Ude (Eastern Military District) and the 6th in Dzerzhinsk in Nizhny Novgorod region (Western district). Each has 94 T-72B/B3. Thus, the Russian army currently has four tank formations armed with a total of 500-600 tanks. Copyright 2020 TASS / Army Recognition Group SPRL. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is warning the public about an invasive species that could wipe out the state's prickly pear cacti population. Cactus moths feed and breed on the prickly pear and have the potential to decimate the cacti, according to TPWD invertebrate biologist Ross Winton. The moth was seen for the first time along the central Texas coast in 2017, Winton said, adding that the moth could spread to other areas in the state, including San Antonio. The moths have also popped up in Florida. In the 19th century, Australia imported the moth to help control its overgrowing prickly pear cactus problem. The cacti were eventually wiped out in Australia, Winton said. READ ALSO: 'Creepy' sea creature known for painful sting spotted in Port Isabel "There is always the potential it could do that in Texas," he said. "We can't predict what it will do." The moth, which is an orange larva before metamorphosis, can only be seen if someone breaks the pad of a cactus open, where the species feeds in its early stages. Winton said people may also notice damage on the outside of the cactus. If the prickly pear cactus were to disappear, it would devastate animals that feed on it like the white-tailed deer and the Texas tortoise, Winton said. To keep the moths from spreading, TPWD is asking the public to submit photos of the moths via the iNaturalist app, which will help identify the species and give users a chance to chime in. Winston said the University of Texas at Austin is taking the lead in monitoring the species because TPWD does not have the funding to conduct research on the insect. "That's kind of been the limiting factor and it might be the limiting factor moving forward," Winton said. "... We are kind of stuck just kind of watching it spread." Priscilla Aguirre is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | priscilla.aguirre@express-news.net | @CillaAguirre Reuters By Andrew Chung WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to back stricter deadlines for workers to sue retirement plans over alleged mismanagement, ruling Intel Corp cannot avoid a suit accusing it of unlawfully making high-risk investments that cost retirement plan beneficiaries hundreds of millions of dollars. The justices unanimously upheld a lower court decision that revived the proposed class-action lawsuit filed in 2015 by former Intel engineer Christopher Sulyma against the Santa Clara, California-based chipmaker. The justices rejected Intel's argument that Sulyma's lawsuit had been filed too late. At issue was the time period for bringing a lawsuit alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), a federal law that requires plan managers to invest prudently. Beneficiaries generally have six years to sue over ill-advised investment decisions. That deadline is cut to three years if a problem becomes known sooner. Sulyma was backed by President Donald Trump's administration in the case. Sulyma's suit accused company retirement plans and administrators of breaching their fiduciary duty to the participants by placing an overly heavy emphasis on hedge funds and private equity, in contrast to peer funds. Intel said that the investments were chosen to better diversify the plans' portfolios and urged that the case be thrown out. The fund participants knew of the issue more than three years before based on emails the company had sent with links to documents about the investments, thus missing the deadline for filing suit, Intel added. Sulyma countered that while employed at Intel between 2010 and 2012 he was unaware of the alternative investments, that they performed poorly or even what hedge funds were. He said that he did not have "actual knowledge" of the alleged investment problems because he did not read the relevant documents that were only posted online. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2018 let the case proceed, ruling that the three-year deadline applied only if Sulyma was actually aware of the facts of a violation, not merely that those facts were available. In Wednesday's ruling, the Supreme Court agreed. "The question here is whether a plaintiff necessarily has 'actual knowledge' of the information contained in disclosures that he receives but does not read or cannot recall reading. We hold that he does not," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the ruling. In its appeal, Intel had warned that such a decision would make it too easy for a plaintiff to sustain a lawsuit simply by asserting "that he did not read the relevant plan documents, or simply that he cannot recall whether he saw them." During December arguments in the case, conservative and liberal justices alike voiced doubt that most people read investment documents that companies send out. (Reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Alabamas primary is set for March 3 and theres something voters need to keep in mind before they cast their ballots on Super Tuesday. Alabama has a law that prevents crossover voting. That means whichever party primary a voter participates in they have to stay with that party during the runoff. In other words, if you vote in the Republican primary you can participate in the GOP runoff. Its the same thing for Democrats vote in the party primary and you can vote in the runoff. What you cant do is crossover between the primary, meaning you cant vote in one partys primary then switch to the other partys runoff. If youre an independent, you will have to pick a party during the primary and must stay with that party during a runoff. Those who dont vote in the primary are free to cast a ballot in either partys runoff. None of the crossover prohibitions exist in the general election. Voters can cast a ballot for whomever they want in the general election, not matter which candidate or party they supported in the primaries. Alabama passed its ban on crossover voting in 2017. Proponents said it prevents one party from exerting undue influence on the other partys race. Tom Wallace, managing partner at Florida Funders, has been named commencement speaker for Florida Polytechnic Universitys spring commencement. We want to ensure the best and brightest students stay here in the state, and Florida Poly plays a big part in that. Renowned Florida entrepreneur Tom E. Wallace has been named commencement speaker for Florida Polytechnic Universitys spring 2020 graduation on May 3. Wallace said hes excited with this new role because the University is exactly what the state was lacking to elevate its tech potential to the likes of Silicon Valley. Ive been involved in building the technology ecosystem of the state for the last several decades and the one thing that we arguably were missing was a top engineering and STEM school, said Wallace, managing partner at Florida Funders, a Florida-focused investor network and online investing platform based in Tampa. I think its great the state figured that out and launched Florida Poly. Wallace believes the worlds next technology giant may get its start in the heart of Florida, driven by well-educated, innovative, forward-thinking young people like those that Florida Poly graduates. Theres no reason the next Google or the next Facebook cant come out of Florida, Wallace said. He said Florida needs both talent and capital to transform its tech ecosystem to the level of Boston, Massachusetts, and San Francisco, California. His company, Florida Funders, is focused on funding early-stage tech businesses, helping them grow from startups to successful enterprises. Florida Poly obviously is working on the talent side of it, he said. We want to ensure the best and brightest students stay here in the state, and Florida Poly plays a big part in that. Wallaces passion for entrepreneurship began early in his life. He started his first company at age 23 and has focused his time and energy on starting, growing, and building businesses ever since. For the last 25 years, hes been an active tech angel investor, supporting businesses at an early stage, when traditional investors shy away. His companys focus aligns with the Universitys vision of supporting student entrepreneurs and fostering their independent business success. Florida Polys entrepreneurship program has received international recognition and employs cutting-edge software to connect and support students. I get to go to work every day at Florida Funders and work with really bright, young, hardworking people that are trying to make a difference, and what can be more fun and impactful than that, Wallace said. Helping an entrepreneur who is going to start a company and work on solving a problem and change the world, thats what jazzes me. Wallace said he hopes to convey to Florida Poly graduates that the state is on the cusp of ascending to the next level of tech innovators, and they can play a big role in shaping its future. We are on a mission to make Florida known for technology and innovation more than tourism and oranges, he said. Florida Polys third four-year graduation ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, at RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St. in Lakeland, Florida. ABOUT FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY: Florida Polytechnic University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and is a member of the State University System of Florida. It is the only state university dedicated exclusively to STEM and offers ABET accredited degrees. Florida Poly is a powerful economic engine within the state of Florida, blending applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. Connect with Florida Poly. Residents in a flood-affected Co Galway town have been urged to check their Lotto tickets after one player won a massive 129,111 in Wednesday nights Lotto draw. The lucky player bought their ticket at Piggotts Post Office in Gort was one number away from claiming the 3.5m jackpot. People may not realise how much joy and happiness that the news of this big Lotto win will bring to the people of Gort today," said Noelle Piggott, who has been postmistress at the Gort Post Office for the past 21 years "It has been an incredibly difficult couple of weeks for the entire community who have all been very badly affected by the flooding in the area. However, the sun is shining very brightly this morning and knowing that one of our customers will be waking up with a smile as wide as the Shannon makes it all worthwhile! The winning Lotto numbers for Wednesday nights draw were: 02, 11, 26, 31, 40, 47 and the bonus number was 18 The Lotto jackpot rolls to 4m next Saturday night. Meanwhile, the National Lottery have reminded Monaghan Lotto players to check their tickets as a Lotto prize worth 28,040 from November is set to expire tomorrow. Back within Chinas borders, one citizen told Vice that agents from the Ministry of State Security knocked on his door after he sent a tweet that the agents alleged attacks the Communist Party of China. He was forced to sign a promise note not to repeat the threat. NPR reports that a resident of the coastal city of Wenzhou had her WeChat account suspended when she spoke of a lack of face masks. Wuhan residents desperate for treatment and supplies are also being silenced. Officials have instructed Internet companies to conduct special supervision, and authorities are filling the void with their own rosier descriptions of rapid responses and bravery on the front lines. Q: When is the Winston-Salem Journal going to list all the people running for office for March 3 primaries? S.W. Answer: We already ran that information, and it is available on our website. Go to www.journalnow.com and search for Whos on the primary ballots (and make sure your search is in quotes). Coin Questions Following last Fridays Ask SAM answer about 1943 pennies, SAM has gotten many coin collector questions, including several offering to sell us their collections and others describing supposedly rare items they own. Your best bet is to look for nearby coin collector groups and coin shows. ZURICH, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) announced today that it will recommend to shareholders at the company's 2020 Annual General Meeting an increase in its quarterly dividend for the twenty-seventh consecutive year. The proposal calls for a $3.12 annual per share dividend, payable in four quarterly installments of $0.78 per share, compared to the current quarterly dividend amount of $0.75 per share. The Board also declared a quarterly dividend equal to $0.75 per share, payable on April 10, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2020. The dividend will be payable out of legal reserves and will be made in United States dollars by the company's transfer agent as described in the Chubb Limited 2019 proxy statement. This will be the fourth installment as approved by the company's shareholders on May 16, 2019. About Chubb Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs more than 30,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com . Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Forward-looking statements made in this press release, such as statements regarding the company's 2020 Annual General Meeting and dividends, reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially as set forth in these statements. For example, payment of scheduled dividends could be affected by extraordinary company events or capital constraints or similar factors that could require the company to adjust, delay or withhold dividend payments. Additional information regarding factors that could cause differences from these forward-looking statements appears in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. SOURCE Chubb Limited Related Links https://www.chubb.com The gunman suspected of fatally shooting five former coworkers at Molson Coors before killing himself has been identified as 51-year-old electrician Anthony Ferrill, whose alleged feud with another employee had reportedly boiled over before he returned to the facility and opened fire, according to reports. Molson Coors Beverage Company, the multinational brewing company whose brands include the Miller and Coors beer lines, employs 1,200 people at its Milwaukee facility. More follows The spread of the new coronavirus to Italy has led universities to reassess study abroad programs in the country, with many American schools this week calling their students back to the U.S. Schools including Syracuse University in upstate New York and Elon University in North Carolina, as well as Sacred Heart University and Fairfield University, both in Connecticut, said they are canceling programs in Italy, where the death toll rose to 12 on Wednesday and the caseload reached 374. Syracuse will assist the 342 students studying at its Florence campus return to the U.S., school officials announced Tuesday. School officials said they were concerned about restrictions on students' ability to travel and move about the city. "We believe this is absolutely necessary to reduce the risk of our students being unable to leave Italy due to Italian confinement efforts," said Steven Bennett, the university's senior vice president for international programs and academic operations. Many universities in the U.S., Australia and Europe already have canceled study abroad programs in China, where the outbreak began. Around the world, more than 81,000 people have been infected. More than 78,000 of those have been in China, where over 2,700 have died. The presumed executions in the leadership rank of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terror group, in the Nigerian northeast, is overstated, according to knowledgeable and trusted sources who warn against a complacent reading of developments and changing fortunes in the over one-decade old insurgency that has claimed about 30,000 lives and sent more than two million citizens into a harsh internal migration from their homes. PREMIUM TIMES investigations based on encounters with experts on the insurgency and largely corroborated by insights from experts at the Humangle Media Foundation in Abuja which studies, tracks and comments on the developments on the insurgency, show that claims that Abu Abdullahi Umar Al Barnawi, the leader of ISWAP, otherwise called Ba Idrisa, has been killed lacks evidence. What is reasonably supportable by evidence is that Ba Idrisa has been restricted on one of the islands in the Lake Chad basin in the same manner Abu Musab Al Barnawi, son of Yusuf, Boko Haram founder, and erstwhile leader of ISWAP, was briefly detained after he was toppled last year, sources who cannot be named for fear of their security told PREMIUM TIMES in Maiduguri. Abu Musab Al Barnawi who led dissident insurgents against the dreaded Abubakar Shekau within Boko Haram to form ISWAP in 2016 was himself dethroned last year by Abdullahi Umar Al Barnawi [Ba Idrisa]. After months in the cooler, Abu Musab Al Barnawi is back today as head of the influential ISWAP media unit that extends its services to other Islamic State (IS) affiliates in the region. According to multiple knowledgeable sources familiar with the organisational psychology of ISWAP, who dispute accounts of Ba Idrisas execution, the August 2018 slaying of ex- leader Mamman Nur, has been one major factors for the declining fortunes of the group. Besides, the group has still not fully recovered from that experience, according to the sources who also suggested that, in the universe of the insurgents, Ba Idrisas crime is not a betrayal of the groups ideology or operational principles, a side-step that hardly carries the punishment of execution. READ ALSO: In the current internal schism within the ranks of the insurgency, however, Ba Idrisas ironic difficulties arose from his insistence, sources claim, on preserving some of the ideals under which they fought and parted ways with Shekau. According to multiple sources, Ba Idrisa was toppled because he ignored a call within the group to initiate a new campaign that portrays members of the group that have either left or are living in the diaspora as Murtadun, an Islamic reference for apostasy. A strict compliance with this doctrine, according to our sources, would have put multitudes in the rank of the insurgency on notice, ostracise them from the group, and set them up for execution. Historically, these doctrines of Takfir and Murtad were organisationally championed by Shekau and it was a stand against that doctrine that pushed this group into a breakup with Shekau. In a zig-zag world of doves and hawks in the insurgency, it would appear that Ba Idrisa was more inclined to a tentative ecumenical spirit that admitted slight ideological divergence in communities even when there are grounds of suspicions that some elements were leaking information about the operations of the insurgents to government forces. At any rate, Ba Idrisas platform could hardly endure, challenged as it were, by the Abu Musab tendency in the group. Abu Musab, sources say, always had his eyes set on claiming the important position of Amirul Jaysh (Head of the Military) of the group. This was reportedly an idea that had the backing of the Islamic States central command and according to insiders, Abu Musab was the preferred candidate for the Amirul Jaysh, being that they see in him the qualities that can hold ISWAP together and forestall the ambitious elements within the top hierarchy of the group from perpetual leadership crises. An important aspect of Ba Idrisas manoeuvre, therefore, in the political scheme of ISWAP, was to whittle down the powers of the current Amirul Jaysh, Mustapha Krimima, and introduce context-specific doctrines as well as new rules of engagement in the war theatre, seen by the hardliners as a dangerous development capable of forcing a group shift away from the influence of IS central, a reality they further see as giving in to the enemy. Although multiple sources assert, however, that Mustapha Krimima remains the most influential member of the group, even thought to be the Amirul amma (a leader who masks his visibility by playing up surrogates), the problem appears to be the growing voice of dissent within ISWAP about the fizzling out of the powers of clerics. Combatants have become privileged and ascendant over clerics some of whom once kicked against this development when they were disciples of Shekau. As it is now, it is believed that ISWAPs ability to fend off new threats in the region from forces like Adam Bitri, Bakura and ISWAPs long-time rival, Shekau, is the biggest test for the new leader. A key criticism against Ba Idrisa was that he did not do much in this regard, and that ISWAP rivals only grew stronger, and the internal schism within the group ultimately led to the haemorrhage of ground troops and territorial loss in the Lake Chad behind the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), which in the past looked up to the group for inspiration. The lessons of March 2019 still hunt ISWAP when the removal of Abu Musab triggered an untidy flight of its top fighters, led by Adam Bitri, to the North West of the country in search of collaboration with the ANSAU terror group, an unholy wedlock that hardly lasted six months. Unfulfilled and drained by this ill-fated sojourn with ANSARU, Adam Bitri returned to the Lake Chad and set up his base in Abadam, close to ISWAP seat of power, apparently still scornful of what knowledgeable sources characterised as ANSARUs long term, no goal in sight, strategic plans. This was seen as one of the biggest tests against Ba Idrisas leadership, especially the inability of the leadership to eliminate threats coming from within and outside the group. Recent media reporting of the putative killing of Ba Idrisa have also stated that Abba Shayima is new ISWAP leader (Wali) with Lawan Abubakar as his deputy, or vice versa. However, multiple sources are suggesting that Ba Lawan is the true new Wali pointing that in the ISWAP leadership structure the post of deputy Wali does not exist. Abubakar Shekau does not have a deputy, Abu Musab does not have a deputy, Ba Idrisa also never had a deputy. A leader is chosen from amongst the Shura if he meets certain requirements, one of our sources said. From Ba Idrisa to Ba Lawan, what do we know about them: They are both Kanuris and both of them were born and brought up in Maiduguri. They were both young and visible during the reign of late Muhammad Yusuf. In Kanuri culture, naming your child after someone it is the greatest honour. So, if your child is named after an important personality or elder in the society, people can hardly call you with your first name without the prefix of Ba, hence the meaning of Ba in both the names of Ba Idrisa and Ba Lawan. Advertisements Assuming then that Ba Lawan is truly the new Wali, close observers believe he faces a difficult dilemma of whether he can unite the group, the potential outcomes being: either a stirring leadership feud in the Lake Chad basin, which in itself could be a prelude to a bigger implosion that may result in the emergence of multiple factions, or the total collapse of any organised group in the region. This news analysis is a partnership between the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, and the Humangle Media Foundation under its media and terrorism project. Through her nonprofit, Zhao, 18, enlisted the help of Monica Hernandez, a family and consumer science teacher at Jefferson Junior High in Naperville, to produce fabric attachments simulating breasts, similar to the Womanikin, for Zhaos own schools CPR manikins. The group then provided the attachments to Glenbard North High School, and it is starting to make some for Naperville North High School, Zhao said. Shes also reaching out to students at other schools, so they can carry on the effort. The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has urged Governments at all levels to raise the standard of living of citizenry through favourable economic policies. Ooni, the Co-Chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) gave the charge during the 2020 edition of the annual celebration of Aje Festival at his Ile-Oodua palace, on Monday in Ile-Ife. Ooni Ogunwusi who is the natural father of the entire Yoruba race worldwide decried the current economic condition of the country which he described as pathetic, adding that the country's wealth must be be enjoyable to all Nigerians. As it stands today, Nigeria has a population of few men and women controlling the economy while countless others are languishing in poverty. We cannot continue like this. For us to progress as a country, we must ensure that our wealth goes round especially to the poor and other vulnerable members of the society. We cannot keep having strikingly rich few Nigerians and uncountable ones wallowing in abject poverty. The Ooni decried. While explaining the basis for the Aje Festival celebrations, the African foremost monarch explained that it is a unique way through which the Yoruba people globally remember the deity which is known for wealth and riches. Aje is a deity which is known for wealth and riches. Its annual celebration as you have witnessed today is to acknowledge its relevance to us as people, especially its indispensable nature to us. Did you see the struggle for it during the procession to and from the Aje temple? That is the spirit of Aje, all of us are not rich because it is not easy to accumulate wealth. We are not devaluing the currency by spraying it to our people, we only do it on a special day like this to spread happiness. In the olden days, it was cowries, sometimes ago it was coins, nowadays it is naira notes and we hold it in a very high esteem. The Ooni noted. Coordinator of Aje Festival, Princess Toyin Kolade while briefing newsmen expressed happiness for the massive turnout of participants from within and outside Nigeria. She thanked the Ooni for the opportunity, pledging her commitment to the development of the prestigious Yoruba cultural heritage. Similarly, the Lowa Adimula of Ife, High Chief Adekola Adeyeye, described the 2020 Aje festival celebration as the best in history, thanking the Ooni for uphold the cultural values of Ile Ife and Yorubaland. He added that the Ooni has rebranded the ancient city positively to the world, praying that God Almighty will support him in realising the greater Ife Kingdom of his dream. The Obaluru Oranfe, Oba Isoro Abiodun Molato said "Aje is a goddess that provides Wealth and Fortune for People. She was among the 401 deities sent to the world by Olodumare . Her primary assignment was to ensure a smooth transition of the country's economy. For this, she is always being celebrated and commemorated by the people of Ife and other tribes of Yoruba so as to laud and epitomize her past good deeds and also how she has diligently improved people's welfarism and the commerce of the country". Speaking on behalf of the international participants, Mr. Rodrigo Abdon from Brazil described the festival as awesome representation of the African rich cultural heritage. "What I see here today has further represented the economic potentials of the enviable Yoruba cultural heritage and Africa at large. I see arts, I see dance, I see music, I see paintings and many others like we have in Brazil. The people are also receptive, very accommodating and it shows the good nature of the land. We are really feeling at home"Mr. Rodrigo noted. The traditional rulers who graced the epoch cultural event are; Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Adenekan Afolabi, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole, Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, Oba Olusola Alao, Onigogo of Igogo-Ekiti, Oba Sunday Adewumi, Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa, Oba Michael Ajayi, Onigbaye of Igbaye, Oba Morounfoye Okunola, Olubogun of Ibogun-Ifo, Oba Fakayode Faluade, Aragberi of Oragberi, Oba Funso Makanju, Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Adekunle Oyeyemi, Eburu of Iba, Oba Adeogun Ogunoye, Onitetiku of Owode-Ota, Oba Wasiu Ogungbayi, Asoya of Ile-Isoya, Oba Muraina Adedini, Obalufe of Iremo-Ife, Oba Idowu Adediwura and a host of others Also, the former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Consular General of Brazilian Embassy in Nigeria, Helge's Samuel Bandeira, several traditional rulers and Nollywood stars including Adewale Eleso, Iya Rainbow, Lanre Hassan(Iya Awero) and Saheed Balogun others dignitaries witnessed the event while the Apala music maestro, Musiliu Haruna Isola thrilled the guests. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 06:58:58|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. State Department announced Wednesday that it has designated Ahmad al-Hamidawi, the head of an Iraqi militia, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The department said in a statement that al-Hamidawi is the Secretary General of Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH), which Washington claimed is "an Iran-backed terrorist group active in Iraq and Syria." According to the statement, KH has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks against U.S. and Coalition Forces in Iraq, including a rocket attack on an Iraqi base near Kirkuk in late December of 2019 that killed a U.S. civilian contractor and injured four U.S. service members. Following the designation, all of al-Hamidawi's property and interests in the United States have been blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-26 17:53:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A customer checks clay ovens from a clay product store in northern Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 17, 2020. Despite the growing challenge from modern household appliances, like the steel oven heated by electricity or propane fuel, the traditional clay oven still plays an important role in Iraqis' daily life. TO GO WITH "Feature: Iraqis fond of traditional clay ovens, despite modern appliances" (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- "When I was young, I used to have a piece of delicious hot bread (locally known as Khubuz) baked in al-Tanoor, or traditional clay oven, for breakfast," said Jasim al-Hamdani, who lives in Baghdad's northern suburb of Rashdiyah. Al-Hamdani, 65, said he prefers al-Tanoor to bake the Iraqi Khubuz as it gives the traditional bread a special flavor of the clay and the wood burning in the oven. Despite the growing challenge from modern household appliances, like the steel oven heated by electricity or propane fuel, the traditional clay oven still plays an important role in Iraqis' daily life. Mohammad Hashim, a teacher at the Institute of Handicrafts and Heritage in Baghdad, said "the industry of traditional clay oven maintains its presence as long as most Iraqis prefer the flavor of the Iraqi Khubuz, and as long as the clay ovens' makers enjoy their traditional craftsmanship and find it a feasible way of making a living." Hashim told Xinhua "the clay oven is part of the Iraqi heritage, and it has a history of thousands of years, as there are many signs in the country's history indicating the spread of such popular crafts." According to archeological information, the city of Mosul in northern Iraq was one of the oldest cities with clay oven industry, Hashim added. In Baghdad's northern neighborhood of Kadhmiyah, 17-year-old Sebttain Mejbil, who works with his family on making clay ovens, said he and his family are keen on the continuation of their handicraft as it is part of the heritage of the country. "Only a few people are working on this handicraft now. We are here in Baghdad, and my uncles in Kufa, and we are trying to preserve this handicraft," Mejbil, who left school to join his father in the work, told Xinhua. To make the traditional clay oven, the makers need to bring the special red mud from a plain near the city of Najaf, some 160 km south of Baghdad. Then the workers should mix it very well by their feet before they build the oven by coiling the clay from bottom to top. The new al-Tanoor must be left in the sun for several days to dry and harden before being ready to use. The bakers can stick the dough on the inside walls of the clay oven. Another clay oven maker, Abbas Yahya, 20, said he inherited this crafts from his family. "My grandfather has worked on this craft for some 60 years, and my father inherited it, and I also learned the craft from the family. We are trying to revive this handicraft because it is our heritage," Yahya said. Saad Sabah, 30, a clay oven maker and a shop owner of clay products, told Xinhua that most of his customers are owners of bakeries and restaurants, as many families still prefer the taste of Iraqi Khubuz made in the traditional al-Tanoor. According to the makers, the demand on clay ovens has increased as many luxurious restaurants and some households are starting to use the traditional al-Tanoors to attract customers. ST. LOUIS, MI As efforts continue to mitigate an oil spill affecting some rivers in mid-Michigan, officials say tests for PCBs have come back negative and theres no reason to believe drinking water has been contaminated. Officials traced the spill to a property near St. Louis, Michigan. It caused a 4- to 5-mile-long petroleum sheen on the Pine River upstream of Midland and prompted do-not-contact advisories for affected waterways. The spill was caused by a large industrial electrical transformer located on a rural property on East Jackson Road. The property owner, who acquired the transformer from West Branch, had drained some of the oil into drums on site, but the transformer was still leaking when Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) officials arrived at the scene, according to a news release issued soon after. The volume of the spill is unknown. State environmental officials say the property owner had filled three 55-gallon drums with liquid from the transformer and, in the process, an undetermined amount leaked from the transformer into a drain on the property, which linked to a county drain, then to Bush Creek, and then to the Pine River. The leak resulted in a sheen that stretched from St. Louis to Midland. When dealing with a spill like this, Dan Morden, director of 911/central dispatch in Gratiot County, said, You get to a scene, you try to figure out what your dealing with, and then you try to put barriers between the substance and the environment to keep it from getting worse." State and local authorities met with the responsible party on Wednesday morning, Feb. 26, to check on the progress of mitigation and remediation, according to an updated news release issued by Gratiot County Emergency Management. When Gratiot County Emergency Management and EGLE officials arrived at the property, representatives from Bierlein Companies Inc. and AKT Peerless were there meeting with the property owner, who, officials say, is cooperating fully with all authorities. Oil samples analyzed in a lab in Lansing and also on site both tested negative for PCBs, the release states. Also as of Wednesday, Bierlein officials planned to remove the affected soils, oil barrels, used mitigation materials, and transformer within the next few days. There continues to be no reason to believe there is concern of contamination to municipal or private drinking water supplies, the release states. EGLE partners want to emphasize the source of the release has been located, no further release is occurring, mitigation/remediation efforts are in place, and it has been determined there are no PCBs involved. Some additional mitigation measures have been taken, such as the placement of booms in Bush Creek downstream from the source site, and the do-not-contact advisory with waters of Bush Creek, Pine River, and other affected waterways continues at the request of EGLE, according to Gratiot County officials. Morden described the booms as absorbent materials that are kind of strung out like a snake with a couple of metal hooks on each end and they can be draped across bodies of water. As of Wednesday, Gratiot County Emergency Management officials had left the scene and turned coordinated site remediation and oversight over to EGLE Incident Manager Eric VanRiper and Bierlein representatives. EGLE spokesman Nick Assendelft on Thursday, Feb. 27, confirmed the initial sample tests and lab results of the fluid inside the transformer have come back negative for PCBs. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are a group of manmade organic chemicals consisting of carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms, with no known taste or smell, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. They have a range of toxicity and vary in consistency from thin, light-colored liquids to yellow or black waxy solids. We are doing further testing of the samples at the lab in Lansing to see if there might be anything else we need to be concerned about. Dielectric fluid is similar to mineral oil, but we want to be sure there isnt anything else in the fluid, he said. When asked about the river advisories, he said, I think its safe to say that as long as there is a sheen on Bush Creek and the Pine River people should not come in contact with the water. But, ultimately, that is a decision the county emergency manager would make." Assendelft said on Thursday Bierlein representatives remained on site to capture contaminated soil, clean the pad where the transformer was being worked on, and clean out the drain pipe. He said booms will remain in place until there is no longer a sheen on the water. Other agencies that have aided in these efforts include: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, St. Louis Area Fire Department, Consumers Energy, Gratiot County Central Dispatch/911, Midland County Emergency Management, and Midland County Central Dispatch/911. Anyone who has questions or additional information about this incident may call the EGLE at 1-800-662-9278. Related news: Avoid Tittabawassee River contact until oil spill contained, Saginaw County officials say Petroleum sheen on Pine River is motor oil, Midland officials say Cleanup of Michigans largest Superfund site, begun in 1998, could take 7 more years Vote for the Best Burger in Bay City, Saginaw and Midland region N urofen owner Reckitt Benckiser posted a 3.7 billion loss today as it took a 5 billion charge on its takeover of baby formula maker Mead Johnson. The company said its infant formula and child nutrition arm had missed forecasts as it suffered in China from stiff competition, lower birth rates and disruption to trade in Hong Kong. The Durex-to-Finish maker has struggled to integrate Mead following a 13 billion takeover three years ago. The huge loss for 2019 contrasts with a 2.2 billion profit in 2018. The company also took a hit from a $1.4 billion settlement with the US Department of Justice last year over a probe into sales opioid addiction treatment by its former drugs business Indivior. Reckitts sales grew 2% to 12.8 billion and chief executive Laxman Narasimhan said the company would invest 2 billion over the next three years as he revealed plans to overhaul the business. Narasimhan, who joined in September from food giant PepsiCo, said margins would take a temporary hit as he rolled out a three-phase plan to boost earnings. He said: Reckitt Benckiser is a good house in a great neighbourhood, with the position to be a great house again. Reckitt has faced pressure from shareholders to offload fringe business to boost growth. Narasimhan stopped short of carving out any businesses from the group, but said he would aim to find 1.3 billion worth of productivity savings. Investors appeared to welcome the plan, with shares up 2% at 6225p. Narasimhan said the companys brands would be organised under three categories, hygiene, health and nutrition, while sharpening its focus on China. In early 2019, the NSA suspended the program, having concluded that it was of limited value given the cost and compliance issues. The House Judiciary Committee this week introduced a bill to reauthorize the USA Freedom Act that included a measure to shutter the program for good. There is broad support across Congress for such a move. The White House, however, would like to see the authority preserved in case one day the NSA wishes to revive the collection. Shirley McDaid Conneely (employee of Jetwash Int Ltd, Carrigallen, Leitrim and native of Arva, Co Cavan) and Thomas Devlin (employee of Modular Panel systems Ltd, Mohill and from Mountpleasent, Strokestown) were both successful on the NISO Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety course. The course was hosted by AIT (Athlone Institute of Technology) between September and December 2019. Certificates were presented at the Prince of Wales hotel, Athlone recently. Read Also: Visiting restrictions remain in place at Sligo University Hospital AIT have hosted this course twice each year since 2002. They had 32 participants who successfully completed the course. These included people from Cavan, Leitrim, Longford, Galway, Roscommon, Tipperary, Laois, Dublin, Offaly and Westmeath. We had four persons from the Mullingar region who were successful. Each participant received their certificate from Mr Harry Gavin, President of NISO. John Flanagan (Midland NISO Branch Chairperson) oversaw the presentation. Seadna Ryan, Head of Dept of Lifelong Learning represented AIT. Read Also: Gallery: Taoiseach's visit to flood hit Carrick-on-Shannon A second course is currently running (28 participants) and the next course will commence this autumn, beginning on Monday, September 28 in AIT. A significant number of the participants will advance into the part-time Level 7 degree in EHS Management in the autumn in AIT. To book a place on the NISO course or the BSc in EHS Management course contact the Lifelong Learning Department, AIT for further information on either lifelongLearning@ait.ie or jcarroll@ait.ie or (090) 6483052/3/4. Governor Bill Lee on Thursday announced that he is proposing legislation to advance the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Tennesseans by implementing a Constitutional Carry law. The Second Amendment is clear and concise and secures the freedoms of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, said Governor Lee. I am pleased to announce Constitutional Carry legislation today that will protect the Second Amendment rights of Tennesseans, while also stiffening penalties on criminals who steal or illegally possess firearms. I appreciate Lt. Governor McNally and Speaker Sexton for helping to lead the way on this important issue. The governors legislation would extend the constitutional right to carry a handgun to all law-abiding citizens with or without a permit who are 21 and older, except in current restricted areas. The legislation also includes several increased penalties for firearm-related crime to promote public safety including: Increasing the penalty for theft of a firearm to a felony; Providing a sentencing enhancement for theft of a firearm in a car; Increasing the minimum sentence for theft of a firearm from 30 days to 180 days; Increasing the sentences for unlawful possession of a firearm by violent felons and felony drug offenders, possession of a handgun by a felon, and unlawfully providing a handgun to a juvenile or allowing a juvenile to possess a handgun. A big part of protecting the Second Amendment for law-abiding citizens is cracking down on criminals who use guns. We will make sure those who commit crimes with firearms serve their full sentences and nothing less. Many states across the nation are moving towards permit-less carry and I support the governor in this initiative, said Lt. Governor Randy McNally. This legislation ensures that law-abiding citizens have a constitutional right to carry their handgun, but if you are a violent criminal, felon or drug dealer, there will be no tolerance for unlawful gun possession here in Tennessee, said Speaker Cameron Sexton. I applaud Governor Lees commitment to Tennesseans Second Amendment rights guaranteed by our U.S. and state constitutions. This proposal will reduce barriers to ensure citizens have the ability to protect themselves and their families, while imposing stiffer penalties against criminals who possess guns illegally, said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson. "This constitutional carry package is historic because not only does it uphold the freedoms granted to us by our nations founding fathers, it also imposes mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines on bad guys who illegally obtain or use handguns, said House Majority Leader William Lamberth. I want to thank the National Rifle Association for their work over the years in making today a reality, and I look forward to working with Governor Lee, as well as my House and Senate colleagues to get Constitutional Carry passed in Tennessee." The Art Society of Old Greenwich recently presented the John Tatge Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award for 2019 to Suzanne Simpson for exceptional volunteer service in chairing the 2019 ASOG Sidewalk Show and Sale. Elaine Conner and Julie DiBiase, ASOG Co-Presidents, presented the award on Feb. 21, at ASOGs 2020 Winterfest dinner and art show at the Riverside Yacht Club. The co-presidents praised Simpson , a new volunteer with ASOG, for not only taking on the chairperson responsibilities of the annual Sidewalk Art Show, but also for her dedication, creativity and resourcefulness in making the show ASOGs biggest event of the year a success. The Sidewalk Art Show, which takes place along Sound Beach Avenue in Old Greenwich, typically requires much planning and organizing, as the chairperson makes the decisions, works with exhibiting artists, and co-ordinates volunteers, the organization said in a news release. Simpson thanked the ASOG for the award and praised the team of volunteers who worked with her on the event. The award gift was a copy of The Best of Flair, a large-format, hardcover book presenting a selection of some of the best content of Flair Magazine. First published in the 1950s, Flair covered fashion, art, literature, travel and more. A book plate inside the front cover honors Simpson with the Volunteer of the Year Award and adds: In appreciation for her valuable contributions, hard work and dedication to the organization. With heartfelt thanks, The ASOG Community. The annual Volunteer of the Year Award is named for the late John Tatge, a dedicated advocate of the arts in the local community. He served as ASOG President for many years, fostered growth in membership, and for 20 years, chaired the annual Sidewalk Art Show. For more information on the ASOG, visit asogct.com No more public-private partnerships should be entered into for public hospitals in NSW, a parliamentary inquiry into the troubled Northern Beaches Hospital has recommended after hearing that some services were only being made available to private patients. The inquiry report, released on Thursday, made 23 recommendations and had one finding: that the public-private partnership model "has the potential to negatively affect people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds". A parliamentary inquiry into the Northern Beaches Hospital has recommended an end to the public-private hospital model in NSW. Credit:Brook Mitchell Its key recommendation was "that the NSW government not enter into any public-private partnerships for future public hospitals". Health Minister Brad Hazzard said no partnerships were being pursued "at the present time" but did not rule out any in the future. BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET at the Rose Theater (Feb. 28-29, 8 p.m.). The history of this quartet, as an entity, begins in the late 1980s, when Marsalis was in his 20s, dabbling in pop music and film scoring. The group became his vehicle for exploring jazz qua jazz, playing vital music that resonated down the corridors of its own history. In the three decades since, it has never become stale or stuck. The quartet now features Joey Calderazzo on piano, Eric Revis on bass and Justin Faulkner on drums, who have settled into a style that mixes explosive post-bop playing with influences from Romanticism and European folk song, as on its most recent album, the Grammy-nominated The Secret Between the Shadow and the Soul. Opening for the quartet at Jazz at Lincoln Center is Citizens of the Blues, a young quartet featuring Anthony Hervey on trumpet, Isaiah J. Thompson on piano, Philip Norris on bass and Domo Branch on drums. 212-721-6500, jazz.org CECILE MCLORIN SALVANT at the Village Vanguard (through March 1, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.). How do you reanimate some of the hoary American songbooks most troubling artifacts (If a Girl Isnt Pretty, You Bring Out the Savage in Me), implicating us all in our collective history, without acting as either a scold or a balm? How do you embrace your imposing, almost unfathomable command as a vocalist while still meeting your audience at eye level? These are the questions that, over the past decade or so, jazz listeners have watched Salvant now 30, and the unrivaled doyen of young jazz vocalists work through. This week at the Vanguard shes joined by a new quintet featuring Alexa Tarantino on alto saxophone, James Chirillo on guitar, Sullivan Fortner on piano and Keita Ogawa on percussion. On Saturday only, she and Fortner will appear in a duo, without the rest of the ensemble. 212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com MILES OKAZAKI at the Stone (March 3-7, 8:30 p.m.). Okazakis firm, flinty touch gives his guitar playing a feeling of warmth and dependability the comfort of a heavy blanket even when hes capering through an odd time signature or chasing down a crooked melody. He rarely plays in full chords, preferring to trace out little houndstooth patters or to use curt, two- and three-note harmonies. He will bring a different group to the Stone each night, including a quintet on Tuesday featuring Wendy Eisenberg on guitar, Michael Formanek on bass, Uri Caine on piano and Ches Smith on drums; on the last night of the run hell play with the quartet from his widely celebrated 2018 album, Trickster. thestonenyc.com TYSHAWN SOREY SEXTET at the Jazz Gallery (March 3-7, 7:30 p.m.). A drummer, trombonist, composer, professor and much more, Sorey is the kind of musician and inveterate project-starter whos tough to keep track of. Even within a single performance, he might surge from a passage of pin-drop silence to overwhelming accrual to delicately crafted collective action. His latest undertaking is a sextet featuring five younger musicians on the New York scene: Nathan Reising on alto saxophone, Morgan Guerin on tenor saxophone, Lex Korten on piano, Sasha Berliner on vibraphone and Nick Dunston on bass. These shows at the Jazz Gallery are the groups first extended run in New York. 646-494-3625, jazzgallery.nyc SUN RA ARKESTRA AND WILLIAM PARKER at the Town Hall (March 4, 7 p.m.). The Sun Ra Arkestra, avant-garde jazzs most flamboyant legacy ensemble, shares the bill with a compatriot who is roughly its opposite: the quietly industrious bassist William Parker, who for 40 years has served as a mentor and connector on New Yorks hardscrabble free-jazz scene. But dont get it twisted: The Arkestras concerts are a kind of cosmo-jazz hootenanny, sure, but theyre really an invitation to do the sort of counterintuitive truth-seeking that Sun Ra always espoused during his lifetime. Likewise, Parker performances have all the roughness and discordance of his hometown, but theyre joyous affairs, too. Especially when he presents Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield, his interrogation of that soul pioneers compositions, with a midsize band. This double feature is presented by Arts for Art, the organization behind New Yorks Vision Festival, which is celebrating its 25th year. 800-745-3000, thetownhall.org MATT WILSON, MIMI JONES AND JEFF LEDERER at Cafe Bohemia (Feb. 28-29, 8 and 10 p.m.). For a few years in the 1950s, when bebop innovation was thick on the ground across the West Village, Cafe Bohemia was one of the central havens. Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley gave historic performances there, some of which became canonical recordings. The club had been closed for over half a century when it reopened late last year at its original location, 15 Barrow Street. This weekend it will once again be the site of a live recording: The drummer Matt Wilson, the bassist Mimi Jones and the saxophonist Jeff Lederer will perform, and the nonprofit organization Giant Step Arts will be capturing the shows for a possible future album. 212-691-6127, cafebohemianyc.com GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO A Connecticut gang member was sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for distributing fentanyl and crack cocaine, according to federal authorities. Nelson Ferry, also known as 300, 29, of East Hartford, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant to a total of 87 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, according to federal authorities. The case arose from an investigation by the FBIs Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force and Hartford Police Departments Vice and Narcotics Division into the trafficking of narcotics and associated violence in Hartfords South End by members and associates of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation, according to a release from the office of Connecticut U.S. Attorney John H. Durham, attributing the information to court documents and statements made in court. The investigation included court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and controlled purchases of narcotics, and revealed that two members of the Latin Kings operated separate drug trafficking organizations that distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine, the release said. The organizations used multiple locations to process, package, store and distribute narcotics, and possessed firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. Ferry led one of the drug trafficking organizations and operated a trap house on Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford as a distribution point for drug customers, the release said. Between February and April 2018, investigators made several controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from Ferrys associate at or near the trap house. On May 22, 2018, Ferrys associate was shot and seriously wounded in an apparent robbery of the trap house. After the shooting, intercepted communications revealed that Ferry solicited his brother-in-law, Dannie Darling, to locate and likely harm the shooter. In order to prevent violence, investigators followed Ferry, sent uniformed police officers into targeted areas, and stopped Darling in his vehicle to identify him. Ferry has been detained since his arrest in 2018. A search of his residence the day he was arrested revealed about 50 grams of fentanyl, assorted drug paraphernalia and more than $2,700 in cash, the release said. Ferry pleaded guilty on August 12, 2019 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of cocaine base, or crack,according to federal authorities. Darling pleaded guilty to related charges and, on Jan. 22, was sentenced to 51 months in prison, according to federal authorities. Randy Parkman, 43, of Hartford, pleaded guilty on Jan. 27 to federal robbery and firearm offenses related to the May 22, 2018, shooting at the Wethersfield Avenue trap house, the release said. He awaits sentencing. The case was investigated by the FBIs Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction. The Hartford Police Departments Vice and Narcotics Division and Shooting Task Force have provided valuable assistance to the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Leaming. [February 27, 2020] Q-CTRL Releases Professional-Grade 'Quantum Control' Tools to Improve Quantum Computing Hardware Performance Q-CTRL, a startup that applies the principles of control engineering to accelerate the development of the first useful quantum computers, today announced the Beta release of its professional-grade BOULDER OPAL software tools for the quantum computing market. BOULDER OPAL is an advanced Python-based toolkit for developers and R&D teams using quantum control in their hardware or theoretical research. Technology agnostic and delivered via the cloud, BOULDER OPAL enables building and outputting new error-robust logic operations for even the most complex quantum circuits. The result for users is greater performance from today's quantum computing hardware. Outputs produced using BOULDER OPAL with state-of-the-art quantum computing hardware show improvements of 10 to 100 times across the key metrics of: error reduction, reduction of performance variability across devices, improvement of hardware stability over time, and reduction of error correlations. These metrics inform how well a quantum computer will perform now, and how likely developers will be able to build larger, more powerful systems in the future. By leveraging professional software engineering and a powerful cloud-compute architecture, BOULDER OPAL also demonstrated approximately 10X improvement in time-to-solution in head-to-head testing against existing quantum control solutions where comparisons are possible. Q-CTRL will present live demonstrations of BOULDER OPAL's new features at the American Physical Society March Meeting in Denver, March 2-6, 2020 at booth 1404 in the Colorado Convention Center. Company officials will also deliver five technical talks on these new capabilities and experimental validations. "The new technical capabilities released today make BOULDER OPAL an indispensable tool for teams seeking more reliable results in their experiments," said Michael J. Biercuk, founder and CEO of Q-CTRL "With BOULDER OPAL, developers have the power to achieve massive performance gains in quantum computing hardware, regardless of the platform." Errors are the Achilles heel of quantum computers. The underlying hardware is extremely fragile, and "noise" from the environment can perturb the systems, leading them to fail. Q-CTRL specializes in delivering a set of techniques which can stabilize the hardware and allow quantum computations to be executed with greater success. Q-CTRL shares this expertise as quantum firmware for quantum computers, complementing the wide range of quantum algorithm developers ctive in the field, and helping manufacturers get more out of their hardware. "The power of quantum control in improving quantum computers is well understood by the scientific community," said Biercuk. "BOULDER OPAL provides globally unique, proprietary technical capabilities, and focuses on delivering real, tangible benefits to users." The world-leading team of quantum control engineers at Q-CTRL have built many easy-to-use features that have never been previously available to the R&D community. For example, performing highly complex constrained numeric optimizations on interacting quantum bits with many adjustable parameters can now be reduced to a few lines of validated code executed in seconds. "With these tools we've thought a lot about the user experience," said Biercuk. "If you're a quantum-algorithm developer or a researcher, we understand you want straightforward access to the benefits of quantum control to improve quantum computers without needing to hack your own code. And we know that users want solutions as quickly as possible so they can test and iterate rapidly." Because it is Python-based, BOULDER OPAL is easy to integrate with other tools widely used in the quantum computing research and developer communities. Q-CTRL offers software integrations with Qiskit, pyquil, and CirQ, complements open-source packages like QuTiP, and provides custom integration for user hardware. "Our team can help customers directly integrate BOULDER OPAL into their quantum computing systems with our Last-Mile-Integration package, allowing full automation of control so users can focus on running more advanced computations," said Biercuk. A free 30-day trial of BOULDER OPAL is available starting tomorrow, Feb. 28, 2020. To register, visit https://app.q-ctrl.com/signup. Experimental validations and an overview of the software architecture, developed in collaboration with the University of Sydney, were recently released in a technical manuscript titled Software Tools for Quantum (News - Alert) Control: Improving Quantum Computer Performance through Noise and Error Suppression, and is available online. ABOUT BOULDER OPAL Beta BOULDER OPAL is today in a public beta release, following a private alpha with key customers. BOULDER OPAL delivers the most advanced quantum control engineering capabilities in a modern cloud-compute architecture. Key features allow users to: Optimize error-robust controls in high-dimensional systems and circuits. Account for leakage levels and dissipation while imposing realistic hardware constraints using simple commands. Evaluate quasistatic and time-dependent noise-susceptibility of quantum gates and circuits using proprietary multidimensional filter functions. Simulate device, gate and algorithmic performance in realistic laboratory environments using real, measured noise spectra. Characterize noise and drifts in quantum circuits to gain actionable intelligence on improving hardware. Identify noise only appearing in complex circuits that can't be discovered otherwise. Integrate solutions directly with hardware for full automation, including hardware calibration and optimization leveraging advanced machine learning. Enhancements to BOULDER OPAL Beta include access to an updated portal (app.q-ctrl.com) with a Launch Pad to access the product via a Python package or live notebooks run on the web, an Activity Monitor to keep track of long-running jobs and processes, comprehensive reference documentation, technology guides and a Quantum Wiki on quantum control theory. ABOUT Q-CTRL Q-CTRL was founded in November 2017 and is a venture-capital-backed company that provides control-engineering software solutions to help customers harness the power of quantum physics in next-generation technologies. Q-CTRL is built on Professor Michael J. Biercuk's research leading the Quantum Control Lab at the University of Sydney, where he is a Professor of Quantum Physics and Quantum Technology. Q-CTRL has assembled the world's foremost team of expert quantum-control engineers, providing solutions to many of the most advanced quantum computing teams globally. The team's expertise led Q-CTRL to be selected as an inaugural member of the IBM (News - Alert) Q startup network in 2018. Q-CTRL is funded by SquarePeg Capital, Sierra Ventures, Sequoia Capital China, Data Collective, Horizons Ventures, and Main Sequence Ventures. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the company recently opened its U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005346/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Spanish-occupied Ceuta in northern Morocco is facing an acute economic crisis after Morocco put an end to all forms of subsistence smuggling on the borders. Head of Ceuta government from the far-right Vox party, Juan Vivas, expressed concern that the Moroccan measures would asphyxiate the economy of the occupied enclave, which relied on the backs of poor women for much of its commercial activities. They are also called mule women who line up everyday at the border crossings of Ceuta and the other enclave of Melillia loading their backs with foodstuff and other items that can be carried into a huge pile and sold later in the Moroccan black market. Vivas felt the heat of a volte-face in the Moroccan strategy towards the city and promised the Spaniards in the city of making up for losses in the Moroccan market through increasing trade with mainland Spain and the EU. Morocco has also banned container trucks from crossing the borders of Ceuta and Melilla especially after it built world-class ports in Tangier and Nador. To provide better and legal job opportunities for thousands of people who have practiced subsistence smuggling, Morocco decided to build an industrial zone in Fnideq. Morocco has for long ignored the impact of such smuggling, which seems low scale at first although the aggregated impact results in numerous job losses in Moroccan industrial fabric and revenue losses. The Moroccan economy loses up to 12.5 billion dirhams annually to smuggling originating from the Spanish occupied cities of Ceuta and Melilla while Spain gains 700 million euros in profits. President Donald Trump on Wednesday night said Vice President Mike Pence will be leading the federal governments response the novel coronavirus outbreak that American officials believe will eventually reach the U.S. Trump touted Pences track record on health care while Pence was governor of Indiana before being elected vice president. Theyve established great health care, they have a great system there, a system that a lot of the other states have really looked to, Trump said, adding, Hes really very expert at the field. Almost immediately after naming Pence to his czar-like role in combating coronavirus, journalists and Trump critics online quickly pointed back to Pences handling of an HIV outbreak while he was governor there and deeply conflicted about what his moral convictions would allow versus what experts said was the most effective solution. As The New York Times reported in 2016, the outbreak was in Indianas Scott County in 2015 as a result of the use of dirty needles. Needle exchanges were illegal and Pence initially resisted changing the rule, as dozens of people became infected. The total eventually reached almost 200. It was disappointing that it took so much effort to bring the governor on board, a Republican lawmaker in Indiana told the Times. Mike Pence, who presided over one of the nations largest HIV outbreaks in Indiana in 2015, will lead administration efforts on #coronavirususa. https://t.co/IrqIo52qgv Adam Wren (@adamwren) February 26, 2020 Vice President Mike Pence | ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty When confronted with a spiraling HIV outbreak in his home state as a result of opioid addicts sharing contaminated needles, Pence dragged his feet before agreeing to lift a ban on programs that distribute sterile needles, according to Politico. Story continues Gregorio Millett, the Foundation for AIDS Researchs director of public policy, told Politico the the spread of the virus was entirely preventable. I am opposed to needle exchange as anti-drug policy, Pence said then. But this is a public health emergency and, as governor of the state of Indiana, Im going to put the lives of the people of Indiana first. We must give Gov. Pence credit for finally doing the right thing in the end, Millett told Politico. Still: Indiana taxpayers could have been saved millions of dollars for treating those affected by the HIV outbreak if effective prevention policies were already in place, he said. We have had great success in our needle exchange, a local nurse told the Louisville Courier-Journal in 2016. We know that we have pretty much stopped the spread of HIV. We know its helped get people into rehab; weve linked them to [treatment]. I know its working because I see it every day. Critics of Pences approach told Politico that what policy he did finally allow nonetheless hamstrung those Indiana counties that wanted to put successful needle-exchange programs in place to slow the spread of HIV as well as hepatitis C. Pences then-health commissioner cast the issue another way, according to the Times. The governor wanted to make sure if we went this route it was absolutely necessary, Dr. Jerome Adams said in 2016. I believe he was praying on it up until the final decision. President Donald Trump | ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty On Wednesday at the White House, after Trump named him the point person on the coronavirus response, Pence mentioned his time as governor when a person there became the first in the U.S. diagnosed with MERS virus. Earlier in the press conference, Trump spoke optimistically about the governments response to the coronavirus so far. But he continued to use rosier language than the health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who said this week that Americans should prepare for more coronavirus cases here. So far, some 81,000 cases have been reported worldwide of the coronavirus. Of those cases, about 2,700 people have died (By comparison, the Ebola epidemic that began in West Africa in 2014 infected about 28,600 people and killed about 11,300, according to the CDC.) The infection is thought to have originated in a Chinese animal market in December. Currently, the U.S. has 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus, most of them who were passengers aboard a cruise ship in Japan. I look forward, Mr. President, to serving in this role and bringing together all the members of the coronavirus task force you established, Pence said Wednesday. He added: We will continue to bring the full resources of the federal government in coordination with our state and local partners to see to the health and wellbeing and to the effective response to the coronavirus here in the United States of America. A group of Rohingya Muslims are detained in Hlegu township of Myanmar's Yangon region after authorities arrested them as they tried to flee to Malaysia, Feb. 19, 2020. A court in Myanmars Yangon region began hearing testimony Thursday in a case against roughly 70 Rohingya Muslims arrested a week ago for attempting to flee the country illegally for Malaysia, while the United Nations human rights body issued a report documenting long-standing persecution against the ethnic minority. The members of the group, which includes children, are being charged with violating Myanmars nationality laws because Rohingya, who are not one of Myanmars official ethnic groups, are barred from traveling without permission and because they did not have identification cards, said their attorney Thazin Myat Myat Win. Myanmars constitution requires residents to carry a national identification card whenever they travel. Hlegu township immigration official Than Saung testified about the matter during the hearing at the township courthouse, Thazin Myat Myat Win said. The law dictates that they cannot travel without travel documents, he said. Some of the detained Rohingya have the documents, but others dont since they were not aware of the requirement, and in any case they had left Rakhine state to find better lives elsewhere. The underage children have been charged under the Child Rights Law, and they are required to appear in court too, he added. The Rohingya are from Kyaukphyu, Sittwe, Minbya, and Buthidaung townships in western Myanmars Rakhine state. About 50 were picked up on Feb. 20 in a wooded area in Yangons Hlegu township, and another 14 who had fled were arrested the following day. On Wednesday, a different set of 15 Rohingya who have been charged with violating nationality statutes went on trial in Minhla township in central Myanmars Magway region. Saw Naing, a Yangon region immigration official, told RFA that he knows of no other cases in which nationality laws have been used to charge any members of Myanmars official ethnic groups, and that the Rohingya are required to adhere to the statutes. Myanmar's 1982 Citizenship Law recognizes three categories of citizens, namely citizens, associate citizens, and naturalized citizens. It also legally recognizes 135 ethnic groups, but not the Rohingya. There have been no such charges against other ethnic groups, Saw Naing said. The situation in Rakhine state is different from other parts of country, he said. There could be illegal immigrants who have entered the state as well as those who have lived there for many generations, so in order to distinguish themselves, they need to carry their ID cards whenever they travel. Most people from Rakhine state do not want to carry National Verification Cards, he added. The cards serve as a precursor to applying for citizenship for those who qualify, but are highly unpopular with Rohingya, who say the cards identify them as Bengali, a term they reject because it implies they are immigrants from Bangladesh. As far as we can see, these people left voluntarily, Saw Naing said of the group of Rohingya now on trial. They may have had hardships living in Rakhine state. Perhaps security is also a reason. He said the Rohingya came from various villages in Rakhine state and from internal displacement camps where about 120,000 Muslims have lived since their homes were destroyed amid communal violence with ethnic Rakhine Buddhists in 2012. It has become impossible [for them] to live in their region, and this has driven them out, Saw Naing said. We dont intend to limit the migration. We primarily look for those without ID cards to charge. The Rohingya are subject to systematic discrimination in Myanmar in the form of denials of full citizenship, restrictions on their movement, and refusals to grant them access to public education, quality health services, and employment opportunities. A military-led crackdown on Rohingya communities in northern Rakhine state in 2017 left thousands dead and drove more than 740,000 others from their torched villages and into Bangladesh. Many were subject to horrific torture and mass rapes. An estimated 600,000 Rohingya still live in Myanmar. In recent years, thousands of them have fled the conflict-ridden region, paying human traffickers hundreds of dollars each to take them to Muslim-friendly countries in Southeast Asia where they will not face persecution. OHCHR issues report Also on Thursday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a report on the situation of rights concerning the Rohingya and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar, which makes recommendations for addressing the root causes of violations. Rights violations and abuses against minorities are engrained in the history and fabric of society at large in Myanmar, according to an advance unedited version of the report. In addition to the institutionalized persecution of the Rohingya in Rakhine state, long-standing armed conflicts have continued to lead to serious violations and abuses of human rights of ethnic minorities in other states, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, forced labor, and sexual and gender-based violence, and extensive forced displacement, the report said. This situation has gravely hampered the ability of minorities to enjoy other rights, including freedom of movement, health, education, and imposed significant limitations on livelihood opportunities, thereby perpetuating a cycle of marginalization and poverty, it said. The report noted that a U.N. fact-finding mission in 2018 found that serious violations against the Rohingya during the 2017 crackdown amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The mission also charged that Myanmar had acted with genocidal intent against the Rohingya, though the government denied the accusation, saying that the military had conducted a clearance operation in northern Rakhine in response to terrorist attacks by a Muslim militant group. Myanmar faces legal action on genocide-related charges at the U.Ns International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, and an Argentine court. The OHCHR recommends an end to military impunity for ongoing rights violations and comprehensive state reforms that would remove the armys power and subject it to oversight by civilian authorities. It also calls for Myanmar to dismantle the current system of discriminatory laws and policies and to adopt measures promoting equality and rights for ethnic and religious minorities. The OHCHR suggests a comprehensive reparation program to remedy the harm suffered by aggrieved groups and to signal the states commitment to change. The body recommends that Myanmar offer compensation and provisions for education, health, and housing as well as official apologies and commemoration initiatives. London-based Amnesty International gave an oral statement Thursday to the U.N. Human Rights Council after the OHCHR presented its report. The High Commissioners report underscores once more the need to end military impunity and the importance of the full realization of the rights of ethnic, religious, and other minorities, Amnesty said. Such measures are essential to ensure that all people in Myanmar can live their lives in dignity and security, free from discrimination. Unfortunately, Myanmars authorities, including the current administration, have often been among those fostering rather than challenging narratives of hate, intolerance, hostility, and violence, Amnesty said. Reported by Nandar Chan for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. TOWSON, Md., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PM Consulting Group (PMCG), an SBA-certified 8(a), HUBZone, and MDOT-certified MBE firm that delivers professional and management consulting solutions to federal and state government clients, is pleased to announce it has been included on the inaugural Inc. 5000 Series: D.C. Metro list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. PMCG ranked number 33 on the listing with 303 percent growth from 2016-2018. We are very pleased to yet again be recognized by Inc. 5000, said Walter Barnes III, president of PM Consulting Group. Last year, we were on the national Inc. 5000 list and to now be named as one of the fastest-growing companies in the DC region is truly an honor. The companies on this list demonstrate just how much the small business sector impacts the economies of D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware, says Inc. editor in chief, Scott Omelianuk. Across every single industry, these businesses have posted revenue and growth rates that are beyond impressive, further proving the tenacity of their founders and CEOs. About PM Consulting Group PM Consulting Group (PMCG) is an SBA-certified 8(a), Hubzone, and MDOT-certified MBE firm that delivers professional and management consulting solutions to federal and state government clients. Established in 2008, PMCG specializes in professional services in the areas of Healthcare, IT, and International Development. Our services range from mission support services to management consulting helping Federal and State agencies operationalize strategic goals. Our value is in bridging the gap between business functions and technology. Visit PMCG at www.pmconsultinggroupllc.com or 410-512-6557. PMCG is listed under the GSA IT Schedule 70 under contract number 47QTCA20D002J and GSA Professional Services Schedule under contract number GS-00F-166GA. (Kitco News) - Investors remained optimistic about equities of gold-mining companies, and producers remained focused on returning capital to shareholders, in particular by paying dividends. Those are some of the takeaways of analysts at BMO Capital Markets following the Canadian banks 29th annual conference for investors and representatives of the mining industry this week. Company officials gave presentations over a three-day period. BMO analysts listed their overall assessment in a followup 102-page report issued late Wednesday. The BMO conference drew with roughly 500 investors and 753 corporate attendees, including 142 presenting companies. Anecdotally, we have found the mood at the conference to be relatively mixed optimistic toward gold equities, while more cautious toward base metals/bulk commodities, BMO said. The general investor expectation is that gold can maintain its current high levels for a prolonged period, though admit that the strength of the recent rally has been surprising. Meanwhile, base metals and bulks fundamentals remain overshadowed by the current situation in China, BMO continued, referring to coronavirus outbreak that has impacted the economy in the key consuming nation for base metals. In terms of terms of commodity preferences, investors are generally bullish on gold and other precious metals, particularly as Treasury yields fall, BMO said. Copper is a favorite among base metals, due to potential demand growth, asset scarcity and a grade decline, and potential new sources of demand from the green economy. BMO said senior gold producers appear firmly focused on paying dividends. Capital returns continue to be the preferred asset allocation decision amongst large-cap gold producers, BMO said. In our investor polls on Monday, we saw a clear bias toward dividends, particularly for the largest miners. As balance sheets are strong, production profiles are relatively flat in the near term, and investors are optimistic...in the persistence of high gold prices, the market is clearly messaging its preference for capital returns rather than accelerating growth or raise cut-off grades at existing operations. Meanwhile, many medium-sized gold producers have undertaken transactions that puts their annual output above 1 million ounces, arguably justifying higher valuation multiples, BMO said. For many of those that have not transacted, and for some that have, capital returns via share buybacks and/or dividends are being pursued at an increased level, BMO continued. With the gold price moving favorably recently, there also seems to be a resurgent desire for growth in the smaller producer space, which may spur continued M&A [mergers and acquisitions] in 2020. Producers of base metals are walking a fine line between capital returns, shareholder returns, innovations, adapting to a green economy, and cash flow from long-lived, low-cost assets, BMO said. This sector was described as being in the early stages of a significant transition and will continue to evolve over the next decade. BMO characterized the growing Covid-19 epidemic as the elephant in the room, commenting that most producers indicated no direct impact on their sales yet, although some flagged challenges in the chain for raw materials sourced from China. Meanwhile, BMO analysts said they sensed a more serious attitude toward efforts in ESG, or environmental, social, governance. There has been a risen in sustainable, green and ethics investment funds in recent years. Major diversified miners each addressed sustainability themes extensively through their presentations; some base-metal miners are shifting their asset portfolios toward increasingly green initiatives, senior gold producers featured social programs as key aspects of their identities, while the mini-mill steel producers highlighted the increasing importance of their environmentally advantaged production process, BMO said. The chief executive of Anglo American, Mark Cutifani, reiterated a commitment to exit the thermal coal business within five years. Several other miners have also indicated plans to realign their asset portfolios to the expected needs of a low-carbon world, BMO said. A number of companies also emphasized efforts to move toward more environmentally friendly energy sources an effort to reduce emissions, BMO continued. All of the major companies that presented highlighted their efforts to this end, which range from building/sourcing renewable energy generation (Anglo American, Antofagasta, BHP, Teck Resources) to mine electrification (Anglo American, Boliden, Newmont) and the hydrogen economy (Anglo American), BMO said. One of the challenges facing mining companies is how to measure the effectiveness of emissions-reduction strategies, given a lack of consensus in emission-reporting standards, uncertainty around carbon pricing, and where the responsibility for Scope 3 targets will ultimately lie. Of these themes, renewable energy generation was the most prevalent. Several miners have committed to increasing their own exposure to renewable energy. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Navy successfully flight tested the first SM-2 surface-to-air missile from the company's restarted production line. The SM-2 Block IIIB missile launched, flew and provided accurate telemetry data to the range, and engaged an airborne Navy target. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the U.S. Navy successfully flight tested the first SM-2 surface-to-air missile from the company's restarted production line. The SM-2 Block IIIB missile launched, flew and provided accurate telemetry data to the range, and engaged an airborne Navy target. The U.S. Navy fires a Raytheon Standard Missile-2 from the USS Roosevelt during a 2019 exercise (Picture source: U.S. Navy) SM-2 allows navies to defend against anti-ship missiles and aircraft. Raytheon and the Navy restarted the production line to meet global demand. The program invested in new equipment and improved manufacturing processes to increase efficiencies. "The SM-2 is in high demand because of its advanced capabilities and history of more than 2,700 successful flight tests from U.S. Navy and international ships," said Dr Mitch Stevison, Raytheon Strategic and Naval Systems vice president. "Navies worldwide have relied on this missile and it will continue to provide fleet protection for decades to come." Raytheon has delivered over 11,000 SM-2 missiles to customers worldwide. In 2020, the company will begin to provide Australia, Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands with more than 280 missiles from its latest production batch. Sixteen farming, conservation and Indigenous groups are together lobbying the Queensland government for extra money to protect Queensland's network of privately owned nature refuges. Many of these refuges offer protection to species facing extinction. At present, the Queensland government contributes $4.6 million a year to the state's nature refuge network, Australia's largest network of more than 500 nature refuges. The contribution comes in the form of small grants to the landowners. A Rainbow Bee Eater in the Bimblebox Nature Refuge. Farming and conservation groups are asking for extra money to allow extra conservation work on private-run nature refuges in Queensland. Credit:Courtesy Bimblebox Nature Refuge AgForce chief executive Mike Guerin said farmers and other groups argue they need more financial help to manage conservation issues on land they own as part of Nature Refuge Network. Prosecutors challenge early release of Russian penitentiary services ex-director Reimer TASS, Mikhail Pochuyev 10:44 27/02/2020 MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI) Prosecutors have filed an appeal against an order to release ex-director of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) Alexander Reimer convicted of embezzlement on parole, according to a statement published on the website of the Prosecutor Generals Office. On February 20, the Central District Court of Kaliningrad granted early release of Reimer. This was not the first petition for parole filed by Reimer. In May, the court dismissed his similar motion. In June 2017, Reimer was sentenced to 8 years in a penal colony for embezzling funds allocated for procurement of ankle bracelets, fined 800,000 rubles (about $12,000), and stripped of his General rank. Ex-deputy of FSIN Nikolay Krivolapov and an ex-director of FSINs Information and Technical Support Center Viktor Opredelyonov received 5 years and 8 months and 6 years in prison respectively. Krivolapov was fined 600,000 rubles ($9,000) while Opredelyonov got a 700,000-ruble fine ($11,000). Lawyers for the defendants asked to repeal or soften the sentences. A lawyer of Reimer said that the Zamoskvorestsky District Court issued a ruling with numerous violations and that it did not study some of the case documents. On August 22, 2018, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow recovered over 2.2 billion rubles ($35 million at the current exchange rate) from Reimer and his accomplices convicted of embezzlement. In April 2019, the court lifted the seizure of 1.8 million rubles (about $30,000) belonging to Reimer. The convicts funds were ordered to be paid as a compensation for damage caused. According to investigators, Reimer, Krivolapov and Opredelyonov conspired with businessman Nikolay Martynov. a head of NPF Meta company that was supplying bracelets for prison inmates, to embezzle monetary funds from the Russian state budget. Between 2010 and 2012, Reimer and his accomplices stole money allocated for the purchase of ankle bracelets for persons placed under house arrest. The procurement was pursued at an enormously overvalued price. Damage allegedly caused to the state budget was estimated at no less than 2.7 billion rubles (over $40 million). A case against Martynov was reviewed separately as he fully admitted his guilt in large-scale embezzlement. The businessman cooperated with investigators and announced that he is going to compensate the government with delivery of 7,000 new ankle bracelets. Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA Donald Trump on Wednesday put Vice-President Mike Pence in charge of the US response to coronavirus. In a lengthy, rambling and often confusing address meant to reassure Americans about the potential impact of the virus, Trump said the risk to the American people remains very low. Pences announcement came ahead of a report from the Centers for Disease Control that a person in northern California contracted the virus without traveling outside of the US or having contact with a confirmed case. Trump said on Wednesday he was ready to spend whatevers appropriate, even if that meant the extra billions of dollars that Democrats have said is necessary to beef up the US response. Trump had told Congress earlier this week that the government needed to spend $2.5bn in emergency funding to fight the virus. Trump said Pence would be working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other government agencies to coordinate the response. Whatever happens, were totally prepared, Trump said. Related: Will coronavirus trigger a global recession? | Jeffrey Frankel Throughout the press conference, Trump sought to minimize fears of the impact of the virus across the US, mentioning several times how amazed he has been to have recently learned how many people are killed by the flu every year. But several of the health officials gathered with him on the podium stressed that Americans need to get ready for what could become a wider outbreak. Our aggressive containment strategy here in the United States has been working and is responsible for the low levels of cases we have so far. However, we do expect more cases, said Dr Anne Schuchat of the CDC. The US health secretary, Alex Azar, confirmed there were 15 cases of coronavirus diagnosed in the US, bringing the total number of infected people in the country to 60. There are three cases from Americans repatriated from the Chinese province of Wuhan and 42 people who were repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was docked in Japan. One of the Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers is a participant in the first US study of an antiviral drug to treat coronavirus. Story continues The World Health Organization is recommending that people take simple precautions to reduce exposure to and transmission of the Wuhan coronavirus, for which there is no specific cure or vaccine. The UN agency advises people to: Frequently wash their hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or warm water and soap Cover their mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when sneezing or coughing Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough Seek early medical help if they have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and share their travel history with healthcare providers Avoid direct, unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals when visiting live markets in affected areas Avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products and exercise care when handling raw meat, milk or animal organs to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods. Despite a surge in sales of face masks in the aftermath of the outbreak of the coronavirus outbreak, experts are divided over whether they can prevent transmission and infection. There is some evidence to suggest that masks can help prevent hand-to-mouth transmissions, given the large number of times people touch their faces. The consensus appears to be that wearing a mask can limit but not eliminate the risks, provided they are used correctly. Justin McCurry The president on Wednesday once again praised his administrations response to the crisis. But serious concerns have been raised about its response so far. Azar requested $2.5bn in emergency funding from Congress to respond to the coronavirus. But Democrats have said that amount is insufficient given the magnitude of the challenges. Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, has been sharply critical of the US government response so far and on Wednesday unveiled an $8.5bn request to respond to the virus outbreak, more than triple Trumps request. Schumer is asking for $4.5bn for the Department of Health and Human Services to work to contain the outbreak in the US, $1bn to develop and manufacture a vaccine, $1bn to help other countries battle the coronavirus, and $2bn to reimburse states for costs incurred in tackling the outbreak. Public health experts raised concerns that the US had tested fewer than 500 people for the virus, excluding people who had returned on evacuation flights. (By comparison, South Korea has tested more than 35,000 people.) That lack of testing, they warned, may be misrepresenting the spread of the virus across the country. Trump said the US was testing everybody that we need to test and finding very little problem. You treat this like the flu, the president added, reminding Americans to wash their hands. Lawmakers and policy experts had also pushed the administration to appoint a czar to oversee the US response, as the Obama administration did during the Ebola crisis. They warned the USs ability to respond to the crisis was hampered by the Trumps administrations decision in May to dismantle the office in the national security council that existed to oversee a coordinated government-wide response in the event of a pandemic. Last week, 27 senators wrote a letter to Trump asking him to quickly fill the job. It is unclear whether Pences appointment will quell their concerns. Pence has in the past been criticized for his role as Indiana governor in blocking clean needle exchange programs amid an HIV outbreak. The coronavirus outbreak has so far affected 80,000 people globally. In mainland China there have been 2,663 deaths among 77,658 cases, mostly in the central province of Hubei. More than 12,000 people affected in China have already recovered and the World Health Organization said on Wednesday more new infections have been identified outside China than inside. Public health experts have praised the CDCs response to the outbreak in the US, though there is concern about how Trump and other members of his administration are responding to the outbreak. Trump on Tuesday said the US was very close to a coronavirus vaccine, which Dr Anthony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health said on Wednesday was at least 18 months away from being available. The White House later said the president was instead speaking about the Ebola vaccine approved two months ago. On Tuesday, the acting DHS head , Chad Wolf, failed to answer basic questions about the disease including what the projections are for the spread of the virus and how it was transmitted. DHS is among the agencies coordinating the response to the virus. Senator John Neely Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana, ended a round of questions by telling Wolf: Youre supposed to keep us safe and the American people deserve some straight answers on the coronavirus and Im not getting them from you. On Tuesday, the head of immunization at the CDC, Nancy Messonnier, had said in the absence of vaccines or medicines, officials would need to consider possible school closures and telecommuting as part of efforts to contain the spread of the disease. I understand this whole situation may seem overwhelming, and that disruption to everyday life may be severe. But these are things that people need to start thinking about now, Messonier said. I had a conversation with my family over breakfast this morning, and I told my children that while I didnt think they were at risk right now, we as a family, need to be preparing for significant disruption of our lives. After the CDC announcement, the mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, declared a local emergency, though there are no confirmed cases among city residents. Breed said the declaration was made to increase preparedness. We see the virus spreading in new parts of the world every day, and we are taking the necessary steps to protect San Franciscans from harm, Breed said. The Associated Press contributed to this report South America is one of the most visited continents in the world with countries Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia as the most visited countries. Aside from its attractions like the Machu Pichu, Amazonia, Angel Falls, and Torres del Paine, the South American music, food and culture is wonderfully diverse. Before you plan to go backpacking in the Latin American continent, take note of these five things you must not do: 1. Do not speed through any of the countries. South America is composed of 12 countries. While it doesn't sound like much, the continent is actually vast at 17.84 million square kilometers. Brazil alone is larger than the entire United States of America. Whenever we hear about South American tour, so many backpackers insist on a whirlwind and must visit all countries without considering the distance. Each South American country is unique on its own, so why rush? Instead of visiting and de-stressing, you might find yourself going on an Amazing Race-like experience against time. 2. Do not be intimidated by a country's reputation. Venezuela may not seem too promising as a tourist destination at the moment, being South America's most corrupt country, but the vast majority of South American countries have already achieved and are maintaining stable democracies with much lower crime statistics than you might expect. However, you must bear in mind to prioritize your personal safety above all else. One of the best ways of avoiding unfortunate experiences is to be extra vigilant and listen to locals' warnings about places to be wary of. Do all the necessary precautions such as carrying a durable padlock for storing your gear in hostels and being aware of well-known scams. 3. Do not avoid the street food. If you think food in South America is all about salsa and tomatoes, you really need to immerse yourself with their cuisines. The best and most affordable way to do it is to try their street foods. When backpacking in South America, you would surely stumble upon the meat and gravy queen, the Bolivian saltena; the god of all cheesy, deep-fried pasties, the Chilean empanada; the Peruvian lord of pretend potatoes, the deep-fried yucca. If you're quite skeptical about the safety of their food, just follow your nose and the hungry stomachs of locals (particularly older people and children) to fill your empty stomach from touring around famous attractions. 4. Do not accept the prices of goods you're being sold. Remember, you're a backpacker for many reasons but the most obvious is you want to enjoy as much as you can while spending less. Be a responsible traveler and learn the art of haggling. Before setting off, check with your hostel receptionist what prices you should be paying for a certain product. And if you're already a bargain expert, bargain reasonably. You might be happy knocking 10,000 Colombian pesos off your purchase, but the quid or two you'll save will mean significantly more to the seller. And take note, when haggling, haggle respectfully. 5. Do not make a bee-line for the "must-sees." It pays to be selective when choosing a destination. Choose the places that will give you the unique experience of truly South American. And when making a list, stick to it to avoid unnecessary side-trips and expenses. When visiting South America, also take note that English is not widely spoken on the continent so it pays to learn a little Spanish and Portuguese (if you're visiting Brazil). Also, since it's a hot continent, use sunscreen all the time, whether there is sun during the day or not. Lastly, be wary of weather changes. Bring a cap or and umbrella to protect yourself from South American weather. Sunny 505 Winner of two 2019 Best of Burque Restaurants awards and local favorite (obviously), MTuccis Italian has been at the forefront of making the Italian food scene in Albuquerque interesting. From their catering arm to their now four locations, MTuccis Italian is sweeping the competition on expansion. We were lucky enough to get to sneak a peek at their newest location, MTuccis Twenty-Five, and learn a little more about what makes this one different. For starters, its located in the old Chama River Brewing location on Pan American Freeway, a place I have fond memories of, even if it was smoking my first cigar ever and getting nicotine sickness from it. The interior has been updated to reflect a more bright, inviting vibe, seating nearly 300 people. Even more impressive, theyve hired more than 100 people to staff and run the new location. Plus, the soon to be added patio will put an extra 75 seats outside to be enjoyed during the warmer months, and what screams Italian more than sitting outside and drinking wine while having antipasto? You may have eaten at MTuccis Italian before, but dont assume this is the same old hat as before. The chef team did a recent working tour of Tuscany and used their time and experiences there to craft most of the new menu. Of course, the longtime favorites and standbys will be on the menu, but expect more new than old, including a small lunch menu for people in the area looking to grab something quick and delicious. I snuck into the kitchen during the grand opening and sat down to talk with some of the staff to find out a little more about the restaurant. It was a cohesive machine of hands working to pump out samples for the front, all of them working in tandem to make sure everything went out perfectly. Once things slowed down, I caught up with John Haas, executive chef and founding partner at MTuccis Italian. Among questions on some of the kick-ass cookies I had tried, I wanted to know what separated this from the other locations. Haas told me, I would say there's a lot of things that we did differently here. It's kind of been inspired by some of our trips recently to Italy, where we got introduced to a lot of people. We got shown a lot of things and I think it inspired us to do kind of a different feel and approach to the way the restaurant looks. As far as the food, I'd say our trips really helped us feel the soul of Italy. We spent a lot of time in Tuscany, we're in a small town working with these people, whether it's in their small little bakery or on their farm, where theyre raising Chianina [cattle], we really got opportunities to work with these people personally. We felt the passion and the pride that they have in what they do and they really invested in us too, because they knew that you're going out and carrying that to wherever you go, and they want you to display that form, too. So, I would say this is a very heartfelt venue for us. It's very thoughtful, and I think out of all the restaurants we've done, it's really the most complete thought from the ground up with how it's been designed and everything. As for how much has changed, Haas said 30 to 40 percent will be similar, but the rest is all new. I mentioned that I had come across some cookies out for people to try, and I shamelessly ate roughly 10 of them because they were so extraordinary. They turned out to be hazelnut shortbread cookies with a chocolate ganache filling, constructed similarly to an Oreo. When I mentioned that they touched my soul, Hass told me, Yeah, we want to evoke emotions in people with what we're doing, I get it. So I'm glad it did. I'm glad you felt a connection to it. A lot of what we serve, there are hints to other foods that maybe resonates with people. Our beef ravioli has hints of beef stew in there, and people will be like, I dont know what that is about this, but I just love this! MTuccis Twenty-Five is officially open for business and is definitely worth checking out. We look forward to doing a full review in the future, but for now, know that they have assuredly hit authentic Italian straight on in a new way once again, and that alone is valuable enough. Stephanie Hunter, 28, pictured, from Spring, Texas, is facing charges of fraud and making a false statement to obtain credit after her arrest earlier this month A mother-of-two accused of trying to steal the identity of Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta used his information to open credit cards in his name, police say. Stephanie Hunter, 28, from Spring, Texas, is facing charges of fraud and making a false statement to obtain credit after her arrest earlier this month. She told Click2Houston it was a 'dumb mistake', adding: 'I didnt even know who he was, honestly. I didnt know who he was at all.' Now Harris County police say she may have targeted others, including Walmart heir Alice Walton, KHOU reports. It was Fertitta, worth an estimated $4.8 billion, who first alerted authorities to the alleged scam. He said an anti-fraud system recognized a Capital One Bank account had been opened in his name. Police say Hunter bought Fertitta's social security number on the dark web in September last year. She then allegedly used that, as well as his other personal details to get approval on the lines of credit. But she used a fake email address and her own home address, police say. Hunter is accused of trying to steal the identity of Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. Harris County police say Hunter may have also targeted Walmart heir Alice Walton, right Hunter is accused of opening two lines of credit, including the one at Capital One and another at furniture store Conn's, worth $15,000 and $5,000 respectively. She is said to have told police she wanted the money for the home goods but did not make any purchases. Hunter told Click2Houston: 'It was, I mean, spur of the moment. I do apologize for it. It wasnt something that I do on a regular basis or anything like that.' Hunter is said to be facing additional charges in the case and has been released on $10,000 bond. Records show numerous previous arrests for charges including theft and possession of marijuana. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Craft Council (ACC), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing American craft, is celebrating 50 years of awards honoring individuals and organizations for exceptional artistic, scholarly, and philanthropic contributions to the craft field. Awarded biennially since 1970, the ACC Awards include the College of Fellows, the Gold Medal for Consummate Craftsmanship, the Award of Distinction, and the Aileen Osborn Webb Award for Philanthropy. This year's honorees include seven artists (two California-based), a museum, and a craft advocate (San Francisco-based), all of whom are continuing to uplift traditions while advancing the boundaries and impact of contemporary craft. Annabeth Rosen - College of Fellows Katherine Gray - College of Fellows Honorees will be celebrated during a formal ceremony on October 24, 2020, at the Baltimore Museum of Art, with details forthcoming. 2020 CALIFORNIA HONOREES COLLEGE OF FELLOWS: Katherine Gray (Los Angeles, California), a glass artist whose work ranges from blown glass to elaborate installations of found glass. Annabeth Rosen (Davis, California), one of the preeminent ceramic sculptors in the 21st century, transforming the conventional material of ceramic into fired, broken-but-gathered, unconventional, and visually striking works of art. AILEEN OSBORN WEBB AWARD FOR PHILANTHROPY: Barbara Waldman (San Francisco, California), a passionate advocate for the field of craft and design, currently serving as a Trustee of the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City. The Aileen Osborn Webb Award for Philanthropy, named after the founder of the ACC, honors exceptional contributions supporting the field of craft. Click here for the 2020 Honoree's Bios and Photography Other Honorees Include: Gold Medal for Consummate Craftsmanship Joyce J. Scott (Baltimore, Maryland) College of Fellows Sonya Clark (Amherst, Massachusetts) Lisa Gralnick (Madison, Wisconsin) Bob Trotman (Casar, North Carolina) Honorary Fellow Patricia Malarcher (Englewood, New Jersey) Award of Distinction Fuller Craft Museum (Brockton, Massachusetts) Visit craftcouncil.org/awards for further award information. ABOUT THE ACC craftcouncil.org The American Craft Council has cultivated a culture of making for more than 75 years. Our founder, Aileen Osborn Webb, recognized the significant impact craft has on individuals and communities and established a nonprofit to preserve, cultivate, and celebrate this communal heritage. We believe in helping to create a world where everyone is inspired to live a creative life. Our national awards spotlight emerging artists and honor masters. Media Contact: Keona Tranby (612) 206-3121 [email protected] SOURCE American Craft Council Related Links http://www.craftcouncil.org The oil-rich Middle East is boosting investments in renewable energy generation at home and abroad. Just a few years ago, this notion would have raised a few eyebrows. But these days, Persian Gulf companies increased investments in solar and wind power in the region and around the world make perfect sense in a world that begins its long energy transition journey and a Middle East suffering from low oil prices. The largest power firms in some of OPECs leading producers expand their international footprint, aiming to capture part of the booming global renewable generation market. At home, power companies invest in boosting electricity generation from clean sources in the Middle East, freeing additional barrels of crude oilwhich is burnt for electricity in OPECs top producer Saudi Arabia, for examplefor exports and for additional government revenues. Two of the largest and most influential OPEC members, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), already have long-term national renewable plans to cut reliance on crude for electricity generation. The biggest power companies in the two countries are also increasingly looking abroad to expand their renewable power operations in the most promising alternative energy markets. The UAE has an energy strategy through 2050, which calls for generating 44 percent of its electricity from clean energy, 38 percent from natural gas, 12 percent from clean coal, and 6 percent from nuclear power. The strategy aims to boost the share of clean energy in the energy mix from 25 percent to 50 percent by 2050, reduce carbon footprint of power generation by 70 percent, and save the country US$190.6 billion (700 billion UAE dirhams) by 2050. Related: Oil Tanks On Fears Of Global Economic Crisis The UAE is diversifying its economy away from oil and is also betting big on technology and renewables, boosting investments in solar power generation outside the emirates. Abu Dhabis renewable energy company Masdar currently has some three dozen projects and ventures around the world, including two wind farms in New Mexico and Texas, and a 25-percent stake in the Hywind wind farm offshore Scotland, the worlds first floating offshore wind farm. Masdar has just signed an agreement with EDF Group to form a joint venture company to explore and collaborate in solar power generation and energy efficiency projects. At an energy conference in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, Masdars chief financial officer Niall Hannigan said: When Masdar was launched in 2006, renewables was a nascent industry and sustainability was nowhere near the top of the agenda. This has changed. Thankfully, the world is now taking climate change mitigation more seriously, and renewables is now part of the mainstream with an undeniable place in the energy mix offering cost competitive solutions when compared with conventional sources. Masdar expects the renewable energy markets in the U.S., the Persian Gulf region, and the UK to be key regions for the group in the coming years, Masdars chief executive Mohamed al-Ramahi told S&P Global Platts Dania Saadi. Saudi Arabias ACWA Power also aims to significantly boost investments in renewables. This year it will invest US$10 billion in new capacity, of which US$7 billion is earmarked for new renewable energy capacity, chief executive Paddy Padmanathan told Platts. ACWA Power currently has a total of 31 GW of installed capacity and it aims to significantly boost that capacity to 150 GW by 2030, of which 100 GW is expected to be renewables, Padmanathan told Platts. ACWA Power aims to grow its renewable business both overseas and in Saudi Arabia, where it will support the Kingdoms National Renewable Energy Program to diversify electricity generation away from crude oil. Related: Is Tesla Really The Emerging Energy King? Saudi Arabia will rely on natural gas and renewables for power generation in the future, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said this week, and explained the reasonfreeing more barrels of oil for exports. Generating electric energy by using gas and renewable energy will help save huge quantities of crude oil, which are sold and burned locally at low prices, and thus enabling the Kingdom to export them as a new source of income, Saudi Gazette quoted the minister as saying at an event on Monday. By 2030, the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman could save 354 million barrels of oil equivalent, based on their renewables targets already in place, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said in a report last year. While power generation diversification at home is aimed at boosting crude oil exports, Middle Eastern companies foray into international renewable markets could prove a good bet in the energy transitioninvestment in renewables is expected to reach a cumulative total of US$10 trillion between now and 2040, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its World Energy Outlook 2019 in November. World Energy Outlook 2019 By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Nigerian troops have never recorded greater successes against Boko Haram than they have done now, the chief of army staff, Tukur Butatai, has said. Mr. Buratai, a lieutenant general, said the troops have been motivated by the new welfare package they are now enjoying. Mr Buratai said there was no time, especially since 2014, that the theatre command in Borno State recorded so many achievements in decimating Boko Haram terrorists than now. The army chief made the remark in Maiduguri on Thursday while commissioning a new recreational centre built for soldiers fighting the terrorists. Despite all the media propaganda across the country that things are getting worse, things are getting worse, but the truth is that things have never been this better since 2014, Mr Buratai. Mr Buratai, who was represented at the event by the Armys Chief of Training and Operations, Enobong Udoh, commended the theater commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Olusegun Adeniyi, for leading the troops in achieving unprecedented successes in the counterinsurgency operation, he said. We are very pleased with the theater commander for his professionalism, particularly, in leading the troops of this theater in doing a lot of wonders. The officers and men here sacrificing their lives to ensure that the Boko Haram terrorists are defeated, and they are being defeated. The truth is that what we are having now are remnants of the Boko Haram marauding around, terrorising the locals, waylaying commuters to give the impression that they are still around, he said. But the fact remains that this is the best time weve ever had. We have never had more operational achievements in this theater than now. I want to commend all of you on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff. Mr Udoh reminded the troops while commissioning the new recreational centre about the vision of the COAS which is to have a professionally responsive Nigeria Army in the discharge of its a constitutional role. He said the vision was built on four pillars of which one is the welfare of the soldiers. To that effect, the Chief of Army Operations said the COAS placed premium on the welfare of troops especially those in the front line. READ ALSO: That is why even (when) fund backing has not been received for the new operation and ration cash allowances, the COAS approved the payment for all those in the theatre and the payments have been received for about two months now, he said. The COAS has also reintroduced the N200 per day allowance for a cigarette and other habits and I am well informed that soldiers in this theater have been enjoying that package as well. I am very happy that the theater commander is not only leading the troops with professionalism but he also ensures he does not undermine the welfare needs of the soldiers. And it is in that line that he built this combat recreation tent which will serve as a relaxation spot for brother officers and soldiers doing the job of peacekeeping in this theater. The army chief made these remarks amidst continuing attacks on communities and troops locations by Boko Haram. Rome, Feb 27 : Less than 0.1 percent of Italian municipalities have been hit by the coronavirus, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Wednesday, launching a fresh attack on "inaccurate" and "deeply" damaging new reports on Italy's outbreak. "There is so much fake news at this time which is deeply damaging to the economic fabric of our country and above all to our scientific community's reputation," Di Maio told reporters at the foreign press association here. A total 42 out of 528 people who tested positive for the coronavirus have recovered from the disease - 37 in Lombardy, three in Lazio and two in Sicily, Italy's Special Coronavirus Commissioner Angelo Borrelli said on Wednesday. The coronavirus has killed at least 14 in Italy - all older people resident in the northern Lombardy and Veneto regions where the outbreak is heavily concentrated. Di Maio urged other countries to get their updates on Italy's coronavirus epidemic from the civil protection agency's daily bulletins alone. "There is so much irrelevant information out there involving municipalities and regions," he said. "For example - there has been a single coronavirus case in Piedmonte, but the whole is region is appearing on so-called lists of destinations that people are being advised not to visit," he said. At least 11 European countries now have confirmed cases of coronavirus, some of which have been traced back to Italy. Around 70 per cent of tourists have cancelled trips booked to Italy since the coronavirus outbreak, the Italian Federation of Travel Companies and Tourism (Fiavet) said on Wednesday. Umaro Sissoco Embalo swore himself in as the new president of Guinea-Bissau on Thursday, defying a bitter ongoing row about the outcome of the December 29 elections. "I swear on my honour to defend the constitution, to respect it and have it respected," Embalo said, his right hand raised, before a crowd of several hundred at an upscale hotel in the West African state's capital, Bissau. Outgoing president Jose Mario Vaz then placed the presidential sash over his shoulders, an AFP reporter at the scene said. The ceremony took place despite a continuing legal and political battle over the official results. The party of defeated candidate Domingos Simoes Pereira has filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court. Embalo, a 47-year-old former general and prime minister, won 53.55 per cent of the votes in the December 29 runoff, according to the National Electoral Commission. Pereira, 56, from the traditional ruling party, the PAIGC, won 46.45 per cent, but has denounced the result as fraudulent. The Supreme Court, responding to the PAIGC's petition, has issued rulings requiring a check of the vote tally sheets. However, this has failed to resolve the dispute, and a row has arisen between the Supreme Court and the election panel. On Tuesday, the election commission confirmed the results that it had announced, while the PAIGC stood by its objections. Guinea-Bissau has a reputation for graft and as a transit point for cocaine smuggling. It is also chronically unstable, having seen four coups and 16 attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Two-thirds of its 1.8 million people live below the poverty line despite rich mineral reserves and tourism potential. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Malaysia has extended the licence of a controversial Australian-run rare earths plant for three years, its operator said Thursday, despite concerns about the impact of radioactive waste it produces. Lynas hopes its factory, which has processed rare earths from Australia since 2012, can reduce Chinese dominance in the market for the materials. Rare earth minerals are used in everything from missiles to mobile phones, and Lynas is the only major producer of them outside China. Environmentalists and some politicians are opposed to the plant on peninsula Malaysia's east coast owing to health fears related to the waste, and a review into the operation was launched in 2018. But the company confirmed Malaysian authorities had granted a new licence to operate until March 2023. The previous licence expired in September, and Lynas was initially given a six-month extension. "Over the past eight years we have demonstrated that our operations are safe," said Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze in a statement announcing the extension. Lynas has to satisfy several conditions, including transferring some work that generates low-level radioactive waste to another country. It must also identify a site to build a disposal facility for waste. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Killers, we will become ghosts and write of your killings, with all the evidence." Aamir Azizs poem Sab yaad rakha jayega went viral over a month ago when it came out after violence had started escalating in clashes between Indian protesters and police personell. Over a month later, Pink Floyds co-founder and guitarist Roger Waters read it out at a public gathering of hundreds of protesters in London, demanding the release of jailed Wikileaks founder Julian Assange on Saturday, 22 February. He starts the speech by saying This is from a young poet, and activist from Delhi. Hes involved in the fight " referring to The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) introduced in India by the Narendra Modi government. The CAA law aims to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from selective other counties only if they are Hindus, Parsis, Sikhis, Christians, Jains, but excludes Muslims from it. This controversial law has seen wide-scale protests in India, with people resorting to unrest and even leading to death in the violence that followed. He then proceeds to read a little bit of an English translation of Azizs poem. Everything will be remembered. Kill us, we will become ghosts and write of your killings, with all the evidence. You write jokes in court; We will write justice on the walls. We will speak so loudly that even the deaf will hear. We will write so clearly that even the blind will read. You write injustice on the earth; We will write revolution in the sky." He ends it with, The kids got a future," and is met with loud cheers from the crowd and applause. Aamir Aziz is a poet, musician, a writer and an actor based in New Delhi, India, and went first viral for his song, Acche din Blues." You can watch the entire poem Sab yaad rakha jayega below. The poetry of protest is spreading, from India to London, as Waters put it at the gathering, Julian is why we are here today, but this is no parochial protest. We are today part of a global movement, a global movement that might be the beginning of the global enlightenment that this fragile planet so desperately needs." The video surfaced amdist violence against the CAA, which escalated to communal riots in north-east Delhi, which has left 34 people dead so far. Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here Local authorities have requested more information on a South Korean man who tested positive for the coronavirus a week after returning home from Vietnam. The 68-year-old returned to South Korea on February 16 and tested positive on February 23, according to a Seoul government office, which added the patient was currently receiving treatment at Seoul Medical Center. The Vietnamese Embassy in South Korea has asked the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention for more information regarding the case, said spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang of Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. "The Vietnam Ministry of Health and South Korea would exchange information regarding the patient through official channels, in accordance with International Health Regulations. The foreign ministry has already informed the health ministry of the matter," Hang said. South Korea made international headlines as the worst-hit country after China, with 1,595 coronavirus infections in total, many in the southeastern city of Daegu and nearby North Gyeongsang Province. Vietnam suspended entry from all areas affected by the coronavirus outbreak Tuesday, to include cities in South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran. Visitors from infected countries must complete health declarations and enter quarantine for 14 days. Vietnam's last coronavirus patient out of 16 was discharged Wednesday. The country has recorded no new infections over the past two weeks. The global death toll has reached 2,804, mostly in China, followed by Iran at 22, South Korea at 13 and Italy at 12. Ukraine cuts steel output in January, ranks 12th in WSA list 19:50, 27.02.20 860 All the 64 countries ranked increased steel output by 2.1% in January 2019 y-o-y, to 154.4 million tonnes. By Andrew Hammond Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders won big in the Nevada caucus at the weekend following his victory in New Hampshire and the photo-finish in Iowa where a recount is now underway. While other candidates could still secure the Democratic nomination to face off against Donald Trump in November, Sanders is now the clear frontrunner from the left of the remaining pack. Firstly, Sanders will now get new momentum from Nevada in the next three next states (South Carolina, California and Texas) to hold contests before "Super Tuesday" on March 3 when 15 U.S. jurisdictions go to the ballot box. He already leads opinion polls in California and Texas, and is currently in second place in South Carolina behind former Vice-President Joe Biden. A further reason why Sanders, who has represented Vermont since 1991 in the U.S. House of Representatives and then the Senate, is now in a strong position is not just his performance in Nevada, New Hampshire and Iowa. In addition, the past few decades of U.S. political history indicates the victor in nomination contests for both major parties frequently raises more campaign finance than any other candidate in the 12 months prior to election year; and/ or leads national polls of party identifiers on the eve of the nomination season which began in Iowa. This time around, Sanders raised the most money overall of any Democrat in 2019. Moreover, he was also quite often second in national polls too in the last year with Biden (who finished way back in the pack in New Hampshire and Iowa) frequently in first place. From 1980 to 2016, the eventual nominee in around half the Democrat and Republican nomination races contested (that is, in which there was more than one candidate), was the early front runner by both of these two measures. This was true of Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016; George W. Bush, the Republican candidate in 2000; Al Gore, the Democrat nominee in 2000; Bob Dole, the Republican candidate in 1996; Bill Clinton, the Democrat nominee in 1992; George H.W. Bush, the Republican candidate in 1988 and 1992; Walter Mondale, the Democrat nominee in 1984; and Jimmy Carter, the Democrat candidate in 1980. Moreover, in at least four partial exceptions to this pattern, the eventual presidential nominee led the rest of the field on one of the two measures. This was true of Republican nominee Trump in 2016; Republican Mitt Romney in 2012, Democrat Michael Dukakis in 1988, and Republican Ronald Reagan in 1980. For instance, in the race for the 2016 Republican nomination, Trump led a majority of national polls of Republican identifiers from summer 2015 into election year in 2016. While he was not the leading fundraiser from external donations among the Republican field, he was well positioned on the money side of the ledger too because the billionaire businessman self-financed much of his campaign before becoming the official Republican nominee in July 2016. After Nevada, New Hampshire, and the photo-finish in Iowa against ex-Mayor Pete Buttigieg, this all now points to Sanders as the clear frontrunner. Yet, the race is still more fluid at this stage than in 2016 which was Clinton's contest to lose from the start, and Sanders has key remaining potential weaknesses, not least his age of 78. If Sanders is selected, he would become the oldest presidential nominee of any party in U.S. history, and he had a heart attack last year too. One of the key reasons, so far, that the age of Sanders has not been a bigger issue in the campaign is that he will be running against a president (aged 73) who is only a few years younger. So the age issue may therefore be neutralized in this election, and there is a real possibility of the first ever clash of septuagenarian Democrat and Republican candidates in U.S. history. Yet, while Sanders now has big new momentum, the tide could yet turn against him, even though he is the standout candidate from the left of the party after Senator Elizabeth Warren's weak showing in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. Other Democrats who could yet "break out" decisively from the remaining pack of more moderate candidates include Buttigieg, businessmen Michael Bloomberg, Senator Amy Kobuchar, and Biden too who performed better in Nevada than in Iowa and New Hampshire, and who could yet win in South Carolina. One of the key factors that will influence Democratic prospects of defeating Trump will ultimately be whether, and how quickly, the party can unite around its eventual nominee (Sanders or another) given the still significant amount of contenders, and ongoing debates within the party between centrists/moderates such as Biden, Buttigieg, Bloomberg and Kobuchar, and those favoring a more radical path to power in 2020, including Sanders and Warren. A drawn-out, divisive Democratic nomination contest in coming months may only benefit Trump presuming he is the Republican nominee again. Indeed, this may even prove the key tipping point in another tight general election contest in which the president already has the political "tail winds" of an economy now in its longest ever growth cycle. Andrew Hammond (andrewkorea@outlook.com) is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics. AVEVA, a global leader in engineering and industrial software, has announced an important update to its AVEVA E3D design software that addresses the specific needs of the marine sector. Designed with the most up-to-date user interface principles and best practices, intuitive and easy to use AVEVA E3D Design software combines the latest three-dimensional graphics and user interface technologies with state-of-the-art data management. Ravi Gopinath, COO, AVEVA, said: With this latest software release, AVEVA is responding to the ever-growing and changing needs of ship owners and shipyards the world over. Meeting sustainability goals, maximizing business agility and improving operational performance calls for integrated design and engineering tools that can streamline the process, improve speed and remove cost and complexity to rapidly address these market imperatives. Using our new software, marine operators will now be able to realize up to 40 per cent gains in engineering efficiency while moving to operating paradigms that will ultimately help protect the environment. This software increases shipping vessel design and accelerates retrofits of ships to reduce emissions. The new capabilities demonstrate AVEVAs continued proactive innovation for the International Maritime Organizations new emissions regulations, IMO 2020, providing new tools to anticipate market needs and offering new capabilities and greater efficiency, the company said in a statement. Technology for new shipping vessels is rapidly changing as companies consolidate, regulations become ever more rigorous and shipyards globally face challenges from increasing competition, it said. Shipbuilding excellence is heavily reliant on design-to-production, agility and efficiency across all project streams, effective resource management and design quality leading to right-first-time, error-free production. AVEVAs new capabilities tailored to the marine sector will address these requirements and also include the first release of the AVEVA Hull Basic Design Module. This module is used for the preliminary design of a ship's hull structure, and supports key decisions regarding naval architectural characteristics, space management, outfitting design and drawings. AVEVAs new module represents the most integrated 3D environment for working with as-built and as-designed data in the marine market. AVEVA said it is the market leader in three-dimensional design and engineering software and works with the world's top 10 shipyards and vessel owners. This latest software innovation builds on the recent AVEVA Unified Engineering launch which introduced capabilities bringing together design and engineering data with 3D design tools for industrial users. TradeArabia News Service Scientists are not yet able to say how deadly the new coronavirus really is. As the virus spreads around the world, the percentage of patients dying differs from one place to the next, even within China. Other countries are now facing a growing number of cases of the virus that causes the disease, called COVID-19. Yet a low death rate can still mean a lot of victims. So, scientists are trying to understand why death rates are high in some areas and low in others. You could have bad outcomes with this until health officials really understand how to control the disease, Bruce Aylward warned this week. Aylward is a doctor and a World Health Organization (WHO) envoy who led a team of scientists just back from China. What do we know about the death rate? The new coronavirus first appeared in the city of Wuhan, in central China. WHO officials say two percent to four percent of patients there have died. In the rest of China, the rate of death was much lower only 0.7 percent. There is nothing different about the coronavirus from one place to another. Instead, the new strain of virus struck Wuhan fast, before anyone knew what the sickness was. Hospitals were quickly over-crowded. In addition, the first patients were very sick before they visited a doctor or hospital, Aylward noted. By the time people were getting sick in other parts of China, health officials were better able to identify less severe cases. So, there were more known infections for each death counted. There is no special treatment for COVID-19, but medical care received as early as possible may help. As the danger of the virus became clear, Chinese hospitals moved quickly to admit patients. At first, hospitals admitted patients, on average, about 15 days after they first reported symptoms of the disease. More recently, the wait time has been cut to about three days. Aylward expressed anger at people who say the death rate is not that bad because of the large number of mild cases. Sorry, he said, the same number of people that were dying, still die. What about deaths in other countries? Until the past week, most people diagnosed with the virus outside of China had become infected during a visit there. People who travel a lot are often healthier and may be better able to recover, notes Lauren Sauer of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. And as countries began examining returning travelers for the virus, they found infections far earlier. That is now changing, with coronavirus cases increasing in Japan, Italy and Iran. The death rate outside of China is also rising. Aylward warned that officials should be careful of artificially high death rates early on. Some of those countries likely are identifying the sickest patients first and missing milder cases, just like Wuhan did. How does COVID-19 compare to other diseases? A different form of this new virus caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a far deadlier infection, in 2003. About 10 percent of SARS patients died. Influenza is a different virus family. Some forms of the flu are deadlier than others. On average, the death rate from flu is about 0.1 percent, notes Anthony Fauci, head of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. That death rate is far lower than what has been calculated so far for COVID-19. Millions of people get the flu every year around the world, leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. Who is most at risk from COVID-19? Older adults who suffer from conditions like heart or lung disease are more at risk than other individuals. Deaths are much less common among younger patients, Aylward said. Some deaths have made news, such as the young Chinese doctor who was punished for talking about the virus publicly when it first appeared. The doctor later died from it. In China, 80 percent of patients are mildly sick when the virus is found at first, compared with 13 percent who already are very sick. The sickest to start with are at the highest risk of death, Aylward said. He added that a small number of those with mild infections do go on to die. No one understands the reason. The World Health Organization says people with mild cases recover in about two weeks. The recovery time for those who are much sicker can take up to six weeks. Im Susan Shand. The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________ Words in This Story outcome - n. something that happens as a result of an activity or process envoy n. a person who is sent by one government to represent it in dealing with another government strain n. a group of closely related plants or animals symptoms n. a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present diagnose v. to recognize a disease, illness, artificially adj. not natural or real : made, produced, or done to seem like something natural calculate v. to get a general idea about the value, size, or cost Theresa May has revealed the horrifying moment she heard she was the target of a jihadi murder plot to assassinate her in No10 a year into her term as Prime Minister. ISIS-supporting terrorist Naa'imur Zakariyah Rahman planned to bomb the gates of Downing Street, kill guards and then assassinate the prime minister with a knife or gun. Describing the moment she heard of his plans from MI5, Mrs May said: 'I was first told about (the plot) by the security service and it's.... as anybody would feel when you are told that somebody is trying to do you harm, obviously it's a matter of concern. 'The first thing is being grateful to all those who are putting their effort into making sure that a threat of that sort doesn't materialise.' Theresa May was one year into her premiership when she was at the centre of a jihadi assassination plot Asked if the plan by Rahman to kill her in Number 10 made her query being PM, she continued: 'No, this is a job, it's an important job to do, being a member of parliament is an important job, being able to have the honour and privilege of being prime minister is such.' On hearing that Rahman had been arrested and convicted with a 30-year sentence, Mrs May said she felt 'that justice had been done'. Mrs May also revealed how she was first told of the Manchester Arena terror attack as she prepared for bed. The former Prime Minister was in the midst of the May 2017 general election campaign when she took a phone call from her private secretary informing her about the atrocity, which left 22 people dead. She told ITV Tonight: 'I was getting ready I think, getting ready to go to bed. There was something on the radio about something having happened in Manchester, but then I took a phone call from my private secretary who explained that this had been an attack, [but] unable at that stage to say how many victims there had been but knew that many of them were children.' Mrs May received a briefing from M15 chief Andrew Parker with the latest information about what was unfolding in Manchester, before also hearing from the emergency services. Praising their response, she said: 'It's incredibly moving, it's also incredibly heartening when you see the best of humanity in the emergency services, in the NHS but also when I talk to victims and their families, tremendous courage and people who really have been potentially scarred for life.' The MP for Maidenhead took over in Downing Street in July 2016 and during her premiership faced further terror attacks at Westminster Bridge, London Bridge, Finsbury Park Mosque and Parsons Green Tube station. Mrs May received a briefing from M15 chief Andrew Parker with the latest information about what was unfolding in Manchester, before also hearing from the emergency services. Pictured are survivors with police Mrs May has raked in more than 400,000 from lucrative speaking engagements since stepping down as PM. Earlier this month, she revealed she once had to undress in the cockpit of an RAF jet in the middle of a flight. Mrs May was at the centre of a murder plot by Naa'imur Zakariyah Rahman (pictured) The ex-premier told a women's conference in the Gulf she had been forced to get changed into evening clothes behind a make-shift screen en-route to an official dinner. The eye-watering admission from the normally straight-laced ex-PM came at the Global Women's Forum Dubai, where the audience included Ivanka Trump. Asked if she had faced any tricky moments as a female PM, she spoke of a trip on an RAF flight with no changing facilities - but with staff prepared for any eventuality. 'They took up me into the cockpit, there with two pilots, and I'm thinking ''really?'',' she said to applause and laughter. 'A chap comes along with sticky tape and a sheet, and he stuck it up behind the pilots and says: ''There you go, you can change behind that'',' she said. The Tonight show, Inside MI5: Keeping The UK Safe with Rohit Kachroo will air on Thursday 27th February 2019 at 19:30. 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: 26 February 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 21,117 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 1,472 pence 19.03 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,448 pence 18.72 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 1,461 pence 18.88 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 26 February 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 9,892 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 19.12 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 18.76 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 18.92 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 26 February 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 21,367 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 19.18 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 18.70 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 18.90 USD PSH will hold these Public Shares in Treasury. The net asset value per Public Share related to this buyback is 26.00 USD 19.99 GBP which was calculated as of 25 February 2020 (the "Relevant NAV"). After giving effect to the above buyback, PSH has 203,194,059 Public Shares outstanding, or 208,861,127 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 7,762,691 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. PSH also announces that it has published to its website, in accordance with the EU Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, details of transactions in its own shares for the past week. Information is available at https://pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/other-materials/. 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/20200226006033/en/ Contacts: Media Camarco Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk Not only had they lost a great spirit with a glowing smile who was following the footsteps of her mother and her aunt who are both nurses. But when her mother collapsed at the hospital at the sight of her dead daughter, Chicago police officers dragged her away and jailed her before the mother could find out exactly what happened at the store. 1CDSB Wagonmasters Load Up For Defender-Europe 20 By Spc. Calab Franklin February 26, 2020 FORT HOOD, Texas -- 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade "Wagonmasters" bring together months of training and preparation to start loading equipment for Defender Europe 2020, Fort Hood, Texas, Jan. 30, 2020. The 1st Cav. Div. Sust. Bde. sets out to deploy early this year for Defender Europe 2020, the biggest deployment of U.S. troops to the Europe for an exercise in the last 25 years. This training exercises the "Wagonmasters" ability to support the 1st Cavalry Division in their mission to quickly build combat power within the Europen theatre. "We are the heaviest division in the United States Army, in order to apply that pressure and apply that lethality we need to have sustainment in order to do that," Said Maj. Don Moyer, 1st Cav. Div. Sust. Bde. Operations Officer. The Wagonmasters support themselves and 1st Cav. Div. in loading 220 vehicles at the Fort Hood Rail Operations Center (ROC). The movements they make now reassure allies that they can rapidly deploy in support of large-scale ground combat operations. "Getting our chance to move as a divisional size element is really going to set the stage for how we are going to fight in the future," said Moyer. "We are prepared to go forward and provide world-class sustainment anywhere in the world." Over 40 members of the "Wagonmaster" team trudge over the mounds of gravel at the ROC and board the seemingly never-ending line of railroad cars to mount and tie down the vehicles in preparation of their journey to Europe. One of the officers in charge during the operations, Capt. Nathaniel McDermott, 1st Cav. Div. Sust. Bde. Distribution Integration Branch Chief talks about the rewarding yet demanding work that goes into it all. "It's a lot of hard work, it's physically intense," said McDermott. "This is something we can be proud, what we signed up to do." Once the vehicles are ready to move by rail, they will start their journey to Europe, with the "Wagonmaster" team arriving shortly after. "It's actions not words, it says to our allies is that it's not just a plan on paper, but that the United States Army is capable of executing," said McDermott. As the "Wagonmasters" arrive in Europe they will take part in a 3-day convoy across Germany to Graff training area. Commander of the 1st Cav. Div. Sust. Bde., Col. Patrick A. Disney, believes the organization is ready for the exercise to come. "I'm very confident, the sky is the limit for the Wagonmasters," said Disney. "We are professional, credible, reliable, and disciplined in everything that we do." DEFENDER-Europe 20 demonstrates the U.S. military's ability to rapidly deploy a large combat-credible force from the U.S. to Europe to support NATO and respond to a crisis. Once in Europe, U.S. service members will spread out across the region to participate in various annual exercises with our allies and partners. DEFENDER-Europe 20 will conclude with the redeployment of U.S.-based forces and equipment. For more information, visit www.eur.army.mil/DefenderEurope. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The on-again-off-again rail blockades in support of a handful of Indigenous hereditary chiefs have demonstrated how easy it is to bring Canada to a halt. They have also underscored the contradictions of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus ambitious reconciliation agenda. Trudeau came to power five years ago vowing to make reconciliation with Canadas Indigenous people his No. 1 priority. And to some degree, he delivered. Under his Liberal government, more (but not all) First Nation reserves gained access to potable water. A commission of inquiry was set up to look into why so many Indigenous women and girls went missing or were murdered in recent years. But the centre point of the reconciliation agenda was political. The Trudeau Liberals vowed to establish respectful nation-to-nation relationships with Indigenous peoples, one that would eventually redefine their legal relationship to the Crown. Among other things, the Liberals promised to write the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which in its present form is an unenforceable statement of general principles, into Canadian law. However, exactly what was meant by a nation-to-nation relationship was left unclear. Did the Liberals mean nation in a vague cultural sense, in the way that Quebec is viewed as a nation inside Canada? Or did they mean something more substantive? More to the point, with whom would the federal government have this political relationship? Elected band councils? Hereditary chiefs? Or both? In much of Canada, this question is moot. But in British Columbia, Southern Ontario and Quebec where traditional clan-based governments remain strong it is not. In B.C., there is a second wrinkle. Unlike the rest of Canada, few treaties have been signed with First Nations in that province. To whom then, does the land not covered by treaties belong? Many First Nation leaders, including the hereditary chiefs of the Wetsuweten, argue that since this land has never been ceded, it belongs to them. If that were true, the argument goes, then the hereditary chiefs alone have the right to decide who enters this land and who, if anyone, polices it. For the governing Liberals, committed as they are to respectful nation-to-nation relationships, this is a hard argument to counter. But if the Wetsuweten have the right to keep outsiders from their traditional lands, then surely so do other First Nations including the Mohawks of Tyendinaga near Belleville, Ont. That, at least, was the logic behind the decision of some Mohawks and their allies to block the CN Rail main line for days on end, an action that threw much of the country into an economic tailspin. The Liberal government tried to resolve that blockade by sending Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller to Tyendinaga to engage in a respectful, nation-to-nation political relationship. That took nine hours and accomplished nothing. Eventually, with Ottawas implicit blessing, the Ontario Provincial Police went in and arrested protestors. That, in turn, provoked more rail blockades. As I write this, Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett is on her way to northern B.C. for respectful nation-to-nation negotiations with the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs. Ottawas hope here is that this will encourage other protestors to end their rail blockades. But what happens if the Wetsuweten chiefs and their allies respectfully say no? Who prevails if the two sides in this political relationship that Ottawa hopes to foster fundamentally disagree? These are no longer theoretical questions. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said community spread of the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19, is expected in the United States, warning that disruption to everyday life may be severe," Mayor Bill de Blasio urged New Yorkers to focus and continue to take preventative measures to mitigate possible spread of the virus. No one should take the coronavirus situation lightly, he said during Wednesdays press conference. Our focus right now is addressing this crisis and ending it. De Blasio said measures already in place in New York City should be continued, explaining, If someone has the symptoms and a nexus to one of the countries deeply affected and they have any of those identifiable symptoms, they need to get to healthcare immediately. That is what has been working in New York City, de Blasio said. In the event of an outbreak, de Blasio said that New York City has the capability to immediately clear 1,200 hospital beds, adding that city health officials have already distributed 1.5 million masks. However, de Blasio said that 300,000 more masks are required citing a need for the federal government to step in and make sure equipment is distributed quickly and effectively. De Blasio confirmed that all seven cases tested regarding people in New York City came back negative, and Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that the samples of 26 of 27 New Yorkers tested for the virus came back negative, with one result still pending. However, the global coronavirus has been rapidly evolving and expanding," according to Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Its not so much of a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more of a question of exactly when this will happen," she said. Messonnier said community spread, which indicates that cases of the coronavirus are appearing without a known source of exposure, has been seen within multiple countries, including Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, in addition to mainland China where the virus has killed more than 2,500 people. There have been more than 81,000 confirmed cases globally, according to the World Health Organization. The CDC said the number of cases in the United States has jumped to 57, which includes three people repatriated from China and 40 cases from the Diamond Princess Cruise ship. De Blasio recommended the federal government expand its testing regimen beyond visitors from China to include those from Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand where the virus has been experiencing community spread. He also requested that New York City be able to test for the coronavirus, enabling test results to return quicker to patients. We need the CDC to help us to help ourselves, he said. Despite a lack of cases in New York City, de Blasio said that does not reduce our vigilance one iota, adding, New Yorkers, I have often said, do not scare easily, do not get intimidated, do not panic. We have been up against many, many things. This is not the time to sell panic, he said, This is the time to share information and help people. This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 novel coronavirus. (Associated Press)CDC | The Associated Press As community spread of the virus increases in countries around the world, the CDC said the coronavirus moves towards being considered a global pandemic, and while health officials said the United States has been implementing an aggressive containment strategy, further measures may be required. In the event of further outbreak in the United States, Messonnier said communities should plan to utilize social distancing measures, like dividing school classes into smaller groups of students, utilizing tele-schooling, closing schools entirely, canceling meetings and conferences and arranging for employees to work from home. While there are no confirmed cases, we are in close contact with the citys Health Department regarding potential impact to school communities, and are communicating updated guidance to principals and families today," said Department of Education spokeswoman Barbot Miranda. "There are no plans to close schools at this time and any changes will be determined by public health experts, Miranda said. Officials said that school nurses have received guidance on symptoms and reporting, and will receive updated guidance on Thursday. TJ McCormack, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, said: While our schools ultimately follow the directives of state and local health authorities, we will monitor CDC announcements and continue to plan accordingly. The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is our primary concern. Messonnier said Americans should ask their schools about plans for dismissal, and should ascertain whether online classes are being considered in the event the virus spread becomes more serious. Additionally, the CDC said proactive measures, like staying home when youre sick or regularly cleaning surfaces, should be implemented on an individual level. I understand this whole situation may seem overwhelming, Messonnier said, but these are things people need to start thinking about now. Shown is a transmission electron microscopic image of an isolate from the first U.S. case of COVID-19, formerly known as 2019-nCoV. The spherical viral particles, colorized blue, contain cross-section through the viral genome, seen as black dots. (Courtesy of the CDC) During a separate press conference on Wednesday, Cuomo said he is sending an emergency supplemental appropriations bill to New York state legislature, which will ask for an additional $40 million for the states Department of Health. While there are still no confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in New York, these aggressive actions, including $40 million in emergency funding, will help ensure our healthcare system is equipped with the necessary staff, supplies and equipment needed to respond to any emergency situation that may arise in the future, he said. That is to err on the side of caution, Cuomo added. Additionally, Cuomo said that the State Department of Health will be meeting with local health departments to communicate standard protocol for handling the virus. Some health officials paint a bleak picture of the ability of the United States to limit the effect of the coronavirus. We cannot hermetically seal off the United States to a virus, Alex M. Azar II, the secretary of health and humans services, reportedly told a Senate panel on Tuesday. And we need to be realistic about that. Staten Island physicians previously told the Advance that they are on heightened alert for the virus. We are on very, very high alert for coronavirus now, Dr. Harry Kopolovich, chairman of the emergency department at Richmond University Medical Center, recently told the Advance. "Our local health services are fully aware and prepared to deal with a pandemic if one does in effect occur. The symptoms of the virus cough, fever and shortness of breath mimic those of other respiratory conditions, including colds and the flu, according to the CDC, and they can range from being barely visible to causing severe respiratory distress and even death. The CDC acknowledged that the test kits it began distributing to state authorities earlier this month have had issues, but said on Tuesday that the issues were actively being addressed. The agency previously said in a statement that performance issues were identified related to a problem in the manufacturing of one of the reagents which led to laboratories not being able to verify the test performance." Testing to determine whether an illness is a confirmed case of coronavirus will take a minimum of 36 to 48 hours and depends on CDC testing capacity. Authorities have cautioned that cases under investigation should not be presumed as likely to be confirmed. Every child who grew up watching "Lizzie Mcguire" must have had their heart pumping fast when they found out about its reboot on Disney Plus. Even the lead actress Hilary Duff herself could not contain her excitement that she even got her "Lizzie McGuire" signature bangs back. However, for some mysterious reason, the show's reboot went on a hiatus. It has been 48 days and Disney could not tell when the filming is going to resume or if it ever will. The news of its impending production has caused a lot of heartbreak. Even Hilary Duff herself could not help but feel bad about the sudden change in direction. The Big Announcement When Disney announced the reboot of "Lizzie McGuire," they made a lot of people happy. Nonetheless, since its hiatus after filming two episodes, it remains uncertain if the new direction the production is taking meant they were not going for the reboot of the show altogether. A spokesperson from Disney said that the production team decided to move in a different creative direction. "We are going to put on a new lens on the show," the spokesperson said. The statement made on behalf of Disney also implied that the show would not be able to live up to the high expectations of the fans considering how well-loved "Lizzie McGuire" was when it first came out. Although the fans understood that several changes had to be made, they were hoping that the reboot would still push through. They remain hopeful that Disney would soon release a statement that the show continued filming and that it would be out sooner than everyone expected. However, since their big announcement, Disney has not given any updates on the status of their "creative change." The Big Reveal The truth is the reboot has been put on hold, but Hilary Duff may have hinted what caused Disney to reconsider the reboot and thought of changing the creative path of its storyline. This week, the news about the show "Love, Simon" which was already set to premiere in Disney Plus will now be moved to Hulu, another Disney owned streaming platform. Apparently, the reason for the change of platform was due to the fact that the show is not as "family-friendly" as it should be. "Love, Simon" revolves around the premise of a high school student who is adjusting to a new town. Perhaps what made the show seemingly not "family-friendly" was due to the fact that the main character was also struggling with his sexuality. When the news broke of its transfer to Hulu, Duff was one of the first people to react. On her official Instagram account, she posted a screenshot of an article about "Love, Simon" and wrote "Sounds familiar..." on the caption. Fans were too quick to assume that it may be the same reason why the "Lizzie Mcguire" reboot was not happening anytime soon. Although Duff is yet to clarify what she meant, the whole post already said what it intended to say. Unfortunately, until this time, Disney has not made an announcement of whether the reboot of "Lizzie McGuire" will also be aired on Hulu. The fans of the show remain hopeful that they could watch their favorite show of all time once again. American Airlines Group AAL ended its dispute with Qatar Airways when it announced the decision to renew its codeshare partnership with the Gulf carrier. The deal will, however, have to be approved by the authorities in Qatar as well as the United States before it becomes effective. On materialization, the pact between the carriers will boost connectivity between United States and Qatar. Further, in a bid to widen travel options to its customers, American Airlines will place its code on select Qatar Airways nonstop and connecting flights to/from the United States and the latters hub in Doha. Similarly, Qatar Airways will place its code on select flights of American Airlines. Notably, a codeshare deal allows sharing of flights, which implies that a passenger has the free will to avail of any flight operated by either of the companies under the agreement, irrespective of the flight number. Notably, management at Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) American Airlines stated that it will also start exploring the option of flight operations between the United States and Doha once the codeshare deal takes effect. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The above developments mark a major step toward ending the feud between the two carriers. A Flashback The dispute started in 2015 when American Airlines along with United Airlines Holdings UAL and Delta Air Lines DAL complained to the U.S. government that the massive subsidies and other benefits enjoyed by the three state-owned carriers , namely Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Emirates were unfair in nature as that denies a level playing field to the U.S. carriers. Moreover, in 2017, Qatar Airways announced its intention to buy a 10% stake in American Airlines. However, the offer did not get a favorable response from the Fort Worth, TX-based carrier with its CEO Doug Parker finding the Gulf carriers overture puzzling and said that the move "makes no sense" amid the then prevailing tensions between the Gulf carriers and their U.S. counterparts. Story continues Subsequently, Qatar Airways ended its efforts to buy a share in American Airlines. Also, as a fallout of the conflict the carriers ended their codesharing deal in 2017. American Airlines on a Deal-Signing Spree The renewal of the codeshare partnership with Qatar Airways is not the only deal to be inked by American Airlines. This U.S. based carrier has been signing various deals of late in a bid to bolster connectivity and widen its network. For instance, earlier this month, American Airlines entered into a codeshare agreement with Brazilian carrier GOL Linhas GOL. 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(AAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The Invisible Man actors Elisabeth Moss and Oliver Jackson-Cohen were pranked during the press junket for the new film. Both appear in the new science-fiction horror from Saw and Upgrade writer-director Leigh Whannel, which is getting rave reviews from critics. Serving as a contemporary adaptation of the classic HG Wells novel, this version follows a woman who believes she is being haunted by her abusive partner, despite the fact hes apparently dead. Moss, Jackson-Cohen best known for Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House and journalists prepping to interview the pair were paid a visit by an invisible presence as they prepared for the interview. A new video released by the films official Twitter account shows a handful of people responding as items around them fly into the air or fall to the ground. 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Show all 37 1 /37 37 horror films that are genuinely scary 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Funny Games (1997) Directed by: Michael Haneke. Funny Games places the horror in the familiar setting of home. It follows two young men who hold a family hostage and torture them with sadistic games. The result is far scarier than anything featuring ghosts, witches or demons. Concorde-Castle Rock/Turner 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Amityville Horror (1979) Directed by: Stuart Rosenberg. The Amityville Horror is based on the true story of the Lutzes, a family who were run out of their home after being terrorised by paranormal phenomena in 1975. Just one year before, Ronald DeFeo Jr shot and killed six members of his family in the same house. James Brolin and Margot Kidder lead this film, which became one of the biggest hits of 1979. American International Pictures 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Audition (1999) Directed by: Takashi Miike . Japanese horror Audition (1999) follows a widower who meets a woman named Ayoma after staging auditions to meet a potential new partner. Soon, though, her dark past begins to surface, which equates to a pretty disturbing climax. Omega Project 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Blair Witch Project (1999) Directed by: Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sanchez . Although parodied to death, The Blair Witch Project popularised the found-footage format to terrifying degrees in 1999. People genuinely believed they were watching real clips of three student filmmakers being terrorised by a Maryland legend known as the Blair Witch. Artisan Entertainment 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) Directed by: Robert Wiene . Black-and-white silent horror film The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) is considered the quintessential work of German Expressionism, but also one of the scariest films in cinema history. It follows a hypnotist (Werner Krauss) who uses a somnambulist to commit murders, and Wiene's shadowed sets and striking visual style combines to unsettle the viewer in ways most filmmakers only dream of managing. Decla-Bioscop 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Candyman (1992) Directed by: Bernard Rose. A contemporary classic of horror cinema, 1992 film Candyman which spawned two sequels and has a Jordan Peele-produced remake in the works follows a graduate student whose studies lead her to the legend of a ghost who appears when you say his name three times. TriStar Pictures 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Cannibal Holocaust (1980) Directed by: Ruggero Deodato. Extreme enough to warrant a ban in Italy and Australia, Cannibal Holocaust (1980) was one of the first films to embrace the found-footage format so much so that Deodato found himself charged with multiple counts of murder due to rumours that several of the film's death scenes were real. He was later cleared. United Artists Europa 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Descent (2005) Directed by: Neil Marshall. Released in 2005, The Descent follows six women who, upon exploring a cave, battle to survive against the creatures they find inside. It's these creatures that earn this British horror film's placement on this list. Pathe Distribution 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Exorcist (1973) Directed by: William Friedkin. One of the most controversial films of all time, The Exorcist which tells the story of the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl named Regan (Linda Blair) became the first horror to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars in 1974. Warner Bros 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Halloween (1978) Directed by: John Carpenter. Sure, it may be dated, but John Carpenter's original Halloween film released in 1978 remains the daddy of all horrors. It re-defined the rule book and has been emulated in everything from Scream (1996) to Trick 'r Treat (2007). The tension, as babysitter Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) attempts to evade masked murderer Michael Myers, only heightens with every new watch. Compass International Pictures[ 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Hereditary (2018) Directed by: Ari Aster. Proving that horror is a force to be reckoned with, Hereditary became independent distributor A24's highest-grossing film around the world upon its release in 2018. It tells the story of a family who find themselves haunted after the death of their secretive grandmother and features a final act that left many of its viewers with sleepless nights. A24 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The House of the Devil (2009) Directed by: Ti West. The House of the Devil (2009) follows a student named Samantha who is hired to guard an isolated house with one rule: don't go upstairs. For most of the film's runtime, not much happens, which is what makes the action-packed final third so terrifying. Spoiler: she goes upstairs. MPI Media Group 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Innocents (1961) Directed by: Jack Clayton. Based upon Henry James' chiller The Turn of the Screw, the plot of 1961 psychological horror film The Innocents concerns a governess who watches over two children and comes to fear that their large estate is haunted by ghosts and that the youngsters are being possessed. 20th Century Fox 37 horror films that are genuinely scary It (1986) Directed by: Tommy Lee Wallace. Forget the effects-laden remake this version of It, released as a miniseries in 1986, is the most terrifying adaptation of Stephen King's beloved novel to date. It follows a shapeshifting demon who takes the form of a sadistic child-killing clown named Pennywise (Tim Curry). Lorimar Productions 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Ju-On: The Grudge (2002) Directed by: Takashi Shimizu. Japanese horror maestro Takashi Shimizu who also directed the pretty scary 2005 remake starring Sarah Michelle Gellar balances mystery with horror in Ju-On: The Grudge, a story based in a cursed house in Tokyo. Lions Gate Films 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Kill List (2011) Directed by: Ben Wheatley. To describe the horrors of Kill List is to ruin the film's surprises, but let's just say this: the final 20 minutes of Ben Wheatley's violent drama from 2011 features some of the most unsettling scenes in any film from this decade. Optimum Releasing 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Lake Mungo (2008) Directed by: Joel Anderson. Taking the form of a mockumentary, the little-seen Australian drama Lake Mungo may have received a limited release in 2008, but its story of a family attempting to come to terms with the drowning of their daughter stays with viewers long after. Arclight Films 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Martyrs (2008) Directed by: Pascal Laugier. The polarising 2008 film Martyrs, often associated with the New French Extremity movement, is the kind of horror that leaves you needing a shower once the credits roll. It follows a young woman's quest for revenge on the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child. Anchor Bay Films 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Night of the Living Dead (1968) Directed by: George A Romero. Younger viewers may be desensitised by the more extreme horror films to have been released in recent decades, but the scares featured in Romero's Night of the Living Dead including the young girl zombie reveal remain some of the most chilling committed to celluloid. Continental Distributing 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Nosferatu (1922) Directed by: FW Murnau. Alongside Cesare in The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920), the character of vampire Count Orlok in 1922 film Nosferatu played by Mac Schreck remains one of the most spine-tingling in cinema history. Film Arts Guild 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Orphanage (2007) Directed by: JA Bayona. Produced by Guillermo del Toro, this acclaimed 2007 chiller follows the disappearance of a young boy in an orphanage, which brings many of the building's terrifying secrets to the fore. Warner Bros Pictures de Espana 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Others (2001) Directed by: Alejandro Amenabar. The Others (2001) is a towering achievement for Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenabar who wrote, directed and scored this Nicole Kidman-fronted tale about a woman trying to protect her children from supernatural forces. It's perhaps the scariest 12-certificate film of all time. Warner Sogefilms 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Paranormal Activity (2009) Directed by: Oren Peli. Could Paranormal Activity be the scariest film of all time? It's certainly one of them. Just when you thought found-footage had had its day, Oren Peli's small-budgeted festival favourite became one of 2009's biggest hits. Audiences lapped up the story of a couple who capture supernatural presences on a camera in their own home. Paramount Pictures[ 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Paranormal Activity 3 (2011) Directed by: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman. Paranormal Activity 3 earns its place on this list for its final 10 minutes. Set 18 years prior to the events of the first two films, we see the cause of the curse that follows characters Katie and Kristi for the rest of their lives and it's down to a coven of witches led by their grandmother. Paramount Pictures 37 horror films that are genuinely scary [REC] (2007) Directed by: Jaume Balaguero, Paco Plaza. Played out in real-time, the claustrophobic Spanish horror film [REC] is one of the better examples of found-footage cinema. Released in 2007, it follows a reporter and her cameraman who follow firefighters to a Barcelona building and soon find themselves locked inside with its occupants who are displaying murderous behaviour. Filmax International 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Ring (1998) Directed by: Hideo Nakata. Unless you've been living under a rock, you know the story of Ring by now: viewers of a cursed videotape die seven days after watching it. While the inevitable Hollywood remake in 2002 was better than it had any right to be, Nakata's original is as terrifying as horror films come. Toho 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Rosemary's Baby (1968) Directed by: Roman Polanski. Released in 1968, Rosemary's Baby follows a pregnant woman who suspects that an evil cult want to take her baby for use in their rituals. Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes and Ruth Gordon's performances tip this psychological chiller into classic status. Paramount Pictures 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Shining (1980) Directed by: Stanley Kubrick. Forget the iconic "Heeeeere's Johnny" or that bath scene it's the smaller moments that make Kubrick's 1980 adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining a terrifying watch, notably the trippy final act that sees Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) lose his mind to the Overlook Hotel. Warner Bros 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Sinister (2012) Directed by: Scott Derrickson. Of all the Blumhouse horror films, 2012 release Sinister which features the demonic character Bughuul is the spookiest of them all. It stars Ethan Hawke as a true-crime writer who discovers a box of home movies depicting grisly murders in the attic of his new house. Momentum Pictures 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Sleep Tight (2011) Directed by: Jaume Balaguero. This little-seen Spanish horror follows a concierge who, believing he was born without the ability to feel happiness, decides to make life hell for everyone around him. Filmax 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) Directed by: Tobe Hooper. The fictional Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), marketed as a true story, follows a group of cannibals including Leatherface who relentlessly hunt down a group of friends. Vortex 37 horror films that are genuinely scary 28 Days Later (2002) Directed by: Danny Boyle. Many might not reflect upon 28 Days Later (2002) as one of the world's scariest horror films, but its desolate depiction of a viral outbreak seems more real than any other. When merged with the fast-paced infected and the usage of John Murphy's song "In the House In A Heartbeat", it's hard to deny it such status. Fox Searchlight Pictures 37 horror films that are genuinely scary V/H/S (2012) Directed by: Various. Directed by six filmmakers, including Adam Wingard and Ti West, 2012 anthology film V/H/S is grimy horror of the tallest order. Look no further than David Bruckner's section "Amateur Night" following three friends who meet a mysterious girl who says nothing other than three small words: "I like you." Magnet Releasing 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Wailing (2016) Directed by: Na Hong-jin. Twist-filled horror drama The Wailing follows a policeman who investigates a series of mysterious killings and illness in the mountains of South Korea. If the journey fails to scare you, its destination will leave you lying awake at night. 20th Century Fox Korea 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Wicker Man (1973) Directed by: Robin Hardy. The Wicker Man is deemed the best British horror film of all time for a reason. It tells the story of a Police Sergeant who travels to an isolated island in search of a missing girl, only to find its inhabitants practising a form of Celtic paganism. British Lion Films 37 horror films that are genuinely scary The Witch (2015) Directed by: Robert Eggers. For the most part, it's not what you see in The Witch that terrifies, it's what you don't see. Eggers unsettlingly holds his camera a fraction too long in places as he retells the story of a Separatist family who encounter supernatural forces in the woods beyond their farm. A24 37 horror films that are genuinely scary Zero Day (2003) Directed by: Ben Coccio. The horrors are all too real in Zero Day, a film inspired by the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. The majority of the film is portrayed through the video diaries of two students who are planning to attack their high school. Avatar Films Journalists can be seen sitting uncomfortably waiting for the actors to enter the room as the prank begins. It ends with a figure emerging from a curtain, which sees one interviewer bolt out of the room. Moss herself seems most terrified of all, screaming and grabbing the arm of her laughing co-star. The Invisible Man is released in cinemas on 28 February. Thousands of trip reservations for the Umrah will be cancelled in Egypt in the upcoming days. Egyptian tourism companies organising Umrah pilgrimage trips are scrambling to accommodate would-be pilgrims after Saudi Arabia declared on Thursday that it is suspending all Umrah trips to the country to avoid the spread of the coronavirus. On Thursday evening, Egypt's Consumer Protection Authority said that tourism agents and airlines are obliged to refund Egyptian pilgrims whose trips have been cancelled in accordance with the consumer protection law. Thousands of trip reservations for the Umrah will be cancelled in Egypt in the upcoming days. In media statements on Thursday, the Egyptian Travel Agents Association said it is adhering to the Saudi decision and that it is currently working to ensure that Egyptians get refunds for their cancelled trips. A source at a tourism company in Cairo, who asked to remain anonymous, told Ahram Online that, "We are giving pilgrims the option to either cancel their Umrah trips in exchange for a refund or to postpone their trips." "Nevertheless, it must be taken into consideration that if they postpone the Umrah trips to next month, for example, it will be more expensive because it would be during the Islamic calendar months of Shaaban and Ramadan," the source said. The Umrah pilgrimage's peak season began with the start of the Islamic month of Ragab, which commenced on Tuesday. The pilgrimage season will reach its highest point in the following two months Shaaban and Ramadan. EgyptAir announced on Thursday the cancelation of all bookings for the Umrah pilgrimage until further notice. Egypt's national airline said in a statement that it was fully committed to the Saudi decision, and that regular flights to and from Saudi Arabia will continue. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set up a hotline to help citizens in a number of Islamic and Arabic countries, including Egypt, Algeria and Turkey, and to answer inquiries concerning the suspension. According to the hotline, which was contacted by Ahram Online, the suspension of Umrah trips will last at least two weeks and may be extended further. The Saudi ministry of Hajj and Umrah also asked the citizens to follow its Twitter account to keep up with updates concerning the suspension. Search Keywords: Short link: In 2019, 161 terrorists were killed in J&K against 254 in 2018. In January 2020, 18 terrorists have been killed in J&K. There has been a marked decrease in three crucial terror parameters in Kashmir terror attacks, terrorists killed and local recruitment in 2019 but ceasefire violations along LoC and international border nearly doubled, said sources in the Indian Army. (Photo: File) New Delhi: There has been a marked decrease in three crucial terror parameters in Kashmir terror attacks, terrorists killed and local recruitment in 2019 but ceasefire violations along LoC and international border nearly doubled, said sources in the Indian Army. In 2019, 161 terrorists were killed in J&K against 254 in 2018. In January 2020, 18 terrorists have been killed in J&K. Some 120 local youth joined terrorist organisation in 2019 in Kashmir Valley which is nearly half from 220 in 2018, said sources in Indian Army. Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Baramulla were top four districts were most of the locals joined terrorists groups. The maximum local recruitment in 2019 was in Pulwama which saw 36 local joining terrorists organisation. However in 2018, 64 people had joined terrorism in Pulwama. Srinagar city saw only one person joining the terror organisation, said Indian Army sources. In January 2020, 5 people joined terrorists organisation. There were 173 terror initiated incidents in 2019. This is marked less than 2018 when 318 terror attacks had happened. Again Pulwama topped the list where more of the terror action took part at 46 against 122 in 2018. In 2020, there were 11 terror incidents in 2020. As far as ceasefire violation were considered there were 3,168 incident in 2019 along the LoC and international border. There were 1,629 cease-fire violations in 2018. Since, August 5, when Article 370 was revoked, there were 1551 cease-fire violations in 2019. In 2020 there has been 367 cease-fire violations along the LoC and international border. It also aims to create skilled manpower so that India doesnt rely on other nations for collecting correct samples and effective treatments Technical Education System in India has grown into a fairly the large-sized system, offering opportunities for education and training in a wide variety of trades and disciplines. And, adding more to the education scenario in India, Horiba Medical India has launched Horiba India technical Institute (HITI) in association with Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC), a certifying body under the ministry of skill and excellence. The institute aims to provide various specialized professional courses, conceptual understanding of differed IVD technologies and best laboratory practices along with NLP trainings. The courses are conducted by pioneer clinical experts including pathologists, doctors and technology experts and are specially designed for MLT students, Technicians, administrators, phlebotomists, quality managers and doctors. Dr Rajeev Gautam, President, Horiba India said, Science and Technology have influenced almost every section of the society that people cant imagine their life without it. Nonetheless there are still areas especially in the healthcare sector which are not utilizing technology optimally. To bridge this existing gap technical education is required to enhance the skill and mindset to make right clinical decisions as well as improve patient safety. First time we have undertaken such an initiative and we believe that India is the perfect place to upskill people through technology. At the end of the day learning is a never ending process our institute will focus on collection of patient samples, better handling as well as better diagnostics that will augur well for both clinicians as well as patients. With this institute we are looking to form a touch base for the future of technology that will educate healthcare professional to use technology efficiently and effectively. Arnaud Pradel, General Manager, Medical Segment leader and HORIBA Corporate Officer said, We all know that academics are necessary but are you actually employable? Are you able to enter into a lab and be efficient? This is when it becomes a different story. HITI focuses on training, skills, ability to answer relevant questions and prescribe effective treatments to students who will be the perfect fit for a job when they complete their education. Besides providing a quality education, HITI also focuses on training, skills and providing maximum assistance in guiding the students in making their future choices. , Cookies . cookies. For the family of Mohammad Aamir and Hashim, it was a homecoming they never wished for. Not heeding to the warning of their eldest brother Shairuddin, 25-year-old Aamir and 16-year-old Hashim set out from Ghaziabad on Wednesday evening to meet their family in the violence-hit Gokalpuri. The next day, their family rushed to GTB hospital and identified the bodies that had been pulled out of a drain. According to Akram, a family friend, "Around 8.45 pm Shairuddin received a call from Aamir that he is coming to Gokalpuri from Ghaziabad to meet him. Shairuddin warned him against coming to the riot-hit area." Aamir worked as a driver in Ghaziabad and Hashim, a school dropout, assisted him. "Despite being warned, Aamir insisted on vising home, saying he knows the area well and will manage to reach home safely," Akram told PTI. That was the last the family heard from the two brothers. At 10 pm, when the two bothers did not reach home, the family made calls to Aamir's mobile number, but it was not reachable. "They thought the duo must have gone back since they were cautioned against coming here. But their number remained unreachable till morning and the family then went to file a missing complaint with the police at Dayalpur police station where they they were asked to provide photographs," Akram said. Upon returning to the police station with the photographs, a woman officer said she had seen their bodies at GTB Hospital. The family rushed to Hospital and identified their bodies that had been pulled out of a drain between Ganga Vihar and Gokalpuri, the family friend said. The family is yet to get the bodies as the post-mortem would be carried out tomorrow, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) smartTrade, a global leader in multi-asset electronic trading solutions, announces that LiquidityFX, smartTrade's FX end-to-end trading platform, has been awarded Best Trading Solution for Foreign Exchange (FX) Markets at the TradingTech Insight Awards Europe 2020. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226005619/en/ LiquidityFX combines connectivity to over 130 liquidity providers with aggregation, smart order routing, order management, pricing, distribution over multiple channels (APIs, White Label, MBPs), risk management, and a fully customizable HTML5 user interface. The platform supports Spots, Swaps, Forwards, NDFs, Precious Metals as well as Cryptocurrencies and Money Markets and is available as software only or a fully hosted and managed solution. Andrew Delaney, President and Editor in chief at A-Team Insight, commented: "To ensure that our awards are a true reflection of the market's opinion, we have established a two-step process. A jury of industry experts helps us list the market key players and then have customers express their opinion through votes. That's democracy in action. It's the first year that the TradingTech Insight Awards has a dedicated FX award and voters clearly chose smartTrade Technologies as the leader in this category." David Vincent, CEO of smartTrade Technologies, said: "At smartTrade, we put a lot of time and effort in providing advanced and sophisticated trading solutions to our clients. R&D is at the heart of our organisation and the success of LiquidityFX is based on continuous innovation and regular evolution through new features. We are pleased to see that our leading position is recognized by our peers and clients." About smartTrade Technologies: smartTrade Technologies, pioneer of multi-asset electronic trading solutions, offers innovative technology allowing you to focus on your trading and grow your business while quickly adapting to changing market requirements. smartTrade provides agile end-to-end trading solutions supporting Foreign Exchange, Fixed Income, Equities, Derivatives, Cryptocurrencies and Money Markets. Our solutions offer connectivity to over 130 liquidity providers, aggregation, smart order routing, order management, pricing, distribution, risk management and fully customizable HTML5 user interface. smartTrade works with a variety of clients ranging from banks, brokers and asset managers to corporate firms. LiquidityFX for Foreign Exchange and smartFI for Fixed Income are provided as a fully managed and hosted service, colocated in all the main marketplaces globally. smartAnalytics, our multi-asset Big Data analysis solution, allows the creation of historical or real time dashboards and reports to interact more effectively with markets and end customers. For more information, visit www.smart-trade.net View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226005619/en/ Contacts: Lara Michel Head of Marketing smartTrade Technologies lmichel@smart-trade.net Its Austin vs. Houston in the Texas battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, at least when it comes to money. While U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the current leader in delegates, is raising twice as much money from individual donors in Austin as former Vice President Joe Biden, in Houston its directly the opposite with Biden more than doubling the amount Sanders has raised. Texas donors who listed Austin as their home address and gave $200 or more donated $151,000 to Biden compared to $324,000 for Sanders. In Houston, Sanders collected about $217,000 from donors compared to $472,000 from for Biden. San Antonio donors of $200 or more have given $154,000 to Biden and $89,000 to Sanders. Sanders and Biden have been first and second in most of the public polls of Texas voters. A University of Houston poll released earlier this week showed the two candidates tied for first in the state just days before Texans vote in the March 3 presidential primary. Know the candidates: Houston Chronicle 2020 primary election voter guide; San Antonio Express-News 2020 primary election voter guide Voters were almost evenly split between moderate Joe Biden, a former vice president, and progressive Bernie Sanders, said Jim Granato, executive director of the University of Houstons Hobby School of Public Affairs. Overall, Biden is the top fundraiser in Texas among the Democratic candidates. Hes raised $1.8 million in individual donations from Texas, according to the Federal Election Commission. Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg is second with $1.5 million. Sanders is third overall at $1.4 million. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is fourth with $1 million. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., has raised just $434,000 from Texans. Biden has made at least eight fundraising stops in Texas since he jumped into the presidential race in April 2019. During one stop in River Oaks in Houston, Biden told donors that while the money is important for his campaign the gesture itself is important because they are essentially vouching for his character and integrity. I want to thank you for that, Biden said. To me that is a big deal. For subscribers: Buttigieg, Warren, Bloomberg return to Texas on Thursday Buttigieg, who will be in Dallas on Sunday for a rally, has made at least two fundraising stops in Houston since he jumped into the presidential race. His most recent stop was in the Heights in early January. Warren and Sanders have opposed the big dollar fundraisers that Biden and Buttigieg have been a part of and have instead relied more on individual donations through broader appeals. Neither has held a private fundraiser in Texas since the race began. More Information Texas Democratic presidential donations by candidate $1.8 million - Joe Biden $1.5 million - Pete Buttigieg $1.4 million - Bernie Sanders $1.0 million - Elizabeth Warren $434,000 - Amy Klobuchar Houston Democratic presidential donations $472,000 - Joe Biden $334,000 - Pete Buttigieg $217,000 - Bern Sanders $194,000 - Elizabeth Warren $89,000 - Amy Klobuchar Austin Democratic presidential donations $362,000 - Pete Buttigieg $324,000 - Bernie Sanders $252,000 - Elizabeth Warren $151,000 - Joe Biden $86,000 - Amy Klobuchar San Antonio Democratic presidential donations $154,000 - Joe Biden $89,000 - Bernie Sanders $58,000 - Elizabeth Warren $41,000 - Pete Buttigieg $12,000 - Amy Klobuchar Dallas-Fort Worth Democratic presidential donations $432,000 - Joe Biden $359,000 - Pete Buttigieg $136,000 - Bernie Sanders $132,000 - Amy Klobuchar $104,000 - Elizabeth Warren See More Collapse The other remaining contenders in the race, billionaires Tom Steyer and Mike Bloomberg are self-funding their campaigns. Early voting in Texas has been underway for a week and ends on Friday. Election day is March 3, which is considered Super Tuesday because 13 other states will also be voting in the primaries at the same time. Families needing revolutionary and expensive drugs to beat the symptoms of rare diseases like cystic fibrosis say Health Minister Christine Elliott has let them down after championing improved access to medications when the PCs were in opposition just a few years ago. We did have lots of hope, Jamie Larocque, a father of two Tottenham boys with the debilitating lung disease that can lead to the need for a lung transplant, said Wednesday. They have failed us. One of the boys was coughing non-stop and hacking up blood with a recent cold because he does not yet qualify for a cystic fibrosis drug called Orkambi that targets his genetic variant of the illness. Independent MPP Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey), a former Progressive Conservative health minister, raised the long-standing issue after bringing more than a dozen parents and children with cystic fibrosis to the legislature to press their case. He noted many of the drugs sought by cystic fibrosis patients have already been approved in countries including Ireland, Italy, Germany, France and England. Many Ontarians needing them do not have private coverage and some rely on public fundraising. Elliott said she has been trying to speed the federal and provincial approval processes for the drugs and to get them covered in Ontario. Im frustrated as well that we cant deal with this more quickly, added Elliott, who repeatedly brought patients to Queens Park and criticized the previous Liberal government for not moving faster on the file when she was PC health critic. The reality is that as more and more of these new medications come into the market which is wonderful because they are life-changing and in some cases life-saving for people we want to make sure that we are going to be able to afford them. In 2014, Elliott said we have to be able to find the money to pay for such drugs by restructuring the health-care system. Some of the drugs costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year per person. There are 1,500 people with cystic fibrosis in Ontario. Larocque, a crane operator, told how his two boys aged 7 and 9 fared with colds recently with the older one on an experimental drug called Symdeko aimed at his specific variant of cystic fibrosis through a trial at the Hospital for Sick Children shaking off the bug quickly. The younger one in need of Orkambi lost 20 per cent of his lung function, was in and out of hospital and ended up on antibiotics, recovering slowly but not fully. Larocque said Ontario rules state Orkambi is covered only if lung function falls below 20 per cent for six weeks, which he insisted makes no sense. These are preventative medicines that are meant to sustain your health. Wilson said the province ended up covering another cystic fibrosis drug, Kaleydeco, in 2014 after patients fought for years and its inevitable other similar medications attacking genetic variants will end up getting wider use as well. Why put these patients through daily suffering? Wilson said, accusing Elliott of hiding behind the process of funding. Im sure dollars are a part of the equation but in the overall scheme of things youre going to spend far much more money on lung transplants and hospitalizations. Green Leader Mike Schreiner said a total revamping of Ontarios drug strategy is needed so patients in desperate need dont have to come begging to the government. It makes absolutely no sense to wait to provide access until somebodys health deteriorates. It negatively affects quality of life but secondly it puts pressure on the health-care system and costs more. Shannon Brice was a cat person, so you can imagine the reaction when her husband, Junior, suggested it was time to get a dog. Now, imagine her reaction when he strongly suggested they raise a pit bull. Are you sure? she asked. He was sure. Still, she wondered. She knew the horror stories of pit bull mayhem. The maulings. The deaths. The bans in cities across America, including Denver. Nile greeted me this week at the Brices' home on the far east side of Colorado Springs. Nile, a black-and-white female pit bull, was friendly and silent. She likes everybody, but loves nobody else the way she loves Shannon. Day and night, Nile follows her master around the house, refusing to leave Shannons side. Two male pit bulls, Necho and Rafa, happily share the home with Nile and Shannon and Junior. They are the greatest dogs, Shannon says. Their spirit. Their vibrancy. They are just big lovers. Its blazingly obvious: Junior converted Shannon. This means the couple is troubled by Denvers ban on pit bulls, upheld this week by Mayor Michael Hancock. The ban, in place since 1989, has led to the extermination of thousands of pit bulls within Denver city limits. The Brices cant bring Nile, Necho and Rafa on visits to Denver. I think thats terrible, Junior says of the ban. I think people are missing out on a good breed of dog. Junior, a Mitchell High grad, has lived with pit bulls for most of his life. The only dog Ive ever wanted. The only dog Ive ever had, he says. The seven pit bulls hes considered family members never attacked anyone. Theyve been awesome. Hes right. Nile and Necho and Rafa are awesome. Obedient. Playful. Adorable. Goofy. Affectionate. But heres the problem. Not all pit bulls are so awesome. The Denver pit bull ban was born from two bloody attacks. In 1986, a 3-year-old wandered into the backyard of a neighbors home and was killed by a pit bull. In 1989, 58-year-old minister Wilbur Billingsley was walking to the store in his historic neighborhood on the east edge of downtown Denver when Tate, a 5-year-old pit bull, attacked him. Norman Cabel, a neighbor, ended the attack when he shot Tate dead with a shotgun. Billingsley suffered more than 70 bites, two broken legs and a busted knee cap. All dog breeds, from dachshund to Great Dane, attack humans, but a limited number of breeds own the might to leave a 3-year-old dead or a 58-year-old minister with shattered legs. The Brices, to their credit, refuse to run from the truth. Yes, they say, pit bulls can become dangerous if owners fail to train with tenacity and rigor and love. Of course, other large dog breeds can also develop into frightening beasts. The potential is there, which means the responsibility is there, says Shannon, a Doherty High grad. They have a strong bite. They have a big mouth. Junior has utter control over his pit bulls. If they misbehave, even slightly, he has only to point and show a stern face and his dogs instantly fall into submission. He is, no doubt, the master. While standing beside Junior and his obedient pit bulls, I was reminded of how much we craft our canines. Dogs look to us for guidance. Dogs become the dogs we teach them to be. A human who failed is behind a violent dog. Bronwen Dickey wrote Pit Bull: The Battle Over an American Icon, a 2016 book that examines our nations most complex dog problem. In her research, she discovered that in the 1870s, spitz dog breeds were considered deadly. Remember, cuddly pomeranians and corgis are members of the spitz breed. Scientists had yet to understand rabies, and at the time spitz breeds were considered special carriers of the disease along with being especially hostile. An 1876 New York Times editorial lambasted all things spitz: There are but four venomous beasts among the fauna of the United States. These are the rattlesnake, the copperhead, the moccasin, and the Spitz dog, and of the four, the latter is by far the most aggressive and deadly in its hostility to man. An American crusade spread. Spitz dogs were banned. Spitz dogs were considered demonic. Spitz dogs were put to death. The most unsettling aspect of the 1870s spitz panic is that Americans seemed to take so much pleasure in it, Dickey writes. The act of hating both the dogs and the people who owned them energized large swaths of the populace. The attacks in Denver and elsewhere offer one truth about pit bulls. These powerful, full-of-life dogs can deliver tragedy if poorly trained by owners. The Brices' home reveals another truth. A valid truth. A beautiful truth. A truth that cannot be dismissed. A truth I ponder while remembering Nile licking my hand as she gazed straight at me through eyes filled with trust. Help India! Mahesh Trivedi Star-crossed survivors of Indias bloody Hindu-Muslim riots in 2002 have still been leading a dogs life, thanks to the lackadaisical attitude of the government in Prime Minister Narendra Modis wealthy home state of Gujarat. Support TwoCircles Even 18 years after the countrys worst anti-Muslim pogrom that left 2,000 people dead and thousands maimed, some 3,500 dirt-poor, displaced families continue to live in sub-human conditions in tumbledown dwellings in surroundings stinking to high heaven in 83 rehabilitation colonies in eight districts across the western Indian state. The 17,000-odd unfortunate residents, all Muslims, lack even the basic amenities like proper roads, streetlights, drinking water, sewage pipes, and make do without public clinics and schools. And this despite making countless representations to the authorities in the past five years, and selfless non-government organizations (NGOs) like Jan Vikas, Jan Sangharsh Manch, Niswan, ANHAD and Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan time and again holding protest demonstrations demanding justice, rehabilitation, and compensation for the victims. With as many as 200,000 people rendered homeless during the three-month-long intermittent, barbarous clashes that erupted on February 27, 2002, the 83 relief clusters, including 15 in Ahmedabad, were hurriedly built by Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, Islamic Relief Committee, etc as temporary shelters. But with kill-crazy militant Hindu organizations striking terror here, there and everywhere, the worried families never returned to their ransacked houses and instead made the squalid, fly-infested shanty colonies their permanent residence. We still cant even go back to our own homes where we stayed before the riots because we are witnesses in many riot cases and the headstrong accused are out on parole. Hence we fear for our lives, said riot survivor Abdul Sheikh who lost his wife and six children in the violent communal conflagration that erupted and spread throughout Gujarat after 59 Hindus were charred to death in a train fire near Godhra railway station in central Gujarat on February 27, 2002. Indeed, in the absence of any address proof documents left behind in their riot-ravaged houses, the down-at-heel families also have no access to the governments beneficiary schemes for the have-nots in Gujarat which has witnessed large-scale riots at least six times in the past 50 years, the worst one in 2002 under the watch of Modi himself. They have not been given alternative homes by the state government, and plot owners of as many as 61 of the 83 colonies have not handed them ownership rights even after 18 years. With land prices going through the ceiling, the hard-up residents are always on tenterhooks, fearing eviction any day, says Hozefa Ujjaini, a dedicated activist of Jan Vikas, an NGO which has been taking up the cudgels for the riot-hit since 2002. Gagan Sethi, a self-effacing human rights activist and Jan Vikas founder, told twocircles.net that there was a need to bring about a fundamental change in the way the riot victims are seen, adding that in UN terminology, they are defined as internally displaced persons and hence deserve all government benefits. He opined that the state government should at least make special programme and budgetary allocation for provision of basic amenities for riot-affected families under the Prime Ministers New 15-point programme. Says Gujarat High Court advocate Shamshad Pathan, who has been tirelessly working for the riot-hit with heart and soul to seek justice for them: The saffron government in Gujarat has not come out with a rehabilitation policy for them. They have become the scapegoats of a convenient game of passing the buck being played among various departments. According to Abdul Hafiz Lakhani, general secretary of the Gujarat unit of the All India Milli Council, these families suffered huge losses in the 2002 riots but there is no hope of justice and little possibility of help from the political class. Every family in these colonies lost family, homes, possessions or businesses in the riots, which led to greater segregation and marginalization, he adds. Independent analysts said that 2,000 men, women and children, mostly Muslims, were killed in the 2002 riots that also saw destruction of 302 dargahs, 209 mosques and 13 madrasas and put the property loss to Muslims at Rs 2.44 billion. But the state government controlled by a pro-Hindu national party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), maintained that the beastly clashes had claimed lives of only 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus. As Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia said, the ruling BJP and its biased administration did not stir a finger to build houses for the riot victims and distributed only peanuts as compensation. It was left to the NGOs like Jan Vikas who kept knocking at the doors of legal courts to secure a square deal for the affected families. Effective micro-level monitoring of investigation and prosecution of major carnage cases by Citizen for Justice and Peace had led to the conviction of 120 rioters, including a former influential woman minister who was awarded life imprisonment. The Society for Promotion of Rationality, an award-winning charity, had quickly offered a sterling yeomans service by helping save an academic year for over 20,000 students (as riots happened right before the end of the academic year), securing modest compensation and basic livelihood for hundreds of riot-hit, aiding 3,000 victims in rebuilding their ramshackle dwellings and saving precious lives by supplying critical medicines. In other words, the deep and dangerous chasm between Hindus (80 percent of the population) and Muslims (10 percent) in saffronised Gujarat means that the ostracized minority community is forced to live in ghettos and there is not the ghost of a chance of even a well-heeled Muslim acquiring a house in a Hindu locality. Under the circumstances, the 17,000 riot-affected people in relief colonies living on a wing and a prayer can only bank on NGOs even as yet another communal clash broke out in coastal Khambhat town in central Anand district on February 23 in which 20 shops and houses, as well as 15 vehicles of Muslims, were set ablaze by Hindu rioters. Ukrainian farmers export over 40 mln tonnes of grain since July 1 14:57, 27.02.20 567 Ukraine has already shipped some 16.45 million tonnes of wheat abroad. Vodafone Idea, in a letter to the DoT, the finance ministry and NITI Ayog, said that a GST refund of Rs 8,000 crore can be adjusted against its AGR dues and the remaining amount can be paid in a span of over 15 years. Amid reports that the government may not invoke Vodafone Idea's bank guarantees as of now to recover its AGR dues, the telco reportedly urged the government to provide 15 years time to pay the dues, said a news report #AGR Issue | Sources say Vodafone Idea writes a fresh letter to govt including Telecom Minister, Finance Minister & NITI Aayog; seeks Govts support to facilitate payment of balance AGR dues. Here's more pic.twitter.com/3I0JiPx5sx CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) February 26, 2020 Apart from seeking 15 years to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues, Vodafone Idea also demanded tax refund, a cut in licence fees and spectrum usage charges (SUC), besides the establishment of a floor for tariffs among other measures to help the company overcome the crisis, said a report in The Economic Times. Vodafone Idea, in a letter to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the finance ministry and NITI Ayog, said that a goods and services tax (GST) refund of Rs 8,000 crore can be adjusted against the telco's AGR dues and remaining amount can be paid in a span of over 15 years, the report said. Vodafone Idea also sought an initial moratorium of three years. According to the DoT estimates, the telco now owes statutory dues of about Rs 53,000 crore. Last week, Vodafone Idea paid Rs 3,500 crore in two installments. However, the telco's own estimates peg the dues at around Rs 23,000 crore, of which Rs 7,000 crore is the principal amount. The Digital Communications Commission, which has representatives from DoT, ministry of finance, ministry of electronics and information technology and NITI Aayog, is expected to hold a meeting after Vodafone Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla held a series of meetings with top government officials, said a report in Mint. On 17 February, the Supreme Court had rejected Vodafone's proposal to pay Rs 2,500 crore by the end of the day and Rs 1,000 crore by Friday against AGR dues, while also refusing its plea that no coercive action be taken against it. On 14 February, the top court had warned of 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. On 18 February, Birla had met Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash as he looked for options to keep the company afloat. After the meeting, Birla did not divulge what was discussed. Instead, he said, "cannot say anything at the moment." In December last year, Birla had said Vodafone Idea may have to shut down if there is no relief on statutory dues. "If we are not getting anything, then I think it is the end of the story for Vodafone Idea," Birla had said. "It does not make sense to put good money after bad... We will shut shop." There were reports that the DoT which early this month had drawn flak for ordering no coercive action even after telcos missed the 23 January payment deadline set by the Supreme Court was mulling the option of encashing bank guarantees given by firms when they got telecom licences, as none of the telcos have paid the full amount. Encashing of bank guarantees may sound the death knell for companies such as Vodafone Idea which has been struggling to garner the dues. A financial bank guarantee is equal to two quarters of licence fee and other dues. This amount could be in the range of Rs 5,000 crore each for Airtel and Vodafone Idea. --With PTI inputs Twenty-nine Turkish soldiers have died in a 'Russian airstrike' in Syria, state media reported. The governor of Hatay Doga said the soldiers had been attacked in Idlib on Thursday night by regime forces and as a result 'twenty-nine were martyred'. Vladimir Putin's Russia has backed the Syrian regime and has been blamed for the strike. Earlier in the day Russia's Defense Ministry accused Turkey of illegally sending strike drones into Syria's Idlib region. The US has now demanded that both Syria and Russia end their 'despicable' offensive. Smoke billows over the town of Saraqib in the eastern part of the Idlib province in northwestern Syria, following bombardment by Syrian government forces on Thursday Turkey-backed Syrian fighters celebrate in the town of Saraqib in the eastern part of the Idlib province A wounded child is seen on a stretcher at a hospital for treatment after Assad regime attacks in residential area in Idlib It said they had sent them in to support Syrian rebels fighting the government. Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Rahmi Dogan, the governor of the Turkish southern Hatay province said some were critically wounded and were being treated in hospital. Three soldier had already been reported dead in a separate incident earlier in the day. It also emerged that Turkey would grant Syrian refugees free passage via land or sea to Europe after the strikes. In a statement a US representative said: 'We stand by our NATO ally Turkey and continue to call for an immediate end to this despicable offensive by the Assad regime, Russia and Iranian-backed forces,' a State Department spokesperson said. Turkey-backed Syrian fighters ride a tank in the town of Saraqib in the eastern part of the Idlib province in northwestern Syria 'We are looking at options on how we can best support Turkey in this crisis.' The United Nations also called for urgent action in the northwest of Syria. Stephane Dujarric said: 'The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate ceasefire and expresses particular concern about the risk to civilians from escalating military actions. 'Without urgent action, the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour.' Idlib is supposed to be a de-escalation zone in which acts of aggression are meant to be prohibited. The zone is currently home to four million civilians, many had already been displaced by regime forces in the war torn country. More than 1.7 million Syrians moved to the Turkish border due to intense attacks. Indonesian President Joko Widodo (right) inspects an Indonesian-made drone during a defense exhibition in Jakarta, Nov. 7, 2014. An Indonesian parliamentary committee on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for the acceptance of 14 unmanned aerial vehicles and the upgrade of three Bell helicopters paid for by the United States under a security assistance scheme. The Indonesian military will use the ScanEagle drones to conduct maritime surveillance, including in waters off the Natuna islands where Jakarta and Beijing have been engaged in a stand-off over fishing rights, the Defense Ministry said. We approved the governments receipt of grants from the United States in the form of 14 ScanEagle UAV units and the upgrade of three Bell 412 helicopters, Meutya Hafid, chairwoman of the House of Representatives committee on defense and foreign affairs, told reporters. Acceptance of any foreign military grant requires the approval of the parliaments defense committee, according to a 2013 Defense Ministry regulation. These ScanEagle drones will be used for surveillance, including in Natuna. The Indonesian Navy will definitely use it, Deputy Defense Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono told reporters. Tensions between Indonesia and China over maritime rights off the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea were raised in January after Chinese fishing boats and coast guard ships entered waters in Jakartas Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Beijing claims nearly all of the contested South China Sea, a waterway through which about U.S. $5 trillion of shipping trade passes each year. Beijing says the waters off Indonesias Natuna islands are part of traditional fishing grounds for Chinese fishermen. The security assistance accepted Wednesday is authorized under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, and is part of a U.S. $47.9 million package of ScanEagle drones announced last year to Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam. The U.S. assistance package for Indonesia is valued at $28.3 million for the drones and $6.3 million for the upgrade of the Bell 412 helicopters, the Defense Ministry said. The ScanEagle, made by Insitu Inc., a subsidiary of the U.S. aircraft maker Boeing, can operate above 15,000 feet (about 4,572 meters) and has a flight endurance of up to 20 hours, according to Boeing. Indonesia does not operate any ScanEagle drones, but last year acquired the CH-4, a dedicated unmanned combat aerial vehicle made by China. The drone was showcased at an event marking the Indonesian militarys 74th anniversary in October. Indonesia plans to buy a total of six CH-4 drones within the next few years, the military has said. Jakarta is developing its own medium-altitude long-endurance drone called the Black Eagle, with a prototype released last year. President Joko Jokowi Widodo, whose government has embarked on a drive to modernize its military, urged the countrys arms makers to build advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. We need to keep up with technological advances, Jokowi said in a speech at a Defense Ministrys leadership meeting. [W]e have seen that armed drones are capable of destroying armored vehicles from near and far with precision, he said. The TNI (Indonesian military) must take bold action by starting to build those things. No strings attached Moeldoko, Jokowis chief of staff, said the U.S. aid package had nothing to do with Indonesias plan to purchase fighter jets from Russia. We have a cooperation scheme. Its nothing new. There are no strings attached, Moeldoko told reporters. In 2018, Indonesia agreed to purchase 11 Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets from Russia, valued at $1.14 billion. Russia agreed in return to buy Indonesian commodities valued at $570 million. But the deal has been up in the air after U.S. President Donald Trump in August 2017 signed the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which could apply sanctions against entities doing business with Russia. When asked about the progress on the Sukhoi purchase, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said last week: God willing. Lets pray for it. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. In his Netflix special, comedian Pete Davidson walked back his apology to Houston Rep. Dan Crenshaw for making fun of the congressman's eye patch on Saturday Night Live. Davidson mocked the former Navy SEAL, who lost his right eye in an IED blast in Afghanistan, when he was a 2018 midterm candidate, joking: You may be surprised to hear hes a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hit man in a porno movie. The comedian later apologized, saying he made a poor choice and called Crenshaw a war hero who deserves all the respect in the world. Crenshaw accepted the apology and even participated in a skit with Davidson on SNL after he won his election. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox The ordeal made news across the country, launching a little-known candidate into the national spotlight and helping to kickstart Crenshaws political career. But now, on his new Netflix special Alive From New York, Davidson says he kind of got forced to apologize because people were, like, threatening to, like, shoot me in the face, as first reported by The Daily Beast. I didnt think I did anything wrong, Davidson said in the stand-up taping. It was like words that were twisted so that a guy could be famous. Crenshaw responded on Fox News on Wednesday by laughing and saying, He cant stop talking about me. I cant get out of his head. Im not sure who helped who, Crenshaw added. In 2018, Davidson said he wrote the joke without putting much thought into it and without knowing how Crenshaw became injured. Minutes before going on stage, he said he learned how it had happened and decided hed apologize after telling the joke. For subscribers: Houston Rep. Dan Crenshaw irks both the left and right with gun comments Im sorry I know he might have lost his eye in a war or whatever, Davidson recalled saying, adding: And I said whatever and people were like, You hate America! Like, no, I just didnt want to be incorrect about how he lost his [expletive] eye Its an expression. It doesnt mean I hate America. Davidson goes on to say he dislikes when people tell him its his fault that Crenshaw won. That guy is a Republican with an eye patch in Texas, so it was a lock before it even started, Davidson joked. I did not do anything for that guy. The only thing I did do, which I am guilty of and I apologize for, is I did make that guy famous and a household name for no reason. He added, referring to his ex-fiance and mega-pop star to whom he was briefly engaged: I did what Ariana Grande did for me. A 111-year-old former engineer in the UK is set to be confirmed as the world's oldest man after the recent death of a Japanese man who was 112, according to media reports on Thursday. Bob Weighton, who was born on March 29, 1908, is expected to be named as the new record-holder following the death of Chitetsu Watanabe on Sunday, the BBC reported. The 112-year-old Watanabe died just days after being awarded a Guinness World Records certificate. Weighton said: "I don't really feel satisfied because it means someone else has died." A spokesman for Guinness World Records said it was currently investigating the title for the oldest living man following the death of Watanabe. "Further information will follow soon upon confirmation of the next record-holder," the spokesman said. Weighton, who turns 112 next month, can now expect to receive a certificate of his own, Sky quoted him as saying. On his 111th birthday, Weighton put his long life down to "avoiding dying". Weighton, who grew up in Hull, said: "I just accept it as a fact. It's not something I ever intended, wanted or worked for but it's just one of those facts of life. "You might find it amazing but it's just one of those things." He was formerly both England's oldest man and Britain's joint oldest man until Alfred Smith from Perthshire, who shared the same birthday, died last summer. Weighton shares the title of Britain's oldest person with Joan Hocquard, from Dorset - she, Weighton and Smith were all born on 29 March 1908. Weighton, who worked as an engineer, spending time in Taiwan, Japan and Canada, now lives in a flat in a care complex at Alton. There are about 50 women who are older than Britain's record-holders - the world's oldest living person is 117-year-old Kane Tanaka, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sudhir Suryawanshi By Express News Service The ruling Shiv Sena slammed the BJP and RSS for their 'fake love' for Vinayak Damodar Savarkar while criticising the saffron party for the ploy to put the Maha Vikas Aghadi in trouble. Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana on Thursday came heavily on the RSS, saying during the freedom struggle of India, "where was the RSS? Sardar Patel brought the ban twice over RSS. When India, got the freedom that time also RSS did not host the flag at his head office." "Sardar Patel lifted the ban on RSS with one condition that they will host the national flag at their office. The RSS chief Golwalkar had given in writing that they will do so but he did not follow the government's order still 2002," said the editorial. Sena also said the conspiracy of the BJP to topple the Maha Vikas Aghadi government will not succeed. ALSO READ | Uddhav government clears first Savarkar test in Maharashtra Assembly as Speaker rejects BJP demand "Those who do not host the national flag, they're called the anti-national. So what about the RSS? The BJP cannot use the Savarkar has a shield. Shiv Sena hosted the saffron flag and tricolor as well. We believe in the national flag and understands its importance," stated in Saamana. However, the party praised Savarkar for his command over the Marathi language. "Savarkar was language experts, therefore, we salute him on Marathi language day. The BJP's love for Savarkar is fake and hypocritical. We will read all books of Savarkar with a sense of pride," said Shiv Sena. Aaditya Thackeray also criticised the BJP and its demand of honouring Savarkar in state assembly sessions. Thackeray said when BJP was in power in last five years, the former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis wrote twice to centre government led by BJP to honour the Savarkar. "But the letters of Fadnavis have not been unanswered in the last three years. It shows the love of the BJP for Savarkar. Let the central government give the Bharat Ratna to Savarkar, then we will surely bring the resolutions congratulating government and honouring Savarkar," Thackeray said. Currently, no case of coronavirus is spotted in Lithuania Lithuania declared a state of emergency due to the preparation for the possible outbreak of Covid-19 coronavirus as LRT reported. It is noted that no case of coronavirus is spotted in Lithuania; however, the authorities intend to prepare for the possible outbreak. That is why the state of emergency was declared. We are glad that we have no cases (of coronavirus, - 112.international) but the preparation should take place in advance. The declaration of the emergency state, possibly, is the basis for us to survive in such a situation, senior advisor of Lithuanian president said. The government noted that the emergency state will help to coordinate the work of responsible establishments, use state reserved and simplify other procedures. As we reported, the first case of infection with coronavirus spotted in Estonia. An infected person is a citizen of Iran who returned to Estonia. Earlier, the first case of coronavirus infection was recorded among Ukrainians in Italy. Moreover, the infection with coronavirus was spotted in mainland Spain. The incident was observed in Catalunya. A 36-year-old Italian was hospitalized; she traveled to Milan and Bergamo for ten days, and then she felt sick. Currently, she just suffers from typical symptoms of influenza. Medics consider it is a light case of coronavirus infection. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 Trend: Turkish Airlines has suspended flights to Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee lker Ayci, Trend reports Feb. 27. In turn, Head of the Baku office of Turkish Airlines Seyfulla Ilyas noted that a total of four flights to Nakhchivan have been canceled. This is a step taken as part of the fight against coronavirus, Ilyas added. The head of the Baku office of Turkish Airlines said that flights to Baku and Ganja are carried out on schedule. Flights to Saudi Arabia and Iran have been also suspended, according to the report. Iran is one of the recent countries, affected by the rapidly-spreading coronavirus. According to recent reports from the Iranian officials, over 245 people have been infected, 26 people have already died. The country continues to apply strict measures to contain the further spread. Reportedly, the disease was brought to Iran by a businessman from Iran's Qom city, who went on a business trip to China, despite official warnings. The man died later from the disease. The disease in Iran has already spread to at least fifteen Iranian provinces. Following the reports of coronavirus spread in the Islamic Republic, several countries have taken measures, including closing borders and banning flights. Meanwhile, the WHO (World Health Organization) has offered its help to Iran, providing certain medicine to the infected. The Democrats' poster girl for America-hating could swing Minnesota's ten electoral votes to President Trump in November. Representative Ilhan Omar now obviously enjoys trolling Republicans, perhaps lulled into complacency by the MSM's general leftism and Minnesota media's complicity in suppressing news of her apparent immigration fraud by marrying her brother. (Scott Johnson of Powerline deserves a Pulitzer Prize for his role in exposing this major scandal but won't get one because the Pulitzer committee reflects the leftist bias of the mainstream journalism community.) What else but hatred could explain this outrageous tweet, intended to "trigger" her opponents? I am, Hijabi Muslim Black Foreign born Refugee Somali Easily triggering conservatives, Right wing bloggers, anti Muslim bigots, tinfoil conspiracy theorists, birthers, pay me a to bash Muslims fraudsters, pro-occupation groups and every single xenophobe since 2016 pic.twitter.com/SffIqUT32I Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 24, 2020 Her trolling intent is obvious: Easily triggering conservatives, Right wing bloggers, anti Muslim bigots, tinfoil conspiracy theorists, birthers, pay me a [dollar] to bash Muslims fraudsters, pro-occupation groups and every single xenophobe since 2016. Plenty of people noticed, including Ted Cruz, but perhaps the most important is Dalia Al-Aqidi, who is running for the GOP nomination to oppose her: Al-Aqidi, herself a Muslim refugee, has been running on the theme of patriotism and gratitude for her American citizenship: It's time to defend America! I'm running for Congress because we're not as divided as Ilhan Omar and the far-left would have us believe. I'm running to bring us closer together. https://t.co/sa9dsHHTeO Dalia al-Aqidi (@Dalia4Congress) January 16, 2020 Given the Fifth Congressional District's heavily Democrat voting history, Al-Aqidi will have a difficult time defeating Omar, but as a Muslim refugee, her quest will get attention and influence other parts of the state, especially the crucial Twin Cities suburbs, which could be the swing vote. Scott Johnson's Powerline colleague John Hinderaker writes about the 'burbs' potential to swing the state here. What gives me the most hope is that Omar is getting more extreme, driven by hatred. No matter how hard he tries, he cant stop Black and brown people from existing.https://t.co/1IBbbs7i1I Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 26, 2020 Perhaps worry over her immigration fraud being prosecuted is exacerbating her previous TDS condition. I grew up in Minnesota, in Omar's district, and know that Minnesotans are famously "nice" and that they worry about how the rest of the country views them. With Omar attaining such prominence, she has to worry a lot of people about being tarred with her extremism. Photo credit: Twitter icon. I wrote my first column involving stop-and-frisk in 2009, and it didnt even mention Bloomberg. I too assumed that this was a police policy gone awry. I continued to write about it, but it wasnt until 2011 that I mentioned him, and even then I didnt directly blame him for the policy. That is because it wasnt until the last few years of his mayoralty that Bloomberg himself began to give public, full-throated defenses of stop-and-frisk, like the speech he gave in 2012 at a Brooklyn church as a court case against the city loomed. Then it was abundantly clear: This wasnt a practice being perpetrated by rogue cops; it was a dictate coming from the top, from Bloomberg himself. Simply put, Bloomberg escaped much of the blame for stop-and-frisk during his mayoralty, because he never stepped forth to accept it. He hid behind the police department and let it take all the arrows. This is why the Patrolmens Benevolent Association president, Patrick Lynch, blasted Bloomberg in November when he cynically apologized so that he could run for president. As Lynch put it: 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. The apology is too little, too late. That is the problem with having a leader so slavishly devoted to data: The underlings will seek numbers rather than justice to satisfy him. At the stop-and-frisk trial, a Puerto Rican police officer named Pedro Serrano with nine years of experience was asked on direct examination: What is your basis for your knowledge that the N.Y.P.D., in your judgment, imposes quotas for enforcement activity on you and your fellow officers? Whats your basis for your knowledge of that? He answered: The basis is they tell you to your face. They tell you at roll call. They pull you to the side and tell you. Also you get retaliated against. Ive gotten retaliated against because I didnt meet the quota. Again, I might have enough arrests, but I might not have enough C summonses for them. So they go after that. But again its they do retaliate. And they tell you that I need the specific number. Photo credit: Reid Rolls From ELLE Decor In 2020, the eponymous design firm of ELLE Decor A-List designer Nick Olsen is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, Olsen has become known for a distinct approach to interiorshe combines a stripped-down modern sensibility with an appreciation for the classical, and he has a knack for introducing bold colors and patterns. Along the way, Olsen has completed nearly 50 projects, from Los Angeles to Locust Valley, New York. I love high style mixed with something ordinary or strange, Olsen says. My style owes heavily to the decorating greats, but I combine elements in a way that feels fresh to me and, hopefully, conveys a sense of humor. After graduating from Columbia University, Olsen began working for the esteemed designer and fellow ELLE Decor A-Lister Miles Redd; during his time learning from Redd, Olsen says, he realized hed found a line of work that suited him well. Here, Olsen shares what makes his business tick and how he and architect Ryan Duebber transformed a brick home in Cincinnati, originally built by modernist architect Carl Strauss, into a bright and airy space fit for a family from New York. ELLE Decor: What were your goals for this Cincinnati house? Nick Olsen: This is my third project for a very dear clientand our second collaboration in Ohio. I met her when she was a new mom in New York, and her family has really grown! They moved from a fairly cookie-cutter house in the suburbs to this brown brick pile in a hilly, leafy neighborhood. Her design direction began and ended with I want to bring the Hollywood Hills to Ohio. I could not have been happier. Photo credit: Reid Rolls ED: So how exactly did you do that? How does one bring the Hollywood Hills to Ohio? NO: Beyond whitewashing all the brick, inside and out, I wanted to make the best use of some huge living areas. The great room is more than 50 feet long, so I had to create conversational and work zones to keep the space from feeling intimidating to anyone entering the room. Also, the clients previous home had a lot of colorful wallpapered rooms, but the living areas in the new house had brick and floating walls that forbade us from using any colorful wallpaper in those areas. Instead, I focused on smaller bursts of color and pattern in the upholstery, on ceilings, and with one fabulous midcentury tapestry in the dining room. Finally, Ohios climate doesnt quite match that of Southern California, but we tried to bring the outdoors in as much as possible. We didnt install curtains in the great room or dining room, so your eyes are at tree level and youre welcomed onto the massive terrace. Story continues ED: You did wind up using bold colors and Mondrian-inspired prints in numerous places, though. NO: Pattern-wise, I considered mimicking the houses repeating arch motifwhich now I see everywherebut decided that was too obvious. Mondrian and the other De Stijl artists paired right angles with primary colors, which felt like a better foil to all of the white arches. Its modern, yet fun and not too austere. In many rooms, I reused pieces from the owners previous home, and those set our palette. In one instance, we turned their old primary-colored curtains into throw pillows, and those colors dominate our wild Porter-Teleo-does-Mondrian wallpaper in the kids play area. Of course, there are more subtle patterns in the house, like a harlequin print from Pierre Frey on the great room armchairs, and lots of blues and greens. The clients only color-related ask was that there be no aqua, but the rest of the spectrum is represented. Photo credit: Reid Rolls ED: How did you balance out all the bright colors? NO: With acres of white brick and pale oak floors! The hearth room off the kitchen has two Jean-Michel Frank-style club chairs in Josef Franks Hawaii print, which has a dark brown field but tons of bright colors to pull out. Its sunshine yellow became that rooms curtains, and it pops up on lounge chairs in the great room and then again downstairs. Its important to weave a thread of certain colors throughout the house without it feeling matchy-matchy, and without overwhelming any one particular room. ED: The house was originally designed by noted modernist architect Carl Strauss. How did that affect your approach to the interior design? NO: Early in this project I joked on Instagram, Blessed Carl Strauss didnt live to see my paint schedule. I wasnt familiar with Strausss work before, but apparently, he designed and built this house for his mother in the early 1970s, who requested Palladian symmetry. That pleased me so mucha modernist architect bowing to his mothers classicist wishes. The clients architect, Ryan Duebber, really respected Strausss symmetrical main-level plan while modernizing the kitchen and central staircase and reconfiguring the warren-like series of bedrooms and bathrooms downstairs. I personally pushed hard to replace all the ugly wood floors with wide-plank white oak and, of course, to paint all the brick a warm white. Strausss imprint is still here, but now the house feels lighter and much younger. Photo credit: Reid Rolls ED: Aside from those ugly wood floors, were there any other design obstacles you had to overcome? NO: It sounds silly, but the sheer volume of rooms: These clients are blessed with four living rooms, so I tried to carve out different uses for each one and set different moods with the decorating. One serves as the kids art room, another is for TV watching, and yet another is for reading a book or working at a laptop. Overall, this project was a breeze, mostly thanks to the clients patience and enthusiasm. ED: Where did you find your inspiration for this house? Do you have any go-to sources that always inspire you? NO: I started by looking at the De Stijl-era works of Gerrit Rietveld and later houses by Richard Neutra and Craig Ellwood, which are far less symmetrical and have more fully integrated cabinets and furniture. Those houses helped me embrace the negative space in this projectfor instance, the way the large square library table dominates one half of the great room. I was also inspired by the contemporary work of designers like David Netto, Paul Fortune, and my friend Billy Cotton, whose beautiful sofa design I used in the great room, in a neutral fabric. They all embrace sophistication and fun! As for general inspiration, its a cliche but I travel as much as possible, from visiting house museums in upstate New York to Sunnylands in Palm Springs. Im dying to visit Sicily. I love Instagram, even though it drives me to distractionMiles Redd pops up on my feed every morning to inspire me, and I love weird niche accounts like @bizarrecolumns. It mostly features strange, postmodern uses of columns! ED: What was your favorite part about this project? NO: Being able to decorate a modernist house, and having the pleasure of working with these clients. A year after we installed it, the owner told me, We use every room in this house, and we love it. Mission accomplished! ED: As we head into a new decade and you celebrate your firms 10th anniversary, what trends do you hope to see more of? Which would you like to leave behind in the 2010s? NO: Im encouraged by the trend toward very personal interiors, as opposed to safe or status-conscious decorating. Theyve always existed, but they seem to be celebrated more lately. I hope to see more confident, out-there design work, like what my friend Sasha Bikoff is doing. I could do without what I call the Pinterest Regency aestheticwhite-oak arches, pink and green everything, neon signs a la Tracey Emin. Its been done. ED: Whats your dream project? NO: A Paul Rudolph beach house in Sarasota, Florida. Or Oak Knoll on Long Island. ED: Any exciting projects coming up? NO: Ive been approached about a book, but I know theyre an enormous amount of work. Were busy enough with longtime and new clients and must keep them happy! However, 2020 is the year I will sit down and design fabrics and wallpapers, I swear. You Might Also Like PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 17:00:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 510 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / RESAAS Services Inc. (TSXV:RSS)(OTCQB:RSASF), a technology platform for the real estate industry, is pleased to announce it has signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement with Real Elevated, LLC.Real Elevated is a real estate lead generation company based in Los Angeles, California. Real Elevated targets potential home buyers and sellers through a detailed data collection process, resulting in high-quality leads.Leads generated by Real Elevated are exclusively distributed to RESAAS' network of agents using RESAAS InstantReferrals. This alerts RESAAS agents about qualified leads in real-time. RESAAS agents can pay to claim the lead, which connects them with the prospective client instantly."Real estate agents are constantly searching for ways to drum up new business. Real Elevated understands the value of a great lead and how it can shape an agent's ability to achieve continued success," said Real Elevated CEO, Gabriel Albarian, Jr. "Real Elevated is extremely pleased to work alongside RESAAS and to share quality leads within their network to create more sales opportunities for real estate agents." Subscribers to RESAAS Premium are alerted of all InstantReferrals immediately, including leads generated by Real Elevated. The alerts are sent via mobile Push Notifications, SMS text delivery, or by email. RESAAS Premium increases the chance of being first to claim leads. Regular members of RESAAS will receive a notification subsequent to Premium members.The agreement, executed on June 1, 2019, goes live throughout Los Angeles County today February 27, 2020. Real Elevated and RESAAS will share revenue on the sales of its leads."Responding quickly to any type of lead is the hallmark of a successful sales person," said RESAAS CEO, Tom Rossiter. "RESAAS constantly provides real estate agents with new business opportunities. Our partnership with Real Elevated brings consumer leads to our network of agents (B2C) for the first time in addition to our existing agent-to-agent (B2B) referral services. We are excited to bring this new dimension to our platform, bringing new opportunities for our agents and a new revenue stream for our company." Real estate agents and REALTORS throughout Los Angeles County must register with RESAAS to be eligible to claim leads from Real Elevated.###About RESAAS Services Inc.RESAAS is a technology platform that enables real estate brokerages, franchises and associations to bring real-time communication, new business opportunities and unique data to their agents on a global basis.Visit www.resaas.com for more information.For further information contact:Don MosherRESAAS Services Inc.Tel: +1 (604) 685-6465 Email: don.mosher@resaas.com The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.The statements made in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from RESAAS Services Inc.'s expectations and projections.SOURCE: RESAAS Services Inc. Image: Wikimedia After the hike in import duty on furniture in India, Swedish furniture company IKEA is not planning to hike the prices of its products, said Peter Betzel, Managing Director, IKEA India. "We are disappointed with the import duty hike but we will not hike the prices as then it will not be called affordable," Betzel said on the sidelines of RAI Retail Leadership Summit 2020. "Affordability is so important for us. The hike in import duty will have an impact on the business, our way forward and on our volumes," he added. Currently, 75 percent of goods sold in India are imported. In an attempt to boost domestic manufacturing, the Finance Ministry increased import duty on wooden furniture to 30 percent from the current 20 percent. In the Union Budget 20-21, the Finance Ministry also hiked import duty on, lamps and mattresses from 20 percent to 25 percent. Betzel said IKEA is in talks with the Indian government on the hike in import duty. "We had a meeting with the government representatives several times and told them what we would like to do for India and how we could increase local manufacturing. The government is open to help," Betzel said. When asked about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on its supply chain, he said IKEA's supply chain was not disrupted. IKEA, which opened its first store Hyderabad in 2018, will be launching its second store in Mumbai soon. On the delay in launching the Mumbai store, Betzel said: "In this summer, we are opening the Mumbai store. We had to get licenses and there were some other challenges with some steel construction." The Stockholm-based company is also looking to open big stores as well as small formats in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, apart from selling on online platforms. Nadda was addressing a two-day long Savarkar Sahitya Sammelan in the national capital through a video message. New Delhi: Hailing Vinayak Damodar Savarkar or Veer Savarkar as a great freedom fighter, thinker, powerful orator and visionary, BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda, on the 54th death anniversary of the freedom fighter and a Hindutva icon on Wednesday, said Veer Savarkar sacrificed everything for the nation and inspired people. On the death anniversary of Savarkar, the BJP said Veer Savarkar was instrumental in igniting minds of many against the atrocities of the British and was subjected to toughest punishment by British for his devotion towards the motherland. Mr Nadda was addressing a two-day long Sava-rkar Sahitya Sammelan in the national capital through a video message. Union home minister Amit Shah, through a tweet, said Savarkar was an idea and sacrificed his life for the nation. Mr Shah said the Britishers were so scared of him that they not only sent him to Kala Pani (cellular jail in Andaman and Nicobar islands) but sentenced him to two life imprisonment. Speaking at the conclave, Union minister for tourism and culture, Prahlad Patel said: Veer Savarkar was not only a revolutionary, but also a social worker who opposed untouchability. Mr Patel said Savarkar did not get due recognition. Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, during whose tenure as the chief minister last year the BJP had made a poll promise in its manifesto of proposing Savarkar and social reformers Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phules names for the Bharat Ratna, hailed Savarkar for his contribution for eliminating caste system, upliftment of last person, in preserving Marathi language, his service to Bharat Mata. We cannot neglect #VeerSavarkar's contribution for eliminating the caste system, upliftment of the last person, in preserving the Marathi language, his service to Bharat Mata. BJP today honoured this great son, who sacrificed everything for independence, Mr Fadnavis said. SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an effort funded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust, Avera eCARE and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians (HMFP) have taken the first of several steps toward creating educational curriculum competencies for a new national telehealth certificate by hosting a Telehealth Practice Curriculum Competency Development meeting at the Harvard Club in Boston. Creation of the telehealth certificate program, the American Board of Telehealth, and a new 5,000-square-foot telehealth education center in Sioux Falls were all funded by a generous $4.3 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. Using a modified Delphi approach, a group of nationally renowned experts will develop curriculum competencies and detailed objectives for the telehealth certificate to be offered under a newly created American Board of Telehealth. The outcome of this process will be development of a gold standard, consistent curriculum in telehealth, taking into account the experience of a panel of experts in the field. Use of this curriculum can aid in the standardization and improvement of the telehealth practice, said Deanna Larson, CEO of Avera eCARE, based in Sioux Falls, S.D. We are thrilled to have HMFPs collaboration in the development of this first-of-its-kind curriculum, Larson said. In 2019, Avera eCARE and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians signed an agreement to create a broad working arrangement to create an expert consensus-driven curriculum for telehealth, educational course development, consultation and collaboration in serving students. This process will result in an expert validated curriculum and a greater measure of standardization of telemedicine, said Greg Ciottone, MD, FACEP, FFSEM, Director of the Division of Disaster Medicine for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine for Harvard Medical School, and President of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine. Working with Larson, Ciottone was instrumental in organizing the Delphi process for the telehealth certificate curriculum competency development. Right now, with the absence of an oversight board, there is no standardization of how telemedicine is practiced. The creation of the American Board of Telehealth to oversee the certificate program will increase the quality of care within the practice of telemedicine, Ciottone said. The Helmsley Charitable Trust is committed to numerous projects that help ensure equal access to high quality health care, especially in rural areas. We hope to train and certify thousands of practitioners in the practice of high quality telehealth, resulting in the expansion of the health care workforce thats available to serve rural communities via technology, said Walter Panzirer, a Trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. Avera eCARE, an extensive telehealth network that serves 450 sites in 32 states, and HMFP are providing guidance for the certificate program and the American Board of Telehealth, yet the board will be a separate entity comprised of telehealth leaders from across the nation. During the Jan. 24 meeting in Boston, 13 individuals from all walks of telemedicine expertise gathered to analyze a literature review completed by Harvard Medical Faculty. They considered 50 competencies, giving opinions as to which competencies should be included in the curriculum. The Delphi approach is a way of obtaining a reliable consensus of opinions by a group of experts. The initial 12-hour in-person gathering in Boston will be followed by three rounds of surveys to continue to arrive at a consensus. The 13 experts will be included as co-authors of a manuscript publishing the results of this process. Can you imagine a dozen experts in a room covering 50 or more topics in one day? The Delphi process allowed that to happen and as a result the group has made an unbelievable amount of progress on prioritizing elements of a broad telehealth curriculum. If telemedicine will be a tool used to deliver care that patients need, we need to create the training programs of the future. That is exactly what was done during this session, said Judd Hollander, MD, Senior Vice President for Healthcare Delivery Innovation, Thomas Jefferson University and Associate Dean for Strategic Health Initiatives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, who served as a member of the Delphi panel. The first telehealth certificate will be a telehealth 101 core curriculum. It will be an online, self-paced curriculum through eight modules. In the future, the American Board of Telehealth will have the oversight to create different courses and educational tracks. The certificate program is expected to be launched this summer. The Delphi panel included: Richard Bakalar, MD, FATA Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, ViTel Net Robert Darling, MD Founding Principal and Chief Medical Officer, Patronus Medical Corporation William England, PhD, JD Director, Office for Advancement of Telehealth, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Judd Hollander, MD Senior Vice President for Healthcare Delivery Innovation, Thomas Jefferson University and Associate Dean for Strategic Health Initiatives, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University Deanna Larson CEO, Avera eCARE James McElligott, MD, MSCR Executive Medical Director, Medical University of South Carolina Joseph McMenamin Principal, McMenamin Law Offices and General Counsel for the Virginia Telehealth Network Oren Mechanic, MD, MPH Director of Telehealth, Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Karen S. Rheuban Director, Center for Telehealth at the University of Virginia Kelly Rhone, MD, FACEP Medical Director of Outreach and Innovation, Avera eCARE Roy Schoenberg, MD, MPH President and CEO, American Well Matthew Stanley, DO Vice President of the Behavioral Health Clinical Service Line, Avera Andrew Watson, MD, MLitt Colorectal Surgeon, UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pa. Delphi observers included Walter Panzirer Trustee, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust Mitch Krebs Program Director, Helmsley Rural Healthcare Program, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust Greg Ciottone, MD, FACEP, FFSEM Director, Division of Disaster Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School; and President of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine Ritu Sarin, MD, MScDM, FACEP Instructor in Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Associate Director of the Disaster Medicine Fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Amalia Voskanyan, RN Co-Director, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Fellowship in Disaster Medicine Alex Hart, MD Emergency Medicine Physician, and the Director of Research for the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Disaster Medicine Fellowship Douglas Romney, MD Director of Education for the Fellowship in Disaster Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Luke Mack, MA Quality & Research Manager, Avera eCARE Kristi Sidel, RN Director of Telemedicine Education, Avera eCARE About Avera eCARE Avera eCARE, based in Sioux Falls, S.D., is the most robust telemedicine network in the world offering comprehensive health care services 24/7 via high-definition, interactive video and sophisticated computer monitoring equipment. Avera eCARE is part of Avera Health, an integrated health system which serves more than 300 locations and 100 communities in a five-state region. We carry on the health care legacy of the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters, delivering care in an environment guided by our values of compassion, hospitality and stewardship. To learn more, visit AveraeCARE.org. Bernie Sanders has said the American dream is more likely to be realized in socialist Venezuela than the United States. Maybe he'd like to explain this version of the American dream found in a massive money-laundering operation by Venezuelan Chavistas who've been busted for looting their country in order to retire in mansions and condos on Miami Beach. According to the Miami Herald: The business elites are suspected of paying hefty bribes to the government officials in exchange for making loans in bolivars to the national oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., and then receiving repayments in dollars with the proceeds washed through the government's favorable currency-exchange system to magnify profits. The multibillion-dollar payouts were then diverted to secret Swiss bank accounts between 2012 and 2014, according to U.S. authorities. "The operation, carried out thanks to acts of corruption, would have allowed the embezzlement of more than $4.5 billion, laundered mainly through accounts opened in Switzerland," the Swiss Federal Tribunal wrote in a January order rejecting appeals seeking to stop the release of the bank records. The hellhole poverty, loss of freedom, and flight of millions are often brought up as the inevitable side-effects of modern socialism (as if firing squads, gulags, and expropriation were too much), but here's a fourth thing: corruption. Massive, massive, corruption, corruption that would make an African dictator like Sese Seko Mobutu blush. We saw it as the mask fell off the Soviet Union and among the princelings of China's elites. Socialism = corruption. Now we've got it in Venezuela, where a gargantuan money-laundering corruption case has finally given Miami investigators the Swiss bank records they have sought for years. According to the Miami Herald: The Justice Department's $4.5 billion money-laundering investigation is the largest of three distinct Miami-based probes targeting Venezuelan "kleptocrats" and their associates, resulting in the prosecution of a dozen defendants in South Florida so far including a former national treasurer, Alejandro Andrade, who was the first to plead guilty in late 2017. The probes, which prosecutors say form a triangle of corruption connecting Venezuela to Switzerland to South Florida, dramatize the alleged theft of stratospheric sums of government funds in the oil-rich South American country. The high-level political corruption has spurred Venezuela's economic collapse and the exodus of millions of its citizens. In short, a passel of socialist men of the people using their public office to get immensely rich. Where have we seen that dynamic before? And because under socialism, all of the money and power are concentrated in the hands of the state, well, the sums are huge, gargantuan. As bank robber Willy Sutton once said, "That's where the money is." Here's the other thing: socialism doesn't have the same safeguards to prevent looting of government sums as is seen in the publicly traded private sector. With the government having all the money and making all the decisions, a party elite must be launched. Those characters rapidly become a nomenklatura, pigs at the trough more equal than others. It happens every time socialism is enacted, and there is no socialism without them. With nothing to check them, they get greedy fast and have the privileges to siphon billions through loopholes and exceptions in law, because socialists are the law. Lastly, socialism sucks the life out of the entire economy, leaving the only game in town figuring out ways of swindling the government in these people's cases, in order to retire on Miami Beach. It was the same with the old Soviets and the late-stage Chinese oligarchs, and now it's going on in real time from socialist Venezuela. Bernie Sanders ought to be answering for this kind of failure of socialism he'd impose on America, but he doesn't even get asked. Is there a Democrat out there who can explain why this happens in real terms or, more important, explain why it could never occur under the Democrats' version of socialism? Nope, not a chance. Why is that? Because on their lower free-market economy scale, they are engaged in the same behavior themselves. They too get rich in public office, and they set aside privileges for themselves, such as jet travel and multiple houses they condemn in others. One can only hope that Republicans bring this up in coming debates for Sanders, the presumptive Democratic nominee, because corruption's a big one whenever socialism's around. Image credit: Newsonline via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Fans of the legendary hit sitcom, Friends, had been excitingly vocal in their desire to see the all six cast members get back together for a reunion show ever since the series finale aired in 2004. In a new interview, Courteney Cox expressed her own enthusiasm to reunite with her friends when she dished about the upcoming, unscripted special that was confirmed just days ago. 'So the exciting thing is that we're all going to get together for the first time, in a room, and actually talk about the show, and it's going to be on HBO Max,' Cox, 55, told Kevin Nealon during an episode of his podcast Hiking With Kevin. 'I'm so excited. We're going to have the best time. It's going to be great,' she said. Anticipation: Courteney Cox opened up about her excitement to do the Friends reunion show While hiking along trails with Nealon, the woman behind Monica Geller elaborated on her anticipation for the one-off reunion show with co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry. 'But we really haven't all done that and actually sat there and talked about and reminisced about this incredible experience that we had. It's gonna be fantastic.' During the interview, Cox did reveal that all six cast members have had two closed-doors reunions: one dinner happened at Cox's home and the other at Jennifer Aniston's house. Dishing: 'So the exciting thing is that we're all going to get together for the first time, in a room, and actually talk about the show,' Cox told Kevin Nealon during his Hiking With Kevin podcast Friends chatter: The Hiking With Kevin episode with Cox drops on Nealon's YouTube channel on Thursday morning, February 27 'It took forever. I don't know how many years it was, maybe 15 years and we finally all got together and had dinner,' Cox said. 'And when we get together, which is never it only happened twice since we ended the show it's just the most fun. We laugh so hard.' The Friends reunion will be held on the original stage at Warner Bros Studios, and will be available along with all the episodes of the original show, that aired from 1994 to 2004, when HBO Max launches in May. Reunited! The cast had their own personal reunion at Jennifer Aniston's house in October 2019 They're back! Cox and her Friends co-stars announced the upcoming reunion special with a coordinated social media posting of a photo from the Nineties The sit-down will also feature show creators and executive producers Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane. Earlier this month, the cast confirmed the special by sharing a promotional picture of themselves that Mark Seliger shot for Rolling Stone in the Nineties with the caption: 'it's happening'. According to The Hollywood Reporter, each star will earn between $2.5 million and $3 million for the event. The Hiking With Kevin episode with Cox drops on Nealon's YouTube channel on Thursday morning, February 27. Radical group members detained, Vinnytsia region, February 2020 Open source An attempt to capture the building of the city council took place in Zhmerynka, Vinnytsia region. Members of a far-right radical group broke into the hall during the council's session on February 27, local press reported. The culprits threw stones and smoke pellets at the building. The law enforcers managed to prevent the capture of the building and detained 20 people. They drove two cars to get to the building. Some of the activists suffered injuries during detention. Earlier in February, the EU has urged Ukraine to combat extremism and its manifestations. Josep Borrell, Vice President of the European Commission, released the respective statement on Thursday. "The EU rejects and condemns all forms and manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia directed against a person defined by reference to race, color, religion, descent or national or ethnic origin. The EU is aware of the alleged ties of the C14 group to far-right movements (...) The EU follows closely the developments in Ukraine, including the legislative steps that may impact on democracy, human rights and the rule of law and is consistently encouraging Ukraine, as well as all its partners, to continue efforts to fight any incidents of violent extremism", said the statement. A cavalcade of Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents paraded to the witness stand in day two of Jacob Coynes trial. Coyne, along with Zachary Chadwick, allegedly riddled 19-year-old Jalen Little with bullets during a fatal shooting on a cold March night in 2017. The patrol officer who initially responded to the emergency call said that when he arrived he remembered seeing a young man on the ground, and his mother was screaming. He said that Little was going in and out of consciousness, and that the officer kept him awake by clutching his hand. He was riddled with bullets, and I tried to comfort him as best I could, said the officer, who asked Little who had shot him. According to the officer, Little said, Zachary Chadwick shot me. Because the shooting occurred in early 2017, there was no body camera footage of this conversation. He said that during this time, the Chattanooga Police Department was in a transition period, and not every officer had a body camera. While he had an audio recorder, he forgot to bring it with him. He was more concerned about his condition than answering my questions, which was understandable, said the officer, who was not able to get any more information about the shooter or the car from the victim before Little was taken to Erlanger. Little succumbed to his injuries while at the hospital. Kyle Osborne does gunshot residue (GSR) testing for the TBI. He told attorney John McDougal, prosecutor Andrew Coyle, and the jury about the reason for this. When a gun is fired, gunpowder and other particles fly into the air and land on everything within a certain area. He said that while the particles can be lost if they land on skin within hours, it generally stays on clothing for much longer unless it is washed. As shown on his reports, there was no GSR on any of Coynes clothing. However, he stated that Zachary Chadwicks pants did have gunshot residue. This indicated that Chadwick was near, in contact with, or even possibly shot the gun, it was stated. Agent John Dunn said there were no latent prints on the pistol or the magazine allegedly used to shoot Little. He did add that fingerprints can be fragile, as they are made of sweat and/or oil, and can be easily wiped away or even evaporate. Attorney McDougal emphasized the fact that the agent did not find any prints belonging to Coyne on the gun. Jessica Hudson of the firearms division in the TBI confirmed the bullets found in Jalen Littles body most likely came from the 9 millimeter Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol police found near Chadwicks house. She said that when the TBI did distance testing, it was determined that the shots were fired from around four feet away. Ms. Hudson said the three bullets that had been extracted from Littles body were confirmed to be shot from that firearm. She told the court there was no way to know who fired the gun or who owned the gun, something attorney McDougal again emphasized. Agent Denver Hall also confirmed the bullet was fired from the pistol. According to Alyssa Roberts, who was in the car with a few friends when Little was shot outside of the car, Jacob Coyne was the man who shot Little. However, her testimony was considered questionable by attorney McDougal, citing the angle she would have been sitting at when the shooting happened. After two days of testimony, the state still has at least one more witness who needs to take the stand. The trial will resume Thursday morning. The police in Ekiti State have arrested three secondary school teachers for allegedly raping underaged female students in the schools where they teach. The suspects who are currently being detained at the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti are teachers from Osi Grammar School, Osi Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area and All Saints Grammar School in Ado Ekiti metropolis. The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Wale Fapohunda, had earlier warned of the state governments readiness to begin a clampdown on teachers involved in sexually abusing female students in secondary schools in the state. He had announced the commencement of investigations of all the rape complaints already lodged with the government. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Sunday Abutu, also confirmed the arrests on Wednesday. The police spokesman said the suspects allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victims. Mr Abutu said the teachers were reported to the police through a petition received from an activist (name withheld) that the suspects allegedly molested the victims sexually. The suspects, one from Osi Grammar school and two from All Souls Grammar School, are in our custody and they are giving us useful information, Mr Abutu said. We have invited the victims and they are giving useful information to us, as well. But as of now, the victim from Osi Grammar School declined the allegation while being interrogated. But we are not resting, we will get to the root of the matter. Mr Abutu said the victims from All Souls have been invited by the police for interrogation, saying they are yet to give information concerning the incident. Trend Ekiti State has been having a running battle with paedophiles in recent times, and had resorted to opening a record for naming and shaming those convicted of rape through public notices and publications. In August last year, the government ensured the conviction of Asateru Gabriel, a 35-year-old clergyman, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment and fined N50,000 for sexually molesting a minor. Mr Gabriel was sentenced by Oluwatoyin Abodunde, presiding judge of the Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti for the crime he committed in December 2016 at Ifisin Ekiti in Ido/Osi local government area of the state. The state governor, Kayode Fayemi, who shared the image of the convict on his twitter page, said Mr Gabriel had been added to the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice Sex Offenders Register. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. The new coronavirus that first emerged in China and is now spreading in several countries has left some Americans suddenly fearful of crowded trains, large gatherings, and communal spaces. Health officials have emphasized that the virus is not spreading widely in the U.S. and that the risk to the general public is low. But the situation is evolving. Luckily, the same kinds of precautions youd take to protect yourself from colds and flu will also help reduce your risk of contracting the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) should it become common inside the U.S., according to Jesse Goodman, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at Georgetown University. Here, some of the most important steps to take to stay safe from all sorts of respiratory viruses. Seriously, Wash Your Hands Theres a good reason admonitions to wash your hands are so frequently repeated. Handwashing is critical in stopping the spread of respiratory viruses and other bugs, and its one of several measures the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for reducing your risk of COVID-19, flu, and more. When should you wash your hands? At a minimum, do so after you use the bathroom, before you eat, and after you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze, according to the CDC. Its also important to use proper technique. That means not just rinsing your hands for a few seconds in the sink, Goodman says. Use soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds. In your home, its a good idea to regularly clean frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs, handles, and counters. Keep Sanitizer Handy If youre in a situation where you need to wash your hands but arent able to get to a sinksuch as after using public transitan alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol is your next best option. With flu still circulating widely in many states, cleaning your hands after being in crowded spaces or after touching surfaces in public areas makes sense, Goodman says, and hand sanitizer is a good, portable way to meet that need. Story continues Along with washing or cleaning your hands, try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Sometimes you can arbitrarily pick up germs in between hand hygiene cleaning, so its key to try to keep your hands away from your face and eyes, says Connie Steed, M.S.N., R.N., president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Thats how viruses can get from your hands into your system, making you sick. Keep Vaccinations Up to Date According to the CDCs latest data, this years flu shot has been 45 percent effective, which means it reduces your risk of getting sick from flu by about half. Its still a good idea to get the vaccine if you havent had it yet this season. Even if you do get the flu, the vaccine lowers your chances of having a severe complication. If youre 65 or older, or you have underlying health problems such as chronic heart or lung disease, you should also ask your doctor about vaccinations against pneumococcal bacteria, a common cause of pneumonia. Theres not yet a vaccine against the new coronavirus. And while vaccinations against the flu and pneumococcal bacteria dont offer protection against COVID-19, says Goodman, they can help in some unexpected ways: In case the new virus does begin to spread widely in the U.S., its a good idea to do what you can to stay out of hospitals and doctors offices, where you might be more likely to pick up the virus. Reduce Close Contact If youre sick, stay home from work and other social situations. Employers should make sure their employees know they can stay home if theyre ill, Steed says. And in general, you should try to avoid people who may be coughing, sneezing, or ill, says Goodman. (If you have to cough or sneeze yourself, be sure to use a tissue or cough into the crook of your elbowand clean your hands right after.) According to the CDC, respiratory viruses are most often spread between people who are 6 feet apart or less, so if youre concerned, thats a safe distance to keep in mind. What's Not Necessary Using masks. The CDC says that mask use isnt necessary for healthy people. Its recommended only for those who are sick themselves and for healthcare workers or others caring for people who have COVID-19. Avoiding public areas. As the spread of coronavirus progresses, it may become necessary at some point for public health officials to close schools or limit public gatherings. But were not there yet, Steed saystheres no call right now to avoid public places. The best ways to protect yourself are still good hand hygiene and the other strategies listed above. More from Consumer Reports: Top pick tires for 2016 Best used cars for $25,000 and less 7 best mattresses for couples Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright 2020, Consumer Reports, Inc. The North Philadelphia house where Jeannine A. Cook and her toddler son, Messiah, used to live was just a shell. It had no running water. There were unfinished walls, rickety steps, no kitchen. She made it work. She would walk to her neighborhood bodega to purchase gallons of water for baths. She used socks in her kerosene lamp during the winter. As a student at the University of the Arts, in 2005, she would bring her son to class. This month, Cook, now 36, realized a dream that comforted her during those difficult years. She opened Harrietts Bookshop in Fishtown and is specializing in women authors. More than a place to buy books, Cook said, Harrietts is a community space for folks to come together, discuss ideas, and debate in a healthy way. Cook designed the store to mirror her own ideal reading conditions. One large bookshelf houses titles by Zadie Smith, Toni Morrison, Ntozake Shange, Zora Neale Hurston, Lorene Carey, and Erica A. Dunbar. Next to it, a stream of incense smoke eases into the air. Near an adjacent wall, a majesty palm sits beside a green sofa. Smaller shelves and fixtures throughout the shop showcase more books. A painted portrait of activist Angela Davis is illuminated by a citrus-scented candle. Its quiet here. Occasionally, recordings of Nina Simones voice fill the space, but on most days, only the sounds of Girard Avenue break the silence. The book display feels a little bit more like a gallery," Cook said. "The smell feels a little bit more like a sanctuary. Im doing what I can to create a space of peace for people in a chaotic world. When Cook was 11 and living in Virginia, her mother went blind. She would listen as Cook and her sisters read out loud, helping her work toward her masters degree in theology from Richmond Virginia Seminary. Through this practice, Cook learned to love books devoutly. She would have us reading these deep, theological books, Cook reminisced. She would have us take turns, either reading or typing up her thoughts. Witnessing their mom accomplish such a feat, we knew she could do anything. And Cook tapped into her mothers determination during her own turbulent times. Before opening the shop, Cook developed curricula on racism and other oppressive structures for many organizations, most recently for the American Friends Service Committee. Naomi Wetmore, who lives around the corner from the shop, came to Harrietts opening celebration and walked out with Amanda Lis Rise Up: Ordinary Kids with Extraordinary Stories in one hand, and her sons grip in the other. She said she bought the book to teach him about activism. Tynetta Brown drove to Harrietts from Wilmington to purchase Hurstons Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick. She said she felt compelled to support Harrietts because [Cook] is brave enough to delve into owning an actual brick-and-mortar bookstore. Opening a bookstore in the age of Amazon isnt quite as risky as it sounds, said Wayne W. Williams, an associate professor at Temple Universitys Fox School of Business. And Cook isnt alone in trying: The number of privately-owned bookstores in the country is up 31% since 2009, according to a recent report from the American Booksellers Association. The challenge with bookstore operations is the ongoing overhead expenses of having a brick and mortar," he said. In order to stay viable, Harrietts will likely have to create plans to diversify its sales, Williams said. Being able to pivot as consumer demands change is also key in sustaining a bookstore. By Cooks account, customers spend $20 to $30 per book; anything in the used books collection is a flat $5. She has already sold out her inventory twice since opening. The shop will also host monthly events like Whiskey Writers Night, where a group of writers will meet and work over a glass of whiskey. On other nights, musicians like percussionists or a cellist might perform. Having a limited inventory is part of Cooks business strategy. It creates a sense of urgency, she said. Part of the appeal is that the store is not overflowing with books," explained Cook. "If you want this book, you better hurry up and come get it before someone else buys it. Philly poet laureate Trapeta B. Mayson came to read at Harrietts opening and said shes eager to partner with the store because of Cooks commitment to her community. People need these sacred spaces, particularly when they are facilitated by someone who will care, not only about the literature, or the business, but also the community, Mayson said. [Cook] is bringing together people from all walks of life. When Cook asked her to participate, she jumped at the chance. Mayson recited four poems to the dozens of patrons who packed the space. How could I not?" Mayson said. We learn to face the wounds of our past, we learn to love ourselves. So I wanted to dedicate that to Jeannine and her bookstore. Video by staff videographer Raishad M. Hardnett. MUSKEGON, MI The search for a man presumed drowned in Lake Michigan has been suspended due to high water and wave action. First responders spent 10 to 12 hours searching for 30-year-old Ramal Roby on Wednesday, Feb. 26, said a spokesman for the Muskegon Police Department. Since they packed up around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, conditions have deteriorated to the point that its unsafe to have searchers in and on the water, he said. Roby, of Muskegon Heights, went missing after he walked onto the ice at Muskegons Pere Marquette beach shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday. A companion called authorities when he failed to return. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter searched about two hours that evening for the missing man when ice extended about 100 to 200 yards into Lake Michigan, authorities have said. By Wednesday, the ice had mostly disappeared, allowing divers from the Michigan State Police and Muskegon County to enter the water to search. A drone was used to search ice caverns and shelves along the shoreline. Other agencies assisting with the search included the Muskegon Fire Department, Muskegon Police Department and the Coast Guard, the spokesman said. All the resources we have have been put toward finding Mr. Roby, he said. The search will resume when conditions allow, he said. Even so, Jeffrey Lewis, public safety director for the city of Muskegon, said officials are planning their next steps. Well continue each and every day with a recovery strategy until Mr. Roby is found, Lewis told MLive. Read more: Stay off the ice, officials warn after presumed Lake Michigan drowning Search continues for man presumed drowned in Lake Michigan Thousands of ice balls are washing ashore along Lake Michigan Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is quoting at Rs 445.65, down 0.7% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The stock jumped 32.02% in last one year as compared to a 7.62% rally in NIFTY and a 5.26% fall in the Nifty Energy index. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd fell for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 445.65, down 0.7% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.54% on the day, quoting at 11615.1. The Sensex is at 39648.31, down 0.6%.Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has eased around 7.34% in last one month.Meanwhile, Nifty Energy index of which Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is a constituent, has eased around 8.62% in last one month and is currently quoting at 14189.7, down 1.06% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 35.28 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 66.71 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark February futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 445, down 0.92% on the day. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd jumped 32.02% in last one year as compared to a 7.62% rally in NIFTY and a 5.26% fall in the Nifty Energy index. The PE of the stock is 13.57 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.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-26 18:50:35|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Journalists watch a live broadcast of a televised speech by Malaysian Interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad outside the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Feb. 26, 2020. Malaysia's interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad broke his silence on Wednesday since resignation, saying that he was willing to return to power if there was sufficient support for him to establish a non-partisan government that only prioritizes the interest of the country. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad broke his silence Wednesday since resignation, saying that he was willing to return to power if there was sufficient support for him to establish a non-partisan government that only prioritizes the interest of the country. In his first public address since resigning on Monday, Mahathir said there were "many reasons" behind his resignation, but specifically brushing off accusations that he was not willing to give up his position and that he being being crazy on power. "To me that power and position is 'a means to an end' or a tool to achieve the objective. And our objective is of course for the good of the country," said the 94-year-old said in a televised speech. He has promised to resign to give an opportunity to the lower house of parliament to pick the one to replace him. "If it's true that I am still supported, I will return. Otherwise I will accept whoever is chosen," he said. Mahathir called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to support him as individuals across party lines to serve the country. Mahathir called on the politics and political parties need to be set aside for now. "If it is allowed, I will try to have a government that is not in favor of any party. Only the interests of the nation will be prioritized," he said. Mahathir led the Pakatan Harapan coalition to power after winning the general elections in May 2018. He abruptly resigned on Monday following rumors of the forming of new ruling collation involves multiple parties. Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah accepted Mahathir's resignation but appointed him as the interim prime minister. The US military has claimed to have eliminated a leader of the Somali jihadist group of Al-Shabab who is reportedly linked to the attack perpetrated last January against the American military base at Manda Bay in Kenya and which killed three American soldiers. The United States Command for Africa (Africom) said in a statement relayed Wednesday by the Kenyan media that the terrorist was killed alongside his wife, who was also a known member of Al-Shabab, during an air strike carried out on Saturday in coordination with the Somali government. The air strike is said to have targeted Saakow, about 320 km west of Mogadishu. The two terrorists were identified as a senior al-Shabaab leader, who was in charge of planning and directing terrorist operations on the Kenya border region, including the recent attack on Manda Bay, and his wife, who also was a witting and active member of al-Shabab responsible for facilitating a wide range of terrorist activities, said Africom in its statement. The Manda Bay base, also known as Camp Simba, is a Kenyan Defense Forces military base that is used by US forces to provide counterterrorism training and support to its African partners in Eastern Africa, respond to crises and protect American interests. Since January 5, Africom and our partners have pursued those responsible for the attack on US and Kenyan forces at Manda Bay, said US Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, Africom commander. This strike demonstrates that we will continue to relentlessly pursue those responsible for Manda Bay and those wishing to do harm to Americans and our African partners. Africom will continue to support Washingtons African and European partners in the fight against al-Shabaab, said Townsend. It is important to impact their ability to threaten peace and security in East Africa, he said. Immediately following the attack in Kenya, the command took swift measures to increase its force protection postures and harden its operating location, including Manda Bay, while simultaneously pursuing the attackers and their network. Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world. In November 2019, after a series of complex attacks targeting Somali bases hosting US forces, al-Shababs leadership publicly identified Americans and US interests worldwide as priority targets. The message mirrored Usama bin Ladens declaration of war on the US in 1996, Africom said. MUMBAI, INDIAWhen Pakistans government unveiled some of the worlds most sweeping rules on internet censorship this month, global internet companies like Facebook, Google and Twitter were expected to comply or face severe penalties including the potential shutdown of their services. Instead, the tech giants banded together and threatened to leave the country and its 70 million internet users in digital darkness. Through a group called the Asia internet Coalition, they wrote a scathing letter to Pakistans prime minister, Imran Khan. In it, the companies warned that the rules as currently written would make it extremely difficult for AIC Members to make their services available to Pakistani users and businesses. Their public rebellion, combined with pressure and lawsuits from local civil libertarians, forced the government to retreat. The law remains on the books, but Pakistani officials pledged this week to review the regulations and undertake an extensive and broad-based consultation process with all relevant segments of civil society and technology companies. Because Pakistan does not have any law of data protection, international internet firms are reluctant to comply with the rules, said Usama Khilji, director of Bolo Bhi, an internet rights organization based in Islamabad, the countrys capital. The standoff over Pakistans digital censorship law, which would give regulators the power to demand the takedown of a wide range of content is the latest skirmish in an escalating global battle. Facebook, Google and other big tech companies, which have long made their own rules about what is allowed on their services, are increasingly tangling with national governments seeking to curtail internet content that they consider harmful, distasteful or simply a threat to their power. India is expected to unveil new censorship guidelines any day now, including a requirement that encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp tell the government how specific messages moved within their networks. The country has also proposed a new data privacy law that would restrict the activities of tech companies while exempting the government from privacy rules. Vietnam passed its own cybersecurity law in 2018, with similar provisions to what Pakistan passed. Singapore recently began using its rules against fake news to go after critics and opposition figures by forcing social networks like Facebook to either take down certain posts or add the governments response to them. The unified resistance by Facebook, Google Twitter and other tech companies in Pakistan is highly unusual. Companies often protest these types of regulations, but they rarely threaten to actually leave a country. Google pulled its search engine out of China in 2010 rather than submit to government censorship of search results, but LinkedIn agreed to self-censor its content when it entered China in 2014 and Apple acceded to Chinese demands to remove apps that customers had used to bypass the countrys Great Firewall. Chinmayi Arun, a fellow at the Information Society Project at Yale Law School, said the collective threat by the tech companies to leave Pakistan was a brilliant new tactic to fight authoritarian policies. If it was just Google threatening this or Facebook threatening this, Pakistan might say go ahead, said Arun, who founded the Center for Communication Governance at National Law University Delhi. Its more risky for the Pakistani government to have all of these services withdraw together. In Pakistan, like much of the world, Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp and YouTube routinely top the charts of most popular apps. Under Pakistans new regulations, formally known as the Citizen Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020, social media services must remove or block content within 24 hours of a request from a newly appointed officer, called the national co-ordinator. Companies must also prevent the livestreaming of any type of content the authorities say is objectionable and label as false anything the government deems to be so. In addition, the companies must open permanent offices in Islamabad and set up servers to store data in the country. Violations of the law are subject to fines of more than three million, with the authorities even empowered to block services entirely. Pakistani officials denied the new regulations were aimed at curbing free speech. Firdous Ashiq Awan, the adviser to the prime minister on information and broadcasting, said in a policy statement this month that the rules were introduced to protect the social, cultural and religious values of the country. She added that under the new laws, action could be taken against those who speak against national institutions and sovereignty a veiled reference to the military. Shahzada Zulfiqar, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, urged the government to rescind the regulations, which were adopted without any warning or public consultation. The new laws will not only cause deterioration of a digital economic future for Pakistan but also decrease freedom of expression, increase censorship and diminish digital rights, he said. The U.S. government also expressed concern about the new restrictions. On Tuesday, the State Department tweeted that they could be a setback to freedom of expression and hamper the development of Pakistans digital economy. Google, Facebook and Twitter declined to comment beyond the letter from the Asia internet Coalition. It is a huge concern that more governments want to take down online content, said Jennifer Daskal, a law professor at American University and faculty director of its Tech, Law, Security Program. So many of the rules end up being used by the government to stifle dissent, or to curate content in ways that are conducive to the governments preferred narratives. Khan rose to power in Pakistan in 2018 partly because of his partys strong presence on social media, a fact he acknowledges in his speeches. But now that he is in charge, he has shown little patience for online criticism. Pakistans powerful military is also averse to debates on social media platforms, especially on Twitter, which is used by critics to question human rights violations and the militarys involvement in politics. Over the past two years, Pakistani government requests for Facebook, Google and Twitter to remove content have increased sharply, according to transparency reports published by the companies. Pakistan disclosed in September that it had blocked more than 900,000 webpages for various reasons, including pornography, blasphemy and sentiments against the state and military. Separately, regulators in Pakistan have proposed requiring online video sites to obtain licenses from the government. There is a strong case to be made that the government is overstepping its authority with the new rules, said Muhammad Aftab Alam, executive director of the Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development, a Pakistani public policy group. This national co-ordinator is judge, jury, regulator and executioner as well, he said. At least two lawsuits challenging the rules have already been brought in Pakistani courts. The main objective of the impugned rules seems to be to control the social media through indirect control by the government and ruling party, read the petition in one case, filed by Raja Ahsan Masood, who asked the court to declare them unconstitutional. Read more about: Western Sydney Wanderers' main supporters group, the Red and Black Bloc, has refused to apologise for a homophobic social media post which used this week's Mardi Gras as a taunt directed at Sydney FC fans ahead of Friday night's A-League derby. The incendiary post, which was made on Wednesday afternoon, said the RBB's intended "takeover" of Sydney's home ground, Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah, would be made easier because of Mardi Gras. The Red and Black Bloc have brought controversy upon themselves yet again with a homophobic social media post. Credit:Getty "In what would be a busy week for most ESFC supporters with Mardi Gras to attend, our takeover of Kogarah is imminent," the RBB's post said. The Wanderers swiftly condemned the comments and asked the RBB to take the post down, which it did late on Wednesday night. But the controversial group stopped well short of issuing an apology for its latest homophobic incident, saying it would have been "misplaced". T o coincide with Pokemon Day, Netflix has released a brand new movie entitled Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the first ever Pokemon video games, Red and Green, which launched in Japan in 1996. Now one of the biggest anime titles and video game franchises in the world, it's no wonder that streaming giant Netflix wanted a slice of the action. But fans - who are used to 2D versions of Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, Misty and Brock - were a little unsure about the new film's "weird" CGI and noted major plot parallels with Pokemon: The First Movie. Mewtwo has been given a vamped-up look in Netflix's new movie (Nintendo) / Netflix One person wrote: "It looks like the exact same story and everything but just in weird CG. Seems like a waste of time and money. Are you telling me they couldn't come up with a new pokemon story to put on Netflix?" And it seemed that others agreed... Not all fans were disappointed by the latest Pokemon movie, though... The first movie was originally released in 1998, raking in a whopping $86 million (almost 66 million) at the time. In the film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama, scientist Dr Fuji created a genetically modified Pokemon, Mewtwo, with disastrous results. While Mewtwo was intended to be a weapon for Giovanni and Team Rocket, things got complicated when the creature befriended the consciousness of Dr Fuji's deceased daughter Amber, referred to as Ambertwo. After Ambertwo and the other cloned Pokemon decomposed and died, Mewtwo becames distressed. Dr Fuji then tranquillised Mewtwo so he forgot his lost friends. The original Pokemon movie was released in 1998 / The Pokemon Company Fast-forward a few years and Mewtwo learned of his origins and decided to hit back at humanity, using his psychic powers to destroy the laboratory in which he was created. Giovanni then seized the opportunity to manipulate Mewtwo and they lured Ash, Misty and the others to New Island in a bid to attack them. The second instalment followed very much the same storyline, as scientists cloned the formidable title character from a fossil so that Team Rocket's boss can weaponise the creature. Pokemon Master-in-training, Ash Ketchum, then tried to convince the distressed animal to forge a positive relationship with humans. A 42-year-old Florida woman, Sarah Boone, has been arrested on second-degree murder charges following her boyfriend's death after being zipped in a suitcase for hours. Upon being arrested, she told detectives she was playing a game of hide-and-seek with her partner Jorge Torrez Jr. on Monday February 24 while drinking alcohol. Boone said they agreed it would be funny if Torrez hopped in a blue suitcase in her home outside Orlando. The suspect who said she passed out after going upstairs while Torres was still in the suitcase, revealed she woke to her cellphone ringing multiple times. She insisted she called 911 after finding her boyfriend who was still in the suitcase "unresponsive and not breathing". The sheriff's office however said Boone's statements have been "inconsistent" as there is a cellphone footage of Torres screaming for help while being taunted by her. She was seen laughing in the video as Torres called out her name, saying he cant breathe. The arrest report said Boone replied on the tape, "That's what you do when you choke me," and when he said he couldn't breathe again she said: "That's on you. Oh, that's what I feel like when you cheat on me." She was also heard telling a pleading Torres to "shut the f--- up". 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 MOUNT HOPE, N.Y., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The sister and widow of murdered National Guard Officer Lt. Louis Allen are closer than ever to winning their 14 year battle for Lt. Allen's Purple Heart. Allen and his commanding officer Captain Phillip Esposito were killed in Iraq on June 8, 2005. Staff Sergeant Alberto Martinez was arrested, tried and acquitted for the murders in spite of submitting a guilty plea. Lt. Louis Allen and his commanding officer Captain Phillip Esposito were killed in Iraq on June 8, 2005 Lt. General John Vines, former commander of the U.S. Army's XVIII Airborne Corps and Multi-National Corps Iraq and Convening Authority for the court-martial, ordered the plea to be rejected. The families were never informed of the guilty plea. The acquittal is something the families cannot overturn, but the classification of Allen's death as Non-Hostile, rendering him ineligible for the Purple Heart, is something his family has been fighting for over a decade. The military has determined these deaths are Non-Hostile. "I strongly disagree with this classification and have been working for years to present this argument in person," says Barbara Allen. The two women have spent years petitioning the military to reclassify the deaths as Hostile. "Not only do we believe this accurately reflects the manner of their deaths," says Sandstrom, "it is what is required to give my brother the appropriate honor he deserves and the legacy his four sons are entitled to see for their father." Now, after years of effort, the women have enlisted the support of a high ranking member of the government who is bringing this fight directly to the Pentagon and has told the women he is determined to see Lt. Allen posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. Today, the Pentagon received a binder of supporting evidence and arguments to reclassify Allen and Esposito's deaths as Hostile. "All we can do now is wait and pray again," says Allen's widow Barbara. "It's not our first rodeo, but I hope it's the last time we are done being trampled on and this time, Lou receives his Purple Heart." Barbara Allen issued this release through American Snippets, the media company she co-founded. Contact: Barbara Allen 845-551-9484 [email protected] Laurene Sandstrom 845-283-4723 [email protected] Related Images lt-louis-allen.jpg Lt. Louis Allen Lt. Louis Allen and his commanding officer Captain Phillip Esposito were killed in Iraq on June 8, 2005 Related Links American Snippets SOURCE American Snippets Related Links https://www.americansnippets.com/ You can also call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk If you have been affected by this story, you can call NAPAC (National Association of People Abused in Childhood) on 0808 801 0331 or visit napac.org.uk Anna Friel appeared alongside David Tait as they discussed her new film Sulphur And White about his childhood abuse on Thursday's This Morning. The city executive, 57, who has raised more than 1million for NSPCC, has bravely documented his life story in the upcoming movie in which Anna plays his mother Joanne. David was abused as a child by his father and a local shopkeeper, his mother once witnessed the abuse and did nothing to prevent it continuing. New film: Anna Friel appeared alongside David Tait as they discussed her new film Sulphur And White about his childhood abuse on Thursday's This Morning He went on to become a high-flying banking CEO and an ambassador and trustee for the NSPCC until his life began to fall apart as he dealt with the trauma of his childhood abuse. David, who at one point contemplated taking his own life, told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: 'I would make many speeches, many people would respond discreetly and quietly in the background to me 'And then I thought, "Okay, Ive raised a lot of money [through charity work], but can I change the fundamental understanding of child abuse if I coughed up, basically?"' David went on to bravely talk about the moment his life began to fall apart after accomplishing several milestones, such as a successful career as a banking CEO and climbing Everest five times. Role: The city executive, 57, who has raised more than 1million for NSPCC, has bravely documented his life story in the upcoming movie in which Anna plays his mother Joanne He said: 'You always want to be number one, you want to be someones number one. And the weird thing that people dont understand, and its incredibly important, at that point in my life where Seth [his son] for instance was born, I realised in that moment that I was second again. 'And having experienced what I have experienced, it was so important to me, that I sort of fell off the rails. And the collateral damage is really obvious. Many people have been left in my wake, as a response to this story. 'Its more or less the untold story. We know what abuse is really, but the viral effect of it is the thing that is not communicated.' Talking about the devastating moment he contemplated taking his own life, he admitted that he is 'still relieved' he didn't go through with it. To which Anna added: 'He ended up leaving a very big tip for the lady in the coffee shop and that alerted her that something was wrong, before he went to the cliff.' Heartbreaking: David was abused as a child by his father and a local shopkeeper, his mother once witnessed the abuse and did nothing to prevent it continuing Important: Marcella star Anna is playing David's mother, Joanne, who once witnessed his childhood abuse and did nothing to prevent it continuing Marcella star Anna is playing David's mother, Joanne, who once witnessed his childhood abuse and did nothing to prevent it continuing. David revealed that Anna had an 'unbelievable likeness' to his mother, he said: 'Anna dressed up as my 54-year-old mother at that time, visiting me in my bank, it was an extraordinary moment for me.' The city executive ensured that he was on set for the entire filming so it could be documented accurately. David admitted that the experience was the most 'beautiful, horrific, humiliating and wonderful two weeks' of his life. Yet instead of Anna feeling pressurised by his presence, the actress admitted that it was a 'relief' having David as a 'wonderful guide'. Life: He went on to become a high-flying banking CEO and an ambassador and trustee for the NSPCC until his life began to fall apart as he dealt with the trauma of his childhood abuse She said: 'It was actually a huge relief so I had him all to myself to be able to say, "Is this right?" He was a wonderful, wonderful guide throughout it. 'I just wanted to make sure it didnt upset you, because your story is so incredible and so brave. And then to watch your life being played out must be psychologically weird.' Anna revealed that as David's mother in the movie, she drives a red Volkswagen Beetle to which the city executive bought it after filming and brought it back to the UK. The star went on to talk about her own experience with motherhood, she has daughter Gracie, 14, with ex David Thewlis. She said: 'Being a mother myself, all you want to do is to protect them and to be in circumstances where youre not given that chance must be torturous. But your story is the most moving I have ever, ever come across.' Emotional: David, who at one point contemplated taking his own life, has bravely shared his life story in the upcoming film Anna revealed that the first thing she asked David was: 'How could your mother not stop this from happening?' David shared that he didn't reconcile with his mother before her death and it's the one thing he is 'most ashamed of'. He said: 'Not fully. If theres one thing in the story that Im personally most ashamed of its the way I treated that woman 'Those two weeks [filming] in South Africa were the most beautiful, horrific, humiliating and at the same time wonderful two weeks of my life, I think.' Through his work with the NSPCC, David has worked closely alongside Countess of Wessex, Sophie. Protective: Anna revealed that the first thing she asked David was: 'How could your mother not stop this from happening?' He watched the film for the first time with her, leaving the royal in tears. He said: 'Yes, remarkable support from her and the charity personally. I was worried that the translation from script to screen would embarrass her on the night and I didnt want that. 'So she had me round, so to speak, we watched it and it was a very profound afternoon. Unbelievable.' Sulphur And White hits cinemas on 6 March 2020 and This Morning continues on weekdays at its new time of 10am on ITV. If you have been affected by this story, you can call NAPAC (National Association of People Abused in Childhood) on 0808 801 0331 or visit napac.org.uk You can also call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk When he was done, the killer locked the door. That simple act helped detectives immediately zero in on Eugenio Farinas as the person who savagely beat his girlfriend, Gladys Jorge, to death inside the South Miami house they shared back in 2003. Seventeen years later, Farinas went on trial Wednesday, accused of murdering Jorge, a 57-year-old city of Miami accountant who had been on the verge of retiring. There is no sign of forced entry. The house was not ransacked, Miami-Dade prosecutor Kim Rivera told jurors during opening statements., adding: He never came home that day. He never went to her funeral. He never came back to that house to retrieve any of his belongings. But Farinas was not charged until 2015, after advancements in DNA testing found his genetic material on bloody items at the crime scene, Rivera said. Jurors, however, heard a different story from Farinas defense team. There were at least three other former lovers who could have been to blame, defense lawyer Brian Kirlew told the jury. One of them was madly in love with Jorge, who had him arrested after he stole her credit card and ran up debt in her name, he said. He showed up at the scene of the murder within hours of the body being discovered, Kirlew said. Kirlew said the DNA results are not precise enough to implicate Farinas, and his genetic material was in the house because he lived there. DNA doesnt prove when it got there, how it got there, Kirlew said. Farinas is elderly now, 76 years old with thick square glasses. He faces life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon. Prosecutors suggested the weapon was a dumbbell found broken inside one of the bedrooms. Jorge was a well-respected financial administrator for the city of Miami. Her daughter, at the time, was an assistant Broward public defender. She had dated Farinas for a couple years. He moved in with her. Jorges sister, Sylvia Ortega, told jurors they had a rocky relationship a comment later stricken from the record because the judge ruled the woman did not directly witness any strife between the two. Story continues Family in 2003 told the Miami Herald that Jorge had wanted him to move out. Jorges mother lived next door and discovered her body on July 15, 2003, inside her South Miami home on the 3900 block of Southwest 61st Avenue. From the start, Miami-Dade homicide detectives targeted Farinas. The killer had locked the door before leaving. Besides Jorges mother, the only person with a spare key was Farinas, the Herald reported in 2003. When Farinas was questioned by Miami-Dade detectives, he gave them the key. Kirlew told jurors that theres no evidence that he had the only other key. The other key clue: Miami-Dade police got a 911 call the morning after Jorge was murdered. The caller said someone might be injured at Jorges house. Investigators traced the call. It came from the law office of Allan Knight, who had represented Farinas in an earlier divorce, the Herald reported in 2003. The judge also ruled against jurors hearing that information. Even though Farinas remained the sole suspect, authorities did not have enough to charge him. It was not until December 2014 that cold-case detectives ordered another analysis of DNA samples taken from bloody socks, underwear and a towel found at the scene, according to police. The trial continues before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Charles Johnson. Subscriber content preview TUKWILA The Boeing Co. has agreed to pay King County $750,000 to address violations of state and federal water quality and pollution control standards at Boeing's Military Delivery Center at 10002 E. Marginal Way S. in Tukwila, according to a press release from Puget Soundkeeper. The settlement was reached on Wednesday with Puget Soundkeeper and Waste Action Project, nonprofits which sued Boeing in federal court to enforce provisions of the federal Clean Water Act, according to Katelyn Kinn, a staff attorney with Soundkeeper. . . . [February 27, 2020] CERAWeek by IHS Markit 2020 Speakers to Include CEOs of BP, Conoco Phillips and Royal Dutch Shell; Chairman of Volkswagen AG; Heads of OPEC and the IEA; Tech Leaders from Amazon, Microsoft and More Energy leaders, experts, government officials and policymakers, as well as leaders from the automotive, environmental, technology financial and industrial sectors, will be among the speakers at CERAWeek by IHS Markit 2020, March 9-13 at the Hilton Americas-Houston. CERAWeek 2020: Waves of Change: Charting the Energy Transition will scan the horizon of the new energy future to examine the changing trends of energy markets and climate policies; the competition of ideas; and how the impacts of government policies, new technologies, investor perspectives, geopolitics and the global economy will shape it all. 2020 marks the 39th anniversary of the event, produced by business information provider IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO). "CERAWeek 2020 and its theme, Waves of Change is about understanding an era of transition that is complex, consequential and reshaping the assumptions and strategies of companies and governments around the world," said Daniel Yergin, conference chair and vice chairman of IHS (News - Alert) Markit. "It is a future that will be shaped by a multitude of nuanced choices to be made amidst an ever-changing blend of geopolitics, technological advances, economic shifts-and the battle of ideas. We are very pleased to welcome this year's distinguished group of speakers to explore and illuminate these important discussions." Technology, innovation and the future of mobility will be areas of particular focus throughout the CERAWeek 2020 program. The CERAWeek Agora will feature a community of thought leaders, technologists, innovators, start-ups, investors, academics, energy companies and government officials and NGOs to explore the intersection of energy and technology and digital transformation that is reshaping industry. The mobility program at CERAWeek will provide specific insights into driverless technologies, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and regulatory issues, among others. Speakers at CERAWeek 2020 will include (partial list): Minister Bento Albuquerque,minister of mines and energy, Brazil H.E. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, secretary general, OPEC Ben van Beurden, CEO, Royal Dutch Shell Dr. Fatih Birol, executive director, International Energy Agency Dan Brouillette, secretary of energy, U.S. Department of Energy Hon. Neil Chatterjee, chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Herbert Diess, chairman of the board of management, Volkswagen AG H.E. Rocio Nahle Garcia, secretary of energy, Mexico Lynn Good, chairman, president and CEO, Duke Energy (News - Alert) Vicki Hollub, president and CEO, Occidental H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, minister of state in the United Arab Emirates, CEO, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Andrew R. Jassy, CEO, Amazon Web Services (News - Alert) (AWS) HE Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, minister of state for energy affairs, president and CEO of Qatar Petroleum Ryan Lance, chairman and CEO, ConocoPhillips Bernard Looney, CEO, BP Hon. Joe Manchin, U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator, State of West Virginia H.E. Eng. Tarek El Molla, minister of petroleum and mineral resources, Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Hon. Lisa Murkowski, chairman, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator, State of Alaska Amin H. Nasser, president and CEO, Saudi Aramco Patrick Pouyanne, chairman and CEO, TOTAL SA David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-executive chairman, Carlyle Group Minister Maria Fernanda Suarez, minister of mines and energy, Colombia Andrew Wheeler, administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Jason Zander, executive vice president, Microsoft (News - Alert) Corporation www.ceraweek.com for a complete list of speakers and the most up-to-date program information (subject to change). CERAWeek by IHS Markit is the premier annual international gathering of energy industry leaders, experts, government officials and policymakers, leaders from the technology, financial and industrial communities - and energy technology innovators. Registration Information CERAWeek 2020 will be held March 9-13 at the Hilton Americas Hotel in Houston, Texas. Further information and delegate registration is available at www.ceraweek.com. Media Accreditation Media registration is now open. Members of the media interested in covering CERAWeek 2020 are required to apply for accreditation. Applications can be submitted via the following link: https://bit.ly/2LoeSGU. About IHS Markit (www.ihsmarkit.com) IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO) is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide. The company delivers next-generation information, analytics and solutions to customers in business, finance and government, improving their operational efficiency and providing deep insights that lead to well-informed, confident decisions. IHS Markit has more than 50,000 business and government customers, including 80 percent of the Fortune Global 500 and the world's leading financial institutions. Headquartered in London, IHS Markit is committed to sustainable, profitable growth. IHS Markit is a registered trademark of IHS Markit Ltd. and/or its affiliates. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners 2020 IHS Markit Ltd. All rights reserved. If you prefer not to receive news releases from IHS Markit, please email [email protected]. To read our privacy policy, click here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005913/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] By Tom Hals and Nate Raymond Feb 27 (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson and other drug companies facing thousands of lawsuits over their role in the opioid epidemic have warned that settlement talks will be "severely" jeopardized if plaintiffs' lawyers are allowed to assess a fee payment worth billions of dollars. Major distributors such as McKesson Corp and drugmakers including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd joined in the request that U.S. District Judge Dan Polster in Cleveland, Ohio, reject a request by a committee of plaintiffs' lawyers for a 7% fee assessed against any settlements. They filed their brief late Wednesday. The request could amount to $3.3 billion, based on a $48 billion settlement proposal disclosed in October that five companies have been negotiating with various state attorneys general. The drug companies noted that the attorneys would receive more money from the settlement than even some of the states they represent. Dozens of state attorneys general also opposed the fee request. The fee would be paid to the so-called plaintiffs executive committee that is litigating thousands of lawsuits by towns, counties and tribal governments that have been consolidated before Polster. The lawsuits accuse the companies of fueling a nationwide opioid crisis that been blamed for 400,000 U.S. overdose deaths since 1999. Many local governments hired private attorneys and will have to carve out of any money received for a separate legal fee, which in some cases will be paid to the same attorneys who sit on the plaintiffs executive committee, or PEC. "The scope of that demand is staggering," the companies said in Wednesday's joint filing. They said the 7% assessment would "give the PEC more money than any city or county in the country, and more than many states." Paul Hanly, a member of the PEC, did not respond to a request for comment. In court filings, PEC lawyers described the fee request as "modest" given the complex litigation. Such a fee, to compensate for lawyers' time and expenses, is a feature of complex nationwide litigation. Story continues The fee request has also met opposition from state attorneys general, who brought their own opioid cases that are not before Polster. In a letter to Polster on Monday, attorneys general from 36 states said plaintiffs' lawyers were wrongly seeking to tax any settlements the states achieve and that the fee request if approved could "irreparably" disrupt global settlement talks. "Everyone understands these attorneys have done a lot of work," New Hampshire Associate Attorney General James Boffetti said. "But it doesn't mean they get a disproportionate windfall." The parties are under pressure to resolve the lawsuits before the start of a March 20 trial in New York. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware and Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by David Gregorio) 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. Nirmala Sitharaman asked the bankers to focus more at the grass-root level New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday asked public sector banks not to overlook the need for personal touch while dealing with customers despite increasing use of technology in banking operations. Unveiling the EASE 3.0, the Public Sector Bank (PSB) Reforms Agenda 2020-21 for smart, tech-enabled banking, she said banks need to connect with their customers by leveraging technology but not exclusively only through the interface of technology. The finance minister asked the bankers to focus more at the grass-root level. "Banks customers do feel at the branch level that they need more access, they need more people to sit and talk to them. If bank branch is not competent to take a call, then the next level has to address the grievances. Sitharaman said branches are "now losing" personal touch which needs to be restored. "I'm going to say things which perhaps don't sound music to our ears, but I''m sure all of us have heard it and therefore want to repeat it because ultimately we also have to introspect on those lines. "Even today, when people come to meet me, they've been voicing worries about how at branch level we can be a bit more friendlier," she said. She further asked the banks to devise a mechanism wherein customers would be given a "sure date" to meet officials to discuss issues. EASE 3.0 seeks to enhance ease of banking in all customer experiences, using technology. The interview began with Mr. Hannity playing a clip of Mr. Bloomberg talking about his stop-and-frisk policy of throwing young men against walls. Thank you for playing that for your millions of viewers, because now more people are going to see who Mike Bloomberg really is, Mr. de Blasio said. The mayors attacks have angered Mr. Bloombergs allies, who have mostly avoided criticizing Mr. de Blasio even during his fleeting run for president last year. That informal policy has clearly ended. Few public officials anywhere are as innovative and clever as Bill de Blasio when it comes to repeated efforts at money laundering, Stu Loeser, a spokesman for Mr. Bloomberg, posted on Twitter, referring to Mr. de Blasios questionable fund-raising practices. Mr. Loeser said it was his decision, not Mr. Bloombergs, to speak out against Mr. de Blasio. If he wants to present himself as an opinion maker to the American people, were going to have to remind people about his full legacy in office, Mr. Loeser said in a phone interview, pointing to a de Blasio donor who pleaded guilty to using campaign contributions as bribes. Mr. de Blasios attacks are a desperate attempt to gain relevance, Mr. Loeser said. Its no secret that Bill de Blasio loves national politics and loves it more than being mayor, he said. The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council approved two more annexation requests from businesses wanting to be absorbed into Baton Rouge following last year's St. George incorporation election, despite objections from organizers of the proposed new city in the southeast corner of the parish. Much of the discussion Wednesday night about the requests centered on the pending lawsuit St. George organizers filed earlier this month seeking to block the city-parish from pulling in any more properties within the proposed boundaries for the controversial new city. Officials with the Parish Attorney's Office and lawyers for groups opposed to the incorporation again argued the council was well within its right to annex properties in the wake of the incorporation election, as long as it meets state and local rules. After some brief discussion, both requests were approved by the Metro Council, with only one objection coming from Councilman Dwight Hudson, whose district primarily falls within the boundaries of the proposed city. Councilmen Chauna Banks, Trae Welch and Chandler Loupe did not attend Wednesday's meeting. The requests approved Wednesday include a combined request from the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana and the Louisiana State Employees Retirement System and a request from Two Sisters of Baton Rouge, off Reiger Road. The latter request was filed by prominent businessman Richard Lipsey, who opposes the St. George incorporation. Lipsey's request also pulls in an unpaved portion of an Interstate 10 right of way along Reiger, creating the connection the city-parish needs to expand its boundaries. "We have no idea what city of St. George will look like, or the services well be able to get," Lipsey told the council during the public hearing for his request. "I want our company to be a part of the city I grew up in and love." The latest annexations follow those of several other businesses located within the United Plaza office complex off Essen Lane that asked to be pulled into the city limits. Metro Council approved those requests Jan. 8. The St. George organizers in a lawsuit have asked a state district court judge to overturn the first batch of annexations the council approved Jan. 8, arguing the city-parish failed to follow proper notification procedures involving annexing a public road: in this case, United Plaza Boulevard. The petitioner used that road to create the contiguous link needed to pull the businesses into Baton Rouge city limits, as Lipsey did with his family's business. That lawsuit, filed Feb. 7, also asks the court to postpone when those annexations and any future ones become effective if the judge rules they are valid until after a ruling is reached in a different lawsuit filed by Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and others who are trying to block the incorporation from moving forward. St. George's organizers challenge several properties' attempt to move into Baton Rouge St. George organizers are suing the Metro Council to reverse its recent annexation of businesses that dont want to be part of the new city vo That lawsuit is expected to take years to play out in the court system, and organizers fear the opposition will use that time to gobble up commercial retail properties in St. George, chipping away at their projected sales tax revenues. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up No hearing date has been set yet for St. George organizers' lawsuit. However, they and city-parish leaders will appear in court March 2 for a hearing on the mayor's lawsuit. Chris Rials, one of the St. George organizers named in both lawsuits, made a brief plea Wednesday for the Metro Council to defer the requests, reiterating the arguments made in their annexation appeal to the court. Despite assurances from attorneys who spoke during the meeting, Hudson echoed statements made by St. George organizers that the city-parish shouldn't act on any annexation requests until after the lawsuit Broome is heading is settled. "I think it puts us in a dangerous situation of possibly facing litigation," he said. "I don't see it being good policy to start annexing areas that may be subject to being in a different city." At the same meeting, the Metro Council also set a public hearing for March 11 to possibly amend the guidelines they adopted for approving tax breaks for industrial projects. Council Pro Tem Scott Wilson wants to revisit the issue less than a week after the state's Board of Commerce and Industry adopted a resolution that allowed companies to appeal their requests for tax exemptions if they are rejected by local governing bodies. The change was pushed by Gov. John Bel Edwards and opposed by Together Louisiana, a grassroots group that fought hard for more stringent standards to Louisiana's largest incentive program. "I'm just trying to get our guidelines to mirror the state's," Wilson said during an interview before Wednesday night's meeting. "We can't be more restrictive than the state. Now, whether I'll have seven votes to do that, we'll see." The new change pretty much tilted the Industrial Tax Exemption Program back toward the state, four years after Edwards overhauled the program to give locals a vote for the first time. The Board of Commerce and Industry, which for decades approved nearly every exemption request it voted on, can override the vote of locals if locals reject an exemption for reasons that "conflict" with the state board's rules. East Baton Rouge school officials revise proposed ITEP tax break rules in response to critics The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on Thursday advanced guidelines for handling requests for industrial tax exemptions after dropping a The Metro Council in Nov. 2018 adopted its own set of guidelines for exemptions, one of which conflicts with the state's more relaxed guidelines. It requires that only new projects and expansions are eligible for tax breaks from the council. Another local rule is that expansions and new construction projects create at least 15 permanent jobs, or 10% of the business's pre-project employment baseline, to get tax cuts. After ExxonMobil was rejected for exemption requests by the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board and Metro Council last year largely because the work was already complete the business community cried out for changes in how the program is handled. Nucor (NYSE:NUE), one of the largest steel companies in North America, has three priorities when it comes to using its cash flow: investing in the business, increasing its dividend, and buying back stock. Right now, Nucor has big spending plans, with over $3.5 billion worth of projects either in the works or on the drawing board. In 2020 alone it will spend $2 billion of that. Here's what Nucor is doing with all that cash, and what it means for investors. It's going to get tight Fiscally speaking, Nucor is a very conservative company. Relative to its closest peers it stands out for its financial strength. To put some numbers on that, its financial debt to EBITDA ratio of roughly 1.6 times is lower than that of any of its U.S. competitors, and its ability to cover interest expenses by 16 times is stronger than any company in that group. Further, the company ended 2019 with $1.8 billion worth of cash and short-term investments, and had a completely untapped line of credit worth $1.5 billion. There's no question that Nucor has the cash it needs to spend heavily on capital projects. That said, with plans to spend roughly $2 billion in 2020 alone, there's going to be a lot of money going out the door over the next year or so. In fact, during Nucor's fourth-quarter 2019 conference call, CFO James Frias addressed this fact head-on, explaining: "And so, we're going to have peak capex over the next two years and then it should taper off based on the projects we've announced and have in our pipeline actively today. And so, we could be slightly cash flow negative over the next two years." That cash flow shortfall will have to be made up somewhere, with the balance sheet the most likely location. Simply put, Nucor's leverage is likely to increase over the next year or two as it builds out its list of projects. It has ample financial strength, so this isn't the end of the world, but it is something that investors need to know going in and watch closely as construction efforts progress. Making the issue a little less worrisome, however, is the fact that the expected cash flow shortfall includes the dividend payment -- so the cash flow shortfall won't be quite as bad as it at first sounds. That said, Frias was clear what the end goal of all of this spending is: "[B]ut over the next five years, we would expect to be strong cash flow positive." In typical Nucor fashion, it is spending on things that it expects to lead to revenue and earnings growth. Notably, however, the steel industry isn't exactly in a great state today, with some peers actually shutting assets down. To get a handle on what Nucor is planning, here's a list of some of its biggest projects and the logic behind each of them. Where the money is going Nucor breaks its investments down into a few categories. The first is investments with logistical advantages. That list includes two reinforcement bar (or "rebar") mills, one in Florida and the other in the Chicago area, for a total cost of $425 million. Rebar, which is used in construction, is a commodity product that is largely bought based on cost. The location of these mills is the key, as they will be near high-demand markets that are currently underserved. Thus, rebar has to be shipped in from other regions. Putting mills closer to the markets will give Nucor a logistical cost advantage over peers. The next big investment bucket is moving up the value chain. While Nucor makes commodity steel (like rebar), it prefers to produce higher-value items for which it can charge premium prices. To that end, it is putting $180 million toward a joint venture in Mexico that will serve auto manufacturers in that country. Steel for cars is increasingly complex as automakers look to reduce weight while still retaining the structural integrity of their vehicles. Mexico, meanwhile, is an important location; lower labor costs have led vehicle production to shift into that nation to meet demand in the United States. The three projects above are expected to come on-line by the end of 2020. However, there's a lot more than that in the works. In 2021 Nucor is expecting two value chain enhancing projects to come on-line worth roughly $925 million. One expands the company's Gallatin plant, allowing it to produce wider and thicker steel gauges. This will permit the company to sell into new markets that it couldn't serve before. The second big project for 2021 is a new galvanizing line in an existing Arkansas facility that will let Nucor to serve regional customers with a premium product that it couldn't offer before in the area. The last big project in the works won't be completed until late 2022 and falls into the final project bucket, a mix of logistical advantage and moving up the value chain. Nucor is spending $1.35 billion -- easily the largest investment here -- to build a new mill in Kentucky to produce steel plate products. There are two things going on with this mill. For starters, it will be a state-of-the-art facility capable of producing a broad range of high-value end products. Secondly, it will be situated close to low-cost transportation and within a region that has high demand for the products it will produce. Of all of the investments here, this one is likely to be the most important to watch based on its size. Worth the risk Although the cyclical U.S. steel industry is working through a weak spot right now, Nucor is still planning to spend heavily over the next couple of years. That's going to result in tighter-than-usual finances for a bit, but it has very specific reasons and expectations for each of its projects. In fact, this type of countercyclical investment is pretty typical of the company, which likes to use downturns to strengthen itself for the future. If history is any guide, it is making the right move despite the expected short-term impact on its cash flow and balance sheet. Dividend investors willing to keep a close eye on their investments might want to take a closer look at Nucor, noting that its 3.3% yield is compelling today and backed by 47 years of consecutive dividend increases. You don't achieve that kind of record by making poor choices with shareholders' cash. So while Wall Street focuses on the big pipeline of investments today, long-term investors should remember that Nucor has successfully used this playbook many times before. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia has issued a statement on commemoration of the anti-Armenian pogroms in Sumgait. The statement reads as follows: "Today we are commemorating the victims of the anti-Armenian pogroms in Sumgait. In the closing days of February, 1988, the Armenian population of Sumgait was subjected to mass killings and atrocities, perpetrated with unspeakable cruelty. The Sumgait pogroms marked the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, when Azerbaijan responded to the peaceful appeal of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination with mass violence and pogroms of Armenians. This in fact also formed the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: to ensure the security of the people of Artsakh through exercise of their right to self-determination. The Sumgait atrocity was the first identity-based mass crime in Europe since the end of the Second World War, and it was followed by better planned new crimes of wider scale in Baku, Kirovabad and occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic - Shahumyan region, parts of Martakert and Martuni regions. Azerbaijani authorities assessment of Sumgait massacre clearly reflects the absence of their willingness to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. For three decades Azerbaijani authorities shifted their assessment tactics - from glorification of perpetrators to blaming victims in organizing the pogroms. Only the absence of will of the Azerbaijani side to take responsibility for massive and grave human rights violations, and their genocidal intent against Armenians remain unchanged. Today we commemorate the victims of the Sumgait massacres with a strong commitment to prevent such crimes against the Armenian people." TOKYO (Reuters) - Chinese steelmakers should cut production to reflect weakening demand from manufacturers amid a coronavirus outbreak as steel inventories climb in the worlds biggest steel producer, the head of Japans steel industry said on Thursday. Chinas crude steel output rose 7.2% in January from a year earlier, despite an extended holiday for Lunar New Year celebrations and curbs to rein in the virus. And stockpiles of rebar, stainless steel and other products have built up dramatically in China after the epidemic stalled many construction projects and kept factories shut for weeks. We are aware that the steel stockpile in China is rapidly rising, said Yoshihisa Kitano, the chairman of the Japan Iron and Steel Federation. We want to warn that Chinese steelmills should adjust their output to reflect declining manufacturing activities, he told a news conference. Kitano, who is also president of JFE Steel, a unit of JFE Holdings (5411.T), said his company has cut its shipments of automotive steel as Japanese automakers slowed output in China, as well as in Japan, due to lack of auto parts made in China. But Japanese steelmakers are seeing no impacts yet on their exports to Southeast Asia, he added. By PTI NEW DELHI: A team of CBI officials on Thursday brought back a toddler who was taken to Dubai by her defiant father in an alleged violation of Delhi High Court order. Three-year-old Raina was taken away by her father Aman Lohia amid a custody battle with his wife Kiran Kaur Lohia and directives of the Delhi High Court to not leave the country, officials said. On the directions of the Supreme Court, a team of CBI officials had gone to Dubai where it coordinated with local authorities to ensure safe return of the three-year old girl and her father to Delhi. The agency has informed the apex court about its compliance action and will produce the child before it on Friday, the officials said. The child is in the care of the agency, they said. The high court had granted the girl's custody to the mother with a parenting plan according to which Aman could meet Raina for some hours on three days a week. The court had also asked him to deposit his passport, which he did, the officials said. On August 24 last year, when the girl had come to meet Aman as per the parenting plan, he took her, along with family confidant Pawan Kumar and maid Shiuratia Debi, to Dubai using a circuitous route via Nepal and other gulf countries. He used a passport of the Commonwealth of Dominica, a Caribbean country. Considering "international ramification", the Delhi High Court had handed over the probe to the CBI which had registered a case. The matter had reached the Supreme Court through a petition filed against a high court order. Advertisement Photographs of the day-to-day lives of allied airmen during the Second World War have been remastered and brought to life in stunning colour. Striking 80-year-old images show an American mechanic balancing himself on shells while loading a 500lb bomb mid air; tense RAF paratroopers bracing themselves in the body of an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley aircraft; and a wounded US gunner being hauled out of the cockpit after suffering mid-flight injuries. Another incredible photo shows a concerned crowd gathering around the wreckage of a Spitfire. An undated photo shows an American mechanic working on the tail fuse of a AN-M64 'Carpetbagger' general purpose 500lb bomb in the forward bomb bay of a Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The B-29 could carry 32 x 500lb GP Bombs. In all more than 40,000 US airmen died in combat during World War II Gunner Kenneth Bratton USNR is pulled out of the gun turret of Air Group Commander Henry H. Caldwell's Avenger Torpedo Bomber by Lt Julius 'Julie' Bescos, after a raid on Rabaul, Papua New Guinea on 5 November, 1943. The US manufactured 270,000 aircraft for the WWII war effort, and 23,000 of them were lost in combat. Sgt Harold E Rogers from Miami, Oklahoma, poses with his dog mascot 'Mister', half chow and half police hound, in the waist gun position of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed 'Un Petit Peu' of the 401st Bomb Group, US Army 8th Air Force, just before a bombing mission over Germany The colourisations were brought to life by colourist, Jake Laerbergh, from Deventer in the Netherlands. 'I am always amazed, and even a little angry, by how little today's youngsters know about World War Two - and some adults too,' said Jake. 'Our country was occupied and then liberated at huge cost and these actions need to be remembered. 'Too many kids know very little about our history and it's not something that's high on the lists of schools nowadays. So, I thought, 'what if we make it more appealing for them, more attractive and real?'. The crew of B-17G 'Bolo Babe' (42-102601) of the 546th Bomb Squadron, 384th BG, pose on top of their plane after a crash landing in France. Bolo Babe crash-landed near Moyeuvre-Grande, West of Thionville, France after she lost an engine and her electrical system during a mission to attack a BMW plant in Ludwigshafen Germany, 9 September, 1944. The entire crew returned to the UK by C-47 and returned to flight status on 13 September, 1944. As well as the 23,000 US planes lost in combat, a further 20,000 were lost to other crashes across the world. RAF paratroopers are pictured inside the fuselage of an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley aircraft during training at RAF Ringway, August 1942 Diving into D-Day: This image from 5 June, 1944, entitled the Final Embarkation, shows four 'stick' commanders of 22nd Independent Parachute Company, British 6th Airborne Division, synchronising watches in front of an Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle of 295th Squadron, No 38 Group, Royal Air Force, at about 11.30pm on the 5 June, just prior to take off from RAF Harwell, Oxfordshire 'Not the usual black and white stuff, no computer games which tell an inaccurate story, just real stories with real photos in colour which are as close to reality as humanly possible. 'History is all about colour, you know. 'The skies were just as blue back then as they are now. 'I'd like to see how these significant events actually were and want come as close as I can with my colour impressions. 'It's highly addictive. Once I start on an image I can't stop anymore. Especially when I put the first flesh tones in there.' American Troops of the 101st Airborne Division relax beside their decorated CG-4 Waco glider before the take-off for the assault on Holland Leading Aircraftman RP Coulson removes the guns from a Canadian (RCAF) Spitfire which was heavily damaged while on the ground at Grave, Holland, in March 1945 when a Luftwaffe plane dropped a fragmentation bomb in a hit-and-run raid A 'dusty' Grumman TBM Avenger aircraft undergoing maintenance. Aviation ordnance men service the .50 caliber machine guns including the plane's turret gun, circa 1944-45 American Airborne Troops of the 101st Airborne Division (probably 501 PIR) that landed behind the German lines in the south of the Netherlands examine what is left of one of the gliders that had 'cracked up' on 18 September, 1944. The crash included fatalities The first major attacks in World War II were made by German aircraft in the takeover of countries like Denmark, Poland, and the Netherlands. Later, Germany would attempt to destroy England's Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain. During this battle, German planes dropped thousands of bombs on England for over three months. The Allies later countered with a major air and amphibious attack on D-Day during the Invasion of Normandy. They launched around 14,000 sorties in one day. Paratroopers of the 22 Independent Parachute Company, British 6 Airborne Division, with their toy mascot 'Pegasus' at RAF Harwell, 5 June, 1944 Pictured is an image of a Consolidated Liberator V Mark IV of RAF 70th squadron that was hit in friendly fire during a daylight raid on the shipbuilding yards of Monfalcone, Trieste, Italy, in 1945 .Although the bombs had not fallen far enough to become 'live', the perspex of Pilot Wally Lewis's mid-upper turret was completely ripped away. Lewis later described the incident: 'I was looking up and saw a bomb leave an aircraft above us. I saw it getting bigger and bigger as it came towards us. The next thing I realised was that the fuselage had been hit near the flight deck and I seemed to be pushed down in front of my seat. A party of riggers working on the tailplane of a Supermarine Spitfire of No. 601 Squadron RAF at Lentini West, September 1943, Sicily, Italy. It was taken days after the successful completion of Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of the Italian island which repelled the Nazi and fascist Italian forces over six weeks from July 1943. around 5,500 Allied and 9,000 Axis troops died in the operation. There were also major air battles in the Pacific during World War II. The first major attack was when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour in 1941. Later, aircraft played an important role during the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Battle of Midway, and the Battle of Guadalcanal. The final blow in the war was also struck by aircraft when atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Well over 75,000 planes were blown out of the sky during the war with countless fatalities. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 22:57:01|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Hu Chunhua, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for efforts to win the country's battle against poverty while containing the novel coronavirus outbreak. Hu, also chief of the State Council leading group of poverty alleviation and development, made the remarks Thursday at a teleconference on anti-poverty work amid the epidemic. Amid unremitting efforts of epidemic control, the battle against poverty must be won resolutely, Hu said, underlining that local governments should implement differentiated epidemic control measures based on local health risks. Regions with relatively low risks should fast-track the work of poverty reduction while focusing on forestalling imported virus cases, while hard-hit areas should resume the work of poverty alleviation in an orderly manner based on the local situation, he said. Hu also urged prioritizing poverty-stricken labor force in recruitment, supporting the work resumption of poverty-relief industries and providing aids to people falling into or back to poverty due to the epidemic. More efforts should be made to complete the task as scheduled of meeting the needs of poor populations in terms of compulsory education, basic medical care, safe housing and drinking water, he said. Chinese naval fleet wraps up far sea exercise deep in Pacific Ocean Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Source:Global Times Published: 2020/2/26 17:09:11 A far sea joint training fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy returned to base after sailing 14,000 nautical miles and crossing the International Date Line deep into the Pacific Ocean for the first time, a move that challenges US hegemony in the open waters and will become increasingly frequent in the future, experts said on Wednesday. The fleet successfully completed the 41-day training mission on Tuesday, in which the warships conducted more than 30 training subjects, including live-ammunition fire of main and secondary guns, missiles, wartime replenishment and far sea comprehensive rescue, according to a statement the PLA Southern Theater Command released on Wednesday. Many of the subjects were new and conducted in previously unfamiliar waters, and involved multiple military branches, the China Central Television reported. This year's exercise was significantly longer than the far sea exercise of the previous year, which took 34 days and sailed 10,000 nautical miles, the PLA's website 81.cn reported. During the exercise, the fleet crossed through the International Date Line in a combat-ready state, the PLA Daily reported. The line runs through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, separating it into western and eastern parts, with China in the west and US in the east. This is the first time a Chinese fleet has done this in recent years, the PLA Daily said. "Crossing the International Date Line means the Chinese Navy is active not only in the western Pacific Ocean, and it will gradually go deeper from now on into the central and eastern Pacific," Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday. The US has always thought of itself as a major influence in these open waters and usually does not want foreign warships to enter them, but the Chinese fleet will break this conventional thinking and hegemony, Li said, noting that the Chinese Navy will sail more frequently and farther, even into the Atlantic Ocean in the future. The far sea joint exercise is a regular arrangement according to the fleet's annual schedule, and is in line with related international laws and practice, the PLA Southern Theater Command said in the statement. According to previous reports, the fleet featured warships including the guided missile destroyer Hohhot, guided missile frigate Xianning, electronic surveillance ship Tianshuxing and replenishment ship Chaganhu. Li said that while Hohhot and Xianning are the main combatants, Tianshuxing is capable of gathering intelligence at sea, building a multidimensional surveillance web together with satellites and surveillance aircraft, giving more combat support to the fleet. Chaganhu can ensure the fleet's logistical support without having to stop at a foreign port, Li said, noting that its large capacity means it could also accompany large warships such as aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships into the far sea in the future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address YEREVAN. Given the current state of the spread of the new coronavirus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Armenia urges Armenian citizens to temporarily avoid visits to Iran, China, Japan, South Korea and Italy (especially the northern regions), unless strictly necessary. The MFA has issued a statement in this regard. The statement also notes that in case of being in or visiting these countries, the MFA urges to follow the respective instructions and advice by the Ministry of Health of Armenia, or the relevant authorities of those countries and, if necessary, to contact the Armenian embassies. A human rights group says a well-known Chechen blogger has been assaulted in his apartment in a European country where he lives in hiding, the latest attack in Europe on critics of the leadership in Russia's North Caucasus region. Tumso Abdurakhmanov was resting in a hospital on February 27 following the attack, according to the Swedish-based Vayfond Charity and Human Rights Association -- a nongovernmental organization that says it aims to protect the rights of Chechens and to seek justice for Chechens and other ethnic groups in Russia's North Caucasus region who are persecuted for "religious and political reasons." According to Vayfond, the assailant broke into Abdurakhmanov's apartment the afternoon of February 26 while he was sleeping and assaulted him with a hammer. Abdurakhmanov eventually managed to overpower the attacker and called the police. Abdurakhmanov, who had to flee Russia's North Caucasus region of Chechnya several years ago fearing for his safety after becoming known for his criticism of the Kremlin-backed authorities in his native region, posted a video on YouTube where the attacker admits he is from Moscow and says that he was asked by a person named Abdurakhman in the Chechen capital, Grozny, "to scare" Abdurakhmanov. "Who sent you? Where have you come from?" Abdurakhmanov asks in the video, which was taken down by YouTube several hours after it was posted. Abdurakhmanov then shows a hammer that he says was used by the man in the attack. As the injured man lay on the ground, he says in the grainy video that he came from Moscow and that "they have my mother." Rights groups say Kremlin-backed Ramzan Kadyrov, who has ruled the volatile region since 2007, uses repressive measures and has created a climate of impunity for security forces in the region. They claim Kadyrov is ultimately responsible for the violence and intimidation of political opponents by Chechen authorities, including kidnappings, forced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Since fleeing Chechnya in 2015, the 32-year-old Abdurakhmanov has been unsuccessful in his attempts to be granted asylum in Europe. He has twice filed for asylum in Poland and has been turned down once already, despite strong support from human rights activists such as Amnesty International, which has warned he is "at a very real risk of torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment" if returned to Russia. Still, Abdurakhmanov has continued to criticize the Kadyrov regime, focusing on human rights violations and corruption in Chechnya, a predominantly Muslim region in Russia's North Caucasus. His YouTube channel has more than 140,000 subscribers. Vayfond did not say where Abdurakhmanov was currently living, or where the attack occurred. The Moscow-based Memorial Human Rights Center noted in a statement on February 27 that critics of Kadyrov were increasingly coming under attack. "Numerous killings and attempted killings in Moscow, Russia's other regions, Turkey, Ukraine, and in the countries of Western and Central Europe, have been conducted by killers sent from Chechnya...Ramzan Kadyrov, under the Kremlin's passive eye, has publicly called on cracking down on critics of the Chechen authorities 'by killing, placing behind bars, and doing anything you want,'" the statement said. According to Memorial, the chairman of the Chechen parliament and Kadyrov's close associate, Magomed Daudov, in March 2019 declared a blood feud with Abdurakhmanov, after which Chechen authorities allegedly tried to find killers among the Chechen diaspora in Europe to carry out attacks against critics of the regime. "Now an attempt to kill was carried out, but fortunately it failed. We hope that the authorities of the country where it took place will be capable of investigating this crime and establishing who is behind it, although it is obvious anyway," the statement says. Earlier in February, Abdurakhmanov was one of the sources giving detailed information about the killing of another exiled blogger from Chechnya, Imran Aliyev, in France. In August last year, Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a Georgian citizen of Chechen origin, was shot dead in broad daylight in central Berlin. Khangoshvili had fought in the second Chechen war against Russian forces in the early 2000s. The investigative journalism group Bellingcat said earlier this month that a probe into Khangoshvili's killing showed that the attack was planned and organized by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). The case has sparked a political dispute between Berlin and Moscow -- including tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats -- after Germany noted evidence suggested either the Russian government or authorities in Chechnya likely ordered the killing. Moscow denies the allegations. A suspect who'd traveled to Germany on a Russian passport issued in the name of Vadim Sokolov was detained by police in Berlin shortly after the killing. He is now on trial in a German court on charges of murder and weapons violations. In December, Bellingcat identified him as Vadim Krasikov -- a man also suspected in the 2013 killing in Moscow of a Russian businessman. He also has to forfeit 25 properties in Oregon and California and more than $16 million in Tesla stock. Here's how much time he'll serve. The Calcutta High Court said on Thursday that it will hear on March 18 a bunch of petitions filed by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung seeking anticipatory bail in criminal cases lodged against him by the police during the Gorkhaland agitation in 2017. A division bench comprising justices Joymalya Bagchi and M Mandal adjourned hearing in the matters, which were fixed for arguments on Thursday, on a request by the West Bengal government. Public prosecutor Saswata Gopal Mukherjee told the court that Advocate General Kishore Dutta was not available for appearing before the court and prayed for an adjournment of the hearing. Gurung moved anticipatory bail prayers before the high court in connection with over 150 cases filed against him during the statehood agitation by the GJM in 2017. Appearing for Gurung, lawyers Y J Dastur and Phiroze Edulji told the court that more than 500 anticipatory bail prayers of several other accused persons and related to cases against Gurung, are pending before the Darjeeling district sessions court. They submitted that the sessions court has adjourned hearing in the petitions owing to the pendency of Gurung's petitions before the high court. The cases were filed against them by the West Bengal police over incidents of violence during the statehood agitation. The division bench had taken up hearing in the anticipatory bail applications of the GJM leaders at the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court in August, 2019. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former President Barack Obama speaks to guests at the Obama Foundation Summit on the campus of the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago on Oct. 29, 2019. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Obama Tells Networks to Stop Running Ad Using His Words to Attack Biden Former President Barack Obama plans to send a cease-and-desist letter to television stations in South Carolina if the stations dont stop running an advertisement that uses some of his words to attack Joe Biden, the vice president during the Obama administration. The ad comes from a super political action committee (PAC) called the Committee to Defend the President. It started airing this week in South Carolina ahead of the Feb. 29 Democratic primary. The ad quotes from Obamas 1995 memoir, Dreams of My Father, in attacking Biden. Joe Biden promised to help our community. It was a lie. Heres President Obama, a narrator says at the opening of the 30-second video, before Obama is heard reading from his book. A spokeswoman for Obama alleged that the former presidents words were twisted. This despicable ad is straight out of the Republican disinformation playbook, and its clearly designed to suppress turnout among minority voters in South Carolina by taking President Obamas voice out of context and twisting his words to mislead viewers, Katie Hill, the spokeswoman, said in a statement sent to news outlets. She said television stations should stop running the ad in the interest of truth in advertising and to stop playing into the hands of bad actors who seek to sow division and confusion among the electorate. Bidens campaign also criticized the ad. A campaign spokesman said in a statement to outlets that the ad showed President Donald Trump and his allies are absolutely terrified that Biden might win the Democratic nomination. Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event in Charleston, S.C., on Feb. 26, 2020. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo) This latest intervention in the Democratic primary is one of the most desperate yet, a despicable torrent of misinformation by the presidents lackeys. It spotlights yet again what weve all known for a very long time: Joe Biden will win this battle for the soul of our nation, he said. In a statement sent to outlets, a spokesman for the super PAC said it has a long history of taking on Joe Biden, beyond Nevada and South Carolina. President Obama made a point in his book about Democrats paying lip-service to the African American community, and we believe his point applies perfectly to Joe Biden, the spokesman said. It took President Trump to lower black unemployment and create jobs for the African American community, in addition to passing criminal justice reform. Joe Biden, on the other hand, is simply giving lip-service for votes. Thats the point President Obama made in his book, and we have every right to use his own wordsin his own voicein the political forum. Obamas likeness has been used by some of Bidens Democratic rivals, including former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The former president hasnt yet asked any of those contenders to pull those ads. Obama hasnt endorsed any candidate. President Obama has several friends in this race, including, of course, his own esteemed vice president, Hill, Obamas spokeswoman, said in her statement. He has said he has no plans to endorse in the primary because he believes that in order for Democrats to be successful this fall, voters must choose their nominee. India on Thursday brought back 112 people from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan and another group of 124 from Tokyo who were on board a cruise ship infected by the deadly virus. A C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft of Indian Air Force evacuated 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals from Wuhan while an flight brought back the group of 124 people from Tokyo. The foreign evacuated from Wuhan included 23 from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and Maldives and one each from South Africa, USA and Madagascar. Besides 119 Indians, the people evacuated from included two from Sri Lanka and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru. The group was among 3,711 people who were on board the coronavirus-infected Diamond Princess ship when it docked at the Yokohama port near Tokyo on February 3. "In line with India's neighbourhood first policy and Indo-Pacific vision, the special flight also evacuated five foreign nationals -- two Sri Lankans, one Nepalese, one South African and one Peruvian," the External Affairs Ministry said. Three Indian crew members didn't board the flight as they conveyed their wish to continue their stay on-board the cruise ship to complete the period of extended quarantine put in place by the Japanese government. Out of the total 138 Indian nationals originally on-board Diamond Princess, 16 Indian crew members have tested positive for and are receiving medical care at an onshore medical facility in All the evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at the facility set up by the Indian Army in Manesar. India sent the C-17 Globemaster to Wuhan on Wednesday and it carried 15 tonnes of medical supplies for coronavirus-affected people in On its return, the aircraft brought back 112 people including 23 citizens from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives and one each from South Africa, the US and Madagascar. Earlier, India had evacuated around 650 Indians from Wuhan in two flights. "In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, in these three flights," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. On the medical supplies delivered by India to China, the MEA said they will help augment the country's efforts to control the outbreak which has been declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. "The assistance is also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year," it said. A man will spend up to 25 years in prison after he was found with more than 100 images of child porn on his cell phone during a meeting with his parole officer. Kevin Yorgey, 50, was sentenced to 12 and a half to 25 years in prison by Lancaster County Judge Thomas Sponaugle as part of a plea agreement, according to a news release from the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office. Per that deal, Yorgey pleaded guilty to felony counts of possession of child pornography and criminal use of a cell phone. Yorgey was found with more than 100 images of child pornography on a cellphone he brought to a meeting with his parole officer on Jan. 23, 2019. During an interview after the phone was seized, Yorgey said that he has a problem and that he downloaded the images onto the phone, according to the release. The incident marks Yorgeys second conviction for having child pornography. His first conviction required that he register certain information, including his cell phones, with the state parole department. 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 Syrian army is continuing to push deeper into Idleb, as it attempts to secure the Aleppo-Lattakia M4 Highway reports Al-Masdar. The Syrian Arab Army continued their rapid advance into central Idleb this evening, as their forces captured more ground in the Jabal al-Zawiya region of this northwestern Syrian governorate. According to the latest report from this front, the Syrian Arab Army captured the town of Hawrat and its surrounding points after the jihadist rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham put up little fight to defend the area. The Syrian Arab Army is now pushing deeper into central Idleb in an effort to reach the southern part of the Aleppo-Lattakia M4 Highway. At the same time, the Syrian military forces in eastern Idleb are attempting to fend off another attack from the jihadist rebels and their Turkish-backed allies, as they attempt to capture the strategic city of Saraqeb along the Aleppo-Damascus M5 Highway. 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. Guineans in Conakry walk in front of posters advertising the Referendum (AFP or licensors) The Archbishop of Conakry exhorts the people and the political authorities of the Republic of Guinea put an end to "useless conflicts" as the country heads to the polls. By Linda Bordoni On Sunday, 1 March, citizens of the Republic of Guinea are called to cast their ballots in a double round of elections: a parliamentary vote and a referendum on the reform of the Constitution. The referendum aims to remove the limit of two presidential terms for the Head of State, thus opening the possibility of a third nomination for President Alpha Conde. In the run-up to the vote, widespread demonstrations against the new Constitution have turned violent with security forces using tear gas, riot gear and even firearms against protesters. More than 30 people have been killed and dozens injured. The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution made up of opposition parties, trade unions and members of civil society has asked the people to boycott the Referendum and called for new demonstrations on February 27. The Catholic Church The Catholic Church meanwhile has been increasingly vocal in calling for calm and dialogue. On the Sunday preceding the vote, Archbishop Vincent Coulibaly of Conakry, invited all actors in society to nurture dialogue and prevent Guinea from "sinking into fruitless confrontations." Speaking on the closing day of a Diocesan Youth Day celebration, he said, "We cannot overlook the role of young people, because of their numerical importance, their vulnerability in situations of conflict, their fragility, and permeability to violent rhetoric." He exhorted the faithful, all men and women of goodwill and the institutions to pursue peaceful confrontation, putting an end to "useless conflicts." Socio-political situation Alpha Conde became Guinea's first democratically elected leader in 2010, but his critics accuse him of becoming increasingly authoritarian and of wanting to use a constitution change to run for a third term. He claims the 2010 Constitution needs modernising. The West African nation is rich with natural resources including the world's largest bauxite reserves, gold, diamond, and iron ore. But investments have stalled due to political instability and a lack of infrastructure and most of its 13 million people live in poverty. A group of international observers who had been due to monitor Sunday's vote has questioned the credibility of the vote and suspended its support of the ballot. A Laois secondary school where 100 students are going to northern Italy in a fortnight, is "watching the situation" for Coronavirus in Italy. Transition Year students at St Mary's CBS in Portlaoise are preparing to fly out on their long awaited trip on Friday March 13, in two weeks. The Principal is Maura Murphy. "We are watching the situation. It is very concerning, we are keeping a very close eye on it. Even in three days the situation can change," she told the Leinster Express. "We are going to Northern Italy but it is not one of the regions named by the Department. It is in Artesina near the French border. However we are landing in Milan airport," she said. "The students have been saving and paying off their trip for the last year and a half," she said. If it is cancelled the students may be at the loss of the cost. "All the insurance is done through travel agent, but nobody gets compensation unless the Department of Health names the area as a no go zone," the principal said. She said a similar quandry was faced during the Ebola outbreak. "A few years ago we were going on the Zambia trip during the ebola outbreak. We were going to a different area but with planes there was a risk. It came to holding a meeting with all the parents who made the decision to go," Ms Murphy said. The Department of Foreign Affairs latest advice from Italy this Thursday February 27 is as follows: "There has been an increase in the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Italy. As a result, the Italian government has isolated the towns of Codogno, Castiglione dAdda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano (which are in Lombardy) and Vo (which is in Veneto). These towns constitute the red zone. For the moment, therefore, we advise citizens not to travel to these towns. In a wider area comprising Lombardy and Veneto, as well as Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont, certain public services, tourist attractions, bars, restaurants and/or cultural events etc. may be curtailed depending on decisions taken by local authorities. Please bear this in mind before travelling. There are no flight restrictions between Ireland and Italy at present." A Laois primary school is among the first to issue COVID-19 Coronavirus advice to parents. Read that story here. Kolkata, Feb 27 : Ahead of the civic polls, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday asked the State Election Commission to ensure a level playing field, initiate steps to "dispel fears and impressions" that it is an "extension" of the government and prevent the "widespread violence" seen during the 2018 Panchayat polls. Dhankhar had summoned State Election Commissioner Saurabh Kumar Das to Raj Bhavan for an update to ensure "peaceful, orderly and fair polls" in the upcoming local elections. A Raj Bhavan statement said the Governor asked Das to flag the issue to police and administrative authorities that any "partisan approach would invite exemplary consequences". "Adverting to the inputs he has received, Dhankhar called upon State Election Commissioner Saurabh Kumar Das to ensure level playing field to all as it is fundamental and non-negotiable," it said. "The State Election Commission must take all steps to dispel fears and impressions that it is an extension of the Government and must engage in dialogue with all stake holders," the statement quoted Dhankhar as saying. Das informed the Governor that the commission will meet the district magistrates on March 4 and by second week of March, the Grievance Management System would be in place. Dhankhar emphasised that State Election Commission was a constitutional body and obligated to ensure free and fair elections where voters exercise their valuable right of vote freely. "Dhankhar indicated to Das that all steps need to be taken to ensure there was no violence and kind of scenario noticed in the Panchayat elections held in May 2018. The polls then were reportedly hit with widespread violence," the statement said. The Governor requested the Election Commissioner to update him on the steps taken to ensure free and fair polls and underlined that constitutionally it has all the powers that Election Commission of India has under the Constitution's Article 324. "This power (under Article 243K of the Constitution) invests it with the authority and competence to ensure that one party doesn't have an undue advantage over another just because it is in power," he said. Dhankhar also told Das to bear in mind that the SEC "like the Election Commission of India is the de facto boss of the bureaucracy" and may in required situations take recourse even to transferring officials in the interest of ensuring fair and peaceful polls, the statement said. "A prior engagement with the administrative and police heads concerned would be wholesome and productive," the Governor told Das. "He expressed the hope that timely precautionary steps by the State Election Commissioner would prevent unwholesome scenario and instil confidence in the electorate," the statement added. The Mexican government on Tuesday delivered to Nigeria an ancient Ife bronze sculpture seized by customs agents at Benito Juarez International Airport, Mexico City. The Mexican officials said it was intended to be delivered by mail before it was intercepted at the airport just as its buyer tried to bring it into Mexico. The sculpture, which dates back to sixth century Ife, is that of a man wearing woven pants and a hat, sitting with his legs crossed and holding an instrument. The Mexican government revealed this on its official website, adding that they have handed it over. The recovery comes on the heels of the federal governments resolve to use all legal and diplomatic instruments to demand the return of Nigerias stolen artefacts and cultural materials worldwide. The recovery was announced by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) of the Secretariat of Culture, through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the Embassy of Nigeria in Mexico and the Central Administration of Customs Operation. A Nigerian treasure Specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History determined that it was a piece of Yoruba origin, Diego Prieto, head of the agency, told a press conference. At the delivery ceremony, held at the headquarters of the Mexican Foreign Ministry, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Julian Ventura, said Mexico and Nigeria are multiethnic and multilingual nations, therefore, they are engaged in the fight against theft, robbery, and looting of cultural goods. READ ALSO: They said the immediate detection of the sculpture and its subsequent authentication, as well as the conductive diplomatic efforts, have allowed the restoration of this cultural good to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Julian Ventura, and the Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Aminu Iyawa, highlighted the struggle of both countries against the illicit traffic in cultural property The official said the Mexican Government is also promoting legal measures, within the framework of the UNESCO Convention on the subject (1970), and seeks to strengthen the current international legal framework, being a task to which we wish to add a growing number of international partners, and where civil society and the private sector can play a leading role. In his remarks, the Nigerian ambassador to Mexico, Aminu Iyawa, said the restitution of the sculpture to Nigeria is an action that adds to the global call to return the heritage legacy that was once expelled to their countries of origin, many of them with a colonialist past like Nigeria and Mexico. Mr Iyawa said despite subscribing to the Convention on the measures to be taken to prohibit and prevent the import, export, and transfer of illicit property of cultural property, most countries still do not return these valuable objects of culture to their peoples of origin. He highlighted the work of the INAH specialist Raffaela Cedraschi, who intervened in the review and analysis of the piece, determining that it is an important cultural asset for the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Belgium still owes Nigeria In a related development, The United Kingdom recently offered to assist Nigeria in retrieving the Ife Bronze Head, an antiquity stolen at National museum, Jos in 1987. It was found with a Belgian collector in London, about thirty years after. The British Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, Helen Whately, NP made the pledge in London when the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed paid her a visit in her office. Mr Mohammed explained that the matter dated back to 1987, specifically, on January 14, when the National Museum in Jos was burgled and several valuable objects of art and artefacts were stolen. He said the antiquity surfaced almost 30 years later in the UK when a Belgian vendor came forward asking for it to be evaluated. The auction house notified the UK Metropolitan Police who in turn notified, UNESCO and the Nigerian Permanent Representative in the commission. Mr Mohammed said the Belgian authority claimed that they were not a party to the UNESCO Convention at the time the item was bought by their citizen. Advertisements The minister said the Belgian collector is asking for 5 million Euros for an object that he said he purchased for 240 Euros. Our position is that he is not a buyer in good faith and he is not just an ordinary buyer but a collector with a very impressive collection bigger than most museums, he said. Onto some cheering news, an Ife bronze cockerel statue donated to Jesus College, U.K, by the father of a student in 1905, is to be returned to Nigeria. The Okukor, which the college described as a royal ancestral heirloom, will be one of the first Benin bronzes to be returned to Nigeria by a major British institution. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) Upon the wish of President Rodrigo Duterte, ABS-CBN says it is donating the 2.6 million refund that the network was supposed to pay to him for unaired political advertisements during the 2016 elections. "We will coordinate with the President's office as it relates to his guidance on donating the refund to a charitable institution," the embattled ABS-CBN network said in a statement on Thursday. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a media briefing said there is no need for guidance. "Just donate it to your favorite charitable organization," he said, addressing the station. ABS-CBN said it is "grateful and humbled" that the President accepted the apology they made during a congressional hearing. During a legislative inquiry into the network's franchise woes, ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak publicly apologized for "offending" Duterte when it aired an advertisement that questioned if a tough-talking, cursing politician would be a good fit for president. Katigbak also disclosed that the network could not find airtime for Duterte's advertisements in 2016 since slots for local ads were limited to just two minutes per hour. Katigbak said ABS-CBN refunded about 4 million to Duterte, but got delayed in returning the remaining 2.6 million. He said the President's camp refused to accept the delayed refund. Duterte won the 2016 presidential polls and has since publicly spoken about his ire against ABS-CBN for not airing his political ads. He previously vowed to put the channel and its subsidiaries out of business, even telling its executives to just sell the company. Malacanang has said the threats should not be taken literally, and that the President has nothing to do with the challenges ABS-CBN is facing regarding the renewal of its franchise. In a chance interview with reporters on Wednesday, Duterte accepted ABS-CBN's apology, but was silent on whether he will support the network's franchise renewal bid. He stressed that he will not interfere with the pending bills in Congress. He also refused to say whether he will approve or reject a bill passed by Congress granting the media giant another 25-year franchise. (Newser) A 27-year-old woman living in New Mexico was kidnapped, investigators say, and her body has turned up some 250 miles away in Arizona. Sasha Krause, a member of the Mennonite community, was last seen leaving her home in Farmington around 8pm on Jan. 18. She was reported missing early the next day; her vehicle was then found at the Farmington Mennonite Church with items she wouldn't typically have left behind, per the Farmington Daily Times. With little to go on and no sign of Krause almost a month later, the San Juan County Sheriff's Office offered a $50,000 reward for information. A body confirmed as Krause's was then found by a camper between Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, north of Flagstaff, Ariz., on Friday, report the Daily Times and Arizona Republic. story continues below "We were convinced from the start that it was an abduction because we are a close-knit community. We know our people," says Samuel Coon of Lamp & Light Publishers, where Krause worked to distribute Bible correspondence courses in various languages, per the Daily Beast. "Sasha was a person of deep integrity, very level-headed. There is no one I would have less expected this to happen to." The eldest of seven children had moved to Farmington from her native Grandview, Texas, where a funeral service is scheduled for this weekend. Krause's father tells the Daily Beast that he finds comfort in a letter she recently sent home, describing "how we don't always understand what God's higher purposes are." Anyone with information on the murder is asked to contact police, who have yet to release a cause of death. (Read more murder stories.) 30-year-old Shabana Parveen, it was nothing short of a miracle -- giving birth to a healthy baby boy after surviving a murderous attack by rioters who kicked and assaulted her and her husband in North East Delhi's Karawal Nagar. Their home set afire by the mob, Parveen's family is now pinning their hopes on the newborn whom they called a "miracle baby". Parveen, her husband, two kids and mother-in-law were sleeping inside the house on Monday night when a mob barged into their house. Narrating their ordeal, Parveen's mother-in-law Nashima told PTI, "They hurled religious slurs, beat up my son. Some of them even kicked my daughter-in-law in the abdomen...as I went to protect her, they came charging at me... We thought we would not survive that night. But with god's grace we somehow managed to escape from the clutches of the rioters." "We rushed Parveen to a nearby hospital but doctors there asked us to go to Al-hind Hospital where she delivered a baby boy on Wednesday," she added. Despite having lost their home for over two decades and all belongings, her family has overcome the initial shock and are now overjoyed with the birth of the "miracle baby". Nashima said she had no clue where the family would go after Parveen was discharged from the hospital. "It's all gone there. Nothing left. Maybe, we will go to some relative's place and see how we can re-build our life," she said. Six-year-old Ali, who held his one-day-old brother, caressing his forehead, said, "I will take care of him forever and save him from every ill." The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in North East Delhi has claimed 34 lives so far and left over 200 people injured. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at locals and police personnel. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Shiv Vihar are among the areas mainly affected by the riots. Medical workers cheer for each other in the ICU (intensive care unit) of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Jan. 24, 2020. (Xinha Photo) On Feb. 10, The New York Times published an article titled Coronavirus Outbreak Risks Reviving Stigma for China.The gist of it is that we should not blame China for epidemics, such as the current outbreak of coronavirus disease. The article also points to the problem of outdated perceptions, noting that US President Donald Trumps top trade advisor, Peter Navarro, once described China as a disease incubator, a comment that even The Times admitted went too far. Although the nasty comment came years before the current outbreak, that does not change the fact that such claims are downright biased and offensive. Old stereotypes die hard, and they add fuel to dangerous myths. As the article points out, serious outbreaks, such as SARS, did come out of China, but others associated with China may have come from elsewhere, so it is important to avoid the trap of thinking that anything bad equals China. Disease is something that affects us all, and the United States has had its share of deadly outbreaks throughout its history. In the 20th century, the Spanish Flu killed more people than World War I, which is one of the bloodiest wars in history. First detected at Camp Funston in Kansas in 1918, the virus infected about one-third of the worlds population and killed at least 50 million worldwide, with about 675,000 of those deaths occurring in the United States, according to official data. Regardless of its type, the flu has always been deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that the flu in the United States has resulted in 61,000 deaths annually, on the high end of estimates, since 2010. This flu season alone, the CDC estimates that the flu has sickened 41 million people across the United States and killed 41,000 people, again, on the high end of estimates. These numbers far exceed those of the current outbreak, which has killed about 2,700 people worldwide, with most deaths in the Chinese mainland. If it is the logic of certain US politicians and media to cast China as the disease incubator, then it is only fair to return the favor and let America wear the hat. After all, did Europeans not bring a host of terrible diseases to the New World, wiping out millions of Native Americans? This is not the first time that certain US politicians and media have attacked China. For example, Navarro, author of Death by China, is constantly trying to spread fear about China, even creating hawkish critics out of thin air. The expert Ron Vara who is hostile toward China, for instance, is nothing more than a figment of his imagination. The China fear mongering is endless. Just recently, American radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh told his listeners the loony tunes conspiracy theory that the coronavirus is a laboratory experiment. The claim, like the wacky claim that US Senator Tom Cotton keeps repeating, shows a troubling pattern. Certain people refuse to look at the facts and just want you to believe that China is a threat. Disease is an enemy against humanity. Both China and the United States have had to deal with major disease outbreaks. Regarding Chinas efforts in battling the coronavirus outbreak, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that China is setting a new standard for outbreak response and that its actions make the world safer. Ignoring the facts to sling mud at China only shows that these people are not concerned about health and safety but their own self-interests. When it comes to disease, we are all in this together. Disease knows no borders and no country can fight it alone. The real disease incubators in this story are the fear mongers who see a tragedy as an opportunity to promote the evil China narrative. By Jung Min-ho The Philippine government has temporarily banned Filipino tourists from going to Korea due to coronavirus concerns. But permanent residents, overseas workers and students in Korea will be exempted. "Any travel to South Korea will be temporarily suspended," Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Wednesday. "Only permanent residents of South Korea, Filipinos leaving for study and OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) returning for work will be allowed, provided they sign a written declaration acknowledging the risks involved, which will be complemented with health advisory pamphlets." Earlier, the government approved a move to impose an entry ban on all travelers coming from North Gyeongsang Province, including Daegu, which recently emerged as a hotbed of the virus. However, Filipinos and their foreign spouses or children, and holders of permanent resident and diplomatic visas will still be allowed entry, subject to screening and quarantine protocols. The government's inter-agency task force said it will decide whether to expand the entry ban to other parts of Korea if the situation worsens. The health ministry said there have been no confirmed COVID-19 infections in Filipinos in Korea. According to the Philippines' Department of Tourism, Korea is its No. 1 tourist market, with 1.98 million arrivals last year. As of Thursday morning, the virus had killed 13 people and infected nearly 1,600 in Korea. Setting speculations at rest about the fate of Rs 2,000 currency notes, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Thursday said that those notes are here to stay and that the banks have not been given any instructions either to withdraw or recalibrate their ATMs to phase out such high denomination notes gradually. The banks have not been given any such instructions as far as Rs 2,000 currency notes are concerned, the Finance Minister said to a pointed question about certain media reports saying ATMs are being rebooted to accommodate more Rs 500 denomination notes as a prelude to phase out the Rs 2,000 notes. The Minister said this in Guwahati, where she is holding a series of meetings with economists, industry leaders and other stakeholders on the budget she presented on February 1. There were speculations that the largest denomination currency notes may be taken out of circulation sooner than later. Rs 2000 notes were introduced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) after November 2016 demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Soon, the highest denomination notes became the favourite currency for hoarders who stashed unaccounted cash. Late year, Sitharaman had told Parliament that over 43% of unaccounted cash seized in this year were in the form of Rs 2,000 notes. But closer to the third anniversary of demonetisation, former finance secretary Subhash Chandra Garg had made a case for demonetising the Rs 2,000 notes, which he said could be done without causing any disruption. He had also said that majority of these notes were not in circulation since they were being hoarded. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan received CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas who is in Armenia on a working visit, the Office of the Secretary of the Security Council told Armenpress. During the meeting the sides summed up the actions taken so far and exchanged views on their results. Issues relating to raising the efficiency of joint fight against terrorism, the fight against drug trafficking were discussed at the meeting. Armen Grigoryan introduced the situation in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact and highlighted the imperative to solve the Artsakh conflict exclusively peacefully, attaching importance to the CSTO position on the matter and the Armenian societys expectations from the organization. Secretary General Stanislav Zas once again affirmed the CSTO position according to which there is no alternative to the peaceful settlement of the conflict. He introduced the upcoming and ongoing programs within the CSTO, including those relating to the preparations for military drills. Armen Grigoryan also proposed to consider the possibilities to improve the CSTO website, including the official languages of all member states in the websites composition and publications. The meeting was followed by a luncheon served on behalf of Armen Grigoryan. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Marina, North Beach, SoMa February is coming to a close, and you can spend your Leap Day shopping for local art, practicing yoga at the beach or helping to clean up the streets with neighbors. Also on tap for the weekend: a film festival and a family day at SFMOMA. Here's where to get out and about in San Francisco this weekend. Superfine! Art Fair Photo: Superfine Art Fair/Facebook Superfine isn't your typical art fair. Instead, this "judgment-free art zone" targets first-time or early-stage art buyers, with the chance to chat with more than 60 local makers and artists (three-quarters of whom are women) about their work. Pieces for sale are designed to suit every budget, with prices mostly ranging from $100 to $2,500. In addition to meeting the artists and purchasing work, attendees can sample cocktails and bites, and catch live art performances. When: Thursday, February 27, 7 10 p.m.; Friday, February 28 & Saturday, February 29, 12 10 p.m.; Sunday, March 1, 10 a.m. 8 p.m. Where: Gallery 308, Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd., Bldg. A Price: $9.60 - $75 Saturday Groove Beach Yoga with Sarah Photo: Outdoor Yoga SF/Facebook With sunnier-than-average winter weather, now's the time to skip the yoga studio and head over to Baker Beach for what organizers say will be a "serene and absolutely blissful" outdoor yoga session. Enjoy the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the sounds of the waves while moving through a "thoughtful, strengthening, rejuvenating" all-levels yoga practice. When: Saturday, February 29, 11 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Where: Baker Beach Price: $28; extra $5 for beach towel rental North Beach Street Cleanup Photo: North Beach Neighbors/Facebook Spring cleaning is getting started early for the North Beach Neighbors, who are inviting locals to help clean up the neighborhood's streets. All ages and abilities are welcome, and all equipment will be provided, including pickers, gloves and trash bags. The one request: wear closed-toed shoes for safety. When: Saturday, February 29, 9 11 a.m. Story continues Where: Meet on the north side of the library (850 Columbus Ave.) on Lombard Street. Price: Free Jewish Film Institute's WinterFest Photo: Jewish Film Insitute/Facebook The seventh annual WinterFest offers a weekend of 10 Jewish film screenings from around the globe. Titles include "A Cantor's Head," about humorous and dynamic cantor Jacob Ben-Zion Mendelson, and "Peter Falk Versus Columbo," a documentary that takes a closer look at Falk's iconic character and the impact it had on the rest of his career as an actor. When: Saturday, February 29 Sunday, March 1 Where: Vogue Theatre, 3290 Sacramento St. Price: $95 for a weekend pass Free Family Day: The Creative Power of Women To kick off Womens History Month, SFMOMA is celebrating the work of female creators with a free day for families. The kid-friendly event includes art-making inspired by Carol Bove's dynamic sculptures, storytime with San Francisco librarians, live "sound experiments" with Nevin Aladag's Resonator series, and a museum-wide treasure hunt. When: Sunday, March 1, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Activities conclude at 4 p.m., but galleries will remain accessible until the museum closes at 5 p.m. Where: SFMOMA, 151 3rd St. Price: General museum admission is free for every two adults accompanying one child or teen (18 and younger). Marketing automation isnt a thing of the future its very much a part of the here and now for small and midsized businesses (SMBs) across the world. However, many are unaware of a variety of marketing automation tools that can help SMBs reach customers in a timely and effective way. In order for SMBs to compete with larger firms when it comes to customer reach, they need to approach their marketing plan with a strategic mindset. Marketing automation not only provides important opportunities for interaction with the customer, but also saves time. Thats especially important when running a small business. Time saved on marketing means being able to capture new business and have more time to commit to other vital tasks. Following are just a few of the many benefits marketing automation provides: Drives sales productivity; Helps guide sales and marketing teams work together for a common goal; Increases conversions; Boosts ROI by doing the work of a large marketing staff; and Compiles a complete view of customer behavior. If youre interested in taking advantage of marketing automation but dont know where to start, consider these four marketing automation solutions geared toward SMBs. 1. One-Stop Social Media Shop A social media management tool can be indispensable to small businesses trying to make the most out of their online presence. Having effective and timely social content is imperative in 2020, as many customers are more likely to buy from brands they follow on social media and to increase their spending with those brands. Securing a tool that will help manage this important customer connection is essential. This type of tool prevents you from having to post at an exact time across multiple platforms, and instead lets you schedule content in advance. That means businesses can plan their social media a week or month out, and not worry about interrupting their weekends, holidays and busy workdays to post on social sites. These programs also can provide SMBs the opportunity to create an organized posting strategy, analyze performance and respond to customers across multiple platforms from one easy-to-use interface. 2. CRM With Email Marketing Capturing important customer information in one localized place can help SMBs deliver an excellent customer experience and boost sales revenue. The right customer relationship management software can track all customer interactions and purchases. Some even offer predictive analytics technology that can help determine potential next steps and drive transactions. Youll also want a CRM that integrates email marketing automation, which will enhance the customer experience and increase the success rate of your email and follow-up campaigns. Email is a fantastic way to reach customers because it requires the reader to opt-in and allows for several layers of personalization. Marketers potentially can see a return of US$32 for every $1 spent on email marketing, research indicates, so having a CRM that facilitates this type of communication is imperative. A D V E R T I S E M E N T 3. Would You Like to Take a Survey? Customer feedback is a vital way for companies to improve. Small businesses often can achieve significant growth simply by soliciting and heeding the feedback of their customers. The challenge is that in-depth market research can be costly. Enter the online survey! This tool allows SMBs to gain valuable insights from customers without having to invest in lengthy market research programs. An online survey is convenient for the consumer and allows the data to be tracked and analyzed for insights. Do your customers like your most recent product upgrade? Is the packaging holding up during shipping? Do they feel the product was represented accurately online? How was their experience with your customer service associate? All of these questions and more can be answered through a short online survey. Small businesses can create different surveys for different customer interactions, allowing for customized feedback to propel growth. 4. Lets Chat Chat is another marketing automation tool that can strengthen the customer journey. Through the power of artificial intelligence, a chatbot gives a personalized experience and can field a variety of frequently asked customer questions directly from your website. Chatbots also can gather customer data for future marketing efforts, as well as help businesses reach their sales goals. A chatbot gives customers an instant response to their requests and can send links to make a purchase, or transfer customers to a live associate if needed. The Year of Automation 2020 is here and its time to embrace the new decade with the tools that will set up your business for sustained success in the new decade. Small businesses that invest in, and take advantage of, these four marketing automation solutions will be more likely to see the sales results and ROI they want this year. Marketing automation offers a variety of benefits, including time savings, the ability to drive more meaningful customer interactions that lead to transactions, and the opportunity to gain customer feedback and track behavior. These four automated tools can help pave an SMBs path to success in 2020 and beyond. Mr. Zaist is the former Chief Executive Officer of William Lyon Homes, one of the largest homebuilders in the Western United States. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the industry, as well as significant operational, business development and transaction expertise. "We are very pleased to welcome an industry veteran of Matt's caliber to our Board as a new independent trustee," said David Singelyn, American Homes 4 Rent's Chief Executive Officer and Trustee. "Matt's appointment reflects our commitment to having trustees with strong relevant backgrounds for our operational and growth strategies, as well as our commitment to refreshing the Board with diverse, independent perspectives. We are confident that Matt's experience leading one of the largest housing developers in the U.S. and his in-depth knowledge of our industry will be invaluable as we expand our operations in this important growth area for our company and successfully advance our plan to further enhance shareholder value." About Matthew R. Zaist Matthew R. Zaist was President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of publicly traded William Lyon Homes from 2016 until the company was acquired by Taylor Morrison in February 2020. Mr. Zaist joined William Lyon Homes in 2000 and served as its President and Chief Operating Officer before becoming Chief Executive Officer. William Lyon Homes and its subsidiaries designed, constructed, marketed and sold single-family homes in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Texas. Mr. Zaist holds a B.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is a member of the Executive Committee for the University of Southern California's Lusk Center for Real Estate. About American Homes 4 Rent American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is fast becoming a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high-quality, good value and tenant satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of December 31, 2019, we owned 52,552 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states. Additional information about American Homes 4 Rent is available on our website at http://www.americanhomes4rent.com Contact: American Homes 4 Rent Investor Relations Phone: (855) 794-2447 Email: [email protected] SOURCE American Homes 4 Rent Related Links https://www.americanhomes4rent.com Two teenage climate activists joining forces with Greta Thunberg for the Bristol school strike tomorrow have insisted the protest is 'more important' than their education. Lily Fitzgibbon and Milly Sibson, both 17 and from the city, are leading Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate tomorrow, and the 17-year-old Swedish activist will visit the UK to attend. The duo appeared on This Morning today, where they spoke highly of Thunberg and insisted her activism is not born out of ego or a desire to be a 'leader'. They admitted they only had eight days to plan the protest, after Thunberg personally got in touch with them. Students Lily Fitzgibbon (right) and Milly Sibson,(left) both 17, from Bristol, who planned Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate, appeared on This Morning today Climate activist Greta Thunberg, 17, (pictured) will come to the UK to speak at the strike tomorrow 'She seemed so humble,' said Lily of Thunberg. 'Not full of herself. She's doing this for the message, it's not about ego at all. 'She has no interest in being this leader. She is a figurehead for the movement, but that's because we find her inspirational. She wants to be a striker like everyone else.' As for missing school, the pair said that while they both want to 'succeed educationally' and are planning to head to university, they feel that the strike is 'more important'. Lily said: 'They're as supportive as they can be. They're not always allowed to authorise absences, but obviously your parents are allowed to take you out of school. They told that Greta had 'no ego' and just wants to be a 'striker like everyone else'. She is pictured at the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland 'It helps that we keep up with our school work, we catch up. We're both going to university soon. 'We do want to succeed educationally as well, we just think that this is more important.' Thunberg had originally contacted the London charter of the group, however after only offering eight-days to plan the strike, she turned to the Bristol group to plan the protest. Lily told: 'She actually got in contact with me directly at first, and then her team did. So she knew she was coming to the UK and she'd been in contact with the group in London. But they didn't have the capacity to organise a strike for her in eight days. Milly told that while the pair want to succeed in their education they feel the protest is 'more important' than their education Lily revealed that they only had eight-days to plant the protest after Thunberg personally got in contact 'So she then got my number from them and texted me last Thursday. We have been working round the clock ever since, because normally you have a month for these things.' The activists insisted that Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate is a 'completely separate organisation' to Extinction Rebellion, and told that while they receive support from the group, they wish to create a 'safe space' for young people to protest. Milly said: 'We're a completely separate organisation. We do receive their support, but for the youth climate strikes we ask them to leave their logos. 'It's more that we share the same goal and share the same message, but we want young people to know this is more of a safe space where you can share your views.' The pair insisted that while they're missing a day of school, they feel the 'bigger picture' surrounding climate change is more important The pair insisted that while they're missing a day of school, they feel the 'bigger picture' surrounding climate change is more important. Milly said: 'Us personally, we have to think about our futures and the climate is deteriorating as we speak. 'Maybe we're not noticing it yet in the UK, other places are seeing the affects of climate change right now. So for us, we're thinking about the affects on the world and the future. 'So the fact we're missing a day of school, which we can catch up on, it feels like it's for the bigger picture.' From why it would be wrong to say there was no substance to US President Trumps India tour and the factors that deter bank officials from taking credit decisions to why it is important to reduce regulatory risk for growth, here's a selection of Business Standard Opinion pieces for the day. Why has the global response to coronavirus been so uncertain? Is the point about a business having a higher social purpose real? Or is it management fluff? Alokananda Chakraborty sums up. The just concluded visit of US President Donald Trump to India has been an unprecedented ... The United States on Thursday demanded that China immediately free Hong Kong-based bookseller Gui Minhai, a Swedish citizen who was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Gui, who was known for publishing salacious titles about China's political leaders, was snatched while on a train to Beijing in February 2018 and this week sentenced on charges of illegally providing intelligence abroad. "We call on the (Chinese) government to release him immediately and unconditionally," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement that "strongly" condemned the sentence. "We will continue to stand with our partners and allies to promote greater respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in China," she said. Gui was born in China, which does not recognize dual citizenship. Chinese officials claimed he voluntarily reinstated his Chinese citizenship in 2018. Sweden says he remains a citizen, as renunciation requires an examination and decision by its migration agency, and summoned China's ambassador on Tuesday to demand his release. China called off two business delegation visits to Sweden after its culture minister defied Beijing's threats and awarded a rights prize to Gui in November. Gui earlier vanished in 2015 while on vacation in Thailand, resurfacing in China where he appeared on state television confessing to a fatal drunk-driving accident and served two years in prison. An Old Bridge man sentenced to 25 years in prison for stabbing a man to death hours after meeting him on a dating website will receive a new trial, an appellate court panel ruled Thursday. Robert C. McGranahan, 33, was charged with murder but convicted of aggravated manslaughter in the March 2013 killing of Edward Demko Jr., 64, in the victims Sayreville townhouse. In reversing his 2016 conviction and ordering a new trial, the appeals court found that Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Dennis Nieves should have instructed the jury that self-defense could be a justification for manslaughter. McGranahan and Demko connected via a dating site for men and agreed to meet in person, according to court records. After having consensual sex at Demkos residence, they returned to the living room to watch TV. During that time, Demko tried to initiate another sexual encounter, McGranahan claimed, but he resisted. The defendant testified that Demko grew violent and attacked him. Edward Demko Jr. was stabbed to death in 2013. Demko suffered 22 stab wounds, including injuries to his chest and back, while McGranahan came away with a wound above his eye, wounds on one hand and scratches on his back and arm, according to the appellate ruling. McGranahan claimed he acted in self-defense, while the prosecution argued that he was the aggressor. Among the evidence presented at trial was a Facebook post from six years before the killing in which McGranahan wrote Ending another persons life is not a choice. It is a prerequisite to feel alive. There is no second option. The defendant said the quote had nothing to do with his state of mind at the time of the stabbing. While the trial judge instructed the jury that a potential self-defense finding applied to the murder charge, that instruction was not given regarding the lesser aggravated manslaughter charge, the appellate court wrote. The appeals court judges were unswayed by the states argument that the jury instructions never suggested self-defense didnt apply to manslaughter charges. Such an argument is contrary to the settled principles that clear and correct jury instructions are essential to a defendants right to a fair trial, the panel wrote. In addition to the 25-year sentence, McGranahan was sentenced to a concurrent four-year term for a weapons possession charge. He is currently in East Jersey State Prison, according to department of corrections records. Prior to the appellate ruling, his parole eligibility date was listed as June 7, 2034. Robert C. McGranahan Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. 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. English Swedish Hexatronic Group AB (publ) 556168-6360 Press Release February 27, 2020 Emtelle and Hexatronic enters a global settlement agreement Emtelle UK Limited and Hexatronic Group AB are pleased to announce that they have entered into a global settlement agreement, ending their patent litigation in the UK. Emtelle licenses Hexatronic under its patents on air blown fibre bundles. Hexatronic can continue to make and sell its air blown fibre products in all markets worldwide. Gothenburg, February 27, 2020 Henrik Larsson Lyon CEO Hexatronic Group For more information, please contact: Henrik Larsson Lyon, CEO Hexatronic Group, +46 706 50 34 00 This is information that Hexatronic Group AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 10:30 CET on February 27 2020. Hexatronic Group AB (publ) is a group that develops, markets and delivers products, components and system solutions with the main focus on the fiber optic market. Hexatronic offers a wide range of innovative system and product solutions mainly for passive fiber optic infrastructure with global trademarks like Ribbonet, Micronet, Drytech, Lightmate, FibreHub, Matrix, Viper, Stringray, Raptor, InOne and Wistom. The Group has its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden and has sales offices and/or subsidiaries in Sweden, Norway, Finland, United Kingdom, Germany, China, New Zealand and the US. The Group is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker HTRO. For more information, visit www.hexatronicgroup.com. Attachment By Express News Service BENGALURU: North Division police on Thursday killed in an encounter a notorious history-sheeter Slum Bharath, (32) who was arrested in UP two days ago. The police said that around 2 am Bharath's associates attacked the police vehicle carrying Bharath and fired two rounds at officers and police staff. A senior police officer said that Bharath escaped in a car and at around 5 pm the special team received information that Bharath's car was moving towards Hesaragatta near Soladevanahalli. As police teams went to nab him, Bharath opened fire three rounds of which one hit a police inspector of Rajagopal Nagar. He escaped with no injuries because of his bulletproof jacket. Two other policemen were injured as the accused's vehicle hit the police car. He succumbed after he was shot by senior police officer Venkataramanappa who responded to his open firing. Bharath who was wanted in offences in four districts in Karnataka was arrested by Bengaluru City police in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday. This comes weeks after a January 30 filmy-style chase, during which Bharath and his associates rammed into a police vehicle and tried to attack the cops with weapons. After the CCB and North-division police nabbed Bharath in Moradabad, a few of his associates created a ruckus and attacked the police. Police have filed a case with the Moradabad police against the attackers. Bharath, a native of Tamil Nadu, is wanted in a number of criminal cases, including murder, in Ramanagara, Tumakuru, Kolar, Chikkaballapur districts and Bengaluru city. Bharath is the prime accused in the murder of history-sheeter Srinivas alias Kulla Seena in 2006. Police had formed three teams to tack his movements in Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi. Initial interrogation has revealed that Bharath had a big network including some local politicians and police officials who used to tip him off about search operations. He involved in about 50 criminal cases including four murders and several attempts to murders and attack on policemen. SEOUL, South Korea There were 28 cases of the coronavirus in South Korea on Feb. 13. Four days had passed without a new confirmed infection. President Moon Jae-in predicted that the outbreak would disappear before long, while the prime minister assured people that it was OK not to wear surgical masks outdoors. As it turns out, the virus had been rapidly spreading at the time through a large, secretive church in Daegu, where it has since mushroomed into the largest epidemic of the coronavirus outside China, with 2,022 cases, including 13 deaths. [Read: Proselytizing robots: Inside South Korean church at outbreaks center.] Now the president is facing a political backlash over his response as the number of cases continues to climb 505 new infections on Thursday alone. Opposition politicians are seizing on what they call Mr. Moons mishandling of the crisis, by not moving quickly to close the countrys borders to China and not supplying enough surgical masks for citizens. The virus is also intensifying existing pressure from the weak economy, which is being made worse by a sharp decline in trade with China, South Koreas biggest trading partner. Russian state television said on Thursday Turkish military specialists in Syria's Idlib region were using shoulder-fired missiles to try to shoot down Russian and Syrian military aircraft. The assertion, aired during a report from Idlib on the Rossiya 24 channel, came as Turkish and rebel officials said Syrian rebels, backed by the Turkish military, had seized the town of Nairab in Idlib. "Their own and Russian planes are saving the lives of Syrian troops in a literal sense," said the Rossiya 24 report. "Syrian and Russian planes are stopping the rebels again and again. But the sky above Idlib is also dangerous. The rebels and Turkish specialists are actively using portable air defence systems." It said Russian and Syrian planes were therefore being forced to take counter-measures after carrying out bombing runs on rebel positions. Search Keywords: Short link: Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Steve Holland (Reuters) Washington, United States Thu, February 27, 2020 07:32 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066d60f9 2 World US-presidential-race,Donald-Trump,campaign,US-presidential-election-2016,New-York-Times Free President Donald Trump's re-election campaign said on Wednesday it filed a libel suit against the New York Times accusing the newspaper of intentionally publishing a false opinion article related to Russian interference in the 2016 US election. In an escalation of the Republican president's long-running battle with the news media, campaign officials said the lawsuit was being filed in New York State Supreme Court, the state's trial-level court. A statement from the campaign said the aim of the litigation was to "hold the news organization accountable for intentionally publishing false statements against President Trump's campaign." The lawsuit relates to a March 27, 2019, opinion article written by Max Frankel, who served as executive editor of the Times from 1986 to 1994. The campaign attached to a news release a draft copy of the suit accusing the newspaper of "extreme bias against (the campaign) and animosity" and cited what it called the Times' "exuberance to improperly influence the presidential election in November 2020." Trump is seeking re-election on Nov. 3. The Times did not have an immediate comment. The opinion piece was headlined, "The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo" with a subhead adding, "The campaign and the Kremlin had an overarching deal: help beat Hillary Clinton for a new pro-Russian foreign policy." Quid pro quo is a Latin term meaning a favor in exchange for a favor. The lawsuit originated with the Trump re-election campaign, but Trump himself has contended the Times has at times been biased against him. Trump often refers to various news media outlets as "fake news" and has called elements of the US news media "the enemy of the American people." Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller documented Moscow's campaign of hacking and social media propaganda to boost Trump's 2016 candidacy and harm his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. It documented numerous contacts between people associated between Trump's campaign and Russians. Mueller found insufficient evidence to show a criminal conspiracy between Trump's team and Russia but did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice related to the investigation. In the opinion piece, Frankel stated, "Collusion - or a lack of it - turns out to have been the rhetorical trap that ensnared President Trump's pursuers." Frankel added, "There was no need for detailed electoral collusion between the Trump campaign and Vladimir Putin's oligarchy because they had an overarching deal: the quid of help in the campaign against Hillary Clinton for the quo of a new pro-Russian foreign policy, starting with relief from the Obama administration's burdensome economic sanctions. The Trumpites knew about the quid and held out the prospect of the quo." "Today the President's re-election campaign filed suit against the New York Times for falsely stating the Campaign had an 'overarching deal' with 'Vladimir Putin's oligarchy' to 'help the campaign against Hillary Clinton' in exchange for 'a new pro-Russian foreign policy, starting with relief from ... economic sanctions,'" said Jenna Ellis, senior legal adviser to Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. "The statements were and are 100 percent false and defamatory. The complaint alleges The Times was aware of the falsity at the time it published them, but did so for the intentional purpose of hurting the campaign, while misleading its own readers in the process," Ellis said. In a copy of the lawsuit provided by his re-election team, the campaign stated, "The Times was well aware when it published these statements that they were not true." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 12:25:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NANJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Customs in east China's Jiangsu Province recently arrested four people suspected of smuggling 1,388 tonnes of frozen food, local authorities said Thursday. Customs officers in the city of Yangzhong intercepted a suspicious vessel that did not make any declaration on Dec. 23, from which they seized 48 containers of frozen food worth around 60 million yuan (about 8.6 million U.S. dollars). Four suspects were caught on the spot. A preliminary investigation showed the ship with a pseudonym loaded the goods in China's Taiwan in early December 2019. Further investigation is underway. Since Gov. Greg Abbott announced a new program offering pardons to human trafficking and domestic violence victims charged with crimes related to their abuse, the phones at the nonprofit Lone Star Justice Alliance are ringing off the hook. Elizabeth Henneke, executive director of the nonprofit group focused on criminal justice reform, said she has received thousands of calls from interested applicants, so many that the office had to turn off the phones temporarily at one point. Other advocacy groups said theyd also seen intense interest in the days since Abbott announced the program. This is more than an application for clemency, Henneke said. This tells people that they can hope again. That their communities arent throwing them away behind prison gates to be labeled with a scarlet letter of a felony or misdemeanor for the rest of their lives. Human trafficking and domestic violence victims always had the opportunity to apply for a pardon, but advocacy groups say the governors new initiative sends a clear message that this is a priority and that he understands the complexity of their situations. For subscribers: A sex trafficking survivor from Katy visited the White House. Heres her story. Trafficking survivors often face prostitution charges, which become felonies after three convictions, and both types of survivors may face drug or weapons charges related to situations they were forced into by their traffickers or abusers. Texas is committed to empowering the survivors of domestic abuse and human trafficking, and one of the surest signals of that goal is laying out a true path to redemption and restoration, Abbott said in a statement. The gubernatorial pardon plays an important role in this redemption process because it offers a second chance to survivors with criminal convictions resulting from their abuse or exploitation. Abbott has made combating human trafficking one of his offices top priorities, but in the past year he has also vetoed two bills backed by advocacy groups that he said would limit the discretion of law enforcement or create an additional layer of bureaucracy. The government doesnt track how many trafficking or abuse victims are charged with crimes, but a 1999 report from the U.S. Department of Justice found that almost half of the women in jails and prisons at the time said they had been physically or sexually abused before they were imprisoned. The Track: Houstons Bissonnet Track has international reputation for street trafficking The clemency application, which Abbott announced last week, will allow people who meet certain criteria to make a case to the state Board of Pardons and Paroles for why they should be pardoned and explain what theyve done since their conviction to rehabilitate. The board then sends a recommendation to the governor, who has the ultimate say. Between fiscal years 2015 and 2019, the board received nine applications from survivors of human trafficking and 34 from survivors of domestic violence; four were granted by the governor. Henneke said there could be thousands of others who will step forward using the specialized application as a public awareness campaign spreads word of it. Still, pardons are rare. In fiscal year 2018, the board considered 171 clemency applications and of those, recommended that the governor grant 21, or 12 percent. In 2019, Abbott granted eight. If granted, a pardon restores a persons right to vote, receive licensing for certain jobs, hold public office, serve on a jury or as executor or administrator of an estate. It does not clear the persons criminal record; expunctions can only be granted by a judge. Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, authored a bill that would have done nearly the same thing; House Bill 3078 would have required the board to consider the recommendation of an expert panel, including survivors, their advocates and health professionals. For subscribers: Three national hotel chains in Houston sued for promoting sex trafficking Thompson and advocacy groups said they were surprised when Abbott vetoed that bill last summer especially after working with his office and lawmakers on the bill during session. We thought we had a consensus, Thompson said. I thought it added a plus to the bill because you had a group of persons who were professionals in various fields to be able to look at it from their perspective. I thought it gave a broader opportunity to be able to make an assessment. Abbott said in his veto proclamation that while he applauded the effort, the bill would have added a thick layer of bureaucracy to the clemency process. After the initial shock, Henneke said she and other advocates stressed to the governors office the importance of finding another way to bring the idea to fruition. No matter how it was accomplished, Thompson said she supports the programs underlying goal. There are two benefits: First is you give the person a second chance, Thompson said. Secondly, its a benefit to society because society benefits from that persons potential. We benefit from people being a good citizen, paying taxes, participating in different facets of our lives. The governor last year signed several bills addressing human trafficking, including one that expanded access to court orders that prohibit courts and police departments from disclosing a persons criminal record and created new offenses for use of the internet to promote prostitution. But he also shocked lawmakers and advocates last summer when he vetoed a bill that would have prohibited children under 17 years old from being charged with prostitution. While well-intentioned, he said, the legislation could bring unintended consequences by removing an option law enforcement and prosecutors can use to separate victims from sex traffickers. He said he also feared it could inadvertently give traffickers a perverse incentive for traffickers to use underage prostitutes, knowing they cannot be arrested for engaging in prostitution. Some advocates said reducing or ending prosecution is still their ultimate goal, but they said the clemency application was a step in the right direction. Were not where we need to be, but its a start, said Allison Franklin, director of CARES, a program through the nonprofit SAFE Alliance that provides resources for survivors. Its a huge start. Franklin, who herself is a survivor and faced eight felonies related to her trafficking, said her criminal record was extremely limiting as she tried to reclaim her life. As she looked for housing, for example, she recalled she was forced to buy because no one would rent to me. This is a really big deal in my opinion because were starting to view these individuals as victims and not criminals, and were recognizing the role of trauma and what it plays in these cases, Franklin said. President Donald Trump holds a press conference with health officials and cabinet members about the coronavirus in the White House on Feb. 26, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) For Democrats, Coronavirus Is the New Russia Or Is It Ukraine? Commentary Did you know that President Donald Trump caused the new coronavirus? I know. I didnt either. But Pelosi and Co. are acting as if he did. Perhaps Trump was secretly spending time in Wuhan, China, touring their animal market and couldnt resist sampling one of those lizards or snakes (he does like meat). Or was he negotiating with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the secure area of their biological weapons lab and accidentally bumped into one of the test tubes? Its anybodys guess. Meanwhile, in the real world, the United States has been doing reasonably wellat least for nowcontaining COVID-19, only a few dozen confirmed cases and no deaths in a nation of over 330 million. (By comparison, roughly 14,000 people died from the flu in this country in the past year.) Much of the rest of the world is less fortunate. What accounts for our successtemporary as it may beis again anybodys guess, but theres at least the possibility that the administrations moving swiftly to curtail flights in and out of China contributed in a positive way. This is the same decision the Democrats were complaining about only a couple of weeks ago as being too precipitous. Now, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is blaming Trump for going too slowly while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is lambasting the president for asking for only $2.5 billion to fight the disease; hes demanding Congress authorize and the president sign on for $8 billion, as if the virus were a lost da Vinci suddenly up for auction. (Ill see your $8 billion and raise you! Maybe Mike Bloomberg should jump in.) Also various lies were promulgated that funding for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the NIH (National Institutes of Health) was cut under Trump, when the reverse was true. It was expanded from the Obama administration. All this while the president was in India representing our country. What is it with these people? Why cant they, in the face of a nationalactually globalemergency, be collegial for 10 minutes. Instead, they are villainous liars. I used to think this was good old Trump Derangement Syndrome, but that now seems too weak for what we are undergoing. The need to politicize everything on the part of the Democrats and their media friends has become a mental illness of its own beyond Trump or any single person. The anger is too pervasive. Its beginning to resemble an addiction. Nothing exists in and of itself, only through its political ramificationswho wins and loses? When the Democrats move their target from Russia to Ukraine to impeachment and now to the coronavirus, its not only about Trump. Even more, its about powerpersonal power as manifest through the political. It comes from the depths of selfishness. Is this good for me? Years ago, a cartoon in the pointillist style of the painter Roy Lichtenstein ran in the LA Weekly. It showed a go-getter Hollywood woman studio executive, obviously hugely distraught as she talked into the phone. Her words: Nuclear war? There goes my career! The Democrats have taken this and stood it on its head. Whatever happens, its Trumps fault. And if its not really Trumps fault, it should be. Were in the midst of a truly unforeseen crisis. Will it prove to be horrific or just a sad, unfortunate stumbling block on the passing parade, forgotten in time for the Summer Olympics? Nobody knows. But in times such as this, people reveal themselves for who they are. And what we are seeing from the Democrats isnt pretty. Roger L. Simon is senior political columnist with The Epoch Times. His most recent book is The GOAT. You might find it amusing in difficult times. Follow Roger on Twitter @rogerlsimon. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Representative Image The Opposition in Punjab Assembly held a protest outside the House against the Congress-led government on Thursday, alleging that the current dispensation was suffering from the "Karo na (don't do) virus". "Employees have not been given anything in the last three years. Be it pending dearness allowance and arrears," Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parambans Singh Romana said outside the Assembly. "The state government is suffering from 'Karo na' (don't do) virus. It has done nothing in the last three years on any front," he said, in an apparent pun on the word 'coronavirus'. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said the distribution of free smartphones was delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak in China. The members of the Aam Aadmi Party also took up the issue of the alleged failure of the government in keeping their promises. They put on masks as a sign of protest. But by 2020, he had already run for president once, and had cultivated a big and enthusiastic base of support, putting him at a financial and strategic advantage. I think, initially, she wanted to preserve the option of picking up his supporters, Mr. Shrum said, referring to why Ms. Warren did not spring out of the gate with her target on Mr. Sanders. To a degree, the left is indeed still split: Ms. Warren is clearly the second most popular candidate behind Mr. Sanders among liberals, according to national polls. In a recent Quinnipiac University poll, no other candidate got more than 10 percent in this group. Apparently, the left is big enough to elevate two candidates at once, even if one of them has not yet won a state. Mr. Sanders and Ms. Warren are grappling for the top spot in some of the biggest states scheduled to vote next week on Super Tuesday especially Massachusetts and California, and possibly Texas. If former Vice President Joe Biden suffers a defeat on Saturday in South Carolina, Ms. Warren can look to overtake him in states like Texas, where most recent polls have put her in third place behind Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders. The opposite, of course, can be true, too a strong showing in South Carolina for Mr. Biden can garner him a wave of positive coverage, and help him argue that he is the alternative to Mr. Sanders. If Biden was reborn last night if he wins South Carolina by a substantial margin I think this may become a Bernie-Biden race, Mr. Shrum said. A recent index by Microsoft labeling Vietnam as having the fifth most uncivil Internet discourse out of 25 countries has stirred a heated debate amongst netizens in the Southeast Asian country. The Microsoft Digital Civility Index (DCI) released in conjunction with International Safer Internet Day (February 11) measures the tone and tenor of online interactions as reported by 500 consumers in 25 countries, the American multinational technology company said. The index was compiled from the 'Civility, Safety and Interactions Online - 2019' report a survey of teens and adults perceptions about online life and their exposure to 21 online risks across four categories, including reputational, behavioral, sexual, and personal/intrusive. On a scale from zero to 100, the lower the index reading is, the lower the respondents risk exposure and the higher the perceived level of online civility among people in that country are, Microsoft explained. This year, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia, and the U.S. were ranked in the top five in terms of online civility, with DCIs of 52, 56, 58, 59, and 60 percent, respectively. Rounding off the list of 25 countries were South Africa, Peru, Colombia, Russia and Vietnam, with DCIs of 83, 81, 80, 79, and 78 percent, respectively. In Vietnam, the most common risks included unwanted contact; unwanted sexting; unwanted sexual attention; sexual solicitation; and hoaxes, scams and fraud. A screenshot featuring part of the Microsoft Digital Civility Index showing the online life in Vietnam in 2019 The topics that dive the most incivility amongst the countrys netizens are romantic relationships, sexual orientation, physical appearance, race, and politics. Misogyny topped the list of the five most painful online risks in Vietnam, with 86 percent of the participants surveyed ranking it first, followed by damage to professional reputation, microaggression, damage to personal reputation, and discrimination. A screenshot featuring part of the Microsoft Digital Civility Index showing five most painful online risks in Vietnam in 2019 The DCI report has received mixed opinions from Vietnamese netizens, with many agreeing that the rankings are an accurate reflection of Vietnamese online incivility, while others called the survey unconvincing as it was conducted by surveying just 500 participants in each of the 25 countries. Nevertheless, a large number of the respondents still said they believed in a brighter future for online life. When asked to predict online behavior in the 2020s, 50 percent of the respondents across all 25 countries said technology and social media companies will likely create tools and implement policies to encourage more respectful and civil online behavior while punishing poor conduct. That number jumped to 76 percent in Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! U.S. firms in the cannabis market. There's no question the launch of the Canadian recreational cannabis market hasn't gone according to plan for cannabis stock investors. Revenue growth has disappointed, and losses have been larger than anticipated. Most of the most popular U.S.-listed Canadian cannabis stocks have tanked, leaving investors with a bad taste in their mouth. However, while Canada continues to struggle, Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic recently initiated coverage of U.S. multistate operators, or MSOs. These companies aren't listed on major exchanges and operate only in states that have legalized cannabis. Here are eight under-the-radar U.S. cannabis stocks Zuanic discussed. Cresco Labs (CRLBF) Cresco Labs is one of Zuanic's top two MSO stock picks and holds a leading 25% market share of the key Illinois and Pennsylvania markets. While Canada's growth has consistently disappointed analysts, Zuanic says both the Illinois and Pennsylvania markets are outpacing consensus growth expectations. He says Cresco's positioning in those markets provides an opportunity to expand into wholesale over time, and its healthy balance sheet gives it the financial flexibility to grow and adapt. Cresco is expanding its business from five states to 10 in 2020. Cantor Fitzgerald has a "buy" rating and $12 price target for CRLBF stock. Trulieve Corp. (TCNNF) Trulieve is both the largest operator in Florida and the most profitable U.S. MSO. Profits are hard to come by these days in the cannabis business, but Zuanic says Trulieve generates the best margins within the MSO group. While other MSOs are drowning in debt attempting to expand their businesses to additional states, Trulieve is focusing on building the largest store network within Florida. It now has about a 50% share of the state's medical cannabis market. Cantor Fitzgerald has a "buy" rating and a $30 price target for TCNNF stock. Curaleaf (CURLF) Curaleaf is the largest U.S. MSO with a market cap of around $2.9 billion. Upon completion of two pending merger deals with Select and Grassroots, Curaleaf will own 74 stores and 25 cultivation facilities and have licenses for 131 total stores. It will also operate in 19 U.S. states. Curaleaf is already cash-flow positive, and management has said its 2020 growth plans are fully funded. Unfortunately, Zuanic says Curaleaf shares have limited upside from their current valuation in the near term. Cantor Fitzgerald has a "neutral" rating and $8.60 price target for CURLF stock. Story continues Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) Green Thumb Industries is one of the largest MSOs and operates in 12 different states. Zuanic says that Green Thumb's geographic presence creates growth opportunities, but it also stretches the company's limited resources thin. Green Thumb could get a boost from its medicinal-only states like New Jersey legalizing recreational cannabis. However, Zuanic says the company's minimal penetration into attractive states limits its opportunities in the near term. Despite execution and balance sheet risks, Zuanic says the stock has one of the fullest valuations of the group. Cantor Fitzgerald has a "neutral" rating and $13 price target for GTBIF stock. Harvest Health & Recreation (HRVSF) Harvest Health & Recreation generates more than half its sales in Arizona, and two-thirds of its revenue comes from selling third-party brands. Zuanic says Harvest shares are overvalued based on the company's current business, but it has potential catalysts ahead that could change that risk-reward skew. He says Harvest's pending merger with Verano Holdings could be a significant growth driver given the company is profitable and has an excellent position in Illinois. Recreational legalization in Arizona could also be a major demand tailwind. Cantor Fitzgerald has a "neutral" rating and $4 price target for HRVSF stock. Acreage Holdings (ACRGF) Acreage Holdings is a unique investment among MSOs given its buyout deal with Canopy Growth Corp (CGC). Last year, Canopy announced a $3.4 billion buyout of Acreage contingent upon the U.S. lifting the federal ban on cannabis. Zuanic says the deal makes Acreage more of an arbitrage play than a growth investment given the value of Acreage shares are tied closely to the value of Canopy shares. Each Acreage share is converted to 0.5818 shares of Canopy if the deal is ultimately completed. Cantor Fitzgerald has a "neutral" rating and $7.10 price target for ACRGF stock. AYR Strategies (AYRSF) AYR Strategies owns dispensary assets in Nevada and a medical cannabis business in Massachusetts. Zuanic says the company has some of the highest profit margins in the MSO group, especially considering its early-stage business. While many peers will have to raise money to expand, AYR management says it can fund its growth via operating cash flow. AYR shares trade at an attractive valuation, but Zuanic says regulatory delays in Massachusetts, as well as production capacity limitations could be headwinds for the stock in the near term. Cantor Fitzgerald has a "neutral" rating and $11 price target for AYRSF stock. iAnthus Capital Holdings (ITHUF) Zuanic says iAnthus Capital Holdings is one of the fastest-growing MSOs, but its challenged balance sheet subjects investors to significant dilution risks. The company operates primarily in Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and Massachusetts. In September, iAnthus announced a $100 million financing plan to support its efforts to establish positions in New York and New Jersey and grow capacity in Florida and Massachusetts. However, Zuanic says the company's fully diluted pro forma share count of 283 million is 50% higher than its outstanding share count of 189 million. Cantor Fitzgerald has a "neutral" rating and $1.30 price target for ITHUF stock. U.S. cannabis stocks poised to grow: -- Cresco Labs (CRLBF) -- Trulieve (TCNNF) -- Curaleaf (CURLF) -- Green Thumb Industries (GTBIF) -- Harvest Health & Recreation (HRVSF) -- Acreage Holdings (ACRGF) -- AYR Strategies (AYRSF) -- iAnthus Capital Holdings (ITHUF) More From US News & World Report BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Eldar Janashvili Trend: Azerbaijan has invested about $18 billion in the Turkish economy throughout the history of the development of economic relations with Turkey, Head of the Department of the Azerbaijani Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication Nijat Hajizade said. Hajizade was commenting on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports referring to the Center. Azerbaijan is the biggest investor of Turkey and plays a major role in ensuring its energy security, head of the department said. Azerbaijan has recently implemented large-scale projects in this sphere. Thus, TANAP, a project of international importance, which is implemented on the initiative of the two countries, is of great importance in terms of ensuring energy security and diversifying supplies to Turkey and the EU countries. The first gas transportation to Turkey within TANAP was launched in 2018. Initially, it is planned to gradually increase the transportation volume, namely, first up to 16 billion cubic meters per year, then up to 24 billion cubic meters and in future up to 31 billion cubic meters. The natural gas is supplied from Azerbaijan to Europe via Greece, Albania and Italy through the 1,850-kilometer TANAP. In turn, Turkey invested $12.5 billion in the Azerbaijani economy. Presently, about 4,000 Turkish companies operate in the country. Thus, the Turkish presidents visit to Baku will lead to a new stage in the development of bilateral investments and the tourism sector of the two countries. The main stimulus for this process is the agreement on a visa-free regime between Azerbaijan and Turkey. As a result of this agreement, the period will not be limited for Turkish investors to conduct research on the Azerbaijani market to reveal the promising areas for making investments. Moreover, the abolition of a visa regime will give an additional incentive for an increase in the number of mutual tourist trips, which will accordingly contribute to the development of the tourism sector of the two countries. ----- Follow the author on Twitter: @eldarjanashvili United States Forces Korea's Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. News1 The U.S. Indo-Pacific military command said Wednesday it is restricting nonessential travel to South Korea over concerns about the coronavirus. The notice came after a soldier with U.S. Forces Korea tested positive for COVID-19 amid a rapid rise in the number of cases in the country. "Effective immediately, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, in line with the CDC Travel Health Notice, restricts all nonessential (Department of Defense) travel to (Republic of Korea) to reduce risks associated with COVID-19," the command said on its Twitter and Facebook pages. "This travel restriction applies to all military, civilians and contractors under U.S. Indo-Pacific command authority," it said. Dramatic footage captures the moment police ram down a gang's gate with an armoured car during morning raids across Essex today. At least 300 police officers were involved in the dawn raids after a probe into the theft of dozens of cars worth more than 3m. Officers were sent to a farm near Romford, Essex and around 20 other locations across the county and east London at around 5.45am today as they targeted a 'prolific gang' believed to have been working in the area. Footage shows a 'Jankel' ford truck smash its way into the Essex farm - one of several properties targeted - where they found several outbuildings. A loud smash can be heard as the motorised battering ram sends the blockage flying. During the joint sting by Essex Police, British Transport Police and the Met, officers seized Mercedes, BMWs and Jaguars alongside around 100,000 worth of cash. At this stage 12 people have been arrested, and in east London a cannabis farm with more than 200 plants was also found. Police believe around 90 cars have been stolen by the gang in the last 16 months, with many suspected to have been taken from railway station car parks. At this stage 12 people have been arrested with cops using an armoured 'Jankal' vehicle (pictured) to smash their way into one farm near Romford, Essex In one rural area close to Romford four properties in close proximity were all hit at the same time (one of the properties is pictured) The gang cloned keys to get into motors parked on people's drives and also smashed their way in before using an electronic 'skeleton key' to start the motor (pictured, police at the scene of one of the raids) The suspected car thieves are now in police stations across Essex where they will be questioned later today (pictured, police at the scene of one of the early morning raids) Range rovers, BMWs, Mercedes and vehicles down to Ford Fiesta ST and Cougars were stolen by the gang. Some of them were dismantled into parts Dramatic photographs show police at the scene using an angle grinder to cut their way into a sealed garage and retrieve suspected stolen property. Inside officers are believed to have found suspected stolen cars, with some dismantled into component parts. The gang thought to be behind the thefts is suspected to have targeted locations across Essex including Billericay, Ingatestone, and Brentwood. Elsewhere, in east London, the gang is thought to have stolen vehicles from towns including Havering, Barking and Dagenham. In some cases, the suspected thieves are reported to have used a tow-truck to remove expensive cars in just a few minutes. The slick operation is thought to have netted the gang dozens of vehicles. The 'modern' gang cloned keys to steal the motors before selling them on for more than 100,000 after changing the identity - by switching their number plates switched out and replacing the code numbers. The raids came following months of collaborative work from several different organisations including the Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN). GAIN is made up of Government departments and law enforcement agencies which share intelligence and information to disrupt organised crime groups. Assistant Superintendent Basford added: 'The people behind these types of offences are organised and professional. 'They're experienced at giving a vehicle a new identity and then selling it on to an unsuspecting member of the public. 'Often it may not be identified for several months that a vehicle's identity has been cloned, by which point the criminals have their money and are long gone. 'Gangs make millions of pounds in profits through this crime and can, re-invest that money into other forms of crime which cause further harm to the community.' An Essex Police spokesman confirmed more than 20 warrants had been executed by officers, with vehicles currently being checked. There were no reported injuries to the officers involved (pictured, police at the scene of one of the raids) More than 5,000 vehicles were reported as stolen in Essex last year, up 180 from the previous year (pictured, police at the scene of one of the early morning raids) The 'modern' gang cloned keys to steal the motors before selling them on for more than 100,000 after changing the identity. Some of the cars stolen were only days old and were sold to unsuspecting punters privately (pictured, police investigate this morning) Officers carried out dawn raids at a number of locations in Essex this morning (pictured at the scene of a raid in Essex today) In a joint sting by British Transport Police, Essex Police and the Met, officers seized Mercedes, BMWs and Jaguars (pictured, officers cut open a sealed garage at a location in Essex) Speaking from the scene Chief Inspector Lewis Basford hailed the success of the dawn operation. He said: 'We have taken out an organised crime group that specialised in the theft of high-end vehicles. 'They are a very modern, and very sophisticated group. 'As part of the investigation we can confirm this particular group stole 90 but could be a lot higher - that value is just shy of 5million. 'Range rovers, BMWs, Mercedes and vehicles down to Ford Fiesta ST and Cougars have been stolen, but they have mainly stayed with the luxury models. 'They gave them new identities and sold them privatively because of the sophistication without proper vehicle examiners they looked genuine.' The gang cloned keys to get into motors parked on people's drives and also smashed their way in before using an electronic 'skeleton key' to start the motor. After being stolen new keys were manufactured and the cars were sold for high prices, chopped down for parts and in some cases shipped to Africa. The suspected car thieves are now in police stations across Essex where they will be questioned later today. No charges have been made and no officers were injured in the raids. An Essex Police spokesman confirmed more than 20 warrants had been executed by officers, with vehicles currently being checked. There were no reported injuries to the officers involved. An armoured car was used to smash into one of the Essex properties during the early morning raids today At least 300 officers are thought to have been involved in the early morning raids today (pictured, officers sit inside a police van during the raids) A police car is seen at a property in Essex during the early morning raids. Officers found a number of suspected stolen vehicles early this morning More than 5,000 vehicles were reported as stolen in Essex last year, up 180 from the previous year. Spencer Gruskin runs Essential Installation Services car security in Grays, Essex. He revealed this morning that thieves' ability to keep coming up with more hi-tech ways to steal cars means it's harder for people to prevent thefts. He said: 'It's a lot easier to steal cars. Criminals have now come up with some really clever technology that enable them to take cars, like the film, in less than 60 seconds. 'They can program up additional keys, cloning key signals. Criminals are accessing the cars' system. 'There are actually five forms of keyless car crimes now, the public don't seem to know that - not just the ones you see on the news. 'Everyone is buying pouches to put their keys in [to prevent cloning] but criminals just use other technology.' Mr Gruskin said criminals are relying on the public's 'poor knowledge' of how to protect their vehicles. An investigation is now underway to see whether vehicles found at the farm in Essex are stolen or legitimately owned. The raids followed a probe into a number of expensive vehicle thefts across Essex and east London. Tesla, Inc. TSLA and Panasonic Corp. PCRFY will be ending the joint production of solar cells at the Buffalo, NY-based Gigafactory 2 facility of the former, after struggling for years to boost the unit output. Teslas energy revenues tanked $24 million in 2019, after several rounds of layoffs that started in 2018. Tesla and Panasonic had formed a joint venture in 2016 to manufacture solar cells. Per the deal, Panasonic had initially agreed to pay $271.96 million for part of the equipment at the Buffalo plant, following which the companies commenced producing components for solar photovoltaics in 2017. Though Panasonic-made solar cells were primarily to be used by Tesla to make Teslas own solar panels, the current Solar Roof product of the former uses cells made in China. Meanwhile, Panasonic has been selling cells it produced at the Gigafactory 2 to Japanese homebuilders and other customers. Per Panasonic, the company would cease production at Gigafactory 2 by the end of May 2020 and exit the factory by the end of September. The withdrawal comes as part of Panasonics strategy to divest its unprofitable businesses, in order to drive growth. Further, Teslas relationship with Panasonic hit a rough patch last November, after the latter denied any plan to set up a battery-cell factory for the former in China. Following this, Tesla signed an agreement with South Koreas LG Chem Ltd. and Chinas Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) to source batteries for its Gigafactory 3 in China. Nevertheless, both firms intend to continue working together on automotive batteries for Tesla's electric vehicles at Gigafactory 1 in Reno, NV. However, the latest move comes as another setback to their strained relationship, which was once considered a key component of Panasonics turnaround. Shares of the company have gained 143.4% in the past year, as against the industrys rise of 42.2%. Meanwhile, Tesla has been making efforts to improve vehicle deliveries, sequentially and annually, with some expected fluctuations from seasonality. For full-year 2020, the company expects vehicle deliveries to exceed 500,000 units. Due to the ramp-up of Model 3 in Shanghai and Model Y in Fremont, production will likely outpace deliveries this year. Both solar and storage deployments will be up at least 50% in 2020. Story continues Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider Tesla currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the Auto-Tires-Trucks sector include SPX Corporation SPXC and Fox Factory Holding Corp. FOXF, both carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), at present. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here. SPX has an expected earnings growth rate of 6.52% for 2020. The stock has rallied 28.9% in the past year. Fox Factory has an estimated earnings growth rate of 9.67% for the ongoing year. The companys shares have gained 6.4% in a years time. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year. See their latest picks free >> Click to get this free report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Panasonic Corp. (PCRFY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Fox Factory Holding Corp. (FOXF) : Free Stock Analysis Report SPX Corporation (SPXC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research COLUMBIA, S.C. Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is bracing his supporters for a difficult stretch, with the sobering assertion that front-runner Bernie Sanders will likely emerge from next weeks Super Tuesday contests well ahead in the race for delegates. The disclosure, made in a strategy memo sent to supporters, comes as the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor prepares for the uncertainty of Saturdays South Carolina primary. After strong finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, Buttigieg is working to beat expectations in South Carolina, where his pull among African American voters will be tested, while keeping up the fundraising stream that launched him into the top tier. Despite the challenging stretch leading up to Super Tuesday, there remains a path to the nomination for Buttigieg, his campaign strategists say, though one marked by assumptions about the rest of the field and the candidates own performance over the next six critical days. The question is, Can he keep the balloon in the air? said David Axelrod, former senior adviser to President Barack Obama. So, I think theres a lot at stake here. This was always going to be the toughest part of the competition for him. Punctuating his challenge, Buttigieg canceled a round of morning television appearances in South Carolina on Wednesday and scrubbed a day of Florida fundraising events from his schedule after falling ill with what aides described as flu-like symptoms, the result of a near-nonstop campaign schedule over the past two months. Buttigieg did make time to speak, as did other candidates, at the National Action Network ministers breakfast hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday morning. After an afternoon of rest, Buttigieg has meetings scheduled Thursday on Capitol Hill with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the centrist New Democratic Coalition, as well as a series of media appearances on March 3 primary state television states. Buttigieg campaign manager Mike Schmuhl acknowledges that Sanders looks to come out well ahead in the delegate count on Tuesday. Bernie Sanders will be the delegate leader after the March 3rd contests, but whether that makes him the prohibitive nominee is highly dependent on Petes performance, Shmuhl said in the seven-page memo, which was released to the media and aimed at keeping donors on board. Chiefly, Schmuhl and other Buttigieg strategists argue that Buttigieg has been the only candidate to beat Sanders. They draw on the near-tie in the leadoff caucuses as proof that Buttigieg can hold down Sanders margins of victory in Super Tuesday states especially swing states such as Colorado, North Carolina and Virginia, but also in Vermont, the senators home state. The campaign began airing ads in those states Monday. There are several states in there that kind of represent an idea of places where were seeing opportunity and also cost efficiency, senior strategist Michael Halle said in an interview. The path Schmuhl and other strategists sketch relies on unpredictable factors of other candidates quitting the race and a map they argue is more favorable to the Midwestern centrist after March 3. Contrary to the media narrative, this race will not be determined on Super Tuesday but only if Pete has the resources to compete, Schmuhl noted in the memo. Its an acknowledgement that Buttigieg also faces a fundraising crunch in a race with former New York Mayor Mike Bloombergs unlimited resources and Sanders unending stream of online contributions. Buttigieg raised an eye-popping $75 million last year, no small feat for the former mayor of a city of about 103,000. But having spent twice as much as he raised in the ramp-up to Iowa, he is now in a race against the clock to raise $13 million by March 3. He was only about 40% of the way there Wednesday. However, the campaign said it had raised more than $800,000 online after Tuesdays debate. And while the cancellation of Wednesdays fundraisers in Florida might seem ill-timed, the events sponsors had already secured more in contributions than the goals set, aides said, though they declined to say how much Buttigieg had hoped to raise from the three stops. Buttigieg has fundraisers scheduled for Oklahoma and Texas in the run-up to March 3, when he plans to make stops in North Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma and California. ___ Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman and Alan Fram in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. Dolapo Badmus Dolapo Opeyemi Badmus, a Nigerian police officer, has urged Nigerians to resist the intimidation of any law enforcement officer trying to arrest them simply because they have tattoos on their bodies or dreadlocks on their heads. Badmus, a former spokesperson for the Lagos Police Command, said this in a tweet posted on Thursday morning, after she joined the panelists of the social media week seminar to address the topic Social Media Wars- Dreads, Tattoos, and Passwords. She contributed from the angle of a law enforcement officer. HAVING TATTOO ON YOUR BODY OR DREADLOCKS ON YOUR HEAD DOES(Sic) NOT AUTOMATICALLY MAKE YOU A CRIMINAL, she declared. She further urged Nigerians to resist the intimidation of any law enforcer who wants to use that as the basis to terrorise them by remaining calm, firm, courteous and insisting on not being a criminal for having tattoo or dreadlocks. A group hired by Toth to spy on journalists was watched and photographed by unknown shadows. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Someone took pictures of a surveillance group which, based on orders from mobster Marian Kocner, were surveilling journalists before Jan Kuciak was murdered. They learned who the members of the group are, who owns the cars they were using, and documented other activities as well. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement It is not clear though who gathered this information. Among the options is one of the state intelligence agencies. Related article Related article Ex-spy who spied on Kuciak: I thought I was working for the state Read more Proof that Kocners surveillance commando was monitored is a report which the inspection service running at the Interior Ministry sent to the headquarters of the National Criminal Agency (NAKA) in April 2019. It was addressed to Branislav Zurian, then-head of the national anti-crime unit. The unidentified people were surveilling Miroslav Kriak and co., reads the accompanying letter. The report was then attached to the investigation file in the case of illegal surveillance of journalists before Kuciaks murder. Nobody has been charged in the matter yet. DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- K'dara CBD, a new health and wellness brand founded by a cardiovascular ICU nurse, is thrilled to announce the launch of its pharmaceutical-grade CBD products today. Formulated, tested and approved by an experienced team and pharmacist, K'dara CBD is committed to providing quality products that promote strength, health and wellbeing. K'dara CBD offers an extensive variety of high-quality, organic CBD products ranging from oils, edibles, and topicals to pet treats and bath bombs to empower consumers to find the perfect product for their specific needs. All products are formulated with premium ingredients and offer multiple CBD dosages and absorption methods based on personal preference and individual health goals. Katrina Thompkins, a Dallas-based cardiovascular ICU nurse and founder of K'dara CBD, has seen firsthand the need for a more holistic, natural approach to health. Inspired by her grandmother's legacy of always lending a hand in her community, Katrina partnered with a certified pharmacist to formulate her own line of organic CBD products to help others live their healthiest lives. "Throughout my life, I have felt the passion to help and serve others through my career as a nurse," said Thompkins. "I believe that CBD can be a powerful ally on the journey to health and wellness, and I'm thrilled to introduce K'dara CBD to empower and inspire consumers to invest in their health." All K'dara CBD products are available for purchase online at www.kdaracbd.com. K'dara CBD K'dara CBD is a line of pharmaceutical-grade, organic CBD products on a mission to promote strength, health and wellbeing. Founded by a cardiovascular nurse and formulated by an experienced pharmacist, K'dara CBD makes investing in your health easy with its new line of carefully curated, premium quality CBD products. Made with you in mind, K'dara CBD includes a variety of CBD products ranging from oils, edibles and topicals, to pet treats and bath bombs. To learn more about K'dara CBD and its products, visit www.kdaracbd.com or follow K'dara CBD on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn at @kdaracbd. Media Contact: Bolt Public Relations (469) 371-5641 [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg SOURCE K'dara CBD Related Links http://www.kdaracbd.com I moved to London to work in the Lloyds London marketplace as a Lloyd's broker, and when I returned to the U.S., the insurance market was firming and it was a great time to start at Worldwide Facilities as a wholesale broker, says Moore. Over the coming years, Moore climbed the ranks at the national wholesale insurance broker, managing general agent, and program underwriter. He became the president and later added the CEO title to his letterhead. As Moore led the company throughout the 2000s, Worldwide Facilities added high quality producers and leaders that became a strong foundation to build upon. He can also point to other key moments that helped shape the organization into one of the largest wholesalers in the country. In 2005, we made a decision to expand the ownership of Worldwide internally at a time when very few wholesalers believed in that business model, Moore explains. At that time, we were a $200 million premium business. Since then, we've gone broader with new equity holders and deeper with existing equity holders. In 2015, a growth plan was formed and then put into action when Lovell Minnick Partners was brought in as a private equity partner to help grow and diversify the Worldwide Facilities business. This move and many others that Moore and the leadership team took in recent years have certainly paid off. We executed on our plan and have grown to a $1.8 billion premium business on our way to the two billions, says Moore. In the third quarter of 2019, we partnered with Genstar Capital, which is a very well-respected and knowledgeable private equity partner in the insurance distribution space. Along the way, we invested in producers who did not have books before coming to Worldwide, who are now very successful and well-respected in our industry. Underscoring all of these factors has been best-in-class leadership and management teams. In fact, Moores most meaningful and standout moments in his career include participating with these teams in creating and continuing to grow Worldwide Facilities, he tells Insurance Business. All about culture In 2018, the national wholesaler experienced a lot of changes. The firm went from $845 million in gross written premiums with 320 employees to a $1.5 billion GWP business and more than 700 employees. Throughout this growth, the company has maintained its core culture, which acts as a draw for business owners and new talent who are looking for partners or career opportunities. We believe the collaborative and inclusive culture we've created is an attractive attribute when considering Worldwide as a future partner, says Moore, adding that Worldwide Facilities also has multiple growth levers, which help to differentiate it from the competition. We're not reliant upon one single strategy, such as M&A or organic growth. We can pursue M&A, recruiting, developing our own next generation and existing producer groups through our professional development initiatives all in an effort to execute on our growth strategy. The list of companies that Worldwide Facilities has acquired include Benchmark Management Group and Risk Management Advisory Group in 2019, and Draco Insurance Solutions, McClelland and Hine/McClelland & Hine Trucking Underwriters, RIC Insurance General Agency, The Sullivan Group, and Tennant Risk Services all in 2018. When looking for acquisition opportunities, culture is again front and center. If there isn't a match within culture, it's not an acquisition opportunity that we pursue, says Moore, though when it comes to creating value for stakeholders, organic growth is just as important. We've averaged double-digit organic growth for the past several years. When we pursue acquisition opportunities, we evaluate how the combined businesses can help each other improve our businesses, i.e. how one and one can equal greater than two. This approach only works if the business we're acquiring understands the benefits of organic growth. We also believe that acquisitions need to be good for all of our constituents, including our employees, customers, markets, and of course, our equity holders. Not just survive, but thrive While the past two years have seen Worldwide Facilities rapidly expand, theyve also marked the beginning of a changing and firming insurance marketplace. With rates hardening and capacity shrinking, theres more demand for wholesalers and specialty distributors. In this environment, Moore believes specialization trumps generalization. With our highly specialized teams, product offerings, and relationships with markets, we believe we're well-positioned to provide value to our retail trading partners, says Moore. Specialization is a big part of our business and we believe specialization is absolutely necessary to not only survive, but thrive in current times. Our producers are asked to specialize in specific lines, whether it's casualty, property, financial lines, or programs. In fact, the wholesaler takes it even one step further, encouraging producers to specialize in industry verticals within those specific lines. What this does, explains Moore, is encourage collaboration, cross-selling, and bringing the best possible resources to customers. A critical part of the thrive mentality is developing new talent to continue the important work of the industry. Moore says the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA), where hes currently on the board of directors, has played an important role in driving career awareness and educating the next generation about insurance. Meanwhile at Worldwide Facilities, theres a robust professional development program in place that focuses on accelerating the growth of an up-and-coming generation. Components of the program range from on-the-job training to mentor-mentee interaction and sales training. As a result, a number of people that came through the program have become producing brokers with their own books of business at Worldwide Facilities. To ensure that the wholesaler remains at the top of its game for new and current talent, Moore and the leadership team plan to continue expanding and diversifying the business to stay relevant with customers for years to come. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Worldwide Facilities, and we enter this new chapter with a strong commitment to our growth initiatives and continued dedication to our customer relationships, market affiliations and development of our employees, says Moore. Over the last 50 years, we have built a great foundation in an industry that has a bright future. I remain absolutely confident that Worldwide Facilities' best years are in front of us. The National Liberal Party (PNL) supports the candidacy of Nicusor Dan for the position of general mayor of the Capital, in this year's elections. The announcement was made by PNL leader, Interim Prime Minister Ludovic Orban. "PNL has carried out a broad sociological research at the level of Bucharest and at the level of each district of the Capital. Following this research it has resulted that all PNL candidates have the chance to win the elections for the Capital's City Hall, but we do not have this guarantee that they will win the battle against PSD [Social Democratic Party]. Following the discussions we had with Nicusor Dan, aimed at Bucharest's issues and the solutions for solving the Capital's big problems, I made the decision to propose Nicusor Dan as a candidate supported by PNL," said Orban, at the PNL headquarters. He added that he will present this decision in the leadership of PNL Bucharest and in the party's Executive Bureau. Dr Adrian Mairs (PHA), Dr Philip Veal (PHA), Dr Michael McBride and Mariam McCarthy (HSC) provide an update on Coronavirus on February 27th 2020 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) Health officials are working rapidly to identify anyone who has come into contact with the first patient to test positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland. At a hastily convened press conference tonight, Northern Irelands Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride revealed that an adult who had travelled to Northern Ireland from northern Italy via the Republic of Ireland had recorded a presumptive positive reaction to a test for the virus. The test has now been sent to Public Health England for confirmation of the positive result, which is expected today. So far 17 people have died from the virus in Italy and a further 650 people have been infected. BREAKING: First case of Coronavirus is confirmed in Northern Ireland. The Public Health Agency provides an important update on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) live Posted by Belfast Telegraph on Thursday, February 27, 2020 Flanked by public health experts, Dr McBride said: The test of a patient in Northern Ireland had resulted in a presumptive positive test for coronavirus Covid-19. In line with protocol, the Northern Ireland test outcome has been sent to Public Health England for verification. The patient is receiving specialist care and public health staff here are now working rapidly to identify any contacts the patient has had, with the aim of preventing any further spread. We have been planning for the first positive case in Northern Ireland and have made clear that it was a question of when not if. A special unit has been established at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for isolating those suffering from the virus, but the health authorities were unable to confirm where the patient was being treated. Nor would Dr McBride confirm nor deny reports that the patient was female and had travelled through Dublin into Northern Ireland using public transport. He also declined to say when the coronavirus patient had arrived in Ireland from Italy. This is a live investigation into the individual concerned, their mode of travel and the people they may have come into contact with and Im not in a position to divulge any of that information at this time, he said. Read More In Dublin tonight, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) staff were scrambling to contact hundreds of airline passengers who shared a flight to Dublin from Italy with the woman. Officials in the Republic will be contacting anyone who sat within two rows of the infected passenger on the flight. It is understood the woman from Northern Ireland arrived sometime in the last 48 hours and later travelled to Belfast on the Enterprise service from Connolly Station. Attempts are also being made to contact the rail passengers. The presumptive positive test in Northern Ireland brings the number of UK cases of coronavirus to 16. We have very robust infection control measures in place, which have allowed us to respond immediately to this situation, Dr McBride said. Our health service in Northern Ireland is well used to dealing with these situations and I want to reassure the public that we are prepared. The patient who had tested positive had contacted their GP and self-isolated in line with public health guidelines. The advice to the public remains the same: members of the public who have visited infected regions and are concerned that they may have symptoms that are consistent with coronavirus are advised to self-isolate at home, and contact their GP in the first instance. The risk to the population of Northern Ireland has not changed as a consequence of this presumptive positive test result. Expand Close Image of the coronavirus. (Photo by HANDOUT/National Institutes of Health/AFP via Getty Images) National Institutes of Health/AF / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Image of the coronavirus. (Photo by HANDOUT/National Institutes of Health/AFP via Getty Images) The Chief Medical Officer would not disclose any other information about the coronavirus patient, citing patient confidentiality, but he did say that the patient had not been part of any school trips to the infected area of Italy. We know that this virus is transmissible from person to person. We know that the risk of transmission is high only for those individuals who have had close personal contact that means face to face contact or those individuals that have been within two metres of an infectious individual for more than 15 minutes, he said. The public can be reassured that those people who have had casual passing contact need not have any concern. Dr McBride said anyone the public health agencies thought could be at risk following contact with the traveller from northern Italy would be contacted by officials first in terms of whether they have been exposed to the virus. The public can be confident we are working in a collaborative way Dr McBride He said a programme of intensive, detailed work involving hundreds of Public Health Agency staff in Northern Ireland and the HSE in the Republic was already under way. They are working jointly to ensure that those people who are at increased risk are actively followed up on, contacted and given appropriate advice in terms of minimising the risk of onward transmission. The public can be confident we are working in a collaborative way Dr McBride said. Irish health minister Simon Harris said the first confirmed case in Northern Ireland was not unexpected. Giving the evolving situation, this first case of Covid-19 was not unexpected, he said. The National Public Health Emergency Team has been planning for this scenario since January. Another of today's three new UK cases, a parent at a Buxton primary school in Derbyshire, contracted the virus in Tenerife, where 168 Britons are being kept in a hotel on the south west of the island. The third patient also contracted the virus in Italy, which has become the worst affected country in Europe. Meanwhile, 168 Britons remain confined to the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife after at least four guests were diagnosed with coronavirus. (Newser) A babysitter was taking selfies with a gun on Tuesday when she accidentally shot her 10-year-old nephew in the stomach, according to authorities in Texas. The boy was being watched by the 19-year-old at an apartment in Houston and was rushed to a hospital in critical condition, per CNN, which notes his condition is now stable following surgery. Caitlyn Smith had found the gun at the apartment and begun posing with it, believing it was unloaded, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, which has laid a charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony, per KTRK. Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland tells CNN that "taking selfies was not the best thing to be doing." After all, "firearms are dangerous weapons." (Read more shooting stories.) There's debris on the ground. The streets are deserted. The shops are vandalised. The fear of riots and violence in Northeast Delhi continue. The death toll, meanwhile, has risen over 32. The situation is worse than anyone would have imagined. BCCL Amid all this, film actor and politician Rajinikanth has blamed the central government's intelligence's failure for the violence cause in Delhi. In a rare attack on the BJP-led government, Rajinikanth said that those in power should "resign and go". Twitter "Definitely it is central governments intelligence failure," Rajinikanth was quoted as saying by the reporters. "Intelligence failure means the failure of the home ministry," he said. "I strongly condemn the central government...They should have been so careful when the US President [Donald] Trump had visited [the country]. The intelligence didnt do its job properly. It should have been completely crushed with an iron fist. We expect them to be careful at least from now on," he added. Twitter "I strongly condemn the people and the political parties that use religion for electoral gains," he said, adding that if central government will not deal with the situation right now, it will cause trouble in future as well. After his comments, his colleague and superstar Kamal Haasan congratulated him for his statement. "Shabash Rajini. Welcome to this route -- it's not a separate route but the path trodden by an entire race. Welcome and Congrats," he wrote on Twitter. Twitter Talking about CAA and NRC, he had said, "I said if Muslims are affected by the CAA, I will stand by them. But as the central government has clarified that it will not implement the NRC (National Register of Citizens), there is no point in creating confusion over it. However, protests should not turn violent." BCCL "I believe that CAA will not be taken back at any cost by this government as the bill has already been passed. They have clearly said about NRC. Why should anyone get confused about it again? I am being dubbed as a BJP stooge for my views on CAA by some journalists and senior political observers. I am hurt by such comments. What I state comes from my belief and nothing else," he added. Verizon (NYSE:VZ) finds itself overshadowed as a dividend stock. With 15 years of consecutive annual increases, it remains ten years away from dividend aristocrat status. Moreover, while its payout yield of more than 4.2% stands at more than double the S&P 500 average of 1.8%, peers with higher yields such as AT&T (NYSE:T) may receive more attention than this blue chip stock. However, the panic caused by coronavirus should cause deep concerns for investors as businesses and consumers in China hunker down. This has created uncertainty for both the 5G rollout and the stock market at large. Given the pressure that could put on both Verizon and stocks in general, income investors may have an opportunity to buy a steady income producer at a low price. How coronavirus could affect Verizon stock Even if a company does not operate in China, telcos remain heavily dependent on the People's Republic for equipment. Not only could it disrupt the development of 5G equipment, it could also slow the production of 5G-compatible smartphones, according to Omdia Technology. So far, Verizon has seen only minimal effects. Its stock only fell by 0.3% in a day which saw the Dow fall by more than 3.5%. This relative resilience bodes well for the wireless giant. However, Verizon's website has already begun to list 5G-compatible phones.Reports of delays in network launches could bring both consumer disappointments and stock sell-offs. Still, coronavirus will run its course at some point, and activities in China will eventually return to normal. Moreover, a lower stock price will boost the company's dividend yield. This temporary pessimism could make Verizon stock a better buy, particularly when compared to its archrival, AT&T. AT&T's higher yield comes at a price At first glance, investors may prefer AT&T to Verizon as a dividend play. AT&T's payout yield stands at about 5.4%, more than one percentage point above Verizon's yield. Moreover, AT&T has increased its dividend for 35 years, giving it the advantage of dividend aristocrat status. Furthermore, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are the only companies building 5G networks in the United States. This effectively makes these three companies an oligopoly. Over time, this market power will likely bolster both profits and stock prices as 5G grows in importance. Nonetheless, when investors look below the surface, they may see the considerable risk that comes with AT&T's higher dividend yield. For one, the company's dividend payout ratio has risen to 108%. Since that percentage exceeds 100%, this means that the dividend is costing the company more than it earns in net profits. To be fair, net income includes some non-cash charges. Further, the $14.5 billion AT&T paid in dividends comes out to only about half of AT&T's free cash flow. For this reason, a dividend cut remains unlikely. Furthermore, if AT&T merely suspended increases, it would cost AT&T its dividend aristocrat status. This would probably lead to further stock sell-offs, a painful blow to a stock that first achieved its current price in 1997! This stands in contrast to Verizon, a stock that has finally returned to its dot-com-bubble highs. Moreover, Verizon is morphing into an all-in play on 5G. Conversely, AT&T has invested heavily in declining businesses such as DirecTV. Its WarnerMedia investment also puts AT&T in the highly competitive media content business. These investments and the high costs of building a 5G network have left AT&T massively in debt. That company now holds about $152 billion in long-term debt, along with an additional $11.4 billion that matures in one year. Verizon's less risky financials While Verizon may also face high buildout costs for 5G, its financials appear more stable. The dividend payout ratio of 52% claims a smaller portion of profits. However, it still leaves the company poised to pay for debt reduction or continued expansion of the 5G network. In 2019, Verizon spent $17.9 billion on capital expenditures, which includes 5G development costs and fiber deployments. Verizon could also become a dividend aristocrat ten years from now if the annual dividend increases continue. Free cash flows for 2019 came in at $3.9 billion. Though that remains below AT&T, it provides the cushion needed to maintain increasing dividend payouts. Moreover, thanks to its nearly exclusive focus on infrastructure, Verizon has not taken on massive debts to buy non-5G assets in recent years. The long-term debt now stands at $100.7 billion, with an additional $10.8 billion in obligations maturing in one year. AT&T has a slightly larger market cap than Verizon, about $274 billion for AT&T versus around $242 billion for Verizon. Still, with more than $50 billion less in debt, Verizon appears stronger financially. Going forward Verizon has remained one of the more resilient stocks amid coronavirus fears. It saw a slight drop even amid a sell-off of more than 1,000 points in the Dow in Monday trading. This indicates that the outbreak will have less of an effect on Verizon stock. However, given the potential supply chain disruptions that come from the virus-related shutdowns, Verizon could still feel some of the effects. In time, coronavirus will likely run its course and fade from the headlines. Consequently, Verizon stock should only see temporary effects from this crisis. As more consumers and businesses adopt 5G and profits rise, Verizon should produce a stream of increasing dividends that could eventually take it to dividend aristocrat status. But even with Clyburns endorsement, what remains to be seen is how enthusiastically blacks will vote for him after his disappointing finishes in the first three contests. Like every other segment of the Democratic electorate, African Americans are looking for their surest bet to beat President Trump in November. Bidens big-name endorsements in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada didnt help him all that much in those states. The Managing Director and CEO, Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd, Arvind Goel on Thursday assumed office as the Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Maharashtra for the year 2020-21. Goel took over from Kashmira Mewawala, Head Business Development and Chief Ethics Counsellor, Tata Capital. The Confederation of Indian Industry Maharashtra today announced new office bearers for the year 2020-21. Goel joined Tata AutoComp in 2008 as President and Head Business Group where he was responsible for a group of Business Units of Tata AutoComp. Under his leadership, Tata AutoComp entered into five new Joint Ventures, two Technology Agreements and acquired TitanX, a global leader in Engine and Powertrain cooling system based in Sweden. Goel holds a degree of BE (Mechanical) from NIT Kurukshetra. He also attended leadership and skill enhancement programs including Advanced Leadership Development at Center for Creative leadership at Singapore and Strategy creation by Harvard. "We at CII are committed to work with the state government and supporting them in its endeavours directed the growth and development of the Industry and the Nation," said Goel. Sudhir Mutalik, Managing Director, Positive Metering Pumps (I) Pvt Ltd is the Vice Chairman of CII Maharashtra State Council for the year 2020-21. Mutalik started the company in the year 1999, which is engaged in the manufacturing of dosing pumps and dosing systems for a variety of applications. Mutalik holds a degree of BE (Mechanical) from Government College of Engineering, Karad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A case has been filed against 21 people, including Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh (VHM) district president Satish Dhal, for making inflammatory statements and attempting to vitiate the atmosphere of the area. According to Civil Lines police station inspector Nawal Marwaha, the accused were protesting against AIMIM leader Waris Pathan for his statement that 15 crore Muslims are more than a match for the country's 100 crore Hindus. "The accused also burnt the effigy of the leader," he told ANI. On February 20, while addressing an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act rally, at Kalaburagi in Karnataka, Pathan had said, "time has now come for us to unite and achieve freedom. Remember we are 15 crore but can dominate over 100 crores." "They tell us that we have kept our women in the front - only the lionesses have come out and you are already sweating. You can understand what would happen if all of us come together," he had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child." Cicero It's no secret that many of today's students are ignorant of American history and of how American democracy works. According to a 2018 survey conducted by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, only 1 in 3 Americans would be able to pass the U.S. citizenship test. Clearly, the current education system-at the K-12 and college levels-has failed to do its job. And that includes the University of North Carolina system schools.According to the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), none of the UNC system schools require students to takeIn fact, of all the 49 North Carolina colleges and universities that ACTA evaluated, only two schools fully met the above criteria.Fortunately, there are now a number of initiatives that aim to fill the gaps in students' historical knowledge. One of those initiatives is the American History for Freedom program. The Martin Center sat down with the Bipartisan Policy Center's Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill to learn more about the program.Pfeffer Merrill is director of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Campus Free Expression Project , which promotes viewpoint diversity and free expression on college campuses.Thanks for the interest in this too-little-known but important program! The American History for Freedom (AHF) program was added to the American Higher Education Act when that Act was last reauthorized by Congress in 2008. Just a brief reminder from readers' high school civics class: When Congress authorizes a program, that doesn't mean that the appropriate federal department or agency will start setting it up. For that to happen, Congress also must appropriate funds to establish and run the program. To date, that second step hasn't happened.The good news is that there is fresh bipartisan interest in the AHF program. Last year, a bipartisan group of eight Senators introduced the USA Civics Act of 2019 , which would reauthorize this program. That bill isn't likely to be passed in this Congress, but it is a strong signal that there is bipartisan support to see the AHF program funded in this budget cycle, which kicked off when the president sent his 2021 budget proposal to Congress on February 10. The House and Senate are beginning the long process of preparing a budget resolution, which could include a first-time appropriation for the program.AHF was signed into law as part of the Higher Education Act of 2008, but never received appropriations funding. However, Congress has the ability to fund the program through the current appropriations process.I'm sure some of your readers do worry about adding yet another federal spending program. But I'd liken the AHF program to infrastructure programs. We need ongoing investment in our highways, ports, digital capacity, and the like so the economy will grow over the decades ahead. Likewise, we need ongoing investment in what I'd call our intellectual infrastructure so that we can have a healthy democracy, with citizens who know their history and Constitution. Investing in the AHF program is an intellectual infrastructure investment that will pay civic dividends for decades to come.Alas, the reports about what people, including the college-educated, know about American history and how our government works are pretty depressing. A survey by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni found that less than 40 percent of respondents-and only a little more than half of college graduates-could correctly answer a multiple-choice question about the length of terms for members of Congress. More than half of respondents-and a third of college graduates-did not know that the Bill of Rights is the name given to a group of Constitutional amendments. I could go on, but I don't think there's doubt graduates and the public too often don't know basic facts about our history and government. That has real consequences : people don't know how to be engaged citizens, and they lack the knowledge to contextualize current events and controversies in a longer, broader understanding of our past.Why do too many Americans know so little about American history and how our government works? One factor for the widespread historical and civic illiteracy is simply that these subjects are not being taught, or taught with enough rigor, in K-12. A recent study found that only eight of the 50 states require a year-long course in civics and government, and only 28 states require a year-long course in U.S. history. Too often teachers are not as ready as they should be-or as they want to be-to teach about our country.Thankfully, the AHF program has a specific provision to address the K-12 teaching of civics and history. The program can fund teacher preparation programs that will "stress content mastery." It can also fund collaborations with local educational agencies, allowing teachers who are already in the classrooms to access programs that will boost their knowledge. This is a real opportunity to better prepare those who will be teaching civics and U.S. history in our primary and secondary schools.The AHF program will be a real boon to funding programs and centers that will deepen college and university students' knowledge of our country. That's especially important since the number of students majoring in history has plunged since the Great Recession, even as college enrollment has risen. Much of the programming funded may be co-curricular activities, lecture series, and events that will attract students who are not history majors. We want students in STEM fields, in pre-professional majors, and business programs-those who may not have learned much U.S. history and civics in primary and secondary schools-to have another chance to pick up this knowledge on campus.By funding programs and centers that can equip students with historical knowledge in which to contextualize current affairs and understand how our political and civic institutions can address today's challenges. The AHF can help prepare students to be the next generation of leaders, move our country past its current polarization, and restore our traditions of civility, mutual respect, and pragmatic compromise.Sure, there are scores of examples. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni lists " Oases of Excellence " and " Partners " that are faculty-led, outstanding programs. Just a few examples, from schools public and private: The Center for the Study of Government and the Individual at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, the McConnell Center at the University of Louisville, and the Ashbrook Center affiliated with Ashland University. Of course, I'm not saying these particular centers would apply for grants from the AHF program, just that they are the kind of academic centers encompassed within it.Frankly, the professors who lead these centers are often the most entrepreneurial among the faculty and the most engaged with their students. I know many of these faculty leaders who truly care about preparing their students to be engaged and knowledgeable citizens.The fact that scores of such centers have been created without a federal program doesn't obviate the importance of the AHF program. Many of these campus programs and centers operate on a shoestring budget-grants that would increase the capacity of these programs to increase their capacity would make a real difference. I know professors running these centers who would welcome a grant to buy books from the tradition of American political thought and a few pizzas for dinner seminars with students, or funds to bring guest speakers who would bring viewpoints that are less frequently heard on campus-or, more even ambitiously, funds to establish brand-new centers or to create new programs of study.Good question, but I think the AHF program is very different. The examples you mention are single-author and reporter-curated, not the kind of campus-based, academically vetted programs and centers with ongoing courses, lecture series, seminars, and symposia as envisaged in this program.First, there'd be multiple quality checks at the college and university level: A rogue professor cannot set up an academic program or center on just his or her say-so. Schools carry out their due diligence when a professor or group of professors propose a program or center. The professor would need to write a proposal-essentially a business plan-describing prospective programming and activities, topics to be addressed, and how students would benefit. That proposal would be vetted in a healthy review process, by faculty peers, the dean, perhaps the faculty senate and provost-sometimes even the board of trustees.In examples I mentioned earlier, each went through a campus vetting process. There truly are campus-based programs and centers offering just the kind of programming that can ensure this generation learns about our history, Constitution, and institutions of freedom.As an added measure of reassurance, applications for AHF funding would also be subject to a Department of Education grant review process.Schools in the Tar Heel state could apply for grants to establish or to expand the programming on American history and free institutions. There are already examples of outstanding centers of this sort in North Carolina, such as the Eudaimonia Institute at Wake Forest University and Program in American Values and Institutions at Duke University. I know lots of people are excited about the UNC Program for Public Discourse that is on the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill campus. Other colleges, both public and private, in North Carolina might seize the opportunity to establish such centers.North Carolina sets a higher bar than many states for high school graduation, by requiring year-long courses in civics and government and U.S. history. But for those courses to prepare students properly, teachers need to be content experts. The American History for Freedom program could fund programs that would better prepare teachers before they enter classrooms, as well as teachers already in classrooms. PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 07:04:03 ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (27 February 2020) The Supervisory Board of IMCD N.V. (IMCD) announces that it will, at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 8 May 2020, propose to appoint Valerie Diele-Braun and Amy Hebert as new members of the Supervisory Board and to reappoint Janus Smalbraak as member of the Supervisory Board. All nominations are for a tenure of four years. Having served on the Supervisory Board for four years, Julia van Nauta Lemke has indicated not to seek a second term and will resign from the Supervisory Board at the end of her current term (at the date of the 2020 AGM). The Supervisory Board is very grateful for her commitment and valuable contributions to the Supervisory Board and the Audit Committee and wishes her all the best for the future. The aim of the nominations now announced, is to strengthen the Supervisory Boards profile with more international business experience and to add significant industry expertise. Valerie Diele-Braun and Amy Hebert each bring more than 20 years of comprehensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the speciality chemicals industry. Both are proven international executives, with strong records of driving long-term business growth and managing commercial as well as financial performance. Please find attached the full press release. Attachment The search for a COVID-19 cure has yielded chloroquine phosphate as a possible anti-viral to combat the dreaded disease. Early clinical trials have shown it can treat COVID-19, but more research is needed to verify. Sun Yanrong of the China National Center for Biotechnology, has confirmed that chloroquine, used as an anti-malarial medication, showed promise over other drugs. According to Xinhua, the drug is now in trials used by ten hospitals in the Chinese capital city, Guangdong province, and Hunan province where a cure is needed desperately. Researchers have determined that the drug had curative effects and 'good' efficacy as an anti-viral. Patients who were given the anti-malaria drug had a drop on their fever, and better prognosis on lung CTS, requiring a less prolonged recovery period than those not given the drug. More patients had less viral nucleic acid tests, but also higher with the anti-malaria cure that gave a better result for infected patients. From 100 patients who were given Chloroquine, there were no negative reactions in the trial run to test the effect of the drug on humans with positive coronavirus infection. Zhang Xinmin, development head for the China National Center for Biotechnology Development, mentioned that chloroquine is one of a trio of anti-virals with a chance to cure the COVID-19, as reported by the China Daily. Other drugs in the running are the anti-flu medicine favipiravir and Gilead's developed drug and anti-viral called remdesivir. Both are still under investigation and to see if these drugs can help the symptoms of coronavirus. Also read: Third Coronavirus Patient Dies in Italy, Causing Lockdown of Lombardy and Veneto In Shenzhen, Favipiravir is undergoing human trials with 70 patients in the Guangdong province. Meanwhile, about 10 medical centers are holding remdesivir trials in Wuhan. Both anti-virals are the quickest hopes to secure a permanent vaccine for the COVID-19 virus. Sources have commented on the slow progress of remdesivir, all because human trials need COVID-19 patients that are suitable. There a 200 patient from the 700 target patients who were added to the trial after ten days. Japan to test HIV medication Yoshihide Suga, Japanese chief cabinet secretary remarked that there will be trials for a drug for HIV medication that will be retrofitted for COVID-19 contagion. These drugs will take time to develop despite the urgency, and it will not be ready sooner. In China, anti-viral research is already in high gear to end the virus. Chloroquine phosphate is used for over 70 years, included as part of the 'List of Essential Medicines' by the World Health Organization (WHO). Chloroquine was discovered in 1934 by Hans Andersag, and was initially thought to be dangerous to humans but was found out to be an anti-malaria agent. Other uses for chloroquine other than malaria, it is to cure amebiasis outside the intestines, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus erythematosus. Now, scientists attempt to retrofit it as a coronavirus cure. Clinical trial results of chloroquine phosphaste in coronavirus infected patients shows faster recovery. One test subjct is a 54-year old patient from Beijing, who took the drug for seven days. All negative signs of COVID-19 viral attack turned to negative due to the use chloroquine. Zhong Nanshan, the Chinese epidemiologist and pulmonologist responsible for uncovering SARS in 2003, agrees that the chloroquine phosphate could be an anti-viral for COVID-19. However, further studies are needed to finalize such findings. Related article: Coronavirus Death Toll Statistics: South Korea, Italy Cases Increasing @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Zimbabwe faces a grim economic outlook this year and is also at risk of an extreme humanitarian crisis, the International Monetary Fund warned Thursday. An IMF team issued the warning after experts visited the southern African country and met with officials there. Zimbabwe's economy has been in a slump for more than a decade, with chronic shortages of cash, fuel, medicines and food, and shops are now even running out of cornmeal, a main source of nourishment. The worst drought in 40 years has added to the misery, and more than half of the country's 15 million people are suffering food shortages. "Executive directors noted with concern that Zimbabwe is facing an economic and humanitarian crisis exacerbated by policy missteps and climate?related shocks," an IMF statement said. "With another poor harvest expected, growth in 2020 is expected at nearly zero with food shortages continuing," the global lender added. The IMF said while government's 2020 budget provides "a significant increase in social spending, it is likely insufficient to meet pressing social needs. "Absent a scaling up of donor support, the risks of a deep humanitarian crisis are high." At least 7.7 million people need food aid, according to aid agencies, including urban dwellers who in the past could manage on their own. The government has struggled to pay civil servant salaries meanwhile, inciting doctors to stage a a prolonged strike that has emptied some hospital wards. The IMF urged Zimbabwe, which has been isolated for nearly two decades by trading partners in the west, to re-engage with the international community to shore up the moribund economy and tackle the humanitarian crisis. "Zimbabwe remains in debt distress, with large external arrears to official creditors," it noted. President Emmerson Mnangagwa succeeded veteran autocrat Robert Mugabe in 2017 and won disputed elections in July 2018 on pledges to revive business activity, attract foreign investment, and achieve the rank of a middle-income economy by 2030. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) KANE COUNTY, Ill., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IMEC celebrates Janus Remote Communication as the first recipient of the Illinois Manufacturing Innovation Voucher, receiving matching funds that includes additional investment from the Kane County Innovation Voucher. Since IMEC launched the Illinois Manufacturing Innovation Voucher program in November 2019, small and medium-sized manufacturers across the state have been finding new and innovative ways to propel their organizations through increased productivity. Seeing the vision of the impacts the Voucher program will have on the future of Illinois manufacturing, Kane County developed the Kane County Innovation Voucher to offer up to an additional $5,000 to Kane County manufacturers who are also taking advantage of the up to $25,000 program offered by IMEC. "The Kane County Board has adopted several unique programs to support manufacturers in Kane County and is delighted to partner with IMEC in this Innovation Voucher Program, where Kane County manufacturers can grow and prepare for the challenges of the future." - Chris Lauzen, Kane County Board Chairman Janus' innovative project will allow them to introduce two unique products to the cellular communication market and allow them to certify their products for domestic and international use highlighting another Illinois manufacturer's global footprint. If it were not for the Illinois Manufacturing Innovation Voucher and the Kane County Innovation Voucher, this project would not have come to fruition. Dave Jahr, General Manager of Janus says they "would not have been able to allocate resources from their engineering budget, because this product is not standard for our industry. The investment from IMEC's voucher and the Kane County voucher gave us the ability to move forward with this project because it removes the stress of significant capital allocations, were we to embark on this project alone." Thanks to IMEC and Kane County, Janus is able to realize one of a kind products that will open up new doors for their organization, the industry, their community and contribute to Illinois' thriving manufacturing ecosystem. Janus expects to generate substantial revenue upon the completion and launch of their new innovative product! Illinois manufacturers who are interested in propelling their organization to see measurable gains in productivity and competitiveness through innovation, can click here to learn more the Illinois Manufacturing Innovation Voucher! About IMEC IMEC is a team of improvement specialists who are dedicated to changing lives and creating a positive impact on Illinois' workforce and economy. With a mission to drive growth through enterprise excellence, they help organizations become more effective and efficient by identifying issues, developing and implementing solutions and providing the necessary support that will allow them to excel in areas of leadership, strategy, customer engagement, operations, workforce, and measurement and results. In 2019, they assisted over 700 companies and created over 4600 jobs, resulting in over $430M aggregate impact to the Illinois economy. IMEC has seven offices statewide and 48 full-time industry improvement specialists. For more information, visit www.imec.org. SOURCE IMEC Related Links https://www.imec.org/ One of the greatest conservation programs in U.S. history unquestionably is the federal duck stamp, which is worthless for postage but invaluable for migratory birds, other wildlife and people. Since its inception in 1934, the program has financed the creation or protection of 6 million acres of habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife, including the establishment or expansion of more than 300 national wildlife refuges at least one in most states. Its also one of the most efficient government programs imaginable. By law, 98 cents of every dollar spent on duck stamps must go directly toward habitat within the national refuge system, which belongs to and benefits all Americans. These lands do far more than provide food and habitat for birds and other wildlife. Wetlands in particular are beneficial to people because they ease flooding and filter the water that flows through them, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. The vast majority of duck stamp dollars come from waterfowl hunters, who must purchase the $25 stamps each year before they can legally hunt ducks and geese. The program is one of the many examples of how hunters drive conservation in this country. So why do I a passionate waterfowl hunter who spends many days in marshes each fall strongly oppose a proposed rule change by the Department of the Interior that would mandate hunting-related themes to be portrayed on the duck stamp? Simple: Its a terrible idea. My reasons are in part driven by economics. The rest is plain common sense. Duck stamp images are chosen annually in a national contest in which artists paint one of five designated species of waterfowl. While hunting themes now are optional, the proposed rule change would require artists to include one or more waterfowl hunting specific elements or a waterfowl hunting scene as part of the design. That might include a decoy, a Labrador retriever bringing back a goose or a camo-clad parent and child. The proposal is the byproduct of a well-intended plan to support hunting and its role in conservation, and the appeal to hunters is undeniable. Yet even the most dedicated hunters must admit that our numbers are dwindling. Statistics from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service suggest that there are about 1.2 million waterfowl hunters in this country, about half of what we had 50 years ago. As current hunters age, more people embrace urban lifestyles and access to good hunting opportunities dwindles, that number is likely to drop further. Though annual duck stamp sales exceed the number of waterfowl hunters around 1.5 million are sold each year, generating more than $36 million for habitat hunters obviously buy the bulk of them. Many hunters buy more than one, sometimes because they lose one but more likely because they recognize the programs value. If hunter numbers continue to decline, so too will the funds that are so badly needed to conserve habitat. That will affect not just duck hunters but all of us: bird watchers, wildlife photographers, other visitors to the refuge system and most important, those of us who care about flood mitigation and clean water. It makes little sense to exclude or possibly alienate those people whose idea of a good time doesnt include wading through muck and mire in the predawn hours in hopes of bringing home a duck dinner, not to mention those who actually oppose hunting. We hunters will buy the stamps regardless; we need to encourage others to buy them too. A far better choice would be to expand the pool of potential buyers of the duck stamp, perhaps by requiring any adult who wishes to enter a national wildlife refuge for whatever reason to purchase one. After all, the duck stamp makes these refuges possible, and while the stamps price is modest, its impact is not. I would embrace such a rule change. The current proposal, now in the public comment stage of implementation, should be rejected. Meantime, if you care about birds, other wildlife and the benefits of wetlands, buy a duck stamp or two even if you have no intention of hunting. Its the most economically efficient thing you can do for conservation. Luft is executive vice president of the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation in Dundee Township and director of its Center for Conservation Leadership. The column first appeared in the Chicago Tribune. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 An article from the Pew Research Center stated that immigrants in the United States have a higher chance of becoming lower-skill workers compared to United States-born citizens. However, the total number of high-skilled immigrants with non-mechanical work has increased in the past 10 years. The change has been most noticeable in the jobs where analytical skills are prioritized such as in math, science, writing, speaking, and other analytical and fundamental skills. There is also an increasing number of immigrant workers in the fields where social skills such as persuasion and negotiation skills are necessary. Differences of Immigrant Groups in the United States There is a key difference in the broad trends about immigrant workers according to their group. The majority of the Hispanic immigrants, the largest group of US immigrant workers, works in the lower-skill job occupations. Many of the Asian immigrants, the biggest number of new arrivals in the US, are working in higher-skill jobs. For blacks, they fall on the two extremes. White immigrant employees in the US are abundant in high-skill occupations. As a summary, the total US labor force had increased significantly in the past decades from 10% in 1995 to 17 percent in 2018. Immigrants in the United States are expected to significantly contribute to US workforce growth until 2035. US Immigrants Workers vs US-born Workers When it comes to skills for job specializations, immigrants and US-born workers are different. There is a low chance that immigrant workers will be hired for jobs that prioritize nonmechanical skills such as managerial, social, fundamental, and analytical skills. In 2018, less than 30 percent of immigrant workers were hired for jobs that prioritize social skills. These types of jobs are registered, nurses and social service managers. Nearly 44 percent of US-born workers are hired for similar occupations requiring exemplary social skills. A similar trend is also observed for both groups working in occupations that focus on fundamental skills. Examples of these occupations are law practitioners and teaching. According to statistics, there is only 1 in 4 immigrant workers who are employed in these types of jobs while 34 percent of US-born workers are in this line of work. There is a high chance that immigrants in the US will be hired in lower-skilled occupations. In 2018, 43 percent of foreign workers worked in occupations where analytical skills are not prioritized. For US-born workers, 28 percent of them are employed in these types of work. Also, 35 percent of immigrant workers are employed in work that does not require them to possess fundamental skills. Only 19 percent of US-born citizens are employed in these kinds of jobs. Examples of these types of jobs are loading machine operators and welders. For mechanical skills, immigrants are less likely to be hired in jobs that prioritize mechanical skills compared to US-born workers. Mechanical jobs include electricians, mechanics of industrial machinery. These jobs require workers to conduct repair and installation of various types of machinery and equipment. Salary Differences The average wage for jobs that do not prioritize social, analytical, fundamental, and managerial skills is lower compared to jobs that require these skills. A body modification enthusiast said her struggles with mental health led her to fall in love with tattooing. Amber Luke, 24, revealed her first tattoo was inspired by her mental health battle - and would lead to her spending $55,000 on body modification. The model, from the New South Wales Central Coast, got her first tattoo when she was 16. The tattoo read: 'You can keep knocking, but won't knock me down; no love lost, no love found.' Amber Luke, 24, revealed her first tattoo was inspired by her mental health battle - and would lead to her spending $55,000 on body modification The model has spent $55,000 on body modifications - including inking the whites of her eyes blue Amber said at 16 she felt as though she was over life before her diagnosis 'It was very relatable to my life at that point in time as I struggled with bullying for my mental health,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I was labelled an ''attention seeker'' at such a young age, when I was just merely struggling to live a normal life.' Amber was diagnosed with severe clinical depression the same year she got her first tattoo and said she felt very over life. She said her mind was playing torturous mental games with her constantly and by the time she was 23 she was re-diagnosed with borderline personality disorder with schizophrenic traits, along with severe clinical depression. 'That was really hard for me to hear, that I wasn't 'normal' in the brain. It really messed with me to think, 'why couldn't I have been born with the right chemicals in my brain',' she said. Amber revealed she tried to take her own life on multiple occasions but two instances stand out. Amber revealed she was diagnosed with severe clinical depression at 16 (pictured left on schoolies at 18) and it inspired her first tattoo Amber Luke's $55,000 body transformation Tongue split Pointed implants in ears Pierced forehead, chest, lip, cheek, wrist and arm Earlobes stretched Teeth filed into fangs Breast augmentation Cheek and lip fillers Eyebrows, lip tattooed and eyeballs tattooed with blue ink More than 200 tattoos, including on her chest, neck, stomach, arms, face, fingers, thighs, sternum, bottom and hands Brazilian butt lift Advertisement 'The first time was when I hung myself three years ago in an abandoned park,' Amber said. 'The second time was when I crashed my car into a tree going 100km/h, intentionally. 'I wish I knew back then that I was worth so much more than my mental illness. I am so much more than my mental illness. It doesn't define me.' Amber's social media - where she goes by Blue Eyes White Dragon - is littered with shots showing off her extensive tattoos and body modifications. However she said her battles with her mental health does impact what she uploads and her body image. For instance, the body modification enthusiast was told she needed to put on five kilograms for her upcoming Brazilian butt lift surgery. Amber revealed she tried to take her own life on multiple occasions but two instances stand out However during her teenage years she had a 'relentless purging addiction'. 'I cried [when they told me I needed to put the weight on]. But I wanted it to bad I moved past my demons. I've since gained eight kilograms,' she said. Amber said she wants everyone dealing with their mental health that they are 'so much more than what your mind tells you'. 'Your mind will rule you if you do not rule it. Your body is your temple and you only get one, so treat it with respect,' she said. 'It's your only true home. I want people to know who are struggling, that there's always hope.' She said she never wanted help - that she was a negative person who never saw a light at the end of the tunnel. 'One day, I realised I'm not only living for myself here, I'm someone's friend, someone's daughter, someone's lover,' she said. 'I'm something so much more than this illness. You can do anything you set your mind to.' Amber said the reason she loves tattooing so much because she views the art the same way she sees life. 'You're faced with some pain, but when you get through it, you're left with something permanent and beautiful that's apart of you now,' she said. She said the most painful tattoo she has gotten is her eyeballs, where she tattooed the whites of her eyes blue. Amber began modifying her body at 16 - and has since had surgeries to split her tongue and sharpen her teeth into fangs Amber said it felt as though glass was being rubbed into her eyes. Initially she wanted to get them tattooed black but changed her mind at the last minute. The model said people have mixed reactions when they seen her on the street - with some even asking her why she's done such 'hideous' things to her body. However she said the changes she made have made her feel more like her herself and she is happier than ever. Amber said the people that matter - like her mother and her friends - have always been extremely supportive. For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 or Mensline 1300 789 978 MOHAWK N.Y.- The Village of Mohawk held a public meeting Wednesday night to discuss a mitigation project for Minnowbrook Creek in the Village. A little over a dozen people attended the meeting at The Mohawk Village Hall. The Village is looking to reduce the severity of flooding from Minnowbrook Creek. When the creek is hit with major flooding, water backs up around the culverts and flows down the streets. The Village Board is hoping for a federal grant from the Green Innovation Program, and the Climate Smart Communities program grant from New York State. Around 20 Homes on Fulmer and Marmet Streets are affected by the creek, which flows from East to West and runs between the two streets into Fulmer Creek. Marybeth Napolitano, a Mohawk Resident who recently moved into the Village tells NEWSChannel 2; The creek bed and the creek bank is collapsing. Its right at my property line. said Napolitano. We need to make sure that its stabilized because what could happen is there could be some flooding. Right now, everything in my basement, I have bricks to keep them up just in case. Michele Palmer, a Landscape Architect and the Coordinator of the Project says the work would do several things. We would look at the channel and how much water is flowing through it now, and how much is anticipated in a flood condition. said Palmer. And then size the channel to appropriately carry the amount of water if its possible. Thats one of the things that needs to be looked at. If the channel is wide enough, deep enough, and stable enough, it should solve the flooding problems. Palmer added. At this time, no word on how much the project will cost. The Village will be following up with Residents to see if they are willing to participate. Parental Rights Must Remain Paramount Commentary Florida appears to be leading the way when it comes to making sure state law reflects the importance of parental rights. In comparison to states such as California, which looks like its trying to tear apart the nuclear family and any semblance of common sense, Floridas laws are looking to provide guidelines for parents under the presumption that, most of the time, parents know best and have their childrens best interests in mind. Republican State Sen. Kelli Stargel sponsored SB 1634, which, according to the Tallahassee Democrat, would allow parents to keep their children out of class on days when subjects they may disagree with are taughtincluding evolution, sex education and human influence on climate. It seems like parents should have already had the right to do this anyway, and Stargel clarified thats true, but her bill would explicitly state this in law. The bill went before the Senate Education Committee and must go through one other committee before it hits the Senate floor for debate. Stargel explained to the panel that it would make sure parents can direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children, calling out those who would remove kids and replace their parents with the state just for parenting differently. Im not sure if Stargel was hinting at any political affiliation, but Ive seen both the far left and far right do this. The bill has caused some controversy, which seems strange. Its like common sense has gone out the window. Republican Florida State Sen. Dennis Baxley said that the very fact that the bill has caused some debate demonstrates how far society has slipped from the reality that parents should maintain their rights. A blog on Patheos called the Friendly Atheist criticized the bill with what is likely an unusual but unfortunate perspective that I fear may be growing among the progressive leftthat is the concept of childrens rights: In fact, children are not possessions, and they dont belong to their families or the state. They are individual human beings with rights and interests of their own. The sad reality is that the children whose parents most want to control what their children learn are the ones who most need access to the alternate perspectives they can get from a comprehensive education. And it is exactly those children whose parents are most likely to take advantage of the rights this bill outlines. While of course, some children are subject to abuse, alcoholism, and extreme poverty or neglectand some parents should lose their rights, whether temporarily or permanently, due to thatthere are provisions for those situations in every state. Laws like the Florida bill are geared toward educational topics that are progressive, extreme, and with which parents may disagree. While state schools are far from perfect, if a school administrator confuses a parents right to protect a childs educational choices with parental abuse, this would pose a different problem entirely. Florida lawmakers also just passed another controversial bill about parental rights. This time, this bill requires minors to get consent if they want to acquire an abortion. The bill states that the physician must make reasonable attempts, whenever possible, and without endangering the minor, to contact the parent or legal guardian of the minor, and doctors who perform an abortion without the appropriate proof that the parent has given consent could be charged with a third-degree felony and face prison time. The bill passed 7543, with a handful of Democrats voting for the bill. Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign it even though local abortion groups like Planned Parenthood, opposed the bill and called it unconstitutional. Contrast this with Californias charge to remove a parents rights, whether its about abortion, birth control, sex change hormone treatments, and more. Its nonsensical at best, appalling at worst. It was revealed recently that the California Teachers Association (CTA) is pushing a policy that would allow kids to keep confidential some of the most pertinent and potentially devastating information a child could harbor. As The Epoch Times previously reported: CTA believes comprehensive school-based health care clinics are needed to bring caring and responsive services to young people. The clinics shall provide cisgender, transgender, and non-binary youth equal and confidential access to decision-making rights for students and their families. The Family Research Council reported this move could keep parents in the dark while their kids pursue activities that could ultimately be harmful. They noted that California has allowed students to assume a different gender identity without notifying parents since 2013, and other statessuch as Michigan, Wisconsin, and New Jerseyhave followed suit. Many children dont know whats good for themI always joke mine would eat ice cream all day and skip school if they couldso why would state laws and policies allow for minors to make important choices about things like abortion, hormone replacement, and even education issues, without the knowledge or guidance of their parents? Of course no parent is perfect, but it stands to reason most parents want the best for their kids, and they try to provide them with a safe, secure, healthy home environment. While there should be provisions for extreme situationslike abusegenerally speaking, its vital that parents maintain the right to raise their children according to their beliefs and traditions, and state laws must reflect that. Nicole Russell is a freelance writer and mother of four. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Politico, The Daily Beast, and The Federalist. Follow her on Twitter @russell_nm. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The presence of the infection must be confirmed by the Spallanzani Institute of Rome Open source The first case of coronavirus infection was recorded among Ukrainians in Italy, Interfax reports with reference to the Italian media. "The first case of a coronavirus in Campania . The girl who had been feeling not well for several days went to the hospital of San Luca di Vallo Della Lucania yesterday where she was tested for the COVID-19 virus. It tested positive in Cotugno Hospital, Naples: The presence of the Coronavirus has to be confirmed by the Spallanzani Institute of Rome. All those who came in contact with the girl, especially the family who accompanied her to the hospital, were quarantined," the message reads. As we reported earlier, according to advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine Anton Turupalov, passengers, arriving from Italy, did not show any signs of coronavirus disease. He stated this during a briefing that was broadcasted by 112 Ukraine TV Channel. "Now all people who are arriving on a direct flight from Italy are subject to mandatory screening. To my knowledge, no person has been identified (with signs of illness 112 International.)," Turupalov noted. Johnny Depps lawyers say the star hopes to achieve vindication at a public trial over allegations he was abusive to ex-wife Amber Heard. The Hollywood actor is suing the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article which alleged he was violent and referred to him as a wife-beater. At a hearing in London on Wednesday, lawyers for Mr Depp, 55, said a High Court judge will have to resolve who is telling the truth about their relationship. Actor Johnny Depp (centre) leaving the High Court (Aaron Chown/PA) In court documents prepared by his legal team, his barrister David Sherborne said: Mr Depp states that he has never physically assaulted his wife, that the alleged incidents of violence on his part has been invented and that actually it was Ms Heard who was physically violent in the course of the arguments which took place during their marriage. Ms Heard claims that Mr Depp physically assaulted her, that she sustained serious injuries as a result and that she was never physically violent towards him at all. Plainly, one of them is not telling the truth. He added: As already stated, one of them is lying and doing so on a grand scale. Even in this action, further allegations have been made against Mr Depp by a series of amendments (to the case) on the basis presumably of Ms Heards evidence, including new incidents which have never been alleged before. It is a very important function therefore of this libel trial that these allegations are tested, and either proved or disproved so that the truth or falsity of them is clearly established. Video of the Day This is a hugely significant factor for Mr Depp, namely to achieve vindication for these widely publicised allegations at an equally public trial. The libel claim, against News Group Newspapers and Mr Wootton, arises out of publication of an article in The Sun in April 2018 under the headline Gone Potty How can JK Rowling be genuinely happy casting wife-beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film? Mr Depp, wearing a suit and blue-tinted glasses, sat in court behind his lawyers throughout the hearing, which dealt with case management issues ahead of a 10-day trial set for March 23. Mr Justice Nicol, who heard a series of applications from both sides, said he will give his ruling on the pre-trial issues at a later date. Johnny Depp (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) Earlier during the hearing, Mr Sherborne said the evidence in the case is diametrically opposed. The barrister told the court Ms Heards allegations date back to the early stage of the couples relationship in 2013, before they married in 2015. He also referred to recordings of Ms Heard, 33, which recently came to light, in which she appears to discuss having been physically violent towards Mr Depp. Mr Sherborne said that evidence demonstrates in her own voice that she was not a victim of domestic abuse, but rather that she was the aggressor. He added that, in the recordings, Ms Heard is apparently heard to say that no-one would believe Mr Depp if he claimed to be a victim of domestic violence. The court heard a number of witnesses will either attend the trial or appear over a video link, many from California, to give evidence in support of either Mr Depp or Ms Heard. Lawyers representing News Group Newspapers told the court that texts sent by Mr Depp during his relationship with Ms Heard are very damaging to his case. Adam Wolanski QC told the court Mr Depps previous legal team had accidentally disclosed 70,000 text messages to lawyers for the publishers. The barrister said the messages included texts sent to actor Paul Bettany, in November 2013, in which Mr Depp wrote: Lets burn Amber. He also wrote: Lets drown her before we burn her!!! I will f*** her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she is dead. Mr Sherborne said there is no single smoking gun in any of the evidence disclosed so far which supports Ms Heards claims Mr Depp was violent. Amber Heard and Johnny Depp (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mr Depp has brought separate libel proceedings against Ms Heard in the US, which Mr Sherborne said are ongoing. Mr Depp and Ms Heard met on the set of 2011 comedy The Rum Diary and married in Los Angeles in February 2015. In May 2016 Ms Heard obtained a restraining order against Depp after accusing him of abuse, which he denied. The couple settled their divorce out of court in 2017, with Ms Heard donating her seven million US dollar (5.5 million) settlement to charity. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today announced continued investment in its life sciences capabilities with the appointment of George Serafin as a Senior Managing Director and Life Sciences Industry Leader within the firms Health Solutions practice. In this role, Mr. Serafin will oversee the integrated delivery of services and solutions for clients across the life sciences sector, including pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology and consumer healthcare. Mr. Serafin brings more than 30 years of experience within the life sciences and healthcare industries. With his molecule-to-patient perspective, he specializes in helping clients on a global scale develop and execute business and risk strategies that promote innovation and growth, operational efficiency, process excellence and sustained regulatory compliance involving business process transformation and technology enablement, including enterprise systems, digital technology, intelligent automation, cloud computing and advanced analytics. Life sciences has emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy, said Charles Overstreet , Global Leader of the Health Solutions practice at FTI Consulting. Georges combination of leadership experience, innovative track record and industry knowledge will enhance our ability to help our life sciences clients solve their most complex challenges and achieve their strategic and operational objectives. We are pleased to welcome George to the team. Mr. Serafin also serves as a strategic advisor to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and has worked with various international regulatory authorities across North and South America, the United Kingdom and Europe, and Asia. He is internationally recognized for his subject-matter knowledge and experience in regulatory, quality, compliance and risk management. Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Serafin said, I am excited to join FTI Consultings Health Solutions practice in a leadership capacity. I look forward to leveraging the firms world-class capabilities to assist clients and deliver exceptional value through innovative solutions and services that incorporate operational and regulatory best practices, especially in light of the growing inter-dependency and convergence across manufacturers, providers, and payers concerning value-based care. Before joining FTI Consulting, Mr. Serafin served in various national and global leadership roles at Grant Thornton and Deloitte & Touche. He started his career at Novartis in research and development, as well as working for Roche and Fresenius Medical Care in engineering, manufacturing/operations, quality and regulatory roles, before transitioning to the technology sector and leading the development of SAPs life sciences solution. About FTI Consulting FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 5,500 employees located in 27 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. The Company generated $2.35 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2019. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and LinkedIn. Up to 15 people who have been living at a four-bedroom South County Dublin property at the centre of a dispute between a financial fund and the house's owners have until March 20 to leave the premises. Last week, the High Court ruled that Everyday Finance DAC and receivers Stephen Tennant and Nicholas O'Dwyer were entitled to an injunction granting them possession of the house. The order was made against Paul White, his wife Jane Gleeson and persons unknown occupying 96, Avoca Park, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, who are appealing Mr Justice Mark Sanfey's decision to grant the injunction. The injunction is to remain in place pending the full hearing of the action. The judge also placed a stay on any proposed sale of the property by the receivers until the High Court has determined the dispute. The judge also directed that a timetable be put in place so that the full hearing of the action can take place as soon as possible. The matter returned before the court today when the judge made final orders in the injunction proceedings. Following submissions by Eamon Marray Bl, for the fund and the receivers, and David Kennedy SC, for the defendants, the judge said that vacant possession of the property should be handed over to the receivers by March 20 next. The judge also made an order that all keys and alarm codes for the property also be provided to the receivers by that date. Mr Marray told the court that it had been agreed that vacant possession would be handed over by March 20 next. The judge noted Mr Kennedy's submission that his clients intend to appeal the ruling to the Court of Appeal. The receivers, who were appointed over the property in 2017, sought vacant possession of the property which they claim is the subject of a mortgage executed in consideration of loans advanced by AIB. The loans, of which it is claimed 3m is now due and owing, were acquired by Everyday Finance from AIB. The plaintiffs claim that there are approximately 15 people occupying the premises, and that the defendants had not co-operated with the receivers. The couple, with an address at Roney Beach, Gorey, Co. Wexford, had opposed the application on grounds including that the receivers have not been validly appointed. It was also claimed that Ms Gleeson does not owe Everyday Finance any money, and that she is entitled to the benefit of rent or any other form of payment in respect of her interest in the property. In reply, Mr White told the court that since 2002 the premises was let, with the knowledge of AIB, to a single tenant and he did not know how the property came to be occupied by anyone else. Australians are again being told not to panic as coronavirus continues to spread around the world and state and federal governments prepare to ramp up their responses to the crisis. Health ministers from across the country are gathering in Melbourne on Friday to discuss how the nation will respond to the dramatic spread of the infection around the world. Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned the virus, also known as COVID-19, was highly transmissible, particularly amongst the elderly. But he also noted there were no cases of person-to-person transmission within the Australian community. So you can go to the footy, you can go out to the Chinese restaurant in fact I encourage you to, he told Nines Today show on Friday. You can just get about your business. If you are a kid you can go off to school, play with your mate, do all of those things. Australia is in the best-placed position to be prepared for this than anywhere else, and so we just want to make sure it stays that way. Deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly says authorities have looked at a range of scenarios on the potential severity of an outbreak, including comparisons to common cold or flu virus infections. It may be a one-off wave that comes through and infects a certain percentage of the population, it wont be everybody I can absolutely guarantee that, or it wont come at all all of those things are still possible, I think the latter one is less likely now, Professor Kelly told ABC Radio National on Friday. But if the virus does start to spread in Australia, we wont be dragging people off like China has done. Overnight on Thursday the World Health Organisation said the coronavirus outbreak, which began in Chinas Hubei province in December, had reached a decisive point and urged countries to redouble efforts to contain its spread. Its now affecting 47 countries, has killed more than 2,800 people and infected more than 82,500. This virus has pandemic potential, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned. The federal government has recently activated its coronavirus emergency response plan in anticipation that the WHO will soon officially declare a global pandemic. Prof Kelly was a bit surprised the World Health Organisation hadnt yet declared a pandemic. State and territory health ministers have been asked to show how they are prepared in terms of shoring up the supply of medical items such as masks and medicines and ensuring there is a surge capacity in hospitals. Both the prime minister and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton also warned the global spread of the virus will have a big impact on the Australian economy. We have a strong, stable financial base to address this, but we cant kid ourselves that the impact of the coronavirus globally, here in Australia, is not going to be significant, Mr Morrison said. The meeting of health ministers comes as travel restrictions on people entering Australia from China were extended for another week. Australian Border Force is drawing up plans for extra measures at airports and shipping ports to ensure travellers suspected of having the virus can be quarantined or self-quarantined quickly. So far 15 people in Australia have been diagnosed with coronavirus cases and all have been cleared. Another eight, who were caught on the Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers in Japan, are being treated in their home states. Anthony N. Ferrill, 51, shot dead his colleagues at the headquarters of the brewing company, now known as Molson Coors Beverage Co., in Milwaukee on Wednesday afternoon The gunman who killed five co-workers and then took his own life at Milwaukee's MillerCoors complex had worked there for 17 years and had a long running dispute with another employee. Anthony N. Ferrill, 51, shot dead his colleagues at the headquarters of the brewing company, now known as Molson Coors Beverage Co., on Wednesday afternoon. Ferrill had worked as an electrician at the company for 17 years, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. A co-worker, who asked not to be named, told the outlet that Ferrill had been involved in a long-running dispute with one of the victims prior to the shooting. Ferrill believed he was being discriminated against because he was black, the co-worker said. The victim Ferrill had the ongoing dispute with had taken issue with the gunman frequently watching films on his phone during the workday, according to the co-worker. Both Ferrill and that victim had also accused one another of stealing tools or tampering with their computer equipment. Ferrill had been an electrician for 20 years after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard where he served from 1987 to 1991. Police were searching the three bedroom home where he lived with his wife and children on Thursday. Scroll down for video Ferrill had been an electrician for 20 years after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard where he served from 1987 to 1991. He lived in a three bedroom home with his wife and three children The shooting broke out at the MillersCoors campus on Wednesday afternoon. Ferrill shot dead five employees and then took his own life People stand in the lobby of the Milller Coors campus after it was placed on lockdown for several hours during and in the wake of the shooting The MillerCoors headquarters in Milwaukee. Molson Coors Beverage Company confirmed the incident in a tweet Wednesday afternoon The suspect's neighbor, Erna Roenspies, 82, cried as she stood at her front door, looking at the police tape around her neighbor's home. 'He was like a son to me,' Roenspies said as she wiped her eyes. 'I don't know what triggered this. Let's pray for everyone.' She said the gunman was a good husband and father and helped his neighbor by doing odd jobs and repairs. 'He would come over and fix anything,' Roenspies said. 'This is unreal.' Authorities offered few details of the circumstances surrounding the shooting and no explanation for what might have triggered the carnage. Workers at the plant said Ferrill seemed fine in the days before he stormed in and opened fire. Earlier reports said Ferrill had been fired earlier in the day and he later returned with a gun fitted with a silencer. Authorities offered no immediate motive for the attack and have not yet released any details about the shooter or how the shooting unfolded. None of the victims have been officially identified. Police were searching the three bedroom home where he lived with his wife and children on Thursday Police are seen near the MilllerCoors campus in Milwaukee in the hours after the shooting Ferrill shot dead his colleagues at the headquarters of the brewing company, now known as Molson Coors Beverage Co., on Wednesday afternoon Police, who were still contacting relatives, said identities would not be released for at least 24 hours. No one was wounded beyond those who were killed, authorities said. When the shooting broke out, employees say they were ordered to find a safe place to hide. One of the employees said they received an email saying the shooter was located in the stairwell of one of the brewing facility's buildings. Officers worked for hours to clear the more than 20 buildings in the complex where more than 1,000 people work. The incident occurred at a sprawling complex that includes a mix of corporate offices and brewing facilities. Molson Coors CEO Gavin Hattersley said in a statement: 'Unfortunately, I am devastated to share that we lost five other members of our family in this tragic incident. There are no words to express the deep sadness many of us are feeling right now.' He said the office would be closed the rest of the week and the brewery shuttered 'for the time being' to give people time to cope. President Donald Trump addressed the shooting before speaking at the White House about his administration's efforts to combat the coronavirus. Police investigate a shooting at the Molson Coors headquarters in Milwaukee Molson Coors said Wednesday there was an active shooter on its Milwaukee campus and ordered its employees to find a safe place to hide Several Police agency tactical teams working together as a group sweep the grounds 'Our hearts break for them and their loved ones,' the president said. 'We send our condolences. Well be with them, and its a terrible thing, a terrible thing.' The FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were among the agencies who responded to the shooting. A group of brewery employees gathered at a nearby bar to talk about what had happened after the shooting. 'We are all a family. We work a lot of hours together, so we're all very sad,' said Selena Curka, a brewery employee who was about to start her shift when the complex went on lockdown and she was turned away. 'It's just weird, because nine times out of 10 you're going to know the shooter,' said another employee Thomas Milner. 'It's a tight-knit family. Within the brewery we all interact with each other.' Milner was also on his way to work when the shooting happened and he was turned away too. James Boyles told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that his wife, Lasonya Ragdales, works at Molson Coors in the claims department. She was texting from inside the facility and told her husband that there was an active shooter and she was locked in a room with a bunch of co-workers. Malaga was hailed as an example to other cities that humans and street cats can happily coexist at a congress held at the Unicaja Banco conference room in the city last week. Recognised animal welfare experts praised Malaga's "political will" to manage the problem of street cats "within the regulatory and legal framework". With a budget of 40,000 euros provided by Malaga's city council, volunteers from the Asociacion Amigo Animal manage 126 stable cat colonies spread throughout the city. These volunteers are currently looking after 2,707 different cats. At the conference, Agnes Dufau, an international consultant on animal welfare, spoke out in support of the CER principle (Capture, Sterilise, Return) to avoid "abuse". The key to controlling cat population growth in cities is to ensure that 70 per cent of cats are neutered, she said. Neutering is considered more efficient and less cruel than unnecessarily slaughtering the cats. Sixty per cent of Malaga's street cats are neutered with 39 colonies where all cats are castrated or spayed. The Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, on Wednesday said the army will soon embark on the recruitment of Nigerian youths into the force to enable it to fight insurgency in the northeast of the country. Buratai, who was represented by Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Akpan, the Director Directorate of Army Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve, DARRR, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi at the exco-Chambers Government House, Abakaliki. According to him: The normal army that was trained to engage particularly in conventional warfare are having a lot of problems as you can see in the North-Eastern region. So, recently the Chief of Army instituted Special Forces concept; a special skill that you can use to fight war. This special training will now be integrated in every training in the Nigerian Army. So, this means that anybody that is recruited in the Nigerian Army with effect from now, will have to go through that process. It is a tough training, it requires a lot of physical and mental fitness. So, we need young men and women who are physically fit, he noted. He noted that those from the age of 16 and above would be employed in the Nigerian Army with four credits including English and Mathematics in not more than two sittings, urged the youths of Ebonyi state to massively apply for recruitment into the Army when its portal opens for recruitments which he said will soon commence. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Last Wednesday in the German town of Hanau, a quiet place of 100,000 near Frankfurt, a gunman reportedly motivated by xenophobic views opened fire in and outside of two hookah bars, killing nine people, all of whom were of foreign descent. The next day in cities across Germany, including Berlin and Frankfurt, people held vigils for the victims. Thousands flocked to the city's main square to mourn them in Hanau, with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the center-left Social Democrats and Interior Minister Horst Seehofer in attendance. The killer, 43-year-old Tobias Rathjen, was found dead in his home along with his mother after the shooting spree, but the repercussions of the attack have sent shockwaves throughout the country. While the Hanau killer publicized his belief in conspiracy theories, according to authorities, they stated a racist worldview motivated him. The act has once again shined the spotlight on right-wing terror in a country still struggling to come to terms with its Nazi past. The German government under the grand coalition of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats has long faced criticism by politicians and pundits that it was not taking the threat of right-wing violence seriously enough, but top German politicians this past week have spoken out forcefully, countering this idea. "Far-right terror is the biggest threat to our democracy right now," Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht told reporters last Friday. Interior Minister Seehofer promised increased security at mosques on Fridays, the holy day when the threat of violence is higher, as well as at airports and special events that draw large crowds. And Chancellor Angela Merkel, in her statement to the public last Thursday, called racism and hate "a poison that is to blame for far too many crimes from the misdeeds of the N.S.U. [National Socialist Underground] to the death of Walter Luebke and the deaths in Halle." PHOTO: Thousands of people take part in a funeral march in Hanau, Germany, Feb. 23, 2020. (Nicolas Armer/dpa via AP) MORE: Right-wing extremism suspected in Germany shooting that left 11 dead, including suspect Story continues The National Socialist Underground began in 2000 as a neo-Nazi cell of three people involved in the right-wing extremist scene in the Eastern German city of Jena. The trio was responsible for the deaths of 10 people, nine of whom were from immigrant backgrounds, as well as two bombings and attempted robberies between 2000 and 2007. During the duration of the cell's criminal activity, however, investigators targeted the Turkish gambling mafia and did not look to a possible right-wing extremism motive. Victims' relatives faced allegations that their family members had been involved in criminal activity. It wasn't until 2011, four-and-a-half years after their final murder in 2007, that police found evidence of the existence of the NSU. After two of the group's members were found dead in their homes in an apparent suicide after a failed robbery, an apartment shared by the group's three members in the town of Zwickau was set on fire, presumably by the group's third remaining member in an attempt to destroy evidence of their activities. In the burned building, police found documents linking the NSU to the racially motivated murders. In the past nine months alone, three right-wing-extremist-motivated murders have taken place in the country, according to authorities, including the brutal shooting of pro-refugee politician Walter Luebke outside his home in June 2019 and the anti-Semitic attacks on the Halle synagogue in October 2019, which left two dead. The most recent report by Germany's domestic security agency stated that some 12,700 far-right extremists throughout Germany are "oriented toward violence." The Friday before the Hanau murders, German authorities raided and arrested a group of 12 people around the country who they said had met online and were plotting attacks on mosques around the country. "Right-wing terrorism needs to be tackled as strongly as left-wing terrorism and Islamic terrorism was treated last year. Until now, the government hasn't been doing this," said research associate Asena Baykal of the Berlin-based think tank Global Public Policy Institute. "One of the reasons why this issue became so problematic is that politicians from the CSU [center-right Christian Democrats] didn't want to make this a priority for a very long time," she said. The idea of the German government protecting mosques on Fridays as proposed by Interior Minister Horst Seehofer is laudable, she says, but that it is a quick fix for what she calls "an ingrained societal problem." In the wake of the Hanau attack, some politicians have looked to the largest opposition party in Germany, the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD), which runs on an anti-Islam, Euro-skeptic platform. They say the party is partly responsible for normalizing extreme right-wing speech and fueling racially motivated crimes such as these. The AfD is "open to right-wing extremism," the president of Germany's parliament, Wolfgang Schauble, told the newspaper Handelsblatt on Saturday. "The problem is that the AfD does not draw a line," he said, referring to their language. "The AfD is the political arm of hate," tweeted prominent Green Party politician Cem Ozdemir. Apparently benefiting from fears of foreigners, the party has been picking up protest votes by those who feel left behind by the centrist parties that have long dominated German politics, including Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats. The AfD has done particularly well on the regional level in the eastern states of Saxony and Thuringia and is currently Germany's third-largest party on a national level. Eastern Germany is particularly susceptible. Economically speaking, the former East Germany still lags behind the western half of the country. Many former East German states were hard hit by the economic downturn after reunification and wages and pensions are still lower. According to Germany's domestic intelligence service's annual report released last June, the arrival of nearly 2 million asylum seekers since 2015 has emboldened far-right extremists motivated by racism, anti-Semitism and anti-democratic values. Violent anti-Semitic crimes in 2018 were up 71% from the previous year, stated the report. PHOTO: Thuringia's AfD faction leader Bjoern Hoecke attend a rally in Erfurt, Germany, May 1, 2019. (Jens Meyer/AP, FILE) MORE: 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, right-wing extremism is on the rise as the East lags behind For the record, the AfD has condemned the Hanau attack. Party spokesperson Joerg Meuthen tweeted on Thursday, "This is neither right nor left-wing terror, it is the delusional act of a madman. Any form of political instrumentalization of this terrible act is a cynical mistake." Nevertheless, a poll published on Sunday by the Kantar Institute and the newspaper Bild am Sonntag, showed that 60% of respondents believed that the AfD is partly responsible for instances of right-wing extremist violence such as the Hanau attacks. For Baykal, the AfD most certainly has some responsibility. "The AfD are saying certain things and making racist comments normal in the political debate so that people who tend to have more right extremist views on certain things feel validated by their political elite," she says. While speaking to Parliament in 2018, prominent AfD politician Alice Weidel referenced Muslim refugees as "headscarf girls, welfare-supported knifemen and other good-for-nothings" and said they were undermining Germany's economy. The most notorious AfD leader, Bjoern Hoecke, head of the Thuringia branch, called the Holocaust memorial in Berlin a "monument of shame" when speaking at a rally in Dresden back in 2017. Yet some find the problem not only in parties and groups such as the AfD. For Baykal, it is not only the role of the AfD that should be considered but also how traditional political parties like the CDU and SPD have looked to gain back their voters. "The more established German parties reacted to the AfD by adapting to their rhetoric about foreigners and migrants and refugees," she says, "instead of countering with a different narrative, with a more positive narrative about the successful story of more than 50 years of integration in Germany." Racially motivated terror attack in Hanau puts Germany's right wing extremism into focus originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The Driftless Writing Center invites the public to attend a reading by Madisons new poet laureate, Angela Trudell Vasquez, on Friday, March 13, at 7 p.m. at MacHelp, 210 S. Main St., Viroqua. An open mic will follow Trudell Vasquezs reading. Trudell Vasquez will read from her new collection of poetry, In Light, Always Light (Finishing Line Press, 2020). Former Wisconsin Poet Laureate Kimberly Blaeser praised the collection, commenting, The poems in Angie Trudell Vasquezs In Light, Always Light honor the illuminating power of poetry, but they also speak eloquently of racial injustice and the dark inherited grief that is its offspring. These are poems of history, endurance, and remembrance. Trudell Vasquez received her MFA in creative writing with a concentration in poetry from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was a Ruth Lilly fellow as a Drake University undergraduate. Her work has been published in Taos Journal of Poetry, Yellow Medicine Review, Raven Chronicles, Return to the Gathering Place of the Waters and Cloudthroat, and appears on the Poetry Foundations website. She has new work forthcoming in RED INK: International Journal of Indigenous Literature, Arts & Humanities. The reading is free. Writers who are interested in sharing their work during the open mic should bring no more than 5 minutes of material to read. Trudell Vasquez will also be offering a poetry workshop on Saturday, March 14, also hosted by the Driftless Writing Center. Poetry as a Visual Art Form will take place at The Commons, 410 E. Jefferson St., Viroqua, from 10 a.m. until noon. Pre-registration is required and a sign-up form is available at www.driftlesswritingcenter.org. The Driftless Writing Center is a nonprofit organization that connects writers, readers and audiences through workshops, discussions and public performances. More information is available by emailing driftlesswritingcenter@gmail.com or calling 608-492-1669. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. The past few months have been tough for large-cap pot stocks. Some companies, such as Aurora Cannabis, have had significant layoffs in an attempt to get their losses under control. Canopy Growth (NASDAQ:CGC) has also had its fair share of difficulties. Between the departure of its longtime, iconic co-CEO, Bruce Linton, significant management team changes, and some startlingly high quarterly losses, Canopy Growth has lost much of its appeal over the past year. However, things might be turning around for Canopy. With the company reporting a better-than-expected third quarter, the worst may be finally over for this battered cannabis giant. Let's find out whether now's the right time to buy Canopy or whether the stock could still fall even further. A decent third quarter Canopy reported net revenue of CA$123.8 million in fiscal Q3 2019, an almost 50% increase from the CA$83.0 million reported last year. What's more impressive is that Canopy's gross margin (before fair value changes and other accounting measures) has improved as well, growing from Q3 2018's 26.1% of net revenue to Q3 2019's 33.8%. While the company is still reporting a net loss -- something that's unlikely to change for a while -- it is an improvement from a terrible previous quarter. Net losses came in at CA$124.2 million, a significant improvement from the CA$374.1 million loss seen just three months ago. Why Canopy's cash pile might not be enough Canopy is perhaps the best-funded cannabis stock on the market right now, with $2.3 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities on its balance sheet. While this might seem pretty good on paper, Canopy's cash pile may not last as long as one might expect. For one, Canopy has seen its total cash position decline by $430 million in just three months, a significant decline in such a short time. If these losses don't drastically slow down, Canopy's enviable cash position could quickly dissipate within a few quarters. Operating expenses remain staggeringly high at about $231 million, and Canopy's new CEO, David Klein (the former CFO of Constellation Brands), will need to find a way to rein in this figure. Canopy Growth also forked out $56.7 million in share-based compensation expenses. While former co-CEO Linton figured that providing stock to employees would help motivate them, now it seems this decision has become a major liability for the company's finances. Perhaps the biggest financial worry for Canopy is the possibility of a goodwill adjustment. Aurora Cannabis, which had over CA$3 billion in goodwill on its balance sheet, ended up having to announce a CA$775 million write-down recently. In short, goodwill is the premium a company is willing to spend on an acquisition target beyond its total assets. A bit of goodwill can be a good way to sweeten a proposed buyout deal. However, when companies are paying exorbitantly high premiums to buy out other firms, accumulated goodwill can become a serious liability to a company's balance sheet. That's more or less what major cannabis companies have been doing in 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, gobbling up smaller competitors and letting their goodwill figures skyrocket. Now we're seeing these same companies pay for this, with Aurora being just the first example. While Canopy's intangible assets aren't as bad as Aurora's, coming in at $2.1 billion, that's still 31.6% of the company's overall $6.64 billion market cap. Company Market Cap Quarterly Net Revenue Net Income (loss) Cash and Equivalents Goodwill and Intangibles Price-to-Sales Ratio Canopy Growth $6.64 billion $123.8 million $124.2 million $2.3 billion $2.1 billion 23.8 Should Canopy end up having to face goodwill adjustments of its own soon, it wouldn't be surprising for shares to fall significantly as hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars are erased from its balance sheet. The state of the Canadian pot market Although Canopy does have some hemp processing facilities in New York, the company primarily operates in the Canadian market. That country has had a disappointingly slow rollout of dispensaries, with certain provinces like Ontario having experienced supply issues for most of 2019. Because of this, the black market in Canada remains quite prevalent, further hurting the sales of legitimate producers since black market dealers can offer cheaper prices. While pot sales in Canada were up 8.1% in December, bringing the nation's total non-medical cannabis expenditures to about $1.2 billion, that's not all that impressive when you consider that Colorado alone -- a state with a population of 5.7 million -- saw marijuana sales reach $1.8 billion. In comparison, Canada's entire population is about 37.6 million. Inventories are rising for pot producers across the market, leading to an overabundance of cannabis that has further pushed down selling prices. Canopy hasn't been immune to this problem, reporting more than a year's worth of inventory stockpiled by the end of December (about CA$622 million worth). To put that in perspective, three months ago Canopy reported inventory of CA$461.8 million, meaning that figure has gone up by CA$161 million in just a single quarter. While Canadian cannabis sales are growing, it's worrying to see Canopy's inventory levels expand at such a fast rate. Regarding international markets, Canopy has been doing pretty well. Its medical marijuana business has seen Canadian revenue fall by a few percentage points, whereas revenue from international markets has gone up by almost 700%. As other EU countries open up to medical marijuana imports from other markets, Canopy could see revenue in this area improve. Canopy remains fairly expensive While Canopy Growth is still considered the leader of the cannabis industry, whatever prestige the company receives from this fact isn't enough to justify a pricey valuation. Fellow cannabis leaders Aurora, Tilray, and Aphria are trading at price-to-sales (P/S) ratios of 7.2, 10.5, and 2.7 respectively, while Canopy trades at a pretty hefty 22.9. While that's not as bad as some others (like Cronos Group, which is still trading at a whopping 67.1 P/S), Canopy is still pricier than most other pot stocks on the market. Given everything, it's hard to justify Canopy's valuation, especially when companies like Aphria are trading at cheaper premiums and offer much more bang for their buck in terms of profitability. Maybe if the Canadian market were doing better, Canopy's premium would be justified, but currently, that's not the case. What should you do? Investors shouldn't get their hopes up too much over a potential turnaround. Whether because of Canopy's significant quarterly losses or the possibility of a major goodwill adjustment in the near future, there's a good chance that shares will continue to fall. Considering that Aurora and Tilray have both announced major layoffs, it wouldn't be surprising if Canopy follows suit as well in a similar move to cut costs. If you want to play the long game with Canopy and have already bought shares, then I'm not going to try to convince you to sell your stake. However, if you're on the fence, I don't think now's the time to buy. Canopy isn't the worst pot stock on the market, but I don't think it's anywhere near the top, either. Wait for another quarter or two and see how Canopy's results turn out before revisiting this stock. [February 27, 2020] Cresco Labs Announces the Opening of its First Four Sunnyside* Dispensaries in New York and the Launch of its Medical Cannabis Delivery Program in the New Hartford Area Cresco Labs (CSE:CL)(OTCQX:CRLBF) ("Cresco" or "the Company"), one of the largest vertically integrated multistate cannabis operators in the United States, announced today the conversion of four dispensaries to Cresco's nationwide retail brand, Sunnyside*, in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, Huntington Station, New Hartford and Bardonia, New York. Cresco also launched today a home delivery service for medical cannabis patients in the New Hartford area of New York. Patients can place orders for home delivery for a variety of products including vape pens and cartridges, topical creams, oral tinctures and capsules at Sunnyside.shop. Cresco plans to roll out its medical cannabis home delivery program to the three other communities with Sunnyside* locations in the coming months. These dispensaries in the state of New York are the first stores to be rebranded under Cresco's national retail brand on the East Coast. Cresco holds one of the 10 vertically integrated cannabis business licenses granted in the state by the New York State Department of Health. Each license gives the operator the right to operate one cultivation facility and four dispensaries in New York. "As we continue to build our national retail brand and consolidate the five dispensary brands we operate around the country under the Sunnyside* name, we remain focused on ensuring that we deliver against the promise of what Sunnyside* stands for-wellness, education and convenience," said Charlie Bachtell, Cresco Labs CEO and Co-founder. "New York has a growing medical cannabis patient program of more than 114,000 people who look to dispensaries and their cannabis product forms to treat a variety of qualifying conditions and critical illnesses. With Sunnyside*, we aim to provide a best-in-class shopping experience through ongoing education, product availability and technology. The ease of home delivery provides the convenience that many living in New York will appreciate with the benefit of the quality and consistency that rgulated, third-party tested, cannabis products can provide. Home delivery plays a critical role in our ecommerce strategy, and we are excited to offer this service to reach medical cannabis patients in our communities with the right products they need." Registered medical cannabis patients can place a home delivery order seven days a week at Sunnyside.shop with a minimum order of $80 required for delivery service. Free delivery is available for orders of $150 or more. Distributed from Cresco's Sunnyside* dispensary in New Hartford, delivery services are available for patients in the following communities: New Hartford, Utica, Marcy, Whitesboro, Oriskany, Clinton, Sauquoit, Frankfurt and Rome. About Cresco Labs Cresco Labs is one of the largest vertically-integrated multi-state cannabis operators in the United States. Cresco is built to become the most important company in the cannabis industry by combining the most strategic geographic footprint with one of the leading distribution platforms in North America. Employing a consumer-packaged goods ("CPG") approach to cannabis, Cresco's house of brands is designed to meet the needs of all consumer segments and includes some of the most recognized and trusted national brands including Cresco, Remedi and Mindy's, a line of edibles created by James Beard Award-winning chef Mindy Segal. Sunnyside*, Cresco's national dispensary brand, is a wellness-focused retailer designed to build trust, education and convenience for both existing and new cannabis consumers. Recognizing that the cannabis industry is poised to become one of the leading job creators in the country, Cresco has launched the industry's first national comprehensive Social Equity and Educational Development (SEED) initiative designed to ensure that all members of society have the skills, knowledge and opportunity to work in and own businesses in the cannabis industry. Learn more about Cresco Labs at www.crescolabs.com. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'could,' 'would,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'projects,' 'predicts,' 'potential' or 'continue' or the negative of those forms or other comparable terms. The Company's forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to those risks discussed under "Risk Factors" in the company's CSE Listing Statement filed with SEDAR; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Because of these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. No assurances are given as to the future trading price or trading volumes of Cresco's shares, nor as to the Company's financial performance in future financial periods. The Company does not intend to update any of these factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the Company's forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of new information, any future event or otherwise. Except as otherwise indicated, this press release speaks as of the date hereof. The distribution of this press release does not imply that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company after the date hereof or create any duty or commitment to update or supplement any information provided in this press release or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005276/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Railway Development Minister and Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan Constituency in the Western Region, Joe Ghartey, is set to meet officials of Transnet SOC Ltd a South African Railway Company contracted by government to help revitalize Ghanas Rail system. The Minister who is on a mission to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Angola as the President Akufo Addos special envoy will also use the opportunity to receive a report of Transnet recent working visit to Ghana. Transnet SOC Ltd is a large South African Rail, Port and Pipeline company, headquartered in the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg. Transnet while in Ghana carried out a survey on the Takoradi -Tarkwa line as well as the Tarkwa-Awaso line Government is seeking to develop a new standard gauge Western line while considering rehabilitation of the old narrow gauge. Currently, government has rehabilitated the Takoradi-Tarkwa narrow gauge line. Amandi is also developing the new standard gauge to Huni Valley whilst Afcons the company constructing Tema to Mpakadan has also been awarded a contract to commence development of the new standard gauge Western line from Kumasi. Amandi Company Limited is currently undertaking the construction of a standard gauge line from Takoradi to Tarkwa with plans to develop a new standard gauge line along the entire strech of the Western line to Awaso, Kumasi and to extend it further to Nyinahin. Empire News Emmanuel Ohene-Gyan report that Transnet will be briefing the Minister on their findings . The ministry is expected to brief Cabinet soon as well. The minister is being accompanied by a Technical Team drawn from the Ministry of Railways Development, Ghana Railways Company Limited and Ghana Railways Development Authority. An intial due diligence on the rolling stock manufacturing plant of Transnet will be undertaken with a view of possibly acquiring some rolling stock. 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 Columbia Pike and S. Scott St., 4:25 a.m. Feb. 15. A witness observed a man tampering with a vehicle and called police. An officer found the man inside a vehicle and he attempted to flee on foot. It was determined that the man entered two other vehicles in the area. A 68-year-old District man was arrested and charged. A man wanted in Lancaster County accused of robbing an Elizabethtown bank last year was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Harrisburg on Wednesday, according to officials. The U.S. Marshals Service reported the arrest of Steffon T. Chambers, 57, in the 900 block of North 16th Street without incident. Elizabethtown police say Chambers is the suspect in a December 9, 2019 robbery at M&T Bank in the 100 block of Market Street. Around 2:20 p.m., the robber entered the bank and began demanding cash from the teller, police said. The robber then assaulted the teller and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. The teller was not seriously injured, and police said no one else was injured in the robbery. Police said there were no weapons seen during the robbery. Chambers is charged with robbery involving bodily injury, robbery of a financial institution and simple assault, police said. Chambers is being held at Lancaster County Prison on $250,000 bail, according to online court dockets. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 6. Read more on PennLive: So, our Coronavirus Czar is going to be Mike Pence. Feeling more secure? I know full well the importance of presidential leadership, the vice president said as soon as he was introduced in his new role. Totally qualified. First criterion for every job in this administration is capacity for praising the gloriousness of our commander in chief. Yeah, when you think of Mike Pence you maybe dont think about Pandemic Fighter Supreme. But as President Trump pointed out repeatedly, he has already run Indiana. Well, it probably could have been worse. Having a czar does make you feel theres somebody in charge. At least Trump didnt come before the cameras and announce solemnly, Today Im asking every American to cross your fingers. Paris, Feb 27 : Five people were killed and seven others injured in a building fire in the French city of Strasbourg on Thursday, the local fire service said in a statement. According to local media, firefighters responded to the incident at 1.16 a.m. after receiving an alert that there was smoke in the seven-storey building, Xinhua news agency reported. Some 23 people were rescued and the fire was brought under control. The cause of the blaze was under probe. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and Mayor Roland Ries of Strasbourg have expressed their condolences to the victims and their families on social media. Saudi Arabia cut travel to Islam's holiest sites, South Korea toughened penalties for those breaking quarantines and airports across Latin America looked for signs of sick passengers on Thursday as a new virus troubled a mushrooming swath of the globe. With the illness pushing its way into a sixth continent and the number of sick and dead rising, the crisis gave way to political and diplomatic rows, concern that bordered on panic in some quarters, and a sense that no part of the world was immune to the disease's spread. "Viruses don't know borders and they don't stop at them," said Roberto Speranza, the health minister in Italy, where northern towns were on army-guarded lockdowns and supermarket shelves were bare. Schools throughout Japan were being closed for weeks to try to stop new transmissions. As growing parts of Europe and the Middle East saw infections and a first case was found in South America, air routes were halted and border control toughened. But for an illness transmitted so easily, with its tentacles reaching into so many parts of the world, leaders puzzled over how to keep the virus from proliferating seemed willing to try anything to keep their people and economies safe. In South Korea, the hardest-hit country outside China, four Busan markets known for colourful silks and a dizzying array of other wares were shuttered while the country's military sent hundreds of its doctors and soldiers to aid in treatment and quarantines. In Iran, the front line of Mideast infections, officials loosened rules barring the import of many foreign-made items to allow in sanitisers, face masks and other necessities, and removed overhead handles on Tehran's subways to eliminate another source of germs. Peru put specialists on round-the-clock shifts at its biggest airport, Argentina took the temperature of some new arrivals and El Salvador added bans for travellers from Italy and South Korea. The holy city of Mecca, which able-bodied Muslims are called to visit at least once in their lives, and the Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina were cut off to potentially millions of pilgrims, with Saudi Arabia making the extraordinary decision to stop the spread of the virus. With the monarchy offering no firm date for the lifting of the restrictions, it posed the possibility of affecting those planning to make their hajj, a ritual beginning at the end of July this year. "We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm," the country said in announcing the decision. Disease has been a constant concern surrounding the hajj, with cholera outbreaks in the 19th century killing tens of thousands making the trip. More recently, another coronavirus that caused Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, prompted increased public health measures, but no outbreak resulted. COVID-19's westward creep including a case in California in the United States that does not appear linked to overseas travel had some countries warning their people to obey measures intended to keep a single case from blossoming into a cluster that could paralyse a community. A man originally from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the global outbreak, who contracted the virus was charged alongside his wife in Singapore for allegedly lying about their whereabouts as officials tried to stem further infections. In Colombia, which has yet to report any cases, officials reminded residents they could be jailed for up to eight years if they violate containment measures. And in South Korea, the National Assembly passed a law strengthening the punishment for those violating self-isolation, more than tripling the fine and adding the possibility of a year in prison. "It came later than it should have," said Lee Hae-shik, spokesman for the ruling Democratic Party, calling for further non-partisan cooperation to address the outbreak. Countries' efforts to contain the virus opened up diplomatic scuffles. South Korea fought prohibitions keeping its citizens out of 40 countries, calling them excessive and unnecessary. China warned Russia to stop discriminatory measures against its people, including monitoring on public transit. Iran used the crisis to rail against the US, which it accused of a conspiracy that was sowing fear. The global count of those sickened by the virus hovered around 81,000, with 433 new cases reported Thursday in China and another 505 in South Korea, where the military called off joint drills planned with American troops. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Army on Wednesday wrote to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) demanding that the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel, deployed to handle law and order situations across the country, must refrain from wearing combat uniforms. The request comes after certain CAPF personnel, deployed along with the Delhi Police at protest sites in the national capital, were seen wearing the Indian Army pattern combat uniforms. Why did the Army make such a demand? After CAPF personnel and State Police personnel were seen in combat uniforms closely resembling that of the Indian Army in the violence-hit areas of north-east Delhi, the Army felt that this might be misinterpreted as the Army being deployed on internal security duties. As a result, it might adversely impact the country's image as a vibrant democratic nation. Follow live updates of clashes among CAA protesters in Delhi here On Feb. 23, ANI tweeted a video featuring security personnel wearing combat uniforms being deployed in the Jaffrabad metro station area. The next day, the Army clarified that the "Indian Army wasn't deployed for Internal Security Duties." It is clarified that #IndianArmy wasn't deployed for Internal Security Duties. https://t.co/6jogdtftEo ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) February 24, 2020 What are the guidelines that the Army wants the MoD to issue? The Army wants the Defence Ministry to deliver the following instructions: 1. Combat uniforms should NOT be worn by CAPFs pan India while being employed to handle law and order situations and while being deployed in urban areas affected by terrorism, as the surroundings do not demand such a requirement. Also read Don't let CAPF personnel wear combat uniforms: Army to Defence Ministry 2. Use of distinctly different (both in colour and pattern) disruptive dress by CAPFs and State Police forces should be restricted only to employment in jungle terrain in LWE-affected areas. 3. Bullet Proof Jackets cover most of the torso and these jackets for the CAPFs and State Police personnel should be in plain Khaki colour and not in combat colour. 4. The sale of Army pattern clothes in the open market needs to be regulated. Private vendors in an open market should establish identity and maintain a record of personnel to whom the Army pattern clothes (including accessories and accoutrements) are being sold, as proposed by the MHA on March 31, 2016. Has the Army made such demands before? Yes, the Army has made this request repeatedly over the past several years. In 2004, the Army raised this issue citing that such a practice needs to be arrested, as it may create misplaced perceptions amongst the Indian public and international community that the Army was being deployed for policing during elections and in law and order situations. In this regard, the MoD had taken up a case with the Ministry of Home Affairs and accordingly, the ministry had issued an advisory to all CAPFs not to wear Army pattern combat uniforms. In 2013, the Army reported violations of these instructions, supported by a photo folder highlighting instances of CAPFs/State Police wearing Army pattern combat uniforms. The issue was discussed with the state governments in 2015. During the Jat agitation in Haryana in 2016, the issue was raised again. To avoid confusion, Army personnel carried signs saying ARMY in bold letters while conducting flag marches in Haryana. The Government's annual St Patrick's Day trade mission is expected to be significantly curtailed this year due to the increasing threat of the coronavirus. The on-going government formation talks also mean fewer ministers will be sent abroad to represent Ireland. The move comes as fears grow over the spread of the virus across Europe. A senior Government source said the trade mission was "the last thing" on their minds with weeks to go before ministers are due to jet off. The source said the coronavirus will "come into consideration" when the Department of Foreign Affairs is deciding where ministers will go. "It [St Patrick's Day] is not at the top of the list when we are dealing with Brexit, the coronavirus, and there is a vote for Taoiseach next week," the source added. The number of foreign visits will be reduced in the same way they were during government formation talks in 2016, the source said. The exact destinations have yet to be decided but it is unlikely delegations will be sent to areas where there are major outbreaks of the coronavirus. In previous years, the St Patrick's Day travel plans were published by late January or early February but the final list has yet to be compiled with ministers expected to leave in two weeks. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will travel to New York and Washington where he will meet US President Donald Trump in the White House for the third time. Speaking in the Dail last week, Mr Varadkar said: "If a new government is not elected on March 5, we will undertake official events associated with St Patrick's Day and I will travel to the White House and Capitol Hill." He added: "It will be a shortened trip this year in any case because, if still in office, I will need to return for the March meeting of the European Council, which will be one of the most important in recent memory." Mr Varadkar was referring to the EU Council summit beginning on March 26 where European leaders will discuss the framework for the next round of Brexit negotiations. During the election campaign Mr Varadkar was critical of Mr Trump. During a TV debate he referenced the president when he noted that "all change isn't for the better" In 2016, Enda Kenny, who was also then a caretaker Taoiseach, spent just one day in the US for St Patrick's Day when he met then President Barrack Obama. Mr Varadkar is expected to spend around three days in the US as part of his St Patrick's Day visit. Last year, the Government sent 36 ministers to events across the globe, including eight who were sent to the US. Several ministers who lost their seats in the general election are not expected to be sent abroad. 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A Holistic Approach towards Vertically Integrated to Virtually Integrated Business Process Services Procurement Outsourcing is defined as a process wherein organizations take a calculated approach of moving some of their processes around source to pay to a specialist. Multi Process HR Outsourcing for Large US Retailer Learn from the success one of the largest U.S. retailers who implemented an integrated global HR outsourcing solution that combined process, technology, domain, and service delivery expertise. CUSTOMER DATA INTEGRATION (CDI) Customer Data Integration technologies can help to create a single, informative, accurate and timely view of the customer across the enterprise which can be used intelligently to achieve the banks objectives. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. Pune-based billionaire businessman Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute has invested Rs 12 crore in independent cookie brand Sweetish House Mafia. The funding is part of the pre-series A round of the company started by Aakash Sethi and Neha Sethi, MBA holders from Massachusetts University and Wharton Business School, respectively. The funds will be used for aggressive expansion in current markets and to enter newer cities, besides expanding the product line, the founders told PTI on Thursday. The funds will also be deployed for newer business vertical and e-commerce platform, they added. Claiming to be the city's first home-grown cookie brand, Sweetish House Mafia was founded in 2013. It initially sold cookies on a car to customers on the move in Mumbai. Some of its popular products include its signature Nutella sea salt, double chocolate chip and classic chocolate chip cookie. It also sells cookie shakes, cookie sundaes and plain milk cookies. The cookies are available across Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Kolkata. The company will be entering seven more cities, including New Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Chennai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Joe Biden went after Bernie Sanders' quest for Medicare-for-all during a campaign stop in rural South Carolina Thursday. 'You know, Sen. Sanders Medicare-for-all push will be a long, long expensive slog,' Biden told about two dozen people seated in the parking lot of the St. James-Santee Family Health Center in the small town of McClellanville. 'Cost over $35 trillion dollars and the patients can't afford to wait for what he calls, and others call - and I believe they're totally sincere - a revolution.' The 2020 hopeful instead argued that, 'when you're sick you want peace of mind,' pitching his 'Bidencare' plan instead. Joe Biden said Thursday that Bernie Sanders' Medicare-for-all quest 'will be a long, long expensive slog' and said that sick people don't want a 'revolution' Joe Biden addressed several dozen people outside the St. James-Santee Family Health Center in McClellanville, South Carolina on Thursday Joe Biden made his healthcare pitch to South Carolina voters, saying that 'Bidencare' would build on Obamacare by providing a 'Medicare-like' public option Joe Biden didn't answer questions at his campaign stop in McClellanville Thursday, including one on President Trump's handling of the Coronavirus outbreak Joe Biden criticized both Bernie Sanders and President Trump on the topic of healthcare during a visit to a health center in the small town of McClellanville, South Carolina on Thursday Joe Biden enters the St. James-Santee Family Health Center in McClellanville. He was given a short tour and then gave brief remarks on healthcare The former vice president has campaigned on improving Obamacare by adding a 'Medicare-like' public option. Sanders, who's become the frontrunner in the Democratic race, though is lagging behind Biden in South Carolina, wants to move every American off private health insurance and onto Medicare. 'It took five presidents just to get this done, it was a giant step forward, Obamacare,' Biden said Thursday. 'And this president's trying to wipe it out and other people want to start over as well,' he said, in a dig at Sanders, and also Elizabeth Warren, who also promotes Medicare-for-all. 'But the most important thing is I can actually get it passed. We can actually pass it,' Biden said. 'People aren't going to have to wait five, six, seven, eight, 10 years for something that is not likely to pass at all.' Sanders wants to transition American onto Medicare over a multi-year period. 'What we can't afford to do is tear it all down and start all over again,' Biden said. Biden also used his brief speech to trash Republicans - including President Trump and former South Carolina governors, including Nikki Haley, who wouldn't expand Medicaid to the state after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the proper bill title for 'Obamacare.' 'While this election is about getting rid of Donald Trump and his antagonism toward health care - he does not think it is a right, he thinks it is a privilege,' Biden said. 'It is a privilege really left for folks with real income, if that's a privilege,' Biden said in a quick segue. 'It's also about seizing an opportunity, to take a big next, big step forward on heatlhcare,' Biden said, getting back on track. He said that he wasn't running to 'destroy' President Obama's signature achievement, seemingly another knock at Sanders. 'I'm not suggesting we start from scratch or something new, I'm running to protect it and build on it,' he said of Obamacare. The former vice president, sporting his trademark aviator sunglasses, spoke for just 10 minutes and didn't take questions, including one on Trump's handling of the Coronavirus outbreak. Other Democrats have criticized the president's decision to put Vice President Mike Pence in charge. Biden looks to be in a comfortable position in South Carolina, a state that he's previously referred to as 'a real firewall' for his campaign. He made the comments to NBC News in early February, though later denied using that phrasing when asked about it by 'Face the Nation' host Margaret Brennan. The latest poll, from Monmouth University, shows Biden with 36 per cent support among Democratic primary voters in South Carolina. The next-best candidate, Sanders, is 20 points behind. Sanders earns 16 per cent in the state, battling it out for a close second place with billionaire Tom Steyer, who amassed 15 per cent up 11 percentage points from the last poll. Sanders, so far, leads the race for convention delegates with 45. Steyer, on the other hand, has zero. In South Carolina among black voters, Biden has an even more dominating lead, receiving 45 per cent from this important voting bloc. Steyer has more support than Sanders from black voters. The billionaire receives 17 per cent, while Sanders is at 13 per cent. Throughout the campaign so far, Biden performed surprisingly poorly in Iowa and New Hampshire, which he has attributed to the lack of racial diversity. He came in fourth and fifth respectively. Former Vice President Joe Biden has a dominating lead in South Carolina, according to the most recent poll in the final early primary contest state Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (left) and billionaire Tom Steyer (right) are battling it out for a distant second place in South Carolina with 16 per cent and 15 per cent respectively He came in second place in Nevada, which has a more diverse electorate, but it wasnt even close earning 20 per cent of the vote to Sanders nearly 47 per cent. In the Monmouth survey, which was released Thursday, no other candidate polled in the double-digits. Warren got 8 per cent from the Democratic electorate. She's fallen 8 points in the state. Pete Buttigieg - who has struggled to gain support among the black community but performed well in the early contests - feel to fifth place of the eight remaining candidates. He earned 6 per cent in the Monmouth poll conducted February 23-25, an increase of 3 points. But Buttigieg only earned the support of 2 per cent of black South Carolina Democrats. Another 15 per cent of South Carolina Democrats told pollsters they were still undecided. Voters in the Palmetto State head to the polls Saturday. An Afghan government delegation is going to Doha to make "initial contacts" with the Taliban, a senior official said Thursday, days before the signing of a historic deal in Qatar to withdraw US troops. The accord would see thousands of US troops withdrawn from Afghanistan after more than 18 years, in return for various security commitments from the Taliban and a pledge to hold talks with the Kabul government. Representatives of the Kabul government will be conspicuously absent from Saturday's signing ceremony, which as many as 30 nation are expected to attend. But in the first sign of a potential opening towards intra-Afghan negotiations, National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal said the government would send a six-person delegation to Doha to meet the insurgents following a request from "the Taliban and our international partners". "It's a group called (an) initial contact group", he told AFP, adding that the delegation was "not a negotiating team and won't be negotiating anything with the Taliban". "This team isn't participating (in) the signing ceremony on Saturday," he added. In the run-up to the event, the Taliban, US and Afghan forces agreed to a partial week-long truce that entered its sixth day on Thursday. While the truce does not amount to a full ceasefire, the number of Taliban attacks has fallen dramatically. The situation remains fragile however, with the interior ministry reporting a policeman's death due to a roadside bomb in northern Balkh province on Thursday. Another person was killed and ten others were wounded in an explosion in Kabul the same day. The Taliban, which has vowed not to attack urban areas as part of the truce, immediately denied responsibility. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 05:10:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi health minister announced on Wednesday the suspension of all schools and universities until March 7 to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Jaafar Sadiq Allawi said in a statement that he has ordered the suspension of schools and university, as well as cinemas, cafes, clubs, and other public gathering spots from Feb. 27 to March 7. The decision also prohibits Iraqis from travelling to countries where the coronavirus has appeared, except for official delegations and diplomatic missions, said the minister, who heads a crisis group tasked with preventing the spread of coronavirus in the country, according to the statement. In addition, travellers from Kuwait and Bahrain are banned from entering Iraq until further notice, the statement added. Recently, the Iraqi authorities have been taking a series of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus after five cases of the disease were confirmed in the provinces of Najaf and Kirkuk. LEVERKUSEN (dpa-AFX) - Bayer said Thursday that it agreed to allow an independent expert to review its existing specifications and requirements for conducting due diligence on major deal in the future. The company would publish reports of the expert on its website by the end of March. Bayer reached a agreement with Christian Strenger, a stockholder of the company, on a voluntary special audit of due diligence procedures. The agreement allows Hans-Joachim Bocking of the University of Frankfurt to review the company's existing rules for conducting due diligence for major deal. Bayer said lawyer Ralph Wollburg of Linklaters and Prof. Dr. Mathias Habersack of the University of Munich would issue more detailed statements about the legal opinions they prepared at the end of 2018 and in early 2019 concerning the duties of the Board of Management in relation to the Monsanto acquisition. On Wednesday, Bayer said its Chairman Werner Wenning would leave the German drugs and chemicals company before his term expires, amid legal issues surrounding its weedkiller Roundup. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Anthony Snipes, former city manager of Missouri City, on Thursday released a statement in response to the 4-3 vote to terminate his employment contract by Missouri City Mayor Yolanda Ford and the City Council at a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 24. My goal as city manager was always to represent Missouri City in the best light. I continue to wish nothing but the best for the city. While all related information is certainly a matter of public concern, the allegations against me were timely vetted by independent sources and no such source found any wrongdoing by me or my office. There is nothing I can add. Any decision not to communicate the entire story was unfortunate, Snipes wrote and thanked his supporters. I am so appreciative to the elected officials, city employees, and our dynamic residents who have made our city great. In 2019, 76 percent of our responding employees who completed an independent survey indicated that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with their jobs. I urge them to keep doing great work and serving the needs of the public and Missouri City. Snipes took leadership of the Missouri City government in 2016, when he became its first African American city manager. The vote to terminate the employment contract followed a passionate debate among elected officials that lasted more than two hours. Snipes had requested that the discussion be held publicly, not in closed session, according to a news release from the city. Citing concerns over his management style and questions about the allocation of city funds, Ford and three other council members advocated for the contract termination. Related: Divided Missouri City Council votes to fire city manager Three other council members opposed the firing, which they argued was unfair, offering as evidence four years of clean audits by an outside accounting firm, an upgrade to the citys bond rating and a list of Snipes awards and achievements during his tenure at Missouri City. Related: Anthony Snipes elected national president, board chair of National Forum for Black Public Administrators The meeting drew a standing-room-only crowd of residents with many others listening from an overflow area outside the meeting. Many residents voiced support for Snipes during public comments. Many in the audience yelled their opposition following the vote to terminate the contract. Voting to approve the contract termination were Ford and council members Chris Preston, Vashaundra Edwards and Cheryl Sterling. Voting in opposition were council members Floyd Emery, Jeffrey L. Boney and Anthony G. Maroulis. According to the terms of Snipes employment contract, he is to be paid 12 months salary ($213,200) in the event of early termination. Related: Yolanda Ford unseats 24-year incumbent Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen Snipes previously worked in Austin; Dayton, Ohio; and Fort Worth. knix@hcnonline.com Tourism Ireland has said it is still planning to go ahead with St Patricks Day promotions around the world despite concerns about the coronavirus. It is important to remain calm and measured, said chief executive Niall Gibbons. However, Mr Gibbons told RTE's News at One that the organisation that promotes Ireland as a tourist destination, has scaled back its activities in China and has cancelled some marketing activities planned for Milan this weekend. Conditions in China are difficult and operations there have been stood down while Irish staff returned home, he said. The situation is unfolding on a day to day basis and Tourism Ireland is keeping in touch with Ryanair and Aer Lingus with whom they have joint promotions planned. Italy has moved us on to a new chapter. An event for Italian tour operators in Milan this weekend has been postponed and staff in Tourism Irelands Milan office are working from home, he explained. Things will bounce back as they did after the Sars outbreak, predicted Mr Gibbons. The Chinese market bounced back by 600 per cent at that time, he said. The China market is being treated with care, he said. There are more people already in recovery there from the virus. There are good prospects in the North American market with increased flights while the UK market has also improved because of the improved performance of sterling, added Mr Gibbons. At 6:30 p.m. from the White House press room, President Trump will publicly make himself the face of America's response to the coronavirus crisis. Why it matters: This is exactly the situation where a president needs the credibility to truthfully explain a tough situation to the public. Back in the Ebola crisis of 2014, Trump did the opposite: Aug. 2014: "The U.S. cannot allow EBOLA infected people back. People that go to far away places to help out are great-but must suffer the consequences!" "The U.S. cannot allow EBOLA infected people back. People that go to far away places to help out are great-but must suffer the consequences!" Oct. 2014: "Ebola is much easier to transmit than the CDC and government representatives are admitting. Spreading all over Africa-and fast. Stop flights." Reality check: The total U.S. Ebola fatality count was two, and not a single American died from contracting it in the U.S. Now in 2020, Trump is expected to hold tonight's briefing with HHS Secretary Alex Azar, who is running point on the U.S. coronavirus response. Azar to Congress earlier today: "The president and I spoke this morning when he returned from India. The president said, 'I want to keep being radically transparent, when you come over to brief me this evening, lets sit and invite the press in.'" The big picture: Barring a miracle, coronavirus will spread within our own borders. Europe has cases in Austria, Croatia, Greece and Switzerland all from people returning from Italy, not China. has cases in Austria, Croatia, Greece and Switzerland all from people returning from Italy, not China. Latin America is now on the board, via a Brazilian patient who returned from Italy. is now on the board, via a Brazilian patient who returned from Italy. In Asia, South Korea, Japan and Iran have also become epicenters, with total cases rapidly climbing. Between the lines: Europe isn't rushing to close borders, and the U.S. is still allowing flights from Italy, South Korea and Japan. In other words, it will probably take confirmed cases from those countries before flights are grounded. What's next: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wants $8.5 billion to combat the coronavirus. The Trump administration's request is $2.5 billion, including repurposing existing funds. Go deeper: Axios' latest coronavirus coverage WASHINGTON, D.C. - Champaign County GOP Rep. Jim Jordan on Thursday told a panel at the 2020 Conservative Political Action Conference that President Donald Trump will win re-election this November, and said theres a good chance Republicans will retake control of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is going to get a second term," said Jordan. Hes gonna win. Theres a good chance that the president wins big, and if he wins big, we can take back the House. I do think thats going to happen. Democrats won House of Representatives control in 2018 amid a backlash against Trump, his hardline immigration policies and GOP efforts to cut Medicaid spending and repeal the Affordable Care Act. Currently, the legislative body consists of 232 Democrats, 197 Republicans, an independent and 5 vacancies. Democrats hope they can improve their edge with the right candidate at the top of the ticket, and say the wrong one might cost them House seats. For example, House Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn of South Carolina endorsed former Vice President Joe Bidens presidential candidacy this week, telling CNNs Wolf Blitzer hes the best person for us to be running with if we want to keep the House and get the Senate back and elect legislators all down the line." Clyburn told Blitzer hed support Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders if the party selects him, but worries Democrats will lose swing House seats if the self-described democratic socialist is its presidential nominee. We have got districts in Illinois, Colorado, New York, in California where I really believe we could put ourselves in jeopardy, if we arent careful with the way we run the campaign in the fall, Clyburn said. Jordan provided a list of reasons he thinks Trump will win: low unemployment, his tax bill, regulation reductions, an economy growing at an an unbelievable pace, confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, relocation of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, negotiation of a new trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada, and Trumps personal appearance at the yearly March for Life rally. He also applauded Trump for putting his people in place, in recent weeks to fight the swamp." When the President marched Lt. Col Vindman and his brother out of the way, that was a good move, said Jordan, of Trumps reassignment of National Security Council Ukraine expert Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman after his testimony at hearings on impeaching Trump. American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp asked Jordan and his fellow panelist and political ally, North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Meadows, to discuss this years CPAC conference theme - America vs. Socialism - a likely preview of Republican arguments against electing Sanders, the current Democratic frontrunner. We all know that socialism is terrible economics, it hurts people, harms people and kills people, said Schlapp. When you hear all their big government programs, remember it is happening on a parallel track to the desire to strip the rights of anybody they politically disagree with named Donald Trump. How do we stop that? Talk about freedom, Jordan replied. We have this group in Congress called the Freedom Caucus. Theres a reason we picked the word freedom. Freedom is the word you most associate with our great country. It is the ability to have a goal, have a dream and chase it down and make it happen for yourself, for your family, for your business. Thats what makes America so special. And when socialism comes along, it is directly attacking the fundamental principle. He said innovations like the Wright Brothers invention of the airplane, Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier and John Glenn orbiting the earth within a few decades are a result of freedom and the rights we enjoy in this great country. "Freedom is the word you most associate with our great country" Rep @Jim_Jordan explains how freedom makes America great! #CPAC2020 pic.twitter.com/BFKyqmWWlS CPAC 2020 (Text CPAC to 56479) (@CPAC) February 27, 2020 Jordan said Trump highlights the nations freedoms at every single rally he speaks at. He talks about the greatness of this country and how American people, regular people can do great things, said Jordan. Jordan described visiting Cuba and Russia for tournaments during his years as a competitive wrestler. He said his visit to Moscow was like the Wizard of Oz in reverse, going from the colorful United States to the black and white Soviet Union where the weather was cold and the food was terrible. When he visited Cuba in 1988, Jordan said people there were driving 1959 Chevrolets and he speculated theyre still driving them. Meadows said conservatives need to call out Sanders when he discusses the virtues of Cubas educational system. "Those that live in Cuba can experience oppression and spell it too, Meadows said of Sanders remarks. Jordan said that Democrats who oppose Trump will never stop trying to overturn the will of 63 million Americans who voted for Trump in an electoral college landslide." He said they started doing so before Trump took office and continued as recently as two weeks ago, when intelligence officials briefed Capitol Hill on alleged Russian threats to the upcoming election without telling the president what they were going to say, and it turns out what they conveyed .. to the folks on Capitol Hill wasnt actually accurate. So that just tells you theyre never going to stop, which means our job never stops either, defending the truth, defending the Constitution, defending the president, said Jordan. Read more coverage: Rep. Marcia Fudge has doubts about Bernie Sanders getting the Democratic presidential nod Senate Democrats including Ohios Sherrod Brown block anti-abortion legislation Sen. Sherrod Brown says Trump is working with Russia to help his re-election Ohio Congress members want government action on coronavirus Meet Rep. Marcy Kaptur and the people who want to replace her in Congress Ohio Attorney General tosses out GOP voting complaint against Democratic congressional candidate Rep. Jim Jordan visits Israel and tours Temple Mount with former Knesset member who is later arrested Meet the three Democrats vying to take on Rep. Jim Jordan Former OSU wrestler Adam DiSabato calls out Rep. Jim Jordan on MSNBC Heres who says Jim Jordan knew - or didnt know - about sex abuse on OSUs wrestling team Retired carpenter challenges Rep. Dave Joyce in GOP primary Democratic congressional candidate did not illegally vote twice in same election, Lake County elections board says 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 New Delhi, Feb 27 : The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned the violence in New Delhi in the last few days. In a statement, the OIC said it "condemns the recent and alarming violence against Muslims in India, resulting in the death and injury of innocent people and the arson and vandalism of mosques and Muslim-owned properties". Calling the violence "heinous", the organization extended its condolences to the families of the victims. The OIC asked the Modi government to bring the "instigators and perpetrators of anti-Muslim violence to justice and to ensure the safety and security of all its Muslim citizens and the protection of Islamic holy places across the country". The violence in North-East Delhi erupted after clashes between pro and anti-CAA protesters on Sunday. Besides the 33 casualties, over 200 others have been injured in the deadliest violence in the national capital in decades. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Novartis AG (VTX:NOVN) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 4 days. If you purchase the stock on or after the 3rd of March, you won't be eligible to receive this dividend, when it is paid on the 5th of March. Novartis's upcoming dividend is CHF2.95 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of CHF3.00 per share to shareholders. Looking at the last 12 months of distributions, Novartis has a trailing yield of approximately 3.4% on its current stock price of CHF86.44. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. That's why we should always check whether the dividend payments appear sustainable, and if the company is growing. Check out our latest analysis for Novartis If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Novartis paid out 98% of its earnings, which is more than we're comfortable with, unless there are mitigating circumstances. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. Over the last year it paid out 54% of its free cash flow as dividends, within the usual range for most companies. It's good to see that while Novartis's dividends were not well covered by profits, at least they are affordable from a cash perspective. Still, if the company continues paying out such a high percentage of its profits, the dividend could be at risk if business turns sour. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. SWX:NOVN Historical Dividend Yield, February 27th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. With that in mind, we're discomforted by Novartis's 6.6% per annum decline in earnings in the past five years. Such a sharp decline casts doubt on the future sustainability of the dividend. Story continues The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. Novartis has delivered 5.2% dividend growth per year on average over the past ten years. That's intriguing, but the combination of growing dividends despite declining earnings can typically only be achieved by paying out a larger percentage of profits. Novartis is already paying out a high percentage of its income, so without earnings growth, we're doubtful of whether this dividend will grow much in the future. The Bottom Line Has Novartis got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? It's never fun to see a company's earnings per share in retreat. Worse, Novartis's paying out a majority of its earnings and more than half its free cash flow. Positive cash flows are good news but it's not a good combination. It's not an attractive combination from a dividend perspective, and we're inclined to pass on this one for the time being. Curious what other investors think of Novartis? See what analysts are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow. If you're in the market for dividend stocks, we recommend checking our list of top dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. The woman did not attend a doctor afterwards, so there was no medical certificate available, the court heard. (stock photo) A group of wealthy investors have failed in their legal challenge to Revenue's refusal to allow them to write off losses of several million euro they suffered in a complex financial transaction. The Tax Appeals Commission (TAC) ruled that a scheme in which the 32 individuals invested large sums of money involving a British Virgin Islands-registered firm was specifically designed to generate losses to be written off against tax rather than to make a profit. The TAC said there was no commercial rationale for any financial transaction involving the scheme which was promoted by an unidentified firm of tax advisors in Ireland. TAC commissioner Lorna Gallagher said evidence by several investors that they were completely surprised by the tax advantage they enjoyed from the scheme was "entirely lacking in credibility". The group claimed that under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 losses they suffered were allowable trading losses that could be written off against tax. The TAC heard that the investors were advised in advance of investing that the scheme best suited higher-rate taxpayers with large income and capital gains to absorb any initial trading loss. Investors were also informed their initial contribution would not be returned. One of the transactions was the purchase of the right to receive a dividend from a company registered in the British Virgin Islands which was preceded by a significant new investment of capital by members of the scheme. The vast majority of money invested was funded by a limited recourse loan from another company registered in the British Virgin Islands which was for a term no longer than 30 days. One investor, a financial trader, told the TAC that despite the mechanism of the scheme, the deduction of expenses and the fact that his initial contribution would not be returned to him, he still expected to make a return on his capital contribution. The TAC heard that the witness had invested 20,000 of his own money and another borrowed 180,000 that ultimately generated a profit of just over 238. Another investor, an accountant, claimed he was taken completely by surprise that he could claims losses of over 207,000 instead of 10,000 as a result of the performance of his investment. A Revenue official gave evidence that the effect of the scheme for one investor who claimed he had suffered losses of 267,510 for tax purposes was a post-tax cash gain of 97,437. Rejecting the appeal, Ms Gallagher, said the appellants had not discharged the burden of proof which required them to show that the tax assessments raised by Revenue were incorrect. Ms Gallagher said the purchase of the British Virgin Islands' dividend was a complex transaction designed to "generate a tax advantage for the participants of the collective in the form of tax losses". "All of the objective facts point towards the transaction having been put in place for tax purposes to secure a tax advantage through generating a loss of the kind that was ultimately claimed in these appeals," she said. It is understood the group are considering appealing the ruling to the High Court. Albania's OSCE chairmanship in 2020 will not push forward new initiatives to resolve the situation in Donbas but will focus on promoting implementation of existing arrangements and improving the lives of civilians on the ground. "I don't think we need new initiatives. We need to implement what we already have. What we want to offer is not new initiatives but activities to encourage the implementation of existing arrangements. I think if we come up with new ideas, without fulfilling what we have agreed on, we will continue to destroy trust, those buds of trust that have emerged from the little progress that has been made," OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albania's Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Edi Rama said at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office stressed that "good faith" was needed to build confidence and implement the agreements. That is why, Edi Rama said, the focus during Albania's OSCE chairmanship will be on improving the situation on the ground, the lives of ordinary people in the conflict zone. At the same time, he welcomed the actions of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky "on moving forward" as "it takes courage". "I support all his steps towards fulfilling agreements, formulas and formats, all decisions," Rama said. ol Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:07:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A man and his wife rest in their house at the Qushou Village of Saybag Township in Moyu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Sadat) Facts show that there is not a one-size-fits-all model for human rights protection, and that modernization is no Westernization, said the envoy. GENEVA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The accusations by Britain and other countries on China's Xinjiang policies are untruthful and interfere with China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, a Chinese envoy said here Wednesday at the ongoing 43rd session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council. The accusers have defied facts, being either unaware of or unwilling to admit the truth about the human rights situation in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, said Liu Hua, special representative for human rights of the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Even worse, some have employed human rights as a policy tool to smear and discredit China, Liu said, criticizing them for practicing double standards in regard to the counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures China has lawfully taken in Xinjiang. On May 22, 2014, five terrorists in two vehicles broke through roadside fences, plowed into the crowd, and set off explosive devices at a market in Gongyuanbei Street of Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, claiming 39 lives and injuring 94 people. (Xinhua) These countries and forces claimed that China's measures are excessive and violate human rights whereas similar practices adopted in their own countries are viewed as part of the rule of law, she said. They rejected China's invitation to visit Xinjiang, and when over 70 countries explicitly supported China's Xinjiang policies via joint letters or statements, deeming them as positive anti-terrorism and de-radicalization practices and effective measures to protect the basic human rights of all ethnic groups, they said those countries were under China's pressure and only the hearsay they have repeated was true, she noted. On May 22, 2014, five terrorists in two vehicles broke through roadside fences, plowed into the crowd, and set off explosive devices at a market in Gongyuanbei Street of Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, claiming 39 lives and injuring 94 people. (Xinhua) The Chinese envoy said that since the 1990s, the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism at home and abroad have carried out thousands of violent terrorist attacks in Xinjiang, causing huge human and property losses and trampling on the human rights of local residents. The Chinese government has adopted a series of counter-terrorism and de-radicalization measures in Xinjiang in accordance with the law, she said, citing the establishment of vocational education and training centers as an example. Liu said the measures have received support from people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang for having greatly improved the local security situation and effectively protected their basic human rights. No violent terrorist attack has occurred in Xinjiang in the past three years. Last year, Xinjiang received over 200 million tourists and its per capita gross domestic product recorded a 6.2-percent growth, she said, adding the region is expected to eliminate extreme poverty this year. A farmer sorts chili peppers in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 13, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Liu said China welcomes the visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Madam Michelle Bachelet to visit China, including to Xinjiang, this year, adding the Chinese side is having close contact with Bachelet's office to arrange the visit. The Chinese envoy said facts show that there is not a one-size-fits-all model for human rights protection, and that modernization is no Westernization. Human rights protection must adhere to a development path that fits a country's own conditions, she said, adding China's practice "is in line with the spirit of the UN Charter and relevant human rights treaties." The raising of boundary walls of Army installations, police stations and CRPF camps in Jammu and Kashmir has successfully thwarted any fidayeen (suicide) attack in the last one year. The boundary walls were raised under a joint project funded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which was sanctioned in 2018 to counter fidayeen attacks on security installations. In August 2017, three fidayeen of Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit had in a pre-dawn attack stormed district police lines in Pulwama district. In more than an 18-hour-long encounter, all three fidayeen and eight security men were killed while a dozen security personnel were also injured. Fidayeen took advantage of a low and under construction rare wall of DPL Pulwama to sneak in. Similarly in other fidayeen attacks which took before and after the DPL Pulwama attack, it was observed that militants were taking advantage of low boundary walls to sneak in, a senior CRPF officer told DH. He said after a series of reviews, top security brass in J&K decided to plug the loopholes by renovating all police stations, Army and CRPF camps while as the height of walls around them was raised to at least 12 to 15 feet. Sources said the money for the project was released by the MHA under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) for police and CRPF while as MoD released the funds for the Army. Rs 200 crore sanctioned by the MHA has been received so far and a major chunk of this amount is being spent on the renovation, repair and raising the heights of walls, they said. A police officer said that first sensitive south Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag were taken under the projects. Srinagar was also covered. There are hardly any sensitive security installations where renovation activity is yet to be undertaken, he revealed. However, an Army officer said they started overhauling of its security installations soon after Panthankote and Uri fidayeen attacks in 2016. We have a separate security budget. We receive funds from the Defence Ministry directly, he said and added the exercise stands complete in Kashmir. Fidayeen attempts, which include surprise and shock as essential elements, are bound to cause greater damage when compared to hit and run or standoff fire assaults. Amongst the major fidayeen attacks that have taken place in recent years, terrorists have struck an active battalion headquarters, police stations, formation headquarters, peacetime military units and security establishments, the officer said and warned regardless of the kind of preparation to fortify security installations, fidayeen attacks cant be ruled out in future People across the country are calling their public health departments, wondering if the Shen Yun Chinese dance troupe will bring the 2019 novel Coronavirus to town. Spokespeople for the public health departments in Philadelphia and Reno tell The Daily Beast they have fielded calls fearful of upcoming Shen Yun performances. Utah and Salt Lake City health departments have also received such calls and at least one email, as the Beast previously reported. The dance group poses no risk, officials have uniformly said, and the fears are unfounded. Shen Yun does not perform in China at all, as the troupe asserted in an official statement, and its base of operations is in New York City. Still, with Shen Yun scheduled to perform in Reno this coming weekendand in Salt Lake City and Philadelphiathe calls amounted to one of the most visceral expressions yet of nativist American fear over a deadly epidemic. Bats Are Being Blamed for Coronavirus. Bat Lovers Are Freaking Out. Jim Garrow, a spokesman for the Philadelphia department of public health, said his office received a call Thursday complaining about Shen Yuns performance and asking about a rumor that members of the troupe had been infected. The dancers performing in Philadelphia had not, he said, as theyve been in the U.S. longer than what is understood to be the virus incubation period and had developed no apparent symptoms. The Shen Yun scare may just be vapors, but Garrow saw them as symptomatic of a larger concern: racist fears over coronavirus. These complaints are a shame, he told The Daily Beast. As far as the health department is concerned, Shen Yun isnt a threat at all. But we are worried about this feeling among some people that if someone is of Asian descent or has traveled anywhere in Asia, that theyre a threat and a vector of the disease." The hysteria has pernicious aftershocks. Shops in Philadelphias Chinatown have seen as much as a 50 percent decrease in business since panic over the coronavirus began, Garrow said, noting that his department has put out a consistent stream of materials to try to debunk the fear. Story continues Its done real damage to the Chinese community, he added. Weve gotten similar complaints and questions about Asian owned businesses and employees. Theres no reason to associate the disease with someone whos Chinese. Its just a disease. It doesnt care what you look like or where youre from. The racist angst isnt unique to Philadelphia. Health officials in Reno and Salt Lake City said they had not received calls about coronavirus related to any other traveling actbesides Shen Yun. The nativist backlash hasn't been universal. The Daily Beast contacted local and state health departments administering to cities where Shen Yun is slated to perform in upcoming weeksFairfax, Philadelphia, Norfolk, Omaha, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Reno, and St. Louis. Most of the agencies said they had not received calls about the performance group. The Douglas County public health department in Nebraska is part of the team managing at least a dozen diagnosed coronavirus patients, all former passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The agency anticipated concerns over Shen Yun related to coronavirus: Its epidemiologists investigated the possibility of the group transmitting the virus, discussed it with Nebraska state health officials, and found no existing threat, according to spokesman Phil Rooney. But Rooney said his department hasnt received the kind of calls Salt Lake, Philadelphia, and Reno have. One Shen Yun volunteer speculated to a local Omaha news outlet that the Chinese government had seeded the rumors. Theres no evidence Beijing is attempting to undermine and malign Shen Yun with a sickness scare, but coronavirus misinformation is running rampant elsewhere. State-backed Russian actors have spread misinformation about coronavirus, according to the U.S. State Department, a charge Moscow denies. Though the fears of the dance troupe are unfounded, Scott Oxarat at the Washoe County Health Department, which governs Reno, Nevada, said hes at least glad people are searching for information from reliable sourcesthat is, sources like his office. His department received two calls this week. Our job as experts is to answer these questions, he said. He also noted that health departments across the country have faced a nearly insurmountable workload related to the coronavirus, though. At least one baseless rumor alleges a conspiracy by Shen Yun leadership, according to an email to the Salt Lake City health department obtained by The Daily Beast via public records request. The department received four calls concerned about Shen Yun and coronavirus, according to spokesman Nicholas Rupp. A friend gave me news that this group just finished performing In Korea and a few of their members returned to the US with coronavirus symptoms but was prevented to seek medical help from their leader. They are suppressing their members to leak the news so no performing schedules will be interrupted, the email reads. The writers name has been redacted in keeping with disclosure laws governing personal information. Theres no truth to it, Rupp said. But the emailer even seemed to doubt the provenance of their own information, indicating a broader deluge of bogus intel may be fueling the questions put to public health departments. Shen Yun did not respond to a request for comment for this story. 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. Passengers on board a cruise ship that was blocked from docking in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands due to coronavirus fears are now facing health checks to decide whether they will be allowed off the boat in Mexico. The MSC Meraviglia, which is carrying 4,500 passengers and 1,600 crew from Miami, is currently waiting off shore at Cozumel having been forced to skip the last two stops on its itinerary after a crew member fell sick. The ship is due in port Thursday morning where health inspectors will come aboard before making a final ruling on whether or not people will be allowed off the boat. A spokesman for the cruise line said the inspection is routine, and that the company 'very much expects' that people will be allowed off. The ship previously ran into trouble after a member of the crew, from the Philippines, fell sick with flu-like symptoms prompting fears they had coronavirus - but has since tested positive for Type A flu. Cruise ship MSC Meraviglia is currently waiting off the coast of Cozumel, Meixco (pictured), where it is due to dock Thursday before health inspectors will decide whether passengers can come ashore It comes after the ship was blocked from Jamaica and the Cayman Islands over coronavirus fears after a member of the crew tested positive for Type A flu (pictured, ship interior) Cruise liner MSC Meraviglia is berthed at a dock in Punta Langosta which is carrying 4,500 passengers and 1,600 crew from Miami Despite the flu diagnosis, health authorities in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands decided not to allow people off the boat at Ocho Rios and George Town. It comes after the MS Westerdam was rejected from five ports in Asia earlier this month amid fears over coronavirus, despite there being no confirmed cases on board at the time. It also comes after an actual coronavirus outbreak on board the Diamond Princess ship sickened almost 700 and killed four. Mexican media reported overnight that the ship had initially been blocked by health authorities, before the block was rescinded. The cruise industry has found itself at the centre of fears surrounding coronavirus, with shares in the industry's three largest firms - Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line - down around 15 per cent since the beginning of the year. Companies have all warned that bookings have been 'soft' since the outbreak began in China in December last year. More than 50 cruises have been cancelled, seven ports closed and thousands of holidaymakers plans disrupted due to coronavirus, the Financial Times reported. MSC said that the crew member in question had boarded the ship in Miami on Sunday after travelling from Manila, in the Philippines, via the Turkish city of Istanbul. All passengers and crew passed health checks before being allowed to depart. The crew member reported to the on-board medical station at some point between Sunday and the ship's arrival in Ocho Rios on Tuesday. Online records show that the ship arrived in Ocho Rios around 8.20am local time on Tuesday. It then remained held in port until 1.20pm, when it departed. The ship was previously blocked from docking in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and George Town, Cayman Islands, before going to Cozumel where it arrived Thursday After the ship docks in Cozumel (file image) health officials will carry out a routine inspection before passengers are allowed off the boat The ship then set its next port of call as George Town, but that quickly changed to Cozumel after health authorities blocked it. It arrived in Cozumel around 10pm local time Wednesday, and is currently being held off shore due to high winds. It is expected to early Thursday. Dwayne Seymour, health minister for the Cayman Islands, said: 'In an abundance of caution... the government has denied permission for the cruise ship to call on Grand Cayman as previously scheduled.' The ship's next port of call after the Cayman Islands was due to be Cozumel, in Mexico, before a stop at on a private island in the Bahamas. It was then due to return to Miami on March 1. One passenger said that bottles of hand sanitizer had been placed around the ship for people to use, and that people were being encouraged to clean their hands before and after eating. Photos posted by other passengers on board showed that people had been allowed to roam freely around the deck. News about the Meraviglia broke as Indonesia announced it was evacuating 1,800 cruise ship staff from on board the World Dream cruise ship, where they have been stranded since February 9. The ship had been denied entry in Thailand after it was revealed that three Chinese nationals who had taken part in an earlier cruise had tested positive for coronavirus. The vessel was eventually allowed to dock in Hong Kong and passengers allowed off, but the crew were told to remain behind. Medical boats have now been sent to evacuate the staff members, who may be quarantined for a further 28 days. Coronavirus has infected more than 80,000 people worldwide and killed more than 2,700, with new outbreaks reported this week in South Korea, Iran and Italy Muhadjir Effendy, Indonesia's chief human development minister, said the navy ship, equipped with medical facilities, would pick up Indonesian crew members. They would be taken to an uninhabited island with 'good facilities' in the Java Sea north of Jakarta for observation, he said. 'We will observe them according to procedures set by the WHO (World Health Organization),' he said. Indonesia announced plans last week to bring back 74 of its nationals from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that has been affected by a coronavirus outbreak. Indonesia's health minister, Terawan Agus Putranto, told reporters on Monday that the government was still negotiating with the Japanese government on the best way to evacuate the Indonesians. Separately, Indonesian authorities were investigating a report that a Japanese citizen had tested positive for the coronavirus after traveling to the Southeast Asian country earlier this month. Meanwhile tourists at a hotel in Tenerife have also been qaurantined after four people from Italy, the centre of a new European outbreak, tested positive. Hundreds of guests including Britons remain in limbo today with the hotel in quarantine and holidaymakers confined to their bedrooms. Canary Islands president Angel Victor Torres announced last night that the tourists would have to remain in the H10 Costa Adeje Palace until further notice. Italy now has 322 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 11 people have died, with towns in the north placed on lockdown to try and contain the spread. Idonesia has began evacuating some 1,800 crew from the World Dream cruise ship in Hong Kong, where they have been stuck since February 9 amid fears of a coronavirus infection The staff will now be taken to an abandoned island with a hospital on it where they could be quarantined for another 28 days The disease has also skipped across the border to Croatia, Switzerland and Austria - all of which confirmed their first cases in patients linked to Italy. Mainland Spain also reported two cases in Barcelona and Madrid in patients who had recently travelled to northern Italy. Globally, coronavirus has infected more than 81,000 people and killed 2,700 amid warnings that it could soon become a global pandemic. Bruce Aylward, who leads the joint WHO-China mission of experts, has warned that world leaders are 'simply not ready' to deal with outbreaks and have been given a false sense of security thanks to Beijing's handling of the infection. He said: 'You have to be ready to manage this at a larger scale... and it has to be done fast,' insisting countries have to 'be ready as if this hits us tomorrow'. Dozens of countries are now battling outbreaks, with South Korea, Italy, Japan and Iran among the worst-affected. DALLAS, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Heart Association states more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States annually. About 90% of people who experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest die. A time-critical, life-threatening condition, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest requires optimum performance from emergency medical services (EMS) professionals and victims must receive high-quality CPR to improve the chance of survival. RQI Partners LLC, a partnership between the American Heart Association, the world's leading voluntary organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, and Laerdal Medical, a global leader in providing healthcare solutions, agrees with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) that dismal cardiac arrest outcomes present a public health crisis. Today, RQI Partners and the IAFC, which represents firefighter and emergency responder leadership worldwide, announce their shared commitment and collaboration to help double out-of-hospital survival by 2025 by educating fire service leaders on new resuscitation programs, strategies and resources that can help deliver more positive cardiac arrest results. "We are pleased to align with the IAFC in taking important and much-needed steps to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival," said Clive Patrickson, RQI Partners' chief executive officer. "Combining the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical's proven resuscitation quality improvement programs for prehospital and public safety responders with the reach and influence of the IAFC will ensure that all professionals who respond to a cardiac arrest event have the tools, skills and knowledge to perform high-quality CPR confidently and competently." Last May, the American Heart Association, Laerdal Medical and the Resuscitation Academy Foundation introduced four resuscitation quality improvement programs for prehospital and public safety responders to help increase out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival in communities. Two programs are designed for firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, the core audience the IAFC supports and represents. One targets public safety answering points, where many fire departments have operational oversight, and the fourth program helps EMS systems assess current performance and how to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates. The programs are delivered by RQI Partners on behalf of the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical. "The IAFC is pleased to work with RQI Partners to help educate fire service leaders on new resuscitation programs to save more lives," said Fire Chief Gary Ludwig, IAFC president and chairman of the board. "The resuscitation quality improvement programs and system assessment that are now available to emergency medical services agencies will help our leaders enhance their teams' CPR readiness when responding to a cardiac arrest and evaluate the effectiveness of their community's chain of survival." Built on the foundation of the Resuscitation Academy's expertise and success in increasing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival in Seattle and the Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) methodology of verified CPR competence and mastery learning, the programs include: RQI EMS, a blended learning program for EMS providers that promotes mastery of high-quality CPR through short, frequent skills sessions, and RQI for Teams, a high-performance CPR quality improvement program developed for individuals who respond to medical emergencies as a team. a blended learning program for EMS providers that promotes mastery of high-quality CPR through short, frequent skills sessions, and a high-performance CPR quality improvement program developed for individuals who respond to medical emergencies as a team. RQI Telecommunicator (RQI-T) is a blended educational and resuscitation quality improvement program that provides continuous, simulation-based mastery learning, practice and analytics to telecommunicators for delivery of high-quality telephone CPR to bystanders. is a blended educational and resuscitation quality improvement program that provides continuous, simulation-based mastery learning, practice and analytics to telecommunicators for delivery of high-quality telephone CPR to bystanders. Cardiac Arrest System Assessment engages EMS systems on how to improve survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest through evaluation and measurement of response performance. To learn more about RQI Partners and its suite of prehospital resuscitation quality improvement programs, visit rqipartners.com. Visit iafc.org to learn more about the International Association of Fire Chiefs. About RQI Partners LLC RQI Partners LLC is a partnership between the American Heart Association and Laerdal Medical, positioning the organizations to deliver innovative solutions that accelerate the impact of their lifesaving mission. The company blends the Association's leadership in science with Laerdal's expertise in technology and implementation to deliver impactful and innovative resuscitation quality improvement programs. For more information, visit www.rqipartners.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. About the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous response, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders. Learn more . About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. About Laerdal Medical Laerdal Medical, one of the world's leading providers of healthcare solutions, is dedicated to helping save lives with products and services for Simulation, Airway Management, Immobilization, Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, Patient Care, Self-Directed Learning and Medical Education. Laerdal is pleased to serve all healthcare providers and educators, from the lay rescuer to medical professionals. Laerdal operates sales and support offices in 23 countries worldwide, and with the head office located in Stavanger, Norway. For more information, visit www.laerdal.com or call 877-523-7325. SOURCE RQI Partners, LLC Related Links https://rqipartners.com Credit: In 1932 two young women were found in inner-city Sydney parks: both naked and brutally bashed to death. Police noted the similarities, but as they were prostitutes investigations were far from thorough. It wasnt until a third murder that became front page news Bessie OConnor, an aspiring Olympic swimmer also working in escort services that police pulled out all stops. Tanya Bretherton, who specialises in recreating true crime, takes the reader into Sydneys mean streets, profiling the victims, the suspects and the investigating police (as well as the role of the motor car in facilitating sex murders), and the result might be called procedural non-fiction. A man confessed to one murder and was jailed for 25 years, but many more eerily similar murders that looked like serial killings followed. Forensic, vivid and atmospheric. PICK OF THE WEEK To the Lake Kapka Kassabova Granta, $34.99 Credit: The eponymous lake is Lake Ohrid in what is now the Republic of North Macedonia. For poet and novelist Kapka Kassabova who grew up in Sofia and now lives in the Scottish highlands the lake and the region have always haunted her because her grandmother lived there as did generations of her family. In crisp, poetic language she describes her pilgrimage back, charting her journey, the people she meets while also creating a resonant sense of place. In one small town she meets a mother and son, caretakers of a Dervish monastery who converted to Sufism. In another she speaks with the keeper of the Black Madonna a renaissance icon that heals illness and infertility who believes in miracles. The result is a kaleidoscopic mirroring of the area through time past and present, with tales of war and peace woven in. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Roughly 80% of people with myotonic dystrophy - a common form of muscular dystrophy - experience dangerous heart ailments, and heart rhythm defects are the second-leading cause of death in those with the condition. In a new study, researchers traced the molecular events that lead to heart abnormalities in myotonic dystrophy and recreated the disease in a mouse model. They report their findings in the journal Developmental Cell. "In this study, we discovered that the genetic abnormalities associated with myotonic dystrophy lead to the overproduction of an alternative-splicing factor that regulates how cells process other proteins," said Auinash Kalsotra, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who led the work. He is a faculty member in the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and in the Cancer Center at Illinois. The alternative-splicing factor comes in two forms, called muscle and nonmuscle RBFOX2. Both alter RNA transcripts by splicing them before they are translated into proteins. The nonmuscle form of the protein is elevated in the heart muscles of people with myotonic dystrophy, the researchers found. "When we engineered mice to express this wrong version of the protein in the heart, they developed the same heart irregularities seen in humans with myotonic dystrophy," Kalsotra said. "We decided to investigate further why expression of the nonmuscle RBFOX2 variant in the heart triggers arrhythmias." "By looking at cardiac gene-expression data and focusing on which gene transcripts are altered by the nonmuscle RBFOX2 in myotonic dystrophy patients, we discovered that it induces abnormal splicing of proteins that make up the major potassium and sodium channels in heart cells," said Chaitali Misra, a postdoctoral research scientist in the Kalsotra laboratory and the first author of the study. "These channels are essential to the propagation of electrical signals across heart muscle, and their aberrant splicing causes major cardiac conduction defects." "This disrupts the normal rhythm and function of the heart in individuals with myotonic dystrophy," Kalsotra said. "Our results have answered a long-standing question of why myotonic dystrophy patients develop cardiac dysfunctions and offers new insights into previously unknown mechanisms causing arrhythmias in the heart," he said. "We expect these findings will help explore new approaches for treating cardiac arrhythmias and bring us closer to finding a cure for this disease." ### The research team included U. of I. graduate student Sushant Bangru; undergraduate students Feikai Lin and Darren J. Parker; Thomas A. Cooper, of Baylor College of Medicine; Sara N. Koenig, Ellen R. Lubbers and Peter J. Mohler, of Ohio State University; and U. of I. postdoctoral fellow Jamila Hedhli, graduate student Kin Lam, bioengineering professor Lawrence W. Dobrucki and biochemistry professor Emad Tajkhorshid, all of whom are affiliated with the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at Illinois. The National Institutes of Health, Muscular Dystrophy Association and American Heart Association funded this research. Editor's notes: To reach Auinash Kalsotra, call 217-300-7654; email kalsotra@illinois.edu. After the embargo lifts, the paper "Aberrant expression of a non-muscle RBFOX2 isoform triggers cardiac conduction defects in myotonic dystrophy" will be available online and from the U. of I. News Bureau. Game Of Thrones star Liam Cunningham will be honoured next week with the inaugural Lifetime Contribution Award from the Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL). The actor, who played Davos in the hit fantasy series, will receive the accolade at an event in the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) on March 6 as part of the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival. Among those also taking part in various events over the next 12 days will be Barry Keoghan, Charlie Kaufman, Bill Nighy, Bob Geldof, Tom Vaughan- Lawlor and Orla Brady. Featuring the best of Irish and world cinema, among the highlights will be the first look at Promising Young Woman. Expand Close In 'Game of Thrones' / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp In 'Game of Thrones' Starring Carey Mulligan in the lead role of Cassie, it's also the directorial debut of Emerald Fennell of Killing Eve fame. Described as a "thrilling and wildly entertaining story", it will screen in the Irish Film Institute on March 8, nearly six weeks before it goes on general release on April 17. As part of the outreach programme, there will also be preview screenings of Cine4's Irish-language feature Arracht, with a national tour visiting six regional venues ranging from Drogheda to Galway. Read More Other highlights will be The Mystery Of Henri Pick, Radioactive, Billy and The Hottest August. The curtain will come down on the festival on March 8 with the announcement of the ICCL Human Rights in Film Award, which celebrates how films showcase social activism. Video of the Day The judging panel was chaired by Ailbhe Smyth and included designer Brendan Courtney and entrepreneur Andrea Horan. Nominees for the award include festival films Herself, Street Leagues, Hearts And Bones, Santiago, Italia and Balloon. 11. General Conditions. All federal, state, local, and municipal laws, and regulations apply. Void where prohibited. By participating in the Promotion, entrants agree to comply with and to be bound by the official rules and by all interpretations of the official rules by the Sponsor. Decisions of the Sponsor shall be final in all matters relating to the Promotion. The Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend this Promotion at any time. This Promotion is not intended for gambling. If it is determined that an entrant is using the Promotion for gambling purposes they will be disqualified and reported to authorities. 12. Release. By participating in the Promotion, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the Promotion, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the "Released Parties)" from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Promotion or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Promotion, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunication or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Promotion; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d)application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Promotion, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of the Promotion, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of the application, the processing of entries application downloads or in any Promotion-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Promotion or acceptance, receipt or misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Promotion, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorney's fees. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct or indirect damages. IFC CEO Philippe Le Houerou said the organisation is keen on building a strategic cooperation partnership with Egypt CEO of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Philippe Le Houerou has announced that the IFC will expand its activities and investments in Egypt in the coming period, especially amid the second wave of Egypts economic reforms. Le Houerous announcement came during a meeting held with Egypts Minister of International Cooperation Rania El-Mashat. Le Houerou said the IFC will also support Egypts private sector, adding that the organisation is interested in building a strategic cooperation partnership with Egypt. He added that he is optimistic about the structural reforms that Egypt will adopt in the second wave of its economic reform programme, praising Egypts success in implementing promising projects, especially in the renewable energy sector. Search Keywords: Short link: Author and SBP founding CEO Zack Rosenburg will keynote the 2020 Shingo lean management conference. Getting Home is the inspiring story of a defense lawyer and a schoolteacher who left their careers to rebuild homes for Hurricane Katrina victims but wound up reconstructing the entire process for rebuilding after disasters. Getting Home is the inspiring story of a defense lawyer and a schoolteacher who left their careers to rebuild homes for desperate survivors of Hurricane Katrina but wound up reconstructing the entire process for rebuilding after disasters. Authors Liz McCartney and Zack Rosenburg describe how SBP, the disaster relief nonprofit they founded, partnered with Toyota to apply the #lean principles of the Toyota Production System (TPS) to shrink the timeline for rebuilding homes following hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Rosenburg will share SBPs true continuous improvement story successes and challenges in a keynote presentation at the 32nd annual Shingo Conference on Friday, April 17, 2020, in Orlando, according to the Boston-based nonprofit publisher Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI). Rosenburg will reveal: A proven new rebuilding model for making #disasterrecovery faster, more predictable, and with much less emotional and financial distress for victims; A practical story of how citizens and governments can improve #disasterpreparedness; The importance of understanding intolerable conditions, and how to address them through root-cause problem solving; Why expertise is unnecessary if you have the right mindset; The importance of culture and workplace identity; Examples that inspire the use of TPS. The annual conference is sponsored by the Shingo Institute, part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. The institute is named for the late Shigeo Shingo, a key contributor to the development of lean management principles. For more information and to register, visit the conference web page. About Getting Home Authors: Liz McCartney and Zack Rosenburg Publisher: Lean Enterprise Institute, Inc. Number of Pages: 168 Price: $22.00 Download excerpts Available online now in hardcover, audio, and ebook versions About SBP Since its founding in 2006 in St. Bernard Parish, LA, following Hurricane Katrina, SBP has rebuilt homes for more than 1,950 families in 14 communities across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. SBP meets its mission to shrink the time between disaster and recovery through five interventions: rebuilding efficiently; sharing its model with other organizations; resilience training for home and business owners; advising municipal and state officials; and advocating for policy improvements to the disaster recovery industry. Visit: https://sbpusa.org/. About the Lean Enterprise Institute Lean Enterprise Institute Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Boston, MA, with a mission to make things better through lean thinking and practice by helping companies create more value and prosperity while consuming the fewest possible resources. Founded in 1997 by management expert James Womack, PhD, LEI conducts research through co-learning partnerships with companies, teaches on-site and public workshops, publishes books and ebooks, organizes conferences, and shares practical information about lean thinking and practice. Visit http://www.lean.org. On Monday, the justices accepted a closely watched case that has been at the top of religious conservatives Supreme Court wish list. It challenges the City of Philadelphias termination of a contract with Catholic Social Services, one of the private agencies certified to find families to take in foster children. Objecting to same-sex marriage, the agency, which is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, wont place children with same-sex married couples. It thus refuses to abide by the citys Fair Practices Ordinance, which bars discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, among other characteristics. When, for that reason, the citys Department of Human Services stopped referring children to Catholic Social Services for placement, the agency, known as C.S.S., sued, claiming a violation of its religious liberty. It lost in both Federal District Court and in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which held in a ruling last April that the citys nondiscrimination policy is a neutral, generally applicable law, and the religious views of CSS do not entitle it to an exception from that policy. In one major respect, the claim in this case, Fulton v. Philadelphia, resembles the claim in a case from Montana that the court heard last month. In that case, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, parents who want to use state scholarship vouchers to send their children to religious schools are claiming a violation of their religious rights because the voucher program was terminated by the Montana Supreme Court. Montanas Constitution prohibits spending public money for religious education, and rather than vet the nature of each school at which a voucher might be used, the state court shut the program down for religious and nonreligious schools alike. So, on the one hand, the parents want religious schools to be treated like any other schools. On the other hand, they seek special treatment in the face of the voucher programs across-the-board termination. In similar fashion, Catholic Social Services on the one hand seeks treatment as an equal among the several dozen agencies the city contracts with for foster placements. On the other hand, it claims the right to not follow a law that applies to everyone. In two other respects, however, this new case is even more portentous or promising, depending on ones view than the others. Five years after it ruled in favor of same-sex marriage, the Supreme Court has yet to fully address the objections of those who claim religious reasons for refusing to treat same-sex couples as equals. (The court failed to say anything meaningful two years ago in the case of the baker who wouldnt bake a cake to celebrate a same-sex marriage.) Other such cases are pending, including one from a florist who doesnt want to arrange flowers for a same-sex wedding. The court has not yet acted on that appeal, Arlenes Flowers v. Washington, which was filed in September. Although the Catholic Church is not a direct party in the Philadelphia case, it is clearly the central actor in its agencys dispute with the city, leaving no ambiguity about the doctrinal basis for the claimed right to an exemption. Whether a baker is a cake artist entitled to deploy his creative gifts as he chooses is not the kind of distraction that will emerge when the case is argued next fall. Finally, the new case is especially important in offering the court a chance to do formally and in one sweep what the conservative justices have been trying to do more quietly case by case. Catholic Social Services is asking the court to overturn a 30-year-old decision, Employment Division v. Smith, which held that as a general matter, the Constitutions free-exercise clause provides no exemption from a generally applicable law, so long as the law wasnt enacted to target religion. (The Third Circuits decision invokes the precise language from Justice Antonin Scalias majority opinion in the Employment Division case.) Congresss response to that decision was swift. It passed both the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act with the goal of blunting the force of the 1990 decision by forbidding government from interfering with religious practices unless it could show a compelling need to do so. (The court later ruled that Congress lacked the power to impose the Religious Freedom Restoration Act on the states, many of which have now passed their own versions.) JCPOA shortest ever meeting ends in Vienna IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency London, Feb 26, IRNA -- The 15th meeting of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Joint Commission concluded on Wednesday in its shortest ever time (less than two hours) in presence of deputy foreign ministers and political directors of the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the P4 + 1. The meeting was held at the Hotel Coburg Vienna around 10.30 am European time. Participants left the meeting room minutes later, according to IRNA. The participants in the Joint Commission reaffirmed their commitment to this agreement as an important element of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Architecture," the Russian representative to international organizations in Vienna said. Mikhail Ulyanov, in a tweet, described the 15th meeting of the Joint Commission as "administrative," adding that experts were supposed to consult on the implementation of the commitments and economic issues. 9455**1430 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address KANSAS CITY REROUTE!?!? MoDOT Recommends New Buck O'Neil Bridge With Direct Access to I-35 A new Buck O'Neil Bridge that would provide a direct connection between U.S. 169 and Interstate 35 - and include a 10-foot-wide path for bicycles and pedestrians - is the preferred plan of the Missouri Department of Transportation. A public hearing has been scheduled for March 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. Local Lady Teachable Moment PHOTOS: Kansas City hosts nation's largest Mentoring Monday event - Kansas City Business Journal More than 80 top businesswomen came together to offer their help and support to more than 300 other women as part of the Kansas City area's seventh-annual Mentoring Monday. The event, held at Fiorella's Event Space in Overland Park, brings together experienced businesswomen, who serve as mentors, with other women seeking career advice. Walking Local History Site launches for new interactive African American Heritage Trail of Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A new virtual trail is documenting more than 100 years of black history in the metro. The African America Heritage Trail of Kansas City aims to connect sites and tell untold stories. "We have been working over a year with a community to put together our virtual trail," said Jeffrey Williams, director of KCMO City Planning & Development. Local Quarantine Plan??? If the coronavirus hits America, who's responsible for protecting you? The outbreak of the coronavirus - and Covid-19, the disease it causes - in mainland China has provoked a response the likes of which the world has never seen. Hundreds of millions of people in the country have had their travel restricted; many have not even been allowed to leave their homes. Prez Trump Stays Winning Latest La Migra Battle Court hands Trump win in sanctuary city fight, says administration can deny grant money A federal appeals court on Wednesday handed a major win to the Trump administration in its fight against "sanctuary" jurisdictions -- ruling that it can deny grant money to states that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Money Can't Buy Love Mike Bloomberg's momentum stalls in presidential polls ahead of Super Tuesday vote 2020 presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg has stalled in national polls ahead of Super Tuesday. The slowed momentum comes following a dismal performance on the Nevada debate stage on Feb. 19, the first time he faced his rivals and their attacks. Social Sexy Porn Has Porned TikTok It is porn's destiny to porn. Porn porned YouTube; porn porned ; finally, after a surprisingly long delay when you think about it, porn has porned TikTok. Say hello to YouPorn's new TikTok-fashioned app SWYP. SWYP is billed as easier on the eyes (fewer ads) and the arms (less clicking) than YouPorn's previous app attempt, which is essentially a pared-down version of its home page. Hollwyood Hotness Revealed MAITLAND WARD and RILEY REID at a Photoshoot on Hollywood Boulevard 02/24/2020 MAITLAND WARD and RILEY REID at a Photoshoot on Hollywood Boulevard 02/24/2020 More Fishy News Lent 2020 fish fry list: All the fish fries to try in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Below is a list of Kansas City-area organizations that will be holding Lenten fish frys this year. To get a fish fry added to the list, email the information to kcnewswebteam@meredith.com. Avondale United Methodist Church, 3101 NE Winn Road, Kansas City, Missouri (4-7:30 p.m. Old Money Gentrification Fight Couple bought historic Kansas City mansion for $1.5M. Now they want to demolish it Brian and Katherine Schell were anticipating a great life in the historic brick mansion they bought last year across from Kansas City's Loose Park. Now, only months after their September purchase, they are asking the city's permission to demolish the 6,000-square-foot Georgian Revival home from 1918, that has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. Kansas City Pandemic Past What The 1918 Flu Pandemic Taught Kansas City About Dealing With Outbreaks Like The Coronavirus As the widening coronavirus outbreak stokes fears of a worldwide pandemic, it's worth remembering that the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic may have started in Kansas. And it hit Kansas City particularly hard. Lessons from that time still resonate today. Coach Keeps Moving Forward It didn't take long for Andy Reid to move on from Super Bowl win At some point, the day had to come. With his Super Bowl LIV hat, jacket and shoes off to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid publicly turned the page on his team's championship win Tuesday in Indianapolis. Professional hottieshave earned quite a reputation among the celeb circuit for their bodies of work and now they inspire our latest update of pop culture, community news and info from across the nation and around the world.And this is thefor right now . . . OYO Rooms founder Ritesh Agarwal and make-up mogul Kylie Jenner's businesses might not have much in common but the two entrepreneurs share the same prestigious title. Kylie Jenner (22) and Ritesh Agarwal (26) both hold the title of the 'Youngest Self-Made Billionaire' in the latest edition of the Hurun Rich List. Both the entrepreneurs are worth $1.1 billion. According to the Hurun list, there are 90 billionaires aged 40 years or under. Last year there were 85 billionaires. Of the 90 billionaires under 40 this year, 54 were self-made, while 36 had inherited their wealth. Kylie Jenner, founder of Kylie Cosmetics is also the most-followed billionaire on Instagram, followed by Donald Trump. Jenner has 150 million followers, while Trump has 72.7 million followers. Jenner started her company in 2015 when it was known as Kylie Lip Kits. She funded the first 15,000 lip kits from her earnings as a model. The product sold out within minutes of the debut and crashed the site. Kylie Jenner's mother Kris Jenner bought Canadian e-commerce platform Shopify to outsource the sales. The Jenners renamed the company Kylie Cosmetics in 2016 and increased production to 5,00,000 kits. She was named the youngest self-made billionaire at the age of 21 last year. Ritesh Agarwal started budget accommodation portal Oravel Stays, fashioned in the likes of Airbnb, in 2011. It was one of the winners of 2013 Thiel Fellowship programme and received a grant of $100,000. Ritesh Agarwal launched his company as OYO Rooms in May 2013. The company is now backed by investors such as SoftBank, Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners. Recently, during India Inc's interaction with US President Donald Trump on the second day of his visit to the country. Agarwal joined the likes of Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra, Ratan Tata, Kumar Mangalam Birla in the interaction. He introduced his company as a young startup and said that it has 313 hotels in the US. President Trump praised his work and said, "I actually know of your company. Not such a small company, by the way. Good job." According to the Hurun Rich List, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is the richest person in the world with net worth of $140 billion, followed by Bernard Arnault with $107 billion. Mukesh Ambani was the only Indian to make it to the top 10, with $67 billion. Also read: Hurun Global Rich List: Jeff Bezos retains No 1 spot, Mukesh Ambani richest in Asia Also read: "I'll tell you exactly where to invest, and how to invest": Trump to India Inc NORTHAMPTON A Hampshire Superior Court grand jury on Thursday issued a several-count indictment against Thomas Horton of South Hadley for the alleged possession and distribution of child pornography. The newest charges filed against Horton, 33, are different from the 20 separate counts for child pornography possession that were filed against him in October, said Mary Carey, communications director for Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan. As a result of the indictment, he faces three counts of possession of child pornography, subsequent offense, and eight counts of dissemination of visual material depicting sexual contact with a child. The new charges involve collections of photos and video files of children depicted in sexual situations that were disseminated from one Google account to another, Carey said. Horton is due to be arraigned on the new charges in Hampshire Superior Court on Monday at 2 p.m. He was previously arrested in October as a result of a police investigation triggered when South Hadley police were notified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Alexandria, Virginia. South Hadley police obtained a search warrant for the computers and electronic devices in his home. Police said they found 20 separate caches of photos and videos in Hortons Google Photos account. Related Content: Women are traditionally 'allowed' to propose to their partners in a leap year (Getty) This Saturday is February 29th or Leap Day, the once-every-four-years opportunity for women all over the world to propose to the men in their lives, but how many women will be taking advantage of the traditional loop hole? When it comes to popping the question, the boy-asks-girl model seems to be holding firm for straight couples, but with strides being made in the strive for equality experts are predicting more women could take the plunge and ask their other halves to marry them this leap year. Where does the leap year tradition come from? Legend has it that The Ladies Privilege, as it was known then, originated in the fifth century when an Irish nun called St Brigid complained to St Patrick that women had to wait too long for their suitors to propose. St Patrick suggested that women could ask the marriage question, but only every four years. Whats more it is believed should women want to take up the opportunity to propose, they were expected to have to wear either breeches or a scarlet petticoat to signal their intention. (Potential proposers take note!) Read more: Bride has 15 bridesmaids at her wedding Fast forward a few centuries and it seems women are still using this bit of folklore as an opportunity to get down on one knee and ask for their partners hand in marriage, but not everyone thinks the tradition is a good one. A survey for Lovehoney, revealed that 35% of women say the idea that February 29 is the one day when they can propose is sexist. Further results from eharmony reveal that more than a third of people in the UK agree women have as much right as men to pop the question, with more men than woman agreeing on this point. It might take some time to completely reverse the boy-asks-girl mindset, however, with almost a third of women admitting to still feeling its a mans job to propose. But in a time where the #MeToo movement has led to women feeling more empowered and decisive, could it be time to flip the rule that a marriage proposal should always be driven by men? Story continues It certainly seems like change could be on the horizon searches for 'Leap Year proposal' have increased by 80% since the beginning of the year, suggesting more women could be looking to pop the question this leap year. In fact, new research by financial comparison experts money.co.uk has revealed a third of unmarried women in relationships are considering a leap year proposal on February 29 this year, with one in four claiming they are fed up of waiting for their partner to get down on one knee. Read more: Couple surprise friends and family by turning engagement party into their wedding Is the concept of a leap day proposal outdated? (Getty) Why women should consider proposing In todays world where there should be equality, where we welcome more diversity, the question is why wouldn't women consider proposing? argues Bernadette Chapman, founder of The UK Alliance of Wedding Planners (UKAWP). In a way the view of only the man proposing is archaic and not relevant for 2020. So regardless of sex, if you love your partner, and want to spend the rest of your life with them, then absolutely you should propose! Dating and relationship expert Clarissa Bloom believes the whole concept of waiting for a man to propose is somewhat old-fashioned. Why should the guy be the one to play the dominant role? she asks. The entire wedding system is incredibly outdated, based around a concept of being given away, so why shouldn't it now be seen as a mutual opportunity to propose? Bloom says there are some benefits for would-be brides in taking up the proposal mantle. Taking control and planning out your proposal is exciting and empowering, she says. Women shouldn't feel ashamed to perform this act of romance. In many LGBTQ weddings, it has become commonplace for both to propose, taking turns and both buying an engagement ring for each other, which I find beautiful. Chapman says there are some other valid reasons you might want to take charge of the proposing. For women who are the more dominant one in a relationship and actually enjoys this role it can feel quite natural to take this act into their own hands, she says. The other benefit is the woman will get the proposal she wants as of course every detail has been planned by her! Of course, a clear pitfall is not knowing how your other half will respond. You are trying to portray your love and affection for them, but for many the reversal of this role could play on their masculinity or an insecurity, Bloom warns. This isn't something we should stick our noses up at, it's understandable that people can be sensitive about a certain subject, which is why it can be worth talking about in advance about how they would feel. For this same reason, you might not want to drop down to one knee in a public place if they are susceptible to being shy in front of others or they tend to have a higher sensitivity to this subject. If they truly love you then they will see this as an act of love, bringing you two together forever, she adds. And according to research from The Stag Company many men are actually pretty open to the idea of being proposed to. When asked if theyd appreciate their other half dropping down on one knee, 38% said yes. However, when the data was changed to just include those that stated they were in a relationship, not married, that number grew to 67%! So, it seems there may be a few men who are hoping for someone to do the asking on the 29th. Read more: Would you buy your own engagement ring? Will we see a rise in the number of women proposing to men? (Getty) How to pull off a leap day proposal Thinking of popping the question this leap day? Yahoo UK spoke to creative wedding planner and designer Andri Benson for her top tips in making sure your proposal ends with a cork popping. Think about how you want your proposal to look If you do want to embrace the Leap Year tradition to propose, think carefully about how you want everything to look and feel, Benson suggests. Do you want it to be special to the two of you? Have you thought about having a photographer to be present to capture the special moment? Do you want to have a ring ready for the proposal? Private V Public While some will positively relish a PDE (Public Declaration of Engagement), for other Insta-phobes getting down on one knee in a public place could be a nightmare. Ask yourself if your partner would want to keep the moment private as just the two of you or love having family and friends to share the moment with? Benson says. Maybe a combination of the two will work well for you ask in private but celebrate with friends and family afterwards. If you want to do an outdoor proposal, make sure you have a backup plan for an indoor venue too, especially at this time of year when you're not sure what the weather will be doing, she adds. Consider a men-gagement ring Just as a woman would likely hope for a sparkler with her proposal, so might a man. According to money.co.uk there has been a rise in women buying engagement rings for their men, with 55% of women saying they would propose to their partner with one. "We have seen a rapid rise in the amount of women buying engagement rings for their male partner in the last year or two, explains Anne Rowson, a jewellery design expert. These rings for men are now very much a trend and we predict that this will continue to rise over the coming years. Many jewellers are even preparing their own range of men-gagement rings. A broken water main - used for drinking water - has flooded all lanes of East Loop 610 near Clinton. As a result of the low water pressure from the broken pipe, several restaurants and schools have announced closures. Egypt held a military funeral in Cairo yesterday to bury its former president Hosni Mubarak, who ruled for 30 years until he was ousted in a 2011 popular uprising against corruption. Horses drew Mr Mubarak's coffin draped in the Egyptian flag at a mosque complex, followed by a procession led by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egypt's top military leaders, Mr Mubarak's sons Alaa and Gamal, and other Egyptian and Arab dignitaries. His coffin was to be airlifted from the Field Marshall Tantawi mosque to the family burial grounds. He died on Tuesday, weeks after undergoing surgery. Egyptians are divided over his legacy presiding over an era of repression, which some recall as more stable than the chaos that followed. The UN human rights chief on Thursday voiced "great concern" over India's amended citizenship law and reports of "police inaction" in the face of communal attacks in Delhi, urging political leaders to prevent violence. Updating the ongoing 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on human rights developments around the world, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet also spoke about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. She said the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) adopted last year by India's Parliament was of "great concern". "Indians in huge numbers, and from all communities, have expressed - in a mostly peaceful manner - their opposition to the Act, and support for the country's long tradition of secularism," she said. "I am concerned by reports of police inaction in the face of attacks against Muslims by other groups, as well as previous reports of excessive use of force by police against peaceful protesters. "This has now widened into broader inter-communal attacks, with 34 people killed since Sunday. I appeal to all political leaders to prevent violence," said the former Chilean president. The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed 34 lives so far and left over 200 people injured. Frenzied mobs have torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at police personnel. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said on Thursday that law enforcement agencies were working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. "Senior representatives of the government have been involved in that process. The prime minister has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time," Kumar said. In her statement on Jammu and Kashmir, Bachelet said some political leaders had been released and ordinary life may be returning to normal in some respects in the region. She, however, said as many as 800 people were reportedly in detention, including political leaders and activists. "Schools, businesses and livelihoods have been disrupted by the continued heavy military presence, and no steps have been taken to address allegations of excessive use of force and other serious human rights violations by security forces," she said. "The Indian government has partially restored mobile and internet services, after an important decision by the Indian Supreme Court, but authorities continue to impose excessive restrictions on the use of social media," she said in her statement. India abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 on August 5 and bifurcated it into two Union territories. India has asserted that the abrogation of Article 370 is its "internal matter". Defending India's actions in Jammu and Kashmir, Vikas Swarup, Secretary (West), the Ministry of External Affairs, on Wednesday told the UNHRC in Geneva that "most temporary restrictions - imposed solely to ensure safety of the people from Pakistani trained terrorist attacks - have already been removed. He said the political processes in Jammu and Kashmir have resumed, telecom facilities have been largely restored, developmental activities are being undertaken at a rapid pace and there is access for all to education and healthcare. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the Coronavirus outbreak that has caused havoc across the world and countries evacuating its citizens from the virus hit Wuhan in China, Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for evacuating two Maldivian nationals from the epicentre on Thursday. Two remaining Maldivians in #Wuhan have been evacuated by IAF flight and will be housed in Delhi for quarantine. Deepest gratitude to PM @narendramodi & EM @DrSJaishankar. Special thanks to Ambassadors @MDVinChina @VikramMisri @sunjaysudhir, @IAF_MCC, @AmbassadorZhang and teams. Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) February 27, 2020 READ | New US Coronavirus Case May Be 1st From Unknown Origin IAF rescues 76 Indians and 36 nationals The Indian Air Force plane which was sent to Wuhan to provide for medical supplies has brought back 76 Indians and 36 nationals from seven countries to India. Taking to the micro-blogging site Twitter, Jaishankar said that he appreciated the facilitation provided by the Chinese government. On its return from Wuhan, the IAF flight has brought back 76 Indians & 36 nationals from 7 countries - Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar. Appreciate facilitation by Chinese government. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 27, 2020 READ | AI Flight Brings Back 119 Indians, 5 Foreigners From Coronavirus-hit Cruise Ship In Japan He also said that other 36 nationals belonged to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA, and Madagascar. The IAF plane which was sent to China with 15 tonnes of medical supplies landed in Wuhan on Wednesday. The Indian Government also brought back Indian crew members and passengers that were stuck on Diamond Princess in Japan. The Air India flight which was sent to rescue Indians from the cruise ship brought back 119 Indians and five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, and Peru. Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo,carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka,Nepal, South Africa&Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020 READ | Iran Announces Domestic Travel Curbs Over Coronavirus READ | US Govt Says Coronavirus Vaccine Might Not Be Affordable For All WASHINGTON President Donald Trump's announcement Wednesday that his vice president will lead the administration's response to the coronavirus put the spotlight on Mike Pence's handling of a major health crisis when he was Indiana's governor. Critics have faulted Pence for what they call his slow and inadequate response to the nation's first HIV outbreak linked to the injection of oral painkillers in 2015. Pence initially opposed allowing a clean-needle exchange that health officials advocated to slow the spread of infection. Studies in medical journals have said the outbreak could have been prevented if the state had acted faster. "As Governor of Indiana, an HIV/AIDS epidemic flourished until he allowed public healthnot ideologyto direct policy & response," tweeted Leana Wen, the past head of Planned Parenthood who now teaches at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences. "I hope he now follows the guidance of the exceptional career public health leaders @CDCgov & in the admin." Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is running for the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump, tweeted that the president's response plans so far include having "VP Pence, who wanted to `pray away' HIV epidemic, oversee the response." Southeastern Indiana became the face of the nation's opioid addiction in 2015 after an unprecedented epidemic of HIV associated with intravenous drug use. Addicts were injecting a liquefied form of the potent painkiller Opana more than 10 times a day. At one point, the cases of new HIV infections in rural Scott County exceeded the number of people infected with HIV through injection drug use in New York City in the previous year. The outbreak highlighted the weaknesses in the states health infrastructure. Indiana ranked among the states with the fewest drug treatment providers and the lowest public health spending. The state also banned needle exchange programs. Story continues The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly advocated Indiana remove the ban. But Pence had been opposed to needle exchanges as anti-drug policy. After weeks of discussion, Pence declared a public health emergency for Scott County that allowed for a needle exchange. "I do not enter into this lightly," he said at the time. "I don't believe effective anti-drug policy involves handing out drug paraphernalia." A 2018 study by the Yale School of Public Health that appeared in The Lancet found that the number of HIV infections 235 could have been drastically reduced if the state had acted faster. A 2016 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded the crisis had been preventable. "Substantial barriers to syringe exchange (i.e. laws prohibiting syringe exchange or syringe possession, lack of funding or of a community organization to implement the syringe exchange, and stigma) existed in this community before this outbreak," the article said. The study also noted that free HIV testing had not been available in the community since a Planned Parenthood clinic closed in 2013. Federal and state funding cuts had prompted Planned Parenthood to close five rural clinics in Indiana. While a Planned Parenthood official said in 2015 that she couldn't make a direct link between the closure and the outbreak, one of the centers had been providing HIV tests in Scott County and could have reported any positive results to the state. Paul Halverson, dean of Indiana Universitys Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, has given a lot of credit for Pence's turnaround on needle exchange programs to Jerome Adams, who was Indiana's state health commissioner and is now the surgeon general. Halverson has said Adams helped Pence "understand the scientific aspects related to syringe exchanges." Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., tweeted Wednesday that Pence "put ideology over science & contributed to one of the worst HIV crises his state had ever seen." "We need competence & science driving our response - thats not the VPs record," Merkley added. At the White House news conference announcing the appointment, Pence did not respond to a Yahoo News reporter's attempt to ask him about his handling of the HIV outbreak. Tried to ask Pence about the HIV outbreak in Indiana at the end there. He didn't answer me. Hunter Walker (@hunterw) February 27, 2020 Trump lauded Pences record on health care when he was governor of Indiana. He is really very expert at the field, Trump said. Anybody that knows anything about health care, they look at the Indiana model. Pence did mention a different health issue he dealt with as governor. In 2014, the first Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) case in the United States emerged in Indiana. Pence said he learned from that experience the importance of presidential leadership and of partnerships with state and local governments and health authorities in responding to dangerous infectious diseases. Pence said he will work with the administrations existing coronavirus task force to bring to Trump the best options for action to see to the safety and well being and health of the American people. Contributing: The Indianapolis Star and The (Louisville) Courier-Journal. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus: Mike Pence will lead Trump administration response George Clooney is part of a consortium lining up a sensational bid to save Malaga from their financial disarray, with plans to film a 24-hour fly-on-the-wall documentary at the club, according to reports. The Hollywood star is said to be part of a group of American investors hoping to turn around the fortunes of the Andalusian side languishing in Spains Segunda Division. Malaga were Champions League quarter-finalists as recently as 2013 and their club president Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani has been suspended over accusations of improper management. But the Qatari businessman is still demanding 86million for the sale of the club, according to Canal Malaga, as quoted by Spanish news outlet AS. But the US investors hope a deal can be agreed for considerably less than the Sheikhs asking price, the report says. They then hope to profit from the popular Costa del Sol port city by filming a documentary at the club with plans to turn it into a European Hollywood. There are even sensational suggestions the show could be a 24-hour Truman Show-style documentary. Small Shareholders Association president Antonio Aguilera said: There is a powerful production company here in Malaga, they want to turn Malaga into the European Hollywood and they are filming series here on the south coast for Amazon and are already negotiating with the club. A fortnight ago, he was asking 100million euros for Malaga. What they are prepared to offer is much more than the amount he paid for the club (36million euros) and talks are ongoing. On Friday, they called the Americans to say they were willing to negotiate. Clooney, 58, has a number of business ventures outside of acting, co-founding a tequila company which later sold for $1billion, and is an ambassador for Nespresso coffee. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Photo credit: Xinhua News Agency - Getty Images From Car and Driver Some automotive plants in China are reopening as the worldwide expansion of the coronavirus continues, but sales in China so far in February pretty much fell off a cliff. Some effects of the virus have reached Europe, where FCA, Renault, BMW, and Peugeot plants could all see shutdowns soon. U.S. factories seem to be running as normal, for now. The coronavirus is unpredictable, and so is its impact on the automotive industry. While global automakers are still saying that their North American production and sales efforts are continuing apace, there are more and more hints that the virus is going to play a bigger role in changing the numbers in Asia and Europe. President Trump, flanked by representatives of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), held a press conference on February 26 at 6:30 p.m. ET to address concern about containment of the virus in the United States. A CDC spokesman said they are working to secure funding from Congress to fight the virus in a multi-pronged plan that includes expanding surveillance, supporting state and local governments, developing therapeutics and vaccines, and gathering masks and other protective materials for public use. They did not address specific challenges to American industries. Photo credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS - Getty Images Starting with the big picture, the Moody's credit-rating agency changed its prediction for 2020 global auto sales on Wednesday. Previously, the agency said sales would be down 0.9 percent in 2020, compared to 2019. The new prediction is that global sales will drop 2.5 percent. The virus's effect on auto sales in China could be bigger. Moody's adjusted its prediction that sales in the country where the first case of the virus (now known as Covid-19) was discovered would increase by 1 percent this year to expecting a 2.9 percent decrease in 2020. That's the overview. Zooming in to locations around the globe, we can see how smaller incidents could still play a big role in the coming weeks. MTA Advanced Automotive Solutions, a supplier for a number of automakers that build cars in Europe, announced yesterday that because Covid-19 was confirmed in Codogno, Italy, where MTA has a production plant, the plant would be shut down for an undetermined amount of time. The plant's 600 workers will be told to stay home and "not delivering the goods will, in fact, cause the stop of the three [Fiat Chrysler] production lines" starting today and, as of March 2, "all the other FCA plants in Europe and those of Renault, BMW, and Peugeot will close too." Story continues MTA says that it will ask Italian authorities if about 10 percent of its workers will be able to return to work so as not to cause too large a disruption to the supply chain. As a global company, MTA says it "has already dealt with the Covid-19 emergency in its Chinese production plant in Shanghai, and therefore knows all the procedures necessary to continue producing in total safety of its workers." Things are worse in China, where retail sales of passenger cars were down about 92 percent in the first half of February compared to the same time period last year, and the annual Shanghai auto show has been postponed. General Motors has a big presence in China through a number of joint ventures with local companies. A GM spokesperson told Car and Driver that it restarted production at some plants in China on February 15, but its plants in Hubei province, the epicenter of the coronavirus, will be kept closed until at least March 10. Even with all of these closures, GM says it expects the coronavirus will have "no impact" on its production plants in the U.S. Nissan's local partner in China, DFL, restarted operations at three plants this month (the latest just yesterday) but the Japanese automaker also believes any impact on U.S, production will be minimal and told C/D that it is too early to tell what, if any, impact the virus will have on sales. Volvo has also restarted one of its production sites in China and is waiting for local government authorities to give the all-clear before restarting its other plants. Volvo's plants in Europe and the U.S. are running at their normal pace, Volvo said, and although there is a shortage of certain components, "these are not critical so we cannot see any interruptions in our production in the near term." Toyota has reduced its output to a single shift at its four vehicle plants in China, while all of Hyundai Motor Company's production facilities in Korea and in China are in operation. We will bring updates as they are available. You Might Also Like Pemex tanker seeks towage support in high winds Pemex tanker Mariano Abasolo requested support to tow it to port, but it could not be provided, due to waves of 5-7 feet and 60kph winds, according to a report in Mexican news service La Jornada (via Google Translate). Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters Joe Bidens flailing presidential bid received a significant boost on Wednesday following the endorsement of a powerful South Carolina Democrat, hours after the former vice-president declared during a turbulent debate among the still-divided Democratic field that he would win the state. South Carolina, which votes on Saturday, is the fourth early voting state and marks the first time in the election cycle that African American voters will form a majority of the electorate. Biden, Barack Obamas vice-president, still holds a narrow lead in a state regarded as pivotal to his fortunes, against frontrunner Bernie Sanders, according to recent polls. His campaign has long targeted the state even after disappointing results in the earlier votes in Iowa and New Hampshire this month. Related: Why Joe Biden needs a political miracle to stay in the race to face Trump As centrist Democrats scramble to veer the nomination away from Sanders, Biden is seeking a convincing victory in South Carolina to bring his campaign back on track ahead of the crucial Super Tuesday vote next week. A total of 16 states and territories will vote next Tuesday as Sanders looks set for a convincing victory in California and a tight race in Texas with Biden. The Democratic candidates met for a bruising debate on Tuesday evening for the last time ahead of voting. Sanders was targeted by most of his rivals over his record on gun control, his past comments on communist Cuba, and ambitious spending plans for universal healthcare provision. The debate descended into loud bickering and cross-talk at many points, a sign of the friction within the party over the best way to defeat Donald Trump in the November election. Trump himself weighed in with his own assessment of the debate on Wednesday morning, describing it as crazy, chaotic and expressing confidence he would beat any of the major candidates. Just give me an opponent! Trump tweeted. Despite the presidents confidence, national polling indicates he still falls behind all the top-tier Democratic candidates on a variety of slim margins. Story continues On Wednesday morning at an event in North Charleston, Biden received the endorsement of House Democrat Jim Clyburn, a major powerbroker in South Carolina Democratic politics and the most senior African American in the US House of Representatives. I can think of no one better suited, better prepared, I can think of no one with the integrity, no one more committed to the fundamental principles that make this country what it is than my good friend, Clyburn said as he appeared with Biden. Sharing the podium with Clyburn, Biden issued another less than subtle dig at Sanders, a self-declared democratic socialist. Today, people are talking about a revolution, Biden said. But what the countrys looking for are results. What theyre looking for is security. What theyre looking for is being able to sustain and maintain their dignity. At an event half a mile down the road, hosted by the national civil rights leader Al Sharpton, a number of the candidates sought to strike a more conciliatory tone after Tuesdays debate left the field appearing so disharmonious. As Sharpton introduced Sanders to the crowd of assembled members of his National Action Network civil rights group, he told them: Whatever you decide to do on Saturday, do not go by those who try to use the socialist tag [against Sanders] reminding the assembled members that civil rights leaders including Martin Luther King were branded the same way. Its time for all of us to be treated fairly. Sharpton is another prominent voice in the African American community who has been courted by all the major candidates but has not yet endorsed anyone in the race. Sanders used his address to recall his active participation in the civil rights movement and remind attendees of his support for Obama. Related: Mike Bloombergs campaign is polluting the internet I was proud to support Barack Obama in both of his campaigns, the Vermont senator said. While reticence remains within the Democratic establishment about the prospect of a Sanders nomination, some senior Democrats have signalled, in public at least, they would be supportive should he win. I think whoever our nominee is, we will enthusiastically embrace and we will win the White House, the Senate and the House, the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, told reporters on Wednesday. San Ramon, CA, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CMG Financial, a privately-held, well-capitalized mortgage banking firm headquartered in San Ramon, CA, congratulates 101 retail loan officers, 12 branch managers, two correspondent sales managers, four wholesale account executives, and 11 additional honorees on qualifying for the 2019 Presidents Council. Of the honorees, 14 retail loan officers and four branch managers were inducted into the esteemed Chairmans Club for outstanding production and client service. To be awarded this distinguished honor, retail loan officers had to close $22,080,000 in volume or 78 units, and retail branches had to close a combination of $69,000,000 in volume or 345 units. Additionally, the top two national sales managers by volume from the Correspondent Channel, and the top three account executives and the top business development advisor by volume from the Wholesale Channel, were also recognized. Overall, 2019 was a record-breaking year for CMG Financial. The organization achieved an 82% increase in production compared to 2018 and 48 retail loan originators at least doubled their production over the previous years totals. The companys main sales channels all delivered substantial year-over-year production increases as well, with Retail totaling more than $7.5 billion (up from over $4 billion), Wholesale coming in at nearly $3.5 billion (up from $3 billion) and Correspondent finishing with more than $6 billion (up from just over 3 billion). Kory Kavanewsky, Vice President, Production - Western Division, Coronado, CA, was honored as CMGs top-producing retail loan officer by volume, with a production total of $240,463,815. Kory strives to not only act as a loan originator but as a mortgage advisor. He works to educate his clients on all loan options available so they can make the right financial decision for their current and long-term goals. His extensive industry experience enables him to expertly serve all borrowers, from first-time home buyers to experienced real estate investors. Kory has been recognized by Scotsman Guide, Mortgage Executive Magazine, and other national and local trade organizations for his production and service accomplishments. Cary Ann Cyr, Area Sales Manager, Franklin, TN, was honored as the top-producing retail loan officer by units, having served 628 families. Carey Ann and her mortgage team go the extra mile to help all buyers and work to always exceed expectations. She is an established industry voice and regularly shares the latest mortgage news on social media and as a contributor to trade publications. She is co-founder of a well-known realtor master class called The Realtor Blaze. The Blaze was created to give back to the local real estate community by providing educational and motivational content. Carey Ann has also been recognized by Scotsman Guide, Mortgage Executive Magazine, and other national and local trade organizations for her production and service accomplishments. CMG Financial is extremely proud of the success we experienced as an organization in 2019, and were very excited to honor the best of the best at this years event in Miami, said Kim Callas, Executive Vice President. While the companys success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all our employees, Presidents Council and Chairmans Club enables us to recognize outstanding effort and achievement among our top producers and other select contributors. Were looking forward to another great year in 2020. ### About CMG Financial CMG Financial is a well-capitalized, privately held mortgage-banking firm founded in 1993. The company makes its products and services available to the market through three distinct origination channels including Retail Lending, Wholesale Lending, and Correspondent Lending. CMG Financial currently operates in all states, including District of Columbia, and holds federal agency lending approvals with HUD, VA, RHS, GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC. Throughout the mortgage banking and housing markets, CMG Financial is widely known for responsible lending practices, industry and consumer advocacy, product innovation, and operational efficiency. Attachment BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Ilkin Seyfaddini Trend: International financial reporting standards (IFRS) will be introduced in Uzbekistan starting from January 1, 2021, Trend reports citing the Uzbek media. This measure is stipulated by the decision of the Uzbek president "On additional measures for transition to international financial reporting standards" dated 24 February 2020, the report says. The initiative covers joint stock companies, commercial banks, insurance organizations and legal entities classified as large taxpayers. Following the results of 2021, they will begin to prepare financial statements based on IFRS. They will also ensure that by the end of 2021, there will be sufficient number of employees in the accounting departments who have successfully passed the subject "Financial Reporting under IFRS" or received an international certificate of an accountant. Meanwhile, legal entities, for which the legislation provides earlier period of transition to IFRS, are not covered by the decision. The Uzbek Ministry of Finance together with the State Tax Committee, the Agency for Capital Market Development, the Agency for Management of State Assets, including modern are responsible for monitoring the implementation of IFRS and ensuring publication of financial statements based on IFRS by business entities. Special training on IFRS will be introduced in accredited training centers for data workers and other interested government bodies and agencies, the report said. Within the framework of the "road map" until October 1, 2020, it's planned to revise and develop tax reporting forms in line with IFRS financial statements. --- Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday met with trade and industry representatives, economists and policy experts as part of her Budget outreach programme and said the northeast industries should have all required facilities. During the interactive session, she said that the government is steadily moving towards a less regressive regime and to help close all disputes pertaining to taxation. She was accompanied by Finance Secretary Rajeev Kumar, DEA Secretary Atanu Chakraborty, SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar, and Revenue Secretary A.B. Pandey. Sitharaman said the local Self Help Groups will be given greater access to credit for on-lending to the needy people to start or expand their small businesses which will supplement the economy. She also said that traditional industries in the northeast should have facilities to exhibit themselves. The interactions are oriented towards various themes and provisions in Union Budget 2020-21, presented in Parliament on February 1. The minister is slated to meet with bankers also. These interactions are part of a series of meetings which held by her across the country after her Budget speech in Parliament to familiarise people with the Budget proposals. She has held similar meetings in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. A tree surgeon has been taken to hospital after suffering crush injuries in an incident in Cork this lunchtime. The alarm was raised at around 1.30pm when the woman, who was engaged in tree felling and clearance work in a sloped area of woodland off the R618 in the Inniscarra area, close to the historic Inniscarra graveyard about three kilometres from Ballincollig, became trapped under a tree. United extended its travel waivers to northern Italy, making it easier for customers to cancel or change, and get refunded for flights. More than 400 coronavirus cases have locked down portions of that country. The airline flies from its hub at San Francisco International Airport to two affected cities, Milan and Venice, according to its website. Flights arent canceled. At this time, we have no capacity changes to Italy to announce, United said in a statement Thursday. Even though flights are still operating, wary travelers to Italy and even unaffected countries are changing or canceling trips because of the rapidly evolving outbreak that is causing countries to clamp down on their borders. United expanded its travel waivers to South Korea earlier this week as virus cases topped 1,700 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its highest level of travel advisory encouraging citizens to not visit the country. United already canceled its flights to China and Hong Kong through the end of April and saw a 75% decrease in near-term flight demand to the rest of Asia, the company reported Monday. There are no direct flights to China from SFO from any airline for the next two months. The airport, its businesses, and the global airline industry will all be hurt. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes United flights to Bologna, Genoa, Trieste, Turin and Verona are all eligible for the waivers, in addition to Venice and Milan. Flights to Rome are not eligible. Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@mallorymoench A mysterious overwhelming odour lingering in several towns across Pennsylvania has residents and officials baffled, and very frustrated. Residents in Delaware County have been putting up with the stench for almost a month and its creating such a problem that local emergency services received more than a dozen calls about the smell in one day alone. It was overwhelming. I was afraid to smoke. I was like, where is this coming from? I literally thought the gas main had broken, Glenolden resident Diana Delaney told CBS. The smell moves from town to town with no discernible pattern and nobody is sure what has created it. Residents in Pennsylvania have reported the stench wafting through Delaware County has returned Source: Google Maps Some locals have described the odour as similar to fuel, while others have told local outlets it has a more distinct odour. Its like a sulfur, smokey, Glenolden resident Terry Pelham told CBS. Its not the first time the pungent odour has hit the area. Fox News reported in October the same smell wafted through 25 different towns in Pennsylvania, even shutting down a school and some local businesses who couldnt cope with the overwhelming scent. Hazmat crews were called in to asses the stench at the time but couldnt pin down the cause and they are still baffled over what is causing the odour again. Hazmat crews were called in to asses the stench the last time it hit the town and now it's back. Source: Getty Stock The challenge were up against when youre on the ground level is, the wind can be blowing in different directions, depending on where you are, director of emergency services for Delaware County, Tim Boyce told the Philadelphia Inquirer. By the time someone gets to where the report came from, it might not smell anymore, Mr Boyce added, stating that if the smell is man made, its only a matter of time before they find the culprit. There are concerns that the stench could stem from an environmental issue or link back to a business covering up spills, so a collaboration of agencies from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware have created The Odour Investigation Task Force to track down the cause. 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. 3. Why have many Syrians taken refuge in Idlib? How many times have Abu Muhammad and his family fled their home during the civil war? 4. What challenges have Syrians faced in escaping the attacks on Idlib? Describe some of the physical and emotional journeys they have taken. 5. Describe the conditions in the camps and temporary housing many displaced Syrians live in. 6. The article ends: Europe, Turkey, Lebanon everyone wants the refugee crisis to go away, and for Syrians to return to Syria. But that country is so destroyed, its economy so ruined, that people may be living as refugees for years. Can Syrians ever go home? What is your reaction to the statement? Do you think Syrians will ever be able to return home physically, emotionally? 7. Compare your answers from the warm-up activity with what you have learned in the article. How did the article change your understanding of displaced people and refugees? Which statement or image stands out for you as particularly affecting or meaningful? Explain why. 8. If you were to explain what is happening in Syria to someone who knows nothing about the crisis, what would be the three most important things for them to understand? Going Further Choose one or both of the following questions to respond to in writing. 1) Analyze and respond to a photo or video. Look at the photos and videos featured in the article: What do you notice about them? What questions do they raise? What story do they tell about the crisis in Syria and its displaced people and refugees? Which photo or video do you find most interesting, surprising or memorable? Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Suncor Energy Inc. (TSE:SU) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 4 days. This means that investors who purchase shares on or after the 3rd of March will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 25th of March. Suncor Energy's next dividend payment will be CA$0.47 per share. Last year, in total, the company distributed CA$1.86 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Suncor Energy has a trailing yield of 4.9% on the current stock price of CA$37.88. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether Suncor Energy's dividend is reliable and sustainable. That's why we should always check whether the dividend payments appear sustainable, and if the company is growing. See our latest analysis for Suncor Energy Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. Last year, Suncor Energy paid out 90% of its income as dividends, which is above a level that we're comfortable with, especially if the company needs to reinvest in its business. Yet cash flows are even more important than profits for assessing a dividend, so we need to see if the company generated enough cash to pay its distribution. Over the last year it paid out 54% of its free cash flow as dividends, within the usual range for most companies. It's good to see that while Suncor Energy's dividends were not well covered by profits, at least they are affordable from a cash perspective. Still, if the company continues paying out such a high percentage of its profits, the dividend could be at risk if business turns sour. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. TSX:SU Historical Dividend Yield, February 27th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Stocks with flat earnings can still be attractive dividend payers, but it is important to be more conservative with your approach and demand a greater margin for safety when it comes to dividend sustainability. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. That explains why we're not overly excited about Suncor Energy's flat earnings over the past five years. Better than seeing them fall off a cliff, for sure, but the best dividend stocks grow their earnings meaningfully over the long run. Story continues The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. Suncor Energy has delivered 25% dividend growth per year on average over the past ten years. The Bottom Line Is Suncor Energy worth buying for its dividend? Flat earnings per share and a high payout ratio are not what we like to see, although at least it paid out a lower percentage of its free cash flow. With the way things are shaping up from a dividend perspective, we'd be inclined to steer clear of Suncor Energy. Curious what other investors think of Suncor Energy? See what analysts are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow. We wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see, though. Here's a list of interesting dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Even after their departure, Meghan Markle continues to feel the unfair and inconsiderate treatment from the royal family. When Meghan and Prince Harry dropped their bombshell announcement about them stepping back as senior members of the royal family, it was immediately called "Megxit" -- in reference to Meghan's name and the "Royal Exit." However, the Duchess of Sussex does not approve it as she feels she is being blamed for everything. Don't Call It That Way! Megxit was also based on the "Brexit" term that was created when Britain cut ties with the European Union. But when it became the official tag of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex' departure, a royal expert claimed that Meghan disapproved the use of the nickname. According to Dan Wootton, the Duchess felt like she was at fault for the decision since "Megxit" was made using her name. The royal expert then went on and suggested that the royal couple should take equal blame after they made the choice together rather than one or the other. In his one-on-one interview with royal commentator Lizzie Cundy, Wootton took the chance to unveil that Meghan would want the term to be "Sussexit" instead. However, Cundy argued and insisted that it deserves to be called that way since it was really Meghan who caused Prince Harry cut his ties with his beloved royal family. She added that if the Duke never met Meg, he would still be staying and living in the United Kingdom and would not be an additional headache to Queen Elizabeth II. "Prince Harry is a grown man, why blame Meghan, Lizzie Cundy," the royal expert fought back. "Why not blame Harry or blame them equally?" Cundy did not give up and opened up how Prince Harry's friends claimed that the Duke changed ever since he met the Duchess. But still, she later on realized that the royal prince is also responsible for making the decision, and he chose to be with his wife and child Archie. How "Megxit" Stormed the Internet The term Megxit is a portmanteau of the words "Meghan" and "exit" while playing on the term "Brexit." On the same day of Prince Harry and Meghan's departure, The Sun branded the whole scene "Megxit" before it went viral and got widely adapted online. Aside from The Sun, The New York Times also played a massive role in spreading the nickname. On Jan. 15, the publication published the article "'Megxit' Is The New Brexit in a Britain Split by Age And Politics" which stated, "As the Harry-and-Meghan drama unfolds in breathless headlines and acres of news commentary, it is resurfacing the same questions that animated the Brexit debate." In addition, even Meera Selva, the director of the Reuters Journalism Fellowship Program at Oxford University, shared her thoughts. "With Brexit, Britain is choosing to leave the European Union, and yet with Megxit, there is this outrage that someone is choosing to leave Britain." Meanwhile, though BBC News tried to popularize the alternative term "Sussexit," it failed to reach the same level of use as "Megxit" online. IndusInd Bank on Thursday announced elevation of its consumer banking head Sumant Kathpalia as the new managing director and chief executive with effect from March 2020. As previously advised to the exchanges, the bank's Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the board had considered and submitted the name of a potential candidate for the role of MD and CEO to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), seeking approval for the appointment, it said in a release. "The Bank has received a communication from the RBI today, approving the appointment of Sumant Kathpalia, who currently heads the Bank's Consumer Banking business, as the MD & CEO for 3 years, with effect from March 24, 2020, post the retirement of Romesh Sobti, the current MD & CEO," it said. Kathpalia is a career banker with over 33 years of experience in large multinational banks such as Citibank, Bank of America, ABN AMRO and IndusInd Bank. He has successfully held several leadership roles over his career with a focus on driving business growth and innovation. He has diversified experience across various functions including business strategy, sales and distribution, operations, systems, risk and credit management and financial management. Kathpalia is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a commerce graduate from Hindu College, Delhi University. The private sector bank promoted by the Hinduja group commenced operations in 1994. As on December 31, 2019, Induslnd Bank had 1,851 branches/ banking outlets and 2,721 ATMs spread across 746 geographical locations of the country. The bank also has representative offices in London, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CN Railway workers check the railroad crossing gate as they prepare to resume service after Ontario Provincial Police made arrests at a rail blockade in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, near Belleville, Ont., on Feb. 24, 2020, during a protest in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Nation hereditary chiefs attempting to halt construction of a natural gas pipeline on their traditional territories. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) Wetsuweten Hereditary Chiefs to Meet Federal and BC Governments OTTAWAAs tensions at rail blockades in Quebec and Ontario escalated on Feb. 26, Public Safety Minister Bill Blair appeared to dismiss the notion that police will move completely out of the vast Wetsuweten territory in British Columbia. The hereditary chiefs of the First Nation at the heart of countrywide rail and road disruptions have said they will not meet with federal and provincial officials to discuss their opposition to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline until the RCMP leave their traditional territory entirely and the company ceases work in the area. But when it comes to the hereditary chiefs demand that the RCMP leave the 22,000 square kilometers of Wetsuweten traditional territoryan area about twice the size of Cape Breton IslandBlair said the people who live there have a right to be protected by police. I think theres a very important principle: there are thousands of Canadians that live in that area and are entitled to policing services, Blair said on Feb. 26. Every Canadian, regardless of where they live, is entitled to the protection and the services of police service and the upholding of the rule of law in their jurisdiction and so we remain committed to that. Blairs comments came as protesters on the Kahnawake Mohawk territory south of Montreal hardened a rail blockade on their land. The secretary of the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake, Kenneth Deer, said in a statement that any move to enforce an injunction granted to Canadian Pacific Railway would exacerbate an already volatile situation. The First Nations Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton had declared the day before that the injunction to reopen the tracks will not be executed on this territory, noting that Kahnawake Peacekeepers who work in the territory are the only policing agency with jurisdiction in the area. Police serve an injunction to protesters at a rail blockade in St. Lambert, south of Montreal, on Feb. 20, 2020. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) Peacekeeper Chief Dwayne Zacharie said in a joint statement with Norton the peacekeepers have no interest in criminalizing people for standing up for our rights. This raises questions about what options are available to public safety officials looking to enforce the court injunction to end the blockade. When asked if RCMP or the provincial police force, the Surete du Quebec, could intervene, Blair was vague. There are other circumstances, depending on the direction either in the law or from the courts, that can have an impact on that, and thats why I would suggest that it is complex and it really depends on that jurisdiction and the directions received. Quebec Premier Francois Legault said he is leaving it up to the provincial police to develop a strategy to deal with the Kahnawake blockade, saying it is an especially delicate situation because of reports he says that he has received that some of the protesters are carrying assault riflesan allegation rejected by the First Nation, which stressed the demonstration is peaceful. Meanwhile, rail disruptions resumed in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory near Belleville, Ont., not far from the scene of a major Ontario Provincial Police operation earlier in the week that dismantled a blockade that had thwarted all train traffic in the area for more than two weeks. A handful of protesters lit fires near and on railway tracks at a camp that remained in place after Mondays raidactions denounced Wednesday by Blair, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Transport Minister Marc Garneau. Transport Minister Marc Garneau grounds all Boeing 737 Max 8 airplanes in Canada during a press conference in Ottawa on March 13, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) This was an extremely reckless act, Garneau said, noting this could have endangered many lives, as trains that briefly resumed passing through the area might have been carrying dangerous goods that could have ignited. In the midst of these developments on Feb. 26, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett said the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs have been meeting with one another in B.C. over the last two days after some of them travelled to Ontario and Quebec to meet Mohawk supporters last week. A two-day meeting between the chiefs, the federal government and B.C. government planned for Feb. 27 was abruptly cancelled, but was back on by the evening of Feb. 26 Chief NaMoks, who also goes by John Ridsdale, said government officials told them the cancellation was due to a misunderstanding. He said officials asked chiefs to request that its supporters and other First Nations step down on their actions, but the chiefs responded that they cant tell others what to do. A spokesman for the office of the B.C. premier said on Feb. 26 that the report of a rescheduled meeting was promising, but the provincial government was not in a position to confirm it until the morning of Feb. 27. The federal governments could not immediately be reached for comment. The hereditary chiefs have said they want an RCMP mobile detachment on the access road to the pipeline work site removed and they also want the Mounties to stop foot patrols. New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen has resumed his role as mediator in the tense discussions and he informed the chiefs the RCMP is willing to dismantle the mobile unit but cant meet the chiefs deadline of Thursday, Namoks said. NaMoks said the chiefs have agreed that as long as the foot patrols stop and the unit remains shuttered before the talks, they are satisfied. He has previously said the chiefs are not expecting the closure of permanent detachments in nearby communities like Houston or Smithers. During question period on Feb. 26, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh charged that the current national crisis involving the blockades could have been avoided if Trudeau had met with the hereditary chiefs himself a month ago. Theyve long called for that, theyve asked that it would be a key step that could be taken to help de-escalate the situation, Singh said on Feb. 26. I, again, am imploring the prime minister do your job, meet with the hereditary chiefs, stop delaying this. But Trudeau said other Indigenous leaders within the Wetsuweten community, including some who support the pipeline project, have told him they would consider a meeting of the prime minister with one group of leadersthe hereditary chiefsas interference in the work they collectively need to do to find a path forward. I am, of course, open to engaging constructively, but in the right way, Trudeau said. ORLANDO, Fla. - Walt Disney World has announced its plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with a week of special activities at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. The April event will include Imagineer Joe Rohde, National Geographic photographers, a Disneynature producer, behind-the-scenes tours, specialty food and beverage and other festivities. The five-day celebration runs April 18-22, the last day of which is officially Earth Day as well as the 22nd birthday of Disney's Animal Kingdom. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund. Among the initial Earth Day announcements for the week, posted on the official Disney Parks Blog, are: - Wild by Nature Speaker Series, which features the park's animal experts and educators as well as National Geographic photographers and explorers in the Theater in the Wild. - Tiffin Talks series with Rohde, including a four-course meal and discussion on the Imagineer's research trips. - A look at "Elephant" and "Dolphin Reef," this year's Disneynature films headed for Disney+ streaming service in April. Also coming are discussions with Roy Conli, producer of the films. This article, Instacart may have misclassified workers under gig law, judge says, originally appeared on CNET.com. When California's AB 5 gig worker bill went into effect in January, the state expected a wave of lawsuits to enforce the law. The first of such cases has just worked its way through a San Diego court. On Monday, Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor ruled that the grocery delivery company Instacart has likely misclassified the majority of its California shoppers as independent contractors. The ruling comes in the form of an injunction against Instacart, which means the company must halt its service in San Diego until it classifies its workers correctly under the law. However, the judge also temporarily stayed the enforcement of the injunction, so the ruling won't go into effect immediately and it can be appealed. This news was earlier reported by NBC. "We disagree with the judge's decision to grant a preliminary injunction against Instacart in San Diego," an Instacart spokeswoman said. "We will be taking steps to keep that stay in place during the appeals process so that Instacart's service will not be disrupted in San Diego." Most workers for gig economy companies, like Instacart, Uber, Lyft, Postmates and DoorDash, are classified as independent contractors. While that classification can mean increased flexibility for workers, it can also mean they're shouldering many of the costs of their employers. For example, workers pay for their own car, phone, gas and vehicle maintenance. They also don't get basic benefits, such as minimum wage guarantees, overtime pay and health insurance. AB 5 changes all of that. Under the new law, companies using independent contractors in California will be put to a three-part "ABC" test to determine whether they must reclassify their workers. If they don't pass that test, they'll have to turn their workers into employees. Washington, Oregon, New York and New Jersey are also considering legislation similar to AB 5. The San Diego lawsuit against Instacart was brought by City Attorney Mara W. Elliot in September. In Taylor's ruling Monday, he wrote that the city "makes a very plausible showing of improper classification under the ABC test." "While change is hard," Taylor wrote, "[Instacart] cannot legitimately claim surprise or that it has not had time to adjust its business model." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Union leaders, gig worker activists and state lawmakers who supported AB 5 are applauding the court's decision. "For years, gig companies like Instacart have banked on the exploitation of workers who live beneath the poverty line, wondering where their next meal will come from or how they will pay their rent next month," said Amber Baur, executive director of the United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council union. "We're proud to have the court rule in favor of these hard-working employees." Along with fighting AB 5 in the court, Instacart has joined other gig companies in sponsoring a ballot initiative to bring the issue to voters in November. Uber, Lyft and food delivery company DoorDash have each chipped in $30 million to support the initiative, known as the "Protect App-Based Drivers and Services Act." Instacart and Postmates have each added $10 million, bringing the total raised to $110 million. To get on the November ballot, the proposal needs to collect more than 623,000 signatures. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Laws and Rights Awareness Initiative, a Nigerian nongovernmental organization, filed a lawsuit on February 25 against the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over regulations granting warrantless access to telecom subscribers information, including call data. The suit claims that accessing the information violates and will likely further violate Nigerians constitutional right to privacy, according to a copy of the suit reviewed by CPJ. Submitted to a federal high court in Abuja, Nigerias capital, the lawsuit requests that the court declare the communications regulation unconstitutional and order the relevant sections removed. Section 8 of Nigerias Enforcement Process regulations permits police or other relevant authorities to obtain the call data, which includes the location, time, and numbers used in regular phone calls and SMS messages, without a judicial warrant, according to CPJ reporting and a review of the regulation, which is published on the NCC website. As an alternative, the suit requests a declaration from the court and an injunction requiring authorities to obtain a court order before accessing telecom subscribers information. CPJ reporting detailing how Nigerias police used call data to lure and arrest journalists in three cases since 2017 was referenced in the suit and submitted to the court as supporting evidence, according to Olumide Babalola, a lawyer for Laws and Rights Awareness Initiative who spoke to CPJ over the phone, and CPJs review of the lawsuit. In November 2019, CPJ spoke with NCC spokesperson Henry Nkemadu and upon his request emailed questions about the regulations mentioned in the lawsuit, but received no response. The lawsuit can be read here. India and Myanmar on Thursday signed 10 agreements, including four aimed at boosting development of Rakhine state to facilitate the return of Rohingya refugees, during President U Win Myints visit to the country. The two sides also announced the launch of a bus service between Imphal in Manipur and Mandalay in Myanmar from April 7 as part of efforts to improve connectivity and people-to-people contacts. Private operators on both sides have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch the service. Among the agreements, four MoUs are specific to Rakhine state and cover the construction of facilities such as an incinerator, seed storage houses and water supply systems, solar power systems for five townships, and construction of two roads and preschools. Other MoUs cover cooperation in petroleum products, communications, and conservation of tigers and other wildlife, the external affairs ministry said, The Myanmar president met his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar. If Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan really want to attain the financial independence they desire, they could do worse than launching a weekly Royal Scandal magazine. There's clearly a fortune to be made and a surfeit of material, judging by the acres of newsprint dedicated to Royal shenanigans in this week's tabloids. "Prince Andrew Attempts Suicide!" screams the cover of the 'Globe,' whose endless run of Royal exclusives can only be the result of an army of paid high-level courtier informants in every Royal palace and estate who monitor every conversation among the Windsor clan, and have listening devices planted in every Royal bedroom. It's hard to imagine how else they discovered Andrew's "secret overdose nightmare." It's an impressive undercover operation and you have to admire the way they beat the Fleet Street Royal press pack week after week. Admittedly, the 'Globe' cover photo of Prince Andrew does look suspiciously Photoshopped to emphasize his ashen pallor and intensify the dark circles under his eyes, but that's only fair when reporting on his "secret overdose nightmare." Andrew was "Brought back from the DEAD as new sex scandal EXPLODES," the rag claims. A doctor and nurse "sworn to secrecy" but clearly in the employ of the 'Globe' pumped Andrew's stomach after he was found by a bodyguard unconscious on the floor at Windsor's Royal Lodge, with "his life hanging by a thread . . . with foam bubbling from his lips." An empty bottle of prescription painkillers was allegedly found beside him. There's no mention of Andrew being taken to hospital, which you'd think would be a necessary precaution for someone of his stature, or of the likely dialysis of his blood to flush out the meds, or of the suicide watch he'd be under if such an attempt actually happened. Frankly, it's hard not to suspect that the Queen is personally feeding information to the media to sway public opinion in her favor. That would explain 'Us' magazine's story that reveals Her Majesty's inner-most thoughts: "The Queen's Revenge. ENOUGH! Demands immediate 'MEGXIT' with STRICT RULES. Strips Harry & Meghan's ROYAL TITLES. Plans to crown Kate the NEW QUEEN." Once again, the Queen seems to be getting carried away with her own sense of omnipotent infallibility, But despite the story apparently being fed to its headline-writers from Her Majesty's lips, the story inside 'Us' doesn't suggest for a single second that Kate is about to be crowned Queen, especially since Charles is next in line to the throne, and his wife Camilla might have a thing or two to say about that. And though Harry & Meghan will no longer be known as His & Her Royal Highnesses, they have retained their Royal titles, and will continue as Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex. You can tell the Queen is behind this story leak because Meghan is accused of orchestrating the family rift. The Queen allegedly "blames Meghan for pulling the strings behind the scenes," which seems like the pot calling the kettle black. "An unnamed insider says that Harry is henpecked by his domineering wife: "The Queen thinks he's being controlled like Meghan's personal puppet, and it's really nothing short of pitiful." You can see the Queen's fingerprints all over the 'National Enquirer' cover story: "My family is NOT for sale! Queen Kills Meghan's $1B Royal Payday! Bans duchess' business peddling ROYAL brands. Harry's RAGING wife threatens TV tell-all." Unnamed "high-level courtiers" and a "senior aide" warn that Meghan could "embarrass her royal in-laws by starring in a raunchy movie and play a sexy stripper like Jennifer Lopez did in 'Hustlers.' Right. That's going to happen. Don't be surprised if next week we're told that the Queen has bought the rights to 'Deep Throat' just to make sure Meghan can't star in a remake. Meanwhile, the Queen is clearly pushing the family values of slavishly obedient Prince William and Duchess Kate, who according to the 'Enquirer' "spice up their love life" by setting aside two nights a week to "relax, enjoy a home-cooked meal, then snuggle on the couch and have early nights" claims a source. How racy. That'll spice up any love life. Back in the real world, the 'Enquirer' tells us: "Elton John May Never Sing Again!" Or he may sing again. He's had a bout of pneumonia, which isn't exactly known for ending singing careers unless it kills you. Which of course is precisely where the 'Globe' goes with its story: "Fears Elton Has Months To Live." He is evidently "so frail he'll be dead by September!" Or he won't. How serious is his illness? An insider reveals: "He's been told to slow down his schedule." Well, it doesn't get more life-or-death than that. The tabloid obsession with celebrities' weight continues unabated. "Holy Cow!" proclaims a particularly cruel 'Enquirer' headline. "Baywatch Babe Packs On 100 Lbs!" Evidently actress Yasmine Bleeth isn't allowed to age gracefully. Once a Baywatch Babe, always a Baywatch Babe, the Enquirer seems to believe. No doubt that the health-conscious rag's editorial staff all look and weight the same as they did in their twenties. The 'Globe' notes "once-beautiful" actress Ashley Judd's "swollen face," apparently the result of medication and Botox injections to treat crippling "siege migraine" headaches. The rag then attacks "women-hating savages" who have criticized Judd's "puffy puss." They're all heart. The 'Enquirer' continues its commitment to public service with Week Five of its never-ending feature on "perv priests," filling another two pages with the small-print names of dead and defrocked men of Catholic cloth. This alphabetical state-by-state trawl through "America's Dirty Clergy" is still only up to Minnesota, promising weeks more lists of disgraced sexual abusers. Since the 'Enquirer' isn't outing a single priest who hasn't already been publicly identified, it's really one of the publication's more enervating features in recent memory. As an antidote to all that sleaze 'People' mag brings us a saccharine collection of feel-good interviews in which celebrities are just so gosh-darn wholesome and aw-shucks good to know. Comedy star Melissa McCarthy is this week's cover girl, with the sage advice: "Life is short. Just be yourself." She talks about "finding laughter every day . . and why we should celebrate each other's quirks." Perhaps she should talk to the Queen about finding laughter in Harry & Meghan's shenanigans, and celebrating her second son's quirky friendship with a disgraced pedophile billionaire. Rocker Sting tells 'People' mag "What I know," most of which sounds like advice from a self-help app on his smart phone: He never forgets where he came from, stays grounded, and lives life without regrets, rather like a living Hallmark card. Recovering alcoholic Ben Affleck, playing a recovering alcoholic in his latest movie 'The Way Back,' reminds us that he's a recovering alcoholic in his AA-tinged interview with 'People,' confessing the realization: "You can get better. You can change your life." But apparently you can't stop talking about it. 'People' mag is just the latest stop on Affleck's continuing self-recrimination-filled, make-amends, apologize-for-everything sobriety sob-a-thon, reading like an ode to Step 4 and Step 9 of the 12 step program. If you've ever seen a Ben Affleck movie expect a phone call from him any day now apologizing for any harm he may have inflicted on you, and offering to make amends. Fortunately we have the crack investigative squad at 'Us' to tell us that La La Anthony wore it best, that Keke Palmer is "starting cooking classes soon" (news you can use!), that actress D'Arcy Carden carries gum, keys and gold-painted toy dinosaurs in her Chloe Vick tote, and that the stars are just like us: they carry their luggage, shop for groceries, and feed parking meters, just as they do every damn week. If the paparazzi could be bothered hanging out anywhere but airports, supermarkets and high streets, we'd have some more interesting shots of the stars behaving like regular folk. As if the coronavirus isn't scary enough, the 'Globe' brings us yet one more thing to worry about: "Your Cash Could Kill You!" Explaining that "the real danger to YOU AND AMERICA is U.S. currency which fuels China's huge black market returning to our shores and triggering national panic and economic chaos." Under this Doomsday scenario, "Getting a couple of dollar bills in change at a local store could KILL YOU." And that's in capital letters because presumably it wouldn't be scary enough if it was just going to "kill you." Surely it can't be long before some heavenly-inspired Televangelist instructs true believers to send him all their tainted cash to be prayed over and spiritually cleansed of all disease for the greater glory of the Lord. Amen to that. Onwards and downwards . . . By Ofeliya Afandiyeva President Ilham Aliyev also received a delegation led by the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Azerbaijan Baroness Emma Nicholson on February 27 who is in Baku to attend the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) Advisory Council. Addressing the UK official, Aliyev said: Your personal participation is very important. This demonstrates the UK Government's continued support for this important project. It also demonstrates the long-term partnership between our countries. Aliyev said that TANAP reached to the Turkish-Greek border. This was an important milestone in the accomplishment of the Southern Gas Corridor. I think and I hope that when we meet again in February next year in Baku, we will inform you the completion of the project. I believe the completion of the construction will certainly not only be an important milestone, but it will open up new opportunities as well. In addition, the head of the state expressed his satisfaction about emerging collaboration of major companies in oil and gas sector with the small and medium-sized enterprises: This is a priority for our government. Because we want to ensure sustainable development for Azerbaijan and the future of our economy considerably will depend on entrepreneurship, the activities of small and medium-sized enterprises and the continuation of reforms. Therefore, the oil and gas sector will be only the sector that will support our reforms with the necessary funds, and we will continue to invest these funds in human capital as well as support the private sector. In turn, Baroness Emma Nicholson stressed the importance of the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) Advisory Council. During the meeting, it was noted that the relations between Azerbaijan and the UK are developing successfully in various fields, including the energy sector. The sides highlighted the role of BP in development of relations in this field and expressed confidence that the cooperation will continue to expand. During the conversation, it was pointed out that the reforms in Azerbaijan provided new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. The sides exchanged views on the development of small and medium-sized businesses, alternative energy, innovation, education, health, culture and other areas. Baroness Emma Nicholson presented President Ilham Aliyev with a keepsake sent by Wales national football team which will take part in the European Football Championship to be held in Baku this year. Note that the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) Advisory Council kicked off at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku on February 28. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the meeting. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former President Obama has asked South Carolina TV stations to stop running anti-Biden ads from a pro-Trump super PAC that use his voice. According to Bloomberg: The ads, which aim to depress African-American votes in Saturdays South Carolina Democratic primary, are funded by the pro-Donald Trump super PAC Committee to Defend the President. They began airing Tuesday in the state, where Biden is relying on a strong showing to revive his struggling campaign. In the ads, a clip from Obamas reading of his 1995 memoir Dreams from My Father is paired with unfavorable media quotes about Bidens record on race. This despicable ad is straight out of the Republican disinformation playbook, and its clearly designed to suppress turnout among minority voters in South Carolina by taking President Obamas voice out of context and twisting his words to mislead viewers, Obama spokeswoman Katie Hill said in a statement. In the interest of truth in advertising, we are calling on TV stations to take this ad down and stop playing into the hands of bad actors who seek to sow division and confusion among the electorate. A pro-Trump super PAC is trying to help Bernie Sanders in South Carolina by using Obamas voice in anti-Biden ads in an effort to keep African-Americans from showing up at the polls to vote for Biden. Bernie Sanders has the Russians helping him, Trump helping him, and his own formidable campaign. It is good to see Obama step up and not allow his voice to be used to divide the Democratic electorate. Barack Obama hasnt, and will not, endorse anyone in the Democratic primary. He also not going to allow Trump and his supporters to use his words to mislead voters in South Carolina. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Crews continue testing and clean-up efforts in and along Bush Creek, after a spill was identified in the Pine River Tuesday night in Midland County. Currently, there is no concern of contamination to municipal or private drinking water supplies, according to Gratiot County Emergency Management. (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy) partners want to emphasize the source of the release has been located, no further release is occurring, mitigation/remediation efforts are in place, and it has been determined there are no PCBs involved, the countys report states. The source of the liquid was discovered to be from a transformer, which a St. Louis area resident had purchased with the intent of scrapping for metal. He had emptied the dielectric fluid from inside the transformer into three 55-gallon drums, however, in the process, the fluid had leaked and made its way to the river via Bush Creek. Nick Assendelft, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) said they were concerned the liquid contained PCBs, which are man-made chemicals known to cause adverse health effects in humans and animals. However, Initial lab results showed the liquid did not contain PCBs and additional lab tests came back Thursday confirming the initial tests. Further testing of samples is taking place to determine if the dielectric fluid, which is similar to mineral oil, contains any other chemicals. According to the report from Gratiot County Emergency Management Detective Dan Kennedy, (DNR) Environmental Investigation Section conducted a site investigation and interviews at the scene of the incident. It states the property owner/responsible party is fully cooperating with all authorities. In addition, booms, which are floating devices meant to contain spills, have been placed along Buch Creek and will remain in place until there is no more sheen on the water. The booms are on Bush Creek in Bethany Township and at North Baldwin Road, M-46 and North Blair Road. As of Thursday, Bierlien Companies, which offers environmental remediation services, is on site doing soil remediation and cleaning the area. Other entities who have been involved in the efforts include EGLE, DNR, Gratiot County Emergency Management, St Louis Area Fire Department, AKT Peerless, Consumers Energy, Gratiot County Central Dispatch/911, Midland County Emergency Management, and Midland County Central Dispatch/911. Assendelft said local emergency managers will make the call as to when they feel its safe for people to come into contact with the water once again. Tourists visiting Mumbai will soon be able to watch a ceremonial drill at the state police headquarters on the lines of the famous Changing The Guard ceremony at The announcement was made by Maharashtra Tourism Minister here. The government was also considering allowing tourists to walk through the headquarters of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which is a heritage structure dating to colonial era, he said. "Our ceremony is very colourful and the Director General of Police's office will have the ceremonial drill just like the one at Buckingham Palace," Thackeray said, speaking at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The police headquarters, which housed the state legislature in the past, is located near the Gateway of India, a major tourist attraction. Thackeray said the government wants to develop Mumbai as the "Gateway to India". A policy on beach shacks would be rolled out within a month, he said, stating that the 700-km long coastline of Maharashtra offers immense tourism potential. Plans are afoot to provide night landing facility at the airport at Shirdi which houses a famous Saibaba temple, and to create additional parking facility at the Kolhapur airport, Thackeray aded. The state government has also decided to invest Rs 150 crore for upgrading infrastructure in Aurangabad, a gateway to tourist attractions such as Ajanta and Ellora Caves. The government will rope in the private sector for developing tourism through policy decisions such as allowing private firms to manage properties owned by the state, the minister said. On the lukewarm response to allowing malls and eateries in some areas of Mumbai to function all night, which was his pet idea, Thackeray said it should not be misconstrued as a festival and it is a change in lifestyle that the administration is driving. Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio address, Thackeray said he would like to hear "everyone's Mann Ki Baat" if he made it to the top job in the country, and quipped that the industry lobby's backing will help him reach there. He also underlined virtues of civil liberties and said the state government, headed by his father Uddhav Thackeray, will ensure its protection. FILE PHOTO: Participants hold a British Union flag and an EU flag during a pro-EU referendum event at Parliament Square in London By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Britain and the European Union will launch talks next Monday on a new post-Brexit partnership due to start in 2021, but the two sides are already trading barbs on the scale and scope of their trade cooperation. Britain says it wants a simple free trade agreement such as the EU has with Canada or Japan, which would mean significantly more trade frictions than there are currently between the world's largest trading bloc and its fifth biggest economy. But the EU's Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said on Wednesday that was not on offer without solid "level playing field" guarantees of fair competition ahead. Here are the EU's arguments for refusing to grant Britain a plain trade deal. PROXIMITY Unlike Japan, Canada, Chile, South Korea or Mexico, which sit thousands of kilometers away from EU's borders, the UK is the bloc's immediate neighbor and so its ability to impact the continent's cherished internal market is exponentially bigger. "The UK says that it wants Canada. But the problem with that is that the UK is not Canada," Barnier said. TRADE VOLUMES Unlike with the more distant countries, the EU says the UK will be its third-largest trading partner when the current transition period - during which Britain remains bound by EU laws and regulations - ends on Dec. 31. The EU's 2018 imports from the UK amounted to 197 billion euros, more than the 125 billion euros worth of combined imports from Canada, Japan and South Korea, according to the executive European Commission. HISTORIC INTEGRATION The EU highlights "economic interconnectedness" with Britain, which ceased being a member of the bloc on Jan. 31 after nearly half a century. That makes the situation entirely different to that of other countries on other continents. "The EU isn't a prison you can leave, but there are many different consequences for many different people," Barnier told the European Parliament. Story continues "SINGAPORE ON THAMES" That is why the EU demands strong guarantees of fair competition from Britain from 2021, especially given London's stated ambition to move away from EU rules on everything from environment and labor to competition, state aid and taxes. The EU fears that a big, economically powerful close neighbor could adopt dumping practices and quickly become a "Singapore on Thames" that would undercut the bloc's own market. Through closely monitoring the so-called rules of origin, the EU wants to make sure goods coming tariff- and quota-free from the UK are not just cheaper products from elsewhere in the world that get assembled in Britain. WHAT IF NO DEAL BY END-2020? Barnier said the EU would not seek a deal "at any price" but Brussels seems keen to keep Britain closer in the future than Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he wants. Should the sides fail to seal a free trade deal or agree to extend the transition period, they would default to basic trading rules under the World Trade Organization, which would entail customs tariffs, quotas and cumbersome paperwork. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by John Chalmers and Gareth Jones) Upcoming political events in the Bay Area: SATURDAY Devaluing California: Exploring how the electoral system devalues Californian votes from the Electoral College to the Senate, and a look at solutions including the National Popular Vote Compact and ranked-choice voting. Part of the 2020 Visions series. Free. 3:30 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. Watch party: For the South Carolina Democratic primary results. Free. 4 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. Climate emergency action: A roving street party featuring music, performance, art installations and visits to banks and corporations to encourage them to alter climate-changing behavior. 5 p.m., 2160 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. More information is here. Voting guide: Courage California team presents its voter guide for every district in California. $20. 6 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. SUNDAY How does it end? An audience participation theater piece on what happens if President Trump is re-elected as economic and climate-change problems mount. Impeachment? Coup? Revolution? Do nothing? A piece of speculative fiction and political satire from co-writers Stardust Doherty and Kari Barclay and the Theatre Makers project. Free. 2 p.m., San Francisco Public Library main branch, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco. More information is here. Rep. Jackie Speier: Peninsula Democrat in conversation for KQED-FMs Live on Stage With Michael Krasny. $25. 5 p.m., Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, Hoytt Theater, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. More information is here. TUESDAY Super Tuesday watch party: For primary returns from California and 13 other states, with former Arizona Sen. Gabby Giffords. $12. 4 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. Super Tuesday watch party: For primary returns from California and 13 other states. Free. 5 p.m., IGS Library, 109 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley. More information is here. Super Tuesday watch party: For primary returns from California and 13 other states. Hosted by TechEquity Collaborative. Free. 5 p.m., Starline Social Club, 2236 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Oakland. More information is here. Super Tuesday watch party: For primary returns from California and 13 other states. Hosted by the Center for Election Science. Free. 6 p.m., Tonic Bar, 895 Post St., San Francisco. More information is here. Book launch and watch party: Launch party for Rad American History A-Z with author Kate Schatz and illustator Miriam Klein Stahl, plus political comedian guest W. Kamau Bell. Followed by Super Tuesday results watch party. Free. 6 p.m., dona, 3770 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. More information is here. WEDNESDAY Gender issues and political identity: Rose McDermott, international relations professor at Brown University, discusses gender issues and leaders emotional manipulation of political identity. $5. 7 p.m., 518 Valencia St., San Francisco. More information is here. THURSDAY Rahm Emanuel: Former Chicago mayor and Barack Obama adviser on how mayors run the world. $40 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $15 for students. 6:30 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. FRIDAY Facebook: Author Steve Levy discusses his new book, Facebook: The Inside Story. Benefit for KPFA-FM. $12 advance, $15 at the door. 7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 2407 Dana St., Berkeley. More information is here. MARCH 8 Politics for teenagers: Democracy Online: A Political Discourse Conference for Teens features experts in ethics, journalism and technology to discuss the role of the internet in politics. Free. 10 a.m., Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. More information is here. Spanish for activists: A session on canvassing in the Latinx community, sponsored by Democracy Action. Intended for intermediate and advanced Spanish speakers. Bring a laptop and phone. Free. 10:30 a.m., 80 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 20, Sausalito. More information is here. MARCH 11 Civility: A discussion of the increasing polarization of society and the impacts of civility and outrage as alternative ways to it. Part of the Professor of Practice Series at Pacific School of Religio. $20. 6 p.m., Bade Museum, 1798 Scenic Ave., Berkeley. More information is here. MARCH 12 Breaking down the primary: Political experts discuss the results of Californias primary. Panelists include Aimee Allison, founder and president of She the People; Jennifer Fernandez Ancona, co-founder of Way to Win; and pollster David Binder. Hosted by KQED and SPUR. $10 for nonmembers, free for members. SPUR Urban Center, 654 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here. MARCH 17 Primaries 101: An explainer on how the Democratic presidential nominee will be chosen, with Stanford University political science Professor Bruce Cain. $5-$10. 6 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. American Jews and Israel: Former Knesset member Yossi Beilin, chairman of the Geneva Initiative, on the relationship between Israelis and American Jews today and where we go from here. Hosted by Center for Jewish Peoplehood. $18 in advance, $25 at the door. 7 p.m., Osher Marin JCCs Hoytt Theater, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. More information is here. Dan Pfeiffer: Pod Save America podcast co-host on A Plan to Make America a Democracy Again. $27 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $8 for students. 7 p.m., Oshman Family JCCs Schultz Cultural Hall, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. More information is here. MARCH 21 Robert Reich: UC Berkeley public policy professor and former U.S. labor secretary talks politics and his new book, The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It. $32 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $9 for students. 7 p.m., 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara Convention Center Theater, Santa Clara. More information is here. Noam Chomsky: Political activist and social critic on What Hope for Palestine-and Beyond? The World After 2020. Introduced by Daniel Ellsberg; musical performance by Naima Shalhoub and Excentrik. $29-$99. 7:30 p.m., Sidney Goldstein Theatre, 275 Hayes St., San Francisco. More information is here. MARCH 27 Jesse Wegman: Journalist and editor discusses his new book on the electoral college, Let the People Pick the President. $7. 7:30 p.m., Keplers Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. More information is here. APRIL 4 Racial justice: A session on white fragility and cultivating resilience for coping with it, drawing from the work of racial justice experts including authors Robin D'Angelo and Resmaa Menakem, theater practitioner and political activist Augusto Boal, and activist, racial justice trainer and psychotherapist Katherine Roubos. Hosted by Showing Up for Racial Justice Marin. Free. 1 p.m., YWCA, 30 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. More information is here. APRIL 9 Pelosi challenger: Shahid Buttar, running against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her San Francisco seat, in conversation at the Commonwealth Club. $5 for nonmembers, $3 for students. Noon, 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. APRIL 16 Assemblyman David Chiu: San Francisco Democrat explains his support for a constitutional amendment to allow control of campaign spending. Hosted by Business for American Promise. $10. 5 p.m., Variety Club Preview Room, 582 Market St., San Francisco. More information is here. To list an event, please email Politics Editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.com. Pompeo says U.S.-Taliban deal to include timeline for troops withdrawal, intra-Afghan negotiations People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 11:41, February 26, 2020 WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that a possible U.S.-Taliban peace deal will include a timetable for conditions-based U.S. troop withdrawals and the start of the intra-Afghan negotiations. Washington will sign a deal with Afghan Taliban "on or about February 29th" only after a successful implementation of a week-long violence reduction beginning Saturday in Afghanistan, Pompeo told reporters at a State Department press conference. The agreement "includes a timeline for both a conditions-based and phased troop withdrawal, and for the commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations," the top U.S. diplomat noted. These negotiations, if taking place, will be "the first time that Afghans representing all sides of the conflict will sit down together and begin the hard work of reconciliation," Pompeo added. Under the plan, U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, which began in 2001 and has been called "ridiculous " by President Donald Trump, will be reduced to 8,600 troops from the current 12,000 to 13,000 over the course of 135 days, reported the CNN news channel citing two sources familiar with the deal. Washington announced last week that a deal with Taliban is expected to be signed on Feb. 29 without disclosing the location of the signing. Peace talks between the two sides began in 2018 but were interrupted at least twice due to Taliban attacks on U.S. military personnel in September and December last year. Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, tweeted Friday that the finalized accord is expected to be signed in the presence of "senior representatives of numerous countries and organizations." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address There is cause for optimism among business leaders in Vietnam and beyond in terms of foreign direct investment flows in 2020, with geopolitical and health factors leading to companies to formulate a plan B for operations. Vietnams political stability is one factor among many that raises it above regional FDI competitors Vietnams foreign direct investment (FDI) performance in 2019 hit a decade-long high at around $38 billion pledged, demonstrating justification of the governments policies and regulations. In January the surge continued, with the country attracting around $5.3 billion in FDI in the first 20 days of the month alone, an on-year improvement of nearly 180 per cent. Approximately $4.5 billion of the total is going into nearly 260 projects, with the remainder of the sum coming in the form of share purchases, capital contributions, and additional related investment. Last month Singapore was listed as Vietnams largest overseas investor, with over $4 billion pledged, representing a massive 90 per cent of total FDI. Since then, global eyes have been focused on the spread of coronavirus known as COVID-19, which has affected scores of countries. Economists have been scrambling to predict the lasting effects of the outbreak, and calculate the growth hit not only to the epicentre of China but also to neighbouring nations and the rest of the world. Due to the ongoing and protracted trade spat between the United States and China, Vietnam last year was seen as one of the beneficiaries of major companies looking to move operations, or relocate altogether, from China in order to diversify and protect their interests. This mood could now accelerate further as, currently, portions of China remain in effective lockdown, helping to protect human health while also damaging business interests and travel and tourism, among other areas. Before the health crisis emerged, growth prospects in Southeast Asia were seen as positive when compared to the global economy as a whole, according to various surveys carried out in 2019 that often cited resiliency for the relatively stronger performance in investment in the region. One survey, from PricewaterhouseCoopers of almost 1,600 CEOs from companies covering over 80 nations, outlined that growth pessimism is circling around Western Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Leaders from those regions were already predicting lower global growth in 2020, before any of the latest developments emerged. However, over one-third of Asia-Pacific CEOs are expecting improvement, with 15 per cent looking ahead to great improvement in the next 12 months, which was the highest proportion among the globes general regions. The results aligned with a 2019 APEC survey of CEOs, in which 34 per cent in Asia-Pacific (including almost half of Vietnamese CEOs surveyed) offered a positive outlook for growth in 2020, in spite of the overall falling trend. Pushing attraction forward If Vietnam continues to contain the COVID-19 outbreak at its current level or better, the country will be poised to take advantage of the positive sentiment among business leaders and improve further on its already-impressive FDI attraction. While admitting that previously-made targets across the board for economic growth and FDI attraction will be a huge challenge to achieve in the face of various external factors, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong said solutions can be created to keep the economy moving in the right direction. It is necessary to immediately resolve administrative procedures and other problems so that businesses can start construction and implement large-scale projects, creating a spillover effect on socio-economic development of localities and regions, Phuong said. Vietnam will be looking to the FDI mainstays of Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea to consolidate their presence in the country in 2020. South Korea last year placed first in FDI in Vietnam, with $7.92 billion over one-fifth of the total amount pumped into the country. According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in January this year along South Korea placed second with $264.5 million in investment capital being poured into Vietnam. Electronics, medical devices, aeronautics, and high-tech park infrastructure are just some of the areas South Korean expertise could be penetrating further, both this year and beyond. Meanwhile, activities by Japanese companies in Vietnam have been hitting record highs, especially in mergers and acquisitions. Tamotsu Majima, senior director of service advisory group RECOF Corporation, said at a forum late last year that Japanese companies were increasingly interested in Vietnam, especially in the fields of production and services. Masataka Sam Yoshida, senior managing director of the corporation added, The US-China trade war remains one of the main reasons for Japanese investors to turn to Vietnam. This has been illustrated by the country becoming Vietnams second-largest foreign investor last year, involved in nearly 4,400 projects worth almost $60 billion. Sumitomo, Honda, Toyota, Canon, and Panasonic all have a substantial foothold in the country. Vietnam also has the distinction of being named the most promising destination for investment in Asia this year, according to a survey carried out by media group NNA Japan Co., Ltd and revealed last month. In the survey, over 42 per cent of the 820 respondents selected Vietnam as a top investment location, citing factors such as growth potential and supply of skilled and low-cost labour. India was second at just over 12 per cent, with Myanmar third on 11.6 per cent and Indonesia fourth at 6.6 per cent. Discussing the survey, Tridivesh Sing Maini, a New Delhi-based policy analyst, said, This yet again reiterates Vietnams emergence as an important economic player, not just within the ASEAN or Asia, but at a global level. While the US-China trade war has hit other countries, investment from mainland China to Vietnam has witnessed a rise. Maini added recent instability in Hong Kong along with other factors has driven many investors towards Vietnam. Vietnams economic march is likely to carry on, also due to its focus on reforms and an investor friendly environment, along with its ability to successfully navigate various challenges not to forget its growing geopolitical importance. Globally open Elsewhere, Vietnam is expected to see a rush of investment from European countries, after the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) was voted through by the European Parliament last week. At a recent Philippines-Germany Business Relations forum, German Ambassador to that country, Anke Reiffenstuel, made a point of mentioning Vietnam as a strong competitor in attaining overseas investment. The EU Council will be presided over by Germany in the second half of 2020 under a chair rotation system and the countrys priority in that time, according to Reiffenstuel, will be strengthening economic relations with individual ASEAN member states. The Philippines have a very strong competitor, and everybodys talking about Vietnam on their approach and how they are opening up towards foreign investors, she said. Vietnam is very strong and of course there is also Malaysia and Singapore too. The ambassador added that smoothly operated one-stop shops and ease in carrying out business registrations are the main actions that can entice such investors. Another European nation but now outside the EU, the United Kingdom is about to embark on a new trade and investment relationship with countries around the world. According to Asia Times, while natural attention from the Brits may first land on Thailand, Malaysia, or Singapore, Vietnam cannot be counted out, especially as it can provide a more politically-stable and safer environment compared to some other nations. This year marks 10 years of the UK-Vietnam strategic partnership, and with Vietnams ASEAN chair role for 2020, considerable leverage over the region is currently being held by the country. Britain now needs to sign relatively easy free trade agreements as it struggles to secure more complicated ones with the EU and the US and a trade deal with Vietnam ought to be straightforward and swift, Asia Times concluded. Meanwhile Alexander Downer, chairman of Policy Exchange and a former Australian Foreign Minister, wrote in The Spectator in January, If Britain is to become the global player Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants it to be, then it has to engage more strategically in the Asia-Pacific region. And then there is China itself. FDI from China into Vietnam doubled after the US trade dispute clicked into full gear, and it is projected to grow even bigger. A seminar at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore will next week be held to provide an update on Chinas investment activities in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The event will seek to compare projects in industrial parks and rail infrastructure in each country, and their prospects. The Vietnamese speaker at the seminar will be Pham Sy Thanh, director of the Chinese Economic Studies Programme at the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research. VIR Quang Bao FDI in Vietnam expected to surge after the epidemic As a major foreign investment hub, China is hit hard by the new strain of coronavirus, now known as Covid-19, but this also provides an opportunity for other countries to accelerate efforts to attract new foreign investment. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.27 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Greece and Bulgaria pledged to accelerate the construction of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) in tandem with the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), Trend reports with reference to the Joint Declaration of the 4th High Level Cooperation Council between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of Bulgaria. We welcome the substantial progress that has been achieved, as a result of our joint efforts, in the realization of the gas interconnection pipeline project between Greece and Bulgaria, namely the IGB pipeline. Having in mind that the Intergovernmental Agreement regarding this project was signed on October 10th 2019 in Sofia and the construction phase of the project is already underway, the sides reiterated that the IGB pipeline contributes to the establishment of a vertical gas corridor aiming to ensure access to diversified supplies for the region. The two governments will implement all efforts to accelerate the construction of IGB in tandem with TAP. Consolidating our operational infrastructure constitutes a prerequisite for an efficiently operating integrated energy market and the enhancement of our regions security of supply, via the diversification of sources and routes, reads the statement. The Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria project envisages a two-stage development. In the first stage, the pipeline capacity will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas, of which 2.7 billion cubic meters will be offered for the long-term market, the remaining share of 0.3 billion cubic meters in the short term. In a second phase, also depending on the evolution of the market, the capacity of the pipeline can be increased to 5.3 billion cubic meters of gas thanks to the addition of a compression station: 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas 0.5 billion cubic meters of short-term gas will be offered for long-term products. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@Lyaman_Zeyn "PHE, Inc. is an amazing asset to the commerce of Hillsborough and Orange County North Carolina," said Chad D. Collins, President of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce. "A major employer to our community, PHE has positioned itself to be relevant in our current economic environment. PHE's employees that are active in the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce are overly willing to contribute to the greater of good for the Chamber and for these reasons, we are proud to recognize PHE, Inc. as the 2019 Business of the Year." "We are honored to receive this recognition," said PHE, Inc. President David Groves. "In 2005, PHE, Inc. received the 'Business of the Year' Award from the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce, and it truly validated our company's efforts to be a good corporate citizen. Today, we're thrilled to once again be celebrated for our work within our community." PHE, Inc. started as founder Phil Harvey's 1969 master's thesis while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, allowing Adam & Eve to become the nation's first mail order contraceptive business. From there, it became a thriving adult toy catalog company before transitioning into a mostly web-based adult retail business. Today, PHE, Inc. employs around 300 people at its Hillsborough, NC, headquarters, which includes a warehouse, call center and marketing department. Harvey's philanthropic philosophies continue to influence Adam & Eve, with the company contributing both time and money to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and more. For more information about Adam & Eve, visit their website, https://www.adameve.com. For additional information on Adam & Eve, please contact Adam & Eve Director of Public Relations Katy Zvolerin at 919.644.8100 x 3121 or [email protected] . SOURCE adameve.com The Morrison government will settle three class actions over the contamination of communities with firefighting chemicals, in a decision met with tears by residents who say it will allow them to start their lives over after years trapped on toxic land. An in-principle settlement has been reached in the Federal Court that will ultimately see compensation flow for financial losses to hundreds of Williamtown, Oakey and Katherine families whose homes have been polluted by the Department of Defence. Kim-Leeanne King with her daughter Madeline at her property in Williamtown. She was emotional at news of a court settlement over contamination of her property by the Department of Defence. Credit:Nic Walker The settlement will be precedent-setting for thousands more Australians exposed to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl [PFAS] chemicals in 3M firefighting foams, used for years at military bases, fire stations and heavy industrial sites. Residents of Williamtown, north of Newcastle, say it brings to an end a five-year battle for justice after the government covered up the PFAS contamination, denied it caused health effects and refused to give residents an escape route once their homes were rendered unsaleable. Oakland students displaced after a cancer-causing chemical was found in groundwater at their school will likely remain at alternative locations for at least another week as air quality testing continues, district officials said Wednesday. So far, preliminary test results show no evidence of trichloroethylene, or TCE, in the air. County officials discovered the chemical in groundwater under the school after routine soil and groundwater testing following the removal of a fuel tank that had been used to heat the swimming pool. District officials opted to shut down the West Oakland school, which serves 350 students, last Thursday rather than continue operating while additional testing is done. New groundwater tests over the weekend did reveal, however, trace amounts of the chemical in a sump in the boiler room, said district spokesman John Sasaki. A sump is a space that collects runoff or groundwater, often a depression or pit found in basements or the lowest area of a building. The finding makes sense, Sasaki said, given the known existence of TCE in the groundwater under the campus. There was no evidence of the chemical in the air, he said. Signs are still good, Sasaki said. I just dont know when we will get the final results and finalized report which if it contains the same results that we saw on Saturday will allow us to reopen the school quickly. The chemical likely originated from a nearby business and traveled to the school through the groundwater. County officials have been aware of the existence of the chemical at two former metal plating companies a few blocks from the high school campus. The cleanup process has been ongoing for more than a decade. COVID Resources Coronavirus Map Tracking COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area and California. Until the district concludes testing and reopens the school, McClymonds students will continue to attend school at alternative sites. The schools students are split up, with ninth-graders at Ralph Bunche Academy, 10th- and 11th-graders at West Oakland Middle School, and 12th-graders at Westlake Middle School. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker Rome mayor to convene meeting with tourism stakeholders. Tourist cancellations have reached 90 per cent in Rome for March due to the Coronavirus outbreak (despite there not being any active Coronavirus cases in the Lazio region) according to tourism bodies. Bookings are also down 60 per cent in March, with bookings "sharply down" up to June, according to trade associations Assoturismo Confesercenti Roma e Lazio and Fiavet Lazio. The associations say they "are extremely concerned about the repercussions on the economy of the tourism sector in Lazio and primarily in Rome." Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the cost of lost revenue to Rome restaurants is 3 million a day, with "thousands of jobs" at risk. The effect of cancelled hotel reservations, coupled with numerous cancelled events, has so far led to the loss of 1.5 billion to the tourism sector in Rome and Lazio, according to Stefano Fiori, president of the tourism section of Unindustria, quoted in Corriere della Sera. Rome mayor Virginia Raggi says that the alarm raised by the tourism associations "deserves the utmost attention", saying that she would convene a meeting with stakeholders in the coming days. The sharp rise in tourist cancellations and drop in bookings is occurring despite the fact that there is no Coronavirus emergency in Rome or the Lazio region. The two Chinese tourists who were the first cases of Coronavirus on Italian soil are now out of danger after being treated successfully at Rome's Spallanzani hospital. Photo Mazur Travel / Shutterstock.com By The Associated Press Feb. 26, 2020 | 05:56 AM | CHARLESTON Democrats unleashed a roaring assault against Bernie Sanders and seized on Mike Bloombergs past with women in the workplace during a contentious debate Tuesday night that tested the strength of the two men at the center of the partys presidential nomination fight. As the undeniable Democratic front-runner, Sanders faced the brunt of the attacks for much of the night, and for one of the few times, fellow progressive Elizabeth Warren was among the critics. The Massachusetts senator pressed the case that she could execute ideas that the Vermont senator could only talk about. Bernie and I agree on a lot of things, she said. But I think I would make a better president than Bernie." A group of moderates, meanwhile, fought to emerge as the chief Sanders alternative. Former Vice President Joe Biden, who is seeking a strong win in South Carolina to keep his campaign afloat, argued only he has the experience to lead in the world. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota repeatedly contended that she alone could win the votes of battleground state moderates. And Pete Buttigieg pointed to Sanders' self-described democratic socialism and his recent comments expressing admiration for Cuban dictator Fidel Castro's push for education. I am not looking forward to a scenario where it comes down to Donald Trump with his nostalgia for the social order of the 1950s and Bernie Sanders with a nostalgia for the revolutionary politics of the 1960s," the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, declared. But the moderates did little to draw separation among themselves, a dynamic that has so far only benefited the Vermont senator. Sanders fought back throughout the night, pointing to polls that showed him beating the Republican president and noting all the recent attention he's gotten: Im hearing my name mentioned a little bit tonight. I wonder why? The intensity of Tuesday's forum, with candidates repeatedly shouting over each other, reflected the reality that the Democrats establishment wing is quickly running out of time to stop Sanders' rise. Even some critics, Bloomberg among them, conceded that Sanders could build an insurmountable delegate lead as soon as next week. The 10th debate of the 2020 primary season, sponsored by CBS and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, was just four days before South Carolina's first-in-the-South primary and one week before more than a dozen states vote on Super Tuesday. The Democratic White House hopefuls will not stand side-by-side on the debate stage again until the middle of March. That made Tuesdays debate likely the last chance for some candidates to save themselves and alter the trajectory of the nomination fight. Though Sanders was at the center of the attacks, the night was actually something of a high point in his political career. After spending nearly three decades as an agitator who delighted in tearing into his partys establishment, that very party establishment was suddenly fighting to take him down, a clear sign of his rising status as the leading candidate for the nomination. Bloomberg also faced sustained attacks that gave him an opportunity to redeem himself after a bad debate debut one week earlier. Warren cut hard at his record as a businessman, bringing up reports of one particular allegation that he told a pregnant employee to kill it, a reference to the womans unborn child. Bloomberg fiercely denied the allegation, but acknowledged he sometimes made comments that were inappropriate. Bloomberg cannot earn the trust of the core of the Democratic Party, Warren said. He is the riskiest candidate standing on this stage. But Bloomberg will likely remain a force in the contest even as other candidates may quickly face tough choices about the sustainability of their campaigns. Bloomberg has already spent more than $500 million on a national advertising campaign, and his fortune ensures he will remain a factor at least through Super Tuesday. From the earliest moments of the debate, Bloomberg sought to portray a clear contrast with Sanders. He said Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agree that Sanders would be the best outcome for the Democrats. Vladimir Putin thinks Donald Trump should be president of the United States and thats why Russia is helping you get elected so you lose to him, Bloomberg said. Last week, Sanders acknowledged that hed be been briefed by intelligence officials who said that Russia is attempting to interfere in the elections to benefit him. He responded to Bloomberg on Tuesday with a direct statement for Putin: "Hey, Mr. Putin, if Im president of the United States, trust me youre not going to interfere in any more American elections. But the skepticism for Sanders was a constant. Buttigieg raised concerns that a Sanders nomination would cost Democrats the House and make it harder to retake the Senate. We're not going to win these critical, critical House and Senate races if people in those races have to explain why the nominee of the Democratic Party is telling people to look at the bright side of the Castro regime, Buttigieg said. And Bloomberg said Sanders wouldn't be able to build a winning coalition that includes Republicans unhappy with Trump's performance in the White House. Can anyone in this room imagine moderate Republican going over and voting for him, he said. You have to do that or you can't win. Warren, who raised questions about Sanders' electability earlier in the night, intercepted that criticism, arguing that a progressive agenda is popular." The South Carolina contest offers the first real look at the influence African American voters play in the Democrats presidential nomination process. Biden is trying to make a big impression in in the state, where he was long viewed as the unquestioned front-runner because of his support from black voters. But heading into Saturdays primary after three consecutive underwhelming finishes, there were signs that the former vice presidents African American support may be slipping. One reason: Tom Steyer. The billionaire activist has been pouring money into African American outreach, which threatens to peel away some of the support Biden badly needs. Steyer noted Tuesday that he was the only candidate on stage who supported reparations for descendants of slaves. Bloomberg, who for years defended New York Citys stop-and-frisk policing policy that a federal court struck down, made an overt appeal to the nations black voters. I know that if I were black, my success would have been a lot harder to achieve, he said. Thats a fact that weve got to do something about. The attacks against Sanders did not slow as the night went on. He was forced to defend his position on Israel, having condemned the American ally for its treatment of Palestinians. Sadly, tragically in Israel, through Bibi Netanyahu, you have a reactionary racist, who is now running that country, said Sanders. who would be the country's first Jewish president. He added: What you cannot ignore is the suffering of the Palestinian people. And Biden slammed Sanders for his record on gun control, seizing on the Vermont senator's support of the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, legislation that protects gun manufacturers and sellers from laws that attempt to hold them liable for dealing firearms that end up in the hand of criminals. My friend to my right, and others, have in fact also given in to gun manufacturers absolute immunity, said Biden. Imagine if I stood here and said, We give immunity to drug companies. We give immunity to tobacco companies.' "That has caused carnage on our streets. " Sanders proudly highlighted his D minus rating from the pro-gun organization. And just last week, several gun control advocates who survived the Parkland, Florida, school shooting endorsed him. Moving forward from the fiery debate, there are questions about the Democratic Partys ability to unify behind a nominee . Klobuchar perhaps summed up her partys challenge best: If we spend the next 10 months tearing our party apart, Donald Trump is going to spend the next four years tearing this country apart. The airport of the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh this week received the first two charter flights from the UK after close to a five-year ban. The charter flights of TUI, one of Europes largest travel companies, flew from Gatwick and Manchester airports in the UK. Flights between Britain and Sharm El-Sheikh were halted in November 2015 following the bombing of a Russian airliner after take-off from Sharm El-Sheikh airport, killing all 224 people on board. The UK allowed flights to other Egyptian airports later but never back to Sharm El-Sheikh. Kamel Abu Ali, head of the hotel operator Pickalbatros, expects the flow of British tourists to increase in the next summer season. In 2010, 1.5 million British tourists visited Egypt, making them the second largest of Egypts tourists after the Russians. In the first nine months of 2015, the UK came in third among countries exporting tourists to Egypt. On 29 February, the flag carrier EgyptAir will fly its first flight to the UK following the lifting of the ban. Media reports quoted Ministry of Civil Aviation officials as saying that the increase in flights in the summer would be determined according to demand and in the light of the increase in British holidaymakers to Egypt following the UKs lifting of the flight ban to Sharm El-Sheikh. Former chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Tourism Elhami Al-Zayyat believes Egypt and the UK will operate several weekly flights to and from Sharm El-Sheikh. He expects more revenue for Egypt from tourism since British tourists tend to spend up to a week in their destination of choice. Al-Zayyat said hotel room prices were forecast to rise, particularly after the re-evaluation that Egyptian tourist facilities are expected to undergo. A Colliers International report has predicted that hotel room revenues in Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, and Alexandria will increase in 2020 on an annual basis, expecting a two per cent increase in revenues in hotels in Cairo, 13 per cent in Sharm El-Sheikh, 10 per cent in Hurghada, and nine per cent in Alexandria. Hotel occupancy is expected to reach 80 per cent in Cairo, 62 per cent in Sharm El-Sheikh, 69 per cent in Hurghada, and 82 per cent in Alexandria, according to the report. TUI is also scheduled to increase its flights from Gatwick, Edinburgh, and Birmingham airports to Sharm El-Sheikh to five weekly flights until May. It said it would also organise flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports in Scotland to Sharm El-Sheikh starting in November. EasyJet has announced the return of its flights twice a week from Manchester to Sharm El-Sheikh starting in June and two weekly flights from Londons Gatwick in September. Egypts tourism market is currently witnessing a boom thanks in part to the increased stability in the country that has led the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to raise its expectations about Egypts revenues from tourism to $16.7 billion in 2019-20, up from $14.2 billion in earlier forecasts. According to the latest Global Competitiveness Report, Egypt achieved the fourth-highest growth rate in travel and tourism performance in the reports Competitiveness Index and the highest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. EgyptAir operated its first flight between Sharm El-Sheikh and Luxor in Upper Egypt on 20 February after a few years hiatus. For the time being operated once a week, the flight between the two destinations is part of a plan put up by the tourism and civil aviation ministries to connect the Red Sea with Upper Egypts antiquities and to allow travellers to combine beach and cultural activities in one trip. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities gave the passengers of the flight a free tour of the queen Nefertari tomb on Luxors west bank, a tour normally priced at LE1,400. Abu Ali said connecting Egypts tourist cities with each other would reflect positively on the country, increase its revenues, and give holidaymakers the opportunity to arrange their itineraries in a way that allows them to visit several places during one trip. Al-Zayyat concurred, adding that now that the Egyptian market was regaining its British tourists, tour agents would use the occasion to tailor extended itineraries that include both Luxor and Sharm El-Sheikh. Abu Ali said that Sharm El-Sheikhs hotel occupancy rates were faring better and he expected further improvements after the state decided to facilitate procedures for indebted investors that will allow them to re-operate closed tourist facilities and increase the readiness of tourist cities to receive vacationers. Tourism experts differ on the effect of the current spread of the coronavirus on tourism in Egypt. Karim Mohsen, a member of the board of the Chamber of Tourism Companies, expressed his fears that the epidemic could negatively affect the flow of tourists to Egypt, especially after Chinese travellers had stopped coming to the country. He said that some Italian groups had cancelled their trips to Egypt out of fears of contracting the virus. Nonetheless, Al-Zayyat said that the UKs stoppage of its flights to China could mean more traffic to Egypt. He expected that UK planes would be rerouted to Egypt, especially with the rising demand for flights to Sharm El-Sheikh, one of the key destinations of British tourists. In November 2019, Ahmed Youssef, president of the Tourism Development Authority, held meetings with UK companies such as EasyJet Holidays, EasyJet Airlines, Sun Express, Kuoni and Love Holidays during the World Travel Market in London. The companies had expressed their desire to increase their business in Egypt, he said, noting that British tourists had been increasingly demanding the arrangement of itineraries to Egypt and expecting that more British tourists will fly to Egypt next winter. Egypt hopes Russia will now follow in the footsteps of the UK and resume its flights to Sharm El-Sheikh. Russia is a major source of tourists to Egypt, and it resumed direct flights to Cairo in 2018 after security inspections of airports by Russian experts. However, it has yet to resume flights to Sharm El-Sheikh. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under headline: The British are back Search Keywords: Short link: By Akbar Mammadov The Agricultural Insurance Fund of Azerbaijan and Agriculture Insurance Union of Turkey (TARSIM) have signed an agreement deal, Azerbaijani Agriculture Ministrys website reported on February 27. The Statement of Intent considers the mutual cooperation between both countries on the agricultural insurance area and was sealed during the visit to Baku by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey Fatih Metin. As part of the visit, a meeting was held between Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov and Turkish Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Fatih Metin. During the meeting, Minister Karimov informed guests about measures implemented on the agrarian sector in Azerbaijan. He said that the National Assembly adopted a law on About Agricultural Insurance, the Cabinet of Ministers affirmed Charter of the Agricultural Insurance Fund and The composition of agricultural insurance subject. Thereby, the legal base for the large scale application of agricultural insurance was formed for the first time in our country. The mechanism of agricultural insurance in Azerbaijan is being built on the experience of Turkeys TARSIM model. The model based on the state-private sector cooperation is an efficient and successful one. Joint insurance of products by the Agrarian Insurance Fund and private insurance companies will reduce investment risks, strengthen the state support to farmers, positively affect employment, contribute to food security and reinforce insurance market, said Inam Karimov. Mentioning the development of all areas of the economy in Azerbaijan, including the agricultural sector, Fatih Metin, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey, noted that there is a great potential to enlarge the partnership between both countries. We highly appreciate Azerbaijans steps directed to develop agriculture. Turkey will continue to provide technical support and exchange of experience for application and development of agricultural insurance in Azerbaijan. I consider that the insurance model applied in Azerbaijan will be a role model for region countries Metin said. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz MADRID, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- ATCA (the Air Traffic Control Association) and CANSO (the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) are honoured to announce the finalists for the inaugural Maverick Awards presented by World ATM Congress. The Awards recognise outstanding achievements in innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in air traffic management (ATM). "As the world's largest ATM exposition, World ATM Congress is the perfect venue to acknowledge and celebrate the many advancements our community has made this past year," said ATCA President and CEO Peter F. Dumont. "These awards represent three of our industry's most important pillars: collaboration, innovation, and sustainability-all in the name of aviation safety." In this first year, over 100 nominations were received, which were narrowed down to nine finalists, three in each award category. The Collaboration Award recognises the importance of effective relationships and partnerships within/across disciplines and sectors to achieve a shared goal. The finalists for the Collaboration Award are (in alphabetical order): ASECNA for Unifying African Skies with space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and other innovative technologies across all six Flight Information Regions (FIRs). for Unifying African Skies with space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and other innovative technologies across all six Flight Information Regions (FIRs). A consortium of Heathrow Airport Limited, NATS, Harris Orthogon, and EUROCONTROL for the introduction of Target Times of Arrivals at Heathrow Airport through SESAR project PJ24. for the introduction of Target Times of Arrivals at Heathrow Airport through SESAR project PJ24. NATS, NAV CANADA , and Aireon LLC for the innovative development and deployment of the world's first global, real-time space-based ADS-B service. The Innovation Award recognises new ideas, technologies, and concepts that challenge current ATM norms with the potential to significantly advance performance, operations, or capabilities. The finalists for the Innovation Award are: Austro Control for its project "Plate Lines - A Method to Accelerate Wake Vortex Decay During Final Approach," infrastructure that accelerates the decay of wake vortices on the ground proximity by about 30 percent, making wake encounters less likely. for its project "Plate Lines - A Method to Accelerate Wake Vortex Decay During Final Approach," infrastructure that accelerates the decay of wake vortices on the ground proximity by about 30 percent, making wake encounters less likely. NASA for its successful, simultaneous flight of multiple small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in a complex urban environment using the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system. for its successful, simultaneous flight of multiple small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in a complex urban environment using the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system. Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions and Scandinavian Mountains Airport for building a new innovative airport equipped with remote and digital tower services from a remote tower centre. The Sustainability Award recognises leaders, initiatives, and organisations working towards reducing aviation's impact on the environment and making significant contributions to improving the environmental footprint of aviation through ATM. The finalists for the Sustainability Award are: ENAIRE for the design and development of a monitoring mechanism which saved, through ATC direct clearance, about 7 million nautical miles for flights managed in Spanish airspace, preventing the emission of 243,000 CO 2 tons into the atmosphere. for the design and development of a monitoring mechanism which saved, through ATC direct clearance, about 7 million nautical miles for flights managed in Spanish airspace, preventing the emission of 243,000 CO tons into the atmosphere. HungaroControl, BULATSA, and ROMATSA for the SEE FRA / SEEN FRA project (South East Europe Free Route Airspace), allowing operators to fly on optimised profiles across FIR boundaries of Bulgaria , Hungary , and Romania , which has the potential to save up to 10000 nautical miles, conserving 80 tons of fuel and 250 tons of CO 2 emissions daily. for the SEE FRA / SEEN FRA project (South East Europe Free Route Airspace), allowing operators to fly on optimised profiles across FIR boundaries of , , and , which has the potential to save up to 10000 nautical miles, conserving 80 tons of fuel and 250 tons of CO emissions daily. NAV CANADA for becoming the first ANSP in the world to implement ICAO's new standard: Established on Required Navigation Performance Authorisation Required (RNP AR) and showing a reduction of over 4.1 million kgs of CO2 emissions. "To receive over 100 nominations for our inaugural awards was an incredible achievement and is an indicator of the significant advances we're making together as an ATM industry," said CANSO Director General Simon Hocquard. "The quality of the nominations was incredibly high - my congratulations to all those that made the shortlist. They have set the bar high for future years!" A special thank you to our renowned panel of judges: Eammon Brennan, Director General, EUROCONTROL; Teri Bristol, Chief Operating Officer, FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO); Peter F. Dumont, President and CEO, ATCA; Simon Hocquard, Director General, CANSO; Capt. Gilbert Kibe, Director General, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority; Hon. Donna Mclean, Founder and Owner, Donna McLean Associates, LLC. The winner of each category will be announced at World ATM Congress 2020 in Madrid, Spain during the Maverick Awards Ceremony, held at 15:00 - 16:00 Tuesday, 10 March, in the Wing ATM Theatre. The Awards ceremony will be hosted by ATCA's President and CEO Peter F. Dumont and CANSO's Director General Simon Hocquard. Registration for the event is free. To learn more and register, visit www.worldatmcongress.org. For more information, contact Abigail Glenn-Chase. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1096125/World_ATM_Congress.jpg TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Invo Behavior and Therapy Services today announced that it has opened children's therapy centers in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Riverview. The new centers will serve more than 200 area children, significantly expanding the availability of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children who have autism and related disorders. The Invo centers are located at 9051 Florida Mining Blvd, Suite 102 in Tampa, 8950 Dr. Martin Luther King Street, Suite 190 in St. Petersburg and 2748 Falkenburg Road in Riverview. Invo also offers in-home ABA therapy in Tampa. Other therapy locations include Jacksonville, Spring Hill, Venice and Northport. Invo centers provide comprehensive, outcomes-focused individual and small group ABA therapy for children from 18 months to 21 years old who have autism and related disorders, with customized plans to help each child reach his or her full potential. Speech, occupational and physical therapy will be available in the coming months, as well as early learners classes to teach children behaviors to succeed in school. The Tampa, St. Petersburg and Riverview centers are helping meet the growing need for high-quality therapy for autism and sensory disorders in the area. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately one in every 59 children across the U.S. is diagnosed with autism, a 15% increase from two years earlier. "As Invo has provided ABA and other therapies for children with autism and developmental disorders in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Riverview, it has become clear that many more families need services," said Anthony Manley, CEO, Invo HealthCare. "Our new centers are ideal options for families that prefer more flexibility in helping children reach milestones and learn new skills." ABA is an evidence-based therapy that has been proven effective in helping children with autism and other disorders improve communication and social skills, and reduce challenging behaviors. Covered by most insurance plans, ABA has been endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Autism Society of America and many others. "Treating young children at our new Tampa, St. Petersburg and Riverview centers is especially important," explained Hannah Buckman, Center Manager, St. Petersburg. "Younger children's brains are more 'plastic,' so they learn age-appropriate behavior and communication skills more easily." Invo Behavior and Therapy Services addresses a full range of needs for children with autism and other developmental delays from birth to age 21. The company emphasizes treating the whole child through an inter-disciplinary team of professionals who collaborate strategically to help children meet milestones and achieve positive outcomes. About Invo Invo Healthcare is the leading national provider of community and school-based autism and childhood behavioral health services nationwide. Operating in 27 states, Invo serves more than 70,000 children annually in the areas of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), behavioral and mental health services, speech and language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, psychology and other services. Invo is headquartered in Doylestown, PA with additional corporate campuses in Northbrook, IL and Tampa, FL. With more than 2,500 highly credentialed and trained clinicians across the country, Invo passionately drives superior outcomes with its proprietary programs. For more information, visit invocompanies.com. The Invo Family of Companies includes Invo Behavior and Therapy Services, Invo HealthCare, Autism Home Support Services, ABA2Day, ABA in Action, Engage Behavioral Services, Positive Behavioral Connections, Progressus Therapy, Speech Tree, Suncoast Therapy and Xcite Steps. See www.invocompanies.com for more information. SOURCE Invo Behavior and Therapy Services Related Links https://www.invocompanies.com Iran has cancelled a number of major public events in its efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus as the number of deaths from it rose to 26, with 245 infections, as of Feb. 27. One of the most significant steps taken is the cancellation of Friday prayers in Tehran, a gathering of particular religious and political significance in the country. It is at Friday prayers that top officials appear, and important positions and talking points are announced. It is, in short, the forum at which the government presents a unified front on major geopolitical issues. President Hassan Rouhani has also ordered a number of university and school closures across the country and the cancellation of other public gatherings, such as concerts and film screenings. Officials have said that universities in areas with infections will be closed until next week and some until late March. A decision on lower schools will be made the night of Feb. 28. Education Minister Mohsen Haji Mirzani urged teachers to deliver their lessons online until schools reopen. Iranian media are reporting that a number of government officials have tested positive for the coronavirus, including Mojtaba Zonnour, a deputy from Qom and head of parliaments National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, and Masoumeh Ebtekar, Rouhanis media advisor and vice president for public relations. Ali Rabei, the Rouhani administration's spokesperson, tested negative after an appearance at a press conference during which he stood next to Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi who was visibly suffering from flu-like symptoms and was later confirmed to be ill from the coronavirus. Health Minister Saeed Namaki said on Feb. 26 that the government will stick by its policy of not quarantining cities. Rather, it aims to limit the travel of those suspected of carrying the virus. He said personnel equipped with test kits and thermometers will be dispatched at entries to cities. Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi announced that a donation from the Chinese government and the Red Cross of 20,000 test kits will arrive Feb. 28. Namaki also reiterated a previous statement by officials not to take advantage of days off from school to travel to vacation spots, especially to cities with known cases of coronavirus. Homayoun Hashemi, a member of parliaments Health Commission, told reporters that Health Ministry officials have not hidden anything from the public. He said that during meetings, ministry officials have provided satisfactory answers on not only the number of infections, but also on the methods being used against the outbreak. He urged people to continue with normal life and to avoid the added stress of worrying. President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins will today attend a conference hosted by Maynooth University examining the challenges of climate change and social inequality. The conference titled, A Just Transition - How do we tackle heat, need and greed? explores the intertwined challenges of climate change and social inequality. It will focus on the need for a just pathway that addresses human need while also countering the threat of climate chaos. The all-day conference will be attended by over 120 people, including President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina, and will address the distributional needs of people across a range of areas, including employment, income and public services and the struggle for transformational change. The conference responds to a recent call by President Michael D Higgins to provide material for rethinking, linking and addressing both climate change and social justice objectives, said Dr Mary Murphy, Department of Sociology at Maynooth University and co-organiser of the conference. Such new models are evidenced in the work of other keynote speakers at the conference, including Mr David Donoghue who, in his former role as Irelands Permanent Representative to the United Nations, played a key role in mediating the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a historic global plan to end poverty by 2030. Promoting alternative models and approaches is the focus of the speakers Professor Ian Gough (London School of Economics), who will address the core theme of his book, Heat, Need and a Green New Deal Climate Change, Capitalism and Sustainable Wellbeing, and Dr Anna Coote (New Economics Foundation), who will draw on her new book, The Case for Universal Basic Services, which will be launched as part of the conference. Other speakers include Adjunct Professor Hugh Frazer, of the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University, who, in his role as Chairperson of the European Commission European Social Policy Network, has pioneered research into a European Child Guarantee. Dr Joe Larragy of the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University and co-organiser said: We hope this conference contributes to making real what President Higgins has described as the potentially transformative role that the State can play in the lives of citizens, a transformative role that can achieve cohesion as a matter of urgency and an adequate response it gives nationally and globally. Elysia Elia had to step back from her career in pediatric home care to focus full-time on caring for her 1 1/2-year-old son, John J. Welsh. Her husband and Johns father, Tom Welsh, teaches at Holland Township Elementary School and also spent three years as Hollands volunteer fire chief, though hes had to step down to assistant chief due to the situation at home. John is battling a variety of gastrointestinal, pulmonary and immune system ailments, including two genetic conditions, and is undergoing testing to pinpoint some of the causes, Elia said. "He's very tough and very happy," said Elia, who is also mother to John's big brother, 14-year-old Brett Elia. "So we're very fortunate as far as that's concerned." A couple of weeks ago, the Pohatcong Township family learned from longtime friend Chris Plumaker he had a plan to help cover medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses and the costs of traveling to see specialists at Boston Childrens Hospital and the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. That plan will come to fruition Thursday night, when 30 date nights donated by area businesses will be auctioned off at the One Centre Square concert venue in Downtown Easton. And, oh yeah, the date nights come with a date: Plumaker got 30 bachelors and bachelorettes to volunteer for the auction, though the highest bidders will, of course, have the option of being accompanied by their significant other or companion of their choice. "I'm not joking," Elysia Elia told lehighvalleylive.com on Wednesday. "It takes my breath away and it puts me into tears because these people are just signing up out of the goodness of their heart. It's amazing." Clockwise from top, Tom Welsh and Elysia Elia, of Pohatcong Township, face extensive costs for the medical care of their son, John J. Welsh, seen here with big brother Brett Elia, 14.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com Plumaker said the response to the family's plight has been incredible, from both the dates and from Easton area businesses he's asked for gift cards and other date night donations. "Right now is the most critical time to make sure he has the best chance" of gaining the upper hand on his illnesses, Plumaker said of John. Plumaker estimates he's collected $5,000 worth of donations, with help from his sisters Amanda and Ashley Plumaker and friends Jared and Kielty Wierzbicki, whose son, Josh, 12, will help lead Thursday's auction. Johns family invites the public to follow his battle on the Johns Journey Facebook page. Doors open at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, for the Date Auction for Charity: A Benefit for John J. Welsh. There is a cover charge of $5, with a raffle, DJ and cash bar. A Facebook page set up for the auction features each of the bachelors and bachelorettes who agreed to participate. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will use one or more private companies to operate ferries during an ongoing breakdown in state service, the governor said. Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy said the state needs private companies to operate ferries to coastal communities, The Anchorage Daily News reported Wednesday. Were going to have to rely on the private sector as a stopgap to some degree, Dunleavy said Wednesday. Only one of the states fleet of 12 ships is operating, with four laid up in temporary storage and seven undergoing o... WASHINGTON - Vice-President Mike Pence sought to project calm Thursday in his new role as chief co-ordinator of the governments response to the coronavirus as the Trump administration rushed to contain mounting public concerns and some of the worst stock market declines in more than a decade. Pence convened his first meeting of President Donald Trumps coronavirus task force one day after the president made him the governments point-person for the epidemic. Pence also tapped a seasoned medical professional to be his chief adviser and said Trump had tasked us to take every step necessary to protect the American people. The meeting came amid confusion over who was leading the inter-agency co-ordinating process to confront the virus. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar stood alongside Trump on Wednesday when the president announced he was putting Pence in charge of the governments virus response. At the end of the White House briefing, Azar said he was delighted to have the vice-presidents help but also said he wanted to clarify that Im still chairman of the task force. Pence explained things differently Thursday. Im leading the task force, he said after being asked to clarify, though he noted that Azar continues to hold the title of chairman. Trump, himself, later defended his administrations handling of the coronavirus during an Oval Office meeting with black supporters and again suggested part of the market slide was due to nervousness about the Democrats seeking to replace him. If any of these people ever did happen to assume the presidency you would have a crash like youve never seen before. And I think the market is also putting that into the equation. Until now, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney was responsible for co-ordinating the response across the government outside of the health care agencies. Facing lawmakers questions Thursday about the new organizational chart, Azar said Pence would now fill that role. Administration aides insisted there was no daylight between the two men, noting that Pence had scheduled the first meeting under his leadership to be held at HHS instead of at the White House. On Capitol Hill, Azar told lawmakers Thursday that he was involved in discussions about Trumps decision to designate Pence. He said he welcomed the heft that the vice-presidents office brings. Ill be honest with you. When I heard the idea that the vice-president would be willing to help add the force of his office to this effort, I said, quote, Thats genius, Azar told Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. Earlier Thursday, Pence told the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland that we will continue to bring the full resources of the federal government to bear to protect the American people. Pence said Trump and the administration would work with leaders in both political parties and at the state and local levels. The White House had wavered on whether to name a czar to co-ordinate the virus response. Trump said Pence would not be a czar, but he wanted everybody to report to Mike and that Pence would report to him. Trump said the scope of the threat had extended beyond the purview of HHS to other Cabinet departments. Pence sought Thursday to instil confidence in a jittery public and shaken financial markets by naming Debbie Birx, a medical doctor and the administrations global AIDS co-ordinator, to serve as his chief adviser on the virus. He also added Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, to the task force out of recognition that the situation was quickly becoming an economic threat, too. The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank nearly 1,200 points Thursday, deepening a week-long global market rout caused by worries that the coronavirus will wreak economic havoc around the world. Stocks are headed for their worst week since October 2008, during the global financial crisis. Pence said hed had conversations Wednesday night and Thursday with House and Senate leaders of both parties to discuss funding for the virus response. The administration has requested an additional $2.5 billion, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York countered with an $8.5 billion proposal. Pence described the conversations as productive and very positive and said he would look to the task force for guidance on additional funding. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she told Pence when they spoke Thursday about her concerns about his leadership based on his record on health issues when he was Indianas governor, including his reluctance to authorize a needle exchange program following an HIV outbreak in the southern part of the state. The White House and Pences team moved Thursday to control the flow of information from federal agencies about the virus response, ordering that public communications be cleared by their offices. A person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the internal guidance, said the decision was made to ensure the whole-of-government response was on message. Ron Klain, who co-ordinated the U.S. response to the Ebola threat during the Obama administration, had a sharp retort to Trumps comment Wednesday that because of all weve done, the risk to the American people remains very low. Klain tweeted Thursday: Oh look: its the Mission Accomplished tweet for #coronavirus. That was a reference to President George W. Bushs premature claim in 2003 that major combat operations in Iraq had ended when the war, in fact, continued for years. ___ Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report. A man was seriously injured in a Saturday evening stabbing in Phillipsburg, and the alleged attacker is in jail, authorities said Thursday. Mariah Lambert, 20, was arrested and charged with second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. Lambert, who has listed multiple different address in Phillipsburg in court paperwork, was housed in Warren County Jail as of Thursday morning. Records show Lambert was arrested the day of the attack, charges were filed Sunday and the case was transferred to the Warren County Prosecutors Office on Monday. Phillipsburg police and the Warren County Prosecutors Office did not return repeated phone calls for information about the attack, but on Thursday the town police department issued a news release about the incident. Police were called for the reported stabbing about 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Delaware River Park. Officers found Joseph Bussey with a cut in his upper back and he was flown via medical helicopter to St. Lukes University Hospital in Fountain Hill. Police said Lambert confronted Bussey in the woods near the park. During the confrontation, Lambert attacked Bussey and stabbed him, police said. Lambert reportedly confessed to the stabbing. Bussey, 34, told lehighvalleylive.com he and his girlfriend were going for a walk, like they usually do on the path near the park. They saw Lambert and some other people on the path; the couple knew Lambert, but had not seen her in at least nine months, Bussey said Thursday. As the couple walked, the group followed them, according to Bussey. After a few minutes, Bussey said he heard a girl screaming she was going to beat his girlfriend with a shovel. Bussey claims he walked over to see what was going on, and Lambert hit him with the shovel. Bussey grabbed the shovel and threw it into the woods, then turned to walk away. (Lambert) stabbed me in the back, Bussey said, adding he turned around and saw Lambert holding a 4-inch-long knife. I tried to walk away. Bussey told his girlfriend to run and he dialed 911. Bussey started running, but an artery was hit in the attack and he passed out, he said. Police were there within seconds, and EMS tried to stop the bleeding. They said I almost died, he said. Bussey underwent two surgeries that night, and a third the following day, and had to have blood transfusions due to all the blood loss. It sounds like a horror story, he said as he described his injuries and recovery. I got lucky. Bussey was released from the hospital Wednesday. Asked how he was doing, he said, lovely, and that he expects to be cleared to return to work next week. Bussey was thankful no nerves were hit in the attack. I should be fine," he said. Ive had a lot of support. Lambert has had a series of minor criminal cases across the river in Easton, records show. The most recent cases were in 2018, a retail theft in August and a case in October where she allegedly fought and tried to fight people on South Second Street in the city. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Duchess of Cambridge sparked a shopping frenzy when she wore a pair of Marks & Spencer trainers yesterday. Kate Middleton, 38, wore the 30 shoes as she raced Jessica Ennis-Hill and tried her hand at taekwondo at a SportsAid event at London Stadium. Within hours the style, which features pretty ribbon trims and a dash of sparkle, had sold out in almost every size on the M&S website. Racing stripes: Kate Middleton, 38, wore the 30 shoes as she raced Jessica Ennis-Hill and tried her hand at taekwondo at a SportsAid event at London Stadium yesterday The Kate effect! Within hours the style, which features pretty ribbon trims and a dash of sparkle, pictured, had sold out in almost every size on the M&S website The trainers have now been restocked and are also available to buy in store - good news for any fashion fan wanting to emulate the royal's style. The shoes brought a sporty edge to Kate's high street outfit. The Duchess debuted teal culottes from Zara and a new green ribbed Mango jumper, which she wore underneath her favourite navy blazer from Canadian label Smythe. She continued the green/blue colour scheme with her accessories, choosing a favourite pair of Monica Vinader drop earrings. Wear-with-anything: The trendy trainers, pictured, are a great royal style investment Restocked! The trainers have now been restocked online (pictured) and are also available to buy in store - good news for any fashion fan wanting to emulate the royal's style To finish the look, Kate added a gold pendant necklace from independent British jewellery designer Daniella Draper which is engraved with George, Charlotte and Louis' initials. Kate, patron of SportsAid, was on hand to celebrate the important role parents and guardians play in their child's sporting success. The Duchess joined athletes taking part in track and field activities and met parents and guardians of SportsAid athletes to hear more about the challenges they face. The royal also listened to a panel discussion involving athletes, parents and guardians. Friendly rivalry! Kate shared a joke with Team GB star Jessica Ennis-Hill at the event yesterday Flying start! The Duchess of Cambridge ran down the racetrack at London Stadium yesterday Best foot forward: Kate was given pointers as she took her place on the starting blocks She also delivered a speech in which she praised the work SportsAid does in supporting families so children can achieve their dreams. She said: 'Its been fascinating to speak to so many of you here today and also to hear, just now, about some of the experiences you all have, as young athletes and as parents. 'SportsAid are a shining example of how organisations can reach out and listen to families, and provide the best support possible to enable their children to flourish. 'The crucial role that parents and caregivers play in our childrens lives cannot be underestimated.' Camila Maria Concepcion has died by suicide. She was only 28-years-old. The trans Latina writer and activist, who grew up in Southern California's Inland Empire, most recently worked on the Netflix comedy-drama series Gentefied and the zombie comedy-drama Daybreak. 'We are heartbroken by the loss of Camila Concepcion,' the Gentefied team began in a statement as reported by Variety. 'She was hired as our writers' assistant on Gentefied, but quickly made her way into our hearts as a sister, writer and friend.' RIP: Writer and trans advocate Camila Maria Concepcion has died by suicide at the age of 28 A rising star: Concepcion most recently worked on the Netflix comedy-drama series Gentefied and the zombie comedy-drama Daybreak High praise: In a statement, Netflix called Camila 'a talented writer with a passion for storytelling, lifting up underrepresented voices, and fighting for representation in front of and behind the camera' 'She co-wrote episode 109 Protest Tacos, and we were so blown away by her amazing talent and unique voice,' the statement explained. 'She was definitely a force to be reckoned with and we are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our brightest stars.' The news comes as Netflix celebrated the premiere of Gentefied in Washington DC on Wednesday. The event was attended by the cast as well as congresswoman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Netflix also released a statement following the death of Concepcion that read: 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Camila Concepcion. 'Camila was a talented writer with a passion for storytelling, lifting up underrepresented voices, and fighting for representation in front of and behind the camera.' Cast Aaliyah Williams, Monica Macer, Joaquin Cosio and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the Netflix premiere of Gentefied Joaquin Cosio, Karrie Martin, Carlos Santos, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) at the Netflix premiere of Gentefied in Washington DC on Wednesday Actress Julissa Calderon and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez taking a selfie at the premier of Gentefied on Wednesday Marvin Lemus, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Linda Yvette Chavez at the Netflix premier The statement added: 'She made bold and critical contributions to our industry, most recently through her incredible writing on Gentefied, and her legacy will live on through her work. Our thoughts are with her family and friends in this time of loss.' Concepcion, who studied English literature at Yale University, was also a vocal activist when it came to trans and Latinx representation, which included speaking about trans rights at the United States Of Women Summit. She also worked alongside Transparent creator Jill Soloway to advance the 50/50 by 2020 initiative that aims to for gender equality, diversity and inclusion in film, television and art. A number of people who worked with Concepcion took to social media to express their grief and pay tribute. Gentefied co-creator Linda Yvette Chavez described her as 'a brilliant light that struggled to shine in the midst of the darkness in this world' and as someone who would 'pop into my messages or into my office and say exactly what I needed to hear.' Co-creator Marvin Lemus added that she was 'the most special, raw talent we'd ever f**king met.' The proposal to build a futuristic high-rise business city in Malaga port, presented by the city's mayor Francisco de la Torre a fortnight ago, has been shelved (for the time being at least). This comes following a meeting between De la Torre and Malaga Port chief Carlos Rubio on Wednesday. Rubio, who is critical of the potential impact of the project to build 15 high-rise towers on the port's logistical activities, presented his objections at the meeting during which it was agreed that the project couldn't go forward in its current incarnation. The compromise reached was that the land currently allocated for office space could be increased to up to 50,000 square metres (currently 26,500). This would also mean the construction of taller buildings, though not so tall as to obstruct sea views, and only with the consent of residents in the Soho district. Cyber attack definition Simply put, a cyber attack is an attack launched from one or more computers against another computer, multiple computers or networks. Cyber attacks can be broken down into two broad types: attacks where the goal is to disable the target computer or knock it offline, or attacks where the goal is to get access to the target computer's data and perhaps gain admin privileges on it. 8 types of cyber attack To achieve those goals of gaining access or disabling operations, a number of different technical methods are deployed by cybercriminals. There are always new methods proliferating, and some of these categories overlap, but these are the terms that you're most likely to hear discussed. Malware Phishing Ransomware Denial of service Man in the middle Cryptojacking SQL injection Zero-day exploits Malware Short for malicious software, malware can refer to any kind of software, no matter how it's structured or operated, that "is a designed to cause damage to a single computer, server, or computer network," as Microsoft puts it. Worms, viruses, and trojans are all varieties of malware, distinguished from one another by the means by which they reproduce and spread. These attacks may render the computer or network inoperable, or grant the attacker root access so they can control the system remotely. Phishing Phishing is a technique by which cybercriminals craft emails to fool a target into taking some harmful action. The recipient might be tricked into downloading malware that's disguised as an important document, for instance, or urged to click on a link that takes them to a fake website where they'll be asked for sensitive information like bank usernames and passwords. Many phishing emails are relatively crude and emailed to thousands of potential victims, but some are specifically crafted for valuable target individuals to try to get them to part with useful information. [ Related: 15 real-world phishing examples and how to recognize them ] Ransomware Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts a victim's files. The attacker then demands a ransom from the victim to restore access to the data upon payment. Users are shown instructions for how to pay a fee to get the decryption key. The costs can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, and are typically payable to cybercriminals in cyptocurrency. Denial of service A denial of service attack is a brute force method to try stop some online service from working properly. For instance, attackers might send so much traffic to a website or so many requests to a database that it overwhelms those systems ability to function, making them unavailable to anybody. A distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack uses an army of computers, usually compromised by malware and under the control of cybercriminals, to funnel the traffic towards the targets. Man in the middle A man in the middle attack (MITM) is a method by which attackers manage to interpose themselves secretly between the user and a web service they're trying to access. For instance, an attacker might set up a Wi-Fi network with a login screen designed to mimic a hotel network; once a user logs in, the attacker can harvest any information that user sends, including banking passwords. Cryptojacking Cryptojacking is a specialized attack that involves getting someone else's computer to do the work of generating cryptocurrency for you (a process called mining in crypto lingo). The attackers will either install malware on the victim's computer to perform the necessary calculations, or sometimes run the code in JavaScript that executes in the victim's browser. SQL injection SQL injection is a means by which an attacker can exploit a vulnerability to take control of a victim's database. Many databases are designed to obey commands written in the Structured Query Language (SQL), and many websites that take information from users send that data to SQL databases. In a SQL injection attack, a hacker will, for instance, write some SQL commands into a web form that's asking for name and address information; if the web site and database aren't programmed correctly, the database might try to execute those commands. Zero-day exploits Zero-days are vulnerabilities in software that have yet to be fixed. The name arises because once a patch is released, each day represents fewer and fewer computers open to attack as users download their security updates. Techniques for exploiting such vulnerabilites are often bought and sold on the dark web and are sometimes discovered by government agencies that controversially may use them for their own hacking purposes, rather than releasing information about them for the common benefit. Recent cyber attacks Deciding which cyber attacks were the worst is, arguably, somewhat subjective. Those that made our list did so because they got a lot of notice for various reasons because they were widespread, perhaps, or because they were signals of a larger, scary trend. Without further ado, here are some of the most notable cyber attacks in recent history and what we can learn from them: Capitol One breach The Weather Channel ransomware U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Perceptics Citrix breach Texas ransomware attacks WannaCry NotPetya Ethereum Equifax Yahoo GitHub Capitol One breach In July of 2019, online banking giant Capitol One realized that its data had been hacked. Hundreds of thousands of credit card applications, which included personally identifying information like birthdates and Social Security numbers, were exposed. No bank account numbers were stolen, but the sheer scale was extremely worrying. Things followed the usual script, with Capitol One making shamefaced amends and offering credit monitoring to those affected. But then things took a turn for the unusual. The stolen data never appeared on the dark web, nor did the hack look like a Chinese espionage operation like the Equifax and Marriott breaches. In fact, the attack was perpetrated by an American named Paige Thompson, aka Erratic. Thompson had previously worked for Amazon, which gave her the background necessary to recognize that Capitol One's AWS server had been badly misconfigured in such a way to leave it quite vulnerable. It initially seemed that Thompson's theft of the data was in the tradition of freelance white-hat hacking and security research: she made little attempt to hide what she was doing, never tried to profit from the data, and in fact was caught because she posted a list of Capitol One's breached directories but no actual data on her GitHub page. But attempts to understand her motivation in the wake of her arrest were increasingly difficult, and it's possible that she was, true to her chosen nickname, erratic, if not undergoing a serious mental health crisis. The Weather Channel ransomware The Weather Channel may not seem like a crucial piece of infrastructure, but for many people it's a lifeline and in April 2019, during a stretch of tornado strikes across the American south, many people were tuning in. But one Thursday morning the channel ceased live broadcasting for nearly 90 minutes, something almost unheard of in the world of broadcast television. It turns out The Weather Channel had fallen victim to a ransomware attack, and while there's been no confirmation of the attack vector, rumors are that it was via phishing attack, one of the most common causes of ransomware infection. The attack demonstrated that the boundary between "television" and "the internet" has more or less been erased, as any TV operation like The Weather Channel would be entirely reliant on internet-based services to operate. It also demonstrated one way to beat ransomware. The Weather Channel didn't fork over any bitcoin; rather, they had good backups of the affected servers and were able to get back online in less than two hours. U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Perceptics The sequence was sadly not that unusual: a hacker breaches a company's servers, gets access to sensitive data, and then demands a ransom. When the executives fail to pay up, the material begins to find its way to the dark web for sale, where the scope of its importance become recognized. The data turned out to be very important indeed: it was stolen from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP), and the irony that the agency dedicated to protecting the U.S. borders couldn't protect its own data wasn't lost on anyone. In fact, much of the blame lay on Perceptics, a contractor that provides all the license plate scanners for the border agency, as well as to a host of other U.S. and Canadian government departments. The stolen photos of cars and drivers had actually been copied from CBP's computers to Perceptics' own servers, in violation of government policy; Perceptics was then hacked, and the data publicized by the attacker "Boris Bullet-Dodger" when ransom negotiations with execs broke down. The case brought up questions about government-contractor relations and the wisdom of allowing the collection of biometric data. While Perceptics' relationship with CBP was suspended in the wake of the attack, the government eventually agreed to keep doing business with the company. Citrix breach When an organization being breached is itself in the cybersecurity business, that's enough to make everyone nervous but it's also a cautionary tale about how even security vendors can have a hard time establishing a security mindset internally. Take Citrix, for example. The company makes VPNs, which help secure millions of internet connections, and has extensive dealings with the U.S. government. But it still fell victim to a "password spraying" attack in March of 2019 essentially, an attack where a hacker attempts to gain access to a system via brute force, by rapidly attempting to login with simple and frequently used passwords (think "password123" and the like). In all likelihood, the attack came from a group associated with the Iranian government. Fortunately, the attackers didn't get very far into Citrix's systems but the company still promised a revamp of its internal security culture. Texas ransomware attacks In August of 2019, computer systems in 22 small Texas towns were rendered useless by ransomware, leaving their governments unable to provide basic services like issuing birth or death certificates. How did a single attacker, using the REvil/Sodinokibi ransomware, manage to hit so many different towns? There was a single point of weakness: an IT vendor who provided services to all of these municipalities, all of which were too small to support a full-time IT staff. But if that sort of collective action opened a weakness, there was a power in collaboration as well. Rather than giving in and paying the $2.5 million ransom demanded, the towns teamed up with the Texas state government's Department of Information Resources. The agency led a remediation effort that had the cities back on their feet within weeks, in contrast with places like Baltimore, where systems were offline for months. WannaCry WannaCry was a ransomware attack that spread rapidly in May of 2017. Like all ransomware, it took over infected computers and encrypted the contents of their hard drives, then demanded a payment in Bitcoin in order to decrypt them. The malware took particular root in computers at facilities run by the United Kingdom's NHS. Malware isn't anything new, though. What made WannaCry significant and scary was the means it used to propagate: it exploited a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows using code that had been secretly developed by the United States National Security Agency. Called EternalBlue, the exploit had been stolen and leaked by a hacking group called the Shadow Brokers. Microsoft had already patched the vulnerability a few weeks before, but many systems hadn't upgraded. Microsoft was furious that the U.S. government had built a weapon to exploit the vulnerability rather than share information about the hole with the infosec community. NotPetya Petya was just another piece of ransomware when it started circulating via phishing spam in 2016; its main claim to fame was that it encrypted the master boot record of infected machines, making it devilishly difficult for users to get access to their files. Then, abruptly in June of 2017, a much more virulent version of the malware started spreading. It was different enough from the original that it was dubbed NotPetya; it originally propagated via compromised Ukrainian accounting software and spread via the same EternalBlue exploit that WannaCry used. NotPetya is widely believed to be a cyberattack from Russia against Ukraine, though Russia denies it, opening up a possible era of states using weaponized malware. Ethereum While this one might not have been as high-profile as some of the others on this list, it deserves a spot here due to the sheer amount of money involved. Ether is a Bitcoin-style cryptocurrency, and $7.4 million in Ether was stolen from the Ethereum app platform in a manner of minutes in July. Then, just weeks later came a $32 million heist. The whole incident raised questions about the security of blockchain-based currencies. Equifax While the administration appealed for peace, the body of an IB employee was recovered from a culvert at Chand Bagh area Wednesday morning. People react after their houses were torched by a violent mob at Karwal Nagar in Northeast Delhi on Wednesday. (Photo: Pritam Bandyopadhyay) New Delhi: As the death toll steadily rose to 27 and over 200 are reportedly injured, an eerie calm prevailed in the entire riot-hit northeast Delhi on Wednesday morning, after nearly three days of unchecked communal conflagration that has left in its wake not just charred remains of homes, business establishments, and even entire localities in Jafradabad, Maujpur, Chand Bagh, Karawal Nagar, but also a delicately maintained harmony. Heavy deployment of police, paramilitary forces was visible in these areas on Wednesday, the day National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reached the riot-torn spots assuring protection and safety after facing public ire. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also made his first appearance in the riot torn areas late Wednesday evening. After US President, Donal Trumps departure last night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the third day of riots, reacted for the first time and appealed for peace and brotherhood. While the administration appealed for peace, the body of an IB employee was recovered from a culvert at Chand Bagh area Wednesday morning. While who killed whom will remain a matter of endless police inquiries and judicial probes, the Delhi Police said that it has arrested 106 people for their alleged involvement in the violence and registered 18 FIRs. Chand Bagh, which was one of the busiest areas, teeming with people from all communities and known for its frenetic pace, has turned into a ghost town. Frightened residents peeped from behind half-closed doors and windows. Shops, schools, and business establishments that had been spared remain shut. Streets were littered with mangled remains of burnt vehicles, bricks and burnt tires, mute testimony to the violence and bloodshed that continued for nearly three days while the Central and Delhi administration failed to act. After over 72 hours of rioting that began on Sunday night hours, lathi-wielding and gun-totting CRPF and Saharsha Seema Bal (SSB) jawans marched through the entire stretches of Jaffrabad Road. They rained blows on anyone stepping out of their homes. Curfew hai, bhag andar, they screamed while swinging their long lathis at those who ventured out. In the Hindu-dominated pockets of Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar many Muslim families left their homes for safer places under police protection. In Karawal Nagar, at least 60 Muslim houses lay abandoned. Carrying a child in her arms, Rukhsana of Karawal Nagar, looked completely lost. She has been staying in a Hindu-dominated pocket for decades, but today police personnel were urging Muslims in the area to move to a safer place till the situation improves. I have not seen anything like this in the last 40 years, said 65-year-old Rajendra Kumar Mishra. We lived in perfect harmony till the BJP leader Kapil Mishra began provoking people, Mr Mishra, clad in a kurta, pajama, Nehru jacket and with an orange tilak shining on his forehead, said as his shikha-sporting friends vigorously nodded their heads in agreement. On Wednesday, BJP national vice-president Shyam Jaju, who is in-charge of the partys Delhi unit, told a newspaper that he does not agree with the view of some party leaders that Kapil Mishra is responsible for the violence. Those leaders who are saying so (that Mishra incited the violence) are wrong. His words were aimed at establishing peace. I disagree with the charge that he was encouraging violence, he said. A young girl in Jaffrabad confronted Mr Doval during his visit and expressed fear. I am a student, we cant sleep at night. We are not fighting, I cant go to study, she complained. Mr Doval assured her, You dont have to worry. This is the responsibility of government and the police. When the student asked Mr Doval to take strong steps as the police are not doing their job, Mr Doval assured her again, I give you my word. In the evening, Mr Doval said, Situation is totally under control. People are satisfied. I have confidence in law enforcement agencies. Police is doing its work My message is that everyone who loves their country - also loves their society, their neighbour. Everyone should live with love and harmony with others. People should try to resolve each others problems and not increase them. Late at night, two women called from two different localities in Maujpur, saying that goons were attacking homes in their lane. Both Muslim and Hindu residents of colonies that saw unrelenting violence claimed that majority of the rioters were outsiders. All, almost unanimously, blamed politicians from the BJP or AAP, for not intervening, for not protecting them. Besides hate-mongering BJP leaders, and its administration and security apparatus that remained either in spectator mode or strangely inept and helpless during rioting, the disappointment and anger towards Arvind Kejriwal, a man Delhi had recently re-elected with a resounding mandate in the midst of a polarising and hate-filled communal campaign by the BJP, was heart-breaking. Apart from inaction of the dharna-prone chief minister who has often taken on his political opponents in effective, impressive ways, people accused him of indulging in empty lip service while people were being beaten and shot dead. At about 10.45 am on Wednesday, Mr Kejriwal had tweeted, I have been in touch with large number of people whole night. Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence. Army should be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately. Am writing to Honble home minister to this effect. On Tuesday, the day that saw the worst rioting, he began his day with this tweet: @FLOTUS (First Lady of the United States) will attend happiness class in our school today. Great day for our teachers, students, and Delhiites. For centuries, India has taught spirituality to the world. Am happy that she will take back the message of happiness from our school. Rajendra Kumar Mishra. We lived in perfect harmony, till the BJP leader, Kapil Mishra began provoking people, Mishra, clad in a kurta, pajama, Nehru jacket and with an orange tilak shining on his forehead said. His pigtail sporting friends vigorously nodded their heads in agreement. Mr. Mishra, pointing at a gutted Maruti Suzuki showroom, said this belonged to a Sikh. He then looked at the adjoining bike showroom, burnt and razed to the ground, and said that it belonged to a local Muslim, Zaheer. Across the road, a fruit shop had been burnt down to a cinder. The strangely fruity stench of burnt oranges, bananas and grapes filled the area. This belonged to a Muhammadan, Mr Mishra said. Two of the worst-hit areas in northeast Delhi are Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar. On the pavements of Chand Bagh, anti-CAA-NRC protesters had been sitting peacefully for the last couple of weeks under a makeshift tent, allowing traffic to move smoothly on the Chand Bagh-Wazirabad Road. All that changed on Sunday evening, after Kapil Mishra Tuesday. The BJP leader, who recently lost to the AAP candidate in Delhi Assembly elections, had addressed people gathered in support of CAA on Sunday and threatened action against anti-CAA protesters if the Jaffrabad road was not opened. A day later, a mob chanting incendiary slogans, carrying weapons, demolished or burnt everything that came in their way. The dance of violence continued for over an hour. A few policemen who roamed the area did not act at all, locals at Vijay Mohallah said and alleged that at night policemen, accompanied by right-wing goons, barged into their houses, beat up residents. A few kilometers away, another batch of anti-CAA, NRC protestors were driven away by the police and right-wing elements at Kardampuri on Monday. Even as security forces prowl the areas, it remains a tinderbox situation and violence could break out at any moment. Wails of a mother, who lost her son rent the Khajuri Khas, gali no-5 at Chand Bagh. The body of her son, Ankit Sharma, an IB officer was recovered from a culvert on Wednesday afternoon. Tears welled up, as Jamila kept asking of her 14-year-old brother, missing for the last two days. While the politicians appeal for peace from a safe distance, water scarcity and food shortage have hit the riot-torn areas. Naseem Ahmed claimed that for the last two days people have been managing with whatever food they have. A little boy was seen rummaging through a pile of burnt chocolates on a torched tempo. As electricity lines have been torched, there is no power supply in many of the houses. The apostolic administrator of Harbin issued a pastoral letter. The epidemic brings out fear of death, anxiety, and fragility. The resurrection of Jesus changed the fate of human beings enslaved by death. People should be witnesses of joy in society, especially to the sick and infected. Don Bosco is an example. The Virgin Mary will protect. Harbin (AsiaNews) Mgr Joseph Zhao, apostolic administrator of Harbin (Heilongjiang), has issued a pastoral letter in which he says that to lift up ones heart to fight the coronavirus outbreak in China and the world, one must follow Jesus Christ and return to the source of life. The prelate urges his compatriots to defeat enemies stronger than the plague: such as fear, death, bondage, apathy, selfishness, despair, distrust amid a sense of isolation, lockdowns of cities, and mask shortages. The letter is a real Christian proclamation of the Resurrection at the time when the threat of death, the inner anxiety and fear truly reveal the fragility of life, the limitations of technology and healthcare, and the helplessness of human beings in dealing with their own future destiny. Jesuss Resurrection from the dead changed the fate of human beings enslaved by death, making all those who believe in and follow Jesus the victors over death and sharers of God's life with Jesus Christ. Confession Confessing is a necessary first step for a change of heart. During these anti-epidemic days, we have more time to return to our inner self, which is the place where people themselves meet God. Such Closure and isolation can promote this hard-won moment of grace we have to stop living in mediocrity and begin to reflect on the meaning of life seriously. To do this we must stop being arrogant, belittling the existence of God, worshipping money as an idol, boasting of our work and career, stressing vanity and desire, ignoring the feelings and needs of others and becoming selfish, not speaking out for the public welfare and for justice, destroying the natural and human environment. This is possible because God's style is treating sinners with compassion. Be positive and open to others The certainty that "God can draw good from evil" means that the current epidemic can have something positive. We can be witnesses of joy in society, especially towards the sick and the infected, who are not viruses, but sacred with a dignity just like us. No one has more right to be taken care of and to be shown concern than brothers and sisters who have been infected. We should also do our best to offer love and to strive for proper treatment aside from praying for their recovery. Leading the way, the front-line medical staff have shown the professional ethics of doctors. Likewise, everyone should live out the love of working together, helping each other and loving others as ourselves. Like Don Bosco The power of perseverance comes from heeding and following Christ as true disciples, with the Mother of Jesus as a model. The letter ends citing Saint John Bosco who, during the cholera outbreak of 1854 in Turin (Italy), told children that they would not be affected by the disease, provided they took spiritual as well as medical precautions, like keep[ing] your soul pure, [. . .] not commit[ing] a mortal sin, and rely[ing] on the protection of the Virgin Mary. As Mgr Zhao notes, none of the children were infected by cholera. TEN GREAT AMERICAN PAINTERS and Their Brilliant Rivals: The Historic Hudson River School A major exhibition and sale of over 130 Hudson River School paintings. Featuring works by Bierstadt, Church, Cole, Cropsey, Durand, Gifford, Kensett, Moran, Richards, and Whittredge. Questroyal Fine Art, LLC is proud to present the most dynamic exhibition and sale of Hudson River School paintings in modern times: "TEN GREAT AMERICAN PAINTERS and Their Brilliant Rivals." Opening March 6, 2020, at 903 Park Avenue, over 130 paintings will be on display, including works by the most acclaimed leaders of the movement: Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Edwin Church, Thomas Cole, Jasper Francis Cropsey, Asher B. Durand, Sanford Robinson Gifford, John Frederick Kensett, Thomas Moran, William Trost Richards, and Worthington Whittredge. Alongside these masters are works by their brilliant rivals, such as John William Casilear, Samuel Colman, William Hart, Hermann Herzog, David Johnson, Jervis McEntee, and Alexander Helwig Wyant. Demonstrating the impressive scope of Americas first and most important artistic movement, this exhibition will ensure that acquisitions are available for collectors of all levels and budgets. Our nations great artists conceived and refined a unique artistic means to reveal all of natures countenances while restraining artistic interpretation, resulting in work that exalts the wonder of our landscape and incites an urgent interest in conservation. Their approach was distinct from that of their European counterparts, resulting in an art that America can proudly claim as its own. Cole, the unofficial founder of the first American-bred school of art, eschewed European tastes to draw inspiration from the untainted beauty of a young America: Must I tell you that neither the Alps nor the Apennines, no, nor even tna itself, have dimmed, in my eyes, the beauty of our own Catskills? It seems to me that I look on American scenery, if it were possible, with increased pleasure. With exhibitions that continue to open around the globe, the Hudson River School is celebrated for the timelessness of its message and the innovation conceived in its paintings. It has fostered American artistic advancements, holds a place of honor in virtually every museum in the country, and will remain relevant for as long as man and nature exist. "TEN GREAT AMERICAN PAINTERS" offers admirers of American art a unique chance to see the largest collection of paintings from the period in context, all offered for sale. The exhibition remains on view through March 28. To request a copy of the exhibition catalogue, visit http://www.questroyalfineart.com/publications, email gallery@questroyalfineart.com, or call 212-744-3586. About Questroyal Fine Art Questroyal Fine Art, LLC, is an established American art gallery specializing in quality American paintings from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Questroyals extensive inventory of over five hundred artworks includes important Hudson River School, tonalist, impressionist, and modernist examples. 903 Park Avenue (at 79th Street), Third Floor, New York, NY 10075 MondayFriday 106, Saturday 105 and by appointment (212) 744-3586 gallery@questroyalfineart.com http://www.questroyalfineart.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 22:04:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Medical worker Wu Zhiting takes boxes of concentrate granules from a shelf at the mobile emergency smart pharmacy for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at a temporary hospital in Jiangxia District in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A leading group of China's COVID-19 response on Thursday called for sending more advanced medical resources, especially life support system ECMOs, to Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic. The group, headed by Premier Li Keqiang, demanded further efforts to treat the severely ill COVID-19 patients to reduce mortality in Hubei, particularly in its capital city of Wuhan. The meeting stressed the work to ensure the sufficient supply of daily necessities in Wuhan and Hubei, and to guarantee basic living conditions for people including non-Hubei residents who have been stranded in the province due to the suspension of transportation. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presided over the meeting. PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 07:00:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 627 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Grand Central Station NYC area is home to 104 Office Buildings and almost 50 Million Square Feet of space. Mitch Waldman owner of Cogent Realty Advisors has made available for the 2020 Office Rental Pricing and Cost Guide to leasing space in the area.NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / Mitch Waldman owner of Cogent Realty Advisors, a commercial real estate broker in Midtown NYC, recently released a Guide to the cost of renting office space near Grand Central Station in Manhattan.According to the Cogent Realty Office Price Per Square Foot Rental Report, there are 104 buildings totaling almost 50 million SF of space in the Grand Central Station Geographic Sub Market.Costar, a leading data provider for commercial real estate rental rates in NYC and nationwide, defines the area as 38th Street to 47th Street, 2nd Avenue to Fifth Avenue. The sub market defined by Costar is slightly smaller than the Grand Central Business Improvement District which encompasses 35th St. - 54th St., Fifth Ave to Second Ave.Costs per square foot have a big range depending on the location and type of building. The average PSF asking price is $75.00 while the cost range is approximately $40.00 - $150.00 Per Square Foot with vacancy approaching 9%.NYC Office leasing expert Mitch Waldman said, "There are 6 buildings included in the Cogent Realty Advisors office rental price report that represent a range of leasing costs on a Per Square Foot basis".One of the first properties included in the report is 420 Lexington Avenue, an iconic NYC building with direct access to Grand Central Terminal. Also called the Graybar Building, this is a popular business location for Metro-North commuters from Westchester County NY and Fairfield County Connecticut. Numerous subway lines with stops at 42nd St., serving many parts of NYC, make this building a convenient business location.Also mentioned in the report, One Grand Central Place, is located on 42nd Street diagonally across from Grand Central and the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Also referred to as 60 East 42nd St, pricing ranges from mid $60.00 to low $70.00 psf. Vacancy rates are only 3% making it a challenge to find space. This building also has direct underground access for commuters on those rainy or snowy days.Included in the Rental Guide is The Chanin Building at 122 East 42nd Street at Lexington Avenue. This is another building with direct access to Grand Central Station. It was originally built pre 1930. It has a unique architectural design referred to as Art Deco Style. Office rentals range from mid $50's to almost $70 Per Square Foot.Another great building in the area for those willing to venture 1 block south of Grand Central is 370 Lexington Ave. at 41st Street. According to Mitch Waldman, "370 Lex is a great deal. Asking rental prices are $62 - $66 PSF. There are even short-term leases available for 3 years".10 Grand Central, also in the report, is located at 44th St. and 3rd Avenue. This building was recently renovated. It's one of the most sought-after buildings near Grand Central area with amazing views of Manhattan on the upper floors. This prestigious building offers asking rents priced above $80 PSF.The final building featured in the Cogent Realty pricing report is One Vanderbilt Avenue. This building is located on the West Side of Grand Central. One Vanderbilt, currently under construction, is state of the art and one of the most luxurious buildings in NYC. The new building will be commanding rental rates in the ballpark of $150.00 Per Square Foot.For more information and details about the great buildings in Manhattan's Grand Central area, Visit https://www.rentnyoffice.com/office-space-price-guide-grand-central-station-2020/ Contact Info:Name: Mitch WaldmanEmail: Send EmailOrganization: Cogent Realty Advisors, Inc.Address: 1 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10119, United StatesPhone: +1-212-509-4049Website: http://www.rentnyoffice.com/ SOURCE: Cogent Realty Advisors, Inc. A Chinese takeaway which delivered a meal containing a human tooth has been allowed to keep its four-star food hygiene rating. Newtown Cantonese Takeaway will not be downgraded following an inspection by Worcestershire Regulatory Services, who carry out health and safety checks on licensed premises for councils in the area. The check was prompted after couple Stephanie McDonough and David Burrows reported the restaurant on Newtown Road, Worcester. They were left disgusted after finding a large molar in a pork curry they had ordered. Couple Stephanie McDonough and David Burrows discovered a large human molar (above) in a pork curry they had ordered from the Chinese takeaway on Newtown Road, Worcester Peter Bowdery, a scientific officer who analysed the tooth, pictured, said the size and shape are 'consistent' with the tooth being of 'human origin' Takeaway manager Mr Chen, who did not provide his first name, said: 'The inspector checked all the staff to see if we have any teeth missing, which we don't. 'We don't know where the tooth came from. If necessary, all of the staff are willing to do a DNA test to prove it's not our tooth. 'This inspection is proof that there is no problem at all with hygiene at the shop.' Mr Chen, who said he was 'surprised' about the tooth, offered the couple a free meal and a full refund, but they only accepted the 6.30 they had paid for the pork curry. Helen Cameron, food safety manager at Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said: 'A lab report has confirmed it was a human molar tooth that was passed to us by the complainant. 'We have carried out investigations at Newtown Cantonese into their food preparation methods and we are satisfied that the business takes all reasonable steps to ensure food safety. Newtown Cantonese Takeaway, shown above, will not be downgraded from its four star rating following a health and safety check by Worcestershire Regulatory Services 'On 21 January 2020 a separate food safety inspection was made, and the business was given a food hygiene rating of four out of five. 'While it must have been an unpleasant and stressful experience for the complainant to find a human tooth in their food, I am satisfied that there are no grounds for formal action against Newtown Cantonese as there is no evidence to indicate how the tooth entered the food chain.' Peter Bowdery, a scientific officer who analysed the tooth, said: 'The size and shape appear to be consistent with the tooth being of human origin.' Mr Chen added: 'Hopefully customers will not jump to the conclusion about the tooth. We have had lots of prank calls - people have been asking for a tooth in the curry. 'We have a good reputation at the shop. It is a well-established business that's been going for over 10 years. 'We would like to thank all our customers that still come to our shop. We are appreciative of their support. 'We can promise to maintain our standards and to get even better in the future.' An employee of a heritage hotel in Bharatpur was arrested late on Wednesday night after a 29-year-old German tourist alleged she had been sexually assaulted by him, the police said. The incident occurred at a heritage hotel called Laxmi Vilas under the Mathura Gate police station on Wednesday. A police team led by City Circle officer Hawa Singh reached the hotel to investigate the matter after she called the police. The German tourist had registered a complaint against Sandeep Kumar, a hotel employee for allegedly molesting her. I was staying at the Laxmi Vilas Hotel since I wanted to visit the Keoladeo National Park. An employee, identified as Sandeep Kumar was giving me a massage in the hotel when he suddenly started touching me inappropriately. She said she protested immediately and called the police. Sandeep Kumar along with his wife and two children are natives of Bihar and the family has been living in Bharatpur in the heritage hotel for a year. Kumar claimed that the allegations leveled against him were false. Many foreign tourists have appreciated me for the massages I give, he said. City Circle officer Hawa Singh said the police had registered a complaint against the hotel employee. After received information, we reached the spot and arrested the accused, the officer said. Milwaukee witnessed one of the city's deadliest shooting incident as a gunman stormed the Molson Coors complex firing shots, killing five of the facility's workers before turning the gun and shooting himself, February 27. According to CNN, the gunman was 51 years old and an active employee at the facility. The company did not identify the name of the shooter and did not provide details on the possible motives for the shooting. They also did not disclose any of the other victim's identities as they are still pending to notify the families. The police, however, were able to confirm that all the people killed were employees of Molson Coors and were found inside the same building. Milwaukee City Mayor Tome Barrett said in a statement that the five individuals who were killed went to work that day just like everybody else thinking they were to finish their day and then return to their families, which they never will after the tragedy. There were about 1,000 people working at the Molson Coors campus when the authorities received reports of a shooting around 2:08 in the afternoon. Chief Alfonso Morales said that the complex where the incident happened includes a mixture of corporate offices and brewing facilities. Just a few minutes later, employees of the complex received text messages and emails from the company warning them about the gunman and the shooting and advising that they complex is still under lockdown. Also read: US, Russia Nuclear War Game Sparks Theories of Impending World War Police officers, SWAT teams and FBI agents flocked around the scene and were seen rushing around the Miller Valley neighborhood named after the iconic brewery that has been around for 160 years. The fire dispatch audio called the scene chaotic and responders who were first on the scene dubbed it as a "war zone." According to Fox6Now, when the police arrived at the scene of the shooting, employees were screened and checked one by one as the police secured the area. Employees were allowed to go home a few hours later. According to Lt. Gov.Mandela Barnes of Wisconsin, this incident marks the 11th mass shooting that happened in the state since 2004. Barnes referred to the incident as another American tragedy, which should not have happened, but unfortunately occured in their city. He said that he hated to admit that the incident once again happened in his backyard. The shooting took place amid Molson Coors hosting an annual conference in Texas. The Company's CEO Gavin Hattersley immediately fled the said event when he heard of the incident that has taken place. The CEO described the shooting as an unthinkable tragedy that has dawned on their company. Corporate offices in the complex will be closed for the rest of the week and breweries will stay closed until further announcements are made. United States President Donald Trump referred to the shooter as a "wicked murderer" and offered his condolences to the victims and their families. A vigil will be held in remembrance of the victims on Thursday, 7:00 PM at the Ridge Community Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Related article: Two Separate Shooting Incidents in Houston Leave Seven Wounded, One In Life Support @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Draganfly Inc. (CSE: DFLY) (OTCQB: DFLYF) (FSE: 3U8) (Draganfly or the Company), an award-winning, industry-leading manufacturer within the commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), and unmanned vehicle sector, announced today that Cameron Chell, Chairman and CEO of Draganfly, will be featured on China Global Television Network (CGTN America). The segment on CGTN America will feature the use of drones for health monitoring and public safety. Cameron Chells segment will air at 830PM EST on Thursday, February 27th at this link: https://america.cgtn.com/livenews About Draganfly Draganfly Inc. (CSE: DFLY; OTCQB: DFLYF; FSE: 3U8) is the creator of quality, cutting-edge, unmanned vehicle systems (UVS) and software that revolutionizes the way people do business. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for over 21 years, Draganfly is an award-winning, industry-leading manufacturer within the commercial UAV, UVS and RPAS space, serving the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections and mapping and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money and lives. For more information on Draganfly, please visit us at www.draganfly.com . For additional investor information, visit https://www.thecse.com/en/listings/technology/draganfly-inc , https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/DFLYF/overview or https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/aktie/draganfly-inc . Media Contact Arian Hopkins email: arian@businessinstincts.com Company Contact Phone: 1-800-979-9794 Email: info@draganfly.com Forward-Looking Statements This release contains certain forward looking statements and certain forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe, continue, plans or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, utilization of drones and Draganflys software for coronavirus detection, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Companys actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the inherent risks involved in the general securities markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The CSE has not in any way passed upon the merits of the listing of the common shares of Draganfly and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Listing of the common shares of Draganfly is subject to satisfaction of the listing requirements of the CSE, including customary deliverables in satisfaction of the conditional approval. A first-year Bangladeshi undergraduate student at Visva-Bharati (VB) University in West Bengal has been asked to leave India within 15 days for engaging in anti-government activities. Attempts to reach the student, Afsara Anika Meem, 20, were unsuccessful as her phone remained switched off throughout Thursday. Somnath Sou, a leader of VB Students Unity Forum, said Meem had posted photos of a protest rally against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) that they had taken out. All our sympathies are with her. She did not take part in any of the protests, he said. Sou said Meem deactivated her social media accounts after she was trolled for posting the photos. The university authorities handed over an eviction notice dated February 14 to Meem, a designing student at the fine arts department of the Central varsity, on Wednesday, a faculty member said on condition of anonymity. VB University spokesman, Anirban Sircar, did not respond to questions regarding the notice sent via SMS and WhatsApp. One of Meems classmates said, requesting anonymity, that the notice had been emailed to her on February 14 and again on February 20. But Meem claimed she had not opened her email and therefore missed the notices until a hard copy of it was handed over to her at the varsity on Wednesday, the classmate added. She is found to have engaged in anti-government activities and, such activity being a breach of her visa, has thus committed visa violation the above-mentioned foreigner [Meem] shall not remain in India and shall depart from India within fifteen days of receipt of this order, Karma Tshering Bhutia of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (Kolkata) said in the notice. The FRRO regulates the registration, movement, and stay of foreign nationals in India. Jakob Lindenthal, a 24-year-old German exchange student pursuing a masters degree in physics, was earlier in December ordered to leave the country after he took part in protests against the CAA in Chennai. Janne Mette-Johannson, a Norwegian woman, was also asked to leave the country after she participated in an anti-CAA protest in Kerala in December. She had been in India on a tourist visa. The CAA was passed in December to fast-track the citizenship process for non-Muslims, who have entered India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh before 2015. The governor of the Bank of England, Britain's central bank, has described the fight against climate change as the greatest commercial opportunity of our time, as he launched a bid to unlock private finance for the cause. The outgoing governor, who has been appointed as British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons finance adviser for this years COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow, said all banks, insurers and investors need to adjust. Speaking to business leaders at the Guildhall in London, Mr Carney said private finance has a critical role in the transition to carbon neutral economies. He said: Today is all about action, the actions that the private sector can take to support a whole economy transition, the actions that regulators, governments and countries can take that will catalyse and amplify your actions, the actions that people are demanding and that future generations deserve. The PM's Finance Advisor for COP26, Mark Carney, has launched the summits Private Finance Agenda alongside #COP26 President @AlokSharma_RDG. The Agenda will help set out our path towards a more inclusive, sustainable economy. @bankofengland | #YoCA202O pic.twitter.com/ojBG1GYxqP COP26 (@COP26) February 27, 2020 Banks and other investors are already demanding more disclosures from the firms they invest in on the financial risks related to climate change. It saw oil giant BP commit to becoming emissions neutral by the middle of the century earlier this month, a target which echoes the British Governments plan to reach net zero by 2050. Mr Carney said: The UK has been at the forefront of innovation for centuries it was the birthplace of the industrial revolution, something that brought unimagined progress, and the City financed it. Mr Carney called on investors in the room to help create the path to a sustainable world. He added: Now, on the cusp of the sustainable revolution. The world once again needs your innovation, your resources and your leadership. Doing so could turn an existential risk into the greatest commercial opportunity of our time. The UK and Italy are co-hosting COP26 later this year as governments come together to plot a path to reaching the global climate targets set in Paris in 2016. Britain and 120 other countries have already set targets to reach net zero, that is being emissions neutral. This morning, the Governor spoke at the launch of the @COP26 Private Finance Agenda setting out the road to Glasgow. #COP26https://t.co/b6qj63Gg7h pic.twitter.com/GgA5hpW8FZ Bank of England (@bankofengland) February 27, 2020 European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde also warned at the event in London that certain economic activities may very quickly be rendered obsolete, saying there is a risk assets could become stranded. Europe is assessing how these risks are measured and reported, Ms Lagarde told the business leaders. She promised the first stress test to see how 90 significant institutions across the euro area are prepared for climate-related risks. The first results are due by end of this year. She said the finance system will be pivotal for efforts to cut emissions as the EU could need hundreds of billions of euros each year in its battle. Oscar winner Emma Stone's fiance - Saturday Night Live writer Dave McCary - beamed from ear-to-ear as they strolled arm-in-arm during a hot date in Los Angeles on Wednesday. It was a rare PDA sighting for the 31-year-old bride-to-be and the 34-year-old groom-to-be, whom she reportedly met when she hosted the NBC sketch show way back in 2016. The Zombieland: Double Tap actress - who relies on stylist Petra Flannery - wore a black turtleneck beneath a matching blazer, blue skinny jeans, and black Toteme mid-heel booties. Betrothed: Oscar winner Emma Stone's fiance - Saturday Night Live writer Dave McCary - beamed from ear-to-ear as they strolled arm-in-arm in Los Angeles on Wednesday The three-time Emmy nominee officially announced his engagement to Emma on December 4 in an Instagram snap where she showed off her $4,780 Catbird 'Winter Pearl' engagement ring. Aside from various SNL sketches like 'Wells for Boys' - McCary and Stone have collaborated on his directorial effort, HBO's My Favorite Shapes by Julio Torres, in which she voiced the character 'Shoe.' Dave has worked for SNL creator Lorne Michaels as far back as 2013, and he's especially tight with regular castmember Kyle Mooney, whom he's known since 8th grade. The SoCal native also attended USC with the 35-year-old comedian, who co-wrote and starred in his 2017 directorial debut Brigsy Bear. Hot date: It was a rare PDA sighting for the 31-year-old bride-to-be and the 34-year-old groom-to-be, whom she reportedly met when she hosted the NBC sketch show way back in 2016 Casually clad: The Zombieland Double Tap actress wore a black turtleneck beneath a matching blazer, blue skinny jeans, and black Toteme mid-heel booties Somehow SNL has transformed into an elite dating pool after celebs like Scarlett Johansson, Ariana Grande, and Ben Affleck found love behind the scenes (with Colin Jost, Pete Davidson, and Lindsay Shookus). McCary is currently hard at work prepping this week's episode, which will be hosted by former SNL writer John Mulaney and feature musical guest David Byrne. The Arizona-born redhead will likely attend Yorgos Lanthimos' (her director from The Favourite) untitled orchestral installation screening at the Stavros Niarchos Hall of the Greek National Opera on May 22, 23, and 27. Congrats! The three-time Emmy nominee announced his engagement to Emma on December 4 in a snap where she showed off her $4,780 Catbird 'Winter Pearl' engagement ring Dynamic duo: Aside from various SNL sketches like 'Wells for Boys' - McCary and Stone have collaborated on his directorial effort, HBO's My Favorite Shapes by Julio Torres (pictured January 10) It features a short film starring the Golden Globe winner and Frenchman Damien Bonnard, who was last seen in controversial director Roman Polanski's 2019 period drama An Officer and a Spy. Emma will next reprise her voiceover role as prehistoric teenage cavegirl Eep Crood in The Croods 2, which hits US theaters December 23 and UK theaters January 29, 2021. Joel Crawford's 3D-animated sequel also features Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Leslie Mann, Peter Dinklage, and Cloris Leachman. Seven years strong! Dave is currently hard at work prepping this week's episode, which will be hosted by former SNL writer John Mulaney and feature musical guest David Byrne Given the various crises currently being faced by the regime on a domestic and international level, it is inevitable that this will happen sooner, rather than later. That is why well take a deep look at Rajavi and his leadership of the MEK in this short series. In our last piece, we learned about Rajavis early life, but now we will look at the coalition of Iranian dissident organizations that advocate for democracy in Iran, known as the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). Rajavi formed the NCRI just before leaving Iran to campaign against the regime on an international level in July 1981, amid a military and police crackdown that would have seen him killed. The MEK voted that he leave the country for his safekeeping. Months later, the regime raided his Tehran house, killing Rajavis wife Ashraf, his second-in-command, Moussa Khiabani, and 18 other MEK members. Rajavi has suffered much loss since then. In 1988, during the massacre of 30,000 MEK supporters, Rajavis younger sister Monireh and her husband Asghar Kazemi were executed. In 1990, Rajavis brother Kazem was assassinated in Geneva by a 13-member terror team sent from Tehran Since 1981, Rajavi has worked tirelessly so that the NCRI, which has the MEK as its biggest member, can overthrow the regime. He even handed over his MEK leadership duties to his successor. However, he has said on multiple occasions that the NCRI would step down if any other group could better serve the cause of installing democracy in Iran. He said: If at any time, any group or alternative is found to be better equipped to overthrow the regime and guarantee Irans independence, democracy, and popular sovereignty, we will definitely and wholeheartedly support it, even if it is opposed to our way of thinking. In 1983, Rajavi moved the MEK from France to Iraq after rightwing French Prime Minister, Jacques Chirac declared the NCRI persona-non-grata in order to get the Iranian proxy terrorist group Hezbollah to release French hostages held in Lebanon. Rajavi is revered in Iran as the MEKs leader because of he is the only surviving original leader, he revived the MEK and took it back from usurping Marxists once leaving prison, and protected the MEK from the mullahs. He has led the MEK with courage, integrity, and a steadfast belief in the ideals shared by a small group of young, freedom-loving university students and intellectuals, who created the sole Muslim revolutionary movement in Iranian history that is committed to leading the nation to a free, democratic, and progressive future. Rajavis unremitting efforts have gained him a place in Irans history, alongside other great and respected Iranian political leaders such as Mirza Kuchak-Khan, Sattar-Khan, and Dr. Mohammad Mossadeq. Read More: Irans Resistance Leader Massoud Rajavi: Part 1 Add to Phrasebook No word lists for English (USA) -> Persian Create a new word list Copy Romania Detects First Virus Case After Man Has Contact With Italian Visitor By RFE/RL's Romanian Service February 27, 2020 BUCHAREST -- Romania's health minister has confirmed the first coronavirus infection in the southeastern Europe nation. Health Minister Victor Costache told a news briefing on February 26 that a man from the southwestern county of Gorj has tested positive, adding that his condition at this time is good and that he is not showing symptoms. Costache said the man, who was not identified, had contact with a 71-year-old Italian from Rimini during a hunting trip in Romania. "He is in a good condition and will be transferred to a Bucharest infectious hospital," Costache told the news conference. He told reporters that the "evolution of the virus is unpredictable -- there may be no more cases, one more case, two cases or more." "But his is not an epidemic. We are talking about a single case. And if we talk about two, three, four cases, it's still not an epidemic," he added. Raed Arafat, an infectious disease expert, said the man was living in a residence with at least six other people, all of whom have tested negative for the COVID-19 virus that globally has killed more than 2,700 people and infected some 81,000 others, most of them in China. Outside of China, the largest outbreak has occurred in South Korea -- with 1,595 cases -- but the largest outbreak in Europe has occurred in Italy, with some 400 infections there and 12 deaths. Some 1 million Romanians live and work in Italy and many others travel there regularly. Earlier this week, the Romanian Health Ministry said that all persons returning from northern Italy where the outbreak has been the most severe would be subject to a 14-day quarantine and that medical staff had been deployed to the border points. Romanian Interior Minister Ion Marcel Vela said that "we call for calm, responsibility, and involvement in following all our communications and all recommendations made by the Ministry of Health or by [the Emergency Situations Department]." "We will manageand we, as a nation, will overcome this challenge because we are strong. "This coronavirus is a test for us, which we will surely go through together," he added. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romania- finds-first-coronavirus-covid-19-case -contact-with-italian/30457117.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Smara, Feb 27, 2020 (SPS) - The Secretary General of the Algerian National Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People, Mr. Adel Agbouli, affirmed Algeria's solidarity with the legitimate struggle of the Sahrawi people until the completion of their sovereignty on their national soil. Mr. Adel, in his speech during the celebration of the 44th anniversary of the announcement of the Sahrawi Republic today in the wilaya of Smara, said, "My presence today with you on behalf of the Algerian Committee for Solidarity with the Sahrawi People on the occasion is an expression of solidarity with you and the standing of Algeria alongside a people fighting for their right. SPS 125/090/TRA Haryana Power Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala kicked off a storm on Thursday with his remarks on the communal riots in the national capital that have already cost 34 lives. The minister, who was asked about the recent round of violence in the national capital, told reporters this wasnt the first time that riots had happened. Riots keep on happening. They have been happening in the past too When Indira Gandhi was assassinated, all of Delhi was burning. It is a part of life, that keeps on happening, the minister told reporters, according to a video put out by news agency ANI. In Delhi, Chautala continued, the government had promptly controlled it. Yesterday curfew was imposed in these parts. Because this relates to Delhi and is a judicial matter, I will not comment, he said. Watch | Riots a part of life: Haryana minister sparks controversy on Delhi violence Ranjit Chautala, an independent lawmaker from Rania assembly seat in Sirsa district, was inducted in the Manohar Lal Khattar cabinet last year when the Bharatiya Janata Party stitched together a coalition after failing to get a simple majority in the 90-member assembly. The 74-year-old is the son of Devi Lal, the former deputy prime minister who founded the Indian National Lok Dal. He had served as agriculture minister between 1987 and 1989 but revolted against his brother Om Prakash Chautala after the brazen and violent rigging of by-polls on OP Chautalas seat Meham. He later joined the Congress where he stayed for a decade. He left the Congress for the BJP for a bit but was back in the Congress. He eventually contested the 2019 elections as an independent after he didnt get a Congress ticket. But this isnt the first time that Chautala has landed in a controversy after becoming power minister over his comments. Ranjit Chautala found himself on the firing line over his proposal that children of power consumers who havent paid their electricity bills shouldnt be allowed to sit for competitive examinations. President Klaus Iohannis has signed on Thursday the decoration decree of literary critic Ilina Gregory, according to a release of the Presidential Administration. The head of state bestowed the "Educational Merit" Order in rank of Knight upon Ph.D., literary critic, essayist, translator (Free University of Berlin, the Federal Republic of Germany) Ilina Gregori, as a token "of special appreciation and gratitude for the professionalism and devotion placed, throughout time, in the service of the educational act, for the contribution in the promotion of the Romanian language and literature and Romania's image abroad, for the active support of the Romanian culture and values." AGERPRES In the past decade, only one venture-backed software company from Ireland, Intercom, has reached a billion-dollar valuation. This is a sobering fact for any Irish venture capitalist - and it should also be a concern for all Irish founders. Success breeds success. Without a steady stream of companies launching, winning, exiting and exploding, there is no healthy pipeline of talent or available capital to build the next generation of breakout companies. That said, the last decade also saw one of the greatest 'Irish' success stories: Stripe, which was founded in the US by two young brothers from Limerick. Was leaving Ireland the right call for the Collisons in 2011? Absolutely. Would it still be the right call for the next young Irish founder looking to build a company that takes on the world? I don't think so. Things are looking up. The winds are changing across this little island in the north Atlantic. Major structural changes, both locally and in the way people work around the world, have made this country a hotbed for the next generation of high-tech companies. Now is the time to be founding or investing in Ireland. There's more than Guinness brewing in Dublin. Today, Ireland is the home of US technology companies in Europe. We know their names: Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Google, Zendesk, Hubspot, Dropbox, Uber, Airbnb, Salesforce, Stripe, Docusign, Workday, Slack, Segment, Microsoft, Fivetran, and many more. Back in the day (from 2003 to 2013, to be precise), there were no product or engineering roles in Ireland at any of the major tech companies. The country was used primarily as a sales office - one where software businesses profited from a highly educated and English-speaking workforce, a predominant cultural affinity for the US (which made it easy to transplant culture), seriously friendly tax policies (leveraged to astounding effect by Steve Jobs and Tim Cook at Apple), and frictionless access to the largest economy in the world (the EU). These sales and operation centres generated amazing jobs and gave many Irish employees their first exposure to big tech. It also became a self-reinforcing circle, where the junior hires at Google became the mid-level hires at Facebook, who then became the senior hires at Dropbox, who later became top execs at Slack. I know what you're thinking: this is a great talent pool for companies already at scale looking to build their sales machines. Budding startups don't need senior sales engineers or armies of sales development reps with inbox ninja abilities when all they're searching for is product-market fit. What they need is engineers, designers and local customers willing to give them a shot. Luckily, since 2013, these companies have gone far beyond sales in their hiring. As engineering and other highly skilled roles become hard to fill in the US, companies have used their European bases to build significant product teams where there had been none before. They did this by hiring and training the local talent pool and by relocating top talent from across the EU to Dublin. You can't be what you can't see. Up until recently, very few people in Ireland had seen the product engines of a billion-dollar software business. Once they did, they said - in typical Irish fashion - if they can do this, why can't we? It's important to note that this is not a second class of employee when compared with US teams. Amazon did not lower its bar when it built a 1,200-plus-person engineering team in Ireland. It kept it as high as the US, offering Irish teams great salaries, even if they were solving less interesting problems than their stateside colleagues. The new generation of Irish tech employees now have the skills, the will and the resources, even if opportunities and cool projects aren't always up for grabs. This blend of skill and will is creating the perfect environment to push a wave of hungry people looking to stop working on the last big thing, and start working on the next one. One of the first firms to come from this new generation of founders is Tines.io, built by members of the Docusign security team in Dublin. Tines recently secured backing from Accel and Index. Not only were they their first investments in Ireland, but they were turned around in record time, at Silicon Valley valuations. Some might say this was an anomaly. I'd strongly disagree. Tines is now part of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Announcements like this generate a great buzz and inspiration among the local community. In the past two weeks alone, I've had conversations with product leaders from Zendesk, Workday and others who have left or are getting ready to leave their jobs to start something new. This snowball needs reinforcement, however, and the timing for some big Irish exits couldn't be more fortuitous. Pointy, Decawave and one other yet-to-be-announced big deep-tech exit will bring a newly minted class of angel investors and skilled operators, which will help institutional investors believe Irish firms can produce great returns. All of this said, it always comes down to the founders: if they don't take the leap, nothing happens. There are some new founders on the block. Shane Curran and the Burke brothers represent the first wave of modern examples of young Irish founders who could have built their companies in the US, but elected to stay and build in Dublin instead, without foregoing US investment. Some of the top founders in the ecosystem are already coming out of the multinationals and the last generation of Irish startups. Nikki Lannen, CEO of mobile gaming company Warducks, learned her trade during the golden era of social gaming at Facebook from 2010 to 2014. Dee Coakley was COO at two local startups that are doing great but didn't quite reach venture scale, Bizimply and Axonista. The lessons she learned there will no doubt guide her to success with her new remote-working startup, Boundless. As repeat founders and local angels, Alan Coleman and Bobby Healy both came back for another swing at the fences with Sweepr and Manna. Both have elevated the local scene on their sustained climb to the top, raising significant funding for deeply technical and wildly ambitious businesses. Annrai O'Toole and Paddy Benson are from a different vintage. Veterans of the last Irish technology boom, which produced Cape Clear Software, Baltimore Technologies, NewBay and Iona Technologies, these founders ran the show at the European HQs of Workday and Groupon, until they decided to strike out on their own - and build something massive. They are certainly hard to find. But they do exist in Dublin and they're waiting on the right idea and the right funders to kick-start their journey. But there are areas where Ireland still needs some work. Top-of-the-funnel access to funding is still heavily limited to support from State bodies, which can be very beneficial to early-stage companies. Two of our latest investments at Frontline were born out of the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers scheme (15,000 equity-free, plus workshops and expert sessions). Vincent Lonij and Wendy Oke are some of the most capable and passionate founders I've had a chance to work alongside. These programmes lower the barrier to entry to entrepreneurship (a massive problem we should spend more time addressing in venture), by giving at least some sort of income in the early days of quitting a job and working on a new idea. However, State funding supports often involve too much form-filling and too many legal headaches. It's a tough problem to solve, but some of the teams in Enterprise Ireland are taking strides to make Government funding options more effective for this next generation of companies. There is also serious work to be done on improving the legal and tax framework for early-stage companies. One example is that Ireland taxes gains from stock options as income and, therefore, employees pay a tax rate on their options of more than 50pc when a company exits. Stock options are most assuredly not cash. They're often worth nothing. And yet you can't write off the losses either - if you motivate employees and make them equity owners, you improve wealth distribution and overall equality. Scale Ireland is a new group lobbying for change in this area and while it won't come overnight, I think the environment will be very different in just a few years' time. It's not all just happening in Dublin, either. Belfast has an emerging class of highly skilled engineers and a supportive early-stage ecosystem, willed into existence by Techstart and pushed forward by the likes of the Ignite accelerator programme. DevOps and cybersecurity specialists make up a large cohort of the talent pool here, thanks to multinational engineering back-office functions and well-funded research institutions. Look south and there's a really interesting story playing out in both Cork and Limerick. Companies like Workvivo, ToDesktop, Teamwork and Tracworx are all incredible product-led businesses. And the impact from the likes of Republic of Work and, most recently, Apple - which began placing software engineering and machine learning roles in Cork - has had a very positive effect on the ecosystem. Check out Payslip in Westport, which is run by Fidelma McGuirk, an alumnus of the Taxback Group, one of Ireland's biggest under-the-radar success stories, if you don't want to miss out on the best of the west. But for all of this, there is one piece that will never be here. Ireland is small. Like really small. Like there's a good chance I know the Irish people you've been thinking about while reading this piece to get a read on whether or not this is accurate. Heck, the entire country is about half the population of London. A function of being small is that while we now have the people, we'll never really have the customers. This is the magic of places like San Francisco, New York and London - and, to a lesser extent, Berlin and Paris. There are enough people geographically proximate to you that you have ample early customers that you can work closely with. But this past necessity is changing rapidly. The importance of geographic proximity for strength of relationships is on a steep decline. Huge companies are being built without even meeting their early customers: Zoom, Slack, and broadcasting platforms like Twitter and Product Hunt allow you to get yourself out there without ever leaving your room. While this was a hindrance for Irish companies in the past decade, it may be an advantage for the next generation. Like Israel, Irish companies are condemned to export if they want to be huge. This means they must think international from day one. Israel got it right for the past 10 years and has produced huge winners in SaaS (Sisense) and deep tech (Habana). Ireland is looking a lot more like Israel now than it did in 2010. What does this mean for the next decade in Ireland? More great companies. That's it really. I could write a neat paragraph tying this all together, but the point of this article is really simple. So, if you're an aspiring founder, the message here is: get going. There's never been a better time to be building. Are you an employee at a tech company or looking to work in tech? Get in early. These companies are rocket ships and the opportunity to learn at an exponential rate is better than any role in a large company. (Note: rocket ships are known to explode from time to time.) An investor? Get yourself on a plane to Ireland. There's cool stuff happening here and you're going to miss out. An Irish investor? Properly fund the companies that you back. For far too long, companies in Ireland have been drip-feeding capital, had their cap tables torn apart, and been in no fit state to scale and fundraise if they happen to find product-market fit. We're trying to change this at Frontline by going early, writing bigger cheques, optimising for the upside and not getting too caught up in what could go wrong. Finally, here are a few salient facts to keep in mind about emerging Irish startups and the growing funding ecosystem here. Evervault, Inscribe, Utmost, BrightFlag, Bridge, WarDucks, Modulz, Teachkloud, Workvivo, ToDesktop, Tines, Flipdish, Glofox, Boxever, Swyg, Manna, Sweepr, Boundless, Payslip, TracWorx, Advisable, Siren and TandemHR are all great Irish companies founded or funded in the past 18 months and between them have raised over $125m (115m). All of them have the potential to be the next Intercom. There are potentially a few Stripes in there too. To add to this, in the past 18 months, Uncork Capital, Blossom, Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia Capital, Index Ventures, Accel and Greylock Partners all made their first ever early-stage investments in companies based in Ireland. Frontline invests as early as pre-product, with cheque sizes varying from 250,000 to 3m. My email is finn@frontline.vc. And if you're a founder in Ireland who I haven't met yet, please help me do my job and shoot me an email. Finn Murphy is a principal with Frontline Ventures A 14-year-old tribal girl died at a hospital in Maharashtras Nagpur on Wednesday after her repeated gang rape pushed her to set herself afire in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, police said. Betuls additional police superintendent, Shraddha Joshi, said they have arrested Sandeep Hisare and Nitesh Nagale for allegedly raping the girl. A third accused is absconding and the police have launched a manhunt to arrest him, added Joshi. Joshi maintained there was no police complaint about the gang rape and the girls suicide brought the matter to light. Inspector Rajendra Dubey said as per the girls dying declaration, she was gang-raped at least four times. The last time they gang-raped her was one and a half months back. She has named the accused also in her suicide note. Dubey said the accused are labourers and in their 20s. They had threatened her with dire consequences if she reported the matter to police. She did not even share her ordeal with her family members. Dubey said the accused have been booked for gang rape and abetment to suicide. He added they will also be charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Expressing gratefulness over India's medical assistance to Wuhan, the epicentre of deadly coronavirus outbreak, China's Ambassador to India Sun Weidong on Thursday said that the effort was a reflection of solidarity and friendship between the two neighbours. "We're grateful for the medical relief provided by India to support our anti-epidemic efforts. A reflection of solidarity and friendship b/t China and India. We're also pleased to render assistance for the safe return of Indian nationals," the Ambassador wrote on Twitter. The Ministry of External Affairs has said that an Indian Air Force (IAF) special flight carrying around 15 tonnes of medical assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment, landed in the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan on Wednesday. "Consignment (15 tonnes) of Indian medical relief for #COVID19 lands in Wuhan. Strong expression of our solidarity with the Chinese people at this difficult time. Thank you @IAF_MCC and @EOIBeijing for your efforts," Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar tweeted. The medical supplies will help augment China's efforts to control the outbreak of this infection which has claimed more than 2,700 lives in the country and has been declared as a Public Health Emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO). "This assistance has been provided in the wake the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in China and the request by China to provide supplies such as masks and medical equipment," the ministry said in a statement issued earlier. In addition to the relief efforts, the IAF special flight also brought back Indian and foreign nationals from some of the neighbouring countries, who had sought assistance in travelling to India, in keeping with New Delhi's neighbourhood first policy. The development comes more than two weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping, offering assistance to China amid the outbreak of the disease. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Due to the sharp increase in the number of new types of coronavirus infections in Japan and [South] Korea, we urge the Republic of Armenia citizens currently in and arriving on a visit to Japan and [South] Korea to contact the Republic of Armenia Embassy in Japan and [South] Korea, transferring their contact information. The Armenian embassy in Japan noted this in a statement. In the statement, the embassy also urged the Armenian citizens in Japan and South Korea to avoid visiting these countries regions where a large number of coronavirus cases were recorded. Also, the embassy advised to follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the relevant authorities of Japan and South Korea. Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd has revealed that he sought therapy after the failure of his two big ticket "Fantastic Four" films. Gruffudd tried his hand at Marvel's famous superhero character Reed Richards aka Mister Fantastic with 2005's "Fantastic 4" and its 2007 sequel "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer". The films also featured Chris Evans as Johnny Storm aka Human Torch, Jessica Alba as Susan Storm aka Invisible Woman and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm aka The Thing. Though the two movies were commercial successes, they were overwhelmingly panned by the critics for the story and the performances. Gruffudd told The Guardian that he thought the films were his "calling card" to Hollywood and in the aftermath of their failures, he lost confidence and started visiting a therapist. "When you're not working, in Hollywood, you get presented every week with a new poster going up and you know where you are in the pecking order. "I've managed to not suppress that, but to be aware of it and not take any heed of it, because you can't compete with another actor as far as I'm concerned. The decision that is taken is not in his hands or my hands," the 46-year-old actor said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'Blame lies nowhere else but the home ministry.' IMAGE: A police flag march in north east Delhi, February 25, 2020. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo "The Delhi police is acting only at the behest of the home minister," Maxwell Pereira, the retired Indian Police Service officer who served in the Delhi police, tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com. Pereira, who is in California on a family visit, blames Union Home Minister Amit Anilchandra Shah for not quelling the riots and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra for instigating it. How could the Delhi police have handled the riots differently so as to nip the problem in the bud on the day rioting began in Delhi? They should have arrested Kapil Mishra right away. It's easy to say this, but perhaps they could not do it because Kapil Mishra is a BJP leader now. And the (Union) home minister (Amit Anilchandra Shah) is a BJP leader. So, the Delhi police definitely was handicapped in handling that (arresting Mishra). The sole responsibility is of the home minister. He should have controlled it (the rioting). He should have given direct orders to the Delhi police; he should have had his own leader arrested. Kapil Mishra is the one who instigated this (riots). Three days ago, in his speech, he had instigated that he will have the entire colonies (the reference is to Muslim protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in Delhi), arrested or deprived of (space to protest) and removed from the premises and that's what caused the riots, isn't it? That's what is my understanding. Why do you think the home minister has not yet acted against Kapil Mishra apart from the fact that both belong to the same political party? I see his whole interest is in pushing for their agenda, isn't it? And would that agenda be disempowering and disenfranchising the Muslims, prevent them from protesting? Could be, but I wouldn't know. Why would he use the words like 'remove them (the protesting Muslim women) from these premises (Jafrabad station)'? You say the Delhi police is a professional unit. Why then isn't it acting professionally? It is only at the behest of the home minister; blame lies nowhere else but the home ministry. I have been scanning the Internet (Pereira spoke on the phone from California) and the whole media I think everybody has blamed the home ministry. What about the Delhi police? What about Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik? He is handing over (retiring) at the end of this month. He's not interested. He will close his eyes anyway. When you handled the anti-Sikh rioters in November 1984 outside the Gurdwara Sheesh Ganj Sahib you responded to your call of duty and asked the police to open fire at the rioters and quelled the mobs. Isn't there anybody in the Delhi police who would respond to the call of duty? I would expect (them to do) so. The special commissioner, (Intelligence), Praveer Ranjan is one of the finest officers. Such officers can be compromised only under political pressure. The home ministry has appointed S N Srivastav as the special commissioner, law and order, in Delhi. Do you think that will help bring the situation under control? I wouldn't know. Both officers have worked under me; both officers are wonderful officers; they are very capable officers who will act independently. But one never knows how things are working at the moment. How is the situation right now in Delhi different from the one in 1984? In 1984, it was on a very large scale. It was a spontaneous reaction to an unprecedented horror (assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984) that had happened. You see, here (in Delhi right now), these things (riots) are being instigated. These are not just happening by themselves. What business did the BJP (Kapil Mishra) have to go under police protection in a Muslim dominated area, and proclaim with the DCP standing next to him that he will have the entire colonies removed? How are the people in the US reacting to the Delhi riots? After all, these riots occurred when the US president was in Delhi? These people are appalled. They are shocked to see footage that they are seeing on their television. They can't believe what they are watching and they are watching because their president was in India. Those people who have spoken to me and a cross section of opinion that is appearing in the American media is calling it appalling. They can't imagine the police looking on while the riots are happening (in front of them). Isn't this a template that we have witnessed in 1984, then in Mumbai in 1992-1993, then in Gujarat in 2002, that the police just looks away as rioters go on a killing and destruction spree? You often see such reports in the media. But I do not believe so. I did not stand by watching; I acted. If others didn't, I have no right to talk about them. What could be those immediate measures that can bring the situation in Delhi under control because as we speak the situation is still tense, rioting is still going and the death toll is increasing? In a communal riot situation, you should nip it in the bud as it is happening. Immediate action is needed; you should not look left or right (for orders, permission or fear of being hauled up for protecting citizens). You should go headlong into the rioting situation and make arrests. You (the police) must ensure that whoever is indulging (in rioting), Muslim or Hindu, you have to control the riot first. What appeal would you like to make to the Delhi police which you served so meritoriously? I'm too small a fry. I'm an ex-Delhi police officer. I can only hang my head in shame. I can only say that I would expect my junior colleagues to act correctly. I can't advise them this way or that way. They are the people facing the mobs on the streets. They are on the spot (and in the best position to act). But there will always be conscientious officers who would value your advice. I would ask them to act correctly, what is right, what is warranted correctly in the situation they should resort to. A new report from the Cancer Research UK, released this week, says that England would not be declared smoke free by 2030 as earlier projected if the current smoking trends continue. This target of declaring England smoke free by 2030 was set last year, and researchers state that there is still much work to be done. Image Credit: Variety beauty background / Shutterstock Rich-poor gap According to the latest report, with the current efforts in place for smoking cessation in the country and preventing people from taking up cigarette smoking, it is likely it would be 2037 by which England could be smoke-free. The report added that it would be a challenge among the poor communities of the nation, and unless health inequalities are addressed, the chances of getting a smoke free nation would be pushed back. In fact, the gap between the not-deprived and deprived individuals in the nation is around 20 years, says the new report. The wealthiest population of the country is likely to achieve a smoke-free status by 2025 while the most impoverished communities would be smoke-free only by the mid-2040s, the report added. Numbers and speculations The report states that by 2030 the adults who smoke in England would be down to 5 percent. At present, 14 percent of adults smoke cigarettes in the country. The efforts made by the government, the report says, is in the form of advanced smoking cessation support systems and also investments and government spending on national education and awareness campaigns to encourage more people to quit and fewer people to start smoking. The report says that these awareness campaigns have proven to be successful in cutting down on smoking significantly in recent years. If the present projections work out, there would be nearly 3.4 million fewer smokers in England by 2030 compared to the present number of smokers. Similarly, smoke-free status is expected to be achieved in Scotland, Wales, and North Ireland by 2050, 2037, and late 2040s respectively. The team of experts gathered their data for the speculations from the Annual Population Survey for England and Wales and the Scottish Health Survey for the Scottish data. The statistics for Northern Ireland were obtained from the Health Survey Northern Ireland. Problems and solutions The report says that to achieve smoke-free status by 2030, there needs to be a 40 percent faster drop in the smoking rates across the nation compared to the present trends. According to Cancer Research UK, a fixed annual charge could be levied on the tobacco industry. This would curb smoking and also help provide extra funding to the smoke-free campaigns. The campaigns, the report adds cost the nation 11 billion every year. This extra money from the levies could help smokers receive smoking cessation services and provide them support to help them quit for good. The researchers behind the report warned that the tobacco companies, however, should not be involved in the spending on the money obtained from the extra charges on the tobacco industries. Implications Dr. Katrina Brown, Cancer Research UK statistics manager and report co-author, said in a statement, "Our modeling suggests that if the 2030 target is achieved, there could be around 3.4 million fewer smokers in England compared with today. However, unless the Government acts to make smoking rates fall quicker, we are unlikely to reach the target." She added, "Smoking is the biggest cause of cancer, leading to around 120 cases of cancer in England every day, so it's vital that the government tackles tobacco to prevent illness and suffering." The report states that smoking is responsible for 115,000 deaths annually in the United Kingdom. Alison Cox, Cancer Research UK's director of cancer prevention, in her statement, said, "Smoking - and its catastrophic impact on health - remains more common within poorer communities. So more funding is needed to help these disadvantaged groups to quit as they are increasingly being left behind." She added, "The tobacco industry makes more money every year than Coca Cola, Disney, Google, McDonald's and FedEx combined, while its products continue to kill people. It should be made to pay for the damage it causes, which is why we're calling on the Government to introduce an annual charge on the industry to fund these vital services that will help get England smoke-free by 2030. The government must act now if they are to see this smoke-free ambition become a reality." For the Intelligencer EDWARDSVILLE Bishop Daniel Martins, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese Springfield, installed The Revered Benjamin Hankinson as the 34th Rector of St. Andrews Episcopal Church earlier this month. Fr. Ben was formerly the Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Mt. Vernon. He serves as a member of the Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee. Previously, he was a member of the Constitution and Canons Committee. Since coming to the Springfield Diocese, Fr. Ben has ministered regularly in youth programs, including serving as Chair/Coordinator of Youth ministry with active participation and leadership in Church Camp and the St. Michaels Youth Conference. PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 22:30:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 733 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC and BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / Imagin Medical (CSE:IME) (OTCQB:IMEXF) (Frankfurt & Stuttgart Symbol: DPD2) ("Imagin" or the "Company") today reported financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2019. All amounts, unless otherwise specified, are expressed in Canadian dollars and are presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).Recent Corporate DevelopmentsOn December 10, 2019 Imagin Medical presented at the inaugural BioTuesdays Pre-JPM Virtual Conference.Imagin completed design verification of its i/BlueTM Imaging System functional unit on December 31, 2019, as scheduled. Imagin's design partner, Optel, Inc., confirmed that the key device performance characteristics have met technical design specifications using various testing techniques.On January 20, 2020, Imagin closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of $1,914,000.On January 23, 2020, Imagin announced the highlights of its 2019 development achievements, as well as its plans for 2020.On February 17, 2020, Imagin Medical presented at the Noble Capital Markets' 16th Annual Small & Microcap Investor Conference."As we have been preparing to initiate pilot production runs of the i/Blue Imaging System, we have also made additional progress in finalizing our regulatory plan," said Jim Hutchens, Imagin's President and CEO. "We have a very positive outlook for 2020 and look forward to updating our stakeholders as we continue moving this ground-breaking technology toward commercialization." Summary Fiscal 2020 First Quarter Financial ResultsTotal operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $1,241,938, compared with $1,011,586 for the same quarter in 2019, and consisted primarily of research and development ("R&D") and general and administrative ("G&A") expenses. R&D expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $639,178 compared with $354,400 in the same quarter in 2019. The increase in R&D was primarily attributable to development, design, engineering and regulatory expenses. G&A expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $324,907, compared with $546,445 for the same quarter in 2019. The decrease in G&A expenses was primarily attributable to a $129,173, $40,679 and $51,394 decrease in consulting, legal & accounting and management fees, respectively.Net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was $1,241,659, or $0.01 loss per common share, compared to a net loss of $1,011,586, or $0.01 loss per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2018.Liquidity and Outstanding Share CapitalAs at December 31, 2019, the Company had cash of $1,046,392, which did not include gross proceeds of $1,914,000 raised by the Company in its January 2020 Offering.As at February 27, 2020, Imagin had an unlimited number of authorized common shares with 177,340,278 common shares issued and outstanding.The Company's financial statements and management's discussion and analysis are available on www.sedar.com Conference Call DetailsImagin is pleased to invite all interested parties to participate in a conference call today, February 27, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. ET during which the results will be discussed.Live Call: 844-369-8770 (Canada and the United States)862-298-0840 (International)Replay: 877-481-4010 (Canada and the United States)Replay ID: 33144The call will also be broadcast live and archived on the Company's website at www.imaginmedical.com under "Events & Presentations." About Imagin MedicalImagin Medical is a surgical imaging company focused on advancing new methods of visualizing cancer during minimally invasive procedures. The Company believes its first product, the i/Blue Imaging System, with its proprietary optics and light sensors, will greatly increase the efficiency and accuracy of detecting cancer for removal, helping to reduce recurrence rates. The Company's initial focus is bladder cancer. Learn more at www.imaginmedical.com Forward-Looking StatementsInformation set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Specifically, there is no assurance the Company's imaging system will work in the manner expected. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.Contacts:Stephen Kilmer, Investor RelationsTelephone: 647-872-4849Email: stephen@ kilmerlucas.com Jim Hutchens, President & CEOTelephone: 833-246-2446SOURCE: Imagin Medical The organisers of Geneva's international expo of fine watches said Thursday it had decided to cancel the April event due the spread of the new coronavirus. "In view of the latest developments concerning the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus... the decision has been taken to cancel the upcoming edition of Watches and Wonders Geneva" said the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, the organisers of the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cotton also loves a good back story; he believes it endows a space with soul and a source of intrinsic warmth. His narratives tend to unspool gracefully, starting quietly and growing more colorful and eclectic as one proceeds through the environment. For Kikis and Curl, he envisioned a home that had been built for a refined family that had migrated from a small European city to begin anew on a farm in the New World, carrying with them only a few bits of antique finery. As such, the public areas downstairs are decidedly ascetic, as were rural homes of the era. The austere kitchen, with simple cabinets painted Shaker red and wide pine-plank floors, has walls of 4-by-4-inch vintage off-white Delft tiles, sourced from different lots, which gives them a subtle patchwork quality. In the sparsely furnished parlor, beside a rough-hewn mantle-less brick fireplace (Cotton convinced the couple not to replace it), a pair of low-slung settees covered in blue-and-white ticking face each other, and a 19th-century mahogany grandfather clock stands in the corner. BUT THE STAIRCASE hallway, with its original turned-walnut banister, gives a hint of the idiosyncratic adornment that Cotton has created in the upstairs rooms. Here, the moldings and door frames have been painted bright white, in contrast with the cream background of the vintage-feeling Zuber wallpaper, which is alive with flowering vines and birds. The faded red stair runner, with a Swedish geometric pattern, seems particularly daring in this context. Soft light comes from a simple midcentury Italian pendant lamp in an unexpected shade of matte tangerine. In the master bedroom, Cottons love of mixing color and pattern reaches full bloom, with peacock-blue moldings and walls papered in a dense indigo block print. To camouflage the chambers low, slanting ceiling, typical of the period, he covered it with a similar-scale block-printed fabric in red and gold. A pair of Italian gilded and painted oak twin beds one from the 18th century, the other a 20th-century copy have been made into a king-size one, draped in a patchwork quilt, while on the floor, Cotton has layered a red-and-black Tunisian rug over a geometric Turkish runner. In the corner, he added a Louis XVI-style chair covered in worn green leather. The small spare bedroom upstairs has been turned into a cozy refuge as well: Cotton created a corner bed nook from a small closet and painted the paneling a pale blue. The wall behind the mattress, which is covered by a windowpane-checked blanket, is decorated with a piece of faded red Sardinian fabric and a mirror whose glass has clouded with age. The tiny space can be closed off from the rest of the room with a striped curtain, and a red 1960s sconce serves as a reading light. CT scans may be faster than nasal and throat swabs at diagnosing coronavirus, a new study suggests. Doctors from The Mount Sinai Health System in New York were the first in the US to analyze lung scans of patients in China with the highly contagious disease. They said they were able to identify specific patterns in the lungs as markers of the virus, also known as COVID-19, as it developed over the course of about two weeks The researchers say these quicker diagnoses could help keep patients isolated in early stages of the disease, perhaps even before symptoms appear and when it may not show up on other scans such as chest X-rays. Researchers have found hazy findings in the lungs that are markers of coronavirus and not typical of other lung diseases. Pictured: Scan 15-year old who had traveled to Wuhan. CT scan taken three days after symptoms occurred and arrows point to markers of virus The hazy lesions (pointed to) are round in shape and on the perimeter of the lungs. Pictured: Scan of 65-year-old who traveled to Wuhan. Scan was taken 11 days after onset of symptoms 'CT scans are an extremely powerful diagnostic tool, because you can seen the inner organs in a three-dimensional way,' lead author Dr Adam Bernheim, an assistant professor of diagnostic, molecular and interventional radiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told DailyMail.com. 'And you can see the manifestation of many diseases.' For the study, published in the journal Radiology, the team analyzed scans of 94 patients at four medical centers in four Chinese provinces. The patients had been admitted between January 18 and February 2, and all had either recently traveled to Wuhan - the epicenter of an outbreak - or had come into contact with an infected person. Radiologists reviewed the scan and took notes based on when symptoms first appeared and when the CT scan was performed. Thirty-six patients received scans zero to two days after reporting symptoms and more than half showed no evidence of lung disease. The team says this is important because it suggests that CT scans cannot reliably detect coronavirus in its very earliest stages. CDC's test can identify patients even before patients become symptomatic, although some may still have the virus if they first test negative. Its results, however, may take days to get back from the agency's labs. But 33 patients who received scans three to five days after symptoms developed had patterns of 'ground glass opacities,' or haziness in the lungs. 'The lung abnormalities are very round in shape and affect the perimeter of the lung,' co-author Dr Michael Chung, an assistant professor of diagnostic, molecular and interventional radiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, told DailyMail.com. The 25 patients who underwent CT scans between six and 12 days after first reporting symptoms had conclusive evidence of lung disease. The team said these patterns are similar to scans of patients from the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) outbreaks and very different from diseases such as bacterial pneumonia Both SARS and MERS are cousins of the new coronavirus. More than 82,000 people worldwide have been infected and more than 2,800 people have died. Patients who received scans zero to two days after symptoms first appeared had little to no evidence of lung disease in their results like this 19-year-old male who had a CT scan one day after symptoms first appeared The team said the pattern in the lung of coronavirus patients are similar to scans of patients with SARS and very different from diseases such as bacterial pneumonia (pictured) More than 82,000 people worldwide have been infected with coronavirus and more than 2,800 people have died As the virus has spread from China to nearly 50 other countries, health experts have been scrambling to find a way to quickly and accurately diagnose patients. The team says it wants CT scans to be used in conjunction tests kits from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bu they might inform radiologists that a patient as coronavirus before test kit results return. They add that CT scan images allow radiologists to see disease int he lungs much more clearly than a chest X-ray. In the US, CT scans can cost as little as $270 and as much as $5,000, according to American Health Imaging. Much of this depends on insurance, where the scan is performed and whether the hospital and/or radiologist is in-network or out-of-network. Dr Bernheim and Dr Chung, however, say that these scans are 'relatively inexpensive' in America and that there is a wide range to how they're performed. They also added that there is a 'risk benefit' to these scans, meaning the risk of an action (a scan that costs thousands of dollars) may not outweigh the potential benefits (diagnosing someone with coronavirus). In spite of this, they say the study's findings may allow hospital to conclusively confirm or rule out coronavirus based on CT scan images. 'We need to focus on prompt diagnosis and CT scans are going to play a huge role in that,' Dr Chung said. 'The radiologists that are informed about what coronavirus looks like in the lungs, the better.' Dr Bernheim added: 'Prompt diagnosis is so important for prompt treatment and, from a public health perspective, putting people in isolation quickly.' Following bilateral talks with the Norwegian Prime Minister as part of his trip to the Scandinavian country, President Akufo-Addo took some time to cool off, and he did, quite literally. Having accepted an invitation from Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, President Akufo-Addo and some members of his entourage visited Svalbard, the island which lies between Norway and the North Pole. There, President Akufo-Addo, according to his official Facebook page, witnessed about 60,000 new seed samples being deposited into the Svalbard Seed Vault to guard against the loss of seeds due to climate change. With temperatures in Svalbard known to drop to as low as -16C in February, it was not surprising to see the President, covered up snuggly in his winter coat. The pictures of the President arriving at Svalbard, witnessing the seeds being deposited and interacting with the staff at the facility, were posted on the Presidents Facebook page. The snaps have since gone viral and have been shared widely across social media platforms. President Akufo-Addo is currently the co-chair of the United Nations (UN) Eminent Group of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocates and a strong Climate Change advocate as well, so such an outing isnt out of character for him. The Svalbard seed vault is an attempt to ensure against the loss of seeds in other gene-banks during large-scale regional or global crises. Tuesdays deposit is the first big deposit to the Arctic facility since its upgrade, to future-proof it against climate change, taking the total number of seeds in the vault to more than a million, read the caption that accompanied the photos. ---citinewsroom Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. Cameroon Court Orders Partial Election Rerun in Troubled English-Speaking Regions By Moki Edwin Kindzeka February 26, 2020 Cameroon's constitutional council has ordered a rerun of the February 9 national assembly election in a majority of the crisis prone English-speaking regions due to allegations of widespread irregularities and fraud by President Paul Biya's ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement party, which was declared the winner. The opposition Social Democratic Front that filed the complaint says it is ready for the rerun as the constitutional councils verdict that can not be appealed. It was a very happy opposition Social Democratic Front when Clement Atangana, chief justice of Cameroon's constitutional council, pronounced the verdict calling for the rerun of the February 9 national assembly (lower house of parliament) election in a majority of the crisis prone English-speaking regions. Among the hundreds of candidates, observers and supporters of the various political parties was Denis Kemlemo, spokesperson of the opposition Social Democratic Front and electoral candidate in the English-speaking Lebialem administrative unit. Kemlemo says he is happy that the constitutional council, which has often been accused of being manipulated by President Paul Biya, is neutral in its judgment. Kemlemo says he is very thankful to God, who has inspired the constitutional council to render true justice for once, because he can strongly confirm as an eye witness and a major player that no elections were held in a majority of the polling stations as voters fled for their lives. The Social Democratic Front was one of more than 40 political parties that filed petitions with the constitutional council stating that the national assembly elections were marred by violence and massive fraud committed by the ruling party. Opposition leaders accused the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement of ballot stuffing. The opposition also accused the military, sent by the government to protect voters from insurgents seeking to disrupt the polling, of casting multiple votes for the ruling party. The government has denied the accusations. The constitutional council determined there was massive fraud by the ruling party, assisted by the government. It found that the elections management body ELECAM created new polling centers on the eve of the polling and informed only the ruling party of where the centers were created. The constitutional council also ruled that people identified as opposition supporters were chased from polling stations and that separatist fighters who had vowed to disrupt the elections prohibited a majority of voters from casting their ballots. Joseph Mbah Ndam, lead counsel for the SDF, says the verdict reflects what transpired in the English-speaking regions where clashes between the military and separatists left scores dead on election day. Ndam says the verdict of the constitutional council confirms that the separatist crisis in the English speaking northwest and southwest regions remains so violent that no just and credible elections can take place. Gregoire Owona, assistant secretary-general of the ruling CPDM party, says the party is disappointed but will respect the verdict. Owona says President Paul Biya's Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement political party is very frustrated by the verdict because it worked so hard to secure victories in a majority of the English-speaking regions, in spite of the crisis. He says as a republican party, it accepts the verdict of the constitutional council and is already preparing for the rerun. According to Cameroon's electoral code, the verdict of the constitutional council can not be appealed and fresh election have to be organized in a minimum of 20 days and a maximum of 40 days after the court verdict. But there are still fears the election may not be successful as the separatist crisis has continued with the military and rebels involved in running battles. More than 30 other petitions to partially or totally cancel the election due to fraud were rejected for lack of evidence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Irans vice-president has been diagnosed with coronavirus, state media have reported, as the country struggles to stop the spread of the disease. Masoumeh Ebtekar is among 254 people infected with the virus in the Middle Eastern nation, where 26 people have been killed. The vice-president for women and family affairs is better known internationally as the English-language spokeswoman for the hostage-takers who seized the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, sparking a 444-day diplomatic crisis. Irans deputy health minister tested positive for the virus earlier this week, hours after appearing visibly unwell at a press conference during which he denied the government was suppressing the scale of the outbreak. Coronavirus cases in Iran spiked by 106 over the last 24 hours, the countrys health ministry announced on Thursday. The countrys death toll from the outbreak is higher than any country except China, where the epidemic began. The outbreak has prompted Iranian authorities to cancel Friday prayers in Tehran. Health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said there were also plans to impose restrictions at some holy Muslim sites but the plan needs the approval of the president before being carried out. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty Mr Jahanpur, speaking to state TV, urged Iranians to avoid unnecessary trips inside the country. State news agency IRNA said Chinese citizens have been banned from entering the country. Similar restrictions have been implemented by dozens of other nations including the US, Russia, South Korea and Australia in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus. Michael Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organisations emergencies programme, said Irans 10 per cent mortality rate five times higher than China was probably due to milder cases of the disease not being picked up. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 13:46:40|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and South Korea should jointly strive to minimize the COVID-19 outbreak's impact on bilateral exchanges as well as economic and trade cooperation, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday night. In a phone conversation with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Wang suggested that on the basis of effective epidemic prevention and control, the two countries should help their affected industries and enterprises ride out the current difficulties, maintain the stability of their industrial chains and supply chains, and push forward bilateral practical cooperation. Wang updated Kang on the latest progress in China's fight against the epidemic, saying that China and South Korea, as close neighbors, help each other and share weal and woe. China thanks South Korea for its continuous strong support for China's fight against the epidemic, which the Chinese side bears in mind, Wang said. Noting that China feels sympathetic about the recent aggravation of the epidemic in South Korea, Wang said that the Chinese side highly commends the rapid and effective prevention and control measures taken by the South Korean side and believes that South Korea will prevail over the outbreak at an early date. "South Korea's hardships are our own," Wang said, adding that the Chinese side stands ready to provide necessary assistance to the South Korean side and support its government and people in fighting the epidemic. Wang suggested that the two sides establish and improve communication and exchange mechanisms between their relevant departments, inform each other of their respective policies and measures in a timely manner, and carry out cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, as well as drug and vaccine research and development. According to the practices of various countries, including China's experience in fighting the COVID-19, controlling and reducing unnecessary cross-border movement of people at an early date is of crucial importance to preventing the spread of an epidemic, Wang said, adding that China is willing to communicate with South Korea on this issue. He stressed that the two countries share the same goal of more effectively protecting people's lives and health. Wang voiced belief that after the two sides jointly defeat the epidemic, China-South Korea friendship will be further strengthened and bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields will become more vibrant. Wang said the epidemic will have an impact on bilateral exchanges as well as on economic and trade cooperation, but the two sides need to jointly strive to minimize it. For her part, Kang said that since the COVID-19 outbreak, South Korea and China have been supporting and helping each other. While briefing Wang on measures against the epidemic in South Korea, Kang said the South Korean government has launched the highest level of response and President Moon Jae-in has visited the frontline to inspect and guide the work. There are reasons for the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in South Korea in recent days, said Kang. South Korea is confident of halting the further spread of the epidemic and hopes to continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with China to jointly meet the challenge, she added. Some of the worlds biggest employers like Nestle SA and LOreal SA suspended business travel, a decision that may help curb the coronaviruss spread but hasten a hit to the global economy. Nestle, the worlds largest food and beverage company, told employees to avoid travelling for business until at least mid-March. A similar recommendation at LOreal, the cosmetics owner of global brands like Lancome and Maybelline, extends through March 31 as a precautionary measure, a spokeswoman said. Nestle, which employs 291,000 people worldwide, was one of the first multinationals to take the decisive step as the coronavirus seeded in new countries including Brazil, stoking concerns about a pandemic. The virus has infected more than 82,000 people and killed at least 2,800 since emerging in central China at the end of last year. It has spread to over 40 countries in less than two months. In the absence of global health guidelines, companies have to devise their own plans for keeping employees safe. British American Tobacco Plc, the maker of Lucky Strike cigarettes, said it reduced travel to the bare minimum. Others including Coca-Cola Co. and Kraft Heinz Co. opted to avoid affected countries. The travel curbs are bound to hit industries from airlines to hotels that are already reeling from Chinas drastic response. Air France-KLM last week warned that the outbreak will wipe as much as 200 million euros ($219 million U.S.) from earnings. Nestle, the Swiss maker of KitKat snack bars and Nespresso capsules, said it shares global concerns over the spread and impact on public health of coronavirus. The virus spreads mainly through droplets contained in coughs and sneezes. Companies in other sectors have also cancelled events or encouraged working from home to minimize employees exposure. German power company RWE AG said its cancelling all large internal and external events that arent absolutely necessary. Not so in the fashion industry. In Paris, most luxury goods makers declined to cancel or reschedule their spring fashion shows, which attract models, buyers, and press from around the world. Many participants at runway shows including Kerings Saint Laurent or LVMHs Christian Dior came directly from Milan Fashion Week, and, when questioned, appeared to be unaware of the recommendation from Frances health ministry that they wear a mask in public. WASHINGTON Scientists cant tell yet how deadly the new virus thats spreading around the globe really is and deepening the mystery, the fatality rate differs even within China. As infections of the virus that causes COVID-19 surge in other countries, even a low fatality rate can add up to lots of victims, and understanding why one place fares better than another becomes critical to unravel. You could have bad outcomes with this initially until you really get the hang of how to manage" it, Dr. Bruce Aylward, the World Health Organization envoy who led a team of scientists just back from China, warned Tuesday. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE DEATH RATE? In the central China city of Wuhan, where the new coronavirus first exploded, 2% to 4% of patients have died, according to WHO. But in the rest of hard-hit China, the death rate was strikingly lower, 0.7%. Theres nothing different about the virus from one place to another. Instead, the never-before-seen strain of coronavirus struck Wuhan fast before anyone knew what the illness was and overwhelmed health facilities. As is usual at the beginning of an outbreak, the first patients were severely ill before they sought care, Aylward said. By the time people were getting sick in other parts of China, authorities were better able to spot milder cases meaning there were more known infections for each death counted. And while there are no specific treatments for COVID-19, earlier supportive care may help, too. China went from about 15 days between onset of symptoms and hospitalization early in the outbreak, to about three days more recently. Still, Aylward expressed frustration at people saying: 'Oh, the mortality rates not so bad because theres way more mild cases.' Sorry, the same number of people that were dying, still die. WHAT ABOUT DEATHS OUTSIDE OF CHINA? Until the past week, most people diagnosed outside of China had become infected while traveling there. People who travel generally are healthier and thus may be better able to recover, noted Johns Hopkins University outbreak specialist Lauren Sauer. And countries began screening returning travelers, spotting infections far earlier in places where the medical system wasnt already strained. Thats now changing, with clusters of cases in Japan, Italy and Iran, and the death toll outside of China growing. Aylward cautioned that authorities should be careful of artificially high death rates early on: Some of those countries likely are seeing the sickest patients at first and missing milder cases, just like Wuhan did. HOW DOES COVID-19 COMPARE TO OTHER DISEASES? A cousin of this new virus caused the far deadlier severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003, and about 10% of SARS patients died. Flu is a different virus family, and some strains are deadlier than others. On average, the death rate from seasonal flu is about 0.1%, said Dr. Anthony Fauci of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. That's far lower than what has been calculated so far for COVID-19. But millions of people get the flu every year around the world, leading to an annual death toll in the hundreds of thousands. WHOS MOST AT RISK FROM COVID-19? Older people, especially those with chronic illnesses such as heart or lung diseases, are more at risk. Among younger people, deaths are rarer, Aylward said. But some young deaths have made headlines, such as the 34-year-old doctor in China who was reprimanded by communist authorities for sounding an early alarm about the virus only to later succumb to it. In China, 80% of patients are mildly ill when the virus is detected, compared with 13% who already are severely ill. While the sickest to start with are at highest risk of death, Aylward said, a fraction of the mildly ill do go on to die for unknown reasons. On average, however, WHO says people with mild cases recover in about two weeks, while those who are sicker can take anywhere from three to six weeks. By PTI NEW DELHI: Residents of northeast Delhi felt hardship to run daily errands as they reported running out of food, milk, medicines and other essential items. With medical shops, grocery stores and other establishments selling essential items downing shutters, people in the region are waging a grim battle for survival. The locals in Brijpuri and Gokalpuri areas of northeast Delhi said they did not get milk for three days. ALSO READ: Delhi limping back to normalcy, scars may take time to heal Ankit Tyagi, a resident of Brijpuri, said he and his family survived on bread and Maggi on Monday and Tuesday. "There was no traffic movement in our area due to which we did not get milk on these two days, which has made the situation difficult for children. We survived on bread and Maggi," he said. Though the situation in the area is under control, people are still worried for their safety. "The children are not going to schools and police are claiming that the situation is under control, but it is not. We cannot sleep in the night. This is for the first time we are facing this kind of a situation here," Yogesh Thakur, another resident, said. ALSO READ: Home set afire by rioters, Delhi family finds hope in 'miracle baby' Shops and pharmacies remained closed in the interior pockets of areas like Maujpur, Jafrabad and Yamuna Vihar, while pieces of bricks, glass shards and other remnants of the riots were cleared off the main roads. Some stray incidents of violence and arson were reported from Yamuna Vihar, near Bhajanpura and Maujpur, with locals saying a car was partially burnt around 4 am on Thursday by three to four miscreants in B Block. "One of the miscreants was holding a bucket in his hand. They started pouring some liquid on three vehicles. One of the vehicles caught fire. We raised an alarm after which they fled away," a local told PTI, saying groups of people in the neighbourhood are staying up all night to keep a watch on the miscreants. Another local said he had gone to Karkardooma court for a hearing in a case and procured food supplies and medicines from there while returning home. ALSO READ: Muslim man loses 22-year-old son in Delhi riots, his worry now is safety of Hindu neighbours "Shops and pharmacies in my area remained closed today also. I am a diabetes patient and had run out of medicines because of the violent situation here. I had my medicine today after three days," Faisal said. The death toll in the city's worst riots climbed to 38 on Thursday as the violence ebbed, but did not subside completely and thousands of people began picking up the pieces of their shattered lives and livelihoods. US Steps Up Effort to Fight Citizenship Fraud Cases By Masood Farivar February 26, 2020 The U.S. Justice Department announced Wednesday that it has created a new office to investigate an influx of immigrants suspected of illegally obtaining U.S. citizenship and to seek court orders to strip them of naturalization. The move is part of the Trump administration's aggressive enforcement of immigration laws over the past three years, including laws that allow the government to denaturalize and deport foreign-born citizens. Since 2017, the Justice Department has filed 94 denaturalization cases in federal court, a 200% annual increase, according to a department official. During the same period, the number of case referrals soared by 600% a year, the official said. The Justice Department said the new denaturalization section was created in response to a growing number of referrals coming from law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). "The Denaturalization Section will further the Department's efforts to pursue those who unlawfully obtained citizenship status and ensure that they are held accountable for their fraudulent conduct," Jody Hunt, assistant attorney general in charge of the civil division, said in a statement. The new section will investigate and litigate denaturalization cases involving terrorists, war criminals, sex offenders and other fraudsters, the department said. "When a terrorist or sex offender becomes a U.S. citizen under false pretenses, it is an affront to our system. And it is especially offensive to those who fall victim to these criminals," Hunt said. Critics say the administration has cast a much wider net, using denaturalization to clamp down on legal and illegal immigration. As early as 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the department "will aggressively pursue denaturalization" and that "denaturalization will play a prominent role in securing the integrity of our immigration system." "This is just part of a multiyear process by which the government has been ramping up denaturalization, and it began shortly after President Trump entered office," said Amanda Frost, a professor at American University Washington College of Law, and a leading authority on denaturalization. Under U.S. law, naturalized citizens can be stripped of citizenship if they have acquired naturalization without meeting the legal requirements or have lied about a relevant fact during the application process. The process of denaturalization often originates at USCIS. Once the agency has identified a fraud case, it refers it to the Justice Department, which files a civil suit for denaturalization. USCIS can also bring criminal charges of immigration fraud. Denaturalization does not automatically result in deportation. People stripped of their citizenship will revert to the status of a permanent resident, whose green card can be taken away and who can be removed from the country. In a press statement, the Justice Department provided a list of 10 people who were stripped of their citizenship in recent years, ranging from convicted terrorists to human rights violators. In 2017, Khaled Abu al-Dahab, an Egyptian American convicted of terrorism in Egypt, was denaturalized while in his native country, stripped of his passport and prevented from returning to the United States. In 2018, a federal judge revoked the citizenship of convicted Bosnian war criminal Edin Dzeko, who moved to the United States as a refugee before becoming a citizen in 2006. Christian Penichet-Paul, a policy and advocacy manager with the National Immigration Forum, said he hoped the administration's denaturalization efforts are limited to the most egregious cases. "We must ensure that denaturalization isn't applied to cases where people have made a small and unintended mistake during the application process," he said. Other cases appear to have stemmed from an Obama-era Department of Homeland Security investigation that exposed rampant fraud among citizenship applicants. The investigation, code-named Operation Janus, identified 315,000 immigrants whose fingerprints were missing from government databases. Immigration officials are concerned that many of the immigrants may have used fake identifies to obtain citizenship. The immigrants faced deportation or were criminal fugitives, and "some may have sought to circumvent criminal records and other background checks in the naturalization process," the department said. In the first case growing out of Operation Janus, a federal judge stripped an Indian American, Baljindar Singh, of his citizenship. It is not clear whether Singh was deported. The U.S. government used denaturalization throughout the first half of the 20th century to take away the citizenship of people suspected of communist sympathies or fighting in foreign wars. But a landmark Supreme Court decision in 1967, Afroyim v. Rusk, put an end to the practice. In 2017, the Supreme Court handed down a decision in another denaturalization case, barring the government from denaturalizing citizens for making "non-material" false statements on their citizenship applications. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We saw the Pound briefly visit $1.30 levels on Tuesday. The upside came off the back of a combination of events. Firstly, prevalent Dollar weakness stemming from a shift in monetary policy divergence in favor of the Pound supported the upside in Cable. Secondly, however, was the EUs terms of negotiation that EU member states finalized on 25th. It wasnt the terms but the desire to form an ambitious agreement that impressed the markets. The EU and the UK are scheduled to begin hammering out a trade agreement next week. While the Pound found early support, there is a large degree of apprehension. Britains transition period ends on 31st December at which point Britain goes it alone, with or without the EU as a trading partner. The Issues Unsurprisingly, there are a number of key issues that remain. These issues continue to exist in spite of Britain and the EU meeting at the table for more than 3-years. It ultimately took Johnson and a return of a Tory Party majority to force through the Withdrawal Bill and formalize Britains divorce with the EU. So, with Britain and the EU left with 10-months to thrash out a trade agreement, what are the key issues? The British government is looking for the following: Abandon commitments made back in October in the EU-UK political declaration that accompanied the Withdrawal Bill. Ultimately, the British government is looking to deliver Brexit in its true form, with Britain free from EU rules and regulations. The last thing that the British government will accept is any strings attached that leaves Britain under any EU laws. A comprehensive trade agreement in the same form as the Canada agreement supplemented by fishery law enforcement. Predetermined judicial cooperation in criminal matters and also transport, and energy. Fishery issues have already hit the headlines before talks even began. For those who voted to leave the EU, it may be somewhat alarming to hear that the EU wants continued access to British waters. An EU concession here is for annual negotiations in order to agree on continued access for EU vessels. Story continues Other key points to negotiate include, but are not limited to: State aid/subsidies Workers rights Tariff Free Access to the EU Market Minimal customs barriers. Financial Services The Timeline As things stand, Britain and the EU have until June to agree on an outline to a trade agreement. This would then need to be finalized by September, which gives both sides just 7-months. When you consider the chatter from Macron and senior French government officials, their preference would be to prevent progress. The alternative would be to tie Britain into EU laws, which is clearly a no-no for Britain. With Angela Merkel on the way out, Macron has been vying to become the voice of Europe. Bringing down the British government and leaving Britain to grapple with WTO trade terms would be quite a coup. So, if the EU and Britain fail to make solid progress in the coming 4-months, the writing may be on the wall for Britain and the Pound. British Prime Minister Johnson has managed to block the chance of any extension to the transition period. When considering the issues at hand, even the more optimistic may consider the path ahead as a difficult on. For that very reason, the Pounds rollercoaster ride is likely to resume. At least through to the end of the 3rd quarter. As far as the British Government is concerned, if there is a lack of progress by June then the government will walk away. That means a no-deal hard Brexit that the markets feared since the EU referendum outcome. Whats next? Britain and the EU meet next week to get things going and theres likely to be plenty of chatter. The EU must appear to be in a position of strength, able to protect the rights of its remaining member states. Failure to achieve this would raise the chances of further departures from the EU. Its hardly a surprise that Macron has taken such a position on Brexit. Its also going to be of little surprise that he will maintain his position until the bitter end. After all, theres little point in being the voice of a Europe that is broken and more interested in protectionism. For the Pound We can expect the rollercoaster ride of the last few years to resume. The good news, for now, is that economic indicators have shown an improvement in economic conditions. All of this has been in line with the BoEs post-Brexit outlook, however, which suggests a slowdown to come. Throw in the likely effect of the coronavirus on the global economy and the doom and gloom may well build. Could Macron call for the tunnel to be blocked in the event of a no-deal end to the transition period? Johnson may insist on it should the spread of the coronavirus continue through to June At the time of writing, the Pound was down by 0.08% to $1.28859, with the return to sub-$1.29 levels leaving the Pound down by 0.60% for the current week and by 2.42% for the current month Expect $1.25 levels to be on the cards should it become painfully clear that talks are going to go nowhere This article was originally posted on FX Empire More From FXEMPIRE: [February 27, 2020] COPT to Present at Citi's 2020 Global Property CEO Conference Corporate Office Properties Trust ("COPT" or the "Company") (NYSE: OFC) announced that its President & CEO, Stephen E. Budorick, will provide an overview of the Company and participate in a question and answer session at Citi's 2020 Global Property CEO Conference. The presentation will be held on March 4, 2020 at 10:10 a.m. Eastern Time at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. A live audio webcast of the presentation and materials encompassing the information provided during the presentation and conference will be available in the 'Latest Updates' section of COPT's Investors website: https://investors.copt.com/. The replay of the presentation will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 18, 2020. About COPT COPT is a REIT that owns, manages, leases, develops and selectively acquires office and data center properties. The majority of its portfolio is in locations that support the United States Government and its contractors, most of whom are engaged in national security, defense and information tchnology ("IT") related activities servicing what it believes are growing, durable, priority missions ("Defense/IT Locations"). The Company also owns a portfolio of office properties located in select urban/urban-like submarkets in the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region with durable Class-A office fundamentals and characteristics ("Regional Office Properties"). As of December 31, 2019, the Company derived 88% of its core portfolio annualized rental revenue from Defense/IT Locations and 12% from its Regional Office Properties. As of the same date and including 15 buildings owned through unconsolidated joint ventures, COPT's core portfolio of 168 office and data center shell properties encompassed 19.0 million square feet and was 94.6% leased; the Company also owned one wholesale data center with a critical load of 19.25 megawatts that was 76.9% leased. Forward-Looking Information This press release may contain "forward-looking" statements, as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the Company. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "plan" or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which the Company cannot predict with accuracy and some of which the Company might not even anticipate. Although the Company believes that the expectations, estimates and projections reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions at the time made, the Company can give no assurance that these expectations, estimates and projections will be achieved. Future events and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements. The areas of risk that may affect these expectations, estimates and projections include, but are not limited to, those risks described in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005049/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] North Korea has postponed the new school term to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, reports said Thursday, the latest measure as the ill-equipped country ramps up efforts to prevent a devastating outbreak. Pyongyang has not reported a single case of the virus now known as COVID-19, which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan and has since spread around the world including South Korea. The country, which is subject to multiple international sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, has weak medical infrastructure and has cut itself off from the outside world, closing its borders as analysts say prevention is its only option. "School breaks for students have been extended as a preventive measure against the infection," the Korean Central Broadcasting Station reported, according to Yonhap news agency. The measure would apply to daycares, kindergartens and universities, it said, without specifying when schools would reopen. The North has banned tourists, suspended international trains and flights and placed hundreds of foreigners in quarantine, under tight restrictions the Russian ambassador has described as "morally crushing". Pyongyang planned to maintain the entry ban on foreigners until the virus can be properly diagnosed, treated and cured, a health official told the Choson Sinbo, a North Korean propaganda outlet based in Japan. Russia's foreign ministry said it provided Pyongyang with 1,500 coronavirus diagnostic test kits at its request "due to the persisting risk of the new COVID-19". "We hope that this step will help North Korea prevent the infection from penetrating the country," it said in a statement. Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean human rights, said the international community and North Korea should "join forces" to prevent an outbreak, adding that "further isolation of the country is not the answer". More than 43 percent of the North Korean population is malnourished, with many lacking access to adequate water and sanitation, Quintana added. "Combined with a limited access to information, this makes them even more vulnerable to COVID-19," he said. Leading Maryland lawmakers seeking a way to help pay for a $4 billion, 10-year education plan came up with what they consider an innovative idea of where to get the cash: deep-pocketed internet companies. The Democratic proposal would tax Facebook and Google for every ad the companies run on the computer screens of Maryland residents visiting their sites. If passed, the plan would make the Old Line State the first in the nation to raise revenue by taxing online advertising. Massive technology corporations have ballooned in size and influence over the last two decades, wrote Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, in an email to Stateline. This legislation starts to make sure that these corporations pay their fair share in contributing to building our states core educational institutions. A Nebraska bill would sweep internet ads into overall sales tax. New York policymakers would take a different approach to the same goal: taxing internet companies on the personal information they collect from any state resident who visits their sites. Many other states may follow suit if they see a new source of money opening to pay for needed services. Supporters of the bills say its time for wealthy internet companies to pay a larger share of taxes, especially when companies are profiting off residents time and private information. But opponents argue the measures are unfair, impractical and bad for the economy. Massive amounts of money are at stake in the fights. Facebook and Google are expected to account for about half of the $385 billion global digital ad market in 2020, according to eMarketer, a firm that tracks digital advertising. Facebook alone could make between $38 million and $76 million in a one-time sale of users data, according to an estimate by Investopedia, a financial advice website. Ulrik Boesen, a senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, which argues for lower, more broadly based taxes, said any internet advertising tax that targets only large entities is too narrow and that the burden should be more widely shared. And bills that target data collection might turn out to be even worse, he argued, if states use definitions that are too loose. Almost all businesses would be in some way liable, he said, because collecting phone numbers from your customers or having a loyalty program and using that to generate a profit could fall under the non-definition of data. Separately, Maryland legislative leaders last week introduced an alternate way of paying for the education plan a broad expansion of sales taxes to many services to raise an estimated $2.6 billion. The sales tax rate would drop from 6% to 5%, but since it would apply to a broader range of services, it would raise more money. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, condemned the proposed tax expansion. Its not ever going to happen while Im governor. I can promise you, Hogan said. Maryland fight The Maryland internet bill would assess up to a 10% excise tax on revenue that large companies earn from selling digital ads that target Maryland IP addresses. Firms with less than $100 million in annual ad revenue would be exempt, meaning that the bill would affect only the largest internet companies, such as Google and Facebook. The Maryland bill is estimated by sponsors to raise $250 million a year. But opponents say the measure is unfair to single out online ads. As its written today, it applies to only one type of media digital not our Baltimore Sun friends or TV, said opponent state Sen. Andrew Serafini, a Republican, in a phone interview. You cant just pick one form of advertising. Opponents also say that the legislation would be complicated, noting it took years and a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Wayfair case to allow states to collect sales taxes from all online purchases. States still must write and put into effect the statutes and rules to make that happen. The proponents say the Wayfair decision took many years to work out, Serafini added. Im concerned that the children in kindergarten today might be high school graduates before this gets worked out. The Internet Association, a national lobbying group that represents online businesses including Facebook, Google, eBay and many others, said in a letter to the Maryland legislature that the tax would be discriminatory and punitive. The letter, from Senior Vice President Robert Callahan, also maintained that the bill would likely violate the federal Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act. That law, signed in 2016, prohibits states or the federal government from imposing discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. Facebook referred questions to the association. Google did not respond to requests for comment. But economist Paul Romer, a Nobel laureate and internet expert who supports the Maryland bill, said that overall the market for digital services is broken, and a tax on digital advertising can help restore the conditions we need to get the market to work. He expanded on this theory in a New York Times op-ed, saying large digital companies like Facebook and Google profit from creating a haven for dangerous misinformation and hate speech that has undermined trust in democratic institutions. A tax on advertising that uses personal data to target ads would force the large platforms to go to an ad-free, subscription-based model instead, he said. Ferguson, the bills sponsor, said in his email that he and other supporters will continue to work with Maryland-based businesses to ensure that all companies will be able to comply with the legislation, and address all Constitutional issues, and I am confident this legislation will pass this session. An analysis of the Maryland and Nebraska bills by the financial firm Ernst and Young noted that other states could follow. In addition, the analysis said, the bills mimic similar actions taken by foreign governments, highlighted by the French tax on gross revenue from digital services enacted last year. Other nations to enact similar levies include Austria, Italy and Turkey. Their taxes take effect on various dates in 2020. But the U.S. federal government is leery of the European taxes on American businesses. U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron made a deal last month to put the tax on hold in return for also suspending retaliatory tariffs on French merchandise imported to the United States. Taxing private data collection The ground-breaking New York bill would impose a 5% tax on gross revenue from corporations that derive income from collecting and selling consumer data. Every time someone uses an internet service, companies collect data on the user, including names, birthdates, addresses, interests and even product preferences. Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, a Democrat and the bills sponsor, said in a phone interview that its not fair that consumers dont benefit when their information is collected and sold to third parties by internet companies. A tax on that income, she said, would give the state revenue that could then be spent on programs to help state residents. I dont know if all consumers understand what happens with Facebook companies are selling data and making money. She said non-internet companies do scrape up data and information from consumers and sell it too, but not at the scale of the internet companies. My name is being shared, and they are making a profit off it, she asked. How do I share in that wealth? Amato said she introduced the bill, which has attracted no formal opposition, partly to start a discussion of the issue. It might have unintended consequences Im open to hearing that. In Nebraska, state Sen. Tom Briese, a Republican, has introduced a bill that he expects will spark debate on the question, What would our sales tax rate be if we taxed all services? said Edward Boone, his chief of staff. We would have an extremely low sales tax rate, like 1 or 2%. Nebraskas sales tax rate is 5.5%, but it is assessed only on certain products and services food, for example, is exempt. If the sales tax were expanded to encompass more goods and services, including internet companies ad revenue, the rate could be lowered and still raise the same amount of money. Boone said when the legislature considers the bill at a hearing later this month, lawmakers will get a chance to make a more informed decision on what are the services that we want to exempt from taxes. He expects online services to be part of the discussion. In a tactical move, the bill, if passed, would not take effect until 2021. If it passed intact, the legislature could introduce a number of bills to exempt certain services, horse massages for example, Boone said. And they could make those decisions with information. Elaine S. Povich of Stateline.org wrote this story. 2020 Stateline.org Visit Stateline.org at www.stateline.org Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC A teenager has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing two students at a school earlier this month. The boy is accused of 'seriously assaulting' two of his fellow students, aged 12 and 13, Rosewood State High School, south of Brisbane, on February 6. He then allegedly fled on foot before being arrested a short time later in a nearby street. The boy is accused of 'seriously assaulting' two of his fellow students, aged 12 and 13, Rosewood State High School (pictured), south of Brisbane, on February 6 The school was placed in lockdown after the incident, which is believed to have been sparked by an altercation between the three students. The 12-year-old boy suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his torso, while the 13-year-old's hand was injured in the alleged stabbing. The boy was charged on Thursday with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a knife in a school He will be tried under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act. Immediately after the incident, principal Nicole Sherlock said the school 'immediately contacted emergency services who arrived swiftly.' 'I want to reassure you that we treat the safety and welfare of your children, our students, and our staff as our highest priority,' she said in a letter to parents. 'I am in close contact with the relevant authorities and families of the affected students.' English French Lyme and chikungunya passed key milestones in 2019. Significant value inflection expected in 2020 including Lyme Phase 2 data and partnering in addition to chikungunya entering Phase 3 clinical development Strong financial results in 20191 Product sales revenue of 129.5 million (125.0 million at CER) in 2019, representing 25% growth (22% at CER 2 ) IXIARO sales revenue growth of 35% (31% at CER) in 2019 mainly due to high US Military orders and continuing growth in US Private market DUKORAL sales revenue growth of 4% (3% at CER) in 2019 ) Total revenues were 136.9 million excluding the negative revenue recognition impact of the termination of the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) 3 . Including the GSK SAA termination effect, total revenues were 126.2 million . Gross Margin on Product Sales Revenues of 65.3% in 2019 EBITDA4 excluding the effect of GSK SAA termination would have been 18.5 million in 2019 o Including the GSK SAA termination effect, EBITDA was 7.8 million R&D investment of 37.9 million in 2019 Strong cash position of 64.4 million at the end of December 2019 Supplemented by recent $85 million debt financing arrangement with leading US funds Private traveler market sales expected to grow by up to 10% in 2020 Total revenue estimated to be between 135 million and 145 million in 2020 Valneva expects product sales revenues of between 125 million and 135 million in 2020 Product sales from travelers vaccine business expected to continue to grow IXIARO product sales growth in the Private travelers markets expected to be 15% (at CER) or more, primarily from US US Military business peaked in 2019 and grew by over 50% compared to 2018 2020 Military business may be lower than 2019 but still significantly above 2018 uptake New IXIARO supply contract with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) expected in the first half of 2020 Other revenues (service revenue, license fees) are expected to be up to 10 million in 2020 Gross margin is expected to be similar to 2019 levels at around 65% and net operating margin, prior to R&D investments 5 , is expected to be between 30% and 35% , is expected to be between 30% and 35% Valneva expects to invest up to 85 million in R&D projects, notably Lyme and chikungunya, in 2020 The Company recently announced a new $85 million financing arrangement with leading US Healthcare funds Deerfield and OrbiMed to further advance its leading Lyme and chikungunya programs and repay existing debt Valneva expects negative EBITDA of up to 35 million in 2020 due to the investment into its Lyme and chikungunya programs as they advance into late stage development Key R&D Progress reported in 2019 Valneva completed patient recruitment for the Phase 2 studies of its Lyme disease vaccine candidate in September 2019 and initiated a partnering process for late stage co-development and commercialization Valneva reported excellent final Phase 1 results for its chikungunya vaccine candidate Based on these excellent Phase 1 results, and acceptance of the Accelerated Approval Pathway, the Company has held its End of Phase 2 (EoP2) meeting with the FDA and now awaits confirmation to proceed into Phase 3. Valneva was awarded up to $23.4 million by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to support the development of its chikungunya vaccine for LMIC countries Valneva regained full control of its R&D assets through the termination of the GSK SAA Major R&D milestones expected in 2020 Lyme disease vaccine candidate VLA15: First Phase 2 data expected mid-2020 Partnering deal Chikungunya vaccine candidate VLA1553: Final Phase 3 plans following the EoP2 meeting with the FDA expected during the first quarter 2020 Phase 3 initiation mid-year (pending confirmation by the FDA) David Lawrence, Valnevas Chief Financial Officer, commented, 2019 has been a fantastic year for Valneva marked by major achievements across our business. Unlocking shareholder value is fundamental to our strategy, so 2020 and 2021 will be significant years for Valneva as we progress our two leading clinical assets into late stage development. This shapes the future of our Company. We recently strengthened our capital base to fund our key pipeline assets and with an eye to a potential US IPO in the first half of 2021. Financial Information6 (2019 unaudited results, consolidated per IFRS) in million 12 months ending December 31 2019 2018 Product sales 129.5 103.5 Total revenues 126.2 113.0 Net profit/(loss) (1.7) 3.3 EBITDA7 7.8 13.1 Cash 64.4 81.7 Saint-Herblain (France), February 27, 2020 Valneva SE (Valneva or the Company), a specialty vaccine company focused on prevention against diseases with major unmet needs, reported today its full year unaudited consolidated financial results for the year ending December 31, 2019. A brief unaudited report, including the profit and loss statement and the balance sheet, is available on the Companys website, www.valneva.com. A webcast for the financial community and media will be held today at 3:00 pm. (CET). A replay will be available on the Companys website. Please refer to this link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/dpm3upxc Commercial Vaccines JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS VACCINE (IXIARO/JESPECT) In 2019, revenues from IXIARO/JESPECT product sales grew to 94.1 million compared to 69.6 million in 2018. The 35% increase (31% at CER) was largely driven by demand in North America, both in the public and private markets. U.S. private has been the Companys fastest growing traveler market (excluding the U.S. Military) in 2019, followed by Germany and Canada. This has been driven by dedicated and targeted efforts by our commercial teams and partners. A Request For Proposal (RFP) for the supply of Japanese encephalitis vaccine by the U.S DoD is anticipated during the first quarter of 2020. As sole supplier of the only FDA approved Japanese encephalitis vaccine, Valneva will respond to this RFP and expects to enter into a new contract with the DoD in the second quarter of this year. This comes in addition to the option (within the existing contract signed in 20198) that the DoD exercised in January 2020. This option brought the total contract value to $70 million. Valneva expects further growth from its traveler vaccine business. Based on the peak 2019 sales to US Military and the anticipated new RFP from the DoD, the Company expects 2020 IXIARO sales to US Military to be lower than in 2019 but still significantly above 2018. CHOLERA / ETEC9-DIARRHEA VACCINE (DUKORAL) In 2019, revenues from DUKORAL sales increased to 31.5 million compared to 30.4 million in 2018. The 4% increase (3% at CER) was largely driven by growth in Germany and Canada. Valneva expects DUKORAL 2020 revenues to be similar to 2019 levels noting the likely market entry of a competitor product in some territories during 2020. Clinical Stage Vaccine Candidates Valneva focuses its R&D efforts on its two most advanced programs, against Lyme disease and chikungunya. Lyme disease and chikungunya both represent a significant unmet medical need for which there are no vaccines available. LYME DISEASE VACCINE CANDIDATE VLA15 First Phase 2 results expected mid 2020; partnering discussions ongoing Valnevas Lyme vaccine candidate VLA15 is the only one in clinical development today and addresses the most common tick-transmitted infection in the Northern hemisphere. The program is currently in Phase 2 and the company completed Phase 2 patient enrolment in more than 800 people in two ongoing studies at the end of September 2019. Study VLA15-201 includes 573 subjects across nine sites in Europe and the U.S., while study VLA15-202 includes 246 subjects across five sites in the U.S. In both studies, dosage levels of 135g and 180g of VLA15 are administered either at Day 1, Month 1 and Month 2 (VLA15-201) or at Day 1, Month 2 and Month 6 (VLA15-202). Valneva expects to report first Phase 2 results mid-2020, starting with the shorter vaccination schedule (Day 1, Month 1 and Month 2). The results of these studies, comprising immunogenicity and safety data, will support the decision on final dose and vaccination schedule for Phase 3 development. The Company has initiated a partnering process for late stage development and future commercialization. Discussions are ongoing and the Company expects to announce a partnering process outcome in 2020. Lyme disease is a very severe disease. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 300,000 Americans4 are infected with Lyme disease annually with at least an additional further 200,000 cases in Europe10. VLA15 is a multivalent, protein subunit vaccine that targets the outer surface protein A (OspA) of Borrelia and is intended to protect against the majority of human pathogenic Borrelia species. VLA15 is designed to confer protection by raising antibodies that prevent Borrelia from migrating from ticks to humans after a bite. The program was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 201711. Peak revenue potential for a Lyme disease vaccine in the US and EU is estimated at more than $1 billion12. SINGLE-SHOT CHIKUNGUNYA VACCINE CANDIDATE VLA1553 Progression into late stage development expected post conclusions from End of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA Valnevas single shot chikungunya vaccine candidate VLA1553 is unique and addresses a highly prevalent mosquito transmitted infection in the tropical and subtropical regions. The company plans to take this vaccine to market with the prospect of leveraging major manufacturing and commercial synergies. Whilst Valneva will focus its efforts on the traveler vaccine market, it plans to find a partner with the support of CEPI to meet LMIC13 needs. In November 2019, Valneva reported excellent Phase 1 results14. The vaccine candidate showed an excellent immunogenicity profile in all vaccinated dose groups after a single vaccination, with a 100% seroconversion15 achieved at Day 14. Titers were sustained at 100% at Month 12. VLA1553 was generally safe and well-tolerated with a superior safety profile in low and medium dose groups compared to the high dose group, and showed an excellent local tolerability. Valneva has received confirmation for the Accelerated Approval Pathway from the FDA. The EoP2 meeting took place on February 24, 2020. Confirmation of the detailed Phase 3 design and timing are being discussed with the agency and are expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2020. This may lead to a Phase 3 initiation in mid-2020. In July 2019, Valneva was awarded non-dilutive financial support of up to $23.4 million by CEPI for the late-stage clinical development of its single-dose, live-attenuated vaccine against chikungunya16. The funding underwrites a partnership effort to accelerate regulatory approval of VLA1553 for use in regions where outbreaks occur and support World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification to facilitate broader access in lower and middle-income countries (LMIC). Chikungunya is considered a major public health threat with no preventive vaccines or effective treatments available. Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a Togaviridae virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. As of 2017, there have been more than one million reported cases in the Americas17 and the economic impact is considered significant (e.g. Colombia outbreak 2014: $73.6 million)18. The medical burden is expected to grow as the distribution of the CHIKV primary mosquito vectors continues to spread further geographically. VLA1553 is a monovalent, single dose, live-attenuated vaccine candidate for protection against chikungunya. It was granted Fast Track designation by the FDA in December 201819. The global market potential for chikungunya vaccines is estimated at up to $500 million20. The traveler market is estimated at around $250 million. The sponsor of the first chikungunya vaccine approved in the United States will be eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher (PRV). Full Year 2019 Financial Review (Unaudited, consolidated under IFRS) Revenues Valnevas total revenues in 2019 were 126.2 million (136.9 million excluding the GSK SAA termination revenue recognition effect) compared to 113.0 million in 2018. A net negative effect of 10.7 million was included in Valnevas collaboration and licensing revenues to reflect both the paid as well as the future payment obligations related to the termination of the SAA. Product sales revenues in 2019 increased to 129.5 million from 103.5 million in 2018, representing year-over-year growth of 25% (22% on a CER basis). Revenues from collaborations and licensing amounted to negative 3.3 million (positive 7.4 million excluding the GSK SAA termination effect) in 2019 compared to 9.6 million in 2018. Operating result and EBITDA Costs of goods and services sold (COGS) were 50.0 million in 2019. Gross margin on product sales amounted to 65.3% compared to 61.7% in 2018. COGS of 28.3 million related to IXIARO/JESPECT sales, yielding a product gross margin of 70.0%. 14.0 million of COGS related to DUKORAL sales, yielding a product gross margin of 55.6%. Of the remaining COGS in 2019, 2.8 million related to the Third Party Product distribution business and 4.9 million were related to cost of services. In 2018, overall COGS were 44.4 million, of which 39.7 million related to cost of goods and 4.8 million related to cost of services. Research and development expenses in 2019 significantly increased to 37.9 million from 25.3 million in 2018. This was driven by planned increased investments into Valnevas clinical stage vaccine candidates. Marketing and distribution expenses in 2019 amounted to 24.1 million, compared to 20.9 million in 2018 as a result of continued investments in Valnevas key markets USA and Canada. In 2019, general and administrative expenses increased to 18.4 million from 16.9 million in 2018. Amortization and impairment charges of fixed assets/intangibles in 2019 amounted to 3.0 million compared to 3.2 million in 2018. Other income, net of other expenses in 2019 increased to 6.4 million from 4.0 million in 2018. This increase was driven by increased R&D tax credit and the income from the CEPI funding, partly offset by expenses related to a potential settlement of the merger litigation. Valneva realized an operating loss of 0.8 million (operating profit of 9.9 million excluding the GSK SAA termination effect) in 2019 compared to an operating profit of 6.3 million in 2018. EBITDA in 2019 was 7.8 million (18.5 million excluding the GSK SAA termination effect), compared to an EBITDA of 13.1 million in 2018. Net result In 2019, Valneva generated a net loss amounting to 1.7 million (net profit of 9.0 million excluding the GSK SAA termination effect) compared to a net profit of 3.3 million in 2018. Finance costs and currency effects in 2019 resulted in a net finance expense of 1.6 million, compared to a net finance expense of 4.0 million in 2018. The improved net finance result compared to prior year was the result of foreign currency gains incurred during 2019, as well as lower interest expenses following the re-payment of the Biopharma (Pharmakon) loan in early January 2019. Results from investments in associates comprise a 1.6 million profit from Valnevas 48.9% shareholding in BliNK Biomedical SAS. Cash flow and liquidity Net cash generated by operating activities in the first nine months of 2019 amounted to 5.5 million compared to 16.3 million in 2018. Cash flow from operating activities included a cash payment of 9.0 million related to the SAA termination. Cash outflows from investing activities in 2019 amounted to 10.7 million, compared to 2.9 million in 2018, and resulted primarily from the purchase of equipment. Cash outflows from financing activities amounted to 7.7 million in 2019 and consisted of 11.7 million repayments of borrowings, 2.5 million of fees related to the private placement of new shares in October 2018, 2.7 million of payments of lease liabilities, 2.6 million of interest paid and also included proceeds from a 10.0 million disbursement from the EIB debt facility as well as 1.4 million from a BPI loan related to the financing of the R&D tax credit in France. Cash inflows from financing activities amounted to 30.9 million in 2018 and included 49.3 million proceeds from the private placement of new shares. Liquid funds on December 31, 2019 stood at 64.4 million compared to 81.7 million on December 31, 2018. The main change was driven by repayment of the legacy Biopharma (Pharmakon) loan in January 2019. About Valneva SE Valneva is a specialty vaccine company focused on prevention against diseases with major unmet needs. Valnevas portfolio includes two commercial vaccines for travelers: IXIARO/JESPECT indicated for the prevention of Japanese encephalitis and DUKORAL indicated for the prevention of cholera and, in some countries, prevention of diarrhea caused by ETEC. The Company has various vaccines in development including unique vaccines against Lyme disease and chikungunya. Valneva has operations in Austria, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and the US with approximately 500 employees. More information is available at www.valneva.com . Valneva Investor and Media Contacts Laetitia Bachelot-Fontaine Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications M +33 (0)6 4516 7099 investors@valneva.com Teresa Pinzolits Corporate Communications Specialist T +43 (0)1 20620 1116 communications@valneva.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to the business of Valneva, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical trials for product candidates, the ability to manufacture, market, commercialize and achieve market acceptance for product candidates, the ability to protect intellectual property and operate the business without infringing on the intellectual property rights of others, estimates for future performance and estimates regarding anticipated operating losses, future revenues, capital requirements and needs for additional financing. In addition, even if the actual results or development of Valneva are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments of Valneva may not be indicative of their in the future. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "could," "should," "may," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "aims," "targets," or similar words. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the current expectations of Valneva as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In particular, the expectations of Valneva could be affected by, among other things, uncertainties involved in the development and manufacture of vaccines, unexpected clinical trial results, unexpected regulatory actions or delays, competition in general, currency fluctuations, the impact of the global and European credit crisis, and the ability to obtain or maintain patent or other proprietary intellectual property protection. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements made during this presentation will in fact be realized. Valneva is providing the information in these materials as of this press release, and disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. 1 Financial figures reported in this press release are unaudited. The audit procedures by the Statutory Auditors are underway. The Company plans to publish its audited annual financial report on March 31, 2020. 2 CER% represents growth at constant exchange rates 3 Valneva PR: Valneva Announces Mutual Agreement with GSK to End Strategic Alliance Agreement; Regains Control of R&D 4 2019 EBITDA was calculated by excluding 8.6 million of depreciation, amortization and impairment from the 0.8 million operating loss as recorded in the consolidated financial statements under IFRS 5 Net operating margin is based on the P&L for the Commercial Products segment including an allocation (56%) of G&A costs from Corporate Overheads and Amortisation of Intangibles related to IXIARO 6 Financial statements are not audited. The audit procedures by the Statutory Auditors are underway. The Company plans to publish its audited annual financial report on March 31, 2020. 7 2019 EBITDA was calculated by excluding 8.6 million of depreciation, amortization and impairment from the 0.8 million operating loss as recorded in the consolidated financial statements under IFRS; 2018 EBITDA was calculated by excluding 6.8 million of depreciation and amortization from the 6.3 million operating profit as recorded in the consolidated income statement under IFRS [8] Valneva press release: Valneva Announces New $59 Million IXIARO Supply Contract with US Government 9 Indications differ by country -Please refer to Product / Prescribing Information (PI) / Medication Guide approved in your respective countries for complete information, incl. dosing, safety and age groups in which this vaccine is licensed, ETEC = Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacterium. 10 As estimated from available national data. Case reporting is highly inconsistent in Europe and many LB infections still go undiagnosed. 11 Valneva press release: Valneva Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for its Lyme Disease Vaccine Candidate VLA15 12 Lyme Disease. L.E.K. interviews, research and analysis 13 LMIC: Low and middle-income countries 14 Valneva press release: Valneva Reports Excellent Final Phase 1 Results for its Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate 15 Seroconversion is defined as the proportion of subjects achieving a CHIKV-specific neutralizing antibody titer of NT50 20. 16 Valneva press release: CEPI awards up to $23.4 million to Valneva for late-stage development of a single-dose Chikungunya vaccine 17 PAHO/WHO data: Number of reported cases of Chikungunya Fever in the Americas EW 51 (December 22, 2017) 18 Cardona-Ospina et al., Trans R Soc Trip Med Hyg 2015 19 Valneva press release: Valneva Awarded FDA Fast Track Designation for Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate 20 Chikungunya. L.E.K. interviews, research and analysis for traveler vaccine market Attachment California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Tuesday sent a letter to four top U.S. lawmakers urging them not to pre-empt the states new privacy law with a watered down federal legislation. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), effective since the start of 2020, is among the most significant regulations overseeing the data collection practices of U.S. companies. It allows state residents to request their data be deleted from e-commerce websites and social media, and opt out of having data sold to third parties. Federal lawmakers contemplating a federal privacy law are looking at California as a guide, but disagree over whether the federal law would preempt state laws, whether users should be allowed to sue companies over privacy, and other issues. One draft bill from Republican U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, proposed nationwide consumer privacy rules that would override state laws. The top Democrat on the committee, Senator Maria Cantwell, released her own draft and opposes any bill that would pre-empt state laws. Congress should make clear in any legislative proposal that state attorneys general have parallel enforcement authority and that consumers also have the opportunity to protect their rights directly through lawsuits, Becerra said in the letter, urging lawmakers to extend enforcement powers broadly. I am optimistic Congress will be able to craft a proposal looking to state law as providing a floor for privacy protections, rather than a ceiling, he said. The letter is addressed to Senators Wicker and Cantwell along with Representative Frank Pallone, who chairs the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the top Republican on that committee Greg Walden. Privacy concerns have mounted due to data breaches at big tech companies and public discomfort over how information is being collected and used. U.S. regulators have imposed hefty fines on Facebook Inc and the YouTube unit of Alphabet Incs Google for privacy violations. Becerra told Reuters in December that California will try to stop any attempt to overrule state laws. He said enforcement efforts around the new law from his office will be guided by companies showing a willingness to comply. The public comment period on the latest draft of Californias regulations ends on Tuesday. The AGs office plans to have final regulations published by July 1, 2020. Many businesses have already begun complying with the states privacy requirements. An economic impact assessment prepared for the AGs office by an independent research firm found compliance with the regulations will cost businesses between $467 million and $16.5 billion between 2020 and 2030. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by David Gregorio) Topics California Legislation USA The Pope has called on Catholics to give up insulting each other during Lent. He urged followers to stop being cruel to each other online, in response to a world "polluted by too much verbal violence". Pope Francis warned of the "offensive and harmful words" being amplified online in a speech to a general audience on Ash Wednesday. He also urged Catholics to put down their phones and "open the Bible" instead. "Lent is a time to disconnect from cell phones and connect to the Gospel," he said, according to Vatican News. "It is the time to give up useless words, chatter, rumours, gossip, and talk and to speak directly to the Lord." 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 There was no television when Pope Francis was a child and his family made a point of not listening to the radio, he told thousands of attendants in St Peter's Square. He also reminded people of the importance of fasting over the 40-day Lent period, saying: "Fasting is being capable of giving up the superfluous and going to the essential. Recommended Pope Francis says families should put away phones and talk at dinner "Fasting is not only losing weight, it is seeking the beauty of a simpler life." In recent years, Francis himself has been the butt of insults from ultra-conservative Catholic websites and mostly anonymous anti-pope Twitter feeds. Twitter has also become a platform for sometimes pitched verbal battles between his supporters and detractors. Later on Wednesday, Francis was due to have ashes rubbed on his forehead at a traditional Ash Wednesday service that reminds Christians of mortality and that everyone will someday become dust. During Lent, which is marked by repentance, fasting and reflection, the faithful are also called on to practice more good deeds, such as alms giving, and to be particularly closer to the needy. Additional reporting by agencies Humana Inc. HUM announced an agreement to expand alliance with Aledade, Inc. The latter collaborates with various health institutions for the creation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), which provide several health-based services. The deal, already in force, will likely enhance value-based care services in North Carolina for members participating in the Humana Medicare Advantage business. Health specialists will now have access to both companys knowledge and expertise. This, in turn, will help physicians take more coordinated primary care of their patients. Humana seems to be in a bid to enhance its value-based care services. Last year, it announced similar agreements for its Medicare Advantage members in Louisiana, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The latest move also caters to the increasing demand for value-based care. Moreover, the action is in line with Humanas endeavors to expand its Medicare business, which has been performing well for the past several quarters. Also, the Individual Medicare membership rose 17.1% year over year in 2019. The company expects 2020 Individual Medicare Advantage membership of 270,000-330,000, suggesting a 7.5-9.2% rise from that reported in 2019. Humana reports revenues under three segments Retail, Group and Specialty, and Healthcare Services. The extended tie-up is expected to benefit the companys Healthcare Services segment, which offers services to Humanas health plan members as well as third parties, including pharmacy solutions, provider services, home-based services and clinical programs. Revenues in the segment accounted for 39.7% of total revenues. Shares of the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 15.3% in a year, outperforming the industrys rise of 3.3%. We believe that strong growth in the Medicare Advantage business on efficient operating initiatives will drive the companys shares going forward. Stocks to Consider Some better-ranked stocks in the healthcare are Stryker Corporation SYK, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated UNH and IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. IDXX, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Story continues All the three stocks beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last reported quarter by 1.22%, 3.45% and 14.29%, respectively. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year. See their latest picks 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 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) : Free Stock Analysis Report Stryker Corporation (SYK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Humana Inc. (HUM) : Free Stock Analysis Report IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Almost half of those killed in North East Delhi's communal clashes lost their lives to bullets, while more than half of those injured were hit by blunt objects like rods and stones, hospital authorities said on Wednesday. By Wednesday, the death toll rose to at least 24 while those injured had risen around 220. An analysis by the doctors at the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital in North East Delhi, where almost all the victims were brought, showed that nine of the 20 people who were killed on Monday and Tuesday suffered gun shots. Most of them suffered gun shots on the upper part of their body. Five people were killed by blunt objects while three others were stabbed and another died due to burn injuries. Two people had more than one cause for death. "All those who died were brought dead to the hospital. None of them died during treatment," GTB Hospital Medical Director Sunil Kumar told DH. This pointed out to the impact of violence on these victims amid indications that injuries were inflicted with an intent to cause maximum damage, doctors said. As on Tuesday night, 189 people were being treated for injuries and two of them were in critical conditions. Some injured were also taken to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital near Delhi Gate. Doctors and nurses treating injured said most of the victims were youth. Kumar said, "I can say that majority of those under treatment are in their productive ages." Relatives of people who died in the violence said post mortem were not conducted on Monday or Tuesday. Kumar admitted that post mortems were delayed as medical boards to conduct the autopsy were not formed and for that the police had to take the initiative. "Post mortems were being conducted on Wednesday as medical boards were formed. Once formalities are finished, bodies will be handed over to relatives," he said. While there was a "gush" of injured persons in the previous two days, Kumar later told reporters that it was only a "trickle" on Wednesday. Till noon, there were only 15-20 people who were brought to the hospital. The transfer of justice S Muralidhar from the Delhi high court to the Punjab & Haryana high court and the decision to have the case in high court on Delhi riots transferred from the bench of justice Muralidhar to a bench headed by chief justice DN Patel have created a controversy. The central government notified the transfer of justice Muralidhar to the Punjab & Haryana high court late on Wednesday. The petition by Harsh Mander seeking courts intervention in the Delhi violence was heard by justice Muralidhar on Tuesday and he made some strong remarks against Delhi Police for not registering FIRs for hate speech against some BJP leaders. However, the case was shifted from his bench to the bench headed by chief justice DN Patel on Thursday. Both decisions have come in for criticism. First, the case. The petition relating to Delhi violence was a public interest litigation petition (PIL) filed by activist Harsh Mander. Cases in courts are assigned to judges based on the roster prepared by the chief justice of the concerned court. As per the roster of the Delhi high court, PIL petitions are assigned to Division Bench I and Division Bench II. Division Bench I is headed by Chief Justice DN Patel and Division Bench II by justice GS Sistani. When Manders case came up for hearing on Wednesday, both chief justice DN Patel and justice GS Sistani were not sitting. As is the convention, the case was posted before the next senior judge who is justice S Muralidhar. When the roster judge resumes duty, the norm is that the case reverts to the roster judge, in this case, chief justice DN Patel. The case was, thus, posted before chief justice Patel on Thursday, and as per this norm, would have been heard by him even if justice Muralidhar had not been transferred. The convention is that once the roster judge resumes his/ her duty, the matter will revert back to the roster judge. The roster judge is then well within his/ her rights to hear the case or send it back to bench which started hearing the matter. In this case, it was the call of Chief Justice DN Patel who was the roster judge. By transferring justice Muralidhar, the government, however, ensured that justice Muralidhar will not be able to hear the matter even if Chief Justice Patel wanted to send it back to justice Muralidhar, senior counsel Sanjay Hegde told HT. However, senior counsel and Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi held a different view. To pass order directing Muralidhar J to assume charge at Punjab & Haryana high court bang in the middle of a sensitive hearing is terribly unprecedented and unheard of. Shameless interference in an actual inter-partes case. To what lengths is this government prepared to go for its vendetta objects? Singhvi said. He also referred to an earlier attempt to transfer justice Muralidhar out of Delhi high court in January 2019 which was stalled by the Collegium. No one tells us how and why Muralidhar J is fit to be transferred now, when SC collegium few months ago resisted so transferring him. Clearly the current CJ of Punjab & Haryana HC has years to retire. Cannot assume current CJ of Punjab & Haryana elevation to SC. Hence clearly punitive transfer of Murali J, he tweeted. Second, the issue of the transfer. The transfer of justice Muralidhar to Punjab & Haryana high court was recommended by the Collegium on February 12. Two other judges, justice Ranjit More of Bombay high court and justice Ravi Vijaykumar Malimath of Karnataka high court, were also recommended by the Collegium for transfer to other high courts along with justice Muralidhar. The central government notified all three transfers on Wednesday evening. Experts say that as per convention, a judge cannot be appointed chief justice of his/ her parent high court and is transferred to another state to take over as chief justice of the high court of that state. However, justice Muralidhar is not being transferred as chief justice of Punjab & Haryana high court. But that does not preclude him from being elevated as chief justice of other high courts as and when a vacancy to the post of chief justice arises. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also said that the consent of the judge was taken before the transfer. Transfer of Honble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well settled process has been followed, he said in a tweet on Thursday. However the Congress Party had a different point of view. Any judge that has ordered the investigation or prosecution of a BJP leader, or has disagreed with the govts stand has either been transferred or suffered a violent fate. Is this a message from the BJP to judges, youre either Loyal Or Loya, the Congress Party tweeted referring to judge BH Loya, whose death became a subject of controversy after he died while hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh case in which current home minister Amit Shah was once an accused. Shah was subsequently discharged from the case. Senior advocate and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Dushyant Dave was also critical of the transfer of justice Muralidhar. The transfer may have been routine and after his consent. If it took place (based) on a February 12 Collegium order, then where was the need to pass a midnight order on February 26 by the Government of India directing him to assume charge of his office in Punjab and Haryana high court while he was in the midst of hearing a sensitive and important matter. Government of India has clearly done this to frustrate justice and to defeat rule of law, Dave said. One anomaly which, however, stood out with regard to justice Muralidhars transfer was the omission by the government to specify the date on which the transfer is to take effect. Notifications by the government transferring high court judges usually allow a reasonable time for the concerned judge to take charge at the transferred posting. This is missing in the case of justice Muralidhar and the other two judges whose transfers were notified on Wednesday. The Minister for Finance has paid tribute following the death of the former secretary general of the Department of Finance, David Doyle. Paschal Donohoe said Mr Doyle had a long and distinguished career in the public service. I wish to extend my sympathy to his family and friends, the minister said. David Doyle was secretary general between 2006 and 2010, including the height of the financial crisis when the Department of Finance was centrally involved in the bank bailouts and subsequent euro crisis. He also served on the board of the Central Bank. In his later evidence to the Banking Inquiry, Mr Doyle said it had been necessary to nationalise Anglo Irish Bank to stop it collapsing and triggering a wider banking failure. He criticised failures by bodies including his own department and told the Inquiry he regretted the department relying on consensus forecasts for a soft landing. Mr Doyle was a native of County Meath. He joined the civil service in 1972, having worked in the private sector for five years with Texaco. He joined the Department of Finance in 1975 and was appointed secretary general in 2006 and retired in 2010. She's been sharing glimpses of her new clothing range to Instagram during a luxurious photoshoot in Marbella. And Jacqueline Jossa's highly-awaited In The Style collection finally dropped on Thursday. In photos of her new clothing line, the I'm A Celebrity winner, 27, looked sensational as she modelled her collection. Red hot: Jacqueline Jossa's highly-awaited In The Style collection finally dropped on Thursday While Jacqueline went on to wow in a black smock-style ruffled chiffon dress at a photocall for her new line at EL&N Cafe in London. One look saw the mother-of-two showcase her toned torso in a strapless red polkadot crop top and a matching ruffled mini skirt. While a different ensemble saw Jacqueline model the same material but this time in a bodycon mini dress with thin straps and a dramatic train. Red seemed to be a favourite colour as the former EastEnders star also modelled a vibrant crimson trouser suit with a double breasted blazer and cigarette-style trousers. Sensational: In photos of her new clothing line, the I'm A Celebrity winner, 27, looked sensational as she modelled her collection Chic: While Jacqueline went on to wow in a black smock-style ruffled chiffon dress at a photocall for her new line at EL&N Cafe in London Sticking to bold colours, another look saw Jacqueline wow in a mustard yellow ruffled polkadot tea dress. A different item of clothing saw the soap star show off her toned figure in a black floral ruched mini dress. While others from the collection saw the brunette beauty model a white floral smock-style dress and a green blazer-style belted mini dress. Celebrity hairdresser Carl Bembridge styled Jacqueline's brunette tresses into amazonian waves with hair extensions from Color Wow Hair. Sultry: Red seemed to be a favourite colour as the former EastEnders star also modelled a vibrant crimson trouser suit with a double breasted blazer and cigarette-style trousers Cute: Sticking to bold colours, another look saw Jacqueline wow in a mustard yellow ruffled polkadot tea dress Yummy mummy: A different item of clothing saw the soap star show off her toned figure in a black floral ruched mini dress Make-up artist Krystal Dawn expertly painted her face with a bronzed contour and a soft pink smokey eye accentuating her natural beauty. Also on Thursday, Jacqueline attended a photocall for her new line at EL&N Cafe in London. The star looked effortlessly glamorous in a black smock-style ruffled chiffon dress, which she teamed with a pair of barely-there strappy heels. Jacqueline styled her brunette locks into a curly blow-dried hairdo, which she swept into a ponytail, she added a slick of glamorous make-up. Gorgeous: While others from the collection saw the brunette beauty model a white floral smock-style dress and a green blazer-style belted mini dress (L-R) Busy bee: Also on Thursday, Jacqueline attended a photocall for her new line at EL&N Cafe in London Leading lady: The star looked effortlessly glamorous in a black smock-style ruffled chiffon dress, which she teamed with a pair of barely-there strappy heels She appeared delighted with her new clothing line as she posed up a storm at the photocall event. It was revealed in January that Jacqueline had signed a mega six-figure deal to front a new collection with In The Style. The former EastEnders star joins a string of celebrities - including Billie Faiers, Charlotte Crosby and Dani Dyer - in representing the brand, with an exclusive range featuring loungewear, eveningwear and day-time essentials. Glamorous: Jacqueline styled her brunette locks into a curly blow-dried hairdo, which she swept into a ponytail, she added a slick of glamorous make-up Happy: She appeared delighted with her new clothing line as she posed up a storm at the photocall event Kerching! It was revealed in January that Jacqueline had signed a mega six-figure deal to front a new collection with In The Style Speaking to MailOnline, she revealed: 'I'm so excited to be working with In The Style, I've shopped with them for years... With my collection, I want to make ladies feel confident and strong, classy and sexy all at the same time.' Earlier this week, Jacqueline lifted the lid on the secrets behind the glamour as she took to Instagram to share a video as her newly shorter locks were removed - revealing that she had tricked fans into thinking she had gone for the chop. The I'm A Celeb victor stunned fans as she pulled her hair off and shared the cheeky caption: 'Hair today, gone tomorrow!' Removal! Earlier this week, Jacqueline lifted the lid on the secrets behind the glamour as she took to Instagram to share a video as her newly shorter locks were removed - revealing that she had tricked fans into thinking she had gone for the chop On Wednesday, Jacqueline revealed her newly chopped locks while on a trip to Marbella, Spain, to shoot her new In The Style collection. The stunner looked dramatically different as she showcased her new shoulder-length hair in a series of Instagram stories while wearing pieces from her range. And the mother-of-two said she was channelling 'Kylie Jenner vibes' with the cut by celebrity hairstylist Carl Bembridge, comparing her new look to the youngest Kardashian's power-bob. Yet one day later all was revealed as she posted the clip with her hair being removed and her usual longer locks still in place underneath. Haha! The EastEnders actress and I'm A Celeb victor stunned fans as she pulled her hair off and shared the cheeky caption: 'Hair today, gone tomorrow!' Before and after the chop: The former EastEnders star looked dramatically different in a snap that she shared just a day before getting her locks chopped as she showcased a dress from her range (before, left, and after, right) Inspired! Her look was inspired by billionaire make-up mogul Kylie Jenner Days earlier Jaqueline also shared a snap of herself glowing before the cut in a more dressed-up item from her range, a ruched white mini-dress fit for the Marbella sun. She captioned the image: 'On top of the world right now. Perfect sunset in the perfect dress.' Earlier in the week Jacqueline wowed in a green bikini as she was transformed from a make-up free beauty to a striking glamourpuss for the first day of the photoshoot in Marbella. 'Hair today gone tomorrow': Jaqueline reshared a snap of her hair on the floor following her cut by Carl Bembridge (left) 'Being happy never goes out of style': The actress shared a snap of herself sporting a loose fitting floral dress Taking to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot she showed herself before and after her transformation. First, Jacqueline excitedly shared a glimpse of herself bare-faced with her hair in a bun, pre-hair-and-make-up, while wearing a skimpy green bikini. With her hairdresser Carl then styling her brunette tresses into amazonian waves with hair extensions from Color Wow Hair. Make-up artist Krystal Dawn expertly painted her face with a bronzed contour and a soft pink smokey eye accentuating her natural beauty. Jacqueline displayed the results of her makeover on Instagram, with a breathtaking snap of herself captioned: 'Jungle Jaq,' posted to the grid. The best readers at secondary school are failing to stretch themselves and choosing 'easy' books far below their ability levels, a major study has revealed. It found the brightest are opting for 'endless' texts from Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and the novels of David Walliams including Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy. These books are also popular among 'struggling readers' at secondary school as well as primary pupils from the age of seven onwards, according to the report by the education assessment provider Renaissance UK. It found 16 out of 20 of the most popular books in secondary schools, among pupils up to the age of 16, are written by Kinney and Walliams. David Walliams' 'The Ice Monster' book signing at a Waterstones book store in Piccadilly in London in November 2018 University of Dundee academic Professor Keith Topping, who analysed the data for the study, said it was 'rather depressing' that pupils were reading so much by the two authors. 'The other issue is that Kinney and Walliams seem to be making no effort to increase the difficulty of some of their books,' he added. 'Now they have an apparently captive readership, they could introduce harder books which children would certainly read.' ) Jeff Kinney BookCon in New York for a signing of a The Diary of a Wimpy Kid in June 2017 Renaissance UK's 12th annual report examined the reading comprehension and habits of more than 1.1million pupils throughout the UK and Ireland. It found that across the secondary school years, pupils capable of reading books suitable for those older than them were consistently choosing lower-level works. Those aged 13 to 16, for example, regularly read books on average 'at least three years below their chronological age'. The report says pupils return to read 'endless Jeff Kinney books, presumably on the basis that they 'like the author'. Each hospital with 600 beds for 3,000 patients belongs to a contingency plan to curb the spread of the Covid-19 disease. The Hanoi Department of Health and the Capital High Command are jointly requesting the Hanoi People's Committee to set up two field hospitals to deal with a rising number of peope coming from areas stricken by Covid-19, Tuoitre.vn reported. Illustrative photo Each hospital with 600 beds for 3,000 patients belongs to a contingency plan to curb the spread of the Covid-19 disease. The health department forecast the number of people coming from the epidemic-hit regions will increase in the time ahead, exceeding the capacity of the current quarantine facilities. Reports from Hanoi's districts showed that 414 people have arrived in Hanoi from South Koreas epidemic epicenters in the past 14 days, including 23 from Daegu city (22 Vietnamese and one South Korean), 15 from North Gyeongsang province (13 Vietnamese and two South Koreans). Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Ngo Van Quy stressed that if the proposal is approved, surveys will immediately be carried out to build new isolation areas. "There are only more than 500 beds in the quarantine area, while on February 26 night, there would be five flights landing on Hanoi, carrying hundreds of people back home. If we are not prepared, quarantine spaces would be overcrowded," Quy said. He added that the returnees from the epidemic regions should be strictly quarantined no less than 14 days. Earlier, Vietnams Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs also advised Vietnamese workers in South Koreas two provinces of Daegu and Gyeongbuk against traveling to epidemic regions or leaving the country if not necessary to curb the spread of the disease. Hanoitimes Anh Kiet Vietnams growth under pressure from global COVID-19 outbreak Fitch Solutions has revised down its 2020 real GDP growth forecast for Vietnam to 6.3 percent, from 6.8 percent previously, in light of the worsening global COVID-19 outbreak. Simply put, once voters enact something at the ballot, the Arizona Constitution forbids lawmakers from repealing it or making major changes unless they further the purpose of the original measure. And even then it requires a three-fourths vote of both the House and Senate. There are about 8,200 students now receiving vouchers, well within the 1% of the 1.1 million students in public schools, with a price tag of about $110 million. We wanted to find a spot that didnt kick off anyone whos currently in the program but didnt allow massive growth because we want to refocus on the public schools and the funding for public schools that 95% of kids are in, Penich-Thacker explained. Its a reasonable limit. More significant, she said, is the requirement to prioritize vouchers for students with disabilities the original reason vouchers were enacted in the first place. The Legislature has never seen fit to take care of special-needs students in the ESA program as much as they use them as pawns, Penich-Thacker said. She said the change, if approved by voters, will mean that over time this program serves the students they say it was designed to serve. In 2012 Renyuan Gong was appointed CEO of Sun.King Power Electronics Group Limited (HKG:580). This report will, first, examine the CEO compensation levels in comparison to CEO compensation at companies of similar size. Next, we'll consider growth that the business demonstrates. And finally - as a second measure of performance - we will look at the returns shareholders have received over the last few years. The aim of all this is to consider the appropriateness of CEO pay levels. Check out our latest analysis for Sun.King Power Electronics Group How Does Renyuan Gong's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies? According to our data, Sun.King Power Electronics Group Limited has a market capitalization of HK$2.2b, and paid its CEO total annual compensation worth CN916k over the year to December 2018. While we always look at total compensation first, we note that the salary component is less, at CN600k. As part of our analysis we looked at companies in the same jurisdiction, with market capitalizations of CN701m to CN2.8b. The median total CEO compensation was CN2.0m. A first glance this seems like a real positive for shareholders, since Renyuan Gong is paid less than the average total compensation paid by similar sized companies. While this is a good thing, you'll need to understand the business better before you can form an opinion. You can see a visual representation of the CEO compensation at Sun.King Power Electronics Group, below. SEHK:580 CEO Compensation, February 27th 2020 Is Sun.King Power Electronics Group Limited Growing? Sun.King Power Electronics Group Limited has increased its earnings per share (EPS) by an average of 11% a year, over the last three years (using a line of best fit). It achieved revenue growth of 14% over the last year. This shows that the company has improved itself over the last few years. Good news for shareholders. It's a real positive to see this sort of growth in a single year. That suggests a healthy and growing business. Although we don't have analyst forecasts you could get a better understanding of its growth by checking out this more detailed historical graph of earnings, revenue and cash flow. Story continues Has Sun.King Power Electronics Group Limited Been A Good Investment? Since shareholders would have lost about 9.8% over three years, some Sun.King Power Electronics Group Limited shareholders would surely be feeling negative emotions. It therefore might be upsetting for shareholders if the CEO were paid generously. In Summary... It appears that Sun.King Power Electronics Group Limited remunerates its CEO below most similar sized companies. Considering the underlying business is growing earnings, this would suggest the pay is modest. Few would deny that the total shareholder return over the last three years could have been a lot better. So while we would not say that Renyuan Gong is generously paid, it would be good to see an improvement in business performance before too an increase in pay. In this case we may want to look deeper into the company. There are some real positives and we could see improved returns in the longer term. Whatever your view on compensation, you might want to check if insiders are buying or selling Sun.King Power Electronics Group shares (free trial). If you want to buy a stock that is better than Sun.King Power Electronics Group, this free list of high return, low debt companies is a great place to look. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Police are looking to identify the person responsible for the kidnap and murder of a New Mexico woman Sasha Krause after her body was found hundreds of miles away from her secluded Mennonite community. On Feb. 22, police discovered Krauses lifeless body by a camper near Sunset Crater National Monument Flagstaff in Arizona, San Juan County Sheriffs Office revealed in a statement on Facebook. The 27-year-old had been missing since Jan. 18, according to police. She mysteriously vanished after running an errand at the Farmington Mennonite Church in northwestern New Mexico, Fox 10 Phoenix reported. According to local outlet AZFamily, Krause disappeared after eating dinner with her roommates and was without her wallet. On Tuesday, San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari gave an update on the investigation via a video on Facebook, revealing it was initially difficult to determine whether Krause was voluntarily missing or we were working a kidnapping. Ferrari admitted that authorities immediately thought her disappearance was suspicious. Ferrari explained that after discovering a body that was similar to that of Sasha was found on Feb. 22 an autopsy was conducted, confirming it was in fact Krause. RELATED: Missing Wyoming Woman Is Found Dead a Year After Her Sister Was Fatally Shot It is with a heavy heart that I now report that the body of Sasha Krause has been identified and located, Ferrari said. To Sashas family, I give my heartfelt condolences on behalf of not only myself, but the San Juan County Sheriffs Office. Ferrari went on to share that the current investigation has since transitioned to a criminal investigation. We have partnered with the Coconino County Sheriffs Office and federal authorities to try and identify and apprehend the person responsible for Sashas kidnap and murder, Ferrari said. As this investigation remains ongoing, Krauses cause of death has not been revealed. Story continues RELATED: Police Find Body of Paighton Houston Who Went Missing After Leaving Bar and Texting I Feel in Trouble The case is particular puzzling to detectives as Krause lived in a very secluded community, Ferrari told Fox 10 Phoenix. They have a business, they live onsite, and we never respond there very often for anything, so it struck us as very odd that we had someone missing, especially because you see them out in a group and having someone gone was very strange to us, Ferrari told the news outlet. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Krauses co-worker Paul Kaufman has since spoken out to Fox 10 Phoenix, saying Krause was intelligent, a hard worker and pleasant. It is a very difficult experience for us. It shouldnt have happened. IT shouldnt happen to anyone, Kaufman told Fox 10 Phoenix. [She is] a dedicated Christian, so yeah, she leaves a big hole with us. The Mennonite faith is one based in Christianity and while its followers share some similarities with the Amish they do not follow all the same observances. Mennonites do dress traditionally but tend to be more open about the use of machinary and electronics. Monzo co-founder and CEO Tom Blomfield. Monzo Monzo CEO Tom Blomfield perches himself on a chair, leaning back on it playfully. He's just returned from a friend's wedding in Guatemala and looks refreshed. "The weather was great, it was absolutely lovely," Blomfield says. "Back to Earth with a bump now." He's sat in a glass meeting room at the app-based bank's London headquarters, which is within walking distance of two competitors, Starling and Monese. Along with another London-based peer, Revolut, they're one of several start-ups taking on the financial giants of the city. Walking into the firm's offices, you're likely to be greeted by its in-house pet dog, a cockapoo named Bingo. It might now have over 1,500 employees worldwide, but its HQ is a stark contrast to that of a bank like HSBC or Barclays. Life in the Valley Blomfield co-founded Monzo in 2015. Its bright coral pink cards are a common sight in London's younger, trendier areas, and they're now rolling out across America. But before he started Monzo, Blomfield was in Silicon Valley at the start-up accelerator Y Combinator, setting up a different fintech, or financial technology, business called GoCardless with two college friends. "I went to Y Combinator through that company and got to know the team there relatively well," Blomfield recalls in an interview. "Y Combinator really shaped my experience." The "sheer optimism and ambition" that embodied the culture of the Valley was "infectious," he says. Investors there would welcome "wild ideas" like that of starting a bank from scratch. Blomfield worked in California for five months in 2011, helping to build GoCardless, an online payments processor for what he called the "antiquated system" of direct debit recurring transactions that are taken directly from a person's bank account. "That for me was really foundational," he says. It taught him that the nuts and bolts of payments wasn't as "complicated" or "mystical" as he once thought. "All of the annoying processes that banks have I assumed at least were there for a reason. There's got to be some underlying complexity. And it's just not true actually, most of them are relatively simple systems. They just don't have good technology," he added. It was a formative experience for the British entrepreneur, but neither he, nor his GoCardless colleagues, would stay in the Valley. They took the lessons from the world's best-known tech hub and brought them back to their home country. Starting Monzo After leaving GoCardless in 2013, Blomfield worked at Grouper, a dating site in New York, and then went on to do a stint at future rival Starling with co-founder and CEO Anne Boden. It was at this point that Blomfield approached Passion Capital a venture capital firm he knew through its investment in GoCardless to discuss plans for a new start-up. "Tom came to us with the suggestion that he was going to do what he wanted to do," says Passion founding partner Eileen Burbidge. "We were of the view that, whatever he was going to set his mind to doing, we were going to back him." Passion was actually going to invest in Boden's Starling before Blomfield pitched a "diversion on approach." He left Starling, started Monzo and won the investment from Passion. The rest was history. Monzo originally named Mondo until it faced a copyright claim started issuing prepaid bank cards in 2015 before obtaining a bank license two years later. Since then, it's been able to expand into credit products like loans and overdrafts. "We are first and foremost a regulated bank," Blomfield said. "We were once a start-up, we were once a fintech we are now a bank. And I think, rightly, we are subject to stringent regulations." Last year, Monzo held 1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) in customer deposits. It now has 3.8 million registered customers and says 40,000 are signing up every week. 'Storefront for your money' Luckily for Blomfield, the Valley never really left him. U.S. payments giant Stripe itself the product of European entrepreneurs leaving for San Francisco invested in Monzo twice, first in 2017 and again in 2019. Last year also saw Y Combinator throw its weight behind the fintech firm, in a funding round valuing it at $2.5 billion. But like many start-ups in the Valley and beyond, Monzo faces an existential question: can it build a sustainable business that customers can trust with their money for years to come? The firm lost 47.2 million on revenues of 9.1 million in the fiscal year ending February 2019. It's a question even Blomfield has struggled with. "Getting to self-sustaining profitability is really important, and so for us that means picking the two or three things that will help us get a step change in revenue generation to get to profitability," he said. India has conveyed to the US that pressure on Pakistan to crack down on terror networks operating from its soil must be kept up though Islamabad's cooperation to reach a peace deal with Taliban in Afghanistan is crucial. Government sources said the threat of cross-border terrorism and the proposed peace deal between the US and the Taliban figured prominently during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The Indian side conveyed to the US that the draw-down of the US troops shouldn't precipitate in acts of terror and the US should keep in mind that the gains of the past 19 years in terms of the Constitution, rights of women and minorities must not be lost. After long-held negotiations, the US and Taliban are set to sign a peace deal on Saturday allowing for the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. The US is of the view that Pakistan's cooperation was important for ending the decades-long war in Afghanistan and bring peace and stability to it. "We understand that the US needs Pakistan's support in Afghanistan. At the same time, India thinks the US need to continue to put pressure on Pakistan on terror," a source said. According to the sources, India clearly conveyed to the US that pressure on Pakistan to effectively contain terror groups must continue. Zalmay Khalilzad, the US envoy leading efforts to forge a deal with the Taliban, spent about a year meeting various stakeholders in Doha in a series of talks to end America's war in Afghanistan. A joint statement issued after Modi-Trump talks said the two leaders asked Pakistan to ensure that no territory under its control is used to launch terror attacks and strongly condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms. Sources said the prime minister also shared with Trump the development roadmap envisaged by India for Jammu and Kashmir, listing ensuring economic prosperity for the region as priority area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australia has leapt ahead of the World Health Organisation and is set to declare a coronavirus pandemic, preparing health authorities for a sustained outbreak as the disease spreads around the world. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the last 24 hours had fundamentally altered the government's response to the COVID-19 virus as the government prepares for months of disruption and triggers emergency measures at hospitals, schools and aged-care facilities. "While the World Health Organisation is yet to declare the nature of the coronavirus and its move towards a pandemic phase, we believe the risk of a global pandemic is very much upon us," he said. "We're effectively operating now on the basis that there is a pandemic." Hodgen Mainda, state Commerce and Insurance commissioner, told members of the Chattanooga Rotary Club on Thursday the department has set up an online permitting system. He said, "This modernizes the electrical and residential permit purchasing and inspection process by allowing statewide purchasing and online inspection requests. Customers will now be able to purchase and request inspections by simply, going online. Mobile inspections and online permitting will drastically reduce the amount of time of permit issuance and receipt making it virtually instantaneous and will benefit Tennesseans by increasing efficiency and decreasing wait times. The speaker said, Our mission at TDCI is to protect Tennesseans through balanced oversight of insurance and regulated professions while enhancing consumer advocacy, education and public safety. We directly impact all 6.8 million Tennesseans daily. At TDCI we regulate and enforce professional standards of conduct and statutory mandates for industries ranging from engineering to accounting. We currently have 380,000 active licensees and we grew from 254,513 in 2018 to 316,581 in 2019. He said he also serves as the Tennessee State Fire Marshal. "Today, we recognize 698 fire departments and 519 of them are staffed entirely by volunteers. Out of 22,065 active firefighters, 14,218 are volunteers. We look forward to continuing our support of volunteer firefighters. Commissioner Mainda said the insurance division brought in $1 billion directly to the general fund. He said $4 billion was recovered through mediation efforts in 2019 that went directly to the consumer. He said there was $44.8 billion premium volume written in Tennessee by insurance companies, making Tennessee No.16 in the nation for premium volume and 33rd in the world. Commissioner Mainda said, With Governor Lees budget we have a total budget of $40.8 billion, with $100 million returned to cities and counties and $1.15 billion placed in the rainy day fund." SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A #NotAgainSU protest shut down two city blocks near Syracuse University for about two hours Wednesday night. Around 100 students, faculty and supporters gathered in the intersection of South Crouse and Waverly avenues. Syracuse police blocked off Waverly Avenue, from Irving Avenue to Walnut Avenue. The protest also effectively blocked Marshall Street to incoming car traffic. The latest demonstration was part of a recent series of protests by #NotAgainSU, which formed after a rash of racist, anti-Semitic graffiti was found on campus last semester. Protesters chanted No justice! No peace! No racist police! Many wore black facemasks. They also interspersed chants of Where is Kent? a reference to the schools chancellor Kent Syverud. #NotAgainSUs organizers had hoped to hold a meeting to negotiate with SU administrators and members of the Board of Trustees at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Organizers have signaled that the protest is in response to SU not agreeing to that meeting. SU said it will not meet with #NotAgainSU until everyone agrees to terms that would ensure a substantive and respectful dialogue. The university said, however, that it has invited students to a meeting at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Syracuse police responded to the scene on Wednesday night, prominently displaying their body cameras and holding them toward protesters. They have also photographed the protest with professional-style cameras. #NotAgainSU began occupying Crouse-Hinds Hall on Feb. 17 and have occupied it for 11 days. Administrators and campus police initially attempted to shut down the protest, suspending around 30 students. Officials for two days locked the building to outsiders and refused to let food or other items in, encouraging the protesters to leave. #NotAgainSU has had visits from legal counsel, concerned parents and students from other colleges including SUNY Binghamton who have expressed solidarity. Chancellor Kent Syverud, urged by faculty, lifted protesters suspensions and directed staff to stand down in efforts to stop the protest. Now campus officials are treating the protest like the eight-day sit-in at the Barnes Center in November. Supporters drop off food, between 30 and 50 protesters freely move in and out of the building, and the schedule includes events like open mic nights and teach-ins about institutional racism with professors. Since then, the university has hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to review the campus police department. This week, #NotAgainSU signaled it was open to negotiation but willing to remain in the building as long as it takes for a list of demands to be met. Those demands include resignations from top campus officials including Syverud and two leaders of the Department of Public Safety, which administrators have previously signaled are not negotiable. Suspended Syracuse University #notagainsu student protesters refuse to leave the Crouse Hinds Hall adminastration building, Tue. Feb. 18, 2020, at Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y. Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com A list of 18 demands, originally formed during last semesters protests, has grown to 34. Organizers say thats partly because they say administrators have not genuinely delivered on promises theyve made. For example, protesters say the hiring of four new mental health counselors is not adequate, when they demanded the school bring its ratio of counselors to students in line with the national average of one per 500. Organizers say administrators declaration that this demand has been met is a blatant lie. Because of examples like this, #NotAgainSU organizers say they amended demands to include deadlines, specific requests for money to be allocated to various causes, and the formation of paid student oversight committees. At least six new demands are directly in response to the universitys handling of this round of protests, organizers say in documents spelling out their concerns. Syverud appeared to acknowledge the university flubbed its initial response to protests this semester. He reversed suspensions and apologized for the way some students were treated. I am not proud of how last weeks events involving student protesters in Crouse-Hinds Hall were handled, Syverud said in a message to the campus community on Monday. While university officials vow that by closing the building they were not intentionally depriving students of food, the protesters argue placing any restrictions on their basic needs amounted to violence. #NotAgainSU in its communications on social media and online has said that lackluster responses are a big part of why they have continued to protest. People gather to support suspended Syracuse University #notagainsu student protesters as they refuse to leave the Crouse Hinds Hall administration building, Tue. Feb. 18, 2020, at Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y. Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com Syracuse Universitys repugnant and violent response to #NotAgainSUs peaceful protest has undeniably illustrated the universitys allegiance to white supremacist institutional violence, #NotAgainSU writes. The continued racialized tactics deployed by the university is one of the main reasons why we are currently occupying this building." In remarks to the media Monday, an administrator said the students were now welcome to remain in the building as long as they want. SUs full statement on the protest: To be clear: A meeting for 4 p.m. today was never agreed to, scheduled or confirmed. We do, however, hope to continue dialogue with our students, which is why we participated in a two-and-a-half-hour meeting last night with the student protestors to establish parameters that would productively guide our continued engagement. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach agreement around terms. As Dean of Students Marianne Thomson shared (in writing at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday), the University is eager to participate in continued conversations. She made it very clear that the University will not proceed with a meeting until everyone agrees to terms that would ensure a substantive and respectful dialogue. As no terms were agreed to, no meeting was scheduled. In an effort to bring everybody back together to reinitiate dialogue, Vice President for the Student Experience Rob Hradsky sent two emails today (one just before noon and the other shortly after) requesting the protestors participate in a meeting this afternoon at 3 p.m. in Crouse-Hinds Hall with external facilitators from Interfaith Works of Central New York. Three student protestors and one faculty advisor participated in this conversation for roughly 45 minutes. The University remains hopeful that we can come together with student protestors in good faith. To this end, we have reached out to invite our students to a meeting tomorrow at 11 a.m. Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government, education and sometimes fun stuff like treasure hunters. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 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 SEATTLEAmazon is again the target of activist shareholders seeking changes at the company or more information about how it operates. In proposals that could be voted on at this springs shareholder meeting, theyve asked the company to assess its business risks related to third-party sellers, worker health and safety and lobbying policies, among other topics. Its the second year in a row that Amazon has been the focus of a campaign of shareholder resolutions related to environmental, social and governance issues co-ordinated by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), which announced a slate of a dozen proposals from its members Tuesday. Other proposals were submitted by employees and other stock owners. Nadira Narine, ICCRs senior program director for strategic initiatives, said the rationale for the ongoing focus on Amazon is simple. The bottom line is that this company is huge, and we havent seen it addressing the range of risks that its exposed to given its sheer size and the number of markets its in, she said. Amazon said in a statement it is committed to the creation of good jobs, a sustainable future, and flourishing communities, the protection of customer privacy, a strong economy, and successful small and medium-sized businesses. The company did not comment on individual proposals or the co-ordinated campaign. It has challenged at least nine proposals, including six from ICCR members, seeking to keep them off of its 2020 proxy statement. A companys challenges known as no-action requests provide a partial picture of the number of shareholder proposals. Proposals that go unchallenged might not be disclosed until a company files its proxy statement. This year, JPMorgan Chase is another top recipient of shareholder proposals, alongside Google parent company Alphabet, Facebook and perennial targets in the oil and gas sector, such as ExxonMobil, said ICCR communications director Susana McDermott. Last year, a dozen proposals, including nine from ICCR members, appeared on Amazons proxy statement a ballot voted on by shareholders at the companys annual meeting, typically held each May. None passed, though several attracted substantial shareholder support. Several have been resubmitted this year. Even if they dont pass, the proposals can draw management and media attention to issues of concern. A group of Amazon employees in late 2018 submitted a climate change proposal, asking Amazon to disclose its plans for reducing fossil fuel dependence and weathering disruptions due to climate change. In early 2019, the company pledged to make half of its deliveries net carbon neutral by 2030. At the 2019 shareholder meeting, members of the Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ) group presented their proposal and asked chairman and CEO Jeff Bezos directly to commit the company to specific targets and timelines for reducing emissions. Bezos, in September, committed Amazon to be net carbon neutral by 2040. Members of AECJ submitted a proposal for this years proxy statement seeking a report on Amazons efforts to identify and reduce environmental and health harms to communities of colour stemming from its operations. The employee group did not provide a copy of the proposal and a representative declined to comment Tuesday. Activist shareholders, including specialty investment funds, religious organizations and labour and environmental groups, typically file proposals after other avenues to engage with company management have failed. Bruce Herbert, CEO of Seattle-based Newground Social Investment, said shareholder activists focused on Amazon have become better organized in the last year, yielding results. He and Narine said Amazon has been more responsive and willing to talk with shareholders advocating for change. (But not in every case. Herbert said Newground did not receive substantive engagement from Amazon on its proposal seeking detailed reporting on direct and indirect lobbying policies and spending.) We now have much more of a pattern of engagement with the company and understanding with each other, (presenting) a united front that is more cogent and effective, Herbert said, adding that the best case is when a company agrees to changes before an issue is brought up for a vote. The most successful outcomes are the ones you never hear about because they dont show up in the proxy. Meanwhile, proposed changes to SEC rules threaten to make it harder for activists to bring issues before shareholders for a vote. One change under consideration would require a shareholder to own $25,000 of stock in a company continuously for a year to submit a proposal, up from the current requirement of $2,000. A shareholder with a $2,000 stake would have to hold it for at least three years to submit a proposal. Members of AECJ said in comments to the SEC that the new thresholds will greatly hinder our ability to bring forth future successful resolutions that serve to benefit and inform the public market, NBC News reported this month. Several of this years ICCR member proposals cite reporting on Amazon by journalists. One from lead filer Mercy Investment Services asks for a report on efforts to reduce unsafe products listed by third-party sellers on Amazons site and refers to a Wall Street Journal investigation. Amazon challenged the proposal. The company said in a statement it is tremendously committed to helping its third party selling partners who account for more than half of everything sold in our stores. Amazon said it spent $15 billion to help third-party sellers with tools, infrastructure and services including education and guidance on marketing and brand protection. Another proposal, submitted by the Teamsters union, asks for a report on steps Amazon has taken to reduce the risk of accidents in its fulfilment centres and delivery network. It cites the Center for Investigative Reportings findings on higher-than-average injury rates at some Amazon warehouses. Amazon challenged the proposal. One proposal asks for an assessment of human rights impacts throughout Amazons supply chain. Another asks for a human rights policy applicable to its own operations and subsidiaries that specifically affirms the rights of workers to join unions and collectively bargain. The former is from anti-poverty group Oxfam America, and the latter from Ohman, the Swedish investment group. Amazon challenged both. In its statement, Amazon said it is committed to ensuring the people, workers, and communities who support our business model are treated with fundamental dignity and respect. The company supports and respects agreements including the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organization and its Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, as well as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Two proposals refer to Amazons creation and sale of facial recognition technology. One, submitted by Harrington Investments, asks for an independent study of the extent to which Amazons Rekognition technology may endanger, threaten or violate privacy and/or civil rights, and unfairly or disproportionately target or surveil people of colour, immigrants and activists in the United States; the extent to which it may be marketed and sold to authoritarian or repressive governments; and the potential loss of goodwill or other financial risks to the company. Another, from the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, asks for an independent assessment of customer due diligence to determine whether customer use of its surveillance and computer vision products or cloud-based services contributes to human rights violations. Amazon challenged the proposal. Other proposals call for: An independent board chair. Bezos is both chairman and CEO, an arrangement that weakens corporate governance, proponent the AFL-CIO argues. A report on global median gender and racial pay gaps that proponent Arjuna Capital asserts would be more detailed than the companys current reports, which compare pay gaps among employees in similar jobs. (On this basis, Amazon reported that in 2018 women earned 99.5 per cent of the compensation earned by men, and minorities earned 98.5 per cent as much as nonminorities.) A report on how quickly employees are promoted, broken down by title, gender and racial identity. A report assessing the feasibility of including measurements of environmental and social considerations and senior executive diversity into compensation plans, submitted by Zevin Asset Management. A report on efforts to address hate speech and the sale or promotion of offensive products throughout its businesses, from the Nathan Cummings Foundation, the family foundation of the founder Consolidated Foods. A report on the environmental and social impacts of food waste, from JLens Network, a Jewish impact investing network. Read more about: Money. Its an aspect of life everyone must manage. For many, the stresses that come along with personal finances affect their relationships, their health, and their overall well-being. I spoke to Brian Hamilton, the vice president of SmartDollar, a new program for employers being offered by Ramsey Solutions. SmartDollar aims to offer a way for employers to help their employees tackle their money issues. Brian Hamilton, vice president of SmartDollar. (Courtesy of Ramsey Solutions) The Epoch Times: In a thriving economy, a majority of Americans are still living paycheck to paycheck. Why do you think that is? Brian Hamilton: Its not just a majority. Its 78 percent of Americans that are living paycheck to paycheck, no matter their pay grade. There are people making six figures who have never even had $1,000 saved before. You can make pretty good money like that and never get ahead because of bad money behaviors. When you live like that, simple inconveniences become emergencies. The Federal Reserve found that 39 percent of Americans cant even cover a $400 emergency. So, what do they do? They go into debt for something that they shouldve had the cash saved up to cover. All of this points to poor financial behavior. Most people know what to do with their money; they just have a hard time doing it. It creates a cycle where theyre always relying on debt in the form of credit cards, loans, and payday advances, which puts them at all kinds of risk. At SmartDollar, we believe it doesnt have to be this way. That vicious cycle of bad money habits can be fixedbut youve got to take control. Its not about head knowledge, its about behavior change. The Epoch Times: How do financial struggles affect ones well-being? Mr. Hamilton: Money is one of the most common causes of stress in America, with 60 percent of Americans stressing about it every day and night. People are literally losing sleep over it. And thats just the beginning. Money stress is making people physically and mentally sickits affecting how they use their health care and making them miss work. It hurts relationships and marriages, too. Money fights are the No. 2 cause of divorce in America. And when it comes to their jobs, they bring that stress to work with them, making them less productive, more distracted, and causes them to miss work more often. That costs businesses money in lost productivity and turnover. The Epoch Times: What inspired Ramsey Solutions to offer its new SmartDollar program as an employee benefit? Mr. Hamilton: For three decades, our CEO, Dave Ramsey, has been teaching people how to budget their money and get out of debt so they can live and give like no one else. Weve offered that message through financial wellness education to businesses for almost 20 years. But in those two decades of experience, we learned that theres a stigma around talking about money at work. There was also the problem that a physical class at work limited our ability to reach as many lives as possible. So, in 2015, we developed and launched the digital version of that product that allowed us to scale to the needs of thousands of businesses and millions of employees. Businesses needed a financial wellness benefit that actually worked and could show them the return for the company. Employees needed the privacy and ability to access it from anywhere. Our product meets the needs of both. Today, SmartDollar is in thousands of companies, changing the lives of millions of employees across the country. But our work isnt done. The Epoch Times: What incentives do employers have to offer such a program to their employees? Mr. Hamilton: Look, financial wellness benefits are the hot trend in the benefits space right now. But almost none of them focus on the right things. A lot of them actually hurt employees with things like dangerous payday advances and student loan refinancing built-in. Debt is not the answer; kicking the can down the road is not the answer. These benefits dont lead to life change. And if it doesnt teach your employees to change how they handle their money; its not helping them. I mentioned how employees are stressing about money and how it impacts their health. For the business, you have to look at ROI through the lens of engagement. What is engagement? Its when your employees watch the videos, complete the quizzes, update their wellness scores, get into a rhythm with their budgets, and it actually changes their lives. SmartDollar users see an average financial turnaround of more than $16,000 in the first year alone. No other benefit in the industry can touch that. If youre a business, the incentive is that your employees show up to work without their money stress, are more focused, and are more productive as a result. Plus, employees who are secure in their finances show lower turnover rates and miss work less often. That saves your company money. That helps your bottom line. The Epoch Times: What strategies does the SmartDollar recommend to find ones way to financial health? Mr. Hamilton: Financial wellness isnt a math problemits a heart problem. To have it, you need to change your behaviors around money. You have to say, Enough is enough, and commit to changing. You have to want it. You wouldnt expect to get in shape after going to the gym just once, would you? Its the same with financial wellness. SmartDollar doesnt just treat the symptoms of poor financial behaviors, it attacks the root cause of them. We do this by giving employees a clear plan thats easy to understand. We dont do high-brow financial language that nobody understands. We have the top names in money guiding them throughout their journey, as well as all the tools they need to help them put what theyve learned into action. Weve found that when employees focus on one goal at a time, putting one foot in front of the other, they build momentum to work the plan, and the result is a lasting life change. Were not exaggerating. People are changing their family trees. People are finding hope, sometimes for the first time in their lives. The Epoch Times: For the person reading this article and in poor financial health, what first step would you recommend they take to begin to make improvements? Mr. Hamilton: Following Dave Ramseys 7 Baby Steps is the only concrete way you can move the needle with your finances. They are the foundation of SmartDollar and the journey all our users are on to finding financial wellness. If you want to get out of debt, build wealth, or live and give like no one else, you need to start your journey on the Baby Steps. Right now. It doesnt matter whether youre just starting out or about to retire. Anyone can work the plan. Save $1,000 as a starter emergency fund. Pay off all debt with the Debt Snowball. Save 3-6 months of expenses in a fully funded emergency fund. Invest 15 percent of your income for retirement. Save for your childrens college. Pay off your home early. Build wealth and give. It doesnt matter what you make, what your current money situation is, or how old you are. Its never too late to start. You can do this! Australia is on the verge of letting all of its foreign aid deals expire within months, sparking calls for a major overhaul of the development program to ensure the nation doesnt become irrelevant in the Asia-Pacific region as China boosts its spending in the region. Twenty-five of Australia's 29 aid investment plans have expired in recent years, while the four remaining ones - with Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Tuvalu - are due to expire in July this year. The aid agreement with Tuvalu will expire in the middle of this year. Credit:Richard Vogel The expiration of the plans - which are negotiated with countries and used to set the objectives for aid spending - comes after Australias overseas development budget has hit record lows, with billions of dollars cut out of the budget over the past seven years. Australia is still spending money on foreign aid in many of the countries, but without the bilateral plans that detail the shared goals they aim to achieve. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hagens Berman urges investors in Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) with significant losses to submit their losses now. A securities fraud class action has been filed against the Company and certain investors may have valuable claims. Class Period: Jan. 30, 2019 Feb. 24, 2020 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Apr. 27, 2020 Sign Up: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/TUP Contact An Attorney Now: [email protected] 844-916-0895 Tupperware (TUP) Securities Class Action: The Complaint alleges that Defendants misrepresented and failed to disclose that Tupperware lacked effective internal control over its financial reporting, which led to Tupperware falsely reporting accounts payable and accrued liabilities for its Fuller Mexico beauty business. The Complaint also alleges that the Company provided inflated EPS guidance and concealed that, in light of its dire prospects, Tupperware would need relief from its $650 million Credit Agreement. The truth emerged on Feb. 24, 2020, when Tupperware announced it would not timely file is 2019 annual report due to an ongoing internal investigation into the accounting for Fuller Mexico's accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Tupperware also revealed that it expected 2019 EPS to be $0.00-$0.34, representing an 800% year-over-year decline. Finally, based its grim 2020 outlook, the Company disclosed that it was forecasting the need to revise its $650 million Credit Agreement to avoid a debt acceleration. On this news, Tupperware shares crashed over 45% in a single trading day. "We're focused on investors' losses and proving that Tupperware inflated Fuller Mexico's accounts payable and concealed certain liabilities to appear more profitable," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. If you purchased shares of Tupperware and suffered significant losses, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman. Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Tupperware 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 [email protected]. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a national law firm with nine offices in eight cities around the country and eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com. For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw . Contact: Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895 SOURCE Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP Related Links https://www.hbsslaw.com When you think about your smartphone, apps and interfaces are probably the first things that come to mind. Beneath all that surface-level stuff, though, our modern mobile devices are filled with files folders upon folders of 'em! just like the clunky ol' computers we've relied upon for ages. We may not come face to face with our phones' file systems too often, but it's valuable to know they're there and to know how they can work for us when the need arises. After all, your Android device is a productivity powerhouse. It can juggle everything from PDFs and PSDs to presentations and podcasts. It can even act as a portable hard drive and house any sort of important files you might need in your pocket (and not just on some far-away cloud). Your mobile device can carry an awful lot of data, and there may come a time when you want to dig in and deal directly with it. Here's everything you need to know to get under the hood and tap into your phone's file managing powers. Managing files on your Android phone You might not realize it at a glance, but Android actually allows you to access a device's entire file system even from the device itself. The operating system has had its own native file manager since 2015's Android 6.0 Marshmallow release, and what started out as an experimental-seeming effort has evolved into a capable tool for basic data manipulation. With Android 6.0 through 7.1, the system-level file manager is somewhat hidden: You have to look in the Storage section of your system settings, then scroll all the way to the bottom and tap the line labeled "Explore" to find it. With Google's Android 8.0 Oreo release, meanwhile, the file manager lives in Android's Downloads app. All you have to do is open that app and select the "Show internal storage" option in its menu to browse through your phone's full internal storage. You can then open, move, rename, copy, delete, and share files as needed. And if you have Android 9 or higher on your phone, things get even easier: In those recent Android versions, the file manager exists in its own sensibly named Files app. Just open it up to browse any area of your local storage or a connected Drive account; you can either use the file type icons at the top of the screen or, if you want to look folder by folder, tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner and select "Show internal storage" then tap the three-line menu icon in the upper-left corner and look for your phone's name. JR Raphael/IDG The most recent version of the system-level Files app lets you browse through files in a variety of ways, including via a traditional folder-by-folder view. If you don't see the Files app on your phone, odds are you're using a device by a manufacturer such as Samsung that opts not to include this system-level Android element in its software and instead to provide its own self-made alternative (ostensibly with the goal of pushing its own cloud storage service and/or a paid partner's cloud storage service alongside Google Drive). Such an app might exist within a folder bearing the manufacturer's name, in your app drawer, and might be called My Files or something along those lines. You'll probably find the same basic sort of file management functionality within it, just with a somewhat different interface and set of options. If you want to do more than the most basic on-device file management, meanwhile, a third-party file manager is the way to go. You can find my latest recommendations for various needs in my separate roundup of the best Android file manager apps. Supplementing your phone's local storage One little-known feature of Android is its ability to connect with external storage devices like USB memory sticks and even larger-capacity portable hard drives. A phone just has to support something known as USB On-The-Go, or USB OTG, in order for the connection to work. A fair number of devices, including Google's Pixel phones and many Samsung Galaxy products, offer such support. If you aren't sure if your phone does, your best bet is to Google its name along with "USB OTG"; odds are, you'll find the answer fairly quickly. Provided your device supports USB OTG, all you need is a USB-A to USB-C adapter like this one made by Amazon. (If you have an older device that doesn't have USB-C, you'll need a USB-A to micro-USB adapter instead; you can find plenty such options on Amazon or at pretty much any electronics retailer.) Use the adapter to plug the external drive into your phone, then look for a notification confirming the drive is connected. Tap the "Explore" option within the notification, and that's it: You can now browse and access all the files on your external drive. JR Raphael/IDG Look for the notification that pops up when an external drive is connected, and you'll be browsing the drive's contents in no time. When you're finished, don't forget to go back to the notification and tap "Eject" before disconnecting the drive. Transferring files between your phone and computer In addition to supporting external hard drives, your Android phone can act as an external hard drive. Just plug your device into any Windows, Mac, or Chrome OS computer, and you can access its entire file system and drag and drop files between it and your desktop with ease. With a Windows or Chrome OS system, it's essentially as simple as plug and play. With a Mac, you'll first need to install a special program on your computer before the connection can be established. For step-by-step instructions on any of those fronts, click over to my comprehensive Android file transfer guide. Transferring files wirelessly between devices Want to transfer files between your Android phone and a computer (or another Android phone, iPhone, etc.) without the need for wires? No problem. Your most basic option is to embrace a middleman specifically, a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive. Just upload the files to a folder within the respective app on your Android phone, then find the folder within the same app on the receiving device (or vice versa). You can get more advanced than that, though and make your life significantly easier as a result. If you're transferring between two Android devices in the same physical area, Google's own Files app (which, confusingly, is not the same as the aforementioned Files app that comes preinstalled on many devices) will get the job done with minimal fuss and hassle. Just install the app on both devices, tap the Share tab at its bottom, and then tap the Send or Receive button to set up the transfer. The app will automatically encrypt any data it sends. If you're using devices on different platforms and/or devices that aren't in the same physical location a handy tool worth considering is a multiplatform app called Join (which also has the ability to encrypt its transfers, though you'll need to look inside the app's settings to activate that option). Install the app on your Android device and then install that same app, the Chrome version, or the Windows 10 version on any other device with which you want to share files. You can also access the service via a regular website on any desktop computer if, for instance, you use a Mac along with a browser other than Chrome. Once you've signed into the apps on both ends, you're ready to initiate hassle-free file transfers in either direction. On Android, just share a file from any app a file manager, an image gallery, or any other sort of file-using utility and select Join as the destination. The file will appear on your desktop within seconds. On a computer, meanwhile, sending a file is as simple as opening the Join app or extension, selecting your phone as the receiving device, and then dragging the file into the window. JR Raphael / IDG Drop a file into Join on your desktop (left), and it'll appear on your Android device a second later (right). Join has a bunch of other functions including the ability to send a "Note to self"-style notification from a computer to your phone and even to paste text from a computer directly into your phone's clipboard but even if you just use it for wireless file transfers, it's well worth keeping around. The app comes with a free (ad-supported) one-month trial and then requires a one-time $5 purchase if you want to keep using it. Syncing your Android phone's storage with a computer Maybe you like having certain files stored locally on your Android phone, but you also want those files to be backed up and saved on your computer. The best of both worlds, right? Believe it or not, this is actually quite easy to pull off. Just grab an Android app called AutoSync, which is available for use with Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, and Box. It'll let you create pairings between a local folder on your phone and a cloud-based folder for free with a single folder pair and files smaller than 10MB or for a one-time $5 payment without any real restrictions. Install the appropriate computer-side app for whichever service you prefer, make sure it's set to sync with your computer's hard drive and there ya have it: Your Android device's folder is now effectively part of your PC. You can even have the folders stay constantly synced in both directions so if you add or update a file on the computer, the same changes will appear on your phone as well. That's a wrap! Congratulations: You've officially earned the title of Android file master. (For real you can even type it into a document, print it out, and tape it to your desk so everyone knows.) Next up: Make sure you understand the ins and outs of Android backups. They're ultimately made up of files, too, after all and pretty important ones, at that. This article was originally published in September 2017 and most recently updated in February 2020. STOCKHOLM. Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A man in his 30s recently returning from Italy has been confirmed Wednesday as Sweden's second case of COVID-19 infection. The patient is being treated at Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Hospital after having contracted COVID-19 in Italy, Swedish news agency TT reported Wednesday. Swedish health authorities are now tracking down individuals to whom the man may have passed on the virus. "The patient is doing well, considering the circumstances," Lars Magnus Andersson, head of operations at the Sahlgrenska Hospital's clinic for infectious diseases, said at a press conference Wednesday evening. The patient had apparently not been traveling as part of a big group. To "respect the man's integrity," the Sahlgrenska hospital is withholding information about what part of Italy he has visited. Infectious disease doctor Thomas Wahlberg told the press conference that there was no risk of contamination on the plane by which the man traveled back to Sweden. In accordance with hospital routines, the patient has been isolated in a room with negative air pressure and staff members at the hospital are using protective equipment to avoid contamination. Anders Tegnell, an epidemiologist at Sweden's Public Health Agency, participating in the press conference via a video link, said the detection of a second COVID-19 case in Sweden will not lead to any changes to the national directives for handling the prevention and containment of the virus. "This is exactly what we've been prepared for. Nothing will change whatsoever," Tegnell said. Sweden's Public Health Agency conducts weekly prognoses with updates about COVID-19. Currently, the risk of "imported cases," where individuals who have contracted the virus abroad travel to Sweden, is deemed to be high. But at another press conference earlier on Wednesday, Tegnell said the spread of the virus will likely remain at a low level in Sweden in the near future. The first confirmed COVID-19 case in Sweden was a woman in her 20s who was isolated at a hospital in Jonkoping in southern Sweden after having visited Wuhan, China. She has been receiving treatment for over three weeks. Its been more than a year since Hong Kong Lounge II, the popular Inner Richmond dim sum and Cantonese restaurant, shuttered following a massive fire at 3300 Geary Blvd. But after a long wait, it looks like customers may once again be able to dine at Annie Hos restaurant. The new location, which will be known as Hong Kong Lounge Bistro, is slated to open at 99 Rausch, a 112-unit condominium building in SoMa. A specific date has yet to be announced at this time. Tablehopper first reported the story. According to Tablehopper, a representative at 99 Rausch said that Hong Kong Lounge Bistro doesn't want to share any details at this time and that they just want to get ready for their opening, which should be happening soon. Jonathan Ng, sales manager at 99 Rausch, told SFGATE that Angela Cheung, the developers representative and manager of the development at 99 Rausch, was a longtime customer of Hong Kong Lounge II and the person who introduced Ho to visit the property. Sometime after, NG said Ho decided to purchase a space there. "Theyre really great people so were very excited for them to open again, " Ng said. ALSO: Lawsuit claims Michelin-star SF restaurant Angler stored food in dusty basement with rodent feces Last February, a gas line breach scorched Hong Kong Lounge II and neighboring businesses after fiber optic work performed in the Inner Richmond went awry. Flames that burst through the street near the intersection of Geary Blvd. and Parker Ave. persisted for more than two hours and damaged five buildings that included retail and residential units. About 100 residents were subsequently displaced, according to a statement by former San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White. "We had free-flowing flame due to the gas leak for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes," Hayes-White said in Feb. 2019. "PG&E did respond to the scene and eventually were able to mitigate the incident. ALSO: Saul's deli in Berkeley getting new ownership In recent months, two other Bay Area businesses that were also forced to close following fire damages have since reopened. That includes Persian restaurant Lavash, which burned in Jan. 2018, and the Arizmendi Bakery location in Emeryville that burned in Dec. 2018. Hong Kong Lounge Bistro will be located at 99 Rausch St. at the 112-unit condominium 99 Rausch. EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to include comments from 99 Rausch. Susana Guerrero is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: Susana.Guerrero@sfgate.com | Twitter: @SusyGuerrero3 Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana on Thursday expressed regret over the assault of three persons from outside the state on suspicion of them being child abductors. The home minister informed the Assembly that two persons from Uttar Pradesh and a man from neighbouring Assam were beaten up in West Lungdar village in Mamit district on Tuesday night after rumours spread on the social media that they had attempted to abduct a 13-year-old boy from the area. This was the first such incident of assault on people from outside Mizoram in the recent past. He said the residents of West Lungdar and neighbouring villages in West Phaileng police station area caught hold of the three persons who were travelling in a car, thrashed them and set their vehicle on fire. The home minister said that a police team, that reached the spot, could not prevent the assault as they were outnumbered and the incident happened before reinforcement could reach the area. The police team, however, rescued the trio and brought them to Aizawl, where they were administered first aid and taken into custody, he said. The home minister said cases were registered against both sides. Lalchamliana said a preliminary probe has found that the three persons had arrived in the state on Monday and ventured to the villages to sell television sets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It Rhymes with Reparations: California To Pay for Failing to Educate Low Income Kids The State of California settled a two year-long lawsuit for failing to improve literacy rates among elementary school children. Last Thursday, the state signed a $50 million agreement geared towards low-income schools to allow equal access to comprehensive literacy programs. ADVERTISEMENT The money from the settlement will go to 75 elementary schools in California that were chosen based on those schools overall performances on standardized reading exams. The settlement also requires the state to propose legislation to improve literacy instruction going forward. Governor Gavin Newsom will reportedly use $600 million of 2020-21 budget for grants to help underprivileged children, according to Cal Matters. ADVERTISEMENT According to the initial lawsuit, Ella T. v. State of California, students of color in low-income schools did not receive the intensive support needed to maintain individual literacy standards. In order to combat this, the agreement requires the state to advise schools on understanding the challenges students of color face in the classroom. The lawsuit was filed by the pro-bono law firm Public Counsel and Morrison & Foerster LLP. Ella T. v. State of California is a landmark education case brought under the California Constitution that seeks to vindicate the right of all students to access literacy, no matter their zip code, it states on the Morrison & Foerster website. Morrison & Foerster also state that they got involved with this lawsuit on behalf of California students who have been deprived of access to literacy and received schooling that is unequal to the schooling provided to other students in the State of California. According to their website, the lawsuit required that California provides students with, evidence-based literacy instruction at the elementary and secondary level, a stable, supported, and appropriately trained teaching staff, opportunities for their parents and families to engage in students literacy education and school conditions that promote readiness for learning. Gov. Newsoms press secretary Vicky Waters said in a statement, California is committed to closing opportunity gaps by directing extra support and resources to school districts and schools that serve students who need extra help. Tyger Tyger, burning bright/ In the forests of the night. Perhaps no longer. Since William Blake wrote his most famous poem, an estimated 96 per cent of wild tigers have disappeared. There are fewer than 4,000 left. But across southeast Asia, at least 8,000 tigers are living in captivity, bred in theory to relieve the pressure on their wild counterparts. But in practice, tigers are being smuggled, sold and slaughtered for their parts. Once hunted for their distinctive skins, today theyre being made into bone products like glue or wine, and trade is booming. An upcoming documentary, airing on BBC2 on 4 March, lays bare the brutal transnational tiger trade. Tigers: Hunting the Traffickers, an hour-long programme made by Grain Media the award-winning production company behind Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If Youre a Girl) stars Aldo Kane, a former Royal Marines Commando turned anti-poaching activist. The team, led by Laura Warner, a self-shooting producer-director, collaborated with local wildlife crime investigators and NGOs for a year to track the trade across southeast Asia. Finally, they took their evidence to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Geneva to try to persuade international delegates to take action. QUEENSBURY Warren County Judge John Halls calendar of 15 felony criminal cases Wednesday afternoon would normally be done in less than 2 hours. Instead, Hall and the lawyers who practiced before him had to call the state Office of Court Administration to request overtime for court staff, as the afternoons cases lingered past 5 p.m. We are moving a bit slower, the judge told those awaiting their cases, as he apologized for the lingering calendar. Wednesdays proceedings in Warren County Court were a microcosm of the impacts the states bail reform and evidence discovery reform changes have brought to the state court system. New evidence discovery requirements have added a new layer of discussions, and litigation, in cases. Two defendants who were released without bail, and would likely have been in jail for lack of bail before bail changes were phased in, did not show up. Hall issued a warrant for one, Austin Z. Brennan, a Hudson Falls man accused of selling prescription drugs who didnt show up for court last week, either. Brennan hasnt reported to the county Probation Department as required either, and phoned the court to say he didnt have a ride, and will now get a ride from police instead. The other got a reprieve until next week, despite the fact that mail sent to his home to inform him of his court proceedings was returned as undeliverable. Lawyers sparred over evidence, with debates becoming cross at times. New rules require prosecutors to turn over all evidence to defense counsel within 15 days of an arrest. But the fine points of the law are still being debated. Prosecutors are required to file forms certifying that all of the evidence has been turned over, even in cases where plea deals have been reached. But Warren County First Assistant Public Defender Brian Pilatzke repeatedly questioned whether that was the case, and that led to some disagreements between Pilatzke and Warren County First Assistant District Attorney Matthew Burin. Pilatzke questioned why he wasnt being provided transcripts of grand jury proceedings, as the law requires. Burin said his office can only turn over what it has, and if the stenographer has not produced transcripts yet, they cant be provided. Pilatzke took issue with that, saying that prosecutors can simply say the documents are not available to skirt the law. I understand we are in the process of figuring this out ... but its very frustrating, he said. Burin responded that his office cant turn over what it doesnt have, and the debates between the two became more testy as the afternoon wore on. Another aspect of the law changes played out as well, as Burins office sought a protective order in the case of four-time felon Mark J. McGourty, a Fort Edward resident who faces drug sale charges, to keep him from learning the names of any informants who may have cooperated against him, at least in early stages of the case. Hall did not immediately rule on the request. Don Lehman covers police and court matters, Warren County government and the outdoors. He can be reached at 518-742-3224 or dlehman@poststar.com Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 4 Vietnam Railways and VinaChem agreed to draw co-operation ties closer with more preferential policies for each other The signing was part of a conference to review the four-year co-operation between the two sides. According to deputy general director of VNR Phan Quoc Anh, between 2016 and 2019, the total volume of apatite, fertiliser, and chemicals transported by railway reached nearly six million tonnes, making up 27 per cent of VNRs total volume of goods. As planned, in 2020, the volume is likely to hit 1.6 million tonnes, surpassing the 2019 figure by 19.7 per cent. Addressing the event, Phung Quang Hiep, general director of VinaChem, said that this co-operation is meaningful to operations of his company and VNR, as well. He proposed the railway giant to give priority to seasonally-natured fertiliser, especially for the transportation from the north to the central and the southern regions, while considering better quality and price. VNR chairman Vu Anh Minh, in response, said that VinaChem is a long-standing big client of VNR, so it should receive a supporting policy. He proposed units of VinaChem to soon draw up a detailed timeline for transportation so that the two sides can work on price reduction and improve service quality. The agreement for 2020 is part of VNRs efforts to fulfill the annual targets amid the effects of COVID-19 on the industry. According to a recent VNR report on the effect of COVID-19, between January 25 to February 12, 2020, Hanoi Railway Transport JSC (Haraco) and Saigon Railway Transport JSC (SARATRANS) saw a decrease of 14,000 and 47,000 passengers on-year. As a result, Haraco and SARATRANS the two largest passenger train operators in Vietnam under VNR suspended a total of 75 passenger trains, resulting in a loss of VND46 billion ($2 million) during this period. Vietnam Railways suspends passenger trains to China over nCoV outbreak State-owned Vietnam Railways (VNR) officially suspended transnational passenger trains to China from February 4 as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. Vietnam Railways operates Hanoi-Beijing train from January Vietnam Railways has launched the Hanoi-Beijing railway line on January 1, 2020 in a move to facilitate peoples travel demand. The flight had 23 people from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar, Maldives and one from South Africa, USA and Madagascar. An Indian Air Force special aircraft on Wednesday brought 15,000 kg of medical supplies from India to the virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan and later left with 112 Indians and foreign nationals stranded in the city. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the consignment of relief material as a strong expression of India's solidarity with the Chinese people in their "difficult time". The C-17 Globemaster military aircraft brought around 15 tonnes of medical assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment sent by India. The Indian Embassy, which coordinated the operations, said that after unloading the relief supplies, the flight carried 112 Indians and foreign nationals to Delhi. 76 Indian nationals are returning home on this flight, which also has onboard 23 nationals from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and Maldives and one each from South Africa, USA and Madagascar. Wish them all a safe journey and good health, Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri tweeted. The six Chinese were stated to be the spouses and family members of the Indians. They were expected to undergo a 14-day quarantine in India like their previous batches to ensure that they are cleared of the COVID-19 virus. India operated two special Air India flights on 1 and 2 February and airlifted 647 Indian nationals, mostly students, and seven Maldivian nationals. Wednesday's flight was cleared by China after allegations of delay by Indian officials. China's worst-hit Hubei province and its capital Wuhan have been under complete lockdown since 23 January. The death toll from coronavirus in China has reached 2,715 while the number of confirmed cases jumped to 78,064, officials said on Wednesday. "This assistance has been provided in the wake the Coronavirus outbreak in China and the request by China to provide supplies such as masks and medical equipment," a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs said. In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping on 8 February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed India's solidarity with the people and government of China and also offered assistance in this "hour of need as a gift". "The medical supplies will help augment China's efforts to control the outbreak of this infection which has been declared as a Public Health Emergency by the World Health Organisation," it said. "The assistance being sent today is also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year," it said. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed one of her legislative priorities into law Wednesday, creating a fund to help needy seniors. The Kiki Saavedra Senior Dignity Fund named for an influential lawmaker who died last year will provide aid to seniors, adults with disabilities and veterans. It is well past time that New Mexico steps up for its seniors, supporting their independence and providing for their needs, Lujan Grisham said in a news release. We can and will do better for them. The Democratic governor also approved two other bills Wednesday one to promote saving for retirement, the other to expedite the issuance of teaching licenses for military families. The 2020 legislative session concluded last week. The governor has a March 11 deadline to act on most bills. The senior fund was one of her priorities this session, highlighted in her State of the State speech to lawmakers on opening day. She had initially sought $25 million for the fund. The proposal signed Wednesday doesnt include an appropriation. House Bill 225 establishes the fund itself, and lawmakers can decide when and how much to earmark money for the fund. The legislation passed without a dissenting vote in the House or Senate. A budget bill still under consideration by the governor would earmark about $7.3 million to get the fund started. Money in the fund is intended to help seniors especially those in rural areas with transportation, food, care giving and health care. Lujan Grisham on Wednesday also signed: House Bill 30, which calls for expediting the issuance of teaching and similar licenses for military spouses and certain veterans. The goal is to help military families who often move around the world while theyre stationed in New Mexico. House Bill 44, which will create a voluntary retirement-saving program. Its intended to provide options for workers who dont get a retirement plan through their employers. This weeks failures are seen as far more grave. Member of Parliament Naresh Gujral wrote to the home ministry castigating the police for inaction, New Delhi Television reported. Gujral said that he had called police asking them to help 16 Muslims trapped in a house Wednesday night as a mob tried to break in. No police went to the scene. Instead, those trapped were ultimately rescued by their Hindu neighbors, he said. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Flights were on Thursday once again suspended from the Maitigua International Airport, on the eastern suburbs of Tripoli, after it was hit by Grad rocket fire, the airport's management announced on its official website TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / Stans Energy Corp. ("Stans" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following updates: Lithium Project The negotiations with Joint Stock Company Atomredmetzoloto ("ARMZ") of the terms of the joint venture ("JV") to restart production of lithium concentrate at the Zavitinskoye mine site are on hold due to ARMZ internal issues unknown to us. MOU signed for the new project The Company signed an MOU with JSC "Promnedra-Regions" (hereinafter Promnedra) the owner of the mining License for the development and extraction of gold at the Lobash-1 deposit which is valid until 10.30.2030. Stans is interested in acquiring the right to a license by acquiring 100% of the shares of Promnedra upon review of the extensive documentation provided by Promnedra. The indicated reserves of the deposit were approved by the State Committee for Reserves of the RF on February 17, 2010 in the amount of 34.48 tonnes of gold, 126,200 tons of copper, and 173.3 tons of silver at cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t of Au (Note: Russian Mineral Reserves Estimates Code is not compatible with NI 43-101). The Parties agreed that the structure of the transaction for the acquisition of rights will be determined by the parties after a preliminary assessment of the economic efficiency of the project. Legal Update The Company continues negotiations with the Funder regarding their relations moving forward to the Recognition and Enforcement Proceedings. 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. About Stans Energy Stans Energy Corp. is a resource development company focused on advancing rare and specialty metals properties and processing technologies. Stans is now transitioning to become a supplier of materials and technologies that will assist in satisfying the future energy supply, storage and transmission needs of the world. Previously, the Company acquired, among other things, the right to mine the past producing rare earth mine, Kutessay II, in the Kyrgyz Republic. Due to the expropriation actions taken by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Company is undertaking international arbitration litigation to protect the Company's rights and recover damages caused by the Republic. We seek safe harbour. Contact Details: Rodney Irwin Stans Energy Corp Interim President & CEO rodney@stansenergy.com 647-426-1865 Boris Aryev Stan Energy Corp Chief Operating Officer boris@stansenergy.com 647-426-1865 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This document includes forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, use of proceeds from the Offering, the completion of the Offering, the continued advancement of the company's general business development, research development and the company's development of mineral exploration projects. When used in this press release, the words "will", "shall", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intent", "may", "project", "plan", "should" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Although Stans Energy Corp. believes that their expectations reflected in these forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statement. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include the potential that fluctuations in the marketplace for the sale of minerals, the inability to implement corporate strategies, the ability to obtain financing and other risks disclosed in our filings made with Canadian Securities Regulators. SOURCE: Stans Energy Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578209/Stans-Energy-Corporate-Update Barbara Corcoran, a millionaire investor and star of ABCs Shark Tank," lost almost $400,000 in an email phishing scam. Last week, Corcorans bookkeeper received an email that appeared to be from Corcorans assistant, she told People Magazine. The message appeared to be routine, asking for the bookkeeper to approve a payment of $388,700 to a German company called FFH Concept GmbH, according to TMZ. However, the email was not actually from Corcorans assistant. Instead, a phisher created an email address that was just one letter off from the assistants. When asked what the money was for, the phisher even responded with a believable answer of real estate investment, something Corcoran does often. The bookkeeper only realized the error when she later emailed the assistant at her real address. By that point, the money was already gone. The scammer disappeared and Im told that its a common practice, and I wont be getting the money back, Corcoran told People. Corcoran, 70, isnt holding a grudge against her employees for the mistake, despite the loss. When she showed me the emails that went back and forth with the false address, I realized immediately its something I would have fallen for if I had seen the emails, Corcoran said to ABC News. According to TMZ, Corcorans IT team was able to trace the emails back to a Chinese IP address. 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. READ MORE Mahathir Mohamad, 94, is a veteran politician who has been Malaysia's prime minister twice. Malaysia's parliament will vote on a new candidate for prime minister on Monday and if nobody can win majority support there will be a snap election, interim prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday. The Southeast Asian country was plunged into political turmoil this week by the unexpected resignation of Mahathir, who at 94 is the world's oldest government leader. It set off a new tussle for power between him and old rival Anwar Ibrahim, 72. Mahathir said the choice of premier would go to parliament after the king had told him no candidate emerged with enough support to become prime minister. The monarch had held two days of consultations with individual lawmakers. Parliament would be called on March 2 to pick a prime minister, Mahathir said. Bruno Tonioli is reportedly hoping to release an album after singing on Strictly Come Dancing. The Strictly judge opened one of last year's episodes with a rendition of Cant Take My Eyes Off You, accompanied by a dazzling dance number from the professionals. Advertisements Now Bruno could be set to release his very own album. Bruno shared with the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I will do it - I want to do new material, not just covers. The sound were going to go for is anthemic disco-type songs, very uplifting, where everybody can dance. "A bit like Donna Summer - like Last Dance but done with my voice and given a contemporary twist. "I think its time for a little bit of uplifting stuff." Speaking at the launch of the Prince Of Egypt musical in London, Bruno added to the tabloid that he planned to reveal a first teaser of his music in the autumn. It was first reported by The Sun newspaper last year that Bruno was hoping to put out a record in 2020. Advertisements "Bruno has been bugging producers for ages to let him sing on the show and was delighted when they finally gave him a shot," a source told the tabloid at the time. They added: The performance went down a storm and he has his heart set on releasing music. "Its been a life-long dream of his and now that fans have seen him in action, he is hoping to ink a deal soon. Bruno will be back on the Strictly Come Dancing panel later this year alongside Craig Revel Horwood and head judge Shirley Ballas. They're set to be rejoined by Motsi Mabuse who made her debut on the BBC series last year, taking over from Dame Darcey Bussell. Advertisements And after proving a hit with both viewers and show bosses, she's reportedly been invited back for a second series. Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One, typically starting in September. Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts on Wednesday abruptly reversed course and announced that he would allow Portland Mountain Rescue to continue to respond to search-and-rescue missions on Mount Hood after all. Roberts announced his change of heart after meeting with representatives of the elite rescue unit for two hours Wednesday morning. The sheriff has for months laid the groundwork to consolidate search-and-rescue into a single unit managed by his office. The controversial plan effectively put Portland Mountain Rescue and three other longstanding search-and-rescue groups out of commission. Roberts came under fire for the decision to do away with relying in outside groups. County leaders expressed bewilderment over the sheriffs reasoning and mountaineers said they have come to count on the training and skill of Portland Mountain Rescue in particular. The groups rescue mountaineers are experienced in complex rescue missions under challenging conditions on the iconic peak. Under the new agreement, Portland Mountain Rescue will become a unit of the Sheriffs Office search-and-rescue team. The decision is limited to the mountain rescue group. Three other groups, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Mountain Wave Search and Rescue and North Oregon Regional Search and Rescue, werent mentioned in the sheriffs statement. Those units specialize in ground searches, emergency communications and searches with trained dogs. Russ Gubele, president of Mountain Wave, said he applauds the latest development. He said the mountain rescue units missions tend to be high-profile but that most search-and-rescue calls dont involve the mountain. He said he hopes to meet with Roberts and other search-and-rescue groups to discuss an agreement on how to best respond to SAR calls without disbanding our highly-effective, close-knit teams. Diana Worthen, president of Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, said her group also plans to meet with Roberts. She said Wednesdays announcement is encouraging. We are hopeful that it means good things for all of search and rescue, she said. Portland Mountain Rescue representatives argued that their unique skills and experience made them an invaluable asset in search-and-rescue missions on Mount Hood, one of the worlds busiest peaks. They balked at leaving behind their own organization and joining a new Sheriffs Office unit that lacked the camaraderie and trust theyve established from years of working together on the mountain. Roberts announced that the Sheriffs Office and Portland Mountain Rescue had arrived at a mutual agreement that would allow the group to continue to respond to missions. In a statement, Roberts said details of the arrangement are still being worked out. Roberts didnt address why he changed his mind, saying only that rescues on Mount Hood demand a highly specialized team like Portland Mountain Rescue. Mark Morford, a board member of Portland Mountain Rescue and a longtime rescue mountaineer, said the agreement preserves attributes of Portland Mountain Rescue we believe are critical to successful mountain rescue. Roberts previously said his idea for a single unit controlled by his office came after months of consideration and research. He said he was motivated to reorganize in light of litigation over a climbers death in 2017. John Thornton Jenkins, 32, of Mukilteo, Washington, died after falling hundreds of feet down Mount Hood. His parents blamed the Sheriffs Office and Clackamas County 911 for missteps that they said contributed to a more than four-hour wait before their son was rescued. Moments before the helicopter lowered a cable to lift a basket and hoist him aboard, Jenkins stopped breathing and died. The county disputed that it failed to launch a prompt rescue and said rescuers at the scene told authorities that they thought they could get Jenkins out. The county ultimately settled the lawsuit for $25,000. The settlement required the Sheriffs Office to make a $5,000 donation to Portland Mountain Rescue. A volunteer with the unit was with Jenkins as he was loaded into the helicopter. The agreement with Jenkins family also required the Sheriffs Office to do more training and develop better communication procedures for the countys emergency responders. -- Noelle Crombie; ncrombie@oregonian.com; 503-276-7184; @noellecrombie Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. 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. While theres no doubt many people in Atlantic and Cape May counties heard what was described as a loud boom that shook buildings Thursday morning, there are no definitive answers yet on where the mysterious sound originated. There were no earthquakes within hundreds of miles of New Jersey on Thursday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. And a spokesman for the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey National Guard, based out of Atlantic City International Airport, told NJ Advance Media that at 10:30 a.m. they havent flown yet this morning. A Hammonton man told PressofAtlanticCity.com he felt his house shake three times in five to seven seconds sometime before 9:30 a.m. The sound was heard in multiple spots from Pleasantville to Upper Township, the Press reported. Sonic booms have been heard along the southern Jersey Shore several times in recent years - in January 2017 and December 2016, for example. Both were from flight exercises off South Jersey for military aircraft that are based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. A spokesman there told NJ Advance Media he was investigating whether the air station had planes flying off New Jersey on Thursday. There was also a similar boom heard in October 2017. A call to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst from NJ Advance Media wasnt immediately returned. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Briseida Mema (Agence France-Presse) Shkoder, Albania Thu, February 27, 2020 09:07 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066dea80 2 Art & Culture albania,carnival,arts,mask Free In a quiet studio in northern Albania, artists delicately paint, gild and bejewel tens of thousands of Venetian masks that revelers around the world have been donning for carnival season. Some 50 staff hand-craft the one-of-a-kind pieces from their factory in lakeside Shkoder, which exports up to 30,000 masks around the globe every year. "At first every (mask) is a mystery, you have to be patient to do it, but you can't wait to see the final product," explained Nora Gjonaj, a 41-year-old artist who has been working in Albania's Venice Art Mask Factory for two decades. The masks range from relatively simple eye-coverings to towering, ornate head pieces, with costs running from 20 euros to 1,500 euros ($21 to $1,620) in the showroom next door. While most of the masks are destined for the Venice market -- whose carnival was suddenly cancelled this year amid a coronavirus outbreak -- others are shipped off to some 40 other countries, including France, the US, UK and Australia. The company also gets orders year-round from those attending masquerade balls, as well as filmmakers and theater producers looking for costumes. Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, for example, famously wore two of the studio's masks in the 1999 Stanley Kubrick film Eyes Wide Shut. Read also: Venice Carnival ends early as Italy virus outbreak spooks Europe Gold, feathers and pearls The studio was founded in 1997 by Edmond Angoni, a 64-year-old Albanian who worked in Italy before returning home to open his own shop. "Each mask has its own beauty, magic and mystery," he told AFP. The artists start by building a clay mold which they fill with plaster to create the base of the mask. That piece is then smoothed over with paper mache. A series of other meticulous steps follow, which Angoni says set his pieces apart from their mass-produced counterparts. "We put a lot of emphasis on the artistic side of the masks, treating them with passion and love like works of art," he said. The mask showroom is also becoming a attraction of its own for tourists who can peruse the dizzying display of faces, including luxury masks adorned with silver and gold leaf, feathers, diamonds and pearls. Interested visitors can purchase a mask -- or simply don one of the disguises for the three-euro entrance fee. Topics : albania carnival arts mask Experts agree the available data on new coronavirus cases around the world suggests elderly people who contract the virus are at a greater risk for complications and death than other individuals. Dr. Lee Riley, a UC Berkeley professor and chair of the Division of Infectious Disease and Vaccinology, said people between the ages of 60 and 80 are at particular risk for several reasons. "Immune system to fight infections wanes with increasing age," Riley said. "Also, underlying medial problems, for example diabetes and COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], are more common in this age group, which predispose them to respiratory infections." Riley added that while seniors are at a higher risk, children seem to be at a lower one. It's unclear why at this point. Dr. Charles Chiu, a professor of laboratory medicine and infectious disease at UC San Francisco, agrees: "The elderly appear to be at very high risk of severe disease from the coronavirus." Chiu points to a study published last week looking at 44,000 confirmed cases in China, published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology. "The case fatality rates increased sharply with age from 0.2% to those under 40 to 14.8% to those above 80," he said. The study, which was not peer-reviewed by U.S. scientists, also revealed that the mortality rate in this sampling was 2.3%. It also showed men (2.8%) were slightly more likely to die than woman (1.7%). Scientists are continuing to try to pin down the death rate as the disease spreads and evolves. The World Health Organization said Monday the rate in Wuhan, China, considered the origin of the outbreak, falls somewhere between 2% and 4%. Outside of Wuhan, it may be closer to 0.7%. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the risk for contracting COVID-19 in the United States is low. Of the 60 cases in the country, all patients except one had traveled from abroad or had been in close contact with those who traveled. On Wednesday the CDC announced the first patient, a resident of Solano County, with an infection of unknown origin has been identified. "At this time, the patients exposure is unknown,'' the CDC said in a statement. "Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. Its also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.'' The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family that can cause colds or more serious illnesses such as SARS and MERS. The most common symptoms are fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. Similar to the transmission of the flu, COVID-19 spreads through droplets expelled when someone coughs or sneezes, or by direct person-to-person contacts, such as by hand and or kissing. It remains unclear how long it can survive in inanimate objects and whether it can be transmitted by touching things like handles touched by an infected person. "Currently, its unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people," according to the CDC. The best way to prevent spread of any virus is by washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when sick, health officials said. Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Why San Francisco has declared a coronavirus state of emergency: Your questions answered Eerie photos show empty streets in Italy amid coronavirus fears Maps: Cases of new coronavirus multiples across the globe Local emergency declared in San Francisco amid coronavirus concerns Bay Area company to expand coronavirus drug trials to other companies CDC warns men with beards amid coronavirus scare CDC reportedly took 4 days to test Solano County resident for coronavirus JetBlue waives all change, cancellation fees on new bookings due to coronavirus Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment I cant tell you how many times, after giving a talk, a parent has come up to me and said something like, You just described my child to a tee. The only thing I do is give a list of the general symptoms of digital addiction with explanations. Heres the list: anger aggression anxiety depression irritability attention deficits emotional numbness There are more, but in my experience, these are the most common. I convey to my audiences that most of us experience at least some of these symptoms simply because of our daily stresses. What Im talking about is an exacerbation of these symptoms brought on by addiction. Anger and aggression are at the top of the list for a reason. These two are the ones I hear about most often, and they can turn horrid. For example, 17-year-old Daniel Petric from Ohio made national news for shooting his parents after they took the violent video game Halo 3 away from him.[i] His mother died, and his father was injured. If you don't think it can get that extreme in your home, think again. Daniel's conviction was in 2009.[ii] Video game technology has and continues to advance at a mind-numbing pace, and the brain clearly cannot handle the ever-growing levels of stimulation. Dr. Victoria Dunckley, in her book, Reset Your Childs Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time, describes the intensified psychiatric symptoms this way: Screen-time affects our brains and bodies at multiple levels, manifesting in various mental health symptoms related to mood, anxiety, cognition, and behavior. Because the effects of screen-time are complicated and diverse, Ive found it helpful to conceptualize the constellation of common phenomena as a syndrome what I call Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS). Importantly, ESS can occur in the absence of a psychiatric disorder and yet mimic one, or it can occur in the face of an underlying disorder and exacerbate it.[iii] I strongly encourage family physicians, counselors, psychologists, etc., to add technology usage questions to their diagnostic criteria, especially when they cannot pinpoint the exact cause of a patients emotional disturbances. In other words, dont rule out digital addiction as a cause or a significant contributing factor, particularly when a patient says something like, I dont use social media all that much, or I keep an eye on my childs video gaming. He only plays occasionally. Without being judgmental, red flags always go up when I hear statements such as these. I dont believe that a parent who is addicted to devices is qualified to self-diagnose or properly evaluate their tech-addicted children. The link between excessive smartphone use and depression and suicide hasnt gone unnoticed with people connected to the tech industry. It might seem counter-intuitive that Apple investors would urge the tech giant to curb smartphone addiction.[iv] After all, wouldnt they welcome addiction as a way to make a return on their investment? Im quite confident many have. While the love of money is the root of all evil, its refreshing that at least some investors still appear to care more about people than generating wealth. An Associated Press article explained why theyre concerned: The investors letter cited various studies on the negative effects of smartphones and social media on childrens mental and physical health. Examples include distractions by digital technologies in the classroom, a decreased ability of students to focus on educational tasks, and higher risks of suicide and depression.[v] What was Apples response? On June 4, 2018, Apple issued a press release titled, iOS 12 introduces new features to reduce interruptions and manage screen time.[vi] Have these and other tracking apps worked? Perhaps for a small minority, but in the big picture, I believe that as technology continues to advance at a mind-numbing pace, so have the associated problems. And the primary reason theyre not even making a dent? Implementing accountability apps before eliminating the addiction is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg. Addiction carries with it a far more powerful force than what accountability apps have to offer. There are only two things that can break this stronghold. The first has to be something more powerful than the addiction, and that is Gods power. the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. Isaiah 10:27 (KJV) The second is a physical separation from all screen activity, including television. Only after the brain has reset following a detox will we have the potential to use technology in ways that benefit us instead of enslaving us. [i] Teen Who Killed over Video Game Gets 23 Years. NBCNews.com, NBC Universal News Group, 16 June 2009, www.nbcnews.com/id/31387876/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/teen-who-killed-over-video-game-gets-years/#.Xk6x3RNKjUI. Accessed Feb. 20, 2020. [ii] Ibid. [iii] Dunckley, Victoria L. Reset Your Childs Brain: a Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time. New World Library, 2015. Page 16. [iv] Apple Investors Urge Action to Curb Child Gadget Addiction. AP NEWS, Associated Press, 9 Jan. 2018, apnews.com/5337738caa0140ae9c16dbc743ee1571. Accessed Feb. 16, 2020. [v] Ibid. [vi] IOS 12 Introduces New Features to Reduce Interruptions and Manage Screen Time. Apple Newsroom, 6 Feb. 2020, www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/06/ios-12-introduces-new-features-to-reduce-interruptions-and-manage-screen-time/. Accessed Feb. 16, 2020. This article is from Brad's upcoming book, Digital Rehab: Digital Detox and Beyond. More about Brad's work can be found at bradhuddleston.com. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on June 13, 2018. (Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images) New Mexico Governor Signs Red Flag Gun Bill, Urges Sheriffs to Enforce or Resign New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law a red flag gun bill on Feb. 25 that will allow state courts to order the temporary surrender of firearms from individuals who are deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others. The Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act, would allow district courts, at the request of police officers receiving information from family members or friends, to put into effect an extreme risk protection order (ERPO). Such an ERPO will enable removing the firearms from the individuals possession for a period no longer than one year unless renewed. Grisham commended the state legislature in a statement for having the strength to pass this measure. Today, we are standing upwe do not accept the status quo; we do not accept the risk posed by dangerous armed individuals who have articulated their desire to cause harm. This law is sensible and balanced. It is a good public safety measure. If it saves even one life, and it will, we will have done good work here, she said. The bill has faced opposition from a number of law enforcement officials in the state, including New Mexico Sheriffs Association President Tony Mace, who, on Feb. 23, released a statement saying that modern red flag laws deny responsible gun owners notice or a chance to defend themselves against an initial confiscation order. Indicating he might not enforce the bill, Mace continued: A judge may issue the order after an uncontested hearing. In some states, the person seeking the order is held to a relatively low burden of proof and with no real consequences of false allegations. Citizens have a right to bear arms, and we cannot circumvent that right when they have not committed a crime or even been accused of committing one. Grisham told reporters that law enforcement leaders cannot not enforce and those that intend to do that should resign as a law enforcement officer and leader in that community, CNN reported. Anamaria Dahl, a volunteer leader with the New Mexico chapter of the gun control advocacy group, Moms Demand Action, applauded the signing of the new law and said shes grateful to Grisham and all the gun sense champions in the legislature for listening to New Mexicans and fighting to keep our families and communities safe. After an application is submitted for an ERPO, the individual will be given written notice and an opportunity to be heard on the matter, according to the legislation, which comes into effect in mid-May and will make New Mexico the 18th state to enact such a law. Other law enforcement officials, including Aztec Police Chief Mike Heal, backed the signing, recalling an incident in which a gunman killed two students at Aztec High School in December 2017. Two of my heroes died that day a horrific death, Heal said. I will never forget it, and I will never stop pushing for the safety of our children. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 00:07:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Wafaa El-Sadr, a leading U.S. public health expert, says China's efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are encouraging in several aspects, while underscoring the importance of international cooperation and coordination in addressing such a major outbreak. (Xinhua/Zhang Mocheng) Since the novel pathogen was first discovered in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, China has been using a host of resolute measures to curb the spread of the virus. Scientists identified the novel coronavirus rather quickly and medical institutions across the country were provided with kits that help facilitate diagnosis. NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are encouraging in several aspects, a leading public health expert has said. "It's very heartening to see how quickly Chinese scientists were able to identify the sequence of the virus" and published it rapidly thereafter, said Wafaa El-Sadr, director of the Global Health Initiative at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. These are "very useful to the global community to understand what this disease looks like," El-Sadr said in a recent interview with Xinhua. The moves are valuable in terms of facilitating the development of tests to diagnose the virus disease as well as potential medication, said El-Sadr, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at Columbia University. "Once you know the virus, you can start also thinking of developing vaccines," she added. Clinical testing is essential to help bring people with symptoms quickly to the healthcare system, preventing potential transmissions, noted the researcher with expertise in various areas, including global health, hepatitis and infectious diseases. Since the novel pathogen was first discovered in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, China has been using a host of resolute measures to curb the spread of the virus. Scientists identified the novel coronavirus rather quickly and medical institutions across the country were provided with kits that help facilitate diagnosis. "China is going through a very difficult time. This is not an easy situation for any country to tackle ... we need to acknowledge this," said El-Sadr, while highlighting China's unparalleled ability to mobilize resources to swiftly develop the facilities to take care of a lot of sick people. "That's enormous effort and that should be applauded, because it's very, very important to have sufficient places where sick people can get the care they need," she said. El-Sadr also noted that it is important to try to have sufficient protective equipment for healthcare workers. Meanwhile, she emphasized that frequent and accurate communication of information is critical in the battle against a major public health emergency like the COVID-19 outbreak. "The more people are informed, the less likely they are to start imagining things and to start being fearful unnecessarily," she said. Working with the general population through education information, such as circulating the knowledge about how to do self-identification and teaching simple things like frequent hand washing, is very helpful, said El-Sadr. Underscoring the importance of international cooperation and coordination in addressing a major outbreak, the veteran expert said that "infectious diseases don't respect borders and we're all vulnerable" in face of epidemics. She said that by strengthening collaboration on various fronts such as scientific research, China and the United States can contribute to the tackling of major global public health threats. Assessing the ongoing COVID-19 battle, El-Sadr said it is still worrisome "that we haven't seen yet definitive evidence that we are on the down slope that we're getting to the point where the virus and the disease will be extinguishing itself." Yet, she said she is "encouraged because of the level of awareness and the mobilization by communities and by scientists all around the world to try to overcome this." This is an opinion column. In Montgomery, there are a million dead ends to stop a bill but only one narrow path to becoming a law. Or so they say. But look more closely at the legislative highway mortality statistics and youll see something worse. Bad bills bills that calcify our states bad ideas, that repeat old mistakes, that tilt again at that old foil the U.S. Constitution sail through on a legislative express lane. Good bills things that are virtually guaranteed to make Alabama better die like roadkill. This is a story of two bills before the Alabama Senates Government Affairs Committee. One will survive and go to the full state Senate for further consideration. The other is stalled and probably dead. The first is a revision of Alabamas misguided and misshapen monuments law. The second is a revision of Alabamas Open Records Act. You can probably guess already which is which. The monuments bill is a rewrite of a flawed law thats only three years old, and state Sen. Gerald Allen sponsored both the original and the update. Three years ago he pushed through the monuments bill which protects Confederate monuments from being torn down, moved or altered. Birmingham fought the law in court and lost sort of. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that the city had broken the law when it built four plywood walls around a Confederate monument in Linn Park. But the court also said there was nothing for the state to do but levy a one-time $25,000 fine the city could easily pay. The state couldnt make Birmingham put things back the way they were. Even if you support the law, you have to admit it failed in its purpose. It failed because its impossible to have foresight when you dont have forethought. Now Allen wants to pass a new monuments bill. This one would impose a $5,000 fine every day a local government didnt return a monument to its original condition a punishment to make a city like Birmingham hurt until it surrenders. On Tuesday, the Government Affairs Committee chairman, state Sen. Jimmy Holley, R-Elba, put Allens bill first on the agenda. There was some brief opposition from state Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, before it passed the committee on a 9-1 vote. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration. Its a good thing the Alabama Legislature long ago made giving its members a speeding ticket illegal during the session, or Allen would be broke. Id like to tell you the open records bill, sponsored by state Sen. Cam Ward, was next. But it wasnt. It wasnt third. It wasnt fourth. Instead, Holley who has discretion here put the open records bill 11th on the calendar when he knew the committee meeting had a hard one-hour stop time. I suppose putting it dead last would have been a little too obvious. But when the committee finally did get to Wards bill, Holley did something else he called three other bills out of order ahead of it. That left all of five minutes for Ward and state Rep. Tracy Estes to argue for the bill before Holley carried it over. And carrying it over thats one of those concrete barriers. Its the same barrier this same bill hit last year. It means its not dead, but its dying. Ward gave an impassioned speech. These records dont belong to you and me, Ward said. They belong to taxpayers. And why do we keep putting up barriers for people getting access to records they should have access to? Alabama has a 20th century open records law for 21st century technology, Ward said, and while I agree with the sentiment, Id argue the existing law didnt work so well then, either. Alabama has had one of the worst transparency laws in the country, consistently falling at or near the bottom in national rankings. Wards bill is patterned after similar laws in adjacent states, including Florida, which has among the best sunshine laws in the country. If this bill works in other states, why doesnt it work here? Ward asked. What are we afraid of? Fourteen other people had signed up to speak. The committee meeting room and an overflow room across the hall were packed, mostly with people interested in the bill. Holley carried it over, anyway. The chairman promised in the meeting to call the bill first in the committees next meeting which curiously is Super Tuesday when all those reporters in the back of the room will likely be busy doing other things. And after the meeting, Holley told reporters he wasnt sure whether hed call the bill next week or not. We got railroaded today, an angry Ward said after the meeting. The open records rewrite isnt dead yet. But its dying, broken and bleeding in the road, run over by so many cowardly lawmakers in a hurry to be on their way. 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. A man accused of injuring his infant son in 2018 was arrested in that case two days after the child died in a separate incident over the weekend. Rick Artis, 25, was arrested Monday on a three-count indictment for injury to a child causing serious bodily injury intentionally or knowingly. His bail was set at $150,000. Artis son, 17-month-old Lyriq Ogilvie Artis, was found not breathing at 12:19 p.m. Saturday at a home in the 6700 block of Brothers Lane, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office said. Lyriq was taken to a hospital where he later died. Deputies have not released any additional details in the case, citing an ongoing investigation. Mary Walker, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, said Child Protective Services is investigating Lyriqs death. Investigators removed three of Lyriqs siblings from the home and placed them in foster care after Lyriqs death. The children were removed for safety reasons until investigators can learn more about what occurred at their home. An indictment alleges Artis previously injured Lyriq on Oct. 5, 2018, by striking Lyriq against an unknown object. Two other counts in the indictment state that Artis failed to properly restrain Lyriq while he was a passenger in a vehicle, and that Artis did not seek appropriate medical care for the infant in a timely manner. District Attorney Joe Gonzales said in a statement that there was not enough evidence in the 2018 case to charge Artis until Monday. Jacob Beltran is a reporter covering San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | jbeltran@express-news.net | Twitter: @JBfromSA Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Thursday that Japan will close its schools until April in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus. Efforts have been made to prevent the spread of infection among children in each region, and these one or two weeks will be an extremely critical period, Abe told ministers ahead of a coronavirus meeting. He added that the government attaches top priority to the health and safety of children, among others. The request specifically mentioned elementary, middle, and high schools, and Abe did not mention universities or day-care centers. Japan usually ends school in late March, with the new school year beginning in April after a break. Statistics show that approximately 13.7 million children in nearly 38,000 schools will be affected by the request. Cases of coronavirus have steadily risen over recent weeks, with 186 domestic diagnoses and four deaths as of Thursday, along with over 700 cases and four deaths aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan. Before Abes announcement, other Japanese officials had already moved to close local school districts, with the mayor of Osaka, Japans third-largest city, saying that he had asked schools to close until March 13. Infection numbers have dramatically risen outside of China in recent weeks, with U.S. officials warning earlier this week that outbreak among Americans was likely. Its not so much of a question of if this will happen in this country any more but a question of when this will happen, CDC official Nancy Messonnier told reporters. During a press conference Wednesday evening, President Trump attempted to reassure Americans, saying the risk of an outbreak remains very low. I dont think it is inevitable. I think we are doing a really good job. There is a chance it could get worse. There is a chance if could get fairly, substantially worse. Nothing is inevitable, Trump said. More from National Review A judge in Hawaii has refused to lower the $5 million bail of an Idaho mother whose two children have been missing since September. Lori Vallow is behind bars in Hawaii after being arrested on Feb. 20 for two counts of desertion and nonsupport of dependent children. Vallow was ordered by authorities to present her children, 7-year-old Joshua J.J. Vallow and his sister, 17-year-old Tylee Ryan, by January 31 after they went missing from Rexburg, Idaho, in September. On Wednesday, she appeared before a Hawaiian judge who refused her request to lower her bail, the AZ Press, NBC News and KUTV report. Police in Rexburg have said they strongly believe that Joshua and Tylees lives are in danger after learning that Lori and her newlywed husband, Chad Daybell, an author who writes about doomsday prophecies, had abruptly vacated the couples Rexburg home and left the area last November as police began a search for the two children. But on Wednesday, Vallows attorney argued that Vallow moved to Hawaii to be with her husband and was not a flight risk. Shes not hiding from law enforcement, Craig De Costa said, according to NBC News. Prosecutors allege Vallow has defied court orders in the past, claiming she abandoned her two minor children, delayed law enforcements attempts to locate her children and encouraged another individual to delay law enforcements attempts to locate her children. RELATED: Mom of Missing Idaho Children Appears Before Court, Investigators Find Last Photo Taken of Her Daughter The search for the children began in November when Rexburg police attempted to conduct a welfare check on 7-year-old J.J., who is adopted and has special needs. Vallow and her husband told police the boy was staying with friends in Arizona, but police later learned that was not true. Vallows adult niece allegedly knows the whereabouts of the two missing children, and is involved in a cult where numerous members, adults and children alike, have been being killed off like flies, according to allegations raised in a divorce filing by the nieces husband. Story continues J.J., Lori and Tylee Ryan Vallow | Rexburg Police Department Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The search for Vallows children has since yielded a second look at the October death of Daybells former wife, Tammy, which officials now term suspicious, and focused renewed attention on the July shooting death in Loris home of her former husband, Charles, by Loris brother, Alex Cox, during an alleged altercation. Cox, who claimed self-defense and was not charged in the shooting, also has since died under circumstances that authorities are reviewing. RELATED: Nanny Recounts First Meeting with Lori Vallow Who Said Slain Husband Died of Heart Attack After apparently fleeing Idaho in late November, Vallow and Daybell were located January 25 in Kauai, Hawaii. Authorities said there was no indication the children were ever in Hawaii with the couple. Vallow will return to Idaho after she chose to waive extradition Wednesday. She has not yet entered a plea. Several dozen activists on February 27 assembled in downtown Belgrade to commemorate 27 years since 20 mostly Muslim men were tortured and killed by Serbian paramilitaries after being removed from a train during the 1990s war in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina. The incident started at the Strpci train station near the border with Bosnia on February 27, 1993. Armed Serbs stopped a train there and took 20 passengers, mostly Muslims, and brought the men to Visegrad in eastern Bosnia, where they tortured and killed all of them, dumping their bodies in the Drina river. All the victims were from the Muslim-dominated Sandzak area in western Serbia, which borders Bosnia. Activists in the Serbian capital symbolically assembled at 3:48 p.m., the time when the train was halted. They stood in silence, holding banners with the victims names and leaflets that resemble train tickets. Court proceedings for the war crimes are ongoing both in Serbia, involving five suspects, and Bosnia, against 10 suspects. A total of 16 suspected members of the paramilitary group were arrested in 2014 in Republika Srpska, the Bosnia Serb entity in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and in Serbia proper. Eleven have gone on trial in Sarajevo, one of whom pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 5 years in prison in 2016 after reaching a deal with the prosecutors. Another member of the group was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2002 by a court in nearby Montenegro. The remains of only four victims have been found to date. In 2009, the group's leader, Bosnian Serb Milan Lukic, was sentenced to life in prison by a UN tribunal for war crimes during Bosnia's 1992-1995 conflict. He was never charged over the Strpci massacre, but his brother, Gojko Lukic, figures among the five recently accused. Bosnia's 1992-1995 war claimed around 100,000 lives. Pakistan, Georgia confirm first coronavirus cases Covid-19 is believed to have entered Georgia from neighboring Iran while two 2 patients confirmed to be infected in Pakistan. Pakistan confirmed its first coronavirus cases Wednesday as Minister of Health Zafar Mirza said two patients were confirmed to be infected with the deadly virus. PATIENT HAS RECENTLY VISITED IRAN There is no need to panic. Everything is under control, said Mirza, who added that standard procedure was applied to the patients. Mirza said one patient is a 22-year-old male who recently visited Iran. He did not comment on the other patient. The novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, has sounded global alarms, with China, the epicenter of an outbreak, reporting around 2,700 deaths and health experts grappling to find a cure. GEORGIA Georgia confirmed its first coronavirus case on Wednesday. The minister of health and social affairs, Ekaterine Tikaradze, announced that a Georgian national who returned from Iran via Azerbaijan on Tuesday had contracted the COVID-19 virus. Urging calm, Tikaradze said border staff who inspected the infected man at the border gate were also taken to the hospital for medical check. Azam Khan Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan, his legislator-wife Tazeen Fatma and MLA-son Abdullah Azam were on Thursday shifted to the district jail here from Rampur. "The three reached Sitapur jail on Thursday morning. They are expected to be here till March 2," a jail official said. Asked about the number of cases lodged against him, Khan said, "Entire country knows what is happening to me and my family." On being shifted to Sitapur Jail, he said it was the government's decision. Khan and his family surrendered before a Rampur court on Wednesday and were sent to judicial custody till March 2 over Abdullah's allegedly fake birth certificate. The case relates to two birth certificates for Abdullah Azam, who allegedly also gave a wrong date of birth while filing his nomination papers for the assembly elections in 2017. Abdullah's election was set aside by the Allahabad High Court last December. A Rampur BJP leader, Akash Saxena, had lodged an FIR at Gang police station on January 3, 2019, alleging fraud related to Abdullah Azam's two birth certificates. In April, police filed the charge sheet in court. It alleged that Azam Khan's son also had two passports and two PAN cards. In one birth certificate, issued by the Rampur municipality, Abdullah's birth date was mentioned as January 1, 1993. The other certificate said he was born in Lucknow on September 30, 1990, according to the charge against him. A case was also registered against Azam Khan and his wife as they had submitted an affidavit testifying their son's second birth certificate. Azam Khan represents Rampur in the Lok Sabha and his wife is an MLA from the Rampur assembly seat. Their son Abdullah won from the Suar assembly segment in 2017. In recent years, Azam Khan has also faced charges of encroachment of land around Rampur's Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, where he is the chancellor. Gujarat: 63 fishermen and 11 boats caught by Pakistan in a week February 27,2020 | Source: Yahoo The highest number of fishermen (23) caught in a single day was on February 13. Admitting that a total of 63 fishermen and 11 boats from Gujarat have been apprehended by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency within a weeks time this February, the state government on Friday told the Gujarat Assembly that these fishermen were caught after they crossed over the international maritime boundary that Gujarat shares with its western neighbour. The issue was raised by Punja Vansh, a Congress MLA from Una, under Rule 116 of the state legislature as he pointed out that within a week, an estimated figure of 76 fishermen from Okha and Porbandar were kidnapped along with their boats at the Arabian Sea by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency. This issue has repeatedly been raised in this House and this government has been giving a similar reply every time. You have been in power for the last 22 years. What effective steps have you taken? asked Vansh who wanted to know whether the state government would provide financial assistance to fishermen who died in Pakistani jails. In a statement tabled in the House, state minister for Fisheries, Jawahar Chavda pointed out that 63 fishermen and 11 boats were seized by Pakistan in four separate incidents between February 13 and 18, 2020. The highest number of fishermen (23) caught in a single day was on February 13. The ministers reply also named the owners of the seized boats, the names and registration numbers of the boats and the names of the fishermen who were apprehended. If the last 5-6 years are considered since 2014-15, then 1,623 Indian fishermen were taken by Pakistan. During this period, 1,750 of the arrested fishermen have been brought back from Pakistan. In short, we have brought more than they have taken. The Government of India has done a lot of hard work, the minister said. Chavada said only 231 fishermen were missing as of now and the rest of the apprehended fishermen have returned home. Intervening on the issue, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that there were over 28,000 fishing boats in the state. It is not kidnapping as it is being claimed. We share a maritime boundary with Pakistan and our fishermen cross the boundary and go into Pakistan, and then they are caught there. It is not as if someone comes into our territory and kidnaps them. Similarly, Pakistans fishermen are caught when they enter our boundary, Rupani remarked. He said that the state government along with the Centre was trying to arm these fishermen with necessary technology to ensure that they dont cross the international boundary. We are giving families of fishermen (caught by Pakistan) Rs 300 as daily assistance, Rupani said. He added that the Centre is trying its best to get Pakistan to return the seized boats. The way the (terrorist) attack on Mumbai happened, the boat Kuber of our own fishermen was used to get into our territory. We have discussed this recently, these seized boats should not be misused, the CM said. Haverty and Cherry met Knight at the Montana Lils Casino on King Avenue West on Oct. 26, 2017. Knight had just won $120 and asked a casino employee to hold his winnings, believing Haverty and Cherry might rob him, the employee later told police. Later that night at a campsite near the casino, Haverty and Cherry took turns decapitating Knight, according to charges. The pair had wanted to rob Knight, but he only had $6 on him when he was killed. As Knights family members took the witness stand on Wednesday they described a gentle, caring man who was eager to lend help and make friends. "He was one of the 'give the shirt off his back' individuals. He was the one that I could always, always count on," Knight's sister Brandi King said Wednesday. Every person who knew him loved him," she added later. Knights father, Tracy "Ching" King, said Knight was eager to help those in needespecially children. Knight used his love and skills with horses to help people under emotional distress. After his sister, Brandi King, returned from military service, Knight took care of her, Tracy King said. (CNN) -- A Holocaust-themed parade in Spain featuring dancing Nazis, death camp prisoners in striped pajamas and a float decorated with crematorium chimneys has caused global outrage. Women in bloodstained death camp uniforms waved Israeli flags and men dressed as German officers posed with guns at Monday's regional carnival in the small town of Campo de Criptana in the Castile-La Mancha region, around 90 miles southeast of Madrid. The Israeli Embassy in Spain said in a tweet that it condemned "the vile and disgusting representation trivializing the Holocaust" and "making fun of the six million Jews killed by the Nazis." The Auschwitz Memorial museum tweeted: "Hard to describe: memory upside-down, far beyond vulgar kitsch, without any relevance, without reflection & respect." The El Chaparral Cultural Association, the carnival troupe from nearby Las Mesas that organized the Holocaust-themed part of the parade, apologized in a statement on Instagram to anyone who had been offended and said it had canceled further parades it had planned in the region. "An erroneous image of our club has been disseminated that, really, is not what we intended," it said. "We wanted to transmit a message of consideration and respect. "We are against the genocide against the Jewish people, for whom we feel great admiration and respect and to whom we present our apologies." The City of Campo de Criptana said in a statement that the association had promised "a tribute to the millions of people who unjustly died in the extermination that took place during World War II in Germany." The city authorities added: "Once we saw the representation, we share the criticisms produced. If the initial objective was to commemorate the victims, it is clear that this has not been achieved." It said the association was responsible, because the city council "does not have prior capacity to control or supervise the staging of all the groups participating in the parade." The council said it "strongly condemned" the genocide of Jewish people by the Nazis and any "mockery or trivialization of the subject." Stand With Us, a group dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism around the world, called it "outrageous" and "unacceptable," while the Catalan-Israeli Friendship Association said it was "even worse" than a Belgian carnival that took place on Sunday. The parade in the city of Aalst was removed from UNESCO's cultural heritage list in December because of a "recurrence of racist and anti-Semitic representations." Spanish radio network Cadena SER reported that the local mayor, Santiago Lazaro, said: "I agree that the theme does not seem very carnivalesque. I do not think it will happen again." The Israeli Embassy in Spain said in its tweet that "European countries must actively combat anti-Semitism." Human Rights Watch warned last June that "evidence of rising anti-Semitism in Europe has become impossible to ignore," after a Jewish cemetery in France was vandalized, Germany faced a spike in attacks on Jewish people and the United Kingdom launched a formal investigation into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party. In December, images of the Star of David and messages apparently relating to the September 11 attacks were painted on buildings in London, on the same day that five people were stabbed at a Hanukkah celebration in New York. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Holocaust-themed Spanish parade with dancing Nazis causes outrage" Crew member of sunken boat still missing PHUKET: A crew member of a fishing boat that sank yesterday (Feb 26) is still missing, authorities confirmed to The Phuket News today. marineSafetyaccidentsMyanmar By Eakkapop Thongtub Thursday 27 February 2020, 03:19PM Two of the rescued crew identify where they believes the boat sank and where the remaining missing crew man had disappeared. Photo: Royal Thai Navy Crew members of the sunken ship that were rescued disembark from Chor. Namcharoenchai 6 and board the Navy vessel. Photo: Royal Thai Navy The boat sank around midday yesterday about 2.9 nautical miles north of Racha Noi Island. Six members of the crew were rescued by a passing boat, the Chor. Namcharoenchai 6, but one Myanmar national had remained on the sinking vessel to retrieve something from the cabin and did not reappear as it sank. Capt Sathaporn Luengthongkham, Chief of the Thai Marine Enforcement Command Center Region 3, confirmed that a second search and rescue effort was conducted this morning, but to no avail. This follows the original search that was conducted yesterday, shortly after the navy had been alerted as to the boats peril. Capt Sathaporn revealed it has not yet been decided if the search will continue and a meeting has been arranged to determine this. Further details will be shared once finalised, he said. He also added that the owner of the boat has yet to decide whether to proceed with salvage efforts. It is believed the boat has sunk to the sea bed at a depth of 44 metres and the costs associated with retrieving the vessel may deter the owner. The boat captain, Mr Metha Inkhlai, 51, informed the navy that there were seven people on the boat - one Thai, and six Myanmar nationals. He stated the boat sank due to engine failure and then starting taking on water that they were unable to combat. Home minister Amit Shah will chair the 24th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council (EZC), comprising of the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar on Friday. During the meeting, the Home Minister will meet the Chief Ministers of the participating states, including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. "Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah will chair this meeting. Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, is the Vice-Chairman and host. Chief Ministers of Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand respectively, Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee and Hemant Soren, will also participate," the Home Ministry said. The Chief Ministers will be accompanied by two cabinet ministers from each state, as members of the Council, and Chief Secretary and other senior officials of the states. Secretaries, Additional Secretaries and other senior officers of the Central government will also attend the meeting. "The upcoming meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council will deliberate upon nearly four dozen issues which inter alia include inter-state water issues, power transmission lines, royalty on and operationalisation of coals mines, land and forest clearances of rail projects, investigation of heinous offences, cattle smuggling across country's borders, lack of telecom and banking infrastructure in remote areas, petroleum projects, sharing pattern on centrally collected revenues etc," the Home Ministry added. "With such senior level participation of political leadership and officers, a large number of issues are likely to get resolved by consensus in the meeting," it said. Five Zonal Councils were set up in the year 1957 under Section 15-22 of the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these 5 Zonal Councils and Chief Minister of the host state, to be chosen by rotation every year, is the Vice-Chairman. Two more Ministers from each state are nominated as Members by the Governor. The Council takes up issues involving Centre and states, and among Member-states falling in the Zone and thus provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between them. The last meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council was last held in Kolkata on October 1, 2018. "The Zonal Councils discuss a broad range of issues, which include boundary related disputes, security, infrastructure-related matters like road, transport, industries, water and power etc., matters pertaining to forests and environment, housing, education, food security, tourism, transport, etc," Ministry of Home Affairs said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Algeria has confirmed a first case of the coronavirus in the country, in an announcement on state-owned ENTV on Tuesday evening. Algerian health minister, Abdel Rahman Ben Bouzid, said the patient was an Italian man who had arrived in the country on February 17. The patient has been placed in isolation. Algeria becomes the second African country with a confirmed case of coronavirus, after Egypt confirmed a case of the disease. The patient was later declared clear of the infection and was on the way to recovery. On Wednesday, Algerian health officials said that banning public protests was not on the agenda despite the coronavirus case. Thousands of Algerians have been protesting against the government since February 22 last year, in response to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announcing he intended to run for a fifth term despite being debilitated by a 2013 stroke. Algeria is one of 13 countries the WHO has identified as a top priority for preparedness measures due to their direct links or high volume of travel to China. During an emergency meeting Saturday with African health ministers at the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the WHO pledged to support African countries on joint coronavirus disease preparedness and response strategies as the threat looms over the continent. By Express News Service BENGALURU: The man who bent the BJPs unspoken rule to become Chief Minister past the age limit of 75, BS Yediyurappa, turns 78 years old on Thursday. A host of leaders are expected to gather under one roof on Thursday, keeping political and personal rivalries aside, to celebrate his birthday. From arch-rivals Congress leader Siddaramaiah and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy to party colleague BL Santhosh, National Secretary (Organisation), BJP, a host of political heavyweights are expected to take part in the event. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, DV Sadananda Gowda, Pralhad Joshi, Suresh Angadi, veteran politician S M Krishna, BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel will also be present. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa attends a private function in Koppal on Wednesday | EXPRESS The release of a coffee table book brought out by The New Indian Express, capturing the life and achievements of Yediyurappa, will be one of the highlights of the event. While his family, supporters and friends have organised a big bash at Palace Grounds to celebrate his personal and political journey, Yediyurappa has appealed for austerity. CM says no to birthday gifts, bursting crackers The CM has requested his well-wishers to refrain from presenting bouquets, garlands or gifts or bursting crackers to mark the occasion. Yediyurappas birthday comes barely a week ahead of the much-anticipated tabling of the State Budget on March 5. His big challenge in the coming days, though, will be managing the financial crisis that Karnataka is staring at. Nine people died case last year after suspects attempted to steal gas from a pipeline in Beheira An Egyptian criminal court in the Nile Delta town of Damanhour said it would seek the death penalty for five defendants for vandalising a gas pipeline late last year, leading to several deaths. Nine people were killed and almost a dozen others injured in a fire in November 2019 in Itay El-Baroud in Beheira governorate that resulted from a gas leak after an attempt to steal gas from a pipeline. Ten people are standing trial over the accident. They face charges including sabotage, robbery and committing crimes that have led to deaths. The court on Thursday said it would transfer the cases of five defendants to Egypts top religious authority, the Grand Mufti, to decide whether they should be sentenced or not. Under Egyptian law, death sentences are referred to the Mufti for an opinion that is not legally binding. The court has set 26 March as the date for its verdict. The sentences can be appealed before an appeals court. Search Keywords: Short link: Wines of Portugal UK: Indies are perfect for explaining "myriad of grapes" to shoppers Independent retailers have been earmarked as a key sector for growth for Portuguese wines in 2020, according to trade body, Wines of Portugal UK. Sonia Vieira, marketing director at Wines of Portugal, told DRN: Independents are an important sector for Portuguese wines as our regions and myriad of grapes can be explained to consumers. High street retailers are good for us as well and Portuguese wines always offer a point of difference to these merchants.From the information we have been able to gather from wine producers we do feel that Portuguese wines are selling more in the off-trade. Vieira said a key part of the trade bodys strategy for 2020 in the UK is todays annual tasting event for Portuguese wines, whereby more than 72 producers and their importers are presenting new vintages and wines to the trade and press. The event will be followed by a special Three Wine Men consumer tasting event. She said: Our treasure is actually our grapes: we have more than 250 to show to the world. Touriga Nacional or Alvarinho are well-known by the UK consumers but we have much more to offer. Regarding that, in 2018 we organised a tasting called Hidden Gems with that specific purpose, introducing wine experts to other grapes that are not so well known like Rufete, Viosinho or even Sousao. The variety Portugal has to offer is endless and this is what we always try to show. Portugal is a safe choice if you want to positively surprise a customer. For retailers Vieira recommends stocking a good range of Portuguese wines because they are hugely enjoyable and because many are produced by small to medium-sized producers who are passionate about their vineyards and their regions. She said: We are master of blends, this is what weve been doing for centuries, bringing the specificity and profile of each region in each bottle. Our grapes are a huge asset that our producers perfectly know how to use to produce wines in all styles that international consumers will enjoy without losing their personality. And independents really are our partners in helping Portuguese producers to sell more in the UK as they see a huge potential in our wines. Wines of Portugal UK will also be ramping up its presence on social media, including an upgrade of its accounts to Wines of Portugal UK (@WPTUK), along with a new Instagram account. It also has other activity planned for the year ahead. Vieira said: We know that almost all the top sommeliers from all over the world come to the UK to further their education and taste wines from every corner of the globe. With this in mind and knowing how important Portuguese wines are to the UKs on-trade, we are developing an exciting new initiative to show them our wines. We are going to hold tastings in three different locations in London, with each one showing a different styles of Portuguese wines. We want to be able to truly demonstrate the diversity of our country's production. It will be an opportunity to use different venues to showcase the most modern styles of wine, from all levels, that Portugal is offering. We will also be choosing a Portuguese location so that we can also show how these wines work when paired with Portuguese food. We were also pleased to be one of the main sponsors at this years People's Choice Wine Awards, where we were able to show our enthusiasm for new producers by sponsoring the Unsigned Talent category and are also working with the awards to encourage more Portuguese wine producers to enter in the future. You are here: Business South Korea's central bank froze its policy rate at a record low of 1.25 percent on Thursday amid rising expectations for additional rate cut, caused by the soaring cases of the COVID-19 for the past week. Bank of Korea (BOK) Governor Lee Ju-yeol and six other monetary policy board members decided to leave the benchmark seven-day repurchase rate unchanged at 1.25 percent. The target rate was slashed to the current record-low level in October last year, following the cut from 1.75 percent to 1.50 percent last July. The rate freeze was in line with market expectations. According to the Korea Financial Investment Association (KFIA) survey of 200 fixed-income experts conducted on Feb. 12-18, 81 percent predicted the rate on hold. Expectations ran higher for further rate cut as the COVID-19 infection cases surged for the past week. As of 9:00 a.m. local time, the number of infected patients totaled 1,595, up 334 from the previous day. The death toll was unchanged at 12. The virus infection soared in the past week, with 1,230 new cases reported on Feb. 19-26. The country raised its four-tier virus alert to the highest "red" level on Sunday. The BOK said in a statement that South Korea's economic growth weakened, noting that consumption contracted and exports slowed owing to the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. To help small companies prevail over the economic slump, the central bank will offer 5 trillion won (4.1 billion U.S. dollars) more of low-rate loans through domestic commercial banks. The BOK governor told a televised press conference that there was a possibility for the South Korean economy to have a negative growth in the first quarter, saying the further rate cut would be decided by how long the COVID-19 epidemic continues. South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered government officials on Monday to draw up a supplementary budget to tackle the expected economic slowdown. The country's 2020 budget was a record 512.5 trillion won (421.3 billion U.S. dollars). Amid the surging COVID-19 cases, sentiment among businesses and consumers worsened this month. The business sentiment index (BSI) dived 10 points over the month to 65 in February, marking the biggest monthly fall since the data began to be compiled in 2003. The composite consumer sentiment index (CCSI) declined 7.3 points to 96.9 in the month. The readings below 100 indicates pessimists outnumbering optimists. The daily average export slumped 9.3 percent for the first 20 days of February compared with the same period of last year. The finance ministry said in its monthly economic assessment report, called Green Book, that the signs of economic recovery emerged in recent months, but it was released before the fast spread of the COVID-19. Revenue of discount outlets and online retailers increased 7.3 percent and 3.3 percent each in January from a year earlier, though department store sale inched down 0.3 percent last month. Production in all industries grew 1.4 percent in December from a month earlier, with retail sale rising 0.3 percent in the month. Facility investment jumped 10.9 percent in December, with investment in the construction sector adding 4.1 percent. The Congress on Thursday hit out at the government over the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge S Muralidhar, alleging that the Modi dispensation was waging a battle of revenge against the judiciary. Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, on a day when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur. Attacking the government over Muralidhar's "sudden" transfer, senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, "It seems those doing justice in country will now not be spared." Calling the transfer a classic "hit-and-run injustice" by the BJP government, he said the saffron party's " of revenge" has been exposed. "Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar transferred by the government to save BJP leaders in Delhi violence case," the senior Congress leader said at a press conference here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Solan/Shimla BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday accused the opposition of misleading people by spreading misinformation on the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). While addressing a felicitation rally at Solan on his first visit to Himachal Pradesh after being appointed the Bharatiya Janata Partys chief, Nadda said some people are trying to vitiate the atmosphere politically. The population of our Hindu brethren in Pakistan has dropped to 3% from 23% in 1947. In Bangladesh, only 7% are left. Where did they go? They were either forced to convert or were persecuted, he said, adding that Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Manmohan Singh all talked about bringing them to India but nobody did it. It is PM Modi who has done it, he added. The BJP chief said the Modi government toughened the NIA Act to probe terror cases abroad and extradite people who carried out terror activities in India and fled to a foreign country. Under the Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act, the government can declare a person involved in terror activities as a terrorist without having to wait to prove it in court. This is the power PM Modi gave to India, Nadda said. Today, India is marching towards becoming a five-trillion dollar economy and we are the worlds fifth largest economy, he said. However, our opponents dont want these things to be discussed and are trying to deflect attention to the violence in Delhi, the BJP chief said. The opposition wants people to forget that US president Donald Trump came to India and in his 28-minute speech showered praises on the government of India. Speaking on the abrogation of Article 370, Nadda said it is a step that made Jammu and Kashmir an integral part of India. It is not just an emotional issue but a stride to bring J&K into the mainstream, the 59-year-old leader said. India has become one country constitutionally under Modis leadership, he said. Nadda said after nullification of Article 370, anti-corruption law came into force in J&K and probe has begun. The leaders in Jammu and Kashmir who swindled public money will now be in jail or on bail, he added. Nadda said he was fortunate to have got the opportunity to lead the worlds largest party, which is free of nepotism, caste and religion on which other parties thrive. In the BJP, ideology is supreme. Here a common worker becomes the Prime Minister or the national president, he said. Appreciating the Jai Ram Thakur government in Himachal for its public welfare schemes, Nadda expressed confidence that BJP workers will work hard to retain power in the next assembly election. I am fortunate to have got the opportunity to lead the BJP. I will perform my duties with utmost sincerity. I will never let you down, he told party workers here. INDIA SET TO BE $5 TRILLION ECONOMY: ANURAG Speaking on the occasion, Union minister of state for finance Anurag Thakur said India has taken a great leap by becoming worlds fifth largest economy and PM Modi has set a target to make India 5 trillion dollar economy by 2025. He said in the last five years Indias economy grew by one trillion dollars. We are working tirelessly to achieve the new target, Thakur said. He extended best wishes to Nadda and expressed confidence that he will take the party to new heights. IT IS BJPS GOLDEN ERA: SHANTA In his address, veteran BJP leader Shanta Kumar said it is the Bharatiya Janata Partys golden era and it is the responsibility of party workers to keep the momentum going. Remember, it doesnt take much time for things to change. Ensure there are no mistakes, he said, adding that it is a fortunate moment for people of Himachal that a person from the state is heading the worlds largest party. JAI RAM LISTS ACHIEVEMENT Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said it is a matter of pride that Nadda is the national president of BJP. This a boon for us as BJP government is in power in Himachal as well as the Centre, he said. While listing the achievements of his regime in last two years, the CM expressed confidence that the BJP will come to power again in 2022. State BJP president Rajeev Bindal Bindal described Nadda as a true leader and assured him that he will further strengthen the party in Himachal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Vladimir Putin has admitted that he was once advised to use body doubles to avoid being assassinated - but denied ever using one. Rumours have persisted for two decades that the 67-year-old Russian president often uses decoys to protect himself, but he has now said they are not true. Sitting down for an interview with Russian news agency TASS, he was asked bluntly: 'Are you the real Putin?' 'Yes', he responded. Vladimir Putin has denied years of rumours that he uses body doubles to avoid being assassinated, but admitted that he was once advised to use them Asked by interviewer Andrei Vandenko 'are you real?', Putin responded: 'Yes' 'I refused to have doubles,' Putin added. 'It was during the hardest times of the fight against terrorism.' As Prime Minister and then as President, Putin oversaw the war against Islamist separatists from Chechnya between 1999 and 2000. After Russia claimed victory, terror attacks increased in the Caucasus while bombers also targeted the country's main cities. 'The double would go where things were dodgy?' asked Vandenko. 'Well yes, go, put in appearances,' Putin confirmed. Putin said he was advised to use doubles in 2000 shortly after the war with Chechen rebels finished, leading to a rise in terror attacks across Russia Soviet leaders including Josef Stalin were well-known for using body doubles in order to foil assassination attempts Body doubles were reportedly used by former Kremlin leaders such as Josef Stalin and Leonid Brezhnev. Putin has denied having a double since 2001 when he was quizzed on the issue by a woman in a love TV broadcast. In 2009, people in Sochi did not believe that a walkabout by then President Dmitry Medvedev and prime minister Putin involved the real leaders. Medvedev said at the time: 'We are not doubles, we are real.' Putin regularly travels to towns and cities across Russia's 11 time zones clocking up far more air miles than any previous Kremlin incumbent. The CBI on Thursday brought back a three-year-old girl from Dubai who was taken there by her father in alleged violation of Delhi High Court orders, officials said. The girl's father, Aman Lohia, had taken Baby Raina to Dubai amid a custody battle with his wife Kiran Kaur Lohia in the high court that had asked him to deposit his passport with authorities to prevent him from leaving the country, they said. The Supreme Court, which was apprised of the matter through a petition against a high court order in the case, had directed the CBI to visit Dubai to bring back the girl to India. A team of CBI officials had recently gone to Dubai where it coordinated with local authorities to ensure the safe return of the girl and her father. After the team arrived on Thursday morning, the CBI rushed to the apex court and informed it about its compliance action, the officials said. The girl will be produced before the Supreme Court on Friday, they said, adding that the child is at her mother's home under the agency's care. The dramatic developments of Thursday were a culmination of a six-month long trail of a defiant father who in a desperate move escaped to Dubai with his daughter claiming he was a "victim of gender bias" of courts and that it was the "love for his daughter" which directed his actions. Aman Lohia, son of a noted businessman, was fighting a custody battle for his daughter Raina in the high court after separating from his wife Kiran Kaur Lohia, a Delhi-based dermatologist. The high court had granted Raina's custody to the mother with a parenting plan, according to which, Aman Lohia could meet his daughter for some hours on three days of a week. The court also asked him to deposit his passport, which he did, the officials said. On August 24 last year, when the girl had come to meet Aman Lohia as per the parenting plan, he took her along with family confidant Pawan Kumar and maid Shiuratia Debi to Dubai using a circuitous route via Nepal and other gulf countries. Considering international ramifications, the Delhi High Court had handed over the probe to the CBI which had registered a case. The Interpol had issued a 'Yellow Notice' for the girl on a CBI request, the officials said. Yellow Notices are issued by the Interpol on the request of member countries to locate missing persons, they said. The CBI had also filed a charge sheet on December 19 last year before a special court against Aman Lohia, his mother Meena Lohia, alleged accomplice Pawan Kumar and maid Shiuratia Debi Mahto, they said. The agency has invoked Indian Penal Code provisions pertaining to criminal conspiracy, kidnapping from India and kidnapping from lawful guardianship among others against the businessman. Aman Lohia had allegedly decided to flee to Dubai, where personal laws enjoin exclusive custody upon the father, using a passport acquired from Caribbean country the Commonwealth of Dominica. The high court had termed Aman Lohia's escape with his daughter on a Dominican passport and refusal to subject himself to the jurisdiction of the Indian legal system as a contempt of court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LANSING Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) today warned Michigan residents to watch for scams related to the coronavirus disease 2019. These scams include websites selling fake products, and fabricated emails, texts and social media posts used to steal money and personal information. The emails and posts may be promoting awareness and prevention tips along with phony information about cases in residents neighborhoods. They may also ask for donations to victims, provide advice on unproven treatments or contain damaging attachments. While the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 is real, there have been no confirmed cases in Michigan, said Nessel. Do NOT fall for these scams. In fact, this is the perfect example of criminals preying on peoples fears. Dont give a single piece of personal information to anyone reaching out to you regarding coronavirus. The Federal Trade Commission has offered the following tips to help you avoid these scammers: Dont click on links from sources you dont know; Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus; Ignore online offers for vaccinations; and Be alert to investment opportunities. While the current risk of COVID-19 in the United States is low, we are working with our local and federal partners to make sure our public health system is prepared, said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. The best way Michiganders can stay healthy is to wash their hands often with soap and water, cover their coughs and sneezes, stay away from people who are sick and stay home if they are not feeling well. For accurate, up-to-date information, visit the CDCs website or the MDHHS webpage. Regardless of who they claim to be, people who text or email asking for personal or financial information should be treated as potential thieves who may be trying to steal someones identity. Resist their believable scenarios and confirm the identity of a contact by independently speaking with the identified source. Do NOT provide any personal information to people who call or email seeking it. Remember, identity thieves are crafty, and they may attempt to contact people numerous times using various aliases. For more information and tips, please read this Consumer Alert from the FTC. Consumers are encouraged to file consumer complaints online with the Michigan Department of Attorney General or call (877) 765-8388. Bahrain's Ministry of Health has announced that it has registered seven new confirmed cases of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the kingdom, taking the total confirmed cases to 33. Infected individuals were immediately transferred to Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Community Medical Center for isolation and treatment following tests that confirmed they were carrying COVID-19, upon arrival at the Bahrain International Airport via indirect flights from Iran. All individuals in contact with the infected patients have also been quarantined as per preventive efforts, a Bahrain News Agency report said. The ministry also noted that one of the newly recorded cases is of a Bahraini citizen who had returned from Iran before the country announced the pandemic. The citizen, who called 444 having presented COVID-19 symptoms, was quickly transferred to isolation for treatment. The ministry will continue intensifying epidemiological monitoring at its entry points, particularly at Bahrain International Airport, as well as testing all existing suspected cases to ensure containment of the virus. The ministry urges citizens and residents who have visited Iran during February to self-isolate immediately and call 444 to schedule medical examination dates as they pose a risk to their families and communities. Meawhile, the Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Iraq and Lebanon until further notice, effective immediately. The CAA urged all citizens and residents of Bahrain who are currently in areas affected by the Coronavirus (COVID 19) and who were planning to return to the Bahrain to call the following number +973 17227555. All arrivals to Bahrain International Airport suspected of infection will be tested and, if found to be suffering from the condition, are immediately transferred to designated centres for isolation and treatment, it said. A leading professor of diseases in France has warned the country will face an outbreak similar to Italy (Getty) A leading doctor in France believes the country should expect a coronavirus outbreak similar to Italy, warning the way patients are handled could increase the risk of an epidemic. Eric Caumes, professor of infectious and tropical diseases at the Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris, says that the country needs to rethink how it handles coronavirus as the bug spreads across Europe. It follows news that France has recorded its second death, a 60-year-old man, who died in a Paris hospital earlier this week. When asked if France should fear further contamination, the diseases expert said it was unstoppable and that a similar scenario to that of Italy was likely. A man wearing a mask leaves hospital in Creil, Paris, where people tested positive for coronavirus have been treated (Reuters) He told Le Parisien: Yes, we risk experiencing the Italian scenario. It is unstoppable. I say it and I repeat it. By rushing patients into hospitals, the epidemic will increase. We will have to change our strategy. Read more: Germany 'at start of coronavirus epidemic' as fears grow over spread in Europe Let people who do not have serious forms stay at home! This will prevent contamination as we know it in Italy or in China. Today, we are exhausted with people with runny noses while their presence in the hospital can infect more fragile people. French president Emmanuel Macron visits the Paris hospital that has been in the forefront of testing and treating patients with coronavirus (AP) The virology expert also advised that people must stop shaking hands, wash our hands better and open the windows to ventilate our homes as it Covid-19 is difficult to detect. He also urged caution around the demographics of those dying from the virus, criticising misinformation around patients and creating further panic. Read more: Tenerife hotel placed in quarantine after doctor tests positive for coronavirus Prof Caumes said: I feel like were doing everything we can to spread panic. Why do health authorities not say that patients who die in Italy are often 80 years old, cancers or other pathologies? A couple wearing face masks stroll outside St Peter's Square, Vatican (AP) Fears intensified over the spread of coronavirus in Europe as France reported its second death and the number of people in Italy with the virus continued to climb. Story continues Meanwhile, authorities in Italy have reported that the number of people infected in the country grew to 400 and 12 people have now died. Austria, Croatia and Switzerland also reported their first cases linked to the outbreak in Italy, while Spain and France recorded new ones, also involving people who had been to northern Italy. National Assembly of Pakistan will host a National Dialogue on Afghanistan in 3rd week of March, 2020 Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th February, 2020) National Assembly of Pakistan will host a National Dialogue on Afghanistan in 3rd week of March, 2020. The Dialogue is being organized on the initiative of Speaker, National Assembly Asad Qaiser. The National Dialogue will be attended by Parliamentarians, Intelligentsia, academia, strategic analysts, and representatives of civil society besides eminent media personnel. The National Dialogue will discuss and suggest way forward to deal with the situation arising in post US - Afghanistan peace agreement. Bounteous, known for their commitment to open source projects, their dedication to collaborate with partners and clients, as well as their resolve to create groundbreaking, rich commerce experiences, developed a set of tools that support complex business models. For this project, Bounteous was able to leverage Gridsome, a Vue.js framework that had never been used before with Elastic Path Commerce Cloud, as opposed to simply building a storefront on one of the existing Gatsby or Next.js based libraries. This aligned with their belief that some of the best transactional journeys on the web today are JAMstack-based and inspired Bounteous to create a commerce experience that would truly showcase how well this modern web development workflow could be applied to best-in-class commerce solutions. What resulted was the creation of a fully-functioning, Gridsome-based eCommerce experience that demonstrates Elastic Path Commerce Cloud's flexibility and speed to market. "We are honored to be a top-performing Elastic Path partner and look forward to continuing to undertake large, digital transformation projects together that bridge online and in-person consumer engagement," said Seth Dobbs, CTO of Bounteous. "Elastic Path continues to innovate headless commerce, empowering leading B2C and B2B organizations to monetize the ground-breaking experiences they provide to end users. As their solution partner, we get to collaborate with companies that are pushing the boundaries of innovation in their industries." Elastic Path Commerce Cloud's microservices capabilities enable current and future customers to launch new revenue channels nearly on-demand and create monetization opportunities that are not only fit for the buyer but fit for the business purpose and deliver them at incredible scale. "Bounteous is an agency that truly embraces our point of view on the evolving landscape of commerce. They are working with some of our most innovative clients to help them meet their goals of re-defining how transactional capabilities are seamlessly delivered in the context of engaging user journeys," said Tiffany Spizzo, VP, Global Channel & Alliances at Elastic Path. "It's exciting to see their enthusiasm and deep skillsets in action with our new capabilities and just how fast they were able to create something so compelling." If you'd like to see how, together, Elastic Path and Bounteous could revolutionize your commerce experience, reach out to book a joint meeting. About Bounteous Founded in 2003 in Chicago, Bounteous creates big-picture digital solutions that help leading companies deliver transformational digital brand experiences. Our expertise includes Strategy, Experience Design, Technology, Analytics and Insight, and Marketing. Bounteous forms problem-solving partnerships with their clients to envision, design, and build their digital futures. For more information, please visit www.bounteous.com . For the most up-to-date news, follow Bounteous on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. About Elastic Path As the pioneer of headless commerce, Elastic Path created the world's first and only microservice-based commerce platform that enables every business leader to achieve remarkable digital agility through easy-to-use business user tools, a comprehensive library of pre-built commerce applications, and the unmatched ability to extend the platform. With Elastic Path, organizations across every business model can deploy revolutionary commerce experiences faster, at a lower risk and greater scale than any other solution in the market. If you want to harness the power of full commerce freedom, turning any device, touchpoint or experience into a purchase environment, Elastic Path is the right partner for you. Elastic Path has offices in Canada, the U.S and U.K with a team of employees, customers and partners that span the globe. Learn more at www.elasticpath.com . SOURCE Elastic Path Software Related Links www.elasticpath.com CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A judge increased the bond of a 23-year-old accused of grabbing his girlfriends 4-year-old son by the neck and slamming his head into the wall. Bryan Morris made his initial court appearance Monday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. A grand jury is reviewing what charges he could face in the case. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret Russo added several other conditions to his bond, including home confinement, a mandatory GPS monitor and he is not allowed to have any contact with the boy, according to court records. Russo also granted a temporary protection order against Morris. The boy suffered bruises on his face and neck. Morris also struck the boy in the hips and buttocks, court records say. Jessica Jordan, 25, the mother, took the boy to daycare three days after the incident without notifying authorities, police said. A daycare employee called Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services after seeing his injuries. A representative from the agency took the child to MetroHealth for treatment. The child is now in the care of a relative, Brook Park police said. Jordan remains in the Cuyahoga County Jail on a $100,000 bond. A Cuyahoga County grand jury also is reviewing her case. Read related crime stories: Boyfriend of Brook Park mother grabbed childs neck, slammed his head into wall, court documents say Brook Park man accused of beating 4-year-old boy surrenders to investigators, police say Warrant issued for Brook Park man accused of beating 4-year-old boy, police say Bond set at $200,000 for Brook Park man accused of beating 4-year-old boy JERUSALEM - Israel is moving forward on plans to build more than 1,700 homes for settlers in the West Bank, the settlement watchdog Peace Now said Thursday. Peace Now said the housing was spread over 10 settlements, some deep inside the West Bank in areas the Palestinians want for a future state. About 1,000 units were in the initial stages of approval, whereas 700 received near-final approval. The housing approvals come days ahead of national elections in Israel, the third straight vote in less than a year after the previous two ended inconclusively. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival and has hoped to boost his pro-settler support by granting new housing approvals in the settlements, including in a key neighbourhood of east Jerusalem earlier this week. A military planning committee granted Thursdays approvals. The approvals also come weeks after the Trump administration unveiled its long-anticipated Mideast plan, which sides with Israel on many of the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts main points of contention. It envisions Israel annexing parts of the West Bank, including its 120 settlements and the 500,000 settlers who live there. It falls short of granting the Palestinians a state, offering them limited autonomy over disjointed chunks of land but only if they meet a set of stringent demands that would require them to drastically alter what has been their baseline for negotiations for decades. The Palestinians want the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem territories Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast war for their hoped-for state. The Palestinians, along with much of the international community, consider settlements illegal and see them as an obstacle to creating a viable Palestinian state. Since President Donald Trumps election, Israel has been emboldened by an American leader who unlike most of his predecessors has been lenient in his approach to settlement building. Netanyahu has embarked on a settlement building spree during Trumps tenure and has promised to annex the strategic Jordan Valley. Since the unveiling of the Mideast initiative, Netanyahu has promise to charge ahead immediately with annexing the settlements, but he quickly backtracked, apparently after White House officials took issue with his premature zeal. Mike Bloomberg had just finished taking a group photograph with a delegation of New York University students at Bloomberg LP headquarters when he struck up a conversation with Sekiko Sakai, one of the top-performing saleswomen of his namesake product, the Bloomberg Terminal. "How's married life? Still married?" Bloomberg asked as the two walked to the cafeterias coffee station and filled their cups. Sakai said it was great and that she was pregnant, according to notes gathered by Sakai's lawyer as part of a 1995 complaint she later filed with state regulators against Bloomberg and his company. "Kill it," Bloomberg said in a "serious monotone voice," Sakai alleged in the complaint. "What? What did you just say?" Sakai said she asked. Bloomberg maintained eye contact and "repeated in a deliberate manner, 'kill it,'" she alleged. In the intervening years, Bloomberg has repeatedly denied saying it. Sakai said that Bloomberg finished filling his coffee. As he put the lid on his cup, he mumbled to himself, "great, number 16." Sakai said she interpreted that to mean she was the 16th woman in the office to get pregnant. He walked away, she said in her complaint. MORE: Bloomberg's sexist remarks fostered company culture that degraded women, lawsuits allege The alleged incident would have a resounding and residual effect on both parties in very different ways. In the short term, Sakai said it damaged her. She claimed in her lawsuit that it was part of why she left the company -- sacrificing a lucrative paycheck and a job she said she loved -- and suffered serious psychological and physical health setbacks. PHOTO: Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg speaks during the tenth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 25, 2020. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Now nearly 25 years on, it is Bloomberg who is feeling the impact of the alleged remark as he makes a run for the White House. While his unusual campaign style skipping early voting states and focusing his strategy on Super Tuesday -- has commandeered attention in the race for the Democratic nomination, so too have anecdotes about his past comments to and treatment of some women who worked for him. Allegations of inappropriate workplace comments and claims that the former New York City mayor's company became a hostile place for pregnant women, have both dogged the candidate on the campaign trail and onto the debate stage. Story continues MORE: Bloomberg dismisses past comments as 'a joke.' NDA shows plaintiff barred from offering differing view. This week, rival Democratic candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren his fiercest critic among the field of candidates confronted him over the alleged "kill it" comment. PHOTO: Senator Elizabeth Warren speaks as former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg listens at the ninth Democratic 2020 U.S. Presidential candidates debate at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 19, 2020. (Mike Blake/Reuters) "At least I didn't have a boss who said to me, 'kill it,' the way Mayor Bloomberg is alleged to have said to one of his pregnant employees," Warren said at Tuesday's debate in South Carolina. Bloomberg's response has been firm and unbending he has denied ever saying "kill it." MORE: Sanders and Bloomberg rise, Biden falls, with sharp shifts in views of electability "I never said it. Period, end of story. Categorically, never said it," Bloomberg said Tuesday. "When I was accused of doing it we couldn't figure out what she was talking about." His denials could face a new test in the coming weeks. Sources have confirmed to ABC News that Sakai is one of three former employees whom Bloomberg's company has identified as having been restricted by a non-disclosure agreement from speaking about her claims of inappropriate comments by Bloomberg. But Bloomberg agreed to lift those restrictions in a recent turnabout. PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg delivers remarks during a campaign rally on Feb. 12, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images, FILE) MORE: Bloomberg says women involved in 3 non-disclosure agreements can ask to be released Whether or not she speaks, transcripts of phone calls with co-workers made by Sakai and other materials used to craft her complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights cast doubt on Bloomberg's denials. The documents, obtained by ABC News, indicate that Sakai tried desperately in the weeks that followed to sound the alarm on what her boss allegedly said. Sakai said she alerted "ten people within the firm, five of whom were managers," according to the complaint filed with the New York Division of Human Rights, which she filed before her lawsuit. She told friends about the alleged interaction and described her mental and physical deterioration as a result of stress. "I haven't slept at all, I got two hours of sleep and I'm not able to go to work. I've lost ten pounds," Sakai told a friend two weeks after the incident, according to Sakai's transcript from the call. In that complaint, Sakai said, as she was still pregnant, her doctor told her, "even if you are losing weight, if you are eating which I am as far as the baby is concerned, it should be getting nutrients it needs she said it is not good because it is from a lot of stress." Sakai hired a lawyer shortly thereafter and filed the complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights in August of 1995. She later filed a lawsuit against Bloomberg and his company which settled out of court and even wrote to a U.S. Congresswoman, according to the documents obtained by ABC News. "The words which were spoken to me by the CEO of my company on April 11, 1995 should never be heard by an expectant mother awaiting the birth of her first child," Sakai wrote in an undated letter addressed to Rep. Sue Kelly, R-N.Y. "I understand you are a strong advocate of women's issues and worker rights. I ask for your assistance to monitor my dispute in a timely and constructive manner." PHOTO: A taxi passes by the residential and office tower located at 731 Lexington Avenue, which houses the offices of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg L.P., in New York, April 4, 2007. (Keyur Khamar/Bloomberg via Getty Images) The materials gathered by Sakai's attorney as part of their administrative complaint indicate Bloomberg dispatched senior aides at the company to call Sakai and feel her out. When all else failed, Bloomberg called her directly, she alleged. In notes that Sakai's lawyer said Sakai took from a voicemail he left, Bloomberg allegedly said, "I apologize if there was something you heard but I didn't say it, didn't mean it, didn't say it ... and whatever." Regardless of whether Bloomberg told Sakai to "kill it," the comment is in line with other remarks attributed to Bloomberg from the time, according to transcripts of phone calls gathered by Sakai in which some Bloomberg LP colleagues allegedly recounted their own stories about the man at the top. "Well, I started crying when (Bloomberg) said 'all it (a baby) does is eats and sh**s,'" a friend told her in late April 1995 of her own experience of telling Bloomberg she was pregnant. Sakai replied, "That's how I feel (Bloomberg) said some really demeaning humiliating things to me, but that was me, not my unborn child." In many of those calls, according to the transcripts, Sakai encouraged others to come forward with their stories, but was repeatedly told the risks were too high. "It's just a lot more complicated than just right vs. wrong for me," one colleague told her, according to the transcripts. MORE: 6 candidates to face off in Las Vegas debate, including Bloomberg for the 1st time: DNC "I understand that it's a big decision," Sakai replied. "But ultimately he (Bloomberg) gets off scott free (sic) if people like you with important information don't step forward." "I can't commit to anything. I won't commit to anything," the person told her. PHOTO: Businessman Michael Bloomberg poses for a portrait on in New York, April 22, 1998. (Karjean Levine/Getty Images, FILE) By coming forward with her complaint, Sakai said she sacrificed her career at Bloomberg LP. Prior to her departure from the firm, she said she was "a top performer in New York sales, and I was making a good six figure salary," according to notes compiled as part of her complaint to the New York State Division of Human Rights. In the transcribed notes from phone calls with friends and colleagues after Sakai claimed Bloomberg made the "kill it" remark, Sakai described her conflicted feelings about leaving the company. "That's what really infuriates me. You knew how I worked I was totally devoted to that company," Sakai told a senior manager at Bloomberg LP a year after the alleged "kill it" comment. "I enjoyed my job. I was good at it. I was getting great pay." Sakai eventually settled her 1997 lawsuit against Bloomberg and his company out of court and moved West. She was paid an undisclosed amount of money and signed a nondisclosure agreement. Last week, the Bloomberg campaign announced it would release three women it identified as having complaints tied directly to comments Bloomberg himself allegedly made from their nondisclosure agreements. A senior campaign official confirmed to ABC News that Sakai is one of the three women. As of Monday, according to Bloomberg's campaign, Sakai had not reached out the company about dissolving her nondisclosure agreement. Inside the allegation that Bloomberg told a pregnant employee to kill it originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The heartbroken mother of slain mum Tara Brown has spoken out on the murder of Hannah Clarke while calling for tougher laws to curb domestic violence. Natalie Hinton lost her daughter when she was killed in a brutal domestic violence attack on the Gold Coast in 2015. Ms Brown was 24 years old when she was ran off a road by her estranged boyfriend who then bashed her to death with a fire hydrant cover. Ms Hinton told the Gold Coast Bulletin the horrific murder of Hannah Clarke and her children last week forced her to relive the painful memories of losing her daughter. Natalie Hinton, the mother of slain mum Tara Brown, has called for tougher laws to help protect victims of domestic violence, in the wake of Hannah Clarke's horrific death. (Pictured: Ms Hinton at a protest organised by The Red Rose Foundation in Brisbane last week) Killed by their partners: Ms Hinton said Ms Clarke's murder brought back the painful memories of losing her 24-year-old daughter Tara (right) - who was bashed to death by her estranged partner Lionel Patea (right) 'It brought it all back. It was very similar to Tara's case,' she said. 'Because it was once again a most public display of domestic violence murder. 'Every domestic violence murder brings it flooding back for me, but because Hannah's was so similar in circumstances it was a big hit last week... We need a new law that will stop these men.' Ms Clarke, 31, was killed in Camp Hill, Brisbane, on February 19 after her husband Rowan Baxter, 42, doused her and their children in petrol before setting their car alight. He then took his own life by stabbing himself in the chest. It later emerged Baxter had a history of abusing and controlling his wife and had breached a domestic violence order against him weeks earlier. Police also revealed they had been called to the family home in the past over domestic violence incidents. Lionel John Patea pleaded guilty to bashing his former girlfriend Tara Brown (pictured together) in September 2015 Ms Brown had been hiding from Patea at the time of her death and had a domestic violence order against him Friends said Ms Clarke made the decision to leave her husband and move in with her parents in December, sending Baxter into a downward spiral. During the time of Ms Brown's death, she had been hiding from her partner and daughter's father, Lionel Patea, a former Bandidos bikie, at a safe house and friends' homes. TARA BROWN'S CHILLING EMERGENCY CALL In the call, which left senior police officers traumatised, Ms Brown was heard repeatedly asking Patea to stop the attack that ended in her death a day later in hospital. Ms Brown phoned emergency services after she left the Nerang childcare centre, on Queensland's Gold Coast, where she had dropped off her daughter about 8.45am. Just 40 seconds later, the 24-year-old mother was heard begging for Patea to go away and then a huge crashing noise rings out. The noise was the moment Patea used his car to deliberately run Ms Brown's off the road. Advertisement She had taken a domestic violence order against him just days earlier. On September 8, 2015, the day of her murder, Ms Brown had just dropped off her three-year-old daughter Aria at daycare when Patea chased down her hatchback with a four-wheel-drive. Patea ultimately rammed the back of Ms Brown's car, forcing her down an embankment and trapping her inside the overturned vehicle. He used the metal slab weighing 7.8kg taken from the side of the road to repeatedly bash her head, causing 'non-survivable' brain injuries. Emergency operators listened helplessly as the mother cried for help - as more than a dozen 'thumping' sounds were recorded over the phone. It was later revealed Patea had learned Ms Brown had been seeing another man and had threatened her in the days leading up to her death by holding a pair of scissors to her throat. For two days after the attack Patea stopped her from seeing her daughter before she informed her boss, who took her to speak with police where she applied for a temporary protection order. Ms Clarke, 31, died in hospital last Wednesday after suffering more than 90 per cent burns to her body. Her husband Rowan then took his own life by stabbing himself in the chest Baxter doused the family in petrol before setting them on fire in Camp Hill, Brisbane. Ms Hinton said her daughter's case and Ms Clarke's murder were both horrific public displays of domestic violence murder She also contacted a women's refuge in her attempts to escape from the abuse. The pair had been in a relationship for four years. Ms Hinton is now advocating for harsher laws that will help protect women from obsessive and abusive partners. The grieving mum was among the hundreds of people who rallied outside Parliament House in Brisbane last week calling for more action to protect victims. 'We can all do something. Please don't stand and watch - stand and listen,' Ms Hinton said. 'We need to come together as a whole, a community, a nation, a government. 'Talk to your children, educate them. This is not right.' The Islamic Republic is the epicentre of the outbreak in the Middle East, with 19 victims and 139 infections. Canadian study suggests that up to 18,000 people could be infected in the country. Shrines and places of worship remain open, but adopt more precautions. Rouhani is also against closing of districts or cities, says focus should be on individuals. US sanctions are hindering the fight against the epidemic. Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) Despite the spreading of the new coronavirus, which has already claimed 19 lives and infected 139 people in the country, the Islamic Republic is not planning to quarantine entire cities or regions. During a cabinet meeting, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that health authorities will continue with the policy of quarantining individuals. The authorities have asked people not to go to Qom, believed to be the centre of the outbreak, but shrines and places of worship remain open in a city that draws millions of Shia pilgrims each year. For Ayatollah Mohammed Saeedi, custodian of the Hazrat Masumeh shrine, said that the latter should be open as a house for cure where people can get cured from mental and physical diseases. In fact, people should be encouraged to come, he explained, but "caution is required" and officials at the shrine should monitor hygienic issues. The decision to keep shrines open worries countries that believe that the only way to fight the spread of the virus is through exceptional measures in cities or regions like China and, more recently, Italy. For Dr Bruce Aylward, head of the joint WHO-Chinese mission on Covid-19, the exceptional steps taken by China had "changed the course" of the outbreak in that country. For its part, Iran is ground zero for the outbreak spreading to other countries in Mideast, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman and Pakistan. According to Canadian researchers, given the number of people travelling from Iran to other countries, it might be possible that more than 18,000 people could be infected in the country. But nothing is certain. An Iranian Health Ministry spokesman said that the virus has been detected throughout the country, but remains optimistic about the situation. Every 24 hours, at least 10 per cent of those hospitalised or [who are] suspected cases are discharged. President Rouhani himself spoke of "promising" reports from the Health Ministry, but urged Iranians to avoid non-essential travel to affected areas. "We have no plan to quarantine any district or any city. We only quarantine individuals. If an individual has early symptoms, that person must be quarantined. Rouhani slammed Irans external enemies, including the United States, who accuse Tehran of supressing vital details about the outbreak in the country. Coronavirus must not be turned into a weapon for our enemies to halt work and production in our country, he said, adding that Americans are also suffering. What is certain, however, is the US sanctions imposed after Washington withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are hindering Irans efforts at fighting the spread of the virus and in treating the sick, as reported in the past for other diseases. Concerns are growing in the country about the real ability of the regime to manage the crisis in the event of an escalation, especially because of the political and trade isolation imposed by the White House and US President Donald Trump, which have already brought the local economy to its knees. "The US sanctions regime has severely impacted the access that Iranians have to life-saving medical supplies and will most likely hamper the Islamic Republic's ability to respond to the coronavirus efficiently," said Naveed Mansoori, a co-editor of online Middle East magazine Jadaliyyas Iran Page. This policy, he added, could hinder the Islamic Republic's ability to respond efficiently to the coronavirus emergency. A Bangladeshi terrorist belonging to the JMB outfit has been convicted by a Kolkata court on charges of money laundering and terror financing, officials said on Thursday. An Indian national too has been convicted in the case. This is probably the second case in which a foreign national has been found guilty by a court under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the officials said. A Pakistani terrorist affiliated to Al-Badr was convicted under the anti-money laundering law by a Bengaluru court in 2017. This is the 10th conviction under this law in the country. The law was enacted in 2002 and implemented from 2005 in order to check serious crimes of tax evasion and generation of black money. Rahamatullah alias Sajid, a Bangladeshi national and member of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), and Indian national Mohammed Burhan was convicted under Section 3 (offence or money laundering) of the PMLA by the city sessions court of Kolkata on Wednesday, officials said. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced by the court on March 17, they added. In 2014, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) booked the two and a few others under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act. On October 2 that year, as per the details of the case, an explosion took place in a house located at Khagragarh locality of Burdwan town in West Bengal leading to the death of two people and injuring a few others. "It was a result of a larger ongoing conspiracy of JMB, an Islamic terrorist organisation operating primarily in Bangladesh," the case record stated. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a criminal case of money laundering in this case based on an FIR filed by the NIA and later attached, under PMLA, land plots in Simulia village of Burdwan and two bank accounts linked to the two convicts. A chargesheet was filed by the ED's Kolkata zone in November 2018 in the case following which the convictions were pronounced. The first two convictions under the PMLA in the country took place in the ED's Kolkata zone -- one was related to the alleged corruption and money laundering case linked to former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and the second connected to a narcotics case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle has ordered all school principals and feeding officers in the state to henceforth eat the food they serve students or face dismissal. Mawalle gave the order after after meeting secondary students eating substandard food contrary to the agreement with the principals and feeding officers in the state. The governor, who was not happy with the quality of food he met in the two schools he visited, directed that Henceforth, the principals and the feeding officers throughout the state must eat the same food they cook for their students or be dismissed. The visibly angry governor made it compulsory for the officials to eat together with the students amidst cheers from the visibly elated students. You must henceforth eat your food with your students and I will keep you on watch so that those who violate the order would be dismissed Matawalle directed. He personally supervised the compulsory eating of the sudstandard food by Principal and staff of Goverment Science Secondary School Gusau and Government Girls Secondary School Gusau. The Governor expressed his dismay with the type of food provided to the students, in spite of huge amount of money being spent by the government on the program. Matawalle warned that henceforth, his administration would deal decisively with such negative attitude by those entrusted with the responsibility. He noted that the state government has been providing all necessary food items for the students and must therefore be delivered to them appropriately or face the wrath of his administration. This directive, Governor Matawalle said, applies across the state. United Nations 1267 Sanctions Committee Designation of ISIS-West Africa and ISIS-Greater Sahara Press Statement Morgan Ortagus, Department Spokesperson February 26, 2020 The United States welcomes the action taken by the United Nations Security Council's 1267 al-Qa'ida and ISIL (Da'esh) Sanctions Committee on February 23 to add ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA) and ISIS-Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) to its designations list. The United States designated ISIS-WA and ISIS-GS as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Specially Designated Global Terrorists under Executive Order 13224 on May 23, 2018 and February 28, 2018, respectively. ISIS-GS and ISIS-WA are the second and third ISIS affiliate designated by the UN. ISIS-Khorasan was the first listed at the UN in May 2019. ISIS-WA is responsible for killing hundreds of innocent civilians in dozens of attacks since its inception in 2015. ISIS-GS has also carried out numerous attacks since its formation in 2015, including the October 2017 attack that killed four U.S. soldiers in Niger. This UN designation obligates all member states to implement an arms embargo, a global travel ban, and asset freeze on ISIS-WA and ISIS-GS, actions that will cut the groups off from the resources they need to continue their terrorist activities. This designation is a necessary step in the global fight to defeat ISIS. Despite the complete liberation of ISIS-held territory in Iraq and Syria, ISIS affiliates around the world remain a significant terrorist threat, including in Africa, and the international community must work together to deny them the resources they seek. The United States remains fully engaged with our African partners to address security challenges and to advance peace and security on the continent. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address After years of cost increases, health care will be front and center for voters in Tuesdays Democratic presidential primary. Every candidate in the race is looking to expand access to health care. But they split over how to do it. Medicare for All? Obamacare 2.0? Mike Fisher Bernie Sanders : U.S. senator, Vermont His plan: Medicare for All Takeaways: Make the U.S. government pay for health care, eliminating private insurance. Care including vision, dental, inpatient and outpatient care, mental health, reproductive and maternity would be free at the point of service. Cap drug costs at $200 a year. Allow Medicare to negotiate with drug companies to lower prices. Eliminate $81 billion in past-due medical debt held by 79 million Americans. Mike Fisher Elizabeth Warren: U.S. senator, Massachusetts Her plan: Medicare for All Takeaways: In her third year in office, enroll all citizens in a free government-administered public health plan covering vision, dental, hearing, long-term care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and reproductive care. Tax companies that spend more than $500,000 per year on lobbying. Boost funding for health research by $100 billion over the next decade. Lift residency caps, allowing 15,000 new clinicians to enter the workforce. Mike Fisher Joe Biden: Former vice president His plan: Public option Takeaways: Restore and improve the Affordable Care Act, allowing everyone to buy a government- administered health plan if they choose. Increase the value of ACA tax credits and extend coverage. Bar providers from charging out-of-network rates in some cases. Allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Double federal funding for community health centers providing primary care to underserved patients. Mike Fisher Michael Bloomberg: Former mayor, New York City His plan: Public option Takeaways: Create a Medicare-like public option run by the federal government but paid by customer premiums. Cap premiums to no more than 8.5 percent of household income. Cap out-of-network charges at 200 percent of Medicare rates and drug costs at 120 percent of the average in other advanced nations. Ban drug companies from paying pharmacy benefit managers, which are middlemen between health plans, pharmacies and drug manufacturers. Mike Fisher Pete Buttigieg: Former mayor, South Bend, Ind. His plan: Public option Takeaways: Consumers choose between a government-run plan and their private health insurance. Cap premiums at 8.5 percent of household income. Reimburse health care providers for uninsured patients not yet enrolled in the public plan. Prohibit hospitals from charging more than twice what Medicare would pay for the same service. Create an all-payer claims database to centralize billing and reduce administrative costs. Mike Fisher Amy Klobuchar: U.S. senator, Minnesota Her plan: Public option Takeaways: Create a public option either through expanding Medicare or Medicaid. Increase subsidies for premiums under ACA and expand open-enrollment periods. Create a refundable tax credit to offset long-term care costs, and tackle the shortage of maternity care personnel in underserved areas. 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 Home to some of the country's first astronauts to walk on the moon, the city of Nassau Bay will celebrate its 50th anniversary this April. The small suburb located just about 30 minutes from Houston was developed in the early 1960s as a luxurious lifestyle community in an effort to appeal to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA] personnel who were moving from affluent areas with a high quality of life, such as California and Florida, according to the City of Nassau Bay's website. [CNBC's live video player is unavailable for this event. You can watch the Florida governor's press conference live here.] Florida government officials are holding a press conference Thursday to update the public on the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected more than 81,400 and killed at least 2,770 so far. Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to join Florida's Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, State Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees and Deputy Secretary for Health Dr. Shamarial Roberson to discuss what the state is doing to prepare for the virus. There have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Florida as of Thursday. On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first possible community transmission of the coronavirus in America, a troubling sign that the virus could be spreading in local cities and towns. The localized outbreaks outside of China are fueling concerns among infectious disease experts and scientists that the virus is spreading too quickly and may be past the point of containment. Health officials are warning the public to prepare for a potential global pandemic. Named COVID-19, the virus has shuttered commerce across much of China and is hitting company earnings, global stock markets and manufacturing across the world. WHO officials declared the virus a global health emergency last month, while urging the public against over-reacting to the virus. In the past week, the virus has spread substantially beyond China and is now circulating in at least 37 countries across the world. In Italy, it's infected more than 300 people as of Thursday morning. The majority of the cases are in the northern region of Lombardy and neighboring Veneto, where authorities have shut schools and banned public gatherings in an attempt to contain the virus. South Korea has now confirmed over 1,200 cases of the virus. The recent surge in cases prompted the South Korean government raise the COVID-19 alert to its highest level. Meanwhile, Iran health officials have confirmed over 100 total cases, with about 20 deaths nationwide. Most of the confirmed cases were found in the city of Qom. The number of daily new COVID-19 cases outside China exceeded those inside the country for the first time, the WHO announced Wednesday. "The sudden increases of cases in Italy, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea are deeply concerning," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. "Yesterday, the number of new cases reported outside China exceeded the number of new cases in China for the first time." As the virus spreads, the WHO's Tedros is calling the international community to action before it's too late. "The window of opportunity is still there, but our window of opportunity is narrowing," he said last week. "We need to act quickly before it closes completely." Read CNBC's live updates to see the latest news on the COVID-19 outbreak. The Way of the Spirit is starting the New Year with a meeting in Poringland to explore the Book of Nehemiah. The Way of the Spirit is starting the New Year with a meeting in Poringland to explore the Book of Nehemiah. House of Genesis needs part-time support worker The House of Genesis is seeking a part-time (20 hours per week) Support Worker to contribute to the day-to-day running of the charity, which provides accommodation to homeless adult men in Norwich. Read more Church marriage open to all? Regular contributor Philip Young shares with us his personal view on whether churches should marry same-sex couples. Read more Christian retreat centre has new Chair of Trustees Paul Dunning has recently been appointed as Chair of Trustees of the Quiet Waters Christian Retreat Centre. He explains how he got involved and how others can do the same. Read more Magdalene Group: Women's Specialist Practitioner The Norwich-based Magdalene Group needs a Womens Specialist Practitioner to provide gender and trauma-informed support to women experiencing multiple disadvantage and provide support to female sex workers and victims of sexual exploitation and coercion. Read more Ringsfield Hall offers residential trips on Norfolk border Ringsfield Hall provides children with outdoor residential opportunities through school trips. Activities relate to nature, care for the planet and very special care and respect for the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of each child. Read more Ministers outreach at Sheringham model boat lake Local Christian, Graham Pickhaver has been sharing his testimony by giving out tracts at the model boating lake in Sheringham. Read more Chance to meet Norwich Christian leaders at lunch Christian church and ministry leaders are invited to the first Transforming Norwich lunch of 2022 on Wednesday January 26 at St Stephen's Church in Norwich city centre. Read more God of the second chance Jane Walters encourages us to embark on a new start with Jesus as 2022 gets underway. Read more Yarmouth church provides free hot food for needy Kingsgate Community Church in Yarmouth has re-started their Hot Food Hub, providing free hot meals for local people in need. Read more Norwich Christian unity service set for RC Cathedral All Christian churches and groups are invited to an ecumenical service on January 20 at St John's Cathedral in Norwich to pray for Christian unity. Read more Aylsham Christian charity seeks needy recipients The Cressey Henry Page Charitable Trust has been helping the poor of Aylsham for nearly 500 years, and is now seeking more needy people who need help. Read more Centre offers Christian holidays on the Norfolk coast With stunning locations in North Norfolk and North Wales, Christian Endeavour Holiday Centres are places to relax the body, replenish the mind, and rejuvenate the soul. Read more YMCA Norfolk needs two Wellbeing workers YMCA Norfolk is looking for a Wellbeing Engagement Worker and a Business Support Officer - Wellbeing Matters. Read more Two Norfolk churches share in 473k grants boost Two historic Norfolk churches are to share in a 473,700 funding package from the National Churches Trust, the UKs church building support charity. Read more Hundreds fed at free Norfolk Christmas dinners Hundreds of people who would have spent Christmas Day alone were fed and entertained across Norfolk by church and charity groups. Read more Norwich church volunteer inspired by kindness A woman who has volunteered for The Salvation Armys Toys and Tins Appeal since 2016 said she will carry on doing so for as long as possible. Read more Norwich pastor publishes new book Dr Alan Clifford, pastor of Norwich Reformed Church, has published a book on the life and ministry of 18th century church leader Edmund Calamy the Elder. Read more Coronavirus outbreak continues in China, fears rise of pandemic Iran Press TV Wednesday, 26 February 2020 7:19 AM China has reported new deaths and cases of coronavirus infections, amid fears that the viral outbreak is looking increasingly like a global pandemic. As of the end of Tuesday, China's National Health Commission (NHC) confirmed 52 deaths and 406 new infections, which brought the total number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 78,064. The death toll from the outbreak inside the country reached 2,715 by Tuesday midnight, up by 52 from the previous day, the commission said on Wednesday. All the new deaths were in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the disease, which reported 401 new cases on Tuesday, down from 499 a day earlier, according to the NHC. China said the number of new cases outside Hubei fell to five, down for the fifth consecutive day and the lowest since last month, when the NHC began publishing nationwide figures. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that the epidemic in the country had been in decline since early this month. South Korea emerging as second virus hotspot More cases have also been reported in South Korea, which currently has the largest outbreak outside China. Seoul confirmed over 1,261 cases of the coronavirus including a US soldier were diagnosed with the viral disease on Wednesday. The US military confirmed the case, in a 23-year-old soldier based in Camp Carroll, which is located near a disability center that has had its own outbreak of the virus. Seoul also reported one additional death, bringing the total number of fatalities to 12. Japan cancels sports, cultural events After South Korea, Japan is the country with the largest number of infected people, with at least 164 cases. On Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered sport and cultural events to be scrapped or curtailed for two weeks. Japan has previously said the 2020 Summer Olympics set to begin on July 24 will take place according to schedule and that preparations for the event are continuing. Coronavirus spreads in Europe The virus, which has reached Europe, has so far infected at least 322 people and killed 11 people in Italy. Algeria, Croatia, Austria, Spain, Romania, and Switzerland have all reported their first confirmed cases as well. France announces first death France announced the death of the first French national of the new virus on Wednesday. The victim, a 60-year-old man, died overnight after being rushed to a Paris hospital in serious condition on Tuesday evening. A Chinese tourist had died from the virus infection in France earlier this month. The new coronavirus has so far infected some 19 people in France. The Middle East In the Middle East, Iran has reported at least 95 infections and 15 deaths. Health officials in Bahrain said on Wednesday that the number of infected cases in the country had risen to 26 after three new cases were detected. Kuwait reported two new cases on Wednesday. The new cases bring the total number in the country to 11. Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan also confirmed cases of the disease. Outbreak expected in US Meanwhile, a top official from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that the United States could see the virus spread within its borders as well. "Ultimately, we expect we will see community spread in this country. It's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore," said Nancy Messonnier, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The US has so far confined 57 cases of the viral infection. Messonnier also warned on Tuesday that the outbreak could likely turn into a global pandemic as it has had two of the three necessary criteria. The WHO, however, has so far held off on classifying the viral outbreak as a pandemic. A vaccine for the virus, known as the COVID-19, is approximately 18 months away, experts say. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tunisias parliament approved Prime Minister-designate Elyes Fakhfakhs new coalition government early Feb. 27. Lawmakers voted 129-77 in favor of the French-educated former finance minister. He was tasked with forming the new government by Tunisias enigmatic and doggedly independent new president, Kais Saied, after Habib Jemli the nominee of the parliaments largest party, the conservative Ennahda failed to secure the requisite number of votes in a previous round. More of the same? Fakhfakh scraped through after much wheeling and dealing with Ennahda leader Rachid Ghannouchi at center stage. The parliament speaker initially rejected Fakhfakhs list over its exclusion of his one-time nemesis, media magnate Nabil Karaouis Kalb Tounes. But Ghannouchi made a last-minute U-turn in order to avert a fresh round of parliamentary elections that would likely see his party lose further support. Paradoxically, its just this sort of backroom dealing that millions of voters fed up with endemic corruption and rising joblessness rejected when they ushered in dozens of independents in parliamentary elections in September, giving rise to a hung chamber. Whither reforms: Nine years of democratic rule in the wake of Tunisias Jasmine Revolution has failed to improve standards of living. Reforms by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seen as vital to turning around the highly centralized economy have made life much harder, which is why former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, who advocated for them, received a huge drubbing in the polls. Yet Fakhfakh is widely expected to stick with the IMF, and Chaheds Tahya Tounes is one of four blocs that backed his government. We know Fakhfakh is supportive of international assistance to Tunisia (this includes helping to combat groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda ), so I think hell almost certainly continue the IMF program, Louise Keeler, an advocacy associate at the Program on Middle East Democracy, told Al-Monitor. There dont seem to be any viable alternatives, [and] no one has any other solutions theyre willing to stake their reputations on, she added. Then again, as Sharan Grewal, a North Africa expert at the College of William and Mary observed in a tweet, As a prelude to the internal divisions this future Fakhfakh government will face, there is already disagreement about whether to allow the privatization of state-owned enterprises. Libyan perils: Another big challenge is the conflict in neighboring Libya. Tunisia faces pressure from Turkey and Qatar to weigh in on the side of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord led by the Muslim Brotherhood friendly Fayez al-Sarraj. Saied has managed to hold the fort so far, rebuffing, among others, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans demands to let Turkey use Tunisia as a base to mount operations against Serrajs rival, eastern Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter. The new foreign minister, Noureddine Erray, a former ambassador to Oman, may prove an asset in this regard, predicts political analyst Youssef Cherif. He seems to be outside of the political clans and factions existing in Tunisia, and therefore he can work with all sides, Cherif told Al-Monitor. His skills will be severely tested in the UN Security Council where Tunisia currently holds a seat. We are in February, and there was already a challenge posed by [President Donald] Trumps deal of the century. A similar event will occur regularly involving Tunisias Maghrebi, Western and Gulf partners and allies, which would oblige Tunisia to take sides, Cherif noted. Know more: Elizia Volkmanns deep dive into Tunisias political landscape lays out in detail all the challenges the new government will face. But Tunisias flourishing arts and culinary scene offers plenty of distractions, Volkmann says. 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 Daily Beast Scott Olson/GettyDonald Trump abruptly ended an interview with NPR on Tuesday after he was repeatedly called out on his baseless claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election.A video of the interview, published Wednesday morning, shows Trump becoming increasingly irritated as NPRs Steve Inskeep asks him why hes still pushing debunked conspiracy theories about his 2020 defeat.After Inskeep told the ex-president that his fraud claims have repeatedly been proven false, the reporter a US passengers leave the Daikaku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama port, next to the Diamond Princess cruise ship, on February 17, 2020. Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images CDC officials warned on Tuesday that the coronavirus could spread in the US. Health experts say the US is already lagging behind other countries in terms of testing for the virus. The nation is also 270 million masks short of the total it needs to protect healthcare workers, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Wednesday. For the latest case total, death toll, and travel information, see Business Insider's live updates here. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. US health officials issued a dire warning to American citizens on Tuesday: Prepare for a coronavirus outbreak. "It's not so much of a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more of a question of exactly when this will happen," Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a press briefing. "We are asking the American public to prepare for the expectation that this might be bad." On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control reported the first US case in which a patient got the virus from an unknown source the person did not travel to China or knowingly interact with someone who got the illness, known as COVID-19. "The patient's exposure is unknown," the agency said in a statement. "It's possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States." That announcement followed a dramatic spike in cases outside of China, especially in South Korea, Italy, and Iran. On Tuesday, the number of new cases reported outside of China exceeded the number of new cases reported in China for the first time. The virus so far has killed nearly 2,800 people and infected more than 81,000 since December. For now, the CDC doesn't recommend that Americans take any action other than continuing to practice good hygiene, like washing their hands frequently. But that could change, Messonnier said. If an outbreak were to become widespread in the US, schools may be forced to close, religious observances might be halted, and employees could be asked to work from home. Story continues "I and many others were much more nervous this Tuesday then we were last Tuesday," William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told Business Insider. "I think we need to implement much more widespread testing." But the rate of coronavirus testing in the US has lagged behind that of other nations. As of Wednesday, the US has only tested 445 people for the virus, compared to around 35,000 people who have been tested in South Korea. Switzerland, whose population is 38 times smaller than that of the US, said it's capable of conducting around 1,000 tests per day. "I know the infectious-disease community and the public health community desire to do much more testing than is currently feasible," Schaffner said. "There's been a delay in making testing more readily available, more quickly available across the country and we're all waiting for this." The CDC was short on funds before the outbreak The CDC has developed a laboratory test for the new coronavirus, but only three of the nation's more than 100 public-health labs have verified it for use, the Association of Public Health Laboratories said last week. The tests have also been faulty, causing more than half of state labs to receive inconclusive results. The labs are now waiting for replacement tests. In the meantime, they have to send samples to the CDC in Atlanta to confirm a case. "At first, CDC was the only place where testing could be performed," Richard Martinello, an associate professor of infectious disease at the Yale School of Medicine, told Business Insider. "For a country of our size, when you only have a single site doing that, it limits the resources available for testing." Commuters wear masks in Singapore on February 18, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su A single coronavirus test can cost around $250 to run, Politico reported. But in 2018, the Trump administration slashed the CDC's global disease-fighting budget. As a result, the agency was forced to scale back on efforts to prevent disease outbreaks. Whereas the CDC had previously helped nearly 50 countries prepare for future epidemics, in 2018 it limited its involvement to just 10 "priority countries." The Trump administration's proposed budget for 2021 includes another 16% cut to the CDC budget. Health experts want more testing right away Schaffner said he visited the CDC on Monday and told his colleagues there to widen the scope of testing in the US. "We don't need doctors to test everybody who's got a cough that's inappropriate but we need a broader testing program than we currently have available. We need to get with it," he said. Coronavirus test kits in Krasnodar, Russia, on February 4, 2020. AP Photo Schaffner said some of his colleagues are in favor of testing people without a fever who might have a high likelihood of being infected. It might also be time, he added, to start testing people who have recently returned from hotspots outside China. "Suppose they've come back from Italy, particularly northern Italy I would open the door to that testing," he said. Schaffner also said the US Food and Drug Administration should speed up the process of approving a commercial test. For now, the FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for the CDC test. Meanwhile, the Chinese genome-sequencing firm BGI Group has already distributed tens of thousands of commercial test kits throughout China. "Other countries are testing much more broadly than we are," Schaffner said. "We are trotting along while they're racing along." The problem with over-testing Martinello agreed that it is time to start testing people who return from countries with major outbreaks, like South Korea, Italy, and Iran. But like Schaffner, he cautioned against testing every person with flu-like symptoms. "Whenever we see something occur where there is a concern for an infectious disease whether it's anthrax in 2001 or the pandemic flu in 2009 we see a lot of interest from people in the community to get tested," Martinello said. Travelers arrive at LAX airport wear face masks for protection against the coronavirus on February 2, 2020. David McNew/Getty Images His emergency department at Yale, he said, has seen patients with flu symptoms who are unnecessarily concerned that they may be infected with the coronavirus. "We have to dissuade them that, unless they have a travel history that would be concerning or other contacts with individuals that would be concerning, there's not even a reason to think about testing them," he said. However, if the virus were to spread more throughout the US, hospitals would do more widespread testing. Martinello said his department is trying to prepare for that scenario as best it can. At a hearing on Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the US needed 300 million N95 masks which filter out most airborne particles from the surrounding air to protect healthcare workers during an outbreak. At present, it only has 30 million, he said. Travel bans aren't likely to keep the virus out of the US The US has confirmed 60 coronavirus cases so far, including 42 passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan and three people who were evacuated from Wuhan to the US. The CDC recently cautioned that any travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, Japan, or Iran who develop a fever, cough, or shortness of breath should seek medical help and self-isolate. US citizens have also been advised to avoid all nonessential travel to China. A health official talks to US passengers who chose to leave the Diamond Princess cruise ship in front of the bio-containment unit on their evacuation flight on February 17, 2020. Courtesy of Philip and Gay Courter/via REUTERS But travel bans themselves are unlikely to keep the virus from spreading, Martinello said. "This virus has already circulated so widely that, at best, travel bans may slow things down a little," he said. "Without real draconian measures, it's essentially impossible to prevent further spread of this." Schaffner said the only way to get ahead of a potential outbreak is to have a contingency plan: Companies should decide whether they're going to pay employees for remote work and for how long. Sports teams should consider the possibility that their games might be canceled, and movie theaters and malls should prepare to be temporarily shuttered. "There are people undoubtedly in this country mayors, governors, hospital directors who are still looking at this phenomenon and saying, 'You know, this is really bad, but it's way over there. It's not here,'" Schaffner said. "I think they have to get over that. They all have to pull their pandemic plans off the shelf, dust them off, and start rehearsing." Read more: Read the original article on Business Insider Cindy Doumani and Randy Soard enjoyed Shen Yun in Las Vegas, on Feb. 26, 2020, as they have every year since Shen Yun for a decade. (Jana Li/The Epoch Times) LAS VEGASPhotographer Randy Soard and dancer Cindy Doumani, advisors to the Las Vegas Art Academy, first saw Shen Yun Performing Arts when it opened locally a whole ten years ago, and have seen the renowned classical Chinese dance company every year since. I come every year because the dancers are magnificent. They are exquisite. And also, the spirituality, Doumani said, pausing for a moment to compose herself as the recollection of the divinely inspired performance brought her to fresh tears. The fact that China has gone to what it has under the communist regime, but these people are still so spiritual and believe in GodI respect and admire it. To me, the spirituality and the dancing and the music, thats why we come every year, said Doumani at The Smith Center for the Performing Art in Las Vegas on Feb. 26, 2020, opening night for Shen Yuns five-show run. Doumani has danced and had her own show in Japan and Las Vegas, and is the subject of the documentary From Cowgirl to Showgirl. The philanthropist and lover of the arts has not only seen Shen Yun every year but brought many of her friends and family, because to her, Shen Yun imparts a truly special experience. Ive brought my sons here and my grandchildren here. Theyve all seen the show. And weve brought all our friends here, Doumani said. A few years ago, she attended a performance with 14 of her friends. We were out of the country for a while so thats whyOtherwise, I would have filled up this front row with my friends. Im going to call my friends from China and Tibet when I get home and tell them to try to get tickets for tomorrow night. Or Friday night, because theyve got to see it. They would appreciate it, she said. Shen YunEthereal Revival of Culture In the past 10 years, Shen Yun has indeed become a global phenomenon, traveling the world with the mission to revive traditional Chinese culture through music and dance. Ancient China went by many names, from The Divine Land to the Celestial Empire, and Shen Yun is often audience members first introduction to a spiritual civilization that was once nearly destroyed. Doumani was moved to tears with Shen Yuns portrayal, thinking about the fact that China has gone to what it has under the communist regime, but these people are still so spiritual and believe in God. Its ethereal, she said of Shen Yun. Soard, who has been a professional photographer for 50 years, spoke highly of both the spiritual and aesthetic facets of the program that came together to create something impactful. The staging is very effective and the way the spiritual aspectwell, Im very visual, to begin with. Im also an artist, he said. Im very sensitive, Im very visual, so aesthetically, I think the show is very effective. The dancers are incredible, Soard added, saying Doumani is the dancer of the family and introduced him to the world of dance and Shen Yun. The costumes, dancers, staging; everything was beautiful, Soard said, and sitting right in front of the orchestra, How can you not appreciate it? The two were happy to bask in the beauty of the production and hoped others would do the same as Shen Yun continued its much-needed revival. Were just very proud and privileged to be here, to see this, Doumani said. With reporting by Jana Li. 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. BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. (TOMI) (OTCQB:TOMZ), is a global company specializing in disinfection and decontamination, utilizing its premier Binary Ionization Technology (BIT) platform through its SteraMist products - a hydrogen peroxide-based mist and fog composed of ionized Hydrogen Peroxide (iHP). SteraMist has been deployed worldwide to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) through TOMIs longstanding and new international partners and customers. Already EPA-registered on lists J, K, G, and L, which include H1N1 or Influenza A (enveloped) and Norovirus (non-enveloped), TOMI anticipates to secure listing in the EPAs upcoming publication of Emerging Pathogen Lists, which includes COVID-19. SteraMist was also featured as the only disinfectant product in the World Health Organization Compendium of Innovative Health Technologies. SteraMist is now the industry standard throughout China after TOMI recently received approval and registration for two (2) separate registrations - SteraMist equipment registration and BIT solution registration - from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC). With the latest outbreak, China is able to take advantage of SteraMist disinfection and its ability to rapidly deploy throughout the country as needed. TOMI is finalizing negotiations with high-level Chinese officials for use of the SteraMist Surface Unit in aiding the control of COVID-19. Routinely used to disinfect high traffic areas, SteraMist iHP technology has treated public transportation, ambulances, hotel rooms, offices, and universities to stop the spread of this virus. With more than 50 international customers and partners ranging from countries in Asia, Europe, and the Mideast using hundreds of SteraMist units, many of which have been deployed to stop the spread of COVID-19. Recently, TOMI has signed on a new distribution partner in Thailand, more news will be coming shortly. TOMI has also shipped a number of units to Hong Kong to assist with new innovative ways of helping Hong Kong with their ongoing battle of controlling COVID-19. In addition to one of the many cases worldwide, a hotel in York became the first in the United Kingdom to test positive for COVID-19. After receiving approval from the Public Health of England, SteraMist was used to treat the hotel room and was quickly validated by Enzyme Indicators (EIs). The treatment was a resounding success: the room was disinfected with a 9-log inactivation, exceeding the 6-log inactivation required. Similarly, TOMI was also easily able to deploy SteraMist in one of eight recent cases in Singapore, one of which included a professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) upon realizing they were contagious with COVID-19. The Ministry of Health proceeded to take action to stop the spread of the virus on campus, with the university president calling on SteraMist to thoroughly disinfect the facility. SteraMist was used in high traffic areas, such as hand railings, lifts, and lift lobbies, and routine facility cleaning was increased from two times a day to four times a day. Quick response allowed for thorough disinfection and continued preventative measures to protect both students and staff at risk of contracting the virus. Yaki Agam, CEO of CleanBit Ltd., TOMIs partner in Israel, states, Just recently, the eleven (11) Israeli passengers who were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship returned to Israel after being suspected of carrying the virus. Two passengers were confirmed to be infected, further transferring coronavirus to Israel. CleanBit was selected by the Ministry of Health and the Israeli government to disinfect the aircraft, ambulances, and buses in which the infected passengers arrived from the ship in Japan to the hospital in Israel. As of today, CleanBit is disinfecting the hospital isolation facility and the surrounding areas on a daily basis where infected passengers are currently staying. TOMIs Israeli partner is on national alert to assist in an emergency situation by using SteraMist to disinfect in the event coronavirus might erupt nationwide. Recently, agreements have been signed between CleanBit Ltd., the Ministry of Defense, and Magen David Adom (Israeli equivalent of the American Red Cross organization), including fire departments, airports, and two major hospitals for service with SteraMist disinfection assisting in stopping the spread of coronavirus. TOMIs CEO, Dr. Halden Shane, states, This is only a snapshot of the continued efforts we are making to stop the spread of coronavirus worldwide. The strong demand for our SteraMist surface unit is rapidly depleting our inventory - although we have an ample supply of SteraMist BIT solution. Accordingly, in anticipation of this continuing demand, TOMI has placed orders with our manufacturer for additional surface units on an expedited basis, in an effort to meet both our short-term and long-term demand. This is a dangerous virus that may remain on surfaces for at least nine (9) days and should not to be underestimated. COVID-19 will most likely be with us for a long time, maybe years. TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc.: Innovating for a safer world TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc. (OTCQB: TOMZ ) is a global decontamination and infection prevention company, providing environmental solutions for indoor surface disinfection through the manufacturing, sales and licensing of its premier Binary Ionization Technology (BIT) platform. Invented under a defense grant in association with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the U.S. Department of Defense, BIT solution utilizes a low percentage Hydrogen Peroxide as its only active ingredient to produce a fog of ionized Hydrogen Peroxide (iHP). Represented by the SteraMist brand of products, iHP produces a germ-killing aerosol that works like a visual non-caustic gas. TOMI products are designed to service a broad spectrum of commercial structures, including, but not limited to, hospitals and medical facilities, cruise ships, office buildings, hotel and motel rooms, schools, restaurants, meat and produce processing facilities, military barracks, police and fire departments, and athletic facilities. TOMI products and services have also been used in single-family homes and multi-unit residences. TOMI develops training programs and application protocols for its clients and is a member in good standing with The American Biological Safety Association, The American Association of Tissue Banks, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, America Seed Trade Association, and The Restoration Industry Association. For additional information, please visit http://www.tomimist.com/ or contact us at info@tomimist.com . Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Certain written and oral statements made by us may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act). Forward-looking statements are identified by such words and phrases as we expect, expected to, estimates, estimated, current outlook, we look forward to, would equate to, projects, projections, projected to be, anticipates, anticipated, we believe, could be, and other similar phrases. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to revenue growth, earnings, earnings-per-share growth, or similar projections, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. They are forward-looking, and they should be evaluated in light of important risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results. The information provided in this document is based upon the facts and circumstances known at this time. We undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements after the date of this release. Carla, Alicia, Allison, Rita, Ike. Never did Arkema Inc. remove its Crosby plants stockpile of hazardous chemicals amid those storm systems threat of rising floodwaters, special prosecutor Michael Doyle said. With Hurricane Harvey, Arkemas luck ran out, he said Thursday during opening statements of the criminal trial against the company and some of its leaders. The companys long-standing pattern of recklessness put the public in danger and made fear a reality: Water mounted within the 100-year and 500-year floodplain where the plant sat, cut off power at the facility, and caused organic peroxides on site to combust. More than 200 residents were evacuated from the area for about a week, and two sheriffs deputies fell ill. In all, 23 people were briefly hospitalized from the fires resulting emissions. They always choose to leave the product at risk, Doyle said. They were never going to move a single gallon away. Attorney Letitia Quinones countered Doyles representations during her opening arguments for Arkema, calling Harvey the most natural disaster and listing a number of precautions the company took before the situation became unmanageable. Arkemas attorneys argue that the storm was an act of God, meaning that the company shouldnt be criminally liable for the harm that resulted. And Quinones hit back on allegations of long-standing recklessness. In all of the prior storm systems that Doyle named, the Crosby plant never flooded and the organic peroxides never decomposed, she said. Why would we move 350,000 pounds of organic peroxides into the community and on the streets? Quinones said. For the last 20 storms, these policies, these procedures, they worked. Quinones was one of nine high-powered defense attorneys who crowded the well of the courtroom, fighting a slate of charges against the French companys American subsidiary, two of its executives and a Crosby plant manager. Arkema and its then-vice president for logistics, Michael Keough, face charges of assault on the two peace officers - a rare use of the law to prosecute a polluter, experts have said. The state is also pursuing felony reckless emission charges against the company, CEO Richard Rowe and plant manager Leslie Comardelle for releasing toxic chemicals. The Crosby plant makes and stores organic peroxides, a commercial product used to make plastics such as auto parts and Solo cups. But though its used in everyday objects, its a dangerous chemical when not stored at or around freezing. If inhaled, it can cause serious lung impairment or death, Doyle said. Theres no way to put the genie back in the bottle with this chemical, he said. During Harvey, employees moved the product through floodwaters and into refrigerated trailers, some of which eventually lost power and ignited, releasing toxins. Two deputies drove through a cloud of smoke, becoming sick. They along with responding medical staff reported vomiting and gasping for breath, according to a civil lawsuit the first responders filed against Arkema. In its emergency response, the company misrepresented how closely it could remotely monitor the temperature of the hazardous materials, and failed to properly warn emergency responders, Doyle alleged. Defense attorneys countered that Arkema officials shared all the company knew during the hurricane. The trial almost imploded just hours after it began. Doyles opening statement set off an uproar among the defense attorneys, who called for a mistrial and stirred with anger as Doyle apologized for mistakenly telling jurors about a witness to whom he planned to grant immunity. Senior Judge Belinda Hill declined to declare a mistrial and instead issued the prosecutor a warning for violating one of her previous orders. I feel like we are witnessing an opening argument of My Cousin Vinny, Arkema attorney Rusty Hardin said, referencing the 1992 court comedy. The trial continued, but the clamor on the first day gave jurors a sense of whats to come in a case that has been rife with drama and surprise from the start. Prosecutors ran into trouble earlier this week when Hill ruled that they withheld or delayed the disclosure of evidence that was beneficial to the defense. If convicted on the reckless emission charge, Arkema could face up to a $1 million fine, and Rowe and Comardelle could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. If convicted on the assault charge, Arkema could be ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, and Keough could be sentenced between two and 10 years in prison. The trial is expected to last up to six weeks and will resume Monday, as a broken water pipe caused an emergency response elsewhere in the city and led the courthouse to be evacuated Thursday. New York, NY, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BankMobile, a division of Customers Bank, and among Americas largest and fastest-growing digital banks, today announced two new partnerships with Billshark and bartleby for its BankMobile Vibe platform. BankMobile Vibe is a student-centric checking account available at campuses that use BankMobile Disbursements. Its features include online bill pay, card on/off switch and money management tools, no minimum balance, robust mobile app, access to more than 55,000 fee-free Allpoint ATMs (ATM availability varies by location), an optional interest-bearing BankMobile Savings Account, and a recognition program for smart money management, academic achievement and good financial behavior. BankMobile Vibe customers now have an exclusive benefit with Billshark, which offers bill negotiation and subscriptions cancellation services. Billshark reduces bills and stress by negotiating lower rates on mobile, pay TV, phone, internet and other services bills and cancels unwanted subscription memberships on behalf of customers. BankMobile has also recently partnered with bartleby, a Barnes & Noble Education company that offers digital study tools and writing resources to help students learn more effectively. Beginning in the Spring 2020 semester, BankMobile Vibe customers will receive special discounts to bartleby offerings, which include bartleby learn, featuring textbook solutions and a Q&A service, and bartleby write, an all-in-one writing help tool. These two partnerships further demonstrate our commitment to helping our students both in and out of the classroom, stated Regine Fiddler, CMO at BankMobile. We hope that this will enable them to further cut costs and offer them new educational tools to assist with their academic success. Billshark is excited to partner with BankMobile to bring our convenient, no-hassle approach to lowering monthly bills to their Vibe customers. Our team of expert negotiators will make sure they never overpay again, said Steve McKean, co-founder of Billshark. As a company focused on helping students excel inside the classroom, we were excited to partner with BankMobile, which supports students in another important area of their lives, said Kanuj Malhotra, President of Digital Student Solutions, Barnes & Noble Education. We look forward to making our bartleby suite of services available to BankMobile Vibe customers, providing them with the ability to find academic support anytime, anywhere. Launched in January 2015, BankMobiles mission is to provide a compliant, mobile-first banking experience that is simple, affordable and financially empowering. Over the past five years, BankMobile has grown to be in the Top 15 banks in the U.S. in terms of number of consumer checking accounts serviced. Named Most Innovative Bank by LendIt in 2019, BankMobile has also developed its own proprietary technology meant to attract and engage customers for full-service consumer banking with a focus on exceptional customer experience. BankMobile Disbursements serves more than five million students on nearly 800 campuses nationwide. Through this distribution channel, the bank also provides refund management services to one in every three college students in the country. # # # About BankMobile Established in 2015, BankMobile is a division of Customers Bank and among the largest and fastest-growing mobile-first banking platforms in the U.S., offering checking and savings accounts, personal loans and credit cards. BankMobile, named the Most Innovative Bank by LendIt Fintech in 2019, provides an alternative banking experience to the traditional model. It is focused on technology, innovation, easy-to-use products and education with the mission of being customer-obsessed and creating customers for life. The disruptive, multi-partner distribution model, known as Bank-as-a-Service (Baas), created by the executive team enables BankMobile to acquire customers at higher volumes and substantially lower expense than traditional banks. Its low-cost operating model enables it to provide low-cost banking services to low/middle-income Americans who have been left behind by the high-fee model of traditional banks. Today, BankMobile provides its BaaS platform to colleges and universities and currently serves over two million account-holders at nearly 800 campuses (covering one out of every three students in the U.S.). It is one of the Top 15 largest banks in the country, as measured by checking accounts. BankMobile is operating as the digital banking division of Customers Bank, which is a Federal Reserve regulated and FDIC-insured commercial bank. For more information, please visit: www.bankmobile.com. About Customers Bank Customers Bank is a super-community bank with $11.5 billion in assets as of December 31, 2019, offering commercial and consumer banking services along the I-95 corridor from Greater Washington to Boston; and in Chicago. Commercial products include cash management; commercial and industrial loans; small business loans; SBA government-guaranteed loans; commercial and multi-family real estate loans; and financing for leasing businesses and residential developers. Customers Bank provides consumer banking services including savings, checking, and money market accounts; certificates of deposit; residential mortgages; and consumer loans. Additional consumer products include BankMobile Vibe online banking, marketed by the BankMobile Division and Ascent Money Market Savings, marketed by the Customers Bank Digital Banking Division. Customers Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Customers Bank is an equal opportunity lender. Customers Bank takes pride in delivering extremely high levels of customer service while charging comparatively very low fees; service that makes our clients say, Wow. Commercial clients enjoy Single Point of Contact service with one team to handle all banking needs. Retail bank clients are afforded Concierge Banking Services that brings banking to them, when and where they need it. Customers Bank, with its headquarters located in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, is a subsidiary of Customers Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company. The voting common shares of Customers Bancorp, Inc. are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CUBI. About Billshark The industry leader by volume, savings and ratings in the emerging bill reduction space, Billshark empowers consumers and businesses savings time and money by leveling the playing field with service providers. Backed by Mark Cuban, the powerful financial platform has saved consumers nearly thirty million dollars by negotiating their recurring bills such as wireless, internet, TV, and home security, as well as canceling unwanted memberships and club subscriptions. Billshark has appeared on CBS and NBC Nightly News, as well as in numerous publications including The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. For more information, visit www.billshark.com or contact Laura Beaulieu at laura.beaulieu@billshark.com About Barnes & Noble Education Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) is a leading solutions provider for the education industry, driving affordability, access and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide and ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Through its family of brands, BNED offers campus retail services and academic solutions, a digital direct-to-student learning ecosystem, wholesale capabilities and more. BNED is a company serving all who work to elevate their lives through education, supporting students, faculty and institutions as they make tomorrow a better, more inclusive and smarter world. For more information, visit www.bned.com. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Denmark has confirmed its first coronavirus infection in a man who returned from a ski holiday in northern Italy, the Danish health authority said, reports Reuters. The man was put in isolation in his own home. Estonia also has confirmed its first coronavirus case in a man who returned from Iran, Reuters reports citing Russian news agencies TASS and Interfax. We are talking about a permanent resident of Estonia who is not a citizen of Estonia, Interfax reported, citing Estonian Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik. The novel coronavirus has infected more than 80,00 people across 26 countries worldwide since it was discovered in Wuhan late in 2019. Yet, North Korea, which shares an 800-mile border with China wherein the most number of cases and deaths have been recorded, insists that they do not have a single case of COVID-19 inside their boundaries. There have been unverified reports alleging that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un had a man executed after he visited a public bath when he was supposed to be in quarantine. There have also been reports that there is already one case of COVID-19 in the country. However, the government remains adamant with their claims that the virus has not crossed their borders, which many health experts question. The man, who was reportedly executed, was a trade official who returned from China and was immediately placed in isolation. According to reports the man was arrested from the public bath and was shot right after for risking the spread of the killer virus. Per New York Post, Kim Jung-un has vowed to invoke "military law" against anyone who leaves quarantine without prior information or clearance. On the other hand, according to UK's Mirror, a North Korea National Security Agency Official was also exiled to work in a farm after hiding the fact that he recently traveled to China, which was the virus' epicenter. Read also: Lysol and Clorox Effective Against Coronavirus? EPA Says It's Complicated While South Korean media have reported that there have been several coronavirus cases and possible deaths inside the North Korean borders, Pyongyang based World Health Organization (WHO) officials said that they have not received any notification of these cases from the government. The authoritarian country remains steadfast that the virus has not entered their country yet, but experts have hinted skepticism on these claims. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Bir Mandal, North Korean authorities have told them that they have not recorded any cases of the disease, but the FAO remains suspicious. In a statement to Fox News, Harry Kazianis, Director of Korean Studies at the Center for National Interest said that there is no way that North Korea is not impacted by the killer virus. He also added that the government is clearly lying and suppressing the news since they do not want to show any weakness or show that there is a threat to Kim Jong-un's regime. Furthermore, he said that if the porous sections within the 880-mile border connecting China and North Korea are to be considered, and how the regime depends mostly on illegal trading to survive, it is next to impossible if the virus has not come to the country yet. In the past week, Song In Bom, a North Korean Health Ministry Official told the state media that they should not be too relieved of having any cases but instead have civil awareness and work hand in hand to prevent the virus from spreading. He also stressed that even if there are no cases in the country yet, they are prepared in case an outbreak happens. However, with it's dated health care system, experts and aid workers say that the country is ill-equipped to handle the virus and that it would struggle to manage an outbreak if it happens. Related article: US and Korean Military Training Under Review Amidst Coronavirus @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Issam Ahmed (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Thu, February 27, 2020 12:12 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066eb456 2 World #USA,#coronavirus,Donald-Trump,travel-ban,South-Korea,Italy Free Donald Trump said Wednesday he was considering US travel restrictions on Italy and South Korea over coronavirus fears, adding the situation would not inevitably worsen in the United States. The president's optimism about containing the pathogen contradicted a senior health official in his own administration and came as authorities said they had identified the first case of unknown origin in the United States. "I don't think it's inevitable. I think that there's a chance that it could get worse, a chance it could get fairly substantially worse, but nothing's inevitable," Trump told reporters at the White House. He appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead the response to the disease. The message was at odds with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which urged Americans a day earlier to be prepared to cancel mass gatherings and said schools and businesses should look at developing teleworking plans. "It's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen," said the CDC's Nancy Messonnier, citing the global spread of the virus that has now infected 80,000 people and killed more than 2,700, mostly in China. As of Wednesday, there were 60 cases in the United States -- 15 detected through the public health system and 45 repatriated from abroad, either from a cruise ship off Japan or from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the first cases were identified. The CDC said the latest case in California "did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient" -- meaning it could represent the first instance of "community spread" in the US, though this was not yet confirmed. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of the infection is unknown. Medical staff wait outside a sanitary tent installed in Piacenza next to the hospital on February 26, 2020. - Italy saw a fresh jump in the number of cases of the new coronavirus on February 26, 2020 with another death also reported to bring the total to 12 and 374 infections. (AFP/MIGUEL MEDINA) - 'We may do it' - Foreign nationals traveling from China within the past two weeks are currently banned from entering the US, and Trump said more countries could be added to the list. "At the right time we may do it, right now it's not the right time," he said in response to a reporter's question about South Korea and Italy. South Korea has almost 1,600 cases, the highest outside China, while Italy has 400. Both countries have reported 12 deaths. "Italy is, you know, a deeper problem, and we're checking people coming in very, very strongly from those and at some point we may cut that off," Trump added. On Wednesday night the State Department raised its travel advisory caution level for South Korea to the second-highest, now urging Americans to reconsider traveling there. Trump added that Vice President Mike Pence had been assigned to lead coordination of the government's response and would report back to him, taking over the role from Health Secretary Alex Azar. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar (on screen) attends a House Energy and Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee hearing on "The FY2021 HHS Budget and Oversight of the Coronavirus Outbreak" on Capitol Hill, February 26, 2020 in Washington,DC. (AFP/Brendan Smialowski ) - Extra funding - Trump's briefing came after US lawmakers accused the administration of downplaying the crisis and underfunding the response. On Monday, the White House asked Congress to make at least $2.5 billion available for preparedness and response, including developing treatments and vaccines and buying equipment for a strategic national stockpile. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the figure was "too little and too late," proposing instead $8.5 billion. Trump later told reporters he would be happy to accept more money. The president also took to Twitter earlier in the day to insist his administration is "doing a GREAT job," blaming the media for trying to stoke fear in a tweet in which he spelled the name of the virus incorrectly. "Low Ratings Fake News MSDNC (Comcast) & @CNN are doing everything possible to make the Caronavirus look as bad as possible, including panicking markets, if possible," he wrote, using a derogatory acronym for the MSNBC network. Wall Street stocks finished mostly lower Wednesday, stabilizing somewhat after a two-session rout, with worries growing worries over the economic impact of the coronavirus epidemic. A two-year-old boy was rushed to hospital in a critical condition overnight after he fell from a second-storey balcony on the Gold Coast. Paramedics, including trauma specialists, rushed to a private residence in Ormeau just after 6pm on Wednesday and took the toddler to the Queensland Children's Hospital. Police said the toddler was knocked unconscious after he fell and suffered a serious head injury, but it was not considered to be life-threatening. The investigation was being led by detectives from the child protection investigation unit. After fighting a life-threatening blood disorder for more than a year, Angel Florian of Glasgow, Kentucky, traveled with her family in early February to Norton Childrens Cancer Institute in Louisville for what she was told was a check-up. Instead, her nurses and doctors threw a surprise party for her complete with streamers, balloons, cake and gifts. Although this isnt how Florian thought she would spend her 18th birthday, she told WLKY out of Louisville that it was the best birthday shes ever had. When all her nurses were singing Happy Birthday to her, she said It made me kind of tear up a little bit. Florian was diagnosed with myelodisplastic syndrome in 2019. According to Dean Harris, one of her nurses, this disorder isnt survivable without a bone marrow transplant. He said Florian fought and won, so this birthday is a gift of life because this birthday of hers wasnt really a guarantee. Because she had been unable to eat her favorite snacks while she was recovering, her nurses included some of those in a gift bag for her. These included Hersheys Kit Kat bars and Haribo Gold Bears Gummi Candy. Florian said she was touched that the nurses remembered those kind of things. 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. Read more: The Cabinet of Ministers allocated 107.500 dollars for the maintenance of evacuees from China, who are being monitored at the medical center in Novi Sanzhary. This was stated by the press secretary of Prime Minister Diana Davitian, Ukranews.com reports. "Allocation of 107.500 dollars was approved by a decree of February 17. It is for the maintenance of people," she wrote. It is worth noting that Molecular-genetic studies did not detect COVID-19 coronavirus infection among the evacuated people from the Chinese city of Wuhan. As we reported earlier, according to Ukraine's Healthcare Minister Zoryana Scaletska, that there is no reason to extend the observation period at the Novi Sanzhary sanatorium by more than 14 days. "In the decision regarding the evacuation, we noted that the people agree that they are placed in isolation for a minimum of 14 days in order to always be able to continue for a longer period if there is such a need. Currently, there is no such need," the Minister of Health added. Skaletska stated that the Ukrainian authorities were guided exclusively by the recommendations of the World Health Organization. And it would only review its provisions if WHO changed its approaches to isolation periods. A Native American leader from Arizona grew emotional as he told a congressional committee about the pain members of his tribe feel at US officials blasting through land they consider sacred to build part of President Donald Trump's wall along the US-Mexico border. 'No one reveres our military veterans more than the O'odham, however, dynamiting these sacred sites and burial grounds is the same as bulldozing Arlington National Cemetery or any other cemetery,' Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris told lawmakers in Washington on Wednesday. His testimony came hours after the government carried out a new round of explosions near the southern border as a group of invited journalists watched. Construction crews this month began blasting and bulldozing through hills to build a 30-foot (9-meter) steel wall 60 feet wide (18 meters wide) in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Tohono O'odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris (pictured) told a congressional committee about the pain members of his tribe feel at US officials blasting through land they consider sacred to build part of President Donald Trump's wall along the US-Mexico border Construction crew perform a controlled detonation at the base of Monument Hill in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument west of Lukeville, Arizona, on Wednesday Environmental groups also are decrying the work at the national parks system site that's named for its cactuses resembling organ pipes and is a largely untouched example of Sonoran Desert habitat. 'It's hard to see the blasting that you showed on the video today because I know in my heart what our elders have told us: that it is home to our ancestors,' Norris said, choking up. The administration says archaeological monitors working with Customs and Border Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers have found no sign of burial or other sacred sites in the area. Department of Homeland Security acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf told Congress on Tuesday that he plans to travel soon to meet with the tribe to discuss their concerns. US Reps. Ruben Gallego and Raul Grijalva, both Arizona Democrats, also spoke against construction of the wall during the meeting of the House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples. The Tohono O'odham Nation stretches across southern Arizona and into Mexico. US Rep. Deb Haaland, a New Mexico Democrat and member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, also spoke passionately, saying: 'When tribal leaders dont have a seat at the table, indigenous history is lost.' US Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican, noted that Organ Pipe is a well-known human and drug smuggling corridor and site of the 2002 shooting death of Kris Eggle, a park ranger who died while while pursuing suspected drug cartel members. Construction crews in southern Arizona have recently began blasting hills at the site to clear space for a new border wall system, bulldozing through a place called Monument Hill to construct a 30-foot steel wall Environmental advocates and elected officials are concerned about the wall's potential effects in Organ Pipe, including on water from an underground aquifer and migrating animals. A desert oasis in the monument, Quitobaquito Springs, is home to the endangered Sonoyta mud turtle and Quitobaquito pupfish. Border Patrol Chief Roy D. Villareal, of the agency's Tucson Sector, said on Twitter in recent days that over 90% of the cactuses near the construction area were carefully transplanted, saving more than 2,000 individual plants. He also said archaeological monitors had not found burial sites or human remains in the detonation zone at a place called Monument Hill. Laiken Jordahl of the Tucson-based environmental nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity challenges those assertions, saying on Twitter that he has seen chopped up cactus on the ground and water being wasted for concrete during recent visits. Jordahl posted a video on social media earlier this month of one of the blasts that are carving a pathway for the wall through Monument Hill. It showed a long line of puffs of smoke and dust rising up from the dry desert landscape dotted with scrub and cactus. The UN has designated the monument an International Biosphere Reserve. The Army Corps of Engineers has said the Department of Defense awarded $891 million in contracts to Southwest Valley Constructors in May to build the border wall on Organ Pipe and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. Australian universities are offering Chinese students stranded in their homeland travel money and discounted tuition and the largest campus delayed the start of the academic year, trying to keep their lucrative enrollments amid a viral epidemic. Australia's ban on travel from mainland China will not be lifted before classes begin at most universities next week, the government said Thursday. International is Australia's third-biggest export and China is Australia's largest source of foreign students, with 200,000 attending Australian universities. Western Sydney University advised students they could get around the flight ban by quarantining themselves in a third country for two weeks. It offered its 300 students in China AU$1,500 ($980) toward the added cost of taking that route to Sydney. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the China travel ban that started on Feb. 1 would be extended for another week until at least March 7. He said no exception would be made for the thousands of Chinese students, despite their importance to the economy. "It means they're not in the country, which means they're not participating in the economy, Morrison said. Prestigious University of Melbourne offered students affected by the new COVID-19 illness support grants of up to AU$7,500 ($4,900) to cover costs including 14-day self-quarantines, flight changes and internet upgrades to allow online tuition. We understand this has been a difficult time for students who have been affected and we are working hard to ensure they can complete their studies on time, University Provost Mark Considine said in a statement. University of Adelaide has offered a 20% discount to stranded Chinese students on their first semester tuition fees and a reimbursement of up to AU$2,000 ($1,310) on their travel costs to Australia once restrictions are lifted. The university has informed the affected students "that an individual study plan has been developed for them, and the flexible approaches that will be available for their studies to begin remotely" next week, its statement said. Monash University, Australia's largest with 80,000 students, has extended its summer break by two weeks in the hope that students and staff can return from China by then. The academic year will start on March 16, upsetting the student union which is concerned that there will be less time to study between the end of classes and the start of exams. Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson, a spokeswoman for the sector, said it was too early to assess the financial impact the COVID-19 disease outbreak would have on campuses. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan, his legislator-wife Tazeen Fatma, and MLA-son Abdullah Azam have been shifted to Sitapur Jail due to security reasons, according to sources. The senior SP leader along with his wife and son had surrendered before a Rampur court on Wednesday and were sent to judicial custody till March 2. The noose around the Khans tightened in the wake of Abdullah's allegedly fake birth certificate case, besides several other cases. Jail Superintendent of Sitapur, DC Mishra, said that the Samajwadi MP and his son Abdullah will be provided with special security inside the jail , while Tazeen Fatma Azam will be kept in women's barracks. Notably, the case relates to two birth certificates for Abdullah Azam, who allegedly also gave a wrong date of birth while filing his nomination papers for the assembly elections in 2017. His election was set aside by the Allahabad High Court last December, and he also approached the Supreme Court, which is still hearing the case. Earlier on Monday, Rampur's Additional District Judge Dhirendra Kumar had rejected an anticipatory bail plea filed by the family and issued non-bailable warrants and notice for attaching their property. All three family members on Wednesday surrendered before the court, which sent them to judicial custody. Without questioning the judge's ruling, SP president Akhilesh Yadav reportedly stated that that the BJP government was indulging in the vendetta against the politician. A Rampur BJP leader Akash Saxena had lodged an FIR at Gang police station on January 3, 2019, alleging fraud related to Abdullah Azam's two birth certificates. In April, police filed the charge sheet in court. It alleged that Azam Khan's son also had two passports and two PAN cards. In one birth certificate, issued by the Rampur municipality, Abdullah's birth date was mentioned as January 1, 1993. The other certificate said he was born in Lucknow on September 30, 1990, according to the charge against him. A case was also registered against Azam Khan and his wife as they had submitted an affidavit testifying their son's second birth certificate. Azam Khan represents Rampur in the Lok Sabha and his wife is an MLA from the Rampur assembly seat. Abdullah won from the Suar assembly segment in 2017. The Allahabad High Court had set aside his election last December on a plea by defeated BSP candidate Kazim Ali Khan, who alleged that the SP candidate was under 25 when he filed his nomination papers in 2017. Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is confident Jamie Vardy will end his current drought and reach a century of Premier League goals. The former England forward, 33, has scored 97 times in the top-flight but has failed to find the net in nine matches in all competitions. Rodgers, whose side travel to bottom side Norwich on Friday, said he had no worries about Vardy's recent poor for form. "It is only a matter of time before he gets back to scoring goals again," he said. "He doesn't look like the nervous type to me." Vardy found the net in eight successive matches from mid-October through to early December but has just one goal in his past 12 games. "Sometimes you get a run like it," Rodgers said. "Probably when he came back from his (glute) injury (in late January) he was maybe not quite up to speed. "But I thought against Manchester City (in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat), you saw the return of that running power and speed. "I have no doubt he will get the goals and beyond that. You don't force it, you don't put the pressure on, he knows that is his job. As long as he is contributing, then I'm fine." Vardy's drought has coincided with Leicester's inconsistent form since mid-December. They have collected just 15 points from the past 36 on offer. Former Celtic boss Rodgers said his side, third in the Premier League table, could not afford to rely on Vardy's goals. "You have threats from various parts of the team, and for long periods of this season we had a central threat with Jamie, and other guys were working hard, and they started to contribute, but it's dried up a little bit," he said. "It's a team responsibility. The strikers are important, but there are other things. "Look at Roberto Firmino at Liverpool -- he's scored 10, but you look at his influence in the team and what he gives and allows to the other players. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Caroline Flack's best friend Mollie Grosberg has revealed that the late star's dog Ruby is settling into her new home. The TV producer has been looking after the French Bulldog in the wake of the Love Island host's tragic death on February 15. On Wednesday, Mollie updated fans on the pooch's progress as she shared a sweet snap of Ruby cuddled up to her fiance. Sweet: Caroline Flack's best friend Mollie Grosberg has revealed that the late star's dog Ruby is settling into her new home, sharing a picture of the dog on Wednesday with her fiance Alongside the snap she penned: 'These two,' with a series of heart emojis. Mollie adopted Ruby after Caroline's tragically took her own life earlier this month. Ruby was Caroline's beloved dog, and just one day before she died, she posted her last Instagram photo with the pet pooch that she captioned with a love heart. Mollie had also posted a picture of Caroline on Valentines Day, the day before she died, which showed her adjusting a television set, apparently in the North London flat where she was staying with another friend, Lou Teasdale. Tragic: Ruby was Caroline's beloved dog, who Mollie adopted after the Love Island star tragically took her own life earlier this month (pictured with her pet dog in January 2019) Mollie posted the picture on Instagram, saying: Our funny valentine brought us cookies and oat milk this year. Following Caroline's tragic death, she said she was now looking after Ruby, saying: Having Ruby is the only thing making us smile right now. In a heartwrenching photo taken in the days following, Mollie showed Ruby fast asleep on a bed. She posted the clip accompanied by the words, 'I never want this snoring to stop.' Last post: Just one day before she died, the former Love Island presenter posted her last Instagram photo, which showed her cuddling her beloved pet, captioned with a love heart Final picture: Mollie had also posted a picture of Caroline on Valentines Day, the day before she died, which showed her adjusting a television set TV star Caroline passed away a day after she had been told that the CPS was pursuing the court case against her following an arrest at her home over a row with Lewis Burton in December. She had pleaded not guilty to assault by beating at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in North London on December 23 and was due to go on trial at March 4. Her management company have criticised the CPS for pressing ahead with what it called her 'show trial' even after Lewis said he did not support it. The ITV veteran fronted the much-loved show since its revival series in 2015, before handing over her role to pal Laura Whitmore in late 2019. For confidential help and suppport please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on including women legislators in his cabinet. Sharma has expressed concern over no woman being part of Kejriwal's council of seven ministers. "Various kinds of equality, including political equality, political leadership and power sharing is one of the most basic, intrinsically valuable as it is the key to equality on other realms, and all citizens are supposed to be given equal representation and leadership irrespective of gender," she said in her letter. The NCW chairperson has requested the chief minister to consider inducting a couple of women legislators or at least one in his council of ministers, the commission said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ZURICH, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb today announced the appointment of Dawn Miller as the insurer's new Country President for Switzerland. Subject to regulatory approval, the appointment is effective 1 March. In this role, Dawn will be responsible for further establishing and growing Chubb's insurance business in Switzerland. She will be based in Zurich and report to Adam Clifford, Chubb's Division President for Continental Europe. Dawn will take over the position from Florian Eisele, who has been appointed Senior Vice President Director Accident & Health (A&H) for Continental Europe. Dawn was previously Senior Vice President - Middle Market, Small Commercial, Industry Practices and Distribution for Chubb Continental Europe and a member of the Continental Europe Executive Leadership Team in Paris. She has more than 25 years of experience in senior international positions in the insurance industry. Prior to joining Chubb in 2018, she was President/CEO of Axa Insurance Company in the United States. She has also held other leadership roles in Europe, the Middle East and the United States for AIG and Willis Towers Watson. Adam Clifford, Division President for Continental Europe, Chubb said: "We are very pleased that we have been able to fill the position of Country President for Switzerland with this well-deserved internal promotion for Dawn Miller. Dawn is a driven and analytical senior leader and she will bring energy and entrepreneurship to our Swiss business. Dawn joins Chubb Switzerland at a time of growth and she will help to continue this upward trajectory by using the full power of our underwriting capabilities to serve the many and changing needs of our clients and brokers." Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/324916/Chubb_Logo.jpg MUMBAI, India, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexaware Technologies Ltd, a leading provider of IT, BPO and consulting services has been announced as the winner at the Global WFM awards, under the 'Most Indigenous Practice in WFM' category. Swapnil Nagvekar, Head of WFM represented Hexaware at the awards. Global WFM Network Forum is a worldwide platform that promotes innovation & excellence in WFM practices across several industries. Team Hexaware exhibited their digitization of workforce management practice along with automation in their reporting framework earning applause for this futuristic thought process. 30% of the existing global workforce in the outsourcing industry is expected to become digital in the coming years. To support this changing trend, a digital workforce management framework is essential. Hexaware WFM, has got the ball rolling by digitizing the entire reporting and RTA practices for internal as well as external customers. The reporting BOT framework at Hexaware is addressed as 'The Abatus' program. Hexaware WFM today has 70 such reporting BOTs functional in various diverse businesses transforming the entire reporting experience for customers. "Keeping with the organizations vision of AUTOMATE EVERYTHINGTM, CLOUDIFY EVERYTHINGTM and TRANSFORM CUSTOMER EXPERIENCESTM, the concept of Digital WFM is being marvellously driven and practiced at Hexaware," says Chinmoy Banerjee, EVP & Global Head of Business Process Services, Hexaware Technologies. Chinmoy further added, "This automation initiative at Hexaware WFM has resulted in high levels of accuracy and savings for the organization and its partners. The core team is now empowered to focus more on analytics with the time saved from this robust framework." About Hexaware Hexaware is the fastest growing next-generation provider of IT, BPO and consulting services. Our focus lies on taking a leadership position in helping our clients attain customer intimacy as their competitive advantage. Our digital offerings have helped our clients achieve operational excellence and customer delight by 'Powering Man Machine Collaboration.' We are now on a journey of metamorphosing the experiences of our customer's customers by leveraging our industry-leading delivery and execution model, built around the strategy 'AUTOMATE EVERYTHING, CLOUDIFY EVERYTHING, TRANSFORM CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES.' Learn more about Hexaware at http://www.hexaware.com Safe Harbor Statement: http://hexaware.com/investors/ SOURCE Hexaware Technologies Ltd. This afternoon, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) issued information to all staff and all students in relation to the Covid-19 as provided by the Department of Education and Skills today. In the interest of public safety, DkIT will actively encourage all staff and students to take the necessary precautions as outlined by the Department, under the guidance of the relevant national health authorities, through regular updates and the display of HSC-approved informational posters across campus. The institute has confirmed that there have been no reported incidences of suspected Covid-19 outbreak among DkIT students or staff. The below guidance was provided to staff as a precautionary measure under the guidance of the Department of Education and Skills. For updated guidance specific to education settings please visit the HPSC website here Chief Medical Officer advice to parents: The Chief Medical Officer from the Department of Health, Dr Tony Holohan, has issued the following letter to parents of school children travelling from affected regions. The Department of Education and Skills has updated information for schools, preschools and third level institutions on Covid-19; provided by the Department of Health and HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre following a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team. Public health doctors are available to liaise with schools and advise on precautions if staff and/or students have any concerns. Anyone who has been to affected regions in the last 14 days and has a cough, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties or fever should self-isolate and phone their GP immediately. Anyone who has travelled from the affected regions and has no symptoms should visit http://www.hse.ie/ for advice. The most important action we can take to protect ourselves from Covid-19 is regular hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene. As further advice or information is provided, it will be issued to schools and posted on the Departments website. Travel advice for all Irish citizens is provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Note - The Covid-19 affected regions are listed as mainland China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Iran and the following regions of northern Italy - Lombardy, Veneto Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont. Further Information: https://www.hpsc.ie/ (Natural News) Five of the worlds biggest pesticide companies are making billions of dollars, accounting for more than a third of their total income, from selling chemicals that pose several hazards to both human health and the environment, recent analysis reveals. A joint investigation by Unearthed, a journalism group funded by Greenpeace UK, and the Swiss NGO Public Eye, found that higher proportions of these highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) were sold in low- and middle-income countries compared to industrialized nations. For example, 60 percent of sales in India were of HHPs in contrast to the 11 percent sales in the United Kingdom. Poison sells The data analyzed was obtained from the market analysis company Phillips McDougall, which covered $23.3 billion in pesticide sales, amounting to about 40 percent of the global agrochemical market. These sales represent the leading products in 43 different countries that buy the most pesticides worldwide. However, the researchers claim that the income from these chemicals will be billions of dollars greater because the data only included less than half of the total global sales. Agrochemical giants BASF, Bayer, Corteva (formerly Dow and DuPont), FMC and Syngenta five of the six members of the lobby group CropLife International profited off products that have been banned in other parts of the world, such as neonicotinoids and glufosinate. In fact, about 41 percent of the leading products of these pesticide companies contained at least one HHP. In 2018, these companies sold about $4.8 billion on products containing pesticides linked to hazardous effects, which accounted for 36 percent of their total income. Almost a quarter of the sales (22 percent) of these five pesticide giants consisted of products associated with human health hazards like glyphosate, which is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a probable human carcinogen. However, glyphosate manufacturer Bayer and various regulators like the European Food Safety Authority do not agree with this classification, saying it was incorrect to categorize the herbicide as hazardous based on the IARC alone. Another 10 percent of their leading product income came from chemicals classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as highly toxic to bees. Among these chemicals were chlorfenapyr and fipronil chemicals linked to mass bee deaths manufactured by the chemical giant BASF. There is overwhelming evidence that we are in the middle of a biodiversity crisis, with extinction roughly 1,000 times the natural rate, said University of Sussex biology professor Dave Goulson. We are losing wildlife, particularly insects. The crisis is driven by a combination of factors but there is no doubt that pesticides are harming pollinators. Four percent of sales from pesticides are classified as highly toxic by the World Health Organization (WHO) or as fatal if inhaled. According to the analysis, Syngenta holds the majority of these sales with its top sellers including paraquat. Accidental or deliberate ingestion of even small amounts of paraquat is often fatal, and it is one of the most common methods of intentional self-poisoning or suicide in poor or rural areas in countries where its available. In fact, the United Nations report that 200,000 cases of suicide each year involved pesticide poisoning. (Related: Report: Pesticide poisoning has resulted in 200,000 deaths.) This practice of the agrochemical giants is irresponsible and contradicts their public commitment to a more sustainable agricultural model, said Baskut Tuncak, U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxics. Whether they poison workers, extinguish biodiversity, persist in the environment, or accumulate in a mothers breast milk, highly hazardous pesticides are unsustainable. They should have been phased out long ago. Sources include: EcoWatch.com Unearthed.Greenpeace.org FruitNet.com TheGuardian.com BMJ.com BBC.com UpToDate.com Aljazeera.com PublicEye.ch NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc. magazine today revealed that New Energy Equity is No. 35 on its inaugural Inc. 5000 Series: D.C. Metro list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the D.C. Metro economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. "New Energy Equity was founded on the sole purpose of driving forward the evolution of clean energy through developing and financing economically feasible renewable energy projects. The success that our team has realized is a true testament to our incredible employees and partners throughout the country," said Matt Hankey, President and CEO of New Energy Equity. The companies on this list show stunning rates of growth across all industries in the D.C. metropolitan area. Between 2016 and 2018, these 250 private companies had an average growth rate of 196 percent and, in 2018 alone, they employed over 88,000 people and added $6.5 billion in revenue to the greater D.C. area's economy. Companies based in the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Richmond, Virginia, metro areas brought in the highest revenue overall. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Series: D.C. Metro, including an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria, can be found at inc.com/inc5000-series-dc-2020 starting February 26, 2020. "The companies on this list demonstrate just how much the small-business sector impacts the economies of D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware" says Inc. editor in chief Scott Omelianuk. "Across every single industry, these businesses have posted revenue and growth rates that are beyond impressive, further proving the tenacity of their founders and CEOs." The Inc. 5000 Series: D.C. Metro Summit & Awards event to honor the companies on the list will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at Hook Hall (3400 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20010). About New Energy Equity Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, NEE develops and finances solar power generation assets, providing clean electricity to commercial, industrial, municipal and utility customers under long-term contracts. NEE successfully installed 60 MW of new solar capacity in 2018, part of an overall development portfolio of over 200MW since 2013. The company was voted as the 13th fastest growing energy company in the United States by Inc. Magazine in 2019. For more information please visit New Energy Equity's website at www.newenergyequity.com to stay up-to-date on current news, follow us on LinkedIn. CONTACT: Media inquiries: Patrice Nickols, New Energy Equity T: (443) 972-5451 Ext. 1028 E: [email protected] More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Regional Series Methodology The 2020 Inc. 5000 Regional Series is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2018. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2018 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Media The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels, including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com. SOURCE New Energy Equity Related Links http://www.newenergyequity.com By Azernews By Akbar Mammadov The Iranian delegation visited Pakistan to hold a meeting with their Pakistani counterparts in order to discuss taking serious measures such as exchanging business delegations, using non-bank channels for money transfers, organizing exhibitions, and developing trade relations between both countries. Mian Anjum Nisar, President of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) discussed the current situation of trade relations between countries with the Iranian delegation led by TCCIMA Head Masoud Khansari. The level of economic relations between the two countries was insufficient considering the existing capacities and cultural closeness between the two sides, Nisar said. He also regretted that although the two countries had signed a preferential trade agreement a few years ago, none of them used this opportunity properly. After that meeting, the Iranian delegation also held a meeting with the Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Arif Ahmed Khan in Karachi. The meeting covered the need to take actions like the preferential trade agreement, free trade agreement and remove of customs barriers in order to boost trade relations between Iran and Pakistan. Mentioning some available obstacles in this way, Masoud Khansari noted that the annual trade between both countries is not higher than $1.5 billion. During the discussion, Ahmed Khan said that both countries authorities need to know the fact that the development of trade relations can lead a boom in regional trade. Therefore, along with the cultural, religious and geographical commonalities, the two countries must also take operational steps to improve trade relations. Ahmed Khan mentioned. By Jeffrey Dastin Feb 27 (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc has barred more than 1 million products from sale in recent weeks that had inaccurately claimed to cure or defend against the coronavirus, the company told Reuters on Thursday. Amazon also removed tens of thousands of deals from merchants that it said attempted to price-gouge customers. The world's largest online retailer has faced scrutiny over the health-related offers on its platform, and earlier this week Italy launched a probe into surging prices around the internet for sanitizing gels and hygiene masks while it battled the biggest outbreak in Europe. The coronavirus has caused at least 2,797 deaths globally. New reported infections around the world now exceed those from mainland China, where the flu-like disease arose two months ago out of an illegal wildlife market. Governments from Australia to Iran have closed schools, scrapped events and stockpiled medical supplies to contain the virus's spread. One offer comparison site showed recent examples of higher-than-usual prices for masks on Amazon made by U.S. industrial conglomerate 3M Co. A merchant Thursday offered a 10-pack of N95 masks for $128, a Reuters reporter saw when clicking through the buying options on Amazon. That was up from a recent seller average price of $41.24, according to the tracking website camelcamelcamel.com. The item was no longer available in a check later in the day. A two-pack respirator was offered new at $24.99 earlier this week by a third-party seller, up from a recent average of $6.65 when sold by Amazon, the price-following site showed. "There is no place for price gouging on Amazon," a spokeswoman said in a statement, citing the company's policy that product information must be accurate and that Amazon can take down offers that hurt customer trust, including when pricing "is significantly higher than recent prices offered on or off Amazon." It declined to specify the exact threshold at which an item is considered unfairly priced. The company said it has monitored for price spikes and false claims through a mix of automated and manual review of listings. (Reporting By Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco; Editing by Peter Henderson and Cynthia Osterman) Quantzig, a global data analytics and advisory firm, that delivers actionable analytics solutions to resolve complex business problems has announced the completion of its recent article that examines the role of big data analytics in the online casino gaming industry This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005336/en/ Over the past decade, the applications and use cases of big data analytics have been on a constant rise. It has been helping the casino gaming industry to find the latest opportunities by providing them with new insights to run their businesses better. As a result, the online casino gaming industry is likely to succeed and grow at a never seen before pace if the industry keeps a track on their consumer behavior. As the volume of data is increasing at a very fast pace, companies must know how to use it to retain customers and be more successful than ever. Request a Free Proposal to learn how the casino gaming industry can use big data analytics to leverage business outcomes. You might question the need for leveraging big data analytics in the casino gaming industry. Well, the primary reason for the casino gaming industry to collect a gigantic volume of data is to fuel their marketing campaigns. With the help of data availed one can determine which slot of games are most popular or which slot of games are going obsolete. With the help of such gaming analytics driven insights, players in the casino gaming industry can make changes in their marketing campaigns. Speak to our experts to learn how we can help you make the most of the casino gaming industry trends. How the online casino gaming industry can utilize the potential of big data analytics to understand their customers more effectively? Demographics: The basic segmentation happens in the beginning when the player logs in, the online gambling portal has already collected the basic demographic information including gender, age, and geographic area. With big data analytics, any casino owner can predict the changes in a player's behavior and take the necessary steps to retain them. Player Retention: Data analytics plays a crucial role in helping the online casino gaming industry to retain their present customers in a much smoother way. With the help of advanced big data analytics, casino gaming companies can come up with loyalty models for present consumers. Better Marketing Opportunities: Casino gaming companies can use big data to improve their marketing campaigns by creating personalized advertisements to target consumers. Book a FREE Demo to discover and analyze metrics that are crucial for gauging success in the casino gaming industry. The online casino gaming industry is one of the most competitive sectors with millions of players battling it out for a bigger market share. At Quantzig, we understand the challenges faced by online casino gaming businesses when it comes to setting the right prices and retaining customers. And to help casino gaming industry players in this process, we have devised a comprehensive big data analytics solutions portfolio that focuses on improving business outcomes to drive growth. To learn more about our big data analytics solutions visit: https://bit.ly/3a9M2UC About Quantzig Quantzig is a global analytics and advisory firm with offices in the US, UK, Canada, China, and India. For more than 15 years, we have assisted our clients across the globe with end-to-end data modeling capabilities to leverage analytics for prudent decision making. Today, our firm consists of 120+ clients, including 45 Fortune 500 companies. For more information on our engagement policies and pricing plans, visit: https://www.quantzig.com/request-for-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005336/en/ Contacts: Press Contact Quantzig Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 630 538 7144 UK: +44 208 629 1455 https://www.quantzig.com/contact-us NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weyland Tech, Inc. (OTCQX: WEYL) (OTCQX: WEYLD), a leading global provider of mCommerce platform-as-a-service (PaaS), eCommerce managed services and mobile fintech solutions, has been invited to present at the 32nd Annual ROTH Conference being held at The Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, California on March 15-17, 2020. The conference will feature presentations from public and private companies across a variety of industry sectors. Last year, the ROTH Conference hosted 550 presenting companies and 5,100 attendees, including institutional investors, analysts, family offices and high net worth investors. Weyland Tech senior management is scheduled to present in one-on-one meetings on March 16-17. They will discuss the rapid growth in subscriptions to the companys CreateApp platform-as-a-service, the launch of CreateApp in Taiwan and Italy , and a recent major U.S. acquisition . Last month, the company completed its acquisition of the Minneapolis-based eCommerce technology company, Push Interactive, which provides an end-to-end eCommerce solution for enterprises and major U.S. brands that include HomeAdvisor, QuinStreet and Sunrun. Weyland expects to report an annualized run rate of more than $48.6 million at year-end 2019, or $60.6 million on a combined pro forma basis with Push. This compares to $22.7 million in revenue for the full year 2018. The company also expects to report its first positive quarterly adjusted EBITDA after previously reporting it had turned adjusted EBITDA positive in the final month of Q3. Prior to the start of the conference, ROTH will host a pre-recorded webcast of the companys presentation, which will be available on the conference website here and in the investor section of the companys website under Presentations , beginning on March 9. To schedule a one-on-one meeting with Weyland Tech, please contact your ROTH representative. For any questions about the company, contact Ron Both or Grant Stude of CMA at (949) 432-7557 or submit your request here . About Roth Capital Partners ROTH Capital Partners, LLC (ROTH), is a relationship-driven investment bank focused on serving emerging growth companies and their investors. As a full-service investment bank, ROTH provides capital raising, M&A advisory, analytical research, trading, market-making services and corporate access. Headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, ROTH is privately-held and employee owned, and maintains offices throughout the U.S. For more information on ROTH, please visit www.roth.com . About Weyland Tech Weyland Tech is a developer and global provider of mobile business software applications. The company operates its CreateApp platform-as-a-service (PaaS) across three continents and 10 countries, including some of the fastest-growing emerging markets in Southeast Asia. The platform provides a mobile presence for small-and-medium sized businesses (SMBs) that is supported locally by distributor partnerships. Offered in 14 languages with more than 70 integrated modules, CreateApp enables SMBs to create and deploy native mobile applications for Apple iOS and Google Android without technical knowledge or background. The technology empowers SMBs to increase sales, reach more customers, manage logistics, and promote their products and services in an easy, affordable and highly efficient way. For more information, visit weyland-tech.com. Important Cautions Regarding Forward Looking Statements 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 ability of the Company to successfully integrate Push, the continued growth of the eCommerce 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 Companys 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 Companys periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (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. Company Contact Brent Suen, CEO Weyland Tech Inc. Email contact Media & Investor Contact Ronald Both or Grant Stude CMA Tel (949) 432-7566 Email Contact CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- C.A. Insights the business intelligence pillar of the larger consumer brands agency C.A. Fortune announces the latest addition to their leadership team, Jessica Schmidt. Schmidt will serve as the Vice President of Business Intelligence. With 14 years of experience in the CPG space, Schmidt began her career at Jewel-Osco, where she worked in various departments including Category Management, Advertising, and Schematics. Working her way up the ranks, she most recently served as Vice President of National Business Intelligence for Acosta. She boasts a wide range of qualifications including Strategic Advisor Certification, Category Management Certification, and JDA Space Planning Certification. "I am excited to join a company that has such passion and energy around providing their clients the best collaborative team to drive growth," says VP of Business Intelligence Jessica Schmidt. "I want to take C.A. Fortune to the next level of analytics by providing insightful and actionable recommendations for our clients. I feel that nurturing a collaborative environment to weave the data into insightful sales stories will help us achieve this goal." Schmidt will oversee C.A. Fortune's Insights pillar nationally and sit on C.A. Fortune's corporate leadership team reporting into Chief Client Officer, Laura Howell. "Bringing Jessica into C.A. Fortune is a big move for our agency and for our client and customer base," says Chief Client Officer Laura Howell. "Time and time again, Jessica has a proven track record of success. Her leadership, strong background, and vision into the future of CPG is exactly what this organization needs for continued growth." About C.A. Fortune Founded in 1983, C.A. Fortune is a leading, privately held, full-service consumer brands sales and marketing agency. With nationwide coverage, the company offers clients a comprehensive solution from brand incubation, client development, sales management, marketing and branding, insights, retail services and more. C.A. Fortune is headquartered in Chicago and has regional offices across the country. To learn more, visit www.CAFortune.com . Media Contact: Kait Benetz [email protected] 312.442.7223 SOURCE C.A. Fortune Related Links https://cafortune.com New York: President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the US is "very, very ready" for whatever the coronavirus threat brings, and he put his vice president in charge of overseeing the nation's response. The announcement came as authorities in New York said voluntary quarantine protocols have been applied to about 700 people who returned to the city after travelling to areas affected by the coronavirus outbreak in China since February 3. New York City. Credit:AP The vast majority of the travellers who were quarantined were deemed at medium risk for the new coronavirus, called COVID-19, because of recent travel to mainland China, New York State Health Department officials said on late Tuesday. The newly reported tally reflected travellers reviewed for potential voluntary quarantine outside New York City. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:11:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOSCOW, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russian law enforcers prevented nine terrorist attacks in the country's North Caucasus region last year, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said Thursday. The activity of 13 cells of the Islamic State militant group was stopped in the region last year, while 26 militants were killed and 230 others detained, Patrushev said at a meeting of the council. He added that 10 people in the region were brought to justice for promoting a radical ideology or raising funds for terrorist purposes. The North Caucasus region, which lies in the southwestern-most corner of Russia, is a hotbed of insurgency, with separatists and extremists frequently attacking governmental, military and police facilities, as well as civilians. The coronavirus isolation pod is hidden behind bins at Lincoln County Hospital. (Reach) Locals have hit out at a coronavirus isolation pod that has been hidden behind bins at Lincoln County Hospital. Health bosses have erected an isolation tent near the site's A&E department to help those who fear they have the potentially fatal virus. But the pod contains nothing but a phone, a chair and instructions to call 111, according to one passer-by who ventured inside, sparking fears the NHS isn't prepared for an UK-wide outbreak of the disease. The man said he expected to find a mini ward with beds, access to medicine and special equipment but says he discovered a small building with no electricity, heating or running water and no toilet. The pod contains nothing but a phone, a chair and instructions to call 111, according to one passer-by (Reach) NHS England has stressed to Lincolnshire Live that the site is a failsafe to prevent those from entering the hospital with the illness and infecting others. However, the man was left unimpressed with the pod and says the public should expect more. Read more: What its like to run a town under coronavirus lockdown It's been over a week since the first confirmed UK case of this rapidly spreading killer airborne virus," said the man, who wished to remain anonymous. The UK is being told by the head of NHS England, Sir Simon Stevens, that our incredible NHS is well equipped to cope with a coronavirus outbreak. So you might expect there to be a solid provision to look after you should you be unfortunate enough to need it. When you think of a mobile medical treatment pod, you might picture a portable cabin similar to those used on building sites. Inside you would imagine there to be a mini ward with beds, access to medicine and the equipment to check your vital signs. Pictures of the pod obscured by bins were taken by the man at around 9pm on Wednesday (Reach) He added: The isolation pod is in fact a tent measuring approximately 3m x 5m and looks like something that Bear Grylls would keep in his backpack. The pod is located at a medical waste collection point outside the accident and emergency department. NHS England has stressed that the site is a failsafe to prevent those from entering the hospital with the illness and infecting others (Reach) Once you fight your way past the medical waste bins and get into the tent hoping for comfort, you'll find it has no electricity, no heating, no running water and not even a toilet just a single plastic chair, a couple of blankets and a telephone with instructions to call 111 again. Story continues The design of the pod also means that it is not accessible for wheelchairs due to needing to step over a lip in order to get in. Read more: Two more coronavirus cases in England Pictures of the pod obscured by bins were taken by the man at around 9pm on Wednesday. The pod is housed at Lincoln County Hospital (Reach) Health chiefs said the pods were a failsafe for people who hadnt seen advice on what to do if they think they have the virus, while also stopping them from entering the hospital and spreading the illness to others. Read more: Fewer Britons now think coronavirus is a 'major threat' Once someone has self-isolated themselves in the pod, they are asked to call 111 and take the appropriate action. Lincolnshire Live has been told by the NHS a new temporary building will be up and running at the site by the end of the week. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Coronavirus Outbreak Inside 2 S. Korean Medical Facilities Highlights Vulnerability of Disabled Patients By Jason Strother February 26, 2020 Coronavirus outbreaks inside two South Korean medical facilities reveal the vulnerability of people with disabilities to the disease that appears poised to become a global pandemic. On Tuesday, local media reported that 11 of 30 residents of a private, care center for the disabled in North Gyeongsang province have contracted COVID-19. An additional 10 employees, half of whom also have a disability, also tested positive for the pneumonia-like virus. According to the Grain of Wheat Love House, it's remaining residents and staff have been quarantined inside the facility, which has undergone disinfection. "We apologize for the public concern caused by this unexpected situation," said a notice posted on the charity's website. This came just days after a surge of infections at the Daenam Hospital in Cheongdo county, a region in the same province that Seoul has designated as a "special care zone." At least 100 patients in the complex's psychiatric ward were sickened from the coronavirus. The Korea Center for Disease Control (KCDC) said by midday on Wednesday that more than1000 people have been infected with COVID-19 and that seven of the country's 12 -deaths attributed to the illness originated at the Daenam Hospital. Kim Hyun-chung, a psychiatrist who formerly counseled patients for nine-years at a general hospital in Seoul, says conditions inside such treatment centers are fertile ground for the transmission of diseases. "If a patient has a chronic mental health condition, like depression or schizophrenia, social norms can deteriorate and they might not take care of their hygiene," she says, adding that it's the responsibility of the typically over-worked medical staff to ensure that patients shower and brush their teeth, for instance. Kim says rooms in South Korean hospitals often sleep up to six patients as well as their caregivers- increasing the potential spread of a virus among people who are already sick. And psychiatric facilities don't always receive the same resources given to other hospital departments, she explains. "Mental health wards don't make a lot of money for the hospital," she says. The South Korean healthcare system has come under criticism for its reliance on institutionalizing people with a mental health disability. "Korea needs to reduce the level of dependence on long-term treatments in hospitals," according to a study published last year in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems. "Many patients become long-term residents at these facilities and lose their will to return to their own communities." In response to the coronavirus outbreak at the Daenam Hospital, Seoul's Ministry of Health says it will test patience at around 420 other mental health clinics across the country. For Kim, the psychiatrist, the outbreak is a reminder of how economic necessity as well as a sense of "shame and stigma" compel many South Korean families to "lock up" their loved ones who are suffering from mental illness in these institutions- putting them at greater risk of contracting diseases like COVID-19. Concern over quarantines The World Health Organization has warned countries to prepare for the spread of the new coronavirus, suggesting that the disease could soon be declared a pandemic. "Does this virus have pandemic potential? Absolutely it has," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday" Are we there yet? From our assessment, not yet." The majority of the more than 80-thousand cases of COVID-19 and at least two-thousand related deaths are still centered in China, where authorities have virtually locked down the city of Wuhan, where the disease was first detected, as well as much of surrounding Hubei province. And as clusters of the virus have spread in South Korea, Iran and Italy, governments are stepping up quarantine efforts and in some cases have limited access to and from affected areas. These enhanced measures concern Alex Ghenis at the World Institute on Disability in Berkley, California. "Somebody with an intellectual, developmental or psychological disability may experience heightened anxiety and stress-related factors if they are isolated," he writes in a message to VOA. "People with other disabilities will surely have extra stresses due to managing disability-related life factors while under quarantine." Ghenis says that during times of panic brought on by a public health emergency, people with disabilities could be viewed as "pariahs" due to incorrect perceptions that they inherently have compromised immune systems. He adds that if healthcare workers start to prioritize treating coronavirus patients who they determine would be "most likely to survive", a person with a mobility, sensory or cognitive impairment could be regarded as "lower on the triage list." Official announcements and other important information must also be accessible for all, including making printed material available online so that it can be read by a visually impaired person using assistive technology or having a sign language interpreter on stage during televised press conferences. The South Korean disability news site Be Minor reported this week that the deaf are unable to call the KCDC hotline since it does not offer a video service that would allow communication by signing, adding that for the same reason, over the phone consultations with doctors are also inaccessible. "Hearing-impaired people also have the right to receive information and counseling for infectious diseases," said an unnamed disability advocate quoted in the article. The report says people who are hard of hearing can still send text messages or chat through the KakaoTalk app with healthcare officials, but this service is only available during business hours Monday through Friday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Newsfrom Japan Tokyo, Feb. 26 (Jiji Press)--The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Takanami started a surveillance mission to secure the safety of Japan-linked ships in Middle East waters Wednesday. The MSDF vessel is tasked with gathering information including on suspicious ships on the high seas in the northern Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman while sharing information with the United States and other countries. The Takanami has a crew of about 200 and carries two patrol helicopters. Japan will dispatch another unit to replace the Takanami in about four months. As part of the mission, Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft have been active since January, mainly over the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. The mission is scheduled to run until Dec. 26. It can be extended upon cabinet approval. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. A 72-year-old woman was rescued and shifted to an old age home on Thursday after remaining locked in her house here for the past eight months since her her husband left for his native village, police said. The woman survived on the food and water provided by her kind-hearted landlord through a window, they said. The police and other government authorities came to the rescue of the woman after coming to know of her plight through a media report. The woman's 75-year-old husband had gone to his native village in Andhra Pradesh in connection with some issue relating to his agricultural land after locking the house located in an interior lane at Ramnagar here, they added. Later, speaking to reporters, the old woman, said her husband had done it for her safety and would come back soon. She has been shifted to an old age home run by an NGO, police said adding the septuagenarian did not have a phone. Ruling TRS MLA from Musheerabad M Gopal, who visited the woman, told PTI that she was neither ready to accept help from others nor was willing to move to a home where she could be given proper care. The MLA said he tried to impress upon her that it was in the interest of her health and she would be handed over only to her husband upon his return. Police said no case has been registered as there was no complaint lodged in this connection. Meanwhile, the husband's relatives informed the police that he will return to Hyderabad on Saturday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A San Francisco Public Works Community Clean volunteer wearing a face mask removes trash on a street in the Chinatown district of San Francisco, California, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Tedros said the biggest concerns now are what's happening outside China, where the growth in cases have slowed. Brazil, Georgia, Greece, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan and Romania reported their first coronavirus cases in the last day, Tedros said. "It does not distinguish between races or ethnicities. It has no regard for a country's GDP or level of development," he added. "Every country must be ready for its first case," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, said during a press briefing at the agency's headquarters in Geneva. "No country should assume it won't get cases. That could be a fatal mistake. This virus does not respect borders." World Health Organization officials warned on Thursday that member nations need to prepare for COVID-19's arrival after seven countries in the last day reported their first cases. "We're at a decisive point," he said. "The epidemics in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy and the Republic of Korea demonstrate what this virus is capable of." On Wednesday, WHO officials said the number of new COVID-19 cases outside China exceeded those inside the country for the first time. "The sudden increases of cases in Italy, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea are deeply concerning," Tedros said at the time. That same day, U.S. health officials confirmed the first possible community transmission of the coronavirus in America, a troubling sign that the virus could be spreading in local cities and towns. The California patient didn't have a relevant travel history or exposure to another patient with the virus, the CDC said. Tedros said Thursday that countries must act "swiftly" and "aggressively" to contain the virus. "With the right measures, it can be contained," he said, adding countries should begin thinking about whether they have proper isolation units, medical supplies and other vital equipment. The preparation will "be the difference between one case and 100 cases in the coming days and weeks," he said. 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. Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization's emergencies program, said some countries have experienced localized clusters. "Then there are other countries like [South] Korea and Japan where there is mainly cluster of disease but there's some evidence of transmission at the community level." Tedros reiterated that the virus has "pandemic potential," adding, "this is not a time for fear. This is the time for taking action now to prevent infections and save lives now." "Fear and panic doesn't help," he said. "People can have concerns and rightly so. People can be worried and rightly so. But the most important thing is to calm down and do the right things to fight this very dangerous virus." (CNN) -- Abdul Samar was praying at a mosque in the northeast of India's capital on Tuesday evening when protesters stormed in brandishing weapons, attacking worshipers and setting the building ablaze. The mob descended on the mosque in the Ashok Nagar neighborhood of New Delhi chanting praises to a Hindu deity, Jai Shri Ram, before beating up the imam and killing the muezzin, who was leading the call to prayer, Samar told CNN. "They brought batons and stones inside the mosque and the people outside had guns as well. We had to stop praying and run away," Samar, whose eye was severely injured in the attack, said. Protesters hoisted a saffron flag, associated with Hindu far-right groups, from the mosque's blackened minaret. The flag was only removed Wednesday morning after a CNN team asked police why it was still hanging there. Tuesday was the third consecutive night of deadly communal clashes in the capital between Hindus and minority Muslims over a divisive new citizenship law. Twenty-eight people have been killed since riots broke out on Sunday, according to a hospital spokesperson. It is the worst sectarian violence Delhi has seen in decades. The unrest, which coincided with a visit to India by US President Donald Trump, erupted between those demonstrating for and against the law that fast-tracks Indian citizenship for religious minorities of every faith other than Islam. Eyewitnesses told CNN that angry mobs targeted Muslim areas overnight on Tuesday, burning and looting homes and shops. Authorities deployed tear gas to disperse crowds, as protesters hurled stones and set surrounding property on fire, according to police. Lawyer Suroor Mander said that pellet bullets were also used by police. The death toll is expected to rise as the counting process continues, the chief casualty medical officer at Delhi's Guru Tej Bahadur Hospital said Wednesday. One of the deceased was a police officer, who died from a bullet injury to the head. Since the violence began, at least 188 people have been treated in hospital, mostly for bullet injuries, and the rest from blunt force trauma, according to hospital officials. Delhi police, who are under the central government's direct command, have been accused by witnesses of turning a blind eye to, or being complicit in, the violence. Police deny those claims. The mood was tense in New Delhi on Wednesday morning, as riot police patrolled the streets and the city's highest elected official, Arvind Kejriwal, called for a curfew to be instated. Kejriwal said on Twitter that police were "unable to control (the) situation and instil confidence" despite ongoing efforts overnight, and requested that the military be called in. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose Hindu national government has been accused of stoking religious tensions by introducing the citizenship law, appealed for peace on Wednesday. "Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times," Modi tweeted, breaking his silence. "It is important that there is calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest," he added. 'I am too scared to live here now' Trump's state visit was hoped to demonstrate India's prominence on the global stage. Instead, it put a spotlight on months of inflamed religious tensions. Protests have roiled India since December, when Modi backed the passage of the citizenship law. Many Indian Muslims point to it as an example of how the government has abandoned them, and say they feel victimized. The Prime Minister, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was reelected in a landslide victory last year, has dominated Indian politics since first sweeping to power in 2014. While he has been hailed for his efforts to bring prosperity to poorer regions and root out corruption, his emphasis on empowering India's Hindu majority has raised concerns. To Modi's critics, the Citizenship Amendment Act has become the most brazen example of a Hindu nationalist agenda aimed at marginalizing Indian Muslims -- part of an effort to tear at the fabric of India's secular identity. Khurseed Alam, a rickshaw driver who lived next to the mosque in Ashok Nagar, said that Modi's campaign promises of a prosperous future have proven empty. His family home, where he lived with 10 of his relatives, was burned by the mob, along with three other Muslim homes and neighboring shops. The head of the Delhi Fire Department told CNN that it had received 170 reports of arson in northeast Delhi over the last two days alone. "I used to work here in the market and earned around 500 rupees ($7). That's also over now. What else can I do?" Alam asked, before saying sarcastically that these must be the "ache din," or "good days," that Modi had pledged during the 2014 election. Others living in the neighborhood said that they are fearful for their lives. Asana Begum was hiding with several other families in a nearby house as the mob tore through the area. She said that policemen eventually took them to safety, but when they returned home, nothing was left. "I am too scared to live here now. What can we rely on to live here? My daughters were to get married, we had collected all the things for them. They left nothing, we had collected the entire dowry but nothing is left," Begum said. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, a Delhi Police spokesman said that 106 people had been arrested in connection with the incidents in northeast Delhi. "The miscreants are being identified. We have the CCTV footage and strong evidence," the spokesman said. Police were patrolling northeast Delhi on Wednesday to reassure locals the situation was under control, the deputy commissioner of police for the district told CNN affiliate News 18, adding that there had been no further reports of arson. After visiting the riot-hit areas in East Delhi, India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval downplayed the violence, saying there was "no enmity" among locals and only "a few criminals" were responsible for fomenting trouble. "If Allah wills, there will be total peace here," Doval said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "'They brought batons inside the mosque': Victims recount Delhi's worst sectarian violence in decades" Leaders from around the state are mourning the death of Bill Fulginiti, the longtime executive director of the New Mexico Municipal League. Fulginiti died Wednesday afternoon surrounded by family and loved ones, Cynthia Ann Bettison, president of the Municipal League and mayor pro tem of Silver City, announced in an email. The Municipal League represents the states 106 cities, towns and villages. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called Fulginiti an advocate for people and communities across the state. Whether they knew his name or not, Bill had their back and was pushing to deliver on their needs, she said in a statement. In many ways, Bill and the Municipal League were synonymous, and he was always responsive and helpful, especially to the civic organizations he served. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller called Fulginiti a mentor and friend in the trenches of policy battles big and small. There was no better partner for us than Bill in standing up for Albuquerque, Keller added. His dedication and the impact of his 40 years of leadership is legendary, and irreplaceable. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 03:58:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ISTANBUL, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish security forces detained 10 suspected members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the People's Protection Units (YPG) for planning terror attacks in Istanbul, state-run Anadolu agency reported Wednesday. Anti-terror teams launched an operation in Istanbul after they were tipped off that two of the suspects entered Turkey illegally with terror attack plans targeting "statesmen, buildings of governor's office and police headquarters as well as locations with economic and strategic importance," Anadolu said. Other suspects were detained over charges of "aiding and abetting," it noted. Police also seized some explosive materials, weapons, and ammunition during the raid. The PKK, which has been fighting against the Turkish army for over 30 years for an autonomous region in the southeastern part of the country, is listed as a terror organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. The Turkish government has considered the YPG as the Syrian offspring of the PKK. President Donald Trump's announcement that Vice President Mike Pence has the experience to lead the administration's coronavirus response has raised questions around Pence's handling of a major health crisis when he was governor of Indiana. "Hes got a certain talent for this," Trump said at Wednesday's White House briefing as he sought to reassure the public on how the White House is dealing with the virus, which has infected at least 60 Americans so far. PHOTO: Vice President Mike Pence gives a news conference next to President Donald Trump at the White House, Feb.26, 2020. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) Others, however, have criticized Pence's response to the state's worst outbreak of HIV in its history and the nation's first HIV outbreak linked to the injection of oral painkillers while he was Indiana's governor in 2015. The crisis began when people started injecting a liquid form of a potent painkiller multiple times a day and sharing needles. While health officials advocated for a clean-needle exchange to slow the spread of infection, Pence staunchly opposed the program on grounds it could encourage or support drug abuse. "I dont believe effective anti-drug policy involves handing out drug paraphernalia," Pence said at the time. "I don't believe that effective anti-drug policy involves handing out paraphernalia to drug users by government officials." It wasn't until two months after the outbreak was detected -- and at least 75 people were confirmed HIV-positive -- that Pence declared a state of emergency. He announced he'd allow a needle exchange program for 30 days but added that if the legislature sent him a broader needle exchange program bill, he would veto it. The outbreak highlighted the weaknesses in Indiana's health infrastructure as it placed 41st nationally in America's health rankings. PHOTO: Governor Mike Pence of Indiana holds a press conference, March 31, 2015, at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, Ind. (Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Studies in medical journals have said the epidemic could have been prevented if the state had acted faster. After conducting a 2018 Yale University study on the outbreak, researcher and associate professor, Forrest W. Crawford, said: "Our findings suggest that with earlier action the actual number of infections recorded in Scott County -- 215 -- might have been brought down to fewer than 56, if the state had acted in 2013, or to fewer than 10 infections, if they had responded to the [hepatitis C] outbreak in 2010-2011." Story continues "Instead they cut funding for the last HIV testing provider in the county," Crawford added. MORE: Coronavirus could lead to drug shortages in US Since a Planned Parenthood clinic in the Scott County -- where the outbreak originated -- had closed in 2013, free HIV testing wasn't available in the area. Pence, as a member of Congress, voted to cut Planned Parenthood funding in 2011. While there is no direct link between the closure and the outbreak, had a center provided HIV tests in Scott County, workers could have reported positive results to the state. But Dr. Jerome Adams, Pences health commissioner at the time who now serves as U.S. Surgeon General, defended the governor, saying he needed certainty that he was doing the right thing. "The governor wanted to make sure if we went this route it was absolutely necessary," Dr. Adams said at the time. "I believe he was praying on it up until the final decision." MORE: Possible 1st case of coronavirus 'community spread' on US soil Critics, however, say that Pence's track record does not qualify him to lead a national health crisis. PHOTO: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi talks during her weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 27, 2020, in Washington. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday morning on Capitol Hill that she spoke with the vice president and expressed her concerns of him holding the position. "While I look forward to working with him," she said, "while he was governor of Indiana, slashing the public health budget and having some clinics, especially a Planned Parenthood close, which was the only place in that Scott County where you could get tested for HIV and AIDS. There was an outbreak. Again, he will have his side of the story." "This is about resources. It's also personnel. It's also about respect for science and evidence-based decision making," she added. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., took to Twitter Wednesday evening, calling Trump's plan to have Pence lead the response "disgusting," adding that Pence "wanted to 'pray away' HIV epidemic." Trump's plan for the coronavirus so far: -Cut winter heating assistance for the poor -Have VP Pence, who wanted to "pray away" HIV epidemic, oversee the response -Let ex-pharma lobbyist Alex Azar refuse to guarantee affordable vaccines to all Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/98HVjUVY8C Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 27, 2020 Leana Wen, the past head of Planned Parenthood, also tweeted Wednesday: "As Governor of Indiana, an HIV/AIDS epidemic flourished until he allowed public health -- not ideology -- to direct policy & response." A different researcher on the 2018 Yale University study said in a tweet that Pence's slow response "fueled an HIV outbreak in his state." Noting that Pence is not a doctor or scientist, Trump "made the choice of putting someone absolutely not up to the task to this crucial position. It endangers us all. This isn't a Republican or Democratic issue," Greg Gonsalves tweeted. It's not the only public health issue on which Pence is facing criticism. As late as 2000, Pence also downplayed the risk of smoking, as evident by an op-ed, unearthed by Vox, on his congressional website: "Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesnt kill." PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks at the beginning of a news conference with members of the coronavirus task force, including Vice President Mike Pence in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Feb. 26, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) At Wednesday's briefing, Trump emphasized that Pence would not be a coronavirus "czar" as "he is a part of the administration," but he is expected to be the face of the response. While some have speculated that the move to appoint Pence is a blow to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Azar called the move "genius" in a hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday. As he testified at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing Thursday, Azar was asked by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., if the coronavirus task force will follow the advice of medical experts, citing what he called Pence's "slow walk" in responding to the 2015 HIV outbreak in his state. "As you know, one of the largest outbreaks of another virus, HIV, occurred in Indiana. It was the result of critical testing sites and clinics being closed due to cuts to state funding. When it was determined that the cases were spiking due to needle sharing, then Governor Pence failed to heed the advice of medical experts. He really did slow walk the needed public health response," Panetta said. "Can you assure us, Mr. Secretary, that HHS will follow the advice of leading medical experts and not delay implementation?" "I always follow the advice of my career officials in these matters," Azar replied. "I trust them completely." ABC News' Stephanie Ebbs contributed to this report. As he leads coronavirus response, Pence criticized for handling of HIV outbreak while Indiana's governor originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-26 23:04:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A performance is held at the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar to celebrate the New Year in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Dec. 31, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) According to poll results released by Gallup and Pew Research Center, about 42 percent of Americans say they are very concerned about race relations, and 75 percent of Muslims in the U.S. believe there is serious discrimination against them, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of religion, according to a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wednesday. Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press conference when responding to a question on the words of Sam Brownback, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, slandering China's measures regarding Muslims. Certain people in the United States have repeatedly made wanton accusations and rumors, attempting to undermine China's ethnic harmony and interfere in China's internal affairs under the pretext of religious freedom, Zhao said. "We firmly oppose that." "The Chinese government protects its citizens' freedom of religious belief and people of all ethnic groups in China enjoy full freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law," Zhao said. Currently there are about 24,400 mosques in Xinjiang, or one for every 530 Muslims, Zhao said. "The number of mosques in the United States is less than one-tenth of that in Xinjiang." According to poll results released by Gallup and Pew Research Center, about 42 percent of Americans say they are very concerned about race relations, and 75 percent of Muslims in the U.S. believe there is serious discrimination against them, Zhao said. "I advise this ambassador-at-large in charge of 'religious freedom' affairs to get more knowledge about truth and have more respect for others, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of religion," said the spokesperson. She's made a name for herself in the reality world and her career has branched off into various endeavors. And Whitney Port lent her styling expertise during a Dress for Success event in Los Angeles on Thursday morning. The 34-year-old podcaster looked impossibly chic in a monochrome number for the soiree which was hosted by Chloe Wine Collection. Bold: Whitney Port lent her styling expertise during a Dress for Success event in Los Angeles on Thursday morning Whitney showed off her toned and tanned arms in a flowy, high-neck tank top which was hemmed at her hips before dropping down to her heels in the back. She teamed her unique blouse with a pair of wide-legged, drawstring slacks in a matching cream color. The Hills: New Beginnings star added a pop of color to her color-coordinated outfit with a pair of orange satin pumps. Chic: The 34-year-old podcaster looked impossibly chic in a monochrome number for the soiree which was hosted by Chloe Wine Collection Fashionista: Whitney showed off her toned and tanned arms in a flowy, high-neck tank top which was hemmed at her hips before dropping down to her heels in the back She wore her long blonde hair parted down the middle with tendrils cascading down her back and vibrant drop earrings peering through. Whitney kept her makeup to a minimum with a dewy complexion to complement her plum shade of lipstick. The MTV star made sure to sip on a crisp white Pinot Grigio from the female-driven brand, with Chardonnay and Rose spotted in the background. She recently took to Instagram to defend her three-year-old son after fans continued to comment on Sonny's 'feminine' hair style. Cheers! The MTV star made sure to sip on a crisp white Pinot Grigio from the female-driven brand, with Chardonnay and Rose spotted in the background Sleek: The Hills: New Beginnings star added a pop of color to her color-coordinated outfit with a pair of orange satin pumps Tough: She recently took to Instagram to defend her three-year-old son after fans continued to comment on Sonny's 'feminine' hair style Sad: Port and her husband, Tim Rosenman, believe that comments regarding their son's hair, often left on Whitney's Instagram, are 'homophobic' and eventually became something Port 'needed to respond to' Port and her husband, Tim Rosenman, believe that comments regarding their son's hair, often left on Whitney's Instagram, are 'homophobic' and eventually became something Port 'needed to respond to.' 'How you dress is an expression of you and your personality and no one should tell you there is one way to do it,' she said. 'If he wants to wear a dress, he can wear a f***ing dress,' Tim said as he prompted Port from behind the camera for the six minute and 30-second video. Whitney and Tim began dating in 2012 after meeting while he was working on the show she starred on, and were married in 2015. The future of a 36m R&D campus planned for a site near Dublin Airport is uncertain after An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for the project. The board rejected an appeal by Castro Cross against the decision of Fingal County Council not to approve its plans for the demolition of existing buildings on a 1.33 hectare site at the Collinstown Cross Industrial Estate on the Swords Road and their replacement with two four-storey office blocks. The plan by Castro Cross - a company controlled by businessman Colm Menton, the founder of car hire firm Europcar is to develop two buildings covering over 15,000 square metres dedicated to R&D with space for over 290 staff. Outlining the reason for its decision to refuse planning permission, An Bord Pleanala said the project would not represent an appropriate scale of development for the permissible uses of land located within the outer public safety zone for Dublin Airport. The board said it did not believe the proposed development would be likely to comply with the recommended employee density of a maximum of 110 staff per half hectare as part of strict regulations which govern all forms of development close to airport safety zones. Office space within the airports outer public safety zone is limited to a maximum area of 1,000 square metres. Based on information provided by Castro Cross, the board said it was also concerned the access arrangements from the site to the R132 (Swords Road), which it described as a regional route of strategic importance, could pose a traffic hazard and a consequent threat to public safety. In its appeal, Castro Cross claimed R&D was permissible under the zoning of the site. The company said the R&D sector was evolving and there was a recognised demand for R&D facilities in Ireland which were broadening out from traditional lab-based research. It said the lack of fit-out details for the buildings did not mean they should be regarded as normal office blocks. Castro Cross said the proposed R&D facility was in an appropriate and accessible location which would be attractive for users. It claimed the maximum number of workstations in the building would be 366 while the maximum number of employees at any one time in the two buildings would be 293 which made it compliant with limits for the airport safety zone. The company likened its proposed R&D campus to similar facilities operated by Kerry Group in Naas. Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said she spoke with Vice President Mike Pence and voiced her concerns about his ability to lead the response to the coronavirus. Several Democrats have expressed their concerns about his qualifications for the position and the speaker added hers to the mix. 'We have always had a very candid relationship and I expressed to him a concern that I had of his being in this position,' she said at her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she spoke with Vice President Mike Pence and voiced her concerns about his ability to lead the response to the coronavirus announced he appointed Ambassador Debbie Birx to serve as the 'White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator,' she is a medical doctor who serves as U.S. Global AIDS coordinator She specifically cited his work as governor when Indiana was experienced a record-high rate of HIV infections due to sharing needles among drug addicts. She pointed out he slashed the public health budget and closed a clinic that did HIV testing at the time. 'We look forward to working together in a bipartisan and in a very candid way about our concerns about past performance or statements that were made. 'Let's put that in perspective as we move to have adequate funding, the respect for science and evidence-based decision making and, again, reimbursement for state and local government and understanding the impact this has on our communities,' she said. Pence, meanwhile, announced he appointed a global health officer the 'White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator.' Debbie Birx, who will report to Pence, is a medical doctor and HIV expert who serves as U.S. Global AIDS coordinator. She was appointed by President Barack Obama to that position and confirmed by the Senate. The appointment was announced Thursday morning after several Democrats lambasted Pence's qualifications, saying he ignored medical advice on the HIV crisis as governor and once wrote an op-ed on how 'smoking doesn't kill.' 'Mike Pence literally does not believe in science. It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response,' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Pence would be the point man in the administration on the growing crisis, reporting directly to him, and chairing a task force that included officials from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers of Disease Control. Democrats blasted President Donald Trump for putting Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the administration's response to the coronavirus, citing his lack of qualifications Bernie Sanders said Pence, as governor of Indiana, tried to 'pray away' the HIV crisis in that state Pence, who is a lawyer by trade, has no medical training, but Trump touted his experience with medical issues, specifically his handling of health crises during his tenure as governor of India. 'Look at the Indiana model, they have been very successful there,' Trump said. 'He's got a certain talent for this,' the president noted of Pence. But Democrats have pounced on Pence's past statements on health issues and his handling of those crises that Trump said qualified him for the job. Bernie Sanders, the front runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, called the administration's response to the coronavirus 'disgusting' and, as one of his reasons, cited: 'Have VP Pence, who wanted to 'pray away' HIV epidemic, oversee the response.' Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut noted that 'Mike Pence is not an upgrade.' The Democratic senator wrote on Twitter that 'putting a guy in charge of a deadly major pandemic who doesn't believe in science and thinks smoking doesn't cause cancer is...well...NOT A GREAT IDEA. Radical idea: put someone qualified in charge. Take this seriously.' And Ocasio-Cortez claimed Trump's decision to put Pence in charge 'could cost people their lives. Pence's past decisions already have.' 'As governor, Pence's science denial contributed to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in Indiana's history. He is not a medical doctor. He is not a health expert. He is not qualified nor positioned in any way to protect our public health,' she wrote on Twitter. Pence, who is deeply religious and a favorite of conservatives, has faced past criticism for his handling of the HIV crisis when he was governor of Indiana. But, at Trump's announcement of his position on Wednesday, Pence cited his experience as governor as valuable training for leading the coronavirus. 'I know full well the importance of presidential leadership, the importance of administration leadership, and the vital role of partnerships of state and local governments, and health authorities in responding to potential threats and dangerous infectious diseases,' the vice president said. In 2015, when Pence was governor, Indiana was in the mist of its worst HIV outbreak in the state's history. Pence was reluctant to authorize a needle-exchange program, citing his moral opposition on the grounds they supported drug abuse. And he reportedly told state officials he would pray on the issue before authorizing the exchange program. 'The governor wanted to make sure if we went this route it was absolutely necessary,' Dr. Jerome Adams, Pence's health commissioner at the time, told The New York Times in its reporting on the crisis. 'I believe he was praying on it up until the final decision.' Dr. Adams is now surgeon general of the United States. Health officials had traced Indiana's high HIV infection rate to drug users sharing needles and, once the exchange program was authorized, there was a notable drop in the infection rate. Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Chris Murphy also attacked Pence's qualifications to lead the coronavirus response Democrats also pointed to a op-ed Pence wrote in 2000, when he was a member of Congress, that stated 'smoking doesn't kill.' The charge is a slight exaggeration. Pence was making the argument many smokers do not die from a smoking-related illness and, in his op-ed, he did urge smokers to quit. 'Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesn't kill. In fact, 2 out of every three smokers does not die from a smoking related illness and 9 out of ten smokers do not contract lung cancer,' he wrote. Pence went on to add: 'This is not to say that smoking is good for you.... news flash: smoking is not good for you. 'If you are reading this article through the blue haze of cigarette smoke you should quit. The relevant question is, what is more harmful to the nation, second hand smoke or back handed big government disguised in do-gooder healthcare rhetoric.' The White House belatedly defended Pence's record on HIV in a carefully-phrased statement from Adams, the surgeon-general. 'Working together, we helped address the outbreak by implementing comprehensive syringe services programs (SSPs) that helped change the scope of the unprecedented crisis,' Adams said in the statement. 'As a result, our efforts became a model for how other states and localities respond to similar crises states like Kentucky, for example, went from zero to more than 70 comprehensive SSPs, to prevent future outbreaks and help people in need of care.' The coronavirus has now been detected in 47 countries with the U.S. and Germany recording their first cases with no obvious source of infection. Trump declared on Wednesday that the U.S. would spend 'whatever' it takes to beat coronavirus. The president made a rare appearance in the White House briefing room to address the growing epidemic. 'We're very, very ready for this, for anything,' he said, even if it's 'a breakout of larger proportions.' 'Every aspect of our society should be prepared. I think schools should get ready - just in case,' he added later. And he revealed one of the 15 Americans diagnosed with coronavirus in the US is 'pretty sick' and being treated in a hospital. The president boasted that he had made 'early decisions' which had kept the level of coronavirus down in the U.S. - but said that he would make sure government health workers have the resources they need. 'They can do whatever they want,' Trump said at a White House press briefing surrounded by top officials including Alex Azar, his Health and Human Services Secretary - who had denied he was being replaced by a czar just hours earlier. Briefing: Donald Trump held an unprecedented White House press conference as the threat from coronavirus escalates Speakers: Donald Trump was surrounded by (from left): Robert Redfield, director of the CDC; Alex Azar, the HHS secretary; Mike Pence, now the virus czar; Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC; and Tony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Get ready: This was the scene in Wuhan, China, where the pandemic originated, on Wednesday. 9,000 people are in critical condition in the country Spread: A suspected coronavirus patient in Daegu, South Korea, offers a suggestion of the scenes the U.S. could see 'If Congress want to give us the money, we'll take the money.' At the podium, Trump defended his administration's response to the Coronavirus thus far, including shutting out non-citizens from China, where the first outbreak was reported. 'Decisions that were ridiculed from the very beginning,' the president said. 'A lot of people thought we shouldn't have done it that early, but we did and it turned out to be a very good thing.' Asked directly about closing the borders to people from areas with worse infections he said: 'At the right time we may do that, right now it's not the right time. 'But at the right time, and we are checking people as they come through, specifically for the problem, the problem that we're dealing with. 'So we're checking a lot of people coming from South Korea, that's been hit pretty hard, Italy's been hit pretty hard. China, it's obvious what's happening in China, but again the numbers seem to be leveling off and going down in China which is very good news.' He was also asked if he was prepared to quarantine entire cities - as has happened in Italy and China already - and replied: 'We do have plans on a much larger scale, should we need that. 'We don't think we're going to need it, but you always have to be prepared.' Trump marveled at the number of people killed annually by the flu, explaining that in the U.S. it numbered between 25,000 and 69,000 a year. 'That was shocking to me,' Trump said. The president said just 15 people in the U.S. have thus far had coronavirus, with eight returning home, one in the hospital and five fully recovered. Trump also pulled out a visual, a piece of paper he said that listed the best prepared countries to deal with an epidemic, a product of research from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. 'John Hopkins, I guess, is greatly respected,' Trump said. 'We're rated No. 1 for being prepared.' Trump also noted how the U.S. brought in 40 people - American citizens - from a Japanese cruise ship where they had been diagnosed with the virus. 'We thought we had an obligation to do that,' he said. 'We found that it was an obligation that we have, we could have left them and it would have been really bad.' The White House had asked for $2.5 billion in extra funding for the Centers for Disease Control, but had come under pressure to increase that spending by both Republicans and Democrats. The press conference was an apparent attempt to claim fears over the virus, which has seen stock markets plunge and Democrats and Republicans both criticizing the official response. Four New Jersey men, who were released from prison after nearly 20 years by a federal judge last year under a bi-partisan criminal justice bill, received notice Wednesday that authorities are officially working to send them back behind bars. The Solicitor General approved the U.S. Attorneys Office of New Jerseys motion to appeal the decision to release Rodney Mack, Ronald Mack, Jesse Opher and Hassan Hawkins from prison in November 2019 under the First Step Act, a bi-partisan criminal justice bill signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2018, according to court documents. I was angry and frustrated, Kevin Ring, the president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, said when he heard about the Solicitor Generals approval. I think it is disgusting. I know (the government) is going to lose, but this process could take awhile. Now, these men have this cloud hanging over their head. The U.S. Attorneys Office declined to comment on the approval Wednesday. A section of the First Step Act gives federal judges the discretion to reduce mandatory minimum penalties for crack cocaine offenses for defendants sentenced before the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which reduced the statutory penalties for crack cocaine offenses. Thousands of people, almost exclusively black men, have received reduced sentences under the law, and most have not been opposed, Reuters reported. The appeals have been largely unsuccessful, the newspaper reported. In this case, prosecutors have routinely said the men were not eligible for a reduced sentence under the First Step Act and should not have been released. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kearney argued in November that the mens role of leading a multi-state drug trafficking organization from 1994 to 1999 based in Plainfield would still trigger a life sentence because they were also convicted of conspiring to distribute powder cocaine, the penalties for which have not changed under the First Step Act. U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden quickly dismissed that argument in November and ruled that the four men were eligible for a reduced sentence because the prosecutors original case revolved around the mandatory minimums that would come from a crack cocaine conviction. Hayden said prosecutors were asking the jury to make the findings that would, in fact, drive the sentence. The four Plainfield men were convicted on drug conspiracy charges in 2002. The Mack brothers and Opher were sentenced to life in prison, while Hawkins received 30 years. The three men serving life sentences eventually had their sentences reduced to 30 years in 2017 under a U.S. Sentencing Commission amendment But their chance of an even earlier release became possible when President Trump signed the First Step Act into law in December 2018. Hayden, who presided over the 2002 trial and originally sentenced the four men, said other federal judges nationwide have based their decisions to reduce sentences "on the performance of the defendant while in prison. Each man went before the judge in Newark federal court in November to tout their clean prison records. She released them that day. Now, their future is in limbo. The four men will continue to be free as the appeal process plays out, but have said the uncertainty hanging over their future makes it harder to re-enter an unfamiliar world. We paid our dues, Ronald Mack, who is living in North Carolina, said last month when the appeal was pending. We are being chastised. How much more time do you really want us to serve under these laws from the 1980s to prove to you that they are cruel and unusual punishment? Thats what coming from my heart. When will it stop? 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. Situation under control, says Doval after visiting violence-hit northeast Delhi. New Delhi: National security advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday visited the violence-hit areas of Northeast Delhi. This is his second visit to the riot-hit areas in less than 24 hours. The NSA also briefed Union home minister Amit Shah about the prevailing situation in North East Delhi where clashes over the contentious citizenship law have so far claimed 24 lives. Immediately after visiting US President Donald Trump embarked on his return flight, 75-year-old Doval undertook a late night tour of the riot-hit areas on Tuesday accompanied by Delhi police commissioner Amulya Patnaik, newly-appointed special commissioner S.N. Shrivastava and other senior officers. The situation is under control and people are satisfied. We have confidence in law enforcement agencies. The police is doing their job and is alert. Only some criminals were involved in this. One should try resolving issues and not increasing them. There were incidents earlier but today (Wednesday) it is calm. Locals want peace. We have full faith there will be peace, the NSA told reporters there. Mr Doval visited Maujpur, Jaffrabad and some other affected areas after holding a meeting with senior officials of the Delhi police at the office of DCP Northeast. The NSA said he was there as per the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Shah. If god wills, there will be peace and harmony here (Inshallah yahan par bilkul aman hoga), said Mr Doval. Mr Doval was greeted warmly at some places, but at a location some agitated locals complained about the violence. At Jaffrabad, a young girl walked up to him and said she does not feel safe in the area. She also blamed the police for inaction when rioters went on a rampage. To her, he said, I give you my word. Everyone is safe here. He also asked police personnel to ensure that the girl reaches home safely. People have a sense of unity among them, there is no enmity. A few criminals do things like this, people are trying to isolate them. Police is here and doing its work, he said. Later, Doval met the home minister soon after his visit to the riot-affected areas. The NSA briefed the home minister about the current law and order situation in Northeast Delhi and steps taken to bring back normalcy there, according to a senior official of the ministry. Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, director of Intelligence Bureau Arvind Kumar and Mr Patnaik attended the meeting. At least 24 people have been killed and over 200 injured in communal the violence. It's not a secret that every investor will make bad investments, from time to time. But serious investors should think long and hard about avoiding extreme losses. We wouldn't blame The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSE:TGOD) shareholders if they were still in shock after the stock dropped like a lead balloon, down 86% in just one year. A loss like this is a stark reminder that portfolio diversification is important. We wouldn't rush to judgement on Green Organic Dutchman Holdings because we don't have a long term history to look at. There was little comfort for shareholders in the last week as the price declined a further 5.3%. We really feel for shareholders in this scenario. It's a good reminder of the importance of diversification, and it's worth keeping in mind there's more to life than money, anyway. See our latest analysis for Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Green Organic Dutchman Holdings wasn't profitable in the last twelve months, it is unlikely we'll see a strong correlation between its share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Arguably revenue is our next best option. Shareholders of unprofitable companies usually expect strong revenue growth. That's because fast revenue growth can be easily extrapolated to forecast profits, often of considerable size. The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). TSX:TGOD Income Statement, February 27th 2020 We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts A Different Perspective Given that the market gained 3.3% in the last year, Green Organic Dutchman Holdings shareholders might be miffed that they lost 86%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. The share price decline has continued throughout the most recent three months, down 27%, suggesting an absence of enthusiasm from investors. Basically, most investors should be wary of buying into a poor-performing stock, unless the business itself has clearly improved. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Green Organic Dutchman Holdings (at least 1 which is potentially serious) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Story continues Green Organic Dutchman Holdings is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on CA exchanges. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday demanded that violence in Delhi must be discussed in Parliament as to how and why it happened despite a strong government at the Centre. "Riots took place in the capital for three days and could not be controlled despite the fact that there is a strong govt at the Centre. It should be discussed in the next session of Parliament as to how and why it occurred," Raut told ANI. Shiv Sena had parted ways with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- which is in power at the Centre- to form government in Maharashtra with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), last year. At least 38 people, including a police Head Constable and IB officer, have died while around 200 people sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for three days in the North-East Delhi. Two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) have been constituted under the Crime Branch, Delhi Police to investigate the violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:05:16|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Zhengyong, former Party chief of northwest China's Shaanxi Province and a former senior national legislator, has been prosecuted on the charge of taking bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Thursday. Zhao was charged with abusing his various former positions to seek profits for others and accepting vast sums of money and gifts in return. Zhao's case was transferred to the procuratorate of northern China's Tianjin Municipality for review and prosecution upon the designation of the SPP after the National Supervisory Commission concluded the investigation, according to the SPP statement. Zhao will stand trial in the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin Municipality, it added. The SPP said the prosecutors had informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him and listened to the defense counsel's opinions. The 3rd Morocco-Pacific Island States Forum is currently held in the Southern Moroccan city of Laayoune to strengthen win-win economic cooperation ties between the North African Kingdom and its partners in the pacific islands. The theme of the three-day event, which started Feb.26, revolves around strengthening ties, delivering on commitments, and unifying voices for shared prosperity between Morocco and the Pacific Island States. The Forum is discussing ways of unifying voices for shared prosperity and looking into partnership projects in various sectors to foster south-south cooperation. The agenda also features debates on regional challenges, including climate change, the promotion of renewable energies and the achievement of development goals. The first Morocco-Pacific Island States Forum was held in 2012, while the second was convened in 2015. The Moroccan Saharan cities of Dakhla and Laayoune have become regional hubs for landmark international events and were chosen by several African countries as a venue for their general consulates, confirming their strong support to Moroccos territorial integrity and recognizing the Moroccanness of the Sahara. The African countries which set up lately a diplomatic mission in Laayoune are Cote dIvoire, the Union of the Comoros, Gabon, Sao Tome & Principe and Central Africa Republic, while Gambia and Guinea-Conakry have chosen the city of Dakhla to install their diplomatic representations. Other countries are expected to follow suit. The NSW Speaker is considering whether Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Helen Dalton should be referred to the powerful ethics committee over allegations a policy she has been pushing could generate a $1 million windfall for her family. Speaker Jonathon O'Dea told Parliament on Thursday he would make a ruling by the end of next week after a Nationals MP raised concerns that Ms Dalton may have breached Parliament's code of conduct. Ms Dalton, who owns $17 million of water entitlements in the Murray-Darling basin, has been pushing for increased water allocations for irrigators in her electorate. Murray MP Helen Dalton could be referred to the NSW Parliament's ethics committee over her push for increased water entitlements. Credit:Jacinta Dickins In a public interest debate on water infrastructure in Parliament on October 15, the Murray MP said farmers' should have their allocations increased from zero to 40 per cent. An unnamed corporal in the Nigerian Army, serving in Borno State, on Wednesday opened fire on four of his colleagues, killing them in the process. He then shot himself dead, the spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Sagir Musa, said. Mr Musa, a colonel, said the soldier, who also injured two other soldiers, was serving at the theatre command Operation Lafiya Dole, camp 15, located at Malam Fatori, a border community. Mr Musa, who disclosed this in a statement shared to the press, said the soldier went berserk in early hours of 26 February 2020. He said the soldier opened fire killing four of his colleagues before shooting himself. Two of his colleagues were also injured during the incident and are currently in stable condition in our hospital in Maiduguri. Efforts are ongoing to contact the families of our gallant colleagues who paid the supreme price in the line of duty. May their gentle souls rest in peace. Meanwhile, the investigation into the case has since been instituted to determine the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident. PREMIUM TIMES in 2018 reported how a Nigerian soldier committed suicide in Borno State after killing a colleague. Also in 2018, PREMIUM TIMES received report of yet another soldier who opened fire at a military facility in Abuja, killing one colleague and injuring another before fatally ripping apart his own mouth with the rifle. In November 2017, a soldier on deployment in Nigerias restive North-east opened fire on a captain, killing him before turning the gun on himself. In June, same year, an army captain on active deployment in Boko Haram war committed suicide as he underwent a psychiatric evaluation in Borno State. The recurring nature of such incidences has raised concerns about whether soldiers fighting Book Haram are receiving adequate mental and psychological treatment. Some of the soldiers have in the past complained about poor welfare and treatment by the military hierarchy. The army spokesperson in his statement did not comment on the kind of psychosocial treatment soldiers receive. Coastal cuisine franchise Surf Taco is opening a spot in Wall. A Surf Taco spokesman told NJ Advance Media the new location is opening in March at 1818 Route 35, although an official opening date has not yet been announced. The space was formerly occupied by the Muscle Maker Grill, according to a report by 94.3 The Point. Surf Taco says coastal cuisine refers to food inspiration taken from California, Baja Mexico, Brazil, Hawaii and Costa Rica. Tacos, burritos, wraps, salads and smoothies dominate the menu. Desserts include chocolate tacos and Caribbean bananas, which are bananas fried in a sweet tempura batter and covered with caramel. There are currently 13 Surf Taco restaurants in New Jersey, with several along the Jersey Shore. The 13 locations are Belmar, Hoboken, Jackson, Lacey, Long Branch, Manasquan, New Brunswick, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Red Bank, Seaside Park, Silverton and Shipbottom. There is also a Surf Taco in Jupiter, Florida. The franchise was founded in 2001. 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: Bed Bath & Beyond to sell its flower and gifts business Hobbymasters in Red Bank closing after 45 years in business Macys to close 125 stores over the next 3 years JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The South African unit of cigarette maker Philip Morris International Inc welcomed the government's decision to introduce a lower excise tax on heated tobacco products than on regular cigarettes. In his annual budget speech on Wednesday, Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni said, in line with Department of Health policy, his government will start taxing heated tobacco products such as hookah or "hubbly bubbly". But he said the rate will be set at 75 per cent that of the tax on cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes, or so-called vapes, will only be taxed from 2021, Mboweni said. Philip Morris' South Africa Managing Director, Marcelo Nico said on Thursday there was a growing body of evidence that regulating less harmful tobacco products differently to cigarettes can reduce smoking rates to the overall benefit of public health. "By creating this differentiation, Minister Mboweni and his team recognize the role that taxation can play in encouraging adult smokers to switch to less harmful tobacco products," he said in an emailed statement. In July, Philip Morris opened its first flagship store in Johannesburg in an attempt to boost demand for its "reduced risk" heated-tobacco device IQOS. Rival British American tobacco , which is also striving for a bigger chunk of the global market for smoking alternatives as demand for traditional cigarettes continues to slide, recently acquired South African vapor maker Twisp. Vapour Products Association of South Africa (VPASA) has raised concerns about the excise for electronic vapor products, saying it will considerably increase the retail price of these electronic products, while at the same time hurting small to medium business owners. On Wednesday, the association, which represents manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers of vapor products in South Africa, called for a moratorium period of three years to allow the electronic cigarettes industry to grow. Story continues On Thursday, the association's chief executive Asanda Gcoyi said she was still concerned that the proposed legislation of tobacco and EVP will present a hindrance to the growth and opportunities the EVP industry is able to contribute to South Africa's economy. Health concerns about vaping have grown despite evidence showing e-cigarettes help smokers to quit, and have led to bans in some countries including India and Brazil. (Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) Blood flows differently through the hearts of men and women, according to new research. Scans have identified dramatic variations in its movement through the left ventricle - the organ's main pumping chamber. Men's hearts have to work harder and exert more energy there in order to move blood through the organ, whereas women's blood swirled more violently and the ventricle's wall showed more signs of strain - patterns scientist think are linked. The finding could shed light on gender inequalities in cardiovascular disease care that are costing lives, the University of Wisconsin, Madison authors believe. Advance '4D' MRI scans show how blood moves through the left (red) and right (yellow) ventricles of the heart. Differences the University of Wisconsin team found between men and women may explain why heart disease affects the sexes differently Heart disease is the leading of death for American men and women alike, but the exact types of cardiac conditions affect each group differently. And from their observations, doctors believe these differences are explicable not just by the differences in the size and shape of male and female human hearts, but in their structural mechanics, and how blood moves through them. Kinetic energy, for instance, the force spent during contraction and filling of the muscle, was significantly higher in the left ventricles of men. Vorticity, on the other hand, a measure of regions of rotating flow that form during different points of the cardiac cycle, was greater in women. There was also more strain - an indicator of left ventricular function, reports Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging. The study used a sophisticated technique called 4D flow MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). It offered striking visuals of blood flow in the heart and vessels of 20 men and 19 women. When these were compared with cardiac function there were significant differences between the sexes. The results could be used to help create quantitative standards that adjust for gender to provide improved assessment of heart performance. Differences in the hearts of men and women have long been known. Women's are smaller in size and beat faster than men's, on average. But much less is known about the way that blood flows through the hearts of men and women - and how that relates to cardiac health. Lead author Dr David Rutkowski, of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, said: 'Using the MRI data, we found differences in how the heart contracts in men and women. 'There was greater strain in the left ventricle wall of women and a higher vorticity in the blood volume. We hypothesize these two things are related.' The study and the methods it employed have a number of potential applications,he said. These include improved understanding of why the hearts of men and women respond differently to physiological stresses and disease. The results also add information that might one day improve clinical assessment of the heart. Dr Rutkowski said: 'These blood flow metrics would be useful as reference standards because they are derived from healthy people, so we could use these to compare with someone who is unhealthy.' The ability of 4D flow MRI to provide numbers for various blood flow parameters is especially important. He said: 'There's been a push in the last couple of decades to make MRI more quantitative. 'So instead of looking at something and saying it looks normal or different, we can get a number to go with that visual information.' The researchers are currently using 4D flow MRI to look at patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) - an irregular heartbeat that can lead to serious complications. It is the most common heart rhythm disturbance, affecting around 1 million people in the UK. Mainly diagnosed in older people, it blights the lives of seven percent of over 65s, causing them to get out of breath performing the lightest of tasks. Men are more prone than women. The hope is MRI will help detect patterns and relationships in the atria, the upper chambers of the heart, similar to those found in the ventricles. Dr Rutkowski added: 'The goal of our work in general is to move from qualitative MRI to more quantitative MRI. 'Getting blood flow and velocity information is just one more metric that is being developed to make MRI more quantitative.' In September a British Heart Foundation report found more than 8,000 women in England and Wales died unnecessarily after a heart attack during the last decade. Experts say there are inequalities in diagnosis, treatment and aftercare. Some commonly held myths - such as heart disease and heart attacks only affecting men - meant women were unaware of their risk, and slow to seek medical help. There is also a misperception that men and women experience completely different heart attack symptoms. But studies suggest that although symptoms can vary from person to person, chest pain is the most common symptom in both men and women. Cardiovascular disease is the UK's number one killer, claiming 170,000 lives a year. It affects around seven million Britons, and is responsible for one in four premature deaths. (CNN) -- World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the rest of the world not China is now "our greatest concern" when it comes to coronavirus. For the second day in a row, the number of new coronavirus cases reported outside of China today was larger than those reported inside China. Tedros said China had reported 48,630 cases with 2,747 deaths. Outside China, there are 3,474 cases in 44 countries with 54 deaths. Its whats happening in the rest of the world thats now our greatest concern," Tedros said. In the last 24 hours, seven new countries have reported cases for the first time, Tedros said. This is now the time for each country to act to contain this virus. If you act now, you can prevent this virus, you can prevent people from getting sick, you can save lives, he said. Kristofor Lawson has been quietly building a podcast empire. Back in 2017, Lawson was working at the ABC; but it was digital on-demand media that was drawing his attention. I was looking at the way that I was engaging with media content the way our younger audiences were engaging with media content. In terms of my consumption, I was listening to podcasts on the way to and from work. I was listening to podcasts in the car all the time. All my other consumption was either YouTube or Netflix, says Lawson. I realised I need to be making content that works with the way our on-demand society works now, rather than creating content for platforms where there weren't as many younger audiences engaging with content. And so I realised I needed to make a podcast. Podcast producer Kristofor Lawson Credit:Amy Morgan Lawson became preoccupied with the fast pace of technological changes, and realised there was a gap in the market for long-form, narrative podcasts tackling tech. He enlisted a former colleague, Andrew Moon, and the podcast Moonshot was born. I've always been fascinated by technology, we thought a show needed to exist in that particular space and in the Australian market we were seeing a lot of tech reporters were leaving their jobs and going into PR and leaving the industry, because tech seems to be one of the areas that gets caught whenever there's funding cuts. And so you end up with this very small selection of reporters covering probably the most important industry around right now. We thought that that needs to be covered. And that's how Moonshot came to be. Moonshot is now in its third year, and Lawson continues to host and produce the show. The success of the podcast convinced Lawson to start a business focusing on narrative audio storytelling, creating his own editorial works, as well as branded content. He has since released a short series on electric vehicles, Supercharged. As Lawson explains: Supercharged was initially intended to be an episode for Moonshot on electric vehicles. But the more we started diving into it, it kept expanding and growing. And then suddenly it was like a six-month project that turned into its own six-part series. Following the technology slant, Building a Unicorn focuses on what it takes to go from creating something for the local market, and growing that to be a global brand. I'm inspired by people that want to do crazy ambitious things, says Lawson. Starting a business is hard enough, but then tackling these crazy out-there problems that you think are completely impossible. I mean, how can you not be inspired by the stuff these people are working on?" As coronavirus fears spread through the Bay Area and beyond, Californians have myriad questions about the outbreak. While health officials said the risk to Bay Area residents remains low, recent news may have some residents asking questions. We've contacted experts on a variety of topics: What is coronavirus? The viral respiratory illness that originated in China is a new kind of coronavirus that scientists have never observed in humans before. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which cause the common cold. Others have evolved into more severe illnesses, such as SARS and MERS. How many people are impacted? The number of confirmed cases worldwide has risen to close to 80,000, with the majority of those cases in China, according to the World Health Organization. More than 2,500 people have died. The World Health Organization has declared novel coronavirus a global health emergency, and the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services has declared a public health emergency in the United States. But the center of the outbreak is in Wuhan, a port city of 11 million in the Hubei province of China. The Chinese government has quarantined the city, and restricted travel to and from several other cities, including the capital, Beijing. About 2,000 cases have been confirmed across about 50 countries outside China, including Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sweden, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is updating this list daily. There are 60 cases in the United States. For comparison, between November 2002 and July 2003, the outbreak of SARS in southern China infected 8,098 people, resulting in 774 deaths reported in 17 countries. The majority of cases were in in mainland China and Hong Kong. What's the mortality rate? "Theres a lot we dont know about coronavirus, and one is the case fatality rate what percentage of patients will die of the illness," said Dr. Charles Chiu of UCSF. "It does appear based on the data available so far that this appears to be less deadly than SARS at 2 to 3 percent, and for SARS, it was about 10 percent. This is still a more severe disease than the flu. It has a mortality rate of .o1 percent." Researchers around the world are analyzing the data on cases as cases spread and it has been difficult to pin down the mortality rate. It does, however, seem as though elderly patients have an increased risk of dying of the virus and children are at a lower risk for complications and death. What's the deal with the "unknown origin" patient in Solano County? On Feb. 26, the CDC announced the first patient, a resident of Solano County, with an infection of unknown origin had been identified. "At this time, the patients exposure is unknown,'' the CDC said in a statement. "Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. Its also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected.'' Up until this case, the patient count in the United States has included only people who traveled back from outbreak areas in China, or their spouses. However, Travis Air Force Base, where some coronavirus patients from the cruise ship Diamond Princess were quarantined, is located in Solano County. There are nine cases in the Bay Area. Seven of those are travel related, one is due to close household contact with a spouse who traveled to China, and the source of the most recent one has yet to be identified, according to the California Department of Public Health. Now that individuals in the Bay Area have coronavirus, am I at a higher risk? In Solano County where the first case of unknown origin was announced on Feb. 26, health officials said the risk still remains low. "Solano Public Health is working with local, state and federal partners to identify, notify and monitor individuals who may have been exposed to the virus," the county's public health department said in a statement. "While this is considered a serious public health threat, the risk to Solano County residents and the general public is low at this time." The California Department of Public Health said in a statement, "This is a serious public health concern. We are actively working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with local governments, and health care providers across the state to protect your health." What are the symptoms? The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. The incubation period is thought to be two weeks. But it's also a heavy flu season, and some of the symptoms are similar. What's the origin of coronavirus? The exact origin is currently unknown, but experts believe it came from animals. "Most coronaviruses are thought to originate from bats," Chiu said. "SARS originated from bats and coronavirus about 80 percent identical to SARS. It's about 90 percent identical to a bat virus." The transmission of a disease from a bat directly to a human is very rare and Chiu said it's more likely another animal is the intermediary but researchers aren't certain which one yet. There was one paper pointing to snakes, but Chiu said the research is still fuzzy. "I think right now its up in the air," he said. "Theres likely an intermediary reservoir thats likely to be an animal, but we don't know yet." How does the virus spread? Similar to the transmission of the flu, COVID-19 spreads through droplets expelled when someone coughs or sneezes, or by direct person-to-person contacts, such as by hand and or kissing. It remains unclear how long it can survive in inanimate objects and whether it can be transmitted by touching things like handles touched by an infected person. "Currently, its unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people," according to the CDC. How can I stay safe? "There are things people can do to make themselves safer, and by far the most effective way to do this is really good hand-washing," said Dr. Susan Philip, San Francisco's deputy health officer and director of communicable disease prevention. "We dont do that as much as we should, especially when riding public transit. We dont realize how much we touch surfaces and then our faces." What's the Bay Area doing to prepare for potential local cases? San Francisco Mayor London Breed declared a "local emergency" for coronavirus, despite no confirmed cases in the city. Although a dramatic-sounding declaration, all it currently does is allow for more emergency preparedness, including freeing up funds and reassigning city staff to temporarily roles. Should I start wearing a mask to protect myself? There's currently no need for residents to wear masks when they leave their homes, according to Philip. But if a mask puts you at ease, there's likely no harm in using one. You should consider wearing a mask if you're coughing or have a fever to stop the spread of viruses. While there continues to be a low risk of coronavirus transmission, flu and cold viruses are rampant at this time of year. "Masks do have a role," Philip said. "If people are sick, we prefer they stay home. But if they do have to go out, then wearing a mask is a great idea to prevent the spread of germs to people around you." Should I start stocking up on food in case of an outbreak in the Bay Area? No. "We dont think theres any reason to stock up on food," said Philip. "We dont advise people to panic. If people are really worried, the best thing is to stay informed by checking the CDC website where you find updated information. You can also check in with your county health department." "The best thing to do is have your emergency kit," said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of S.F.'s Department of Emergency Management. "I hope everyone in the Bay Area has a kit and some reserves for any emergency such as an earthquake. But we're not suggesting people stockpile extra food. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Why San Francisco has declared a coronavirus state of emergency: Your questions answered Eerie photos show empty streets in Italy amid coronavirus fears Maps: Cases of new coronavirus multiples across the globe CDC warns men with beards amid coronavirus scare CDC reportedly took 4 days to test Solano County resident for coronavirus JetBlue waives all change, cancellation fees on new bookings due to coronavirus Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. Blagojevich has not shied from the limelight in the week since he has been released from prison. On his first full day of freedom, he spoke to reporters who gathered outside his home about redefining his legacy, thanking Trump for commuting his sentence. He later gave his first on-air interview following prison to WFLD-Ch. 32 and has done other TV interviews since. We are thrilled to provide a Teams solution that empowers customers with additional UCaaS feature sets and customized integrations that boost productivity and efficiency, all while saving money. CallTower, a global leader in delivering cloud-based enterprise-class unified communications and collaboration solutions, successfully navigated a Microsoft outage for their Teams users by utilizing an alternative phone number redirection system. CallTower is known for adding unique value to Microsoft Teams by leveraging their platform, providing complete redundancy to voice for Teams. On February 3, 2020, Microsoft acknowledged an issue with Microsoft Teams that prevented users from logging into the client from their desktop or mobile. With CallTower, Teams Direct Routing customers easily redirected calls to an alternative number and stayed connected. We are thrilled to provide a Teams solution that empowers customers with additional UCaaS feature sets and customized integrations that boost productivity and efficiency, all while saving money, said CallTowers Chief Revenue Officer, William Rubio. Customers with CallTower Direct Routing have options that Microsoft doesnt match, including the added connectivity from the phone number redirect option. Our goal is to provide the latest features to keep customers operational with 100% uptime. CallTower has been a Microsoft Partner for over 12-years and as a voice solutions provider, CallTower handles Direct Routing using a service-provider level platform with flexibility and reliability. If Microsoft Teams users need numbers redirected quickly, CallTower has the functionality to perform swiftly. CallTower maintains control of the phone numbers and builds routing to easily keep communications up and running, even in the event of a Microsoft cloud outage. About CallTower CallTower exists to enable people to easily connect to transact business communications. Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has become a leading provider of cloud-based, enterprise-class Unified Communications solutions for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading, cloud-based, Unified Communications and Collaboration solutions, including Cisco UC, Microsoft Teams Direct Routing, Native Skype for Business, CT Cloud, CT Cloud Boost, Office 365 and CT Cloud Meeting, powered by Zoom Video Communications for business customers. CallTower enhances our clients strategic and operational capabilities by integrating VoIP service, mobile applications, email hosting, unified messaging, instant messaging, audio, web and video conferencing, collaboration tools, contact center, cloud services and global network solutions into one reliable platform. Crystal Senter Brown has been in love with words since she was a youngster in Morristown, Tennessee, soaking up tales sewn together by C. S. Lewis in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Words have taken her on quite the journey. Shes authored seven books, one of which was turned into the feature film, The Rhythm in Blue, and shes graced the theater stage in productions such as The Vagina Monologues and The Wiz. Born to musician and Baptist preacher Joseph Senter and Janice Treece-Senter, a painter who works with mixed media, acrylic and charcoal, Brown first discovered poetry at the age of 6. In the home, there was scripture and books about art history and she spent a lot of time at the Morristown-Hamblen Public Library reading books and acting the stories out with puppets, a memory that came full circle last year when she returned to the library to share her books with a room full of youth from the local chapter of Girls Inc. Her mother, Janice, has worked as an illustrator on several of Browns projects. It wasnt just the inspiration from all those stories long ago that compelled Brown to write, but the lack of what was present in them. Storytelling, to me, means making sure that people see themselves in different stories. Growing up I didnt see a lot of books with children who looked like me in it. I want to make sure our stories are being told along with everyone elses, Brown says. The beloved characters in her books Gabby Saturday and AJ and the Magic Kite have entertained Western Massachusetts children for years. In addition to their messages of learning, service and diversity, theyve also accompanied her into classrooms to promote literacy and philanthropy through endeavors like her annual back-to-school backpack/school supplies drive. I feel most alive with children. I love connecting with kids and showing them characters that are kind and that they can look up to. Its especially important now because of social media and a lot of things (children see). I want to always have a hand in them seeing the good that we do, Brown says. Yet, shes found success beyond her childrens books. In 2017, her novel, The Rhythm in Blue was turned into a feature film by 15L Productions and catapulted Brown to screenwriter. Directed and produced by Toni Parker, the story follows INSERT, a groom-to-be who loses his fiance in the midst of running to his hometown to escape the pressures of his upcoming nuptials. The film explores his guilt and path to forgiveness and happiness. The film was shown at more than seven film festivals and was the winner of 13 film festival prizes, including the World Cinema Cinematography Award at the Amsterdam Film Festival and Best Feature Film at the Ocktober Film Festival. I got an email from the films producer. I didnt even think it was real. She came and met me at Maxs Tavern within three months, we were casting in New York and filming in three months, Brown says. Im a creative writer and not into technical writing. A screenplay is different than writing a novel. Brown says she had a steep learning curve and initially got so caught up in the technical aspects of screenplay writing, that she lost the heart of what made the story so great. She was thankful Parker didnt pull any punches. She called me and said, one of the things I loved about the book was the dialogue. My first draft was from memory and not looking at my book. I had to go back and rewrite after that. Between juggling rewrites, auditions and working at Bay Path University, she and her husband, Corey, who often doubles as her sounding board and first draft editor, managed to make it to the last week of shooting on location in South Carolina. And, he isnt her only cheerleader. Her son Adonte is often seen at her events and has continued on her familys love of the arts. A music producer known by the name Eskay, he produces for some of the worlds biggest hip hop acts such as Little Yachty, Soulja Boy and Chief Keef. Brown relocated to Western Massachusetts in 1994 when he was a baby because she wanted more opportunity than what existed in her hometown at the time. She says the idea of having to move to Los Angeles or New York City to have a fulfilling career is misguided. I think (Western Massachusetts) is a great place to live and the opportunity to grow is everywhere. You have to bloom where you are. You cant wait to be in the perfect situation. There are people in L.A. who are not making it, who are sleeping on couches and eating ramen. The longtime resident of Chicopee credits local support for her success. Brown worked at the American Cancer Society in Holyoke for 15 years before becoming an adjunct professor at Bay Path University where today she works as director of employer relations. My lifes mission is to build wealth for myself and my family but to also empower other women to do the same, Brown says as a first-generation college student. Teaching at Bay Path allows me to have a part in educating women of all ages whether they are right out of high school or starting their third act after retirement. CAIRO In a move described by lawyers and free speech advocates as a "charade," the Egyptian parliament has removed media platforms from the governments definition of terrorist parties. In a U-turn, parliament this month decided to exclude language it had just weeks ago written into a proposed amendment to the controversial 2015 anti-terrorism law. The language initially expanded the definition of terrorism acts to include satellite TV channels, radio stations and social media accounts, which raised concerns about it being another means of suppressing the constitutional rights of Egyptian citizens. It also raised concerns that the language might further darken Egypt's already-dreary human rights reputation. So lawmakers, led by parliament Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal and Human Rights Committee chairman Alaa Abed, agreed to discard those entities from the amendments. Bahaa Eddin Abu Shoka, head of parliaments Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee, also approved the removal. State-owned daily newspaper Al-Ahram cited Abu Shoka as telling his fellow parliament members Feb. 12, As the inclusion of such media outlets could stir up a lot of problems for Egypt in the international media and human rights circles, I approve that these be removed from the new amendments to the law. Lawyer Gamal Eid, executive director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, accused parliament of tampering with legislations. The fact that the lawmakers removed that article is nothing but a mere charade. If the authorities decide to deem a journalist a terrorist, they can still do so under that infamous [anti-terrorism] law, claiming that the company [she or he] works for has carried out terrorist activities or incited the viewers to undertake them, Eid told Al-Monitor. In fact, the final text of the amendment states that associations, organizations, groups and institutions can be designated as terrorist as long as they are involved in any way in harming citizens, spreading terrorism and endangering their lives, freedoms, rights and security. It can be applied to these entities whether they are operating in Egypt or abroad. During the parliament discussions, Abdel-Aal and Abed further said that inclusion of the word companies in the new version indicated that this could also entail media outlets inciting violence and promoting terrorism. The law entails loopholes that could still be used to incriminate journalists and other media professionals, Eid argued. Human rights lawyer Mohsen el-Bahnasy shares Eids concerns. It's kind of an underhanded tactic. Putting in those articles [about media platforms] and then removing them afterward is a kind of legal fiction. The legislators tackled them differently as being affiliated to companies, Bahnasy argued. Meanwhile, the majority of parliament members, known for being loyal to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, eventually approved the final form of the amendment Feb. 10, referring it to the State Council for revision. When the anti-terrorism law was first enacted in 2015, the journalists union and several local and international human rights organizations voiced concerns about a possible crackdown on the media in Egypt in the name of counterterrorism. Egyptian media outlets have been facing difficult challenges over the past five years, mostly being unable to explicitly criticize the government or the regime. Whether there is a law or not, journalists are targeted all the time, despite the fact that the [Egyptian] Constitution includes articles that guarantee the freedom of media and speech that are never applied, Khaled el-Balshy, former head of the Freedoms Committee of the Egyptian Journalists Union, told Al-Monitor. The media in Egypt has deteriorated in the face of these restrictions. "What we have now is nothing but public relations, said the outspoken journalist, adding that he is currently jobless due to the lack of press freedom in the country. About 20 journalists are behind bars in Egypt. According to the World Press Freedom Index of 2019, released by Reporters Without Borders, Egypt ranked No. 163 out of 180 countries in press freedom, down two spots from 2018. Apart from the anti-terror law, Egypt has taken other measures against what are perceived as acts of terrorism. In October, parliament formed a new Counterterrorism Committee tasked with revising laws, giving concerned authorities more power to fight terror and speeding up the trials of terrorism suspects. In recent years, the state has adopted a legal framework hindering media freedom in the country. About 500 news portals and websites of local and international organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders, were blocked in Egypt ahead of the 2018 presidential elections. Egypt had earlier tightened control on broadcasts and foreign channels known for criticizing the government and the regime after the military coup that overthrew late Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in 2013 following mass protests critical of his regime. On February 27 JSC "Latvijas Gaze" organized its Investor Conference Online Webinar. During the webinar the Vice-Chairman of Management Board Sebastian Groeblinghoff analyzed "Latvijas Gaze" Group's unaudited financial results of 12 months 2019 and informed about other key initiatives of the Group. The recorded webinar is available online: https://bit.ly/3a52rcU , and the presentation, demonstrated during the webinar, is available in the attachment. Additional information: Madara Ventere Head of Finance and accounting division Phone: + (371) 67 369 281 E-mail: investor.relations@lg.lv www.lg.lv Attachment AUSTIN, Texas Bernie Sanders packed a rodeo arena in Dallas. Mike Bloomberg has spent more than $13.5 million on television ads around Houston alone. And neither Joe Biden nor Elizabeth Warren can afford big losses. For a change, Texas matters in picking a presidential nominee. As more than a dozen states go to the polls next week, Texas is looming as both a major prize and a daunting proposition for many of the Democrats vying to take on President Donald Trump. The red state with the growing blue streak is too big to ignore, especially for a party that sees it as a future game-changer in presidential and congressional politics. But its also too big to win without a serious investment of time and cash. Thats left the candidates with the biggest bank accounts with a clear advantage and many others struggling to find ways to make a dent. Its not a matter of will. Its a matter of having the means, said Matt Angle, a longtime Democratic strategist in Texas. Texas is a very, very expensive state to compete in. To be sure, California remains the largest haul of the Super Tuesday states, awarding 416 pledged delegates to Texas 228. Taken together, the two states will award more delegates than the rest of the Super Tuesday states combined giving them unusual influence over the partys choice. Like their Californian counterparts, Texas Democrats have long grumbled that their presidential candidates show up only to raise money. Texans add to that complaint that the partys top candidates rarely bother to hunt for votes in such a deep-red state. Their party hasnt won a statewide office since 1994, the nations longest political losing streak, despite dominating the largest cities since first flipping Dallas in 2006. By 2018, though, Democrats swept every top office on the ballot in Harris County, home to Houston and more people than the states of Iowa and New Hampshire which led off the presidential primary combined. The party now has a chance to take control of the Texas House in November and is vying to pick up the four congressional seats being vacated by retiring Republicans. Some Democrats believe the states 38 electoral votes and a new path to the White House arent too far out of reach. The state party has tried to build on its momentum by commanding more attention from the 2020 field. But efforts to organize a forum of presidential candidates fizzled because it was difficult to get those running to commit while their attention was on Iowa and New Hampshire, said Gilberto Hinojosa, chairman of the Texas Democratic Party. He said the episode renewed his belief that the Democratic National Committee should change the order of the early primaries. The candidates are coming now with little time to spare. Sanders barnstormed across the state last weekend, drawing thousands to a rally in liberal Austin. Bloomberg is returning to Houston on Thursday, Pete Buttigieg, ex-mayor of South Bend, Indiana, will be in Dallas and Warren, a Massachusetts senator, is hitting San Antonio with its former mayor, Julian Castro, hoping the former presidential rival can give her flagging campaign a boost in his hometown. Other than fundraisers and a September debate in Houston, Biden, the former vice president whose fundraising has been hurt by his poor showing in early states, has campaigned little in the state. The same goes for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, though she announced Monday that at least some of a new $4.2 million TV ad buy will be spent in Texas. Its just a new phenomena for Texas, Hinojosa said. I see a Bernie campaign ad every day. And I never watch TV. During his last run for president, in 2016, Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, was trounced here, losing 3 to 1 to Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary. But suddenly Sanders, who has shot to the front of the pack, sees Texas as winnable. The Brooklyn-born Vermonter channeled his inner cowboy at a rally in Dallas on Sunday, confessing hed never been to a rodeo in his life but saying hed shoveled plenty of cow droppings in Washington as a senator. While visiting San Antonio, he spoke at a dance hall featuring a mechanical bull and was introduced by the band Pinata Protest, which modified the lyrics of the 1990s hit Hey Baby, Que Paso? known as the citys unofficial national anthem to Hey Bernie, Que Paso? Texas is home to 5.6 million Hispanics eligible to vote in the 2020 election, according to the Pew Research Center, second in the nation behind only Californias 7.9 million. But both states are about equal in having Hispanics make up roughly 30% of their eligible voters. After struggling to win over minority voters in 2016, Sanders has made a deliberate push to appeal to Hispanics this cycle. The effort appeared to pay off in Nevada, which he won handily. Warren, who has prided herself on building a national organization faster than any other presidential candidate, opened her first Texas field office last winter and now has four, featuring 60-plus staffers. Shes spending nearly $400,000 in television ads that have aired in six TV markets statewide. Thats nothing compared to Bloomberg, who has spent more than $100 million on the airwaves combined in Texas and California. His operation in Texas is a juggernaut that has zeroed in on big cities, including Houston, where the billionaire has focused on outreach to black voters and again apologized this month for the controversial stop-and-frisk police strategy he embraced as New York mayor. I think that there are people who could be Trump-Bernie voters, potentially, from one cycle to the next, said Heather Kennedy, 32, who lives outside Austin and is backing Warren. I dont know. Its just too hard for me to see into the future what Texans are going to do. Were so independent-minded that you never know. ___ Follow Paul J. Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pauljweber ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow recently shared a stressful selfie wearing an N95 mask on a plane on her way to Paris to caution her fans to protect themselves from coronavirus. Paltrow also used the reference of Contagion, the 2011 film she was a part of where she gets contaminated with a deadly virus, very similar in nature to the present one, and dies. The actress also advised her fans to not shake hands and wash them thoroughly. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, "En route to Paris. Paranoid? Prudent? Panicked? Placid? Pandemic? Propaganda? Paltrows just going to go ahead and sleep with this thing on the plane. Ive already been in this movie. Stay safe. Dont shake hands. Wash hands frequently." Check it out below: While her fans and friends commented on her picture to stay safe, actress Kate Hudson commented, "At least you have the right mask!!!" This was in reference to when Kate wore a regular surgical mask during her travels. Her fans went to say that the surgical mask will not help her and she should wear an N95 instead. Check it out: The 2011 movie contagion starring Paltrow, Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cottilard, Jude Law and Lawrence Fishburn recently came into news as it seemed to "predict" the spread of the deadly coronavirus. In the film too, Paltrow's character Beth Emhoff gets in contact with a deadly virus from her trip to China, which leads to her and her son's death. This then leads to a worldwide panic. The film was directed by Steven Soderbergh. Follow @News18Movies for more STEPANAKERT. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Republic President Bako Sahakyan today convened a working consultation to discuss activities aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus in the republic. Heads of healthcare sphere and other appropriate fields participating at the consultation delivered corresponding reports touching upon the activities being carried out and planned to be implemented to prevent the spread of the virus in the republic, Central Information Department of the Office of the Republic of Artsakh President informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. President Sahakyan noted the importance of making all the necessary arrangements and gave corresponding assignments to responsible officials of the concerned bodies. The Head of the State also touched upon the launch of the election campaign of the Artsakh Republic President and National Assembly. The President underlined that those elections were of vital national importance and just like all the previous elections, should be democratic, open and transparent, consistent with the letter and spirit of the law, held in an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance. All government bodies, within their power, must ensure the proper conduct of the elections. [The stream is slated to start at 2:00 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] U.S. State Department officials and a top U.S. health official are set to testify before Congress on Thursday to update the public on the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected more than 82,500 and killed at least 2,810 overseas so far. The U.S. House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation will host the hearing. Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is due to testify as is Ian Brownlee, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Bureau of Consular Affairs in the State Department. Other State Department officials, including Jonathan Fritz, deputy assistant secretary of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Dr. William Walters, executive director of the Bureau of Medical Services, will speak about the international response to the outbreak. The virus, named COVID-19, has shuttered commerce across much of China and is hitting company earnings, global stock markets and manufacturing across the world. The Trump administration last month declared the virus a public health emergency in the United States. The declaration came with travel restrictions and mandatory federal quarantine orders for Americans returning from the epicenter of the outbreak in China. The CDC confirmed late Wednesday the first possible community transmission one in which the infected person has no travel history or contacts that would put them at risk in the U.S., a troubling sign that the virus could be spreading undetected. That case brings the total number of cases in the U.S. to 60, most of which are people who were evacuated from Wuhan, China, or the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined in Japan. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday evening that Vice President Mike Pence will now lead the U.S. response to the outbreak. The announcement came after the CDC stepped up its call Tuesday for the public to start preparing for a possible pandemic outbreak in the U.S. "We are asking the American public to work with us to prepare for the expectation that this could be bad," a top CDC official told reporters in a conference call outlining what schools and businesses will likely need to do if the COVID-19 virus starts to spread throughout the U.S. Read CNBC's live updates to see the latest news on the COVID-19 outbreak. Korea should do more to protect travelers abroad Fears of the new coronavirus are regrettably spreading "Korea phobia" around the world. It is somewhat understandable for one country after another to restrict the entry of travelers from South Korea or place them under quarantine. But excessive and unilateral measures against those travelers are showing signs of turning into diplomatic disputes and deepening unnecessary fears about Koreans abroad. More and more Koreans have been denied entry into other countries since South Korea raised its health alert to the highest level of "red" Sunday after the number of confirmed patients continued to surge in Daegu and Cheongdo in North Gyeongsang Province. The authorities here must be held accountable for their failure to contain COVID-19 in its initial stages. Yet it is undesirable for many countries to overreact to the situation in Korea. Forty-three countries are reportedly enforcing an entry ban or restrictions on travelers arriving from Korea. Those countries have apparently adopted such steps to protect their nationals from the virus. However, the problem is that many of them have enforced the measures unilaterally without any prior notice or consultation with Seoul. For example, Israel sent 170 Koreans back home, denying them entry into the country Saturday, without notifying Seoul of such a ban in advance. On Sunday, Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, blocked the entry of 17 Korean newlywed couples and placed them in quarantine. Vietnam slapped an entry ban on Koreans, Tuesday, a day after 18 Koreans from Daegu were blocked from entering the country at Da Nang. Japan has also imposed a ban on travelers from Daegu or Cheongdo. Also worrisome is forcible quarantine measures China's five provinces Shandong, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang and Fujian are imposing on Korean travelers. Municipal authorities in Weihai, Shandong Province, placed 163 passengers, including 19 Koreans, arriving from South Korea, under quarantine for 14 days. The Chinese steps have triggered a backlash not only from Koreans but also the government here. Seoul has yet to impose a total entry ban on travelers from all of China. Instead, it has implemented a partial ban on people coming from Hubei Province, whose capital Wuhan is the epicenter of the novel coronavirus. The Moon Jae-in administration imposed the partial ban after considering Korea's ties with China. If it continues to strictly quarantine Korean travelers, China cannot avoid criticism for ignoring Seoul's efforts not to place an across-the-board ban on Chinese travelers. On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha expressed concerns to her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over China's "excessive" controls on Korean travelers. During their phone conversation, Kang asked Wang to ensure that Beijing would refrain from placing undue restrictions on visiting Koreans. However, it is disappointing to see some Chinese media dismissing Kang's concerns, saying that disinfection is more important than diplomacy. In many respects, the Moon Jae-in administration has revealed its inability to check the spread of the virus. It has also shown its diplomatic incompetence in protecting the rights and safety of Korean travelers abroad. It should humbly accept criticism that Seoul is too submissive to Beijing. TVS Motor Company on Thursday said it has strengthened its operations in Central America by forming a partnership with Motomundo SA, one of the largest business groups in Honduras. As a part of this collaboration, Motomundo SA will facilitate the sales and service of TVS products across all Motomundo stores in the country in a phase-wise manner. Motomundo SA stores will start with an exclusive outlet for TVS Motor Company and within a year, it will expand it to 3 stores in Honduras. TVS Motor Company will be present in 40 Motomundo outlets with over 25 dealers across the country. It will also operate 25 service outlets to ensure complete service and spare support. The range of two-wheeler offerings will be supplemented with attractive retail finance schemes. Speaking on the deal, R Dilip, the Executive Vice President - International Business of TVS Motor Company, has said that, "We are delighted to partner with Motomundo SA, to expand our presence in Honduras. Motomundo SA shares our values of maintaining high quality of service and transparency across operations. At TVS Motor Company, we place supreme importance on making products which boast of superior quality and cutting-edge technology. The unique network of distribution that Motomundo SA has developed makes them the best strategic ally for TVS Motor Company. With this partnership, we will be able to offer customised products with complete service and spare parts for our customers and consolidate our presence in the region." TVS Motors on 24 February 2020 disclosed that its direct dependency on China for the import of automobile components has been limited. China is a key part of the global automobile supply chain. Some Tier II suppliers have been impacted adversely which would lead to an estimated 10% drop in the planned production for the month of February 2020. The company is trying to normalise the issue as soon as possible, it said. TVS Motor Company's consolidated net profit rose 0.6% to Rs 205.13 crore on a 7% decline in net sales to Rs 4,765.99 crore in Q3 December 2019 over Q3 December 2018. Shares of two-wheeler maker were down 1.78% to Rs 428.40. The stock hit a high of Rs 434 and a low of Rs 423.20 so far. TVS Motor Company is engaged in the manufacturing of motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, three wheelers, parts and accessories. The firm's motorcycles include Apache Series RTR, Phoenix 125, Victor, StaR City+, Sport and Max4R. Its scooters include Jupiter, Wego, Scooty Zest 110, Scooty Streak and Scooty Pep +. Its mopeds include XL 100, XL Super and XL Super Heavy Duty. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There's little chance that students will catch the novel coronavirus infection in schools, and they should return to classes, experts say. "Between letting students stay home and go to schools, I personally think that it'd be safer for them at schools," Phan Trong Lan, head of Vietnams leading epidemiology Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute, said at a meeting to discuss the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 outbreak. Authorities in several major localities had extended the Lunar New Year break for students as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes the Covid-19 disease. At first the extension was for a week starting February 3, when classes were set to resume after a fortnight-long break. This was extended twice by a week each before it was decided that all students stay home until the end of this month. Lan said that across the world, the number of Covid-19 infected patients under 10 years of age and between 10 and 20 years made up just 1 percent each of the total, and there has not been a single instance of anyone getting infected in schools. So far, there have been just two students in Japan who got infected, and they did not contract the virus at school. Mask not a must Regarding concerns about insufficient number of face masks for students to wears every day at school, Lan said the World Health Organization has already advised that only those who have been sickened by the virus, are directly treating infected patients or in crowded public places need to wear face masks. There is no need for students to wear masks in their classes, he said, and the WHO's recommendation should be widely spread to put parents at ease, he said. Strict monitoring Lan, however, also added the caveat that careful evaluation of the epidemics status would continue if a decision was taken to send students back in schools. "HCMC has a very good disease surveillance system and so the detection of infections in schools will be methodical and thorough. Any students with symptoms of coughing and fever will be quarantined immediately," he said. Concurring with Lan, Truong Huu Khanh, head of the Infection Department, Internal Neurology at the Childrens Hospital No.1 in HCMC, said the ratio of 1 percent for patients under 10 was taken from 10,000 Covid-19 patients in China. "The figure is completely accurate and undisputable," he said. "If we are saying it is scary to put students back in school, then we have to ask who is the one that is getting them infected, " Khanh said. Only adults around the children can transmit the virus because none of the students have traveled to China or any other Covid-19 affected areas once the novel coronavirus broke out. Therefore, it is necessary to tighten control over adults rather than students, he said. Holiday extension safer? Khanh expressed his concern over reports several localities were planning on letting students stay at home until mid-March even as the epidemic situation in Vietnam has stayed stable for the past week. "Would it really make us feel more secure if the school break extends further?" "If we are saying that students should only return to schools in April, when it is hotter and there is scorching sunlight to limit the spread of the virus, will we also drop our quarantine protocol at airports and border gates by then, or continue to be on guard?" Compared to Vietnam, which has seen 16 Covid-19 confirmations, Singapore and Thailand have had 93 infection 40 infections as of Thursday morning. Yet they were letting their students go to schools, Khanh noted. Those who actually need to wear face masks at schools are teachers, security guards, and staff that work in the canteen because they are people that come into direct contact with many others, he continued. "What needs to be done is to make students wash their hands properly and regularly," Khanh said. Fears persist In HCMC, all schools have taken preparatory measures to have their students back. They have readied hand disinfectant and soap as guided by the Ministry of Health and some have set up body temperature scanning machines to screen those who enter and leave their premises. Huynh Thanh Phu, principal of the Nguyen Du High School in Saigons District 10, said the school has had staff clean desks, chairs, stair railings repeatedly, and the schools management board has practiced the health ministrys protocol on Covid-19 prevention many times. "We are ready for students to return. But we cannot deny that that we're also nervous and afraid." Even if one student is suspected of being infected, itd be very difficult to quarantine others because the school is always a crowded place and its hard to tell how many have contacted that one student, he said. Tran Mau Minh, former principal of Tran Van On Secondary School in District 1, said the city has never experienced such a long break in the middle of the school year. Yet, based on his own experience in facing the deadly bird flu H5N1 over 10 years ago, Minh said he agrees with the idea of allowing students to stay at home until the end of March. Back then, his school had to shut down 10 classes after some students were suspected of being infected. Every morning, the school had to check students body temperature and keep a close eye on all students and it was tiring for both students and teachers. HCMC, the biggest city in Vietnam, has nearly two million students from kindergarten to continuing education and vocational training colleges. As of now, neither the city nor other localities nationwide have taken an official decision on when to reopen schools and colleges. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said at a government meeting on February 14 that schools need to ensure they are free of any novel coronavirus infection before letting students return to class. "Safety should be guaranteed from both the 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," hed said. The last of Vietnams 16 Covid-19 patients recorded until now was discharged from hospital Wednesday morning. Over the past two weeks, no new infections have been reported in the country. Covid-19 has so far affected 50 countries and territories. Most of the more than 2,800 deaths have occurred in China, followed by Iran with 22, South Korea with 13 and Italy with 12. A teacher has been arrested by Navi Mumbai police for allegedly molesting over a dozen girl students on various occasions. Lochan Parulekar, a computer teacher, was arrested on Wednesday under IPC section 354 (molestation), said an official of Turbhe police station. As many as 14 girls had complained to the school authorities that Parulekar called them for extra classes on holidays and molested them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The British artist Linder Sterling has never been comfortable with the term punk. By the time she lacerated her way into the public consciousness with her cut-and-paste cover art for the Buzzcocks 1977 single Orgasm Addict, she tells me, I wanted out. Yet more than four decades later, the movements lo-tech and disruptive mentality flows throughout Linderism at the (decidedly unpunk) Kettles Yard house and art gallery in Cambridge, England Sterlings first major retrospective in her home country. The multisensory show opens on that printed Buzzcocks figure with its Morphy Richards iron head and smiling mouths for nipples and traces the evolution of Sterlings photomontages up to the present day, with recent works such as Superautomatisme Ballets Russes I, 2015, for which she distorted and marbleized a magazine page using enamel paint to mesmerizing effect. Sterling even subtly subverts the history of Kettles Yard itself, once home to the Tate curator and modern art collector Jim Ede, by invoking the spirit of his wife, Helen, with sound and scent installations and a line of House of Helen miscellany for sale in the gallery shop. Linderism is on view through April 26 at Kettles Yard, Castle Street, Cambridge, U.K., kettlesyard.co.uk. The teenage victim of rape went to court for retrial in El Salvador who had spent nearly three years behind bars for murder following a stillbirth. In the year 2017, a female judge who determined the teenage girl had caused an abortion sentencing to Evelyn Beatriz Hernandez to 30 years behind bars for an intentional killing. El Salvador has one of the world's toughest prohibitions on abortion. For cases of rape or incest it is even illegal and if the life of the mother is at risk, or if the fetus is corrupted. From a poor rural community, Ms Evelyn Hernandez, now 21, said she was raped and didn't even know she was pregnant until she was working in the toilet, giving birth to a fatal baby. There was also no evidence that she indeedattempted to murder her child and that she was suffering from a pregnancy-related health problem said the Citizen Group for the Decriminalisation of Abortion (CDFA). Suspected abortions and miscarriages in El Salvador, is legally considered to be a homicide since 1997, are frequent. Legal cases are strongly pursued against women who had suffered miscarriages and obstetric situations, with women who often appear in public hospitals after a miscarry accused of killing the fetus. The CDFA estimates that about more or less 20 women are sentenced in the socially conservative Catholic-majority nation to up to 40 years for abortion offences after miscarriages, death or pregnancy. Since 2014, the Group has been following 146 female prosecutions for abortion. 60 women who were imprisoned and 24 women were sentenced of aggravated murder. Some insist on errors and don't end their pregnancies deliberately. In February, the sentence of Ms. Hernandez was revoked in an appeal before the Top Court of El Salvadore-a retrial with a new judge was requested. Ms Hernandez was released from prison and given temporary freedom during the course of the trial in February this year. She spent 33 months behind bars-for those accused without any conviction over the 24-month limit of El Salvadoran law. Regardless of the fact that six other Latin American and Caribbean nations have absolute prohibitions on abortion, El Salvador has high convictions. The United Nations encouraged El Salvador to adopt a moratorium in 2017 on the application of its abortion law and also to assess all cases of abortion-related crimes in which women are imprisoned. Salvadoran law requires women who purposely end a pregnancy and healthcare providers who are assisting them to be imprisoned up to 8 years. Instead, hostile prosecutors are often charged with an additional 40-year sentence for aggravated homicide. Women found guilty of abortion in the country come mainly from poor communities and are struggling in the courts to hire an attorney. A protest outside the court in San Salvador, which called for a law change was carried out by dozens of supporters. Due to a health issue with prosecution witnesses, the Court has postponed the trial until 26 July. This is El Salvador's first retrial of an abortion case. The Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant accounts for more than 98% of the total water supply for Kuching City aiming to meet the needs of 850,000 people in Kuching, Samarahan and parts of Serian with clean water through pipes that stretches for about 2400 km. On the other hand, Bengoh Dam, with a capacity of 144.1Mm3, is located approximately 40km south of Kuching. This is the first ASIAWATER visit to Kuching, Sarawak and KWB's Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant and Bengoh Dam was picked as the industrial site visit destination. Ir. Chang Kuet Shian, Chairman of Malaysia Water Association (MWA) Sarawak Branch and also the Director of Jabatan Bekalan Air Luar Bandar Sarawak said, "We welcome ASIAWATER 2020 to Kuching with open arms and heart; I believe that through this industrial site visit we are able to raise awareness to the community and at the same time learn and share experiences that will help improve our services, promote innovation and best practices in overcoming water supply challenges. We are also honoured to have the MWA President, Datuk Ir. Abdul Kadir Bin Mohd Din, to grace this visit to our facilities." Mr. Mohamad Sabari B. Shakeran, the General Manager of Kuching Water Board further added, "Kuching Water Board strongly supports and welcomes ASIAWATER 2020 to Kuching as it shares a great platform in building awareness and educating industry professionals in maintaining and sustaining clean water supply to both urban and rural areas." Mrs. Eliane van Doorn, Regional Director Business Development - ASEAN, Informa Markets commented: "ASIAWATER has always been updating its content from year to year as the 11th edition will be seeing fresh and new content. Some of the content we will be covering this year are the Digital Transformation dialogue and the roundtable discussion amongst ASEAN region water leaders and experts." "I also want to take this opportunity to inform about the revised event dates to provide better opportunities in light of COVID-19 and the world travel disruptions: ASIAWATER 2020 has been rescheduled from March 31- April 1, 2020 to November 30 - December 2, 2020 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC)," added Mrs. Eliane van Doorn. ASIAWATER 2020 is anticipated to host more than 1200 exhibitors from 32 countries and will have 10 major international and regional pavilions including Austria, Mainland China, Bavaria, Germany, South Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and The Water Environment Federation (WEF) USA. The list of confirmed exhibiting companies includes Ebara Pumps Malaysia, Ranhill Water Divisions, George Kent Malaysia, TECHKEM Group, Endress Hauser, Molecor (SEA), Salcon Engineering, and many more. Online registration is open. Please visit www.asiawater.org to find out how to register and more. Notes to Editor About ASIAWATER Expo & Forum (www.asiawater.org) ASIAWATER Expo & Forum, the longest running and leading trade event for the water and wastewater industry, is organised by Informa Markets, a part of Informa PLC. It is held biennial in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has continued to prove to be a one-stop regional hub and recognised by the most respected industry professionals. The event offers a stream of business opportunities while at the same time developing Asia's water infrastructure. ASIAWATER 2020 in its 11th edition will take place from 30 November to 2 December 2020 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. SOURCE Asiawater Related Links http://www.asiawater.org Indiscriminate cutting of Mangrove trees due to prawn culture and fishing by a section of local communities is creating havoc in the Sundarbans the largest continuous mangrove forest in the world along the Bay of Bengal say environmentalists. For decades, the mangrove belt of Sundarbans has witnessed cutting of mangrove tress by a section of local communities in certain areas especially in the reserve forests administered by two districts - North and South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Experts say that local communities are increasingly engaging in prawn culture and fishing in these areas. Spanning more than 10,000 square kilometres, the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh and India is the biggest mangrove forest in the world and also the most critical area for Bengal tiger survival. Sprawled out across 6,017 square kilometers, the Bangladesh side of the forest covers nearly 60 percent of the total area of the Sundarbans. The rest is in India in the state of West Bengal. A recent incident has brought to light how the Mangrove trees were being cut at Basanti blocks Bharatgarh gram panchayats Anandabad area. The trees were being felled for over a week before authorities got to know of the matter. In the first week of February, police officials went for a surprise raid at the spot and saw a JCB machine cutting Mangrove trees. While most people managed to flee the spot, the JCB driver was apprehended. A few years ago, Mangrove saplings were planted by West Bengal Forest Department at Sundarbans Maheshpur and Anandabad area to maintain the ecological balance in the area. In recent times, these areas have witnessed widescape cutting of Mangrove trees. According to environmentalist Subhas Dutta, the main reason behind the cutting of Mangrove trees is that the section of local communities engaging in prawn culture and fishing. He also highlighted that the West Bengal government has completely failed to discourage these local communities. The West Bengal government has done nothing to prevent the cutting of Mangrove trees in these areas. Even the National Green Tribunal is yet to act on this problem. We are also aware that some people affiliated to the ruling party in the state are encouraging these practices, said Dutta. He further added, This problem has created havoc for the Sundarbans. The Geography of Sundarbans will soon become a history if not paid attention now. This cannot go on for years altogether. Government agencies, NGT and local leadership must all come together to protect the Mangrove forests of Sundarbans. While calls made to the state forest minister Rajib Banerjee remained unanswered, an official of the forest department said that the ministry was aware of the illegal practices that took place in the Basanti block of Sundarbans and have initiated action. This practice was going on for several years now. The state government had managed to arrest it. But, recently we are told that the cutting of Mangrove trees have begun again. We have ordered strictest action against those who violated norms and we will ensure no trees are further cut in the area, said a senior official of Forest Department who refused to be named. Recently, Indias eastern states West Bengal and Odisha, and neighbouring Bangladesh were hit by a cyclone Bulbul in 2019. While the cyclone caused loss of life and damage to property and displacing millions, the Mangroves of Sundarbans stood strong preventing far worse devastation. If we want the Mangroves to protect us from cyclones the decline in numbers because of cutting of trees might cause widescale damage in future, Dutta added. WATERTOWN, N.Y. - Areas of upstate New York braced Thursday for high winds and up to 4 feet of snow that already had closed schools and led to calls for drivers to stay off roads. Gusty winds and blowing snow reduced visibility in western and northern New York, with law enforcement fielding reports of vehicles off roads. Police and emergency officials in some areas east of Lake Ontario issued travel advisories because of snow-covered roads and blowing snow. Winds as high as 55 mph were expected in some areas. Forecasters said the Tug Hill Plateau east of Lake Ontario could see 3 to 4 feet of snow by Saturday. Dozens of school districts closed ahead of the storm as the National Weather Service issued a long list of winter storm watches and warnings. Frontier Central School Superintendent Richard Hughes had some fun with his announcement, taking to Twitter with a song telling students to grab a blanket and grab a book. Rare blizzard warnings were in effect in 11 upstate counties. The warnings were issued for northern Oneida, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, southern Erie, Wyoming, Hamilton and northern Herkimer counties. In Buffalo, crews planned to brave the elements and continue filming scenes in and around City Hall for Nightmare Alley, a Guillermo del Toro-directed movie starring Bradley Cooper. Downtown Buffalo was forecast to escape the brunt of the snow but was still contending with gusty winds. The producers are most concerned about high winds, so we are monitoring weather conditions closely and will adjust throughout the day. Public safety and safety of the crew are the biggest priorities in any decisions today, said Tim Clark, commissioner of the Buffalo Niagara Film Office. Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is facing a snap election if its squabbling political parties cannot agree on a candidate to be the next prime minister. Interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who dramatically resigned earlier this week, revealed on Thursday evening that the Malaysian Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had not been able to find any one MP who could confidently command a majority in parliament. Mahathir, a wily 94-year-old who has dominated Malaysian politics for decades, appeared to pre-empt an announcement that was expected to be made by the King on Friday. The race to become the next Malaysian prime minister is shaping up as a contest between Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim, two men who have alternated as allies and enemies for more than two decades. Credit:James Massola, AP "The Agong [King] cannot find anyone with a distinct majority. The Dewan Rakyat [parliament] will be called next month to see who will become the next Prime Minister. If the Dewan Rakyat fails to find a person with a majority, then we have to go for a snap election," Mahathir said. Worldwide statistics estimate that one in every 1000 infants is born with severe to profound hearing impairment and 6 in every 1000 are born with some degree of hearing loss. Children may also acquire hearing loss in course of their growth due to illnesses like measles and mumps. Causes of hearing loss in children that can be corrected include build up of ear wax in the ear canal, build up of fluid behind the eardrum and injury or rupture to the eardrum. Certain conditions like ototoxicity (damage to receptor cells of hearing due to drugs), infections that can damage brain after birth, problems with the development in the structure of ear and tumors can result in permanent damage to hearing. Early Intervention for Hearing Impairment Early intervention is a term used for the process of identifying conditions in children that may cause delays in development of physical skills, cognitive skills, communication, adaptive skills and social and emotional development. The main focus of early identification and early intervention for a child with hearing loss is on developing communication skills, both verbal and sign language, to the maximum possible extent. Further, if hearing impairment is associated with other disorders like mental retardation, blindness, cerebral palsy, etc., the intervention program addresses those needs also. Hearing impairment is detrimental to the normal speech and language development in such children. While speech and language are innate skills of human beings, these skills develop only by hearing, listening and incorporating the use of words, intonations, voice variations, and the patterns in which words are strung together to form expressions. Why Early Intervention? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a hearing screening to be done for every baby a few weeks after birth, and also follow-up visits up to two years of age. With modern technology of manual and automatic hearing testing routines, congenital hearing loss is being identified in children before they are 3 months of age. Identification of hearing impairment is possible by looking into the risk factors, responses of the baby to sounds around and seeking professional help when the risks and signs indicate a hearing problem. Risk Factors for Hearing Loss Some of the important risk factors associated with hearing loss can be listed and an informal screening can help in determining whether to look out for signs of hearing impairment. The risk factors include: Family history of hearing impairment Prenatal infections in the mother like rubella, herpes simplex and toxoplasmosis Abnormal development of the structures in head and neck region like cleft palate, atresia (absence of pinna), etc Premature birth Hyperbilirubinemia Medications given in neonatal period Syndrome associated with hearing loss like Waardenburg, neurofibromatosis, etc Recurrent infections in the ear, nose and throat Infections like meningitis, measles, mumps, etc Head trauma Certain symptoms may be noticed by the mother or primary caregiver of the baby that can call for a detailed hearing assessment to be done. Absence of startling response to a sudden loud noise Absence of response to familiar voices in older infants, when spoken out of the infants view If a child is not using voice or speech to ask, seek attention or call out Assessment Techniques for Hearing Loss Hearing tests for infants are carried out objectively. Auditory Brain Stem response test uses electrodes placed on the infants head with a sound-generator inserted into the external ear, to record the responses of the auditory nerve to a sound. Otoacoustic emissions test records the echo of the sound given out via the speakers into the ear, wherein the absence of the echo confirms hearing loss. Initial Steps towards Intervention The first step towards the intervention program is to provide the suitable amplification for the child diagnosed with hearing loss using a hearing aid or cochlear implant. The goal of the intervention program should be to help the child to learn to communicate, maximize the use of residual hearing and interact with the society. Everyone in the family and immediate surroundings of the child becomes a contributor in the intervention program. The team of professionals in the intervention program includes Otolaryngologist, Audiologist, Speech and Language therapist, primary care physician and psychologist if required. They can help in deciding whether the child can be helped to develop verbal language skills, use of sign language or any other means of communication. This decision is based on the overall cognitive skills, physical ability and intelligence of the hearing impaired child. Auditory Training after Amplification Children or adults with severe or profound hearing loss may still be able to hear some low frequency sounds and this hearing ability in them is called residual hearing. It is very important to preserve and use this residual hearing in the intervention program. Amplification with hearing aid or cochlear implant will help the child hear the sounds while the Auditory training sessions will help the child differentiate, discriminate and identify the sounds he or she hears. The auditory training can be extended to speech sound discrimination and identification, ultimately helping the child to improve on verbal communication skills. Critical Period of Language Learning A child with normal hearing learns to use verbal communication and spoken language during the critical period for language development, before two years of age. During this development, almost 80 percent of first language is learnt by the child, building up the vocabulary thereafter. Studies have shown that if this period is missed for language learning, the language development may not be as natural. Early identification of hearing impairment makes it possible to use this critical period to the maximum extent. Professionals in the Intervention Program Otolaryngologist: The ENT specialist determines the requirement of cochlear implant based on the residual hearing of the child. If the child is a suitable candidate, the implant is surgically placed. Audiologist: An audiologist is typically responsible for fitting the right hearing aid, dispensing and management of a hearing aid. He or she can also advice the best use of residual hearing using this newly acquired amplification, to improve communication skills. Speech and Language Therapist: A Speech and Language therapist focuses on developing the use and control of voice, vocabulary, comprehensive skills, expressive language skills, pronunciation of words and sounds, use of language in conversation and more. Developing reading comprehension and written language is also included. A number of non-verbal means of communication like sign language, lip reading and use of appropriate gestures is also taught to the child. Teachers: The teachers at school for the hearing impaired can follow the schedule of the speech and language development program under the guidance of a speech and language therapist. This will help the child to use the skills learnt during the therapy sessions. If the child is attending a regular school, the teachers can make special arrangements to accommodate the hearing impaired child, to facilitate comprehension through lip reading and other non-verbal signs. Primary caregivers: Parents or primary caregivers are the most important people in the intervention program for a child with hearing impairment. The sessions with the therapist and audiologist need to be followed on a regular basis and incorporated into the daily routine of the child. The siblings and friends of the hearing impaired child also contribute in their own way. Integrating the hearing impaired child into the world full of sounds and verbal and written language is the ultimate goal of the intervention program. Earlier the start of the program, the better is the result. Hearing impairment is often a silent and hidden impediment. Early intervention and effective treatment can restore the childs confidence and self esteem by enhancing social, cognitive and behavioral skills. The U.S. Census Bureau still needs to recruit more than 6,000 workers to go door-to-door in the most difficult-to-count neighborhoods in the Syracuse area this year. The pay is $20 an hour. Syracuse.com pulled the Census Bureaus recruiting numbers into the map below. See how many people the federal government would like to hire in each Census tract in Onondaga County. The redder the neighborhood, the more workers needed. Click on each area to see the number of jobs still open. The Census Bureau used response rates from the 2010 Census to identify the most hard-to-count communities across the country. They have assigned the most workers to those neighborhoods. Census takers will go door-to-door to collect responses from people who did not respond online or by phone or mail. The Census Bureau wants to hire people to work in their own communities so census takers are familiar with the neighborhoods. Communities at risk of being undercounted are low-income people, minorities, undocumented immigrants, homeless people, people who dont speak English, people without an internet connection and young children. One focus in Syracuse is on college neighborhoods, where students fail to fill out the forms, then leave town before a Census worker can visit. (College students are supposed to be counted where they live on April 1.) How to apply Apply on the Census Bureaus website. To qualify, applicants must be 18 years old and have a Social Security number. Preference is given to U.S. citizens. But the Census is also hiring non-citizens who are legally able to work in the U.S., especially when they have a need for workers to speak a specific language. Applicants will have to undergo fingerprinting and a background check. The salary does not count as income for the purposes of public benefits like SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Census Bureau has started calling people who applied. Paid training happens in March and April. Most jobs start between May and early July. Read more about the 2020 Census: Should college students be counted at home or school? The U.S. Census is hiring. Heres how to apply 2020 Census: Whats the current status of the citizenship question? Syracuse thinks Census missed thousands of poor; can neighbors bring trust in 2020? Contact the author: mbreidenbach@syracuse.com | 315-470-3186. At least 79 houses, 52 shops, five godowns, four mosques, three factories and two schools were set ablaze between Monday and Wednesday morning during the riots in north-east Delhi that claimed 38 lives and left about 350 injured. A rough estimate by the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), which attended 218 calls related to arson during the riots from Monday to 8am on Thursday, suggests that more than 500 vehicles, including two-wheelers, were burnt between Monday and Thursday morning. DFS data accessed by HT shows that Tuesday was the worst day of the riots and alone witnessed 89 incidents of arson. While Wednesday saw 57 incidents of arson, 23 took place on Monday. Fourteen incidents of arson also took place between midnight and 8am on Thursday, the data shows. Most of these buildings and vehicles were burnt using petrol and kerosene by the raging groups moving around with no fixed plan, but armed with torches and petrol bombs. Officials said a majority of these buildings and vehicles had been gutted completely. Fire services chief Atul Garg said that despite the arson, only one death was reported due to fire. We had to remove a burnt body of an elderly woman from a building near Khajuri. She was trapped in her house when the rioters set it afire. She may have lost consciousness due to asphyxiation, after which her body was burnt. There was no other casualty because of fire, Garg said. The director said that from Monday till Thursday afternoon, more than 100 of their firefighters remained deployed in north-east Delhi at four fire stations in the region. The fire stations that fall in the riot-hit areas are Gokalpuri, Shastri Park, Tahirpur and Shahdara. Usually these fire stations have two fire tenders each, always ready to respond. We increased these numbers to at least six to eight fire tenders in each fire station, as the phones in our control room just did not stop ringing, said Garg, who led the fire fighters in the riot-hit areas on Tuesday. However, many residents said they received no aid from the fire fighters when their houses and shops were burnt by raging mobs. Bilkis Khatoon, who lives right behind the mosque in Ashok Nagar that was burnt, said the mob also set her house on fire. My house was completely damaged. There is nothing left. Had the firefighters reached in time, they could have saved my belongings and valuables, she said, in tears. An HT reporter who was in Gokalpuri during the riots on Tuesday said that around 11am, when a tyre and bike accessories market in Gokalpuri was burnt, a fire tender could not reach the spot because it was stopped near Gokalpuri Metro station by a violent mob, and its personnel thrashed. The fire tender was also destroyed. Director Garg said five firefighters were injured in the violence. While on our way to the spots, we had to face severe stone-pelting and vandalism. On our request, the police had given us two teams that cordoned us through the violent mob every time. We tried attending every call that we received. In most incidents of fire, the occupants of the buildings were either rescued by neighbours or they managed to escape in time, he said. Garg said five fire tenders were also damaged. While one was completely burnt, four others were vandalised and are repairable, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a Democratic presidential primary debate at the Gaillard Center, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Charleston, S.C., co-hosted by CBS News and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) Associated Press With Sen. Bernie Sanders gainining momentum in the race to win the Democratic nomination for president, some Democrats fear his unprecedented candidacy could end up hurting House Democrats. As they see it, an avowed Democratic socialist like Sanders and his promise of a political revolution including sweeping policy proposals is completely divisive and unpalatable to scores of voters. But the evidence is more complicated. In all, Republicans don't have a great shot at winning back the House majority this year mainly because of their massive fundraising disadvantage. Sanders and down-ballot Democrats are also set to benefit from the ongoing trends of negative polarization and asymetric polarization in American elections, and it's not clear that he would be a weak nominee. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Democrats pulled off a huge upset in the House in the 2018 midterm elections, flipping 40 previously GOP-held House seats and allowing Democrats to both pursue important legislative initiatives and impeach Trump. But as Sen. Bernie Sanders gains momentum in the race to win the Democratic nomination for president, some Democrats fear his unprecedented candidacy could end up hurting Senate, House, and state legislative candidates all the way down the ballot. The New York Times reported on Thursday that since Sanders' blowout Nevada caucus win has caused an all-out crisis among the Democratic establishment. According to the Times, who interviewed 93 of the senior Democrats and DNC members who serve as "superdelegates," these insiders are "not just worried about Sanders's candidacy, but are also willing to risk intraparty damage to stop his nomination at the national convention if they get the chance." As they see it, an avowed Democratic socialist like Sanders and his promise of a political revolution including sweeping policy proposals like single-payer health insurance is divisive and unpalatable to scores of voters who have unfavorable views of Democratic socialism, with Democratic House and Senate leaders hearing "constant warnings from allies about congressional losses in November," The Times said. Story continues At the February 25 Democratic debate in South Carolina, Sanders' opponent former Mayor Pete Buttigieg went as far as to charge, without evidence, that Sanders at the top of the ticket would result in Democrats losing their control of the House majority altogether. And this week, Sanders' controversial comments praising some elements of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro's regime set off particular fury from many moderate House Democrats in Florida, a crucial swing state with a large population of Cuban refugees who fled Castro's Cuba and their descendants. The concerns of some vulnerable House Democrats aren't unfounded. In 2018, after all, voters strongly expressed their dislike of the incumbent president Trump by voting out their Republican representatives in favor of Democrats. And no vulnerable House Democrats have endorsed Sanders those that have endorsed are backing more moderate candidates including former VP Joe Biden and former Mayors Mike Bloomberg and Buttigieg. "South Carolinians don't want socialism," Rep. Joe Cunningham, a Democrat who flipped a Republican seat in South Carolina, recently told the Post & Courier ahead of the state's Saturday primary. "Bernie's proposals to raise taxes on almost everyone is not something the Lowcountry wants and not something I'd ever support." To put it simply, it's far too early to decisively declare whether or not a Sanders candidacy would be a killer for down-ballot Democrats and cost them control of entire legislative chambers. While Sanders seems in the strongest position at the moment, only three states accounting for about 3% of delegates have voted in the Democratic nomination process so far, meaning his nomination isn't close to being guarateed yet. Even assuming Sanders is the nominee, there simply isn't enough evidence yet to determine the exact down-ballot impacts of his nomination. But we do have evidence about broad trends in American elections today that give us an idea of how it could play out. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich. Associated Press How the race for control of the House currently looks Before delving into the specifics of how a Sanders nomination would affect down-ballot races, here's how the House currently stands. All in all, Republicans are highly unlikely to take back control of the House in 2020, but there are definitely lots of highly competitive battleground seats located in red or swing states that they could have a good shot of flipping back with presidential-year turnout. Out of the 40 congressional districts Democrats flipped in 2018, 21 were won by Trump in 2016, while 19 were carried by Hillary Clinton. Additionally, ten House Democratic incumbents won re-election in 2018 representing seats Trump carried. There are currently 233 Democrats, 197 Republicans, and five vacant seats in the House of Representatives. Three of the vacancies are from Republican-held districts that are likely to remain in GOP hands after special elections, and two are from Democratic seats that are also likely to remain Democratic. Assuming that all five vacancies are filled by November and stay within the same party, Republicans would need to win back 19 seats in order to flip the House completely and get to a 218 seat majority. While there are plenty of nuances, exceptions, and caveats to these categories, the seats Democrats flipped in 2018 largely fall into two main buckets: Suburban districts, many located in blue or purple states with wealthier, college-educated residents, that were trending towards Democrats for several cycles and probably won't return to Republican control anytime soon. New Jersey's eleventh district in the New York suburbs, Virginia's 10th district outside of DC, the 26th and 27th districts in South Florida, Minnesota's second and third districts in the Minneapolis suburbs, Colorado's 6th district in the Denver suburbs, Illinois' 6th district in the Chicago suburbs, California's 49th district and several others in Orange County, and Arizona's 2nd district all fall into this category. More rural or ex-urban congressional seats, many located in red or purple states, that voted for Trump in 2016 in some cases by large margins and aren't trending Democratic at the same rate, if it all. Here are just some of the most vulnerable freshman House Democrats, all of whom represent seats that largely fall into the second category that Trump won by margins of five percentage points or more in 2016, according to an analysis in The Hill: Rep. Anthony Brindisi of New York's 22nd district, which Trump won by 15.5 percentage points in 2016 Rep. Kendra Horn of Oklahoma's fifth district, which Trump won by 13.4 percentage points Rep. Joe Cunningham of South Carolina's first district, which Trump won by 13 percentage points Rep. Jared Golden of Maine's second district, which Trump carried by 10 percentage points Rep. Xochitl Torres-Small of New Mexico's second district, which Trump won by 10 percentage points Rep Max Rose of New York's 11th district, which Trump won by 10 percentage points Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan's eighth district, which Trump won by seven percentage points Rep. Antonio Delgado of New York's 19th district, which Trump won by seven percentage points Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah's fourth district, which Trump won by nearly seven percentage points Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia's seventh district, which Trump won by six percentage points Rep. Andy Kim of New Jersey's third district, which Trump won by six percentage points This means that in order to flip the House, Republicans would need to win back not only the six Democratic-held districts that Trump won by double-digit margins, but also several districts he won by smaller margins that are slipping out of Republican hands due to broader demographic realignments of suburban voters moving away from the GOP. Democratic congressman Antonio Delgado. Seth Wenig, File via AP Two swing districts in Michigan and New York are possible case studies Some districts, like Slotkin's, that went for both Mitt Romney in 2012 and Trump in 2016, are located in the type of suburban areas that are trending Democratic throughout the nation, and in her case, is in a battleground electoral college state. "There is that character out here where those people might be turned off by Sanders," Corwin Smidt, an associate professor of political science at Michigan State University in nearby Lansing, told Insider. Smidt said most concerns about a particular nominee spoiling down-ballot races are "generally overrated," but certain pockets of affluent, college-educated white voters in suburban Michigan could tip the scales in a district like Slotkin's. Over the midterms in 2018, Smidt pointed to the poor performance in these precincts by Sanders-backed gubernatorial challenger Abdul El-Sayed, who lost to the eventual governor, Gretchen Whitmer, by 22 percentage points in the Democratic primary. In Delgado's district in upstate New York, a much more rural area which voted for Barack Obama in 2012 and swung to Trump in 2016, local observers say Delgado is well-positioned for 2020 but Sanders could pose problems in other similar districts. Former GOP congressman John Faso, who lost to Delgado in 2018, told Insider: "I haven't fully assessed [Bernie's candidacy] but I do think that his views are so extreme and out of the mainstream...that his candidacy is gonna be a real drag on Democrats in swing areas across the state." Brindisi, who represents an upstate New York seat in the Syracuse area that Trump won by over 15 points, told Syracuse.com he does not support Warren or Sanders and thinks it would be "exceedingly difficult" for either to win in his district, citing their plans to ban most private health insurance as a particularly serious liability. Professor Gerald Benjamin, the director of the Benjamin Center for Public Policy Initiatives at SUNY New Paltz, told Insider he thinks Delgado at least is "a very strong candidate and I think that he's going to win on the merit of his own performance," but that Sanders could pose a bigger problem for representatives in other places. But aside from the long-term demographic and partisan realignments affecting both parties, Republicans would have a lot of catching up in the money race to do to try to win back the chamber in this particular cycle. As Politico recently reported, House Democrats and the DCCC currently have a huge fundraising advantage over their Republican counterparts, with the approximately 60 most vulnerable House Democrats raising "a collective $28.5 million in the last three months of 2019, a staggering total that is nearly twice the sum of all of their Republican challengers combined." In one-closed door meeting in late January, House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy reportedly described the Democrats as "kicking our ass" when it comes to fundraising, with NRCC Chair Rep. Tom Emmer warning that "the campaigns that need to get better with their individual fundraising" are "crushing us." Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Bernie Sanders Rally Hollis Johnson/Insider The cases for and against Sanders tanking Democrats' control of the House There are two main theories as to how a Sanders candidacy could hurt Democrats down the ballot. While both certainly have merit and could end up coming to fruition in November, the actual evidence is more complicated. The first theory, advanced by people including the leaders of centrist Democratic group Third Way, rests on the assumption that Sanders would be a weak candidate against Trump, and because of the rise in negative polarization and the decline in ticket-splitting at the federal level, Sanders would lose the presidency and bring several House and Senate seats down with him. In a recent piece for The Atlantic, conservative staff writer David Frum wrote that "upmarket districts voted to reprimand the president's language and behavior. A Sanders nomination invites those districts to vote in 2020 to raise their taxes and replace their health insurance. That may be a tougher sell." Frum's equivalency between a Trump and Sanders presidency, however, is somewhat of a misleading one. While Trump has complete control over his own "language and behavior," Sanders cannot unilaterally raise taxes or abolish private healthcare with the stroke of a pen. Indeed, as Sanders' own surrogates have acknowledged, the vast majority of Sanders' most sweeping and ambitious policy proposals have essentially a 0% chance of passing through a Republican-controlled or even a Democratic-controlled Senate, which requires a 66-seat, filibuster-proof supermajority to pass any programs with appropriations, or government spending. As Vox's Matthew Yglesias recently argued, "On the vast majority of issues, a Sanders administration would deliver pretty much the same policy outcomes as any other Democrat. The two biggest exceptions to this, foreign policy and monetary policy, happen to be where Sanders takes issue with an entrenched conventional wisdom." Just as all House Democratic candidates were closely linked to Pelosi, Republicans will be sure to tie the eventual Democratic nominee to socialism, especially in the form of Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. Some may argue that Sanders, who has proposed a moratorium of most deportations, decriminalizing illegal entry down from a misdemeanor to a civil citation, and extending Medicare for All benefits to undocumented immigrants, would be particularly vulnerable to efffective attacks on his immigration policies. Throughout the 2018 midterms cycle, the Republicans tried a similar message to defend their then-House majority. The Republicans villainized Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a coastal elite socialist, attacking Democratic candidates as Pelosi-lite versions of her, and hammered hard on immigration, stoking fears of a migrant caravan approaching the US and highlighting gruesome cases of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. In the end, House Democratic candidates didn't take the bait, and mainly focused on tying Trump to so-called kitchen table issues like healthcare, prescription drug costs, and taxes (which are also the main issues Sanders centers in his campaign message), resulting in House Republicans losing 40 seats in a blowout defeat. As many analysts including the conservative writer David French of The Dispatch have argued, there's plenty of evidence that Sanders would be a formidable general election opponent against Trump. The evidence on whether Sanders would turn out enough young voters and non-voters into his coalition to offset his expected weaknesses among older and possibly more moderate voters is somewhat mixed so far, with political scientists Jacob Kalla and David Broockman arguing that Sanders leading Trump in most preliminary head-to-head match-up polls "relies on some remarkable assumptions about youth turnout that past elections suggest are questionable." French points out that the rise of negative polarization, or the phenomena voters being driven by strong dislike of the other party instead of loyalty to a party, will advantage Sanders in a contest against Trump and the party he now controls no matter what. As Vox founder Ezra Klein explains in his recent book "Why We're Polarized," negative polarization, which empirical studies show has been on the rise over the past century in the form of lower ticket-splitting down-ballot, refers to "partisan behavior driven not by positive feelings toward the party you support but negative feelings toward the party you oppose." Klein points out that negative polarization doesn't just apply to self-described partisans but also to independents and leaners, writing that "a 2016 Pew poll found that self-described independents who tended to vote for one party or the other were driven more by negative motivations" than positive ones. After all, Sanders isn't running against a generic Republican but against Trump, a uniquely unpopular president and flawed candidate for re-election, setting Sanders up to be even more advantaged by the forces of negative polarization. As Kyle Kondik, managing editor at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics' Crystal Ball, put it in a recent op-ed for The New York Times: "Mr. Sanders being a potentially weak opponent doesn't necessarily make the president a beloved incumbent." Reports have suggested Russia was interested in providing support to the Sanders and Trump campaigns. Mike Segar, Alexander Drago/REUTERS Could a Sanders candidacy hurt down-ballot Democrats even if he wins? The other theory of how a Sanders candidacy could hurt Democrats, advanced in part by Frum, argues that even if Sanders wins the presidency, enough voters in competitive districts will anticipate a Sanders victory and strategically vote for Republican representatives as a check on his administration, costing Democrats crucial House and Senate seats. As Kondik noted, research from Columbia University elections scholar Robert Erikson shows that this type of ticket-splitting is prevalent in American presidential elections. This type of strategic voting actually relies on voters believing that Sanders will win and Kondik pointed to the recent 2016 election as an example of a polarizing and highly unpopular nominee both winning the presidential election and avoiding down-ballot bleeding. In 2016, for example, Republican leaders and elites similarly worried that Trump at the top of the ticket would result in massive backlash and losses at both the House and Senate levels. But many districts voted to re-elect their Republican representatives under the assumption that Clinton would win, ultimately resulting in a net loss of just six House seats for Republicans running on the same ticket as an incredibly unpopular nominee who underperformed most GOP House members. On the Senate side too, 2016 had the lowest levels of ticket-splitting in modern history, with the Republican candidate winning in every state with a concurrent Senate race that Trump also carried. In order for voters to strategically vote for Republicans as Erikson's research and Kondik's piece outline, they have to believe that Sanders would be favored to win in the first place, which currently isn't the case. While these figures could drastically change over the next several months, two-thirds of Americans said they predicted that Trump will be re-elected in the fall according to a recent Monmouth University poll, an effect that Kondik said is likely to be compounded if mainstream Democratic politicians further drive pessimistic media coverage about Sanders' chances against Trump and possibly driving voters to elect down-ballot Democrats. "It's far too early to say for sure, but I'm skeptical Sanders would drag down Democrats in most suburban places Democrats won in 2018," Dave Wasserman, the U.S. House races editor at the Cook Political Report, told Insider. "And the reason is voters in those districts tend to have college degrees, and cast their ballots strategically." It's undeniable that Sanders' candidacy could pose a big threat to freshman Democratic House members in red states who came into office in the 2018 blue wave but who have to run for re-election in a presidential year in red or purple-state districts likely to go for Trump again. But due in part to negative polarization, red-state Democrats like Rep. Kendra Horn in Oklahoma and Rep. Joe Cunningham in South Carolina will likely face serious threats to their re-election bids regardless of which Democrat is at the top of the ticket. And one sign of hope for those members lies in the asymmetric, or uneven, polarization between the two parties, which in practice, leads to fundamental differences in how they organize themselves and achieve their goals. As political scientists Matt Grossman and David Hopkins explain in outlining their theory of asymmetric polarization, the Democratic party operates more like a broad, multifaceted coalition of members representing different policy interests as opposed to the Republican party, which especially under Trump functions more as the "vehicle of a conservative ideological movement." Despite the rise in negative polarization and the resulting decline in ticket-splitting, this dynamic of Democrats being more focused on policy outcomes than ideology makes it much easier for Democrats to express dissent and actively distance themselves from the figurehead of their party than it is for Republicans. In 2018, as a group of moderate House Democrats including Reps. Seth Moulton, Tim Ryan, and Kathleen Rice launched an effort to block Pelosi from becoming Speaker, Pelosi implicitly gave several newly-elected vulnerable House Democrats, including Slotkin, Cunningham, and others leeway to openly criticize her and vote against her bid for Speaker. Those sorts of defections simply aren't feasible on the Republican side. As Democrats have won back the House, Wasserman noted that on the other side of the aisle, a full 47% of the Republican representatives who were in the chamber when Trump took office have either lost re-election, retired, or are retiring in 2020. Looking at the broader picture in places like Michigan and beyond, Democrats have to think about the long-term demographic and party re-alignment shifts at play over the next several cycles not to mention the upcoming redistricting after the 2020 census. As the Michigan State professor Smidt wondered of House Democrats, "Are they branding themselves for now or for the future?" Read more: Bernie Sanders' media critics and opponents are suddenly focusing their attacks on the new frontrunner Mike Bloomberg appeared to say he 'bought' 21 Democrats their seats in Congress in a cringeworthy debate gaffe Bernie Sanders just unveiled how he'll pay for his biggest plans, from Medicare for All to erasing student debt Why the South Carolina debate was a Bernie-sniping, Bloomberg-slamming fiasco, in 3 simple charts Read the original article on Business Insider IN a case of suspected witchcraft, a businessman lost his manhood after bedding a married woman in Botswana. Musafare Garutsa approached police on Saturday with the intention to lodge a report against one Chrystable Ncube she claimed was behind the disappearing of his manhood in 2011. Garutsa told H-Metro that police referred his case to a traditional court on grounds that he admitted bedding a married woman who later took his underwear after he dumped her. My manhood disappeared after I dumped a married woman Chrystabel in Botswana where I am based and running my businesses few kilometers away from Gaborone, said Garutsa. The manhood started growing big after Chrystabel threatened to fix me over dumping her and she stole my undergarments and took them to a sangoma based in Marondera where her friend named Irene lives. I could not believe it and decided to consult medical doctors who said it was cancer but the problem was not solved considering the threats I received from the married woman. My visit to police was to make it a criminal case since traditional leaders could not hear cases involving blood but police are referring me back to them. is no longer responding to my calls after she indicated to me that she is now staying with her husband in Beitbridge, said Garutsa. I want Chrystabel arrested and to disclose what she used to fix me. Sheis no longer responding to my calls after she indicated to me that she is now staying with her husband in Beitbridge, said Garutsa. Garutsa said he feels pain whenever he wants to urinate and is appealing to anyone who may have powers to heal the wound or bring back his manhood. Ndirimuno mu Harare izvezvi; ndirikugara nemwana wangu wandakatengera imba ku Hopley saka ndiri kutsvagawo vangandibatsira. Ronda ririkurwadza asi ndikafa Chrystabel achaita ngozi nekuda kwebhurukwa rangu raakaba achiriendesa kunondigadzirisa kunana sangoma. I am appealing to her husband to allow her come here and take me to Marondera to see the sangoma who fixed me before I die, said Garutsa writhing in pain. Ncube confirmed bedding Garutsa saying it was before she got married and denied using any charms against him. Garutsa owns a house in Botswana and he used to provide accommodation to Zimbabweans and I was among the people who were accommodated in 2006, said Ncube. We fell in love and this was before I got married and I left Botswana in 2010. He called me accusing me of stealing his underwear but honestly I never took his panties as alleged and I had nothing to help him in connection with the disappearing of his manhood. Irene was one of my workmates in Botswana and I do not know why he is accusing her of consulting a sangoma maybe they ended up falling in love behind my back since he was bedding several women. He might have bedded a married woman that is why his manhood disappeared saka handizvirambe kana kuzvibvuma zvekuti akashandisirwa mushonga nenyaya yepabonde. He must not continue calling me since I am married and have nothing to do with the disappearance of his manhood. Hanrahan joined Marsh in 2013, and has worked in the global aviation sector for more than 25 years. He most recently served as head of US aviation for Marsh JLT Specialty. Garrett is an outstanding expert in this field, and we look forward to welcoming him to the role, Clarke said. On behalf of the business, we thank Simon for his enormous contribution and dedication over the last 35 years, and wish him a happy and fulfilling retirement. The advent of new technologies, geopolitical concerns, the need for carbon-efficient travel, and the rising demand for greater global connectivity are just some of the major risk issues the global aviation sector now faces, Hanrahan said. By leveraging our unrivalled expertise, our clients can boost their resilience, manage these risks more effectively, and continue to thrive. I look forward to leading our talented team of aviation risk and insurance specialists. An 83-year-old Florida woman who struck and killed a 12-year-old girl with her car after failing to fully stop at a crosswalk two months ago has been issued a $169 fine but will face no criminal charges in connection to the fatal accident. Three days before Christmas, Sophia Nelson was walking home from the beach with her grandfather and pet dog, Coal, when she stopped at a crosswalk on State Road A1A in Satellite Beach and activated the flashing-yellow crosswalk lights. Sophia's father, Mark Nelson, said his daughter waited for several cars to pass, then stepped into the crosswalk during a 'long gap' before the next car. But the oncoming vehicle operated by JoAnn Stanker did not stop and struck her. Sophia Nelson, 12 (left and right with mom Jill) was struck by JoAnn Stanker, 83, at a crosswalk in Satellite Beach, Florida, three days before Christmas and later died Sophia was walking home from the beach with her family when she stopped at this crosswalk on State Road A1A and activated the flashing-yellow crosswalk lights Stanker told police she slowed down at the sight of the lights but did not stop because she did not see the sixth-grader at the crosswalk Sophia, who was a sixth-grader at Surfside Elementary School, was rushed to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, where she passed away three days later, but not before donating her organs and saving the lives of four children. Following a two-month investigation, the Satellite Police Department on Wednesday released a statement announcing that Stanker, a widowed mother-of-two and a grandmother from Cape Canaveral, won't be facing any criminal counts in connection to Sophia's death. 'No criminal charges were filed because there was no evidence whatsoever that the driver was driving in a dangerous or reckless manner,' the agency stated. The 83-year-old motorist instead was issued a citation for failure to stop at crosswalk, a moving traffic violation, which requires a mandatory court appearance on March 17 due to the crash resulting in a fatality. Sophia was an organ donor, and in her death she helped save the lives of four other children Stanker was given a $169 fine and will be required to complete a drivers license reexamination process. 'The investigation into this tragic case has concluded but we will continue to deeply mourn the loss of Sophia Nelson,' Satellite Beach Police Chief Jeff Pearson said. 'We remain committed to aggressively enforcing traffic safety laws to educate drivers and pedestrians and make our roads as safe as they can be.' According to the police, surveillance video from the scene of the crash revealed that Stanker was about 395 feet from the crosswalk stop bar when the yellow flashing warning lights were activated by Sophia. Evidence gathered by investigators showed that the driver had enough time to react, slow and stop before the crosswalk. In the video, Stanker's car purportedly can be seen breaking and slowing down almost immediately after the lights were activated, but the woman failed to stop at the crosswalk. According to police, Stanker later told officers she did not see Sophia in the crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene and agreed to a blood test, which showed that she was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Mark Nelson and wife Jill are pushing for the passage of the the Sophia Nelson Pedestrian Safety Act in Florida targeting yellow pedestrian-activated lights In the wake of Sophia's death, her parents, Mark and Jill Nelson, have lobbied state lawmakers to pass the Sophia Nelson Pedestrian Safety Act, which would require that flashing pedestrian-activated lights be switched from yellow to red, or completely removed, on roads with more than two lanes or where the speed limit is higher than 35mph, reported Florida Today. 'She put trust in that button when she pushed it. And she put trust in the yellow lights, that traffic would stop. And she put trust in that driver, that she had given the driver plenty of room to slow down and stop,' Mark Nelson testified before a Florida House committee last week. The bill named after the Nelsons' daughter cleared the committee last week and now heads to the House floor for a vote. The girl's parents say they do not believe crosswalks equipped with yellow flashing lights are safe, and they hope the law will help save other lives. Guwahati, Feb 27 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday met with trade and industry representatives, economists and policy experts as part of her Budget outreach programme and said the northeast industries should have all required facilities. During the interactive session, she said that the government is steadily moving towards a less regressive regime and to help close all disputes pertaining to taxation. She was accompanied by Finance Secretary Rajeev Kumar, DEA Secretary Atanu Chakraborty, SBI chairman Rajnish Kumar, and Revenue Secretary A.B. Pandey. Sitharaman said the local Self Help Groups will be given greater access to credit for on-lending to the needy people to start or expand their small businesses which will supplement the economy. She also said that traditional industries in the northeast should have facilities to exhibit themselves. The interactions are oriented towards various themes and provisions in Union Budget 2020-21, presented in Parliament on February 1. The minister is slated to meet with bankers also. These interactions are part of a series of meetings which held by her across the country after her Budget speech in Parliament to familiarise people with the Budget proposals. She has held similar meetings in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text GENESEE COUNTY, MI About $400 million in state funding will be spent fixing roadways in Genesee County over the next five years. Eleven percent of the states $3.5 billion bond plan to fix major roadways will fund rebuilding I-69 and I-475 in Genesee County. The plan, approved in late January, doubles the states transportation budget to $7.3 billion. Michigan will pay $1.6 billion in interest on the bond over 25 years. The state will rebuild I-69 from Fenton Road to M-54, I-475 from Thread Creek to the Flint River and I-475 from Bristol Road to Thread Creek and from the Flint River to Carpenter Road. Bonding is a long-term loan option for the state. Michigans Department of Transportation will get road funding in the short term and pay it back with interest. Related: See which roads in your area Gov. Whitmers borrowing plan will fix Paul Ajegba, MDOTs director, said bonding allows for immediate funding to fix some of the states most critical and highly traveled roadways with economic benefit. "Flint is really going to benefit from this. Were pouring $400 million into a community that we wouldnt have otherwise spent, said Ajegba. Statewide, the bonds will fund 49 projects and free up spending to advance an additional 73 projects over the next five years. Bandaging the problem Bonding allows the state to stop bandaging the roads and make fixes it couldnt otherwise afford, officials said. Quite frankly, weve been doing a lot of bandage work because we didnt have the money to fix it right," Ajegba said. "You can only bandage a problem for so long before getting to a critical point where you need to rebuild. Some of the freeways being worked on were built in the 1960s and will now be replaced. Ajegba said thats almost 30 years past the roads service life. You get a good service life out of 30 or 35 years for a freeway, Ajegba said. The bond isnt going to fix all of Genesee Countys road problems. It only covers major state roadways and doesnt support improvements to local roads, Ajegba said. Improvements to local and primary roads within Genesee will be paid through federal, state and local funding. The county will spend $14.5 million in federal aid for road work that includes bridge projects. It will also spend $8 million in county funds to fix primary roads. Roughly $5 million in county and township funding, a half-and-half share, will go towards local road projects. Fred Peivandi, the managing director for the Genesee County Road Commission, said the county could always use more money to support local roadwork. Because of a lack of adequate funding theres hardly any reconstruction road projects done at a local level, Peivandi said. A study by the County Road Association of Michigan done last year indicated that the Genesee County Road Commission needed $76.8 million per year to maintain fair or good road conditions. That is roughly double the amount we currently receive, Peivandi said. About 41 percent of Genesees two-lane primary roads are in poor condition and 59 percent are in fair or good condition, according to Peivandi. Local two-lane roads are in the same boat, with 40 percent being in poor condition and 60 percent being in fair or good condition. The countys Michigan Transportation Funds has been increasing steadily since 2017 from $22 million to $37 million now. The budget will max out in 2021 at about $39 million. The largest project on the countys 2020 program is a $13 million Dort Highway Extension from I-75 to Baldwin Road. Tremendous safety benefits In Genesee, I-475 has outlived its service life and doesnt meet new safety standards. Trevor Block is the MDOT senior transportation engineer for Lapeer, Shiawassee and Genesee counties. He said the work will rebuild the interstate that spans through the heart of downtown Flint. Before the bond, making repairs on the interstate was difficult and expensive. Its very expensive to (work) on I-475. A lot of the time we have to look at special concrete that sets up faster that also ends up with a more brittle finish," Block said. It wasnt a long-term fix. The interstate is considered a depressed freeway, built below the surface of where downtown is. Even adding pavement on top of the road provided challenges, Block said. "It becomes a compounded problem to do these fixes. You're limited to what you can do," Block said. "The pavement has taken a beating and it's beyond the point we can do effective repairs on it. Additionally, the interstate was built for a speed limit of 55 miles per hour, but that limit was raised to 70 miles per hour. Block said safety standards for a speed limit that high are much different now. That's why you feel a little bit of unease in the curves. That's because those curves should be banked a little more, Block said. Rebuilding the road and embankments will add tremendous safety benefits to the road. Map of the roadwork that will be done in Genesee County Economic benefits for Genesee The road projects in Genesee are expected to create more jobs because millions of dollars are being invested in the county, according to Ajegba. Thats a lot of jobs that will boost the local economy, Ajegba said. Those wont just be construction jobs. There will be workers frequenting local businesses. A good transportation system could attract potential businesses to establish themselves in Genesee, Block said. Right now, you go there and think, This is an area that isnt getting the attention it needs, Block said. When the projects are finished people will drive through and think the travel is really nice. It becomes more appealing to settle down in Flint. Advancing roadwork The money saved by bonding is going to move up 73 other, non-bonded transportation projects, officials said. That work will be funded with state and federal dollars. Nineteen of those transportation projects will be the replacement or removal of bridges throughout the county. The state is considering removing redundant bridges that dont carry a lot of traffic. Taking these bridges out of our system will save a lot of money, Block said. The proposed bridge removals are not yet certain and and will be discussed in their communities. Block plans on holding quarterly community meetings on the projects in the county. Were going to have such an impact on that (area) over the next five years that I really want to be constantly engaged with the community, Block said. Related: States preferred plan for I-75 in Flint area would cost $500 million-plus Gov. Whitmer unveils Plan B for roads: Shell fix them without the legislature Whitmers road financing plan doesnt fix underlying problem, critics say Gov. Whitmer hits back at those who criticized her dress at last State of the State Whitmers new road plan: Borrow $3.5B to fix them now I am not here to play games and 5 other pointed comments from Gov. Whitmers State of the State speech PARIS Carrefour said Thursday it will increase cost-savings targets and sell more non-strategic real estate over the next two years as annual profit improved, midway into a five-year restructuring program. The plan is putting the group on a profitable growth trajectory, Alexandre Bompard, chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. The executive has undertaken a sweeping overhaul of the French retailer, cutting costs, forging partnerships to beef up internet commerce services, and emphasizing organic produce. Profit for the year came to 1.31 billion euros, bouncing back into positive territory, as recurring operating income grew 7.4 percent at constant rates, to 1.97 billion euros, lifted growth from its operations in Brazil and improvement in France. Carrefour said it will sell an additional 300 million euros worth of non-strategic real estate assets by 2022, and increase its cost reduction plan to 2.8 billion euros per year, up from a previous goal of 2.6 billion euros. The group has already sold 500 million euros worth of real estate, a year ahead of its initial plans. Earlier this month, Carrefour announced it would bulk up its Brazilian operations in Rio de Janeiro and the countrys northeast region with the acquisition of 30 cash and carry stores that it will fold into its Atacadao network. Meanwhile, it has also been shedding other activities, including the bulk of its Carrefour China operations, sold last last year sold to a local operator Suning.com. In France, where the group has struggled under the weight of its sprawling big-box stores, or hypermarkets, lackluster consumption and price wars have complicated the companys restructuring efforts. The group has been reducing hypermarket space, particularly non-food areas, and said that the format performed well in a number of key markets. Bompard also flagged improved price competitiveness, and said that the group is outperforming the market in food e-commerce. Story continues More from WWD All confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Vietnam cured, anti-epidemic measures strengthened People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 16:34, February 26, 2020 HANOI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's Ministry of Health on Wednesday announced that all the 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country had been cured and discharged from hospitals. The last patient discharged from hospital on Wednesday, also the last case confirmed in the country so far, is a 50-year-old resident of the northern Vinh Phuc province, which had the biggest cluster in the country with a total of 11 cases. The case was reported on Feb. 13 after his wife and two daughters, one of whom had been to central China's Wuhan, were confirmed to be infected with the virus. Vietnam has reported no confirmed case after Feb. 13, while Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has signed a directive to strengthen measures against the COVID-19 outbreak amid new concerning developments across the world. According to the document, Vietnam will deny entry to people from or transiting through the epidemic-hit regions of South Korea. Those on official missions will have to submit the health declaration forms and be obliged to 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnamese citizens are told not to visit the epidemic-hit regions in the world except in necessary cases and when returning to Vietnam, they are subject to 14-day quarantine without exception, said the directive. Earlier the country's Transport Ministry announced that four Vietnamese flight carriers including Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific which have so far operated 14 flight routes between Vietnam and South Korea would reduce about 60 percent of flights between the two countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OTTAWATensions thawed in frigid northern British Columbia on Thursday, where Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs opposing the Coastal GasLink pipeline finally met with government emissaries after police and the company building the project agreed to some of their long-standing demands. But despite a signal from the chiefs that they need time to negotiate in an atmosphere of respect, the solidarity movement that has spiralled across the country showed little sign of abating. Kenneth Deer, secretary of the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake, told the Star that barricades on Canadian Pacific tracks in the community south of Montreal wont come down until the Wetsuweten chiefs have a settlement they can live with. Even so, the fact that ministers from the federal and B.C. governments met with the hereditary chiefs Thursday was remarkable. Just hours earlier, the prospects of direct dialogue dimmed after the chiefs refused a request to call for calm from solidarity demonstrators across the country. One Wetsuweten wing chief, Dinize Ste ohn tsiy, told the Star the request was seen as a deal-breaker. By Thursday morning, the apparent impasse had softened. Coastal GasLink stated it would halt construction in the area at the heart of the dispute to facilitate the talks. The RCMP, which arrested 28 people blocking construction access along a remote logging road through land claimed as Wetsuweten traditional territory, also announced it would pull back. With Wetsuweten chiefs committing that the area will remain open, the police force said it would suspend patrols along the logging road during the talks with government representatives, after previously shuttering a satellite detachment in the area. The deals appeared to be direct responses to the two key demands from the Wetsuweten, who had refused for days to meet with government ministers until they were satisfied with how RCMP officers and Coastal GasLink had withdrawn from their territory. The Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs confirmed Thursday that they would meet with federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and her B.C. counterpart Scott Fraser for two days of talks. The chiefs described the meeting as a first step, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier John Horgan declined their invitation to come to the discussion themselves. The chiefs credited the agreements with the RCMP and Coastal GasLink for demonstrating good faith to create breathing room for the talks with the government. The chiefs also seemed to signal the need for calm across the country, but stopped short of calling for an end to blockades and protests in other regions of Canada. The Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs thank our supporters for their tireless dedication and now the chiefs need time to have discussions with B.C. and Canada in an atmosphere of wiggus (respect), the statement said. In an interview by phone from Kahnawake, where Mohawk activists have blocked a CP rail line for almost three weeks, Deer told the Star that he views the statement as an olive branch to encourage the government to negotiate in good faith. But he didnt read the Wetsuweten statement as a call for the Mohawks to stand down. Our intent from the beginning was to support them, so were going to maintain our position until they get a settlement that they can live with. It helps put the pressure on the government to make sure that there are good-faith negotiations, said Deer. Wetsuweten solidarity demonstrations have roiled Canada for the past three weeks, with blockades popping up on rail lines and rallies clogging the streets in major cities with calls for action on climate change and the recognition of Indigenous rights. The federal government initially tried to stay out of the fray, but was drawn in as freight traffic ground to a halt and Trudeaus reconciliation agenda was fundamentally questioned with protest slogans like Reconciliation is Dead and Shut Down Canada. On Parliament Hill, government ministers welcomed the start of discussions they had been striving to clinch for almost two weeks. Transport Minister Marc Garneau called it an important day that could become a turning point in the crisis. But he also appealed for time, and said he hopes the fact that talks are happening will signal to Mohawk communities that have blocked rail lines that it is time to stand down. Its not going to happen necessarily overnight, but the beginning of this dialogue I think is something that is extremely important in sending a signal, Garneau said. Im hoping and Im thinking very positively. Marc Miller, the federal Indigenous services minister, told reporters outside the House of Commons that the on-again, off-again status of the meeting shows the importance of face-to-face negotiations to resolve the situation. This is a good step and if its anything, its a victory for dialogue and peaceful resolution, he said. At the heart of the dispute are claims by the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs that the 670-km Coastal GasLink pipeline cant pass through their traditional territory which the Supreme Court of Canada recognized in 1997 was never ceded or surrendered to the Crown without their permission. But the company building the $6.6-billion pipeline inked benefit-sharing agreements with 20 elected band councils along its route, including some that are part of the wider Wetsuweten nation. That has brought Canadas colonial history into sharp relief, as the elected councils were imposed on Indigenous peoples through the Indian Act of 1876 when the federal government divided nations like the Wetsuweten and forced them to live on various reserves. The Trudeau government has said its long-term goal is to support Indigenous nations as they reconstitute themselves and strike modern treaties or self-government agreements with Ottawa, outside the purview of the Indian Act. In recent days, Bennett has also acknowledged that is the ultimate aim of talks with the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs, as they work toward a more respectful and lasting nation-to-nation relationship. The government may have to apologize for the Indian Act, said John Beaucage, a former Grand Council Chief of the First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation in Ontario, when asked about long-term solutions to the Wetsuweten dispute that has spread across the country. It might be that theres the aspect of apologizing for that and trying to find some way to meld the hereditary chieftainship along with a democratic process to elect leadership that could prevent similar disputes in the future, Beaucage said. But now that direct talks with government have started, Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake said her nation is very happy and that she hopes for a positive resolution and an end to the barricades soon. This atmosphere that they require, maybe across all of Turtle Island that everybody is respectful now, she said. It sends a strong message to everybody, not just the people that are standing at the barricades in support. Read more about: Six men drove Mitsubishi Pajero and tried to break the border fence; they used foul words and threatened the border guards Open source Ukraine's State Border Guard detained a group of persons who tried to damage the fence on the border with Hungary. The incident took place on February 26, the press service says. "Yesterday, guards of the detachment of inspectors of Velyka Palad of Mukacheve border guard unit and the National Police workers detained a group of people (...) next to the border with Hungary", reads the message. The Border Guard reports that six men drove Mitsubishi Pajero and tried to break the border fence; they were drunk, used foul words and threatened the border guards. The men refused to show their IDs at the direct demand of the border guards. Then, they tried to get in the car and tried escaping. The Border Guards fired the warning shots in the air to stop them. A rapid response team of the National Police was summoned immediately. The aggressors were detained; all of them were Ukrainian citizens, local residents. They previously were identified as smugglers, as they tried to move cigarettes across the border illegally. All trespassers are brought to administrative responsibility. The case is sent to the court. ALTON The Illinois State Rifle Association and state Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Alton, will host a gun rights update at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at the Piasa Armory, 3685 E. Broadway, Alton. I hope to use this meeting to not only update residents about the new laws facing them, but to also hear their suggestions on how we can better protect their Second Amendment rights, Bristow said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:09:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China appreciates the open letter by the U.S. Jewish community that expressed its support for Chinese community in the United States and Chinese people who were affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Thursday during a press briefing. "I have also read the open letter, which is a moving reflection of the friendship of American Jewish organizations toward the Chinese American and Chinese communities," Zhao said. David Bernstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, delivered the letter signed by 87 Jewish organizations across America to the Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai on Wednesday afternoon. "This is another example of the friendship between the Chinese and American people, and between the Chinese and Jewish people. We applaud them and extend our heartfelt thanks to them," he added. Virus knows no borders. Infectious diseases are a common challenge facing the people of China, the United States and the rest of the world. Unity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon against diseases, he said. "China will continue to work with the international community to win the battle against the epidemic and jointly safeguard the health and well-being of mankind," the spokesperson said. The expiation for removing the ihram garments is slaughtering an animal and fast three days. In the Hanafi school of thought, it is obligatory to slaughter the animal within the limits of haram (jurisdiction of the Kaaba). Hyderabad: More than 120 Umrah passengers who had taken up the Ihram (the state of pilgrim sanctity) and were waiting at the Shamshabad airport for their flight to embark on the Umrah pilgrimage were forced to turn back on Thursday after Saudi Arabia cancelled the pilgrimage. These comprised pilgrims from the state and Andhra Pradesh. The pilgrims who have proclaimed the niyat (intention) are in distress as without paying the dam (expiation) they cant release themselves from ihram. The expiation for removing the ihram garments is slaughtering an animal and fast three days. In the Hanafi school of thought, it is obligatory to slaughter the animal within the limits of haram (jurisdiction of the Kaaba). Ms Sumayya, who was to travel to Saudi Arabia, said I am heartbroken and disappointed. I am waiting for revoking of the ban at the earliest so that I can fulfill my wish to see the Kaaba. Mr Syed Sajid, a teacher, said Our family planned to stay in the holy cities on Shab-e-Meraj. I appeal to our government to convince the authorities to allow the Indians to were already issued visas to visit the holy cities, Mr Mohammed Najeeb, another intending pilgrim, said We spend holidays every year in Macca and Madina paying an additional visa fee. We are about to leave this time. I have asked my friend who lives in Macca to slaughter five animals on out behalf as dam and inform me, so that we can remove our Ihram garments. In the state, about 200 travel agencies provide Umrah services. More than three lakh Muslims from Hyderabad perform the Umrah every year. Travel agents are working to find solutions for their customers after the unprecedented decision of Saudi Arabia to cancel the Umrah and visit visas, a few days before the peak pilgrimage season starts. They are urging pilgrims to be patient and not to panic. The school holidays in March, which coincides with the Shab-e-Meraj (the night when the Prophet ascended to heaven) this year, is a popular period for Muslims to go on the Umrah. Travel agencies charge `60,000 to `85,000 for air travel, accommodation, food and transport in Macca and Madina for each pilgrim. There price depends on the facilities. Managing director of Supreme Air Travel Services Mohammed Tayyab Wasif said many travel agents had already paid the 25 per cent advance towards the air ticket and booked hotels. It is very difficult to convince our customers. Our agents from Saudi Arabia who work with us have assured that the restrictions will not be in place for long, he said. Mr Habeeb Abdul Quadar of Bismillah Travels confirmed that seven pilgrims from his group returned back on Thursday due to ban on travel to Saudi. He said it is a big loss for them as they had paid visa processing fee to the Saudi Embassy, air tickets and accommodation charges. Mr Habeeb said he has written into hotels and airlines asking if his customers reservations can be put on hold without deduction. I hope they consider our situation and waive the cancellation fee, he hoped. 'Burden' review: True story of Klansman and black preacher brings new meaning to 'love your enemies' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Ku Klux Klan will forever be one of the greatest blights on the United States. The racial violence and hatred perpetrated by the white-hooded members of the notorious white supremacist group is permanently etched in the history of the nation. Still, in todays woke society, its easy to relegate the Klan to a thing of the past. But in reality, the KKK isnt exactly in the distant past. In fact, less than three decades ago, the KKK was active in a poverty-ridden town in South Carolina. This is the painful reality filmmaker Andrew Heckler brings to light in his powerful new drama Burden. Based on a true story, Burden is a deeply unnerving yet remarkably redemptive tale that asks audiences to examine their own prejudices, consider what it means to truly love your enemies (Matthew 5:44) and extend love, compassion, and forgiveness to the least deserving. Starring Forest Whitaker, Tom Wilkinson, Usher, Garrett Hedlund, Andrea Riseborough and Austin Hebert, Burden is set in the mid-90s and follows Mike Burden, a hot-headed young KKK member in Laurens, South Carolina. Through a series of flashbacks, Mikes story becomes clear: Orphaned at a young age and mired in poverty, Mike was taken in and mentored by Tom Griffin, a white supremacist who presides over frequent KKK gatherings. Griffin all-too-happily indoctrinates his young pupil with hateful and racist rhetoric. In one particularly telling scene, he gives a young Mike and other boys Bowie knives and teaches them how to shank dark meat. Barbecues and lighthearted family hangouts are rife with racist jokes and on occasion, morph into full-blown KKK rallies, complete with burning crosses and white hoods. To Mike, the Klan isnt just normal; its family. Eventually, Griffin gifts Mike his prized possession an old theater in the small downtown area of Laurens. Under Griffins guidance, Mike and his cronies transform the theater into The Redneck Shop, loudly decorated with a Confederate flag. The back half of the shop is occupied by the KKK Museum, filled with KKK paraphernalia including white-hooded Klan uniforms and photographs of lynchings. While working his part-time gig as a repo man, Mike meets and falls in love with Judy Harbeson, a down-on-her-luck lady with a young son, Franklin. But for Judy, who holds significantly more progressive views on interracial relations, Mikes affiliation with the KKK is a deal-breaker. Meanwhile, local preacher Reverend Kennedy, whose uncle was lynched by the KKK, is on a mission to close the Redneck Shop and KKK Museum through prayer and peaceful protest. In one scene, Kennedy recounts the atrocities carried out against black community members by the KKK and reminds his congregation, but in the midst of it all, Jesus Christ said, Love thy enemies. But when its time to fight, we will fight. Jesus Christ said, Rebuke evil. And the redneck shop is evil. On the day of Kennedys protest, Mike is unable to follow through on Griffin's order to attack and ends up being ostracized from his family and homeless. Ever the Good Samaritan, Reverand Kennedy offers to take them in and receives pushback from his community, wary of a former KKK member in their midst. When a reluctant hotel owner asks the pastor, Do you know who that man is? Kennedy replies, I know him as a brother in Christ. But the story doesnt end there, and Mikes path to redemption isnt easy. He struggles to rely on people he once hated for his livelihood and experiences a series of setbacks. For him, acknowledging his own wrongdoing isnt easy. At one point, Reverend Kennedy tells him, You must take responsibility for your actions. Then, you can repent and find redemption. But in the end, Mikes heart is transformed by the forgiveness, compassion, and kindness shown to him by those he once loathed. In a powerful closing scene, Kennedy baptizes Mike in the river while the community looks on. Ive done a lot of bad things in my life, things I now regret. Ive hurt a lot of people. ... I was going to kill your preacher, Mike confesses. Here I am, standing before you, a man that cant go back because I dont want to. I want you to know Im sorry and maybe you all can forgive me. I hope God can forgive me. Though a powerful story of redemption, faith, and healing, Burden is not a faith-based film nor is it easy to watch. The acts of racial violence carried out by white supremacists are heartbreaking. In one scene, men pile into a pickup truck and urinate on a black woman trying to walk home. The derogatory term n----- is also frequently thrown around by white supremacists, along with f---, s---, d---, and other crass terms. However, the film won the Sundance Film Festivals Audience Award for best U.S. dramatic film in 2018 for good reason. On the surface, Burden is a story of small-town Southern racism and the heroism of several key individuals. But in reality, its a wider story of poverty, a deeply flawed socioeconomic system, and the transformative power of the Gospel. Heckler, who spent nearly a decade researching and writing Burden, treats his characters with compassion, highlighting their humanity while refusing to let them off the hook. He challenges viewers to love their enemies while acknowledging that following Christ isnt easy, pain is real, and faith is difficult. Yet Burden highlights the biblical reality that no matter how flawed, no one is beyond redemption and the Gospel can soften even the hardest of hearts. Although difficult to watch, Burden is a timeless story of hope and reconciliation, a much-needed reminder in todays increasingly divided society. From 101 Studios, Burden is set for limited national release in Los Angeles and New York City on Feb. 28, with plans to expand screenings to other cities. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Thursday defended President Rodrigo Duterte's taunt for Filipinos to choose between becoming a colony of China or the United States, saying it was a response to critics who claim the Philippines cannot function without a defense ally. Panelo said Duterte's Wednesday remark that the Philippines should just choose to become a territory of the two superpowers was a "general" statement against critics of his decision to end the Visiting Forces Agreement with the US. "Whether China or any other country, 'yun ang ibig niyang sabihin. Parang reference niya lang 'yun [China], that was a general statement. Kumbaga kantyaw 'yun sa sarili nating bansa kung 'di natin kaya ay huwag na tayong magkaroon ng gobyerno," Panelo said in a media briefing. [Translation: Whether China or any other country, that's what he meant. China is just a reference but it was a general statement. Take it as a swipe against our own country if we can't defend ourselves, then let's just not be a government.] EXPLAINER: The Visiting Forces Agreement Duterte said the Philippines had "no business being a republic" if it cannot stand on its own feet and rely on its own military to defend itself. He then gave an option: "We can be a territory of the Americans or we can be a province of China." For the Chief Executive, the only enemies which the state must grapple with right now are communist rebels and terrorists, Panelo added. The Duterte administration has changed tack in foreign policy, with Duterte signalling a pivot to China and Russia and away from the US months after assuming the presidency in 2016. This has translated to multimillion-dollar loans and grants for big-ticket infrastructure projects, which have seen little progress since the government's "Build, Build, Build" program was unveiled nearly four years ago. READ: Panelo: Nothing wrong with using PH resources as China loan collateral The government has sent a letter of notice to Washington on February 11 to formally end the VFA, a decades-long cooperation deal between the Philippine and US. The agreement legally allows the entry of a large number of American troops, exempting them from passport and visa regulations so they can participate in joint military drills in the Philippines. Duterte moved to terminate the defense deal upon learning that the US visa of his close ally now Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa has been revoked. Malacanang later clarified that the President had multiple reasons to end the VFA, but that Dela Rosa's cancelled visa was the last straw. Advertisement The Prodigy's Keith Flint's country estate has finally sold for 1.4million ahead of the first anniversary of the star's death. Just days before Flint was found dead at his 15th century rustic estate in North End, Essex, he had put the property up for sale through Andersons estate agents, based in nearby Dunmow. The listing was taken down after he passed away in March 2019 aged 49 while his family sorted out his financial affairs. Sold: The Prodigy's Keith Flint's country estate has finally sold for 1.4million ahead of the first anniversary of the star's death It was put back on the market five months later in August for 1.5million and has now sold for a loss at 1.4million. MailOnline has contacted Andersons estate agent for comment. The six-acre estate boasts four bedrooms, four receptions rooms, a gym and several farm outbuildings. For sale: Just days before Flint was found dead at his 15th century rustic estate in North End, Essex, he had put the property (pictured) up for sale through Andersons estate agents, based in nearby Dunmow Tragic: The listing was taken down after he passed away in March 2019 aged 49 while his family sorted out his financial affairs Back on market: It was put back on the market five months later in August for 1.5million and has now sold for a loss at 1.4million Mr Flint's estate was reportedly worth 11.3 million, but he owed 7.3 million in taxes and debt. Andersons confirmed in August that the property is available online and open for viewings at the time. Photos taken over the summer show the estate appearing eerily abandoned. Animal-loving Mr Flint had eight dogs, but the line of kennels in the property's stony driveway lay empty. Impressive: The 15th century rustic estate in North End, Essex, boasts four bedrooms, four receptions rooms, a gym and several farm outbuildings Value: Mr Flint's estate was reportedly worth 11.3 million, but he owed 7.3 million in taxes and debt Home: Mr Flint was known to have embraced the country lifestyle and was spotted by villagers on a horse (pictured: The study) His PR confirmed that all his pooches have all been rehoused. An inquest revealed in May revealed that Mr Flint died from hanging and there were traces of cocaine, codeine and alcohol in his blood, but there wasnt sufficient evidence to confirm that the star intended to take his own life. Essex senior coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray recorded an open conclusion and said: We will never quite know what was going on in his mind on that date. There was an outpouring of grief with fans visiting the home and leaving dozens of cards and flowers. Confirmed: Andersons confirmed in August that the property is available online and open for viewings at the time Wow: The views from the property are spectacular with its own lake and lavish grounds But they were removed and, in their place, was placed a single flower tied to the main wooden gates. Mr Flint had made more than 1.5million in the past two years with The Prodigy releasing its seventh consecutive number one album, No Tourists, in November 2018 and starting their 2019 world tour. But the star, who battled depression, had recently split with his Japanese wife Mayumi and put the 1.5million mansion 'he loved' in Dunmow, Essex, up for sale on the eve of his death. Mr Flint had admitted he would spend his money rather than keep it for a rainy day and said in 2015: 'Im not saving for anything. Im cashing it all now. Ive always had this thing inside me that, when Im done, Ill kill myself.' Details: One of the rooms with ornate wooden cupboards and a purple carpet Bathroom: A free-standing bath in the middle of the room, with a close by cushioned seating area, and an old-style wooden toilet Essex senior coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said there was insufficient evidence to show he had committed suicide, saying: 'To record that I would have to have found that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr Flint formed the idea and took a deliberate action, knowing it would result in his death.' She also found insufficient evidence to conclude his death was the result of an accident, for example if he had been 'larking around and it all went horribly wrong'. Mrs Beasley-Murray added: 'We will never know what was going on in his mind on that date, so that's why I am going to record an open conclusion.' NORTH HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- New product development starts with great ideas and greater risks. With the launch of Ulbrich's advanced development partnership initiative we can minimize those risks through a highly experienced team of individualized experts. We assist in developing custom material solutions designed to meet your manufacturing needs and help you push the limits of innovation. Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc. is the global leader in providing highly engineered metal solutions and high-performance strip, foil, and wire products. As a capabilities driven company, we use a team of dedicated metallurgists, product managers, and product strategists to help you establish the process required to deliver materials that allow you to exceed your customers' expectations and do so with solutions that go beyond industry specifications. With over 160 alloys, our engineers can assist in identifying the proper materials needed to maximize your product's performance. Different applications have different demands, so whether its aerospace, medical, solar, automotive, electronics, industrial, or consumer goods, we can help determine what precision capabilities are right for you. A development partnership is an extension of your team. Ulbrich is here to guide you through establishing the process necessary to find the right solutions for you. Our team consists of over 20 process, product, and quality metallurgists, each with expertise and skill to find what is best suited for your unique raw material needs. Our resource of our metallurgists provides unparalleled access to the knowledge and capabilities you need to receive the best results. Furthermore, we provide local support with field representatives who act as a guidance resource in your development partnership journey. Every Ulbrich facility is quality certified. The Ulbrich Specialty Strip Mill alone holds eight certifications, including the NADCAP, ISO 9001, AS9100D, GE AS9001 and Rolls Royce certifications. Those looking for high quality, precision products would benefit greatly from Ulbrich's development partnership. Our processing uses low dew point protective atmospheres to minimize detrimental oxide formation which can otherwise lead to excessive die life and tooling changeovers. Furthermore, we can achieve increased yield from tight dimensional of mechanical property ranges and better uniformity. This is possible due to our state-of-the-art annealing furnaces and optimized rolling practices. Through this, we can offer material that has optimal formability for deep draw applications. When the perfect metal is not readily available, Ulbrich can provide a plating option or custom bi-metal to deliver what your industry demands. With application specific tolerances in mind, we leverage our market expertise to help identify the dimensional requirements critical to your product's performance. These are just some of the factors which set Ulbrich apart and result in higher quality products. The benefits of a development partnership with Ulbrich are immeasurable. Your experience with a development partnership begins with a consultation with a product specialist to discuss your project scope, including the material and application requirements. Using the specification as a guideline, we will process customized material in R+D quantities for initial evaluation, so you can make the necessary evaluations. Based on feedback of the initial trial order, our product team will work with you to confirm final specifications. A unique part number will be created, ensuring the material is processed the same way every time. Finally, Ulbrich will bring your product to market with our industry-leading commitment to quality. Start your project today by contacting a specialist via: https://www.ulbrich.com/company/development-partnership or contact our corporate office by phone (203) 239-4481. Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc. located at 153 Washington Ave. North Haven, CT 06473, offers a wide range of products and solutions across multiple industries, helping your ideas become a reality. With over 90 years in business, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to understand the material requirements for your demanding applications. SOURCE Ulbrich Stainless Steels Health authorities are preparing for a coronavirus outbreak in the midst of flu season and warning the public to stay away from overstretched emergency departments unless they are seriously ill. NSW Health will mobilise dedicated respiratory screening clinics and isolation units in the event of a major COVID-19 outbreak as the state's hospitals brace for the yearly influx of influenza patients. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard (left) and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant speak to the media on Thursday. Credit:AAP "We could see a convergence in the next say eight to 10 weeks of the flu season and the coronavirus," Health Minister Brad Hazzard said. Health services were preparing for the possibility that patients could present with dual infections of influenza and coronavirus, and would panel-test people with respiratory symptoms for both. Feb 27, 2020 KRR Actor Jiivas upcoming film Gypsy, which has been censored with A certificate by the Censor Board, has got a release date finally. The film, which is directed by Raju Murugan of Joker fame also has Natasha Singh in the lead role. It is gearing up for release on March 6. The film's shooting was completed long ago, and the team released its teaser in 2019. The film has Malayalam director Lal Jose playing the role of the antagonist. The film also stars Malayalam actor Sunny Wayne. Santosh Narayanan is the music composer of this flick. Click the Movie button below for more info: Gypsy Jiiva Pictures Estonia reported its first coronavirus case on Thursday, a day after the man returned to the Baltic nation of just 1.3 million people from his homeland Iran. "The person, a permanent resident of Estonia who is not a citizen, arrived in Estonia on Wednesday evening," Social Affairs Minister Tanel Kiik told public broadcaster ERR. He said the Iranian citizen is currently hospitalised. Local media said the man arrived in Tallinn by bus from the Latvian capital Riga. "For now, there are no plans of putting cities in quarantine following this one case," Kiik said. "The patient is isolated, there is no risk of the disease spreading, now we have to identify all the people the patient was in contact with." Iran has announced a total of 19 deaths and more than 130 infections, including the country's deputy health minister. Iran's coronavirus death toll is the highest after that of China, where more than 2,700 people have died from the disease. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To the annoyance of some shareholders, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE:NCLH) shares are down a considerable 34% in the last month. That drop has capped off a tough year for shareholders, with the share price down 35% in that time. Assuming nothing else has changed, a lower share price makes a stock more attractive to potential buyers. In the long term, share prices tend to follow earnings per share, but in the short term prices bounce around in response to short term factors (which are not always obvious). The implication here is that long term investors have an opportunity when expectations of a company are too low. One way to gauge market expectations of a stock is to look at its Price to Earnings Ratio (PE Ratio). A high P/E implies that investors have high expectations of what a company can achieve compared to a company with a low P/E ratio. View our latest analysis for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings How Does Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? We can tell from its P/E ratio of 8.37 that sentiment around Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings isn't particularly high. If you look at the image below, you can see Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has a lower P/E than the average (21.1) in the hospitality industry classification. NYSE:NCLH Price Estimation Relative to Market, February 27th 2020 This suggests that market participants think Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings will underperform other companies in its industry. Many investors like to buy stocks when the market is pessimistic about their prospects. It is arguably worth checking if insiders are buying shares, because that might imply they believe the stock is undervalued. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Generally speaking the rate of earnings growth has a profound impact on a company's P/E multiple. If earnings are growing quickly, then the 'E' in the equation will increase faster than it would otherwise. And in that case, the P/E ratio itself will drop rather quickly. And as that P/E ratio drops, the company will look cheap, unless its share price increases. Story continues Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings maintained roughly steady earnings over the last twelve months. But it has grown its earnings per share by 21% per year over the last five years. Don't Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits One drawback of using a P/E ratio is that it considers market capitalization, but not the balance sheet. So it won't reflect the advantage of cash, or disadvantage of debt. Hypothetically, a company could reduce its future P/E ratio by spending its cash (or taking on debt) to achieve higher earnings. While growth expenditure doesn't always pay off, the point is that it is a good option to have; but one that the P/E ratio ignores. How Does Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings's Debt Impact Its P/E Ratio? Net debt totals 82% of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings's market cap. This is a reasonably significant level of debt -- all else being equal you'd expect a much lower P/E than if it had net cash. The Verdict On Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings's P/E Ratio Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings trades on a P/E ratio of 8.4, which is below the US market average of 17.1. While the recent EPS growth is a positive, the significant amount of debt on the balance sheet may be contributing to pessimistic market expectations. Given Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings's P/E ratio has declined from 12.7 to 8.4 in the last month, we know for sure that the market is more worried about the business today, than it was back then. For those who prefer invest in growth, this stock apparently offers limited promise, but the deep value investors may find the pessimism around this stock enticing. Investors have an opportunity when market expectations about a stock are wrong. If the reality for a company is not as bad as the P/E ratio indicates, then the share price should increase as the market realizes this. So this free visual report on analyst forecasts could hold the key to an excellent investment decision. Of course you might be able to find a better stock than Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have grown earnings strongly. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Splitty Travel, a hotel booking platform that creates and delivers unbeatable hotel deals, today announced the official opening of its first U.S. office, located in Greenwich, CT. The office will serve as U.S. headquarters for overseeing the companys business insights and analytics and general operations and ultimately providing enhanced customer support for U.S. customers. Splitty is backed by Connecticut Innovations, the states strategic venture capital arm. As we explored locations for our U.S. office, Connecticut became the option of choice due to the deep pool of available talent and all the state has to offer young professionals eager to grow their careers and enjoy their personal lives, said Eran Shust, CEO & Co-founder at Splitty. We have tremendous ambitions for our U.S. business and are looking forward to growing our presence in Connecticut as we scale. Splitty is an Israeli-based travel brand that enables more people to embrace their desire to travel and experience the world by reducing hotel costs. Unlike other online booking website, Splitty doesnt find the best deals it creates them, by combining multiple rate plans into a single booking. Instead of getting a hotel reservation from one provider, the companys technology split the hotel search to get millions of booking offers worldwide for the desired hotel. Then select the best offers and merge them back as one reservation in an unbeatable price. With its unique booking engine, Splitty is reinventing the online hotel marketplace, creating the best hotel deals and making travel a reality for those who want it, said Peter Longo, senior managing director of investments at CI. We are delighted the company has established is U.S. headquarters in Connecticut and we look forward to continuing to support the founders and helping to propel Splittys growth. Since launching in April 2019, Splitty has experienced monthly booking growth of 30 percent, and is planning to go after a large funding round to expand even more next year. The company was recently nominated by the World Travel Awards in the category of Worlds Leading Hotel Booking Website. About Splitty: Splitty is the first booking platform to use proprietary machine-learning technology to provide consumers with creative hotel booking offers. Splitty combines multiple booking options into one hotel reservation, in order to provide travelers with unbeatable deals while maintaining a seamless user experience. Founded in 2015, Splitty is led by an experienced team of travel and tech industry veterans, with experience at companies such as Huawei, Microsoft, Skyscanner and Expedia. The Splitty team spent three-plus years developing an award-winning algorithm, which has now reached global coverage of more than 500,000 properties in 127 countries. To date, the company has raised $10 million in total from Fuson (ClubMed, Atlantis Hotels and Cirque du Soleil), Techstars Ventures, Cockpit Innovation (El Al Airlines investment arm) and 2b Angels. About Connecticut Innovations: Connecticut Innovations (CI) is Connecticuts strategic venture capital arm and the leading source of financing and ongoing support for Connecticuts innovative, growing companies. CI provides venture capital and strategic support for early-stage technology companies, financial support for innovation and collaboration, and connections to its well-established network of partners and professionals. For more information, please visit http://www.ctinnovations.com. Pakistan will receive 1,00,00 specially-bred from China to help fight against the locust plague that has been wreaking havoc across farmlands. This plague has been described by Pakistan PM Imran Khan as the worst locust attack in decades. Billions of locusts have spread from parts of east Africa to several areas of Pakistan. The locusts have laid waste to thousands of hectares of crops across their path. Now, in Pakistan, ducklings from eastern China's Zhejiang province will act as weapons in the assault against the locusts. According to Hindustan Times, it could not be confirmed whether the 1,00,000 that are expected to take part in the assault are the same ones that have been stationed in Xinjiang in northwest China along its border with Pakistan occupied Kashmir as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CGTN a week ago. China had earlier dispatched a team of experts from the Chinese ministry of agriculture and rural affairs to Pakistan. In order to coordinate control measures against the locusts, the team is at present visiting the worst-affected Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab provinces, according to Chinese state media. Reports from Zhejiang on Thursday indicated that the army of newly hatched ducklings is disciplined and ready to go. Lu Lizhi, who is a researcher at Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, elaborated on why ducks are most effective against locusts as compared to other birds Lizhi said that since ducks like to live in groups they are easier to manage than other birds such as chickens. He added that ducks have stronger vitality, foraging ability, and resistance to cold. One duck can easily destroy a family of locusts. Lizhi said that ducks in a carpet like manner can easily eat over 200 locusts in a day. Locusts can also be controlled through pesticides but the benefits of biological control are more. Lizhi said that using pesticides has a high killing cost and leaves a residue that causes environmental pollution. Once the ducks are done fighting the locusts they can be served as food, told reports. Also Read: Indian Muslims targeted; world must act now, urges Pak PM Prince William just took a big step towards the throne. The Duke of Cambridge reportedly met with senior palace aides about taking over the Duchy of Cornwall once his father, Prince Charles, inherits the crown. The Prince of Wales currently runs the lucrative estate and will pass it down to William once he is the King of the United Kingdom. Prince William | Daniel Leal-Olivas WPA Pool/Getty Images What is the Duchy of Cornwall? The Duchy of Cornwall was started back in 1337 by Edward III. The estate is spread across 21 counties in Englands South-west corridor. The majority of the estate features livestock and farmland, commercial and residential properties, and quarries. There are also a number of different rivers and forests on the land as well. In a recent interview, Prince William discussed taking over the Duchy of Cornwall and admitted that he does not know nearly as much as his father about the land. Ive got the interest and the passion. The countryside is deep in my heart, William added. I want to learn and know more about farming, but the countryside and the way of life and the best people in the countryside is what I grew up with. Im not a London boy. To be fair, Charles has had plenty of practice running the Duchy of Cornwall. The Prince of Wales took over the estate when he was 21 years old and has been running it for the past 50 years. It is unlikely that Prince William will do the same, but he will be tasked with taking the lead once Charles inherits the crown from Queen Elizabeth. Prince William holds a private meeting With William set to take over the operation, he recently met with senior royal aides about the Duchy of Cornwall. The private meeting was held inside Kensington Palace and included the Secretary of the Duchy of Cornwall. The event was included in the Court Circular, which serves as a diary for the royal family. The journal did not reveal any specifics of the meeting, but it did confirm that Prince William met with the secretary. The Duke of Cambridge this morning received Mr Alastair Martin [Secretary of the Duchy of Cornwall], the Court Circular read. Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and Prince William Tackle Royal Outings in Tandem for Final Time https://t.co/KiPZxDrBoi People (@people) February 26, 2020 We do not know exactly what Prince William and Martin discussed in their meeting, but it is an important step for William. Considering how Queen Elizabeth is turning 94 years old this year, it is only a matter of time before Charles takes the throne. Once that happens, it will up to William to take over the Duchy of Cornwall and manage the finances of the estate. Given his knowledge of the property, now is the time for William to learn as much as he can. Prince William preparing to be King In light of the meetings, royal experts believe William has taken another step towards the throne. According to Express, expert Charlie Proctor believes William is following his fathers lead and is doing everything in his power to prepare for the day he becomes King. Just like Prince Charles is preparing to become King, William is already preparing to become Prince of Wales ready for the duties and responsibilities he will have to take on, Proctor shared. In previous years, Prince William left his professional job as a pilot to become a full-time member of the royal family. Ever since then, he has been taking small steps to prepare himself for the throne. Charles has done the same thing over the past six decades. Luckily for William, he will not have to wait nearly as long as Charles to take the throne. The Prince of Wales is already in his 70s and has yet to inherit the crown from Queen Elizabeth. Even still, Prince William is clearly thinking ahead and doing his best to ensure that he is ready for when his time comes. Will Prince Charles change his name when he becomes King? Once Charles takes his seat at the head of the monarchy, there has been a lot of speculation about what name he will pick as the King of the United Kingdom. Nothing official has been confirmed, but royal expert Dickie Arbiter believes Charles will most likely select the name King George when he ascends the throne. Charless full name is Charles Philip Arthur George, and he can pick any of these names when he takes the crown. Prince Charles drives his vintage Aston Martin DB6 to the new 50 million Aston Martin factory at St Athan, near Barry, South Wales. pic.twitter.com/EEUmlxBiNb Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) February 21, 2020 It is unlikely that Charles will keep his first name, as King Charles I was charged with treason and executed. King Charles II was also a hedonist who went by the nickname Merry Monarch not exactly a history Charles wants to embrace. Prince Charles, of course, has not commented on the reports surrounding his rise to the throne or Prince Williams takeover of the Duchy of Cornwall. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said Justice S Muralidhar of the Delhi High Court was transferred on the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium and accused the Congress of politicising a routine transfer. He added that a "well-settled process" was followed in the transfer of Justice Muralidhar to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary," Prasad said in a series of tweets. His reaction came after the Congress alleged that Justice Muralidhar was transferred by the government to save BJP leaders in the Delhi violence case. "Transfer of Hon'ble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated February 12 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India," the minister said. He said a judge's consent is taken before transferring him or her. Continuing his attack on the opposition party, Prasad said the people of India have rejected the Congress and "hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them". Referring to a tweet by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the death of Judge Loya, the Union minister said the Loya judgement had been well-settled by the Supreme Court. "Those raising questions do not respect the judgment of the apex court pronounced after elaborate arguments. Does Rahul Gandhi consider himself above even the Supreme Court," he asked. "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred," Gandhi had tweeted this morning. Prasad said the government respects the independence of the judiciary. "The record of Congress in compromising independence of judiciary, superseding judges even of Supreme Court during Emergency is well known. They rejoice only when the judgment is of their liking otherwise raise questions on the institutions itself," he said. Prasad said the party which is the "private property of one family" has no right to lecture about objectionable speeches. "The family and its cronies have routinely used the harshest words against the Courts, the Army, the CAG, the PM and the people of India," the minister said. Delhi riots : Gujral expresses disappointment over police inaction over his complaint New Delhi, Feb 27 (UNI) Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha Naresh Gujral on Thursday wrote to Delhi Police chief Amulya patnaik citing how he had lodged a police complaint dialling 100 regarding a distress call from his acquaintances who were trapped in the violence affected area near Goda Chowk to the police commissioner of Delhi. In the letter, Gujral expressed his disappointment stating that his complaint concerning trapped people did not get any assistance from the Police . His acquaintances had reached out to him on Wednesday around midnight from the Maujpur area in North East district which was riot affected. Stacy Bailey, 33, was put on administrative leave in September of last year after she showed her students a photograph of her future - now current - wife A lesbian Texas art teacher who was suspended after a parent complained that she was promoting a 'homosexual agenda' in class has won a $100,000 settlement after suing the district. Stacy Bailey, 33, was put on administrative leave in September of 2017 after she showed her students a photograph of her future - now current - wife. Ms Bailey accused the Mansfield Independent School District (MISD), and two of its employees, of violating the US Constitution by discriminating against her based on sexual orientation. She filed the suit at the Northern District of Texas federal court, which is in Dallas, in May 2018 after the district failed to reinstate her job at Charlotte Anderson Elementary School in Arlington. She has reached a $100,000 settlement after a judge ruled that her suspension was unconstitutional. 'The agreements the district and I made in this settlement are a positive first step in making things better for gay employees, gay students and gay families in Mansfield,' Ms Bailey told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. In addition to the settlement, her 2017 suspension from Charlotte Anderson Elementary has been rescinded. In a statement about the lawsuit filed in 2018, a spokesperson for Bailey explained she had been at the elementary school for 10 years and was twice voted 'Teacher of the Year'. Recounting the cause of her suspension, the statement explained: 'In August 2017, Bailey presented her students with a 'Get To Know Your Teacher' slide show, as is customary in the first days of a new school year. She included photos of her parents, her best friends, a baby picture, and her then, future spouse Julie Vasquez. 'This was her 2nd year to show this type of slide show to her class. In a statement about the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Bailey explained she had been at the elementary school for 10 years and was twice voted 'Teacher of the Year'. Bailey is seen here with her wife, Julie Vazquez, in a photo shared to social media She filed the suit at the Northern District of Texas federal court, which is in Dallas, in May 2018 after the district failed to reinstate her job at Charlotte Anderson Elementary School in Arlington (pictured) 'A parent complained that Bailey was promoting the 'homosexual agenda' to her students. Bailey met with school officials and was told she did nothing wrong. Bailey expressly asked Mansfield ISD to include protections for LGBT employees in their anti-discrimination policy.' The lawsuit went on to discuss her September 8 suspension and the requests from families whose children attended the school to return Bailey to class. It added: 'On April 24, 2018, Mansfield ISD renewed Bailey's contract. By letter dated May 1, 2018, Mansfield ISD reassigned Bailey to teach in a secondary school, sending the message that it believed LGBT teachers were not acceptable to teach elementary students.' Third-grader Kain Hendrix (pictured), told board members that Bailey's suspension was unfair to the school's families, students and to Bailey, and that he was sad Bailey was no longer his art teacher Bailey was named 2016 Charlotte Anderson Elementary School's Teacher of the Year, according to a tweet by a colleague, posted on May 8, 2017 'Bailey seeks reassignment to Charlotte Anderson Elementary and acknowledgment that what Mansfield ISD did was illegal and wrong and should never be done again,' it concluded. But the district rejected the accusation from Bailey's team, stressing that there has 'never been an issue with her open sexual preference until this year'. The district rejected the accusation from Bailey's team, stressing that there has 'never been an issue with her open sexual preference until this year' The district's statement went on: 'That's when her actions in the classroom changed, which prompted her students to voice concerns to their parents,' adding: 'Teachers shall not use the classroom to transmit personal belief regarding political or sectarian issues.' Superintendent of the district Jim Vaszauskas and associate superintendent of human resources Kimberly Cantu were also named in Bailey's suit. The suit accuses Cantu of telling Bailey that she 'can't promote [her] lifestyle in the classroom'. When Bailey responded to say her having a wife is merely 'a fact about my life, not a political statement', Cantu allegedly replied: 'Well right now it kind of is [a political statement].' Her suspension was implemented just a day after she reached out to counselors at another school in the district regarding adding protections for LGBTQ+ employees and students to MISD's nondiscrimination policy. Four months after she filed her lawsuit, in August 2018, Bailey was transferred to nearby Lake Ridge High School. Her attorney, Jason C.N. Smith, said that while she was happy to resume teaching, his client was 'disappointed that she doesn't get to return to Charlotte Anderson.' Greeces government hoped to defuse tensions after protests over plans for new migrant camps on two of its islands Wednesday turned into violent clashes between police and local residents, some armed with Molotov cocktails and shotguns. Hundreds of residents attacked police officers guarding the sites of the future detention camps on the islands of Lesbos and Chios. A large crowd later laid siege for hours to a Lesbos army camp where riot-control squads were billeted. Dozens of police officers were injured during the unrest, and the Greek governments spokesman said many of the riot police deployed to the islands this week would be pulled out. Government migration officials have vowed to press ahead with plans to replace overcrowded and squalid migrant camps with more restrictive detention centers. But local officials and residents oppose the plans, with many demanding that no migrants should remain on the islands. Local authorities declared a 24-hour strike and staged large protest rallies that devolved into the violence Wednesday. Greek officials said 43 police officers were injured on Lesbos, which sees the most arrivals as migrants cross the sea from nearby Turkey. Two had leg wounds from shotgun blasts, officials said. Another nine officers were injured on Chios, where an angry mob burst into a hotel used by riot police, beat up officers resting in their rooms and threw out their belongings. One man was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack and another was being sought. Police said 10 protesters were injured on both islands. Greeces Aegean Sea islands are a main entry point for migrants seeking better lives in the European Union. Managing the flow of people and growing discontent among island residents has become the main challenge for the center-right government of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mitsotakis invited regional and local officials for talks in Athens on Thursday. Government spokesman Stelios Petsas said police showed unprecedented restraint during the clashes and riot squad members would be recalled once preparatory work was completed on the proposed detention center construction sites. Story continues The first phase was completed on Lesbos today and will be completed tomorrow on Chios, and police will have no reason to stay there, Petsas told private broadcaster Alpha TV. Some of those that were sent from Athens will return, and the rest will stay in place. But he insisted that the planned centers would be built. The plan will go ahead and we need to see how it can be done best. Its the only plan we have on the table, he said. Lesbos, and to a lesser extent Chios, annually receive tens of thousands of people fleeing war or poverty in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The migrants cross from the nearby Turkish coast in small, unseaworthy boats provided by smuggling gangs. Under a 2016 deal between the European Union and Turkey, migrants reaching the islands must stay there until their asylum requests are processed and if these are rejected they must be taken back by Turkey. But delays in the asylum process, coupled with increased migrant flows, placed massive strains on the system and led to a sharp deterioration of living conditions in existing camps whose populations burgeoned despite Greek authorities moving people judged as vulnerable to the mainland. Furthermore, returns to Turkey have been negligible. Lesbos, with a permanent population of 85,000, now has more than 21,000 migrants according to the latest official data available Wednesday. Island residents and local authorities say they want all asylum seekers to be moved to the mainland. They oppose construction of the new facilities and want the old ones shut down. Regional administration head Costas Moutzouris who plans to attend the talks with the prime minister Thursday berated the government for using police to crack down on the protesters but also appealed for calm from islanders. The people of Lesbos and Chios served for five years as a breakwater against the waves of immigration, he said. The government should be more sensitive towards them and the rest of Greece should show more understanding. Islanders said they would hold another 24-hour strike Thursday. Nearly 60,000 migrants and refugees arrived on Greek islands last year, almost double the number recorded in 2018, according to the U.N. refugee agency. (AP) A team of CBI officials on Thursday brought back a toddler who was taken to Dubai by her defiant father in an alleged violation of Delhi High Court order. Three-year-old Raina was taken away by her father Aman Lohia amid a custody battle with his wife Kiran Kaur Lohia and directives of the Delhi High Court to not leave the country, officials said. On the directions of the Supreme Court, a team of CBI officials had gone to Dubai where it coordinated with local authorities to ensure safe return of the three-year old girl and her father to Delhi. The agency has informed the apex court about its compliance action and will produce the child before it on Friday, the officials said. The child is in the care of the agency, they said. The high court had granted the girl's custody to the mother with a parenting plan according to which Aman could meet Raina for some hours on three days a week. The court had also asked him to deposit his passport, which he did, the officials said. On August 24 last year, when the girl had come to meet Aman as per the parenting plan, he took her, along with family confidant Pawan Kumar and maid Shiuratia Debi, to Dubai using a circuitous route via Nepal and other gulf countries. He used a passport of the Commonwealth of Dominica, a Caribbean country. Considering "international ramifications, the Delhi High Court had handed over the probe to the CBI which had registered a case. The matter had reached the Supreme Court through a petition filed against a high court order. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Grafton, the owner of the Chadwicks building merchants and the Woodie's retailer in Ireland, said sales here continue to grow strongly and it expects demand to pick in Britain later this year. Shares in Grafton--which is widely considered the ultimate Brexit bellwether stock--fell 2.5% in the latest session in the latest session as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson again talked tough over the final trade deal with the EU. The London-listed shares had rallied last year as a key acquisition in the Netherlands helped insulate it from the Brexit-driven currency headwinds that was then the company. It generates around half of its revenues in sterling from Britain where it owns the Buildbase and Selco outlets, around a third in euro from the Republic, where it owns 36 Chadwicks stores, the Panelling Centre, and the 38 DIY Woodies stores. Its Dutch operations have now become particularly important and highly profitable, following its 131m acquisition last year of Polvo and its 51 branches. Unveiling full-year 2019 results, Grafton said pre-tax profits from continuing operations rose 4% to 172.6m (205.4m) on revenues of 2.67bn, up 3% from the previous year. Chief executive Gavin Slark said the company had continued to tap "very significant" growth in Ireland over the last six years but he anticipated that the rate of growth would slow. In Britain, he said that there was no significant "Boris bounce", referring to the lifting of the uncertainty after the British general election in December, but anecdotally Grafton could be an uplift in orders by mid-year. He said that Mr Johnson's new government had pledged to spend on house-building programmes, which could generate more business for Grafton. The same outcome was likely to unfold in Ireland where all parties who contested the election were committed to building more homes, he said. "Our overall expectations are positive for our portfolio of strong cash generative businesses and we are confident of continued progress in 2020. We will continue to pursue our focused and disciplined growth strategy," the company said. Mr Slark said the company had significant resources to expand further in northern Europe. Megan Cavanagh has had quite an acting career, starting with her big-screen debut in A League of Their Own in 1982 to doing animated voiceover work and performing stage roles. On stage is where Cavanagh finds herself these days as part of the cast of Menopause The Musical, which will be performed Friday at Julie Rogers Theatre. This play is unlike any other that I have done, Cavanagh said while spending some time with family in The Woodlands. Its simply phenomenal. It started in 2001 as a celebration for women of a certain age. One woman came up to me after a show and said shed seen it nine times. Its a funny show, she said. Itll make you laugh so hard that your cheeks will turn red. There are 26 well-known songs that have been rewritten in different forms. The songs are parodies of hits from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The storyline follows four women who meet at Bloomingdales in New York City. None of the women have regular names for their characters but different types of roles. Cavanagh plays Earth Mother, while Teri Adams plays Iowa Housewife, Kimberly Vanbiesbrouck is Soap Star and Annise Ritchie is Professional Woman. These women meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing their similarities, the cast members joke about their hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, weight gain and much more. Cavanagh said she loves to see the reaction of women in the audience. Now men come reluctantly to the show, but they end up laughing as well, she said. Sometimes we do a meet-and-greet after the show and men will come up and say I loved it or theyll say I learned a lot. More Information Menopause the Musical When: 7 p.m. Feb. 28 Where: Julie Rogers Theatre, 765 Pearl St., Beaumont Tickets: Starting at $39 Information: 409.838.3435, discoverbeaumont.com See More Collapse The 90-minute show, Cavanagh said, goes by quickly. Women feel empowered after seeing the play, she said. A lot of them will come up to us after the show and be very vulnerable. The play has been recognized as the longest-running scripted production in Las Vegas as it continues to entertain nightly at Harrahs Las Vegas. It has been seen by more than 15 million people, played every state in the continental United States and more than 500 cities nationwide. Outside of Hawaii, Cavanagh said shes been a part of Menopause The Musical as it has been performed in all 49 other states, as well as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore. They are gigglers over there, Cavanagh said of those overseas audiences. There are a lot of men in attendance over there and, with that being the case, the women feel more timid. Those women who attend the play, though, leave with a sense of strength about their lives, Cavangh said, and that makes Menopause The Musical worth seeing in Beaumont. Joe Rutland is a freelance writer who was raised in Beaumont and lives in El Paso. Pune, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global modular chiller market is set to gain momentum from the increasing application in residential and commercial sectors. These chillers possess numerous features, such as optimization capacity, enhanced serviceability, and reliable performance. Nowadays, the development of unique technologies is refining the size of modules and thereby providing hassle-free usage. Fortune Business Insights provided this information in a recently published report, titled, Modular Chiller Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Air-cooled modular chiller, Water-cooled modular chiller), By Application (Industrial, Commercial, and Residential) and Regional Forecasts, 2019-2026. The report further states that the modular chiller market size was USD 3.82 billion and is anticipated to be at USD 6.13 billion in 2026, thereby exhibiting a CARG of 6.2% during the forecast period between 2019 to 2026. This Report Answers the Following Questions: What are the modular chiller market trends and dynamics? Which key companies would generate the highest shares? What are the segments in the market? Which region is expected to dominate the market in terms of revenue? What are the types of strategies adopted by companies? To gain more insights into the market with detailed table of content and figures, click here: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/modular-chiller-market-102294 Trends & Drivers- Urgent Need to Lower Carbon Emissions to Accelerate Growth Industry giants present in the market are aiming to examine the sustainability and energy aspects of buildings according to the leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) certification. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) first introduced the LEED to reduce carbon emissions in the environment. In the U.K., it has to be strictly followed by commercial buildings. Moreover, these organizations are emphasizing more on the aggregate size of the system, as well as the design of the module. The main reason behind this is that if one unit fails, then the operator can easily turn the additional parallel unit on. It is also surging the cooling capacity. Segment- Commercial Segment to Grow Considerably Stoked by High Demand for HVAC Systems Based on the application, the market is segregated into commercial, industrial, and residential. Out of these, the commercial segment is anticipated to grow by exhibiting a substantial CAGR during the forthcoming years. This growth is attributable to the high demand for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in infrastructures, namely, shopping malls, educational institutions, and commercial offices. The commercial segment procured 39.0% modular chiller market share in 2018. The industrial segment would also showcase steady growth. Request a Sample Copy: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/modular-chiller-market-102294 Regional Analysis- Asia Pacific to Exhibit Highest CAGR Backed by Increasing Industrialization In terms of region, the market is fragmented into Latin America, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Amongst these, Asia Pacific is likely to exhibit the highest CAGR on account of the ongoing expansion of the industrial sector. In addition to that, factors, namely, rapid industrialization, increasing number of economically emerging countries, and rising awareness programs regarding energy-efficient products, would contribute to the growth of the market in this region. Besides, industry giants are at present focusing on growing their businesses owing to the rising number of industrial projects. North America is likely to grow significantly in the coming years because of the ever-increasing demand for these products from various industries. Also, manufacturers are expanding the business line across region by focusing on mergers and acquisitions. Europe is anticipated to experience a fast growth stoked by the ongoing technological advancements and improvements in energy-efficient products. Apart from that, the presence of several key manufacturers in this region would spur growth. Lastly, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa would showcase steady growth fueled by the rising adoption of chillers in countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. Competitive Landscape- Key Companies Aim to Gain Competitive Edge through Product Launches The market is highly fragmented and competitive. The upsurging demand for cooling across various sectors is, in turn, increasing the key players interest in extensive research and development activities to introduce novel products. Below are a couple of the latest key industry developments: May 2019 : Frigel, a provider of intelligent process cooling systems based in Italy, announced the launch of its line of central chillers called Modular Chiller 3FX. The products can be used with Ecodry 3DK, the companys internationally patented central adiabatic dry-cooler systems. The new chillers would provide automatic and engineered free-cooling capability. Also, they are a key element of an integrated and digitally controlled cooling system best suitable for delivering reliable performance and saving energy. : Frigel, a provider of intelligent process cooling systems based in Italy, announced the launch of its line of central chillers called Modular Chiller 3FX. The products can be used with Ecodry 3DK, the companys internationally patented central adiabatic dry-cooler systems. The new chillers would provide automatic and engineered free-cooling capability. Also, they are a key element of an integrated and digitally controlled cooling system best suitable for delivering reliable performance and saving energy. November 2017: Carrier Corporation, a provider of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration solutions headquartered in the U.S. introduced the latest version of its AquaSnap 30MP chiller equipped with advanced features. It is mainly designed for cost-effective, faster installation in high-rise applications. This model is slimmer than the pre-existing model, and it meets all the ASHRAE 90.1 efficiency requirements. Fortune Business Insights profiles some of the most prominent companies operating in the modular chiller market. They are as follows: Frigel Firenze S.p.A. (Tuscany, Italy) LG Electronics (Seoul, Korea) Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) Haier Group (Shandong, China) Midea Group (Guangdong, China) Trane (Dublin, Ireland) Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai (Guangdong, China) Carrier Corporation (Florida, U.S.) Nanjing tica climate solutions co., ltd (Nanjing, China) Daikin Industries, Ltd. (Osaka, Japan) Other key market players Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/modular-chiller-market-102294 Table of Content: Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Approach Sources Executive Summary Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Emerging Trends Key Insights Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Key Technological Development Global Modular Chiller Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2015-2026 Key Findings / Summary Market Size Estimates and Forecasts By Type (Value) Air-cooled Water-cooled By Application (Value) Industrial Commercial Residential By Geography (Value) North America Europe Asia Pacific The Middle East and Africa Latin America Continued..!!! Request for Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/modular-chiller-market-102294 (Have a Look at Reports Trending in Machinery & Equipment Industry) Browse Related Reports: Chillers Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Screw Chillers, Scroll Chillers, Centrifugal Chillers, and Others), By Application (Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Food and Beverages, Plastics, Rubber, Medical, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Water Chiller market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Scroll, Screw, Centrifugal), By Capacity (0 100 Kw, 101 350 Kw, 351 700 Kw, >700 Kw) By Industry (Plastic & Rubber, Food & Beverage, Chemical & Petrochemical, Pharmaceuticals and Other) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Road Transport Refrigeration Equipment Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Install Vehicle (Van & Light Truck, Heavy Truck, Trailer), By Mode of Operation (Single Temperature, Multi-Temperature), By Power Source (Vehicle Powered, Self-Powered), By Application (Food and Beverage Products, Pharmaceutical and Other Healthcare Products, Floral Products) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Commercial Refrigeration Compressor Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Reciprocating, Rotary, Screw, Others), By Cooling Capacity (Upto 1 kW, 1 15 kW, 15 100 kW, Above 100 kW), By Application (Refrigerator and freezer, Refrigerated Display Cases, Transport Refrigeration, Beverage Coolers and Freezers, Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Commercial Air Conditioner (AC) Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Packaged Air Conditioners, VRF/VRV), By Refrigerants (R-32, A-410A/R-407C, R600A/R-290, Others), By End-User (Healthcare, Educational/Institutional, Public/ Government, Retail, Hospitality, Manufacturing) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Cryogenic Equipment Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product (Tank, Valve, Vaporizer, Pump, and Others), By Cryogen Type (Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Others), By End-User (Oil & Gas, Metallurgy, Power Generation, Chemical & Petrochemical, Marine, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 Cryogenic Pump Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Positive Displacement Pump and Centrifugal Pump), By Cryogen Type (Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Others), By End-User (Oil & Gas, Metallurgy, Power Generation, Chemical & Petrochemical, Marine, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026 District Cooling Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By End User (Residential, Industrial, and Commercial), By Technology (Electric Chillers, Absorption Chillers, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2019 - 2026 District Heating Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Heat Source (Coal, Natural Gas, Renewables, Oil & Petroleum Products, and Others), By Plant Type (Boiler, CHP, Others), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), and Regional Forecast, 2019 - 2026 About us: Fortune Business Insights offers expert corporate analysis and accurate data, helping organizations of all sizes make timely decisions. 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Ltd. 308, Supreme Headquarters, Survey No. 36, Baner, Pune-Bangalore Highway, Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India. Phone: US: +1 424 253 0390 UK: +44 2071 939123 APAC: +91 744 740 1245 Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com Fortune Business Insights LinkedIn | Twitter | Blogs Press Release- https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/press-release/modular-chiller-market-9619 Eddie Hearn has continued to talk up a huge all-British unification bout between his fighter Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury after revealing he had a 'good chat' with rival promoter Bob Arum. Fury is the man of the moment after beating Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas last weekend, and Hearn now says 'everyone' wants to make Fury-Joshua happen. Asked for an update by iFL TV, Joshua's promoter said: 'I had a good chat with [co-promoter] Bob Arum last night. Everybody wants to make Fury-Joshua. I mean, like, everybody. Eddie Hearn says that 'everybody' wants to see Tyson Fury fight Anthony Joshua this year Joshua beat Andy Ruiz Jr in a rematch last time out, while Fury has just beaten Deontay Wilder 'You've got to understand these people I mean, I like a pound note but these guys are savages. So they're sniffing just money everywhere. 'So the strategy is, let's get [Kubrat] Pulev wrapped up and signed and if over the next couple of weeks there's a move where someone can wait, someone can have a few quid we would love nothing more than to go into Fury in June or July.' Fury and Wilder look set to go head-to-head for a third time after the American confirmed he will invoke his rematch clause, but Hearn insists that isn't what the public wants and urged them to 'get it done' soon. 'No-one wants to see Wilder-Fury III, but we understand he's got a rematch clause. If it has to happen it happens, but don't string it out until October/November. Get it done in June/July. So we'll see.' Arum, and Top Rank, promote Fury in the US, while Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions deal with the Gypsy King in England and elsewhere. Any discussions over fight deals would have to involve Warren and Arum before being signed off. HONG KONG, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global edtech firm Studycat Limited is donating a month's free use, globally, of its award-winning Fun Series language learning apps teaching 3-8 year-olds English, Chinese, Spanish, French and German. This expands on Studycat's earlier donation of free use of its apps in the Greater China region, launched on February 4th, 2020, which received a massive response, demonstrating the urgent need for safe home learning resources for young children at this time. To sign up, those interested can visit the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or Studycat's website : https://studycat.com/in-this-together/ Access to the apps is effective immediately. In suitable cases, the company will also offer complimentary use of its product designed for educational institutions, Fun English for Schools. Mark Pemberton, co-founder of Studycat, said: "We deeply empathize with all families affected by the virus epidemic. With schools disrupted in many areas, us parents now face a practical challenge of caring for our younger children as this situation unfolds. We need easy-to-use resources, delivering productive activities for our kids to do safely at home. Our apps were designed specifically for safe home use and we are proud to help families in some small way during this concerning crisis" "We are deeply concerned for anyone impacted by this virus outbreak. We are determined to do our part, helping to mitigate some of the burden brought on by school disruption", added Mateo Solares, co-founder of Studycat. "We are committed to helping young children at this time, allowing them to learn new things while having fun, turning their minds to something constructive." Studycat enables safe and convenient home learning of beginner-level English, Spanish, Chinese, French and German, as well as literacy and critical thinking. Its huge variety of fun online games, puzzles, songs and interactive exercises encourage creativity and collaboration. The company's website, studycat.com, also offers hundreds of creative worksheets to help fill time productively, which families will have access to on the company's website. Established in 1999, Studycat was started by experienced educators Mark Pemberton, Mateo Solares and Jason Bakkum. They began their journey as a brick-and-mortar language school before moving into game-based digital learning in 2006 and app stores in 2011. About STUDYCAT Studycat is an international leader in children's online language education, empowering young children around the world to enjoy learning a foreign language with innovative learning applications that connect homes and schools. The company's consumer solutions help children aged 3-8 learn beginner-level English, Chinese, Spanish, French and German effectively, achieving superior outcomes, using a blended approach of online and offline games and exercises. Studycat's English-language learning content is aligned with Cambridge Young Learners, a well-recognized academic curriculum and exam system. Built on the premise that young children learn most effectively through play and are motivated to study by having fun, Studycat's apps have been downloaded more than 11 million times worldwide. Connect with Studycat on Twitter @Study_cat, Facebook @ Studycat.net. and LinkedIn or visit studycat.com Press Contact: Mark Pemberton | [email protected] | +886 939626382 SOURCE Studycat Published on Nov 22, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZcIJkm2ygo The continuing true story of Eric Liddells glorious life after winning Olympic gold in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Liddell (JOSEPH FIENNES) has returned to China, where he was born to missionary parents, modestly avoiding celebrity in order to teach local schoolchildren. In 1937, the Japanese invade China at the outset of WWll. Liddell with his friend Xu Niu (SHAWN DOU), a street smart resistance fighter, recognize the increasing danger so Liddell sends his wife, Florence (ELIZABETH ARENDS) and their two daughters to safety in Canada. Duty-bound, Liddell stays to minister to the civilian victims. Liddell and other foreign nationals are taken as prisoners and placed in one of the many Japanese internment camps where they are forced to endure for two years. Before the Japanese surrender, Liddell succumbs to a brain tumor. Yet his message of hope became immortal. Eric Liddells legacy continues to this day as he remains admired as a champion for life. Provider Samuel Goldwyn Rating PG-13 Release date 2017 Running time 1:36:05 Language English Actors Joseph Fiennes Bruce Locke Richard Sanderson Director Stephen Shin Genres Drama Sports Karnataka imposes weekend curfew to contain the surge in Covid-19 cases; details here Crime rate in Bengaluru: Murders and burglary cases dropped in 2021 in Karnataka's capital Bengaluru: Rowdy-sheeter Bharath killed in police encounter near Hesaraghatta India oi-Madhuri Adnal Bengaluru, Feb 27: Notorious rowdy-sheeter Slum Bharath has been killed in an encounter with police at around 6.15 am in Bengaluru's Hesaraghatta in Peenya on Thursday. He was shot two bullets by police inspector Venkataramanappa when Bharath opened fire on policemen with an illegal weapon. One police personnel Subahash of Nandini police station was also injured in the incident. The incident happened when the police got around 5 am, when a team of police officials rushed to Hesaraghatta Road in Peenya after tip off from police control saying that the Maruthi Zen car in which Bharath was escaping was spotted. Delhi: Two criminals killed in police encounter in Pul Prahladpur area NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 When the police tried to catch Bharath and his associates, Bharath opened fire at the policemen that hit their vehicles. Police said one bullet was shot at Bharath's leg while another bullet pierced his abdomen which caused his death. Bharath was being suspected of murdering Notorious rowdy-sheeter Lakshmana in the broad daylight near ISKCON temple in the city. Bharath had affiliated himself with local gangsters in the area and became the point-men for big time dons to hire them to extort and grab land from people across Bengaluru. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 11:49 [IST] Her iconic acting career spans a whopping five decades and has netted her an Oscar, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe. And Helen Mirren looked like Hollywood royalty as she attended her Homage and Honorary Golden Bear award ceremony during the 70th Berlinale International Film Festival on Thursday. The Queen actress, 74, dazzled as she donned a black and silver ballgown adorned with holographic gems on one of the most special nights in her career. Icon: Helen Mirren looked like Hollywood royalty as she attended her Homage and Honorary Golden Bear award ceremony during the 70th Berlinale International Film Festival on Thursday The stunning gown teased a glimpse of the Prime Suspect star's ample cleavage, covered by a sheer mesh overlay studded with crystals. Adding extra sparkle, the gown boasted a metallic silver collar and sleeves before flaring out into an extravagant skirt. The skirt was adorned with thousands of crystals, with the Red star boosting her height with black stiletto heels. Shimmer: The Queen actress, 74, dazzled as she donned a black and silver ballgown adorned with holographic gems on one of the most special nights in her career Wow: Adding extra sparkle, the gown boasted a metallic silver collar and sleeves before flaring out into an extravagant skirt Shimmer: The skirt was adorned with thousands of crystals, with the Red star boosting her height with black stiletto heels In her honour: Helen was awarded with the Golden Bear during the event Delighted: Helen put on an animated display as she accepted the coveted award Delighted: Helen couldn't help but smile as she held her award aloft Her platinum bob was styled sleek and straight while the acclaimed actress added a pop of colour with scarlet lipstick. Earlier in the day, Helen appeared in great spirits as she celebrated her Honorary Golden Bear and Homage award at a photocall at Germany's Grand Hyatt Hotel. The Woman In Gold actress put on an animated display as she took to the red carpet in her favourite Radiohead blazer, emblazoned with a Union Jack flag and the words 'Karma Police' - the name of the band's 1997 hit single. Pose: Her platinum bob was styled sleek and straight while the acclaimed actress added a pop of colour with scarlet lipstick (above with Iris Berben) Wow: Helen looked suitably regal as she posed for the cameras Chat: Helen joined Minister of State for Culture and the Media Monika Gruetters on the red carpet Stars: Iris Berben and Nik Xhelilaj posed up on the red carpet Nailing edgy chic, the screen star caught the eye in her statement jacket, which also featured a beaded collar and matching pockets. The media personality injected a touch of sophistication to her appearance with straight-leg trousers, a plain blouse and leather boots. With her naturally grey tresses dressed into glossy curls, Helen complemented her youthful-looking complexion with a matte make-up look. Oscar-winning performance: One of Helen's most iconic roles was as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen, which garnered her an Academy Award in 2007 Breakout hit: Helen became a household name thanks to her role in Prime Suspect, which she won Best Actress at the British Academy Television Awards Iconic: Helen also played alongside Julie Walters in Calendar Girls Recent hit: Helen can now be seen in Catherine The Great The thespian previously wore the bold jacket when she performed Freestyle Love Supreme alongside Freestyle Love Supreme on Broadway back in November. Helen, who has appeared in movies including The Madness of King George and The Last Station, received the honour for her contributions to the film industry. The award ceremony held in celebration of her Honorary Golden Bear featured a screening of one of her biggest film's to date, Stephen Frears' 2006 hit The Queen. On her achievement, Mariette Rissenbeek, Executive Director of the Berlinale, said: 'Helen Mirren is a strong personality whose powerful portrayals are always impressive. Cheery: Earlier in the day Helen appeared in great spirits as she celebrated her Honorary Golden Bear and Homage award at a photocall at Germany 's Grand Hyatt Hotel Bold: The Woman In Gold actress put on an animated display as she took to the red carpet in her favourite Radiohead blazer Elegant: Nailing edgy chic, the screen star caught the eye in her statement jacket, which also featured a beaded collar and matching pockets Filled with love: Helen blew kisses at onlookers as she was centre stage Making a statement: The thespian previously wore the jacket when she performed improvised rap musical Freestyle Love Supreme alongside Ian McKellen on Broadway in November Standing tall: The media personality injected a touch of sophistication to her appearance with straight-leg trousers, a plain blouse and leather boots Radiant: With her naturally grey tresses dressed into glossy curls, Helen complemented her youthful-looking complexion with a matte make-up look Impressive: Her prosperous acting career spans a whopping five decades Look at it! She ensured attendees were treated to a glimpse of her quirky piece 'She surprises us time and again with her interpretation of complex characters whether its Chris in Calendar Girls or Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen, her portrayals are a paradigm of strong women. 'It is our great pleasure to award her the Honorary Golden Bear for her lifetime achievement.' The Berlinale have honoured a series of Helen's blockbuster films under their Homage category, including 1989's The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, last year's The Good Liar, The Last Station from 2009, 1980 movie The Long Good Friday, and The Queen. Mirren began her acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1967 and is one of the few performers who have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen, the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for the same role in The Audience, and has won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie four time. This year's festival, which showcases the best films of international cinema, kicked off on February 20 and is due to conclude on March 1. All eyes on her: She was pictured engaging in a chat with her bodyguard as she greeted waiting fans Off she goes: The Hobbs & Shaw actress signed autographs for fans before heading into a black taxi The outing comes after she touched on speculation that BBC are planning to scrap its licence fee in favour of a Netflix-style subscription service. Speaking at the Kiln Theatre in Kilburn, North London, Helen told The Daily Mail: 'I think that the licence fee has had its day. Possibly, I think it is on its way out.' Last year, Dame Helen joined fellow stars Angela Rippon and Sir Lenny Henry in signing an open letter which called for the reinstatement of free TV licences for all over-75s. Helen has been married to American filmmaker Taylor Hackford, who was the director of her 1985 film White Nights, since 1997. The Cal star has been busy filming comedy drama The Duke alongside British actor Jim Broadbent. The film is based on the true story of a British pensioner who, in 1961, was prosecuted for stealing Goya's Portrait of the Duke of Wellington from London's National Gallery in 1961. Helen will be seen next on the big screen in the latest installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, F9, set for release on May 22. PITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / Prayer is powerful. Not only is prayer the best way to communicate directly with God, but it can also help bring communities and families closer together. Whether it's praying at the dinner table each evening or praying with your kids before bed, praying as a family can be quite beneficial for all members of the household. Bishop Tracie Williams Dickey of Pittsburgh, a Certified International Conference Speaker, CEO of Destiny Enterprises, and founder and Sr. Pastor of Deliverance Tabernacle Ministries Intl. outlines a few reasons to pray as a family. Bishop Tracie Williams Dickey of Pittsburgh says just as it is important to communicate with God regularly, it is essential to encourage open communication in your family. Prayer time can provide a safe environment for everyone to share their thoughts and concerns with God and simultaneously pave the way for a discussion within the family. Before dinner is an ideal time, she says, because it is a natural opportunity for everyone to share about their day. From there, you can pray together for guidance and thank God for the blessings you have received. Praying as a family can also help you overcome arguments. Faith leaders like Bishop Tracie Williams Dickey of Pittsburgh advise turning to God and your faith is almost always the best way to solve a problem, whether it's a conflict between you and your spouse or a sibling spat. Also, practicing faith together is a good way to remember the importance of forgiveness and tolerance, lessons which can help everyone to mend fences and move forward. Finally, Bishop Tracie Williams Dickey of Pittsburgh says praying as a family reinforces the importance of spending time together as a family. While modern families may be too busy to see each other as much as they'd like, setting aside at least a few minutes a day to pray and share a meal or bedtime ritual ensures you and your kids will connect every day regardless of how hectic your schedules may be. Bishop Tracie Williams Dickey of Pittsburgh has created a special 5-Fold Ministry which she delivers through her local church in Pittsburgh as well as international publications and speaking engagements. It is her mission to reach people from all walks of life, in all corners of the globe. A pillar of the Christian community, the God-appointed Bishop, Apostle, Prophetess, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher has spent the past several years epitomizing a life of faith and goodwill while sharing her knowledge and wisdom with others. More than a speaker, she is a Teacher and Healer, spreading faith, compassion, and light wherever she goes. In addition to international speaking events, she shares her wisdom through print and broadcasts including The Power of Deliverance Broadcast, The A.W.A.K.E. Women's Broadcast (Anointed Women Acclaimed For Kingdom Empowerment), and The Men on the Move Men's Broadcast. Learn more about Bishop Tracie Williams Dickey of Pittsburgh and her message of hope via her website: https://www.bishoptraciedickey.org/bishop-tracie-dickey/ CONTACT: Caroline Hunter Web Presence, LLC +1 7865519491 SOURCE: Web Presence, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578256/Bishop-Tracie-Williams-Dickey-of-Pittsburgh-Shares-the-Importance-of-Family-Prayer-Time Northern Ireland's health minister has slammed the latest hospital waiting time statistics as "appalling", as figures fell far short of upcoming targets. The latest figures from the Department of Health (DoH) show that more than a third of patients (111,963) were waiting more than a year for a first consultant-led appointment, while over three quarters (239,130) were waiting more than nine weeks, as of December 31 last year. This represents a year-on-year increase of 17,010 and 25,422, respectively. Ministerial targets state that, by March 2020, at least 50% of all patients should be waiting no longer than nine weeks for a first outpatient appointment, with no patient waiting longer than a year. Health Minister Robin Swann described the waiting times as "quite simply appalling" and said that behind the statistics are "many thousands of our citizens facing unending pain and worry". It is well documented that our health service currently does not have the capacity to meet current demand, let alone tackle the waiting list backlog Health Minister Robin Swann Let me make this statement of intent as health minister we can and must put this right. The starting point is spelt out in New Decade New Approach that no one waiting over a year at 30 September 2019 for outpatient or inpatient assessment/treatment will still be on a waiting list by March 2021. This will require in the region of 50m as part of the 2020/21 health budget. It is well documented that our health service currently does not have the capacity to meet current demand, let alone tackle the waiting list backlog. Meeting the New Decade, New Approach commitment will therefore require use of capacity in the independent sector." DoH figures also show that a total of 141,274 patients were waiting for a first diagnostic test as of December 31. More than half of these patients (81,286), were waiting longer than nine weeks for a test, while almost a third (42,895) were waiting longer than 26 weeks. Ministerial targets state that, by March 2020, 75% of patients should wait no longer than nine weeks, while no patient should wait longer than 26 weeks. The rest of this assembly mandate and beyond will require tough decisions to be taken regarding the prioritisation of the transformation process by the Department of Health, and importantly, it will take political leadership to ensure when those tough decisions are taken, we dont see parochialism Alliance health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw These figures after it was revealed Northern Ireland's health service has a shortage of more than 2,300 nurses, midwives and doctors. Mr Swann said options going forward include the use of health providers from both the NHS and independent sector, and the Republic. Sustained additional investment over future years will be needed. That means investment not just on dealing with waiting list backlogs but also increasing the systems in-house capacity to provide assessment and treatment," he added. This will include building our health and social care workforce and reshaping the way we provide services as part of the transformation process. Alliance Party health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw said "immediate and decisive" action is needed to tackle the "scandalous" waiting lists. "This will require additional workforce, additional training to skill-up existing staff, additional funding, and ultimately the urgent delivery of the health transformation agenda," she said. The rest of this assembly mandate and beyond will require tough decisions to be taken regarding the prioritisation of the transformation process by the Department of Health, and importantly, it will take political leadership to ensure when those tough decisions are taken, we dont see parochialism." Ulster Unionist health spokesperson Alan Chambers said that, while he is concerned over the statistics, he is confident his party leader can tackle the issue. "No one should be in any doubt about Robins commitment to the NHS and the well-being of the people of Northern Ireland, and with regard to waiting times, he has already made a public statement of intent in tackling the appalling situation," he said. "It is now incumbent upon the other parties in the Executive to help ensure Robin has the political and financial support he needs as Health Minister, in order to deliver the Health Service the people of Northern Ireland both need and deserve. No, dont jump for joy just yet, Ferrari hasnt laid out any plans of launching such a hypercar, but theres one designer that let his creative juices to flow freely and the result is what he calls the Ferrari Stallone. With Geneva knocking at the door, we cant help but look back at the 2013 edition of the words largest motor show, which say Ferrari introduced the game-changing LaFerrari. The thing is, though, the LaFerrari is a bit long in the tooth right now and in dire need of a worthy successor. Wait, what? Did you say Stallone? No, this is not a Sylvester Stallone-endorsed edition either. Stallone is actually the Italian word for stallion, a proper name, come to think of it, for one of the Prancing Horses models, albeit one that only lives in the digital world (for now). The Ferrari Stallone is the work of South Africa-based designer Murray Sharp. His portfolio encompasses a couple of other cool car design projects, but well focus on the Ferrari Stallone for now. Unlike other designers, Murray took the time to thoroughly explain why he concocted the design study and most importantly, how he did it and what pointers he had in mind. For example, he wanted to melt together the sculpted beauty of a 250 GTO with the race rawness of the mighty F40. So he started off with the proportions and stance of the Ferrari F40, but focused more on making the concept lower and wider. It also has an exposed engine bay flanked by top-mounted exhausts, a floating headlight design that works like an air-channeling fin, aggressive flying buttresses, and cameras instead of side mirrors. Of course, the classic Ferrari rounded taillights were, too, included in the design. Were even spoiled with dimensions for this dreamworld hypercar, which is supposed to be 4,530 mm long, 2,150 mm wide, and 790 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,650 mm. For the sake of the argument, the F40 flaunted a wheelbase of 2,450 mm and a total length of 4,358 mm. It also packed a vicious V-8 good for 478 horsepower and 577 Newton-meters of torque (425 pound-feet of twist). Murray doesnt say what sort of engine he envisioned for the Ferrari Stallone, but a V-12 powerplant heavily aided by electrification would surely do it a lot of justice from the perspective of a LaFerrari successor that could easily pack in the region of 1,500 horsepower. Theres one big problem, though, with this whole design study. In fact, its not the concept, but us. We cant think of a way to get Ferraris attention before falling on our knees to beg for a production model that looks like Murrays masterpiece. Source: Murray Sharp via Behance Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ghina Ghaliya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27 2020 Political archrivals Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono are likely to face each other in the 2024 presidential race but this time, they are prepping their children to go head-to-head. Megawati's daughter, Puan Maharani, who is the current House of Representatives speaker, may run for president in the 2024 race, following in the footsteps of her mother, the countrys fifth president. Meanwhile, Yudhoyonos son, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, has declared his intention to run in 2024, even though he has not confirmed whether he will run as president or vice president. Yudhoyono was the nations sixth president. "I will continue to prepare for 2024," Agus said recently. 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 By Christine Flowers The accusations of pedophilia in the Catholic Church have never faded from the public eye, and while there are moments when other cataclysmic events push the tragedies a little further back from our immediate view, the fact that children were abused by prelates is never far from our consciousness. As a Catholic, I am particularly devastated by the black mark against my church. There are many Catholics who have abandoned the pews with an anger that approximates the searing white flame of a votive candle. There are others who never loved the church enough to be devastated by her failings, people who could not or did not want to live according to the difficult, demanding and yet necessary obligations of being a true Catholic. I belong to neither group. I still sit in those pews, coming back to them like the immigrant who comes home after long journeys. I find great peace there. I never hated the church for telling me things that I might not like to hear, things about sexuality or penance or the mandate to "be my brother's keeper." I am told to be generous of spirit, to turn the other cheek, to forgive, and not judge, and I find all of those things extremely difficult. It's not a surprise that my patron saint, the only one I really pray to on a regular basis, is St. Michael, the angel with the sword and the kick-ass attitude. And yet, I stay, because there is no other alternative for me. There is no other faith, no other place. For that, I am ridiculed and criticized, and for that I am doubly committed to remain in those pews. But the scandal of men who abused the innocence of children and young men, and who were aided and abetted in their crimes by fearful or venal administrators, has made me ashamed. It has placed me on the defensive with those who already hated a church that stood proudly for the dignity of the unborn and the sanctity of a marriage open to the creation of human life. It has made it difficult for me to say that we speak with one, holy, apostolic and moral voice. Recently, a famous lawyer who will not be named here because he doesn't deserve more publicity, admitted that he might have named the wrong priest in a lawsuit filed by his client, a 50-year-old who claims he was abused in the archdiocese decades ago. As a lawyer, I am astounded at the fact that someone in my profession could have been so careless as to accuse the wrong person of committing a crime so heinous that it is considered by many to be worse than murder. I know that lawyers make mistakes, and I know that we are sometimes blinded by money or crusades or hatred of our opponents, but when you are dealing with claims of sexual abuse, you damn well better get your facts straight before you start pointing fingers. It looks as if the person who should have been named actually died several decades ago. And when confronted with his mistake, the lawyer gave a comment that looked, sounded like and amounted to nothing more than an "oops." This is a problem. We have been saturated with news stories about immoral, criminal priests, to the point that it is now common to simply dismiss all Catholic priests as the punchline of brutal jokes. The media has made it easy to ridicule my faith and the good men who have devoted their lives to it. But it's not just the media. We now have lawyers, those members of my profession who are committing acts of near if not actual malpractice, subjecting the wrong defendants to accusations in the pursuit of some raw and vengeful justice. I expect that many of my readers will be angered by this column. There are those who will never admit that the church, my church, has been treated unfairly by the press and the courts and by they themselves. They will recoil at any call for self-reflection, because the subject of child abuse is so horrible and soul-destroying. We need, and want, our sacrificial lambs. But unless we take the time to examine these cases one by one, under a bright light that has the power to bring out flaws and discrepancies, we are no better than the people we accuse of abuse. Because false accusations are as destructive as true crimes. And lawyers and journalists, of all people, should know that. Christine Flowers (cflowers1961@gmail.com) is an attorney and a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her commentary was distributed by Cagle Cartoons Inc. A tweet from the Met Police of two battering rams in an appeal to catch drug dealers has been deleted after sparking online backlash. The safer neighbourhoods team for the Borough and Bankside area of London's police service posted the image, captioned: 'Would you like us to give your #DrugDealer #Neighbour an early morning wake up call? 'Tell us who they are, where they live & what they do! #Anonymous #CrimeStoppers call 0800555111 or direct via #MetPolice website.' The safer neighbourhoods team for Borough and Bankside posted the image of two battering rams in an appeal to catch drug dealers. The image has since been deleted The safer neighbourhoods team for Borough and Bankside posted the image of two battering rams in an appeal to catch drug dealers. The image has since been deleted The Twitter account later deleted the post and tweeted the same caption again but without the image. In a comment, the account confirmed: 'We retweeted without the image.' One social media user asked: 'Why is this a picture suggesting sexual intercourse when its a post about tackling drug dealers?' The safer neighbourhoods team replied: 'No offence intended, just a cheeky tweet to catch the eye and get attention to the more serious message attached, for our valued community to assist us in identifying addresses involved in the supply of drugs that blight our neighbourhoods.' Another questioned: 'Smashing someones back door?' A third wrote: 'Agree its cheeky. But also agree its inappropriate. You need to draw people to your words and what you want them to do. Social media users reacted to the original post, with one writing: 'It's not just me that sees it...'. The Twitter account later confirmed they retweeted the caption but deleted the image 'Maybe an image reflecting the repercussions of drug use or patch rivalries. Time for a Yorkshire Tea and a rethink.' Others retweeted the original post, with one commenting: 'It's not just me that sees this is it...' Another asked: 'Smashing someone's back door?' A third added: 'I wonder how many people have given the address of someone they don't like, just so that they can get their back doors kicked in.' A Laois secondary school has cancelled a trip to Italy over the coronavirus COVID_19. Heywood Community School made the decision to cancel a day before the students were due to leave. It came just hours after the potentially deadly virus spread to their destination of Florence, with the first person diagnosed there last Monday night. There were 16 Leaving Certificate art students planning to go on an art trip to the city, along with two art teachers. The principal Philip Bowe confirmed details to the Leinster Express. "We decided not to proceed with the trip at lunchtime last Tuesday. They were due to leave at 2am that night. Prior to our decision, we had met with the 6th years going and their teachers and phoned every parent. All the parents were in complete agreement," he said. "We felt that putting our students at risk, and even the locality if they came back with the virus. Then the cost of quarantine if they had to stay there for weeks, and the upset that would cause, all were issues we took into consideration," Mr Bowe said. "We couldn't see in all conscience how we could let it go ahead," he said. He said they now have to try and recoup their costs from the tour company. "We are finding it difficult. This is going to be an issue for the government. Each student would be down 460 for flights and accommodation, that's a lot of money that many of them saved up with part time jobs," he said. "To reschedule is no good. These are 16 Leaving Certs who are facing oral exams and practical exams, so going in two or three week's time is not a runner," he said. Another Laois school is waiting for updates to decide whether to proceed with their trip to Italy. The man accused of dropping his granddaughter from the 11th floor of a cruise ship window in Puerto Rico last year has reportedly accepted a plea deal. Salvatore Anello initially didn't want a plea and maintained his innocence, but recently changed his plea to "guilty" and said he wanted to put the matter to rest, according to a report by ABC News. Anello, of Indiana, was charged with negligent homicide after Chloe Wiegand's death aboard the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas, which was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in July. Anello was holding 18-month-old Chloe and placed her on a wood railing. Anello says he was under the impression there was a glass window between them and the outside. But the window was open. And Chloe fell. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. showed a series of stills from a surveillance camera that capture the event, in response to a lawsuit filed by Chloe's family claiming negligence on behalf of the cruise company. Royal Caribbean released footage that shows Anello held Chloe outside the window for 34 seconds before she was dropped, and said Anello must have known about the open window. -- Tribune News Service PHOENIX Arizonas most populous county on Wednesday joined a growing national movement in which areas are declaring themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries and proclaiming support for gun ownership rights. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted in Phoenix to declare one of the nations fastest-growing counties a Second Amendment Preservation County, following dozens of counties nationwide and four others in Arizona that have approved similar symbolic resolutions meant to stave off gun-control policies that could be seen as unconstitutional. The resolution in Maricopa County, which has about 4.4 million residents, simply says the board supports the right to own guns. The proposal lost some of its edge when the board dropped a stipulation that government funds would not be used to infringe on gun rights. Supervisor Steve Gallardo, a Democrat, denounced the politically charged resolution. Lets think about this. A resolution should not be divisive, he said. It should not be partisan. Chairman Clint Hickman countered that multiple constituents had expressed support for the sanctuary designation that was first used in 2018 in Illinois and quickly spread to California, Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, Virginia and other states. Sanctuary city is a term more often associated with cities trying to restrict cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities. Some Second Amendment sanctuary supporters say their decision to use the term was a deliberate knock on Democrats who support immigrant sanctuary cities. In Arizona, gun owners are already free to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. They can also bypass background checks if they buy their firearms at a gun show. However, federal background checks are required for other purchases. Minority Democrats in the Arizona Legislature regularly introduce measures to boost gun regulations, including bans on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, but the bills are routinely defeated. Gary Larson, a gun owner from Glendale, said he had never spoken at a public forum but felt compelled to comment Wednesday because he fears restrictions that could clamp down on his freedoms. Protect the rights of gun owners but critique the people who are asking to own guns, Larson said. Gun-control activists, including members of Moms Demand Action, slammed the resolution as a black eye for the county. It feels a little bit like fear-mongering, Marie Thearle, a member of the group said during the public comment period. Garrick McFadden, a former Democratic congressional candidate who is black, said the resolution doesnt help communities of color. Theres 30 handgun deaths in America each day. But 15 of those people are black people that are killed, McFadden said. One of the things that needs to be done is reaching out to your constituents, not just the ones that came up to you and said they fear their rights are being infringed. ___ Associated Press writer Bob Christie contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) Senator Franklin Drilon has dismissed House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetanos claim that some officials particularly those present in the upper chambers probe only wanted to court the favor of ABS-CBN amid the networks franchise woes. We will not go down to that level of characterization, of calling a co-equal branch 'sipsip', the Senate Minority Leader said in an interview with CNN Philippines The Source on Thursday. The Senate Committee on Public Services conducted Monday a separate inquiry into the issues and alleged violations hounding the media giant a move criticized by Cayetano. Parang nag-a-attendance ngayon lahat ng gustong sumipsip sa ABS-CBN, 'di ba?, Cayetano told reporters in a chance interview. [Translation: It seemed that those who attended were those who want to ingratiate themselves with ABS-CBN, right?] Cayetano also earlier hit the Senate for prioritizing the ABS-CBN investigation instead of other more urgent measures. He said the move was unconstitutional, arguing that the grant of franchises should emanate from the House of Representatives. RELATED: Senators counter Cayetano: Probe on ABS-CBN franchise case wont violate Constitution Drilon, however, reiterated the Senate only wanted to dissect the case, acknowledging that a decision cannot be made pending action from the lower chamber. We would like to think that Speaker Cayetano knows the issue of inter-parliamentary courtesy, wherein we respect each others process, Drilon said. It has been made clear that we are hearing the joint resolution extending for a short period of time the franchise of ABS-CBN, but we will not act on it until the House has passed a similar measure, he added. Twelve measures seeking to extend ABS-CBNs legal mandate remain pending before the House committee on legislative franchises. The panel has begun its proceedings on the case, but a formal hearing has yet to be calendared. Cayetano earlier said the bills may only be tackled in May at the earliest, as more important measures are still on deck for lawmakers. READ: Ex-Chief Justice: Congress can review policies, Senate power to grant franchise CNN Philippines' Vince Ferreras and Alyssa Rola contributed to this report. "Welcome to a very happy school" reads a half-charred board at a private school in Brijpuri area of North East Delhi which is now home to broken desks and burnt books after it was vandalised during the violence. Arun Modern Senior Secondary School, which is over 32 years old, looks no less than a cemetery, say officials, who claim the damage is estimated to be over Rs 70 lakh. "While I am yet to recover from what has happened at the school, my biggest relief is that children were not in the premises when this happened. I do not even want to imagine what would have happened if that was the case," school principal Jyoti Rani told PTI. "Our security guard was there on Tuesday evening when a mob entered the premises. Scared by the happenings, he rushed outside to save his life. Only two days later, we could gather the courage to go to the school and all I could see was vandalised desks, burnt books in library and a mess everywhere. It looks no less than a cemetery now," she added. Bhisham Sharma, the owner of the school, said the rioters burnt books worth Rs 70 lakh. "The school has been running since 1987. The incident happened around 5 pm on Tuesday. They came and burnt down everything. We have lost records of 30 years. The only thing we are thankful is that there were no children at that time in the school, otherwise the loss would have been huge," he said. Shaheen, parent of a class 7 student of the school said, "Why did the rioters have to burn down a school which educates students? They are burning everything else and could have spared schools. What about the children who are awaiting their final exams? Their year-long effort will go waste." North East Delhi Violence. Photo: PTI At Rajdhani Public School in Shiv Vihar, few student bags, crayons strewn over, half-burnt models that were part of a recently held exhibition and cut outs from the Republic Day celebrations last month, are among the remains while the entire library has been burnt. Security guard Pawan Susheel said, "Kindergarten students at times leave their bags in schools. No student has been hurt. This (the violence) did not happen in school hours. I came today only." Similar heart-wrenching scenes can be witnessed in DPR School in the same area. Nobody was present in the premises. The main gate of the school has been damaged making it easy for anybody to enter inside. Schools have been closed in North East Delhi and East Delhi for three consecutive days, while the CBSE has postponed board exams in the area scheduled till February 29. The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed 34 lives so far and left over 200 people injured. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at locals and police personnel. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Shiv Vihar are among the areas mainly affected by the riots. The risk to the American people remains very low, Trump said, flanked by VP Pence and US public health officials. There are now 80,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus worldwide. A seemingly medicated president Donald J. Trump addressed the nation Wednesday about the growing global outbreak. In meandering and slurred remarks, Trump bizarrely contradicted the Centers for Disease Control scientists who are warning Americans to prepare for the coming of COVID-19 in the USA wild-eyed orange Don said it's 'not inevitable,' and everything is under control. Trump told Americans Wednesday night the risk of widespread coronavirus in the USA remained "very low," and said Vice President Mike Pence is now in charge of the nation's response to what many fear will shortly be a nationwide health crisis. From Reuters: "We're ready to adapt and we're ready to do whatever we have to as the disease spreads, if it spreads," he said, adding the spread of the virus in the United States was not "inevitable." "It probably will, it possibly will. It could be at a very small level, or it could be at a larger level. Whatever happens we're totally prepared," he said. Public health officials on Wednesday warned Americans to prepare for more coronavirus cases and New York City announced plans to provide up to 1,200 hospital beds if needed as U.S. stock markets fell for the fifth consecutive day. () U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the United States has 59 coronavirus cases, including 42 American passengers repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan. Read more: Trump reassures Americans coronavirus risk is low, puts Pence in charge of U.S. response [IMAGES: Unedited but tightly cropped iPhone snapshots of Trump addressing the nation on the coronavirus threat, Wednesday evening.] Just a live unedited snapshot from Trump's coronavirus TV address, 19 past the hour. pic.twitter.com/k1DPuPRIVv Xeni Jardin (@xeni) February 27, 2020 the charts trump held up during his briefing are readily available on the @statistacharts website.https://t.co/0Mb5RETsJdhttps://t.co/5kac0t02n1 pic.twitter.com/OwlxDEOY46 fake nick ramsey (@nick_ramsey) February 27, 2020 Trump's pupils looked odd during coronavirus address. pic.twitter.com/47UNsbTsOL Xeni Jardin (@xeni) February 26, 2020 Someone hit the covfefe a little too chocker tonight pic.twitter.com/7kpnNkBd4C Xeni Jardin (@xeni) February 26, 2020 Lake Conroe Regarding Lake Conroe levels resolved with vote, (A3, Feb. 22): The San Jacinto River Authority Board vote to continue lowering Lake Conroe water levels will ensure a 100 percent probability of impacting thousands of property owners, businesses and lake users, while providing a small probability of possibly mitigating flooding for downstream residents in the Lake Houston area. The boards vote was 100 percent political. Lake property values will be pushed downward. Tom Wardlow, Montgomery Coronavirus Regarding Virus outbreak to test Italys preparedness, (A8, Feb. 24): The Houston Chronicle published reports that Italian government officials scrambled on Sunday to contain the first major outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe. The Italians have not yet reported that they have identified patient zero, a key element in combating this virus. Western Europe faces the possibility of a pandemic spread of the disease from the northern states of Italy. This highlights a concern that we in Texas should share. It is within the bounds of reason to acknowledge that this virus will find its way to Central America and Mexico. If so, and it reaches the Mexico/Texas border, the governments of Texas and the United States should have a sturdy plan in place to contain and defeat the virus. There should be no Italian-like scrambling to protect this state and this nation. To date the standard action that has been executed by some governments has been to close borders and quarantine communities. With this in mind and Super Tuesday nearing, I hope that the Chronicles reporters strongly address with the presidential candidates the issue of secure borders for Texas and the United States; and, importantly, how the federal government can ensure that it is appropriately prepared so that only affected individuals, not whole communities, are quarantined when imperative. William Kaparich, Houston The worlds lack of preparation for dealing with an impending pandemic is sobering. But even more sobering is the U.S.s ideologically driven pathetic response. For openers, 14 coronavirus-infected Americans were recently flown home by the U.S. State Department. That might sound noble until you realize they were flown on a commercial airliner along with uninfected passengers. The abject insanity of this decision is stunning until you realize we now live in a culture where science and even reason give way to ideology and political whim. But wait, theres more. In 2018, President Donald Trump fired the entire department of experts tasked with developing a response to epidemics that might pose a threat to Americans. Thank God for the New York Times, or citizens in Houston would have no access to this and oh so much more information about a pending major health crisis. Michael Martin, Houston A 31-year-old woman has been sentenced to death by the Tay Ninh Province Peoples Court for transporting nearly 8kg of methamphetamine. Nguyen Hang Ni in court. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tan Nguyen Hang Ni, from Phu Nhuan District, HCM City, admitted that at the beginning of last year, she began contacting a man named Alex via Zalo. The man claimed to be from Africa. Ni used Google translate to communicate with the man. Alex hired Ni to transport drugs, then send them from Vietnam to Hong Kong. Ni would receive a payment of US$500-1,000 each time. On July 15 last year, Alex told Ni to go to No 275C on Pham Ngu Lao Road, District 1 in HCM City, to receive the drugs. Ni arrived at the address on July 17 and was caught by police. The police had been tipped off because at 4pm on July 17, customs officers at Moc Bai International Border Gate checked the luggage of a passenger named Hang Quoc Khanh, who was travelling from Cambodia to Vietnam. The officers discovered 16 plastic bags containing suspected narcotics and took Khanh in for questioning. Khanh told the officers that he was an assistant working for the Danh Danh Express Bus Company in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The company was ordered to transport the goods and Khanh was assigned to take the bags to Pham Ngu Lao Road to a woman named Ni. The bags were found to contain 8kg of methamphetamine. VNS Border province Tay Ninh fights drug trafficking With the year coming to a close, drug trafficking in southern Vietnam is on the rise, according to local authorities. Easterling was found in an apartment about 6 a.m. Friday in the 8300 block of South Baker Avenue. That same day, Twista had put out messages on Twitter and Instagram, saying that Easterling, who acted as a bodyguard for Twista and who he described as "A close friend of mine," had been missing for three days. Mamata Banerjee upset after not being allowed to speak during PMs meet Missionaries of Charity itself requested SBI to freeze all bank accounts: Govt Mamata Banerjee on PM Modi's virtual hospital launch: We inaugurated it last year Is it the end of democracy: Mamata pens poem expressing concern over Delhi violence India oi-Mousumi Dash Kolkata, Feb 27: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, one of the biggest critics of the Modi-led-BJP government, expressing concern over the Delhi violence has posted a poem on her Facebook account on Wednesday. The title of the poem is 'Hell' or 'Netherworld'. In the poem she has talked about "holi of blood before the holi of colour", an apparent reference to the blood shed in violence-hit northeast Delhi. "Search for an address getting lost/ A storm raging the country at gunpoint/ a peaceful country turned violent / Is it the end of democracy?" she penned. She further wrote, "Who will give the answer?/ Will there be a solution/ You and me are deaf and dumb/ The sacred land turns into a hell." Delhi violence: Death toll mounts to 28 At least 27 people have been killed and over 200 injured in communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi three days ago. "So much bloodshed, so many deaths, anger burning like fire, a holi of blood before the holi of colours! Humanity a worst sufferer!," she writes. On Tuesday the TMC supremo appealed to the people of Delhi to maintain peace, she refrained from making any political attack. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 CPI(M) legislative party leader Sujan Chakraborty told news agency PTI, "When all the political parties are demanding Amit Shah's resignation, the TMC is maintaining a stoic silence." Big changes in Delhi police as Modi, Shah, Doval take control over Delhi violence Delhi boiled up since Sunday evening after clashed erupted between pro and anti-CAA groups near Jaffrabad. The incident took place as a large number of people protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) blocked a road, while similar sit-ins were launched in several other parts of the national capital. Reports of arson and unrest emerged from northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura, Maujpur and Karawal Nagar areas late on Wednesday. However, the situation has been brought under control now. On Wednesday after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited violence-affected areas of the national capital to offer personal guarantees that the government would restore peace. Meka Jones and Michael Watson were at odds almost immediately after they got married as strangers on Lifetimes Married at First Sight Season 10. After an argument on the plane to their honeymoon in Panama over what Meka considered to be Michaels honeymoon sex ultimatum, the couple clashed so much that they agreed to stay in separate hotel rooms during most of the trip. Michael and Meka eventually tentatively reconciled and moved in together when they returned to Washington, D.C. But on the Feb. 26 episode of Married at First Sight, The L Word, tensions between them flared again when Meka discovered her husband had kept a secret about his career choices from her. Meka Jones | MAFS Lifetime via Instagram Michael decided not to take a new job as a school principal Seemingly out of the blue, Michael told Meka he wouldnt be taking his much-discussed promotion to a new position as a school principal after all. So theres gonna be a little bit of a change with my schedule, he began, as Meka looked on suspiciously. So I decided to actually not go with the principal job at the Catholic school. I thought it was just following my best interests to move on from that position. That became official just a couple of hours ago, after just a few phone calls back and forth, Michael continued, adding hastily that hed already accepted a position as a director at a different school. Meka questioned Michael about his offer letter and why hed changed his mind so suddenly, but she didnt seem satisfied with his answers. Im pretty career oriented, so I was super excited when Michael told me that he was accepting a new job as a principal, the Married at First Sight star told producers. But now hes turning it down? Why? Meka said she couldnt trust her husband Ultimately, Meka took the news as yet another sign that she couldnt trust Michael fully. She thought some of his story seemed fishy or manufactured. How can I build a life with somebody if I dont know what theyre being truthful about and what theyre lying about? the Married at First Sight star asked. Michael has lied so much about so many different things. She added later, A lot of my standoffishness is because I dont trust my husband. But Michael insisted hed turned down the promotion for the good of their marriage. As were still building and growing, I just didnt feel comfortable with what they were asking me to do and what they were asking me to give up, he told Meka, who still didnt look at all convinced. Michael told his wife he didnt feel comfortable enough with her to tell her the full truth In a later heart-to-heart, Meka broached the subject of Michaels truth-telling, or lack thereof, once again. The biggest thing for me is honesty. Thats literally all I need right now, is for you to be honest, she told him. Meka explained that she didnt understand why they hadnt talked about his career decision beforehand, including his choice to apply for a different job entirely. But Michael said he hadnt told Meka the full truth because he didnt trust her, either. I dont feel 100% comfortable with you yet, the Married at First Sight star said. And I dont know all there is to know about you. Theres just certain things Id rather keep to myself. Michaels wife didnt fully buy his explanation and thought he might be deflecting. I feel like Im not allowed to express how I feel about Michael without him saying how he feels about me, she lamented. Ultimately, Meka told Michael nothing would change in their marriage if he didnt start telling the full truth and work to earn her trust. She said she didnt know why he came into this process if his reaction to uncomfortable situations was to lie or distort the truth. I think my biggest fear in falling in love with you is that this was all a lie, Meka confessed. Michael took offense to his wifes accusations, telling producers, This notion that Im out here just lying, its ridiculous. I dont trust her, and I dont think shes being genuine with me. Everything feels like a setup for an I got you moment. Demonstrators blocked off Portage and Main, holding a round dance Wednesday afternoon in solidarity with Wetsuweten protesters in B.C. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Demonstrators blocked off Portage and Main, holding a round dance Wednesday afternoon in solidarity with Wetsuweten protesters in B.C. Traffic was diverted from the downtown Winnipeg intersection as people chanted, sang and danced. Many carried signs condemning the $6-billion Coastal GasLink pipeline project and calling on the RCMP to leave Wetsuweten traditional territory, after arrests in B.C. sparked protests across Canada. Such demonstrations have been frequent in the Manitoba capital and surrounding area in recent weeks, including a rally in front of Manitoba RCMP headquarters two days prior. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Protesters in support of Wetsuweten blockades hold a round dance at Portage and Main closing the intersection to vehicle traffic. Brielle Beardy-Linklater, a two-spirit community activist, said Wednesday she has attended every event in Winnipeg in solidarity with the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs thus far. She said the constant action is meant to enforce a message to people in the city and beyond. "Its the consistency, and the message were trying to send to Canadians," she said. "That were still here, and we still hold title to the land as Indigenous people, no matter which Indigenous background that is. Were here on treaty land, treaties that were signed years and years ago for our benefit from our ancestors. "So when were peacefully assembling, were trying to demonstrate as a people what we are." Tensions briefly flared during the demonstration Wednesday, after a man entered the circle of protesters and confronted speakers. The man was escorted away by police; no charges were filed. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Police photograph and record protesters in support of Wetsuweten blockades at Portage and Main, Wednesday. Joseph Munro, co-founder of the First Nations Indigenous Warriors a non-profit that seeks to break stereotypes and provide support to Indigenous communities said the incident spoke to the "aggression" toward First Nations people in the city. He said the groups presence at Portage and Main was, in part, to provide safety services. "Our mandate here is to make sure that nobody is attacked by an outside group thats trying to come and stop what were doing here," Munro said. "And thats partly what the warrior job is to do here: to make sure theres peace and safety here to do it." While many in attendance were regular attendees of recent solidarity demonstrations, some were experiencing it for the first time. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS An unidentified person, centre, speaks out against protesters who closed Portage and Main to traffic Wednesday is surrounded. Sherise Fleury said attending her first rally Wednesday was emotionally intense, and she hoped people witnessing the demonstration would approach it with empathy. "This isnt to ask people for support, this isnt a movement of support," she said. "This is a movement, I think, to understand the injustices that weve felt for so long." malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @malakabas_ 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. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Rumors about Apples own retail outlet in India has been surfacing for quite some time now. Yesterday at its annual shareholders meeting at Steve Jobs Theater Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that Apple will open its first retail store in India in 2021. He said that the company had to seek special approval for this because the Indian government wanted it to work with a partner. We wouldnt be a very good partner in retail. We like to do things our way, he said. He also said that Apple will start selling its products on its online store starting this year. The company is currently selling its products online on Flipkart, Amazon.in, Paytm Mall, and offline through third-party brand-authorized retailers. A report from last year said that Apple has chosen Mumbais Maker Maximity Mall in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) as the venue for its first own India outlet and added that Apple has leased around 20,000-25,000 sq ft space for its outlet and is spread over three floors in the Maker Maximity Mall. It is said to be the largest Apple Store in India and will be three times the size of Apple Flagship Premium Resellers 8000 sq.ft outlet in Mumbai which opened in August 2019. Apple is said to be planning to open 2-3 retail offline retail stores in India in the next few years. Source 1, 2 (Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of company director and manager changes announced on Thursday and not separately reported by Alliance News: Burford Capital Ltd - The litigation finance firm adds Christopher Bogart, chief executive officer and a company founder, to the board, as proposed back in January. Also hires Robert Gillespie, most recently director general of the UK Takeover Panel, and John Sievwright, former chief operating officer for International at Merrill Lynch, as independent non-executive directors. Peter Middleton to step down as chair at 2021 annual general meeting, succeeded by Deputy Chair Steve Wilson. Burford said it will continue to refresh its board and expects to add a further independent director prior to the 2021 AGM. The company is seeking a US listing, and it said Thursday that if successful, it will look to add another US director. Burford was the target of a short-selling attack back in August of last year by Muddy Waters Capital LLC, which charged that Burford "is a poor business masquerading as a great one". OnTheMarket PLC - Property portal hires Rupert Sebag-Montefiore as independent non-executive director. Sebag-Montefiore served as chief executive officer of estate agent Savills PLC's principal UK subsidiary, as well as head of Global Residential. Laura Ashley Holdings PLC - Chief Executive Officer Kwan Cheong Ng steps down Thursday to become non-executive director. Had been expected to remain an executive director until end of April. Chief Operating Officer Katharine Poulter promoted to CEO. ConvaTec Group PLC - Hires Brian May as non-executive director from March 2. May was chief financial officer of Bunzl PLC from 2016 to 2019. RSA Insurance Group PLC - Alastair Barbour plans to step down as non-executive director in early October, having served nine years on the insurer's board. Clare Bousfield joins board on April 1 and will succeed Barbour as chair of audit committee in October. AFC Energy PLC - Company Secretary Graeme Lewis to become finance director as well. REACT Group PLC - Appoints Shaun Doak, managing director of REACT Specialist Cleaning Ltd, to board. Gill Leates moves from executive to non-executive chair. Both changes immediate. Open Orphan PLC - Chief Financial Officer Leo Toole added to board. Toole was interim CFO and then confirm as permanent earlier this month. He is a 20-year pharmaceuticals and medical technology veteran, having held senior finance positions at the US's Procter & Gamble Co and other multinationals. Frenkel Topping Group PLC - Elaine Cullen-Grant promoted from financial controller to the board as chief financial officer. Cullen-Grant succeeds Stephen Bentley, who retires on March 1. Dialight PLC - Karen Oliver and Gotthard Haug hired as non-executive directors from April 1. Oliver is former managing director of Johnson Matthey PLC's Chemicals business. Haug is executive chair of electronics repair and service provider Ivy Technology. Steve Good to step down as director from March 31. Baronsmead Second Venture Trust PLC - Tim Farazmand hired as independent non-executive director from May 1. Was chair of the British Venture Capital Association. By Tom Waite; thomaslwaite@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. I congratulate us all since none of the judges of the Constitutional Court of Armenia submitted an application for early retirement. This is what ex-deputy chief of staff of the National Assembly of Armenia Arsen Babayan wrote on his Facebook page. He particularly stated the following: They showed that they have the will that deserves high respect and are fighting for the functioning of an independent judiciary. These strange times are transient, but your high sense of responsibility, strength and professionalism will go down in history. I thank all of you Hrayr Tovmasyan, Alvina Gyulumyan, Arayik Tunyan, Hrant Nazaryan, Felix Tokhyan, Ashot Khachatryan and Arevik Petrosyan. Diego Luna explains the importance of storytelling and why he always considered Mexico City as his home according to a published article in We Are Mitu. A previous report from Latin Post revealed that it took months of conversation before Diego Luna signed into playing the role of Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo in the new season of "Narcos: Mexico." He only signed to play the character when he found out that the new season of Netflix's most compelling documentary series does not intend to talk about the character so much as the system that leads the characters to be involved in the drug cartel. Luna also revealed that he did not talk to Gallardo to help him play his character. Even though there were interviews given to him about Gallardo, Luna instead chose to read what people think about Gallardo. He believed that when you ask people about themselves, they will only tell you the half-truth. Moreover, in playing his role he said: "The good thing for me in playing this role is this man was a very discreet person, he understood the power of discretion." The actor also said that it is important for him to do research about Gallardo and look for common answers. He found out that what made Gallardo the apex of Mexican Cartel during his time was his intelligence, precision, and his strategic thinking. Meanwhile, he also said that the new season of "Narcos" explained that even those who are committing corrupt acts are victims. Luna said: "Some of the characters that take action are victims of the whole system." However, even though during the first season of "Narcos" on Netflix which gained much attention from the viewers, still it cannot be avoided that the documentary film was criticized because it only shows the bad side of Mexico. For Luna, this is something that should be talked about so that everyone can move on. Besides, Luna also said that this part of storytelling about Mexico is very important because this gives everyone a fuller picture of the country. He added that seeing the darkest side of a country that is marked by political and judicial corruption is very vital. Luna said: "In this case, the story is very complex, it's talking about a corrupt system that allows these stories to happen. We don't tell stories like that-we simply everything. With this, I had a chance to understand that complexity. The journey of this character is a presentable journey. Power has a downside, and he gets there and he thinks he's indispensable and clearly he is not." In real life, aside from a well-known Mexican actor, Luna is also a well-known vocal activist who constantly work to put the talents and arts of Mexico in the international stage through his work. He always believed that Mexico has a culture waiting to be explored. Diego Luna also shared that he always considered Mexico as his home. He said: "The beauty of Mexico is that there are many Mexicos-it's a very diverse country. You have the Pacific Coast that is beautiful and vibrant and really cool. By far my favorite beach spots in Mexico are in Oaxaca and all the region of Baja California. You also have the desert and jungle and Veracruz and you have all the Caribbean coast and the city is to be a place I can't really escape. Home is Mexico City, and it will always be where most of my love stories are and where I belong." BEIRUT An air strike by Syrian government forces killed 29 Turkish soldiers in northeast Syria, a Turkish official said Friday, marking the largest death toll for Turkey in a single day since it first intervened in Syria in 2016. The deaths were a serious escalation in the direct conflict between Turkish and Russia-backed Syrian forces that has been waged since early February. Rahmi Dogan, the governor of Turkeys Hatay province bordering Syrias Idlib region, said 29 troops were killed and others were seriously wounded in the attack late Thursday. He said 39 injured were being treated in Turkish hospitals. Three Turkish soldiers killed earlier Thursday in Idlib. At least 50 have now been killed in Idlib since the start of February. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was holding an emergency security meeting in Ankara, state-run Anadolu news agency reported. Meanwhile Turkish Foreign Minister Mevult Cavusoglu spoke to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg by telephone. The air strike came after a Russian delegation spent two days in Ankara for talks with Turkish officials on the situation in Idlib, where a Syrian government offensive has sent hundreds of thousands of civilians fleeing towards the Turkish border. The offensive has also engulfed many of the 12 military observation posts Turkey has in Idlib. Fahrettin Altun, Erdogans communications director, said all known Syrian government targets were under attack by Turkish air and land forces in response to the deaths. Turkish television news channels aired black-and-white footage of air strikes on Syrian targets. Omer Celik, spokesman for Erdogans ruling party, said NATO should stand by Turkeys side. Ankara recently called for U.S. Patriot missiles to be deployed to defend its forces in Syria. In a message seemingly aimed at Europe, he added: Our refugee policy is the same but theres a situation there, were no longer able to hold refugees. Turkey hosts some 3.6 million Syrians and under a 2016 deal with the European Union agreed to step up efforts to halt the flow of refugees to Europe. Since then Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to open the gates in several disputes with European states. Angry crowds gathered outside the Russian consulate in Istanbul, Anadolu said. Standing in front of a line of riot police and a water cannon, they chanted Murderer Russia, murderer Putin. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 34 Turkish soldiers were killed in air strikes on Idlib on Thursday. It said the attacks occurred in an area between the villages of al-Bara and Baliun near the Jabal al-Zawiya region in the southern Idlib countryside. The Britain-based Observatory monitors the Syria war through a network of activists on the ground. The air strike came after Turkey-backed Syrian opposition fighters retook the strategic northwestern town of Saraqeb from government forces on Thursday, opposition activists said, cutting a key highway just days after the government reopened it for the first time since 2012. Bassem Mroue and Andrew Wilks are Associated Press writers. The Kogi state high court sitting in Lokoja, the state capital, on Thursday, nullified the impeachment of Simon Achuba, former deputy ... The Kogi state high court sitting in Lokoja, the state capital, on Thursday, nullified the impeachment of Simon Achuba, former deputy governor of the state. The state assembly in October removed Achuba after the committee set up to investigate the allegations of misconduct levelled against him submitted its report. Though the panel did not indict him. Edward Onoja, former chief of staff to Yahaya Bello, the state governor, was subsequently sworn-in as deputy governor. But John Olorun Femi, the presiding judge, on Thursday, ruled that the nomination and swearing-in of Onoja as deputy governor violated due process. The court held that Achubas impeachment violated the constitution as the report submitted to the state assembly did not indict him. Achuba fell out with Bello shortly after they were sworn into office. He said he was being persecuted for exposing corruption in the state. It seemed like the dream retirement vacation: Six months around Asia and Australia, including a stint on Princess Cruises' luxurious Diamond Princess cruise ship. Then, on Feb. 3, John, 63, and Melanie Haering, 58, from Tooele, Utah, were readying for bed when they learned the ship would be quarantined for the night. The confinement was extended as people started to come down with coronavirus. Facing a 14-day quarantine that saw hundreds get sick, their vacation of a lifetime turned into a nightmare. Making matters worse, the two had been separated since Feb. 13, when John became ill, was taken off the ship in Yokohama, Japan, and transported to Chiba University Hospital, where he tested positive for coronavirus. He is one of more than 700 passengers who contracted the virus during the ship's quarantine, which some officials have said failed. On Feb. 16, Melanie left Japan on an American charter flight with more than 300 other Diamond Princess evacuees. Since then, she's been in quarantine at Travis Air Force Base in California. It's the longest they've spent apart in their eight years of marriage, Melanie told USA TODAY, with a literal ocean separating them. "We do a lot of crying," John told USA TODAY. Melanie seconded his sentiment: "I have tears in my eyes now." Three days before John was taken off the ship, the night of Feb. 10, Melanie alerted the crew that he was displaying symptoms of coronavirus, as all passengers on the Diamond Princess had been instructed to do. Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties; if the virus worsens, it can develop into pneumonia, kidney failure, severe acute respiratory syndrome or lead to death. But she said no one responded immediately, and he went untested until after he was taken off the ship. "Honestly, it was really backwards; I called and he had a fever of 104 degrees," she said. "The person said to me, 'We'll put him on the list.' " Story continues They had to follow up to get someone to come the next day, John said, and they learned that Princess Cruises was removing 60 other ill passengers from the ship. The doctors who visited their room didn't speak English and didn't do anything to help. They asked what his temperature was and left. "Thats when I told Melanie, 'We are in this alone.' " "So those doctors came in knowing he was ill, did not take his temperature, did not swab him and didnt test me," Melanie continued. "We kept asking, 'Are you going to swab us?' And he goes, 'No no no.' " Another set of doctors came in hours later, by which time John had developed a rash. Yet he was left in their cabin for another two days as his temperature fluctuated before they came back. "They came and got me out of my room," he said, noting that he was given 15 minutes to collect his belongings. "When they got to the room, I was able to give (Melanie) a hug and a kiss, and I couldnt even look back," he recalled. It might seem odd, he understands, that he kissed his wife goodbye when he was ill but they hadn't been separated at all, even when it was clear that he was sick. Diamond Princess passengers John and Melanie Haering have been separated since Feb. 13, when he was transported to a Japanese hospital and diagnosed with coronavirus. Three days later, she boarded an evacuation flight to the U.S. and entered quarantine at Travis Air Force Base in California. "I didnt think anything of it because we kiss all the time and obviously had in our room, so it didnt even cross either of our minds that maybe we shouldnt," he said. "We had been in quarantine for 10 days in a small room, in the same bed, through the worst fever I have ever had, and Melanie was right there, putting wet, cold towels on me for days. It didnt seem like it would do any harm to kiss her goodbye." Weeks later, things are starting to look up. John has tested negative for coronavirus twice, and on Thursday, he left the hospital to stay at a hotel for the night. Monday, he had been home for two days and was planning to head to the airport to pick Melanie up since her quarantine at Travis Air Force Base in California had been completed. Getting home, John said, was fairly seamless. He took a flight back to Portland, then another to Salt Lake City. The only hiccup he had was when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer noticed he had been on the Diamond Princess. After being pulled aside and questioned, John showed a note from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that said he was free to travel. It only took 15 minutes, he said. "As far as the government, Im in the clear," John said. "Melanie will be the same way, but we're imposing a 30-day quarantine on ourselves." His doctor in Japan told him that while a patient may show no signs, the virus may still live on in their body. They are worried that they could get others, including their elderly parents, sick. So they'll hole up in their house, have groceries delivered and plan their next vacation over the next month. Coronavirus: Your guide to travel warnings, flights, cruises, hotels In quarantine in a Japanese hospital Aware that it might be a while before he saw his wife again, John called to let Melanie know where he was a few hours after his arrival at the hospital. Communication was initially difficult due to the lack of an internet connection, but they purchased a hotspot, which costs $10 per day, to remedy that problem. He liked his doctor there; he communicated with all the staff through a translator. "I think he knows what he is doing," John said during his quarantine. "But I've talked to him in total out of 10 days maybe 15 minutes total." While in isolation, John didn't receive much care. There were no pills to take, no vitamins, no procedures. Once a day, his vitals were taken. They hoped his body would fight off the virus. "They absolutely dont know how to handle it," he said. "And I dont think they're incompetent by any means." He developed pneumonia, but by the time he left his Japan quarantine, 50% of the pneumonia cleared up, according to scans. Earlier in the week he also had a rash and diarrhea. But the recovery was more than physical. "Mentally, its a little tougher; Im isolated," John said while he was quarantined. "I feel like a pariah a little bit because anyone that comes in my room for any reason is completely masked, gloves, tape." Food arrived in boxes through his door. Everything that left his room was placed into a container. He had to do his laundry in the shower. Meals came regularly, though he said he wasn't provided with enough food. John is 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds or did. "I told them I needed more food they said I am being fed the same amount that the person who weighs 100 pounds across the hall is being fed," he explained. "I am losing weight." He also wasn't provided with water, just a cup of tea with each meal. Instead, he had to buy his own. He asked a nurse to buy him some from the convenience store downstairs. He estimates he's spent about $20 on water since he's been there. "Its not like that at all the other hospitals," Melanie said. John explained that he had a friend at a hospital in Tokyo whose nurses brought him food and dropped it off in his room. He was also allowed to order food for delivery, they said. John said he would have loved to be taken back to the United States for treatment. "I feel that nobody wants me there because of the disease that I contracted," he said. "And I wholeheartedly understand that, but if they put me in a care facility that Im not around other people at the virus doesnt jump a mile." Inside U.S. quarantine Meanwhile, Melanie was at Travis Air Force Base in California. She waited anxiously for several days to receive her own coronavirus test results. She learned her tests were negative last week. She is one of the passengers who evacuated the quarantined ship on an American charter flight Feb. 16, which required an additional 14-day quarantine. "Im basically in the lap of luxury in comparison to where hes at," Melanie said during her U.S.-based quarantine. She had a full apartment, her laundry was taken care of and she was fed three meals daily. She was allowed to go outside with a mask on. Her temperature had been taken twice daily throughout the quarantine there. Coming back to the states was a relief, she said. She is confident that if she contracted the virus, she would have received good medical care. "I cant even tell you how proud I am to be an American," Melanie said. "A lot of things can be said about the United States, but Ill tell you what, we do a lot of things right." Situation 'is a big circus' On Wednesday, John tested negative for coronavirus. But he was not completely out of the woods. He needed to test negative again before he would be allowed to leave. Thursday, he tested negative again. He was clear of the virus but was still dealing with pneumonia. "I dont know what this virus has done to my health," he said. "And I don't want to have any long-lasting effect." As of Monday, more than 89,000 people had contracted coronavirus worldwide, and more than 3,000 had died, according to Johns Hopkins data. While doctors in Japan told him he didn't need a follow-up appointment, John said he still plans to see a doctorin the U.S. His doctor in Japan told him that it would be difficult to contract the virus a second time. After they complete their self-imposed 30-day quarantine, John said he and Melanie would go to their local health department to get tested again. "We're not going to take that chance." As he waited for the results of a CT scan assessing the progression of his pneumonia and his second coronavirus test results during his quarantine, he said there were so many things still in question: Figuring out how to deal with an unknown virus. Wondering if the CDC will allow me to go home. Not knowing if the damage done by the virus is permanent. Not knowing how the details of getting home work. Concerned about how people back home will accept me. Still dont know if my test will come back negative; one positive and we start all over again. "It really is a big circus," he said. And the fact that he and Melanie couldn't be there for each other in person made everything harder. "Its really hell because were so close and we have such a good relationship," Melanie said. "I always take care of him and make sure he has the best, and he takes care of me and makes sure I have the best." It goes beyond their own relationship, too both were feeling the difference in the quality of life without human touch. Neither of them had human contact in the weeks of their quarantine. "One of my doctors shook my hand a couple days ago, and I thought 'Wow, thats actually human touch.' Of course, he had two layers of gloves and all taped up," he said, calling it a "kind gesture." How did the virus spread so much? More than 700 people who had been on board the ship contracted the coronavirus. And Japan's government has been questioned over its decision to keep people on the ship, which some experts have called a perfect virus incubator. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, told the USA TODAY Editorial Board and reporters that the original idea to keep people safely quarantined on the ship wasn't unreasonable. But even with the quarantine process, virus transmission still occurred. "The quarantine process failed," Fauci said. "I'd like to sugarcoat it and try to be diplomatic about it, but it failed. People were getting infected on that ship. Something went awry in the process of the quarantining on that ship. I don't know what it was, but a lot of people got infected on that ship." Four people have died who were on board Diamond Princess during the coronavirus quarantine. Contributing: David Oliver, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus quarantine separates cruise ship couple in U.S., Japan MANILA, Philippines A British national found to be overstaying in the country and is wanted by authorities in his country is set to be deported, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Thursday. In a statement, Commissioner Jaime Morente said the Briton, identified as 58-year old Kevin Victor Ryder, is wanted in the United Kingdom (UK) for allegedly enticing a Filipino girl, a minor, to have sexual relations with him. Ryder was arrested by operatives of the bureaus fugitive search unit (FSU) in Angeles City, Pampanga last February 14. Morente said Ryder is a registered sex offender in the UK as he was convicted in 2006 for child pornography, particularly making and possessing indecent images of children, and sentenced to 14 months in prison. We received a request for the UK authorities that he be arrested and deported due to reports that he was grooming a 12-year-old girl in the Philippines, he said. BI FSU chief Bobby Raquepo added that Ryder, who had been illegally staying in the Philippines for almost five years, was previously expelled from Thailand for committing sexual offenses against children there. A check of the BIs travel database showed that the British national last arrived as a tourist in the country in 2015 and he did not depart ever since. We will immediately deport him not only because he is an overstaying alien but because his continued presence here poses a serious threat to our Filipino children, Morente said. He will be blacklisted after we deport him so he will be unable to return to the country. The suspect is currently detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City while awaiting deportation. The post PH to deport alleged British pedophile appeared first on UNTV News. OTTAWA The Trudeau government is poised to start clawing back some of Manitobas health dollars if the province doesnt crack down on private testing services within a month. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA The Trudeau government is poised to start clawing back some of Manitobas health dollars if the province doesnt crack down on private testing services within a month. "Our goal is to make sure that we don't see a degradation of the public health services that Canadians have come to rely on, and that is part of who we are as a country," federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu told the Free Press Wednesday. "I've let my counterparts know that if they don't come into compliance with the Canada Health Act, that they will be subject to deductions, as appropriate for the specific infractions." THE CANADIAN PRESS/ADRIAN WYLD Federal Minister of Health Patty Hajdu. The Liberals health accord has been a flashpoint between the Pallister and Trudeau governments. Since 1984, the Canada Health Act (CHA) has governed which services provinces must provide in order to receive federal transfers. "We have a public health-care system that is designed to make sure that, no matter what jurisdiction you live in, that you have equal access to services that are covered," Hajdu said. In the annual CHA report Hajdu tabled Monday in Parliament, Health Canada cited "evidence of residents paying out-of-pocket to secure faster access to diagnostic services," and revealed that Health Canada asked Manitoba in August 2018, and again last May, to cut down on nurse practitioners offering paid tests. Our goal is to make sure that we don't see a degradation of the public health services that Canadians have come to rely on, and that is part of who we are as a country." Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu Nurse practitioners have more advanced training than other nurses, and can perform some tasks and tests normally done by physicians, in which case Manitoba Health pays for the procedure. The provincial department told Health Canada it would look into that overlap, but felt NPs were compliant with the CHA. In Mondays report, Health Canada said that as of April 1, "provinces and territories that permit patients to be charged for these services will be subject to deductions from federal transfers." Diane Gudmundson, a nurse practitioner based in Richer, launched a private service in 2017 called NP on Wheels. PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Nurse Practitioner Diane Gudmundson launched NP on Wheels in 2017. The service dispatches four staff members to homes and offices to do things such as swab-testing for strep throat, inserting an IUD or flushing out an ear. The services generally cost at least $60, and are priced based on service, location and time of day. Gudmundson has become an advocate for other nurse practitioners who want to go private. She argues paid services can offer more comprehensive care to people with complex needs than the provinces walk-in clinics. Health accord an open wound OTTAWA The Trudeau governments health accord has been a perennial point of conflict with Premier Brian Pallister. Pallister opposed the deal ever since the Liberals unveiled it in late 2016. The accord held to the former Harper governments slowing of transfers: a 3 per cent annual rise, despite an aging population. click to read more OTTAWA The Trudeau governments health accord has been a perennial point of conflict with Premier Brian Pallister. Pallister opposed the deal ever since the Liberals unveiled it in late 2016. The accord held to the former Harper governments slowing of transfers: a 3 per cent annual rise, despite an aging population. Pallister failed in trying to get his counterparts from other provinces to reject the deal. The Liberals sweetened the deal by topping up spending for mental health and home care, which got the Atlantic premiers on board. Manitoba was the last to ratify the accord, in August 2017. Pallister has since cited the deal in explaining his controversial cutbacks to Winnipeg emergency rooms. Last December, Pallister said reopening the health accord was his top priority as premier, and he convinced his fellow premiers to request the transfer rise annually by 5.2 per cent, instead of three. However, the premiers subsequent meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have revolved around issues like the Interlake flood-channel outlets. Dylan Robertson Close She argued low-income people who are housebound ultimately save more in a single home visit than arranging transportation and an attendant to visit a doctor, lab and clinic. "They really want to feel that they, as a person, really matter, and that theyre more than just a number," Gudmundson said in a YouTube video. "I can actually see very clearly the gaps that are there in the system, so there needs to be somebody outside the system." Yet the Manitoba Nurses Union argues those gaps stem from provincial health-care cuts. MNU head Darlene Jackson noted that many nurse practitioners used to work at QuickCare clinics in Winnipeg before the Pallister government closed them. "I believe there is a bigger role for NPs in our public system; I think they are pathetically, tragically underused," she said, adding that on-demand NP services effectively privatize what people deem a public right. Jackson also said Ottawa should push Manitoba to hire more NPs, instead of withholding health transfers. "I dont see who that's going to benefit," she said. Its unclear how much of Manitobas $1.5-billion health transfer Ottawa could claw back. Normally, Health Canada bases that amount on how much the province would otherwise have spent. Hajdus office said it will share potential clawback amounts in late March. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Manitoba Health, seniors, and active living minister Cameron Friesen. The office of Manitoba Health Minister Cameron Friesen declined an interview Wednesday. Instead, he boasted of provincial investments in various procedures unrelated to NPs. "Manitoba remains committed to the principal of universality as enshrined under the Canada Health Act. And our government continues to co-operate with our federal counterparts on a variety of files," Friesen told the Free Press in an email, citing funding agreements on mental-health services and methamphetamine-addiction treatment. Hajdu said she intends to press Friesen on the NP issue when the federal and provincial health ministers meet next month. "There's always nudging that happens," Hajdu said. "Im looking forward to having those continued conversations but we will take action if necessary," 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 1995 to 1998, Ottawa withheld $2.4 million of Manitobas health transfers, due to user charges at surgical and ophthalmology clinics. More recently, Health Canada threatened to charge Manitoba if a private MRI clinic became operational, but that project remains in the works. In April, Ottawa is also planning to reduce transfers to New Brunswick over the closure of an abortion clinic in that province that has garnered national attention. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca Hundreds of tourists at a plush hotel in Tenerife have been put on lockdown after a doctor visiting from Italy's Lombardy region tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Guests at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace have described a chaotic response to the outbreak and have complained about the conflicting advice given by authorities and hotel staff. While some have chosen to remain in their rooms, others are wandering around hotel grounds and have been seen relaxing by the pool in face masks. Scroll down to see photos of what the quarantined resort looks like now. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. masks tenerife hotel Guests at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife wearing masks while waiting in a communal area on February 26, 2020. Reuters Tourists at the four-star H10 Costa Adeje Palace resort in Tenerife, Spain, are on lockdown for the next two weeks after a doctor visiting from Italy tested positive for the deadly novel coronavirus. Guests have been complaining about the conflicting advice issued by authorities and hotel staff, and "horrific" conditions in the Canary Island resort. Here's what it's like inside the quarantined hotel. Hundreds of tourists at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel in Tenerife has been sealed off after a doctor from northern Italy tested positive for the coronavirus. tenerife hotel Reuters The seafront resort has 467 rooms, four pools, and three restaurants, according to The Guardian. The Guardian said the hotel currently has 1,000 guests inside, while Reuters put the figure at 700. In a press release sent to Business Insider, the hotel confirmed that there have been four more cases, but that the infected people had been transferred to a nearby hospital. The H10 Costa Adeje Palace, which is a four-star hotel chain on the coast of Adeje, was officially quarantined on Tuesday. tenerife hotel REuters Tourists at the hotel have been asked to stay in isolation and not leave the hotel premises for 14 days, Sky News reported. Story continues One guest, John Turton, told the BBC: "The hotel has been cordoned off but we're trying to make the best of what's going on. We haven't been given any more information other than the note but we're going to just wait, try and enjoy the holiday and see what happens." Outside the resort, medical teams have been on standby, ready to respond if people develop symptoms of the virus. hotel tenerife Reuters Source: Sky News But inside, tourists are complaining about the conflicting advice that has been issued by authorities and hotel staff. tenerife hotel Reuters Two letters sent by the hotel asked guests to "remain in their rooms" and regularly monitor their temperature with a thermometer given to them. The letter was put under guests' doors, according to The Guardian. Since then, little information has been given. Source: BBC Meanwhile, other reports suggest that guests are not allowed out of the hotel's grounds, but are free to leave their rooms. A regional government official, Maria Teresa Cruz Oval, told Reuters: "Asymptomatic hotel guests can have a normal life inside the hotel, with the required prevention measures, while the guests with symptoms will remain isolated in their rooms." This has led to mixed actions from the guests. Some have followed the letters' advice and stayed in their rooms. tenerife hotel Getty Images Hannah Green from England, who is staying with her boyfriend and one-year-old son, was cited by The Guardian as saying: "We woke up to a note under our door this morning saying for health reasons not to leave our room." "But since then, we've had nothing from the hotel no one has told us anything or what's going to happen. But we're staying in. It's a holiday from hell." But others have been seen wandering through hotel grounds and tanning by the pool. hotel tenerife Getty Images Turton, one of the guests, told the BBC he and his wife had seen the note but then heard people walking outside and heading to breakfast. Another guest from the UK, Lara Pennington, told Reuters: "It's very scary because everyone is out, in the pool, spreading the virus I won't go down to the restaurant and had to ring down and ask them to bring us food up to the room now that the restaurant has re-opened." One guest told BBC that she was "horrified" by the conditions of the hotel. "There were hundreds and hundreds of people queuing up to get some food. And it was just claustrophobic," she said. tenerife hotel Reuters "When we went into the restaurant once it had calmed down, we went to go get a plate and the first person that we saw was an elderly lady, who had a gash on her arm and her mask was coming off her face and she was coughing," Selina Lund told BBC. Some guests who couldn't make it to the restaurant for their food have also been getting food delivered to them. But photos on social media show what looks like airplane food. "Nobody is telling us what's going on, how long this is going to last and who is going to feed us," another guest from the UK, 60-year-old David Hoon, told MailOnline. "The way this has been handled is a disgrace." tenerife hotel Reuters Source: MailOnline The hotel said it would be closed until March 15, and that it is taking care of guests "best way possible." tenerife hotel Reuters A statement on the hotel's website said it is "providing customers and hotel staff all the necessary care and attention so that, despite the inconveniences this situation may cause, they are taken care of in the best way possible." This isn't the first time a large tourist site has been quarantined over the coronavirus. The Diamond Princess cruise ship, which had some 3,700 people on board, was quarantined after a passenger tested positive for the virus. diamond princess disinfection coronavirus Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images Experts have criticized the way the Diamond Princess handled its quarantine, with some even saying the measures were counterproductive and led to further spread. Tourists at the resort now fear they will be in the same situation, The Guardian and i News reported. Business Insider A controlled buy and subsequent discovery of an illegal basement apartment in Lawrence has led to the seizure of 1,448 grams of fentanyl and the arrest of two brothers, officials said Thursday. The Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit and members of the North Shore Gang Task Force, including FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents, an Essex sheriffs deputy and Lawrence police detectives, arranged an undercover purchase of about 220 grams of fentanyl from 30-year-old Jose Carmona in Lawrence, state police wrote in a news release. Authorities watched Carmona walk from a rear basement door at 81 Lexington St. before selling the drugs to undercover officers. After the buy, officials arrested Carmona and went to the 81 Lexington St. building, state police said. There, officers found the rear door was unlocked and saw an illegal apartment in the corner of the basement. Officials knocked on the door of the illegal unit and found 35-year-old Gabriel Carmona-Pimentel, the brother of Jose Caroma. Knowing Carmona-Pimentel was wanted on an arrest warrant for trafficking fentanyl, police arrested him, the statement said. After obtaining a search warrant, officials searched the basement and discovered numerous bags of suspected fentanyl inside a suitcase; paraphernalia including grinders, a scale, and packaging materials; paperwork belonging to the Carmona brothers; and a Puerto Rico identification belonging to Carmona-Pimentel, state police said. Authorities seized 224 grams of fentanyl with packaging during the undercover buy and discovered a total of 1,224 grams of fentanyl with packaging while executing the search warrant. The brothers were arraigned in Lawrence District Court on drug trafficking charges. Moscow on Thursday sounded the alarm over the deteriorating health of a Russian pilot imprisoned in the United States on drug smuggling charges and urged Washington to act. Konstantin Yaroshenko was arrested in Liberia in 2010 for drug trafficking, then transferred to the US, where he was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2011. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, citing Yaroshenko's wife, that the 51-year-old pilot's health has been worsening. "We will look into this issue," she told reporters. "We urge US authorities to honour their obligations," she said, adding that the Russian suffered from a number of health problems. Moscow has suggested that Washington consider swapping Yaroshenko for a US citizen serving time in a Russian prison. Russia's highest-profile American detainee is Paul Whelan, who was arrested in 2018 on espionage charges. He risks up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Whelan, a former US marine, maintains he has been framed and that he took a USB drive from an acquaintance thinking it contained holiday photos rather than state secrets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Libya's rival government says force cannot end blockade on eastern oil fields Iran Press TV Wednesday, 26 February 2020 3:08 PM Libya's eastern-based rival government says a blockade on oil ports and fields in the country's east was imposed based on a "popular decision," and that the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) could not force eastern tribesmen to put an end to it. Abdulhadi Lahweej, the foreign minister of the rival government, told reporters in Geneva on Wednesday, "We cannot use our power to lift the blockade." He claimed that the parallel government, which is based in the eastern city of Tobruk, was using oil revenues to pay for thousands of Syrian mercenaries fighting alongside its troops. Since 2014, Libya has been divided between the GNA and the camp in Tobruk, supported militarily by rebel forces loyal to renegade General Khalifa Haftar. Haftar's forces blocked the eastern oil ports and fields in mid-January in a bid to block the flow of revenues to the GNA. The GNA, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, has previously sought Turkey's support against its rival. The Haftar loyalists receive support from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Lahweej reiterated that his side, led by Haftar, would not join peace talks with the GNA, which were to start in Geneva on Wednesday, saying there was no agreement with the UN mission on its representatives. "The participation for the moment is suspended." The United Nations had planned to bring together lawmakers from both sides of the conflict on Wednesday to end the fighting over Tripoli. Libya plunged into chaos in 2011, when a popular uprising and a NATO intervention led to the ouster of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A woman has revealed how a temporary henna tattoo on vacation has left her scarred after it turned into horrific itchy blisters. Rachel Major, 28, from Wyoming, Michigan, was on vacation in the Dominican Republic, Caribbean, in December 2018 when she decided to get a henna tattoo on her right ankle from a stall nearby. Delighted with the initial result, the real estate agent had no problems with her $10 black henna tattoo until it started itching ten days after it was done. Over the course of the next week, Rachel's temporary tattoo started to blister and swell. It worsened to the point that she began having trouble walking and had to be rushed to hospital for treatment. Rachel Major, 28, from Wyoming, Michigan, revealed the horror she experienced after having a black henna tattoo while on vacation in the Dominican Republic, Caribbean, pictured: Rachel's tattoo ten days after it was done Rachel who had never had henna before, decided to get the temporary tattoo to make her foot look pretty when wearing sandals The 28-year-old (pictured) said she chose a stall that had a lot of other people getting henna tattoos and loved the results at first Rachel who is sharing her story to encourage others to avoid having henna on vacation, is still currently scarred and recovering from the pain. She said: 'I had never had henna done before, so when I saw the stand I thought I would get it done to make my foot look pretty whilst wearing sandals on the beach. 'I saw lots of other people getting their henna done from this stand, so thought it would be fun. 'When I first had it done, I loved the result and it seemed fine for the first nine days. It wasn't until the tenth day that it became very itchy. Rachel began to experience itching, blistering and swelling just nine days after the tattoo was done, pictured: day 16 RACHEL'S HENNA TIMELINE DAY ONE TO NINE - No issues. DAY TEN - Itching began. DAY 11 - Itching got more severe. DAY 12 - Rachel applied homemade remedies to remove the remaining ink including: olive oil, salt, lemon juice, anti-bacterial soap, hydrogen peroxide, nail polish remover, toothpaste. Rachel attempted to use homemade remedies to remove the tattoo, pictured: day 10 DAY 13 - Blistering began, Rachel started soaking ankle twice a day in Epsom salt and icing the ankle. DAY 14 - Swelling began. DAY 15 - Rachel went to urgent care and was prescribed one HudrOXYzine capsule, one PredniSONE tablet and Triamcinolone Acetonide cream. DAY 16 - Pain started to ease: no itching, no throbbing and swelling started to slowly reduce. Advertisement 'After that the itching didn't stop and it started blistering and swelling, and would burn every time I walked, making it hard for me to walk at times. 'When it got too much I went to the urgent care unit at the hospital and was prescribed two different types of medication and a cream, which helped everything go down, but the scar still remains. 'It was the worst decision I have ever made and would never get henna again - and wouldn't advise anyone else to in case their skin reacts the same!' Rachel (pictured in the Dominican Republic) said having the henna tattoo has been the worst decision of her life and wouldn't advise anyone else to get one Rachel still has a scar from the tattoo on her leg and hopes it will soon go, pictured: still visible 60 days after it was done Despite the scar currently residing on her foot, Rachel is hoping that it won't be permanent. She continued: 'I hope that it won't scar forever - but you can currently still see the outline of the henna. 'I'm hoping that this is because the skin there didn't get a sun tan, so it's really pale and it's fresh new skin. Rachel revealed plans to tan her ankle this summer, so that the henna outline will no longer be visible, pictured: the first day 'This summer I'm going to try and tan that part of my ankle so that you can no longer see the henna outline - but if that doesn't work I'm not sure what I'll do. 'I'm just glad that the henna was only on my foot and nowhere else on my body. A permanent scar anywhere else could be a lot more noticeable. 'It definitely wasn't worth what I went through for the promise of a couple of weeks of a pretty tattoo.' Rachel (pictured in the Dominican Republic, with husband Denny) said she's glad that the tattoo wasn't in a more visible area of her body PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. and ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cancer care providers will gather in Orlando on March 20-22 for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 2020 Annual Conference: Celebrating 25 Years of NCCN. The three-day, in-person conference features more than 30 educational sessions on state-of-the-art practices in cancer care. Leading experts from NCCN's 28 Member Institutions will present on new and emerging therapies, keys to optimization and implementation of treatment, and best practices in delivering oncology care across the continuum. "Cancer care has evolved dramatically since NCCN was founded 25 years ago," said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. "We've seen impressive reductions in mortality rates for some cancer types, while we're just starting to scratch the surface for others. There are more treatment options than ever before, and guidelines are essential for staying up-to-date on the latest evidence. This conference serves to educate health care providers on how to optimize cancer management by applying current standards and key updates from the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines), to evaluate emerging novel therapeutic agents and strategies, and to improve collaboration across the oncology care team." More than 1,500 attendees will learn the latest in global cancer prevention efforts, with a keynote session titled: Strategies for Prevention and Control of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-Associated Cancers. The majority of all HPV-related cancers could be prevented with a vaccination, but there are significant barriers to overcome. This interactive session will examine issues surrounding HPV-associated malignancies and explore strategies for encouraging appropriate prevention and screening. The session will be moderated by Wui-Jin Koh, MD, Chief Medical Officer for NCCN, and include a multi-stakeholder panel of experts: Lillian R. Kreppel , HPV Alliance , Shivan J. Mehta , MD, MBA, MSHP , University of Pennsylvania , Mark H. Sawyer , MD , Rady Children's Hospital San Diego , Julie S. Torode , PhD , Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) , Susan T. Vadaparampil , PhD, MPH, Moffitt Cancer Center Clinical sessions will present the latest updates in the management of various cancer types, including: Acute Myeloid Leukemia Bladder Cancer Breast Cancer (both early stage and metastatic) Colon Cancer Endometrial Cancer Gliomas Head & Neck Cancers (HPV-associated) Kidney Cancer Lung Cancer Ovarian Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Prostate Cancer Rectal Cancer New this year, the conference will feature morning Interesting Case Review sessions in which panels of experts will discuss specific patient cases. The conference will also tackle topics where there are differing perspectives including a panel on controversies in cancer risk assessment and management of hereditary cancers, a debate on optimal first-line therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and an emerging issues roundtable discussion on Cancer Care in an Election Year. That roundtable will focus on different health care policy proposals and their potential impact on oncology care delivery. It will also examine the top policy decisions that could have the greatest impact on outcomes and coverage for people with cancer. The roundtable will be moderated by Clifford Goodman, PhD, of The Lewin Group, and include the following participants representing a variety of viewpoints: Keysha Brooks-Coley , MA , American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network , Lee Newcomer , MD, MHA , Lee N. Newcomer Consulting , Ted Okon , MBA , Community Oncology Alliance , John O'Shea , MD , The Heritage Foundation , Kavita Patel , MD, MS, The Brookings Institution This year also includes the addition of best practices sessions focusing on incorporating patient-reported outcomes, implementing clinical trials in the community setting, adopting a value-based payment model, navigating the changing reimbursement environment, and the role of biosimilars in oncology. The NCCN Nursing Program: Advancing Oncology Nursing, specifically intended for oncology nurses, will take place on March 19. For fellows, there are new opportunities for learning from, and interacting with, established oncology experts through a complimentary educational program on March 19, with a networking reception immediately following. Innovative data will be presented as part of the NCCN Oncology Research Program's General Poster Sessions on March 20 and 21 and Oral Presentations on March 22. The General Poster Session will include the addition of two expert-guided tours, with question-and-answer sessions for the first time this year. The conference will also commemorate NCCN's 25th anniversary year with a celebration event and interactive timeline display. Visit NCCN.org/conference for more information and a complete list of speakers, and join the conversation online with the hashtag #NCCN2020. About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a not-for-profit alliance of 28 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, efficient, and accessible cancer care so patients can live better lives. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. By defining and advancing high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers around the world. The NCCN Member Institutions are: Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Omaha, NE; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center/University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland, OH; City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA; Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center | Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC; Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA; Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA; The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ, Jacksonville, FL, and Rochester, MN; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL; The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH; O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, Birmingham, AL; Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY; Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA; UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA; UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA; University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO; University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI; Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN; and Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital, New Haven, CT. Clinicians, visit NCCN.org. Patients and caregivers, visit NCCN.org/patients. Media, visit NCCN.org/news. Follow NCCN on Twitter @NCCN, Facebook @NCCNorg, and Instagram @NCCNorg. Media Contact: Rachel Darwin 267-622-6624 [email protected] SOURCE National Comprehensive Cancer Network Related Links www.nccn.org Slumping Asian oil demand amid the coronavirus outbreak has led to a sharp drop in Middle Eastern and Asian regional crude prices, while prices for rival U.S. WTI Midland grade have risen due to new pipeline demand in Texas to the point of closing in the arbitrage for U.S. crude shipments to North Asia this month, S&P Global Platts reported on Wednesday, citing market sources. In view of the weak demand in Asia, with Chinese refiners cutting run rates and China exporting more fuel, regional grades from Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have become cheaper than U.S. WTI Midlanda rare occurrence in the market. Because of the pricier U.S. grade, shipping WTI Midland to Asia is now uneconomical, and the booking of cargoes from the U.S. set for Asia for arrival in May and June has slowed down in recent weeks, according to shipping reports cited by S&P Global Platts. Earlier this year, there were a lot of cargoes booked for arrival this month and next. But as the coronavirus shatters Asias oil demand, the premiums of Russian grades Sokol and Sakhalin to the Dubai benchmark have slumped over the past month, according to Platts data. The Sokol grade is now at a premium of up to $4 a barrel to Dubai, half the premium compared to the premium for cargoes that loaded in January and are set to arrive in North Asia in March. But WTI Midland is also valued at a premium of $4 a barrel to Dubai. Due to a rise in WTI Midland prices over the past weeks because of new pipelines taking oil out of the Permian, the U.S. grade which competes with the two Russian crudes in Asia is assessed this week at a premium of $4 to Dubai, U.S. crude traders told Platts. Faced with a plunge in oil demand in Asia, oil suppliers are slashing prices to hold on to their market shares. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Kim Kardashian shared another photo to promote her SKIMS line on Wednesday evening. The 39-year-old designer was seen in a black SKIMS outfit as she sat on her kitchen counter top inside her Hidden Hills, California mansion. To keep her balance, Kim put one of her legs inside a sink. This comes weeks after a controversy that the reality TV star did not have any food in her kitchen during a photo shoot; she quickly gave a tour of her kitchen showing she was well stocked. Chilling in the kitchen: Kim Kardashian shared another photo to promote her SKIMS line on Wednesday evening. The 39-year-old designer was seen in a black SKIMS outfit as she sat on her kitchen counter top inside her Hidden Hills, California mansion She goes to great lengths for a good shot: Her leg was in the small sink In this new shot Kim has on a black top and leggings. Her hair is pulled up while she has on full KKW Beauty makeup. Her caption read, 'I'm wearing the @skims Cotton Rib Tank and Cotton Rib Thermal Legging - restocking in five colors and in sizes XXS - 44X on Friday.' In January Kim was accused of not having enough food in her kitchen for her four kids, North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm, when she posed by an open fridge. Only drinks: In January Kim was accused of not having enough food in her kitchen for her four kids, North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm, when she posed by an open fridge But then she corrected fans with a video where she showed off plenty of food. In a lengthy clip, she began: 'OK since the inside of my fridge is so baffling and I saw all these news reports, I'm gonna give you guys a tour of my fridge. She started by showed fans the inside of her pantry, stating, 'I got rid of all my plastics,' while showing off her glass jars of various dried good, adding that even all her 'sprinkles for my frozen yogurt and stuff' is in glass jars, while showing off the frozen yogurt machine in her pantry. Lots of fruits and veggies: But then she corrected fans with a video where she showed off plenty of food. In a lengthy clip, she began: 'OK since the inside of my fridge is so baffling and I saw all these news reports, I'm gonna give you guys a tour of my fridge' Kim then walked past the freezer to a fridge with a clear glass door, which was largely empty, save for some Norwegian Voss water bottles, cans of Perrier sparkling water, boxed Flow water, Boxed Water Is Better cartons and Canada Dry soft drinks, stating she 'got rid of all my plastic bottles' for her 'drink fridge.' Elsewhere in the clip, Kim revealed that she stocks her fridges with a variety of traditional and plant-based milks, with her shelves featuring oat milk, lactose free, organic pasteurised, almond and priobiotic milk. Explaining the need for so many different types, she said: 'All my kids use a different kid of milk, you guys,' while showing the fridge that was featured in the earlier Instagram story snap, then revealed that 'fresh water and juices' were stocked in a separate area. Still a 10+: Kardashian thrilled her 160M Instagram followers on Wednesday by sharing two new bikini pinup photos Kim then filmed herself walking into the main part of the kitchen, 'where it all happens,' she said, passing one of her staff members, Marina, on the way before opening the massive walk-in fridge. Earlier this month Kim thrilled her 160M Instagram followers by sharing two new bikini pinup photos. The stunning images were taken by her husband Kanye West, the star noted in her caption that also said, 'Valentines Surprise Getaway.' The KKW Beauty mogul put her toned hourglass figure on display while wearing a black string bikini. The raven-haired siren was thigh deep in an infinity swimming pool that overlooked the ocean as they relaxed in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. Her husband was the shutterbug: The stunning images were taken by her husband Kanye West, the 39-year-old star noted in her caption that also said, 'Valentines Surprise Getaway' Her hair was worn down and stick straight, Cher style, as she had on a yellow gold necklace with a black cord. These are not the first images that Kim has shared from her Cabo trip with West. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star posted a clip of the view from her lounge chair as her better half sat off in the distance. 'Little slice of heaven for Valentine's Day. Surprise Trip,' Kim K captioned the snap that showed Kanye in the background staring out into the gorgeous horizon. Also this month Kim has been posing in the desert with her nude SKIMS. Sharing her V-Day surprise: The daughter of Kris Jenner said her man surprised her; she also made it clear the rapper took the photos Workin' for a livin': Also this month Kim has been posing in the desert with her nude SKIMS Downing Street refused to say yesterday whether it would back Heathrows bid to build a third runway if protesters win a key court case today. Boris Johnson is personally against the scheme and when he was London mayor he promised to lie down... in front of those bulldozers to stop the runway being built. Today the Court of Appeal will give its ruling on a legal challenge to the Governments support for Heathrow expansion. But Downing Street refused to say whether the Government would support an appeal if the protesters win their case. Today the Court of Appeal will give its ruling on a legal challenge to the Governments support for Heathrow expansion (file image) The PMs official spokesman said: Parliament has voted in principle to support a third runway at Heathrow, but it is a private sector project. 'In order to proceed Heathrow must demonstrate it can meet its air quality and noise obligations [and] that the project can be financed and built. Earlier Heathrows chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, warned that failing to expand the west London airport would give control to the French. If the runway is finally opened, it will be the first full-length runway built in the London area for 70 years. Last May, a High Court judge said he did not accept the arguments made by environmentalists and did not believe the government's transport minister had acted unlawfully when he approved the expansion of Europe's busiest airport. Environmental groups, local authorities and the Mayor of London are appealing against that decision, arguing expansion is incompatible with Britain's climate change and environmental commitments. Demonstrators are seen staging a protest opposing the government's plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on January 15 Boris Johnson (pictured) is personally against the scheme and when he was London mayor he promised to lie down... in front of those bulldozers to stop the runway being built In addition, development consortium Heathrow Hub is appealing on the grounds that the government should instead consider its proposals for an extended runway rather than a new one. In 2018, lawmakers voted 415 to 119 in favour of building the new runway. Last December, the airport said the expansion plan would be delayed by more than a year after Britain's aviation regulator said it could not increase its spending on early construction costs to keep it on track. The third runway is now due for completion between early 2028 and late 2029. The airport is jointly owned by Spain's Ferrovial, the Qatar Investment Authority, China Investment Corporation and other investment companies. Patna: After passing a resolution against a National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in the state, the Bihar assembly on Thursday passed another unanimous resolution -- demanding a caste-based census in 2021 in which information about an individuals caste be collected and compiled during the nationwide population count survey. The demand, on which the wider policy of the Union government and the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) is unclear, was pushed by chief minister Nitish Kumar months ahead of assembly polls in the state. To be sure, after the 2011 Census, the Union government got a socio-economic caste census carried out, but while the economic data was published, the case data was not. Earlier this year, the Odisha government announced a caste-based census across the state, along with Census 2021. The resolution, taken up by Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary, was passed amid thumping of desks by both ruling and opposition parties, including lawmakers from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Two days ago, apart from passing a resolution rejecting a proposed nationwide NRC, the assembly unanimously resolved that the latest round of National Population Register( NPR) be conducted in the state using the format from surveys previous edition in 2010. This effectively means that a new question on birthplace of parents, included in the new NPR format cleared by the Union government in 2019, will not be asked in the survey. Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) is in coalition with the BJP in the state, but there have been differences between the parties on some larger policy issues -- NPR and NRC among them. The BJP lawmakers in the state, however, sided with Kumar on all three assembly resolutions, perceptibly to dispel the notion of any differences between the alliance partners. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had raised the demand for caste based census in the house. Todays resolution is in line with that. It is a welcome move, said JD(U) MLA Lallan Paswan. Senior MLA Lalit Yadav of the RJP, meanwhile, said the resolution was a victory of the long struggle carried by his party for carrying a caste based census. We welcome the house resolution, he said. Legislators from the BJP, however, offered mixed responses. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi wrote on Twitter that the resolution should silence the Opposition trying to reap political benefits out of rumour-mongering on NRC and NPR. Road construction minister Nand Kishore Yadav said the resolution was nothing new, as a similar resolution favouring caste based census was passed by the same house a few years back. This is nothing new, he said. BJP MLC Sachidanand Rai, however, voiced disapproval of the resolution, saying that a caste-based census would divide society. State minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, who was in the House when the resolution was passed, said, It would have been better had the members been informed about the resolution in advance. Experts said the demand for a caste-based census moved by the JD(U) is a strategic ploy to bolster his regional identity and its vote bank among backward classes, economically weaker sections and Scheduled Castes. Favouring a caste based census by political parties will actually not serve the purpose of uplift of poor among the various caste groups. Had it been the case, the 2011 socio-economic census should have been made public and acted upon because it had made a comprehensive report on the various social parameters to identify caste groups lying low in the social strata, said DM Diwakar, social scientist and former director, AN Sinha Institute of Social Sciences, Patna. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In 2008s The Willoughbys, Lois Lowry introduced four siblings, abandoned by their globe-trotting parents, who muddle along under the care of a nanny before striking it rich in a, well, sweet way, as they become heirs to a candy company fortune. The novel, a droll sendup of numerous tropes of childrens literature of yore, hit its parodic mark, receiving four starred reviews (including a Signature one in PW, penned by unfortunate events aficionado Lemony Snicket) and reaching a North American sales tally of 200,000 copies across all formats. Lowry will revisit the eccentric clan in The Willoughbys Return, due out in September. The novels cover, featuring art by Chloe Bristol and designed by HMH design associate Natalie Fondriest, is revealed here, along with the new cover (created by the same team) for the April 7 reissue of The Willoughbys. In the sequel, which has an announced 60,000-copy first printing, 30 years have passed in the lives of the Willoughby offspring, eldest Tim, twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and youngest Jane. Tims son, Richie Willoughby, a lonely only child living with his father, is befriended by the Poore children next door, but life takes a downswing when sweets are declared illegal (jeopardizing the Willoughby fortune) and Richies odious grandparents, thawed and healthy after spending three decades frozen on a Swiss mountaintop, head home again. Lowry, whose numerous awards include two Newbery Medals (for Number the Stars and The Giver), did not realize that she still had more to explore in this familys quirky realm when she finished writing The Willoughbys. I had not a clue! she said. How could I bring them back when two of the main characters were frozen like popsicles in the Alps? But when the publisher suggested a sequel, I happily began melting the Alpsthough I made it happen 30 years later because it presented plot possibilities, and because Im hoping that kind of warming wont take place any time soon! The author noted that she found it enormous fun to revisit the Willoughbys, since I love the family and all of their surroundings. Yet, as is the Willoughbys wont, not everything goes splendidly. Lowry revealed in a spoiler alert: Sniff, sniff, it was tough to kill off Nannyshe was such a lovable no-nonsense character. I only did her in, and sent poor Jane off to California, and the third Barnaby to a Trappist monasterymoment of silence, pleasebecause the book would have been over-populated if I kept everyone around. The Look of the Bookand What Lies Beyond The cover art for The Willoughbys Return (and the new edition of The Willoughbys) reveals some clever twists by Bristol, who is also the illustrator of Lori Mortensens Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey (HMH/Versify, Mar.). I love the new jacket art and spent a lot of time peering carefully at it and figuring out who was who, Lowry said. I especially loved seeing the twins wearing their joint sweater simultaneously, with both heads poking out of the same neck hole. I hadnt envisioned them doing that, but it seemed just right, in an uproarious way. And then to see neighbor Mrs. Poore with her tattered apron. She is such an important character in the sequel, as she almost kills Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby. After theyve survived the Alpsto be done in by a housewife in a bad apron? Of course she deserves an appearance on the jacket. Chloe Bristol got it just right! In turn, high praise for Lowry came from HMH senior executive editor Margaret Raymo, who edited the sequel as well as six earlier books by Lowry, including On the Horizon (HMH, Apr.), illustrated by Kenard Pak, a middle-grade nonfiction book written in verse, which pays tribute to the lives lost in Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima and interweaves Lowrys childhood memories of Hawaii and Japan. Loiss writing dexterity never ceases to amaze, Raymo said. She has an incredible sense of humor and you can see she had fun skewering the modern world in The Willoughbys Returnwho wouldnt be a little bewildered showing up today after being frozen for 30 years? It can all seem ridiculous! There is yet another new adventure ahead for the eccentric clan, who will make their screen debut this spring, when Netflix releases (on a date yet to be announced) an animated feature film entitled The Willoughbys, featuring the voices of Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, and Will Forte. Lowrys future creative agenda may well lead her in myriad directions, Raymo said. We never know what Lois will write next. Her versatility as a writer knows no bounds, but right now we can all use a little more levity in the world, so if she continues to turn her sly, quick wit to parody well all be better for it! Asked if she finds writing parody a very different challenge than writing more realistic stories, and if shed consider creating more fiction in this vein, Lowry is wryly noncommittal. Parody is different, of course, from my more serious stuff, she replied. But I like chuckling at my computer. It startles my dog. Would I do it again? Sure. And I might run for a Senate seatand buy a Tesla. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry. HMH, $13.99 Apr. ISBN 978-0-358-42472-7 The Willoughbys Return by Lois Lowry. HMH, $17.99 Sept. 978-0-358-42389-8 The idea and launch of a business dont always happen through calculated effort and brainstorming. Sometimes, the inspiration comes on its own, when you least expect it to happen. Such is the case with Murse World, where I work. Back in 2011, Scott Topiol, then a college student in Los Angeles City Colleges nursing program, was finding the scrub shopping experience to be difficult. As he puts it, I was having a hard time finding scrubs that werent just unisex and [didnt] fit like a box. And it was frustrating going to stores that basically had a bunch of womens stuff and maybe like one rack in the back of the store with a couple of mens items. After a conversation where he vented his frustration, friend and fellow student, Alex Mayzels, suggested, Instead of complaining, why dont you start a store for mens scrubs? Related: Need a Business Idea? Here Are 55. Despite having no prior experience, Scott decided to go for it, resulting in the creation of Murse World, a scrubs superstore for men. Here's what he learned in the process. Testing the concept When Scotts classmates heard the news, there were varied reactions. Some of the female students didnt understand the point of such a store, but all the male nursing students found it to be really exciting. His research showed then a lot of people didnt even know mens scrubs were out there they thought everything was just unisex. So he realized that educating consumers would have to be a big part of his business plan. Getting your business idea off the ground Starting a business is not a venture for the fainthearted. Getting a company off the ground is sometimes complicated and often arduous, but never easy. It took immense effort on Scotts part to execute the myriads of details that needed to be taken care of in order to launch. Initially, some of the vendors were hesitant to let Scott and his friend Alex, who joined as his co-founder, open accounts with them, because their store would only be carrying a few select products from each vendor. This store would be focusing on a very small, select portion of their catalog, and vendors didnt believe theyd see enough profit to make this a worthwhile collaboration. Related: 75 Ideas for Businesses You Can Launch for Cheap or Free Scott and Alex had to put in extra effort to convince nursing uniform manufacturers to provide them with their unisex and mens scrubs. That was probably our biggest challenge, Scott reminisces, thinking back to those early days, Just getting it off the ground, with a couple of vendors. Scott's advice for fellow entrepreneurs Murse World, like any business, started off as a fledgling company. It took passion, perseverance, and plenty of hard work on Scotts part to not only get it off the ground but turn it into a player in the medical scrubs industry. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: If you have an idea that sounds crazy, but your gut is telling you its a good idea, and you think theres a need, then go for it! Thats what we did. Turn what other people are complaining about into an opportunity! Related: 12 Low-Cost Business Ideas for Introverts Related: Looking for a Business Idea? Turn What Other People Complain About Into an Opportunity. Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The 50-year old man (second from right) is declared cured and discharged from hospital. (Source: VGP) This means all 16 infection cases in Vietnam, including 11 in northern Vinh Phuc province, have been successfully treated and discharged from hospital. The 50-year old man was quarantined after his wife and two daughters contracted SARS-CoV2. At first, he showed no symptoms of fever, coughing or respiratory difficulty. However on February 11, he felt tired and tests showed he had acquired the virus. Afterwards, he was treated at a policlinic in Vinh Phucs Binh Xuyen district. Earlier, his wife and daughter had also been cured and discharged from hospital on February 20. Since February 13, Vinh Phuc and Vietnam in general have recorded no new COVID-19 cases. However, the prevention and fight against this epidemic are still going on. Austin is the hottest job market in the United States, according to a new ranking by The Wall Street Journal. It won the top spot for the second year in a row -- but every other city in the top five is a newcomer. Meantime, the cities that held slots two through five last year have all tumbled further down the list. How does the Journal pick the hottest job markets? It combines a metro area's unemployment rate, labor-force participation rate (that is, how much of the overall population between 18 and 64 is either working or seeking a job), job growth, labor-force growth, and wage growth. It then ranks metro areas in two separate lists, those with more than one million residents, and those with fewer than one million. You can find the full list here. Here's a look at the new top five, and at the four cities that are no longer as hot as they were in 2019. 1. Austin Inc. and everyone else has been reporting on Austin's ascendance as a tech and entrepreneurial hub for a while now. So it's no surprise to find it at the top of this list. SXSW, mild winters, a youthful population, and a vibrant music scene all make Austin attractive to entrepreneurs and technology workers alike. The 5 percent wage growth, third highest in the nation, makes it especially appealing for those looking for a job. Now Apple is tripling its workforce there, building a $1 billion campus to hold 15,000 employees, which is pretty much guaranteed to push wages even higher. 2. Nashville Nashville climbed into the number two slot from number seven last year, largely because of its 2.6 percent unemployment rate, the lowest in the nation. At 3.2 percent, its labor force growth is the nation's second highest -- possibly reflecting an influx of people looking to fill all those jobs. Here again, a mild climate and Nashville's status as a music epicenter could be a big draw. 3. Denver Denver was ninth on the list last year, but it's climbed to number three on the strength of its labor force participation -- at 70.7 percent, the highest in the country. It also ranks fourth in wage growth, at 4.8 percent. Hikers, skiers, and other nature lovers feel right at home here. Incidentally, in the Journal's ranking of hot job markets with a population of one million or fewer, nearby Boulder nabbed the top spot. 4. Seattle The Seattle metro area benefits from employment at tech giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Expedia, as well as Boeing, the region's largest employer. So it's not surprising that its wage growth, at 5.4 percent, is the country's second highest, and its 2.8 percent job growth rate is pretty impressive as well. It was number eight on the list last year. 5. San Francisco Most people would probably agree that San Francisco is a hot job market, but last year it ranked 13th in the Journal's list. Its higher ranking this year is entirely due to its impressive wage growth of 7.1 percent, which is the nation's highest. On the other hand, housing and other living expenses have skyrocketed in this city, so even those with much higher salaries than before aren't necessarily any better off. Here are the metro areas that fell out of the top five in 2020. 1. San Jose/Silicon Valley All those people saying Silicon Valley is basically over? Well, they could be right. What you might call the Silicon Valley metro area (San Jose/Sunnyvale/Santa Clara) held the number two slot in 2019, but it's in 10th place now. At 2.6 percent, its unemployment is still impressively low, the second lowest in the nation. But its wage growth is a disappointing 2.7 percent, and its workforce growth is a dismal 1.5 percent. No wonder some founders are taking their startups elsewhere. 2. Salt Lake City Salt Lake City fell from number three on this list to number six, narrowly missing the top five. One explanation is that its labor force growth is only 1.2 percent, suggesting that people aren't as eager as they might be to move there. And its job growth is only 2.2 percent. It's hard to say whether job growth has slowed because fewer people are moving to town to take those new jobs, or whether fewer people are moving to SLC because of the slower job growth. Either way, with an unemployment rate of 2.7 percent and a wage growth rate of 4.5 percent, this is still very much a hot job market. It's just a little bit less hot than it was a year ago. 3. Boston The Boston metro area held fourth place last year but it's fallen to 12th place this year. Like Salt Lake City, Boston likely lost ranking because of an abysmal workforce growth rate of 1.1 percent, matched by an even lower job growth rate of 1 percent. And Boston's wage growth rate is 3.9 percent, lower than some of the other hot job markets. 4. Orlando ALBANY, N.Y. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied the states appeal of its decision to refuse individual assistance to victims of the Halloween floods. The individual assistance would have allowed for home repairs or buyout programs for local residents whose homes were completely destroyed. People living near the Sauquoit Creek, in Whitesboro, were hoping for federal buyouts of their flood-ravaged homes. Although FEMA says New York State was notified of the denial of their appeal, the Whitesboro mayor was not notified; he learned of it when NewsChannel 2 asked him for a comment. Oneida County Executive, Anthony Picente, Jr., also was not formally notified. Once again the people of Oneida County have been slapped in the face by FEMA and its inept and callous process. I am disgusted that Governor Cuomos appeal of FEMAs denial of individual assistance for our residents who were devastated by the Halloween flood has been rejected. It is indefensible that our federal government refuses to come to the aid of people who through no fault of their own find themselves homeless and in financial ruin," said Picente, adding that he's urging Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature to work with the county to provide a municipal buyout program to end the suffering of those who have continually had their lives upended and are looking for a way out. FEMA granted public assistance to 18 counties in December after the floods damaged homes and roadways across the state. However, the agency denied individual assistance, stating the damages to individuals and households were not severe enough to warrant additional funding. Gov. Andrew Cuomo appealed the decision in January, asking FEMA to reconsider granting additional funding. The state was notified of the appeal denial on Feb. 14. A representative from FEMA stated: Federal disaster assistance under the Stafford Act is intended to be supplemental in naturenot as a replacement for State and local emergency relief programs, services, and funds. The fiscal capacity of New York State and the estimated cost of assistance are principal factors FEMA considers when evaluating the need for the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). After a thorough review of all the information contained in New York States request for an IA declaration (and its subsequent appeal of FEMAs initial determination), FEMA reaffirms its original finding that the impact from this event was not of the severity and magnitude to warrant the designation of the Individual Assistance program. NORWALK Jefferson Science Magnet School students celebrated Black History Month for the eighth year in a row with an all-school assembly Thursday morning. The tradition started with Carolyn Fuller, a paraprofessional at the school and executive member of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, who began asking students to write essays on influential black Americans. But the celebration has since grown in size and scope and, in more recent years, has included a student-led performance. It all started as a small endeavor to share black history information, said Sharon Maignan, a reading interventionist at the school who helped organize the event. And then it slowly developed into a full program. I believe that diversity creates a beautiful tapestry through the schools, as well as the world, Maignan continued. For that reason, it ought to be learned, celebrated and respected among us all. On Thursday morning, students presented A Train Through Time, a play written and directed by Maignan, which provides a history of notable African Americans like Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman, Sojourner Truth, George Washington Carver, Sarah Boone, Langston Hughes, Thurgood Marshall, Ruby Bridges and President Barack Obama. Roughly 30 students rehearsed every morning during the last six weeks to learn their roles. Each passenger coming off that train has a story to tell, starting from coming from Africa, to slavery, to indentured servitude, then moving on to inventors and the arts and lastly the civil rights movement, Maignan said. So each child would demonstrate. They were models and they gave their story coming off the train, as a passenger, giving their story through time. The performance also featured songs, like Lift Evry Voice and Sing, the black national anthem, Wade in the Water and Fanga Alafia, sung by students and accompanied by music teacher Joe Kiernan on drums. Jeff Beckley, a fifth-grade teacher who joined Jefferson this year but had previously taught elsewhere in the district, stressed the transformative power of education and celebrating figures like Carver, the namesake of the Carver Community Center, whose names may be known in the community but whose legacy may not be fully appreciated. As a new staff member this year at Jefferson, I couldnt be more proud and inspired by the way the school community came together for this project, Beckley said. I have taught in the district for over 12 years, and Jefferson is the first school Ive worked for that brought Black History Month to life in this way. Students learn so much more through watching their peers, not to mention through the arts. justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday stood by his move seeking the issuance of a provisional permit for ABS-CBN to continue operating pending the renewal of its franchise. Cayetano said asking the National Telecommunications Commission to grant ABS-CBN provisional authority to operate while Conrgess has yet to decide on its franchise renewal bid is the "most unquestionable" step to take. Those who disagree could take the case to the Supreme Court, Cayetano said, adding that he is ready to face the consequences. "Kung may makukulong sa ABS-CBN dahil nagbobroadcast sila habang naghihearing kami, sasamahan ko sila sa kulungan. Ikulong niyo na rin ako dahil ako nakapirma sa sulat e," Cayetano said in a chance interview with reporters. [Translation: If someone from ABS-CBN will be imprisoned for broadcasting while we are conducting a hearing, I will join them in jail. Put me in prison as well because I signed the letter.] Cayetano concurred with the letter sent by House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Franz Alvarez to the NTC on Wednesday. They enjoined the regulator to allow ABS-CBN to stay on air even after its franchise expires on May 4 until such time that the Congress decides on its application for another 25-year franchise. NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios said they are now studying their response. Illegal move? In a separate media briefing on Thursday, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said the only way for ABS-CBN to keep its operations is to secure a congressional franchise, and anything other than that would violate the law. Lacson said a case can be filed against NTC for usupration or unlawful use of authority if it allows ABS-CBN to operate beyond the expiration of its franchise. "Wala akong nakikitang remedyo kapag walang (I do not see any other remedy without a) legislative franchise," Lacson stressed. He agrees with former Chief Justice Renato Puno who believes a television station needs an exisiting license to operate based on a 2003 Supreme Court decision. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, however, told CNN Philippines that the ruling penned by Puno does not apply to ABS-CBN's situation since the petitioner in the previous case, unlike the media giant, did not have an existing franchise or pending franchise application before Congress. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, in an opinion to the NTC said broadcast entities previously granted franchises are considered "qualified applicants" and can therefore be given provisional authority to operate while the bills for the renewal of their franchises remain pending with Congress. There are 12 House bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN's franchise, but all remain pending before the Committee on Legislative Franchises. Joint resolutions seeking to extend the Lopez-owned network's existing franchise until 2022 have also been filed in the House, but Cayetano said he wants to prioritize other bills. Korea's predicament stems from the government ignoring the warnings of experts. The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases issued two statements with four recommendations -- curtail travelers from China, stem the spread of infections to local communities, prepare for a surge in mysterious infections and brace for a shortage of facilities with negative-pressure isolation rooms. Little over a month after reporting its first case, Korea is now officially home to the second most infections after China. Major countries around the world now treat Korea the same as China, with over 30 banning or restricting travelers from Korea. Korea saw 334 more confirmed coronavirus infections by Thursday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 1,595. This was the biggest surge on a single day since a Chinese woman living here was first diagnosed with the virus on Jan. 20. But the government paid little heed to such warnings and virtually declared the worst over during a brief lull of new infections on Feb. 12 to 15. But even at that time, coronavirus was spreading like wildfire across Daegu and surrounding North Gyeongsang Province. The government also ignored repeated calls by the Korean Medical Association to impose a blanket ban on visitors from China. Each time experts made such recommendations, government officials responded they are "being considered." Epidemiological experts issued a statement on Feb. 2 urging the government to curtail the entry of visitors from parts of China other than Hubei Province, since 40 percent of new infections in China were already being reported outside the epicenter of the outbreak. But two days later, the government merely banned visitors from Wuhan and surrounding Hubei Province. A KSID spokesman said, "It's impossible to screen all infected visitors from China if they don't show major symptoms on arrival, and our requests to the government to limit their entry fell on deaf ears." In early February, the KSID proposed a 14-day self-quarantine for visitors who already arrived here from China or are coming in, but this was not enforced. The only thing the government did was to ask visitors from China to stay home, call the 1339 hotline or visit a doctor if they develop telltale symptoms. On Feb. 15, it warned that the number of infections will accumulate if potential carriers are allowed to enter the country's borders since Korea is a densely-populated and highly mobile society. It warned that "cases of infection beyond carriers that have been identified so far could emerge." The event played out exactly as the experts had warned. After the 31st confirmed case was reported among members of the dubious Shincheonji sect on Feb. 18, there has been a surge in infections whose routes of transmission remain a mystery. This was probably the result of sect members fanning across the country to Seoul, Daegu and other densely populated regions to proselytize. On Feb. 22, new coronavirus infections were reported in all 17 major cities and provinces of Korea. The KSID also warned the government of a looming shortage of quarantine beds, but the government took no steps to secure additional beds. As a result, beds in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province were completely filled just three days after the 31st case was reported. As of Wednesday morning, there are no more beds available in Seoul, Busan, Gangwon Province and North Chungcheong Province. There was a real first day at school feel at Leinster House last Thursday morning as TDs new and experienced milled about on the plinth ahead of the first sitting of the 33rd Dail. Crowds of people gathered outside the gates, peering in to see who they could spot in the crowd. Healy Raes played accordians and sang songs about The Kingdom, roaring were back again! amid cheers from their gathered supporters. Protests on the perimeter saw people with megaphones and posters shout the same message: Its time for change. Meanwhile, members of the media were picking up on all the action as they nabbed a party leader here or a new TD there for interview, capturing all of the emotions of the day. Passes were scarce for those who wanted to get past the iron gates and even the media had limitations. Your pass gets you to the plynth only, this reporter was told when attempting to sneak inside the building. But at least the plinth was inside the gates. Crowds of people peered in through the bars, waiting for one of their number who had a pass to come back - hopefully with a few more to get people in. Families and close friends of the elected TDs were dressed up and ready to support their man or woman as they marched through the gates of Leinster House. On a personal level, its a very proud day for me, said Longford TD Joe Flaherty who managed to steal a few moments away from the crowds to talk to his local newspaper. The people of Longford invested their faith and hope and dreams and aspirations in me, so today is a personal celebration but Im deeply conscious of the sense of faith that the people have invested in me. Really, after today, its about pushing on. Its about rectifying a lot of the wrongs and a lot of the ills that afflict us in the county at the moment. WATCH | Longford's new TD Joe Flaherty settling into his new role as 33rd Dail sits today I think its incumbent on all parties to get on with the serious business of trying to form a government. My primary goal is to get the very best for Longford. Im very partisan about this role that I have, its very much Longford, Longford, Longford, but at the same time, I am conscious of the national interest and we need to get a government formed as quickly as possible. He wasnt the only brand new TD for the Longford/Westmeath constituency, though, and poll-topper Sorca Clarke of Sinn Fein was equally eager to brush aside the excitement of her election and get stuck into her new role. Euphoria turns to responsibility very quickly, said the Westmeath TD. And those 11,000 plus people who put a number one beside my name I havent forgotten about that and Im not likely to forget about it. They come with me every time I walk through these doors. Thats the reality of being a politician. Youre here to represent the people who put you into the job and thats what I intend to do. In fact, Deputy Clarke added, shes already been working behind the scenes to get things done for her constituency. Ive been in contact with a few departments over issues that have been raised with me so far. Thats going to continue, she said. I want to be a TD thats on the ground as much as possible. Obviously, were here on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but Monday, Friday and Saturday, Ill be on the ground. I dont see it as a challenge. I see it as an opportunity - one that comes with a little bit of a challenge. But this is what I see as an opportunity to change the way that we do politics - to change that way that people perceive politicians. WATCH | Longford/Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke ready to grasp her new role with both hands The other two local TDs, Robert Troy and Peter Burke, weren't close to the action at the plinth when this reporter went looking, but theyre old hats at this game and had probably already taken their seats inside. And, with Fianna Fails Sean OFearghail being re-elected as Ceann Comhairle, the next big step for the newly-elected TDs is to form a government. Watch this space. KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI A Michigan State Police officer was involved in a head-on crash south of Schoolcraft on Thursday morning. The officer, Scott Silkworth of the Marshall post, was policing a commercial vehicle crash on northbound U.S. 131 near the St. Joseph/Kalamazoo county line at around 9:30 a.m. Feb. 27 when his vehicle was hit by a southbound pickup truck. The driver of the truck had lost control of his vehicle and crossed the median, Lt. Duwayne Robinson told MLive. Luckily, the officer was still in his car when the truck hit him. He was just about to exit his vehicle when he saw the truck coming at him and was able to stay in his car which helped to avoid injury," Robinson said. Silkworth, a motor carrier officer who works with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division of the state police, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was checked out for potential non-life-threatening injuries and released, Robinson said. No one else was injured in the crash, Robinson said. Silkworth was on scene responding to a semi-tractor trailer that had jackknifed north of the St. Joseph/Kalamazoo county line, Robinson said. We want to remind everybody to move over for any emergency responding vehicles, Robinson said. And if you cant, please reduce speeds at least 10 mph and proceed with caution whenever you see an accident. Also on MLive: Woman dies from injuries following multi-county police chase Daughter gone but not forgotten one year after fatal Kalamazoo train crash State trooper rescues dog after fall through ice Impunity persists for alleged violations in Occupied Palestinian Territories, UN Human Rights Council hears 26 February 2020 - Justice is still absent for Palestinian demonstrators shot by Israeli soldiers during weekly protests in Gaza, the UN Human Rights Council heard on Wednesday. "Impunity continues to prevail," the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a report on accountability for alleged violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) since 2008, including during large-scale protests beginning in March 2018 along the Gaza-Israel fence. According to the report, which is produced annually at the Council's request, and was presented today by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris, Israeli security forces killed 131 Palestinians throughout the OPT from November 2018 to October 2019: 103 men, five women and 23 children. Over the same timeline, 11 Israelis were killed by Palestinians, including one girl. Persistent lack of accountability Suggesting a lack of accountability for the killing and injuring of civilians, the report highlights the killing of double-amputee Ibrahim Abu Thoryah on 15 December 2017. A double amputee in a wheelchair, Abu Thoryah was shot dead with live ammunition to the head. According to media reports, the Israeli military contacted Palestinian officials to obtain the bullet that had hit Mr. Thoryah, but their request was denied. They then concluded that there was no evidence that the man had been killed by direct Israeli fire. "There was no indication that Mr. Abu Thoryah had posed an imminent threat of death or serious injury at the moment he was killed," the report states. "His physical disability must have been clearly visible to the person who shot him, in the front of the head, some 15 to 20 metres from the fence." Questioning the efficacy of the accountability system in place by the Israeli military despite its assertion that allegations of misconduct are investigated effectively and thoroughly, the report says that 19 months after the start of the Great March of Return, the Israeli military system had delivered only one sentence in relation to "possible unlawful acts" by Israeli security forces. "The persisting lack of accountability for possible unlawful acts committed against Palestinians perpetuates a cycle of impunity that facilitates the occurrence of further violations," the report states. While noting that Israeli soldiers had used live ammunition against protesters, paramedics and journalists covering the demonstrations, Commissioners highlighted that little was done by the Great March organisers to keep children out of harm's way. "The Higher National Commission for the Great March of Return continued to provide buses to shuttle demonstrators, including children, from different places in the Gaza Strip to the five demarcated demonstration sites along the eastern border," the report insists. "Witnesses reported that only on very rare occasions were children prevented from boarding the buses, and then only when the children under the age of nine." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] The Lagos State Ministry of Health has said a Chinese national in the state who was suspected to have coronavirus has tested negative. The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, said on Wednesday that the patient was subjected to sophisticated testing and was confirmed negative. The unidentified Chinese national arrived Nigeria seven weeks ago and was presented at the Reddington Hospital, Ikeja on Wednesday, after he complained of fever. The commissioner said the hospital maintained a high index of suspicion, isolated the patient and reported the case to the ministry. We took up the case, transferred the patient to the State Isolation Unit at the Mainland hospital which is our specialised infectious disease hospital. His blood samples were taken to the virology laboratory for analysis and it came out negative, the commissioner said. Based on the result of the test, Mr Abayomi said that the likelyhood of COVID-19 infection in this particular patient was very low and the test confirms that there is no case of coronavirus in Lagos State as of now. I would like to reassure Lagosians that our vigilance levels are very high and we are putting more measures in place to safe guard the state, he said. He urged Lagosians to desist from posting unverified news that can cause unnecessary panic in the metropolis. This recent case is the third suspected coronavirus case in Lagos State. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the ministry debunked a rumour on February 1 that an individual who returned from China that same week was down with symptoms of COVID-19. This individual returned from China last week and went for a routine medical check as requested by his employers. He showed no symptoms of illness and has not been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, the ministry said. In the second case, there were allegations that some Chinese nationals living at Osoba close, Gowon Estate, Alimosho local government were down with COVID-19 and treating themselves secretly. The commissioner debunked the news saying the claims were untrue and investigation revealed that aforementioned address was non-existent on Gowon Estate. Mr Adebayo said Lagos State or Nigeria is yet to have a confirmed case of COVID-19, which has spread to many countries from China where it first emerged. Huawei's first P40 phone is here, in the form of the Huawei P40 Lite. It comes with a 7nm Kirin 810 SoC, 6 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, a quad-camera setup, and a 4,200 mAh battery that can be charged at 40 W. You can pre-order it now from Huawei's website for 299($326). 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 Despite the crippling sanctions imposed on it by the US government, Huawei's smartphone division seems to be doing reasonably well. The Chinese telecommunication behemoth will announce its P40 series of phones sometime in March. The company just unveiled the Huawei P40 Lite in Europe, which is essentially a Huawei Nova 6 SE with a fresh coat of paint on it. As the name suggests, the Huawei P40 Lite is a watered-version of the P40 series. For starters, instead of a Kirin 990 SoC, you get a 7nm Kirin 810, which is essentially the equivalent of a Snapdragon 730. There appears to be only one memory configuration with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Adding on to that is a bit of a pain, as the device only supports Huawei's proprietary Nano SD card. The Huawei P40 Lite comes with a 6.4-inch FHD+ IPS LCD panel with a hole punched at its top-left corner that houses the phone's 16 MP selfie camera. The primary camera array consists of a 48 MP primary sensor assisted by an 8 MP wide-angle lens, a 2 MP macro lens, and a 2 MP depth sensor. It'll be interesting to see how the device fares against similarly-priced counterparts from companies like Samsung. Lastly, the Huawei P40 Lite's 4,200 mAh battery supports wired charging at 40 W. Thankfully, Huawei has kept the 3.5mm audio jack this time around, but it is unlikely to make its way to non-Lite versions of the phone. There's even a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication. What you do not get, however, is the Google Play Store, which has been missing from quite a few Huawei releases. The Huawei P40 Lite will set you back by 299($326) and comes in three color options, namely Crush Green, Sakura Pink, and Midnight Black. If you pre-order the phone now, you'll get a pair of Huawei Freebuds 3 at no additional charge. The phone will be available at all major brick and mortar stores starting March 16th. The device should be available in other European markets in the coming weeks. Shares of drug firm Cipla on Thursday extended their losses for the fifth consecutive session, ending 0.24 per cent lower on the BSE. The scrip plunged as much as 3.13 per cent to a low of Rs 409.20 per unit on the BSE during the day. Later, it recovered most of the losses to settle 0.24 per cent lower at Rs 421.45. On the NSE, the stock slumped 3.12 per cent to Rs 421. It closed the day at Rs 422 apiece, 0.28 per cent lower than the previous close. In terms of volume, more than 51 lakh shares were exchanged on the NSE, while 2.45 lakh units were traded on the BSE. The shares of the company have declined 5.8 per cent on the BSE in five consecutive sessions. The company on Wednesday said it had received a warning letter from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Goa manufacturing facility. For Goa manufacturing facility inspection, conducted from 16-27 September 2019, the company has received a warning letter from USFDA, it said in a regulatory filing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Slain Delhi Police Head Constable Ratan Lal, who died during clashes over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Monday in northeast Delhi, has been accorded with a martyr status by the BJP-led Centre. Slain Delhi Police head constable Ratan Lal, who died during the clashes over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in northeast Delhi, has been accorded with a martyr status by the BJP-led Centre while Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced in the Delhi Legislative Assembly that Lal's family will be receiving Rs 1 crore as compensation and a government job to kin, that is expected to be given to the constable's wife. Click here to follow LIVE updates on Delhi Violence Over CAA Protest This compensation comes after a petition was filed before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) asking for compensation for Lal's family. Earlier this week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had written to the constable's wife, Poonam Devi, conveying his condolences and said the entire country was with the family of the brave policeman in this hour of grief. In the letter, Shah said the constable had made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. "Your brave husband was a dedicated policeman who faced tough challenges. As a true soldier, he made the supreme sacrifice to serve this country. I pray that God gives you the strength to bear this sad and untimely loss," the home minister wrote. The home minister also added that the entire country was with the family in this hour of grief. Initial reports claimed that Lal died of head injuries received during stone-pelting in the violent clashes between two groups in the area. But according to the autopsy report, a bullet was found stuck in his body. The bullet entered his body through the left shoulder and went up to the right shoulder, resulting in his death, reports India Today. Lal hailing from Tehawali village at Fatehpur-Shekhawati Tehsil in Sikar district of Rajasthan was among the 10 people killed when violent clashes broke out in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law. Frenzied protesters torched houses, shops, vehicles and a petrol pump, besides hurling stones at security personnel. The death toll in the communal violence in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law reached 32 on Thursday, senior officials said. "Five more deaths recorded at GTB Hospital, so death toll at that hospital has gone up to 30, taking the total toll to 32," said a senior Delhi Health Department official. With inputs from PTI (Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson will put the U.K. on collision course with the European Union on Thursday when he lays out his governments red lines before talks start on a post-Brexit trade agreement next week. The EU said Tuesday that no deal will be possible unless Britain signs up to so-called level playing field provisions meant to ensure it doesnt gain a competitive advantage by undercutting the blocs regulations. But Johnsons office made clear only full independence will do -- and insisted the premier would walk away and trade with the U.K.s closest markets without a formal deal if necessary. At the end of this year we will regain in full our political and economic independence, the prime ministers spokesman James Slack told reporters. The U.K. wants a free-trade agreement similar to the one Canada has with the EU, but he said a looser arrangement like Australia -- which has no FTA with the bloc -- would be OK as well, though he conceded there would be some friction. Britains position leaves the two sides facing a fundamental clash. For the EU, its essential that the U.K. should sign up to European rules on fair competition, and officials in Brussels are likely to regard Johnsons rejection of this as a betrayal of the pledges he made in the political declaration, the legally non-binding part of last years divorce agreement. The pound fell to the lowest in two weeks against the euro, and was little-changed against the dollar. Johnsons government, which will publish its negotiating mandate Thursday, is expecting tensions with the bloc over competition and state aid rules, according to a U.K. official. It also expects difficulties over fisheries -- a contentious issue that EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said this week must be resolved before a deal can be struck. Brexiteers in Johnsons Conservative Party argued during and after the 2016 Brexit referendum that a trade deal with the bloc would be straightforward because both sides start from the same point in terms of rules and regulations. But the picture has changed significantly, especially after Johnson secured a landslide majority in Decembers general election. Story continues Red Lines The prime ministers key priority is to secure complete separation from the EU, ruling out any jurisdiction for the bloc in return for frictionless trade. U.K. negotiator David Frost said in a speech last week that the democratic consent of the British public could snap dramatically and finally if voters are forced to stick to EU regulations after Brexit. Johnsons government has made clear it is willing to reinterpret issues the EU regards as already settled, such as the transfer of goods between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland, which will have a special status with a foot in both trade systems. The U.K. said it has no intention of building infrastructure at ports to check goods entering Northern Ireland -- and therefore the EUs single market -- a position that triggered an instant warning over backsliding from European leaders including Irish caretaker Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. Read more: Johnson and Barnier Clash Over Who Sets Rules for Brexit Trade But Johnsons team have argued that the EU has backtracked on its own commitments, including the offer of a Canada-style free-trade deal, which London says contains no competition rules of the type the EU is demanding from the U.K. The EU argues in return that a commitment to maintaining a level playing field on trade is necessary because Britain is much closer to the bloc than Canada. We have heard Prime Minister Boris Johnson give assurances the U.K. will never engage in a race to the bottom, that it would not seek to undermine European standards, that the U.K. would in fact maintain higher standards than the EU -- and to be frank we are ready to believe this, Barnier said Wednesday. But that means it should not be a problem for the U.K. to agree on a number of ground rules. The gulf between the two sides means they will inevitably talk at cross purposes when negotiations begin Monday -- at least until one or both agree to compromise as the clock counts down on the transition period, which is scheduled to end Dec. 31. (Adds pound reaction in fifth paragraph) To contact the reporters on this story: Stuart Biggs in London at sbiggs3@bloomberg.net;Alex Morales in London at amorales2@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tim Ross at tross54@bloomberg.net, Thomas Penny, Robert Jameson 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 Delhi High Court on Thursday sought response of the Centre and the AAP government on a Jamia Millia Islamia student's plea seeking compensation for injuries suffered by him allegedly in police action against anti-CAA protesters on December 15 last year. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi government and police seeking their stand on the plea which also wants registration of an FIR into the offences allegedly committed by the police forces. The court listed the matter for further hearing on May 20. The petition filed by Mohd Mustafa has sought that the authorities be directed to pay a compensation of at least Rs one crore for physical and mental losses suffered by him. The plea has sought direction for reimbursing the student the expenses of his medical treatment that he had already incurred, including cost of travelling to hospitals. On February 17, another similar petition had come up for hearing before the high court which sought response of the Delhi government and police on the plea. It was filed by Shayaan Mujeeb who contended that he was in the university library on December 15, 2019 studying, when police personnel entered the building and allegedly beat up the students there. The court was initially of the view that the petitioner ought to have filed a civil suit if he was seeking compensation as the claims made by him would have to be proved through evidence which cannot be done in a writ petition. Earlier, another student Mohd Minhajuddin had moved a plea seeking a probe into the incident and demanding compensation for injuries he suffered. Minhajuddin, according to his plea, lost vision in one eye in the incident. On December 15 last year, a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act near Jamia Millia Islamia turned violent, with demonstrators pelting stones at police and setting public buses and private vehicles on fire. Police later entered the university, firing teargas shells and baton-charging students. Amazon is cracking down on price gouging and products that make false coronavirus claims on its marketplace. Amazon told CNBC it has blocked or removed more than 1 million products that made suspect or misleading claims about the coronavirus. The company said it also suspended or took down tens of thousands of offers from third-party merchants it accused of charging customers unfair prices. Amazon didn't give specific figures for how many listings it removed or suspended for price gouging. "There is no place for price gouging on Amazon," an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC in a statement. The spokesperson pointed to Amazon's "long-standing" policy on fair pricing, which states that the company doesn't allow pricing practices that harm consumer trust, such as setting a price on a product that is "significantly higher than recent prices on or off Amazon." Amazon is continuing to monitor the marketplace and remove offers that violate its policies on price gouging, the spokesperson said. The company also continues to take action on accounts that list products with suspect or misleading coronavirus claims, including suspending or removing selling privileges, they added. Amazon also added a notice to searches for "coronavirus," "COVID-19," "n95 mask" and other coronavirus-related content that directs users to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information about prevention and treatment of the disease. The move comes as the coronavirus continues to spread. At least 2,810 people have died from the disease, while total confirmed cases have risen to more than 82,500. The majority of confirmed cases are in China, but the disease has spread rapidly over the past week through South Korea, Iran and Italy. Last week, CNBC reported Amazon was removing listings on its marketplace that claimed to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Earlier this month, it sent emails to some third-party sellers that said it would take down listings claiming to be a treatment, cure or remedy for the coronavirus. Among the products it removed were listings for a surgical face mask and a spray disinfectant, though the sellers were able to get their listings reinstated after they removed the misleading medical claims. Third-party sellers were also warned not to hike the price of face masks. A package of 100 face masks, the best-seller in Amazon's medical face mask category, was priced at $15 almost four times the price it cost a few weeks ago, Wired reported, citing data from price tracking company Keepa. Amazon was one of several tech giants that met with the World Health Organization (WHO) at Facebook's Menlo Park, California, offices on Feb. 13 to discuss how to stop misinformation about the coronavirus on their platforms. A labourer who had migrated from Bihar, a garage owner, and a driver and his younger brother were among the 38 people who lost their lives as armed mobs ran amok in the streets of northeast Delhi. IMAGE: Family members mourn near the body of Muddasir Khan, who succumbed to his injuries sustained on Tuesday during the riots in New Delhi, on Thursday. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Aamir, 25, who worked as a driver, and his brother Hashim, 16, set out from Ghaziabad on Wednesday to check on their elder brother Shairuddin in Gokalpuri, one of the focal points of the violence. The two never reached Shairuddin's place. "Shairuddin tried to convince them not to come, but they said they will use bylanes to avoid the mobs. That was last conversation between Aamir and his brother," Akram, a friend of Shairuddin, said. After Aamir and Hashim did not make it to Shairuddin's place till 10 pm, their family members began calling them only to find that their mobile phones were unreachable, he said. A missing complaint was lodged on Thursday. At the police station, the family's worst fears came true as a lady officer told them that she had seen the bodies of the two brothers at the Guru Tegh Bahadur (GTB) Hospital mortuary. "The family rushed to the hospital and identified their bodies. They were told that the bodies were pulled out of a drain between Ganga Vihar and Gokalpuri," Akram said. Deepak Kumar, 34, a native of Bihar's Ara district who worked in a manufacturing unit in Gokalpuri, was trapped in the violence and shot dead by rioters on Tuesday. His brother Ajay said he was shot multiple times in the head. Mubarak Hussain, 31, a tile unit worker who lived in Vijay Park area was also shot dead on Tuesday afternoon in Maujpur, which was among the areas worst-hit by the violence. Akbari, 85, died due to asphyxiation after her house at Gamri village near Khajuri Khas was allegedly set on fire on Monday. On Thursday, her family took her body home to Meerut. Parvez Alam, 50, a garage owner, from Ghonda was shot in his back while he was trying to pacify an irate mob. His 20-year-old son Mohammed Sahil and nephew rushed him to hospital on a motorcycle. They put a tilak on their foreheads to escape the angry crowd on the way. Alam died during treatment at the hospital. Rahul Solanki, 26, who was pursuing his LLB from a private college in Ghaziabad, was shot in his right shoulder on Monday when he had stepped out to buy milk. On Wednesday, his father requested security personnel to give them protection so that the family could conduct his last rites peacefully. Muddasir Khan, 35 was shot outside his house in Kardampuri on Monday. He sustained a bullet injury on his head and was declared brought dead by doctors at GTB Hospital. Most of those who were killed suffered gunshot injuries and were brought to the GTB Hospital. Also among the dead are Delhi Police Head Constable Rattan Lal, 42, Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma, 26, Mohammad Faizan, Suleman, 22, Mohammad Zakir, Mohammad Musharaff, 33, Ashfaq Hussain, 22, Vinod Kumar, 45, Vir Bhan, 50, Mohammad Furqan, Rahul Thakur, 23, Mohsin Ali, 24, Aman, 17, Bir Bhan Singh, 50, Pravesh, 48, Marrof Ali and Aman, 18. Many are yet to be identified. Yves here. I suspect a lot of UK readers will be more inclined to argue, like Richard North, that Johnson is moving the UK towards a a Singapore on the Thames, or what Richard Murphy calls the Freeports model, which leave the hollowed out, former industrial areas in even more desperate shape. This was Murphys take: Nothing I have yet seen so starkly states what Brexit is all about. For Johnson the first objective of Brexit is to place greater controls on labour. The intention is to ensure that by controlling free movement labour itself can be controlled, and so too can its price be kept at rates the government would desire. And that is low, of course. And his second objective is to create freeports. He will claim that these are all about creating regulation free hubs for enterprise. This is completely untrue. There is no evidence that regulation free ports have ever generated work, wealth, much employment, or free market enterprise, come to that. This is unsurprising. That is not what freeports are about, at all. Freeports are instead about permitting the free movement of capital beyond the control of the state and without the imposition of any taxes. Quite bizarrely, given that freeports are effectively declared to be outside the country that creates them, one of the major objectives Johnson has for Brexit is to carve whole chunks of the UK out of the control he claims to have just taken back, and to pass it over to the free loaders who frequent freeports. To understand how freeports really work I suggest watching this video. I know its not in English, but its good, and explains how the Geneva freeport works to handle diamonds, gold, armaments, fine art and rare wines, all beyond the control of authorities and all beyond the reach of tax: The aim of freeports is to undermine the state. It achieves this by suspending the law. Freeports permit illicit activity. They permit wealth to be accumulated in secret. That wealth is beyond the reach of tax. Research suggests that much of that wealth is also shielded by anonymous offshore shell companies that disguise the ownership of an asset even if it can be located. The object is to ensure wealth can accumulate without constraint. This is the paradox that Johnson revealed in his video. He wants to control and constrain people. He will use that power to oppress, not just those who want to come to the UK but also, of course, those who wish to leave the UK as well. The market in labour will be constrained. People will suffer as a result. At the same time the market in illicit wealth will be liberated to traffic at will. The cost will be to us all, in lost tax revenue, increased inequality and the undermining of the rule of law. Additional jobs will be few and far between. And lets not for a moment pretend that any freeport activity supports markets: creating ring fences always creates unlevel playing fields that will always, by definition and in practice, undermine effective markets. So there is nothing in this policy that is about wealth creation: it is all about wealth expropriation and extraction. This is what Brexit was for. And Johnson admitted it last night. One day people will realise. In addition, readers liked this minority reading at Consortium News on the Labour general election wipeout, which contended that Labours share of the vote wasnt shabby, but it got killed on seats due to the rise of the SNP, and not losses to Tories. The subhead is Post-election commentary speaks of Corbyns party achieving its worst result since 1935. Alexander Mercouris shows why that is a serious misrepresentation. By Marshall Auerback, a market analyst and commentator. Produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute Call him an upper-class Etonian twit if you like, but the reality is that Boris Johnson, not Donald Trump, might be the 21st centurys first genuine blue-collar conservative. Since becoming prime minister, Johnson has represented a profound break from the prevailing market fundamentalist ideology of the past 40 years in terms of both his rhetoric and, more importantly, his actions. His policies evoke a 1970s-style economic corporatism (much derided by Margaret Thatcher) or, in more historic terms, a reversion to a kinder, gentler form of one nation conservatism. In the words of UK-born, U.S.-residing pundit Andrew Sullivan, the core of Johnsons ideology is an appeal to the working poor and aspiring middle classes, [by being] tough on immigration and crime, but much more generous in spending on hospitals and schools and science. Is it for real? Recall that this was also the promised policy formula that helped elect Donald Trump president in 2016, but which he hasnt implemented while in office. By contrast, Johnsons actions suggest a more serious intent, which could have long-lasting consequences for British politics and beyond. The center-left of Europe and the U.S. ignores this phenomenon at its collective peril. To caricature Johnson as a British Trump is a lazy narrative that grossly mischaracterizes what he has done already during his comparatively short tenure leading the United Kingdom. When Donald Trump first entered the White House, his then-chief domestic policy adviser Steve Bannon pushed the president to raise taxes on the wealthy and embark on a big program of infrastructure reconstruction to consolidate his political gains with white working-class voters who provided him with his margin of victory in 2016. Of course, we now know that Trump rejected this advice, as the president hewed instead to Paul Ryans austerity politics, attacking existing health care plans, and government social welfare programs, all the while promoting corporate tax reform where the benefits skewed heavily toward the top tier. Similarly, on infrastructure, Trump has done nothing, and so far as immigration policy goes, his signature proposal to build a wall has been a case of sound and fury, signifying nothing. Trump and the GOP accordingly paid the price in the midterm elections of 2018, one of the biggest congressional wipeouts over the past half-century. Perhaps Johnson is mindful of this. In his victory speech, he acknowledged that voters in the traditional Labor heartlands merely lent their votes to him, and that more needed to be done to consolidate their long-term support. With that in mind, he has already backed off his partys original plan to cut corporate taxes by 2 percent, so that his government could spend more on voters priorities, including the state-funded National Health Service (on health care, Johnsons Conservative Party is farther to the left of most of the Democrats now running for president other than Bernie Sanders, let alone Trump and the GOP). On infrastructure, Johnson has greenlit approval for the construction of a high-speed train line to the Midlands and northern England, a $130 billion venture that many have derided as a wasteful money pit, but which the PM views as a crucial means of regenerating these depressed regions outside the home counties. As a transport concept, the High Speed 2 (HS2) benefits might be marginal: Huge expenditure and big dividends to builders. In reality, light rail is all the UK probably needs. But the proposal was symbolically important, of course. And the amounts approved represent something well beyond tokenism, as the project constitutes one of the largest infrastructure spends of its kind anywhere in the world. At the same time, Johnson has been able to culturally connect with voters in the post-industrial Midlands and northern England, who wanted nothing to do with Labors woke identity politics. Historic indifference to their deep, often unstated misgivings about where the country and its culture were going was often dismissed as racism, much as Hillary Clinton derided a large chunk of Trump supporters in 2016 as a https://www.bbc.com/news/av/election-us-2016-37329812/clinton-half-of-trump-supporters-basket-of-deplorables rel=nofollow>basket of deplorables. Even on immigration (where we see echoes of Trump and the charges of racism have become most pronounced), it should be acknowledged that Johnsons prioritization of a skills-based immigration policy is not inherently restrictionist (in fact, both Canada and Australia, the models for his new immigration policy, have high net immigration rates). Unlike Margaret Thatcher or Ronald Reagan, the new British PMs goal is not to roll back the frontiers of the state but, rather, to use it to mitigate inequality by enhancing middle- and working-class wage growth, arrest the stagnation of dying communities and, above all else, reassert the primacy of the nation-state as the central organizing foundation for society (as opposed to subsuming it into a larger supranational political grouping). In Johnsons vision, the state, labor and business would all play major roles in the promotion of national economic development, as well as restoring the social contract long shredded by economic neoliberalism on the left and radical free-market libertarianism on the right. Of course, a range of powerful trend lines are working against this model: the scale of challenge to make necessary advances in scientific and medical research to sustain a human population in the billions requires international collaboration, the tidal wave of merged investors and industry continues at a rapid clip, and the globalized telecommunication process is homogenizing culture and taste across the planet. In fiscal policy terms, Johnsons rejection of the Treasurys prevailing austerity bias has been particularly noteworthy. The former chancellor, Sajid Javid, had repeatedly insisted that the UK should run a balanced budget by 2023, the maintenance of which would have severely hampered the Johnson administrations ability to offset potential trade shocks emerging from a more restrictive trade relationship with the EU, as well as mitigating the governments ability to embrace a robust national industrial policy post-Brexit. The resultant clash was brought to a head when Johnson forced out his chancellor, by issuing an ultimatum to Javid to fire all his advisersa condition that the chancellor later said no self-respecting minister would accept. The clipping of the Treasurys wings (and the corresponding resignation of Britains chancellor of the exchequer) has been caricatured by Johnsons opponents in both Parliament and the press as the actions of an insecure, power-hungry prime minister seeking to centralize power. But in reality, the move represents a long-overdue move to cut down the Treasurys stranglehold over the totality of economic policy relative to other government departments and paves the way for an expansionary post-Brexit budget. It is true that government spending under Donald Trump has not been marked by deficit fetishism. But unlike Trump, much of Boris Johnsons anticipated spending bonanza is largely being directed toward the working and middle classes, as opposed to societys top tier. By and large, Johnsons policy reflects the embrace of a national industrial policy that collides with the prevailing neoliberal notion that the government should be nothing but a neutral umpire, delegating all entrepreneurial activity and innovation to the private sector. That is an idea akin to Holy Writ in Brussels. The problem with this view, as I have written before, is that it arbitrarily restricts the range of fiscal activity that can be undertaken for broader public purpose: When governments occasionally find a way to redistribute the benefits of [extracting value from the economy] to the broader population [rather than to the top 1 percent], whether via a minimum wage, tighter regulation, state intervention, or similar policy, these measures are invariably castigated as wrongheaded, inevitably leading to less efficiency, sub-optimal growth and lower standards of living. The Johnson governments prioritization of redistributing fiscal resources to the countrys poorer northern regions runs in the face of these neoliberal shibboleths. The regions on which he is focusing have long been the losers of globalization at the expense of London and the southern home counties, which boomed as communities in the rest of the country began to wither away. Johnsons measures also send profoundly important political signals. They are designed to build on his recent political success where he breached Labors Red Wall, the partys traditional working-class base in the manufacturing and mining districts of northern England, which largely supported Brexit and turned to the Tories during the December election for the first time in decades. Johnsons political endgame is to ensure that these newly acquired working-class constituencies are converted to long-term electoral strongholds for the Tories. The consequences of that kind of electoral success could have long-lasting implications. With his policy actions so far, the British PM is appealing to a mass of working-class constituencies long alienated by successive governments, both Tory and Labor, that prioritized the European Unions technocratic market fundamentalism. To put it in U.S. terms, the equivalent would be the Republicans converting the Midwest into a permanent GOP regional stronghold (which would almost certainly relegate the Democrats to perpetual minority party status). In the meantime, the opposition Labor Party experienced its worst result since 1935 and more recently lost a municipal by-election in northeast England, where a 20-year-old Tory candidate decisively took almost 50 percent of all votes cast. On the immigration policy front, the new Conservative government has introduced a new policy that prioritizes skill, largely modeled after the Australian and Canadian points-based systems, whereby a non-resident who is able to score above a threshold number of points in a scoring system that might include such factors as education level, income, skills in high demand, language fluency, existing job offer, etc., is given priority for immigration. This policy too has predictably engendered charges of the Tories pandering to racists. What has many critics up in arms is that among the essential criteria is being able to speak English (even though proficiency in a countrys native tongue helps to engender more social cohesion, less cultural alienation, easier links to studies, and other such benefits). It should also be noted that language requirements are not unique to the UK (Canada likewise prioritizes fluency in its two official languages, English and French). Other provisions of the new immigration law include having a job offer to qualify for entry and being above a designated skills threshold. Again, there is nothing particularly novel about these features: Virtually all EU countries demand economic self-sufficiency as a prerequisite to the free movement of people. Nor is a points system that prioritizes skilled labor inherently restrictive. To mitigate short-term disruption to businesses, the new proposed legislation does provide alternative social safety valves, retaining existing youth mobility schemes and family reunification from the existing immigration laws. Finally, even though the law might create short-term disruption for service industries, notably in food and beverage, as they wean themselves off cheap sources of external labor, there are long-term benefits to the proposed new policy, as the Telegraphs Matthew Lynn notes: In truth, curbing low-skilled immigration can change the economy for the better. Why? Because it will force the economy into higher-productivity, higher-wage industries. Just take a look at the evidence from the places where it has been tried. According to OECD data, each of the main countries with a points system has done significantly better than the UK at increasing output per worker. Taking 2010 as 100, GDP per worker has risen to 110 in Australia, to 107 in Canada and 103 in New Zealand, but only to 102 in Britain (the OECD average is 106). Our output [per] person has barely grown over the past 10 years. It will also revalue these service jobs, as a smaller labor pool makes those job openings harder to fill. A skills-based system also changes the migration pattern from the same regions. We are seeing evidence of this in the U.S., as Professor Michael Lind highlights in his new book, The New Class War: Saving Democracy from the Managerial Elite. Lind notes, for example, that an increasing number of South Americans in the U.S. are educated professionalsWorld Bank officials from Uruguay, etc. And in neither the U.S. nor Europe is there a backlash against Indian doctors or Chinese engineers (except in the case of H1Bs, but that is a matter of labor exploitation, as Matt Taibbi highlighted in a recent Rolling Stone piece). Boris Versus EU What about the big elephant in the room, namely Brexit and the UKs future trading relationship with the EU? Boris Johnsons domestic political jiujitsu has understandably discombobulated his negotiating interlocutors in the EU, which likely means a much more contentious negotiation about the evolution of the post-Brexit relationship between the UK and EU. Hints of the challenges lurking became evident when Boris Johnsons chief Brexit negotiator, David Frost, warned Brussels that the UK would not under any circumstances sign up to EU rules in a trade deal with Brussels, which circumscribed the formers sovereignty and enforced the EUs regulatory and legal framework via the European Court of Justice. To be sure, these are but the opening shots in what is likely to be a difficult negotiation, but in contrast to the previous administration of former Prime Minister Theresa May, Johnsons government is reversing the governments priorities: national sovereignty over the maintenance of frictionless trade, rather than the opposite. The reality is that Johnsons nationalism represents a vision that is ultimately irreconcilable with that of Brussels, a fact that the EU is only beginning to grasp as it establishes its negotiating brief. Brexit was never an end in itself, but a means to a very different sort of destination for the UK. As such, not only is the UK a regulatory rival of the EU, but also, in a broader sense, it presents an ideological challenge to much of the prevailing framework that has dominated policymaking globally for over half a century, but which is likely ending. Johnson will succeed if he can re-establish a social contract among business, labor and government constituents, a modern-day tripartism that replaces todays incipient caste system, characterized by a steadily growing underclass, often foreign-born, in menial, dead-end personal service jobs. Rather than simply deriding him, the Left would do well to pay heed. Failure to do so could have catastrophic consequences for them. Amr Osman, left, with his wife Lea DiRusso at her South Philadelphia home, November 7, 2019. DiRusso was diagnosed with mesothelioma in August after being exposed to asbestos while working in two South Philadelphia elementary schools for the past 30 years. Read more Lea DiRusso, the career city teacher diagnosed last year with a deadly asbestos-linked cancer, is in line to be paid $850,000 by the Philadelphia School District. The school board on Thursday night will consider a resolution allowing the district to execute, deliver, and perform a settlement agreement with DiRusso and Amr Osman, her husband, who had filed notice of intent to sue the school system. The settlement comes in exchange for a release of all claims that have been or could be asserted against the district, according to language included in board documents. "The Office of General Counsel recommends this settlement as a fair and appropriate resolution of the parties dispute. READ MORE: Cancer in the classroom After spending 28 years as a special-education teacher at two South Philadelphia elementary schools Meredith and Nebinger, both with known asbestos problems DiRusso began feeling ill last spring. Doctors were confounded by her swelling, hard belly, suggesting it was related to menopause or gastritis. The day she moved her daughter into college, DiRusso got the diagnosis: mesothelioma, caused by ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers. At 51, she knew she had received a death sentence. She knew she would likely never return to her classroom, and she knew her days with her new husband and her two children, 18 and 16, were numbered. READ MORE: Did workers spread asbestos at a Philly school? The district is investigating. And she replayed over and over again the way she routinely swept up white particles that flaked off the asbestos-wrapped heating pipes in her classroom. The district even issued her a broom so she could tidy up the carcinogen and other messes that went along with working in a 90-year-old building. "You just scoop it up, you clean it up, and you move on, DiRusso said in a 2019 Inquirer interview. READ MORE: Amid Philly schools asbestos crisis, city to pay an outside monitor to watchdog jobs She said the School District never told her that the material around the pipes was a carcinogen. If she had known, she would have never strung up a clothesline from pipe to pipe to display student artwork. DiRusso did not immediately return a request for comment on the terms of the settlement. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global catheter market size is expected to reach USD 77.7 billion by 2026 registering a CAGR of 9.7%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and supportive insurance policies are some of the prime factors boosting the market growth. Presence of multi-national manufacturers and improving medical facilities, especially across developing regions, are also anticipated to propel the market growth over the forecast period. As per the statistics published by the WHO, chronic diseases is anticipated to contribute to 73% of all deaths and 60% of the global burden of disease by 2020. The rise in geriatric population has also led to increase in number of hospitalizations and surgeries anticipating the market growth. Catheters have undergone technological advancements; for instance, miniaturized products and introduction of antimicrobial catheters to reduce associated infections. Wide usage of minimally invasive surgeries is expected to favor the market growth. Rising awareness about catheters has in turn boosted their demand. In addition, increasing number of midscale catheter manufacturers gaining a higher market share is expected to promote the market growth. Furthermore, rise in funding by various government bodies and medical device manufacturers for R&D will boost the market growth. However, requirement of intensive capital for the development of advanced devices may obstruct market development. Further key findings from the study suggest: The cardiovascular product segment led the market in 2018 owing to increase in the number of patients suffering from chronic Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) Specialty catheters is expected to be the fastest-growing product segment over the forecast period due to rising prevalence of target diseases and demand for minimally invasive procedures Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR from 2019 to 2026 owing to rising cases of kidney and cardiovascular diseases, improving medical facilities, and supportive insurance policies Some of the key companies in the global catheter market are Medtronic Plc.; Convatec Corp.; Smiths Medical, Inc.; Boston Scientific Corp.; and Coloplast A/S The market is price-sensitive with many small, medium, and large-scale companies. Key companies focus on product bundling strategies Strategic partnerships between the manufacturers and the healthcare establishments intensify the market competition Request a Sample Copy of the Global Catheter Market Research Report @ www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/catheters-market-analysis/request/rs1 Grand View Research has segmented the global catheter market on the basis of product, distribution channel, and region: Catheter Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026) Cardiovascular Electrophysiology PTCA Balloon Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) PTA Balloon Urology Hemodialysis Peritoneal Foley Intermittent External Intravenous Peripheral Midline Peripheral Central Venous Neurovascular Specialty Wound/Surgical Oximetry Thermodilution Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Catheter Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026) Hospital Stores Retail Stores Others (Online Stores) Catheter Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026) North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K. Germany France Italy Spain Asia Pacific Japan China India Australia South Korea Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Columbia Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE Access full research report on global catheter market: www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/catheters-market-analysis New Delhi, Feb 27 : The camera drones pressed into service by the police and security forces in the violence-affected neighbourhoods of east Delhi have been playing a crucial role in checking any further escalation in tension. The area has witnessed violent clashes around the CAA that has claimed over 30 lives so far. According to sources, the local residents are also assisting the security forces in their bid to maintain peace by providing information on "suspicious elements and movements". On Wednesday night, security forces monitored the area with a drone camera. The residents were also approached by the security forces to assist them in controlling the tense situation. Surveillance started with the help of drone cameras in Maujpur and Kabir Nagar areas as it got dark on Wednesday. A Maujpur resident said: "The presence of paramilitary forces has brought a sense of security to the people here." "People here are feeling relieved due to the presence of security forces. We have also maintained a vigilance in the streets along with security forces after midnight," another resident said. Sources said that residents are coming forward to help the security personnel present in and around Maujpur. With the help of these people, police and paramilitary forces are trying to gather information about the miscreants. Tension, however, still persists in Maujpur despite the presence of security forces and de-escalation of the violence. All markets remained shut on Thursday and essential services such as schools, hospitals, banks, nursing homes, etc. remained affected. Public transport was not easily available as well. Though the metro stations in and around Maujpur have now been opened for the convenience of the people, the locals, who are apprehensive about their safety, are still not stepping out of their homes. The security forces instructed the locals to move out of their houses only if it is "very necessary". People said "even as there is peace in the area, it is temporary". In India, Agarwal is the richest self-made Indian below 40 years of age while Zerodha founders Nithin Kamath, Nikhil Kamathboth in their 30s, are among India's richest young self-made billionaires. In just six years after setting up his hotel chain, Oyo Hotels founder Ritesh Agarwal became the world's second-youngest self-made billionaire at the age of 26. The wealth of Agarwal, a college dropout, is estimated to be at around $1.1 billion (Rs 7,800 crore), said a report in Mint citing Hurun Global Rich List 2020. Cosmetics queen Kylie Jenner, who has personal assets worth $1.1 billion and is 22-year-old, tops the chart as the youngest billionaire in the world. In India, Agarwal is the richest self-made Indian below 40 years of age while Zerodha founders Nithin Kamath, Nikhil Kamathboth in their 30s, are among India's richest young self-made billionaires, the report said. Interestingly, Oyo's Agarwal received praise from US President Donald Trump's recent visit to India. During Trump's meeting of India's top business leaders on Tuesday (25 February), the second day of his visit to the country, Agarwal was among the CEO group comprising Mukesh Ambani, Anand Mahindra, Ratan Tata and Kumar Mangalam Birla. Agarwal said he founded his company as a young startup and said that it has 313 hotels in the US. President Trump said, "I actually know of your company. Not such a small company, by the way. Good job." There are 90 billionaires aged 40 years or below on the list this year as compared to last year's 85. Of them, 54 were self-made, while 36 became billionaires through the wealth that they had inherited, said a report in Business Today. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is the richest person in the world with a net worth of $140 billion, followed by chairman of luxury-goods maker LVMH Bernard Arnault with $107 billion. Mukesh Ambani was the only Indian to make it to the top 10, with $67 billion, said the report citing Hurun Rich List. Started in 2013, SoftBank-backed Oyo Hotels has already become the largest hotel chain in India and its valuation has soared to $10 billion. As the startup expands to the US and Europe after becoming the second-largest chain in China, Oyo has chalked out ambitious plans of becoming the world's largest hotel chain in 2023. In a span of six years, the company expanded its presence to over 800 cities, more than 23,000 Oyo-branded hotels and 8,50,000 rooms, Oyo said. This growth is backed by a strong balance sheet of about $1.5 billion, it added. In July last year, the hospitality firm had said that it emerged as the world's third-largest hotel chain as per room count with 8,50,000 rooms in its portfolio. In May last year, Oyo claimed that it became the second-largest hotel group in China within 18 months of its foray into the country, with presence in 320 cities and nearly 10,000 Oyo-branded hotels with 4,50,000 rooms. With PTI inputs (Natural News) Following San Franciscos state of emergency declaration yesterday, now Orange County has declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus, reports Fox 11 out of Los Angeles: Orange County officials declared a local health emergency Wednesday in response to the coronavirus, which has now infected more than 81,000 people worldwide. Michelle Steel, chair of the county Board of Supervisors, and board Vice Chair Andrew Do made the announcement at an early afternoon news conference. She was quick to note there are no current incidents reported in the county of Orange, adding yet more confusion to the pattern that an increasing number of cities and counties are declaring emergencies for a global pandemic the entire establishment media claims will never hit America and is no big deal. Also from Fix 11 LA: San Diego County officials declared a local emergency in response to the coronavirus on Feb. 14. Officials there stressed that the declaration was not an indication of a greater risk of contracting the virus locally, only an effort to ensure the county was prepared to respond should an outbreak occur. The CDC has so far tested just 445 people in the entire United States since day one, a number now being tracked in real time at Pandemic.news, with links to CDC.gov. Pandemic.news is also putting together a detailed list of public health departments for all 50 states, along with the number of people being tested in those states. The current number for nearly all states is zero. Korean Air flight attendant working LAX tests positive for the coronavirus CBS News out of Los Angeles is now reporting a Korean Air flight attendant has tested positive for the coronavirus after working the LAX flight route, spanning several flights out of LAX. Before being diagnosed with the coronavirus, she worked: A flight from Tel Aviv, Israel to Seoul, South Korea Multiple flights from Seoul to LAX Its not yet known exactly how many passengers were on those flights, but international flights typically carry 300+ passengers on each flight. The coronavirus fiasco with the Diamond Princess cruise ship and its ill-fate evacuation charter flights that spread the infection even further proves the coronavirus is especially adept at infecting people who share enclosed spaces such as ships or airplanes. Its abundantly clear there is an uncontrolled outbreak in California right now, and only 200 people have been tested so far What we are witnessing here is a steady increase in the number of cities and countries declaring emergencies while claiming there is no emergency. We are told there are no community outbreaks in California, but according to the states Dept. of Health website page on the coronavirus, only approximately 200 persons have been tested to date. Note that California doesnt even know the exact number, and if its anywhere near 200, thats shockingly small. More than 8,000 people are currently under self-quarantine in California. Apparently, almost none of them have been tested at all. It begs the obvious question: How is anyone going to detect coronavirus outbreaks if virtually no one is being tested for the coronavirus in America? This is all covered in my new podcast below. Hear all podcasts, see the latest CDC numbers, and download audio MP3 files at Pandemic.news: Its just pretty special and amazing, Ferguson told his colleagues in the Senate chamber on Thursday. And you all will appreciate, in the hospital bed, hes just had a heart attack and had surgery, and now hes awake and lucid, and says, You just really got to pass that bill. C anada will stop paying for security for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex within weeks, it has been announced. Harry and Meghan moved to Canada last month after they decided to step back from royal duties and taxpayers in Canada have since been paying for some of their security costs. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RMCP) has protected the couple and their baby Archie since November. It has now emerged the spending will stop within weeks as the couple transition away from royal life before March 31. A spokeswoman for Public Safety Canada told the Standard the payments would stop "in keeping with their change in status". Meghan with a security guard in 2018 / Getty Images She said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing to re-locate to Canada on a part-time basis presented our government with a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances. "The RCMP has been engaged with officials in the UK from the very beginning regarding security considerations. "As the Duke and Duchess are currently recognised as Internationally Protected Persons, Canada has an obligation to provide security assistance on an as needed basis. "At the request of the Metropolitan Police, the RCMP has been providing assistance to the Met since the arrival of the Duke and Duchess to Canada intermittently since November 2019. "The assistance will cease in the coming weeks, in keeping with their change in status. Harry and Meghan plunged the royal family into a period of crisis last month when they announced they wanted to step back as senior royals and become financially independent. A summit of senior royals was later convened by the Queen at Sandringham to discuss the issue, with Harry sitting down for talks with his grandmother, father the Prince of Wales and brother the Duke of Cambridge. It was later announced they would give up royal duties, split their time between Canada and the UK, with the majority spent in North America, no longer be known as HRH, and their lives as working royals would end on March 31. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex / PA The duke ushered in his new future status on Wednesday when he told travel industry delegates attending an Edinburgh conference about his sustainable travel project to simply call him Harry. They are now embarking on a series of final royal engagements before stepping back next month, attending their first joint UK event since "Megxit" to celebrate the achievements of wounded servicemen and women on March 5. Harry and Meghan will attend the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House in London on March 5 to honour sick and injured military who have taken part in sporting and adventure challenges over the past year. A showcase of years of hard work, creativity and finesse is on the menu when the final-year BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts students from Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) take over the kitchen of Bellissimo restaurant in Waterford for four unmissable nights from 24-27 March 2020. The 12 students have created tasting menus with a strong focus on exceptional local produce and will be working the kitchen at the event in a variety of roles, from head chef to pastry specialist. Tickets are 60 each for a six-course tasting menu and booking is essential at www.cheftakeover.com. Two Kilkenny students participating are Tom Phelan from Glenmore and Aine Lyng from Graignamanagh. In addition, Michaela Quigley attended Abbey Community College in Ferrybank, and Hanna Mathe is also from Ferrybank. Aine Lyng: learning basic cooking principles at a young age, Aine had a wealth of family recipes to draw from and is passionate about using quality local produce in her cooking. It was this foundation of knowledge that led Aine to land the position of Demi Chef De Partie at the 5-star Slieve Donard Resort & Spa in Newcastle, Co. Down. From Graignamanagh, Co Kilkenny. Past pupil of Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School, New Ross, Co Wexford Tom Phelan: a pastry chef, horticulturist and book collector, Tom combines his passions to create innovative desserts infused with freshness. He is currently working at The Lady Helen, a fine dining establishment in the heart of the 5-star Mount Juliet Estate in Co. Kilkenny. From Mullinahone, Glenmore, Co Kilkenny. Past pupil of Abbey Community College Ferrybank. Hanna Mathe: recently returned from the 45th International Worldskills competition in Russia, where she represented Ireland in Cookery against 46 other countries and won a medal of excellence. Lately, she chooses to specialise in pastry and confectionery, even launching her own line of sweets in the Cherub Couture Cake Shop, Co. Waterford. From: Ferrybank. Past pupil of Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Waterford. This event is presented by WIT, Pallas Foods and ABP in partnership with Bellissimo restaurant. It aims to highlight how creative and rewarding a career as a chef can be. One of the key driving forces behind this incredible event is Tony McMahon, owner and restaurateur, Bellissimo Waterford. McMahon first proposed the Chef Takeover project. He believes there is no better way to address the challenges in the industry than with the people who will form its future, the young talented chefs and front of house staff that we need to encourage to take on the responsibility with passion. Bellissimo has been creating great dining experiences in Waterford for 20 years and this event promises to be one of the best so far," McMahon says. "Collaboration between all of the parties involved can only make our industry stronger and better and most importantly give our valued customers something to really enjoy and be part of. Fantastic food, talented chefs, a glimpse into our culinary future, an enjoyable night out.... dont miss it! Michael Quinn a full-time lecturer at WIT and a renowned chef in his own right has been working closely with his final year BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts students on their Chef Takeover preparations. A multi-award winner with more than 22 years experience, voted Best Chef of the year in 2012 by the Restaurant Association of Ireland. Since then Quinn has moved on to become a full-time lecturer at WIT. Our students have used everything theyve learned throughout their four year to pair mouth-watering ingredients, combining theory, practice, creativity and a phenomenal sense of adventure along the way. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the best of Irish produce curated by the best of Irish student culinary talent. Through teaming with WIT and Bellissimo, Pallas Foods and ABP are supporting the student chefs to put their skills into action. The goal is to inspire, motivate and, according to Pallas Foods Business Development Chef Patrick Clement, it is about highlighting how rewarding and creative a career as a chef can be and supporting these young chefs as they begin their culinary journey after college. Eoin Ryan, ABP European Sales and Marketing Manager, said At ABP we have no doubt that the Waterford Institute of Technology culinary students of today will be the successful restaurateurs and chefs of tomorrow. We are thrilled to be able to support the Chef Takeover as it helps prepare students for work as professional chefs in the hospitality sector, therefore training with quality beef is vital. Students will be working with high quality beef and lamb that ABP currently supplies to many of the leading restaurants and hotels across Europe, including Michelin-starred establishments. It is great to be encouraging catering students, and Michael Quinn is an outstanding chef to work alongside and learn from. Experience this incredible feast from 7pm from 24-27 March at Bellissimo, Cedar House, Dunmore Rd, Ardkeen, Waterford. Tickets are 60 each for a six-course tasting menu. Booking is online at http://www.bellissimo- waterford.com/product/ takeover-bellissimo-restaurant , www.wit.ie/cheftakeover and www.cheftakeover.com This event is presented by the Waterford Institute of Technology, Pallas Foods and ABP in partnership with Bellissimo. This pioneering event marks the inaugural stage of a much bigger project that aims to design a brighter future for Irelands food industry. PARIS - Filmmaker Roman Polanski is skipping the awards ceremony for Frances equivalent of the Oscars where his latest movie leads this years nominations because of protests prompted by a new rape accusation against him. Womens rights activists have called for a boycott of Fridays Cesars ceremony in Paris, and plastered anti-Polanski banners and graffiti at the event venue and the Cesar academy headquarters. The entire male-dominated leadership of the Cesars stepped down recently amid a spat over its byzantine decision-making structure and over how to deal with the Polanski problem. In a statement Thursday provided to The Associated Press, the Paris-based Polanski said the ceremony was turning into a public lynching. Addressing the new accusation against him and other allegations over the years, he said: Fantasies of unhealthy minds are now treated as proven facts. We know ahead of time how this evening will play out, Polanski wrote in his statement. Polanski is still wanted in the United States decades after he was charged with raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor but fled the country on the eve of sentencing. Last year, a Frenchwoman came forward to accuse Polanski of raping her in 1975 in his Swiss chalet when she was 18. Polanski denied it, and the allegations are too old for an investigation. But the accusation put the director under fresh scrutiny in France, where he has long been revered as one of the countrys premier filmmakers despite the outstanding rape charge in the U.S. Other accusations have also emerged. Polanskis An Officer and a Spy, about anti-Semitic persecution of French army Capt. Alfred Dreyfus and his wrongful treason conviction in the 1890s, is up for multiple Cesars on Friday. Polanski, who survived the Holocaust in Poland as a child, said this years awards have no place for a film whose subject is defending truth and fighting injustice, blind hate and anti-Semitism. Polanski, 86, said he decided not to attend the ceremony to protect his colleagues and his wife and children. However, critics say he is using the film to paint himself as a victim of unfair persecution. The parallel that is made between the anti-Semites who attacked Dreyfus and feminists of today who fight for equality between men and woman and the end of impunity for sexual offences is simply disgusting, Celine Piques, of activist group Osez le Feminisme, told The AP. Fellow activists painted banners ahead of a demonstration planned outside the Cesars. Roman Polanski is not a victim, he is not a persecuted man, he is just a rapist, a child rapist, who is protected by the whole world of cinema in France, she said. And this is completely crazy, two years after #MeToo, that while in the U.S. (Hollywood producer Harvey) Weinstein has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault in France, we celebrate Roman Polanski, who is accused of child rape, she added. ___ This story corrects paragraph 6 to make clear that Polanski pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor before fleeing the U.S. (Alliance News) - BlackRock World Mining Trust PLC on Thursday raised its dividend payout as it reported an increase in net asset value. The investment company said 2019 was a record year in terms of revenue earnings per share and income available for distribution to shareholders. BlackRock reported NAV per share of 433.17 pence for the year to the end of December, up from 388.81p a year earlier. Since the year end and up until the close of business on Tuesday, the company's NAV per share has decreased by 6.9%, it said. The trust's share price at the end of 2019 stood at 383.00p, representing an 11.6% discount to NAV. The stock closed 5.0% lower at 331.00p each on Thursday in London. BlackRock World Mining's NAV total return for the year stood at 17.2%. In comparison, the return for the EMIX Global Mining Index increased by 22.1%. "The mining sector started the year strongly as mined commodity prices recovered after a challenging end to 2018. However, towards the end of the summer, the sector fell on the back of deteriorating global economic activity. In the last couple of months of the year, sentiment began to turn on a perceived easing of geopolitical tensions and confidence increased as the US and China agreed more positive terms for a trade deal," said Chair David Cheyne. Looking ahead, the trust said that a preliminary agreement with China to halt the trade war should prove positive for markets and, in Europe, the outcome of the UK election has removed some degree of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. It said these developments are likely to stabilise growth over the next six to twelve months, aided by easier financial conditions introduced in 2019 by the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank. It warned however, that the recent escalation in US-Iran tensions and the coronavirus outbreak could pose risks. During the year, three quarterly interim dividends of 4.00p per share were paid. BlackRock World Mining proposed the payment of a final quarterly dividend of 10.00p per share. This, together with the quarterly interim dividends, makes a total of 22.00p per share, up 22% from 18.00p paid the year before. By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Bail remained at 5 million US dollars for a mother arrested in Hawaii over the disappearance of her two Idaho children, a judge ruled on Wednesday. Lori Vallow wore an orange jail jumpsuit in court on the Hawaiian island of Kauai for a hearing on her request to reduce bail. After the judge denied the request, her defense attorney, Craig De Costa, said she is waiving an extradition hearing, which had been scheduled for March 2. She wanted to expedite her return to Idaho, De Costa said. Kauai Prosecutor Justin Kollar said he will work with Idaho authorities on logistics for her departure. The judge set a March 4 status hearing to make sure she has been picked up. Kauai police arrested Vallow last week on an Idaho warrant. She has been charged with two felony counts of child abandonment. Seven-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan have not been seen since September. Their disappearance captured worldwide attention after authorities pleaded for help in finding them. The tangled case includes investigations into three deaths. Vallow's estranged husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed in Phoenix last July by her brother, Alex Cox. Then Cox, who claimed the shooting was in self-defense, died of unknown causes in December. Vallow moved her family to Idaho in late August. In October, Chad Daybell's wife, Tammy Daybell, died of what her obituary said was natural causes. When Daybell married Vallow roughly two weeks after Tammy's death, law enforcement became suspicious and had her remains exhumed. Test results on Daybell's remains and toxicology results for Cox have not yet been released. Rexburg police questioned Daybell and Vallow about the missing children in late November, and when detectives returned the next day for a follow-up interview the couple had left town. In December, Idaho authorities asked police on Kauai for help finding the couple. On Jan. 26, Kauai police served a search warrant on a vehicle and condo the couple were renting in the resort town of Princeville. Jimmy Bartel's romance with Lauren Mand is certainly heating up. On Wednesday, Lauren gushed over the former AFL star as they shared a kiss during their romantic trip to Kyoto, Japan. The 31-year-old office worker also called Jimmy her 'favourite person'. Scroll down for video 'My favourite person': Lauren Mand kisses AFL star boyfriend Jimmy Bartel during their romantic vacation in Japan She also posted a picture of herself with Jimmy sitting on a fence with a stunning view behind them. Underneath, Jimmy, who split with his wife Nadia last year, left an emoji with love heart eyes and a kissing smiley face. And the PDA didn't stop there - with the blonde also uploading a video of herself walking behind Jimmy, before running up to him and holding his arm. Playing tourist: She also posted a picture of herself with Jimmy sitting on a fence with a stunning view behind them She's smitten! And the PDA didn't stop there - with the blonde also uploading a video of herself walking behind Jimmy, before running up to him and holding his arm She then cosied up to Jimmy and rested her head on his shoulder. The pair jetted to Tokyo on Tuesday, and have continued to flaunt their romance all over social media since. PDA all day: The pair jetted to Tokyo on Tuesday, and have continued to flaunt their romance all over social media since Doting: Meanwhile, Jimmy's ex-wife Nadia posted a sweet picture of the sons she shares with Jimmy - sons, Aston, four, and Henley, one, in the back of her Range Rover Meanwhile, Jimmy's ex-wife Nadia posted a sweet picture of the sons she shares with Jimmy - sons, Aston, four, and Henley, one, in the back of her Range Rover. 'These two are too much,' Nadia captioned the post. She added: 'Always holding hands, even though at times they also fight like hell ha.' Over: Jimmy was first romantically linked to Lauren just days after his split from wife Nadia Bartel (pictured) was made public last year. The Bartels announced their separation on August 15, but it's believed they actually broke up two months earlier Jimmy was first romantically linked to Lauren just days after his split from wife Nadia Bartel was made public last year. The Bartels announced their separation on August 15, but it's believed they actually broke up two months earlier. The former couple married in February 2014 in a lavish ceremony on the Bellarine Peninsula. The Bear Clan Patrol is recruiting cubs from city schools to watch over Winnipeg streets, a longtime ambition its founder saw realized for the first time Wednesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Bear Clan Patrol is recruiting cubs from city schools to watch over Winnipeg streets, a longtime ambition its founder saw realized for the first time Wednesday. Dozens of students donned neon vests to patrol the West End streets surrounding General Wolfe School after the afternoon bell rang, marking the first time the Indigenous-led community watch group has partnered with schools. "The ideology behind it is to keep the kids from going down the wrong path," said James Favel, co-founder and executive director of the Bear Clan. "Prevention is better than remediation, and thats basically what were doing." Students from General Wolfe School participated in a youth mock patrol with the Bear Clan Patrol and Winnipeg police on Ellice Ave. in Winnipeg. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) Favel said he wanted to collaborate with schools the moment he thought of reviving the Bear Clan in late 2014. The neighbourhood patrol existed in the 1990s, but had been in hibernation until volunteers took to the streets again in 2015, with Favel assuming the "Papa Bear" role. Education, he said, is critically important when it comes to developing street smarts among youth. Thats why Favel wants all city schools to invite Bear Clan members and police officers to give presentations about gang violence, exploitation and grooming tactics, and lead community patrols. Before hitting the streets Wednesday, officers and patrol veterans showed the middle school students drug paraphernalia and taught them what to do if they spotted a syringe yell "sharp!" to attract an adult with gloves and a safe disposal box. Faylee, a Grade 7 student, did just that after she found a syringe in a back alley off Sargent Avenue. The 12-year-old said she often sees syringes in her neighbourhood and during her walk to school, which is why she wanted to get involved with the Bear Clan. "I decided I wanted to do it because it would be a good use of my time, so I could pick up bad stuff like metal and needles and medicine and drugs and whatever, so nobody elses kids are in danger," she said. "I want to change the city to get back to a good place, a better place than before." Dozens of students donned neon vests to patrol the West End streets surrounding General Wolfe School after the afternoon bell rang, marking the first time the Indigenous-led community watch group has partnered with schools. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) Bear Clan members spoke to the group of about 40 students Wednesday about their harm-reduction stance, and how their goal isnt to judge, but rather meet with and check up on community members. Members then handed out care packages containing everything from juice boxes to toothbrushes for students to distribute. "Offering someone a fruit or a granola bar or even just saying "hello" kids need to understand that even that small thing is a big thing for someone whos having a bad day," said Mario Cueto, a teacher at General Wolfe and member of the Bear Clan. 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. Cueto added Bear Clan members challenge negative stereotypes of Indigenous people, as they often become mentors for youth participants. The Bear Clan currently boasts 1,700 Winnipeg-based adult volunteers. Between 12 to 20 youth per session participate in its mock community youth patrols in the North End and West Broadway. "It tends to inspire them to get more active and be proactive in their communities," Favel said, adding he hopes General Wolfe students are inspired to join their regular youth patrols. "Thats what were trying to do. Were trying to spark that fire in them to get into the community, get out there and do something positive." maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @macintoshmaggie Detail from Matt A. Osborn's painting, "Pale Rider" (2020),at the Galleries at Moore, Moore College of Art & Design Read more Theres no doubt about it. Some visitors to Moore College of Art & Designs Emerging Philadelphia exhibition will be taken aback by emerging artist Shona McAndrews life-size papier-mache figures of naked and partially clothed plus-size young women in intimate domestic situations. Theyre on display in the spacious, windowed Wilson lobby gallery that shares the entrance to the college, and that candor right up front is refreshing. Provocative new art has always had the power to stop people in their tracks. McAndrew is one of three artists with solo shows now on exhibit at Moore under the Emerging Philadelphia umbrella, celebrating up-and-comers. Also here are Stacey Lee Webbers sculptures, loosely themed around money, and Matt A. Osborns inventive paintings and drawings. Whatever anyone makes of McAndrews female figures one is seated on a sculpture pedestal thats likely meant to suggest a toilet, with a length of toilet paper in her hand these women are individuals depicted in the privacy of their own homes, not stereotypes painted with a broad brush to stand in for one type of woman or another. Like them or not, her figures represent real human beings and our banal personal behaviors. They push all the wrong buttons for me, but they also force me to confront my own, possibly rigid, expectations of how I think people should look. Webbers show impressed me with the artists handiness and incredible attention to detail. Here is someone who doesnt let those irksome pennies weigh down her wallet she solders them into three-dimensional facsimiles of tools, such as a shovel, a pair of calipers, or a mallet. She also works with dollar bills, meticulously embroidering them with colored thread to create portraits of famous historical figures in costumes from her own imagination. In contrast to McAndrews show, which has no real physical boundaries, Webbers exhibition in the dimly-lit Goldie Paley Gallery has the gravitas of a museum display. Osborn doesnt quite fit the emerging theme I remember seeing his clever, cartoony drawings in a show at Pageant Gallery back in 2009 but his paintings and drawings in Moores Levy Gallery make a nice counterpoint to McAndrew and Webbers works. Osborn is still musing on his everyday observations and inventing characters to enact narratives that suggest roots in legends and folklore. The images in his large, recently made paintings, such as Blue Dog Head and Pale Rider, struck me as blown-up elements from his drawings. I applaud that artistic impulse to borrow from oneself! Through March 14 at the Galleries at Moore, 1916 Race St., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. 215-965-4027 or moore.edu/the-galleries-at-moore. The Great Lakes, in 30 photos The 30 large-format color photographs in Theo Andersons exhibition, The Great Lakes Landscape 2010 to 2016, now at Haverford College, come from a larger series of his American Episodes. This shows particular geographical focus draws attention to the Allentown-based photographers expressive use of color and scale. His images of Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior capture their vastness, often by including images of visitors, as in his 5 People, Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, Michigan. Squint and you might see those five tiny figures on the right. Often, his views of lakes and sandy beaches suggest views of the Caribbean Sea. Nineteenth-century American landscape painting seems to be as much a touchstone for Anderson as American color photography in the vein of Stephen Shore. As is typically the case with shows organized by William Earle Williams, Haverfords curator of photography and a photographer himself, Andersons show is accompanied by all kinds of fascinating related ephemera. Included here are a first-edition copy of Henry Wadsworth Longfellows The Song of Hiawatha and a 45 RPM record of Gordon Lightfoots 1975 hit The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Through April 26 at the Atrium Gallery, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sat. and Sun. 610-896-1000 or haverford.edu/fine-arts/exhibitions. Ancient finds, in Kensington Tiger Strikes Asteroids group show, Preserving a Find, curated by TSA members Megan Biddle and Adam Lovitz, gathers works that suggest relics in one way or another. The impressive lineup of artists here includes Patrick Maguire, SaraNoa Mark, Monica Palma, Liza Samuel, Dominic Terlizzi, and Thaddeus Wolfe. To me, Samuels four paintings are the most ancient-seeming works, with materials like clays, foraged animal bones, chlorophyll, and various minerals. Marks carved ceramic sculptures also speak to a distant past. They could pass for fragments of architecture. Through March 28 at Tiger Strikes Asteroid, 1400 N. American St., noon-6 p.m. Sat. 484-469-0319 or tigerstrikesasteroid.com. North Korea imported purebred horses from Russia as Kim Jong Un took snowy ride North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rides a horse during snowfall in Mount Paektu MOSCOW/SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea, whose leader Kim Jong Un was filmed riding through the snow on a white stallion last year, has spent tens of thousands of dollars on 12 purebred horses from Russia, according to Russian customs data. Accompanied by senior North Korean figures, Kim took two well-publicized rides on the snowy slopes of the sacred Paektu Mountain in October and December. State media heralded the jaunts as important displays of strength in the face of international pressure and the photos of Kim astride a galloping white steed were seen around the world. North Korea has a long history of buying pricey horses from Russia and customs data first reported by Seoul-based NK News suggests that North Korea may have bolstered its herd in October. According to customs data reviewed by Reuters, Russia exported 12 horses worth a total of $75,509 to North Korea last year. It was the biggest buy since 2015, when North Korea spent $192,204 on 61 horses from Russia. Altogether, North Korea has imported at least 138 horses between 2010 and 2019, at a cost of $584,302, according to the Russian data. The imagery of Kim astride a white stallion was designed to instil confidence in North Koreans that they have a man of strength and destiny holding the reins of power, analysts said. The horse puchases also came as North Korea is under strict international sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. (Reporting by Rinat Sagdiev and Maria Kiselyova in Moscow and Josh Smith in Seoul; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Angus MacSwan) 24/7 free crisis hotline now available to those in need: 1.877.757.7587 CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - As a result of the tragic shooting at the Milwaukee campus of Molson Coors, Morneau Shepell has opened its national 24/7 crisis support hotline to offer professional emotional support to anyone affected by this traumatic event. A crisis or traumatic event can trigger overwhelming emotional responses. When calling the crisis line, individuals receive crisis counseling support and/or referral to community resources. Anyone affected by this shooting in Wisconsin can reach the free crisis support line at 1.877.757.7587. The Company's employee assistance program is also available to the employees of existing clients of Morneau Shepell through the designated toll-free number or by visiting workhealthlife.com/us. About Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell is the leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that delivers an integrated approach to well-being through our cloud-based platform. Our focus is providing everything our clients need to support the mental, physical, social and financial well-being of their people. By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement and benefits consulting, actuarial and investment services. Morneau Shepell employs approximately 6,000 employees who work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries. For more information, visit morneaushepell.com. SOURCE Morneau Shepell Inc. Related Links http://www.morneaushepell.com/ The C-Prize is a competition that seeks to push the boundaries of whats possible through technology, and this year they were looking for teams with world-leading innovative solutions to environmental problems. One of the Waikato teams, Blue Tide Aquaculture, are farming toheroa, a native sea clam loved in gourmet food circles. Unfortunately, toheroa is now endangered and harvesting is banned, so farming will help revive the species and create a high value food product. As an added bonus, the farms will be sited in Northland to give a much-needed boost to the local economy. The team, made up of Cody Taylor, Tom Vosper, Johnny Hill and Tai Ceps, are aiming to both replenish and farm the toheroa by growing them in moulds made from recycled plastic. The prototypes were created by 3D scanning the clams shells, turning them into computer models and then 3D printing them. This creates a protected cocoon for the toheroa as it grows inside the casing, and should result in less shell and more protein. The team started working on this in their first semester last year as part of a Product Innovation and Development paper, led by their now mentor Professor Mike Duke. Since starting the project, the team have worked with Dr Phil Ross and Professor Chris Battershill from the School of Science. The aim is to establish an aquaculture research rig and pilot plant at the Universitys Coastal Marine Field Station in Tauranga, which funding like the C-Prize will contribute to, says Mike. The other finalists are a team called OneBin, formed by current and graduate Waikato engineering students, who have started a company called ARCubed Ltd. OneBin is a smart waste bin that uses artificial intelligence and sensor fusion technology to automatically separate all categories of recyclables from waste. It was created to combat the 2.5 million tonnes of waste that New Zealand sends to landfill every year. The team were inspired by a different rubbish tracking and collection bin, which sparked the thought about whether it is possible to have two bins to determine if an item was recyclable or not in mid-air, catching it in the appropriate place. The team realised this was not a practical solution and OneBin was born. OneBin can easily be installed in various locations such as kerbsides, shopping malls, airports and office spaces. We are ecstatic to be named C-Prize finalists. This was initially a project we intended to do off our own backs, but the funding and expertise that Callaghan Innovation provides is invaluable, and we are very happy to have made it this far," says team leader Carl Lickford. We intend to continue developing OneBin, and the finalist prize money will be used to fund the prototype and build units suitable for trial field testing. Looking towards the future, wed like to make OneBin ubiquitous with public rubbish bins, and ensure no recyclables make it into landfill, says Carl. For Professor Mike, having Waikato students entering competitions like the C-Prize is part of the Universitys aim to encourage entrepreneurial students and create an innovation pipeline. We want to promote project-based learning for our students, like the original paper these recent graduates started in, where they can be innovative and come up with new ideas, becoming more well-rounded graduates, says Mike. The teams are currently in finalist bootcamps, and the winner of the C-Prize will be announced on Friday June 5 at an awards evening. The winning team will take away a $100,000 contribution to development, and receive wide market exposure by Callaghan Innovation and ongoing support. When songwriter, poet and cartoonist David Berman died last summer, a generation of musicians and fans felt they had lost a part of its own voice. Best known for Silver Jews, the group he fronted from the mid-'90s through the early 2000s, Berman and his songs will be celebrated by a group of local musicians with a tribute concert to his life and legacy at Lo-Fi in the Jersey City Heights on Saturday, Feb. 29. Dan Haag, a musician who lives next door to Lo-Fi, initially approached owner Kent Archer about putting together the tribute. David Berman was what a lot of us indie rockers aspire to be, someone who can just write songs so naturally off the cuff, Haag said. Im sure there was a lot more to the process than that, but he was really good at what he did and inspired a lot of people. With a deadpan baritone and lyrics that ranged from wry to rueful, Berman always seemed the most reluctant of rock stars, one who eschewed the macho bombast of 90s grunge and mined pathos for humor with simple, homespun melodies and arrangements. He formed Silver Jews in 1994 with Steven Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich of Pavement, and remained the sole constant member until 2008, when he semi-retired. Berman returned to the limelight under the name Purple Mountains with a critically acclaimed self-titled album in July of last year but tragically, just as Purple Mountains was about to embark on its first national tour, Berman took his own life on Aug. 7, at age 52. I discovered the later Silver Jews stuff because I was a big Pavement fan, and their music naturally led me to Bermans, Haag said. When I finally discovered the Silver Jews, I was like, how did I miss this? And then when Purple Mountains came out, it was just one of the most beautiful things Id heard in a decade or so, and I was really looking forward to hearing it at White Eagle Hall (in Jersey City). But unfortunately, he killed himself before that could happen. Berman once joked in a song that he wrote sad songs and got paid by the tear, but his work meant so much more than that. Vice.com called him a master at evoking the strange sadness of our own mortality that drags absurdity into focus. Jersey City musician Tom Barrett of the band Wave will be among the performers at the tribute concert. I would read all these articles about Pavement and they would always mention Silver Jews, so I ended up checking out their records, and I just loved it, Barrett said. It just connected with me deeply. I was about 19 years old and I had bought into that whole weird idea of slacker rock, and Silver Jews just seemed an extension of that. So, I became a fan and just bought all their successive albums as they came out. Lost Romances Gerry Perlinski, also on the tribute bill, discovered Berman much later, but still felt his loss keenly. Although a recent experience for me, what Ive discovered in David Bermans music is the soul of a true poet and artist, he said. His writing was deeply personal while being incredibly relatable at the same time. Its very sad that we lost him so soon and so tragically. Haag will lead a house band that includes Jim Kaznosky (Manouche Bag) on guitar, Paul Sherrard on drums, Marty OKane on bass, and Haags wife, Karen Carmody, on keyboards. Danny Leo is going to sing a song, and weve got Dave Wilson from Missohio, Gary Keating from The Gang, Gerry from Lost Romance, Hunter Thompson, Pat Lally from Hudson Rats, Tom Barrett, Slim McFarland, and Tom Cannon, Haag said. Were going to play the whole Purple Mountains album from start to finish, and then were going to play a bunch of Silver Jews songs. Berman published a beautiful book of poetry, Actual Air, in 1999, and a local poet will be doing readings from that work in between songs. (Self-Portrait at 28 is this writers favorite, a perfect example of how Berman could wring the ridiculous from the mundane: We will travel to Mars/even as folks on Earth/are still ripping open potato chip/bags with their teeth.) I think David Bermans suicide left a big hole in a lot of peoples hearts and Im hoping this helps heal that a little bit, Haag commented. Its such a sad story. Berman struggled with depression, substance abuse, a failed marriage and estrangement from his father, who worked as an advocate for the gun, tobacco and corporate farm lobbies. Bermans public feelings of shame about his fathers influence led to disbanding the Silver Jews in 2008. This winter I decided that (Silver Jews) were too small of a force to ever come close to undoing a millionth of all the harm he has caused, Berman told his fans. A book of cartoons, The Portable February, was published in 2009. You know, whats funny about this benefit is that I recently read an interview with the guys from Pavement who talked about Silver Jews, and they actually started the band in an apartment right here on Palisade Avenue across from the park, Haag said, referring to the Heights. (Malkmus and Berman were working at the Whitney Museum as tour guides at the time.) So I think its a fitting tribute to bring it all back home. Everybody whos doing this was a really big fan, and we all really wanted to hear the Purple Mountains record live. The only way I could see of doing that was to actually do it. Luckily, we have really talented friends who jumped on board and will make this happen. If you go ... "Paint It Purple: A Tribute Night for David Berman'' is set for 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at Lo-Fi, 328 Palisade Ave., Jersey City. Admission is free. Auto and home insurer Windhaven Insurance has alerted its agents and employees in Florida that it is winding down the insurance operations of its entities, including Windhaven National Insurance Co., ClutchAnalytics and The Hearth Group, and that its assets are being foreclosed on by a lender intending to sell them. Additionally, Windhaven National Insurance Co., a Texas-based private passenger auto insurer, is being placed into receivership by the Texas Department of Insurance. These moves come less than two months after Florida officials placed the groups non-standard auto insurer, Windhaven Insurance Co. (WIC), into receivership and began to liquidate that company. In a message sent to agents on Feb. 26 that was obtained by Insurance Journal, Windhaven said it has ceased all new and renewal business for its Windhaven companies, which include Windhaven Insurance Holdings Corp., Windhaven Underwriters, Windhaven Select, Windhaven Claims Management, Windhaven National Insurance Co. and The Hearth Insurance Group. The company writes home and auto insurance in Florida and Texas through these entities. The Hearth Insurance Group is a Florida-based MGA offering homeowners coverage on State National Insurance Co. paper. Windhaven also owns software technology company, ClutchAnalytics, that is domiciled in Texas and builds digital insurance distribution systems. The full message to agents reads: To Our Valued Agents, This notice is to inform you of important changes that will be occurring to the Windhaven, ClutchAnalytics and The Hearth businesses. We have ceased all new business and renewal business in all FL and TX programs for Windhaven and the Hearth. We are winding-down our business operations. One of our lenders will foreclose on a number of assets providing collateral for its loan. As part of the foreclosure process the lender will sell the foreclosed assets at an auction slated to occur on March 4th. If a sale occurs we expect that the buyer may seek to continue the producer agreements or want to work with you to make new producer agreements. Please note, we cannot guarantee that an auction will occur, that it will be successful or if or which producer agreements a buyer may look to continue. We regret the impact this decision may have. Employees at the Windhaven Claims Managements facility in Miami were also told by the company on Wednesday they would be laid off this Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. A message to employees said the company had been unsuccessful in its efforts to seek financing to enable the company to continue operation, and as a result its lender had started a process to sell certain assets of the company at a public auction on March 4, 2020. This notice is to inform you that your position will be eliminated due to the facility shutdown, and the company is forced to lay you off effective February 28, 2020, the employee message reads. Windhaven National Insurance Co. was licensed in Texas in 2012 to write aircraft physical damage, auto physical damage, automobile liability, inland marine and other coverages, according to the Texas Department of Insurance website. Information about how many policies are currently in force was unavailable at press time. Windhaven National also offers auto policies in Florida through its Florida Windward program and currently has 30,600 policies in the state, as of Dec. 31, 2019, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) told Insurance Journal. The Texas Department of Insurance has filed for Windhaven National Insurance Co., to be placed into receivership. A TDI spokesperson said Wednesday they are waiting on a hearing to be scheduled on the matter. Tampa, Fla.-based The Hearth Insurance Group has offered homeowners insurance through State National Insurance Co., which did not respond to a request for comment, in Florida since 1990 and also offers coverage in Texas. According to its website, The Hearth Group writes more than $500 million in premium in the state of Florida and has 700 employees. Update: In a statement to Insurance Journal, State National Executive Vice President David Cleff said, We want to assure all policyholders and agents that their insurance coverage and policies written on State Nationals AM Best rated A insurance company via The Hearth, an independent Florida based managing agent, remain valid and that the strong security supporting their policies is unaffected. We are actively working on a solution to those services that had been provided by The Hearth Insurance Group via our network and affiliated partners to ensure that the obligations and servicing for all policyholders and agents continue to be fulfilled. Cleff further noted additional information would be provided soon. The now-liquidated Windhaven Insurance Co. (WIC), which launched in 2005, had about 73,000 active auto policies in Florida as of Nov. 30, 2019. In December, the Florida Department of Financial Services placed the non-standard auto insurer into rehabilitation. Shortly after that, DFS declared the former Florida auto insurer insolvent and the company was ordered into liquidation. WIC was the carrier for its Windhaven, Icon, Select and Optimum auto insurance programs. DFS was appointed receiver for the purposes of WICs liquidation, effective Jan. 6, 2020, and was authorized to take possession of all assets, estate, and property belonging to the insurer. All policies of insurance or coverage contracts that had not expired were canceled as of Feb. 5, 2020. At the time of its WIC rehabilitation order in December, Windhaven told its agents in an e-mail that its other insurance entities, including The Hearth or Windhaven National, were not going to be controlled by DFS and the rehabilitation did not apply to its other companies. Windhaven Insurance reported in a 2019 press release that, along with The Hearth, it had written close to $2 billion in home and auto insurance premiums since being established in Miami. It also said that Windhaven Insurance had provided coverage to more than 240,000 policyholders through more than 8,000 local independent agents. It held additional offices in Tampa, Fla., and Dallas. The Florida Department of Financial Services said it does not regulate Windhaven National because the company is domiciled in Texas and the receivership is being handled by TDI. OIR said Thursday it continues to monitor the situation on behalf of Florida policyholders. There is a competitive auto insurance market in Florida, and OIR recommends that, if policyholders receive a cancellation notice, they reach out to their agent to find alternate coverage, a spokesperson told Insurance Journal. Representatives from Windhaven did not reply to request for comment from Insurance Journal. This is a developing story Related: Topics Carriers Agencies Texas Auto Florida The Wallabi Group of islands in the Abrolhos archipelago, off the west coast of Australia, contains two distinct sets of islands. The eastern islands are made up of broken corals reefs and are barren with no fresh water. It was here on Beacon Island, where the survivors of the infamous shipwreck of the Batavia were marooned. The other set of the Wallabi Groupthe western islandsare larger and are made up of large coral platforms. These islands host rich flora and fauna, such as the tammar wallaby, a small kangaroo-type animal, as well as fresh water. These mammals played an important role in the horrific story of the Batavia shipwreckthey helped keep the Dutch soldiers alive, enabling them to crush one of the bloodiest mutinies in history. Replica of the 17th century Batavia in Lelystad, The Netherlands. Photo: Photodigitaal.nl/Shutterstock.com On the night of June 4, 1629, the Dutch East India Company ship Batavia, with a crew of 332, ran aground on a coral reef near the Wallabi Group of islands and broke up. Forty people drowned, but the rest managed to swim to the nearby Beacon Island. Among the survivors was Jeronimus Cornelisz, an insidious character who had been plotting a munity ever since he got on board. Cornelisz was a bankrupt pharmacist who planned to hijack the ship and sail away to an unknown destination and start a new life using the huge supply of gold and silver on board. But before he could act, the Batavia was wrecked. Unfortunately for the survivors, Beacon Island, where they set up camp, had no fresh water, and with provisions running low, the ships commander Pelsaert and Captain Ariaen Jacobsz took about forty other people and left the the island on another boat in search of fresh water. After an unsuccessful search for water on the mainland, the party headed north in a danger-fraught voyage to the city of Batavia, now Jakarta, to obtain help. The journey took 33 days, and extraordinarily, all aboard survived. On arrival, Pelsaert promptly organized a rescue party and set sail once more for Batavias stranded survivors. With extraordinary bad luck, the search party took two months to arrive at the islands, only to discover that a bloody massacre had taken place among the survivors, reducing their numbers by more than one hundred. The Batavia massacre After Pelsaert had left the islands for Batavia, Jeronimus Cornelisz, having failed to raise the mutiny on board the ship, once again gathered some of the men and asserted himself over them. Corneliszs devilish plan was to seize any relief ship that might return and take off with it, along with the riches of the wrecked Batavia. To carry out his plans, Cornelisz had to eliminate all possible opponents and anybody that was a burden on their limited resources. Among the survivors were a group of soldiers headed by Wiebbe Hayes, an ordinary soldier, but his leadership and courage earned him the respect and trust of his comrades. Hayes and the other soldiers constructed shelters and set up small pieces of sail to collect rainwater. Hayes also organized a systematic search for water on the island. Cornelisz saw in Hayes a potential trouble and he decided to dispose him. Under the false pretense of searching for fresh water, Cornelisz sent Hayes and his soldiers to two large nearby islands, now known as West and East Wallabi Islands, after convincing them to leave their arms behind. Cornelisz assumed the men would not find water, and that they would either die of thirst or return unarmed and unsuspecting to Beacon Island, whereupon they could be easily subdued. With his opponents out of the way, Cornelisz and his men began a reign of terror, systematically murdering and terrorizing anybody who wasnt part of the conspiracy. Some of the women were kept alive and repeatedly raped. The tammar wallaby, which lives only on the Wallabi islands, provided sustenance to the stranded soldiers. Photo: Jordan Comley/Shutterstock.com Unknown to Cornelisz, Wiebbe Hayes actually did find water as well as food, the tammar wallaby, and survived. When the soldiers learnt of the barbarity taking place on Corneliszs island from survivors fleeing the massacre, they devised makeshift weapons using planks from the Batavias wreckage and 16-inch long carpenter's nails driven through them. They also built a small fort out of limestone and coral blocks, and stockpiled heavy rocks and sharp stones within this enclosure that they could hurl at the attackers should they attempt to storm the fort. This fort, which was little more than four defensive walls enclosing a rectangular space, still stands on West Wallabi Island, about one hundred meters from the sea. It is Australia's oldest known European structures, predating James Cooks expedition to Australia by more than a century and a half. Cornelisz's gang made three attempts to take the island, but the soldiers, now much better fed than the mutineers, easily repelled their attacks and eventually took Cornelisz hostage. At this point, Pelsaerts rescue ship arrived. Wiebbe Hayes raced to the ship to warn the rescuers about the mutineers, and explained what had happened. Wiebbe Hayes Fort on West Wallabi Island. Photo: alecaus/Flickr Pelsaert captured Cornelisz and the remaining mutineers and held an impromptu trial on the island itself. The worst offenders were executed, while Cornelisz and several others had their hands chopped off before being hanged. The remaining mutineers were taken to Batavia for trial. Five were hanged, one was broken on the wheel, the most severe punishment available at the time, and several others were flogged. The wreckage of Batavia was found and salvaged in the 1970s. Some of these items, including human remains, are now on display in the Western Australian Museum in Fremantle, Australia. A large part of the wreckage still remains at the original site and is now a premier dive site on the West Australian coast. Wiebbe Hayes statue in Geraldton. Photo: The Food Pornographer/Flickr The fort as in 2001. Photo: Rupert Gerritsen/Wikimedia Commons The revenue shortfall the federal government has been experiencing is the reason it has not been able to fulfil the provision of the law that says allocations to the National Assembly and the Judiciary be released in full, Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed has said. The minister was responding to an allegation by the green chamber that the ministry of finance withheld full releases to the National Assembly and the Judiciary over the past years. It was a subject of fierce backlash at the House of Representatives last week. Members had raised concerns over flagrant flouting of a constitutional provision. They said it has badly affected their ability to pay their aides and staff of the National Assembly, leaving them at the risk of grovelling at the feet of the executive for funds. This, they believe, is not good for separation of powers. For whatever reason, the releases were short. The finance minister failed to release funds (in full), Babangida Ibrahim (APC, Katsina), who moved a motion on the matter last week, said, adding that the issue had been pending since the 8th Assembly. However, the finance minister through her special adviser, Yunusa Abdullahi, has denied withholding the funds. Budget implementation is a subject of resources and the government is doing its utmost to manage available scarce resources, she told PREMIUM TIMES. She said while most of the other agencies got an average of 50 per cent of their capital budgets in 2019, those under statutory transfers got an average of 85 per cent of their budgets. (The) government has been experiencing revenue shortfalls which has hindered full implementation of the budgets, Mrs Ahmed said, as a consequence of that is agencies cannot have all what they ask for or even what is appropriated. Preferential treatment Funds allocated to both the National Assembly and the Judiciary are included in the first-line charge (or statutory transfers) a special category of funds which mandates the federal government, after receiving revenues, to make 100 per cent releases directly to the institution in question before other considerations. This arrangement was not so until 2011 when section 81 (3) of the constitution was amended the previous year to place INEC, the National Assembly and the Judiciary on the first-line charge. These bodies are captured in the annual appropriation acts as statutory transfers. Since the amendment though, save 2017 following public outcry, the breakdown of the National Assembly budget remains a secret as it is only known to the legislative hierarchy. Nonetheless, with the passage of the Finance Bill of 2019 targeted at shoring up the governments revenue, Ms Ahmed said her ministry hopes to achieve a much higher level of budget implementation for all sectors. The House of Representatives, too, said it would ensure that all outstanding arrears due to both the National Assembly and the Judiciary from the 2018 and 2019 appropriations acts are paid. It said it would set up an ad-hoc committee to look into the matter. Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal A southern New Mexico hemp company has announced a significant expansion in Las Cruces, a sign the regions small but growing hemp industry is starting to blossom. The state Economic Development Department announced this week that Natural ReLeaf, a group that began growing hemp in Berino last year, is planning to bring on more than 50 new employees, and add capacity to extract CBD, the compound most associated with the hemp industrys rapid growth. We love Las Cruces; we believe in it, said Nicole Fuchs, public relations manager for Natural ReLeaf. And we recognize that it is a really fertile time for the industry. Growth industry The expansion is another victory for southern New Mexicos burgeoning hemp industry, which local economic development groups have targeted as a growth sector. Natural ReLeaf is the third large and diversified hemp company that has expanded or relocated to Las Cruces with backing from state and local funding, after Rich Global Hemp and 420 Valley began growing in the city last year. The Economic Development Department announced it has committed $600,000 in Local Economic Development Act funding to Natural ReLeaf to help the company expand and eventually bring on 56 employees, ranging from warehouse supervisors to farmers. The public funding will be matched by $5.3 million in private investment, according to the Economic Development Department. In total, if the three companies fulfill their requirements for funding under the Local Economic Development Act, they are expected to contribute 261 jobs, which would generate $4.3 million a year in state tax revenue, according to numbers from the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance. The production of hemp cannabis without the psychoactive qualities associated with marijuana was legalized federally with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, before New Mexico added its own rules and regulations in 2019. Lopez said MVEDA recognized the hemp industry could succeed in southern New Mexico, given the regions long, sunny summers and deep agricultural roots. We started seeing a number of entrepreneurs in the region getting more interested in the hemp industry, Lopez said. Expansion-minded Natural ReLeaf was one of those companies. Fuchs said the company converted three chicken coops in Berino into grow houses for its endeavor and ultimately harvested nearly 10,000 pounds of hemp in its first year of operation. In addition to scaling up its growing operations, Fuchs said the company wanted to expand into other areas of the hemp industry. She said Natural ReLeaf is opening a new manufacturing facility and dispensary at 3497 Bataan Memorial West on Thursday. The new location will be Natural ReLeafs second dispensary in Las Cruces, while giving the company a CBD extraction facility. Fuchs said the company intends to have a food-grade lab and commercial kitchen, and plans to produce CBD-infused products ranging from lotions to bath bombs. Weve been hearing a lot of requests for pet products, she said. The company also plans to extract hemp grown by other farmers, which could help solve a persistent problem in New Mexicos hemp industry. Fuchs said she knows of just 12 extractors currently operating in the state, which contributed to a glut of hemp with no end market during the states first harvest. We do have farmers in the state, and theyre not quite sure what to do with (their hemp), Fuchs said. Lopez said the dropping price of CBD oil means adding extractors will provide a valuable service to the regions existing hemp growers and could help southern New Mexico develop a full-fledged industry ecosystem. (Reuters) - Microsoft Inc said on Wednesday it does not expect to meet the third-quarter revenue forecast for its 'more personal computing' business, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The company's shares were down nearly 1% in after-market trading. (Reuters) - Microsoft Inc said on Wednesday it does not expect to meet the third-quarter revenue forecast for its 'more personal computing' business, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. The company's shares were down nearly 1% in after-market trading. Microsoft said its supply chain was returning to normal operations at a slower-than-expected pace. (https://prn.to/2VlmHTI) The company had previously expected the unit, which houses Windows, to post third-quarter revenue between $10.75 billion and $11.15 billion. The coronavirus is believed to have originated in a market selling wildlife in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year. It has infected about 80,000 people and killed more than 2,700, the vast majority in China. (Reporting by Trisha Roy and Neha Malara in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2020 -- The world is continuously changing every day and coming up with new technologies day by day. Start-up companies are congenital to scale. They are shaped to search for as well as corroborate a mountable business model in such a way that can have a foremost impression on the market or how an issue has conventionally been resolved. For any start-up business to start, it needs a lot of investment. Without investment in start-up companies, it is not possible to meet daily expenses. At first, you have to approach and convince an investment company with your unique start-up ideas so that they can invest a good amount of money in your start-up company. Many times we can see that investment companies are reluctant to invest in a start-up company as in every start-up company risk factor is very high. The innovation, distraction, as well as scalability characteristics of a start-up company, explain the reason as to why they are dissimilar from small businesses and more significantly, why they cannot be canned or constructed as a small business or agitation of a large company. About THESOFTKING THESOFTKING is a growing start-up from Bangladesh. THESOFTKING had recently grown from a tiny start-up to a company with several twenty Team members. THESOFTKING is a software development firm based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. THESOFTKING working on various technologies such as Web Application, Mobile Apps, UI/UX, Plugin, Extension and many more. Its a team of various creative designers & developers develop digital strategies, products, and services. THESOFTKING started in the year 2011. At that time, we used to provide domain and hosting service on the local market. Gradually, They tried to get involved with the Software market and started working with Software Marketplace. At present, the entire team of THESOFTKING is struggling each and every day with a solitary vision to conquer the web development as well as the designing world. Presently They have 450+ ready-made Web Applications. they gradually expanded themselves and tried to get involved in a variety of works such as working on Laravel, HTML Templates, WordPress Themes, Mobile Apps, Plugin & Extension and many more. THESOFTKING desires to revamp the web where each and every website produced by us is the site of gratification for the users, as well as the website owners, to get precious customers. Our experts work on the cutting edge of the latest technologies. Do visit us at our website: https://thesoftking.com/ for contact with them, just mail: software@thesoftking.com Media Contact https://thesoftking.com The National Investigation Agency (NIA) denied reports and allegations that an accused in the Pulwama terror attack case in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed was released on bail due to its laxity. The agency issued a clarification on Thursday and said Yousuf Chopan was arrested in a terror conspiracy case involving Jaish-e-Mohammed and not in the Pulwama case. The clarification followed after allegations by the Congress that NIA had not filed charge sheet against Chopan as it failed to gather evidence against him leading to his bail. The NIA spokesperon said Chopan was arrested in the case pertaining to a criminal conspiracy hatched by senior commanders of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group to carry out terror attacks in different parts of India, including Delhi-NCR. The agency also said it was close to a breakthrough in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack carried out by a suicide bomber who rammed his vehicle in the CRPF convoy at Lethpora in Srinagar. Its to clarify that Yousuf Chopan was never arrested in Pulwama attack case, however, he along with 6 others was arrested in the NIA case no 08/2019/NIA/DLI (JeM conspiracy case) in which 2 charge sheets were filed against eight accused among who two were killed in encounter with security forces, NIA statement stated. NIA further said that during the investigations in the JeM conspiracy case, seven over ground workers of the terror outfit were arrested, out of which six barring Yusuf Chopan were charge sheeted. The agency cited lack of enough evidence as the reason for not naming Chopan in the charge sheet. It said he was given default bail by the court and rearrested under the public safety act. He (Chopan) has been sent back to Kot Bhalwal, jail Jammu under Public Safety Act by the order of DM Pulwama. Needless to say, NIA follows the policy of fairest possible investigation, the statement said. The NIA statement said significant leads have emerged in the Pulwama case and a breakthrough in the case was expected shortly. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel had earlier today attacked the central government over the issue. Shocked to know that the Pulwama accused got bail because NIA so busy that it failed to file a chargesheet! Its an insult to our martyrs Clearly govt used this tragic attack for political purposes and was never serious about delivering justice, he tweeted on Thursday. [February 27, 2020] New Study Reveals What Makes Girls and Women Enter - and Stay - In Technology SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- To make Michigan the No. 1 state for women in technology, the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation launched a multi-stakeholder study to understand the state of girls and women in technology what drives them, what challenges them and what makes them stay. The results provide actionable insights and resources for tech executives, HR leaders, educators and parents. "Explore, Focus and Grow: A Technology Career Journey in Michigan" includes findings from conversations with middle school girls participating in technology camps, surveys with university students and women working in technology. Through each life stage, a technology career attracts girls and women with opportunities to create positive impact, solve problems and be creative. As she progresses in college, she is focused on learning and concerned by how a lack of representation will impact her. When established in her career, she becomes motivated by stability and financial rewards, and grows concerned with being valued equally, seizing growth opportunities, and balancing career with other priorities. "This study revealed fresh data on what motivates girls and women to choose technology over other fields, which in turn provides insights for the teachers and role models in their lives to show how this field matches those interests and desires," said Chris Rydzewski, MCWT executive director. "What's more, we see how MCWT programs, such as Camp Infinity and Girls GET-IT, are engaging girls and igniting their tech interest. And while we know there is always more work to do, the study suggests that we are gaining ground in our vision of making Michigan the top state for women in technology." Top study findings: Family Members a Primary Influence: Of those surveyed, middle school girls and university students have a famly member in tech. While many girls said they interact through technology with peers, few cite them as a source for learning about computing. Early Computer Education Sparks Interest: Some girls recall experiences they had in early elementary. More than half of university students cite a computer class teacher as having been very influential in their choice of study. Motivations: Helping Others, Creativity, Problem Solving, Learning: Women university students are most excited about the prospect of applying their love for problem solving to improving the lives of others and society at large. They are drawn to technology to help others (33%), be creative (22%), innovate (19%), constantly learn (14%) and solve problems (10%). Role Models Address University Student Concerns: University students express concerns about the lack of representation in the field (26%) and their own lack of confidence (23%). Women Seek a Technology Career Path for Security and Personal Fulfillment: Many see the field as growing, providing solid career prospects and a stable demand for talent, while believing tech will provide satisfaction and a sense of personal accomplishment. Growth Opportunities Drive Commitment and Success: Professional women consistently highlight four growth opportunities that keep them engaged and motivated: training and development, mentorship, opportunities to lead, and being given new challenges. Lack of Representation and Gender Bias Biggest Challenges Facing Young Women: Professional women are most likely to list a lack of representation (34%) and gender bias (27%). This echoes a concern by female university students. Flexible Schedules Can Attract and Retain Talent: Offering flexible schedules is seen as the most effective recruitment tactic by 35% of professional women. It's also a top mention in ways that employers have encouraged their careers. Highlighting Women in Leadership Makes an Impact: Nearly all professional women (95%) said highlighting women in leadership positions was very to somewhat effective when recruiting female talent. Michigan is Ideal for a Technology Career: Advantages Michigan has over other states include low cost of living (47%), urban culture and natural beauty in proximity (45%), high quality of life (43%) and culturally diverse communities (40%). Get the full report at mcwt.org/media-room. Infographics available upon request. MCWT's vision is to make Michigan the No. 1 state for women in technology. MCWT supports Michigan's female IT workforce, students, corporate partners, schools and the community with programming, scholarships, networking, learning, mentoring, and technology experiences. Learn more at mcwt.org. Connect via LinkedIn, and Facebook. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-study-reveals-what-makes-girls-and-women-enter--and-stay--in-technology-301012764.html SOURCE Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Conversation About 74,000 years ago a volcanic eruption at what is now Lake Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia, created one of the most dramatic natural disasters of the past two million years. The plume of the eruption punched 30 kilometres or more into the sky, eventually blanketing much of India and parts of Africa in a layer of ash. Some scientists argue the eruption plunged Earth into a six-year volcanic winter followed by a thousand-year cooling of the planets surface. The long chill, the argument goes, may have resulted in the near extinction of our own species. One prominent theory says the eruption was a key event in human evolution. If this is right, the few human survivors in Africa would have developed more sophisticated social, symbolic and economic strategies to cope with the harsh conditions. These new strategies might then have enabled them to repopulate Africa and migrate into Europe, Asia and Australia by 60-50,000 years ago. It is still unclear how intense the fallout from the Toba eruption really was, and how it affected humans. The debate has been running for decades, drawing on evidence from climate science, geology, archaeology and genetics. We have found new evidence that humans in India survived the Toba eruption and continued to flourish after it. The study by researchers from the University of Queensland, the University of Wollongong, the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, the University of Allahabad and others is published in Nature Communications today. Living through the eruption We studied a unique archaeological record that covers 80,000 years at the Dhaba site in the middle Son valley of northern India. Ash from the Toba eruption was found in the Son valley back in the 1980s, but until now there was no archaeological evidence to go with it. The Dhaba site fills a major time gap in our understanding of how ancient humans survived and migrated out of Africa and across the world. The stone tools we found at Dhaba are similar to the ones people were using in Africa at the same time. These toolkits were present at Dhaba before and after the Toba super-eruption, indicating that populations survived the event. It is likely that humans made the same kinds of tools all along the dispersal route from Africa through India, reaching Australia by at least 65,000 years ago. Dhaba, therefore, provides a crucial cultural link between Africa, Asia and Australia. Although fossil and genetic evidence indicate modern humans have lived outside Africa for the past 200,000 years (at sites such as Apedima, Misliya, Qafzeh, Skhul, Al Wusta and Fuyan cave) only human fossil evidence can prove beyond doubt they were in India 80,000 years ago. Nevertheless, the stone tools at Dhaba go a long way toward demonstrating human presence. Putting together the puzzle Our findings at Dhaba fit with archaeological evidence from Africa, Asia, and elsewhere in India to support the idea that the Toba super-eruption had minimal effects on humans and did not cause a population bottleneck. Archaeological sites in southern Africa show human populations thrived following the Toba super-eruption. Climate and vegetation records from Lake Malawi in East Africa likewise show no evidence for a volcanic winter at the time of the eruption. Genetic studies similarly have not detected a clear population bottleneck around 74,000 years ago. At Jwalapuram, in southern India, Michael Petraglia and colleagues found similar Middle Palaeolithic stone tools above and below a thick layer of Toba ash. At the Lida Ajer site in Sumatra, close to the eruption itself, Kira Westaway and colleagues found human teeth dated to 73,000-63,000 years ago. This indicates humans were living in Sumatra, in a closed-canopy rainforest environment not long after the eruption. Our new findings contribute to a revised understanding of the global impact of the Toba super-eruption. While the Toba super-eruption was certainly a colossal event, global cooling may have been less significant than previously thought. In any case, archaeological evidence suggests that humans survived and coped with one of the largest volcanic events in human history. Small bands of hunter-gatherers turned out to be highly adaptable in the face of climate change. Chris Clarkson, Professor in Archaeology, The University of Queensland and Michael Petraglia, Professor of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The 1+1 Media Group informs about developments around cases related to SBU searches in the editorial office of the Sekretni Materialy (Secret Materials) project and journalists' flats on February 5, 2020. Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district court on February 27, 2020, held hearings on a claim filed after a raid conducted by the SBU Security Service of Ukraine in TV Channel 1+1 journalist Denys Danko's premises and the seizure of his belongings. The court ruled that the search had been conducted unlawfully. Read alsoSBU chief says Channel 1+1 searched as part of probe into leak of PM Honcharuk's recordings The court ordered that the investigators immediately return all belongings seized during the raid. The court's ruling only confirms the position that was previously voiced by the 1+1 Media Group that the SBU had acted unlawfully, wrongfully and groundlessly. Court hearings on a claim filed by the media holding in response to the search and seizure of system units of PCs from the company's office were rescheduled for March 4, as the investigator had failed to appear at the first hearings. According to 1+1 Media, it continues protecting the rights and interests of the media group and its employees and informing the public about the further course of events. It should be mentioned that the 1+1 Media Group appealed to the President of Ukraine, the SBU chief, authorized representatives of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's parliament), government agencies and regulators, diplomatic missions and international organizations with a request to pay attention to the extraordinary and unprecedented actions of the Security Service of Ukraine during the pretrial investigation. The group insists on the prevention of direct infringements on the freedom of speech, which is provided for in Article 34 of the Constitution of Ukraine. OTTOWA, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. (Cornerstone or the Company) (TSXV-CGP) (F-GWN) (B-GWN) (OTC-CTNXF) is pleased to announce exploration results to date at its Espejo and Rio Magdalena projects located within the Cornerstone Ecuador S.A. (CESA) - ENAMI EP strategic exploration alliance (the ENAMI-CESA SEA) in Northern Ecuador. Figures related to this news release can be seen in PDF format by accessing the version of this release on the Companys website ( www.cornerstoneresources.com ) or by clicking on the link below: http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/i/pdf/NR20-05Figures.pdf . HIGHLIGHTS: Espejo: Prospecting work and initial geological mapping completed Heliborne magnetic and radiometric survey (1560 lineKm) defines anomalies related to magnetic bodies, altered zones and structures 3410 samples collected to date Spectrometry work (Terraspec) defines alteration patterns typical of porphyry systems Three sizeable (more than 1 km), high priority porphyry Cu-Mo (Au) targets defined Epithermal style Au-Ag mineralization locally associated to porphyries Several lower priority targets to be followed up Future work to focus on target areas: Detailed ground surveys and 3D magnetic modeling (underway), ground geophysics being planned, drilling targets to be defined Minimal work commitment over the first 4 years attained in less than 3 years Rio Magdalena: Prospecting work and initial geological mapping completed Heliborne magnetic and radiometric survey (915 lineKm) defines anomalies related to magnetic bodies, structures, altered and mineralized zones 3801 samples collected to date Spectrometry work (Terraspec) defines alteration patterns typical of porphyry systems Two high priority, sizeable (more than 1 km), porphyry Cu-Au (Mo) targets outlined Other lower priority targets to be followed up Future work to focus on target areas: Detailed surveys ongoing, ground geophysics being planned, drilling targets to be defined Minimal work commitment over the first 4 years attained in less than 3 years In commenting on the results, Cornerstones CEO, Brooke Macdonald, said: We and our partner, Ecuadors state mining company ENAMI, are pleased to announce the initial results on two of the 3 project blocks within the ENAMI-CESA SEA. The size and intensity of the anomalies and the outcropping mineralization are similar to those we identified at Cascabel back in 2012-2013 when Cascabel was at a similar stage of development. Cascabel totals around 5,000 hectares; the 3 concession blocks in the ENAMI-CESA SEA (Espejo, Rio Magdalena and Playa Rica) total around 42,000 hectares, and none of the targets on the 9 concessions within the 3 blocks have ever been drilled. "The Espejo, Rio Magdalena, and Playa Rica blocks were identified and ranked by Cornerstone in 2015-2016 as highly prospective after an exhaustive analysis of public and private information available at the time, reserved by CESA after the opening of the cadastral map and then transferred to ENAMI for inclusion in the SEA. We believe we have secured some of the best areas in this largely unexplored region of north west Ecuador. "Exploration targets are of high quality, showing strong coincidence between highly anomalous copper-gold-moly geochem results, porphyry-type magnetic response and prospective geological environment. Subject to permitting and securing a suitable funding partner, drilling of these targets is planned during the second half of 2020. "We would like to thank ENAMIs management and technical staff for their assistance and support during these past 3 years, and look forward to making one or more major discoveries with them on these projects. FURTHER INFORMATION: Cornerstone Ecuador SA (CESA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. (TSXV: CGP) has outlined several high priority porphyry Cu-Mo (Au) and Cu-Au (Mo) exploration target areas on its Espejo and Rio Magdalena projects located, respectively, in Carchi and Imbabura provinces, in northern Ecuador. See location map on Figure 1. These properties are part of the Ecuadorian State mining company, ENAMI EP CESA Strategic Exploration Alliance (the ENAMI-CESA SEA). The properties, totaling 9 concessions in three blocks, Espejo, Playa Rica and Rio Magdalena, were selected by CESA through a thorough compilation of public and private data and a regional prospecting program during the period 2015 and 2016. Concessions were applied for by and granted to ENAMI on behalf of the SEA partners. Following various community & social responsibility outreach processes carried out by CESA and ENAMI with regional and local authorities and communities, systematic exploration surveys were implemented starting in Q3 of 2017, including prospecting work, stream sediment sampling (1063 samples), rock sampling (1459 rock samples), ridge and spurs and grid soil sampling (4691 samples). Spectrometry work was carried out on all rock and soil samples. Alteration patterns typical of porphyry style mineralization were used as vectors to mineralization. A detailed heliborne magnetic and radiometric survey was carried out at Espejo (1560 lineKm) and Rio Magdalena (965 lineKm). Geophysical data was processed and anomalies defined. 3D magnetic modelling is underway to refine the geological and metallogenic models. Full data integration, including geology, alteration, geochem results and geophysical data was then performed and anomalous areas defined for follow-up work. Exploration follow-up results confirmed the presence of several, highly prospective, porphyry Cu-Mo (Au) style mineralization at Espejo and porphyry Cu-Au (Mo) style mineralization at Rio Magdalena. Mineralization is usually hosted by (but not restricted to) high density quartz veinlets stockworks within altered intrusive and sedimentary and/or volcanic host rocks. No drilling has ever been carried out on the two projects. Several lower priority targets still need to be followed up. Espejo Project (19,462 Has property 4 concessions): Anomaly ESP #1 is 1.9km by 1.3km in size, showing strong and coincident Cu-Mo-Au results and high Cu/Zn ratio with both rock and soil samples (Figure 2, Figure 3 and Plate 1). The anomaly is wide open to the NW. Geological mapping and soil sampling indicates that mineralization is preferentially associated to high density B, M and D-type quartz veinlets stockworks within dacitic porphyries and surrounding mylonite, andesitic volcanic and sedimentary host rocks. Higher density veinlets (>50 vn/m) are located in the core of the anomaly. This anomalous zone is located at the contact zone of NE oriented, high and low magnetic bodies. Anomaly ESP #2 as explored to date has a minimal size of 2.0km by 1.0km (Figure 4, Figure 5 and Plate 2). It hosts partially coincident Cu-Mo-Au rock. Grid soil sampling has begun. Mineralization is associated to B and A quartz veinlets stockworks within porphyry intrusive and sedimentary country rocks. The anomaly is mostly located within a moderate magnetic surrounded to the N, W and S by magnetic bodies. Anomaly ESP #3 as explored to date has a minimal size of 1.8km by 0.9km (Figure 6, Figure 7 and Plate 3), showing partially coincident Au-Cu-Mo results and moderate to high Cu/Zn ratio with both rock and soil samples. Mineralization found so far is associated to weakly developed quartz stockwork close to NNW structures, within andesitic porphyry. The anomaly is located within a moderate magnetic background surrounded by NE oriented magnetic bodies. Rio Magdalena project (9.909 Has property 3 concessions): Two high priority porphyry Cu-Au (Mo) targets are defined. Anomaly RM #1 is 1.5 km by 0.8 Km in size and shows coincident Cu-Au (Mo) rock and soil anomaly and high Cu/Zn rock within a low frequency magnetic low (Figure 8, Figure 9 and Plate 4). The anomaly is still open to the north. Mineralization is associated to high density quartz-magnetite veinlets stockwork within diorite porphyries hosted (and partially covered) by altered/mineralized sedimentary rocks. A, B and M-type veinlets density is higher than 100 vn/m in the core of the anomaly. Anomaly RM #2 has a 1.5km by 1.5km size and shows similarities with anomaly #1 but associated to a high amplitude magnetic high this time: coincident Cu-Au-Mo rock and soil anomaly and high Cu/Zn ratio (Figure 10, Figure 11 and Plate 5). The soil anomaly is still open in several directions. Mineralization is associated to magnetite veinlets stockworks within diorite porphyries hosted (and partially covered) by altered sedimentary country rocks. About the ENAMI EP - Cornerstone Strategic Exploration Alliance (SEA) On June 14, 2016, Cornerstone announced that its Ecuadorean subsidiary, Cornerstone Ecuador S.A. (CESA), had signed a Spanish language Agreement, or Acuerdo de Colaboracion e Inversion para el Desarrollo Conjunto de Proyectos de Exploracion Minera (the Agreement) with Ecuadors State Mining Company, Empresa Nacional Minera Empresa Publica (ENAMI EP), replacing a letter of intent announced April 14, 2015, and creating a structure to jointly prospect and explore for mineral deposits in Ecuador (the ENAMI-CESA Strategic Exploration Alliance or ENAMI-CESA SEA). On March 6, 2017, Cornerstone announced that ENAMI EP had been granted a number of mineral concessions in Imbabura and Carchi provinces in the same area as the Cascabel (SolGold/Cornerstone) and Llurimagua (Codelco/Enami) concessions, for exploration by the ENAMI-CESA SEA. Nine concession titles totaling around 42,000 hectares were granted in 2017 by the Ministry of Mining (now the Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources). For more information about the ENAMI-CESA SEA, please see Cornerstone news release 16-12 dated June 14, 2016 http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=752183 Qualified Person: Yvan Crepeau, MBA, P.Geo., Cornerstones Vice President, Exploration and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration program at the Espejo and Rio Magdalena projects for Cornerstone and has reviewed and approved the information contained in this news release. Sampling and assaying CESA uses a fire assay gold technique for Au assays (FAS-111) and a four acid multi element technique (IMS-230) for a suite of 48 elements. FAS-111 involves Au by Fire Assay on a 30-gram aliquot, fusion and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) at trace levels. IMS-20 is considered a near total 4 acid technique using a 20g aliquot followed by multi-element analysis by ICP-AES/MS at ultra-trace levels. This analysis technique is considered suitable for this style of mineralization. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted ~1/25 samples. The values of the standards range from low to high grade and are considered appropriate to monitor performance of values near cut-off and near the mean grade of the deposit. The check sampling results are monitored and performance issues are communicated to the laboratory if necessary. Sample security was managed through sealed individual samples and sealed bags of multiple samples for secure delivery to the laboratory by permanent staff of the joint-venture. MS Analytical is an internationally accredited laboratory that has all its internal procedures heavily scrutinized in order to maintain their accreditation. MS Analytical is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 2005 Accredited Methods. CESAs sampling techniques and data have been audited multiple times by independent mining consultants during various project assessments. These audits have concluded that the sampling techniques and data management are to industry standards. All historical data has been validated to the best degree possible and migrated into a database. Rock samples are collected by CESAs personnel, placed in plastic bags, labeled and sealed, and stored in a secure place until delivery by CESA employees to the LAC y Asociados ISO 9001-2008 certified sample preparation facility in Cuenca, Ecuador. Rock samples are prepared crushing to 70% passing 2 mm (10 mesh), splitting 250 g and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) (MSA code PRP-910). Prepared samples are then shipped to MS Analytical Services (MSA), an ISO 9001-2008 laboratory in Langley, BC, Canada, where samples are assayed for a multi-element suite (MSA code IMS-136, 15.0 g split, Aqua Regia digestion, ICP-AES/MS finish) and gold by Fire Assay (MSA code FAS-111, 30 g fusion, AAS finish). Over limit results for Cu (>1%) are systematically re-assayed (MSA code ICF-6Cu, 0.2 g, 4-acid digestion, ICP-AES finish). Gold is assayed using a 30 g split, Fire Assay (FA) and AAS finish (MSA code FAS 111). Over limit results for Au (>10 g/t) are systematically re-assayed (MSA code FAS-415, FA, 30g., gravimetric finish). Soil samples are dried at low temperature, screened to 80 mesh (MSA code PRP-757), a 15 grams portion is then assayed for a multi-elements suite (MSA code IMS-136, Aqua Regia digestion, ICP-AES/MS finish). Quality assurance / Quality control (QA/QC) The MSA Analytical Laboratory is a qualified assayer that performs and makes available internal assaying controls. Duplicates, certified blanks and standards are systematically used (1 control sample every 20-25 samples) as part of PLAMINs QA/QC program. Rejects, a 100 g pulp for each rock sample, are stored for future use and controls. About Cornerstone: Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Ecuador and Chile, including a 22.2% interest in the Cascabel gold-enriched copper porphyry joint venture in north west Ecuador, composed of a 15% direct equity interest in Exploraciones Novomining S.A. (ENSA), the Ecuadorian company that holds title to the Cascabel concession, financed by joint venture partner and project operator SolGold Plc through to completion of a feasibility study and repayable at Libor plus 2% out of 90% of Cornerstones 15% share of earnings or dividends from an operation at Cascabel, plus 8.5% of the shares of SolGold. Further information is available on Cornerstones website: www.cornerstoneresources.com and on Twitter. For investor, corporate or media inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations: Mario Drolet; Email: Mario@mi3.ca ; Tel. (514) 904-1333 Due to anti-spam laws, many shareholders and others who were previously signed up to receive email updates and who are no longer receiving them may need to re-subscribe at http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/s/InformationRequest.asp Cautionary Notice: This news release may contain Forward-Looking Statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of Cornerstones beliefs, plans, objectives, strategies, intentions and expectations. The words potential, anticipate, forecast, believe, estimate, intend, trends, indicate, expect, may, should, could, project, plan, or the negative or other variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes that its expectations reflected in these Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, such statements may involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in our regulatory filings, viewed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com . For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets, predicting natural geological phenomena and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of an environmental, climatic, natural, political, economic, business, competitive, or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes the facts and information contained in this news release to be as correct and current as possible, Cornerstone does not warrant or make any representation as to the accuracy, validity or completeness of any facts or information contained herein and these statements should not be relied upon as representing its views after the date of this news release. While Cornerstone anticipates that subsequent events may cause its views to change, it expressly disclaims any obligation to update the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein except where outcomes have varied materially from the original statements. On Behalf of the Board, Brooke Macdonald President and CEO 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. When the now-shuttered San Jacinto Mall first opened in 1981 with a shiny new arcade room called "Yesterday's", former Baytown resident Barry Evans was in heaven. Evans, now 51 and a Dayton resident, is a video game aficionado. The arcade's neon-colored, bright lights, loud sounds and enchanting games were a completely new world to Evans at the time and one he did not want to forget when the mall was demolished in 2019. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Baytown bids farewell to San Jacinto Mall "It was one of the biggest things to ever happen to Baytown," Evans said of the mall opening. "It was a magical, fantastic, futuristic wonder-world for us kids of the 80s. There was nothing else like it." Hooked, Evans spent the next several decades slowly collecting 80s and 90s video game memorabilia, including full-size arcade games, figurines, collectibles and display signs. Evans said he would spend his free time traveling to stores and malls across the Greater Houston area in search of video game displays and merchandise, some of which he would snag for free after store owners said they had no use for them. SNEAK PEEK: Inside the new indoor gaming, entertainment facility headed for Houston "It's a lot more difficult today because there are a lot more people collecting these items, but back in the 90s it was relatively easy," Evans said. "If I was to try and start from nothing today, it would be almost impossible." Evans' massive collection of video game antiques is showcased in a museum-like arcade room at his home. Named in honor of the San Jacinto Mall's original arcade, Evans' "Yesterdays - Sonic 1992's Game Room and Museum" is jam-packed full of video and arcade merchandise, posters, illuminated signs and still-playable games. Nearly every corner of the 1,600-square-foot building located behind Evans' property is covered with memorabilia from Nintendo, SEGA and various arcade-related companies. PREVIEW: Get our experts picks for concerts, kids stuff, fine arts, movies and more each week in our entertainment newsletter. "As soon as you walk in, people are instantly overwhelmed with all the stuff that is displayed," Evans said. "It just sparks up all kinds of feels from everyone." Evans, who considers himself a "king of the 90s", said he hopes to expand the building in the future to accommodate his growing collection. He said he has enough memorabilia to cover the walls of his video-game haven twice over, just not the space to do so. The arcade building is on a special-grade air conditioning and heating system that is required to keep his precious collectibles safe, Evans said. He does not like to go into detail on the worth of some of his items but admits many of them are nearly impossible to find today and because of this, they can run in the thousands of dollars on online sale websites. Evans said he does not plan to open his arcade to the public, but hopes to continue adding to his collection and sharing his love of video games with others online. Take a virtual tour of the over-the-top home arcade in the photos above... For more on Evans' arcade, visit his Youtube channel or his Facebook page. Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com Dublin, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "IGBT & Thyristor Market by Packaging Type (IGBT Discrete, IGBT Module), Power Rating (Medium Power IGBT, High Power IGBT), Voltage (Below 400V, 600-650V), Application (Power Transmission Systems, Motor Drives), and Region - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global thyristor market size is estimated to grow from USD 781 million in 2020 to USD 849 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 1.7%. Government initiatives undertaken in various countries towards the replacement of aging power infrastructure is one of the key factors fueling the growth of this market. High power IGBT segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The market for high-power IGBTs is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing need for more robust and reliable IGBTs for high-power applications, such as HVDC systems, FACTS, solar inverters, and rail traction systems, where low- and medium-power IGBTs cannot operate. High-power IGBTs can run on a power rating of more than 1 MW. A growing number of solar energy projects, HVDC projects, and wind farms are expected to contribute significantly to the growth of this market in the near future. The market for power transmission systems is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period Among applications, the thyristor market for power transmission is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The primary factor contributing to the growth of this application is the increasing deployment of thyristors in HVDC systems and FACTS due to their low-power loss capability. HVDC systems and FACTS employ thyristors to DC to AC and AC to DC conversion. Increasing number of HVDC and FACTS projects, such as the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) Transmission Lines (China), Russia-Japan Energy Bridge (Russia-Japan), Atlantic Wind Connection - Transmission (US), BRITIB Project (Spain-France-UK), and the Grain Belt Express Clean Line (US), has driven market growth over the years. The market for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The market for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing demand for EVs/HEVs across the world as these vehicles are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and affordable. Moreover, initiatives taken by the governments of developing countries to minimize CO2 emissions would further drive the demand for EVs and HEVs in the near future. For instance, the Indian government offers a subsidy of USD 1.4 billion to support the domestic electric vehicle industry, which, in turn, would provide lucrative growth opportunities to IGBT manufacturers. Similarly, several worldwide projects focusing on developing a zero-carbon transport infrastructure would lead to increased demand for IGBTs in the next few years. For example, in March 2018, Infineon Technologies AG (Germany) partnered with SAIC Motor (China) to establish SIAMP, a power module joint venture company, in China. SIAMP would focus on manufacturing power modules for electric vehicles in China. High power IGBT is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The market for high-power IGBTs is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing need for more robust and reliable IGBTs for high-power applications, such as HVDC systems, FACTS, solar inverters, and rail traction systems, where low- and medium-power IGBTs cannot operate. High-power IGBTs can operate on a power rating of more than 1 MW. A growing number of solar energy projects, HVDC projects, and wind farms are expected to contribute significantly to the growth of this market in the near future. APAC held the largest share of thyristor market in 2019 APAC held the largest share of the global thyristor market and is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth of the market can be attributed to the increasing number of HVDC and FACTS projects in the region. Converters used in HVDC lines employ thyristors to convert AC to DC and vice versa. Further, APAC countries are focusing on adopting HVDC systems due to their low power loss in long-distance power transmission. The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and the Russia- Japan Energy Bridge (Russia-Japan) are some of the major HVDC projects that are likely to be completed in the coming years. All such projects are expected to fuel the growth of the thyristor market in APAC. Moreover, IGBT and thyristor manufacturers are deploying thyristors in HVDC systems in the region. For instance, in January 2019, ABB Ltd (Switzerland) received a contract worth USD 640 million from the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (India), a national electricity grid operator in India. Under this contract, the company is likely to construct a transmission link of over 1,800 km to deliver electricity to more than 80 million people. Key Topics Covered 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Attractive Growth Opportunities in IGBT Market 4.2 Attractive Growth Opportunities in Thyristor Market 4.3 Market, By Country 4.4 Thyristor Market, By Region 4.5 IGBT Market, By Application and Region 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Market Dynamics 5.2.1 Drivers 5.2.1.1 Initiatives of Governments Across Various Countries Toward Replacement of Aging Power Infrastructure 5.2.1.2 Adoption of Electric Motors in Industrial, Commercial, and Residential Applications 5.2.2 Restraints 5.2.2.1 High Infrastructure Development Cost and Lack of Technology Awareness 5.2.3 Opportunities 5.2.3.1 Increasing Adoption of Renewable Energy Sources 5.2.3.2 Growing Inclination Toward use of Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles 5.2.4 Challenges 5.2.4.1 Complex Structure of Firing Circuits of IGBTs and Thyristors 5.3 Value Chain Analysis 5.3.1 IGBT and Thyristor Value Chain 6 IGBT Market, By Packaging Type 6.1 Introduction 6.2 IGBT Discrete 6.2.1 IGBT Discrete Offers Fast Response With No Overshoot 6.3 IGBT Module 6.3.1 High Durability and Low Downtime to Drive Market for IGBT Module 7 IGBT Market, By Power Rating 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Low 7.2.1 Low Cost and High Flexibility to Drive Low-Power IGBT Market 7.3 Medium 7.3.1 High Demand for Rail Traction Systems and Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles to Surge Demand for Medium-Power IGBT 7.4 High 7.4.1 Increased Adoption of High-Power IGBT in Renewable Energy and HVDC Applications Have Positive Impact on Market Growth 8 IGBT Market, By Voltage 8.1 Introduction 8.2 < 400 V 8.2.1 Increased Demand for Less Than 400 V IGBT for Low-Power Applications 8.3 600-650 V 8.3.1 Increased Utilization of 600-650 V IGBT Due to Their Capability To Handle High Current Surge And High Current Density 8.4 1,200-1,700 V 8.4.1 Surged Demand for 1,200-1,700 V IGBT as They Eliminate Requirement for Paralleling of IGBT 8.5 2,500-3,300 V 8.5.1 Increased Deployment of 2,500-3,300 V IGBT Due to Their High Thermal Fatigue Resistance 8.6 > 4,500 V 8.6.1 Low Switching Loss and Compliance With Rohs Directive Drive Market for IGBTs With 4,500 V Propel Market Growth 9 IGBT Market, By Application 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Power Transmission Systems 9.2.1 HVDC Systems 9.2.1.1 High Adoption of HVDC Systems in Long-Distance Power Transmission Lines to Spur Market Growth 9.2.2 Facts 9.2.2.1 Low Cost and Flexibility of Facts to Accelerate Demand of IGBTs 9.3 Renewable Energy 9.3.1 PV Power Generation Systems 9.3.1.1 Increasing Number of Solar Power Plants Worldwide to Augment Demand for IGBTs 9.3.2 Wind Power Generation Systems 9.3.2.1 Growing Number of Wind Farms to Propel IGBT Market Growth 9.4 Rail Traction Systems 9.4.1 Ability of IGBT to Operate on High Power in Electric Trains Fueling Demand for IGBT for Rail Traction Systems 9.5 Uninterrupted Power Supply 9.5.1 Deployment of IGBT for Safeguarding Ups Against Power Fluctuations Fostering Growth of Market 9.6 Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Electric Vehicles 9.6.1 Initiatives Taken By Worldwide Governments for Promoting use of EV/HEV Propelling Market Growth 9.7 Motor Drives 9.7.1 Industrial Motors 9.7.1.1 Use of IGBTs in Industrial Motors That Find Applications in Food and Chemical Processing Plants Boost Market Growth 9.7.2 Commercial Motors 9.7.2.1 Adoption of IGBTs in Commercial Motors Used in Scanners, Printers, Etc. to Propel Market Growth 9.7.3 Residential Motors 9.7.3.1 Low Power Loss Offered By IGBTs Enables Their Utilization in Residential Motors That are Deployed in Cameras, Washing Machines, and So On 9.8 Consumer Electronics 9.8.1 Deployment of Discrete IGBTs in Consumer Electronics to Fuel Their Market Growth 9.9 Others 10 Different Classes of Thyristors 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Thyristors With Turn-On Capability 10.3 Thyristors With Turn-Off Capability 10.4 Thyristors With Bidirectional Control 11 Thyristor Market, By Application 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Power Transmission Systems 11.2.1 Initiatives of Worldwide Governments Would Increase Demand for Power Transmission Systems, Thereby Leading to Thyristor Market Growth 11.3 Motor Controllers 11.3.1 Low Maintenance and Minimized Lag Times Offered By Thyristors Promotes Their Utilization in Motors Controllers 11.4 Light Dimmers 11.4.1 Escalated Demand for Thyristors for use in Light Dimmers to Save Electricity Boost Market Growth 11.5 Pressure Control Systems 11.5.1 Increased use of Thyristors in Pressure Control Systems Accelerates Market Growth 11.6 Liquid-Level Regulators 11.6.1 Augmented Deployment of Thyristors in Industrial, Commercial, and Residential Applications Foster Market Growth 11.7 Others 12 Geographic Analysis 12.1 Introduction 12.2 North America 12.2.1 US 12.2.1.1 US to Continue to Command IGBT Market in North America During 2020-2025 12.2.2 Canada 12.2.2.1 Development of New Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to Drive Canadian Market Growth 12.2.3 Mexico 12.2.3.1 Presence of Many Solar Plants Boosting Mexican Market Growth 12.3 Europe 12.3.1 France 12.3.1.1 High Adoption of Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles to Propel French Market Growth 12.3.2 Germany 12.3.2.1 Presence of Major IGBT and Thyristor Manufacturers to Fuel Market Growth in Germany 12.3.3 UK 12.3.3.1 Deployment of Wind Farms in UK to Propel Market Growth 12.3.4 Rest of Europe 12.3.4.1 High Sales of Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles in Region is Expected to Spur Market Growth 12.4 APAC 12.4.1 China 12.4.1.1 Government Initiatives for Promoting use of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Surge Demand for IGBTs and Thyristors in China 12.4.2 Japan 12.4.2.1 Highly Developed Railway Network Drive Market Growth in Japan 12.4.3 South Korea 12.4.3.1 Development of New HVDC Projects to Boost Demand for IGBTs and Thyristors in South Korea 12.4.4 India 12.4.4.1 Replacement of Aging Transmission Lines With HVDC Transmission Lines to Fuel Indian Market Growth 12.4.5 Rest of APAC 12.4.5.1 Focus on Modification of Railway Networks in RoAPAC to Accelerate Demand for IGBTs and Thyristors 12.5 Rest of the World 12.5.1 Middle East and Africa 12.5.1.1 Presence of World's Biggest Solar Plants in Region Contributed Significantly to Market Growth in Mea 12.5.2 South America 12.5.2.1 Large Number of Wind Farms in Region Would Fuel South American Market Growth 13 Competitive Landscape 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Market Ranking Analysis, 2019 13.3 Competitive Scenario 13.3.1 Product Launches 13.3.2 Partnerships, Collaborations, Contracts, and Agreements 13.3.3 Acquisitions 13.3.4 Expansions 13.4 Competitive Leadership Mapping 13.4.1 Visionary Leaders 13.4.2 Dynamic Differentiators 13.4.3 Emerging Companies 13.5 Strength of Product Portfolio 13.6 Business Strategy Excellence 14 Company Profiles 14.1 Key Players 14.1.1 Infineon Technologies AG 14.1.2 Fuji Electric Co. Ltd. 14.1.3 ON Semiconductor 14.1.4 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation 14.1.5 STMicroelectronics 14.1.6 Renesas Electronics Corporation 14.1.7 Vishay Intertechnology 14.1.8 ABB Ltd. 14.1.9 Semikron 14.1.10 Hitachi, Ltd. 14.1.11 Toshiba Corporation 14.2 Right to Win 14.3 Other Key Players 14.3.1 Rohm Co. Ltd. 14.3.2 Danfoss 14.3.3 Central Semiconductor Corp. 14.3.4 New Jersey Semiconductor 14.3.5 Siemens AG 14.3.6 Schneider Electric 14.3.7 Powerex Inc. 14.3.8 Silicon Power Corporation 14.3.9 Starpower Semiconductor Ltd. 14.3.10 Littelfuse, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jao1f2 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. A Bangladeshi terrorist belonging to the JMB outfit has been convicted by a Kolkata court on charges of money laundering and terror financing, officials said on Thursday. An Indian national too has been convicted in the case. This is probably the second case in which a foreign national has been found guilty by a court under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the officials said. A Pakistani terrorist affiliated to Al-Badr was convicted under the anti-money laundering law by a Bengaluru court in 2017. This is the 10th conviction under this law in the country. The law was enacted in 2002 and implemented from 2005 in order to check serious crimes of tax evasion and generation of black money. Rahamatullah alias Sajid, a Bangladeshi national and member of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), and Indian national Mohammed Burhan was convicted under Section 3 (offence or money laundering) of the PMLA by the city sessions court of Kolkata on Wednesday, officials said. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced by the court on March 17, they added. In 2014, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) booked the two and a few others under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act. READ | ED Attaches Rs 5-cr Assets Of Former UP Minister In Money Laundering Case On October 2 that year, as per the details of the case, an explosion took place in a house located at Khagragarh locality of Burdwan town in West Bengal leading to the death of two people and injuring a few others. "It was a result of a larger ongoing conspiracy of JMB, an Islamic terrorist organisation operating primarily in Bangladesh," the case record stated. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a criminal case of money laundering in this case based on an FIR filed by the NIA and later attached, under PMLA, land plots in Simulia village of Burdwan and two bank accounts linked to the two convicts. A chargesheet was filed by the ED's Kolkata zone in November 2018 in the case following which the convictions were pronounced. The first two convictions under the PMLA in the country took place in the ED's Kolkata zone -- one was related to the alleged corruption and money laundering case linked to former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and the second connected to a narcotics case. READ | ED Arrests DHFL CMD In Money Laundering Case, Alleges Links With Iqbal Mirchi READ | File Status Report On Money Laundering Probe Against AirAsia Officials, HC Tells ED CLEVELAND, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat, isnt saying no to the possibility of being nominated for president at a brokered convention. Top Democrats are reportedly scrambling to find a potential unity candidate in the event none of the eight currently in the race manage to reach the threshold on the first round of voting for the nomination, per the New York Times. Brown has said for months since declining to run for the White House that he had no interest in jumping into the Democratic primary. Specifically, the Times reports that superdelegates party leaders who get to vote if the nominating contest goes to the second round are afraid of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont possibly winning the nomination. Their search for a candidate to rally around includes the likes of former first lady Michelle Obama, Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware and Brown, who the Times story said has received a steady stream of calls. When asked for a comment on the story, Brown sent this statement: Democrats are going to beat Donald Trump. This is a president who has betrayed workers over and over, and has fought to dismantle our health care system. He uses his phony populism to divide Americans, to distract from the fact that he used his first term to pass a tax bill that went overwhelmingly to the top 1% and has allowed the largest wealth gap in American history. If we focus on the dignity of work, we have a winning message. Its how we win and its how we govern. While Trump tries to divide the country, the dignity of work unites all of us. Theres one key word missing from that statement: No. That certainly leaves open the possibility that Brown would consider accepting the Democratic Partys nomination under the right circumstances. Brown did not respond to a follow-up email asking if hed accept the nomination, but a source close to Brown said it wasnt happening. There's nothing to consider, the source said. This is a scenario that literally hundreds of articles have been written about over the years but that never comes into play. Sherrod is focused on doing his job and is confident we're going to beat Trump in November. Lets rewind for a moment. Brown openly expressed interest in running for the presidency after winning re-election in 2018, pushing Democrats to adopt his dignity of work message against Republican President Donald Trump. He embarked on a tour of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina in 2019, but decided against running to the surprise of many. Hes left openings for the possibility of being the nominees running mate, a spot he pushed for in 2016, but has pretty consistently said that he hasnt had any second thoughts about not jumping in the race. I dont have second thoughts, he said to a crowd at the City Club of Cleveland in November. I just never had the burning desire to be president. I think one of the reasons I win in this state is that you need to bring some joy to being the candidate and an elected official. I dont know that I could have done that in the presidential race. He also hasnt endorsed anyone in the presidential primary and said several times he is unlikely to do so. To be clear, the chance of Brown jumping into the current race is nonexistent. Hes already missed just about every deadline imaginable for ballot access, fundraising and debate stages. Its not happening. The possibility of him getting the nomination lies in the complexity of the Democratic nominating process. To receive the nomination at the Democratic National Convention, a candidate must receive 1,991 out of the possible 3,979 delegates on the first round of voting. Delegates are pledged during this round, meaning they must vote for the winner in their respective contests. Should a candidate not reach that threshold, a second round of voting occurs where the delegates can vote for whomever they want. Another 771 so-called superdelegates party leaders and elected officials are also introduced, with a candidate needing 2,376 of a possible 4,750 delegates on any subsequent round of voting. Its here where any potential Brown or other unity candidate might come in. The thinking is if Sanders doesnt win enough delegates on the first round, the anti-Sanders delegates plus the superdelegates can deliver the nomination to a consensus candidate. This scenario is incredibly unlikely. A brokered convention hasnt happened since 1952, but that hasnt stopped talk of one in nearly every election cycle with a hotly contested primary. Speculation mounted that Republicans could have one in 2016, 2012 and 2008. Democrats have escaped most of the brokered convention talk because of superdelegates past role in the nominating contest, but that didnt stop talks of them in 2016 and 2008. Still, in the very improbable event that one happens, Brown clearly isnt saying no to a possible nomination. Read more cleveland.com politics coverage: In push to attract black voters, Trump campaign announces opening of Black Voices for Trump community centers in Cleveland, Columbus Rep. Marcia Fudge has doubts about Bernie Sanders getting the Democratic presidential nod Senate Democrats including Ohios Sherrod Brown block anti-abortion legislation Sen. Sherrod Brown says Trump is working with Russia to help his re-election Ohio Democrats ask for investigation into Trump allies Cleveland cash giveaway For more than 35 years, Bernie Sanders has insisted that, atrocities aside, authoritarian regimes like Fidel Castros deserve credit where credit is supposedly due. This view was epitomized in a 1985 interview where Sanders praised Cubas health care and education systems, and it has faced renewed scrutiny in the last few days. In an interview with Anderson Cooper on Sunday, Sanders said, Were very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba, but you know, its unfair to simply say everything is bad. You know? When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it? The question came up again, all too briefly, in Tuesdays debate, where Sanders again couldnt help but mention Castros progress in education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Sanders supporters accused Cooper and the debate moderators of red-baiting. But this is disingenuous. The question cannot be dismissed as a provocation because it originates from a pattern in the Democratic front-runners career. In 2016, during a Univision forum in Miami, Sanders refused to disavow his 1985 comments and once again praised health care in Cuba. Weeks later, in an interview I had with him in Los Angeles, he declined to address the failure of Venezuelas socialist model. Almost four years later, in November 2019, he defended the power-grabbing Bolivian President Evo Morales during a testy exchange with Jorge Ramos. He did so again in a conversation with Chuck Todd earlier this month, in which he also mistook Bolivia for Ecuador. Sanders reaction to Anderson Coopers question wasnt an exception. Quite the contrary. Advertisement Advertisement Better to talk about Sanders soft spot for Castro now than for voters to hear about it for the first time in early September. Sanders views on Latin Americas authoritarian regimes are, in my view, misguided. Whatever social progress Castro made in the early days of the Cuban revolution came at the expense of a fearful population that would have to endure half a century of repression, persecution, and sheer terror. There is no bright side to a dictatorship. But Sanders defense of Castros accomplishments could also be bad politics, having already drawn a reaction from Floridas Cuban American community. If Sanders is not willing to unequivocally condemn brutal, authoritarian regimes like Fidel Castros, he and his supporters should at least be grateful the topic is coming up now, rather than later. Advertisement Hillary Clinton rarely brought up Sanders appreciation of Latin American strongmen in 2016. His opponents for the Democratic nomination in 2020 had, until this week, also steered clear of any serious inquiry, maybe fearing the wrath of Sanders loyalists or perhaps not seeing its relevance. But Donald Trump will have no such qualms. And if history is any indication, a negative general election campaign built around Sanders controversial positions smiling upon authoritarian socialists could be disastrous for the candidate and the party he would lead in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just think of 2004 and John Kerry. Trumps attacks could make swift boating, perhaps the most successful negative campaign in modern American politics, look like pillow fighting. That story bears recounting. Kerry, an experienced senator with a stellar public record, had led the polls against George W. Bush, a fairly unpopular president, for most of the spring of 2004. Then, in May, a controversial and shady group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truthled by John ONeill, a longtime Kerry antagonist, and funded with money associated with the Texas political machinery that supported Bushaired a series of ads aimed at casting doubts over Kerrys military record in Vietnam, which had earned him three purple hearts, as well as a silver and a bronze star as a swift boat commander. The ads, which ran extensively in the crucial months leading up to the Republican convention in late August, argued that Kerry had acted dishonorably, deliberately misrepresenting his behavior during the war. The group also questioned Kerrys conduct after Vietnam, when he became one of the leaders of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, delivering scathing and eloquent testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John McCain, Americas most prominent military hero of the Vietnam War and a Republican, adamantly defended Kerry. McCain also warned of the consequences of a concerted negative campaign. It was the same kind of deal that was pulled on me, McCain said, thinking of his own bout with character assassination during the 2000 Republican primary against Bush. Kerry himself declined to address the accusations. It would prove to be a severe mistake. The ads quickly took a toll on Kerrys standing in the polls. By the beginning of September, Bush had opened up a six-point gap. Kerry never recovered. He has since said he regrets not fighting back against the slander. Advertisement The ruthless smearing of Kerry should serve as a warning for the Sanders campaign, whose supporters often point to his current success within the Democratic field and the slight lead he maintains over Donald Trump in national polls as a sign of the Democratic front-runners electability. The real presidential campaign has not yet begun, and prior to this weeks grilling, Sanders positions have not faced the detailed examination they deserve. If John Kerrys presidential aspirations were quashed by a relentless character assassination campaign based on misrepresentations of the historical record, what will Donald Trump do with Sanders 30-plus years worth of actual statements? Bernie Sanders supporters should make no mistake. The presidentwho has become quite the Bernie browill use every single statement Sanders has made to take negative campaigning to a new low. Better to talk about Sanders soft spot for Castro, Morales, Nicolas Maduro, and even the Soviet Union now than for voters to hear about it for the first time in early September, when Floridas airwaves will be filled with grainy videos of Sanders heaping undue praise on Latin Americas strongmen. Voda Idea seeks 15 yrs to pay AGR dues; demands GST refund Vodafone Idea, which owes the government Rs53,500 crore in adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues, has now proposed to pay up the overdue amount over a 15-year period. Besides, the company wants the government to refund taxes, cut licence fees and spectrum usage charges and fix a tariff floor if it is to continue operations. In a letter to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the financially stressed telecom operator Vodafone Idea sought the adjustment of the Rs8,000 crore of goods and services tax (GST) refund due to it against its AGR dues In its letter to the DoT, the finance ministry and Niti Ayog, the telco, which has over 300 million subscribers, said it needs help from the government to stay in business. The letter was sent a day ahead of a meeting of Digital Communications Commission (DCC) the highest decision-making body of DoT which may discuss some steps on providing relief to stressed telcos such as Vodafone Idea. Vodafone Idea, which had outstanding statutory dues of about Rs57,000 crore, as per DoTs estimates, has so far paid only Rs3,500 crore. Vodfone Ida, on the other hand, claims that it owes around Rs23,000 crore, of which Rs7,000 crore is the principal amount. Vodafone Ideas letter also calls for a reduction in licence fees and SUC. Telcos annually pay 8 per cent of AGR as licence fees; Vodafone Idea wants this to be reduced to 3 per cent. The industry has been long calling for a reduction in SUC as well, which is paid at 3-5 per cent of AGR. The telco wants it brought down to 1 per cent. UK-based Vodafone decided to merge its India operations with that of Idea Cellular, another impoverished telecom operator, to stay afloat after a savage price war with newcomer Reliance Jio Infocomm left incumbents badly wounded. Vodafone Idea has warned of shutting shop unless it gets some relief on its AGR dues. While the government is working on a relief package to telcos burdened by the AGR dues, it is not know if it will agree to all the demands of Vodafone Idea. As of now, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have a combined market share of about 60 per cent of the estimated dues that include interest and penalty for late payments. HOUSTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Identity Automation , provider of RapidIdentity, the most complete Identity and Access Management (IAM) platform on the market, today announced it will be exhibiting at the 2020 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's (HIMSS) Global Health Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, March 10-12. The company is also attending the KLAS award ceremony on March 9th for recognition as the 2020 Best in KLAS Category Leader in Identity & Access Management. "The HIMSS conference offers a unique opportunity for us to showcase our award-winning solutions to healthcare professionals from around the country," said James Litton, Chief Executive Officer of Identity Automation. "We are especially excited to be recognized with the Best in KLAS Category Leader award, which reinforces our position as a leader in an industry that's moving from single sign-on alone to more comprehensive, integrated IAM solutions that address healthcare's security, usability, and compliance needs." At Identity Automation booth, #5669, attendees can receive in-person answers to questions about single sign-on, EPCS, proximity badge sign-on, identity lifecycle management and IAM challenges specific to the healthcare industry. Attendees who wish to schedule a meeting ahead of the conference can do so here . During the show, the Identity Automation team will provide live, in-booth presentations on the topic of IAM four times daily. All HIMSS attendees who visit the Identity Automation booth, #5669, are eligible to win prizes from the giveaway wheel with grand prizes including Bose headphones, a $150 Amazon gift card, and a Google Nest hub. Identity Automation will also be hosting an in-booth Exhibit Hall Social Hour on March 11 from 4:30-6:00 PM. Additionally, the company is co-hosting a cocktail reception with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and HP at 7:00 PM on March 10 at the Hyatt Regency, room Bayhill 33 (Convention Level). To learn more or to RSVP to the cocktail event, please click here . About Identity Automation Identity Automation helps organizations secure the new perimeter, increase business agility, and deliver an enhanced user experience with RapidIdentity, the most complete identity, access, governance, and administration platform available. Identity Automation operates globally with tens of millions of identities managed across on-premises and cloud resources. For more information, visit: www.identityautomation.com . Contact: Kathleen Garska [email protected] SOURCE Identity Automation Related Links http://www.identityautomation.com Those in close contact with a woman diagnosed with Covid-19 have been traced and notified, health authorities in Ireland said. She had flown from northern Italy to Dublin Airport before continuing her journey by land, reportedly using public transport. It is understood she has been treated at home. Irish health chief Dr John Cuddihy said: "Each of the stages of this person's journey have been identified and all relevant contacts in all of those stages of transport have been contacted (and) traced." People who sat within two rows of the person on the plane from northern Italy to Dublin were contacted. The woman followed advice in reporting concerns to a GP and "self-isolated" at home whilst awaiting the results of testing. Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, and the head of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dr Cuddihy, held a news conference in Dublin to provide details of Ireland's preparedness. Dr Holohan said they were depending on an individual with symptoms travelling back from an affected area identifying themselves, contacting the local health authorities, and that was what had happened in this particular case. Public health protocols, similar to those used to respond to previous incidents of pandemic influenza, Sars and Mers, have been in place since January and are operating effectively, the officials added. The positive result has been sent to Public Health England laboratories for verification. A special unit has been established at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for isolating those suffering from the virus but the health authorities were unable to confirm where the individual is being treated. Ireland's Health Minister, Simon Harris, said it was "not unexpected" and is to meet staff at Dublin Airport activating the public awareness campaign for Covid-19 on Friday morning. The Republic's National Public Health Emergency Team has been planning for this scenario since January. The minister said the public should continue to adhere to public health protocols issued by the Department of Health. The patient travelled to Northern Ireland via Dublin after coming from northern Italy in the last 48 hours. Other plane passengers, who did not sit next to the woman, have been contacted and told while they do not need to self isolate they should monitor themselves for possible symptoms. Read More Independent.ie understands that passengers sitting in close proximity, rows in front, back and adjacent will be kept under surveillance. Other passengers and crew are also to be monitored and efforts are being made to contact train passengers. Sources said work on contacting people who may have been in contact with the patient are going well. The system is working very well, a source said, adding: People need to understand this is a virus that we must contained but we could be dealing with it until the end of the year. Its not going to pass quickly. Speaking at the press briefing, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland Dr Michael McBride said the person was not part of a school trip. Dr McBride said that one person has confirmed to have the virus and that a second test is being done in England for a second confirmation. The first test was a "presumptive positive test" for the virus. Read More He said the person did not attend their general practice and self-isolated. He said he is confident that the PHA and the health service are "on top" of dealing with the case. An isolation ward has also been put in place at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. The National Public Health Emergency Team said they are aware of the presumptive case of COVID-19 and that Public Health Authorities have activated contact tracing protocols. Health Minister Simon Harris said the first case on the island "was not unexpected" and that officials had been planning for this scenario since January. The general public should continue to adhere to the public health protocols issued by the Department of Health," he said. Expand Close 27/02/2020 (L to R) Dr Kevin Kelleher, Assistant National Director Public Health & Child Health at the HSE & Sonya Cotter, Interim Head of Special Delivery Unit during a media Briefing on Covid-19, Seasonal Flu and Winter Plan at the HSE National Communications Division, Cornmarket,Dublin. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp 27/02/2020 (L to R) Dr Kevin Kelleher, Assistant National Director Public Health & Child Health at the HSE & Sonya Cotter, Interim Head of Special Delivery Unit during a media Briefing on Covid-19, Seasonal Flu and Winter Plan at the HSE National Communications Division, Cornmarket,Dublin. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer in the Dept of Health, said: The HSE is well-prepared and is working to inform any contacts the patient had in order to prevent transmission. COVID-19 is spread through close contact with an infected persons body fluids (e.g. droplets from coughing or sneezing), or by touching surfaces that an infected person has coughed or sneezed on. Close contact involves either face to face contact or spending more than 15 minutes within 2 metres of an infected person. The risk of transmission through casual contact is low. Speaking on RTEs evening news bulletin this evening, Dr Holohan said: This is not a surprise. Weve been prepared for this eventuality. He said the passenger followed the correct protocol and informed health authorities that he or she had symptoms, he said. This individual came forward, identified they had symptoms and liaised with us. As for fellow passengers aboard the as-yet unidentified flight, he said the airline involved has the passenger manifest that would be handed over to health officials. Passengers sitting within two rows of the affected passenger are being contacted this evening by health officials, he said. But he said operations at the airport will remain as normal. It doesnt give us cause for surprise, he said. Nothing has changed. Any person concerned that they may have symptoms of COVID-19 should immediately isolate themselves from others and phone their GP. Earlier today, the HSE said the coronavirus may already be circulating in Ireland but it has not been picked up on tests so far. HSE public health officials said the fear is that someone who has it will delay seeking medical care. Visit our Covid-19 vaccine dashboard for updates on the roll out of the vaccination program and the rate of Coronavirus cases Ireland There is the potential for more people being infected by that person during the time lag. This would mirror the crisis in parts of north Italy where hundreds of people have tested positive in the last week. The HSE also conceded there is a risk of an outbreak in overcrowded hospitals which continue to battle the trolley crisis. Suspect cases who need to be brought to hospital for a swab test can no longer be routinely brought by ambulance. They will have to arrange their own transport with a relative. This is because of the rising number of suspect cases due to more countries being added to the at risk list. Use of an ambulance would take from the delivery of other routine care. However, using peoples own transport to take them to hospital for a swab also increases the chance of passing on the infection if the prove positive. The HSE briefing was told that around 2,000 queries were received by the HSE helpline over the past week about the coronavirus and some 300 were referred to public health staff. Adequate stocks of protective equipment and clothing which are essential for health staff are available despite difficulties in procuring the items. Meanwhile, the organisers of the St Patricks Day Festival said today they will take a measured and proportionate response to the public health threat from the new coronavirus. The spread of the virus to countries which will be sending participants to the festival has raised questions about it going ahead. In a statement today, the organisers said that following detailed meetings yesterday with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, it has been confirmed to St Patricks Festival that the National Public Health Emergency Team has established an expert sub-group to develop criteria for the risk assessment of mass gatherings. This criteria is expected to be made available early next week. Globally, Denmark was among those countries confirming their first cases on Thursday, while Saudi Arabia has stopped Muslim pilgrims entering to worship at the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. In Japan, all schools will close for several weeks, while US experts have reported the first case of unknown origin, which suggests the virus is spreading there. In China, where the virus originated, 78,497 cases have been reported, including 2,744 deaths. After Brazil confirmed Latin America's first case on Wednesday, the virus has reached every continent except Antarctica. World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, told a press conference in Geneva on Thursday that coronavirus has the potential to become a global pandemic but this stage had not been reached. Public health advice remains to wash hands with soap, not rub the face and maintain a distance from people who are coughing and sneezing, he said. Dr Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, said the idea that the virus is mostly being transmitted by people without symptoms is a "myth". He added: "Data from China does not suggest that asymptomatic people are becoming the driving force behind this." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 13:04:35|Editor: yhy Video Player Close NAIROBI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China Southern Airlines on Wednesday resumed flights to Nairobi, Kenya, after a two-week hiatus over the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease. "China Southern Airlines resumed its flights to Nairobi today. All 239 passengers were screened onboard, cleared and advised to self-quarantine for the next 14 days," Kenya's Health Ministry said in a statement. The airline on Feb. 11 suspended its flights on the Guangzhou-Changsha-Nairobi route, citing the need to combat the disease following the outbreak. "The flight arrived in Nairobi this morning on Feb. 26. There were 239 passengers on board. This is the first flight after the airline resumed the flights to Nairobi," the airline confirmed. The airline has taken precautions to ensure that the passengers were safe for travel. Upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the passengers underwent scrutiny before being allowed to leave the plane and the airport. Kenya is on high alert to the spread of the new virus and has so far had 13 suspected cases, but all of them have turned out negative. China Southern Airlines has operated four weekly direct flights from Guangzhou to Nairobi since June, 2019. But Kenya Airways has canceled its flights, and has yet to resume. Baboon on way to vasectomy escapes with two female companions in Sydney NY Post. Legend. Scientists discover the first-known animal that doesnt need oxygen to survive USA Today Why penguins may help us predict the impact of climate change FT Army of 100,000 Chinese ducks on standby to combat locust swarms Straits Times Feds order Santa Clara Countys biggest reservoir to be drained due to earthquake collapse risk Mercury-News Markets are too complacent about coronavirus despite sell-off Nouriel Roubini, FT Markets Viral Random Walk May Get Far More Volatile John Authers, Bloomberg Farm Numbers Show the Smallest Drop in Recent History AgWeb The Oldest Company in Almost Every Country (That is Still in Business) Business Financing. Fittingly, the oldest company in the United States is a plantation. Well done. #COVID-19 China? Japan The Koreas Big Protestant churches have no plan to cancel services despite outbreak Yon Hap News Agency. In a quick search, I cant find an order of service for the Yoido Full Gospel Church, but if their liturgy includes what the Episcopalians call The Peace, which often includes hand-shakes, embraces, or a kiss on the cheek, masks definitely wont help the parishioners. This is madness. India Chiles Struggle to Democratize the State NACLA Syraqistan Saudi Arabia suspends entry for pilgrims over coronavirus France24 Brexit The EU will tell Britain that it cannot have a trade deal unless it bans chlorinated chicken Business Insider RussiaGate Julia Ioffe: The Weaponized Immigrant Journalist Yasha Levine 2020 Covid-19 Will Mark the End of Affluence Politics Matt Stoller, Wired. Good stuff: [T]he coronavirus is going to introduce economic conditions with which few people in modern America are familiar: the prospect of shortages. After 25 years of offshoring and consolidation, we now rely on overseas production for just about everything. Now in the wake of the coronavirus, China has shut down much of its production; South Korea and Italy will shut down as well. Once the final imports from these countries have worked their way through the supply chains and hit our shores, it could be a while before we get more. This coronavirus will reveal, in other words, a crisis of productionand one thats coming just in time for a presidential election. Thank you, globalizing neoliberals of both parties, for this predictable and predicted outcome. (I believe there more than an echo of The Bearded One in production crisis, but I also believe that by the allied concept overproduction crisis is meant the over-production of capital, not of goods; thats why theres so much stupid money sloshing about. It would be a savage historical irony if, as seems to be about to be the case, we had, simultaneously, so much excess capital we dont know where to invest it, while at the same time a shortage of basic necessities due to supply chain collapse (and, underlying that, the neoliberal policy of gutting the manufacturing sector and shipping it to a country with a public health system too fragile to bear the burden.) Sorry for the potted Marxism, do correct. Heaven Protect Us From Men Who Live the Illusion of Danger: Pete Buttigieg and the US Military Counterpunch. A deep dive into Buttigiegs military service, especially the records. Well worth a read. Separation Anxiety? Biden Walks Back From His Claim That He Was Arrested In Seeking Visit With Nelson Mandela Jonathan Turley. Didnt affect Clyburns endorsement, though. Big Brother Is Watching You Facial-Recognition Company That Works With Law Enforcement Says Entire Client List Was Stolen Daily Beat Assange Students At Elite Law Schools Demand Increased Sexual Harassment Protections For Federal Clerks Above The Law (J-LS). Class Warfare Connectedness to Nature: Its Impact on Sustainable Behaviors and Happiness in Children Frontiers in Psychology. Plus, the open air is safer than closed quarters. The Victorians were right: Leave your windows open at night for that good fresh air! Antidote du jour (LLP): Leveling up my cat game: "Cat defends house from bear like she's a lion.." pic.twitter.com/DmU4RByDI2 Kevin W. (@Brink_Thinker) February 25, 2020 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Funding to support the continued permitting and feasibility work on the Stibnite Gold Project, Idaho NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Midas Gold Corp. (MAX:TSX / MDRPF:OTCQX, Midas Gold or the Company) today announced that it has entered into funding agreements for gross proceeds of US$35 million to be used for funding continued work on the Stibnite Gold Project and for general working capital purposes. Midas Gold has signed a binding term sheet with Paulson & Co. Inc., on behalf of the several investment funds and accounts managed by it (Paulson), pursuant to which Paulson will purchase Canadian dollar denominated 0.05% senior unsecured convertible notes (the Notes) to be issued by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the Issuer) on a private placement basis for gross proceeds of a minimum C$33,202,500 (the Note Offering), being the Canadian dollar equivalent of US$25 million(1). In addition, Midas Gold and the Issuer have entered into an agreement with BMO Capital Markets and Sprott Capital Partners LP (as co-lead agents) and a syndicate of agents including Cormark Securities Inc. and Haywood Securities Inc. (collectively, the Agents) in connection with a best efforts brokered private placement of Notes and/or common shares of the Company (the Common Shares) at a price of C$0.53 per Common Share on a private placement basis (the Brokered Offering) for total gross proceeds of up to C$13,281,000, being the Canadian dollar equivalent of US$10 million(1). Upon completion of the Note Offering and the Brokered Offering (together, the Offering) the Company and the Issuer would receive aggregate gross proceeds of C$46,483,500. To the extent that any portion of the Brokered Offering is not purchased by other investors, Paulson will subscribe for the remainder of the Brokered Offering amount in the form of additional Notes, thereby ensuring the Offering would be fully subscribed. Midas Gold appreciates the continued support of its investors, particularly Paulson & Co., said Stephen Quin, President & CEO. While our permitting process has been extended a number of times, driving costs higher, these investments recognize the significant economic and environmental opportunity presented by the Stibnite Gold Project, where redevelopment of a heavily impacted brownfields mine site will provide more than 500 long-term, well-paid jobs in rural Idaho and a long term supply of the critical mineral antimony, while funding the clean-up of decades of environmental impacts from decades of mining by prior owners and the restoration of the site, and particularly passage for salmon and bull trout to the headwaters of the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River for the first time in more than 80 years. Note Terms The Notes will mature seven years after issuance and are convertible by the holders thereof (the Noteholders) at any time prior to the maturity of the Notes, into Common Shares at a conversion price of C$0.53 per Common Share (the Conversion Price). The Notes will be redeemable, at the option of the Issuer, at any time after the fourth anniversary of the initial issue date of the Notes, provided that the 20-day volume weighted average trading price (VWAP) of the Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) is not less than 200% of the Conversion Price at the time of redemption and subject to the conversion rights of the Noteholders. The Notes will constitute a senior unsecured obligation of the Issuer, ranking equally with other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and ranking senior to any existing or future subordinated indebtedness, and will bear interest at a rate of 0.05% per year, payable annually, which may be paid in cash or Common Shares (based on the 5-day VWAP on the date that interest is due) at the Issuers election, subject to TSX approval. The Notes will contain standard anti-dilution provisions. Upon a change of control, the Issuer will offer to repurchase the Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued interest. Brokered Offering The Brokered Offering will be offered on a private placement basis to existing shareholders of the Company and other investors who are accredited investors under applicable securities laws. Subscribers will be entitled to purchase either Notes or Common Shares. The Agents will receive a cash commission of 5% of gross proceeds raised under the Brokered Offering. No commission will be paid on any proceeds received from Paulson. Conditions to Closing The completion of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions including obtaining any required regulatory approvals including approval of the TSX. All securities issued in the Offering will be subject to a hold period or seasoning period, as applicable, under Canadian securities laws. All securities issued in the United States will be subject to resale restrictions under U.S. federal and state securities laws. The Common Shares and Notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Common Shares or Notes, nor shall there be any offer or sale of the Common Shares or Notes 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. Background to the Offering Over the past number of months, the Company has evaluated a number of options for additional funding, including issues of common shares, royalty and or streaming on antimony and further strategic investments. To date, none of those options have proven to be been available to the Company to a quantum of funding that would address the funding needs through to the anticipated completion of the permitting process. As a result, and having regard to the relatively weak equity market interest in gold development companies, despite higher gold prices, and the Companys immediate need for additional capital, Paulson made an initial non-binding indicative proposal (the Initial Proposal) to the Company for a convertible notes financing similar in structure to that provided by Paulson to the Company in 2016, pursuant to its rights under the existing investor rights agreement between Paulson and the Company (the Investor Rights Agreement). The Initial Proposal was for US$35 million in convertible notes wholly taken up by Paulson. Following receipt of the Initial Proposal and consideration of other options available to the Company, including an offer by the Agents to complete the Brokered Offering, the Company and Paulson held discussions that ultimately led to the Offering described above. Participation in the Offering by Paulson Paulsons current security holdings of the Company consists of 9,664,520 Common Shares and outstanding convertible notes of the Issuer in the principal amount of C$34,502,500.13, representing 3.56% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company (107,101,685 Common Shares or 29.03% on a partially diluted basis assuming conversion of the convertible notes currently held by Paulson). Upon completion of the Offering, Paulson will beneficially own 9,664,520 Common Shares, representing approximately 3.26% of the Companys outstanding common shares (169,747,911 Common Shares or 37.17% on a partially diluted basis, assuming conversion of all convertible securities held by Paulson and no other convertible securities, and 33.94% assuming conversion of all existing convertible notes of the Company; and also assuming all of the Brokered Offering is sold to existing shareholders and other investors as to Common Shares only and no Notes). If no portion of the Brokered Offering is purchased by other investors, Paulson would beneficially own up to approximately 3.56% of the Companys outstanding common shares (194,806,402 Common Shares or 42.66% on a partially diluted basis, assuming conversion of all convertible securities held by Paulson and no other convertible securities and 38.95% assuming conversion of all existing convertible notes of the Company). The terms of the Convertible Notes under the Offering are on par with the Companys convertible note offering completed in March 2016, which received shareholder approval in 2016, except for the higher conversion price in the current Offering. As Paulson already holds more than 20% of the Companys outstanding securities on a partially diluted basis, the Offering would not materially affect control of the Company. In connection with the Note Offering, the Company has agreed to amend the existing Investor Rights Agreement between the Company and Paulson to provide that Paulson will have the right to designate one of its director nominees as the Chair of the board of directors of the Company (the Board) and the Company will designate a Lead Director of the Board who will be an independent director. Total Securities Issuable An aggregate of 87,704,717 Common Shares (or 32.30% of the Companys currently issued and outstanding Common Shares) will be issued or made issuable pursuant to the Offering, whether through the issuance of Common Shares, or the conversion of Notes, sold under the Offering. A minimum of 62,646,226 Common Shares will be made issuable to insiders (being the number of Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of all Notes to be purchased by Paulson under the Note Offering). To the extent that any portion of the Brokered Offering is not purchased by other investors, up to a maximum of 87,704,717 Common Shares could be made issuable to insiders (being the maximum number of Common Shares issuable upon the conversion of all Notes purchased by Paulson in the event that there are no other subscribers under the Brokered Offering). The Conversion Price of C$0.53 represents a 5% discount to the 5-day VWAP for the 5 trading days up to and including February 21, 2020 (being the last trading day prior to receipt of Paulsons offer in respect of the Note Offering and the Agents offer in respect of the Brokered Offering). Legal Advisors The Company has consulted and obtained advice from its corporate counsel, the law firm of Miller Thomson LLP, in regard to the TSXs requirements and the requirements of applicable securities legislation (including corporate governance requirements) and has considered their input in selecting the most appropriate path the Company should take in light of its financial situation. Special Committee and its Advisors The Board appointed a special committee of the Board consisting entirely of members of the Board who are independent of Paulson and management, and who have no direct or indirect interest in the Offering (the Special Committee). The Board granted a broad mandate to the Special Committee to review the proposed Offering, as well as to consider and review possible alternative financing options that might be available to the Company. The Special Committee retained independent legal counsel, Paul L. Goldman Law Corporation, to assist it in carrying out its obligations pursuant to the mandate from the Board. The Special Committee also retained Fort Capital Partners (Fort Capital) as its independent financial advisor to review the terms and conditions of Paulsons Initial Proposal, consider available financing alternatives, recommend the best financing alternative available to the Company, and provide a fairness opinion in connection with the recommended alternative. The Special Committee met on several occasions and oversaw the negotiations that led to the Offering. Following their detailed consideration of available financing alternatives to the Company, having regard to the Companys current circumstances and the state of financial markets, Fort Capital recommended to the Special Committee that Paulsons Initial Proposal was the best financing alternative available to the Company and the terms are fair, from a financial point of view, to the shareholders of the Company other than Paulson. The Company subsequently received an offer from the Agents to complete the Brokered Offering on a best efforts basis. Following discussions with Paulson, Paulsons Initial Proposal was amended to allow for existing shareholders and other investors to participate in the financing through the Brokered Offering. The Special Committee noted that, due to the time that would be required to obtain shareholder approval and the financial condition of the Company, the Note Offering proposal was only open to acceptance by the Company until March 4, 2020 and was subject to shareholder approval not being required due to the time required relative to the Companys limited available working capital. Based on their review and analysis of the Paulson final proposal, and having regard to the limited alternatives available to the Company, its financial position, as well as, but not limited to, their consideration of the report and conclusions of Fort Capital, the Special Committee concluded that the Offering is fair to shareholders and in the best interests of the Company and unanimously recommended to the Board to accept, and subject to all necessary regulatory approvals, to proceed to expedite the closing of the Offering at the earliest possible date. After receipt of the recommendation by the Special Committee, the Board reviewed the terms and conditions of the Note Offering and the Brokered Offering in detail. Following their review, the Board determined that the Offering is in the Companys best interests and approved both the Note Offering and the Brokered Offering. Each of Paulsons nominees on the Board did not attend or participate in any of the deliberations of the Special Committee or the Board in connection with their consideration of the Offering. Regulatory Exemptions As the aggregate number of securities to be issued or made issuable pursuant to the Offering (i) would exceed 25% of the currently issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis; and (ii) to insiders would exceed 10% of the currently issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis, the Company would ordinarily be required to obtain shareholder approval under the TSX Company Manual (the Manual). However, the Company has applied to the TSX under Section 604(e) of the Manual for a financial hardship exemption from the requirement to obtain shareholder approval. The independent members of the Board, who are free from any interest in the Offering and are unrelated to the investors, have authorized such application on the basis of their determination that the Company would be in serious financial difficulty without the Offering and the Offering is designed to improve the Companys financial situation and is reasonable for the Company in the circumstances. As Paulson is an insider of the Company, the Offering is a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). However, as neither the fair market value of the securities acquired by the Paulson, nor the consideration for the securities paid by Paulson, exceeds 25% of the Companys market capitalization, the issuance of securities is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of Section 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 and exempt from the minority approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. Financial Considerations If the Company does not complete the Offering, the Company has approximately US$4.6 million of available working capital available to meet ongoing operating costs after providing for certain existing legal obligations of the Company that would be required were the Company not to continue as a going concern. Under the current Board-approved budget, this amount would be depleted before the end of April 2020. Absent a financing, Midas Gold would face near-term insolvency and/or loss of all progress made to date in the extensive and expensive permitting process (with US$53 million invested to date in permitting alone) and which has been ongoing since 2016. The permitting process, once interrupted, will be expensive and difficult to restart and there is serious doubt as to whether it can be resumed in a timely manner or at all. In addition, a break in the continuity in baseline environmental data collection could result in having to restart this data collection process (a two to three year endeavour). Use of Proceeds The proceeds from the Offering are reasonably forecast to enable the Company to be funded through to the next major milestone, being the final environmental impact statement and final record of decision on its Stibnite Gold Project. Upon receipt of the proceeds from the Offering (US$35 million less an estimated up to US$0.9 million in transaction costs and Agents commission in respect of the Brokered Offering), along with the expected current working capital as at March 1, 2020 (US$9.0 million, which is the US$4.6 million plus an amount of US$4.4 million which is reserved for legal obligations (which would no longer be required to be reserved as the Company continues as a going concern)) the Company would have working capital of approximately US$43.1 million. With the proceeds of the Offering, the Company anticipates that it would be able to continue its work on its key corporate objectives through the end of 2021, assuming currently forecast rates of expenditures. Listing Review As a consequence of relying upon the financial hardship exemption under Section 604(e) of the TSX Company Manual, the Company expects that the TSX will commence a remedial de-listing review, which is normal practice when a listed Company seeks to rely on this exemption. Although the Company believes that it will be in compliance with all of the TSX listing requirements following completion of the Offering, no assurance can be provided as to the outcome of such review and, therefore, the Companys continued qualification for listing on the TSX. For further information about Midas Gold Corp., please contact: Liz Monger -- Manager, Investor Relations (t): 778.724.4704 (e): info@midasgoldcorp.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/midasgoldidaho Twitter: @MidasIdaho Website: www.midasgoldcorp.com About Midas Gold and the Stibnite Gold Project Midas Gold Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration and, if warranted, site restoration and development of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by its Stibnite Gold Project. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Offering, closing of the Offering, use of proceeds of the Offering, the Companys continued qualification for listing on the TSX, and continued advancement of the Stibnite Gold Project. These forward-looking statements are provided as of the date of this news release, or the effective date of the documents referred to in this news release, as applicable, and reflect predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events based on the Company's beliefs at the time the statements were made, as well as various assumptions made by and information currently available to them. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, the assumption that regulatory approval of the Offering will be obtained in a timely manner; that all conditions precedent to the completion of the Offering will be satisfied in a timely manner; that general economic and business conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; and that the Company will be able to raise additional funds on reasonable terms. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions on which they are based do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the expectations expressed in them. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions expressed above do not occur, but specifically include, without limitation, risks relating to: general market conditions; the Companys ability to secure financing on favourable terms; and the additional risks described in the Company's latest Annual Information Form, and other disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR. The foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company 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 behalf of the Company, except as required by law. (1) Based on the Bank of Canada daily exchange rate on February 25, 2020 of US$1.00 = C$1.3281 or C$1.00 = US$0.7530. Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Major Drilling has starting drilling the maiden drill program at Colibri's Evelyn Gold Project located 60 km NW of Caborca Mexico. The initial 5-hole diamond drilling program will focus on testing two areas recommended by Aurometallum Geology Consulting Services and Colibri geologists in late 2019 as a result of their geological, geochemical, and structural mapping study at Evelyn. The two mineralized corridors of strong initial interest have been named "Cerro Rojo" and "El Sahuaro" (See CBI news release dated: December 3rd, 2019). The drilling program should take approximately 3 weeks to complete with assay results to be subsequently disclosed in due course. The "Caborca Gold Belt" hosts many gold mines and deposits including La Herradura, Mexico's largest gold mine which produced 474,168 ounces of gold in 2018 at an average grade of 0.80 g/t Au (25km west of Evelyn) and Noche Buena mine which produced 167,208 oz Au at an average grade of 0.52 g/t Au in 2018 (9km south west of Evelyn). (www.fresnilloplc.com) Rig Preparation for Hole #1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/52884_6354b5108412bbc7_003full.jpg Qualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure Jackie E. Stephens, P. Geo for Colibri, is the Qualified Person, (as defined in NI 43-101), who has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. About Colibri Resource Corporation: Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (CBI) focused on acquiring and exploring properties in Mexico. The Company currently has five active exploration properties at various stages of exploration. For more information about all of our projects please visit: www.colibriresource.com. We seek safe harbour. For further information: Ronald J. Goguen, President, Chairperson and Director, Tel:(506) 383-4274, rongoguen@colibriresource.com The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52884 A car chase ended in south Laredo with the suspect vehicle crashing into another car, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. READ MORE: Video captures collision between train, 18-wheeler in San Antonio area The case unfolded at about 11 p.m. Saturday, when a DPS trooper attempted to pull over a black Audi for a defective equipment violation in the Cielito Lindo area. Authorities said the Audi failed to stop. DPS said the Audi continued evading until crashing into another vehicle, a 2010 Ford passenger car, near the intersection of Cuenca Drive and Don Camilo Boulevard. The occupant of the Ford was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Troopers identified the driver of the Audi as Tory K. Mote, 29, a resident of the state of Tennessee. DPS said he had two passengers suspected of entering the country illegally. U.S. Border Patrol took custody of the immigrants. Authorities said the Audi had been reported stolen with the Macon County Sheriffs Office in Tennessee. READ MORE: Fentanyl smuggling suspect would be paid in drinks at strip club, records state Mote was arrested and charged with evading arrest with a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of motor vehicle, reckless driving, possession of controlled substance and manufacture, delivery of a controlled substance. Fearing the selection of Bernie Sanders as the Democrats 2020 presidential nominee, a growing number of establishment party officials are reportedly considering Sherrod Brown as a late entry white knight with Michelle Obama as a running mate. Other potential candidates floated by the party include Kamala Harris, who dropped out of the race in December, as well as house speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to the New York Times interview with 93 party officials, all of whom are super-delegates who could determine the partys nominee should a candidate emerge without a clear majority of delegate votes. Anxiously waiting for results from Super Tuesday primaries across the US next week, those Democrats are willing to risk intraparty damage to stop the progressive candidates nomination at the partys national convention in July, when the party will select the Democratic nominee to face Donald Trump in the general election on 3 November. Mr Sanders campaign and his legion of supporters have said that the nominee who arrives to the convention with a plurality of delegate support, expressed by the will of the voters, should be selected as the partys candidate. His win at the partys Nevada caucus makes him the first-ever candidate to win the popular vote in the first three consecutive primary states, but Democrats interviewed by the New York Times say he cant win against the incumbent, and that his progressive platform will endanger moderate Democrats in the House and Senate. If you could get to a convention and pick Sherrod Brown, that would be wonderful, but thats more like a novel, said Tennessee congressman Steve Cohen. Donald Trumps presidency is like a horror story, so if you can have a horror story you might as well have a novel. Mr Brown, an Ohio Democrat, is serving his third term in the Senate. Last year, he announced he would not be seeking the partys nomination in the 2020 race. Long considered a crucial progressive ally in the Midwest, he notably has not backed Medicare for All, Mr Sanders signature health policy that would dismantle a for-profit healthcare system. 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 Other party officials suggested that former president Barack Obama broker a truce among the moderate candidates or between Mr Sanders and his establishment opponents. Barring his intervention, party officials suggested the former first lady be selected as a vice presidential pick to unite the burgeoning left with the partys moderates. The Obamas have not indicated that they are interested or willing to step into the primary contest and Michelle Obama has repeatedly ruled out a career in public office. Democratic National Convention member William Owen told the newspaper: Shes the only person I can think of who can unify the party and help us win ... This election is about saving the American experiment as a republic. Its also about saving the world. This is not an ordinary election. On Thursday, speaker Pelosi appeared to pour water on reports of a brokered convention, telling reporters that whoever our nominee is, well support. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:50:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CHENGDU, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A new flight was launched Thursday linking Beijing and the city of Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Cairo in Egypt. The air route, operated by Sichuan Airlines, will fly on every Thursday. The outbound flight will take off at 8:35 p.m. Beijing time and arrive in Chengdu at 11:55 p.m. It will depart at 2:20 a.m. the next day and land in Cairo at 7:15 a.m. local time. The returning flight will depart at 8:15 p.m. local time on Friday and land in Chengdu at 12:15 a.m. the next day and Beijing at 7:20 p.m. local time. Since southwestern China has maintained close international exchanges in recent years, Sichuan Airlines plans to resume more international flights, linking Chengdu with Bangkok, Hong Kong and Taipei. One of Hannah Clarke's final acts was to make sure police had a detailed account of the atrocity her husband committed hours earlier. In a Brisbane hospital ward, she described how her estranged husband, Rowan Baxter, ambushed her and her three children before setting fire to the family car. She made a statement so that everyone would know how the children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3 died at the hands of their father. "To the end she fought so that, if he survived, he got punished for doing that to her babies," her mother, Suzanne, said afterwards. Rowan Baxter with Hannah Clarke and their children ... he killed them all, but before she died Clarke detailed his crime to police. Credit:Facebook Hannah Clarke died that night after an act of horror almost beyond belief. Almost. As politicians remind us, a man kills a woman every nine days in an act of domestic violence. What should be unbelievable has become foreseeable something that should enrage us all. And yet the politicians are still too slow to respond. Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese gathered in Parliament House on Wednesday night for a bipartisan vigil to remember Hannah Clarke and her children. It was a moving ceremony with fine speeches, but one observer someone who knows about cuts to women's shelters and legal aid could not hide her frustration. San Francisco, Feb 27 : Indian-American Councilman and farmer Mani Grewal has launched his bid for the California state Senate District 5 seat with a strong campaign, a media report said. Grewal a Democrat from Modesto vying for the seat with four other candidates - Democrat Susan Talamantes Eggman and Republicans Jesus Andrade, Kathleen Garcia and Jim Ridenour - in a top-two format, India-West news said in the report on Wednesday. In a recent filing, the candidate, who has raised staunch support from numerous political officials and organizations such as state Assemblyman and fellow Indian-American Ash Kalra among many others, announced that he has raised in excess of $600,000 for his campaign. Grewal's candidacy hasn't, however, been without controversy, said the India-West report. In August 2019, Grewal had to explain an anti-LGBTQ ad that he said was not an attack on the rights of the community. According to a report, Grewal was quick to remove the ad's video from his Facebook and YouTube pages in what it said was an "apparent acknowledgment that the ad was false, misleading and offensive." Grewal was born and raised in Modesto. He resides with his wife and their four children in the city. A Bangladeshi student of Visva Bharati University has been asked by the home ministry to leave the country for reportedly engaging in "anti-government activities". Afsara Anika Meem, an undergraduate student at the central university, has been served a 'Leave India Notice' by the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office, Kolkata -- under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The notice -- which has asked Meem to leave India within 15 days from the date of its receipt -- did not specify the nature of the "anti-India activities". The woman, who hails from Kustia district of Bangladesh, got enrolled in the Bachelor of Design course at the varsity in 2018. She received the notice dated February 14 on Wednesday, one of her friends said. Meem had allegedly shared some posts on Facebook related to anti-CAA protests inside the campus in December, and has been trolled on social media since then, a member of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) told PTI. The Bangladeshi student, who did not receive calls, told PTI in a WhatsApp message that "I am not in a state to talk about this now". A Bangladesh Deputy High Commission source in Kolkata said it is yet to receive any official intimation in this regard. Visva Bharati University authorities, too, could not be contacted for comments. The notice said Meem also committed visa violation. "... She is found to have engaged in anti-government activities. And such activity being a breach of her visa, has thus, committed visa violation. "... The foreigner shall not remain in India, shall depart from India within 15 days of receipt of this order," it said. A teacher at the varsity termed the move "draconian" and said it is an attempt to gag "any dissenting voice". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) They took a train at 6am from Bairnsdale to be at Station Pier, in Port Melbourne, to meet their ship for a four-night cruise. But the Alvin family entourage were still up for a conga line for our photo before boarding. And why would they not? Its a leap year, you see, and since Abbey Alvin and her nan Margaret Alvin were born on leap day February 29 they wanted to make a splash. Leap year babies: Abbey Alvin, 20, and her grandmother 72-year-old Margaret Alvin, with their friends and family. Credit:Jason South When they heard the cruise company was offering half price fares to leap year babies like them, plus a party in their honour well, they leapt at the chance. Wilberforce was a force to be reckoned with in Buffalo Raceway's $13,000 Class A-Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday evening (Feb. 26), as he struck to the lead and hung on the rest of the way to take a three-quarter-length decision over Daylon Phantom in 2:01 over a 'sloppy' track. After being parked at the start of the race, John Cummings Jr. made the decision to march forward with Wilberforce and it proved to be the right call. With splits of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:30, Wilberforce ($8.60) was strong enough down the stretch and was able to hold back the late surge of Daylon Phantom (Renaldo Morales III), while Noble Legend (Billy Davis Jr.) took the show spot. Co-owned by trainer Kris Rickert and Dale Wareham, it was the fourth victory in eight starts this season for the eight-year-old gelded Wilberforce (Caviar Crown-Rose Run Imprint). The win moved his earnings to $33,950 on the campaign and $321,222 in his career. Fox Valley Veto ($3.60) has been battling in the Open Trot to start the 2020 season at Buffalo Raceway, but got a much appreciated drop in classification. He responded nicely in the $10,000 Class A division with a solid 2-1/4 length victory over Are You In. It took a three-wide move to the opening panel to vault Fox Valley Veto (Davis) into the lead and he never looked back from there. Setting fractions of :30.3, 1:02 and 1:32.1, Fox Valley Veto tripped the timer in 2:01.3 and never was threatened as Are You In (Kevin Cummings) and Catch The Bouquet (Drew Monti) settled for second and third respectively. Co-owned by Vogel & Wags Nags, Team Rice Racing and Adelphia Bloodstock, Fox Valley Veto (Pizzazzed-Yankee Victory Om) is trained by Maria Rice. The win upped the nine-year-old gelding's earnings to $5,650 and $532,638 lifetime. Machs Echo ($7.90) got a perfect pocket trip and turned it into a narrow nose victory over Sarah Cola in the $10,000 Class A-Open Handicap Pace for fillies and mares. Jag Out (Kevin Cummings), who finished third, set the tempo with fractions of :29.1, :59 and 1:29.1. She couldn't hang on, however, as Machs Echo (Jim Morrill Jr.) attacked from the passing lane while Sarah Cola came on the outside. It was a photo finish with Machs Echo managing to nose out Sarah Cola. Owned by Finocchario's Dream Stable and trained by Mike Ohol, it was the first win in four attempts this season for Machs Echo (Mach Three-Rocket Time). The six-year-old mare has now produced a bankroll of $9,200 in 2020 and $104,571 lifetime. John Cummings Jr. had a triple in the bike while Monti and Kevin Cummings each had a pair of wins. Gerry Sarama had a training triple and David Russo a double. Racing will continue on Saturday evening (Feb. 29) at 6 p.m. with a 13-race program on tap. For more information, including the latest news, race replays, results, entries, simulcast schedule and upcoming promotions, go to www.buffaloraceway.com. (Buffalo Raceway) User experience research, strategy, and design firm Blink is pleased to announce that Blink CEO Karen Clark Cole will interview NASAs chief scientist, Dr. Jim Green, onstage on Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Blinks downtown Seattle studio. This is a rare opportunity for students, parents, and science enthusiasts to hear directly from Dr. Green on a range of topics, including Jupiters gravitational pull on asteroids, the search for life, weird science, new North Pole trade routes, diverting asteroid Bennu, exoplanets, and the responsibility that comes with spending billions of taxpayer dollars. Doors will open at 4 p.m., and the interview will begin at 4:30 p.m. In conjunction with the event, Blink is hosting an art inspired by science-themed gallery show for students. The firm invites students interested in participating to submit artwork by March 2. Dr. Green will present awards to the top five submissions, chosen by Blink judges. "I am so thrilled to welcome Dr. Green to our studio for this event, Clark Cole says. At Blink, we combine science and design every day, and its fun to create an event that celebrates both the left and the right brain. Earlier that day, Dr. Green will also speak at ConveyUX, Blinks UX conference, which will feature a case study for the Web Modernization project the firm is working on for NASA.gov. This event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP early, as space is limited. NASA Science Talk & Gallery Opening: https://blinkux.com/ideas/nasa-science-talk-gallery-opening Art Exhibition: https://blinkux.com/ideas/art-inspired-by-science-call-for-high-school-submissions ConveyUX: https://conveyux.com/ About Blink Blink is a user experience (UX) research, strategy, and design firm that works with a variety of companies, from Fortune 100 corporations to startups, to create useful and usable digital products, brands, and experiences. With studios in Austin, Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle, Blink brings two decades of experience using its evidence-driven design process to projects for clients such as Amazon, Microsoft, NASA, and Starbucks. To learn more, please visit https://blinkux.com. Beijing on Thursday banned the entry of everyone returning from the covid-19 outbreak epicentre Hubei province amid a spike in cases, at least one death and reports of cluster infections breaking out in the city. The strict new rule for the sprawling Capital city comes on a day when China reported 29 new deaths (until Wednesday midnight), the lowest since almost a month. The death toll is now 2747 in the mainland with the number of infections 78631. Hubei, the central Chinese province at the epicentre of the outbreak, reported 409 new cases and 26 deaths on Wednesday. Beijing and the provinces of Heilongjiang and Henan were the locations of the other three fatalities, Chinas national health commission (NHC) said on Thursday. New infections in China excluding Hubei rebounded on Wednesday, increasing from five new cases reported on Tuesday to 24, the NHC said. Meanwhile, top respiratory specialist Zhong Nanshan, who is leading the Chinese governments fight against the outbreak, has said though the covid-19 first appeared in China, that does not necessarily mean it originated here. Zhong, who is considered to be the scientist to have identified the SARS virus in 2003, also said the coronavirus infections would be much less if strict measures could be implemented in early December. The first cases of the disease were reported from Wuhan in December even November according to one study before spreading to rest of the province and China and then beyond its borders. In Beijing, authorities ordered strict checks across the city after a cluster infection was found in an office building, leading to 178 people being quarantined. All foreigners flying into Beijing will also have to go through a 14-day self-quarantine, authorities said. State media quoted top Chinese leaders as saying that safeguarding Beijing is as important as combating the deadly virus in epicentre Wuhan in central Chinas Hubei province. After days of zero new infections, Beijing reported 10 new cases of covid-19 infections on Wednesday, the local health authority said on Thursday, following reports that a confirmed patient left Wuhan and arrived in Beijing amid supposedly strict travel controls in Hubei province, the tabloid, Global Times reported. As of Thursday, Beijing recorded a total of 410 confirmed cases with five deaths, and a total of 2,658 close contacts under observation. State media reported Thursday that Qianjiang, a city of around one million people in Hubei will pay residents 10,000 yuan ($1,426) if they proactively report symptoms of the illness and it is confirmed after testing. Qianjiang is located around 150km from Wuhan and has so far reported 197 cases. British medical journal the Lancet on Thursday retracted a letter from two frontline Chinese nurses in Wuhan who had called for international help after they requested that it be withdrawn because it was not a first-hand account. In the letter, published in the journal on February 24, the nurses, who work at hospitals in the southern province of Guangdong, said they had gone to Wuhan to work in fighting the epidemic. They went on to describe the challenges and hardships of working long hours in extreme conditions in Wuhan, and asked for medical workers worldwide to help. On February 26, 2020, we were informed by the authors of this correspondence that the account described therein was not a first-hand account, as the authors had claimed, and that they wished to withdraw the piece. We have therefore taken the decision to retract this correspondence, the Lancet said in an email to HT. In a separate email to HT, the journal explained that readers had also got in touch with them, questioning the two nurses version. Questions regarding the validity of this correspondence were brought to our attention by a number of readers, they said. The journal added: Every piece of original research published across The Lancet Group is subject to peer-review. However, we also publish a range of additional content, including correspondence, which is not. In these instances, we take the perspectives provided by authors on trust. The letter -- and the subsequent retraction -- generated attention given Chinas control over the flow of information flow about the virus and its handling. Representative image The police told the Delhi High Court on February 27 that they have decided not to file an FIR against anyone making inflammatory hate speeches. The decision comes a day after the Delhi High Court asked the city's police to take a "conscious decision" on filing an First Information Report (FIR) against those who are giving out inflammatory speeches. The police told the court that filing an FIR "won't help in restoring peace and normalcy" in the national capital, news agency ANI reported. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar granted four weeks to the Centre and the police to file their replies to the PIL seeking lodging of FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that as the Centre is responsible for maintaining law and order in Delhi, it be made a party in the matter, which was allowed by the court. The police, which has been criticised for its alleged inaction to contain the violence in Delhi's northeast region, also said that they have filed 48 FIRs in cases related to riots in the region. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing Delhi Police, said that the petitioner, in his wisdom, selected three speeches but reasoned that there are "many such hate speeches". The SG also urged the court that there be no hurried intervention till normalcy is restored in northeast Delhi, news agency PTI has reported. The violence in Delhi has so far killed 34 people and injured more than 200. On February 26, Justice S Muralidhar had told the police to lodge FIRs against those giving out hate speeches after the court pursued video clips of four BJP leaders, including Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma. "You showed alacrity in lodging FIRs for arson, why aren't you showing the same for registering FIR for these speeches," Justice S Muralidhar had said while hearing petitions on the violence that has rocked the national capital in the last couple of days. Justice Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 26 night, days after the Supreme Court collegium made the recommendation. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 15:21:51|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of death toll from floods in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and its surrounding areas rose to nine on Thursday with over 62,000 others were shifted to shelters, a senior official of a disaster agency said. As many as 48,732 people took shelters in West Java province's town of Bekasi and 13,752 others in Karawang district still in the province, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency Agus Wibowo said. The floods which started on the weekend and peaked on Tuesday have receded in several spots, the spokesman told Xinhua in a text message. Tropical cyclone Esther in the Gulf of Carpentaria of Australia and tropical cyclone Ferdinand in the Indian Ocean were blamed for the disaster as they had triggered heavy downpours in the areas that have made the excessive waters submerge the capital city and the surrounding territories, according to a senior official of the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Fachri Radjab. This week's floods and landslides are the second natural disaster striking in and around the capital this year, as over 67 people were killed and about 40,000 were displaced during the floods and landslides in the New Year's Eve. The criminal case against Arkema and three company officials starts Thursday, and the Houston Chronicle has all you need to know about the trial. The company is accused of mishandling organic peroxides as Hurricane Harvey neared landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast in August 2017. Floodwaters started to rise in Arkemas Crosby plant, which sits within the 100-year and 500-year floodplain; this eventually cut off power to the entire facility, leading to the combustion of organic peroxides that must be kept at temperatures at or near freezing to prevent the chemicals from self-combusting, causing a fire inside the facility. A couple accused of torturing and murdering a seven-year-old girl after collecting her from school are suspected of having sexually abused their own children. Schoolgirl Fatima Cecilia Aldriguett Anton had been waiting for her mother to collect her from her school in Mexico City, but another woman showed up and led the girl away by her hand. CCTV footage showed the female suspect walking along the street with the young girl. The girl was reported as missing on February 11 and her body was found in the municipality of Tlahuac inside a rubbish bag in a wheelie bin four days later, according to local media. Mexico City government head Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the arrest of two suspects, identified as Mario Alberto Reyes Najera and Gladis Giovana Cruz Hernandez. The General Attorney's Office (FGJ) has revealed this week that the pair are also suspected of having abused their own children. Scroll down for video. Suspects Mario Alberto Reyes Najera (left) and Gladis Giovana Cruz Hernandez (right) were arrested by police investigating the murder of schoolgirl Fatima Cecilia Aldriguett Anton Fatima was reportedly abducted on her way home from school in Mexico City has been found in a wheelie bin with signs of torture According to the FGJ, an exam conducted into the children of the suspects, two girls and a boy whose names are not reported, concluded that the minors showed signs of abandonment and being sexually assaulted. Prosecutors found that the three children 'lived in fear of their father', according to the La Verdad newspaper. Reports also state that Najera's aunt, Irma Reyes, informed local authorities that her nephew's partner told her he asked to be brought a minor as a 'girlfriend' or he would abuse their children. Infobae quoted Irma Reyes as saying Najera threatened to abuse his own daughters if Cruz Hernandez did not bring him a child victim. Reyes reportedly turned her nephew in to the police, telling them that the couple were hiding in a house that belonged to Najera's deceased father in the municipality of Isidro Fabela. Reyes said: 'They cannot get away with it, I do not want them [local authorities] to give me money, I just want justice.' Reports said that the grandmother of the children on the side of their mother Marcelina Cruz Hernandez has started legal procedures to obtain custody over the children. The seven-year-old girl seen in CCTV with the female suspect walking down an alley after being picked up from school on February 11 Demonstrators gathered to protest and call for justice over the case of Fatima, whose death has shocked Mexico The grandmother's legal adviser Angelina Urbina told local media that female suspect Cruz Hernandez had reported that she was suffering domestic violence but she was ignored. The head of government of Mexico City said: 'They are children in vulnerable conditions and we are going to pay attention to them so the family can have the support they need.' Both Reyes Najera and Cruz Hernandez are also being held on charges that they tried to bribe police into letting them out of custody. Aldriguett's mother, Maria Magdalena Anton, told Milenio television that Cruz Hernandez once rented a room in her home to escape domestic violence. She was recently living 10 minutes away from Aldriguett's home and reportedly is the mother of two children who attend the victim's former school. Gladis Giovana Cruz Hernandez and Mario Alberto Reyes Najera (pictured) were arrested by state police agents and the National Guard Mexico City residents and advocates came together for a memorial service to honor the life of seven-year-old Fatima Cecilia Aldrighett Najera fled with Cruz Hernandez and three children to his aunt's home in the Mexico State municipality of Isidro Fabela after the death. He asked Irma Reyes if she had an extra room they could rent, and she told Mexican television network Televisa that she obliged after not seeing her nephew in 16 years but became suspicious of the couple when their images appeared on the TV screen. Reyes said Cruz Hernandez confessed that she and Najera killed Aldrighett when they noticed that authorities were searching for her after she disappeared from Enrique Rebsamen Primary School in Tlalpan. Last Wednesday morning, Mexican authorities closed in on the suspects and used a drone to keep surveillance over the home where they were hiding out. The state police and the National Guard raided the small house and apprehended Reyes Najera and Cruz Hernandez by 1pm local time after receiving a tip. The pair sought their immediate freedom by bribing the cops and National Guardsmen with $26. A belt suspected of choking the young girl to death has not yet been found, according to police. Description GIS 27 February, 2020: The Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kenya, Ambassador (Dr) Monica Juma, paid a courtesy call, this afternoon, on the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. The Cabinet Secretary is currently in Mauritius for the handing-over to Kenya of the stewardship of the contact group on piracy off the Coast of Somalia. Mauritius has, during the last two years, been chairing this important international framework and at the last meeting it was agreed that Kenya would take over from Mauritius. In a statement following the meeting, Dr Juma stated that discussions with the Prime Minister focused on the growing bilateral relations between Mauritius and Kenya. She recalled that President Uhuru Kenyatta was on a State Visit in Mauritius last year and a number of strategic guidance was elaborated in terms of growing Mauritius-Kenya ties, cooperation between both countries Ports, cooperation to increase trade flows and investments and increase people-to-people relationship. The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that more importantly discussions focused on how we can reinforce ties as far as the maritime domain and its security are concerned. The Indian Ocean is one of the busiest commercial routes and so it is important that we secure the region so that there is safe passage to allow a growth in trade and take advantage of the resources in this maritime domain, she indicated. According to her, estimates indicate that there is a huge potential that is yet to be tapped but the growing interest and actors in the Indian Ocean realm make it an imperative for us to coordinate better and create frameworks for reducing the risks particularly related to piracy and other international crimes. The Spanish Congress of Deputies (lower house of Parliament) has voiced its support for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara regional conflict. In a motion unanimously adopted on Tuesday, the Spanish MPs call on the government to continue to back the UN-led dialogue process engaged with the parties to the conflict for a just, enduring and mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue. For the Spanish political parties, the solution to the Sahara needs to be achieved within the frame of the UN and its relevant resolutions. Such a stand will certainly exacerbate the anger of Algerian rulers and chief of the polisario Brahim Ghali who was counting on the support of populist Nacho Alvarez of the far-left Podemos party. But, Mr. Alvarez, who is also Spains Secretary of State for Social Rights, was rebuked last weekend by Spanish foreign ministry for posting a tweet on his meeting with the so-called minister of social affairs of the Polisario. After the strong reaction of Spanish Govt, Mr. Alvarez removed his supportive tweet for the Polisario, dealing a hard blow to the secessionists. They were also crushed when Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez said that Madrid does not recognize the SADR and that its stand on the Sahara remains unchanged because it is a State policy. Politics today are as acrimonious and divisive as theyve ever been, but there is one issue where there appears to be some general agreement: renewable energy. Plenty of polling has shown that a large majority supports shifting the nations power grid away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy. In a Morning Consult/Politico effort from 2019, roughly two-thirds of registered voters including a plurality of Republicans said it was important that Congress set a date for the country to reach net-zero carbon emissions. While transitioning to renewable energy is a priority that most people can agree on, it gets harder when you start to discuss precisely how that might happen as anyone following the current Democratic primary can attest. The field still includes eight different potentials, and while theres broad agreement among them that reaching net-zero carbon emissions is crucial to the countrys future, there isnt nearly as much agreement about how to implement such an ambitious plan. To help you better understand this important policy debate, GOBankingRates judged each Democratic candidates renewable energy plan along a single factor: the potential dollar cost for replacing those old, polluting power plants with new ones that rely on sustainable sources. Its impossible to say how all of these costs will play there are simply too many different factors but by using todays costs and looking at just how much of the nations current capacity would need to be replaced, you can arrive at an informative figure. Take a closer look at just what it might cost Americans to achieve a carbon-free future, and which approach comes with the highest potential price tag. Last updated: Aug. 27, 2020 The Plans The key differences in the energy plans advanced by the various Democratic candidates tend to involve Americas three largest sources of electrical power: coal, natural gas and nuclear. While theres general agreement among the candidates that coal should be phased out, other sources create more consternation. Some want to begin retiring nuclear plants while others think theyre an important part of a carbon-free future. Theres also disagreement as to whether the importance of cheap natural gas from fracking as a fuel source can make up for the various ways in which it damages the environment. Story continues The majority of the candidates plans reference the year 2050 as the goal for a carbon-free nation. Bernie Sanders It will probably come as no surprise to anyone following politics that the most aggressive plan comes from Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders rolled out his ambitious $16.3 trillion climate plan that highlights just how he envisions the United States reaching a carbon-free future. The plan notably includes an outright ban on fracking, retiring nuclear plants and phasing out the use of all fossil fuels for generating electricity. Find Out Why: Americans Still Believe Trump Is the Best President for Their Finances, Survey Finds Tulsi Gabbard Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii hasnt offered up nearly as much detail on her renewable energy plans, but she did introduce the Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act back in 2017. The legislation calls for the U.S. to transition to 80% of electricity generated by clean sources by 2027 and 100% by 2035. Additionally, shes expressed support for banning fracking and shuttering nuclear plants. Elizabeth Warren Sen. Elizabeth Warren, yes, has a plan for this. Just not her own, per se, as Warren notably opted to sign on with the plan advanced by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee that calls for 100% carbon-neutral electricity by 2030. Shes also in favor of phasing out nuclear power though less aggressively than Sanders and banning fracking. Tom Steyer Billionaire Tom Steyer stands with Sanders, Warren and Gabbard in calling for a ban on fracking, but hes also qualified that by saying he doesnt think it can happen overnight. His clean power plan calls for a 100% clean-energy economy by 2045 and an end to building new nuclear plants but not phasing out existing ones. Pete Buttigieg South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg breaks with the more progressive candidates in his party in regards to banning fracking and phasing out nuclear plants, though he states that both would be goals in the long term. He does, however, call for doubling clean energy production by 2025 and 100% clean energy generation from electricity and new cars by 2035. Amy Klobuchar Sen. Amy Klobuchar also advises a more measured approach that doesnt immediately end fracking or retire nuclear power plants. She says that natural gas should eventually be replaced by solar and wind but represents an important transitional step in the present. She also seems to support the idea of safe nuclear power, as well as cleaner coal technologies. Its worth noting that Klobuchar has been active in the Senate on climate change; the first bill she ever introduced sought to track greenhouse gas emissions from major industries. Joe Biden Former Vice President Joe Biden also falls short of calling for a complete ban on fracking and doesnt see ending the use of nuclear power as part of his plan. However, he wants to fund more research into making nuclear energy safe and incorporate better regulation of existing fracking wells. His climate plan sets the goal of a 100% carbon-neutral economy by 2050. Michael Bloomberg Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg also calls for keeping fracking with better regulation to ensure safety and nuclear power in place. He does this even as he calls for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels in electricity generation. Like Gabbard, Bloombergs plan is rather skimpy on detail. Three Basic Approaches Now, thats a lot of candidates with a lot of plans, each of which has its own important traits. But, for the purposes of doing some broad, sky-level cost estimates, lets break them into three basic schools of thought: The progressive camp with Sanders, Gabbard and Warren all calling for a ban on fracking and phasing out nuclear. The progressive plus nuclear camp which is currently just Tom Steyer that agrees with the progressives about banning fracking but not about the complete close-out of nuclear plants. The moderate camp with Biden, Buttigieg, Klobuchar and Bloomberg, all of whom see nuclear power and the cheap natural gas from fracking as part of the solution, at least in the near future. How America Gets Its Power As of 2018, electricity in the United States was still largely a matter of burning fossil fuels. While the growth in renewable energy in the last decade has been rapid, the massive power demands of the entire country still mean theres a long way to go before dreams of a carbon-free power grid are possible. Discover: Savings Tricks From Regular People Who Are Sitting on Millions Coal Coal has long been among the most prominent and inexpensive ways to generate electricity but also among the most pollutive. While coal represents 27.5% of the electricity used by Americans, it produces 65% of the carbon pollution generated by power plants. And thats just carbon pollution. The dirtier air created by coal smoke also makes it the deadliest form of power, killing between 7,500 and 52,000 Americans every year. Natural Gas Natural gas burns much cleaner than coal, but its still a fossil fuel that creates carbon pollution when its produced. Its also the largest source of electricity for Americans, producing 35.2% of our power and 33% of carbon pollution from power plants. Nuclear Nuclear power is the source for about a fifth of Americas electricity as of 2018 19.4% to be exact. Whats more, it doesnt produce any carbon pollution and is one of the safest forms of power available: no American has ever been killed or exposed to harmful radiation levels because of a nuclear power plant in the United States, unless they were an employee of that plant and even there, the cases are extremely rare. However, the strict regulations that help make nuclear power so safe also make it very expensive. Hydroelectric Hydroelectric power is produced by dams that harness the natural flow of waterways to generate electricity. It currently generates 7% of the power used by Americans, but expanding hydroelectric capacity is only possible when there are natural features that lend themselves to a dam. So, while it produces no carbon pollution, its also not scalable. Solar Solar power involves converting the energy of sunlight into electricity, either directly by way of photovoltaic cells or by focusing sunlight to a single area to generate heat, whats known as concentrating solar power. In both cases, though, theres no carbon pollution generated. While solar power is on the rise, it only represents a mere 1.5% of the electricity generated in the United States. Wind Wind turbines can capture natural air currents and convert that energy into electricity without any carbon pollution. While solar might get more attention, wind power has been a lot more successful to this point, with 6.5% of Americas electricity demands met by wind power. Other There are a variety of other methods for generating electricity, though none that form more than 2% of total generation. These sources collectively account for less than 2% of carbon pollution from electrical power. Some are in the category of burning a fuel including biomass and fuel oil plants while others are renewable sources that are harder to make greater use of, like geothermal energy. How Has This Changed? Before you can talk about what it might cost to make major changes in the future, you have to understand how things have changed in the last decade or two and how thats affected Americas carbon emissions. And while the rapid growth of renewable energy is one of the biggest stories of that period, the most consequential change would be the shift from coal to natural gas. Fracking Is Driving Out Coal One of the reasons why some moderate Democrats arent as sanguine about banning fracking is the fact that it has already played a crucial role in reducing American carbon emissions. The process of hydraulic fracturing produces a lot of natural gas, and its rapid expansion has meant that natural gas has become a lot cheaper and prompted the replacement of many coal plants with natural gas. All this has meant that coal which was responsible for roughly half of American electricity as recently as 2005 has been in a precipitous decline for over a decade, ultimately getting eclipsed as Americas largest power source in 2016. And, over that same time period, Americas carbon emissions have gone down, owing a lot to the fact that natural gas power plants produce roughly half as much carbon pollution as coal plants to produce the same amount of energy. From 2007 to 2018, greenhouse gas emissions fell by about 10%, even as total electricity generation held steady. For those Democrats who favor a ban, thats clearly not enough to counterbalance the environmental damage the fracking process can produce, but it is a connection that can muddy the issue for some. How Much Does Renewable Energy Cost? So, its one thing to understand how much of our current energy capacity would need to be replaced to completely phase out fossil fuels, but to get the whole story you still need to know what it would cost to replace it. A detailed answer to that question probably isnt possible. There are just too many different types of renewable energy, each with a different set of costs and circumstances where it might be the best option. However, to keep things simple, well proceed using the current levelized cost of energy, aka LCOE, a metric for measuring how much the combined costs of installation, fuel and maintenance will be over the plants lifetime; the LCOE for installing new utility-scale solar power is $60 per megawatt hour. Cost To Replace Coal Total power generated in 2018: 1.15 billion megawatt hours Total cost to replace: $68.76 billion Cost To Replace Natural Gas Total power generated in 2018: 1.47 billion megawatt hours Total cost to replace: $88.12 billion Cost To Replace Nuclear Total power generated in 2018: 807.08 million megawatt hours Total cost to replace: $48.43 billion Why It Might Cost a Lot Less Its safe to assume those projected costs would come down considerably if/when this massive project gets underway. Economies of scale would greatly reduce the cost of installing all that solar. The U.S. Department of Energy set a goal of cutting the cost of installing new, utility-scale solar in half by 2030 to $30 per megawatt hour something that seems more than realistic given that they hit the $60 goal initially set for 2020 by 2017. In fact, the cost per megawatt for a new solar plant has been in rapid decline for awhile. That same LCOE figure for utility-scale solar just 10 years ago? $280 per megawatt hour. Why It Might Cost Even More Unfortunately, you cant simply pencil in a plan to replace all of that energy capacity with solar panels alone because of, well, nighttime. Or cloudy days. Solar is whats known as an intermittent source, meaning that its not predictable or consistent in the power it generates. Consumers need a reliable source of electricity regardless of the weather on a particular day. For many, the answer to this is solar plus storage, which is to build facilities that can house lithium-ion batteries that could be charged when renewables are producing and then tapped if/when demand is larger than the current capacity. Cost of Energy Storage One 2018 report from researchers at the University of California, Irvine, looked into how much energy storage would be needed for a system that relies primarily on renewable energy by examining hourly U.S. meteorological data from 1980 to 2015. They found that a grid that relies on 80% solar and wind power essentially the result of the progressive plus nuclear approach would need about 12 hours of storage to be able to weather any shortfalls. And that alone would come to $1.9 trillion based on a cost of $350 per megawatt hour or a little over 12 times as much as the renewable energy it would be there to back up. And that gets even pricier when you remove the 20% of power coming from a source other than wind or solar i.e., the progressive approach. To get to 100% solar and wind, you have to be ready to cover all eventualities including rare, once-in-a-lifetime weather events and the report found that it would require three full weeks of energy storage. If you assume that the costs of storage would increase proportionally, that would put the total price tag at $79.8 trillion. Or, to put it another way, roughly quadruple the nations current annual GDP. Once again, its important to note that basing this on current costs is likely going to massively overestimate final costs. After all, installing solar plants costs a fifth what it did in 2010, so theres every reason to believe this rapidly developing technology is only going to get cheaper. Put It All Together So what does that all mean? Heres a look at the high end and low end for each of the approaches championed by the various Democratic candidates. The high end uses current costs and the low end uses the 2030 goal of $30 per megawatt hour and assumes that costs for storage will decline at about the same rate as solar has in the last 10 years or about an 80% drop. Cost of the Progressive Approach High End: $80 trillion Low End: $16.06 trillion The combined cost of replacing natural gas, coal and nuclear comes to $205.31 billion, or a little over $100 billion at the $30 per megawatt hour target for 2030. Of course, that ends up basically being a rounding error when you consider the enormous cost of installing enough energy storage to cover consumers for all weather eventualities. However, when you consider the reduction in solar costs over the last decade, we might be able to assume a similar reduction over the next 10 years reducing the price tag to around $16 trillion. On the whole, the high-end estimate translates to a little over $240,000 per American, while the low end would be a little under $50,000. Its worth noting that some candidates with progressive climate action plans also have plans to pay for the exorbitant cost, which include creating tens of millions of new jobs, implementing higher taxes and fees on the fossil fuel industry, generating revenue from clean energy wholesale, scaling back on global oil dependence and more. Cost of the Progressive Plus Nuclear Approach High End: $2.1 trillion Low End: $996.44 billion Once again, the $156.88 billion necessary to build out solar to replace coal and natural gas ends up being a tiny fraction of the cost compared to the necessary energy storage. Even projecting an 80% reduction in the cost of batteries and the associated technology, the 12 hours of storage needed to supplement a system thats 80% solar/wind and relies on nuclear, hydroelectric and other sources for the balance would require about $1 trillion. On a per-person basis, the high end represents a little over $6,350 spread out across everyone in the country, while the low end would be just over $3,000. Cost of the Moderate" Approach High End: $68.76 billion Low End: $34.38 billion Heres where you can see why some moderate Democrats arent as willing to consider a ban on fracking and/or phaseout of nuclear, even if there are other compelling reasons for pursuing those goals. If youre only replacing coal with solar/wind, you can theoretically eliminate about two-thirds of the carbon pollution currently produced by Americas power plants while keeping over half of its current capacity intact. That would mean avoiding the need for that costly storage. Looking at these costs per person, that would be just over $200 on the high end and about $100 on the low end. Why Inaction Is the Costliest Option Of course, all of this discussion of the cost to do something needs to be compared to the alternative: the cost of doing nothing. The damage that climate change threatens to wreak on the American economy makes even the costliest estimates for these plans look downright thrifty. A 2019 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research estimated that if carbon emissions continue at their current rate, it could cost the nation 10.5% of GDP by 2100 or about $2 trillion per year based on current levels. That includes some $1 trillion in real estate wealth and public infrastructure located in coastal areas, according to the Fourth National Climate Assessment. The assessment cites estimates for annual losses in some sectors of the economy in the hundreds of billions of dollars potentially eclipsing the GDP of many U.S. states. So, while there might be considerable disagreement amongst the Democratic candidates as to which policy will ultimately benefit the country the most going forward, it does seem clear that simply ignoring the problem is likely to cost the most in the end. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Would Converting America to Entirely Renewable Energy Cost? A Florida woman wanted in connection with the disappearance of a woman whose body was found in the trunk of the suspects car in Tennessee has turned herself in, say police. On Thursday, following a nationwide manhunt, Courtney Dawn Gibson, 27, surrendered to police in Lebanon, Tennessee, after being on the run for days in connection with the disappearance of Anne Primavere, 36, the Titusville Police Department in Florida announced in a statement. Police: Body of missing Titusville woman found in trunk in Tennessee https://t.co/HzFq3gmgxk WESH 2 News (@WESH) February 27, 2020 Missing since Friday, Primavere vanished under alarming circumstances, say police, local station WESH reports. An initial search of the room she was renting revealed physical evidence that she may have been harmed inside the home, say police, the outlet reports. On Wednesday, Primaveres body was allegedly found in the trunk of a Kia Forte police say they believe belongs to Gibson, WESH reports. Sadly, for everyone involved, this ended in the worst-case scenario, Lt. Chris Deloach of the Titusville Police Investigations Unit told Florida Today. An autopsy will be conducted to determine Primaveres cause and manner of death. Authorities claim Gibson likely killed Primavere in a violent manner between 7 p.m. and midnight Feb. 21, FOX 17 of Nashville reports. Primavere was renting a room in a Titusville home where Gibson worked as a babysitter for the landlord, Click Orlando reports. Primavere was last seen at 5:45 p.m. on Friday. Her family reported her missing on Sunday. Video from a doorbell surveillance camera on Saturday shows Gibson allegedly leaving the home in Titusville with a mattress on top of her Kia Forte, Click Orlando reports. Police believe she was heading to Tennessee. Story continues When the mattress fell off the car during the trip, Gibson allegedly burned it on the side of the road, Fox 17 reports. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLEs free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. On Sunday, police located Gibson, who refused to cooperate with authorities and wouldnt let them search her car, the Tennessean reports. Gibson is believed to have fled Tennessee, leaving her car behind at her parents home, Florida Today reports. Police found Primaveres body in the trunk after securing a search warrant to search Gibsons car, police say in the statement. It is unclear whether Gibson has been charged with a crime or if she has retained an attorney who can speak on her behalf. Police have not said how or why Gibson allegedly killed Primavere. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Titusville police at 321-264-7800. A mum found her 11-year-old daughters lifeless body lying in a bathtub after the girl suffered an electric shock while using her smartphone. The girl was in the bath at her parents home in Dornbirn, Austria, in the far west of the country on the border with Switzerland. The incident happened on Sunday afternoon when the girl reportedly had an electric shock in the bath where she was using her smartphone while lying in the water. According local media, the girl had locked the door and her mother became suspicious when she knocked and heard no answer. Suspecting something was wrong, she looked through the bathroom window and then spotted her daughters motionless body in the bath tub. An uncle who was on the property at the time then smashed the door down, pulled the girl out of the water and started the resuscitation process. Medics were also called to the scene but could only confirm the girl had died. Expert from the Feldkirch public prosecutor, Rudolf Mork-Morkenstein, told local media that judging by the burns, a lot of electricity must have been involved. He said that, provisionally, it appeared there was a significant problem saying: Injuries of this type cannot happen in a properly functioning cell phone alone, the must have been something significantly wrong. He said it was suspected that the cell phone charging cable may have been connected via an extension cable when it fell into the bathtub. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates New Delhi, Feb 27 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notices on a petition by a Jamia Millia Islamia student for compensation for injuries allegedly suffered during police action in the Jamia Nagar area here on December 15 last year. The notices were issued to the central and Delhi governments, Jamia Millia Islamia and the Delhi police after Mohammed Mustafa, through advocate Nabila Hassan, pleaded for directions to authorities concerned to pay at least Rs 1 crore for his physical and mental agony. The plea also sought court directions for the registration of an FIR against the Delhi Police over its alleged brutality on the campus. Following protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at Jamia Nagar, violence was reported on December 15 in the area. Several buses were set afire, with both police and protesters sustaining injuries during the melee. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 05:12:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Airstrikes on rebel-held areas in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib on Thursday killed 34 Turkish soldiers, a war monitor reported. Russian and Syrian airstrikes targeted the area between the towns of Bara and Bilion in Idlib countryside, killing 34 Turkish soldiers amid reports on more casualties, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. This comes as tension heightened on Thursday as Russia accused Turkey of providing the rebels in Idlib with mobile anti-aircraft launchers that targeted Russian warplanes without downing any. The UK-based watchdog group said the Syrian Army continued to advance in the northwestern countryside of Hama province in central Syria and the southern countryside of Idlib, becoming 17 km from the strategic city of Jisr al-Shughour. Battles also continued to rage around the city of Saraqeb in the eastern Idlib countryside, said the Observatory. It added that the Turkey-backed rebels captured Saraqeb and cut off the M5 highway linking Damascus with Aleppo. Securing the highway was the aim of a two-month-long Syrian operation in Idlib. Earlier this week, the Syrian Army announced securing the highway. Local reports said the Russian-backed army is launching a counter-offensive to re-open the M5. STORY LINK Pound (GBP) Slumps against New Zealand Dollar (NZD) as Markets Anticipate a Disappointing March Budget Pound Sterling New Zealand Dollar (GBP/NZD) Exchange Rate Falls Ahead of March Budget New Zealand Dollar (NZD) Makes Gains despite Covid-19 Fears The Kiwi just can't help be caught up in that. It won't be able to perform well in an environment where equities are falling by large amounts. Pound New Zealand Dollar Outlook: Will Weak Confidence Send GBP Lower? Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound Sterling New Zealand Dollar (GBP/NZD) exchange rate slumped on Thursday, leaving the pairing trading at around NZ$2.0378.The Pound suffered losses today against a handful of currencies as disappointment over Marchs UK budget grew.Chancellor Rishi Sunak is unlikely to provide the fiscal stimulus that was expected, dampening Sterling sentiment.Sunak has been told by Treasury officials that there is no way for him to up public spending while simultaneously keep tax low as Prime Minister Boris Johnson would like.Due to this, the Chancellor could postpone loosening any policy until later this year.Sterling had been able to make significant gains earlier this month, fuelled by the possibility of Britains finance minister increasing public spending.Meanwhile, the Bank of England (BoE) may be forced to step in and boost the economy if Sunak is unable to stimulate growth through higher public spending.Sterling fell as investors currently have a 25 basis point cut from the bank priced in by August this year.The New Zealand Dollar continued to slide lower as risk appetite declined as the rate of Covid-19 infections outside of China grew.The rate of infection outside of China was now higher than the rate inside the country, increasing fears the epidemic will become a pandemic.Fears jumped after the United States reported its first infection of an unknown origin. This caused the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned of the possibility of community spread.The Kiwi remained under pressure despite US President Donald Trump stating that the US was very, very ready to face the threat of the virus.While the comments seemed to be designed to calm markets, Hamish Pepper, fixed income and currency strategist at Harbour Asset Management said the market latched onto the more worrying aspects.He also added:Looking ahead, the Pound (GBP) could extend its losses against the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) following the release of UK confidence data.If GfK shows that consumer confidence slumped in February, Sterling sentiment will be left under pressure.Meanwhile, the Kiwi could be left on the back foot if the number of coronavirus cases increases across the globe.If cases outside China continue to increase at a faster pace, the risk-sensitive New Zealand Dollar could edge lower.However, the upcoming budget is likely to weigh on the Pound, and offset the Covid-19 weakness in NZD. This would cause the Pound New Zealand Dollar (GBP/NZD) exchange rate to suffer further losses. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound New Zealand Dollar Forecasts Dir: Todd Haynes. Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, William Jackson Harper, Bill Pullman. 12A cert, 127 mins Its surprising to see Todd Haynes take interest in a project this conventional. He is, after all, a pioneer of New Queer Cinema with a preference for lush melodramas such as Far From Heaven (2002) and Carol (2015). But Dark Waters isnt entirely out of his wheelhouse, since its themes are remarkably similar to those in his 1995 film Safe. Dark Waters is about the slow, horrifying discovery that the chemical company DuPont has, for decades, been hiding its use of the cancer-causing, man-made acid PFOA now thought to be present in the bloodstream of 99 per cent of Americans. Thankfully, for the vast majority, its at too low a level to bring harm. Those who work in the plants that produce it or live nearby havent been so lucky. Haynes pumps the film full of paranoia and isolation, so that it matches the sensations experienced by the protagonist of Safe a housewife (Julianne Moore) who develops severe reactions to ordinary chemicals. The film commemorates the work of Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo), a Cincinnati lawyer who went from defending chemical companies to leading the charge against their corrupted practices. Dark Waters opens with the moment Bilott is approached by Wilbur Tennant (Bill Camp, his voice weary and sawdust-choked), a farmer hailing from the lawyers home state of West Virginia. Tennant is adamant that DuPont has dumped chemical waste into his local creek and, in turn, killed 190 of his cows. As Bilott investigates, the ghastly extent of the companys actions comes into focus theyve pushed poison to every American home. When its clear that Bilott intends to expose the truth, the smile melts off the face of DuPonts chief executive (Victor Garber) and a choleric scowl takes its place. This company is ready to pull every dirty trick in the book. As Bilott, Ruffalo could have amped up the glamour by playing a hotshot in order to flatter his A-list activist credentials (he also produced the film). But here, he deflates himself. Hes sullen and awkward in his movements when the stress piles up, his hands starts to violently shake. He doesnt present Bilott as the hero, but as a man whos been awakened to the world of moral decency, only to be rewarded with powerlessness and ineffectual anger. A part of his mission is driven by loyalty to his small-town roots, though his enemies soon use it as a weapon against him (hes labelled a hick). Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahans screenplay, based on the 2016 New York Times Magazine story The Lawyer Who Became Duponts Worst Nightmare, is unfortunately packed with all the standard fluff expected from films about brave men doing great deeds. Bilott has a lightbulb moment triggered by looking at a childrens book called Funny Teeth, which makes him suddenly recall the blackened gums of Tennants neighbours. Anne Hathaway is landed with the concerned wife role, as her character intermittently berates Bilott for his dedication to the job. At least she does it with a fire in her belly. But cinematographer Ed Lachman, who brought beauty and life to so many of Hayness other films, paints Dark Waters in sickly shades of yellow and green. In stark contrast, Tennants farm is drained of colour. Its a world of slow decay and putrid smells a kind of earthly purgatory. A tumour-riddled dog chases its own tail in the yard. As crucial as cold facts and hard data are here, Haynes argues eloquently for the power of empathy. And, in Dark Waters, he bathes his audience in pure terror like very few other directors could. The European Union could open membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia within weeks amid good progress made by the two Balkan countries in their preparations, the 27-member bloc's enlargement chief, Oliver Varhelyi, said on February 27. France, which together with the Netherlands blocked the opening of talks with the two in October, earlier this month indicated that enlargement talks could start if the European Commission, the bloc's executive body, gave them a positive review next month. Varhelyi said that the commission's report, due to be released next week, was encouraging. "There is serious progress in both countries. I am very encouraged by the fact that these two countries have chosen to accelerate [their preparations]," he said after a meeting of the Visegrad Group with the western Balkans states hosted by Prague. "With this report I do hope to convince member states that they are ready and we should be ready to open negotiations," Varhelyi said, adding that he hoped "very much to start negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania in the coming weeks." However, Varhelyi separately told RFE/RL, "there is no such thing as cast-iron guarantee in politics," adding, "What I try to rely on is progress that we can report on, achievements on the ground." "I hope that this will be taken into due account and this will convince the two member states [France and The Netherlands], who have been unable to support the opening of accession negotiations in October, now to come on board," Varhelyi said. If allowed to open enlargement negotiations, the stage would be set for a summit with EU leaders and all six western Balkan candidate countries - Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia, and North Macedonia -- in Croatia in May. French President Emmanuel Macron had refused to approve the start of accession talks at a summit in October, saying the process of admitting new members needed to change. The European Commission earlier this month proposed reforms to the enlargement process along the lines of a French proposal made in November, giving EU governments more say and making it easier to stop or reset negotiations and freeze funds. Membership talks usually take years to complete. With reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan Service and Reuters APSECU employee is taking precautionary measures and working from home after having contact with someone who may have been exposed to the coronavirus while in Europe, the company said Wednesday. The employee, based in Dauphin County, had contact with someone who had traveled to Italy, and the person was tested for the virus and has not been quarantined, the company said. The PSECU employee has not exhibited any symptoms and the company says there is no reason to believe the employee was exposed. Acting with our staffs safety in mind, PSECU recently took precautions within our Harrisburg headquarters," the company said in their statement. The employee will remain home until the individual who was exposed to the virus is cleared. To address the situation, we immediately reached out to the PA Health Line for direction and protocols. In addition, to safeguard our employees, we have heightened our cleaning and disinfection efforts in areas visited by the employee and have distributed hand sanitizer throughout the building, the company said. We take seriously the health and well-being of our employees and the greater community and will take additional actions, if needed, The company said. Read more on PennLive: Got a family member or a friend coming into town soon? You may be scrambling to find the right place for them to stay. With so many options in the Houston area, it can be hard to tell which hotel is right for them at first sight (or site). Heres what you can do to secure the best place for a visitor using advice from hotel industry leaders, with tips on where to search and how inspectors make their recommendations for the best hotels. Picking the place Hospitality industry experts recommend considering distance above all else when it comes to picking accommodations. Factor in the amount of money you or your loved ones would pay to rent a car or take rideshares around town, if you dont plan on chauffering them to every meal and museum. After all, driving in Houston is no joke. It can be kind of daunting because Houston is so large and spread out, said Cathy Cheatham, a University of Houston professor and director of rooms at the Hilton University of Houston. If your visitors dont know what they want to do, city tourism sites like VisitHoustonTexas.com will give them a good idea of what to do around here. Many attractions are concentrated in the downtown, Museum District and Galleria/Uptown areas. Youll find that hotels are often in those areas, but there will also be clusters of accommodations around the Texas Medical Center and Energy Corridor, where many travel for work. More Information What is this? I'm Gwendolyn Wu, and I'm writing "Houston How To," a series on how to navigate the city and its complexities. Humans have an innate drive to improve themselves, and we're always striving to live better, smarter and more efficiently by throwing countless dollars and hours at our problems. The Houston Chronicle wants to simplify that for you. As a reporter, I usually ask the questions, but I can't be the only one wondering how something works. What are things you need to know how to do, Houston? You can find me on Twitter at @gwendolynawu or by email at gwendolyn.wu@chron.com. See More Collapse One of the perks to booking certain hotels downtown is that they offer shuttles to attractions nearby. MORE HOW TO: Ready for rodeo? Heres what you need to know If youre looking for hotel deals, though, you may be out of luck. Cheatham said U.S. hotels practice rate parity, which mandates that travel agencies and hotel websites post the same hotel room prices. Its a misconception that you can go to all these websites and get a cheaper rate than you can find at the individual hotel, Cheatham said. You may as well book directly through the hotel so you can ask questions about your stay. Online review sites like Tripadvisor and AAA Travel are the best place to get a comprehensive list of hotels and see what previous travelers have said. As I usually advise with Houston How Tos that examine services, you should take everything with a grain of salt and look for common threads between the negative and positive reviews. But theres an extra site you can use to gauge how good a hotel will be. If you, like me, are wary of critter problems, try BedBugReports.com for user-submitted stories about where bed bugs have been found in Houston hotels. Checking a room out Once youve arrived at the hotel, theres a few things hotel inspectors recommend to check if your accommodations will be right for you. Houston Chronicle photographer Yi-Chin Lee and I followed Inspector 66, a 30-plus year veteran of AAAs hotel inspection force, as he combed Hotel ZaZa in Memorial City for any signs that the luxury hotel had fallen from its mighty perch. Inspectors stay for a night anonymously before popping up at the hotels front desk the next morning to tour its amenities. The inspector spoke on condition of anonymity to the Houston Chronicle because it could interfere with his work to publish his identity. AAAs staff ranks individual characteristics of a room or public area on a one to five scale, leaving comments about the atmosphere and cleanliness. Among the things Inspector 66 was looking at as he scrolled down the tablets ranking system how good the mirror, bedding and ventilation were. Inspector 66 began in the lobby, where a group of people chatted on the couches as he peered at modern art sculptures and bookcases, running his fingers along the surfaces for dust. Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer An ordinary person might not have dusted in a while. He probably would have given my townhome a 0-star rating because Ive never run a feather duster over the unused fireplace mantle. But this would have serious implications for someone with serious allergies. He wandered over to a decorative chair across from the check-in desk, plopping down and getting comfortable. He made small talk with a concierge. We check the most important first, which is safety, the inspector said, pointing at locks and light fixtures on one of the residential floors. Before entering the room, Inspector 66 paused to examine the shiny brass knocker and heavy door, noting if it was hard to open. That was the entrance to one of Hotel ZaZas premium king rooms, where most guests stay. Most people on vacation enter a hotel room, dump their luggage on the ground and flop right onto the bed. Inspector 66 took a different tack, setting his iPad down on the desk and wandering over to the closet, minibar and window to look for any signs of neglect. Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer No bed belly flop for him, either. Instead, he padded into the room (the softness of the carpet underfoot), made a note of the plump pillows on the bed (nothing is an accident) and opened up a dark, wooden armoire (do you usually have two robes for each room?). And yes, he kept checking every mirror, portrait and sculpture for dust. Before Lee and I knew it, Inspector 66 was on the floor. He had his phone flashlight out, checking underneath the bed for any critter droppings, furballs, old trash. The couch in the room got moved back. Inspector 66 stood on his tiptoes to peer behind the elaborate headboard, The same inspection, over and over again, to see if housekeeping staff had swept something under the table or taken shortcuts in tidying. Nothing. Not even a mothball. Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer In the bathroom, he held drinking glasses up to the light to examine the flawless crystal for any smudges or chips. Inspector 66 nodded with approval at a paper band over the toilet seat cover, which he called a welcome sign that it had recently been cleaned, and bent down to check the tile and grout for signs of soap scum. He even laid out a fluffy white towel a bath sheet, he called it out on the sink counter to examine its stitching and check for loose threads. (Meanwhile, Ive been sheepishly handing over a threadbare beach towel to overnight guests.) Next up: the spa, fitness room and pool. At the spa, Inspector 66 inquired about whether couples checking in for Valentines Day would see any deals for massages. The fitness room had new equipment that he hadnt seen before in other hotels. And while it was freezing that early February morning, he didnt hesitate to venture to Hotel ZaZas pool and check out the cabanas. So why pick a hotel over an Airbnb? The latter is almost certainly cheaper, and for visitors who want to get a more authentic neighborhood experience, its a good way to take the temperature of a city. HOME HUNTING: First-time homebuyers, here are 6 tips from Houston real estate professionals AAAs inspector said that its not about charm, but caution. It deals with security and having a responsible party, Inspector 66 said. At a hotel, he said, guests can reach out to the manager and get their problems fixed right away. At Airbnbs, thats not always an option, especially when the owners arent on-site. After all, dont you want to be stress-free on vacation? Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer gwendolyn.wu@chron.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI When they head to the polls next month for Michigans primary election, voters in Holton Township will be deciding whether to bar recreational marijuana businesses from their community. A question on the March 10 ballot will ask voters whether they wish to completely prohibit recreational marijuana businesses from opening in the township. If the measure is approved, all recreational facilities, including growers, processors and dispensers, would be banned from Holton Township. If it is defeated, the issue will be left up to the township board, which already voted in December to approve recreational facilities. The vote comes less than a year after voters narrowly rejected a measure to allow medical marijuana establishments within the townships commercial and agricultural areas. It also results, in part, from the outcome of that process, according to township Clerk Sarah Hippler. In June 2018, the township board approved the growing, processing and selling of medical marijuana within certain districts. A citizen-led referendum in opposition to that decision brought the question before voters in May 2019. The voters narrowly voted against the zoning of special districts allowing medical marijuana facilities by a tally of 251-232. After that vote, the township board voted 3-2 to strike all zoning language from its medical marijuana ordinance, effectively complying with the letter, if not the spirit, of the votes outcome. That action allows medical marijuana establishments anywhere in the township, provided they receive township board and state approval. Two dispensaries have applied for state licensing to operate on M-120, or Holton Road, according to Hippler. As a result of the boards move to allow medical marijuana, some citizens decided to proactively petition against recreational marijuana facilities, according to Hippler. There were quite a few who were pretty upset about it, she said, of the authorization of medical marijuana. After that happened, thats when the initiative to prohibit recreational facilities came about, like they were trying to get a jump on it. A petition circulated by Val Jensen, an appointed member of the township planning commission, and others was presented to the Holton Township board on Nov. 12. In order to appear on the ballot, a petitions signatures must equal at least 5 percent of votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election. In Holton Township, that required 46 signatures, and the petition had 57, according to Hippler. As a result, the question of banning recreational marijuana businesses in the township ended up on the March 10 ballot. Jensen did not respond to MLives requests for comment. Despite being presented with the petition nearly a month earlier, the township board voted 3-1 at a regular board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, to approve recreational marijuana businesses. Hipper cast the lone no vote. Township Supervisor Alan Jager told MLive he believes marijuana businesses should be allowed in the township because of the revenue they bring, and because "we have it growing all over Holton anyways. The boards vote to approve recreational marijuana businesses took place shortly after several citizens spoke out against what had happened with medical marijuana. One person said he believed that the board had acted immorally, if legally, because it had gone against the will of the people, according to minutes from the meeting. The timing of those actions kind of shows the tension between the board action and some of the voters, said Hippler. At that same December meeting, Hippler suggested tabling the recreational marijuana issue until after citizens voted on it at the polls. However, Jager expressed concerns that the township was losing out on tax revenue and business revenue by waiting, according to meeting minutes. Like all businesses, you pay a tax," Jager said of marijuana establishments in an MLive interview. "And yet you can grow this illegally all over our township and not pay a dime. If you have a business, whether its marijuana or not, you should pay taxes. If the ballot question passes, recreational licenses cannot be granted within the township. If it fails, the boards December decision will stand, and recreational licenses can be applied for. In the meantime, only one medical marijuana business is so far moving forward with plans to open in the township. Damon Hooper of Bio-Bloom is authorized to open two dispensaries, and will do so pending state licensing, said Jager. One is planned on Holton Road near the intersection with Ewing Road, and the other near the intersection with Brickyard Road, he said. Jager said he could not provide a time frame for those dispensaries arrival, saying the company is still waiting on its state licenses. He said that the township will receive about $25,000 in fees from that company. Jager added that he did not think the township would approve more dispensaries, but he would like to see growing operations open in the rural community. I would like to see $50,000 a year come in through the cannabis industry, he said, adding that he would put all revenue toward road repair. Medical marijuana was legalized in Michigan in 2008, and recreational marijuana was legalized in 2018. The first recreational dispensaries in the state opened their doors in December, but more than 1,400 cities and townships across the Mitten have declined to participate in recreational sales. Those opposed to bringing marijuana business to Holton Township have said they think it will bring crime and blight into their community, according to township board meeting minutes. For Jager, its a question of revenue, at a time when recreational sales across the state are approaching $10 million per month, and climbing. Its legal, its everywhere here already, he said. Business is business is business to me. Read more on MLive Future of marijuana dispensaries in Holton Township to be decided by voters Holton voters narrowly defeat medical marijuana proposal Recreational marijuana sales arrive for enthusiastic customers in Muskegon Michigan recreational marijuana sales increased 29% in January Former President Barack Obama is sending a cease and desist letter to television stations in South Carolina demanding that a Republican-backed, anti-Joe Biden attack commercial be taken down. The super PAC, Committee to Defend the President,' began airing the ad earlier this week as South Carolina prepares for its Democratic presidential primary on Saturday. Obama, however, wants it pulled down because it relies on audio and quotes from his 1995 book, 'Dreams from My Father,' in a 'misleading way,' says a spokeswoman for the former president. Former President Barack Obama is sending a cease and desist letter to television stations in South Carolina demanding that a Republican-backed, ant-Job Biden attack commercial be taken down. The commercial was part of a $250,000 campaign in the latest move by Republicans aiming to sink the former vice president's run for the 2020 presidential election and prevent him from facing off with incumbent President Donald Trump. The commercial was part of a $250,000 campaign in the latest move by Republicans aiming to sink the former vice president's run for the 2020 presidential election and prevent him from facing off with incumbent President Donald Trump. The PAC already aired a similar ads attacking Biden in Nevada on the issue of immigration, designed to catch the attention of Hispanic voters. The new ad aims at South Carolina's majority black electorate, which Biden has to win after falling behind in the earlier primaries which have placed his rival Bernie Sanders in the lead for the Democratic nomination. 'This despicable ad is straight out of the Republican disinformation playbook, and it's clearly designed to suppress turnout among minority voters in South Carolina by taking President Obama's voice out of context and twisting his words to mislead viewers,' Obama spokeswoman Katie Hill said in a written statement to news outlets. 'In the interest of truth in advertising, we are calling on TV stations to take this ad down and stop playing into the hands of bad actors who seek to sow division and confusion among the electorate.' In the commercial, Obama's voice is heard reading a page from the book, against images of Biden and panels that link the former president's comments to non-related criticisms of his former vice president's record. 'Plantation politics. Black people in the worst jobs. The worst housing. Police brutality rampant. But when the so-called black committeemen came around election time, we'd all line up and vote the straight Democratic ticket. Sell our souls for a Christmas turkey,' Obama is heard saying, reading a page out of the book. Obama wants a GOP-backed, anti-Biden, attack ad pulled down because it relies on audio and quotes from his 1995 book, 'Dreams from My Father,' in a 'misleading way,' says a spokeswoman for the former president. The passage recalls a barber's memory of what it was like for black people in Chicago before the election of its first African American Mayor in 1983. The quote is taken out of context to suggest Biden 'joined segregationists,' when he sought support from the Senate's most fervent segregationists in his fight against busing to desegregate US schools. The ad also proclaims Biden wrote a bill when he was a senator 'that disproportionately jailed African Americans,' in a reference to his role in passed legislation in the 1980s and 1990s that experts say lead to the mass incarceration of black people in black communities across the country. Lastly, the ad mentions that Biden 'blamed African American parents for inequality,' connecting the book's comments to his response to a question asked during the third Democratic debate. The page from the 1995 book, 'Dreams from My Father,' by Barack Obama, which is quoted in a new GOP-backed, anti-Biden, attack ad The ad proclaims Biden wrote a bill when he was a senator 'that disproportionately jailed African Americans,' in a reference to his role in passed legislation in the 1980s and 1990s that experts say lead to the mass incarceration of black people in black communities A GOP-backed, anti-Biden, attack ad ends asking viewers 'Don't believe his empty promises' Biden was asked how the government should address the history of slavery, and had gone off on a tangent saying black parents needed outside intervention to properly raise their children. The ad ends asking viewers not to believe Biden's 'empty promises.' A spokesman for Biden, said the ads are another reminder that Trump and his allies are 'absolutely terrified' of facing Biden in the November election. A spokesman for Biden, said the ads are another reminder that Trump and his allies are 'absolutely terrified' of facing Biden in the November election. 'This latest intervention in the Democratic primary is one of the most desperate yet, a despicable torrent of misinformation by the president's lackeys. It spotlights yet again what we've all known for a very long time: Joe Biden will win this battle for the soul of our nation,' said the spokesman, Andrew Bates, Bloomberg reports. Ted Harvey, chairman of the Committee to Defend the President, rejected any demand for a cease and desist. 'Joe Biden' Harvey said in a statement, 'is simply giving lip-service for votes. That's the point President Obama made in his book, and we have every right to use his own words in his own voice in the political forum.' Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh told the Legislative Council on Thursday that he did not know if the enquiry commission looking into the Koregaon- Bhima caste violence had summoned NCP chief Sharad Pawar as a witness. BJP's Vinayak Mete had sought information from the home minister -- who belongs to the NCP -- as to whether Pawar had been asked to present before the Justice (retd) J N Patel commission. Pawar had reportedly alleged that "pro-Hindutva forces" were behind the violence which broke out near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial in Pune district on January 1, 2018. "I am not aware whether Pawar has been called by the enquiry commission or not," the minister said. Ashish Satpute, the commission's lawyer, had told PTI on Tuesday that Justice Patel had noted that Pawar had filed an affidavit before the commission, and he would be summoned to depose. Pawar was likely to be called during the last phase of the hearing, the lawyer had added. Last week, activist Sagar Shinde had filed an application before the commission, seeking that Pawar be summoned in view of certain statements made by him. The Shiv Sena-led state government has asked the panel to submit its report by April 8. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti, Jan 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Closing Ceremony of the III ForumBIE 2030, 38 governments, civil society organisations and academic entities became the first to sign the Universal Declaration of Balanced and Inclusive Education (UDBIE). Furthermore, with the objective of achieving the aspirations and commitments contained within the UDBIE, 30 signatories, including governments and civil society organisations, agreed to establish the Organisation of Educational Cooperation (OEC), a new international organisation from the Global South creating platforms and mechanisms of solidarity-based technical and financial cooperation and support for educational reforms. To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8683651-new-organisation-educational-cooperation/ The OEC, whose General Assembly will function on the democratic basis of one country, one vote, ensuring accountability to its Member States which will benefit from its support, will also count civil society and academic organisations as Associate Members with limited rights. The OEC will be established with a wholly-owned financial subsidiary, accountable to the General Assembly, capable of generating funds ethically and sustainably in support of educational reforms. This subsidiary, structurally directed towards investments in socially and ecologically responsible projects in its member states, will eventually fully finance the organisation's operations and provide funds for the OEC to support Member States' education systems with solidarity-based financing. The OEC is designed with a rational, streamlined structure, follows a strategy of efficient systematic intervention, and puts education at the service of communities, of society and of national development as required by the commitments made in the UDBIE. The OEC's first Secretary General has been elected with the task of setting up and presiding a Preparatory Committee, which will lay the groundwork for the OEC until the Constitutive Charter of the Organisation enters into force, upon its ratification by a minimum of 10 of the founding State signatories. The Constitutive Charter's entry into force will trigger the convening of the first General Assembly. All signatories to the UDBIE embrace the four key pillars of balanced and inclusive education: Intraculturalism, Transdisciplinarity, Dialecticism and Contextuality. They commit to applying these principles within their education systems, with the cross-sectoral support of the OEC, based on the contextualised needs of their populations, their national priorities, and the global imperative of sustainable development. The Education Relief Foundation (ERF) is a Geneva-based not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation which serves to develop, promote and embed a balanced and inclusive education through policy development, capacity building and civil society engagement, amongst other activities. The ForumBIE 2030 series of conferences began when I ForumBIE 2030 was held at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2017. In November 2018, II ForumBIE 2030 in Mexico City saw both the launch of the Global Guide of Ethics, Principles, Policies, and Practices in Balanced and Inclusive Education, and the initial signing of the International Call for Balanced and Inclusive Education the document which called for the preparation of the Universal Declaration of Balanced and Inclusive Education. (Disclaimer--Features may vary depending on the regions; subject to change without notice.) Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1029418/ERF_Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1083623/ERF_Djibouti.jpg For more information, contact: Etienne Lacombe-Kishibe, Head of Media and Communications E: e.kishibe@educationrelief.org | P: 0041 22 920 0859 | M: 0041 79 864 2692 Description GIS - 27 February, 2020: The Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister for Rodrigues, Outer Islands and Territorial Integrity , Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, reiterated Governments commitment to support the cooperative movement as well as to continue working for the progress of the country while catering for the needs of the population. He was speaking today, at the inauguration ceremony of the Seedling Production Unit at the Maison des Eleveurs in Henrietta in the presence of the Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives , Mr Soomilduth Bholah, and other eminent personalities. This project, to the tune of Rs 4 million, is an initiative of the Mauritius Cooperative Agricultural Federation Limited. It has a production capacity of 108 000 seedlings, making use only of organic inputs. In his address, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of sensitising the population especially the women and the youth about the relevance of placing cooperative societies, especially agricultural cooperative societies, at the forefront of the socio-economic activity of the country. He called for the emancipation of the youth to further consolidate the cooperative sector and bring it to a higher level of success. Prime Minister Jugnauth stated that entrepreneurship among women should be highly encouraged adding that the Ministry of Industrial Development, Sme's and Cooperatives is providing necessary assistance to guide aspiring entrepreneurs and is empowering existing ones to sustain on the markets. He highlighted that Government is providing several incentives to urge planters to adopt organic farming with a view to decrease reliance on chemical inputs. The increased use of chemicals, Mr Jugnauth cautioned, engenders serious harmful impacts on human health and environment. Mr Jugnauth pointed out that the cooperative movement has today outreached several sectors including transportation, handicraft, finance, agriculture and fisheries amongst others. On this score, he commended the elderly population for their earnest hard work and sacrifices in driving the success of the cooperative sector. For his part, Minister Bholah highlighted the importance of providing outlets for cooperatives societies to showcase their products and services as well as to increase their productivity. He also stated that his Ministry is committed to empowering planters through a number of initiatives ranging from appropriate trainings by experts, grant facilities, and various new schemes namely the Bio-Farming Development Scheme and the Bio-Farming Support Scheme, amongst others. Mr Bholah underpinned Governments commitment to promote the agricultural sector for the well-being of planters and the population. Several measures, he highlighted, are geared towards safeguarding the environment and providing assistance to farmers to increase crop productivity. The Minister further pointed out that in 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Mauritius to enhance collaboration for capacity building in the field of cooperatives. Since then, he added, Mauritius has benefitted from Indias expertise in agro industry, fisheries and dairy sectors. Carbon Tax, CPP, Red Tape Remain Chief Headaches for Small Business, Advocacy Group Says Among the many challenges small businesses have faced so far this year, taxes and regulations remain the hardest pills to swallow, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Small businesses have seen a series of policy hurdles sent their way recentlyfrom increases in Canadian Pension Plan contributions and the minimum wage to carbon taxes and red tape, says the organization, which has over 110,000 members. On average, the year has not started out well, CFIB chief economist Ted Mallett said in an interview. Small firms have had a series of policy challenges sent their way recently. Increases in C/QPP premiums, carbon taxes, and minimum wage levels have altered the cost structures of many businesses and they have had to search for ways to cope, he said. Recent changes to tax rules on businesses have also caused many to have to readjust their long-term investment strategies. Mallett notes that although every small business is different, taxes and regulations have always been the chief complaints of owners. Pension Plan Increases In January, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contribution rates increased for the second year in a row, leaving small businesses with already razor-thin profit margins even less room to manoeuvre, according to an article by CFIB chief executive Dan Kelly on the organizations website. January 2019 saw a CPP contribution rate increase of 0.15 percent of employment earnings, specifically between $3,500 and an earnings limit thats adjusted annually. Then January 2020 saw an additional 0.15 percent increase. Both are part of a multi-year schedule to phase in a 1 percent hike by 2023, raising the contribution rate to 5.95 percent from the 4.95 percent rate in place before 2019, and a new limit increase by 2025. Once the rates and the threshold limits are fully raised, employers will be paying up to $1,100 more per employee per year, Kelly writes. Employees will face the same, and the business owner will pay up to $2,200 more on the income they draw from their own business. According to CFIB surveys, business owners will have to freeze or cut wages as a result of these taxes and will also have less capital to reinvest in order to grow their businesses. The organization maintains that the CPP is much less flexible than other types of retirement savings, like tax-free savings accounts or registered retirement savings plans, and it has been fighting the increases. The Cost of Red Tape Government regulations and red tape have long been and remain a major hurdle for small businesses in Canada. Not only are owners expected to be aware of and in compliance with all regulations from all levels of governmentwhich are often hard to find to begin withgovernment customer service is often poor. All of this costs owners both time and money, translating into lower incomes, less economic growth, more poverty, and higher levels of income inequality, CFIB chief strategic officer Laura Jones said in a Financial Post op-ed. There is also a social cost to all the red tape that small business owners have to deal with. According to CFIBs 2015 Red Tape Report, 42 percent of small business owners would not advise their children to start a business in Canada due to the regulatory burden, while 38 percent would. Carbon Tax The federal government expects to spend some $1.5 billion over the next five years to help small and medium-sized businesses adapt to carbon pricing. According to Yves Giroux, Canadas parliamentary budget officer, the majority of households in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick will receive rebates larger than the amount they actually pay toward the tax. But this becomes another burden on small businesses, says Kelly in another CFIB article. Canadian small and medium-sized companies, along with municipalities, universities, school boards, and hospitals, will pay nearly 50 percent of the billions in new carbon tax revenues, while they will be eligible for just 7 percent back in grants and rebates over the next five years, he writes. Although large companies will also pay according to their own pricing schemes and rebates, many of them will have a huge portion of their emissions exempted from the carbon tax, he adds. The government has justified the policy by telling small businesses they can pass on the extra costs to consumers. However, its seldom a matter of simply raising prices, Kelly notes. In fact, in a recent CFIB survey, 80 percent of firms said they would be able to pass less than a quarter of the cost along to customers, with over half saying they expect to be able to pass on zero in the short to medium term. Instead, many will be forced to absorb a majority of the new costs, limiting their ability to hire new staff, raise wages, or invest in new technology. Meanwhile, Canadian small businesses exporting to other countries that dont have a carbon tax will be at a disadvantage. They are also facing ever-increasing competition from large U.S. companies that dont have to pay a carbon tax, such as eBay and Amazon. Small business owners feel they are being taken for granted and treated unfairly by the federal backstop plan, Kelly says. If reducing Canadas carbon emissions is everyones responsibility, why is government exempting much of the emissions from the big guys and rebating individual Canadians more than they actually pay? MOSCOW (Reuters) - Moscow's mayor has asked China to respect the measures the city is taking to prevent the spread of the coronavirus after China's embassy complained about disproportionate and discriminatory action against Chinese nationals. The embassy this week deplored what it described as the "ubiquitous monitoring" of Chinese nationals on Moscow's public transport network in a formal complaint sent to local authorities and leaked to Russian media. But Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin defended the measures on Thursday and urged the Chinese embassy to encourage its citizens in Moscow to comply with the quarantine measures. "I ask that you relate with understanding to these necessary measures, which are aimed at preventing coronavirus infections from spreading," Sobyanin wrote in a response to the embassy, the Interfax news agency reported. Hundreds of people have been quarantined across Russia, which has barred many categories of Chinese nationals from entering the country. Authorities in Moscow have carried out raids on potential carriers of the virus and used facial recognition technology to enforce quarantine measures. Russia has also barred many categories of Chinese nationals from entering the country. Three Russian nationals are receiving treatment in Russia after they contracted the virus on a cruise ship in Japan, the authorities have said. Two Chinese nationals were also hospitalised in Russia with the virus, but they have since recovered and been discharged. (Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Tom Balmforth and Nick Macfie) A 61-year-old grandmother on trial for causing criminal damage by sawing down Coillte trees in West Cork and stealing the wood said she cut Sitka spruce trees because they were destroying biodiversity and acidifying the water. Sioned Jones said she was one of earths protectors, managing part of the forest because of her love for Irelands native trees and believed she had the backing of the EU, the UN, and ancient law. Ms Jones, aged 61, of Maughnaclea, Kealkil, Bantry, Co Cork, pleaded not guilty to charges of causing criminal damage to spruce trees belonging to Coillte and dishonestly appropriating wood. The charges specified that 250 trees were felled and 250 more were ringbarked. Donal Murphy of Coillte said he went to the forest on December 4, 2018, following a report of chainsaw activity in the area. He said he counted 250 trees having been cut down and 250 more that had been ringbarked. He said this entailed cutting out a piece of bark about an inch deep all around the tree, which would cause the tree to die in time. Garda Fintan Coffey arrived in the area at 11am. He said Ms Jones got out of a green Toyota Starlet on the lane and her clothes were covered with sawdust. He said there was a chainsaw in her car. At her house later, he said, there was a significant amount of wood. Garda Coffey cautioned the defendant and questioned her at the scene. He said that she was worried that the vast mono-culture of spruce trees was bad for the environment and causing acidification of the water. He said she knew the trees belonged to Coillte. He testified that she said after caution: She knew they did not belong to her and it was against the law. This alleged admission was denied. Ms Jones, who is from Wales, described herself as a grandmother and said she had been living in West Cork for 32 years. She said that when she arrived in Maughnaclea it was a beautiful valley where she foraged with her child for nuts, berries, firewood, turf, mushrooms, and so forth. She described a richly biodiverse landscape that included orchids, bilberries, insects, birds, lizards, and frogs. She became distressed when Coillte planted what she described as 100 acres of an American tree, Sitka spruce, which she said grew to create a dark forest floor which killed off the biodiverse environment. I was shocked, I was outraged, I was appalled, she told her barrister, Peter OFlynn, in front of Judge Sean O Donnabhain and a jury of eight women and four men at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. She claimed she had a right to subsist off the local environment under ancient law and that this allowed her to forage. I started cutting a few spruce trees to let light into the bilberry bushes, said Ms Jones. First I was cutting to keep biodiversity alive. As the clearing got bigger we needed broadleaf trees. I was inspired to plant trees. The valley in which I live was denuded. She said the water in the well for her house was being acidified by the spruce trees and causing her copper tank to corrode quickly and that her replanting of broadleaf trees was alkalising the soil. Ms Jones claimed Coillte was failing to plant a certain percentage of broadleaf trees required by EU regulations and a UN convention on biodiversity in 2002/2003 of which Ireland was signatory, she said. Mr Murphy from Coillte said that, depending on the area, broadleaf trees were being planted as well. Before the end of her evidence, Ms Jones referred to the natural planting of trees and said that she had watched a jaybird with an acorn and that this bird could fly for a mile with the acorn in his beak. Judge O Donnabhain told her barrister: Unless you are going to call the bird, lets get on with it. The defendant said: This is more than about me. This is not me defending myself against these allegations. This is about the native trees of Ireland becoming scarce and vulnerable. They need new land to regenerate. Coillte is state-funded from taxpayers money and EU money. They manage 7% of the area of Ireland. What are they doing planting all this spruce for profit and it is no good for the environment. She said that, like the conscientious objectors of wartime, she was one of earths protectors, protecting biodiversity. It is not just for me, she said. I am concerned about the environment we are leaving for future generations, the trees, the insects, the birds, the flowers. I am a conscientious protector. I am not a criminal. I am acting to protect the ecology and for the broadleaf trees of Ireland to have a place to live. Brendan Kelly, prosecuting, asked if she admitted the forest belonged to Coillte. She said Coillte managed it on behalf of the minister for agriculture, who held it on behalf of the peopleof Ireland. You cut down and ringbarked the trees, he said. Ms Jones replied: Yes, it was part of my management of it. I have been doing that continuously for 20 years on that site. I took up the management of the site as a concerned citizen as I am duty-bound to do. Mr Kelly said: So every citizen has a right to go in and cut down trees? She replied: I feel I have a right under ancient law, EU law, and UN regulations to have a healthy life and live off the land I took over the management of it to ensure there would be nuts and berries for myself and future generations. She said she never told Garda Coffey that she knew she was acting against the law but said that what Coillte was planting was against the law. Mr Kelly BL said, You are scurrying with a bizarre defence? She replied, It is not a bizarre defence. It is a legitimate defence. The trial continues. EDMONTON Albertas latest budget is here, and its message is clear: Oil may be down, but its not out. The United Conservative governments second budget was tabled Thursday, as anti-pipeline protesters continue to disrupt rail networks across the country, sparking a national discussion about Canadas ability to balance environmental protection and economic growth. But Albertas leadership remains undeterred that the path to prosperity is through oil. The budget reiterates the governments promise to balance the budget by 2023 by cutting spending 2.5 per cent though thats slightly less than estimated last year while getting the frustrated province back to work. But the plan hinges on a cautiously rosy view that oil will soon be easier to ship and sell, with two pipelines Keystone XL and the Trans Mountain expansion nearing completion. It also predicts that oil currently hovering around the $50 per barrel mark will eventually stabilize at almost $10 higher. While revenue is expected to dip slightly this year, to about $50 billion, Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews said he was confident in the governments prediction that theyd hit $58 billion by 2023. I believe 2020 has the potential to be a turnaround year for Albertas economy, he told reporters. The United Conservative government was swept into office a little less than a year ago on a platform of economic revival. But malaise in Alberta has lingered, as the oil industry, long the provinces golden goose, continues to struggle under the pressure of dropping global prices and lack of access to markets overseas. The province has shed about 50,000 jobs as provincial unemployment has continued to tick upwards during the UCPs time in office: in January, it was 7.3 per cent, a slight increase of 0.5 percentage points from the same month the year before. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 5.5 the same month. Young men, the traditional engine of the resource industry, have been particularly hard hit. We share the frustration of so many Albertans, Toews said. Included in the budget was the governments blue print for growth and jobs, where it lays out measures already in place, such as the governments large carbon emitters levy, but adds new ones, too, such as growing Albertas tourism industry so that spending in the province doubles to $20 billion every year. The day before the 2020 budget was tabled, Toews tugged on the same square-toed cowboy boots he wore for the last budget, because, he explained to reporters, the governments goals havent changed. To that end, Alberta will continue to reduce funding to post-secondary institutions and municipalities. Its holding the line on spending on education and health, though advocates have argued in recent months that with Albertas population growing, not accounting for growth amounts to cuts. The budget continues funding changes that have left teachers and doctors seething, and set the scene for a battle with public sector workers. The education spending freeze has led to a flurry of cost-cutting at school boards who were expecting more money to handle additional students, while the province abruptly terminated its master agreement with doctors and imposed several changes to pay rules. Premier Jason Kenneys government has made no secret of the fact that they place many of their economic woes at Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus feet. Thursdays budget included a new chapter, titled A Fair Deal for Alberta. In it, the budget argues that adverse market conditions have been made worse by national policies that have impeded market access for our resources, damaged conditions for investment and otherwise hindered the provinces economic recovery. Weve heard from our prime minister soothing words about his concern for the west, Toews said Thursday, but Albertans need to see tangible action. But the budget also acknowledges a new hurdle: coronavirus, which continues to spread around the world. Benchmark oil prices have dropped by over $10 a barrel since early January as the spreading virus has weakened demand, the budget says. Though it adds that most analysts believe the impact will be short term in nature. There are a few big-ticket items missing from Thursdays budget. Kenney said this week that the government planned to start investing in oil itself and the details of that were not included. He made the promise as investor confidence remains shaky, amidst an increasingly loud conversation about balancing energy development and climate goals. Protesters who say they are operating in solidarity with members of the Wetsuweten First Nation who oppose a natural gas pipeline on their lands in northern B.C. have ground rail operations to a halt in many parts of the country. The Kenney government also suffered a major disappointment, when Teck Resources pulled the plug on its Frontier proposal, a mega-oilsands mine that they say would have produced thousands of jobs and billions in government revenue. In the letter, Tecks CEO, Don Lindsay, sent to the federal environment minister, he noted that global markets are changing fast and investors and customers are increasingly looking for jurisdictions to have a framework in place that reconciles resource development and climate change. Although the Alberta government is currently fighting the federal consumer carbon tax, their $30 per tonne tax on large emitters remains in place, and according to the budget, will put $969 million into climate technology and emission reduction over 3 years. Albertas leader of the Opposition, Rachel Notley, called the governments projections wildly out of step with more conservative private-sector predictions for oil prices and investment. This budget fails on every count, she said. It doesnt make life better for Albertans; it doesnt create jobs. Some private-sector firms do anticipate a more modest financial future for Alberta, but the government is confident in their numbers, Toews said. He underscored Thursday that the Alberta financial estimates did not require the Frontier project to go through, though he was deeply disappointed in the move. He adds that he believes the fact that the federal government didnt categorically affirm its support for the project likely hastened its demise. We are not predicting a boom time in the next two years, Toews said, calling the budget cautious, but credible. Read more about: "As the world's largest ATM exposition, World ATM Congress is the perfect venue to acknowledge and celebrate the many advancements our community has made this past year," said ATCA President and CEO Peter F. Dumont. "These awards represent three of our industry's most important pillars: collaboration, innovation, and sustainabilityall in the name of aviation safety." In this first year, over 100 nominations were received, which were narrowed down to nine finalists, three in each award category. The Collaboration Award recognises the importance of effective relationships and partnerships within/across disciplines and sectors to achieve a shared goal. The finalists for the Collaboration Award are (in alphabetical order): ASECNA for Unifying African Skies with space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and other innovative technologies across all six Flight Information Regions (FIRs). for Unifying African Skies with space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) and other innovative technologies across all six Flight Information Regions (FIRs). A consortium of Heathrow Airport Limited, NATS, Harris Orthogon, and EUROCONTROL for the introduction of Target Times of Arrivals at Heathrow Airport through SESAR project PJ24. for the introduction of Target Times of Arrivals at Heathrow Airport through SESAR project PJ24. NATS, NAV CANADA , and Aireon LLC for the innovative development and deployment of the world's first global, real-time space-based ADS-B service. The Innovation Award recognises new ideas, technologies, and concepts that challenge current ATM norms with the potential to significantly advance performance, operations, or capabilities. The finalists for the Innovation Award are: Austro Control for its project "Plate Lines A Method to Accelerate Wake Vortex Decay During Final Approach," infrastructure that accelerates the decay of wake vortices on the ground proximity by about 30 percent, making wake encounters less likely. for its project "Plate Lines A Method to Accelerate Wake Vortex Decay During Final Approach," infrastructure that accelerates the decay of wake vortices on the ground proximity by about 30 percent, making wake encounters less likely. NASA for its successful, simultaneous flight of multiple small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in a complex urban environment using the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system. for its successful, simultaneous flight of multiple small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in a complex urban environment using the UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system. Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions and Scandinavian Mountains Airport for building a new innovative airport equipped with remote and digital tower services from a remote tower centre. The Sustainability Award recognises leaders, initiatives, and organisations working towards reducing aviation's impact on the environment and making significant contributions to improving the environmental footprint of aviation through ATM. The finalists for the Sustainability Award are: ENAIRE for the design and development of a monitoring mechanism which saved, through ATC direct clearance, about 7 million nautical miles for flights managed in Spanish airspace, preventing the emission of 243,000 CO 2 tons into the atmosphere. for the design and development of a monitoring mechanism which saved, through ATC direct clearance, about 7 million nautical miles for flights managed in Spanish airspace, preventing the emission of 243,000 CO tons into the atmosphere. HungaroControl, BULATSA, and ROMATSA for the SEE FRA / SEEN FRA project (South East Europe Free Route Airspace), allowing operators to fly on optimised profiles across FIR boundaries of Bulgaria , Hungary , and Romania , which has the potential to save up to 10000 nautical miles, conserving 80 tons of fuel and 250 tons of CO 2 emissions daily. for the SEE FRA / SEEN FRA project (South East Europe Free Route Airspace), allowing operators to fly on optimised profiles across FIR boundaries of , , and , which has the potential to save up to 10000 nautical miles, conserving 80 tons of fuel and 250 tons of CO emissions daily. NAV CANADA for becoming the first ANSP in the world to implement ICAO's new standard: Established on Required Navigation Performance Authorisation Required (RNP AR) and showing a reduction of over 4.1 million kgs of CO2 emissions. "To receive over 100 nominations for our inaugural awards was an incredible achievement and is an indicator of the significant advances we're making together as an ATM industry," said CANSO Director General Simon Hocquard. "The quality of the nominations was incredibly high - my congratulations to all those that made the shortlist. They have set the bar high for future years!" A special thank you to our renowned panel of judges: Eammon Brennan, Director General, EUROCONTROL; Teri Bristol, Chief Operating Officer, FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO); Peter F. Dumont, President and CEO, ATCA; Simon Hocquard, Director General, CANSO; Capt. Gilbert Kibe, Director General, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority; Hon. Donna Mclean, Founder and Owner, Donna McLean Associates, LLC. The winner of each category will be announced at World ATM Congress 2020 in Madrid, Spain during the Maverick Awards Ceremony, held at 15:00 16:00 Tuesday, 10 March, in the Wing ATM Theatre. The Awards ceremony will be hosted by ATCA's President and CEO Peter F. Dumont and CANSO's Director General Simon Hocquard. Registration for the event is free. To learn more and register, visit www.worldatmcongress.org. For more information, contact Abigail Glenn-Chase. SOURCE World ATM Congress Related Links http://www.worldatmcongress.org DBT to launch M K Bhan Young Investigators Research Award Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, celebrated its 34th Foundation Day at the National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi, on 26 Feb. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Minister for S&T, Earth Sciences and MoH&FW, Dr. Harsh Vardhan congratulated the Department of Biotechnology for its pioneering work over the years and called upon all scientists to engage themselves in innovative ideas and work to meet new challenges by the time the nation celebrates its 75 years of independence in 2022 to realise the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a new India. Dr. Harsh Vardhan also called upon young scientists and awardees to come up with new solutions for the event which he called as India @ 75. The Minister acknowledged the immense contribution made by former Secretary, Prof. M K Bhan whom we had lost very recently. He announced launching of M K Bhan Young Investigators Research Award in Prof. Bhans memory by DBT to promote young investigators working in challenging areas of research. Dr. Harsh Vardhan praised the Departments efforts in launching three New National Level Initiatives as a part of the 100 Day Programme: Launch of Genome India; Biotech KISAN hub in all Aspirational Districts and Waste to value technologies. The Minister also gave away the Awards to 34 recipients on the occasion. Department since its inception has instituted various awards to encourage and recognize the contribution of scientists working in various research institutes, universities, scientific organizations, national laboratories etc at different levels across the country. Various awards instituted by DBT are now considered under an overarching umbrella as DBT BRITE Awards [Biotechnology Research Innovation and Technology Excellence Awards]. The Department has renamed few awards in honour of outstanding scientists of our country who have immensely contributed to the Indian Science and been an inspiration to scientific fraternity across the globe. DBT BRITE Awards constitutes the following awards hosted by DBT: Har Gobind Khorana-Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award S. Ramachandran-National Bioscience Award for Career Development Janaki Ammal Natioanl Women Bioscientist Award Tata Innovative Fellowship Award Biotechnology Social Development Award Eminent scientist Padma Dr. D Balasubramaian, Emeritus Director, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad delivered the DBT Foundation day lecture. The Minister also released a publication by the Department Biotechnology- Contributing to Growing Bioeconomy. The biotechnology sector in India has evolved over the last three decades and has made significant contribution in various sectors especially health, agriculture etc. Due to enormous support received both from government & private sector biotechnology sector has seen a rapid growth amounting to an annual growth rate of nearly 20%. India is rated among top 12 biotechnology destinations in the world. It is the demand for biotechnology products and services that has been the fulcrum for setting an ambitious target of $150 billion by 2025. Looking at the growth prospects, biotech sector plays a significant role in addressing major global challenges in sectors like health care, agriculture, energy, live stock etc. Since, our focus is on innovation and R&D, the Foundation Day of DBT is the right occasion to discuss what are the ways and strategies to be implemented to achieve set target or at least reach near the defined goals. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 17:38:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Science and Technology Thursday selected the country's top 10 scientific advances of 2019. The evidence of mantle material on the far side of the moon, a hybrid chip to stimulate artificial general intelligence and potential therapy for treating DNA-mediated autoimmune diseases topped the list. Chinese scientists have also achieved advances in studies on the light-harvesting system of algae, extending the lifetime of perovskite solar cells, metallic glass for use in hot environments and the unveiling of the African swine fever virus structure. The other key advances include a discovery of the earliest archaeological site on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the first observation of 3D quantum Hall effect and using a quantum satellite to test quantum mechanics and the gravity theory. The selection has three rounds. Five leading Chinese science academic journals first recommended 320 sets of research whose results were officially published from December 2018 to November 2019. The ministry then invited experts to shortlist 30 candidates for the final selection. At last, more than 2,600 scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering and other academic departments voted online for the top 10. It is the ministry's 15th annual selection of China's top 10 advances in science. Shareholders in Serco are getting their first dividend in six years after the outsourcing giant triumphantly returned to growth. It will pay investors 1p per share after its recovery plans finally hit escape velocity, with boss Rupert Soames hailing it as an important milestone. The payout has been a long time coming, and lifted shares by 4.7 per cent, or 7.1p, to 157.8p. Serco, which provides services from staffing prisons to building military facilities, was laid low in 2014 when it was caught charging the Government for electronically monitoring criminals who were either dead or in jail. Dividend: Serco will pay investors 1p per share after its recovery plans finally hit 'escape velocity', with boss Sir Rupert Soames hailing it as an important milestone But in 2019 revenues jumped from 2.8billion to 3.2billion, its first growth in annual sales since 2013. Profits also rose, from 74.1million to 80.7million. Soames, 60, said: All this indicates that we have finally achieved escape velocity, leaving behind the gravitational pull of past mis-steps, and gives the board confidence to recommend paying a dividend for the first time since 2014. Restaurant Group investors were not so lucky. It fell 7.2p, or 8.5p, to 109p after it axed its dividend. The business, which owns chains Frankie & Bennys, Chiquito and Wagamama, slumped from a 13.9million profit to a loss of 37.3million in 2019. Bosses said it would reduce the number of restaurants it had from 350 to between 260 and 275 as it battles falling sales. The move will put about 1,100 jobs at risk. McColls crashed to record lows after also scrapping its divi. The convenience store owner took the decision after swinging from a 7.9million annual profit to a 98.6million loss in 2019. Stock Watch - Intu Shopping centre owner Intu has persuaded its lenders to extend its 440million overdraft, allowing it to stay afloat. But it was able to access the vital cash only on the condition it will go cap-in-hand to investors for another 1.3billion. The struggling property firm, which has been hammered by the downturn on the High Street, said the extension of the loan was a key milestone in addressing our near-term refinancing needs. Yesterday its shares fell 7.3 per cent, or 1.09p, to 13.86p. Shares hit an all-time low of 35p before closing down 15.3 per cent, or 6.6p, at 36.5p. The FTSE 100 climbed 24.59 points to 7042.27 while the FTSE 250 fell 93.02 points to 20,622.95. It was a rollercoaster day for the London Stock Exchange, as traders were rattled by rumours that its transformational deal with data provider Refinitiv might fall foul of regulators. Shares fell as much as 6 per cent before recovering to end 0.1pc higher, or 4p, at 8076p, following a report that EU competition regulators in Brussels were going over the LSEs 22billion takeover of Refinitiv with a fine-tooth comb. The two companies need the green light before the deal can complete. But unexpectedly strong interest in the pre-notification phase where concerns are raised before a formal probe begins has caused hold-ups. Any delays will be a blow for shareholders. Shares in Weir Group surged by 11.2 per cent, or 140.5p, to 1391p after the engineering giant hung a for sale sign over its struggling oil and gas business. The Scottish company, which has suffered from falling demand for pumping kit in North America, is writing 546million off the value of the division. It said it would focus on mining technology, particularly equipment that cuts the carbon emissions of the industry and helps meet global demand for metals for batteries. Boss Jon Stanton told the BBC: The mining industry is under a lot of pressure to become more sustainable. Were the engineer with the technology that can help the industry transform itself. The move came as it revealed a 372million loss for 2019, compared to an 86million profit the previous year. Meanwhile security contractor G4S was up by 3.4 per cent, or 6.3p, to 193.8p after selling its cash-handling arm to US rival Brinks for 660million. Eddie Stobart, the troubled haulage business, returned to the stock market yesterday after a six-month absence but traders were not happy to see it. After it unveiled a brutal 200million loss for the six months to May 31, 2019, shares plummeted 83.2 per cent, or 59.1p, to 11.9p. President Donald Trump's 2020 campaign unveiled its latest effort to reach black voters Wednesday, sharing its rough plans to open more than a dozen "Black Voices for Trump community centers" in predominantly black areas across the country. Campaign officials - including Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and a senior White House adviser; Brad Parscale, Trump's campaign manager; and Katrina Pierson, a senior campaign adviser who is black - showed reporters posters featuring the glossy facades of their proposed community centers, which they described as functioning as a cross between a traditional campaign field office and a sleek retail space in a heavily trafficked pedestrian area, such as a mall. During several small briefings at the Trump campaign offices in Arlington, Virginia, campaign officials explained that they expect Trump supporters to use the offices to volunteer, learn more about the president's message, attend programming - an official said Pierson plans to visit every community center - and buy campaign merchandise. "You're never going to get the votes you don't ask for," Kushner said, describing the outreach as "more than a toe in the water. It's a whole foot in the water." Kushner, who in his capacity as an administration official worked to help push bipartisan criminal justice legislation through Congress, said that nearly four years into his presidency, Trump has an affirmative message to share with black voters. "Last time it was, 'What the hell do you have to lose?' " he said. "Now you show them what they've gained from President Trump and what more they can gain if they get four more years of President Trump." Though they are still in the process of signing leases for the storefront locations, the officials have plans for 15 centers in key swing states: Florida (Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee); Georgia (Atlanta); Michigan (Detroit); North Carolina (Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh); Ohio (Cleveland and Columbus); Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Pittsburgh); and Wisconsin (Milwaukee). During Wednesday's tour for reporters - which the officials said was partially pegged to February's Black History Month - the campaign displayed brochures boasting of what it said Trump had already done for the black community, including his support for criminal justice legislation, historically black colleges and universities, and school choice. Tables also featured "Black Voice for Trump" T-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs, as well as hats that said "Woke." Asked whether using "Woke" - a phrase generally used by liberals to signify their alertness to injustice and oppression in society, especially racism - in their marketing materials was a joke or a serious effort, a campaign official said it was "both." "It's a woke concept," Pierson said. "This concept by itself is a woke concept in the fact that for decades you have had a community that has been controlled by the Democratic Party. Republicans haven't even gone in to deliver their message. Now we have a Republican who is actually going to the community to deliver the message and ask for the vote." She added: "It's the same concept as being asleep for so long to the truth and now you are awake." Trump won 8% of the black vote in 2016, but his campaign is hoping to do better this election cycle, buoyed by what it says is an increase in support officials are seeing in public and private polling. "At minimum, we're double from where we were in 2016," Parscale said. He added that when black voters "hear the president directly versus hear him through a media filter," the gap in their positive feelings toward Trump can be significant. "Sometimes the difference in approval is 40 to 50 points," Parscale said. In 1985, both Bernie Sanders and I traveled to Nicaragua. He flew. I drove. Big difference. When you fly, you leave one airport only to arrive in another airport, where you are at the mercy of whoever escorts you around. When you drive, youre constantly dealing with the local people. In Mexico and most of Central America there are small businesses set up seemingly wherever theres a wide spot in the road. Back in 1980s, that all ended at the Nicaraguan border. The natural entrepreneurial spirit of the Nicaraguan people was thwarted in the name of the Sandinista Revolution. The little bodegas and tiendas had been closed. Food came from the government unless of course you were a gringo with hard currency. Then you could eat and drink at the hotel restaurants. The place was packed with left-wing Americans derided by the locals as Sandalistas because of their love for Birkenstocks. Among them was Sanders, the then-Mayor of Burlington, Vt. He said of the Sandinistas. I think in terms of health care, in terms of education, in terms of land reform giving, for the first time in their lives, real land to farmers so that they can have something that they grow. Nobody denies that they are making significant progress in those areas. In fact, plenty of Nicaraguans denied that. And if Sanders had gotten away from his handlers, he would have found them. Sanders had a similar reaction after a trip to Cuba. In a clip from 60 Minutes he gave his theory on what he said was the Cuban peoples support of Fidel Castro, He educated their kids, gave them health care, totally transformed the society, you know. This is the sort of thing that catches up with a politician sooner or later. And later came Tuesday evening when Sanders fellow contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination ganged up on him. The most eloquent was, as usual, the smooth-talking former mayor of South Bend, Pete Buttigieg. After blasting Sanders for having a nostalgia for the revolutionary politics of the 1960s, Mayor Pete went on to say, we're certainly not going to win by reliving the Cold War. And we're not going to win these critical, critical House and Senate races if people in those races have to explain why the nominee of the Democratic Party is telling people to look at the bright side of the Castro regime. I agree. And as a conservative, I hope the Democrats go into the 2020 race behind Sanders. But as a political prognosticator, I hereby predict thats not going to happen. (So does Larry C. Johnson; read this piece in which he notes that Bernies vote totals have dropped off considerably since the last cycle.) Many of my fellow pundits have pronounced Sanders unstoppable based on his showing in the first three races. But when you take a hard look at the only category that counts delegates won Sanders and Buttigieg both have one win, one loss and one draw. If the polls are correct, both will have two losses after the South Carolina primary Saturday, which former vice president Joe Biden is projected to win. Then comes Super Tuesday. On March 3 Sanders is likely to win in California, which contributed so many socialists to the ranks of the Sandalistas back in the 1980s. But there are more delegates up for grabs in the Southern states than in California on Tuesday. And if Sanders opponents were trying to make Southerners see him as a member of the lunatic fringe, they seem to have done a good job of it. And the mainstream Democrats dont have to defeat Sanders in the primaries. They just have to keep him from getting a majority of the delegates. Sanders leads in national polls with support of about 30 percent. But the Democrats are awarding their delegates on a proportional basis this year. That makes it tough for anyone in a crowded field to reach 50 percent. That may be bad news for the Bernie bros as his young supporters are known. But its good news for New Jersey Democrats. On June 2, they may finally get to vote in a primary that matters. That hasnt happened since 1984, when Colorado Senator Gary Hart made one of the worst gaffes in political history. A week before the primary, Hart was caught in California joking that he had just come back from New Jersey, where I got to hold samples from a toxic dump. Hart went on to lose both the state and the nomination to former vice president Walter Mondale, who lost in a landslide to Ronald Reagan. Theres a lesson in that about Democrats with big mouths. So if youre a Sanders supporter, buckle up those Birkenstocks. Youre in for quite a hike. The BJP in Telangana on Thursday took strong exception to a TRS MLA's reported comments that those living in the city for long would not be sent back even if they had come from Pakistan. The saffron party said it has lodged a complaint with police in this connection. The MLA from Serilingampalli here, Arekapudi Gandhi, however, clarified that he had sought to reassure those who have been living here for long and "not those who came recently" to India (from other countries) or those who are against the country. Gandhi said his statement made at a meeting, were taken out of context and some have created an issue "intentionally." The saffron party also objected to the MLA's comments that his party would offer protection to Muslims whether they had come from Pakistan or other states in the country and living in the state since long. In the video clip aired by TV channels, Gandhi is purportedly seen saying that "Chandrasekhar Rao ji (Telangana chief minister) had openly said. If necessary, will organise a public meeting, not only the meeting but pass a resolution in the assembly against CAA and send it to Centre. All of you know.. if you don't have address, you came from Pakistan, Rajasthan, Maharashtra or Karnataka, somebody sending you (back) would not happen as long as we are alive." He alleged in his speech that BJP activists, who visited some localities in the city, were behaving like "agents" of CAA, claiming that the amended citizenship law was good and wont affect people. It is the Corporator, MLA and ministers who can take up people's work and not the BJP men, he said. Gandhi, who was addressing a group of Muslims, also said they need not fear and that he and his colleagues would come with police force to help them. Condemning the MLA's statement, BJP spokesperson N V Subhash said in a statement that it was "unfortunate" that an elected representative had made such remarks. It is a matter of shame on part of the TRS MLA, "who provoked Muslims by asking them to chase away BJP workers or any others who visit their houses to collect data," Subhash claimed. How can an elected MLA speak against the Constitution and the CAA? he asked. The Telangana people would teach a lesson to TRS for its appeasement policy towards Muslims, he claimed. The BJP lodged a complaint against Gandhi for his "provocative speech," the BJP spokesperson said. When contacted, Gandhi said he was addressing a group of Muslims who came to meet him. The Muslim residents felt that an ongoing state government survey on literacy was one related to the CAA and they had apprehensions about it, he said. The group was told by him that the survey was related to literacy and it was not government's intention to send them back, he told PTI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I brokered a drug transaction this week. It involved two school mums. One is almost literally climbing the walls because she is without a medication, the other had a box of it in her bathroom cupboard, which she had never used. The exchange took place on a local footpath. If, God forbid, there was ever a fire in my house, the rest of the family and the dog would be top on my priority list, but at the back of my mind would also be my own blister pack of these meds. To which crucial drug do I refer? Well hormone replacement therapy (HRT) of course. If you think it is difficult to get a Coronavirus-related face mask at the moment, you should try sourcing a HRT patch from an Irish pharmacy. Some women are buying on the internet, at hugely inflated prices, which has obvious dangers. Others travel to Spain. One woman I know got her adult son to visit a few pharmacies while on holidays in the Canaries and buying over the counter he came home with 6 months worth of patches for under 30 in total. As a woman of a certain age I began taking hormone replacement therapy over a year ago. It wasnt just for the emotional or psychological aspects but some serious, quality of life health issues. The fact that it assists the memory loss, mood, the broken sleep and the internal volcano that at times took residency in the body, are a definite added bonus. HRT which can be taken in many forms - tablets, skin patches, creams and gels - has made a major change to my life even though I began it most reluctantly given that my mother died very young from breast cancer. The good news is while clearly significant, this is my only history, despite a slew of female relatives. The reasons for the current stress around HRT are to do with shortages and some women, like my friend, being left without any supply. There has been scant coverage of the situation affecting Irish women. Over two weeks ago the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist said many women were unable to fill prescriptions and this was causing them distress and inconvenience. Last week the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, issued a statement to The Journal saying that medicine shortages have been a global issue for some time and HRT shortages are being experienced in multiple countries. The suppliers have stated that the causes of the shortages relate to both active substance availability and manufacturing delays. It went on to say that while there are shortages of some specific brands, alternatives are available. This week it added that none of these shortages are due to Brexit. There are indeed alternatives, but for so many women getting their hands on these, can be down to the luck of the draw, plus if they have found something that works they understandably dont want to change. In some cases GPs are simply not well versed enough, and have not taken the time to inform themselves, to be able to suggest an alternative. In fact there are some GPs whose mindset is such that HRT automatically equals breast cancer and there is no more to be said. One friend was told by her male GP that her symptoms simply werent bad enough for him to prescribe it. She took herself off to the Irish Family Planning Association where she got her prescription. She declares herself a changed woman. Of course there are risks, not least that slight increased breast cancer risk. But as the British Menopause Society points out the risk of breast cancer diagnosis associated with HRT is equivalent to, or less that of other lifestyle risk factors for breast cancer such as being overweight or a certain level of alcohol. You rarely, if ever, get to hear about HRT from the media unless it is to do with cancer and death. Any woman thinking about taking it should educate herself through a discussion with her GP (shop around if yours is one of the ones who hasnt bothered to educate themselves, or seems to have a set against it). HRT was demonised and abandoned by women and the medical profession worldwide following the 2002 US based Womens Health Initiative Study, and the manner in which this study and its findings were reported. There is also no doubt that the female menopause is seen in many circles, not least some medical ones, as something women should just endure and keep quiet about it. Suck it up, is the attitude. For their part many women simply do not wish to discuss the subject, often out of embarrassment, or a feeling that its a signal they are now passed it. Therefore when you see something like this current HRT shortage, which can wreak such personal havoc, you hear hardly a peep from those affected. Last October, the UK Department of Health banned the export of some HRT from the UK to ensure there was more to go round there. The reasons given for the general shortage vary wildly from new rules from the European Medicines Agency, to supply problems in China with some of the components for HRT. An excellent piece of investigative reporting from UK journalist Emma Hartley, looked at an incredibly complex scenario, but pinpointed a decision by the UK Ministry for Health in June 2018 to reduce the price it paid for certain HRT products. This ultimately, she wrote, made it unattractive for the pharmaceutical companies involved to sell to the UK. Oddly this story has not been not widely taken up in the coverage of the HRT shortage in the UK. But the situation has gotten so bad there the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the British Menopause Society and the Faculty of Sexual Healthcare have urged the UK Government to set up a working group to investigate the crisis. Back in Ireland GP Dr Deirdre Lundy says theres been a huge increase in women wanting HRT in recent years. She has been dealing with the HRT shortage for a year and a half. As co ordinator of education for womens health with the Irish College of General Practitioners she trains other GPs in this area. She has extensive knowledge so is able to work out alternative prescriptions for patients who had previously been prescribed patches which are now in such short supply. However these alternatives are often not listed on that MIMs drug directory you always see on your doctors desk. Plus many doctor havent bothered to inform themselves of the alternatives. Added to this the situation for pharmacy supplies has been so volatile a lot can depend on what chemist you visit to get your prescription filled. More generally, she said, as a doctor she rarely, if ever, gets asked to speak about HRT in terms of the hugely positive difference it can make to the lives of women. As well as the obvious ones she said there is a long list of positives relating to long term HRT use including reduction in coronary heart disease, strokes, osteoporosis, certain types of dementia, colon cancer and colorectal cancer. I dont ever get asked about those though. Hopefully that situation and the shortages will change soon. The mobile phone belonging to Clare Sanders (pictured above) had been used to search 'Shaken baby syndrome NHS', 'Shaking babies' and 'baby is shaking' on 27 August - six days before Eva's death, the Old Bailey has heard A neighbour of a finance consultant accused of murdering her baby told a court how she found the 'grey' four-week-old girl in her screaming mother's arms. Clare Sanders, 43, and Lithuanian lover Tomas Vaitkevicius, 45, allegedly shook little Eva on three separate occasions during the first weeks of her life. Sanders' mobile phone had been used to search 'Shaken baby syndrome NHS', 'Shaking babies' and 'baby is shaking' on 27 August - six days before Eva's death, the Old Bailey has heard. Their neighbour Karen Drewell told how she ran downstairs and saw Vaitkevicius giving Eva the 'kiss of life' on a bed after she was awoken by frantic Sanders. Ms Drewell left the flat in Mitcham, south London, to call an ambulance and then returned to the bedroom to see 'the grey baby' in her mother's arms. Ms Drewell told jurors: 'The image is in my mind forever, of that grey baby in Clare's arms. 'As I walked back into the bedroom Clare was holding the baby and the baby's face was grey and she [Sanders] was screaming. 'She had her arms around Eva's arms and round her chest. The baby's face was facing outwards. 'She [Sanders] was saying to Tomas that he had killed the baby by not bringing up her milk.' Ms Drewell and her father listened to paramedics after calling 999 and were told to use two fingers to try and revive the baby's heart and to place her on the floor. When paramedics arrived they took over and rushed Eva to hospital. A health visitor had met Sanders on 14 August and they had discussed how the baby was doing. Clare Sanders, 43, and Lithuanian lover Tomas Vaitkevicius, 45, pictured above, allegedly shook little Eva on three separate occasions during the first weeks of her life Gemma Ally recorded that Eva was healthy, and the mother seemed content but was a little concerned about being able to breast feed her. Ms Ally tried to comfort Sanders saying anxiety about breast feeding was common place amongst mothers. She explained it was usual to alternate between natural and formula milk. She commented on how the successful City worker, who had lived in her 'spacious' flat for several years, kept it 'clean and tidy' and had decorated it well with lots of home comforts. Jurors heard before she became pregnant Sanders decided to have some work done on her property. When builders failed to finish the job she asked handyman Vaitkevicius to complete work on the bathroom, it was said. While he was working for her they began a relationship and Sanders became pregnant. Jurors have heard Sanders had started drinking more heavily since meeting her Lithuanian lover and when they argued he would end up sleeping in the car outside or on a bench. Sanders was divorcing a previous partner during the first weeks of Eva's life and had admitted to friends she was worried about Vaitkevicius being at the birth after arguments. Sanders and Vaitkevicius, of Mitcham, south London, deny murder and an alternative charge of causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable child. The trial at the Old Bailey, above, continues Jurors have heard the couple had been drinking on the night Eva was said to have been attacked. Sanders was hysterical screaming 'My baby, my baby', while Vaitkevicius tried to revive Eva by blowing into her mouth and pinching her nose, the court heard. Eva was rushed to a hospital in south London as paramedics tried to treat her. She was pronounced dead shortly before 7am on September 2, 2017 and a post-mortem later gave the cause of death as 'traumatic brain and spinal cord injury.' Tom Little, QC, prosecuting, claims Eva was subjected to a 'brutal series of assaults' by her parents in the first weeks of her life. Sanders and Vaitkevicius, of Mitcham, south London, deny murder and an alternative charge of causing or allowing the death of a vulnerable child. The trial continues. TEHRAN, Iran, Feb.27 Trend: The medical checks are conducted at ports of the country in continuous cooperation with the Ministry of Health to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Director General of Communications and International Affairs of Iranian Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) said. Referring to the decision to accept Chinese ships in Iranian ports, Vahid Rahmati said that it has been almost a month that the Chinese ships are monitored and checked by medical teams that have modern equipment, Trend reports citing ILNA. Pointing to the latest decisions on shipment between Iran and Oman ports, the official said that all ships and vessels from Iran have been banned at the ports of Oman to prevent coronavirus spread until further notice. However, according to the information received from Chabahar ports today, a vessel which departed to Oman is not blocked yet, he said. Loading cargo vessels is also banned in the port of Dubai, but they are stationed at other ports of the UAE, said Rahmati adding that passenger ships from Iran have been banned in the UAE until further notice. He went on to say that the preventive measures are held by both sides. All crews of ships arriving to Iranian ports are subject to specialized medical examinations. Referring to the latest status of Iran-Kuwait transshipment, he noted that all vessels from Iran to Kuwait have been also banned until further notice; however, a significant number of Iranian vessels are stationed at the port of Kuwait. Kuwait has also banned Iranian passenger ships from the country until further notice, he added. "Meanwhile, Iranian vessels are still allowed to enter Qatari ports after conducting tests related to the identification of the Corona virus, said Rahmati. Traffic between Iranian ports and other ports of southern and northern neighboring countries continues as usual and there was no interruption in export and import operations, the PMO director general added. James Henry Cobbs is no longer serving a life prison sentence for a murder he committed when he was 17 years old. A state appeals court, however, has ruled that Cobbs must keep serving a separate life sentence for his non-fatal stabbing of another prisoner while he was still under his now-annulled life sentence for the homicide. Got it? It sounds like a Catch-22 situation, but it makes legal sense, at least according to the state Superior Court opinion written by Senior Judge James Gardner Colins. Cobbs, now, 66, originally was sentenced to life in prison for stabbing a victim to death during a robbery in Allegheny County in 1970. Eight years later, when he was 25, he was convicted of assault by a life prisoner for stabbing another inmate in the forehead during a fight. There was evidence that the other inmate had instigated the fight, but the evidence also showed that (Cobbs) continued the fight and stabbed the other inmate after the other inmate was being restrained by a prison guard, Colins wrote. Under state law, prisoners who commit other assaults, even non-lethal ones, while under life-without-parole sentences are subject to extra mandatory concurrent life prison sentences for those attacks, the state judge noted. Cobbs received his second life sentence for the prison assault in 1979. Fast-forward 33 years. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that automatic life prison terms for juvenile killers are unconstitutional. Under that edict, Cobbs was resentenced in 2017 to 40 years to life behind bars for the 1970 slaying. Under normal circumstances, Cobbs, who has spent about a half-century behind bars, would likely be a free man by now due to the paring of his murder sentence. By law, however, Cobbs still must remain imprisoned for the rest of his life because of his assault by a life prisoner conviction, Colins decided. He wrote that the mandatory life term for assault by life prisoners is intended to deter lifers from committing more violent crimes while imprisoned. And that, he wrote, should be a lesson from the Cobb case. Even though Cobb is no longer under a life sentence for the 1970 homicide, he was under that sentence during the 1978 assault, so his conviction and the penalty he received for stabbing the other inmate is fully justified by law, Colins concluded. Deterrence can only apply to the situation existing and known to the defendant at the time of the assault, he wrote. Indeed, the deterrent value of the statutes life sentence (for assault by life prisoner) would be strongest if it applies to assaults committed under a life sentence that was later vacated. Therefore, the legality of Cobbs life sentence for the prison assault isnt undermined by the fact that his life sentence for the murder was ruled unconstitutional by the highest court in the nation, Colins found. The state judges didnt completely slam the door shut on the prospect of Cobbs ever getting out of prison, though. Colins wrote that Cobbs can still petition the state Board of Pardons and Gov. Tom Wolf to set him free. Cobbs also can appeal the Superior Courts ruling to the state Supreme Court. Burma Myanmars Military and USDP Reject NLD Attempts to Limit the Armed Forces' Political Powers Military lawmakers at the Union Parliament on Wednesday. / Thiha Lwin / The Irrawaddy YANGON Myanmars military-appointed parliamentarians and the allied Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) strongly rejected proposed constitutional amendments to weaken the militarys political power. The reforms sought to reduce the number of unelected military lawmakers, to remove the commander-in-chiefs right to take power during a state of emergency and to repeal Article 59(f) that prevents anyone with a foreign spouse and children from becoming president. It is too early to reduce the percentage of military parliamentarians during a time of instability, said USDP lawmaker U Tin Aye, referring to the proposal by the National League for Democracy (NLD). The NLD has proposed a reduction to the militarys share of seats from the current 25 percent to 15 percent after the 2020 general election to 10 percent after 2025 and 5 percent after 2030. A quarter of all national and regional seats are occupied by unelected military officers under the Constitutions Article 14. Ethnic parliamentarians supported the amendment. But U Tin Aye said the militarys political involvement was necessary as the democratic transition was still in its early stages. Meanwhile, ethnic conflicts raged and there was international intervention in internal affairs, he said during the Wednesday debate. The Union Parliament on Tuesday started debating the proposed amendments to the Constitution submitted by the NLD and ethnic parties and other proposals by the military and the USDP. Military lawmaker Major Htet Linn, who took part in the constitutional debate on Tuesday, also opposed the NLD amendments to Article 14 and other related provisions. The major said it was important to have the military in leadership roles to establish a disciplined, multiparty democracy as the countrys transition was facing threats to national sovereignty, the rule of law and stability. There would be undesirable consequences of reducing the number of military lawmakers before the armed conflicts are ended and peace is established, he told Parliament. The military and the USDP also raised strong opposition to the amendment of Article 40(c). It grants sovereign power to the commander-in-chief during a state of emergency that could disintegrate the country, cause a loss of sovereign power or in the face of attempts to take power through force, including an insurgency or other forms of violence. Critics say the article hands the military chief the power to stage a coup. The NLD proposed that Parliament shall determine how the president should take command during an emergency. Military lawmaker Colonel Naing Oo said the article was to allow the Tatmadaw (military) to preserve the state to preserve the union, national solidarity and sovereignty. The colonel said during an emergency it would be impossible to negotiate a plan under the NLDs proposed amendment. It is funny that the Parliament has to approve a plan that the president can take over in a situation where the president cant control the situation, USDP lawmaker U Maung Myint told the chamber. In such circumstances, is it impossible for the president to [maintain order]. Think about it, he said. The NLDs proposal to remove Article 59(f) also faced heavy opposition from the military and USDP. It was widely criticized as being designed to exclude Daw Aung San Suu Kyi whose children are British from the presidency. We need to consider carefully the risks the country faces if we make a person with foreign allegiance the head of state, said Brigadier General Tint Lwin. The military appointees have also sought to extend that limitation to ministers and regional chief ministers in their proposed constitutional amendments. The debates will continue until next Thursday. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Military Chief Places Hti at Bagan Temple Known for Divine Blessings MP for Military-Proxy USDP Supports Myanmar Nationalists With Apartment, Funding A third man has been charged with attempted murder in shootings on consecutive nights in December when 57 shots were fired at two Franklin Township homes, leaving one person injured, the Somerset County Prosecutors Office said Thursday. Omar Griggs, 19, was arrested on Wednesday and joins Rome Cruz, 20, and Christopher Williams, 23 in facing charges in the shootings. All three men are from the Somerset section of Franklin. The first shooting happened early Dec. 30 on Barker Road. Police said the three men shot at the home 27 times. No one was injured in that shooting. The second shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 31. Griggs, Cruz and Williams shot at a King Road home 30 times, striking a man who was inside, authorities said. That man was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for injuries to his leg. Griggs was charged with two counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He is being held at the Somerset County jail ahead of a detention hearing. Christopher Williams, 23, (left) and Rome Cruz, 20, both of Franklin Township, face charges in a pair of shootings. Omar Griggs, not pictured, was charged on Wednesday in connection to the shootings.Somerset County Prosecutor's Office 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. The Department of Justice is backing a devoutly Christian wedding photographer from Kentucky who has sued the city of Louisville over an ordinance that she says would force her to take pictures of same-sex weddings. The Justice Department filed a 'statement of interest' this week in federal court saying that the photographer, Chelsey Nelson, is likely to succeed on her claim. Nelson sued Louisville city officials in November, arguing that the city's ordinance violated the First Amendment. She has written that she 'can't photograph anything that conflicts with my religious conviction that marriage is a covenant relationship before God between one man and one woman,' according to court records. Nelson is asking the court to block enforcement of the law, known as a fairness ordinance, because she does not want to photograph same-sex weddings. The Department of Justice is supporting a Christian photographer, Chelsey Nelson (above), who is suing Louisville over an ordinance banning local business from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. The DOJ headquarters is seen in the February 19 photo above Nelson is asking the court to block enforcement of the law, known as a fairness ordinance, because she does not want to photograph same-sex weddings 'Forcing a photographer, against her conscience, to express her support for a wedding that her faith opposes violates the Constitution,' a release from the Justice Department said Thursday. Nelson has not, according to court records, been forced to photograph a same-sex wedding. City of Louisville officials have responded to the lawsuit by arguing that Nelson has no cause to challenge the ordinance. Lawyers defending the city government have asked the judge to dismiss the suit. She has written that she 'can't photograph anything that conflicts with my religious conviction that marriage is a covenant relationship before God between one man and one woman,' according to court records The American Civil Liberties Union filed a brief defending the city, arguing that Nelson's intent to offer wedding photography only to heterosexual couples violates the city law. 'Nelson Photography must know who a prospective customer is before deciding whether it will refuse to serve that person,' the ACLU brief said, calling it identity-based discrimination. The suit echoes a 2018 ruling by the Supreme Court that said Colorado violated the rights of a baker to exercise his religion when it sanctioned him for declining to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. She was in medical school. He was just out of prison. Sarah Ziegenhorn and Andy Beelers romance grew out of a shared passion to do more about the countrys drug overdose crisis. Ziegenhorn moved back to her home state of Iowa when she was 26. She had been working in Washington, D.C., where she also volunteered at a needle exchange where drug users can get clean needles. She was ambitious and driven to help those in her community who were overdosing and dying, including people she had grown up with. Many people were just missing because they were dead, said Ziegenhorn, now 31. I couldnt believe more wasnt being done. She started doing addiction advocacy in Iowa City while in medical school lobbying local officials and others to support drug users with social services. Beeler had the same conviction, born from his personal experience. He had been a drug user for about half of his life primarily a longtime opiate user, Ziegenhorn said. Beeler spent years in and out of the criminal justice system for a variety of drug-related crimes, such as burglary and possession. In early 2018, he was released from prison. He was on parole and looking for ways to help drug users in his hometown. He found his way to advocacy work and, through that work, found Ziegenhorn. Soon they were dating. He was just this really sweet, no-nonsense person who was committed to justice and equity, she said. Even though he was suffering in many ways, he had a very calming presence. People close to Beeler describe him as a blue-collar guy who liked motorcycles and home carpentry, someone who was gentle and endlessly curious. Those qualities could sometimes hide his struggle with anxiety and depression. Over the next year, Beelers other struggle, with opioid addiction, would flicker around the edges of their life together. Eventually, it killed him. People on parole and under supervision of the corrections system can face barriers to receiving appropriate treatment for opioid addiction. Ziegenhorn said she believes Beelers death is linked to the many obstacles to medical care he experienced while on parole. About 4.5 million people are on parole or probation in the U.S., and research shows that those under community supervision are much more likely to have a history of substance use disorder than the general population. Yet rules and practices guiding these agencies can preclude parolees and people on probation from getting evidence-based treatment for their addiction. A shared passion for reducing harm From their first meeting, Ziegenhorn said, she and Beeler were in sync, partners and passionate about their work in harm reduction public health strategies designed to reduce risky behaviors that can hurt health. After she moved to Iowa, Ziegenhorn founded a small nonprofit called the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition. The group distributes the opioid-overdose reversal drug naloxone and other free supplies to drug users, with the goal of keeping them safe from illness and overdose. The group also works to reduce the stigma that can dehumanize and isolate drug users. Beeler served as the groups coordinator of harm reduction services. In Iowa, there was a feeling that this kind of work was really radical, Ziegenhorn said. Andy was just so excited to find out someone was doing it. Meanwhile, Ziegenhorn was busy with medical school. Beeler helped her study. She recalled how they used to take her practice tests together. Andy had a really sophisticated knowledge of science and medicine, she said. Most of the time hed been in prison and jails, hed spent his time reading and learning. Beeler was trying to stay away from opioids, but Ziegenhorn said he still used heroin sometimes. Twice she was there to save his life when he overdosed. During one episode, a bystander called the police, which led to his parole officer finding out. That was really a period of a lot of terror for him, Ziegenhorn said. Beeler was constantly afraid the next slip another overdose or a failed drug test would send him back to prison. An injury, a search for relief A year into their relationship, a series of events suddenly brought Beelers history of opioid use into painful focus. It began with a fall on the winter ice. Beeler dislocated his shoulder the same one hed had surgery on as a teenager. At the emergency room, they put his shoulder back into place for him, Ziegenhorn said. The next day it came out again. She said doctors wouldnt prescribe him prescription opioids for the pain because Beeler had a history of illegal drug use. His shoulder would dislocate often, sometimes more than once a day. He was living with this daily, really severe constant pain he started using heroin very regularly, Ziegenhorn said. Beeler knew what precautions to take when using opioids: Keep naloxone on hand, test the drugs first and never use alone. Still, his use was escalating quickly. A painful dilemma The couple discussed the future and their hope of having a baby together, and eventually Ziegenhorn and Beeler agreed: He had to stop using heroin. They thought his best chance was to start on a Food and Drug Administration-approved medication for opioid addiction, such as methadone or buprenorphine. Methadone is an opioid, and buprenorphine engages many of the same opioid receptors in the brain; both drugs can curb opioid cravings and stabilize patients. Studies show daily maintenance therapy with such treatment reduces the risks of overdose and improves health outcomes. But Beeler was on parole, and his parole officer drug-tested him for opioids and buprenorphine specifically. Beeler worried that if a test came back positive, the officer might see that as a signal that Beeler had been using drugs illegally. Ziegenhorn said Beeler felt trapped: He could go back to prison or continue trying to obtain opioids off the street and slowly detox himself. He worried that a failed drug test even if it was for a medication to treat his addiction would land him in prison. Beeler decided against the medication. A few days later, Ziegenhorn woke up early for school. Beeler had worked late and fallen asleep in the living room. Ziegenhorn gave him a kiss and headed out the door. Later that day, she texted him. No reply. She started to worry and asked a friend to check on him. Not long afterward, Beeler was found dead, slumped in his chair at his desk. Hed overdosed. He was my partner in thought, and in life and in love, Ziegenhorn said. Its hard for her not to rewind what happened that day and wonder how it could have been different. But mostly shes angry that he didnt have better choices. Andy died because he was too afraid to get treatment, she said. Beeler was services coordinator for the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition, a group that works to help keep drug users safe. A tribute in Iowa City after his death began, He died of an overdose, but hell be remembered for helping others avoid a similar fate.(Courtesy of Sarah Ziegenhorn) How does parole handle relapse? It depends Its not clear that Beeler would have gone back to prison for admitting hed relapsed and was taking treatment. His parole officer did not agree to an interview. But Ken Kolthoff, who oversees the parole program that supervised Beeler in Iowas First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, said generally he and his colleagues would not punish someone who sought out treatment because of a relapse. We would see that that would be an example of somebody actually taking an active role in their treatment and getting the help they needed, said Kolthoff. The department doesnt have rules prohibiting any form of medication for opioid addiction, he said, as long as its prescribed by a doctor. We have people relapse every single day under our supervision. And are they being sent to prison? No. Are they being sent to jail? No, Kolthoff said. But Dr. Andrea Weber, an addiction psychiatrist with the University of Iowa, said Beelers reluctance to start treatment is not unusual. I think a majority of my patients would tell me they wouldnt necessarily trust going to their [parole officer], said Weber, assistant director of addiction medicine at the University of Iowas Carver College of Medicine. The punishment is so high. The consequences can be so great. Weber finds probation and parole officers have inconsistent attitudes toward her patients who are on medication-assisted treatment. Treatment providers, especially in our area, are still very much ingrained in an abstinence-only, 12-step mentality, which traditionally has meant no medications, Weber said. That perception then invades the entire system. Attitudes and policies vary widely Experts say its difficult to draw any comprehensive picture about the availability of medication for opioid addiction in the parole and probation system. The limited amount of research suggests that medication-assisted treatment is significantly underused. Its hard to quantify because there are such a large number of individuals under community supervision in different jurisdictions, said Michael Gordon, a senior research scientist at the Friends Research Institute, based in Baltimore. A national survey published in 2013 found that about half of drug courts did not allow methadone or other evidence-based medications used to treat opioid use disorder. A more recent study of probation and parole agencies in Illinois reported that about a third had regulations preventing the use of medications for opioid use disorder. Researchers found the most common barrier for those on probation or parole was lack of experience by medical personnel. Faye Taxman, a criminology professor at George Mason University, said decisions about how to handle a clients treatment often boil down to the individual officers judgment. We have a long way to go, she said. Given that these agencies dont typically have access to medical care for clients, they are often fumbling in terms of trying to think of the best policies and practices. Increasingly, there is a push to make opioid addiction treatment available within prisons and jails. In 2016, the Rhode Island Department of Corrections started allowing all three FDA-approved medications for opioid addiction. That led to a dramatic decrease in fatal opioid overdoses among those who had been recently incarcerated. Massachusetts has taken similar steps. Such efforts have only indirectly affected parole and probation. When you are incarcerated in prison or jail, the institution has a constitutional responsibility to provide medical services, Taxman said. In community corrections, that same standard does not exist. Taxman said agencies may be reluctant to offer these medications because its one more thing to monitor. Those under supervision are often left to figure out on their own whats allowed. They dont want to raise too many issues because their freedom and liberties are attached to the response, she said. Richard Hahn, a researcher at New York Universitys Marron Institute of Urban Management who consults on crime and drug policy, said some agencies are shifting their approach. There is a lot of pressure on probation and parole agencies not to violate people just on a dirty urine or for an overdose said Hahn, who is executive director of the institutes Crime & Justice Program. The federal governments Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration calls medication-assisted treatment the gold standard for treating opioid addiction when used alongside other psychosocial support. Addiction is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, said Sally Friedman, vice president of legal advocacy for the Legal Action Center, a nonprofit law firm based in New York City. She said disability protections extend to the millions of people on parole or probation. But people under community supervision, Friedman said, often dont have an attorney who can use this legal argument to advocate for them when they need treatment. Prohibiting people with that disability from taking medication that can keep them alive and well violates the ADA, she said. This story is part of a partnership between NPR and Kaiser Health News. The disturbing phone call between police and a killer dad just moments after he stabbed his medical student daughter to death has been revealed. Convicted drug trafficker Petrit Lekaj, 49, strangled and stabbed Sabrina Lekaj, 20, eight times in her white Mercedes-Benz on their way to Hungry Jack's in Adelaide last July. South Australia's Supreme Court on Thursday released audio recorded by police as they attempted to track down Lekaj when officers received reports his daughter had been stabbed. 'Mate, can you tell me what has happened? Maybe we can get to your daughter and give her some help,' an officer can be heard saying, 7News reports. Property developer Petrit Lekaj (left) murdered his 20-year-old daughter Sabrina (right) last year 'No, shes gone .. shes gone,' Lekaj replies. The court heard the father packed a 15cm kitchen knife to drive his daughter to get food, with plans to confront her about her partying and recreational drug taking. Lekaj said he only intended to scare her but he snapped when the 20-year-old said she did not care about the 'sacrifices he had made to give her a better life'. In a haunting police interview recorded in a mental health facility, Lekaj confessed to murdering his only daughter. When asked why Sabrina was found with stab wounds all over her torso, the father-of-two whispered: 'I did them.' 'I started to do the first one, I was sitting in the first (driver's) seat,' he said in the interview. When asked how Sabrina got stab wounds all over her torso, the father-of-two whispered: 'I did them' 'I just kept stabbing ... she was kicking, kicking the door and the window. And then I go to the back of the car ... and did the rest.' When he finally dropped the knife, the father-of-two said he put his hand over her mouth and strangled her. After Sabrina stopped struggling, he turned the knife on himself. Lekaj was found next to his daughter with a serious stomach wound 250 metres from the family's suburban home in Kidman Park. He was treated at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. 'I wish I wasn't... I wish I... I wish I wasn't here,' he stuttered. 'It's unspeakable to think what I did, I did it.' Lekaj pleaded guilty to murder in August and will be sentenced next week. At a hearing on Wednesday, his lawyer said the father could not explain his actions, The Advertiser reported. The court heard Sabrina had been partying the night before with friends at Hindley Street nightclub Dog and Duck where she took cocaine, ecstasy and Xanax. Lekaj, a well-known member of the city's Albanian community, was found next to his daughter (pictured) with a serious abdominal injury and was treated in the Royal Adelaide Hospital Pictured: The crime scene in Adelaide where Sabrina was found brutally murdered in July 2019 She told her parents she had consumed cocaine. Her mother Romina Lekaj told police Sabrina's behaviour had changed, she had lost weight, had no money and wouldn't comply with curfews. Prosecutors said police had visited the family home earlier that day to investigate driving complaints and found that her car had been damaged. Sabrina initially denied taking drugs, but police drove her to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for tests after her father insisted she was 'off'. Officers told her parents 'everyone was OK and no one had been seriously hurt' in the driving offence, before her father took her to get fast food just before 7.30pm. Lekaj, a well-known member of Adelaide's Albanian community, took a 15-centimetre knife with him when he drove his daughter to get food, the court heard. Ms Lekaj (pictured) was remembered as a good friend and top student. She was accepted into the University of South Australia where she studied both classical piano performance and medical imaging While stationary in her car, which was a birthday present from him, he confronted her about her party lifestyle and recreational drug use. He claimed she was 'throwing her life away' and she replied that she 'didn't care' or 'give a s**t', the judge was told. Lekaj took the knife to 'scare' his daughter - but he pulled it from his trousers and stabbed her in the stomach while she was looking out the passenger window, the court was told. Mrs Lekaj woke up at 10pm and realised they were missing. After several failed attempts at contacting him, her husband of 24 years answered the phone in distress. 'Call the police, call the police, I'm sorry,' he said. 'I've done a terrible thing, I've done a terrible thing.' Pictured: Ms Lekaj (centre) on her 18th birthday with her father (left) and mother Romina (right) Romina Lekaj is pictured with her husband of 24 years, Petrit Lekaj. Romina didn't attend court on Wednesday Prosecutor Melissa Wilkinson told the sentencing submissions hearing: 'He told police he believed that his daughter was throwing her life away and the accused responded to that by violently taking her life from her. 'It's difficult to overstate how deeply troubling it is that a father would arm himself with a knife, even to scare his daughter, and then in such ordinary or commonplace circumstances his conduct escalates to murder.' Romina and her 12-year-old brother Pyrrhus did not attend court on Wednesday. Defence lawyer Ben Sale said the judge should take into account that Lekaj instantly admitted he had killed the 'apple of his eye'. In December, an antecedents report detailing Lekaj's criminal history was tendered by prosecutors and released to The Advertiser by Justice Trish Kelly. According to the publication, Lekaj's drug-related offending goes back to August 1996, when he was jailed for his involvement in the sale of a controlled substance. The previous year he was unanimously found guilty of selling heroin, district court records show. The 49-year-old spent at least two years in jail, after his minimum non-parole period of two-and-a-half years was cut by six months. The 20-year-old was found dead in her Mercedes-Benz sedan near the family's suburban Kidman Park property in Adelaide on July 21. Pictured: Sabrina Lekaj's funeral In 2007, Lekaj was convicted and fined $200 for possessing cannabis. He was also hit with a $100 fine for failing to store ammunition in a locked container, according to the antecedents report. Two years later, the father was fined $900 in September 2009 after he was found to have cultivated more than a prescribed number of cannabis plants, as well as possessing drugs equipment. Sabrina was remembered as a good friend and top student who had graduated high school with a score of 99.35. 'I can't believe I'm writing this. My beautiful Sabrina. Incredibly talented pianist, high achiever and queen of dark humour. I love you. Forever in our hearts,' one friend wrote after her death. Sabrina attended Nazareth Catholic College in Adelaide, graduating in 2016 with a leading score in biology and religious studies. She was accepted into the University of South Australia where she studied both classical piano performance and medical imaging. Musical Chairs in the White House On the job training in the intelligence community By Philip Giraldi February 26, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Here in the Land of Oz, otherwise known as Washington, one continues to run into people who should know better who insist that they have a friend in the White House who confirms that President Donald Trump is really a man of peace being obstructed as he seeks to withdraw the United States from senseless wars in Asia. They argue that the Deep State or Establishment, to include the media, are so blinded by Trump Derangement Syndrome that they cannot get behind his policies even when they would be good for Americans. The problem with that argument is that there have been clear instances when the president could have followed through on pledges to reduce troop levels or withdraw completely from war zones before reversing himself and doubling down rather than doing the right thing. One need only cite the increases in numbers of combatants in both the Middle East and Afghanistan and the reversal of an initial decision to stage a complete withdrawal from Syria which instead turned into a move to occupy the countrys oil fields. Others might argue that Trump reveals himself through his quixotic decision making and his willingness to play brinksmanship with powerful opponents as if he were upping the ante over a real estate transaction. Withdrawing with the JCPOA nuclear agreement with Iran was a major blunder, recognized as such by nearly every country in the world with the usual exception of Israel, while Trumps repeated offers to talk with the Ayatollah reflect willful ignorance of Iranian political dynamics. The White House apparently considered the assassination of an Iranian Major General to be an inducement to the Persians to come to the table to discuss a broad range of disagreements. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter To be sure, there has been a concerted effort to destroy the Trump administration which started even before it came into being, a conspiracy that has included a number of key players in the national security structure, to include the Directors of both CIA and the FBI. And Trump has a right to be angered by the ridiculous impeachment process, initiated by a Democratic Party that has still not figured out why the unspeakable Hillary Clinton lost in 2016. But Donald Trump has also been his own worst enemy, playing into the hands of his critics, with his divisive tweets, his constant search for subversion within and outside his own partys ranks, and his highly offensive language and demeanor. It is hard to imagine that anyone can take pleasure from such an overly-sensitive and essentially ignorant snake oil salesman actually being president of the United States, but there you have it. And Trump will long be remembered as a president who could not put his own house in order, presiding over a musical chairs arrangement whereby senior officers in his administration were appointed and removed at a whim, often based on loyalty. In such an arrangement, the sycophants inevitably rise to the top. Even John Bolton, protege of party funder Sheldon Adelson, apparently did not suck up enough and was replaced by Robert OBrien, who did not have any relevant experience qualifying for the job. Prior to his becoming National Security Advisor OBrien featured in a taxpayer funded trip to Stockholm to obtain the release of rapper ASAP Rocky, who had been arrested after getting involved in a fist fight. OBrien had orders to threaten unspecified retaliation against the Swedish government if it did not accede to White House demands. That exercise in international bullying means that OBrien is quintessentially Trumps kind of guy. He has written a book entitled While America Slept: Restoring American Leadership to a World in Crisis, calling on the United States to end any appeasement and retreat, and has described the basically defunct nuclear agreement with Iran, in predictable neocon fashion, as a repeat of 1938, Hitler and Munich. And there is always Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who, like his boss, has discovered that there is no lie, no matter how preposterous, that is not worth repeating. Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels promoted a similar approach back in 1939, saying It would not be impossible to prove with sufficient repetition and a psychological understanding of the people concerned that a square is in fact a circle. They are mere words, and words can be molded until they clothe ideas and disguise.. Donald Trumps latest appointment, guided purely by malevolence, is, however, in another category completely, even in an administration where bullheaded ignorance is considered a virtue. Rick Grenell, currently the United States Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, is completely unqualified to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI), where he would be the nominal head of the entire intelligence community (IC), 17 organizations including the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency and National Reconnaissance Office. Just as Grenell had no qualification beyond loyalty to become an ambassador, he will undoubtedly continue in that vein as DNI. Among the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) responsibilities is the briefing of the president on national security related issues. The appointment of Grenell is as an interim acting director for a term of six months because even Trump knows that he could never be approved by the Senate in the normal fashion. Even though Grenell has limited access to intelligence product as a consumer while ambassador, he has no experience as an intelligence officer at any level, nor has he ever been in charge of any large government bureaucracy. He was the communications director for the American ambassador to the U.N. under George W. Bush, and, since May 2018, has served as ambassador to Germany. Given his lack of experience, Grenell will be unable to provide objective intelligence and will instead emphasize briefing on information that supports the presidents policies while also cheerleading for those very policies. That is precisely what Trump would expect from a DNI. In truth, Richard Grenell has been a ghastly ambassador, even by the low standards set by the Trump State Department. Reportedly inclined to ignore the advice of his professional Foreign Service staff, he is a non-German speaking protege of National Security Adviser John Bolton who would seem to have enough on his plate defending the unpopular Trump Administration decisions on climate change, the Iran nuclear deal, NATO spending, the Nord Stream-2 Russian gas pipeline project and on tariffs directed against European Union exports, but he has apparently gone out of his way to make the bilateral relationship with a key ally even worse. After the White House withdrew from the Iran agreement, Grenell tweeted that German businesses should wind down operations immediately in Iran. The ineptly worded advice was inevitably taken by the Germans as a threat. Nils Schmid, a German Social Democratic Party foreign policy spokesman, goes so far as to say that He does not understand what the role of an ambassador should be. An ambassador is a bridge-builder who explains how American politics works, how the American government works, and at the same time explains to America how Germany sees things. Grenell has, however, defined his role for himself, and it is not the traditional role of an ambassador. He [works] as a propagandist [for Donald Trump] The New York Times is reporting that Grenell will continue to be Ambassador to Germany while he is simultaneously serving as DNI, an arrangement that is as absurd as it sounds if only due to the distance between Washington and Berlin. He is reportedly already assembling his ONI staff and is cleaning house, which has included the firing last Friday of Maguire as well as ONI number two Andrew Hallman. It was also reported that even though a number of senior Republicans had privately advised Trump to appoint an intelligence professional for the DNI position, the president is keen to punish a disloyal IC. The appointment of Grenell appears to be connected to an incident two weeks ago in which briefers of the ONI told members of the Democratic Party dominated House Intelligence Committee that Russia is planning to interfere in the 2020 presidential election to help Trump. The evidence for such a sweeping conclusion was not made public, but Trump was apparently enraged that ex-Navy Seal at-that-time DNI Joseph Maguire had allowed the briefing to take place and rebuked him sharply in an Oval Office meeting. Trump was particularly angry because committee chairman Congressman Adam Schiff was present at the Intelligence Committee briefing. Trump claimed that Schiff will weaponize the intelligence information to use against him. For what its worth, the office of the DNI is required to brief appropriate congressional committees on intelligence matters and national security. Grenell is also active in promoting worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality, an agenda that has Donald Trumps blessing but which has not please some administration religious fundamentalists like Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence. Grenell objected to Pompeos decision not to support the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, and was also critical of Pompeos blocking of a proposal to fly the gay pride flag from the same flagpole as the American flag at embassies across the world. During the recent Pompeo visit to the Munich Security Conference, Grenell brought his partner Matt Lashey to the airport to meet the Secretary of State. The irony is that up until a few years ago homosexuality was grounds for denial of a security clearance to perform certain IC jobs, based on the presumption that homosexuals might be vulnerable to blackmail by hostile intelligence agencies. Currently, two of the top positions in the IC, Director of National Intelligence and Director of Central Intelligence are homosexual. Trump is taking both deserved and undeserved lumps over the new appointment. Former head of the U.S. Special Operations Command retired Navy admiral William McRaven has decried the dismissal of Joe Maguire because Maguire was only doing his job. He wrote an op-ed which might be regarded to a certain extent as special pleading on behalf of a former fellow Seal: As Americans, we should be frightened deeply afraid for the future of the nation. When good men and women cant speak the truth, when facts are inconvenient, when integrity and character no longer matter, when presidential ego and self-preservation are more important than national security then there is nothing left to stop the triumph of evil. Former CIA Director John Brennan, who is an open Trump enemy with close ties to the Clintons and Obama, and who should be in prison for his attempt to frame the Trump campaign, declared himself disturbed. He inevitably invoked the Russians, demonstrating that he has not learned anything since he left office at the end of 2017. He said that We are now in a full-blown national security crisis By trying to prevent the flow of intelligence to Congress, Trump is abetting a Russian covert operation to keep him in office for Moscows interests, not Americas. By all means Donald Trump should have a free hand in cleaning out the Augean stables of top national security officials like Brennan who have been politicized and corrupted, but it should not be carried out by replacing some agency directors with ignorant cronies who will filter and spin the information that winds up being shared with congressional intelligence committees and with the president. There are plenty of honest people in the IC that could have been called on and who would have done a good job in serving national interests. Grenell is a solution from hell which will only make it even more likely that the poor decision making on foreign and national security policies that has characterized the past two decades will continue unabated and indefinitely into the future. Philip Giraldi is a former counter-terrorism specialist and military intelligence officer of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here Meera Iyer, Chief Marketing Officer, Medlife.com, writes about the power of SEO for building traffic and engaging audiences. Here, she shares several helpful tips in the technological aspects of SEO implementation, the Dos and Donts, and how brands can make the most of their SEO strategy. Having spent the last 5 years in e-commerce, I have come to very much appreciate and value the power of SEO for building traffic, engaging audiences as well as making your metrics rosier, given that this comes free! However, in my conversations with most offline businesses, I see that they have not yet stumbled upon this powerful channel towards brand building. So, heres my attempt to help the uninitiated understand about SEO in the way offline marketers, particularly the brand managers, understand. WARNING: If you are already in the SEO race, this article will be too foundational; my advice skip it. Technology & particularly search engines like Google, Bing, duckduckgo, etc., should be credited for eliminating information asymmetry. They clearly also did the smart thing in monetising this curious nature of humans through SEM routes. But not before they cracked customer experience in being able to throw up the most relevant search results for the millions searching an absolutely myriad set of topics. Imagine the search engine to be a physical library. You need to classify and keep books neatly arranged in sections to be able to find it within some approximation of shelves. If that were not the case, and all books were randomly put, one would need to spend a crazy amount of time searching and most likely, the person would skip the book rather than waste hours finding it. SEO algorithms are to Internet searches what a librarians shelving plan is to a library. All search engines spend millions of dollars finetuning this algorithm to give users the most relevant results for searches, so you dont abandon it but actually begin loving it for helping you out with what you seek. And this doesnt cost the end customer or the web page owner anything! Todays audiences are breaking ceilings with their searches the free flow of information has meant a mad rush to ask the search engines a plethora of questions from celeb gossip to beauty tips to recipes to parental advice and what not. There is a whopping 8.7 Lakh searches in India around Acne & pimples imagine Himalaya having a forum just for this with the right content It can own this space. Do you know that there are over 26 lakh searches happening around pregnancy? Imagine if Johnson & Johnson had had the foresight to have started a baby centre what a great medium it would have been for the brand to build consideration! My argument is that if your brand is a solution to a problem or has a specific social objective which has more than a million searches every month, you will be wise in creating a meaningful engagement platform online to build your brand through SEO. If you are able to create solid content that ranks high for the right keywords, traffic to your page can snowball over time and be a leading source of brand engagement. So, if you are a marketer and you want to also get some free customer engagement through SEO, then the task for you is to: Have a digital page/ site for your brand that the search engines recognise as a result it can throw up for relevant searches This is indexing. Get this page to rank up among the top searches on the very first page to get maximum clicks This is ranking. My article is going to revolve around these 2 basic SEO concepts to help drive brand engagement. A Basic principle first: Make the page for the CUSTOMER, not for Search engines. Once you are sure you have a great way to engage your audience if they land on the page and thereby build brand love, then you go on to ensure you are SEO optimised. This aspect of customer first is what I find lacking in most SEO professionals and sadly, in case of the brand managers, they dont follow the technical part of SEO. So, if you are building a page for the first time, do spend time asking if this will be of use to your target audiences and would you still be making this page if search engines did not exist and you had to promote the URLs only. If sales is your only motto, invest in content in the e-commerce sites itself, dont waste your time and resources on building your own webpage. Indexing & Ranking There are millions of web pages. Many sites are single page sites and there are equally sites that have a ton of pages notably e-commerce sites (like @Medlife) with their vast catalogues. Search Engine Bots (Crawlers) are programs built to automatically discover and scan websites. Day in & day out, the bots will look for updating its library of Internet pages with the latest information so that it can: Either classify the page as available to display in search results or not index the page at all. (You can give the bots a signal that you do not want certain pages like a user profile page, etc to be indexed) Determine what all searches (keywords) is the page relevant for Rank the page in the list of similar pages by how well it matches a user query This is a dynamic rank order thats subject to changes basis your SEO inputs. There is a fair bit of technical dos you need to follow to get your webpage up with all the checkmarks for SEO ticked. I wont dwell on that you will, as an offline brand, most definitely use an agency to manage those aspects for you. But here are the most critical things to consider while creating the content on the page that you should get somewhat familiar with: Learn what your customers are searching about the category you operate in. There are easy tools that give you search volumes. It also gives you related searches. Take a look at this example. I asked Google how to heal cracked lips. Niveas Australian site ranks up highest after shopping ads! How cool is that? Search results will throw up your results in any part of the world if youve managed to get a great page authority. Create popular and engaging content around these searches. Content is indeed the biggest key here. Your page should be structured well. It should answer the question posed by the user well and have a pleasing user interface. At the same time, your page should also be optimised for search engines that includes your URL, page load speeds, meta titles & description, Headers, Schema, Sitemaps and much more again, leave this part to the experts. An important aspect as you design your page is to make sure it is mobile friendly 95 per cent of all Internet browsing in India happens on mobiles! Have a comments and a share button section on your page It will be a good measure of how good your content is. People tend to spam the comments section at times with links just take care of it by putting a no follow value on this section of your page, so that the search engines ignore such links. Beware of duplicate content! If search engines find two pages with identical content, it will only index one of those pages. There are some scraping sites notorious for doing this. Given the content explosion today, it is only likely that someone has already put up something on a keyword you are aiming for. Please make sure you use anti plagiarism tools to be unique. Spread your page links. The easiest way to do that is if you have original and exclusive content that no one else has access to. Link building is an important way to rank your page up. You need to monitor that and keep building up on your page authority through links to your site that is published in other web pages. While working at HUL, we started the https://www.bebeautiful.in site, keeping in mind the growing need for beauty tips, styling advice and product information. It did really well when launched because it made a real difference to customers. Similarly, if your brand stands for a health condition, say diabetes care, you could own the narrative by being a content powerhouse for the millions of searches happening on the disease every month. You can even partner with e-commerce sites in this endeavour and create content sections powered by your brand its a win-win situation as the commerce site gets free traffic and your brand gets strong associations. On the search trends themselves, a good deal of searches today are happening on YouTube in fact, the searches there have surpassed the searches on Google web. Thats a shift in behaviour, and while I will pen down my approach on YouTube another day, for me, there is a mega opportunity to be grabbed by brands understanding SEO and jumping in if you really have a great proposition for your target audiences to engage them with meaningful content. I hope this was simple to understand and has gotten you thinking whether SEO fits your brand and how best to use it. Happy to help if you need any! Washington: Terming it a "failure of leadership on human rights," Democratic presidential front-runner US Senator Bernie Sanders, on Wednesday slammed President Donald Trump over his response to violence in North-East part of Delhi, which took place during the latter`s India visit. During a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, Trump responding to a media query said that he had heard about violence but did not discuss it with Prime Minister Modi during their talks as it is "up to India" to deal with it. Trump said, "As far as an individual attack is concerned, I heard about it but I didn`t discuss (with PM Modi). That`s up to India," while appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s efforts to ensure religious freedom in the country. US President further stated, "And I will say the Prime Minister was incredible on what he told me. He wants people to have religious freedom, and very strongly said that in India they have worked very hard to have great and open religious freedom." Sanders hit out at Trump for his response, adding "Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying, "That`s up to India." "This is a failure of leadership on human rights," tweeted Sanders. At least 27 persons, including a policeman, lost their lives and over 190 injured so far in violence that has been raging in North-East Delhi since Sunday after clashes between pro and anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protestors erupted. Meanwhile, expressing concern over the violence in New Delhi, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom urged the Government of India to take swift action for the safety of its citizens. Expressing "grave concern" over it, the USCIRF said the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith amid reports of attack on Muslims. "We urge the Indian government to make serious efforts to protect Muslims and others targeted by mob violence," USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. Notably, at least 27 people were killed and over 200 injured in the violence, which broke out over the newly amended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). (With Agency Inputs) Health officials in Ontario have confirmed a new case of the novel coronavirus in the province. There have been 12 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in Canada five in Ontario and seven in British Columbia. Here is a timeline of Canadian cases. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Health officials in Ontario have confirmed a new case of the novel coronavirus in the province. There have been 12 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in Canada five in Ontario and seven in British Columbia. Here is a timeline of Canadian cases. Jan. 25, 2020: A man in his 50s who arrived in Toronto from Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the outbreak, becomes the first "presumptive" case of the new coronavirus in Canada. The man called 911 as soon as he got sick with relatively minor symptoms and was placed in isolation in Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital. Jan. 26, 2020: The wife of the Toronto man who was Canada's first "presumptive" case of the new coronavirus becomes the second presumptive case. The woman is kept in home isolation. Jan. 27, 2020: The National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg confirms that a man in quarantine in Sunnybrook Hospital is Canada's first documented case of the new coronavirus. Jan 28, 2020: Health authorities confirm Canada's second case of the novel coronavirus. The woman had recently travelled to Wuhan with her husband, who was the first case confirmed in Canada. Jan 28, 2020: Health officials in British Columbia say a man in his 40s is presumed to have the new coronavirus and is doing well as he recovers at his Vancouver home. B.C.'s health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, says the man often works in China and voluntarily isolated himself upon returning to Canada. Jan. 28, 2020: The presumed case of the new strain of coronavirus in B.C. is confirmed by the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. Jan. 31, 2020: Toronto man hospitalized with the novel coronavirus is well enough to go home. Sunnybrook Hospital says he'll continue to recover at home, where his wife is also in self-isolation. Jan. 31, 2020: Ontario's third case of the new coronavirus is confirmed. The patient, a woman in her 20s, had travelled to the affected area in China. The London university student initially tested negative for the virus, but a subsequent test at the national lab in Winnipeg was positive. Health officials say her symptoms are minor. Feb. 4, 2020: Health officials announce another presumptive confirmed case in B.C. Henry says the woman had family visiting from China's Hubei province and she is in isolation at her home. Feb. 5, 2020: British Columbia's second case of coronavirus is confirmed by the National Microbiology Lab. Feb. 6, 2020: Henry announces two new cases of COVID-19 in B.C., noting both people were in the same household as the woman diagnosed with the province's second case. Feb. 12, 2020: Ontario health officials say the woman from London, Ont., no longer has the novel coronavirus in her system. It marks the first time a case of the illness has been resolved in Canada. Feb. 14, 2020: Officials in B.C. announce the province's fifth case of COVID-19. The woman in her 30s who lives in B.C.'s Interior recently returned from Hubei province. Feb. 19, 2020: Henry announces that the person diagnosed with B.C.'s first case of the new coronavirus has recovered. It's the first time this has happened in the province. Feb. 20, 2020: A woman who recently returned from Iran is diagnosed with British Columbia's sixth case of COVID-19. She's the first person in the country diagnosed with the illness who did not recently visit China. Meanwhile, in Ontario, the man who had Canada's first case of the virus is cleared after testing negative for the illness twice in 24 hours. Feb. 21, 2020: The last known case of coronavirus in Ontario is resolved. Feb. 23, 2020: Officials in Toronto announce Ontario has a new case of coronavirus the fourth to be diagnosed in the province. The woman arrived in Toronto from China several days earlier. Feb. 24, 2020: Henry announces a seventh person in B.C. has been diagnosed with the new coronavirus. The man in his 40s was in close contact with the woman who has the province's sixth case of the illness. Feb. 26, 2020: Ontario officials announce a fifth diagnosis in the province: a woman in her 60s who recently travelled to Iran. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2020. Entering the dry season, forest and land fires reoccur in Riau Province, Indonesia. Footage filmed on Wednesday (February 26) in Pekanbaru shows emergency crews trying to extinguish burning shrubs with makeshift equipment while waiting for help from firefighters and the Riau Province Regional Disaster Management Agency. Indonesian farmers often use fire to clear land during the dry season, but they can rage out of control. Riau has declared the emergency alert status for land and forest fires to warn residents of a possible haze crisis. Data from the Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency says there are five hotspots in Riau. (Kitco News) - Gold prices have surged higher this week as fear sentiment sweeps through financial markets, with investors worried that the spreading coronavirus will drag down the global economy. However, one market analyst is not convinced that gold prices will continue to push higher. In a report Wednesday, Natixis precious metals analyst Bernard Dahdah reiterated his call for gold prices to average 2020 around $1,440 an ounce. The French banks average gold forecast is down more than 12% from current prices. The gold market is currently struggling to hold critical support above $1,650 an ounce. April gold futures last traded at $1,642.20 an ounce, relatively unchanged on the day. Dahdah said that he is not convinced that the coronavirus will have a significant impact on U.S. economic growth. The risk for growth in the U.S. is on the upside, mainly as a result of faster underlying productivity, he said in the report. Our view is that a strong performance by the U.S. economy this year will drive prices lower. This is not a structural economic problem that gold is benefiting from. Dahdah added that more robust U.S. economic growth will eventually push bond yields higher and, in turn, will weigh on gold. The comments come as U.S. bond yields hit fresh historic lows, last trading at 1.29%. With the election in sight, Trump will be keen on boosting the economy, he said. For the gold market, Dahdah said that the most significant risk is in the ETF market. Gold holdings in physically-backed exchange-traded products are at record levels. Although Dahdah is bearish on gold from current prices, he said that he sees prices holding critical support above $1,300 an ounce. But its not just gold; the French bank is also bearish on silver as Dahdah reiterated his forecast for silver prices to average 2020 around $16.50 an ounce. The forecast represents a drop of more than 7% from current prices. May silver future last traded at $17.75 an ounce, down nearly 1% on the day. The Bihar Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution to conduct a caste-based in the state, officials said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was advocating conducting a caste-based since a long time. On Tuesday, the chief minister had proposed a caste-based in the Assembly, which was passed unanimously on Thursday. Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary announced the passing of the proposal in the House. Talking to journalists outside the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Road Construction Minister Nandkishore Yadav said the resolution would now be sent to the central government. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA Bhai Virendra said: "Party President Lalu Prasad has been demanding a census for a long time... today, the ruling party had to bow to the demand of the opposition in the and passed the proposal." The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put inspections in China on hold and warned Americans there could soon be shortages of 'critical' medical products due the coronavirus outbreak. Inspectors were pulled from the country after the US State Department issued an advisory warning travelers not to China on January 30. While the news means the agency is falling behind on performing quality checks of drugs and Chinese factories where medical devices are made, Commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn said the FDA has other tools to monitor Chinese products. 'The robust and multi-layered compliance process at the FDA is helping to protect American patients and consumers even though we are not able to conduct inspections in China at this time,' he said in a statement. It comes as officials reached out to nearly 200 drug manufacturers and warned them they are required to tell the FDA if they foresee a disruption in getting their products on the US market. The FDA has halted inspections of drugs and factories in China since the US State Department advisory that warned travelers not to go to China. Pictured: FDA Commissioner Dr Stephen Hahn at a press conference No on-site safety and quality checks have been conducted since December and they are suspended at least March. Pictured: A worker at a medical supply store organizes masks According to FDA data, no inspections have been conducted of Chinese factories since December 20, 2019. In addition to random surveillance checks, factories also undergo inspection after they ask for approval to send drugs or drug ingredients to the US. USA TODAY reports that officials will not be conducting on-site safety and quality checks until at least March. Hahn states that 90 percent of the inspections scheduled for February were routine surveillance and not officials investigating possible safety problems. He added that these inspections have either been postponed or the FDA used 'other information to inform decisions allowing the products to enter our US market.' Hahn did not explain why no inspections had been conducted in January. Until inspections resume, the FDA plan to use tools such as import screening, examinations, and sampling as well as relying on a firm's previous compliance history. 'We will continue to closely monitor the situation in China so that as the situation improves, we will be prepared to resume routine inspections,' Hahn said 'FDA is keenly aware that the outbreak will likely affect the medical product supply chain, including potential disruptions to suppliers [and] shortages of critical medical products in the US.' Currently, more than 60 percent of products imported from China that are regulated by the FDA are medical devices and about 20 percent are homegoods. But the FDA says there is no evidence that there is a health risk to the public from the imported products. Officials have notified 180 drug manufacturers to warn the FDA if they anticipate delays in getting their products to the US. Pictured: Passengers on a subway in Milan wear masks, February 26 The FDA says it is also monitoring the market for anyone making fraudulent claims about preventing or curing coronavirus. Pictured: A medic checks the temperature of a woman in Syria, February 26 More than 81,000 people worldwide have been infected with coronavirus and more than 2.700 people have died On Monday, the agency said it had reached out to 180 drug manufacturers to remind them that they are required to notify the FDA if they believe they will be late sending supplies to the US, or unable to. About 20 drug products are solely sourced from China, meaning the active ingredients are from the country or the drugs undergo final production there. 'We have been in contact with those firms to understand if they face any drug shortage risks due to the outbreak,' FDA spokesperson Stephanie Caccomo said in a statement. 'None of these firms has reported any shortage to date. 'We will continue to remain in contact with the manufacturers so that we can best help mitigate any potential issues in the future.' The agency says it is also currently monitoring the market for anyone making fraudulent claims about preventing or curing the new virus. 'The FDA can and will use every authority at our disposal to protect consumers from bad actors who would take advantage of a crisis to deceive the public,' a statement read. As of Wednesday, more than 80,000 people worldwide have been infected with coronavirus and more than 2,700 have died. Tirivangani Isdore Kapfuya, 31, was nabbed along with Honest Zhou Simare, 44, of Guardian Security Service and the two are reported to be related to Edward Kapfunya, 41, who is still on the run. Winston Watusi Music Plus A new week, new gigs and a new shade of brown for what we once used to call the lawn here at The Watusi Country Club. These days its more a swathe of dusty dirt populated only by the intermittent yellow of dandelion flowers, which are obviously the plant equivalent of cockroaches. If there was an unexpected apocalypse I can only assume the resultant world would be populated solely by indestructible cockroaches and dandelions. Its been a busy week and I realise with vague shame that things are piling up in the must do column of the whiteboard. Theres the new CD from EmRiver that I mentioned last week, as well as the latest offering from the finest band to emerge from Americas Southern States since Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Drive-by Truckers; and then theres jazz. Ive been resoundingly remiss regarding Easters Jazz Festival. I will spend quite a lot of time on it in the next couple of months but, meanwhile, let me suggest that you browse through the programme on the: www.jazz.org.nz website. The line-up this year contains a plethora of exceedingly worthwhile concerts, a fine balance between populist enjoyment and special interest treats. But, once again this week Id like to point you towards some upcoming gigs, looking ahead to next weekend and, specifically, the collision of music occurring next Friday. OK. Friday, March 6. There are three rock gigs of various heaviness. Ill start on the Tauranga side of the bridge where an Aussie outfit are fetching up at The Jam Factory. They are the Blue Child Collective. From OZ These guys are very impressive, and very busy. A grooving five-piece based in Margaret River they blend modern funk with intricate finger-style rhythms and great harmonies, a few horns and thoughtful lyrics, all to great effect. The band is fronted by Dan White, a multi-instrumentalist and director of The West Australian Guitar Festival. He has assembled quite a crew. They were nominated for West Australian Musics Best Regional Act 2018 and released their fourth record, Wake Up To The Sound, in November. Its on-line and definitely worth checking out. They have a documentary their third and also called The Art Of Sound out later this year and are working on their fifth album. I love their sound: it should be a great night! (Doors 6.30pm; tickets $20 from Events Pronto.) Over at the Mount, a band of ex-Mount Maunganui high-fliers return to the Mount Social Club. This is one of a series of free shows leading into the World Surf League Challenger Series this March. And the band are The Leers, who decamped to Auckland a few years back in search of fame and fortune. The four-piece have recently charted with their latest single Far Away (and very good it is too again, check on-line) sort of indie rock with vague psychedelic leanings, and spent December recording new songs in Los Angeles. Also performing will be Aucklands Groove Lagoon, new to me but self-described as space funk rock. They promise to dive into a sonic swamp of expressive guitar pyrotechnics, pulsing bass and soulful singing. Why not? Things start at 8pm. Three locals And just round the corner, three local bands have managed to secure a slot at Totara Street. Duo Tryptofunk feature bass player Kingsley Smith and rapper/poet Dhaivat Mehta. They play a sort of funk/rock/rap blend and have released a bucketload of music on-line. At the opposite extreme numbers-wise Electric Universe have eight members, the latest being Nigel Masters (Boatshed Studio) on Hammond organ. They also include Mutt Furness and Baz Mantis on guitars, and Black Rose veterans Jeff Nilson (drums) and Pat Hawkins (bass). Shane Davis (Soundtree Studio) provides the vocals. They play all-original music in a mainstream rock vein. And third up is Thunderchild, whom Ive never heard live but play heavy-riffing hard rock. They are Luke McHardy (vocals/guitar), Lachlan Smith (guitar), Scott Callaghan (drums) and Batz Kell (bass), who are getting a bit of a local following with their energetic live shows. Doors open 7.30pm; tickets are $15 on Eventfinda or $20 on the door. CLEVELAND, Ohio David Zhou walked between rows of stacked boxes in a Cleveland warehouse until he reached the ones filled with medical-grade coveralls, goggles and other protective gear that soon will be sent to hospitals in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak. Then Zhou, 37, lifted a large poster covered with Chinese characters that was stored with the boxes. The sign, made by Chinese students at Oberlin College, says, Were here with you guys. You can fight off this virus, he translated. Supplies and encouragement are part of the Cleveland-based COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak Relief Campaign thats sending medical protective equipment to doctors in Wuhan. The campaign collected about $40,000 in donations for two previous shipments of medical-grade protective clothing. A third shipment of about $45,000 worth of equipment will start the journey to Wuhan in a few days, said Zhou, the campaigns coordinator and a financial consultant at PNC Bank. Protective equipment for Chinese health care workers is in short supply, according to published reports. Hospital workers in Wuhan have posted requests for masks, protective suits and goggles on social media. Protective suits meant to be worn only once were being shared among doctors, and staff at one hospital near Wuhan wore raincoats and garbage bags to protect against infection, according to USA Today. Seeing those photos of (Wuhan) doctors and other health care workers were enough to motivate anybody to want to help, Zhou said in an email. Cleveland in my experience is a lot more personable than the other big cities I lived in before; communities are tighter and more willing to help each other. In this time of need, it is our responsibility to help as much as we are able to. While he doesnt have family or friends in Wuhan, Zhou grew up in Shanghai and came to the United States when he was a teenager. He lived in Maryland until about six years ago, when he and his wife moved to Cleveland to be close to her family. The relief campaign is a collaboration between the nonprofit Listen Share Learn Grow, where Zhou is CEO, and the Cleveland chapter of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, a world-wide organization for Chinese people who are overseas. This chapter is made up of Cleveland Clinic caregivers and students but is not officially sponsored by the Clinic. Listen Share Learn Grow seeks to bridge the gaps between Clevelands various ethnic groups. The COVID-19 relief effort began when members of the Chinese Scholar Students Association who have connections to Wuhan heard about hospital workers there improvising protective equipment due to shortages. Zhou, who had worked on other projects involving Clevelands Asian community, wanted to help. The relief campaign faced tall hurdles when it began in late January in the midst of the first news reports of the new virus. Donors were wary because of the proliferation of internet scam artists purporting to collect money to help Wuhan. Campaign volunteers knew nothing about medical-grade protective clothing, or how to ship supplies overseas. Zhou connected with Wuhan doctors via social media. They wanted goggles with ventilation holes on the sides, instead of in the front, in order to lessen the chance that infected droplets could land in the wearers eyes. That was one of the things I had to learn along the way, he said. Many businesses were no longer shipping to China. Zhou had supplies sent to his Highland Heights home, where they filled his two-car garage and overflowed into a party room in a nearby restaurant. For that first shipment, volunteers loaded and drove a rented van to Chicago, where a freight airline flew the supplies to China at no charge to the campaign, Zhou said. The same Cleveland- Chicago-Wuhan route was used for the relief efforts subsequent shipments. While the group had a rough time with the first shipment, things have gotten smoother. A Cleveland-based distribution company agreed to share its rented warehouse space with the campaign, and a hired driver and van now gets shipments to Chicago. Once the supplies arrive in Wuhan, government volunteers deliver them to four medium-sized hospitals that receive fewer supplies from the Chinese government, Zhou said. The relief campaign responds to hospitals that send requests for help. Zhou has a video on his phone that he said showed shipping receipts and Wuhan hospital workers opening the supply boxes from Cleveland. Its getting to the people we wanted it to get to, he said. Cleveland Clinic physicians are among the volunteers helping with Clevelands relief efforts. Dr. Mi Wang, a Clinic anesthesiologist, said the COVID-related death of Chinese whistleblower Dr. Li Wenliang inspired him to raise awareness of the crisis in China and ask his colleagues to help. Wenliang warned his fellow doctors about a SARS-like epidemic in his hospital, which turned out to be COVID-19. He was later censured by the Chinese government, according to press reports. If the outbreak in China cant be contained, the consequence of escalating the outbreak from epidemic to pandemic is even more horrifying, Wang said in an email. No place on earth will be safe if that happens, including Cleveland. The relief campaign intends to keep raising money and sending shipments to China as long as the outbreak continues. Major donors include Chinese student associations at Oberlin, Bard, Colby and Vassar colleges, as well as groups in Atlanta and Milwaukee. Zhou would like to raise $50,000 for the campaigns fourth relief shipment. Those wishing to make a tax-deductible donation can do so through the groups website at Https://lslg.org The more (money) we get, the more we can help, Zhou said. People just dont know the severity of the epidemic. More coronavirus-related coverage: One additional Ohioan tested negative for coronavirus, health officials say Protecting patients, health care workers priorities as Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth and UH prepare for coronavirus Ohio economy could feel impact if Chinas coronavirus outbreak continues much longer Novel coronavirus less deadly than past epidemics, local experts say Asian community group, worried by coronavirus-related racism, urges Clevelanders to get the facts Staying healthy, international travel, resources Masks not necessary for protection against coronavirus; hand-washing is best Spreading coronavirus forces cancellations, travel warnings What can you do to protect yourself from the China coronavirus Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth screening patients for deadly coronavirus Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh addresses a gathering during the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Boston, on June 8, 2018. (Charles Krupa/AP Photo) Former Baltimore Mayor Pugh Sentenced for Book Sales Scheme Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh was sentenced to three years in prison after she pleaded guilty to federal fraud, tax, and conspiracy charges for a scheme involving her childrens book, Healthy Holly. While in court, the 69-year-old asked District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow for mercy and issued an apology to anyone I have offended or hurt through my actions, reported local media. No one is more disappointed than me, Pugh said. I did turn a blind eye. I did, and sanctioned many things I should not have. Prosecutors had sought a five-year prison term for Pugh, a Democrat who had served in various Baltimore public offices for decades. But her lawyers wanted a more lenient prison sentence of one year and one day, noting that she entered a guilty plea and is a first-time offender. I accept responsibility. I accept total responsibility. Ive plead guilty. Im sorry, she said, reported the Baltimore Sun. Chasanow said the sentence would be followed by three years of probation. Pugh pleaded guilty to four federal charges related to the scam in November. I have yet frankly to hear any explanation that makes sense, the judge said in court. This was not a tiny mistake, lapse of judgment. This became a very large fraud. The nature and circumstances of this offense clearly I think are extremely, extremely serious. In the scheme, sales of the Healthy Holly book went to a charity where Pugh served on the board, alleged federal prosecutors, who also said she disguised the proceeds as donations to her reelection campaign. The former mayor then used the money to purchase and renovate a home, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. Pugh was elected as mayor in 2016 after gaining prominence during the Black Lives Matter protests over the 2015 death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man, who had died in police custody. She resigned in 2019 following mounting pressure after reports about her involvement in the scheme surfaced. U.S. Attorney Robert Hur, following her guilty plea, described the crime as a significant betrayal of the publics trust, especially as Baltimore faces significant problems, WBAL reported. Justice Department officials alleged that she stashed the Healthy Holly books in her cars, her home, her offices, and at a local war memorial. Pugh was accused of double-selling some of the books that went to local schools and had failed to deliver others. From November 2011 until March 2019, Ms. Pugh conspired with Gary Brown to defraud purchases of Healthy Holly books in order to enrich themselves, promote Ms. Pughs political career and fund her campaign for mayor, Hur said. Mr. Brown helped Ms. Pugh solicit nonprofit organizations and foundations to buy the Healthy Holly books. File image The UN disarmament chief warned that the specter of an unbridled nuclear arms race is threatening the world for the first time since the 1970s, the height of the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union. Izumi Nakamitsu didn't name any countries but she was clearly referring to the United States and Russia, and possibly China, when she told the UN Security Council that relationships between states especially nuclear-weapon states are fractured. So-called great power competition is the order of the day, Nakamitsu said. Division, distrust and a dearth of dialogue are increasingly the norm. Russia-US relations have been at post-Cold War lows since Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea. Last year, Russia and the US both withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the US saying it pulled out because of Russian violations and the Kremlin denying breaching the treaty's terms. Russia has said the US also appears reluctant to extend the New START treaty, the only treaty governing the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by the two countries, which expires in 2021. Last week, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper touted a multibillion-dollar plan for a top-to-bottom modernization of America's nuclear arsenal to keep up with Russia and outpace China. In late December, Russia's defense minister reported to President Vladimir Putin that a new intercontinental weapon that can fly 27 times the speed of sound had become operational, bolstering the country's nuclear strike capability. Nakamitsu warned that the specter of unconstrained nuclear competition looms over us for the first time since the 1970s. We are witnessing what has been termed a qualitative nuclear arms race one not based on numbers but on faster, stealthier and more accurate weapons, she said. Regional conflicts with a nuclear dimension are worsening, and proliferation challenges are not receding. The Security Council meeting was requested by Germany to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty on March 5 and to support the upcoming conference to review and advance its goals which starts April 27 and ends May 22. Russia and the United States clashed at the meeting over the breakdown in arms control negotiations. But they supported a statement by the 15-member Security Council saying the treaty, known as the NPT, remains the cornerstone of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and the foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The council resolved to advance the NPT's goals and underlined the treaty's essential role in the preservation of international peace, security and stability as well as the ultimate objective of a world without nuclear weapons. Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the council that despite its achievements the NPT is facing serious setbacks: Nuclear disarmament has come to a standstill. New technologies are creating dangerous strategic imbalances. And proliferation crises are demanding our fullest attention. He pointed to North Korea acquiring nuclear weapons, disregarding the NPT and Security Council resolutions, as a key failure. Maas said the only realistic way ahead is applying pressure and stepping up nuclear diplomacy. He urged international support for US efforts to negotiate with North Korea, and for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal which remains the best and only promising tool to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Lizzy McGuire (Credit: Disney) The reboot of Disney series Lizzie McGuire stalled back in January, after the studio unexpectedly fired Terri Minsky, the show's original creator and the showrunner on the new Disney+ series. This happened after just two episodes were shot of the new series, with a spokesperson for the studio speaking of the need for 'a different creative direction'. Read more: What you can watch on Disney+ at launch in the UK Since then, there's been little to explain why the anticipated reboot of the teen show, with Hilary Duff reprising the role which turned her into a teen idol in the early 2000s, disappeared off the radar. But now, according to reporting from Variety, some idea of what happened is starting to emerge. Earlier this week, Duff posted to her Instagram stories a press report detailing how planned new Disney+ show Love, Simon has been moved on to US streamer Hulu, and renamed Love, Victor, after Disney deemed it not 'family-friendly' enough. Hilary Duff (Credit: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) In posting the story, Duff added in the caption 'Sounds familiar'. It's now said that both Duff and Minsky wanted to make a grown-up version of the show, with McGuire now in her 30s and touching on adult themes, but consequently clashed with Disney, which wanted a straight-up family show like the original. Hilary Duff hints that Disney Plus sidelined Love, Simon and Lizzie McGuire reboot for same reason. Production for Lizzie McGuire was recently put on hold in order to move in a different creative direction after its creator Terri Minsky quit the show, just two episodes in. pic.twitter.com/Mmv8xtk3MU Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 26, 2020 Speaking to Variety, Minsky said: I am so proud of the two episodes we did. Hilary has a grasp of Lizzie McGuire at 30 that needs to be seen. Its a wonderful thing to watch. I would love the show to exist, but ideally I would love it if it could be given that treatment of going to Hulu and doing the show that we were doing. Thats the part where I am completely in the dark. Story continues Read more: The Mandalorian series two will land in October Its important to me that this show was important to people. I felt like I wanted to do a show that was worthy of that kind of devotion. Disney has denied that the show has been scrapped altogether, however. We paused production on Lizzie McGuire a few weeks ago to allow time for some creative re-development, it said in a statement. Our goal is to resume production and to tell an authentic story that connects to the millions who are emotionally invested in the character, and a new generation of viewers too. The original series first aired in 2001 on the Disney Channel, running over 65 episodes, and a movie arriving in 2003. Washington: President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that a widespread US outbreak of the new respiratory virus sweeping the globe isn't inevitable even as top health authorities at his side warned Americans that more infections are coming. Shortly after Trump spoke, the government announced a worrisome development: Another person in the US is infected someone in California who doesn't appear to have the usual risk factors of having travelled abroad or being exposed to another patient. US President Donald Trump, left, listens as Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services, speaks on coronavirus. Credit:Bloomberg At a White House news conference, Trump sought to minimise fears as he insisted the US is "very, very ready" for whatever the COVID-19 outbreak brings. Under fire about the government's response, he put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of co-ordinating the efforts. "This will end," Trump said of the outbreak. "You don't want to see panic because there's no reason to be panicked." Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Coronavirus seems to have claimed an unlikely victim. The purchase intent of Corona beer, one of the world's most popular beers, has drastically gone down because of evident similarity in name to the virus wreaking havoc all over China. Though there is no connection between coronavirus and Corona beer, the former has had a negative impact on the later. Corona Beer has been the subject of much ridicule online. Many memes and videos have been shared ridiculing the brand. There are also reports of an increase in online searches for "corona beer virus" and "beer coronavirus". This shows that the Mexican beer brand has not been able to escape its unfortunate connection with coronavirus. According to data from YouGov Plc, the purchase intent of Corona Beer among adults in the US has dipped to the lowest in the last two years. Also read: Coronavirus update: India doesn't want its people to travel to Korea, Iran, Italy The damage to Cronona Beer has become more severe in recent days as the virus is spreading across the world and gaining popularity. Shares of Corona-maker Constellation Brands Inc. dived 8% this week in New York. According to YouGov, Corona's buzz score, which measures whether American adults who are aware of the brand have heard positive or negative things about it, has fallen to 51 from a peak of 75 at the beginning of 2020. Corona Beer derives its name from the Sun's corona and has nothing to do with the coronavirus. According to YouGov ranking, Corona Beer is the third most popular beer brand in the world. Guinness is ranked first while Heineken is ranked second. Coronavirus continues to show a declining trend in China which reported 29 new deaths on Thursday, the lowest in weeks, taking the death toll to 2,744. Contrary to the decline in the number of deaths, the confirmed cases climbed to 78,497. Also read: Coronavirus' inverse impact: 9 Chinese stocks that are soaring Also read: Blame it on coronavirus! Samsung, LG, Voltas to raise AC, refrigerator prices A fake Tahitian prince who swindled $16million from the state government has been released from a Queensland prison. New Zealand-born Joseph Hohepa Morehu-Barlow stole money from his employer Queensland Health over four years while working as a finance officer. In 2013, he was sentenced to 14 years behind bars at Wolston Correctional Centre in Brisbane and became eligible for parole in December 2016. Kiwi-born Joseph Hohepa Morehu-Barlow (pictured) defrauded his employer Queensland Health in a four year span where he roped in $16million After two failed attempts at being released from jail, Morehu-Barlow's November 2019 application was approved and he has now walked free, ABC reported. It's understood he will be deported to New Zealand. The fraudster's crimes began in 2004 when he walked into Queensland Health with a fake law degree and quickly climbed the ranks to become a finance officer. Before his arrest in December 2011, Morehu-Barlow would tell friends and colleagues he was a Polynesian prince In the following years - between 2007 and 2011 - he stole money and covered it up by saying he was royalty, beginning by transferring small amounts meant for charities into his private bank account. When he found he wasn't getting caught he started transferring public funds into his own accounts. In 2011, $11 million went missing from Queensland Health, which Morehu-Barlow used to buy a luxury apartment for $5.4 million, gaining attention from authorities. Before his arrest in December 2011, Morehu-Barlow would tell friends and colleagues he was a Polynesian prince. This allowed him to live an extravagant life where he would splash on exorbitant branded goods, gifts for friends and a multimillion-dollar luxury New Farm unit. The first request for parole in February 2017 was denied by the parole board while a second request in November 2017 was deferred before it was again denied. ALBANY Convicted double-murderer Edward Ted Mero testified Thursday that his former defense attorney, Cheryl Coleman, never told him she was clandestinely employing the prosecutor handling his case for legal work on the side. The testimony of the 32-year-old Mero which directly contradicts Colemans sworn account came at the conclusion of a hearing being held to determine if Colemans secret employment of Albany County prosecutor Steven Sharp tainted Meros trial in December 2017. A jury convicted Mero, a former Albany city water employee, of the murders of Megan Cunningham and Shelby Countermine, both 23. The trial took place within the four-year period in which Coleman paid Sharp to work on four appellate cases. State Supreme Court Court Justice Peter Lynch, who presided over the trial, also was not aware of the Coleman-Sharp business relationship, which ultimately led to Sharps departure from the job where he earned $112,164 as the bureau chief of District Attorney David Soares general felony unit. Did Cheryl Coleman ever tell you that Steven Sharp, while working as a prosecutor for the Albany County district attorneys office, ... had performed appellate work for her? Mero's lawyer Trey Smith asked him No, replied Mero, a hulking man wearing a yellow jumpsuit. Smith then asked Mero if Coleman ever told him that Sharp has performed any other kind of legal work for her while employed by Soares office. No, Mero testified. The judge restricted the prosecutions questioning of Mero to the Coleman-Sharp business relationship. It was the first time Mero, who did not take the stand at his trial, has testified. Assistant District Attorney Collin DArcy asked Mero: Mr. Mero, you were sentenced to 50 years to life, correct? Lynch cut off the question. Prosecutors asked no more questions of Mero. On Feb. 21, Coleman testified that she told Mero about Sharps work for her during a meeting in the Albany County jail. She said it prompted Mero to smile. She said she reassured Mero its not like anyones going to throw anything at trial. Earlier Thursday, Sharp testified that no office policy prohibited him from working on the side for Coleman. If there was a rule in place, I would not have done it, Sharp said. Sharp and Chief Assistant District Attorney David Rossi prosecuted Mero, who was defended at trial by Coleman. Mero is now being represented by Smith and Matthew Hug. Smith questioned Sharp in an exchange that became combative at times. Sharp testified that he was disappointed in himself and felt bad about what happened not because he acted unethically but because the situation led to Meros effort to vacate his conviction. If you had not done nothing ethically wrong ... not violated any policy of the office that you were aware of, then why would you feel badly at all? Smith pressed Sharp. Sharp said he feels bad for several reasons. He noted that the father of Countermine was in the courtroom. He told Smith the mans daughter was murdered by your client and is upset that his conduct became an issue being used to exploit the circumstances here. It still bothers me to this day as I sit here looking at that man, Sharp said. He said he also feels bad not that I did anything unethical because former colleagues in Soares' office have had to testify at the hearing. Sharp testified there was nothing in place indicating to him that outside work was not permitted. He said when he started working for Soares, one prosecutor had his own private law practice. No one said anything to me about anything involving outside work, whatsoever, in the DAs office, Sharp testified. During testimony last week, Soares insisted his office had an unwritten policy that barred such work. He said that while he had never directly communicated to staffers that they were not allowed to do outside criminal defense work, he might have mentioned it at staff meetings and that the subject would have come up when he requested more prosecutors from the county legislature during budget talks. Smith asked Sharp why, if he believed the business arrangement with Coleman was not prohibited, did he not tell anyone in the office about it. Sharp told Smith he does not like to broadcast details of his personal life. I also knew that David wouldnt like it. Because he doesnt like Cheryl, Sharp said. It echoed Colemans testimony on Wednesday when she said she and Sharp were concerned that Sharp could lose his job if Soares learned Sharp was doing work for her because Soares was not a fan of Coleman, a frequent critic of the district attorney. When Rossi took the witness stand later Thursday, the judge asked him if he ever told Sharp before June 2018 that because of a policy or rule, he could not perform outside criminal defense work on collateral legal matters outside Albany County. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. I dont ever remember saying those words to Steve Sharp, Rossi replied. He said it was typical for employees to ask for permission in such circumstances, saying, Ive had people ask me for permission to work at a bakery. Sharp explained that his arrangement began in 2014 following a joke: Coleman was complaining about having to do appellate work. He sarcastically said that he could write briefs for her if they did not involve Albany County cases. A few months later, Sharp said, Coleman approached him about working on the first of what would be four briefs in appellate cases for Coleman. None of the cases originated in Albany County. Coleman testified Wednesday she believed she paid Sharp around $20,000 for the work, which was done between 2014 and 2018. The cases included the drug sale appeal of Michael A. Nicholas in Washington County, the murder case of Ganesh R. Ramsaran in Chenango County, the burglary case of Peter Mesko in Tompkins County and the manslaughter case of boater Alexander West, who was convicted of killing 8-year-old Charlotte McCue on Lake George in 2016. Sharps work for Coleman was first raised by Hug in 2018. He was appealing the conviction of Jordan Prusinski, a defendant who was convicted in a trial where Sharp was the prosecutor and Coleman was his attorney. Sharp echoed Coleman's testimony from a day earlier when he recounted that in 2018 Hug asked them to approach acting Supreme Court Justice Roger McDonough to request that he vacate Prusinskis attempted murder conviction. When Sharp said no, he recounted that Hug told him he was really sorry about it. Smith grilled Sharp about a phone call Sharp made that day to an associate of Coleman. He asked Sharp why he did not reach out to Coleman directly. If I called her, youd think that was more nefarious. The fact that I didnt call her, youre making that sound sinister, Sharp said. I have no idea why I didnt call her. These are just questions, sir, Smith replied. Sharp left his job with the district attorney's office in August 2018 after being suspended by Soares in the wake of Times Union coverage of the secret work. Sharp testified that he believed Soares indicated he would give him a reference for future employment if he resigned. Within a day of Sharps resignation, Albany County Public Defender Stephen Herrick, a retired judge who was familiar with Sharp, added Sharp to his staff. Members of Meros family appeared to be at the hearing, across the aisle from Countermines father. Prusinskis family has also attended the hearing. Jurors determined that Mero murdered Countermine and Cunningham. On Dec. 3, 2014, Countermine went missing after she met Mero for a $500, five-hour "date" at the home of Mero's parents in Albany. Her remains were found more than five months later in woods in Coeymans where Mero had worked for the water department. Countermines face showed signs of blunt force trauma. Cunningham, Mero's roommate at 12 Arcadia Ave. in Albany, died in what was initially ruled an accidental fire on Jan. 27, 2013. Police re-investigated Cunninghams death after Countermine's body was found and discovered evidence inconsistent with an accidental fire. Lynch said he will issue a written ruling on the effort by Meros attorneys on March 6. If Lynch finds that Mero was deprived a fair trial he can set aside the murder convictions and schedule a new trial. T he two latest victims of London knife crime were today named as an aspiring rapper who lived with his grandmother and a devoted mother-of-two. Tyler Roye, 24, was stabbed in a brutal and frenzied attack as he walked down an alley in Croydon shortly after midnight yesterday. Witnesses told how three men shouted, Were going to get you, before ambushing him. He was taken to hospital where he died in surgery. Mr Roye attended Orchard Park High School in Croydon and Bromley College, according to friends gathered at his family home in Streatham last night. His grandfather Aston Smith described Mr Roye as one of the best, saying: He was a family boy who lived with his grandmother. We had no idea why this happened. These young people need to lay down their knives. Tyler Roye, 24, Orchard Park High School in Croydon and Bromley College / Metropolitan Police Linda Stimpson, who lives near the scene of the attack in Stroud Green Way, said: I heard screaming and shouting, then one man came flying out of the alley and ran away. They were waiting for someone, and they got them. Mr Royes friend Kevin Munga, a former gang member who offers troubled youths advice on steering clear of knife crime, said: For this to happen so close to you, you just feel hopeless. This is what youre fighting against and now its even your friends. Detective Chief Inspector John Massey, who is leading the investigation said: This was a brutal and frenzied attack that has ended a young mans life. There have been no arrests. Police also appealed for information on the killing of Li Qing Wang, 35, who was found stabbed to death following a domestic incident at her home in Magnolia Close, Leyton, shortly before noon on Tuesday. A man aged 54 was arrested on suspicion of murder. Mrs Wang worked part-time at nearby Michaels Fish Bar until last September, when she told colleagues she planned to move to China to have another baby. A neighbour said: They were such a quiet family and had lived here a long time its really upsetting. Another resident said: I feel so bad for the kids, its just terrible. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine said: At this time we are not looking for any further suspects, and are working hard to piece the evidence together I believe Mrs Wangs friends can help us achieve that. Anyone with information on either killing is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Passengers flying out for spring break could face longer wait times at airports as the Transport Security Administration experiences a staffing shortage after putting in place a hiring freeze. A temporary hiring freeze has been put in place until April, or May, which will lead to staff shortages at security checkpoints, according to Union President Hydrick Thomas. It comes as the TSA attempts to address a living-wage pay rise across the board for all staffers. A TSA hiring freeze could mean longer wait times at airports during spring break A Democratic congressional aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the TSA House oversight committee was forced to put the freeze in place as it addressed the pay hike of 3.1 per cent for federal workers. The hikes will be put in place in accordance with a Congressional spending agreement announced in late 2019. Union head Thomas said he hasn't received official word on the freezes but he said regional TSA security directors did get word last week during a phone call. A temporary hiring freeze has been put in place until April, or May, which will lead to staff shortages at security checkpoints, according to Union President Hydrick Thomas Airports are already feeling the impact of the overtime and hiring freezes, for example, wait times (not pictured) at wait times at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport have stretched to 40 minutes In a statement, TSA said: 'In anticipation of another record-breaking summer travel season, the Transportation Security Administration is managing resources by prioritizing overtime to the busiest of travel periods. 'Additionally, TSA will continue to assess applicants for entry into TSA, and will conduct two extended hiring windows to coincide with the busy summer travel season.' A TSA spokesperson said the freezes won't negatively impact spring break travelers because the agency has already hired additional agents prior to the freezes. 'The pause in hiring will be lifted in late April to ensure that additional TSA officers are hired, undergo training, certification and go through some on-the-job training by the time summer travel season arrives,' the spokesperson told the Washington Post. But according to the Washington Post, an internal TSA memo read that airports are already feeling the impact of the overtime and hiring freezes. For example, the memo reads that a checkpoint at wait times at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport have stretched to 40 minutes. The memo said the long wait is, 'due to a large amount of passenger build up with national overtime revocation resulting in restricted checkpoint capabilities.' TSA union vice president Joe Shuker represents airport workers in the Washington, D.C. area. He said TSA workers depend on overtime pay to compensate for already low wages. 'We can't keep people,' he said. 'They spend so much money training people and then they leave. . . . We're losing people to Chick-fil-A in the airport,' Shuker told the Washington Post. However, the American Association of Airport Executives said that airports with heavy spring break crowds may be excluded from the hiring freeze, according to the Washington Post. Although, the organization has yet to get confirmation from the TSA. Right-wing Hindu socio-political thinker, writer, ideologue, and Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy who often makes news for his controversial statements has given his opinion on how to deal with the riot-like situation in Delhi. Remember Tiananmen Square, Beijing in 1988? And how Deng Xiaoping handled it? Perhaps there is a lesson there on how to handle the engineered disturbances of NE Delhi! Im sure all comrades will agree! Roy had said in a now-deleted tweet. BCCL The Tiananmen Square massacre refers to the brutal crackdown on protests by students in China calling for democracy, free speech and a free press in the country. The protests had started on April 15, 1989, at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The then government of Deng Xiaoping went on a brutal crackdown on the protesters on June 4. The government declared martial law and sent the military to occupy central parts of Beijing. Estimates of the death toll vary from several hundred to several thousand. China to this day holds the events that played out on that day a top-secret. It also gave the world an iconic image, which has since become a symbol of popular resistance against authoritarian governments around the world. The image often referred to as Tank Man showed a lone man standing in front of a column of tanks leaving Tiananmen Square. As the tank driver tried to go around him, the "Tank Man" moved into the tank's path. He continued to stand defiantly in front of the tanks for some time, then climbed up onto the turret of the lead tank to speak to the soldiers inside. Although what happened to Tank Man is not known, then-paramount Chinese leader Jiang Zemin stated in 1990 that he did not think the man was killed. It is not clear why Roy who suggested Tiananmen Square-like crackdown on rioters deleted the tweet. In a later tweet, Roy claimed that the disturbances in North East Delhi were engineered to coincide with the US Presidents visit. The Delhi Police had come under heavy criticism for its failure to control the riots was also accused of aiding the mobs. On Wednesday the Supreme Court had rapped the Delhi police for not taking action against those who made inflammatory speeches and said that if it had acted as required by law and in time the violence could have been averted. BCCL "If you had acted the way law required you to act and stopped people from making inflammatory remarks the spiral of violence could have been averted and lives saved," Justice KM Joseph had said. Press Release Nokia deploys 5G private wireless network for Lufthansa Technik virtual inspection trial Trial to utilize hyperfast wireless connectivity to enable remote engine parts inspection High definition video link takes customers directly to the overhaul shop floor 5G network to save time and cost, as well as improving efficiency and operational performance 27 February 2020 Espoo, Finland - Nokia and Lufthansa Technik, the leading provider of technical aircraft services, have deployed a 5G industrial-grade private wireless network to accelerate a project that enables remote engine parts inspection for its civil aviation customers. Through Lufthansa Technik's 'Virtual Table Inspection' proof of concept project at its Hamburg facility, the hyperfast 5G private wireless network will remove the need for customers to physically attend servicing by providing seamless video access to the engine overhaul shop floor. Currently, its customers travel to Hamburg to carry out components inspections when engines are overhauled, which means that they are entirely disassembled and inspected in utmost detail. With the new system, Lufthansa Technik will trial inspections of individual engine parts collaboratively over a fast, high-definition video link. Soeren Stark, Lufthansa Technik Executive Board Member, responsible for Technical Operations, Logistics and IT said: "Continuous innovation is part of our corporate DNA, and this is what drives us to constantly try out new approaches. The first application cases already impressively demonstrate the valuable contribution 5G technology can make to the aviation industry. It will also pave the way for numerous new innovations at Lufthansa Technik that will benefit our company, our employees and also our customers." Kathrin Buvac, President of Nokia Enterprise said: "This application captures the essential value of fast, secure 5G private wireless networking to help improve operational efficiency, productivity and service. It highlights the potential for new ways of working that benefit not only our customers, but also the markets they serve." In the 'Virtual Table Inspection' project, customers will be guided through the engine shop using a third-party mobile device that provides real-time, high-resolution video streaming with mechanics and engineers. This will allow virtual inspection of dismantled parts enabling joint decision making about inspected components. Nokia is delivering 5G private wireless network connectivity by deploying the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) solution. Nokia DAC is a plug-and-play digital automation platform that can easily scale from a small local deployment to multiple sites of large systems, all managed from the same web portal. Its flexibility will enable Lufthansa Technik to configure and adapt the network to precisely meet the project's needs. Remote, high-resolution screen inspection calls for high-bandwidth and low-latency capability to accommodate demanding upload and download speeds as well as adequate computing power to handle the processing requirements of live transmission. Maik Voigt, Project Lead, Lufthansa Technik said: "Not only does the Nokia solution help to transform how we work with our customers, but it's also a great fit for our industry's needs." Dr. Claudius Noack, Project Lead, Lufthansa Industry Solutions said: "In early phases, the private wireless network has shown to be technically first rate as well as being flexible to deploy and easy to tailor to our applications and work environment." Buvac added: "Lufthansa Technik has a strong reputation for innovation. By being a 'first mover' and investing in private wireless today, it has the opportunity to gain a clear competitive advantage over those who choose to wait. Our industrial-grade wireless connectivity provides the platform to capture the benefits of digitalization and opens the door to many new innovations that are set to transform industry." Nokia Digital Automation Cloudis an industrial-grade global digital automation service platform that provides a reliable, secure, and high-performance private wireless network, which is scalable according to needs. Nokia has deployed over 1,300 mission-critical networks with leading customers in the transport, energy, large enterprise, manufacturing, webscale and public sector segments around the globe. Nokia has also pioneered the private wireless space with many verticals, and now has over 130 large enterprise customers deploying private wireless networks in their industrial premises around the world. About Nokia We create the technology to connect the world. Only Nokia offers a comprehensive portfolio of network equipment, software, services and licensing opportunities across the globe. With our commitment to innovation, driven by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, we are a leader in the development and deployment of 5G networks. Our communications service provider customers support more than 6.1 billion subscriptions with our radio networks, and our enterprise customers have deployed over 1,000 industrial networks worldwide. Adhering to the highest ethical standards, we transform how people live, work and communicate. For our latest updates, please visit us online www.nokia.com and follow us on Twitter @nokia. About Lufthansa Technik With some 35 subsidiaries and affiliates, the Lufthansa Technik Group is one of the leading providers of technical aircraft services in the world. Certified internationally as maintenance, production and design organization, the company has a workforce of more than 25,000 employees. Lufthansa Technik's portfolio covers the entire range of services for commercial and VIP/special mission aircraft, engines, components and landing gear in the areas of digital fleet support, maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, completion and conversion as well as the manufacture of innovative cabin products. President Rodrigo Duterte warned that more Bureau of Immigration (BI) employees will be dismissed over the so-called pastillas bribery scheme. There would be more. I thinkmayroon atang napaalis na (there are some who were already dismissed). But they should be replaced, all of them, he said to reporters on Wednesday (February 26). The chief executive will wait for the investigation of Congress regarding the bribery scheme which allegedly grants Chinese nationals entrance to the Philippines by paying P10,000. He added that he has not decided yet on the fate BI Commissioner Jaime Morente. I defer to Congress first before I make any decision, he said. He also asked the Civil Service Commission to provide a list of names of individuals with good academic records to replace the dismissed employees.AAC (with reports from Rosalie Coz) The post Duterte warns: More BI employees to be dismissed over pastillas scheme appeared first on UNTV News. By Trend Danish companies have a lot of knowhow to share with Azerbaijan in sustainable energy sphere, Danish ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan Svend Olling told Trend. He noted that Denmark is specifically interested in developing cooperation with other countries on the topic of sustainability. "The Danish government has declared that they want to reduce carbon emission in Denmark by 70 percent by 2030. This is a very ambitious national goal, and we hope to encourage other countries worldwide to embark on the same ambitious journey," said the diplomat. Olling said Denmark is engaged in several projects centred on the exchange of knowhow and expertise between Denmark and partner countries. "Even though Azerbaijan has plenty of fossil energy sources, I believe that the country can also benefit from investing in cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. First and foremost, because all countries should contribute to the fight against climate change, but also because by investing in renewable and sustainable solutions, Azerbaijan widens its energy mix and becomes energy resilient in the long run. When it comes to sustainable investments and solutions, Danish companies have a lot of knowhow to share with Azerbaijan," said the envoy. In general, he said the bilateral relations between Denmark and Azerbaijan are characterized by friendliness and cooperation. "As a member of the EU, Denmark is cooperating with Azerbaijan through the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Eastern Partnership Initiative. These partnerships offer important spheres for enhancing trade relations but also provide a platform for discussing important topics such as human rights and democracy. On human rights and security politics, Denmark and Azerbaijan are also cooperating closely through institutions such as the Council of Europe and OSCE. In order to further improve relations between Denmark and Azerbaijan, dialogue and people-to-people contacts are of utmost importance. Enhanced trade relations including the exchange of goods, services and knowledge would surely be one way to achieve that," added Olling. The Congress has attacked the Centre over transfer of Justice S Muralidhar from Delhi High Court to Punjab and Haryana High Court. This is a classic case of hit-and-run injustice by the BJP government, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said while addressing a press conference on Thursday morning. It looks like those ho give justice in the country wont be spared, he added. Justice Muralidhar was hearing cases against BJP leaders who have made inflammatory speeches. This has exposed the politics of revenge and pressure practiced by the BJP, Surjewala added. Also Watch | Delhi violence: Congress wants Amit Shah to quit; Govt counters with 1984 jibe The notification, issued on late Tuesday evening, said Justice Muralidhar was directed to assume charge as a judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Supreme Court collegium - the panel of the apex courts top three judges led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A Bobde - had recommended Justice Muralidhars transfer on February 12. The Delhi High Court Bar Association had responded to the recommendation with shock and unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms condemned the recommendation. High court lawyers had also abstained from work for one day in protest on February 20. The collegiums decision was considered unusual by the lawyers because senior high court judges are transferred from their parent high court only to take over as Chief Justice of a high court. Transfer of a high court judge to another high court as senior judge who is not a chief justice is many times viewed as a punishment transfer. At the Delhi High Court, Justice Muralidhar is the third senior-most judge after chief justice DN Patel and justice GS Sistani. Just hours before the government issued orders for his transfer, Justice Muralidhar had held a midnight hearing at his residence to order the police to rescue 22 people stuck in a local hospital in north-east Delhi, one of the many trouble spots in the eastern part of the national capital that was affected due to communal riots. On Wednesday afternoon, Justice Muralidhar had led the bench that took the Delhi Police to task for not registering FIRs against BJP politicians and others for hate speeches recorded on tape. Justice Muralidhar started his law practice in 1984 in Chennai before shifting base to Delhi in 1987. He was appointed a judge of Delhi high court in May 2006 where he has served since then. A holidaymaker was left more than 19,000 out of pocket for a week after Expedia took eight times the amount of funds he was due to be charged from his bank account. Oliver, from London, was shocked to find that his bank account and overdraft had been completely wiped out after the holiday booking site mistakenly took thousands of pounds without warning. He had used Expedia on 15 and 16 October last year, attempting to book flights and a hotel in Dubai. However, each time after he entered the payment details, he received a message saying: 'There has been an error making the booking, please try again in a minute.' Expedia took over a week to refund 19k to a customer whose booking went through 8 times After leaving it for a while, he entered his payment details again but received the error message said: 'please start the booking again'. He tried this a few times further before giving up and decided to call Expedia directly to make the booking, which he did successfully. It wasn't until he looked at his bank account that he realised Expedia had pre-authorised and taken a hold of almost 2,500 of his funds eight times over, totaling nearly 20,000. This left him with no money in his bank account and no overdraft. Oliver immediately called his bank who said there was nothing it could do and he would have to deal with Expedia directly. However, the customer services for Expedia also told him there was nothing it could do either and he would instead have to wait 72 hours for the funds to be released. It offered him an 100 voucher for the inconvenience but Oliver declined, saying that aside from feeling like this was not enough, he never wanted to use the site again. Oliver was offered an 150 voucher as compensation but declined it as he felt it wasn't enough (stock image) It finally took eight days before the funds were released to him, leaving him incredibly frustrated. Another offer of a 150 cash was made but Oliver rejected this again as well. A spokesperson for Expedia said: 'When processing a booking, Expedia will request the customer's bank holds the booking amount to ensure the funds are available for payment. 'In this instance, the booking did not complete successfully so these funds were released automatically but experienced delays in getting to the customer's account. 'As a goodwill gesture, Expedia will offer 150 in cash and refund any charges incurred as a result of credit card authorisation.' Whilst Oliver finally had his money returned, in the time it was out of his account, his rent and other bills could have been set up to come out - both of which have consequences if they are not paid on time. This means he could have ended up in a bad financial position for a situation that was not his fault. Adam French, Which? consumer rights expert, said: 'If you have been accidentally overcharged for a product or service, you should contact the company immediately to make a complaint for it to be refunded. 'You can also speak to your bank to request a chargeback if you a struggling to contact the firm. 'While most companies will work to rectify the mistake as soon as possible, you may be entitled to compensation, but only if you can prove financial loss - so keep any pieces of evidence and speak with the company.' Other Expedia customers have taken to social media to express their frustration at encountering similar events. Double charge: This Twitter user said that Expedia charged her twice for the same plane ticket Another user said that he was also charged twice for a flight he booked on the holiday site This customer said she was charged twice by Expedia but still didn't receive her flight tickets However, Expedia is not the only holiday booking site to charge customers multiple times when they are attempting to book their holidays. Many of the issues faced by travellers being charged twice seem to stem from online booking systems used. This was the case with Mr Liu, who This is Money recently reported on. He was charged for the same booking twice - but the site refused to give him a refund for the second booking. He, too, received an error message but kept attempting to book, resulting in multiple bookings and charges. Lastminute.com said at the time it had checked the 'footprints of the bookings' and couldn't find any error. A Queensland mum is demanding answers after police tasered her teenage daughter, who has cerebral palsy, at her Townsville school. The mother says she cannot fathom why police acted the way they did, when her daughter, 16, has significant physical limitations and suffers seizures. Police say the girl began damaging property and lunged at an officer after they went to her Mundingburra school to speak to her about a separate matter on Thursday. 'She's got cerebral palsy, she has seizures, and she's only got the use of one hand and she's not very good on her legs, so why taser her?' the unnamed mother has told the ABC. The woman said she learned what had happened when a child safety officer called to advise that her daughter was in hospital. A Queensland mum is demanding answers after police tasered her teenage daughter, who has cerebral palsy, at her Townsville school (stock image) She said she assumed the teen had suffered a seizure at school but was told she'd been tasered. 'She said that they tasered her twice, they had her handcuffed to the bed,' the mother said. 'They said that she had a cricket bat and she was smashing things with it.' The woman has said she will lodge a complaint with police. Police have issued a statement confirming the incident, saying the girl had been damaging property and also lunged at an officer. 'A 16-year-old girl has sustained minor injuries after being subject to a taser deployment at an educational facility in Mundingburra,' police said. 'The girl was speaking with officers in relation to a separate matter when she allegedly became aggressive and started damaging property. As police and staff attempted to calm the girl she lunged at an officer who subsequently deployed their taser.' The girl was taken to hospital but was not seriously injured, police said. Her mother says she suffered bruises to her stomach. By PTI NEW DELHI: As violence raged around him in northeast Delhi, Shahjehanpur native Mohammad Asif was evicted from his house by his landlord in the early hours of Tuesday and caught by a frenzied mob that thrashed him with iron pipes, leading to major head injury. The 20-year-old said he was left vulnerable to attack after his landlord evicted him. "The mob attacked as I was left to fend for myself in the streets. I am from Uttar Pradesh and as my landlord threw me out, I had nowhere to go," he said. A traumatised Asif, with bloodstains on his face sat on a stretcher at the GTB Hospital, with bandages wrapped around his head and a leg. And, one of his injured hands was in a sling. "I have informed my family back home in Shahjehanpur, and they are coming to take me back," he said. Asif, who worked as in a small coat-making unit and lived in Ghond Chowk in northeast Delhi, he refused to talk to people and just stood in stony silence, grimacing in pain. At least 27 fatalities have been reported in the violence over the last few days, 25 at GTB Hospital and two at LNJP Hospital. Over 200 people have been injured in the violence in various parts of northeast Delhi in the last few days. GTB Hospital authorities said, a post-mortem is being conducted and family members would be handed over the bodies after due formalities. Injured persons, many with a bullet shot wounds continued to be brought in to hospitals. Mohd Yunus, 45 was brought to the GTB Hospital from Mustafabad area, one of the violence-hit areas. Sumit Kumar Baghel, 28, recalled how his brother who was returning from somewhere got caught in the mayhem unfolding in the streets. He sat on a pavement in the premises of the hospital and recounted the horrific tales of violence all around. "My brother accidentally came in touch with a burning building and got burnt. Others helped him and then we brought him to the hospital," said Sumit, who himself was nursing an injury in the foot from stone-pelting. "My brother is admitted here. Our neighbourhood never saw such violence, we celebrate both Eid and Diwali together. What is happening to Delhi," he asked. Many family members waited outside the mortuary to collect the bodies of their loved ones. Ashfaq Hussain died at 22 years of age with gunshot injury and his family was in a state of shock. A person, in his early 20s, who had a drilling rod-like object inserted in his head, was also among the injured brought to the GTB Hospital from affected areas, authorities said. "The rod has been surgically removed and he's fine now. The patient is conscious," a senior official at GTB Hospital said. Special arrangements have been made for the victims, designated beds and special provisions in OTs for surgeries, authorities said. YouTube cant be sued for restricting access to some of its videos because the company, though a prolific source of information with more than 30 million visitors daily, is not a government agency subject to constitutional guarantees of free speech, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The suit was filed in 2017 by Prager University, a nonprofit that does not hold classes or award degrees but seeks to communicate conservative views by posting short videos aimed at high school, college and graduate students. Several dozen Prager videos were classified by YouTube as restricted because of what the company considers mature content such as violence, drugs and alcohol, sex, terrorism, war or political conflicts. Most Prager viewers could still see them, but a small number of viewers, including some libraries, schools and businesses, as well as individual families, automatically filter out restricted content. The suit also challenged YouTubes decision to prohibit outside advertising on some Prager videos, a classification called demonetizing that is also based on content the company views as inappropriate for certain audiences. Prager, based in Southern California, sued San Bruno-based YouTube and its parent company, Google, in San Jose federal court. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh dismissed the suit in 2018 and was upheld Wednesday by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The First Amendment prohibits the government not a private party from abridging speech, Judge Margaret McKeown said in the 3-0 ruling. She said a private organization can act for the government on occasion, when it conducts a public function, like running an election or operating a company town. But hosting speech on a private platform is not a traditional government function, McKeown said. The court also rejected Pragers claim of false advertising, based on YouTubes descriptions of its content restriction policies and the companys public statements about its commitment to free expression for example, a statement that YouTube believes people should be able to speak freely, share opinions, foster open dialogue. 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. YouTubes policy descriptions were explanations to its customers, not advertising promotions, McKeown said. She said YouTubes braggadocio about its commitment to free speech amounted to expressions of opinion and puffery, not factual assertions that could be challenged as false advertising. In response to the ruling, Farshad Shadloo, a spokesperson for YouTube, said, Googles products are not politically biased. ... Our platforms have always been about sharing information everywhere and giving many different people a voice, including Prager U, who has over 2 million subscribers on their YouTube channel. Prager official Craig Strazzeri said in a statement, We wont stop fighting and spreading public awareness of Big Techs censorship of conservative ideas. Meanwhile, lawyers in Pragers case have filed another federal lawsuit in San Jose that claims YouTube classified certain videos as sexually explicit, and barred advertising, solely because they involved gay or lesbian sexual orientation. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 07:12:00|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close PARIS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- France confirmed on Wednesday one more positive case for the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 18. "It's the wife of a patient hospitalized in Annecy. Her health situation is not worrying, but she is hospitalized and confined," Health Minister Olivier Veran announced. The country, already on high alert as neighboring Italy is struggling to contain the virus outbreak, reported the second coronavirus death and five more cases in two days. A 60-year-old college teacher, who had not visited any country of risk, had caught the flu-like illness and died late on Tuesday. An elderly Chinese tourist died on Feb. 14. Another man, 55, from the same northern region of Hauts de France, tested positive without having been to an affected zone. He has been on life support in Amiens. "Investigations are underway to determine the source of these two infections," Etienne Champion, head of the regional health authority said. A crisis unit was implemented to identify anyone who had come into contact with the two men, he added. Two other cases involved two people who have recently stayed in Lombardy, a region in northern Italy with the most confirmed cases in the country. Another case involved a Chinese woman, who returned from China early this month and was hospitalized in Paris. Among France's 18 confirmed cases, 12 have been cured while four are still in hospital and two died. "For now, there is no epidemic in France. France continues its strategy to curb the spread of the virus," stressed the health minister, but adding that 15 million protection masks would be made available. The French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday issued a travel advice, calling on nationals to defer unnecessary trips to Lombardy and Veneto. It added that school trips to Italy, the most-affected in Europe, were suspended until further notice. The Ministry of National Education asked students who had spent holidays in China, Singapore, South Korea, and also in Italy's Lombardy and Veneto to stay at home for two weeks. As the COVID-19 is spreading rapidly across Europe, Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice, a French city close to Italian border, decided to cancel last major day of carnival "as a precaution." "For me, health must come first. This seems to me the most responsible decision...The carnival of Nice attracts a large international crowd and in particular our Italian neighbors," he said. Following the situation related to the coronavirus, the southeastern French city of Menton had also cancelled the three-week Lemon Festival which kicked off on Feb. 15. LEBANON, Pa. A former Pennsylvania state lawmaker charged last fall with possession of child pornography pleaded guilty Thursday. Mike Folmer entered a guilty plea in Lebanon County Court to three counts of possessing child porn and one count of criminal use of a communications facility for having items on his cellphone. Folmer did not comment as he left the courtroom, but told the judge he would have something to say at his sentencing hearing, scheduled for late May. Folmer faces up to 10 years in prison, but his attorney Brian Perry said after Thursday's hearing that he hopes the sentence will be far shorter. Folmer also will be evaluated to determine whether he should be classified as a violent sexual offender under state law. The defendant was entrusted to represent and serve the commonwealth, but instead chose to participate in the sexual exploitation of children. No one is above the law, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, whose office prosecuted Folmer, said in a statement issued after the plea. Folmer was a sitting four-term state senator last September when police arrested and charged him, saying a search of his cellphone on a warrant had turned up images of child pornography. Folmer promptly resigned and is now retired. Perry said Folmer has been engaged in counseling and treatment. State prosecutor Christopher Jones said during Thursday's hearing that Folmer possessed three images of nude children that depicted indecent contact. Folmer was forthcoming and cooperative when questioned by investigators, Jones told Judge Joseph Madenspacher. As Folmer walked down a hallway with supporters to leave the courthouse after the hearing, he was confronted by a woman who said she was a victim of childhood sexual abuse. Christi Daubert told Folmer that he deserved whatever punishment he would get. Daubert said she had spoken with Folmer before he was charged as part of a push by victim advocates to lift time limits in state law for victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue perpetrators and institutions that covered it up. The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault unless they give their consent, as Daubert has done. Daubert, 56, who lives near Folmer, said she had had several conversations with Folmer, and that he had assured her that the law would change, but he did not follow up on promises to set up a meeting on the subject. I felt violated all over again," Daubert said afterward. "It's very upsetting to me that I was baring my soul to someone who commits the same violations against children. The investigation into Folmer, a Lebanon County Republican, had gone on for months, following a tip from an online social media provider, Tumblr. Last February, Tumblr sent a complaint to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a user had uploaded at least one image that contained suspected child pornography in December 2017, according to court papers filed by the attorney general's office in September. Investigators then traced the Tumblr account to Folmers email address and home address, they said. The first case of coronavirus on the island of Ireland has been identified in Northern Ireland. The news was confirmed during a briefing by Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency this evening, RTE reports. The patient is receiving specialist care and the agency says they are working rapidly to identify any contacts the patient had. The agency said the patient had been to northern Italy and then travelled home to Northern Ireland through Dublin. The patient, who is believed to be an adult, is now in isolation at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. The Public Health Agency said it would be inappropriate to reveal any personal details and would not answer questions about gender, age or where the patient is from. Northern Ireland's Health Minister Robin Swann has spoken to Minister for Health Simon Harris this evening. Dr Michael McBride, Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, said the Public Health Agency is liaising with public health bodies in the Republic in an attempt to identify anyone the patient may have come into close contact with. The Agency would not comment on whether the patient travelled from Dublin to Northern Ireland on public transport. It says staff will work closely with health colleagues in the Republic to identify others potentially at risk. Minister for Health, Simon Harris, said: Giving the evolving situation this first case of COVID-19 disease was not unexpected. The National Public Health Emergency Team has been planning for this scenario since January. The general public should continue to adhere to the public health protocols issued by the Department of Health. Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer in the Dept of Health, said: The HSE is well-prepared and is working to inform any contacts the patient had in order to prevent transmission. COVID-19 is spread through close contact with an infected persons body fluids (e.g. droplets from coughing or sneezing), or by touching surfaces that an infected person has coughed or sneezed on. Close contact involves either face to face contact or spending more than 15 minutes within 2 metres of an infected person. The risk of transmission through casual contact is low. Public Health protocols, similar to those used to respond to previous incidents of pandemic influenza, SARS and MERS, have been in place since January and are operating effectively. The general public are advised to follow advice from the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre to protect their health. Any person concerned that they may have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) should immediately isolate themselves from others and phone their GP. - Anyone who has been to an affected region (mainland China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Iran & four regions in northern Italy) in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should self-isolate and call their GP - Anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days AND is experiencing symptoms should immediately self-isolate and call their GP - Anyone who has been to an affected region (China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Iran & four regions in northern Italy) in the last 14 days, and are well, should visit www.HSE.ie for advice It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) to show. Symptoms may include: a cough shortness of breath breathing difficulties fever (high temperature) COVID-19 (Coronavirus) can also cause more severe illness, including: pneumonia shortness of breath breathing difficulties fever (high temperature) Things you can do to protect yourself from getting COVID-19 (Coronavirus) include: wash your hand properly and regularly cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze Wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub: after coughing and sneezing after toilet use before eating before and after preparing food. STOCKHOLM, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Safeture launches today a world-first Coronavirus exposure tracker for companies that, in real-time, correlates each employee's travel patterns with the latest Covid-19 reported cases. The tool tracks daily Corona exposure into 5000 global subregions and in real-time checks with your employee's historical, current, and future locations using both real-time GPS tracking and travel booking data. The tool enables security, HR, and risk manager to get daily reports on Corona risk exposure of each employee based on each employee's unique travel pattern. This is a vital tool to be able to mitigate and manage the coronavirus spread within a company in case the virus becomes pandemic. Since the outbreak of the virus, many companies have tried to identify which employees may have been at risk of contagion when traveling in the vulnerable areas, an often difficult and time-consuming job, especially in global organizations. With the new unique tool launched today, anyone who has Safeture's security platform can quickly gain control over the situation and directly contact affected people, make an assessment of the necessary actions or cancel the trip. "With our leading position in technological development, we are the first to develop this type of tool for the market, says Andreas Rodman CIO at Safeture." "We act quickly to adapt our service to major events such as the outbreak of the Coronavirus because it affects virtually all of our customers." More than 2,500 large companies all over the world today use Safeture's unique platform to increase the safety of its employees, wherever they are. The platform allows you to quickly locate your employees and communicate with them in case they need help. Safeture also sends alerts and updated information about among other Coronavirus directly to users who are at risk. For more information, visit safeture.com CIO of Safeture AB: Andreas Rodman: 0708-10-13-16andreas.rodman@safeture.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/safeture-ab/r/a-unique-service-launched-today-to-protect-employees-and-organizations-from-corona-s-global-spread,c3048440 The following files are available for download: The Bihar Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution for the second time in just over a year favouring a caste-based census in 2021. Patna: The Bihar Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution for the second time in just over a year favouring a caste-based census in 2021. Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary made the announcement in the assembly during the pre-lunch session. "... This is an appropriate time when the House should convey its sentiments to the authorities concerned for a caste-based census... The proposed census 2021 be conducted on caste basis," Choudhary said. He said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had made a proposal for a similar resolution during the debate on adjournment motion on Tuesday on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register in the assembly, which found support from all other political parties in the House. The Bihar Assembly had on 18 February last year passed a unanimous resolution for carrying out caste census. Caste-based census was conducted way back in 1931, the chief minister had said. Evers ran in support of gun control measures in his campaign against Walker in 2018. After the Republican-controlled Legislature ignored his gun safety bills and following shootings on consecutive days at Wisconsin high schools, Evers pivoted, urging lawmakers in December to increase funding for mental health services. That was something Republicans had supported in the past, but Evers call to spend nearly $23 million on school-based mental health services has been met with silence in the Legislature. BAD AXE The Huron County Board of Commissioners agreed to a lease with the Region VII Agency on Aging for office space in the countys senior center. The three-year lease starts March 1, with the agency using about 860 square feet of office space in the building. The agency has the option to extend the lease for three successive renewal terms of one year, beginning when the initial term expiries. The agency will also pay monthly rent to the county, with utilities and internet included, and a pro-rated share of taxes and operating costs, to be shared with the county. The county will be responsible for maintaining the building and common areas, with the agency able to make repairs in the event that the county fails to do so. The lease shall be terminated if the agencys funding source for the lease will no longer be available or if the lease agreement is found to be in violation of federal or state regulations and modifications cannot be agreed on. The lease has been in the works since last June, when the Bay City-based Region VII, along with commissioner Steve Vaughan, announced they were looking into leasing office space in Huron County for two workers and pay about $100 a month in rent. The workers will work with anyone in the Thumb region who lives north of Sandusky, and provide services to certain frail, elderly people living in their communities who qualify for the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The senior center, at 150 Nugent Road in Bad Axe, is located next to a site where Region VII wants to build a PACE center for senior citizens. Former MP K. Kavitha comes out of the Nampally court in connection with the case filed against her during 2010 Nizamabad by-elections. (Photo: DC) Hyderabad: Former MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha, the daughter of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, on Thursday appeared before the Nampally court in connection with a case registered against her during the by-election to the Nizamabad Urban Assembly constituency in 2010 in the midst of the statehood agitation. Supporting then BJP candidate Yendala Laxminarayana, who had resigned for separate Telangana and contested again in the by-election, Ms Kavitha and others held a dharna before the superintendent of police and passed several remarks against the police. In this connection, the police had lodged a case against Ms Kavitha and three others Mopineni Nirmala, Jhansi Rani and Jugal Kishore for wrongful restraint and disobeying order promulgated by a public servant. She was also booked for violating the election code. Jhansi died during the course of the trial. On Thursday, Ms Kavitha appeared before the court while the other two were absent. The court later issued fresh notices to the duo. Police told the court that one of the accused has died. The court posted the case for March 19. Ms Kavitha was asked to submit a personal bond of `10,000 and appear in court on that day. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 14:14:42|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close U.S. President Donald Trump attends a press conference in the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 26, 2020. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday appointed Vice President Mike Pence to oversee the country's response to the novel coronavirus outbreak. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday appointed Vice President Mike Pence to oversee the country's response to the novel coronavirus outbreak. "I'm going to be announcing exactly right now that I'm going to be putting our Vice President Mike Pence in charge," Trump said at the White House briefing room, citing Pence's experience with health care policy. Trump said the virus's threat to the U.S. public "remains very low," but the country is "very, very ready" for whatever the coronavirus threat brings. Trump denied the community spread is "inevitable," while admitting that it could be "at a larger level." He said the country's is "ready to adapt" and "ready to do whatever we have to as the disease spreads, if it spreads." Trump said at the press conference that China is "working hard and smart" in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak and the United States also has a plan of larger-scale quarantine if things worsen. The United States has recorded a total of 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday. On Tuesday, U.S. health officials have heightened their alert against the COVID-19 outbreak, calling on Americans to brace for a community spread in the country. South Korea accounts for the largest number of patients outside of China, yet may not be alone - public health experts suspect other countries may have hundreds or thousands of undetected infections because they've been less aggressive than South Korea in contact tracing and publicising instances of potential exposure. Other nations may also lack the testing capacity. South Korea has run about 30,000 tests, many of them over the last week. The zealous effort to identify all potential cases has meant a granular level of detail. Based on interviews, credit card statements and CCTV footage, officials are retracing the steps of each infected patient and asking the public to get tested if they may have been exposed and were experiencing symptoms. Loading Emergency push alerts accompanied by screeching alarms asked: Were you at the hot springs in the city of Yeongju at 5.30pm on February 17, or at a particular yoga class in Andong after 2pm on February 18? Were you at a singing class in Busan on February 22, or in Gimhae on bus 128-1 between 8.36am and 8.52am on February 17? "It's very good from a public health perspective, having that kind of contact tracing," said Michael Mina, assistant professor of epidemiology at Harvard's T. H. Chan School of Public Health, who said the detailed data will be crucial to experts around the world studying how quickly and through what routes the virus transmits. At the same time, he said authorities should be sensitive to the varying degrees public tolerance in releasing potentially identifying details. "That can be very cultural. The US has a really strict culture of wanting very, very limited information shared," he said. "Whether to make the information truly public or to people who need to know, that balance needs to be struck." Noodle stands inside a traditional market are idle in Daegu, South Korea, amid the coronavirus outbreak. Credit:AP Dale Fisher, a Singapore-based physician and chair of the World Health Organisation's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, said the best way to curb the spread of the epidemic might be different in each country. "It's all contextual. In Korea it might be acceptable, in California that might cause an outrage," he said. "Community engagement is so critical in this response, the community needs to be part of the solution when you've got a community spread epidemic like this." In South Korea, the woman known as "Patient No. 31," suspected of being a super-spreader behind a massive surge in cases in the south-east of South Korea, has become a point of intense public interest, scrutiny and criticism. She was vilified online after reports that she had refused to be tested despite showing symptoms. Many questioned whether she could be criminally prosecuted. Fake photos, identifying details and rumours about the woman rapidly circulated on social media. "No. 31 on her own wiped out Daegu," one exasperated user wrote on Twitter. "Daegu is going down because of that No. 31 patient," another said. Loading The woman has given interviews to several local news outlets saying that although she wasn't given detailed instructions, she sought out testing for the virus. "We don't want to put a stigma on these people," said Ian Mackay, a virologist and associate professor at the University of Queensland in Australia. "People won't come forward if they think they're going to be held to blame for an infection they didn't intend to get or want to get." Much of the public outrage over the sharp increase in cases has been centred around the Shincheonji church that Patient No. 31 attended. A religious sect with 12 branches around the country, the church has been described as a "cult" for its messianic leader. It has been criticised for reportedly infiltrating other churches and its domineering hold on its members. Even a public health official in charge of infection prevention in Seo-gu in Daegu was revealed to be a member of the church after he was diagnosed with the virus. Many members hide their affiliation with the controversial church. More than 750,000 signed a petition to the South Korean president urging that the church be disbanded. Authorities in Gyeonggi province raided the group's headquarters in the city of Gwacheon, alleging that the church had been slow to turn over its list of members. South Korean officials said they would track down and test all 245,000 members of the church. Loading Katherine Gibney, an infectious diseases specialist and epidemiologist at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne said as the virus continues to spread globally, each government will determine how best to prepare its citizens for a potential outbreak without infringing on individual rights or heightening panic. "It's really important to get risk communication right. That's a challenge with every outbreak, especially with a novel virus," she said. "It's important to balance when it's potentially useful for someone to know, versus when it might just cause panic and without much actual risk of contracting it." Delhi criticism over the alleged inaction at the Delhi Violence is a sheer case of Lack of professionalism. Delhi police were sent six alerts on Sunday February 23rd 2020. This was a warning of possible violence asking for deployment to be set up after MLA of BJP Kapil Mishra has a gathering of people at the North East Delhi area of Maujpur. AFP The Clashes between the Pro CAA and Anti CAA erupted and turned into full fledged riots the next day but the police failed to act on the right time. Timesnow Sources quoted saying, the branch and intelligence wing had sent multiple alerts to the northeast district and police brass through radio messages. The first alert was sent after Mishra tweeted at 1.22 pm asking people to assemble at Maujpur Chowk at 3pm to support the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The intelligence wing anticipated clashes between the Pro CAA and Anti CAA and advised the police to set up force in the affected area. When Stone pelting began a lot of alerts were sent by the intelligence wing. An officer, quoted by the TOI said that an officer had accompanied Mishra to ensure that he left the tense area as soon as possible. He said that despite the police making a lot of efforts to normalise the situation, Anti-CAA protesters started pelting stones on Kapil Mishras group which later turned into clashes between the two groups. AFP However, later according to the police official, the situation was soon brought under control. Despite the Sunday clashes, police reportedly prepare for the next day despite the intelligence wing warning of the possible violence. The Police have denied that they neglected the alerts. An officer who did not name himself told the media that the police took all the measures after receiving the alerts. PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad police apprehended a gang of ATM thieves who arrived from Haryana in flights and cars and targeted ATMs in Pimpri-Chinchwad area with the help of local criminals, according to Sandeep Bishnoi, commissioner of police, Pimpri-Chinchwad. The six arrested men were identified as Azaruddin Tahir Hussain, 29; Sarfuddin Haseem Khan, 22; Mohammad Shakir Hassan Mohammad, 35, all residents of Haryana; Sandeep Manik Salve, 43, a resident of Jambhe in Mulshi, Pune; Dattatray Raghunath Kokate, 42, and Gautam Kisan Jadhav, 38, both residents of Thergaon, according to the police. The men were arrested by a team led by Wakad police station incharge senior inspector VV Muglikar and assistant inspector Harish Mane who kept a watch on the thieves in Haryana for 10 days before bringing them in. While Hussain, Khan, Salve and Kokate were involved in the Axis bank ATM theft, Mohammad and Jadhav carried out the RBL bank ATM theft. The accused from Haryana took help of three local thieves to target local ATMs and acquire equipment for cutting ATM open. They arrived in cars with their faces covered in masks and broke the CCTV cameras at ATMs, according to a statement by Pimpri-Chinchwad police. The thieves then used a gas cutter to cut open a side of the ATM to access the vault and steal the stored cash. The gang came under police scanner after two ATMs in Wakad were hit Axis bank ATM on January 27 and RBL bank ATM on February 12. The cash and the space holding the Axis bank ATM in Ganeshnagar area of Thergaon were damaged in a fire caused by the gas cutter that the gang attempted to use to steal money from the ATM. In the next attempt, they managed to steal Rs 12,84,100 from the RBL bank machine. After their arrest, the police recovered cash worth Rs 3 lakh, a Swift Dzire car registered in Haryana, an Accent car registered in Pune city and an i20 car registered in Haryana along with a Splendor Plus registered in Pimpri-Chinchwad. The police also recovered gas cylinder, gas-gun cutter, cassettes from ATMs that held cash, and 16 bank cards. The estimated worth of the recovered valuables is Rs 2,00,000, according to Bishnoi. Of the eight cases they were found involved in, three were registered at Wakad police station, two at Sangvi police station and one each at Bhosari, Dighi and Chikhali police stations. Of the eight cases, two are from the ongoing year while four are from 2019 and two from 2018. Khan has a history of eight other cases registered in parts of Gurugram area of Haryana. One of the eight cases is from 2015, one from 2016 and six from 2019. English French WASHINGTON and ARLINGTON, Va. and SCHAUMBURG, Ill. and OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The five-year moving average of the Actuaries Climate Index (ACI) reached a new high for the sixth consecutive quarter, according to the latest data release that includes summer 2019. The amplification of climate extremes and rising sea levels continues according to the latest seasonal measurements, says Doug Collins, Chair of the Climate Index Working Group. The ACI is a measure of long-term changes across an array of observed weather extremes and sea level in Canada and the United States, and is expressed in units of difference (standard deviations) from the mean for a 30-year reference period from 1961 to 1990. After reaching a value of 1.18 standard deviations in spring 2019 (revised upward from a preliminary calculated value of 1.16 due to data updates) above the Indexs historical reference period, the ACIs five-year moving average stands at 1.20 as of summer 2019. The ACI is based on analysis of seasonal data from neutral, scientific sources for six index components collected since 1961. The index measures changes in extremes of high and low temperatures, high winds, heavy precipitation, and drought, as well as changes in sea level for the United States and Canada combined and by region. Combining six components over a five-year measurement period, the indexs moving average smooths out monthly and seasonal fluctuations for a meaningful measurement of long-term climate trends. The index, sponsored by the American Academy of Actuaries, the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, the Casualty Actuarial Society, and the Society of Actuaries, is designed to provide actuaries, public policymakers, and the general public with objective data about changes in the frequency of extreme climate events over recent decades. Updated values are posted quarterly on ActuariesClimateIndex.org as data for each meteorological season become available. For more information or to set up an interview, please contact: Josee Gonthier Manager, Communications, Canadian Institute of Actuaries josee.gonthier@cia-ica.ca 613-236-8196 ext. 106 About the Sponsoring Organizations The American Academy of Actuaries is a 19,500+ member professional association whose mission is to serve the public and the U.S. actuarial profession. For more than 50 years, the Academy has assisted public policymakers on all levels by providing leadership, objective expertise, and actuarial advice on risk and financial security issues. The Academy also sets qualification, practice, and professionalism standards for actuaries in the United States. The Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) is the national, bilingual organization and voice of the actuarial profession in Canada. Our more than 6,000 members are dedicated to providing actuarial services and advice of the highest quality. The Institute holds the duty of the profession to the public above the needs of the profession and its members. The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) is a leading international organization for credentialing and professional education. Founded in 1914, the CAS is the worlds only actuarial organization focused exclusively on property and casualty risks and serves over 9,000 members worldwide. Professionals educated by the CAS empower business and government to make well-informed strategic, financial and operational decisions. With roots dating back to 1889, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the worlds largest actuarial professional organization with more than 30,000 actuaries as members. Through research and education, the SOAs mission is to advance actuarial knowledge and to enhance the ability of actuaries to provide expert advice and relevant solutions for financial, business and societal challenges. The SOAs vision is for actuaries to be the leading professionals in the measurement and management of risk. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eea40abf-f459-4b22-bd4f-3dc5b1526d74 A leaked letter has blown the lid off Married At First Sight's latest cheating scandal. After Michael Goonan denied kissing Hayley Vernon at Wednesday's dinner party, he has since admitted to it in a handwritten note obtained by Daily Mail Australia. The bombshell memo, which Michael wrote to provoke a reaction from Hayley, also hinted that he kissed another bride from the show. Scandal! Married At First Sight's Michael Goonan (left) has finally admitted to kissing Hayley Vernon (right) in a handwritten note he left for her at a Melbourne radio station 'Hayley, you're not the only one I kissed! Plenty more secrets,' Michael wrote, before signing off with 'M'. Hayley was given the note by someone at Fox FM after stopping by the Melbourne radio station for an interview on Thursday morning. Michael had visited the same studio only recently, and had given the note to a staff member with instructions to pass it on to Hayley. 'You're not the only one I kissed, plenty more secrets': The letter, which Michael wrote to provoke a reaction from Hayley, also hinted that he kissed another bride from the show Messages: Hayley was given the note by someone at Fox FM after stopping by the Melbourne radio station for an interview on Thursday morning. Michael had visited the same studio only recently, and had given the note to a staff member with instructions to pass it on to Hayley Gossip: Hayley sent a photo of the note to several friends via Instagram on Thursday afternoon. Daily Mail Australia has obtained a screenshot of one of those messages, which read: 'This is the letter Michael left at Fox FM for me' Hayley sent a photo of the note to several friends via Instagram on Thursday afternoon. Daily Mail Australia has obtained a screenshot of one of those messages, which read: 'This is the letter Michael left at Fox FM for me.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hayley Vernon and Channel Nine for comment. Cheater: Hayley's secret kiss with Michael was exposed at Wednesday night's dinner party Hayley's secret kiss with Michael was exposed at Wednesday night's dinner party. The pair had hooked up a week earlier in Vanessa Romito and Chris Nicholls' apartment after a boozy night out in Darling Harbour. At the time, Michael's 'wife', Stacey Hampton, was in Adelaide with her children, and Hayley's 'husband', David Cannon, was down the hallway in his room. Affair: The pair had hooked up a week earlier in Vanessa Romito and Chris Nicholls' apartment after a boozy night out in Darling Harbour Coward: During the dinner party, Michael dodged allegations he was unfaithful by insisting he was 'too drunk to remember' what happened. Meanwhile, Stacey Hampton (pictured) took her husband's side and accused Hayley of 'taking advantage' of Michael while he was drunk During the dinner party, Michael dodged allegations he was unfaithful by insisting he was 'too drunk to remember' what happened. He acknowledged that he was acting 'stupid' and flirting with Hayley on the night in question, but claimed he had no recollection of kissing her. Hayley, who prides herself on being honest regardless of the consequences, told the group they had in fact kissed. Meanwhile, Stacey took her husband's side and accused Hayley of 'taking advantage' of Michael while he was drunk. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine In a massive breakthrough from Dhaba in northern India, ancient tools have recently been discovered dismissing the Toba catastrophe theory, as per international reports. The theory claims that the Toba super-eruption - which occurred 74,000 years ago left the human population on the brink of extinction. The recent study has reportedly uncovered an ancient and "unchanging" stone tool industry used by humans in the Middle Son Valley about 80,000 years ago - both before and after the Toba eruption. 15-million-year-old crater on Earth confirms presence of water on Mars Stone tools dismiss Toba catastrophe theory Reports state that while archaeological evidence in Asia and Africa have suggested that the eruption was tremendous but not catastrophic. "Populations at Dhaba were using stone tools that were similar to the toolkits being used by Homo sapiens in Africa at the same time," explains archaeologist Chris Clarkson from the University of Queensland. Photo: Chris Clarkson Clarkson added that as the toolkits did not disappear at the time of the Toba super-eruption or change dramatically was indicative of the fact that the inhabitants survived the catastrophe and continued to create tools to modify their environments. Moreover, reports state that the results from Dhaba suggest that humans migrated out of Africa and expanded across Eurasia earlier than expected, surviving the disaster. The study also revealed that tools found in Dhaba resemble African and Arabian techniques from the Stone Age. Scientists discover Henneguya Salminicola, a life form that lives without oxygen What is the Toba Catastrophe theory? The theory states that during the Toba supereruption which was a supervolcanic eruption that occurred about 75,000 years ago in present-day Sumatra, Indonesia caused a global volcanic winter of six to ten years and possibly a 1,000-year-long cooling episode. While the theory has been highly controversial and has been disproved by many, in 1993 science journalist Ann Gibbons stated that a population bottleneck occurred in human evolution about 70,000 years ago which was caused due to the eruption. Though geneticists have agreed on the drop in human genetic diversity, they have claimed it may have been due to a founder effect loss of genetic variation due to the establishment of a new population by a very small number of individuals from a larger population not due to Toba eruption. 'Its not mine', Elon Musk quips as astronomers spot 'mini-moon' orbiting Earth NASA says there could be life in deep underground caves of Mars English French GTT: 2019 Annual Results A record level of new orders and results above expectations Highlights Orders at record level in core activity: 57 LNG carriers in 2019; 6 large-capacity ethane carriers; 3 GBS 1 . Ongoing growth in the LNG fuel market: 5 large-capacity container vessels; 1 container vessel retrofit; 2 bunker ships. Key figures for 2019 Consolidated Revenue of 288.2 million; Consolidated EBITDA of 174.3 million; Proposed dividend of 3.25 per share2 (compared to 3.12 per share in 2018). Outlook for 2020 Consolidated revenue target: between 375 million and 405 million; Consolidated EBITDA target 3 : between 235 million and 255 million; : between 235 million and 255 million; Dividend target, in respect of FY2020 and FY2021, amounting to a payout rate of at least 80% of consolidated net income4. Paris, 27 February 2020 - GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) a technology and engineering company specialised in the design of membrane containment systems for maritime transportation and storage of liquefied natural gas hereby presents its results for FY2019. Philippe Berterottiere, Chairman & CEO of GTT commented: "In addition to receiving 57 orders for LNG carriers, a new annual record for our core business, our 2019 GBS and VLEC orders demonstrated our ability to cover the entire value chain for liquefied gas transport and storage. The year was also notable for the many investment decisions taken for gas liquefaction projects. This was another record, with over 70 million metric tonnes per year under construction last year. These decisions are a sign of confidence on the part of the major gas companies over the long-term prospects of the LNG market. They will generate orders for LNG carriers in the next three years. With respect to the LNG as fuel, we received eight orders in 2019, including an order to retrofit a container vessel for Hapag Lloyd, which opens new development prospects in this promising sector. As a reminder, I would like to stress that the adoption of LNG as fuel by merchant vessels is of considerable importance for the environment. A few days ago, we announced the acquisition of Marorka, an Icelandic company specialised in Smart Shipping. This is another milestone in the implementation of our digital strategy, which also aims to make the maritime world a cleaner place. Our 2019 results were better than expected thanks to a particularly high flow of orders over the past two years. Our business growth has resulted in the Group recruiting new talents, notably in R&D, increasing reliance on subcontracting to execute the design of the vessels ordered and investing in new premises to welcome our new arrivals. These measures began in 2019 and will continue in 2020. In terms of our prospects for the current year, given the current healthy order book and the Groups preparations for the future, we believe that the 2020 consolidated revenues should be within a range of 375-405 million, consolidated EBITDA within a range of 235-255 million, and we are maintaining our commitment, for the 2020 and 2021 financial years, to pay out dividends of at least 80% of our net income5". Business activity In 2019, the Group demonstrated its ability to cover the entire value chain for liquefied gas transport and storage with a record number of LNG carriers and emblematic orders in GBS (Gravity Based Structures) and very large ethane carriers. - LNG carrier orders at record highs GTT's business activity was marked by a number of successes during the 2019 financial year, particularly in the field of LNG carriers. In addition to the 26 orders for LNG carriers booked during the first half of the year, there were an additional 31 orders in the second half of 2019, i.e. a total of 57 LNG carrier orders for the year. GTT's core business activity is, therefore, at a particularly high level. All of the carriers will be equipped with GTT's recent technologies (Mark III Flex+, Mark III Flex and NO96 GW). Deliveries are scheduled between end-2020 and early 2023. - Six orders for latest generation ethane carriers In September 2019, GTT's membrane technology was selected for the design of six very large ethane carriers (VLEC) built by Korean shipyards Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) on behalf of the Chinese company Zhejiang Satellite Petrochemical. These second generation ethane carriers will be the largest ever built in the world (98,000m). Designed for multi-gas use, i.e. to transport ethane as well as several types of gas such as propylene, LPG and ethylene, these six vessels will also be "LNG ready", offering the possibility of containing LNG in the future without the need to convert the ship's tanks. - Order of three GBS: a first for GTT At the end of September, GTT announced the signing of a contract with Saren BV (a joint venture between Renaissance Heavy Industries Russia and Saipem) for the design and construction of three GBS terminals (Gravity Based Structures) dedicated to the Arctic LNG 2 project. The contract concerns the design, construction studies and technical assistance for the membrane containment systems of the LNG and ethane tanks which will be installed inside the three GBS terminals. The first two GBS terminals will be equipped with two LNG tanks, each with a capacity of 114,500m, and an ethane tank of 980m. The third GBS terminal will be equipped with two LNG tanks of 114,500m each. The GBS terminals, which will lie on the seabed, will consist of concrete caissons with membrane containment tanks using GTTs GST technology. The units will be built in a dry dock at Novatek-Murmansk LLC. They will then be towed and installed in their final location in the Gydan peninsula in Russian Arctic. - LNG as fuel GTT received four orders in 2019 to design tanks for six merchant vessels and two bunker vessels: In March 2019, GTT received an order from the Sembcorp Marine shipyard for the design of tanks for an LNG bunker vessel of 12,000m on behalf of the ship-owner Indah Singa Maritime Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL); In April 2019, GTT received an order from the Chinese shipyard Hudong-Zhonghua for the design of an LNG tank of 6,500m as part of the conversion of a very large capacity container ship for the German ship owner Hapag Lloyd; In June 2019, GTT received an order from the Chinese shipyard Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd. for the design of LNG tanks of 14,000m for five new giant container ships on behalf of a European ship owner; In December 2019, GTT received an order from the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard for the design of tanks for an LNG bunker vessel of 18,600m for the Japanese ship owner Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL). The vessel will be operated by ship owner MOL and chartered by Total. Technologies During the Gastech trade show, which was held in mid-September 2019, GTT announced several advances in its technology development process. The American Bureau of Shipping classification society issued the "LNG Cargo Ready" rating to GTT for its latest VLEC (Very Large Ethane Carrier) model, a first in the ethane sector. The rating certifies that the ethane carriers can be used to transport liquefied natural gas without having to convert the ship's tanks. GTT also received approval in principle from the classification society Bureau Veritas for icebreaker vessels using Mark III Flex and N096 L03+ technologies sailing in Arctic waters. In addition, GTT signed a joint agreement for the design of a very large crude carrier (VLCC) using LNG as fuel with Lloyds Register (classification society) and several partners. Lastly, GTT announced the new name of its latest technology: GTT NEXT1 (formerly NO96 Flex). This system benefits from both proven NO96 technologies, with Invar membranes, and the advantages provided by the polyurethane foam insulating panels used in Mark III technology. Licence agreements In December 2019, GTT signed a Technical Assistance and License Agreement (TALA) with the Wison Offshore & Marine company (WOM) based in China to equip LNG production, liquefaction and storage units (FLNG), floating storage regasification units (FSRU), floating storage, regasification and power generation units (FSRP) and LNG carriers using GTT membrane containment systems. WOM is a pioneer in the field of floating LNG units in China. This agreement enables the company to continue developing its offering for ship owners in new markets, in particular, floating solutions, while advancing the development of LNG as marine fuel within the global supply chain. Order book Since 1 January 2019, GTT's order book excluding LNG as fuel, which at the time stood at 97 units, has evolved as follows: 57 LNG carrier orders; 6 LNG carrier orders; 3 GBS orders; 27 LNG carrier deliveries; 3 FSRU deliveries. On 31 December 2019, the order book, excluding LNG as fuel, consisted of 133 units, of which: 113 LNG carriers; 6 ethane carriers; 6 FSRUs; 2 FLNGs; 3 GBS; 3 onshore storage tanks. With respect to LNG as fuel, with the eight orders in 2019, the number of vessels in the order book stood at 19 units as at 31 December 2019. Change in consolidated revenue in 2019 (in thousands of euros) 2018 2019 Change Revenue 245,987 288,224 +17.2% Of which newbuilds 231,505 273,353 +18.1% From services 14,481 14,871 +2.7% Consolidated revenue amounted to 288.2 million in 2019, compared to 246.0 million in 2018, representing an increase of 17.2% over the period. The revenue from new construction was 273.4 million, up 18.1% compared to the previous year, benefiting notably from the flow of orders recorded since mid-2017. Royalties on LNG carriers amounted to 231.0 million (+16.2% compared to 2018), while royalties on FSRUs totalled 25.3 million (+0.7%). The other royalties, which totalled 17.1 million, stemmed from FLNGs, onshore storage tanks, GBS and LNG as fuel. The strong increase in royalties (+124.2%) was due, in particular, to the growth of LNG as fuel with revenue reaching 9.7 million (compared to 1.6 million in 2018); Revenue from services also increased (+2.7%), notably thanks to maintenance assistance services and the growing contribution of Ascenz, offset by a decline in preliminary design studies. Analysis of 2019 consolidated income statement (in thousands of euros, except earnings per share) 2018 2019 Change Revenue 245,987 288,224 +17.2% EBITDA6 168,699 174,318 +3.3% EBITDA margin (on revenue, %) 68.6% 60.5% Operating income (EBIT) 159,901 170,033 +6.3% EBIT margin (on revenue, %) 65.0% 59.0% Net income 142,800 143,353 +0.4% Net margin (on revenue, %) 58.1% 49.7% Basic net earnings per share7 (in euros) 3.85 3.87 2018 was marked by non-recurring items, in particular the reversal of a tax risk provision of 15.2 million booked in 2017, tax income of 5.7 million following a claim relating to the tax on dividends during 2015 and 2016, as well as a goodwill impairment of 5.3 million. In 2019, EBITDA reached 174.3 million, up 3.3% compared to 2018. Excluding non-recurring items, EBITDA grew by 13.6%. This evolution is mainly due to the 25.5% rise of cost of sales, external expenses and personnel charges, in line with the increase in orders (core activity and LNG as fuel) and the intensification of research and development projects. Net income reached 143.4 million in FY2019, up slightly by 0.4% compared to the previous year. The small change in net income was also due to non-recurring items in 2018. Excluding 2018 non-recurring items, net income grew by 12.6% in 2019. Other 2019 consolidated financial data (in thousands of euros) 2018 2019 Change Investment expenditures (including the Ascenz acquisition in 2018) (11,819) (9,021) -23.7% Dividends paid (98,549) (121,980) +23.9% Cash position 173,179 169,016 -2.4% At 31 December 2019, the Company's net cash position amounted to 169.0 million. In a context of increasing activity, this stabilisation was due primarily to the increase in dividends paid and, to a lesser extent, to the change in working capital requirement. Dividend in respect of 2019 On 27 February 2020, after approving the financial statements, the Board of Directors decided to propose the payout of a dividend of 3.25 per share in respect of FY2019. This dividend, payable in cash, will be submitted for approval at the General Shareholders' Meeting of 2 June 2020. As an interim dividend of 1.50 per share was paid on 27 September 2019 (in accordance with the Board decision of 25 July 2019), the payment in cash of the outstanding dividend balance, i.e. 1.75 per share, will take place on 10 June 2020 (ex-dividend date for the remainder of the dividend: 8 June 2020). The proposed dividend corresponds to a payout ratio of 84% of consolidated net profit. Moreover, in accordance with the indications given by the Company upon its IPO, an interim dividend should be paid out in November 2020 in respect of FY2020. Outlook The Company has visibility as regards its revenue from royalties out to 2023 based on its order book at the end of 2019. In the absence of any significant order delays or cancellations, this corresponds to a revenue of 708 million for the 2020-2023 period8 (375 million in 2020, 232 million in 2021, 79 million in 2022 and 22 million in 2023). On that basis, the Group: Announces a target of between 375 million and 405 million in consolidated revenue for 2020; Announces a target of 235 million to 255 million in consolidated EBITDA 9 for 2020; for 2020; Targets the payment of dividends amounting to a payout rate of at least 80% of consolidated net profit for FY2020 and FY202110. Coronavirus GTT generates most of its revenues in Asia, particularly in South Korea (85% in 2019) and in China (10%). For GTT, the main risk of the coronavirus epidemic consists of possible delays in the vessel construction schedule, which can lead to delay in revenue recognition from one year to the next. As of the date of this press release, GTT has not observed any delay in the vessel construction schedules. The risks linked to the impact of the epidemic on the world economy, and more particularly on the demand for LNG, remain difficult to assess today. The Group recalls, however, that the LNG market is mainly based on long-term financing and perspectives. In addition, within the 456 Group employees, 60 are detached in shipyards (South Korea and China) and 39 employees are present in the Group's subsidiaries in Asia (1 in China, 38 in Singapore). GTT attaches particular importance to their health and that of their families. The Group has put in place recommendations, which are updated regularly according to the evolution of the situation, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Measures have also been put in place for head office employees. GTT will inform the market in the event of a significant impact of the epidemic on its activities and results. Governance The Board of Directors meeting of 27 February 2020 co-opted, on the proposal of Engie, Pierre Guiollot as a Director to replace Judith Hartman, who has resigned. Francoise Leroy, independent Director, whose mandate was due to expire at the next General Meeting of Shareholders, has resigned. The company will propose the appointment of a new female independent Director, which will be subject to the approval, or as the case may be, the ratification, of the next General Meeting of shareholders. *** Presentation of results for FY2019 Philippe Berterottiere, Chairman & CEO, and Marc Haestier, CFO, will comment on GTT's annual results, and will answer questions from the financial community during a conference call in English on Friday 28 February 2020, at 8.30 a.m. Paris time. To participate in the conference call, please dial one of the following numbers five to ten minutes before the start of the conference: France: + 33 1 76 70 07 94; United Kingdom: + 44 20 7192 8000; United States: + 1 631 510 7495. Confirmation code: 5547539 This conference call will also be broadcast live on GTT's website (www.gtt.fr) in listen-only mode (webcast). The presentation document will be available on the website. Financial agenda 2020 first-quarter revenues: 17 April 2020 (after the close of trading); General Meeting of Shareholders: 2 June 2020; Pay-out of the remainder of the dividend (1.75 per share) for FY2019: 10 June 2020; 2020 half-year results: 29 July 2020 (after the close of trading); 2020 third-quarter revenues: 28 October 2020 (after the close of trading). About GTT GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) is an engineering company expert in containment systems with cryogenic membranes used to transport and store liquefied gas, in particular LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). For over 50 years, GTT has been maintaining reliable relationships with all stakeholders of the gas industry (shipyards, ship- owners, gas companies, terminal operators, classification societies). The Company designs and provides technologies which combine operational efficiency and safety, to equip LNG carriers, floating terminals, and multi-gas carriers. GTT also develops solutions dedicated to land storage and to the use of LNG as fuel for vessel propulsion, as well as a full range of services. GTT is listed on Euronext Paris, Compartment A (ISIN FR0011726835, Euronext Paris: GTT) and is notably included in the SBF 120 and MSCI Small Cap indexes. Investor Relations Contact information-financiere@gtt.fr / +33 1 30 23 20 87 Contact Presse: press@gtt.fr / +33 1 30 23 42 26 / +33 1 30 23 80 80 For further information, please consult www.gtt .fr/en , and, in particular, the presentation to be uploaded online for the conference call of 28 February 2020. NOTE GTTs full-year IFRS financial statements have been audited, The auditors report will be issued before the companys universal registration document is filed with the AMF scheduled for end-April 2020. Important notice The figures presented here are those customarily used and communicated to the markets by GTT. This message includes forward-looking information and statements. Such statements include financial projections and estimates, the assumptions on which they are based, as well as statements about projects, objectives and expectations regarding future operations, profits, or services, or future performance. Although GTT management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors and GTT shareholders should be aware that such forward-looking information and statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties that are generally difficult to predict and beyond the control of GTT, and may cause results and developments to differ significantly from those expressed, implied or predicted in the forward-looking statements or information. Such risks include those explained or identified in the public documents filed by GTT with the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF Autorite des Marches Financiers), including those listed in the Risk Factors section of the GTT Registration Document filed with the AMF on 30 April 2019, and the half-year financial report released on 25 July 2019. Investors and GTT shareholders should note that if some or all of these risks are realised they may have a significant unfavourable impact on GTT Appendices (Consolidated IFRS financial statements) Appendix 1: Consolidated balance sheet In thousands of euros 31 December 2018 31 December 2019 Intangible assets 2,457 2,757 Goodwill 4,291 4,291 Property, plant and equipment 16,634 20,198 Non-current financial assets 3,158 5,084 Deferred tax assets 3,049 3,031 Non-current assets 29,590 35,360 Inventories 7,394 10,854 Customers 96,006 139,432 Income tax assets 34,079 41,771 Other current assets 6,556 8,496 Financial current assets 16 16 Total cash and cash equivalent 173,179 169,016 Current assets 317,229 369,585 TOTAL ASSETS 346,819 404,945 In thousands of euros 31 December 2018 31 December 2019 Share capital 371 371 Share premium 2,932 2,932 Treasury shares -1,529 -11 Reserves 34,852 55,614 Net income 142,798 143,377 Total equity - Group share 179,424 202,284 Total equity - share attributable to non-controlling interests 17 -3 Total equity 179,441 202,280 Non-current provisions 4,075 5,001 Financial liabilities - non-current part 2,100 2,089 Deferred tax liabilities 210 120 Non-current liabilities 6,385 7,210 Current provisions 3,372 1,583 Suppliers 11,483 16,791 Current tax debts 6,988 6,192 Current financial liabilities 337 16 Other current liabilities 138,813 170,872 Current liabilities 160,993 195,454 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 346,819 404,945 Appendix 2: Consolidated income statement In thousands of euros 2018 2019 Revenue from operating activities 245,987 288,224 Costs of sales -2,998 -7,102 External expenses -40,951 -53,924 Personnel expenses -45,817 -51,623 Taxes -4,325 -5,128 Depreciations, amortisations and provisions 8,874 -4,348 Other operating income and expenses 4,632 4,209 Impairment following value tests -5,502 -276 Operating profit 159,901 170,033 Financial income 55 124 Profit before tax 159,956 170,157 Income tax -17,156 -26,804 Net income 142,800 143,353 Net income Group share 142,798 143,377 Net earnings of non-controlling interests 2 -25 Basic earnings per share (in euros) 3.85 3.87 Diluted earnings per share (in euros) 3.84 3.85 In thousands of euros 2018 2019 Net income 142,800 143,353 Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss Actuarial Gains and Losses Gross amount 126 -1,731 Deferred tax -19 203 Total amount, net of tax 107 -1,528 Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss Conversion differences 139 65 Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax 246 -1,463 Income statement 143,046 141,890 Appendix 3: Consolidated cash flow statement (In thousands of euros) 2018 2019 Group profit for the year 142,800 143,353 Removal of income and expenses with no cash impact: Allocation (Reversal) of amortisation, depreciation, provisions and impairment -3,180 1,599 Proceeds on disposal of assets 191 7 Financial expense (income) -55 -124 Tax expense (income) for the financial year 17,156 26,804 Free shares 266 2,255 Cash-flow 157,177 173,894 Tax paid out in the financial year -33,199 -35,220 Change in working capital requirement: - Inventories and works in progress -466 -3,460 - Trade and other receivables 15,122 -43,426 - Trade and other payables 545 5,371 - Other operating assets and liabilities 45,076 31,158 Net cash-flow generated by the business (Total I) 184,255 128,317 Investment operations Acquisition of non-current assets -2,890 -9,021 Disposal of non-current assets - - Control acquired on subsidiaries net of cash and cash equivalents acquired -8,929 - Financial investments -6,671 -1,904 Disposal of financial assets 6,645 - Treasury shares -6 585 Change in other xed nancial assets 49 13 Net cash-flow from investment operations (Total II) -11,802 -10,327 Financing operations Dividends paid to shareholders -98,549 -121,980 Repayment of financial liabilities -919 -65 Increase of financial liabilities 40 10 Interest paid -31 -54 Interest received 178 245 Change in bank lending -57 -273 Net cash-flow from finance operations (Total III) -99,338 -122,118 Effect of changes in currency prices (Total IV) 174 -37 Change in cash (I+II+III+IV) 73,290 -4,164 Opening cash 99,890 173,179 Closing cash 173,179 169,016 Cash change 73,290 -4,163 Appendix 4: Consolidated revenue breakdown In thousands of euros 2018 2019 Revenue 245,987 288,224 of which new builts (royalties) 231,505 273,353 LNG carriers/VLEC 198,778 230,961 FSRU 25,087 25,264 FLNG 3,605 4,986 Onshore storage 1,433 1,955 GBS - 533 Barges 962 - LNG Fuel 1,640 9,654 Services 14,481 14,871 Appendix 5: 10 year order estimates In units Order estimates(1) LNG carriers 285-315 VLEC 25-40 FSRU 20-30 FLNG <5 Onshore storage tanks and GBSs 15-20 (1) 2020-2029 period. The Company points out that the number of new orders may see large-scale variations from one quarter to another and even one year to another without the fundamentals on which its business model is based being called into question. 1 Gravity Based Structures 2 Subject to approval by the Shareholders Meeting of 2 June 2020. 3 EBITDA: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, in accordance with IFRS. 4 Subject to approval by the Shareholders' Meeting and the amount of distributable profits in the corporate financial statements of GTT SA. 5 Consolidated net income, subject to distributable net income in the parent company financial statements of GTT SA, and subject to approval of the Shareholders Meeting. 6 EBITDA: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation, in accordance with IFRS. 7 The calculation of net earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding, i.e. 37,043,099 shares at 31 December 2018 and 37,069,480 shares at 31 December 2019. 8 Royalties from the main business line, i.e. excluding LNG fuel and services , in accordance with IFRS 15. 9 EBITDA: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, in accordance with IFRS. 10 Subject to approval by the Shareholders' Meeting and the distributable profits in the corporate financial statements of GTT SA. Attachment Press Release February 27, 2020 Transcript of Interview with Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilion CNN's The Source with Pinky Webb 27 February 2020 Q: House leaders sent a letter to the NTC telling the NCTC to grant a provisional authority to ABS-CBN SFMD: That's good, because, then, if you look at the antecedents, there is in fact a memorandum of agreement signed by the NTC and the KBP, basically saying that while the renewal of franchise is pending in Congress, it states that they can continue to broadcast so long as the renewal of franchise is being processed. That indicates the perception of the NTC of its power. Yes, I heard in your program former CJ Puno saying that a franchise is needed. First of all, let me emphasize that the power to grant franchise is with Congress. This is a Constitutional duty of Congress. The interpretation of the Constitution is not the exclusive monopoly of the Supreme Court. Both the Congress and the executive branch, represented by DOJ secretary, are of the common view that the NTC can issue a provisional authority pending the processing by the Congress of the renewal of the franchise.Retired Chief Justice Puno said there are Supreme Court decisions. The SC decision is different on its factual background, because in that case the applicant no longer had a franchise and there was no more franchise pending in Congress. And the SC said, yes, you need a franchise and the NTC does not possess that authority. I emphasize that in the case of ABS-CBN, it is a different situation. There is a pending application being debated upon actively. Both houses of Congress - Speaker Cayetano, Senate President Sotto and Senator Poe as chairman of the Committee on Public Services- all said that a franchise continues to be valid while we are deliberating on the renewal. And Justice Secretary Guevarra concurred with that view. Here, you have two branches of the government, who are co-equal with the SC saying, yes, we can do it. Unless otherwise it is stopped by the SC, it is our view and it must be given due consideration that ABS-CBN can continue broadcasting as long as the Congress would continue to debate on the franchise. Q: Former CJ Puno said that we need a franchise and NTC, wala kayong karapatang magbigay ng permit. SFMD: We respect the view of the former CJ. But we disagree and we have our own view. Why are we so in a hurry to terminate the franchise? Remember, it is not at every instance that a franchise is necessary. I ask you a question, for example, all the bus companies, where do they get their franchise? Not from Congress but from the LTFRB as a supervising agency on transportation, in the same manner that the NTC is the supervising agency on the telecommunications. The Congress and the executive through the DOJ, whose opinion is binding on the executive, have the same view that ABS-CBN can continue to operate until this Congress expires. That is precisely what we are doing now. Of course I tried to provide a safety measure through the joint resolution. Today, we have only six session days before we adjourn. On May 4, everybody will be on pins and needles whether or not ABS-CBN can continue to operate. Q: If you say that the Senate and the justice secretary were one that this can happen but there is a decision penned by the SC, it is as if saying, dalawa kaming ganitong opinion. Ganon po ba yun? SFMD: That is not unusual. A law can always be subject to different interpretations. There are decisions in the SC saying that the opinion of the technical agencies should be given due consideration. The opinion of Congress, in this case, which grants the franchise, should also be given due consideration. Remember, we are not prohibited from interpreting our own powers. In fact we not prohibited from interpreting the Constitution and the laws and that happens every day. Until the Supreme Court says otherwise, that stands. SFMD: The SC case cited by the former CJ is not squarely applicable here. Even assuming that it is squarely applicable, you examine the decisions of the SC, as we lawyers do, there are many instances that they changed their minds. The fact that the Supreme Court says so should not freeze us into inaction. Q: For the SC to look into this, it has to be questioned again? SFMD: That's correct. Q: While it is not being questioned, it stands? SFMD: Yes. Q: The 2003 ruling of the SC? SFMD: No. While the case has not been brought to the Supreme Court, the opinions of the administrative and political agencies should prevail. Q: So, Congress and the Justice secretary's opinion? SFMD: Yes. Q: You authored both a joint resolution and concurrent resolution, why the need for both? SFMD: A joint resolution has the force and effect of law and, therefore, once it is passed, that is processed as a law and, in fact, would be subject to the approval of the President. The concurrent resolution was borne out by the opinion of Sec. Guevarra who expressed his view that the NTC would be strengthened by a concurrent resolution. That is why we filed the concurrent resolution, which expresses the sense of the Senate. Q: There was a statement made by SP Sotto, where he said that we could support such resolution but the SC decision cited by former CJ Puno is a game changer. SFMD: That's a correct reaction. What I am saying is, the fact that there are three SC decisions should not freeze us into inaction, because we have our own interpretation and we can go back to the Supreme Court and say, you may want to take a second look at this. There is nothing wrong with that. Q: But somebody has to go to the SC? SFMD: Yes, that's correct. Senate President Sotto citing the jurisprudence is correct. What I am saying is the jurisprudence is there, but it is not etched in stone and we can ask for review. We have a strong basis because both houses of Congress and the secretary of just have said that it (to allow ABS-CBN to continue to operate while the matter is pending in Congress) can be done. Q: On Speaker Cayetano's remarks SFMD: We will not go down to that level of characterization, of calling a co-equal branch sipsip. We would like to think that Speaker Cayetano knows the principle of inter-parliamentary courtesy, wherein we respect each other's process. It has been made clear that we are hearing a resolution extending for a short period of time the franchise of ABS-CBN but we will not act on it until the HoR passes a similar measure. Q: On the quo warrant and the gag order SFMD: I think the Supreme Court will think deeply before they allow a gag order because this is very basic. We are a co-equal branch. there are Supreme Court decisions which said that no court can issue a gag order, because when we investigate, it is of different nature than that of the judiciary. We investigate in aid of legislation to enable us to craft policies. The SC would investigate in order to adjudicate competing rights. Magkaiba po. I think, hopefully, the SC will not issue a gag order. Q: What about the quo warrant? You were a justice secretary, senator, quite a long list of credential you have. What are you thoughts on this? SFMD: At the very least, both Congress and the Supreme Court would have jurisdiction. But I would like to think that this issues, yes, we are debating on it, but on May 4 it will become academic, because the franchise expires. What quo warranto are we talking about? The issue of whether it will be renewed is up in the air. Q: What if the NTC grants a provisional permit, so the quo warranto stands? SFMD: It is debatable because ABS-CBN will be operating on a basis of a provisional authority. But of course that will be disputed. According to former CJ Puno, a provisional authority must be premised on a franchise. Q: The President accepts the apology of ABS-CBN. Do you think it has effect on how HoR will view the President accepting the apology? SFMD: In our system, let's face it, history will tell us that the House of Representatives will always support the President. The Senate can stand more independently of the President for the very simple reason that we are elected nationwide. To your question, I'll just point to the political history of Congress. I am not saying it is bad, all I am saying is that the reality, because the HoR is usually supportive of the President. Q: On the VFA petition to be filed by Senate SFMD: The consensus is that, we must be armed by the sense of the Senate resolution that it is, in fact, this issue should be brought to the Supreme Court on the question that, whether or not the President, alone, can terminate a treaty. There are views by legal scholars saying that the mirror should apply, which means that the process of withdrawal should mirror the process of approval. That is a theory and even in the United States this is an open question, so the Senate President said let us ask the Supreme Court to define where we are and I have filed a resolution asking the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to back us up with a sense of the Senate resolution. I was talking to Senate President Sotto yesterday and he said he would like to see the resolution put on the floor for debate next week. Q: Kailan po ipa-file. SFMD: As soon as we have it (the sense of the Senate resolution that the termination of treaties needs Senate concurrence). We have to have the Senate as a petitioner, not just individual senators. Of course it will not change the legal issues, but it is better that it is the Senate as an institution which will bring the issue to the Supreme Court. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has advised Ukrainian citizens to temporarily refrain from traveling to the South Korean cities of Daegu and Cheongdo, which have been designated as special zones due to the spread of the coronavirus. A respective recommendation was made public by the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. "Due to the worsening of the epidemic situation related to the spread of the new type of coronavirus (2019-nCoV/Covid-19) on the territory of the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine recommends that citizens of Ukraine temporarily refrain from traveling to the cities of Daegu and Cheongdo. The Government of the Republic of Korea has designated Daegu and Cheongdo as 'special care zones'," the report said. Ukrainian citizens, who already stay in South Korea, were advised to exercise caution and avoid visiting crowded places. op THIES, Senegal The only place in the world where fighters linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State are cooperating is in West Africas sprawling Sahel region, giving the extremists greater depth as they push into new areas, according to the commander of the U.S. militarys special forces in Africa. I believe that if its left unchecked it could very easily develop into a great threat to the West and the United States, said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dagvin Anderson. The leader of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa described the threat even as the Pentagon considers reducing the U.S. military presence in Africa. Experts have long worried about collaboration between al Qaeda and the Islamic State. While the cooperation in the Sahel is not currently a direct threat to the U.S. or the West, its very destabilizing to the region, Anderson said. He spoke on the sidelines of the U.S. militarys annual counterterrorism exercise in West Africa, currently the most active region for extremists on the continent. The alarming new collaboration in the Sahel between affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State is a result of ethnic ties in the region that includes Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Whereas in other parts of the world they have different objectives and a different point of view that tends to bring Islamic State and al Qaeda into conflict, here theyre able to overcome that and work for a common purpose, Anderson said, emphasizing that its a local phenomenon. The cooperation allows the extremist groups to appeal to a wider audience in a largely rural region where government presence is sparse and frustration with unemployment is high. The past year has seen a surge in deadly violence in the Sahel, with more than 2,600 people killed and more than half a million displaced in Burkina Faso alone. Al Qaeda is the deeper threat both in the region and globally, Anderson said. Islamic State is much more aggressive and blunt, and so in some ways they appear to be the greater threat, he said. But al Qaeda, which continues to quietly expand, is for us the longer strategic concern. Al Qaeda has been successful at consolidating efforts in northern Mali and moving south into more populated areas and taking various groups and galvanizing them together into a coherent movement, Anderson said. The most prominent of those affiliates is a coalition of al Qaeda-linked groups known as JNIM with about 2,000 fighters in the region, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. West Africas Sahel, the vast strip of land just south of the Sahara Desert, for years has struggled to contain the extremist threat. In 2012, al Qaeda-linked fighters seized large swaths of northern Mali. French forces pushed them from strongholds in 2013 but the fighters have regrouped and spread south. The largest Islamic State affiliate in the region, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, emerged more recently and claimed responsibility for killing four U.S. soldiers in Niger in 2017. The attack led to an outcry in Washington and questions about the U.S. military presence in Africa. Between the advances of al Qaeda and Islamic State-linked fighters, once-peaceful Burkina Faso has become the latest front for what experts call an alarming rate of deadly attacks. As a result, regional leaders have decided to deploy 3,000 troops to the Sahel region, an African Union official said Thursday. The decision comes as the United States considers cutting its military presence in Africa while urging African solutions to African problems. That has sparked pressure from worried security allies including France and regional countries as well as a rare bipartisan outcry among lawmakers in Washington. The African Union force would join Frances largest overseas military operation, the 5,100-strong Barkhane, and the 15,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping force in Mali. Carley Petesch is an Associated Press writer. BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur on Thursday reminded the Congress about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and Emergency after the main opposition party demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over the violence in Delhi. Seeking to know the basis on which the Congress has demanded Shah's resignation, she said the party's morality was evident during the anti-Sikh riots and 1975-77 Emergency. Thakur also accused the Congress of orchestrating the violence in Delhi. The Bhopal MP was talking to reporters after appearing in a special NIA court here in connection with the 2008 Malegaon blast case, in which she is one of the accused. "How much morality they have became clear during the 1984 riots and Emergency," she said in response to a question over Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's demand for Shah's resignation over the violence in Delhi, which has so far claimed 34 lives. "This entire thing (violence) is orchestrated by them and they are asking for resignation. There is no morality left in them. On what basis they are seeking resignation?" she asked. Sonia Gandhi had on Wednesday held the Central and the Delhi government responsible for the communal violence in the city and demanded Shah's resignation. She had also alleged that there was a "well-planned" conspiracy behind the violence. "BJP has never done anything against the country. It has not indulged in any activity which is not in the interest of the country and never will," Thakur said. "The entire country knows that the decisions taken by the party (BJP) in Parliament is in the interest of the country and meant to make it stronger," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australian media personality Ben Fordham has sparked a debate on social media after he struggled to decipher a set of parking signs spotted on a Sydney street. The 2GB radio host shared a picture of the confusing signs on Instagram after spotting them while attempting to park in the city centre on Wednesday. The photograph, believed to be taken on Pitt Street in Haymarket, shows six complex signs on a single pole advising drivers when they can and can't park in the designated zones - and for how long. Channel Nine TV presenter Ben Fordham has sparked a debate on social media after he struggled to decipher a set of parking signs (pictured) spotted on a Sydney street The 2GB radio host was left confused after he stumbled across the confusing parking signs Sydney father Bruno Bouchet decided to create an elaborate flowchart (pictured) to give drivers a better understanding on how to read the confusing signs Breakdown of the signs 1. Special Event Clearway with arrows pointing in both directions. Drivers are prohibited from parking their cars from 11am on Saturday, February 29 to 4am on Sunday, March 1. 2. Graphic picture showing a car being towed away by a tow truck 3. No Stopping with an arrow pointing to the left. Vehicles can't stop under any circumstances on the spots to the left of the sign between 6am to 10am and 3pm to 8pm from Monday to Friday. 4. 4P (four-hour ticket parking) with an arrow pointing to the left. Drivers must pay for a ticket to park on the left of the sign between 8pm to 12am from Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm on Saturday and 8am to 10pm on Sunday and public holidays. 5. Loading Zone with an arrow pointing to the left. Only drivers of vehicles principally constructed for carrying goods can park in the Loading Zone. The vehicles include vans, trucks, and other commercial vehicles. Drivers must pay for a ticket to park on the the spot to the left of the sign between 10am to 3pm from Monday to Friday and 6am to 10am on Saturday. 6. No Stopping with an arrow pointing to the right. Vehicles can't stop under any circumstances on the spots to the right of the sign. Advertisement A City of Sydney spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the Transport for NSW had installed the following signs: Special Event Clearway sign for Mardi Gras this weekend; No Stopping sign as part of the Sydney City Centre Capacity Improvement Plan; and Tow Away sign as part of its plan to keep traffic moving. 'The City installed the Loading Zone sign to allow delivery vehicles to load and unload during business hours and the 4P sign to allow general parking at night and on weekends,' the spokesperson said. After shedding light on the six signs, the City spokesperson said: 'The City of Sydney agrees there is a better way to inform drivers about parking restrictions on Sydney's streets. The City has long been lobbying the state government to introduce kerbside line markings as used in many cities around the world to reduce the clutter and confusion that multiple signs create. 'To simplify on-street parking signs, the City of Sydney needs the support of Transport for NSW.' However, after years of lobbying, Transport for NSW declined to take up the City's recommendations. After spotting Fordham's post, Sydney father Bruno Bouchet decided to create an elaborate flowchart to give drivers a better understanding on how to read the confusing signs. 'My mate Ben found the following Sydney CBD streets signs difficult to understand. Not sure why. Anyway - here's a super simple guide to understanding whether you can park there or not,' Bouchet tweeted, along with his graph. Many Australians were left scratching their heads when they saw the complex street signs Despite creating his flowchart, Bouchet admitted he still didn't understand the complex signs In August 2018, Sydney journalist Dean Nye tweeted a picture of multiple signs he spotted in Leichhardt. He described the signs as 'the most confusing thing I've ever seen' Full statement from City of Sydney In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, a City of Sydney spokesperson said: The City of Sydney agrees there is a better way to inform drivers about parking restrictions on Sydney's streets. The City has long been lobbying the state government to introduce kerbside line markings as used in many cities around the world to reduce the clutter and confusion that multiple signs create. To simplify on-street parking signs, the City of Sydney needs the support of Transport for NSW. Following a Council resolution, the City wrote to Transport for NSW in 2016 seeking support to implement a range of options, including: Investigate the potential to use linemarking to represent No Parking restrictions an option that has been used successfully in the UK For dual parking restrictions on the same plate (for example 2P/4P), remove the need to have separate arrows for each restriction if the restriction applies in the same direction Consider innovative options, such as electronic parking signs and New York-style graphic arrangements that could be developed collaboratively by RMS and the City and trialled on the City's streets. Unfortunately, Transport for NSW declined to take up the City's recommendations. The City of Sydney has long been lobbying the state government to simplify on-street parking signs - but to no avail The City is continually working to reduce visual clutter across the city and improve the design and placement of necessary signs in the public domain. More than 2,000 signs have been removed from city streets to reduce the visual pollution since 2004. The City actively aims to simplify signs wherever possible when installing new parking restrictions, including using existing infrastructure such as light poles and traffic signal posts instead of installing dedicated parking stems. From the sign, Transport for NSW installed the following signs: Special Event Clearway sign for Mardi Gras this weekend; No Stopping sign as part of the Sydney City Centre Capacity Improvement Plan; and Tow Away sign as part of its plan to keep traffic moving The City installed the Loading Zone sign to allow delivery vehicles to load and unload during business hours and the 4P sign to allow general parking at night and on weekends. Advertisement Other Australians were left scratching their heads when they saw the complex street signs emerged on Twitter. 'You need a degree to understand those parking signs,' Lainey tweeted. Alan said: 'The sign is so laden with mind-numbing instruction, it's about to tear away from the pole under its own weight.' Silks said: 'I've done a law degree and still have no hope with a Surry Hills parking sign.' Fiby said: 'Gotta love the city of Sydney.' And Annette added: 'These signs are for real!! They do your head in.' In August 2018, Sydney journalist Dean Nye tweeted a picture of multiple signs he spotted in Leichhardt, along with the comment: 'Sydney take a chill pill'. Nye told 2GB at the time the signs were 'the most confusing thing I've ever seen'. 'I just don't understand how people during the week, in peak hour, how they're meant to read that really quickly,' Nye told Fordham. 'These signs should be easily digestible and that certainly wasn't.' Chinese Official Exposes Lax Coronavirus Control Measures in Wuhan Community A Chinese communist official in Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, recently exposed the situation in the neighborhood under his jurisdiction, detailing how authorities were ineffective in handling the crisis. He posted a letter on the internet but it was removed by censors soon after it went viral on Feb. 18. Vancouver-based Chinese media Creaders.net saved the anonymous letter and republished it on its website. The Chinese regime has ramped up censorship measures; internet police are working around the clock to monitor online chats and social media posts regarding the coronavirus outbreak. Any posts that criticize the Communist Partys response to the epidemic are immediately deleted. Some authors have been punished by local police. Editors note: The following is an English translation of the officials online post, originally written in Chinese, and has been edited for clarity. The Epoch Times could not independently verify the details in this account. I am almost 60 years old. Since I am afflicted with coronary heart disease and high blood pressure, I should be turning a blind eye to many things so I can keep my temper under control. However, I am at the forefront of the battle against the epidemic and I live in a super infected block. I have witnessed a very chaotic situation where human lives are at stake, and I must get it off my chest regardless of the consequences. Ineffective Lockdown Management Our residential community announced the implementation of lockdown management on Feb. 10. The first problem, however, is that the rules for the isolation facilities have been loosely applied, which I can still observe today [Feb. 18] from my apartment, a high-level unit. The second problem is that security measures have turned out to be a mere formality. I saw with my own eyes that security guards were often absent from their posts. Many of them let people through after asking a few simple questions instead of checking their passes or credentials, or taking body temperatures. The third problem is the failure to control residents. Unauthorized residents have managed to get in and out regardless of the guards warnings. Some even walked past the guards by merely showing their high official work IDs. Ineffective Self-Quarantine Isolating oneself at home is a joke. When the leading coronavirus control authorities at all levels shifted the blame, local residential communities were commanded to enforce the quarantine ordersa task far beyond their capacity. In our community, for instance, a mere 10 staff members are put in charge of around 3,613 families. At the initial stage of the city lockdown, like many other communities, ours also had patients who struggled to get diagnosed or hospitalized. The three taxis owned by our community were not enough, even if they operated 24/7. And drivers who had no protective suits were not willing to assist patients or suspected patients. Sometimes, when 120 [Chinas medical emergency number] was called, the drivers would not come unless the patient had already been accepted by a hospital. [Editors note: A patient must first receive approval to be admitted at a hospital.] As a result, patients and their families went to the community service center and hospitals on their own, leading to the exponential growth of infected cases within the community. Before the policy of isolating whoever should be isolated was enforced, it was actually the healthy people who stayed at home, while the four groups of peopleidentified as confirmed cases, suspected cases, those with a fever, and those who had close contact with confirmed or suspected caseswent out every day. Such a ridiculous fake quarantine has caused the occurrence of more than 580 confirmed patients in our Shuiguo District before Feb. 13. Even in such a tiny area, the number of the above mentioned four groups of people could have exceeded 1,000. Our block, for example, has become a real super infected block containing nine people who belong to one of the four groups. Helpless patients who died because of delayed treatment were reported to the residential committee. But without protective suits, the staff there refused to collect the bodies. It was even more ridiculous that some people got rid of the clothes that their deceased family member(s) wore (when they were ill) and placed them in the common area. These clothes were left to be disposed of by inexperienced volunteers and residents with their bare hands, because no professional would come to disinfect them. Questionable Investigations On Feb. 8, Chinas Central Steering Committee issued an order declaring war against the epidemic. For a few days, more than 30,000 government employees supposedly went into the community to carry out comprehensive and detailed investigations. I know how these investigations were conducted. Imagine, one of these officials claimed to have investigated 99 percent of the residents! Of these 30,000 plus people dispatched, there would only be about ten of them working to investigate any one community. How could ten plus people figure out the number of residents in a community within three days? It would take more than three years to complete the overall investigation. This, in fact, was another unenforceable order. Being Denied the Right to Know the Truth Lies are killing people in Wuhan. We dont know the real situation, not even the situation of our own residential building. But we deserve the right to know everything, which can only help us to control the contagion. We were told that buildings with red tape indicate that no residents are infected by the virus, but the ones with white notices posted outside indicate infections. But our building has no such notices, and we have no way of knowing whos infected. So some residents believe its safe to go in and out of the building. People working in the Shuiguo District, including many from the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, are not aware of how serious the epidemic is here. They dont know that six hotels nearby have been requisitioned for quarantine. They dont know that we have more than 580 confirmed patients. Nor do they know that there are hundreds or even thousands of the four groups of people in our area! No wonder they [local officials] dared to come in and out and walk their dogs around so carefree every day before the serious news [coronavirus outbreak] was announced in mid-February! I didnt know until Feb. 12 that there are 90 who are designated as one of the four groups of people in our community, and nine of them are in my building. Realizing that the situation is getting worse, I chose to join the volunteer teams without hesitation, hoping to relieve the pressure on the community somehow. Today, I have disclosed the epidemic situation in my community to notify the public. I hope this does not violate any of the rules. Devin France in Wendy Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures Some fairy tales are treasure troves for folklorists, who plumb their depths for themes and archetypes often shared by disparate cultures. Other fairy tales are best left unplumbed. Take J. M. Barries play Peter Pan, which the writer-director Benh Zeitlin has reimagined and retitled Wendy. As in Zeitlins attention-grabbing debut, Beasts of the Southern Wild, the story is told in a freewheeling, imagistic style plainly influenced by Terrence Malick and similarly steeped in anxiety over civilizations threat to the environment. Zeitlin who was raised by folklore scholars and has more or less remained in the family business depicts the boy who refuses to grow up as a dreadlocked imp who is intimately connected to an undersea creature called Mother, who looks like a giant, shimmering catfish. Mother appears to represent Nature (and youth, and life, and hope, etc.) and communicates with her Lost Boys and Girls through geysers and volcanic eruptions on a remote island. Her aura is reminiscent of Barries Tinker Bell, but the consequences of not believing in Mothers mystical beneficence are far more dire: You promptly get old, are exiled from paradise, and develop piratical impulses. On paper, Zeitlins story ties together better than Peter Pans, in which the characters seem random dogs who serve as nannies, Native American princesses, fairies who are applauded back to life, clock-swallowing crocodiles. But random turns out to be a hell of a lot more fun. The movies prologue is the only thrilling part. Zeitlins titular heroine and narrator first appears as a toddler in her mothers diner; its adjacent to a train station, and she watches a little boy celebrating his birthday throw a fit, wander out onto the tracks, climb a ladder to the top of a car, and go chugging off to who knows where. Years later, Wendy (Devin France) still lives upstairs from that diner and has identical twin brothers named Douglas and James (Gage and Gavin Naquin). Unlike the adults, she doesnt just mourn the disappearance of that boy; she seems to envy him for having escaped. She wants adventure before she turns out like her mom, once a badass but now sagging under the weight of grown-up responsibilities. When Peter Pan (Yashua Mack) and his wayward shadow show up, the three children scamper after him onto a passing train and leave the swamps and the factories behind. Its an exhilarating trip until that island looms, whereupon Peter greets its belching volcano with Hey, Mother! Happy to see you too! Thats when I started to get confused. In the original Peter Pan, Wendy was whisked away to serve as a mother to the Lost Boys, who revel in their eternal youth but still heres the dramatic tension crave maternal affection and guidance. Except theres a mother here already: a mother of a mother, Mother Nature. There seems little for Wendy to do but watch the kids frolic with Sturla Brandth Grvlens camera chasing after them (he looks to be getting in on the fun) and Dan Romer and Zeitlins score surging and swooping from crescendo to crescendo to manufacture and sustain momentum. The style is immersive, meant to envelop us and bring us into the story, but it ends up making the movie feel abstract and distant. And theres a void at the center. Macks Peter is either talking to Mother or on his own rascally wavelength. He seems much younger than Wendy, who doesnt have much of a relationship with him. (When Barrie rewrote his play as a novel, he called it Peter and Wendy. Their bond is what holds the ramshackle fairy tale together.) The pirate equivalents are a loose tribe of old men and women who loll around the arid part of the island lamenting the youth that was taken from them because they had sad thoughts and doubted themselves. They hate on Mother something fierce. One of them (whose identity is a surprise) loses a hand, acquires a hook, and hatches a plan to murder Mother, an act he is convinced will turn him back into a child a baffling notion we have to accept or risk losing interest in the film altogether. By the time of the climactic duel, Zeitlin has managed to wind his way back to the specifics of Barries Peter Pan but in a way that feels grimly intellectualized. Look, its Captain Hook only without the arrrrs and the cool pirate costume and the paranoid fixation on a croc. Anything a kid (or the kid in us) would get excited about has been purged. Beasts of the Southern Wild also unfolded on a semi-abstract plane, but it was grounded in a vivid, specific sense of place (the Louisiana bayou) and in the clear, watchful face of Quvenzhane Wallis as a moppet who scans the water and air for signals from her absent mother. Expressive as Frances Wendy is, we dont feel the same sort of connection. Barries heroine is wilting under a rigid, unfeeling mother in an England laboring to keep up appearances in the wake of Queen Victorias death, and for a limited time, she finds Peters refusal to grow up his unyielding allegiance to anarchism enchanting. The randomness of Barries ingredients suggests a child asserting his freedom: I can too bring together pirates and Indians and crocodiles that go ticktock! He can and does, and the world is more magical for it, while Zeitlins island of abrasive kids, depressive senior citizens, a laser-beam-shooting catfish, and a hyperactive cinematographer feels more like art-house purgatory. *This article appears in the March 2, 2020, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now! Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:05:45|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close CAIRO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Arab ministers of health hailed on Thursday the Chinese open approach in cooperation and the country's transparency over means of combating the spread of the novel coronavirus. Convening at the Arab League (AL) headquarters in Cairo, Arab health ministers, in their final statement, expressed solidarity with the Chinese government and people. "The Arab ministers of health voiced support for all the enormous efforts exerted by the Chinese government for prevention of the disease spread," the statement sent by the AL media office said. The meeting aimed at enhancing joint Arab work in tackling the disease and applying the precautionary measures that will reduce its dissemination, the statement read. The ministers voiced their "confidence in the capabilities of China in overcoming the ordeal and its success for taking all measures that boost the international efforts in standing against the virus." Addressing the 53rd session of the Arab health minister council, Chinese Ambassador to Cairo Liao Liqiang urged the AL to "continue its support to China" based on traditional and strategic partnership. While attributing much attention for the prevention and control of the virus, "China is also working on implementing comprehensive plans for promotion of its economy and social development," the ambassador said. He added China is working and communicating closely with the World Health Organization and the concerned countries via sharing its experience in preventing and controlling the spreading of the virus. "China will fight side by side with the Arab countries as a responsible big country," Liao added. He pointed out China will cooperate with the Arab countries in sharing the information and the research results about the virus, adding the two sides could turn the crisis into an opportunity to bolster and deepen mutual cooperation in various fields. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 in California in a person who reportedly did not have relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient with COVID-19. At this time, the patients exposure is unknown. Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. Its also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected. This case was detected through the U.S. public health system picked up by astute clinicians. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the United States to 15. The federal government has been working closely with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, as well as public health partners, to respond to this public health threat. Unprecedented, aggressive efforts have been taken to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of this virus. His speech also echoed other robust defenses of Christianity in politics and education that he has delivered during his first year as attorney general. In October, he said that the forces of secularism had unleashed immense suffering, wreckage and misery as they sought to destroy religious life in America. Under his leadership, the Justice Department supported parents in Maine who sued in an effort to force the state to include religious schools in its tuition-funding program. And the department applauded a federal appeals court ruling that upheld the Trump administrations ability to deprive clinics that provide abortion referrals of federal funds. Former Justice Department officials and lawyers have publicly criticized Mr. Barrs remarks about the role of religion in America, and current department employees have quietly grumbled about them. But his unapologetic calls for more faith in public life have made him a hero of the religious right, which has long hoped that the federal government would steer the country away from cultural changes like secularism and greater acceptance of L.G.B.T. people. The ardent criticism and praise that Mr. Barr has garnered also makes him indicative of the deep divide between those who see religion as a core American value and the heart of the countrys democracy and those who believe that placing religion at the center of law enforcement, policymaking and politics violates the nations tenet to separate church from state. Moral values must be based on authority independent of mans will. In other words, they must flow from a transcendent Supreme Being, Mr. Barr said on Wednesday. Men are far likelier to obey rules that come from God than to abide by the abstract outcome of an ad hoc utilitarian calculus. Voluntary quarantine protocols have been applied to about 700 people who returned to New York after traveling to areas affected by the coronavirus outbreak in China since Feb. 3, authorities said. The vast majority of the travelers were deemed at medium risk for the new coronavirus, called COVID-19, because of recent travel to mainland China, New York State Health Department officials told the USA TODAY Network New York late Tuesday. The newly reported tally reflected travelers reviewed for potential voluntary quarantine outside New York City. None of the 700 people had symptoms, and the number of them being monitored by local health officials during a 14-day self-isolation period was changing almost daily, in part, due to ongoing travel from mainland China, state health officials said. Get the latest on coronavirus every day: Get USA TODAY's Daily Briefing in your inbox The number of travelers being watched underscored the scope of the public-health response underway in New York and across the country as the virus spread across the globe. A federal health official warned Tuesday that the deadly coronavirus could cause "severe" disruptions in the USA as global experts struggled to fend off the outbreak and avoid a pandemic. The global death toll from coronavirus rose to 2,770 on Wednesday, with more than 81,000 confirmed cases, including 57 in the U.S. None of the confirmed cases have been in New York. What to know about coronavirus voluntary quarantine Workers wearing protective gears spray disinfectant as a precaution against the new coronavirus at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Feb. 25, 2020. On a daily basis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides state health officials with names and contact information of travelers from China screened by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to Jill Montag, a state Health Department spokeswoman. So far, local health departments have contacted about 700 of the travelers since early February to determine if they meet the criteria for self-isolation, Montag said. She would not provide details about the locations of the people on quarantine. Story continues Westchester County, located just north of New York City, announced last week that it is monitoring 26 travelers on voluntary quarantine, mostly in their homes. Neighboring Rockland County disclosed it had two people on similar quarantine, and another three people who had completed the 14 day self-isolation. No information was available for Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. Health officials upstate in Monroe County, which includes Rochester, were monitoring six people earlier this month. At a press conference on Wednesday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio did not elaborate on the number of self-quarantine cases within the five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. However, he noted that there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in the city and said the self-quarantine protocol has been successful because officials have been able to identify nexuses: cases where a person with symptoms had either been to a country with a spike in cases or was in close contact with someone who had. "We did have a number of people who matched that definition and they consistently went and got health care quickly," he said. "They were therefore isolated from everyone else. The testing happened quickly and the testing came back negative." De Blasio also called on the CDC to be more proactive in its screening so it can catch possible cases faster. "Right now, it is too narrowly focused on travelers coming out of China," he said. "We think that needs to be expanded to any traveler coming from a country that's seen a major surge in cases. We think that needs to expanded to any country that now has a travel warning attached to it by the United States government. So I am urging the CDC and the federal government to add the testing protocol upon entry for visitors from Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand." How self-quarantine works Returning travelers are asked to voluntarily self-isolate for 14 days after their last potential exposure to novel coronavirus, per CDC guidelines that are based on the virus' incubation period. During the quarantines, local health departments monitor the individuals for signs and symptoms each day, Montag said. Common signs of the infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. If it worsens, it can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure or even death. Kristen Pascal, a senior research and development specialist, works with cells being used in effort to create antibodies to treat people exposed to the novel coronavirus outbreak that originated in China, at Regeneron in Tarrytown, New York Feb. 10, 2020. The process involves injecting pseudo-coronavirus into genetically altered mice that produce human-like antibodies. Montag said the voluntary self-isolation will help limit the potential for spread of this virus. Many of the 700 travelers were deemed medium risk based on CDC guidelines due to their travel from mainland China outside Hubei Province, which includes the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan, and not having any exposures that meet a high-risk definition, such as failing to take recommended precautions while living with or caring for a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19. The voluntary self-isolation includes video monitoring via smartphones and food deliveries overseen by local health officials. If any of the people on quarantine start showing signs of illness and require transport to a medical facility, the county public safety and emergency services agencies would oversee the transport. Montag said the number of New Yorkers on voluntary quarantine is also changing because some people have also already completed the 14-day monitoring period. What to know about cruise ship evacuation, quarantines The voluntary quarantine protocols differed from the approach being taken to isolate the approximately 380 Americans who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and flown back to the U.S. on Feb. 17. Most of the evacuees involved are now quarantined at military bases in Texas and California. A further 13 11 of which have since tested positive for coronavirus are being treated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. To date, 40 Americans from the Diamond Princess have tested positive, comprising amajority of the 57 cases in the United States. On Sunday, Alabama state officials rejected a federal plan to house cruise ship passengers who tested positive for the coronavirus at the FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston. USA TODAY contributed to this report This article originally appeared on New York State Team: Coronavirus: NYC mayor says traveler self-quarantine is working Whats not to love about our job? We get to hear the stories of incredible restaurants in all parts of Michigan, sample the cuisine and then we get to tell you all about it. But, the truth is, we also love the nomination process of our Michigans Best searches where you share your passion for those favorite spots. That couldnt more obvious than on our current search for Michigans Best Burger. The response has been overwhelming, and were loving it. Overall we received a record 503 nominations, beating our record of 354 for Michigans Best Diner last year. Now its time to vote, which you can still do in our 12 regional polls. The deadline is noon Friday, Feb. 28. Click on the link below to vote in any and all regions. Well update poll leaders later today. RELATED: How to vote for Michigans Best Burger While we count down the final hours of voting, we thought we would share some of your passionate pleas for restaurants in the Northern Lower Peninsula. Enjoy reading. Look for our poll winners on Friday afternoon. Visits will take place in March. Our winners will be announced in early April. PASSIONATE PLEAS - NORTHERN LOWER PENINSULA VOTE: Time to vote for the Best Burger in Michigans Northern Lower Peninsula -We have an entire page of Burgers on one side of the menu, and other sandwiches on the other side of the menu, as well as a dinner menu. Schubergs draws in people from all over, and we are the first suggested place online for burgers in Big Rapids! Hope to see you soon! Dakota Stevens -Schubergs-The Schu is legendary. It can be made to order, but its the green olives in the Original Schu-Burger that make people sit up and take notice. Dont miss it! " lb hand pressed burger, char-grilled then topped with your choice of cheese & our everything (ketchup, mustard, onion, pickles, green olives). Served on a kaiser roll." Kristy Motz -So I wanted to start by promoting my favorite local burger spot, that would be Szots Bar and Grill in Big Rapids. Szots has been a local lunch hot spot for as long as I can remember. Its the kind of place where everyone knows everyone and just that friendly at home atmosphere. They also have some of the best soups and chili in town. I definitely feel like they should make the list to be considered! Dakota Ross -The Owls Nest in Alpena, My favorite is the Brie Larson burger. Mike Collins. -Talleys THE BEST!!!! LEWISTON MI! Jkcaverr -For the best burger in the mitten, find the small town with the big heart, LEWISTON. Early every morning, youll see Mo Smith, in the quaint, clean kitchen of Talleys Log Cabin Bar & Grill, hand forming fresh ground beef into the patties that explain the full parking lot and satisfied customers every day of the year. They are the burgers that perennially please never changing, gimmick free. While others reinvent themselves, Talleys focuses on quality and delivering a classic burger, juicy, full flavored, presented honestly in a stand alone integrity of great taste. Please make sure this quintessential crowd pleaser is included. This burger has distinguished this small village for generations, pleasing every season those who arrive in flip flops and billabong board shorts and those lumbering in beneath layers of snowmobile clothing. Talleys puts the mmmmm in hamburger! Sunseekrz -Talleys Log Cabin Bar in Lewiston has a burger that my family feels is the best of the best, the Talley burger. It is almost like iwe get addicted to it when we are there, because as soon as you have one, you want to have another. We have been up to Lewiston a couple of times, and we always say we will just go to Talleys for Lunch and cook out at the cabin we stay at for dinner, but come dinner time, our family looks around and says lets just go back to Tallys. Chalk it up to the best in Michigan. Michael W. -The best burger I have ever had in the state was at the Keyhole Bar & Grill in Mackinaw City. We passed through and ate there on the way to the UP and I got the burger. The burger was nothing special, but it had some of the best pure burger flavor Ive ever had. Definitely need to try the burger there and its such a cool, unique place to eat. Thank you, Brad. -This one is EASY...the Wilbur Burger from The Keyhole Bar and Grill in Mackinaw City! Easily the best bacon cheeseburger in the USA, and quite possibly the world. Cooked to your liking, this is a huge burger that will make you happy to the max. Eaten plain, with only bacon and your choice of American or cheddar cheeseor fully loaded with crisp lettuce, fresh tomato slices, and creamy mayoeither way youll be leaving the Keyhole full, happy and ready to come back again! Stacey Thomas -I came across your article for best burger in Michigan! I would love to nominate an exceptional burger in Leland, Michigan. Its located at Ricks Cafe / The Cove. The burger is always cooked to perfection and not to mention on a homemade burger bun, made daily! If you cant get better than that, you also get to sit nestled down in the heart of Fishtown on the Carp River while looking at the historic tug boats and sipping a Chubby Mary cocktail!Just wanted to let you know about the best burger in Michigan. Cheers,Hannah -Of course I am biased, but I do think that Biere De Mac Brew Works Jalapeno Popper Burger is one of the best burgers that I have ever had. With a proprietary blend of Brisket, Steak & Chuck patty, our seasoned burger is fresh and has never been frozen. Couple all that with Chef Edgars talent in the kitchen and we have a recipe for an amazing burger! I must say, your job of trying all of these burgers is going to be quite the task! Hope we see you this summer on your travels to the island! Danny Ranville -Maddys Tavern 31 Mushroom Swiss Burger Mushrooms, Swiss, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayonnaise. Im very particular about mushrooms, and I always ask if establishments use fresh or canned mushrooms. Any mushroom connoisseur knows fresh is best. Maddys Tavern serves fresh cut/sliced mushrooms that they roast in-house and when you slather melted Swiss with their mushrooms on top of a perfectly seasoned/grilled burger patty well, to me that makes the best Mushroom Swiss Burger I have ever had. It was perfection!! I would like to add that all their burgers are amazing, but the Mushroom Swiss is where its at!! Bobbie Lynn Sherman -Fairview Coffee Shop & Bakery located in Fairview MI. Family owned and operated for 22 years! Always fresh ingredients, home made buns, breads and donuts! Yes thats a glazed donut on a burger. Tiffany Diller -My 10 year old son and I have had a best burger list going for years now. We have different opinions for the top spot. Ill explain both in this email to save you from having to receive yet another email. My sons #1 is the classic burger from Petoskey Brewery in Petoskey, Michigan. This is my #2 burger. The bun to burger ratio is perfect. As the menu states - it is truly grilled to perfection. My sons go to is mayo and cheese only. Regardless of the condiments, this burger is tremendous and worth a look. My #1 is the Cheeseburger Deluxe from Gibbys in Mendon, MI. This is a beautifully thick burger done perfectly with a great bun and fresh condiments. If Im really hungry the Tram Slam is money! The perfect burger when youre looking for a little mess, bacon and a tasty egg to top it all off. Its a slam dunk! Both of these burgers are at the top of several peoples lists that we have pulled in to our personal Best Burger Ever competition. Hopefully you can check them both out. Good luck in your journey! Dan and Lincoln -The BEST burger in Michigan is the Signature burger at The Petoskey Brewing Company in Petoskey. Best flavor, best bacon, best texture, best everything! My husband and I will drive for hours just to eat this burger. Kat Carah -The Side Door Saloon - Petoskey, MI. Olive, mushroom, bacon Burger is the best - fresh steamed brioche bun, fresh local sourced hamburger broiled the way you want it, Plaths fresh bacon, fresh sauteed mushrooms with olive/mayonnaise mix. The best!Thank you,Don -Side Door Saloon-best olive burger in the state! Grant Berkovich -147 people are WRONG. there is no way The U&I Lounge in Traverse City has not been nominated yet. So I guess I will have to nominate it. I have had many fancy burgers in the new Detroit. I grew up on burgers at the famous Millers in Dearborn and Bates in Livonia. Ive lived in Colorado and Idaho, places that are known for cattle farming and great beef. Ive had some great burgers - but the U&Is is THE BEST. Its undoubtedly the best burger in Michigan, and probably the best in the country. Why: -its a dive bar. no truffles or fancy bs! -they have been in business for more than 50 years -they toast the bun on the grill -PERFECTLY seasoned -fresh toppings, never soggy (and did i mention its a dive bar?!?) -mayo comes on it (a deal breaker for me!) The U & I and its burger harkens back to a simpler time, when burgers were not $13. They were a working class meal. If that doesnt scream Michigan, I dont know what does. Please make sure the U&I makes it on this list! Kristen Cardinal-Perkins -We would like to nominate Joes Friendly Tavern in Empire, Mi. Their Blue Cheese burger is the best weve ever had. Weve never had a better burger, no matter how many we try. Their blue cheese sauce is homemade. Its a secret recipe, and they wont share it. Also, you can get an awesome locally made root beer to wash it down. Amazing, and worth the trip! B Keller -The Knothole Bar in Comins, Michigan, on M33 (4262 N. Abbe Rd. to be precise). The meat is fresh, and the bun is firm, and its just a good old-fashioned style bar burger that makes you wistful for the good old days. Michael J Raymond -The Highway Brewing Company, West Branch, Michigan. The locally sourced lamb burger is cooked to perfection with hints of garlic, ginger and curry. Topped with fresh vegetables and a Dijon sour cream sauce for a light balance that absolutely tempts your tastebuds. Pair it with one of the Highways handcrafted beers and youll be traveling into this gateway to the north frequently. Elaine Palm -I would like to nominate The Railside in Elmira, for having the best burger! They offer their signature Potato Burger, grilled or deep fried. Its a burger lovers dream! Thank you for the opportunity to share my favorite burger! Chris Weidlich -I am excited to nominate the Rodeo Burger available at Chuck Wagon on Mackinac Island. Over the years, I have easily eaten over 100 of these, and I keep coming back. My wife laughs, because visiting Chuck Wagon is the first thing on our itinerary on vacations to the area. Donnie at Chuck Wagon is without question the one person I trust for fuel on my Mackinac Island adventures and provide a consistently knock-your-socks-off burger. Kelly Beattie, -Sand Bay Trading Co. & Woodys Grand Lake Burger: Grand Island Burger. Its a special blend of beef, with bacon From a local meat market. Its smothered in a liquid gold beer cheese and buttoned up with a brioche bun. Its savory, juicy and one youll be craving more after the first bite! Lisa Terry -On to my favorite burger. We lived in Houghton Lake for three years and I still crave the Cowboy Burger at Little Boots Country Diner. Yes, their breakfasts are great but that burger is so fresh and flavorful that it is my favorite thing on the menu. We dont back up there often but I love that burger so much I happen to have a picture of it. I think the boot shaped glasses and the friendly owners and staff also add to the joy this meal always brings me. Mary Kay Murphy -Black Sheep Baaa & Grill in Cheboygan, MI. We always go with their Angus burger basket... One place that will give me a perfect medium rare burger, big selection of toppings and cheeses (but I prefer mine simple with no cheese). Add your own condiments (at the table). Burgers are big (I usually can only finish half of mine; leftovers are finished off by my husband or next day), juicy, delicious! They also carry a selection of local craft beers on tap and a good house Chardonnay (much appreciated by this wine drinker!). Jo Schneider -Austin Brothers Beer Co. makes an amazing burger in Alpena MI! Their special blend beef patty can be topped with a variety of different options, my person favorite is their Cob Smoked bacon with their homemade ketchup and garlic aioli sauce. Did I mention it comes on a toasted pretzel bun? Yum! Bre S. -I would like to nominate City Park Grills Chicago Burger, in Petoskey. They are a scratch kitchen that grinds their own beef for the patties, use two types of cheeses, bacon, mushrooms and bleu cheese sauce. THEIR BLEU CHEESE SAUCE IS UNRIVALED. So good. I recommend ordering the bacon and mushrooms in sliced-form (their standard is a chopped up version). Jason Custer -Boones Prime Time Pub, Suttons Bay. I would like to nominate Boones Prime Time Pub of Suttons Bay. The best burger I feel is the M-22 classic burger. 1/2 lb of fresh ground chuck. American cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, diced pickles, thousand island and mustard on a sesame seed bun! Guys I tell you youll weep with joy! Its just like a Big Mac but sooooo much better! Go and try it yourself! Happy eating!!! -The Whitehouse in Clare. I nominate The Whitehouse in Clare, MI for best burger. Perfect sear. A bunch of the salty, beefy, umami goodness you look for in a burger. I have no qualms spending $100 in avgas to fly there and back for just a burger. The place itself is so small you sit behind the cook and she hands you your food. Wonderful owners. Its the perfect dive. Jack D Frost II -Glendale Ave Food Truck at the Little Fleet in Traverse City. Its a smash burger with an egg on top. Theres bacon, hash browns,spicy ketchup, and cheese also. Drippy, messy and OH SO GOOD!!! Clark Balas -The olive burger at The Cedar Tavern and Grill, located in Lupton MI. Great atmosphere, great owners and the go to hangout spot. Its a simple burger. Juicy on the inside, and crusty on the outside like any good bar burger should be. But what really sets it apart is the homemade olive sauce they top it off with, it will ruin all other olive burgers for you once you have it. -I nominate the Cabbage Shed Shed Burger, which is in Elberta, just south of Frankfort. Half pound of Black Angus beef, cooked to order, on a homemade pretzel bun from Crescent Bakery, with cheddar cheese, lettuce, onion, and beefsteak tomato and their secret Shed sauce which has some of their pepper jelly in it. Amazing, Coleen Hudson -If you are looking for the place that has been serving tasty burgers for decades, it would have to be the Tasty Treat in Lake City. They have been in business since 1948...not only do they serve the best burgers, they were also awarded the best ice cream in northern Michigan by TV 9&10 in 2019 and also by the Peoples Choice at Cadillac Evening News. What makes them the best is their burgers are so juicy, with almost an unlimited amount of condiments. Try their Tasty Burger with Everything Deluxe and you will be amazed of the quality. Bruce OTHER PASSIONATE PLEAS Jackson tells us where to find Michigans Best Burger Why you love Yooper Burgers Ann Arbor sends in passionate pleas for Michigans Best Burger Passionate pleas for Detroits Best Burger Follow the links below to vote Time to vote for the Best Burger in Michigans Northern Lower Peninsula Vote for the Upper Peninsulas Best Burger Vote for the Best Burger in Bay City, Saginaw and Midland region Who has Metro Detroits Best Burger? Vote now Its time to vote for Ann Arbors Best Burger! Who has Jacksons Best Burger? Vote now Time to vote for Kalamazoos Best Burger Who has the Best Burger in the Grand Rapids/Holland area? Vote now Vote now for Muskegon and the Lakeshores Best Burger (from Southwest Michigan to Manistee) Vote now for the Lansings Best Burger (including Howell and Brighton) Time to vote for Flints Best Burger Vote now for the Best Burger in the Port Huron area and Thumb Follow our Michigans Best adventures on social media: @mlivemibest on Twitter @mlivemibest on Instagram Facebook at MLiveMIBest. Join in by using the hashtags #mibest and #ItriedMiBest In addition: Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail. John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo. Special thanks to Michigans Best Burger search sponsor, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. Royal fans have shared their excitement after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's attendance at the Endeavour Fund Awards at London's Mansion House next week was confirmed today. Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, will help celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women next Thursday, 5th March, in their first appearance since they visited Canada House before announcing their step down from royal duties. The engagement will be the first in three joint engagements the couple will undertake in early March, before they officially step down as senior royals. And followers quickly took to social media to share their joy at seing the popular pair together following their retreat to Canada with baby Archie. Prince Harry, 35, seen at the Edinburgh summit this week) and Meghan Markle, 38, will help celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women next Thursday, 5th March, in their first appearance since they visited Canada House before announcing their step down from royal duties 'I'm so excited. The awards are always inspiring and I've missed seeing the Duke and Duchess so much', one fan tweeted. One follower wrote: 'Now folks, thats what Im looking forward to', while another added: 'Can't wait to see them!'. 'Just Harry and Meghan. Cant wait to watch these awards show', one fan tweeted. Elsewhere one said: 'Really? I cant wait to see the most romantic and sexy couple on Earth right now! Oooooooyessss'. And other agreed: 'We are looking forward to see them'. The engagement will be the first in three joint engagements the couple will undertake in early March, before they officially step down as senior royals. They are seen at the Endeavour Fund Awards Ceremony last year. Royal fans have shared their excitement after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's attendance at the Endeavour Fund Awards at London's Mansion House next week was confirmed today The Palace confirmed previous reports that Harry and Meghan would be attending the awards today. The couple will celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year. Harry and Meghan's final seven engagements Tuesday : Travelyst conference in Edinburgh (Harry) Friday: Invictus Games choir (Harry) March 5: Endeavour Fund Awards (Harry and Meghan) March 6: Silverstone Experience (Harry) March 7: Mountbatten Festival (Harry and Meghan) March 8: International Women's Day (Meghan) March 9: Commonwealth Service (Harry and Meghan) Advertisement The Endeavour Fund supports the ambitions of men and women who use challenges to help with their physical, psychological and social recovery and rehabilitation. The annual awards, now in their fourth year, brings together hundreds of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans as well as their families, friends and supporters of the military community. The awards ceremony, which will be hosted by former Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers, will see four prizes awarded on the night. The prizes include The Recognising Achievement Award, The Celebrating Excellence Award, The Henry Worsley Award and the The Community Impact Award. Upon arrival, the Sussexes will attend a pre-ceremony reception where they will meet the inspiring nominees, as well as endeavour participants and key supporters of the Endeavour Fund. They will then attend the awards ceremony, where they will each present an award. Harry will also give a short speech. Following his speech at the Travelyst conference in Edinburgh this week, Harry will also attend the Invictus Games choir on Friday and the Silverstone Experience next week. Meanwhile Meghan will attend the International Women's Day, and join Harry for the Mountbatten Festival next week. Their final official engagement is expected to be March 9, when they will join the Queen at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day. Online Travels eDreams Odigeo Sees Bookings Tumble After Coronavirus Outbreak Barcelona-based online travel agency eDreams Odigeo has seen bookings take a dive across all its markets following the outbreak of the coronavirus. Not only is the disease causing problems across its China and Asian source markets, but in Italy where 400 people have been infected the company has also seen a significant dropoff. [Before] the outbreak of the coronavirus, we were seeing solid, high single-digit growth rates for bookings. After the outbreak, increasing concerns about coronavirus have inevitably resulted in a slowing of demand, Dana Dunne, CEO, told analysts on an earnings call on Thursday. >> Get the Latest on Coronavirus and the Travel Industry on Skifts Liveblog Bookings across the business were up 8 percent on a year-over-year basis for the week ending January 16, 2020 but that had flipped to a drop of 12 percent for the period between February 22 and 25 with Italy (down 35 percent) and China (down 92 percent). The companys geographical spread means it is somewhat protected from problems in specific countries. China only accounts for 1 percent of total bookings with Italy at 7 percent. If the current booking trend continues, eDreams still expects to report an increase across three key metrics bookings, revenue margin, and adjusted profit (EBITDA) for its 2020 full-year results. Dunne, however, declined to give any guidance for 2021, saying this would wait until June, when there would likely be a lot more clarity on the length and depth of this coronavirus outbreak. Join Us at Skift Forum Europe in Madrid on March 2425 Subscription Update Travel brands are increasingly waking up to the idea of using subscriptions as a revenue and loyalty play and eDreams has taken the idea on further than most. The company started testing its Prime scheme on the quiet a couple of years ago and recently added hotels to the service. Around 555,000 people now subscribe to the service across four different markets Italy, Spain, France, and Germany with a target of two million set for 2023. Members get a discount on flights and other services. Story continues Dunne is now targeting a fifth country. I would expect that, lets say, over the next six months, we would come to another market, at least another big market of ours, but we havent set that in stone yet in terms of the exact timing of it. Right now, were focused more on improving the proposition to the customer as opposed to moving out to a new geography, Dunne said. Third-Quarter Results EDreams reported a 13.6 percent drop in operating profit to $55.4 million (50.6 million) for the nine months to the end of December 2019. Revenue during the same period increased 11.4 percent to $480 million (437 million). One of the reasons for the drop in profit is the closure of Milan and Berlin call centres for a total cost of $9.8 million (8.9 million). On a quarterly basis adjusted net profit increased 23 percent to $12.4 million (11.3 million). Register now for Skift Forum Europe in Madrid on March 2425 Subscribe to Skift newsletters for essential news about the business of travel. The marketing initiative is geared toward travelers from Australia, Northern Europe and the continental United States. We just want people who were going to China to think of Alaska as a temporary replacement for a trip they can rebook to China in the future, said Julie Saupe, president and chief executive of Visit Anchorage. Officials with the airport have been in conversations with United Airlines about increasing service from Newark; with Delta Air Lines about increasing service from Atlanta as well as Minneapolis; and with American Airlines from Dallas. Internationally, the airport is also in talks with several Asian airlines, including Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines and China Airlines, about increasing service from Asian countries that have not been affected by Covid-19. Asia is really close to Alaska, about six hours from Tokyo to Anchorage, so there is a real opportunity for those carriers to reroute aircraft to Anchorage, Mr. Szczesniak said. Alaska isnt the only tourist destination looking to lure tourists. An ad campaign attempts to convince Americans and Britons that Australia is a safe alternative, and in Japan, the empty Kyoto campaign promises travelers that if they visit the city now, they will have some of the most popular locations to themselves. In a Facebook video, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines encouraged people to travel around the country because everything is safe in our country, he said. A Hawaii judge refused Wednesday to reduce the $5 million bail set for the Idaho mother of two children missing since September. Lori Vallow, 46, was arrested last week and is facing two counts of desertion and nonsupport of dependent children. She waived extradition to Idaho during Wednesday's court appearance. Police have said Vallow failed to comply with a court order to produce her children to authorities by Jan. 30. Her children, Tylee Ryan, 17, and Joshua Vallow, 7, were last seen in September, and Rexburg, Idaho, police have said Vallow and her husband, Chad Daybell, were not cooperating. Vallow's defense attorney, Craig De Costa, argued that Vallow had moved to Hawaii, where her husband lives, in a move planned before Idaho authorities filed charges. He also said that she is not a flight risk and that the $5 million bail is excessive for someone charged with a Class B felony. Download the NBC News app for breaking news "She's not hiding from law enforcement," De Costa said, adding that Vallow had been under surveillance for weeks before her arrest and that she did not leave Hawaii or attempt to. However, a prosecutor said Vallow has a history of defying court orders, has lived in several states in recent years and is a flight risk. It wasn't immediately clear when exactly Vallow will be taken back to Idaho. Kaua'i police arrested Vallow on a warrant out of Madison County, Idaho, which is where Rexburg is. De Costa said Vallow will defend herself against what he called the false allegations in Idaho. Vallow, appearing in court in an orange prison uniform, did not speak at length during Wednesday's hearing, but she gave one-word answers to the judge's questions about whether she understood that she was giving up her right to an extradition hearing, which had been set for next Monday. Vallow was identified in court using the last name Daybell, the name of her husband. The investigation into the children's disappearance began in November when Idaho police tried to conduct a welfare check on Joshua, the 7-year-old, who is adopted and has special needs, the Rexburg Police Department has said. Story continues Vallow and Daybell said Joshua was staying with a family friend in Arizona, but investigators later learned that was a lie, Rexburg police said. A witness also told police that Vallow had falsely said Tylee was dead. Rexburg police have said they have learned that Vallow knows either where Joshua and Tylee are or what happened to them. Joshua, Vallow's adopted son, was last seen alive Sept. 23, according to a probable cause affidavit filed against Vallow last week. Tylee, her daughter, has not been seen or heard from since Sept. 8. In early December, after police in Idaho began investigating the children's disappearance, Vallow and Daybell flew to Hawaii without any children. China will send troops of ducks to Pakistan to help battle against a huge locust infestation that poses a threat to regional food security. At least 100,000 ducks will be deployed 4,827 kilometres (nearly 3,000 miles) from the eastern province of Zhejiang to Pakistan, which shares a border with the Xinjiang province. Lu Lizhi, a researcher at the Zhejiang Provincial Institute of Agricultural Technology, told local newspaper The Ningbo Evening News the ducks proved to be an effective method of controlling locust infestations 20 years ago. In 2000, a 700,000-strong army of ducks and chickens were sent to Xinjiang to gain control over swarms of locusts that devoured over 3.8 million hectares of crops and grassland. At the time, researchers found the ducks were more efficient than chickens at guzzling down the devastating pests. Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Show all 14 1 /14 Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Local farmer Theophilus Mwendwa runs through a swarm of desert locusts to chase them away in Kitui County, Kenya EPA Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa A farmer's son walks through a swarm of locusts in Kitui County, Kenya AP Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Locusts swarm on a highway at Lerata village in Kenya AFP/Getty Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Local farmer Theophilus Mwendwa runs through a swarm of desert locusts to chase them away in Kitui County, Kenya EPA Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Local farmer Theophilus Mwendwa runs through a swarm of desert locusts to chase them away in Kitui County, Kenya EPA Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa A man chases away a swarm of desert locusts in Kitui County, Kenya EPA Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa A farmer walks among a swarm of locusts on grazing land in Galmudug region, Somalia Reuters Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Somali farmers on Saturday urged their government and the international community to help protect their crops from an invasion of locusts that is leaving many unable to feed their families Reuters Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa A desert locust plucked from the swarm on farmland in Galmudug region, Somalia Reuters Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa The insects have already destroyed 175,000 acres of farmland in Somalia and neighbouring Ethiopia, threatening food supplies in both countries in the worst locust invasion in 70 years, the Food and Agriculture Organisation said on Wednesday Reuters Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa A farmer lifts a ketle among a swarm of locusts on grazing land in Galmudug region, Somalia Reuters Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Farmers lift a plastic sheeting to fend off a swarm of locusts on grazing land in Galmudug region, Somalia Reuters Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Boys attempt to fend off a swarm of locusts on farmland in Galmudug region, Somalia Reuters Locust swarms threaten catastrophe for farmers in East Africa Farmers watch on as swarm of locusts descends on grazing land in Galmudug region, Somalia Reuters Mr Lu told the newspaper: One duck is able to eat more than 200 locusts a day. They have three times the combat capability. He also said ducks were more likely to stay in a group, which made them easier to manage than chickens. Using ducks as biological weapons was a cheaper and more environmentally-friendly alternative to pesticides, added Mr Lu. State television network China Global Television Network (CGTN) said in a video posted on Twitter: 400 billion locusts are approaching China from the India-Pakistan border. 100,000 duck troups are gathering to prepare for the potential emergency. The locusts plaguing Pakistan have prompted prime minister Imran Khan to declare a national emergency earlier this month to protect crops and farmers. Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said: We are facing the worst locust infestation in more than two decades and have decided to declare a national emergency to deal with the threat. Farmers believe countrys agriculture ministries failed to take action quickly enough to manage the locust outbreak and called for resignations. According to Pakistani news site The Express Tribune, the Farmers Bureau of Pakistan (FBP) accused federal and provincial ministers of neglect and mismanagement of the agriculture sector. FBP President Zafar Hayyat told reporters on 6 February: The locusts which entered into Pakistan almost a year ago have grown and are posing a big threat to the different crops under cultivation. The government has recently realised the importance of the situation, but we believe they have lost precious time in which they could have tackled the problem with little resources. Two German men and a Dutch woman who entered Kenya as journalists have been arrested on suspicion of terrorism after being found with photos of "vital installations", police say. "Although they entered the country as journalists they have been conducting themselves in a suspicious manner," police spokesman Eric Kiraithe told reporters. "We are investigating materials recovered from them. Some of them include photographs of vital installations," he added, without giving further details. A German foreign ministry spokesman confirmed the arrest of the two Germans. "The embassy is in touch with local authorities to try to ensure they are released quickly," he said. Kiraithe said the two Germans - Gerd Uwe Haut and Andrej Hermlin - and Fleur Van Dissel, a Dutch national, were arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment What does a 9-year-old child know about sexuality? What does a pre-pubescent boy know about the meaning of gay? How many boys of that age still dream innocently of marrying their mothers? It is therefore absolutely outrageous that presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg gave a national platform to a 9-year-old old who wanted advice on coming out as gay. This is as shameful as it is irresponsible. That there was not an immediate, national outcry points to the morally confused and spiritually comatose condition of much of our country. As reported by the New York Post, A 9-year-old Colorado boy got kudos from openly gay Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg when he asked him during a rally for help telling the world that hes also gay. The boys name was Zachary Ro, and his question, which he wrote on a piece of paper, read, Thank you for being so brave. Would you help me tell the world Im gay too? I want to be brave like you. Not surprisingly, his question was met with cheers and chants of Love means love from the nearly 4,000 people in attendance. Buttigieg was so impressed with the question that he brought the boy on the platform, together with his mother. And he commended the boys courage, saying, I dont think you need a lot of advice from me on bravery, you seem pretty strong. The crowd, of course, loved his answer, and the video of their interaction has gone viral. Instead, it should have provoked a national outrage. This, too, is child abuse. Remember. This child is only 9 years old. He is pre-pubescent. He is only a few years removed from thinking that boys who like girls have the cooties. (Do you remember hearing that in kindergarten and the first grade?) And surveys have indicated that plenty of teenagers who identify as gay no longer do so when they reach adulthood. (See below for more.) Im aware, of course, that many gay readers will say to me, You are completely ignorant. I knew I was different when I was 6. Perhaps you did. But plenty of others thought they were same-sex attracted as children only to find out later that they were not. (And how many kids identify as heterosexual and then later discover they are homosexual?) As a 2019 article in Science Alertnotes (reporting on a major new, scientific health study), Far from being a fixed preference, the findings suggest that sexual identity and attraction undergo extensive and often subtle changes throughout a person's life, continuing long past adolescence and into adulthood, with women showing slightly more fluidity than men. The lead author of the study was Christine Kaestle, a developmental health scientist at Virginia Tech. Carly Cassella explains that, Using data from a national survey of American students, [Kaestles] research tracks the sexual identity, sexual behaviour and romantic experiences of over 6,000 students from the age of 16 to 32. . . . Yet we are talking about tracking the sexual fluidity of teens as young as 16. What about younger teens? What about pre-teens? What about children who are just 9? Without a doubt, the shifts in identification would be even more dramatic. A pro-gay, middle school teacher told me some years ago that coming out as gay was the new fad in her school, the new cool thing to do. She then told me that, a few days earlier, a 12-year-old boy came out as gay to her class, only to say to this teacher the next day, I think I made a mistake. Can I take it back? Yet this was a 12-year-old, not a 9-year-old. Even here, the contrast is stark. How dare any of us put a 9-year-old child like this on public display, now branding him for life as gay. What if Zachary wants to take it back in a few years? What then? Let me put this in a larger context for a moment. Perhaps the light will go on for you as you continue to read If there is one accusation that gay men hate more than any other it is the accusation that they are pedophiles. That all (or most) homosexual men are interested in having sexual relationships with boys. That it is not safe to leave a boy alone in the presence of a gay male. That all (or most of them) are child abusers. Every gay man with whom I have talked over the years has categorically and emphatically rejected these accusations. And I, for one, believe them. In my view, the real danger is one of older homosexuals influencing impressionable children. Of indoctrination more than seduction. Of persuasion, not rape. Thats one reason I raised concerns about the potential, negative impact of a President Pete Buttigieg. Of course, there is no denying the well-known tradition of man-boy love in homosexual history, from the mentoring of ancient Greece to the NAMBLA societies of today. Calling it intergenerational intimacy does not make it any less heinous. Advocates of such practices, however, always emphasize that the sexual and romantic acts are consensual. To paraphrase, We absolutely deplore the raping of children. It is despicable and should be punished severely by the law. But children deserve freedom of choice as well, and if you know you are gay as a child, you should have the right to express yourself. In the words of gay pederast activist David Thorstad, speaking at a convention in 1998, Freedom is indivisible. The liberation of children, women, boy-lovers, and homosexuals in general, can occur only as complementary facets of the same dream. (For this citation and many more from Thorstad, see here.) As expressed by the pioneer gay icon Harry Hay in 2006, [I]f the parents and friends of gays are truly friends of gays, they would know from their gay kids that the relationship with an older man is precisely what thirteen-, fourteen-, and fifteen-year-old kids need more than anything else in the world. And it is here that our outrage is palpable. How, we ask, can a 13-year-old child give consent to a sexual or romantic relationship with an adult, be it homosexual or heterosexual? This is a form of child abuse. Indeed, it is. Our outrage is not only palpable. It is justifiable. What about children even younger? What about a 12-year-old? An 11-year-old? A 10-year-old? A 9-year-old? Can such a young, developing child even know for sure that he or she is gay? Does a 10-year-old understand sexuality? Can a 9-year-old truly understand the difference between male-female relationships, let alone the concept of sexual orientation? Thats why the recent, public interaction between Zachary and Mayor Pete is so disturbing. That it was an out and proud, gay presidential candidate who did so on a national stage only underscores the madness of the hour. And it is a foretaste of just what we could expect from an out and proud gay president. My warnings are not exaggerated. Let us, then, shout it from the rooftops, regardless of the mockery we will take from todays enlightened society. We dare not be silent for the sake of the children. Join AVATA at Oracle's Modern Business Experience in March. Hear actionable insights and best practices for Supply Chain, Finance, HR and CX. To represent our growth and customer success, we have expanded our footprint this year as a Platinum Sponsor and will be hosting a one-of-a-kind event at Chicagos Field Museum where we will explore and dine with some of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered," said Anil Thomas, CEO, AVATA. AVATA, a global Oracle partner and leader in Supply Chain Management (SCM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Cloud Applications, announced their Platinum Sponsorship at Oracles Modern Business Experience Conference 2020. AVATA is the recommended consulting firm and leader in delivering Oracle SCM, ERP and EPM Cloud applications. Their real-world industry experience, technology expertise and customer success, sets them apart from pure systems integrators and has given AVATA a reputation of excellence for helping clients sustain a competitive advantage with Oracle technologies. Oracles Modern Business Experience (MBX) 2020, to be held in Chicago March 23-26, will bring together the connected enterprise, spotlighting emerging technologies and creative solutions. MBX will deliver inspiring keynotes, visionary speakers, content-rich educational sessions, hands-on workshops, product expert discussions, and entertaining networking activities. To represent our growth and customer success, we have expanded our footprint this year as a Platinum Sponsor and we will be hosting a one of a kind event at Chicagos Field Museum where we will explore and dine with some of the largest and most complete dinosaurs ever discovered," said Anil Thomas, CEO, AVATA. "Our customers, however, are definitely not dinosaurs. They are forward thinking leaders in industry, and we are excited about showcasing the business-driven processes, solutions, and supply chain successes that our joint teams have delivered. This is our 8th year sponsoring MBX and we are excited to bring our award-winning team of the industrys top supply chain experts to share strategies and techniques for planning, implementing and improving their supply chains. We are committed to the growth and success of our clients by combining leading edge software expertise with practical supply chain management and business knowledge and we are proud to have a wide variety of our customers presenting their thought leadership and supply chain success stories. We look forward to connecting with our customers, supply chain experts, technology strategists and key members of the Oracle team. To learn more about AVATAs Modern Business Experience activities and Museum event, click here. To learn more about Oracle MBX click here. About AVATA AVATA is a leading strategic partner of Oracle and is recognized for its global capabilities in helping companies solve critical business challenges through people, process and technology. We offer the unique blend of real-world industry experience, best practices, and software expertise that sets us apart from pure system integrators. Leveraging Oracle SCM, ERP, and EPM Cloud, we provide our clients with a strategy that fits their organization and competitive processes that differentiate them in their respective markets and successfully deliver rapid improvements impacting bottom-line performance. About Oracle Modern Business Experience Oracle MBX will bring industry visionaries, leading brands, product experts, and inspiring storytellers together for a comprehensive curriculum. Finance, HR and Supply Chain professionals will leave the conference, armed with fresh perspectives, solutions, and strategies to connect across teams and tap into your business fullest potential. The month-long closure will affect 13 million students, the government says. Japan is to ask all schools to close from Monday to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, PM Shinzo Abe says. The closure - thought to affect 13 million students - will continue until the school year ends in late March. World Health Organization head Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said the global outbreak had now reached a "decisive point" and had "pandemic potential". For the second day running, more cases have been reported outside than inside China. Dr Tedros urged governments to act swiftly and aggressively to contain the virus. "This is not a time for fear. This is a time for taking action to prevent infection and save lives now," he said. What measures are countries taking? Globally, more than 80,000 people in more than 40 countries have been infected. Nearly 2,800 have died, the vast majority in China's Hubei province. Iran, where 26 people have died, has cancelled Friday prayers in Tehran and banned Chinese citizens from entering Saudi Arabia is stopping foreign pilgrims entering the country. It is not clear if the Hajj pilgrimage, which begins in July this year, will be affected Australia is extending a ban on foreign visitors from mainland China Italy, where 14 people have died, has quarantined 11 towns Greece is cancelling all carnival activities Why is Japan closing schools? The closures are set to take effect on Monday and will last until the end of spring vacation - typically in early April. Mr Abe said the first weeks of March would be an "extremely critical period" for preventing virus transmission. "The government attaches the top priority to the health and safety of children," he said. It follows China's decision not to reopen schools on the mainland after the Spring Festival holiday and instead ask nearly 200 million students to follow classes online from their homes. Hong Kong is also keeping schools closed until April. Many parents in Japan are concerned about what they will do with their children. "My honest feeling - all schools on break? It's important to protect children, but what happens if they have working parents?" one parent wrote on social media. Officials say child day care centres and after-school facilities can remain open. More than 200 people have so far been infected with the coronavirus in Japan. One woman in her forties in Osaka is said to have tested positive for a second time after earlier recovering. A tour guide who had come into contact with visitors from the Chinese city of Wuhan where the outbreak began, she first tested positive in late January and was discharged from hospital on 1 February, a statement said. Meanwhile, health officials in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong say some patients there who recovered and were discharged from hospital have again tested positive. The authorities in both countries say they will track former patients after they are discharged from hospital. Is it possible to be re-infected? Philippa Roxby, health reporter, BBC News There is still much that scientists don't know about this virus - and that includes the possibility of it infecting people more than once. Reports from China and Japan suggest that a small number of people recovered from the virus and then tested positive again within weeks. But there may be several reasons why that appears to be the case. Firstly, the virus may not have completely gone away before they were discharged and allowed home, and then may have got worse again. Face masks on sale in the Pakistani city of Peshawar Secondly, although tests are used to determine if the virus is still present, they are not always accurate and may not be sensitive enough to detect dormant virus or very low-level symptoms. Anal swabs, which have been used, are not totally reliable at picking up the virus either. The fact is that more information on these specific cases is needed before scientists can come to any conclusions about whether the virus gives future immunity. If re-infection is possible, some experts say the virus could act like the flu or common cold and infect people on a seasonal basis. What is happening elsewhere? Iran has emerged as a major centre of coronavirus, with 26 deaths and nearly 250 confirmed cases. Several government officials are among those infected - including Vice-President for Women and Family Affairs Masoumeh Ebtekar, according to state media. Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi and two MPs also have the virus. Ms Ebtekar's symptoms are reportedly not severe and she is not in hospital. The WHO's Michael Ryan said the extent of infection in Iran "may be broader than we think". But he said the country had a "very high clinical capacity" and the current 10% death rate for cases there probably reflected screening that was not picking up mild coronavirus cases. Health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur called on Iranians to avoid "unnecessary trips inside the country". Kuwait and Bahrain recorded more cases on Thursday, all in people who had visited Iran, bringing their totals to 43 and 33 respectively. Lebanon has announced its third confirmed case, an Iranian citizen. South Korea saw new cases bringing its total infections to 1,261 with 12 deaths. Singapore said a 12-year-old student at the top Raffles Institution school was among three new cases, bringing its total to 96. In Europe, Italy had 453 infections and 12 deaths. Denmark recorded its first case in a man back from a ski holiday in Italy and Estonia saw its first case in someone returning from Iran. The US has recorded its first confirmed case on US soil, the 60th in the country overall. The unidentified person in California had "no relevant travel history or exposure to another known patient" with the virus, officials said. And Latin America recorded its first case in Brazil, in a person who had returned home from Italy. BBC Campaigners against Heathrow expansion celebrate outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London. AFP Photo London: Britain's Court of Appeal on Thursday ruled in favour of green campaigners who oppose the building of a third runway at London's Heathrow airport, Europe's busiest. The court said the UK government -- which in 2018 approved the Heathrow extension -- had failed to take into account its commitments to the Paris Agreement to limit climate warming. The legal action against the approval was brought by various London councils, environmental groups including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. They lost at an original hearing in May. In a summary, judge Keith Lindblom said the Conservative government under then-prime minister Theresa May gave no explanation of how it took into account the 2015 Paris accord -- which seeks to cap climate warming to less than two degrees Celsius. "The Paris Agreement ought to have been taken into account... and an explanation given as to how it was taken into account, but it was not," Lord Justice Lindblom said. The judge added that the government did not oppose its declaration -- and had not sought permission to appeal to London's Supreme Court. In 2015 while he was London mayor, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to "lie down in front of... bulldozers and stop the construction" of a third runway, citing environmental as well as aesthetic concerns. Johnson may still have to make an official decision on scrapping the project, however, after Heathrow airport -- which is owned by a consortium led by Spanish construction giant Ferrovial -- declared it would appeal Thursday's ruling. Khan welcomed news of Thursday's landmark legal victory. "We won! Today we blocked the Tory government plans to build a third runway at Heathrow Airport," the London mayor said. "Today's judgement is a major victory for all Londoners who are passionate about tackling the climate emergency and cleaning up our air." John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, called on Johnson to now formally axe the plans. "Boris Johnson should now put Heathrow out of its misery and cancel the third runway once and for all. No ifs, no buts, no lies, no U-turns," Sauven said. Prior to the ruling, building of the third runway had been expected to start in 2022 and take four years. Johnson, who wants big infrastructure projects to help drive Britain's post-Brexit economy, earlier this month gave his backing to the high-speed railway link HS2, dismissing soaring costs. Here are todays top headlines. Coronavirus news and live updates: Emergency measures worldwide as fears spread CNN An American soldier stationed in South Korea has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a US Forces Korea statement. The soldier is a 23-year-old man stationed at Camp Carroll, and is the first US service member to test positive. He is currently self-quarantined at his off-base residence, said the statement. Chris Cillizzas winners and losers from the 10th presidential debate The 10th Democratic debate this one in Charleston, South Carolina is in the books. Italy admits hospital mess-up as officials scramble to contain coronavirus outbreak Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has admitted that a hospital in the countrys north had contributed to the spread of the deadly coronavirus, raising questions about whether the European nation is capable of containing the outbreak. US soldier stationed in South Korea tests positive for coronavirus as global outbreak worsens Public health officials warned Wednesday that the spread of the novel coronavirus is inching closer toward meeting the definition of a global pandemic, as the number of cases outside mainland China continues to grow, including in South Korea where a US soldier has tested positive for the virus. Bob Iger steps down as Disney CEO. Bob Chapek replaces him Bob Iger, the man who may be the second most-important person in the history of Disney, behind only Walt himself, is stepping down. FBI raids fashion mogul Peter Nygards NY office after he was accused of sex assault and sex trafficking While there are no publicly filed charges against Nygard, the fact that the FBI searched his office suggests the existence of a federal criminal investigation. 7-year-old girl dies during tonsillectomy A 7-year-old South Carolina girl died one minute into surgery to remove her tonsils, her parents told CNN affiliate WHNS. Singer Duffy says she retreated from the spotlight after being raped and drugged and held captive Duffy opened up to her fans Tuesday in an Instagram post that explained why she stepped away from the spotlight nearly a decade ago. Europes coronavirus outbreak spreads from Italy Several European countries have announced their first coronavirus cases, with all appearing to be linked to the growing outbreak in Italy. Austria, Croatia and Switzerland said the cases involved people who had been to Italy, as did Algeria in Africa. The first positive virus test has been recorded in Latin America a Brazilian resident just returned from Italy. Africa Live: Imported Bugatti car wows Zambians BBC News Kenyas President Uhuru Kenyatta has taken over key functions of the Nairobi county government in what his office described as a landmark agreement. The law allows for transfer of functions between the national government and county governments after an agreement. Governor Sonko is facing corruption charges and has been barred from accessing his office until his case is heard. High stakes debate has Sanders in the crosshairs The Democratic presidential candidate debate in Charleston, South Carolina reprised a piece of political theatre similar to a performance six days earlier in Las Vegas. On stage in Nevada last week, the debate played out like dinner-theatre murder mystery. Chelsea 0-3 Bayern Munich: Frank Lampards side brutally exposed in Champions League Chelsea may just be clinging on to a place in the Premier Leagues top four despite the handicap of their summer transfer ban but step into the rarefied atmosphere of the Champions League and they are brutally exposed. Diageo warns coronavirus will hit profits in 2020 Drinks giant Diageo has warned that its profits in 2020 will be hit by the effects of coronavirus. The Guinness-owner said that operating profits were likely to be between 140m and 200m lower than expected, due to disruption in Asian markets. It joins companies such as Apple and Danone. Your next Android smartphone will probably have more RAM than your PC Smartphones are about to overtake PCs when it comes to RAM memory. On Tuesday, Samsung announced it has begun mass production of the first 16GB LPDDR5 DRAM chip for smartphones. The new chip is fast, with a data transfer rate thats 1.3 times faster than LPDDR4X RAM, and approximately 20% energy savings compared to an 8GB LPDDR4X chip. Heres everything that you need to know about CBD edibles The CBD industry is booming, but how much of it actually works? From CBD bath bombs to CBD lattes to CBD-infused workout gear, the questionable wellness trend is everywhere. Unlike THC, the molecule in cannabis that induces the high feeling weed is known for, CBD is being studied for its impact on sleep, anxiety, and inflammation without THCs psychoactive effects. New US coronavirus case may be 1st from unknown origin This morning we are tracking the latest case of the coronavirus, which is right here in northern California. One person from Solano County tested positive for the virus and is now being treated near Sacramento. The patient was not known to have been exposed to someone who may have tested positive and was not exposed during travel. Doctors say it is possible the patient could have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected. Redding man convicted for attempted murder, Shasta DA says A Shasta County jury convicted Jacob Calvin Jones of attempted murder and assault with a firearm for a shooting that happened at Blackberry Lane in Redding. Action News Now first brought you this story in March of 2019. Police began the investigation after a victim turned himself into a hospital with a gunshot wound. His sentencing is set for March 23. Cal Fire: Crews on scene of Montgomery Creek fire Cal Fire crews are tackling another early-season fire. The fire started Wednesday around 3 p.m., in the Montgomery Creek Area north of Redding. This morning, Cal Fire reported about 14 acres burned. They added that crews stopped forward progress. No evacuations are reported and the cause is under investigation. Chico State professor under investigation for alleged misuse of university funds The Chico State Chancellors Office released an investigative report saying an accounting professor at the school used the university name and its resources to promote his "nonprofit" organization and accuses him of using campus facilities to conduct for-profit training courses. The report also accuses the professor of falsifying invoices to receive expenses and claims he required students to buy his electronic course material. 6 killed in shooting at Molson Coors complex in Milwaukee Six people are dead, including the gunman, after police say that the employee opened fire at the Molson Coors Brewery complex in Milwaukee. Authorities rushed to the scene, set up a perimeter while the massive complex of more than 20 buildings was placed on lockdown. Molson-Coors confirmed the gunman was an active employee of the company. Investigators are working to find a motive. House lawmakers approve legislation to make lynching a federal crime U.S. lawmakers passed legislation making lynching a federal hate crime. In a 410 to four vote, the House of Representatives approved the Emmett till anti-lynching act. Three Republicans and one independent congressman voted against the bill. California senator Kamala Harris was one of three senators who sponsored the Senate bill last year which passed by unanimous vote. 4 people with alleged ties to neo-Nazi group charged with planning to harass journalists and activists Four men described as violent extremists are now in custody. They are charged with harassing and threatening journalists and members of the anti-defamation league. The suspects are members of a Neo-Nazi group called the "Atomwaffen," which means atomic weapon. The Seattle U.S. attorney and the FBI announced the arrests this week, saying the men posed an escalating threat to anyone who disagreed with them or tried to expose their activities. Its been a week of firsts for new University of Waikato law student, Britney Moore. She moved cities, settled into her first flat, experienced her first Orientation Week and is preparing for her first class at Waikatos new Tauranga CBD campus. Britney, of Ngati Porou and Te Aitanga-A-Mahaki descent, was born and raised in Gisborne by her single mum and is the first in her family to attend university. She credits her mum, Megan, for instilling the importance of education, despite not finishing high school herself. Mum is my greatest supporter and has always pushed me to go to uni because she never did, says Britney. While shed already made her mind up to attend The University of Waikato, Britney says it was a dream come true when she found out shed been awarded three scholarships, worth a total of $12,000, to help her on her way. I still cant get my head around it. Im beyond words I havent ever had something this good happen to me. Britney is the first recipient of the Acorn Foundation Beverly Perszyk Scholarship, and received a Tauranga Campus First-in-Family Scholarship from the Tauranga Tertiary Campus Charitable Trust, plus a Mayfair Court University of Waikato Residential Scholarship which will cover most of her first-year accommodation costs. Last Thursday, Britney attended her first formal event at the university when she joined twenty other Waikato students to receive scholarships generously donated by the Tauranga Tertiary Campus Charitable Trust and Acorn Foundation. She was thrilled to have her mum and younger sister Grace by her side, especially since it was touch and go whether the trio would make it to the event at all. Megan had already taken time off work to help her daughter move cities - taking more time off work and adding extra motel costs wasnt feasible. Megan says the university went above and beyond to find a solution. When Waikato staff found out that Britney would miss the prize giving, they arranged for me and Grace to stay in a Mayfair Court apartment next door to Britneys at no cost. "Having that extra time with my girl and getting to celebrate her scholarship success are memories that will stay with me, especially when Im back in Gisborne missing her! Emotions ran high at the scholarship presentation when Britney met Associate Professor Ken Perszyk, Acting Director of the Tauranga campus, who set up the Beverly Perszyk Scholarship in honour of his late mother. It was incredible meeting Professor Perszyk and hearing that his mother, like mine, went straight into work from high school but was passionate about the importance of tertiary education. Im very grateful to be the first Waikato student in Tauranga to benefit from this scholarship. The former Gisborne Girls High School student says her choice to pursue a study path in law was influenced by teachers who encouraged her to aim high. While she didnt get involved in extracurricular activities like some of her peers, Britneys part-time job at the local fish n chips shop didnt just help out with the family finances but became the catalyst for her to work towards a career in family law. Ive seen first-hand women and children come in with cuts and bruises, clearly victims of abuse, and while it was heart-breaking it lit a spark for me to want to help, make a change in the lives of innocent people and give them a voice, says Britney. Britney chose The University of Waikato to study law following a visit to another university. I didnt find the other uni particularly friendly or welcoming so I begged mum to take me to Waikatos Open Day to check out my options. Blown-away by the welcoming vibe of the new campus and the friendly staff, Britney says a meeting with law tutor Mary-Rose Russell sealed the deal. She was so informative, easy to relate to, and really opened my eyes to the many avenues you can take with law and the opportunities they can lead to. The smaller class sizes and one-on-one time with tutors sold me on the Tauranga campus and mum was happy that its an easier drive from Gisborne so she can visit more often. Now Britney is ready to focus her attention on her studies that kick off next week. I am determined to succeed in gaining a university qualification and be a role model for my younger sister, my whanau and other young people in Gisborne, she says. My goal is to one day be able to give back to my community and stand proud as a young Maori woman and future New Zealand lawyer. Principal Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Rohit Kansal on Thursday said the ongoing recruitment process for 250 Probationary Officers (POs) and 1,200 banking associates stands scrapped and the J & K Bank has been advised to initiate a fresh process. "The Administrative Council of the Union Territory has directed the Finance Department to advise J & K Bank to initiate a fresh, fair and transparent process for the recruitment of 250 POs and 1,200 banking associates through IBPS. The process will be completed within three months," Kansal told media persons. "The ongoing recruitment process for these posts stands scrapped. The bank is being advised to ensure that applicants eligible in the last recruitment process shall be eligible for the fresh recruitment as well," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fall Church, Virginia: Several leaders of a violent neo-Nazi group have been charged with conspiring to harass journalists, church congregations and a former cabinet official, prosecutors on both US coasts announced on Wednesday. Some of the defendants were charged with cyberstalking and sending Swastika-laden posters to journalists, telling them, "You have been visited by your local Nazis." Police say they have adopted the "helter skelter" views of cult leader Charles Manson. Chris Ingalls, an investigative reporter with KING-TV in Seattle, talks to reporters about the poster, reproduced at right, that was mailed to his home earlier this year. Credit:AP "These defendants from across the country allegedly conspired on the internet to intimidate journalists and activists with whom they disagreed," John C. Demers, assistant attorney general for national security, said in a written statement. John C. Denton, 26, of Montgomery, Texas, was charged in US District Court in Virginia with a series of hoax bomb threats that prosecutors said were aimed at drawing a heavy police response to the homes or offices of the group's targets. [February 26, 2020] TUPPERWARE SHAREHOLDER ALERT By Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Reminds Investors With Losses in Excess Of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Tupperware Brands Corporation - TUP Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until April 27, 2020 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP), if they purchased the Company's securities between January 30, 2019 through February 24, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Tupperware and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-tup/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by April 27, 2020. About the Lawsuit Tupperware and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On February 24, 2020, the Company disclosed that its 10-K report would not be filed timely due to an ongoing investigation into accounts payable and accrued liabilities at its Fuller Mexico beauty business resulting in an expected full-year 2019 negative impact on an adjusted pre-tax basis in the range of $19-21 million, expected total impairments of approximately $31 million, and total pretax impact for 2019 of approximately $50-52 million, among other negative effects. On this news, the price of Tupperware's shares plummeted over 45%, to close at $3.11 per share on February 25, 2020. The case is Bertrim v. Tupperware Brands Corporation, et al, 20cv1798. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226006043/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] bb wrote: Hi. I am so sorry to hear about this.... it is very rare but it happens since the centers are operated by Pearson Vue and may be independent... so some come and some go. (At first I thought this was corona virus related) but it seems just a test center being closed... odd and unusual but not impossible. My suggestion would also be to look into other test centers in neighboring countries. When I was taking the GMAT, my country only had 1 test center so I traveled to take the test in another country about 10 hours by train. This ended up a nice distraction and a nice way to do it since I could focus on the GMAT for those few days and not be distracted with friends/etc. Not sure if you could pull something like that off but this could be a blessing in disguise. Thank you for sharing your story! I contacted the gmat website right after I saw this post and they said it was because of corona virus. But still it's sad that they didn't inform us ASAP. I had a phone call with Movaci last week and they said something was wrong with the system so they wouldn't be able to provide the test till 24th Feb. I didn't think much about it because they also told me that it would be back to normal after 24th.Even till now the status of my test is still "scheduled" but not "canceled". My tests have been canceled for 3 times in China already in the last month and that's why I decided to go to Chinagmai. I booked everything and my test is on 3rd March.Anyways.. There are so many students in China just like me who are freaking out. I think I am going to hope for the best and plan for the worst for the whole situation. If it's not the right time, maybe I should just go do my master next year... We are going through a hard time in China. I am trying not to be too hard on myself for not taking the test at the end of last year even though I am 100% responsible for getting myself into the situation. But still, I wouldn't know the outbreak would happen.Guys stay safe. Wear a mask. Peace. The cartoon version of a conservative is a man walking past a panhandler and spitting, Get a job! That is intended to demonstrate the cruelty of the comfortable. But in reality, Get a job! very often is excellent advice, exactly the correct advice, advice that should be taken to heart. Just ask Bernie Kerik. Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner and interim interior minister of Iraq, was convicted of eight felony charges, mostly concerning an unreported loan (loan) he received from an Israeli businessman during his stint in Iraq. As the New York Times reports in a very interesting profile written by Dan Barry and J. David Goodman, it was difficult for Kerik to find work as a convicted felon. These are the diminishments of your rights, and they last forever, he told the Times. You can do your time, you can do probation, you can be a model citizen for the rest of your life. That stuff stays with you. Happily for Kerik, he has a friend in the White House a few of them, in fact: Not only President Trump but his longtime friend, patron, and sometime employer, Rudolph Giuliani. Kerik now has been pardoned by President Trump, and so things are looking up for him. Less so for the people he spent all those years putting away. There are many millions of American felons who do not have Keriks friends in high places, nor the social and political connections, curriculum vitae, and other mitigants that felons of the ruling class enjoy. Kerik found his felony convictions hampering his potential career as a high-earning international security consultant. More typical is the felon who finds that his criminal record prevents him from working as a barber or a personal trainer, a truck driver, a contractor, a physicians assistant, or any number of other occupations that are effectively closed to felons in many states. There are many factors that conspire to keep felons unemployed or poorly employed. Some of those, such as occupational-licensing regulations, could be reformed easily if there were the political will to do so, and some modest progress on licensing reform has in fact been made in many states. There is very little political upside to being seen as solicitous of the well-being of convicted criminals, and market incumbents in licensed occupations are rarely eager to expand the pool of potential competitors. Story continues Bonding can be a limit, too. The Department of Labor provides some assistance on bonding through a program that provides supplemental insurance for certain high-risk hires. With unemployment low, employers have some incentive to be a little more liberal, but the reality is that it is far easier and less time-consuming (and, hence, generally more economical) to simply exclude felons from consideration. Employers, especially large ones, are not generally inclined to give every applicant individual attention, and as the job-search process becomes ever more automated and mediated, the almighty checklist (this degree, that credential, the absence of some particular disqualification) becomes ever more powerful. Again, there is relatively little incentive to give any special consideration to felons. In general, the only real interest our political class has in the 20 million or so felons in our country is either farming their votes (D) or preventing that harvest (R). Taking meaningful steps to improve the quality of their lives is, at most, an afterthought. That is wrongheaded, not only for the obvious humane reasons we owe something to our neighbors, even the ones who have done terrible things but also for reasons of pure self-interest: It is not an infallible principle, but a man with something to lose is a man with incentives that can be used to his benefit and ours. There is an excellent case to be made for the lifelong political disenfranchisement of felons, but ensuring their lifelong poverty is cruel to them and an unnecessary danger to society at large. Our political discourse is disfigured by a great deal of very stupid talk about elitism, but it is the case that our policymaking conversation takes place almost exclusively within the class of relatively affluent college-educated professionals and tends to reflect the interests, prejudices, and desires of that class which is why we are having a national conversation about forgiving the student debt of Harvard graduates rather than forgiving the mortgage debt of poor people. (Neither of those is very good policy, but if we are to forgive debts, then why not forgive the debts of the poor rather than of those who are affluent or upwardly mobile?) Helping a former drug-dealer in Houston get a job as a barber is not an idea that resides very prominently in the Ivy League mind. The people who would be most helped by making it easier for felons to work are not likely to be profiled in the New York Times or to come to the attention of the president of these United States thanks to their connections to his staff or his favorite cable-news network. There is a moral inversion at work there: Surely powerful and politically connected people police commissioners, presidential advisers, etc. should be held to a much more rigorous standard than should, say, fatherless teenagers raised in poverty with no social capital and no help from the dysfunctional institutions to which their lives have been entrusted. But that is not the way of things and that is the crime of which we stand together convicted. Here at the beginning of Lent, it is worth reminding ourselves that it isnt the good people who need to be forgiven, nor the virtuous alone to whom we are attached and owe some duty. More from National Review Attorney Sara El-Shall joins Shultz Legal's Workers' Compensation Team "We continue to expand our injured workers group with the best and brightest individuals like Sara." - Mr. Jason Shultz, CEO Shultz Legal Shultz Legal is pleased to announce the addition of accomplished workers' compensation attorney, Ms. Sara El-Shall to the firm as of February, 2020. Ms. El-Shall is licensed to practice law in Maryland. Sara El-Shall is an experienced and compassionate attorney focusing on workers compensation and personal injury cases. Prior to representing injury victims, Sara defended various state agencies, private employers, and insurers in all aspects of workers compensation claims. Sara's work as a defense attorney provided her with extensive litigation experience and valuable insight into how insurance companies operate. Sara grew up in Richmond, Virginia and became a certified EMT-B upon graduating from high school. After earning her B.A. in Justice from American University, Sara graduated from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. While in law school, Sara served as a law clerk for the Office of the Public Defenders Felony Trial Division and was an Asper Fellow to the Honorable John N. Prevas in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Since 2016, Sara has served on the Young Lawyers Division Executive Council for the Bar Association of Baltimore City. She is also an active member of numerous professional associations including the Maryland Association for Justice, Maryland State Bar Association, American Association for Justice, and Monumental City Bar Association. Sara has been selected by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star since 2019, an honor awarded to only 2.5% eligible attorneys in the State. I am excited to announce this experienced addition to our Workers' Compensation team. We continue to expand our injured workers group with the best and brightest individuals like Sara. We are excited that she has joined the Firm and we're anticipating great results from her efforts on behalf of our clients." - Jason Shultz, CEO of Shultz Legal. He continues, We are continuing in our mission represent the rights of injured workers throughout Maryland." About Shultz Legal Shultz Legal represents injured workers throughout Maryland. Our philosophy is simple and impactful: Its your case; we are here to ease the burden We will keep you regularly updated on your case We provide access to a client portal so you can receive instant updates on case We want all of our clients to get back to work and get back to a normal life as quickly as possible Learn more about Shultz Legal by visiting: http://shultzlegal.com/ About Growth Solutions Team The Growth Solutions Team is a leading provider of Business Consulting Services including, Strategic HR, CFO Advisory, Sales & Customer Service Training, and Small Business Advisory services. Our team assists companies with growth in sales, profitability, and improved cash flows. For more information, visit the website at https://growthsolutionsteam.com. The board of the new downtown Business Improvement District voted on Wednesday to have its three-member finance committee take another look at providing help to four non-profits that are asking to be exempted from assessments. The board, acting on the recommendation of the finance panel, earlier rejected any reductions in amounts charged to the non-profits that filed appeals. Those are: St. Paul's Episcopal Church - $7,865.15 for building, $2,085.12 for parking lot Second Presbyterian Church - $4,200.55 for building, $2,010.24 for parking lot United Way - $3,060.02 YMCA - $14,288.94 They were all represented at the board meeting at the River City Company headquarters at Miller Park. Maury Nicely, speaking for St. Paul's, said the groups did not oppose setting up the BID "because we were assured that getting the exemptions was a mere formality." He said, "Make no mistake, this directly impacts people that we provide services to." Tom White, United Way board chairman, said, "This does represent a hardship for us. These are dollars the United Way would be spending to help people in the community." Debbie Roth, of the Downtown YMCA, called the decision not to grant the exemptions "ridiculous."{ She said, "I went to the meetings and was told that it (granting of the exemptions) was a mere formality. It wasn't a mere formality.: Rick Rushworth, an elder at Second Presbyterian, said, "We are a small church, but we do a lot in the downtown community." He said, concerning the new look by finance, "It seems like the finance committee is pretty much entrenched." Matt McGauley, who serves on finance with Gordon Stalans and Donald O'Connor, had a letter read in which he said he was strongly opposed to granting the exemptions. He said the non-profits had to prove the assessments would be a financial hardship. He said they did not do so. Mr. Stalans said the BID itself is a non-profit "and is also charged with being good stewards of our resources." He said if the group approves the initial requests it could snowball into taking over $100,000 from the annual budget of less than $1 million. It was estimated there are between 13-18 non-profits downtown. Applications were submitted by just five and one was withdrawn. On the one that was withdrawn, board chairman Steve Hunt said top management pulled the application after learning it had been filed. He said they agreed with the need for the assessment. Mr. O'Connor noted he was the only member of the board voting against the denial for the non-profits. He said he has long been active downtown and has seen the good work they do. Pierre Dabit, who missed the meeting where the motion passed, also spoke in favor of the denial. He said, "This is a hardship if even one person cannot get what they need." He said the BID is a newcomer and the groups have been helping those downtown for decades. No meeting date has been set yet for the next meeting of the finance committee. Members of the non-profits indicated they will attend that session. Tracy-Ann Oberman will star in a new touring production of The Merchant of Venice, it has been announced. Oberman will take on the role of Shylock in the new production of Shakespeare's play, which is directed by Brigid Larmour and set in the East End in the 1930s. It reimagines the lead character as a matriarch overseeing her business after having fled the pogroms in Russia, and is based on Oberman's own great-grandmother's experiences. The piece is co-produced by Watford Palace Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, Nuffield Southampton Theatres and Rose Theatre Kingston. It opens in Southampton on 4 September, where it runs until 19 September, before visiting Liverpool (22 September to 3 October), Watford (6 to 17 October), Leeds (20 to 31 October) and Kingston (3 to 14 November). Oberman said: "I've always wanted to reclaim The Merchant in some way and wanted to see how it would change with a single mother female Shylock. My own great grandma and great aunts were single mothers, widows, left in the East End to run the businesses and the homes which they did with an iron fist. "When I spoke about it to Brigid, she instantly got it, and said it gave a brilliant way into the problematic aspects of characters like Antonio and Portia she saw them as aristocratic young Mosleyites, supporters of the British Union of Fascists led by Oswald Mosley. That led us to an East End Cable Street, with pawn shops and moneylending under the counter of shmatter stalls and seamstress jobs, in the weeks leading up to Mosley's Fascist march against "The Jew" in 1936." STURGIS, MI - A Mexican man in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) died on Thursday, Feb. 20, more than two months after he was arrested in Sturgis, Michigan, officials say. David Hernandez Colula, 34, was pronounced dead at 1:49 a.m. by medical professionals at Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, where he was transported after facility staff found him unresponsive in his cell, ICE said in a Feb. 21 news release. The preliminary cause of death appears to be self-inflicted strangulation; however, the case is currently under investigation, ICE said. Efforts by facility staff and emergency personnel to revive him were unsuccessful, ICE said in a statement. He died at a private prison facility in Youngstown, Ohio, less than two weeks before it is scheduled to stop housing ICE detainees on Feb. 29. Hernandez Colula entered ICE custody Dec. 6, 2019, upon release from the St. Joseph County Jail in Centerville, Michigan, following a Dec. 4, 2019, arrest by Sturgis Police Department for an outstanding warrant. He was originally booked into Calhoun County Jail in Battle Creek, and transferred Dec. 10, 2019, to Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown to continue his immigration proceedings. Transfers can happen for a variety of reasons, according to ICE Spokesman Khaalid Walls. Transfers in ICE custody are made by authorized officials on the basis of complete and accurate case information, as outlined in ICE detention standards, and are undertaken as needed for a variety for reasons to include (but are not limited to) available space, court appearances or in preparation to depart the U.S. There is nothing unusual about transfers from one location to another, Walls said in an email message. The Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General, and the ICE Office of Professional Responsibility has been notified of the death. Additionally, ICE notified the Mexican consulate and Hernandez Colulas next of kin, ICE said. ICE is firmly committed to the health and welfare of all those in its custody and is undertaking a comprehensive agency-wide review of this incident, as it does in all such cases. Fatalities in ICE custody, statistically, are exceedingly rare and occur at a fraction of the national average for the U.S. detained population, ICE said in a statement. ICEs comprehensive review will be conducted by ICE senior leadership to include Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Office of Professional Responsibility and the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, the agency said. Hernandez Colula was previously apprehended by U. S. Border Patrol Dec. 4, 2014 in Rochester, New York, and transferred into ICE custody pending removal proceedings. He was released on bond Dec. 8, 2014. An immigration judge changed venue to Cleveland, Ohio, following the relocation of Mr. Hernandez Colula, according to ICE. A gofundme has been established with a goal of raising money for funeral expenses and burial in Mexico. ICE will stop using Northeast Ohio Correctional Center to house immigrants this week, Cleveland.com reports. ICE officials said in a statement that its contract with CoreCivic, the Nashville-based owner of the 2,016-bed Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, ends Feb. 29 and that the prison was never meant to be a permanent ICE detention location," according to Cleveland.com. More on MLive: New restaurant to replace Zazios in downtown Kalamazoo Woman dies from injuries following multi-county police chase Brewery space, apartments approved for Kalamazoos Northside neighborhood John Deere, the world's leading manufacturer of farm equipment, is teaming up with Africa's "Uber of tractors" - betting on a future where farmers summon machines at the touch of a button. (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN DEERE'S HEAD OF AFRICA, JACQUES TAYLOR, SAYING: "We do like to see that every farmer has access to mechanization." The American company is hoping to boost sales of its famous green and yellow tractors on the continent - via Hello Tractor's technology, a small black box allowing farmers to hail tractors, monitor their movements and transmit information such as fuel levels. It's currently being trailed on 400 tractors in Ghana and Kenya - but John Deere plans to offer it to all contractors who buy its equipment in Africa. But the risks are clear: held back by low incomes, tiny landholdings and a lack of bank financing, tractor numbers have long been stagnant on the continent. Jacques Taylor is John Deere's head of sub-Saharan Africa. (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN DEERE'S HEAD OF AFRICA, JACQUES TAYLOR, SAYING: "The biggest challenge at this stage is to justify the capital investment in agriculture, and financing linked to that." He argues the new collaboration can help as data pulled from Hello Tractor could be used by farmers - who typically lack credit histories - to secure bank loans. Pascal Kaumbutho, chairman of agricultural services firm Agrimech Africa, agrees. (SOUNDBITE) (English) AGRIMECH AFRICA'S CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, PASCAL KAUMBUTHO, SAYING: "It is one thing to walk into a bank and say 'You know. Hey I work very hard.' It's another thing to be able to show it." No loans decisions have yet been made based on such data, but with the continent's population set to double by 2050, increased productivity is a necessity. Outside South Africa, 80% of African cropland is still cultivated by hand and yields are half the global average. Hello Tractor founder Jehiel Oliver sees that as an opportunity. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HELLO TRACTOR FOUNDER, JEHIEL OLIVER, SAYING: Story continues "The global average is 200 hundred tractors per 100 square kilometers of arable farm land. Africa averages around eight tractors per 100 square kilometers, Nigeria alone needs 750,000 tractors to be on the global average." John Deere declined to comment on the cost of its tech investment. Africa makes up just a fraction of its annual revenues of around $40 billion - which are dominated by the Americas and Europe. Westpac NZ has announced that it made changes to its executive team to improve its products and processes better and, therefore, better serve its customers. The bank welcomed Andrew Henderson and Marc Figgins to the leadership team, while its other seasoned executives changed roles. Henderson, who took the chief information officer role at Westpac, would be responsible for crucial technology functions including architecture, engineering, IT risk, and maintenance of tech standards and disciplines. Lawyers for the family of Quanice Hayes, a 17-year-old shot and killed by Portland police in 2017, urged a judge Wednesday to strike part of the city of Portlands defense that alleged negligence by the teen and his mother contributed to his death. U.S. Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta also questioned why the city argued, among other reasons, that the teenagers failure to sleep properly the night before after consuming illegal substances such as cocaine would be allowed at trial as an example of comparative negligence. How is it negligent to not get a good nights sleep the night before? Acosta asked. Should he have had a different pillow? Was his mattress too soft? Ashlee J. Albies, an attorney for the Hayes family, also called it objectionable and offensive that the city would argue the teenagers mother, Venus Hayes, is at fault for not being able to control her son. Albies and her co-counsel, Jesse Merrithew, said the citys arguments will detract from the central question in the case, which they frame as: What happened in the moments before Officer Andrew Hearst shot an unarmed Black teen in the head while (the teen was) on his knees from 15 feet away. The civil rights suit accuses Hearst of using excessive force when he shot Quanice Hayes three times with an AR-15 rifle on Feb. 9, 2017, as police confronted Hayes outside a Northeast Portland home. Hayes wasnt a threat when he was killed, the suit alleges. Officers discovered Hayes, a suspect in an armed robbery and attempted carjacking earlier that morning, in an alcove in front of the home and ordered him to keep his hands up but crawl toward officers on the driveway and then lie down with his hands to his side, according to grand jury testimony. When Hayes appeared to reach toward his waistband, Hearst fired, police said. Hayes died at the scene from one gunshot above his forehead on the right side of his head, one near the bottom of his left rib cage and one to his torso, according to an autopsy. The suit alleges Hearst and fellow Officer Robert Wullbrandt were shouting contradictory commands at Hayes just before he was shot. Hearst testified that he never saw Hayes with a gun, but believed Hayes was the suspect in the earlier holdup of a man in his car. The man described his assailant as holding a tan pistol. Officers found a black and tan airsoft pistol in a flower bed about 2 feet from Hayes body, they said. The city has defended Hearsts fatal shots as objectively reasonable under the totality of the circumstances, saying Hayes conduct created an immediate threat of death or serious injury to Hearst and fellow officers. The fact that Hayes had held a man at gunpoint earlier in the day and was confronted by police when emerging from a home that he had broken into contributed to how police responded, Senior Deputy City Attorney William Manlove told the judge. His decision-making and judgment were confused by drugs and his lack of sleep, Manlove said. If Mr. Hayes had never robbed Mr. (Armando) Suarez; if there had been no report of a handgun, its quite likely the police response would have been quite different. Manlove argued in court papers that the city should be allowed to offer evidence that reflects on Hayes mental state to help explain why he would refuse to follow police commands. According to Manlove, Hayes was told by three different officers not to reach for his waistband, and several officers have said that the teen "was looking around as if he was looking for an avenue of escape.'' Albies countered that the 17-year-old could have been looking around for witnesses once he was cornered by police with their guns drawn. The city alleged in court papers that Venus Hayes failed to supervise and monitor Quanice Hayes and failed to ensure other family members were supervising the teenager. In court, with Hayes family in the courtroom, Manlove conceded that the citys claims involving the mother may be beyond the scope of what is reasonably negligence. Albies said theres no case law to suggest a parent, who is one of the beneficiaries of a childs estate, should be held responsible for a child who got shot by police. The plaintiffs attorneys said the city is trying to defend a police shooting by smearing Hayes and his mother. At the time he was shot, Venus Hayes was in drug treatment, which by any application of logic does not place her at fault for Quanice Hayess death nor give rise to a foreseeable consequence that her eldest child would die in the manner he did, Albies and Merrithew wrote in court papers. The judge did not issue a ruling, saying he would take the arguments under advisement. -- 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 Officials in Florida have raised concerns about transparency after refusing to confirm whether any suspected cases of coronavirus have been tested for the disease in the state. 'There is still no known cases of coronavirus in the state of Florida,' Governor Ron DeSantis said at a press conference in Tallahassee on Thursday morning. 'Obviously, if there is and hopefully we don't have any identified cases, it is something we would notify the public about,'' DeSantis added. However, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees declined to say whether anyone in the state had been suspected of infection with coronavirus but tested negative for the disease. Scroll down for video Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (center) and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees (center left) addressed coronavirus fears at a press conference on Thursday Rikvees and DeSantis cited state laws and privacy concerns for withholding any statistical information. State Democrats, who hold a minority in both houses of Florida's legislature, blasted the Republican governor for failing to provide more information. 'To be clear, we are all confident in Florida's public health infrastructure and professionals in preparing and protecting us from coronavirus,' said Democratic state Senator Jose Javier Rodriguez in a statement. 'What we need is better management of public information,' he added. U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, who represents the Orlando area, also called for more transparency. 'I was disappointed that at today's briefing, state officials failed to be forthcoming with the public about suspected cases in Florida,'' she said in a statement to WJXT-TV. 'As a top tourist destination and home to many vulnerable seniors, Florida is uniquely at risk from the threat of this illness,' she said. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees (center) declined to say whether anyone in the state had been suspected of infection with coronavirus but tested negative for the disease A passenger (left) was seen wearing a mask in Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday as airport employees worked to keep areas sanitized (right) On Wednesday night, California confirmed the first U.S. case of the virus with no clear source, indicating that community spread has begun and may be uncontrollable. As the virus marches on and CDC officials warn that a widespread outbreak in the U.S. is all but inevitable, state and local officials across the country have been making preparations. Health officials stressed that schools, businesses and individuals need to get ready. Officials say that washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses such as coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19. The virus has a very low fatality rate, but appears to spread easily compared to more fatal outbreaks of the past, putting the elderly especially at risk. President Donald Trump has also come under fire for the federal government's response to the crisis, after he voiced his unhappiness at how concerns over the virus' spread has hit the stock market hard. Given how acute the concerns are, Trump has sought to defend his administration's record, including the early decision to halt all flights to the U.S. from China. Trump has put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of coordinating the efforts. To me, what that means is they can both excite the base of our party and they can win over swing voters, Schiff said. Thats what Bill Clinton was able to do, and its what Barack Obama was able to do. If I were advising anyone in the field, I would say run on two things: Run on meeting the economic needs of those who have been left behind the Trump-Obama voters and run on a return to basic decency. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Bay of Plenty Do you want the opportunity to work on one of the busiest ports in New Zealand? Then read on! We have an exciting role for... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz "We're excited to release features and enhancements that best serve the markets that purchase and use Znode." -Rupesh Agrawal, President and CEO of Amla Commerce, parent company of Znode. Znode, an enterprise B2B ecommerce platform and product of Amla Commerce, has released its 9.4 platform update. This update focuses on empowering administrators with new dashboards for managing analytics such as site search data, as well as providing an optimized and more convenient administration experience . The key features introduced in Znode 9.4 include: Znode Analytics Dashboard: Administrators can now view key Google Analytics data in the Znode administration console. This data, organized by store or property, includes page views, bounce rate, and new users added. The Znode Analytics Dashboard provides administrators with a convenient way to view important analytics data without having to leave the Znode administration console, and provides administrators who may not have access to Google Analytics a way to view key information. On-Site Search Activity Dashboard: Administrators can now view Top Keyword Searches and Zero Results Found searches for individual stores in the Znode administration console. Top Keyword Searches lists the most popular keywords being searched by customers through on-site search. No Results Found lists every keyword a customer has searched for that resulted in no keyword being found. Both Top Keyword Searches and Zero Results Found provide key insights as to what keywords customers are searching for, and the On-Site Activity Dashboard conveniently groups them together. Additionally, the Znode 9.4 update enhanced a number of existing features including: Enhanced Order Management System (OMS): The Znode OMS has been enhanced with user experience improvements for managing and creating orders. These user experience improvements have optimized the OMS experience and allow administrators to manage and create orders more efficiently by reducing the number of steps in takes to manage and create orders. The headless nature of Znode allows all of these updates to be consumed without having to go through an expensive upgrade process. "We're excited to release features and enhancements that best serve the markets that purchase and use Znode," says Rupesh Agrawal, President and CEO of Amla Commerce, parent company of Znode. "It's great our customers can consume these updates without having to go through an expensive upgrade process, thanks to the headless nature of the platform. This allows our customers to consume greater functionality while maintaining a sustainable cost of ownership of their ecommerce platform." To learn more about the Znode ecommerce platform, visit znode.com. To download the Znode Features List, click here. About Znode Znode is an enterprise, B2B ecommerce platform built to empower manufacturers and distributors through a rich-set of features including site search, product information management and multi-store functionality. Created for the unique needs of B2B ecommerce, Znode supports complex pricing, complex inventory, complex product types, workflow approvals, quote management and list management. The platform is completely headless with over 600 APIs allowing for greater extensibility, easier integrations and consistent functional updates. Znode is a product of Amla Commerce. About Amla Commerce Amla Commerce is a global software company that has grown out of the belief that ecommerce software should enable sustainable growth. Amla products, Znode and Artifi Labs, are developed to be both economically and technically sustainable. Amla Commerce is a privately-held company, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI. S hares in WPP tumbled today after the company posted falling sales in 2019 and said growth for the year ahead would be flat. The ad giant, which now describes itself as a creative transformation company, posted a 1.6% drop in revenue, while profits also sank 22.3% to 982 million. For 2020, it added that revenue would be flat. The shares fell 15%, or 143p, to 765p. The figures mark the first set of full-year results under chief executive Mark Read, who took over from founder Sir Martin Sorrell in 2018. Last year Read, a company veteran, set out a major three-year transformation plan to make WPP more agile after a number of blue-chip clients, including Ford and American Express, took their advertising business to rivals at the back end of 2018. The turnaround plans are an effort to reduce the groups complexity after clients complained WPP, which owns Ogilvy, Grey and Finsbury, had become too unwieldy. This has included housing more of its advertising and PR agencies in the same locations, and overhauling IT systems. But the jury remains out on whether Read can return it to growth. Thomas Singlehurst, an analyst at Citi, called the results disappointing, adding that they were weaker than expected. He added: The outlook, while sensible and conservative, is hardly inspiring... it doesnt feel like the results are a platform for a significant near-term rerating. The group also warned it was too early to predict the full impact of the coronavirus outbreak, but WPP is likely to take a hit as China accounts for 5% of all group sales. Read said WPP workers in China and Hong Kong had been working from home since the outbreak. THE second reported case of a Filipina who tested positive for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Hong Kong was confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, Thursday, February 27. In a statement, the foreign affairs department said the patient is currently in isolation in the hospital and is under close observation. #DFABulletin On the Second COVID-19-Positive Filipina in Hong Kong: https://t.co/R0bVg5dCIH The @DFAPHL, through the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, confirms the report of a Filipina who tested positive for COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/O36f78F2rq DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) February 27, 2020 The DFA also gave an update about the first Filipina confirmed to be positive for the coronavirus disease. "The first Filipina Covid-19-positive patient is scheduled to be released this week, provided that her test results remain negative for the disease," the DFA stated in their official website. As of Thursday, only one Filipina has remained in quarantine as a patient under investigation (PUI). The patient is said to be healthy and asymptomatic, and is set to be discharged on Friday, February 28. On Sunday, February 23, the DFA also confirmed the first reported case involving a Filipino in Singapore who tested positive for coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Meanwhile the second Filipino in United Arab Emirates (UAE) was confirmed positive with Covid-19, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi reported on Saturday, February 22. The first Filipino case in UAE, a 43-year-old Filipino, has been transferred to another medical facility and is being closely monitored. In Japan, where a cruise ship was placed under quarantine for 14 days until February 19, a total of 80 Filipinos were reported to have been found positive for Covid-19, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said. Locsin added that 10 have recovered and have been discharged from the hospital. Undersecretary Brigido Dulay said 49 Filipinos tested positive for the virus as of Saturday. Of the 49, two have recovered and have been discharged from Japanese hospitals. As of early Thursday, viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 82,000 people and caused 2,800 deaths globally. The World Health Organization has named the illness Covid-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. (NJN/SunStar Philippines) Unfortunately for some shareholders, the Chicago Rivet & Machine (NYSEMKT:CVR) share price has dived in the last thirty days. Even longer term holders have taken a real hit with the stock declining 17% in the last year. All else being equal, a sharp share price increase should make a stock less attractive to potential investors. While the market sentiment towards a stock is very changeable, in the long run, the share price will tend to move in the same direction as earnings per share. The implication here is that deep value investors might steer clear when expectations of a company are too high. One way to gauge market expectations of a stock is to look at its Price to Earnings Ratio (PE Ratio). A high P/E implies that investors have high expectations of what a company can achieve compared to a company with a low P/E ratio. Check out our latest analysis for Chicago Rivet & Machine Does Chicago Rivet & Machine Have A Relatively High Or Low P/E For Its Industry? Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E is 20.77. The image below shows that Chicago Rivet & Machine has a P/E ratio that is roughly in line with the machinery industry average (20.4). AMEX:CVR Price Estimation Relative to Market, February 27th 2020 Its P/E ratio suggests that Chicago Rivet & Machine shareholders think that in the future it will perform about the same as other companies in its industry classification. If the company has better than average prospects, then the market might be underestimating it. Further research into factors such as insider buying and selling, could help you form your own view on whether that is likely. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios When earnings fall, the 'E' decreases, over time. That means even if the current P/E is low, it will increase over time if the share price stays flat. So while a stock may look cheap based on past earnings, it could be expensive based on future earnings. Chicago Rivet & Machine saw earnings per share decrease by 54% last year. And EPS is down 13% a year, over the last 5 years. This could justify a pessimistic P/E. Story continues Don't Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits Don't forget that the P/E ratio considers market capitalization. Thus, the metric does not reflect cash or debt held by the company. The exact same company would hypothetically deserve a higher P/E ratio if it had a strong balance sheet, than if it had a weak one with lots of debt, because a cashed up company can spend on growth. Such expenditure might be good or bad, in the long term, but the point here is that the balance sheet is not reflected by this ratio. How Does Chicago Rivet & Machine's Debt Impact Its P/E Ratio? With net cash of US$7.3m, Chicago Rivet & Machine has a very strong balance sheet, which may be important for its business. Having said that, at 31% of its market capitalization the cash hoard would contribute towards a higher P/E ratio. The Bottom Line On Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E Ratio Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E is 20.8 which is above average (17.1) in its market. The recent drop in earnings per share would make some investors cautious, but the healthy balance sheet means the company retains potential for future growth. If fails to eventuate, the current high P/E could prove to be temporary, as the share price falls. Given Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E ratio has declined from 20.8 to 20.8 in the last month, we know for sure that the market is less confident about the business today, than it was back then. For those who prefer to invest with the flow of momentum, that might be a bad sign, but for a contrarian, it may signal opportunity. Investors have an opportunity when market expectations about a stock are wrong. If the reality for a company is better than it expects, you can make money by buying and holding for the long term. Although we don't have analyst forecasts you could get a better understanding of its growth by checking out this more detailed historical graph of earnings, revenue and cash flow. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with modest (or no) debt, trading on a P/E below 20. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Solan: BJP National President JP Nadda, Dr Rajeev Bindal, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, MOS Anurag Thakur and other leaders of the state during Abhinandan Karyakram in Solan, Himachal Pradesh on Feb 27, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Solan: BJP National President JP Nadda, Dr Rajeev Bindal, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, MOS Anurag Thakur and other leaders of the state during Abhinandan Karyakram in Solan, Himachal Pradesh on Feb 27, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Solan: BJP National President JP Nadda, Dr Rajeev Bindal, Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, MOS Anurag Thakur and other leaders of the state during Abhinandan Karyakram in Solan, Himachal Pradesh on Feb 27, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Solan : , Feb 27 (IANS) BJP national President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday said Article 370 has become a thing of the past. The country has now become "one nation, one constitution". "Article 370 has become a thing of the past. Today, India is one nation with one constitution," he said in his address in this Himachal Pradesh town. Earlier, he was accorded welcome on his maiden visit to the state to which he belonged after becoming party's national President. Nadda said he had not imagined that he would get an opportunity to lead the BJP. All this was possible due to the benevolence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the blessings of the people of the state. He said the BJP was the only political party in the country where even a worker can become the party's national President and also the Prime Minister. He said today the party has over 17 crore members and has a strong and vibrant leader in form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda said the opposition was making unnecessary hue and cry over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and this was unfortunate. The Act was not against minorities of the country, but it was aimed at helping the minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Complementing the performance of his party's government in the state, the BJP President said the state led by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was doing a commendable work for welfare of the state and its people. He said programmes like Jan Manch, HIMCARE and Grihini Suvidha Yojna were possible due to farsighted Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said all this was possible due to the double engine of the government -- at Centre and the state. He said AIIMS at Bilaspur, 69 national highways were possible due to Modi. Thakur, while welcoming Nadda, said the state introduced Jan Manch programme for redressal of public grievances and 46,763 complaints were received till now out of which almost all have been redressed. He said apart of Jan Manch, the state has launched Chief Minister Helpline 1100 to solve the problems. To date, 273,000 calls were received out of which 64,300 were complaints. He said that out of these complaints, 56,062 have been resolved. Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur, who too belong to Himachal Pradesh, congratulated the Chief Minister for successfully organising the first Global Investors' Meet at Dharamsala, which would go a long way in strengthening the economy. He said the Union government would provide all possible help for construction of a big airport in Mandi district in the state. Then told to be quiet about it. Now, lets see if our silence can be louder than our protests. Earlier this month, a 46-year-old was arrested at his apartment in the north of Mexico City covered in blood. He confessed to killing, skinning and removing some of the organs of his 25-year-old partner Ingrid Escamilla. Days later, leaked pictures of Ingrids mutilated body appeared in sensationalist tabloid newspapers with headlines such as It was cupids fault. At around the same time, on February 11, an unidentified woman collected a seven-year-old girl known only as Fatima (we have since learned her family name is Aldrighett) from her school in Xochimilco in Mexico City. Four days later, Fatimas body was found naked and bearing signs of torture inside a black plastic bag. She had been dumped by the edge of a dirt road three kilometres (1.9 miles) from her school. In Mexico, both these cases are considered femicide, a distinct crime which describes the killing of a woman because she is a woman. These cases are shocking and appalling, or at least they should be. But the public and official response is not always one of empathy towards the victims. We witness on a regular basis how a country that is riddled with sexism literally hates women to death: 10 women are murdered every day in the vast majority of cases by men. In the aftermath of Ingrids case, it has become common in Mexico to hear people talking about her poor choice of partner and about how she, being so young and beautiful, should have found someone else. This attitude is infuriating, not only because the blame is being placed on Ingrid, the victim, for staying in an abusive relationship, but also because that message does not reflect at all on the man who killed her as a current and future abuser of women. It seems to say: If only she had left, he would have stopped being a violent person. Ingrids case has highlighted how very deep this fatal lack of empathy goes. People made jokes and memes about her death on social media sites, some as gruesome as depicting her as a cabrito a north Mexican dish of roasted young goat cut open down the middle with the insides exposed. Ordinary people were morbidly searching for and sharing the pictures of Ingrids body online. The idea that the blame for her own gruesome murder lay squarely with Ingrid herself flooded the internet during that second week of February. But soon, the conversation would turn to Fatima. Fatimas death was harder to pin on her. She was a seven-year-old child wearing her uniform at school, so the usual victim blamers could not fault her for how she was dressed or speculate about whether she was drunk. Instead, they went for the next woman. People blamed her mother for not picking her up on time, as if a child could not be expected to wait outside her school without being brutally murdered. But what else can we expect from a country which, along with Brazil, tops the list for femicides in absolute numbers in Latin America? We have a president who, after the news of these two murders broke, said he did not want to focus too much on the issue of femicides because it was being exaggerated to damage his mandate. As if Mexico has not been known as the country of Las Muertas de Juarez (The Dead Women of Juarez) since 1993, in reference to the northern city of Ciudad Juarez, on the border with El Paso, Texas, where hundreds of women and girls were found dead by the side of the road showing evidence of torture, rape and strangulation. Femicides continue in Juarez most recently with the killing of 26-year-old Isabel Cabanillas de la Torre on January 18, triggering protests there last weekend by women demanding justice. After decades of these hate-fuelled murders, women in Mexico are finally fed up with living in fear under a criminal justice system that lets murderers and rapists roam free; indeed, statistics from the National Human Rights Commission in Mexico show that around 90 percent of femicides in the country go unpunished. The women of Mexico have found a way to push back against the lack of empathy for our plight: Sorority. There has been an outcry from women banding together around the country, calling for better policies and systems to allow women to leave abusive relationships and for the abusers to be charged. Hundreds of thousands of women have taken to the streets to march for their rights under the hashtags of #NiUnaMenos (#NotOneLessWoman), #JusticiaParaIngrid (#JusticeForIngrid) and #IngridEscamilla. Marches took place in 11 cities, including Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Ciudad Juarez, on February 14 and 15 in honour of Ingrid. Sorority has been found in unexpected places. Ingrids Twitter account shows that she actually shared anti-feminist content; however, as soon as her case was known, women organised marches all over the country in her honour. Disgusted with the publication of gratuitous images of Ingrids mutilated body in the press, feminists all over Mexico uploaded pictures of beautiful landscapes with Ingrids name, so when people searched for her name online they would find those instead of the pictures of her body. Even if some women feel the feminist movement doesnt represent them, feminists will continue to fight for their rights. Nevertheless, there remains a great deal of criticism aimed at feminist marches, from both men and women, including complaints about march sites being left covered in graffiti and some monuments being damaged. Detractors say this is not a proper way to protest. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, for instance, told feminists: I understand you very well, but protest without violence. His wife, First Lady Beatriz Gutierrez, a journalist and writer, also chimed in, saying that there was no excuse for damaging historical heritage. She condemned a planned strike by women, using the hashtag #NoAlParoNacional (No To The National Strike). Gutierrez called instead for a rally in support of both women and her husbands presidency. The message here is women, be quiet. We even have a saying in Mexico that translates to You look more beautiful in silence. People stand up for their precious statues and buildings but ignore the reason these women are taking to the streets in the first place. If only they cared for women as much as they do for statues maybe the marches would stop. There have been calls for the creation of Ley Ingrid (Ingrids Law), first proposed by the attorney general for justice in Mexico City, Ernestina Godoy, which would carry sanctions for public servants who leak images from open police investigations. This is in its early proposal stages at the Mexican City Congress. Regardless of the outcome of this proposal, women are continuing to mobilise in Mexico in protest against the continued killings. Right now, womens groups are inviting all Mexican women to join the #UnDiaSinNosotras (#ADayWithoutUs) national strike, which will take place on March 9. For this protest, women are being called on to disconnect from the internet and to refuse to go out, including to work or school. Maybe our silence will be heard more loudly than our protests. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Company achieves milestone, completes more than 300 COLORFUL COMMUNITIES projects since 2015 PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that PPG and the PPG Foundation invested $11.8 million in communities worldwide in 2019. The funds supported community sustainability and educational programming, and highlight PPG's commitment to supporting communities where its employees live, work and play. "PPG is proud to have had the opportunity in 2019 to positively impact 325 community organizations in 38 countries where the company has a local presence," said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility. A selection of the grant recipients and funding purposes include: Boys Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania: PPG AI Pathways Institute Teen Accelerator program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chinese universities: PPG's University Talent Power Program, which offered scholarships to 10 Chinese and two Korean universities, as well as career counseling services at 15 Chinese universities. Vocational school in Kocaeli, Turkey: A new color application laboratory for students interested in pursuing a career in the automotive refinishing field. Junior Achievement in Sumare, Brazil: Our Nation STEM programming, My Money My Business, Future of Work STEM and Innovation Camp. In addition, PPG reached a milestone in 2019 by completing more than 300 COLORFUL COMMUNITIES projects since the program's inception in 2015. With more than 8,000 gallons (30,300 liters) of paint and 4,100 employee and community volunteers, PPG has brought color and brightness to community assets around the world, impacting more than 6.5 million people. A few of the Colorful Communities project recipients include: Government primary school in Baluganj Agra, India: Nearly 200 PPG volunteers spent around four hours beautifying the school by painting the walls and creating vivid drawings of nature and slogans to inspire the 50 young students who currently attend the school. CEIPSO Federico Garcia de Lorca in Camarma de Esteruelas, Spain: Approximately 70 volunteers from PPG, the school and the community painted classrooms, doors and rejuvenated exterior spaces on the facility's grounds for the more than 1,000 students who attend the school. Mano Amiga School in Queretaro, Mexico: Approximately 30 volunteers from PPG, Universidad Anahuac and the community participated in the inaugural STEM Colorful Communities project, which allowed more than 200 children to experience both color and STEM in their classrooms. project, which allowed more than 200 children to experience both color and STEM in their classrooms. Booker T. Washington High School in Miami, Florida: More than 100 PPG global leaders spent a combined 250 hours painting areas of the facility in the school's long-standing colors of orange, black and white to provide inspirational learning environments that will be beneficial to the success of current and future students for years to come. The project also included three bright, music-themed murals in the school's once monochromatic band room. "We are grateful for the continued energy and passion of our 47,000 global employees, who have positively impacted millions of people and their communities worldwide," said Dunn. EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional information regarding PPG's community engagement efforts in 2019, visit our online newsroom at http://news.ppg.com/community-engagement/ppg-2019-community-engagement-year-end. PPG and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested more than $11 million in 2019, supporting hundreds of community organizations in 38 countries since 2015. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today's skilled workforce and develop tomorrow's innovators in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more at www.ppgcommunities.com. PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers' biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.1 billion in 2019. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com. We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and Colorful Communities and the PPG Logo are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. CATEGORY Community Affairs CATEGORY Foundation View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005583/en/ Contacts: PPG Media Contacts: Lynne Evosevich Corporate Communications +1 878-208-2804 evosevich@ppg.com Greta Edgar Corporate Communications +1 412-434-2445 edgar@ppg.com www.ppgcommunities.com Around 14 per cent of coronavirus patients tested positive a second time in one Chinese region despite being given the all clear. A health official in Guangdong Province told The New York Times the reinfected patients had been discharged from hospital after testing negative for the virus but then fell ill again later. It follows reports in Japan of a 40-year-old woman who tested positive for a second time yesterday. Experts said the cases raised fears the virus could be a 'persistent' infection, meaning it can lie dormant in patients for years and suddenly flare up again, such as viruses that lead to herpes and chickenpox. Professor Mark Harris, a virology expert at the University of Leeds, said: 'Although coronaviruses generally cause short-term, self-limiting infections which are cleared, there is some evidence in the scientific literature for persistent infections of animal coronaviruses, mainly in bats.' Scientists believe the virus may have originally spread to humans from wild animals, possibly bats, being sold as food in markets in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicentre of the outbreak. Professor Harris added: The reports that patients who tested negative subsequently tested positive again is clearly of concern. 'It is unlikely that they would have been reinfected having cleared the virus, as they would most likely have mounted an immune response to the virus that would prevent such reinfection. 'The other possibility therefore is that they did not in fact clear the infection but remained persistently infected.' Around 14 per cent of coronavirus patients in one region of China have been diagnosed a second time. Pictured: Medical staff treating coronavirus patients at a hospital in Wuhan The secondary cases raise fears that patients have wrongly been declared free of the virus A tour bus operator in Japan has also tested positive for coronavirus for a second time Its not yet clear if the people who tested positive for a second time are contagious as 13 of those who were in close contact with more than 100 people after being discharged appear to have not passed it on, the health offical said. Patients in China must test negative twice and undergo a chest scan before they can be release. A woman in Japan who recovered from coronavirus and was released from hospital has tested positive again. The 40-year-old woman, who was initially infected after working on a tour bus with sightseers from Wuhan, tested positive for a second time yesterday. Government officials say it is the first known incident of this kind in Japan. The woman was first confirmed as infected with the coronavirus on January 29. After being discharged from hospital she tested negative for the virus on February 6, although she still had a cough at the time. She had no symptoms a week later, but returned to the doctor on February 21 complaining of a sore throat and chest pains. On Wednesday, she tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time, officials in Osaka said. The driver of the tour bus, which was carrying tourists from the city of Wuhan at the centre of the outbreak, also tested positive for the virus. Though a first known case for Japan, second positive tests have been reported in China where the disease originated late last year. At least 186 people in Japan have so far contracted the virus, with three deaths in the country linked to the outbreak. Almost 700 people have been diagnosed with the virus on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was quarantined off Japan, including passengers who were allowed to leave the boat after testing negative, with 45 now showing symptoms. There have been four deaths linked to the virus from the ship. The government has come under pressure for a relatively hands-off approach to the virus, but on Thursday the Osaka prefectural government said it would expand screening of patients to a broader group than currently stipulated by central guidelines. 'We will make sure that people who should be tested, get tested, and will avoid a worst-case scenario by preventing these people from developing symptoms and serious conditions,' Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura said. One expert has warned that quarantine periods may have to be extended. Prof Rowland Kao, Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology and Data Science at the University of Edinburgh, said: 'Assuming that there is a minimal possibility of misdiagnosis, it still remains unclear from the published reports whether the person involved was likely re-infected, or whether this represents an infection that may have been partially cleared or perhaps has gone latent. 'In either case, given the number of reported cases thus far, it would seem unlikely that this is a common occurrence, and thus should have only a small impact on the overall epidemic projections themselves.' 'Of possibly greater concern are the implications for control measures should quarantine periods be extended? It also makes contact tracing even more difficult, potentially straining resources.' However, Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia (UEA), cautioned against making any hasty decisions until more information becomes available. 'There is so much we do not know about this case to give a properly informed opinion. Did the woman test negative after her last positive and if so how many tests were negative before her initial discharge? Does she have any underlying illness or is she on any treatment that could affect her immune system? 'The report reinforces the fact that we have to investigate all such findings really thoroughly and report such information if we are to make the best decisions based on sound scientific evidence. 'At this time I would council against changing management guidelines based on this case but we do need to always keep them under review,' he said. SAN JOSE, Calif. Worried that an earthquake could collapse a big dam south of San Francisco, officials have ordered its reservoir to be completely drained by October to reduce the risk of floodwaters spilling into Silicon Valley. The 240-foot (73-meter) high earthen Anderson Dam, built in 1950 between San Jose and the community of Morgan Hill, poses too great a risk of collapse and must be fully drained by Oct. 1, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates dams, the Mercury News reported. It is unacceptable to maintain the reservoir at an elevation higher than necessary when it can be reduced, thereby decreasing the risk to public safety and the large population downstream, David Capka, director of the commissions Division of Dam Safety and Inspections, wrote last week in a letter to the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Since 2009, the dams water level has been kept at a maximum of 74 percent of capacity because of an assessment that it could fail in a 7.2 quake. The reservoir is built along the Calaveras Fault. On Monday, amid the threat of another drought in California, Anderson Reservoir was just 29% full. A seismic retrofit project has been underway because of its state classification in 2017 as being an extremely high downstream hazard. The Santa Clara Valley Water District said in a statement Monday that officials agree with the commissions assessment that the reservoir should be drained ahead of the retrofit project, which is complicated and time consuming. Valley Water has been working with several state and federal agencies through the years to secure the proper permits as the scope of the project has increased due to additional safety and design requirements, Valley Water CEO Norma Camacho said. A priority will be to design and build a large outlet pipe, which will provide greater control over the water levels and increase public safety, she added in the statement. Camacho said draining the largest reservoir in the district will likely kill wildlife downstream in Coyote Creek, including endangered steelhead trout, amphibians and reptiles. Coyote Creek flows from the dam through downtown San Jose to San Francisco Bay. If the dam collapsed, runoff could damage cities and rural areas from the San Francisco Bay through Monterey Bay to the south, including much of Silicon Valley, the water district said in a statement. More than 14,000 residents had to be evacuated in 2017 as water from swollen Coyote Creek, downstream of the Anderson Reservoir, flooded homes and temporarily shut down a portion of a freeway. It came the same month as a spillway failed at the nations tallest dam, in Oroville in Northern California, leading officials to order the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people. The dam ultimately held, but an independent investigation cited a long-term systemic failure by regulators and the dam industry to recognize and address warning signs. California spent $1.1 billion repairing the Lake Oroville spillway, enacted new emergency plan requirements and launched a review of 93 other dams with similar spillways. An AP investigation last year identified at least 1,688 high-hazard dams rated in poor or unsatisfactory condition in 44 states and Puerto Rico. Complicating the issue this year, California may be heading into a new drought. Stored water is an important part of the south San Francisco Bay Areas supply with enough water for the annual needs of at least 130,000 people as well as what the district considers an emergency supply. While residents have done an excellent job of conserving water since 2013, another drought during this time frame could require everyone to significantly decrease their water use, Camacho said. The agency is exploring other sources of water from outside Santa Clara County, she said. About the photo: In this Feb. 21, 2017 file photo, water from the Lake Anderson Reservoir gushes down a spillway in Morgan Hill, Calif. U.S. officials are worried that an earthquake could collapse a big dam near Silicon Valley. They ordered its reservoir to be completely drained by October 2020, due to concerns that the dam could send floodwaters into communities. Retrofit plans have been in the works for years and the dams water level has been kept at a maximum of 74% since 2009. As of Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, the reservoir was just 29% full. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Visakhapatnam: Leader of the opposition and Telugu Desam supremo Nara Chandrababu Naidu was on Thursday taken into custody under preventive detention at the Visakhapatnam airport, amidst high drama, after ruling YSRC workers gathered there to protest against his visit to the city. He was later forcibly put on a plane back to Hyderabad at 8 pm. A large number of YSRC workers assembled at the airport since morning, allegedly on the directions from minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, who had earlier announced that people would oppose his visit. Telugu Desam workers and supporters also arrived at the airport, but in far lesser numbers, to greet their leader and accompany him to a rally planned at Pendurthy in the city. There was a huge mobilization of police personnel outside the airport to prevent clashes between the two groups. Workers from both parties had a heated exchange of words and raised slogans against each other. As the sun rose, tempers also ran high, and peaked once Mr Naidu arrived. This was his first visit to the port city after it was declared the executive capital. (image from operasaratoga.org/opera-to-go-2020) Opera Saratoga has announced the latest edition of its Opera-to-Go program, bringing performances of Jack and the Beanstalk a 40-minute adaptation with music from Gilbert and Sullivan to more than 50 schools around the broader Capital Region. In addition, the announcement includes a slate of free public performances held on Saturdays in a variety of community spaces through March 28. The older sister of one of two teenage girls who were found murdered after they vanished from where they were last seen near an abandoned railroad bridge in Delphi, Indiana, in 2017 is studying forensic psychology to find the killer. Meanwhile, investigators, who have not yet made an arrest in the deaths of Liberty 'Libby' German, 14, and her friend Abigail Williams, 13, insist the case has not gone cold, and that new tips are coming in daily. Libby's older sister Kelsi German says she was compelled to study forensic psychology at Purdue University in the wake of the teenager and her friend's gruesome murder. Kelsi German says she was compelled to study forensic psychology after her younger sister, Liberty 'Libby' German, 14, and a friend, 13-year-old Abigail Williams, vanished on Feb. 13, 2017. Both were last seen going off on a hike near an abandoned bridge in Delphi, Indiana Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, vanished on Feb. 13, 2017 after being dropped off for a hike near an abandoned railroad bridge close to their hometown of Delphi, Indiana It was Kelsi who dropped Libby and Abigail off for a hike near an abandoned railroad bridge close to their hometown of Delphi on February 13, 2017. Both girls failed to show up at a pre-arranged pickup location and their bodies were found the next day following a widespread search in a wooded area about half-a-mile away. 'I run through that day every day, trying to find out if there is something I could have done differently,' Kelsi says, WLFI reports. The older sister has since chosen to major chose her major at the university while investigators have not made any arrests in the case. Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, head of the lead agency in the investigation, has insisted repeatedly that slayings murders of both girls have not turned into a 'cold case.' It was Kelsi who dropped Libby and Abigail off for a hike near an abandoned railroad bridge (pictured) close to their hometown of Delphi, Indiana, on February 13, 2017 Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, head of the lead agency in the investigation, has insisted repeatedly that slayings murders of both girls have not turned into a 'cold case.' 'We're still working very hard on this case. It's not something that we've put off. It's not a cold case,' said Sgt. Kim Riley of the Lafayette Post of the Indiana State Police, IndyStar reports. 'We're still getting tips at least one a day on average,' he explains. 'We've told the family that we're not going to give up until we've run out of information to look at. That's kind of where we're at right now.' Within days of the killings, authorities released two grainy photos of a suspect walking along the abandoned railroad bridge the two girls had visited. Within days of the killings, authorities released two grainy photos of a suspect walking along the abandoned railroad bridge the two girls had visited Liberty had posted photos of herself on Snapchat walking on the bridge on the day she and Abigail vanished. Authorities also released an audio recording of a man believed to be the suspect saying 'down the hill.' The images and recordings came from Liberty's cellphone and police hailed her as a hero for recording the potentially crucial evidence. Supt. Carter issued a direct appeal to the killer during press conference when the footage and audio was released, saying: 'We believe you are hiding in plain sight. We likely have interviewed you, or someone close to you.' A composite sketch of the suspect wanted in the deaths of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13, who vanished on Feb. 13, 2017 after being dropped off for a hike near an abandoned railroad bridge close to their hometown of Delphi, Indiana The banner from Kelsli's Twitter page has a different composite sketch of the suspect Kelsi says she's 'listened to that audio clip about a million times.' 'I think the voice is just so familiar to all of us,' said Kesli. 'After we heard that he was local, it became more of an idea that I might have talked to him. Maybe I met him at Dairy Queen or the gas station.' Even though the suspect has yet to be caught, Kelsi says she's trusting investigators. 'After I started my forensics classes, I understood more of why we don't have all the answers,' she told WLFI. Kelsi says she's 'listened to that audio clip about a million times,' referring to an audio recording of a man believed to be the suspect saying 'down the hill' Even though the suspect has yet to be caught, Kelsi says she's trusting investigators. 'After I started my forensics classes, I understood more of why we don't have all the answers' 'Everybody sees a person differently. If I were to tell you the person I was sitting next to on the bus on the way here, I would probably tell you their nose was small and their eyes were blue. But, I couldn't tell you much more than that. I think the best bet is to keep watching the video and listening to the audio.' She expressed thanks to members of her community, who have offered support and their prayers, which has helped her through her anguish. 'But I think the support system I'm creating right now has helped me through it so much that I'm no longer in the spot I was three years ago,' she adds. Kesli said she hopes the killer is listening to her words. 'I don't want this person to do this again, and if he has, I hope that I'm able to help that family and be a part of their lives eventually,' Kelsi said. 'Catching this guy is my main goal in life right now.' Though Unopposed, Harris-Dawson Mounts Intense Campaign for Re-Election Marqueece Harris-Dawson is running unopposed for L.A.s 8th District; yet, he is still mounting an intense re-election campaign. Why? Apparently, hes not one to rest on his laurels. Based on his record, the first-time officeholder has done an admirable job navigating City Hall to bring services and resources to benefit the 248,000+ people in his district, which contains the largest concentration of African Americans in Los Angeles. His achievements include authoring Proposition HHH, a $1.2 billion bond for permanent supportive housing for the homeless; igniting a $4 million reinvestment to support businesses located on Western Avenue, collaborating with municipal departments to connect 8th district residents to city jobs, and launching Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3-mile public art project that celebrates Black culture and spurs economic development along the heralded boulevard. ADVERTISEMENT Also, Harris-Dawson has strengthened neighborhoods through his Community Safety Initiative, a series of activities and workshops focused on public safety and crime prevention in South L.A. In addition, he rallied residents, grass-roots organizations and city agencies to unite in promptly reporting and responding to service calls concerning illegal dumping, alleys and public lots cleanup and graffiti removal. Despite the accomplishments of his first term, Harris-Dawson said, We also didnt want to rest on our laurels and past record, so we hit the ground running in 2020. We planned an aggressive campaign because our residents deserve to know about all of the work my team and I did to improve our district and bring more positive change to our neighborhoods. A life-long community organizer, Harris-Dawson has enjoyed his transition to the public arena, even in the midst of challenges. As he explained, Public service has given me a deep and abiding connection to the community I love. I get to be there for people and respond to situations with the attention they deserve and be [a] part of the struggle from the inside. Its a privilege to get a line or two in the great struggle of our communities, to thrive here in the United States. As an individual, you have the freedom to ignore the issues around you. As a public servant, when theres an issue, I have to address it because Im here to serve the people of this city, he said. However, serving the people can often take more time than expected, admitted Harris-Dawson. The mammoth size of Los Angeles city government 40+ departments and 40,000+ employees requires great patience to understand and traverse in order to bring a project to fruition. While acknowledging the slow pace of government, Harris-Dawson noted, Weve overcome that by building a smart and passionate team that doesnt take no for an answer and wont allow grass to grow underfoot. Not only my staff, but we also have a great team of community leaders and engaged residents that work with us and are always there with encouragement, advice and accountability. Together, we push the system as far and as fast as it can possibly go. Recognizing the success of using that approach, Harris-Dawson will likely employ it during his next term where he aims to continue his focus on addressing homelessness and the housing crisis in L.A., and improving opportunities for his constituents. We need sustainable solutions to overcome that (homelessness and housing) as a city, he insisted. We also need to ensure that a vibrant African American community is at the forefront of any discussion about the future of Los Angeles and that new economic opportunities benefit our communities. An aircraft on Thursday evacuated 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan. The C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft was sent to Wuhan on Wednesday and it carried 15 tonnes of medical supplies for coronavirus-affected people in China. On its return, the aircraft brought back 112 people including 23 citizens from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives and one each from South Africa, the US and Madagascar. Earlier, India had evacuated around 650 Indians from Wuhan in two Air India flights. "In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, China in these three flights," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. On the medical supplies delivered by India to China, the MEA said they will help augment the country's efforts to control the outbreak which has been declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. "The assistance is also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year," it said. Open source The World Health Organization (WHO) established that it is possible to infect with coronavirus from pets as Ukraines Healthcare Ministry reported. Mostly, the spreaders of the virus among the animals are bats. However, the virus overcame the species barrier from a human to an animal intermediate. Domestic, wild or domesticated wild animals, which are not identified yet, may become such animals intermediate, the message said. Thus, cats, dogs and other pets may become the spreaders of the virus. The ministry added that it is necessary to avoid the consumption of raw or half-cooked animal-derived products to avoid infection with the virus via meat or dairy products. As we reported, the first case of coronavirus infection was recorded among Ukrainians in Italy. According to the Migration Service of Japan, there are about 2,000 Ukrainian citizens in the countrys territory. There is no information about the infected among the people who are listed, except for the crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise liner. Besides, molecular-genetic studies did not detect COVID-19 coronavirus infection among 89 Ukrainians who are under observation in Novi Sanzhary. Nevada Democratic Party Chair William McCurdy called police after supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) protested outside his home from 11 p.m. the night before the states caucuses, Politico reported on Thursday. One protester, Maria Estrada, shouted into a bullhorn while live streaming her actions on her Facebook page. At around 12a.m. McCurdy went outside to confront the group, saying they had crossed a line before eventually calling the police. Officers arrived after the protesters had already left. I want assurances that there isnt going to be any shenanigans going on tomorrow. The Democratic Party does not control what happens, Estrada shouted, repeatedly insisting she didnt want to see a repeat of the 2016 primaries in which Sanders lost to rival Hillary Clinton. Protesting is our rightwhether they called the police or not is irrelevant, Estrada, a self-described Berner who is not a member of Sanderss campaign, told Politico. She added that none of the other protesters were employed by the Sanders campaign. William didnt want this story out there before or after the caucus because he takes his role very seriously overseeing a party-run election and knows how much this needed to be viewed as a fair process for every candidate after 2016, a person close to McCurdy told the publication. Estrada and other protesters have recently demonstrated outside the houses of Democratic officials in California, including California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who manages the states elections. Padilla also called the police. The Sanders campaign has struggled to rein in the actions of the senators most virulent supporters. Many of those supporters, known pejoratively as Bernie Bros, engage in social media harassment of campaign rivals and supporters of those rivals to an extent that critics claim is disproportionate relative to other candidates. More from National Review Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Bogota, February 27, 2020 Peruvian authorities should investigate the assault of journalist Jimmy Alejandro Castillo Gamarra and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. At about 10:30 p.m. on February 21, in the town of San Marcos, in northern Peru, a local municipal worker attacked Castillo and told him to stop messing with the mayor, according to Castillo, who spoke to CPJ in a phone interview, and a statement by the National Association of Journalists of Peru, a local industry group. Castillo, a radio reporter and news director of the privately owned broadcaster Radio San Pedro, said the attacker, whom he identified as Richar Huaccho Siguenas, hit him several times with a beer bottle and with his fists. Castillo said he often interviews critics of public officials, and said that Siguenas is a close confidant of San Marcos Mayor Christian Palacios Laguna. Castillo said Siguenas broke his nose and bruised his face and arms. He was treated at a local hospital and said he intends to return to work next week. He said he reported the attack to police. CPJ was unable to locate contact information for Siguenas, and multiple calls to the San Marcos town hall were not returned. Peruvian authorities should conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the assault suffered by Jimmy Castillo and hold those responsible to account, said CPJ Central and South America Program Coordinator Natalie Southwick in New York. Journalists should be free to report on elected authorities without fear of retaliation or violence, whether at the behest of the officials or by their supporters. Castillo said the attack may have been in retaliation for his frequent on-air interviews with civic leaders in San Marcos who have accused the mayor of corruption, mismanagement of public works, and nepotism. CPJs calls to the mayors office were not returned. Senator Bernie Sanders issues with the Democratic establishment may continue past the nominating races and into the Democratic National Convention, according to a new report. If Mr Sanders arrives at the convention with any less than a majority of delegates pledged to him, he may find himself with a wave of superdelegates voting against his nomination. The New York Times reported Thursday that in interviews with 93 superdelegates, only nine said that Mr Sanders arriving at the convention with a plurality was reason enough to support him as nominee. In the event that Mr Sanders does only win a plurality of pledged delegates, there could be a brokered convention and subsequent fight to choose a nominee. The Times report was based on interviews with the 93 superdelegates, out of 771 total, as well as party strategists and aides to senior Democrats about the thinking of party leaders. In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Show all 5 1 /5 In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Bernie Sanders and his wife Jane, triumphant at hearing of Nevada Caucus win. in San Antonio Texas on 22 February 2020 Reuters In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Bernie Sanders embraces his wife Jane at rally in San Antonio Texas on 22 February 2020 REUTERS In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win REUTERS In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Bernie support raises sign and a thumbs-up to the news of Senator Sanders' win REUTERS In pictures: Bernie Sanders celebrates Nevada caucus win Bernie supporter cheer at the news of Sanders' win REUTERS Those leaders apparently told the Times they anticipated a fight at the July nominating convention. A vast majority of those superdelegates - whose ranks include federal elected officials, former presidents and vice presidents and DNC members - predicted that no candidate would clinch the nomination during the primaries, and that there would be a brokered convention fight in July to choose a nominee. Politico reported similar findings. In interviews with 20 superdelegates, none of them expressed explicitly endorsement of Mr Sanders belief that whoever gets the most pledged delegates by the convention should get the nomination. No, no I think the rules are set and we ought to follow the rules. Especially when someone says follow the rules whos not even a Democrat, Congressman Jaun Vargas said. Mr Vargas has endorsed former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg for nominee. Thanks to a rule change limiting the powers of superdelegates - which largely came about due to criticism from Mr Sanders following the 2016 Democratic primary - they are now only allowed to vote if no candidate wins the 1,991 pledged delegates needed to reach a majority. Recommended Everything you missed at the latest chaotic Democratic debate Congressman Anthony Brown, who has endorsed former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, said there is going to be a fight no matter what the outcome is. Should Mr Sanders arrive at the convention with a strong plurality, any attempt by superdelegates to nominate someone else is likely to be seen by Mr Sanders supporters as the Democratic establishment gaming the system to nominate their preferred candidate. Such a move would likely damage the already tenuous coalition between establishment Democrats and progressive Democrats. Its going to be pretty tough to take the nomination away from someone whos got a strong plurality. If its neck and neck and close and everybodys close, thats one thing. But if theres a clear winner, its hard to overturn, Congressman John Larson said. People can fantasize about a brokered convention but its going to be awfully hard to overturn the will of the people. Martha Kalifatidis was once dubbed 'Australia's Kim Kardashian' thanks to her striking resemblance to the American reality star. But it seems Married At First Sight's Hayley Vernon, 32, is vying for Martha's crown, after fans noticed the bodybuilder wearing a very familiar outfit during last Wednesday's dinner party. Hayley looked glamorous in a slinky blue mini-dress with a plunging cowl neck, and styled her hair in a high ponytail. Keeping Up With Hayley! Married At First Sight's Hayley Vernon, 32, (left) channelled Kim Kardashian during Wednesday's dinner party episode when she wore a cowl-neck mini-dress and a high ponytail reminiscent of an outfit worn by Kim in 2018 (right) Fans of Kim would remember that the Hollywood socialite wore a very similar dress and hairstyle in 2018 while attending a Versace fashion show in New York. While Kim's dress was made from a shimmery silver fabric, Hayley chose to wear a shiny shade of dark blue. The finance broker also wore a pop of bright red lipstick, rather than Kim's nude lip hue. Her own spin: While Kim's dress was made from a shimmery silver fabric, Hayley chose to wear a shiny shade of dark blue It comes after fans compared Hayley's recent onscreen meltdown to footage of Kim sobbing after she lost her diamond earring in the ocean on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. During last week's commitment ceremony, she broke down in tears over her fractured relationship with 'husband' David Cannon. 'Okay, so Hayley takes on Kim Kardashian for ugliest cry face ever,' one fan Tweeted at the time. Can YOU tell the difference? Martha Kalifatidis (pictured) was once dubbed 'Australia's Kim Kardashian Another Tweeted that Hayley 'needs to not fake cry she looks worse than Kim K who real ugly cries.' '@KimKardashian please pass the Ugliest Crier Crown to Hayley,' another viewer joked. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine Iconic: It comes after fans compared Hayley's recent onscreen meltdown (left) to footage of Kim sobbing after she lost her diamond earring in the ocean on Keeping Up With The Kardashians (right) At least 27 people have lost their lives while over 200 people have been injured in the deadliest violence in the national capital in decades after clashes between pro and anti-CAA protesters turned violent in North-East Delhi since last Sunday, officials said on Wednesday. According to the officials, 25 people died during treatment at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in Shahdara area while two others succumbed to their injuries at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital near Delhi Gate. The reports of fresh fatalities came hours after National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia visited the violence-hit areas separately. Speaking to IANS, Sunil Kumar, Medical Superintendent at GTB Hospital, said that 25 people have been killed in the violence in North-East Delhi since Saturday while more than 200 have been injured. During the day, GTB Hospital released figures of 22 fatalities, out of which nine persons died of bullet injuries. "Twenty-two people have been killed in the violence in North-East Delhi since Saturday while more than 200 people have been injured. Out of the 22, nine died of gun shots, five were hit by blunt objects, one died due to burn injuries, three were stabbed whereas the rest of the cases are yet to be analysed. We have performed six post-mortems today," Kumar had said earlier in the day. In the violence that erupted after pro and anti-CAA groups clashed, several bullets were fired from both sides which claimed many lives, including that of a Delhi Police head constable. On Wednesday the body of an Intelligence Bureau staffer was fished out of a drain in Chand Bagh area. The IB staffer was identified as Ankit Sharma. Basel, Switzerland, February 27, 2020 - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: BSLN) reported today that its license partner Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE, "Pfizer") has launched the antifungal Cresemba (isavuconazole) in Australia. The launch triggered the first milestone payment (USD 0.5 million) related to the Asia-Pacific territory from Pfizer to Basilea. David Veitch, Chief Executive Officer, said: "We are very pleased with the launch of Cresemba in Australia, which marks an important milestone in the roll-out of Cresemba for the Asia-Pacific region. Our aim is to expand the global availability of Cresemba for the benefit of patients suffering from invasive mold infections. By increasing the number of new country launches, in addition to increasing numbers of patients being treated in already launched countries, this forms the basis for us maintaining the strong growth momentum of our brands and achieving our goal of increasing our "non-deferred" revenues related to Cresemba and our antibiotic Zevtera by 12% to 27% to CHF 77-87 million in 2020." In Australia, Cresemba is approved in adults for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and the treatment of mucormycosis in adult patients for whom amphotericin B is inappropriate.1 In June 2017, Basilea entered into a licensing agreement with Pfizer for isavuconazole in Europe (excluding the Nordics), Russia, Turkey and Israel. The agreement was extended in November 2017 to China, including Hong Kong and Macao, and sixteen countries in the Asia Pacific region. Under the agreements with Pfizer, Basilea is still eligible for regulatory and sales milestone payments of approximately USD 635 million, in addition to receiving mid-teen royalties on in-market sales of Cresemba. Cresemba is currently marketed in more than 40 countries, including the United States, most EU member states and several additional countries inside and outside of Europe. For the 12-month period ending September 2019, total "in-market" sales of Cresemba amounted to approximately 190 million U.S. dollars, which is a more than 30 percent growth year-on-year.2 About Cresemba (isavuconazole) Isavuconazole is an intravenous (i.v.) and oral azole antifungal, commercialized under the trade name Cresemba. In the 27 European Union member states, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the U.K., isavuconazole is approved for the treatment of adult patients with invasive aspergillosis and for the treatment of adult patients with mucormycosis for whom amphotericin B is inappropriate.3 This is the same label as in Australia. Cresemba is also approved in the United States and several additional countries in Europe and beyond.4 It has orphan drug designation in Australia, the U.S. and Europe for its approved indications. Basilea has entered into several license and distribution agreements for isavuconazole covering the United States, Europe, China, Japan, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa region, Canada, Russia, Turkey and Israel. About invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis Invasive mold infections often affect immunocompromised patients, such as patients with cancer and after transplantation. They are mainly caused by airborne Aspergillus species and invasive aspergillosis is often fatal. However, Mucormycetes, which can be found for example in soil, have emerged as the second most frequent group of molds causing invasive infections. Over 50% of patients with mucormycosis die from this infection, so its mortality rate is particularly high. Today there are only limited available treatment options for invasive mold infections. About Basilea Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, focused on the development of products that address the medical challenges in the therapeutic areas of oncology and infectious diseases. With two commercialized drugs, the company is committed to discovering, developing and commercializing innovative pharmaceutical products to meet the medical needs of patients with serious and life-threatening conditions. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements, such as "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business, including with respect to the progress, timing and completion of research, development and clinical studies for product candidates. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information, please contact: Peer Nils Schroder, PhD Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations +41 61 606 1102 media_relations@basilea.com (mailto:media_relations@basilea.com) investor_relations@basilea.com (mailto:investor_relations@basilea.com) This press release can be downloaded from www.basilea.com. References 1 Australian Government, Department of Health, Therapeutic Goods Administration, May 2019 2 IQVIA, September 2019. In-market sales reported as moving annual total (MAT) in U.S. Dollar corrected for currency fluctuations. 3 European Public Assessment Report [Accessed: February 26, 2020] 4 The registration status and approved indications may vary from country to country. Attachment Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images The next president of the United States will probably be someone whos over the age of 70. Donald Trump is 73; Joe Biden is 77. Bernie Sanders, who is currently leading the Democratic Partys primary field, is 78. But young people are transforming American politics, driving substantive ideological trends in both major parties via the politicians they support. Sanders, for example, owes much of his leading status to the young. In fact, young Democratic voters prefer him to Pete Buttigieg, a more moderate millennial, by a wide margin. Theyre also entering political office themselves. In doing so, they begin an inevitable process: Soon enough, their generation will be the one controlling Congress and the White House. What will that America look like? Will it take up the political revolution promised by Sanders, will it tilt to the right, or will it default to the patterns established by the political class that millennials will eventually replace? Without the aid of a crystal ball, nobody can answer these questions with any certainty. But the future is beginning to take shape, and in her new book, The Ones Weve Been Waiting For, journalist Charlotte Alter provides us an invaluable early glimpse into the events and movements that will influence politics for decades to come. Alter, a national correspondent for Time magazine, recounts the trajectories of several prominent members of Americas newest class of politicians. Alters subjects are diverse they range from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a democratic socialist; to Dan Crenshaw, the Texas Republican whose inflammatory attacks on migrants and fellow member of Congress Ilhan Omar made him infamous. But Alter identifies some connective tissue among these up-and-coming leaders namely a view of politics that can be less rigidly hierarchical and places a greater emphasis on plurality compared to their boomer predecessors. Alter spoke to New York about her findings and what they may tell us about the future of both major parties. The Ones Weve Been Waiting For is out now from Viking. This interview has been edited for clarity and condensed for length. You talked to young politicians from across the political spectrum: leftists, more traditional Democratic liberals, some Republicans, too. Are there any common characteristics that distinguish this younger class of politicians from their older colleagues? A couple of things. Millennials obviously are much better with technology and are much more fluent in the language of social media than their boomer peers are. They definitely care way more about climate change in particular. And thats true across the political spectrum. Republicans, too. The young Republicans I talked to told me that climate change is happening and the government has to do something about it. They do have totally different ideas about what that should be. Theyre not onboard with the Green New Deal. They dont embrace socialism the way young leftist millennials do. They have a real disagreement about what that climate action should be. But one major point of agreement across the aisle, people of both parties is like this, is that climate change is a real threat. Another thing that I noticed is that morality politics have changed a lot. So again, across the spectrum, young Republicans have given up on the battle against marriage equality while older Republicans who maybe have a more 1990s, Christian right sort of framework are still beating that drum. Marijuana legalization was another place where young Republicans just were not fighting a battle that older Republicans are fighting. A lot of young Republicans that I talk to think that marijuana legalization will be good for business and good for health. I think theres a little bit more of a live-and-let-live-type attitude amongst some of these younger Republicans. One big exception to that is abortion, where both sides are still really entrenched. And I didnt see a lot of generational movement there. Were seeing an intergenerational fight within the Democratic Party that isnt just about age, but about substantive differences in ideology and tactics. Do you think that a similar dynamic exists in the Republican Party right now? One thing thats happening in the Republican Party right now is that theyre losing young people. There was a Pew statistic that should be very scary for anybody who cares about the future of the Republican Party, which is that only half of young Republicans stayed loyal to the GOP over the course of 2015 to 2017. During Trumps rise, basically. So half of those people defected from the GOP, and then came back, which means they have maybe a soft allegiance. Theyre still with the GOP, but were upset enough that they left and came back in. And then half of those people permanently defected. Overall, a quarter of young Republicans have permanently defected from the GOP. Some of the polls that look at the attitudes of young Republicans are in some ways kind of skewed, I think, because theyre looking at the attitudes of people who still call themselves Republicans. Theyre not looking at the attitudes of people who, if youd asked them in 2013 if they were Republican, they would have said yes. A lot of those people now identify as independents. So young Republicans in particular have been especially turned off by Trump. Not only turned off by him, but hes made their lives more complex. They find themselves constantly having to defend him, constantly having to tiptoe around him or justify him. I talked to some young Republican members of Congress who, even though they support the president, they dont ever mention him in their speeches. You can infer that they dont want there to be a quote out there of them saying how great Donald Trump is so it can be used in an attack ad against them ten years from now. You mentioned that on morality issues, like same-sex marriage, there are some generational differences within the Republican Party. But race and immigration are issues that have been at the fore of the Trump presidency. Have you noticed similar generational differences there, or is it a bit more complicated? So I think its a little bit more complicated than that. I do think that young Republicans generally do support immigration more than their older Republicans do. There are obviously some big exceptions, like Representative Dan Crenshaw of Texas, who has emerged as being particularly tough on immigration. But people like Carlos Curbelo, a former congressman from Florida, and Elise Stefanik of New York were among the people who pushed back against some of the things that Trump did on immigration initially. I think what is important to think about when thinking about young Republicans in this context is that I think a lot of them and I want to make sure I phrase this the correct way have an understanding of racial justice that is closer to their Democratic peers than to their boomer Republican peers, who think of racial justice like, Oh, segregations over, everythings fine. We see that in young Republicans support for criminal justice reform and things like that. But there is a culture war in how those values are expressed. And I think that a lot of young Republicans in particular are turned off by PC culture and sort of the sanctimony of some of their left-wing peers. So theyre kind of pushed away from that side of the movement, and they feel attacked. How is social media changing the way this new generation of politicians are running for office right now? Its changed it entirely. Instagram is to AOC what radio was to FDR and television was to JFK. It is a completely new and essential way of communicating with the public. Its not as if any of these people, like, started using social media the second they started running for office. Its not a blazer that they put on that they hadnt been wearing before, you know. So a lot of these people are used to communicating in a mass way. Theyre used to being in front of a camera. Theyre used to asking people to do things on the internet: Please click this. Please check this out. Heres what I think about this thing. In some ways, social media has made it so that almost every millennial is a public figure in some way or another. Everybody has a side to them that is public-facing, and running for office just means that you lean into that public side way more than you would have if you were a private citizen. I think in previous generations, people had to just develop that public side out of nowhere because you didnt have a built-in mechanism to have that public facing side of you. So many of the major social movements, particularly on the left, like Occupy and Black Lives Matter, also started on social media and kind of mimic social media in their structures. They are networked. Theyre not hierarchical. There is no one person who is in charge and telling everybody what to do. There is sort of an organic way that information and ideas and attitudes kind of flow within these movements. These movements were created by thousands of voices speaking at once. And thats what I really tried to get at in this book. Thats why its called The Ones Weve Been Waiting For. In some ways, the thesis of this book is that millennial politics is rooted in a sense of plurality, that there isnt going to be any one person like Pete Buttigieg or AOC where if they become president, it will be the era of the millennial politician. Thats not the point. The point is that this is a generation that is much more networked, has their politics much more rooted in mass movements. This is a book about politics in the plural, trying to move away from the great man idea that there is one person and the decisions they make are the most important decisions in the world. Do you think social media is making it easier for people to run for office? Yes, its definitely making it easier. I think its making politics seem accessible to more people. Somebody like AOC uses her social media to essentially communicate the message that Im a normal person just like you, and I ran for office and won. Thats the point of democracy, that an ordinary person can, with the help of a lot of other people, run for office and win and represent their community in the United States government. Thats the way our system is supposed to work. A lot of the anger at the democratic system among millennials reflects the extent to which it hasnt worked that way. It is so expensive to run for office, so it does feel inaccessible. And the people who are in power dont feel like theyre really of the community. Social media can help that democratic impulse of allowing people to feel like theyre actually connected to the people who represent them. The youth vote is going to be critical to a Democratic victory in 2020. Based on your reporting, what do you think the party has to do in order to turn out young voters in November? As you and I both know, Bernie Sanders is the candidate of choice for young people. Though I saw a really interesting poll recently that showed that among young Democrats, Bernie was at 53 percent and Warren was at 17. So 70 percent of young Democrats were with one of the two progressive candidates. I think a lot of this goes back to Barack Obama, because the election of Barack Obama was an incredible, mobilizing moment for so many young people who cast their first presidential vote for the first black president. He won in this unbelievable historic moment that many people remember as one of their first moments of political awareness, one of the first times they participated in the political process. He was somebody who was cool and gave these soaring speeches. He created in many young people a sense that your vote was something you only gave to somebody who you truly believed in. And I think that that is something thats going to be a real challenge for Democrats, because young people will vote if they really believe in somebody, if they think its incredibly important and if they feel like it is a major transformative moment. What youre seeing in youth-voting patterns is that when there is an uninspiring candidate or somebody where it doesnt feel that urgent, they dont show up. And I think that thats one of the main reasons that Hillary Clinton struggled with young people. The Democratic Party should worry that if they nominate somebody who doesnt really speak to these young voters, they risk a lot of them not showing up because young voters dont think of voting as a duty. They think of it as something that they need to be inspired to do. New Delhi, Feb 27 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 2 lakh for those who sustained injuries in the North East Delhi violence over the past three days. Addressing a press conference, Mr Kejriwal also said that supply of food items has been started in the curfew placed areas. He said that a person affected by a serious injury will be given Rs 2 lakh , while one who sustained permanent injury will be given Rs 5 lakh. Those who have lost their patrons and have become orphans due to the violence will be provided with a compensation of Rs 3 lakh. Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. Military officials and independent analysts stressed that American and other Western military aid may at best buy time for African allies to address poverty, lack of education, government corruption and other grievances that extremist groups seek to exploit. But there is little confidence that these daunting, endemic problems will be resolved soon. That leaves the United States and its European allies to keep the threat from spreading. The State Department has in the past two years provided $323 million in training and other security assistance to the so-called G5 Sahel countries Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Chad and Mauritania. But the G5 force, ultimately set to grow to 5,000 troops, has been slow to halt the militants advance. Small U.S. assistance is crucial to a larger French mission. The American military has a relatively light footprint across Africa, relying on European and African partners to carry out most counterterrorism missions from the Sahel to Somalia, with the Pentagon providing air power when needed. About 5,200 U.S. troops and 1,000 Defense Department civilians or contractors work throughout Africa, mainly training and conducting exercises with local forces. About 1,400 of those troops are in West Africa, a force that could shrink to 300 under one of Mr. Espers options. We can have a large effect with a very small force, Brig. Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, the top American Special Operations officer in Africa, said in an interview in Nouakchott on the sideline of the counterterrorism exercise. European allies and President Trumps own advisers have advocated continuing these American security measures on the continent, arguing that this relatively small investment has an outsize effect in helping keep terrorists and global competitors at bay. In a phone call last week, President Emmanuel Macron of France urged Mr. Trump to keep providing American assistance intelligence, aerial refueling and logistics at a cost of about $45 million a year, barely a rounding error in the Pentagons nearly $800 billion annual budget until France fills its counterterrorism gaps. To show its resolve and stave off deep immediate American cuts, France, the former colonial power in West Africa, is rushing 600 additional troops to the region, for a total of 5,100. It also says 400 more Special Operations forces from other European nations will arrive by late summer. Yves here. Helmer finds more holes in the official story about the Skripals and the UKs activities at Porton Down. Even more details to be found in his new book! By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears The ongoing release of secret information about nerve agent manufacture and testing at Porton Down, the British Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), indicates that monkeys were used as targets for several years before Sergei and Yulia Skripal suffered poisoning in Salisbury on March 4, 2018. The British kill dose and death speed experiments on the monkeys were paid for by the US Defence Department. Publication of the experiment details and the number of monkeys and other animals tested show that the Anglo-American nerve agent weapon programme was under way for several years before the Skripal case began, and has continued since then. This gives the lie to the 2018 declaration to parliament by then-Prime Minister Theresa May that only Russia had the technical means, operational experience and motive to carry out the attack. That was a special kind of deceit. May knew that what she intended the House of Commons and everyone outside to believe wasnt the whole truth. Mays phrase only Russia was false, because the rest of the truth was that the UK and US also had the technical means, operational experience and motive to manufacture and test organophosphate weapons like Novichok. This truth May intended to dissemble. The top-secret nerve agent programme at DSTL, or Porton Down at it is also known for short, has not been fully disclosed to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW); it violates Article II of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC); concealment from other, non-allied states, is a violation of Article IX of the Convention. If suspected by the Russian military intelligence agency GRU, the Porton Down operations with Novichok would have been an obvious target for espionage for years before the Skripal attack, and reason thereby for the circulation of GRU agents in the Salisbury area. If British counter-intelligence suspected that Sergei Skripal might try to pass Porton Downs Novichok secrets to GRU, and been caught red-handed two years ago, the meaning of next months anniversary of the Salisbury incident changes more than a little. The falsehoods of the story of the Skripal case, as told by the British Government, MI6, the Metropolitan Police, the Wiltshire Coroner, and the BBC can be followed in the new book just published. For more from the DSTL Handbook, right, click to open. The book reports the refusal of Porton Down to substantiate the blood samples, reportedly taken from Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury District Hospital after the March 4 incidents, and also after a London High Court ruling authorized the OPCW to take additional blood samples for testing and matching. If the Skripals blood was in fact tested by Porton Down, there is no chain of custody for the blood test evidence to be admissible in an English court. The allegation that the Skripal blood revealed at Porton Down a Russian-made Novichok is a political charge, not a legal one. It was made in parliament; it has not been made in a court of law. The first political statement by Prime Minister May was read out in the House of Commons on March 12, 2018. Based on the positive identification of this chemical agent by world-leading experts at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down; our knowledge that Russia has previously produced this agent and would still be capable of doing so; Russias record of conducting state-sponsored assassinations; and our assessment that Russia views some defectors as legitimate targets for assassinations; the Government has concluded that it is highly likely that Russia was responsible for the act against Sergei and Yulia Skripal. Mr Speaker, there are therefore only two plausible explanations for what happened in Salisbury on the 4th of March. Either this was a direct act by the Russian State against our country. Or the Russian government lost control of this potentially catastrophically damaging nerve agent and allowed it to get into the hands of others. This afternoon my Rt Hon Friend the Foreign Secretary [Boris Johnson] has summoned the Russian Ambassador to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and asked him to explain which of these two possibilities it is and therefore to account for how this Russian-produced nerve agent could have been deployed in Salisbury against Mr Skripal and his daughter. My Rt Hon Friend has stated to the Ambassador that the Russian Federation must immediately provide full and complete disclosure of the Novichok programme to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. And he has requested the Russian Governments response by the end of tomorrow. May made another Skripal statement to parliament six months later on September 5.As we made clear in March, only Russia had the technical means, operational experience and motive to carry out the attack. Novichok nerve agents were developed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s under a programme codenamed FOLIANT. Within the past decade Russia has produced and stockpiled small quantities of these agents, long after it signed the Chemical Weapons Convention. And during the 2000s, Russia commenced a programme to test means of delivering nerve agents including by application to door handles. We were right to say in March that the Russian State was responsible. And now we have identified the individuals involved, we can go even further. Mr Speaker, just as the police investigation has enabled the CPS to bring charges against the two suspects, so the Security and Intelligence Agencies have carried out their own investigations into the organisation behind this attack. Mays claim that only Russia had produced, tested and stocked Novichok was a fabrication. In December 2016 open-source evidence was published by Iranian chemists that nerve agents of the Novichok type could be synthesized and had been manufactured outside Russia by other countries. Source: https://analyticalscience.wiley.com/ That Porton Down routinely synthesizes the organophosphate agents VX and VM for testing on pigs and guinea pigs was reported in this scientific paper prepared for the Royal Society Proceedings in 2014 by a group of Porton Down scientists. Their objective was to measure the lethality of the weapons for penetrating the skin of the animals in high concentrations, as well as in dilutions, while the animals were alive, and to judge their survival rates. The report concludes: provided the effects found in vitro in guinea pig and pig are reproduced in humans, there is no requirement to handle mixtures of VM and VX (or mixtures of precursors 1 with 2 and/or 3) any differently from the pure nerve agents. In June 2019 the Arms Watch website reported on chemical warfare programmes from US Freedom of Information Act releases, as well as from budget documents of agencies of the US Defence Department. These showed that the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DRTA) was funding annually, on multi-year contract arrangements (single source indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity), chemical and biological agent testing at Porton Down. The contract began in 2015 and was continuing through 2017 at an outlay of almost $825,000 per annum. Read the report in full. Heres part of the US Government contract evidence for chemical nerve agent testing in the UK in 2017: Source: https://govtribe.com/ The official explanation for what the contract money was buying includes lines which cover organophosphate agents devised in the UK as well as in the US, and swapped between the arsenals and laboratories of both countries. For instance, collaboration and exchange of scientific and technical capabilities with the United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence (MOD). DTRA will leverage DSTL scientific and technical capabilities, as well as DSTL access to UK MOD requirements, capabilities, test data, and investments to improve interoperabiliy and operation support as well as supporting evolving initiatives related to homeland defense and combating weapons of mass destruction. According to Arms Watch founder and reporter Dilyana Gaytandzhieva, Porton Down is just one of the Pentagon-funded military laboratories in 25 countries across the world, where the US Army produces and tests man-made viruses, bacteria and toxins in direct violation of the UN convention. These US bio-laboratories are funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) under a $ 2.1 billion military program Cooperative Biological Engagement Program (CBEP), and are located in former Soviet Union countries such as Georgia and Ukraine, the Middle East, South East Asia and Africa. The Pentagon-funded military facilities are not under the direct control of the host state as the US military and civilian personnel are working under diplomatic cover. The local governments are prohibited from public disclosure of sensitive information about the foreign military program running on their own territory. In the House of Commons on January 29, 2013, questions were asked of the Ministry of Defence to report the number of animals which had been experimented on at Porton Down between 2005 and 2012. Watch the monkey number, because that is the type of animal most likely to have been the subject of testing of nerve agents targeting human beings. When the number of monkeys goes up at Porton Down, the manufacture of organophosphate nerve agents, including Novichok, also goes up. Source: https://publications.parliament.uk/ Independently, according to the Arms Watch report, US documents reveal that 12 marmoset monkeys had been experimentally infected by Porton Downs own brew of Ebola virus between 2012 and 2016. The objective was to measure the lethal dose of exposure and time to death meaning that the Ebola virus Kikwit was researched for its potential as a bioweapon. All infected marmoset monkeys died from 6 to 10 days after exposure to the Ebola virus. Another six monkeys were infected with a haemorrhagic fever in 2017, also to measure the time to death. Measuring kill speed is what laboratories do when they are developing weapons, and preparing defence against them. In 2007-2008, twelve monkeys were attacked at Porton Down with an anthrax dose in an experiment paid for by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). That makes a total of 30 dead monkeys accounted for on the Pentagon tab, according to the Arms Watch report. Read the full Gaytandzhieva report here. The production and testing of Novichok-type or Novichok-class agents, at military grade concentration as well as in dilution, is implied in disclosures from the US Defense Department. These phrases Novichok type, Novichok class and military grade are the ones which the British Government, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police have used in their claims that the nerve agent detected in the Skripal blood was Russian-made. A leading English specialist on organophosphates explains: As PD [Porton Down] profess to be a world centre of excellence, then it would be the expectation that they can make, store and test any and all chemical weapons known to mankind. When Boris [Johnson] was being interviewed by German media in March 2018, he said the phrase: Of course they have a sample. To me, that was very significant. What I understood it to mean was: Porton Down have a reference sample of Novichok and that allowed them to positively identify the compound on the [Skripal home front-door] door handle. It was lost on the mainstream media that Mrs Mays claim that Novichok equals the Russian state, was illogical if PD already had reference material of this same compound. It was typical for Johnson to blab, and in this case he blabbed too early. But what he said was true. PD already had Novichok. Of course this allowed PD to swab it wherever they wanted to be found. Here is then-Foreign Secretary Johnson revealing to the German state news agency Deutsche Welle that the British already had produced and stocked Novichok before the Salisbury incident. Let me be clear with you When I look at the evidence, I mean the people from Porton Down, the laboratory [Question: So they have the samples] They do. And they were absolutely categorical and I asked the guy myself, I said, Are you sure? And he said theres no doubt. Source: https://www.youtube.com/ Note Johnsons interviewer is the anti-Kremlin activist Zhanna Nemtsova, daughter of Boris Nemtsov. When Porton Down laboratory has admitted to the British parliament that it has been testing monkeys on US military contracts, this means it has been manufacturing and testing the range of organophosphate agents decided by defence ministry officials at the Pentagon and Whitehall. Again, note the big increase in monkeys on the Pentagon work from 2012. Source: https://publications.parliament.uk/ In March 2017 a Freedom of Information Act question was put to Porton Down. Without specifying the chemical agents, the question focused on the number of animals tested at the laboratory during 2016. The question didnt discriminate between the US assignments and the British ones, so the response from Porton Down is imprecise about what agents the monkeys were exposed to, and thus what agents, including Novichok, DSTL was manufacturing, stocking, and testing. As the response (below) indicates, the reported number of monkeys was 116. If all were involved in the US contract operations there is no telling for certain then the number is much larger than the 2012 figure. The higher the monkey count in 2016, the more experimentation with nerve agents like Novichok appears to have occurred between 2012 and 2016. PD [Porton Down] must have had, and tested, a series of Novichoks prior to 2017 the expert on organophosphates is categorical. Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/ There remains a substantial number of monkeys unaccounted for in the US weapons programme at Porton Down. This monkey number was the subject of a new request filed with Porton Down in January of this year. This asked what primates are used in the testing, how many, and which nerve agents specifically are being used? As the illustration excerpt shows, Porton Down gave an interim reply a week ago, on February 18. We are treating your correspondence as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). The Ministry of Defence requires further information in order to determine whether it holds any information in scope of your request. Please clarify what you mean by the testing. None Bettor A and Rodeo Rock are hoping to make strong impressions on the Grand Circuit this year, and the two older male pacers will begin their journey together by making seasonal debuts in Saturdays (Feb. 29) preferred at the Meadowlands Racetrack. None Bettor A captured last years Battle of Lake Erie as part of a campaign that saw him win 12 of 18 races and $375,970. Rodeo Rock, who won eight of his 21 starts and $349,650, was victorious in two preliminary rounds of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series and finished second in the final. He also was second in the Commodore Barry Invitational. The two seven-year-old geldings are expected to head to the MGM Borgata Pacing Series (formerly the Levy) at Yonkers Raceway when it begins March 14. The six-week series will conclude on April 18. None Bettor A won a qualifier in 1:51.2 on February 22 at the Meadowlands. He finished second in a qualifier on February 15. Hell race this week and then get next week off before jumping into the (Borgata) series, trainer Andrew Harris said. Hopefully he can earn himself a week off sometime in the series, but if not, this way he can go four or five races in a row if need be. Its tough. Things have to go right from the get-go. He qualified great last week. It looks like theyre ready to go (1:) 48 this week, so Im sure hell get stretched out and whatever happens it will be good for moving him forward. Harris began training None Bettor A this past August. After joining his stable, the gelding won the Great Northeast Open Series final and finished second in the Bobby Quillen Memorial. The 2019 season was the Australian-bred horses first year racing in North America. He is owned by Joe P Racing and Oldford Racing. Hes just one of the coolest horses I have in the barn, Harris said. He doesnt do anything wrong. He was real anxious in his first qualifier, but hed been away (from the track) for a little while. Last week he was back to his normal self. Hes got good gate speed, but on a personal level, I just really like his demeanour in the barn and how he handles himself. None Bettor A, then in the stable of trainer Jennifer Bongiorno, won the Battle of Lake Erie at half-mile Northfield Park in a world-record equalling 1:49. I think hes probably one of the better half-mile horses well see this year, Harris said. But weve staked him to everything, so hes going to get his opportunities on the big track, too. Rodeo Rock enters Saturdays preferred off a fourth-place finish in last weeks qualifier won by None Bettor A. He was timed in 1:51.4. Hes been very good (coming back), trainer Robert Cleary said. We were very happy with the way he qualified last week. I thought it was pretty good, really. Rodeo Rock was sidelined because of health issues in midseason last year. He was away from the races for nearly two months but ended his campaign with four wins and two seconds in his last eight starts. I was super happy with the way he raced in the Levy and the early stakes, said Cleary, who trains Rodeo Rock for owner Royal Wire Products Inc. Then he ran into some health issues and we had to give him some time off, but he came back strong at the end of the year. Cleary plans to race Rodeo Rock on the Grand Circuit but will keep the horse close to his base in New Jersey rather than send him on extended trips. Hes a bad shipper, so I only staked him to the local tracks, Cleary said. But hes as good on a small track as he is on a big track, you can race him anywhere and any way. Hes going to have opportunities to make money. He can carry his speed a long way, which is probably one of his biggest attributes. Hes just a real good racehorse. He shows up every week. Racing begins at 6:55 p.m. (EST) Saturday at the Meadowlands. (USTA) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Tallinn, Estonia Thu, February 27, 2020 16:06 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066fd444 2 World coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,outbreak,pandemic,health Free Estonia reported its first coronavirus case on Thursday, a day after the man returned to the Baltic nation of just 1.3 million people from his homeland Iran. "The person, a permanent resident of Estonia who is not a citizen, arrived in Estonia on Wednesday evening," Social Affairs Minister Tanel Kiik told public broadcaster ERR. He said the Iranian citizen is currently hospitalized. Local media said the man arrived in Tallinn by bus from the Latvian capital Riga. "For now, there are no plans of putting cities in quarantine following this one case," Kiik said. "The patient is isolated, there is no risk of the disease spreading, now we have to identify all the people the patient was in contact with." Iran has announced a total of 19 deaths and more than 130 infections, including the country's deputy health minister. Iran's coronavirus death toll is the highest after that of China, where more than 2,700 people have died from the disease. The question of ethics for a representative government is to the fore with Opposition parties demanding the resignation of Union home minister Amit Shah for being hopelessly ineffectual in dealing with the recent communal riots in Delhi, and doing nothing to put spine into Delhi Police, which falls under his bailiwick. The violence, which began last Sunday, looked like tapering off on Thursday, but the death toll has climbed to 38, with well over 200 people injured. The issue is: Should a Cabinet minister put in his papers when things go horribly wrong, as in the present case where the police have been accused of complicity with elements associated with the ruling party such as a former MLA known for his viciously communal speeches who are thought to have ignited the trouble? The riot appears to be a tangle of many elements, among the most important of which is the widespread sense that Hindutva elements have done their worst and have sought to create communal polarisation in the wake of the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act last December, which has been opposed vociferously throughout the country, with Shaheen Bagh in the national capital which the BJP-RSS viciously oppose becoming the iconic epicentre of the protests. Only an impartial commission of inquiry can help establish the causes of the communal conflagration in northeast Delhi, and its terrible consequences, as we have sought in this space earlier. However, pending such a searching examination, should the home minister remain in office? The ethics of ministers in a democratic dispensation offering their resignation is rooted in the notion that everything must appear to be above board, and a minister under whose charge things have gone badly wrong ought not to remain in a privileged position which he can conceivably misuse to extricate himself from trouble, and falsely blame others. It is the principle of accountability that is sought to be upheld. This is why when ministers are slow to put in their papers, Prime Ministers are known to step up to the plate and dismiss a thick-skinned colleague. The case of Lal Bahadur Shastri, railway minister in the Nehru government, is part of folklore. He resigned following a railway accident, although he was told that could possibly be no fault of his. In a later era, civil aviation minister Madhavrao Scindia resigned from the P.V. Narasimha Rao cabinet after a plane crash. Shivraj Patil resigned as Union home minister in November 2008, owning up constructive responsibility for 26/11 and the deteriorating internal security situation when the Congress Working Committee took a dim view of the situation. Later, Prime Mnister Manmohan Singh elicited the resignation of Pawan Bansal as railway minister and Ashwini Kumar as law minister in the wake of public criticism, chiefly in order to satisfy the ends of democratic morality. In light of such precedents, the actions of Mr Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are apt to be watched. The Congress, NCP and the CPI(M) called for the home ministers resignation on Wednesday. Parliament, when it re-convenes on March 9, is also likely to be agitated over the issue. Mr Shah will take the high road if he accedes to the demand of the governments opponents in Parliament. Over 5,000 visitors from across the world visited the Bahraini pavilion at the just concluded Gulfood 2020, held in Dubai from February 21 to 25. Visitors of Bahrain Pavilion got acquainted with the services and products of 13 Bahraini startups, small and medium companies operating in the food and beverage industry over the five days of the food expo, the organisers of the Bahraini pavilion said. These visitors were a diverse group of decision makers, business owners, CEOs, buyers and traders in addition to information gatherers interested in the food industries. Visitors were mainly from Ukraine, GCC, Brazil, France, Poland, South Africa, India, the United States of America and Seychelles. The Bahraini companies that participated in Gulfood 2020 this year were Trafco Group, Awal Dairy, Deeko Bahrain, Food Supplies Company Limited (Foosco) and Bakemate Factory for Bread and Pastry Mixes. Eight startup Bahraini food companies also participated in the pavilion. These companies were Joeys Pizza, Lofty Donuts, Rosehill Mart, Halwachi Sweets, Ooh La La Paris Bakery, Gahwah 360, Green Path and Swalif Tea. Several Bahraini companies and factories participating in the Bahraini pavilion at Gulfood announced finalising commercial deals and constructive talks with international investors, traders, distributors, and airlines in the region and the world. These Bahraini companies also had the opportunity to distribute samples of their products and brochures containing company information for visitors from around the globe. The participation of the Bahraini national pavilion in the exhibition came with the aim of strengthening local industries and opening new export channels for Bahraini companies in the local, regional and international markets. This comes within the framework of Bahraini companies endeavor to find new markets and reach new importers, investors and partners, to increase the market shares of the local exports to global markets, and strengthening the contribution of the food sector to the GDP of the Kingdom of Bahrain. This is the seventh year in a row for Bahrain pavilion to participate in the Gulfood exhibition. As always, the pavilion succeeded in enabling companies to showcase their products, showing their production capabilities and highlighting the quality of food and beverage products in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the ability to compete with counterparts from global countries. The Bahraini pavilion was organised by Worksmart for Events Management in partnership with Alwane Society. TradeArabia News Service Heres The Oregonians weekly look at the numbers behind the states economy. View past installments here. Economists are famously equivocal, hesitant to give a definitive forecast about most things. On one matter, though, theyre nearly unanimous: the Portland region needs more housing. Home construction nearly ground to a halt during the Great Recession but people kept moving here. The metro area hasnt caught up with demand in the intervening years, and economists say that shortage is whats pushing up the rising prices that created the regional housing crisis and much of the homelessness. Christian Kaylor, workforce analyst for the Oregon Employment Department, has been following residential building permit volumes for several years to gauge the outlook for the regional housing market. And hes seen a dramatic change. It really felt like the city of Portland was propping up the region coming out of the recession, Kaylor said. Most housing apartments, in particular was being built in Portland. While Portland still makes up about half of the regions multifamily construction, Kaylor said some of the citys suburbs and exurbs are now poised for rapid expansion. Take Camas, the former Southwest Washington mill town, that now has the most new housing planned per capita 27 new homes for each 1,000 current residents. Right behind it is the city of Happy Valley, with 19.5 new home permits for each 1,000 residents. Developers in both communities plan a hearty mix of single-family homes and apartments. Theyre among several suburbs building multifamily units even faster (per person) than dense urban communities like Portland. Its taken a few years but finally communities other than the city of Portland have said, Oh, yeah, lets build some multifamily, Kaylor said. While Portland is still building, Kaylor said suburbs simply have more places to build. Hillsboro, for example, is in the process of converting former farmland into an 8,000 home development known as South Hillsboro. Hillsboro has the third-most residential building permits, per capita, according to Kaylors data, with large numbers of single- and multi-family homes on the drawing board. Overall, Kaylor said hes encouraged by the housing permit numbers. They suggest to him the metro area as a whole is doing more to address the chronic housing shortage. But the numbers also show some places are adding few new homes, if any. Milwaukie is among the slowest growing, while the exclusive enclaves of West Linn and Lake Oswego barely added any homes at all and next to none of the multifamily units in such demand. I think were doing pretty good, Kaylor said, but the data analysis shows theres some communities that arent keeping up. -- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated $10m to help fight locusts in the East African region. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said its donation would assist UNs Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO as it supports governments in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia to combat locust infestation that is posing a significant threat to food production and livelihoods in the region. The latest locust outbreak is the worst to strike Ethiopia and Somalia for 25 years and the worst infestation that Kenya has experienced in 70 years. According to FAOs Desert Locust Watch, Djibouti and Eritrea are also affected, and swarms have spread to the south east of South Sudan and the northern edges of Uganda and Tanzania and as far as the south-west coast of Iran. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu has thanked the foundation for its donation and urged other philanthropists to help protect the livelihoods of farmers in the affected region. I want to thank the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for its generous support as the Desert Locust threatens to provoke a humanitarian crisis, Qu said. I urge other donors to follow their lead so we can protect rural livelihoods and assist farmers and their families. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the charity established by the founder of Microsoft. The UN has so far raised $33m, which includes the foundations donation, but says $138m is needed in total to help fight the locusts. SHANGHAI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The third China International Import Expo (CIIE) introduced "cloud signing" for the first time on Wednesday afternoon due to the coronavirus epidemic. The impact of the epidemic on the CIIE is "limited" at present, as the organizers are trying their best to offset the negative impact with the help of the internet, said Zhou Lingyan, with the CIIE. Non-contact means, such as phone calls, video calls and emails, are now in place to prevent the possible delay of preparation work. While the epidemic has brought some challenges to the preparation, it has also brought opportunities to some extent," Zhou said. "Medical enterprises are now seizing the opportunity to further explore the Chinese market. Enterprises in technical equipment, automobile and consumer goods also need to take the opportunity to make up for the impact of the epidemic as many expos are canceled or delayed." "The CIIE is the first national-level expo worldwide focusing on import and a breakthrough in international trade," said Kamran Vossoughi, president and chairman of Michelin China. The company is confident that the expo will be held on schedule and turn out to be a success, Kamran said. "Real gold is not afraid of fire, Kamran Vossoughi said, adding that the company has confidence in the future of the Chinese economy despite the current novel coronavirus outbreak. "We participated in the first CIIE but missed the second," said Sean Shan, president of Takeda China, adding that the company will demonstrate its strong innovation ability in oncology, rare diseases, gastroenterology and neuroscience in the third CIIE this November. "In the coming years, we plan to launch more than 15 innovative drugs in China." Statistics showed that by the end of January, more than 1,000 exhibitors worldwide had signed up for the third CIIE, with more than half of the exhibition space designated. The third CIIE will take place in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. Magma Partners has more than doubled the size of its investable capital with the close of its latest $50 million fund. The Santiago, Chile-based venture firm founded in 2013 had secured $21 million that made up the outfit's second fund, which it raised after closing its debut fund with just $2.5 million. The firm's largest fund to date comes as investment in Latin America has reached a record high. Magma has made 70 deals and its portfolio has seen three exits. General Partner Nathan Lustig tells me that Magma will continue to write $50,000 to $100,000 seed checks, and that its larger investments will range from up to $5 million to $7 million. The firm is targeting a few niches: Fintech and insurtech companies in Latin America and the solutions that provide the cybersecurity, anti-fraud and identity management API layers needed to support them. SaaS companies with tech and sales teams in Latin America that target a global user base. The fund wont touch hardware or biotech and isnt really looking at anything outside its fintech and insurtech thesis. With fund three, Magma has attracted its first institutional investor. IDB Lab, the innovation laboratory of the IDB Group, has approved an investment of $4 million in the fund. This now puts Magma on a more global radar, and, depending on success of fund three, could enable an even larger future fund four. Chilean, Colombian and Mexican family offices were the biggest cohort of contributors to the fund, along with angel investors in both Latin America and the U.S. Magma itself is made up of 15 people across both operations and investing, and the team is spread remotely across Santiago, Bogota, Mexico City and Guadalajara. Magma Media and the agency model While a relatively young firm, Magma has been focused from the start on developing an agency model to support its founders -- one that serves as both educator and, in many cases, connector. Latin America suffers from a lack of educational content around company building. That's why Magma is launching Magma Media, an in-house, media operations unit determined to help its portfolio companies succeed. Story continues If youve only raised a small round, hiring the wrong person could kill your startup." Lustig says that the Magma team is made up of former entrepreneurs, and that the goal of Magma Media is to build from the ground up the services they wish theyd had as founders. Inspired by the Andreessen Horowitz agency model, Magma also offers to its startup founders content marketing, sales, recruiting and PR services. Regarding the importance of content marketing, he notes that "if you have a great product and a great idea but you can't communicate what you're doing, no one will buy it. As for the in-house recruiter who is helping to educate founders on making the right hires, Lustig says, If youve only raised a small round, hiring the wrong person could kill your startup." These are the kind of company building tips that aren't as widely circulated in Latin America's comparatively nascent startup scene as they are in Silicon Valley. Magma has been hustling to expand a network of twenty corporations across Latin America -- similar to the Andreessen agency model -- that will take meetings with their portfolio, given that the lockdown of an early corporate partnership is a big win for a startup. The firm encourages successful Latin American startups to feed back into the ecosystem by adapting agency-like networks similar to a16z and Y Combinator, through which startups leverage a network of pre-vetted services and sign on as each other's first customers. One Magma company, OmniBank, is already factoring out its financial loan services to a few other companies in its portfolio in efforts to emulate this network model that has seen success in the U.S. As for diversity and inclusion, Lustig says that 35% of the Magma portfolio has at least one female founder and that they hope to grow that percentage. Asian capital is smarter capital in Latin America Despite Lustig's admiration for some American models of investment, he observes that China is eating the U.S.s lunch in Latin America, referring to the capital flowing into the region from Asian sources. Didi entered Latin America in 2018 via its $1 billion acquisition of Brazilian ridesharing company 99. Tencents $180 million strategic investments into Nubank propelled the Brazilian neobanks valuation to reach $10 billion. And of course, Tokyo-based SoftBank committed $6 billion to invest in Latin American companies via its Latin American Innovation Fund, fueling Colombias Rappi and Brazils Creditas with growth-stage investments that have allowed the companies to scale aggressively. In fact, while U.S. funds are beginning to wake up to the Latin America opportunity, Lustig believes that Asian capital in Latin America is smarter capital. Some of it has to do with pattern matching. Globally, Southeast Asia and Latin America count similar population sizes of around 640 million, and 18 out of the 25 biggest cities in the world are in either Southeast Asia or Latin America. Congruent geographic patterns and likeness in population volume means that tech solutions achieved by startups in Southeast Asia could also function in Latin America -- warranting heavier investment, especially when considering how much has been invested into Southeast Asia. Lustig estimates that Southeast Asia saw somewhere between $16 billion and $20 billion invested in 2019, and it has a lower GDP than Latin America. Lustig highlights online education as just one example of technology thats more developed in Asia and that could be used to reach rural areas in Latin America that dont have as much access. Asian e-commerce and mobile payments models are other sectors that Latin American companies can borrow from, he says, stressing that Latin America features a very social culture. It explains why Brazil is one of Facebooks largest markets, but also, linking social to commerce is a huge opportunity that could show up and generate big returns in Latin America. Latin American startups should borrow success from the pioneering agency models invented by Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator on their home ground, while pattern matching the tech solutions that worked for startups in geographically analogous Southeast Asia and China. Asian investors may not share the same racist and xenophobic rhetoric around Latins that exists in the United States, too, says Lustig. Though an American himself, he believes a bias against Latins exists in the U.S. There are still many very educated people in the U.S. who think that Colombia is Narcos on Netflix. In his experience, he observes that Asian investors arent wired to think like that and are instead focused on the growth fundamentals. Put all the pieces together, suggests Lustig, and the opportunity becomes clear. One of the most exciting parts about investing in Latin America is that if you can actually solve some of these problems, yes you can generate a big return. [Y]ou might also help tens to hundreds of millions of people solve basic problems that people in the U.S. take for granted. So I think the advice for founders is to go out and try to solve the problems that they're seeing in their day to day, he says. Latin American startups should borrow success from the pioneering agency models invented by Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator on their home ground, while pattern matching the tech solutions that worked for startups in geographically analogous Southeast Asia and China. Magma hopes its strategy will prepare Latin American startups for the incoming mega-rounds from Asia that will enable the best companies to enter hypergrowth mode. Meanwhile, in a note to American investors, Lustig says that the U.S. really needs to up its game in Latin America if it wants to continue to have influence. By Kim Se-jeong Calls are growing for Yoido Full Gospel Church, Gwanglim Methodist Church and other protestant mega-churches to halt all worship services, including those on Sunday, amid growing fears of the spread of COVID-19. Myung Sung and Somang churches canceled all of their services after both members and a pastor were confirmed to have been infected, Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Onnuri Church was the first to voluntarily axe services, replacing them with online worship. However, Youngnak Presbyterian Church in Seoul has thus far kept its Sunday worship, claiming that it should continue in a time of crisis. The Full Gospel Church also refused to cancel its Sunday services. Korea is home to a number of protestant mega-churches with more than 10,000 members each. Seoul and Gyeonggi Province alone have at least 20. Some of the most concerned about the continuation of services are those who live near the places of worship. "I am not a member of the church and so it's worrisome to see so many people gathering in a small space nowadays. My neighbor might be a member and I could meet them in an elevator on their way home from the service," a resident who lives near the Full Gospel Church on Yeouido told a local newspaper. The "second-wave" of the coronavirus outbreak here has already seen a religious organization as a hot-bed for the spread of infections. The number of confirmed patients grew exponentially in Daegu because of one infected churchgoer who attended a Shincheonji worship service with thousands of other people. The Catholic Church and Buddhist authorities in Korea have already canceled their major religious activities nationwide. An expert on religions here explained that the reluctance of the Protestant churches to follow suit was probably financially driven. "Protestant churches have no support from other organizations or the government, and rely heavily on membership offerings," said Kim Jip-joong, secretary general of the Religion Transparency Center. As one Christian to another, Id ask Pugh if she also accepts Trumps behavior when he apparently advertises his readiness to sell pardons and commutations to white-collar criminals convicted of fraud. Does she accept his cut in funding for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? His rollback of the Environmental Protection Agency regulations that have been keeping our air and water clean? His climate denial and his withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris accord created to address climate change? His dismissal of courageous administration officials who speak truth to power, who put loyalty to country above loyalty to the boss? His so-called tax reform that has forced our government to borrow billions to subsidize the wealthy? It seems Americans do not think their privacy is worth much. A new study that attempts to quantify the value of online privacy and data found US Facebook users would only seek $3.50 a month to share their contact information with the social media platform. However, researchers found Germans want to be paid more for letting technology platforms share their personal data with third-parties - approximately $8 a month. The study by U.S. based think tank the Technology Policy Institute (TPI) assessed how much privacy is worth in six countries by looking at the habits of people in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Columbia and Argentina. Experts believe how much people value privacy of different data types across countries suggests that people in some places may prefer weaker rules while people in other places might prefer stronger rules. Scroll down for video A new study that attempts to quantify the value of online privacy and data found US Facebook users would only seek $3.50 a month to share their contact information with the social media platform. However, researchers found Germans want to be paid more for letting technology platforms share their personal data with third-parties - approximately $8 a month People across the board place the highest value on financial information such as bank balance and biometric information such as fingerprint data in particular, and consider location data the least valuable, the study found. A technology platform, on average, across all people the study assessed, would have to pay consumers a monthly $8.44 to share their bank balance information, $7.56 to share fingerprint information, $6.05 to read an individual's texts, and $5.80 to share information on cash withdrawals. By contrast, people wanted to be paid only $1.82 per month to share location data and nothing to be sent advertisements via text messages. It addresses growing concern about how companies from technology platforms to retailers have been collecting and monetizing personal data. US regulators have imposed hefty fines on Facebook Inc and Alphabet-owned Google's YouTube unit for privacy violations. People across the board place the highest value on financial information such as bank balance and biometric information such as fingerprint data in particular, and consider location data the least valuable, the study found 'Differences in how much people value privacy of different data types across countries suggests that people in some places may prefer weaker rules while people in other places might prefer stronger rules,' Scott Wallsten, president and senior fellow at TPI told Reuters. 'Quantifying the value of privacy is necessary for conducting any analysis of proposed privacy policies,' he said. The study found Latin American consumers have a preference for seeing advertisements on their smartphone, in contrast to U.S. residents and Germans. U.S. lawmakers are working on a federal privacy legislation while states like California have put in place a new privacy law. On Tuesday, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra sent a letter to four top U.S. lawmakers urging them not to pre-empt the state's new privacy law with a watered down federal legislation. Diagnosis rates of early-onset dementia and Alzheimers disease tripled between 2013 and 2017, with Pennsylvania and New Jersey among the states most affected, according to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Its new report, released Thursday morning, is based on an analysis by the insurer of its claims data on 48 million commercially insured subscribers. It measured dementia diagnoses among subscribers ages 30 to 64. Dementia is considered early-onset when it occurs before age 65. Alzheimers is a form of dementia. The insurer found that the rate of early-onset dementia and Alzheimers diagnoses increased from 4.2 per 10,000 adults 30 to 64 in 2013 to 12.6 per 10,000 adults in that age group in 2017. That converts to an increase from 0.042% to 0.13%, so these diagnoses are still very rare. The average age of a person with one of these diagnoses was 49. The insurer estimated that 131,000 commercially insured people had been diagnosed with early onset dementia or Alzheimers. It said the Alzheimers Association estimates that 200,000 Americans have these diagnoses. Brian Harvey, executive director of the associations Health of America Project, said early-onset dementia can be especially demanding for caregivers, and can lead to depression, social isolation, and financial stress. The report is a snapshot of diagnoses at a particular time, not an analysis of new diagnoses. Therefore, the report said, much of the growth in the diagnosis of these conditions over time can be attributed to the accumulation of people who are diagnosed with the condition and remain within the commercially [insured] population during the study period rather than to an actual increase in the rate of diagnosis year over year. David Wolk, a neurologist and co-director of the Penn Memory Center, said early-onset dementia may have been under-reported in the past. Doctors are more likely to know about it now and are in general diagnosing dementia earlier in its course, he said. He knew of no reason to suspect that early dementia is actually more common now. Claims data can be flawed because it is not representative of the whole population, which also includes uninsured patients and people covered by Medicaid, Wolk said. Primary-care doctors may be less skilled at diagnosing dementia than the experts who typically are involved in clinical trials. Early-onset dementias, he said, really are diagnoses that require the expertise of someone who sees a lot of memory disorder patients. Alzheimers and forms of frontotemporal dementia are the most common forms of dementia among people under 65, he said. Diagnoses are commonly made in the late 50s and early 60s. There is one genetic form of Alzheimers that strikes very young patients, often in their 30s and 40s. Pennsylvania and New Jersey were among a group of states in the Blue Cross report with the highest rates of early-onset dementia. That range ran from 9.7 to 13 cases per 10,000 people 30 to 64. The group also included several Southern states. The lowest rates were among states in the countrys northern tier, from Wisconsin west, as well as Colorado and Utah. Independence Blue Cross, which operates in Southeastern Pennsylvania, said the rate of early onset Alzheimers and dementia in its coverage area increased by 83% for its members ages 30 to 44; 50% for members ages 45 to 54; and, 40% for members 55 to 64 from 2014 to 2017. That time period is one year shorter than the one analyzed in the national report. Rates in 2017 were comparable to or lower than the rates in the national report. Eighty-six percent of patients in the national study received brain imaging, and 57% filled a prescription for an antidepressant medication in the year before diagnosis with early-onset dementia or Alzheimers, suggesting some patients showed symptoms before diagnosis. In a written release, Richard Snyder, chief medical officer and executive vice president of facilitated health networks for Independence Blue Cross, called the study results concerning. While the underlying cause is not clear, he added, "advances in technology are certainly allowing for earlier and more definitive diagnosis. Regardless, those who develop dementia or Alzheimers at an early age will likely require care-giving, either from family members or health-care providers. The time, cost, and impact on families can be significant and can require additional support as these diseases progress. Ginny Calega, a geriatrician and vice president of medical affairs at Independence, said she thought increasing awareness of dementia among people of all ages may have led to an increase in screening for the condition. Tuesday nights Democratic presidential debate in Charleston, South Carolina, has been widely criticized in the corporate media, with the candidates performances denounced for snarling incoherence (Politico), for being manic (The Hill) and a genuine freakout (Frank Bruni in the New York Times), and like watching professional wrestling (Dana Milbank in the Washington Post). Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden during Democratic primary debate in South Carolina (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) What the media pundits were complaining aboutparticularly on the cable networks CNN and MSNBChad little to do with the constant interruptions and general refusal of the candidates to follow the rules laid down but not enforced by the moderators, a panel of journalists from CBS. They were mainly upset that the six candidates opposed to frontrunner Bernie Sanders largely failed to coordinate their efforts and could not seem to agree on a common line of attack, replicating a similar failure in the debate last Wednesday in Nevada. As a result, the Vermont senator is likely to take an insurmountable lead in convention delegates in the March 3 Super Tuesday primaries, held in 14 states, including California, Texas, North Carolina and Virginia. Those contests take place just three days after the February 29 primary in South Carolina. Despite the cacophony on Tuesday night, it is clear that the capitalist politicians on the stage in Charleston were pursuing definite strategies, which reveal something about their own social bases and shed light on the deepening crisis of the Democratic Party. Four of the candidates were competing to become the moderate alternative to Sanders: billionaire Michael Bloomberg, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Amy Klobuchar. Two others made direct appeals to Sanders supporters. Senator Elizabeth Warren said she would be a more effective advocate for Sanders policies, which she claimed to support. Billionaire Tom Steyer, seeking to position himself somewhat to the left of the four moderates, claimed to agree with Sanders diagnosis of the problems in America while disagreeing with him on the solutions. Bloombergs goal in the debate was clearly to survive it and avoid another debacle like that in Las Vegas, which would leave his campaign in danger of becoming an expensive laughingstock. He positioned himself as the most right-wing of the candidates, declaring his support for expanding charter schools, opposing the legalization of marijuana and making no reply when Warren pointed out his long history as a donor to Republican candidates, including such notorious pro-Trump figures as Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. In his most revealing sally, Bloomberg boasted of how much he spent in the 2018 elections backing Democratic candidates whose victories gave the Democratic Party control of the House of Representatives. They talk about 40 Democrats, he said. Twenty-one of those are people that I spent a hundred million dollars to help elect. All of the new Democrats that came in and put Nancy Pelosi in charge and gave the Congress the ability to control this president, I boughtI, I got them. The billionaire was about to say he had bought control of the House for the Democrats, but pulled back at the last second to make his comment slightly less obnoxious. But the implication was clear. He was suggesting that he was now in position to buy the White House for the Democrats, using essentially unlimited funds from his $60 billion fortune. Bloombergs money had at least some impact on the debate, salting the audience with supporters who had to pay $1,750 to the Democratic National Committee for admission. As a result, there was audible booing when Warren and Sanders attacked Bloomberg for trying to buy the nomination. So far, however, Bloombergs ability to actually accomplish the purchase is in doubt. The billionaire has pumped nearly $500 million into campaign advertising and organization in the 14 Super Tuesday states, but according to current polls he trails Sanders in all of them. A detailed analysis in the Washington Post projected that Bloomberg stood to win fewer than 100 delegates out of the nearly 1,400 to be chosen on March 3. Buttigieg, the former naval intelligence officer and McKinsey consultant for the Pentagon, joined with Bloomberg in portraying Sanders as the candidate backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, allegedly because his nomination would ensure the reelection of President Trump, whom the Democrats have attacked from the right as a Russian stooge. The former South Bend mayor spent the entire debate attacking Sanders from the right, frequently interrupting him to the point of deliberate disruption. He sought to present himself as the voice of the congressional Democrats, particularly those in marginal districts in the House of Representatives. He told Sanders that those newly elected in 2018 are running away from your platform as fast as they possibly can. These include the 11 representatives who have similar backgrounds to Buttigieg, with careers in the military-intelligence apparatus before they entered politics. Bidens campaign has made little secret that he must win the South Carolina primary on Saturday or face financial and political collapse. Given that position, Biden devoted every intervention in the debate to wooing older black voters, who comprise the main Democratic voting bloc in South Carolina. Sanders leads among black voters in South Carolina younger than 45, but older voters, particularly those over 65, are expected to support Biden. This explains Bidens effort to mention President Barack Obama in nearly every comment, as well as his choosing to focus his attack on Sanders on the issue of gun violence, citing Sanders votes against restrictive gun legislation some 30 years ago. Biden referred to the 2015 mass shooting by a white supremacist at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, that killed nine African Americans. Biden also targeted Steyer, who has dumped $20 million into advertising in South Carolina and risen to third in state polls. The former vice president attacked the billionaire for investing in a company operating private prisons in which young black men had been hog-tied and otherwise abused. Significantly, Biden received little criticism from his moderate rivals. All of them want Biden to win South Carolina, because the alternative, a Sanders victory, would make his nomination far more likely. On Wednesday, the morning after the debate, Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the House Minority Whip and a longtime leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, publicly endorsed Bidenone more effort by the party establishment to forestall a knockout blow by the Sanders campaign. The fourth moderate, Senator Amy Klobuchar, focused her attack on Sanders on the cost of his proposed reforms, such as Medicare for All and free college tuition, claiming, The math does not add up. She also cited the thinly veiled attack on Sanders a few months ago by former President Obama, claiming that Sanders was ignoring where the voters of this country are. Two of the Democrats on the stage in Charleston sought to appeal to Sanders supporters more directly. Steyer said that Sanders analysis is right, in relation to the defects of an untrammeled private sector, but that his proposed remedies were wrong. We all know, unchecked capitalism has failed, Steyer said. The answer is not for the government to take over the private sector, though. The answer is for us to break the corporate stranglehold on our government and have the government work for the people again. How the corporate stranglehold could be broken while leaving corporate power intact, he did not explain. Nor did he address the contradiction of a billionaire private equity investor presenting his own campaign as the vehicle for such an anti-corporate effort. Instead, he boasted of his efforts to support the impeachment of Trump, the only mention of that debacle on the Charleston stage. Steyer has deliberately cultivated a corrupt layer of the black upper-middle class, hiring dozens of black Democratic Party operatives and state legislators to act as his political representatives in South Carolina, and touting his efforts, through his investment fund, to promote minority-owned businesses. Senator Elizabeth Warren presented herself as an ideological ally of Sanders, but one who would be a more effective advocate of similar policies. Her approach to Sanders was so conciliatory that she seemed to be auditioning to become his running mate. She then reverted to her role in the Las Vegas debate, targeting Bloomberg and citing his role as a Republican campaign donor, a sexist boss, and a law-and-order mayor of New York City. Sanders, given center stage as the leader in delegates and poll numbers, sought to demonstrate that his policies were not radical, as claimed by his right-wing opponents, citing the example of state-financed health care systems in Western Europe. He combined this with some left talk on foreign policy issues, denouncing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as a reactionary racist and declaring that it might be a good idea to be honest about American foreign policy, and that includes the fact that America has overthrown governments all over the world. These gestures cannot disguise the fundamental fallacy of the Sanders campaign: the claim that he can carry out a political revolution under the auspices of the Democratic Party, a party of big business and American imperialism, symbolized by the presence on the debate stage of two billionaires, a naval intelligence agent, Barack Obamas vice president, and Klobuchar, dubbed the favorite Democrat of Senate Republicans. The role of Sanders is to trap leftward-moving sections of working people and young people within the straitjacket of the Democratic Party and the two-party system, thus blocking any challenge to American capitalism. Large sections of the American population are far to the left of all of the candidates, including Sanders, a political fact that strikes terror in the Democratic Party establishment. They are frightened not that Sanders modest reform policies will alienate working people, but that they might open the door to far more radical demands that directly threaten the profit system and the global operations of American imperialism. That explains the apparent contradiction in the party establishment hysteria over Sanders: The more he runs up his vote totals and demonstrates popular support, the more they scream he is unelectable. The Mexican government, on Tuesday, returned to Nigeria an ancient bronze sculpture seized by customs agents at the International Airport of Mexico City. The customs authorities at Mexico City Airport were said to have detected the sculpture when its buyer tried to smuggle it to their country. The sculpture, from the 6th century southwestern Yoruba city of Ife, shows a man wearing woven pants and a hat, sitting with his legs crossed and holding an instrument. Specialists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History determined that it was a piece of Yoruba origin, Diego Prieto, head of the agency, told a press conference. A beautiful bronze piece, and that being of Nigerian heritage, it should return to its home. Officials did not offer more details about the sculptures exact origins or the circumstances of its confiscation. It was also determined that it had been illegally exported, the Mexican foreign ministry said. Nigerian Ambassador, Aminu Iyawa acknowledged the work of the Mexican authorities in recovering the sculpture. (AFP) ALSO READ: French Government Returns Five Stolen Nok Statuettes To The Nigerian Government Last weekend, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff was confident the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would transfer some passengers from the coronavirus-infected Diamond Princess cruise ship from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to federal facilities in Anniston, Ala. Hed reached an understanding with the agency after swapping emails with one of its top officials. Darcie Johnston, the HHS director of intergovernmental affairs, thanked Wolff for the partnership and your patience while we worked through these logistics, adding: This should help lesson (sic) the burden on San Antonio. That was Saturday. But the deal crumbled overnight. More for you Mayor, judge want coronavirus evacuees to stay on base Alabamas six-term Republican senator, Richard Shelby, boasted on Twitter the next day that he had scotched efforts to bring some of the cruise ship passengers to his state. I just got off the phone with the President, Shelby wrote. He told me that his administration will not be sending any victims of the Coronavirus from the Diamond Princess cruise ship to Anniston. Thank you, @POTUS, for working with us to ensure the safety of all Alabamians. Call it a classic case of NIMBY not in my back yard or, in this case, the Heart of Dixie. Now Playing: Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Rear Adm. Nancy Knight discuss efforts to contain the virus. Video: Sig Christenson As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called on San Antonians to welcome home Americans from the star-crossed cruise ship, which had while docked in Yokohama, Japan, become a virtual incubator for the highly contagious virus, Shelby responded to the same request with a power play. Top hits: Get San Antonio Express-News stories sent directly to your inbox It ensured that Lackland, already serving as the federal quarantine site for 91 Americans evacuated from Wuhan, China, also had to keep 144 passengers from the Diamond Princess, all but one of whom remain here. So far, five of the ship passengers have tested positive for coronavirus. Four more could be infected but await final test results. One evacuee among the Wuhan group that arrived Feb. 7 also came down with the virus and remains hospitalized. The rest from Wuhan completed their quarantine and have left the base. Wolff said he didnt publicly complain about Shelbys move because there wasnt nothing I could do about it. I dont necessarily say that Im blaming him. Im sure he doesnt want to take on the responsibility for his state. I dont know that theres anything wrong about what he said, Wolff said. The presence of so many evacuated passengers who are ill or could become ill has worried Wolff, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, other local officials and health professionals. WIN TICKETS: Spurs Nation is giving away four box seat tickets to the March 22 home game. In a letter sent Monday, they reiterated their concerns and asked Defense Secretary Mark Esper to reconsider a policy that evacuees be transferred from the quarantined hotel at Lackland to an off-site hospital for testing and observation or treatment for mild symptoms. They said those evacuees would be better off at Lackland. The transfers, they warned, could overload hospitals limited capacity and needlessly expose the community to the virus, which has proved deadly to older patients with such conditions as high blood pressure and diabetes. Starting last week, the Texas Center for Infectious Disease on the South Side began treating some evacuees. The prospect of relocating some ship passengers to an Alabama facility would have taken pressure off of San Antonio. Wolff seemed to be assured Saturday that the move was imminent. Johnston, the HHS director of intergovernmental affairs, sent an agency news release to Wolff, along with a brief message. The release stated that HHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency had agreed to use FEMAs Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston as a place for some of the American passengers from the Diamond Princess to stay. It went on to say, The passengers who will stay at the Center tested positive for COVID-19, although at this time they do not have symptoms or they have mild flu-like symptoms. Any of the evacuees who become seriously ill will be transported to pre-identified hospitals for medical care. Under the HHS-FEMA agreement, the Center for Domestic Preparedness will provide the housing, and HHS will provide basic medical care and all other support services for these returning passengers. Passengers will stay in a separate area from these training participants and will remain at the Center until they are medically cleared. Thank you so much for the information, Wolff wrote back to Johnston. We appreciate the departments decision to take the passengers from the Diamond Princess to the federal facilities to Anniston, Alabama. She then replied, Just to be clear this will be only passengers that are asymptomatic and test positive for COVID-19 and do not need hospital care. Johnston did not reply to an email sent by the San Antonio Express-News on Thursday, but a person speaking on her behalf said on background that the agency was identifying alternative sites that would meet the most immediate potential need to safely house and care for some of the Diamond Princess passengers who tested positive for COVID-19. The FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Ala., was one site determined to be suitable and effective, but is not needed at this time. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-San Antonio, said Thursday that while Shelby had blocked the relocation of some Diamond Princess passengers to Alabama, he has been told of progress being made in finding a new out-of-state location to accommodate patients from San Antonio, should we exceed our current capacity. On ExpressNews.com: State hospital in San Antonio begins treating coronavirus evacuees from Lackland Wolff, a Democrat, said this week that hes been frustrated by weak support from the Texas congressional delegation about the transfer problem. I dont know of anything theyve done. They certainly havent called me, he said, referring to our requests to keep people on the base until they do the tests and confirm them. Until Thursday, when U.S. Rep. Will Hurd called, Wolff said that just one congressman has gone to bat for the city freshman U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican, whose district doesnt even include Lackland. Roy raised local officials concerns about the evacuee hospital transfers in a Feb. 18 letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar. He did ask questions, Wolff said, and I dont think he got any answers to them. I havent heard from anybody else. But to me, this shouldnt be the congressman having to put pressure or whatever. Hell, it ought to be, Do the right damn thing and keep them in a quarantine area. Roy said Thursday his sense that decisions had been made without the input of San Antonio leaders prompted him to write his letter to Azar, which has yet to receive a formal response. He has had conversations with HHS officials at their offices and hopes to soon receive a classified briefing. Roy said he stressed the need for local officials to play a role in future decisions but added that San Antonio is happy to help respond. We, as Americans, do have an obligation to figure out how to help each other, and Shelbys (tweet) was a little bit dismissive and sort of a not in my backyard, said Roy, whose district includes JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. Sen. John Cornyns office pushed back upon hearing Wolffs comments that the delegation has been unresponsive. An aide to Cornyn, R-Texas, said the senator hosted a Feb. 20 meeting in San Antonio that brought HHS officials together with local leaders, including Nirenberg, City Manager Erik Walsh and City Council members Clayton Perry and Adriana Rocha Garcia. The aide said Wolff had been invited multiple times but did not attend. Cornyn also arranged a conference call to connect HHS officials with local leaders within hours of the first evacuees arriving in San Antonio and since has set up two more calls to keep federal officials and city officials on the same page, the aide said. The aide said Cornyn has spoken directly with Robert Kadlec, HHS assistant secretary for preparedness and response, and that both city and county officials have been asked to figure out their costs for federal reimbursement. I was on the conference call that his staff set up, Wolff said, noting that was the same day Feb. 18 he wrote a letter to Roy expressing concerns about transporting evacuees off the base. Thats the only one Ive been invited to by them. Like Wolff, Doggett said he, too, was frustrated. Given evasive and insubstantial answers from the Trump administration to my repeated inquiries, including the need for testing on base, I understand and share the strong dissatisfaction of local officials, Doggett said. He and Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, raised concerns with Azar about possible insufficient disinfectant protocols for doorknobs, playgrounds and other public areas used by evacuees and the lack of enforcement for exposed individuals to wear protective gear in common areas. Additionally, they wrote, given the rapid spread of coronavirus among health care professionals in China, we request further information about the precautions taken to ensure that not a single health worker in San Antonio is exposed to the virus. Azar has not responded to the letter. On Monday, the ship evacuees who are not infected are scheduled to leave Lackland, their 14-day quarantine completed. If a new quarantine site in the U.S. is to open, the location, if known, is a well-kept secret. Sig Christenson covers the military and its impact in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. To read more from Sig, become a subscriber. sigc@express-news.net | Twitter: @saddamscribe RED WING Fresh off a recent trip to Washington, D.C. for the State of the Union, the Republican Eagle caught up with Les Anderson, president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association board of directors, about the organization's priorities this legislative session and the top concerns facing area farmers. The Cannon Falls corn and soybean farmer has been on the MCGA board since 2012. He was elected to lead the board for 2019-2020 back in October. Here's what he had to say: Congratulations on being elected president of the MCGA board of directors. What does the organization do for local corn growers? With nearly 7,000 members, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association represents the states 24,000 corn farmers on policy and advocacy efforts at the state and federal level, elevating the issues that are impacting corn farmers today. MCGA also works with the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotions Council to build connections with the non-farming public and invest in research that shapes the future of agriculture and builds demand for corn. What are the big issues facing farmers in southeastern Minnesota? Southeastern Minnesota is home to a number of ethanol plants, which are crucial to both corn farmers in the region and surrounding rural communities. Actions by the EPA over the last year have taken their toll on the ethanol market, making it harder for ethanol plants to survive. Protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard and stopping ethanol demand destruction is crucial for area farmers who depend on the market. ADVERTISEMENT Protecting water quality will also continue to be a focus for farmers. Much of MCGAs nearly $4 million annual investment in research is focused on water quality, benefitting all Minnesotans. Corn farmers want to be part of the solution, which is why we financially support programs like University of Minnesota Extension Nitrogen Smart and invest in third-party research identifying on-farm practices that protect our waterways. Are there policies MCGA will advocate for at this year's legislative session? MCGA looks forward to working with the legislature and members of the administration to advance policy priorities that are important to corn farmers and rural communities. Top priorities this year include advancing policies through the Better Fuel Initiative, which was launched to further increase awareness, understanding and usage of biofuels in Minnesota. With more drivers choosing cleaner-burning E15 at the pump than ever, the Better Fuel Initiative supports an increase in the existing biofuel standard of 10 percent to 15-percent biofuel. [ JARGON WATCH: Biofuel is a renewable energy source made from plant material. Ethanol, among the most common biofuel, is made from sugar in grains such as corn, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration . Ethanol used to power vehicles is typically mixed with gasoline, from 10% ethanol by volume (called E10) to 51%83% ethanol (called E85). Proponents say biofuels reduce pollution, while opponents argue using farm land to grow crops for biofuel could lead to food shortages or increased food prices.] MCGA will also continue its efforts bringing a buffer property tax exemption to farmers in compliance with the Minnesota Buffer Law. This would remove the penalty of continuing to impose property taxes at the highest rates on farm land that is removed from production when converted to buffers. Another tax-related priority this year is full conformity on Section 179 . There are currently unintended consequences for like kind exchanges and traded in farm equipment that can be remedied through full conformity. Your role takes you to Washington, D.C., as well. What can be done nationally to help corn growers here? MCGA grower leaders make a number of trips to Washington each year to advocate for federal priorities impacting corn farmers. By engaging with Minnesotas congressional delegation, administration officials and key government agencies, MCGA is building a brighter future on the farm back home. Over the last year, MCGA grower leaders have spent time in Washington stressing the importance of USMCA ratification , which was achieved in January. MCGA also met with members of our congressional delegation, USDA officials and the EPA to protect the Renewable Fuel Standard and stop actions destroying ethanol demand. MCGA will continue to work with its national partners to maintain a strong voice in our nations capital as we advocate for the priorities that impact corn farming. Both stabilizing trade and protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard will continue to be a focus in the year ahead. Jfqrlb.hzzycm.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team This CoolSocial report was updated on 19 Jan 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the jfqrlb.hzzycm homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if jfqrlb.hzzycm has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the jfqrlb.hzzycm homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the jfqrlb.hzzycm homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the jfqrlb.hzzycm homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the jfqrlb.hzzycm homepage on Twitter + the total number of jfqrlb.hzzycm followers (if jfqrlb.hzzycm has a Twitter account). Basic Information PAGE TITLE 5b5bin-www4582com- DESCRIPTION 5b5bin-www4582com- KEYWORDS 5b5bin-www4582com- OTHER KEYWORDS a, 8a, sst, The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. Domain and Server DOCTYPE HTML 5.0 CHARSET AND LANGUAGE GB2312 DETECTED LANGUAGE SERVER Microsoft-IIS/6.0 (PHP/5.2.17) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2003 Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Type of server and offered services. The language of jfqrlb.hzzycm.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site. Operative System running on the server. Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world. Referring domains for jfqrlb.hzzycm.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines. Facebook link FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The type of Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. Twitter account link TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND The coronavirus epidemic in Iran has cost 26 lives, the health ministry announced Thursday, with seven new deaths reported over 24 hours as the spread appeared to accelerate. Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour also told a press briefing that 106 more cases of the disease had been confirmed, raising the tally of infections to 245, the highest outside China where COVID-19 originated. The additional cases made up the highest number for a single day since Iran announced its first cases on February 19. Among the latest sufferers of the new coronavirus is Mojtaba Zolnour, head of parliament's national security and foreign affairs committee, who appeared in a video posted by Fars news agency saying he was in self-quarantine. The cleric is a deputy for the Shiite holy city of Qom in central Iran where the country's first cases were detected. The announcement by Zolnour comes two days after another top official, deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi, head of the government's coronavirus task force, said he too had contracted the virus. On Wednesday, Iranian authorities announced domestic travel restrictions for people with confirmed or suspected infections. They also placed curbs on access to major Shiite pilgrimage sites, including the Imam Reza shrine in second city Mashhad and the Fatima Masumeh shrine in Qom. Visitors to the shrines will be allowed to visit on condition they are provided "with hand-washing liquids, proper (health) information, masks", Health Minister Saeed Namaki told a news conference. They must "not gather together in groups but just pray and leave", he said. In affected areas, school closures will be extended for three days, and universities for another week starting from Saturday, he said. Also in these regions, the main weekly Friday prayers will be suspended, Namaki said. "All of these decisions are temporary and if the situation changes, we might intensify or ease them," Namaki added. International health experts have expressed concern about Iran's handling of the outbreak. But Tehran insists the situation has been "improving". Iranian sanitary workers disinfect the Masumeh shrine in the Shiite holy city of Qom, where a prominent local member of parliament is among the latest people infected with the coronavirus A Tehran municipality worker cleans a metro train to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 illness The head of Iran's coronavirus task force, Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, wipes sweat off his brow as he addresses a news conference hours before he is diagnosed as infected Aam Aadmi party councillor Tahir Hussain who is under scanner for alleged involvement in the gruesome murder of Intelligence Bureau employee Ankit Sharma during the riots in northeast Delhi has reiterated his innocence and suggested that Delhi Police could bear out his claims. Ankit Sharmas family had named Hussain as a suspect after Sharmas body bearing knife-wounds was pulled out of a drain not far from the AAP councillors house in Chand Bagh area on Wednesday. They claimed to have seen some rioters use Hussains building as their base and alleged the councillors involvement in Ankits murder Hussain, however, said he had moved out of the house a day before Ankit was killed as he feared for his own safety and had informed the Delhi police about the possibility of miscreants misusing his house. I requested the police to be present in the area as my building was being targeted and could be used for wrongful purposes. Delhi Police was present at the building, only they can tell what exactly happened, Hussain was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. He promised to fully cooperate with the police and said he was actually involved in efforts to stop the violence that led to deaths of 34 people in three days. I worked to stop violence, Im innocent. I stopped people from climbing up my building, ANI quoted Hussain. Hussain claims Delhi police personnel were present at his house till 4 pm on Feb 25, the day Ankit is believed to have been murdered. On Feb 24, police conducted a search of my building & moved us out from there, & later, we shifted to a safe location. Till 4 pm on Feb 25, police were present at the building, Hussain was quoted as saying. Hussains proclamation of innocence had earlier been posted online by Aam Aadmi Party. The party, however, maintains that it backs the strictest action against anyone involved in the riots. BJPs Kapil Mishra, who is himself under fire for instigating violence through speeches and mobilisation, had tweeted a video earlier today alleging Hussain was among the rioters who had attacked and killed Ankit Sharma on Tuesday evening. If Tahir Hussains phone call details are released, it would show both Sanjay Singh and Kejriwals role in the violence and Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharmas murder, tweeted Mishra. Tahir, however, has rejected all such allegations and said he was sad to hear about Ankits death. He should get justice. I am not involved in this incident. There should be a thorough investigation of this matter, he said. A day after US lawmakers reacted sharply to the violence in the Indian capital, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders here accused US President Donald Trump of failing on the issue of human rights. Slamming the US president, Sanders said the Trump's statement regarding the violence in New Delhi during his India visit was a "failure of leadership". Asked about incidents of violence during his India visit, the US president had said, "As far as the individual attacks, I heard about it, but I didn't discuss that with him (Modi). That's up to India." Reacting to the issue, Sanders on Wednesday tweeted, "Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying 'That's up to India'. This is a failure of leadership on human rights."Sanders is the second Democratic presidential nominee after Senator Elizabeth Warren to speak against the violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act in New Delhi. Apart from the Democratic presidential candidate, other influential senators too expressed concern over the developments on Wednesday. "We are alarmed by the recent violence in New Delhi. We continue to support an open dialogue on issues of significant concern in order to advance our vital long-term relationship," Senator Mark Warner from the Democratic Party and John Cornyn from the GOP said in a joint statement. Warner and Cornyn are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, the largest country-specific caucus in the US Senate. Congressman Jamie Raskin said he was horrified by the violence, which was fueled by religious hatred and fanaticism. "Liberal democracies must protect religious freedom and pluralism, and avoid the path of discrimination and bigotry," the Congressman said. Richard N Hass, who heads the powerful Council on Foreign Relations, said the reason for India's relative success has been that its large Muslim minority saw itself as Indian. "But this is at risk owing to govt attempts to exploit identity for political advantage," he said. Earlier in the day, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom urged the Government of India to take swift action for the safety of its citizens. Expressing "grave concern" over the violence, the US body said the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith amid reports of attack on Muslims. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madison Vargas spoke clearly and without crying. As the adults around her sobbed and blotted their cheeks with tissues, the 12-year-old wanted to make clear what school bus driver Hudy Muldrow Sr. took from her on May 17, 2018, when her twin sister Miranda Vargas was killed alongside teacher Jennifer Williamson in the horrific school bus crash on Interstate 80. "Mr. Devil, how dare you take my heart away from me without expecting it? Madison Vargas asked. "Sometimes I wish I was on that bus with her so in her last moments I could be with her, from the beginning to the end, and I could have protected her. We could have started together and ended together as we planned, Madison said, as her parents wept by her side. Muldrow is a monster, a killer, has no heart, a selfish, careless, life-taking individual, Madison said. "What kind of selfish monster would do this? The 79-year-old Muldrow, who was driving students from Paramus on a field trip that day, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in state prison by Morris County Judge Stephen Taylor, following hours of emotional testimony in the Morristown courthouse. Five of the 10 years will be subject to the No Early Release Act, which calls for defendants to serve 85% of their sentence behind bars. The soonest Muldrow could be released from jail is 2025, at the age of 84. He will also lose his license for two years after his release. Muldrow pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless vehicular homicide, five counts of assault by auto, and endangering the welfare of children in December. "I deeply have remorse for everyone on the bus and whether they know it or not, I suffered, Muldrow said at the end of the sentencing. "Im sorry. I have a lot of remorse. I loved those kids I was driving. Muldrows lawyer, Matthew Reisig, argued that Muldrow should be sentenced for his crimes concurrently, instead of the consecutive terms negotiated in the plea agreement, meaning he could serve less than five years before being released. He tried to argue that Muldrows left turn across I-80 in Mount Olive, in an attempt to reach a cut through in the highway after taking a wrong turn, was simply failure to maintain a lane, and that 10 years in jail was excessive. That is a gross understatement of what occurred here, Taylor said. "Anyone who has ever operated a car knows dont make a left turn on an interstate highway across three lanes of highway. Its about as basic as you get. Defense attorney Matthew Reiseg looks up as Hudy Muldrow wipes a tear as listens to victim impact statements at his sentencing on Feb. 26, 2020.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for The reaction in the historic court room was muted as Taylor handed down his sentencing. Most of the emotion came during the hours of victim impact statements, which took several hours. In their statements, the families of Miranda Vargas, 10, and Jennifer Williamson, 51, made clear that Muldrow was not forgiven. I hope he suffers and thinks of all the pain he has caused us," Joevanny Vargas, Mirandas father, said through tears. This was the first time in 21 months worth of hearings that Vargas attended court without his mirrored sunglasses. I know Jen would want me to move on and forgive but I just cant. My family is collapsed, Williamsons older brother, Doug Williamson, said. Williamsons mother, Dolores, spoke pointedly at Muldrow. "You are very lucky man. Able to wake up, play with your grandchildren, see the sunshine, enjoy a meal. Everything you can do was taken away from my precious daughter, Dolores Williamson said. Kevin Kennedy said he spent 26 years living a dream being married to Williamson, whom he described in a poem he wrote as my wife, my life, my true best friend. Kevin Kennedy speaks at Hudy Muldrow's sentencing. His wife Jennifer Williamson was killed in the crash.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for Williamsons family said she was a devoted teacher who made them a priority in her life. Theres nothing she wouldnt do for her students, her brother Doug Williamson said, describing the hours Williamson would spend at her kitchen table lesson planning. Williamson was still planning on getting her doctorate, and was deeply devoted to the Paramus community, Kennedy said. As the victims spoke, Muldrows family sat with their head in their hands, crying. They craned in their seats to watch as victims recounted the horror the morning of the crash. Muldrows family described him as a God-fearing man, someone who was active in his church and who read the Bible and prayed daily. He was one of 20 siblings and put his 12 children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren, first. "He set a good example of what it means to be a good family member and be there for others, his grandnephew, Kevin Hawkins, said. "Hes always been a part of my life, and I dont want today to be the end of that connection As Muldrows son spoke, tears streamed down the older mans face, the first time Muldrow showed emotion during the lengthy legal process. He was impassive, his eyes closed as parents, siblings, and students who were on the bus described what was taken from them. Madison Vargas leans on a family member at Hudy Muldrow's sentencing. Her twin sister Miranda Vargas was killed in the crash.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for In addition to Miranda Vargas and Jennifer Williamson, 43 students and staff were seriously injured when a dump track slammed into the bus while heading to Waterloo Village in Stanhope as part of a fifth-grade field trip. "I had to watch my friend get CPR and pass away in front of me. Do you know how hard it is to watch your friend pass away knowing you can do nothing? Sophia Russo, 12, said through tears. She sat behind Miranda and next to Williamson. "When I was removed from the bus, I was placed on the grass, and thats where I saw Miranda pass away. I kept looking over at her, because I knew it was the last time I would be seeing her, Russo said. He has made my entire life a living hell," a seventh-grade girl in a navy blue #ParamusStrong t-shirt said, her voice cracking with sobs. She was walked out of the courtroom as friends and family hugged her. Most children could only make it a few words before the tears came. They stood with fellow students, parents, and Assistant Prosecutor Chris Schellhorn has they described how an exciting trip turned into the worst day of their lives. The students, now in seventh grade, talked plainly about seeing their faces caked in blood, hearing their teachers scream, and not understanding what happened as they woke up in hospitals. I thought I was buried under bags. But I was buried under my friends," a student said in a letter read out loud in court by her mother. One child said she thought the crash was an act of terrorism. Another said it must have been done on purpose. The audience was filled with students and their families, with some children young enough that they sat on parents laps as lawyers made their technical arguments. The childrens injuries were numerous: skull fractures, brain bleeds, amputations, amnesia, comas, and broken ribs. Wednesdays sentencing was the first time the injuries of those not killed on the bus were detailed publicly. Perhaps the most common injury described as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder.) I cried so much, and I had to go to the counselors office almost every day, so I could cry, one student recalled. Hudy Muldrow is led away after he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for The one constant thing you hear is that while the physical pain is healing, that emotional trauma is still fresh, Schellhorn said. This case had the greatest number of victims of any case he has ever prosecuted, he said. Amongst the pain and anger was a single voice of forgiveness. Mirandas maternal grandfather, Rev. Johnny Rivera, said he was going to practice what he preaches from his church. He has forgiven Muldrow. "No one wins here. He could get 100 years and no one still wins, Rivera said. He spoke directly to Muldrows family. Mr. Muldrow, I have to forgive you. Deep down inside, I have to. Do I accept what youve done? Absolutely not. I forgive you because you cannot have a hold on me. I release you, Rivera said. Still, no amount of forgiveness could ever bring back Miranda. "Your family all get to see you in prison. The only time I get to see my granddaughter ever again is when I go to heaven and see her as an angel, her grandfather said. Joevanny Vargas holds his daughter Madison Vargas as Lorena Vargas testifies at the sentencing of Hudy Muldrow.Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for 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. The most isolated island in the UK that has had no permanent resident for 90 years because life is too tough is to get a new 5.5m visitor centre - 40 miles away. St Kilda - a UNESCO World Heritage site - sits 40 miles west of the Isle of Lewis, Scotland which is the nearest inhabited place - and the location of the new attraction. The last people to live permanently on the island were evacuated in 1930 as living conditions became too tough because of regular storms. People only now live on the main island, run by National Trust Scotland, on a temporary basis to work at the military site, or on wildlife conservation or research projects. The picturesque St Kilda is the UK's most isolated island, with nobody living on the site permanently for 90 years A 5.5 million visitor centre dedicated to the UNESCO World Heritage Site is set to open for tourists As many as 70 people were living on the site last summer although the temporary population usually sits at around 30 to 40 people. Now, new images have been released of the approved multi-million pound project, which will see a stunning tourist attraction celebrating St Kilda's history built on nearby Uig, Isle of Lewis. The site features a dramatic design on a cliff edge where an abandoned radar station once kept an eye on the Western approaches, and is the brainchild of multi-award winning Norwegian architect Reiulf Ramstad. He has designed numerous structures and buildings across Europe, including the Whale Visitor Centre and Trollstigen Visitor Centre in Norway. Mr Ramstad draws from nature for the design and appreciates the unique qualities of St Kilda. Calum Angus Mackay, of Mast-Ard Studio, who is helping to coordinate the project called Oir an Dochais (Edge Of Hope), said: 'Their plans are hugely ambitious. 'It has a total price tag in the region of 5.5 million, with a world-leading architect delivering a concept that will bring great opportunities to remote villages that have struggled with depopulation and a changing demographic. 'We proposed an interior space as a kind of lens, where the distant silhouette of St Kilda would project itself.' The project, which has been backed by UNESCO, claims that visitors will be able to experience the drama of St Kilda without physically visiting the famous archipelago, which lies more than 50 miles to the southwest. The tourist attraction has been approved to be built in Uig - more than 50 miles away from the isolated St Kilda The visitor centre will overlook the island, which has not had any permanent residents since they were all evacuated in 1930 as living conditions became too tough As many as 70 people were living on the site last summer although the temporary population usually sits at around 30 to 40 people The island is now uninhabited but was once home to a number of communities, such as three generations of women, pictured here in around 1880 A tight-knit community was formed on St Kilda, as demonstrated in this image from 1926 By telling the story of this abandoned community, the community of Uig hopes to kick-start economic development and attract more people to live on the island. It comes after a recent report produced by the Western Isles Council revealed the island's population was projected to decrease by 14%, with the average household size set to drop from 2.08 in 2014 to 1.79 by 2039 - the smallest in Scotland. The first written record of St Kilda dates back from 1202 when an Icelandic cleric wrote of taking shelter on 'the islands that are called Hirtir'. What was life like for people on the UK's most remote island? Visitors were fascinated by the islanders, and are pictured here crowding around one woman, demonstrating the art of spinning in 1926 St Kilda is one of just 39 of UNESCO's mixed World Heritage sites - meaning it has both natural and cultural significance. Life on the island appeared to be basic, largely due to its isolation. Food was not in short supply, as locals feasted on the meat and eggs of seabirds and fish caught near the coast, but there was a lack of fruit and vegetables. However, islanders were left vulnerable when extreme weather struck, destroying homes and ruining crops. Life became untenable and in 1930, the remaining community of 36 people - made up of 13 men, 10 women, eight girls and five boys - left the island for good. Advertisement Early reports mentioned finds of brooches, an iron sword and Danish coins. Another detailed report of a visit to the islands dates from 1549, when Donald Munro suggested that: 'The inhabitants thereof ar simple poor people, scarce learnit in aney religion'. But, now most modern commentators feel that the predominant theme of life on St Kilda was isolation. The project will also serve as a template for creating 'remote access' to the many World Heritage Sites that are geographically out of reach, environmentally fragile, or located in war zones. The plans will form part of a documentary called Ionad Hiort - Oir an Dochais/St Kilda Centre - Edge of Hope on BBC Alba on Tuesday March 3, at 9pm. St Kilda consists of the main island of Hirta, along with Boreray, Dun and Soay, and the sea stacks Levenish, Stac an Armin (191m) and Stac Lee (165m) - the highest in Britain. With their exceptional cliffs and sea stacks, the islands form the most important seabird breeding station in north-west Europe. Meanwhile, the world's largest colony of gannets nests on Boreray and the sea stacks. An opening date for the centre has not yet been determined. Agartala, Feb 27 : The Tripura police on Thursday arrested three policemen, including one posted in the security entourage of a minister, on the charge of transporting a huge consignment of drugs. North Tripura district police chief Bhanupada Chakraborty said that Constables Dilip Chakma, Narottam Chakma and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) jawan Sanjib Chakma were arrested for carrying Yaba tablets and other drugs, including heroin. "Police and intelligence officials are interrogating them. All three would be suspended from service. The exact quantity and quality of drugs seized are being ascertained," Chakraborty told IANS over phone from Dharmanagar, north Tripura district headquarters. Chakma is a bodyguard of Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Santana Chakma, who was not available for comment. The arrested policemen will be charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Indian Penal Code. At least 75 policemen, including a Deputy Superintendent of police, have been either arrested or suspended from service for their alleged involvement in drug peddling. A Revenue Department official said that in the past 20 months, 722 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act and 1,241 people arrested for trading in and smuggling drugs. He said that around 78,853 kg of ganja (cannabis), 7.375 kg heroin and other drugs were seized. Yaba tablets contain a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine and are misused as high-dosage drugs in India, Bangladesh and neighbouring countries. According to the BSF and intelligence officials, Yaba tablets and other drugs are smuggled into the northeastern states from neighbouring Myanmar and then smuggled to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and various Indian states. Black Lives Matter leader and Professor Dr. Melina Abdullah Announces Lawsuit Against City of Los Angeles and Former Police Chief Black Lives Matters Dr. Melina Abdullah and her law team held a press conference in front of the Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters to announce the filing of a lawsuit regarding an arrest at the Police Commission meeting in 2018. Dr. Abdullah, a mother, leader and professor was arrested on May 8, 2018, during a meeting of the Commission. An advocate for Black Lives Matters (BLM), Dr. Abdullah often makes it her duty to attend meetings and vocalize and fight for the rights of Black and Brown people alike. However, as co-founder of BLMs Los Angeles chapter, she is also targeted by the LAPD, which according to lawyers, was the case on the day of her arrest. Carl Douglas of Douglas Hicks Law announced Tuesday, February 11, 2020, the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of Dr. Abdullah under claims that she was falsely, wrongfully and intentionally detained, imprisoned and arrested. ADVERTISEMENT I have spent the last 40 years of my life dedicating myself and protecting Los Angelenos, who have this mistreated and by wrongful conduct of the LAPD, Douglas stated. The story of Dr. Melina Abdullah is one that should resonate for all Angelenos. At a police commission hearing right inside this very building, a detective by the name of Jason Curtis, we allege, intentionally malicious and wrongfully accused Dr. Melina of assaulting and of battering, knowing full well that those allegations are false, he continued. The lawsuit mentioned not only Detective Jason Lewis but former police chief Charlie Beck, various unnamed officers and the city of Los Angeles. Together, Dr. Abdullah and Douglas and his team are suing on the grounds of unreasonable search and seizure false imprisonment an arrest, malicious prosecution and constitutional supervisor liability. Douglas explains during the announcement, the LAPD has tried to silence Dr. Abdullah previously, but she will continue fighting for her rights and those in need. If anyone knows anything about Dr. Melina in that she will not be silenced. That she will continue to stand for justice. He continued, By this lawsuit, we hope to make the LAPD better. By this lawsuit, we intend to expose the corruption of one dirty officer. By this lawsuit, we intend to make Los Angeles better, one cop at a time. Dr. Abdullah also spoke on her behalf during the announcement. Her experience has been unideal; however, it is a fight she is willing to make to clear the LAPD of its corrupt officers. She begins by thanking her legal team for supporting and standing with her, Rather than just resolve ourselves to respond to mode, she states. ADVERTISEMENT Although legal defense is hugely important, its also important that we understand the history of using the law to usher in justice, she continued. Im also thankful to be a part of a movement that is committed to doing our best to honor the lives of our ancestors and honor the history of Black freedom struggle. So, Im thankful to be a part of Black Lives Matter. Im thankful for comrades and White people for Black lives and all of those who stand here every single Tuesday, which is when the meetings are held for the public. She shares the organization has been in attendance for the past six years, putting pressure on the police to stop killing Black and Brown people. The police who kill our people need to be held accountable. Rather than LAPD correcting itself; rather than LAPD trying to clean its own house, they actually criminalize us for speaking out. Listing off names of individuals who have been murdered, brutalized and harassed by police regularly for emphasis. Acknowledging Black History Month, she states she will continue to move in the likes of her ancestors and those who paved a way for Black people. Its a tradition of nonviolent direct action, which we celebrate all month, this month created by Black protesters. The accusation that I would commit any sort of violent act is a huge insult. In fact, what were trying to do is stop them from committing violence on Blacks. This is the work that were committed to, and were struggling forward. We hope that this lawsuit will do something in terms of pushing back a police department that acts violently not only within communities; but upon those here to speak up in the name of our community. Due to BLM member practices, there are photographs and videos of the incident that will be used to fight Dr. Abdullahs case. Cops lie all the time for a variety of reasons and rarely can we prove that they are lying. This is a case where it can be proved, unmistakably that the allegations against Dr. Melina are false, Douglas stated. I am confident that we will prevail, that we will expose the corruption that is endemic in the LAPD that there will be a sizable recognition of the harm that she has suffered. Earlier Dujarric had said that Guterres is closely following the situation in New Delhi and stressed that demonstrators should be allowed to demonstrate peacefully and security forces should show restraint. United Nations: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is "very saddened" by the casualties in the communal clashes in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law and calls for maximum restraint for violence to be avoided, his spokesperson said. Communal violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act in northeast Delhi killed at least 34 people and left over 200 injured till Thursday as police struggled to check the rioters who ran amok on streets, burning and looting shops, pelting stones and thrashing people. Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric during a daily briefing here on Wednesday said, "He's very saddened by the reports of casualties following the protests in Delhi, and as he has done in similar circumstances, he calls for maximum restraint and for violence to be avoided." Dujarric was responding to a question on whether the Secretary General has any comment on the riots in parts of New Delhi over the new citizenship law and if he has communicated with the Indian Government. Earlier Dujarric had said that Guterres is closely following the situation in New Delhi and stressed that demonstrators should be allowed to demonstrate peacefully and security forces should show restraint. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday said law enforcement agencies are working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. "Senior representatives of the government have been involved in that process. The prime minister has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time," Kumar said. Senior AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Gopal Rai also urged the Centre to deploy the Army in the violence-hit northeast Delhi. New Delhi: After being flayed for his lukewarm response to the three days of communal flare-up in the national capital, and on a day when his house was gehraoed by students from Jamia Milia and JNU chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday woke up from the slumber by demanding deployment of the Army in the riots affected areas. The demand for Army deployment came just a day after AAP legislator Atishi had asked why Army had not been called in? Mr Kejriwal on Wednesday said the Army should be called in as police is unable to control the situation despite all its efforts following the violence in parts of northeast Delhi. The chief minister said the situation has become alarming, adding that he is writing to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I have been in touch with large no. Of people whole nite (night). Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence (sic), Kejriwal tweeted. Army shud (should) be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately. Am writing to Honble HM to this effect, he added. Yesterday, Ms Atishi tweeted: Violence and arson has been continuing for 48 hours now. Police, civilians, Hindus, Muslims are injured in large numbers. At least 10 people have died. If police is unable to maintain law and order, why is AmitShah not imposing curfew? Why is the army not being called in? Senior AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Gopal Rai also urged the Centre to deploy the Army in the violence-hit northeast Delhi to bring the situation under control and and asked why the borders areas were not sealed despite repeated requests by Chief Minister Mr Kejriwal. Claiming that the AAP government is doing everything it can to bring the situation under control, Mr Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah cannot hold meetings just for formality. Wake up Home Minister, you are calling meetings just as a formality and what are your party members doing. They are inciting violence. Just taking meetings as a formality is not going to solve anything, he said. DOHA, Qatar, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Swifthold Foundation, which was defrauded by Sheikh Fahad bin Ahmad bin Mohamed bin Thani Al Thani and his Qatari company, Fast Trading Group, has been patiently waiting for the Qatari Enforcement Court to enforce Swifthold's $6 billion U.K. High Court Judgment since the Qatari Trial Court issued a Writ of Execution to formally recognize the Judgment in Qatar in the Summer of 2019. Upon the Writ of Execution being issued, the Qatari Enforcement Court informed the Foundation on July 4, 2019 that it would begin to contact various Qatari governmental agencies and financial institutions to commence the seizure of the defendants' assets in satisfaction of the Judgment. However, according to Delta Capital Partners, the American litigation finance and support firm that the Foundation has retained, the enforcement process has been opaque, slow and wholly unsatisfactory. Delta's CEO, Christopher DeLise, stated, "The Enforcement Court's progress has been quite disappointing as we are given only general updates rather than specific details of the actions being taken by the court to satisfy Swifthold's judgment. This is unacceptable as great effort was taken, and resources expended, to have the judgment recognized by the Qatari Trial Court. Once this occurred, we expected the defendants' assets to be seized within a few months. Now it is eight months later and assets that have been identified still have not been seized in satisfaction of the judgment and when we press the court for detailed updates and explanations, we are given vague general statements. When we began the recognition and enforcement action in early-2019, we were assured by the Qatari Attorney General, Ali Bin Fetais Al-Marri, that the Qatari courts would respect international law and thereby enable Swifthold to timely obtain justice for the harm caused by the defendants. He assured us that if we did not obtain such results then we should call upon him for assistance. As such, we have now begun the process of asking him for assistance and potentially seeking assistance from other governments so that justice can finally be served." A spokesperson for Swifthold commented, "We were hopeful that the recognition of the judgment in Qatar would be the last major issue for us to overcome, but the speed at which the Qatari Enforcement Court operates is now causing us to wait needlessly and further delay justice. This is incredibly unfair given how long and how hard we have had to fight to receive compensation for the harm caused us." In July 2019, Swifthold hired the international law firm Akin Gump to advise on the enforcement efforts in the Qatari Courts. The Akin Gump representation is led by Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Senior Advisor, Member of Congress (Ret) and former Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Ros-Lehtinen stated, "I recently called upon Qatar in The Jerusalem Post to mend its ways, not just mouth the words, when it comes to halting its extremist financing. In this case, Sheikh Fahad has previously violated U.N. sanctions when he imported dual-use laser devices to Iraq in 2003, he also co-owns a Qatari entity with convicted money launder Antonio Castelli, who helped pocket Swifthold's assets, and he is believed to have channeled these assets and others to parties supporting extremist groups." Delta's CEO closed by commenting, "After engaging several world-class investigative and asset tracing firms to identify assets of the defendants, we have become aware of other acts perpetrated by Sheikh Fahad and certain other persons within and outside Qatar that would be of interest to the governments of Qatari, the U.S., the U.K. and perhaps others. Indeed, it appears that Sheikh Fahad is living two lives: one where he ostensibly operates as a legitimate businessman, and another where he engages in unlawful activities with nefarious parties in the Middle East and elsewhere." For additional information, please visit http://sheikh-fahad-judgment.com/. SOURCE Delta Capital Partners HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An", the "Company" or the "Group", HKEX: 02318; SSE: 601318) announced today that five papers related to artificial intelligence (AI) technology in ophthalmic imaging by its smart city's smart health care team (Ping An Smart Healthcare) have been accepted by the top international medical imaging conference, the International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI) 2020. ISBI is sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The Ping An papers cover various smart tasks related to the diagnosis of eye diseases, including quality control, screening, lesion detection, segmentation and quantization of retinal structure or lesion areas. The ISBI is one of the world's top academic conferences dedicated to mathematical, algorithmic and computational aspects of biological and biomedical imaging. Ping An Smart Healthcare is affiliated with Ping An Smart City, a subsidiary of the Group. It uses the Group's three core technologies -- AI, blockchain and cloud computing -- to provide integrated diagnosis and treatment solutions. It includes elements such as smart triage and guidance, smart disease prevention, smart medical imaging screening/ diagnosis and smart clinical decision support. In addition to the papers to be presented at ISBI, Ping An Smart Healthcare's AI Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) screening system proposed in papers has completed clinical validation in numerous hospitals. From 2018 to 2019, Ping An Smart Healthcare cooperated with Optovue, an internationally renowned OCT manufacturer, to develop multiple AI OCT products. The AI OCT screening system completed clinical validation in the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai General Hospital and Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital at the beginning of 2019, and recently completed clinical validation in multiple prestigious hospitals, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital, the University of Hong Kong, Qingdao Eye Hospital and Shandong Eye Hospital. The clinical validation of Peking Union Medical College Hospital covered image quality control, pathological changes screening, multiple lesions recognition and smart enhancement of OCT imaging. Among the data of over 900 eyes, the accuracy rate of the image quality control model, the pathological changes screening model and the lesions detection model were 99.0%, 96.8% and 97.5% respectively. Pathological changes screening can show whether there are abnormalities on images, while lesions detection can detect the locations of the pathological changes. The combination of both services can assist doctors in OCT image-reading. The smart enhancement of the imaging model saved an average of 46% of time and significantly improved the quality of imaging compared with traditional methods. Professor Chen Youxin, ophthalmologist of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said, "The utilization of AI technology may enhance the quality of OCT imaging, optimize the patient's experience in clinical examination and assist clinical doctors in image-reading, thus increasing work efficiency. Through technological innovation and model innovation, it may effectively solve the problem of insufficient medical resources in ophthalmology." The clinical validation completed by Qingdao Eye Hospital and Shandong Eye Hospital verified the model function of recognition of anterior segment OCT multiple lesions and automatic corneal stratification. The accuracy rate of the multiple lesions recognition model on more than 1,700 verification images was 96.2%, which covered 16 types of common anterior segments' pathological changes. The automatic corneal stratification model can achieve automatic segmentation of the corneal epithelium and stroma and realize the calculation of the quantitative indicators such as corneal thickness and curvature, which may facilitate doctors' diagnoses. On more than 1,200 verification images, the doctors' overall recognition of the segmentation effect was 96.1%. Professor Xie Lixin, ophthalmologist with Chinese Academy of Engineering and the President of Qingdao Eye Hospital, said, "New technologies such as AI are combined with ophthalmology clinical validation to realize early screening and standardized treatment of common diseases that lead to blindness such as corneal disease. It may effectively reduce the level of damage and the risk of blindness." Dr. Xie Guotong, Chief Healthcare Scientist of Ping An Group said, "To date, Ping An Smart Healthcare has already provided smart ophthalmic imaging technology to more than 100 hospitals in 15 provinces and cities through Ping An Cloud, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Gansu. By deploying the AI model on the Ping An Cloud's platform, the hospitals can remotely transmit OCT images to Ping An Cloud after removing patient's information, and then send the model processing results back to the end users through the network." Over the last few years, Ping An has constructed a health care ecosystem using leading AI technologies. Ping An Smart Healthcare's smart imaging system covers nine major human body systems with a model accuracy rate of more than 90%. It supports various pieces of equipment such as Computed Tomography (CT), X-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), ultrasound, pathology, and the OCT fundus camera. In 2019, there were 120 million smart imaging pictures transmitted. Ping An Smart Healthcare's smart imaging system has been applied at the country's top 10 key hospitals and key specialized hospitals, including Ruijin Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Huashan Hospital, affiliated to Fudan University, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and more than 3,000 primary hospitals in Guizhou, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi and Shanxi. SOURCE Ping An Insurance Group Ltd. HILLSBOROUGH, N.C.PHE, Inc., the parent company of leading adult brand Adam & Eve, was named "Business of the Year" last week by the local Hillsborough/Orange County, N.C. Chamber of Commerce. PHE received the honor Friday, February 21 at the Chamber's Annual Awards Gala, where the organization awards exceptional businesses and leaders for their achievements in the business community. "PHE, Inc. is an amazing asset to the commerce of Hillsborough and Orange County North Carolina," Chamber president Chad D. Collins said. "A major employer to our community, PHE has positioned itself to be relevant in our current economic environment. PHE's employees that are active in the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamer of Commerce are overly willing to contribute to the greater good for the Chamber and for these reasons, we are proud to recognize PHE, Inc. as the 2019 Business of the Year." Commented PHE president David Groves, "We are honored to receive this recognition. In 2005, PHE, Inc. received the 'Business of the Year' award from the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce, and it truly validated our company's efforts to be a good corporate citizen. Today, we're thrilled to once again be celebrated for our work within our community." PHE, Inc. started as founder Phil Harveys 1969 masters thesis while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, allowing Adam & Eve to become the nations first mail order contraceptive business. From there, it became a thriving adult toy catalog company before transitioning into a mostly web-based adult retail business. Today, PHE, Inc. employs around 300 people at its Hillsborough, N.C. headquarters, which includes a warehouse, call center and marketing department. Harveys philanthropic philosophies continue to influence Adam & Eve, with the company contributing both time and money to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and more. For more information about Adam & Eve, visit www.adameve.com. KABULAustralian university professor Timothy Weeks, who was held captive for three years by the Taliban, arrived Thursday in Qatar in the Middle East to witness the signing of a peace deal between the U.S. and Taliban. The Taliban maintain a political office in Qatar, where Washingtons peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad conducted negotiations over 17 months to come up with the deal being signed Saturday in the capital of Doha. The agreement will open the door for U.S. troops to withdraw from Afghanistan and bring an end to 18 years of war. Weeks was met at the airport by Anas Haqqani, who was freed from an Afghan jail in exchange for Weeks release as well as American Kevin King. The two men, both professors at the American University of Afghanistan, were kidnapped in the Afghan capital in 2016. They were held by the Haqqani network. Anas is the younger brother of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the chief of the feared Haqqani network, which is part of the Taliban. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted a picture of Weeks and Haqqani. Mujahid tweeted Timothy Weeks an Australian professor who was detained by the Islamic Emirate & later released arrived in Doha. Weeks was invited to attend by the Taliban, Mujahid said. Weeks said on his Twitter account: I cannot believe I am here in Qatar and have met and spoken with Anas. I am blessed to be an official guest at the signing ceremony. Although the full list of those attending Saturdays ceremony has not been identified, Pakistan and uneasy neighbour India are both invited as is Russia. Its not clear who will attend from Kabul. Some 5,000 miles from Hubei province, the epicentre of China's coronavirus outbreak, the streets of a northern Sydney suburb that's home to a large number of Chinese are almost deserted. A chalk board propped outside a small eatery in Eastwood tries to reassure and lure in customers with words written in Mandarin: The restaurant has been sanitised! Business is down 70 per cent since late January when the first case of the novel virus was reported in Australia, according to Lily Zhou who owns the Shanghai-style restaurant with her husband. If things continue as they are now, Ms Zhou said she can only stay in business at most three months. With many Chinese Australians still stranded in China after the Lunar New Year holidays, or staying behind closed doors in self-quarantine, Ms Zhou's business isn't the only one that's struggling. Compounded by the paranoia that's keeping people away from Chinese neighbourhoods, the outlook is so dire that the local council in Eastwood plans to set up a $500,000 (256k) assistance fund. As the outbreak spreads across the world, the impact is being felt in Chinatowns from Sydney to New York and from San Francisco to Toronto. While markets are whipsawed by the crisis and economists calculate the cost to gross domestic product, the deserted laneways and empty hotpot restaurants show the reverberations at street level and the palpable anxiety seeping through communities. At 99 Favor Taste, a popular hotpot and BBQ restaurant on Grand Street in lower Manhattan, customers typically have to wait at least half an hour on weekdays to get a table, according to store manager Echo Wu. Now they get seated straight away and booths are empty, while weekend customers are down by a third, Mr Wu said. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty The vast majority of customers are typically foreigners rather than Chinese, and Mr Wu believes irrational fear is keeping people away. One customer the other day telephoned ahead to check the food wasn't imported directly from China. They may have a bias toward Chinese restaurants now, Mr Wu said. I hope people can be more reasonable. After all, there's no cases in town yet. The picture is similar in Toronto, where trade at the Rol San dim sum restaurant is down as much as 30 per cent and the usually bustling sidewalks are quiet, according to the manager, who identified himself only as Ben. When asked if that's because of the coronavirus, he replied: Of course. At a nearby supermarket, workers said the number of customers had halved in recent weeks. At the Chinatown in Manchester, the second-largest in the UK, the strain on business showed after Chinese students who typically account for about 40 per cent of the customer base there stopped showing up as they returned from the Chinese New Year holiday, according to Raymond Chan of the local business association. There are less visitors, less customers. They're really, really suffering at the moment we haven't come up with any solution yet, Mr Chan said. The group is discussing options such as opening a weekend market with free food tasting and discounts to bring back clients. The usual lunch-hour bustle in San Francisco's Chinatown has evaporated and many of those who do venture out in the neighbourhood donned masks. Usually we have a line out the door, said Henry Chen, owner of the AA Bakery & Cafe on Stockton Street, who blamed fear of the virus for business dropping 30 per cent. Only two tables had customers. There are less people on the street, he said. Lunch, dinner, breakfast, there is no business. Still, the drop-off in business in western cities is dwarfed by the widespread disruption in Hong Kong, where schools are closed and thousands are shuttered in their apartments forced to work from home as authorities and companies try to stop the spread of the virus. It's hardly a wonder that streets there are virtually empty as the virus embeds itself into everyday life and shuts down the consumer economy. Lockdown measures have spread beyond Asia, with Europe's worst-hit nation, Italy, imposing quarantine measures in the regions of Lombardy and Veneto. Schools, universities and museums have been closed and sporting events cancelled. Many small businesses in Prato's Chinatown near Florence are shuttered. Yet some businesses are benefiting amid panic-buying of food, face masks and hand sanitiser. Back in Sydney's Eastwood, some local outlets are also thriving. The Phoenix health and beauty store can't keep up with orders for vitamins or milk powder products as local Chinese stock up, or send items back to the mainland. Assistant manager Ruby Han has been working overtime, while the firm tries to hire new staff to cope with skyrocketing sales. It is crazy! Mr Han said. One customer, they probably only need like three jars, but now they are getting like 12 jars in one go. And that's nothing compared to the demand for face masks, hand sanitisers and alcohol swabs. It's like every 10 minutes people will come to check 'Do you have some masks? Do you have some masks?' she said. The store has rationed stock to customers and still runs out, she said. To be honest, we can't handle it because the demand is just too high. The so-called daigou trade, where consumer goods are bought by professional shoppers and sent back to China, is booming. AuMake International Ltd said online sales exceeded A$1 million (511k) in the 14 days to 10 February, more than double the prior four weeks buoyed by demand for face masks, sanitisers and immunity-related health supplement products. This is a once in a decade, or two decades, event, said Executive Chairman Keong Chan. We know with Chinese New Year, we anticipate a fairly decent amount of sales, and it is way more than that. I can only conclude that the virus is a very big part of that. The same products are flying off the shelves at a small pharmacy inside the Dragon City Mall in Toronto. We probably used to sell about 100 masks a week, now we sell north of 700, despite fewer people visiting the store, said pharmacist Timothy Tran. In addition to individual customers, banks and other businesses are coming in and buying masks in bulk, he said. For Philip Wu, manager of the Dolar Shop hot pot restaurant in Sydney's Chinatown, lifting the travel restrictions that have stranded hundreds if not thousands of Chinese Australians on the mainland and decimated the tourist trade, is vital. If the government says 'OK, we'll stop the ban on the flights, and the people can travel to Australia,' then I think the business will go up very quickly, because tens of thousands of Chinese people will be coming back, said Mr Wu who has seen a 60 per cent drop in business and has asked his 100 workers to cut their hours to four days a week. There seems little immediate prospect that will happen, with Australia's National Security Council reviewing the ban on people entering the country from mainland China on a week-by-week basis. In New York's Chinatown, Jan Lee, a former local business owner and an organiser with Neighbours United Below Canal community group, is philosophical, saying fear of the virus will diminish as happened with the Sars epidemic 17 years ago. We have to separate the science from the myth, and I think that's what happened with Sars, Lee said. Eventually people started to understand that it was not dangerous and they started to come back. People need their Chinese food and eventually they're going to come back. The Washington Post A team of astronomers from the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Cambridge, UK, has found K2-18b, a planet of almost nine Earth masses in orbit around the red dwarf K2-18, to be potentially habitable. K2-18 is an M-type star located some 111 light-years away in the constellation Leo. Also known as EPIC 201912552, the star hosts two massive planets: K2-18b and c. Discovered in 2015, K2-18b has a radius of 2.6 times that of Earth and is about 8.6 times as massive. The planet orbits the parent star every 33 days at a distance of approximately 0.15 AU and has an Earth Similarity Index of 0.73. In 2019, two different teams reported detection of water vapor in the hydrogen-rich atmosphere of K2-18b. However, the extent of the atmosphere and the conditions of the interior underneath remained unknown. Water vapor has been detected in the atmospheres of a number of exoplanets but, even if the planet is in the habitable zone, that doesnt necessarily mean there are habitable conditions on the surface, said Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan, lead author of the study. To establish the prospects for habitability, it is important to obtain a unified understanding of the interior and atmospheric conditions on the planet in particular, whether liquid water can exist beneath the atmosphere. Given the large size of K2-18b, it has been suggested that it would be more like a smaller version of Neptune than a larger version of Earth. A mini-Neptune is expected to have a large hydrogen envelope surrounding a layer of high-pressure water, with an inner core of rock and iron. If the hydrogen envelope is too thick, the temperature and pressure at the surface of the water layer beneath would be far too great to support life. Now, Dr. Madhusudhan and colleagues have shown that despite the size of K2-18b, its hydrogen envelope is not necessarily too thick and the water layer could have the right conditions to support life. The astronomers used the existing observations of the atmosphere, as well as the mass and radius, to determine the composition and structure of both the atmosphere and interior using detailed numerical models and statistical methods to explain the data. They confirmed the atmosphere to be hydrogen-rich with a significant amount of water vapor. They also found that levels of other chemicals such as methane and ammonia were lower than expected for such an atmosphere. Whether these levels can be attributed to biological processes remains to be seen. The researchers then used the atmospheric properties as boundary conditions for models of the planetary interior. They explored a wide range of models that could explain the atmospheric properties as well as the mass and radius of the planet. This allowed them to obtain the range of possible conditions in the interior, including the extent of the hydrogen envelope and the temperatures and pressures in the water layer. We wanted to know the thickness of the hydrogen envelope how deep the hydrogen goes, said Matthew Nixon, co-author of the study. While this is a question with multiple solutions, weve shown that you dont need much hydrogen to explain all the observations together. The scientists found that the maximum extent of the hydrogen envelope allowed by the data is around 6% of the planets mass, though most of the solutions require much less. The minimum amount of hydrogen is about one-millionth by mass, similar to the mass fraction of the Earths atmosphere. In particular, a number of scenarios allow for an ocean world, with liquid water below the atmosphere at pressures and temperatures similar to those found in Earths oceans. The findings will be published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. _____ Nikku Madhusudhan et al. 2020. The interior and atmosphere of the habitable-zone exoplanet K2-18b. ApJL, in press; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ab7229 By Lee Gyu-lee Actor Park Hae-jin has donated protective gear to the production crew of the drama he is shooting as coronavirus fears grip the country. Park, 36, has provided 500 mouthwashes and 1,000 masks to help prevent the spread of the virus during shooting of MBC's new drama "Old School Intern." This is the actor's second donation regarding the highly contagious disease. He sponsored the entire funding of a safety video produced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Fire Agency, and featured in the video at no cost. Park said he was "inspired by the generous donations made by his Chinese fan club." Last month, the fan club teamed up with 18 other celebrities' fan clubs and donated 10 tons of hand sanitizer and medical gear, including masks, to a Wuhan hospital. Park debuted in 2006 with the drama "Famous Princesses." He has starred in numerous hit dramas including "My Love from the Star" (2013). He is currently playing the lead character a firefighter in KBS drama "Forest" with co-star Cho Bo-ah. His next work, "Old School Intern," is set to air in May. When people go out to eat, they want their food from a clean, organized kitchen. Uniform Solutions, an online service for professional employee uniform ideas at http://www.uniformsolutionsforyou.com/, is proud to announce a new post for hoteliers and restaurateurs on the synergy between idea-generation and customer satisfaction. Success or defeat in the restaurant industry could come down to customer perception. Shabby-looking servers might leave a negative impression. If patrons equate unkempt wait staff to a disorganized kitchen, it could prove detrimental to an eatery. The new post explains that dressing employees in crisp, clean uniforms might change a point of view for the better. "When people go out to eat, they want their food from a clean, organized kitchen. Maybe even better than their own," Bruce Bagley, Manager of Uniform Solutions. "Since customers don't see the kitchen, they can make assumptions based on the decor and the staff. A friendly, well-dressed server can give the impression the kitchen is just as professional. Employee uniforms are a key variable." Leaders in the hospitality industry can review the new post from Uniform Solutions at http://www.uniformsolutionsforyou.com/in-many-businesses-customers-see-employee-uniforms-first/. Customer perception could be critical to the success of a restaurant. Sloppy uniforms worn by the wait staff, cocktail servers and bartenders could leave a negative impression. Reviewing a list of on-trend employee uniform ideas can help. A unique "idea consultant" available online can help business owners find the right look to leave a positive impact on guests. Wrinkle-free shirts, pleated skirts, and bright, embroidered logos can set the tone for an evening out. To review a listing of popular employee uniform ideas, interested parties can go to http://www.uniformsolutionsforyou.com/restaurant-uniform/. Interested persons are urged to reach out to the company for a no-obligation consultation on ideas for better employee and staff uniforms. GREAT RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE UNIFORM IDEAS "SET THE STAGE" FOR CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE Here is the background for this release. Every night could seem like opening night when a new customer walks into a restaurant. The first impression might equate failure or success to an eatery. If guests are greeted by scruffy, wait staff dressed in shabby attire, they might not stay to see what happens next. A sloppy greeting can leave an impression the kitchen is lackluster. If, however, servers are well-dressed and attentive, it could change the story. Restaurant managers might wow guests from the beginning by considering new employee uniform ideas. For these reasons, Uniform Solutions has announced a new post for hospitality leaders. ABOUT UNIFORM SOLUTIONS FOR YOU Uniform Solutions (http://www.uniformsolutionsforyou.com/) is a division of Santa Rosa Uniform & Career Apparel, Inc. The division focuses on online sales of employee uniforms in key industries: restaurant, hotel, and casino. The website has a unique consultation request feature, wherein interested parties can reach out to a human uniform idea consultant to brainstorm employee uniform ideas. Casino and restaurant employee uniforms are included. In an airstrike on Syria's Idlib province on February 26, two soldiers of Turkish Armed Forces were killed and two of their gunmen were left injured. According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, their country's troops also responded to the attack and neutralised 114 members of the Syrian forces. This attack came just days after two other Turkish soldiers were killed in a separate airstrike targetting their checkpoints and wounded five. The state agency reportedly criticised the Syrian government and its ally, Russia for the latest offensive on the rebel-held enclave. Ateskesi saglamak uzere Idlib bolgesinde bulunan unsurlarmza duzenlenen hava saldrs sonucu 2 kahraman silah arkadasmz sehit olmus, 2 kahraman silah arkadasmz da yaralanmstr. Bolgedeki Rejim hedefleri derhal ates altna alnms; alnmaya devam edilmektedir. T.C. Milli Savunma Bakanlg (@tcsavunma) February 26, 2020 Read - Turkish President Refuses To 'step Back' In Syrian Region Of Idlib Turkish foreign ministry also said in a statement, According to the information received from various sources in the region; It was learned that 1 air defence missile system, 1 ZU-23 anti-aircraft, 1 anti-tank, 3 tanks, 1 ammunition vehicle, 2 construction machines were destroyed, 3 tanks were seized and 114 Regime elements were neutralized. According to international media reports, with the latest attack, at least 18 Turkish troops have been killed by the Russia-backed Syrian army attacks in Idlib in February. The tensions in Northern Syria started escalating earlier this month when the shelling by Syrian government forces killed eight Turkish nationals on its observation posts in Idlib. That attack was reportedly followed by Turkish attack on Syria which according to Erdogan killed 76 Syrian officials. It was few days after the attacks that the Turkish army reportedly started deploying in the disputed region as convoys of at least 150 trucks with Turkey's special forces were spotted at the Turkey-Syria border. Read - Activists Release Footage Of Attacks In Idlib Erdogan gives 'final warning' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had also threatened to launch a military offensive in the disputed Idlib province if the regime forces do not withdraw behind the positions of the Turkish military. According to international media reports, while talking to his parliamentary group in Ankara, Erdogan warned the Syrian government that it was just a matter of time that the Turkish troops would launch an operation on Idlib. Moreover, according to the Turkish President, a military offensive in Idlib is imminent and the officials are now making final warnings. While supporting several rebel groups in the region, Turkey also wants to put an end to the refugee influx in the country. However, Russia reacted to Erdogan's warning and Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov reportedly called it the worst scenario if the operation was meant to be against the Syrian forces. Read - Chennai Food Artist Creates 3 Massive Idlis Weighing 107-kg To Welcome Donald Trump Read - Clashes In Syria's Idlib Kill 27 Fighters: Monitor (With agency inputs) The U.S. Air Force is changing its song to be gender-neutral as the service grows more diverse and adds more women across its ranks. Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein made the announcement Thursday during the Air Warfare Symposium in Florida, alongside Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright. Goldfein said the change applies to the third verse of the U.S. Air Force Song, sometimes known as "Wild Blue Yonder," which is traditionally sung at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and often performed independently of the other verses. He said the song, which dates back to the Army Air Corps before the Air Force was established as a separate service in 1947, reflected a different time period and a different team, one that was too "exclusive" to reflect today's reality. For example, women currently make up about 20 percent of the Air Force. Related: 'Captain Marvel' Effect? Air Force Academy Sees Most Female Applicants in 5 Years After many conversations with young men and women, a group of academy cadets fashioned "a better third verse," Goldfein said. "Combat doesn't discriminate, and neither should we," he said at the symposium, reflecting on those the Air Force has lost in war. Goldfein authorized Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the academy's superintendent, to implement the change effective immediately. Verse III is now: Here's a toast to the host Of those who love the vastness of the sky, To a friend we send a message of the brave who serve on high. We drink to those who gave their all of old, Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold. A toast to the host of those we boast, the U.S. Air Force! The old version went, "A toast to the host of the men we boast." In a statement published on the academy's website, Goldfein said he anticipates pushback from those who see the change as a break from tradition. "I respect the views of others who will not agree," he said. "But I also know with absolute certainty and clarity that these changes are about adding to, not subtracting from, who we are. Changing the lyrics in no way diminishes the history and accomplishments of men or dilutes our eternal gratitude for their sacrifice and bravery." Goldfein said the Air Force must follow in its sister service academies' footsteps: The Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, changed its school song in 2004. The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, did so in 2008. "It is time for us to change," Goldfein said. It was not immediately clear if or when other verses, with wording such as, "At 'em boys," "flying men" and "minds of men" will be updated in the future, but Goldfein said it is an important discussion that is ongoing. Officials did not have additional details by press time. The news comes as the female applicant pool at the academy continues to grow. The proportion of female applicants to the Air Force Academy's class of 2023 will be the highest in the last five years -- 31.2%, according to statistics recently provided to Military.com. By comparison, 913 men, or 73.5%, and 329 women, or 26.5%, made up the 2019 graduating class. Other classes have also seen a slight bump: Women make up 28.6% of the 2020 applicant class; 29.3% in 2021; and 30.5% in the 2022 class, according to statistics. Since becoming chief in 2016, Goldfein has stressed inclusivity and looked for improvements not just in culture or policy, but day-to-day job performance. For example, he initiated the creation of task force teams to oversee redesigns of female uniforms, including gear and flight suits, after many years of ill-fitting equipment. The service has been working for months to provide improved, better-fitting uniforms not only for comfort, but also for safety. "The world is changing, the Air Force is changing," Wright added Thursday. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Read more: Top Marine Orders Confederate Paraphernalia to Be Removed from All Bases CHP systems: a powerful energy-saving tool for hospitals When health care facilities generate their own heat and power on site, they can achieve much greater energy efficiency than with a traditional grid-and-boiler system. By RON FUES and NICK EDNEY McKinstry Fues Edney In an era of tight budgets, intense competition and high costs, health care facilities across the country are understandably challenged by the time-old directive to do more with less. Where, exactly, should hospitals and clinics be looking for efficiency? The usual suspects doctors, nurses, hospital staff, medicine and equipment draw most of the attention, but nearly every health care facility has an often-overlooked area for improvement: building systems. Hospitals and clinics too often neglect the opportunity to surround their skilled medical staff with facilities that match their excellence. Beyond just installing low-flow toilets or changing light bulbs, revamped building systems can provide more reliable energy, bolster a facilitys emergency preparedness, cut costs and help meet sustainability goals. In particular, combined heat and power (CHP) systems allow health care facilities to generate their own power on site that is drastically more reliable, cost efficient and energy efficient all while lightening their carbon footprint. So, what exactly are CHP systems, and why do they present such a promising opportunity for health care facilities? The ABCs of CHP Photo by Russ Carmack/courtesy MultiCare [enlarge] Good Samaritans new 2-gigawatt CHP system in Puyallup is expected to cut combined energy and maintenance costs by 25% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17%. As the U.S. Department of Energy explains, CHP is the concurrent production of electricity and useful thermal energy (heating and/or cooling) from a single source of energy. With CHP, thermal and electrical power are both generated at the point of consumption, as opposed to relying on a far-away power plant. In Washington, our traditional grid electricity almost entirely comes from dams or gas-fired power plants and as noted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) roughly two-thirds of that power is lost (and thus wasted) between the dam/power plant and the end consumer. In addition, power plants largely waste all the excess heat they produce. With a CHP systems on-site generation, that distribution loss is eliminated and the excess heat is no longer wasted its captured and used for heating and/or cooling. Taking all those factors into account, the EPA observes that CHP systems can achieve energy efficiencies of more than 80%, compared with 50% for a traditional system (i.e., grid electricity and a boiler). As such, its no surprise that more than 200 hospitals in over 30 states now use CHP systems. Off-grid power In addition to the energy-efficiency benefits, CHP systems have added value for critical facilities like hospitals. Losing grid power for a little while is an inconvenience for most residences and buildings, but it can be a disaster for health care facilities. Hospitals are legally required to maintain off-grid emergency generators for this exact reason, but generators only provide electricity, rely on a finite/stored fuel supply, are often only sized for life-safety and critical functions, and are normally off which can lead to unreliability even if they are tested regularly. In contrast, CHP systems are also off-grid, provide both electricity and thermal energy, are always on (and are thus more reliable), and run on fuel that isnt finite (thus are usually unaffected by disasters). For a real-life example of the power and resiliency of CHP systems during a natural disaster, look no further than New York Citys Montefiore Medical Center. In this case study, the EPA details how Montefiore remained fully operational during two catastrophic grid outages thanks to its CHP system, allowing it to accommodate patients who were evacuated from nearby hospitals due to a loss of electricity at those facilities. Its not just the EPA thats recognizing the powerful potential of CHP systems, either. Puget Sound Energy (PSE), a major provider in our region, offers significant incentives specifically for implementation of CHP systems, as do many other utilities. As PSE notes, CHP systems are a great opportunity to save money and increase your system reliability. The utility also adds that CHP systems make sense for businesses that have high annual hours and a continuous thermal load examples include hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, pools, and health facilities. At the national level, a 2016 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) report singled out hospitals and health care facilities as good fits for CHP systems due to their coincident power and consistent thermal loads. The report estimates that U.S. health care facilities alone represent nearly 10 gigawatts of technical potential for CHP systems, with only a small fraction of that potential being taken up by existing CHP capacity. Results at Good Sam MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup has often been at the vanguard of sustainability. Its why they pushed to be the first inpatient hospital facility in Washington state to receive LEED Gold certification in 2012, and its the reason why the MultiCare team didnt stop there. At McKinstry, our mission is to make every building we touch more efficient, and weve been working towards that goal since we first partnered with MultiCare in 2013. Since then, weve developed more than 30 projects with MultiCare across the Puget Sound region. At Good Samaritan, McKinstry partnered with MultiCare on a new 2-megawatt CHP system, which came online in late 2019 and was fully implemented in early 2020. The system will cut combined energy and maintenance costs by 25%, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 17%, compared with connecting to the standard power grid. To maximize efficiency, the excess heat generated by Good Samaritans CHP system is also captured and used to create steam to heat water for space heating, humidification, sterilization and domestic hot water used by patients, staff and families throughout the hospital. Sustainability efforts like this new CHP system at Good Samaritan are essential to MultiCare delivering on our mission of partnering for healing and a healthy future, said Tammy Buyok, MultiCares vice president of facilities management and operation support. Sustainability also means delivering on our values: To deliver community benefit and reduce risk. Saving energy not only reduces costs, it reduces our impact on the communities we serve and ensures we can provide for a robust future. At Good Samaritan and nationwide, CHP systems are a powerful tool for health care facilities to achieve much-needed cost reduction, energy efficiency and reliability all of which improve the patient experience and help ensure a healthy future. Ron Fues is a project director and Nick Edney is a senior electrical engineer at McKinstry. Other Stories: Irish women can now, for the first time, purchase the morning after pill online, following the launch of a new Click & Collect service by McCabes Pharmacy and morning-after pill brand, ellaOne. The new service will initially be available in 9 McCabes Pharmacy stores acorss Ireland including the one at the Adelphi Court, Dundalk as well as locations in across Dublin, Wexford and Limerick. By enabling women to complete the consultation form, assess their suitability and purchase the morning after pill online, the Click & Collect service will remove the need to request emergency contraception by name in store, which can be a daunting experience for many women. The medication is collected directly from the pharmacist following a brief consultation where the customer will also have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. A spokesperson for McCabes Pharmacy said: "This new service offers Irish women a more convenient and confidential way to access emergency contraception. "Research conducted by ellaOne(1) in 2020 shows that 44% of Irish women aged between 18-35 years had engaged in unprotected sex in the last year. However, only 26% of those women took the morning after pill. "Of those surveyed, 71% said that they would be more likely to use the morning after pill if they could order it online." Commenting on the new service, Lisa Byrne Superintendent Pharmacist of McCabes Pharmacy said: We are very proud to be the first pharmacy in Ireland to offer a Click & Collect service for the morning after pill. It is clear from the research conducted by ellaOne that this new online service is likely to provide greater access, comfort and privacy to women who may be reluctant to request emergency contraception in store, for whatever reason. "At McCabes Pharmacy we are committed to constantly evolving our online pharmacy healthcare services in line with the developing needs of our customers. Emma Marsh, ellaOne Senior Brand Manager added: "Our extensive research to date shows that Irish women continue to feel that theres a stigma associated with taking the morning after pill and we want to change this narrative. Many have chosen not to take it after unprotected sex, risking an unplanned pregnancy, as they are too embarrassed to go into a pharmacy. The ambition for this new Click & Collect service is that it represents a progressive next step in removing barriers for women and it is our hope that more will follow. Another notable finding of ellaOnes Irish research is that 91% of female participants search online for information on emergency contraception, primarily through Google, social media platforms and online forums. Responding to this, Lisa Byrne said, Were very aware that there is a lot of misinformation and myths about the morning after pill online. The Click & Collect service is an innovative way for us to reach out to women who are searching for information online after unprotected sex and who otherwise may risk an unplanned pregnancy by not presenting in pharmacy to purchase emergency contraception. This new service is in accordance with current guidelines on the internet supply of non-prescription products and McCabes Pharmacy is a registered internet retail pharmacy business. ellaOne is also licensed by Irelands Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). The Morning After Pill Click & Collect service is available on www.mccabespharmacy.com. For further information on emergency contraception visit www.ellaone.ie Passengers bound for the U.S. wait in line for boarding at Incheon International Airport, Feb. 27. Yonhap About a dozen additional countries and parts of China have slapped entry restrictions on travelers from South Korea, and the United States has raised its travel warning for its Asian ally as the wave of new coronavirus cases in the country showed no signs of let-up. The State Department's travel advisory was raised by one notch to Level 3, the second-highest on a four-tier scale. Level 4 advises people not to travel to the designated country. The U.S. has not put any entry restrictions from travelers from South Korea, however. U.S. President Donald Trump said it is not the right time to restrict travel to and from the country. Five provinces in China have tightened quarantine processes for international air travelers, with some restrictions applying to all passengers and some only to those coming from South Korea or Japan, according to Seoul's foreign ministry website Thursday. Mongolia, Fiji, the Philippines and the Seychelles imposed entry bans on South Korean nationals and visitors who have been in the Asian country for the past two weeks. Seven others, including India, French Polynesia, Belarus, Morocco and Paraguay, toughened their quarantine procedures. That raises the total number of foreign countries that have enforced such restrictions for South Korea to 42 on Thursday, up from the previous day's 30. South Korea has seen a rapid rise in the number of coronavirus cases in recent weeks. On Thursday morning, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported an additional 334 new cases, bringing the total to 1,595 cases and 13 deaths. South Korea has stepped up diplomatic efforts to persuade other countries to refrain from entry bans. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa spoke by phone with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and expressed concerns about restrictions imposed by provincial Chinese governments. The Chinese measures have raised the ire of South Koreans as they came despite Seoul's rejection of public calls for an across-the-board entry ban on Chinese tourists in line with Beijing's demand for "scientific" decisions on travel restrictions. Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Xing Haiming said Wednesday the quarantine measures by the provincial authorities are not intended only for South Koreans and that the two sides are working closely together to bring the virus under control. The foreign ministry has also come under fire for holding back on including China in a list of countries toughening entry restrictions against South Koreans, with critics accusing the ministry of being too mindful of China. Ministry officials said it took time to verify the restrictions. (Yonhap) By Clement Woo Communication of timely, accurate information across different levels of the public health system, media and the general public is critical during a health crisis. With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), this is even more challenging when the situation is constantly evolving and there are still many unknowns about the virus. What the World Health Organization continues to aim for is a balance between alerting the public to the risk but not panicking people, says Kelley Lee, an SFU professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) and Canada Research Chair in Global Health Governance. It is a difficult balance to achieve especially when there are so many other voices amplifying the fear factor. The emergence and rapid growth of various social media and online news outlets has also allowed misinformation and fake news to spread and become viral much quicker. It is even more difficult if you have an element of distrust somewhere along the communication pathway, says Lee. We are seeing this in China where there has been a history of controlling information flows. While countries like China currently have the resources to implement vast surveillance systems that can be used to detect the new virus and track human infection, that was not the case in West Africa during the Ebola outbreak, where efforts to use mobile phone information to fight the spread of disease ultimately failed. FHS professor Susan Erikson, who was in Sierra Leone during the Ebola crisis, questions the effectiveness of big data in times of crisis. In reality, there is too little return on the massive investment required to translate telecom info into public-health action, says Erikson. The opportunity costs in an emergency are huge. Paying attention to low-return activity during a crisis means not paying attention to other more urgent public-health needs. A large part of the World Health Organizations (WHO) mandate is to act as the coordinating body for collective, global action to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks. Many have asked the question: Is WHO doing enough? It is doing all it is permitted to do under the authority granted under existing international law, Lee explains. As a member state organization, WHO does not have authority to impose its will on countries and simply override governments. In her Global Health Governance course this term, Lee and her students examine the precarious situation the world is currently in. There is a clear disconnect between our need for collective action, to deal with major threats to humankind, and the existing institutions we have to achieve such action, Lee says, pointing to WHOs response to COVID-19 as a example. As a result of this disconnect, we are seriously vulnerable. If this is a trial run for a more severe and deadly future infectious disease outbreak, we need to urgently decide what authority and resources we need to give to WHO. What do we need WHO to be? This week, President Trump became the seventh sitting American president to visit India. But no presidential visit has been as important to the worlds largest democracy. Most of these past visits were largely celebratory in nature, involving vague proclamations about the future potential of a relationship between the two countries. But that relationship may have finally turned a corner. To understand why Trump has become smitten with India as a partner, you must understand why he values Indian prime minister Narendra Modi as a confidant and ally. And to understand this relationship, you really must understand Modi the person. * * * Modi is not exactly new to the Indian political stage. He has been prime minister since 2014. Before that, he had a tumultuous tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, a large state in the western edge of the country. He is now among the most well-known heads of state in the world. Despite this, Modi remains an enigma to many in the West. Unlike most other prominent national Indian politicians, he comes from the humblest of backgrounds. He was born into what is considered a backward caste. He grew up helping his father sell tea on a street-side stand, and ran a tea stand himself at a young age. As was the custom in many parts of India, he had an arranged marriage as a teenager. But he separated from his wife almost immediately and never remarried. Modi has also rejected the classic path to power of great Indian leaders. The majority of modern Indian history has been dominated by the Congress Party, led at independence by Jawaharlal Nehru, followed by his daughter Indira Gandhi, and later his great-grandson, Rahul Gandhi. The former two, notably, endured many assassination attempts during their terms as prime minister; one killed Indira. Rahul currently leads the opposition. Meanwhile, Modi has turned his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) into a juggernaut, shunting the Congress Party to opposition status. Story continues The irony is Modi did not fit the classic stereotype to become the next great Indian leader. Modi began his political career as leader of the state of Gujarat. His tenure in that position was fraught with scandal the most infamous being the religious riots of 2002. That episode started when a train carrying Hindu pilgrims from the controversial religious city of Ayodhya caught fire, killing 60 people. Modi, without evidence, immediately claimed that the tragedy was terrorism planned by Muslims. His allies called a statewide strike to protest the deaths, which rapidly turned into anti-Muslim riots. Carnage ensued for several weeks, as at least 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus died. Well more than 150,000 people were driven to refugee camps to flee the violence. Most scholars believe that the government (and, in turn, Modi himself) was complicit in the rioting. And there is no question that Modi either lit the flame that caused the violence or was negligent in his attempts to put it out once the disaster had started. Nevertheless, Modi won reelection as chief minister. Following his reelection, he focused on economic development while also attempting to push the hardline Hindu activists in his coalition to the wayside. That didnt prevent widespread criticism of Modis prior actions, not only within India but also worldwide. The Obama administration famously denied him a visa to enter the U.S., under the International Religious Freedom Act; Modi, to this day, is the only person denied a visa under this law. The U.K. and the EU also both once refused to admit him because of his role in the riots (though each eventually did). Yet with the waning of the Nehru-Gandhi family and the once-dominant Congress Party, a power vacuum was bound to open up. The BJP aimed to fill it. In 2013, Modi became the BJPs candidate for prime minister, even given all of the controversy surrounding him. That rise still baffles Indian political observers. Perhaps the best explanation is that Modi was steadfast in denouncing corruption. Indian political corruption is infamous for its intransigence and extent. Modi rose above much of this. He had never been linked to any significant corruption that enriched himself. His lack of a family and children are often cited as reasons why he could be trusted to remain incorrupt, while others could not say the same. Modi focused his 2014 campaign on economic development and tied it to efforts of anti-corruption and modernization. He downplayed the BJPs traditional, Hindu-oriented politics, replacing it with a more vocal support for secularism. This enabled the BJP to capture the imagination of the educated youth of India, who have long disliked the status quo and the classic old-style politics that had become so criticized in India. In 2014, the BJP won a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha (Indias lower house of parliament) and became the first party since 1984 to create a government unilaterally, without coalition partners. It was a transformative moment for Indian national politics. Modi became the first prime minister of India born after independence. For many, it was a new era of Indian prominence on the world stage. The BJP immediately began a massive reform project, attempting to streamline the Indian government bureaucracy while simultaneously centralizing power in the office of the prime minister. Modis economic policies were extremely modern by Indian standards, promoting privatization and liberalization of an economy that was still reeling from a half-century of classic socialism. He also pushed a form of populism and nationalism that may sound familiar to many Americans: a Make in India campaign, which tried to promote more production and purchasing of products made domestically. Modi also simplified tax rates, property-purchasing, and business-starting. He cut some key subsidies and tried to improve overall government efficiency. The most ambitious policy in Modis first term was one most people consider a failure: trying to rid the Indian economy of black money. Black money, as defined in India, is under-the-table income hidden from legal transactions to avoid taxes. It was a major source of funds for crime, terrorism, and political corruption. It had always been a major factor in the everyday lives of Indians. Yet the implementation of the plan to end black money was arguably a failure, as some people lost their lifetime savings, and it ineffectively reduced tax evasion and crime. All of these failures made many suspect that Modis time was running out. They were wrong. Despite a below-average economy, high unemployment, and multiple domestic and foreign-policy missteps, Modi and the BJP won a resounding victory in the largest democratic election in world history, in which more than 900 million voted. His party gained in seats as well as in the popular vote, the first incumbent prime minister to do that since Nehru. * * * After five years as prime minister, what is Modis key to popularity? It can best be described as challenging the status quo. Although he has not always been successful, voters have given him credit for trying. And no two policies demonstrate Modi as an agent of change more than the shift in his governments view of the status of Jammu and Kashmir, and the new immigration law that would provide special rights to all major religious groups . . . except Muslims. Kashmir had always been given special status within the country because of its complicated entry into India at independence. It was given a temporary status that designated the state, as well as its citizens, as partial but not full members of the Indian Republic. That was the status that the citizens of Kashmir endured for more than seven decades. The status quo demanded that this be a permanent fixture, although it was never so intended. The inability to apply national laws equally has led to a strange dichotomy of justice. Women had fewer rights there than in the rest of India and often couldnt even own or inherit property. They were not fairly represented in the local governments, and domestic-abuse laws were much weaker in Kashmir. Minorities and refugees were not protected by affirmative action and other national laws. Modi challenged the belief that these issues could not be confronted. So he forcefully pushed through reforms that would give Kashmir and its surrounding provinces both equal representation and rights equal to those enjoyed in the rest of the country. This, of course, came with geopolitical costs. The decision has sparked both jubilation and outrage across Indias diverse political spectrum: weeks of anger and protests in India and Pakistan, as tensions rose along the contested and highly militarized IndiaPakistan border known as the Line of Control. And whether this policy will succeed or fail in the long term remains to be seen. But Modi has, for better or worse, once again challenged conventional Indian political dogma. The shift in policy toward Kashmir was quickly followed with several other controversial reforms to immigration law. Called the Citizenship Amendment Act, the law was written to provide quicker refugee status to oppressed groups in neighboring Muslim-dominated nations. Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians were all given special fast-track status toward receiving refugee immigration permits. Notably absent from the list, however, were Muslim refugees, who maintained access to traditional refugee programs but not the fast-tracked version. The obvious exclusion raised numerous red flags in the secular nation, which has long prided itself in protecting all religious sects as equal under the law. Modis opponents, led by the Congress Party and their Muslim allies, quickly denounced the law as undermining the spirit of the Indian constitution. The public anger was quickly noticeable, as large protests erupted across the nation, with even some scattered incidents of violence and death. Both with Kashmir and with the new immigration law, Modi has pushed the limits of what is acceptable under the Indian constitution. He sees legitimate problems that need to be solved in both cases. But his opponents see the echoes of the same Hindu-nationalist tendencies that led to riots and hundreds of deaths during his time as chief minister of Gujarat, and their concern over a possible developing Hindu fascist state led by the BJP grows ever greater. As religious tensions rise, Modi once again will have to prove he is not a religious supremacist but rather a reformer who will defend the principles of the Indian constitution. His opponents remain leery. * * * So, what does this extensive history and life story of Modi tell us? First, that his new, close relationship with the worlds most divisive personality, Donald Trump, was not an obvious one. And yet, for myriad reasons, Modi has connected with Trump in a way that no Indian prime minister connected with any previous American president. Last year, Modi came to Houston for a huge spectacle: the aptly named Howdy Modi! rally. Nothing better illustrates the relationship and mutual admiration the men share than this Texas rally, with more than 50,000 Americans in attendance, mostly Indian Americans (who are mostly Democratic voters). None of this can change the fact that two-thirds of Indians in the U.S. lean Democratic. But the ability of Modi to connect to this growing political juggernaut is obviously attractive to Republicans, especially Trump. Trump has made the most of it, even doubling down on the relationship. Trumps visit this week began with Modis own version of a huge domestic rally this time, aptly named Namaste Trump! Although Modi and Trump do not always agree (especially on trade issues), and despite their absolutely opposite upbringing and life stories, they have a similar worldview. And that view, conveniently for both of them, focuses on a populism that elevates their fellow citizens. Both Trump and Modi appeal to dominant voting blocs in their respective countries (Trump with whites, Modi with Hindus) and both have found an effective way to speak to those voters concerns about being left behind by their countrys leadership. So Modis affinity for Trump is less about any specific policy or position rather than about a general common view of how politics can help the common man, as they see him. In this manner, both men truly understand one another. Maybe the central reason for Westerners inability to understand Modi is that they try to classify him as right- or left-wing. Neither label really fits Modi or, for that matter, most Indian leaders. Certainly he is Hindu-centric, and that alone has sown distrust in the Muslim community. But it is probably more apt to describe him more generally as a populist interested in economic development that will benefit all Indians. He lowered taxes across the board but increased subsidies for farmers. He focused on utilities for the poor as he expanded toilet facilities, clean water, and electricity to the rural masses. He cut red tape and regulations but also implemented a nationwide health-care system. When Westerners see Modi, they see an elderly, Hindu-centric, nationalist, populist, third-world leader who dresses like a commoner, speaks only broken English, and doesnt kowtow to traditional Western liberal orthodoxy the way most Indian leaders have in the past. The fact remains that much of the rest of the world views Modi as an agent of change, imperfect as he has been, who has brought reforms to India that were painful, necessary, and well-meaning albeit not always successful. He is neither a liberal nor a conservative in the Western sense but a true Indian populist, willing to shift idealistic policies for realistic goals. And the lack of such realism in the West today is why many simply cant understand the persona of the current Indian prime minister. On the other hand, Trump views Modi as a compatriot, a person who is trying to use a populist movement to benefit his people, even if those reforms offend various minorities. And although that vision puts the two men at odds on certain issues, Trump respects this worldview. He can understand it in ways he cant understand the worldviews of most European and North American leaders. This has allowed Trump to trust Modi, despite their differences. And Modi, to his credit, has actively courted Trumps friendship in return. So far, the benefit to both countries has been mutual. Although they still dispute trade and immigration issues, the strategic alliance militarily and diplomatically has never been stronger. Its unlikely they will ever be formal allies. But the U.S. now conducts more military exercises with India than with any other non-NATO country. And both militaries have the same Indo-Pacific-region goal in mind: namely, to counter the emerging Chinese threat. India also continues to increase its collaboration with American intelligence collection, which is a boon to U.S. intelligence agencies with limited assets in the South Asian subcontinent. This growing relationship is a boon to Trumps Made in America policies. India traditionally has purchased most of its military goods from Russia and elsewhere. But now American companies are successfully challenging other suppliers for these long-term, lucrative deals, including several such deals announced on Trumps recent trip. Much remains to be done to forge the IndoAmerican alliance into what some can imagine as one of the great alliances of the 21st century. But amazingly, Trump and Modi have progressed down this road far more than anyone could have predicted on Election Day 2016. As India continues to prosper and grow, and America maintains its relative hegemony on the world stage, the futures of both countries are intertwined. Trump and Modi both want to be integral factors in the shape of that future. More from National Review Soon, McCoy becomes obsessed with the legend, basing his art installations on the elusive killer, daring his viewers to say his name, too. Bodies then start to turn up. The trailer shows violent shots of gruesome demises. At the end, we hear an ominous voice, perhaps that of Candyman himself. Source: XINHUA KAMPALA Scientists, researchers, academicians and government representatives from across the world are scheduled to gather in Uganda to discuss among others, measures to combat global health challenges. Charles Ibingira, head of the college of health sciences, Makerere University told reporters on Monday that the delegates will convene in Uganda in April to among others discuss global health security. The threat to global health by infectious diseases remains significant today with emerging and re-emerging epidemics, according to Ibingira. He said solutions to increasing reports of drug-resistant pathogens, threats of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) among others need to be devised. NCDs continue to be the leading cause of death globally. In Africa by 2025, NCDs will be responsible for 70-80 percent of all deaths, NCD are stretching the already limited resources, he said, noting that early action is essential to stem the tide. This will be the first time ever this global event is hosted in Africa and has been dubbed Africa Regional World Health Summit, according to Ibingira. Makerere University, Ugandas top university and also one of Africas top research universities was 2018 elected to host the annual meeting by the M8 Alliance assembly, a network of 28 leading health academic institutions globally. Related Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global home energy management systems market is expected to exceed USD 2 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. Owing to increasing energy cost coupled with growing environmental concerns, energy management has emerged as a significant priority, which is expected to fuel the HEMS market. The need to conserve and optimize energy utilization is expected to serve as a key market driver. Increased connectivity and widespread adoption of smartphones is also expected to favorably impact the market growth. Energy management products demand has gained momentum over the last few years owing to use of variable pricing schemes offered by service providers. Favorable regulatory initiatives in the U.S. pertaining to energy conservation are expected to propel regional HEMS market growth. High installation cost coupled with system complexity is expected to pose a challenge to market growth over the forecast period. Lack of consumer awareness regarding home energy management systems and the benefits they offer may also hinder the HEMS market. Technological proliferation along with decreased sensor and display costs, improved device-level information processing capability, and roll-out of smart utility meters provide avenues for market growth. Further key findings from the study suggest: Wi-Fi emerged as the dominant segment in 2013; it is expected to continue accounting for considerable market share over the forecast period. ZigBee, a standard for wireless networks, is expected to be a high growth segment over the forecast period. This can be attributed to its ability to support needs of various utilities, government groups and product manufacturers. The HEMS market is dominated by control devices and systems; these include thermostats, whole home lighting systems and home automation systems. Enabling technologies are expected to witness high growth over the next six years due to popularity of technologies such as home area network, ZigBee and sensing. On account of favorable government initiatives and growing need to address issues related to aging infrastructure, North America is expected to emerge as the most dominant regional market over the forecast period. Smart meter mandates by utilities is primarily expected to drive the HEMS market in Europe. Key market participants include Intel Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Cisco Systems Inc, General Electric Co. and Honeywell International. Innovations and extensive product development are expected to be the key growth strategies over the forecast period. Grand View Research has segmented the global HEMS market on the basis of technology, component and region: HEMS Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020) Wi-Fi ZigBee Wireless M-Bus HomePlug Z-Wave Others HEMS Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020) Enabling Technologies User Interface Control Devices HEMS Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2012 - 2020) North America Europe Asia Pacific RoW Access full research report on global home energy management systems market: www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-home-energy-management Conroe Mayor Pro Tem Duke Coon called out fellow Councilman Raymond McDonald for interfering in the citys bid process for a project to widen Farrell Road and install water and sewer lines. Councilman McDonald and other council members should not interfere in the bid process prior to the vote, it impugns the integrity of the process at City Hall, Coon told The Courier after councils Thursday meeting. It was clear to me that Councilman McDonald originally thought we worked on a low bid process. We do not. We work on a best value bid process. In a 4-1 vote during the councils regular meeting Thursday, the council approved a $13 million contract to Bryan-based Larry Young Paving. McDonald, who spoke three separate times on the issue, was the lone nay vote. McDonald, who communicated earlier this week with officials from the company that provided the lowest bid, said he was concerned about the city holding our integrity of its low bid process. City Administrator Paul Virgadamo Jr. quickly reminded the council the city does not use a low bid process but rather uses a best value process, which allows the city to select vendors for other qualifications and not just price. However, after Coon told the council it should not interfere with the bid process, McDonald fired back and said he was not trying to force a rebid or undermine the citys process. He added he was aware of the citys best value process. I think we are in jeopardy in building a closed group, therefore increased bids due to lack of participants, which we have seen already he said. If we arent going to give certain contractors a true chance, we should tell them early on we arent going to and if they are low bid they have full communication on why that low bid was passed over. I know we have a process that is not just low bid, Im very well aware of that. The discussion regarding the bids for the project began during the councils workshop meeting Wednesday. Tommy Woolley, director of capital projects and transportation for Conroe, presented a list of seven bidders for the project and recommended the council award the $13 million project to Larry Young Paving. They were not the low bid but we feel they are the best bid after evaluating them, Woolley said during the workshop. Several council members asked why the committee selected Larry Young Paving over low bidder Houston-based James Construction Group, who bid came in about $500,000 less than Larry Young Paving. We werent particularly satisfied with all the answers we got, Woolley said of the committee calling the companys references. Additionally, Woolley explained, James Construction Group currently has several dozen projects underway with the Texas Department of Transportation and with the Harris County Flood Control District. We felt we wouldnt get the A team or even the B team up here for our project, Woolley said. McDonald told the council he didnt want to overlook the low bidder. Joe Pedicini with James Construction Group was allowed to address the council and noted his company has provided the lowest bid on several other project with the city but had never been awarded a contract. McDonald urged the staff to make sure there was better communication with vendors when they arent selected in a bid process. During the councils regular meeting Thursday, Mayor Toby Powell first asked the council to defer the item for more discussion. However, Coon said the council needed to be careful doing that in order to not force a rebid on the project. Additionally by deferring the award of the bid, Coon said it appears the city would be going into negotiations with the two companies. Powell agreed and called for the motion to award Larry Young Paving the project. cdominguez@hcnonline.com Actor Bhagyashree, who has been married to Himalay Dasani since 1990, revealed that they were separated for a year and a half in the middle. Though they have patched up since, she said that she gets scared even now, when she remembers that phase. In a video shared online, Bhagyashree is heard saying, Yes, Himalay ji was my first love and yes, I got married to him. Lekin ek arsa tha beech mein jab hum juda ho gaye the (But there was a period of time when we were separated). And I had that feeling that What if I hadnt got him in my life and I had married someone else? It got me to that stage because there was a period of a year and a half that we werent together. Woh ehsaas abhi bhi yaad aata hai toh darr lagta hai (I still get scared when I remember that feeling). Bhagyashree, who made a smashing debut in the film industry with Sooraj Barjatyas Maine Pyaar Kiya opposite Salman Khan, met Himalay when she was in school. Though her parents were opposed to the match, she eloped and got married to him in a temple in the presence of his parents, Sooraj, Salman and a few close friends. Also read: Katrina Kaif trolls Arjun Kapoor for pensive pose in new photo, his response is hilarious Despite being flooded with offers after the success of Maine Pyaar Kiya, Bhagyashree bid adieu to her career in films. She told Humans Of Bombay in an interaction, Maine Pyaar Kiya went on to become such a big hit, but I was a woman so in love with my husband and my son Abhimanyu who was born soon after that I said no to every offer I got. I have absolutely no regrets though, I look at my life, my family now and I feel so proud. Very often, people say giving up such a bright career is backward, but I disagree. I respect and admire career women who can juggle both, but I took the decision of being a full invested home makerand believe me, thats a thankless job. But its all worth it when you see your children growing up into fine human beings, she added. Bhagyashree and Himalay have two children together a son Abhimanyu Dasani, who made his Bollywood debut in 2018 with Vasan Balas Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, and a daughter Avantika. Follow @htshowbiz for more Samsungs Android 10 update is rolling out to the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 this week, but the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 are ineligible for Googles latest OS version. Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 do not qualify for Android 10 The point bears some discussion because some Samsung representatives are giving false hopes to Samsung Galaxy phone users. Both phones, at three years old, lie outside of Samsungs update window. The Korean Android OEMs update schedule allows its smartphones new Android system updates for two years, security patches for three years. These phones were announced in 2017. At this point, the two-year Android system update obligation for these handsets is beyond finished. Security patches are likely to stop this year because theyre at the end of the 3-year obligation. Advertisement Samsungs update schedule hasnt changed. At least Samsung hasnt alerted users of an update change, though extending the lives of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 for users still clinging to these handsets is a welcome break with tradition. No one would be upset to discover a new update schedule that allows Android 10 for these veteran handsets. Samsung could break with update tradition Despite the gloom and doom truth about the Galaxy S8 and Note 8, theres a bit of good news: Samsung can break with update tradition. It doesnt have to deny Android 10 to these handsets unless it simply wants to. This has been the case with Google, who brought Android 10 to the OG first-generation Pixel and Pixel XL at the end of 2019. The first-gen. Pixel and Pixel XL launched in 2016 with Android 7.0 Nougat. Advertisement These phones received Nougat (Android 7), Oreo (Android 8), Pie (Android 9), and Q (Android 10), four Android system updates. Google shows with its phone series that it can break with the typical expectation of 2 years of system updates, 3 years of security patches when it wants to. The same is true of Samsung. Samsung does not have to lay the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 to rest just yet. A good example of this is Samsungs Android 9.0 Pie update roadmap in January 2019. The company gave an initial update release map but pushed some updates out sooner than expected. In some cases, updates were released a month in advance (February instead of March, for example). Samsung added 7 handsets to the release schedule that were omitted from the initial release map and removed two handsets listed in the initial update map. This shows that Samsung has sovereignty over whether it releases a new system update to a phone or not. Samsung can release an update for an ineligible phone, or retract an update for an eligible phone. In the end, its all up to Samsung. Advertisement Samsung smartwatch update shows sovereignty over Galaxy S8 Galaxy Note 8 Android 10 update While Samsung has added and removed phones from initial update roadmaps, the company also gives random updates to extremely old smartwatches. Recently, Samsung released a battery update for the 5-year-old Gear S2, a smartwatch released back in 2015. Samsung has no obligation to the Gear S2 because its an old smartwatch. Yet and still, the company released the update because it wanted to. Perhaps the Gear S2 is one of Samsungs most beloved smartwatches and still has a large user base. Whatever the reason, Samsung released an update out of the blue for a smartwatch that has been supplanted by better smartwatches since. Sure, the Gear S2 is beloved as Samsungs first circular smartwatch, but the update is unusual indeed. What it shows, though, is that Samsung can release new updates for old devices when it chooses to. Advertisement Its unlikely a 5-year-old Galaxy phone will ever receive a software update from Samsung, but that doesnt mean Samsung couldnt break ranks. There is hope for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 So with that said, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, and Galaxy Note 8 users should not despair. As long as Samsung has sovereignty over its devices, and Android 10 is still on the release, there is hope. And yet, the hope may be slim. The reality is that Samsung has no obligation to S8 and Note 8 users that mandates another system update. Samsung, nor any other OEM, releases an update for an ineligible phone(s) because users want them to. Users can still contact Samsung and express a desire to see their handset updated. It cant hurt for users to let Samsung know how they feel about their handset becoming obsolete. Advertisement Hope, even slim hope, is still hope. With Samsung, anythings possible. UPDATED March 30, 2020 Editors Note: This event has been postponed to a future date. Judge Wayne Mack said on March 30, We have temporarily postponed it. The reason for that is obviously where we are at here with this national disaster. We wanted to put it out far enough (so it occurs). Well being meeting via phone conference later this week to come up with a tentative date. We will have one, and were looking at sometime this fall. Efforts to combat the rise of suicides and attempted suicides in Montgomery County continue in full force, and officials involved with the Montgomery County Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force will be hosting a Community HELP Expo May 19 in Conroe focused on mental health and offering a variety of educational panels and speakers. Judge Wayne Mack, the Montgomery County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace, was one of the co-founders of the Montgomery County Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force in February of 2019 and he appeared at the Wednesday, Feb. 26, township Board of Directors meetings to update elected officials in The Woodlands about the task forces activities in the past year since being formed. I want to thank this board for your leadership, Mack said while specifically mentioning several board members, the Texas Childrens Hospital, the Howard Hughes Corp. and other partners who raised awareness and helped the task force become a reality. I think it is very helpful to raise awareness. On HoustonChronicle.com: Suicide prevention efforts continue in Montgomery County and The Woodlands Mack told the board about training, activities and outreach the task force has been doing since a wildly successful introductory day-long conference was hosted in spring of 2019 and attended by more than 400 different representatives from scores of hospitals, medical facilities, school districts, law enforcement entities and others. He also said there are multiple ongoing suicide prevention and awareness events planned in the coming months, including a special seminar focused on the mental health of youth identifying as LGBTQ and suicide prevention tips aimed at LGBTQ identifying people. On May 19, Mack added, the task force will be hosting a Community HELP Expo at the Lone Star Convention Center in Conroe. He said while the event is still in organizing stages, there will be panel discussions with mental health and suicide awareness experts, other assorted break-out groups that will discuss various topics and a keynote speaker the only person known to have survived an attempted suicide by jumping off of the Golden gate Bridge in San Francisco. For the 2019 calendar year, Mack said there were sadly 105 deaths by suicide across the entire Montgomery County area, with nine of the deaths being youth age 17 or younger. According to township law enforcement statistics, there were a combined 16 suicides or attempted suicides in The Woodlands during October, November and December 2019 and for the month of January there have a total of three suicides or attempted suicides. It is important to understand what to do in a mental health crisis, Mack added. Some communities dont want to discuss these issues. We have to pull down the veil on mental health and suicide awareness and put a light on it. Several board members thanked Mack for his dedication to the issue and hard work, with Director Ann Snyder who first raised the issue in 2018 after noticing rising statistics documenting suicides and attempted suicides in the monthly township policing reports saying that she was appreciative of the work everyone has done with the issue. Snyder also issued a thanks to former board members who had raised additional questions and concerns about the suicide epidemic, notably now-retired directors Carol Stromatt and John McMullan, who both left the board in November after declining to seek re-election. jeff.forward@chron.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) The Supreme Court has banned members of the Philippine National Police from conducting surveillance on the family of an alleged member of the New People's Army who was gunned down by authorities in 2018. The court issued a permanent protection order under the writ of amparo in favor of Vivian Sanchez, the widow of Eldie Labinghisa, one of seven supposed communist rebels killed by the PNP in Barangay Atabay, San Jose in Antique in August 2018. The 19-page decision written by Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor Leonen also covers Sanchez's two children. Upon learning of Labinghisa's death, Sanchez claimed that she was unable to identify her husband's body at a funeral home out of fear because police officers stationed there took photos of her without permission. "In deciding whether or not Vivian was able to prove with substantial evidence her entitlement to the privilege of a writ of amparo, the SC found that the totality of Vivians evidence undoubtedly showed that she became a person of interest after she had first visited the funeral home, where her photo was taken," the court said. It also cited the claims of Sanchez and her 15-year-old daughter that police cars have driven by their house "with alarming regularity" after Sanchez identified her husband's body. "Before this Court, petitioner contends that she was able to prove with substantial evidence that she and her children were under constant police surveillance and monitoring, whidh constitutes a clear violation of their right to life, liberty, and security," the court added. Sanchez filed a petition for the writ of amparo at the San Jose Regional Trial Court against Police Superintendents Marc Anthony Darroca and Leo Irwin D. Agpangan, Police Chief Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, and police officers under their authority. The police officers denied any violations against Sanchez and stressed that her allegations were grounded on baseless assumptions, hearsay, mistaken belief, speculations, impressions, and feelings. The court then dismissed Sanchez's petition, prompting her to take the issue to the high court. Siding with Sanchez, the high court said: "In a patriarchal society where women have had to calibrate their responses toward men, the additional layer of power presented by a man in uniform would lead even an innocent civilian, especially a woman, to act jittery and nervously, trying to find a way to protect herself from perceived vulnerabilities." It also called on the PNP to enjoin its police officers to "respect human dignity and human rights, and to judiciously use their authority in the performance of duty" as the treatment of Sanchez "does not reflect the professional and courteous image" that it wishes to convey as an institution. "While pursuing rebels is a legitimate law enforcement objective, the zeal of our police must be bound by the fundamental rights of persons, especially the loved ones of persons of interest. After all, the values we have in our Constitution are what differentiate us from lawless elements," the court said. Skiers take part in the Skicolor event where they are sprayed with biodegradable color powders as part of carnival celebrations in the alpine resort of La Tzoumaz, Switzerland. (Image: AP) Diana Serra Cary, an author, film historian and probably the last surviving child superstar of the silent film era nearly a century ago, who spent decades coming to terms with a bizarre childhood of triumphs, heartbreaks and parents who squandered her fortune, died Monday in Gustine (Merced County). She was 101. Her death was confirmed by the Niles Film Museum, which is devoted to the silent era in Fremont. In her Hollywood days, her name was Peggy-Jean Montgomery (she later changed her name to Diana Serra and added Cary through marriage), and she was a precocious 2-year-old in 1921 when Century Studio cast her as Baby Peggy, opposite Brownie the Wonder Dog. America soon fell in love with this chubby-cheeked little girl as she fled burning buildings, held thugs at bay with a pistol and clung to the underside of a train. A Century fire in 1926 and decaying celluloid have left only a few of her vintage films in museum archives, in the Library of Congress and on the internet, including Playmates (1921), Miles of Smiles (1923), Helens Babies (1924) and Captain January (1924). But silent film aficionados say she could evoke terror, joy, pity and sorrow with the best of them, and was a good mimic, too, satirizing adult stars of the day, including Rudolph Valentino and Pola Negri in Peg o the Movies (1923). By age 5 she had made more than 150 pictures, mostly short comedies and melodramas, for Century, Universal and Principal Pictures, and became a multimillionaire. Home was a Beverly Hills mansion near Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. A $30,000 chauffeur-driven limousine took her to work every day. Fan mail surpassed 1.7 million letters a year. She went on national tours, adorned magazine covers and endorsed Baby Peggy dolls, jewelry and sheet music. And she waved an American flag standing beside Franklin D. Roosevelt at the 1924 Democratic National Convention in New York. But she never got to play with other children, never went to school like her older sister, Louise. And with dire poverty, divorce and years of anonymity and psychological struggle over the horizon, she did not live happily ever after. Like Jackie Coogan and Baby Marie Osborne, the other major child stars of the silent era whose fortunes were dissipated by guardians, Baby Peggy and her financial affairs were controlled by her parents, Jack and Marian Montgomery, who spent lavishly and set nothing aside for her education or her future. She was exploited by three studios, which worked her eight hours a day, six days a week with no naps or lollipop breaks making two-reelers known as five-day wonders, as well as many full-length tear-jerkers and potboilers that enthralled moviegoers to the tune of tinkling pianos. In those days, expression was everything in movies, she told the Guardian in 2015. My father would snap his fingers and say, Cry! And I would cry. Laugh! And I would laugh. Be frightened! And Id be frightened. He called it obedience. In 1925, Baby Peggys career crumbled. A $1.5 million contract was canceled, and she was virtually blacklisted in Hollywood after her father, a cowboy stuntman and stand-in for the Western star Tom Mix, had a bitter falling-out with a studio boss over her salary. She made one last picture, April Fool, in 1926, and then found no more work in Hollywood. She was washed up, a 7-year-old has-been. Baby Peggy was apparently the last surviving major child star of the silent era. Mickey Rooney, whose film career began in the silents, died in 2014. Baby Marie Osborne, Americas little sweetheart of silent films during World War I, died in 2010. About a dozen other silent-era actors survive, but most were uncredited extras or ensemble players in series like the Our Gang pictures of the 1920s. For several years after her film career faded, Baby Peggy performed on a grueling vaudeville circuit to support her parents in the style to which they had become accustomed. They squandered much of her $2 million fortune on hotels, luxury cars and travel. The rest was lost or embezzled by a step-grandfather who absconded, or it evaporated in the stock market crash of 1929. The Beverly Hills home was sold, as were the cars, jewels and other luxuries. As the Depression deepened, the family moved to a ranch in Wyoming. Dirt poor and struggling, they pawned everything of value. A friend lent the family $300, and against Peggys wishes they returned to Hollywood and put her back to work, now as a teenager in the talkies. From 1932 to 1938, she appeared in eight films as an anonymous extra or in small roles credited to Peggy Montgomery. She hated it. Fighting for $3 a day in the world of extras it was dreadful, Cary told the Wall Street Journal in 2012. And it was also sort of shameful, because the people who were doing the extra work were the former silent stars, many of them that I knew, who were adults, and for them it was a very crushing blow. I thought of it as being a galley slave. The family resorted to food coupons from the Motion Picture Relief Fund. The Los Angeles School Board finally insisted that the girl attend classes, and she enrolled at Lawlor Professional School, which had flexible schedules for young actors, enabling her to continue working. Fellow students included Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Later, she went to Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. After graduating, she eloped in 1938 with her first boyfriend, Gordon Ayres, a movie extra. They were divorced in 1948. She was a switchboard operator and a bookstore clerk, and then managed a gift shop in Santa Barbara. She told no one of her past and took the name Diana Serra. In 1954, she married Bob Cary, an artist, and took his surname. He died in 2001. Her survivors include their son, Mark, and a granddaughter. The Carys settled in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where he painted and she became a freelance journalist, writing magazine articles. In 1970, they moved to La Jolla (San Diego County) and she began a new career as a film historian. Her first book, The Hollywood Posse (1975), was a well-received account of stunt riders in film. Her second, Hollywoods Children (1978), recounted the often troubling stories of child actors. But it was the years of work on her memoir, Whatever Happened to Baby Peggy? The Autobiography of Hollywoods Pioneer Child Star (1996), that proved therapeutic and redemptive. She re-examined her life in silent films, her parents conduct in frittering away her fortune, the studios harsh working conditions and the fates of child stars who, like her, were left impoverished, emotionally scarred and largely forgotten. In Jackie Coogan: The Worlds Boy King: A Biography of Hollywoods Legendary Child Star (2003), she wrote about her old friend, who sued his mother and stepfather in 1938 for spending his more than $3 million in earnings on furs, diamonds, homes and expensive cars. Prodded by the stories of Coogan, Baby Marie Osborne and other children whose Hollywood fortunes were squandered by parents or guardians, California in 1939 passed the Coogan Act, a law to safeguard part of a child actors earnings in trust, and provided for time off, schooling and limits on working hours. For her 99th birthday in 2017, Cary self-published a first novel, The Drowning of the Moon, a historical tale set in the Mexican-American colonial empire of New Spain and featuring the noblewoman of a silver-mining dynasty facing civil war. Robert D. McFadden is a New York Times writer. The Supreme Court on Wednesday put off taking a call on the blockade in Shaheen Bagh till March 23, prolonging an issue that has become a commuters nightmare as well as a potential flashpoint in the national capital. The two-judge bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Jospeh said present environment isnt conducive to pass orders. While the court observed that protests cant go on indefinitely on roads, it wasnt immediately clear whether the Delhi Police would try and relocate the protesters to another venue, or wait till March 23. Shaheen Bagh is the site of a sit-in by protesters against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The court also refused to entertain applications urging the court to pass directions on the violence that has gripped parts of the capital since Saturday. The court said it will confine itself to the issue concerning the blockade in Shaheen Bagh, noting that the Delhi high court was already seized of a case concerning the violence in the national capital. However, the court had some strong words for the way Delhi Police has handled the violence. Loss of lives in the capital in communal clashes is a serious issue, and inaction by the police and a lack of professionalism in the police force were major reasons for the violence getting out of hand, it remarked. Justice KM Joseph was particularly critical of the police who, he said, should have taken prompt action in line with the law instead of waiting for orders. The moment an inflammatory remark is made, police should take action. Not just Delhi, any other state for that matter. Thirteen lives are not small. Police should act as per the law, justice Joseph said. Clashes between Hindu and Muslim groups in several neighbourhoods of north-east Delhi has left at least 27 people dead until Wednesday night. The petitions against the road blockade in Shaheen Bagh were filed by advocate Amit Sahni and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nand Kishore Garg, seeking to lift the road blockade in the Shaheen Bagh-Kalindi Kunj stretch. Sahni, in his plea, stated that the road closure in Shaheen Bagh had caused great inconvenience to citizens. He contended that the road closure and the consequent traffic diversion had led to wastage of time, energy and congested alternative routes from Delhi to Noida. The court has appointed senior advocate Sanjay Hegde and advocate Sadhana Ramachandran as interlocutors to talk to the protesters, mainly women, in Shaheen Bagh and coax them into shifting their protest to an alternative location that would not inconvenience public. The interlocutors submitted a report to the court in a sealed cover Monday. Justices Kaul and Joseph will hear the case on March 23, when the court reopens after the Holi vacation. But justice Joseph also wanted to weigh in on the violence. I want to say certain things. If I dont, I wont be discharging my duty, my loyalty lies to the institution, he said. Solicitor general Mehta requested him not to make adverse remarks against the police. Justice Joseph, however, came down on the police for its failure to take prompt action. Justice Joseph said the police need not wait for anybodys nod to act in accordance with the law and that the guidelines prescribed by the Supreme Court in the 2006 judgment in the case of Prakash Singh v Union of India to secure the independence of the police should be followed. Justice Kaul then states that all parties and stakeholders affected by the situation should lower their temperatures. A bricklayer riding an E-bike that had allegedly been illegally modified fled after fatally crashing into a woman because he 'just wanted his mum', the Old Bailey heard today. Thomas Hanlon, 32, smashed into Sakine Cihan, 56, when he was said to be 10mph above the 20mph speed limit as she crossed Kingsland Road in Dalston, east London in August 2018. The bike was a red 'Hardrock' mountain model from cycle company Specialized that had, the prosecution claim, been fitted with a highly-powered battery motor capable of travelling at double the legal 15.5mph speed limit for E-bikes. This would make it technically a motorbike, requiring a licence and insurance, it is alleged. Bricklayer Thomas Hanlon, 32, (pictured today) smashed into Sakine Cihan, 56, when he was allegedly 10mph above the 20mph speed limit as she crossed Kingsland Road in Dalston, east London in August 2018 Mrs Cihan collapsed bleeding and had suffered multiple fractured ribs in the crash. She died in hospital the next day as a result of a 'catastrophic' head injury, in what is believed to be the first death of a pedestrian after a collision with an E-bike in the UK. Hanlon told police on arrest that he knew he had crashed into Mrs Cihan but left without checking on the victim, the court heard today. He claimed he bought the bike a year earlier on Gumtree for 850 and had recently fitted it with hydraulic brakes which worked 'as good as gold.' A full transcript of the police interview was read to jurors today in which Hanlon said: 'I just wanted to go home, I was confused...I just wanted to sleep, I just wanted my mum...' Mrs Cihan collapsed bleeding and had suffered multiple fractured ribs in the crash. She died in hospital the next day as a result of a 'catastrophic' head injury The interviewing police officer asked: 'How [do] the brakes work?' 'Good as gold. I changed the front brakes to a hydraulic brake which is in now,' Hanlon said. 'The lights were green so you carried on - did you try and apply the brakes at all?' the officer asked. 'I did but it was just way too late,' Hanlon said. 'She just went out into the road. I tried to pull both brakes, no time to swerve or nothing she didn't even look at me.' Hanlon (pictured earlier in the trial) told police a witness had asked him to stay at the scene but he was 'in no fit state' to check on the wellbeing of Mrs Cihan The officer asked: 'Were you aware that you hit her?' 'Yeah,' Hanlon said. He told police a witness had asked him to stay at the scene but he was 'in no fit state' to check on the wellbeing of Mrs Cihan. According to Hanlon, the witness said: 'There's a cut above your head, you should stay, you should get checked out.' 'Had you checked on the woman?' the officer asked Hanlon. 'No I was in no fit state,' he replied. 'There were loads of people there.' Hanlon said when he got home he told his mother he had fallen off his bike but 'was getting sick and just went to bed' and mentioned nothing about the victim. He was urged to contact police after his mother learnt about the crash on the news, the court heard. Hanlon, of Hackney, told officers: 'I was just getting sick, I just went into bed. That's when she saw the news and she asked what was going on.' He denies one count of causing death by careless driving, one of causing death while uninsured and one of causing death while unlicensed. The trial continues. Agents with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) are cracking down on businesses selling alcohol to minors this Spring Break. The commission is planning undercover stings at re-sellers across the state, using teens who will attempt to purchase alcohol from bars, liquor stores and the like, officials said in a statement. Agents will also be patrolling locations around the state. London, UK-based venture capital firm Balderton Capital has recruited Fiona Blakemore (nee Smart) as its new Chief Financial Officer and Head of Portfolio Financial Services. She will lead on all financial activities and work closely with portfolio companies, providing support as part of Baldertons platform services team. Baldertons Build platform provides talent, marketing, finance and legal services to support companies as they scale. Blakemore joins with over 20 years of experience working with asset management and venture capital companies, including six years at PwC and 16 years with Man Group, one of the worlds largest listed alternative asset managers. As Head of Investor Relations and Business Finance at Man, she worked closely with the senior leadership team and acted as a key company spokesperson to analysts and investors. Blakemore studied Engineering, Economics and Management at the University of Oxford and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. In a voluntary capacity, she is also Treasurer and Trustee of the Sick Childrens Trust. Balderton also recently announced the appointment of two new General Partners, Rana Yared, previously a partner at Goldman Sachs, and David Thevenon, formerly a partner at SoftBanks Vision Fund. FinSMEs 27/02/2020 The Tax Appeal Tribunal, Lagos Zone, has ordered Ecobank to pay at least N1.6 billion to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as its company income tax for 2016. The tribunal declared as illegal, the decision of Ecobank Nigeria Limited to pay N5.5 billion as dividends to its shareholders in a year the bank claimed it made no taxable profit and rather declared losses from its banking operation. According to a release by the Director, Communications and Liaison Department, FIRS, Abdullahi Ahmad, the tribunal reached the decision in its judgment dated February 20, 2020 which it delivered in Appeal No. TAT/LZ/CIT/024/2018. Consequentially, Ecobank must now pay at least N1.6 billion to the FIRS as company income tax for the year in dispute 2016 Ecobank had dragged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to court over the insistence of the Service that the bank must pay in full its excess dividend tax liability of N2,079,375,000, inclusive of interest and penalty for the Year of Assessment (YOA) 2016. But ECO Bank argued that the dividend it paid out was tax-exempt as N4,372,244,556 out of the total sum was profit from bonds and treasury bills, which was not taxable based on the provisions of the Company Income Tax (Exemption of Bonds and Short-Term Government Securities) Order, 2011, the FIRS said in the statement. The bank after reportedly admitting to only making N1.1 billion trading profits from other business sources, decided that it would only pay N351 million tax to the FIRS. The bank was said to have paid the service after some months of delay. However, FIRS demanded the immediate payment of the outstanding excess dividend tax liability of N1,311,673,367 from the bank, which impasse led to suit before the tax tribunal. Spokesperson of the bank, Austin Osokpor, told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday that he does not have prior knowledge of the case. I dont know about it at all before this time, he said on the telephone. He promised to react once he is able to clarify the story. Ecobanks argument Meanwhile, according to the FIRS statement, the bank presented three issues for determination, namely whether the FIRS was correct to assess the Appellant to tax under Section 19 of CITA when the income earned was from Bonds, Treasury Bills, and other Government Securities. Whether the FIRS misdirected itself by failing to take account the CIT paid by the Appellant and whether by the rules of Interpretation of Statutes, the Respondent has erred in law in its application of Section 19 of CITA. In its consideration of the three issues raised, the tribunal reportedly resolved them in favour of the FIRS. It held that companies that invest in bonds will, by virtue of the tax exemption, become liable to pay excess dividend tax on their profits. The court maintained that if the tax exemption granted by the order creates an excess dividend situation, Ecobank or any other company should be liable to pay excess dividend tax on the same income that otherwise would have been exempted from tax. A liability to pay excess dividend tax arises where a company that seeks to pay dividends has no taxable profit as in the instant case but has the distributable profit that is higher than the taxable profit, the tribunal said. The tribunal also said that the FIRS properly directed itself by not failing to take into account the sum already settled by the Appellant (Eco Bank) in the Services total assessment of N1,663,500,000. Addressing the final issue for determination, the tax tribunal headed by Ado-Baba Ahmed, resolved all issues raised in favour of the FIRS. It declared that the Ecobank appeal fails and is hereby dismissed. Photograph: Abdulgani Basheer/AFP via Getty Images Saudi Arabia has closed the two holiest shrines of Islam to foreign travellers and banned pilgrims from entering the country as fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak continue to grow in the Middle East. Officials in the kingdom said the ban, announced late on Wednesday, was temporary, but gave no indication how long it might last. It comes amid a broader ban on visa holders from states deemed most likely to pose a risk to regional health. Related: Coronavirus map: how Covid-19 is spreading across the world The kingdoms government has decided to [suspend] entry to the kingdom for the purpose of umrah and visit to the Prophets mosque temporarily, the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement. While not explicitly stating which countries that referred to, border authorities at Riyadhs King Khalid international airport were on Thursday screening passengers from Iran, China, South Korea and Italy, from where clusters of coronavirus have spread across neighbouring borders. Saudi Arabia has so far recorded no cases of the virus, but the number infected across the region has steadily increased, with patients quarantined in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq and Lebanon. Officials in Iran said Friday prayers in Tehran will be cancelled this week, as a crackdown on large gatherings gathered pace. Iran remains the regional hotspot for the coronavirus and is the country with the highest death toll outside China, where the Covid-19 outbreak originated. The state-run Irna news agency reported that Iran had confirmed 245 cases and 26 deaths, although experts fear the country is underreporting the number of cases. The World Health Organization is recommending that people take simple precautions to reduce exposure to and transmission of the Wuhan coronavirus, for which there is no specific cure or vaccine. The UN agency advises people to: Frequently wash their hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or warm water and soap Cover their mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when sneezing or coughing Story continues Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever or cough Seek early medical help if they have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and share their travel history with healthcare providers Avoid direct, unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals when visiting live markets in affected areas Avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products and exercise care when handling raw meat, milk or animal organs to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods. Despite a surge in sales of face masks in the aftermath of the outbreak of the coronavirus outbreak, experts are divided over whether they can prevent transmission and infection. There is some evidence to suggest that masks can help prevent hand-to-mouth transmissions, given the large number of times people touch their faces. The consensus appears to be that wearing a mask can limit but not eliminate the risks, provided they are used correctly. Justin McCurry A state-owned newspaper in Iran said the vice-president, Masoumeh Ebtekar, has recently been diagnosed with coronavirus. Other senior Iranians, including the countrys deputy health minister and top clerics, have been struck down. Meanwhile, Kuwait announced that it had confirmed 43 cases of coronavirus, all of which involved people who had been to Iran. Iraq announced the first confirmed case of coronavirus in its capital, Baghdad, taking nationwide infections to six and raising concerns about the capacity of the dilapidated health system to respond. Hours earlier, the Iraqi government announced sweeping measures to try to contain the spread of the virus, ordering the closure of schools and universities, cafes, cinemas and other public spaces until 7 March. Saudi Arabias borders have been partially closed to pilgrims from some countries during previous global health scares, such as Ebola in 2014, a mass suspension of foreign travellers visiting Mecca and Medina is a significant development, which may have implications for the annual hajj pilgrimage, which will this year be held in July. This move by Saudi Arabia is unprecedented, Ghanem Nuseibeh, the founder of the London-based risk consultancy Cornerstone Global Associates, told Agence France-Presse. The concern for Saudi authorities would be Ramadan, which starts at the end of April, and hajj afterwards, should the coronavirus become a pandemic. Hajj attracts close to 3 million people from around the world every year for a pilgrimage, that transforms the holy shrines into the most densely packed pocket on earth for up to one week a year. Along with the Tokyo Olympics, which are also set to be held in July, it is one of the two biggest events in the world in 2020 drawing masses of people from around the planet to gather in close proximity to each other. Such conditions are considered ideal for an even quicker spread of coronavirus, which now exists on every continent, except Antarctica, and in 44 countries. With a global infection rate of more than 80,000 and growing daily, the spread of the virus is now near a pandemic, and public health officials around the globe say a tipping point in which a further breakout cannot be contained, may have already been passed. All Islanders deserve the right to be proud of their heritage. The St. Patricks Day Parades are known for the inclusion of people who are not of Irish descent as is evident by the saying everyone is Irish on St. Patricks Day. Somehow here on Staten Island we havent truly embraced this message. We have shamefully received national attention for our exclusion of LGBTQI groups in our celebration. I have grave concerns for the emotional impact this has had and continues to have on our young people who fear persecution so intensely that they remain closeted and alone. Excluding the Pride Center of Staten Island from the St. Patricks Day Parade creates additional trauma for the diversity of our young people who are still closeted out to fear. We are sending a dangerous message to our children by supporting exclusion and bias of any kind and for any reason. We cannot continue to support this in a country that came to be as a direct result of limitations put on us by government. Yet, now it is embarrassingly purported by individual heads of organizations. It is unconscionable for Islanders to add stressors into the lives of our youth in the midst of an opioid epidemic that already plagues them. Day to day pressures of growing up already plague all of our children. Many experience shame and insecurity as they work to navigate their ways in the world. LGBTQI youth now face additional layers of shame. Many young people will march in the parade. They may march with their band, school or other organizations. Many will be LGBTQI, of Irish descent, questioning the truth of their identities. Many may not feel they are able to refuse to attend an event that does not welcome their friends or family members. We have to speak up for them. Saying not my child did not end well for many whose children suffered with opioid addiction. It will not end well for the families of those compelled to march under the flag of their organization knowing they would not be welcomed if they were open about their true identity. There is an abundance of internationally recognized evidence that sexual identity is a risk factor for substance abuse and suicide (King et al. 2008). There are strong links between homophobia and self-harming behaviors. (McDermitt et al 2008). Our children are left to feel isolated, dirty, unsupported and ultimately unwanted. There is an undeniable connection between sexual identity and self-esteem. It is the responsibility of adults to intervene. We must support inclusion without the threat of harassment or violence. Self-destructive behavior increases drastically amongst LGBTQI youth who report having been bullied (McDermitt et al 2008). Hazards increase as these youth transition into adulthood. These include homelessness, leaving school, and leaving home early due to lack of support or fear of coming out (Henderson et al 2007). At this time in history, when the mental health of our children is an identified crisis, it is imperative that we respect and protect all the children of our Island equally. (Gigi Lipman is a licensed clinical social worker in New Springville.) Big quote: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." First Amendment, US Constitution It is a common misconception that the First Amendment of the US Constitution protects citizens right to say anything thing they want anywhere they want. However, its purpose and language are to prevent the government from restricting speech. The First Amendment does not apply to private businesses such as restaurants and banks or online platforms like YouTube. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals has once again upheld a decision by lower courts to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Prager University against Google. According to the ruling, internet platforms are not subject to the First Amendment. Conservative talk show host Dennis Prager, who runs the nonprofit PragerU, claimed that YouTube set a large number of his videos ranging from abortion to gun rights as restricted and demonetized them. He asserted that this was a violation of his freedom of speech. The courts disagreed. In a unanimous 3-0 decision, the 9th Circuit said that despite YouTubes ubiquity and its public accessibility, it is not a state actor. "Despite YouTubes ubiquity and its role as a public- facing platform, it remains a private forum, not a public forum subject to judicial scrutiny under the First Amendment," wrote Circuit Judge Margaret McKeown. "PragerU runs headfirst into two insurmountable barriersthe First Amendment and Supreme Court precedent [Manhattan Cmty. Access Corp. v. Halleck]." The court also dismissed an allegation of false advertisement. Prager asserted that YouTubes claims about free speech such as everyone deserves to have a voice, and [the] world is a better place when we listen, share, and build community through our stories was misrepresentative of its policies. McKeown said that these statements were not advertisements, but merely opinions. [Our products] are not politically biased, said Google spokesman Farshad Shadloo. [This decision] vindicates important legal principles that allow us to provide different choices and settings to users. PragerU attorney Peter Obstler told Reuters that the Seattle appeals courts decision was very limited and that it was only based on the facts alleged in this case. Obstler was referring to another related PragerUs lawsuit against Google in California, where state laws are more favorable to the plaintiff. However, it is worth mentioning that it was San Joses US District Court that made the initial decision to dismiss. Former US Solicitor General Donald Verrilli said courts have remained consistent that privately-held internet forums do not qualify as state actors. He asserts that if they did, the internet would be a very different place, chock-full of sexually explicit content, violent imagery, hate speech, and expression aimed at demeaning, disturbing, and distressing others. Image credit: Michael Schwartz via Getty Images Manila (CNN Philippines Life) John Aguilar loves building things. He gestures around the newly-opened headquarters of his company Dragons Nest. Besides having swings that hang from the ceiling and bean bags littering the floor, a huge dragon sculpture stands guard by a door marked 10X almost like a charm to attract exponential growth. Building is what appeals to me and I feel its what creates impact, he says. Its more like, What can I build so that I can create both wealth and something that is going to be a new product, service, or business that is going to impact a lot of people? Dragons Nest is Aguilars venture builder or what some would call a startup factory. Venture builders differ from incubators and accelerators in that they build startups from scratch instead of supporting or funding existing ones. They are also unlike venture capital, which is a money game and involves a lot of analysis. As Dragons Nest CEO or Chief Exponential Officer, as he likes to call it Aguilars role is to set the tone for the vision of the company, but then hire brilliant, driven entrepreneurs in residence to run these ventures. This is like the ultimate building project, he gushes. Aguilars goal for Dragons Nest is to create exponential growth across ASEAN as they solve regional challenges. He gestures towards the logo of a dragon curled up in the shape of a nest hanging on the wall. He explains the companys desire to be the nest that launches Asias next big dragons: businesses that will veer away from the traditional way that things have been done. The dragon is a symbol of power, especially here in Asia, says John Aguilar. We believe that the next dragons will not come from the traditional businesses; they will come from tech companies." Photo by JL JAVIER John with his wife Monica, who is now his business partner at StreetPark and COO at Dragons Nest. Photo by JL JAVIER The dragon is a symbol of power, especially here in Asia, says Aguilar. We believe that the next dragons will not come from the traditional businesses; they will come from tech companies. Dragons Nest [has the] mindset of becoming the next Asian dragon. But at the same time, we are a nest. Its a very nurturing environment for startups who will eventually be built here. If building five new companies in the span of a year isnt enough, Aguilar plans to up the ante by simultaneously producing a reality show that will document Dragons Nests journey, titled The Venture Builder. If accomplished, thisll be the first venture builder in the world to do so. If the whole endeavor sounds daunting to many, Aguilar doesnt seem to be fazed at all. After all, this man has accumulated quite the track record from beginning in media to jumping into real estate and now attempting to shake things up in the startup scene. Back in 2003, Aguilar founded independent television company StreetPark Productions, Inc. after he realized that his ideas for television shows seemed too unorthodox for the networks he used to work for. After a rough start producing shows which they sold to different networks, he discovered the world of real estate and realized he could create the countrys first real estate and construction T.V. show. I used to call myself a method producer like a method actor because I really get very deep into the industry, he shares. Like for real estate, I was so deep in it that I started building houses and then I also got a brokers license and then we opened up Realty Emporium which is our brokerage firm. So all of these businesses were spawned from the show... It takes a lot of commitment to produce shows the way that I do. Philippine Realty TV (PRTV), as it came to be known, became Aguilars longest-running show at 17 seasons. PRTV also moved from simply featuring real estate properties and developers, towards building their own houses. After receiving different construction materials from their former clients, Aguilar came up with the brilliant idea of using them to build houses from scratch and then taping the experience. This is how PRTV ended up teaching people how to build their own houses which Aguilar then captured into the book Project: First Home everything you need to know to build your house from scratch. As opposed to incubators and accelerators that fund existing startups, Dragon's Nest aims to build startups from scratch. Photo by JL JAVIER As Dragons Nest CEO, John Aguilars role is to set the tone for the vision of the company, but then hire brilliant, driven entrepreneurs in residence to run these ventures. Photo by JL JAVIER It was also with PRTV where Aguilar met his wife Monica, who is now his business partner at StreetPark and COO at Dragons Nest. He credits her for professionalizing and putting structure into the company, given her corporate background. Together, the couple are the executive producers for The Final Pitch, the countrys first reality show that aims to link up-and-coming entrepreneurs to established business leaders and investors. Think The Apprentice and Shark Tank. TFP is now on its fifth season and airs on CNN Philippines, with startup teams receiving investments from investor-judges, such as Mega Global Corporation, AirAsia, Ice Dream Inc. (license holder of Baskin Robbins), Tagcash, and Bank of the Philippine Islands. TFP also plans to go regional: attracting startups from around the Southeast Asia, as well as getting one investor-judge from each country. With TFP, its no wonder Aguilar entered method producing mode again as he dove deep into the ins and outs of the startup and venture building industry in 2018. He pored over all the resources he could find on the industry, and ended up immersing himself among the big tech companies in Silicon Valley, seeing what he can adapt to the Asian setting, and graduating from the Singularity University in Silicon Valley. [With] real estate, I tried to be a successful entrepreneur but its hard because you need a lot of capital... But with startups and technology, someone who is in his dorm room can eventually [create] Facebook or a couple of down-and-out kids can create Airbnb, he explains. Its not without its struggles, but thats the thing: if you are driven enough, creative enough, and you have a vision, I feel at this stage you can build exponential startups and exponential businesses. What Aguilar wants to do now with Dragons Nest is to create regional startups, and hes hoping that by announcing it to the world, hes able to calling like-minded people to join him in the quest (here, he references Field of Dreams If you build it, they will come). Using his gift of gab, Aguilar hopes to partner up with conglomerates who want to be part of growing Asias next dragon startups but who also understand the importance of independence and agility to a startup. They have to be willing to provide the funding and resources, but also have a long leash to allow these startups to flourish. Through the show The Venture Builder, Aguilar hopes to attract not only conglomerates but also driven people from all walks of life successful and failed entrepreneurs, corporate superstars. The "10x" on the door" appears almost like a charm to attract exponential growth. Photo by JL JAVIER What Aguilar wants to do now with Dragons Nest is to create regional startups, and hes hoping that by announcing it to the world, hes able to calling like-minded people to join him in the quest. Photo by JL JAVIER His ultimate test question for any aspiring Dragons Nest executive founder? What is that one thing that in your life, no matter how old you are, that you tried to work towards and you were able to achieve? Aguilar believes that together with the five brilliant executive founders hell find through the search, Dragons Nest will not only get to know the industry, but also will maintain a certain sense of naivete in order to break the rules. We will revel in the fact that we are outsiders, he promises. Its always good to be an outsider because you dont have a preconceived notion about that industry... Its hard enough to build one startup but to build five startups in parallel? But thats the thing. I dont know how hard its going to be. I have an idea, but Im naive in that way and Im also optimistic in that way. For Aguilar, there is a moral responsibility to his itch to build, as his end goal is to build companies that can scale so millions of people can benefit from their services. If its just I want to earn money, parang sayang eh. Its my obligation, its my responsibility to make sure I use my gifts to the best of my ability and to impact as many people as I can. *** The Final Pitch airs every Sunday, 8:30 p.m. on CNN Philippines, with replays on Saturdays, 5:30 p.m. and Mondays, 9:30 p.m. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday denied reports that a special court had granted bail to an accused in the Pulwama terror attack case in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. In a statement, the agency said the bail was granted to Yousuf Chopan, who had been arrested by the NIA in a terror conspiracy case, and not the February 2019 attack case. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday denied reports that a special court had granted bail to an accused in the Pulwama terror attack case in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. In a statement, the agency said the bail was granted to Yousuf Chopan, who had been arrested by the NIA in a terror conspiracy case, and not the February 2019 attack case. The NIA spokesperon said Chopan was arrested in the case pertaining to a criminal conspiracy hatched by senior commanders of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group to carry out terror attacks in different parts of India, including Delhi-NCR. Raising the bail to the accused, the Congress said it was an "insult" to the security personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack and demanded Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over it. The NIA official said the agency had not filed charge sheet against Chopan in the JeM conspiracy case as enough evidence could not be gathered against him, resulting in his bail by a special court in Delhi. "It is to clarify that Yousuf Chopan was never arrested in Pulwama attack case. However, he along with six others was arrested in the NIA case 08/2019/NIA/DLI (JeM Conspiracy case) in which two charge sheets were filed against eight accused (including two killed)," the agency statement said. The agency said it had filed the charge sheets in the case against Sajad Ahmad Khan, Tanveer Ahmed Ganie, Bilal Ahmad Mir, Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat and Mehraj-ud-din Chopan, besides Mudassir Ahmad Khan and Kari Mufti Yaseer who were killed in an encounter with security forces. Mudassir Ahmad Khan, the mastermind behind the JeM conspiracy case who was also the main conspirators in the Pulwama attack case, was killed in an encounter. "During the investigation in the JeM conspiracy case, seven over ground workers (OGWs) were arrested. However, out of which six accused were charge-sheeted in two charge sheets and Yousuf Chopan was not charge sheeted due to inadequate evidence," the NIA said. As such Chopan has been granted default bail by special NIA court on 18 February, 2020 and he has been sent back to Kot Bhalwal Jail, Jammu under Public Safety Act by the order of District Magistrate, Pulwama. "Needless to say, NIA follows the policy of fairest possible investigation. In the Pulwama Attack Case 02/2019/NIA/JMU, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the suicide attack, significant leads have emerged and a breakthrough in the case is expected shortly," it said. Meanwhile, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the Pulwama terror attack accused got bail as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) neither collected evidence nor filed a charge sheet. "After taking political advantage of the Pulwama attack, forming government, now the Modi government does not care about the sacrifice of the country and the martyrs," he claimed. "Is this not 'treason'," he added. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel also attacked the government, saying he was "shocked to know that the Pulwama accused got bail because NIA so busy that it failed to file a charge sheet." "It's an insult to our martyrs. Clearly government used this tragic attack for political purposes and was never serious about delivering justice," Patel said in a tweet. At a press conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed that the nationalism of the BJP stands exposed because the NIA has failed to charge sheet against terrorist Yousuf Chopan. "Who will take responsibility for this. This was an attack on the country's honour. Accountability is a must," Khera said. "The BJP wasted no time to garner votes and shamelessly used the martyrdom of our soldiers," he claimed. "We demand the resignation of the Home Minister," Khera said. Interest in coronavirus cases outside China has spiked in the past seven days, with Google searches for 'coronavirus Italy' becoming the first similar phrase to overtake 'coronavirus China' in popularity since the outbreak began. Worldwide searches for 'coronavirus Italy' overtook those for the virus and 'China' on February 23, after the Italian government quarantined 11 towns in the Lombardy region, at the heart of the country's latest outbreak. The term peaked in popularity on Tuesday and Wednesday, but the popularity of searches for 'coronavirus China' rose again on Friday. The number of confirmed cases in Italy surged to 650 on Friday, up from three cases a week ago. The World Health Organisation's director general Tedros Ghebreyesus said the world had reached a "decisive point" on Friday, with the number of new cases outside China exceeding new cases within China over the past two days. Searches for 'pandemic' also reached peak popularity on Wednesday as discussions around pandemic plans escalated in a number of countries, including Australia. The popularity of the term 'coronavirus Iran' has grown eight-fold since February 19. Total cases in South Korea and Iran have increased rapidly this week, and the Japanese government has announced that it will close schools across the country. Searches for 'coronavirus Italy' were most popular in Ireland, Poland, the UK, Italy and Israel. 'Coronavirus China' was most popular in Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Germany and India, while Australians and New Zealanders were the most likely to be Googling 'coronavirus Australia'. The Google figures represent relative interest in each term, with a value of 100 indicating peak popularity for the term rather than actual search numbers. Washington: At first glance, the two men look almost like old friends, grinning for a camera as they sit together on a couch drinking coffee. But they make a very unlikely pair. Anas Haqqani and Timothy Weeks meet in the airport in Doha, Qatar. One is Timothy Weeks, the Australian academic kidnapped at gunpoint in Kabul in 2016 who then spent more than three years as a Taliban hostage. The other is Anas Haqqani, brother of the leader of the Haqqani network, an extremist group allied with the Taliban, who was held in Afghan custody for several years. The two men's fates were inextricably linked last year when they were both released as part of a prisoner swap that freed Haqqani and two other high-level commanders in exchange for Weeks and Kevin King, an American citizen. Dr. GSK Velu is Chairman & Managing Director at Trivitron Healthcare FICCI (The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) has appointed a serial healthcare entrepreneur, Dr. GSK Velu as the new Co-Chairperson of FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council for the year 2020. Dr. GSK Velu is Chairman & Managing Director at Trivitron Healthcare, a prominent medical technology company; Chairman & Managing Director at Neuberg Diagnostics, a global pathology brand operating in India, UAE and South Africa; Mentor & Shareholder at Kauvery Group of Hospitals, a chain of multi-specialty Hospitals; Chairman at Maxivision Eye Hospitals, a national chain of eye care super-specialty hospitals; Founder & Director at Apollo White Dental & Apollo Dialysis; and Anchor Investor at Stakeboat Capital, a private equity fund. He is also the Honorary Consul to The Republic of Estonia in India, wherein the Honorary Consul jurisdiction states include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Expressing gratitude and talking about his role, Dr. GSK Velu said, "I am thankful for FICCIs vote of confidence in appointing me as the Co-Chairperson of FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council. This position gives me an opportunity to work within the FICCI framework in meeting its objectives of industry growth at one level, and the nations growth at another. I look forward to engaging with industry leaders to foster an ecosystem of innovation and growth, and towards building consensus between the industry and the policymakers." Dr. Velus prominent works in the area of building and promoting International business collaborations have been well recognized and received. He has been bestowed with several awards and accolades which are a testimony to his hard work, dedication and his vision of making access to affordable quality healthcare a reality. In the debate over the possibility of oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, polar bears play an important, if silent, role. At issue is whether oil development, especially seismic testing to find oil reserves that would be conducted long before any drilling occurred, can be undertaken without harming the animals, which have been hit hard by climate change. A new study casts doubt on the effectiveness of what is considered a state-of-the-art tool to help industry avoid injuring or disturbing polar bears by detecting their dens in the snow. Over more than a decade on the North Slope of Alaska, the study found, oil companies located fewer than half of the known dens of maternal bears and their infant cubs using airborne instruments called forward-looking infrared, or FLIR, cameras. We wanted to make sure that we throw up a cautionary flag, said Tom Smith, a wildlife ecologist at Brigham Young University and the lead author of the study, which was published Thursday in the journal PLOS ONE. The oil industry needs to acknowledge that even with the best conditions, youre going to miss bears, added Dr. Smith, who is also a scientific adviser to Polar Bears International, a conservation group that provided some of the funding for the study. NEW YORKFrom shoes and T-shirts to dolls and tote bags, more companies and brands are getting into the business of Black History Month but trying not to leave the impression that African American consumers are important just once a year. Some businesses are using February to show off the diversity of their year-round product lines or to draw attention to the creative talent of their African American employees. Target rolled out a Black History Month assortment that spotlights black-owned brands such as Honey Pot feminine products, Lip Bar cosmetics and Scotch Porter, which specializes in mens grooming. The collection includes books, music and food that are favourites among Targets African American employee resource group, which has more than 1,000 members. The company has been promoting the products through blogs and commentary from its staff. H&M has a new street wear collection designed in collaboration with Ruth Carter, the Academy-Award winning designer behind the costumes for films including Black Panther, Malcolm X and Amistad. The pants, shirts, totes and hats featuring the Pan-African flag colours of red, black and green debuted in February, but the collection was not billed as a Black History Month tribute. Companies are getting smart about making it integrated into the rest of the year, as opposed to one month when you give money to the NAACP or run an ad, as opposed to treating it as an expense, just one of those things we have to do otherwise well get in trouble, said Brenda Lee, founding director of the marketing research firm Vision Strategy and Insights, which researches African American, Hispanic and Asian consumers. Ezinne Kwubiri, H&Ms head of inclusion and diversity for North America, said she notices more companies publicly marking Black History Month, but the next thing is to challenge them to do more during the year. The Carter collection, for instance, will be a long-term collaboration, she said. Lets not make this about one month of recognition, said Kwubiri, who was hired to her position following an uproar two years ago when H&M featured a black child model wearing a monkey in the jungle T-shirt on its website in the U.K. While companies have been marking Black History Month for years, the events are getting bigger, and more brands are joining in, seeking to connect with increasingly diverse generations of consumers. Target launched its Black History Month assortments five years ago and has since increased the number of products to more than 100, carried in more than 600 stores. Melanie Gatewood, director of multicultural merchandise, said Target was able to tap into black-owned businesses that it has been working with for years. More than one-third of the products in the assortment this year are from black-owned or founded businesses. Nike launched a special edition sneaker 15 years ago for Black History month with the Pan-African colours. This year, it has an entire collection modelled by young black leaders including artist Shani Crowe and McKinley Nelson, founder of Project sWish, a Chicago foundation dedicated to inner city youths. Michaels, the arts and crafts retailer, has a collection of black heritage products this year, a project that originated with its African American and black employee resource group. The products include printed vinyl rolls that have proved so popular that Michaels plans to include them in its permanent collection. A major part of avoiding missteps is being authentic in anything you do, said Davette Angelo, a merchandising product manager, adding that he and designer Sharae Averhart pulled on our experiences and backgrounds to put this collection together. Still, there have been mistakes along the way, especially when there is no consensus on what crosses the line into exploitation and trivialization. Barnes & Noble this month pulled a widely condemned line of classic literature reissued with covers featuring dark-skinned versions of characters like Alice in Wonderland. The organizers of Diverse Editions relied on artificial intelligence to review more than 100 older books to identify which ones to reissue. That was a great example of that being all about pushing the books and nothing about promoting the community, Lee said. What about that was grounded in African American history? Even companies rooted in the black community cant always escape criticism. OneUnited Bank, the countrys largest black-owned bank, released a debit card in mid-February with Harriet Tubman on it as a way to highlight the stalled effort to put the abolitionist icon on the $20 bill. There was an instant backlash from Twitter users who chafed at the image of the former slave on a debit card. Frederick Knight, an associate professor of history at Morehouse College, said it might have been more meaningful to elevate a lesser-known figure more directly tied to black economic empowerment, pointing to Maggie Lena Walker, who chartered a bank after the Civil War. There are more appropriate people they could have used this opportunity for, rather than take advantage of an iconic person like Harriet Tubman, Knight said. But the bank stands by its decision, noting that the card is the ninth in a series with black faces on them, including one launched in partnership with the Black Lives Matter movement. It stems from a rebranding the company undertook in 2015 to put its black identity as the centre of its marketing. OneUnited Bank President Teri Williams said the Tubman card has been its bestseller. Adriana Waterston, senior vice-president of insights and strategy for Horowitz Research, said companies are responding to customers that take pride in seeing their heritage represented in powerful brands. Especially in todays racially polarized environment, showing up and supporting one community speaks volumes, Waterston said. If you are only showing up once a year, black consumers will easily see through this and consider you disingenuous. Next Tuesday, March 3 the primaries of the Democratic Party will took place in 14 US states. It will become clear who will be the main rival of Donald Trump in the presidential election in November Open source Based on the results of meetings of activists in the states of Nevada, Iowa, New Hampshire, it is highly likely that 78-year-old Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont will become a single candidate from the Democratic Party. In Nevada, 46% of Democrats supported his candidacy. He bypassed the more moderate party members Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg. Sanders is mainly supported by Hispanic Americans, white students, and poor people. Sanders does not enjoy authority among big business, the party elite for his overly radical views. He represents the ultra-left wing of the Democratic Party and advocates increasing taxes for corporations, introducing free education and medicine, switching to green energy, and increasing spending from the state budget to help vulnerable populations. There is an opinion that Sanders had high chances to stand as a single Democratic candidate for the presidency in the 2016 elections, Hillary Clinton was given this privilege. You can talk for a long time about whether Trump and Sanders will converge in the battle for the presidency, whether the American socialist will be able to defeat the former construction magnate, or, conversely, the participation of an overly radical politician-democrat will only strengthen the position of a more moderate republican. Another thing is obvious: Zelenskys team should allow various scenarios for the outcome of the US presidential election and think over a strategy of bilateral relations in advance, taking into account Sanderss specific views on foreign policy issues. Responsible Foreign Policy Sanders proposes to change the nature of US foreign policy and, as he believes, to make it "responsible." He positions himself as an ardent pacifist, an opponent of the use of military force against other countries, and he opposes the unilateral actions of the United States in international relations. The senator believes that the States should remain involved in events that take place in different parts of the world, protect democratic rights and freedoms, but do so in conjunction with regional partners, and not on its own, exclusively through diplomatic methods or using economic influence. Sanders has repeatedly emphasized that military force is an extreme measure and should be used only if approved by the US Congress and the UN Security Council, and not as the former president George W. Bush Jr. did in Iraq in 2003. Sanders advocates the lifting of existing sanctions against Cuba, intends to close the military base in Guantanamo, not to interfere in the internal political processes of Latin America. The presidential candidate defends the idea of curtailing the US military presence in various parts of the world, ending the military operation in Afghanistan, which his supporters called the "eternal war", advocates the universal renunciation of nuclear weapons. Sanders is categorically against US intervention in armed conflicts in other countries. He criticized military operations in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Libya. The exception is the invasion of Afghanistan after the attacks of September 11, 2001. And then, his position radically changed by 2008. In his opinion, the money spent on military operations abroad and assistance to other countries should be spent on social expenses, including use to support veterans. Sanders believes that European countries - NATO members should spend at least 2% of GDP on defense, but, unlike Trump, he highly values the organization's importance in ensuring collective security. Sanders is positioning himself as a more radical protectionist than Trump. The presidential candidate is opposed to the transfer of American production from the United States to China, Latin America. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Sanders voted against the bill to grant China the most-favored nation treatment in 1993, the bill on the constant normalization of trade relations between the United States and China. The politician is sure that due to the influx of Chinese goods, American enterprises go bankrupt, and 3 million Americans have lost their jobs. Sanders opposes the conclusion of agreements on a free trade zone with other countries, and considers it appropriate to terminate the agreement on a free trade zone between the United States, Canada and Mexico in order to protect US producers in the domestic market. I have nothing to do with it If Sanders comes to power in the United States, he will adhere to the principle "I have nothing to do with it" in international relations. The Middle Eastern allies of the United States will not be delighted with Sanders coming to power. Sanders does not consider it appropriate to support Israel and Saudi Arabia in the confrontation with Iran and sponsored Islamic groups. The politician sees the United States as an arbiter in the Middle East and advocates a balance of interests. He recognizes Iran as a regional center of power, which opinion must be reckoned with in order for the Islamic Republic to comply with the terms of the nuclear deal. In 1979, Sanders supported the Islamic Revolution in Iran and strongly opposed the armed conflict with the Ayatollah regime. In the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, a descendant of Polish Jews Sanders favors the peaceful coexistence of the states of Israel and Palestine. He condemns Trump's recognition of the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Even on the fight against Islamic extremism and international terrorism, Sanders takes a specific approach. He believes that the head of the coalition against the Islamic State should not be the United States, but the Middle Eastern countries which rely on their military resources, and not stand behind Uncle Sam. The democratic socialist advocates a change in the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, but exclusively by peaceful means, hopes to convince Russia and Iran, who are helping him. Although Sanders has a tougher stance on China than Trump. While Trump limited himself to raising import duties in order to obtain concessions from China on trade disputes, Sanders expressed his intention to support the centrifugal region of Tibet, which China forcibly joined in the middle of the last century. Sanders probably intends to support protesters in Hong Kong in the fight for wide autonomy, as he advocates respect for political and religious freedoms in the Middle Kingdom. If Sanders becomes the next owner of the Oval Office, the United States will finally lose its role as a global center of power and world gendarme and become a state of neutrality and isolationism in international relations, such as Sweden, Mexico, Switzerland. Involvement in global processes will be limited only to lengthy statements about the importance of democracy and world peace. Sanders pacifism will be used by Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, which reinforce the words with military force in the struggle for resources outside their borders. US global influence and authority will melt not in a day, but in an hour. Conclusions for Ukraine There is no unequivocal opinion regarding Sanderss position regarding Russian aggression in Ukraine. According to Danielle Pletka, senior vice president for foreign policy and defense at the American Institute of Enterprises, in 2014 Sanders said that the United States does not care about Crimea, and Russia took a lot of Russians with it. This was the reason for talking that Sanders is "Putin's friend", a favorite of Russia in the US presidential election. Not everything is so simple. Sanders is pro-Russian for his opponents. In his election program, Sanders proposes to counter Russia's aggression through interaction with the EU and the UN. In 2016, Sanders expressed concern about Putins adventures in Ukraine and supported an increase in spending on strengthening the defense capabilities of European countries and cooperation within NATO to deter Russian aggression. In 2017, he supported the Republican bill on tightening anti-Russian sanctions, but did not vote for it just because it also contained restrictive measures against Iran. In 2019, Sanders voted in favor of a bill on sanctions against companies of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Sanders is convinced that Russia intervened in the US election in 2016 and influenced the defeat of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. This year, he demanded that Russian President Vladimir Putin stay away from the US presidential election. However, in the event of coming to power in the United States, Sanders will not follow a tougher line towards Russia than Trump or Obama. He will not abolish the existing sanctions, but will not initiate new restrictive measures without the participation of the EU, where this idea is not popular among some member states, including France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The politician will not provide funding to strengthen the defense of the Ukrainian army, will not intervene in the settlement of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. Sanders will be neutral in conflicts that do not pose a direct threat to US national security. The American Hudson Institute has an alternative perspective. Sanders' reforms in the United States can undermine the foundations on which the authoritarian regime in Russia rests: energy supplies, corruption, propaganda. Sanders plans to reform the US energy sector and completely abandon the use of hydrocarbon resources, transfer the country to alternative energy sources. An example of Americans can be followed by Europe, which is the main market for the sale of natural gas from the Russian Federation. Now in the EU, the idea of climate protection is trending due to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere and the transition to environmentally friendly energy sources. The presidential candidate intends to tighten regulation of the banking system, checks offshore companies that are used by Russian oligarchs to withdraw funds from Russia, and thus cause them economic damage. Nevertheless, all these measures, especially the rejection of the use of oil and natural gas, may drag on for more than one year. Russian is and will be a cheaper alternative to green energy. The abandonment of oil and gas on a global scale will require significant investment, will lead to a change in the nature of production and the global economy. As long as democratic socialists engage in domestic politics and curtail their military presence in the world, Russia will continue to expand its area of influence in Eurasia. Putin acts by primitive methods: he resumed the Cold War-style nuclear arms race, carried out armed aggression in eastern Ukraine to keep our country in the orbit of his influence, and is ready to continue to play, as the recent attacks in the Luhansk region indicate. Sanders is not going to confront in relations with Russia, although he perceives it as an authoritarian country where human rights are violated and no one is involved in protecting the climate. The politician opposes the expansion of NATO to the east, believing that this could lead to confrontation with Russia. The senator condemned the U.S. withdrawal from the treaty on the elimination of intermediate and shorter-range missiles in 2019, despite the fact that Russia was the first to violate the provisions of the document by adopting prohibited weapons. The maximum that Kyiv can count on is the diplomatic support of Sanders. It is high time for Ukraine to stop having illusions that America or Europe will help to return the lands occupied by Russia, since they do not see a significant threat to their security in Putins regime. ISTANBUL The Turkish Army suffered mass casualties in an airstrike in northwest Syria late Thursday, an attack that could dramatically change the course of the Syrian war as fears grow of a direct conflict between Russia and Turkey, a NATO member. At least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed and more than 30 wounded, said Rahmi Dogan, the Turkish governor of the southern province of Hatay, where the Turkish casualties were arriving. Turkish officials said the strike had been carried out by Syrian government forces, but Russian jets have been conducting most of the airstrikes in the area in recent weeks. Turkish protesters in Istanbul converged on the Russian Consulate there early Friday, chanting Murderer Russia! Murderer Putin! Turkish officials have avoided blaming the Russian government for aggression against their forces in Syria, hoping to avoid a direct confrontation with Russias much stronger military and to keep a line open for talks with Russias president, Vladimir V. Putin. External Article 27 February 2020 Luxury travel is changing as sustainability comes front and center for the $8.8 trillion travel industry, a sector responsible for one in 10 jobs globally, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. IHG is a major hospitality player with over 883,000 rooms and more than 5,900 hotels, with another 1,900 in the pipeline. Along with its InterContinental and Holiday Inn brands, it has become a growing player in the world of luxury after buying Six Senses, Regent, and Kimpton. During the International Luxury Travel Market held in Cannes, France, last December, IHG's senior vice president of global marketing for luxury brands, Jane Mackie, and Neil Jacobs, CEO of Six Senses, joined Francisca Kellett, former travel editor of Tatler magazine, to discuss conscious luxury, what it means, what the industry is doing, and why it matters. The health risks of e-cigarettes have come into focus after the deaths of several vapers due to lung injury in the USA recently. These health risks were discussed in press reports on eight young people who were poisoned in Bremerhaven in October 2019. Patients suffered from convulsive seizures, impaired consciousness and memory, and heart palpitations. According to a preliminary assessment from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the prohibited use of synthetic cannabinoids in e-liquids can be assumed with high likelihood as reason for the observed symptoms. According to media reports, the patients admitted to have consumed cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is a weakly psychoactive cannabinoid. Already a year ago, the use of CBD liquids manipulated with psychoactive cannabinoids has been reported on from the USA. The users suffered from neurological symptoms as the youths in Bremerhaven. Thus, both case series share similar symptoms - including the fact that no respiratory symptoms appeared - and the absence of fatal cases in contrast to earlier reports from the USA. The cases of poisoning in Bremerhaven can only be assessed to a limited extent by BfR due to the lack of sufficient available information. Further data, particularly regarding the products, additives, and devices used, are required for a toxicological risk assessment. At the moment, there are no hints that indicate the cause or enhancement of the symptoms of poisoning by e-cigarettes. However, e-cigarettes in general, with nicotine or nicotine free, compromise health. Subject of the assessment The BfR has issued a statement regarding possible health risks arising from the use of ecigarettes recently. The background are media reports1 dated 25 October 2019 in Bremen, covering poisoning of eight youths in Bremerhaven that was attributed to the use of ecigarettes. Although the symptoms in the Bremerhaven case series were clearly different from the severe respiratory illnesses in the USA, the cases were partially summarised. Poisoning was attributed to e-cigarettes as a new consumption habit - with no differentiation with regard to the e-liquids consumed. Results With a very high likelihood, the poisoning cases in Bremerhaven are due to the use of synthetic cannabinoids in e-liquids. They clearly differ to the current cases of severe illness in the USA. Already one-and-a-half years ago, there were cases reported from USA similar to the cases in Bremerhaven. The cases of illness or poisoning were attributed to manipulated cannabidiol liquids (CBD liquids) by the American authorities. The cases of poisoning in Bremerhaven are, based on current knowledge, due to other psychoactive synthetic cannabinoids. The liquids in question were acquired from a tobacconist in some cases. The BfR has no information regarding the origin of the liquids containing cannabinoids. It is also possible that the e-liquids used in Bremerhaven were spiked with so-called incense or herbal blends. These are mixtures that may contain synthetic cannabinoids such as 5FADB, Cumyl-PeGaClone or 5F-Cumyl-P7AICA and that are misused for smoking. Synthetic cannabinoids could also have been mixed to the liquids in a different form, such as crystals or solids. The assessment of the current cases in Germany is only possible to a limited extent due to the lack of available information. Further information, particularly regarding the products, additives, and devices used, is required for a toxicological risk assessment. The products that were consumed should be subjected to full chemical analysis and characterization. Furthermore, there is the question whether further illegal substances have been spread via CBD products. At the moment, there are no hints that e-cigarettes as an application have triggered or enhanced the symptoms of poisoning. The current opinions of the BfR therefore remain valid. E-cigarettes in general, either with nicotine or nicotine free, compromise health. Risk assessment and discussion This preliminary assessment is based on press releases describing cases. Faintness, impaired consciousness and memory, seizures, and heart palpitations are listed as symptoms. The lack of respiratory symptoms clearly differentiates the cases in Bremerhaven from the illnesses associated with e-cigarettes registered currently in the USA. Several youths stated that they had used products with the mildly psychoactive cannabinoid CBD. There were approximately fifty similar cases of illness in the USA in 2018 that were caused by CBD liquids which were manipulated with further, more psychoactive cannabinoids . These manipulated CBD products were available via normal distribution channels (tobacconists) in some federal states. The psychoactive cannabinoid 4-CCB was found in a total of nine seized samples. The confirmed cases can largely be attributed to products containing 4-CCB. The symptoms, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are changes in consciousness (including full loss of consciousness), confusion, cerebral seizures, and hallucinations. Respiratory symptoms did not arise. In general, the symptoms are largely consistent with the Bremerhaven cases. Around 75 % of cases in the USA involved vapers, whilst the symptoms in the remaining cases occurred after sub-lingual use, i.e. regardless of the e-cigarette as an application form. The possibility that CBD products could be used to spread synthetic drugs represents an alarming development from a risk assessment perspective. However, cannabinoids can also be introduced to liquids in other ways such as solids or CBD oils. According to information from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), some synthetic cannabinoids demonstrate considerably increased risk of overdosing compared to cannabis due to their high potency and long half-life. Little is known about these cannabinoids pharmacology and toxicology in general. The BfR shares the view of the local authorities that the cases of illness in Bremerhaven, based on the current state of knowledge, are most likely due to synthetic cannabinoids. However, the BfR considers forensic-analytical investigations of corresponding samples necessary to confirm this hypothesis. Such investigations are also required to identify further substances that could be associated with these poisonings. A comprehensive toxicological assessment would also require information regarding the devices used (open/closed systems, evaporator output, specifications amongst others). The possibility, discussed in the media, that liquids are cut with herbal mixtures (or extracts, or similar) can also not be ruled out. A suspicion could be substantiated by forensic examinations of samples, since the substances used in herbal mixtures are already known to a large extend. Further cases of poisoning due to synthetic cannabinoids in e-liquids recently occurred in Bavaria. Also regarding these cases, there have only been local press releases, no further details are known to the BfR. Conclusion Independent of the current situation, i.e. the e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury outbreak (EVALI) in the USA, a trend becomes apparent that e-cigarettes are increasingly being used for consumption of psychoactive substances and possibly also for other drugs. Increased risks to health may result from misuse and represent new challenges to both, risk assessment and risk management. The BfR maintains its recommendation, to apply regulations already in place for liquids containing nicotine also to nicotine-free products. Farmers have been working the rich soils and producing bountiful crops in Connecticut since it was founded in the 1600s. During the Revolutionary War, Connecticut was the Provision State because of all the products it grew and manufactured, supporting the other colonies in their efforts to free themselves from British rule. Since then, our state has evolved, but agriculture still remains an important part of our economy and history. Much of that stands to change if legislation passed last year is allowed to go into effect this summer. The unintended consequences of sweeping changes to the states alcohol laws seriously jeopardize that legacy and place farm wineries and their thousands of acres of farmland at risk. In the late 1970s, a foresightful legislature recognized Connecticut farmland was disappearing at an alarming rate. To preserve the states agricultural industry and legacy, it established a farmland preservation program and also passed the Farm Winery Act. This act enabled farms to grow grapes, make wine, and distribute it to retailers or sell it directly to consumers. This legislation was pioneering, as all other alcohol sold in the state had to pass through the three-tier system. But the incentives of the Farm Winery Act were given to farmers to encourage working lands to remain agriculturally productive. Many other states also have similar laws; look no farther than across our border to New York State and its thriving farm wineries which operate under similar statutes. But now the legislature is looking to provide those same incentives to manufacturers who import most of their grapes from outside of Connecticut. This will promote the agricultural industry in other states while putting our own farmland in jeopardy. My family has been working the soils in the White Hills of Shelton for six generations. After I graduated from college, I returned to the family farm. With a lot of hard work, I established a small, but growing vineyard and winery. This success would not have been possible without the Farm Winery Act. Now 16 years later, we have several dozen full and part-time employees who do everything from nurturing the vines to selling the wines. Its our farms philosophy that wine is produced in the vineyard, not in a winery. The French have a word, terroir. It describes the magical interaction of climate, soils, terrain, and tradition that create a unique vintage each year. Due to the great efforts needed in a vineyard, growing grapes is the costliest aspect of the wine making. Farm wineries must invest in land, vineyard equipment, and employees to work the land. It takes, on average, four years from planting the grape vines until the first harvest. Every year grapes must be pruned, tied to the trellis wires, mowed, and protected from insects, weeds, diseases, and hungry wildlife. With any luck, the weather will cooperate and allow for a harvest in the autumn. Farming is not an easy proposition, but a labor of love. The Farm Winery Act has proven to be successful. Today Connecticut boasts more than 40 farm wineries that attract tens of thousands of guests to their tasting rooms. Farm wineries create more than 1,000 jobs and inject $154 million into the states economy. Vineyards also provide intangible benefits. Our farms are part of important ecosystems, providing habitat for pollinators and wildlife, as well as lessening climate change. The farms beautiful landscapes are not only treasured by Connecticut residents, but they also attract visitors from outside our state, who spend their money at local restaurants, inns, and other small businesses as they travel through the state. New regulations that take effect July 1 will create a backdoor allowing hundreds of thousands of gallons of grape juice and wine to flow into Connecticut and directly into the market without having the cost of working the land. I applaud the bipartisan efforts of the legislatures Environment Committee which is proposing simple solutions. But time is of the essence. I urge everyone who supports maintaining our agricultural roots to call or write their state legislators and ask them to support our states farm wineries. For hundreds of years, the Great Seal of Connecticut has featured grapevines; grapevines also are prominent on our State Flag. If we don't act now, precious farmlands could begin disappearing from the landscape once again. An important part of the states economy and rich component of its history is at risk. Kuhn Center Ireland is hosting an Open Day in Cork this coming Tuesday, March 3 where the grass and tillage specialists will showcase a full range of Kuhn equipment. Farmers and contractors are expected to attend in large numbers and will be able to check out the latest grass, baling, tillage, seeding, ploughing, spraying and bedding machinery on display. Speaking to FarmIreland ahead of the event, Rosarie Crowley, managing director of Kuhn Center Ireland, explained; "We're really exited for this day because it will be the first time our customers will get to see these machines up close and in the flesh. We have been planning it for a while and will have expert staff on hand to answer any questions that customers have. I would urge anyone with an interest to drop in and meet the sales and service team." Highlights will include the new HR 3030 Power Harrow and the FB 3135 new baler. For silage contractors there will be a chance to check out the new FC3115 mower conditioner and the GA range of grass rakes. The event is being held from 11am to 8pm at the Kuhn Centre Ireland headquarters which are based in Cobh Cross, Carrigtwohill, Cork (Eircode is T45FE81). Kenyan airport authorities have cleared 239 passengers who arrived at the capitals main international airport on Wednesday. According to local media, all the passengers were screened on board and allowed to enter the country moments after the aircraft landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. China Southern Airlines had initially suspended travel reservations on the carrier till the end of June 2020. The ban was to be reviewed on March 28, 2020. On Monday, the carrier resumed over 2,100 domestic flights amid the epidemic, according to the company. The flights were mainly from southwest, central and southern China to first-tier cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and east China. In January, Kenya Airways suspended all its flights to Guangzhou, China after patients started dying from coronavirus. Kenya ministry of health said Wednesday passengers were advised to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution against the possible spread of coronavirus. Health Minister Sicily Kariuki said in a statement that 17 suspected cases had been reported in the country but they all tested negative for the virus. She also advised Kenyans against non-essential travel to countries with confirmed coronavirus cases. On Wednesday, Algeria became the second country in Africa to confirm a coronavirus case after Egypt. Algerian health ministry said the patient arrived from Italy on 17 February. Jessa Duggar will soon be making an appearance on another TLC show. The Counting On star will be on the upcoming season of Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, the network announced Feb. 26. Jessa wont be shopping for herself shes been married to Ben Seewald since November 2014. Instead, shell be helping her sister in law find the perfect gown for her big day. Jessa Duggar helps Bens sister find a wedding dress Jessica Duggar on Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta | TLC In the episode, Jessa and her sister-in-law Jessica head to Bridals by Lori in Atlanta to find Jessicas wedding dress. But it sounds like Jessa and Jessica werent exactly on the same page when it came to a wedding day look. The mom of three suggests a modest dress, but the bride is apparently feeling a bit more adventurous. While Jessa preferred a more conservative look, it seems like Jessica went with her gut. In wedding day photos she shared to Instagram, shes wearing a sleeveless gown with a low back. Best moment of my life, she captioned one of the photos. According to People, both Jessica and her husband are police officers in Arkansas. They married in May 2019. Jessas wedding dress While Jessa and her sister-in-law may not have been on exactly the same page when it came to Jessicas dress, its clear that the reality TV star can be trusted to pick a pretty gown. On her wedding day, Jessa wore a short-sleeved blush-colored dress by Allure Bridals that she found at Tesori Bridal in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It had a fully-beaded bodice, People reported, and Jessa opted to have some of the tulle removed so that it would fall the way she liked. It was the second dress I tried on, Jessa told the magazine. I love it. While Jessas dress was a little different from an all-white gown, that didnt make her hesitate. We didnt know if she would like it because it wasnt the traditional white, shop owner Lindsey Stavely told the magazine. But Jessa and her sisters knew a winner when they saw one. She kept coming back to this dress and all her sisters were like, the second one, the second one, so everyone agreed, the shops co-owner Erin Bridges said. Maddie & Tae, Brandi Williams will also be on this season of SYTTD: Atlanta Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta | TLC Jessa wont be the only recognizable face on this season of Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. Country music duo Maddie & Tae also pay a visit to Loris Bridals. Theyre searching for bridesmaids dresses for Maddies crew before they head out on tour. And actress Brandi Williams from Bring It On is on the hunt for something different from her usual red carpet looks. Also this season, viewers will see a maid of honor who seems determined to take over the bridezilla role from her identical twin, whos the one whos actually getting married. Plus, theres a same-sex couple trying to make all 11 of their bridesmaids happy, as well as a bride whose vision of an urban mermaid look for her wedding is more swimwear than traditional bridal attire. Finally, the Bridals By Lori team must band together after Lori has a scary accident that takes her out of commission for a period of time. Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta premieres Saturday, March 21 at 8/7c on TLC. If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wins the upcoming elections, that will be the end of Israeli democracy, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak said in interviews he gave to the Israeli media this week. Blue and White member Yair Lapid tweeted Feb. 25, If you plan on voting for Labor-Meretz, ask yourselves one question: What will remain of Israeli democracy if Netanyahu wins by even one mandate? Simultaneously, Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri said in an Feb. 25 interview with Walla that his party will enable Netanyahu to continue to serve as prime minister even if the High Court forbids it. This statement is seen as a confirmation of the deep misgivings that are spreading throughout the center-left and the few liberal bastions that still remain in Israel that should Netanyahu achieve 61 seats, he would take off his gloves and shred the countrys law enforcement and legal systems into pieces. Then he would re-create new systems in his own image. The nightmare scenario example used by Blue and White officials is todays Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They believe that under Netanyahu, the administration would undergo far-reaching changes: The powers of the prime minister would be widened, the wings of the legal system would be clipped and takeover of the media would be completed. As usual, the official formulator of these fears was Barak: Israeli democracy is being smashed to pieces; next Monday is our last opportunity to halt it. The very idea of an Ohana-Engelman regime [Justice Minister Amir Ohana and State Comptroller Matanyahu Engelman], directed by a Netanyahu whose wife and son have made totally crazy, is truly a nightmare. If we cant stop him with our votes, we are likely to quickly roll down toward the Poland/Hungary junction or toward the 'Turkey case,' he wrote in an article published in Haaretz on Feb. 25. Netanyahu himself reinforced these concerns due to a slip of the tongue during one of the interviews he held this week. When asked if, after the elections, he would consider legislating a law similar to the "French law" [of sovereign immunity] that prevents the indictment of a head of state, Netanyahu did not rule out the possibility. Afterward he realized his mistake and hurried to strongly deny such a possibility in all the interviews he gave. Even Netanyahu understands that if he is perceived as trying to achieve victory in the elections in order to avoid legal punishment, hell lose points even among the right. Despite Netanyahus current momentum, most of the Israeli public still understands that a prime minister under indictment is not capable of running a country as complicated and volatile as Israel. Prior to the April 2019 elections, Netanyahu was asked in a Channel 12 interview whether he would ask for immunity from the Knesset after being indicted. The prime minister offered a categorical denial that has already entered the pantheon of false denials in Israeli politics, saying this was out of the question. In January, after he was served with an indictment, Netanyahu hurried to file for immunity. Later on, he was forced to retract this in disgrace, when he understood that he didnt have a majority in the Knesset. As of now, these glitches have not brought down his standing in the polls. He succeeded in overcoming the initial advantage Blue and White had in opinion surveys, and the right-wing bloc he heads is also recovering. Nevertheless, Netanyahu is still far (four to six seats) from the 61 seats that would, according to his adversaries, put the finishing touches on the destruction of Israeli democracy, as we have known it since the founding of the state in 1948. Deterioration in the polls caused Blue and White to recently embark on an aggressive campaign of its own. Until recently, Benny Gantz had led a clean, impartial, dignified campaign, but now understands that while he played according to the rules, the voters were fleeing to Netanyahu, who is fighting for every vote and does not follow the rules. The first decision made by Blue and White was to turn to the left and try to storm the 10 seats (according to the polls) of the Labor-Meretz-Gesher alliance. Gantz decided to treat Labor chairman Amir Peretz the way Netanyahu does Yamina leader Naftali Bennett without allowing his conscience to bother him. The prior Blue and White strategy of letting Peretz concentrate the left-wing votes, and the attempt to pump soft right-wing votes from Netanyahu did not bring results; the opposite was true. Now, in the very last moments of the campaign, Blue and White finally decided to take off the gloves and try to draw votes from every possible direction. Possible relatively good news for Blue and White is drawn from the statistical history of Israeli politics. With only one exception, every time that Netanyahu reached election day when he led in the polls, he lost or received far less support than was anticipated. But every time he reached election day when he lagged behind in the polls, he won. An upgrading of his position in the last days of the campaign could take the wind out of the sails of Likud supporters, who might be convinced that Netanyahu will win and thus might not flood the voting booths. And the opposite could be true: Center-left Blue and White voters may understand that they are fighting for their home base and may give it everything they have. The elections likely will be decided by the voting percentages within the different groups: the Arab voters of the Joint List, the Likud voters and Blue and White voters. The parties whose voters crowd the voting booths in greater numbers will be the ones to celebrate the morning of March 3. And what will happen if Netanyahu breaks through the 61-seat barrier? Not everyone is convinced that he can pulverize Israels democracy. There are at least four to five Knesset members in the Likud who will not vote in favor of a French law or emasculation of the High Court, a high-level Likud member told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. I believe that there are many members of other parties who also oppose such machinations. Even in Blue and White, there are those who believe that it is way too early to eulogize Israels democracy. Israel is not Turkey, a high-up Blue and White official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. Here, no one can casually throw journalists or high-ranking army officers into jail, even now. And we really hope that even after the elections, it wont be any easier to do so. A Spring woman attempted to use Houston billionaire Tilman Fertittas social security number to illegally open lines of credit, police allege. Stephanie Hunter, 27, told investigators that she purchased the moguls sensitive information on the dark web and applied for a bank credit card and line of credit with a popular furniture store, according to charging documents. The companies approved both applications, but Lifelock a credit and identity monitoring service spotted problems with the application and alerted Fertitta directly, police said. PHOTOS: Rockets players help out at Hobby Airport Hunter allegedly used Fertittas name, social security number and other personal information on the application. However, she created a fake email address (with the username fertitta.t57) and used her own home address in Spring for the application, police said. Fertitta called deputies with the Harris County Precinct 1 Constables Office, who arrested Hunter on an unrelated warrant and questioned her about the credit lines in October. Thats when she admitted to the scheme, police said. She was charged with fraudulent use of identifying information and using a false statement to obtain credit. Fertitta's ownership portfolio features Houston-based Landry's, Inc. with more than 600 concepts nationwide including over 60 brands, four aquariums, 11 hotels, and two amusement parks. He also owns the Houston Rockets. A spokesperson for Fertitta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com Maldonado has said he was a registered Republican but last year officially switched his status to unaffiliated. Crawford said she has not approved of the attacks Maldonado has received on his character and as a person during council meetings the past two months, but he does need to stay for the entire meeting. +5 Galloway political conflict may have had seeds planted two years ago GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Since Robert Maldonado voted to switch the leadership of the Township Co Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} I dont think its proper to leave and not listen to what people have to say, Crawford said. Gorman also expressed disappointment in Maldonado leaving early. I really didnt want to do it, said Gorman about voting for the censure. Its been a difficult time for him. Unlike Maldonado, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, has been praised for switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, Gorman said. Tuesday was not a packed house like the previous two council meetings, Crawford said. There were questions about the budget and speeding on Great Creek Road during the public comment portion, she said. The censure vote does not affect Maldonados status on the council, township attorney Albert K. Marmero said. MADRIDIsraels ambassador to Spain has denounced a Carnival parade performance in a small town that featured men and women dressed up like Jewish Holocaust victims and Nazi soldiers. Rodica Radian-Gordon said in a tweet Wednesday that the performance was a detestable banalization of the Holocaust, an affront to the victims and an intolerable manifestation of anti-Semitism. The offensive costumes were worn Monday at a Carnival in Campo de Criptana, a central Spanish town of 13,000. Several women wore costumes depicting concentration camp victims carrying Israeli flags and men wearing replicas of the uniforms of SS officers from the German army. They paraded and danced to loud dance music emitted from a float that carried two towers that resembled smokestacks. Spains minister of foreign affairs, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, also said on Twitter that she was horrified by the performance. After contacting the organizers, she said they have apologized to the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain. The troupe, known as Asociacion Cultural El Chaparral, has apologized and said it wont be repeating its performance. Carlos Jimenez, a representative of the group, told Radio Sefarad on Thursday that the intention was to pay homage to the Jewish people, but that he would not choose this subject again. The parade was part of yearly Carnival celebrations around Spain. Cultural, civic and school groups often make homemade costumes and devise theme-based routines as part of local festivities. Earlier this week, a Carnival in Belgium faced criticism after stereotypical depictions of Jews for the second year in a row. NEW YORK - The campaign to reelect President Donald Trump sued The New York Times for defamation Wednesday, saying it was responsible for an essay by a former executive editor for the newspaper that claimed the campaign made a deal with Russian officials to defeat Hillary Clinton in 2016. In the lawsuit in state court in New York, Donald J. Trump for President Inc. said the newspaper knowingly published false and defamatory statements when the Op-Ed piece claimed the campaign had an overarching deal with Vladimir Putins oligarchy to defeat the Democratic candidate. The lawsuit blamed the newspaper for the essay, saying the March 2019 article headlined The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo, by Max Frankel, said the deal called for the quid of help in the campaign against Hillary Clinton for the quo of a new pro-Russian foreign policy. Frankel was executive editor of the Times from 1986 to 1994. The lawsuit said Times reporters had confirmed the falsity of the statements, but the newspaper published them anyway because of its extreme bias against and animosity toward the Campaign, and The Times exuberance to improperly influence the presidential election in November 2020. According to the lawsuit, the campaign sued to recover unspecified damages, publicly establish the truth, properly inform the newspapers readers and the rest of the world and to seek appropriate remedies for the harm. While briefing the media on the COVID-19 virus Wednesday evening, Trump fielded a question about the lawsuit and said the Times piece was beyond an opinion. Eileen Murphy, a spokeswoman for the Times, said in a statement that the Trump campaign has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable. Fortunately, the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgments and conclusions, especially about events of public importance. We look forward to vindicating that right in this case. Brian Hauss, staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union who specializes in free speech, privacy and technology, said the lawsuit was completely meritless. A publisher cannot be held liable for commentary based on public facts. If the law were any different, President Trump himself could be held liable for asserting that the Democrats colluded with Russia, he said in a statement. Submission supported by pivotal CAPTAIN study demonstrating statistically significant improvement in lung function compared with the ICS/LABA, Relvar/Breo Ellipta At least 30% of asthma patients continue to experience symptoms even when adherent to ICS/LABA treatment GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and Innoviva, Inc. (INVA) today announced the acceptance of a regulatory submission seeking an additional indication for the use of once-daily, single-inhaler triple therapy, Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol or FF/UMEC/VI) for the treatment of asthma in adults by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The submission is supported by the pivotal Phase III clinical study (CAPTAIN), conducted in 2,436 adult asthma patients across 15 countries whose disease remained inadequately controlled despite treatment with a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting 2-agonist (ICS/LABA). The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in lung function compared with the ICS/LABA, Relvar/Breo Ellipta. There is currently no single inhaled triple therapy available for the treatment of asthma in Europe. Asthma, a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways, affects 358 million people worldwide1. Even when adherent to ICS/LABA treatment, at least 30% of asthma patients continue to experience symptoms2, indicating that they require further treatment. Trelegy Ellipta was approved in the European Union in November 2017 for the treatment of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) who are not adequately treated by an ICS/LABA combination, or a combination of LABA and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). If approved this would be the first once-daily single inhaler triple therapy available for asthma and COPD. Regulatory applications have also been submitted for the Trelegy duplicate licences, Elebrato Ellipta and Temybric Ellipta. Submissions for the use of Trelegy Ellipta for the treatment of adult asthma patients were accepted for filing in the US by the FDA in December 2019 and in Japan by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in November 2019, and these regulatory review processes are ongoing. About the CAPTAIN Study CAPTAIN (Clinical study of Asthma Patients receiving Triple therapy through A single INhaler) was a randomised, double-blind, active controlled, six-arm parallel group, global multicentre study evaluating FF/UMEC/VI (100/62.5/25 mcg, 200/62.5/25 mcg, 100/31.25/25 mcg, and 200/31.25/25 mcg) versus FF/VI (100/25 mcg and 200/25 mcg) given once-daily to patients whose asthma was inadequately controlled despite treatment with ICS/LABA (>250 mcg/day fluticasone propionate, or equivalent) maintenance asthma medication. About Trelegy Ellipta (FF/UMEC/VI) FF/UMEC/VI is a combination of three molecules in a single inhaler that only needs to be taken in a single inhalation, once a day. It contains fluticasone furoate, an inhaled corticosteroid, umeclidinium, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist; and vilanterol, a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist, delivered in GSK's Ellipta dry powder inhaler. FF/UMEC/VI was approved in the EU under the brand name Trelegy Ellipta in November 2017 for the long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Trelegy Ellipta is not indicated for relief of acute bronchospasm or for the treatment of asthma. EU Prescribing Information for Trelegy Ellipta. Important Safety Information (ISI) for Trelegy Ellipta The following ISI is based on the Highlights section of the US Prescribing Information for Trelegy Ellipta. Please consult the full Prescribing Information for all the labelled safety information. Trelegy Ellipta is NOT indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm or for the treatment of asthma Trelegy Ellipta is contraindicated in patients with severe hypersensitivity to milk proteins or any of the ingredients. LABA monotherapy increases the risk of serious asthma-related events. Trelegy Ellipta should not be initiated in patients experiencing episodes of acutely deteriorating COPD. Do not use Trelegy Ellipta to treat acute symptoms. Trelegy Ellipta should not be used in combination with other medicines containing LABA because of risk of overdose. Candida albicans infection of the mouth and pharynx has occurred in patients treated with fluticasone furoate, a component of Trelegy Ellipta. Monitor patients periodically. Advise the patient to rinse his/her mouth with water without swallowing after inhalation to help reduce the risk. There is an increased risk of pneumonia in patients with COPD taking Trelegy Ellipta. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pneumonia. Patients who use corticosteroids are at risk for potential worsening of infections (e.g. existing tuberculosis; fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections; or ocular herpes simplex). Use Trelegy Ellipta with caution in patients with these infections. More serious or even fatal course of chickenpox or measles can occur in susceptible patients. There is a risk of impaired adrenal function when transferring from systemic corticosteroids. Taper patients slowly from systemic corticosteroids if transferring to Trelegy Ellipta. Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression may occur with very high dosages or at the regular dosage of Trelegy Ellipta in susceptible individuals. If such changes occur, consider appropriate therapy. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, discontinue Trelegy Ellipta and institute alternative therapy. Use Trelegy Ellipta with caution in patients with cardiovascular disorders because of beta-adrenergic stimulation. Assess patients for decrease in bone mineral density initially and periodically thereafter after prescribing Trelegy Ellipta. Consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms or use TRELEGY ELLIPTA long term. Worsening of narrow-angle glaucoma may occur. Use with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma and instruct patients to contact a healthcare provider immediately if symptoms occur. Worsening of urinary retention may occur in patients taking Trelegy Ellipta. Use with caution in patients with prostatic hyperplasia or bladder-neck obstruction and instruct patients to contact a healthcare provider immediately if symptoms occur. Use Trelegy Ellipta with caution in patients with convulsive disorders, thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, and ketoacidosis. Be alert to hypokalemia and hyperglycemia in patients taking Trelegy Ellipta. The most common adverse reactions reported for Trelegy Ellipta (incidence =1%) are upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, bronchitis, oral candidiasis, headache, back pain, arthralgia, influenza, sinusitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, dysgeusia, constipation, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, oropharyngeal pain, cough, and dysphonia. GSK's commitment to respiratory disease For 50 years, GSK has led the way in developing medicines that advance the management of asthma and COPD. From introducing the world's first selective short-acting beta agonist in 1969, to launching six treatments in five years to create today's industry-leading respiratory portfolio, we continue to innovate so we can reach the right patients, with the right treatment. Working together with the healthcare community, we apply world-class science to discover and understand the molecules that become the medicines of tomorrow. We won't stand still until the simple act of breathing is made easier for everyone. About GSK GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com. Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies. Revinty Ellipta is the duplicate licence for Relvar Ellipta. About Innoviva Innoviva is focused on royalty management. Innoviva's portfolio is anchored by the respiratory assets partnered with Glaxo Group Limited (GSK), including RELVAR/BREO ELLIPTA, ANORO ELLIPTA and TRELEGY ELLIPTA, which were jointly developed by Innoviva and GSK. Under the agreement with GSK, Innoviva is eligible to receive associated royalty revenues from RELVAR/BREO ELLIPTA and ANORO ELLIPTA. In addition, Innoviva retains a 15 percent economic interest in future payments made by GSK for TRELEGY ELLIPTA and earlier-stage programs partnered with Theravance Biopharma, Inc. For more information, please visit Innoviva's website at www.inva.com. References: 1. GBD 2015 Chronic Respiratory Disease Collaborators. Global, regional, and national deaths, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years, and years lived with disability for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma,1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet Respir Med 2017;5: 691-706 2. Sulaiman I, Greene G, MacHale E, et al. A randomised clinical trial of feedback on inhaler adherence and technique in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. Eur Respir J 2018;51. Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D Principal risks and uncertainties in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2018. Innoviva forward-looking statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking" statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, statements relating to goals, plans, objectives and future events, including the development, regulatory and commercial plans for closed triple combination therapy and the potential benefits and mechanisms of action of closed triple combination therapy. Innoviva intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These statements are based on the current estimates and assumptions of the management of Innoviva as of the date of this press release and are subject to risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results of Innoviva to be materially different from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are described under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in Innoviva's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Additional factors are described in those sections of Innoviva's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. In addition to the risks described above and in Innoviva's other filings with the SEC, other unknown or unpredictable factors also could affect Innoviva's results. No forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from such statements. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The information in this press release is provided only as of the date hereof, and Innoviva assumes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements on account of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Registered in England Wales: No. 3888792 Registered Office: 980 Great West Road Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9GS View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005586/en/ Contacts: GSK enquiries: UK Media enquiries: Simon Steel +44 (0) 20 8047 5502 (London) Tim Foley +44 (0) 20 8047 5502 (London) US Media enquiries: Evan Berland +1 215 751 5497 (Philadelphia) Analyst/Investor enquiries: Sarah Elton-Farr +44 (0) 20 8047 5194 (London) James Dodwell +44 (0) 20 8047 2406 (London) Danielle Smith +44 (0) 20 8047 7562 (London) Jeff McLaughlin +1 215 751 7002 (Philadelphia) Innoviva, Inc. enquiries: Investor and Media: Dan Zacchei Alex Kovtun +1 (212) 446 9500 (California) Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday dire-cted the state Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) to close 68 colleges of Sri Chaitanya and Narayana group that were admitting students without getting an affiliation from BIE. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Cha-uhan and Justice Ann-ireddy Abhishek Reddy ordered BIE to close the colleges after March 28, immediately after the completion of public examinations. A compliance report is to be submitted to the court by April 3. The bench was dealing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on BIEs inaction over the violation of rules by these two groups relating to fire safety and sanitation, etc. On February 17, the court had berated BIE officials and expressed doubt over connivance between the officials and the institutions, when it learnt that no action was taken against the colleges for admitting more than 29,800 students without getting affiliation. The court was furious with BIE for allowing those colleges to conduct classes on just an undertaking that no classes will be conducted in the buildings that were not compliant with fire safety norms. With this background, the Bench ordered BIE to take steps against these colleges and to submit a report by February 25. However, BIE came to the court on Thursday and submitted that it had issued show-cause notices to the colleges for closure, and asked the court for time to initiate steps. An infuriated Bench prepared to issue closure orders. A. Sanjeev Kumar, special counsel for the state representing BIE, submitted that these 68 colleges that have no fire NOC were chosen as examination centers for the intermediate exams from March 4 to 28. He said their closure would disrupt the examination schedule. Convinced, the Bench directed BIE to close the colleges after completion of examinations. The court also directed BIE to inform it of the number of colleges inspected by the fire department and condition of those colleges. The case was adjourned to April 7 for further hearing. Police officer Vidal Rivera navigates his cruiser through the streets of North Camden, New Jersey, where he just finished chatting with a group of preschoolers planting flowers with their teacher. "When I grew up here," the 27-year-old Rivera says, "this was one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city." Five years after an overhaul of the Camden police department, the city's murder rate dropped to a 30-year low in 2018. Among the changes implemented during that period: the adoption of a software tool made by the New York City-based tech startup Mark43. Founded by three college students in 2013, Mark43 builds software that is giving police departments in major cities around the country a much-needed upgrade. The company is armed with $78 million in funding from investors including General Catalyst, Spark Capital, and Bezos Expeditions, the investing arm of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. On Thursday, the company is announcing its newest customers, the Louisiana State Police and Pennsylvania's Lehigh County departments. The additions bring Mark43's total number of client agencies to more than 70, including major departments in Boston, Washington, D.C., San Antonio, and Seattle. The digital platform promises to simplify some of the most basic aspects of police work--such as dispatching officers, filing reports, and analyzing crime patterns--while also delivering safer outcomes for everyone, mostly by using information that police already have. Police software is an industry dominated by decades-old incumbents. That can make it challenging for new entrants--but it also presents an opportunity to innovate. "It's an old and stodgy world," says co-founder Matt Polega. "Early on, we had some early adopters that saw a bunch of college kids getting into it and taking a different approach, and they decided to roll the dice on us." From college project to VC-backed company Mark43's approach includes a thoughtful reimagining of how to display crucial information. The software helps surface data for responding officers that previously might have been buried in incident reports, color-codes the information, and presents it in a way that's easy to digest. Inside Rivera's cruiser, a map on the laptop monitor shows the locations of the other Camden officers on duty. Rivera clicks through several screens and views information related to ongoing calls--previous incidents at the addresses in question as well details about the residents, like whether they have mental health issues or known allergies. For police officers, who spend much of their shifts filling out reports after incidents, creating small efficiencies can add significant value at scale. The intuitive onscreen layout, plus features like autocompletion, save seconds at a time but can amount to hours over the course of a day. When the Washington, D.C., police department adopted Mark43's software in 2015, it soon reported that incident reporting time was reduced by 80 percent. The time saved amounted to 238,000 hours per year--the equivalent of adding 110 officers to the force. Polega and fellow co-founders Scott Crouch and Florian Mayr met while classmates at Harvard. For a project in a final-semester engineering course, they worked with the police department in Springfield, Massachusetts, building software that tracked gang activity by analyzing communication logs and social media posts. It soon transformed into a business venture, and the trio spent their senior week celebrating not only graduation but also the closing of a $2 million seed round. Unlike companies in many industries, police departments are quick to help one another if they find something that makes their jobs easier. That helped word spread about Mark43's new product. In 2014, Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department reached out with a request. Most reporting software, it said, was dated, clunky, and not built for officers on the go. Would Mark43 want to work with it to build a new solution? The startup built an entirely new product, which it launched with the Metro Police the following year. Its newfound credibility soon helped it rack up new clients. Eric Smith, a lieutenant with the Richmond, California, police department, notes that officers previously had to call their colleagues back at the station to get the info they needed. Now, Smith says, they can get it almost instantly from the field, adding that training takes less than five hours. "If you can figure out how to order something online," he says, "you can figure out how to make a report in Mark43." While Mark43 has rivals in decades-old platforms like Omnigo, Niche, and SmartCOP, the company is betting its usability will give it an advantage to win more share in the estimated $11.6 billion global police software market. Still, it has a ways to go: Omnigo, for example, has more than 600 client agencies. Mark43's contracts with police departments are based on the size of the agency and generally range from six to seven figures annually, like the $5 million, five-year deal it signed with the San Antonio Police Department last year. Eventually, the co-founders hope to incorporate artificial intelligence that aids additional aspects of police work, like parsing witness statements and other evidence, or studying work patterns to suggest desk time for officers that recently have dealt with a high number of stressful incidents. But for now, the 180-person company is focusing on honing its more fundamental products. A woman wearing a face mask is seen on a street in Shanghai, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, February 14, 2020. Aly Song | Reuters New cases of a deadly coronavirus running through China surged at the start of February, then they leveled off, then they jumped by more than 19,000 over 24 hours. But those swings might not have as much to do with the reality on the ground as they do how Chinese authorities define a "confirmed case." China's National Health Commission has now revised national guidelines on responding to the COVID-19 outbreak at least six times since Jan. 22. Two of those changes implemented after Feb. 12 have substantially changed daily case counts. The World Health Organization said their field team that returned Monday from China's Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, and other areas of China concluded that the virus "peaked and plateaued" between Jan. 23 and Feb. 2. But independent researchers wonder about the reliability of China's data and are questioning whether the peak is valid. When the outbreak first emerged in Wuhan two months ago, China's system of reporting new cases was straightforward enough. There were lab-confirmed cases, which had been verified with one of the government-authorized nucleic acid tests, and there were suspected cases, which included those who exhibited symptoms but had not tested positive. Re-categorizing patients On Feb. 12, China's National Health Commission quietly re-categorized patients who exhibited symptoms, as determined by a chest scan, as "confirmed cases" even if they had not tested positive in the lab. The new definition only applied to Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak. (Separately, China's health commission on Feb. 14 said it removed 108 deaths from its total count to correct some double-counting in Hubei province, which doesn't appear to have stemmed from the methodology change.) The case definition was changed, according to a CNBC translation of the official announcement's Chinese text, so a broader set of patients could receive the same treatment as confirmed cases. WHO officials applauded the decision as a move toward transparency. The change took a few days to show up in China's reported numbers, but when it did, it sent shock waves throughout the globe. China's total cases soared by more than 19,000 from 51,174 on Feb. 16 to 70,635 the next day, according to WHO data. A few days later, on Feb. 20, China's National Health Commission reversed the change, removing some previously confirmed cases from its tally and causing its case count to level off as reports of new cases fell sharply. On Friday, state news agency Xinhua reported that an official for the province's health commission directed officials to stop retroactively deleting confirmed cases from the province's official count. While revising diagnostic methodology makes sense when tracing a rapidly evolving outbreak, China's lost a lot of credibility and faith in the accuracy of its data with its swift and frequent changes, international researchers say. 'Confusion breeds distrust' It serves no scientific purpose, Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, a global health economist at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health, said of China's frequent revisions. "It's OK to switch the system once, like last week, but now to switch it back and then switch it back again, it makes comparison very difficult," he said. "Being consistent is really important. For comparison, you want an apples-to-apples comparison as much as possible. Here, there's a lot of apples and oranges." Part of the problem with the Feb. 12 change that sent total cases soaring, Feigl-Ding said, is that there were no dates associated with the cases involved in the spike. Chinese officials said that part of those 19,000 new cases were older cases that had been clinically diagnosed, but not confirmed in a lab. Feigl-Ding said that meddled the outbreak's trajectory. While the methodology changes have bred confusion, Feigl-Ding said he doesn't believe it's necessarily a deliberate attempt to manipulate the data. However, he said that the frequency of the changes only gives fodder to those who say China is purposefully under reporting the numbers. The White House doesn't "have high confidence in the information coming out of China" regarding the count of coronavirus cases, a senior administration official told CNBC last week. And the regular changes in reporting methodology don't help matters, Feigl-Ding said. "This kind of confusion breeds distrust," he said. "You should stick to a standard even if you have caveats." An overwhelmed system The original change in reporting last week signaled that Chinese health providers were likely struggling to efficiently administer the official COVID-19 test kits, director of global health studies at Seton Hall University Yanzhong Huang said. These tests are a form of nucleic acid test, which are often used to detect viruses like Hepatitis and Ebola. Such tests can have as low a rate of accurate diagnosis as 50%, Huang said, and that figure could be even worse in a city like Wuhan that has such a stressed healthcare system amid the outbreak. "When you're facing an outbreak like what is happening in Wuhan, it can be so overwhelming that it may basically overwhelm their capability to provide even the testing services," he said. "If you don't handle it well, or you are not adequately trained, that kind of test leads to a false negative or positive." If healthcare workers across Hubei province don't have the resources or time to properly administer the tests, Huang said it's better to rely on symptoms for official counting so that more people can receive treatment. On the other hand, the reversal of the policy on Feb. 20, he said was likely a sign that national authorities have bolstered resources and health workers in Hubei province. An example of this would be the two hospitals built recently in Wuhan to treat COVID-19 patients. "It probably means that Wuhan has improved their testing capacity," he said. "More health-care providers have been mobilized from other parts of China, so there's more people to do more tests to make it more accurate. Also, I think they're better trained to accurately read the tests." Huang's point was echoed by director-general of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday when reporters asked about the changes. "This may indicate the system in Wuhan has regained ability to test all suspected cases," he said. "We're glad that China has come back to that kind of counting and this will bring clarity, actually." Testing for the COVID-19 pathogen Matt Kilcoyne is Deputy Director at the Adam Smith Institute. First impressions matter. In fact, it takes only a tenth of a second for someone to make their judgement of you, but that first impression can last a lifetime. Rishi Sunak is unknown to most people beyond Westminster but he has the opportunity to make his mark in his first Budget next month Not being known outside the bubble is, in this case, a blessing. The new Chancellor gets to start from scratch but he should remember this is the moment hell be known for forever. Sunak has to impress to the public that theres some meat to the mantra of Boris Johnsons levelling up agenda. He has to show that the UK economy can weather any forthcoming shocks from the Eurozone or Asia because of the coronavirus shutdown. That there is a plan to ensure that we can make the most of the opportunities of Brexit. For my part, I hope that the Chancellor and the Prime Minister should do more than reach for the taxpayers credit card. They must think about what the Government can do to reduce burdens on families and businesses that create the wealth Whitehall loves to spend. Fortunately, there are some pretty good ideas out there that can do all of this. If the Chancellor wants to level up Britain and address our productivity crisis, the first thing he should do is Abolish the Factory Tax the inability to immediately write off investments in machinery and buildings. Our businesses are well placed to invest in machinery and buildings. Britains share of private investment in fixed capital has been the lowest in the G7 for over two decades. This is a major reason why productivity growth was just 0.3 per cent a year for the last decade, and why weekly wages have only just scraped above pre-crisis levels. Abolish the Factory Tax, and the Government will be seen as rightly investing in Britains workers the grafters who recently gifted the Prime Minister his majority. The Corporation Tax cut that Johnson has shelved would still be a good idea too, particularly as Chinas factories remain closed, and the EU continues to be belligerent. The reductions so far have been behind the jobs miracle, and our sustained growth beyond rival economies on the continent. Scrapping this planned cut might be seen as a way to appeal to a wider base, but it wants its wages to rise, and for families to have careers in world-beating industries. We all want a deal with the EU but we should also be prepared to send a message that these islands will be the most competitive place to build a business in Europe. For those of us on the free market side of the Conservatives, the first impression of this Government has, in part, been one a little too eager to spend like theres no tomorrow. But the first impression of the new Chancellors motivations is pretty good. The reported intention of replacing business rates, hated right across the business world, with a form of a land value tax is a policy that should be pursued. A lower burden for high street businesses should be coupled with reforms to a planning system that is pushing up rents and undermining communities by limiting retail to only a small sliver of space on an outdated high street model. Itll also very much help remove the risk of an imposed Digital Services Tax that was already starting to crop up as an issue in trade deal talks with the USA. The Americans rightly, in my opinion, see the levy as a tariff on a few specific American companies consumers love to order from. The Adam Smith Institute has been saying since the early noughties that National Insurance was a form of income tax. Its exceptionally welcome that Johnson wants to increase the threshold to 9,500, with an ultimate ambition of reaching 12,500. But the new Chancellor should try to impress upon the public that the Peoples Government is on their side, and follow the Taxpayers Alliance request to raise the threshold to 12,500 in one go. If the Chancellor wants to be really radical, he could abolish the antiquated NI system altogether and combine it with income tax to reduce the administrative burden for businesses while reducing taxes on the worst off. Stamp Duty should be scrapped or radically reduced. Britains worst tax costs house sellers 12 billion and the wider economy an extra 10 billion. Stamp duty has created a roadblock to people moving from one part of the country to another to find work, trapping people in low pay and preventing them from advancing. If were going to create new centres of enterprise and build up the country people will need to move jobs and homes. It is stamping on the ambition of our people. Theres one more thing that has been missed in Westminster since the election. Yes, people in the blue wall seats lent Johnson their vote. But they didnt do so to be patronised with spending pledges that have little to do with their everyday lives: if thats what they wanted they could have voted for Jeremy Free Broadband Corbyn. They want a government that is on their side. Johnson could win praise from his new voters by freezing fuel and alcohol duties. He could also side with families in need of a holiday or businesses wanting to do deals right around the world by cutting air passenger duty: Extinction Rebellion be damned. It would show that the Government is listening to the fact that theyve had enough of being patronised and want to live their lives the way they choose. After three years of squabbling over Brexit, I imagine theres a few Brits out there in need of a hard earned pint and a family holiday to Malaga theyre not to be sneered at, but cheered. These policies would be transformative for Britain and be the rocket under the economy that voters so desperately want to see. Right across the country millions of Brits would have the first impression of the new Chancellor seared into their memory as a visionary that has their back at the time they need it most. A Chinese national charged with serious drink-driving offences has sparked Coronavirus fears after a court learned he ought to have been in quarantine. Qungli Wen, 24, of Balwyn North was supposed to front Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with drink-driving and leaving the scene of an accident. But Magistrate John Bentley was startled when he learned the reason why the accused man was not in court. Qungli Wen, 24, of Balwyn North was supposed to be in quarantine but came into Melbourne to face court only to be told to stay away A pedestrian wearing a face mask uses a mobile phone as she walks past a display promoting the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo Passengers wearing protective face masks arrive at the Hongqiao railway station in Shanghai High profile criminal lawyer George Balot said he was worried his client may have been infected with Coronavirus. It came just hours after fears emerged in the United States that the virus was spreading from unknown origins. 'I didn't want him in court,' Mr Balot said. 'I didn't even shake his hand.' Mr Balot asked his client be excused from the courtroom out of fears he may be contaminated. He said Wen had been ordered to remain in home detention upon arriving back into Australia from an area 'close to mainland China'. 'I'm instructed he's next door in a cafe,' Mr Balot told the court. 'I hope it's not a crowded one,' Mr Bentley responded. Coronavirus cases in the US have now risen to 60. The 60 includes 42 passengers who were aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, three people repatriated from China and 15 on US soil. Coronavirus - or COVID-19 - is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms range from a mild cough to pneumonia. While some people recover easily, others may get extremely sick very quickly. Australian authorities have declared they are taking a 'rings of containment' approach to limiting the virus by trying to contain any confirmed cases to individuals, families or affected units. More than 3000 people have been tested for Coronavirus in Australia. There have only been 15 cases confirmed in the general population, all of whom have now cleared the condition. Doctors have warned there is evidence that it spreads from person to person, with good hygiene helping to prevent infection. Both the federal and state governments have powers to force people to enter quarantine if they won't do so voluntarily. High profile criminal lawyer George Balot had serious concerns about allowing his client into the packed court house Qungli Wen had been on a business trip to China when he got caught up in the Coronavirus outbreak Qungli Wen was more than double the legal limit when he slammed his car into another vehicle and drove off The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee is considering whether to relax the current ban on people entering Australia from China for university students. But authorities have warned they could cancel events with major crowds, such as AFL games, but only as a last resort, if the virus situation escalates. The court heard Wen was the director of a large Chinese real estate business that employed up to 150 people. In January last year he was arrested after he ran his car into another vehicle just outside of Melbourne's CBD. The victim's vehicle was trashed and when police breath tested Wen he recorded a 0.115 blood alcohol content. Mr Balot said his client has been living in Australia on a business visa and had hoped to apply for permanent residency. "Well that's a great way to go about it,' Mr Bentley snapped. But the magistrate showed mercy to the potentially doomed boozer by not recording a conviction against his name. Instead he put him off the roads for 16 months and fined him $1000. With time already served, Wen will be back behind the wheel in about two months. India on Thursday asked Pakistan to stop its active support to terrorist groups and devote more attention to the well being of its own people, particularly the persecuted religious minorities in the "failed state". India's strong statement against Pakistan came at the ongoing 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva where Pakistan raked up the amended citizenship law and the Kashmir issue. "Our advice to our neighbour would be to desist from such actions and devote more attention to the well being of its own citizens in particular persecuted religious minorities, which are suffering due to rampant mis-governance in this failed state," an Indian representative said in a National Statement read out at the session. Pakistani media has recently reported a number of cases of forced conversions and marriages of minority Hindu and Sikh girls in the Muslim-majority country. On the issue of Kashmir, the statement informed the Council that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was fast returning to normalcy despite serious provocations and attempts made by one country to derail this process through its active support to terrorist groups and related entities. "Security forces have exercised maximum restraint and not a single live bullet has been fired and no civilian life has been lost in police action. "India's democratic institutions are robust enough to respond to these external challenges while protecting and respecting the human rights of all," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign travelers wearing masks walk past a departures information board at Beijing International Airport in Beijing, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, February 1, 2020. Jason Lee | Reuters The rapid spread of the new coronavirus is testing airlines and other travel companies with a risk that had been nearly unthinkable over the past decade: a broad decline in travel demand. Air-travel demand had been growing at twice the pace of the global economy, but that bright spot is now at risk. U.S. airlines and other travel stocks have tumbled more than the broader market in this week's rout as big conferences were canceled and fears grew that customers may just opt out of trips because of the spreading COVID-19 outbreak. The issue caps a difficult year for airlines that have been grappling with the nearly yearlong grounding of the Boeing 737 Max. Carriers need demand to stay robust, particularly in the lucrative spring and summer travel seasons, and analysts are warning that that looks unlikely. The NYSE Arca Airline Index, which tracks 16 carriers in North America and Latin America as well as European budget carrier Ryanair, is down 20% this week, putting it on pace for its biggest weekly percentage since October 2008 during the last recession. American Airlines shares fell 7.7% to $20.60, a new low since it started trading after its 2013 merger with US Airways. American has a higher debt load than its rivals, which has contributed to larger declines in stock price. United Airlines, which suspended its full-year guidance this week because of the virus, lost 2.4% to close at a two-year low, Delta fell 2.8% to end at a more than one-year low. "Every day we think we could be near a bottom, and every day we are not," Cowen airline analyst Helane Becker said in a research note. Deutsche Bank on Thursday downgraded American, Alaska, Delta, Spirit, JetBlue and United stocks to hold from buy, saying it "is becoming increasingly more likely that the spread of COVID-19 will disrupt travel patterns beyond China." More than 81,000 people have been sickened with coronavirus and new cases are rising outside of China, where most of the cases have been reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday advised the public to avoid all nonessential travel to South Korea. Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced it will temporarily suspend the entry of foreigners for pilgrimage and tourism purposes. Air travel demand this year will fall for the first time in over a decade and cost airlines more than $29 billion in revenue, the International Air Transport Association warned last week. Airlines have already canceled more than 200,000 flights, mostly to, from and within China because of the virus. Now they are mulling other changes and scrambling to keep up with changing restrictions. Delta slashed its service to South Korea, home to the largest outbreak outside of China, to 15 weekly flights from 28. All three major U.S. airlines have suspended flights to mainland China and Hong Kong and waived cancellation and change fees for China and South Korea as demand collapsed. United and American on Thursday joined Delta in also waiving fees for several routes in Italy as the outbreak expands there. American Airlines has started stocking hand sanitizer for crew and sanatizing wipes for customers on Milan flights in addition to its trans-Pacific routes, the managing director of flight line operators told pilots in a note, which was seen by CNBC, on Thursday. Last month, the airline also put in a temporary policy allowing face masks for crews working Asia, Australia and New Zealand flights. "Some of our pilots have said they're not comfortable flying" to South Korea said Dennis Tajer, an American Airlines 737 captain and spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, that airline's pilot union. He added that no recent flights there have been cancelled, however, due to a lack of crew. U.S. airlines, which historically have experienced boom-and-bust cycles, have just posted their 10th consecutive year of profitability. While Asia demand has slowed, airlines' performance depends the level of demand in the U.S. and some of its larger international markets. Social media's effect Some carriers are already preparing for flyers too worried to travel. The last global outbreak of this scale was SARS just under a decade ago, but the fast spread of information could lead travelers to change their plans more quickly now, analysts said. "We didn't have Facebook and Twitter," said Darryl Genovesi, airline analyst at Vertical Research Partners. The CDC on Wednesday reported the first possible case of "community transmission" of the coronavirus. The Northern California resident had no travel history or contacts that would have put the person at risk, the CDC said. While the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. is still relatively low, some airlines are preparing for passengers to be too scared to travel. JetBlue Airways in a surprise move Wednesday, said it would waive fees that can reach $200 for travelers who want to cancel or change the date of tickets they buy from Thursday through March 11, a measure that pressures other U.S. airlines to follow suit. 'Fear makes people cancel' "The risk here for airlines is this triggers a broad slowdown in travel," said Samuel Engel, head of the aviation practice at consulting firm ICF. "Airlines are by their nature diversified enterprises. They can withstand a loss of traffic on a single route or region but where the airlines get hit is when the fear makes people cancel or postpone trips." The virus will also test airlines' reliance on high-paying corporate travelers. Carriers have also poured millions into refreshing their cabins to cater to high-paying corporate travelers. Delta has said premium-ticket revenue growth has outpaced coach class over the past several years. The Global Business Travel Association warned Thursday that the virus could cost the travel industry close to $560 billion this year in revenue, a third of the 2020 forecast business travel spending as trips to Europe, Asia and elsewhere are called off because of the virus. [February 27, 2020] Morrow Sodali Appoints Harry Van Dyke as Executive Vice Chairman Morrow Sodali, the leading global consultancy providing comprehensive governance and shareholder-related services to corporate clients around the world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Harry van Dyke as Executive Vice Chairman. In his new role, Mr. van Dyke will chair the Global Executive Committee and will work with the company's leadership team on the company's strategy and growth. Harry will also establish and lead a Strategic Advisory Board of independent senior executives who will provide guidance and strategic advice to the company. In addition, he will focus on growing the company's global M&A and Activism advisory business and on helping build the company's overall profile. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005051/en/ Harry van Dyke, Executive Vice Chairman, Morrow Sodali (Photo: Business Wire) Mr. van Dyke has more than 30 years of experience in range of roles in investment banking. He is the former CEO and founder of Teneo Capital, an investment banking boutique. Previously, Mr. van Dyke spent 22 years with Morgan Stanley, most recently as a Managing Director and Group Head in Investment Banking. During his time with Morgan Stanley, Mr. van Dyke built and ran both the firm's Latin American M&A effort and Asia Pacific M&A business, living and working in London, Hong Kong and New York. He was also a Managing Director and Group Head in Investment Banking at Bank of America, where he established, built and ran a business development effort while concurrently overseeing Corporate Divestitures and Middle Market M&A. He holds a BA from Yale University in Economics and in Engineering & Applied Science, as well as an MBA with honors from the Harvard Business School. Alvise Recchi, Morrow Sodali's CEO, commented, "We are thrilled to have Harry join our leadership team. We are confident that his vast global experience, particularly in M&A, will be instrumental in helping us expand further." Harry van Dyke concurred, stating, "it's a real pleasure to broaden my role with Morrow Sodali. It's a global business with great growth potential and I look forward to adding to the company's success." About Morrow Sodali Morrow Sodali is a leading provider of strategic advice and shareholder services to corporate clients around the world. The firm provides corporate boards and executives with strategic advice and services relating to corporate governance, shareholder and bondholder communication and engagement, capital markets intelligence, proxy solicitation, shareholder activism and mergers and acquisitions. From headquarters in New York and London, and offices in major capital markets, Morrow Sodali serves more than 700 corporate clients in 40 countries, including many of the world's largest multinational corporations. In addition to listed and private companies, its clients include mutual funds, ETFs, stock exchanges and membership associations. For further information about Morrow Sodali, please visit www.morrowsodali.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005051/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Photo: The Canadian Press President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that a widespread U.S. outbreak of the new respiratory virus sweeping the globe isn't inevitable even as top health authorities at his side warned Americans that more infections are coming. Trump sought to minimize fears as he insisted the U.S. is very, very ready for whatever the COVID-19 outbreak brings. Under fire about the government's response, he put Vice-President Mike Pence in charge of co-ordinating the efforts. This will end, Trump said of the outbreak at a White House news conference. You don't want to see panic because there's no reason to be panicked. But standing next to him, the very health officials Trump praised for fighting the new coronavirus stressed that schools, businesses and individuals need to get ready. We do expect more cases, said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shortly after Trump spoke, the CDC announced a worrisome development: Another person in the U.S. is infected someone in California who doesn't appear to have travelled abroad or been exposed to another patient. If the CDC confirms that, it would be a first in this country and a sign that efforts to contain the virus' spread haven't been enough. It's possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19," the CDC said in a statement. More than 81,000 cases of COVID-19, an illness characterized by fever and coughing and in serious cases shortness of breath or pneumonia, have occurred since the new virus emerged in China. The newest case from California brings the total number infected in the U.S. to 60, most of them evacuated from outbreak zones. Trump credited border restrictions that have blocked people coming into the U.S. from China for keeping infections low so far. But now countries around the world from South Korea and Japan to Italy and Iran are experiencing growing numbers of cases. Asked if it was time to either lift the China restrictions, or take steps for travellers from elsewhere, he said: At a right time we may do that. Right now it's not the time. Image: Twitter/@MEAIndia A special Air India flight, on February 27, brought back 119 Indians, including 113 crew members and six passengers, who were on board coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship docked off Yokohama, Japan. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said that the flight which arrived in New Delhi from Tokyo, also evacuated five foreign nationals two Sri Lankans and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru. All evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at a facility set up by the Indian Army in Manesar, Haryana. Also read | Coronavirus: Special IAF flight with 76 Indians, 36 foreigners arrives in Delhi Originally, there were 138 Indians on board the Diamond Princess. Of these, 16 Indian crew members have tested positive for coronavirus. They are receiving medical care and treatment at onshore facilities in Japan. 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 According to the ministry, three Indian crew members did not board the special flight and conveyed their wish to continue their stay on board the cruise ship to complete the extended quarantine period put in place by the Government of Japan. The Indian Embassy in Tokyo has established contact with those individuals and is following-up on their recovery, the ministry said. Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, on Twitter, appreciated facilitation by Japanese authorities, the Indian embassy in Tokyo for their sustained efforts and thanked Air India for undertaking the special flight. New Delhi, Feb 27 : Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, here on Thursday, hailed the coordination between various wings of government and services for evacuation of Indians and foreign nationals from coronavirus-hit zones. He said 124 evacuees from Japan and 119 from China had been quarantined at Manesar and Chawla, respectively. Of the 138 Indians on cruise ship Diamond Princess, 119 out of 122 who tested negative as per the latest PCR test had been brought back, he said. Three Indians opted to stay there. Sixteen are in Japanese hospitals and quarantined. Five foreigners were among those evacuated from Japan. Health Ministry officials of the rank of Joint Secretary and above are visiting states to assess their preparedness to tackle COVID-19. "These visits will ensure strengthening of the state surveillance machinery and address their concerns. A checklist has been provided to them for compliance. They will submit the report by March 2," he said. As many as 4,82,927 passengers have been screened from 4,787 flights. Screening at 21 airports, 12 major and 65 minor seaports and land crossings, particularly bordering Nepal, is on. Passengers are being further monitored through IDSP network on a daily basis. At present, 23,531 passengers are under community surveillance through IDSP. Kosovo announced it will lift tariffs on Serbian imports of raw materials starting on March 15 in a step to normalize relations with its Balkan neighbor. Tariffs in place for all other Serbian goods will be eliminated on April 1 for a period of 90 days if Belgrade halts its campaign of prodding other countries not to recognize Kosovos statehood and removes trade barriers for Kosovo, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said at a news conference in Pristina on February 27. He said if Serbia doesnt respect Kosovo's act of goodwill, then, starting on April 1, Kosovo will reciprocate in kind -- first in trade then in political terms. Kurti also voiced hopes the measures will prompt the EU to ease visa and travel restrictions for Kosovars ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Zagreb on May 7. He added the tariffs will be reimposed on June 15 if Serbias actions dont reflect on Pristina's initial decision to lift tariffs for raw materials. Kosovo's former prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, who imposed 100 percent tariffs on Serbian and Bosnian imports in 2018, said Kurti's decision was perilous. "This is the beginning of the return of Serbia and Russia to Kosovo," Haradinaj wrote on Facebook. 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 Kosovo's 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. However, the United States and EU envoys have been mediating talks for the two sides to come back to the negotiating table. Earlier this month, Serbian and Kosovar officials signed a deal to restore a railway link between Belgrade and Pristina and to connect the two capitals with a highway. The move came 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. Masaveu doubles US exports in 2019 ICR Newsroom By 27 February 2020 Masaveu has doubled its export shipments to the USA from its Tudela Veguin plant in Spain in 2019. The US is now the third-largest market for the cement producer, representing an export volume of 118,673t in 2019, compared to 50,061t in the previous year. The exports to the US account for 18.3 per cent of the companys total exports. To improve its export operations the company inaugurated a new terminal in Muelle Norte, to expand its El Musel facility, at the end of 2019. It is the third cargo terminal of Masaveu in the the port of El Musel. However, when compared with the previous year, exports to Europe fell by 31 per cent with shipments to France being particularly hit, falling from 400,000t in 2018 to 213,000t the following year. Sales were also down in UK although exports to Belgium and Ireland were slightly up. The company also saw a fall in exports to Brazil, Africa and the Middle East. Total cement and clinker exports from El Musel contracted by 23.7 per cent YoY from 849,972t in 2018 to 648,673t in 2019. Published under Nuclear fusion has been seen as the unattainable holy grail of clean energy for decades, but just in the last year its been seeming more and more within reach. As catastrophic climate change looms just over the horizon, the scientific community has galvanized to find more and better solutions to decarbonizing the global economy and replacing fossil fuels with a commercially viable, renewable, and green alternative. While much of the time and capital investment has flowed to more realistic options like solar and wind, some researchers have been dedicating their time and energy to capturing the energy of the sun here on earth--a silver bullet solution to global warming. Conventional nuclear energy has also been hailed as a good, greenhouse gas emissions-free alternative to fossil fuels, but it has some major drawbacks, from the rare but catastrophic instance of nuclear meltdown to the industrial byproduct of nuclear waste. Nuclear fission, which is what nuclear energy plants currently use to create massive amounts of energy by splitting atoms, creates radioactive waste that remains hazardous for tens of thousands of years, if not longer. The beauty of nuclear fusion is that, not only does it produce energy without creating radioactive waste since it can be achieved using only hydrogen or lithium, its also several times more powerful than fission. If we were ever able to harness it in a commercially viable way, it would mean the end of the oil-based economy as we know it. Thats why any news about nuclear fusion is major news. And in the past couple of years, theres been a lot of new reports emerging about commercial nuclear fusion getting closer and closer to becoming a reality. Last summer, reps from the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), an intergovernmental project headquartered in the south of France, reported that they are a mere six and a half years away from achieving first plasma inside their tokamak--in other words: nuclear fusion by just 2025. Then, just a month later in August, 2019, Oak Ridge National Laboratory reported their own nuclear fusion breakthrough, which uses novel implementation of AI and supercomputing to successfully scale up nuclear fusion experiments and manage plasma. Related: Shale Decline Inevitable As Oil Prices Crash Then, in October, the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Plasma Liner Experiment (PLX) unveiled a totally new approach to nuclear fusion, using the very science-fiction combination of plasma guns, magnets, and lasers. According to the American Physical Society, the PLX machine combines aspects of both magnetic confinement fusion schemes (e.g. tokamaks) and inertial confinement machines like the National Ignition Facility (NIF). The hybrid approach, although less technologically mature than pure magnetic or inertial confinement concepts, may offer a cheaper and less complex fusion reactor development path. That project is projected to be up and running by the end of this year. And now, just this week, there are new and exciting claims about yet another novel fusion technology to vie for the best path toward commercial nuclear fusion. Startup HB11, which has its impetus at Australias University of New South Wales, has pioneered a technology that uses lasers to encourage nuclear fusion between hydrogen and boron without the use of radioactive materials to facilitate the reaction. Theyre so confident about the technology that they have already applied for and received patents in the United States, Japan, and China. The secret, reports Popular Mechanics, is a cutting-edge laser and, well, an element of luck. According to managing director Warren McKenzie, as quoted by New Atlas, You could say we're using the hydrogen as a dart, and hoping to hit a boron, and if we hit one, we can start a fusion reaction. While this may sound a little wishy-washy, McKenzie says that the approach is actually more precise than using extreme heat to facilitate fusion because the laser is directed, whereas heat-based reactors waste huge amounts of energy heating up the entire reactor and waiting for a collision to take place. This means that this new technology--which is now four decades in the making--could make machines like the tokamak obsolete. UNSW emeritus professor Heinrich Horas design seeks to not just compete with but replace entirely the extremely high-temperature current technologies to achieve fusion. These include fussy and volatile designs like the tokamak or stellarator, which can take months to get up to functionality and still spin out of working order in a matter of microseconds. While this technology is still a long way from commercial application, its one step closer to a world of limitless, clean energy. And one of these days, we can only hope that this vision will no longer be too good to be true, it will just be. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Apache Corp. is officially calling it quits on a highly publicized but disappointing shale discovery in West Texas after vehemently defending the prospect for about three years. The Houston-based company posted a roughly $3 billion writedown on its Alpine High project, a find from 2016 that fizzled when it turned out to hold more natural gas than oil. Apache will instead focus on offshore riches in Suriname, where the explorer recently struck crude and enlisted French oil titan Total SA as a partner. Apache has no current plans for future drilling at Alpine High, Clay Bretches, chief executive officer of Apaches pipeline spinoff, Altus Midstream Co., said in a statement. Apache rose as much as 10% on Thursday, even as almost every other oil producer in the S&P 500 Index slumped amid coronavirus fears. The company is shifting capital spending to focus on places like Suriname and Egypt rather than near-term growth opportunities -- industry shorthand for shale. The Alpine High was announced in September 2016 to much fanfare and claims the field held 3 billion barrels of crude and 75 trillion cubic feet of gas. But it quickly became apparent that that corner of the prolific Permian Basin was far richer in natural gas and its byproducts than more-valuable oil. The Alpine High became even more worrisome for investors as gas supplies in the region ballooned and prices cratered. When Alpine High was announced in 2016, we had great hope for what it could mean for Apache, John Christmann, Apaches CEO, said during the companys fourth-quarter earnings call on Thursday. In the end, a number of factors were problematic at Alpine High. He cited steeply lower prices for gas and gas byproducts, as well as a lack of infrastructure to handle that output. He also said productivity improvements did not materialize. At HoustonChronicle.com: Alpine High production results disappoint Christmanns comments were in stark contrast to his past defense of the Alpine High. At the start of 2018, he told analysts that the play would really hum even with gas prices at $2. As recently as May, Apache said that investors didnt have an appreciation for the potential cash flow generation from the liquids play at Alpine High. Star geologist But roughly five months later, the star Apache geologist who led discovery of the field abruptly left. At the time, the departure of Steven Keenan, Apaches senior vice president of worldwide exploration, raised red flags for the companys other high-profile prospect -- offshore Suriname. Apache calmed investors who were nervous Suriname would be a bust last month when it disclosed a major discovery. The announcement came shortly after Apache brought Total aboard to help develop the project on Surinames Block 58. We are currently drilling the second well on Block 58, Sapakara West-1, and are encouraged by what weve seen so far, Christmann said in Wednesdays statement. The company has plans for a third, and likely a fourth, exploratory well. Across its business, Apache sees the need for a permanent reduction in headcount in response to slowing shale activity. Altus Midstream, meanwhile, will look for new customers to fill its pipes. We are aggressively pursuing third-party volumes to replace declining production from Alpine High and maximize throughput at our Diamond processing facility, Bretches said in Altus fourth-quarter earnings statement. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A 2018 fatal crash involving a Tesla Inc. vehicle was likely caused by the car's autopilot system as well as distracted driving, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board or NTSB. The driver of the Tesla's Model X electric-powered sport utility vehicle, Walter Huang, was killed when it collided with a damaged crash attenuator on March 23, 2018 in Mountain View, California. NTSB investigators determined that the probable cause of the crash was the Tesla advanced driver-assistance system called Autopilot steering the sport utility vehicle into a highway gore area due to system limitations. The driver was also likely distracted by playing a mobile game in his cell phone before the crash due to overreliance on the Autopilot partial driving automation system. The investigators also mention various factors that contributed to the crash, including Tesla vehicle's ineffective monitoring of driver engagement. They also found that the severity of the driver's injuries was the vehicle's impact with a crash attenuator that was already damaged and nonoperational following a previous crash. It was not repaired by the California Department of Transportation's maintenance division in a timely manner. The NTSB findings come after nearly two years of investigation into the crash. Tesla's Autopilot system has faced much criticism following many fatal U.S. crashes involving Tesla vehicles. The NTSB earlier had said the system's design permitted the driver to disengage from the driving task. Earlier, U.S. Senator Ed Markey demanded new safeguards for the system. According to Tesla, Autopilot enables the car to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within its lane. But, the system does not make the vehicle autonomous. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA is investigating a fatal crash involving Tesla vehicle on December 29 last year in Southern California. Two people died and two others were injured in the crash between a 2019 Tesla Model S and a 2006 Honda Civic. The auto safety agency is also investigating a Connecticut crash in which a Tesla Model 3 rear-ended a parked police car while operating on Autopilot. In August last year, a Tesla Model 3 electric car, which was on autopilot, caught fire after crashing into a parked tow truck in Moscow. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de As cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to increase outside of China, the Australian government has activated its emergency response plan for an impending coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus 2019-nCov novel coronavirus concept 3d rendering. Image Credit: Creativeneko / Shutterstock The emergency response plan, dubbed as The COVID-19 plan, involves strategies in the event of a large-scale coronavirus outbreak as health officials and world leaders warn that the coronavirus is heading towards a pandemic. Though the World Health Organization (WHO) does not regard the current outbreak as a pandemic yet, some say the world is already in the early stages of a pandemic. The WHO characterizes a pandemic as a disease spreading across two continents. Coronavirus is now present in every continent except Antarctica after a new infection in Brazil. Coronavirus status In Australia, there are 23 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease as of Feb. 27, including eight people in Queensland, seven in Victoria, four in New South Wales, three in South Australia, and one in Western Australia. Fifteen of the cases have recovered while the others are in a stable condition, the Australian Government Department of Health reports. Of all the confirmed cases, eight were passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Japan. The Australian government repatriated them from the cruise ship, and they stayed at the Manigurr-ma Village Howard Springs facility in Darwin. Across the globe, there are 81,322 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and 2,770 deaths. Of the confirmed cases worldwide, the fatality rate is about 3.4 percent, but the fatality rate in other regions outside mainland China is 1.4 percent. Precautionary approach Australias COVID-19 plan is a precautionary approach to strengthen the countrys defense against the deadly virus. The novel coronavirus outbreak represents a significant risk to Australia. It has the potential to cause high levels of morbidity and mortality and to disrupt our community socially and economically, the document reads. The government plans to conduct activities to help monitor outbreaks as they occur, identify the cause of the outbreak and the nature of the virus, study respiratory disease-specific management strategies, respond rapidly to minimize the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, develop strategies to reduce the risk of disease spread, and contribute to the recovery of patients and communities. The Australian Government and state and territory government will work together to consider surveillance, resource and political information to determine whether and when a national response is required; advice on thresholds for escalation; share information on resource availability and coordinate access to resources to maximize the effectiveness of the response, it added. Minimizing transmission During the early stages of the outbreak, an initial action response involves minimizing transmission and managing the cases. It can include travel bans and health screenings for returning passengers at airports and ports. At present, a travel ban is in place for those travelers from mainland China. Further, contact tracing is part of the response, wherein doctors and health officials trace the patients potential contacts and the places he or she visited. This way, health officials can alert fellow passengers. Those who were in close contact with a confirmed case need to self-quarantine for two weeks to detect if there will be symptoms that may emerge. When there is an upsurge of cases, and the outbreak escalates, the plan involves boosting staffing in hospitals and establishing fever clinics. Hospitals are advised to provide additional staff and to create alternative models of care, such as fever clinics, to reduce the risk of spread and to focus on patients manifesting the symptoms of coronavirus. The government is also planning to impose social distancing measures if needed, which include closing schools, workplaces, and large gatherings. It also encourages employers to plan for working from home schemes. Health officials advise residents to remain cautious as the coronavirus spreads. How to protect oneself The Department of Health recommends that residents should regularly wash their hands with soap and water, use a tissue and cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze, and avoid close contact with others, such as touching or shaking hands. Surgical masks are only recommended in preventing people who have the illness from spreading it to others. For those who are not sick, they do not need to wear a surgical mask. Im thrilled that Kip Frautschi took the initiative on this, she said. I give him all the credit for realizing this mural was in jeopardy and needed to be transferred to a public place. Since the mural was commissioned, painted and installed, Pires said the Webcrafters building has grown around the painting. To get the mural, a five-man crew of art handlers from Methods & Materials, who are experts in rigging, mounting and installing large-scale art pieces, had to take down some drywall and remove walls. The work was taken from Fordem Avenue, down East Gorham Street and driven between the two Chazen buildings on East Campus Mall, about 25 yards from the north entrance of the original Elvehjem building. A glass panel in the north entrance has a hinge that was opened to bring the mural in, with about two inches to spare. Im amazed that people know how to do this, move something huge and fragile, said Eichs daughter and Watrous granddaughter Meg Hamel, who works in the engineering building on campus and ducked out of work to see the mural enter the museum. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 26 By Tamilla Mammadova Trend: Based on the results of its research, the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs of Georgia (GIPA) named five Georgian agricultural products most promising for export to Romania and Bulgaria, Trend reports citing EastFruit analytical portal. The research was part of the project Piloting Modern Trading Opportunities in Agriculture through Creation of the Innovative Online Platform covering Georgia, Romania and Bulgaria, implemented by GIPA (Georgia), Elva Community Engagement (with offices in Georgia and the Netherlands), Varna Economic Development Agency (Bulgaria) and SMART Development Center (Romania) within the framework of the program "Black Sea Basin 2014-2020". As representative of GIPA Nani Macharashvili said, as a result of a comprehensive research, it was found that chacha (grape brandy) and unfermented fruit and vegetable juices have the greatest potential for export to Romania and Bulgaria. They are followed by peaches, including nectarine, and dried fruits - primarily from apples, as well as berries, including strawberries and raspberries. According to Macharashvili, chacha and juices rank first, because Georgia has the opportunity to provide with them export markets throughout the year. The supply of the remaining three types of agricultural products is affected by seasonality. "The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA) agreement between Georgia and the European Union favors the development of trade relations with Bulgaria and Romania," she said. Meanwhile, according to the results of similar research in Romania and Bulgaria, GIPA partner organizations also compiled their lists of the most promising agricultural exports. Thus, for Bulgaria (in relation to Georgia and Romania) this list includes cereals, in particular wheat and meslin, cheese, snails, herbs and herbs, as well as processed and canned cherries. For Romania (in relation to Georgia and Bulgaria) the list includes wheat, seed sunflower, corn, rape seeds with a low content of acid, sheep and honey. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Mila61979356 [February 27, 2020] BioUtah and the University of Utah's TVC Announce the Opening of the 2020 Entrepreneur & Investor Life Science Summit, February 28 BioUtah, Utah's only trade association dedicated solely to the life sciences, in partnership with the University of Utah's Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization (TVC), today announced the opening of the 2020 Entrepreneur & Investor Life Science Summit (E&I Summit) on February 28, at the University of Utah's Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House. For a complete Summit agenda and speaker list visit www.eilifesciencessummit.org. The E&I Summit, sponsored by Simpson Thacher, is especially designed to showcase Utah's burgeoning life sciences sector and provide important insights for early stage companies from experts in various fields. There is no better way for startups and emerging growth companies to gain broad exposure to some of the best life sciences corporations, venture capital firms, and angel investors in the business. The full day conference will feature keynote speakers, David Bearss, PhD, founder and CEO of Tolero Pharmaceuticals, and Monica DiCenso, managing director and Head of Global Investment Opportunities Group, with J.P. Morgan Private Bank. An impressive array of local and national investors will be participating in the Summit. Nine promising Utah startup companies will pitch their concepts and products to Summit investors and guests. The National nstitute of Health's (NIH) Lili Portilla, who oversees the NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences' (NCATS) technology transfer functions, as well as NCATS' Small Business Innovation Research grants, will be meeting with companies during the course of the Summit. Angel MD, a crowd sourcing company with an extensive investor network of medical professionals, will also personally meet with companies. "The E&I Summit is fast-becoming the go-to conference for Utah's life sciences innovators and entrepreneurs. It's an annual forum where emerging companies and investors can come together," said Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah. "We're excited to kick-off this year's E&I Summit on the 28th and share our growing life sciences ecosystem with the investor community," said Keith Marmer, associate vice president and executive director of the TVC. "Utah is already a hub for life sciences innovation," said Brandi Simpson, CEO of Navigen Pharmaceuticals and chair of the BioUtah Board of Directors. "We want to build on that and help deliver the next generation of medical breakthroughs to patients suffering with serious illness." About BioUtah BioUtah is an independent 501(c)(6) trade association serving Utah's life sciences industry. Its member companies reflect a broad spectrum of the industry with strengths in medical device manufacturing and services, research and testing, biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and advanced diagnostics, amongst others; and are a key driver of Utah's economy. About the Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization The Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization is dedicated to helping the University of Utah's faculty inventors bring their innovations to market. TVC is responsible for all aspects of invention management, patent prosecution, licensing, startup formation and support, equity management and early-stage funding. The center's mission is to expand the university's reputation for innovation, and positively impact society. TVC is proud to help foster this spirit of discovery. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005777/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Councilmember Mark Squilla, right, has a discussion with Devin Reaves, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Coalition in Philadelphia, following a press conference on the opening of a supervised-injection site in South Philadelphia next week. Read more From a democratic socialist state representative to a federal prosecutor appointed by President Donald Trump, Philadelphia officials on Wednesday roundly criticized a plan supported by Mayor Jim Kenney to open the nations first supervised injection site in South Philadelphia next week. City Council President Darrell L. Clarke went so far as to say he opposes the opening of any injection site in Philadelphia, a position he had not previously taken. Even progressives open to using supervised injection as a tool to fight the citys crippling opioid addiction and overdose crises were critical of Safehouse, the nonprofit formed to open the site, and the citys handling of the announcement scheduled to open just a week after a federal judge authorized it, without significant community input. Im angry," said Councilmember Mark Squilla, a frequent Kenney ally whose district is just across Broad Street from the planned site. It seems like their whole motto is to open it first and explain later, which is horrendous." The reaction from elected officials from across the political spectrum reflects the obstacles Kenney faces in the first major fight of his second term, which began last month. U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain has long been a vocal critic of Kenneys plan for supervised injection sites, and has vowed to continue fighting to block such efforts. But on Wednesday, even many Democratic politicians stood on his side of the debate. Elected officials who represent South Philadelphia said they had been flooded with phone calls from constituents blindsided by the news. Kenney said calls for a slower rollout would not have stopped opposition. He has supported Safehouse, but distanced himself Wednesday from the decision by saying that the nonprofit made it. At any point, youre still going to have a controversy, wherever it is, Kenney said. Councilmember Maria Quinones-Sanchez criticized the Kenney administration for using the nonprofits management of the project as a shield to protect the city against liability. What were doing with Safehouse is cowardly, she said. Weve got to lead it, fund it, and not say, this nonprofit, and were [hiding] back here." Clarke took his opposition a step further than many. He said he would instead push for more access to treatment. Even progressive politicians who have said they are open to the idea of supervised injection sites expressed concern Wednesday that the first location would open without community input. READ MORE: Philadelphia to get nations first supervised injection site: How we got here Councilmember Jamie Gauthier said she agrees that the city should consider supervised injection sites. But I worry that we havent done enough to really inform and engage communities around the safe injection sites, Gauthier said. I think people are absolutely well within their rights to question the site, to question where it goes and to question what the impact would be in their neighborhoods. Safehouse was beginning to build public support through a patient and transparent dialogue with Philadelphians before blindsiding residents with this bait and switch," said State Sen. Larry Farnese, who supported the concept. Trust has been lost. Yet it was not clear Wednesday whether City Council or state lawmakers have any power to block or delay the opening next week or prevent other locations in the city later. Squilla and Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, whose district includes the planned site at Constitution Health Plaza on South Broad Street, said they would review existing regulations. Former Mayor and Gov. Ed Rendell, who is on Safehouses board, said he spoke with Johnson earlier this week. I said, Look, its one of those things, Kenyatta. People fear it, but once it opens, I dont think people are going to have a problem with it, Rendell said. Democratic State Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, Jordan Harris, and Maria Donatucci shared their frustration in a joint statement, saying Safehouses action has led to anxiety and trepidation" in the neighborhood. Kenney said talks are underway for a second site in Kensington, which is primarily in Sanchezs district. That plan, however, could produce an even bigger row. Its not happening in Kensington, Sanchez said. Staff writer Aubrey Whelan contributed to this article. A city council worker in protective clothing disinfects a bus in Tehran as part of government efforts to control a novel coronavirus outbreak that has now killed 19 people. (Photo: AFP/ATTA KENARE) The Islamic republic is scrambling to contain COVID-19 a week after announcing the first two deaths in Qom, a centre for Islamic studies that draws pilgrims and scholars from abroad. Schools, universities and cultural centres have been closed, sporting events cancelled, and teams of sanitary workers deployed to disinfect buses, trains and public spaces. International health experts have expressed concern about Iran's handling of the outbreak - the deadliest for any country other than China. Such worries mounted on Tuesday when the head of the taskforce combatting the virus, Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, admitted he himself had been infected. But health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said the situation was "improving" even as he announced four more deaths and 44 new infections, including in six previously unaffected provinces. The head of a newly established cyberpolice unit announced the arrest of 24 people accused of online rumour-mongering about the spread of the virus. They were handed over to the judiciary, while 118 other internet users were briefly detained and received warnings, Vahid Majid said, cited by semi-official news agency ISNA. The arrests were carried out after the establishment of a special unit to "combat rumour-mongers regarding the 'spread of coronavirus in the country'", he was quoted as saying. "The police are monitoring all the news published in the country's cyberspace." Majid said the unit would take action over news, pictures or videos that "contain rumours or fake news meant to disturb the public and increase concern in society". 'EXTREME FEAR' President Hassan Rouhani accused Iran's arch foe the United States of trying to use propaganda about the virus to instil "fear" against the country. The Americans "themselves are struggling with coronavirus", Rouhani said in a weekly cabinet meeting. He added that "16,000 people have died of influenza there but they don't talk about their own (dead)". Rouhani's remarks came a day after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of concealing the full extent of the outbreak, saying "Tehran may have suppressed vital details". The virus has also infected Iranian officials. Deputy health minister Harirchi had coughed and repeatedly wiped sweat from his brow at a joint news conference Monday with government spokesman Ali Rabiei, who is now himself awaiting the results of a coronavirus test. Harirchi stirred controversy at the time by denying a lawmaker's claim that 50 people had died from the virus in Qom, the epicentre of Iran's outbreak. The latest health ministry figures show the virus has spread across the country. There were 15 new cases in the central Shiite holy city of Qom, nine in Gilan in the north, four in the Tehran, and three in Fars in southern Iran, it said. 'SLIGHTLY CONCERNING' The ministry added that there was one new case in each of Markazi, Kermanshah, Ardebil, Mazandaran and Semnan provinces. Newly hit regions included southwestern Khuzestan, which had three cases. The others were Lorestan in the west, Semnan in central Iran, the southern province of Hormozgan, and Sistan and Baluchistan as well as Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad in the southeast, which all had two cases each. The health ministry's spokesman, Jahanpour, appeared optimistic about the situation in the worst-hit province of Qom, south of Tehran. "Every 24 hours at least 10 per cent of those hospitalised or suspect cases are discharged with good general health," said the official. But in Gilan, "things are slightly concerning", he added, as it has had the second highest number of new cases, including people who had made trips to other provinces. The health minister has repeatedly called on Iranians to refrain from travelling to other provinces, especially those infected like Gilan. Iran is yet to quarantine any of the infected cities, including Qom, with authorities dismissing the method as outdated and ineffective. San Antonio, like many American cities, is facing a shortage of affordable housing. This issue will only become more pronounced as we welcome 1 million new residents by the year 2040. City officials and local housing organizations are working diligently to combat the problem by implementing smart growth plans and allocating financial resources toward the development of affordable housing inventory. At a civic level, San Antonio is also considering policies to minimize urban sprawl. Encompassing 465 total square miles, San Antonio places in the top 15 nationally by land area second in Texas, behind Houston. While in some ways advantageous, this sprawl also brings several major challenges, namely increased air pollution, significant road congestion and a lack of affordable housing. It also dramatically increases the costs of providing public services such as water, energy, sanitation and public transportation. Instituting smart growth policies that promote population density while simultaneously prioritizing an affordable housing supply is imperative to sustainability. But policies like these those that will lower construction costs and broaden housing choices offer benefits that will transcend this context of housing affordability. Reducing air pollution, diminishing our reliance on vehicles to reach our jobs, boosting economic activity for surrounding businesses and decreasing economic segregation are goals that almost all of us can get behind. San Antonio leaders recognize the uphill battle we face and are being proactive in response. In 2018, Mayor Ron Nirenberg established the Mayors Housing Policy Task Force, which worked to connect various city organizations, outside agencies and nonprofits to the citys housing needs. The committee gave birth to a strategic five-point plan of action, which includes developing a coordinated housing plan; protecting and promoting neighborhoods; increasing city investments in housing; preserving and re-adapting existing structures; and prioritizing public accountability. According to the same report, 165,000 people in San Antonio are overburdened with housing expenses spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent or mortgage payments and other costs associated with housing. Fortunately, the city and its partner organizations are rising to the challenge. The San Antonio City Council recently approved an $11 million investment in affordable housing projects. The funds come from federal grants such as the Community Development Block Grant, the HOME Investment Partnerships program, the Affordable Housing Fund and fee waivers. In August, the San Antonio Housing Authority board also approved future transactions, tax credits and bond applications that will fund hundreds of millions in affordable housing projects supplying more than 3,500 affordable housing units to Bexar County residents. Finally, in September, Assistant City Manager Lori Houston presented the City Council with a strategy to add more than 18,000 units to the market by 2029, reversing our regions persistent negative affordable housing trend. In response to many of these efforts, a recent study by Realtor.com showed that San Antonio-New Braunfels is one of two American metropolitan areas that saw an increase in housing inventory between January 2019 and January 2020. San Antonio Board of Realtors supports this citys mission to address San Antonios housing needs while ensuring that private property rights are protected. In a country where affordable housing remains a pressing issue in virtually every local community, San Antonio has dared to be thoughtful and measured in its approach. As we move forward, we stand ready to help and promote the citys efforts to bring together the partner organizations, developers, government entities and property owners needed to solve this challenge. Kim Bragman is the 2020 San Antonio Board of Realtors chairman of the board. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by PennLive/The Patriot-News, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter. Story by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Brad Bumsted and Sam Janesch of The Caucus HARRISBURG The Pennsylvania legislature is attempting to shield records showing why it spends some of the roughly $360 million in taxpayer money it receives each year, citing an obscure protection it claims gives lawmakers immunity from total transparency. The Star Ghana Foundation has organised the 3rd Annual Strategic Learning Event that brought together Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to share what is happening in the Civil Society space. The event was scheduled from February 25 through to 26 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra under the theme "Celebrating Success; Resourcing Active Citizenship for the Future." The event also sought to ascertain the success stories and challenges of the various CSOs in the line of their duty. The said meeting afforded the CSOs the opportunity to recalibrate their approaches to be more successful, identify critical areas of Civil Society work in the days ahead. Executive Director, STAR-Ghana Foundation, Ibrahim - Tanko Amidu indicated that "we need citizens groups to continue that drive of raising the issues of concern in order to get the attention of politicians by way of hammering out their policy positions which will go a long way to the benefit of the citizenry." According to him, per how we respond to issues that people feel strongly about, it demonstrates that people are willing to support and fund Civil Society works but was quick to add that another challenge they face is in the area of accountability which needs to be tackled effectively so as to win the trust of the citizens to support their activities. Talking about the funding seeing money as the solution of all actions; it is important for some specific activities but when it put at the centre, we risk destroying the vitality of whatever that makes citizens movement so effective, he admonished. Kofi Bentil, Vice President, IMANI Africa in his remark stressed that without civil society active pressure on leaders; consistent watch over our leaders; and holding up an existential threat to our leaders, they will not do the right things. Michael Ohene Effah, Co-Founder, Lead Afrique International said there is the need for CSOs to address the issue of organizational system strengthening that makes them entities and not just a couple of individuals that have come together. Touching on the funding arrangements of Civil Society activities, he suggested that donors need to have flexible funding that can respond to issues quickly and also advised Active CSOs to make it easy to receive funding in their cause through the various payment platforms available. Rev. John Nkum, Nkum Associates noted that they are going to make sure they restrategize and reprioritize to get Civil Society to work to advance good governance, accountability and transparency in Ghana. The Sunoco Pipeline Mariner East 2 pipeline under construction in Uwchlan Township, Chester County. Sunoco has agreed to pay a $200,000 for violations related to a Berks County leak in the older Mariner East 1 pipeline, which runs adjacent to the new pipeline. Read more State regulators on Thursday finalized a settlement with Sunoco Pipeline to atone for a 2017 leak from the aging Mariner East 1 pipeline that includes a $200,000 fine and a promise to conduct a remaining life study of the nearly 90-year-old pipeline. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission unanimously adopted a recommended decision by Administrative Law Judge Elizabeth H. Barnes, which requires the study be completed six months after an independent expert is selected to conduct it. A redacted summary of the study will be released to the public. The PUC cited Sunoco in 2018 for the April 2017 leak, during which 840 gallons, or 20 barrels, of highly volatile natural gas liquids escaped from a small hole that formed in the eight-inch diameter steel pipeline in New Morgan, Berks County. The PUC cited Sunoco for having inadequate cathodic protection of the pipeline, which allowed it to corrode and to leak ethane and propane. The material bubbled to the surface and evaporated without causing injury or explosion, but the episode heightened concerns about what might happen if the 300-mile pipeline experienced a larger failure. Sunoco replaced an 83-foot section of pipe. The pipeline, built by Atlantic Refining in 1931 to deliver motor fuel and heating oil from its Philadelphia refinery to Western Pennsylvania, was acquired by Sunoco in 1988. Sunoco Pipeline in 2014 patched up and converted the pipeline, now renamed Mariner East, to carry gas liquids from the Marcellus Shale fields to a terminal in Marcus Hook. Sunoco, a subsidiary of Energy Transfer LP of Dallas, is building two new Mariner East pipelines along roughly the same path as the older pipeline to carry additional gas liquids to its Delaware County terminal. The contentious project, much delayed by construction mishaps, is nearing completion this year. But it is still being litigated in several venues, including the PUC. The agreement allows Sunoco to recommend three independent experts to conduct the remaining life study, from which the PUCs Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement will choose one. The remaining life study, first publicly suggested by Gov. Tom Wolf a year ago, will assess the longevity of the Mariner East 1, including risks. The information collected in this study will be invaluable for any determinations regarding the operations of Mariner East 1," Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, the PUCs chair, said Thursday. The PUC on Thursday modified the agreement to also require the engineering firm that conducts the study to disclose any previous work for Sunoco or Energy Transfer. If no adverse comments are received in the next 10 days, the settlement is approved. Sunoco will then have 30 days to recommend experts to the PUC, and the PUCs enforcement unit will have a month to make a selection. Sunoco will pay the costs of the study. Barnes, who has heard many of the complaints against the Mariner East project, dismissed suggestions from Sunocos adversaries that the fine was too small. She said the $200,000 penalty was reasonable, given that Sunoco had cooperated with investigators, and had agreed to additional conditions, including the study. The settlement resolves one of several ongoing legal inquiries into Energy Transfers conduct in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in January fined Energy Transfer a record $30.6 million related to the 2018 explosion of its Revolution Pipeline in Beaver County. That agreement lifted an 11-month permit freeze on the companys other pipeline projects, including the cross-state Mariner East pipelines. Energy Transfer also disclosed in November that the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania had issued a subpoena for documents related to the Revolution explosion. The company, in its most recent financial filings, repeated the same language from its November disclosure, and said the scope of the federal investigation is not known. Even if OPEC cuts production by 600,000 barrels a day, oil prices could remain weak until April, according to a senior analyst at S&P Global Platts. That's because inventories are rising amid lower oil demand due to the coronavirus outbreak, Kang Wu, Asia's head of analytics, told CNBC's "Capital Connection" on Thursday. Oil prices have been under pressure because of the virus that shuttered Chinese businesses for weeks and forced flight cancellations around the world. As the economic impact of the coronavirus unfolded, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries slashed its global oil demand outlook. For China, where the outbreak began, OPEC revised its demand forecast down by 0.2 million barrels a day for the first half of the year. International benchmark Brent crude futures were at $52.81 a barrel, down 1.16% on Thursday afternoon in Asia, while U.S. crude futures fell 1.33% to $48.08 a barrel. By IANS SOLAN: BJP national President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Thursday said Article 370 has become a thing of the past. The country has now become "one nation, one constitution". "Article 370 has become a thing of the past. Today, India is one nation with one constitution," he said in his address in this Himachal Pradesh town. Earlier, he was accorded welcome on his maiden visit to the state to which he belonged after becoming party's national President. Nadda said he had not imagined that he would get an opportunity to lead the BJP. All this was possible due to the benevolence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the blessings of the people of the state. He said the BJP was the only political party in the country where even a worker can become the party's national President and also the Prime Minister. He said today the party has over 17 crore members and has a strong and vibrant leader in form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda said the opposition was making unnecessary hue and cry over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and this was unfortunate. The Act was not against minorities of the country, but it was aimed at helping the minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Complementing the performance of his party's government in the state, the BJP President said the state led by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was doing a commendable work for welfare of the state and its people. He said programmes like Jan Manch, HIMCARE and Grihini Suvidha Yojna were possible due to farsighted Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He said all this was possible due to the double engine of the government -- at Centre and the state. He said AIIMS at Bilaspur, 69 national highways were possible due to Modi. Thakur, while welcoming Nadda, said the state introduced Jan Manch programme for redressal of public grievances and 46,763 complaints were received till now out of which almost all have been redressed. He said apart of Jan Manch, the state has launched Chief Minister Helpline 1100 to solve the problems. To date, 273,000 calls were received out of which 64,300 were complaints. He said that out of these complaints, 56,062 have been resolved. Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur, who too belong to Himachal Pradesh, congratulated the Chief Minister for successfully organising the first Global Investors' Meet at Dharamsala, which would go a long way in strengthening the economy. He said the Union government would provide all possible help for construction of a big airport in Mandi district in the state. Quarantine officials disinfect roads in Daegu, using a military vehicle, Thursday. The city has more than 1,000 coronavirus patients. / Yonhap By Kim Se-jeong The coronavirus outbreak appears to be spiraling out of control here after 505 new cases were reported Thursday, with most being members of the Shincheonji Church in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The nationwide total for COVID-19 infections has now reached 1,766 as of 10:00 p.m. with 13 deaths the latest being a 73-year-old man from Daegu with an existing kidney problem. He was a member of the controversial Christian sect and was confirmed infected Tuesday, but had to wait at home to be hospitalized due to a shortage of hospital beds. The number of confirmed cases in Daegu alone stands at 1,132, almost two thirds of the total. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said on February 26 that there are more coronavirus cases outside China than those inside the country for the first time since it originated in Wuhan in late December. WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing in Geneva that the drastic increase in cases in Italy, Iran and Korea are deeply concerning. Since the cases linked to Iran have spread to Kuwait and Oman, and those linked to Italy have been tested positive in Algeria, Austria, Croatia, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. Read - Xi Jinping To Go Ahead With Japan Visit Despite Coronavirus Outbreak Ghebreyesus also updated that a day before, a joint team of WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control had arrived in Rome to review the public health measures and to provide technical support. Moreover, WHO has also accused too many affected countries who are not sharing their data with the organisation. According to the official website, Ghebreyesus said that the United Nations health agency cannot provide appropriate public health guidance without disaggregated data and detailed line lists. Further, while elaborating on the seriousness of the situation of the epidemic, Ghebreyesus said that the primary objective of all countries with cases must be to contain the virus. The international leaders, irrespective of the fact if they have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, should be prepared for a potential pandemic adding that there is no time for self-approval. This is no time for complacency, WHO chief underscored. This is a time for continued vigilance. Read - Coronavirus Outbreak: CDC Warns Some Beards Could Make Face Mask Ineffective 'Not be too eager to declare pandemic' Since the fatal virus has now spread to at least 50 countries, affecting every continent except Antarctica, the WHO chief has also said that the officials should not be too eager to declare a pandemic in the absence of clear-minded analysis of the facts. However, the UN health agency has still declared its highest level of alarm which is a public health emergency of international concern. Using the word 'pandemic' could give a signal that the coronavirus can no longer be contained, but Ghebreyesus said that it is not true. According to the official website, Ghebreyesus explained, Using the word pandemic carelessly has no tangible benefit, but it does have a significant risk in terms of amplifying unnecessary and unjustified fear and stigma, and paralyzing systems. However, he later added that the organisation will not hesitate in declaring the outbreak a pandemic if it is an accurate description of the situation. The UN health agency is closely monitoring the epidemic. Read - Coronavirus Outbreak: Denmark, Estonia Confirm First Cases Of Deadly Epidemic Read - Coronavirus Outbreak: Crew Members Begin Vacating Quarantined Japan Cruise Ship Hours after US President Donald Trump left Delhi on Tuesday, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval hit the ground at midnight to control the volatile situation in the national capital, toured riot-hit north-eastern neighbourhoods of Delhi on Wednesday and reassured people that law enforcement agencies had been deployed to keep them safe. By Wednesday morning, hours after Doval first visited the north-east deputy commissioners office to take stock of the situation and issue instructions, the fire of the communal riots, which has killed at least 27 people, appeared to simmer down. Security forces carried out flag marches in several parts of north-east Delhi through the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tasked NSA Doval with the job of restoring normalcy in the riot-hit areas as concerns grew over inept handling of the spiraling violence by the Delhi Police. Analysts said that the scale of violence preceding the ground action by the NSA showed the Delhi Police had completely failed to rein rioters, leading to an alarming number of deaths and unprecedented destruction in the national capital. The Delhi Police have been widely criticised for not acting against rioters on Monday and Tuesday the 48 hours when the communal violence was at its peak. On Wednesday, Doval sought to assure residents stricken by fear, including a Muslim student who said that the police did not protect them from mobs who vandalised shops and set vehicles on fire. We are not feeling safe and comfortable, the 22-year-old girl named Ifra Parvez told Doval in Brahmpuri, as people watched on. Doval responded: I give you my word, you do not have to worry. It is the responsibility of the police, it is the responsibility of the government. As he walked through congested lanes of north-east Delhi neighbourhoods, he said to locals: What has happened has happened. Inshallah, there will be complete peace here. Walking along with Doval in the riot-hit streets was SN Shrivastava, an IPS officer who was hurriedly appointed as special commissioner to be the chief of law and order in Delhi. Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik, who has been widely criticised for not responding proportionately to the inflamed situation, wasnt around when Doval walked around in areas such as Maujpur, Jafrabad and Brahmpuri. Patnaik is set to retire on Saturday. On Wednesday morning, Doval presented his assessment of the situation to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by the PM and detailed the steps taken to end the violence. Later in the day, as he visited the riot-hit areas, Doval said he was there on the instructions of Modi and home minister Amit Shah. Police is working hard. Only some criminals were involved in this. One should try resolving issues and not increasing them. There were incidents earlier but today it is calm. Locals want peace. We have full faith there will be peace, he said. He patted the shoulder of an elderly man in one of the areas and said: If there is any problem at all, just inform Force is deployed here to ensure you all remain safe. When a woman said she was extremely scared when violence broke out, the NSA told her: Dont be scared. Maintain peace and harmony. We have to live together and take the country forward. The situation is totally under control. People are satisfied. I have confidence in law enforcement agencies. The police are doing their work, he added during his tour. The NSA later returned to the North Block to brief Shah about the law and order situation. Doval first took a round of the riot-hit areas around midnight on Tuesday after visiting the office of DCP Ved Prakash Surya in Seelampur. He was accompanied by police commissioner Patnaik. An official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that it was for the first time in the history of the national capital that the NSA had to go to a police station area and hit the ground to assess a riot situation. Vikram Singh, former DGP of Uttar Pradesh Police, said the NSA was forced to step in as senior officers of the Delhi Police, including its commissioner, did not take to the streets early on as part of a confidence-building measures. The senior-most police officers should have been out on the streets instead of sitting in their ivory towers. But that did not happen and the NSA stepped in to do their job, said Singh. NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Overview - The North American market for diabetic devices is valued at USD 18.06 billion in 2018, and is expected to witness a CAGR of 8.81% during the forecast period (2019-2024) Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865886/?utm_source=PRN - The growth of the diabetic devices market is directly proportional to the increasing diabetic population. The North American region had witnessed an astounding increase in the prevalence of diabetes, in the recent years. - In developed countries, such as the United States and Canada, the rate of diabetes is at an all-time high, mainly due to lifestyle changes. These reasons have led to high sales of insulin in the region. Insulin was initially considered as a treatment method for only type 1 diabetic patients. However, over the years, it began to be used as a line of treatment by a considerable number of type 2 patients. Scope of the Report The North America diabetes care devices market is segmented by management devices (insulin pumps, insulin pens, syringes, cartridges, and jet injectors) and monitoring devices (self-monitoring blood glucose (hospital and personal use) and continuous glucose monitoring), and geography. Key Market Trends The United States holds 87% of the market share in the North American Diabetes Devices Market - In the North American diabetes devices market, the United States holds the highest market share of 87.80%, and it is expected to increase over the forecast period (2019-2024), with a CAGR of 9.17%. - The United States is among the top five countries with the highest diabetic population. The country has close to 100 million adults living, diabetic and pre-diabetic. About 9.5% of the total population of the country has diabetes. According to studies, diabetes is among the leading health epidemics in the country. WHO has concluded that, in 2015, diabetes was the seventh-leading cause for death in the United States. - And the country's insurance policy, which reimburses close to 50% of the drug cost to the consumers, acts as a boon for pharmaceutical companies selling drugs or devices. In North America Diabetes Devices Market, Management devices hold 63.60% . - The growing demand for insulin has led to tremendous R&D activities in manufacturing different painless types of insulin deliverable devices, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), integrated insulin pumps, extremely accurate blood glucose monitoring devices (such as the flash glucose monitoring device), and improved lancets for a glucometer. - Initially, syringes were the only form of insulin delivery system, but they are considered to be painful and not user-friendly. Thus, companies like Novo Nordisk and Sanofi, among others, have produced their insulin pens with a specific set dosage. They are not only less painful to use, but also reduce the wastage of insulin. The high cost of insulin pens is the only prominent restraining factor for the growth of the pens market. - A large set of diabetic type 1 patients is children. There was a need for an alternative to the existing needle-based delivery system, which is painful. Thus, the invention of insulin jet injector, a painless insulin delivery system, came into the picture. The insulin jet injector has high sales in developed countries, such as the United States and Canada. These jet injectors are considered to be the future for insulin delivery systems market. The lack of awareness regarding the product and its benefits, when compared to conventional methods of insulin delivery, acts as the prominent restrain for the product. Competitive Landscape The market is highly fragmented, with few major players. Abbott's new FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System was approved, which is the first continuous blood sugar monitor, for people with diabetes, which does not need backup finger prick tests. The innovations in test strips are increasing and are under development. For example, the new test strip includes features, such as underfill detection, and provides the user with the ability to reapply blood when the test strip is underfilled ("second chance" sampling). Dexcom acquired TypeZero Technologies, paving way for automated insulin delivery. The acquisition has sent Dexcom ahead on its way in the race to create an artificial pancreas system, rather than simply offering a continuous glucose monitoring device. Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - Report customization as per the client's requirements - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865886/?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 Stena Sonangol Suezmax Pool celebrates 15 years of successful cooperation The successful Stena Sonangol Suezmax Pool, established in 2005, presently consists of about 20 high-quality and fuel-efficient Suezmax tankers. Stena Sonangol Suezmax Pool is operated as a 50/50 joint venture between the Swedish leading innovative tanker owner Stena Bulk and the Angolan state-owned oil company, Sonangol. The pool, headed from Houston, also manages chartering and operations of the pools vessels from the offices in Gothenburg and Singapore. The vessels sail in the spot market worldwide. The discussions for a joint pool of Suezmaxes were initiated between Mark Heater of Sonangol and Kim Ullman of the Stena Group, grounded on the partners shared core values of high quality, long-term perspective and customer focus. The pool is still based on shared values in quality and a long-term customer approach. One of the goals is to expand the pool, through partnerships and external partners, says Johan Jawert, SSSP Pool Manager and Head of Stena Bulk USA. The pool structure is constantly updated to meet the latest requirements of both external and internal factors to stay relevant and be an attractive option for owners to place their vessels. Fifteen of the tankers in the pool are owned by the owners of the Stena Sonangol Suezmax Pool, three are time chartered and three are commercially managed. The pool set-up has numerous advantages, such as gaining access to a larger market position and, in general, the ability to spread the risks arising as a result of fluctuations in a volatile market, says Aderito Pereira, SSSP Pool Manager. Access to our global network with support and a high utilization rate as a result of our operational excellence are also important factors. We have been extremely successful and are one of the foremost, in comparison to both the index and other competing pools, says Erik Hanell, President and CEO, Stena Bulk. Our pool has been the best-performing Suezmax pool for 12 of the past 15 years, which is largely a result of our customer focus where innovation, performance and quality are prioritized. Over the years, we have expanded with the addition of a number of Suezmax tankers of the latest design and with the highest environmental class, says Joao Almeida, President of Sonangol Marine Services. In both partners strategic investments, we focus very much on energy efficiency and, with the help of our technical development department, we make sure that we are at the cutting edge when it comes to both safety and the environment. But we are also evaluating our existing vessels in order to find solutions for further fuel savings. Orbit platform provides greater efficiency Orbit, a digital platform developed inhouse, is used by the pool and is very useful both for chartering and operations. We can offer our customers increased productivity and it allows us to make better and faster decisions based on vast and structured datasets. Diversified personnel This interaction between the two companies has added tremendous value to the pools success. The pool has very strong teams with all offices staffed by representatives from both companies. This creates diversity with several cultures, enabling the pool to be agile and open to change. Celebration The 15-year anniversary celebrations started in Houston this week and will continue in London and Singapore during the year. We will be celebrating this milestone by showing our appreciation for our customers and partners support, both in years past and in the years to come. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Willowbrook man was charged with trying to have a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl, the Burlington County district attorney announced Wednesday. John Emilio, 42, of Woolley Avenue, thought he was messaging the girl online, but in reality he was talking to a detective from the Burlington County High-Tech Crimes Unit, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. The Willowbrook resident sent pictures of his private parts and made uncomfortable comments, Coffina said in a press release. Emilio was arrested Tuesday at his home and charged with attempted luring in the second degree, providing obscene material to a person under 18 in the third degree and attempting to debauch the morals of a child in the third degree, officials said. The Burlington District Attorney started an investigation into Emilio in November 2019 during a probe into the exploitation of children in cyberspace. Back then, Emilio discussed coming to New Jersey to have intercourse with the girl at either a motel or inside his car, but the trip never materialized, according to officials. It was not yet clear if Emilio had retained a lawyer as of Wednesday night. The investigation was conducted in cooperation with the New York City Police Department Computer Crimes Squad, which is part of the New York City Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from the United States Homeland Security, Cherry Hill Office, the Cinnaminson Township Police Department and the Richmond County District Attorneys Office. INDIANAPOLIS -- Ohio State defensive end Chase Young might not be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he believes he's the best prospect in this class. "I definitely think I'm the best player in the draft," Young said Thursday in the Indiana Convention Center at the NFL Scouting Combine. "I think I showed it on my tape. Every game, I think I showed it. I definitely think I put my best foot forward this year, I grinded hard. Two of my biggest things are hard work and dedication and I'm going to bring those two to the NFL with me." LSU quarterback Joe Burrow -- an Ohio State transfer -- is the popular projection at No. 1 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Young is the top defensive player in the draft in Field Level Media's rankings and the opinion is almost universal in the draft community. Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn joked that Young doesn't even need a pro day, his body of work is more than evident in his three years and 30.5 sacks at Ohio State, including 16.5 sacks last season. There will be no proving ground in Indianapolis when defensive ends work out at Lucas Oil Stadium. Young instead will hold his athletic feats for a pro day in Columbus on March 25. "I'm not trying to compete to be a combine player. I need to be a football player. Just know when I step on that field Day 1, I'll be ready," Young said. Young is projected to be the No. 2 pick in the NFL draft. Barring a trade, that move would reunite him with quarterback Dwayne Haskins, who was selected by the Washington Redskins with the No. 15 pick overall in the 2019 draft. Young is a Redskins fan, having played at DeMatha High School in Maryland. "Me and Dwayne talk all the time," Young said. "I've known Dwayne since high school. He definitely loves the organization, and obviously he wants me to come play with him." Young said he has the same skills that compelled teams to make Joey and Nick Bosa first-round picks. Nick Bosa was selected No. 2 by the San Francisco 49ers last year and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. Joey Bosa was the third overall pick in the 2016 to the then-San Diego Chargers. He has 40.0 sacks in his first four NFL seasons. "The toolbox that they brought from college to the NFL, it works," Young said. "I've been looking at them, always looking at Nick because he's my big bro. I see what he's doing in the league, he's obviously doing outstanding." --By Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media (Newser) His fellow gamers thought he was joking. I killed mom and granny so far, waiting for sister in 5 minutes and dad in 1 hour, wrote 23-year-old Menhaz Zaman on the Discord app last year. Later, came, "Ive just slaughtered my entire family," followed by photos. As a story in Toronto Life explains, alarmed gamers then set up a separate chat dedicated to figuring out Zaman's address. One finally did so via his PayPal account, and when police in the Toronto suburb of Markham arrived, they discovered the bodies of Zaman's 50-something parents, his 21-year-old sister, and his grandmother. The victims were bludgeoned with a crowbar, and Menhaz remains in custody facing four murder charges. The story traces Zaman's life, recounting how he retreated into 3D gaming, particularly to the gaming server Perfect World Void, as his real world deteriorated. story continues below For example, Zaman entered York University's mechanical engineering program after high school but soon dropped out. However, he did not tell his Bangladeshi parents and instead kept up the ruse for years. Every morning he'd leave home, purportedly for university, and instead go to a mall and log on to his virtual world. Then his supposed graduation date neared. "Its been my plan for 3 years," he wrote to gamers the night of the murdersthey were trying to keep him online and talking. "Literally told my parents my uni graduation was July 28th. I couldnt have delayed it any longer." He referred to himself as "sub-human" and said he didn't want his "parents to feel the shame of having a son like me." (Read the full story, which discusses the type of killers known as "family annihilators.") Indian Prime Minister Appeals for Calm After Deadly Riots Wrack New Delhi By Anjana Pasricha February 26, 2020 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is appealing for calm after three days of deadly clashes between Hindus and Muslim groups in the Indian capital left at least 23 people dead and more than 200 injured. The rioting that wracked a neighborhood on the fringes of the city were the worst witnessed in New Delhi in recent decades and coincided with a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to India. The clashes erupted between supporters and opponents of a new citizenship law but quickly deteriorated into communal rioting. Armed police patrolled the area on Wednesday. Doctors said those who died had gunshot and stab wounds or head injuries incurred from jumping from heights probably to escape rampaging mobs armed with stones, iron rods and even guns. In a tweet Prime Minister Modi said "Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important that there is calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest." The appeal came as opposition leaders attacked the government for failing to control the spiraling violence in the streets of the Indian capital, less than 20 kilometers away from where Modi and Trump held talks on Tuesday. Although tensions are still running high, an uneasy calm prevailed on Wednesday. Some Muslim families could be seen leaving the riot-affected areas that presented a scene of devastation. Dozens of burnt and mangled vehicles lined roads and smoke still billowed from a market that sold tires. Many homes and shops had been set on fire. Two mosques were vandalized and a saffron-colored flag associated with Hindu right-wing groups was planted on the roof of one. Some journalists covering the violence were stopped by arsonists and asked about their religion. New Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kerjiwal called for the federal government to send the army to the riot-hit areas. Building confidence Delhi's Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik however said the situation is under control. "A lot of confidence-building measures are being taken, peace committees have been set up," he told reporters. The clashes erupted after Muslim Protesters occupied a road in New Delhi neighborhood on Saturday to protest the new citizenship law that makes fast-tracked Indian citizenship available to immigrants from three neighboring countries, except Muslims. The sit-in prompted a leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Kapil Mishra, to warn of consequences if the police did not clear the area in three days. Critics say incendiary speeches by BJP leaders about the protests have further inflamed tensions. The Indian capital has been the epicenter of the demonstrations that have wracked the country in the wake of the new citizenship law that critics say discriminates against Muslims. Protesters want the government to scrap the law and a proposed citizens registry that would require all Indians to show documents to prove their citizenship. President Trump told reporters on Tuesday after talks with Prime Minister Modi that he did not discuss the country's new citizenship law. "I want to leave that to India and hopefully they're going to make the right decision for the people," he said. Protection for non-Muslims Modi's government has said the laws are not intended to target anyone for discrimination but are meant to ensure protection for non-Muslims who it says are persecuted in other countries. In Washington, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent government panel, expressed "grave concern" about the violence in India. "The brutal and unchecked violence growing across Delhi cannot continue," Commissioner Anurima Bhargava said Wednesday. "Reports are mounting that the Delhi police have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims and the government is failing in its duty to protect its citizens." Bhargava called Indian efforts to target and disenfranchise Muslims "a clear violation of international human rights." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On Tuesday, March 23, Visit NC, the Economic Development Partnership with North Carolina state organization, will award the Esse Quam Videri Award to Bill Carson, co-founder of the Orchard at Altapass. The awards ceremony/luncheon will take place at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The mission of Visit NC is to unify and lead the state in positioning North Carolina as a preferred destination for travelers and film production and in maximizing economic vitality statewide. The Esse Quam Videri Award recognition program that began in 2019, echoes the state motto to be, rather than to seem and celebrates a recipients gift of time, energy and resources to elevate a destination to new heights. Over the past 25 years, Carson has dedicated all three of those gifts to the preservation of the lands at Altapass and the deep-rooted culture of its peoples with the agri-tourism at the Orchard at Altapsss. The award will be presented at the Visit NC 365 Conference on Tourism, the largest gathering of the states tourism industry leaders. For more information about Visit NC or the 365 Conference, visit visitnc.com. For more information about the Orchard at Altapass, go to altapassorchard.org. Marriage is not part of the future for Maggie Kirchhoff and her partner of 13 years, Matt. The couple knows this means the automatic rights and protections that legally married spouses get are off the table for them. And this would be especially important if one of them were to become severely ill or pass away. Kirchhoff, a certified financial planner with advisory firm Business & Personal Finance in Denver, says that many so-called spousal rights are inherent with a marriage certificate. "For unmarried couples, though, you have to make a concerted effort to cover all your bases," she said. Tetra Images | Tetra images | Getty Images The number of unmarried couples who live together reached 18 million in 2016, a 29% jump from 14 million in 2007, according to the Pew Research Center. Among adults age 50 and older, however, the increase was 75%: About 4 million were cohabiting in 2016, up from 2.3 million in 2007. Although the arrangement has gained broad societal acceptance, according to a separate Pew Research report, such couples still face some key differences from their married counterparts. For example, filing a federal tax return as a couple is not possible. Or, if your employer happens to extend health insurance to your partner, the amount your company contributes is taxable to you (vs. being tax-free for a spouse). And, as mentioned, end-of-life considerations need some attention. About five years into their relationship, Kirchhoff and her partner who also is a CFP signed a variety of documents that will dictate what happens if one of them either becomes incapacitated or passes away. In other words, they created an estate plan. The basics Remember, "estate" simply refers to everything you own i.e., financial accounts, real estate and your belongings. Experts say that creating a plan for what happens to your estate regardless of how meager or massive your assets is key for unmarried couples who want their commitment to each other protected in the event of death. "If I'm married and die without an estate plan, it would be a mess, but the general default would be that everything ends up with my spouse," said Nick Rosenbauer, an estate planning attorney and founder of the Rosenbauer Law Office in West Chester, Ohio. "But if I'm not married, the default wouldn't be my partner," Rosenbauer said. "It might be my kids or my parents or siblings, but my partner who isn't legally my spouse would be out of the picture." If you die without a will called dying intestate the courts in your state will decide who gets what. That process is public and often messy if would-be heirs have competing priorities and conflicting notions of what is rightfully theirs. That said, a will alone won't necessarily cover all your bases. Retirement accounts If you want to make sure your tax-advantaged retirement accounts i.e., Roth and traditional individual retirement accounts, 401(k) plans and the like end up with your partner, make sure that person is the named beneficiary on those accounts. Even if you have a will that states otherwise, whoever is listed as the beneficiaries on those accounts will get the money. Same goes for insurance policies and annuities. If I'm not married, the default [heir] wouldn't be my partner. It might be my kids or my parents or siblings, but my partner who isn't legally my spouse would be out of the picture. Nick Rosenbauer founder of the Rosenbauer Law Office If no beneficiary is listed, where the money goes depends partly on the retirement plan agreement and on state law. Typically, though, those retirement assets would end up being included in your assets that are subject to probate. That's the process of the court validating your will (if there is one) after your death. If there is no will, the court will pass everything on according to state law which typically means assets will go to the closest living family member who, again, is not going to be your unmarried partner. Probate is also when creditors can come after your estate for amounts owed and other would-be heirs can contest your will. Bank and brokerage accounts If both of your names are on checking, savings or investment accounts, there's no worry about either of you being able to access them if one of you were to pass away. The same can't be said for those with only one person's name on it. For any account with only your name on it, contact your bank to find out what form needs to be filled out so the money is left directly to your partner. "You'd either want to add what's called a transfer-on-death or payable-on-death designation," Kirchhoff said. Again, without those designations, the assets would end up in probate and distributed either in accordance with the will or state laws. More from Personal Finance: Americans have $21 billion in unused gift cards Women's retirement prospects improving, but not enough 5 tax tricks that could save you thousands The family house Regardless of whether you split the mortgage or whose name is on that loan the person named on the deed is the owner. "If the house in one person's name, it won't automatically pass to the partner," Kirchhoff said. "It would become part of the probate estate." One option is to make sure both of you are named as joint owners on the deed, "with rights of survivorship." In that case, generally speaking, you each equally own the house and are entitled to assume full ownership upon the death of the other. However, there could be other factors to consider before adding a partner's name to an existing deed, including the cost, tax implications or protection from potential creditors. In other words, you might want to consult with a professional before making the move. Another option is to leave the house to your partner in your will. Remember, though, any asset passing through the bounds of your will is subject to probate and the snags that can come with it. Consider a trust Depending on the complexity of your financial situation and the type of assets you own, a trust could be one way to ensure that your partner ends up with what you want them to without any of it being subject to probate. However, there are other considerations that should factor into whether you create one or not, including whether it would make sense tax-wise, and if the cost (which can be several thousand dollars) is worth it. Communication It also is probably worth letting any pertinent family members i.e., adult children, parents or siblings know the general intentions included in your estate plan. While you don't necessarily need to go into dollar amounts, managing expectations can help avoid discord between your partner and any other family members. "I always recommend that clients discuss these plans with family to avoid hurt feelings or missed expectations," said Eric Walters, a CFP and managing partner and founder of SilverCrest Wealth Planning in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Other considerations Generally speaking, your partner has no legal say in your medical treatment if you end up in a situation when you cannot make decisions yourself. If you want to give the person that right, you can give them a durable power of attorney over health care. That will let your partner or whomever you name make important health-care decisions if you're unable to. This is separate from a living will, which states your wishes if you are on life support or suffer from a terminal condition. This helps guide your proxy's decision-making. And if you have no one named, medical personnel must follow your wishes in that document. I always recommend that clients discuss these plans with family to avoid hurt feelings or missed expectations. Eric Walters Managing partner and founder of SilverCrest Wealth Planning BEAUMONT, Texas, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, February 29th at 10am, Phalen Leadership Academies will host a Texas Region Open House and Hiring Event at Mae Jones-Clark Elementary Schoo l, located at 3525 Cleveland Avenue, Beaumont, TX 77703. Parents, scholars, and families are invited to Experience the PLA Difference by meeting with school leaders and learning PLA's approach to scholar academic success. "We believe that our scholars have the ability to be the best of the best; but it is up to us as adults to support them, to nurture their learning, to challenge them and help them to grow and excel," said PLA's Founder and CEO, Earl Martin Phalen . The Open House will serve as a catalyst for connecting the community and potential hires with PLA Recruiters. Currently, PLA Texas is recruiting for high-quality teachers, instructional specialists, support staff, and administrators for their two Beaumont school locations. Interested candidates can bring their resumes to the event to sign up for an interview on-the-spot. "Employees of PLA are offered several benefits and incentives, including competitive compensation and benefits, student loan forgiveness and support, a strong professional development programs, the ability to leverage integrated technology in the classroom, appreciation and recognition year-round and opportunities to earn additional income during the summer months," said National Director of Recruitment, Amber Deckard. "We look forward to welcoming the Beaumont community and starting a dialogue with applicants that strengthens our schools and our school teams." About PLA: Phalen Leadership Academies is a transformative leader in school turnaround with the primary mission to improve the lives of children through education. PLA serves nearly 10,000 scholars in 22 schools across the country. Both Willie-Ray Smith Middle School and Mae-Jones-Clark Elementary are a part of the PLA Network. SOURCE Phalen Leadership Academies Related Links www.phalenacademies.org President Donald Trump holds a press conference with health officials and cabinet members about the coronavirus in the White House on Feb. 26, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Trump: Coronavirus Risk to US Remains Very Low VP Pence to Head Coronavirus Task Force President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the COVID-19 coronavirus risk to the United States is low and placed Vice President Mike Pence in charge of a coronavirus task force. The risk to the American people remains very low, Trump said in a press conference at the White House. The vaccine is coming along well, and we think this is something that we can do fairly quickly, the president said. Of the 15 people [to have contracted the virus] eight of them have returned to their homes, to stay at their homes until theyre fully recovered. One is in the hospital. And five have fully recovered. And one we think is in pretty good shape, Trump also said. In almost all cases, theyre getting better, the president said. We took in some from Japan because theyre American citizens. Theyre in quarantine and theyre getting better, too, Trump said, adding that they were repatriated because we felt that we had an obligation to do that. The Trump administration has sought to ease fears of a coronavirus pandemic that has rattled investors and various governments around the world. Trump said he is now asking for $2.5 billion in funding to curb the spread of the virus. In early February, federal controls were imposed on travelers coming from China and passengers have been subjected to mandatory quarantines. The president also said that he is willing to work with Democrats after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) requested $8 billion in funding. Chinese security guards wear protective masks as they stand on an empty commercial street in Beijing, China, on Feb. 25, 2020. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) We were asking for $2.5 billion, and we think that that is a lot. But the Democratsand I guess Senator Schumerwants us to have much more than that, the president remarked. Pence, after being selected for the new role, said that Trump took unprecedented steps to protect Americans from the coronavirus early on in the outbreak, highlighting the travel restrictions on Chinese nationals and mandatory quarantines. The president said the health agencies will report to the vice president. Im bringing all members of the corona task force that [weve] established, Pence said, adding that he will bring the best options for actions to the president. The COVID-19 virus has spread to about three-dozen countries around the world after an outbreak emerged in China in late 2019, sickening tens of thousands of people in the country and triggering lockdowns in numerous cities. Now, Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Japan have reported a significant rise in cases in recent days. Trump told the press conference that the United States is considering implementing travel restrictions to Italy, South Korea, and other countries. At around noon on Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had confirmed 60 coronavirus cases in the United States, and the majority came from passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was held off the coast of Japan for weeks. Fifteen cases of COVID-19 have been detected among U.S. citizens, according to health officials. While the risk of the virus remains low, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar warned, however, that the situation could change quickly and we can expect to see more cases in the United States. And a CDC official on Tuesday also warned that COVID-19 cases in the United States could begin to spread out of control in the near future. As more and more countries experience community spread, successful containment at our borders becomes harder and harder, Dr. Nancy Messonnier told reporters. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Benjamin Robertson, Jan-Henrik Forster and Rachel McGovern (Bloomberg) London, United Kingdom/Dublin, Ireland Thu, February 27, 2020 19:07 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20670cd30 2 World Wuhan-coronavirus,coronavirus,outbreak,meeting,COVID-19 Free Handshakes and kisses are out. Hand sanitizer and air kisses are in. And coughing is a major no-no. Welcome to the SuperReturn International private equity conference in Berlin, where nervous attendees spooked by the rapidly spreading coronavirus are covering up any fears with gallows humor rather than face masks. The worlds largest private equity and venture capital event, boasting over 3,000 attendees, turned into a slightly muted affair as many Italian and east Asian investors stayed at home. A few big name guests didnt turn up, while some withdrew attendees overnight. And others, including some CD&R employees, just dropped out at the last minute. This year people are not shouting from the roof top -- its a more measured mood in comparison with recent years and the coronavirus is weighing on the atmosphere, said Richard Hope, head of EMEA at Hamilton Lane. The organizers, however, said there had been no significant impact on attendance. And to be sure, two of the biggest names in the industry, Apollo Global Managements Leon Black and Carlyle Group Inc.s co-founder David Rubenstein did show up. But the potential impact of the disease was never far from attendees thoughts. After a decade-long tear of blockbuster returns and trillions in new capital from institutional investors, there are now concerns that the China-originated virus will upend global growth -- dealing damage to some of the thousands of firms now owned by the likes of Blackstone Group Inc. and KKR & Co. Some firms are more vulnerable than others. Portfolio companies dependent on China, reliant on foot-traffic in retail stores, or in the travel industry will be among those impacted badly, Christophe De Vusser, partner at Bain & Co. said in an interview at the conference. Kewsong Lee, co-chief executive officer at Carlyle, told attendees the short-term economic impact of coronavirus would be greater than people think. He added that in the long run, the global economy would see steady growth. You cant have 40% to 50% of the worlds second largest economy be sequestered in the way it has been and not have an impact, he said, a reference to quarantine measures in parts of China that have seen factories closed and whole city populations confined to their homes. New Delhi, Feb 27 : Ever since the glitzy congregation at 'Howdy Modi' in the US last year there was a murmur, but now a senior functionary of the ruling BJP here has confirmed it with a tweet -- India may "play a role" in the US Presidential election. Though late on Wednesday minutes after the tweet was posted, it also was deleted, the man who posted it added "seriousness" to the matter. That man was none other than B.L. Santosh, the national general secretary (Organisation) of BJP and among the top four influential members of the party. After Democrat leader Bernie Sanders criticised US President Trump's silence on the ongoing Delhi riots calling them an internal matter of India, Santosh spit fire. He tweeted: "How much ever neutral we wish to be you compel us to play a role in Presidential election. Sorry to say so... But you are compelling us." That unusual and strongly worded tweet came in response to Sanders saying: "Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying, 'That's up to India'. This is a failure of human rights." The senior BJP leader's anguish is believed to have stemmed from making the Delhi violence look like a one-sided, anti-minority pogrom, than Sander's rant at Donald Trump. While addressing a press conference in Delhi, on the second day of his tour, the US President was asked many times, both about the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act and the ongoing stir in North East area of Delhi. Speaking on the violence, President Trump had said, "As far as the individual attacks, I heard about it, but I didn't discuss that with him (Modi). That's up to India." Sanders, a left leaning democrat and a staunch critic of Donald Trump labelled the US President's much publicised India visit that show rare bonhomie between PM Modi and him, as "failure of leadership". Sander's barb, which was perceived by the BJP leader as against Indian government led by the BJP, comes in the wake of another Democratic presidential nominee -- Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke out against the Delhi stir. This is not the first time, Sanders hit out at Modi, either directly or indirectly. He criticised Modi just ahead of the "Howdy Modi" event that saw the two world leaders publicly bond. Though invited to the event, many Democrat leaders like Nancy Pelosi, and Brad Sherman had opted out of Modi's mega show in Houston, citing prior commitments. At the end it turned out to be a Republican-dominated event, where Modi happily talked about ending Article 370 and Trump about "radical Islamic terrorism". The entire stadium gave him Trump a standing ovation which seemingly did not go well with the democrats with a looming US presidential election. In the Howdy Modi event, PM Modi had used the phrase, 'Abki Baar Trump Sarkar'. Now, with Sanders upping the ante, one of BJP's most influential leader and increasingly seen as BJP President J.P. Nadda's eyes and ears -- Santosh's public warning, though deleted, will surely not go unnoticed with the Democrats who have raised objections with Article 370, India's decision to end special status to Jammu and Kashmir or the recent Citizenship Amendment Act. Pre-orders for the Oppo Reno3 Pro set to launch in India on March 2 have already begun. With its launch right around the corner, the Reno3 Pro is already among the most highly anticipated phones. While the devices' full specification sheet is yet to be revealed, the company has released several details through teasers. Customers pre-booking the device from particular retail stores can avail a 10 percent cashback on select cards or banks, such as HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, RBL Bank and Yes Bank. Oppo is also offering complete damage protection and other exciting pre-order offers. Oppo has detailed several features and camera specs on the Ren3 Pro. It packs a 64 MP primary sensor on the back, along with an 8 MP ultrawide lens, a 13 MP telephoto shooter and 2 MP mono lens. The pill-shaped notch on the front display houses a 44 MP primary camera and a 2 MP depth sensor. The front cameras can create dream-like images with Dual Lens Bokeh mode and also features an Ultra-night Selfie mode. The Reno3 Pro will arrive in three colours Midnight Black, Sky White and Auroral Blue. Additionally, the renders of the device suggest that the power button is on the right and volume buttons are on the left. The phone will also have an AMOLED display with an in-display fingerprint reader. The phone will also run on ColorOS 7 based on Android 10. While other details about the Oppo Reno3 Pro are yet to be unveiled, the 5G version of the device was announced in China last year. However, the device that arrives in India will only support 4G connectivity, and we can expect a 5G variant sometime in the future. Ahead of the Reno3 Pro launch on March 2, the Reno and Reno2 series have also received some price cuts. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday that she had held a meeting with representatives of about 23 industries and none of them had expressed any anxiety about raw material supplies or exports being disturbed due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. However, some of them felt that if after 2 months, the situation does not improve regarding containing the virus they may start having some problems of raw material availability. We are trying to see how we can help them out, the Finance Minister told news agency ANI. The Union government is keeping a close watch on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the Indian economy and various options are being gauged at different levels, the minister added. The Finance Minister met trade and industry representatives, economists and policy experts as part of her Budget outreach programme. The government is closely monitoring the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the Indian economy, she had said a day earlier during a meeting of the heads of PSU banks. Over 2,700 people have died due to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), which broke out in Chinas Wuhan in December last year, while the number of those infected is around 80,000. We are very closely monitoring it. Secretary-level officials are engaging with their respective industries. I had informed you about the various options we have including airlifting raw material for some specific sectors, resourcing from other countries. All these are being worked out at the concerned department level, Sitharaman told reporters. .We will have a quick review of all departments coming back with specific help that they may require. We will collate all these and respond, the finance minister added. How Much Watching Time Do You Have This Weekend? Channel your inner Leap Day William. Or take on some woodworking projects. Read in app Send any friend a story As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share. Give this article Share Read in app Their relationship may be over, but Married At First Sight's Bronson Norrish and Vanessa Romito are still firing shots at each other. In an interview with Now to Love on Tuesday, Bronson, 36, who appeared on last year's season of the hit reality show, claimed Vanessa, 31, a participant on this year's season, 'begged' him to appear alongside her. His comments come after Vanessa previously claimed Bronson dumped her so he could appear on last year's show. Parting words: Their relationship may be over, but Married At First Sight's Bronson Norrish (left) and Vanessa Romito (right) are still firing shots at each other But Bronson maintains this isn't true, and said Vanessa was even set to appear on last year's season, before being 'cut'. 'She was supposed to be on last season. Wedding guests picked and everything. She helped me to apply, I got cast, she was cut,' he told Now to Love. 'She even helped me pick my wedding suit then did an article saying I dumped her to go on the show.' 'She was supposed to be on last season. Wedding guests picked and everything. She helped me to apply, I got cast, she was cut,' he told Now to Love He said Vanessa applied for the series five times before finally being cast, and even asked Bronson to apply with her for this year's season to better her chances. 'She begged me to apply again this season so she would have a better chance to get on because of the drama,' he claimed. He added: 'I hope she is doing it for the right reasons.' 'She begged me to apply again this season so she would have a better chance to get on because of the drama,' he claimed Describing his ex as 'not a very nice person', Bronson couldn't help but take another swipe at her on Instagram on Monday. Sharing a photo of himself at a commitment ceremony during his own appearance on the show, Bronson changed the word 'leave' or 'stay' on his card to 'run'. He included the line, 'Psst Chris...' and tagged Chris Nicholls, 37, who was paired with Vanessa on this year's season. Lashing out: Describing his ex as 'not a very nice person', Bronson couldn't help but take another swipe at her on Instagram on Monday In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, Vanessa said Bronson was unfaithful to her during their volatile relationship. She also said his claims about her 'aren't true'. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to representatives for Bronson for additional comment and is awaiting a reply. Company Announcement no. 50 2019 Copenhagen, February 27nd, 2020 Annual Financial Report 2019 Based on the global megatrends like urbanization, sharing economy and the green agenda, GreenMobility continues to take an active role in changing the traditional mobility patterns, with the clear goal of reducing CO2 emissions and replacing private cars, to make cities even better places to live in. In 2019, GreenMobility has generated further growth in Denmark as well as in the international market and thereby offering a total fleet of 750 shared electric vehicles in three cities. Additional four cities are in the preparing phases to be launched in the coming months. Key highlights of 2019: Total revenue grew 37% compared to 2018 to DKK 37.6 million, and thereby better than the expectation of DKK 35-36 million Profit before tax at DKK (29.9) million, an improvement of 10% from last year Customers grew 110% compared to 2018 to a total of 80,630 customers across all 3 operational cities Trips grew with 43% compared to 2019 to a total of 681,890 trips And in total we saved 678 tons of CO2 using our green shared fleet GreenMobilitys future growth will come from expansion to larger European cities. In the fall of 2019, we changed our IT-platform, which was a strategic decision to ensure faster and more scalable expansion internationally and at the same time deliver a better customers experience. Today, the annual report for 2019 has been approved by the companys Board of Directors and will be presented at the companys Annual General Meeting, taking place on Friday 24 April 2020. For further information: Anders Wall, VP Investor Relations GreenMobility, phone: +45 2540 3020, mail: aw@greenmobility.com GreenMobility A/S, Landgreven 3, 1301 Kbenhavn K, CVR: 35521585, www.greenmobility.com Certified Advisor NORDEN CEF ApS John Norden Kongevejen 365, DK-2840 Holte +45 2072 0200 jn@nordencef.dk GreenMobility offers modern urbanites easy, flexible and sustainable transport in the form of electric, shared city cars. Users have access to these cars via the GreenMobility app. Trips are paid per-minute. Today, GreenMobility operates 400 cars in Copenhagen; and 250 cars in Oslo, together with cooperative partner VY and 100 cars in Aarhus together with our partner NRGi. More than 75,000 people have signed up with GreenMobility. Driven by global megatrends, GreenMobility sees a rapidly growing market for car sharing in large cities, that demand green transport for their citizens and aim to reduce the number of private cars. GreenMobilitys ambition is to be among the leading global operators of green shared mobility solutions. GreenMobility is listed on the Nasdaq First North in Copenhagen. Attachment Chinas robotic Change-4 spacecraft did something last year that had never been done before: It landed on the moons far side, and Yutu-2, a small rover it was carrying, began trundling through a crater there. One of the rovers instruments, a ground-penetrating radar, is now revealing what lies beneath. In a paper published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, a team of Chinese and Italian researchers showed that the top layer of the lunar soil on that part of the moon is considerably thicker than some expected about 130 feet of what scientists call regolith. Its a fine, dusty, sandy environment, said Elena Pettinelli, a professor of mathematics and physics at Rome Tre University who was one of the authors of the paper. Based on what NASA astronauts observed during the Apollo moon landings, other scientists said they would have expected one-quarter as much soil. More than a million landlords could face legal action from tenants as new rules are set to give renters the right to sue for compensation if their homes aren't up to standard. The Fitness for Human Habitation Act, which will come into force fully from March, will give both social and private tenants the power to take their landlord to court if their home isn't safe, healthy and free from hazards. Up to three million people including children are living in homes with what are defined as having a 'serious and immediate risk to a person's health and safety'. Up to 3million people are living in homes with a 'serious risk to a person's health and safety' Despite this the UK's 4.1million social tenants currently have no effective means of redress over poor conditions, as Local Authorities can't enforce against themselves and rarely ever enforce against housing associations, according to charity Shelter. Similarly, private tenants currently have to rely on local authority environmental heath teams to investigate and evidence poor conditions if they want to take their landlord to court. The new rules will give these tenants the right to take action themselves if they rent a property in poor condition and the landlord fails to do the necessary maintenance. Renters will be able to apply directly to the court for an injunction to compel a landlord to carry out maintenance and repair work, or for compensation for the landlord's failure to keep the property safe to live in. The new ruling, which until now has only been enforceable with tenancies starting from last March onwards, will from next month include all tenancy agreements, including social housing. Hazards fall into 'category 1' when they start to pose a serious threat to the health of the occupants. For example, the most common hazard is damp and mould. This is classes as category 1 when living with dampness, mould and dust mites begins to threaten the mental or physical well being of the residents. Children under 14 are particularly vulnerable. Jessica Hampson, director at CEL Solicitors Excess cold can also become a category 1 hazard when sub-optimal indoor temperatures - below 18C, according to Public Health England - begin to affect the health of the occupant. The elderly are particularly at risk in this case. Jessica Hampson of CEL Solicitors said: 'Landlords have always had an obligation to maintain their properties for tenants, but this new Act takes it one step further and takes into consideration matters such as natural lighting, damp, ventilation and food preparation and cooking facilities. 'It gives tenants a voice and chance to hold their landlords to account if they are living in, and paying for, sub-standard accommodation.' 'While the majority of landlords comply with this law already, there are unfortunately some who do not ensure their tenants' homes are 'fit for habitation'. 'Although the law was brought in last March, it was only initially relevant to new tenancies including contract renewals so it was largely applicable to private landlords, as social housing contracts tend to be more historical. 'Many landlords were therefore essentially given a "buffer" to quite literally get their houses in order.' The Government has published a guide to the Act for landlords which you can find by clicking here, and a guide for tenants which you can find by clicking here. The deadly coronavirus will likely spread to U.S. communities, and federal health officials are warning that people should take precautions and prepare for major disruptions in their daily lives in the event of an outbreak. Quarantines have been how health official around the world have been responding to this outbreak and a similar approach might be used if infections spike in the U.S. The experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say isolation, which separates sick people with a contagious disease, and quarantine, which separates and restricts peoples movement, help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease. Family members should stay home during a quarantine and not allow any visitors, and follow CDC recommendations for heightened hygiene and personal protection equipment to reduce risk of airborne virus spread, say experts. People who are sick should not share a bedroom, bathroom, towels or eating utensils with other members of the household, and they should wear a face mask to reduce the spread of illness. A disinfectant should be used to clean tables and other surfaces touched by the sick person. During a medical quarantine, earthquake, major power outage or other disasters, people should have plenty of food, water, medicines and other necessities already at home since supply chains will be interrupted and limited supplies will be in demand. Weve been inundated with questions and requests for respirator masks and hygiene items, and have limited the number of respirators any one person can buy to discourage hoarding, said Skyler Hallgren, co-founder of Redfora, the San Francisco-based company that sells emergency kits. Its important for each person to have a plan in place for themselves and their families without taking more than is necessary. Oregon experts recommend that a basic disaster kit have nonperishable food, water and supplies for 14 days for each member of the family who is hunkering down in the home. Emilio DeBess and Paul Cieslak, both infectious disease experts with Oregon Health Authority, said its never too early to put together a two-week emergency supply. That applies even without the specter of a coronavirus outbreak, they said, because there are other possible emergencies. An earthquake could happen before coronavirus gets here, DeBess said. If you havent already made plans to be ready to act fast in a life-threatening emergency, its time. With climate change, possible pandemics like the coronavirus and looming disasters such as earthquakes, we all need to put a little time and money into preparation at home," said Jen Brown of Portland Earthquake Kits. "Store extra water, have an N95 face mask and keep an emergency radio/cell phone charger in case of a blackout. Disasters are inevitable; youll be glad to have a few extra supplies at your disposal. Steps to Prepare for an Emergency Sign up for notifications: Enroll in Public Alerts, Citizen Alert or a service in your county to be notified via text, call or email by emergency response agencies when you need to take action such as shelter-in-place or evacuate. Practice smart hygiene: Whether it is the coronavirus or simply practicing smart hygiene during flu season, its in everyones interest to wash and sanitize hands often, keep hands out of your mouth, nose and eyes, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, put used tissues in no-touch disposal receptacles and stay home if youre sick. The CDC has made it clear that its time for every American to take precautions," said Hallgren. Expert advice is to focus on social distancing to limit exposure, including the use of N95 masks, the respirators best suited to guard against viruses, and hygiene tools when in close contact and especially when traveling, he added. Have a family emergency plan: Its important to account for the risks where you live and put some common sense thought into an emergency plan, said Hallgren. Have a conversation as a family or household about how to mitigate risks, and what role each can play to help each other in case of an emergency. Make sure everyone in your home knows the plan, including where you will all reunite if separated and how you will contact each other if phones arent working. Assemble essentials: Refresh and update items in an emergency supply kit, especially water and food, says Ali Ryan, who works as the earth-science information officer for the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. (Watch the video below of her putting together an emergency preparedness kit.) You can buy ready-made emergency preparedness kits or you can build your own. Many of the must-have supplies are already in your home, from a manual can opener to hygiene items, but you may need more to last two weeks or longer. Also make sure to have enough of any prescription and nonprescription medication you need to last a couple of weeks. Basic Disaster Supplies Kit Heres a list of what should be inside your emergency preparedness kit, as recommended by the American Red Cross and Ready.gov, which educates people in the U.S. on what to do to prepare for natural and manmade disasters, from earthquakes to wildfires. Water: Youll need a gallon of water a day per person and pet to drink, cook with and clean. Half-cup pouches of water, available by the case, have a five-year shelf life while bacteria- and parasite-removing water purification tablets and personal water filters work if you have access to untreated water. Were very much concerned about Portland residents having the water they will need after a disaster and thats why we offer free delivery on 55-gallon drums, Aquatainers and Jumbotainers in Portland, said Brown of of Portland Earthquake Kits. She added that people should read instructions on how to safely store water. Containers should be certified free of BPA-containing plastics and specifically made to hold drinking water. Food: Experts recommend that nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food, like canned, ready-to-eat soup, not be super salty or something you dont like to eat. You can buy a compact bucket of dehydrated meals, from beef stew to granola, or shop for long-lasting food you wont mind eating before it spoils. Lights, radio, chargers: If theres no electricity, youll appreciate the American Red Cross Clipray crank-powered, flashlight and phone charger. Cranking for one minute produces power for 10 minutes of light. Portable emergency radios with real-time NOAA weather reports and Public Emergency Alert System information can be powered by a hand-crank generator, solar panel, rechargeable batteries or wall power adapter. First aid kit: The American Red Cross Deluxe Family First Aid Kit weighs only two pounds, including the zippered case with handles, yet its packed with 115 essential supplies to treat injuries: From aspirin and triple antibiotic ointment to a CPR face shield and the American Red Cross Emergency First Aid Guide tucked into a ringed binder. In case of a medical quarantine, check that your first aid kit includes a thermometer and acetaminophen like Tylenol to relieve pain and reduce fever. Multipurpose tool: In a little over 5 inches tall, a multitool can provide, at your fingertips, knives, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, bottle and can openers, an electrical crimper, wire stripper, file, saw, awl and ruler. Other helpful items: Protective: Goggles, dust masks, gloves Personal: Toilet paper, towels, medicine Practical: Duct tape, matches, scissors, disinfecting household liquid bleach, whistle Related Content: Pakistan, the epicentre of global terrorism, should not lecture others on human rights issues in Jammu & Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, a senior Indian diplomat told the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday. Secretary (West) Vikas Swarup was responding to Pakistan human rights minister Shireen Mazaris allegations on Tuesday about rights abuses in Kashmir during a session of the UN body in Geneva. Delivering Indias national statement at the meeting, Swarup also called for decisive action against those who direct, control, fund, abet or shelter terrorists. Though the Indian statement did not name Pakistan in this regard, it was clear which country it was referring to. Jammu and Kashmir was, is and shall forever remain an integral part of India. The transformative changes wrought by our Parliament last August were meant to strengthen the integration of the state, including to give the fullest play to representative government from the grassroots level upward, he said, referring to the Indian governments decision to scrap the erstwhile states special status. It is more than a little ironical that a nation that has become the worlds leading exporter of terror and violence seeks to lecture others about human rights, Swarup said about Mazaris remarks on Kashmir. In her speech, Mazari demanded an immediate end to restrictions in Kashmir and the release of all political leaders from detention. She contended that India would be emboldened if the world community failed to act. Mazaris speech at the UN council was in line with Pakistans efforts to internationalise the Kashmir issue. India has responded to these efforts by saying the changes in Kashmir are an internal matter. Swarup also said the changes had resulted in positive results. Despite Pakistans best efforts over decades to destabilise this state through externally instigated terror and a campaign of canards and untruth, the situation on the ground is quite normal. Most temporary restrictions imposed solely to ensure the safety of the people from Pakistani trained terrorist attacks have already been removed, political processes have resumed, telecom facilities have been largely restored, developmental activities are being undertaken at a rapid pace and there is access for all to education and healthcare, he said. This was achieved despite Pakistans frenetic attempts to promote both violence within our territory with an 81% increase in infiltration attempts since last August and disinformation outside, he added. Noting that terrorism is the most pernicious violation of the fundamental right to life, Swarup said India is happy that the HRC advisory committee is working on a report on the matter. We remain ready to work with all partners to fully stop all support from reaching terrorists, denying terrorists access to safe havens, and extraditing and bringing to justice perpetrators of terrorism, and their supporters, he said. He also rejected Pakistans advice and warnings about the situation within India, saying that someone should give them the power to see themselves as others see them. The Alabama Department of Public Health has sent guidance related to the coronavirus to colleges and the State Department of Education as concerns about spread of the virus grows. The interim guidance is based on the most recent health information on COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. In addition to public schools, the information was also sent to independent schools and businesses and a webinar on screening and precaution procedures was held for hospitals. No cases in Alabama, but monitoring continues There are no known cases of coronavirus in Alabama, ADPH said. The Centers for Disease Control has been providing ADPH with names and contact information of travelers returning from China for the past several weeks. All of the people have been at either a low or moderate risk and have voluntarily isolated themselves. Monitoring on dozens of individuals in Alabama is complete; none have tested positive. Why a flu shot is important While there are no COVID-19 cases in Alabama, there are other respiratory viruses circulating, including the flu. Since current respiratory outbreaks could make it hard to identify the new coronavirus, the public is asked to get flu vaccine if they have not done so. The best way to avoid infection is what we already know is effective in reducing the risk of transmission, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mary McIntyre said. These are the everyday precautions to help stop the spread of germs, such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home if you have fever, taking flu antivirals if prescribed, and using appropriate equipment the right way every time. The recommendations include: 1.Get vaccinated against flu 2. Wash your hands 3. Cover your coughs and sneezes 4. Stay home with fever 5. Stockpile supplies 6. Clean and disinfect 7. Know your office emergency plan 8. Learn home care 9. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse 10. Stay informed You can see more details here. For more on ADPHs response to coronavirus, go here. Shahrukh, the suspect who opened fire at police personnel during violence in North-East Delhi on Monday, has not been arrested, clarified Delhi Police sources on Thursday. According to the sources, the search for Shahrukh is still underway. On Monday, the police had identified the man in a red T-shirt, who had opened fire at the police, as Shahrukh. At least 38 people, including a police Head Constable and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, have died while around 200 people sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for three days in the North-East areas of Delhi. Two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) have been constituted under the Crime Branch, Delhi Police to investigate the violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Washington: Saudi Arabia took the rare step of suspending religious pilgrimages to the kingdom and limiting entry by tourists to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, while Japan closed all schools in the country from Monday until the end of their spring holidays. Muslim pilgrims pass around the Kaaba, at the Grand Mosque, ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam over fears of the global outbreak of the new coronavirus. Credit:AP Suspending religious visits, a source of income and national pride, is a particularly dramatic step for Saudi Arabia, the steward of Islam's holiest sites. Muslim pilgrims travelling from abroad to perform the non-compulsory Umrah pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca or visit a sacred site in Medina will not be allowed to enter the kingdom, nor will tourists from countries "where the spread of coronavirus represents a danger," according to a Foreign Ministry statement. The statement didn't identify the countries, but Emirates Airlines said on its website that entry was banned to tourist visa holders with passports from 23 destinations including China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Japan and Thailand. WeChat accounts of prominent intellectuals are shut down. In China, The public has a lot to say, but they are not allowed to express it, says one critic. Several blogs and social media accounts have been silenced. Some posts about Li Wenliang have been removed. For a Singapore scholar, Chinas Leninist regime is the problem. Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) Chinese authorities have shut down the WeChat accounts of a number of Chinese academics who have criticised the way the government has handled the Covid-19 outbreak. Their main contention is that censorship helped the coronavirus spread, and that the epidemic could have been contained more effectively had more information been made available. One of the people affected is Qin Qianhong, a law professor at Wuhan University. In a post on WeChat, he criticised the authorities for the excessive restrictions on Wuhan residents (epicentre of the outbreak). The public has a lot to say, but they are not allowed to express it, he said. Peking University law professor He Weifang's account has also been suspended. In a post on 17 February, later deleted by censors, he highlighted the governments mistakes, noting that China needs press freedom to deal with emergencies such as Covid-19. In his view, without a free press people will suffer and the government lie. Zhang Qianfan, another Peking University law professor, also had his WeChat account suspended for various days after reposting Hes article. The government crackdown on freedom of expression has intensified as the current crisis unfolded. Human rights lawyer Xu Zhiyong, who taught as Peking University, was arrested on 15 February in Guangzhou (Guandong) during a "health check" to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. On social media, Xu had slammed President Xi Jinping for mishandling the coronavirus outbreak, the trade war with the US, and the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Another law professor, Xu Zhangrun, of Tsinghua University, also criticised the authorities for failing to deal with the health emergency. For him, the governments crackdown and strongarms tactic delayed the response, thus helping the virus to spread. Since 2012, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) has shut down various blogs carrying the opinions of prominent Chinese intellectuals. Weibo, WeChat and Douyin (TikTok), which are owned by Sina, Tencent and ByteDance respectively, are the most popular social media apps. Posts calling for freedom of speech and expression have been removed following the death of Li Wenliang, the Wuhan doctor who died after he was infected. He had been the first to launch the alarm, which landed him in detention. Attempts to squash criticism go beyond China's borders. The Chinese Embassy in Singapore attacked Bilahari Kausikan, head of the Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, for an article in the Straits Times. For Kausikan, the Covid-19 outbreak highlights the strengths and weaknesses of Chinas political system, showing how an information vacuum accelerated the spread of the virus. But then, as the scholar noted, China is a Leninist state led by a vanguard party that claims the right to exert absolute control over every aspect of social and political life. All parties deny any wrongdoing or liability, but wish to resolve their disputes to avoid the time, expense, stress and other impacts of continuing litigation, which would interfere with the mission of educating the students of MISD, the district said. The district had denied discriminating against Ms. Bailey. Instead, the district said, it was concerned that she had not followed district guidelines that require controversial subjects be taught in an impartial and objective manner. Teachers shall not use the classroom to transmit personal belief regarding political or sectarian issues, the district said in May 2018 after Ms. Baily filed her lawsuit in federal court in Dallas. Ms. Bailey sued after the district told her in April 2018 that she would not be allowed to return to Charlotte Anderson Elementary School and would instead be reassigned to a high school in the district. That fall, she was transferred to Lake Ridge High School in Mansfield, where she continues to teach art. To me, that was not only hurtful, it was unacceptable, Ms. Bailey said, adding that the transfer sent the message that gay teachers are not allowed at the elementary level. Ms. Bailey stood silently with Ms. Vazquez, who is now her wife, at a news conference with her lawyer, Jason Smith, to announce the lawsuit. She said the district told her she could be fired if she commented on the case. " " Beam me up, photon? Not so fast. While a recent development in quantum communication is exciting, we're not on the verge of the kind of teleportation depicted in "Star Trek" and other science fiction. CBS/Getty Images Not long ago, a team of Chinese researchers were able to use quantum teleportation to transport the state of a photon from Earth to a satellite in orbit 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) away. It was a remarkable application of our understanding of quantum physics. Does this mean we're about to build "Star Trek"-style transporters? Sadly, the answer is "no." But the news is still amazing. Quantum teleportation doesn't transport any sort of physical particle from one point to another. Even a photon, which is effectively without mass, can't be magically zapped from Earth to a satellite. But the photon's state can be copied and projected onto a second photon aboard that satellite. This turns the second photon into a clone of the one on Earth. Advertisement " " This photo taken on Aug. 5, 2016, shows the experimental quantum communication satellite being transferred to a launch tower at China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images This is easier to understand with an analogy. Imagine you have two people. One of them wears a blue shirt. The other is wearing a white shirt. The person in the white shirt gets aboard a spaceship and travels out to orbit. Then the person in the blue shirt uses quantum teleportation to transmit the essence of their own shirt to the other person. The orbiting person's shirt changes from white to blue. The state of the shirt back on Earth but not the actual shirt itself has been transferred across enormous distances. In copy-and-paste parlance, we're talking Ctrl-C here, not Ctrl-X. So these scientists were able to transform a photon in orbit into a duplicate of one here on Earth using quantum entanglement. This is something that has been done in labs on Earth for a few years now, but to accomplish this goal over such vast distances while taking into account the incredible speeds at which satellites move is a huge achievement. That said, the scientists were able to "teleport" photons 911 times with positive results, out of more than a million send attempts over 32 days but it's a start. As for practical applications, this experiment could help engineers design a global quantum internet. Such a communications network could use fundamental quantum principles as encryption techniques, making it virtually impossible for someone to compromise security measures. So while we won't be zapping ourselves to a discotheque across town, we could soon have a secure way to transfer information with no fear of being spied upon. Now That's Interesting The quantum-enabled communication satellite used in this experiment launched in August 2016, and takes its nickname from the 4th-century-B.C.E. philosopher Mozi, or Micius. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - Mammoth Resources Corp. (TSXV: MTH) (the "Company", or "Mammoth") is pleased to announce that Centerra Gold Inc. ("Centerra") has extended its option into 2020 to explore Mammoth's Tenoriba precious metal, gold-silver property located in the prolific Sierra Madre precious metal belt in southwestern Chihuahua State, Mexico under the terms of the Agreement previously announced on December 20, 2018. Under the terms of the Agreement, Centerra has the option to acquire up to a 70% interest in the Tenoriba property by, among other thing incurring exploration expenditures of US$9 million over a 7-year period. In order to keep the Agreement effective, Centerra is obligated to, among other things, incur expenditures totalling US$1.5 million prior the end of 2020, of which approximately US$500,000 was reported spent in 2019. Centerra is expecting to recommence exploration activities on Tenoriba in March with plans for the first half 2020 to include detailed structural, lithologic and alteration mapping and sampling at Tenoriba while it advances a drill permit application. Second half 2020 exploration activities are expected to be defined following compilation of the results from work accomplished during the first half of the year and receipt of permits. Mammoth intends to communicate results from this work once these results become available. Thomas Atkins, President and CEO of Mammoth commented on activities at Tenoriba, stating: "Mammoth believes it's a significant vote of confidence on the mineral potential at Tenoriba that Centerra, with its experience in geological systems similar to those which host gold at Tenoriba, has elected to continue with the Tenoriba option in 2020. At this time Centerra is establishing logistics for geological, community relations and security personnel to return to the project and is expected to recommence exploration activities in the near future. Mammoth looks forward to reporting on results from these activities as they advance." In other news, as of early 2020 Mammoth made its final option payment to the property owner of three of the four mineral concessions that comprise the Tenoriba property concessions (the fourth concession was registered by Mammoth and is 100 percent owned by Mammoth). As a result of this payment Mammoth is now a 100 percent owner of all four of the Tenoriba concessions, the three optioned concessions still subject to a 2 percent net smelter royalty which can be purchased for US$1.5 million at anytime up to two years from the commencement of commercial production from these three concessions. To find out more about Mammoth Resources and to sign up to receive future press releases, please visit the company's website at: www.mammothresources.ca., or contact Thomas Atkins, President and CEO at: 416 509-4326. 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 Information: This news release may contain or refer to forward-looking information including exploration plans for 2020 on the property. Although the Company 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 placed on these forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Please refer to the Company's website at the following link: http://www.mammothresources.ca/s/FAQ.asp to review the Company's complete forward looking statement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52899 Blood cancer charity, Anthony Nolan, is pleased to announce that their Scientific Director Professor Alejandro Madrigal, has been conferred with Honorary Membership of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and to the EBMT. He will be honored with this prestigious award at the Opening Ceremony of 46th Annual Meeting of EBMT in Madrid in April. Anthony Nolans Chief Executive Henny Braund said: A big reason why Anthony Nolan is able to play such a vital role in research has been the work of Professor Madrigal. This distinction has been granted in the past to only a small number of highly regarded individuals and we are incredibly proud that his contributions have been recognized in this way. Anthony Nolan and the patients that have benefitted from his work will be forever grateful. Professor Madrigal joined Anthony Nolan in 1993 as the first Scientific Director of the charity with the mission to establish the Anthony Nolan Research Institute, which was opened in 1996 by the HRH the Duchess of Kent. He has transformed the Institute into a world-renowned academic center of excellence, where a large number of scientists and physicians from across the globe have been trained and, in addition, he has made substantial contributions to the everyday activities of the charity with the aim to improve the outcome of HSCT. Over almost three decades, his team has made significant progress in improving donor matching, understanding the immunogenetic factors that impact on HSCT and developing methods to combat the main problems post-transplant, such as relapse, GvHD and infection. Professor Madrigal holds the positions of Professor of Haematology and Country Ambassador for Mexico at University College London. Before joining Anthony Nolan, he trained at Harvard University and Stanford University, Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. During his tenure, 1,574 papers (h-index 79) have been published by the Anthony Nolan Research Institute. He has had over 500 papers published, which have been cited 11,783 times (h-index 60) and most notably, he has delivered 580 lectures in 243 cities in 58 countries. Professor Madrigal said: I am very honored indeed to receive this award and feel I am also receiving this on behalf of Anthony Nolan, as since its foundation in 1974, the Society has made major contributions to improving the outcome of HSCT worldwide and Anthony Nolan, as a pioneering Registry, has played a major role in contributing to saving the lives of many patients. EBMT is very close to my heart; I have been an active member for many years, initially as Secretary of the Immunology Working Party, then as Chair of the Immunobiology Working Party and finally as President of the Society from 2010 to 2014. The Society has over 500 transplantation centers in more than 60 countries around the world with over 4,000 members. Professor Madrigal will be retiring from his post at Anthony Nolan and in recognition of his work, there will be a symposium in March at the Royal College Physicians on the contributions by the Anthony Nolan Research Institute to HSCT over 27 years and the current status of innovative cell therapies with contributions from eminent speakers from around the world. A Central Criminal Court jury has convicted a mother-of-five of agreeing to "a ruse" in which her daughter disguised herself as her grandmother, who had been bludgeoned to death, in order to conceal the murder. The deceased's daughter Louise O'Connor (41) was today found guilty of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Kieran Greene (35), knowing or believing him to have murdered her mother Patricia O'Connor (61) on May 29, 2017. The jury accepted the State's case that Louise had agreed to or acquiesced in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor (22) disguising herself as Mrs O'Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 on May 29, 2017 in order to conceal the fact that Patricia O'Connor was dead. They found Louise was an "integral part" of the charade and had acted in support of her daughter Stephanie. Louise O'Connor, of Millmount Court, Dundrum Road, Dublin 14 was charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene, knowing or believing him to have committed an arrestable offence, to wit the murder of Mrs O'Connor on May 29, 2017. Murder victim, Patricia O'Connor She had pleaded not guilty. Stephanie O'Connor was yesterday found guilty of dressing up as her grandmother and pretending she had "stormed out of the house" on the night, in "a ruse" to cover up the murder. The jury yesterday accepted the State's case that Stephanie had entered into "a charade" by disguising herself as her grandmother to create "an indelible record" on CCTV footage that the former hospital cleaner was actually "alive and well" and had walked out of the house at 9.34pm that night. In her closing speech, senior counsel Roisin Lacey said this was done in case it was needed to bolster any statements to anyone who was legitimately looking for Mrs O'Connor or if she was reported as a missing person down the line. Father-of-three Greene has been found guilty of murdering retired hospital worker Mrs O'Connor and inflicting "catastrophic injuries" on her in a sustained attack, which lasted up to 20 minutes and took place in the bathroom of her Rathfarnham home. The jurors took ten hours and 25 minutes to come to their unanimous verdict in Louise O'Connor's case. True fellowship lies in service. Service is an offspring of love and compassion. The marvellous thing about compassionate fellowship is that once a distressed person feels that somebody cares about him, he is often able to begin caring more about others. (Photo: AFP) I dont know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve. Albert Schweitzer A man died and was transported to hell. He was surprised to find hell a beautiful place, except that all the people there were emaciated. He went to the dining hall and saw that even though the food was plentiful, everyones health was bad. He then found that the inhabitants had been given long-handled ladles to use while eating. This was such an awkward way to eat that hardly any food reached their mouths. As a result, they were starving. After several meals in hell, the man was suddenly transported to heaven. He was overjoyed. But when he went to the dining hall he found that the same ladles were used there. However, everyone looked happy, healthy and well-fed. Then he noticed that instead of trying to feed themselves, the inhabitants were serving each other with these ladles. The people in hell were shrouded in clouds of selfishness and couldnt think of helping each other, the way people in heaven were doing. Weve become a culture of me, me, and me. Social Darwinism is killing social alliances that have been fostered by generations. True fellowship lies in service. Service is an offspring of love and compassion. The marvellous thing about compassionate fellowship is that once a distressed person feels that somebody cares about him, he is often able to begin caring more about others. Love liberates love: it is as direct and miraculous as that. Working for the less cared for gives us inner strength. Deep in our hearts, most of us yearn to be useful, and hope that we can wipe away a few tears, because we know the joy which this simple act generates. You can have all the wealth and the health in the world, but unless you do something for your brethren, you can never achieve real happiness. No number of hormones can produce that natural verve of ecstasy. This quality is the distilled essence of what it means to be human. Mother Teresa felt that the hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. Speaking of herself, she said, It is His work. I dont claim anything of the work; I am like a little pencil in his hand. That is all. He does the thinking. He does the writing. John Ruskin also echoes the same tone: It is not written, blessed is he that feedeth the poor, but he that considereth the poor. A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money. The motto of the worlds pioneer social service organisation, Rotary International, is worth quoting too: He perfects most who serves best. Self-sacrifice is also inherent in the ideal of service. If one concentrates on selfless service to others, this duty can become a deity and keep our hearts and minds pure and clean. In whatever station of life, we are placed, we can do this. These acts infuse unambiguous joy in the human clay. It is classless and creedless. Working for the poor gives us inner strength. It energises the feel good hormones so that we feel love and joy pulsing through. When we reach out to others, we learn of a universal human hungerto be needed. It makes us become more accepting, less judgmental and kinder to ourselves and others. We must understand that without acompassion his world will become a bleak place where nothing mattes. That should be an horrifying thought!. With the current coronavirus situation in Vietnam, almost every city and province has had to extend the school break as a precautionary measure. While the school closure has presented some challenges, it has been a good opportunity for schools to explore new and engaging teaching methods, provided through investment in digital platforms. Many schools in Vietnam have started to use e-learning and video conferencing to keep lessons continued and to counsel students. At the British International School Hanoi (BIS Hanoi), learning continues for all students, from Early Years all the way through to Secondary programs. To support learning at home, teachers at BIS Hanoi are re-designing teaching by developing innovative and collaborative approaches to pedagogy. Early Years -- a foundation stage For Early Years students, the school believes that children will learn best through playing because playing helps them to develop their physical, social, emotional, problem-solving and communication skills in a fun and friendly manner. Therefore, for the Early Years children, teachers stay in touch with parents by sending daily videos and activities for them to play with their children at home during this period. From making patterns, guessing colors and numbers to story-telling or singing along, BIS received high engagement levels from parents and children, based on the huge number of videos and images of the children playing at home sent by the parents to teachers. Primary & Secondary School Teachers are largely making use of Google Classroom, Google Hangouts and Google Suites, which provide opportunities for students to work both independently and collaboratively. These online platforms help teachers to give homework easily (through files or videos) and students to stay in touch with their teachers and receive direct feedback to support their learning. With the help of technology, the teachers have been able to measure the amount of interaction and progress each student is making, while maintaining the quality of teaching to a very similar standard as students would have if they were physically at school. Primary students often have catch-up meetings via Google Meets with BIS teachers. Photo: BIS In this prolonged school break, primary students often have catch-up meetings via Google Meets with teachers to share their home-learning progress and ask questions. Besides online meetings, teachers at BIS Hanoi also record videos of their lessons or run interactive lessons via Google Hangouts to engage with the whole class during lesson time. An interactive art lesson by Eibhlin Goppert, an art teacher at BIS Hanoi. Photo: BIS The visualizer has really helped me to show difficult techniques and concepts to the students and I have loved seeing such high-levels of engagement from them, Eibhlin Goppert, an art teacher, shared her ways to engage with students. "With the help of Edpuzzle, I have been able to embed learning tasks and activities into various points of my YouTube videos. I have been able to then encourage students to apply this to a different poem/story/play, then the one used as an example in the video, to challenge their thinking and allow me to check their learning progress, said Kate Wilson, an English teacher. To ensure students still receive enough knowledge as in a physical class, the teachers had to come up with multiple ways in order to motivate the students to study by themselves at home. Students who actively engage in the home-learning program, and submit good-quality homework, will be awarded 'distance learning stars.' This prize helps them increase 'House Points' individual points to assess their learning and social skills and achievements at BIS Hanoi. Adrian Duckett, IB Coordinator and one of the Home Learning Mentors at BIS, meets with his mentee via Google Hangouts. Photo: BIS Especially, each of the IB Year 13 students (the final year of school at BIS) has been allocated a Home Learning Mentor, a teacher that serves as a key point of contact during the school closure. These mentors have the responsibility to keep an overview of all tasks set across the six subject groups and support students with maintaining high quality, independent learning through effective self-management. The mentors have supported students in their organization so that they are able to meet deadlines, as well as act as a consultant and a supportive voice. Mentors have also been able to escalate concern about workload if mentees fall behind. In the near future, IB students will enter a very important exam to earn their IB Diploma. Therefore, these actions have been necessary to keep students learning at a constant pace during this prolonged break. It has been great to maintain a close working relationship with the students while away from school and to offer our support as their individual learning mentors. Students have been making use of some excellent online learning platforms, including Kognity, to which many subjects subscribe, which provides a selection of interactive and digital textbooks and activities that allow teachers to monitor engagement and attainment, shared Adrian Duckett, IB Coordinator and one of the Home Learning Mentors.' BIS Hanoi is part of Nord Anglia Education, a family of 66 Premium International Schools across 29 countries offering personalized and dedicated learning to 64,000 students from two to 18 years old. The school provides rigorous, internationally-recognized curricula and qualifications including the English National Curriculum and International Baccalaureate (IB). For more information, please visit www.bishanoi.com. Additional security will be deployed for Pakistani devotees visiting Ajmer for the 808th Urs of Khwaja Garib Nawaz Moinuddin Chishti. About 260 Pakistani worshippers are scheduled to visit the city on the annual pilgrimage after a gap of two years. Collector Vishwamohan Sharma also held a meeting with senior officials to discuss the security situation for the visiting pilgrims from the neighbouring country. Sharma told media that the Pakistani devotees will reach Ajmer via train and will be accommodated at the Central Girls School located in Chudi Bazar of the city. Around 200-250 policemen will be deployed for the security of these pilgrims. The ceremonial opening of the 808th Urs of Khwaja Garib Nawaz Moinuddin Chishti took place on February 25. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stock Market News UK Economic Data - Too early to assess coronavirus economic impact in Greece- cenbank source 27-02-2020 03:16 Stock News headlines are gathered from financial news sources around the web. Views and opinions on each item are from their respective authors and website. They are not opinions of LiveCharts.co.uk STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Several Staten Island Chinese restaurants have experienced an unusual drop in business in recent weeks -- likely the result of an overreaction to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, restaurant employees have told the Advance. The trend has been affecting Chinese-run businesses in other U.S. cities, as well, and has been reported to media outlets by restaurant owners in Washington, D.C., and in other cities from San Francisco to New York. On Staten Island, several Chinese restaurants have reported slowing business since the end of January, with many reporting a sales drop of 30% in the past few weeks. They said the fears are unwarranted since the business is a grueling one, demanding long hours and providing little time for owners and employees to travel anywhere, including China, where more than 77,000 cases have been reported and the death toll has risen to 2,663. Nobody goes to China, said an employee of China Chalet in Eltingville, who added hes seen a dip in sales of about 30% in the past few weeks. Weve lost business, but theres nothing to be afraid of. Philip Wong, who manages the China Chalets lower Manhattan site, acknowledged slowing sales at both locations, but stressed that fears of employees carrying the virus are unwarranted. The staff is here in the U.S., he said. Nobody is going to China. And even if they do, we (would) make them stop work for two or three weeks. Wong said the restaurants owners have lived in the United States for more than 40 years and have operated China Chalet in Eltingville for more than 20 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the risk of contracting the COVID-19 in the United States remains very low, and the stigma affecting Chinese communities is present, but unwarranted. The CDC said the number of cases of coronavirus in the United States has jumped to 57, which includes three people repatriated from China and 40 cases from the Diamond Princess Cruise ship. The virus is spread mainly from person-to-person, via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes within six feet of another. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching his or her own mouth, nose, or possibly eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, according to the CDC. People -- including those of Asian descent -- who have not recently traveled to China or been in contact with a person who is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 are not at greater risk of acquiring and spreading COVID-19 than other Americans, the CDC says on its website, under the heading Stigma related to COVID-19. People who have returned from China more than 14 days ago and do not have symptoms are not infected with the virus and contact with them is safe, according to the CDC. Symptoms of the virus include cough, fever and shortness of breath. Additionally, the U.S. government has taken unprecedented steps related to travel in response to the growing health threat, including suspending entry to those who have visited China within the past 14 days. Testing is taking place among U.S. residents and family members of citizens who have returned from affected areas of the world, as well. At Hong Kong Kei One, in Great Kills, business usually booms in the winter months, then slows a bit around Easter, according to its manager, May Chan. Not so this year, she said. Its dropped, she said, echoing the sentiments of one of her delivery drivers, Adrienne Fernandes, who wrote a letter to the Advance encouraging Staten Islanders not to fear Chinese restaurants. Both Chan and Fernandes said staff -- and especially owners -- at Hon Kong Kei One are very hard-working people, and havent taken any time off to visit China. People get nervous, Chan said. But we dont go on vacation in China. We always stay here. Theyre working so hard. They havent taken a vacation, or even one day off. Stigma against the Chinese community hurts everyone, the CDC says, by creating more fear or anger toward ordinary people -- instead of the disease that is causing the problem. Viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds, the CDC says, urging people to raise awareness about COVID-19 and how the virus does and does not spread. At Jade Island in New Springville, business has dropped by about 20% in the past two months, according to an employee who answered the phone there. Since the restaurant has been in business at that location for decades, high numbers of steady customers have stayed true, he said. Wong said he is confident business will improve once people become more informed. Its OK, he said. Im not worried about anything. We are so far good. I wouldnt go to China at this time, but in New York we are good. [February 27, 2020] Sphere Teams Up with VisitPay to Launch an Innovative Text to Pay Solution for Healthcare Sphere, Powered By TrustCommerce, a leading provider of end-to-end integrated payments and security software, today announced a new collaboration with VisitPay, the leader in patient financial engagement. Together, they have launched a mobile payments solution called Text to Pay, which offers healthcare providers the ability to securely offer and accept patient payments through text messages. This innovative solution complements existing payment channels already in place to give patients an additional, convenient way to pay their healthcare bills. Offering mobile-enabled tools for patients to manage and self-service their medical expenses is essential for healthcare providers. With the rise of high-deductible health plans and co-pays, patients today are responsible for a greater percentage of their healthcare bills. Further, consumers' perceptions of their healthcare experience are heavily influenced by the level of transparency and convenience provided by the billing experience. People manage their lives through their mobile devices and healthcare is no different. Consumers expect to manage their healthcare needs anywhere, anytime. Consumers are already demonstrating their preference for mobile channels. Up to 60 percent of VisitPay platform logins are now made through a mobile device, and rapid adoption of this new Text to Pay solution is expected. "Our patients are looking for mobile payment solutions," commented Mike Weed, senior vice president of financial operations at INTEGRIS Health. "It is important that healthcare financial leaders meet consumer expectations for a contemporary financial experience." To meet this demand, Text to Pay combines Sphere's leading secure payments platform with VisitPay's patient-centric expertise in a first of a kind solution to enable health systems to take payments over SMS without exposing any sensitive card or patient information, and utilizing a card token already collected from the patient. Without needing to download another app, consumers can pay single visits or multiple visits at a time, using credit, debit, or ACH. Payments are posted automatically to the corresponding visit in the billing system, ensuring convenience nd efficiency for the provider revenue cycle team. "Through our partnership with Sphere we can help health systems offer convenient and secure payment channels to their patients," said Kent Ivanoff, chief executive officer of VisitPay. "Mobile access to the VisitPay platform already exceeds traditional desktop usage in some regions of the US. Text to Pay is an important solution for health systems looking to meet consumers where they are, without disrupting the core EMR environment." "As the payments ecosystem continues to expand and extend to new frontiers, security has to be first and foremost," said Anthony Lucatuorto, chief revenue officer of Sphere. "We have deep experience working within EHRs like Epic and are excited to offer this complementary solution that will help our clients by integrating with their existing platform in a secure and compliant way." Sphere and VisitPay serve many of the most recognized large, integrated health systems composed of acute facilities, ambulatory service, and every physician specialty. VisitPay's clients represent a total of $60 billion in annual net patient revenue. Sphere processes over $25+ billion in payment volume annually. Visit booth #2488 to see the Text to Pay demo during HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition, March 9-13, in Orlando. About Sphere Sphere, powered by TrustCommerce, is a software and financial technology company providing integrated solutions that reduce friction and facilitate better and more secure commercial interactions with customers in specialized verticals markets, primarily healthcare, non-profit, transportation and education. Sphere's integrated payments technology and security software enable its clients to process payments in a way that is highly secure and compliant, integrated with their core business software, omnichannel, and processor-neutral. Sphere's partner-centric focused payments solutions serve small, midsize and enterprise level businesses and software companies in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. For news and thought leadership, visit the Sphere Blog. About VisitPay Founded in 2010, VisitPay is the leader in patient financial engagement. The company's cloud-based platform is used by the nation's largest and most innovative health systems to deliver transparency, choice and control to patients managing healthcare payments and transactions. Through VisitPay, patients can access a comprehensive accounting of their financial obligations, as well as critical health plan and healthcare information, via a health system-branded portal. VisitPay's proprietary analytics tailor consistent and fully compliant financing options that meet the unique needs of patients and their families, creating a simplified billing experience that drives both higher payment rates and improved patient satisfaction scores. VisitPay's investors include Norwest Venture Partners, Flare Capital Partners and Ascension Ventures. For more information about VisitPay, visit www.visitpay.com. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Visit our Company Blog to access case studies, thought leadership and news. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005195/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 13:24:38|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close XINING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Qoikyi Dorlma, 30, celebrated a special Tibetan New Year, which fell on Feb. 24, in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak. As a nurse from Haidong city, northwest China's Qinghai Province, she arrived in Wuhan on Feb. 4 with the province's other medical staff aiding central China's Hubei Province. "This is the first time that I have taken a plane in my life," she wrote on WeChat, a popular social media platform. "I feel honored that my destination is Wuhan." Dorlma needs to take care of more than 20 patients every day in one of the city's public facility-converted temporary hospitals. "The patients in the hospital are optimistic and their conditions are relatively stable," she said. "Some patients even sing songs to me." Dorlma had no fear of the virus, but could hardly hold back tears when a patient spoke of her parents. "He said my parents must worry a lot about me working in the epicenter, and that made me almost cry." Dorlma did not tell her parents that she had decided to aid Wuhan until she arrived in the city. "We pray for the health of our daughter and other medical staff and patients," said Dorlma's father. "We know the country and patients need her, and we will wait for her to come back safely." The hard work of Dorlma and her colleagues has paid off. "I really want to thank all the medical staff in the hospital. They have cared for me for more than 10 days," said a cured patient on Twitter-like Weibo. "Everytime I leave work at 2:00 a.m., the doorkeeper guarding the hospital gate always salutes me and my colleagues, saying that we have worked hard," she said. "At that moment, my exhaustion disappears and I feel revitalized." "My wish for the Tibetan New Year is that all patients can recover as soon as possible and all medical staff can go home safely," said Dorlma. As of Wednesday, the daily number of newly cured and discharged novel coronavirus patients on the Chinese mainland has surpassed that of new infections for nine consecutive days, the National Health Commission said Thursday. So far, a total of 16 provincial-level regions in China, including Dorlma's hometown of Qinghai, have lowered their emergency response levels. With eye on local body polls, TMC to launch new mass outreach programme on March 2 India oi-Madhuri Adnal Kolkata, Feb 27: With an eye on the upcoming municipal polls in the state, the TMC has decided to launch a new mass outreach programme on March 2, after the success of "Didi ke Bolo" initiative. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has convened a meeting of all the councillors, chairmen, vice chairmen and senior leadership of the party-controlled municipalities on March 2 at Netaji Indoor stadium to prepare the strategy for the upcoming municipal polls in the state, a senior party leader said. The elections to 107 municipalities and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), to be held this year, are being dubbed as "mini assembly elections" ahead of the 2021 state polls. Is it the end of democracy: Mamata pens poem expressing concern over Delhi violence "Apart from spelling out the strategy for the upcoming municipal polls in the state, a new mass outreach programme would be launched to cater the civic areas which will go to the polls in April-May," the leader said. It will be different from the "Didi Ke Bolo" initiative, he added. The new programme is also a brain child of poll strategist Prashant Kishor and his team I-PAC, the TMC leader said. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 According to TMC sources, the decision was taken following a massive response of the three-phased 'Didi ke Bolo' (Tell Didi) initiative, which provides a platform to the people to directly report their complaints to Banerjee. The BJP leadership which has emerged as a prime contender of the TMC in Bengal, mocked the Bengal's ruling party and called it a "sinking ship". Banerjee in July last year had launched a helpline number and a website didikebolo.com as part of the outreach programme on the advise of poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who was appointed by the TMC after its Lok Sabha poll reverses. The outreach programme had received a huge response in its first month with more that 10 lakh people registering their grievances, the party sources said. As part of the first phase of the initiative, close to 500 senior TMC leaders and MLAs have conducted outreach programmes in 1,022 villages. The TMC, for the March 2 programme, has sent personalised invitation cards with names of councillors and political leaders printed on them along with bar codes. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 10:23 [IST] FitVine Wine is known as a pioneer in the wine industry for its ability to create crisp, clean-tasting, lower sugar wines. The brand has become a top choice for those who live active lifestyles and want the luxury of enjoying a good glass of wine without impeding their fitness goals. Each 5 oz. glass of the new barrel-aged fruit-forward Red Zinfandel will contain 14.9% alcohol and a mere 0.09g of Sugar, 128 Calories, and 4.4g of Carbohydrates. The new wine retails for $19.99 and will be available for purchase at www.FitVineWine.com . "We have always had a tremendous amount of respect for the extraordinary commitment and sacrifice that both the Navy SEALs and their families make each and every day," said Mark R. Warren, Co-Founder of FitVine Wine. "We feel that it is our responsibility to give back to the warriors that have dedicated their lives to protecting our country and are honored to make this special bottle, in support of the NSF. We hope this promotion will further the Foundation's mission of providing programs that positively impact the lives of those who give so much and ask for so little in return." "Something like this has never been done before. We are honored that FitVine Wine has chosen the NSF to the be the beneficiary of this promotion," said Chris Irwin, Navy SEAL Foundation Director of Partnerships. "We hope this promotion will help generate more awareness for the need to support the NSW community and aid in funding critical programs that support active duty members, veterans, and their families." For more information on the NSF, please visit www.navysealfoundation.org. About FitVine Wine FitVine Wine was born when friends made a pact to craft amazing wines that also fit their active lifestyles. FitVine Wines contain less sugar, fewer sulfites, and no flavor additives without compromising taste or sacrificing alcohol content. To create clean and rich tasting wines with the flavor, mouthfeel, and alcohol content you'd expect from a fine wine. About the Navy SEAL Foundation The Navy SEAL Foundation's mission is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community and its families. The Foundation stands behind these warriors and their families by providing a comprehensive set of programs specifically designed to improve health and welfare, build and enhance resiliency, empower and educate families, and provide critical support during times of illness, injury, or loss. Like the community it serves, the Navy SEAL Foundation is a high-performing organization committed to excellence. It has received nine consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator and it is one of less than 70 charities, from among more than 9,000, to have earned a perfect score of 100 for financial health, accountability, and transparency, placing it in the top 1% of all rated charities. Ninety-five cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs or is retained for future mission use. The Navy SEAL Foundation is a 501(c)3 national non-profit charitable organization with TAX-ID 31-1728910. The Navy SEAL Foundation is a non-federal entity. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and it has no governmental status. For more information, please visit: www.navySEALfoundation.org Media contact: Jennie Peters 82 Rogue 714-357-1372 [email protected] SOURCE FitVine Wine Related Links https://www.fitvinewine.com Islamabad [Pakistan], Feb 27 (ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday left for a one-day visit to Qatar. The trip comes ahead the long-awaited deal seeking an end to decades-old long turmoil in Afghanistan is to be signed between United States and Taliban in Qatari capital Doha. The prime minister's visit was announced when Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed a press conference alongside US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Wednesday, ARY News reported. Sources further told the newspaper that the prime minister will call on Emir of Qatar and hold a meeting with his Qatari counterpart to discuss issues of mutual interest. According to Pakistani foreign office spokesperson, the focus will be on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on regional developments. Qureshi also announced that he himself would be present at the US - Taliban peace deal signing ceremony later this week. If secured properly, the deal would further lead to a withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. This will be the second visit of the prime minister to Qatar after taking office. (ANI) Open source First case of infection with coronavirus spotted in Estonia as Interfax-Ukraine reported citing Estonian Social Affairs Minister Tanel Kiik. An infected person is a citizen of Iran who returned to Estonia. Today in the morning, the information was received that the first infected was identified in Estonia as yesterdays evening. The issue is about a permanent resident of Estonia who is not its citizen, Tanel Kiik said. A diseased man is hospitalized. As we reported, the first case of coronavirus infection was recorded among Ukrainians in Italy. Besides, German Health Minister Jens Spahn warned that Germany is at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic. Moreover, the infection with coronavirus was spotted in mainland Spain. The incident was observed in Catalunya. A 36-year-old Italian was hospitalized; she traveled to Milan and Bergamo for ten days, and then she felt sick. Currently, she just suffers from typical symptoms of influenza. Medics consider it is a light case of coronavirus infection. Moreover, a patient with the suspicion on coronavirus was hospitalized to University Hospital in Krakow, Poland. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 23:55:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi parliament on Thursday failed to meet to vote on a new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi due to a lack of quorum and political disputes. The parliament media office said in a statement that the Council of Representatives (parliament) postponed its session to give confidence to the new government until Saturday, "because the quorum is not complete." Before the postponement, the parliament witnessed heated debate among the political blocs over the candidates of Allawi's cabinet, prompted the Kurdish, some Sunni and Shiite lawmakers to boycott the session. On Feb. 19, Allawi called on the parliament to hold a session to vote on his cabinet's lineup, in which he pledged to form a competent government beyond sectarian quotas and political parties. On Feb.1, Iraqi President Barham Salih appointed Allawi as prime minister-designate to form a new cabinet, and according to the Iraqi constitution, Allawi has 30 days to form a cabinet and present it to parliament for approval. Turkish president Erdogan has said that Syria must pull back from Turkeys observation post or they will be forced to act reports Al-Masdar. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the time Ankara has given Damascus to pull its troops away from Turkish observation posts in Syrias Idleb is coming to an end, adding that Turkey will not take the smallest step back in the province. Instead Erdogan vowed that Ankaras forces will push the Syrian army beyond the perimeter of those posts by the end of February. We would like to remind those who try to corner Turkey by forcing their own agenda onto it, that we are not guests in this region, but its masters, Erdogan said. The Turkish president hasnt ruled out active involvement as a means to achieve the countrys goals in Idleb. Erdogan added, however, that he asked his Russian colleague, Vladimir Putin to try and convince Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop the Idleb offensive. Erdogan also claimed that Ankara will create the conditions needed for the safe return of Syrians to their homes in the province. In a separate comment, the Turkish president also indicated that the country has requested to purchase US Patriot missile air defense systems, but noted that Washington doesnt have any extra for sale and hence cant supply them to Turkey at present. Erdogan stressed though that Turkey has Spanish Patriots deployed in the country at the moment. The Turkish president said that his country has not yet received support from the US on the situation in Idleb, but added that he will be raising this issue in his next talk with US President Donald Trump. 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. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (center) salutes during the Presidential Security Group Change of Command ceremony in Manila, Feb. 25, 2020. The Philippine military said Thursday that its armed forces would survive and safeguard the nation from internal and external threats even without help from the United States, after President Rodrigo Duterte decided to end a decades-old defense pact with Washington. Manila notified the United States on Feb. 11 that the Philippines, a former American colony, was terminating the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). We soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines are toeing the line of Commander-in-Chief and President Rodrigo Duterte toward self-reliance, military spokesman Marine Brig. Gen. Edgar Arevalo said in a statement. It bears repeating: We can survive; we will; we should, he said. Duterte took the decision to scuttle the VFA in reaction to Washington cancelling a U.S. visa for his former national police chief, Ronald dela Rosa, apparently because of his past role in the Duterte administrations anti-drug campaign that has left thousands dead. Dela Rosa is a Philippine senator. In response to Dutertes move, U.S. President Donald Trump said ending the VFA would ultimately save his government a lot of money. Arevalo reiterated that the Philippine military will protect the nation. With the abrogation of the VFA, we assure our countrymen that we will again, as our forebears did in their time, valiantly face contemporary threats to national security, terrorism, and other transnational crimes, Arevalo said. We will secure our people and defend our country with the relatively and modestly modern AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] we have now, he said. In a speech on Wednesday night, Duterte said Filipino forces would be able to defeat its enemies even without American help. Do we need America to survive as a nation? Do we need the might and power of the military of the United States to fight our rebellion here and the terrorists down south and control drugs? he asked, according to an official transcript of the speech. The military and police said sir, we can do it, Duterte said. If we cant do it, we have no business being a republic. Adopted in 1999, the VFA allows for joint military exercises and operations after the U.S. vacated two of its largest overseas military installations the Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Air Base, near Manila. Arevalo noted that when the Philippines ended half a century of U.S. military presence by dropping the lease contract for the two bases in 1992, the Southeast Asian country struggled but survived until the VFA was signed years later. Just three years after the American pullout, China took control of the Mischief Reef in the contested South China Sea. At first, Chinese officials insisted they had built a shelter for fishermen in the area, but the area has expanded and is believed to contain an air and naval installation. Chinas actions in the South China Sea led the government of then-President Fidel Ramos to negotiate the VFA, arguing that the presence of U.S. forces was a necessary deterrent against aggression. The U.S. returned to the country and helped the Philippines military to train troops to combat extremists, including Abu Sayyaf militants. When militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) took over southern Marawi city three years ago, the U.S. sent troops to help gather intelligence and flew spy planes to pinpoint enemy positions, receiving credit for helping end the five-month siege. Security vacuum However, the Philippines is in no position to unilaterally end the VFA, according to a security analyst. Of concern is a security vacuum that would be left when the Americans do leave, said Rommel Banlaoi, who heads the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research. Without the U.S., the Philippines, he said, could work more closely with neighbors Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and even Japan as it tried to fill the void. Japan has tried to negotiate a VFA with the Philippines, but talks never advanced. But Japanese troops have already started joining annual exercises with the U.S. as a guest, Banlaoi told BenarNews. Jeoffrey Maitem in Cotabato, Philippines, contributed to this report. The South Korean and US militaries on Thursday announced that they were postponing their annual joint drills due to concern about a viral outbreak that has infected soldiers in both countries' armed forces, put many troops in quarantine and closed base facilities. Twenty-two South Korean soldiers and one American service member in South Korea have tested positive for the new coronavirus, which has infected about 1,770 people in the Asian country, the largest outbreak outside mainland China. The allies have previously suspended or scaled back their regular military exercises, but that was part of diplomatic efforts to disarm North Korea, which views the training as a rehearsal for an invasion. It's the first time that the allies have put off their drills due to concerns about an infectious disease, according to the South Korean Defence Ministry. In a joint conference, South Korean and US military officers said their joint drills planned for the first half of this year will be put off until further notice. South Korean military chief Park Han-ki proposed the delay out of concerns for troop safety and Robert Abrams, the commander of the US military in South Korea, accepted Park's proposal based on the severity of the virus outbreak, said Kim Joon Rak, a spokesman at the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lee Peters, a US military spokesman, said the postponement decision "was not taken lightly" and that two countries' alliance remains "ironclad and unbreakable". "Despite the postponement of combined training, the ROK-US alliance remains committed to providing a credible military deterrence and maintaining a robust combined defense posture to protect the ROK against any threat," he said. ROK stands for the Republic of Korea. South Korea boasts a 600,000-strong military, while the US has 28,500 troops in the country and those troops are at particular risk due to the close quarters at the bases where they are stationed. In recent days, South Korea suspended some unilateral field training, placed 9,990 troops under quarantine and banned most of its enlisted soldiers from leaving their bases. The US military closed some amenities at several bases and was urging its personnel to avoid handshakes and large gatherings if possible. Experts say the postponement of the drills was inevitable because the potential spread of the virus into military barracks could significantly weaken military readiness. North Korea has not publicly reported any case of the virus, but many experts say the the country also likely reduced its own military training as it's preoccupied with guarding against the virus. An epidemic in North Korea could cause a devastating consequence because of its dilapidated medical and health care infrastructures, experts say. This makes it unlikely that North Korea would launch any major provocation anytime soon though leader Kim Jong Un in late December threatened to unveil "a new strategic weapon" soon, said analyst Kim Dae-young at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy in South Korea. The US and South Korea were supposed to hold their major springtime drills in March, mostly tabletop exercises and simulations. The drills were revised to create more space in nuclear disarmament diplomacy with North Korea and replaced much bigger exercises that had particularly irritated Pyongyang. Yang Wook, a military expert who teaches at South Korea's Hannam University, said the springtime command post drills involve officers gathering at a small place so it's easier for them to catch the virus if there is a patient. "If they all wear gas masks and train together, they could be safe. If they can't do so, it's not a bad idea to be more cautious," Yang said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former S.C. Republican Gov. Nikki Haley visited Charleston on Thursday to discuss female empowerment and share her political journey. She did not broach Saturday's Democratic primary or her recent Twitter spat with Joe Biden. Haley was in town to receive the inaugural Woman of Courage Award at the Women for Women Summit sponsored by the College of Charleston. "It's always worth fighting, even if you're fighting alone," Haley told the crowd. The comments came after former Vice President Biden, while campaigning in Georgetown on Wednesday, criticized Haley for declining to expand Medicaid in South Carolina. He appeared to begin saying Haley "didn't have the brains" before he stopped himself and said "foresight" in order to "be polite," The Post and Courier reported. Haley responded by tweeting, "Hold up Joe, I will put my brain up against yours anytime. Bring it. #GodBlessJoe." Hold up Joe. I will put my brain up against yours anytime. Bring it. #GodBlessJoe https://t.co/x5bfrVCrCa Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) February 26, 2020 Haley has stayed on the political stage despite leaving the Trump administration in 2018, where she served as his United Nations ambassador. Many in South Carolina feel she could be campaigning for the 2024 presidency, despite Haley not saying yes or no to running. At the College of Charleston School of Business' summit, Haley was introduced as a "hands-on" governor and a proven female leader who has leveled the playing field. She addressed a full ballroom at the Hyatt Place hotel and was welcomed enthusiastically by the audience. Haley talked about her path from growing up as the child of immigrants in Bamberg to becoming the U.S. ambassador after Trump requested she fill the role. She advised the women in the audience to stand up, rather than step back, when faced with an uncomfortable situation or an intimidating next step. Haley shared some of what she called her "war stories," the tough moments that defined her time in the state Legislature and the governorship. "Everyone should have three war stories. Being governor of South Carolina, I had a lot more than that," she said with a laugh. "If you can't think of three, you've got some living to do. If you can, be proud of them." Several audience members felt that Haley is likely setting herself up for a 2024 run for president. "She's going to be our first woman president," said Diane Simms of Mount Pleasant. Patricia Howerter, who traveled from Townville, said that when she had cancer in August, Haley's memoir helped her through it. "She's such an overcomer," Howerter said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday alleged that Marathi-speakers in Karnataka were facing atrocities, and said while the Centre wants to protect Hindu refugees from other countries, "linguistic minorities" are suffering in our own country. Referring to the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), he also noted that tribals often do not possess documents to establish their caste and land rights. Thackeray was replying to a discussion in the state Assembly on the motion to thank the governor's address. Despite seven decades of independence, many tribals do not have "complete freedom" as they lack land rights and caste validity certificates, he said. "My government will support the tribals completely. There is a lot of unrest over the CAA, NRC, NPR. We will give complete protection to tribals in terms of education, jobs, and residential schools. We will stand by them," he said. Referring to border areas of the neighbouring state as "Karnataka-occupied-Maharashtra," the chief minister said all political parties in the state should unite to end "linguistic atrocities" on Marathi-speaking people of Belgaum and other border areas. Since the formation of Maharashtra in 1960, the state has been claiming some border areas in Karnataka including Belgaum which have sizable Marathi-speaking population. "We are talking about giving citizenship to Hindus from other countries through CAA. What about the linguistic minorities in our own country? We need to unite to end the injustice meted out to linguistic minorities in Karnataka," he said. Karnataka, incidentally, is ruled by the BJP, the ally-turned-foe of Thackeray's party, Shiv Sena. He also said he had not stayed any development projectof the previous government. "I have only prioritised the works. What we feel is inappropriate, we have stayed," he added. Highlighting achievements of his government which will soon complete 100 days, Thackeray said farm loan waiver and Shiv Bhojan subsidized mealscheme were small but concrete steps towards development. The Chief Minister's Offices set up at divisional level will be expanded to the tehsil level, Thackeray said, adding, "We don't want people to come to Mumbai for minor work which can be done at the tehsil level." He had spoken to Chief Justice of India Sharad Bobde about holding a conference of chief ministers and members of judiciary to review existing laws and plug loopholes, he said. "When we speak of setting up fast-track courts, the implementation of verdicts should also be expedited," Thackeray said, referring to the Nirbhayacase where the death sentence of the accused is yet to be implemented. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said that significant leads have emerged in the deadly Pulwama fidayeen (suicide) attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel and a breakthrough in the case was expected shortly. In the Pulwama attack case under number 02/2019/NIA/JMU, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the suicide attack, significant leads have emerged and a breakthrough in the case is expected shortly, the NIA said in a statement issued, here. 40 CRPF personnel, travelling in a convoy on south Kashmir highway in Pulwama district, were killed on 14 February 2019 when a suicide bomber rammed a car loaded with explosives into the CRPF bus at around 3.15 pm at Lethpora. The impact of the blast reduced the bus to a mangled heap. Following the attack, banned militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility and even released a video of the purported attacker, Adil Ahmad Dar. Meanwhile, the NIA clarified the grant of bail to Muhammad Yousuf Chopan, saying that he was never arrested with regard to the case in Pulwama attack. The statement reads that Chopan was granted default bail by NIAs special court New Delhi on February 18, due to inadequate evidence. The statement added that certain media reports have emerged which suggest that the special NIA Court New Delhi has granted bail to one accused Yousuf Chopan in the Pulwama attack case. It is to clarify that Yousuf Chopan was never arrested in Pulwama attack case. However, he along with six others were arrested in the NIA case under number 08/2019/NIA/DLI (JeM Conspiracy case) in which 2 chargesheets were filed against eight accused including two slain persons, Sajad Ahmad Khan, Tanveer Ahmed Ganie, Bilal Ahmad Mir, Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat, Mehraj-ud-din Chopan, Mudassir Ahmad Khan and Kari Mufti Yaseer, the statement reads. During the investigation, in JeM conspiracy case, seven overground workers (OGWs) were arrested. However, out of which six accused were chargesheeted in two chargesheets while Chopan was not chargesheeted due to inadequate evidence, the statement added. As such, he has been granted default bail by special NIA Court New Delhi on 18.02.2020 and he has been sent back to Kot Bhalwal Jail Jammu under Public Safety Act (PSA) by the order of DM Pulwama, the statement reads, adding that needless to say, NIA follows the policy of fairest possible investigation. Candidates prepare to take part in the Democratic debate in Charleston, South Carolina: AP It is now just days away. No matter the outcome, the Super Tuesday Democratic primary elections will be a turning point in the race to determine which candidate will face Donald Trump in November. This year, 14 states will vote on Super Tuesday, including the nations most populous states, California and Texas. Of crucial importance, we will see the impact of former New York mayor Michael Bloombergs non-traditional, self-funded run, that has seen him invest up to $400m to win support in many of the states voting on Super Tuesday. In order to win any delegates (a candidate needs to amass 1,991 delegates to achieve the partys nomination) candidates have to win at least 15 percent of the vote in the state. There are enough delegates at stake that a strong showing for senator Bernie Sanders could cement his spot as Democratic nominee. At the same time, should he fail to overcome his top rivals, the race could become a serious competition between two or potentially even three candidates. Heres a state-by-state breakdown to keep you informed heading into Super Tuesday. All demographic numbers are from the Centre for American Progress States of Change report. Alabama The Yellowhammer state has 61 total delegates including 9 superdelegates up for grabs on Super Tuesday. Demographically, Alabama is one of six states along with the District of Columbia where black Democratic voters are the majority. Democratic voter composition in Alabama in 2016 was 71 per cent black, 26 per cent white and three per cent other races. According to 2016 Census data, Alabama has a slightly higher than average population of individuals 65 years of age and older almost 20 per cent versus the 19 percent average. The states median household income is more than $10,000 less than the national average, $42,830 versus $53,657 nationally. FiveThirtyEight predicts former Vice President Joe Biden will take the state, giving him a 61 percent chance at victory in the state. Mr Sanders is the next most likely to take the state with a 21 percent chance of victory, and Mr Bloomberg is in third with a 17 percent chance of victory. Story continues Arkansas There are 31 pledged delegates available to win in Arkansas including five superdelegates. Demographically, Arkansas Democratic voters are 69 per cent white, 36 per cent black, three per cent Hispanic and two per cent other races. According to 2016 Census data, the state has a slightly higher than average population of individuals over the age of 65 21 per cent versus the national average of 19 per cent and a median household income of $41,262 more than $10,000 less than the national average of $53,657. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders has the best chance to win the state. He was given a 38 per cent chance to win the state. Mr Bloomberg is the next most likely to win, with a 28 per cent chance of victory. Mr Biden has a 25 per cent chance to win. The most recent poll examining the Arkansas electorate from Talk Business & Politics/Hendrix College Poll reported that Mr Bloomberg had a 3.2 percent lead over Mr Sanders in the state. Just under 20 per cent of respondents said theyd vote for Mr Bloomberg, while 16.4 per cent said theyd vote for Mr Sanders and 18.5 per cent said theyd vote for Mr Biden. California This is a massive prize. California, the countrys most populous state, has 415 pledged delegates and 79 superdelegates up for grabs. Californias Democratic voters are 50 per cent white, 26 per cent Hispanic, 15 per cent Asian, eight per cent black and one percent other races. Census information from 2016 shows that 17 percent of the state is over the age of 65, just under the national average of 19 percent. The states median household income is $61,933, which is $2,276 higher than the national average. Despite this, the states poverty rate, 14.5 per cent, is slightly higher than the national average of 13.6 per cent. Mr Sanders is overwhelmingly favoured in polling to win California. FiveThirtyEight gives Mr Sanders an 89 per cent chance to win, with poll averages predicting Mr Sanders will win between 24 per cent and 43 per cent of the vote and win an average of the states 227 pledged delegates. Every other candidate is at risk of falling under the 15 per cent viability threshold. The closest runner up, Mr Biden, is only expected to win an average of 17 percent of the vote and an average of 83 delegates. Mr Sanders and Mr Biden are the only candidates whose predicted averages exceed the 15 percent viability threshold. Colorado The Centennial State has 67 pledged delegates on the line and nine superdelegates. Colorados Democratic voters are 75 per cent white, 15 per cent Hispanic, six per cent black, and four per cent Asian and other races. Census data from 2016 shows that the state has a population of individuals 65-year-old and over that is 2.4 percent lower than the national average of 18.9 per cent. The states median household income is $61,303, $7,676 more than the national average. The states poverty rate is 2.6 per cent lower than the national average of 13.6 per cent. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders will win Colorado with 31 per cent of the vote and earn an average of 35 delegates. Maine Maine has 24 pledged delegates with three PLEO delegates available to win. The states Democratic voter demographic makeup is 95 per cent white, one percent black, one per cent Hispanic and two per cent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts that Mr Sanders has a 67 per cent chance to win the state. The next closest runner-up is Mr Bloomberg with a 10 per cent chance at success, then Mr Biden and Ms Warren at eight per cent each. Mr Buttigieg is just behind that at seven. Massachusetts Massachusetts Ms Warrens home state has 91 pledged delegates, including 12 superdelegates. The state Democratic voter demographic makeup is 80 per cent white, eight per cent black, seven per cent hispanic and five per cent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders has a 58 per cent chance of winning the state. Ms Warren who is the states senator has a 25 per cent chance to win. The next closest candidate is Mr Biden with an eight per cent chance of victory. Mr Sanders is predicted to win an average of 35 delegates from the state. Minnesota Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchars home state has 75 pledged delegates, including 10 superdelegates. It is also a place where Mr Trump narrowly lost in 2016 and is at the top of Republican target lists. The states Democratic voter demographics are 84 per cent white, eight per cent black, five perc ent Asian and other races, and two per cent Hispanic. FiveThirtyEight predicts the Minnesota race will be a toss-up between Mr Sanders and Ms Klobuchar. Both Mr Sanders and Ms Klobuchar were given a 47 per cent chance to win the state. The next closest candidate is Ms Warren with a three per cent chance to win. Ms Klobuchar is expected to win an average of 29 delegates and Mr Sanders is predicted to win an average of 28. North Carolina Long a battleground state in the general election, there are 110 delegates up for grabs in North Carolina, including 14 superdelegates. The demographics of the states Democratic voters is 52 percent white, 41 percent black, four percent Hispanic and four percent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts that Mr Sanders is the most likely to win, with a 43 percent chance to take the state. Mr Biden is the next most likely to win, with a predicted 36 percent chance of victory. After that, Mr Bloomberg has a 19 percent chance to win and Ms Warren is given a two percent chance. Oklahoma Oklahoma has 37 pledged delegates, including five superdelegates. The states Democratic voter demographics is 66 per cent white, 20 percent black, nine per cent Asian and American Indian, and five per cent Hispanic. FiveThirtyEight predicts a close race in Oklahoma. Mr Sanders leads the pack with a 35 percent chance to win. Mr Biden and Mr Bloomberg are tied, both with a possible 30 percent chance of victory, and Ms Warren is the next closest with a three percent chance to win. Tennessee Tennessee has 64 pledged delegates, including eight superdelegates. The Democratic voter makeup in Tennessee is 55 percent white, 41 percent black, two percent Hispanic and two percent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts Tennessee will be a toss-up between either Mr Biden or Mr Sanders. Both have been given a 39 percent chance of victory. The next closest candidate is Mr Bloomberg with 17 percent, and Ms Warren at three percent. Texas As the second most populous state in the US, Texas has 228 pledged delegates, including 30 superdelegates. It is also the second most sought-after state in terms of electoral college votes. The last Democratic presidential candidate to win here was Jimmy Carter in 1976. The Lone Star States Democratic voters are 39 percent white, 29 percent Hispanic, 27 percent black and five percent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders will win the state with a 52 percent chance of victory. Mr Biden was given a 35 percent chance of victory and Mr Bloombergs chances of winning are 10 percent. Mr Sanders is expected to win an average of 84 delegates from the state, and Mr Biden is predicted to win 74. Utah Utah has 29 pledged delegates, including four superdelegates. Utahs Democratic voter base is 83 percent white, 11 percent Hispanic, four percent Asian and other races, and two percent black. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders will have an overwhelming victory in Utah, giving him an 87 percent chance of winning. His next closest competitors are Mr Bloomberg and Ms Warren, who both have a four percent chance of victory in the state. Vermont Vermont Mr Sanders home state has 16 pledged delegates including two superdelegates. Vermonts Democratic voter base is 95 percent white, two percent Hispanic, two percent Asian and other races and one percent black. FiveThirtyEight predicts it is a virtual certainty that Mr Sanders will win the state. Virginia Virginia has 99 pledged delegates, including 13 superdelegates. The states Democratic voter base is 54 percent white, 32 percent black, eight percent Asian and other races and six percent black. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders has the best chance of winning the state, giving him a 48 percent chance of victory. Mr Biden was given a 27 percent chance at winning the state, and Mr Bloomberg was given a 22 percent chance of victory. American Samoa American Samoa, a US territory in the South Pacific, has six delegates. The territory does not have superdelegates. FiveThirtyEight predicts that Mr Sanders has the best chance of winning the territory, giving him a 40 percent chance of victory. Mr Biden has a 27 percent chance of winning and Mr Bloomberg has a 20 percent chance of victory. Astra rocket 1 of 3 has been vertical position at the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska. Today the team is going through wet dress rehearsal in which the liquid propellant will be added to the rocket, but not fired. See updates at http://darpalaunchchallenge.org Astra Space is developing pump-fed, liquid bipropellant propulsion engines for DARPA and NASA. They have the DARPA goal of being able to launch and then relaunch with only few days in between. The current vehicle, Rocket 3.0, is designed to have a payload capacity of approximately 100 kg to low earth orbit. The first Rocket 3.0 vehicle has completed a static fire test at Atwater. It is planned to launch from Alaska and reach orbit between 25 February 2020 and April 2020. @Astra's rocket "1 of 3" is moved into vertical position at the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska. Today the team is going through "wet dress rehearsal" in which the liquid propellant will be added to the rocket, but not fired. See updates at https://t.co/B6W9hM68YF pic.twitter.com/PfO3HaWiDA DARPA (@DARPA) February 27, 2020 SOURCES- Astra Space, DARPA Written By Brian Wang, Nextbigfuture.com Tom Holland has been to countless interviews after he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Because of the "experiences" he got, Spidey finally learned to control the thing he is most notorious for. Since his arrival to the MCU, Holland became one of the most talked-about actors because of his uncontrollable habit of spoiling things and secrets about their movies. Four years later, the spoiler of the century is now confident enough that his days as a person who easily gives away confidential information are long gone. No More Spoilers! Now that he will be back again with "Spider-Man 3" is on its way, the 23-year-old "Spider-Man" actor hilariously assured everyone that he will not be revealing any secrets anymore. In his interview with Hey U Guys, Holland revealed that while no information about his new film has been released yet, the young actor already knew everything after he attended the pitch meeting for the upcoming 2021 film. However, even though he can spit out any details about the project any time, Holland said that spoiling things is not something he is still worried about. "I know everything now. I had my big pitch meeting with Marvel and Sony about two weeks ago, and I know all the secrets," he exclaimed. "But I've also done about a thousand interviews, so I know how not to spoil a movie anymore!" Tom's Biggest Blunder Out of all the spoilers he exposed before, the one during the on-going display of "Avengers: Endgame" was undoubtedly the most significant secret Tom stirred up yet. On June 21 of last year, Holland appeared on Britain's "Graham Norton Show" where he promoted his MCU entry "Spider-Man: Far From Home." The host asked to give his movie's plot, but he ended up giving away the most crucial scene of "Avengers: Endgame." "The film is a direct continuation of 'Avengers: Endgame,' so we deal with the ramifications of the blip, of the death of Tony Stark," Holland said. "Sorry if anyone hasn't seen the film! If you haven't, then you're living under a rock, to be honest." Directors React! Although the "Avengers: Endgame" already debuted in theaters on Apr. 26 -- two months before Holland accidentally publicized Tony Stark's death -- "Endgame" directors Joe and Anthony Russo stated in May that the spoilers would be lifted after the film reached its second weekend in big screens. In addition, the Russo brothers once told Ash Crossan that no one could "never be punitive" towards Holland every time he spoiled an MCU movie over and over again because he is the nicest person in the world. Due to the high number of spoiling incidents he committed, Marvel Studios managed to keep his mouth shut in numerous press circuits by making "Doctor Strange" actor Benedict Cumberbatch chaperone him. Whenever Cumberbatch felt like Holland was about to do the crime again, he would either jump in to answer the question on his behalf or personally censor Spidey's words. There was also a time when he even started singing to keep the young actor from saying things he should not say. PHILADELPHIA - Tracking brain cancer with a blood test instead of a surgical biopsy may greatly improve quality of life for glioblastoma (GBM) patients and provide critical information for their care, but it is not feasible in all cases. Now new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn's Abramson Cancer Center shows brain imaging may be able to predict when a blood test known as a liquid biopsy would or would not produce clinically actionable information, allowing doctors to more efficiently guide patients to the proper next steps in their care. The key is the ability to image two things - the blood brain barrier and a type of immune cell called macrophages - which, this study found, correlate with the amount of circulating DNA in the bloodstream. The journal Neuro-Oncology Advances published the findings today. About 12,000 Americans are diagnosed with GBM each year, making it the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. It's also the deadliest, with a five-year survival rate between five and 10 percent. The tumors themselves usually contain multiple genetic mutations, which means treatments that focus on one target are normally only partially effective at best. Further, tracking these mutations over time can be difficult, since getting a new tissue sample requires a repeat brain surgery. This is a particularly important issue for GBM, since almost all patients experience a recurrence, and when the disease comes back, it often returns with a vastly different genetic makeup. Liquid biopsy is an alternative way to monitor some cancers, including GBM. With a simple blood test, doctors can measure the amount of cfDNA - circulating DNA that cancer and other cells shed into the blood - as well as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which is the DNA specifically shed by cancer. However, unlike other parts of the body, the brain is protected by what's called the blood brain barrier, a security gate that controls what gets in and what gets out. Depending on how hard it is for circulating DNA to get in and out of the brain, there may not be evidence of disease in the blood, meaning a liquid biopsy is not helpful in all cases. This study begins to address that problem by adding imaging to the equation. The researchers show that an MRI can actually provide a picture of how leaky the blood brain barrier is, and that the higher the volume of tumor with a leaky blood brain barrier, the higher the levels of cfDNA and ctDNA are likely to be in a patient's blood. The study also found a correlation between the amount of cfDNA and the density of macrophages - a type of white blood cell that make up a large percentage of the cells inside a GBM and represent a major barrier to the immune system fighting the tumor. "By better understanding the macrophage makeup in a given patient's tumor, researchers may be able to identify which patients are the best candidates for treatments targeted against macrophages, or for immunotherapy in general," said the study's lead author Seyed Ali Nabavizadeh, MD, an assistant professor of Radiology at Penn. In addition to showing how imaging may predict the feasibility of liquid biopsy in GBM, the researchers say it also points to promise of what the combination can find. However, they say further study is needed to understand how this information can affect treatment outcome and disease progression. "The more information we have about a tumor, the better. The combination of being able to measure the integrity of the blood brain barrier, understanding the density of macrophages, and tracking the tumor through liquid biopsy may be able to help us tailor our treatment decisions so that each patient is getting precision therapy that gives them the best chance of seeing a benefit," said the study's senior author Stephen Bagley, MD, MSCE, an assistant professor of Hematology-Oncology. ### This study was performed in cooperation with the Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center. Additional Penn authors include Jeffrey B. Ware, Samantha Guiry, MacLean P. Nasrallah, Jazmine J. Mays, Jacob E. Till, Jasmin Hussain, Aseel Abdalla, Stephanie S. Yee, Zev A. Binder, Donald M. O'Rourke, Steven Brem, Arati S. Desai, Ronald Wolf, and Erica L. Carpenter. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award (UL1TR001878) and the McCabe Foundation Award of the University of Pennsylvania. Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $7.8 billion enterprise. The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top medical schools in the United States for more than 20 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $425 million awarded in the 2018 fiscal year. The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center--which are recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report--Chester County Hospital; Lancaster General Health; Penn Medicine Princeton Health; and Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Additional facilities and enterprises include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Home Care and Hospice Services, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health, among others. Penn Medicine is powered by a talented and dedicated workforce of more than 40,000 people. The organization also has alliances with top community health systems across both Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, creating more options for patients no matter where they live. Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2018, Penn Medicine provided more than $525 million to benefit our community. JetBlue has announced it will suspend change and cancellation fees for new flight bookings, amid growing fears about the coronavirus. The waiver pertains to all flights booked between February 27 and March 11, for travel completed by June 1. The carrier hopes the move will encourage cautious customers to continue making travel plans in the coming weeks, despite uncertainty about how severe the coronavirus threat will become. JetBlue is the first airline to waive the change and cancellation fees for all flights to all destinations within the allocated time period - which may put pressure on other carriers to do the same. However, JetBlue does not operate flights to Europe or Asia - the continents that have been hardest hit by the epidemic. CDC officials told Americans on Tuesday to begin preparing for the coronavirus to spread within the country as outbreaks in Iran, South Korea and Italy escalated, triggering concerns of a hit to global travel demand. Delta, meanwhile, has also attempted to allay the anxieties of travelers, announcing that some of their flights to Italy are eligible for rescheduling. JetBlue has become the first US airline to suspend change and cancellation fees to all destinations for travelers concerned about coronavirus Airlines are attempting to allay the anxieties of customers concerned about the spread of coronavirus Reservations through March 2 on Delta flights to Bologna, Milan and Venice can be re-booked. Meanwhile, United Airlines Holdings and American Airlines said on Tuesday they were still monitoring developments in European country. Delta said it will suspend flights between Seoul and Minneapolis after Saturday and running through April 30. Delta also said it will reduce flights from Seoul to Atlanta, Detroit and Seattle to five times a week. The airline said last fall that it was operating about 28 flights per week on those routes. The Atlanta-based airline, the worlds largest by revenue, will also delay the start of new flights between Seouls Incheon Airport and Manila. Instead of beginning March 29, the launch has been pushed back to May 1. Delta, United Airlines and American Airlines have already suspended all flights to and from mainland China and Hong Kong. United said this week that demand for service to China had disappeared, and that March bookings for flights elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region had plummeted 75% since the outbreak. A Delta pilot is seen in a file photo. Delta Air Lines said that reservations through March 2 on flights to northern Italy, where virus cases have climbed, are eligible for rescheduling. On Wednesday, Delta will reduce flights to South Korea as concern rises about the spread of the new virus beyond China. Hyatt Hotels also said it would allow travelers from South Korea, Japan and Italy to cancel or change their hotel bookings for free, expanding the policy from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The cancellations or booking changes at Hyatt are valid for reservations made through March 31, the U.S. hotel operator said on its official Chinese social media account on WeChat. Major airlines have also issued travel waivers, eliminating change fees, for flights to South Korea. Civil protection and health workers who wear protective suits and health masks deliver the evening meal at the Bel Sit hotel in Alassio where 34 people from Asti are in quarantine So far U.S. airlines have only canceled flights to China, a move that followed the U.S. State Department's decision to elevate a travel advisory to the country to the same level as Afghanistan and Iraq. American Airlines shares dropped 9.3% to $23.12 on Tuesday, below their price after the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2013. Cowen analyst Helane Becker said the impacts extended to car rental companies as well as concessions and restaurants in airports and on cruise lines. 'It's not just the airlines that are being impacted by people making different travel plans,' she said. Two passengers wear protective masks as they travel on a train from Rome to Milan on Tuesday Two passengers of the subway are wearing a protective mask on Wednesday in Milan Via Festa del Perdono, usually full of hundreds of university students, is seen empty in front of the main university building of the University degli Studi on Wednesday in Milan, Italy Royal Caribbean Cruises said it has canceled 30 sailings in Southeast Asia and changed several itineraries in the region due to the coronavirus outbreak, hitting its 2020 earnings per share by about $0.90. Hyatt's larger rivals Marriott International Inc and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc have also issued cancellation waivers for guests affected by the outbreak in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan until March 31. The hotel chains did not immediately respond to requests for comment if they were extending the waiver to South Korea, Japan and Italy as well. Even travel companies without exposure to Europe and Asia were keeping an eye on developments. JetBlue, which only flies in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America, said on Tuesday it had activated its pandemic response team to monitor the situation in real time. The team was last called on for the Zika virus outbreak in 2016, a spokesman said. EAST HADDAM Route 82 is closed after a driver crashed into a pole Wednesday night, according to officials. The state Department of Transportation indicated that Route 82 is closed at the Haddam town line because of the crash. It was first reported around 6:50 p.m. There was no immediate word on any possible injuries to those in the vehicle. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 19:40 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20670da93 1 National Citarum-River,Environment-and-Forestry-Ministry,lawsuit,pollution,West-Java,court-ruling,Citarum-Harum,textile-industry Free Judges with the Bale Bandung District Court in West Java found PT Kamarga Kurnia Textile Industry (KKTI) guilty of polluting a section of the Citarum River, the longest and dirtiest river in the province. The bench ruled in favor of the Environment and Forestry Ministry, which filed the lawsuit against the company for its lack of commitment in processing the hazardous and toxic waste (B3) produced by its factory on Jl. Cibaligo in Cimahi, West Java. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry reported the panel of judges, presided over by Firza Andriyansyah, ordered KKTI to pay compensation of Rp 4.25 billion (US$301,000) for polluting the river. The amount, however, was less than the Rp 18.2 billion demanded by the ministry. The ministrys law enforcement director general, Rasio Ridho Sani, said he appreciated the judges decision and thanked the expert witnesses and prosecutors who assisted his team in handling the case. Law enforcement against companies polluting the Citarum River Basin is our commitment to realize Citarum Harum, Rasio said in the statement, referring to the governments program to revitalize the 270-kilometer-long river that has become polluted by household garbage and waste from textile factories. Read also: World Bank to provide Rp 1.4 trillion for Citarum River clean-up He added that he hoped the punishment for KKTI would be a lesson for other companies, adding that the ministry would not stop going after polluters through either criminal charges or noncriminal lawsuits. Even if they polluted [the river] years ago, we will still prosecute them. We can track down and find evidence with the support of experts and technology, said Rasio. The ministrys environmental dispute settlement director, Jasmin Ragil Utomo, said the ministry had also sued three other textile factories for polluting the Citarum River basin. The three companies are PT Kawi Mekar, the case of which was settled in the Bale Bandung District Court, PT United Color Indonesia, the trial of which is still ongoing at the same court, and PT How Are You Indonesia, which is waiting for a ruling from the North Jakarta District Court. The Citarum River supplies water to Greater Jakarta and irrigates rice farms in Karawang, West Java that produce 5 percent of Indonesias rice supply. It is also the source of power for three hydroelectric plants that can generate a total of 1,400 megawatts of electricity. Yet, domestic and industrial waste has been dumped into it for a long time, prompting international observers to list the Citarum as one of the worlds 10 most polluted places in 2013 for its alarming levels of toxic chemicals. The government has set up a restoration and clean-up program for the river. However, the program has been hindered by a lack of funding and law enforcement. (syk) A report card on the state of Manitoba daycare unveiled at the legislature Wednesday gives the province a grade of worse. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A report card on the state of Manitoba daycare unveiled at the legislature Wednesday gives the province a grade of "worse." The number of children on the wait list for licensed care has increased by nearly 4,000 to 16,605 in 2018 from 12,729 in 2016 with fewer low-income families receiving a subsidy and operating grants remaining frozen, according to the Child Care Coalition of Manitoba. "We are bringing folks together today to highlight the inaction on child care and the state of crisis its currently in," coalition member and parent Brianne Goertzen said at a news conference displaying visual aids showing child care wait lists growing and access to affordable, regulated spaces shrinking. "I understand the panic of having a maternity leave coming to an end and not yet having a child-care spot." Many expecting a child (including herself) worry about having daycare available when its time to go back to work, she said. "The Manitoba Child Care registry knew I was expecting before even my friends and family did," said Goertzen, who is also a Child Care Now board member. Unregulated, for-profit daycare, and providing government vouchers to parents to pay for child care isnt making the issue better or service more accessible, she said. Download Alternative budget for daycare It is hurting the economy now, by preventing people from going back to work, and in the future, with children whose parents cant afford it missing out on early childhood education, Goertzen said. "I know first hand the benefit that quality child care can have on a child, as I witnessed it with my son." Having professional early childhood education available to all Manitoba children from all income levels would go a long way towards improving educational outcomes for kids in a province that lags behind others in test scores, 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. "This is not about taking away the responsibility of the parent or diminishing the impact of parental care," Goertzen said. "Its about ensuring that parents can contribute to the economy and have peace of mind that their child is happy, safe, and learning (with) trained professionals who are educated." The coalition called on the province to set up a universally-accessible child care system, as recommended by the 2016 Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Commission. The publicly funded study said the province needs to create 12,000 accessible, affordable, quality child care spaces in Manitoba within five years, and invest in the early learning and child care workforce. Instead, the province hired consultants to study the issue, but wont disclose details of the review nor how much it is spending to further examine child care needs, said Molly McCracken, Manitoba director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. The Child Care Coalition called on the province to cancel the consultants contract. The Centre for Policy Alternatives released an excerpt from its soon-to-be released alternative budget addressing the "severe strain" felt by Manitobas child care system. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Paper Statement Fees Fizzle in New York Under Pressure of Lawsuit and Public Scrutiny In a New York lawsuit, the plaintiffs challenged a company's practice of charging customers a $6.50 fee to receive paper statements. By Jim Haigh, Keep Me Posted North America Feb. 27, 2020 - A major win for consumers is the immediate result of a Federal Class Action recently filed. The defendant swiftly halted all paper billing and statement fees before the case was even heard. The good news, however, only applies to New York residents at this time. In this lawsuit, Heigl v. Waste Management of New York, LLC (1:19-cv-05487), the plaintiffs are challenging the waste management company's practice of charging customers a $6.50 fee to receive paper statements. The class action seeks substantial damages, and is still early in the legal process. The legal challenge is based on a plain reading of New York General Business Law, specifically the provisions of Section 399-ZZZ, Prohibition of Certain Fee Charges. This consumer, paper and postal friendly law has not received much attention over nearly a decade since it has been on the books. The statutory Prohibition of Certain Fee Charges states unequivocally: "no person, partnership, corporation, association or other business entity shall charge a consumer an additional rate or fee or a differential in the rate or fee associated with payment on an account when the consumer chooses to pay by United States mail or receive a paper billing statement." It further prescribes that: "Every violation of this section shall be deemed a deceptive act and practice subject to enforcement under article twenty-two-A of this chapter." While the plain text of NYGBL Sec. 399-ZZZ is crystal clear on remedy, the language used in the original "justification" for the legislation at the time details the many consumer harms needing redress. They echo the same concerns raised today by the Keep Me Posted coalition, and speak to the enduring need for giving consumers the right to choose the way they communicate with their service providers. "This law is a model of consumer protections that consumers should be aware of, and companies should want to comply with whether or not they're based in New York," says Linda Sherry, Director of National Priorities for Consumer Action. "Honoring consumer preferences is just good business. Shifting the cost of doing business onto the least fortunate, disadvantaged and those trapped in the digital divide with an 'extra bill to get a bill' on paper is abusive and shortsighted." The legislation's authors and supporters, addressing digital disenfranchisement, wrote in part: "In recent months, there have been instances of major companies proposing to impose an additional fee on the accounts of customers that choose to receive a paper bill or pay by United States mail. Such paper billing and payment fees unfairly impact consumers that do not have Internet access in their homes, as well as, those that are uncomfortable using the Internet, including many senior citizens and those concerned about personal privacy. Paper billing and payment fees disproportionately affect low-income consumers, who are less likely to have access to the Internet." Reiterating the unfairness of cost burdens, the legislators added: "Furthermore, such policies impose an additional burden on those customers who choose to file their billing statements for later reference, as such customers will be forced to bear the cost of printing electronic billing statements on their home printer." About Keep Me Posted North America Keep Me Posted advocates for the right of every consumer in North America to choose, free of charge, how they receive important information on paper or electronically from their service providers. KMP is a coalition of consumer groups, charities and businesses who are committed to protecting consumer access to paper-based communications at no extra charge. These consumers include older adults, people with disabilities, low-income households without computers, printers or broadband service, and people in rural areas where unreliable internet access is common. For further information, visit: keepmepostedna.org . SOURCE: Keep Me Posted North America Morgan County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Vanessa N. Rupe, 33, of 142 W. Chambers St., was booked into the Morgan County jail at 2:48 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of criminal trespass to land and on an outstanding warrant accusing her of failing to appear on a criminal trespass to a vehicle charge. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Brett A. Turner, 28, homeless, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 2:48 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of criminal trespass to state land. ACCIDENTS Stephanie J. Croak, 51, of Jacksonville was cited on a charge of failure to yield after the vehicle she was driving and a vehicle being driven by Roy D. Ayers, 69, of Jacksonville collided at 2:02 p.m. Wednesday at West Lafayette Avenue and Webster Avenue. OTHER REPORTS A vehicles windshield was broken while it was parked on South Diamond Street and West Beecher Avenue, according to a report filed at 10:47 p.m. Tuesday. Greene County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Joshua T. Melendez, 34, of Roodhouse was booked into the Greene County Jail at 10:19 p.m. Monday on a charge of driving while license is revoked or suspended and on a Morgan County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court. Mitchell R. Holland, 23, of Hardin was booked into the Greene County Jail at 6:05 p.m. Friday on a charge of driving while license is revoked or suspended. Laura M. Riley, 37, of Carrollton was booked into the Greene County Jail at 4:30 a.m. Feb. 20 on charges of possession of contraband in a penal institution, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of registration. Blakely C. Jones, 37, of Carrollton was booked into the Greene County Jail at 2:18 a.m. Feb. 20 on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge and on a Madison County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court. Ingbert R. Schmidt, 40, of St. Louis was booked into the Greene County Jail at 8:59 p.m. Feb. 18 on a charge of driving while license is revoked or suspended and an Adams County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court. Helen M. Phelps, 62, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was booked into the Greene County Jail at 1:33 a.m. Feb. 16 on charges of aggravated assault of a peace officer/firefighter/emergency worker. Greenfield Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Jenna V. Haile, 28, of Canton was booked into the Greene County Jail at 4:58 p.m. Feb. 20 in a charge of driving while license is suspended. Nickolas L. Gray, 20, of Greenfield was booked into the Greene County Jail at 2:28 a.m. Feb. 16 on a charge of driving while license is revoked or suspended. Roodhouse Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Nicohl L. Rawlings, 31, of Roodhouse was booked into the Greene County Jail at 9:56 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of driving while license is expired. Ronald E. Gaffney, 53, of Roodhouse was booked into the Greene County Jail at 9:28 a.m. Tuesday on a residential burglary charge. David N. Lawson, 40, of Roodhouse was booked into the Greene County Jail at 2:50 p.m. Friday on charges of aggravated assault and possession of drug paraphernalia and on a Morgan County warrant accusing him of failing to appear in court. State police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Ayden J. Henson, 18, of Woodson was booked into the Greene County Jail at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 15 on an illegal possession of ammunition charge. Compiled by Marco Cartolano, David C.L. Bauer and Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree The CPI in Telangana staged a protest here on Thursday demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his alleged failure in handling the violence in Delhi. Senior CPI leader K Narayana, CPI Telangana state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy were among the 25 party cadres taken into preventive custody for holding a protest, police said adding they were released later. Shah should resign taking moral responsibility for the violence in Delhi, the CPI leaders said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security guards wear protective masks as they stand on a nearly empty commercial street in Beijing on Feb. 25, 2020. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) Search for Source of Coronavirus Stymied by Chinese Regimes Lack of Openness, Experts Say Nearly two months after news of the novel coronavirus first emerged in China, there is still much that scientists dont know about the source of the outbreak. The race to find the viruss provenance, however, has been made more difficult by the Chinese regimes lack of transparency, according to experts. There are so many questions about the origins of the virus because the Chinese government didnt provide enough transparency regarding the early investigation of the outbreak, Sean Lin, a former virology researcher for the U.S. Army, told The Epoch Times. Chief among these questions is where the outbreak originated. While Chinese officials have suspected the birthplace of the outbreak to be the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, a wild animal and seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, recent developments cast doubt on that claim. A Jan. 24 study by a group of Chinese researchers published in The Lancet medical journal analyzed the first 41 cases of coronavirus patients in Wuhan and found that 14 out of those patients had no link to the seafood market. Crucially, the researchers could not find an epidemiological link between the first patient, who became ill on Dec. 1, 2019, and later patients. That date also contradicts reports from Chinese health authorities, who said the first patient exhibited symptoms on Dec. 8, 2019. One of the studys authors later confirmed to the BBC that the first patient was a man in his 70s who was bedridden after suffering a stroke. He didnt have a connection to the marketa revelation that opens up the possibility that the virus may have spread elsewhere before entering the market. A recent study, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, by a group of researchers affiliated with Chinas Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Institute for Brain Research suggested that the coronavirus was introduced from outside the market, then rapidly expanded inside the crowded facility in early December 2019 before spreading to the whole city. Based on an analysis of the viruss genome data, the researchers postulated that the virus began spreading from person to person in early December, or possibly even in late November. Missing Information While genetic studies may gradually provide more detail on the outbreaks evolution, the task of tracing the path of the disease has faced challenges because Chinese authorities havent released information about which animals were present in the market, nor whether they have tested animal samples from the market or elsewhere in Wuhan. Such information is critical in identifying the animals that might have carried the virus before it jumped to humans. Guan Yi, director of the State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases at Hong Kong University, traveled to Wuhan with his team in January in hopes of tracking the animal that was the source of the virus. He criticized Wuhan authorities for disinfecting the market, essentially halting any possible investigation. Theres no crime scene, Guan told Chinese financial magazine Caixin in a Jan. 23 interview. Lin expressed similar concerns, saying: The problem is that the Chinese government so far has not shown any testing result of any animal sample collected in Wuhan. So you cannot draw a clear understanding of how the bat coronavirus jumped to humans. Bats are thought to be the original host of the virus, formally known as SARS-CoV-2. Its then thought to have jumped to another animal or animals, called an intermediate host, before jumping to humans. Bats werent sold at the Wuhan market. Palm civets, mammals found in Asia, were the intermediate host of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), an outbreak originating in China in 2002, while camels were the intermediate host of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), an outbreak in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Researchers traced the original hosts to bats in both outbreaks. The novel coronavirus was found to have 96.2 percent genetic similarity to a coronavirus found in a horseshoe bat in 2013, called RaTG13, in southwestern Chinas Yunnan Province1,000 miles from Wuhan. Interestingly, Chinese scientists from the Wuhan Institute of Virology didnt publish the genome for RaTG13 until Jan. 23 this year. Yuhong Dong, a viral infectious diseases expert and chief scientific officer at the Swiss-based biotech firm SunRegen Healthcare, told The Epoch Times that such a genetic similarity isnt enough to justify that RaTG13 is a direct source of SARS-CoV-2, as a similarity of around 99.9 percent is needed to be identified as an immediate ancestor. Coronaviruses have more than 30,000 RNA nucleic acid bases. Even a genetic difference of only 4 percent means that at least 1,200 bases are different. This difference of 1200 bases is still significant, Dong said. Recently, scientists at the South China Agricultural University in Chinas Guangdong Province announced that SARS-CoV-2 had a 99 percent match to a coronavirus identified in pangolinssuggesting that the scaled animal may have served as an intermediate host. The team of scientists reviewed more than 1,000 samples and found 70 percent of the pangolins carried viruses from the same family of pathogens as SARS-CoV-2. However, they havent released the study or any data from the testing. They also havent disclosed where the pangolins they tested came from, making their claim impossible to verify, Dong said. Genetically Engineered? Some people have offered a theory that the coronavirus could be a result of genetic engineering or a lab accident, possibilities that Lin and Dong cant be ruled out at this stage. Dong says it may be extremely challenging to prove if the virus was engineered, since such a process could be done without leaving any distinctive evidence. I havent seen a scientific article that can clearly explain its natural origins, its natural reservoir, and its closest predecessor, Dong added. The question of whether human action could have led to the virus has drawn considerable attention, with some media and scientists labeling it as a conspiracy theory. Lin says such a label has no place in the scientific inquiry. When people question the origin, it doesnt mean its a conspiracy theory. People just dont know enough about how the virus mutated, Lin said, adding there are many questions yet to be resolved. Particular mutations in amino acids of the virusmaking it more transmissible to humansare unusual in an academic sense, Fang Chi-tai, a professor at National Taiwan Universitys (NTU) College of Public Health, said at a seminar hosted at NTU on Feb. 22, adding that such mutations were unlikely to have formed in nature in one go. From an academic point of view, it is indeed possible that the amino acids were added to COVID-19 [the disease caused by the novel coronavirus] in the lab by humans, Fang said, Taiwan News reported. Other scientists have dismissed the idea, saying the virus came from a natural evolutionary process. Richard H. Ebright, laboratory director at the Waksman Institute of Microbiology and a professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Rutgers University, said that based on the genome sequence and properties of the virus, there is no basis to suspect the virus was engineered. But Ebright did leave open the possibility that the virus entered the human population through a laboratory accident, because the bat coronavirus RaTG13 and closely related bat coronaviruses also are known to have been present in a lab, he told The Street website, referring to the coronavirus collection at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The first human infection also could have occurred as a lab accident. The Wuhan Institute, located a few miles from the Huanan market, has publicly denied it was the source of the outbreak. Dong said that she would like to have seen more transparency from the institute, such as disclosures of all viruses it was studyingso outsiders could verify whether it had a connection with the outbreak. Eva Fu contributed to this report. 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 Expressing "grave concern" over the violence in New Delhi, a US commission on international religious freedom urged the Indian government to take swift action for the safety of its citizens. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said that the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith amid reports of attack on Muslims and expressed "grave concern" over the violence. "We urge the Indian government to make serious efforts to protect Muslims and others targeted by mob violence," USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said in a statement on Wednesday. Reacting to the statement, India on Thursday described the comments by the USCIRF and by "few individuals" over the violence in Delhi as "factually inaccurate, misleading" and an attempt to politicise the issue. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "We have seen comments made by USCIRF, sections of the media and a few individuals regarding recent incidents of violence in Delhi. These are factually inaccurate and misleading, and appear to be aimed at politicising the issue". US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and a number of other leading American lawmakers have also expressed concern over the clashes in several parts of Delhi in which at least 32 people have been killed. Though the MEA did not clarify the individuals being referred to, it is being seen as a reference to US lawmakers critical of India on the issue of the Delhi violence. USCIRF Chair Perkins said that the "ongoing violence we are witnessing in Delhi and the reported attacks against Muslims, their homes and shops, and their houses of worship are greatly disturbing. One of the essential duties of any responsible government is to provide protection and physical security for its citizens, regardless of faith". USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava said the "brutal and unchecked violence" across Delhi cannot continue. "The Indian government must take swift action to ensure the safety of its citizens," she said, adding that reports are mounting that the "Delhi Police have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims, and the government is failing in its duty to protect its citizens". "These incidents are even more concerning in the context of efforts within India to target and potentially disenfranchise Muslims across the country, in clear violation of international human rights standards," Bhargava said. In its 2019 report, the USCIRF had classified India as a "Tier 2" country for engaging in or tolerating religious freedom violations that meet at least one of the elements of the "systematic, ongoing, egregious standard for designations as a country of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act. Meanwhile, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and the Indian-American Muslim Council (IAMC) issued statements condemning the violence. "We strongly condemn the violence, loss of life and destruction of places of worship in India this week. There is no religious, historical or political justification possible for what is happening in New Delhi," Suhag Shukla from the HAF said, adding that the perpetrators, no matter the religious community to which they belong, should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The IAMC urged the "international community to call out India for its relentless attacks on minorities and marginalized communities". "The latest spate of violence in Delhi is a harbinger of things to come under an avowed Hindutva administration that is violating human rights and religious freedom at a pace rarely seen in history," it alleged. The MEA said that the law enforcement agencies are working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. "Senior representatives of the government have been involved in that process. The prime minister has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time," said MEA Spokesperson Kumar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Vietnamese woman returning from the epicenter of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in South Korea has been quarantined after she bragged online about getting around quarantine measures by making false declarations at the airport. The Department of Health in the southern province of Binh Duong confirmed on Wednesday that a woman named N.T.T. has been quarantined after arriving from South Korea. T. has been living in Daegu City, South Koreas COVID-19 epicenter, while her address in Vietnam is in Di An City, Binh Duong. She had traveled from Daegu to Busan before boarding a flight to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. After arriving at the airdrome, the woman failed to mention her Daegu in her travel history while filling out a compulsory medical declaration form and was thus allowed to enter the country. Vietnam requires that those who arrive from areas hit by the COVID-19 in South Korea be placed in quarantine for monitoring for at least 14 days after arrival as a precaution. After getting through immigration without being isolated, T. appeared in a live video on Facebook to gloat about how she had avoided being quarantined despite coming from the COVID-19 epicenter. People who are not smart will surely be quarantined. I am among the brilliant ones. We women have to use our brains, she said in the live footage. The video went viral on Facebook on Tuesday and garnered a lot of opposition from viewers. After arriving at her home in Di An, T. went for a health check-up at a local hospital and did not appear to have any signs of the disease. Nevertheless, the Binh Duong health department was able to locate the young woman and take her to a quarantine area to be monitored for 14 days, it confirmed on Wednesday. The agency has also made a list of people who had close contact with T. and will monitor their health conditions in the coming days. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Main opposition Congress on Thursday staged a walkout from the Haryana Assembly to protest against the suspension of Zero Hour by Speaker Gian Chand Gupta due to paucity of time to take Calling Attention Notices. Immediately after the Question Hour, the Congress members led by former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda began raising various issues presuming it was Zero Hour. Speaker Gupta, however, told them that today there is no Zero Hour as the Calling Attention Notices have to be taken up. The speaker sought to reason that the Zero Hour has been suspended due to time constraints. Leader of Opposition Hooda and other Congress members present in the House, however, objected to the suspension of Zero Hour, saying conventions are not being followed. Speaker Gupta, however, asked some of the opposition members, whose Calling Attention Notices on sugarcane farmers' issue had been admitted, to take up their matter. But the Congress members continued to protest, prompting the speaker to again tell them to resume their seats and maintain the decorum of the House. As the ruckus continued, Home Minister Anil Vij got up and flashed Vidhan Sabha Rule book, saying there is no provision of the Zero Hour in this and asked the Congress members under what rule they were demanding it. This House runs according to this rule book, have you ever read it? Vij asked the Congress members, flashing the rule book. The speaker too told the protesting Congress members that their Calling Attention Notice has been admitted and they should allow it to be taken up. This means you are not serious about your Calling Attention Notice, are the issues you have raised in these not important? Speaker asked the Congress MLAs. Sensing that Congress members were in no mood to relent, the speaker tried to pacify them, saying they should allow the Calling Attention Notice to be taken up first and if time permits, the issues they wanted to raise during Zero Hour, too would be taken up later. As Congress members remained adamant, the speaker also told them that if the Zero Hour is to be allowed first, they will have to take back their Calling Attention Notices. As the ruckus continued, Congress MLAs, led by Hooda, staged a brief walkout from the House. Before walking out from the Assembly, Congress MLA Chiranjeevi Rao chanted Bharat Mata Ki Jai which was reciprocated by some other party legislators. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Publicist Roxy Jacenko has failed a court bid to obtain a restraining order against a patron she clashed with at a glossy event after a magistrate found her claims of being in fear of the flamboyant businessman were "grossly exaggerated", "hollow and unpersuasive". The reality television star, who also accused Bitcoin trader Anthony Hess of spray painting "Roxy is a c---" on the outside of her Paddington business, left the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney in tears on Thursday, while the Melbourne businessman emerged slinging insults at his former "idol". "Gay guys don't do graffiti," Mr Hess said outside court. Denying the act of vandalism while in the witness box earlier, Mr Hess said "that's not my style". We have watched as the Democrat Party has taken its Jewish voters for granted and repeatedly thrown them under the anti-Semitic bus. We have watched as Democrat Jewish congressional leaders have mostly done nothing to confront their party's anti-Semitic bias. Now we have watched as the disloyal, cowardly Democrat Jewish presidential candidates openly joined the anti-Semitic fray. On Feb. 25, 2020, at the boring food fight in Charleston that masqueraded as a presidential debate, Jewish candidates Bernie Sanders and Mike Bloomberg shoved shivs into the backs of global Jewry and Israel. Sanders's animosity was overt, Bloomberg's covert. Marxist comrade Sanders sternly proclaimed that he was Jewish, but in the next breath, he emphatically opined that Israeli prime minister Bibi Netanyahu is a racist. The audience cheered. This plays well not only with the bigots who are now the dominant face of the Democrat Party, but with the international anti-Semitic, anti-Israel crowd as well. After Sanders threw Bibi, Israel, and the rest of Judaism under the bus, what did the other Jewish candidate on the stage do? Former three-time mayor of New York City Mike Bloomberg did absolutely nothing. Instead, playing to the same anti-Semitic crowd, he stood there like a cowardly mouse, hiding behind his billions. But just as money can't buy class, it also can't buy character. Actually, we've seen this movie before in full display at the Democrats' 2012 presidential convention in Charlotte. There, the convention participants booed when two planks of the platform were announced: G-d and Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Religious groups complained, and on the second day of the convention, both items were reintroduced and a voice vote taken. The number of ayes and boos were so close that the voice vote had to be taken three times. After the third vote, the convention chair threw in his chips and gamely stated that both proposals had passed. Unlike 2012, in Charleston, there were no dissenters to confront the bigotry. Not a candidate on the stage contradicted Sanders's outrageous attack, and not a single peep of protest was heard from the audience! Interestingly, dueling ads played during the debate. Bloomberg ran an expensive piece that made him look commanding and charismatic. In it, he spoke from a lectern in a convention-like venue, jammed with a multicultural audience holding signs for Mike. The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) aired the second ad, slamming Sanders for being the disloyal bigot that he is. Taking clips from his own appearances, the RJC created a powerful collage of Sanders's anti-Israel screeds, attacking his pushback on BDS (boycott, divest, and sanction Israel) and showing his endorsements by fellow Jew-haters, congressional Democrats Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Unlike the majority of Israeli Jews, Jews in Latin America, and the British Jews who gallantly united against anti-Semite Jeremy Corbyn, American Jews are politically fractured. From contributors to American Thinker to the legendary Jewish and pro-Israel conservative Norman Podhoretz to younger political pundits, American conservative Jewry has agonized over its Democrat brethren, who chose social justice over Judaism, and attack Israel shamelessly. President Trump is a great American president who also happens to be a tremendous friend to Jews and democratic Israel. Is the rampant, and ever increasing, anti-Semitic stance of the Democrat party enough to switch the majority of American Jewish voters from Democrat to Republican? Fruitlessly, this debate plays out every four years. Sadly, the answer most likely will still be the same: no. Lynne Lechter is an elected member of the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee, a proud member of the RJC, and an international lawyer and litigator in Philadelphia. Image credit: CBS News via shareable YouTube screen shot. By Jessica Jaganathan and Chen Aizhu SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Hontop Energy (Singapore) Pte Ltd, the trading arm of a Shandong-based refiner, has gone into receivership, according to its business profile on the website of Singapore's accounting and corporate regulator. Singapore bank DBS, one of Hontop's creditors, has appointed accounting firm KPMG as the receiver, a KPMG official told Reuters. DBS declined to comment. "Hontop continues to be run by the existing management. The receiver has been appointed over specific charged assets which mainly relate to one trade transaction financed by DBS. Their involvement is limited to realising DBS' security and to discharge DBS' debts," Kelvin Koh, a partner at law firm TSMP Law Corporation, acting on behalf of Hontop, said. "China Wanda Group maintains a positive outlook on the future growth of its oil refinery business in China," he added. Hontop, a unit of China Wanda Group, buys crude oil for the group's 100,000 barrels per day refinery in Dongying, Shandong province, operated by Tianhong Chemicals Co Ltd. China Wanda Group, which also owns petrochemical, electric cables and property businesses, has no relation with the conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group. Hontop last issued a tender in October, said a Singapore-based trader who regularly participates in its tenders. Hontop typically buys Russian, Angolan and Brazilian crude. Purchases are now being made directly by Wanda, which bought a 300,000-barrel cargo for delivery in the first half of March as it looks to restart a refinery that has been shut since mid-January. Chinese independent refiners, or teapots, account for about 20% of China's oil imports, but they have recently come under pressure with ample fuel supplies at home and bleak demand due to the coronavirus outbreak weighing on margins. Reuters reported earlier this week that banks have suspended credit lines for some of these teapots amid rising concerns about overall industrial defaults. (Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan and Chen Aizhu; additional reporting by Shu Zhang, Roslan Khasawneh and Jane Merriman; writing by Florence Tan; editing by Himani Sarkar, David Evans and Richard Pullin) Delhi high court judge Judge S Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana high court, days after the Supreme Court collegium made the recommendation. The judge was hearing the Delhi violence case and the late evening notification came on the day when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. A notification issued by the ministry of law and justice states that the president took the decision after consulting the Chief Justice of India. The notification, however, does not mention when he has to take the charge of his office. The Supreme Court collegium had in its meeting held on February 12 recommended to transfer Justice Muralidhar from the Delhi high court to the Punjab and Haryana high court. The Delhi High Court Bar Association last week condemned the transfer recommendation and also passed a resolution unanimously regarding this. The Bar Association had expressed shock and dismay at the transfer of one of the finest judges by the collegium of the Supreme Court. Condemning his transfer, the Bar Association had said: "Such transfers are not only detrimental to our noble Institution but also tend to erode and dislodge the faith of the common litigant in the justice dispensation system." The Delhi High Court Bar Association had requested for a revisit of the issue and to recall the move to transfer Muralidhar. The Delhi High Court Bar Association also abstained from work last week as a token of protest against the transfer and said: "It is a rarest of rare case, the majesty of our revered institution is at stake." On Wednesday a division bench of Justice Muralidhar and Justice Talwant Singh, while hearing a plea seeking a judicial enquiry into the violence and registration of FIR against BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Pravesh Verma for allegedly making hate speeches, adjourned the matter till Thursday. The bench on Wednesday afternoon also directed the Delhi police to examine the videos related to hate speeches by political leaders, which allegedly led to violence in northeast Delhi, and take a decision in the matter. Justice S Muralidhar along with Justice Anup J. Bhambhani also heard a matter related to Delhi violence on Tuesday midnight. They heard a plea seeking safe passage of injured victims of violence in New Delhi to medical institutions with adequate facilities. The bench had than directed the Delhi police to ensure safe passage of the injured victims by deploying all resources, as well as to make sure they receive immediate emergency treatment. After completing his law practice, Justice Muralidhar shifted to the Supreme Court and Delhi high court in 1987. He was appointed judge of Delhi high court in 2006. With inputs from ANI TEHAMA COUNTY, Calif. - Measure F seeks to sell bonds to raise money for a local school district, the Lassen View Union Elementary District, north of Los Molinos. Lassen View, a kindergarten through eighth grade school, is the only in the district. Measure F, if it passes, would issue $2.7 million in bonds, raising about $186,000 per year for campus improvements. RELATED: Tehama County Votes: Measure E The money would go toward modernizing and renovating classrooms, making security and safety improvements, pay for air conditioning and improve access for students with disabilities. But homeowners would have to pay an annual tax of three cents for every $100 of assessed value. For instance, about $60 for a $200,000 home. RELATED: Tehama County Votes: Measure G A "yes" vote means you approve of the issuance of $2.7 million in bonds. A "no" vote means you do not. Measure F must get 55% of the vote to pass. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday said 8,400 people are being monitored in 49 jurisdictions in the state for symptoms of the novel coronavirus. At a news conference with other state officials, Newsom said 33 people have tested positive for the virus but five of them left the state. Newsom said more than 800 of the 8,400 people came to California on repatriation flights from overseas and thousands more arrived from "points of concern and potential points of contact, particularly Asia." The governor said the state's top priority will be point of contact diagnostic testing, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sending more adequate testing kits. The state currently has 200 kits on hand, Newsom said. "We'll get the kits any day now. We have a robust tracking system," California Health and Human Services Agency Director Dr. Mark Ghaly said. The CDC on Wednesday confirmed that the first likely case of a person-to-person transmission of the virus in the U.S. was a woman who was infected with the disease in Solano County. The woman had no known exposure to the virus through travel and no close contact to a known-infected person, according to the CDC. Newsom said the CDC is sending 10 people to help track whoever had contact with the Solano County woman. The woman was being treated at a hospital in Solano County before she was taken to the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, UC Davis health officials said. At the news conference Thursday, state Department of Public Health Director Sonia Angell said she could not disclose more information about the Solano County patient. "This is a fluid situation but the threat remains low," Angell said. "Our operations center is prepared for the worst and the best situation. This case marks a turning point," Angell said regarding the Solano County patient. "This is a new and rapidly developing situation, but this is not the first time we have faced these kinds of challenges," said Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. He advised California residents to listen to their local and state health officials. Two people with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus who were taken to Travis Air Force Base after they were flown to the U.S. from Asia are now in Bay Area hospitals - one in Marin County and one in Sonoma County. The public health officers in both countis said their presence is no cause for alarm. 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. Coinciding with the launch of Craftswomen, Diageo will introduce two new limited-edition whisky innovations from Johnnie Walker and Bulleit that will hit shelves this Spring. Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, a new blend from Master Blender Emma Walker and Bulleit Bourbon Blenders' Select No. 001 from Blender Eboni Major highlight the skill and creativity of the fierce female blenders behind the brands and the range of flavor discovery to be had in Scotch whisky and bourbon. Each Craftswoman's unique story will be featured a retail, on brand social channels and at key industry events across the country. "We could not be prouder to debut this fantastic line up of limited-edition whiskies that will introduce more people to the incredibly skilled women behind these iconic brands. This is yet another step in our ongoing commitment to becoming an industry leader in equality and inclusivity through impact driving programming and product innovation," shared Sophie Kelly, Senior Vice President of Whiskies, Diageo North America. The new Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker limited edition blend follows the 2018 release of the Jane Walker Edition of our award winning Black Label. The new blend heroes whisky from Cardhu - a nearly 200-year-old distillery in the heart of Speyside that flourished under the leadership of Elizabeth Cumming. This pioneering woman ultimately sold Cardhu to the Walker family in 1893, but played a significant role in the brand's history. Now, with access to more than ten million casks of maturing whisky from distilleries across Scotland, Emma Walker carries forward this tradition. Combining her extensive scientific research and spirits industry background with a precise palette and understanding of flavor, she brings to life a well-rounded and smooth whisky in Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, featuring notes of ripe orchard fruit and white peaches, which develop into hints of baked apple and sweet cream, with a lingering dark chocolate finish. "Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker is a celebration of the pioneering women who stretched boundaries throughout the history of Johnnie Walker, and the whisky is an excellent example of the depth of flavor and innovative blends we can create from our incredible reserves," said Master Blender Emma Walker. Created by Bulleit Blender Eboni Major, Bulleit Bourbon Blenders' Select No. 001 is the latest innovation out of Bulleit Distilling Co. and features the thoughtful mingling of three out of the 10 whiskey types used to make the original Bulleit Bourbon. The exceptional blend includes distinct notes of vanilla bean, honey, dried fruit and toasted oak, as well as a smooth finish with a lingering of sweet cream and fruit wine decadence. This limited-edition offering showcases Eboni's rich understanding of how the progression of aromas and balance of complimentary flavors elevate the sensory experience, as well as her commitment to innovation and expanding the Bulleit portfolio. Bulleit Bourbon Blenders' Select No. 001 is the first offering in the new limited-edition Blenders' Select series, which offers the blending team an opportunity to experiment and flex their creativity in the lab at Bulleit Distilling Co. "Bulleit is a frontier whiskey, meaning we are always looking for new ways to challenge convention. Being given the creative freedom to take the traditionally higher rye experience that Bulleit is synonymous with and craft something brand new is an incredible honor and is also what makes my job so fun! Fruit-forward, rich and delightfully complex, Bulleit Bourbon Blenders' Select No. 001 is a true expression of who I am as a blender. I am thrilled to be taking risks and pushing boundaries at Bulleit and in the world of whiskey alongside other women who are also making waves in the industry," said Bulleit Blender Eboni Major. To further champion and inspire pioneering women in the food and beverage industries, Johnnie Walker and Bulleit will also kick off a robust Craftswomen partnership with Cherry Bombe this spring. Through the biannual magazine's Radio Cherry Bombe Podcast tour, and Jubilee conference, Johnnie Walker and Bulleit will connect with the platform's community of trailblazing women making waves in the food and drink world to reinforce inclusivity, whisky education and responsible drinking. Additionally, Johnnie Walker will be launching an upcoming industry program and event series under the Craftswomen platform that will support more women entrepreneurs in food and beverage to grow their businesses through access to funding, education, resources and mentorship. More details will be announced in the coming months. For more information, please visit JohnnieWalker.com and Bulleit.com, and follow @JohnnieWalkerUS and @Bulleit on Facebook and Twitter as well as Instagram with the hashtag #DIAGEOCRAFTSWOMEN. CONTACTS: For Johnnie Walker, Hunter PR [email protected] For Bulleit, Taylor PR [email protected] About Johnnie Walker Johnnie Walker is the world's number one Scotch Whisky brand, enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavour and quality above else. Six generations of skilled Master Blenders have pioneered and crafted bold new flavours that have transformed a small Scottish grocery store business, founded in 1820, into an international whisky business selling stylish, authentic, and iconic blends. Today's range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years and Blue Label. Together they account for nearly 19 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2018), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch Whisky brand in the world. About Bulleit Bulleit, founded in 1987, is one of the fastest-growing whiskeys in America. The brand attributes that growth to bartenders and cultural partners who've adopted it as their own. The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey portfolio is distilled and aged in the Bulleit family tradition, using a distinctive high rye recipe, which gives them a bold, spicy taste. Most recently, Bulleit Barrel Strength Bourbon won a Double Gold medal and Best Straight Bourbon at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2017, Bulleit celebrated its 30th anniversary with the opening of a new, state-of-the-art distillery located in Shelbyville, Ky. Constructed with sustainable practices including natural habitat protection, water conservation and local ingredient sourcing, BDC received the Highly Commended award for Sustainable Distillery of the Year at the 2020 Icons of Whisky Awards from Whisky Magazine. In 2019, a Visitor's Centre at the Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville opened to share our modern, technological and sustainable approach to making great whiskey. For more information, visit www.bulleit.com or follow @Bulleit on Instagram. About Diageo Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere. SOURCE Diageo Related Links http://www.diageo.com/ The Problem with the James Beard Awards It's a great award from a great organization, but it's not a national award A sign for BlackRock Inc hangs above their building in New York By Simon Jessop LONDON (Reuters) - BlackRock , the world's biggest asset manager, has appointed two executives to oversee its operations in continental Europe as part of efforts to expand in the region, a memo to staff on Wednesday seen by Reuters showed. BlackRock has accelerated its investment in the region as a strategic priority over the last two years and now runs more than $1 trillion(770 billion) there, "making us the largest independent asset manager on the Continent," Rachel Lord, its head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, said in the memo. With "an ambitious strategy for growth", Lord said BlackRock needed dedicated leadership in continental Europe and so had appointed Stephane Lapiquonne and Christian Hyldahl to jointly lead the company's efforts. The two would work with the firm's country managers and regional leadership to develop a continental European platform for BlackRock, she said. "The objective is to help individual countries deliver BlackRocks scale and collective voice to our people, clients and wider stakeholders," Lord said. Paris-based Lapiquonne joined the firm in 2010 to build the company's Financial Markets Advisory capability in EMEA. Copenhagen-based Hyldahl joined last year and was previously chief executive of Danish pension fund ATP and Nordea Asset Management. Both will report to Lord and will represent the region on the company's European Executive Committee. Hyldahl and Lapiquonne will remain country managers for the Nordics and for France, Belgium and Luxembourg, respectively. BlackRock has more than 2,000 employees in more than 15 offices across continental Europe, compared with more than 3,000 in Britain, which it has previously said will remain its European base of operations after Brexit. Britain's exit from the European Union has prompted many large asset managers with continental European clients to set up or expand their presence there, to ensure a continued right to trade. Story continues As part of its expansion in the region, BlackRock last year bought French data firm eFront for $1.3 billion. It also announced plans to build up its so-called "alternatives" investing team in Paris and moved some staff to the Netherlands. BlackRock has ridden a wave of increased demand from clients to use cheaper index-tracking funds, a trend that is expected to continue and which has also benefitted Amundi , the region's largest asset manager by total assets and which is majority owned by French bank Credit Agricole . (Reporting by Simon Jessop; Editing by Sinead Cruise and David Holmes) New Delhi, Feb 27 : After the Pulwama attack accused got bail, the Congress here on Thursday slammed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for its lacklustre approach to the case and said it was an insult to the Pulwama martyrs. "Shocked to know that the Pulwama accused got bail because the NIA is so busy that it failed to file the charge-sheet," said senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel and added, . "It's an insult to the martyrs. Clearly, the government used this tragic attack for political purposes and was never serious about justice," he said. A Delhi court granted bail to an accused in the Pulwama attack conspiracy case after the NIA failed to file charge-sheet within the prescribed time. Special NIA Judge Parveen Singh in an order pronounced on February 18 said the accused Yusuf Chopan was entitled to statutory bail. Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, travelling in a convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway in the Pulwama district, were killed on February 14, 2019 when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-loaded car into the CRPF bus. Jaish-e-Mohammed, rhe banned terror outfit, claimed the responsibility and even released a video of the attacker. Goregaon police on Tuesday traced and arrested a 36-year-old rickshaw driver who had allegedly strangled his wife to death over domestic fights on August 19, 2019 and tried to pass it off as suicide by hanging her from a pipe on the ceiling. After the post-mortem showed it was murder a case was registered against him, but the accused, Neeraj Gaud, 36, had fled from the city. Gaud was traced to Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and was subsequently arrested, said Harish Goswami, senior inspector, Goregaon police station. He was produced before a court on Wednesday and has been remanded in police custody, said Maheshkumar Thakur, police inspector, crime. After committing the murder Gaud, originally from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, took an express train and got rid of his mobile phone. We kept in touch with his family in Mumbai and UP. Based on an input and technical evidence, we traced him to Bhopal where he was working as daily wage labourer, said a police officer. Gaud and his deceased wife Pooja, 30, had an arranged married over a decade ago and have a 10-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. The couple lived in Sidha Rameshwar Nagar, a densely populated slum pocket in Goregaon (West). Gaud lived in a three-storey building with his wife, mother, brother, brothers wife and kids. Gaud killed Pooja on August 19, 2019 by strangulating her. A police officer said, The post-mortem report showed that Gaud strangled his wife with his hands and then tried to make it look like suicide. According to probe, he was in an inebriated state when Pooja asked him to give money for their sons school fees, which led to a fight. When this correspondent had visited the spot back then, Gauds mother had refused comments saying, I do not know anything. My son has run away. However, a relative requesting anonymity had said, That day I returned home around 7pm with my children and saw Gauds daughter and son crying. They told me their father pushed them out and locked the door. We then went upstairs and found her dead. She was taken to hospital. Poojas brother came here and took both the children. Pooja never told us about the fights but we knew they used to fight a lot, the relative said. Page Content The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) in collaboration with the Social Economic Council of Sint Maarten (SER) and the Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) encourages the business community of St. Maarten to sign up to attend the multi-sector trade fair entitled Hub Santo Domingo 2020. The Business-to-Business matchmaking event and exhibition will be held in The Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo) from March 17 until 19, 2020 by the Chamber of Commerce of Santo Domingo and the Center for Export and Investment (CEI-RD). Participants will be given the opportunity to engage in business meetings with over one thousand (1000) business representatives from Santo Domingo. Approximately three hundred (300) exhibitors from regional and international markets will display goods and services during the two-day fair. The CEI-RD announced a Special Incentive program for importers that meet a certain profile, which includes many benefits for local companies such as: free accommodation for two nights at the hotel hosting the event. Free transfers to and from the Las Americas International Airport the conference hotel will be arranged. The CEI-RD will also coordinate business meetings and a personalized agenda with Dominican producers and/ or exporters of the products of interest, and will offer advice and support before, during, and after participation in the event. More information about the trade event can be found on the website http://hubcamarasantodomingo.com or the Chamber of Commerce in Santo Domingo via telephone number +1 (809) 682 2688. Local businesses that do not qualify for the Special Incentive program by CEI-RD are welcome to sign up in order to participate in the Kingdom Pavilion, organized by Dutch Embassy in Santo Domingo together with the St. Maarten delegation. Business representatives that are not able to attend the fair at this time are also encouraged to submit their company information and business interest. The St. Maarten delegation will meet with potential business partners and exporters from Santo Domingo, on behalf of the companies that requested information from suppliers in Santo Domingo seeking to do business or partner with local companies. During the trade exhibition, the St. Maarten delegation will promote St. Maarten as the business hub for the Eastern Caribbean Region and gather information about suppliers and businesses in Santo Domingo seeking to do business with local companies on St. Maarten. The Ministry of TEATT will lead the delegation together with the SER and COCI. The objective of this mission is to strengthen business ties between St. Maarten and Santo Domingo with the ultimate goal of reducing the cost of goods on Sint Maarten. Representatives of local small, medium and large business are therefore encouraged to sign up for a chance to qualify for the Special Incentive program in order to grow business, strengthen partnerships and increase import possibilities for economic development. Further inquiries about the Kingdom Pavilion and matchmaking events can be requested from the Department of Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (ETT), Ministry of TEATT via email: evt.inquiries@sintmaartengov.org or via telephone number: +1721 542 0349. Storyful Several people were killed in a car bomb explosion described locally as a suicide attack near Mogadishu airport on January 12.Ahmed Abdihadi, who was driving nearby and recorded this footage, said he thought it was a vehicle explosion.Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, a local journalist, cited security sources as saying government officials were targeted.Spokesman Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu said the government condemned the cowardly attack.He said at least four people died. An official with the ambulance service said at least eight had died, local media said.The Mogadishu news outlet Allbanaadir said Al Shabaab had claimed responsibility for the attack. Credit: Ahmed Abdihadi via Storyful Labs in Every State Could Have Capacity to Test for New Coronavirus by Next Week: Lab Group Public health labs in every state could have the capacity to test samples for the new coronavirus in the next week, the CEO of a group that represents state and local labs said Thursday. Our goal is to get testing up and running in every state in the next few days or a week, Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) told The Epoch Times. Federal officials told Congress earlier in the day that an issue that plagued the rollout of local testing was finally fixed. Labs can now use some elements from the test kit they received earlier this month and will receive a remanufactured kit as soon as Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration met with labs on Wednesday to inform them of the rejiggered test, relaying how they did studies on the test to verify that it will give a quality result, Becker said. While Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said that 40 labs had the capacity now to test samples, Becker said its not like flipping a switch. The labs that are able to use the repurposed tests will now start to validate them, a process that uncovered the flaw in the original kits. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar testifies before the House Appropriations Committee in Washington on Feb. 26, 2020. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) But the two-pronged solution enables labs to get back to work while waiting for the remanufactured kits and appears to solve an issue that frustrated attempts to expand testing for the new virus. I think we really turned the corner on the test kit issue, Becker said. All but a handful of labs until this week had to package samples and send them to the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, a process that added additional time even though the federal agency had no backlog of cases to test. Out of 150 state and local public health labs in the APHL, 100 qualified under the CDC for testing for the new virus, which causes a disease called COVID-19. The same labs, which routinely provide flu testing across the nation, received the kits in early February. While running diagnostics for the kits after they arrived, some labs uncovered an issue that caused tests to show an inconclusive result, the CDC said on Feb. 12. Officials said since then they were trying to produce an updated test but were taking the time to make sure it worked right. Concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in large gatherings, students from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts wear respiratory masks as they wait for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to speak to supporters during a rally and march to early vote in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Feb. 27, 2020. (Brian Blanco/Getty Images) Many labs were prevented from beginning to test local samples for the disease. But as of late last week, labs in four states, Nebraska, California, Illinois, and Nevada had the ability to test with the original kit. Illinois was the first state to offer testing for the new coronavirus in-state, enabling the agency to make test results available within around 24 hours, the Illinois Department of Public Health said in a press release on Feb. 12. Scientists at the department didnt see the test kit issues that impacted other states, the department said. Two cases have been confirmed in the state. One patient traveled to China and the other was that patients spouse, who had prolonged close contact with the patient. Sixty-six tests have come back negative, including 29 tested locally, department spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said in an email. Tests for two suspected cases are pending. The California Department of Public Health started providing limited testing for the new coronavirus as of Feb. 21, a spokeswoman told Epoch Times. The tests are limited to people who are part of federal repatriation efforts in California and suspected of being infected, she said. The first case of unknown origin tested positive in California this week. A man wears a face mask onboard a public bus in the Chinatown section of San Francisco, Calif., on Feb. 25, 2020. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) A Nebraska Medicine spokesman said that the states public health lab did testing on 13 patients isolated at the University of Medical Center in Omaha but the CDC had to confirm those tests. Its unclear if we will need CDC confirmation again for our 11 positives to be able to depart as that protocol and possible need for additional quarantine days are still being discussed, Taylor Wilson, the spokesman, said in an emailed statement. Further tests on the patients were planned but havent happened yet because their symptoms havent diminished to the point necessary for testing, Wilson said. Twelve public labs, including Department of Defense labs, had the ability to test as of Tuesday, the CDC said. The CDC still has to verify positive results as mandated by an Emergency Use Authorization but local testing enables labs to quickly rule out suspected cases. Becker of the APHL said that he expects officials to amend the authorization at some point to remove the verification requirement but for now, labs want results to be confirmed. [February 26, 2020] The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz Announces the Filing of a Securities Class Action on Behalf of Tupperware Brands Corporation Investors (TUP) The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Tupperware Brands Corporation ("Tupperware" or the "Company") (NYSE: TUP) securities between January 30, 2019 and February 24, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Tupperware investors have until April 27, 2020 to file a lead plaintiff motion. If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. On February 24, 2020, after the market closed, Tupperware issued a press release announcing preliminary financial results for fiscal 2019. Therein, the Company disclosed an "investigation primarily into the accounting for accounts payable and accrued liabilities at its Fuller Mexico beauty business" and estimated that the pre-tax impact of these issues would be approximately $50 million to $5 million. Moreover, due to the investigation, Tupperware stated that it could not timely file its annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2019. The Company said it expects 2019 net earnings per share "in the range of breakeven to $0.34 versus $3.11 in the prior year," and adjusted EPS of $1.35 to $1.70, which is below consensus estimates of $2.79. Finally, Tupperware expected "a need for relief concerning its existing leverage ratio covenant in its $650 million Credit Agreement." On this news, Tupperware's stock price fell $2.61 per share, or over 45%, to close at $3.11 per share on February 25, 2020, on unusually heavy trading volume. The complaint alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: (1) that Tupperware lacked effective internal controls; (2) that, as a result, Tupperware would need to investigate Fuller Mexico's accounting and liabilities; (3) that, consequently, Tupperware would be unable to timely file its annual report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year 2019; (4) that Tupperware did not properly account for its accounts payable and accrued liabilities at Fuller Mexico; (5) that Tupperware provided overvalued earnings per share guidance; (6) that Tupperware would need relief from its $650 million Credit Agreement; and (7) that, as a result, Defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. Follow us for updates on Twitter (News - Alert): twitter.com/FRC_LAW. If you purchased Tupperware securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than April 27, 2020 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff. To be a member of the Class you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the Class. If you purchased Tupperware securities, have information or 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 Frank R. Cruz, of The Law Offices of Frank R. Cruz, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-914-5007, by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.frankcruzlaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number, and number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226006062/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The 119 evacuees, including 114 Indian nationals and five foreign nationals, who were brought back from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship off the Japanese coast in Yokohama by an Air India special flight from Japan, have been quarantined at the Indian Army facility at Manesar. The 114 Indian nationals include nine females and 105 males, while the foreign nationals include one from Nepal, two from Sri Lanka, one from Peru and another one from South Africa. The evacuees will be monitored for two weeks by a qualified team of doctors and staff members. If any individual is suspected to be infected, then he or she will be shifted to an isolation ward at Base Hospital Delhi Cantonment (BHDC). Daily medical examination of all personnel will be done at the medical facility area. After 14 days, persons with no symptoms will be allowed to go home with their detailed documentation sent to the District/State surveillance units for further surveillance. Meanwhile, those found infected will be shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital isolation ward for further medical exams and recovery. Samples will be sent to the Department of Virology AIIMS and confirmation will be done by the NCDC. Patients will be discharged only after clinical recovery and two successive negative samples tested for n-COVID19. In addition, no one will be allowed to interact with the members of another barrack apart from playing games, watching television, and having meals together within a barrack. As many as 138 Indians including 132 crew and six passengers were among the 3,711 people on board the luxury cruise ship, which was quarantined off the Japanese coast on February 5 after it emerged that a former passenger had tested positive for the virus. Of these, 16 were tested positive for coronavirus and will stay in Japan for treatment, while the remaining will be repatriated to India. The repatriation is being facilitated by the Indian government. According to the latest official data, over 81,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide. More than 30,000 people have been cured of the disease, with over 2,600 of those having been cleared in the last 24 hours. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lucknow Police Commissioner Sujit Kumar Pandey on Wednesday ordered strict action against hookah bars violating government norms in the city. Sources stated that the Commissioner has issued guidelines to senior officers under his jurisdiction to take strict action against hookah bars operating without requisite permissions in their respective areas. The police warned that hookah bars operational without the necessary permissions from the Fire Department, not displaying statutory warnings against the use of tobacco products and serving tobacco products to minors will be severely dealt with. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain First leader Paul Golding has today denied a terrorism offence after he was arrested by anti-terror police at Heathrow on his way back from a trip to Russia. Golding, 38, is accused of refusing to provide officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command access to his electronic devices last October. The former BNP councillor, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was then charged with refusing to comply with a duty under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act. Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court today, Golding entered a not guilty plea, before branding the charge 'politically motivated'. Golding, who was wearing a grey suit, red tie, and Britain First pin on his lapel, added: 'I'm a politician, not a terrorist.' Paul Golding (pictured) is accused of refusing to provide officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command access to a number of his electronic devices last October He shook his fist in apparent solidarity with 26 supporters sat in the public gallery. Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot told him: 'Your trial will take place on May 20th. 'You are on unconditional bail. You must attend court for the trial to start at 10am. 9.30am is when you should arrive to speak with your counsel. 'The trial will take place that morning. If you do not appear the trial will go on without you so be sure you are there on May 20.' Speaking outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, Golding called the charge 'the first time that laws and powers designed to stop terrorists have been used in a politically motivated fashion against a political activist'. He added: 'There's a lot going to be revealed when we get our hands on the audio that I was under no suspicion of anything to do with terrorism whatsoever. 'They simply laid a trap for me to try and prosecute me like they've done. This is pure politically motivated harassment of a politician.' Britain First was deregistered as a political party in November 2017. Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court today, Golding (pictured outside the courthouse) entered a not guilty plea, before branding the charge 'politically motivated' Golding (pictured arriving today at court) reportedly led a small Britain First delegation to meet with Russian media and visit the Parliament, or Duma, in Moscow last year Golding reportedly led a small Britain First delegation to meet with Russian media and visit the Parliament, or Duma, in Moscow last year. A Britain First press release from the time described Russia as a 'patriotic, nationalist country that promotes all the traditionalist, Christian and Western values'. The delegation said they met with MPs from the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, while Golding appeared on the state-owned Russia 24 channel. On an inbound flight last October, he and two other suspects were arrested by specialist Met police officers at Heathrow Airport. They were questioned under terror laws, while police seized and sought to obtain access to their phones, computers, and hard-drives. When Golding refused to give up the passwords to his devices, he was charged with a refusal to comply with Schedule 7, which allows police officers to interrogate, search, and detain any suspect for up to six hours at British ports. Schedule 7 is designed to determine whether an individual is involved in the 'commission, preparation or instigation' of acts of terrorism. In a prior statement, Golding described the charge as 'an abuse of legislation'. Golding, who was wearing a grey suit, red tie, and Britain First pin, added 'I'm a politician, not a terrorist' before shaking his fist in solidarity with 26 supporters in the public gallery Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Oh, how the mighty have fallen. There have been concerns about various elements of the Manitoba mining industry for several years, much of it focused on the downsizing occurring at Vale and HudBays operations in Thompson and Flin Flon. According to the Fraser Institutes Annual Survey of Mining Companies, the regulatory environment in this province continues to erode any enthusiasm the industry may have had for the province. In the Fraser Institutes latest report released this week, Manitobas ranking has fallen to the middle of the pack. Only three short years ago Manitoba ranked second among 104 international jurisdiction in the reports investment attractiveness index. This year, Manitoba was ranked 34th out of 76 jurisdictions. The investment attractiveness index is a combination of the index on mineral potential, which rates regions based on their geologic attractiveness, and the policy perception index, a composite index that measures the effects of government policy on attitudes toward exploration investment. For the first time in more than a decade, there were no Canadian provinces in the top 10 and Ashley Stedman, one of the authors of the report, said respondents indicated there were concerns broadly in a number of policy and regulatory areas across a number of provinces. "We do know that Manitobas decline, particularly this year, is largely a result of concerns over the policy environment," she said. "There were significant concerns raised about protected areas, socio-economic agreements, infrastructure, regulatory duplication There are a number of policy areas that require improvement here." For instance, exploration companies need permits before they can start work, but there is great uncertainty as to the actual timing of the release of permits in Manitoba. Manitoba and Northwest Territories had the highest percentage of responses indicating the permitting authority met its established time lines only about half the time or less. When asked about the changes in the time to permit approval over the last 10 years, 68.8 per cent of respondents said in Manitoba said it has lengthened considerably. Only N.W.T. and Yukon came close to being that bad at 60 and 57 per cent respectively. 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 a pretty good indication that there are significant investor concerns related to the permitting process in Manitoba," Stedman said. One official from an exploration company that is currently active in the field in Manitoba said he has heard of some companies that have had to refund capital raised through flow-through shares because they were not able to get their work permits in time. The tax deduction for flow-through shares requires actual exploration expenditures be undertaken within one and a half years of the funds being raised. Max Porterfield, CEO of Callinex Mines, an exploration company that has been active in the Flin Flon area for decades, said while his company has not had a problem, he has heard complaints about permitting delays from many others, especially from those outside the Flin Flon region. According to last years budget documents, mineral production in the province decreased by close to 20 per cent in 2018. Exploration, which did increase in 2018, has been floundering at about two per cent of the national total when the province had traditionally been holding its own at close to five per cent. No officials from the province, the mining association or the committee to advise the minister on mineral development and attracting investment returned calls to talk about the provinces poor showing in this years Fraser Institute report. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca The Buchan Caves tourist attraction in East Gippsland will get $2 million in government funding to reopen to visitors after bushfires tore through the area during the summer. The money will go towards rebuilding the camping ground and developing a masterplan to upgrade the site, which will include a new camp kitchen. The caves have been closed since fires began raging in the region early this year. The managers of the popular tourist site hope Buchan Caves will reopen to visitors by the Easter break. Fires in Mallacoota in East Gippsland this summer. Credit:Getty Images Premier Daniel Andrews visited Buchan on Thursday, when he promised the new funding would make the site better than its ever been. Air New Zealand is slashing capacity by almost 20 per cent in Asia to reduce the impact of the coronavirus on its bottom line. The airline expects the impact of the virus on earnings to be in the range of $NZD35 million ($AUD34 million) to $NZD75 million ($AUD72 million) due to lower demand and capacity cuts. An Air New Zealand spokesperson said fewer people are wanting to fly from Asia to New Zealand and even greater numbers don't want to travel to the continent. Scroll down for video Air New Zealand has announced it is reducing its Asia capacity by 17 per cent until June because of reduced demand over coronavirus fears (stock image) The airline is reducing its Asia capacity by 17 per cent until June, including cutting flights to Hong Kong and suspending Shanghai services until March and Seoul flights from March to June. Pacific Islands' demand remains strong but Air NZ is also reducing trans-Tasman flights by three per cent until May, mainly to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The announcement came as South Korea and China each reported hundreds more cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. South Korea reported 334 more cases, bringing its total to 1,595. Most of the new cases were in the country's fourth-biggest city, Daegu, where the outbreak has hit hardest. China reported 433 new cases along with 29 additional deaths. Thursday's updates bring mainland China's totals to 78,497 cases, and 2,744 deaths. With Brazil on Wednesday confirming Latin America's first case, the virus has reached every continent but Antarctica and infected more than 80,000 people. Passengers wearing face masks arrive at Perth International Airport on February 2. The continuing global spread of COVID-19 has for the first time caused more cases outside China than inside the country Global worries about the COVID-19 illness are multiplying, as the epidemic expanded geographically and for the first time caused more new cases outside China than inside the country. In Australia, a leading bio-security expert has warned the coronavirus may hit Australia harder than China because of the country's ageing population. The flu-like virus, which spawned in Wuhan, China in December, is more severe in older people because their immune systems are weaker. In Australia 16 per cent of the population are over 65, compared to just nine per cent in China. The government will decide on Thursday whether to extend its travel ban on Chinese visitors to Australia for another week, while possibly easing restrictions on international students. Last week the government lifted the ban on Year 11 and 12 students coming in from China under strict rules, and at the time said it would consider a controlled opening for Chinese university students a week later. Art can be a refuge. It can recall lost beauty and peace, process a journey through time and around the world, guide recovery from fear and oppression. It can touch pain without reliving it. That's true for Bundoora-based couple Aisa and Behzad Hadziahmetovic. When their home in Sanski Most by the banks of the Sana River in north-west Bosnia and Herzegovina was ransacked and a drunken Serbian extremist made a death threat against their infant son Mirza, the Bosnian Muslims knew they had to flee their shattered hometown during the Bosnian War of 1992-95. Behzad and Aisa Hadziahmetovic at the Motley Bauhaus theatre in Fitzroy North Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui Leaving with what little they could carry, Aisa strapped Mirza to her torso while Behzad grappled with what he could of their belongings. "We were just waiting for when it was our turn to be or executed or imprisoned," she says of the ethnic cleansing that left thousands of their compatriots buried in mass graves. "I have so much empathy for everyone who lost someone. My uncle was killed almost on the last day of the war." From a Croatian refugee camp they made it to Austria, where Behzad took up painting to soothe his nerves. Having lost so much and dislocated from home, his oil and pastel renditions of centuries-old Bosnian cities were a lifeline connecting him to a more peaceful past and hope for the future of his country. "It pulled you out of your fear," Behzad says. "When you draw, you're with yourself, quiet and calm. You don't think so much about what's happening back there. It was a kind of therapy." His beautiful architectural visions will be on display at the inaugural Refuge Festival. Held at Fitzroy North art space the Motley Bauhaus, it will host multi-disciplinary work by creatives with a lived experience of being a refugee or asylum seekers. Theatre, films and live music will be accompanied by talks and workshops, with food from the nearby Moroccan Soup Bar. As executive leader of the healthcare provider that offers hospice and palliative care to more than 19,000 patients and families daily in 14 states and the District of Columbia, Westfall joins two dozen other executives from hospice and palliative care providers and healthcare organizations throughout the nation. "I am honored to serve the NHPCO and the hospice profession," said Westfall. "I am committed to ensuring that all hospice providers, for-profit and nonprofit alike, have the necessary resources to increase quality and improve patient and family experience and that, as an industry, we have a stronger voice in the legislative and regulatory affairs that affect all of us. The future of healthcare is bringing healthcare closer to wherever the patient calls home; where hospice and palliative care has already been for over forty years." Edo Banach, president and CEO of NHPCO, welcomed Westfall among the diverse and dedicated professionals "who are committed to ensuring access to high-quality interdisciplinary care that is offered by hospice and community-based palliative care programs." Westfall joined VITAS in 2012 to lead the company's field operations, becoming chief operating officer in 2015 and president and CEO in 2016. He previously was director of information and technology and operations for Chemed Corporation (NYSE: CHE), the parent company of VITAS. Prior to Chemed, he was a senior manager at Deloitte and Touche LLP. During Westfall's VITAS tenure, the number of patients served annually has increased over 12%. He has overseen the company's mobile healthcare technology initiative, a multi-year reinvestment strategy focused on sustainable growth, and provided leadership during times of crisis, including through the Texas and Florida hurricanes and California wildfires that required emergency preparedness strategies to provide 24/7 care to hospice patients and their families. Westfall is a member of the Advisory Board to Programs in Health Management and Policy at the University of Miami Business School and a board member The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (CTAC). In 2018, he received a CEO Today Healthcare Award. Westfall earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Dayton in Ohio and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. About VITAS Healthcare Established in 1978, VITAS Healthcare is a pioneer and leader in the American hospice movement. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, VITAS (pronounced VEE-tahs) operates 48 hospice programs in 14 states (California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin) and the District of Columbia. VITAS employs 12,388 professionals who care for terminally ill patients daily, primarily in the patients' homes, and also in the company's 28 inpatient hospice units as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities/residential care facilities for the elderly. At the conclusion of the third quarter of 2019, VITAS reported an average daily census of 19,137. Visit www.vitas.com. Media Inquiries contact: [email protected] or 877-848-2701 SOURCE VITAS Healthcare Related Links https://www.vitas.com Senator Bernie Sanders, the Democratic frontrunner for the presidential nomination, has said it was a failure of leadership for President Donald Trump to dismiss ongoing clashes between protestors and supporters of the new citizenship amendment law in India as an internal matter during his visit. The senator had earlier criticized the $3 billion defence deal announced by India and the United States during Trumps visit, saying the two countries should instead work together to combat climate change. Over 200 million Muslims call India home, Sanders wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying, Thats up to India. This is a failure of leadership on human rights. Asked about his position on the Citizenship Amendment Act at a news conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, President Trump had said, I dont want to discuss that. I want to leave that to India, and hopefully theyre going to make the right decision for the people. Thats really up to India. Asked specially about the violence and casualties, the president had taken much the same line. Thats up to India, he said. On Thursday, the state department called for peace and respect for the right of peaceful assembly. Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased and injured in New Delhi, Alice G Wells, the top diplomat for South and Central Asia, wrote on Twitter. We echo PM @NarendraModis call for calm and normalcy and urge all parties to maintain peace, refrain from violence, and respect the right of peaceful assembly. Trump did raise the issue of religious freedom with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and came away satisfied with what he heard. I will say that the Prime Minister was incredible on what he told me. He wants people to have religious freedom, and very strongly. And he said that in India they have -- they have worked very hard to have great and open religious freedom. Critics had expected Trump to be more forceful, perhaps along the same lines as President Barack Obama during his 2015 visit. There is a need to reaffirm, he had said in a speech at Siri Fort, that every person has the right to practice their faith how they choose, or to practice no faith at all, and to do so free of persecution and fear and discrimination. He had added, India will succeed so long as it is not splintered along the lines of religious faith -- so long as its not splintered along any lines -- and is unified as one nation. The Wednesday tweet was the third time Sanders had taken aim at India while running for president this time (he ran in 2016 also). In August, the senator had criticized the restrictions imposed in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, and demanded they be lifted and the United States government must speak out boldly in support of international humanitarian law and its support of a UN-backed peaceful resolution that respects the will of the Kashmiri people. Pramila Jayapal, an Indian American member of the House of Representatives and a close associate of Sanders, has introduced a resolution in the House seeking the removal of those restrictions and the protection of religious freedom in India. It has been supported thus far by 62 other members, including five Republicans. L-R: Monika Henry, Crowne Plaza White Plains; Tonya Inman, Crowne Plaza White Plains; Jennifer Miller, American Heart Association Westchester County and Brett Bukofser, Crowne Plaza White Plains It's a pleasure to celebrate this milestone by sharing our success with such valuable organizations that have not only been a huge supporter for all these years, but also continue to bring the same energy and passion to the Westchester community said Monika Henry, GM of Crowne Plaza White Plains. This is an exciting year for the Crowne Plaza White Plains! The popular hotel in the heart of the city is celebrating its 35th anniversary and marking this milestone by applauding some of Westchester Countys key organizations. It is a pleasure to celebrate this milestone by sharing our success with such valuable organizations that have not only been a huge supporter for all these years, but also continue to bring the same energy and passion to the Westchester community to ensure its a great place to live, work and visit, said Monika Henry, general manager of Crowne Plaza White Plains. This is a remarkable accomplishment and we are honored to work side by side with them. Crowne Plaza White Plains is giving back to their Westchester constituents by hosting select organizations for private events, granting use of their lounge area, providing hors d'oeuvres and creating a signature cocktail and/or mocktail with a portion of the proceeds going back to each organization. In recognition of American Heart Month, Crowne Plaza White Plains is launching this initiative by hosting the American Heart Association for its leadership social on February 25th. The American Heart Association engages with volunteer leaders and employers throughout Westchester County to improve the health of Westchester residents. We are grateful that the Crowne Plaza supports our efforts in making Westchester a healthier county and thank them for hosting our leadership event, said Jennifer Miller, Executive Director of the American Heart Association in Westchester County. Additional organizations that are slated to participate include Professional Women in Westchester, Arc Westchester, The Loft LGBT Center, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society and Lifting Up Westchester, to name a few. The Crowne Plaza is located at 66 Hale Ave. in White Plains, N.Y., and can be reached at (914)-682-0050 or by visiting http://www.cpwestchester.com. For additional information, please contact the hotel directly. About Crowne Plaza White Plains Located in downtown White Plains, N.Y., the Crowne Plaza White Plains is a prime destination for social events and corporate events/conferences. The hotel boasts 17,000 square feet of flexible function space, an award-winning culinary team, expert event planners and 402 guest rooms. It recently completed a renovation of the main public spaces (lobby, restaurant/lounge area, new collaborative meeting spaces including The Studio) and is a popular meeting place for small to large groups. About IHG IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organization with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Inter-Continental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, EVEN Hotels, HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Holiday Inn Resort, avid hotels, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,600 hotels and nearly 843,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries, with over 1,900 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG Rewards Club, a global loyalty program, which has more than 100 million enrolled members. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Groups holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 400,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally. Visit http://www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and http://www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, follow us on social media: at: http://www.twitter.com/IHGCorporate, http://www.facebook.com/IHGCorporate and http://www.linkedin.com/company/intercontinental-hotels-group. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump's decision to put Mike Pence in charge of the administration's coronavirus response will test the vice president's ability to manage a rapidly growing crisis as stock prices plunge and critics charge the administration isn't doing enough. As the Trump administration staffs up and prepares for a potentially broader coronavirus outbreak, one challenge that awaits Pence will be coordinating a response for a president who is prone to second-guessing the advice of experts and has proposed deep cuts to key agencies in charge of public health. During a news conference Wednesday to announce Pence's appointment, Trump contradicted a warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the spread of the virus in the United States is inevitable. "I dont think its inevitable," Trump said. "I think that we're doing a really good job in terms of maintaining borders" and making sure people coming in the country are checked. US case: First coronavirus case of unknown origin confirmed in US. What does that mean? Coronavirus, explained: Everything to know about COVID-19, the deadly virus alarming the world Trump's decision to put Pence in charge is a good sign of how the administration is prioritizing its response, said Ned Price, who served as spokesman for the National Security Council in the Obama administration during its response to the Ebola outbreak. But having Pence coordinate the effort is "not an appropriate substitute" for someone who could devote their full attention to the issue, such as Ebola "czar" Ronald Klain had been appointed to do for the Obama administration, Price said. "He still has all of his official duties to carry out, and unless he's going to take a sabbatical from his role as the vice president, I think it's it's substituting one problem for another," Price said, noting Pence had spoken at the Conservative Political Action Conference on the same day as his first meeting with the coronavirus response task force Story continues Trump signaled confidence in Pences ability to coordinate the administrations response when he announced the appointment Wednesday. Hes got a certain talent for this, Trump said as Pence stood at his side, along with officials from the CDC and other agencies. More: Trump picks Pence to lead coronavirus response, critics point out his handling of HIV outbreak Some question whether Pence is the right choice, arguing that a health care professional would be better positioned to monitor and react to a virus that already has spawned more than 80,000 cases around the world, including 60 in the U.S. Top health officials like Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases Director Anthony Fauci are "highly qualified" to handle the crisis, said John Holdren, who was the senior science and technology adviser to President Barack Obama. "I just have to wonder whether President Trump will ever be listening," Holdren said. Asha George, who heads a bipartisan group of former government officials who analyze the U.S.'s capacity to defend against biological threats, applauded Trumps decision to put Pence in charge of the coronavirus response. More: Mike Pence is leading coronavirus efforts. This was his health record in Indiana. Multiple agencies are involved in such an effort, which can make a coordinated response difficult, said George, executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense. "You need somebody with enough power and authority to direct everybody and make sure everybody is doing what they're supposed to be doing," she said. The vice president "carries a lot of weight and is pretty much the only person short of the president who can get this sort of thing done, especially in the midst of a response, as we are now," she said. Pence announced Thursday that he has tapped Debbie Birx, who is in charge of U.S. efforts to fight HIV and AIDS, to help manage the response to the coronavirus threat. The administration also added three new members to its coronavrius task force: Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Surgeon General Jerome Adams, and National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow. Pence's selection of Birx could ease concerns of some lawmakers who called for the Trump administration to put someone with expertise in charge of the federal response. "Debbie Birx is a highly qualified public health expert who is kind of battle tested," said Tom Frieden, who served as director of the CDC and commissioner of the New York City Health Department. "She's a veteran and has extensive experience with the CDC and other parts of the U.S. government. I think that's a good choice." Proposed budget cuts Trump's budgets have routinely proposed to cut funding for the agencies like the CDC and the NIH that are now on the front lines of the fight against the virus. At the news briefing Wednesday, Trump said the coronavirus threat did not make him question those previously proposed cuts. "We know all the people. We know all the good people," Trump said, adding, "we can get them back very quickly" if staff are cut. Price told USA TODAY top officials on the National Security Council who were tasked with biodefense readiness had been sacked or departed the administration, with their positions since unfilled. "There's not a point person on the NSC really responsible for these issues," he said. "President Trump dismissed the senior director and his team responsible for pandemics and preparedness." George said those cuts and recent efforts by the administration to purge employees whom it considers disloyal to the president could make it more challenging to battle the coronavirus. "Im sure people are concerned," she said. "They are worried about their jobs. They have seen other people come and go based on their performance. Its a tough challenge for anyone there. ... I think it adds additional stress." President Donald Trump declares that the U.S. is ready for whatever the coronavirus threat brings, as he puts Vice President Mike Pence in charge of overseeing the nation's response. (Feb. 26) 'Gutted out' agencies Juliette Kayyem, who had served as the Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs in the Department of Homeland Security under the Obama administration, helping coordinate the response to the H1N1 outbreak, said she was concerned by the number of acting officials rather than appointed officials. Kayyem called DHS's current state "gutted out," with "acting (officials) in almost every major position." She pointed to acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf's rocky testimony before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee as "reflective of an agency that is ill-prepared to provide the states and localities that are going to be on the front line with the information, standards, and policies that are going to have to be directed." Under questioning from Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., Wolf appeared not to know some basic statistics about the virus, misstating its fatality rate and not knowing how many cases had come from cruise ships. "You're supposed to keep us safe. And the American people deserve some straight answers on the coronavirus. And I'm not getting them from you," Kennedy told Wolf. What Kayyem also saw as a breakdown in the response process were some of the political interventions of lawmakers in the response to the virus. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., had called Trump to ask him and successfully asked him not to quarantine virus patients from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Alabama, something Kayyem said should not have happened. "A senator doesn't have operational control over what a state or local jurisdiction does," she said. "But I think the fact that the President was responsive is just proof that all these mechanisms (for intergovernmental cooperation) have fallen apart." I just got off the phone with the President. He told me that his administration will not be sending any victims of the Coronavirus from the Diamond Princess cruise ship to Anniston, Alabama. Thank you, @POTUS, for working with us to ensure the safety of all Alabamians. Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) February 23, 2020 More: Dow plunges 1,191 points, its biggest one-day point drop, as coronavirus fears escalate This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus: Mike Pence's crisis manager skills tested in new role A Goldman Sachs sign is seen on at the company's post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Goldman Sachs is asking attendees for a conference scheduled to be held by the investment bank next week to skip the event if they've recently traveled to countries worst hit by the coronavirus. The warning, for Goldman's eighth annual housing and consumer finance conference held at the bank's New York headquarters, was just added to the event's registration website. "In light of the recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, Goldman Sachs has enacted several precautionary measures to ensure the wellbeing of our clients and our people," the bank said. The new LG V60 ThinQ 5G has the kind of specs youd expect from a 2020 flagship phone plus a few bonus features. Sure, it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and X55 5G modem, 8GB of RAM, multiple cameras, and an in-display fingerprint sensor. But the phone also has a 32-bit Hi-Fi quad DAC, four microphones (and two speakers), and a sizable 5,000 mAh battery. Its also the latest LG V series phone to support an optional LG Dual Screen accessory that lets you double the phones display space. LG says the LG V60 ThinQ 5G will be available in North America, Europe, and Asia in March. The phone has a 6.8 inch, 2460 x 1080 pixel OLED display, support for up to 256GB of storage, and a microSD card reader for up to 2TB of removable storage. Wireless capabilities include WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, FM radio, and support for 5G, LTE, 3G, and 2G networks. The smartphone has stereo speakers, a USB 3.1 Type-C port, support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ fast charging, and an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. On the front of the LG V60 ThinQ 5G youll find a single 10MP camera, and on the back there are three cameras/sensors: 64MP primary 13MP super-wide (117 degees) Z Camera (Time of Flight) As a standalone device, the phone measures 8.9mm (0.35 inches) thick and weighs 214 grams (about 7.5 ounces). But if you opt for the Dual Screen case accessory, the whole thing becomes a bit chunkier measuring a combined 14.9mm (0.6 inches) thick and weighing 348 grams (12.3 ounces). But what you get is not only a second 6.8 inch display thats pretty much identical to the first, but also a small 2.1 inch monochrome cover display that you can use to view notifications without flipping the phone open. The LG Dual Screen accessory also has a 360-degree hinge, allowing you to flip the second screen all the way around to hold the phone in one hand, prop it up using the case as a stand, or view two side-by-side screens in a pseudo-tablet mode. While Microsoft is planning to release its first Android phone with dual-screens later this year and Samsung, Xiaomi, and Motorola have all released phones with foldable displays, LG has actually been doing optional/detachable dual screens for a while last years LG V50 ThinQ and LG G8X ThinQ smartphones also both supported optional LG Dual Screen cases. Whether thats actually a good thing is up for debate. But at least its a thing and it does allow LG to sell a multi-mode phone with a more reasonable starting price since you dont need to pay for the second screen unless you really want one. LG hasnt announced pricing for the new phone yet, but according to Gizmodo, it will have a starting price thats likely well under the $1000 some rivals have been charging for recent flagships. Seattle, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2020 -- The worldwide Pet Food Market 2019 report is expansive research reliant on Pet Food, which inspects the raised structure of the present Pet Food all around the globe. Arranged by the adequate methodical framework, for instance, SWOT examination, the Pet Food report exhibits a total evaluation of the significant players of the worldwide Pet Food Market 2019 . The estimates for CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) is calculated by the Global Pet Food Market 2019 report in terms of extent for the specific time length. This will similarly help the customer with comprehension and settle on a correct choice depends on a normal chart. The "Pet Food Market" research report presents an all-inclusive study of the global Pet Food market. The report includes all the major trends and technologies performing a major role in the Pet Food market development during forecast period. The key players in the market are Affinity Petcare SA,Aller Petfood LLC,BHJ A/S,Blue Buffalo Pet Products,C&D Foods,Del Monte Foods,Doane Pet Care Company,Hartz Mountain Corporation,Hill's Pet Nutrition,Mars,Nestle Purina PetCare Company,Nutro Products,The Iams Company. An attractiveness study has been presented for each geographic area in the report to provide a comprehensive analysis of the overall competitive scenario of the Pet Food market globally. Place an Inquire for Full ToC: https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/quiry/306016 Key manufacturers are included based on company profile, sales data and product specifications etc.: Affinity Petcare SA,Aller Petfood LLC,BHJ A/S,Blue Buffalo Pet Products,C&D Foods,Del Monte Foods,Doane Pet Care Company,Hartz Mountain Corporation,Hill's Pet Nutrition,Mars,Nestle Purina PetCare Company,Nutro Products,The Iams Company Furthermore, the report comprises an outline of the diverse tactics used by the key players in the market. It also details the competitive scenario of the Pet Food market, placing all the key players as per their geographic presence and previous major developments. SWOT analysis is used to evaluate the growth of the major players in the global market. The report presents a detailed segmentation Market Trend by Application of the global market based on technology, product type, application, and various processes and systems. Geographically, the market is classified into. The report also includes the strategies and regulations according to the various regions stated above. Porter's five forces analysis describes the aspects that are presently affecting the Pet Food market. Moreover, the report covers the value chain analysis for the Pet Food market that describes the contributors of the value chain. The report also puts forth the restraints, drivers, and opportunities expected to affect market's growth in the forecast period. Further, it offers a holistic perspective on the Pet Food market's development within stated period in terms of revenue [USD Million] and size [k.MT] across the globe. The all-inclusive data presented in the report are the outcome of detailed primary and secondary research along with reviews from the experts and analyst from the industry. The report also evaluates the market's growth by taking into consideration the impact of technological and economic factors along with existing factors affecting the Pet Food market's growth. Apply Here for Free PDF Brochure to Get More Detailes of Key Players: https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/sample/306016 There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Pet Food Market Chapter 1, Definition, Specifications and Classification of Pet Food, Applications of Pet Food, Market Segment by Regions; Chapter 2, Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure; Chapter 3, Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Pet Food, Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis; Chapter 4, Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment); Chapter 5 and 6, Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea & Taiwan, Pet Food Segment Market Analysis (by Type); Chapter 7 and 8, The Pet Food Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Pet Food ; Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type Market Trend by Application Others; Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis; Chapter 11, The Consumers Analysis of Global Pet Food ; Chapter 12, Pet Food Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source; Chapter 13, 14 and 15, Pet Food sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source. Reasons for Buying Pet Food market - This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics - It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth - It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow - It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future - It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors - It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments To avail Discount on this report@ https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/discount/306016 Customisation of the Report In case of any queries or customisation requirements please connect with our sales team, who will ensure that your requirements are met. Several Wisconsin universities have suspended some study abroad programs amid increasing concerns about the global spread of the new coronavirus, while state health officials outlined Wednesday what steps they would take if the situation gets worse in Wisconsin. UW-Madison suspended exchange programs at two South Korea institutions, university spokesman John Lucas said Wednesday. The five students affected by the suspension were informed Tuesday. UW-Milwaukee, UW-Stout and UW-Oshkosh also suspended study abroad programs in South Korea, officials said this week. The suspensions affected a dozen students among the three schools, though five of the students had not yet left for their program. South Korea has one of the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new virus, outside of China, where the outbreak began late last year. UW-Madison suspended student programs in China last month, which affected seven students. The Milwaukee, Stout and Oshkosh campuses do not have students studying in China. More than 81,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, including more than 2,700 deaths, mostly in China but also in three dozen other countries. Fourteen cases have been confirmed in the United States, including one in Wisconsin a Dane County resident who returned to Madison Jan. 30 after traveling to Beijing. That person is doing well and remains in isolation at home, health officials said Wednesday. In Wisconsin, 16 other people have been tested for the virus. Fifteen have been negative and one result is pending. State health officials are working with hospitals to consider using telehealth to direct ill people to proper care and treat patients remotely, if the virus starts spreading in Wisconsin, said Jeff Phillips, director of preparedness and emergency health care at the state Department of Health Services. Officials are also monitoring the supply chain of masks, face shields and other protective equipment for health care workers, he said. Given that nearly 20,000 state residents have tested positive for flu since October and at least 44 have died, officials are advising people to get flu shots to help health care facilities reserve some capacity for COVID-19 if needed. In addition, were looking at developing guidance for schools, child care programs, colleges and universities to help them plan and prepare for pandemics, Phillips said. Remote classes at universities, telecommuting at workplaces, postponement of large public gatherings and other social distancing steps could be recommended if a local outbreak occurs, he said. Much of the guidance is similar to longstanding preparations for an influenza pandemic, or widespread outbreak of season flu, Phillips said. The Wisconsin Army National Guard is ready to quarantine people potentially exposed to COVID-19 if necessary, said Chuck Warzecha, deputy administrator for public health at the state health department. Local health departments, such as Pubic Health Madison and Dane County, are advising employers to think about how they will provide essential services if numerous employees are sick or unavailable. Equip staff with laptops and supplies needed to work from home, a document by the city-county health department says. Cancel non-essential business travel, use conference calls and video conferencing in lieu of face-to-face meetings when possible. Other universities across the U.S. have started suspending international education programs in Italy, another country reporting high numbers of COVID-19 cases. Syracuse University, for example, is closing the program at its Florence campus. New York University is suspending operations at its Florence campus and will begin holding classes remotely through late March, according to Inside Higher Ed. As for UW-Madison programs outside of South Korea and China that may be under consideration for suspension, Lucas said the university will continue to monitor other locations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issue warning levels and the federal agencys level 3 warning serves as a general threshold for program suspension, he said. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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 Samsung refreshed its Galaxy smartphone line, introduced a new foldable phone, and upgraded its wireless earbuds offering at an event held Tuesday at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Its three new flagship phones, pictured above, are all 5G ready. The S20 is priced at US$999, while the S20 Plus will sell for $1,199, and the S20 Ultra for $1,399. The S20 is smallest of the trio, with a 6.2-inch display. The Plus display is 6.7 inches and the Ultras is 6.9 inches. All the units have three cameras wide angle, ultrawide and telephoto and the Plus and Ultra have a fourth camera for augmented reality applications. The cameras in the S20 and Plus have 64-megapixel sensors, while the Ultra supports a whopping 108 MP. The cameras also support 8K video. The Ultra has a 10x optical zoom. Thats unheard of in a phone, said Jack E. Gold, principal analyst atJ. Gold Associates, an IT advisory company in Northborough, Massachusetts. You dont even get that in some traditional cameras, he told TechNewsWorld. Samsung continues to amaze me in what theyre doing in video and photography category, said Mark N. Vena, senior analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy, a technology analyst and advisory firm based in Austin, Texas. Samsung clearly sees video and photography as a tremendous opportunity to completely replace traditional cameras, he told TechNewsWorld. A D V E R T I S E M E N T Pushing 5G Lever The use of multiple lenses in high-end phones and features powered by artificial intelligence will continue to evolve, predicted Gerrit Schneemann, senior analyst at IHS Markit, a research, analysis and advisory firm headquartered in London. Theres a big networking difference between this crop of flagship phones and the previous generation, he told TechNewsWorld. The whole lineup supports 5G, whereas before, only select models were 5G. Now Samsung is putting 5G into everything, Schneemann said. Very few people need 5G now, but it will be on every phone in the next couple of years, so Samsung is pushing the adoption lever as fast as they can, noted Stephen Baker, analyst at NPD Group, a market research firm in Port Washington, New York. We know the networks are going to be there in the next year or two, and we know from history that consumers arent afraid of future-proofing, especially when they buy a premium phone like the S20, he told TechNewsWorld. Folding Glass Samsungs new Galaxy Z Flip has a display made of foldable glass that measures 6.7 inches when flipped open. When closed, the phone is a compact 2.89 x 3.44 inches. Models will come in three mirror colors purple, gold and black. Galaxy Z Flip Smartphones are part of our everyday lives, but this is no ordinary smartphone, Samsung Electronics Marketing Director Rebecca Hurst told an enthusiastic crowd at Tuesdays event. It changes everything our phones shape, size and the very way we use it, she continued. A D V E R T I S E M E N T The Galaxy Z Flip is a statement smartphone, Hurst said. Its a standout smartphone for people who want to stand out. Innovative Flex Mode In addition to its main 2636 x 1080 AMOLED display, the Z Flip has 1.1-inch cover display for screening information like time and notifications. The unit has three cameras: an f/2.4 10-megapixel selfie camera; an f/2.2 12-MP ultra-wide camera; and an f/1.8 12-MP wide-angle camera. Three video resolutions are supported by the shooters 4K UHD, 1080p FHD and 720p HD. It has four shooting speeds Super Steady, Super Slow-mo, Slow Motion and Hyperlapse. The foldable, which is priced at $1,380, comes with 8 gigabytes of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. The phone supports an innovative flex mode that turns the unit into a dual screen phone when its folded at a right angle. We think foldables will fundamentally change how we think about and interact with smartphones, Google Vice President Hiroshi Lockheimer said at the Samsung event. Razr Killer? Samsungs introduction of the Z Flip, which will go on sale Feb. 14, comes on the heels of another foldable arriving on the market, the Motorola Razr. The Flip is a more powerful phone than the Razr, observed Moors Vena. If foldable phones are going to gain traction in the market, the flip phone orientation is going to be a big deal because of the convenience factor, he pointed out. The Flip is a nicer device with its glass screen and variable hinge that can bend the phone at different angles, said Gold. Another potential issue for Motorola and its parent Lenovo are problems meeting demand in the early stages of the Razrs release. Thats the thing about Samsung, Gold remarked. Once they start making a device, they can turn the crank and produce a lot of stuff. Battle of Hinges Samsung has another advantage over Motorola. Samsung has a lot of brand, product equity and distribution strength, which is going to be a part of success in the market, noted NPDs Baker. The Flip is a pretty well-put-together product Samsung clearly learned a lot from the issues they had with the original Fold, he added. Its a very polished device. One of the issues with foldable devices is the strength of their hinges. At the Samsung event, Hurst noted that the Z Flips hinge had been opened and closed 200,000 times without any signs of damage. The hinge on the Flip seems to be sturdier and less prone to outside attack than the Razr because theres no visible gap when its shut, observed IHS Schneemann. The Flips two-camera system also raises the foldable a notch above its competition. Cameras are an area where Samsung has been strong in the past and where Motorola has struggled in the past, Schneemann recalled. Further, theres a price gap between the phones, with the Razr selling for $1,499 and the Flip for $1,380. New Buds In addition to the S20 line and the Z Flip, Samsung announced a refresh of its wireless earpods at its event. Galaxy Buds+ The Galaxy Buds Plus, priced at $149, have two speakers in each pod one for high range sound and one for bass as well as three mics. They even work with iOS devices via a Samsung app. At $149, the one thing missing is active noise cancellation, Schneemann said, but at that price thats not feasible. The order was issued on February 22 but came to light late on Tuesday evening when the department took initiative to find Mr Khares replacement. The Madhya Pradesh government has removed editor of one of its publications for publishing an article covering Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. (Photo: Facebook) Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government has removed editor of one of its publications for publishing an article covering Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. State public relations minister P.C. Sharma ordered to relieve Manoj Khare of his charges as editor of Madhya Pradesh Sandesh, a monthly Hindi magazine, for publishing the article contributed by Shweta Rani, a research scholar, in its January edition, a senior officer of the department told this newspaper on Wednesday unwilling to be quoted. The order was issued on February 22 but came to light late on Tuesday evening when the department took initiative to find Mr Khares replacement. The article titled Mahatma zinda hai (Mahatma is alive) has apparently sought to analyze the personality of Godse, saying that it was not correct to say that Gandhiji died (assassinated) on January 30,1948, or Godse died (hanged to death) on November 15, 1949. Neither of them died. Both exist in our mind. We have to take the decision as to whose ideology we should carry forward- whether of Gandhiji or Godse, the thought provoking article said. She extensively quoted the book Why I killed Gandhi, authored by Godses brother Gopal, in the article while noting that Godse held that Gandhiji had played a key role in partition and tried to stifle interests of Hindus with some particular actions. Thats why Godse resolved to kill Gandhiji, the article said quoting the book. Pig Rice Supermarket, which goes by the name Woori Supermarket in "Parasite" / Korea Times photo by Park Hyung-gi But not all people are happy By Kwak Yeon-soo "Parasite" locations have been crowded with tourists since the film won four Oscars at the 92nd Academy Awards earlier this month. But the popularity of the venues is proving to be unwelcome to some inhabitants of the neighborhood as they have to deal with the fallout, such as traffic congestion. Some of them complain that hundreds of camera-wielding visitors is bringing inconvenience and delaying redevelopment of the area. Much of the film was shot on purpose-built sets in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, but the Kim family's semi basement home and shabby streets were inspired by or set in real neighborhoods in Seoul. "Parasite" is a story of two economically polarized families, one poor and one wealthy. The story develops as the son of the impoverished family, with the help of his sister, fabricates his educational background and begins to work as a tutor for the daughter of the wealthy family. Recently, Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a plan to attract more tourists to "Parasite" locations by promoting four filming locations on its tourism website and organizing regular tours with film experts. Despite the spread of COVID-19 crisis, many film fans and tourists are already visiting the spots where the scenes were filmed. Pig Rice Supermarket Early in the film, Kim Ki-woo, played by Choi Woo-shik, is seen drinking soju with his friend Min-hyuk, played by Park Seo-joon, outside Woori Supermarket (real name Pig Rice Supermarket). There he receives an offer to tutor Parks' teenage daughter, which is the beginning of the Kim family's tragedy. This scene was filmed at a small grocery store located in Ahyeon-dong, western Seoul. Lee Jeong-shik, 77, the owner of the Pig Rice Supermarket, said a lot of reporters and tourists have visited his place since the film won the awards. "There have been reporters from the U.S., Japan and Spain. Earlier today, actor Kim Young-cheol visited our place for a documentary," Lee told The Korea Times. "Many just take photos outside the store and pass by, while some others come inside and buy snacks and beverages. That's very nice of them." Lee, who has been running the shop with his wife for 45 years, said "Parasite" aroused deep sympathy. "As I watched the film, I felt like they put my life right in there. I could totally relate to the Kim family," he said. On the city government's plan to create a "Parasite" tour, Lee responded positively. "It would be nice if more people visited our store," he said. However, Lee and some residents are worried that the neighborhood may not be redeveloped. The neighborhood used to be filled with hanok (traditional Korean houses), which later were redeveloped into small villas about 35 years ago, according to Lee. "My house is filled with mold because it's too old," he said. "Though I really appreciate the influx of visitors, I want this place to be redeveloped in the near future." Location: 32 Songijeong-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul The stairs located one minute away from Pig Rice Supermarket appear in the scene where Kim Ki-jeong, played by Park So-dam, buys peaches and carries them to Park family's home. / Korea Times photo by Park Hyung-gi The steps to Park's house The steps appear in the scene where Kim Ki-jeong, played by Park So-dam, buys peaches and carries them to the Park's home. These steps play a significant role in "Parasite," highlighting a class divide between the Kim and Park families. The steps are situated just one minute away from the Pig Rice Supermarket. Though the city government warns visitor not to disrupt the lives of Ahyeon-dong residents as it is a quiet residential area, many are busy taking photos and blocking pedestrian traffic. A resident surnamed Kim complained about excessive photo shoots and loud noises. "Recently, Japanese tourists glanced inside my house and took photos of my window. I almost freaked out," Kim said. "They were searching for Parasite filming locations. I had no idea that our neighborhood was in the film. I had never heard of Parasite before my daughter explained it to me." When asked if she was willing to go to the theater to watch the film, she said, "No, that's too expensive." Location: 3 Songijeong-ro, 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul The staircase outside Jahamun Tunnel is featured in the film when the Kim family heads after escaping from Parks' home amid heavy rain. / Korea Times file The way back home in heavy rain Just like the steps to the Park's home, the steps outside the Jahamun Tunnel symbolizes the disparities between the rich and the poor. The steps by the tunnel were seen when the Kim family fled from the Park's house after the wealthy family returned home unexpectedly from a camping trip cancelled due to heavy rain. Jofrey Carvalho, 26, came all the way from Brazil to visit "Parasite" filming locations. A big fan of Korean films and dramas, he watched "Parasite" twice in Sao Paulo. "This is my second time in Korea. The main purpose of my visit is to go to Parasite filming spots," Carvalho said. He said the tunnel scene was his favorite part of the film. "We have major class differences in Brazil too, so it was relatable," he said. "I think social disparity is now a universal topic." Location: 219, Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul Sky Pizza, which goes by the name Pizza Age in "Parasite" / Korea Times photo by Kwak Yeon-soo Pakistan Air Force is fully prepared to counter any threat to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the PAF chief said here on Thursday, a year after IAF jets bombed a terror camp in Balakot. The Indian Air Force jets carried out air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot on February 26 last year to avenge the killing of 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14. Pakistan retaliated on February 27 by attempting to target Indian military installations. Pakistan's Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar, speaking during a ceremony at the Air Headquarters here to celebrate the first anniversary of the "Operation Swift Retort", reiterated the PAF's commitment of responding to aggressors, The Express Tribune reported. "We stood as an integrated force that is hard-hitting and focused on its mission. Prior to the Indian aggression, our leadership had made it amply clear that no misadventure will ever go un-responded," he said. He said that the PAF is second to none and has proved its air superiority on February 27 last year. "Pakistan Air Force along with other services is fully prepared to counter any threat to the country," Khan added. To mark the day, the PAF recently released a special patriotic song. The relations between India and Pakistan strained following the Balakot strike. The ties further nose-dived after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir in August last. Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India and expelled Indian High Commissioner. The strike by India's warplanes on the camp and the Pakistani Air Force's subsequent retaliation the next day triggered fears of a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. An IAF pilot was captured by Pakistan after downing his MiG-21 fighter jet, triggering the most serious military crisis between the two neighbours in decades. But diplomatic outreach by major powers and India's stern warning to Pakistan led to the IAF pilot's release after two days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) WASHINGTON Federal health employees interacted with Americans quarantined for possible exposure to the coronavirus without proper medical training or protective gear, then scattered into the general population, according to a government whistleblower. In a portion of a complaint filing obtained by The New York Times that has been submitted to the Office of the Special Counsel, the whistleblower, described as a senior leader at the health agency, said the team was improperly deployed to two military bases in California to assist the processing of Americans who had been evacuated from coronavirus hot zones in China and elsewhere. The staff members were sent to Travis Air Force Base and March Air Reserve Base and were ordered to enter quarantined areas, including a hangar where coronavirus evacuees were being received. They were not provided training in safety protocols until five days later, the person said. Without proper training or equipment, some of the exposed staff members moved freely around and off the bases, with at least one person staying in a nearby hotel and leaving California on a commercial flight. Many were unaware of the need to test their temperature three times a day. I soon began to field panicked calls from my leadership team and deployed staff members expressing concerns with the lack of HHS communication and coordination, staff being sent into quarantined areas without personal protective equipment, training or experience in managing public health emergencies, safety protocols and the potential danger to both themselves and members of the public they come into contact with, the whistleblower wrote. In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services acknowledged the complaint without elaborating. We take all whistleblower complaints very seriously and are providing the complainant all appropriate protections under the Whistleblower Protection Act, said Caitlin B. Oakley, deputy assistant secretary and a national spokeswoman for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs. We are evaluating the complaint and have nothing further to add at this time. The account surfaced after President Donald Trump sought to play down the danger of a domestic coronavirus outbreak amid bipartisan concern about a sluggish and disjointed response by the administration to an illness that public health officials have said is likely to spread through the United States. The first U.S. case of coronavirus in a patient with no known contact with hot zones or other coronavirus patients emerged near Travis Air Force Base this week. The whistleblowers account raised questions about whether the Trump administration has taken adequate precautions in its handling of the virus to date, and whether Trumps minimization of the risks has been mirrored by other top officials when confronted with potentially disturbing developments. Similar episodes appear to have happened elsewhere. Employees with the Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families were also dispatched to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to help other evacuees from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak, someone with direct knowledge of the effort said. It was the first time to his knowledge that employees of the family administration had ever dealt with a federal quarantine. Employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appeared to have one set of guidance. Other employees of the Health and Human Services Department operated under a different protocol. The levels of protection varied even while he was at Miramar, he said. Standards were more lax at first, but once people arrived who appeared to be sick, workers began donning personal protective equipment. He is now back at work, and has yet to be tested for coronavirus exposure. In the complaint, the whistleblower painted a grim portrait of agency staff members who found themselves on the front lines of a frantic federal effort to confront the coronavirus in the United States without any preparation or training, and whose own health concerns were dismissed by senior administration officials as detrimental to staff morale. They were admonished, the complaint said, and accused of not being team players, and had their mental health and emotional stability questioned. After a phone call with health agency leaders to raise their fears about exposure to the virus, the staff members described a whitewashing of the situation, characterizing the response as corrupt and a cover-up, according to the complaint, and telling the whistleblower that senior officials had treated them as a nuisance and did not want to hear their worries about health and safety. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., whose office received the complaint, appeared to allude to it on Thursday morning at a hearing with Alex Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services, in the House Ways and Means Committee. Gomez was contacted by the whistleblower, whom he had met before his congressional service, in part because his committee has jurisdiction over the health agency. At the hearing, Gomez had a tense exchange with the secretary in which he suggested that staff from the Administration for Children and Families had been exposed to the virus without the requisite training and equipment, and then dispersed elsewhere in the United States. To your knowledge, were any of the ACF employees exposed to high-risk evacuees from China? Gomez asked Azar. They should never have been, without appropriate PPE, Azar responded, using the abbreviation for personal protective equipment, the term used for special suits designed to protect against infection. If you were anyone in quarantine, to maintain quarantine, that should be the case. Gomez said his understanding was that the teams sent to March and Travis air bases faced a chaotic situation. I would not accept your proposition that it was chaotic at all times, Azar said. I am not aware of any violation of quarantine or isolation protocols. Do you think that breaking basic protocols and exposing untrained human service employees to the coronavirus before allowing them to be dispersed around the country could have endangered the employees and other Americans? Gomez asked. I dont believe that has taken place, Azar replied. The complaint, which was reported by The Washington Post, surfaced the day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first known instance of a person testing positive without exposure to anyone known to be infected with the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, or recent travels to any of the countries where it is circulating. The CDC said that it was possible the patient, who is a resident of Solano County, California home to Travis Air Force Base could have been exposed to a returning traveler who was infected. March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, California, housed 195 people evacuated from Wuhan, China, for 14 days beginning in late January, while Travis in Northern California has housed a number of quarantined people in recent weeks, including some of the approximately 400 Americans on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that had docked in Japan. The staff members, who had some experience with emergency management coordination, were woefully underprepared for the mission they were given, according to the whistleblower. They were not properly trained or equipped to operate in a public health emergency situation, the official wrote. They were potentially exposed to coronavirus; appropriate measures were not taken to protect the staff from potential infection; and appropriate steps were not taken to quarantine, monitor or test them during their deployment and upon their return home. Some of the staff raised concerns with top officials with the agency, but saw no changes. The whistleblower said they complained to Charles Keckler, an associate deputy secretary at Health and Human Services, in an email on Feb. 10. After the email, the complaint said, top officials, including Lynn Johnson, the assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, admitted that they did not understand their mission, and that her agency broke protocols because of the unprecedented crisis and an all hands on deck call to action by Dr. Robert Kadlec, the top official for public health emergencies and disasters. Since learning of the whistleblowers concerns last Wednesday, Gomezs office and officials with the Ways and Means Committee have repeatedly pressed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for details. The whistleblower has also notified the CDC and the health agency inspector general about the concerns. Rep, Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, said the complaint appeared to be part of a pattern of ineptitude and mistrust of civil servants by the Trump administration. The president has spent years assaulting our health care system, draining resources from key health programs, and showing utter disdain for career federal employees who are the backbone of our government, Neal said in a statement provided to The Times. Its sadly no surprise were seeing this degree of ineptitude during a terrible crisis. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Most Ukrainians see no progress in the investigation of high-profile criminal cases. More than 80% of Ukrainian citizens consider the fight against corruption at the highest government levels unsuccessful, that's according to a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) February 21-25. "The fight against corruption in the highest government levels is unsuccessful, 83% of respondents believe (in December it was 76%), while 12% see success (in December it was 17%)," the KIIS said. Also, sociologists say the majority of Ukrainians see no progress in the investigation of high-profile criminal cases: 80% of respondents thought so in February (71% in December), only 11% note success (in December it was 17%). Read alsoUkraine ranks 126th in TI's Corruption Perception Index 2019 The survey was conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviews based on a random selection of respondents. The sample is representative of the adult population (aged 18 years and over). The sample excludes territories that are temporarily beyond the control of Ukrainian authorities the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. A total of 1,500 interviews were conducted, while a sampling error with a probability of 0.95 does not exceed 3%. As UNIAN reported earlier, among the priority changes that Ukrainians expect from the president are cessation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine, strengthening of anti-graft measures, industrial revival, raising social standards, and improving the quality of health care. The title Women of the Fur Trade likely brings to mind some dusty old historical tome, documenting what life was like for faceless women during that massive commercial enterprise a period that spans two-and-a-half centuries, from the early 1600s to the mid-1800s. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The title Women of the Fur Trade likely brings to mind some dusty old historical tome, documenting what life was like for faceless women during that massive commercial enterprise a period that spans two-and-a-half centuries, from the early 1600s to the mid-1800s. THEATRE PREVIEW Click to Expand Women of the Fur Trade By Frances Koncan Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre To March 14 Tickets start at $22.25 at 204-942-6537 or royalmtc.ca But in the play at the Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre, expect nothing dry or boring or reverent. Since the satiric work freely references everyone from Walt Whitman to Keanu Reeves, you may rightly assume Anishinaabe-Slovenian playwright (and Free Press reporter) Frances Koncan has fashioned something more fanciful, iconoclastic and wilfully anachronistic. It focuses on three women living in the latter half of the 19th century. It was the era of Louis Riel, the rebel Metis leader who founded Manitoba and who died a martyrs death, executed on the orders of Canadas first prime minister, John A. Macdonald. And while Riel is a character in the play (played by John Cook), as is the doomed Protestant agitator Thomas Scott (Toby Hughes), the work puts the women front and centre as witnesses, players and commentators on the events. The three actors are Saskatoon-raised National Theatre School graduate Kathleen MacLean (last seen here in Ian Rosss Prairie Theatre Exchange premiere The Third Colour), Vancouver-based former Winnipegger and Studio 58 grad Kelsey Kanatan Wavey (who recently appeared in Theatre by the Rivers The Hours That Remain) and Winnipeg-born, University of Winnipeg theatre grad Liz Whitbread. From left: Eugenia (Kelsey Kanatan Wavey), Marie-Angelique (Kathleen MacLean) and Cecilia (Elizabeth Whitbread). (Dylan Hewlett photo) "Its based in historical events but it is its own universe entirely," Whitbread says. "It exists out of history and time in a really interesting way." Whitbread is a holdover from the 2018 Toronto fringe production, where the show won an award for best new play. "I play Cecilia, a white settler whose husband (Scott) is not a super-cool dude," she says. "She goes on a real journey in this." MacLean describes her character, Marie-Angelique, as "a Metis woman living in the fort and who is obsessed with Louis Riel and the fight for the Metis rights." The actor, who describes herself as Metis/settler, says "Its been an absolute pleasure, and so exciting for me to play a Metis woman onstage." Especially in Winnipeg. Winnipeg playwright Frances Koncan puts 21st-century slang in the mouths of 19th-century women as they navigate the rapidly changing world of the Canadian fur trade and talk about boys. (Dylan Hewlett photo) "I can trace my roots back here to Red River," she says. "I was born and raised in Saskatoon, but this is where my lineage comes from. After the resistance (the Metis uprising in the Red River Colony in 1869-70), we went up to Meadow Lake in Saskatchewan. "I think the place in which I intersect with Marie-Angelique is a deep sense of Metis pride," she says. "That was one of the things I didnt realize would be so challenging in this work, just how close everything feels. The subject matter feels so close and personal to me, in a way that other work doesnt." Wavey, who is a Swampy Cree and a member of Tataskweyak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, also experienced a feeling of closeness to her character, Eugenia. "Shes an Ojibway trapper-hunter," Wavey says. "Shes pretty dope. I feel like Frances would actually be totally cool with me using that phrase to describe her. "(Koncans) written about historical subject matter in a way makes it easier for everyone to connect with." Kelsey Kanatan Wavey "She is a self-sufficient woman who is now just dealing with the effects of colonialism in the fur trade with these other women," Wavey says, adding, "Arent we all?" "We are actually very different in a lot of ways, which is really fun to play," Wavey says. "But I guess the thing that I bring to Eugenia that is very true to me is having grown up in a super-colonized world. That is the thing that holds me to this character in a big way, just dealing with the effects of colonialism. "And I love her sass," Wavey says. "Shes really playful and I think her playfulness is something that I carry as well." Women of the Fur Trade manages to connect figures from 150 years ago to the present day, MacLean says. "(Koncans) written about historical subject matter in a way makes it easier for everyone to connect with," she says. From left: Eugenia (Wavey), Marie-Angelique (MacLean) and Cecilia (Whitbread) are witnesses to life in 19th-century Manitoba. (Dylan Hewlett photo) "Initially, I struggled when I was doing workshops on this in Toronto, because I am so well-versed in the history that I was having issues acknowledging the differences between Louis Riel, the character, and Louis Riel, the historical figure," MacLean says. "I had to release that and let that go, to understand that yes, its based on history, but its a show. She has created a character." For her part, Wavey embraced the disparity between Riels history and Koncans fiction. "I love that theres these amazing contemporary elements," she says. "It actually makes everybody who sees the show grapple with these events that have taken place. "We are still reckoning with Louis Riels death," Wavey says. "There are these movements that are happening, that are still going on today. This is so relevant. "Its grounded in history, but the playfulness and the modernness of it, it forces you to have to think about where you fit into all of this," she says. randall.king@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @FreepKing If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. The Norwegian Krone (NOK) exchange rates remained flat against the US Dollar (USD) while the currency edged higher against a weakened Pound Sterling (GBP). Coronavirus fears weighed on the Krone as Norway relies on trade with China which has seen its economy weakened by the outbreak. Added to this, with the number of Covid-19 infections rising faster outside of China compared to within the country, many fear the economic impact of any travel bans, supply chain disruptions and lower demand caused. Meanwhile, the Norwegian currency remained under pressure after oil prices fell by around 2% on Thursday. Oil prices suffered their fifth day of losses, falling to the lowest level since January 2019 as pandemic fears spooked markets. The spread of Covid-19 to South Korea, Japan and Italy has sparked concerns that global fuel demand would be limited. Consultants Facts Global Energy have suggested demand would only grow by 60,000 barrels per day this year, a level it has referred to as practically zero. Commenting on declining oil prices, PVM Oil Associates analyst Tamas Varga stated: The negative price impact would intensify if the coronavirus were declared pandemic by the World Health Organization, something that looks imminent. The mood is gloomy and the end of the tunnel is not in sight there is no light ahead just darkness. Not even a refreshingly positive weekly US oil report was able to lend price support. Meanwhile, the Krone was able to make gains against Sterling as the British currency remained under pressure over the prospect of a disappointing budget. UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak in unlikely to provide the fiscal stimulus that was expected. Reports stated he has been told by Treasury officials that there is no way to increase public spending as Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants, and simultaneously keep taxes down. Added to this, due to new Treasury fiscal rules, the Chancellor could postpone any policy loosening until later in the year. There is also the risk the countrys central bank could be forced to step in and boost the economy if the Chancellor is unable to stimulate growth. Markets currently have priced in a 25 basis point Bank of England (BoE) rate cut by August this year. The Pound to Norwegian Krone exchange rate also fell back in trading after the British Government threatened to walk away from UK-EU negotiations unless it was granted a Canadian-style trade deal. Downing Street said it would "need to decide whether the UKs attention should move away from negotiations and focus solely on continuing domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion." Norwegian Krone Outlook: Will Oil Prices Continue to Slide? Looking ahead, coronavirus fears could continue to weigh on oil demand and send the Norwegian Krone (NOK) lower. If oil prices fall for the sixth consecutive day, the Krone is likely to slump against a handful of currencies. Meanwhile, Covid-19 fears could send the Norwegian currency lower. If there are further cases of the virus throughout Europe, and Norway reports an increase in cases, NOK will slide. Friday could see a slight upswing in support for the Krone following Februarys unemployment data. If unemployment falls back after rising in both December and January, the Norwegian Krone could make slight gains. (Bloomberg Opinion) -- The prospect is tantalizing: the Boeing Co. versus Airbus SE battle, but for the 5G era. Nokia Oyj, the Finnish telecommunications equipment firm, is contemplating asset sales and merger options, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday. That raises the prospect of joining forces with Swedish rival Ericsson AB, thereby creating a European behemoth to compete more effectively with Chinas Huawei Technologies Co. A tie-up would echo Europes cobbling together of Airbus in the 1960s and 1970s as a rival to U.S. aircraft-making giants like Boeing, setting up a fiercely contested duopoly that has dominated global aviation ever since. Unfortunately, it would also be a strategic misstep. Asset sales are the far more sensible option. Merging the two Nordic companies would most likely create as many problems as it would solve. Nokia has endured a tumultuous 12 months the shares fell 25% in October after cutting its outlook in part because of the failure to effectively integrate its last major acquisition, the $18 billion takeover of Alcatel-Lucent SA. Combining with Ericsson would make it easier to compete on price with Huawei, which benefits from the economies of scale afforded by the massive Chinese market, but it could also require several years just to secure regulatory approval, let alone integrate the operations. That would be a boon to Huawei, which could capitalize on the period of uncertainty to secure new customers. Crucially, Finland, which is one of Nokias five-biggest shareholders through its Solidium Oy investment vehicle, would surely stand in the way of any merger that would eliminate a lot of jobs. An acquisition by Cisco Systems Inc. would satisfy President Donald Trumps exhortations for the U.S. to build a giant in fifth-generation wireless technology, pairing the San Jose, California-based companys core network savvy with Nokias expertise in wireless communications. But it would be foolish of Cisco to tap its sizable cash pile for a deal that would dilute its margins; it enjoyed net profit representing 24% of sales last year, compared with Nokias 2.1%. Story continues QuicktakeHow Huawei Landed at the Center of Global Tech Tussle Nokias substandard 5G offering means Chief Executive Officer Rajeev Suri has been unable to profit on the tribulations of Huawei, and its shares have lost a third of their value over the past year. That downturn in fortunes makes it vulnerable to an approach from an activist investor scrutinizing businesses that are undervalued as part of the whole. Nokia can get ahead of that threat by putting some assets on the chopping block. Its intellectual property arm would seem the prime candidate: the division still generates healthy profits it has a 98% gross profit margin on sales of 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) but the value of the portfolio is deteriorating steadily. Nokia could sell much of it for a lucrative sum those parts pertaining to its old handset business, for example while retaining the most recent patents developed for 5G. The fixed-access business, which has endured the steepest sales drop-off, might also be a candidate, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analyst John Butler. The review of options may yet come to nothing, as my Bloomberg News colleagues reported. But the last thing Suri needs is the unhelpful distraction of an activist calling for changes as he plays catch-up in 5G. It would be far better to be proactive himself. To contact the author of this story: Alex Webb at awebb25@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Daniel Niemi at dniemi1@bloomberg.net This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners. Alex Webb is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Europe's technology, media and communications industries. He previously covered Apple and other technology companies for Bloomberg News in San Francisco. 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. ZURICH (dpa-AFX) - ABB Ltd.'s (ANN.L, ABB) Robotics & Discrete Automation business reiterated its operational EBITA margin outlook of 13 percent to 17 percent in the mid-term, supported by measures including factory productivity improvements, a more balanced mix and better project execution. '.... we expect to deliver above-market growth. At the same time, our initiatives to improve profitability should enable us to operate within our target margin corridor over the medium term,' said Sami Atiya, President of ABB's Robotics & Discrete Automation Busines. ABB said in an investor event that it expects the global robotics market to grow to $110 billion by 2025 from $75 billion in 2019 due to shortage of skilled labours, digitalization, global uncertainty and the individualization of consumer needs. In the mid-term, ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation expects revenues to increase above an anticipated market growth of 6 percent per year. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. ITU, GeSI, GSMA SBTi Set Science-Based Pathway In Line With Paris Agreement The ICT industry is today taking an unprecedented step forward in tackling climate change with the release of the first-ever science-based pathway to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions across the telecoms sector. This supports the GSMA's commitment to helping the mobile industry achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. The new Science-Based Target (SBT) is the result of a collaboration between the ITU, GeSI, the GSMA, and SBTi to develop a sector-specific decarbonisation pathway that allows ICT companies to set targets in line with the latest climate science. It includes emissions reductions trajectories for mobile, fixed and data centre operators to meet the ambitious Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5c, designed to substantially reduce the risks and effects of climate change. Twenty nine operator groups representing 30 per cent of global mobile connections are already committed to SBTs. These include America Movil, AT&T, BT, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, Elisa, Far Eastone, KPN, Magyar Telekom, NTT DOCOMO, Orange, Proximus, Reliance Jio Infocomm, Safaricom, Singtel, SK Telecom, STC, Swisscom, T Mobile USA, Taiwan Mobile, TDC, Tele2, Telefonica, Telekom Austria, Telenor, Telia, Telstra, Verizon, and Vodafone. Many more will now be able to set targets by applying the trajectory recommendations released today. "Today's landmark agreement underlines how the ICT sector is taking urgent and unprecedented action in response to the climate emergency," said Mats Granryd, Director General, GSMA. "The mobile industry is one of the first major sectors in the world to voluntarily set an SBT for emissions reductions. Our sector will form the backbone to the future global economy and has a unique role to play in reaching a Net Zero economy. A decarbonised world will be a digital world, so we must show leadership and take responsibility for driving positive climate action." The GSMA is also launching a Climate Toolkit for operators today which includes company guidance for setting science-based targets. Further information is available at: https://www.gsma.com/betterfuture/climate-action-toolkit Renewable energy to drive emissions reductions The SBT sets emissions trajectory reductions over the decade (2020-2030) for each ICT sub- sector. For example, mobile network operators adopting the SBT are required to reduce emissions by at least 45 per cent over this period. Companies are required to set one target for their combined Scope 1 and 2 emissions, with additional guidance provided for managing Scope 3 emissions1 The switch to renewable and low-carbon electricity is expected to account for the bulk of reductions over this period, alongside efforts by operators to become more energy efficient. Access to renewable energy, which can vary widely depending on an operator's geographic location is, therefore, a key factor determining an operator's ability to meet the SBT. The ICT sector pathway SBT was approved by the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi) this month following a consultation period. Full details are provided in the official ITU standard: GHG emissions trajectories for the ICT sector compatible with the UNFCCC Paris Agreement (Ref: Recommendation ITU L.1470). Mobile industry demonstrating leadership on climate action Today's announcement forms part of the GSMA's climate action roadmap for the mobile industry, which has already seen operators disclose their climate impacts, energy, and emissions via the internationally recognised CDP global disclosure system.2 The GSMA is working with participating operators and partnering with the international community, climate experts and third-party organisations to advance industry progress, establish best practices, and support disclosure and target setting. The work forms part of the industry's journey to support the delivery of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG #13 on Climate Action. The industry is also committed to advancing mobile technology innovations in areas such as big data and IoT that can enable energy efficient and environmental solutions across multiple sectors, including transport, manufacturing, agriculture, building, and energy. A recent report produced by the GSMA and the Carbon Trust calculated that the use of mobile technology enabled a global reduction in emissions of around 2,135 million tonnes CO 2 e in 20183. These emissions savings were almost ten times greater than the global carbon footprint of the mobile industry itself. -ENDS- About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional conferences. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA 1 https://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/greenhouse-gases-epa 2 https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/worlds-leading-mobile-operators-to-disclose-climate-impacts-as-part-of-new-gsma-led-climate-action-roadmap/ 3 https://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/mobile-technologies-enabling-huge-carbon-reductions-in-response-to-climate-emergency/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005095/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: For the GSMA: GSMA Press Office Caitlin Gosai cgosai@webershandwick.com [February 27, 2020] Medidata Institute and Project ALS Launch Partnership to Accelerate New Treatment Strategies Medidata, a Dassault Systemes (News - Alert) company, and the global leader in creating end-to-end solutions supporting the entire clinical trial process, announced the launch of a research partnership between the Medidata Institute and Project ALS. The program is designed to gain a greater understanding of the ALS disease process and develop new therapeutic strategies. The Medidata Institute engages and partners with research organizations, life science companies, researchers, regulatory agencies, and patient advocates to deliver insights that redefine how data, technology, and expertise improve lives and inspire the next generation of treatments, with a special emphasis on rare (orphan) diseases. "We are proud to partner with Project ALS on such an important quest. The patients and the researchers inspire us - they are the basis of our mission to use technology to change lives," said Glen de Vries, co-founder and co-CEO, Medidata. "We look forward to applying Medidata's next-generation tools to deepen our understanding of this devastating disease, and accelerate the pace of new discoveries." [Video of Glen de Vries and Sheila Diamond of the Medidata Institute discuss the partnership.] The research efforts will use Medidata Rave Omics, a biomarker discovery solution which streamlines omic (including genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic) data capture within the clinical study process. Rave Omics, part of the Medidata's Acorn AI portfolio, uses machine-learning methodologies to identify subsets of patients based on omic biomarkers. For rare diseases, like ALS, identifying biomarkers that differentiate patients and determine treatment response can significantly improve health outcomes.Acorn AI, by Medidata, was created to focus on accelerating the development of analytics and AI solutions in clinical development. "ALS is a complex, heterogeneous disease, and treatment of its various forms may require specific therapies targeting distinct ALS subtypes," said Neil Shneider, MD, PhD, Project ALS Research Advisory Board member, the Claire Tow Associate Professor of Neurology, Columbia University, and director, Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center. "I'm eager to begin working with Medidata's Acorn AI team to define these subtypes, and to develop a precision medicine approach to our treatment of ALS." ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease closely related to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. There is no cure for this disease that robs one's ability to move, speak, eat, and breathe. By 2025, it is estimated that 1 in 25 Americans will be diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease and that the financial toll of this crisis-in healthcare costs alone-will be more than $120 billion annually. "The partnership with Medidata will bring both talent and technology resources crucial to our efforts," said Meredith Estess, president, Project ALS. "We're pleased and proud to be working with such a dedicated, innovative team." The collaborative agreement with Project ALS expands on the Medidata Institute's programs to advance precision medicine and is part of Medidata's ongoing commitment to rare diseases. To date, Medidata has helped biopharma companies conduct more than 1,200 rare disease studies involving more than 190,000 patients. Medidata's cloud-based platform enables clinical trials to run smoother, faster, and safer for patients. Medidata is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Systemes, which with its 3DEXPERIENCE platform is positioned to lead the digital transformation of life sciences in the age of personalized medicine with the first end-to-end scientific and business platform, from research to commercialization. About Medidata Medidata is leading the digital transformation of life sciences, creating hope for millions of patients. Medidata helps generate the evidence and insights to help pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device and diagnostic companies, and academic researchers accelerate value, minimize risk, and optimize outcomes. More than one million registered users across 1,400 customers and partners access the world's most-used platform for clinical development, commercial, and real-world data. Medidata, a Dassault Systemes company (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), is headquartered in New York City and has offices around the world to meet the needs of its customers. Discover more at www.medidata.com and follow us @Medidata, The Operating System for Life Sciences. Medidata, Medidata Rave, and Acorn AI are registered trademarks of Medidata Solutions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Systemes. About Medidata Institute and Acorn AI The Medidata Institute works in partnership with life science companies, researchers, regulatory agencies, patient advocates, and international organizations to solve challenges in treatment research, development, and delivery. The Institute, part of Acorn AI, by Medidata, a Dassault Systemes company, combines data, technology, and deep expertise to help life sciences companies deliver actionable insights across the entire continuum of clinical development. Built upon the Medidata platform comprising nearly 20,000 trials and more than 5.8 million patients, Acorn AI products feature the industry's largest structured, standardized clinical trial data repository connected with real world, translational, and other datasets. For more information, please visit www.medidata.com/acornai. About Project ALS Project ALS identifies and funds the most promising scientific and medical research that will lead to the first effective treatments and a cure for ALS. We recruit the world's best scientists and doctors to work together--rationally and aggressively--to develop a better understanding of the ALS disease process and, in parallel, better therapeutic strategies. For more information, visit projectals.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005929/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:58:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The wide-spreading coronavirus epidemic has hindered the flow of the workforce, disrupted the operations of industries and postponed anti-poverty projects, posing new challenges to China's campaign to eradicate absolute poverty in 2020. In response, Chinese authorities have rolled out measures to secure employment of the poor population. CHONGQING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Amid the coronavirus outbreak that has spread throughout China, the scene of over 200 mask-wearing farmers working on the tea plantation offers reassurance for villager Liao Boxuan. "I didn't expect that work on the tea plantation would resume so soon," said the 42-year-old tea farmer in a mountainous village in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, not far from Hubei Province that is hit hard by the virus. With a handicapped husband to care for and most of her family's income coming from tea growing, Liao had been worried that the outbreak would affect the livelihood of her family, causing it to slide back into poverty. "Villagers are working on the tree plantation separately to avoid the risk of infection," said Wang Dong, a Party official of the village. "Before the epidemic is over, all the work will be done in this manner." Farmers work at a mushroom greenhouse in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 22, 2020. (Photo by Huang Wei/Xinhua) In many parts of China, the wide-spreading epidemic has hindered the flow of the workforce, disrupted the operations of industries and postponed anti-poverty projects, posing new challenges to China's campaign to eradicate absolute poverty in 2020. By the end of last year, there were still nine provincial regions that each had over 100,000 people living under the poverty line. In response to the challenges in poverty alleviation, Chinese authorities have rolled out measures to secure employment of the poor population amid the outbreak. Local authorities should provide targeted employment assistance to stop people from returning to poverty due to the epidemic, said a circular issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development. Migrant workers will be organized to return to work in a safe and orderly manner, while companies, poverty alleviation workshops and farmland irrigation projects should resume operation at the earliest possible date in regions less affected by the epidemic, according to the circular. Allowances will be granted to key enterprises giving preference to qualified poor workers in recruitment and subsidies will be offered to poor laborers taking temporary posts related to epidemic control. Workers returning to their jobs board the special train G9383 from Fuyang to Ningbo, Zhejiang, with their families at Fuyang West Railway Station in Fuyang, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 18, 2020. (Photo by Zhou Wei/Xinhua) In the city of Fuyang in east China's Anhui Province, local authorities have provided exclusive high-speed railway service to guarantee the safe return of migrant workers after the extended Spring Festival holiday. As a major labor exporter, Fuyang, with a total population of over 10 million, exports over 2 million migrant workers to the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta and other relatively developed regions in China. "I thought I had to stay at home for another two months before returning to work. No work means no money. I was very worried," said 50-year-old migrant worker Li Xuechen on a train bound for the coastal city of Ningbo. "The government is very considerate in transporting us back to workplaces free of charge." "I can make 4,000 yuan (about 571 U.S. dollars) a month in Ningbo. The earlier I start working, the earlier I get paid," said Li, a resident in Fuyang who has to provide for his ailing wife and two children in college. Farmers pack newly-picked strawberries in Yandian Township of Feixi County, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Junxi) Hengyi, a manufacturer of resin-based handicrafts in Anhui, is an enterprise that offers preferential employment policies for the poor population. About 80 percent of its products were exported to the United States, Turkey, Russia and other countries. To provide jobs for the poor as early as possible, the company resumed operation a week ago. Twelve workers, including three poverty-stricken ones, resumed work. "I was idling at home and worried about my income when the good news came that the factory had resumed operation," said 48-year-old worker Lyu Gang, who was busy making handicrafts with a mask on. Four years ago, Lyu came to work in the factory. With his hard work and the policy support of the government, the family gradually escaped poverty. "I make an average monthly salary of over 3,000 yuan. My wife also works here and can make over 2,000 yuan," Lyu said. Farmers pull out the weeds in a tea-oil tree plantation in Youyang County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Chan) At a tea-oil tree plantation in Youyang County in Chongqing, villager Chen Changhui has found a temporary weeding job that can make her 70 yuan a day. Before the outbreak, Chen and her husband worked in an auto parts company in the coastal city of Xiamen. With two elderly people and four children to support, life was particularly hard for the family. Due to the delayed opening of schools, Chen had to stay at home to take care of the children and could not go to Xiamen for the time being. "Staying at home without income, I had been very worried about the livelihood of the family," said Chen. "Now, with the temporary job offered by the local government, I can take care of my family while working. I am relieved." (Reporting by Zhou Erjie, Li Yong, Wang Jintao, Zhao Yufei, Zhou Kai, Wu Kunpeng, Chen Xianfa, Chen Shangying; Video reporters: Zhao Xiaoshuai, Li Hualing, Tan Yanbo, Jiang Liang, Ma Jin, Qi Caihong; Video editor: Zheng Xin) The peers in the Upper House of the UK Parliament held a debate over the impact of India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and sought representations by the UK government to counterparts in India over arising concerns around minority rights. The House of Lords debate in London on Tuesday evening, tabled by crossbench peer John Montagu, the Earl of Sandwich, called on the UK government to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct a review of the CAA and its effects on Indian society amid the deaths associated with mass protests against the act in the country. The UK government, in response, said it has been closely monitoring the situation as the act has "clearly been divisive in India" and there are some concerns over its full impact. "Ongoing protests against the act across India leave no doubt that this legislation is divisive. I know that people in this country including in this House as has been made clear today feel strongly about it. For our part, the UK government has concerns about the impact of the legislation," said Baroness Liz Sugg, the parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). "Its full impact remains unclear. We hope and trust that the government of India will address the concerns and protect the rights of people of all religions, in keeping with India's Constitution, its democratic values and its inclusive traditions," she said, adding that the government would continue to "follow and monitor events closely" and raise any concerns with "close friend and partner" India. The debate was opened by the Earl of Sandwich with references to his own time spent in India, as he also called for an assessment of the CAA's impact on UK citizens given the strong India-UK relationship. "The Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, which passed through the Lok Sabha in December, granted an amnesty to illegal immigrants from three neighbouring countries Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh but not to Muslims from those countries. Unsurprisingly, there have been riots and protests in New Delhi, Aligarh and all over the country, and not only from the Muslim community," Montagu said. "The regular migration of families between our two countries suggests that there is more sensitivity to discrimination than ever within our Asian minorities. This hits the Muslim community hardest," he said. Indian-origin peer Lord Meghnad Desai sought to highlight that the reactions to the act reflect a "conjectural fear" because neither the act nor the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) have been implemented. "It is said that the act is unconstitutional, but we do not know that yet because the Supreme Court of India has not yet heard on that issue People are saying that the CAA has been passed for no other reason than to let the Hindus with dubious papers to go through but not anyone else. This has not yet happened it is a conjectural fear," said Lord Desai, who also informed the House of his regular newspaper columns in India on the subject. Fellow Indian-origin peer Lord Raj Loomba stressed that the CAA was passed through an "open, transparent and fully democratic process". "The government of India has repeatedly clarified that the CAA is to grant citizenship on a one-time basis to a group of persons with no alternative options and not to take away the citizenship of anyone, much less an Indian Muslim," he said. However, another Indian-origin peer Lord Indarjit Singh warned that the new act could offer a legal route to discrimination against Muslims and, ultimately, against all non-Hindus. "I appeal to our own government to work directly, and through the Commonwealth, to add to this positive momentum for tolerance and respect for all people, in a wonderful country," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Queen shone the spotlight on Sophie Wessex in the Royal Family's Instagram stories today, with a string of posts showing her busy day of engagements in London. The clips followed Prince Edward's wife, 55, throughout her day, and shared snaps of her various meetings with its 7.5million followers. The story started with a brief introduction to Sophie, sharing a picture of her wedding to Prince Edward, also 55, in 1999, and explaining that she is married to the Queen's youngest son. It then revealed her her links to 85 charities and overseas work, before moving on to her engagements of the day at St James's Palace. This follows reports that Sophie Wessex was singled out as the Queen's saving grace following turmoil in the royal family, with the announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would renounce their royal duties, and the divorce of Princess Anne's eldest son Peter Phillips from wife Autumn. The Queen put Sophie Wessex, 55, in the spotlight with an Instagram story dedicated to her beloved daughter-in-law's busy day (pictured) The story followed Sophie through her numerous engagements, giving context on her day, the locations she travelled to and her charity work (pictured at St James's Palace) On Instagram, the Royal Family account put the emphasis on Sophie's charity work (pictured), adding it often took her overseas This morning, fresh from a family holiday in St Moritz, Sophie, donned a dusky pink coat as she arrived at the Central School of Ballet to meet with its dancers and staff.' The Instagram story showed a smiling and relaxed Sophie walking up to the dance institution, of which she has been the patron since 2003. In another clip shared in the Instagram story, the royal had taken off her coat and could be seen chatting to dancers in costumes as part of her visit. Sophie also took the time to speak to a duo of dancing partners, who studied at the institution, which was established in 1982 and has now flourished into Europe's leading dance centres. A picture of Sophie's wedding to Prince Edward was also shared. The couple celebrated their 20 years anniversary on 19 June 2019 This morning, Sophie met with dancers and staff at the Central School of Ballet, in London (pictured) The story explained the school had named their new dance studios The Countess of Wessex studios after Sophie The central school of Dance was established in 1982 and has now become a leading centre for dance training in Europe (pictured: Sophie with dancers) During her visit, Sophie was asked to name the facilities' new studio, which were named The Countess of Wessex Studios after her in her honour on the South Bank in Southwark. The moment was captured and shared on the Instagram story as well, before Sophie headed to St James's Palace for the rest of the afternoon, as the story explained it was used as a working space by several royals. The royal performed a swift outfit change and donned a sleek black dress for the second part of her busy day. During her engagement in South Bank, Sophie unveiled a sign, thus officially opening the school's new studios The Royal Family account shared a throwback picture of Sophie in 2003, four years after her 1999 wedding to Prince Edward There, Sophie had her picture taken for St John Ambulance, a first aid and emergency medical service charity operating in England, of which she has been the president since 2004. The royal could be seen sporting a beautiful black cape for the occasion. The afternoon brought meetings at St James Palace, two of which were included in the Instagram story. Sophie headed to St James's Palace for the rest of the afternoon, as the story explained it was used as a working space by several royals There, Sophie had her picture taken for St John Ambulance, a first aid and emergency medical service charity operating in England Sophie wore a beautiful black cape for her portrait. She has been the charity's president since 2004 Sophie received two women from the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps, as well as a commodore from the Royal Air Force. It was explained in the story that Sophie, who is an honourary air commodore met with her commandants regularly to keep updated on their work. The story also shared a picture of Sophie with her husband Prince Edward and their two children, Lady Louise, 16, and James, Viscount Severn, 12. The royal performed a swift outfit change and donned a sleek black dress for the second part of her busy day The Instagram story shared lovely pictures of Sophie during on of her numerous charity trips around the world The story also praised her close relationship with the military, explaining how Sophie regularly kept in touch with her military commands Several royal experts and insiders suggested that Sophie was set to take on more royal responsibility and represent the Queen, 93, at more engagements after Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle's, 38, decision to step down as senior royals. A royal source has revealed how the Countess has been chosen by Buckingham Palace to step into the spotlight in the coming months. The source told The Sun: 'Sophies a long-term favourite of the Queen and has been singled out as a person the Palace would like to help ease the burden.' A recent job advert showed the Wessexes are hiring an Assistant Private Secretary, suggesting an increase in duties. Sophie's motherly side was also represented, with a lovely picture of her, Prince Edward and their two children Lady Louise, 16 and James, Viscount Severn, 12 At least 321 Vietnamese returning from South Korea have been quarantined in multiple localities with the country becoming a Covid-19 hub. Hanoi received 102 of the returnees from Daegu Tuesday night and 72 on Wednesday, the municipal Military High Command said. They have been quarantined in a military school in Son Tay Town on the city outskirts, it added. Despite Hanoi having not recorded any Covid-19 infection case to date, the capital had made plans to create new field hospitals in the city should the epidemic continue to spread. The Hanoi Military High Command had named Son Tay and Xuan Mai towns as two possible locations for building two field hospitals, each with 150 beds and 120 staff members. The Hanoi Department of Health also plans to request the municipal administration to make use of Thanh Do University in Hoai Duc District to place 500-700 beds in support of the field hospitals. An additional hospital with 1,000 beds in Me Linh District could be built next, should the outbreak continue to spread further. In the northern port city of Hai Phong, 82 people returning from Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province Wednesday have also been quarantined for 14 days at the Viet Tiep Hospital. 37 are Hai Phong residents and the rest are South Koreans, said Pham Thu Xanh, director of the Hai Phong Department of Health. In central Vietnam, two women who landed at the Da Nang International Airport on February 21 and took a bus back home to Quang Tri Province the same day are also undergoing procedures to be quarantined in the provinces Tuberculosis and Lung Hospital, said Tran Dinh Cam, chairman of the Cua Viet Town Peoples Committee. Nine relatives of the two workers will also be quarantined by the Quang Tri Military Command in Dong Ha City, he added. Da Nang has already quarantined 58 people coming from Daegu on Monday and Khanh Hoa Province, home to popular resort town Nha Trang, put five Vietnamese students from Daegu in quarantine on Tuesday. South Korea has made international headlines as the worst-hit country after China, with 1,261 Covid-19 infections in total, many in the southeastern city of Daegu and the nearby North Gyeongsang Province. Vietnam has suspended entry from all areas that have experienced a Covid-19 outbreak under a prime ministerial directive issued Tuesday. The new policy would apply to outbreak areas in South Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran and all other countries and territories that have reported Covid-19 cases, it was announced. Those coming from infected countries who have to enter Vietnam for state affairs or exclusive matters must follow the nations health declaration procedure and stay in quarantine for 14 days, the directive said. On Wednesday, the last of 16 Covid-19 patients recorded in Vietnam so far was discharged. The country has recorded no new infections over the past two weeks. The global death toll of the disease has reached 2,773, mostly in China, followed by Iran at 19 and South Korea and Italy both at 12. Vietnamese bank Techcombank is looking for a new CEO after incumbent Nguyen Le Quoc Anh ends his five-year tenure this September. Anh has put in his papers expressing a desire to be with his family overseas, the bank said Friday . The private bank also announced that it has embarked on the search for a new CEO, Vietnamese or foreigner. The new recruitment is part of thebanks reformation plan, including ensuring smooth succession in the managerial cadre, it said. Over the next six months, Anh will delegate all day-to-day management decisions to respective business leaders within the bank, as well as assist the board of directors in selecting, interviewing and appointing a new CEO. His contract with Techcombank will end on September 1. Techcombank's CEO, Nguyen Le Quoc Anh. Photo by VnExpress/Anh Tu. Anh has Doctorate degree in nuclear technology from Purdue University in Indiana, U.S., and a master's degree from California State University. Before joining Techcombank, he held senior positions at T-Mobile U.S., Wells Fargo Bank, Fortress Investment Group and McKinsey & Company. He was appointed head of Techcombank's strategy and corporate development division in May 2015 before being promoted to CEO in September 2016. In Q4 2019,Techcombanks board of directors approved Anhs proposal to implement a banking management model as well as the principles and roadmap to implement it. Under this model, the CEO would delegate business decisions and internal operations to divisional directors to make the decision-making process quicker and more effective. Most recently, Phung Quang Hung, head of the banks customer service and advisory division was appointed managing director and director of financial advisory and customer services, responsible for day-to-day internal activities of the bank, starting January 13. By the end of Q3 2019, Techcombank had created the corporate affairs division led by vice chairman cum deputy CEO Do Tuan Anh to lead all internal and external stakeholder management. At the same time, the bank established a global transaction services (GTS) division, led by Deputy CEO Phan Thanh Son. GTS combined the transaction banking and markets divisions. Techcombank recorded the second highest profit in Vietnam's banking system last year with a profit before tax of over VND12.8 trillion ($553 million), a 20 percent plus increase over the previous year. Its profit structure, however, had significant changes compared to the earlier period. In previous years, the bank was prone to using the seemingly contradictory phrase low risk-high returns in describing its business model, which stemmed from its special operating structure being associated with an ecosystem of large-scale customers such as Vingroup, Masan and Vietnam Airlines. By exploiting the customer bases of its large partners, Techcombank could control the risks while still achieving significantly higher profit margins than its competitors. During this period, the bank's credit growth also heavily depended on its holding of economic organizations' bonds. In 2019, Techcombank initiated significant changes, promoting its lending channels, especially to retailers, in a move to get out of the shadows of its big partners. The number of bonds held by the bank also sharply decreased towards the end of the year. Additional reporting from Press Association. Matthew O'Toole, MLA and SDLP Brexit spokesperson, said the British government's negotiating mandate has "opted to put Northern Ireland's economy at risk" in order to indulge "the fixations of English nationalists and libertarian fantasists." Mr O'Toole made his comments after the British government published their negotiation guidelines and threatened to walk away from EU trade talks if progress not made by June. Boris Johnson has yet again opted to put Northern Ireland's economy at risk for the sake of indulging the fixations of English nationalists and libertarian fantasists. Read more from our Brexit spokesperson @MatthewOToole2 https://t.co/rf0faPHEtT pic.twitter.com/G5fSnnPk3M Social Democratic and Labour Party (@SDLPlive) February 27, 2020 In a statement the SDLP Brexit spokesman said: "The British Governments negotiating mandate again underlines Boris Johnsons dangerous indifference to Northern Irelands interests." If any more evidence were needed of Boris Johnson's contempt for Northern Ireland, this document provides it. The statement continues that by attempting to abandon the commitments made in the political declaration attached to the Brexit withdrawal agreement, the British government are "damaging the UK's already weakened global reputation," and have increased the risk of disruption to trade between Northern Ireland and Britain. It's hard to draw any conclusion from today's negotiating document other than what a certain advisor was reported as saying: thiey simply don't care about Northern Ireland or its economy. Statement below. https://t.co/cmJPvdQQdR Matthew O'Toole (@MatthewOToole2) February 27, 2020 The British government has revealed its plans for the trade talks ahead of the first round of negotiations on Monday, saying it will not negotiate any arrangements in which the UK does not have control of its own laws and political life. It states the UKs intention to rely on World Trade Organisation terms under an arrangement with the EU similar to Australias if progress on a comprehensive deal cannot be made. MOGADISHU His Excellency the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira has handed over recovered weapons to the Somali National Security Advisor Abdisaid Muse Ali in a function at the sector one headquarters in Mogadishu, Somalia. The weapons were recovered from Alshabab terrorists over time by the Ugandan troops serving under AMISOM. The weapons have since been under sector one custody manned by the UPDF. In his remarks, H.E Ambassador Francisco Madeira commended AMISOM and particularly sector one for the many achievements which include liberation of some areas and recovery of weapons used by Alshabaab. The National Security Advisor Mr Abdisaid Muse Ali on behalf of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) thanked AMISOM for their contribution towards bringing peace in Somalia as well as mentoring the Somalia National Army (SNA) towards becoming a capable and dependable force. The Sector One Commander Brig Gen Richard Otto said the logical support by United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) has greatly enabled AMISOM to work jointly with Somali National Army (SNA) against the Alshabaab. He said that Alshabaab extremists remain a threat especially in areas not controlled by AMISOM while adding that they continuously use Improved Explosive Devices (IEDs) aimed at killing Somali civilians. Alshabaab uses IEDs in so many forms. Their main activities are killing innocents and also targeting AMISOM and some partners, the General noted. Present at the function were: AMISOM Force Commander Lt Gen Tigabu Yilma, Deputy Force Commander Lt Gen James Nakibus Lakara, SNA Chief of Defence Forces Brig Gen Odaawa Yusuf Rague, Members from the Federal Government of Somalia and Office of Somali National Security, Officers at the AMSIOM Force and Contingent headquarters among others. Related One year into Philadelphia's 1.5-cents-per-ounce "soda tax," new findings show that the law had minimal to no influence on what Philadelphians are drinking. The results were published this month in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health from researchers at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health. The team conducted a random phone survey of 515 adult residents of Philadelphia and neighboring cities of Camden and Trenton, New Jersey, and Wilmington, Delaware. Respondents shared how much and how frequently they drink soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks and bottled water during a 30-day period when the tax was first implemented, in Dec. 2016 - Jan. 2017, and again reported their consumption over a 30-day period during a follow-up survey a year later in Dec. 2017-Feb. 2018. Taking into account other health behaviors and socio-demographics, at the one-year mark, 39% of Philadelphians, and 34% of those in surrounding cities, reported drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages. This amounts to only three fewer sugary beverages for Philadelphians each month -- not a statistically significant difference. Previous studies have looked at sales of sugary drinks after the tax was implemented, but did not evaluate consumption of the taxed drinks. A previous study looked at similar changes in consumption after the tax -- finding that one year after the tax, adults consumed fewer sugary beverages in Philadelphia relative to outside Philadelphia (about 10 fewer occasions per month) -- that study focused on lower-income Philadelphians who lived with children and, on average, consumed a sugary beverage every day. The current study differs from that one as it was population-based and thus reflects the response of a typical adult. In this sample, only 25% consumed sugary beverages every day. "We have ample evidence that sugary beverages are connected to type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues, but we're seeing that raising the price of sugary-beverages may not impact consumers who don't drink a lot of soda," said study co-author Amy Auchincloss, PhD, an associate professor in the Dornsife School of Public Health. "The availability of untaxed sugary beverages outside of Philadelphia, the still relatively lower price of these drinks compared to healthier ones and marketing and advertising may explain the low effect of the tax," said lead author Yichen Zhong, a doctoral student at the Dornsife School of Public Health. Unlike other cities that enacted a similar beverage tax to increase general revenue, Philadelphia's tax, was enacted with the goal of financing universal pre-kindergarten and parks and recreation programs in the City. Although this law was not passed for health reasons, the tax has the potential to generate long- term health benefits for many Philadelphians because revenue from the tax is being directed toward expanding access to quality early childhood education for children in lower-income families -- and education has a positive effect on many health outcomes." Brent Langellier, PhD, senior author, assistant professor in the Dornsife School of Public Health A Soledad police officer died in a crash on a San Jose highway early Sunday morning and has been identified by the Santa Clara County medical examiner's office as 33-year-old Kevin McArthur. McArthur, a Salinas resident, was pronounced dead at the scene just after 3 a.m. Sunday. According to the California Highway Patrol, McArthur was riding his Yamaha motorcycle on the connecting ramp from southbound state Highway 87 to southbound state Highway 85 when the vehicle veered to the right and he struck a concrete wall. The collision caused McArthur to be flung over the wall and fall about 100 feet onto a field next to Santa Teresa Boulevard, CHP officials said. McArthur had been an officer with the Soledad Police Department since 2014 and a member of the California Army National Guard Reserve, according to interim Soledad police Chief Damon Wasson. He was also named the department's Officer of the Year for two consecutive years. Officials with the San Francisco Public Defender's Office proudly unveiled Jeff Adachi Way on Wednesday, just over a year after the late public defender's death. Formerly called Gilbert Street, the street was used daily by Adachi himself since it's located just behind the Public Defender's Office. The renaming of the street marks the first street in the city to be named after a Japanese American person, and aims to commemorate Adachi's legacy and motivate all public defenders who use the alley on their way to court at the nearby Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant St. Jeff Adachi, 59, passed away on Feb. 22 due to what the city's medical examiner's office ruled as a drug overdose, although an independent review disputed that finding and said his death was caused by heart disease. Adachi, the city's first Asian American Public Defender, led the Public Defender's Office from 2002 to 2019. He was credited with, among many other things, advocating for the reform of the state's cash bail system and with calling out alleged injustices happening within the city's police and sheriff's departments, including claims of abuse at the city's jails and racist text messages sent between police officers. As Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese steps down from the District 3 seat he has held for 10 years to run for the state Senate, four others are vying in a close race for his position in next week's primary election. San Jose City Councilwoman and former Vice Mayor Magdalena Carrasco, state Assemblyman Kansen Chu, former Sunnyvale Mayor Otto Lee, and former San Jose Planning Commissioner John Leyba are on Tuesday's ballot for the District 3 seat, which covers parts of East and North San Jose, Milpitas, Alviso and the northern half of Sunnyvale. The candidates have all singled out the regional housing crisis and homelessness as priorities in their campaigns, along with mental health advocacy, drug rehabilitation, and municipal transit improvements. The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office has confirmed the identity of a woman who died Saturday after being struck by a car roughly a mile from downtown San Jose. San Jose resident Maria de Jesus Lopez Curiel, 55, was struck at about 7 p.m. Saturday while walking through a crosswalk at the intersection of San Carlos Street and Brooklyn Avenue. A man walking with her was also struck and critically injured in the crash. Both were taken to a hospital, where doctors pronounced Lopez Curiel dead. The woman driving the vehicle, a 2018 Ford Focus, remained at the scene of the collision and cooperated with investigators, according to the San Jose Police Department. Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol played a factor in the crash. A Napa man was sentenced Monday in Sonoma County Superior Court to two years in jail for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in connection with a collision that killed a married Petaluma couple in 2015, the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office said. A jury convicted Christopher Shuman, 32, of the vehicular manslaughter charges on Jan. 30. In 2018, Shuman pleaded no contest to driving with a license that had been suspended at the time of the collision because of two prior DUI offenses, according to court records. On May 6, 2015, Shuman was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado work truck south on state Highway 121 west of Napa Road near Schellville in unincorporated Sonoma County south of Sonoma, according to the California Highway Patrol. The truck crossed into the northbound lane and struck a 2010 Ford Fusion. The Ford driver, Richard Steinhart, 78, died at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa and his wife Faye Steinhart, 72, died at the scene. A man has been arrested for the beating death of another man at a homeless camp in Oakland shortly after noon Tuesday, police said. Patrol officers were flagged down in the 2000 block of Embarcadero at 12:11 p.m. Tuesday about a person needing medical attention, according to police. The officers found an Oakland resident suffering from blunt force trauma injuries and he was transported to a hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries, police said. A suspect was arrested a short time later, but their name has not yet been released. A Singapore-based shipping company pleaded guilty in federal court in Oakland Wednesday to a criminal charge of concealing a cargo ship's discharge of oily bilge water into the ocean as it prepared to moor in Richmond last year. Unix Line PTE Ltd. pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar to one count of violating the federal Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships on Feb. 11, 2019, when the crew of the Zao Galaxy failed to record that oily bilge water was discharged without the use of required pollution-prevention equipment. U.S. Coast Guard inspectors became aware of the violation when a whistleblower crew member approached them during an inspection after the ship had moored, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case in October. That crew member and a second crew member showed the inspectors cellphone videos of four illegal discharges of bilge water between the ship's departure from the Philippines on Jan. 21 and Feb. 11, 2019, according to the complaint. The Feb. 11 incident occurred 3 nautical miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge, the document said. The shipping company will be sentenced by Tigar on March 20. The federal law allows for a fine of up to twice the amount of financial gain derived from a violation. Federal prosecutors alleged in a filing that the company's gain was at least $825,000. The Zao Galaxy was carrying a load of palm oil. The San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control reminded residents Wednesday that dumping domesticated animals is illegal after more than two dozen domesticated birds were dumped in city parks recently. According to the department, 27 domesticated pigeons, king pigeons and quail were turned in at the city's open admission animal shelter last weekend after being dumped in local parks. Abandoning domesticated animals in nature is a crime subject to fines of up to $1,000 and potentially jail time. Dumping of domesticated animals is a common problem, according to the department. Last year, the department accepted 183 domesticated birds dumped around the city, 54 of which were dead, sick or badly wounded. People will also often buy birds, reptiles and fish from food markets to release them into the wild. However, domesticated animals generally have no experience living and surviving in the wild and can become a danger to local ecosystems and native wildlife, particularly if they are a non-native species. Residents can bring unwanted domesticated animals to the Department of Animal Care and Control's open admission shelter, which accepts all species of animals and does not turn relinquished animals away. Asserting a property owner's general right to build on his or her land, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors this week denied appeals by two homeowners in the unincorporated community of Saranap of tree removal permits earlier granted to owners of a neighboring parcel. Twenty-two trees, most notably two large oaks neighbors wanted preserved for stabilizing a hillside and for their beauty, can come down, with the supervisors' unanimous rejection on Tuesday of the appeal of the county Planning Commission's recent approval of the tree removal permits. The residents and their arborists and attorneys had argued that removal of the two largest trees, in particular, would damage the sloped property they're on, cause drainage problems, hamper neighborhood views and lower property values. The Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the purchase of Bucks Landing, a 33-acre addition to the protected public land along San Pablo Bay. The $1.59 million purchase price will have no impact on the county's General Fund budget as the board's approval allows Marin County Parks to accept a $500,000 grant from the State Coastal Conservancy's Climate Ready Program. The grant brings the acquisition price down to $1.09 million, and the balance of the purchase will be funded by Measure A, a 2012 voter-approved quarter-cent countywide sales tax for parks, open space and agriculture in the county. 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. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. CPM 2020 Collection Premiere International Fashion Trade Show has kicked off in Moscow, Russia, on February 24. The Fashion Trade Show is also attended by 15 Armenian textile companies, the ministry of economy told Armenpress. The CPM 2020 Collection Premiere is one of the most significant events organized in Russia and East Europe within a year during which various companies of 30 participating countries are exhibiting more than 1700 collections and establish partnership with the partners of consumption markets. The Fashion Trade Show is expected to host more than 22.000 specialized visitors. We are very happy to see the representatives of the Armenian delegation at this very important event, who have a unique place in this key market of the region with their exclusive products. We expect that the participating companies will expand cooperation with the traditional partners, as well as will create new ties with the partners of targeted markets, Aram Navasardyan, chairman of the Armenian Marketing Association NGO, who is also coordinating the Armenian delegations participation to the event, said in his remarks. Armenian Ambassador to Russia Vardan Toghanyan toured the Armenian pavilion at the Fair. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan The Department of Justice Creates Section Dedicated to Denaturalization Cases FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, February 26, 2020 The Civil Division's Denaturalization Section Will Investigate and Litigate the Denaturalization of Terrorists, War Criminals, Sex Offenders, and Other Fraudsters The Department of Justice today announced the creation of a section dedicated to investigating and litigating revocation of naturalization. The Denaturalization Section will join the existing sections within the Civil Division's Office of Immigration Litigationthe District Court Section and the Appellate Section. This move underscores the Department's commitment to bring justice to terrorists, war criminals, sex offenders, and other fraudsters who illegally obtained naturalization. While the Office of Immigration Litigation already has achieved great success in the denaturalization cases it has brought, winning 95 percent of the time, the growing number of referrals anticipated from law enforcement agencies motivated the creation of a standalone section dedicated to this important work. "When a terrorist or sex offender becomes a U.S. citizen under false pretenses, it is an affront to our systemand it is especially offensive to those who fall victim to these criminals," said Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt. "The Denaturalization Section will further the Department's efforts to pursue those who unlawfully obtained citizenship status and ensure that they are held accountable for their fraudulent conduct." Denaturalization cases require the government to show that a defendant's naturalization was "illegally procured" or "procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation . . . ." 8 U.S.C. 1451. Civil denaturalization cases have no statute of limitations, and the Department has successfully denaturalized numerous categories of individuals who have illegally obtained citizenship, including terrorists and other national security threats, war criminals, human rights violators, sex offenders, and other fraudsters. National Security/Terrorism U.S. v. al Dahab, No. 15-cv-5414 (D.D.C.). Successful civil denaturalization of individual convicted of terrorism offenses in Egypt who admitted recruiting for al Qaeda within the United States and running a communications hub in California for the Egyptian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. The defendant was denaturalized while in Egypt, stripped of his passport, and prevented from returning to the United States. No. 15-cv-5414 (D.D.C.). Successful civil denaturalization of individual convicted of terrorism offenses in Egypt who admitted recruiting for al Qaeda within the United States and running a communications hub in California for the Egyptian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. The defendant was denaturalized while in Egypt, stripped of his passport, and prevented from returning to the United States. U.S. v. Kariye , No. 15-cv-1343 (D. Or.). Successful civil denaturalization of individual who received military training in a jihadist training camp in Afghanistan; coordinated with Osama bin Laden and other known terrorist leaders; and was associated with terrorist organizations including Makhtab Al-Khidamat, a U.S. government-designated terrorist organization and pre-cursor to al Qaeda. The Office of Immigration Litigation coordinated a settlement that facilitated the defendant's self-deportation to Somaliland despite his presence on No Fly List. , No. 15-cv-1343 (D. Or.). Successful civil denaturalization of individual who received military training in a jihadist training camp in Afghanistan; coordinated with Osama bin Laden and other known terrorist leaders; and was associated with terrorist organizations including Makhtab Al-Khidamat, a U.S. government-designated terrorist organization and pre-cursor to al Qaeda. The Office of Immigration Litigation coordinated a settlement that facilitated the defendant's self-deportation to Somaliland despite his presence on No Fly List. U.S. v. Hamed, No. 2:18-cv-0424 (W.D. Mo.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual convicted of conspiring to illegally transfer more than $1 million to Iraq in violation of federal sanctions and of obstructing internal revenue laws with respect to tax-exempt charities. In furtherance of those crimes, the defendant regularly authorized and transferred tax-exempt funds from a non-profit organization's accounts in the United States to an account in Jordan controlled by a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. War Crimes & Human Rights Violators U.S. v. Dzeko , No. 18-cv-759 (D.D.C.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual who was convicted in Bosnia of executing eight unarmed civilians and POWs during the Balkans conflict. Defendant was denaturalized while incarcerated in a Bosnian prison, and thereby prevented from returning to the United States upon his release. , No. 18-cv-759 (D.D.C.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual who was convicted in Bosnia of executing eight unarmed civilians and POWs during the Balkans conflict. Defendant was denaturalized while incarcerated in a Bosnian prison, and thereby prevented from returning to the United States upon his release. U.S. v. Yetisen, No. 18-cv-570 (D. Or.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual who pled guilty in Bosnia of executing six unarmed civilians and POWs during the Balkans conflict. Sex Offenders U.S. v. Omopariola (N.D. Tex.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual engaged in sexual contact with a 7-year-old family member. (N.D. Tex.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual engaged in sexual contact with a 7-year-old family member. U.S. v. Lopez , No. 18-cv-00527 (D. Md.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual who sexually abused a minor victim for multiple years. , No. 18-cv-00527 (D. Md.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual who sexually abused a minor victim for multiple years. U.S. v. Arizmendi, No. 4:15-cv-454 (S.D. Tex.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual convicted of multiple sex offenses, including as to students. The defendant was denaturalized while incarcerated in a Mexican prison related to a sex offense, and thereby prevented from returning to the United States upon his release. Fraudsters & Other Criminals U.S. v. Mondino , No. 18-cv-21840 (S.D. Fla.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual convicted of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Export-Import Bank of more than $24 million, resulting in more than $12 million in unrecovered losses. Because of the denaturalization proceedings, the defendant self-deported. , No. 18-cv-21840 (S.D. Fla.). Successful civil denaturalization of an individual convicted of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Export-Import Bank of more than $24 million, resulting in more than $12 million in unrecovered losses. Because of the denaturalization proceedings, the defendant self-deported. U.S. v. Warsame cases, Nos. 17-cv-5023, -5024, -5025, -5027 (D. Minn.). Successful civil denaturalizations of four individuals who fraudulently claimed to be a family to gain admission to the United States through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. Component(s): Civil Division Press Release Number: 20-231 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population. Approximately one-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual's circumstances and perceptions. A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that social isolation presents a major risk for premature mortality, comparable to other risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, or obesity. As older adults are particularly high-volume and high-frequency users of the health care system, there is an opportunity for health care professionals to identify, prevent, and mitigate the adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness in older adults. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults summarizes the evidence base and explores how social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older, particularly among low income, underserved, and vulnerable populations. This report makes recommendations specifically for clinical settings of health care to identify those who suffer the resultant negative health impacts of social isolation and loneliness and target interventions to improve their social conditions. Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults considers clinical tools and methodologies, better education and training for the health care workforce, and dissemination and implementation that will be important for translating research into practice, especially as the evidence base for effective interventions continues to flourish. On the occasion of 'Marathi Bhasha Din' (Marathi Language Day), Shiv Sena accused the BJP in Maharashtra of playing the of 'neo-nationalism' by misusing the name of Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. "The BJP leaders in Maharashtra have expressed that they will target the state government over the issue of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. This makes it clear that the BJP has started treating Savarkar as a political ploy," Sena mouthpiece, Saamna's editorial on Thursday read. "Today the BJP says it will target the MVA government over the issue of Veer Savarkar. Why do Fadnavis and other BJP leaders not talk to the Centre rather than asking questions from the Maharashtra government? When Fadnavis was in power, he had written two letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bestow the 'Bharat Ratna' on Veer Savarkar. What happened to the two letters? The Centre took no notice of the two letters. This is disrespect of Maharashtra and Veer Savarkar," it added. Further clarifying its stance, the editorial read, "The saffron flag is the identity of Shiv Sena too but we fly the tricolour also. This is our nationalism. BJP is playing the of neo-nationalism by using freedom fighter Veer Savarkar as a shield... The love which BJP has suddenly found for Veer Savarkar is fake." Through the editorial, Sena said that Savarkar had also held meetings with Mahatma Gandhi, and urged the "new-found Savarkar fans" to learn more about these meetings. "Veer Savarkar played a big role in the Independence movement. But where was the BJP or the then 'Sangh Parivaar' (RSS) during the entire freedom movement. They did not even celebrate the Independence Day and the tricolour did not fly from the Sangh headquarters," it read. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 17:13:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A recovered patient (R) waves to medical staff of the temporary hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Deng Anqing, a Beijing-based writer, is spending an unexpectedly prolonged holiday at his parents' home in Wuxue, a small city in Hubei Province, with only three surgical masks purposedly saved for an undated trip back to the capital. Just over one month ago, face masks were by no means the most sought-after commodity in China. Few people realized a looming epidemic caused by a new, highly contagious and lethal coronavirus would soon cause severe scarcity of personal protective items ranging from masks to disinfectant. "Almost no people wore masks at the railway station or on the train," Deng, 35, recalled his departure from Beijing on Jan. 19, when hundreds of millions of passengers hit the road for the Lunar New Year holiday, a year's most important time for family gathering. Then, the festival turned into a massive battle of 1.4 billion people against the invisible enemy, which was previously unknown to mankind. By Tuesday, 78,064 people on the Chinese mainland had been confirmed as being infected, among whom 2,715 had died. Deng heard of the outbreak from his friends in Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei. Vigilantly, he asked his parents to wear masks soon after he arrived home. But his mother shrugged off: "Wear a mask in the countryside? You'll have people laugh at us!" Most people were not aware that the danger was so imminent that an infected person could spread the virus simply through cough and sneeze. At that time, a great number of people had already traveled from Wuhan, the center of the epidemic, to other parts of Hubei and beyond, even outside China. On Dec. 31, Wuhan municipal health commission announced the city discovered 27 pneumonia cases with unknown causes. That brief statement hardly served as a wake-up call for the public until on Jan. 20, when renowned respiratory expert Zhong Nanshan in a media interview confirmed human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus and infections among medical personnels. In an unprecedented move, China locked down Wuhan on Jan. 23 to curb the spreading of the virus, suspending urban public transport and outbound channels at the airport and railway stations. Confirmed infection cases surged drastically, hospitals were overwhelmed, doctors and nurses across the country rushed to Hubei, and a people's war against the epidemic was soon officially announced. Doctors check a patient's CT image at a temporary hospital in Jiangxia District in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BATTLEFIELD ONE: HOSPITALS STRUGGLING TO SAVE MORE The air in Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan is a mixture of the odor of disinfectant and undercurrent of uneasiness. Zhang Dingyu, the hospital head, usually slept no more than two hours after the first batch of seven infected patients were transferred to his hospital in late December. "We try to outrun death to treat and save more patients," said Zhang, knowing his clock is ticking. Due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, his legs have recently been rendered powerless. He has to clutch at the handrail as he makes his way up and down stairs. Doctors and nurses fought on the frontline round the clock when swarms of patients flocked in to seek help. Since the outbreak, more than 30,000 medical professionals, including those from the military, have joined the epidemic control battle in Wuhan. One in 10 intensive care medical staff in China is working in the city. Medical supplies fell severely short, especially at the early stage of the outbreak, making many medics give up eating or drinking on their shifts in order to wear protective suits a little longer. Some use diapers to avoid going to the toilet, which means they have to put on new protective suits. Some medics were infected and even sacrificed their lives while saving others'. More than 1,700 Chinese medical workers had been infected with the coronavirus, and among them, at least ten had died. In a bid to significantly increase hospital beds, two makeshift hospitals were built from scratch at lightning speed and more temporary hospitals were converted from gyms and exhibition centers. Top scientists have been working hard to develop vaccines and drugs and applied traditional Chinese medicine to the treatment of infected patients to help with recovery. Illegal trade of wildlife has drawn extensive criticism as researchers believe the virus highly likely came from wild animals. China's top legislature on Monday decided to impose a full ban on illegal wildlife trade. Employees of a supermarket and community workers carry goods ordered by residents in Baibuting Community in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BATTLEFIELD TWO: COMMUNITIES, VILLAGES ON HIGH ALERT On the very day when the human-to-human transmission was confirmed, Beijing reported its first two COVID-19 cases, triggering the cancelation of traditional New Year temple fairs and the suspension of all inter-provincial highway passenger bus services. Similar measures were taken nationwide. Gone was the city hustle and bustle. Heeding urgent calls from experts and governments, people canceled trips and visits, and stayed at home to avoid cross-infection. Streets were empty. Restaurants, malls, cinemas, museums and tourist resorts were closed all around the country, with outbound group tours canceled and quarantine measures adopted. Tibet Autonomous Region became the last plagued provincial-level region on the Chinese mainland by reporting its first confirmed case on Jan. 30. On the same day, the World Health Organization announced the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Nevertheless, Yamazaki Yumiko, who first heard about the virus outbreak when she was spending a holiday in Japan, returned to Changchun city in northeast China's Jilin Province, where she teaches Japanese. Both her son in Japan and her husband in China asked her not to return, but she insisted. "Although I cannot come to the frontline like Chinese medics to treat the infected patients, at least I could be with my students," she said. Besides teaching her students online, she signed up as a volunteer of the neighborhood where she lives with her husband, joining others to do disinfecting work and take temperature of residents entering the closed-off neighborhood. Across the country, a large number of community workers and volunteers did the same as Yamazaki: making sure people coming in and out of the neighborhoods wear masks, fever patients are attended to promptly and people who had traveled to Hubei are placed in quarantine. In vast rural areas, loudspeakers, slogans and around-the-clock checkpoints were used to keep every village on high alert, for sake of safety. Villagers were advised to offer New Year greetings via video chats instead of door-to-door visits. Staff process masks at a plant in Quwo County, north China's Shanxi Province, Feb. 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Wu Di) BATTLEFIELD THREE: FACTORIES AT FULL CAPACITY The roaring sound of machinery surrounds workers as they are busy sewing masks and packing products at a workshop of SPRO Medical Products (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. in east China's Fujian Province. "Due to shortage of staff (who were stranded at hometowns due to transportation cut-off), our workers toiled more than 11 hours a day over two shifts," said Wang Hui, who oversees the company's workshop, with a daily production capacity restored to 200,000 masks by early February. In the wake of the epidemic outbreak, the virus had emptied the inventories of all brick-and-mortar drug stores and online retailers nearly overnight. China produces about half of the world's masks with a daily output of 20 million, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. But that is still insufficient to meet the exploding demand. Local Chinese authorities encouraged enterprises to produce more medical supplies such as protective gear, by providing preferential policies including fund subsidies, fast approval, financing and manpower support. Some companies that have nothing to do with medical supplies have revamped their factories to churn out masks. A Foxconn plant began trial-producing masks on Feb. 5, while on the next day, the Liuzhou-based auto maker SGMW decided to revamp production lines to produce N95 respirators and other surgical masks. Beijing had activated three mask factories that have been obsolete for years and is converting an industrial building into a new mask factory to make 250,000 masks a day. A garment factory in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region also built a production line to make protective suits. The daily production capacity of masks nationwide may exceed 100 million as additional production lines will become operational in the near future, authorities said. Teacher Chen Weiwen interacts with her students during a trial online class in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 25, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Ying) BATTLEFIELD FOUR: SMALL OFFICE HOME OFFICE Although the coronavirus outbreak may have taken a temporary hit on the world's second-largest economy, China has ramped up measures including promoting telework to push for business resumption and shore up the economy. Either required or encouraged, those who stayed at home during and after the prolonged Spring Festival holiday have played their part in containing the spread of the virus. Their living rooms and bedrooms have been turned into offices and classrooms. Mobile tech firms such as Tencent, Alibaba's DingTalk and China Mobile have all raced to provide technical support, most of which free of charge. The number of online meetings supported by Tencent Meeting on Feb. 10, when most enterprises started resuming operations, was 100 times that of its previous average daily use as many are working at home. The surge in data traffic also prompted DingTalk to add more than 100,000 additional cloud servers. Millions of students resort to online learning at home as the spring semester started in late February. In southern China's metropolitan of Guangzhou, the curriculum of online school classes cover physical exercise, reading, anti-epidemic education, aesthetic education as well as math, science and English. "Although these changes are an exploration in a special period, they also reflect the development trend of online production and life in the future," said Zhang Ying, associate dean of Guanghua School of Management, Peking University. It seems to be the largest physical isolation in history but Chinese people were more connected than ever as homebodies made full use of social media to seek joy amid hardship. Kuaishou, a popular short-video sharing platform, said in the latest report that its daily active users had exceeded 300 million in early 2020. People livestream whatever they do at home from cooking, cosplay to haircutting and doing fitness. "I yearn for the day when I can take off my mask. I want to go to the cinema, order a hot-pot meal, meet my parents, hike with my kids and soak in the sunshine," a netizen posted on microblog Sina Weibo. The Polish woman complained of severe shortness of breath after coming from Thailand Another European country has reported about a case of coronavirus infection: an infected woman was taken to a hospital in Lodz, Poland, Express Ilustrowany reports. It is reported that the 25-year-old spent a month in Thailand, where she was already ill. The Polish citizen complained of severe shortness of breath. Upon arrival in the city of Lodz, the woman immediately went to the hospital, where the test gave a positive result for the coronavirus COVID-19. As we reported earlier, Estonia's Social Affairs Minister Tanel Kiik informed on the first case of coronavirus infection. Today in the morning, the information was received that the first infected was identified in Estonia as yesterdays evening. The issue is about a permanent resident of Estonia who is not its citizen, he stated. Meanwhile, Germany's Minister of Health Jens Spahn warned that Germany is at the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic as DW informed. Unfortunately, during the last hours, the situation has changed. It is a shame, but we have to recognize it, the minister said. Trevor 'Wombats' Rombouts (pictured) has been on the run from police in Victoria since the late 1990s and has finally been tracked down in Oklahoma An accused Australian child predator whose youngest alleged victim was said to be just two weeks old has been arrested in the United States. Detectives in Oklahama believe Trevor 'Wombats' Rombouts would follow the same predatory pattern of moving in with a woman and then assaulting her children. He is accused of sexually assaulting children in Australia, the US and possibly Europe. Oklahoma authorities said Trevor Rombouts' youngest alleged victim was a two-week-old baby in Victoria. The 52-year-old has been on the run since Victorian police issued warrants for his arrest in the late 1990s. 'This clearly is a predator,' Detective Lieutenant Jillian Phippen, of the Tulsa Police Department's special victims unit in Oklahoma, told AAP on Wednesday. Tulsa detectives began investigating Rombouts last year when a victim in Oklahoma came forward to say he had assaulted her for several years when she was younger. Two of Rombouts' alleged US victims were in Oklahoma and a third was in Texas. 'Once we started looking at it my detective was like, "There's going to be more victims just because of his behaviour and how he was treating the victim",' Lt Phippen said. 'Once he started diving into the investigation that's what happened. 'We found more victims who were able to come forward and tell their story. 'We reached out to Australia where he lived and we received information back saying he had been looked at there for child molestation as well. Detectives in Oklahama believe Trevor 'Wombats' Rombouts would follow the same predatory pattern of moving in with a woman and then assaulting her children (stock image) 'Our red flags went up and we knew this was a predator and he was not going to stop.' The investigation also found Rombouts had lived in Europe and he might have victims in Belgium, Lt Phippen said. They tracked Rombouts down in Joplin, Missouri on Monday and took him into custody. The Australian warrants from the 1990s relate to the alleged abuse of three young children, including a baby who was just two weeks old. Tulsa prosecutors have charged Rombouts with two counts of child sexual abuse and two counts of lewd molestation. [February 27, 2020] Sojern and Xola Partner to Drive Online Sales For Attractions SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sojern, a leading provider of digital travel marketing solutions, and Xola , a leading online booking and marketing platform for tour operators and attractions, today announced an initiative to bring digital marketing solutions to global attractions customers. The collaboration offers a seamless way for the owners and operators of tours and activities already using the Xola platform to promote their attraction with Sojern's digital travel marketing solutions via Facebook, Instagram and display advertising. Consumer demand to book tours and attractions online is increasing , but tour and activity operators don't always have an online booking engine or a way to drive customers to it. The collaboration between Sojern and Xola makes it easier for tour and activity operators to market directly to travelers in destination. By integrating the Xola booking engine with Sojern's world class digital marketing solutions, tour and activity operators can effortlessly reach travelers searching for tours and activities in their market, drive them to book direct and then track and measure their success. "It's pretty clear that the attractions market is on fire right now and increasing ther online sales is a great way to grow the business. However, many lack the time needed to manage a complex digital marketing campaign and are looking for a trusted partner that can handle that for them, and many are turning to Sojern to do just that," said Kurt Weinsheimer, Sojern Chief Solutions Officer. "Partnering with Xola is an important part of providing our customers with a holistic solution to help them drive direct sales online." "As Xola moves upmarket, we are thrilled to partner with Sojern, the experts in travel advertising," said Xola CEO and co-founder, J. Scott Zimmerman. "Coupling Xola's powerful booking and management software with Sojern's advanced advertising platform, we are now enabling our customers to drive more direct bookings and delivering more actionable insights to our customers than ever before." Find Sojern in the Xola App Store by visiting www.xola.com/app-store/ About Sojern Sojern 's digital marketing solutions for travel are built on more than a decade of expertise analyzing the complete traveler path to purchase. The company drives travelers from dream to destination by activating multi-channel branding and performance solutions on the Sojern Traveler Platform for more than 10,000 customers around the world. Recognized as a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 company six years in a row, Sojern is headquartered in San Francisco, with 600 employees based in Berlin, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Mexico City, New York, Omaha, Paris, Sao Paulo, Singapore and Sydney. About Xola Xola is a leading online booking and marketing platform for the travel industry's in-destination tour and attractions operators . Xola provides a comprehensive software suite for operators of tours and attractions, covering every aspect of their business, including online and back-office reservations, payment processing, scheduling, equipment and guide management, customer relationship management, automated marketing tools, and distribution to the leading online travel agents. Xola's mission is to empower tour companies and local economies to grow with the industry's most powerful, modern, and easy-to-use software. Xola has offices in San Francisco, Houston, Bangalore, and Belgrade. For more information visit: www.xola.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sojern-and-xola-partner-to-drive-online-sales-for-attractions-301012339.html SOURCE Sojern [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Cellphones of South Africa's state security minister and her deputy have been cloned by unknown hackers, an official said, in a breach described as "concerning". It was discovered this week that the phones belonging to State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo and her deputy, Zizi Kodwa were cloned after "several strange messages" they had not composed were sent out from their lines. "I can confirm the incident of cloning regarding the phones of the deputy minister and the minister and some several officials in the office of the minister," ministry spokesman Mava Scott said Thursday. "It is the first time," it has happened since minister Dlodlo took over the ministry in May last year and "it's concerning", Scott said. He said police have launched an investigation into the breach. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No stranger to controversy, Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy has now suggested that lessons can be learnt on how to control the "engineered disturbances" of Delhi from the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident of China. Thousands of pro-democracy protesters were killed on June 4, 1989 in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square as the People's Liberation Army launched a brutal crackdown on those demonstrating there against the ruling Communist Party of China for weeks. "Remember Tienanmen Square, Beijing in 1988? And how Deng Xiaoping handled it? Perhaps there is a lesson there on how to handle the engineered disturbances of NE Delhi! I'm sure all comrades will agree!" Roy tweeted on Wednesday only to delete it later. In the tweet, he wrote "Tienanmen " for "Tiananmen" and also mentioned the year as 1988. The governor on Thursday defended his tweet when he told reporters, "What is contained in the tweet is there. I am not going to hallucinate it." In response to a Twitter user's reply to his post, Roy, who is former West Bengal BJP president, wrote, "Deng (Xiaoping) rescued China from the murderous cult of Maoism and took it to today's dizzy heights!"In his Twitter profile, Roy describes himself as a "right-winged Hindu socio-political thinker, writer and ideologue. Also Governor, Meghalaya."He also questioned the timing of the riots. "Disturbances in NE Delhi (communal,as per Times Now) were engineered to coincide with the US President's visit. Trump,like a true statesman,did not discuss India's internal matters like Art 370 abrogation,ban on Teen Talaq or CAA. Egg on the face of Left-Islamists," he said in another tweet. Last year, Roy created a furore when he appealed to people to "boycott everything Kashmiri" following the Pulwama terror attack on a CRPF convoy. He had also triggered a storm last July by claiming that Bengali boys sweep the floors of houses across the country these days and Bengali girls dance in Mumbai's bars. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hilton Als in The New Yorker: By the time the British artist Isaac Juliens iconic short essay-film Looking for Langston was released, in 1989, Juliens ostensible subject, the enigmatic poet and race man Langston Hughes, had been dead for twenty-two years, but the search for his real story was still ongoing. There was a senseparticularly among gay men of color, like Julien, who had so few out ancestors and wanted to claim the prolific, uneven, but significant writer as one of their ownthat some essential things about Hughes had been obscured or disfigured in his work and his memoirs. Born in Joplin, Missouri, in 1902, and transplanted to New York City as a strikingly handsome nineteen-year-old, Hughes became, with the publication of his first book of poems, The Weary Blues (1926), a prominent New Negro: modern, pluralistic in his beliefs, and a member of what the folklorist and novelist Zora Neale Hurston called the niggerati, a loosely formed alliance of black writers and intellectuals that included Hurston, the author and diplomat James Weldon Johnson, the openly gay poet and artist Richard Bruce Nugent, and the novelists Nella Larsen, Jessie Fauset, and Wallace Thurman (whose 1929 novel about color fixation among blacks, The Blacker the Berry, conveys some of the energy of the time). In a 1926 essay for The Nation, The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain, Hughes described the group, which came together during the Harlem Renaissance, when hanging out uptown was considered a lesson in cool: We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame. If white people are pleased, we are glad. If they are not, it doesnt matter. We know we are beautiful. And ugly too. The tom-tom cries and the tom-tom laughs. If colored people are pleased we are. If they are not, their displeasure doesnt matter either. We build our temples for tomorrow, strong as we know how, and we stand on top of the mountain, free within ourselves. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 05:06:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close An empty restaurant is seen amid the coronavirus outbreak in Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 26, 2020. Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education Wednesday announced that 139 people in the country have been affected by the novel coronavirus and 19 of them died over the past week. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua) TEHRAN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian lawmaker Mahmoud Sadeghi has caught the novel coronavirus, officially named as COVID-19, the Tabnak news website reported Wednesday. "I give this message (of being affected by the virus) while I am less hopeful about staying alive," Sadeghi was quoted as saying. On Tuesday, Alireza Vahabzadeh, advisor for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said the country's deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi was tested positive for COVID-19. Earlier, Iranian media reported that Mohammad Reza Qadir, president of Qom Medical Sciences University, has also been tested positive for the coronavirus. Earlier in the day, Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced that 139 people in the country have been affected by the novel coronavirus and 19 of them died over the past week. DGAP-News: American Battery Metals Corp. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous American Battery Metals Announces Non-Binding LOI to Acquire Fenix Gold Inc. 27.02.2020 / 14:00 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - American Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: ABC) (the "Company" or "American Battery" or "we") is pleased to announce that we have entered into a non-binding letter of intent dated February 26, 2020 (the "LOI") to acquire (the "Proposed Transaction") Fenix Gold Inc., a private Ontario company ("Fenix"). Fenix Gold Inc. is a private Canadian company focused on acquiring gold projects with world class exploration potential in the most prolific gold producing regions of Colombia. Fenix's flagship property, the Abriaqui project, is the nearest gold exploration project to Continental Gold's Buritica Mine. Abriaqui is a drill-ready advanced exploration project that shares many geological similarities with Buritica. Both Abriaqui and Buritica sit in the same geological setting along the Cauca trend, a gold belt where over 80 million ounces have been discovered since 2007. Fenix's VP of Exploration, Stuart Moller, led the initial discovery at Buritica for Continental Gold. The Buritica Mine currently contains over 11 million ounces of gold and is scheduled to commence production in 2020 with annual average production of 250,000 ounces at a low all-in sustaining cost of US$600 per ounce. Continental Gold was recently the subject of a takeover by Zijin Mining in an all-cash transaction valued at C$1.4 billion. Jeremy Poirier, President & CEO of American Battery Metals, commented "We are very excited to acquire Fenix's Abriaqui high-grade gold exploration project in Colombia. Not only does the Abriaqui property share many of the same characteristics of Continental's Buritica project prior to its discovery, we are fortunate to have the head of exploration who was responsible for its discovery and delineation to a multi-million-ounce high-grade gold resource." Under the terms of the LOI, American Battery will issue 28,500,000 of its common shares to the shareholders of Fenix as consideration for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fenix (the "Consideration Shares"). In addition, an aggregate of 3,846,785 outstanding warrants of Fenix will be replaced with common share purchase warrants of American Battery exercisable at a price of $0.20 two years from the date of closing of the proposed transaction. The Consideration Shares and the Finder's Fee Shares will be subject to escrow and released as to 50% on the date that is four months following the closing of the Proposed Transaction (the "Initial Release Date") and an additional 10% every 30 days following the Initial Release Date. At this time, the Company and Fenix are proceeding with their respective due diligence reviews with a view towards negotiation and execution of a definitive transaction agreement. Further details will be provided upon successful completion of the due diligence period and the signing of a definitive agreement. In addition, American Battery Metals Corp. announces the termination of the proposed transaction with Bayshore Minerals Inc. previously announced on January 15, 2020, the cancellation of the previously announced private placement. and the resignation of Mr. Kevin Smith from the Company's Board of Directors. About American Battery Metals Corp. 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", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to information concerning the Proposed Transaction, including the negotiation and execution of a Definitive Agreement, and the attributes of the Abriaqui project such its potential geological similarities with the Buritica project. 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 that the parties will successfully negotiate and enter into the Definitive Agreement or complete the Proposed Transaction on the terms contemplated herein or at all, that either will be satisfied with the results of their proposed due diligence, or that any required shareholder or regulatory approvals will be obtained. 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. Statements and information contained in this news release relating to the Abriaqui project have been furnished by Fenix Gold. Although American Battery has no knowledge that would indicate that any statements contained herein concerning the Abriaqui project are untrue or incomplete, neither American Battery nor any of its directors or officers assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such statements and information. Not for dissemination in the United States or for distribution to U.S. newswire services To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52851 Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser,to viewthe associated documentshttp://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52851News Source: Newsfile WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. As of this writing, 81,000 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in 45 countries, including the United States, with a worldwide death toll of just over 2,770. By comparison, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that in the United States alone, the 2019-20 flu season has hospitalized 280,000 people and resulted in 16,000 deaths. People in the U.S. are at vastly greater risk of serious health concerns from the flu than coronavirus, at least for the foreseeable future. Still, Purdues commitment to the health and safety of its community has led the university to take the precaution of canceling all university-sponsored travel to countries the CDC has listed as level 2 and level 3 risks for coronavirus. Countries currently at these levels of risk are China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan. The universitys public health committee will continue to monitor CDC updates, will take additional steps if any countries are added to the list, and will notify the campus community of any changes to current practice. With spring break around the corner, travelers taking private trips to any location are urged to pay close attention to the CDC risk levels, information being released from destination countries, and updates from air carriers prior to departure and while abroad. For those who choose to travel to an at-risk country, it is strongly recommended that the traveler seek an assessment with a health care provider upon return (PUSH, Protect Purdue Health Center (PPHC), etc.). Please note that the possibility exists that a country experiencing an outbreak could suspend travel in and out of the country, which could result in the stranding of travelers. To help reduce the spread of any illness, including the flu, health care professionals encourage: Cover your cough and sneeze. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Stay home when youre sick. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Purdue has seen no positive cases of coronavirus and will continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and federal recommendations. Updates from the Purdue University Student Health Service can be found here. On 21 February, Iran held critical elections for its 290-seat Islamic Consultative Assembly and simultaneously partial elections for its 88-member Assembly of Experts elected in 2016 for an eight-year term, to replace seats in the provinces of Tehran, Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, Fars and Qom vacated by death. The parliamentary elections, an important gauge of internal political balances, followed soon after a number of highly controversial political and economic decisions, including price hikes on fuel that triggered widespread and brutally repressed protests. The elections also came on the heels of Washingtons targeted assassination of Major General Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and the Iranian regimes panicky and inept handling of its armys accidental downing of a Ukrainian passenger flight, killing all on board. These and other developments would inform not just who Iranians would vote for, but whether they would vote at all. Against this backdrop, it was perhaps predictable that conservatives would regain a parliamentary majority, though perhaps not by such a landslide. Some 7,148 candidates contested these elections. According to official figures announced for 275 of the assemblys 290 seats, conservatives won 223 seats compared to only 16 for reformists and 36 for independents. Reruns for the remaining 15 seats will be held 18 April. Other factors contributed to the landslide. Prime among them was that the Guardian Council, which is in charge vetting candidates, rejected 6,850 nominees, the majority of whom were reformists or moderates. It also barred a third of the representatives in the outgoing parliament from running again. Ninety serving members of parliament affiliated with the reformist camp were disqualified due to ostensible doubts concerning their religious commitment and dedication to the national political system. Due to the mass exclusion of reformists and moderates, few were left to contest the hardliners. The decision on the part of many reformists to boycott the polls in response to this naturally bolstered the hardliners prospects. Nevertheless, there were quite a few high-profile boycotters, such as Parvana Salahshuri, an MP from Tehran who protested the repression of the November protests among other government ills; Ali Larijani, current speaker of parliament and former chief nuclear negotiator and Mohamed Reza Aref, a former minister and first vice-president who is close to incumbent President Hassan Rouhani. In addition, the Coordinating Council of the Reformist Front, an umbrella organisation for reformist parties, announced that it would not field an electoral list for Tehran in protest against the Guardian Councils exclusion of the majority of its candidates, although it stated that it would respect the desire of its member parties to field candidates independently. The candidates from the Executives of Construction Party and the Alliance for Iran, who chose to run independently of the Reformist Council, failed to obtain seats in the Tehran constituency. Many reformists maintain that parliament had lost most of its effective powers and jurisdictions during recent years because of the rise of unelected parallel committees and bodies designed to circumvent the legislature. A notable instance is the Supreme Council for Economic Coordination. It was this body, headed by the president, the speaker of parliament and the chief justice, that took the decision to raise fuel prices without consulting parliament, sparking widespread economic protests in November. Poor voter turnout best expressed the general public mood in Iran where disgruntlement runs high due to the economic straits precipitated by US sanctions, the recent fuel price hikes and other factors. Despite the Supreme Leaders exhortations to vote, voter turnout stood at only 42.6 per cent according to the Iranian Interior Ministry. Only 24 million of the countrys 58 million registered voters reported to the polls. In Tehran, turnout was barely 25 per cent, or only 841,000 of the 9,600,000 eligible voters in the capital. This is the lowest rate of turnout since the Iranian Revolution in 1979. In previous rounds, turnout ranged between 51.21 and 71.1 per cent. Never before had it fallen below 50 per cent. The minister of interior, in a press conference, groped for excuses: bad weather, coronavirus, the Ukrainian airplane crash, etc. The unprecedented voter apathy was not only due to frustration at the elimination of choices due to the disqualification of thousands of reformists and moderates, but also due to widespread disappointment at the performance of moderates and conservatives while in power. This applies especially to President Rouhani, who has failed to deliver on his electoral promises during his one and a half terms so far. Analysts believe that conservatives capitalised on this during the legislative elections as part of a strategy to regain the presidency and senior posts in other key government bodies. The results of the polls also show a significant gain for the Revolutionary Guard Corps (RGC) in parliament. At least 11 RGC officers running in conservative/fundamentalist lists have won seats, putting the RGC in a position to play an important role in shaping legislation and policy. Perhaps the most salient figure in this regard is former Mayor of Tehran Mohamed Bagher Ghalibaf, a former presidential candidate who has also served as RGC air force commander and chief of police. Analysts have tipped him as a likely candidate to succeed Larijani as speaker of parliament. The landslide victory of conservatives and hardliners will put the Rouhani government under enormous pressure during the remainder of his term, especially with regard to foreign policy. Analysts anticipate a more combative posture and a greater tendency to brinksmanship against the US, in particular, while Tehran ups the pressure on the European troika to meet its obligations under the 2015 nuclear accord. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:56:52|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A leading group of China's COVID-19 response on Thursday called for sending more advanced medical resources, especially life support system ECMOs, to Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic. The group, headed by Premier Li Keqiang, demanded further efforts to treat the severely ill COVID-19 patients to reduce mortality in Hubei, particularly in its capital city of Wuhan. The meeting stressed the work to ensure the sufficient supply of daily necessities in Wuhan and Hubei, and to guarantee basic living conditions for people including non-Hubei residents who have been stranded in the province due to the suspension of transportation. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presided over the meeting. S.Korea confirms 284 more cases of COVID-19, 1,261 in total People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 17:02, February 26, 2020 SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- South Korea confirmed 284 more cases of the COVID-19 on Wednesday, raising the total number of infections to 1,261, and the death toll rose to 12. As of 4:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT), the number of infected patients totaled 1,261, up 284 from the previous day. The number of deaths from the virus increased to 12 with two more deaths reported. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has updated the data twice a day at 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time. The virus infections rose sharply for the past week, with 946 new cases reported on Feb. 19-25. The country raised its four-tier virus alert to the highest "red" level on Sunday. The National Assembly passed three bills to revise laws on infectious disease, quarantine and the medical service. Under the revised infectious disease act, people with symptoms who refuse to be tested for virus could face up to a fine of 3 million won (2,470 U.S. dollars). People with symptoms who refuse to be placed under self-quarantine and hospitalized could face up to a one-year imprisonment or a fine of 10 million won (8,220 U.S. dollars). Under the revision, the health minister is allowed to ban the exports of face masks and hand sanitizers at a time of supply shortage or price spike, while the health ministry must have at least 100 epidemiological investigators from the previous 30. Face masks would be provided for children and the elderly at state welfare facilities when the virus alert is lifted to the third-highest level. Under the amended quarantine act, the health minister can ask the justice minister to ban entry to foreigners from regions affected by or at a risk of an epidemic. The revised medical service act involved the strengthened monitoring of patients, families and medical workers at hospitals. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yaounde, Cameroon (PANA) Cameroonian government forces and armed ethnic Fulani killed at least 21 civilians in Ngarbuh village, including 13 children and one pregnant woman, on 14 February, 2020, a human rights watchdog has said SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A 50-year-old man was injured in a shooting in San Francisco's Little Hollywood neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon, according to police. The shooting was reported at about 1:20 p.m. on Lois Lane off of Bayshore Boulevard. The victim was talking to someone else in the street when a vehicle pulled up to them. A suspect exchanged words with the victim and then opened fire at him, police said. The man was struck by the gunfire but is expected to survive. The suspect, believed to be a man around 30 years old, fled and remains at large Thursday. Police did not immediately release detailed descriptions of the suspect or vehicle. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or to send a tip by text message to TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message. 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. Rumblings of a Melbourne protest against Racing Point's 'pink Mercedes' are circulating in the Barcelona test paddock. Bigger teams like McLaren and Renault are coming to terms with the fact that they have been leapfrogged as 'best of the rest' by a car that is visually almost identical to the Mercedes. Some suspect the front wing in particular is a one-for-one copy. "No one would be so stupid as to build a true copy of the original for the 'listed parts', Renault director Marcin Budkowski told Auto Motor und Sport. "If you take something from another team, you can easily change it." Racing Point's technical boss Andy Green said he is confused as to why the team's 2020 contender is suddenly so controversial. "We only bought a third of the parts from Mercedes that we would have been able to buy," he said. "Haas buys everything the regulations allow from Ferrari." (GMM) Police at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel in Tenerife, where more than 160 Britons are quarantined (Pacific Press/Sipa USA) A series of European countries have announced their first coronavirus cases in the past week as the illness continues to spread. A total of 11 European states said they had become affected by it, with Greece, Denmark and Spain all confirming cases in the last seven days. They are joined by Austria, Estonia, Switzerland, Croatia, Norway, Romania, Georgia and North Macedonia, which all announced the virus had reached their territories this week. Six of those countries confirmed the cases involved people who had travel links to Italy, which is trying to stop the spread of the outbreak in the north of the country. People wear antivirus masks to protect themselves from coronavirus infection in St Peter's Square, Rome (Pacific Press/Sipa USA) European countries with coronavirus as of this morning. (PA Images) For the first time, the number of new cases reported outside of China the epicentre of the virus has exceeded new cases reported by Beijing, Reuters has reported. In the UK, two more people tested positive for coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, and have been transferred to specialist NHS facilities. One contracted it in Italy while the other got it in Tenerife. The latter is the parent of a child at Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire, which shut following the positive test and is due to be deep cleaned. Burbage Primary School in Leicestershire, which has been closed due to a "confirmed case of coronavirus amongst our parent population" (PA) Professor Rowland Kao, chairman of veterinary epidemiology and data science at the University of Edinburgh, said the UK can expect more cases. We already have evidence of onward transmission occurring outside of China and so these two cases associated with situations with high levels of infections are not surprising, he said. This occurrence should therefore already be well within the scope of the current approach to control. It does highlight that we should continue to expect more cases without direct association with China, and therefore, despite evidence of the epidemic tailing off in China, a need for continued vigilance with appropriate control measures for some time. A man walks next the swimming pool of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, Tenerife (AP) Meanwhile, 168 Britons are confined to the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife after four guests there were diagnosed with coronavirus. In total, 20 countries announced the virus had reached their borders over the past week. Brazil, Lebanon, Israel, Algeria, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the non-European countries with recently-confirmed cases. Actor Bhagyashree from Sooraj Barjatyas Maine Pyaar Kiya fame during a media interaction revealed that she feels 'scared' even today thinking about the separation with her husband Himalay Dasani that lasted for 1.5 years. Married since 1990, right after her film opposite Salman Khan, Bhagyashree confessed that Himalay was her first love. I feel like a newcomer: 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' fame Bhagyashree In a video going viral on social media, Bhagyashree says, 'Yes, Himalay ji was my first love and yes, I got married to him. Lekin ek arsa tha beech mein jab hum juda ho gaye the (In translation: But there was a period of time when we were separated). And I had that feeling that What if I hadnt got him in my life and I had married someone else? It got me to that stage because there was a period of a year and a half that we werent together. Woh ehsaas abhi bhi yaad aata hai toh darr lagta hai (In translation: I still get scared when I remember that feeling)." In an interview with Humans of Bombay, Bhagyashree said, "Maine Pyaar Kiya went on to become such a big hit, but I was a woman so in love with my husband and my son Abhimanyu who was born soon after that I said no to every offer I got. I have absolutely no regrets though, I look at my life, my family now and I feel so proud. Alia Bhatt is perfect for the role of Suman in Maine Pyar Kiya, says Bhagyashree The actor, who made foray into movies with the 1989 movie, which also marked lead debut of superstar Salman Khan, returned to films this year with Kannada project "Seetharama Kalyana". Her last film was "Red Alert: The War Within" (2010). Bhagyashree has three films in the pipeline - "Kitty Party", Telugu remake of "2 States", in which she will be essaying the part played by Revathy in the Hindi film and a pivotal role in Prabhas' upcoming movie, tentatively titled "Prabhas 20". Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment. Karl Karlsen, the man who killed his son and wife 17 years apart for insurance money, will be interviewed on Dateline NBC. Karlsen has been convicted in separate trials of killing his first wife, Christina Karlsen, and their son, Levi Karlsen. Christina Karlsen died in a fire in Murphys, California in 1991. Levi Karlsen died in 2008 after his father knocked a truck off a wobbly jack onto his chest in Varick, Seneca County. Authorities ruled the California death an accident, but after Karl Karlsen was convicted of killing his son in Central New York, they reopened the case. Karl Karlsen was found guilty by a California jury early this month of killing his first wife. Weeks later, Dateline announced the show is airing an episode about the case. The interview with Karl Karlsen, featured in the episode about the murder of his wife and son, is set to air at 9 p.m. Friday on NBC. The episode will also feature interviews with Christina Karlsens family members; Karlsens ex-wife, Cindy Karlsen; and police, NBC News said. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard interviewed Karl Karlsen in 2012 as he awaited trial for the death of his son. In the three-hour-long jailhouse interview in Seneca County, he denied killing both Levi and Christina Karlsen to collect large insurance policies. There is no way you kill somebody for money, Karlsen told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. You just dont. Less than a year later, Karlsen pleaded guilty -- admitting he crushed his 23-year-old son under a truck to collect a $707,210 life-insurance policy. On New Years Day 1991, Christina Karlsen died trapped behind a boarded-up window in the smoke-filled bathroom of her California home. The death was investigated, but was eventually ruled an accident. Karl Karlsen and the couples three children, including Levi, escaped the blaze. After collecting a $200,000 policy for his wifes death, he bought a new home and moved his family to Upstate New York. Before the trial for his first wifes murder, Karlsen was serving 15 years to life in a New York prison for murdering his son. Hes set to be sentenced on March 17 for Christina Karlsens murder, reported the Calaveras Enterprise. 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. Have a tip, a story idea or a comment? You can reach me at shouse@syracuse.com | text/call (315) 466-4160 | Twitter | Facebook A man sets up a Malaysian flag outside his shop in Kuala Lumpur. Jimin Lai | AFP | Getty Images Malaysia's weak economy needs a boost as the new coronavirus outbreak threatens to slow it down even more but it isn't clear it can get the support it needs given the latest political upheaval in the country. Mahathir Mohamad, a 94-year-old veteran politician, unexpectedly resigned as Malaysia's prime minister this week. Events that followed his resignation broke apart the coalition of parties that was governing the country. Such developments have come at a time when many of Malaysia's regional neighbors have announced, or are planning, stimulus packages worth billions of dollars to support their economies through the coronavirus outbreak. Singapore last week announced what some economists said is its largest government deficit yet to help businesses and households manage economic challenges from the coronavirus outbreak. Further afield, Hong Kong on Wednesday also announced spending that will lead to a record deficit, including cash handouts of 10,000 Hong Kong dollars ($1,283) to residents age 18 and above. Asian economies, including Malaysia, are among the most exposed to China, where a fast-spreading coronavirus disease and the government's effort to contain it have crippled manufacturing capacity, consumer spending and overseas travels. Some economists have questioned the Malaysian economy's ability to withstand the current slowdown if political uncertainties drag on. "When and how this political crisis will be resolved will be key to Malaysia's ability to navigate both domestic and external economic weakness," Trinh Nguyen, an economist from French investment bank Natixis, wrote in a Tuesday note. She added that "limited political space" to support the economy amid the virus outbreak means that Malaysia's growth could slow to 3.6% this year from 4.3% in 2019. Wellian Wiranto, an economist from Singapore's OCBC Bank, agreed that Malaysia's economy "will suffer more than it already has" if the political situation is not resolved soon. "The economy was already reeling from a slowdown even before the threat of global pandemic stares at us. Now, the outlook may dim further, with investment activities likely to be hit the most, if the uncertainty persists," he wrote in a Wednesday note. Next government likely to be weak Malaysia's latest political upheaval was sparked by Mahathir's sudden resignation on Monday, which set off events that broke apart the Pakatan Harapan ruling coalition that unexpectedly won the 2018 general elections. Mahathir was then appointed interim prime minister by the Malaysian king to oversee administrative matters in the country until a new premier and cabinet emerged. The 94-year-old also initially had the backing from all political factions to continue leading the country, but that has changed. While Mahathir still has support from some members of parliament, the different political factions have thrown up other names of whom they want as prime minister. None of the possible prime minister picks have the backing of 112 members of parliament the simple majority needed to lead and form a government in Malaysia. Alexander Soule / Hearst Connecticut Media The Financial Accounting Foundation settled on a familiar name to oversee the work of the industry standards-setting bodies it oversees: John Auchincloss, who joined in 2016 as general counsel under former CEO Terri Polley. The Financial Accounting Foundation is run in Norwalk as the nonprofit parent organization of the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Government Accounting Standards Board, which are supported via industry contributions. Appointment 27 February 2020 With an admirable background and culturally rich experience in the hospitality industry both overseas and across India, Pallav Singhal is a dynamic and charismatic presence. With boundless determination and a clear vision for the future, Pallav now begins the next exciting chapter of his journey - as the Hotel Manager of Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel & Lakeside Chalet - Mumbai, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott India's largest multi-dimensional lifestyle complex. Pallav has been in the hospitality industry for over two decades and has extensively worked with the Hyatt group in India, Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa in Africa and multiple properties of Marriott International including JW Marriott, Fairfield By Marriott and Renaissance Ahmedabad Hotel which was his last assignment, where he was the General Manager. A highly focused and experienced leader, Pallav in instrumental in managing the overall hospitality aspects ensuring complete customer satisfaction, streamlining operations, strategically improving revenues and achieving goals. He began his career as the Sous Chef in the kitchen at Grand Hyatt, Delhi and worked his way to becoming the Executive Chef at JW Marriott, Chandigarh. With his eternal passion, progressive attitude and his ultimate purpose of ensuring a holistic approach, he advanced as the Director Food & Beverage at JW Marriott, Chandigarh and eventually elevated as the Hotel Manager forthe preopening property Fairfieldby Marriott, Belagavi. This property was also the first Fairfield property in India which was launched in a Tier 3 & 4 city. His perseverance and excellence has garnered various awards and accolades including being recognized as the 'Best Associate of the Year' at Fairfield By Marriott Belagavi. Under his leadership, various properties won quarterly awards for 'Highest Staff Service' and 'Highest Elite Appreciation' and 'Overall Hospitality Standards Improvement Award in East Africa'. JW Marriott's three outlets won the 'Best Restaurant Award' for Times Good Food Guide Awards. An eternal optimist with a mantra of 'hiring better than yourself and training more than you were trained', he believes in enriching the professional and personal front equally. In his forthcoming role, Pallav will be responsible for leading the overall operations and management of the hotel. He will also be functioning in the capacity of a tactical & strategic business leader for the hotel.With his expertise and fresh insights, he is expected to ensure a smooth transition for the upcoming brand change. Pallav is an avid technology buff who is extremely keen on keeping up with the trends and gaining new learnings each day. ZoomInfo Technologies is the latest heavily funded SaaS player to publicly file for an IPO. Subscribe to the Crunchbase Daily The Vancouver, Washington-based company, which operates a cloud market intelligence platform for sales and marketing teams, is seeking to raise up to $500 million in the offering. If it hits or exceeds that number, the offering would rank as one of bigger software debuts in recent months. As one would expect for one of the bigger planned IPOs, ZoomInfo has rather large revenue for a public-market newcomer. For 2019, the company had revenue of $293 million, up from $144 million the prior year. (Some of that increase is due to a major acquisition last year, which well detail below.) But like most software companies on the IPO path, ZoomInfo is also unprofitable. The company posted a net loss of $78 million in 2019, up from $28.6 million in 2018. That loss was accompanied by a more than doubling in sales and marketing expenditures, combined with an even sharper rise in research and development spending. ZoomInfo hasnt been around long in its current organizational structure. The company, formerly known as DiscoverOrg, was co-founded in 2007 by its present CEO, Henry Schuck. In February, 2019 it acquired Zoom Information (ZoomInfo), a Waltham, Massachusetts-based company best known as a provider of contact information for business users. Then, in September, DiscoverOrg announced it changed its name to ZoomInfo. Prior to the acquisition, both DiscoverOrg and ZoomInfo had private equity backing. DiscoverOrg sold a minority stake to private equity investor Carlyle Group in 2018. ZoomInfo was previously acquired by private equity firm Great Hill Partners in 2017. Today, ZoomInfo estimates that approximately 192,000 paid users are on its platform and that its customer list includes more than 14,000 companies. Illustration: Li-Anne Dias. (TNS) City leaders will spend $1.5 million in overtime to fight increases in violent crime and seek an additional $8.5 million in public-private partnership funding for new technology, including cameras and analytics equipment.Houston, Texas, Mayor Sylvester Turner said Tuesday he expects the combination of those two initiatives to help quell moderate fluctuations in violent crime, which Chief Art Acevedo said mirrors a nationwide trend.The uptick in crime is a concern to everyone, and I want for us to get on top of it now, Turner said, during a lengthy news conference at Houston Police headquarters in which HPD also kicked off its annual March on Crime.Crime data provided by Houston police to the FBI show that while overall crime has followed a decades-long downturn, violent crime has increased 6 percent over the last four years, driven by higher instances of aggravated assaults and rapes. And crime is up substantially over the first 50 days of the year compared to the same time period last year, with violent crime increasing about 18 percent and property crime rising about 10 percent, according to police data.We dont want to wait until we get to a situation where it becomes really a crisis so to speak, Turner said. We want to check things where they are. Quite frankly, we need those technology enhancements and we need them right now.Turner and Acevedo laid out a plan that called for $1.5 million in overtime for additional patrols; the technology upgrades include a network of surveillance cameras that homeowners could opt into and a pilot project using a gunshot detection system called ShotSpotter that would cover 5 square miles in south Houston. Acevedo also said his officers would be paying specific attention to felons caught with firearms.Those efforts are meant to help target all violent crime, with a focus on murders, aggravated assaults, aggravated robbery, as well as dismantling and disrupting gangs.When you combine the technology enhancements with the additional overtime of $1.5 million, I think you can see some significant improvements in public safety throughout our entire city, Turner said.The mayor said the city is still about 600 officers short of what the department needs, despite personnel increases over the last four years. He called on the private sector to help the cash-strapped city pay for the $8.5 million technology effort when it is ready. The mayor said he has already contacted potnetial partners about the plan and hopes to be able to announce funding partnerships soon. He said the proposed technology enhancements are important because criminals have grown more sophisticated and are often masked when they commit robberies making it more difficult to identify them.The overtime payments are effective immediately and will get more officers on patrol over the next six months.The economic vibrancy of a city starts with a safe city, Acevedo said about asking philanthropy for help. Theres a lot of people and companies in the city that can write a check, and its an accounting error to their bottom line. And so if you want to give a gift to the people of Houston, that will be here and paying dividends long after youre gone, write that check.The department is deploying a system provided by ShotSpotter that helps locate the site of gunfire. Acevedo said there are other programs, including analytics equipment, that would help police search through and digest a large amount of information much more quickly.We want to know about the gun violence that is going on and the gun fights going on that were not being called on, Acevedo said, suggesting that if successful, the program could expand to become a citywide system.Many specifics of the proposed enhancements remain unclear. Acevedo said the $8.5 million would go toward a public safety camera system that will be spread out throughout the city, which business owners and homeowners will both be able to opt into. The department would then be able to access videos and hold it for up to five days. Acevedo said that some of the cameras might come from Ring, a controversial home surveillance doorbell company with which the city entered into a partnership last year.We need that virtual watch, that virtual capability and thanks to the mayor, hopefully well get it, Acevedo said.Its unclear how the departments partnership with Ring has benefited its efforts to fight crime, and opponents of the partnership say such surveillance arrangements potentially infringe on civil liberties and the privacy rights of individual citizens while ratchets up community fears needlessly.Acevedo dismissed those concerns, saying homeowners and businesses will be able to opt into the program and that there is no presumption of privacy on public streets.When I tried bring private safety cameras and the Austin, the ACLU there was against it. So I told them, okay, well, here's the deal. You demanded that we have cameras on public streets and police cars to keep an eye on the on the cops. Well, if its good enough to keep an eye on the cops, we need a camera to keep an eye on the crooks. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Island isnt the only place looking to free itself from an ultra-left government that doesnt reflect its values or value its contributions. Some of the more conservative parts of California want to separate from coastal and liberal areas. Some in Oregon want to expand state borders and become part of a greater Idaho. Red areas of Virginia want to join with like-minded folks in West Virginia. Thats what happens when city and state governments go too far to one extreme. Just like what weve seen in New York. City government has veered leftward under Bill de Blasio and a wildly liberal City Council. And now that the Dems control everything in Albany, were seeing the same from the state Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. These geniuses have launched a war on car culture, while at the same time standing down on enforcing laws. The ones who have given criminals a no-bail pass back onto the streets. Who demonize cops. The result? Graffiti trains roll through the subways. Squeegee men have returned. Thieves are stealing car tires again, leaving autos up on blocks. The bad old days are creeping back like a garbage tide. And its going to get worse before it gets better. Were likely to get another liberal Democratic administration in City Hall once de Blasio wanders off to the gym for the final time. No wonder theres talk of secession on Staten Island. Its not our city anymore. Its theirs. Would the other boroughs even notice if we left, except when it came time to tally up the tax revenue? City Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore) has introduced legislation to form a secession task force. Its something. But if leaving the city is going to be a legislative process, I dont have a lot of confidence that its going to fly. The last time Staten Island tried to secede, in the 1990s, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (boo, hiss) decreed that the Legislature needed a home rule message from the Council. Just like that, one lawmaker stopped the movement dead in its tracks. Staten Island lawmakers launched a lawsuit challenging Silvers decision. The case went all the way to the Court of Appeals, the highest in the state. The ruling was that Silver was immune from judicial review under the speech or debate clause of the state constitution. End of convo, as the Fonz used to say. It pretty much killed the secession movement. It could work out that way again. So what good is asking permission? Lets just leave. Since when is separatism a please-and-thank-you process? Im not talking about a revolution or a civil war. Lets just stop participating in the life of the city. Patriot artist Scott LoBaido is on the right track with his protest against speed cameras. Lets all of us do what we can to thwart that system, to highlight the locations of those cameras. Dry up that revenue. Challenge every ticket we get. Make the city work for the money. Better: Dont break the speed limit. Because the cameras are about money, not safety. If the city really wanted you to slow down, theyd warn you a camera was coming up. Hit lawmakers in the pocketbook. Its the only language they understand. How about a pro-car protest around City Hall or Gracie Mansion? Lets cause some gridlock. Let them hear our voices. Let them hear our horns. Take the protest to where they live. Lets refuse to leave the Staten Island Ferry when it docks. What are they going to do if there are a hundred of us? Arrest us? Occupy! Lets use the lefts tactics against them. Lets challenge our property tax bills. Our water bills. Lets launch a great war of red tape. Lets get our right-leaning legal eagles and retired judges in on the fun: How can we subvert the system? Keep using those plastic bags that weve all hoarded. Maybe the city will get so sick of us, theyll just let us leave. (This article was updated to correct information about the 1990s home rule lawsuit against Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.) As the coronavirus spreads across the globe, scammers and unsavory businesses are ready to take advantage of the fear and uncertainty. They use the headlines to steal your money. Dont be a victim. Here are four scams to watch out for as the world comes to grips with coronavirus. 1. Price gouging While New Jersey and other states have laws to protect consumers from price gouging when businesses raise prices more than 10 percent on products that are in great demand during an emergency disreputable sellers will try to take advantage of consumer desperation. Its already happening on Amazon.com as consumers shop for face masks to protect themselves from the virus. Amazon has warned merchants not to raise prices too high, according to published reports. The online seller has threatened merchants that product listings that are not in compliance with Amazons pricing policies could see the listings removed, and the merchants could be booted from the site completely. Amazon has also removed listings from sellers who claim their products are a treatment, cure or remedy for the coronavirus, published reports said. Other sellers are setting up fake websites to sell bogus products, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They also use fake emails, texts and social media posts to take your money for products that dont exist, and they steal your personal information to use in future scams. 2. False vaccine offers While pharmaceutical companies and government researchers are working on vaccines for coronavirus, a vaccine does not yet exist. That means you should ignore any offers for vaccinations. They might come in an email or in a phone call. Be especially wary of calls that come from someone claiming to work for Medicare or your health insurance company. "This is Medicare calling and you need to get on the list for a coronavirus vaccine, a caller might say. Just give us your credit card number to reserve your spot." Others are posing as officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO), and they try to fool people into giving up their personal information. There are no vaccine waiting lists. There is no vaccine yet. And no legitimate health authority will call you and ask for your personal information. 3. Fake charities Hucksters especially love when something big happens. Think Superstorm Sandy. Theres no doubt fake charities will start asking for money to help those who have contracted the virus and their families. If you receive an email from a purported charity, use caution. Dont click on links in the email, which could download a virus onto your computer. Consider carefully before you give money to anyone you dont know or anyone who reaches out to you. If you want to give, research online for the legitimate phone number or website of the charity. And be sure to check out the charity on sites like Charity Navigator and GuideStar. 4. Watch out for investment opportunities Tricksters are trying to get people to invest in companies that claim to have products or services that will be used to help fight the coronavirus. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it has become aware of online promotions, including on social media, claiming certain publicly-traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure coronavirus, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result. The promotions often take the form of so-called `research reports and make predictions of a specific `target price, the SEC said. We urge investors to be wary of these promotions, and to be aware of the substantial potential for fraud at this time. Microcap stocks are especially vulnerable and used for pump and dump schemes, SEC said. Have you been Bamboozled? Reach Karin Price Mueller at Bamboozled@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KPMueller. Find Bamboozled on Facebook. Mueller is also the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com. How populations change gets a lot of attention. Deaths are one determinant. As the world holds its breath in anticipation of a global pandemic, let's hope that this matter doesn't need more in-depth consideration any time soon. For now, let's look at a usually happier topic: births, and why Ireland's birth rate is now at the lowest since records began in 1864. Fertility is a central determinant in population change. It has moved up the agenda, as birth rates almost everywhere have fallen. According to the United Nations, half of the people alive in the world now live in a country where births are below the level required to stop its population falling in the long run. Fears of overpopulation of the recent past have now given way to crises of depopulation in many countries. Governments in developed countries, which once shied away from baby-boosting policies, have become more activist. In Ireland, encouraging more births has not yet become a major issue of public policy, even if we have experienced the same downward fertility trend as the rest of the world. As the accompanying graph shows, Ireland's birth rate has fallen to its lowest level since records began 156 years ago. Only 12.6 babies were born for every 1,000 people living in the country in 2018, down a third since 2008 and below the previous trough in the 1990s. Latest statistics for the first half of 2019 suggest it has further to fall. The recent legalisation of abortion may accelerate the trend further. Nevertheless, and despite the record low birth rate, Ireland still ranks high in the European baby league tables. In fact, the Irish had the highest birth rate in the EU in 2018. Perhaps a better measure of society's propensity to procreate is the total fertility rate - that is the number of births among women of child-bearing age. This is where the "replacement rate" of 2.1 babies comes from. In other words, it takes on average 2.1 kids per woman of child-bearing age just to keep a population stable (assuming no inward or outward migration). In every EU country the total fertility rate is now below that threshold. Ireland's estimated fertility rate was 1.75 in 2018. This, like the birth rate, was the lowest on record, but still above the EU28 average of 1.56. The only countries slightly ahead were France (1.84) and Sweden (1.76). Much lower fertility rates are to be found in southern Europe, with Spain (1.26) at the bottom of the league table. Other countries - such as Austria, Finland and Germany - are not far behind. And unlike Ireland, these countries have experienced low fertility for decades. It's worth noting that Ireland has had a very unusual demographic history. It may be surprising, given our history of big families, but in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, Ireland had one of the lowest birth rates in Europe. The main reason for that was low marriage rates - think of those bachelor farmers the writer John B Keane described hilariously and poignantly in his 'Letters of a Love-Hungry Farmer'. Another reason for Ireland's low marriage rates was its high vocation rates - most families in the country had an uncle or aunt, brother or sister in the religious orders. Among those who did marry, however, the number of children was high, hence the stereotypical big Irish family of yore. Yet despite these big families, fewer marriages depressed population growth. So did painfully high emigration rates. All these factors combined meant that Ireland's population fell almost continually from the Famine until the 1960s. This history was very much at odds with much of Europe at the time, when economies were industrialising and populations rapidly increasing, with the notable exceptions of the two world wars. It was only in the post-war period when Europe-wide birth rates started to decline sharply. There were several reasons for this, including better education, more liberal policies on family planning and higher labour force participation for women. In this period, Ireland went from having a relatively low rate of population growth to one of the highest in Europe. The economic growth that accompanied trade liberalisation of the 1960s helped curb emigration and increase population. The result was also a baby boom in the 1970s. Now Ireland is experiencing a baby bust. When the topic of falling births is raised, it's sometimes assumed that the trend is unique to Ireland. The legacies of the recession, the housing crisis and high cost of childcare have discouraged people from bringing more kids into the world. There is no doubt that these are serious problems. However, Ireland's baby bust really has to be viewed in wider context. Fertility rates here are higher than most northern European states, most of whom had milder recessions after 2008/09 and have less severe housing problems. The long-term trend throughout the developed world for fewer children would suggest something deeper going on. It probably reflects that women have more choice when it comes to children and family, not that they are more constrained. Whether the fall in births can be arrested or reversed is a major public policy question. Several European governments have ramped up spending, offering families lump sums and tax breaks. A reason to be sceptical that the trend will change is experience in the Nordic countries. Despite great services, parental leave and the like, birth rates continue to fall. It appears that being a better country in which to raise a child does not necessarily mean there will be more of them. The next Irish government may well introduce a suite of measures to lower the cost of raising children. There are policies that could be argued on their own merits - early-years childcare, for instance. They could benefit children and parents alike. But given experience elsewhere, don't expect them to lead to a lot more babies who could, among other things, pay for the explosion in pension spending that is coming down the line as the population ages. The Delaware Water Gap fire is out after burning 80 acres of undergrowth along the New Jersey cliffs this week, but the mystery of who started it remains. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is asking for tips that will aid the investigation. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call park service investigators at 888-653-0009 or submit a tip online at www.nps.gov/ISB. The parks Facebook page drew attention Thursday afternoon after posting pictures initially believed to show people at the fires starting point. However, a park spokeswoman told lehighvalleylive.com that the video stills were determined to be unrelated to this weeks blaze. The post has since been removed. UPDATE: ACTIVE INVESTIGATION: The the cause of the Rock Face Fire is actively being investigated by state and federal... Posted by Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on Thursday, February 27, 2020 However, the fire was almost certainly caused by humans. The weather was beautiful when the blaze started on Sunday, drawing many hikers and ruling out a lightning strike, Greg McLaughlin, the head of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, said in a call Tuesday. The Rock Face Fire started about 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Worthington State Forest which abuts the water gap national park somewhere between the Red Dot Trail, a steep and rugged path up Mt. Tammany, and Interstate 80, which winds between the mountain and Delaware River below in the Warren County townships of Knowlton and Hardwick. It took more than 50 firefighters about two days to contain the fire. No injuries were reported. To limit the fires spread, firefighters preemptively burned away flammable vegetation along the trail and the highway, which created a dramatic scene Sunday night of a mountain on fire. A squirrel eats among burned forest land in Worthington State Forest on Wednesday just days removed from an 80-acre wildfire.Michael Sol Warren | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The fire mostly affected brush and leaves on the forest floor, leaving splotches of blackened leaves and sticks around the trails in the most scenic part of the state and national parks there. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which includes a section of the Appalachian Trail, draws an average of almost 4 million visitors a year. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. If you are one of the thousands of American citizens and permanent residents who marry an undocumented person, you might want to help him get a green card to settle in the United States together. We have great news for you, as well as bad news. The good news is that, under the U.S. immigration laws, immigrants who marry U.S. residents or permanent citizens are one of the categories of people allowed to apply for green cards. If a marriage is to a U.S. citizen, then the immigrant is an "immediate relative," meaning that each year there is an infinite number of immigrant visas available in that category, so the immigrant will not wind up on a waitlist. If the marriage is for a U.S. legal permanent resident, then the immigrant is in category 2A preference, indicating that there will be a limited number of visas each year, and the immigrant will be on the waiting list. But it's not a wait as long as in most other classifications (typically between two and five years). Now, the bad news is whether a US-based immigrant can "adjust the status" it still depends on if he or she matches into one of a several narrow exemptions. The immigrant could only tweak status if he or she reached the U.S. lawfully, most certainly with a visa or after an immigration officer's evaluation, and either marries a U.S. citizen or is still on a valid visa, or if a visa or labor certification petition was filed for him or her several years ago when a law called "245" was still in effect. Furthermore, if the immigrant entered the United States by illegal means, such as being a stowaway or traversing through a wall over the border, status adjustment is not really a legislative option. In such a case, the first and only option would be to apply for the green card through a different procedure, called "consular processing". As if the law wasn't already complex enough, immigrants who reached the U.S. lawfully and who are hoping to change marriage-based status could be investigated by the immigration official determining their case as to whether their admission was actually lawful; or whether the immigrant misused a visa by secretly planning to apply for a green card after entering. However, someone who is applying for any visa other than a fiance visa to come to the U.S. with wedding plans already in mind would not be eligible for a green card; or at least, not without successfully applying for a waiver (legal pardon). Consular processing includes the applicant receiving a US embassy or consulate interview in his or her home country. An immigrant who has lived illegally in the United States and then leaves the country for consular processing avoids being disciplined for the illegal residency. The punishment is three years imprisonment if the period of illegal residence is 180 days or more, and ten years imprisonment if the period of illegal residence is one or more years. A court order can be filed (on FormI-601) enabling an earlier transfer, but certainly seek professional advice before depending on that strategy. The illegal immigrant's spouse must prove that if the immigrant is denied re-entry he, she, or their children will suffer deprivation. The above information is merely a brief summary of the adjustment of an illegal immigrant's status rights. The law is complicated, and includes pitfalls as well as useful exceptions. Please consult your specific circumstances with an Immigrant lawyer. The loan agreement was signed in July 2019 and ratified by parliament in November Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued Thursday a presidential decree, No 519 of 2019, approving a loan agreement between Egypt and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) worth $14 million. The loan, which was signed in July 2019, is set to establish grain storage facilities in Port Said governorate. The Egyptian parliament ratified the agreement in November before it was signed by the president. Search Keywords: Short link: China will send 1,00,000 specially-bred ducks to Pakistan to aid its iron friends fight against the locust plague, described by Prime Minister Imran Khan as the worst such attack in decades. Newly hatched ducklings from eastern Chinas Zhejiang province will be the frontline weapons in this assault on the insects, billions of which have spread from east Africa to several parts of Pakistan, laying to waste thousands of hectares of farmland. It could not be immediately verified if these would be the same 1,00,000 ducks stationed as of now, according to the state broadcaster, CGTN, in Xinjiang in northwest China along its border with Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir. ALSO WATCH | Coronavirus: Will India evacuate Pakistani students from China? Govt answers China has already dispatched a team of experts from the Chinese ministry of agriculture and rural affairs, which is visiting the worst-affected Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab provinces to coordinate control measures, state media reported. The disciplined duck army from China is ready, Ningbo news from Zhejiang reported Thursday. Lu Lizhi, a researcher at Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, explained why ducks are a dangerous foe to rampant locusts compared to, say, chickens. Ducks like to live in groups and are more convenient to manage than chickens. They have stronger vitality, foraging ability, and resistance to cold, which is suitable for survival in the wild, Lu said. As it turns out, deploying one duck is equivalent to destroying a family of locusts. A chicken can eat 70 locusts a day, and a duck can eat more than 200, which has three times the combat capability. Moreover, ducks eat locusts in a carpet-like manner, Lu said. Also, ducks are more disciplined than frogs and birds, which are also natural enemies of locusts, a type of a grasshopper. The duck Guo Shao No. 1 from Shaoxing region of Zhejiang will be leading the fight. Among the Shaoxing ducks, the mallard duck of ma duck is large in size and has strong predation ability, making it the first choice for locust control, Lu said. The ma duck has an illustrious fighting record. In 2000, when locusts swarmed Xinjiang, these duck soldiers were transported by air from Zhejiang; they were shipped more than 10 times in batches, totaling more than 1,00,000. Locusts can either be controlled biologically or through pesticides. From the context of environmental protection, the benefits of biological control are more. The former has high killing costs and pesticide residues, and the latter not only has no environmental pollution, but also can repair the biological chain, Lu added. After fighting the locusts, the ducks could become food too, the news report said. In addition, after the ducklings are grown, the meat is tender, and after the locust eradication retires, it can become a delicious dish on the table of local residents, bringing economic income, it said. 2.44M Inferred Tonnes at 2.98% Copper Equivalent Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - Rockcliff Metals Corporation (CSE: RCLF) (FSE: RO0) (WKN: A2H60G) ("Rockcliff" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an Updated Mineral Resource Estimate by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. ("P&E") on the Talbot Property, central Manitoba. The Talbot Property is part of the Company's Manitoba property portfolio and is located within the prolific Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt. Alistair Ross, President and CEO commented, "We are very pleased to see the Indicated Mineral Resource Classification of the Deposit along with an increase in tonnage at improved grades. This bodes well for the next phase of the work on the Talbot Property." The P&E Updated Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate with an effective date of Feb 28, 2020 prepared by P&E for the Talbot Deposit is detailed below. Talbot Property Updated Mineral Resource Estimate at 1.5% CuEq cut-off February 28, 2020(1-10) Classification Tonnes (k) Cu (%) Zn (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) CuEq (%) Cu (Mlbs) Zn (Mlbs) Au (koz) Ag (koz) CuEq (Mlbs) Indicated 2,194 2.33 1.79 2.06 36.0 4.40 112.6 86.7 145.4 2,541 212.7 Inferred 2,445 1.13 1.74 1.87 25.8 2.98 60.7 93.6 147.1 2,030 160.4 1) Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, marketing, or other relevant issues. 2) Mineral Resources were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council. (3) The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence that that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. (4) Approximate Jan 31/20 two year trailing average US$ metal prices used were $3/lb Cu, $1.10/lb Zn, $1,350/oz Au and $16.50/oz Ag. The US$:CDN$ exchange rate used was 0.77. (5) Respective process recoveries for Cu, Zn, Au, Ag were 95%, 80%, 80%, 80% (6) Respective smelter payables for Cu, Zn, Au, Ag were 96.5%, 85%, 90%, 90%. (7)Respective USD Cu and Zn smelter treatment charges used were $80 and $250/tonne with concentrate freight of CDN$65/tonne. (8) CuEq% was calculated as follows: Cu% + (Zn % x 0.220) + (Au g/t x 0.673) + (Ag g/t x 0.008). (9) The 1.5% CuEq cut-off is approximately equivalent to a C$100/tonne project operating cost. (10) Contained metal totals may differ due to rounding. Resource Estimation Methodology The Mineral Resource Estimate reported herein, considered drilling information available up to December 21, 2019 and was evaluated using a geostatistical block modeling approach constrained by polymetallic mineralization wireframes utilizing Geovia GEMS modeling software. The evaluation of the Mineral Resource involved CuEq cut-off value determination, cross-sectional polyline interpretation' constraining wireframe creation, compositing, grade capping, variography, grade Interpolation and Mineral Resource quantification. A total of 107 drill holes (totalling 57,303 metres) from the entire database were reviewed and 51 of those drill holes (totalling 35,027 metres) were utilized to create the constraining wireframes which have an overall (Main Zone and NE Zone) strike length of 680 metres, down dip projection of 740 metres and average true width of 5.1 metres. There were 619 assays captured by the constraining wireframes that were combined into 376 composites with an average length of 1.0 metres. A grade capping evaluation was performed on the composites and resulted in the following upper limits: Cu 13%, Zn not capped Au 17g/t, Ag 230g/t. The capped composites were evaluated with variography to determine the grade interpolation search ellipsoid ranges for grade interpolation and classification. The Indicated Mineral Resource classification search ranges were 60 metres along strike, 65 metres down dip and 10 metres across dip. In order for a model block to be coded with an Indicated classification, its centroid must be able to see a minimum of 6 composites from at least 2 drill holes. Grade interpolation was undertaken with the ID2 method for Cu and Zn and ID3 for Au and Ag. The bulk density model of Main Zone was interpreted from 138 bulk density samples with a simple search ellipse. The resulting block model utilized blocks that were 2.5 m in the X direction, 5 m in the Y direction and 5 m in the Z direction. The subsequent block model grades and tonnages were quantified within 1.5% CuEq constraining wireframe domains at a 1.5% CuEq cut-off value in order to report the Mineral Resource Estimate. The current Mineral Resource Estimate supersedes the December 2017 estimate which reported the following: Inferred 4.23 Mt at 1.61% Cu, 1.40 % Zn, 1.77 g/t Au and 28.0 g/t Ag The main reasons for the differences between the December 2017 and current estimate are as follows: 23 additional holes drilled CuEq cut-off lowered to 1.5% ID3 grade estimation used for Au and Ag Attainment of suitable Indicated classification variogram Neither Rockcliff's Qualified Person, Ken Lapierre, P.Geo., nor P&E's Qualified Person, Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., nor management of Rockcliff is aware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues that may materially affect the estimate of the Mineral Resource. The Technical Report, compiled in accordance with NI 43-101, will be filed on Rockcliff's issuer profile on SEDAR within 45 days of release of this press release. Talbot Mineralization and Resource Expansion Potential The Talbot Property hosts the high-grade Talbot Deposit, which is defined as a stratabound, gold-rich Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide ("VMS") deposit consisting of coarse grain to stringer to massive sulphides of pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrrhotite in a quartzofeldspathic gneiss. The polymetallic mineralization remains open in all directions. The depositional environment of the Talbot Property is like that of present and past producing VMS deposits associated with bi-model volcanism (felsic to mafic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks) in the Flin Flon - Snow Lake greenstone belt. Quality Control and Quality Assurance Samples of half core were packaged and shipped directly from Rockcliff's core facility in Snow Lake to TSL Laboratories (TSL), in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. TSL is a Canadian assay laboratory and is accredited under ISO/IEC 17025. Each bagged core sample was dried, crushed to 70% passing 10 mesh and a 250g pulp is pulverized to 95% passing 150 mesh for assaying. A 0.5g cut is taken from each pulp for base metal analyses and leached in a multi acid (total) digestion and then analyzed for copper, lead, zinc and silver by atomic absorption. Gold concentrations are determined by fire assay using a 30g charge followed by an atomic absorption finish. Samples greater than the upper detection limit (3000 ppb) are reanalyzed using fire assay gravimetric using a 1 AT charge. Rockcliff inserted certified blanks and standards in the sample stream to ensure lab integrity. Rockcliff has no relationship with TSL other than TSL being a service provider to the Company. The Mineral Resource for the Talbot Property disclosed in this press release has been estimated by Mr. Yungang Wu, P.Geo. an associate geologist of P&E and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., president of P&E, both independent of Rockcliff. By virtue of their education and relevant experience Messrs. Wu and Puritch are "Qualified Persons" for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Puritch has read and approved the technical contents of this press release as it pertains to the disclosed Mineral Resource Estimate. Ken Lapierre P.Geo., VP Exploration of Rockcliff, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this press release. Rockcliff recently earned a 51% interest in the Talbot Property by completing expenditures totalling $6.12M over a 5-year period. Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay", HBM:TSX;NYSE) controls the remaining 49% interest in the Talbot Property and has the right to earn-back an additional 2% interest in accordance with the Option Agreement between the parties. A joint venture agreement is presently being negotiated between Rockcliff and Hudbay. About Rockcliff Metals Corporation Rockcliff is a well-funded Canadian resource development and exploration company, with a fully functional +1,000 tpd leased processing and tailings facility as well as several advance-staged, high-grade copper and zinc dominant VMS deposits in the Snow Lake area of central Manitoba. The Company is a major landholder in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt which is home to the largest Paleoproterozoic VMS district in the world, hosting mines and deposits containing copper, zinc, gold and silver. The Company's extensive portfolio of properties totals over 4,500 square kilometres and includes eight of the highest-grade, undeveloped VMS deposits in the belt. For more information, please visit http://rockcliffmetals.com Twitter: @RockcliffMetals Linkedin: Rockcliff Metals Corp Facebook: Rockcliff Metals Corporation For further information, please contact: Rockcliff Metals Corporation Alistair Ross President & CEO Cell: (249) 806-0387 aross@rockcliffmetals.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements contained in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although Rockcliff believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52909 NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Webull Financial LLC, an independent, self-directed broker dealer focused on zero-commission trading and in-depth market data, today announced the launch of Webull 6.0. The new version of the app includes features such as AI-enabled voice commands, a more simplified "big button" user interface and price ladder trading, a streamlined portfolio and redesigned P&L Page, powerful new charting tools, and a new explorer page to help users sort through market data more effectively. "Our goal is to make trading accessible and intuitive to all users. Webull 6.0 does exactly this by way of new tools to increase efficiency, improve user experience and provide data to inform consumer trading," said Anthony Denier, CEO of Webull. "For example, our new AI-enabled voice command feature enables users to trade or conduct research, using simple prompts such as 'buy,' 'sell' or 'search' using only the sound of their voice." Webull 6.0 catapults the company to the forefront because it's the only commission-free trading company with a built-in AI-enabled voice command capability. With this update, 11M users can also benefit from the following additional features: Big Button Mode and Price Ladder: Enables users to quickly place trades at the push of a button, simplifying their experience through four streamlined trade functions buy on market, sell on market, buy ask or sell bid. Paired with Webull's Price Ladder tool, users can get a view of the order book and seamlessly place your orders by tapping on the bids and asks. Enables users to quickly place trades at the push of a button, simplifying their experience through four streamlined trade functions buy on market, sell on market, buy ask or sell bid. Paired with Webull's Price Ladder tool, users can get a view of the order book and seamlessly place your orders by tapping on the bids and asks. Streamlined Portfolio and P&L Pages : Features a newly designed P&L page, which now includes a newly introduced cumulative P&L and daily P&L analysis. : Features a newly designed P&L page, which now includes a newly introduced cumulative P&L and daily P&L analysis. Powerful Charting Tools: Includes 40 technical indicators and 12 charting tools, users can easily analyze trends and decipher market information. Webull's technical indicators assist users with drawing out stock price predictions, while also giving them a bigger picture of the market and their overall trading strategy. Includes 40 technical indicators and 12 charting tools, users can easily analyze trends and decipher market information. Webull's technical indicators assist users with drawing out stock price predictions, while also giving them a bigger picture of the market and their overall trading strategy. Explore Page: Allows users to utilize various screeners, such as real-time rankings and sector trends to help sort through the market noise. About Webull Financial Webull Financial LLC is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). The headquarters of Webull Financial LLC is located at 44 Wall Street, New York, NY, USA. SOURCE Webull Financial LLC Related Links www.webullbroker.com Kate Schneidau and Chris Kaminsky, AMUGs 2020 scholarship recipients. The talent pool made it a challenge to select the right individuals, but both of our recipients are amazing and truly deserving of this honor. The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) today announced the recipients of its scholarships. Katherine (Kate) Schneidau, who is pursuing a masters degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Louisville, has been awarded the Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarship. Chris Kaminsky, Lakeshore Fab Lab manager at the Muskegon Community College, has been awarded the Randy Stevens Scholarship. With these recognitions, Mr. Kaminsky and Ms. Schneidau will engage with additive manufacturing (AM) users at the AMUG Conference, which will be held in Chicago, Illinois, from March 22-26, 2020. The scholarships honor and recognize educational leaders, including one student and one teacher, that have a passion for AM. Brett Charlton, chair of the AMUG Scholarship Committee, said, Im so excited to announce that Ms. Schneidau and Mr. Kaminsky have accepted the scholarships and will attend AMUG 2020. Once again, the pool of applicants was strong, and their experiences were vast. Im certainly in awethe experiences of our 2020 applicants in AM are astonishing, and it bodes well for AMs future! The talent pool made it a challenge to select the right individuals, but both of our recipients are amazing and truly deserving of this honor. Kate Schneidau is a mechanical engineering graduate student at the University of Louisville (Louisville, Kentucky) with an extreme passion for AM. Kates first exposure to AM was through an engineering co-op at the U of L Rapid Prototyping Center where she learned system operation for Stereolithography (SL), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Select Laser Sintering (SLS), Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) and a few other additive technologies. Kate says, Within my first month of work, I knew AM was the field I wanted to dedicate my career to. As a graduate research assistant, Kate was able to share her learnings with others by training and mentoring new co-op engineers to operate the AM equipment. She assisted with metal AM training and served as the lead instructor for one class. She has used her hands-on experience to develop new process parameters for both plastic and metal materials, while also optimizing support structures in metal AM. In one of her projects, Kate developed a flexible recoater blade for use in the EOS M270 and M290 systems, which was a driving factor in her masters thesis titled Understanding the build capabilities and limitations between rigid and flexible recoater blades. Through her research, Kate has noticed a trend in the lack of available resources on AM. She strongly believes that AM training and education need to be incorporated into higher-level education. Kate stated, In the future, I hope my work with AM training contributes to the creation of a technically competent workforce. Currently, knowledge is held by those who have been in the industry for years, as they have learned from practical experience. Yet, there is a growing demand for engineers and technicians with technical knowledge of AM processes right out of school. Thus, a program needs to be in place across the U.S. to facilitate industry needs. Kate seeks to be a driving force in the development of such a program and the resulting curriculum. Chris Kaminsky is the lab manager at Lakeshore Fab Lab at Muskegon Community College (Muskegon, Michigan), which is an entrepreneurially focused makerspace working to give people access to technology and software that is typically out of reach for the general public. By night, Chris is an additive manufacturing evangelist working towards demystifying the complexities of 3D printing and design by making it accessible to everyone. To help do so, he co-founded the MI3D organization, which supports over 500 3D enthusiasts with local events. He is also involved in online communities, such as the 3D Printing Club (3DPC.tech), where discussions can range from basic concepts to advanced topics. Chris is also an avid guest speaker about the transformational power of AM, be it to a group of K-12 students or tech-savvy adults at a Startup Weekend-style event. Entrepreneurial at heart, Chris also offers prototyping and design services through his company, Crisco Designs. His recent work experience includes application/mechanical engineering roles at General Motors, Burton Precision, Perception Engineering, and JR Automation. Chris hopes to bring people together and empower communities by showcasing how innovative technologies, such as AM, can change lives. As the winner of the Randy Stevens Scholarship, he hopes to return from the AMUG Conference with knowledge from industry leaders across the world and then inspire his staff, volunteers, and community to develop transformative solutions. The Guy E. Bourdeau Scholarshipfounded by Guys wife, Renee Bourdeau, and financially supported by Cimquest, Inc.is awarded annually to one college student. The Randy Stevens Scholarship, founded by Randys employer, InTech Industries, is awarded annually to one educator that emphasizes or focuses on additive manufacturing. ABOUT ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING USERS GROUP (AMUG) AMUG is an organization that educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies. AMUG members include those with industrial additive manufacturing/3D printing technologies and materials used for professional purposes from companies such as 3D Systems, 3YOURMIND, BASF 3D Printing Solutions, Carbon, CATI, DMG MORI, DSM Additive Manufacturing, Dyndrite, EOS, Essentium, ExOne, Formlabs, GE Additive, HP Inc., Renishaw, SLM Solutions, Stratasys, and VELO3D AMUG meets annually to provide education and training through technical presentations on processes and new technologies. This information addresses the operation of additive manufacturing equipment and the applications that use the parts they make. Online at http://www.amug.com. Health Minister Victor Costache stated that the first case of infection with the coronavirus (COVID-19) confirmed in Romania is a man from a locality in Gorj County, who came in contact with the Italian citizen from Rimini who came to the area in the February 18-22 period, his condition being good, without presenting any symptoms. "We are, unfortunately, able to announce that following testing conducted on the people in Gorj County, who came in contact with the Italian citizen from Rimini, we have the first confirmed case of COVID-19 infection on Romanian soil. The man is from a locality in Gorj County. Immediately after arriving in Bucharest, he will enter the treatment scheme and we hope for a positive evolution. The man's health status is good, he does not manifest any symptoms and we must not be alarmed. We're speaking of a totally asymptomatic person. We have another 33 tests in the works in the area, and we will communicate the results as soon as possible, Victor Costache told an extraordinary press conference held at the Interior Ministry (MAI). Furthermore, Secretary of State Raed Arafat, head of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), said that the man, who does not show coughing or fever, will be taken this evening by a crew with the Dolj County Emergency Situations Inspectorate, using an isolation chamber fitted vehicle, and will be brought to the Matei Bals Infectious Disease Hospital in Bucharest. According to Arafat, the family of the man in Gorj confirmed to have the virus is formed of 7 people, who have now entered isolation. He emphasized that the locality where the man lives will not be indicated, because "it's the right thing to do". Minister Costache also showed that authorities are conducting an epidemiological enquiry in order to identify all the people that the man confirmed to have COVID-19 has interacted with in the past days. According to the Health Minister, the man confirmed with coronavirus was in direct contact with the Italian, and he is to be tested again in hospital in the coming days. Furthermore, the seven people that have lived in-house with the patient will be subjected to testing again. The minister added that there is a positive side, that "patient zero" has been identified and the fact that those he came in contact with are in a rural environment and not an urban agglomeration, and efficient measures can thus be taken. In this context, State Secretary Raed Arafat emphasized that it is not an epidemic, but "we are speaking of a single case." "When the number of cases gets bigger, the approach is adapted to the situation. We do not want to give information that would lead to the patient. The direct message is that the virus is airborne, but you must be in close proximity for 15 minutes," Arafat mentioned. Both the DSU State Secretary, as well as Minister Costache emphasized that all seven people, this man's relatives, were tested, the results coming back negative. "All seven, according to information we have at this moment, have tested negative, yet given that the person who tested positive lived there and there was direct contact, all seven persons will remain at home, in isolation, under guard, and all necessities will be ensured, but they won't be able to leave the house. They will remain in quarantine in the house for at least 14 days, after which they will be tested to establish if any of them is positive. If one of them shows symptoms in the 14 days, then that person is tested, if they are positive, then they are transported to hospital (...) They are quarantined, which means they are to have no form of contact, only with protected persons. When the Health Directorate comes to see them, they enter with complete protection gear," Raed Arafat stated. He added that the neighbors in the respective locality need to understand that these seven persons, being isolated at home, "cannot affect them or endanger them". "Already an important number of persons from that locality were tested and showed negative results, the same with the seven family members - negative, so we don't expect a dramatic development, but we are ready for all scenarios (...) What must be understood is that at the world level there are tens of thousands of people already cured of this disease, there are others with no symptoms who have a light development of the disease. We hope that is our case too, in Gorj," the Health Minister, Victor Costache, concluded. Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have revealed new details about how joint inflammation evolves in rheumatoid arthritis, and the cells that prolong the inflammatory attack. In both laboratory models and human clinical samples, the research team pinpointed immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells as an unexpected source of the inflammatory protein GM-CSF in rheumatoid arthritis, the first clue that these cells contribute to inflammatory autoimmune diseases. The research also explained how GM-CSF signals to other immune cells to prolong joint inflammation, and how GM-CSF signalling to immune cells is kept in check in healthy joints. These discoveries could indicate potential new therapeutic targets for reducing joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, and could potentially reduce inflammation in other autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis. The research was published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine by a team co-led by Professor Ian Wicks, Professor Nicholas Huntington and Dr Cynthia Louis, with Dr Fernando Souza-Fonseca-Guimaraes. At a glance The cell signalling protein GM-CSF causes inflammation that occurs in joints during rheumatoid arthritis. Our researchers have identified natural killer (NK) cells as a major source of GM-CSF in rheumatoid arthritis, the first time these cells have been implicated in an autoimmune disease. The team also identified the protein CIS as a key molecular brake that dampens GM-CSF activity and inflammation, revealing a potential new therapeutic avenue for inflammatory diseases. A surprising source of GM-CSF Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks joints and other tissues, causing inflammation, pain and long-term joint damage. GM-CSF was originally discovered at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute as a growth factor for blood cells, but it is increasingly recognised as a key inflammatory mediator that drives a number of autoimmune diseases. Professor Wicks said that his team's earlier research, together with colleagues at the University of Melbourne, had identified the signalling protein GM-CSF as an important contributor to joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. "When we removed GM-CSF, we could see a reduction in inflammation. This finding underpinned the development and current clinical trials of inhibitors of GM-CSF signalling as a new approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis," he said. "Although we knew that GM-CSF signalling was important in joint inflammation, which cells were producing GM-CSF within joints, and how this protein signalled after binding to its receptor on other immune cells, was not well understood." Dr Louis said the team discovered that GM-CSF in inflamed arthritis joints was produced by immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells. "This was a surprise because, until now, NK cells were thought to primarily be important for clearing virus-infected or cancer cells," she said. "This is the first time NK cells have been found to contribute to tissue inflammation in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. "As well as looking at our laboratory model of arthritis, we examined cells from the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis and confirmed that NK cells are indeed a significant source of GM-CSF in patients. "This discovery has solved one part of the puzzle about how inflammation occurs in rheumatoid arthritis," Dr Louis said. Filling in the gaps The team revealed that the protein CIS is important for 'switching off' GM-CSF signalling, a critical mechanism to restrain destructive inflammation in arthritis. "In the absence of CIS, we saw hyperactivation of GM-CSF signalling and more severe arthritis," Dr Louis said. "This research showed that if a new drug that mimics CIS were to be developed, it may help to reduce the debilitating effects of GM-CSF in rheumatoid arthritis, but also in other inflammatory diseases driven by GM-CSF, such as multiple sclerosis." Professor Wicks said the research revealed new aspects of cell signalling that warranted further investigation. "We're very excited to have progressed our understanding of rheumatoid arthritis and potentially other inflammatory diseases," he said. ### Professor Wicks is joint head of Clinical Translation at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and head of Rheumatology at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Professor Huntington is now at Monash University's Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Dr Souza-Fonseca-Guiamares is now at the University of Queensland Diamantina Institute. The research was supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, John T Reid Charitable Trusts and Victorian Government. Scientists involved in the research were also supported by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Cure Cancer Australia, Harry J Lloyd Charitable Trust, Melanoma Research Alliance, Tour de Cure, Cancer Research Institute and Ian Potter Foundation. Saudi German Hospitals (SGH) Group has announced its foray into the kingdom's Eastern Province with a 300-bed hospital in Dammam. The Dammam hospital is the group's 11th facility in the region and comes in line with its strategic expansion plans for the kingdom and also the wider region, said a statement from SHG. This comes as part of a much bigger project, the Batterjee Medical City which includes a medical college, housing and specialty hospitals, it stated. It was inaugurated in the presence of Prince Saud Bin Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province. Speaking at the launch, Group President Makarem Sobhi Batterjee said: "We are proud to announce the opening of our first hospital in the Eastern Province, which affirms our commitment to reach to every patient in Saudi Arabia." "The Dammam hospital is a state-of-the-art facility offering comfortable spaces for patients and visitors, equipped with the latest medical equipment and technology, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - Golden Opportunity Resources Corp. (CSE: GOOP) (the "Company" or "Golden Opportunity") is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent (the "LOI") with Mirasol Resources Ltd. ("Mirasol") to acquire a 100% interest (the "Option") in Mirasol's 73,411 hectare Virginia silver project located in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina (the "Project").In addition, Golden Opportunity is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$2,000,000 (the "Private Placement") through the issuance of up to 20,000,000 units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a price of C$0.10 per Unit with a half of a Warrant at a price of C$0.25 for two years. Golden Opportunity's CEO Keith Anderson comments, "This is an exciting time in our Company's infancy stage since recently being publicly listed. This Letter of Intent with Mirasol is a step towards building an exciting new mining company with a focus on developing precious metal assets in mining friendly jurisdictions. Once this transaction is completed, Mirasol will be a significant shareholder and a strategic partner as we move forward in creating value for all of our shareholders. Mirasol will also continue to be the Operator of the Project, which will come with in-country technical and geopolitical experience of operating in the district." "The Virginia Project is located in a well-known, safe and established mining district with neighbouring resources and mines run by some of the largest silver and gold mining companies. Though the mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby projects is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization hosted on the Virginia project, the district includes major mining companies such as McEwen Mining, Hochschild, Pan American Silver, Yamana Gold and Sandstorm Gold. Mirasol has already done a great amount of ground and drilling exploration work to identify, expand and create targets within and outside of the known mineralization. Our team is looking forward to working together on developing this Project." Location Map of the Virginia Silver Project in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6972/52912_aca2a2a414e6f81c_002full.jpg Virginia Silver Project Highlights Mirasol first discovered the Project in 2009, following-up a high-priority reconnaissance target identified by its generative team. Over the next few years, Mirasol defined high-grade, intermediate sulfidation epithermal style mineralization in a series of prominent outcrops of vein-breccia that are associated with a rhyolitic volcanic flow dome field. Rock chip and saw cut channel sampling over these outcrops defined significant strike lengths of continuously mineralized vein-breccia, with many samples assaying over 1,000 g/t silver ("Ag"). From 2010 to 2012, Mirasol completed a series of drill programs at the Project, drilling a total of 23,318 m of diamond core in 223 holes, testing the mineralized structures to a maximum depth of 266m. This work was followed by a technical report entitled "Amended Technical Report, Virginia Project, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina - Initial Silver Mineral Resource Estimate" with an effective date of October 24, 2014 and a report date of February 29, 2016, defining seven outcropping bodies of high grade silver mineralization, constrained within conceptual pits, with an indicated mineral resource of 11.9 million ounces of silver at 310 g/t Ag and a further inferred 3.1 million ounces of silver at 207 g/t Ag. Claim Map of the Virginia Silver Project in the Santa Cruz Province of Argentina To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6972/52912_aca2a2a414e6f81c_003full.jpg Later that year, Mirasol reported that preliminary prospecting of new claims identified quartz vein and vein-breccia rock float, scattered along a 2 km trend. With a strong belief in the exploration potential of the Virginia district, Mirasol further expanded its property holdings in 2017 with an extra 27,017 hectares of claims to the south of the limit of previous drilling. In May 2018, high grade silver assay results were reported from the additional prospecting of three new target areas, suggesting the potential for an unrecognized, shallow, soil covered, high grade mineralization that would expand the potential of the Project. Golden Opportunity and Mirasol look forward to testing the exploration upside at the Project at a time of improving precious metal prices. The Transaction Golden Opportunity and Mirasol have agreed to negotiate a definitive agreement to option the Project (the "Definitive Agreement"), and Mirasol has granted Golden Opportunity an exclusivity period to negotiate the Definitive Agreement. Until the time that the Option is exercised in full by Golden Opportunity, Mirasol shall operate the Project, however, Golden Opportunity shall pay the costs of maintaining the Project as part of its obligation to incur certain expenditures described below. The Definitive Agreement shall allow the Company to acquire a 100% interest in the Project through (collectively, the "Exercise Price"): payment of US$25,000 by Golden Opportunity to Mirasol on execution of the LOI, and payment of a further US$25,000 by Golden Opportunity to Mirasol within five days after closing of the next financing completed by Golden Opportunity (collectively, the "Deposit"); subject to all regulatory approval, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"), the issuance of such number of common shares of Golden Opportunity (the "Shares") equal to 19.9% of the Shares outstanding at the time the Option is fully exercised; and completion of an aggregate of US$6,000,000 of exploration expenditures incurred in respect of the Project ("Exploration Expenditures"). The Shares are issuable as follows: Such number of Shares equal to 9.9% of the Shares outstanding at the time that the Definitive Agreement is executed (the "Execution Date"), issued to Mirasol within five business days of the Execution Date; Such number of Shares equal to 5.0% of the Shares outstanding on the date that is 12 months after the Execution Date (the "First Anniversary Date"), issued to Mirasol within five business days of the First Anniversary Date; Such number of Shares equal to 5.0% of the Shares outstanding on the date that is 24 months after the Execution Date (the "Second Anniversary Date"), issued to Mirasol within five business days of the Second Anniversary Date; and Such number of Shares that would cause Mirasol to hold 19.9% of the Shares (inclusive of all prior issuances to Mirasol) outstanding on the date that is 36 months after the Execution Date (the "Third Anniversary Date"), issued to Mirasol within five business days of the Third Anniversary Date. The Exploration Expenditures are payable as follows: Exploration Expenditures of US$1,000,000 incurred on or before the First Anniversary Date, which shall be a firm commitment of Golden Opportunity (the "Firm Commitment"). If the Financing is completed and the Definitive Agreement is executed, then the Deposit shall be applied as a credit towards Golden Opportunities' obligation to fund the Firm Commitment; Exploration Expenditures of US$2,000,000 incurred on or before the Second Anniversary Date, for aggregate Exploration Expenditures of US$3,000,000; and Exploration Expenditures of US$3,000,000 incurred on or before the Third Anniversary Date, for aggregate Exploration Expenditures of US$6,000,000. Following payment of the Exercise Price in full, Mirasol shall transfer 100% of the mineral concessions which comprise the Project to Golden Opportunity (excluding surface rights), subject to a 3% net smelter returns royalty payable on all minerals mined from the Project (the "NSR") which shall be retained by Mirasol. Golden Opportunity shall have the option to buy back a 1% NSR for payment of the sum of US$2,000,000 to Mirasol (the "1% NSR Buyback"). Following exercise of the 1% NSR Buyback, Mirasol shall continue to hold an unencumbered (no buyback, right of first offer or right of first refusal) 2% NSR royalty payable on all minerals mined from the Project. The closing of the Option is subject to, among other things, Golden Opportunity and Mirasol negotiating and executing the Definitive Agreement, exchange approval and Golden Opportunity completing an equity financing of not less than US$1 million within 90 days. Private Placement The Company also announces a Private Placement of up to 20,000,000 Units at a price of C$0.10 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one Share and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one Share at a price of C$0.25 per share for a period of 24 months following the date of issuance. The Warrants are subject to an acceleration right that allows the Company to give notice of an earlier expiry date if the Company's share price on the CSE (or such other stock exchange the Shares may be trading on) is equal to or greater than C$0.50 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days. The Company may pay a finder's fee on all or a portion of the Private Placement in accordance with the policies of the CSE. Proceeds of the private placement will be used for work on the Company's mineral properties and general working capital. The Private Placement is subject to the acceptance of the CSE. About Golden Opportunity Resources Corp. Golden Opportunity is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in mining friendly jurisdictions. Its objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metal properties of merit. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. (BC) a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and a Director of Golden Opportunity. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Keith Anderson Chief Executive Officer, Director For further information, please contact: Keith Anderson Chief Executive Officer, Director (604) 786-7774 GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY RESOURCES CORP. Suite 830 - 1100 Melville Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 4A6 www.golden-opps.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the negotiation and execution of the Definitive Agreement, the timing and payment the Exercise Price, future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Project, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Project, the terms and conditions of the Private Placement and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's option to acquire the Project, the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the CSE), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated August 30, 2019 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES 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/52912 [February 26, 2020] Electronic Cash Register Market 2019-2023 | Adoption of Electronic Cash Registers (ECRS) by SMES to Boost Growth | Technavio Technavio has been monitoring the electronic cash register market and it is poised to grow by USD 4.9 billion during 2019-2023, progressing at a CAGR of 8% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226005756/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Electronic Cash Register Market 2019-2023 (Graphic: Business Wire) Adoption of electronic cash registers (ECRS) by SMES has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Request a free sample report Electronic Cash Register Market 2019-2023: Segmentation Electronic Cash Register Market is segmented as below: Type Standard ECRS Checkout/POS System Self-service POS End-User Retail Hospitality Geographic segmentation APAC Europe MEA North America South America 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=IRTNTR30965 Electronic Cash Register 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 electronic cash register market report covers the following areas: Electronic Cash Register Market Size Electronic Cash Register Market Trends Electronic Cash Register Market Industry Analysis This study identifies shift toward cloud-based solutions as one of the prime reasons driving the electronic cash register market growth during the next few years. Electronic Cash Register Market 2019-2023: Vendor Analysis We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the electronic cash register market, including some of the vendors such as CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, Olivetti SpA, SHARP CORPORATION and Toshiba (News - Alert) Tec Corporation. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research reports on the electronic cash register 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 Electronic Cash Register Market 2019-2023: Key Highlights CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2019-2023 Detailed information on factors that will assist electronic cash register market growth during the next five years Estimation of the electronic cash register market size and its contribution to the parent market Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior The growth of the electronic cash register market Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of electronic cash register 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/20200226005756/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The former Tory chairman who led the body that transformed the RUC into the PSNI has said nationalist leaders could have done more in the past to encourage Catholic recruits. However, Lord Chris Patten said he was delighted that many, including Sinn Fein leaders, were now "pretty positive" about Catholics joining the force. And as it was revealed that Catholics accounted for less than a third of applicants in the latest PSNI recruitment drive, Lord Patten declined to call for a return to 50/50 recruitment. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph last night, he said he was as concerned about the gender balance in the police as he was about religious equality. Just 31% of the 6,961 people who applied to join the force over the last three weeks were Catholic, despite Sinn Fein publicly supporting the campaign. Catholics account for around 32% of the force, and that figure is predicted to drop over coming years. But Lord Patten said that the number of Catholics in the force was still massively more than the 8% when he wrote his 1999 report on overhauling the RUC. "The reason why we introduced 50/50 recruitment, with some reservations, was because a lot of people had raised equality issues," he said. "It was to try to get the numbers of Catholics joining up to around 30%. "I am delighted that's been achieved. It's very important to recognise that it's not an exact science and to allow the Equality Commission and the police to actually work things out together. Expand Close Former Hong Kong governor and Tory chairman Lord Patten / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former Hong Kong governor and Tory chairman Lord Patten "Their only interest is to have the most balanced and effective police force possible. "If the number of police officers goes up here, as its supposed to go up in England, that would give a new dimension to some of the recruitment issues." Sinn Fein has called for a return of 50/50 recruitment. It would be bizarre if I came here for 24 hours and announced what the police should do But when asked if that should happen, Lord Patten, who delivered a lecture in Belfast last night, declined to call for the move. "That's entirely for the police and the Equality Commission. I'm sure the Government will have something to say about that," he said. "It would be bizarre if I came here for 24 hours and announced what the police should do. "I'm not without a certain amount of vanity but I'm not that arrogant - I'm not Boris Johnson." Asked if nationalist leaders could have done more to encourage Catholics to join the force, Lord Patten said: "I'm sure they could have done. "I think that across the board there are many ways in which the community has been ahead of the political leadership on a range of issues. "But there's not much point in me criticising what has happened in the past. "When we were writing our report, we made a special effort to get members of the nationalist community to endorse what we were doing." Lord Patten said he was delighted that the GAA, the Catholic Church and Catholic schools had all been "pretty positive" about PSNI recruitment. "I'm told Sinn Fein have been positive as well," he added. The former Tory chairman said that the issue of gender equality in the force should not be forgotten or sidelined. "I'm delighted that the number of women has gone up, but I think there are still some issues which concern us about female recruitment, particularly upper body strength, which is one of the tests women have to pass. "I would be as concerned to keep an eye on gender issues as I would on Catholic/Protestant ones," he said. In 2017, Lord Patten branded the DUP "a toxic brand" and warned that it would taint the then Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May. It was an error to enter into a quasi-formal agreement with them Asked about his comments, he said: "The DUP were not always associated with the best ideas on the way forward for Northern Ireland or the UK. "It was an error to enter into a quasi-formal agreement with them." Lord Patten, an ardent Remainer, said it was ironic that the DUP ended up with Boris Johnson in power "who then let them down". He said: "It didn't work very well from their point of view." The years of Brexit arguments weren't without their humour. "When DUP leaders were attacking the EU and Mr Barnier for inflexibility, I thought it revived the art of political irony." Lord Patten said he agreed with unionist concerns about a border in the Irish Sea. "It's not something I could ever have accepted had I been in a position of authority," the political veteran said. "Theresa May, to her credit, wouldn't accept it. "We are now in a situation where it is easier, under the agreement that Mr Johnson signed, to (trade) goods north-south than east-west. "That should not be the case." Lord Patten said that the Union would be weakened unless the Government reached a good trade deal with Brussels. He noted that opinion polls last year showed that the majority of Tory Brexit supporters saw it as more important to leave the EU than to save the Union or the Good Friday Agreement. Lord Patten added that it would be "a tragedy" to do anything which undermined the 1998 agreement. NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IntSights , the threat intelligence company focused on enabling enterprises to Defend Forward, and CipherTrace, the leader in cryptocurrency intelligence for enabling the blockchain economy, partnered to release the industry's first deep dive into the cybercrime and crypto-economy of Latin American in the report, The Dark Side of Latin America: Cryptocurrency, Cartels, Carding, and the Rise of Cybercrime . Latin America boasts some of the most sophisticated threat actors and organized crime groups in the world, but enterprise security teams without a presence in the region often overlook it. Economic struggles, political corruption, internet censorship, and the prevalence of organized crime in Latin America all contribute to the growth of cybercrime. Companies across the region and beyond are struggling to keep up with threat actors that are financially motivated, coordinated, and persistent in their efforts to fraud, scam, and steal from consumers and businesses alike. "Cybercrime in LATAM happens out in the open, through open-source channels. This highlights the lack of government response and cultural acceptance of cybercrime as an alternative way to make money," said Charity Wright, Cyber Threat Intelligence Advisor, IntSights. "These cybercriminals are not forming advanced persistent threat (APT) groups, but rather are partnering with local cartels and drug groups to expand businesses and opportunities. This cybercrime ecosystem is now extending beyond the continent to countries and organizations that underestimate the sophistication and impact of attacks emanating from LATAM." Threat finance is evolving in Latin America as organized crime groups turn to cryptocurrency to launder large sums of money and dive into the dark web to find hackers for hire. Latin American countries top the list of the world's most active money laundering nations . The constant flow of money in the organized crime community feeds into dark web markets and into the cybercrime ecosystem. Organized crime groups and drug cartels in Latin America are taking advantage of technological advances in digital banking and money transfers. "LATAM cybercriminals are operating almost exclusively through unregulated cryptocurrency exchanges, capitalizing on the anonymity cryptocurrency offers. While these exchanges are popular, some bad actors still use trusted networks or illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) exchanges to launder their cryptocurrency. Although this method is not novel, it is evolving with the introduction of cryptocurrencies in the criminal underground and is enabled by widespread political corruption in many countries," said Pamela Clegg, Director of Financial Investigations and Education, CipherTrace. IntSights is proud to partner on this report with regional cybersecurity experts CipherTrace and Scitum . Our shared expertise in serving Latin American enterprises with incident response, information security, and intelligence makes this report the first of its kind to address multiple aspects of criminal behavior, its effects on enterprises worldwide, and practical methods for protecting organizations against these threats. About CipherTrace CipherTrace enables the blockchain economy. The company's mission includes protecting financial institutions from compliance risks and making it easier for them to serve trusted crypto asset business customers. The world's leading cryptocurrency intelligence also streamlines AML compliance for cryptocurrency exchanges and keeps bad actors off exchanges and other virtual asset service providers. Monitoring solutions help to grow the crypto ecosystem by making virtual assets safe and accepted by governments. And the world's best blockchain forensics tools speed investigations of eCrimes. The company was founded in 2015 by experienced Silicon Valley entrepreneurs with deep expertise in cybersecurity, eCrime, payments, banking, encryption, and virtual currencies. The US Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology (S&T) and DARPA initially funded CipherTrace. For more information, visit www.CipherTrace.com or follow us on Twitter @CipherTrace. About IntSights IntSights is revolutionizing cybersecurity operations with the industry's only all-in-one external threat protection platform designed to neutralize cyberattacks outside the wire. Our unique cyber reconnaissance capabilities enable continuous monitoring of an enterprise's external digital profile across the clear, deep, and dark web to identify emerging threats and orchestrate proactive response. Tailored threat intelligence that seamlessly integrates with security infrastructure for dynamic defense has made IntSights one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity companies in the world. IntSights has offices in Amsterdam, Boston, Dallas, New York, Singapore, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo. To learn more, visit: intsights.com or connect with us on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook . Media Contacts: Jonathan Beaton IntSights +1-727-902-8412 [email protected] John Jefferies CipherTrace +1-650-542-0200 [email protected] SOURCE IntSights Related Links https://intsights.com BEIJING, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On February 5, 2020, a short but solemn ceremony was held in SANY's No. 18 Intelligent Workshop in Changsha to celebrate the work resumption after the Chinese New Year. As of February 21, SANY had resumed efficient and orderly operation in its 21 industrial parks, 17 of which are located in mainland China and four of which are located in Germany, USA, India and Brazil. SANY accelerates transformation towards intelligent and digital development. In the Lighthouse Factory in SANY Changsha Concrete Machinery Industrial Park, nearly 100 intelligent robots work in the well-organized way, increasing the factory efficiency by more than 30%. SANY keeps contracting overseas orders. During the Spring Festival, SANY contracted many orders from India, SE Asia, the Middle East, Africa and USA. SANY Concrete Machinery contracted orders from Turkmenistan worth USD 40 million, and orders from Nigeria worth RMB 100 million. SANY export logistics are never blocked. In February this year, SANY has delivered international orders for over 200 units. Year 2019 was a great year in which SANY returned to the peak. In 2019, SANY market value exceeded RMB 140 billion and SANY became China's first construction machinery manufacturer whose market value exceeds RMB 100 billion . According to Nikkei, SANY of China now ranks in the world's top 3 construction machinery manufacturers together with Caterpillar of USA and Komatsu of Japan . In 2019, more than 60,000 SANY excavators were sold, ranking No. 1 in the domestic market for nine years in a row. Up to date, 250,000 SANY excavators have been sold globally, placing SANY among the top 3 excavator producers in the world. In 2019, SANY made its record high in overseas sales, which exceeded RMB 10 billion for the sixth year in a row. The export volume and growth rate place SANY in the leading position in the industry. In Year 2019, SANY had made great progress. The rapid growth of SANY reflects China's robust steps towards prosperity and strength. Year 2020 gives new mission to SANY. SANY will try its best to become a pioneer in intelligent manufacturing and leading enterprise along the Belt & Road, making contributions for China to move from a large manufacturer into a manufacturing power. Please visit www.sanyglobal.com, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1096438/SANY_Industrial_Parks.jpg She was the picture of glamour as she attended Mugler's Paris Fashion Week show earlier in the day. And Jourdan Dunn was every inch the style chamelon as she attended Harper's Bazaar Autumn/Winter 2020 exhibition, held at France's Musee des Arts Decoratifs on Wednesday evening. The supermodel, 29 - who is set to marry Dion Hamilton - ensured all eyes were on her as she slipped into a navy tulle dress, which featured pleated detailing and textured stripes throughout. Vampy chic: Jourdan Dunn was every inch the style chamelon as she attended Harper's Bazaar Autumn/Winter 2020 exhibition, held at France's Musee des Arts Decoratifs on Wednesday Putting her best fashion foot forward, the Brent native boosted her frame in cobalt blue heels, complete with a diamond buckle. The catwalk queen carried her belongings in a statement box clutch and accessorised with a pendant necklace, but opted to keep her engagement ring at home. The Maybelline star's striking visage was framed with poker straight locks, while her complexion was accentuated with dewy foundation, fluttery false lashes and nude lipgloss. Looking good: The supermodel, 29, ensured all eyes were on her as she slipped into a navy tulle dress, which featured pleated detailing and textured stripes throughout All about the details: The catwalk queen carried her belongings in a statement box clutch and accessorised with a pendant necklace, but opted to keep her engagement ring at home Standing tall: Putting her best fashion foot forward, the Brent native boosted her frame in cobalt blue heels, complete with a diamond buckle Radiant: The Maybelline star's striking visage was framed with poker straight locks, while her complexion was accentuated with dewy foundation, fluttery false lashes and nude lipgloss Earlier this month, Jourdan revealed she's engaged to her 'life partner' Dion, and took to Instagram to share the news. Posting a snap of her ring-clad hand being held by her husband-to-be, the brunette wrote: 'Jourdan Dunn Hamilton ....... has a nice ring to it!' In the sweet post, the media personality couldn't hide her delight as she covered her eyes with one hand while placing the other in her beau's. The new addition to her wedding finger could be perfectly seen, with Jourdan also sharing a closer look at the ring with another post on her Stories. Following Jourdan's announcement, Andrew Brown, WP Diamonds CEO, offered his expertise on her engagement ring to MailOnline. Pretty in purple: Jourdan was the picture of glamour as she attended Mugler's Paris Fashion Week show earlier in the day I'm getting married! Earlier this month, she announced she's engaged to her 'life partner' Dion Hamilton, and took to Instagram to share the news He said: 'The ring on Jourdan Dunn's engagement finger looks to be a 2ct oval with a large halo and diamond band. A nice colour clarity combination of G VS would retail for around 22,000.' Jourdan - who has a 10-year-old son called Riley - only revealed her romance with her new fiance last month in a loved-up holiday post, but hid his identity. The accompanying caption was rather telling. She wrote: '2009 my son entered my life, 2019 my life partner entered my life. Stepping into 2020 with both by my side is priceless.' While she pixelated her man's face, the trio had all co-ordinated their outfits for the occasion. The world's nuclear watchdog gave its backing on Thursday to Japanese plans to release contaminated water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. Japan has around a million tonnes of contaminated water stored in tanks at the site of the Fukushima Daiichi plant, whose reactors went into meltdown after a huge tsunami in 2011. A government panel last month recommended the water be released into the ocean or vaporised, but no final decision has been taken, with all solutions deeply unpopular with sections of the Japanese public. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director Rafael Grossi told journalists in Tokyo the panel's recommendations both appeared suitable. "Of course the decision on what to do and when is a matter for the Japanese government," he said. "Our final analysis is not completed but I can tell you already that we find the (panel) report based on a sound methodology and a systematic approach," he added, describing the two options proposed as "in line with well-established practices all around the world." "Releasing into the ocean is done elsewhere, it's not something new, there is no scandal here," Grossi added. "But what is important is to do it in a way that is not harmful and you need somebody to monitor before, during and after release, to check that everything is okay." The radioactive water comes from several different sources -- including water used for cooling at the plant, and groundwater and rain that seeps into the plant daily -- and is put through an extensive filtration process. Most of the radioactive isotopes have been removed by the filtration system, but one -- tritium, which has a long half-life -- remains. The issue is controversial, however, with some of Japan's neighbours raising questions about the safety of releasing the water, and locals -- including fishermen -- concerned about the reputational risks of any release. Grossi said a "very comprehensive communication strategy" would be key to the process. "You may have the best technical strategy but a political failure if you don't communicate well," he said. "It's an issue of legitimate concern." The 9.0 magnitude quake of March 2011 sparked a huge tsunami along Japan's northeast coast that killed more than 18,000 people. The nuclear disaster it spawned is not directly blamed for any deaths, though contamination rendered swathes of the coast uninhabitable, possibly for decades. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Questions asked about Coronavirus Triage Point trailer Twitter / TheOneAW Questions have been raised over a photo circulating on social media of a Coronavirus Triage Point trailer. The NHS and Manx Government branded trailer is stationed at Noble's Hospital. But what is it for? Dan Davies is Chief Executive at the Department of Home Affairs. He confirmed the trailer is an infection control mechanism. Replying to social media queries, he said: "If you are very unwell and you've arrived at the emergency department and your symptoms and travel history match those published by Public Health England. It's an infection control mechanism." "It's standard procedure adopted from UK protocols. The trailer has a phone inside. If a person uses it, they will be seen by someone in protective equipment who can then decide next course of action. The trailer can then be decontaminated. Better than someone walk thru the ED!". Every hospital in the UK has been ordered to set up assessment pods to keep suspected victims away from A&Es. 14 people have been tested on the Isle of Man for the virus - all tests have come back as negative. Harrisburg police have shared a photo of a person of interest in the Jan. 25 killing of Tonya Dorsey, and are asking for the publics help in identifying the man. Police say the photo, which was taken from a video, shows a man of average build with a goatee and mustache. The man is wearing a white long-sleeve Old Navy shirt, ripped jeans and a black beanie-style hat. Police previously said the there were indications at the scene that Dorseys killer may have suffered burn wounds or an injury. Dorsey, 28, was beaten to death at her home in the Hoverter Homes housing community before the killer set a fire in the home which set off fire and carbon monoxide detectors in the neighboring apartments. It was firefighters responding to the call that discovered Dorseys body. Anyone with information on the man in the photo or on the investigation is asked to contact Det. Fustine at 717-255-3175, or the Harrisburg Bureau of Police at 717-558-6900 or submit a tip through the departments Crimewatch website. Read more on PennLive: Procter Gamble (NYSE:PG) recently recognized six brand building external partners with Agency Excellence Awards for exceptional work and partnership over the past year. P&G highlighted those agencies that scored the highest globally within their industries in both quantitative and qualitative measures, as evaluated by their P&G partners. Each delivered sustained creative and operational excellence for their respective areas, helping P&G more effectively connect with consumers to help drive business across the many aspects of brand building. 2019 honorees and their respective P&G clients include: PG One (Publicis Groupe): Global Home Care Surface Care PG One (Publicis Groupe): UK Media Carat: US Hair Care Quigley-Simpson: US DRTV Media Chase Design Group: Surface Care Nicosia Creative Expresso: Olay "These agencies are helping P&G drive superior communication with our consumers," commented Marc Pritchard, P&G's Chief Brand Officer. "We are constructively disrupting in all areas of our business, and these partners are leading the way to innovate in advertising and media as we reinvent brand building at P&G." P&G traditionally recognizes its top-performing business partners every other year at the biannual External Business Partner Summit, but made an exception to acknowledge the exceptional agency work this past year. About Procter Gamble P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always, Ambi Pur, Ariel, Bounty, Charmin, Crest, Dawn, Downy, Fairy, Febreze, Gain, Gillette, Head Shoulders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, Vicks, and Whisper. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com/ for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005829/en/ Contacts: Andrea Schoff, P&G +1 513-983-2836 Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:02:45|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close KARACHI, Pakistan, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China will provide a comprehensive emergency assistance package to Pakistan to counter the desert locust swarm attacks, Chinese experts on locust control told a press conference here on Thursday. The desert locust swarm attacks have affected crops at millions of acres of land, posing a serious threat to the food security of the South Asian country. Wang Fengle, chief expert of the Chinese team, said that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the national emergency on locust in Pakistan and sent a high-level working group on an urgent basis to help analyze the situation so as to formulate a strategy. He said the working group is in Pakistan with three missions, including field survey to understand the situation to help Pakistan develop an emergency response to control the locust swarms, formulating an emergency assistance program and developing a sustainable system and mechanism to prevent and control the locust attacks, as well as establishing long-term cooperation on locust control with Pakistan. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' national locust control coordinator in Pakistan Mubarak Ahmad told Xinhua that locust swarms were first spotted in Pakistan's southern Sindh province especially in its desert district of Tharparkar and then moved to other districts of the province where they attacked crops. "Later in October and November last year, the swarms returned to Tharparkar desert again and laid eggs which can pose a big threat in the coming months. If the eggs are hatched, their number would be increased tens of times," said the coordinator, adding such a situation would be a big challenge for Pakistan. According to Pakistani official figures, the locust swarms have affected around 30 million acres of land in the country during the last nine months out of which only 300,000 were sprayed. Following the locust attacks in the provinces of eastern Punjab, southwest Balochistan and northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan imposed a national emergency on locust control earlier this month and asked the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to seek help from China. On the occasion, Xu Yubo, an official with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, told media that Chinese locust control technology and experience could fully meet Pakistan's desert locust control needs and China is ready to cooperate in the fields of technology, pesticide equipment support, personnel training, advance prevention and control technology appliances, the establishment of monitoring and early warning platforms. Married At First Sight's Natasha Spencer and Mikey Pembroke were a no-show at the dinner party on Wednesday night. During the episode, it was briefly explained that they wanted to avoid the 'drama' surrounding the other couples and focus on their own relationship. But a source has since claimed that producers told them not to attend due to concerns over Natasha's mental wellbeing. Duty of care: Married At First Sight's Natasha Spencer (pictured) and Mikey Pembroke did not attend Wednesday night's dinner party due to concerns over her mental wellbeing 'It all got too much for her,' an insider told Woman's Day. 'She wasn't coping in the experiment and with what was going down between certain contestants. It was decided she shouldn't be on camera.' Senior producers elected to keep the 26-year-old financial analyst in her apartment while the other participants went to the dinner party. Because she wasn't attending, it was also decided that Mikey, 29, shouldn't go either. Explanation: During the episode, it was briefly explained that Natasha and Mikey (pictured) wanted to avoid the 'drama' surrounding the other couples and focus on their own relationship Meanwhile, another source claimed that production company Endemol Shine had arranged a holiday in Bali for Natasha to 'clear her head'. Before Wednesday night's dinner party, Natasha explained that she and Mikey had decided to skip the event because they had 'just started to fix things'. 'This week's for our marriage and the best thing that we can do right now is focus on ourselves, focus on our relationship and just remove ourselves from the drama,' she said. Fragile: 'Natasha wasn't coping in the experiment and with what was going down between certain contestants. It was decided she shouldn't be on camera,' a source told Woman's Day Holiday: Meanwhile, another source claimed that production company Endemol Shine had arranged a holiday in Bali for Natasha to 'clear her head'. Pictured in Bali in December 2019 Mikey added: 'We know how important those dinner parties are to the experiment. 'But it's imperative for our relationship to avoid the drama... and just concentrate on us before we decide what we're going to do moving forward.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine Logistics analyst and director of imports/exports Alvaro Torres and his wife Judica attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at Chrysler Hall, in Norfolk, Virginia, on Feb. 26, 2020. (Sophia Zheng/The Epoch Times) NORFOLK, Va.The popularity of Shen Yun Performing Arts continues to rise around the world and small but culturally significant cities like Norfolk, Virginia are benefiting from the arts companys newest achievement of having dispatched seven global touring groups for the first time for the 2020 season. The New York-based classical Chinese dance company is slated to present three performances this year at Norfolks Chrysler Hall. Norfolk was founded in 1682 in the beautiful and mostly rural state of Virginia and much of its original architecture has been preserved. Like the European settlers who made the place their home, newcomers and young families have continued to be attracted to the quaint town during its almost 400 years of existence. Residents Alvaro Torres, a director of imports and exports and a logistics analyst, and his wife Judica attended New York-based Shen Yun in Norfolk on Feb. 26, 2020. And the two parents enjoyed the evening to themselves. The performers are very, very niceperformers are great. The dancers are fantastic, Alvaro said. I loved the colors, loved the color combinations. Judica Torres Judica, a stay-at-home mom and amateur painter, called Shen Yun amazing and beautiful in every single way. The dance, the colors, the story behind it, the culture. We really enjoy it. I loved the colors, loved the color combinations. Thanks to Judicas suggestion to attend, it was the couples first time seeing Shen Yun. The music is almost unbelievable, that its like this, Judica said. Shen Yuns original orchestral compositions combine a Western-style classical sound with Chinese instruments and their delightful melodies. Shen Yuns seven orchestras, one for each touring group, accompany each cast of male and female dancers as they present a series of stories and ethnic and folk dances using the highly-expressive form known as classical Chinese dance. This way, Shen Yun is reviving traditional Chinese culture and sharing it with the world. Alvaro had high praise for Shen Yuns dancers. Theyre wonderful they are beautiful. Judica added a thought about how close they came to perfection. Perhaps the biggest challenge that Shen Yun is undertaking is to breathe new life into the spirituality that underlies all of Chinas authentic, 5,000-year-old culture. They do this partly by incorporating heavenly settings and themes and spiritual practices such as Buddhism and Falun Dafa into the roughly 20 vignettes in the production. It is beautiful, Judica said about the spiritual themes in the performance. It was hard, I mean for the story. I think it was hard. But at the end, it was a beautiful ending. I loved that. Some of Shen Yuns stories depict the ongoing persecution of spiritual believers in China at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. These are heart-wrenching scenes but ultimately hopeful since they exhibit the compassion, perseverance, and faith many believers personify in order to overcome the brutality. Alvaro agreed with his wifes praise for those pieces, especially the final story in the performance, which depicts the legend of the Creator returning to earth and rewarding good people. That was beautiful, I mean, thats the culture, thats the Chinese culture, [its] beautiful, Alvaro said, about the final dance. I mean, based on the religion and beliefs they have. Its a beautiful culture, beautiful beliefs. Alvaro added that he and Judica are religious themselves, and they found a personal connection to Shen Yuns acknowledgment of the Creator. We like to keep our spirituality. So, that was beautiful, Alvaro said. The ancient Chinese believed that art and music had a healing effect on the body, and the director and analyst felt that the show had an effect on him. I feel peaceful. It was beautiful. I feel very nice. That was a beautiful performance. Wonderful, is a word Alvaro said he would use to describe Shen Yun to others. Beautiful. The best show Ive ever seen in this kind of performance. Dancers and music and colors. All of it is beautiful. With reporting by Sophia Zheng 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. Amidst fears of a growing coronavirus pandemic, protective facemasks are sold at a Manhattan hardware store in New York City on Feb. 26, 2020. (Scott Heins/Getty Images) US Coronavirus Patient With Unknown Exposure on Ventilator in Hospital CDC Didn't Test Patient for 4 Days The newest coronavirus patient in the United States has been on a ventilator at a California hospital since last week. When the patient arrived, the patient had already been intubated, was on a ventilator, and given droplet protection orders because of an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition, the University of California Davis Medical Center said in a statement. The patient is the 60th person in the country to have a confirmed case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new virus. But the patient is the first to not have a clear source of infection. The individual had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual, the California Department Public of Health said in a statement. Two other patients have become infected through person-to-person transmission but both had close, prolonged interaction with a family member who had been to China, where the virus emerged late last year. The newest patient was transferred to UC Davis from another hospital in northern California on Feb. 19 with a suspected viral infection. Public health officials suspected the case might be COVID-19 and asked for testing by the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), since neither Sacramento County nor the California Department of Public Health is doing testing for coronavirus at this time, UC Davis officials Brad Simmons and David Lubarsky said in a letter to staffers. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Health told The Epoch Times via email earlier this week that the department started providing limited testing for the new coronavirus as of Feb. 21. The tests are limited to people who are part of federal repatriation efforts in California and suspected of being infected, she said. The new patient didnt fit into the existing CDC criteria for patients, Simmons and David Lubarsky said. Testing didnt occur until Feb. 23. A woman wears a facemask in Westwood, California, in a Feb. 15, 2020, file photograph. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images) UC Davis Health does not control the testing process, it said. The CDC said in a statement that the case was detected through the U.S. public health systempicked up by astute clinicians. It didnt mention a delay in testing. Federal officials have resisted changing the case definition established weeks ago even as some experts pushed for expanding testing. Both federal and state officials suggested the case wasnt a surprise. The CDC warned earlier this week that there would likely be community spread of the virus in the United States at some point because of the explosion of cases in multiple countries outside of China, including Italy, Iran, and South Korea. We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S., and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California, Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement. Medical workers took steps to avoid becoming infected since the patient arrived at UC Davis, Lubarsky and Simmons said in the letter. But out of an abundance of caution, they asked a small number of employees to stay home and monitor their temperature. Koreatown in Los Angeles is on high alert after a 25-year-old air hostess with Korean Air who had been sampling gourmet restaurants in the area tested positive for coronavirus. A post on an online forum for Korean Americans on Wednesday said the flight attendant has visited four or five famous restaurants in central Koreatown. She is likely to have come in contact with hundreds of people since long lines often form at the restaurants in peak hours. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 05:57:46|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ANKARA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A total of 22 Turkish soldiers have been killed on Thursday in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, governor of Turkey's southern Hatay province said. "TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) elements were attacked by regime forces in Idlib," Rahmi Dogan told reporters, noting that there were seriously wounded soldiers as well. "We have seriously injured people, the injured have been taken from our Cilvegozu border gate to Turkey," he said. Three soldiers were killed, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier on Thursday. Turkey's losses come over an escalating confrontation between Russian-backed Syrian government forces and Turkish-backed rebels, who have been in heavy clashes for the key town of Saraqeb in the past few days. Turkish soldiers were reportedly in the region to support the Syrian rebels. Turkish and Russian delegations were on the second day of talks in Turkey's capital Ankara on Thursday aiming to reach a truce in the last rebel stronghold Idlib. Erdogan convened an urgent security meeting late Thursday over the attack on Turkish troops. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held a phone conversation with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg after the meeting. The horrifying crane mishap that happened on the sets of Indian 2, the upcoming Kamal Haasan-Shankar project has left the entire film industry shaken. Things took a different turn after leading man Kamal Haasan penned an open letter to the chairman of Lyca Productions, the banner that backs Indian 2, asking about the insurance and safety measures. Recently, Lyca Productions finally responded to the senior actor's concerns by issuing an open letter, in which it has mentioned that "It hardly needs reminding that the entire shoot was also under the control and supervision of yourself and the director". However, the latest buzz suggests that all is not well between Kamal Haasan and Lyca Productions. If the reports are to be believed, Kamal has had a fallout with Lyca Productions following the crane mishap. According to the sources, the shooting of Indian 2 has been delayed due to the same reason. The project which was originally supposed to start rolling again this week has been indefinitely delayed now. Lyca Productions' reply letter to Kamal Haasan clearly suggests that all is not well between the actor and the banner. From the letter, it is evident that the production banner, especially its chairman Subashkaran, is not happy with the senior actor's decision to address the matter through media instead of having a personal level discussion. Director Shankar, on the other hand, is yet to react to the Haasan-Lyca row. Indian 2, which is a sequel to the duo Kamal Haasan-Shankar's 1996-released blockbuster Indian, is unarguably one of the most anticipated upcoming projects of Tamil cinema. Kamal is reprising his highly celebrated character Senapathy in the second installment, which is said to be a mega-budget venture. Kajal Aggarwal appears as the female lead in the project, which features Siddharth in a pivotal role. Also Read: Kiss Without Consent! Netizens Ask Kamal Haasan To Apologise After Rekha's SHOCKING Revelation ALBANY Solar and wind energy developers took a preliminary victory lap Thursday in light of Gov. Andrew Cuomos plans to greatly simplify and speed up the process by which these new power plants are sited and approved. This is a process that needed to be turned around, Jennifer Maglienti, an attorney in the Cuomo Administration, told developers at a meeting sponsored by the Alliance for Clean Energy which represents wind and solar interests. She was referring to initiatives that Cuomo has proposed in the pending state budget plan which would create a special office for renewable energy as well as a speedier timetable for approving such projects. The lead for approvals would go from the Department of Public Service to Empire State Development, the states main economic development arm. Another agency, the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, will also play a bigger role in getting some of the projects approved and would be able to help identify potential sites. Additionally, the changes envision a one-year review process. That would likely mean that new wind and solar plants could go from drawing board to power generation in three to four years, compared to the decade-long timetable that currently exists, said Anne Reynolds, executive director at the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, which represents developers. The changes are outlined in the governors 30-day amendments, or changes he wants in his 2020-21 state budget proposal. Those changes need approval by the Legislature. The budget is due on April 1. A number of large solar and wind projects are proposed upstate, where there is available land and proximity to power lines that would bring much of the electricity to New York City. Theres a great thirsty need for clean energy in New York City, said Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. She noted that the plan also envisions a mitigation bank, which could offset the impacts on wildlife when new projects are built. The Cuomo proposal is a response to worries about how the state power system will meet the requirements of the new Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which was passed and signed into law last year. The landmark bill calls for 85 percent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050. Many in the renewable energy field said the rules and system for approving new power plants, governed by the states Article 10 siting laws, were too slow and cumbersome. Still, there are worries, primarily about the way decision making power will be concentrated at the state rather than local level, according to some. Putting ESD and NYSERDA in charge means the state will eviscerate home rule, said Gary Abraham, a lawyer in the western New York's Cattaraugus County. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. His county as well as five municipalities are fighting plans by the Chicago-based Invenergy Co. to build 116 wind turbines, up to 600 feet tall, in the area. Local voters in the towns of Freedom and Farmersville elected new town board members on an anti-turbine platform. But with the state enjoying a bigger role in siting projects, that vote may be for naught, Abraham said. Some state legislators also expressed concern about local control. Home rule should be respected and projects shouldn't be sited without local support and approval, Assemblyman Mark Walczyk, a Watertown Republican, said in a press release. Still the changes, or promise of changes, combined with the push for renewables is bringing in lots of developers. Reynolds noted that 67 wind or solar proposals already have agreements through NYSERDA for renewable energy credits, or subsidies, for carbon-free generation. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU The older I get, the more I believe it is possible to be homesick for something youve never known. More often than not, its an idealized version of a time in your life, a place, a moment. I had that feeling when I put my hand on the rough-hewn staircase of S, T, Eat and Stay. The hostel is the brainchild of Kai Avent-deLeon, owner and founder of Sincerely, Tommy, a Brooklyn boutique and concept store thats become a community hub in its own right. Opening up the hostel has been a two-year-plus process, one that is still ongoingwhich Kai acknowledges with grace. The whole process has been a lot more intense since I opened up my first place. Family runs deep at S, T, Eat and Stay: Kais grandmother owns the building. Items from her mothers and grandmothers homes can now be found throughout the space, contributing to the one-of-a-kind homey feelsomething you dont often encounter in hostels. And Kai cites her grandmother, a master at entertaining folks in her home, as a major source of inspiration. I really liked seeing someone take so much pride in their home and creating this experience for other people entering her home, she says. A similar pride and well-crafted welcoming flow through the brownstone floors of the hostel. The hostel was born out of Kais desire to create a space that celebrates the Bed-Stuy she knew growing upone that both welcomes visitors to the neighborhood and reminds them of how Bed-Stuy has changed. The concept is a combination of her love and respect for her neighborhood and her own formative travel experiences. When I was 16, I went to Paris on my own. I had no money and was staying in hostels, but during the last few days I was just really tired of staying in grungy places, she tells me. But there was a boutique hostel in the 9th [arrondissement], and it was really cute and curated and clean. You were still sharing bunk beds, but it was just a more pleasurable experience. It was just so nice. She wanted to bring that same experience to people visiting Bed-Stuy, to raise the expectations of what a hostel can be. I thought it would be nice to have a hostel like that here, where we have so many Airbnbers and tourists that come to the neighborhood. I thought it would be really cool for us to give visitors the full Bed-Stuy rundown. Story continues The items in the space are a curated hodgepodge of Kais history, interests, and tastes. The ceramics on the kitchen shelves are from Mexico, where Kai frequently finds design inspiration, while the cookware is from direct-to-consumer brand Material Kitchen. I never buy things to match; I try to buy smaller objects from traveling so it has some sentimental value, and then I buy pieces that I am in love with individually, Kai says when I ask her about her design philosophy in an attempt to fully steal it. Get pieces that have value to you, she advises. Kai made her design choices to set off the gorgeous bones of the buildingthe white bedding plays off the brick walls, and the warm woods throughout the space echo the wood of the staircase. The bathroom design was built around the vintage mirrors, made to look classic and timeless, while all the toiletries are from luxe brand Public Goods, adding to the upscale hostel experience. The soon-to-open hostel is next door to its companion restaurant, Che, a mostly vegan restaurant by Tara Thomas, who has a reputation for her inventive and healthy pop-up dinners. The two connected over Instagram, where Taras cooking caught Kais eye because it reminded her of her mothers vegan restaurant, Cafe Kai. After linking up with Tara, Kai decided to continue this legacy of black women honoring those they love by naming her restaurant after her son. I want Che to see this and feel ownership, to know his power. To have another example of a black person doing it for themselves. And while the space is beautiful and truly something special, the road to opening hasnt been easy. Both Kai and Tara said they learned patience and prioritizing self-care from the experience. What can I do today thats good enough? Tara says, sharing that a big lesson from the project has been being aware of what you are capable of that day. And while it sounds simple and perhaps predictable, I think what I picked up on when I stepped into Eat and Stay was that I was standing at the center of a true labor of love. Bed-Stuy has always had that soul, that culture, and thats why I chose to open up a business here. Its why I share the narrative of the three generations. Kai says. Its the meeting of intention and execution, old and new, reverence and renovation that makes S, T, Eat and Stay the rare place that can open its doors and truly say, Welcome home. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest Press Release 27 February 2020 LONDON - Accor's portfolio of brands led Europe in hotel room Net Unit Growth (NUG) in 2019, while Oyo Hotels & Homes posted the highest growth for an individual brand, according to STR. Advertisements STR examined the recent growth of parent companies and brands and will launch a full European list during next week's International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin. This is the first of a series of 2019 NUGget lists for the global hotel industry. "As the industry evolves from looking at the size of the development pipeline to looking at net unit growth, we're pleased to provide the first-ever leaderboard of NUG for individual brands and for parent companies that own portfolios of brands," said Robin Rossmann, STR's international managing director. "Many on this 2019 NUGget list for Europe are large global hotel chains that have accelerated their growth by focusing on both management and increasingly franchise business models in the European marketplace. That being said, large regional chains have also demonstrated their ability to grow significantlyhelped by their increased flexibility in using leased and owned models of hotel ownership." Each of the top five parent companies for 2019 NUG in Europe rank in the global top 10 for room counts, according to the STR 500 as of 31 December 2019. Photo: STR STR at IHIF 3 March (09:10-09:40) - Robin Rossmann (managing director) - "The business of hotels: Performance indicators and forecasts" 3 March (12:00-13:00) - Natalie Weisz (senior manager, research) - "Investing in the Greek market" 3 March (16:00-16:45) - Dennis Spitra (director of business development) - "Looking into CEE markets" 3 March (14:00-14:45) - Alexander Robinson (senior manager, industry partners) - "Investing in Portugal: Opportunities and Financial Instruments" 3 March (17:00-17:45) - Thomas Emanuel (director) - "African hospitality: What are the opportunities for international investors?" Building on its NUGget list series launch at IHIF, STR will release lists for additional world regions during key conferences over the next several months: Middle East (AHIC), North America (NYU Conference), Latin America (SAHIC) and Asia Pacific (HICAP). Over the past two months, China has grappled with thousands of coronavirus deaths and infections. Through January and early February, the country reported thousands of new infections each day. Though the number of new infections has declined steadily, that is not the case outside China. For the first time, the rate of infections in other countries has exceeded those reported by Beijing since the outbreak began. Is a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic now starting? Health officials for some time now have been warning that China's coronavirus outbreak is just the "tip of the iceberg," and the outbreak is far from over. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that though the outbreak is not yet a pandemic if the virus reaches a country or continent with a weak health system, it could be catastrophic. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak Rapid spread of the virus The number of coronavirus infections is now 82,164 people across the globe, with 2,801 deaths reported since the beginning of the outbreak. China has reported declining new infections, with 412 new infections, while other countries have reported 459 new cases in the past 24 hours. South Korea is facing a health crisis as the number of coronavirus infections has reached 1,595, with 12 deaths. Meanwhile, other hotspot countries such as Italy and Iran have reported 453 and 139 cases, respectively. The highest number of deaths outside China has been reported in Iran, with 19 deaths, followed by Italy and South Korea, with 12 deaths. "The sudden increases of cases in Italy, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea are deeply concerning," Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said. Meanwhile, Brazil has confirmed a coronavirus infection, the first in Latin America. Other countries have also reported their first coronavirus cases, including Greece, with one confirmed case and Pakistan with two coronavirus cases. Spain had also reported its first case. In Italy, there were 52 new infections, and the number of infections on Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, off West Africa, increased to four after two more Italians who were quarantined at a hotel tested positive for the virus. In France, one more death was added to the toll, while South Korea had 284 new infections, most of whom are in Daegu. Four new Member States have reported their first cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, including Algeria, Croatia, Switzerland, and Austria. In the Middle East, additional countries, such as Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq, have reported their first cases, and those who had the virus came from Iran. Several governments have advised against travel to Italy, specifically to the epicenter of the outbreak in Lombardy. Most of the cases in the country were linked to Lombardy, which has now been locked down. In Germany, the health minister, Jens Spahn, said the country is at the start of a coronavirus epidemic since the new cases reported cannot be linked to China, the virus's source. Meanwhile, Iran has reported the highest number of deaths outside China, with 19 deaths. It has emerged as a major hotspot with 139 cases. Some neighboring countries have announced precautionary measures to cut links and impose restrictions in the hopes of stemming the virus spread. In total, 46 countries have reported COVID-19 cases. Pandemic or not? Amid the vast spread of the infection across countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak is not yet classified as a pandemic. "The increase in cases outside China has prompted some media and politicians to push for a pandemic to be declared. We should not be too eager to declare a pandemic without a careful and clear-minded analysis of the facts," Dr. Tedros said. "Using the word pandemic carelessly has no tangible benefit, but it does have a significant risk in terms of amplifying unnecessary and unjustified fear and stigma, and paralyzing systems. It may also signal that we can no longer contain the virus, which is not true. We are in a fight that can be won if we do the right things," Dr. Tedros said. Australia's university system is not equipped for an approaching baby boom and the federal government is facing pressure to provide the money needed for tens of thousands of students to receive a tertiary education in the coming decade. Experts warn the government will need to boost funding, make students pay more or help create new universities to cater for the grown-up students born under Howard government treasurer Peter Costello's baby bonus scheme in the early 2000s. By 2025, 40,000 more people will be reaching university age every year and 60,000 more by 2030. ANU vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt says universities have to get ready for the looming baby boom. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Australian National University vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt said on Thursday the country would need to add "five ANUs or two UNSWs" to keep up with surging demand, which will start to hit in 2023. "Higher education policy doesnt necessarily lose you elections but I think it has the potential to if, for example, people who think they are going to university en masse are suddenly not able to," Professor Schmidt told an audience at the Universities Australia conference. Miles Teller headed to LAX airport for a flight out of town with his wife Keleigh Sperry on Wednesday. The 33-year-old actor was all smiles with his 27-year-old supermodel wife as they walked through the terminal. Both were dressed casually while striding through the airport with their minimal baggage. Airport looks: Miles Teller headed to LAX airport for a flight out of town with his wife Keleigh Sperry on Wednesday Teller rocked a white Jack O'Neill t-shirt with light blue jeans and white and blue Nike sneakers. He also wore a dark blue Long Drink hat, the Finnish alcohol company he became a co-owner of back in August 2019. He also carried a black bag and wore black sunglasses, while his wife wore a white top, grey sweats, white sneakers and a black trench coat. Miles' look: Teller rocked a white Jack O'Neill t-shirt with light blue jeans and white and blue Nike sneakers Teller returns to the big screen in the highly-anticipated Top Gun: Maverick this summer, with the actor revealing in a recent interview that he 'underestimated' the amount of work the role required.' 'I think I underestimated the amount of work. I didnt realize how tough the flying was gonna be,' Teller said in his interview with L'Officiel. 'Theres no green screen; were actually in the jets the whole time. We had three months of flight training and then we filmed for several months; it was about a year of production for me,' he added. Underestimated: Teller returns to the big screen in the highly-anticipated Top Gun: Maverick this summer, with the actor revealing in a recent interview that he 'underestimated' the amount of work the role required' He added that the production was, 'really tough' but added it was 'wonderful' to work with Tom Cruise and that he has, 'so much respect for the military.' Teller also went on to praise Tom Cruise, who returns as Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in this sequel to the 1986 classic Top Gun. 'Tom could do a one-man show and it would be incredibly fascinating; the guy just works harder than anybody. Everybody elevated their game because of Tom,' he said. Reallly tough: He added that the production was, 'really tough' but added it was 'wonderful' to work with Tom Cruise and that he has, 'so much respect for the military' Teller also voices Gilbert in the animated film The Ark and the Aardvark, along with Aubrey Plaza, Stephen Merchant, Jenny Slate and Craig Robinson. He also stars in Flag Day for director Sean Penn, alongside Josh Brolin and Katheryn Winnick, currently in post-production. The actor is also slated to star in After Exile, which is currently in pre-production and also stars Robert De Niro, Chloe Grace Moretz and Teller's The Spectacular Now co-star Shailene Woodley. It's not possible to invest over long periods without making some bad investments. But really big losses can really drag down an overall portfolio. So spare a thought for the long term shareholders of Aurora Minerals Limited (ASX:ARM); the share price is down a whopping 88% in the last three years. That'd be enough to cause even the strongest minds some disquiet. And the ride hasn't got any smoother in recent times over the last year, with the price 47% lower in that time. Unhappily, the share price slid 11% in the last week. While a drop like that is definitely a body blow, money isn't as important as health and happiness. View our latest analysis for Aurora Minerals Aurora Minerals recorded just AU$12,434 in revenue over the last twelve months, which isn't really enough for us to consider it to have a proven product. This state of affairs suggests that venture capitalists won't provide funds on attractive terms. So it seems that the investors focused more on what could be, than paying attention to the current revenues (or lack thereof). For example, investors may be hoping that Aurora Minerals finds some valuable resources, before it runs out of money. Companies that lack both meaningful revenue and profits are usually considered high risk. There is usually a significant chance that they will need more money for business development, putting them at the mercy of capital markets. So the share price itself impacts the value of the shares (as it determines the cost of capital). While some such companies do very well over the long term, others become hyped up by promoters before eventually falling back down to earth, and going bankrupt (or being recapitalized). It certainly is a dangerous place to invest, as Aurora Minerals investors might realise. Aurora Minerals had cash in excess of all liabilities of AU$2.6m when it last reported (December 2019). While that's nothing to panic about, there is some possibility the company will raise more capital, especially if profits are not imminent. We'd venture that shareholders are concerned about the need for more capital, because the share price has dropped 51% per year, over 3 years . The image below shows how Aurora Minerals's balance sheet has changed over time; if you want to see the precise values, simply click on the image. You can see in the image below, how Aurora Minerals's cash levels have changed over time (click to see the values). Story continues ASX:ARM Historical Debt, February 26th 2020 Of course, the truth is that it is hard to value companies without much revenue or profit. What if insiders are ditching the stock hand over fist? I would feel more nervous about the company if that were so. It only takes a moment for you to check whether we have identified any insider sales recently. What about the Total Shareholder Return (TSR)? We'd be remiss not to mention the difference between Aurora Minerals's total shareholder return (TSR) and its share price return. The TSR attempts to capture the value of dividends (as if they were reinvested) as well as any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings offered to shareholders. Aurora Minerals hasn't been paying dividends, but its TSR of -83% exceeds its share price return of -88%, implying it has either spun-off a business, or raised capital at a discount; thereby providing additional value to shareholders. A Different Perspective While the broader market gained around 16% in the last year, Aurora Minerals shareholders lost 27%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Regrettably, last year's performance caps off a bad run, with the shareholders facing a total loss of 19% per year over five years. We realise that Buffett has said investors should 'buy when there is blood on the streets', but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Aurora Minerals better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should learn about the 6 warning signs we've spotted with Aurora Minerals (including 3 which is are concerning) . If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on AU exchanges. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. 27.02.2020 LISTEN Early in February, I read an article on one of the news sites in Ghana. I must say I was impressed by the writer's praise for one of the ride-hailing services in Ghana, specifically Yango. Just a glance at the ride-hailing service sector gives the impression that space is dominated by three major players Yango, Bolt and Uber, with a myriad of smaller ones popping up daily. This multiplicity leaves riders with a variety of options to choose from, but it appears not all have the technological strength and financial muscle to pose a real threat to the big three. Reading Tettey-B's write-up in February, I decided to give the ride-hailing apps a try. For starters, I downloaded one minor and one major - Dropyn and Yango and decided to try them out on my way to my lectures at Legon. First up, Dropyn. Now, Dropyn hardly had vehicles available when I requested for one on campus. I tried this over a period of three days, and honestly it would have been easier to walk from campus to my hostel than get a Dropyn car. But when it came to Yango, the experience was great. Though the wait times went past 5 minutes sometimes, there was hardly ever variation in prices as indicated before and at the end of trips. As a first timer, I had some challenges using the Yango app, but my good friend Kojo gave me some pointers on how to turn on my location service and immediately I was able to request rides without hitches. One interesting thing I discovered after trying Yango was the Ride Share with Friends feature on the app. This feature is quite handy because it allows you to let loved ones to keep track of your trips. Another feature I found on Yango which I did not find anywhere else is the ability to order rides for myself as well as someone else concurrently. In the coming weeks, I will give other ride-hailing apps a try to see how they match up against Yango, but in the meantime I'll say a big thanks to Tettey B. His article opened my mind up to how cool ride-hailing apps are, and I do agree that they have transformed our transportation sector for good. Russian President Vladimir Putin has confessed that the idea of having a body double was floated for the sake of ensuring the safety of the head of state in the early 2000s, but he rejected it. "I discarded the idea of any doubles. This was during the toughest time of our war against terrorism," Putin told TASS in an interview for the project entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin." Putin recalled that in the early 2000s, he had been advised that a body double should substitute for him at events where the head of state might be at risk. The idea was rejected once and for all. An Internet search for "Putins double" was among the most popular on the world wide web. The public at large often expressed similar assumptions as far back as 20 years ago. On December 24, 2001, a woman from the Kostroma Region asked this question during a live broadcast. She speculated that a double might be helpful when holding very important meetings, even top-level ones. Putin then replied that he had no political decoy. Another incident occurred in Sochi in August 2009, when Putin and then Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev decided to take a stroll along the waterfront among locals and visiting holiday-goers. A woman then remarked that the two were really doubles of the president and prime minister. "We are not doubles, we are real," Medvedev replied, smiling back. A Calcasieu Parish man who thought he was going to have sex with an 11-year-old girl found himself in handcuffs last week after he arrived in Metairie and discovered he'd instead made the arrangements with a law enforcement officer working an undercover sting, authorities said. Gregory Joseph Cortez II, 33, was booked Friday with attempted first-degree rape. Metairie man booked with attempted murder after beating, stabbing wife, JPSO says A Metairie man was booked with attempted second-degree murder after authorities say he beat and stabbed his wife during a fight, leaving her c He was arrested following an investigation by agents with Homeland Security Investigations, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the Louisiana Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit. It's not clear whether Cortez believed he was chatting online with the intended victim or the girl's guardian. But he planned to meet up with the girl Thursday in the 2700 block of Airline Drive, the report said. When taken into custody, he had some chocolate he'd promised to give to the girl. Cortez admitted his intention to have sex with the girl, the arrest report said. He was being held Thursday in lieu of posting $250,000 bail. Wildlife authority inspectors investigating the alleged unlawful killing of dozens of koalas in Victoria's south west say they found an unregistered gun when they swooped on properties. The states Conservation Regulator says this week's searches were part of a major investigation into the deaths of koalas at a former blue gum plantation at Cape Bridgewater near Portland. The incident provoked a global online outcry after animal activists claim up to 500 koalas had died during the operation to clear the remnants of the plantation, which was logged several months ago. The actual number of dead animals is likely to have been around 80, with 180 live koalas removed by authorities in the aftermath of the clearance, with 113 released back into the wild, another 30 euthanised and about 40 taken to rehabilitation areas. Climate change and humans are driving polar bears to cannibalism . A Russian scientist reveals the animals are feeding on each other in the Arctic as melting ice and fossil fuel extraction destroys their habit. Ice levels are falling due to rising temperatures and industrial companies are moving into the area -forcing polar bears out of their traditional hunting grounds or on to the shore areas where food is scares. The rise in cannibalism incidents, according to the researcher, could also be due in part to an increase in human activity in the Arctic who are there to witness the horrific events. Scroll down for videos A Russian scientist reveals the animals are feeding on each other in the Arctic as melting ice and fossil fuel extraction destroys their habit. Ice levels are falling due to rising temperatures and industrial companies are moving into the area (pictured is an incident from 2009) 'Cases of cannibalism among polar bears are a long-established fact, but we're worried that such cases used to be found rarely while now they are recorded quite often,' Ilya Mordvintsev, a senior researcher at Moscows Severtsov Institute of Problems of Ecology and Evolution, told Interfax news agency, AFP reported. 'We state that cannibalism in polar bears is increasing.' Mordvintsev believes these animals are turning on each other because their food supply is scarce large males are attacking females and cubs because they are easy targets and mothers are eating their babies. Polar bears' dwindling food sources are being blamed on the climate crisis, as ice levels in the Arctic have decreased at least by 40 percent over the last 25 years. The animals use sea ice to hunt seals swimming in the waters, but with a lack of ice the are being forced onto shore where they cannot hunt as usual and it is harder to find the nutrients needed to survive. The scientist says these animals are turning on each other because their food supply is scarce large males are attacking females and cubs because they are easy targets and mothers are eating their babies Also to blame are humans who are setting up shop in the bears' homes for fossil fuel extraction. This winter the area from the Gulf of Ob to the Barents Sea, where polar bears used to hunt, is now a busy route for ships carrying LNG (liquefied natural gas), Mordvintsev said. 'The Gulf of Ob was always a hunting ground for the polar bear. Now it has broken ice all year round,' he continued, linking this change to active gas extraction on the huge Yamal peninsula bordering the Gulf of Ob, and the launch of an Arctic LNG plant.' Another Russian scientist, Vladimir Sokolov, who has led numerous expeditions with the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, based in St Petersburg, said that this year polar bears had been mainly affected by abnormally warm weather on Spitsbergen Island to the north, in Norway's Svalbard archipelago, where there had been no ice floes and little snow. A separate study, released this week, found that polar bears also hoard the bodies of their kills by burying them in the dirt and snow so they can retrieve them at a later date. The behavior, called caching, is relatively common in other bear species, especially brown bears, from which polar bears evolved around 500,000 years ago. It is exceptionally rare among polar bears, but Ian Stirling of the University of Alberta and the Scientific Advisory Council for Polar Bears decided to investigate after receiving an intriguing photo from a friend. Smara, Feb 27, 2020 (SPS) - The President of the Republic, Secretary-General of the Frente POLISARIO, Mr. Brahim Gali, praised the principled position of the African Union on the Sahrawi just cause. Speaking at the official celebrations of SADR proclamation, Gali praised the principled position of the African Union, calling on it to act firmly in order to put an end to the flagrant violation by the Kingdom of Morocco of the principles of the Constitutive Act of the African Union that it signed, as a prerequisite for accession to the continental organization. The Sahrawi Republic is ready to cooperate to resolve the existing dispute with its neighbor, the Kingdom of Morocco, in line with the principles of the African Union in the peaceful settlement of disputes, not to attack African countries and respect the inherited borders after independence, Sahrawi President renews SPS 125/090/TRA A worker wearing protective gears sprays disinfectant as a precaution on a train against the new coronavirus at Suseo Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea on Feb. 25, 2020. (Lee Ji-eun/Yonhap via AP) 700 People Being Monitored in New York for Possible Coronavirus Symptoms New York health authorities said around 700 people are being monitored for potential COVID-19 coronavirus symptoms and have been asked to self-quarantine after they traveled to areas affected by the outbreak in China. All 700 of the travelers agreed to partake in the 14-day self-isolation period after returning from China since Feb. 3, when stricter federal controls were implemented at U.S. airports, said Jill Montag, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health, according to The Independent. None of the individuals have displayed symptoms associated with the illness. Voluntary self-isolation will help limit the potential spread of this virus, Montag said. Travelers who are under a voluntary quarantine are being monitored by health officials, who deliver their food and monitor them for possible symptoms such as respiratory issues, coughing, or a fever. Westchester County, located near New York City, said last week that it is monitoring 26 travelers on voluntary quarantine, mostly in their homes, according to officials. Rockland County said it had two people under quarantine, adding that three more completed their 14-day self-isolation period, reported USA Today. So far, no coronavirus cases have been confirmed in New York state. Workers are having lunch at a dining hall using boards to separate people to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Yantai in Shandong, China, on Feb. 10, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Most of the 700 travelers were described as medium risk based on guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) because they traveled from mainland China outside of Hubei Province, which has been the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, officials told USA Today. Montag said the number of people who are under voluntary self-isolation is changing on a regular basis because people have completed the 14-day period. Washington state, Oregon, and Michigan have confirmed that health officials are monitoring hundreds of at-risk individuals who may have been exposed to the virus inside China. The CDC, meanwhile, has called on schools and businesses to prepare for the worst because the virus will likely begin spreading inside the United States. Its not so much a question of if this will happen in this country any more but a question of when this will happen, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDCs National Center for Immunisation and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters. We are asking the American public to prepare for the expectation that this might be bad, she said, adding that disruption to everyday life might be severe. In a historic first for satellite operations, a commercial spacecraft "helper" has docked with a working communications satellite to provide life-extension services. The companies involved in the meetup Northrop Grumman and Intelsat hailed the operation, which took place Tuesday (Feb. 25), as the beginning of a new era that will see robotic spacecraft giving new life to older satellites that are low on fuel or require repairs. Because launch costs constitute a large part of a satellite's total price tag, the hope is that refurbishing aging satellites will eventually reduce the expense of services that satellites provide, such as telecommunications or weather monitoring. Video: Watch Northrop Grumman's MEV-1 dock with Intelsat 901! Image 1 of 5 Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle 1 (MEV-1) spots the Intelsat 901 communications satellite during a historic rendezvous on Feb. 25, 2020. (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle 1 (MEV-1) spots the Intelsat 901 communications satellite during a historic rendezvous on Feb. 25, 2020. Image 2 of 5 (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle 1 (MEV-1) approaches the Intelsat 901 communications satellite (center) ahead of a historic docking on Feb. 25, 2020. Image 3 of 5 (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) The Earth is a stunning backdrop to the Intelsat 901 communications satellite in this view from the MEV-1 satellite serving spacecraft during docking operations on Feb. 25, 2020. Image 4 of 5 (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle 1 (MEV-1) captured this view of its target, the Intelsat 901 communications satellite, from a distance of 20 meters during docking operations on Feb. 25, 2020. Earth is visible in the background. Image 5 of 5 (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) In a historic first, Northrop Grumman's privately built MEV-1 satellite servicing spacecraft captures the Intelsat 901 communications satellite on Feb. 25, 2020. MEV-1's grappler (right) latched on to Intelsat's engine nozzle at center. The docking occurred Tuesday at 2:15 a.m. EST (0715 GMT). On one side of the meeting was a spacecraft called Mission Extension Vehicle-1 (MEV-1), overseen by Northrop Grumman and its subsidiary SpaceLogistics LLC; on the other was a telecommunications satellite, Intelsat's IS-901, Northrop Grumman said in a statement . This maneuver took place about 180 miles (290 kilometers) above geosynchronous orbit, which is at an altitude of 22,236 miles (35,786 km). That's roughly 90 times higher than the International Space Station . Intelsat IS-901 is low on fuel and was removed from service in December 2019 to prepare for this operation, according to the statement. Controllers raised the satellite's orbit and awaited MEV-1's arrival. Now that the pair have docked, MEV-1 will perform checkouts of IS-901, then push the satellite back to its normal orbit in late March, according to Northrop Grumman. "Intelsat has been at the forefront of innovation and game-changing space technology for decades," Mike DeMarco, Intelsat's executive vice president and chief services officer, said in the statement. "Pushing the boundaries of what's possible is in our DNA here that's why we didn't hesitate to sign up to be MEV-1's first customer." Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) Northrop Grumman engineers test docking procedures for the company's MEV-1 satellite servicing mission to the Intelsat 901 communications satellite. Image 2 of 4 (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) This view shows a close up of the MEV-1 spacecraft's docking apparatus during rendezvous operations. Image 3 of 4 (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) Northrop Grumman engineers conducting a docking test on the ground to check technology for the MEV-1 satellite servicing mission. Image 4 of 4 (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) An artist's illustration of Northrop Grumman's MEV-1 servicing spacecraft chasing down the Intelsat 901 communications satellite. The agreement between the companies calls for MEV-1 (which launched in October 2019 ) to support IS-901 for five years. When that time is over, MEV-1 will push IS-901 into a decommissioning orbit to make room for a newer satellite to take IS-901's slot in geosynchronous orbit . The Northrop Grumman spacecraft can dock and undock with several spacecraft over the span of its mission and will be able to deliver more than 15 years of life-extension services, the statement continued. "This life-extension service is just the first step in an expansive technology development plan," Northrop Grumman stated. "[Our] vision is to establish a fleet of satellite-servicing vehicles that not only extend the life of satellites, but provide other services such as inclination changes and spacecraft inspections, as well as use advanced robotics technology to perform additional functions such as in-orbit repair and assembly." Northrop Grumman plans to launch a second Mission Extension Vehicle, called MEV-2, later this year to support another Intelsat satellite. There are numerous other upcoming initiatives to make satellites work longer in space. To name a few: Made in Space's Archinaut spacecraft is supposed to maintain satellites and build large structures in orbit, NASA's Restore-L robotic refueling demonstration is set to launch soon, and the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites. In past years, NASA completed several robotic refueling demonstrations on the International Space Station, and DARPA launched two prototype servicing satellites in 2007 under the Orbital Express program. Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Uniquely led by a team of black women, RYR's operations will be out of Kingston, Jamaica. Eventually, operations will expand across the Caribbean frequented by over 22M travelers annually. Further boosting its new platform, RYR will partner with the Insurance Company of The West Indies (ICWI), a leader in motor insurance across the Caribbean to provide private rental insurance to car owners at a discounted rate. In addition, RYR will use Jumio , a leader in online identity verification, to definitively authenticate users on the platform. Rent Yuh Ride: The What The Rent Yuh Ride platform will be accessible online from anywhere, at any time. It's a marketplace where car owners can sign up, upload their vehicle info (and documents) to be approved and listed on the site for free. Simultaneously, travelers can sign up, search through available vehicles in their desired destination, choose a pickup location, then book. Once the vehicle has been picked up, the owner gets paid electronically. When it is returned, this will complete the transaction, and both parties are then able to leave each other a review. Everything is done online safely, affordably, efficiently. Rent Yuh Ride: The Why Problems with Current Car Renting Process: Car owner reputation is unknown; current web listings have very limited information -- only thing you see is the car you're renting. 58% of cars in Jamaica are uninsured -- lack of protection creates lack of trust. are uninsured -- lack of protection creates lack of trust. Traditional car renting is costly; advanced booking doesn't minimize wait time at pickup -- "The deposit fees are astronomical." The Ideal Solution is a "Win-Win Situation": Traveler Benefits: 20%-50% cheaper than traditional renting; know the owner right away; book on-demand; pickup when & where you want; more variety of vehicles to choose from. Car Owner Benefits: earn money hosting; free to list and no monthly fees; list once, market to many travelers. "Travelers deserve a better way to rent cars, they need options and what's available just doesn't cut it," explains RYR Founder & CEO Cherie Williams. "With the Rent Yuh Ride platform, you can choose from a wide range of vehicles that fit your style, a wide range of prices that fit your budget, and there's absolutely no negotiating back and forth. Moreover, car owners have underutilized vehicles for months at a time and Rent Yuh Ride will provide new opportunities for them to earn additional income," says a frequent traveler to the island. "It's a win-win situation on both sides: one person will make money and the other person will save money." Funding Investment opportunity available on Series One platform. About Rent Yuh Ride Rent Yuh Ride is the first peer-to-peer digital car rental platform in Jamaica with future expansion across the Caribbean. RYR will directly connect thousands of travelers to private car owners across the islands to facilitate car renting, in a way that's efficient, affordable and safe. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1095519/Rent_Yuh_Ride_Launched.jpg SOURCE Rent Yuh Ride Related Links https://rentyuhride.com Samara Heisz/iStock(NEW YORK) -- Public health officials are sounding the alarm as an outbreak of a new coronavirus that began in China is now infecting thousands of people in dozens of other countries, including the United States. Here's the latest on the developing situation. 2:30 p.m. ET California reassures public Gov. Gavin Newsom and California health officials updated the public on the state's response to the coronavirus. As of Thursday morning, the state had 33 positive cases, including a Solano County woman who could be the country's first person-to-person transmission of COVID-19. Newsom said he was in contact with the CDC, and that the federal government said it would speed up protocols for testing and provide the state with more kits. "I'm very pleased the CDC is moving expeditiously," he said. Newsom wouldn't provide more details about the Solano patient other than that she's being treated at a Sacramento facility and health officials are currently undertaking a "deep tracking and tracing" initiative to find and interview everyone she was in contact with. "We currently have people in the field working in the community," Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer, said. The governor warned that the state likely would see more patients as the health crisis continues but that local officials were prepared. 1:15 p.m. Facebook cancels annual developer conference Facebook announced it would cancel its annual F8 developer conference in San Jose, California, May 5-6, due to coronavirus concerns. "This was a tough call to make -- F8 is an incredibly important event for Facebook, and it's one of our favorite ways to celebrate all of you from around the world -- but we need to prioritize the health and safety of our developer partners," the company said in a statement. Facebook said it would have alternative plans for the developers, including "locally hosted events, videos and livestreamed content." 1 p.m. Dog in Hong Kong tests positive for virus Officials from Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said a pet dog has tested positive for coronavirus. The agency said it received a referral Feb. 26 from the Hong Kong Department of Health after the dogs owner tested positive. While the dog didnt have any relevant symptoms, it did test a weak positive and is being kept in quarantine for further testing. "The AFCD does not have evidence that pet animals can be infected with COVID-19 virus or can be a source of infection to people," the agency said in a statement. 11:56 a.m. ET U.S. transportation secretary: 'We must be vigilant' U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said approximately 15,000 Americans returning home have been vetted via health screenings so far, amid the country's efforts to mitigate an outbreak of the novel coronavirus. As a member of the "coronavirus task force," Chao said the U.S. Department of Transportation is helping bring home thousands of Americans from virus-hit China and Japan while also ensuring health protocols are maintained. "The president says these containment measures have been effective," Chao said Thursday during an appearance before the House Committee on Appropriations. "But we must be vigilant and plan for the possibility of community based transmission in the United States." 11:30 a.m. ET U.S. health secretary: 'Immediate risk to the American public remains low' U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alexander Azar continued on Thursday to emphasize that "the immediate risk to the American public remains low." During an appearance before the House Committee on Ways and Means on Capitol Hill, Azar said the United States can still expect to see new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus as the response efforts now focus on containing the spread of the disease on American soil, but he said that doesn't mean there will necessarily be a large number of people who will need to be hospitalized. Most people infected by the "community spread" of the virus will have mild to moderate symptoms and will likely be able to stay at home, according to Azar. "It will look and feel to the American people more like a severe flu season in terms of the interventions and approaches you will see," Azar said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has processed more than 3,600 tests for the new coronavirus, according to Azar, who said there is currently no backlog in having them processed quickly. The CDC has also received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to adjust the testing protocol to deal with inconclusive results. The next step is to try to develop a bedside diagnostic that hospitals can use in real time, Azar said. Human trials testing a potential vaccine for COVID-19 are expected to start in six weeks. Azar said the Trump administration "will work to ensure there are appropriate protections to ensure the affordability of any vaccine produced out of joint venture work that taxpayers are funding as part of these cooperative venture work that were part of." 10:05 a.m. WHO director-general: 'This virus has pandemic potential' The director-general of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the rising number of novel coronavirus cases confirmed outside of China in countries like South Korea, Italy and Iran demonstrate what this newly identified virus is capable of, and everyone must be prepared. "Even developed countries could be surprised," Tedros warned. "Our message continues to be that this virus has pandemic potential." "No country should assume it wouldn't get cases. That could be a fatal mistake, quite literally," he added. "This virus does not respect borders. It does not distinguish between races or ethnicities. It has no regard for a country's GDP or level of development. The point is not only to prevent cases arriving on your shores -- the point is what you do when you have cases." In the past 24 hours, the WHO has recorded seven nations that announced their first cases of the novel coronavirus : Brazil, Georgia, Greece, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan and Romania. "My advice to these countries is to move swiftly and contain it," Tedros said. "With the right measures, it can be contained. That's one of the key messages from China." Out of 320,000 cases tested for COVID-19 in China's Guangdong province, just 0.14% were positive, which indicates "containment is possible," according to Tedros. Tedros noted he's encouraged by the progress made in several countries that, as of Thursday, have not reported any new cases in over two weeks, including Belgium, Cambodia, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Earlier The latest patient being treated for the novel coronavirus in the United States is being investigated by health officials as possibly the first case of "community spread" on American soil. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the diagnosis Wednesday night, bringing the total number of infected Americans to 60. The majority of the cases are U.S. citizens who were aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was placed under quarantine in Japanese waters as hundreds of passengers became infected with the newly identified virus, known officially as COVID-19, which originated in China. However, the newest patient, who is a resident of California's Solano County, had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual, according to the California Department of Public Health. It's the first COVID-19 case of unknown origin in the United States, indicating there could be "community spread," which means the virus is circulating among the local community and infecting people, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected, according to the CDC. "We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S.," Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement Wednesday night, "and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California." The individual was transferred to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento from another hospital on Wednesday, and doctors requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC. "When the patient arrived, the patient had already been intubated, was on a ventilator, and given droplet protection orders because of an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition," UC Davis Medical Center said in a statement Wednesday night. "Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered. UC Davis Health does not control the testing process." The CDC ordered COVID-19 testing on Sunday, according to UC Davis Medical Center. The CDC said it would continue to investigate the source of the infection. It's "possible" that the individual "may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected," an agency official said in a statement Wednesday. The new coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan back in December and has since spread overseas to at least 37 other countries, with South Korea, Italy and Iran seeing recent surges in case numbers. The World Health Organization, which has declared the outbreak a global health emergency and said it "absolutely" has the potential to become a pandemic, has recorded more than 81,000 confirmed infections globally. Over 96% of those cases were in China. At least 2,762 people have died from confirmed cases of the virus, all but 44 in China, according to the latest data from the WHO. COVID-19 causes symptoms similar to pneumonia, ranging from the mild, such as a slight cough, to the more severe, including fever and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. There is no vaccine yet for the virus. Increasing concerns over virus exposure have prompted some cities around the world to suspend public gatherings and shutter schools, businesses and restaurants. Many airlines have also suspended flights to China as well as South Korea, which has the second-highest national total of coronavirus cases behind China. Japanese Prime Minister Abe on Thursday ordered the closure of all schools nationwide to help control the spread of the disease. The closures will go into effect Monday and will last until spring holidays begin in late March. China has imposed severe restrictions on large areas, including a lockdown on the city of Wuhan, and the United States has put in place strict travel restrictions on people who have recently visited China. During a press conference Wednesday in the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said it was "not the right time" to impose additional restrictions on entry to the country -- although he noted, "we may do that." Trump also told ABC News' Karen Travers that the United States did have plans for quarantining cities "on a larger scale, if we need it." The Trump administration has asked lawmakers for emergency funding to combat the new coronavirus -- $1.25 billion in new funding and another $1.25 billion shifted from existing funding previously allocated for other reasons, including some designated to deal with the Ebola virus. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, along with other Democrats in Congress, has criticized the request as being too little, too late. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday morning he's preparing a detailed Democratic request for emergency coronavirus funding totaling $8.5 billion, which was expected to be finalized and sent to appropriators this week. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. India on Thursday rejected comments by a US commission on religious freedom, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and several US lawmakers on violence in the national capital, terming them factually inaccurate, misleading, and an attempt to politicise the issue. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), the OIC and several US lawmakers, including presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, criticised India over wide-spread violence in Delhi, in which 38 people were killed. Sanders and a number of other leading American lawmakers expressed concern over the violence. The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed 38 lives and left over 200 people injured. "We have seen comments made by USCIRF, sections of the media and a few individuals regarding recent incidents of violence in Delhi. These are factually inaccurate and misleading, and appear to be aimed at politicising the issue," Kumar said. Hours later, he hit out at the OIC for its statement on Delhi violence, saying its comments were factually inaccurate and misleading. "The statements which have come out of OIC are factually inaccurate, they are selective, they are misleading. There is an effort on the ground, to restore normalcy, to create confidence," Kumar said. "We urge these bodies not to indulge in irresponsible statements at this sensitive time," he said. Kumar said law enforcement agencies are working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. "Senior representatives of the government have been involved in that process. The prime minister has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time," said Kumar. On Wednesday, the USCIRF said, "The ongoing violence we are witnessing in Delhi and the reported attacks against Muslims, their homes and shops, and their houses of worship are greatly disturbing." "One of the essential duties of any responsible government is to provide protection and physical security for its citizens, regardless of faith," it added. In a statement, the OIC said it "condemns the recent and alarming violence against Muslims in India, resulting in the death and injury of innocent people and the arson and vandalism of mosques and Muslim-owned properties". "The OIC calls on Indian authorities to bring the instigators and perpetrators of these acts of anti-Muslim violence to justice and to ensure the safety and security of all its Muslim citizens and the protection of Islamic holy places across the country," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It was chillingly relaxing. My session seemed to have lasted less than 10 minutes, yet when I checked the time upon its completion, 80 minutes had passed, and I had been awake for all of them. It felt how autonomous sensory meridian response sounds, except that it was also intermittently briefly uncomfortable. The total amount of times my face will be touched in my lifetime surely increased by something like 2 million percent. Richard Drury / Getty Images En espanol | If you've been on Facebook, you've probably seen ads from presidential candidates asking you to join their team or chip in a few dollars. The campaigns are spending millions to reach people on social media, especially Facebook. They and their supporters are also sharing memes, videos and other posts to boost their candidates and disparage opponents. But just because an ad or post appears real does not necessarily mean its message is true. Facebook has said it will not fact-check political ads, a decision that has been criticized in light of how political disinformation which is false information deliberately spread to sway opinion or obscure the truth was disseminated on social media in 2016. Because of Facebook's posture on political ads, voters should know how to separate the fake from the real to avoid being tricked. Two caveats: The techniques are not foolproof, since the tools used to create and spread disinformation are sophisticated, and our own biases make us less skeptical of things we already believe are true. "We've seen a real progression of the use of false information on social media since 2016, says Samuel Woolley, project director for propaganda research at the Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin. It's especially true on Facebook, he notes, where campaigns or political groups across the ideological spectrum can deploy disinformation or provocative content to try to get people to do what they want." A fantastic platform for targeting older Americans Older Americans, who are not digital natives who grew up using social media, are primary targets for this, Woolley says. It's a fantastic tool for them to communicate with their friends and family, but it's also a fantastic tool where they can be manipulated with bad information." Americans ages 50-plus are the fastest-growing segment of Facebook users, according to Gallup. In 2018, 52 percent of people ages 50 to 64 reported having a Facebook account, up from 34 percent in 2011. Among those 65 and older, 32 percent said they had a Facebook account, up from 18 percent in 2011. Among all adults, 56 percent had a Facebook account in 2018. Bengali film actors took to the Twitter to condem the communal clashes in Delhi which has claimed at least 34 lives and has called for peace and amity at this critical hour. Bengali film hero and Trinamool Congress MP Dev posted on his Twitter handle an image of the Tricolour and said on Wednesday, I dont see Delhi Burning.. I can only see Humanity Crippling. THIS was not Gods plan (sic). THIS needs to STOP. Or else we fail TOGETHER, AS A NATION. Contacted Dev, now busy in the shooting of a film, said on Thursday, "I am deeply pained over the turn of events, the cycle of violence which gripped Delhi since Monday. Let peace return, let sanity prevail." Tollywood superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee voiced his concern in his post in the micro-blogging site. "Saddened and devastated to hear the chaos in the Capital of our country. Hate shall not prevail, lets unite and move forward as Indians #uniteindian #peace #saynotowar #love #respect," he posted. Bengali heroine and TMC MP Nusrat Jahan, known to be vocal on contemporary social issues, tweeted "Saddened. Disheartened. Pained My country is burning. Let us not forget we are Human first. Also please do not spread rumour, fake & hate....#Delhi. Actor Parambrata Chatterjee vented his ire and helplessness over the situation in his post. No its not shocking, not anymore. The pogrom was on, its only become open now. From the pathetic, helpless lot of ours, the aware & conscious might find a mirror image of what we might be remembered as(sadly) in Hunters on prime video. Good luck with sleeping!" Chatterjee, an avid follower of world cinema and soaps, was referring to HUNTERS, the popular series on prime video, which follows a diverse band of Nazi Hunters in 1977 New York City. At least 34 people lost their lives and more than 200 were injured in the violence over the new citizenship law that raged in several areas of Delhi over the last few days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a great case study of the broad applications of LoRaWAN Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, Kerlinks Wirnet gateway is powering a radon-sensing project on Europes most active volcano, Mount Etna, according to a recent release. The recently deployed network linking Mount Etna on the east coast of Sicily to scientists in Clermont-Ferrand, France, 1,200 kilometers away, is designed to transmit radon measurement data in order to help scientists monitor activity of the volcano. Radon is a natural radioactive element found in high concentrations near volcanoes and uranium deposits and is one of the potential precursors of volcanic eruptions. For many years, scientists have measured radon in the soil of the 3,300m-high Etna via on-site visits. This new system of autonomous radon sensors, designed and deployed by French scientists in Clermont-Ferrand and supported by the LoRaWAN network, remotely and continuously measures radon in plumes of volcanic gas, according to the announcement. The system also allows measuring radon emissions near the top of the volcano, an area that was out of reach for soil samples in the winter. A Kerlink Wirnet Station at the Etna site collects data from LoRaWAN nodes, which are connected to radon and meteorological sensors, and transmits the information via its embedded 3G backhaul, to the LoRa server at Clermont-Ferrand in the French National Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics, where scientists analyze the data. The radon sensors that send their data in near-real time, year-round, to the LoRaWAN server in Clermont-Ferrand give volcanologists an unprecedented picture of what is happening at Etna, said Laurent Royer of Laboratoire de Physique de Clermont, a joint research unit of Clermont-Auvergne University (UCA), and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), which support the Etna project. This project not only highlights the diverse and vital concrete use cases enabled by LoRaWAN networks, but also Kerlinks position as a leading supplier of robust, high-performing gateways for those use cases, said Stephane Dejean, CMO, Kerlink. Wirnet gateways are enabling and powering multiple IoT projects in some of the most challenging and demanding environments on Earth. Our teams are very proud to be able to contribute to this type of scientific research-and-prevention project. The volcanic research project received funding from the I-SITE Clermont CAP20-25 project and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), in partnership with Italian Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV). Edited by Ken Briodagh 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:
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It was created to make the police subservient to its masters and, consequently, antagonistic to the masses, states Veenu Sandhu. IMAGE: Police excesses on display at Babu Purwa in Kanpur, December 20, 2019. Photograph: PTI Photo One year ended with a question mark hanging over the police. And the next too began with a question mark hanging over the police. The first one in Uttar Pradesh, where the police are alleged to have targeted and vandalised homes based on the faith of the occupants. The second in Delhi, where the police allegedly looked away as masked men and women ran amok attacking students of a university with iron rods. In the national capital, the chief minister said: 'I don't blame Delhi Police... They get orders from above.' Arvind Kejriwal -- like chief ministers before him -- has been demanding that the Delhi government be given executive control over the Delhi police. Unlike in other states, where the police report to the respective state governments, Article 239AA(3)(a) of the Constitution bars the Delhi government from passing laws on police and public order, both of which fall under the Union home ministry. This is primarily because Delhi is also the power centre of the country from where Parliament functions. It houses various embassies and high commissions, and has foreign dignitaries visiting practically through the year. So its security requirements are unique. In an ideal scenario, the city-state would be demarcated into two territories -- one, where police control of nationally and internationally sensitive areas of Delhi is placed under the home ministry and the other, under the state government. But for such a judicial demarcation to happen, nothing less than a Constitutional amendment would be required. The problem, however, runs far deeper. It stems from the very idea of the government -- and thereby political masters -- controlling the police. The Indian police is governed by the archaic, colonial-era Police Act of 1861, which has no place in a democracy. This Act came into force as a direct fallout of what we call the First War of Independence and which the British called the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. It was created to make the police subservient to its masters and, consequently, antagonistic to the masses. More than 150 years later, the police continue to be a tool in the hands of political masters. Time and again, voices from within the police force have called out for reforms. Ved Marwah, who served as the Delhi police commissioner and was joint secretary, National Police Commission on police reforms, wrote in Seminar in 2009: 'The new democratically elected rulers are not very different from the colonial masters. In fact, the situation is much worse. They not only use and misuse the police for party purposes, they manipulate it for all sorts of usavoury ends.' In the context of insurgency-affected states, he went to the extent of calling the police the 'armed wing of the ruling party'. I spoke with Prakash Singh, who served as director general of police of the Border Security Force, Assam and Uttar Pradesh. It was on his petition (Prakash Singh versus Union of India) that on September 22, 2006, the Supreme Court of India delivered a historic judgment that could have had far-reaching consequences on police reform -- had the state and central governments complied with it honestly. The country's top court directed the state and central governments to comply with a set of directives at the heart of which lay two key objectives: Functional autonomy for and accountability of the police. One of the directives was to set up a 'State Security Commission' in every state. This would be a sort of check-post between the police and the government, a watchdog that would insulate the police from unwarranted external influences and pressures, and ensure that the force acted according to the law of the land. The commission would broadly include, besides government representatives like the chief minister, home minister, the Lok Ayukta, a retired high court judge (nominated by the Chief Justice), members of state human rights commission, chief secretary, leader of opposition, the DGP and some independent members. Dismissing all objections, the apex court directed the governments, which expectedly dilly-dallied, to file affidavits of compliance. Despite the court's order, the states either did not constitute these commissions or constituted farcical commissions, Singh told me. Some state governments dishonestly packed the commission with people who were favourably disposed towards them. And so an urgently needed reform became a farce. Singh's lament was that despite its powerful directives, the top court has not issued a single contempt notice to any state government and thus, its role in pursuing the implementation of its own directions has been weak. And that is such a pity. Recent events have shown us that a correction is in order, urgently. Grau once again called on the sides to remain committed to the comprehensive ceasefire. The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau has said issues related to new disengagement sites in Donbas "require further elaboration." "Along with the general security situation in the conflict zone, the Security Working Group focused on the issues related to the definition of additional areas for the disengagement of forces and hardware. The sides dedicated a lot of time and effort to this issue, but it still requires further elaboration," Grau told the press after a meeting of the TCG and its working groups in Minsk on February 26, 2020. Read alsoOSCE Chairperson-in-Office Rama calls on Russia to implement Minsk accords "Ceasefire is a key provision of the Minsk agreements. In this context, recent events are alarming. Last week, we all witnessed an exceptional spike in ceasefire violations in Luhansk region, including with the use of Minsk-prohibited weapons. Once again, the civilian population has paid a heavy price. It is unacceptable," she said. Grau once again called on the sides to remain committed to the comprehensive ceasefire. According to her, mine action issues were also raised. "I would like to remind you that mines are still the main cause of casualties among civilians this year, eight out of 14 victims," she said. In addition, the Humanitarian Working Group discussed questions regarding the exchange of detainees, ways to ensure an effective search for missing persons as well as the possibilities of opening new crossing points across the line of contact. Moreover, the Economic Working Group paid particular attention to the issues related to pension payments and water supplies in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADR and CALR). "The Political Working Group focused on issues related to the special status of CADR and CALR as well as the implementation of the 'Steinmeier formula' into Ukrainian legislation," Grau said. Love Island star Laura Anderson has had 'Be Kind' tattooed on her wrist in a nod to the show's late host Caroline Flack. The Scottish former air hostess was spotted heading out of Ushuaia Tattoo parlour in Fulham on Thursday, where she had the words adorned on her wrist in a lasting tribute to the star, who took her own life aged 40 earlier this month. Sharing a snap of her new addition on Instagram, she added a caption reading: 'Its not until now this has become fashionable All Ive ever wanted is to be kind. This is for you Caroline and the rest of the human race.' Kindness: Love Island star Laura Anderson has had 'Be Kind' tattooed on her wrist in a nod to the show's late host Caroline Flack Having met Caroline during her time on the show, Laura paid heartfelt tribute to the star shortly after news broke that she had been found dead at her London home, having taken her own life after it was revealed her assault case was being pursued. Sharing a snap of the duo, she penned a caption reading: 'What a cruel world we live in. So much I want to say in anger & frustration however the priority lies with respecting Carolines family at this time... 'The fact that were all sat here tonight with such devastating news all too close to home is just too much and too soon... 'Caroline will always be a beautiful, funny, talented and unique woman with a lot of passion and heart for all that she did... Heartfelt: The Scottish former air hostess was spotted heading out of Ushuaia Tattoo parlour in Fulham on Thursday, where she had the words adorned on her wrist in a lasting tribute to the star, who took her own life aged 40 earlier this month A tribute: She was inked up as an honour to the host Reaching out: Having met Caroline during her time on the show, Laura paid heartfelt tribute to the star shortly after news broke that she had been found dead at her London home, having taken her own life after it was revealed her assault case was being pursued 'I cant believe youre no longer here. You were and always will be loved by so many and Im so sorry this life didnt give you the support that you needed. I hope we all learn something from this tragedy'. Since the tragedy, Laura was seen on Thursday getting an inking with the words Be Kind - a phrase which has gone viral since Caroline passed away. Last year, Caroline shared a post reading: 'In a world where you can be anything, be kind', leading to the touching address. Tragedy: TV star Caroline passed away a day after she had been told that the CPS was pursuing the court case against her following an arrest at her home over a row with Lewis Burton in December Heartache: Laura honoured the host with the inking TV star Caroline passed away a day after she had been told that the CPS was pursuing the court case against her following an arrest at her home over a row with Lewis Burton in December. She had pleaded not guilty to assault by beating at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in North London on December 23 and was due to go on trial at March 4. Her management company have criticised the CPS for pressing ahead with what it called her 'show trial' even after Lewis said he did not support it. The ITV veteran fronted the much-loved show since its revival series in 2015, before handing over her role to pal Laura Whitmore in late 2019. If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org Saw: The inking was red looking as she was fresh from the parlour OAKLAND (BCN) BART police Chief Ed Alvarez presented a report to the agency's Board of Directors Thursday showing that black BART riders are cited more frequently than other riders for certain violations. BART released the data last week, showing that black riders received more than half of the citations for "quality of life" offenses, such as fare evasion, disruptive behavior and eating, drinking or smoking on trains, in both 2018 and 2019. In comparison, black riders were cited more often for quality of life offenses than white and Hispanic riders combined in both years. Only about 10 percent of BART riders are black, while white riders comprise 35 percent of the system's riders. BART board director Janice Li called for the inquiry into the agency's police practices following documented confrontations between riders and police such as last November, when a BART police officer threatened to arrest a man of color for eating a sandwich on a platform at the Pleasant Hill station. "I want to be clear and acknowledge that this data does not mean that individual officers are engaged in misconduct or are racist," Li said. "I do think that this data shows that BART's Police Department is not immune and not different than national trends in law enforcement when it comes to who is engaged, whether through stops, citations or arrests." Alvarez noted that citing riders for fare evasion and code of conduct violations was rare, overall, in 2018 and 2019. While fare evasion accounted for 93 percent of quality of life citations, fare evasion citations were given to roughly one of every 11,250 riders, while conduct citations were given to about one in every 225,000 riders. BART police officers are required to complete training in fair and impartial practices and how to avoid racial profiling while on the job before joining the BART Police Department. Officers must also complete a refresher course every two years, according to Alvarez. Alvarez and Independent Police Auditor Russell Bloom said BART police will be required to collect data and develop a report in accordance with the California Racial and Identity Profiling Act, which mandates that all state and local agencies that employ law enforcement officers must report data on all stops annually to the state attorney general's office. Due to the department's size, BART police must issue its first annual report by April 1, 2023. The agency plans to crack down on fare evasion in the coming months by beginning to replace fare gates at BART stations with gates that will be harder to pass without paying the requisite fare. Board director Rebecca Saltzman said it was incumbent on the agency to inform fare evaders of potential discounts they may qualify for and to consider why riders would evade paying fares in the first place. "We don't know exactly why everybody's fare evading but I think it's pretty safe to assume that a large majority are fare evading because of, you know, the cost considerations," Saltzman said. "They have to consider other things they have to pay for in their life. Maybe it's too expensive, maybe they're making the decision about paying for BART or paying for food that day." Board director Liz Ames clarified that the agency has no proof that fare evaders are also the riders who are committing code of conduct violations on trains, and that the two infractions should not necessarily be conflated. She also suggested the data was a reflection of societal problems with race and equity. "We recognize that there's disparity, even though the bulk of this is related to fare evasion, there's still an equity problem in our society," she said. "We know this and we don't need a lot of data to show that this is an issue, you know, nationwide. So I do think we want to be a leader ... in the policing." Board director Lateefah Simon noted the significance of the board discussing racial disparities in BART's policing on what would have been Oscar Grant's 34th birthday. Grant was shot and killed by a BART police officer on Jan. 1, 2009, at the Fruitvale station in Oakland. "I'm particularly touched that transparency and thoughtfulness is at the heart of what this agency wants to move forward with as we think about how we lead the country as a law enforcement agency," Simon said. Copyright 2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Richard Shindell and Lucy Kaplansky, who have collaborated on several albums, including Cry, Cry, Cry (with Dar Williams) and The Pine Hill Project, will perform as a duo at The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Center in Old Saybrook Saturday, March 7. The concert will be one of their final half-dozen performances together for the foreseeable future, said Kaplansky in an email, with Shindell taking a break from touring and heading home to Argentina. First Minister Arlene Foster has said there will not be a border poll or a united Ireland in her lifetime. The DUP leader, speaking to BBC NI's The View programme, said there was no evidence that a majority of people in Northern Ireland would vote for a united Ireland. Sinn Fein has called for a referendum on Irish unity within the next five years. However, Mrs Foster, when asked if she thought she would see a united Ireland during her lifetime, said: "No I don't". Read More The DUP leader, who turns 50 this year, gave the same reply when asked if she thought a border poll would be called during her lifetime. Asked why she believed this, Mrs Foster said: "Because there has to be evidence there. "As you know the test for a border poll is that people would vote for it in a majority and there is no evidence of that. "Yes, people can have different opinion polls, but there's no tangible evidence if you look right across Northern Ireland." The View will be broadcast on BBC One NI at 10.35pm tonight. Read More A recent LucidTalk poll, commissioned by The Detail, found that 46.8% of people in Northern Ireland would vote to remain in the UK, while 45.4% would vote for a united Ireland. 7.8% said they would be unsure how they would vote. LucidTalk ran the same poll in the Republic of Ireland, where 73.1% of respondents said they would vote for Northern Ireland to be part of a united Ireland, while 10.2% said they would vote in favour of Northern Ireland remaining in the UK. 16.7% of respondents said they didn't know what way to vote. However, another major study found that a total of 29% of people in Northern Ireland support Irish unity but 52% would back remaining in the UK if a referendum was held imminently. The face-to-face study was carried out with just over 2,000 people who were interviewed across 18 Westminster constituencies between December 28, 2019 and February 11 2020. The study was led by Liverpool University and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council with interviews conducted by Social Market Research. Film director Roman Polanski has confirmed that he will not attend the French equivalent of the Academy Awards, the Cesars, to be handed out at a ceremony in Paris on Friday. This year's event, where Polanski's latest film is nominated in 12 categories, promises to be more than usually controversial. Franco-Polish film director Roman Polanski has announced that he will not attend the Cesar awards (the French Oscars) - on Friday 28 February, because he fears being "publically lynched". The veteran is at the centre of a storm of protest after his new film about the Dreyfus affair, An Officer and a Spy, topped the list of nominations for the Cesar awards. France's equality minister and feminists were outraged at the film's 12 nominations, given that Polanski is still wanted in the United States for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977. "We know how this evening will unfold already," Polanski said in a statement. "Activists are already threatening me with a public lynching, with some saying they are going to protest outside," the 87-year-old added. "What place can there be in such deplorable conditions for a film about the defence of truth, the fight for justice, blind hate and anti-Semitism?" Ceremony to go ahead despite mass resignation from the Cesar academy Friday's ceremony will be presided over by French actress Florence Foresti. She will present the awards just two weeks after the entire Cesar's board resigned, following complaints from women's groups, politicians and movie industry personalities. The French academy collapsed following a series of shocks, having notably been weakened by its embroilment in the affair involving 87-year-old filmmaker Polanski. Polanski's latest film, An Officer and a Spy (the story of the Dreyfus Affair, originally released in French as J'accuse), is nominated for 12 awards. Feminist groups protested at cinemas screening the movie, and have announced their intention to demonstrate outside Friday's awards ceremony venue, the Salle Playel concert hall in central Paris. Story continues Posters have already appeared on walls around the venue and outside the academy's Paris headquarters bearing the message "Rape-anski brings shame on the Cesars". In 2017 Polanski was forced to decline the academy's offer to lead the jury, following outrage from women's groups and government officials. Cesar academy refuses to take a "moral position" The shortlisting of Polanski's film has been condemned by France's equality minister, by women's groups and film critics, but the academy said it could not be expected to take "moral positions" when awarding films. Adding an additional pressure to this year's event is the fact that a film by director Celine Sciamma, Portrait de la jeune fille en feu or Portarit of a young girl on fire, is in second place with ten nominations. The central character is played by Adele Haenel who, last November, stunned the French film industry by revealing that she had been sexually abused by a well-known director when she was a teenager. Sciamma and her team have announced that they will attend in force. In an open letter published on 11 February, more than 200 actors, producers, directors and movie personalities denounced the "dysfunction" at the academy, the "opacity" of its accounts, and the lack of change to its founding statutes. Three days later the entire board of the Cesar academy resigned. The upcoming Metallurgy Corrosion & Coatings (Mecoc) conference in Dubai, UAE will gather technical experts from all over the world to discuss on latest technology related to for various Industries and to network with key industry peers. The premier event is powered by industry stalwarts including Saudi Aramco, Sabic, Sadara Chemical Company, Adnoc, Petroleum Development Oman, Kuwait Oil Company, Kaefer and GE Digital, among others. Mecoc will be the first Metallurgy Corrosion & Coatings conference in the Middle East. The event will feature technologies from GCC and all over the world that will help companies in the oil & gas, petrochemicals and marine sectors to enhance and inculcate better corrosion management practices. Running from April 7 to 9, the premier event will witness the presence of leading industry figures, corporate officials, luminaries, and technical professionals. Heavy industries across the GCC region need to optimize material & equipment design standards, corrosion & coating and asset integrity practices for efficiency, profitability, and sustainability, said Romin Mathew, director, Aldrich International, Dubai. TradeArabia News Service Following the announcement that Mike Pence would be leading the United States response to the coronavirus threat, concerns have been raised over the vice presidents ability to handle a health crisis. On Wednesday, President Trump made a rare appearance in the White House briefing room, where he said Pence would be overseeing the administrations Covid-19 coronavirus task force because hes got a certain talent for this. However, following the vice presidents appointment, critics pointed out that Pence has a questionable track record when it comes to his ability to effectively deal with health-related matters. These are four instances where Pence has argued against science and how it relates to public health. During Indianas HIV outbreak in 2015, Pence initially opposed a clean-needle exchange After the presidents appointment, the majority of criticism surrounding his decision revolved around Pences handling of the nations first HIV outbreak linked to intravenous-use painkillers in 2015. At the time, Pence, who was the governor of Indiana, initially rejected allowing a clean-needle exchange, despite the advice of health officials. Although Pence, after praying on it, eventually lifted the ban on needle exchanges when he declared a public health emergency, a decision he said he did not enter into lightly, studies published in medical journals have said the outbreak could have been prevented had the state acted faster. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine the following year, the health crisis may not have happened had the state not banned syringe exchanges. Among those criticising Pences ability to keep the country safe from new coronavirus considering his handling of the HIV crisis was Leana Wen, the former head of Planned Parenthood, who tweeted: As Governor of Indiana, an HIV/AIDS epidemic flourished until he allowed public health - not ideology - to direct policy & response. I hope he now follows the guidance of the exceptional career public health leaders @CDCgov & in the admin. Despite the states failure to prevent the outbreak, President Trump pointed to Indiana as a sign of the vice presidents capability. "Look at the Indiana model, they have been very successful there, the president said. Pence previously said smoking doesnt kill In 2000, the now-vice president published an op-ed in which he said it was time for a quick reality check over what he claimed was overblown hysteria about the effects of smoking cigarettes. Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesnt kill, he wrote, before citing smoking statistics. He did, however, acknowledge that smoking is not good for you. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. He said condoms are very poor protection against sexually transmitted diseases Despite scientific evidence that shows condoms are highly effective in reducing the spread of sexually transmitted disease, Pence told CNNs Wolf Blitzer in 2002 that condoms are a very, very poor protection against sexually transmitted disease. During the segment, Pence added that he believes the only truly safe sex is no sex. Pence has refused to say that climate change is a threat During an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper in 2019, the vice president continuously avoided the hosts question about whether he thinks human-induced climate emergency is a threat. After failing to confirm or deny his views on the subject, Pence said: I think were making great progress reducing carbon emissions, before incorrectly claiming that America has the cleanest air and water in the world. That is not true. We dont have the cleanest air and water in the world, Tapper responded. When ranking countries with the cleanest air, the US comes in 10th place, according to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), and in 29th place for water and sanitation. He is suspected of advocating for conversion therapy Although Pence has never explicitly stated a support for conversion therapy, some believe the language used on his campaign website during his 2000 run for Congress advocated for the discredited practices aimed at changing an individuals sexual orientation or gender identity. According to Snopes, Pences campaign website said that federal funding for HIV patients should be directed towards those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behaviour. The American Psychiatric Associated rejects the practise of conversion therapy as it is based on developmental theories whose scientific validity is questionable and has the potential to harm young people. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Counselling Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American School Counsellor Association, the National Association of School Psychologists and the National Association of Social Workers together, representing more than 480,000 mental health professionals, have all taken the position that homosexuality is not a mental disorder and thus is not something that needs to or can be cured, the organisation states. After Pence was tasked with leading the charge against the virus, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among those criticising the vice presidents past decisions. Mike Pence literally does not believe in science, the Democratic congresswoman tweeted. It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response as the world sits on the cusp of a pandemic. This decision could cost people their lives. Pences past decisions already have. On Thursday, the CDC confirmed the first US new coronavirus case of unknown origin. To date, the virus has infected 82,550 people worldwide and killed 2,810. President of Kyrgyzstan Sooronbai Jeenbekov has arrived in Moscow on an official visit. Today, he will hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to discuss bilateral relations, as well as cooperation in the energy sector, industry, transport and other areas. The two leaders will also take part in the opening ceremony of the Cross Year of Russia and Kyrgyzstan. Relations between Russia and Kyrgyzstan have developed successfully in all directions. Kyrgyz Ambassador to Russia Alikbek Jekshenkulov noted that trade turnover is expected to exceed $2 billion in 2020. "Now there are no political and economic obstacles to development of a mutually beneficial business between Russia and Kyrgyzstan," the Kyrgyz diplomat emphasized. Russian enterprises are represented in almost all key sectors of the Kyrgyz economy: energy, mining, engineering, agriculture, and transport. Almost 700 joint Russian-Kyrgyz enterprises operate in the republic. In addition, Bishkek invites Moscow to invest in the hydropower industry and in the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project. Military-technical cooperation has been developed successfully. The CSTO Kant airbase, which is equipped with Russian aircraft and Russian pilots, has been operating since 2003. Moscow recently decided to deploy air defense systems in Kant. This indicates that Russia is not going to abandon its role of guarantor of military and political stability in the region. Accordingly, the value of Bishkek in the minds of the Kremlin is increasing significantly. "In this regard, Kyrgyzstan is an almost perfect partner, which does not think either of an extra foreign policy independence or of a change of course, which was once again was confirmed during Vladimir Putins visit to Kyrgyzstan last March. According to Jeenbekov, Kyrgyzstan will consider its relations with third countries taking into account the interests of its allies in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, that is Moscow," Deputy Director General of the Moscow Center for Strategic Assessments and Forecasts Igor Pankratenko told Vestnik Kavkaza. The Russian side appreciated such loyalty, not only politically, but also in financial terms. For example, Moscow agreed to increase the rent of the Kant airbase by $291.5 thousand - from $4.5 million to $4.79 million. Although it's not much, it is substantial for the Kyrgyz budget. In addition, Russia will increase the area of lands it holds on lease for its military facilities almost by 60 hectares, as a result of which the lease cost will rise to almost $4.8 million a year. Earlier, Kyrgyzstan's state debt to Russia of $240 million was written off. Bishkek was also allocated $30 million as gratuitous aid. In addition, Russia handed over two Mi-8MT multirole helicopters and P-18-2 early warning radars to Kyrgyzstan worth over 770 million rubles, that is, about $12.5 million. Vladimir Putin and Sooronbai Jeenbekov will participate in the opening ceremony of the cross year, which will be held today in the Kremlin Palace, where the opera Manas will be performed by the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra led by Kyrgyz conductor Rakhatbek Osmonaliev. The gala concert will bring together Russian and Kyrgyz artists. The agreement to hold the cross year was reached during Vladimir Putin's state visit to Bishkek in March 2019. Events will be held both in Russia and in Kyrgyzstan. In particular, there will be an interregional forum in Yekaterinburg, Kyrgyz businessmen and entrepreneurs are expected to participate in the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. In total, the program includes 200 events, including those aimed at maintaining the Russian language in Kyrgyzstan. "For example, conducting international educational expeditions in Kyrgyzstan, organizing internships for school teachers and university teachers using information technologies aimed at learning Russian language and getting to know Russian culture, literature and Russian education," Sooronbai Jeenbekov told TASS on the eve of his visit to Russia. He promised that the status of the Russian language in the republic will not be changed, and the authorities will contribute to its promotion. At the same time, the Kyrgyz president acknowledged the difficulties associated with learning the Russian language. "The problems exist. One of them is the level of teaching the Russian language in the regions. With the support of Russia, we intend to improve the situation," Jeenbekov emphasized. The head of state said that a branch of Moscow State University will be opened in Osh, in the south of the republic: "Thanks to a good knowledge of Russian, our citizens feel more comfortable in Russia." The Bishkek City Hall orchestra, folklore-ethnographic Kambarkan ensemble, Ak Maral Kyrgyz state dance ensemble, the choir and ballet company of the Kyrgyz National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater and the Akak ensemble of komuzists will also perform in the Russian capital. All Kyrgyz theaters will go on tour to Russia. On March 5, the Cultural Day of Kyrgyzstan in Russia will be held, in honor of the national headdress Ak Kalpak. According to Alikbek Dzhekshenkulov, the Ak Kalpak holiday is of great importance, since the national headdress is an important part of the people's history and culture. "Holding of such a significant event is the recognition of the Kyrgyz people's merits and contribution to Russia, its economy, cultural and social life," Kyrgyz expert Asilbek Egemberdiev told Vestnik Kavkaza. According to him, there are a lot of problems and questions in bilateral relations that need to be resolved. Including, labor relations and the observance of labor rights of Kyrgyz citizens working in Russia, the number of which, according to official figures, exceeds half a million. The problem needs to be solved radically, which requires a certain adjustment of state policy, legislative acts and by-laws, as well as of the practice of departments and labor problems. Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle has given an express directive to all school principals and feeding officers in the state to hence... Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle has given an express directive to all school principals and feeding officers in the state to henceforth eat the food they serve students or face dismissal. Governor Mawalle, who supervised the compulsory eating by Principal and staff of Government Science Secondary School and Government Girls Secondary School Gusau, was dismayed after meeting the students eating substandard food contrary to the agreement with the principals and feeding officers in the state. Matawalle directed that henceforth, the principals and the feeding officers throughout the state must eat the same food they cook for their students or be dismissed. The Governor expressed his dissatisfaction with the type of food provided to the students, in spite of huge amount of money being spent by the government for the program. Henceforth, my administration would deal decisively with such negative attitude by those entrusted with the responsibility, he said. You must henceforth eat your food with your students and I will keep you on watch so that those who violate the order would be dismissed, Matawalle directed. The Governor noted that the state government had been providing all necessary food items for the students and must, therefore, be delivered to them appropriately, pointing out that any defaulting principal or tutor would face the wrath of his administration. He assured that his directive would apply to all the government boarding schools across the state. The Ukrainian political party Holos has presented a plan called 'Voice of Reason: Cold De-Occupation Strategy' for returning the territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as Crimea, to Ukraine. The strategy consists of eight stages, and it is intended to last for some seven years, a period in which the first local elections should be held in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported. The strategy provides that it may also be carried out within four years "under ideal conditions." The "cold de-occupation" strategy, in particular, envisages a full ceasefire, the creation of a 2.5 km wide demilitarized zone, the start of disarmament, the creation of a provisional international administration under the aegis of the UN or OSCE, and also full mine clearance on the uncontrolled territories. These actions should be followed by the "dismantling" of the "LPR" and the "DPR," and the power structure and the border of Ukraine and the Russian Federation should come under the control of the provisional international administration. After a year of this administration, control over the border will go to the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service, rather than a UN police mission or OSCE. The strategy does not state how it agrees with the Minsk Agreements approved by the UN or the procedures for the peaceful settlement in Donbas, which are envisaged by the Minsk Agreements. The last point of the strategy envisages including on the agenda of the "Normandy format" the issue of returning Crimea to Ukraine's control. CSIRO Publishing to Adopt Copyright Clearance Center's RightsLink for Scientific Communications Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (CCC), a leader in advancing copyright, accelerating knowledge, and powering innovation, announces the publishing unit of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's national science research agency, will join government science publishing organizations National Academy of Sciences (NAS), BMJ and EDP Sciences in using RightsLink for Scientific Communications to simplify author payments, making the experience seamless, simple, and straightforward. "The growing number of organizations using our platform creates a powerful network effect that drives collaboration, partnership, and innovation in the evolving scholarly publishing ecosystem," said Gretchen Gasser-Ellis, Vice President and Managing Director, Publisher Solutions, CCC. "The value of the network effect benefits all stakeholders, including authors, funders and institutions who trust RightsLink's familiar user experience and flexible workflow." RightsLink for Scientific Communications supports publishers with the ability to create powerful workflows for easy management, collection, and reporting on a variety of publication charges. Designed for maximum scalability across large enterprises and society publishers with growing Open Access programs, RightsLink for Scientific Communications is an author- and institution-aware solution that helps publishers quickly model and support a variety of agreements, from the simple to the complex, in collaboration with their institutional and funder stakeholders. Designed by experts n Open Access publishing and licensing, RightsLink for Scientific Communications is used by more than 30 of the world's leading publishers and over 100 institutions, representing nearly 2,000 journals and authors from 125 countries. "Adopting RightsLink aligns with our strategic goals of supporting Open Science and providing authors with positive publishing experiences," said Andrew Stammer, Director, CSIRO Publishing. "We look forward to the efficiencies the RightsLink service will bring to our workflow." CCC is an active partner in the transition from subscription content to hybrid and pure Open Access content. For years CCC has brought together key Open Access stakeholders from the author, publisher, institution, funding, and vendor communities through roundtables, panel events, webinars, podcasts, and published pieces. CCC is a member of OASPA (Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association), ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers), STM (International Association of STM Publishers) and SSP (Society of Scholarly Publishing). Most recently, CCC and Outsell, Inc., the voice of the data, information and analytics economy, hosted an interactive, strategic discussion with senior industry executives on 'The Future of Science' and what it means for all stakeholders. The program featured senior policy makers, scholarly and society publishers, funders, institutions and researchers focused on the value chain, implicit and explicit reward systems, and what may need to shift to improve scientific research. To guide the discussion, CCC and Outsell collaborated to produce a detailed map of the research ecosystem and an accompanying report highlighting stakeholders, contributions and rewards, and suggesting areas of opportunity. The map does not construct a new process but rather reflects today's common language and understanding of the ecosystem from the perspective of each stakeholder. At the 2020 London Book Fair 10-12 March, visit CCC at Stand 7C18 and on the Faculty Stage for discussions on transformative agreements, Open Access and The Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. ABOUT COPYRIGHT CLEARANCE CENTER Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) builds unique solutions that connect content and rights in contextually relevant ways through software and professional services. CCC helps people navigate vast amounts of data to discover actionable insights, enabling them to innovate and make informed decisions. CCC, with its subsidiary RightsDirect, collaborates with customers to advance how data and information is integrated, accessed, and shared while setting the standard for effective copyright solutions that accelerate knowledge and power innovation. CCC is headquartered in Danvers, Mass. with offices across North America, Europe and Asia. To learn more about CCC, visit www.copyright.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005149/en/ The petitioners had pointed out the vitiating atmosphere in the campuses and disruption of academic activities due to frequent student agitations. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala High Court on Wednesday banned strikes, gherao, marches, demonstrations and protests that adversely affect academic atmosphere in educational campuses. The high court directive came after hearing about 20 petitions that were filed by a cross section of college managements in Kerala over a period of three years. The petitioners had pointed out the vitiating atmosphere in the campuses and disruption of academic activities due to frequent student agitations. The high court while acknowledging the problems raised by the college managements, said in its verdict, Learning is the fundamental right of students. Campuses are places for creating dialogues and discussions. They should not become venues of protests. Education and politics should not go together. Strikes and satyagrahas should not be allowed. Those who organise strikes should be expelled, the bench headed by Chief Justice Navaniti Prasad said after considering a petition filed by MES College in Ponnani. The high court decision to ban campus politics has been in for wide criticism from students organisations cutting across ideological lines. The CPM-led Student Federation of India which has a strong presence in Kerala campuses, said the court verdict against the rights guaranteed to citizens under the constitution. In a joint statement, SFI state president and secretary V.A. Vineesh and K. M. Sachin Dev said, The right to dissent forms the basis of Indian democracy and the court order is against the right of freedom of speech and expression granted by Article 19(A) and the right to assemble peacefully and without arms granted by Article 19(B) of Constitution. The Congress-led KSU opposed the court verdict. KSU state president K.M. Abhijith said the government should challenge the high court verdict as it curbs the rights of students. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said though violence needs to be curbed in campuses, it does not mean that organisational activities and freedom to function should also be banned. CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said similar judgments had been passed by the courts in the past to curb activities of student organisations. He hoped the government will look into the issue and take steps to appeal against the verdict. It may be recalled that the high court had issued an interim order in 2017 banning politics and protests in college campuses. Europes greatest long-distance rail journey is Russian Railways Train No 17. For the past decade, this mobile dormitory has linked Moscow with Minsk and Monte Carlo en route to Nice-Ville close to the most spectacular Orthodox cathedral in the western Mediterranean. Fifty hours, 1,725 miles, a half-dozen different locomotives connecting many great cities: Vienna, Innsbruck, Verona and Milan. One of its many curiosities: in Milan, the mighty trans-European Express serves a suburban station, Rogoredo, to avoid having to reverse out of the Centrale terminus. It normally arrives a good 20 minutes early at Rogoredo. Curious passengers awaiting the local train to Lodi or Pavia are warmly welcomed on board for a peek by the friendly Russian Railways staff. But from next Wednesday, 17 dwindles to zero. On Thursday this week the Kremlin ordered: Train service between Moscow and Nice will be suspended until further notice [as] part of measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Russia. Another travel option shut down for fear of Covid-19. Given the worldwide concern about the rapid spread of this nasty virus, it may not be a popular time to state: there has never been a better time to go travelling. But let me try. World's best train journeys Show all 10 1 /10 World's best train journeys World's best train journeys Belmond Andean Explorer Explore Peru with this luxury train service Belmond World's best train journeys Coast Starlight Gorgeous: take in the scenery on a train ride from Seattle to Los Angeles Amtrak World's best train journeys TranzAlpine See stunning views on this New Zealand train journey TranzAlpine World's best train journeys Rovos Rail This rail service takes you to the heart of Africa Rovos Rail World's best train journeys Interregional Portugal Explore all the beauty Portugal has to offer by train Interregional Portugal World's best train journeys Glacier Express Take in jaw-dropping views of Switzerland from a train Glacier Express World's best train journeys East Lancashire Railway Travelling back in time in northern England East Lancashire Railway World's best train journeys Durango & Silverton Enjoy one of America's most scenic train rides Durango & Silverton World's best train journeys Caledonian Sleeper Wake up to the beauty of Scotland with this overnight train Peter Devlin World's best train journeys Belmond Eastern & Oriental A breezy observation car on a luxury Asian train Belmond For British holidaymakers, the world has never been so safe and so accessible. While there are a few places to which it is unwise to travel right now, the vast majority of destinations that you and I might want to visit are reassuringly low risk. Which is just as well, because the travel industry is going to give you short shrift should you wish to cancel your carefully laid, and fully paid-for, plans. Normal terms and conditions apply, is the refrain. There is currently no change to advice for airlines, so our flights are operating as normal and standard terms and conditions on tickets continue to apply, says easyJet. Some rival airlines are being more accommodating. British Airways is offering a degree of flexibility on flights to northern Italy, while its sister airline Aer Lingus is going one better with the promise: Guests who made bookings on aerlingus.com and wish to change the dates or destinations of their upcoming flights can do so. Before you condemn airlines, and holiday companies, bear in mind that they are really suffering from the coronavirus. Their first instinct is to protect the interests of staff and shareholders (possibly not in that order). Ferocious competition has driven prices down and standards up (really, trust me). But when bookings collapse, there is little room for kindness to customers. Insurance firms, too, have neither scope nor incentive to (if I may) pander to travellers insecurities. They even have a special term for claims they intend to reject when holidaymakers are fearful: disinclination to travel. An inclination to travel is much healthier. Going on holiday or, if you feel your trip is more distinguished than that, setting out on a journey enriches your spirit and understanding of the world. And cheers you up. More importantly still, the travel industry provides a livelihood for tens of millions of people. When you stay at home, they suffer. Defra Secretary George Eustice has insisted that the government will defend food and farming standards post-Brexit, as he faced a barrage of questions at the NFU annual conference. The Secretary of State maintained that the government would not relax standards on food imports to secure trade deals with the US and other countries. This comes as leading figures in the US have repeatedly said that the UK would have to abandon regulations if it wanted a transatlantic deal. The previous day, NFU president Minette Batters had told conference delegates that it would be "insane" for the UK to allow imports of products that would be illegal to produce in this country. George Eustice said at the NFU conference: "In the UK we have built a very special market based on provenance, with particular attention to food safety and animal welfare standards. "We will not jeopardise that through trade deals in the future. I have always been very clear about that." One angry delegate tackled the Secretary of State about what he said recently on the Andrew Marr show, where he had suggested there was scope for compromise on UK standards in a US deal. But the Defra Secretary denied talking about compromise: "I didn't actually say there was room for compromise; I think I said there was room for discussion. "Let me just explain the point that I was making. In international trade law at the moment we have such things as tariffs and we also have SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) restrictions, which aren't always directly related to food safety issues. "Sometimes they are addressing a wider problem like animal welfare and poor husbandry. So the critical thing in our future SPS regime is it is not only about what treatments there might have been, it's also about management approaches to farm husbandry to reduce disease problems," he said. "It's also about recognising differences in animal welfare standards," he added. "We in the UK have been in a different journey to the US over the last 20 or 30 years. "We have had a farm to fork approach to reduce disease through good farm husbandry. We want to retain that and we want to ensure also that other countries that export their products to us also abide by that type of approach. "So I think there is a way through this where you can ensure that producers from other countries wanting to export to our market meet our standards. "There is a way of doing that in my view. But there obviously needs to be a discussion if you are going to do that. "So I didn't say there is room for compromise; I said there is room for discussion, and I am very clear about what the components of a coherent SPS regime would look like," Mr Eustice said. However, Minette Batters said farmers had heard warm words on the issue but no commitment. "Your predecessor (Theresa Villiers) talked just this week about the need to maintain those standards on imports," the NFU president said. "When you were on the back benches for a short time you put down a series a technical amendments, you wrote an article in the Guardian talking about having trade negotiations whereby food had to be produced to those same standards. "Here we are, still having to have the discussion across government having left the EU. It feels pretty terrifying to me." Mrs Batters added: "We have asked for a commission on standards. Michael Gove (a previous Environment Secretary) said he would do it but we are no further on with that. "We have asked for legislation in the Agriculture Bill to support this but we don't seem to be any further on with that. It still seems to be a discussion. "We need reassurance on this area that government is going to be listening." Mr Eustice said that the Conservative Party manifesto at the recent general election had committed to maintaining animal welfare and food safety standards. He was working closely with colleagues and officials in the Department for International Trade and discussions would be had so that potential trade partners understood the UK's "farm to fork approach." Still the NFU president pressed the Secretary of State: "There just seems to be on this issue a total lack of agreement in government as to what the future means on food standards." She said: "My worry is you are talking a lot, about raising the bar for farmers here - sending farmers higher up the ladder on legislation, on welfare - when we have no assurance at all on the standard of food imports and that does one thing, that puts these guys out of business. " George Eustice replied by saying that farmers had an assurance because it was in the Tory manifesto. One delegate said that since July 2019 the UK had imported nearly 100,000 tonnes of oil seed rape from Ukraine where neonicotinoids were used in growing the crop. Neonicotinoids have been banned for British growers. Minette Batters said the rules applied in the UK were not being applied to oil seed rape imports British battery cages were sold to producers in the Ukraine and were still is use, she highlighted. "The danger is that we just allow more and more imports with methods that are banned here, that are illegal here," she said. The Secretary of State was probed again in a press conference with journalists after his conference speech. One journalist asked whether he realistically thought that the UK would be able to maintain its standards and still secure a trade deal with the US. "Isn't the reality that it will be a choice between a US trade deal and protecting our farm standards?" he asked. Mr Eustice disagreed: "I think you can in a trade deal address issues around animal welfare and food standards. Indeed, the US, themselves, do this on some of their trade. "So at the moment when it comes to discussion about getting market access for British beef to the US, the US have said that the assessment of animals when they arrive at an abattoir should be done on the same methodology that the US use. So, what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. "The US, themselves, will set down conditions on suppliers who want to access their market. It is not at all extraordinary for us to do the same." He was asked whether protecting standards would be a red line in trade negotiations. The Secretary of State simply repeated again that it was in the Conservative party's election manifesto. It is important to approach the belief of people in ancient India's achievements with a sense of proportion, balance and empathy, argues B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com Ever since the National Democratic Alliance, in name, and the Bhartiya Janata Party, in reality, came to power in 2014, party stalwarts and BJP ministers have managed to keep the elitist liberal intellectuals in India and abroad in a constant state of jitters and furor with their claims of ancient India having been the foremost in the world in advances in science and technology. Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi himself got the ball rolling within a few months of taking over at the Centre, when he spoke at the inauguration of the Nita Ambani-run Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai in October 2014. He suggested that ancient India must have been skilled in plastic surgery as was evident from the mythological story of Shiva having grafted an elephant head on Ganesha after having beheaded the boy. Modi added that ancient India must also have been aware of genetic science, which helped Karna of the Mahabharata being born outside his mother Kunti's womb. Since then, similar claims have been extending far afield beginning from the powers of panchgavya, a fermented mixture of cow dung, cow's urine, milk, curd and ghee, used in rituals from ancient times and in Ayurveda to cure and heal almost all kinds of ailments. A sampler: Avionics: The use of Pushpak Viman by Rama in the epic Ramayana by Valmiki showed the ancients's mastery of this domain. Shivakar Babuji Talpade was the first to invent the airplane eight years before the Wright brothers. (Satya Pal Singh, Minister of State for Human Resource Development) Darwin's Theory of Evolution: There are validations and documentary evidence to prove that it is scientifically wrong and 'ancestors were not apes'. (Satya Pal Singh) Newton's Laws: Certain 'mantras' in Vedas codified the laws of motion much before they were discovered by Isaac Newton. (Satya Pal Singh, according to the Minutes of the 65th meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education) India's Brahmagupta II, a seventh century astronomer, gave the law of gravitation 1,000 years before Newton. (Then Rajasthan education minister Vasudev Devnani) Architecture: Vaastu compliance of educational buildings was important for learning (Satya Pal Singh, Minutes of the 65th meeting of the CABE) Nuclear Science: An ancient sage, Kanad, who lived around the 2nd century BC, had conducted a nuclear test during his time. (HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank') Television and Internet: Devices akin to these must have existed at the time of the Mahabharata enabling Sanjaya to give a running commentary of the happenings in the Kurukshetra war to King Dhritarashtra miles away from the battlefield. (Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb) Google: Narada Muni was the original Google as the sage 'was a man who had information of the whole world as part of his dharma for the betterment of humankind'. (Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani) Veterinary Science: India's ancients were the first to find and propound that cows could both inhale and exhale oxygen. (Then Rajasthan education minister Vasudev Devnani) Cancer: Yoga can cure cancer. (Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik) Life-threatening diseases like cancer are 'divine justice' meted out for sins committed in past lives -- Assam Health Minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma) Farming: Yogic farming can help boost agriculture (Then agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh) Theory of Relativity: Stephen Hawking, the renowned cosmologist, has acknowledged that the Vedas might have a theory superior to Einstein's e=mc2. (Harsh Vardhan, Union health minister) It goes against the scientific temper to hold the claims to be all absurd based on superficial impression. For one thing, those making such statements are nor crackpots. For instance, I know Satya Pal Singh very well: He and I were for three years together on the governing board of the MOP Vaishnav College for Women of Chennai, an autonomous institution ranked first in Tamil Nadu, to which he was nominated as the representative of the University Grants Commission when the Congress-dominated United Progressive Alliance was in power. He is a former IPS officer who had a very good reputation for public service and did very good work as police commissioner, Nagpur. Besides, he is a science student and has got a PhD in chemistry. I found him to be an intellectual of high order. Likewise, Harsh Vardhan is a reputed ENT specialist. Take Modi's reference to plastic surgery. Leaving aside Shiva and Ganesha, I learn from an article by Mridula Chari in Quartz India that in Sushruta Samhita, there is a description of one of the world's first plastic surgeries by Sushruta. In his treatise, Sushruta writes about grafting a piece of skin from the cheek to the nose around 600 BCE. He also lays out instructions for reconstructing a nose with a flap of living skin carved from the cheek, treating it with liquorice and sandalwood. Europeans did not perfect rhinoplasty until the 19th century. Sushruta was not the first Indian physician to detail his treatments. Shalihotra, perhaps the world's first recorded veterinarian, wrote a long treatise on the care of horses some thousand years before that. He not only recommended what medicines to give to horses when they were ill, but also detailed surgical procedures such as eye operations and bloodletting. Or, take Harsh Vardhan's reference to Stephen Hawking. According to a Facebook post of the Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas (I-SERVE), Stephen Hawking made the statement on November 10, 2011. I-SERVE is an adjunct of Vigyan Bharati, established under the aegis of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, run by scientists of the highest international credentials such as K I Vasu, former professor of metallurgy at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru; G Madhavan Nair, former chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation; Anil Kakodkar, former chairman, Atomic Energy Commission; Vijay Kumar Saraswat, former director general, Defence Research and Development Organisation; Sibaji Raha, professor of philosophy, Bose Institute, Kolkata; Dr S Satheesh Chandra Shenoi, currently director, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services; Vijay Pandurang Bhatkar, best known as the architect of India's national initiative in supercomputing where he led the development of Param supercomputers. VIBHA itself is said to be the largest scientific movement in India with a massive 20,000 member strong team, along with over 100,000 active volunteers covering 5,000,000 civilians and having units in 23 states in India, working in 14 different areas through autonomous institutions, independent organisations and project entities. According to an op-ed in The New York Times, even in the West which the elitist liberal intellectuals adore, thinkers are coming up against what they call the 'demarcation problem', the issue of what separates good science from bad science and pseudo-science (and everything in between). They have begun to realise that there is no sharp line dividing sense from nonsense, and that doctrines starting out in one category may end up in the other. Some of the statements that I had listed may look to be nonsense at first sight, but scientific temper demands that they should not, for that reason, be dismissed out of hand. Not many may know that in the USA, technologically and scientifically the most advanced country, in 2018, the allocation ($115 million) made for complementary and alternative medicine was many times larger than made for cancer research ($55 million), heart, lung and blood disorders ($26 million), diabetes, digestive and kidney diseases ($36 million), child health and human development ($20 million) and mental health ($11 million). The US department of defence has earmarked some millions of dollars for funding research on aspects of extra-sensory perception. Against this background, to my mind, it is imperative for elitist liberal intellectuals and their ilk to approach the belief of people in ancient India's achievements with a sense of proportion, balance and empathy. Elitist liberal intellectuals must learn not to allow themselves to become hapless victims of their own perverse irrationality, if they are to develop a genuine scientific temper which quintessentially means being open-minded, inquisitive and willing to explore any and every theory or hypothesis without shocked abhorrence simply because it is unfamiliar. B S Raghavan is a retired member of the Indian Administrative Service. He was formerly a US Congressional Fellow, Policy Adviser to UN (FAO) and chancellor, Jharkhand ICFAI University. Kathmandu, February 27 A lawmaker of the ruling Nepal Communist Party has commented that the white paper that the government recently published to make public details about the properties owned by Nepal Trust also contains a lot of lies, hence it cannot be called a white paper. Speaking in a House of Representatives meeting on Thursday, Janardan Sharma questioned why the trust chairman, Deputy Prime Minister Ishwar Pokharel, ignored some basic facts while preparing the paper. Sharma said the government mentioned in the white paper that the government under Sher Bahadur Deubas leadership decided to give a land plot in Tahachal to the controversial Tamsherku Trekking, on October 30, 2017. Sharma, the then home minister, has also been named as a person responsible for the decision as he was chairing the trust then. However, he was already removed from the position on October 16, he claimed. Sharma suspected that many people who could have been involved in the decisions might have been spared. I dont surrender to the lies, neither do I fear it, he said. No matter how many public institutions you visit in a dayschools, libraries, museums, or the dreaded DMVyou may still feel like privatized services are closing in. And if youre a fan of national parks and public lands, youre keenly aware theyre at risk of being eaten up by developers and energy companies. The commons are shrinking, a tragic fact that is hardly inevitable but, as Matto Mildenberger argues at Scientific American, the result of some very narrow ideas. But we can take heart that one store of common wealth has majorly expanded recently, and will continue to grow each year since January 1, 2019Public Domain Daywhen hundreds of thousands of works from 1923 became freely available, the first time that happened in 21 years. This year saw the release of thousands more works into the public domain from 1924, and so it will continue ad infinitum. And nowas if that werent enough to keep us busy learning about, sharing, adapting, and repurposing the past into the futurethe Smithsonian has released 2.8 million images into the public domain, making them searchable, shareable, and downloadable through the museums Open Access platform. This huge release of high resolution two- and three-dimensional images from across its collections, notes Smithsonian Magazine, is just the beginning. Throughout the rest of 2020, the Smithsonian will be rolling out another 200,000 or so images, with more to come as the Institution continues to digitize its collection of 155 million items and counting. There are those who would say that these images always belonged to the public as the holdings of a publicly-funded institution sometimes called the nations attic. Its a fair point, but shouldnt take away from the excitement of the news. Smithsonian as a conveniently singular moniker actually names 19 museums, nine research centers, libraries, archives, and the National Zoo, an enormous collection of art and historic artifacts. Thats quite a lot to sift through, but if you dont know what youre looking for, the sites highlights will direct you to one fascinating image after another, from Mohammad Alis 1973 headgear to the historic Elizabethan portrait of Pocahontas, to the collection box of the Rhode Island Anti-Slavery Society owned by William Lloyd Garrisons family, to Walt Whitman in 1891, as photographed by the painter Thomas Eakins, to just about anything else you might imagine. Enter the Smithsonians Open Access archive here and browse and search its millions of newly-public domain images, a massive collection that may help expand the definition of common knowledge. Related Content: Public Domain Day Is Finally Here!: Copyrighted Works Have Entered the Public Domain Today for the First Time in 21 Years The Library of Congress Launches the National Screening Room, Putting Online Hundreds of Historic Films The Smithsonian Design Museum Digitizes 200,000 Objects, Giving You Access to 3,000 Years of Design Innovation & History Josh Jones is a writer and musician based in Durham, NC. Follow him at @jdmagness New Zealand said on Thursday it would want to pursue its trading relationship with India "though different means" in case New Delhi does not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The Indian government had decided against joining the RCEP in November, last year, though the possibility of it signing the trade pact in the future remains open given that its key concerns are addressed. "Yesterday, I met with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and discussed the issue (the RCEP). We know that India chose to stay out of RCEP, but if they continue to not participate in the pact (in the future), then we will obviously want to pursue our trading relationship through different means," New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker told ANI on the sidelines of the India-New Zealand Business Forum', organized by FICCI Parker also said that India and New Zealand need to further enhance their complementary socio-economic relations. "We see enormous potential for trade between the 2 countries. Given the size of our respective economies, our level of trade is quite low and we can do a lot for our mutual advantage." In his address at the Business Forum, the minister had said that New Zealand has been engaging with various states in India to provide latest technology in agriculture, food storage and supply chain infrastructure to reduce food wastage. He added that New Zealand companies have started working with Indian businesses under the Make in India program. Parker also emphasized on the need of adopting newer technologies to encourage innovations and bridge the gap between the two nations. "Trade policies play an important role. There is a lot that we can do together, and we are a progressive nation." Highlighting the role of greater women entrepreneurs to the nation's GDP, Parker said that New Zealand is working to increase the number of women entrepreneurs in the overall trade. "According to the IMF, greater female participation boosts growth by up to 35 per cent of the GDP," he said adding that there are equal opportunities for women in India which will also contribute significantly to India's GDP growth. New Zealand's Trade and Export Growth Minister also invited Indian companies to invest in New Zealand in potential areas like aviation, tourism, IT, ICT, education. "We have developed a new 'Trade for All' trade policy to ensure sustainable economic development and inclusive growth." Sangita Reddy, President, FICCI said that India is not only a large market, but also a diverse one with an immense talent pool of all types. "In this environment, the ability to use India as a sandbox of innovation and learning of creating, testing products and jointly taking these to the world. It is offering India and our global partners an opportunity to grow faster than they were growing earlier," Reddy said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The legislatures plan of attack on mental health, how to prepare for coronavirus and James Beard semifinalists. Listen to Down in Alabama, above. Get this post and more in your weekday Down in Alabama newsletter by subscribing here. You can also hear Ike each weekday by looking for Down in Alabama on the device of your choosing. Click here for the Spotify podcast page Click here for the Alexa skill page on Amazon Click here for the iTunes podcast page Click here for the Stitcher podcast page Our polls are open right now for our search for Michigans Best Burger. These regional polls were pulled together from the hundreds of nominations we received from you, our readers. In fact, we got over 500 nominations in total from across the state. Weve also gotten dozens and dozens of emails telling us just where to find the very best burgers in Michigan. We enjoyed reading some of these passionate pleas so much that we decided to share them with you. Check out these awesome shout outs below. You can still vote in any of our regional polls through Friday February 28 at noon. Vote here for your favorite burger in the Detroit metro area. After the polls close, our Michigans Best team of John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman will put together the itinerary for the search and hit the road, visiting about 30 places as they taste their way across Michigan. As always, we invite you to come join us on the search, and experience some of these amazing burgers first hand. How to vote for Michigans Best Burger: all of our polls. Here are some of the most passionate pleas we have gotten for the Detroit metro area. -JBs Smokehouse in Canton, a restaurant inside of Buschs, is a BBQ place but the burger is amazing. Sits nice and tall, they use Cabot cheddar cheese, brioche bun, and of course all the toppings and on Mondays they have $5 burgers. -Amanda Hollaway -You should check out A1 Dogs & Burgers in Dearborn. It seems to frequently get overshadowed in media coverage by others, but in my humble opinion they put out a better product. The beef is always fresh, and the toppings, bun and overall composition make an excellent burger, whether it is the simple Grandpa or the gut bomb of the Gladiator. Plus, you can treat yourself to some Sals Fries, which are absolutely delicious. -James Martin -Worlds End Craft Burger Bar in Roseville. Had the Rapture Burger. Was great. Interesting burger combinations. -Sheri White -No list of great burgers is complete without adding Rocket Restaurant. Located in Pontiac, they have the best blue cheese burger Ive ever had. -Scott Updike -Grey Ghost - Cheeseburger You know a place makes a good burger when they dont even ask how you want it cooked. You get it their way, because thats the way it was intended by the chef. Simply called Cheeseburger on the menu, the burger is delicious. Two succulent ground beef patties, separated by American cheese, topped with a fried egg and at the bottom delicious coleslaw. By far, the best burger Ive ever had. -Joshua Charles -The Elmurst Tap Room in Dearborn. They have a Tap Room Burger with caramelized onions, bacon, pepper jack cheese and a Siracha sauce! Place has been open since 1948, check it out. -Todd Cummins -The burgers from Famous Hamburger are bursting with flavor with every bite. They are always juicy and topped with fresh ingredients. The famous sauce they top the burgers with bring the entire burger together. Whether your in the mood for a spicy habanero inferno burger (topped with habanero cheese, jalapenos, and hot sauce) or a sweet and savory BBQ burger (topped with American cheese, an onion ring, beef bacon, and drizzled with BBQ sauce). But you cant leave the restaurant without trying one of their Famous Hamburgers. The Famous Burger is a double cheese burger with a fried egg on top. It will leave you full, but contemplating when you will be coming back for the next burger.-Riley Spalding -I am a huge fan of Bigg Burgers and definitely recommend adding them to the list of your places to evaluate. They are not fancy, snooty, overpriced, gourmet burgers, but good down-to-earth burgers with lots of room for specialization and optional toppings. I have been stuck with my favorite (havent tried others) of just a single burger with fresh jalapenos, onion, lettuce, and chipotle bbq sauce. That and their fries (with a plenty of malt vinegar), and a chocolate shake is a meal that satisfies. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. Give it a go if you havent already.-Tom Duda -My pick for the best burger in Michigan is definitely, without a doubt the Mac Daddy Burger, which is a special at Bunkhouse Burgers, a new burger place in Clarkston, thats owned by Union Joints, who are the same people who own Vinsetta Garage down in Berkley, Gran Castor in Troy, and the Union Woodshop, which is also in Clarkston. The burgers at Bunkhouse are amazing, but the Mac Daddy Burger blows all away. The Union Jointss Mac n cheese is beyond amazing, and the burgers at Bunkhouse are amazing as well. The two put together is a bold move, put to perfection. -Cassius Cattalo -Im writing to nominate the Mac Daddy burger from Bunkhouse Burgers in Clarkston, Michigan for your Great Burger Search of 2020. It has a 4oz Bunkhouse patty topped with fried Union Mac, American cheese, bacon, pickled chilies, griddle onions & buffalo mayo. Worth the drive every time.-Glenn Barnu -Kozy Lounge, Hazel Park. The Kat Burger won the Burger Battle Detroit competition last year, and it is amazing. We are very proud of our hometown winners! Mike McFall -Abby Lane in Fraser. Ive had most of the burgers on your list in the metro Detroit area, and Abby Lane is hands down the best tasting burger patty of them all. Eric -Lov-A-Burger in Chesterfield Township. Been eating here for years. never had a bad meal. Their burgers are A-Mazing!!! I think the special spices combined with the hand-formed, made-to-order burgers cant be beat. Cooked to perfection and always a delicious mess. Not to mention the owner and staff are super friendly and welcoming. We recommend this place to everyone. FYI- if you go you have to try one of the milkshakes- super creamy and yummy. Andrea Ross -Dragons Landing in St Clair Shores. The Landing Burger is out of this world. They have a delicious vegetarian burger as well. Not to mention the beer is on point! Even if they dont make the cut, I definitely recommend trying! The chef is local from the Shores as well. Melissa Gurchiek -Drink Saloons in Browntown half pound ground round with cheese has been my favorite burger for over 20 years, and Im always surprised when they are excluded from Best Burger conversations.In addition to being an exceptional burger, it is relatively cheap. Jason Vitick -I would like to add Sandys by the Beech in Redford to the list. It is one of the best burgers I have ever had (tied with Studio Grill in Kalamazoo). This place has had amazing burgers for generations. Gabrielle Lightle -Taystees Burgers, Dearborn. Fresh Gourmet burgers made to order! Fresh ingredients! Award winning burger is the Alis Notch Yo Burger. Won Best Burger at the Detroit Burger Brawl downtown & Taystees Burgers has won top burger place for Chanel 4 since 2017-present. The original burger is a classic and my favorite. Cant go wrong with any burger on menu! Lila -Center Street Grille in Northville The Mustang Burger. Exceptional charbroiled taste, quality of ingredients and special mayo sauce served on toasted rye bread. Just exceptional in flavor. Best burger ever! Sara Gellner -I am reaching out as I saw your post online with regards to the 2020 Best Burger search in Michigan and I would like to make a nomination; Bates Burgers in Livonia, MI located at the corner of 5 Mile Rd and Farmington Rd. If you ask anyone in Livonia; what is the most iconic burger joint in the city, they would say Bates Hamburgers hands down and Im sure others in the nearby area would say the same. They fit your criteria perfect with regards to places that have been serving tasty burgers for decades; they have been since 1959 and it is a family run business who treats their customers like friends and family. If you want a simple burger with great taste at a reasonable price you cannot go wrong with Bates. Whether you want one burger or you want to bring a bunch home for a party or a game it is a popular choice. If you go onto their Facebook page they have a high 4.8/ 5 stars with people commenting from around the country stating for example; that they wish they could travel back to Livonia for a burger, wishing they could get Bates Burgers shipped to them in numerous states around the country and people with stories from back in their child hood sitting at the high top bar style counter, eating with friends and family. Im sure you will not be disappointed! MIchael Cruce -Id love to nominate the Glengarry Inn in Wolverine Lake ! Their GI cheese burger is amazing ! Its rich and gooey and best burger Ive ever had. It has a big burger patty, bacon, grilled onion and is between 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. If youve never had it you need to try it. Rachel Newman -The best burger in Michigan, hands-down, is Red Coat Tavern on Woodward in Royal Oakexcellent ingredients, perfect bun, and cooked to perfection! And, they serve amazing sides to compliment your burger, including to-die-for fries, onion rings, clam chowder, and chili! Plus, they have the friendliest staff that provide World-class service everyday of the week! Samer Kais Follow the links below to vote Time to vote for the Best Burger in Michigans Northern Lower Peninsula Vote for the Upper Peninsulas Best Burger Vote for the Best Burger in Bay City, Saginaw and Midland region Who has Metro Detroits Best Burger? Vote now Its time to vote for Ann Arbors Best Burger! Who has Jacksons Best Burger? Vote now Time to vote for Kalamazoos Best Burger Who has the Best Burger in the Grand Rapids/Holland area? Vote now Vote now for Muskegon and the Lakeshores Best Burger (from Southwest Michigan to Manistee) Vote now for the Lansings Best Burger (including Howell and Brighton) Time to vote for Flints Best Burger Vote now for the Best Burger in the Port Huron area and Thumb Follow our Michigans Best adventures on social media: @mlivemibest on Twitter @mlivemibest on Instagram Facebook at MLiveMIBest. Join in by using the hashtags #mibest and #ItriedMiBest In addition: Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail. John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo. Special thanks to Michigans Best Burger search sponsor, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. Russia says Turkey helping foreign militants enter Libya Iran Press TV Wednesday, 26 February 2020 10:12 AM Russia says Turkey is helping foreign militants cross into Libya, where rebel forces are attempting to unseat the internationally-recognized government. The Interfax news agency on Wednesday cited Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov as making the remark. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously confirmed the presence of pro-Turkish Syrian militants in Libya. "Turkey is there with a training force. There are also people from the Syrian National Army," Erdogan said last Friday, referring to a group of anti-Damascus militants previously known as the so-called Free Syrian Army. Turkey has also deployed its regular military forces to Libya to shore up the government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. Rebel forces under the command of a general named Khalifa Haftar have been fighting since April last year to capture Tripoli and unseat the government. Numerous attempts to bring about peace between the two sides have failed. A shaky ceasefire, brokered by Russia and Turkey, has been in place since January but has been violated dozens of times. The conflicting sides have recently been negotiating under the auspices of the United Nations in Geneva. Bogdanov also pointed out that Libya's warring sides were generally observing the truce, but did not seem to be ready to fully embrace the military and political decisions made in the Berlin conference in January, hinting at an agreement that the tentative truce would eventually become permanent to set the stage for the advancement of a political process. Libya rebels claim to have downed Turkish drone Separately on Wednesday, Libyan rebel forces said they had shot down a Turkish drone that was flying over the Mitiga International Airport, east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. A video released by the Libyan rebels on Wednesday showed a destroyed unmanned aerial vehicle purportedly south of Tripoli. Libya has since 2014 been divided between the internationally recognized government of Sarraj, and a camp in the eastern city of Tobruk, supported militarily by the rebels under the command of Haftar. The rebel militia receive support from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Their offensive on Tripoli has so far killed 1,000 people and displaced some 146,000 people, according to the UN. Back in November, Sarraj signed a military cooperation deal with President Erdogan, under which Ankara agreed to send troops to support the government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Delhi, Feb 27 : A Congress delegation led by party interim chief Sonia Gandhi met the President Ram Nath Kovind and submitted a memorandum over the violence in Delhi. The party urged the President should intervene in the matter and sought the removal of Home Minister Amit Shah. "Constitutional Office you hold, that the life, liberty and property of the citizens is preserved, secured and protected. We also reiterate that you should immediately call for the removal of the Home Minister given the gross ineptitude, abdication of duty and his inability to contain the situation." said the memorandum. The Congress delegation to the President said that he should direct the government, both central and the state, to act. The Congress alleged that instead of taking active steps to remedy or diffuse the situation, the Central Government, as also the newly elected Delhi Government, have remained mute spectators as completely mindless rage, designed violence and organised looting of property, has continued unabated. "Due to the complete inaction on the part of the Home Minister and the Central Government, the violence has claimed the lives of at least 34 people and over 200 have been injured at last count. Properties and businesses worth several crores have fallen prey to unchecked arson and looting." said the memorandum. The party raised question about the home Minister "where was the Home Minister and what was he preoccupied with since last Sunday that he was unable, apparently, to give his attention to these grave events? For that matter, the Delhi Chief Minister, and the newly elected Delhi Government was also completely missing from the scene." The party also raised the issue of intelligence failure. "There was clearly a shocking and, in this day and age, unpardonable failure of intelligence agencies leading up to these heart-breaking events." U.S. airlines and hotels are extending options for customers to rebook travel to a growing list of countries, including Italy, as coronavirus cases spiked outside of China and sparked fears of a global pandemic. The United States told Americans on Feb. 25 to begin preparing for the coronavirus to spread within the country as outbreaks in Iran, South Korea, and Italy escalated, triggering concerns of a hit to global travel demand. Delta Air Lines Inc said that reservations through March 2 on flights to Bologna, Milan, and Venice in northern Italy, where cases have climbed, are eligible for rescheduling. Air Canada has also added parts of Italy to its list of places eligible for rebookings. Hyatt Hotels said it would allow travelers from South Korea, Japan, and Italy to cancel or change their hotel bookings for free, expanding the policy from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The cancellations or booking changes at Hyatt are valid for reservations made through March 31, the U.S. hotel operator said on its official Chinese social media account on WeChat. Major airlines have also issued travel waivers, eliminating change fees, for flights to South Korea. United Airlines Holdings Inc and American Airlines Group Inc said on Tuesday they were still monitoring developments in Italy. So far U.S. airlines have only canceled flights to China, a move that followed the U.S. State Departments decision to elevate a travel advisory to the country to the same level as Afghanistan and Iraq. American Airlines shares dropped 9.3 percent to $23.12 on Tuesday, below their price after the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2013. Cowen analyst Helane Becker said the impacts extended to car rental companies as well as concessions and restaurants in airports and on cruise lines. Its not just the airlines that are being impacted by people making different travel plans, she said. Royal Caribbean Cruises said it has canceled 30 sailings in Southeast Asia and changed several itineraries in the region due to the coronavirus outbreak, hitting its 2020 earnings per share by about $0.90. Hyatts larger rivals Marriott International Inc and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc have also issued cancellation waivers for guests affected by the outbreak in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Hilton has issued the waiver until March 31 and Marriott until March 15. The hotel chains did not immediately respond to requests for comment if they were extending the waiver to South Korea, Japan, and Italy as well. Even travel companies without exposure to Europe and Asia were keeping an eye on developments. JetBlue Airways Corp, which only flies in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America, said on Tuesday it had activated its pandemic response team to monitor the situation in real time. The team was last called on for the Zika virus outbreak in 2016, a spokesman said. By Tracy Rucinski and Brenda Goh [February 27, 2020] Analysis Group Receives the Robert G. Sproul, Jr. Award, Recognized by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights for Pro Bono Work BOSTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Analysis Group, one of the largest international economics consulting firms, has been recognized by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCR) for its pro bono work studying the impact of California's towing practices on the poor. The Robert G. Sproul, Jr. Award recognizes LCCR pro bono partners for exceptional commitment to low-income and otherwise marginalized people and communities across California. Analysis Group Managing Principal Aaron Yeater, Principal David Sosa, Vice President Peter Hess, Senior Analyst Deepshekhar Gupta, and Analysts Alex Enrique and Claire Yin worked with LCCR on the 2019 policy report, "Towed into Debt: How Towing Practices in California Punish Poor People." The team analyzed data from 20 cities across the state to document the economic impact of vehicle towing on those living in poverty. LCCR used the study to educate policymakers about the consequences of using towing as a means of debt collection. The report concluded that hundreds of thousands of California drivers have their cars towed every year for non-emergency, non-safety reasons. Unpaid tickets, expired registrations, and parking for more than 72 hours make up over a quarter of tows in California. People who can't afford to pay their parking tickets and registration fees usually can't afford to retrieve their vehicles once administrative fees, storage fees, and unpaid tickets are added together, the totals often reach $1,500 or more. If a person is unable to pay all fees within 30 days of a tow, the car is sold for a fraction of its value. In San Francisco, half of all vehicles towed for debt collection are sold at lien sale. It's estimated that California sells at least 200,000 government-towed vehicles every year. After being presented with the report's findings, California State Assembly member David Chiu introduced a bill that would end at least three types of "poverty tows." The bill is currently under consideration. According to Mr. Yeater of Analysis Group, "Being able to partner with LCCR is incredibly meaningful and rewarding. LCCR's work makes a significant difference, and when they proposed this collaboration, we were thrilled to sign on. As a firm, we are committed to supporting our colleagues in contributing their unique skills to strong organizations that make an impact for those in need." LCCR works to advance, protect, and promote the rights of people of color, immigrants, and low-income people in California. Assisted by hundreds of pro bono attorneys, LCCR provides free legal assistance and representation to individuals on civil legal matters through direct services, impact litigation, and policy advocacy. To learn more about Analysis Group's capabilities, visit www.analysisgroup.com About Analysis Group: Analysis Group is one of the largest international economics consulting firms, with more than 1,000 professionals across 14 offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Since 1981, we have provided expertise in economics, finance, health care analytics, and strategy to top law firms, Fortune Global 500 companies, and government agencies worldwide. Our internal experts, together with our network of affiliated experts from academia, industry, and government, offer our clients exceptional breadth and depth of expertise. Contact: Analysis Group Eric Seymour, 617 425 8103 [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/analysis-group-receives-the-robert-g-sproul-jr-award-recognized-by-the-lawyers-committee-for-civil-rights-for-pro-bono-work-301012524.html SOURCE Analysis Group [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] In First Interview Since Departure, Russia's Former 'Gray Cardinal' Questions Existence Of Ukraine By Mike Eckel February 26, 2020 Vladislav Surkov was once "the man" in the Kremlin -- the "gray cardinal" and ideologist and who oversaw Ukraine policy during the now six-year war that has killed more than 13,000, displaced more than 1 million, and ruptured ties between Moscow and the West. Beginning with the February 2014 street protests that forced Ukraine's president to flee to Russia and leading to what is widely considered the worst war in Europe in decades, Moscow has consistently suggested that the government that assumed power in Kyiv was illegitimate. Ukrainian sovereignty over separatist-controlled areas of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions was in question. Surkov was central to this thinking before his surprise departure from the Kremlin was officially announced on February 18. In an interview published on February 26, his first since leaving, to his mind the very idea of a Ukrainian state is open for debate. "There is no Ukraine. There is Ukrainian-ness," Surkov said. "That is, it is a specific disorder of the mind, sudden passion for ethnography, taken to its extremes." "Local history there is so bloody. It's a muddle instead of a state...there is no nation. There is only a pamphlet: 'The Self-Styled Ukraine,' but there is no Ukraine. The only question is, is Ukraine already gone, or not just yet?" he was quoted as saying. The interview was conducted by Aleksei Chesnakov, a longtime confidant of Surkov, and published on February 26 on the little-known Russian news site Actual Commentaries. The comments elicited anger in Ukraine, whose forces have been pitted against Russia-backed separatist fighters. "Surkov, with his pearls about Ukraine, looks like a self-hating 'strategist' who thinks more about himself than is wise, like that mutt trying to bark at an elephant, feeling his greatness in it," Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said in a response posted to Twitter. "Do not make noise, sir. Ukraine lives on, regardless of the idea of a retired chauvinist." Kremlin Talking Points? It's unclear to what extent Surkov's comments reflect an official Kremlin position, particularly considering that Surkov's departure from the Kremlin took place under a cloud. Some analysts suggested he may have been forced out as part of an informal deal with Ukraine's government in a bid to reinvigorate peace talks. Asked by reporters about Surkov's comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Surkov was no longer a government official. "This is the opinion of a Russian, albeit very authoritative and competent," Peskov said. His replacement, with oversight of Kremlin's Ukraine policy, is Dmitry Kozak, a deputy head of administration under Putin and a longtime aide to the Russian leader. But while Surkov is purportedly no longer speaking from the inner circle, his comments echo past remarks by Putin and other Russian government officials who have dismissed or mocked the idea of a fully sovereign and independent Ukraine, in part to undermine the aspirations of Ukrainians wanting closer relations with NATO and the European Union. In 2008, Putin told U.S. President George W. Bush that "Ukraine is not a country," according to a memoir published years later by Bush's national-security adviser, Condoleezza Rice. As recently as February 21, Putin suggested that Russia and Ukraine should unify. "Any integration of Russia and Ukraine, along with their capacities and competitive advantages would spell the emergence of a rival, a global rival for both Europe and the world," he told the state news agency TASS in an interview. Moscow has long denied direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict, including supplying or equipping the militia fighters, despite substantial evidence to the contrary gathered by journalists, independent monitors and Ukrainian officials. When Surkov's e-mail inbox was hacked and its contents leaked in 2016, the correspondence showed Surkov had direct hands-on involvement in the minutiae of how the separatist authorities tried to administer the territories under their control. In November 2019, Dutch prosecutors investigating the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 released audio intercepts of phone calls, purportedly between local officials in eastern Ukraine. Surkov's name is mentioned repeatedly. Managed Democracy Surkov, who has dabbled in gangster-fiction novels and hip-hop lyrics, served as a close aide since the early part of Putin's term, when oversight of domestic politics was among his main duties. During that time, he adopted the term "sovereign democracy" or "managed democracy" to describe Russia's political system. Domestic politics were shifted from his portfolio following Putin's return to the presidency in 2012, but analysts believe he's kept Putin's ear on many internal political matters. In January, Putin unveiled proposals for a substantive change in the country's political system, shifting some presidential powers to parliament, and giving new legal authority to an advisory body called the State Council. Putin also proposed eliminating language regarding consecutive presidential terms, sparking speculation on whether he might be angling to stay in power beyond the end of his final, six-year term in 2024. In the interview, Surkov suggested that the constitutional amendments Putin proposed would reset the clock on presidential terms, meaning he could stay in power until 2036. "If, as a result [of the amendments], the powers of the president are somehow clarified...then the legal logic leads to the need to restart the countdown of the presidential terms. Because with new powers it will be like another institution of the presidency," he was quoted as saying. "The restrictions of the current presidency will not be able to apply to him." "This is my private opinion, of course. But based on the experience of lawmaking," he said. I'm A 'Ukro-Optimist' Despite casting doubt on Ukraine's current sovereignty, Surkov said he considered himself optimistic for Ukraine's future. "Oddly enough, I'm an 'Ukro-optimist.' That is, I think that Ukraine does not yet exist. But over time, it will. Ukrainians are stubborn folks, they will make it happen," he said. "However, what kind of Ukraine it will be, what its borders will be, and even, maybe, how many Ukraines there will be, these are open questions. And one way or another, Russia will have to participate in resolving these issues." And he suggested that Ukrainians historically were upstarts who needed to be restrained by force. "Relations with Ukraine were never simple, even when Ukraine was part of Russia. Ukraine has always been troublesome for the imperial and Soviet bureaucracy," he was quoted as saying. "Forceful coercion for brotherly relations, this is the only method that has historically proven effective when it comes to Ukraine. I do not think that any other will be invented." Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was elected Ukraine's president last year in a landslide vote, has made resolving the conflict with Russia a priority. In December, he met in Paris with Putin for the first time to try and advance a peace framework known as the Minsk accords. The talks did not yield substantial progress, however. Asked what he thought the prospects were for peace in the eastern Ukrainian regions -- known as the Donbas and controlled largely by Russia-backed separatists -- Surkov said he thought it was unlikely anytime soon. "My imagination is not strong enough to imagine this," he was quoted as saying. "The Donbas does not deserve such humiliation. Ukraine does not deserve such an honor." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/in-first-interview-since- departure-russia-s-former-gray-cardinal-questions- existence-of-ukraine/30456301.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) delivers remarks during the Rev. Al Sharpton Minister's Breakfast at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, S.C., on Feb. 26, 2020. (Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images) Experience Sanders Couldnt Buy, Even With Bloombergs Money Commentary Mike Bloomberg was elected New York mayor two months after the outrage of Sept. 11, 2001. He took over a city reeling with grief and suffering economic losses tied to the terrorist attacks. Rather than lay off public workers who had performed gallantly in the crisis, he raised taxes on the well-to-do. The conservative media beat him up with their usual argument that tax hikes kill off business. The opposite happened. The city grew new veins. Bloomberg led this revival with grit and smarts, not his personal wealth. Thats what Bloomberg should be talking about and everyone else should be hearing. Bloomberg must explain that he brings to the table an experience and success in public service unmatched by any other candidate. A New York mayor must manage the nations largest city, a cauldron of races and ethnicities. Thats why it is called the second toughest job in America. Bloomberg was elected to it three times. There is something perverse about Bernie Sanders accusing Bloomberg of racism. The 60s was a time of rising crime, racial tension and white flight (followed by black middle-class flight) out of the cities. In 1968, Sanders joined a liberal white flight to the whitest state, Vermont. He and other ex-New Yorkers could hang around Burlington coffee shops and plan a socialist utopia without having to deal with angry black people. (Cameo appearances at civil rights marches did not hide that fact.) Bloombergs stop-and-frisk policyfor which he has apologizedwas a great mistake because it mostly swept up black and Latino men simply going about their business. But it was intended to take guns off the streets in a city where up to 96 percent of the shooting victims were black or Latino. Sanders voted against the Brady bill five times. Consider the racial implications of his saying that he opposed gun control because guns werent a problem in Vermont. Bloombergs activism in this area has won him the endorsement of prominent African Americans. One is Rep. Lucy McBath, who lost her 17-year-old son to gun violence. A Democrat, McBath made headlines in 2018 by flipping the suburban Atlanta seat once occupied by Newt Gingrich. Hers is the sort of district that would be imperiled were Sanders at the top of the ticket. I happen to think that mass extinction as the Earth burns up is a bigger issue than some boneheaded comments Bloomberg may have made in the pre-Me Too era. When President Donald Trump said hed pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, Bloomberg was the American voice assuring our allies that American cities, states and businesses would take over from Washington and meet the goals. He has helped lead that effort. Sanders is the only Democrat to oppose a tax on carbon, widely considered one of the essential tools for reducing emissions. Canada, Western Europe and all of Scandinavia have put prices on carbon. So have California and nine states in the Northeast. Bloomberg is right that hes the only candidate to have started a business, actually a good thing. His fortune made selling data to the financial industry, Bloomberg knows where the money comes from and how to tax it. Wall Street has expressed shock at his proposals to tax financial transactions, toughen stress tests for banks and so on. Bloombergs bottom line is that he left moneymaking to pursue a life of doing the really hard stuff in public service. Populist ranting can be entertaining, and Sanders is good at it. But his bottom line is having accomplished almost nothing in his 29 years as a professional politician in Washington. Clearly, Bloomberg has strengths that Sanders couldnt buy, even with Bloombergs money. Froma Harrop is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, Harrop has worked on the Reuters business desk, edited economics reports for The New York Times News Service, and served on the Providence Journal editorial board. She has written for such diverse publications as The New York Times, Harpers Bazaar, and Institutional Investor. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A man accused of murdering his wife told gardai he lay down with the mother of three for ten minutes after he killed her, a jury is to hear. Rafal Karaczyn (34), of Crozon Park, Sligo, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 30-year-old wife Natalia Karaczyn, also from Poland, at their family home in Crozon Park between April 29th, 2018 and May 1st, 2018. His trial got under way yesterday afternoon at the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of seven women and five men. The trial is expected to last three weeks at most, the court heard. Opening the prosecution's case, Bernard Condon SC told the jury that Natalia and Rafal Karaczyn got married in Poland in October 2008 and that the couple moved to Ireland in 2014. They have three children. Mr Condon told the jury that there had been some difficulties in the relationship which he said were not unusual. He said the jury will hear something of this background. Also read: Former soldier gets 12 months off jail term for abusing three young children over 10 year period He said Natalia had been socialising with friends on the night of Saturday, April 28, 2018, and told the jury that they will hear evidence from Natalias sister Magdalena McMorrow and some people she was out with on that night. He said it appears Natalia was out with friends and a man with whom she had an intimate relationship that night, before she continued home. The barrister told the jury that they will see the relevant movements of the parties through the Saturday night into the early hours of the Sunday morning, April 29, 2018. Mr Condon said on the Sunday morning Ms McMorrow, who also lived in Sligo, reported to gardai that she was concerned about her sisters whereabouts, which prompted gardai to carry out inquiries. Mr Condon said gardai went to her home in Crozan Park where they met Rafal Karaczyn. The barrister said the jury will hear that Mr Karaczyn told gardai that his wife had not returned home. The barrister said the jury will also hear that, after speaking with Mr Karaczyn, gardai went across the road to the home of Leo McGee as they could see he had CCTV cameras on his property. Mr Condon said the jury will hear that after gardai called to Mr McGees home, Mr Karaczyn approached Mr McGee and asked him what could be seen on his CCTV. Mr Condon said that the prosecution say this chain of events is relevant. He said the jury will hear that Mr McGee subsequently looked at his CCTV and could see Mr Karaczyn moving his car. Mr Condon said the court will hear evidence of Mr Karaczyn calling to Mr McGees home another time and asking him if he [Mr McGee] saw anything. The court will hear that Mr McGee told Mr Karaczyn that he hadnt, before he informed gardai of this exchange. The barrister said this CCTV will be played for the jury. The senior counsel told the jury that they will hear how gardai carried out CCTV searches across Sligo and how they were able to trace Natalias movements across the town that Saturday evening into early Sunday morning. He said following further investigation, they returned to her home and became concerned after Mr Karaczyn said Natalia had not returned home when "they could see she had returned home". Mr Condon told the jury that they will hear evidence of Mr Karaczyn going to a Garda station in the company of Natalias sister and another friend on the morning of Tuesday, May 1, 2018 and that he indicated he wanted to say something else to gardai. The barrister said the jury will hear evidence from gardai that Mr Karaczyn got into a patrol car and directed them to a very remote hidden area which was some distance off a very quiet road. Mr Condon said the court will hear that this is where gardai discovered Natalias hidden body. Also read: High Court makes orders in relation to Strokestown farm He said the jury will hear and see a series of Garda interviews subsequently carried out with Mr Karaczyn. Mr Condon said the jury will hear that in an interview he [Mr Karaczyn] didnt tell the truth" when he told them he looked into her bedroom one morning and saw her in a strange position. The barrister said the jury will hear that he told gardai he found Natalia dead; that he maintained he didnt kill her; and that a man with a gun threatened her. Youll hear all these things, Mr Condon told the jury. Mr Condon said in a later Garda interview, Mr Karaczyn admitted that he killed Natalia and that he said he started to strangle her and that after a while I felt her slide down. The barrister said that Mr Karaczyn told gardai that he then lay down with her for about ten minutes. Mr Condon said the jury will also hear evidence of Mr Karaczyn telling gardai about how he disposed of the body. He said the jury will also hear evidence in relation to phone communications between the accused, his wife and other relevant people, and they will hear evidence from deputy State pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan who found that the cause of Natalias death was asphyxia with external pressure on her neck. Manual strangulation was the cause of death, Mr Condon said. The trial continues today A mother-of-four beat the 32 million-to-one odds when she gave birth to twin girls on Valentine's Day for the second time in five years. Joanna Gregory, 40, from Gorsgoch, West Wales, gave birth to non-identical twins Lola and Lexie on Valentine's Day 2015, and did it again this year, welcoming twins Ava and Ella on the exact same day. Ella and Ava were due on April 7 but were born eight weeks early, right on time for their big sister's fifth birthday, and for Valentine's Day, as their overjoyed mother said the whole set-up felt 'magical,' The Sun reported. She joked her partner, Chris Lovell, 40, would have no excuse to forget Valentine's Day, because they would be celebrating four birthdays in one from now on. Joanna Gregory, 40, from Gorsgoch, West Wales, gave birth to nonidentical twins Lola and Lexie on Valentine's Day 2015, and did it again this year, this time birthing twins Ava and Ella on the exact same day. Pictured: Joanna with her partner Chris Lovell, 40, and their twin daughters Lola (left) and Lexie (right), five Ava and Ella (pictured) were born eight weeks early on February 14, the day of their older sister's birthday The first days following the twins' birth were difficult, Joanna admitted, saying they had to be put on oxygen in the ICU (pictured) in order to survive outside of the womb The happy mother said the early birth of Ava and Ella was a 'lovely surprise,' but it was not without its ups and downs, as Joanna revealed the tots needed oxygen to survive after birth and spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Joanna had been admitted into hospital in Carmarthen after doctors expressed concerns over Ella's weight. She was then transferred to a specialist neo-natal intensive care unit in Newport. There, she had an emergency C-section on February 14, with 3lbs 6oz Ava coming in first, closely followed by Ella, who weighed 3lbs 3oz. 'I was unable even to cuddle them and it was hours before I could see them. It was heartbreaking, but necessary. Chris (right) said twins had not run in the family before the birth of Lola and Lexie (pictured), but definitely did now. The odds for two set of twins to share the same birthday is 32million-to-one Lola and Lexie hugging each other. Joanna said there was no excuse to forget either of their children's birthday, as they all share the same Chris will definitely remember Valentine's Day after all the daughters he shares with Joanna were born on February 14 'Lola and Lexie were very small, but Ella and Ava are even smaller,' Joanna said, adding the twins were in fact so small, she was not able to touch or hold them until three days later. The family went through a difficult period when Ella had to stay in the Newport Intensive Care Unit while Ava was well enough to be transferred to the hospital in Carmarthen. Thankful Joanna said the caring staff at both hospitals save her daughters' lives. The happy mother said the early birth of Ava and Ella (pictured in hospital) was a 'lovely surprise,' but it was not without its ups and downs, as Joanna revealed the tots needed oxygen to survive after birth and spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) In spite of the stress following their tots' birth, the couple are in love with their 'gorgeous' daughters But little Ella eventually pulled through, and the twins were reunited last weekend, and are now sleep in adjoining cots while they gain enough strength to make it home. Joanna said that Ava is now off oxygen and drinking milk, a show of strength for a premature baby, and she hopes Ella would soon follow suit. Father-of-four Chris said twins had not run into the family until the birth of Lexie and Lola, but certainly did now. He added he would have never expected to have another set of twins after the birth of the five-year-olds in 2015, but had been delighted to find out Ava and Ella were on the way, and said the twin girls were 'gorgeous.' According to the NHS, 12,000 sets of twins and about 190 sets of triplets were born in the UK, which means one in 65 births in the UK are twins, triplets or more. The twins are still in hospital in Carmarthen, but Joanna hoped to soon be able to take them home Nonidentical twins Lola and Lexie were impatient to welcome their younger sister Ella and Ava home YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Armenias ministry of high-tech industry invites companies to participate in the AI & Big data EXPO (https://www.ai-expo.net/) in London on March 17-18, 2020, the ministry told Armenpress. The companies will represent Armenia in a single pavilion. The Armenian companies will have an opportunity to present their products and innovative solutions, acquire new partners and expand the partnership and consumption markets. The ministry will cover the accommodation and representation at the Expo of the selected companies. Application and selection criteria are available at AI-EXPO Application Form. The deadline for filling in the application is March 1. For more information call at 010.59.01.27 or write an e-mail to [email protected] The AI & Big Data Expo is a leading Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Conference & Exhibition that showcases the next generation enterprise technologies and strategies from the world of Artificial Intelligence & Big Data, providing an opportunity to explore and discover the practical and successful implementation of AI & Big Data to drive business forward. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan The Madhya Pradesh Police on Thursday arrested two persons in connection with a farmers murder over a water dispute on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. The arrested accused Hareram Mishra and Jagprasad Mishra are brothers and residents of Majhguan village of Chhatarpur district. Their father Vishal Mishra, who is the third accused in the crime is absconding. Bamitha police station in charge Jaswant Singh Rajpoot said the deceased farmer, 36-year old Mohan Patel, a resident of Saddupura village had purchased some agriculture land from Vishal Mishra a few years ago with an understanding between the parties to alternatively use the water from the well located at the centre of their respective fields for irrigation purposes. The accused had been irrigating their fields for the past three years but when the deceased wanted to irrigate his field they didnt allow him to take water from the well, said Rajpoot. The police officer said this led to a dispute and the accused attacked the deceased on Tuesday with lathis when he was alone in the field. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, from where he was referred to the district hospital at Chhatarpur and then to a hospital in Gwalior. However, he succumbed to his injuries in the wee hours of Wednesday before he could reach Gwalior, Rajpoot added. This was first such crime over water dispute in the region this year, according to the police. A NITI Ayog report based on a study lists Bundelkhands 13 districts among Indias 200 most backward districts and mentions the water scarcity in the area due to presence of hard rock. A social activist from Bundelkhand region Yusuf Baig said, Bundelkhand has been facing drought at a stretch for the past three years. There is no relief to the residents despite the central and state government schemes. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Today, for something completely different, lets pause to note some positive news in Trenton, the progress in the long fight to address the states fiscal crisis. No, this is not a joke. Over the last decade, New Jersey has invested more than $20 billion into its depleted pension funds. In the decade before that, the state invested only $2.5 billion. Thats undeniable progress. And the trend towards sanity, which began under Gov. Chris Christie, is accelerating. Gov. Phil Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney are rivals who cant seem to stand each other personally. But they agree on this. Murphy now proposes another record deposit, for $4.9 billion in a single year. That will swallow up about 12 percent of the state budget, a staggering sum. Think how much has changed. Gov. Christie Whitman invested less than $1 billion over her nearly two terms. Gov. James McGreevey put aside even less, just $101 million. Gov. Jon Corzine invested just $2.1 billion. But it turned around after 2011, when Christie and Sweeney collaborated on a bipartisan reform to cut benefits and increase pension payments, gradually, until they reached todays level. Sweeney wants to fix this even faster, by seeing Murphys deposit and raising it by $1 billion in the coming year, financed by cutting other programs in the proposed budget. Thats just about what the actuaries say we should be setting aside. It would be full funding for the first time since the dinosaurs roamed the Delaware Water Gap. Theres more. In the past two years, state spending on health care for public workers has dropped by $400 million a year. Thats a big accomplishment in a day when health care costs are soaring, and its the result of collaboration between the governors office and labor unions. Sure, itll take years more effort to really fix the state. Our unfunded commitment to provide health care to retirees is a scary $90 billion, according to Treasury, and we are stuck with high pension payments for many years to come. We still rank near the very bottom by almost every measure of fiscal health. Sweeney believes we could save another $1 billion in health costs by giving public workers benefits that would qualify as gold rather than platinum by Obamacares measure. He also wants to reduce pension benefits for new hires, and he has bipartisan support on both fronts. So, this fight is not over, not by a long shot. But for one day, at least, lets note the progress. The attitude in Trenton was far more reckless in years past. Consider the numbers: Had all previous governors made full payments as they should have, the pension cost this year would be $700 million, according to the Department of Treasury. So, we are paying a penalty of $4.2 billion next year to make up for Trentons past sins. The lesson has sunk in. No one wants to go back to the days of shorting the pension fund. Even Republicans, whose mission is to cut state spending, make an exception for the pension funds, and support these huge investments. I havent heard anyone on either side of the aisle say we shouldnt fix this, says Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Union), the GOP leader. Imagine that. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or call (973) 836-4909. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Advertisement Flood-hit residents in Ironbridge refused to leave their homes today amid fears over looting as they praised the community for 'looking out for each other' amid warnings over a further ten days of misery. People living in riverside homes in the Shropshire town stayed put despite hearing a loud bang yesterday followed by a gushing sound as emergency flood defences that had held out for a week finally gave way to the Severn. Gareth Anderson, 50, who lives next to the Wharfage area of the town, has stayed in his home for two weeks now and said today: 'I haven't left. I don't see the need to leave. The community here is one that will help each other.' Mr Anderson added that he was concerned by reports of looters, saying: 'A few night ago a group of young lads were hanging around asking if people were in their homes. I said every house was occupied. We all look out for each other down here. It's crazy that a time like this people have to protect their home.' But West Mercia Police Chief Superintendent Tom Harding said: 'We have not received any reports of looting in Ironbridge. We have officers out and about in the town throughout the day and night who are very much still responding to the flooding in the local area as well as providing reassurance and a visible presence.' Some 35 properties have been evacuated, with police saying said 'virtually all' residents have now left. Among those staying put was Elizabeth Maiden, 88, who said from her home : 'I've lived here for 80 years and it was worse than this in 1947 and 2000. Do I want to be evacuated? No. Where would I go? I can't see any point in leaving.' Police have warned flood-hit families across Shropshire and Worcestershire, where evacuations have been taking place in towns throughout this week, to expect 'another ten days of difficult conditions' with more heavy rain due. Snow also affected Britain today, and 0.6in (15mm) of rain fell on heavily saturated areas, before a further 2.4in (60mm) across tomorrow and Saturday in Wales and northern England - when 70mph winds are also expected. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has declined to say whether he will be visiting areas where people have been made homeless by recent floods, while visiting the headquarters of a charity for the homeless this morning. Flood barriers in Ironbridge, Shropshire, are pictured this morning - one day after residents were told to leave their homes Thousands of residents living near the Severn face flooding, with a 100-mile stretch of the river issued with flood warnings Flooded properties in the Shropshire town of Ironbridge today after temporary flood barriers were overwhelmed by water Flooding in Ironbridge, Shropshire, today as residents in riverside properties in the area have been told to leave their homes Flood barriers in Ironbridge, Shropshire, are pictured today after being pushed back - although they are still holding up The swollen River Severn gushes under the Iron Bridge in the Shropshire town today as residents were told to evacuate West Mercia Police told people in the Wharfage area of Ironbridge to leave their homes and businesses and said the force's presence on the ground will 'continue for the next ten days' before things get back to normal. Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss said: 'We are monitoring closely with colleagues at the Environment Agency, and an operational plan is in place with Shropshire Fire and Rescue should it be required.' Flooding along parts of the swollen Severn, which is now at or close to all-time high levels, is likely until at least Sunday, the Environment Agency said. A severe flood warning for the river at Wharfage remained in place today. There are 93 standard flood warnings and 134 alerts across England. A yellow weather warning of snow and ice was issued for much of the Midlands this morning, including the River Severn, and parts of the South. Speaking about the rain, Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: 'It's not just the snow, there's going to be a fair bit of rainfall mixed in with it. It's not going to be large amounts, but it could be falling on heavily saturated areas.' Among those staying put in Ironbridge today was Sarah Morris, 35, who runs Ironbridge Fine Art and last night slept in the back of her car to man her flood pumps. She said: 'We're trying to deal with it in the best way we can. The water has gone down but the Environment Agency are saying it will peak again so we can't clean up. Brooke Evans, 26, (left) owns a hair salon on Dale End close to the Wharfage. She has spent close to two weeks sleeping in the salon manning the water pumps. While Jennifer Alexander (right) has been evacuated and told how her pub, the Boat Inn, was flooded early on Sunday morning Ambulances and police vehicles in Ironbridge, Shropshire, today after residents in the area were told to leave their homes Emergency services workers monitor the flooding in Ironbridge today after temporary flood barriers were overwhelmed Evacuees from the Wharfage area of Ironbridge have been moved to the town's Valley Hotel (pictured today) People stand on the Iron Bridge in the Shropshire town today after residents in riverside properties were told to evacuate 'Last night we slept in the car to make sure the pumps could keep going. We've seen quite a few people moving around and we're concerned about our stuff.' Prime Minister hails help for flood victims but declines to confirm visit to affected areas Boris Johnson has declined to say whether he will visit areas where people have been made homeless by recent floods - while he toured the headquarters of a charity for the homeless. Speaking at The Connection at St Martin's in central London, the Prime Minister instead focused on how the 'massive issue' of flooding 'presents an opportunity' for job creation. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during a visit to the Connection homelessness centre in London today Mr Johnson has been criticised for failing to visit flood-hit zones in Worcestershire and Shropshire, where residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has previously accused Mr Johnson of being a 'part-time Prime Minister' due to his absence in affected areas. Speaking on Thursday, Mr Johnson said: 'There's a massive issue about flood defences, and we have put 2.6 billion in and we will be investing another 4 billion. 'This is something that is absolutely critical for our country to tackle. 'I think it also presents an opportunity, because in the whole business of green technology flood defences, planting trees, all the ways in which we are going to insulate our country against flooding, there are opportunities for job creation as well. 'We have a fantastic system called cabinet government, and we have been working around the clock since these last floods really began. 'This latest spate, to deal with them we mobilised the bell-wind scheme, 5,000 if they have suffered particular damage. 'Businesses get 2,500 to get them back on their feet.' Housing Minister Robert Jenrick, who visited the homelessness charity alongside the Prime Minister, said Mr Johnson is 'very much in control' of the flooding. Advertisement Evacuees from the Wharfage area of Ironbridge have been moved to the town's Valley Hotel and are in high spirits. Sean Osborne, 66, has lived on the Wharfage for the last decade and spent last night in the hotel. His house is directly opposite the flood barrier. He said: 'The barrier is tried and tested but like anything no one knows what to expect. For me it wasn't scary. I had confidence in the barrier. 'I went outside and went up to the railings and looked over and saw the power of the water, it was amazing. If there had been a problem with the barrier it would have been like a tsunami, that would have been the affect.' 'I was quite happy to stay there and some of my neighbours were the same. I got a call at 3am from the Environment Agency and then some calls from the council. 'I had eight calls in total saying the river would peak imminently. I thought I'd stay so I could monitor what was going on. I wouldn't drown because I'd go upstairs, that was the calculated risk. 'But they still wanted people to leave so I said would you be happy if I left and they said yes. I said alright then, I'd go if it keeps them happy, why should I mess things up? I don't know when we'll be able to go back.' Jennifer Alexander, of the Boat Inn, who has also been evacuated, said: 'At Sunday at 2.40am I woke up and saw the water was in the pub. I woke my husband up and said we need to get out now. 'It's quite stressful. We flood regularly so we've done this many times before. It's the same as the floods of 2000. We don't have any money coming in. We thought we had Monday morning to do some last minute preparations. It wasn't scary as such, just acceptance that here we go again.' And Chris Harrison, 47, who owns the Dale End cafe, said: 'I'm angry. We haven't finished working the cost of this yet but on equipment alone it's probably 6,000 in damage. This is a community cafe, not a tourist cafe. People turned up at 3am to help us.' Brooke Evans, 26, owns a hair salon on Dale End close to the Wharfage. She has spent close to two weeks sleeping in the salon manning the water pumps. She said: 'We've survived with people being in high spirits. As a business it's been a bit difficult but no one has died. If we had left it would have meant no one would have been here to man the pumps and get the water out.' The Environment Agency said buckled temporary flood defences were likely to be inspected on today - with the prospect of 650ft (200m) of spare barrier equipment being used to realign or reinforce any damaged sections. Speaking at Ironbridge, EA environment manager Marc Lidderth said: 'They did become compromised in some parts but they have stayed together and have held the vast majority of that floodwater away from the properties. Flood water surrounds Worcester city centre today as residents in riverside properties in the area have been told to leave Jennifer Alexander explained how she saw water in her pub on Sunday. She said: 'It's quite stressful... We thought we had Monday morning to do some last minute preparations. It wasn't scary as such, just acceptance that here we go again' Gareth Anderson, 50, who lives next to the Wharfage area of the town, has stayed in his home for two weeks now and said today: 'I haven't left. I don't see the need to leave' Chris Harrison, 47, who owns the Dale End cafe (pictured inside the flooded business), said: 'I'm angry. We haven't finished working the cost of this yet but on equipment alone it's probably 6,000 in damage. This is a community cafe, not a tourist cafe. People turned up at 3am to help us' Flood water surrounds Worcester city centre today, as residents in riverside properties near the Severn have been evacuated Flooding has deluged Worcestershire County Cricket Club after the River Severn burst its banks. The ground is pictured today Flood water surrounds Worcester today as residents in riverside properties in the area have been told to leave their homes An aerial view of flooding in Worcester today where the River Severn has broken its banks and caused chaos A McDonald's restaurant and shopping centre are surrounded by water in Worcester city centre this morning 'To help with our assessment of the barriers we need the water levels to obviously drop to a certain level which makes it safe for our operatives. We're expecting that to be hopefully tomorrow.' The River Severn reached its highest ever level of 5.77m (19ft) today after another night of heavy rain. Dave Throup, Environment Agency manager for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said 500 tonnes of water - the equivalent to six HGVs - was flowing through the city of Worcester every second. Aerial photographs of the city show Worcestershire Country Cricket ground and several rugby and football pitches flooded. Only the tops of goal posts were visible on several pitches near the Severn illustrating the depth of the water. Ade Cartwright, 50, and his family were forced to leave their home when it became apparent they would flood again. He said: 'My wife and I left, along with most of the neighbours. The city council have put us up in the Fownes Hotel. 'We are managing but it is difficult living in one room together, 24 hours a day. Last weekend it came into the house, luckily we were prepared, once the water receded we managed to clear it up with a few friends within four hours. 'Now it has happened again we have decided to leave. We can't do anything until the levels drop and I don't envisage that happening until the weekend.' The floodwater is also creeping closer to homes on a road where a large number of elderly people live. Kim Weston said she was concerned for her parents' wellbeing as water threatened to consume the elderly couple's home. People in the Midlands have been told to prepare for another ten days of difficult conditions. Worcester is pictured today New Road cricket ground has been left underwater in Worcester today after the River Severn broke its banks An aerial view of flooding in Worcester today after the River Severn burst its banks and caused chaos in the city An aerial view of flooding in Worcester today as severe weather continues to affect parts of Britain Buildings have been left half-submerged in Worcester with the severe flooding causing chaos around the city She said: 'The water is dangerously close to the properties, it has never been this close before. I am very concerned that my parents' house will flood. The road has been closed but cars continue to speed down it. 'It is causing the water to ripple and splash up the brickwork. I wish they would put a proper blockade to stop people driving through the floodwater. It is making matters worse. 'We have received no official advice about what to do in this situation, I feel like we have been left to fend for ourselves a bit. It is really disappointing. 'I managed to get hold of the city council and asked for some sandbags only to find out they don't provide them. If we do flood we have no precautions in place. It is a very poor show.' ** Have you taken any photographs of flooding where you are? Email them to pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** Advertisement Worcester City Council said they did not provide sandbags because they were not effective in protecting against floods and could become contaminated by unhygienic floodwater. A spokesperson said: 'Our recommended approach for flood alleviation is through alterations to homes such as raising floors and the installation of barriers. 'Financial support for these measures is potentially available through the Flood Support Funding scheme.' A 'swathe of wet weather' from the South West is due to push in overnight and into today, when two yellow weather warnings of snow have been issued by the Met Office. England has received more than 200 per cent of its average February rainfall, according to the EA, with some areas experiencing a month's worth of rain in 24 hours. Toby Willison, executive director of operations at the EA, said: 'Our operational teams continue to work night and day to protect communities alongside the River Severn, which is experiencing record levels. 'River levels will remain exceptionally high on the Severn for some time and communities, in particular Shrewsbury, Bewdley, Bridgnorth and Ironbridge, should prepare for potentially ongoing severe flooding.' As the EA said that flooding is expected to continue into the weekend across parts of England, Boris Johnson was criticised by Jeremy Corbyn over his 'silent' response to flooding across the country. An aerial view of flooding in Worcester this morning where the River Severn has broken its banks Homes in parts of Worcestershire have been evacuated after water started pouring over defences. Worcester is seen today An aerial view of flooding in Worcester today as people were told to prepare for another ten days of difficult conditions A McDonald's in Worcester city centre has been overwhelmed with flooding today with the local roads also underwater But the Prime Minister said he was 'proud' of the response by ministers following the recent storms and defended the Government's investment in flood defences. The Met Office has forecast more heavy rain this morning Speaking at The Connection in London today, Mr Johnson focused on how the 'massive issue' of flooding 'presents an opportunity' for job creation. He said: 'There's a massive issue about flood defences, and we have put 2.6billion in and we will be investing another 4billion. This is something that is absolutely critical for our country to tackle. 'I think it also presents an opportunity, because in the whole business of green technology flood defences, planting trees, all the ways in which we are going to insulate our country against flooding, there are opportunities for job creation as well.' Operational teams have put up more than 3.7miles (6km) of temporary flood barriers across the country and flood defences have protected more than 34,184 properties over the last week. Mr Johnson was accused by Labour leader Mr Corbyn of being a 'part time Prime Minister' after failing to visit areas hit by the floods. However Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said such visits were often a 'distraction' which took away valuable resources from the emergency services. 'He is very much in control of events. Over 100 of my constituents were flooded two weeks ago. What they are very concerned to see is action. They want to see more funding for flood defences,' he told Sky News. Flood barriers held back the River Severn at Ironbridge in Shropshire following an emergency evacuation in the town The River Severn flows under the Iron Bridge in the Shropshire town of the same name overnight as the flood risk remains A hovercraft was brought to Ironbridge overnight as flood barriers held at the town following an emergency evacuation Flood barriers held at Ironbridge overnight after an emergency evacuation took place at the town yesterday An ambulance command unit and TV satellite trucks at Ironbridge overnight following the emergency evacuation 'They are pleased that the Government has activated quite a substantial package of financial support. Those are the really meaningful things which personally I think are more important than the distraction of the Prime Minister turning up in an emergency situation.' In the SNOW lane: Up to four inches of the white stuff fell overnight as far south as London threatening chaos on the roads and rails with '15 breakdowns expected every minute' - and two days of rain to follow Britons are battling another day of weather misery after snow fell over large swathes of the country and caused travel chaos this morning. Four inches of snow fell on high ground overnight, with households as far south as London affected by wintery storms today. Snow falls this morning in Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire People awoke to their cars, gardens and entire streets covered in a carpet of white from the Shetland Islands north of Scotland to the Home Counties. Greater Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, the Cotswolds and the Chiltern Hills were the worst-hit by snow in England, while Glasgow got a considerable covering in Scotland and County Antrim in Northern Ireland. A man battles snow in Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, today Roadside recovery company Green Flag is bracing itself for 15 weather-related breakdown call outs every minute between today and Sunday, predicting a total of 85,000 across the weekend. The snow will be short-lived and turn to rain and sleet by this afternoon, with yellow warnings of another 2.5 inches of rain in place for the north of England and large parts of Wales on Friday and Saturday. Forecasters have issued another warning for 60mph winds across much of England, Wales, some parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland on both Saturday and Saturday, with 70mph threatening to batter coastal areas. Advertisement Yesterday, raging rivers, swollen by unprecedented rainfall, flooded several more towns. After a dramatic 24 hours, and with further downpours forecast, many flood victims were left asking: 'Will this misery ever end?' In Snaith, in East Yorkshire, residents were helped to safety on Tuesday night when the Aire burst its banks. Then early yesterday, homes in Bewdley, Worcestershire, were evacuated when water started pouring over the top of temporary defences. Families and the elderly were rescued by boat. Others were seen being helped out of windows as the speed of the flood took everyone by surprise. Hours later, 20 miles further north, residents in Ironbridge, Shropshire, heard a loud bang followed by a gushing sound as emergency flood defences that had held out for a week finally gave way under the sheer weight of water from the Severn. Police went house to house urging anyone who had remained in the Wharfage area of the town to get out. The Environment Agency warned it was possible that floods there could reach 6ft deep. In one riverside cottage, Elizabeth Maiden, 88, said: 'I've lived here for 80 years and it was worse than this in 1947 and 2000. Do I want to be evacuated? No. Where would I go? I can't see any point in leaving.' In Bewdley, the fast-flowing Severn breached temporary defences on one bank, while on the other the 8ft-high 11million barriers installed after previous floods held firm. GP David Hegarty, 53, who fled his 17th century cottage with his wife and two children, returned yesterday afternoon to retrieve some belongings and found the ground floor under 2ft of water. 'We knew two days ago that the inevitable was going to happen,' he said. 'We put all our valuables upstairs but all things like sofas and the floors will be ruined. We live by a river and you've got to expect some flooding, but not like this.' Two severe flood warnings meaning there is a risk to life remained in place last night, at Ironbridge and in Shrewsbury. There were a further 96 flood warnings and 135 flood alerts stretching from the Lake District to the South Coast. The severe flooding across the country follows record rainfall for February, and further downpours are forecast. But first, snow is set to cause disruption this morning, with up to 2in predicted even in parts of southern England. The Met Office warned of falls on high ground as far south as the Cotswolds and Chilterns. Rain will return tomorrow, with up to 2.5in forecast in less than 24 hours and weather warnings for central Wales the source of the Severn and Wye rivers and the Pennines. Further flooding is predicted. Rural insurer NFU Mutual estimates it will pay out 36million for insurance claims across storms Ciara and Dennis over the past month. Most of the 20million worth of claims for Ciara relate to wind, while most of the 16million for Dennis relate to floods. It has had more than 5,000 claims for both so far. To compare, Storm Doris in 2017 saw 11.5million of payouts, 36million for Storm Desmond in 2015, and 3million for the Yorkshire floods last November. Flood damage averages 20,000 per claim. Aviva has seen a 285 per cent surge in calls and claims after the damage caused by Ciara. In December 2016, Storms Desmond, Eva and Frank hit areas of the UK and cost Direct Line up to 140million in claims. The Met Office has imposed warnings for snow and ice today (left) and rain tomorrow (centre) and on Saturday (right) The Environment Agency has imposed 93 flood warnings - one of which is severe - and 134 flood alerts in England today Slide me The flood barriers next to the River Severn in the Wharfage area of Ironbridge are seen on February 18 (left) and yesterday (right) having been pushed back - although they are still holding up Slide me An aerial of the River Severn when it is at normal levels (left) and the River Severn this week (right) which is full to bursting Slide me Aerial images show heavy flooding on the River Severn in Buildwas, near Telford - in 2019 (left) and today (right) Farmers will be paid to sacrifice their farmland when rivers flood, Environment Secretary George Eustice announced yesterday. This will allow fields to act as natural defences to protect homes, he said. Flood-affected residents in East Yorkshire hit out at lack of assistance Flood victims in East Yorkshire have criticised the lack of help they have received from the authorities as their homes and businesses were left submerged by water. More residents in Snaith were advised to evacuate yesterday afternoon as water from the River Aire and surrounding washlands continued to rise. Rescue workers in flooded Snaith in East Yorkshire this week Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said that some 100 homes had been affected by flooding, while warnings were out for a further 60 properties in nearby East Cowick. Shaunna Caddle said she had no warning and did not have time to save her home, animals and business from the flood. She said: 'We rang the council and the Environment Agency and they said nothing, it was unlikely to happen, so we didn't have time to move our furniture, our business is there, we've lost animals because we weren't able to get them out, we've lost everything.' Lisa Deakin said her father, 76-year-old Stuart Mellard, had received no help from the authorities and was not insured after his home flooded in 2000. Describing the flood on Tuesday, she said: 'It just came in and kept coming and kept coming and it's waist-high, maybe a bit deeper than that now inside there. 'He didn't want to come out, he was sat in his slippers, watching his telly, remote in his hand, cup of tea, fire on. He didn't realise it was going to come in.' East Riding of Yorkshire Council said around 20 tonnes of sandbags had been distributed to properties most at risk of flooding. A spokesman said council staff will continue to provide advice and assistance to residents and will be stationed at Snaith Priory Church, which is being used as a rest centre. Advertisement Other measures would include planting more trees, restoring peat bogs and reintroducing beavers to create natural dams. He said that natural defences would be key as climate change leads to increased flooding. But he rejected calls for a public inquiry into Government handling of the floods. And he defended Boris Johnson against criticism over his failure to visit flood-hit communities. The Prime Minister's presence on the ground would not have had made any difference to the response to the crisis, Mr Eustice said. Meanwhile, the chief executive of Shropshire Council has quit in the middle of the flooding crisis after the ruling Conservative group voted for him to resign. Clive Wright stepped down on Wednesday. Sources said the response to the floods was among the reasons. While flooding in England has made headline news, figures released by the Met Office reveal Falkirk and Stirling to be the wettest areas of the UK as records were broken across the country. Both have seen 15.1in (383.3mm) fall up to February 24, 225 per cent of the average 6.7in (170.25mm) February rainfall in the areas. Met Office figures to February 24 show the country as a whole has already had around double its average rainfall for the month. The UK is now closing in on record February rainfall, and yet another downpour is forecast for tomorrow. In the West of Scotland, 11.7in (297.3mm) rain fell, 208 per cent of the normal average for the month, while in the East of the country, there was 7.5in (190.9mm), 212 per cent of the average. In West Yorkshire, the record was broken for the region when more than three times the average February rain had fallen 8.3in (210.4mm) compared with an average of 2.6in (65.5mm). Average figures for the UK as a whole show 6.9in (175mm) fell up to February 24, 199 per cent of the usual amount and close to the record of 7.6in (193.4mm) in 1990. Heavy rain has come from Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, with numerous weather fronts crossing the country bringing prolonged downpours. Oli Claydon, spokesman for the Met Office, said: 'It appears records have already been broken for February rainfall. 'The very wet conditions are occurring because the jet stream bringing a conveyor belt of Atlantic low pressure systems is sitting right above us. 'This is not especially unusual in winter, but what is unusual this year is the intensity of the rain.' ** Have you taken any photographs of flooding where you are? Email them to pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** Wife of Vladimir Putin ally 'paid 45,000 for tennis match with Boris Johnson' at Tory fundraiser ball the PM attended despite criticism for failing to visit flood victims By James Tapsfield, Political Editor For MailOnline The wife of a Vladimir Putin ally paid 45,000 for a tennis match with Boris Johnson at a Tory fundraiser, it was claimed today. Lubov Chernukhin, who is married to billionaire former Russian minister Vladimir, has been named as the donor who shelled out for a place on court with the PM at the glitzy Black and White Ball on Tuesday night. Mr Johnson has been heavily criticised for 'schmoozing' at the annual event in London despite failing to visit any victims of flooding - 12 days after the extreme weather started causing misery across the country. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during a visit to the Connection homelessness centre in London today He was branded a 'part-time PM' in the Commons yesterday and accused of going 'awol' during last week's parliamentary recess, which he spent at the Chevening estate in Kent. Banker Mrs Chernukhin, who is believed to be a British citizen, gave 200,000 to the Tory election campaign before Christmas, and enjoyed a night out with Theresa May and six female Cabinet members in April after donating 135,000 at a fundraiser. In 2014 David Cameron faced questions after Mrs Chernukhin successfully bid 160,000 at a party fundraising dinner to play tennis against him and Mr Johnson. The former PM was accused of hypocrisy over the donation, which came at a time when he was pushing for tougher Western sanctions against Moscow in response to its annexation of Crimea and the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. However, the Tories insist all donations are properly declared and checked. Boris Johnson pictured with guests at the Black and White Ball in south west London on Tuesday night Lubov Chernukhin (pictured circled left, and right) has donated more than 1million to the Tories, including 135,000 to have tea with Theresa may in April last year as revealed by Liz Truss on Instagram Video emerged of the premier at the ball last night, singing on stage with compere Wynne Evans, star of the Go Compare adverts. As an awkward-looking Mr Johnson tried the first line of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, the opera singer joked that he had a 'touch of the John Redwoods' - a reference to the former Cabinet minister's notorious attempt to remember the Welsh national anthem. Evans then sang 'Land of My Fathers', with Mr Johnson giving the traditional line 'Ar hyd y nos' to applause from the audience. Mr Johnson also posed for pictures with prominent Conservative supporters at the event. An anonymous donor paid 60,000 for gold and silver versions of the Brexit Day commemorative coin, and a signed copy of the Withdrawal Agreement. A flight in a Lancaster Bomber with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is reported to have fetched 2,000. More than 650 people paid 1,000 a head for tickers to the annual event in Battersea. Jeremy Corbyn slammed the premier at PMQs yesterday for spending time raising cash for his party 'instead of getting out there and supporting the people who are suffering'. But Mr Johnson desperately tried to deflect criticism for failing to visit in 12 days since the floods hit, including last week when he stayed at the Chevening estate in Kent during the Commons recess, He said he was 'very proud' of the government's response, claiming there had been a 'constant stream of activity' from ministers despite him taking a back seat. Jeremy Corbyn taunted Mr Johnson for 'schmoozing' at the glitzy Conservative Black & White ball fundraiser (pictured left) 'instead of getting out there and supporting the people who are suffering'. A host of other ministers including Michael Gove (right) were also present Video has emerged of Boris Johnson at the glitzy Black and White ball last night, singing on stage with compere Wynne Evans, star of the Go Compare adverts Guests at the event in Battersea, south west London, on Tuesday night posted pictures of themselves with the PM Mr Johnson posed for pictures with guests including blogger and author Anne Welsh last night Boris Johnson took PMQs in the Commons yesterday after more than a week in which he has barely spoken a word in public Those attending the event in Battersea on Tuesday night were handed a note from the PM thanking them for their support Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said today that visits by senior politicians were often a 'distraction' which took away valuable resources from the emergency services. 'He (the PM) is very much in control of events. Over 100 of my constituents were flooded two weeks ago. What they are very concerned to see is action. They want to see more funding for flood defences,' Mr Jenrick told Sky News. 'They are pleased that the Government has activated quite a substantial package of financial support. 'Those are the really meaningful things which personally I think are more important than the distraction of the Prime Minister turning up in an emergency situation. 'The role of the Prime Minister is to ensure that the Government is responding effectively to an emergency situation. That is exactly what he has done. 'What the Prime Minister is more concerned about is ensuring that the proper response is made by the emergency services, by local councils and the Environment Agency. 'He is ensuring that his ministers are doing that.' Flood-hit communities have lashed out at the government for its response to the severe weather conditions that have blitzed the country, and criticised the PM for his no-show in struggling areas such as Yorkshire, South Wales and the South West. Storm Dennis hit on Saturday February 15, causing transport chaos as high-winds cancelled flights and rain lashed the sodden ground. Just 12 hours later, and after torrential downpours overnight, various parts of the country were flooded, and 12 days later have still not been visited by Mr Johnson. A lifesize dinosaur head pokes out of the high water in Stourport on Severn which is under major flooding after the River Severn burst its banks Anger has been growing over the way the government has reacted since the bad weather first started three weeks ago when communities in Yorkshire were flooded after Storm Ciara, in scenes reminiscent of Boxing Day 2015. Locals in Bewdley, Worcestershire - where the Severn has overcome flood defences - expressed anger at the PM yesterday. Jane Taylor Cohen said: 'It's not good that Boris Johnson hasn't showed up. 'If he was here I would ask him 'what are you going to do, these people need you' 'I think a lot of people are going to be angry with him.' A young girl looks out the window of her marooned home in Ironbridge after the River Severn burst it's banks Margaret Mansell has lived on the Wharfage for 30 years and was one of the last residents to be evacuated today. She said: 'He was very fast to go to Yorkshire when he was after t he election vote up north when there were floods. Now, there's been no sign of him. 'There's been no sighting of him at all through any of the floods but he was very, very visible when he was after votes in Yorkshire and the north. 'There's very little he can do but now he's got his massive majority he doesn't care. 'I was here in 2000 when it last flooded. In 2000 it was bad and that was when the community got together.' The premier has come under fire for failing to visit the scene of flooding across England - instead choosing to stay at the opulent Chevening estate in Kent (pictured) during the parliamentary recess Ex-veteran Ian Donnelly, 54, said: 'Boris should pay a visit to the residents or affected communities to show support to those communities, whether that's at Ironbridge or Shrewsbury or Worcester, it would be good to see that.' Allies insist Mr Johnson's presence would only have disrupted efforts by emergency workers to ease the impact of the extreme weather. They have also defended his approach of delegating the response on floods and Coronavirus to Cabinet ministers, saying it is a more effective way of governing than trying to micromanage from No10. ** Have you taken any photographs of flooding where you are? Email them to pictures@mailonline.co.uk ** Chandigarh, Feb 27 : A Haryana legislator, who has been booked for cheating, on Thursday gave an ultimatum to the BJP-led, post-election alliance government that he was withdrawing his support to it. Meham legislator Balraj Kundu said he would submit a letter stating so to the Assembly Speaker on Friday. Hitting out at Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, he told the media here that he has extended support to the Chief Minister for his clean credentials. "I had extended my support to an honest government and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Now, I have realized that their display of honesty is a farce. I will hand over a letter to the Assembly Speaker to withdraw my support tomorrow," Kundu said. Police last month booked Kundu and his brother Shivraj Kundu for allegedly cheating Rohtak resident Narender Dhankhar. "If the CM (Chief Minister) is not taking action against his leader (and former minister) Manish Grover, I will be forced to withdraw my support to this government," Kundu had told the media in Rohtak town soon after he was booked. "I am giving a month's time to the Chief Minister to act against Grover," he had said, adding: "I know that the withdrawal of my support will have no impact on the government stability as without me it has the support of 56 legislators, but my fight against the corrupt would continue." Kundu, along with the supporters, had reached a police station and dared authorities to arrest him for the case registered against him. The police had told him that the case was under investigation. He alleged irregularities in sugar mills in the state since the BJP came to power in the state in 2014. He sought a probe against former state Cooperatives Minister Grover, alleging that he had caused a huge loss to the state exchequer by showing sugar mills in losses during his tenure as minister. The Meham legislator, a BJP turncoat, had won polls as an Independent after being denied party ticket. In October last year, the BJP won 40 seats and was six short of a majority in the 90-member Assembly. Besides the Jannayak Janta Party's (JJP) 10 MLAs, seven Independents have also extended support to the BJP, helping it reach a tally of 57 seats in the 90 member house. Lucknow/Meerut: Sikhs will bear the cost of the construction of a mosque that Muslims in Saharanpur have agreed to shift to a new location to end a decade-long dispute over a plot of land near a gurdwara in the Western Uttar Pradesh city. The two communities on Wednesday agreed to the amicable settlement of the dispute, which triggered riots in July 2014 and left three people dead in Saharanpurs Kutubsher area. Shiromani Akali Dals state president, Gurpreet Singh Bagga, said the Sikhs had purchased the land adjacent to the gurdwara from a Muslim family for the expansion of the place of worship. When the construction work started for the extension in July 2014, a group of Muslims objected, claiming that a mosque existed on the land. Following the dispute, clashes broke out which soon turned into a riot that claimed the lives of three people and left 26 injured... He said a case was filed and the gurdwaras expansion was halted as a result. Bagga said a dialogue between the two communities started following district magistrate Alok Kumar Pandeys intervention. On Wednesday, both communities agreed that the Guru Singh Sabha [Gurdwara] will bear the cost of the land for construction of the mosque at another location. Muslims will withdraw their claim... Bagga said they have purchased a 200 square yard plot for the mosque in Muslim-dominated Nadeem Colony. Sikhs will also help in the construction of the mosque. We believe in the service to humankind. We do not believe in violence. So solving the matter is very important. He said the cases pending in courts from both sides would be withdrawn. Muharram Ali Pappu, a Saharanpur resident, said they have set an example. This shows every matter can be settled through dialogue. Now a decent mosque will come up on the land given by the Sikh brothers. We will also perform Kar Sewa [voluntary work] for the gurdwara. We are proud Indians, who know to love and live in peace. Religious scholar Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali welcomed the dispute resolution. I am always for brotherhood in the society. This shows the composite cultural strength of our society. Nirmal Singh, the president of Lucknows Alambagh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, said this is a great gesture by both communities. In 2014, when shops were burnt, we collected money not only for Sikh brothers but also for Muslims whose shops were damaged. We never discriminate when it comes to helping others. In 2010, when the Sikhs went for the clearance for the gurdwaras expansion, the Muslims objected for the first time. Pandey said he wanted to solve the matter and asked both sides to talk. For 15 months, there were extensive parleys. I am happy that on my last day as DM [district magistrate] Saharanpur, the dispute was resolved... Saharanpurs divisional commissioner, Sanjay Kumar, appreciated the efforts of the district administration and police in resolving the matter. Both communities have set an example of harmony and showed that any issue can be resolved through meaningful dialogue. They sat together on Wednesday and discussed the issue at length in the presence of police and administrative officials. They agreed to end the dispute to keep peace and harmony intact in the area. Dalit leader and BJP MLC Sanjay Paswan said that the party followed the JD(U) on the issue because it is a senior partner in Bihars NDA. Patna: A day after Bihar Assembly passed a resolution against the NPR and NRC, BJP leaders expressed their unhappiness and targeted their ally JD(U) and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. Dalit leader and BJP MLC Sanjay Paswan said that the party followed the JD(U) on the issue because it is a senior partner in Bihars NDA. He (Nitish Kumar) takes risks because he is a brave politician. Being a number two party in the NDA government we just followed JD(U)s decisions but in states where BJP is strong, we will implement our agenda as planned, Mr Paswan said. The resolution on the NPR and NRC was adopted unanimously despite opposition from the BJP camp, which is a junior partner of the JD(U) in Bihar. Bihar became the first NDA ruled state to pass a resolution to implement the NPR in 2010 format with the inclusion of transgender column. The Assembly had also passed a resolution that NRC will not be implemented in Bihar. The NPR work has to be completed across the country between April 1 and September 30. In Bihar, the exercise to update the NPR will take place between May 15 and 28. Sources said that the aggressive approach being adopted by BJP members may create trouble for the NDA in Bihar ahead of assembly elections slated to be held in October-November this year. Some retailers have reportedto the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) that there is no more farm produce to rescue. But farmers still complain that their farm produce remains unsalable. According to Nguyen Thanh Thuy, deputy general director of Vincommerce, the owner of Vinmart chain, said the retail chain had contacted suppliers, but there was nothing to buy. They need to tell us what they have, time, amounts and prices, Thuy said, adding that Vincommerce makes no profit to help farmers consume products. Retail chains are willing to help rescue farm produce, but this is not easy to do. Nguyen Thi Phuong, deputy general director of Central Retail, said its Big C supermarket chain joined the dragon fruit and water melon rescue program by selling products at cost and incurring a loss of VND15-17 billion worth in transportation cost. Some retailers have reportedto the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) that there is no more farm produce to rescue. But farmers still complain that their farm produce remains unsalable. However, suppliers said there is no more dragon fruit to provide to Big C. The retailer can collect water melon, but the price has increased by twofold. This explains why consumers cannot buy farm produce at low prices at supermarkets, though they hear the information about farm produce rescue every day. The activities of rescuing farm produce are still very busy in the market. In HCM City, some people have collected farm produce directly from farmers to sell for no profit. L.V.P said he has sold 28 tons of water melon for farmers in Gia Lai province. One kilogram of water melon sold for VND4,300 per kilogram. The money from the sale was shown on his Facebook and transferred to farmers. The representative of a large supermarket in HCM City said supermarkets mostly collect produce that needs to be rescued through cooperatives, farmers representatives and local agriculture departments. Most of the products cannot be exported. In rescue campaigns, supermarkets and partners conduct negotiations about the collection of farm produce within a short time before they sign contracts. In some cases, during the rescue process, suppliers break the contracts when they hear that they can sell products to other partners at higher prices. N.T.H.T, director of a company in Ben Tre province, said it is very difficult to bring products to supermarkets because supermarkets always set high requirements on quality and delivery. The requirements cannot be met by most farmers with their current farming process. Therefore, if suppliers can sell products to other consumers or export to China, they would break the contracts signed with supermarkets. Mai Lan Farm produce stuck at border, but farmers don't want to sell Thousands of trucks are still heading for the Vietnam-China border gates, though the exports are getting stuck because of the Covid-19 epidemic. Met Eireann's official weather forecasting partner in Britain has warned that the most damaging effect of Storm Jorge will be felt in Ireland. The Met Office expects Storm Jorge will track across Ireland and the UK over the weekend bringing another spell of strong winds and heavy rain. It says the system will also bring a spell of strong winds to northwest Spain on Saturday which prompted Spanish meteorological service Agencia Estatal de Meteorologia (AEMET), to issue orange wind warnings and name the system Jorge. Met Office Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Paul Gundersen, outlined with to expect. He said heavy rain associated with Storm Jorge would move in on Friday with 60-80mm possible over the highest ground. The UK forecaster is expecting Storm Jorge to cause more flooding. He said south-westerly winds will strengthen through Saturday morning. "Where warnings are in place gusts of 50-60mph are likely quite widely with 65-70mph possible in coastal areas, however, the strongest and most damaging winds are expected across the Republic of Ireland, he said. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Harris, said that as Storm Jorge begins to weaken and clear later on Saturday colder conditions would return with some snow on the cards in parts. "The weather looks likely to remain rather cold and showery into next week and there's a chance of further wet and windy weather around the middle of the week, although confidence in details is low at this stage," he said. More below tweet. There's a lot going on over the next few days with the weather in the UK, here's all you need to know about the weather over the weekend and what to expect from #StormJorge pic.twitter.com/YIFIA0J3sI Met Office (@metoffice) February 27, 2020 The Met Office also explained the reason why Storm Jorge is not called Storm Ellen and also urged the public to be as alert to its impact as Ciara and Dennis. The UK Met Office says the Spanish meteorological service, which part of the south-west Europe storm naming group, named Storm Jorge on Thursday, February 27. "It is a convention for all other national meteorological services to then use that name when referring to the low pressure. As such the system will not be named Ellen but will align with our European partners and be referred to as 'Jorge'. "The fact that the system may have a different name than some expected should not influence their response. The weather over the weekend could have impacts due to the strong winds and those in the warning areas should take the advice of local emergency services seriously," said the Met Office. . CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 12, 2019, more than 50 sales service representatives (SSRs) and account managers (AMs) employed at the American Bottling Company's Northlake, Ill. facility overwhelmingly voted in favor of electing Teamsters Local 727 as their sole collective bargaining representative. Though the workers' have repeatedly made clear their desire for union representation, those managing the Keurig Dr Pepper (NYSE: KDP) subsidiary have relentlessly fought their employees' democratic and free choice. Before the SSRs' and AMs' held their election, Keurig Dr Pepper attempted to impede the proceedings by presenting numerous objections to the election to Region 13 of the National Labor Relations Board. Though these desperate objections were quashed at a pre-election hearing, Keurig Dr Pepper once again submitted the same objections to the NLRB immediately following SSRs' and AMs' exercise of their lawful right to unionize. As they had been previously, the objections were once again overruled. Similarly, the company's request for a review of Region 13's election hearing decision, including the region's certification of Local 727 as the union representative of both SSRs and AMs, was similarly denied following the election. Though the company received due process at the election hearing, Keurig Dr Pepper management attempted to take a second bite at the apple by refusing to recognize and bargain with the union. To date, Keurig Dr Pepper continues to deny its employees' democratically chosen representative. As a result of the company's refusal to recognize and bargain with Local 727, the union was forced to file unfair labor practice charges against Keurig Dr Pepper. In addition to filing charges over Keurig Dr Pepper's unlawful refusal to bargain, Local 727 has also filed charges over management's outrageous union surveillanceincluding management's interrogation of workers over their union activities and supportas well as over the company's retaliation against its employees following their free choice to unionize. After workers democratically voted in favor of Local 727 representation, Keurig Dr Pepper responded by holding mandatory meetings in which management threatened retaliation against its workers. Just days later, the company punished its workers by unilaterally rerouting salesmen and demoting SSRs. Local 727 immediately sprang into action and filed an unfair labor practice charge against the company. Throughout the NLRB's processing of the charge, Local 727 remained unwavering and steadfast in its demand that all workers be made whole and returned to their previous positions. Over the course of several months, Region 13 one-by-one found merit with nearly every unfair labor practice charge filed by the union. While merit finding on any charge is a victory, Local 727 was disappointed to receive the Labor Board's consolidated complaint. "In light of our current president's war on unions, labor protections, and middle-class workers, it should come as no surprise that, even when the law is on a union's side, Region 13 will go easy on corporate bullies at the expense of hardworking Americans," said John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. "Nevertheless, this union will not back down. We will not stop until Keurig Dr Pepper salesmen receive the respect and fair treatment they so justly deserve." While the union awaits a decision on its appeal, the fight for a fair contract has continued. Earlier this month, the NLRB issued a summary judgment against Keurig Dr Pepper in which the labor board acknowledged that the company violated federal labor law and engaged in unfair labor practices when it failed to bargain over a first contract for SSRs and AMs with Local 727. As a result of this finding, the NLRB ordered Keurig Dr Pepper management to cease refusing to recognize and bargain with the union, as well as desist from interfering with its employees' right to union representation. Though the vast majority of companies respect the NLRB's final decision and accept their loss, on Feb. 12, 2020, Keurig Dr Pepper become one of the handful of companies each year to file a petition for review with the District Court of Appeals and challenge the Labor Board's order. Should Keurig Dr Pepper win its appeal and overturn all three of the NLRB's previous decisions, this case could set a dangerous precedent for the labor movement as a whole. "Keurig Dr Pepper appears determined to shatter democracy by tearing down workers' rights. If the company gets its way, all union organizing efforts could be threatened and the labor movement destroyed," added Coli. "The entire labor movement must unite now. We cannot wait and allow this soda giant, or any other greedy corporation, to beat back the rights generations of workers have fought to secure. Now is the time for action." Local 727 urges all fellow organized laborers to remain vigilant, to report companies that violate the law or their collective bargaining agreements, and to continue to stand together in solidarity. "Local 727 will always fight to support our hardworking union Brothers and Sisters," said Coli. "Only by standing together can we truly ensure workers are protected and receiving their fair share." Teamsters Local 727 represents nearly 10,000 hardworking men and women throughout the Chicago area, including over 2,000 workers in the beverage industry. Contact: Caleen Carter-Patton (847) 696-7500 SOURCE Teamsters Local Union 727, Park Ridge, Illinois KYIVA court ruling in Ukraine has forced state investigators to open a probe into alleged pressure by former vice president Joe Biden that led to the 2016 dismissal of Viktor Shokin as the countrys prosecutor general, officials said Thursday. President Donald Trump last year pressed Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for an investigation of this kind, leading to Trumps impeachment by the House and his eventual acquittal in a Senate trial. Shokins firing, however, was not a unilateral action directed by Biden. It was prompted by a push for anti-corruption reforms developed at the State Department and coordinated with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. Shokins lawyer, Oleksandr Teleshetsky, said the probe was launched in response to a court order, after an appeal for action by Shokin. The State Bureau of Investigations confirmed a case was opened. Trump and his allies have put intense pressure on Zelenskys administration to open investigations into Joe Biden, and his son Hunter Biden who sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company Burisma. From late 2018 Shokin met with Trumps personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, as Giuliani sought political dirt on the Bidens. Shokin has long been angered by what he sees as an unfair dismissal following foreign pressure. Shokin has claimed he was pushed out by Biden because he tried to launch a probe into Hunter Bidens role at Burisma. In fact, Ukrainian investigations into Burisma related to the period before Hunter Biden joined the board. They need to investigate this. They have no other alternative. They are required to do this by the decision of the court. If they dont, then they violate a whole string of procedural norms, Teleshetsky said in an interview. Shokins January appeal to the court mentioned Joe Biden by name, but the case opened by the SBI mentions only a U.S. citizen, Teleshetsky said. Daria Kaleniuk, director of Ukraines Anti-Corruption Action Center, said that under Ukrainian law, anyone could go to court and demand that the SBI open a case. If a court approved it, the SBI was required by law to do so, even if officials did not believe there was enough evidence. The fact that it was opened after a decision of the court indicates that first the SBI didnt open this case, but the attorneys of Shokin made the SBI open this case, she said. Lets say I can write a claim to the SBI that I think aliens stole my car, she continued. And the SBI obviously will not open [a case] as there is not evidence of a crime. But then I can go to court and make the SBI open it, through a court decision. So this case looks to me like that. She said it was possible for the case to lie dormant in the system for years. If I was a SBI investigator, I would close that case immediately, she said. When he was vice president, Biden urged Ukraine authorities to sack Shokin, citing his failure to act against corruption, concerns shared by other Western nations. In 2015 Biden warned Ukrainian authorities that the country could lose around $1 billion (U.S.) in loan guarantees unless Shokin was removed. Biden is one of a narrowing field of Democrats contending to be the partys presidential candidate, although Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has emerged as the front-runner. Shokin was dismissed in March 2016 after just over a year in office by the then Ukraine president, Petro Poroshenko, who was close to the prosecutor and acted reluctantly. Shokin would become a key figure in efforts by Trump and his allies to press Ukraine to carry out investigations into Biden. When Trump spoke to Zelensky in a July 25 phone call, he appeared to praise Shokin and call his removal unfair. I heard you had a prosecutor who was very good and he was shut down and thats really unfair, Trump told Zelensky, according to a rough transcript. At the heart of Trumps impeachment trial was his move to freeze military aid to Ukraine shortly after the July conversation. At the same time, Ukrainian officials were seeking a prized White House meeting between Zelensky and Trump. Zelensky has repeatedly stated he felt no pressure from Trump to establish investigations into Biden. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Zelensky in January in Kyiv and denied that the Trump administration ever demanded the investigation as a condition for a White House meeting between Trump and Zelensky. But Pompeo did not offer a date for an Oval Office meeting, saying simply, Well find the right time. Since that meeting, Zelensky has appointed a new chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who has closer ties with Trump allies such as Giuliani. Ukrainian prosecutor general Ruslan Ryaboshapka said in October that prosecutors would audit the all previous cases related to Burisma. At the time, Ryaboshapka said he saw no evidence of wrongdoing by Hunter Biden who joined the board in 2014. We are now reviewing all proceedings that were closed, fragmented or investigated earlier, in order to make a decision in cases where illegal procedural decisions were made and to review them, Ryaboshapka, adding that these cases focused on the time before Hunter Biden was on the board. Read more about: The robbers, who were using a Toyota Fortuner as a getaway car, initially went to the first company where they looked for its employees before they took two cars a Hyundai pick-up truck and a Toyota Corrolla, cash amounting to US$37 000, jewellery and 13 cellphones. Significant Red River Valley flooding enough to temporarily close Highway 75 could occur with average weather conditions between now and the end of the spring melt, the province says in its first spring thaw outlook of 2020. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Significant Red River Valley flooding enough to temporarily close Highway 75 could occur with average weather conditions between now and the end of the spring melt, the province says in its first spring thaw outlook of 2020. Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said Thursday future snow and rain will determine the size of any potential flood. "We are in good shape right now, if the weather holds up," he said, referring to minimal recent precipitation. Saturated soils throughout the Red River Valley and well-above average snowfalls south of the border have raised concern about significant flooding along the Red River. However, to the west of Winnipeg, extending into Saskatchewan, the weather has fairly been dry, with relatively little snowpack. "At this time, we expect the Assiniboine and other rivers to remain mostly within banks, with possible over-bank high water covering some farmland," Schuler told a news conference. With average weather conditions this spring, water levels are expected to be similar to 2011 on the Red River. In that year, Highway 75 was closed for 29 days. With unfavourable weather in the weeks ahead, run-off could near 2009 levels. That year, Winnipeg's main highway link to the United States was closed for 37 days. In both years, there was extensive farmland flooding, but communities along the river were protected by ring dikes. The U.S. National Weather Office also released a Red River flood report Thursday. It said there is a high risk (greater than 65 per cent) of major flooding along several points along the river, including Grand Forks and Pembina at the Manitoba border. 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. South of the border, the current snowpack is above normal, as is the water content of that snow, the weather office said in a release. "At the time of freeze-up, soil moisture was extremely high and well above normal across much of the (Red River) basin due to record precipitation during the fall," the U.S. report said. "Some fields and ditches even had standing water freeze in place." The province activated the Red River Floodway in fall for the first time in October, due to heavy precipitation from a large snowstorm. The measure was taken to control river levels within Winnipeg and prevent city basements from flooding. The floodway was used for 29 days between Oct. 9 and Nov. 7. Last spring, Manitoba braced for a flood on the scale of the 2009 deluge, but ideal weather conditions produced a gradual melt and the spring runoff became a non-event. Manitoba will release its next flood update at the end of March. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief A S Dulat met incarcerated former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah recently here but details about their talks are not known, officials said. Dulat, a close friend of Lok Sabha member Abdullah, had a long conversation with the five-time chief minister of the erstwhile state, they said. When asked, Dulat denied that any such meeting had taken place. "I have no comments to offer," the Indian spy agency's former chief said. The officials said the meeting took place on February 12 at Abdullah's Gupkar Road residence, which has been converted into a subsidiary jail by the Jammu and Kashmir home department. The officials, however, down played the meeting, saying it was a courtesy meeting as the two -- Abdullah and Dulat -- share a long relationship. The former RAW chief had been approaching Jammu and Kashmir authorities for a meeting with Abdullah, who was taken into preventive custody on August 5 last year, the day when the Centre announced abrogation of special status to the state besides its bifurcation into two union territories -- Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir. The preventive custody was converted into detention under the Public Safety Act on September 17, initially for three months and later renewed again on December 16. Dulat had been sent in 1999 by the then NDA government to convince a reluctant Abdullah to release Masood Azhar, founder of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit, in exchange of passengers of hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814. The Vajpayee government had used Dulat in 1999 because he had handled a similar situation in 1989 during VP Singh's government. As station head of the Intelligence Bureau, he had been tasked to secure the release of five terrorists in exchange of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of the then home minister Mufti Sayeed, who had been kidnapped by JKLF militants. In his book 'Kashmir The Vajpayee Years', Dulat recalled his meeting with Abdullah in 1999 and wrote "You again You were there during Rubaiya's kidnapping. How could you come back again? I said then whatever you are doing is wrong, and I am saying it again. I don't agree with it." In his book, he had expressed his close bonding with Abdullah. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SAN FRANCISCO Coronavirus is in the global spotlight, but a secondary character in this unfolding drama threatens to upstage the grim protagonist: fear. Chalk that up to what it means to be human. Animals have a fight-or-flight response to real and present danger. We have that maddening ability to go a step beyond and imagine what isnt there. Humans often can develop a robust and pathological fear of things that might not happen, to create realities that dont exist, says Elizabeth Phelps, Harvard Universitys Pershing Square professor of human neuroscience. So yes, of course you can overdo it. The conditions seem right to turbocharge this most elemental of emotions, with plot points Hollywood would strain to conjure. In less than two months, the new coronavirus, given the less-scary clinical moniker of COVID-19, has gone from a spikey-shaped virus infecting people in Wuhan, China, to an epidemic that has sickened more than 82,000 people, killed more than 2,000 and spread to 47 countries on all continents. By any scorecard, thats one terrorist of a virus. Adding to the chaos are tumbling financial markets and often conflicting responses to the spread of the virus. Italy, dealing with hundreds of cases, has a few northern towns on lockdown. In Britain, which is testing for the virus, health officials warned that overreacting will lead to health and social costs. President Donald Trump insisted the risk to Americans is very low, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi countered that the administration has left the country vulnerable by ransacking funding from government health agencies. On Thursday, California governor Gavin Newsom tried to reassure his citizens. Look, everybody in this country is rightfully anxious about this moment," he said. "But I think they should know that we are meeting this moment with the kind of urgency that is necessary." Left in the middle are emotionally whipsawed citizens, unsure what level of alarm they should feel. Story continues Tuesday, San Francisco Mayor London Breed declared a state of emergency, though at the time there were no confirmed cases in the city. Farther south, Orange County, which had one confirmed case, followed suit. The emergency declaration, leaders said, helps ensure a quick response to a potential case. Premature and alarmist? Late Wednesday came news that the nations first COVID-19 case unrelated to travel to China was discovered in Northern California. Already some stores are seeing dwindling supplies of toilet paper and water as residents perhaps prepared to self-quarantine for two weeks. A dearth of N95 face masks led Amazon to battle third-party sellers accused of price-gouging consumers. This comes despite experts saying face masks provide little real protection. A run on supplies may cue the brains amygdala, which psychologists call the headquarters of our fear factory. A bucket of cold water can come in the form of calm and reliable doses of information. Communications are most helpful to us humans when theyre explicit, so if you saw the risk is low, explain how low, says Carnegie Mellon University professor Baruch Fischhoff, former president of an academic organization called the Society for Judgment and Decision Making. Fischhoff says one way to keep fear in check is to narrow your information stream to just-the-facts sources such as state medical agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On its website, the CDC urges "everyday preventive" actions such as hand-washing and disinfecting surfaces. Look for outlets that treat you like an adult and tell you what the situation is and the risks are, he says. You need information that helps you make decisions relevant to your own circumstances. That might mean getting off social media for your COVID-19 updates, given its always-on nature and the way online conversations tend to mimic that distorting game of telephone. In the old days, the virus update would be a mention on the 6 oclock news, but today, its tweets and Facebook posts 24/7, Phelps says. Fears can be learned. If youre communicating with people online who are afraid or are seeing people online who are afraid, that exposure is more likely to invoke fear in you. Phelps says the clinical term for that spiraling is called dread risk, and its power can spin a comparatively benign situation into fear-based overreaction. For example, she says, in San Francisco, it's far more likely to be killed by a car than COVID-19, but cars are something we know, were comfortable with them, so theyre not scary even though theyre far more deadly. Scapegoating is an age-old scourge Terror of the unknown and indeed the foreign plays into the planets epidemic. The ugly human tendency to scapegoat, then as now, surfaces. In the 1490s, French troops storming the city of Naples caught and spread syphilis. Depending on what side you were on, the scourge was ascribed either to the French or the Italians. When influenza raced across the European continent in 1889, it was blamed on the Russians; when the flu of 1918 infected 500 million, killing upward of 10%, it was pinned on the Spanish. COVID-19, which originated in central China, has given rise to similarly xenophobic reactions. Around the world, anecdotal reports reveal that Asians of any nationality are shunned or worse. One photo making the rounds online showed the back of a person outside Milan's Duomo; the person's jacket had stickers reading in two languages, NOT from China and Im Taiwanese. In some ways, fear in these situations becomes existential in that we fear the other, we fear that theyre bringing something bad to us, and this is unfortunate, says Guenter Risse, professor emeritus at the University of California-San Francisco and the author of Driven by Fear: Epidemics and Isolation in San Franciscos House of Pestilence, about how panic and xenophobia demonized Chinese immigrants here during illness outbreaks in the 1920s. Risse argues that fear of deadly contagion is hard-wired into the American psyche because it has roots in the continents invasion first by the Spanish, then the English, both of whom brought diseases that killed millions of Native Americans in Central and North America. Because the COVID-19 outbreak can spark those same primitive fears, its important to keep perspective, experts say. This winter, the flu has hospitalized about 280,000 Americans and killed 16,000; there are 60 confirmed COVID-19 cases nationally and no deaths. The good and bad of coronavirus At the risk of employing a cliche, there is good and bad news that experts say will reassure the fearful while stirring merited concern. Lets start with the bad news. This is probably only the beginning of global pandemics. Two reasons: the relentless encroachment of human beings into animal worlds where viruses rarely had the chance to jump species; and the interconnected nature of the jet age. In the case of COVID-19, a theory is that a bat with the virus gave it to a lizard-like creature called a pangolin, which poachers kill by the thousands for their delicate scales. Once in the human host, the virus made its way to Wuhan and from there, the world. This is all linked to a situation we have created, says Ilaria Capua, director of the One Health Center of Excellence at the University of Florida-Gainesville, which aims to advance a healthy coexistence between the human, plant and animal worlds. We are in the field of the unknown. But you can only find things out by experiencing them. Capua made international headlines in 2006 when, working out of an Italian institute, she sequenced an avian flu virus which is critical to creating a vaccine and urged researches worldwide to share any such data breakthroughs. A worshiper wears a face mask in a pew at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Ash Wednesday on Feb. 26 in Los Angeles. And therein lies the good news. What is exceptional about this outbreak is the Chinese shared the sequencing of the virus, for the first time, and this is wonderful, Capua says. We now have the collective intelligence to get ahead of a problem like a new virus, which is no longer as were seeing just a problem of one country anymore. Capua says the lesson the world should take from COVID-19 is akin to that of a warning shot. She doesnt anticipate that this virus will produce an apocalyptic scenario, given its fatality rate, but she says its rapid global sweep means more needs to be done to prepare for the next COVID-19, in terms of everything from research to resources. Above all, she says, keep calm. Panic is the biggest enemy you face in any emergency, Capua says. Panic can do much more damage than the virus. Follow USA TODAY national correspondent Marco della Cava: @marcodellacava This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus: Experts urge sharing facts as COVID-19 spreads worldwide Tarrytown, NY, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Nightfood, Inc. (OTCQB: NGTF), the award-winning ice cream company addressing Americas $50 billion-dollar nighttime snacking problem, announced today that Nightfood ice cream will soon be available in all Jewel-Osco supermarket locations. Locally great and nationally strong, Jewel-Osco was founded in 1899 and is owned by Albertsons Companies. The grocery and drug retailer has 188 locations encompassing Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Iowa, and employs 31,000+ associates. Nightfoods nighttime ice cream is expected to begin appearing on Jewel-Osco shelves in late March. Most locations will begin stocking four flavors of Nightfood, including Midnight Chocolate, After Dinner Mint Chip, Cherry Eclipse (cherry ice cream with real cherries and chocolate chips), and Cookies n Dreams. Were absolutely thrilled to be bringing Nightfood to Jewel-Osco, commented Nightfood CEO Sean Folkson. Theyre enthusiastic about the Nightfood brand, and were looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship. Weve got major initiatives planned that will help to quickly introduce thousands of Jewel shoppers to Nightfood and better night snacking. Nightfood is expected to retail at Jewel-Osco stores for $4.99 per pint, in line with other premium and better-for-you ice cream brands. Recently endorsed as The Official Ice Cream of the American Pregnancy Association, Nightfood is now the recommended ice cream for over three million pregnant women across the United States. With more calcium, magnesium, protein and fiber than other ice creams, and less sugar, fewer calories, and no artificial sweeteners, Nightfood is a healthier way to satisfy ice cream cravings with more of the nutrients pregnant moms need. On the heels of this endorsement, Nightfood has been featured this past week in major mainstream media outlets including The Rachael Ray Show, TheBump.com, and BabyGaga. About Nightfood Holdings: Nightfood Holdings, Inc. (OTC: NGTF), owns Nightfood, Inc. and MJ Munchies, Inc. After manufacturing their first pint in early 2019, Nightfood secured ice cream distribution in multiple Top-10 supermarket chains in the United States, with concentrations in the Carolinas, Mid-Atlantic, the upper Midwest, and New England. Nightfood ice cream won the 2019 Product of the Year award in the ice cream category in a Kantar survey of over 40,000 consumers. Nightfood was also named Best New Ice Cream in the 2019 World Dairy Innovation Awards. In February 2020, it was announced that Nightfood received the endorsement of the American Pregnancy Association as the recommended ice cream for the over three million pregnant women in the United States at any given time. With more calcium, magnesium, zinc, fiber, and protein, and less sugar and a lower glycemic profile, Nightfood is now the Official Ice Cream of the American Pregnancy Association. Over 80% of Americans snack regularly at night, resulting in an estimated 700M+ nighttime snack occasions weekly, and an annual spend on night snacks of over $50 billion dollars, the majority of it on options that are understood to be both unhealthy, and disruptive to sleep quality. Scientific research indicates these unhealthy nighttime cravings are driven by human biology. Willpower is also weakest at night, contributing to unhealthy night snacking behavior, and the majority of night snackers report feeling both guilty and out-of-control when it comes to their nighttime snacking. Because unhealthy night snacking is biologically driven, and not a trend or a fad, management believes the category of nighttime-specific nutrition, which Nightfood is pioneering, will be a billion-dollar category. MJ Munchies, Inc. was formed in 2018 as a new, wholly owned subsidiary of Nightfood Holdings, Inc. to capitalize on legally compliant opportunities in the CBD and marijuana edibles and related spaces. The Company is seeking licensing opportunities to market such products under the brand name Half-Baked, for which theyve successfully secured trademark rights. Questions can be directed to investors@Nightfood.com ABOUT JEWEL-OSCO Locally great and nationally strong, Jewel-Osco was founded in 1899 and is owned by Albertsons Companies. The grocery and drug retailer has 188 locations encompassing Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Iowa, and employs 31,000+ associates. For more information log onto www.JewelOsco.com and follow on social media at Facebook.com/JewelOsco, Twitter.com/JewelOsco, Instragam.com/JewelOsco, Pinterest.com/JewelOscopr and YouTube.com/JewelOsco Forward Looking Statements: This current press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to, any products sold or cash flow from operations. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with distribution and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our most recent annual report for our last fiscal year, our quarterly reports, and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Media Contact: Tim Sullivan media@Nightfood.com 732-816-0239 Investor Contact: Stuart Smith investors@Nightfood.com 888-888-6444, x3 PRISTINA -- Top U.S. officials have told visiting Kosovar President Hashim Thaci that the United States remains committed to the Balkan country's sovereignty and independence, but also insisted that Washington expects Kosovo to lift its 100 percent tariffs on Serbian imports. During his meeting with Thaci in Washington on February 26, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo "reaffirmed the strong partnership between the United States and Kosovo, rooted in continued commitment to shared values and our support for a sovereign, independent Kosovo," according to State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus. The United States is one of the biggest backers of Kosovo's independence from Serbia, which it declared in 2008. Serbia continues to consider its former province part of its territory. Talks on normalizing diplomatic relations were derailed in November 2018 by Pristina's imposition of the tariffs on Serbian goods and services in response to Belgrade's continued lobbying for countries to reverse their recognition of Kosovo. In a step toward improving ties, Serbian and Kosovar officials earlier this year signed letters of intent to establish air, rail, and highway links between Pristina and Belgrade. In her statement, Ortagus said Pompeo called on Kosovo to build on this "momentum," adding that he expected Pristina to drop the tariffs on Serbian imports to "fully maximize the economic and commercial benefits to people in both countries." That, the statement said, was "an essential step to reviving negotiations on a comprehensive normalization of relations" with Serbia. Ortagus said Pompeo also congratulated Kosovo on its "successful, democratic" general elections in October and this month's formation of a new government under Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Thaci met at the Pentagon with Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist, who "reaffirmed the strong relationship between the United States and Kosovo, our shared values, and Kosovo's status as a sovereign independent nation," according to a statement. Defense Department spokesman Charles Summers said in a statement that Norquist "noted Kosovo's continued support to counter" efforts by Russia and China to expand their influence in the Western Balkans. The statement also urged Pristina and Belgrade to "resume efforts aimed at comprehensive normalization of relations in order to ensure a stable and secure environment" in the region. Thaci wrote on Facebook that he was "extremely happy to see the utmost commitment and dedication on the part of the U.S. government and Secretary Pompeo personally in supporting Kosovo and its Euro-Atlantic future." In a separate post, Kosovo's president thanked the United States for its support for the Kosovo Security Force, the country's lightly armed military. "We share the same conviction that it is vital for security in Southeastern Europe that Kosovo becomes a NATO member as soon as possible," he wrote. When word first broke that Meghan Markle had convinced Prince Harry to divorce the royal family, it struck many as a bizarre and sad conclusion to what could have been a great chapter in the family's long history. Then, when Meghan turned out to be greedy and entitled, while Harry was apparently a milquetoast, people turned against the duo. Now, though, with the latest report on Meghan's extraordinarily self-centered worldview, she's becoming a comic figure who must be enjoyed. It started with Prince Harry, who had grown from being a bit of an ass to being an active-duty soldier to being an empathetic yet sunny member of the royal family, with a special affinity for veterans and children. He'd also been a bit of a bad boy with the women, but then he met the half-black American Meghan Markle and, like many a bad boy before him, reformed for the love of a good woman. (Or at least, she seemed like a good woman.) The British public loved the idea of a royal breaking the color barrier, and the royal family publicly embraced Meghan. She got the full princess wedding, complete with a dress costing $550,000. Kate Middleton and Prince William apparently welcomed Meghan into their tight little family group. And then the cracks began to show. Meghan liked to spend money, lots of it an estimated $1,000,000 on clothes alone by mid-2018. Then, for reasons yet unknown, Meghan and Harry announced last year that they were leaving Kensington, the 265-room home they shared with Kate and Will, to live at Frogmore Cottage, on Windsor Castle grounds. The remodel to meet Meghan's standards cost the British taxpayers $3 million. Meanwhile, Meghan got pregnant but refused to let the British taxpayers share in the experience (a royal tradition going back to Queen Victoria). They kept both little Archie's birth and christening a secret, which people greatly resented. Considering how much they were paying for Meghan, they thought they should get something in return. Meghan also disliked the fact that, as a royal, she was supposed to be non-political. As a B-grade Hollywood star, she believed she ought to be woke. That didn't fly: For a member of the Royal Family to take such an inadvertently political stance is always a bad idea because they are funded by the taxpayers and therefore they have an obligation to remain above the political sphere. Debate rages about whether Markle, feeling her wings clipped and resenting her royal obligations (despite the massive money and privileges), bullied Harry into leaving the family, or whether Harry, tired of the limitations that came with being a prince, saw Meghan as his way out. Suffice it to say that the two surprised everyone, especially the queen, by announcing that they were heading to North America to go it alone as post-national, post-royal elites (although they assumed they'd have all that royal cachet to fund their new profitable, woke adventures). When the queen sought to impose limitations, Markle insisted that, no matter what the queen said, she'd keep that royal title of "Duchess of Sussex." Eventually, Markle backed down, but not before whining about how poorly she'd been treated. All of that was sort of disgusting. Now, though, Meghan has escaped the realms of being icky and burst forth into a new world of such extraordinary selfishness that one can only laugh. The Daily Mail has the latest on Meghan's newest sense of entitlement and ill usage: Meghan grumbled to her inner circle last week over the Queen banning the couple from using the word 'royal' in their 'branding', later issuing an extraordinary statement appearing to complain the palace was treating them differently to other family members. 'Meghan said that [she and Harry] were left with no choice but to make a public statement,' a friend explained. 'She said if anyone should feel insulted, it should be them. They never intended to capitalize on the word royal, and to insinuate they were somehow abusing their privileges is absurd.' [snip] 'She said she and Harry will continue to rise above jealousy and pettiness and focus on the good they are creating and on being the best parents to Archie. 'She said she will continue to champion Harry because out of everyone, he has the most integrity and the most loyalty.' Meghan also believes the Queen was 'under pressure to make those demands about the name change', because Harry is the Queen's 'favorite and others just can't deal with it.' To hear the most jealous, petty person in the public sphere insist she's above all that is like getting a front-row seat at the best comedy show in town. Wise people, seeking relief from the stress of headlines, will now anxiously await the next clueless gems that drop from Meghan's lips. CORUNNA, Mich. - A judge on Thursday deemed a Michigan man unfit for trial in the killing and mutilation of someone he met through the dating app Grindr. During a hearing, 66th District Court Judge Ward Clarkson also ordered defendant Mark Latunski to be transferred to a psychiatric facility. Latunskis attorney, Douglas Corwin Jr., said this week that the states Center for Forensic Psychiatry determined that his client was not presently competent. He said the case will be put on hold while Latunski receives treatment to try to improve his mental competency. Latunski, 50, was charged in December with murder and other crimes in the killing of Kevin Bacon, 25, who lived in Swartz Creek, near Flint. Bacons body was found Dec. 28 hanging from the ceiling of Latunskis home in Bennington Township, 90 miles (145 kilometres) northwest of Detroit. Police said Latunski admitted to killing Bacon and eating parts of his body. Latunskis brick home was auctioned off Wednesday during a sheriffs sale with a high bid of $101,733 about $21,000 over the minimum asking price, according to MLive.com. The name of the highest bidder was not released. Christie Duffield, office manager for the Shiawassee County sheriffs office, said the sale means the house officially was foreclosed on. Muslims have been demonised in India. Now we are witnessing the violence that demonisation encourages. Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee is the author of "Looking For the Nation: Towards Another Idea of India". If the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in New Delhi and other Indian cities gave people here hope that we have the democratic, moral and intellectual legitimacy to question laws passed by the government, the anti-Muslim riots in the national capital have crushed that hope. The CAA, which grants a fast-track to Indian citizenship for certain religious minorities but, crucially, not for Muslims, was seen by lawyers, activists and intellectuals, as much as by the Muslim community, as exclusionary and counter to the principle of equality enshrined in Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India. It was believed to be a precursor to the nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) that is currently being considered by the government. The peaceful protests by the Muslim community, often led by women alongside political and social activists, writers, artists and students from all communities, marked an unprecedented moment in Indias postcolonial history. They highlighted the intense proximity between people of different religious faiths in India. Protest sites like Shaheen Bagh, Seelampur and Jaffrabad are predominantly working-class Muslim neighbourhoods, where we saw people across class divides taking part in the protests. Not only did these protests offer important insights into the efficacy of nonviolent resistance, but they also produced new lessons in inter-faith harmony. This democratic articulation of displeasure did not endear the protesters to the ruling establishment, however, nor to the supporters of Hindu nationalism. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Partys Kapil Mishra gave a speech threatening vigilante action against anti-CAA protesters once US President Donald Trump, who visited the country this week, had left. Mishra had made the speech in the presence of police personnel, which is, perhaps, why Justice S Muralidhar of the Delhi High Court expressed surprise when a senior police official claimed he had not heard it. The inability of the Delhi police to handle the riots that have spread in the Muslim-dominated neighbourhoods of northeast Delhi is a disturbing but recurring sign of state complicity: it is difficult to imagine the audacity of a mob openly carrying out acts of arson and violence on the streets of the capital the sense of impunity is palpable. Threats of violence against anti-CAA protesters have literally come to pass. So far, 34 people have died in the riots and about 200 reported injured 70 of them with gunshot wounds. The numbers of dead and injured speak to the terror, damage to life and the extent of humiliation that Muslims have faced in the capital of India in the past four days. Pro-Hindutva mobs have beaten up anyone who identifies as or looks Muslim, and destroyed Muslim property. The rioters, some of whom have been speaking anonymously to The Wire news website, sound full of hatred. They say they resent Muslims for protesting against the CAA. So it is all right if Muslims live in fear, but not all right if they assert their rights. A flag featuring a Hindu religious symbol was placed on top of a vandalised mosque in Ashok Nagar, one of the northeastern suburbs of the city. Such acts of vandalism betray the most cynical form of religion, where religion is only what it violates, where belief is emptied of its spiritual roots, and the ethical constraints of faith are replaced by unfettered barbarism. Babasaheb Ambedkar wrote in Untouchables or The Children of Indias Ghetto that denying moral agency to Dalits prevented Hindu society from developing a sense of public or social conscience. It leads to a lack of moral guilt. Drawing an analogy from primitive societies, Ambedkar pointed out, just as lawlessness against strangers is lawful, atrocities against people who are considered outside the territory of morality are not considered criminal. Extending Ambedkars analogy, if a certain minority is painted as outsider, alien to the cultural imagination of the nation, then all secular sanctions that grant the minority equality before the law may be usurped by a territorial law of violence. Enough blood has flowed in the nations calendars, in 1984, 1992, 2002 and, now, 2020. Indias postcolonial history is marked by wounds. I was coming back from the airport a week before the Delhi elections earlier this month, when the anti-CAA protests were in full swing. The propaganda machinery was already hard at work against Muslim protesters. My Hindu taxi driver told me that Muslim neighbourhoods in Delhi were dangerous places, as people were getting knifed there. I asked him if he knew or had met anyone who had been knifed. No, he said, surprised that I had even asked such a question. I told him that the nonexistent knife existed in his head and that people out there were planting knives in other peoples heads to create these rumours of violence and to enable real violence to take place. And now, Muslims are finally being harmed in their own neighbourhoods with these riots. Reality is the cruel antithesis of rumour. It is a political tactic to spread rumours against minorities, so they are demonised in advance, and violence against them becomes acceptable. Majoritarian paranoia makes people fall for such divisive ploys, as the security they feel in their lives is prone to such baseless fears. Only when there is nothing to lose can people be made to believe that there is everything to lose. The orchestration of hate works around fears like these, and leads to the majority losing its sanity, and its very semblance of morality. The politics of violence takes advantage of this edgy condition, and that is when a nation diminishes itself. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. New Delhi, Feb 27 : Reliance Jio would not have a single Chinese network part in its upcoming 5G network, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani told US President Donald Trump during his maiden trip to India, recently. Reliance Jio was the only network in the world that didn't use a single Chinese equipment, Ambani told Trump during his interaction with CEOs here on Tuesday, the transcript of which was released by the While House on Thursday. Jio has South Korean company Samsung as networking partner for both 4G and 5G networks. When Trump asked, "You're doing 4G. Are you going to do 5G too?," Ambani said, "We're going to do 5G. We're the only network in the world that doesn't have a single Chinese component." US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had said here last October the USA was worried that if its allies used Huawei's 5G telecommunication equipment, they could expose themselves to security risks. The Trump administration has been persuading India to keep China's Huawei out of the India's 5G deployments. But the Indian government has allowed Huawei and ZTE to participate in 5G trials. But allowing Huawei to participate in the commercial deployments of 5G will be another decision. The US feels Chinese telecom vendors Huawei and ZTE are security threats and are involved in snooping on behalf of the Chinese government. The US and its allies, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan have banned the two companies from participating in 5G networks, while the UK has allowed them to sell non-core items. Indian telcos, like Airtel and Vodafone Idea, have been working with Huawei in their current networks, while ZTE works with state-run BSNL. Jim Watson/Getty All eyes were on Bernie Sanders, but this debate was also Joe Bidens last stand. Hes hanging on to a narrow lead in South Carolina, and the stakes are about as big as they could be. Consider: If Biden loses South Carolina to Sanders, hes just about done. If he wins, however, all kinds of interesting things potentially start happening. Pressure will mount on the other moderates to get out and rally behind him to make this a Sanders-Biden race (combined age: 155)at least, pending how Bloomberg does on Super Tuesday, on which hes placed his big bet, meaning perhaps itll be a Sanders-Biden-Bloomberg race for a bit (combined age: 233, or about 10 years younger than America). So howd Joe do, man? He started out strong, I thought. Not strong for Joe Biden, but actually strong. His hit on Sanders on the Brady bill was effective (and was obviously playing to a sympathetic house). He quickly mentioned that Sanders wanted someone to primary Barack Obama in 2012. Could have done that one more effectively, but at least he got it in there. Democratic Debate: Bernie Gets Gang-Tackled Out of the Gate As the night dragged on, though, things went downhill. There was another of those trademarked weird Biden moments, when he said 150 million people had been killed from gun violence since 2007, which was only off by a factor of about 149.7. He did too much complaining about the rules: Why am I stopping? No one else stops! He started out saying he was just going to barge through the time limits, then he shifted to cutting himself off in ways that were very strange, but he did manage to bail himself out the last time he cut himself off with an Actual Apparently Improvised Line (must be my Catholic school training). But he couldnt deliver any knockout punches on Sanders. None of them really did. They kept him playing defense, so he had a less good night than usual. But I dont understand why these people cant just throw a punch. The key exchange between the two came on the Cuba question. Sanders said: I said what Barack Obama said in terms of Cuba, that Cuba made progress on education. Thats true, but it was in a totally different context. Obama spoke those words as president while opening up diplomatic relations. He did not have a history of praising Cuba and the USSR and Sandinista Nicaragua. They arent remotely the same thing. Story continues The audience, presumably very pro-Obama, was at that moment booing Sanders. They were primed for a takedown. Bidens response: [Obama] did not in any way suggest that there was anything positive about the Cuban government. He acknowledged they did increase life expectancy but he went on and condemned the dictatorship, he went on and condemned the people who, in fact, had run the committee. He also made sure to make it clearand by the way, I called to make sure that I was preparedI never say anything about my private conversations with him, but the fact of the matter is he, in fact, does not, did not, has never embraced an authoritarian regime and does not now. What? He didnt say anything positive about Cuba, but then in the next sentence he praised the increase in life expectancy. And, uh, what committee? And, uh, whats that about a private conversation? What did you say, Joe? What? How about something like this: Bernie, President Obama spoke those words when he was opening diplomatic relationsa truly historic move that took years of diplomatic groundwork and preparation. He didnt just go around praising Castro willy-nilly. And he sure didnt say in the 1980s, as you did, that he sympathized with Fidel Castro against Jack Kennedy, and that President Kennedy, Democratic President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, almost made you puke. Boom. I mean, really. This is the big leagues. These people are running for president. Theyre supposed to be good at this. Why are they bad at it? The smartest thing Biden said all night was probably the very last thing: that hell make sure to put a black woman on the Supreme Court. Huge applause for that one. Thats the kind of easy, quick, memorable thing that people will discuss for the rest of the week over the water cooler. So Wednesday, Biden will get Jim Clyburns endorsement. Twenty years ago, that would have put a lid on things. But stuff doesnt quite work like that anymore, as we know. Well have to see who comes out to vote. Maybe four days of barnstorming the state with Clyburn and other prominent black leaders will get Biden over the finish line. And if he wins, the race enters a new phase. The conversation will move immediately to when will the others drop out. If the establishment people want to stop Sanders, Biden is probably still the best bet, but hes a pretty rickety contraption for them all to be riding. 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. Fighters linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State are now operating in cooperation in West Africas Sahel region and are reportedly pushing into new areas. In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, US Air Force Brig. Gen. Dagvin Anderson talked about the increasing dangers posed by the newly emerged ties. "I believe that if it's left unchecked it could very easily develop into a great threat to the West and the United States," he said. The alarming new collaboration For the past few years, experts have worried about a possible collaboration between the two leading militant groups. However, ethnic ties between al-Qaida and ISIS in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have resulted in the alarming new collaboration in the Sahel. Speaking further, Anderson said that, in other parts of the world the two have different objectives and perspectives and are often into conflict. However, in the Sahel region, the two are able to overcome and work for a common purpose. He added that the presence of government in the region is sparse and frustration in people is high which enables them to appeal to a larger number of audiences. Read: UN Chief Calls Syrian Crisis 'humanitarian Nightmare', Says There Is No Military Solution Read: UN Envoy: Haiti's Political Crisis Sends Economy Tumbling Anderson, while comparing the two, reportedly stated that al-Qaida is a deeper threat than ISIS, both regionally and globally. He said Islamic State is much more aggressive and blunt, and so in some ways, they appear to be the greater threat. But al-Qaida, which continues to quietly expand, is for us the longer strategic concern," he added. Read: UNSC Blacklists Osama Bin Laden's Son, Seen As Successor Of Al Qaida Leader Al-Zawahiri al-Qaida has been successful in consolidating efforts in northern Mali and moving south into more populated areas and taking various groups and galvanizing them together into a coherent movement," Anderson said. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, al-Qaidas most prominent affiliate is a coalition of Qaida-linked groups known as JNIM with about 2,000 fighters in the region. Meanwhile, the largest IS affiliate is the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara which emerged more recently as compared to al-Qaida affiliates. Read: US Leads Training Exercises In Africa Amid Focus On Sahel (With AP inputs) Global Cell Culture Media Market size is expected to reach a valuation of USD 2,070.71 million at a 6.9% CAGR during the assessment period (2017 -2023). Cell culture media, also known as media sera, is a key product used in the cell culture environment. Over the last few years, the media sera market size is increasing rapidly, mainly due to the extensive usages of these products in the rising numbers of pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies. The demand for these products from the pharmaceutical labs is continually rising due to the increasing R&D activities for the development of breakthrough drugs and therapeutics. Furthermore, extensive usages of cell culture media in stem cell research, genetic & tissue engineering, toxicity testing, biochemistry, and cancer research, escalates the market on the global platform. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is dictating the dire need for effective medicines and treatment methods. Discoveries of new medicines and other pharmaceutical products demand extensive R&D activities as well as substantial investments & efforts. Hence, private and public entities make significant investments in research & development required in the field of biotechnology and pharma. Request Free Sample Copy at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4462 These enormous investments, in turn, act as a substantial growth propeller for the market. Innovative medicines & treatments are mandatory in responding the prevailing chronic diseases and transplants procedures. The rapidly improving global economy, undoubtedly plays a vital role in the development of the cell culture media market, widening the access to quality and improved health care. Conversely, the prohibitive costs of cell culture media and the lack of funding programs are the major factors acting as growth impeders for the market, especially in the developing regions. However, rising funding support from developed regions and well-established market players would aid in the growth of the market, filling up the demand-supply gap. Cell Culture Media Market Segmentation By Product Type, the cell culture media market is segmented into Reagents, Sera, Media [Stem Cell Media (Neural Stem Cells (NSCs), Bone Marrow, Classical Media, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs), Serum-Free Media, others], and others. By Application, the cell culture media market is segmented into Biopharmaceutical, Tissue-Culture & Manufacturing, Gene Therapy, Cytogenetic, and others. By End User, the cell culture media market is segmented into Biopharmaceutical Companies, Academic & Research Laboratories, Hospitals & Diagnostic Centers, and others. Cell Culture Media Market Regional Analysis North America leads the global cell culture media market, heading with the substantial R&D investments made in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Well-developed economy is a major driving force behind the growth of the cell culture media market in North America, allowing adequate funding required for R&D. Moreover, the presence of many prominent players and increasing biotechnology companies impacts the regional market growth positively. Europe stands second in the global cell culture media market in terms of size and revenues. Growing emphasis on R&D, especially in the biotechnology sector, is a significant growth driver. Resurging economy in Europe is playing a major role in the growth of the market, driving the pharma sector excellently. Also, factors such as the increased funding and rising numbers of specialty services offered by various health care providers substantiate the growth of the market. The Asia Pacific market for cell culture media is growing briskly. Increasing numbers of research labs alongside the economic growth act as major tailwinds for the regional market growth. Moreover, the proliferating pharmaceutical industries and healthcare technologies drive the APAC cell culture media market, excellently. Cell Culture Media Market Competitive Analysis Highly competitive, the global cell culture media market appears to be well-established, with several players forming a competitive landscape. To gain a larger competitive advantage in this market, players adopt strategic initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions, collaboration, expansion, and product & technology launch try. Given the high growth potential and demand in the cell culture environment, players try to increase their production capabilities. Key players try to provide flexible packaging systems in multiple formats, including custom configurations to meet customized requirements. They offer efficient containment & delivery systems that can preserve the physical, chemical, and functional characteristics of sterile fluids. They provide a range of cell culture products such as sera, media, reagents, and others combined with liquid-handling products, disposable vessels, and advanced surfaces that can provide life science researchers with a comprehensive portfolio of products. Cell Culture Media Market Major Players: Players leading the cell culture media market include Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (US), Merck KGaA (Germany), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US), GE Healthcare (US), Lonza (Switzerland), Becton, Dickinson, and Company (US), Corning Incorporated (US), HiMedia Laboratories (India), PromoCell (Germany), The Sartorius Group (Germany), Sera Scandia A/S (Denmark), and Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (Japan), among others. Cell Culture Media Industry/Innovations/Related News: Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. (the US), a leading global provider of investment management solutions, announced purchasing an additional 433 shares in Bio-Techne Corporation (the US), a holding company for biotechnology & clinical diagnostic brands. After buying these additional shares, the total worth of the companys holdings in BIO-TECHNE reached USD 837,000. Sartorius AG (Germany), announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Biological Industries (Israel). Sartorius is a leading global supplier of pharmaceutical & laboratory equipment, and Biological Industries is a leading cell culture media developer and manufacturer. The acquisition expands Sartorius cell culture media offering and complementing our product portfolio, significantly. The deal was closed at approximately 45 MN (approx. USD 4,86,22,050) to expand its cell culture media capabilities. Browse More Related Research Reports at: Contract Research Organization Market Contract Research Organization (CRO) Market size is expected to grow at a 11.48% CAGR across the review period. Medical Billing Market Medical Billing Market size is projected to increase further at 6.5% CAGR during the assessment period (2017-2023). 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), & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Contact: Akash Anand Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com English Finnish Fingrid Oyj Stock Exchange Release 27 February 2020 at 11:15 EET Fingrid Groups Financial Statements Bulletin January - December 2019: reduced electricity transmission prices decreased the result as expected Fingrids consolidated financial statements have been drawn up in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Unless otherwise indicated, the figures in parentheses refer to the same period of the previous year. The information published in this report is based on Fingrids audited financial statements for 2019, published in connection with this bulletin. For Fingrid, 2019 turned out as expected. Grid service prices were reduced on average by eight per cent in the beginning of the year. In 2019, Finlands electricity consumption amounted to 86.1 (87.5) terawatt hours. Fingrid transmitted a total of 68.7 (68.6) terawatt hours of electricity in its grid, representing 76.0 (75.4) per cent of the total transmission volume in Finland (consumption and inter-TSO). The transmission reliability rate remained at an excellent level and was 99.9998 (99.9999) per cent. KEY FIGURES 1-12/19 1-12/18 change % 7-12/19 7-12/18 change % Turnover M 789.4 852.8 -7.4 374.1 415.9 -10.0 Capital expenditure, gross M 135.6 92.7 46.3 76.6 50.2 52.6 - of turnover % 17.2 10.9 20.5 12.1 Research and development expenses M 3.4 3.6 -3.6 1.8 1.8 -4.0 - of turnover % 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 Average number of employees 384 376 2.1 0 382 -100.0 Number of employees at end of period 380 380 0.0 380 380 0.0 Salaries and bonuses, total M 22.3 26.5 -15.9 9.0 13.2 -31.7 Operating profit M 115.5 241.6 -52.2 48.7 91.2 -46.6 - of turnover % 14.6 28.3 13.0 21.9 Profit before taxes M 105.8 229.0 -53.8 36.8 85.3 -56.9 - of turnover % 13.4 26.9 9.8 20.5 Profit for the period M 84.6 183.2 -53.8 28.7 68.7 -58.2 Comprehensive income for the period M 84.7 183.0 -53.7 28.8 68.3 -57.9 Cashflow after capital expenditure M 126.5 158.1 -20.0 32.2 14.7 119.0 Return on investments (ROI) % 6.4 13.2 Return on equity (ROE) % 11.6 23.3 Equity ratio % 32.0 36.6 32.0 36.6 Interest-bearing net borrowings M 1,037.2 974.3 6.5 1,037.2 974.3 Net gearing 1.5 1.3 1.5 1.3 Earnings per share 25,452.50 55,106.29 -53.8 8,644.75 20,656.83 -58.2 Dividend, Series A shares 58,500.00 * 67,650.00 Dividend, Series B shares 21,400.00 * 24,750.00 Equity per share 206,213 232,310 -11.2 Dividend payout ratio, A shares % 229.8 122.8 Dividend payout ratio, B shares % 84.1 44.9 Number of shares Series A shares qty 2,078 2,078 2,078 2,078 Series B shares qty 1,247 1,247 1,247 1,247 Total qty 3,325 3,325 3,325 3,325 * The Board of Directors proposal to the Annual General Meeting on the maximum dividend to be distributed Jukka Ruusunen, President & CEO of Fingrid: Reliable electricity transmission with reduced transmission prices Fingrids financial result turned out as expected. We reduced grid transmission and cross-border transmission prices in the beginning of the year, due to which the companys financial result was significantly weaker than in the previous year. The transmission reliability rate remained at an excellent level. The companys financial position continues to be strong and the companys credit rating remained high. Fingrids performance continues to be world-class, which enables continued maintenance and development of the main grid with reasonable costs for customers, also in the face of future challenges. Part of Finlands national heritage, the electricity transmission main grid turned 90 during the year under review. Fingrid develops the main grid in the long term so that the increasing clean electricity production can be connected to the grid and passed on to consumers and industry. In the next few years, we will be busy especially connecting wind power to the main grid and to the electricity market. The pace of wind power construction is so fast that, despite all our efforts, we may not be able to connect all of the projects to the main grid in a manner hoped for by wind power constructors. Electricity production will have less flexibility to adapt to consumption, which means that the required flexibility must be provided by demand-side management and a well-functioning electricity trade in European electricity markets. We developed the electricity market to enable the most efficient balance possible between production and consumption. Change is picking up speed, but at the same time we must take care not to make any compromises on quality and occupational safety. We renewed the asset management quality certification and maintained a good level of occupational safety. For us, sustainability means real, concrete actions when it comes to managing people, the environmental impacts of our operations and good governance. We recognise our key role in Finnish society now and in future: societys best interest is inherent in all of our operations. Fingrids employees, who work at one of Finlands greatest workplaces, are motivated by our important societal task and role in mitigating climate change also in the new decade. Financial result Fingrids consolidated financial statements have been drawn up in accordance with the same accounting principles as in 2018, taking into account the changes brought about by IFRS 16 and the more detailed application of IAS16. The Groups turnover was EUR 789.4 (852.8) million. Grid service income declined to EUR 385.0 (423.2) million, due to the reduced grid service prices. Electricity consumption in Finland totalled 86.1 (87.5) terawatt hours during the year. Imbalance power sales amounted to EUR 346.7 (348.8) million, on a par with the previous year. Cross-border transmission income from the connection between Finland and Russia decreased to EUR 11.6 (35.5) million, as a result of the lower cross-border transmission tariff. The transmission tariff used in imports from Russia is based on the difference between Finlands and north-western Russias area prices. Other operating income declined to EUR 4.2 (10.8) million. The decline resulted from a decrease in capital gains from the sale of fixed assets. The Groups total costs amounted to EUR 651.6 (659.0) million. Imbalance power costs remained on the previous years level and totalled EUR 323.5 (320.0) million. Loss power costs grew to EUR 53.9 (47.7) million. The volume of loss power grew slightly, and the price of loss power procurement increased somewhat. The realised average price of loss power procurement was EUR 39.57 (37.88) per megawatt hour. The cost of reserves to safeguard the main grids system security remained on the previous years level and amounted to EUR 55.9 (56.7) million. Depreciation totalled EUR 97.8 (99.7) million. Grid maintenance costs amounted to EUR 21.6 (21.2) million. Personnel costs declined to EUR 26.4 (32.2) million, mainly as a result of the capitalisation of personnel costs related to investment projects EUR 4.7 million. A total of EUR 3.4 (3.6) million was used for R&D projects. The Groups operating profit was EUR 115.5 (241.6) million. To recognise changes in the fair value of electricity derivatives and the currency derivatives related to capital expenditure and other operating expenses, EUR -26.6 (37.1) million was recorded in operating profit. The Groups profit before taxes was EUR 105.8 (229.0) million. The biggest differences year-on-year are explained by changes in the market value of electricity derivatives (EUR -63.5 million) and lower grid service income and cross-border transmission income (change totalling EUR -62.0 million). Profit for the financial year was EUR 84.6 (183.2) million. The equity ratio was 32.0 (36.6) per cent at the end of the year. The parent companys turnover was EUR 786.2 (844.6) million, profit for the financial year EUR 148.1 (194.6) million and distributable funds were EUR 199.0 million. Based on the companys own calculations, the result according to the regulatory model that gov-erns grid operations amounts to a deficit of around EUR 15 million for 2019 and to a deficit of some EUR 30 million for the entire regulatory period 20162019. Financing The companys credit rating remained high, reflecting its strong overall financial situation and debt service capacity. The Groups net financial costswere EUR 10.1 (15.2) million, including EUR 0.7 million in interest expenses on the lease liabilities entered into the balance sheet following the introduction of the IFRS 16 standard in 2019. The Groups net interest expenses on loans during the year totalled EUR 14.7 (16.3) million. The change in the fair value of financial derivatives was EUR 8.1 million positive (EUR 6.7 million positive). Interest-bearing borrowings totalled EUR 1 120.0 (1 059.6) million, of which non-current borrowings accounted for EUR 884.7 (771.5) million and current borrowings for EUR 235.3 (288.1) million. At the end of the year, the companys interest-bearing borrowings included a total of EUR 32.9 million in lease liabilities, consisting of EUR 2.4 million. The companys liquidity remained good. Cash and financial assets totalled EUR 82.8 (85.3) million on 31 December 2019. The company additionally has an undrawn committed revolving credit facility of EUR 300 million to secure liquidity (until 11 December 2022) and EUR 50 million in uncommitted overdraft facilities. The counterparty risk arising from derivative contracts relating to financing was EUR 22.4 (14.3) million. Fingrids foreign exchange and commodity price risks were hedged. Fingrid has credit rating service agreements with S&P Global Ratings (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). The credit ratings valid on 31 December 2019 remained high and were as follows: S&Ps rating for Fingrids unsecured senior debt and long-term company rating at AA- and the short-term company rating at A-1+, with a stable outlook. Fitchs rating for Fingrids unsecured senior debt at A+, the long-term company rating at A, and F1 for the short-term company rating, with a stable outlook. Customers Fingrid provides transmission grid and electricity market services to its customers: power companies, electricity-consuming industry and electricity market participants. The companys operations are largely based on fulfilling statutory duties, and they are conducted with the customers in mind, fairly and on equal terms. According to the customer survey conducted in autumn 2019, customers satisfaction with Fingrid has remained at the previous years good level. More than half of the customers felt that the companys operations had improved during the past year. According to the survey, customers perceive Fingrid as an open and co-operative player who works for the benefit of the whole of society and treats its customers equally. The company received a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 36, which is a good result for a natural monopoly. According to a study carried out by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) in 2019, the transmission tariffs for electricity in the Finnish transmission system are the third lowest in Europe, when compared with transmission grids of a similar size. The comparison included 36 countries. In 2020, the grid service fees will be maintained at the previous years level. Capital expenditure and maintenance The companys total capital expenditure in 2019 amounted to EUR 135.6 (92.7) million. This included a total of EUR 103.4 (85.1) million invested in the transmission grid and EUR 5.5 (2.9) million for reserve power. ICT investments amounted to EUR 25.6 (4.0) million. A total of EUR 3.4 (3.6) million was used for R&D projects during the year under review. The most significant construction projects during the year were the Iron Lady II (Hikia-Orimattila), the grid reinforcing measures in North Karelia and the construction work at the Olkiluoto, Nurmijarvi, Jyvaskyla, Inkoo and Koria substations. The costliest of all ICT investments was the centralised information exchange system for electricity retail markets, Datahub, which the company is currently building. Finlands main grid turned 90 in 2019. The electricity transmission grid is constructed and maintained with the needs of a clean power system in mind. Investments and maintenance are carried out safely, efficiently and in a timely manner. The proportion of wind power will be substantially increased in Finland going forward. It is Fingrids duty to ensure that the planned production capacity can be connected to the power system and the electricity market. The main grid is being reinforced both between Finland and Sweden and in Finland along the north-south axis. The Coastal Line from North Ostrobothnia to Pori has been completed, the Forest Line from Oulu to Petajavesi is under construction and the reinforcement of the Lake Line from North Ostrobothnia to Kuopio is at the planning stage. Transmission lines and substations were built extensively throughout Finland in 2019. A total of approximately 150 kilometres of new transmission lines were built. Transmission lines and substations were built extensively throughout Finland in 2019. A total of approximately 150 kilometres of new transmission lines were built, and 12 new or expanded substations were completed. The most significant on-going construction projects are related to the Forest Line, the third AC connection between Finland and Sweden and the construction work around the Oulujoki river. By international standards, grid asset management at Fingrid is world-class. In spring 2019, the company once again placed at the top in the International Transmission Asset Management Study (ITAMS). Fingrids asset management has been certified according to ISO 55001:2014. The certification was granted to Fingrid for the first time in 2016, and again by Lloyds Register Verification Limited in autumn 2019. One of Fingrids long-term goals is to improve the occupational safety culture and in this way achieve its zero accident objective. In 2019, Fingrids own personnel had no lost-time workplace accidents 0 (0). A total of 7 (4) lost-time workplace accidents were recorded among Fingrids service providers. Among the lost-time accidents, one led to an absence from work of more than 30 days and was classified as serious. In addition, one workplace accident was classified as serious, because it caused a permanent impairment to the service providers employee. The suppliers and Fingrids combined accident frequency rate increased from the previous year to 5.5 (3.2)/million worked hours. Power system Electricity consumption in Finland totalled 86.1 (87.5) terawatt hours in 2019. Fingrid transmitted a total of 68.7 (68.6) terawatt hours of electricity in its grid, representing 76.0 (75.4) per cent of the total transmission volume in Finland (consumption and inter-TSO). Electricity transmissions between Finland and Sweden consisted mostly of large imports to Finland. In 2019, 16.3 (14.5) terawatt hours of electricity was imported from Sweden to Finland, and 0.5 (1.0) terawatt hours was exported from Finland to Sweden. In the electricity transmission between Finland and Estonia, exports to Estonia amounted to 3.8 (2.4) terawatt hours. Imports from Estonia amounted to 0.3 (0.9) terawatt hours. Electricity transmission from Russia to Finland amounted to 7.5 (7.9) terawatt hours. In 2019, 0.2 (0.2) terawatt hours of electricity was imported from Norway to Finland, and 0.1 (0.1) terawatt hours was exported from Finland to Norway. Nearly the full transmission capacity was available in all cross-border connections during the review period. In 2019, there was no need to raise Fingrids preparedness for disturbance clearing. The transmission reliability rate remained at an excellent level and system security was 99.9998 (99.9999) per cent. An outage in a connection point in the grid caused by a disturbance in Fingrids electricity network lasted an average of 4.3 (12.0) minutes, which is equal to the ten-year average. The calculated cost of the disturbances (regulatory outage costs) to consumer customers was only EUR 2.7 (1.5) million. If quick reconnections are included, the cost of disturbances amounts to EUR 5.2 million. The reliability and usability of DC connections were at a good level in 2019. There was one long-lasting disturbance on the EstLink 2 connection, which began in late December and ended in early January 2020. The number of disturbances and the total duration of disturbances were on the same level as in 2018 for DC connections. The volume of transmission losses in the grid increased somewhat from the level of the previous year, amounting to 1.3 (1.2) terawatt hours. This was 1.5 (1.3) per cent of the total volume of transmitted electricity. Electricity market The average market price of spot electricity on the electricity exchange (Nordic system price) was EUR 38.94 (43.99) per megawatt hour. The wholesale prices of electricity were slightly lower than in the previous year in both Finland and the other Nordic countries. The decline in the prices was impacted by the improved precipitation in the Nordics compared to 2018. At times, the availability of wind power had a clear impact on the area price of electricity in Finland. The prices of emissions rights remained on a par with the level they had attained in 2018. Fingrids congestion income from cross-border transmission lines totalled EUR 73.0 (29.6) million, of which the cross-border transmission lines between Finland and Sweden accounted for EUR 65.5 (28.2) million. EUR 15.0 (18.9) million of this was accrued during the first half of the year and EUR 50.5 (9.3) million during the second half of the year. The links between Finland and Estonia generated EUR 7.5 (1.4) million in congestion income. Fingrids congestion income has been used, in accordance with regulations, for the Forest Line connections network investment and for the Alapitka capacitor investment. EUR 72.4 million in accrued congestion income was left unused and will be used for future investments to improve the functioning of the electricity market. Through Fingrids transmission grid and the cross-border transmission lines, market participants gain access to and can reap the benefits of an open European electricity market. The market is provided with the highest possible transmission capacity, which enables effective trading for the market participants. In 2019, the reliability of Estonias DC connections, in particular, was weaker than in previous peak years, but despite the challenging situations, the connections were efficiently restored for use by the markets. The usability and reliability of Swedens DC connections were at an excellent level. Personnel Fingrid employed 380 (380) persons, including temporary employees, at the end of the year. The number of permanent personnel was 338 (327). At the end of the year, 24 (23) per cent of the personnel were women and 76 (77) per cent were men. The average age of the personnel was 44 (44). Legal proceedings and proceedings by authorities An accident took place on a work site in Laukaa, Finland, on 25 August 2017, where an employee of Revilla y Garcia S.L. died after having fallen from a power line tower. A civil court case has been raised in Spain for damages against Fingrid (the client linked with the accident), the main contractor, Technolines S.R.L. filial i Finland, and its sub-contractor, Revilla y Garcia S.L. Fingrid does not believe the claim against it is likely to succeed and, in Fingrids view, the legal proceedings or their outcome are not likely to have a substantial impact on the companys earnings or financial position. The action raised in the case concerning social security based compensation has lapsed. Events after the review period and estimate of future outlook On 5 December 2019, Fingrid Oyj announced that it had, together with the other owners of Nord Pool Holding AS, entered into a binding agreement to sell 66% of the company's shares to Euronext. On 15 January 2020, Fingrid Oyj announced that the transaction has received the necessary authority approvals and that the other preconditions for its completion have been fulfilled. The sale will have a small positive impact on Fingrids result and cash flow in the first quarter. Fingrids indirect ownership in Nord Pool is 6.4%, which is managed through a holding company jointly owned by the Nordic Transmission System Operators. Fingrid Groups profit for the 2020 financial period, excluding changes in the fair value of derivatives and before taxes, is expected to slightly decline compared to the previous year. Fingrid announced on 2 October 2019 that it will maintain the electricity transmission prices in the main grid at their 2019 level in 2020. Results forecasts for the financial year are complicated especially by the uncertainty related to grid income, ITC income and cross-border transmission income, and to reserve and loss power costs. These are dependent on the variations in outside temperature and precipitation and changes in the hydrological situation in the Nordic countries, which affect electricity consumption and electricity prices in Finland and neighbouring areas and thus also grid transmission volumes. The companys debt service capacity is expected to remain stable. Board of Directors proposal for the distribution of profit The guiding principle for Fingrids dividend policy is to distribute substantially all of the parent company profit as dividends. When making the decision, however, the economic conditions, the companys near-term investment and development needs as well as any prevailing financial targets of the company are always taken into account. Fingrid Oyjs parent companys profit for the financial year was EUR 148,060,722.84 and distributable funds in the financial statements total EUR 198,985,738.74. Since the close of the financial year, there have been no material changes in the companys financial position and, in the Board of Directors view, the proposed dividend distribution does not compromise the companys solvency. The companys Board of Directors will propose to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that, on the basis of the balance sheet adopted for the financial period that ended on 31 December 2019, a dividend of EUR 58,500.00 at maximum per share will be paid for Series A shares and EUR 21,400.00 at maximum for Series B shares, for a total of EUR 148,248,800.00 at maximum. The first dividend instalment of EUR 39,500.00 for each Series A share and EUR 14,450.00 for each Series B share, totalling EUR 100,100,150.00, shall be paid on 25 March 2020. The second dividend instalment, a maximum of EUR 19,100.00 for each Series A share and a maximum of EUR 6,950.00 for each Series B share, totalling EUR 48,148,650.00, shall be paid based on the authorisation hereby given to the Board. The Board of Directors has the right to decide on the payment of the second dividend instalment after the half-year report has been confirmed and after having assessed the companys solvency, financial position and financial development. The second dividend instalment decided on with the authorisation given to the Board shall be paid on the third banking day after the decision. It will be proposed that the authorisation remain valid until the next Annual General Meeting. Annual General Meeting 2020 Fingrid Oyjs Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held on 20 March 2020 in Helsinki. In Helsinki, on 27th February 2020 Fingrid Oyj Board of Directors Notes: Financial Statements Bulletin Corporate Governance Statement 2019 Annual review and Financial statements 2019 Attachments SEATTLE Microsoft on Wednesday said its sales in the current quarter would be lower than it had previously predicted because of coronavirus-related disruptions in Chinese manufacturing. While its fast-growing cloud computing business is not affected, the company said its personal computing business, which includes Windows installations and its Surface laptops and tablets, would record lower sales than it told investors to expect last month. Although we see strong Windows demand in line with our expectations, the supply chain is returning to normal operations at a slower pace than anticipated, the company said in a statement. Roughly a week ago, Apple warned it was cutting sales projections because of the public health crisis from the coronavirus. Cost of China-built Railway Haunts Kenya By Mohammed Yusuf February 26, 2020 Kenya this week is celebrating 1,000 days of standard gauge railway (SGR) operation, with 13,000 trains covering 6.3 million kilometers. The Chinese-built railway moves people and goods from the port of Mombasa to the capital, Nairobi, and also to a small town in Naivasha. As the government boasts about the country's most expensive infrastructure project since independence, the $3.2 billion cost has moved front and center. Many Kenyans think the country got a raw deal compared to its neighbors, Ethiopia and Tanzania. "I would like once again to applaud Africa Railway Cooperation Company Limited for having attained a high point of operations on Madaraka Express passenger and freight services," said Asava Kadima, the human resource manager of the Kenya Railways Corporation. "In regards to the ongoing developments I have just highlighted, I would like to say that the future of the railway sector in Kenya is defined, poised to be better. Many benefits have already been realized." As the celebration was going on at the Nairobi railway station, many Kenyans continue to question the cost of the line that started to operate in 2017. Kenya borrowed more than $3 billion from China to build the 472-kilometer railway from Mombasa to Nairobi. It borrowed another $1.5 billion for a second branch from Nairobi to Naivasha. Critics of the projects say they are putting the country into a debt crisis and making it indebted to China. Okiya Omtata is an activist who challenged the government in court to make a deal with China public since 2013. "What happened with the SGR, the loan from Exim Bank of China was paid to a contractor, so it never came to Kenya. What came to Kenya was a debt," he said. "There was the question of the proposer of the project being the implementer and also overseeing, which also is a conflict of interest that arose. The other question was, was it standard gauge or Chinese gauge railway if you look at the contract, it's a Chinese standard. So we cannot go to Brazil and buy spares for this. We must buy things from China. We are being tied to China forever." Omtata has petitioned the court to terminate the railway deal with the Chinese. He also argues the cost of the railway construction was inflated. Kenyan media reports $1.3 million was paid to five engineers supervising the construction of the Mombasa Nairobi railway line. The Kenyan government has not yet made public what they agreed upon with the Chinese constructors on the railway project. Kenya's head of Transport in the parliament, David Pkosing, says people need to petition the Parliament. "Let them petition the parliament and tell us this is inflated for this reason we know. They have no evidence. People, when they don't have evidence, they create rumors and peddle what I call fake news," he said. Speaking to Kenyan journalists in 2019, China's ambassador to Kenya said Chinese law protects the commercial interest, and it was not up to him to agree or disagree with secret dealings between his country and Kenya. Omtata has not received a ruling yet, but he hopes the law will catch up with some government officials in the future. "Currently we have article 225, clause six, which requires that if you mess up while in public office, and public funds are lost whether you are a politician or a public servant, you are liable whether in office or out of office. So we hope we will be able to follow up on these people," he said. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, while visiting Ethiopia, warned African leaders about countries that breed corruption, dependency and do not train African workers. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brackishwater Aquaculture Farmers Conclave - 2020 Held in Gujarat by Chander Mohan February 27,2020 | Source: Krishijagran The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai in collaboration with the Society of Coastal Aquaculture and Fisheries (SCAFi) and Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Gujarat organized the?Brackishwater Aquaculture Farmers Conclave - 2020 (BAFAC-2020)?at Surat, Gujarat from 19th?to 20th?February, 2020. The Chief Guest, Anup Kumar, I.A.S., Secretary, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Agricultural Marketing, Government of Maharashtra lauded the ICAR-CIBAs efforts to organize the Farmers Conclave in the West Coast. In his address, N.F. Patel, Department of Fisheries, Government of Gujarat recalled the decision of the Gujarat Fisheries Minister for allocating 7.5 ha of farm land at Matwad, Navsari to the NGRC of ICAR-CIBA to conduct the research and trials for the development of technologies suitable for the West Coast. Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR highlighted the brackishwater aquacultures potential in the country and benefits the farmers can reap in on a sustainable mode. He outlined the sectors remarkable growth, where the farmers income in brackishwater sector has been multiplied over 3 times since 2010. Dr. Jena also stressed on the need of a sustainable approach to keep the growth trajectory. Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. K.K. Vijayan, Director, ICAR-CIBA and President, SCAFi & Convener, BAFAC-2020 articulated the significance of BAFAC-2020 and its main purpose. He also outlined the development of brackishwater aquaculture sector with special reference to the shrimp farming and the way forward for its sustainability. Dr. Vijayan also assured the stakeholders about the extending of the technological and capacity building support on partnership mode by the Institute to the programmes initiated on the west coast by the respective state governments for developing the brackishwater aquaculture. The various farmer-friendly publications by ICAR-CIBA in the vernacular languages were released during the occasion. Around 70 farmers of the region were distributed the Soil and Water Health Cards based on respective farm samples. Dr. Jena also handed-over a cheque for Rs. 5,00,000; an income generated by the Om Sai Women Self Help Group, Matwad, Navsari, Gujarat by taking up the Nursery rearing of fin fishes with the facilitation of Navsari Gujarat Research Center of ICAR-CIBA. About 900 brackishwater farmers representing all the coastal states covering both East and West coasts of India from West Bengal to Gujarat and Inland states like Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan attended the programme. Several years ago Ferrill slipped off or fell off a ladder at the brewery and hurt his shoulder, forcing him to miss work. He told Roenspies that spies from the brewery were lurking in the neighborhood, watching his activities to make sure he wasn't faking the injury. Once he pointed out the spies' car to her, she said. The spying irritated him, she said. If this election turns out to be just between a self-proclaimed socialist and an undiagnosed sociopath, we will be in a terrible, terrible place as a country. How do we prevent that? Thats all I am thinking about right now. My short answer is that the Democrats have to do something extraordinary forge a national unity ticket the likes of which they have never forged before. And thats true even if Democrats nominate someone other than Bernie Sanders. What would this super ticket look like? Well, I suggest Sanders and Michael Bloomberg, who seems to be his most viable long-term challenger lay it out this way: I want people to know that if I am the Democratic nominee these will be my Cabinet choices my team of rivals. I want Amy Klobuchar as my vice president. Her decency, experience and moderation will be greatly appreciated across America and particularly in the Midwest. I want Mike Bloomberg (or Bernie Sanders) as my secretary of the Treasury. Our plans for addressing income inequality are actually not that far apart, and if we can blend them together it will be great for the country and reassure markets. I want Joe Biden as my secretary of state. No one in our party knows the world better or has more credibility with our allies than Joe. I will ask Elizabeth Warren to serve as health and human services secretary. No one could bring more energy and intellect to the task of expanding health care for more Americans than Sen. Warren. I want Kamala Harris for attorney general. She has the toughness and integrity needed to clean up the corrupt mess Donald Trump has created in our Justice Department. I would like Mayor Pete as homeland security secretary; his intelligence and military background would make him a quick study in that job. I would like Tom Steyer to head a new Cabinet position: secretary of national infrastructure. Were going to rebuild America, not just build a wall on the border with Mexico. And I am asking Cory Booker, the former mayor of Newark, to become secretary of housing and urban development. Who would bring more passion to the task of revitalizing our inner cities than Cory? I am asking Mitt Romney to be my commerce secretary. He is the best person to promote American business and technology abroad and it is vital that the public understands that my government will be representing all Americans, including Republicans. I would like Andrew Yang to be energy secretary, overseeing our nuclear stockpile and renewable energy innovation. Hed be awesome. Finally, I am asking William H. McRaven, the retired Navy admiral who commanded the U.S. Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014 and oversaw the 2011 Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden, to be my defense secretary. Admiral McRaven, more than any other retired military officer, has had the courage and integrity to speak out against the way President Trump has politicized our intelligence agencies. Only last week, McRaven wrote an essay in the Washington Post decrying Trumps firing of Joe Maguire as acting director of national intelligence the nations top intelligence officer for doing his job when he had an aide brief a bipartisan committee of Congress on Russias renewed efforts to tilt our election toward Trump. If Bernie or Bloomberg or whoever emerges to head the Democratic ticket brings together such a team of rivals, I am confident it will defeat Trump in a landslide. But if progressives think they can win without the moderates or the moderates without the progressives they are crazy. And theyd be taking a huge risk with the future of the country by trying. And I mean a huge risk. Back in May 2018, the former House speaker John Boehner declared: There is no Republican Party. Theres a Trump party. The Republican Party is kind of taking a nap somewhere. Its actually not napping anymore. Its dead. And I will tell you the day it died. It was just last week, when Trump sacked Maguire for advancing the truth and replaced him with a loyalist, an incompetent political hack, Richard Grenell. Grenell is the widely disliked U.S. ambassador to Germany, a post for which he is also unfit. Grenell is now purging the intelligence service of Trump critics. How are we going to get unvarnished, nonpolitical intelligence analysis when the message goes out that if your expert conclusions disagree with Trumps wishes, youre gone? I dont accept, but can vaguely understand, Republicans rallying around Trump on impeachment. But when Republicans, the self-proclaimed national security party folk like Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton dont lift a finger to stop Trumps politicization of our first line of defense the national intelligence directorate set up after 9/11 then the Republican Party is not asleep. Its dead and buried. Veteran political analyst E.J. Dionne, in his valuable new book, Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country, got this exactly right: We have no responsible Republican Party anymore. It is a deformed Trump personality cult. If the country is going to be governed responsibly, that leadership can come only from Democrats and disaffected Republicans courageous enough to stand up to Trump. It is crucial, therefore, argues Dionne, that moderate and progressive Democrats find a way to build a governing coalition together. Neither can defeat the other. Neither can win without the other. Neither can govern without the other. @tomfriedman First came the flood, then came the disease. Over the past three months, the tourism industry of Venice has had its share of plagues. Flooding in November, prompted by exceptionally high tides, led to mass cancellations. Now as Italy experiences the biggest coronavirus outbreak outside Asia, a similar and unwelcome drop-off is occurring. According to Associazione Venezia Albergatori, an association of local hotel owners, 50 percent of reservations in Venice have been canceled in the last week. The situation is dramatic for the industry, said Vittorio Bonacini, the chairman. Mr. Bonacini estimates that since November, Venetian tourism, worth 3 billion euro or about $3.3 billion, has probably lost 800 million euro. Since the outbreak began on Feb. 21, he said, Venice hotels have lost almost 70 percent of their international visitors. Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that secularism, socialism and democracy were intrinsic to India's culture and no one needs to teach its people compassion. Speaking at Savarkar Sahitya Sammelan here, Gadkari cited RSS ideologue Balasaheb Deoras as saying that if any country has majority population from the Muslim community, its secular nature gets impacted. "Take examples of Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, Syria and Turkey. Like Deoras said if the majority population is Mulsim, the secular nature of a country gets eroded," he said, adding that no one was against any religion. "We are very compassionate and tolerant by nature. No one should teach us these values. We need to think about social equality. His (VD Savarkar's) thoughts are still relevant, " Gadkari said. Speaking on Savarkar's relevance, he said that partition created two countries. The minister said Savarkar felt the pain of partition and his teachings should guide the present and future generations to ensure that India does not go in the wrong direction. Gadkari also said that there were liberal and progressive people in the Muslim community who have a scientific outlook and suggested that the onus to promoting liberals among Muslims was on those who are tolerant and democratic. Gadkari said when he was in Maharashtra, he handed over an engineering college to a minority organisation. "Today the college has produced 5000 girl engineers and 10000 Muslim boys as engineers. But there are very few who think progressively, " he said. The minister said that the definition of secularism does not mean appeasement of the minority community. He also said that the world is divided into two groups - fundamentalists and those who believe in democracy. "Today you need to understand what is the situation of the world. The whole world is divided into two groups. One is of fundamentalists and terrorists and those who say only we and our God is best. The other group is those of tolerant, believer in democratic values," he said. "Take out a dictionary and read the definition of secularism. The word doesn't literally mean 'dharmnirpekshta', it means 'panthnirpekshta' and 'sarvadharm sambhav' (harmony among all religions). This is an integral part of our culture. No one needs to teach it to us," he added. Mentioning how a progressive editor in Pakistan was gunned down by terrorists, he said people realise that the situation in Pakistan differs from that in Bangladesh. "The secular and progressive people should be encouraged in these countries," he said. The Union Minister said there was a similarity in social thoughts of BR Ambedkar and Savarkar. "In fact, the truth is Savarkar was a step ahead of Ambedkar in this. Savarkar was scientific and beloved that there should be no caste," Gadkari said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Our polls are open right now for our search for Michigans Best Burger. These regional polls were pulled together from the hundreds of nominations we received from you, our readers. In fact, we got over 500 nominations in total from across the state. Weve also gotten dozens and dozens of emails telling us just where to find the very best burgers in Michigan. We enjoyed reading some of these passionate pleas so much that we decided to share them with you. Check out these awesome shout outs below. You can still vote in any of our regional polls through Friday February 28 at noon. Vote now for Muskegon and the Lakeshores Best Burger (from Southwest Michigan to Manistee) After the polls close, our Michigans Best team of John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman will put together the itinerary for the search and hit the road, visiting about 30 places as they taste their way across Michigan. As always, we invite you to come join us on the search, and experience some of these amazing burgers first hand. How to vote for Michigans Best Burger: all of our polls. - Googs Pub and Grub in Holland, Michigan. They have amazing burgers! What makes them stand out to me is the flavor, I dont know what they are cooking them with, but the beef is amazing. They also have a wide array of different burger concoctions to choose from, my husbands favorite is the Mac & Cheese burger, I prefer just a regular cheese burger. The service and staff are also amazing. Nichole Silva -Im emailing to nominate North Shore Inn in Benton Harbor, MI for Michigans Best Burger. As General Manager of both North Shore Inn and North Pier Brewing Co. (Our brewery located directly across the street), it prides me to say that we have been grilling up Benton Harbors favorite burger since 1993 and have been voted Best Burger in Southwest Michigan seven years in a row by the local public through Herald Palladiums Readers Choice Awards. If you come try a handful of our signature burgers, I promise you will not be disappointed. Ryan Leffert -Turks Tavern in Nunica has the best burger!! They are fresh, hand pattied, local beef used! Many varieties to choose from to please any burger lover!!! Tiffany -I have a feeling someone already nominated The Old Homestead Tavern for the best burger contest. They are located in Muskegon on Grand Haven Road. Ive been going there for about 30 years and have never been disappointed by their burger. The price is the best around and I think one of the things that makes their burger stand out is that they toast the bun. Sue -Hamburger Mikey in Muskegon has the best everything. The burgers are fresh and the buns are from Goobers bakery. They always have a BOM burger thats original and delish...burger of the month! Best burgers ever!! You have to check them out!! Great shakes and the fresh cut fries are like nothing else around. CoreyVette -Hamburger Mikey, Muskegon. By far the most outstanding burger ive had is at Hamburger Mikey on 3rd st in Muskegon Mi. What makes it outstanding is the fresh meat from the meat block and quality of buns from goobers bakery. Every month they have a new BOM (personal favorite is Mays Cinco De Mikey burger) but they are all phenomenal. Also the hand cut fries dipped in Mikey sauce complement it perfectly. YOU HAVE TO CHECK IT OUT!!! (Chris J. Swan) -Seventy Six in Holland It is cooked old school griddle style with two Prime beef patties and ooey gooey cheese! If you havent had it you must go and eat one today. You will love it! Shane Smedley -Because vegetarians, vegans and GF people should not miss out: Our favorite is the 100% plant based, vegan, Beyond Burger at Ted in Spring Lake and the many different variations you can get. Vegan cheese, cow cheese, gf bun, regular bun. Plus great toppings like fried onions, jalapeno jam, eggs, avocado and so many more!Not only do we love the flavors and the endless combinations, we love how easy this option makes it to eat out with our friends with different dining restrictions. Sharing food is love and now we can bring all of our friends to the table that much easier. Dana Lynn -Mr Kozaks in Grand Haven. Lunch, dinner or late night, their burgers, single or double, is made to order with fresh ingredients. It complements the appetite for all!!! Tiler Bacon -I have no vested interest other than as a patron. One of the best burgers ever. We bring company to this dive bar. Itty Bitty Bar in Holland. THE ONE & ONLY ITTY BITTY BURGER Served with creamy melted cheese, a delicious steamed bun and a slice of sweet onion & fresh cut fries. Try it our way first before you ruin it. $6.75 Lola McIntyre -Id like to nominate Standard Pizza Co. in Spring Lake, MI for best burger. They do just a really great version of a classic griddle burger, crispy and fresh and always 2 patties. They make all their sauces from scratch and always use fresh beef. They are located inside the Vander Mill tap room and often go unnoticed. In a town that caters to tourists and routinely reheats Sysco products and passes it off as craft food it would be nice to see the little guy get some recognition. Matt Follow the links below to vote Time to vote for the Best Burger in Michigans Northern Lower Peninsula Vote for the Upper Peninsulas Best Burger Vote for the Best Burger in Bay City, Saginaw and Midland region Who has Metro Detroits Best Burger? Vote now Its time to vote for Ann Arbors Best Burger! Who has Jacksons Best Burger? Vote now Time to vote for Kalamazoos Best Burger Who has the Best Burger in the Grand Rapids/Holland area? Vote now Vote now for Muskegon and the Lakeshores Best Burger (from Southwest Michigan to Manistee) Vote now for the Lansings Best Burger (including Howell and Brighton) Time to vote for Flints Best Burger Vote now for the Best Burger in the Port Huron area and Thumb Follow our Michigans Best adventures on social media: @mlivemibest on Twitter @mlivemibest on Instagram Facebook at MLiveMIBest. Join in by using the hashtags #mibest and #ItriedMiBest In addition: Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail. John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo. Special thanks to Michigans Best Burger search sponsor, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bernie Sanders has attracted a dedicated cadre of supporters with an anti-establishment image which has evolved little for five decades. He often brags that many Democrats have now embraced some of his legislative proposals once regarded radical. Medicare for all, a $15 minimum wage, and tuition-free public college just to name a few. Attempting to run a second time for president, he is one of the most well-known primary candidates. Yet he appears somewhat of an outsider. He still hasn't joined the party he wants to govern, a self-described democratic socialist. After a controversial and heated Democratic primary debate held in South Carolina, Marc Thiessen, a contributor of Fox News contended that Sen. Bernie Sanders' expense of his spending plan is being undervalued and belittled. The renowned speechwriter of the 43rd president, Thiessen reported to "America's Newsroom" that it is incorrect by about 50 percent. Thiessen had brought up Manhattan Institute fellow Brian Reidl's computation of the spending plan's costs. He had also said that the sum of the household wealth of each and every American citizen in 2018 was $98 trillion and that includes the value of each home and vehicle, college tuition, pension funds, retirement funds, and all other assets and possessions. Senator Sanders' spending plan totals to $97.5 trillion. A number Thiessen called "terrifying." Sanders had encountered and endured attacks from all parties in Tuesday night's Democratic debate. He was called the self-proclaimed democratic socialist and that he was undeniably the American socialists' favorite. Several claimed that his extensive plans would probably result in an election defeat for Democrats if he makes it to the nominee's list. Moreover, the remaining candidates for the presidency and Democratic party was worried that Sanders could be unstoppable anytime soon considering he has won in several states already. Sanders' plans for his "incredible shrinking price tag" has been ridiculed by Mayor Pete Buttigieg as Sanders' patterns and ways have been consistently modified and that it would also cause failure in House and Senate races. Amy Klobuchar, a lawyer and Senator from Minnesota also attacked Sanders' unparalleled spending plan. Sanders issued a proposal on Monday night on how he would fund his plans and programs. It was said to involve a plan to take a hold of trillions from the "net worth" of the country's most affluent citizens. His proposal did not consider the chance that a person could easily move their properties and some of their possessions before his administration, and that these assets could lose their worth in a stock market drop since a person took investments away. Thiessen stated that if Sanders becomes elected, a good percentage of the Gross Domestic Product would be consumed by all levels in the government and half of the american citizens would only end up working for the administration and that he is horrified of the thought that the people of the United States of America would willingly appoint someone who has those kinds of schemes and who, if not for Donald Trump, would have a high chance of winning the presidency. By Trend Greece and Bulgaria pledged to accelerate the construction of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) in tandem with the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), Trend reports with reference to the Joint Declaration of the 4th High Level Cooperation Council between the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of Bulgaria. We welcome the substantial progress that has been achieved, as a result of our joint efforts, in the realization of the gas interconnection pipeline project between Greece and Bulgaria, namely the IGB pipeline. Having in mind that the Intergovernmental Agreement regarding this project was signed on October 10th 2019 in Sofia and the construction phase of the project is already underway, the sides reiterated that the IGB pipeline contributes to the establishment of a vertical gas corridor aiming to ensure access to diversified supplies for the region. The two governments will implement all efforts to accelerate the construction of IGB in tandem with TAP. Consolidating our operational infrastructure constitutes a prerequisite for an efficiently operating integrated energy market and the enhancement of our regions security of supply, via the diversification of sources and routes, reads the statement. The Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria project envisages a two-stage development. In the first stage, the pipeline capacity will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas, of which 2.7 billion cubic meters will be offered for the long-term market, the remaining share of 0.3 billion cubic meters in the short term. In a second phase, also depending on the evolution of the market, the capacity of the pipeline can be increased to 5.3 billion cubic meters of gas thanks to the addition of a compression station: 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas 0.5 billion cubic meters of short-term gas will be offered for long-term products. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Nicole Chavez and Carma Hassan, CNN (CNN) -- Five employees were killed Wednesday when a gunman opened fire at the Molson Coors complex in Milwaukee, police said. The Press Conference will now be held at 6:30 pm at 35th and State St. The Mayor, Chief Morales and other law enforcement officials will provide an update regarding this incident. Milwaukee Police (@MilwaukeePolice) February 26, 2020 The suspected shooter, a 51-year-old man from Milwaukee, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police Chief Alfonso Morales told reporters. "It's a horrible, horrible day for the employees here," Mayor Tom Barrett told reporters. "It's a very rough day for anybody who's close to this situation." The facility in Milwaukee comprises corporate offices and two breweries, which according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, have about 750 employees. President Donald Trump called the shooter a "wicked murderer" and offered his "deepest condolences" to the victims and families. "Our hearts break for them and their loved ones," Trump told reporters during a coronavirus briefing at the White House. For several hours, dozens of police officers, SWAT teams and FBI agents were seen walking in and near the sprawling complex of breweries and corporate offices. Police have released few details but say there's no active threat at the complex. Molson Coors said it was working closely with police. "Our top priority is our employees and we'll provide updates in conjunction with the police as we are able," the company tweeted. US Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin described the incident as a mass shooting. "Gun violence has taken too many lives in Milwaukee and the mass shooting today is heartbreaking," Baldwin tweeted. "I want to thank the first responders who ran into harm's way and saved lives. My office is standing by to help the #MKE community in the wake of this tragedy." 'Find a safe place,' texts warned employees Several emergency text messages were sent to employees warning them of a shooter on the complex, CNN affiliate WITI reported. "Find a safe place, active shooter on campus," said one of the text messages shared with WITI. Another employee, who was not at work at the time of the shooting, told CNN they began receiving texts and email communications about 2:18 p.m. (local time). The first text indicated there was an active shooter in or near "South Packaging, building 4 2nd floor stairwell." Multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies -- including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives -- rushed to the scene. FBI Milwaukee is supporting police in the "very active scene," spokesman Leonard Peace said. The CEO of Molson Coors was heading back to Milwaukee from a company conference in Texas, according to a source familiar with the company. Gavin Hattersley was at the conference when he suddenly announced he was departing. Molson Coors became the parent company of MillerCoors in 2016. Last year, Molson Coors announced it was retiring the MillerCoors name as part of a reorganization. "Students are more than halfway through the first year of the program, and it is impressive to see their curiosity and increased confidence in the lab, Tamara Brown, director of Sustainable Development and Community Engagement at Linde, said. Many in the cohort are proudly first-generation college students and their hard work and drive is inspiring." Speaker Nancy Pelosi called out Donald Trump for resorting to "name-calling" over his administration's response to the Coronavirus, and said an agreement on an emergency spending package to combat the virus is "close." During a rare White House news conference on Wednesday night, the president slammed Ms Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for criticising his administration's response. The next day, the speaker called for both parties to work together. "I think she's incompetent. She's not leading the country," Mr Trump said Wednesday night. "She's trying to create a panic. And there's no reason to panic." During her weekly press conference the next morning, she said the unpredictable virus means now is "not a time for name-calling or playing politics," calling on all parties involved in talks about the government's response and a likely emergency spending package to finance work on a potential vaccine and other countermeasures to bring about an agreement to ensure the country has the "resources needed to combat this deadly virus." Her comments came after the GOP president accused she and Mr Schumer of using the Coronavirus and his response to "get a political advantage." "This isn't about political advantage. We are all trying to do the right thing. They shouldn't be saying, 'This is terrible. President Trump isn't asking for enough money,'" he said. "How stupid a thing to say. If they want to give us more money, that's okay. We will take more money," Mr Trump told reporters. "Some Republicans think we should have more money, too. That's okay. We will take more money." Mr Trump also tried to pin a US and global stock market drop amid virus concerns on the slate of Democratic presidential candidates, saying during their debates they are "making fools out of themselves" -- and giving markets jitters about their potential presidencies. But Ms Pelosi noted the markets dropped during normal trading hours, which end in the US at 4 p.m. The 10th Democratic debate on Tuesday night started hours after American markets closed. What's more, they were down sharply again Wednesday before Mr Trump and his top health officials contradicted one another about the virus's threat inside the United States while taking turns at the briefing room podium. Ms Pelosi appeared to suggest Mr Trump was purposely misleading the American public about the recent market downturn, saying, "It really has to make you wonder. Meantime, the speaker sought to downplay scuttlebutt in Washington that the party's senior congressional leaders are concerned about Senator Bernie Sanders capturing the Democratic presidential nomination. Some have suggested they are concerned the self-described "democratic-socialist" might do permanent damage to the party's brand maybe even costing them their House majority that Ms Pelosi and others see as a check on Mr Trump's growing power and growing willingness to use it. No matter who wins the party's nomination, the speaker said, that candidate will have "our wholehearted support." F looding victims are facing at least another 10 days of high waters as more rain sweeps towards the UK over the weeked. Flood defences in Bewdley and Ironbridge have this week become overwhelmed and police have had to evacuate a large number of people. With the River Severn bursting its banks across Worcestershire and Shropshire, the Met Office has issued further weather warnings for snow and later rain in the region. Its not just the snow, theres going to be a fair bit of rainfall mixed in with it, Meteorologist Alex Burkill said. More rain in on the way / Getty Images West Mercia Police has said that most people who had previously wanted to stay at home have now agreed they should leave. Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss laid out the immediate future for those in the area. He said: The multi-agency response is set to continue for the next ten days as the flood waters are set to recede quite slowly and are likely to be topped up again with additional rain over the weekend and at the end of next week. We would therefore ask people to take this into consideration when making accommodation arrangements for themselves and any pets or livestock. Three consecutive weekends of wet and miserable weather - including storms Ciara and Dennis - are set to be followed by a fourth. Flood defences have been overwhelmed / Getty Images After the snow makes its way across the UK, a band of rain will be following in close behind. Yellow weather warnings for rain have been put in place in the area across the weekend, adding difficulty to current efforts to contain swollen waterways. Deputy Chief Constable Moss added: We understand the devastation and terrible impact this unprecedented situation has had on our communities. Please understand that different towns and villages across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire are in different stages of the crisis to recovery journey, and this will mean that the multi-agency response may look and feel slightly different in different places. But please be assured that we care, we will be with you and we will endeavour to meet your needs. There is a robust multi-agency response in place; partners from Fire and Rescue Service, Environment Agency, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Highways England and the Police will remain in place and thank you once again to the community and our partner agencies. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of shirking his duties, as he has not been to effected areas like he did during the election campaign. Jeremy Corbyn has accused him of being a "part trime Prime Minister". Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has defended the leader of the Government. Speaking on Sky News, the Newark MP said: He is very much in control of events. Over 100 of my constituents were flooded two weeks ago. "What they are very concerned to see is action. They want to see more funding for flood defences. They are pleased that the Government has activated quite a substantial package of financial support. BEERSHEBA, Israel, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rezilion , the autonomous cloud workload protection platform, today announced the results of a comprehensive vulnerability analysis, concluding that only half of the vulnerabilities in cloud containers ever posed a threat. Rezilion analyzed the top 20 most popular container images on DockerHub and discovered that 50% of vulnerabilities were never loaded into memory and therefore did not pose a threat, regardless of Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) scores and despite vast resources in budget and manpower spent on patching or mitigation. Please view a copy of the report here . By triaging vulnerabilities using a continuous adaptive risk and trust assessment (CARTA) approach and then prioritizing treatment of those that are commonly targeted, companies can significantly reduce their security budgets or free up manpower to focus on other critical issues. According to IDC , enterprises are spending 7-10% of their security budget on vulnerability management as daily operations become increasingly more dependent on cloud services. Vulnerability scanners overload and confuse security teams with mountainous results that would be impossible to patch all at once. The existing prioritization practices such as CVSS provide no notable reduction of breaches in organizations with mature vulnerability management programs. Firms with good security posture are equally breached by known vulnerabilities as those with poor security posture. Gartner recommends in their Implement a Risk-Based Approach to Vulnerability Management report (Gartner subscription required) that "security and risk management leaders should rate vulnerabilities on the basis of risk in order to improve vulnerability management program effectiveness." Gartner also predicts that "by 2022, approximately 30% of enterprises will adopt a risk-based approach to vulnerability management" and "by 2022, organizations that use the risk-based vulnerability management method will suffer 80% fewer breaches." "A vulnerability is only as dangerous as the threat exploiting it and in some instances during our research, we found the figure dropped to as low as 2%. By focusing on actual vs. perceived risk, we found the security industry has been unnecessarily exaggerating the number of vulnerabilities security teams must address, which has dangerous ramifications to the cloud security landscape," said Shlomi Boutnaru, CTO and co-founder, Rezilion. "A continuous adaptive risk and trust assessment-based approach reduces friction and overhead by identifying vulnerabilities running in memory and then prioritizing treatment to those vulnerabilities commonly targeted by hackers as well as any that don't have mitigations." Gartner, "Implement a Risk-Based Approach to Vulnerability Management," Prateek Bhajanka, Craig Lawson, 21 August 2018. About Rezilion Rezilion is an autonomous cloud workload protection platform that makes production environments self-healing and resilient to threats. Founded by serial cybersecurity entrepreneurs Liran Tancman and Shlomi Boutnaru, Rezilion secures vast environments with minimal manpower by integrating security into existing DevOps and IT automation workflows. To learn more visit https://www.rezilion.com/ Media Contact Renee Rossi [email protected] SOURCE Rezilion Related Links https://www.rezilion.com/ Afterpay chief executive Anthony Eisen has defended the buy now, pay later provider's plans for deepening financial losses as it chases growth in the lucrative United States and United Kingdom markets. Shares in Afterpay closed 1.4 per cent higher at $26.47 despite the company posting a $35 million loss for the December half, a 66 per cent wider loss than the same period a year ago. "Were seeing customers and merchants respond the same way or better at the same point of the cycle in new markets, but those markets are bigger and theyre growing faster so we see it as being the right investment case for the opportunity that weve created", Mr Eisen told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Losses will rise as Afterpay founders Anthony Eisen and Nick Molnar signalled higher investment in overseas markets. Credit:Eamon Gallagher Afterpay says its long-term Australian customers are using the buy now, pay later service for more purchases, but are also proving to be better at paying off their accounts on time. The company said this virtuous cycle has given it confidence to invest to replicate its local success in far larger markets in the US and UK. It also announced plans to enter Canada later this year. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As Staten Island and the rest of New York state prepare for the ban on single-use plastic bags on Sunday, some business owners are wondering if the new law applies to restaurants. Richie Holmes of Juicy Lucy in Ocean Breeze is among those who expressed concern over the the New York State Bag Waste Reduction Act. The short answer? Restaurants are exempt. According to a summary of the law by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) an exempt bag is used solely to contain food sliced or prepared to order and made of plastic provided by a restaurant, tavern or similar food service establishment, as defined in the New York state sanitary code, to carry out or deliver prepared food. Other exemptions apply in cases of packing up raw proteins, plants, flowers and food sliced or prepped to order. Also not included in the ban are foods parsed from bulk into smaller portions. In the meantime, will Juicy Lucy rethink its packaging for guests? We will be continuing to use plastic bags, although we are environmentally friendly, Holmes explained, adding that his main concern is whats best for the customers -- as in ensuring the containers dont leak. People spend good money on our food, and we want them to enjoy it the same way they would at Juicy Lucy as they would at home, explained Holmes. Some have expressed concerns over whether the use of reusable bags is sanitary. Storeowner Al Benfante, of Dicks Deli in West Brighton, said hes appalled at the potential of cross-contamination and critters that hide in totes. You put a dirty bag on a clean counter, thats not sanitary, he said, with a shrug. But the DEC offers a differing opinion. Is it sanitary to reuse bags? asked the agency in its summary flyer. It responded to its own question with the answer: Yes, one of the benefits of reusable bags is that they can be cleaned regularly. MORE IN PLASTIC BAG BANS Plastic bag ban will be chaotic until state finalizes specifics of law Theres a paper bag shortage -- and New Yorks plastic bag ban will make it worse, expert warns Shoppers can reuse saved plastic bags after March 1 ban, state says With up to $16 million in funding from DARPA, UC Santa Cruz engineers will work with doctors and scientists at UC Davis and Tufts University to develop bioelectronic intelligent control of wound regeneration UC Santa Cruz will lead a collaborative project to develop innovative technology for improving the healing of serious wounds, funded by a contract worth up to $16 million from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The UCSC team, working with doctors and scientists at UC Davis and Tufts University, will use a combination of approaches involving bioelectronic devices, machine learning, and regenerative medicine in an effort to achieve precise control over the physiological processes involved in wound healing. Hard-to-heal wounds, such as blast wounds from explosions, are a major problem for soldiers and veterans, and chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers afflict large numbers of patients. In the United States, Medicare costs for wounds amount to over $28 billion annually, according to a recent study. Principal investigator Marco Rolandi, associate professor and chair of electrical and computer engineering in UCSC's Baskin School of Engineering, said the new project will bring together his lab's previous work in bioelectronics (the integration of electronic devices and materials with biological systems) and his collaborators' expertise in regenerative medicine and wound healing. Their goal is to cut wound healing time in half with an intelligent system that both stimulates and monitors the wound. The idea is to use a flexible bioelectronic bandage to deliver ions to control the electrochemical environment of the wound, as well as small molecules and growth factors to promote healing, while at the same time monitoring the physiological processes in the wound using optical sensors. An artificial intelligence (AI) system will take input from the sensors, assess the state of the wound, and deliver appropriate stimuli to speed the healing process. The device will also give doctors a user-friendly interface for remote sensing of the wound status and a menu of therapeutic options. "What's unique about this project is we want to close the loop between sensing and stimulating, so that there is feedback between the wound and the intelligent bandage," Rolandi said. Marcella Gomez, an assistant professor of applied mathematics with expertise in feedback systems and synthetic biology, will play a key role in the project, developing a data-driven wound healing model and algorithms for closed-loop feedback control. Other members of the UCSC team include Mircea Teodorescu, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering with expertise in bioengineering and robotics, and Alexander Sher, associate professor of physics, who studies neural networks in the retina using microelectrode arrays. "This collaboration, which brings together the work of engineers, scientists, and medical doctors to solve an important problem, is a wonderful example of the creativity that comes of interdisciplinary research," said Baskin School of Engineering dean Alexander Wolf. The collaboration developed when Michael Levin, a professor of biology and director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, contacted Rolandi after reading a review article Rolandi had written in Advanced Science. Levin has expertise in both artificial intelligence and developmental biology, and his lab has done pioneering work on how cells in the body form bioelectric networks that guide developmental and regenerative processes. Bringing clinical expertise to the project are collaborators at UC Davis led by Dr. Min Zhao and Dr. Roslyn Rivka Isseroff. Dr. Isseroff, a professor of dermatology at UC Davis with research interests around tissue repair and regeneration, has decades of experience treating wounds and directs a wound healing clinic for the VA Northern California Health Care System. Dr. Zhao also studies wound healing and has done important work on the role of neural signaling in regeneration and the use of bioelectric controls to stimulate nerve growth. "It's an interdisciplinary team with expertise ranging from bioelectronic devices and machine learning to clinical medicine," Rolandi said. "Wound healing problems affect many people, from veterans and firefighters to people with chronic diabetic ulcers, so it's important to develop a new strategy to improve the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds." ### Brian Pasch, an industry leader in automotive marketing strategies, online education, and marketing intelligence, is pleased to announce Nextup as a winner of the Rising Star Award for Fixed Ops for their product Maintain. The awards were presented this year by Glenn Pasch, CEO of PCG Digital and Beth Braswell. The AWAs were started in 2008 to recognize the best vendors in automotive digital marketing. Since then, theyve become a benchmark in the industry for innovative products in technology, design, search marketing, and social media. This year, over 150 industry leaders were in attendance as they awaited the reveal of this years AWA award recipients. This years lineup especially impressed the product review team and showed true innovation that continues to move the automotive industry forward. Brian is honored to hand out awards to dozens of deserving products and two outstanding individuals. Fixed Ops has always been the consistent source of dealership revenue. We are excited to introduce Maintain which is designed to streamline the service drive and increase profitability. Clint Burns, CEO - Nextup Built to streamline the service drive, Maintain is designed to improve processes, maximize profitability, and enhance the customer experience. With this tool, Service Managers can quickly assess if service drive customers are being processed efficiently against their arrival time. In addition to reducing wait time and creating an efficient order of Advisors to greet customers, Maintain provides Service Managers a real-time view of which Advisors are currently working with customers and how their time is being spent. Improving the service drive process allows Advisors to work with new customers coming in while having the proper amount of time to follow-up with others. Maintain provides the Service Manager with heightened control and an insight into the service lane that has never been possible before. Nextup is a software company based in Anaheim, California. Its mission is to evolve the guest experience in retail environments by leveraging a proven process to create a better customer experience in businesses around the world. PHOENIX - A Native American leader from Arizona grew emotional Wednesday as he told a congressional committee about the pain members of his tribe feel about U.S. officials blasting through land they consider sacred to build part of President Donald Trumps wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. No one reveres our military veterans more than the Oodham, however, dynamiting these sacred sites and burial grounds is the same as bulldozing Arlington National Cemetery or any other cemetery, Tohono Oodham Nation Chairman Ned Norris told lawmakers in Washington. His testimony came hours after the government carried out a new round of explosions near the southern border as a group of invited journalists watched. Construction crews this month began blasting and bulldozing through hills to build a 30-foot (9-meter) steel wall 60 feet wide (18 metres wide) in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Environmental groups also are decrying the work at the national parks system site thats named for its cactuses resembling organ pipes and is a largely untouched example of Sonoran Desert habitat. Its hard to see the blasting that you showed on the video today because I know in my heart what our elders have told us: that it is home to our ancestors, Norris said, choking up. The administration says archaeological monitors working with Customs and Border Protection and the Army Corps of Engineers have found no sign of burial or other sacred sites in the area. Department of Homeland Security acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf told Congress on Tuesday that he plans to travel soon to meet with the tribe to discuss their concerns. U.S. Reps. Ruben Gallego and Raul Grijalva, both Arizona Democrats, also spoke against construction of the wall during the meeting of the House Natural Resources Committees Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples. The Tohono Oodham Nation stretches across southern Arizona and into Mexico. U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, a New Mexico Democrat and member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, also spoke passionately, saying: When tribal leaders dont have a seat at the table, indigenous history is lost. U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, an Arizona Republican, noted that Organ Pipe is a well-known human and drug smuggling corridor and site of the 2002 shooting death of Kris Eggle, a park ranger who died while while pursuing suspected drug cartel members. Environmental advocates and elected officials are concerned about the walls potential effects in Organ Pipe, including on water from an underground aquifer and migrating animals. A desert oasis in the monument, Quitobaquito Springs, is home to the endangered Sonoyta mud turtle and Quitobaquito pupfish. Border Patrol Chief Roy D. Villareal, of the agencys Tucson Sector, said on Twitter in recent days that over 90% of the cactuses near the construction area were carefully transplanted, saving more than 2,000 individual plants. He also said archaeological monitors had not found burial sites or human remains in the detonation zone at a place called Monument Hill. Laiken Jordahl of the Tucson-based environmental non-profit Center for Biological Diversity challenges those assertions, saying on Twitter that he has seen chopped up cactus on the ground and water being wasted for concrete during recent visits. Jordahl posted a video on social media earlier this month of one of the blasts that are carving a pathway for the wall through Monument Hill. It showed a long line of puffs of smoke and dust rising up from the dry desert landscape dotted with scrub and cactus. The U.N. has designated the monument an International Biosphere Reserve. The Army Corps of Engineers has said the Department of Defence awarded $891 million in contracts to Southwest Valley Constructors in May to build the border wall on Organ Pipe and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. Former Vice President Joe Biden participated in a CNN town hall in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday night, and he talked guns, religion, and President Trump's handling of the coronavirus outbreak. Trump blaming Democrats for fears about the virus' spread is "absolutely bizarre," Biden said. He's urging people not to worry after "he goes and he takes away the office we set up that's designed to deal with pandemic disease," then "tried to defund the CDC, he tried to defund the NIH, he did not have a plan to deal with how you equip hospitals" to contain a coronavirus epidemic. Biden answered the next question, about new gun laws, by expounding on the Second Amendment, recapping his history of pushing through gun restrictions, and disclosing that he has two shotguns and isn't very good at shooting skeet. Then moderator Chris Cuomo teed up a question from Rev. Anthony Thompson, an Episcopal minister whose wife, Myra, was one of nine people shot dead in 2015 at Charleston's Emmanuel AME church: "My question is: What is your faith, and how would you use your faith in making decisions for our nation?" Biden, who is Catholic, and the Obamas had visited the church after the shooting, just weeks after Biden's son Beau died of brain cancer. "There's that famous phrase from [Sren] Kierkegaard: 'Faith sees best in the dark,'" Biden said. "I find the one thing it gives me and I'm not trying to proselytize, I'm not trying to convince to be, to share my religious views but for me, it's important because it gives me some reason to have hope and purpose. ... When my wife was killed and my daughter was killed, and then my son died, I've only been able to deal with it by realizing they're part of my being. My son Beau is my soul. And what I found was, I had to find purpose." Watch his entire answer below. More stories from theweek.com Harvard scientist predicts coronavirus will infect up to 70 percent of humanity Nancy Pelosi wants Democrats to calm down about Bernie Sanders What it's like to be in Venice during coronavirus lockdown RENO, Nev., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) is pleased to announce that its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 9:30AM local time at the Companys offices, at 6140 Plumas Street, Reno, Nevada 89519. Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 6, 2020 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ANNOUNCES 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ABOUT ORMAT TECHNOLOGIES With over five decades of experience, Ormat Technologies, Inc. is a leading geothermal company and the only vertically integrated company engaged in geothermal, solar and recovered energy generation (REG), with the objective of becoming a leading global provider of renewable energy. The Company owns, operates, designs, manufactures and sells geothermal and REG power plants primarily based on the Ormat Energy Converter a power generation unit that converts low-, medium- and high-temperature heat into electricity. With 68 U.S. patents, Ormats power solutions have been refined and perfected under the most grueling environmental conditions. Ormat has 578 employees in the United States and 830 overseas. Ormats flexible, modular solutions for geothermal power and REG are ideal for vast range of resource characteristics. The Company has engineered, manufactured and constructed power plants, which it currently owns or has installed to utilities and developers worldwide, totaling approximately 3,000 MW of gross capacity. Ormats current 914 MW generating portfolio is spread globally in the U.S., Kenya, Guatemala, Indonesia, Honduras, and Guadeloupe. Ormat expanded its operations to provide energy storage and energy management solutions, by leveraging its core capabilities and global presence as well as through its Viridity Energy Solutions Inc. subsidiary. Ormat Technologies Contact: Smadar Lavi VP Corporate Finance and Head of Investor Relations 775-356-9029 (ext. 65726) slavi@ormat.com Investor Relations Agency Contact: Rob Fink FNK IR 646-415-8972 rob@FNKIR.com Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 12:19:30|Editor: zh Video Player Close VIENTIANE, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The value of products imported by Laos declined slightly to 5.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2019 from 5.8 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. According to recent data compiled by the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the value of imports increased from 2013 to 2019. The most imported products are divided into more than 10 categories, coming from countries around the world, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Thursday. The top five categories of imported goods were construction equipment, fuel and gas, items used in industry, electronic products, vehicle parts, and food. The key export goods were industrial products, electricity, mineral items and agricultural produce. In 2019, Laos made a significant improvement in earnings from exports, with the figure increasing to more than 5.6 billion U.S. dollars from 5.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, according to the report. Two-way trade volume was recorded at more than 11.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, up from more than 11.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2018. Additionally, the trade deficit significantly decreased from 437.8 million U.S. dollars in 2018 to 137.4 million U.S. dollars in 2019. Thailand, China and Vietnam have dominant trade and investment roles in the Lao economy, alongside participation in certain sectors by South Korea, France, Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore. Thailand, a longstanding trade partner with Laos, continues to hold the top spot with electricity being its largest import from Laos. (Newser) The 60th case of COVID-19 detected in the US is different from the other 59 in a way that worries public health officials. The CDC says the patient, diagnosed at UC Davis Medical Center in California, had not traveled to a country hit by the outbreak or been exposed to any other known cases, meaning this could be the first US case of community spread, reports Reuters. Authorities say the patient, a Solano County resident, was brought to the medical center from another hospital on Feb. 19. Brad Simmons, the hospital's interim CEO, said in an email to employees that the patient was not tested for the coronavirus until four days later because they "did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. story continues below Simmons said special protection orders were issued after the patient arrived with "an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition." He said there is "minimal chance" workers were exposed, but "a small number of medical center employees have been asked to stay home and monitor their temperatures." The other 59 patients in the US include 45 people evacuated from Wuhan or the Diamond Princess cruise ship. "The thing that would immediately make all of us uneasy is if this person has no direct contact with someone who comes from an affected country," Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, tells the New York Times. "That would suggest there are other undetected cases out there, and we have already started some low-grade transmission." (Read more coronavirus stories.) YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Over 81, 000 people around the world have been infected with the novel coronavirus, 78, 497 of whom are in China. A total of 2, 744 death cases were registered so far. During todays Cabinet meeting Armenian minister of healthcare Arsen Torosyan said most of those infected are being recovered, and majority recover even without medical aid, the severe cases comprise 5%. As for the region, the minister reported that 141 cases of Covid-2019 were confirmed in Iran, with the death toll rising to 22. The minister said first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Georgia. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Georgias actions in this regard are impressing and expressed hope that Armenia as well is ready to confront the disease at least with this level. Yes, Mr. Prime Minister. When we restricted passenger flows from Iran, but not for our citizens, and yesterday as well 52 Armenian citizens returned from Iran and they were accompanied by our staffer who left for Iran. There was no infected citizen, they all were examined upon their arrival to Armenia. We hear lots of rumors according to which this examination is not enough, but I can state that there is no other effective measure for the prevention of the disease. Measuring the fever and examining the passengers is the maximum we can do. At the moment we have no case of coronavirus in Armenia, the minister said. The minister also informed that 95 examinations have carried out so far, all tested negative for the virus. We have 850 lab tests and will receive 3000 more soon. In the past two days 69 trucks crossed Armenias border which were accompanied by our police and anti-epidemic forces. In practice, everything possible is being done to prevent the entry of the disease to Armenia, he said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan 1. Rajinikanth Blames Home Ministry For Delhi Riots, Says Those In Power Should 'Resign & Go' "Definitely it is central governments intelligence failure," Rajinikanth was quoted as saying by the reporters. "Intelligence failure means the failure of the home ministry. I strongly condemn the central government...They should have been so careful when the US President [Donald] Trump had visited [the country]. The intelligence didnt do its job properly. It should have been completely crushed with an iron fist. We expect them to be careful at least from now on," he added. 2. Shah Rukh Khan Supports Young Researcher's Dream, Awards International Scholarship To Kerala Student Once again, to make another dream come true, he presented the first ever Shah Rukh Khan La Trobe University PhD Scholarship to Gopika Kottantharayil Bhasi, a young researcher from Kerala, who is working on farming practices through animal science, ecology and molecular studies. 3. Asim Riaz Bags Music Video With Jacqueline Fernandez, The Actress Shares Photo From Rehearsal Jacqueline Fernandez has herself confirmed the news by sharing a boomerang video with him on her Insta story. 4. Pankaj Tripathi Calls Irrfan Khan His Guru, Says His Cameo In Angrezi Medium Is 'Guru Dakshina' "I have always been inspired by Irrfan's performances as an actor. He has had a huge impact on my life, especially with his performances from Haasil, Maqbool, The Warrior and Paan Singh Tomar." 5. Mark Ruffalo Wants The World To Consider US President Donald Trump As 'Public Enemy No 1' "I think the world should consider my president as public enemy number one at this point. What we do probably in the next ten years will be crucial to the future of the planet, and this is only gonna become more and more evident to us. We're not, we're not going backwards from here. And it's not just this story, this is a system," he said. When the brahmin looked inside the vessel, he saw the Ganges flowing there and there were a number of bangles lying there. It was a rare moment when realisation and truth struck him like lightening. The notion of spirituality is not determined by ones caste or creed. Lord, if you are sandalwood, I am water; with the fragrance in all parts of my body. Lord, if you are a cloud, I am a peacock; looking for you like a chakora for the moon. Lord, if you are a lamp, I am the wick); with the light burning day and night. Lord, if you are a pearl, I am the thread; together like gold and suhaga. Lord, you are the master and I servant; thus is the devotion of Raidas. The path of realisation of the ultimate goal is based on love and devotion only. The Almighty does not discriminate on grounds of caste, class, gender and ethnicity, as was shown by Ravidas. Bhagat Ravidas, an ardent devotee of the God, was a Bhakti saint whose hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. Ravidas, a cobbler by profession, was born to Raghu and Ghurbinia at a place near Varanasi. Belonging to a low-caste family, Bhagat Ravidas was completely devoted to his work and love for God. Instead of renouncing the world in pursuit of truth, he combined work ethics with spiritual quest. He rejected the sectarian approach and denounced idol-worship as well. He conveyed his message of simplicity, love and devotion through his songs. His hymns are recited regularly in the gurdwaras. Bhagat Ravidas had no attachment to worldly things. Once, Ravidas met a brahmin and gave him two coins from his hard earned money to offer it to the sacred river Ganges. Bhagat Ravidas said he should give the coins only when Goddess Ganga stretches her hand from the deep waters. The brahmin, who was on his way to pilgrimage to Haridwar, merely laughed at this suggestion and left. As legend has it, Goddess Ganga stretched out her hand when the brahmin was having a sacred bath and asked for the two coins given by Ravidas. Awestruck, the brahmin handed over the coins and the Goddess gave him a beautiful diamond-studded gold bangle for Ravidas. The brahmin, instead of giving the bangle to Ravidas, sold it to the king. The kings wife, highly pleased with the bangle, demanded one more bangle to complete the set. Having failed to procure another bangle of the same beauty, the brahmin approached the saint and admitted his deceit. He pleaded and requested Ravidas to save his life. Being a leather worker, Ravidas was immersed in his work and he asked the brahmin to look inside the vessel full of water used to dip leather to make it soft and pick up the bangle. When the brahmin looked inside the vessel, he saw the Ganges flowing there and there were a number of bangles lying there. It was a rare moment when realisation and truth struck him like lightening. The notion of spirituality is not determined by ones caste or creed. Bhagat Ravidas, born into a lower caste, was more enlightened than a high-caste brahmin. The Supreme Being understands the language of selfless love, devotion and good conduct only Bhagat Ravidas, a poet-saint, attracted a large number of followers. The Sikh Guru also writes: Ravidas, the leather worker, praised the Lord, and sang the kirtan of His praises each and every instant. Although he was of low social status, he was exalted and elevated, and people of all four castes came and bowed at his feet. Kulbir Kaur teaches sociology at Shyama Prasad Mukherji College, Delhi University EDITORS NOTE: An earlier version of this story stated that Carmisha Mone Slayton died from her injuries at a Berrien County Hospital. MLive has been made aware that she was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo and succumbed to her injuries there. BERRIEN COUNTY, MI A 22-year-old Detroit woman who was airlifted from the scene of a crash Feb. 15 in Van Buren County has died from her injuries. Carmisha Mone Slayton was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by 24-year-old Jujuan Marquise Gabriel, also of Detroit, when Gabriel lost control of the vehicle and the car slammed into a utility pole. Gabriel, who had a felony warrant out for his arrest, had been being chased by police when, according to authorities, his vehicle, being driven at excessive speeds, skidded on the ice in the 6700 block of County Road 687 and left the road. Slayton, who was in critical condition after the accident, was airlifted by West Michigan Air Care to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. She succumbed to her injuries there on Friday, Feb. 21, Baroda-Lake Township Police Officer John Hopkins told MLive. Hopkins did not disclose what Slaytons injuries were that led to her death. Gabriel is being charged with second degree murder, fleeing and eluding resulting in death, driving with a suspended license resulting death, reckless driving resulting in death and one count of bribery, according to Berrien County court records. Jajuan Marquise Gabriel (Photo provided by the Michigan Department of Corrections). Gabriel, who had been wanted on a felony warrant out of Wayne County for being in possession of illegal financial transaction devices, suffered three broken ribs in the accident, Hopkins said. Gabriel was treated and released from Lakeland St. Joseph Hospital and is currently being lodged at the Berrien County Jail on the aforementioned charges. The chase involving Gabriel and Slayton began on I-94 in Baroda-Lake Township, just north of Bridgman, Hopkins said. Baroda-Lake officers unsuccessfully attempted to stop a speeding Gabriel, who was headed east in a 2019 Chrysler 300, according to a news release issued by the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office on Feb. 16. The officers eventually lost sight of the vehicle, but a Berrien County sheriffs deputy spotted Gabriels vehicle shortly thereafter, the release stated. Van Buren County sheriffs deputies were alerted to the pursuit at around 8:45 a.m. that morning after receiving a radio transmission from the Berrien County Sheriffs Office that Gabriels Chrysler was headed toward Van Buren County, the release stated. Gabriel eventually entered into Van Buren County on County Road 362 and then turned north on County Road 687 in Hartford Township, before losing control of his car, the release stated. Gabriels case is being handled in Berrien County as that is where the chase began, Hopkins said. Also on MLive: Woman in critical condition after accident, airlifted from scene Daughter gone but not forgotten one year after fatal Kalamazoo train crash Mother, boyfriend who abused, murdered 4-year-old lose appeals Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., they say, is Mr. Bush, pointing to his famous political legacy, deep ties to the party establishment and the sense of continuity and comfort he instills. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is Senator Ted Cruz of Texas: ideologically irreproachable, as far as her partys base is concerned, but encountering some difficulty attracting a broader coalition. Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., is Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, the telegenic, overachieving optimist who represented the youthful ideal for mostly older voters. And Ms. Klobuchar is John Kasich, the former governor of Ohio who won only a single state his own but resisted calls to drop out of the race until May. I dont care, pick any one of them, Biden, Klobuchar, Buttigieg or even Warren, said Rick Tyler, a former senior strategist for Mr. Cruz. Consolidate the vote and youll beat Bernie 60-40. But theyre not going to do it because the parties are so pathetic and inept and weak. We say we love primaries because theyre inclusive. Well, this is what happens. The debates this year are providing a similar kind of nationally televised spectacle in which the candidates rip into each other, albeit without the insinuations of sexual prowess and hyper-masculinity that the Republican debates featured four years ago. If the general election ends up being a matchup between Mr. Sanders and Mr. Trump, the nominee of each major party would be someone who had spent much of his life unaffiliated with that party, but who has since forged a deep and somewhat unshakable connection with its base. Mr. Sanders, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, does not formally register with the Democratic Party except to run for office. In the Senate he is an independent. Mr. Trump also switched his party registration numerous times over the last 30 years from Republican to third party to Democratic to Republican to no affiliation to, finally, Republican again in 2012. Mr. Sanders has not yet demonstrated a majority of support in the primary, either in the three states that have voted so far or in national polls of the race. Mr. Trump, who picked up about one-third of the votes in the early states, did not start winning outright majorities until the end of April 2016. (He, like Mr. Sanders, came close in the Nevada caucuses. Both won about 46 percent of the vote.) Mr. Sanders is being openly attacked by his rivals, who say nominating him would amount to a gamble Democrats cannot afford to make in an election in which defeating Mr. Trump is of paramount importance. Republicans said the same thing about Mr. Trump when they similarly doubted he would be able to beat Hillary Clinton. Newington College has said it is deeply ashamed of the criminal behaviour of some of its former staff members after several students reported allegations of sexual abuse this week following the death of a former junior school deputy headmaster. It has also pledged to donate money given to the college by Laurie Ellicott, who worked at the Wyvern House junior school for 34 years and died last week, after at least five students alleged incidents of sexual abuse following his death which the school believes are credible. Newington College in Stanmore. Credit:Steven Siewert The inner west private boys' school apologised on Sunday after it sent an email remembering Mr Ellicott as a gentleman and Newington legend, which former students said "did not reflect their experiences of that person". The school said it has also commissioned an independent external review of its processes, after admitting it failed to have proper measures in place to deal with historical child protection issues that would have prevented the email being sent. Shenzhen, Feb 27 : Chinese tech giant Huawei on Thursday said it plans to train two million ICT professionals and popularise digital skills over the next five years by collaborating with universities . Since 2015, Huawei has partnered with more than 600 international universities to set up Huawei ICT academies, helping the universities improve their ICT teaching abilities and train more than 1,500 teachers. To meet new requirements and challenges, the Huawei ICT Academy Programme will enter the second phase in 2020. "Huawei will continue to establish more ICT Academies. Every year, we will build 600-1,000 Huawei ICT Academies. By doing so, we aim to benefit more university teachers and students in the digital world, enable more people to enjoy equal and high-quality education, enhance digital skills, and inject fresh impetus into the industry," Hank Stokbroekx, Vice President of Enterprise Service, Huawei Enterprise Business Group, said in a statement. According to its five-year plan, Huawei plans to develop two million ICT professionals and continuously update its school-enterprise cooperation solutions in cutting-edge technologies, such as 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI). To achieve this goal, the company will set up the Huawei ICT Academy Development Incentive Fund (ADIF), with a total investment of at least $50 million over the next five years. This fund aims to help ICT academies operate stably by providing teaching experiment equipment for cooperative universities to improve students' practical skills, training teachers through the fund, providing free exam vouchers to encourage students to take Huawei's certification exams, and setting up an education fund to reward excellent teachers and students. Athens: Greece's government hoped to defuse tensions after protests over plans for new migrant camps on two of its islands turned into violent clashes between police and local residents, some armed with Molotov cocktails and shotguns. Hundreds of residents attacked police officers guarding the sites of the future detention camps on the islands of Lesbos and Chios on Wednesday, local time. A large crowd later laid siege for hours to a Lesbos army camp where riot-control squads were billeted. Riot police during clashes at the port of Mytilene on the north-eastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece. Credit:AP Dozens of police officers were injured during the unrest, and the Greek government's spokesman said many of the riot police deployed to the islands this week would be pulled out. Government migration officials have vowed to press ahead with plans to replace overcrowded and squalid migrant camps with more restrictive detention centres. But local officials and residents oppose the plans, with many demanding that no migrants should remain on the islands. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty President Donald Trump has tapped Vice President Mike Pence to take over as leader of the administrations coronavirus task force. The announcement came after Trump and his administration spent days receiving harsh criticism from Capitol Hill for its mixed messages about the threat of coronavirus and what the government was doing to prepare. On Wednesday night, Trumps message was very clear: Exactly right now, he said, Pence will start leading the White House response to the coronavirus. Mike will report back to me, but hes got a certain talent for this, Trump said. The presidents decision to put Pence in charge was seen by some as further evidence that he is not taking the threat of coronavirus seriously. Over the decades, Pence has amassed a public record that his critics have often bashed as anti-science. On matters of public health, for instance, he has made wild claims in the past. Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesnt kill. In fact, two out of every three smokers does not die from a smoking-related illness and nine out of 10 smokers do not contract lung cancer, Pence said in 2000. Additionally, Pence has advocated teaching creationism in American public schools and, as governor of Indiana, had an HIV outbreak explode on his watch because he moved too slowly on approving needle exchanges. The presidents decision to entrust Pence with handling an outbreak that experts say is approaching pandemic levels comes after Trump spent much of the week frantically trying to quell fears that members of his team were at odds with each other, fearful that the narrative of dysfunction could complicate his re-election bid. The New York Times first reported Wednesday that the president was considering tapping a coronavirus czar to streamline the interagency process. But senior officials waved off any notion that someone would step in to take the lead in place of Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Story continues Immediately after Trumps Wednesday night announcement, Azar was reportedly overheard saying the press was misunderstanding Pences role and stressing that he was still the chairman of the task force. But he did also reportedly say he was delighted with Pences appointment. The former Indiana governor offered a brief statement on his credentials but nothing else. As a former governor from a state where the first MERS case emerged in 2014, I know full well the importance of presidential leadership, the importance of administration leadership, and the vital role of partnership of state and local governments. on the potential threats of dangerous diseases, Pence said. Trump said he would also bring on an official from the State Department to help the task force coordinate on the virus but did not mention the persons name. The presidents announcement that he is bringing on new members of the task force underscores the extent to which the White House is trying to adjust its messaging after days of confusion about how seriously to take the coronavirus threat. Still, though, despite briefings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the virus would eventually spread throughout the country, Trump, with a representative of that agency beside him, pushed back on that claim. I dont think it is inevitable, he said. Probable? Maybe. Reporters pushed him a second time. He doubled down. Theres a chance to get worse but nothing is inevitable, he said. Trump went on to blame the Democratic debate for the stock markets downward spiral and complained that the Democrats were treating him unfairlythat he in fact had been out in front on combating the virus by banning flights to China. As justification, Trump at one point during the beginning of the press conference held up a Johns Hopkins study that stated the U.S. was the country most prepared to handle the coronavirus. Advisers to Trump have for weeks tried to gather data about how quickly the virus spreads, how it can be stopped, and how to contain an outbreak in the future. But those efforts have largely remained behind closed doors, leaving the public wondering whatif anythingthe administration has been doing to address the outbreak. Meanwhile, as cases doubled, then tripled, across the globe, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have increasingly called out top administration officials to be more transparent and to declassify their briefings, accusing them of mixed messaging on the severity of the virus. The situation came to a head Wednesday morning when Azar was grilled by lawmakers about the adequacy and breadth of the administrations response. Azar defended the effort and beat off suggestions that he would soon be replaced with a formal czar for coordinating the coronavirus response. The Terrifying Reality of Trumps Coronavirus Promise Harsh criticism from Capitol Hill over the administrations handling of the virusdubbed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) as towering and dangerous incompetenceprompted panic in the White House early this week that the administration was losing its grip on the narrative. The fear, according to two senior administration officials, was that not only lawmakers but the general public were becoming increasingly wary of the discrepancy between the presidents statements and those of the health officials leading the task force. Dow Plunges Amid Global Freakout Over Coronavirus Outbreaks Trump and his closest advisers tried to downplay fears about the virus in an attempt to correct the stock market, which fell more than 1,900 points over Monday and Tuesday, according to two senior administration officials. White House National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow appeared Tuesday on CNBC, urging people to remain calm and insisting that the virus was contained to an airtight degree. At the same time, though, CDC officials were pushing a different story: The coronavirus was contained but would soon spread more widely in the U.S. According to multiple doctors and administrators at three hospitals across the country, the need for more equipmentsuch as masks, gowns, and gloveshas grown more dire by the day. At Bellevue Hospital in New York City, one of the countrys only designated coronavirus centers, the stockpile of masks dipped by hundreds over the course of a day when news broke in January that the virus had landed in the U.S. Theyve since been replenished, but there are fears that the supply could dwindle again. While top health agencies have warned that it is merely a matter of time before the virus spreads in the United States, Trump has seemed focused on controlling the narrative to prevent a financial crisis from getting in the way of his re-election campaign. Over the past three weeks, Trump has, on multiple occasions, asked administration officials about the different effects the spread of coronavirus could have on the world and U.S. economies, according to two people present for the conversations. He referenced [concerns about] the stock market at least two times, said one of these sources, recalling a discussion that occurred roughly two weeks ago. A third source who spoke to Trump in the past few weeks said that the president mused about how his enemies could use pandemic fears against him. Remember recession, recession, recession? Trump said, the source recalled, referencing the media and cable news coverage late last year about the growing recession fears in the country. Trump has privately said many times that his perceived adversaries in the press would love it if a recession occurred on his watch, thus crippling his chances at re-election, those close to the president say. Reached for comment Wednesday afternoon, the presidents White House comms apparatus made a point of sticking it to those alleged foes in the media. Unfortunately what we are seeing is a political effort by the Left and some in the media to distract and disturb the American people with fearful rhetoric and palace intrigue, White House spokesman Judd Deere wrote in a statement. The United States economy is the strongest in the world thanks to the leadership and policies of President Trump. The virus remains low risk domestically because of the containment actions taken by this administration since the first of the year. 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. The midnight gazette notification on Wednesday transferring Justice S. Muralidhar of Delhi High Court to the Punjab and High Haryana High Court calls for an assessment by the discerning citizen on what prompted the government into the act. The Supreme Court collegium had recommended the judges transfer on February 12, and hence the follow-up action should have been routine administrative procedure. But the order came at an unearthly hour on a day that the judge grilled the Delhi policemen who are accused of being mute spectators when criminals went about killing people and torching houses, shops and institutions in the national capital. It was sheer accident that the case landed before Justice Muralidhars bench on Wednesday. Chief Justice D.N. Patel was on leave that day. And it posted the case for hearing the next day after passing instructions to the police to take a conscious decision on filing FIR on the riots and provocative speeches. The cause list for Thursday made it clear that the case would come up for hearing before the bench headed by Justice Patel. That means the Centre and the Delhi police under it would not have to face Justice Muralidhars bench again. In fact, the government and the police got a major reprieve from the new bench when it allowed the law enforcers sweet time to decide on filing FIRs on Thursday. Why should the government hurry with the transfer of Justice Muralidhar when he posed no immediate threat to it by way of judicial pronouncements? One can only land at one conclusion: The government wants to send a message that any attempt to leash it in its tracks will not be tolerated. It does not want the judges to teach it governance as it has the peoples mandate. The police are under the control of the executive, and not the judiciary. It has no plans to brook routine administration of justice, leave alone judicial activism. Disturbing signals, indeed. New Delhi, Feb 28 : Delhi's ruling AAP on Thursday announced it had suspended its Municipal Councillor Tahir Hussain, who has been accused of involvement in the northeast Delhi violence and also been booked in the murder case of an Intelligence Bureau staffer. "Tahir Hussain has been suspended from the Aam Aadmi Party for the duration of the probe against him in connection with the Delhi violence," the Aam Aadmi Party said in a tweet. Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, asked about charges of involvement in violence and arson in northeast Delhi against the AAP councillor, had said: "Any person found guilty should be given strict punishment. If any Aam Aadmi Party member is found guilty, he or she should be given double the punishment." The Delhi Police registered a murder case against Hussain in the killing of IB staffer Ankit Sharma, on the basis of a complaint given by Sharma's father. Sharma's body was recovered on Wednesday from a sewer in Jafarabad and the autopsy report on Thursday said that he was brutally stabbed to death. His family has alleged Hussain's supporters brutally assaulted Sharma and killed him. People in the neighbourhood have alleged that the AAP leader played an active role in the riots that engulfed the area since Sunday. Also the house of Hussain, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) municipal councillor from Nehru Vihar, in Chand Bagh still has a number of petrol bomb bottles, acid pouches, and stones scattered on the rooftop and inside. Hussain's house has come under the scanner after a number of videos on social media showed over 100 to 150 people pelting stones, throwing petrol bombs and acid on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. Actor Shah Rukh Khan recently attended an event in Mumbai to felicitate the winner of an award, named after him, by La Trobe University. Titled Shah Rukh Khan La Trobe University PhD Scholarship, it was awarded to a young female researcher from Thrissur, Kerala, Gopika Kottantharayil Bhasi. She is working on farming practices through animal science, ecology and molecular studies. A video from the event is going viral where SRK is seen helping the young girl as her hair get caught in her coat. Awww so loveable nawal aabed Allah (@aabed_nawal) February 26, 2020 Speaking at the event, SRK said, The evening is about Gopika and her family. She has been doing research on, broadly put, elephants. And now she is shifting over to bees. I should not even try to understand what she is doing, what is important is that she is doing PhD. I wish you the best and hope people get this opportunity. He also thanked Gopikas family for educating their child so much. He added, And hopefully, you will be even prouder after this, than you already are, about your young daughter. He also wished Gopika, Do whatever you want to do and make the world a better place to live in. We were honoured to have @iamsrk present the Shah Rukh Khan PhD scholarship in #Mumbai today. Congratulations to Gopika Kottantharayil Bhasi, who will soon begin her PhD at #latrobeuni in Melbourne, Australia: https://t.co/tx5kUW62Lh A special thanks to our partners @IFFMelb pic.twitter.com/StaaV36yR8 La Trobe University (@latrobe) February 27, 2020 Chosen from over 800 Indian women, Gopika was awarded the four-year scholarship at a ceremony here on Wednesday. This comes before the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will enter its eleventh year. The team had organised a prelude event in Mumbai before their main event in Melbourne. Also read: Udit Narayan says I have told Aditya Narayan to marry Neha Kakkar after wedding hoax Speaking at the event, the Bollywood star said, Im a staunch believer in education and I would like to congratulate Gopika. Way forward for everyone is educate and theres never an end to education. Empowering and educating women is key and the world goes forward with educating women. I think education in India or anywhere else in the world is a step forward. I admire Gopikas dedication and determination. This scholarship will enable her to travel to La Trobe in Melbourne, Australia where she will pursue her dreams of helping to improve Indias agriculture sector. Actor also spoke about importance of education, "There is never an end to education. I've come to realise the more I know, I figure out, the less I understand. It's very important to keep educating ourselves for the rest of our lives. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Patrick Hall is a Researcher at Bright Blue and author of Global green giant? A policy story. It seems that as of late, climate change has been the topic of concern on everyones minds. And rightly so, too. Never before have we faced an environmental challenge of such magnitude. However, what is linked to climate change and of equal importance is the decline in global biodiversity. Yet very few politicians and policymakers appear to be focusing on it. Biodiversity refers to the number, variety, and variability of all living things. It has been gradually declining worldwide since at least 1970. A recent report reviewed fifteen thousand scientific and government sources of information, the largest ever of its kind. What it showed was that nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history. There are many drivers of reduced biodiversity: changes in land and sea use, over fishing and hunting, pollution, invasive alien species, and yes, climate change. The UK is a world leader in climate change mitigation, most recently shown through the UK being the first major economy to adopt a legal net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050. But, there is a need and an opportunity to do the same for biodiversity to become a global green giant on conservation. 2020 is set to be a big year for biodiversity. First, in October, China is to play host to the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity a multilateral, legally-binding treaty that focuses on the conservation of biodiversity. It is hoped and anticipated that a post-2020 global biodiversity framework will be established, which will set the international conservation agenda for the next decade. Second, in November the UK, along with Italy, is playing host to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties 26 (COP26). Through both, Britain has a chance to develop its partnership with China, approaching biodiversity and climate change from an aligned perspective. Furthermore, the UK is presented with a unique opportunity to become both an international climate and biodiversity leader in 2020 and beyond. At COP26, for example, the Government could announce a new Special Envoy for Climate Change and Biodiversity, which would be filled by the President of COP26. The Special Envoy should then seek to develop partnership and alignment with China on climate change and biodiversity. At the same time, the UK could unveil at COP26 a new Global Nature Conservation Fund of at least 1 billion per year from the existing, and future growth in, the UK Official Development Assistance budget. Here, Britain should also pledge to be the biggest funder of global conservation efforts through our aid spending, in proportional terms, by a set date. Protecting our oceans and seas, both around our shores but also around our Overseas Territories, is of fundamental importance. They are important carbon sinks, and it is estimated that roughly a quarter of species on earth live in the oceans. Human activities, particularly over fishing, has reduced the abundance of target species and genetic diversity. The UK supports the impressive Blue Belt programme, expanding the number of Marine Protected Areas. But those areas need stronger safeguards. Banning bottom trawling in the Marine Protected Areas established, and increasing the minimum criteria for their management, are two pragmatic measures that would better conserve our marine environments. The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) poses a serious threat to charismatic species worldwide. As the worlds fourth most profitable criminal enterprise, the IWT is focused on mammals, reptiles, corals, birds, bony fish and others, increasing the risk of extinction of these taxa. Whilst Britain has a strong record on curbing the IWT, more can and needs to be done. For example, the Government should freeze UK-based assets of foreign citizens implicated in supporting the IWT, and ensure that large firms are obliged to monitor and prevent financial flows that could reasonably be related to the IWT. As Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth for a few remaining months, the UK could also seek to establish a Commonwealth IWT information-sharing system similar to the EU-TWIX scheme. This could be particularly effective, as countries such as South Africa, India, Mozambique, and Kenya are Commonwealth members frequently implicated in the IWT. But we dont just need to look to halt biodiversity decline overseas, we need to do better at home too. This could include, where appropriate, an urban nature corridor in every UK city, boosting R&D funding for sustainable agriculture, and getting every secondary school involved in the Governments ambitious new tree planting campaign. Plastic waste is a high-profile scourge on our environment. Its toxicity has a negative impact on our soils when it is improperly discarded. The UK should ban non-recyclable black plastic, which is just largely used by wholesalers and retailers for cosmetic reasons when displaying their products. Littering is another unacceptable practice. Elsewhere, in places such as Calgary and Singapore, littering attracts far stronger penalties than Englands 50-80 fixed penalty notice. A minimum fixed penalty notice of 500 for littering should be introduced. This year, the Government needs to show, through both domestic and foreign policies, that Britain really is a global green giant. 27.02.2020 LISTEN The credibility and integrity of the Audit Service are under close scrutiny, as it is obvious that the actions and inaction of that department are becoming sinister. The discourses on the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) scholarships awarded between 2012 and 2018 have exposed the Audit Service, led by Mr. Daniel Domelovo, as having malicious, mischievous and bad intent. The GETFund Secretariat, which is the subject of the leaked audit report, as a matter of fact, has not received a copy of the report circulating in the media. The Auditor-General is legally mandated to send audit reports to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament for the agencies involved in any infractions or otherwise to respond. On the GETFund report, the Auditor General found it expedient to leak it to the media without furnishing the outfit that would be required to respond to any queries. It is also not clear whether the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has been furnished with the report on the GETFund Performance Audit. Disrespectfully on the part of the Auditor Generals Department, it announced that the work done on GETFund could be accessed from its website. The work done on the GETFund Scholarships has raised legitimate concerns within certain circles, as the Auditor General refused to leak responses it received from the GETFund Secretariat. Even before the GETFund Secretariat would respond to queries that were supposed to have been communicated officially and privately, the Auditor General had leaked the queries to the media in gross violation of ethics and procedure. The GETFund Board of Trustees, through the secretariat, subsequently and comprehensively responded to all the queries to the Auditor General, as well as provided answers to questions posed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and all the investigations and indictments went quiet thereafter. Suddenly, the same audit queries, without any reference to the robust defense the Board had put up, were circulating in the media again. The leak by the Auditor General has mischief and malice written all over it because of inaccuracies in the report. It is instructive to note that the GETFund Act made a provision under Subsection 2(2)(e) that allows the GETFund Secretariat to promote other educational activities. The Act, however, did not specify if those activities should be done in Ghana alone or could be extended to overseas. The work done by the Auditor General has been rubbished by some of the persons named as having benefitted from the scholarship. The Auditor-General strangely relied on the list of persons who were named as beneficiaries without backing vouchers, something which is not the usual auditing standards. It is clear the Auditor General did shoddy work and was quick to leak the report to the media to whip up public sentiments. For instance, a Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has questioned the credibility of the audit done by the Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, on the Ghana Education Trust Funds (GETFund) scholarship scheme which listed names of some Members of Parliament and politicians among others as beneficiaries. The Deputy Ministers name was listed as one of those who benefited from the scholarship. But he has denied ever receiving such an award and queried the Auditor-General over the matter. I want to state categorically that I have not benefited from any GETFund scholarship to study abroad, and I do not intend to apply for any scholarship from the GETFund administrator to pursue my education. I am capable of financing my education to whatever level I want to go whether doing it locally or abroad, Mr. Osei Nyarko told Citi News. I have not attended such university to pursue any program. I was surprised to see my name on the list. What was the motivation for putting my name there? I have instructed my lawyers to write to the Auditor-General to seek for immediate retraction for whatever list he has put out, he added. The Deputy Agric Minister further threatened to sue the Auditor-General if he fails to remove his name from the list of beneficiaries of the GETFund scholarship. Again, a former director of the GETFund, Mr. Sam Gariba, said the conclusion by the Auditor-General that they have breached its mandate and illegally funding foreign scholarships is scandalous. He denied any wrongdoing in the manner in which he administered scholarships during his time in office. A performance audit conducted by the Auditor General on the GETFund found that over 2,000 scholarships were awarded to undeserving people including politicians. The report found that the GETFund largely circumvented processes to award the scholarships and failed to institute systems to ensure scholarship monies were prudently used. Mr. Gariba, who served between 2012 and 2016, said he only followed the existing procedure in awarding scholarships upon assumption of office. The request to make comment on the attached performance audit report by the Auditor General did not come to me from the Auditor General. It came to me from my successor to bring the audit to closure as standard practice. I did not invent anything; I saw and met a procedure and structure in the administration of the scholarship. So I found it satisfied, picked it up and utilized in the administration of the scholarships. Indeed, that procedure was to award a scholarship to people who were studying outside the country. Mr. Gariba argued that claims in the report were scandalous, ridiculous and unfounded and cannot fathom why he will be surcharged for something he did with due diligence. The Auditor-General is not the law. The Auditor-General has gone and made some scandalous claims that I administered this thing without the Boards permission, I had two boards in my time. One was chaired by Professor Mills, he is dead. He knew about everything through the board. How can the Auditor General reach such a scandalous conclusion, what is their stake? How do they know that we gave scholarships to the detriment of needy people? Just looking at a Member of Parliament, you just conclude that they are a millionaire and are not entitled to get funding from the GETFund. How can you reach such a conclusion? That is the kind of ridiculous conclusion the Auditor General wants me to reach, he added. She's one of the highest paid models in the business and an iconic supermodel. And Doutzen Kroes brought the sartorial chic to her casual wear as she arrived at the Isabel Marant Paris Fashion Week show on Thursday. The Vogue coverstar, 35, looked sensational in a leather jacket and matching thigh-high boots as she stepped out of a car. Casual cool: Doutzen Kroes brought the sartorial chic to her casual wear as she arrived at the Isabel Marant Paris Fashion Week show on Thursday She wore the jacket over a denim shirt and a white rollneck jumper, and displayed her trim legs in black leggings. Her caramel tresses were styled in a chic ponytail while she shielded her eyes with black shades. The Dutch beauty accessorised with gold hoop earrings. Doutzen began her modelling career in 2003, and is said to be one of the highest-paid models, with an estimated income of more than $5 million per year. Leggy: The Vogue coverstar, 35, looked sensational in a leather jacket and matching thigh-high boots as she stepped out of a car Back in 2014, she came in second on the Forbes top-earning models list, estimated to have earned $8 million in one year. Style maven Doutzen was a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2008 to 2014, and in 2013 she made history as the first model to land four different solo international covers of Vogue's September issue in a single year. The supermodel balances her modelling feats with raising her children Myllena Mae Gorre, five, and Phyllon Joy Gorre, nine. Style maven: The beauty looked incredible as she stepped out and prepared to head into the show Strut: Doutzen began her modelling career in 2003, and is said to be one of the highest-paid models, with an estimated income of more than $5 million per year She brings up her children with husband Sunnery James, whom she married in November 2010 in Eastermar, Netherlands. Doutzen admitted last year that she has been taking extra care of her skin because she wants to 'age beautifully'. The blonde beauty told Vogue: 'You know, you take advantage of having anything good in your life and my skin has always been good. But obviously Im ageing and want to take care of [it] so I age beautifully.' Looking good: Doutzen looked gorgeous as she left the show later that night State Election Commissioner Saurabh Kumar Das met West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday regarding upcoming municipal elections. Das was also accompanied by Secretary of the Commission Nilanjan Sandilya. "This was at the instance of Governor Dhankhar so as to ensure peaceful, orderly and fair polls in the upcoming local elections. State Election Commissioner Saurabh Kumar Das informed Governor Dhankhar that by the second week of March Grievance Management System would be put in place. A meeting of the State Commission with the District Magistrates is slated for March 04, 2020," an official release said. Dhankhar emphasised that State Election Commission as a constitutional body is obligated to provide a level-playing field to all parties and candidates and ensure free and fair elections where voters exercise their valuable right to vote freely. He said that all steps should be done to ensure that there is no violence and kind of scenario noticed in the Panchayat elections held in May 2018. "Governor Dhankhar underlined that Constitutionally the State Election Commission under Article 243K has all the powers that Election Commission of India has under Article 324 of the Constitution," read the release. "This power invests it with the authority and competence to ensure that one party doesn't have an undue advantage over another just because it is in power," it said. Governor Dhankhar called upon voters to exercise their right to vote fairly and fearlessly as casing a vote is fundamental to success and quality of democratic governance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chad Johnson, who appeared on Joelle "JoJo" Fletcher's season of The Bachelorette in 2016, is speaking out after Monday's arrest. In a lengthy video on Instagram, the reality star explained what happened with ex-girlfriend, Annalise Mishler, that caused him to get hauled in by the LAPD for domestic violence and robbery. "Hey everyone, this is Chad Johnson and I want to take a second to talk to you about the current situation youve probably seen going on in the press with me arrested for robbery," he began. "So, me and my girlfriend broke up the other night and I was devastated. It was like losing my best friend. So I did what I havent done in two months and something I promised I wouldnt do anymore and that was to drink alcohol... as most of you know, that's been a bit of an issue in my life. Whenever I do drink, I don't act right." Chad Johnson says he's "never laid hands on a woman" after a domestic dispute with ex-girlfriend Annalise Mishler. (Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic,) Johnson, who also appeared on Bachelor in Paradise, has often been portrayed in the villain role on the ABC dating shows. In a Feb. 3 post on Instagram, the reality star revealed he was 35 days sober. On Sunday, Johnson and Mishler got in a disagreement. The former couple lives in the same apartment complex, but not together. Johnson said he went over to Mishler's apartment "to talk things out." "Initially, we had worked things out and we were back together and everything was fine until she discovered that I had, in between us breaking up and me drinking, downloaded a dating app and I had started to receive messages on there," he continued. "So, we had some arguments. She was yelling, I was yelling." Mishler posted videos on Instagram Sunday after the arguments. In one picture, a hole can be seen in the wall which she claimed was caused by Johnson. Another video, according to TMZ, allegedly showed Johnson yelling profane things to her. "I wasn't mad at her, I totally understand why she did that. I still love her very much," Johnson said of Mishler posting the videos. On Monday, Johnson went back to try and talk to Mishler again. Story continues "I tried to talk things out and we still had the issues with the dating app," he explained. Mishler supposedly went over to Johnson's apartment where she started recording him again. "I was very down at the time, I was very upset and I just didnt want to be recorded, so I made a stupid decision and I grabbed her phone and I just threw it," he recalled. "I threw it outside." Johnson went over to his ex-girlfriend's apartment to apologize and at some point, one of their neighbors called the police. He said that when there's a domestic disturbance call in California, the law states "someone has to go to jail." TMZ cited law enforcement sources who claimed when officers responded, Mishler had visible red marks on her face so he was arrested. The robbery charge stemmed from when Johnson threw her phone; however, the reality star maintained he never got physical. "There was never any domestic abuse of any kind," he said. "I have never laid hands on a woman anytime in my entire life. I was in the Marine Corps... I have a sister, I am a very overprotective brother. If she ever felt in danger I would want her to call if any women out there ever feel they are in any danger, I urge you to call 911." Johnson continued, "I can totally understand why Annalise felt threatened whenever I took her phone, but I am a hundred percent confident any type of domestic abuse charges are going to be dropped beccause there was never any type of domestic abuse at all, whatsoever. Never laid my hands on a woman." He apologized to his ex-girlfriend. "I'm sorry for the entire situation. I'm sorry for anyone who had to see it who's been triggered by this. I am so sorry to Annalise for feeling threatened," he concluded. "I'm working on myself to get better. Thats all I can do, is put my best foot forward and try to be a better person every day from here on out and make less mistakes in life. I hope everyone out there can not be so quick to take judgment. Hopefully this explains a little bit of the situation and there can be some understanding." Listen to Johnson's explanation in full below: Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle's newsletter. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV: OSI) (FSE: RSR1) ("Osino or the Company), is pleased to provide details on its Namibia gold exploration activities and work program planned for 2020. The Twin Hills Central Discovery in 2019 was a significant milestone for Osino and will continue to be the focus of the work program in 2020 as Osino moves towards resource definition at this newly discovered gold deposit. In tandem with the detailed drilling at Twin Hills Central, mineralization along strike will be assessed in more detail along with continued regional sampling and target definition programs. The 2020 work program will focus on the following: 20,000m drilling program scheduled to commence mid-March with two diamond drill rigs at the Twin Hills Central Discovery and related targets. IP ground geophysical survey to commence early March. Structural geology review of Twin Hills Central underway. Preliminary metallurgical test-work on Twin Hills Central drill samples to commence in March. Follow up of bedrock drilling results at Etekero and Fairview. Ongoing regional sampling program (10,000 samples) aimed at identifying new targets at Otjikoto East, Kranzberg, Etekero and our other regional licences. Entire 2020 work program fully funded, expected year-end residual cash of more than C$6million. Heye Daun, Osinos Founder and CEO commented: I am very excited to provide details of the intensive work program which Osinos technical team has planned for 2020. Coming off the successful, oversubscribed financing which closed in January, this program aims to achieve a good balance between rapidly defining and growing what we already have and trying to make new discoveries elsewhere on our license holdings. With the growing financial support of our existing and new shareholders, and the experience, innovation and drive of our own team, I have strong conviction that 2020 will be a very successful year for Osino. Dave Underwood, Osinos VP Exploration commented further: Most of the drilling and technical work is intended for infill and step-out drilling towards resource definition at the Twin Hills Central Discovery. Around 30% of the planned drilling will focus on advanced exploration of the Twin Hills satellite targets (incl. Twin Hills West, Clouds etc.), deeper drilling at Twin Hills Central, and the remainder of the Karibib gold trend with the objective of making further discoveries. Included in this program is also a significant regional exploration effort (mainly ongoing surface and bedrock sampling plus limited RC/diamond drilling) with the aim of testing our other Namibian targets, generating new ones and generally advancing our entire Namibian project pipeline. The main aspects of the 2020 Osino work program are described below: Twin Hills Central Discovery and Karibib Gold Project 20,000m of diamond and RC drilling in two phases of work (in H1 and H2). Two diamond/RC drill rigs will commence in mid-March with the aim of carrying out targeted drilling to define the high-grade shoots, extend the Twin Hills Central mineralization at depth and along strike, and to carry out in-fill drilling. H2 drilling will be similar, but with the aim of completing the in-fill drilling to a nominal 100m x 50m grid, and sufficient to allow a maiden resource estimate to be completed. A gradient array IP (induced polarization) survey will commence 2 March covering Twin Hills Central and Twin Hills West, as well as prospective areas along strike and to the south of both areas. The IP will help identify non-magnetic targets (i.e. pyrrhotite-poor and arsenopyrite dominant) and concealed structural targets. Independent structural geology review of Twin Hills Central drill core aiming to supplement the in-house interpretations and assist in targeting high-grade shoots and further mineralization. Preliminary metallurgical test-work and gold deportment studies. These are first pass studies aimed at determining the expected gold recovery with a simple mill and leach circuit, and guiding future study design. Ongoing work on the regional extensions of the Karibib Gold Trend on the Kranzberg license and other regional targets, including shallow percussion calcrete and bedrock drilling and approximately 2,500 surface samples. Otjikoto East Gold Project Follow up of bedrock percussion drilling Au-Cu anomalies at Fairview with diamond/RC drilling. These initial drill holes will attempt to identify whether these anomalies are part of a mineralization system with size and grade potential. Follow up of other regional targets based on reinterpretation of regional geophysics and mapping using additional knowledge gained in 2019 programs, e.g. Gaidaus, Omagonde and Devon South Fault (which has not been sampled yet). Otjiwarongo Regional Gold Project Follow up of the Au-As anomaly located in bedrock percussion drilling at Etekero in H2-2019. Diamond/RC drilling to establish size and grade potential of the anomaly as well as obtaining geological and structural information on this covered target. Ongoing regional sampling and mapping aimed at identifying new targets for drill testing in late 2020 and 2021. Approximately 7,500 soil / calcrete and/or anthill samples are planned. 2020 Budget Osinos Board of Directors recently approved the 2020 work program and budget, which anticipates a total spend of approximately C$7.8 million during 2020, with more than 80% allocated towards exploration efforts in Namibia. Approximately 70% of the exploration budget is focused on the Twin Hills Central Discovery and surrounding targets. The remaining exploration expenditure will go towards the Otjikoto East Project and the continued assessment of the Otjiwarongo Regional targets, including Etekero. Osino currently anticipates a year-end cash position of approximately C$6.5 million, excluding any exercise of in-the-money warrants during the year. Osinos actual expenditure in 2020 may vary from budget as new results are received, and priorities shift and objectives grow, but the main focus of work and expenditure will be at Twin Hills Central. After the results of the initial phase of drilling (expected to be completed by mid-year) have been received and interpreted, adjustments to the work program may be made, including the possibility of increasing the drilling rate further (depending on results received). Stock Options Issuance The Company also announces the granting of stock options under its Stock Option Plan to purchase an aggregate of 1,510,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.80 per share for a five year term. The stock options were granted pursuant to the Osino Stock Option Plan and the policies of the Exchange, to directors, officers, employees, and consultants, and vest over two years. Qualified Person David Underwood, BSc. (Hons) is Vice President Exploration of Osino Resources Corp. and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information related to geology and exploration in this news release, and is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Pr. Sci. Nat. No.400323/11) and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. About Osino Resources Osino is a Canadian gold exploration company, focused on the acquisition and development of gold projects in Namibia. Our 23 exclusive prospecting licenses are located within Namibias prospective Damara mineral belt, mostly in proximity to and along strike of the producing Navachab and Otjikoto Gold Mines. Osino is targeting gold mineralization that fits the broad orogenic gold model. We are actively advancing a range of gold discoveries, prospects and targets across our 6,577km2 ground position by utilizing a portfolio approach geared towards discovery. Osinos focus in 2020 is on defining and advancing the Twin Hills gold discovery and making new discoveries within the developing Karibib gold district, testing our Otjikoto East and Otjiwarongo targets and generating new ones on our remaining licenses. Our core projects are favorably located north and north-west of Namibias capital city Windhoek. By virtue of their location, the projects benefit significantly from Namibias well-established infrastructure with paved highways, railway, power and water in close proximity. Namibia is mining-friendly and lauded as one of the continents most politically and socially stable jurisdictions. Osino continues to evaluate new ground with a view to consolidating its Namibian portfolio. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://osinoresources.com/ CONTACT INFORMATION Osino Resources Corp. Heye Daun: CEO Tel: +27 (21) 418 2525 hdaun@osinoresources.com Julia Becker: Investor Relations Manager Tel: +1 (604) 785 0850 jbecker@osinoresources.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 press release. New Delhi, Feb 27 : The only untouched math and science notebook of a Class IV student lying on a bench in one of the two schools that were burnt during riots in Shiv Vihar reads, "Q1: Where are artificial satellites revolving? Ans: Around the earth." The note book does not have name of the student who seems to have forgotten to keep it in bag when the administration of Rajdhani Senior Secondary School in Shiv Vihar hurriedly told them to leave. The notebook is of maths and science lesson and was lying on bench on the first floor os the school. This school was was first taken over by rioters and was vandalised when vioence erupted in northeast Delhi on Sunday. A petrol bomb launcher was immediately fixed on the roof top of the Rajdhani Senior Secondary school and then the mayhem in locality started. Once colossal damage was done, the rioters fled using ropes from the roof top of the school building and then torched and another school, DRP School, adjacent to it. This clearly exposes the Delhi Police callousness approach to the mayhem which was planned and executed. The stench of burnt books, desk and table is still eminating out of classrooms. The walls once had pictures of cartoons like Mickey Mouse, Donald, Doraemon, motivational quotes have turned into complete black. The notice boards in every class room of DRP School which was tugged with various art and craft pamphlets are now completely charred. The benches in the class rooms have turned into ashes and colourful walls into black after petrol bombs by rioters were hurled into each classroom. At Rajdhani Senior Secondary School, the window panes were broken, the books were burnt and the school principal room was looted and there after vandalised. Both the schools are adjacent to each other and were completely gutted after they were set ablaze. Caretaker of Rajdhani Senior Secondary School, Manoj Kalouni, 36, told IANS that he was trapped inside the school premises for almost 48 hours after the rioting started. He said the school owner Faisal Farooq visited the place on Thursday and consoled him. Vijay Bahadur, 44, ferries school children of both the schools said that the schools came under attack around 3.30 p.m. on Monday. "The teachers who were present in the school fled from the back doors when stone and petrol bombs were hurled on the schools," said Vijay. Rioters took over the schools and despite locals calling police control room, there was no response. "Calls were not taken by police control room. When calls got connected, we begged but police never came," said Babloo whose school van was torched. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 15:21:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HANGZHOU, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Sun Laichun, founder of the domestic skincare brand Forest Cabin, describes the past few weeks as the "darkest hours" for the company as its offline sales volume during the Spring Festival holiday was only about 5 percent of the same period last year. The skincare brand has more than 300 offline stores across China, generating about 75 percent of the company's total annual turnover. "The sales enter the peak season during the Spring Festival holiday. But the novel coronavirus epidemic hit us all of a sudden this year," said Sun. "In late January, the company's cash flow may only last for one or two months." In an effort to cushion the impact of the virus outbreak, Sun pinned his hope on livestream e-commerce to engage consumers. On Feb. 1, over 2,000 employees of the company started to work online. Nearly 500 shopping assistants turned into livestream hosts to sell products at various livestream and e-commerce platforms. "In fact, we began online sales two years ago but didn't pay much attention to it," said Sun. "The online customers we have attracted over the past two years bring us a business opportunity to survive this hard time." In the first half of February, the sales revenue jumped by 45 percent compared to the same period last year, according to Forest Cabin. Apart from traditional retail trade, catering, education training, real estate and other sectors are all leveraging livestreaming to expand the online market and open new growth frontiers during the special period. According to statistics from Taobao Live, the livestreaming unit of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, since February, the number of live streaming rooms on the new sales channel has doubled year on year, and the number of livestreaming sessions has also increased 110 percent year on year. On Feb. 10, Taobao also launched a livestreaming project for offline retail stores to power their e-commerce businesses. Jiang Xinjie, assistant president of Intime Retail (Group) Co., Ltd., a famous department store chain in China, said over 2,000 shopping assistant teams of the company will start livestreaming this year to improve its online marketing capability. "Livestream e-commerce is not only a choice for traditional shopping malls to deal with emergencies but a way to upgrade their sales model," said Jiang. OTTAWA - It's imperative for Canada to ratify the new North American free-trade deal, says a leading business group, as the federal government released its long-awaited economic assessment of the pact Wednesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Global Affairs Canada Chief negotiator Steve Verheul and chief economist Marie-France Paquet speak with Chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade Judy Sgro before appearing as witnesses Wednesday February 26, 2020, in Ottawa THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - It's imperative for Canada to ratify the new North American free-trade deal, says a leading business group, as the federal government released its long-awaited economic assessment of the pact Wednesday. Goldy Hyder, the president of the Business Council of Canada, said the uncertainty created by rail blockades and the spread of the novel coronavirus could cause serious harm to the Canadian economy. "Given the backdrop in which this discussion is happening we've had the CN Rail strike, we've had the blockades, we've had the virus, we've had the China-U.S. deal, we have our own foray with China we're involved in all of these things are elements of a perfect storm that are really impacting economic growth," Hyder said in an interview. The government's assessment predicts a very modest gain in the Canadian economy, estimating the deal will be worth an additional $6.8 billion by 2025 which amounts to a 0.25 per cent gain in gross domestic product compared with having no continental trade agreement at all. It does not compare the new deal to the old NAFTA. The assessment the Liberals released comes after demands by opposition parties to explain the economic benefits of the new deal, which is still awaiting final ratification by Parliament. Hyder said it's time to set domestic politics aside and get on with ratifying the deal. A leading trade specialist says all the fuss about the economic benefits of the deal misses an important political point. "What econometric assessments don't show is the significant geopolitical value to Canada of a solid rules-based framework for dealing with the U.S. in the years ahead," said Lawrence Herman, a Toronto-based international trade lawyer. Negotiations over continental trade were forced on Canada and Mexico by U.S. President Donald Trump, who mused about scrapping the old North American Free Trade Agreement if it weren't renegotiated in America's favour. Throughout the negotiation, the Liberal government was seized with not only protecting Canada's market access to the United States but protecting the survival of the global rules-based trading order that has come under threat from Trump's protectionism. "There's much more to this agreement than pure economic models suggest. Black box assessments might turn up numbers that don't seem stratospheric and headline-grabbing but there are important political and strategic gains for Canada in this deal. These can't be measured in purely economic terms," said Herman. The U.S. and Mexico have both ratified the new deal, which the Trump administration has dubbed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The assessment says the new Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA as Canada calls it, is much better than letting the U.S. tear up the old NAFTA and impose tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and automotive exports. The Liberals have made deals with the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois to quickly ratify the deal. Randy Hoback, the Conservative trade critic, said his party wants the new deal passed as quickly as possible but it is frustrated that the Liberals have not provided more details about its impact. "The Liberals are clearly hiding how bad the new NAFTA deal will be for the Canadian economy. This is proven by the fact that the Liberals chose to compare the new NAFTA deal to having no NAFTA deal," Hoback said in a statement. "The Liberals say that they got a better deal, but they have no way to prove it. So, the only way we can quantify this deal is by third-party reports." A report earlier this week by the C.D. Howe Institute think-tank said all three countries will be worse off under the new agreement than under the existing one but the researchers there agreed that it's better than nothing. A 2018 analysis by the Conference Board of Canada predicted a 0.5 per cent decline in the country's economy, and a loss of about 85,000 jobs within a year if NAFTA were terminated. "No deal is ever going to be perfect," Hyder said, adding that the deal the Liberals reached has buy-in from the provinces, business, labour and political conservatives. "Why would you not pass the most important trade deal that we have, that was done in the most inclusive way? To the government's credit, it is one example where it was really done well," said Hyder, a former senior staffer with the Progressive Conservative party. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2020. Medical worker Kang Liyuan (3rd R) and her colleagues cheer themselves up at Wuhan No. 7 Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 25, 2020. (Photo by Xiong Fang/Xinhua) "Since Mr. Pompeo talks about freedom of speech so much, would he care to explain why he cursed at an NPR journalist? Why was the journalist denied press credentials to travel with him? Is that Mr. Pompeo's definition of 'freedom of speech'? I think it's typical discourse monopoly and double standards," said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson. BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's groundless accusation against the country's novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention and control work, and urged the U.S. side to give up ideological bias, and stop undermining China-U.S. mutual trust and cooperation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press briefing in response to a question concerning Pompeo's accusation that expelling Wall Street Journal (WSJ) journalists exposes the issue in China's COVID-19 response, alleging that if China permitted its own and foreign journalists to speak freely, China and other nations would have been far better prepared to address the challenge. "When the Chinese people are going all-out to fight the epidemic, Mr. Pompeo once again launched groundless accusation against China. This is so abhorrent and we are firmly opposed to it," Zhao said. Stitched aerial photo taken on Feb. 8, 2020 shows a view of the nursing unit B of "Wuhan Livingroom" in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. The cultural building complex dubbed "Wuhan Livingroom" is converted into a hospital to receive patients infected with the novel coronavirus. (Xinhua/Li He) Noting Pompeo's remarks did not even get the facts straight, Zhao said the Chinese government has been open, transparent and highly responsible in its epidemic prevention and control efforts. As for the WSJ article with its insulting headline, it is never a question of freedom of speech and press. All people, as long as they have conscience and bottom line, should reject and resist such racist and wrongful words and actions, said the spokesperson. "Even WSJ has admitted its mistake and been learning some lessons, how come Mr. Pompeo, in total disregard of the public opinion of the international community, made yet another attempt to back up WSJ by badmouthing China? One has to wonder if WSJ is an agent of the U.S. State Department," he added. "Since Mr. Pompeo talks about freedom of speech so much, would he care to explain why he cursed at an NPR journalist? Why was the journalist denied press credentials to travel with him? Is that Mr. Pompeo's definition of 'freedom of speech'? I think it's typical discourse monopoly and double standards," said Zhao. "We urge Mr. Pompeo to give up his ideological bias against China, discard the Cold-War mentality and zero-sum game mindset, act in ways that suit his status, stop undermining China-U.S. mutual trust and cooperation, and make no more attempts at sowing discord among the Party, the Chinese government and the Chinese people," the spokesperson added. A 12-person jury on Wednesday began deliberating questions about who Jeremy Christian is as a person and what was going through his mind when he fatally stabbed two men and seriously injured a third on a MAX train in 2017. The jurys answers could help a judge decide what sentence to hand down: life in prison with a 30-year minimum or life in prison with no possibility of ever getting out, which also is known as true life. Jurors are considering six questions after hearing testimony over two days from prosecution and defense witnesses. Among them: Were Christians crimes fueled by his unreasonable racial and religious bias? Did he show a callous disregard for the value of human life"? Is he likely to be violent in the future? Has he failed to show remorse? Prosecutors are asking the jury to answer yes to each of those questions. Jurors will return Thursday to continue deliberations. After 15 days of trial, jurors found Christian guilty last week of 12 crimes, including first-degree murder for the deaths of Taliesin Namkai-Meche and Ricky Best, attempted first-degree murder for the serious wounding of Micah Fletcher and hate crimes against two teenage girls, one who was wearing a hijab, on a crowded MAX train as it pulled into the Hollywood Transit Center in Northeast Portland on May 26, 2017. Christians defense attorneys on Wednesday called forensic psychologist Mark Cunningham, who said Christians mental well-being had been deteriorating for months before the stabbings. A day or two before the stabbings, Christian grew more distressed because his mother told him he had to move his 15,000-book comic collection out of her home but he had no place to put them, Cunningham said. Christian was still in a fragile state on May 26 when he did something hed done many times before -- provoked people with his extreme speech, the psychologist said. Christian didnt realize the reaction hed receive, even though friends had warned him about it, Cunningham said. He seems not to anticipate just how upset other people are going to get, Cunningham said. Defense attorney Dean Smith told jurors that they shouldnt brand Christian one way by just looking at the worst things about him. Rather, they should understand hes a complex person, Smith said. Hes offensive, hes provocative and if you dont understand Jeremy Christian, you come to a simplistic idea of who he is, Smith said. Prosecutor Don Rees, however, asked jurors to look at all the harm Christian has caused and all the statements he has made reaffirming that he doesnt regret what hes done. The evidence demonstrates absolute disregard and disdain for the lives of other people, Rees said. Rees said Christian has lived a violent life for 18 years since he robbed a convenience store at gunpoint and terrorized its owner in 2002. During a nearly eight-year prison stint, Christian got into many fights or simply all-out assaulted other inmates, including one he kicked in the groin while the inmate was being restrained, Rees said. Then Christian attacked the three men on the MAX train, the prosecutor said. Look at his pattern of behavior, Rees said. ...The probability is hes not going to be rehabilitated. -- 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. Residents in areas already suffering from flooding have been warned that they face another 10 days of difficulty as more rain is set to drench the Midlands. Torrential downpours have already seen flood barriers breached and homes ruined but forecasters predict a brief respite will only be met with more wet weather. Chris Bainger, from the Environment Agency, said: "We have a bit of respite, we've just got showers moving through over the next couple of days. But coming into Friday we have another band of rain coming through that's going to be up in the Welsh mountains and that's going to be coming to us... perhaps Saturday. "We've already planned another 10 days of being on 24/7 manning of our incident rooms and having operational staff at all of our barriers. Meanwhile the Met Office warned that parts of Wales and northern England could see between 60 to 80mm of rain on Friday as the storm hits the UK. Strong winds are then forecast for much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Saturday, reaching 70mph in coastal areas and up to 60mph inland. The Met Offices chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said further flooding is also possible with rain forecast to fall on already saturated ground. Flooding in Ironbridge, Shropshire, as residents in riverside properties in the area have been told to leave their homes and businesses (PA) Flooding in Bewdley, Worcestershire, has already caused severe damage to homes (PA) Flood warnings Flooding along parts of the River Severn, which has reached close to its highest levels in some areas, is likely until at least Sunday, the Environment Agency said. A severe danger to life flood warning covering the river at the Wharfage in Ironbridge, Shropshire, remains in place on Thursday, while 82 flood warnings and 125 flood alerts had been issued. Rising waters pushed back the towns temporary flood barriers towards a pub and other businesses, sparking fears that the defences could be fully breached. Read more: Corbyn labels Johnson 'part-time prime minister' over flooding Speaking in Ironbridge on Thursday, environment secretary George Eustice said the reason for his delay in visiting the town was to allow for the emergency services to deal with the immediate impacts. Story continues Asked why Boris Johnson was yet to visit, Eustice said: When he appointed me two weeks ago he made it clear he wanted me to lead on this. I have kept him regularly informed with what is happening. Flood barriers breached Residents in the Worcestershire town of Bewdley were forced to evacuate earlier after the river spilled over barriers at Beales Corner. And in East Yorkshire, residents were being evacuated from the village of East Cowick after the River Aire broke its banks. This month is already the second wettest February on record, with the total average rainfall from February 1 to 25 measuring 179.3mm, the Met Office said. The figure to beat is 193.4mm, which was set in February 1990. Read more: Homes evacuated as River Aire floods in East Yorkshire Storm Jorge is forecast to track across the north west of the UK before clearing on Saturday afternoon. Because the Spanish meteorological service named the storm on Thursday, it is convention for all other national services to use that name, the Met Office said. Gundersen said: This weekend well see another named storm bring strong winds to parts of the UK with several wind and rain warnings in place. We have issued rain warnings for parts of Wales and northern England, where rain will be heaviest and we could see 60-80mm possible over the highest ground. Flood water surrounds Worcester city centre as residents in riverside properties were told to leave their homes after temporary barriers were overwhelmed (PA) The Republic of Ireland is expected to face the strongest and most damaging winds, Gunderson added. The storm will be followed by snow over the hills and mountains in the north of the UK and rail and hail in the south. Winds are forecast to ease slightly on Sunday. Yellow weather warnings for rain are in place for the north west and south west of England, parts of Wales and Northern Ireland between midday on Friday and 9am on Saturday. Flooding an opportunity for job creation, says PM The Met Office has also issued a yellow wind warning for a 24-hour period from midday on Saturday covering most of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and south-west Scotland. Boris Johnson has declined to say whether he will be visiting areas where people have been made homeless by recent floods, while visiting the headquarters of a charity for the homeless. Speaking at The Connection in central London, the PM instead focused on how the massive issue of flooding presents an opportunity for job creation. Tewkesbury Abbey and a children's playground at the confluence of the Rivers Severn and Avon is surrounded by flood waters (Getty) He said: Theres a massive issue about flood defences, and we have put 2.6 billion in and we will be investing another 4 billion. This is something that is absolutely critical for our country to tackle. I think it also presents an opportunity, because in the whole business of green technology flood defences, planting trees, all the ways in which we are going to insulate our country against flooding, there are opportunities for job creation as well. Boris Johnson's response to the floods was criticised by Labour (PA) His comments came a day after a senior minister said the PM was very much in control of the governments response to the floods, amid criticism the prime minister has failed to visit the communities affected. In the Commons on Wednesday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Johnson of being no more than a part-time prime minister. However, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said such visits were often a distraction which took away valuable resources from the emergency services. England has more than double its average February rainfall: Environment Agency England has received more than 200% of its average February rainfall, according to the Environment Agency, with some areas experiencing a months worth of rain in 24 hours. Toby Willison, executive director of operations at the Environment Agency, said: Our operational teams continue to work night and day to protect communities alongside the River Severn, which is experiencing record levels. River levels will remain exceptionally high on the Severn for some time and communities, in particular Shrewsbury, Bewdley, Bridgnorth and Ironbridge, should prepare for potentially ongoing severe flooding. Flood barriers which have moved due to the weight of water in the River Severn in the Wharfage area of Ironbridge, Shropshire (PA) Houses in Bewdley, Worcestershire, lie surrounded by floodwater after days of rain (PA) Storm Jorge is the fifth storm to hit the UK since December 6 last year and third in February, Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said it was not uncommon to see so many storms in such a short period of time. Defences Operational teams have put up more than 6km of temporary flood barriers across the country and flood defences have protected more than 34,184 properties over the last week. In East Yorkshire, residents were evacuated from the village of East Cowick after the River Aire broke its banks. Read more: Workers should use coronavirus self-isolation as sick days, says Government East Riding of Yorkshire Council said in a statement its staff along with teams from the Coastguard and Humberside Fire & Rescue were going to door-to-door in the village, where sandbags have been deployed to protect around 60 properties. A powerline underwater in Snaith, East Yorkshire, where locals have criticised the lack of help they have received from the authorities (PA) East Cowick was the council's "main area of concern" but it had also arranged sandbags to protect 100 properties in Snaith, where residents were advised to evacuate from their homes on Wednesday afternoon as water from the Aire and surrounding washlands continued to rise. Flood warnings remain in place in the Snaith area, where locals have criticised the lack of help they have received from the authorities. Qantas has used hospital-grade cleaning solution capable of stopping sexually transmitted diseases to clean planes carrying people from Wuhan. Qantas flew three planes carrying passengers from the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak back to Australia. The airline has stepped up their cleaning efforts in a bid to make sure their future commercial passengers were at minimal risk. Qantas crews gave the Boeing 747 an extensive 36-hour clean before it resumed its typical flight schedule. The plane's cabin was sprayed twice with an intense disinfectant. Qantas flew three planes carrying passengers from the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak back to Australia This included all seats, arm rests, tray tables, overhead baggage compartments, walls and floors. Qantas used Viraclean to clean the aircraft, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Viraclean is a medical grade disinfectant that has been proven to kill germs of herpes, E coli, hepatitis B and salmonella. Items such as pillows, blankets and headphones were removed, quarantined and disposed off before they were replaced with new version. Qantas planes also have HEPA filters, which are used in hospital operating theatres and replace air in cabins every three to five minutes. This means the air is cleaner than in most forms of public transport. The cleaning procedures used by Qantas exceeded the ones they had in place for the SARS crisis and is developed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The airline stepped up their cleaning efforts in a bid to make sure their future commercial passengers were at minimal risk. Pictured: Wuhan evacuees flown on a Qantas plane to Darwin Four flights - including one rerouted through New Zealand - have brought home Australians trapped in Wuhan following the outbreak. Three of them were Qantas flights. Those people were taken to Christmas Island and the Manigurr-ma Village at Howard Springs, an old mining camp about 30km from Darwin, for a 14-day quarantine. Qantas crews gave the Boeing 747 an extensive 36-hour clean before it resumed its typical flight schedule (stock) Australians who were on the cruise ship off of Japan - Diamond Princess - returned to Darwin last week on a Qantas flight. Some of those people have since left their quarantine and have gone back to daily life. Around 170 people were taken to the facility in Howard Springs, where they will spend the next 14 days. Former President Saakashvili about Coronavirus Spread in Georgia - GeorgianJournal TAUNTON, Mass., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The registered nurses and health care professionals of Steward Health Care's Morton Hospital in Taunton yesterday cast an overwhelming vote (96 percent) in favor of authorizing a one-day strike in an effort to convince Steward to provide improvements in staffing to ensure appropriate patient care. The vote comes after the nurses have filed more than 120 official reports in the last year, documenting staffing conditions that "poses a serious threat to the health and safety of my patients." The vote does not mean the staff will strike immediately. It gives the negotiating committee the authorization to call a one-day strike if and when they feel it is necessary. Once the committee issues its official notice to strike, the hospital will then have 10 days before the nurses will go out on strike. If a one-day strike happens, nurses will be prepared to return to work after the 24-hour period. The key issue in the dispute is the nurses' call for a number of improvements to the staffing levels on a number of units, including the hospital's busy emergency department, medical surgical floors, behavioral health unit and intensive care unit. Current staffing levels have left nurses caring for too many patients, and/or providing care without appropriate contractually guaranteed levels of support staff (i.e., nurses' aides, unit secretaries, etc.) who are crucial members of the health care team. In response Steward has refused to provide any improvements to RN staffing, and have a proposal on the table that would allow them to unilaterally eliminate any and all support staff. "On a daily basis, on every unit, our staff come to work without the resources we need to provide the care our patients should expect and deserve," said Selina Foster, RN, a nurse in the facility's busy emergency department. "The situation is unfair to our patients, and it is demoralizing to our staff who have direct responsibility for the safety of these patients." As stated above, the nurses have the ability to document and report, in real time, any instance where they are given a patient assignment that poses a risk to the safety of their patients. More than 120 of these "Objection to Unsafe Staffing" reports have been filed in the last year, and in nearly every instance, the reports document management's refusal to address the problem. The reports show comments such as "aware of the problemwe have no one to send you do the best you can." On one of those reports filed in 2019, signed by all the nurses on the night shift in the emergency department, described a harrowing situation where the nurses lacked the staff required to meet the "acuity" of patients (i.e. severity of illness and needs of those patients), placing all those patients and the staff in jeopardy. The report stated the emergency department was full, with "two critically ill patients requiring one to one care (these are patients who should be in the intensive care unit, but were being cared for in the emergency department due to lack of staff in the ICU), one patient who arrived in cardiac arrest, a patient with a trach (tracheotomy) in place arrived in respiratory distress, a patient brought in by ambulance with a police escort who was out of control and required to be restrained and provided one on one care, and multiple ambulances arriving at the same time, resulting in delays in patient care." The contractually guaranteed staffing level for the emergency department at that time was for nurses to have nine nurses on for part of the shift and seven for the remainder; however that night the nurses were down at least two nurses as well as other support staff. Other reports show similar circumstances, with the addition of 10 to 20 psychiatric patients being held in the emergency department, some of them suicidal, and all of them in a state of crisis. "These situations are not uncommon, and they are totally unacceptable," Foster explained. "With this vote, our membership is sending a clear message to the executives that we are ready to do whatever is necessary to protect our patients and to ensure that nurses are able to provide the care our patients deserve," said Jacqui Fitts, an RN on the medical surgical floor and chair of the nurses local bargaining unit. "No caregiver wants to strike, but we are prepared to do so if Steward continues to refuse to make improvements in staffing levels improvements that are needed to prevent a continued deterioration in the quality and safety of care at this hospital." The 357 nurses and health care professionals have been in negotiations with management for a new union contract since November 19, 2019, with 10 negotiating sessions held to date and the last five with a Federal mediator present. Throughout the process, Steward has refused to negotiate in good faith to provide information to address union concerns. In fact, recently the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint against Steward for their failure to provide the union with necessary information. Following the issuing of the complaint Steward reached a settlement last month that obligates them to provide all the information required by the nurses. In addition to safer staffing levels, the nurses and health care professionals are also seeking a fair wage increase that will allow them to recruit and retain the staff needed to fill staffing needs. The nurses have gone years without significant wage increases. Steward is currently offering a meager wage proposal of 1 percent per year in each year of a four year agreement, which fails to keep to the Morton staff competitive with other RNs and professionals in the region. "For many of our staff, Morton is where our family members receive medical treatment. We feel strongly about delivering the best care possible," explained Cheryl Dutra, a pharmacist at Morton and a member of the negotiating committee. When wages and benefits are fair, this hospital can recruit and retain the nurses and health care professionals that our patients need." The staff at Morton find it hard to accept Steward's refusal to invest in its staff or in safe patient care given Steward's enormous resources. Steward has been involved in a multi-billion-dollar expansion plan. Steward bought 24 new hospitals in eight U.S. states in the past few years (in addition to the nine in Mass.), and it now owns the three hospitals in the country of Malta. They also closed one hospital in Youngstown Ohio, shortly after buying it, and sold it's real estate. They are reportedly in talks now to buy hospitals in Montenegro, Macedonia, Croatia, Albania, as well as a number of Persian Gulf states. "It makes no sense to us that Steward is willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to expand their health care empire while neglecting the patients here at Morton and other facilities it has purchased and operates in this state," Fitts stated. Steward's staffing problems in Massachusetts are not limited to Morton Hospital. On the same day as the strike vote, the nurses at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston , Steward's flagship facility in the state, issued the required formal notice to management of their intent to conduct informational picketing outside the facility on March 10 from noon to 1 p.m. to protest Steward's failure to adequately staff the hospital. Earlier this month, nurses at Steward Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill went public with their concerns about staffing conditions that were resulting in an unprecedented spike in workplace violence incidents at the facility, with nurses and other staff injured from the assaults. Nurses at Steward Morton Hospital will head back to the table with management on February 28 in the hopes of moving closer to an agreement. MassNurses.org Facebook.com/MassNurses Twitter.com/MassNurses Instagram.com/MassNurses ____________________________________________ Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association Related Links http://www.massnurses.org Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 20:49:43|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan meets with Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met with visiting Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic Thursday in Beijing. Wang said that the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core has led the Chinese government and people to fight all out against the epidemic, and has achieved stage achievement. This showcases CPC's fundamental purpose of whole-heartedly serving the people and the advantages of the leadership of the CPC and socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said. China has close cooperation with the international community in the fight against the epidemic, upholding the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Wang. He said Dacic's visit once again proved the long-term friendship, mutual trust and support between the two countries, adding the two sides should constantly enhance understanding and cooperation to push forward the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. For his part, Dacic said as China's time-tested close friend, Serbia stands with China in its fight against the epidemic and is ready to work with China to further advance bilateral ties and pragmatic cooperation in all fields. 27/02/2020 (L to R) Dr Kevin Kelleher, Assistant National Director Public Health & Child Health at the HSE & Sonya Cotter, Interim Head of Special Delivery Unit during a media Briefing on Covid-19, Seasonal Flu and Winter Plan at the HSE National Communications Division, Cornmarket,Dublin. Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins The coronavirus may already be circulating in Ireland but it has not been picked up on tests so far, HSE official Dr Kevin Kelleher said today. And pressure on ambulances is forcing suspect cases to arrange their own transport to hospital for a swab test, increasing the risk of it being passed on if they are positive. No confirmed case of the virus has emerged despite over 100 suspect cases being tested. However, HSE public health officials said the fear is that someone who has it will delay seeking medical care. There is the potential for more people being infected by that person during the time lag. Read More This would mirror the crisis in parts of north Italy where hundreds of people have tested positive in the last week. The HSE also conceded there is a risk of an outbreak in overcrowded hospitals which continue to battle the trolley crisis. Suspect cases who need to be brought to hospital for a swab test can no longer be routinely brought by ambulance. They will have to arrange their own transport with a relative. This is because of the rising number of suspect cases due to more countries being added to the at risk list. Use of an ambulance would take from the delivery of other routine care. However, using peoples own transport to take them to hospital for a swab also increases the chance of passing on the infection if the prove positive. The HSE briefing was told that around 2,000 queries were received by the HSE helpline over the past week about the coronavirus and some 300 were referred to public health staff. Adequate stocks of protective equipment and clothing which are essential for health staff are available despite difficulties in procuring the items. Meanwhile, the organisers of the St Patricks Day Festival said today they will take a measured and proportionate response to the public health threat from the new coronavirus. The spread of the virus to countries which will be sending participants to the festival has raised questions about it going ahead. In a statement today, the organisers said that following detailed meetings yesterday with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, it has been confirmed to St Patricks Festival that the National Public Health Emergency Team has established an expert sub-group to develop criteria for the risk assessment of mass gatherings. This criteria is expected to be made available early next week. While the IRFU are working frantically with their Italian counterparts and Six Nations chiefs to find a suitable date to rearrange their postponed fixture as the tournament hangs in the balance. Further disruption to the remaining Six Nations schedule looks inevitable as the threat of the coronavirus rapidly spreads across Europe. Across the world, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison ordered hospitals to ensure sufficient medical supplies, protective gear and staff. US President Donald Trump put his vice president, Mike Pence, in charge of America's response, while France's President Emmanuel Macron rallied the nation. "We have a crisis before us. An epidemic is on its way," Macron said at a Paris hospital where a 60-year-old Frenchman this week became the second person to die from the coronavirus in France. Germany, too, has warned of an impending endemic. And Greece, which is a gateway for refugees from the Middle East and beyond, announced tighter border controls, with particular attention on islands used by migrants. Expand Close Tourists wearing protective masks walk near Duomo square, as a coronavirus outbreak continues to grow in northern Italy, in Milan, Italy, February 27, 2020. REUTERS/Yara Nardi / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tourists wearing protective masks walk near Duomo square, as a coronavirus outbreak continues to grow in northern Italy, in Milan, Italy, February 27, 2020. REUTERS/Yara Nardi A rash of countries have had their first cases in recent days, the latest being Denmark with a man back from a ski holiday in Italy, and Estonia with someone returning from Iran. There is no cure for the virus that can lead to pneumonia, and a vaccine may take up to 18 months to develop. New cases in South Korea took its total to 1,261 with 12 deaths, while Europe's hotspot Italy had 453 infections and 12 deaths, and Iran reported 245 cases and 26 fatalities. In Singapore, authorities said a 12-year-old student at the elite Raffles Institution school was among the three new cases confirmed on Thursday, taking the city state's tally of infections to 96. The United States is managing 59 cases - most Americans repatriated from a cruise ship quarantined in Japan where almost 700 cases developed. But Trump said the risk was "very low" in the United States which was "very, very ready". Chinese authorities said the number of new deaths stood at 29 on Thursday, its lowest daily tally since Jan. 28. There were just 433 new cases in mainland China over the previous day, compared to 586 in nations and territories elsewhere. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. When China is all out to combat the novel coronavirus epidemic, its freight trains are also busy running on tracks to transport commodities between Chinese and European cities. By Feb. 21, the China-Europe Chang'an freight trains running between the western Chinese city of Xian and European cities had made a total of 297 trips this year, transporting 146,000 tons of commodities, up 1.89 and 1.8 times year on year, respectively. A green channel has been opened in Xian to ensure rapid yet strict checking and loading of commodities before they go through customs formalities, as well as comprehensive disinfection of freight vehicles. For instance, 5 minutes after the arrival of 7 container trucks from east Chinas Shandong province carrying light industrial products at 9:40 am, they went through the first round of epidemic inspection at a designated area near a toll gate, including disinfection, temperature measurement for the drivers, and information registration and verification. Besides, the doors of the truck cabins were all sealed so that the drivers wont have to go through further checks. The second round of inspection started two minutes later when the trucks drove into Gangwu Avenue, a road leading to the Xi'an International Trade & Logistics Park. At 10:20 am, these trucks were guided by a government vehicle to the Xi'an Railway Container Center Station, where they received the last round of disinfection and information verification, and unloaded the commodities. Later, the commodities were loaded to a China-Europe freight train after customs clearance and shipped to Prague, Czech on the afternoon that day. This process ensures that vehicles leave immediately after unloading and drivers stay in the cabins to avoid human contact. It is a rapid green channel, and also a safety channel of closed monitoring, said Jiao Jianfeng, deputy director of the port bureau under the administrative committee of the Xi'an International Trade & Logistics Park. The Xi'an International Trade & Logistics Park has rolled out multiple measures together with the customs and railway departments to ensure smooth operation of the China-Europe freight trains while taking all-out efforts to control and prevent the epidemic. It established a green passage, and promoted highway-railway joint transportation and railway-freight railway joint transportation channels to give full play to the role of the service during the special period. "In order to ensure smooth operation of the freight trains, we informed our domestic and foreign customers that we have offered gate passes for regular logistics vehicles, and the container trucks from outside the city can also go through all inspection formalities rapidly, said Yuan Xiaojun, general manager of Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Co., Ltd. So far, the administrative committee of Xi'an International Trade & Logistics Park has issued 183 gate passes for regular logistics vehicles serving the China-Europe freight trains, according to Su Guofeng, deputy director of the committee. This has guaranteed fast and safe passage of container trucks while ensuring the maximum safety, and reduced the costs of drayage, lifting and storage, Su introduced, disclosing that about 800 yuan ($114) can be saved for each container this way. By Feb 21, more than 800 trucks had passed safely through the green channel, with a daily peak of 70, Su added. The efficient and stable operation of the China-Europe Changan freight trains has boosted confidence of related companies. The Sweden-based packaging giant Tetra Pak is one of them, who recently decided to shift from maritime transportation to railway transportation. On Feb. 14, the first batch of 50 containers of Tetra Pak wrapping paper arrived at the German port of Mukran, where they boarded a China-Europe Changan freight train for Xian. The wrapping paper, whose final destinations are east Chinas Jiangsu province and Beijing, will serve as strong support for the Swedish companys global production. While fighting against the epidemic, well further optimize the transportation process and improve the operational efficiency of the China-Europe Changan freight rail service, so as to make it high-quality, market-oriented and sustainable, said Sun Yimin, whos is in charge of the Party working committee office and management committee office of Xi'an International Trade & Logistics Park. It reflects Xians responsibility and vision as a logistics center, Sun added. [February 27, 2020] Global Market for Personal Computing Devices Will Be Impacted by COVID-19, According to IDC With 2019 in the rearview mirror and the emergence of the COVID-19 virus, International Data Corporation (IDC) has lowered its forecast for personal computing devices (PCDs), inclusive of desktops, notebooks, workstations, and tablets. According to new projections from the Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, overall PCD shipments will decline 9.0% in 2020 reaching 374.2 million by year's end. However, the long-term forecast remains slightly positive as global shipments are forecast to grow to 377.2 million in 2024 with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.2%. The decline in 2020 is attributed to two significant factors; the Windows 7 to Windows 10 transition creates tougher year-over-year growth comparisons from here on out and, more recently, the spread of COVID-19 is hampering supply and leading to reduced demand. As a result, IDC (News - Alert) forecasts a decline of 8.2% in shipments during the first quarter of 2020 (1Q20), followed by a decline of 12.7% in 2Q20 as the existing inventory of components and finished goods from the first quarter will have been depleted by the second quarter. In the second half of the year, growth rates are expected to improve though the market will remain in decline. "We have already forgone nearly a month of production given the two-week extension to the Lunar New Year break and we expect the road to recovery for China's supply chain to be long with a slow trickle of labor back to factories in impacted provinces until May when the weather improves," said Linn Huang, research vice president, Devices & Displays. "Many critical components such as panels, touch sensors, and printed circuit boards come out of these impacted regions, which will cause a supply crunch heading into Q2." "There's no doubt that 2020 will remain challenged as manufacturing levels are at an all-time low and even the products that are ready to ship face issues with logistics," added Jitesh Ubrani research manager for IDC's Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers. "Lost wages associated with factory shutdowns and the overall reduction in quality of life will further the decline in the second half of the year as demand will be negatively impacted." Assuming the spread of the virus subsides in 2020, IDC anticipates minor growth in 2021 as the market returns to normal with growth stemming from modern form factors such as thin and light notebooks, detachable tablets, and convertible laptops. Many commercial organizations are expected to refresh their devices and move towards these modern form factors in an effort to attract and retain a younger workforce. Meanwhile, consumer demand in gaming as well as the rise in cellular-enabled PCs and tablets will also help provide a marginal uplift. Worldwide Topline Personal Computing Device Forecast Changes, Year-Over-Year Growth %, 2020-2021 (Annual) Product Category Forecast Version 2020 Shipments (M) 2020 Year-Over- Year Growth 2021 Shipments (M) 2021 Year-Over- Year Growth Total Traditional PCs 4Q19 - Feb. 2020 248.0 -7.1% 251.2 1.3% 3Q19 - Nov. 2019 252.4 -4.6% 248.3 -1.6% Total Tablets 4Q19 - Feb. 2020 126.2 -12.4% 125.4 -0.6% 3Q19 - Nov. 2019 127.8 -10.8% 125.2 -2.0% Total Personal Computing Devices 4Q19 - Feb. 2020 374.2 -9.0% 376.6 0.6% 3Q19 - Nov. 2019 380.2 -6.8% 373.5 -1.8% Source (News - Alert): IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, February 19, 2020 Worldwide Topline Personal Computing Device Forecast Changes, Year-Over-Year Growth %, 2020 (Quarterly) Product Category Forecast Version 1Q20 2Q20 3Q20 4Q20 Total Traditional PCs 4Q19 - Feb. 2020 -6.4% -10.3% -6.4% -5.6% 3Q19 - Nov. 2019 -2.0% -6.8% -5.7% -3.5% Total Tablets 4Q19 - Feb. 2020 -11.8% -17.5% -15.0% -6.6% 3Q19 - Nov. 2019 -8.1% -10.7% -16.3% -7.8% Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, February 19, 2020 Table Notes: All figures represent forecast data. Traditional PCs include Desktop, Notebook, and Workstation. Total tablets include both slate and detachable tablets. 2-in-1 devices are a category including convertible PCs and detachable tablets. Convertible PCs are notebook computers equipped with an integrated keyboard and display that can be used in either a traditional notebook configuration or a slate configuration. A detachable tablet meets all the criteria of a slate tablet but is designed to operate with a first-party keyboard designed specifically for the device. IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker gathers data in more than 90 countries and provides detailed, timely, and accurate information on the global personal computing device market. This includes data and insight into global trends around desktops, notebooks, detachable tablets, slate tablets, and workstations. In addition to insightful analysis, the program delivers quarterly market share data and a five-year forecast by country. The research includes historical and forecast trend analysis. For more information, or to subscribe to the research, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 or [email protected]. About IDC Trackers IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools. Click here to learn about IDC's full suite of data products and how you can leverage them to grow your business. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter (News - Alert) at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights: http://bit.ly/IDCBlog_Subscribe. All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005695/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Schools in the United States prepare for all manner of disasters and threats, whether hurricanes, mass shooters, tornadoes, influenza or head lice. But this week, a stark new order came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Get ready for the coronavirus. Around the nation, school officials and parents were flummoxed by the sudden warning that if a coronavirus epidemic hit the United States, school buildings could be shut down for long periods of time, leaving children sequestered at home. On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus is coming. Don't panic. Prepare. In alerting that the coronavirus will almost certainly spread in the United States, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said she had contacted her own local school superintendent this week and asked if the district was prepared. She advised parents to do the same. And she suggested that a temporary system of internet-based teleschooling could replace traditional schools. It was not clear how such a system would work. The obstacles to teaching remotely were evident: American children have uneven access to home computers and broadband internet. Schools have limited expertise in providing instruction online on a large scale. And parents would be forced to juggle their own work responsibilities with what could amount to a vast, unplanned experiment in mass home-schooling, said Kevin Carey, vice president for education policy at New America, a think tank. Across the country, as federal authorities announced that 60 people in the United States had been infected with the virus, mainly from travel abroad, families were grappling with the new alarm raised over the virus and how a possible outbreak could play out in their own communities. In Denver, Meg Conleys 11-year-old daughter, Margaret, interrupted breakfast Wednesday morning with a worried question. She told her mother that her elementary school classmates were gripped by fears about the coronavirus, and she asked when it was coming and how many people it would kill. I had no idea, Conley, 35, a freelance writer, said of the childrens anxieties. Apparently its all the kids are talking about on the playground. Schools are hastily making their own plans or updating those drafted during previous scares over viruses like H1N1 and Ebola. The Washington state health department held a webinar for about 250 school superintendents Tuesday to discuss coronavirus preparations, including plans to close schools and allow students to continue to do schoolwork at home. Dennis Kosuth, a nurse for Chicago Public Schools, said his districts ability to handle an outbreak could be compromised by circumstances like families who could not afford child care costs to keep sick children at home. Nursing shortages are a concern, too, he said. Kosuth said he was responsible for nursing care at four schools. Some Chicago schools also lack rooms dedicated to health needs, Kosuth said. In one school where many students and staff members became ill with an ordinary infection last semester, Patient Zero was sitting in the main office coughing and sneezing all over the place as the sick child waited to be picked up, he said. On a more positive note, Kosuth said that evidence from China suggested that children were more resilient to the coronavirus than adults were. In Miami-Dade County, Florida, Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of one of the nations largest school districts, said his systems preparation for hurricanes put it at an advantage in preparing for the coronavirus. The district has provided laptops, tablets and smartphones for some students to take home as well as internet connectivity for some low-income students. Teachers would be asked to assign work remotely and could even teach some high school courses live online. I was a bit surprised that it took this long to offer national guidance specifically to school districts, Carvalho said of the CDC statement this week. Many districts have already sent home letters about the coronavirus, asking parents to keep sick children away from school and to remember basic prevention measures such as hand washing, cough covering and vaccination against the flu. They have highlighted CDC advice issued early this month calling for all travelers returning from China to self-quarantine for 14 days. School officials have often tried to ratchet down panic among parents, reminding families that face masks are not broadly recommended and that the overall risk of infection is low. But few districts have publicly addressed what would happen to classes in the case of widespread infection and school closings like those that have taken place in China, Italy and Bahrain. The vast majority of districts have access to broadband internet, but they do not necessarily have expertise in how to effectively organize and teach classes online when schools are shuttered. Further complicating matters, not all families have home computers and high-speed internet. While 90% of households with children under 18 had broadband access in 2016, according to federal data, gaps remained along the lines of income, race and education level. Less affluent families were more likely to depend on smartphones but lack computers or tablets, which are often needed to fully participate in online learning. While school districts may not be ready for widespread remote learning, many of the larger districts have had plans for the possibility of pandemics for years, according to Chris Dorn, a school safety consultant with the nonprofit Safe Havens International. Districts without such plans will need to work with local health agencies to come up with protocols, he said. Among the questions to tackle: Should students at risk for coronavirus who show symptoms at school be transported immediately to hospitals, or should they be kept on school grounds until a parent or caretaker can pick them up? In the San Jose Unified School District in California, Melinda Landau, who manages school nursing, said the districts response to flu season would also help in the case of a coronavirus outbreak. It has ordered additional thermometers and hand-washing lesson kits, which allow nurses to sprinkle powder that glows when exposed to ultraviolet light, demonstrating how thoroughly students have washed their hands and how important simple personal-hygiene measures can be. The district also asks parents who call their children in sick to describe symptoms. Schools with clusters of sick students are cleaned more deeply with disinfecting products. On HoustonChronicle.com: Trump urges calm even as U.S. reports worrisome new virus case There have been no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the district, Landau said. Two students returned from trips to China in late January. Their parents voluntarily kept them home from school for a time to monitor their health. Going forward, the district is waiting to see how the coronavirus progresses, Landau said. She added, We dont quite know where to move yet. Closing schools may not be the best option, especially since children appear to be at lower risk of infection, said Amy Acton, director of Ohios health department. Beyond contingency plans for closing, she said, schools need to consider lining up substitute teachers and planning for absences of other staff members, like cafeteria workers. And Acton said schools can also play another, more traditional, role: science and health education. Schools can be telling families what they can be doing to stay healthy, and we can teach about viruses, and what is a zoonotic disease? Why is it important to get a flu vaccine? Acton said. This is a teachable moment. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. France 24 Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday that he had Covid-19 for a second time and was experiencing mild symptoms, as the hard-hit country battles another wave of infections. "I inform you that I am infected with Covid-19 and although the symptoms are mild, I will remain in isolation and will only do office work and communicate virtually until I get through it," he tweeted.Lopez Obrador said that Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez would replace him at his usual morning press JACKSON, MI Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies boasted of the citys 2019 improvements, and offered a handful of new ideas, during his 30-minute State of the City address Wednesday night. Themes of his Feb. 26 speech included spurring developments, spending on streets, building new parks, reducing poverty and continuing the downward crime trend. About 80 people attended the event at the Michigan Theatre of Jackson. The city issued 627 building permits with an estimated construction value of $54 million, Dobies said, a nearly 350 percent increase from 2018. He also noted new businesses that opened last year like Axe Play, Tilted Arcade Bar and Jackson Candle Company. "We have created momentum that I believe is unprecedented in recent history," Dobies said. Among the new developments downtown are a bunch of apartment buildings including low-income, senior and high-end housing. Dobies offered an update on the following projects: The 200 : Construction on the 86-unit building is ahead of schedule, on pace to be complete this fall. Albert Kahn Apartments : The 73 low-income apartments going in at the former Jackson Citizen Patriot building is also expected to finish this fall. Francis Senior Lofts : Dobies expects to cut ribbon on this 45-unit project this summer. DeLand Pointe : The new Habitat for Humanity neighborhood just south of downtown is expected to begin construction this year. Reed Manor: The city is working on a rebuilding of the Jackson Housing Commission apartments, although plans are only conceptual at this point. Any redevelopment would be up to the housing commission, not the city, and development is likely years away according to a JHC Facebook post. Commonwealth : Unrelated to the engineering and consulting business, a separate Commonwealth business is moving forward with plans for a 53-unit apartment building on the 300 block of West Michigan Avenue. More apartments: Dobies said city staff are working to draw more housing units next to the Lofts on Louis, estimating theres room for four more buildings with 250 units and 450 residents. Dobies hopes these developments help attract a grocery store and gas station to open downtown. A conceptual rendering shows ideas for a redesigned Reed Manor, with taller buildings and green space in the middle. He also announced hopes to open a few new park spaces in the city. "One of the many things our city has going for us is our tremendous parks," Dobies said. "When I was first elected, I signed a pledge to ensure that everyone has access to a high-quality park within a 10-minute walk of their home." Right now, 91 percent of Jackson residents live within a 10-minute walk to parks, he said. Dobies announced plans Wednesday night for three new parks spaces. The first would be called Workers Memorial Park, and set next to the old McCulloch Elementary School on Biddle Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Cooper Street. He also reiterated plans to convert Beech Tree Park into a dog park, at Van Buren and Blackstone streets. A city of Jackson document shows plans for space off Biddle Street, to turn it into a city park. Dobies also wants to open a nature reserve along the Grand River watershed north of Dwight, Bates and Pleasant streets, extending across Elm Street to Northeast Elementary School. The city already owns 43 acres in the area. Consumers Energy, Jackson Public Schools and residents own another 126 acres in the space, he said. "Imagine walking on winding paths through this area and learning more about our natural environment," Dobies said. The city also has plans to make improvements at Optimist Park and Loomis Park, he said, and pass an ordinance to make all city parks smoke-free. More Jackson news: Jackson picks interim city manager, forgoes search process for now King Center to close through summer for $1.9M renovation Love him or loath him, the feather-ruffling Patrick Burtch changed Jackson Has the advent of technology made it easier, or more difficult, for brands to communicate with you and your valentine? asks ad guru Sandeep Goyal. IMAGE: Vodafone's Valentine's Day ad. Photograph: Kind courtesy Vodafone A few years ago Vodafone ran a Valentine's Day ad that became unbelievably popular all over the world. The brand just took the Stevie Wonder song, I just called to say I love you and put many more options to 'called' in the menu... Texted, Whatsapped, Facebooked, Tweeted, MMSed, Skyped, Instagrammed, Gmailed, Pinged, Flickered, CCed, Linkedlined, Facetimed, Plus-oned, StumbleUponed, Tumblred, RTed, Replied, Tagged, Favorited, Bid, Uploaded, MySpaced, Pinned, PayPalled, Voxed, Vibered, Vined, Liked... If the ad had been released today, we could well have added Tiktoked, Telegramed, Signaled, WickrMed, Toxed, WeChated, Lined, Hiked, Snapchated,... that's over three dozen ways of just 'calling' to say 'I Love You'. And we are not even talking of smoke signals, carrier pigeons, a-message-in-a-bottle, the old fangled telegram, the pony express or balloon mail, or even good ole snail mail, that may have been used by our fathers and forefathers to convey love. So has the advent of technology made it easier, or more difficult, for brands to communicate with you and your valentine? Brands today not only have to grapple with creating breakthrough content and communication that will arrest attention and engage consumers, but also need to figure out fairly accurately and precisely where the target consumers would best be interfaced, influenced and enticed. IMAGE: Coca Cola's 'Happiness is in the Air' commercial. Photograph: Kind courtesy Coca Cola Coca Cola's 'Happiness is in the Air' commercial debuted during the February 14, 2013, episode of American Idol. That romantic commercial could make Cupid sing with joy! It had bouquets of red balloons drift down to a busy cityscape below in Wellington, New Zealand, on Valentine's Day, bringing with them cans of Coca-Cola for unsuspecting couples to share. The commercial was an instant hit. IMAGE: Love Machine, a viral film from Coca-Cola Turkey. Photograph: Kind courtesy Coca Cola 'Happiness in the Air' actually followed Love Machine, a viral film Coca-Cola Turkey created for Valentine's Day 2012. A vending machine customised with a hidden camera dispensed free Coca-Cola to couples who could prove their love through a hug or kiss in a busy Istanbul shopping mall. Again, a super hit. IMAGE: Parisian Love, a Google commercial. Photograph: Kind courtesy Google Another famous Valentine's ad is Parisian Love by Google Stories that used the Google Search bar to tell a helluva cute story. Someone somewhere starts to query Study Abroad Paris France, then goes on to check Cafes near the Louvre, then asks Google to Translate tu es tres mignon, further asks for advice on how to Impress a French girl. The query extends to Chocolate shops Paris France, then struggles with questions like What are Truffles? and Who is Truffaut? Information is then sought on Long distance relationship advice and Jobs in Paris. Then booking info on flight AA120. The query transitions to Churches in Paris and then happily to How to assemble a crib... The ad became a mega hit. India's Valentine experience has been kind of mixed. This year, Tinder, the dating app, has already taken to social media to invite users to play a 'game'. The brand put out a tweet, asking users to let their predictive text keyboard decide what their Valentine's Day plans will be. The genesis of this promotion perhaps goes back to Gizmodo's Brian Moylan who set out to see just how good his iPhone's new predictive text, called QuickText, really was at knowing what's in his heart. Moylan only used the sentence generating software, which gives you three-word options to start a sentence: The, I, and I'm. He set about using that feature to talk to his Tinder matches as best as he could. As it turned out, even though predictive text isn't usually coherent, to some it does seem poetic and poignant in an existential sort of way! Moylan really got some amazing results. Let us see how the Tinder India promotion turns out. IMAGE: The UberChopper commercial from Uber. Photograph: Kind courtesy Uber One of the nicest promotions on Valentine's in recent times has been the #UberChopper offer in Delhi, 3-4 years ago. For Rs 5,000 paid through the PayTMWallet you would get an aerial ride on a EuroCopter, door-to-door UberBlack transport, and a poolside meal! The offer went massively viral on social media with much outpouring of genuine affection for the brand. One doesn't really know how many customers actually finally got to do the aerial trip over Delhi, but the offer itself did wonders for Uber. Valentine's is getting bigger and bigger in India. But it is still nowhere close to the $20 billion industry it is in the United States. Indian brands are getting increasingly inventive, and innovative, both with offers and communication, but most tend to get lost with lots of red colour ads, smiling hearts, selfies and small-time offers. If brands really want to maximise the Valentine's window, they need to think big... some years ago, Pizza Hut actually had a $10,010 engagement package that included everything from fireworks, a limo, a red ruby ring, a photographer... and a $10 pizza dinner box! Beat that. He returned to Wadmalaw in 1996, to be close to his ailing father, with his wife, Trudy, and Tamika and her twin brother, Terence. Tamika Gadsden remembers being devastated, as most 10th-graders would be, to be uprooted from friends and favorite places and relocated to a rural landscape with one road in and out of town. She headed back to New Jersey for college and stayed after graduation, working for a time in government and in a retailers corporate offices. Then, on a visit home several years ago, she drove over a bridge and saw sunlight dancing on the water. She decided she wanted to come home. Facebook has cancelled its annual F8 developer conference, the company's biggest event of the year, over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. The social media giant says that "locally hosted events, videos and live-streamed content" will replace the conference. The event was scheduled to take place at the McEnery Convention Centre in San Jose, California, on 5-6 May, and features a keynote address by co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. In 2019, the event attracted more than 5,000 attendees developers, creators and entrepreneurs from around the globe. A statement from the company reads: "In light of the growing concerns around COVID-19, weve made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person component of F8 this year, in order to prioritise the health and safety of our developer partners, employees and everyone who helps put F8 on. We plan to replace the in-person F8 event with locally hosted events, videos and live-streamed content." Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty A blog post by Konstantinos Papamiltiadis, director of developer platforms & programs at Facebook, reads: "This was a tough call to make F8 is an incredibly important event for Facebook and it's one of our favourite ways to celebrate all of you from around the world." He adds: "We explored other ways to keep the in-person part of F8, but its important to us to host an inclusive event and it didnt feel right to have F8 without our international developers in attendance." Similar events have already been cancelled including the Mobile World Congress trade show. The IMF and World Bank are considering a range of options concerning their Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, scheduled for April. New Zealand said on Thursday stated its willingness to continue its trading relations with India 'though different means' if India does not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Earlier in November 2019, New Delhi had decided against joining the RCEP but, the decision may change if India's key concerns about signing the trade pact are addressed. While interacting with a news agency on the sidelines of India-New Zealand Business Forum', organized by FICCI, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker said, "Yesterday, I met with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and discussed the issue (the RCEP). We know that India chose to stay out of RCEP, but if they continue to not participate in the pact (in the future), then we will want to pursue our trading relationship through different means." Talking about enhancing complementary socio-economic relations, Parker said, "We see enormous potential for trade between the 2 countries. Given the size of our respective economies, our level of trade is quite low and we can do a lot for our mutual advantage." READ | National Interest vs The Invisible Hand: Implications of India's RCEP Withdrawal New Zealand companies working under Make in India While addressing the business gathering at the National Capital, the New Zealand Minister spoke briefly about how New Zealand is constantly engaging with multiple Indian states to provide them with the latest technology in agriculture, food storage, and supply chain infrastructure. Adding further, he even spoke about how New Zealand companies have started working with Indian businesses under the Make in India program. The Minister also emphasized the need to adopt the latest technologies to encourage innovations, that will bridge the gap between the two nations. "Trade policies play an important role. There is a lot that we can do together, and we are a progressive nation," he informed. Encouragfing greater participation from women entrepreneurs to contibute towards the national GDP, Parker said that New Zealand is working to increase the number of women entrepreneurs in the overall trade. "According to the IMF, greater female participation boosts growth by up to 35 percent of the GDP," he said adding that there are equal opportunities for women in India which will also contribute significantly to India's GDP growth. READ | South China Sea, Myanmar and RCEP on ASEAN agenda What is the RCEP? The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its six FTA partners, launched in 2012. The member nations include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the FTA members include China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The agreement aims at dropping tariffs and duties between the members to allow a free flow of goods and services. READ | India refuses to compromise interests; RCEP signing deferred to 2020 READ | BJP responds to Rahul's RCEP attack, says he has "selective amnesia" (With ANI inputs) English French OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Women who own and lead businesses in Canada will have access to more support after Export Development Canada (EDC) today announced it will increase funds available for its Women in Trade Investments Program and significantly boost targets for this under-represented group of exporters. Effective immediately, EDC has established three new commitments of support: Facilitate $2 billion in trade by 2023 eight times more than the $250 million target set in 2018; Serve 1,000 unique customers by 2023, up from 381 since 2018; and Increase support available through the Women in Trade Investments Program to $100 million, up from $50 million in 2019. We need to encourage women to take bold steps internationally, said Mairead Lavery, President and CEO of EDC. With our new targets and financial support EDC will work alongside women entrepreneurs who are breaking down barriers and growing internationally. Research has shown that advancing womens economic equality will benefit all Canadians as it has the potential to add $150 billion in incremental GDP by 2026. Yet as of todays Canadian women-owned businesses only 11% are exporting. Our government will always support women entrepreneurs and business owners because not only is it the right thing to do it is the smart thing to do, said the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade. With initiatives like EDCs Women in Trade Investments Program and other government measures such as our Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and the Business Women in International Trade initiative, all Canadians will benefit from the innovative work of women entrepreneurs as they create middle-class jobs and foster economic prosperity for people across the country. EDC has a variety of solutions and programs in place to support women exporters at all stages including early- stage where many can stall due to a lack of capital. Women entrepreneurs who are making plans to export, or are already exporting, can access the full range of connection and export-related tools including financing, knowledge and risk-mitigation. About EDC Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian companies of all sizes succeed on the world stage. As international risk experts, we equip Canadian companies with the tools they need the trade knowledge, financing solutions, equity, insurance, and connections to grow their business with confidence. Underlying all our support is a commitment to sustainable and responsible business. For more information and to learn how we can help your company, call us at 1-888-434-8508 or visit www.edc.ca . Power Star Pawan Kalyan is all set to make his comeback in films. The actor is currently busy shooting for the Telugu remake of Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Hindi film, Pink. Ever since the announcement of PSPK 26, fans can't control their excitement to see Pawan Kalyan on the big-screen. Amidst all, the new development of the film has come out now. The first single of PSPK 26 is ready and it's been composed by ace music director SS Thaman. Confirming the news on Twitter, the composer wrote, "As a biggest fan I can't also wait to release our #PSPK26FirstSingle the whole team is working so hard . We knw how important it is for us at the same time for every one . We shall be at our best to make the best for our #powerstar @PawanKalyan gaaru !! Love U guys !! " What a dream day met the person I wanted to work and make music .I played him the songs I composed Felt So nervous & was sweating like anything in tension love & pressure Finally it was all love & respect We r coming soon with our #firstsingle Love u sir Godbless thaman S (@MusicThaman) February 24, 2020 According to the reports, Pawan Kalyan also heard SS Thaman's composition and liked it. Earlier, the makers have revealed the female cast of the Telugu version of National-Award winning film, Pink. Nivetha Thomas, Anjali and Ananya Nagalla will be seen playing female leads while the Power Star is playing a lawyer in the film. Jointly produced by Boney Kapoor and Dil Raju, the film is being helmed by Sriram Venu. Trivikram Srinivas has been roped to write dialogues of the film. Also Read : Pawan Kalyan's Film With Krish Jagarlamudi Gets A Title The original version starred Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang. Directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Pink was also remade in Tamil with Thala Ajith Kumar in the lead role. Shraddha Srinath, Abhirami Venkatachalam and Andrea Tariang played the female leads in the film. New Delhi, Feb 27 : The house of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) municipal councillor from Nehru Vihar, Tahir Hussain, in Chand Bagh still has a number of petrol bomb bottles, acid pouches, and stones scattered on the rooftop and inside. Hussain's house has come under the scanner after a number of videos on social media showed over 100 to 150 people pelting stones, throwing petrol bombs and acid on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. Even BJP leader Kapil Mishra, who was on the backfoot following criticism by the Delhi High Court for his alleged inflammatory videos, on Thursday hit back at AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. "I am saying it openly. If Tahir Hussain's call detail records (CDR) during the days of the riots are probed, then both Sanjay Singh and Kejriwal's roles in the riots and Ankit Sharma's murder would be revealed," Mishra tweeted. This comes in the aftermath of the recovery of Intelligence Bureau employee Ankit Sharma's body was recovered on Wednesday from the riot-hit areas. The family members of the IB staffer have reportedly accused Hussain of plotting Sharma's death. However, in a video shared by AAP national social head, Hussain claims that he was not present in his house for two days. The scene outside Hussain's house bears a deserted look with bricks, metals, wooden sticks, furniture and refrigerators all burnt outside his house. The area around the residence of Hussain bore the burnt of the stone pelting and petrol bombs as number of houses and shops were burnt during the violence on Monday and Sunday. On the second floor of the house, 10 to 15 pouches of acid were found along with same number of petrol bombs. Even on the rooftop of the four-storey building a number of petrol bombs were found intact with a catapult that was used to throw the petrol bombs and stones on nearby houses. After a number of videos showing people throwing stones and petrol bombs from his home, Hussain in a video statement claimed that he too was a victim of the violence that broke out in several parts of northeast Delhi. Hussain's remarks came after fingers were pointed at him over the death of Sharma whose battered body was recovered on Wednesday from a nearby drain. In the video, the AAP leader identifies himself and goes on to state, "I want to say that all the news being spread and shown about me is totally false. It is all dirty politics being played against me. Ever since Kapil Mishra made his provocative speech, the situation in Delhi has worsened. Stone-pelting is going on in several places and many other things that are being reported. All this happened here too, and we responded fast and called up the police. A huge crowd broke my office gate, climbed my terrace. I asked for help from the police and they reached a few hours later and then the situation was brought under control." Riot-hit parts of northeast Delhi were slowly limping back to normalcy. The dead IB staffer's family has alleged Hussain's supporters brutally assaulted Sharma and killed him. People in the neighbourhood have alleged that the AAP leader played an active role in the riots that engulfed the area since Sunday. AAP leaders have been quick to defend Hussain over the allegations. In the this week's deadliest violence in northeast Delhi, at least 34 people have lost their lives so far while over 200 others have been injured. The clashes first broke out on Sunday between pro- and anti-CAA demonstrators. In the three days of clashes, hundreds of vehicles, shops and homes were gutted. People have questioned the role of the Delhi Police over its inaction during the violence. (Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in and Ananya Bhatnagar can be contacted at ananya.b@ians.in) South Korean army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus on a street in Daegu, South Korea, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. As the worst-hit areas of Asia continued to struggle with a viral epidemic, with hundreds more cases reported Thursday in South Korea and China, worries about infection and containment spread across the globe. Read more BANGKOK Saudi Arabia cut travel to Islams holiest sites, South Korea toughened penalties for those breaking quarantines and airports across Latin America looked for signs of sick passengers Thursday as a new virus troubled a mushrooming swath of the globe. With the illness pushing its way into a sixth continent and the number of sick and dead rising, the crisis gave way to political and diplomatic rows, concern that bordered on panic in some quarters, and a sense that no part of the world was immune to the diseases spread. Viruses dont know borders and they dont stop at them, said Roberto Speranza, the health minister in Italy, where northern towns were on army-guarded lockdowns and supermarket shelves were bare. As growing parts of Europe and the Middle East saw infections and a first case was found in South America, air routes were halted and border control toughened. But for an illness transmitted so easily, with its tentacles reaching into so many parts of the world, leaders puzzled over how to keep the virus from proliferating seemed willing to try anything to keep their people and economies safe. Some 12.8 million students across Japan were told to stay home for weeks as schools were shuttered, a decision some called unavoidable. The most important thing is to prevent infections, said Norinobu Sawada, vice principal of Koizumi primary school, "so there aren't many other options." In South Korea, the hardest-hit country outside China, four Busan markets known for colorful silks and a dizzying array of other wares were shuttered while the countrys military sent hundreds of its doctors and soldiers to aid in treatment and quarantines. In Iran, the front line of Mideast infections, officials loosened rules barring the import of many foreign-made items to allow in sanitizers, face masks and other necessities, and removed overhead handles on Tehrans subways to eliminate another source of germs. Peru put specialists on round-the-clock shifts at its biggest airport, Argentina took the temperature of some new arrivals and El Salvador added bans for travelers from Italy and South Korea. The holy city of Mecca, which able-bodied Muslims are called to visit at least once in their lives, and the Prophet Muhammads mosque in Medina were cut off to potentially millions of pilgrims, with Saudi Arabia making the extraordinary decision to stop the spread of the virus. With the monarchy offering no firm date for the lifting of the restrictions, it posed the possibility of affecting those planning to make their hajj, a ritual beginning at the end of July this year. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm, the country said in announcing the decision. Disease has been a constant concern surrounding the hajj, with cholera outbreaks in the 19th century killing tens of thousands making the trip. More recently, another coronavirus that caused Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, prompted increased public health measures, but no outbreak resulted. COVID-19s westward creep including a case in California in the United States that does not appear linked to overseas travel had some countries warning their people to obey measures intended to keep a single case from blossoming into a cluster that could paralyze a community. A man originally from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the global outbreak, who contracted the virus was charged alongside his wife in Singapore for allegedly lying about their whereabouts as officials tried to stem further infections. In Colombia, which has yet to report any cases, officials reminded residents they could be jailed for up to eight years if they violate containment measures. And in South Korea, the National Assembly passed a law strengthening the punishment for those violating self-isolation, more than tripling the fine and adding the possibility of a year in prison. It came later than it should have, said Lee Hae-shik, spokesman for the ruling Democratic Party, calling for further non-partisan cooperation to address the outbreak. Countries efforts to contain the virus opened up diplomatic scuffles. South Korea fought prohibitions keeping its citizens out of 40 countries, calling them excessive and unnecessary. China warned Russia to stop discriminatory measures against its people, including monitoring on public transit. Iran used the crisis to rail against the U.S., which it accused of a conspiracy that was sowing fear. The global count of those sickened by the virus hovered around 82,000, with 433 new cases reported Thursday in China and another 505 in South Korea, where the military called off joint drills planned with American troops. Iran's caseload surged by more than 100 cases. Even the furthest reaches of the globe were touched by the epidemic, with a woman testing positive in Tromsoe, the fjord-dotted Norwegian city with panoramas of snow-capped mountains. Health officials said the woman had traveled to China. Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Contributing to this report were Tong-hyung Kim and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea; Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark; and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo. LONDON A 360-year-old passageway once used by British monarchs has been rediscovered inside Parliament, revealing a piece of history that was thought to have been permanently covered up after World War II. For decades, it was thought that the only remnant of the passageway, built in 1660, was a brass plaque inside Westminster Hall, the oldest of Parliaments buildings, marking where the entrance would have been. Instead, access to the passage had remained hidden in plain sight for about 70 years. To say we were surprised is an understatement, Mark Collins, historian of the Parliaments estates, said in a statement on Wednesday. We really thought it had been walled up forever after the war. The passage, created for a procession to the 17th-century coronation banquet of Charles II, was then used for about 150 years for other coronations and by lawmakers to gain access from the hall through to the original House of Commons chamber. Among the luminaries likely to have used the route include, historians believe, Robert Walpole, who is generally regarded as Britains first prime minister. Criticizing the authoritarian Kazakh government has cost Nurbol Onerkhan his freedom and his job. The 26-year-old village teacher from North Kazakhstan Province is currently serving 15 days in jail for "administrative arrest," his second such detention since December. His arrest on February 20 came just days after Onerkhan staged a one-man protest in front of the local government's office in his native village of Birlik to demand that authorities allow people to hold peaceful rallies. Onerkhan also posted a video of his protest on the YouTube channel he started in October. Calling the Kazakh government a "dictatorial regime," Onerkhan says in the video that "people's rights and freedoms are suppressed" in Kazakhstan. "I won't stay silent and accept it," he added. Onerkhan's family said on February 20 that authorities accused him of violating the rules of peaceful protests. The formal charge for his previous detention was calling on people to attend unsanctioned demonstrations. Onerkhan spoke to RFE/RL earlier in February when he said he was determined to continue "civil activism" despite the arrests and other pressure being put on him. In the age of social media, Onerkhan believes his lonely protest in the remote village of Birlik, some 240 kilometers from the provincial capital, Petropavl, will be heard and will have an impact. "It doesn't matter if you're in a village or a big city," Onerkhan told RFE/RL. "If you want changes in society, you must act." In Kazakhstan, however, authorities don't like protests and don't tolerate criticism. Upon returning from his first administrative arrest, the state school where Onerkhan worked fired him for missing several days of work. On the same day, the regional military call-up center summoned Onerkhan and told him he would be sent to the military's conscript service later this year. Onerkhan says he always knew there would be a price to pay for publicly speaking out against the government in Kazakhstan, a country where political opponents often end up in prison or in self-imposed exile. Young Teacher's Observations Onerkhan says he first began noticing the depth of social disparity in oil-rich Kazakhstan when he took his first job as a history teacher at a school in the neighboring village of Starobelka in 2017. His monthly salary was the equivalent of just over $100 a month. He taught some additional classes and his monthly salary rose to about $180 in 2019. But it still was three times lower than the official average salary in the country. Onerkhan began to question why the revenue of the country's mineral wealth didn't trickle down to ordinary people. "In Kazakhstan, which has abundant natural resources, ordinary people's income is smaller than many countries that have no such natural riches," Onerkhan told RFE/RL. Onerkhan grew increasingly unhappy with the government's "wrong policy" and felt there was a need to "stand up against it." "I decided to share my viewpoints on social media," Onerkhan said. "I became a civil activist and began calling on people to defend their rights." Since October, Onerkhan has posted dozens of videos that are highly critical of the government. In one of them, Onerkhan claims that even police officers who detained him understand and "support" the protests because "they too get miserable salaries." Onerkhan claims that the presidential system doesn't work for Kazakhstan, where former authoritarian President Nursultan Nazarbaev ruled the country for nearly three decades before choosing a loyal successor. "To change the current situation in Kazakhstan, we need to create a parliamentary republic and establish a democratic model.... Lawmakers and governors should be elected by the people's votes," Onerkhan said in a YouTube video. On his YouTube profile photo, Onerkhan uses the image of Mukhtar Ablyazov, a controversial opposition leader who lives abroad in self-imposed exile. Onerkhan says he supports Ablyazov's political views, but insists he has no links to the politician and his party, the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, which is banned in the country. The Other Side Of The Story Meanwhile, the director of the school where Onerkhan used to work stands by her decision to fire him during his incarceration. Anna Sazonova said the primary reason for the dismissal was Onerkhan's absence from work for 10 days when he was jailed. "But we also weren't comfortable with his teaching methods, especially for the Foundation Of State And Law course," Sazonova told RFE/RL. The director said Onerkhan would give the students his own views in class instead of teaching "what's written in the textbook." "The students told us that, for example, he taught 'they are not indebted to the state because the state isn't doing anything for them,'" Sazonova said. At the regional military call-up center, officials insist the decision to send Onerkhan to the army has nothing to do with his civil activism. Getting fired from work or being sent to the army are among some of the well-known methods in Kazakhstan used to punish activists, says Yevgeny Zhovtis, a leading Kazakh human rights defender. "If you've got a job, the authorities put pressure on you through your employer. If you're a student, you'll be expelled from university. If you've got nothing, they harass your relatives," Zhovtis told RFE/RL. Since losing his job, Onerkhan is living with his parents and depends on their modest pensions, but he says he has no regrets. "For dictatorial power to come to an end [in Kazakhstan], the number of civic activists must be increased. Anyone who cares about the people and the future of our children should think about that," Onerkhan said in one of his videos. Written by Farangis Najibullah based on reporting by Ayan Kalmurat and Nurgul Alina, who are both correspondents with RFE/RL's Kazkah Service Danbury Fire Department SOUTHBURY State police are looking for the driver who sideswiped a semi-truck and fled on westbound Interstate 84 last week. The incident happened around 10:20 p.m. Thursday near Exit 15. A woman was sentenced to a year and a half in prison after she backed her car into an Oregon state troopers car during a December traffic stop, led police on a high-speed chase, then turned herself in. Aubri Rita Jenkins was convicted on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, recklessly endangering another, reckless driving and failure to perform duties of a driver. On Dec. 29, 2019, an Oregon State Police trooper contacted a woman, later identified as Jenkins, who was parked outside a business in Banks and looked to be unconscious in the drivers seat. As the officer came toward the car, Jenkins started the engine. The officer told her to stay where she was, but instead she backed it into his car. The officer tried to open the drivers side door and arrest her, but she backed up again, throwing the officer into the bushes. Jenkins peeled out, nearly hitting the officer with the open door of her car. She hit the officers car again, as well as another car at the scene. The officer followed Jenkins as she drove up to 90 mph in a 55-mph zone. He stopped following her after a while, but Jenkins later turned herself in. Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who recently visited India, is impressed by a 13-year-old girl for her extraordinary teaching talent. Namya Joshi, a Class 7 student from a Ludiana-based school has been helping her teachers convert class lessons into Minecraft sessions. Minecraft is a video game in which players create and break apart different kinds of blocks in three-dimensional worlds. Nadella wrote, "I was energized to meet so many young innovators in India this week, including Namya Joshi who is training teachers around the world on how to use Minecraft as a learning tool. Their empathy, passion and ingenuity will change our world for the better". So far, Namya has trained more than 100 teachers in her school and around the world on the use of Microsoft tools such as Minecraft, Scratch, Kahoot, and Flipgrid in her school's classrooms. It all started two years ago when Namya's mother Monica Joshi, who is the IT head at the at St Paul Mittal School in Ludhiana, signed up to become a global Minecraft mentor as part of Microsoft Innovative Educator programme. And then, one day Joshi found Namya playing with Minecraft: Education Edition. Subsequently, Joshi asked her daughter to create her upcoming lesson in the Minecraft world. The result convinced Joshi about using Minecraft in her school. After that, the mother-daughter duo started creating more lessons on Minecraft and soon other students and teachers in the school joined them. Namya has spoken at KEOS2019 - a global education conference in Finland, where she also conducted a workshop for teachers. She has also won the National Minecraft Competition in December 2018 and has been nominated as India's ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals for Children. Also read: Corona beer becomes victim to coronavirus outbreak Also read: Scientists discover first life-form that can survive without oxygen By Do Je-hae Key officials from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the Moon Jae-in administration have come under fire for some insensitive remarks related to the COVID-19 epidemic. Their words have hurt public sentiment rather than soothing the anxiety that has arisen from the rapid spread of the coronavirus, showing the wide gap between politicians and the general public in terms of their views on the issue. Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo has received angry responses from the opposition and the public with a remark that seemed to blame Koreans for the rapid spread of the virus which originated from the Chinese City of Wuhan. During a plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Wednesday, Park was asked questions regarding the spread of the new coronavirus. "The biggest cause is us Koreans who entered from China," Park said. The remark came amid mounting frustration against the government for its inability to control the epidemic at the initial stages by implementing a stringent entry ban on people arriving from China as many countries have done since the outbreak of the virus earlier this month. During a government briefing earlier this week, Park repeatedly made remarks suggesting that the entry of Chinese people is not the root cause of the spread of the virus here and therefore, a complete entry ban from the entire Chinese territory will not be that effective in containing the epidemic. "Banning Chinese entry into the country is not entirely right. In some cases, infections occurred from Chinese tourists. But there were more cases of infections caused by Koreans who have been to China," Park said during a briefing on Feb. 21. These remarks fanned the public anger especially because in recent days some Chinese local governments have banned the entry of people from Korea as the number of confirmed cases here is rising. The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) has called on President Moon to dismiss Park. "The minister, who is responsible for the spread of the virus by neglecting quarantine, is blaming the people for the spread of the virus," UFP floor leader Rep. Shim Jae-cheol said during a party meeting at the National Assembly, Thursday. "The incompetence of this administration, which has ignored experts' warnings and has avoided responsibility, is being starkly exposed." Park has also faced criticism for saying that the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases did not recommend an entry ban on those coming over from China. But the organization, in fact, had advised the government to expand the ban to those coming from other danger zones in China in addition to Wuhan. Some ruling party members and Cheong Wa Dae officials have been praising their own efforts, stressing that some foreign media outlets have positively reported Korea's response to the virus. Citing a report by U.S. magazine TIME, Rep. Park Kwang-on of the DPK said, "(The report said) the increase in the number of confirmed cases in Korea rather shows the country's system is working properly." He added Korea's capability for swift and accurate tests and transparent disclosure of relevant information has led to the high number. Criticism followed that the ruling bloc is not understanding the situation properly. "If Rep. Park's stance is right, the continuously growing number of patients and deaths is a positive signal that the country's system is working properly," UFP vice spokesman Hwang Kyu-hwan said. These controversial remarks came even after DPK chief spokesperson Rep. Hong Ik-pyo resigned from his post, Wednesday, following public backlash over his call to shut down Daegu and the North Gyeongsang Province, the areas worst affected by the virus in Korea. Princess Beatrices upcoming wedding could be the event that turns things around for the royal family, yet there is a chance that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dont attend the ceremony. Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are officially stepping down as acting members of the royal family on March 31. With Beatrices wedding slated for the end of May, royal experts believe the Sussexes might skip out, a move that would be a tremendous snub to the entire royal family. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Ben Birchall WPA Pool / Getty Images Princess Beatrice set to tie the knot Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi proposed to Beatrice when the couple was on vacation in Italy this past fall. The two announced their engagement by sharing photos on social media, though the royal family kept the wedding details to a bare minimum. That all changed in February when Buckingham Palace confirmed that the two are going to exchange vows on May 29 inside St. Jamess Palace. After the ceremony is over, the wedding party will head to Buckingham Palace for a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth. The royals have not released any more information about the big day, but royal expert Angela Mollard claims that Queen Elizabeth is planning on having the reception outdoors, in a tent. The reception is going to be at Buckingham Palace but not actually in the palace. Its a posh tent, Mollard shared. I was thinking about the toilet situation. Its May, Britain rains all the time, Mays likely to rain as its spring. Mollard added that the decision to host the reception outside of the palace is probably to prevent members of the media from snapping photos inside Buckingham Palace. The royals have been through a lot lately and keeping Beatrices wedding low-key will help to avoid any further scandals. Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle come to the wedding? With details pretty scant, nobody knows who will be invited to Beatrices wedding. The venue inside St. Jamess Palace is also fairly small for a royal wedding, so the guest list will likely be limited. That said, there is little doubt that Harry and Markle will get invited to the ceremony. After all, they invited Beatrice to their wedding in 2018 and she did not disappoint. But in light of their decision to step away from the royal spotlight, there is a good chance that Prince Harry and Markle decline the invitation in favor of some more alone time. According to Express, Mollard believes Harry and Markle will avoid the wedding because of their desire to stay out of the public eye. But if that happens, Mollard believes it would be a tremendous snub to Harrys family. It will be interesting to see if they come back for that, Mollard stated. If they dont come back for Beatrices wedding I think it will be the most tremendous stink. It will just be seen as an absolutely massive snub to the Royal Family and would suggest that they absolutely put their own needs ahead of other royalty. Prince Harry and Markle are currently living in Canada. As part of their exit, they plan on spending the majority of their time in North America, though a permanent destination has yet to be revealed. Did Prince Harry and Meghan Markle take a shot at Princess Beatrice? While we wait to see if Prince Harry and Markle attend the wedding, they recently took a dig at Beatrice on their website. In an attempt to explain how they are no longer using their royal titles, the couple seemed to complain about how other members of the royal family hold jobs in the professional world but are still allowed to use their HRH styles. While there is precedent for other titled members of the Royal Family to seek employment outside of the institution, for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, a 12-month review period has been put in place, they explained. Sources believe that the statement was a clear reference to Beatrice and her sister, Princess Eugenie, both of whom have careers outside of the monarchy. Beatrice works at a tech firm while Eugenie is the director of an art gallery. The statement also comes after Queen Elizabeth confirmed that Prince Harry and Markle will not be allowed to use their royal titles until they return to the royal family. This includes work with their charitable organization, Sussex Royal. Who will be Princess Beatrices pageboys and bridesmaids? At this point, there is no telling what Prince Harry and Markle have planned for the end of May. But if they do decide on making an appearance at the wedding, there is a good chance that their son, Archie Harrison, will be a pageboy. Archie is set to turn one at the beginning of May and is a leading choice for Beatrice and Mozzi. Other likely candidates for pageboys and flower girls include Christopher Woolf, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Beatrice has yet to announce an official guest list for her wedding but we can only assume that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the cut. 27.02.2020 LISTEN Dear brothers and sisters, Do you not know that 57% of us Ghanaians are below 25 years of age? And if you include those in the 30s and 40s the country is totally and utterly in the hands of young people? We have all the power in our hands but only as a thinking collective. Yet, at the same time, we are so weak as an unthinking collective. Young people are disregarded at every level in the country especially if you are not part of the political or business elite. This is a paradox. How can we have so much and so little power at the same time? We dont think for ourselves. We have outsourced our thinking to the 3.6% of the population above 65 years of age. The so-called authorities of our time those leading government, political parties, corporations, religious bodies - are thinking for us. This is the biggest problem. Young people of Ghana in the 21st century are behaving as if we are in medieval times when all the information was controlled by the centre. When information had no freedom. When only a few people processed all the information available and therefore did all the thinking for everyone else. When there were only a few books and no Internet - of - all things. When there was no big data. And when there were only a few schools in Ghana and one educated person in each village. The reality is that we are in an Information Age of accelerating change and independent thought. We dont only have freedom of information and of thought. We also have power of expression. But we have chosen to willingly give our thinking caps to so called authorities. The AUTHORITIES 3.6% of the population - have cleverly taken away our moral courage required for independent thinking and action. They have made us believe it is a sin to speak truth to power. To authority. They have amplified, magnified and glorified praise singing to the highest heavens. Disobedience of authority has become a capital SIN among young people of Ghana. At the behest of the authorities, young people dont only fail to stand together in opposition to social injustice, young people justify and rationalize the injustices perpetuated by the so-called AUTHORITIES against our own interests. Political parties are the new religions in Ghana today. Elsewhere, data is the new religion. Elsewhere, information is the new power. We cannot remain blinded by the colors of political parties and refuse independent thought even when the data/information is out there to show that the political elite the so-called political authorities (NDC/NPP) only use the young masses, the foot-soldiers, as an election machinery to obtain power but when it comes to distribution of resources like the GETFund, only the 3.6% and their family and friends benefit. The rest of us must remain ignorant, uneducated, emasculated and permanently deprived. The AUTHORITIES dont care about us. It doesnt matter if you belong to their political party or not. It doesnt matter if you work for them. And it certainly doesnt matter if you worship the same God with them. They worship the god of GREED! Of AVARICE! Thats why MPs, ministers of state, political party leaders and their children are appropriating and sharing GETFunds instead of needy and brilliant young students. Dont be deceived there are no political party colors or religious and tribal barriers when it comes to these so-called authorities. They are solidly united against we-the- poor and young masses who remain blindly and solidly divided in subservience to the same authorities. We the young people of Ghana have remained victims of these authorities even with the overflow of information, the information glut all around us. This is partly because we have been overwhelmed by junk and mediocrity. The same authorities running our mainstream corporate and presstitute media have made sure to always muddy the waters with EQUALIZATION tactics to make it difficult for us to differentiate between truth and lies. And since we are already a generation of lazy thinkers, preferring to outsource our thinking to authorities, we make no further effort to seek independent truth. We have put political color to the truth. We now have NDC truth and NPP truth. Sadly, we are swallowing partisan truths. And this only perpetuates the power and hegemony of the 3.6% of Ghanaians in AUTHORITY who are over 65 years old! What a big shame to the youth! We the young people of Ghana today have become worse than the pre-independent youth who had no access to schools, books, and the internet-of-All things. Even they could think for themselves in the midst of the scarcity of information. Thats why they stood up against the injustices of the colonialists. And thats why their only difference was in their approach to their opposition to colonial authority. They stood up to colonial injustice. They overthrew colonialism. We on the other hand, are worshiping and maintaining authoritarianism. Here we are today, with overwhelming information, power of expression, but we are using it as young people, to justify and rationalise the injustices of AUTHORITY! We keep telling ourselves that NDC/NPP are omnipotent. And there is nothing we can do about the duopoly. We are prepared to condone evil as long as we perceive it as a lesser evil from our narrow political lenses. Instead of being empowered by information, we have become zombies who are prepared to deny, argue against facts and evidence before our eyes. We even argue against common sense. We are not interested in the truth. To us, the color of truth is the color of our political tribe. Every other information/fact of a different color are lies. We are heading towards a zombie apocalypse! Our arguments and our timid behavior against our own interests show us as medieval era thinkers - that is if we can truly consider ourselves thinkers - in this age of information. Think-tanks have become echo chambers of weaponised authoritarian disinformation. Isnt this a big disgrace to Ghanaian youth? There has never been a period in our history that has presented us with the greatest opportunity for premium independent thinking and action than this current period. Yet, we squander it in petty mindedness and consummate mediocrity. We need to pause and ask ourselves if we can really afford to continue to outsource our thinking faculties to AUTHORITIES whose least interests is in we-the-people THE YOUNG PEOPLE. Do we not still realize that these so-called ideological or religious differences between the various authorities are just imaginary - if they exist at all? My fellow youth of Ghana, all other industries and areas of endeavour, the world over, are subservient to the information and big data processing systems that control the world. All our gold mines put together is a drop in an ocean compared to the billions generated from Silicon Valley. Data is the new gold. The guy who created Twitter has given power of expression to the American President - not the other way round. Those who are informed are in control. But here we are still looking up for a pie in the sky from the NDC and NPP and from the mega cathedrals of a few charlatans. Why do we persist in remaining powerlessly emasculated in the midst of massive doses of information? Why do we gleefully support and maintain authoritarianism? If we think this is governance for the people, we need to think again - and independently! This is no democracy! And if we insist that this is democracy, then it must be for the benefit of we-the- masses. But since ours is for the exclusive benefit of the authorities, it can only be AUTHORITARIANISM! Let's pause and think again before the zombie apocalypse!!!! Signed: Sacut Amenga-Etego (One of you against Authoritarian Injustice)! SaCut Amenga-Etego Journalist/Activist/Ghost Writer Africa: +233277819038 Europe: +31615135484 Twitter:@sacut IG:rassacut www.facebook.com/sacut skype: rassacut MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Having health issues such as smoking, high cholesterol or a high body mass index (BMI) in your 20s may make you more likely to have problems with thinking and memory skills and even the brain's ability to properly regulate its blood flow, according to a preliminary study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 72nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada, April 25 to May 1, 2020. "These results indicate that people need to pay close attention to their health even in their early 20s," said study author Farzaneh A. Sorond, M.D., Ph.D., of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "We've known that vascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and high blood glucose levels are linked to cerebrovascular damage and problems with thinking skills in older people, but this study shows that these factors may be linked decades earlier and injury may start much earlier." The study involved 189 people with an average age of 24 who were followed for 30 years as part of a larger study. Of the group, 45% were black and 55% were white. The people were tested eight times over the course of the study. Each time, their cardiovascular health was assessed based on five factors: smoking, BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose level. At their 30-year visit, the people's thinking and memory skills were tested, along with their brain's ability to regulate its blood flow. The researchers found that people with better cardiovascular health at the beginning of the study were more likely to have higher scores on the tests of thinking and memory skills 30 years later than those with worse cardiovascular health. For example, on a test of attention skills where scores ranged from seven to 103, each point higher on the cardiovascular health score was associated with a 2.2 points higher score in attention skills. The results were the same after researchers adjusted for other factors that could affect thinking and memory skills, such as level of education. The people with better cardiovascular health at the beginning of the study and seven years into the study were more likely to have better cerebral autoregulation, or the body's ability to maintain stable blood flow in the brain. This means that during changes in blood pressure, the brain is able to maintain adequate blood flow. "More focus on a life course research approach is needed to help us better understand how these vascular risk factors affect brain health as we age," Sorond said. She noted that the study does not prove that better cardiovascular health results in better thinking and memory skills or better ability of the brain to regulate blood flow; it only shows an association. A limitation of the study was that researchers did not have cerebral autoregulation measures at each visit to better understand the relationship over time between cardiovascular health and brain blood flow regulation as they relate to midlife cognition. The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Northwestern University, the University of Minnesota and the Kaiser Foundation Research Institute. Learn more about brain health at BrainandLife.org, home of the American Academy of Neurology's free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health. Follow Brain & Life on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with over 36,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit AAN.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. SOURCE American Academy of Neurology Related Links https://www.aan.com/ YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan received today Ambassador of Canada to Armenia Alison Mary LeClaire (residence in Moscow), the deputy PMs Office told Armenpress. Welcoming the guest and congratulating on the appointment, the Armenian deputy PM highlighted the further expansion and deepening of the cooperation with Canada. He thanked the government of Canada for the support provided to Armenias ongoing democratic reforms. In turn the Canadian Ambassador thanked for the reception and highly appreciated the recent changes in Armenia following the Velvet Revolution, noting that there is a firm base to further develop the relations. The sides agreed that the volumes of the bilateral trade turnover are not in accordance with the existing potential and discussed the opportunities to boost the economic ties especially in the fields of IT and agriculture. The sides also touched upon the activity of the Armenian community in Canada which serves as a bridge between the two countries. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan Chefs theyre just like us. Sometimes, theyre super basic and shop at the grocery store. We asked Los Angeles chefs to share the items they buy and eat on the way home. Fried chicken Fried chicken from Ralphs is one of Teresa Montanos favorite grocery store buys. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) $7.99 for eight pieces, available at Ralphs One thing that has always been a guilty pleasure is the fried chicken at Ralphs. I know it sounds dreadful, but it always hits the spot. I always wonder what kind of chicken they use, but I feel like I will not really like the answer. Ignorance is bliss in this case. Teresa Montano, Otono Advertisement Justins Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter cups N/nakas Carole Iida-Nakayama likes to buy Justins dark chocolate peanut butter cups from the grocery store. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) $1.99 for a pack of two peanut butter cups. Available at most grocery stores Its perfect because the dark chocolate outer layer is the perfect ratio to the peanut butter inside. It satisfies my chocolate craving plus gives me a little extra protein so I dont feel as guilty as eating a Reeses! Carole Iida-Nakayama, n/naka Pocky Nakul Mahendro of Badmaash restaurant loves to buy Pocky at the grocery store. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) $1.69, available at most grocery stores and Asian markets The chocolate version is the perfect balance of creamy rich milk chocolate and the crisp, pretzelish cookie ... not too sweet. Just perfect. Arguably the best mass-produced chocolate cookie/snack/crisp. Nakul Mahendro, Badmaash Food Off Menu: Eating chicken tikka pizza and masala dosas with the boys from L.A.s Badmaash Food columnist Lucas Kwan Peterson goes to Artesia with Arjun and Nakul Mahendro and their father, Pawan, to try some of the best Indian food in the city. The Mahendros own a modern Indian restaurant, Badmaash, with two locations in Los Angeles. Aris yogurt Dear Johns chef Josiah Citrin is a fan of Aris yogurt. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) $7.99, available at Gelsons, Bristol Farms and Erewhon Its a Greek-style yogurt made from sheeps milk, rather than the typical cows milk. Besides being lactose-free and about double the protein of cows milk [yogurt], this yogurt is incredibly creamy with a slight tang in comparison. I use their plain yogurt often, and unlike many other brands out there, even the plain is delicious enough to eat on its own. Josiah Citrin, Dear Johns Food How Northgate became L.A.s best Mexican supermarket and how it plans to stay on top During its 40 years in business Northgate has established itself, arguably, as the best Mexican supermarket in town. At the start of a new decade, the family-run company finds itself catering to a large and increasingly diverse customer base across Southern California. Teddy Grahams Roxana Jullapat of Friends & Family likes to buy Teddy Grahams at the grocery store. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) $3.69, available at most grocery stores The box is big, so I try not to give in to temptation too often. And they have to be Teddy Grahams. The other graham crackers are good, but theyre not a perfect nibble like the Teddys. They come in different flavors, but the honey ones are the best. Roxana Jullapat, Friends & Family Wrigley spearmint gum Wrigleys gum is one of Kim Princes favorite things to buy at the grocery store. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) $1.29, available at most grocery stores Im old-school. I can skip a meal if I have some gum in my mouth. Even with braces. Im a regular shopper at Albertsons on Crenshaw. Kim Prince, Hotville Chicken Chili & Cheese Clover chips Chippy Chips and Clover Chips are a favorite of Lasa chef Chad Valencia. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) $1.75, available at Seafood City and Chaaste Family market My newfound love is Leslies brand Clover chips, specifically the Chili & Cheese flavor. Theyre not spicy but loaded with MSG (yum) and are cheesy with a lighter, airier crunch than what were used to in American chips. Chad Valencia, Lasa Honey-roasted peanuts Somnis Aitor Zabala is a fan of honey roasted peanuts. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Any brand, prices and availability will vary When I was a kid in Spain, my family had a house in Priorat with lots of nut trees. I would eat the fresh nuts with my family. Later on, as a 12-year-old in Spain, I discovered honey roasted, salted peanuts, which me and my friends considered a cool American food. Aitor Zabala, Somni at SLS Beverly Hills Karoun Dairies string cheese with caraway seeds Nancy Silverton likes to buy Karoun Armenian string cheese from the grocery store. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) $5.55, available at Ralphs and your local Middle Eastern market If youre starving, its the perfect snack. Much better for you than Fritos, salt-and-vinegar potato chips or M&Ms. Nancy Silverton, Mozzaplex Standardization of on-product warnings has given manufacturers guidelines for effective safety communication. That longstanding history of standards and regulatory leadership is unprecedented for any company in our field and it puts us in a unique position to be able to provide insight on the developments that have occurred. Clarion Safety Systems, a leading manufacturer of safety labels, signs and tags, is celebrating its 30 year anniversary this month. February 28 marks three decades since the companys incorporation. With this landmark milestone, the company is sharing its outlook on the warnings landscape how safety has changed looking at then versus now and what it means for todays manufacturers and workplaces. Over our 30 years in business, weve been involved at the leadership level in the best practice ANSI and ISO standards, striving to create consistency in visual safety communication. Were proud of that fact, and that were able to use that knowledge to collaborate with our customers to warn as effectively as possible, says Ron Crawford, CEO of Clarion Safety. That longstanding history of standards and regulatory leadership is unprecedented for any company in our field and it puts us in a unique position to be able to provide insight on the developments that have occurred. With that experience, Clarion Safety has compiled an overview, below, of the three major shifts in the warnings landscape, comparing 1990 (the year of the companys founding) to today. Top 3 Shifts in the Warnings Landscape #1: Standardization In 1990, there was a literal lack of standardization in the field of on-product warnings and visual safety communication, says Angela Lambert, Director of Standards Compliance at Clarion Safety. Change first came in 1991, when the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) published the ANSI Z535.4 Standard for Product Safety Signs and Labels. For the first time, product manufacturers had a practical framework to develop the content and format of their safety labels, Lambert says. The ANSI Z535.4 standard defines a set of components for on-product warnings that provided people with the information they needed to avoid hazards and provided manufacturers and U.S. courts with a legal definition for what constituted an adequate warning. When used correctly, labels developed to meet the standard help to reduce accidents associated with products and, if an accident does occur, they help to reduce the product manufacturers liability exposure should the adequacy of the warning be challenged. A second major shift came over a decade later, with the publication of an international standard in safety labeling. In 2004, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO 3864-2 Graphical symbols Safety colours and safety signs. The standard gave guidelines to manufacturers across industries for their product safety labels and allowed warnings to be accepted globally. The biggest change weve seen in recent years is the development of industry-specific standards, Lambert says. National and international standards are written on several levels: A-level, like ANSI and ISO, cover a broad range of industries and B-level are written for specific industries. There are more B-level standards now than ever before. Thats a positive shift for safety as it means that the standards are becoming more specific and practical for todays manufacturers, while still falling under the guiding principles of the A-level standards. #2: Globalization Globalization the spread of products, technology and information across national borders has moved at an unprecedented pace since the 1990s. This is credited to a combination of public policy changes and to communications technology innovation. The world was a very different place in the period before the 90s and today, Lambert says. The impact to products and visual safety communication due to that can be thought of in waves or evolutions. The first wave was related to translations. Bi-lingual and multi-lingual warnings have become more and more essential over the years as a means to communicate effectively to an international or diverse workforce. The more recent evolution, according to Lambert, is related to the complexity of where end products are being shipped and how that effects formats for product safety labels. In todays global economy, its not uncommon for a product manufacturer to have little to no visibility into the end distribution of where their product may end up. That can present challenges from a warnings perspective, where its critical to understand the audience in order to warn effectively, and in some cases, the country being shipped to, in order to meet any pertinent regulations. The way that has manifested in recent years is on an openness to using symbol-only formats designs without words that are capable of communicating across any language barriers for on-product labels. A sign of the times, a 2016 update to the ISO 3864-2 standard introduced a new wordless format that conveys risk severity. This new label format uses what ISO calls a hazard severity panel but no signal word. It communicates the level of risk through color-coding of the hazard severity panel. This format option eliminates words making translations unnecessary. #3: Digitalization The World Wide Web first became publically available in 1991, the year after Clarion Safety was incorporated. Since the mid-1990s, the Internet has had a revolutionary effect on culture, commerce and technology. Needless to say, product manufacturing and product liability have also been impacted. Artificial intelligence, automation and the Internet of Things or IoT have effected product safety in varying ways some for the better and others presenting new challenges. The results have been highly impactful on the side of safety, such as shifting dangerous tasks to robots and away from workers or being able to create a link between on-product labels and safety manuals through QR codes. When it comes to product liability, digitalization and new technologies are essentially forcing product manufacturers to look at their products more holistically. They need to put a strong emphasis on the foreseeable use of their product and its potential use and misuse over its lifecycle, says Lambert. For example, for certain equipment manufacturers, that may mean having a strategy for social media where theyre proactive in monitoring use and misuse examples. That way, they can document what occurred and how they responded to it. That type of information may be especially important should there be an injury and product liability issue. To learn more about Clarion Safety and its history in the field of visual safety communication, visit the companys website. Clarion Safety also accepts media inquiries and speaking opportunities related to safety and risk. To submit a media inquiry, visit the companys Newsroom and select the For the Media tab. ABOUT CLARION SAFETY SYSTEMS Clarion Safety Systems, LLC, is the leading designer and manufacturer of visual safety solutions that help customers in more than 180 industries worldwide to make their products and premises safer. Clarion offers a full range of standard and custom products including machinery safety labels, environmental and facility safety signs, pipe and valve identification markings, lockout/tagout products, and safety-grade photoluminescent egress path-marking escape systems. Founded in 1990, the company continues to play a leading role in the development and writing of international and national standards for safety signs, labels, and markings. Clarion is headquartered at 190 Old Milford Road in Milford, PA, 18337, and online at http://www.clarionsafety.com. [February 27, 2020] American Financial Group, Inc. Management to Participate in Meetings at the Association of Insurance and Financial Analysts (AIFA) 2020 Conference American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: AFG) announced today that Carl H. Lindner III and S. Craig Lindner, Co-Chief Executive Officers and Joseph E. (Jeff) Consolino, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in the Association of Insurance and Financial Analysts (AIFA) 2020 Conference, being held in Boca Raton, Florida on Monday, March 2, 2020. While there will be no Company presentation, AFG will host several investor meetings. The investor material to be used in the meetings will be posted via a link under Events on the Investor Relations page of AFG's website, www.AFGinc.com, just prior to the conference. About American Financial Group, Inc. American Financial Group is an insurance holding company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio with assets of $70 billion. Through the operations of Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of traditional fixed, fixed-indexed and variable-indexed annuities in the retail, financial institutions, broker-dealer, registered investment advisor and education markets. Great American Insurance Group's roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005529/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Three Barclays executives on trial at the Old Bailey deny funnelling fees to Qatari investors to secure emergency funding The jury deciding the fate of three ex-Barclays executives accused of fraud has been instructed to ignore whether they deserved their bonuses following the financial crisis. After hearing four months of evidence, the Old Bailey jury is considering its verdict on Roger Jenkins, Tom Kalaris and Richard Boath. The three deny funnelling fees to Qatari investors to secure emergency funding during the financial crisis and avoid a taxpayer bailout. Judge Andrew Popplewell told the jury: 'Whether or not you think these defendants, or bankers in general, deserve the bonuses, they get paid for doing the job they were doing: that has no bearing on guilt or innocence.' When Harry Reid needed to clinch a deal to save the beleaguered Veterans Affairs Department in 2014, he left much of it to Bernie Sanders. Three years later, when Chuck Schumer sought a powerful ally to build public support to save Obamacare, the new Democratic Senate leader teamed up with Sanders to hold a rally in Michigan. Despite his anti-establishment rhetoric and a handful of high-profile breaks with his party over 29 years in Congress, the Vermont independent is typically not the headache for his Democratic leadership that Ted Cruz and Rand Paul once were for the GOP. Sanders, its often forgotten, actually serves on Schumers leadership team. Sanders has known both Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi for decades relationships that will become pivotal if Sanders wins the Democratic nomination and the party is fractured. And if Democrats do win the White House and control of Congress, their ability to work together will be crucial. The resistance to Sanders support for the "Green New Deal" and "Medicare for All" suggests major friction ahead in the campaign and on Capitol Hill. But theres also little animosity and a feeling of mutual respect between Sanders and the leaders, according to interviews with a dozen Democrats on Capitol Hill this week. Sen. Schumers heart is with a lot of what Sen. Sanders is advocating. They may differ in their political calculus because they see the world through different prisms, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said. I think theyre very simpatico in terms of respect for each other. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., center, speaks after a caucus luncheon, with Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., left, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Sanders has disparate relationships with Schumer and Pelosi. Sanders and Schumer both went to James Madison High School in Brooklyn and in Washington have regularly chowed down together with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) at Capitol Hill haunt Hunan Dynasty. They also both speak in loud, brash New York accents but otherwise couldnt come off more differently in the world of Democratic politics. Schumer is an electoral animal and consummate dealmaker, while Sanders is about big ideas and a generally uncompromising style of liberal politics. Story continues Sanders relationship with Pelosi is less involved. While Sanders served in the House alongside Pelosi for 16 years, he wasnt the modern-day movement politician he is today. Pelosi and Sanders have a cordial working relationship and they, along with Schumer, teamed up to rally Democrats for a day of action to save Obamacare after the 2016 elections. But the speaker and Sanders arent particularly close and their primary interactions during his House tenure involved committee assignments and other housekeeping issues, according to sources with knowledge of their relationship. Accordingly, Pelosi didnt need to develop as close a relationship with Sanders as Schumer, who became Senate Democratic leader just months after Sanders suspended his surprisingly strong presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton in 2016. But lawmakers close to Pelosi say if she can negotiate major funding and trade deals with President Donald Trump, working with a Democratic president no matter how far left is definitely achievable. Weve seen how well shes worked with folks. Shes even worked with this president, and she worked remarkably well with President Bush, said Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), a Pelosi ally. Shell be fine with whomever the president is. But there are real hurdles ahead if Sanders becomes the nominee and president, not to mention fears among moderates that a Sanders nomination will hurt Democrats battle to keep the House and take the Senate. The lack of support for Sanders big ideas on health care, the environment and tax policy among Democratic centrists suggests major internal fights ahead. If he gets to be president of the United States ... theres going to be some challenges to be able to get to a point where you can get to enough votes to get stuff passed, said Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), a centrist Democrat. But if Sanders is elected president, hes not going to simply lie down and submit to Congress even if its controlled by Democrats. Faiz Shakir, Sanders campaign manager and a former aide to both Reid and Pelosi, said party leaders should prepare for a President Sanders to assume the responsibility for setting the agenda, creating the mandate for change, and pushing Congress to act. Sen. Sanders has respect for the burden of leadership that Schumer and Pelosi carry, but he also believes the party can and will need to act far more boldly for working-class issues in the years ahead, Shakir said. That tension is no different from what President Barack Obama faced from the likes of Sanders on the left and people like Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on the right. The system is designed to slow things down, liberal Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said. The system is designed to round out rough edges. And if we had a President Sanders, you would have a legislative branch that provided some of that friction. Pelosi has earned her own progressive bona fides. She often talks of marching in the streets decades ago, holding a protest sign in one hand and pushing a stroller in the other. But Pelosi has only tepidly embraced some of the most radical progressive platforms boasting about Obamacare when asked her opinion on Medicare for All and describing the Green New Deal as the green dream or whatever they call it. And she will not put legislation on the floor that would endanger Democrats House majority, no matter who is president. Democrats who have served with Sanders say his presidential agenda wont be as dramatic as the policies hes pushing on the campaign trail, particularly if Pelosi is speaker. I dont think hes, during the midst of a campaign where hes stirred a whole movement, going to be talking about compromise, said Connecticut Rep. John Larson, who served in Democratic leadership when Sanders was in the House. But ultimately, hes been here a while. He knows what hes going to be up against. Sanders has drawn heat recently from former Vice President Joe Biden for encouraging a primary challenge to Obama, and he launched an infamous filibuster against Obamas deal to extend Bush-era tax cuts. Hes also been relatively scarce around the Senate Democratic Caucus since his 2016 performance as he built his 2020 machine, according to senators. But when the Democratic Party needs Sanders, hes generally been there. And his signature accomplishment may be cutting a 2014 deal with the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) on reforming the VA Department in the middle of a health care crisis, a development that belies Sanders reputation as a liberal hard-liner. Hes been a solid vote with the majority of the caucus most of the time, said Sen. Dick Durbin, who has been Democrats chief vote counter during Sanders entire time in the Senate. There have been a few [defections], you know. But it really is a limited number. If Sanders inside game in the Senate is lacking, its his outside game that earns the respect of his colleagues. With the Affordable Care Act on the ropes, Schumer and Sanders held a rally in Michigan that set the tone for Democrats from the center all the way to the left. Republicans, you're not going to destroy the Affordable Care Act, said Sanders, who is now criticized for wanting to tear the law down with Medicare for All. If you want to improve the ACA, then lets work together. Two years later, Sanders and Schumer wrote a joint op-ed about stifling stock buybacks that enraged conservatives, then held a Facebook Live event to promote it. In a statement Schumer praised the insurgent-turned-frontrunner: Bernie is a valuable voice in our caucus and an asset to our leadership team. He brings a very important perspective. Sarah Ferris contributed to this report. A 'frightened' British mother trapped in a coronavirus-stricken Tenerife hotel said today that guests are ignoring quarantine rules and she fears it is likely to become another Diamond Princess cruise ship disaster. Lara Pennington, 45, from Manchester, who is on holiday with her two young sons and elderly in-laws, said guests at the Costa Adeje Palace Hotel are failing to follow measures to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus. 'The Spanish government were advising that if we wanted to we could leave our rooms as long as we were wearing masks and washing hands,' she told GMB. 'It's clearly apparent there are large numbers who are not following that process. 'Containment strategy is clearly not working, it was never going to work.' 'It should be an enforced quarantine,' she added. Lara Pennington (pictured), 45, from Manchester, said today that guests at the Tenerife hotel are flouting quarantine rules and risking spreading the virus The hotel laid on free champagne for tourists yesterday after guests were told they would have to stay put at the resort until mid-March Mrs Pennington said she has decided to self-isolate her family in the hotel room to ensure they don't catch the disease, which has already claimed the lives of 2,771 people worldwide. Mrs Pennington is one of at least 160 Britons holed up in the four-star Costa Adeje Palace Hotel resort after Spanish authorities padlocked its doors when four guests from Italy tested positive yesterday. She told GMB this morning that her family has still to be tested for the illness and had only been provided with thermometers to check whether they were are infected. 'We're not being looked after in terms of our vulnerability,' she said. 'We are frightened.' Hannah Green and Court Amys are pictured in a photograph this morning at the Tenerife resort A tourist wearing a face mask is seen next to the pool of H10 Costa Adeje Palace, which is on lockdown after cases of coronavirus have been detected there in Adeje, on the Spanish island of Tenerife, Spain today A resort worker cleans the pool of the h10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain, this morning Yesterday, Mrs Pennington spoke of the guests' 'scary' response to the outbreak, claiming many were still out by the pool, 'spreading the virus'. 'I feel there are lessons that should have been learned from the cruise ship [Diamond Princess],' she said. Japan has faced mounting criticism of its handling of the Diamond Princess ship after a failed effort to quarantine passengers on board. One positive test led to almost 700 infections and four deaths. All of those on the hotel site were initially told to stay in their rooms but local authorities have now said people without symptoms can move around the hotel, including to the pool and bar. This has raised fears that the virus will spread rapidly among the guests, with social media photos showing people not wearing face masks and sharing buffet meals. Steve McHardy, 53, an estate agent from Kinross, in eastern Scotland, and his wife Susan, also 53, are among those stuck in the hotel. Guests were sunbathing in masks and enjoying free supplies of food and alcohol at the hotel poolside yesterday after learning they would be staying well into March. Mrs Pennington has decided to self-isolate herself and her family, fearing this type of behaviour risks spreading the illness A police officer wearing a mask talks on the phone in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain yesterday Sunbathing in masks: Tourists in bikinis and face masks lounge by the pool of H10 Costa Adeje Palace as they settle in for a two-week lockdown after Spanish authorities confirmed a quarantine yesterday Mrs McHardy told TV doctor Hilary Jones during ITV's Lorraine that they were supposed to be enjoying a four-day sunshine break to celebrate a birthday but have now been told they will need to stay in Tenerife for at least 14 days. She added: 'We didn't go out in the beginning but yesterday we went to reception - you are allowed to go out with your masks on. 'At the beginning, we were getting food parcels put to our rooms, but now the only food you can get is at the restaurant so we have to go out now.' Dr Jones responded to the couple and criticised the isolation measure at the hotel. He said if somebody was diagnosed on the last day of the 14-day quarantine, the 14-day period would need to start again. He added: 'At the moment, what's happening in that hotel is not self-isolation because people are sunbathing round the pool, going to the restaurant - you are in a mass quarantine together. 'My worry, and your worry, will be this - that on day 14 when you are ready to come home and somebody tests positive, you're back in quarantine for another 14 days because you will have been exposed. 'That's the worry if people don't self-isolate. 'You haven't been given logical guidance to follow and nor is anybody else adhering to that, even if it was there. 'You could potentially be in quarantine for (another) 14 days if on day 14 somebody tests positive.' Mr McHardy replied: 'It could build and build, when do we ever get home?' Mrs McHardy said the couple want to come home, even if it meant staying in isolation for another 14 days once back in the UK. Dr Hilary replied: 'You've been given guidance that doesn't really help you because you've not been self-isolating. 'If all of you test negative when you leave, fine, you've got away with it, it's been a gamble, but if one of you tests positive you're back in the same boat because you've been together.' Japan said it had contacted 813 former passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were allowed off after testing negative for coronavirus, and found 45 showing symptoms Yesterday, guests at the Costa Adeje told of the 'absolutely awful' situation they were in and said they had been given conflicting information about how long the enforced stay would last. The Foreign Office began contacting guests last night to say they must remain at the hotel until March 10. Mandy Davis, who is on holiday with her husband Roger, said: 'Nobody knows what the right thing to do is, because nobody's had this virus before. Employees wearing protective masks arrange water bottles in the lobby of the hotel yesterday 'So please, let's sort something out, come and rescue us please, Boris. And let's just get the hell out of here.' Rosie Mitford, who is on holiday with her father and brother, only arrived at the hotel on Monday when the four Italians who tested positive had already left. The 18-year-old nursing student said: 'We want to come home now. We don't see the point of staying here for two weeks when none of us have symptoms and then isolating when we get back.' Sporadic violence hit parts of Delhi overnight as gangs roamed streets littered with the debris of days of sectarian riots that have killed 33 people, police said Thursday. Thousands of riot police and paramilitaries patrolled the affected northeast fringes of the Indian capital of 20 million people, preventing any major eruptions. The unrest is the latest bout of violence over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's citizenship law, which triggered months of demonstrations that turned deadly in December. Sunil Kumar, director of the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, said Thursday the hospital registered 30 deaths while the chief doctor at Lok Nayak Hospital said three people had died there. 'All of them had gunshot injuries,' Kumar said. An Indian woman walks past as Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi, India today Charred remains of dozens of cars, burnt in Tuesday's violence, are seen parked inside a workshop in New Delhi today Police personnel detain members of Communist Party of India (CPI) as they demand the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the responsibility about the violence in Delhi, during a protest in Hyderabad today Kishore Singh, medical superintendent Lok Nayak Hospital, said that 10 people were still in a serious condition there. The new fatalities - up from 27 on Wednesday - were all from the violence on Monday and Tuesday when mobs of Hindus and Muslims fought running battles. The initial violence erupted late Sunday. Groups armed with swords and guns set fire to thousands of properties and vehicles. A crate of Molotov cocktails is seen outside the house of an Aam Admin Party (AAP) councillor at the riot-hit area following clashes between people supporting and opposing a cententious amendment to Indias citizenship law, in New Delhi today The brother (centre) of Mohammad MudAsir, 31, who died in the recent sectarian riots in India's capital over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's citizenship law, reacts during his brother's funeral in New Delhi today A Delhi policeman stands guard at a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi, India today MudAsir's family weeps at their relative's funeral in New Delhi, India today Homes, shops, two mosques, two schools, a tyre market and a fuel station were torched. More than 200 people were also injured. According to a list from the GTB hospital, the victims are a roughly even mix of Hindus and Muslims, based on their names. Delhi police spokesman Mandeep Randhawa said there was 'no major incident' overnight, while the city's chief fire officer Atul Garg said they received 19 distress calls. An Indian Muslim family leaves the area as Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi, India today Plactic bags filled with acid are seen in the premises of Aam Admin Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain at the riot-hit area following clashes between people supporting and opposing a contentious amendment to India's citizenship law, in New Delhi today A group of men chanting pro-Hindu slogans, beat Mohammad Zubair, 37, who is Muslim, during protests sparked by a new citizenship law in New Delhi, India on Monday 'In last three days 230 calls were received by the department from the region that included major incidents of arson,' Garg said. In December at least 30 people were killed, mostly in police action in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, home to a significant Muslim population, after the citizenship law was passed. Many of India's 200 million Muslims fear the citizenship law - combined with a mooted citizens' register - will leave them stateless or even sent to detention camps. An Indian woman holds her head as she looks at burnt buildings and vandalized street after Tuesday's violence in New Delhi, India today Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi today They and critics see Modi's right-wing ruling party, which is linked to once-banned militaristic Hindu group RSS, as wanting to turn officially secular India into a Hindu nation. His party has denied the allegations but in recent weeks BJP politicians, including in an ugly recent campaign for Delhi elections, have called the demonstrators 'anti-nationals' and 'jihadists'. One, Parvesh Verma, said protesters 'could enter houses and rape and kill your sisters', while another, Anurag Thakur, encouraged a crowd to chant 'gun down traitors'. Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi today Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a vandalized street in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi today An Indian paramilitary soldier asks residents to stay indoors as they patrol a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi, India today A call on Sunday by another BJP politician, Kapil Mishra, for 'Hindus' to clear a northeastern Delhi sit-in protest is being seen as the spark for the current unrest. On Wednesday a Delhi High Court judge, Justice S. Muralidhar, sharply criticised the police and called on them to investigate BJP politicians for inciting violence. Muralidhar was transferred to another state court in a late-night order, prompting a social media storm. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad insisted it was a 'routine transfer'. Stray cows feed on oranges lying outside a vandalized and burned shop following Tuesday's violence in New Delhi, India today Residents look from behind a closed iron gate of their alley in Karaval Nagar following Tuesday's violence in New Delhi, India today A Delhi municipal worker stands next to heaps of the remains of vehicles, steel cupboards and other materials on a street vandalized in Tuesday's violence in New Delhi today On Wednesday the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, which advises Washington but does not set policy, voiced 'grave concern' about the violence as President Donald Trump was visiting. Anurima Bhargava, a commissioner appointed by Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, also expressed alarm at reports that Delhi police 'have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims.' Trump, asked at a news conference in the capital about the violence, said the issue was 'up to India' and praised Modi's 'incredible' statements on religious freedom. Jennifer Garcia cant keep her mind from drifting to little Gabriel. Late at night and in the silence of her early morning drives, the first-grade teacher thinks of her former student. She assigns each child in her classroom a number he was No. 28. She tries to focus on his kindness on the times he offered to help her staple homework packets and tutor his classmates. She tells her new students about him, explaining when she assigns numbers why she now skips 28. She had repeatedly reported signs of abuse but still wonders whether she could have done more to help save Gabriel. When the familiar pit returns to her stomach, she bubbles with anger. She thinks of the people convicted of torturing and murdering Gabriel the boys mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre. They are evil, Garcia said Thursday in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom as she glared at Fernandez, who sat stone-faced with her hands cuffed on her lap at the defense table. I know whos truly to blame. Advertisement The scene in the courtroom served as a dramatic coda to a tragedy that became a symbol of bureaucratic failure, propelled far-reaching reforms within L.A. Countys child welfare system and led to unprecedented criminal charges against social workers who handled the boys case. At the end of the hearing Thursday, Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli sentenced Fernandez, 34, to life in prison without parole and Aguirre, 37, to be executed for the 2013 torture killing of Fernandezs 8-year-old son abuse that the judge characterized as horrendous, inhumane and nothing short of evil. It was the worst abuse hed seen in nearly 20 years on the bench, he said, telling the defendants he hoped they woke up in the middle of the night plagued by their actions. I hope you think about the pain you caused this child and that it tortures you, Lomeli said. I rarely say that. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, listens to impact statements before being sentenced to life in prison. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times ) During the hearing, several people in T-shirts bearing Gabriels face addressed the court. When Emily Carranza, Gabriels cousin, stood at the podium, Fernandez locked eyes with her. Gabriel loved you, Carranza said to her. The world fell in love with Gabriel as their own. Why couldnt you? Fernandez who wore jail scrubs and a heavy coat of brown lipstick and eye shadow struck a tone of contrition, and then blame. I want to say Im sorry to my family for what I did. I wish Gabriel was alive, she said, adding that she felt that some people who had been vocal after the death were only interested in fame. A volunteer jail chaplain told the judge shed prayed and studied the Bible recently with Fernandez. Pearl has agreed and has acknowledged her part, the chaplain said, as the mother nodded. She will have a void in her heart for the rest of her life. When paramedics arrived at the boys Palmdale home in May 2013, Gabriel had slipped out of consciousness. He had a fractured skull, broken ribs, burned skin, missing teeth and BB pellets embedded in his groin. A paramedic would later testify that every inch of the boys small body had been abused. At Aguirres trial, Deputy Dist. Atty. Jonathan Hatami told jurors that the defendant had enjoyed tormenting the boy, forcing Gabriel to eat his own vomit and sleep in a cabinet with a sock gagging his mouth. The torture, Hatami said, stemmed from Aguirres hatred of Gabriel, who he suspected was gay. Isauro Aguirre, 37, seated at table third from left, on Thursday was sentenced to death for his role in the death of his girlfriends son, Gabriel Fernandez. His girlfriend, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, right, was sentenced to life in prison in the case. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times ) The boys slaying led to the appointment of a child protection czar, a series of child welfare reforms and criminal charges against L.A. County social workers who despite six investigations into reports of abuse allowed the boy to stay in the home with his mother and her boyfriend. Some sheriffs deputies who visited the familys home in the months before the death were also disciplined for their handling of the case. In February, Fernandez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, admitting that her sons killing was intentional and involved the infliction of torture. By pleading guilty, she avoided a trial in which prosecutors were expected to seek the death penalty a punishment that her defense attorney said wasnt appropriate given her low IQ. Deborah S. Miora, a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist who evaluated Fernandez for the defense, determined she has an intellectual disability that makes her virtually unable to use thought to guide her behavior and temper her emotional reactions. Records show that when Fernandez took a cognitive ability test in 2011, she scored in the 3rd percentile in the verbal comprehension section, putting her at a second-grade level. In a report written by Miora, which relied, in part, on information from Fernandez, the clinician referred to Gabriels case as the first serious offense but noted Fernandez also had a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction from Texas. Fernandezs life, records show, was punctuated by acts of abuse and neglect. As a child, her father cycled in and out of jail. Her mother who Fernandez said hated her often hit her and once flung her into the shower, according to Mioras report filed in court. Although Fernandez fell far behind in school, academic records show she exhibited kindness and an effort to perform well. She started drinking and using methamphetamine at 9 and ran away from home at 11. Jennifer Garcia, left, first-grade teacher of Gabriel Fernandez who was among those who reported Gabriels abuse hugs Deputy Dist. Atty. Jon Hatami, right,. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times ) During her teenage years, Fernandez told the doctor, her uncle tried to rape her and a group of men held her hostage for several days and took turns raping her, according to Mioras report. Fernandez thought about committing suicide and spent time in the hospital. Later in life, Fernandez said, several of her romantic partners, including Aguirre, struck her in the head. In one incident, she said, someone pistol-whipped her across the forehead. In the months leading up to her sons death, Fernandez said, she was taking massive doses of opioid painkillers, including OxyContin and Norco. In court Thursday, Deputy Public Defender Michael Sklar, who represented Aguirre, argued that sentencing his client to death was grossly disproportionate with his culpability. A woman in the audience whispered, Are you serious? Aguirre, a hulking man who worked as a caregiver for elderly people and according to his attorneys probably has a learning disability, sometimes scowled and often stared down at the defense table. He wore orange jail scrubs, and two plastic rosaries hung from his neck. The judge who rarely expresses opinions during sentencing hearings said such a gruesome case almost demands a comment. 1 / 8 Gabriel Fernandezs cousin Emily Carranza, left, and Olivia Rubio wear shirts printed with Justice Has Been Served as they talk to media after Gabriels mother and her boyfriend were sentenced for the boys killing. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 8 Jennifer Garcia, left, Gabriels first-grade teacher, delivers an impact statement as Gabriels cousin Emily Carranza looks on during the sentencing in downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 8 Arnold Contreras, right, the biological father of Gabriel Fernandez, is comforted by Deputy Dist. Atty. Jonathan Hatami as he was allowed into the courtroom to make a impact statement during the sentencing of Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 37. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 8 Isauro Aguirre enters the courtroom to appear with girlfriend Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, for sentencing in Los Angeles County Superior Court. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 8 Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 34, appears in court as she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for her role in the death of her 8-year-old son, Gabriel Fernandez. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 8 L.A. County Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli told Gabriels mother and her boyfriend: I hope you think about the pain you caused this child and that it tortures you. I rarely say that. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 8 Jennifer Garcia, left, Gabriels teacher who repeatedly reported signs of abuse, comforts Deputy Dist. Atty. Jonathan Hatami, who became emotional after the sentencing. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 8 Gabriel Fernandez is shown on his 3rd birthday in 2008. (Courtesy of Emily Carranza) Lomeli recited trial evidence that stuck with him the defendants bashing Gabriels teeth out with a bat and shooting BB pellets at him. Some might call the abuse animalistic, the judge said, but not even animals would do such a thing to their kin. The judge recounted a story hed seen on the news about a cat running into a burning home to rescue her kittens. Firefighters tried to stop her, but the cat ran in and out of the home several times. Each time she emerged, she held one of her kittens in her mouth by the scruff of their back. During the last rescue, the judge recounted, the fire singed the mothers fur and burned her eyes. The cat was now blind, but she never let go of that kitten, Lomeli said, pausing. No, this is beyond animalistic. After the hearing, Garcia, the first-grade teacher, said the abuse against Gabriel opened her eyes and changed the way she views the world. Her students, she said, still find small ways to comfort her. Sometimes she overhears one of them say, No. 28, thats Gabriels number. Before the boys death, Garcia repeatedly reported signs of abuse to county child services workers, saying shed seen bruises on his face and learned that hed been beaten with a belt buckle. She said she believes the entire system failed her student. There were signs that were ignored. Why were they ignored? I dont know, Garcia said, as her shoulders slumped. Nearby, stood several women wearing T-shirts reading Justice Has Been Served. The back of the shirts bore a message referring to the upcoming trial of the social workers who handled the boys case: WERE NOT DONE YET! marisa.gerber@latimes.com For more news from the Los Angeles County courts, follow me on Twitter: @marisagerber. UPDATES: 2:45 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comments from Garcia and details from the court hearing. 12:25 p.m.: This article was updated with more details from the court hearing. 10:40 a.m.: This article was updated with more details from the court hearing. 10:05 a.m.: This article was updated with the sentencing and comments from the judge during the hearing. This article was originally published at 7 a.m. The goal of this article is to teach you how to use price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll apply a basic P/E ratio analysis to China Zhongwang Holdings Limited's (HKG:1333), to help you decide if the stock is worth further research. Based on the last twelve months, China Zhongwang Holdings's P/E ratio is 3.96. That corresponds to an earnings yield of approximately 25.3%. View our latest analysis for China Zhongwang Holdings How Do I Calculate China Zhongwang Holdings's Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for price to earnings is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Share Price (in reporting currency) Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for China Zhongwang Holdings: P/E of 3.96 = CNY2.51 (Note: this is the share price in the reporting currency, namely, CNY ) CNY0.63 (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2019.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? The higher the P/E ratio, the higher the price tag of a business, relative to its trailing earnings. That isn't necessarily good or bad, but a high P/E implies relatively high expectations of what a company can achieve in the future. How Does China Zhongwang Holdings's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? The P/E ratio indicates whether the market has higher or lower expectations of a company. We can see in the image below that the average P/E (10.3) for companies in the metals and mining industry is higher than China Zhongwang Holdings's P/E. SEHK:1333 Price Estimation Relative to Market, February 27th 2020 This suggests that market participants think China Zhongwang Holdings will underperform other companies in its industry. Many investors like to buy stocks when the market is pessimistic about their prospects. You should delve deeper. I like to check if company insiders have been buying or selling. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Earnings growth rates have a big influence on P/E ratios. Earnings growth means that in the future the 'E' will be higher. And in that case, the P/E ratio itself will drop rather quickly. And as that P/E ratio drops, the company will look cheap, unless its share price increases. Story continues Notably, China Zhongwang Holdings grew EPS by a whopping 27% in the last year. Remember: P/E Ratios Don't Consider The Balance Sheet It's important to note that the P/E ratio considers the market capitalization, not the enterprise value. In other words, it does not consider any debt or cash that the company may have on the balance sheet. The exact same company would hypothetically deserve a higher P/E ratio if it had a strong balance sheet, than if it had a weak one with lots of debt, because a cashed up company can spend on growth. Such expenditure might be good or bad, in the long term, but the point here is that the balance sheet is not reflected by this ratio. How Does China Zhongwang Holdings's Debt Impact Its P/E Ratio? China Zhongwang Holdings has net debt worth a very significant 288% of its market capitalization. This is a relatively high level of debt, so the stock probably deserves a relatively low P/E ratio. Keep that in mind when comparing it to other companies. The Verdict On China Zhongwang Holdings's P/E Ratio China Zhongwang Holdings's P/E is 4.0 which is below average (9.8) in the HK market. The company may have significant debt, but EPS growth was good last year. If it continues to grow, then the current low P/E may prove to be unjustified. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. If the reality for a company is not as bad as the P/E ratio indicates, then the share price should increase as the market realizes this. So this free report on the analyst consensus forecasts could help you make a master move on this stock. But note: China Zhongwang Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a P/E ratio below 20). If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Brooge Petroleum and Gas Investment Company (BPGIC) has signed a land lease agreement for the oil storage and services business to expand storage capacity and refinery operations in Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ). The official contract, which FOIZ and BPGIC signed in February, sees BPGIC UAE leasing an area of approximately 450,000 sq m in FOIZ. The signing ceremony took place at the Gulf Intelligence Middle East Summit at the IP Week Conference in London. The land will be used for Phase Three expansion of BPGIC, which is developing terminals in Fujairah in stages. Construction on Phase Two is expected to be completed by Q3 of 2020. Once Phase Three is completed successfully as planned, the company will become the largest oil storage and services business in Fujairah, almost double that of its closest competitor, said a statement. Phase Three should add storage and services capacity of 3.5 million cu m 3.5 times the size of their projected operations post-Phase Two. Phase Three will be used by Brooge to further increase its capacity for crude oil storage and services and if needed, to host the remaining 90 percent of its refinery facilities. We are happy to be announcing the initial lease for significant land with Brooge Petroleum, which alone represents future capacity additions of over 3.5 times their facilities that are currently operating and under construction, said Capt Salem Al Hammoudi, Director of FOIZ. We host the Middle Easts largest commercial storage capacity for refined oil products, with the current storage capacity of 10 million cu m and we welcome the expansion of Brooges operations in Fujairah. Construction on the land will commence in 2020. Since the Phase Three facility agreement was signed in February this year, BPGIC has also had discussions with top global oil majors who have expressed interest in securing portions of the additional capacity. -TradeArabia News Service NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Injection Molded Plastics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Raw Material (Polypropylene, ABS, HDPE, Polystyrene), By Application (Packaging, Consumables & Electronics), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027 Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05867060/?utm_source=PRN The global injection molded plastics market size is expected to reach USD 372.9 billion by 2027. It is anticipated to register a CAGR of 4.6% over the forecast period. Increasing demand for key applications including automotive, packaging, and construction, particularly in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and BRICS, is likely to drive the market growth. High-growth regions such as Middle East and Asia Pacific have witnessed a surge in capacity addition over the last few years. Increasing presence of plastic injection molding companies in China on account of low manufacturing costs and availability of skilled labor is anticipated to benefit the regional market.Major foreign companies are increasing their production capabilities in the region owing to growing demand for plastic products. Government support in the form of tax benefits and financial incentives in China and India to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) flow has helped develop the market for plastics in these countries. In packaging application, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is extensively used in thin wall injection molding.Growing demand for food packaging, bin liners, and thin gauge bags is anticipated to drive the product demand over the forecast period. Rising penetration of injection molded HDPE in shipping containers, industrial pails, and houseware applications is anticipated to further drive its demand. Further key findings from the report suggest: Demand for packaging is likely to increase owing to the improving economic conditions of countries such as India, China, Brazil, and Mexico Demand for injection molded plastics from the packaging industry in Asia Pacific is projected to register a CAGR of 4.3% in terms of volume, from 2020 to 2027. This is attributed to the growing demand for food packaging Growth of the electronics industry, coupled with cost-effectiveness of electrical appliances, is projected to remain a key driving factor for the injection molded plastics market over the forecast period Demand from the medical sector in North America is anticipated to register a CAGR of 2.9% from 2020 to 2027 owing to the increase in demand for plastic components for medical devices Key market players include BASF, LyondellBasell, Eastman Chemical Company, ExxonMobil, Huntsman Corporation, Eastman Company, DuPont, Dow Chemicals, and SABIC. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05867060/?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 Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in two camps in Adamawa State, on Wednesday, stormed the state capital, Yola, to protest shortage of food supply to them by the federal government for nearly four months. The IDPs who took their protest to the Mahmud Ribadu Square in Jimeta, said they had not received supplies from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the federal government agency charged with supplying their food, in the last four months. Their representatives who travelled to Yola from their camps in Fufore, said there were over 1,000 affected displaced persons in the camp . The spokesman of the protesting IDPs, Umar Bakura, said, For the past four months, we have not received any food from NEMA. Among us are children, elderly people and orphans. President Muhammadu Buhari should intervene; he should evacuate us back to our respective local government areas in Borno State, Mr Umar pleaded. He explained that he and other leaders of the IDPs had complained severally to NEMA but got no result. Mr Umar had earlier explained that the IDPs in Fufore, mostly Borno indigenes, were forced from their ancestral homes by Boko Haram insurgents. NEMA reacts When contacted on the phone, the acting Operational Officer of NEMA for Adamawa and Taraba states, Midala Anuhu, said the IDPs lied as it supplied food to the camp in December (2019). We have forwarded their case to our headquarters in Abuja and we are still waiting for the approval, he said, assuring that (another) supply would be made soon as approval is received. QUEBEC CITY, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (HEO.V) H 2 O Innovation is proud to announce the success of its very first humanitarian aid program, in which two of its employees were sent to Zambia last November to raise awareness and educate communities on water and sanitation. The company, which positions itself as a leader in avant-garde ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) practices and policies, has deployed this audacious humanitarian initiative as part of a global approach integrating socially responsible management practices. Humanitarian Project After working jointly with the non-governmental organization CAWST (Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology), in the development of this innovative program, H 2 O Innovation invited all of its 665 employees to submit applications to take part in this unique experience. Fifteen employees participated in the selection process and 2 of them were selected by the CAWST team to use their knowledge and expertise during a 2-week humanitarian aid experience in Zambia, within a project of the organization. CAWST's approach aims to meet global drinking water and sanitation needs by developing the local knowledge and skills of communities in low and middle-income countries, so that they can implement and operate the solutions sustainably. Our H 2 O Innovation volunteers contributed significantly. This program is a great opportunity to involve donors more in our work and harness corporate knowledge and skills to address global issues, said Millie Adam, Vice President of Global Services, CAWST. Derek Pirraglia, Application and Process Engineer at H 2 O Innovation, and Kenneth Head, Office Manager in Pascagoula, Mississippi, who were selected to take part in the project, have grown from this enriching experience. By contributing to this humanitarian aid program, H 2 O Innovation has concomitantly provided the time and expertise of its two employees, as well as $22,000 in donations to the Canadian charity. The partnership between CAWST and H 2 O Innovation highlights the common values these two entities share. Story continues Responsible Company The company, whose headquarters are located in Quebec City, has pledged over the past years in terms of ESG (Environment, Social, Governance), remaining consistent with its environmental philosophy as well as its expertise and mission, both aiming to treat and recycle wastewater. The idea to offer their employees the chance to be involved in a humanitarian effort has come naturally to the companys upper management. In an era where the retention of qualified personnel is an issue, such an initiative definitely contributes to employee engagement. We have been working on this avant-garde program for a long time and we are delighted with the result. We first created a humanitarian committee within our team to reflect on the most relevant way for H 2 O to get involved in various social and humanitarian missions. Rather than participating sporadically in several charitable activities, we have developed something unique that meets both our corporate mission, water, our social responsibility and our desire to make a difference in disadvantaged countries. Not only does this motivate the troops, but we feel that we have made a very concrete contribution to a cause that is dear to us, added Guillaume Clairet, Chief Operating Officer of H 2 O Innovation. He confirms that several employees express the desire to help others and make a difference, and he is confident that participation will be even more important in the years to come. About H 2 O Innovation H 2 O Innovation designs and provides state-of-the-art, custom-built and integrated water treatment solutions based on membrane filtration technology for municipal, industrial, energy and natural resources end-users. The Corporations activities rely on three pillars which are i) water & wastewater projects, and services; ii) specialty products, including a complete line of specialty chemicals, consumables and specialized products for the water treatment industry; and iii) operation and maintenance services for water and wastewater treatment systems. About CAWST CAWST is a Canadian charity and licensed not-for-profit professional engineering consultancy. CAWST teaches people how to access safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in their homes, schools and clinics, using simple, affordable technologies. To do so, CAWST transfers knowledge and skills to organizations and individuals in low- and middle-income countries offering workshops, training resources and consulting services. To learn more about CAWST and its impactful work, visit cawst.org. 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. Source: H 2 O Innovation Inc. www.h2oinnovation.com Contacts: Marc Blanchet +1 418-688-0170 marc.blanchet@h2oinnovation.com Hailey Carnegie +1 403-243-3285 ext. 258 media@cawst.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e60afe7a-4390-499c-8c13-a9423f0221ea Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 23:16:04|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday held talks with Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi said the Chinese government and people are making all-out efforts to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), during which the Mongolian government and people have offered precious support. Hailing Battulga as the first foreign head of state to visit China since the outbreak, Xi said the special visit by Battulga to express consolations and support to China fully embodies the high attention he pays to the China-Mongolia ties and the profound friendship between the two peoples. This vividly shows that China and Mongolia, as neighboring countries, can rely on each other in difficult times, said Xi. Xi expressed his welcome as Battulga paid the visit only one day after Mongolia's traditional Tsagaan Sar holiday, and sent festive greetings to the Mongolian people. Xi said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government have attached great importance to the epidemic, activated a national response mechanism and taken the most comprehensive, thorough and rigorous measures. A leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the COVID-19 was established immediately and a central government guiding team was sent to Hubei province, said Xi. After arduous work, the positive trend in the prevention and control work is now expanding, Xi said, adding that the country has full confidence, capability to win this battle against the epidemic. China has coordinated the prevention and control work with the economic and social development, and tried its best to minimize the impact of the epidemic, he said. According to Xi, China has adopted a targeted approach in different regions to advance resumption of work and production based on local health risks, ensure timely agriculture work in spring and guarantee people's basic livelihood. Noting that China's economy is resilient with broad domestic demand and a strong industrial basis, Xi said China will strive to meet this year's economic and social development targets. Xi said that guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, China is making every effort not only to protect the life and health of its own people but also to contribute to global public health security. With an open, transparent and responsible attitude, the Chinese government has actively stepped up international cooperation on fighting the outbreak, said Xi, adding that China's efforts have been highly affirmed and recognized by the World Health Organization and the international community. China will continue to work with countries including Mongolia to fight the epidemic and safeguard regional and global public health security, he said. Noting that China and Mongolia are friendly neighbors linked by waters and mountains, Xi said China has attached high importance to the bilateral relations and always taken Mongolia as an important direction of China's neighborhood diplomacy. China is committed to cementing political mutual trust with Mongolia and enhancing Belt and Road cooperation to benefit both peoples, he said. Battulga expressed consolations to the Chinese people over the outbreak and spoke highly of China's rapid establishment of a joint prevention and control mechanism and national people-oriented efforts to fight the epidemic. Stressing that Mongolia and China are comprehensive strategic partners, Battulga said the Mongolian people completely relate to what the Chinese people are going through and would like to stand closely together with the Chinese people in the difficult times. Mongolia launched fund-raising activities to support China's fight against the epidemic, and received active responses from all walks of life, he said, adding that Mongolia will send additional 30,000 sheep apart from the previous donations. Battulga said he believes that the Chinese people will definitely win the battle against the epidemic at an early date and overcome the difficulties to realize the set goals of social and economic development under the strong leadership of President Xi. Mongolia commends China's pursuit of neighborhood diplomacy featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and stands ready to work with China to deepen mutual trust and support, enhance cooperation to promote greater development of bilateral relations, said Battulga. A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Air transport 2021, November Published: 27 February 2020 Altogether 2.0 million passengers flew through Finnish airports in January 2020 Altogether 2.0 million passengers flew through Finnish airports in January 2020. There were 1.6 million passengers at Helsinki Airport and a total of 0.4 million passengers at other domestic airports. Helsinki Airport accounted for 80 per cent of all passengers at domestic airports. Passengers of scheduled and chartered flights at Helsinki Airport and other domestic airports Seventy-three per cent of the passengers were from international flights and 27 per cent from domestic flights. Of the passengers at Helsinki Airport, 83 per cent were from international flights. Ninety-seven per cent of the passengers at Helsinki Airport flew on scheduled flights and three per cent on chartered flights. At the other domestic airports, 16 per cent of the passengers flew on chartered flights. Air freight and mail transports amounted to 17.004 tonnes in total, and 98 per cent of the tonnes were transported through Helsinki Airport. Ninety-nine per cent of the tonnes were transported between Finland and foreign countries. Altogether 9.370 tonnes of the goods were outgoing and 7.634 tonnes were incoming. Source: Transport and tourism, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Sami Lahtinen 029 551 3207, Matti Kokkonen 029 551 3770, sami.lahtinen@tilastokeskus.fi Director in charge: Mari Yla-Jarkko Publication in pdf-format (156.5 kB) Updated 27.2.20020 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Air transport [e-publication]. ISSN=2670-1847. January 2020. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 12.1.2022]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/ilma/2020/01/ilma_2020_01_2020-02-27_tie_001_en.html Rajesh Asnani By Express News Service JAIPUR/ NEW DELHI: On a day when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tried to use violence in Delhi to his political advantage, India upped security for 260 Ajmer Sharif-bound Pakistan citizens who would be visiting India after a of two years. Imran batted for Pakistans minorities saying, No one should attempt to harm them, as he tried to juxtapose the unfortunate rioting in Delhi and take the upper moral ground. Security has been upped at Ajmer Sharif and the Pakistan pilgrims would arrive in a wholesome welcome at the annual week-long Urs, which has stood for communal harmony and religious tolerance for over 800 years, Ajmer Collector Vishwamohan Sharma said. Pilgrims from over the border had not been able to participate in the festival over the last two years in the wake of border tensions, following terror strikes in Pathankot and Pulwama. The 260 pilgrims would start arriving at the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah from February 28. We are taking no chances and over 250 security and intelligence personnel have been assigned to the site, Sharma said, adding, The extra vigilance helped in the arrest of a youth who threatened to blow up the shrine, should the Pakistan guests arrive. An international study co-led by Queensland researchers has uncovered almost 200 genes that are linked to a risk of breast cancer. The results have researchers hopeful they can use the newly discovered connections to develop better screening for the disease, and even develop preventative treatments for high-risk patients. Breast cancer survivor Jane Goodwin (left) with Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench, who led a recent study identifying 191 genes associated with raised breast cancer risk. Credit:QIMR Berghofer Jane Goodwin knew she had a higher than usual risk of developing breast cancer after her cousin died soon after being diagnosed and her mother died of ovarian cancer, which is also considered a risk factor for breast cancer in family members. When she was then diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer in 2011 at the age of 48, Jane said it was because she had taken matters into her own hands and was getting tested more regularly than what was recommended at the time. Nearly three dozen CRPF personnel have donated blood at the GTB Hospital here to supplement its bank in view of the injured in the Delhi communal clashes being admitted to the facility, officials said. They said a contingent of 50 personnel of the paramilitary were sent to the hospital on Tuesday, of whom 34 donated blood while the rest were asked to remain on standby. "The donation was made in order to supplement the blood bank of the GTB Hospital where fatal and non-fatal casualties of the Delhi riots were being admitted since Monday," a senior official of the force said. At least 34 people have been killed and over 200 injured in the riots in northeast Delhi that began on Monday. Meanwhile, over 1,300 personnel from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) such as the CRPF, BSF, CISF and ITBP donated blood at a mega blood donation drive organised by the AIIMS here on Thursday. About 500 personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 400 from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 350 from the Border Security Force (BSF) and 100 from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force donated blood at the camp, a senior CAPF official said. The chiefs of these forces -- CISF Director General Rajesh Ranjan, BSF chief V K Johri and ITBP DG S S Deswal -- led their personnel at the AIIMS blood donation drive, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LEBANON - Once one of the feistier members of the Pennsylvania Senate, where tradition, decorum and allegiance to party are the general order of the day, Mike Folmer was the picture of surrender Thursday as he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography charges that abruptly ended his legislative career last fall. Im at the mercy of the court, Folmer told Judge Joseph Madenspacher at one point during morning proceedings. Folmer, a Lebanon resident, pleaded guilty to possessing three images of child pornography, and using his personal cellphone to upload at least one of the images to a social media account. Folmers photos, all of which prosecutors said showed persons under the age of 18 in some form of indecent sexual contact, were uncovered by a pornography monitoring system run by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Persons, and eventually traced by state Attorney Generals agents to Folmers accounts. It was, Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher Jones said afterward, a pretty open and shut case of possession, and Folmer, in pleading guilty, seemed to be acknowledging as much - though he was not ready to do so publicly. The longtime senator did not take questions from reporters as he entered and exited the courthouse with family members. He also declined to make any public statements about the crimes in open court. When Madenspacher offered Folmer the chance to speak, he replied, Im just going to wait for the sentencing, Sir. That sentencing should come at some point this spring, after completion of a pre-sentence investigation that will explore the motivation and effect of Folmers crimes, any aspects of his personal background that might have triggered them, and prospects for rehabilitation or repeat offenses. The one concession Folmer has already received for his cooperation with authorities and apparent readiness to accept responsibility for his actions was that Jones said his office is agreeing to recommend that sentences on all charges run concurrently. Madenspacher said he would honor that agreement. Other than that, Thursdays was an open plea, with both sides free to argue for whatever sentence they believe is appropriate. If Madenspacher follows state sentencing guidelines, Folmer - who has no prior criminal record - could be looking at a minimum prison term of 1-to-2 years. That sentence could range up or down, of course, if the judge finds serious aggravating or mitigating factors. He will also have to register with Pennsylvania State Police as a sex offender. One of Folmers former constituents, Christi Daubert of North Lebanon Township, said Thursday that doesnt feel like enough. Theres no punishment great enough for what hes done, and Im here to represent that little girl (depicted in the images found on Folmers cellphone), and all the other victims that their lives have been uprooted and destroyed by people like him," Daubert said. Daubert, who said she is a survivor of sexual abuse as a child, noted that she met with Folmer several times during the legislatures recent debates over changing the statute of limitations to expand the rights of child sex abuse victims to sue their abusers and any employers who might have covered for them as adults. In the end, Daubert said, she felt betrayed by Folmer when he and his majority Republican colleagues in the state Senate blocked the bill after it had passed the House. Im very upset. You know, even though he pled guilty and hes going to go to jail, I dont feel that the penalties are harsh enough for these people. And they tend to re-offend, so, we need to change a lot of things here in Pennsylvania regarding this subject. Folmer, 64, was also greeted by some supporters Thursday. One woman, who greeted Folmer with a hug as he arrived at the courtroom, said she wished him well and would be keeping him in her prayers. Folmer, accompanied by his wife Sheila and other family members, was visibly grateful. That woman declined a request for an interview. Beyond that, the courtroom was mostly filled with reporters. According to arrest papers filed by Special Agent Gordon Goodrow, the AGs investigation began in February 2019 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a report from the social media platform Tumblr that suspected child porn had been uploaded onto one of its accounts on Dec. 28, 2017. The next several months of the Folmer investigation involved the filing of subpoenas and the receipt of responses from providers including Yahoo, AT&T and Comcast that eventually traced the origin of the account to Folmers devices. On Sept. 17, 2019, agents armed with a search warrant raided Folmers home while other agents simultaneously confronted the senator at his Lebanon office. Folmer agreed to return home and surrender his iPhone, Goodrow said. After being read his Miranda rights, Folmer agreed to speak with investigators without having an attorney present, Goodrow said. During that interview, Folmer stated that he had been dealing with some personal problems/issues and that he received child pornography through his Tumblr blog, the agent wrote. Two more child porn images were found during a search of Folmers phone, Goodrow said. Jones noted afterward investigators have found no evidence that Folmer had participated in the creation of child pornography, or that he had actively engaged in distributing it. The images that were discovered, the deputy attorney general added, were all on personal, and not on Folmers state-issued devices. If we had reason to believe that he specifically created this stuff, obviously wed be pursuing that, Jones said. We do that in every case. Jones also said he was not able to elaborate on the personal issues that Folmer had referenced on the day of the searches. Folmer, who had been a member of Lebanon City Council in the 1980s, ran for state Senate in 2006 under the political nickname Citizen Mike." He scored a surprising primary win over the then-Senate Majority Leader David Chip Brightbill in what was seen as voter payback for a late-night vote on a double-digit pay raise for lawmakers the year before. In the years since, Folmer had carved out a reputation as a staunch fiscal conservative, but he also worked across the aisle to fashion some noted bipartisan compromises on issues like bolstering citizens protections against law enforcement asset seizures. Folmer likely gained the most attention for his work on the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. He was one of the measures key sponsors and was invited to attend Gov. Tom Wolfs signing of the bill into law in 2016. Folmers Senate district covered all of Lebanon County, and parts of Dauphin and York counties. News of his September arrest stunned Folmers Senate colleagues, and he resigned his seat the following day. In a horrific incident, a 17-year-old Pakistani boy has been mauled to death by a pride of four lions at an animal park in Lahore. The remains of Bilal, who had been missing for two days, were found on Wednesday in the lions' enclosure of the Lahore Safari, according to a park official. "We recovered the remains in the park on Wednesday after Bilal's father told us that his son had been missing since Monday. He was in the Safari Park to cut grass," said Lahore Safari official Chaudhry Shafqat. "We have sent the remains to a laboratory for a forensic examination and ordered investigation into the incident," he said. It appears Bilal, whose uncle was an employee at the park, was mauled to death by a pride of lions, he added. According to a local media report, the youth was killed in an attack by four lions. Staff feeding the animals at the park stumbled across a skull and bones belonging to Bilal on Wednesday. Shafqat said it was unclear as to how the victim crossed the protective fence which is quite high and entered the lions' enclosure. There were no CCTV cameras installed at the safari to determine what exactly happened. Established in 1981, the state-run Lahore Safari is one of Pakistan's largest and oldest animal parks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Marcela Sousa hails from Brazil. Shes currently in Flagstaff for the year, studying at Flagstaff High School. Im having fun, and Im learning a lot, she said. While in Flagstaff, Sousa is staying with three host families. Her experience is made possible through an exchange program available at Rotary International, and she decided to share a bit about her life to the membership of the Rotary Club of Flagstaff during the clubs Feb. 4 meeting at the eastside IHOP. The Flagstaff club, established in 1921, is always looking for new members who want to make a difference in their community. Rotary clubs throughout the United States and the world are dedicated to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. Were a multi-generational, diverse group, and were about fellowship and service, said Carla Viola, president-elect of Rotary Club of Flagstaff. Come visit. Theres a little something for everybody. She added that the club has recently volunteered at the Flagstaff Family Food Center, helped build privacy fences for Habitat for Humanity homes and spent a day out at Camp Colton, preparing the camp so area sixth-grade students can experience the wonder of the outdoors. The Flagstaff club also makes donations to needy organizations in the community. There are currently 32 active members who come from all corners of the Flagstaff business and professional community. Anybody interested in the club is invited to attend one of the meetings, which happen twice a month. Karl Eberhard, a Flagstaff architect, has been a Rotary member for nearly 30 years. I like doing community service, and I like to give back, Eberhard said. Its a nice, varied way to serve. Eberhard added that one week, he could be doing something locally, and another week, he could be in another country lending a helping hand. At the meetings, members are treated to speakers who come from all over the community, state, nation and world like Sousa. During the meeting on Feb. 4, Sousa talked about her homeland of Brazil. Her hope is either to become a journalist or an attorney she isnt sure yet. She shared details about her family and the travels shes been taking with other young Rotary Exchange students and with her host families. A member from a Glendale club stopped by for lunch and fellowship. A local businessperson gave the club a briefing on a new maker space hes working on. There was even a moment for some harmonizing on the song Home on the Range. Eric Walden, a past president of the Flagstaff club, reminded the members of Rotary Internationals worldwide effort to eradicate polio. More than $2.5 billion children have been immunized worldwide, and more than $1.5 billion has been donated to a cause that is nearly a reality. Please know youre a part of a thing thats so much greater than we are here, Walden said. Thank you for being Rotarians. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Lawmakers warned the Pentagon chief Wednesday that he is "heading for a brawl" with the House Armed Services Committee over the Defense Department's delay in presenting a 30-year plan to create a 355-ship Navy. Committee members repeatedly expressed their concerns over proposed cuts to the Navy's shipbuilding plans to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley at a hearing to discuss the Pentagon's fiscal 2021 budget request. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, said the proposed 19% cut to shipbuilding is a "punch in the gut" to combatant commands trying to compete with Russian and Chinese naval forces. "This budget fails the test in terms of the National Defense Strategy, which is focused on our near-peer competitors," Courtney said, pointing out that the "anemic" fiscal 2021 budget plan to build eight ships will mean only five new combat vessels. Related: Navy Plans to Cut Shipbuilding Budget Face Swift Pushback on Capitol Hill One of the ships -- the LPD-31 -- was authorized and funded by Congress last year, Courtney said. "There is actually only seven -- two of those seven are tugboats, they are salvage ships," he said. "We are in fact then left with five combatant ships." But the tension in the hearing only increased when Courtney scolded Esper for not submitting a 30-year shipbuilding plan with the proposed fiscal 2021 budget request, which is mandated by law. "Congress needs headlights to see where you are doing because of the fact that shipbuilding is such a long game," Courtney said. "When are we going to get that 30-year shipbuilding plan?" Esper told lawmakers that he believes the Navy needs more than 355 ships and more attack submarines, but the 30-year shipbuilding report is simply not ready. "I haven't seen the 30-year shipbuilding plan; I am awaiting its presentation to me," he said. "Once I have had the chance to review it and digest it and follow up on it ... I will share with you what I believe our future force structure should look like." Rep. John Garamendi, D-California, told Esper, "You are out of line, sir." "You should listen very carefully -- you are heading for a major brawl with this committee," he told Esper. "The law is quite clear. When you submit your budget, you are required to submit the shipbuilding plan and for you to say you are going to give it to us on your own good time and when you are ready -- you are not in line with the law." Lawmakers were also concerned that the Navy plans to build only one Virginia-class submarine in fiscal 2021, a course change from the fiscal 2020 budget that planned for two of the attack submarines. Courtney said the Navy's current fleet fleet of 52 attack submarines will soon shrink to 44 with the planned retirement of the Los Angeles-class submarines. Esper agreed that attack subs are an important issue, but so is the service's need to improve its ship maintenance program to prevent the sea service from becoming a hollow Navy. "I support what the Navy did in terms of moving $4 billion from shipbuilding to maintenance," Esper said. Over the last five years, 75% of the Navy's surface ships never left maintenance on time and, of that 75%, half of those ships took more than three months to return to sea, Esper said, referring to a recent Government Accountability Office report. "What that equates to is 19 ships in 2019 were unavailable to go to sea," he said. "I agree we need a 355-ship Navy, but we can't have a hollow Navy at the same time." In addition to the 30-year shipbuilding plan, the Navy is wrapping up a new force-structure assessment that looks at the types of vessels the service will need over the next decade. Esper told lawmakers that he was briefed on the Integrated Naval Force Structure Assessment on Friday. There is also the forthcoming Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) that will produce a plan to get to a 355-plus ship Navy, as well as proposals from think-tank groups that warrant consideration, he said. "What I want to do is get all these great ideas together ... kind of level-set the playing field and let's run these competing plans to see which one optimizes what we need for the future," Esper said. "I recognize that we are beyond the date that it was due, but I want to present to you a right plan, a good plan and not just something that was generated up and delivered on time," he said. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Read More: The Navy Is Making Big Changes to the Way it Plans for Future Ships After Blackstone made the payment, it is expected that CDEL's working capital situation may improve and the majority of the proceeds may be utilised to bring down the overall debt of the company. US private equity giant Blackstone Group Inc. reportedly paid the first tranche of Rs 150 crore to Coffee Day Enterprises as part of acquiring the coffee venture's Bengaluru-based Global Village Tech Park. Blackstone will pay another Rs 2,000 crore in the next two weeks for the technology park and the remaining amount of Rs 550 crore is expected to be paid in a span of one year, said a report in Business Standard. The deal values the technology park at Rs 2,700 crore. With this Blackstone payout, it is expected that Coffee Day Enterprises' (CDEL) working capital situation may improve. A majority of the proceeds are expected to be utilised to bring down the overall debt of the company, the report said. In January this year, the Bengaluru-based coffee chain had cleared all the major hurdles including government approvals and a green signal from most of its lenders. Last month, the Commerce Ministry had cleared the proposed deal and this was necessary since the 90-acre IT-focussed tech park comes under the special economic zone (SEZ) regulations, said a report in The Economic Times. Private lender Yes Bank issued a no-objection certificate, the report said. Tanglin Developments, a group subsidiary and the parks promoter, owes the bank Rs 100 crore. In December last year, Coffe Day's plans to sell its Global Village Technology Park to Blackstone Group hit a hurdle after its largest creditor Yes Bank reportedly did not give its approval to the deal. The deal got stalled after Yes Bank reportedly put up a condition that no objection" would be given to the deal only if Coffee Day is ready to repay the entire loan taken by the group from the lender or at least the loans taken by Coffee Days armsTanglin Developments (which owns the tech park) and Sical Logistics. The CCD groups debt was reported at Rs 7,100 crore in April 2019 but it had come down to Rs 4,980 crore after the sale of a 20.41 percent stake in Mindtree to engineering and construction conglomerate Larsen and Toubro in May this year. In July last year, Coffee Day Group promoter VG Siddhartha was found dead in Netravati river near Mangaluru in Karnataka two days after he had gone missing. In a letter purportedly written by him, Siddhartha mentioned severe financial stress being faced by his group firms, among other issues. With PTI inputs Lambasting Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray government for rejecting a proposal for a resolution to honour Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the state Assembly, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said he never got to see such a "weak and helpless" Shiv Sena. "We are seeing ShivSena for last 25-30years. But never ever got to see such a helpless & weak Shiv Sena. It was Hindu Hruday Samrat Shiv Sena Pramukh Balasaheb Thackeray ji who protested against Mani Shankar Iyer and now just for the greed of power Shiv Sena is sitting with the same party which calls Veer Savarkar ji a Mafi Veer and a rapist," Fadnavis tweeted. "It is a very painful and shameful day we witnessed in the history of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly," he said. Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra Assembly witnessed an uproar over the issue after Speaker Nana Patole rejected the BJP's demand to have a discussion over the resolution to honour Savarkar. On the death anniversary of Savarkar, BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar moved a resolution in the Lower House to honour the Savarkar in Maharashtra legislature. "We demanded a resolution to honour the great revolutionary Swatantrya Veer Savarkar but the Shiv Sena has become so helpless in its hunger for power that it is willing to accept the insult," Fadnavis told media after the resolution was rejected. "Congress magazine called Savarkar mafi-veer and rapist. This magazine should be banned immediately," he said. Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra cabinet minister Aditya Thackeray slammed the BJP for creating ruckus in Maharashtra Assembly over honouring Savarkar and said the BJP government should first give Bharat Ratna to Savarkar. (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 Thu, February 27, 2020 Taman Sumenep, a public park in Menteng, Central Jakarta, is ready to be enjoyed by Jakartans after the administration concluded a four-month extensive renovation of the park in February. During The Jakarta Posts visit on Feb. 20, a new Sumenep Promenade sign had been installed at the main entrance to the park. Jogging tracks and two sets of fitness equipment could also be found at the center of the park. Basically, as the renovation of the park is finished, visitors can enjoy the park starting from this month, Mila Ananda, the Central Jakarta Park and Forestry Agency head, told the Post.We are not going to restrict visitors from using the many facilities at the park, as theyre for everyone to enjoy, she added. 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 day after the Law Ministry on February 25 notified the transfer of Justice S Muralidhar from Delhi High Court to Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Congress (INC) has dubbed it as the Centres "revenge politics". In a press briefing held on February 27, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the urgency of the transfer had "exposed the BJP's politics of revenge", Outlook India reported. Surjewala also wrote on Twitter: "Instant justice! As Bench headed by J. S. Murlidhar holds the BJP leaders & Govt accountable for the #Delhi violence, he is overnight transferred from Delhi High Court. Wish the rioters had been dealt with the same speed & alacrity!" (sic) According to the report, Surjewala alleged the step was taken to "save BJP leaders from being indicted in the Delhi violence case" and that "those doing justice in the country will not be spared." The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isnt shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the governments attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable. pic.twitter.com/KKt4IeAMyv February 27, 2020 Every Lawyer &Judge in India who believes Law & Justice are higher callings than just a career must strongly protest &condemn crude attempt to intimidate Judiciary by arbitrary transfer of Justice S. Muralidhar in the middle of the DELHI RIOT HEARINGS.1/1#StandwithMuralidhar pic.twitter.com/QoryUJlZqb Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) February 27, 2020 Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also tweeted about the transfer, saying: "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isnt shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the governments attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable." (sic)Lawyer and Congress leader Manish Tewari wrote: "Every Lawyer &Judge in India who believes Law & Justice are higher callings than just a career must strongly protest &condemn crude attempt to intimidate Judiciary by arbitrary transfer of Justice S. Muralidhar in the middle of the DELHI RIOT HEARINGS." (sic) However, one must note that the Supreme Court Collegium, which includes Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, had recommended the transfer on February 12 and Justice Muralidhar had reportedly agreed to it as well. It was notified after the order was signed by President Ramnath Kovind. Transfer of Honble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well settled process have been followed. Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) February 27, 2020 This was also pointed out by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad who stated: "Transfer of Honble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well settled process have been followed." (sic)Justice Muralidhar was in the news for hearing pleas regarding the recent mob violence in northeast Delhi, which has killed 34 people and injured hundreds. During the hearing on February 26, he rapped the Delhi police for the situation in the capital stating that "another 1984-like situation" cannot happen under its watch. Human rights defender Njonjo Mue is today(Thursday) expected to lead a prayer rally asking God to remove President Uhuru Kenyatta from power. Mue invites Kenyans to come out in huge numbers at Uhuru Park where he is set to lead the prayers at the presidential dais. In a statement Wednesday, the veteran activist said Uhurus government is a threat to the country. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and the government he leads have become an existential threat to our country, to our children and to our childrens children. We have known this for a long time. When he sponsored the killing of innocents and the raping of women in 2007 8, we took him to the highest court in the world, but he bought his way out of having to give an account for his crimes. When he stole the elections, we took him to the highest court in our land, but he threatened the judges and they caved in, he stated. Mue further claimed that President Uhuru is above the Kenyan laws and, therefore, he should be taken to the Court of Heaven. Uhuru Kenyatta has power and he has money. He is above our laws and above our courts. But there is one Court where our voice is heard and our evidence cannot be destroyed. It is the Court of Heaven. And it is to that Court that we are now taking him. For and on behalf of the people of Kenya, I invite you to a prayer meeting on THURSDAY, 27th FEBRUARY 2020, from 1.00 2.00 p.m. at Uhuru Park on the Presidential Dias. During that hour of prayer, we shall lay our charges against Uhuru Kenyatta and his government before God. And we shall ask God to remove Uhuru Kenyatta and his government from power. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them, Mue said. It remains to be seen if the rally will go on as planned given how the State is notorious for cracking down on anti-government protests. Prince Harry has just returned to the U.K. and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex will be joining him in a few days. Unfortunately, it looks like the Sussexes shouldnt expect a warm welcome from the British royal family. The duke and duchess just announced the details about their transition away from the royal family which will go into effect, April 1, 2020. However, the wording of their latest announcement had some terseness and a bit of shade sprinkled throughout. In addition to delaying the release of the details for Megxit, the Sussexes are reportedly miffed that they will no longer be able to use the Sussex Royal brand and they made their feelings about it clear. Now, royal insiders are reporting that Queen Elizabeth is quite embarrassed by her grandson and granddaughter-in-law. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been banned from using Sussex Royal Though they spent a great deal of time and money branding Sussex Royal and trying to trademark it Queen Elizabeth has told the Sussexes that they cannot use Sussex Royal going forward. When they pair shared the news with the public on their website, it was clear that they were very unhappy about the decision. While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word Royal overseas, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use Sussex Royal or any iteration of the word Royal in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs Spring 2020, they said in a recent statement regarding Megxit. The trademark applications that had been filed as protective measures and that reflected the same standard trademarking requests as done for The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been removed. Royal experts believe that Prince Harry and Meghan Markles statement was very rude One of the main reasons the Susssexes are leaving the inner fold of the royal family is because they are tired of being muzzled. However, some royal experts feel as if they took their Sussex Royal loss statement way too far. The statements underlying message is they are very, very unhappy with this arrangement, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun. It was completely unnecessary. It may lead to future trouble they dont like the arrangement that is forcing them to step down as working royals and not use their titles, even though they will have them. They want to use Sussex Royal but by saying the monarchy doesnt have the power to prevent them from using it why say that? Theres no point. My hope is the bitterness they seem to feel with the current arrangement will become more positive as months progress. Queen Elizabeth is embarrassed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Queen Elizabeth was already weary of Megxit. The queen has been keen to get this resolved because she sees it damaging to the monarchy and on a personal level I think this has been rather hurtful for her, a source told Vanity Fair. She has got to the point where she doesnt want to think about it anymore, she just wants it over and done with. Now, she is allegedly embarrassed by the Sussexes response to losing Sussex Royal. Shes so disappointed that her own grandchild would heap so much embarrassment on the monarchy and bring all this unwanted attention on his family at the worst possible time, an alleged insider told US Weekly. A top official of the Civilian Joint Task Force fighting Boko Haram in Borno State has been abducted by suspected members of the terror group, C-JTF officials confirmed Thursday. Bello Danbatta, a leader of the C-JTF, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Mohammed Abba was abducted early Wednesday. Mr Abba commands the C-JTF in Bambula village of Chibok local government area. We received the shocking news yesterday with sadness that he was taken, said Mr Danbatta Thursday morning. He said he was not aware of any other abducted member of the vigilante group. Associates say Mr Abba has been a die-hard hunter of Boko Haram and had resisted all attempts to be compromised According to reports on social media, the armed insurgents stormed Bambara at about 4 a.m.and began to shoot sporadically. During the shootout, many people who attempted to flee, including Mr Abba, were rounded up. READ ALSO: The head of the civilian JTF was abducted alongside many others who are yet to be identified. A source said the insurgents came in through the Ajigum Talala axis believed to part of the Sambisa forest, known as an ISWAP stronghold. A source also said the attackers went to the village specifically for Mr. Abba because they headed straight to Abbas home and took him. Many communities in Chibok have suffered serious attacks by the insurgents in recent months. This is the first in a long time that a member of the C-JTF would be abducted. Since the beginning of the Boko Haram terror attacks in northeast Nigeria, more than 680 members of the Civilian-JTF, mostly youth, have been killed, the legal advisor of the group, Ibrahim Gunda, revealed recently. Civilian-JTF came into force in 2013 at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency when innocent civilians were killed daily by the militants. The youth of Maiduguri rose to conquer their fears in May 2013 when they began to confront the well-armed insurgents with only sticks and machetes until they forced them to flee from the centre of Maiduguri into Sambisa and other forests. Most of the youth, mostly without any form of combat training or body protection, have laid down their lives while helping soldiers to sniff out the Boko Haram. The Borno State government had in 2014 organised the youth security volunteers, under a legislated programme known as Borno State Youth Empowerment Scheme which ensured the youth were given some martial training, armed with light hunting rifles and patrol vehicles. Since then, the Civilian-JTF became part of most military operations and are targeted by Boko Haram. Health academics, death-monitoring platforms and even zombie movies -- these aren't normal sources of information for investors trying to assess risks in markets. But these aren't normal times, as the coronavirus outbreak triggers an unconventional hunt for insights about what to expect from a swiftly spreading epidemic. Most fund managers simply do not have the models to track what threatens to be a global pandemic, leading them to turn to universities, world health bodies and even works of fiction, while at the same time playing safe by ploughing money into havens such as bonds and gold. The myriad of potential outcomes -- from a global pandemic that kills millions like 1918's "Spanish flu" influenza to a V-shaped recovery if the disease peters out -- makes following traditional data sources too slow and limited, leaving many strategists caught on the wrong foot. Funds are instead going straight to experts, akin to the way investors consulted pollsters and political consultants ahead of the tortuous series of Brexit votes in the UK. Taking cues from horror movies: Jim (Cillian Murphy) survives a virus that wipes out most of the Earth's population in post-apocalyptic zombie film "28 Days Later". Credit:AP Investors are now trying to manage their risks and work out how much of the slide in stocks and rally in bonds is reasonable given the escalation in virus cases from South Korea to South America. That has already pushed long-term US Treasury bond yields to a record low, driven the Swiss franc to the strongest since 2015 against the euro and pushed gold prices to a seven-year high. Patna, Feb 27 : An FIR has been lodged against political strategist Prashant Kishor in Patna after allegations of plagiarism in his 'Baat Bihar Ki' campaign, which was launched recently. The FIR was registered under Sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Patliputra Police Station. The FIR has been registered by Shashwat Gautam, who in his complaint alleged he was working on a similar project, which was to be launched in future. Gautam has also registered the FIR against a person called Osama, who worked with him on 'Bihar ki Baat' campaign before he resigned from the job. Sources said Gautam provided the police some evidences to back his claim. At the 'Baat Bihar ki' programme, Kishor claimed that he aimed to make Bihar one of the top 10 best states in the country. Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface 27.02.2020 LISTEN The one and only contender in the race for the Madina Constituency in the Greater Accra Region on the ticket of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has pulled out, leaving Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface to go unopposed for the April 25 primaries. Mr Michael Kofi Mc-Kenzie, Alhaji Boniface's contender after picking forms earlier, last Thursday, announced his decision not to contest any longer. His decision, he said, was because he wanted to enhance the chances of the NPP retaking the seat. Speaking to the media, Mr Mc-Kenzie who was a former constituency chairman said the MP had worked and needed to be supported to make the victory of the NPP and the President a reality. My decision was to make the 'Four More for Nana Addo to Do More' and 'Mission Madina Consolidated' a reality in the Madina Constituency, he added. I duly apologize to my faithful supporters for any disappointment caused and also to thank them for their unending support, he said. Alhaji Boniface is an astute politician who I believe deserves the mandate to represent our noble party once again. I therefore humbly entreat my supporters to throw their weight behind the honorable MP so that together we can maintain the Madina Constituency Parliamentary seat for the party, he said. ---Daily Guide ELKO An election petition filed by Nevada Gold Mines with the National Labor Relations Board in early February has been dismissed. Nevada Gold Mines had petitioned the board to hold an election on union membership for the employees at the NGM mines in the Carlin trend north of Carlin. A decision has not yet been made on the Unfair Labor Practice charge which the union has filed with the National Labor Relations Board against Nevada Gold Mines. Before the NGM joint venture went into effect on July 1, 2019, there were Barrick Gold Corp. mines and Newmont mines in the Carlin trend, and the Operating Engineers Local 3 union represented about 1,300 workers at the Newmont mines. The union finalized a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Newmont for the companys Carlin mine employees in January 2019. The union has represented Newmonts Carlin workers since 1965. Now that the joint venture is in effect and the operations of the former Barrick and Newmont mines in the Carlin trend are becoming increasingly integrated, Nevada Gold Mines has asked for a vote to be held so all of the NGM Carlin mine workers will either be in or out of the union. The Newmont and Barrick employees all became Nevada Gold Mines employees on Dec. 23, 2019, and Nevada Gold Mines has said that as of that date, the company will not recognize the union as the representative of any of its employees until a vote is held. In rejecting NGMs petition for a union vote, the National Labor Relations Board regional director based in Oakland, Calif., said there was no question concerning the OE3 unions representation of the Carlin trend mine workers formerly employed by Newmont. Nevada Gold Mines has appealed the Labor Relations Boards decision. At Nevada Gold Mines, our values include respecting each other as peers, the company said in a statement. We believe in communicating honestly and transparently, in a way that enables our employees to voice their opinions and have a choice NGM remains committed to allowing our employees to have the freedom to choose whether or not they want to be represented. The union contends in a recent press release that NGM is taking steps to try to end union representation at the Carlin mines. NGMs election petition was designed to strip these workers of their union representation, said OE3 Director of Organizing Bruce Noel. Were happy that the NLRB saw through NGMs transparent attempt to completely end collective bargaining at the former Newmont mines by trying to force an unnecessary and unfair union representation vote. NGM has taken alarming steps to try to intimidate OE3, said OE3 District Rep. Scott Fullerton. They called the police on us for being on public property and trying to talk to the workers at the former Newmont mines now owned and operated by NGM. This is not transparency. Its union busting. Fullerton said his and the unions main focus has been to protect the current OE3 members and the contract they and their employer agreed upon. We will not abandon the workers we have represented since 1965, Fullerton said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Pune, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Capsule Endoscopy Market report systematically determines several aspects which are very significant while observing global market on a very miniscule level. Capsule Endoscopy Market Report covers the manufacturer's data, including shipment, price, gross profit, industry overview in terms of historic and present situation key manufacturers, product/service application and types, important regions and marketplaces, forecast estimation (2020-2023) for global market share, revenue, and CAGR. Capsule Endoscopy Market competition by top manufacturers/ Key player Profiled: IntroMedic (South Korea) Olympus Corporation (Japan) Capsovision (U.S.) Chongqing Jinshan Science and Technology (China) Medtronic Plc (U.S.) and more Get a Sample PDF of report @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/request-sample/13819365 Market analysis Capsule Endoscopy (CE) is a process which make use of the smallest wireless camera that captures image of the patients digestive tract. Through this technique, the doctors are able to see through small intestine. Also, capsule endoscopy is utilized for situations where the doctor needs to check out the causes of ailments like diagnose cancer, gastrointestinal bleeding, screening polyps as well as monitoring celiac. These are the major factors that are positively influencing the Global Capsule Endoscopy Market growth. Others positive factors including supportive government initiatives, rising demand for accurate and faster diagnostics tools for treating colorectal cancer, along with rising prominence of gastrointestinal diseases are helping in augmenting the global market. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.82% during the forecast period (2017-2023). Market segmentation On the basis of component, the global capsule endoscopy market is classified into capsule endoscopy data recorders, capsule endoscope, capsule endoscopy workstations, and others. Based on its endoscope type, the market is bifurcated into neuro-endoscopes, cystoscopies, and others. On the basis of its product, the market is divided into esophageal capsule, colon capsule, and small bowel capsule. Based on its application, the market is categorized into intestine disease, Crohns disease, obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, and others. Lastly, based on its end-user, the market is classified as clinics, hospitals, and others. Regional analysis Europe, North America Asia- Pacific Middle East LATAM Africa. Fill the Pre-Order Enquiry form for the report @ https://www.360marketupdates.com/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/13819365 Table of Contents: 1 Report Prologue 2 Market Introduction 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Scope of the Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations 2.3 Market Structure 3 Research Methodology 3.1 Research Process 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation 3.5 Forecast Model 4 Market Dynamics 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Drivers 4.2.1 Growing prevalence of small intestinal disorders 4.2.2 Increasing geriatric population 4.3 Restraints 4.3.1 Risks and complications of capsule endoscopy 4.3.2 Lack of skilled physicians 4.4 Opportunities 4.4.1 Technological advancements in capsule endoscopy 5 Market Factor Analysis 5.1 Supply chain analysis 5.1.1 R&D and Designing 5.1.2 Manufacturing 5.1.3 Distribution & Sales 5.1.4 Post-Sales Monitoring 5.2 Porters Five Forces Model 5.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 5.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 5.2.3 Threat of New Entrants 5.2.5 Intense Rivalry 6 Global Capsule Endoscopy Market, By Component 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Capsule endoscope 6.3 Capsule Endoscopy Data Recorder 6.4 Capsule Endoscopy Workstations 7 Global Capsule Endoscopy Market, By Endoscope Type 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Capsule Cystoscopies 7.3 Capsule Neuro-endoscopes 8 Global Capsule Endoscopy Market, By Product 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Small Bowel Capsule 8.3 Esophageal Capsule 8.4 Colon Capsule 9 Global Capsule Endoscopy Market, By Application 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) 9.3 Crohns Disease 9.4 Small intestine tumor 10 Global Capsule Endoscopy Market, By End User 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Hospitals 10.3 Clinics 11 Global Capsule Endoscopy Market, By Region 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Americas 11.2.1 North America 11.2.1.1 US 11.2.1.2 Canada 11.2.2 South America 11.3 Europe 11.3.1 Western Europe 11.3.1.1 Germany 11.3.1.2 UK 11.3.1.3 France 11.3.1.4 Spain 11.3.1.5 Italy 11.3.1.6 Rest of Western Europe Continue Key Benefits: Major countries in each region are mapped according to individual market revenue. Comprehensive analysis of factors that drive and restrict the market growth is provided. The report includes an in-depth analysis of current research within the market. Key players and their key developments in the recent years are listed. And More. Objective of Studies: To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analysing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyse the Capsule Endoscopy market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porter five force analysis etc. To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Capsule Endoscopy market. To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by application, product type and sub-segments. Hindi News National Telangna Latest News And Updates|Police Constable Suspended For Beating Girl's Father With Kick Punches, Government Action On Video Going Viral , 2 . 25 . 25 25 , 1st Appellate, Neville Jr. vacancy: Four Democrats are running for this appellate court position. Current Appellate Court Justice Michael Hyman is rated as highly qualified by at least two bar association groups. He is well-regarded for his knowledge of the law, integrity and experience. Also running: Circuit court judges Carolyn Gallagher and Sandra Gisela Ramos, and attorney Maureen Patricia OLeary. The Illinois State Bar Association found all three not qualified due to lack of experience. But the reviews from other bar groups were mixed. Gallagher got high marks from the Chicago Bar Association, and Ramos was deemed qualified. Hyman is endorsed. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 23:57:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WUHAN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Taiwan authority has continued to obstruct the return of over 1,100 Taiwan compatriots from coronavirus-hit Hubei Province by turning down the mainland's new flight plan, according to the cross-Strait affairs office of Hubei. The mainland side has recently proposed through the cross-Strait civil aviation contact channel to send the Taiwan compatriots by six chartered flights to be arranged by airlines from both the mainland and Taiwan in a bid to complete the transportation within a week. The number of Taiwan compatriots who have applied to local authorities in Hubei to return home has risen to 1,148 from 979 since Feb. 3 when a mainland chartered flight sent 247 people back to Taiwan. The stranded compatriots have been under self-monitored quarantine in places across the Hubei province for over four weeks with no infection of the novel coronavirus found among them. They are all eager to return to work, go back to school or seek medical treatment in Taiwan, said the office. BUCHAREST -- Romania's health minister has confirmed the first coronavirus infection in the Southeastern European country. Health Minister Victor Costache told a news briefing on February 26 that a man from the southwestern county of Gorj has tested positive, adding that his condition at this time was good and that he was not showing symptoms. Costache said the man, who was not identified, had contact with a 71-year-old Italian from Rimini during a hunting trip in Romania. "He is in a good condition and will be transferred to a Bucharest infectious hospital," Costache told the news conference. He told reporters that the "evolution of the virus is unpredictable -- there may be no more cases, one more case, two cases or more." "But this is not an epidemic. We are talking about a single case. And if we talk about two, three, four cases, it's still not an epidemic," he added. Raed Arafat, an infectious-disease expert, said the man was living in a residence with at least six other people, all of whom had tested negative for the COVID-19 virus that globally has killed more than 2,700 people and infected some 81,000 others, most of them in China. Outside of China, the largest outbreak has occurred in South Korea -- with 1,595 cases -- but the largest outbreak in Europe has occurred in Italy, with some 400 infections there and 12 deaths. Some 1 million Romanians live and work in Italy and many others travel there regularly. Earlier this week, the Romanian Health Ministry said that all persons returning from northern Italy -- where the outbreak has been the most severe -- would be subject to a 14-day quarantine and that medical staff had been deployed to the border points. Romanian Interior Minister Ion Marcel Vela said that "we call for calm, responsibility, and involvement in following all our communications and all recommendations made by the Ministry of Health or by [the Emergency Situations Department]." "We will manage...and we, as a nation, will overcome this challenge because we are strong," Vela said. "This coronavirus is a test for us, which we will surely go through together," he added. In 1908, the great president Teddy Roosevelt said of the natural wonder that is the Grand Canyon: You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is keep it for your children, your childrens children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see. My wife and I each had seen the Grand Canyon as small children, and we felt it was time to visit it with our two boys, Alex, 25, and Josh, near 20. We made the trip in January during the boys' holiday break from school a perfect period to avoid the normal crush of visitors. The many amenities and developments that have sprouted around the Grand Canyon have helped the national park draw a deluge of visitors from around the world each year, growing from just 37,745 in 1919 to 6.38 million in 2018. January turned out to be an ideal time to check out the Grand Canyon over a period of two days. January and February are typically the months that draw the lowest number of visitors. In 2018, just 257,366 visited in January, compared to the peak of July 799,765 when the average high temperature is around 106 degrees. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the creation of a new special section on Feb. 26, dedicated to stripping citizenship status from criminals who lied about their prior convictions on naturalization forms. The unit will target terrorists, war criminals, sex offenders, and other fraudsters who cheated their way into obtaining citizenship by concealing their criminal histories, according to a statement from the DOJ. When a terrorist or sex offender becomes a U.S. citizen under false pretenses, it is an affront to our systemand it is especially offensive to those who fall victim to these criminals, Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt said in a statement. The Denaturalization Section will further the Departments efforts to pursue those who unlawfully obtained citizenship status and ensure that they are held accountable for their fraudulent conduct. The DOJ says the move was motivated by an anticipated increase in referrals for such cases from law enforcement agencies. The move will join two existing sections within the DOJs Civil Divisions Office of Immigration Litigation. The office already handles denaturalization cases and touts a 95 percent conviction rate. Denaturalization cases require the government to prove that an immigrants naturalization certificate was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation. In a prominent terrorist denaturalization case, Khaled Elsayed Mohammad Abo al Dahab was stripped of his citizenship. Dahab was convicted of terrorism in Egypt and admitted to recruiting for the al-Qaida terrorist group in the United States. In 2018, the office secured the denaturalization of war criminals including Edin Dzeko, a Yugoslavia native was who was convicted in Bosnia of executing unarmed civilians and prisoners of war in the Balkans. Earlier this year, the office successfully denaturalized Moises Javier Lopez, who concealed a prior conviction of sexually abusing a minor for years. The office also goes after financial fraudsters. The litigation against Guillermo Mondino, who was convicted of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Export-Import Bank of more than $24 million, resulted in Mondinos self-deportation. The section will focus on misrepresentations and omissions made on the N-400 naturalization form. The questions on the form ask whether the applicant has been involved in genocide or torture or if he or she had been a member of a communist party or other totalitarian organizations. The form also asked if the applicants have ever been charged with and convicted of crimes or served prison time. Civil denaturalization cases have no statute of limitations, according to the DOJ. From The Epoch Times As if San Francisco were not disgusting enough with its corruption, poop patrols, and unpunished street crime, there's now this sort of brutality going on: Racially charged attack on elderly Asian man. This Asian man was just trying to make ends meet for his family by collecting cans. Then he got attacked, he didnt deserve this. this is ignorant, inhumane, & disgusting. Heartbroken Retweet. pic.twitter.com/1Ea1e3GCj2 Deniiise (@RogueCharisma) February 25, 2020 According to the Daily Mail: The video begins with one onlooker walking towards the man, wielding a pole and using it to hit him on the head. Others laugh and jeer as the victim runs away. As the man walks away one eyewitness comments: 'Uh oh, he's scared.' The man turns back, in an apparent effort to get his belongings back. Another shouts: 'Man, hey, go get your cans, man. Go get your cans, man, don't be scared.' The person recording the clip shouts: 'He just robbed your dumb ass. They are his cans. Go get your s---. I hate Asians.' As the camera zooms in on the man's face he can be seen crying and visibly distressed by the incident. Those around him mock his tears, continuing to film him as he cries. It was a miasma of aggression and profanity and disturbing as anything ever seen, given the raw rage and aggression directed at the completely blameless, vulnerable man. It wasn't enough to rob him of the fruit of his day's or week's labors; these thugs (and that's the only correct descriptor) also had a vile need to degrade, humiliate, and film him, too. It's obviously a case of black-on-Asian violence, and not the first instance. Combine it with illegal-on-Asian violence, which is yet another issue, and life must be hell for impoverished Asians in San Francisco. Where does that kind of hate come from? Who teaches these miserable excuses for humanity this sort of sadism? And where does this hate of a poor old Asian collecting used cans for pennies in stratospheric-costly San Francisco come from? This was no "Crazy Rich Asians" of movie lore; this was a man who, unlike the thugs who attacked him, actually worked, for a pittance. The thugs, by contrast, and they are quite strong and well fed, appeared to have lived lives of leisure courtesy of the state. The answers are not immediately obvious, but some kind of critical mass has been reached, and here's a first clue: this kind of black-on-Asian hate is boiling up in progressive one-party San Francisco in exactly the same way black-on-Jewish attacks went on in Bill de Blasio's New York, where a string of violent black-led attacks on blameless Jews occurred. Correlation is not causation, but we sure as heck don't see this kind of thing going on in conservative-run cities. As I noted at the time of the New York attacks: It's shocking, not only because the number of unprovoked attacks on Jewish people just minding their own business and going about their daily lives are very numerous nine at last count within about a week but because within the violence itself is a tissue of lies, explicit and implicit, from silky enablers to conceal and euphemize what's really happening. In every case, the victim was Jewish and the attacker was black. That's a politically incorrect to the press and its leftist allies, but it's true. Here's a second and third clue, off Twitter, where one of its denizens claims to have found a perpetrator: His new account, hes out here claiming the elderly Asian man was the one whos racist pic.twitter.com/Jnkjb43B5C babygrinch (@FallenDescent) February 26, 2020 If it's the same person, the first thing we see is that this person really, truly believes that the other guy is the actual racist, similar to the "thinking" of the Jew-hating thugs in New York. The Jew-haters, in fact, have been coddled by Democrats guys like Louis Farrakhan, opening the gates to more Jew-hating in some segments of black grievance groups that perpetrate these attacks. It's typical criminal and domestic abuser behavior, rationalizing one's own acts by projecting the very crimes one's committing onto the victim. Brutes who beat toddlers tell cops the toddler was the aggressor and competitor. Racists who attack innocents tell the press and the activists that the victims were the "real" racists. It's a complete pathology coming out after decades of leftist lies and propaganda for political purposes, telling these losers they're always the victims because it's so politically useful. Now it's coming out as raw projecting racism moving against others, with nothing to stop them. The second thing we see is that this person has no fear of the police, no fear of the feds, and no fear of punishment, no matter what he does. That's the work of leftist politics that in San Francisco now requires a dollar value of $951 in thievery before any police action can take place. Thieves know they get the first $950 free in that city. Cash bail has been eliminated, and San Francisco's district attorney has a pinned tweet praising Bernie Sanders for praising that. That crazed leftist "serving" as district attorney, one Chesa Boudin, is the son of a terrorist killer, raised by Bill Ayers, last seen "serving" as Hugo Chavez's translator, whose big selling point is "decarceration," and ending "mass incarceration," and who refuses to prosecute quality-of-life crimes such as public urination. The cops in that city are throwing up their hands at having this creep at the prosecutorial helm, effectively making all street crimes get-out-of-jail-free cards. Besides ending cash bail, he's ended "gang enhancements" and purged the D.A.'s office of all its talent for knowing about how gangs work. Young Chesa has nominally condemned the crime against the old Asian, claiming he thinks it's "heartbreaking" but that's meaningless in that the only course of action he's likely to pursue is "restorative justice," which lets violent hoods out without punishment if they admit their crimes, without so much as an apology to victims. On Twitter he made his cursory condemnation, for appearance's sake and has now since moved on to extolling a legislative move in Sacramento to expunge the records of violent thugs ... such this one. No wonder the thug, whoever he was, decided he had nothing to worry about from the cops. That by the way, is the same picture of what's going on in New York as de Blasio and company empty out the jails, piously intone against "mass incarceration," and secretly bus the criminals out of New York and into other cities. The criminal justice reform fanaticism of the left, along with its institutionalized political grievance group culture, has created a hellstorm of attacks on the least violent and most vulnerable minorities Jews and Asians. It ought to be enough to make them all conservatives and Republicans, as they are natural constituents to this group. One can only hope that they see the effects of blue-city leftwingery on their own well being and raise up enough of an outcry to stop it. Image credit: Twitter screen shot. Chelsea Clinton enjoyed a fashionable night out on Tuesday, attending a star-studded fashion dinner that was aimed at promoting female empowerment. The 40-year-old smiled for photographers at the Female Empowerment Dinner, a launch party for the new Alice + Olivia x Lakwena collectoin, which was co-hosted by the brand's founder Stacey Bendet, 41, and heiress Nicky Hilton, 36. Taking a break from mom duties for her three young children, Chelsea dressed up for the event in a pair of cropped dark jeans, a black jacket, and a colorful T-shirt from the newly-launched collection. Looks fun! Chelsea Clinton enjoyed a fashionable night out on Tuesday, attending a star-studded dinner for designer Alice + Olivia Say cheese! The 40-year-old posed with designer Stacey Bendet and heiress Nicky Hilton Laid-back: Chelsea wore her hair down and minimal makeup for the night out Showing support: She wore cropped jeans and a colorful T-shirt from the new Alice + Olivia collection Simple: She kept warm with a black jacket and accessorized with black booties and a black bag Chelsea seemed to be enjoying the fun night on the town at Zero Bond, a private membership club inspired by similar ones in London that's set to open this April. She kept it polished but casual in a pair of dark jeans that were cropped just above her ankles, pairing them with a new Alice + Olivia T-shirt that says 'POWER' four times in different colors and sequins across the front. She finished off with a black jacket, a black shoulder bag, black booties, and minimal makeup. Meanwhile, Nicky was a bit more dressy in a light orange dress and nude heels, which served as a neutral foundation for her colorful striped kimono a $595 design from the new collection, which reads 'Lift You Higher' on the back. Support: The mother-of-three came out in support of the new Alice + Olivia collection, made in collaboration with London-based artist Lakwena Good cause: Proceeds from sales of the collection will benefit LifeWay Network, an organization that fights sex trafficking Turning heads: Nicky wore a kimono from the collection with the words 'Lift You Higher' on the back Cute couple: Nicky poses with her husband, James Rothschild Friendly snaps: Nicky and Stacey hug and smile for a photo Welcome! Nicky co-hosted the event and gave a speech during the dinner Nicky was doing hosting duties for the night, sharing the charge with Stacey and London-based artist Lakwena. Lakwena teamed up with Stacey on the new Alice + Olivia x Lakwena collection, which 'aims to advance the artists bold messages of empowerment in celebration of International Womens Day 2020 (March 8) and Womens History Month.' The collection includes a ball gown skirt, reversible kimono, and several T-shirts all printed with the artists affirmations in bright colors. 'I love the positivity and graphic beauty of Lakwenas artwork,' Stacey said in a press release. 'Each of her works are visual symbols of strength and optimism!' Exciting: Stacey also got up to say a few words and show off her statement-making skirt Strike a pose! Designer Stacey and Jenny Mollen posed together in front of a fun, colorful backdrop, which matched the colors in the Alice + Olivia x Lakwena collection In-the-know: Stacey also posed with fellow designer Zac Posen Exclusive: The dinner was held at Zero Bond, a private members' club inspired by similar spaces in London that is set to officially open in New York in April Prime seats: Nicky sat to the left of the designer, and Chelsea may have been on her other side What's more, proceeds from sales of the collection will benefit LifeWay Network, an organization that fights sex trafficking. It hits the brand's website March 1. Other guests who turned up to the Female Empowerment Dinner included Ruby Aldridge, Zac Posen, Gigi Burris, Jenny Mollen, Alexi Meyers, Annalynne McCord, Cipriana Quann, and TK Wonder. While a few photos from the seated part of the dinner were released, none show Chelsea or her seatmates. The former first daughter and children's book author who is mother to five-year-old Charlotte, three-year-old Aiden, and seven-month-old Jasper had been busy on Twitter just before the dinner on Tuesday. At 5:15 p.m., she responded to a tweet quoting Rush Limbaugh as saying: 'It looks like the coronavirus is being weaponized as yet another element to bring down Donald Trump. Now, I want to tell you the truth about the coronavirus. ... The coronavirus is the common cold, folks.' Speaking out: That same night, Chelsea tweeted criticism of Rush Limbaugh after his comments on caronavirus Remembered: Chelsea was referring to two desperate times, in the '90s, that the radio commentator compared a then-teenage Chelsea to a dog Chelsea was clearly not a fan of the comment. 'February 25th, 2020: The day I wished Rush Limbaugh had stuck to comparing me to a dog. Much better than his peddling #fakenews about coronavirus #COVID19 to his millions of listeners.' Chelsea was referring to two desperate times, in the '90s, that the radio commentator compared a then-teenage Chelsea to a dog. According to Snopes, the first time was uttered to a journalism, who published in in an October 1993 newspaper column. 'Everyone knows the Clintons have a cat. Socks is the White House cat. But did you know there is also a White House dog? And he puts up a picture of Chelsea Clinton. Chelsea Clinton is 13 years old,' the journalist wrote. Snopes also tracked down a video of the second time he made such a comment on TV in November 1992. He said, 'Lets see who is the cute kid in the White House' before showing another picture of a dog. He later apologized and insisted it was a mix-up. He denied cheating with Hayley Vernon at Wednesday night's dinner party, despite overwhelming evidence they'd hooked up a week earlier. And it seems Michael Goonan is still running from the truth. The 28-year-old company director has apparently 'gone into hiding' to avoid the public backlash, according to his 'wife', Stacey Hampton. In trouble: Married At First Sight's cheating groom Michael Goonan has 'gone into hiding' to avoid the public backlash against him. Pictured during filming in Sydney's CBD on October 7 Mother-of-two Stacey, 26, dropped the bombshell during an interview with Hit 105's Stav, Abby & Matt on Thursday. Radio host Abby Coleman pointed out that things must be awkward for Michael and Stacey as they both live in Adelaide. 'I get concerned that Adelaide's so small, so if you haven't [ended up] together, you are going to cross paths all the time,' she said. 'I think he's in hiding,' Stacey replied with a laugh. Under fire: Michael is still running from the truth, according to his 'wife', Stacey Hampton. Pictured amid the cheating scandal on October 14 'I think he's in hiding': Stacey (pictured) dropped the bombshell during an interview with Hit 105's Stav, Abby & Matt on Thursday Michael's secret kiss with Hayley was exposed at Wednesday night's dinner party. The pair had hooked up a week earlier in Vanessa Romito and Chris Nicholls' apartment after a boozy night out in Darling Harbour. At the time, Stacey was in Adelaide with her children, and Hayley's 'husband', David Cannon, was down the hallway in his room. Cheater: Michael's secret kiss with Hayley was exposed at Wednesday night's dinner party Affair: The pair had hooked up a week earlier in Vanessa Romito and Chris Nicholls' apartment after a boozy night out in Darling Harbour During the dinner party, Michael dodged allegations he was unfaithful by insisting he was 'too drunk to remember' what happened. He acknowledged that he was acting 'stupid' and flirting with Hayley on the night in question, but claimed he had no recollection of kissing her. Hayley, who prides herself on being honest regardless of the consequences, told the group they had in fact kissed. Meanwhile, Stacey took her husband's side and accused Hayley of 'taking advantage' of Michael while he was drunk. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine After the success of his chilling feature debut Snowtown in 2011 and his stylish 2015 Macbeth, it was inevitable that Australian director Justin Kurzel would make the move to Hollywood and try his hand at a bigger budgeted production. However when Yahoo Movies spoke exclusively to the filmmaker when promoting his new film True History of the Kelly Gang, he admits his experience shooting 2016s video game adaptation Assassin's Creed was a difficult one. The film, which struggled both critically (its rated a rotten 18% on Rotten Tomatoes) and in the box office, was labelled a flop it was estimated to have lost 20th Century Fox $75-100 million. Even its leading man Michael Fassbender eventually distanced himself, admitting it took itself too seriously, struggling to overcome the video game-to-film curse. Read more: George MacKay talks Ned Kelly [Assassin's Creed] was a really challenging film to make, Kurzel tells Yahoo. There was a sense of going back [to shoot in Australia] to find one's self again, creatively, that led me to True History. The scale of [Assassin's Creed] was enormous and being able to manage the number of people... he said. Michael Fassbender in a still from Justin Kurzel's Assassin's Creed movie. (20th Century Fox) In some ways True History was an antithesis to Assassin's, it was about getting back to Australia and getting back to a story and a group of characters I felt familiar with. Based on the Peter Carey novel, True History of the Kelly Gang depicts the story of the legendary outlaw Ned Kelly, played here by 1917's George MacKay, with supporting roles for the director's wife Essie Davis, Nicholas Hoult and Russell Crowe. Orlando Schwerdt and Essie Davis as a young Ned Kelly and his mother Ellen Kelly. (Picturehouse Entertainment) It's the first time Kurzel has returned to home soil since Snowtown, having helmed both Macbeth (also starring Fassbender) and Assassin's Creed overseas. True History of the Kelly Gang is released in cinemas on 28 February. UNSC adopts resolution extending Yemen sanctions Iran Press TV Wednesday, 26 February 2020 7:42 AM The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved a resolution extending sanctions against Yemen despite criticisms by Russia and China that the document fails to meet their concerns. The much-revised resolution, proposed by Britain, was passed on Tuesday by 13 votes in favor and two abstentions from Russia and China. It prolonged until February 26, 2021 the asset freeze and travel ban imposed on individuals or entities claimed to be threatening peace, security and stability in Yemen. Those sanctions were first imposed on the impoverished country in February 2014 under UNSC Resolution 2140. The resolution reaffirmed the provisions of an arms embargo imposed in April 2015 on fighters of the Houthi Ansarullah movement, which currently runs Yemen, and forces loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh. The resolution also renewed until March 28, 2021 the mandate of the UN panel of experts on Yemen, which was established pursuant to UNSC Resolution 2140. The resolution asks a panel of experts to report on "commercially available components which have been used by individuals and entities" on the UN sanction blacklist "to assemble unmanned aerial vehicles, water-borne improvised explosive devices, and other weapons systems." The panel claimed in late January that Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement is receiving parts for drones and weapons, some with technical characteristics similar to arms manufactured in Iran. It also claimed a smuggling route "seems to run overland from Oman and the southern coast of Yemen, through territory controlled by the [self-proclaimed] government of Yemen, towards Sana'a." Both Tehran and Sana'a have rejected the claims as baseless. Russian and Chinese objections led to many revisions to the draft, including the elimination of all references to Iran and the Houhis, according to reports. However, Beijing and Moscow, both of which wield veto power at the council, abstained from voting, saying the document did not still address their concerns despite the revisions. At the session, Russian UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said his country was presented with "a take-it-or-leave-it approach which does not allow for compromise," adding, "We cannot agree to that kind of approach." "The Russian Federation did not support the draft resolution proposed by the United Kingdom extending sanctions and the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Yemen established pursuant to SC Resolution 2140, because not all of our concerns were taken into account," he noted. Nebenzya also stressed that the Security Council needs to focus on joint efforts aimed at finding ways to settle the conflict in Yemen, which has been the target of a Western-backed military campaign led by Saudi Arabia for almost five years. "The aim of the resolution was to extend the sanctions regime and the mandate of the Panel of Experts, rather than to compete in promoting their approaches that go beyond the objectives of the resolution," he said. Similarly, Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, complained that the UNSC resolution did not take into account Beijing's concerns. "The Chinese delegation proposed many amendments, but the final text failed to meet its concerns," he said. Therefore, he added, China could not vote in favor of the document. The Chinese diplomat further described the task assigned to the UN panel of experts on Yemen as excessively broad. Backed by the US, a number of other Western states and a coalition of its allies, the Saudi regime launched the bloody war in March 2015 aimed at reinstalling a former Riyadh-friendly government in Yemen. The Saudi military aggression, coupled with a naval blockade, has killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people, and plunged Yemen into what the UN says the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The UN says an estimated 24 million people close to 80 percent of the population need assistance and protection in Yemen. The resolution was passed amid growing calls for the US and its allies to stop supporting the Saudi war and for the international community to slap sanctions on Riyadh for its war crimes in Yemen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Otago researchers are playing a leadership role in an Euro 4.8 million international project to conduct the world's first trial attempting to prevent tuberculosis in people with diabetes. Every year, more than 11 million people worldwide develop tuberculosis (TB) and more than 1.4 million die from the disease. In recent years it has become clear that diabetes is an important factor driving the global tuberculosis epidemic. University of Otago McAuley Professor of International Health, Professor Philip Hill, explains that diabetes not only increases the risk of tuberculosis, but also leads to more severe and recurrent disease and more deaths from tuberculosis. "Globally, there are now an estimated 425 million people living with diabetes, but this number will strongly increase over the coming decades, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and other settings with a high burden of TB. "As such, global TB control can only be successful if TB among people with diabetes is addressed well." Professor Hill is excited that scientists from the University's Global Health Institute will be involved in the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, which is supported by the European Union. He is the lead epidemiologist and biostatistician Professor Katrina Sharples is the lead statistician on the project. "We know we won't eliminate TB unless we tackle the huge reservoir of people already infected who do not have disease symptoms. To do this we have to expand our approach to preventing those at increased risk from developing TB disease and people with diabetes are the obvious next target, but we don't currently have enough information to guide policymakers." The consortium will be led by an experienced group of scientists and clinicians in the Netherlands, Uganda, Tanzania, UK and New Zealand. Three thousand people with diabetes and latent tuberculosis infection in Uganda and Tanzania will either get 12 weekly doses of preventive treatment or placebo and followed over two years to see if this treatment can prevent the disease developing. In parallel to the trial, 1000 people with diabetes but without evidence of latent tuberculosis infection, will be followed to confirm the risk of TB in this group is indeed too low to warrant preventive treatment. "If we are successful, this intervention could see a significant reduction in the burden of TB worldwide," Professor Hill explains. ### Photo caption: Professor Philip Hill (front row, second from left) and Professor Katrina Sharples (back row. fourth from left) with other international leaders in the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership in Mbeya, Tanzania, one of the study sites. For further information, contact: Professor Philip Hill Co-director, Centre for International Health McAuley Professor of International Health Tel +64 3 479 9462 Mob +64 21 279 7214 Email Philip.hill@otago.ac.nz Liane Topham-Kindley Senior Communications Adviser Tel +64 3 479 9065 Mob +64 21 279 9065 Email liane.topham-kindley@otago.ac.nz Starting Thursday, participating Houston-area Einstein Bros. Bagels locations will start selling a brand new breakfast item: the "Bagelrito." A mix between a bagel and burrito, the bagelrito is loaded with all the fixins'; one cage-free egg, thick-cut bacon, turkey sausage, three different cheeses, hash browns, salsa and green chilies in a flour tortilla, hand-wrapped in Asiago bagel dough and baked, according to a release. Company officials said in the release it has expanded the bagelrito to nationwide locations after seeing wild success from its five test locations in the Denver area last year. FLAVOR: Hungry for restaurant reviews and recipes? Get the free, weekly Flavor newsletter delivered to your email. We heard our guests loud and clear, Teka ORourke, VP of Marketing, Einstein Bros. Bagels said in the release. Given the popularity of the Bagelrito during the Denver test, we knew we couldnt keep this breakfast innovation from the rest of the country for too long. We just needed a bit of time to ensure our bakeries are set up to meet the volume of orders were expecting." The fast-casual coffee and bagel company boasts nine Houston-area locations, from inside the loop to the Clear Lake area. FROM THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE'S GREG MORAGO: Are the best bagels in Houston now in the Heights? Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com If we are to indeed celebrate Dara Shukoh, arent his literary and theological works and his deeply syncretic ethos, more important to remember and follow, than a knowledge of the precise location of his mortal remains? Going by all present evidence, History, in particular the Mughal era, is back with a bang and is here to stay. When it comes to the most controversial and charismatic of all the princes in the dynasty, the veneration and renewed interest of the central administration is now reaching its apogee. In September of last year, at a special symposium in New Delhi to commemorate his life and ethos, he was upheld as The Emblem of Indianness. Soon thereafter, a special research chair was set up in his name at the Aligarh Muslim University. And now, the Ministry of Culture has tasked a seven-member panel of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to locate his grave, and submit a report within three months. But first, a fundamental clarification. The name is Dara Shukoh, not Shikoh, as he is continually referred to by political commentators, departmental functionaries, and most bafflingly, historians and archaeologists. Because within this single misspelt alphabet, there is a world of difference. Shukoh in Persian denotes glory or majesty, a worthy and likely appellation for a Mughal Prince. Shikoh, on the other hand, stands for terror, which when used in conjunction with the persons first name, effectively dubs him a terrorist, presumably not the intention of the experts! The ASI certainly has its work cut out, and not the least of its challenges has to do with its intended approach. In place of identifiable artifacts, the search is supposed to be based on textual evidence and oral tradition. The latter may provide suitable material for soap operas or a Bollywood flick, but is unlikely to provide the bulwark for any serious scientific investigation. With regard to textual evidence, here too the challenge is compounded in that the contemporary chronicles either dont agree with each other or may prove difficult to authenticate. The Shahjahannama may well allude to a specific Quranic verse. However, there is a counterview that the cenotaph marking Dara Shukohs grave specifically does not contain any inscription from the Quran or Hadith, due to the fact that Dara, at least on paper, was executed on the charge of apostasy. In any case, the caprices of the elements over the centuries have effaced the inscriptions of quite a few cenotaphs located in the open terrace of the main mausoleum, as well as elsewhere within the premises. If the grave happens to be one of these, how would the inscription help in identifying it? Now, consider a major anomaly among the sources. The Alamgirnama mentions that the body of Dara Shukoh was buried inside the Humayuns tomb complex. Niccolao Manucci, famed for his touch of the dramatic, claimed that while the headless corpse was buried hastily in the Humayuns tomb, the head itself was interred in the Taj Mahal, as a painful reminder to the captive and deposed emperor Shah Jahan, each time he happened to gaze out of the Agra Fort towards the mausoleum of his departed wife. On such textual evidence, should we now authorise an excavation beneath the Taj Mahal? Arriving at conclusive evidence, as required in any scientific project, is painstaking, time-consuming and considerably expensive. For example, intensive DNA analysis is theoretically possible, from a longlist of candidate samples collected from graves within the premises. Such analysis too has its share of difficulties, including possible DNA degeneration or external, bacterial contamination. And even if a proper DNA profile was to be found, it would still have to be matched against an authentic and unique DNA, such as that extracted from an article used by that person or a match to his parents. In the former case, one candidate could be the sword-and-scabbard set of Dara Shukoh, currently in the Victoria & Albert Museum, in London. The latter takes us back again to the Taj Mahal. All of this, though, leads to a much larger question. After expending substantial time, energy and funds, if Dara Shukohs grave were indeed to be unambiguously identified, what actual purpose would it serve? Would a separate cenotaph be raised over it? A signboard with pious words in a garish font, ascribed to the Prince, for the edification of the passing visitor? Or an interesting addition to the repository of questions for civil service examinations? Even with the most well-intentioned of motives, heres the rub. A glorious posthumous rehabilitation does not insulate us against the vagaries of the future or even the challenges of the present. Two decades after his death, the distant and almost unsung grave of Napoleon was dug up, the body of the late emperor exhumed from its resting place in St Helena and given a befitting reinstatement in the heart of his beloved Paris. But for all its grand monumentality, does the Hotel des Invalides guard against potential economic crises or while were about it provided the French government with a solution blueprint for addressing the demands of the Gilets Jaunes? If we are to indeed celebrate Dara Shukoh, arent his literary and theological works and his deeply syncretic ethos, more important to remember and follow, than a knowledge of the precise location of his mortal remains? If his lifes work were to be encapsulated into one phrase, it would be the title of his startingly original book, Majma ul Bahrain, or The Mingling of the Two Oceans, the oceans in question being Hinduism and Islam. Quoting from this treatise: Now, thus sayeth this unafflicted, un-sorrowing fakir Dara Shukoh that after knowing the Truth of Truths and ascertaining the secrets and subtleties of the true religion of the Sufis and having being endowed with this great gift, he thirsted to know the tenets of the religion of the Indian monotheists. And having had repeated and continuous discussion with the doctors and perfect divines of this Indian religion he did not find any difference, except verbal,in the way they sought and comprehended Truth. Three-and-half centuries after his death, how close are we to achieving this ideal? Avik Chanda is the author of Dara Shukoh: The Man Who Would Be King GUANGZHOU, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Guangzhou Metro Group said it has formed a consortium with two other companies and the trio will take over the operation and maintenance of the Orange Line metro service, Pakistan's first-ever mass rapid urban transit, for an eight-year term. It is the first rail transit project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which fully adopts Chinese standards, technology and equipment, the company said. The consortium, consisting of Guangzhou Metro Group, Norinco International and Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service, signed a service contract on Tuesday with the mass transit authority of Punjab province in Pakistan. The north-south metro line, which was built in Punjab's capital Lahore, spans 25.58 km, mostly elevated, with a total of 26 stations and trains running at 80 kph. Guangzhou Metro Group is busy making operational preparations and recruiting managerial and technical staff to ensure the Orange Line's commercial launch in early June as scheduled. From Fords and Chevrolets to Dodge trucks and Subaru SUVs, autopom! is offering a variety of affordable and accessible Vehicle Protection Plans suited for dozens of makes and models. Vehicle Protection Plans are similar to an extended auto warranty a driver may purchase from a manufacturer or dealership. However, Vehicle Protection Plans are sold by certified third-parties, like autopom!. This gives drivers the opportunity to speak with agents directly and receive high-quality customer service. Vehicle Protection Plans from autopom! help cover the costs of unexpected car repairs. They also include roadside assistance, rental vehicle assistance, nationwide breakdown coverage, and repair shop choice. Some plans even include interest-free payment options. 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When your original manufacturer warranty, extended auto warranty, or used car warranty is about to expire, autopom!s team of licensed agents can help you find a protection plan designed to protect your vehicle and your budget. Learn more about autopom! and request a free quote by calling 1.800.724.8141 or by visiting http://extended-vehicle-warranty.com/. A high-level meeting was held at the Dabolim international airport near here in Goa on Thursday to review the arrangements to screen passengers for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19). Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Union health ministry's joint secretary Alok Saxena, along with officials from the Airports Authority of India and the state health department. "We have taken adequate precautions to screen passengers arriving at the airport. We will ensure that all passengers are examined and suspected cases are identified," Rane told reporters after the meeting. Necessary arrangements are in place at the airport so that people in the state are safe, he said, adding awareness is being spread about Covid-19. Talking to reporters, Saxena said cooperation extended by governments of all states has helped curb spread of the deadly virus in the country. "Everyone is working in coordination with each other. The central government is monitoring all arrangements," he said. Goa is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and witnesses heavy footfall of international travellers throughout the year. Covid-19, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December-end, has now spread to more than two dozen countries. The virus has claimed 2,744 lives in China so far. Symptoms of Covid-19, which may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus, include fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karl Stefanovic and wife Jasmine Stefanovic (nee Yarborough) are set to welcome their first child in May. And the blonde, entering her third trimester, has nothing but positive things to say about her first pregnancy. Speaking to Sydney Confidential on Thursday, Jasmine cheerfully revealed her excitement at becoming a first-time mother. Scroll down for video 'I'm going in with a positive outlook': Pregnant Jasmine Yarbrough (right) reveals why she's not nervous about giving birth - and confirms she and husband Karl Stefanovic (left) have discussed names. Pictured with Karl's daughter Ava at Australian Open, January 2020 Jasmine admitted she and husband Karl have already discussed baby names for their unborn child - which is rumoured to be a girl. She said: 'Weve got a few names, but I think weve got to meet the baby first.' 'Yeah, Im good, going well. Its been a great pregnancy,' Jasmine told the publication, adding that she had a 'positive outlook' when it came to labour and the delivery room. 'All my friends have had great stories so Im going in with a positive outlook,' she said of the upcoming birth. 'Its been a great pregnancy': Jasmine said she was craving ice-cream and doing light exercise as she entered her third trimester, and said her friend's positive stories had helped her stay positive ahead of labour. Pictured: May 2019 The Mara & Mine shoe designer said she was keeping active by walking the couples' dog Chance The Yapper and doing light exercise, such as yoga. Jasmine also claimed she has mostly been craving ice cream through her pregnancy. Karl was dumped as co-host of the Today show in December 2018, while he was on his honeymoon with Jasmine. 'Weve got a few names, but I think weve got to meet the baby first': Jasmine admitted she and husband Karl have already discussed baby names for their unborn child - which is rumoured to be a girl At the time, his personal life was making headlines after his split from his first wife, Cassandra Thorburn, with who he shares three children. He told The Kyle and Jackie 'O' Show in January: 'We're glad that some of the heat has died out of the whole thing and we sort of lead a more normal life than now.' '[Jasmine] is glowing, she's happy and we're all very happy,' Karl said during the chat. 'We have very few surprises in this life': When asked if the couple knew the sex of their unborn child in January, Karl claimed they had chosen not to find out until the birth Photos taken of Jasmine in a swimsuit in Byron Bay on December 14 confirmed speculation the couple were expecting their first child together. Karl later announced the news via Instagram by writing: 'After a great deal of speculation...the rumours are true.' When asked if the couple knew the sex of their unborn child, Karl said they had chosen not to find out until the birth. 'We have very few surprises in this life, and there's been so much of us that is public. [During] the whole thing, we've been trying to hold on to ours,' he said. Exes: Karl and Jasmine began dating in late 2016, just months after he had separated from his first wife, Cassandra Thorburn, following 21 years of marriage. Pictured in 2011 Karl and Jasmine began dating in late 2016, just months after he had separated from Cassandra following 21 years of marriage. The former couple share three children: Jackson, 20, River, 12, and Ava, 14. In December, Karl and Jasmine celebrated their one-year anniversary after tying the knot in 2018 at Mexico's five-star One&Only Palmilla resort. The Oklahoma Senate has passed legislation that would require any child under the age of 17 to wear a seat belt while riding in the back seat of a vehicle. Current Oklahoma law only requires children under the age of eight and passengers in the front seat to buckle up. Senate Bill 1303 was authored by Sen. Roland Pederson, R-Burlington. Oklahoma is the only state in the entire country that doesnt require seat belts for kids over the age of eight, and its no coincidence that vehicle fatalities are the number one cause of death for children eight and older here in Oklahoma, Pederson said in a statement. The bottom line is, children are being hurt and dying simply because we dont require them to wear a seat belt. Oklahoma is 50th in the nation in protecting children in car crashes, according to AAA, the Senate media release stated. Pederson said he decided to run the measure after speaking with Drummond Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members Danica Jordan and Destiny Hudson. Both lobbied for stricter seat belt requirements after experiencing firsthand the lifesaving difference a seat belt can make. The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, is the House author for the bill. Source: Oklahoma Senate Topics Oklahoma Politics CHANGCHUN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Yamazaki Yumiko learned a new Chinese word -- nixing, meaning travelling against the flow. A taxi driver taught her the word when he heard the Japanese teacher flew back to China on Jan. 26 when many foreigners were evacuated amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. Teaching at a training school in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, Yamazaki heard of the news about the epidemic when she was on Lunar New Year holiday in Japan. Both her son in Japan and her husband in China asked her not to return, but she insisted. Yamazaki said she could never forget the banners saying "Japan, stay strong" and the college students that made donations in Changchun streets when Japan was hit by a massive earthquake in 2011. "Although I cannot 'nixing' to the front line like Chinese medics to treat the infected patients, at least I can be with my students and give them some confidence," she said. By the end of Wednesday, a total of 78,497 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection had been reported in Chinese mainland, and 2,744 people had died of the disease, according to national health authorities. Born in Sendai, Yamazaki came to Changchun to study Chinese in 1995 and has lived there ever since. In her words, Changchun is her second hometown. "How can I escape when my hometown is in difficulty?" Yamazaki was impressed with the "China speed" demonstrated in the fight against the outbreak of the disease. To avoid cross-infection, her residential community was closed off overnight, with guards measuring body temperatures of each resident at the entrance. She was given a pass with which she was allowed to go out to buy necessities. She joined local volunteers in disinfecting the community every day. Spraying disinfectant was not easy in the biting cold. "Sometimes, the breeze would blow the mist spray onto our body, forming a thin layer of ice," she said. "But I feel proud that I can play my own part as a foreign volunteer in fighting the epidemic." On the traditional Lantern Festival earlier this month, the foreign affairs office of the local government delivered her face masks, disinfectant and liquid soap. The office also keeps the foreigners living in Changchun updated every day with the latest epidemic information via instant message or WeChat both in Chinese and English. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the Chinese government has attached high importance to the safety of foreigners in China. The National Immigration Administration has issued a guideline for novel coronavirus prevention in six languages including English, Russian, French, German, Japanese and Korean, for foreigners in China. Now that the training school where she teaches postponed the opening, Yamazaki meets her students online. In one class, they talked about "China speed." She told her students she was amazed by how two hospitals with a total of 2,600 beds were built in less than two weeks. "Compared with the SARS period in 2003, the Chinese government this time has become more transparent in information disclosure, and more capable in mobilizing its citizens," she said. On Wednesday, when Jilin Province reported no new infected cases for the third day, it joined many other provinces in China in lowering its public health emergency response from Level I to Level II. The Maharashtra legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution recommending to the Centre to accord Marathi the status of a 'classical language' Mumbai: The Maharashtra legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution recommending to the Centre to accord Marathi the status of a "classical language". The resolution was moved by Minister for Marathi language Subhash Desai. The one line resolution asked the Centre to take a decision to declare Marathi as a "classical language". Speaking on the issue, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said Marathi was an ancient language, older than even Sanskrit. All political parties in the state should step up efforts to persuade the Centre to accord classical language status to Marathi, he said. Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan (Congress) said it was during his tenure that a committee was set up on the issue under the chairmanship of litterateur Rangnath Pathare who gave a 500-page report on classical language status for Marathi. "We forwarded the report to the Centre in July 2013. But then there was a change in government (at the Centre in May 2014). "In the last few years, efforts to get classical status for the Marathi language have not yielded result. At the same, five languages have been declared as classical," he said. Chavan felt there was need to set up a committee of litterateursand experts for follow-up action on the issue. Ashish Shelar (BJP) said the Marathi language was 1,500 to 2,000 years old and there was proof for back this claim. Ravindra Waikar (Shiv Sena) wondered if there was no political will in the state to take up the matter with the Centre. Members also demanded that an all-party delegation go to Delhi for follow-up action with the Centre. They lamented that despite Marathi fulfilling all criteria of a classical language, it had not been accorded the status so far. The resolution coincided with `Marathi Bhasha Din' (Marathi language day) which is celebrated on February 27, the birth anniversary of Jnanpith award winning poet the late VV Shirwadkar. As of now, six languages Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia have been given the status of classical languages. The criteria adopted by the Centre to determine the eligibility of a language for classical status include its recorded history over a period of 1,500-2,000 years, body of ancient literature and whether its literary tradition is original, among other yardsticks. In the past, the Centre has said a proposal for granting classical language status to Marathi was under active consideration of the Ministry of Culture. Languages declared as classical are given certain benefits by the Human Resource and Development Ministry. These include setting up centres for their study and international awards for their scholars. Florence, SC, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DeGen Medical, Inc. an innovator in the design and manufacturing of spinal implant technology announced that Dr. Peter Derman became the first surgeon to implant the E3 MIS pedicle screw system at Texas Back Institute (TBI). The minimally invasive procedure was recently performed at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics and Surgery in Plano, Texas. Texas Back Institute is one of the largest freestanding multidisciplinary academic spine centers in the world. Minimally invasive spine surgery accomplishes the same goals as traditional spine surgery via smaller incisions and is friendlier to the soft tissues that help support the spine, said Dr. Peter Derman. As a result, patients typically experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker recovery. The E3 MIS pedicle screw system is well suited for such minimally invasive techniques. It features a number of design elements that allow for efficient placement of posterior instrumentation via truly percutaneous means. These include an extremely low-profile screw tower and rod passing device as well as a counter torque that engages within rather than on the outside of the towers. About DeGen Medical DeGen Medical, Inc. is a medical-device development company dedicated to providing surgeons with innovative products engineered to improve quality of life for patients with complex spinal disorders. World-class implants, coupled with intuitively designed instrumentation, provide a complete package to promote superior surgical outcomes. Our passion to advance spine-care solutions is driven by clinical insights, sound research, and science-based design. DeGen Medical maintains the highest quality standards to provide reliable products and safeguard patient health. About Peter Derman, MD, MBA Dr. Peter Derman, a minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute, graduated with honors from Stanford University, where he majored in Biological Sciences. He received his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and concurrently obtained a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business. Dr. Derman completed his residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and underwent further fellowship training in spine surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. Outside of his clinical practice, Dr. Derman conducts research to better medicine for future generations. Story continues Attachment Jessica McCracken DeGen Medical, Inc. 877-240-7838 customerservice@degenmedical.com Mr U P Singh, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt of India said that water security in agriculture is a local problem and requires de-centralized solutions. Mr Singh said that currently we use 90 percent of fresh water in agriculture and irrigation. "Without improving the water use efficiency in agriculture, all efforts of water use elsewhere will not be meaningful," he added. He said that we need to change our mindset and give emphasis on water productivity rather than just land productivity. He added that we must focus on water footprints, like carbon footprints, and urged the industry to play more active role in the overall development of the sector. Emphasising on the need of water conservation in agriculture, Singh said that we need to adopt water recycle, and re-use policy in agriculture sector which has provisions for mandates and incentivization. "The more water we consume, more wastewater is generated. Many states have already started adopting this policy. You need to either mandate people or incentivize people. This kind of policy will have both mandating certain use and providing incentives," he added. While highlighting the concerns, he said that we must also consider revisiting the current government procurement policy which mainly focuses on wheat and rice. It is important that states and farmers must be incentivized for other crops as well. "Today, we don't grow crops based on water endowment & topography of that particular area. Ms Alka Bhargava, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt of India said that improved productivity is key to sustainability. "We have started adopting AI and other technologies to check soil moisture and cropping patterns. We are also looking at the use of grey water in agriculture to reduce dependence on ground water," she added. 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 Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Boroffice, has lamented Nigerias poor preventive measures towards Covid-19 (coronavirus). The lawmaker, who raised a point of order during plenary on Thursday, narrated his experience on a recent trip to South Africa. He said the country has already adopted more preventive measures compared to Nigeria. When we arrived (at) the airport in South Africa, we were not allowed to exit the aircraft for good 30 minutes. Officers of the medical corps of the South African army came into the aircraft and screened everybody before we were allowed to go out. When I arrived yesterday at Nnamdi Azikiwe airport, there was no screening. All we were given is a sheet of paper to indicate whether we were sick, whether we have been to one country or the other, how well be contacted in (an) emergency. How do you know whether I fall sick after I left the airport. This is very frightening, he said. Mr Boroffice said countries that have adequate medical facilities are working hard to ensure that they contain the spread of this pandemic Coronavirus and yet I cant seefrom what I saw yesterday, I was afraid. He warned that something has to be done to ensure that Nigeria does not get to a situation it will not be able to control. He also urged the Ministry of Health to take adequate action and ensure that people are screened before leaving the airport. READ ALSO: In his remark, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, agreed that every country in the world have chosen to ensure that adequate measures are taken to prevent or curtail the virus. He said while the Federal Ministry of Health and other associated agencies have been doing their best, the best is not good enough and should not take anything for granted. We need to take all the necessary measures at our airports, seaports to handle this issue. If someone is coming back from China, he should be quarantined not self-isolation, whether it is two weeks or four weeks, we have to preserve the lives of Nigerians. He then mandated the Senate Committee on Public Health to engage the ministry of health, again. We want to see every possible effort done at our airports and seaports, that people are screened when they come into our country. Every single life matters, he said. These concerns come barely 24 hours after Algeria confirmed a case of Covid-19, thus, making it the second African country to report this. A case has been confirmed in Egypt earlier this month. The disease, which originated from China in December, has spread to about 30 countries across the world. Africa, in the past 14 weeks of the outbreak, has been spared, but the window seems to be closing, officials said. The World Health Organisation in preparation for an eventual importation of the disease had listed 13 Africa countries (Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Morocco, Sudan, Angola, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Tunisia) as having the highest importation risk. These countries have been WHOs top priority for preparedness measures due to their direct links or high volume of travel to China. The respiratory disease, which has killed over 2000 people, is capable of spreading through human-to-human contact, droplets carried through sneezing and coughing, and germs left on inanimate objects. Symptoms of the disease can include a sore throat, runny nose, fever or pneumonia and can progress to multiple organ failure or death in some severe cases. Dania Ramirez rocked the opposite of Cake's Short Skirt Long Jacket song, with a short jacket and a longer skirt on the red carpet of Cosmos: Possible Worlds. The 40-year-old actress was all smiles as she hit the red carpet at the premiere, held in Westwood on Wednesday night. Cosmos: Possible Worlds, the third season of the hit Cosmos series, debuts Monday, March 9 at 8 PM ET on National Geographic Channel. Coat: Dania Ramirez rocked the opposite of Cake's Short Skirt Long Jacket song, with a short jacket and a longer skirt on the red carpet of Cosmos: Possible Worlds Ramirez rocked a short tan coat with shiny gold buttons, along with a bright red leather belt. She also had a bright red mini-skirt peeking out from under her coat with diamond earrings as well. The Once Upon a Time actress completed her look with black platform heels as she hit the red carpet. Dania's look: Ramirez rocked a short tan coat with shiny gold buttons, along with a bright red leather belt Cosmos: Beyond Worlds is described as the show's most ambitious season yet, featuring, 'time travel to past eras, revealing unsung scientific heroes who sacrificed everything in the pursuit of scientific revelation.' The show will transport viewers, 'to a hidden place where life may have begun on Earth, to some of the lost worlds of our ancestors and to the possible worlds of our remote descendants,' according to the official description. This season filmed 13 episodes across 19 locations in 11 countries and incorporating more than a thousand talented individuals across all crafts. Ramirez also posed with actress Alex Meneses, who rocked a low-cut black top under a pinstriped black suit coat. Hit show: Cosmos: Beyond Worlds is described as the show's most ambitious season yet, featuring, 'time travel to past eras, revealing unsung scientific heroes who sacrificed everything in the pursuit of scientific revelation' The Telenovela star also rocked black leather pants while completing her look with black leather heeled boots. Ramirez was last seen on the big screen as the mysterious Lady in Red in the hit sequel Jumanji: The Next Level, which hit theaters in December. The actress was born in the Dominican Republic and discovered by a modeling scout at the age of 15 while working at a convenience store. She would go on to study acting in New York before starting her career with a small role in Spike Lee's The 25th Hour. She also recently starred in Tell Me A Story on CBS All Access. Dania and Alex: Ramirez also posed with actress Alex Meneses, who rocked a low-cut black top under a pinstriped black suit coat Date night: Ramirez also shared videos and photos on her Instagram story for her 'date night' with husband Bev Land Theater: She also shared a snap of the theater where she watched the premiere Glowning: Ramirez also checked out a display during the premiere Banpu's renewable power portfolio in 2019 BPP Vinh Chau Wind Power Co., Ltd. , a subsidiary of Banpu Power Pcl., started construction of the 65MW Soc Trang Wind Power Plant No 3. The first phase of 29.4MW is slated for completion at the end of 2020. Each year, the first seven turbines would generate about 84.7GWh of electricity, contributing to national energy security as well as the development of renewable energy in Vietnam. This is Banpu Powers first wind power project in Vietnam. The move is in line with its oversea investment and core strategy for Greener and Smarter. Somruedee Chaimongkol, CEO of Banpu Power, said on the company website last year that, Vietnam is the tenth country that Banpu entered to capture great business opportunities. The country is in the Asia-Pacific region that has fast-growing demand for electricity. The power demand of the country will double to 130GW by 2030 as a result of the countrys economic growth. Given the confidence of our stakeholders in every country we have a business, our strong financial performance and our corporate governance, we are determined to grow sustainable business by looking for further investment opportunities that generate great returns and go in line with Greener & Smarter strategy. We focus on the development of three core businesses, including energy resources (coal and gas including related operations such as marketing, trading, logistics, fuel procurement, and transmission), energy generation (coal-fired and renewables power plants), and energy technology (total solar energy solutions, energy storage system, and energy technology system), in Vietnam and other countries in the Asia-Pacific. These businesses are crucial for Banpus future growth and potential to create added values and to maximise long-term returns for our shareholders, Somruedee added. In 2019, Banpu increased its target to sell more than 2 million tonnes of coal in Vietnam to a trusted and diverse client base. In January 2020, the group established a new wholly-owned subsidiary in Vietnam named Banpu Vietnam LLC with the registered share capital of VND23 million ($1,000). The objective of the subsidiary is to provide services to support coal and power businesses in Vietnam. Recently, Thai enterprises are increasing funding into developing Vietnams energy sector thanks to the abundance of wind and solar power resources and government incentives for the power sector, especially for renewable energy. Some well-known names are B. Grimm Group and Gulf Energy Development Plc. With an aim to conserve the native species of cattle and domesticated animals in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, the state government is planning to undertake their genetic study, officials said on Thursday. A meeting on initiating this project was held in Aurangabad recently, they said. "Under this project, the genetic traits of Osmanabadi goat, Red Kandhari cow, Deoni bull, Caravan or Pashmi dogs will be studied. Their abilities and adaptation capabilities will also be analysed," a top official from the Aurangabad Divisional Commissioner office said. "These animals have never been studied at the genetic level. The project, to be funded by the government, will help in the conservation of the native species of animals in the region," he added. According to another official, the divisional commissioner's office is likely to launch the project in the near future, in which scholars from the region participate. "The outline of the project is being drafted," he said. Red Kandhari and Deoni bulls are useful for farming purposes, the official said, adding, "But the number of pure breeds of these animals is on the decline. Hence their genetic study is important." Head of the zoology department in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU), Gulab Khedkar, said the project is being planned at the government level. "The department as well as Paul Hebert Centre for DNA Barcoding & Biodiversity Studies in the university will be part of this project," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Its official: the U.S. Air Force will call its new HH-60W combat rescue helicopter the "Jolly Green II." Standing alongside combat-search-and-rescue pilots from past and current conflicts, Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett made the announcement during the opening of the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, Thursday. "Reviving the Jolly Green name honors our combat search and rescue crews past and present," Barrett said on social media following her speech. "In the hands of our airmen, the HH-60W ensures the rescue community can perform their duties better than ever," she said. The longstanding motto of the rescue community is, "These things we do that others may live." The name Jolly Green -- which the CSAR community has adopted as its trademark alongside green feet stamps on the aircraft -- dates back to the Vietnam War era when American pilots flew the HH-3E. Related: As Tempo Rises, Most Active Reserve Rescue Unit Wants New Aircraft While pilots today will stamp the sides of the helicopter with green feet to commemorate their own missions, the origin of the green feet is a nod to the HH-3E helicopter, also known as the Jolly Green Giant, which left fat imprints when landing in Vietnams rice patties and grass fields, according to the service. Unlike the new HH-60W, which will officially be known as Jolly Green II, the HH-3E helicopter, used mainly for recovering downed pilots, only carried the moniker as a nickname. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen David Goldfein on Thursday stressed the services need for HH-60W, especially given his own experience. As a lieutenant colonel, Goldfein was shot down in his F-16CJ fighter jet over Serbia in 1999 during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, and subsequently rescued by CSAR units. "The Jolly Green gives us extended range and better capability," Goldfein said on Twitter following the announcement. "I was grateful for a ride out of enemy territory when I needed it and I can tell you first-hand that this aircraft will save lives." In July, the service began its first tests of the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky-made HH-60W -- based on the UH-60M Black Hawk -- which is meant to replace its current HH-60G Pave Hawk fleet. Its missions also include "civil search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, humanitarian assistance, security cooperation/aviation advisory, NASA space flight support and CSAR command and control," the service said. Current 1980s-era HH-60G models are capable of flying low, and have a retractable in-flight refueling probe and internal auxiliary fuel tanks that allow for better range and loiter time during rescue missions. The HH-60W doubles the internal fuel capacity without using the auxiliary fuel tanks, and also increases the flight hours. The aircraft also has improved avionics, navigation, communications and an enhanced software network, plus better defensive measures and armored plating, according to the company. Through its fiscal 2019 and 2020 budgets, Congress gave the Air Force the authority to procure 22 of the Jolly Green II. The first two units to be fielded with the aircraft will be the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, and the 512th Rescue Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, officials said. The service plans to purchase up to 113 of the rotary-wing aircraft. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Read More: Top Marine Orders Confederate Paraphernalia Removed from All Bases CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announces that KLN Family Brands, the group behind well-known brands such as NutriSource Pet Foods and Kenny's Candy & Confections, has gone live with IFS Applications as its central enterprise resource planning (ERP) system of record. Rapidly growing Minnesota-based manufacturer KLN Family Brands was running a patchwork of legacy business systems that could no longer support the business. Following a competitive evaluation of several major ERP vendors, the company chose IFS Applications, which was recently deployed across its two divisions. As a result of leveraging IFS Applications, KLN Family Brands has improved scheduling efficiencies leading to a reduction in finished goods inventory, reduced by more than $4 million within 3 months of going live with the solution. KLN has also experienced gains in overall efficiencies as a result of all divisions operating on a single database. The industry-specific food and beverage solution from IFS offers a broad base of functional capabilities while allowing KLN Family Brands to connect to third-party legacy and custom systems to the ERP backbone. For example, the company's warehouse management system, which handles over 25,000 transactions per day, has been integrated with IFS Applications to leverage the IFS Advanced Planning Board and batch balancing capabilities to manage material flow through the entire manufacturing process. "IFS Applications has made a material difference for us in terms of mission-critical processes such as inventory management and lot tracking," KLN Family Brand Lance Schultz, IT Manager said. "Being able to engage directly with IFS as a partner throughout the implementation was an important factor for us and a major contributor to the success of this project. We look forward to continuing our work with IFS as we gear up for further expansion." IFS Regional President, Americas, Cindy Jaudon, added, "The food and beverage industry is one of the most demanding verticals in the manufacturing sector. Production must be balanced against constraints such as shelf life and external factors like demand and supply chain fluctuations. By harnessing the feedback from innovative and dynamic companies such as KLN Family Brands, we are proud to offer a set of industry capabilities that helps companies optimize their output and parry potential disruption." The IFS solution supports business processes including manufacturing, supply chain, quality management, call center, engineering, project management, document management, finance, and human capital management (HCM). Learn more about how IFS supports businesses in the food and beverage industry at www.ifs.com/us/industries/manufacturing/food-and-beverage-erp/. CONTACT: Megan Schwartzer, IFS Marketing Communications Analyst, North America. Phone: 1-(262)-317-7488, [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Public/855/3045900/8b9ba2fb99ac9428_org.jpg KLN family logos SOURCE IFS I would say, showing my respect, that Shear Madness figured out an audiences love of interactive immersion, long before either term became trendy. At one point, lest you know not, the characters in the titular salon stop what they are doing and ask the audience to help solve the murder that has befallen the elderly woman upstairs (So old she used to babysit Bernie Sanders). You get to ask questions and vote for one of the four potential killers: Hairdresser Tony (Ed Kross), stylist Barbara (Brittany D. Parker), Gold Coast dowager Mrs. Shubert (Mary Robin Roth) and suave customer Eddie Lawrence (David Sajewich). Depending on how the audience votes, the show will have one of four potential endings, all scripted and ready to go. February 27 : Actor Shah Rukh Khan has said that he is a big believer of education. He added saying that for any country, family, city or a state, education is the only way forward and there is never an end to education. Shah Rukh Khan was speaking at La Trobe University PhD Scholarship event on Wednesday in Mumbai. Sharing his thoughts about importance of education, Khan said, I am big believer of education. I truly believe that the way forward for any country, any family, any city or any state is by educating itself more and more. There is never an end to education. I have come to realize the more I know, I figure out the less I understand. Its very important to keep educating ourselves for the rest of our lives. I have always believed education in India and elsewhere in the world is the most important step forward for any nation. It is also important to educate and empowering women to look after themselves and their families. I always believe that women are extremely and much more conscientious than men. If you are able to empower them with education, the world goes even further forward. Watch the video Shah Rukh Khan presented the first Shah Rukh Khan La Trobe University PhD Scholarship to Gopika Kottantharayil Bhasi, a young researcher from Kerala at the event. Her work focuses on farming practices through animal science, ecology and molecular studies. Khan praised Gopika for her achievements, he said, The evening is really about Gopika and her family. She has been doing research elephants in India and Asia. I not tried to even understand what she is doing. She is doing a PhD is what is very important. I wish her the best. I hope that people get this opportunity. I am would like thank and congratulate her family for educating her so much. I am hopeful that she makes her family even prouder. Insha allah, she is going there to study and pursue her PhD from elephants to beasts. I have told her to do whatever she feels like and make the world better place to live in. I am sure Insha allah, she will do it. Its an honour for me to lend my name attached to the scholarship but the biggest honour is that Gopika is the first recipient and we are thankful to her for that. It is extremely nice initiative. It is way beyond festivities, happiness and cinema. Talking about his experience shooting in Australia, Khan said, The Indian Film Festival in Melbourne is fantastic. I attended it in August and it was really nice. People of Melbourne are very warm and hospitable. I got to watch really nice films and meet interesting people over there. As far as the state of Victoria is concerned and shooting in Melbourne is concerned, I shot there for a long period for Chak De! India. It is one of the nicest places to shoot. Apart from the professionalism, I think at a personal level, the people in Melbourne and Victoria are wonderful and film friendly. Now, we are getting 3 million dollars (subsidy) to go and shoot there so, we are thankful for arranging this benefits for Indian films. I would just like to mention that just dont include big films and may be the smaller and medium budget films need it more. Talking about La Trobe university and its campus, Khan said, I have been to universities all around the world. And just at the psychical part of it, I think its an extremely beautiful state. Gopika you are going to be very happy going and studying there. It has such a beautiful and large campus. I know it was put up for me when I gone there but may be a permanent structure can be put up for having live concerts of Shah Rukh Khan. I am really grateful to whole team who are here. All of them were extremely kind to me. Its not about the film world. It goes beyond that when a fantastic university and an institution like La Trobe decided to take out time, set up a panel of people who will give an opportunity to Indian students to come down and further their education. I wont say anymore because the evening is not about us. The award was created in Shah Rukh Khans name last year after he was conferred with an honorary degree by the Australian university. The four-year scholarship programme is granted to female Indian candidates for research in health, sport, information technology, cyber security or engineering. The recipient is entitled to receive a sum of 200,000 Aus dollars. [February 26, 2020] Roadmap for Open Science to reduce barriers and speed up discovery Canada's Chief Science Advisor delivers recommendations to make Canadian science open and accessible OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2020 /CNW/ - Every day, Canadian researchers are coming up with new ideas with the potential to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face today. By freely sharing and collaborating on these innovations, we can ensure a dynamic and transparent research community. The Government of Canada can now bolster its efforts in making federal science open and accessible to all thanks to the Roadmap for Open Science -- a set of ten recommendations delivered by Canada's Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer. Under the guidance of an expert committee and through feedback received from federal departments, agencies and granting councils, the roadmap articulates overarching principles and recommendations. The principles revolve around people, transparency, inclusiveness, collaborations and sustainability. By enabling others to build on previously validated research, Open Science will help speed up the pace of new discoveries ranging from small business innovations to new medical treatments with the potential to save lives. It will also foster quality and integrity in research by offering an opportunity for wider evaluation and scrutiny by the scientific community, and build stronger collaborations with Canada's international colleagues. Open Science is also a means to communicate openly within the research community and with the public to enable greater trust and citizen engagement. The Roadmap for Open Science corresponds with the Chief Science Advisor's 2019 commitment to provide advice on the best way to make government-funded science accessible to all, while maintaining respect for privacy, security, ethical considerations and appropriate intellectual property protection. Quotes "On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to thank the Office of the Chief Science Advisor for leading on the development of this Open Sciene Roadmap. From growing our economy to protecting the environment, science plays a crucial role in tackling the most pressing challenges we face. Making federal research open and accessible will help us do just that." "Solutions to the great challenges we face require more knowledge, more science and more applications of technology. Opening up federal science will help pave a quicker path to discovery and at the same time ensure that the results of research paid for by Canadians is fully available to them" Dr. Mona Nemer, Chief Science Advisor of Canada "Open Science will accelerate progress towards solving society's most persistent scientific problems. It is a catalyst for change - in the way we practice science, how we create opportunities for innovation, and in how we build new partnerships with industry. Open Science has the power to maximize the positive impact of Canadian science locally and globally. We commend the leadership of the Canadian Government in establishing a roadmap to make federal science open to all." Dr. Guy Rouleau, Director of The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), Chair of the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery of McGill University, Director of the Department of Neuroscience of McGill University Health Centre, and co-founder of the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute. In 2016 The Neuro became the first Open Science Institution. Quick facts Dr. Nemer was appointed as Canada's new Chief Science Advisor on September 26, 2017 . As Canada's top scientist, she was asked to make recommendations to help ensure that government science is fully available and accessible to the public, and that federal scientists remain free to speak about their work. new Chief Science Advisor on . As top scientist, she was asked to make recommendations to help ensure that government science is fully available and accessible to the public, and that federal scientists remain free to speak about their work. The Roadmap for Open Science is a follow-up on the Chief Science Advisor's work on the model Scientific Integrity Policy (2018). The Roadmap for Open Science is a part of Canada's 2018-2020 National Action Plan on Open Government. 2018-2020 National Action Plan on Open Government. The Government of Canada has committed more than $10 billion to science and research, including the largest investment in fundamental research in Canadian history. Associated links Roadmap for Open Science For Canadian Science news, follow @CDNScience on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook Follow the Chief Science Advisor of Canada on Twitter: @ChiefSciCan Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] In neighboring Nad Ali district, 21-year-old shop owner Gulwali Balouch said he does not know what peace feels like. He doesnt remember what Afghanistan was like before the war, and he lives on one of Helmands many fault lines, where violence has forced him to flee several times in just the past few years. Once, the clashes erupted so quickly that he was forced to abandon the entire contents of his store. DDMA orders DMs to number all shops within 24 hours as odd-even rule being violated in markets Delhi to ease restrictions, if Covid cases come down in next 2-3 days: Health Minister Delhi violence: 2 Crime Branch special teams to investigate all cases India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Feb 27: The Delhi Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the riots that broke out in northeast Delhi on Monday. The SIT has been constituted under the Delhi Police Crime Branch and all FIRs have been transferred to the SIT, news agency ANI reported. The police has so far filed 48 FIRs. The teams will be headed Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) Joy Tirkey and Rajesh Deo. The teams will have four Assistant Commissioner of Police-rank officers each and the probe will be supervised by Additional Commissioner of Police B K Singh. The violence and arson in Delhi's North East district has claimed 37 lives and wounded more than 200. Bhajanpura, Maujpur, Jafrabad, Gokalpuri, Shiv Vihar, Mustafabad, are among the worst-hit localities. Communal violence over the amended citizenship law had escalated in northeast Delhi on Tuesday as police struggled to check the rioters who ran amok on streets, burning and looting shops, pelting stones and thrashing people. After Monday night, incidents of arson, tension had smouldered in the national capital and on Tuesday, streets in several localities like Chand Bagh, Bhajanpura, Gokulpuri, Maujpur, Kardampuri and Jaffrabad saw pitched battles between the members of two groups who also hurled petrol bombs and opened fire. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval late night also took stock of the situation. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:39:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close XI'AN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Another 29 poverty-stricken counties in northwest China's Shaanxi Province have bid farewell to poverty, meaning all 56 impoverished counties have shaken off poverty, said a notice issued by the provincial people's government Thursday. A total of 578,800 people were lifted out of poverty in 2019. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, 96.2 percent of the impoverished population in Shaanxi have been lifted out of poverty. Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova has addressed to Russian Federation's ombudsperson Tatiana Moskalkova asking for taking measures to provide security and necessary medical aid to illegally convicted citizen of Ukraine Volodymyr Yakymenko. "A citizen of Ukraine, who is illegally detained in the Federal Treasury Institution's correctional facility No. 4 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Saratov region, they plan to transfer to the Federal state medical treatment and prophylactic institution 'Regional tuberculosis hospital No.1' of FPS of Russia for Saratov region supposedly for treatment. At the same time, the administration of the correctional colony threatens Volodymyr that he will be raped in this hospital," Denisova wrote on Facebook. She noted that the transfer to the prison hospital and the threats were connected with Yakymenko's repeated appeals to her and representatives of Ukrainian diplomatic institutions, after which checks were conducted in the colony. Also, despite repeated requests to conduct a medical examination and provide the necessary treatment for Yakymenko, Moskalkova has not been responding for more than three months. "Because of this, I again appeal to the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, Tatyana Moskalkova, to immediately take measures to prevent harm to the physical and mental health of Vladimir Yakymenko, as well as to help ensure the safety and proper medical care of an illegally convicted citizen of Ukraine," wrote Denisova. She also appealed to international human rights organizations and the diplomatic corps with a request to protect the rights of Yakymenko, in particular the right to life and personal integrity, which are guaranteed by international conventions. As reported, Yakymenko was a taxi driver and activist of Avtomaidan before being illegally detained. On June 11, 2017, Russian security forces detained Yakymenko when he crossed the admin border with annexed Crimea. The Ukrainian was accused of "transporting drugs", which the passenger allegedly put on him. As a result, a Russian-controlled "court" of annexed Crimea sentenced a Ukrainian to 15.5 years in prison. Yakymenko was sent to the city of Pugachyov, Saratov region. Denisova also reported Yakymenko's deteriorating health and torture, under which he was forced to sign a refusal to complete a medical examination. It was 15 September 2003 when the previous Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) launched its work in Bangui. The Central African Republic (CAR) had just emerged from a long and violent crisis. Between 2001 and 2003, fighting between troops loyal to President Ange-Felix Patasse and those supporting rebel former chief of staff Francois Bozize tore much of the country apart. And this struggle for power was not just an internal matter for the Central African army, since the two sides had support from foreign fighters and mercenaries. Patasse received the support of Libyan troops, Congolese rebels under the control of Jean-Pierre Bemba and Chadian mercenaries led by Abdulaye Miskine, while Bozizes forces were backed by Chadian Idriss Debys presidential guard and mercenaries from the same country. This power struggle resulted in the forced displacement of some 100,000 civilians, as well as killings, mass sexual violence and looting, committed by both the Central African army and foreign fighters. The TRC was then part of the national dialogue that new president Francois Bozize launched under pressure from the international community. Its work was divided into six commissions, focusing mainly on political, security, economic and social issues. The TRC had very ambitious objectives including establishing a precise account of the facts that have plagued Central African society from the 1960s to the present day and promoting understanding and genuine national reconciliation but very limited time and powers to achieve them. Despite everything, in only a fortnight, the members of the commission succeeded in making a fairly precise diagnosis of the causes of the countrys catastrophic situation and the responsibilities of each head of state since independence, as well as proposing short-, medium- and long-term solutions to the main problems identified. They also interviewed eight people, including Bozizes Prime Minister Abel Goumba and former President David Dacko. In its final report, the TRC suggested continuing its work beyond the national dialogue, in order to receive complaints from victims, continue the hearings, seek funding for reparations and pass an amnesty law. The risk of an empty commitment Today, not many Central Africans remember the TRC experience, for obvious reasons. The national dialogue of 2003 was part of an operation to give the new president legitimacy with countries of the region and donor countries who were to finance reconstruction and reforms, notably France. It was a dialogue between victors, since former president Patasse was excluded because of a war crimes complaint against him before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Moreover, the TRC did not have the authority to investigate serious human rights violations committed by troops loyal to the new president. Instead of relying on victim participation and the establishment of facts and responsibilities, national reconciliation was supposed to stem from only one act: General Bozizes request for forgiveness for the excesses of the rebellion that had brought him to power. In this context, of course, the recommendation to continue the work of the TRC remained a dead letter. Both in Rome in 2017 and in Khartoum in 2019, the TJRRC represented the perfect compromise between amnesty and fighting impunity, an empty commitment that could bring all parties in conflict to an agreement without affecting their interests. The circumstances that led to the creation of the Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TJRRC) today are no doubt different from those of 2003. This Commission was first proposed in 2015 at the National Reconciliation Forum in Bangui, which brought together more than 600 representatives of political parties, armed groups, civil society and religious groups from all over the country. The TJRRC is thus a sincere expression of Central Africans desire to turn a page on a dark chapter of their history, the coup detat of 2013 and the inter-community clashes that followed. However, in the years that followed, the Commission has gradually moved away from its origins and become a political tool for the elites in peace negotiations. Both in Rome in 2017 and in Khartoum in 2019, the TJRRC represented the perfect compromise between amnesty and fighting impunity, an empty commitment that could bring all parties in conflict to an agreement without affecting their interests. Recommended reading Central Africans still waiting for Truth Commission Narrow social base and political pressure It is because of these developments that the lessons from the 2003 Commission are important again. Indeed, the two elements that marked the failure of that first Commission are no less relevant today. First, the TJRRC may lack the social base necessary to achieve its objectives. The popular consultation that took place in July 2019 covered only a very limited part of the country, mainly the capital and its surroundings. The most vulnerable populations, those living in areas controlled by armed groups and the one million internally displaced or refugee Central Africans were not consulted. Even though the bill includes mobile teams, the TJRRC remains extremely centralized in Bangui, which is almost certain to leave out other Central Africans if one considers the road and transport conditions in the country. This TJRRCs centralization also increases its exposure to all types of political pressure. The CAR is preparing for presidential elections, scheduled for December 2020, in an explosive political context. Some fifteen parties in opposition to President Touadera have come together in a movement whose initial demonstrations have been forcibly repressed by the authorities. And the return to Bangui of former President Bozize and his possible candidacy for the presidential elections despite UN sanctions and an international arrest warrant against him could completely destabilise a political scene where Touadera has been taking a second term of office for granted. With a mandate as ambitious as the 2003 Commission, the TJRRC will have to pronounce on the responsibility of several Central African political leaders still in positions of power, which could prove impossible in the absence of a real political will to renew the countrys elites. Technical and financial support from international institutions which proved lacking in 2003 will not be enough for the TJRRC to achieve its objectives. So it may be that in the Central African Republic setting up another transitional justice institution alongside the ordinary courts, the Special Criminal Court and the ICC does not necessarily translate into a more effective fight against impunity. While the administration echoed Indian government's call for calm, the US Democrats amplified India's opposition over the Delhi In a statement, the US state department said, "Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased and injured in New Delhi. We echo Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for calm and normalcy and urge all parties to maintain peace, refrain from violence, and respect the right of peaceful assembly." On the other hand, the US Presidential candidate and Democrat senator Bernie Sanders claimed that the violence in Delhi was targeted specifically at a particular community. "Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying, 'That's up to India'," Sanders tweeted, adding, "This is a failure of leadership on human rights." The Democrat senator from Vermont was referring to Donald Trump's response to a question related to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during a news conference shortly before he concluded a two-day visit in India. Trump had said that he "heard about" the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), but that it is "up to India", indicating that the US was not going to interfere in India's internal affairs. Incidentally, rioting erupted between pro and anti-CAA protesters in Delhi while Trump was on his maiden state visit to India. Sanders is the second Democratic presidential nominee after Senator Elizabeth Warren to speak against the violence over the CAA in Delhi. The 78-year-old senator, who is one of the staunchest critics of Trump and hopes to run against him in the presidential elections later this year, also criticised Trump for his defence deal with India. "Instead of selling $3 billion in weapons to enrich Raytheon, Boeing and Lockheed, the United States should be partnering with India to fight climate change," he tweeted. Incidentally, this is not the first time that Democrats have aligned themselves with the opposition in India. The US opposition has been taking the same stand as the Indian opposition over most of the Modi government's decisions. Last year, Democrats slammed the Indian government over the reorganisation of Jammu & Kashmir and the nullification of Article 370. Sanders was the first US presidential candidate to publicly rebuke India for its decision. He criticised India while speaking on the platform of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Most of Sanders' anti-India remarks, his critics say, come from his campaign manager, Faiz Shakir, a Pakistani-American. Sanders' scathing commentary against India often makes news headlines in Pakistan. --IANS aat/arm Women may endure hundreds of incidents of abuse before they contact gardai, a leading sexual assault treatment expert has claimed. Advanced nurse practitioner Margo Noonan, who runs the South Infirmarys Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, said it usually takes an extremely violent act for the woman to finally seek help. And often, a lot of women can't see what is happening to them is actually abuse. She was speaking during todays Cork University Maternity Hospital Domestic Violence Biennial Conference. There, delegates heard women who die violently are more likely to be aged under 35, to be killed by someone they know and to be killed in their own home. The key findings of Femicide Watch 2019 included the fact that 141 of the 231 who died violently between 1996 and 2019 died in their own homes. This means they are more likely to be killed there than any other location. And while 87% of women who died knew their killer, approximately half of victims were killed by a current or former male intimate partner. Ms Noonan told the Irish Examiner: When you have someone with a once-off sexual assault, they do come forward. "But when it comes to intimate partner violence, it does take quite a bit for (victims) to come forward. I have seen situations where it wasnt until maybe there was physical abuse or rape where they needed help and even with that, its quite difficult People dont recognise it. When you get a beating, you recognise it. The very first incident isnt necessarily physical. It starts off fairly small and if you have that happening all the time, you don't recognise it for what it is. Last May, gardai said victims of domestic abuse will endure more than 30 incidents of abuse before reporting it to officers. Asked about those remarks, Ms Noonan said: I think 30 is a very conservative estimate. If we were to sit down and count everything, I think you could put an incident for every day they are in that relationship. It could be hundreds. She said this was because many think what happens is too trivial or too unimportant to tell gardai. The conference heard that while women of any age can be victims of Femicide - where a woman or girl is killed by a man because of their gender - the Womens Aid report says women under the age of 35 make up 51% of cases here. The report also states in 21 out of 22 of all the murder-suicide cases, the killer was the womans partner. All 231 women who died in the 1996-2019 period are named in an In Memoriam section in the report. They include Marilyn Rynn, the 41-year-old civil servant who was raped and murdered by 33-year-old married father-of-one David Lawlor, a first cousin of convicted Wicklow rapist Larry Murphy. The telephone technician is believed to be the first person in Ireland to be convicted with DNA evidence. They also include Veronica Guerin, the crime journalist shot dead by members of a drugs gang in 1996. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leapfrog Group, an independent national health care watchdog organization, today released Safety In Numbers: Hospital Performance on Leapfrog's Surgical Volume Standard Based on Results of the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The report analyzes whether hospitals are performing a sufficient volume of high-risk surgeries to safely do so, and whether the hospital grants privileges only to surgeons meeting the Leapfrog minimum volume standard. The report also records whether hospitals actively monitor to assure that each surgery is necessary. Highlights from the 2019 report include: The majority of hospitals are still electively performing high-risk procedures without the adequate, ongoing experience to do so. There has been improvement: a higher percentage of hospitals are meeting Leapfrog's minimum volume standards in 2019 than 2018. To the credit of rural hospitals, the vast majority do not perform these high-risk surgeries. Those that do are much less likely than other hospitals to meet the volume standard for patient safety. A sizeable percentage of hospitals have implemented protocols to monitor for appropriateness, potentially protecting patients from getting unnecessary surgeries. "The good news is we are seeing progress on surgical safety. The bad news is the vast majority of hospitals performing these high-risk procedures are not meeting clear volume standards for safety. This is very disturbing, as a mountain of studies show us that patient risk of complications or death is dramatically higher in low-volume operating rooms," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "It's time for hospitals and health systems to upgrade their surgical volume policies. It will save lives." Safety In Numbers uses final hospital data from the 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Survey, the flagship initiative of The Leapfrog Group. More than 2,100 hospitals participated in the 2019 Survey, representing 70% of U.S. hospital beds. Since 2018, Leapfrog has publicly reported on hospital performance in meeting minimum volume standards for safety of eight high-risk procedures. The eight surgeries included in the Survey were identified by Leapfrog's National Inpatient Surgery Expert Panel as procedures for which there is a strong volume-outcome relationship. The Expert Panel relied on published research and evidence to advise on minimum hospital and surgeon volume standards for each procedure. Of the eight high-risk procedures assessed in the report, esophageal resection for cancer and pancreatic resection for cancer are the two procedures where the fewest hospitals met the volume standard for patient safety less than 3% and 8% respectively. The procedure for which hospitals were most likely to meet the safety standard was bariatric surgery for weight loss (48%). Additionally, the report's analysis shows that while many rural hospitals are doing the right thing by not performing these procedures, those that continue to do so are not likely to meet the volume standards. Equally important to achieving minimum volume standards is avoiding unnecessary and unneeded surgeries. In this regard, Survey findings show that 70% of reporting hospitals have in place protocols to ensure appropriateness for cancer procedures. For other high-risk procedures evaluated on the Survey, hospital compliance to ensuring appropriateness ranged from 32-60%, depending on the procedure. "It is critical that hospitals do not perform surgery when the procedure is not appropriate for the patient," said Binder. "In addition to the increased potential for harm to patients, unnecessary surgeries contribute to the burden of overuse and excess expense in the U.S. health care system." Binder cited an October 2019 retrospective literature study in JAMA that found the estimated cost of waste in the U.S. health care system due to overtreatment or low-value care ranged from $75.7 billion to $101.2 billion. In addition to the report released today, individual hospital results on surgical volumes and surgical appropriateness are freely available and searchable at www.leapfroggroup.org/compare . More information about the importance of minimum surgical volumes for safety are available on Leapfrog's website at www.leapfroggroup.org . About The Leapfrog Group Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. SOURCE The Leapfrog Group Related Links https://www.leapfroggroup.org Employees wearing protective masks arrange water bottles in the lobby of a hotel under lockdown after a coronavirus case was identified in Adeje, in the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain, February 25, 2020. Christopher Betts via REUTERS IRISH GUESTS are among those in an official quarantine at a Tenerife hotel after four people tested positive for the coronavirus. The hotel was put on lockdown on Tuesday after an Italian doctor and his wife staying at the H10 Adeje Palace hotel tested positive for the disease. They are currently in quarantine at a Tenerife hospital. According to health authorities on the Canary Islands, two other Italians who were part of the same group of holidaymakers who flew to the island and were staying at the hotel have also tested positive. However, 130 guests out of the 700 on lockdown have been allowed to leave as they arrived after the Italian doctor had left the hotel but before the lockdown took place. While it is thought that up to 20 guests who were on lockdown are Irish, it is not known if any of the people who have been allowed to leave are Irish. Expand Close An employee wears a protective mask as he talks on the phone inside a hotel under lockdown after a coronavirus case was identified in Adeje, in the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain, February 25, 2020. Christopher Betts via REUTERS / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An employee wears a protective mask as he talks on the phone inside a hotel under lockdown after a coronavirus case was identified in Adeje, in the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain, February 25, 2020. Christopher Betts via REUTERS Weve been told officially that were here until Monday, March 8th, an Irish guest from within the hotel told Independent.ie. At least that piece is confirmed now. March 8 will mark 14 days since the Italian doctor left the hotel, however, if anybody develops symptoms before then, the guests may be retained for longer. Read More Nobody else apparently in the hotel has shown any symptoms yet, but the concern is that if somebody were to get the virus in the hotel, the clock would reset at 14 days then, So the date of March 8 can still change, he said. Expand Close Top: A policeman blocks access to the hotel in Tenerife. Photo: AP / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Top: A policeman blocks access to the hotel in Tenerife. Photo: AP He said that boredom is beginning to set in among the guests. It all sounds great but its not really. Were all doing laps of the hotel to get some exercise, we dont want to swim because its not advised because of the virus, its very restrictive but thats all it is. Bars and cafes remain closed, apart from the main restaurant in the resort, which is open for three meals a day. When you go to collect food from the buffet and if you have inadvertently left your mask off, he tells you to put it back on. We wear masks full time, were meant to change them every wear, certainly twice a day and theres plenty available, he said. A lot of the Irish guests present are believed to be retired or semi-retired. Theres nobody really under huge pressure to be back at work, he said. Theres no great big panic, it is what it is, wed prefer to be out of here but were resigned to being here for a while. Were hoping that nobody else becomes infected because that could extend out stay. Were beginning to think what happens when we come back home, will we have to self isolate? We know some people who have come back recently are self-isolating, he added. Meanwhile, the department of foreign affairs and trade's dedicated hotline for Irish citizens with coronavirus related concerns opened on Tuesday. It has received approximately 500 calls per day over the past two days. It operates daily from 8am to 8pm and is managed by its Consular Unit and volunteers from across the department who answer calls and follow up on queries. "Our Embassies and Consulates on the ground work tirelessly to support our citizens overseas with particular concerns," said a department spokesperson. "We have provided updates today for over 25 countries. These are mostly minor updates to reflect local developments in each country and, in some cases, to add general health advice," it added. Kinda boring in a way, yet surprising also at times So I walked deep into the woods today. I was so proud of myself and thought, Man, I am doing great and getting in shape! The tracks I am following will end up smack crossing into Moscow City itself, if I keep going Then deep into the woods, no one around for kilometers. The squirrels were tossing acorns from the oaks at me. The silence was wonderful. The snow was falling light and with no wind and I was positive I had found a place that I could yell and act stupid and no one would know I was stupid and There was a babushka walking the baby in the woods No other paths leading away from where I stood for kilometers in any direction but forward and or backwards. This babushka was walking the baby as if she was next to their home. Freezing weather, snowing and squirrels tossing acorns at all who dare venture this far out.even the chickadees were telling me that I am so far away from civilization itself When I got around to passing her, she was probably almost 80 years old. (Russians believe strongly that children/babies need to be outside in all weather!) Sorry I gotta go.I have a bunch of walking to do, to get so that I can push a baby around in a stroller carriage when I get to 80 + years old.most likely 10 kilometers from her home WtR INTERVIEW: As Ireland West Airport continues to fly high, breaking passenger number records yet again in 2019, CEO Joe Gilmore tells Michelle Nic Phaidin that the airport has an exciting future ahead with new developments to ensure the airport, a vital resource for Longford users, continues to expand. Over 800,000 passengers used Ireland West Airport in 2019 making it a record year for the airport which officially opened its doors in 1986. Passenger numbers increased by 5 percent on the previous year, 2018. It marked the fourth consecutive year of passenger growth at the award winning airport. The CEO of Ireland West Airport, Joe Gilmore, said that 2019 was a positive year adding that a number of significant developments have been made at the Mayo-based airport. Planning certainty for the future In September, Mayo County Council approved proposals for a new Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport. When fully completed, the proposed development will provide over 95,000 square metres of commercial, business and enterprise space, along with additional facilities for aviation development, conferences and hotel accommodation. The SDZ has the potential to accommodate over 4,000 workers. The airport welcomes this positive development as the only airport in the country with this designation and the planning certainty it provides for potential developments that may take place at the airport in the future. Mr Gilmore said: There is planning certainty within the land bank now for commercial industrial development. Mr Gilmore said that the zoning in parallel with the Atlantic Economic Corridor, (AEC), should reap positive dividends for the airport. The AEC will drive significant regional development, complementing and balancing Irelands thriving east coast. Mr Gilmore added that due to the fact that the airport is located around halfway on the corridor ensures the airport will reap the benefits of improved road networks and infrastructural developments. Longford reaps positive dividend from Ireland West Airport Ireland West Airport has a catchment area of around one million people. The catchment area spans from Donegal, Leitrim to Galway and across to Longford. The area includes between 10 to 11 counties. Mr Gilmore said that Ireland West Airport is the closest airport to Center Parcs which boasts 100 activities and 400 acres of forest to explore. A Red C survey shows that passengers who fly through Ireland West Airport spend 6 nights in neighbouring Roscommon. On average, departing passengers from Ireland West Airport say they spent 5 nights in Ireland. The majority of visitors come from the UK with 85 percent of those visiting hailing from Scotland, Wales and England. 'Core Market' Mr Gilmore said that the UK continues to be the core market and despite the economic concerns in relation to Brexit - the airport saw an increase of 2 percent in UK traffic. The big growth came from our mainland European services. We saw a 20 percent increase in our mainland European routes. We fly to Italy, Spain, Portugal. Within that 20 percent increase is a new service to Cologne, Germany which is proving very popular: That service worked well for the first season and that helped in increasing the mainland European passenger numbers. We are very pleased with the year from a passenger point of view, he said. In 2019, more than 25 tourism trade from across the west and north west joined the airport, Ryanair, Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland in Cologne to promote the new Ryanair flight to Cologne from Ireland West Airport for St Patricks weekend. The airport has 20 international destinations. Mr Gilmore said he hoped that a deal could be forged, in relation to Brexit, that would not have a negative impact on business, travel and industry. We havent seen an impact, I suppose when you look at Brexit there hasnt been any direct economic downturn, he said. Capital projects Last year, a number of major capital projects were completed at Ireland West Airport - the largest being an overlay of the main 2.5km runway. In line with this work, the instrument landing and lighting systems were also upgraded, as were the taxi-ways. The runway was laid in 1985 and was due a significant upgrade and maintenance. The total cost of that project was 11.3m. Airports are from an infrastructural point of view similar to motorways, ports or rail networks. They are infrastructure and they are maintenance capital heavy, he said. It is envisaged that similar type works will not need to be carried out for around two decades. In addition to that we spent about another 3.5m on other capital projects, he said. The main part of these projects being a major security upgrade on hold baggage screening which cost close to 2m. All airports in Ireland must undertake the same works in adherence with departmental and European legislation. In total last year we spent about 15m on capital projects and we funded that through grant aid from the government of 75 percent and the remainder was funded by the airport, the CEO said. Looking ahead It was announced last year, that a subsidiary of Ryanair called Lauda would fly to Palma, Majorca from Ireland West Airport twice a week. Passengers can fly to and from the popular holiday destination from March 31 straight through to October. Prior to this the airport facilitated a weekly charter flight for around 10 weeks of the year to Majorca so the new development is a welcome one which is certain to prove favourable with visitors and tourists. The closure by Ryanair of their bases in the Canary Islands and the continued grounding of the 737 800 Max aircraft has resulted in the loss of the airports long-standing and successful services to both Lanzarote and Tenerife for 2020. The airport is continuing to engage with Ryanair and other airline carriers regarding the return of these services and are confident they will resume in 2021. Flights to Liverpool and Bristol have reaped positive results for the airport: We have also had added capacity on other services like Liverpool and Bristol, Mr Gilmore added. Fundraising at the airport Charity events at the airport have resulted in 150,000 being raised over the course of the last four years. Last year, 41,000 was raised for three deserving charities, the Jack and Jill foundation, Croi and a local charity Hope House. The landmark event is the funrun on the runway which will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Award-winning airport Ireland West Airport won the service excellence award for Failte Ireland, in 2019. The airport was also nominated and won the National Chambers Award for being the first airport in Ireland to become an age friendly airport. The process involved the airport being audited certain changes being made in terms of ease of use and signage. Staff were also trained in relation to the initiative. The future certainly looks bright for the award winning airport which continues to build on passenger numbers year on year. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:00:16|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A cargo plane of Ethiopian Airlines carrying 50 tonnes of medical supplies landed Thursday in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, marking its 24th cargo flight to China after the virus outbreak. From Jan. 24 till now, the airline's continued direct flights have transported up to 1,400 tonnes of supplies for epidemic prevention and control to China. The airline maintained its regular operation in cities and regions including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year holidays, said a company statement on Jan. 31. "China is one of the strongest and oldest markets for Ethiopian Airlines. We have been connecting the great Chinese nation with the entire continent of Africa for almost half a century," read the statement. The airline has taken proactive measures to protect its crews and passengers, following the standards of the World Health Organization, according to the statement. "Ethiopian Airlines has a very good relationship with China, not only in good times but also at critical times," said Mehari Assefa, traffic and sales manager of the airline in Guangzhou. Architect Gabrielle Bullock receives Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Bullock honored for building bridges to social change. At 12 years old, Gabrielle Bullock traveled through New York City on public transportation. She remembers the contrast between homes and surrounding buildings as she snaked through the big apple and stared out the window on the subway and bus. Traveling through New York was like passing through different worlds and it was the earliest flicker of light leading Bullock to her calling in Architecture. Today, she is the 2020 recipient of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. Gabrielles journey to this achievement revealed her ability to see the deeper necessity for a place of being is in the human heart. As principal director of global diversity at the Perkins and Will Architect firm, she has built social bridges crossing multiple platforms; In conjunction with creating projects that are responsive to the needs of LA. Being part of the .2% of licensed African American Women Architects in this country, Gabrielles presence curates an unapologetic narrative that symbolizes a new dawn in a male dominated field. The American Institute of Architecture acknowledges the heart in Gabrielles work, and celebrates the foundation she is laying down for the future. The blueprint outlining Gabrielles career path was drawn up in middle school, the notion to pursue architecture came from one of her teachers. Encouraged In her youth, she also felt the impact of seeing run down areas while she traveled through her city. The seed for a career in constructive design was nourished with her core passion of improving lives within the African American communities. Finishing up her preliminary studies, Gabrielle went on to graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design. ADVERTISEMENT Bullock secured her spot at the firm, Perkins and Will. Starting out in New York she transitioned to Los Angeles region. She became the first African American woman to elevate to a managing director position. For over three decades, Gabrielle has brought prosperity and growth to the company and L.A. community. Under her leadership, there are projects geared towards communal growth, healthcare, and mentorship. She and her team face the national crisis of Homelessness in LA. They are involved in alternative housing programs such as DOME, a modular sleeping unit and the TINY HOME study. Building the LA community spirit, Gabrielle carries out plans of pride for the city of L.A. such as an outdoor cultural experience destination that takes place in the heart of Crenshaw that is a visual celebration of the community in L.A. Gabrielle has designed programs that are active solutions to socially charged issues. Being a woman of color in a male dominated field, Gabrielles presence distinguishes the change in the Architect world. To channel more diversity within the workforce, she has established a pipeline that unites Perkins and Will with a program for young girls interested in this structured art form. The main purpose is to demystify any fallacies about the profession or that its only suitable for men to do. With her goal set on equality and balance of gender in roles of seniority, Gabrielle is laying a foundation down for women to excel in this profession just as she did. The Whitney M. Young Jr. Award was created to achieve diversity and intentional change within the social structure of AIA. Recipients of this award embody social responsibility within their lifes work and consistently look for ways to empower community growth. Through this merit, Gabrielle will join the legacy of those before her that have dedicated 50 years of rising consciousness developing in civic contributions within her profession. Due to her passion for equality among any race or gender; The American Architect Institute salutes her commitment to the journey to an equitable future in the architectural industry and beyond. Kenan Malik in Pandaemonium: Hate is a poison that is responsible for far too many crimes, said the German chancellor Angela Merkel after the killing of nine people in a far-right terror attack on two shisha bars in the German town of Hanau last week. This is neither rightwing nor leftwing terror, its the crazy act of a deranged man, responded Jorg Meuthen, a spokesman for the virulently anti-immigrant Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD). Its an argument thats becoming as depressingly familiar as the attacks themselves. The Hanau killings follow the murder last June of the Christian Democrat politician and champion of refugee rights Walter Lubcke and an attempt in October to storm a synagogue in the eastern city of Halle. Days before the attack, German police made raids across the country to take down a terror cell allegedly planning to plunge Germany into a state of civil war by attacking Muslims and asylum-seekers. These incidents have raised again questions about the nature of German politics and culture. This is not, however, simply a German disease. From Anders Breivik whose murderous rampage in Oslo and Utya took the lives of 77 people to Dylann Roof, who killed nine black people at a Charleston church, from Thomas Mair, who murdered the MP Jo Cox to Brenton Tarrant, currently awaiting trial for the Christchurch mosque shootings, far-right terror is a global problem. Its not as endemic as Islamic jihadism but, especially in Europe and America, white nationalist violence is becoming a major issue. More here. A woman wearing a face mask is seen on a street in downtown Shanghai, China, on Feb. 26, 2020. (Aly Song/Reuters) US Airlines, Hotels Extend Rebooking Options As Coronavirus Spreads U.S. airlines and hotels are extending options for customers to rebook travel to a growing list of countries, including Italy, as coronavirus cases spiked outside of China and sparked fears of a global pandemic. The United States told Americans on Feb. 25 to begin preparing for the coronavirus to spread within the country as outbreaks in Iran, South Korea, and Italy escalated, triggering concerns of a hit to global travel demand. Delta Air Lines Inc said that reservations through March 2 on flights to Bologna, Milan, and Venice in northern Italy, where cases have climbed, are eligible for rescheduling. Air Canada has also added parts of Italy to its list of places eligible for rebookings. Hyatt Hotels said it would allow travelers from South Korea, Japan, and Italy to cancel or change their hotel bookings for free, expanding the policy from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. A psychologist talks to a group of workers outside the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel in La Caleta, Italy, on Feb. 25, 2020. (Desiree Martin/AFP via Getty Images) The cancellations or booking changes at Hyatt are valid for reservations made through March 31, the U.S. hotel operator said on its official Chinese social media account on WeChat. Major airlines have also issued travel waivers, eliminating change fees, for flights to South Korea. United Airlines Holdings Inc and American Airlines Group Inc said on Tuesday they were still monitoring developments in Italy. So far U.S. airlines have only canceled flights to China, a move that followed the U.S. State Departments decision to elevate a travel advisory to the country to the same level as Afghanistan and Iraq. American Airlines shares dropped 9.3 percent to $23.12 on Tuesday, below their price after the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2013. Cowen analyst Helane Becker said the impacts extended to car rental companies as well as concessions and restaurants in airports and on cruise lines. Its not just the airlines that are being impacted by people making different travel plans, she said. Royal Caribbean Cruises said it has canceled 30 sailings in Southeast Asia and changed several itineraries in the region due to the coronavirus outbreak, hitting its 2020 earnings per share by about $0.90. A medical staff wearing protective gear looking on outside a makeshift hospital in Wuhan in Chinas central Hubei province on Feb. 22, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Hyatts larger rivals Marriott International Inc and Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc have also issued cancellation waivers for guests affected by the outbreak in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Hilton has issued the waiver until March 31 and Marriott until March 15. The hotel chains did not immediately respond to requests for comment if they were extending the waiver to South Korea, Japan, and Italy as well. Even travel companies without exposure to Europe and Asia were keeping an eye on developments. JetBlue Airways Corp, which only flies in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America, said on Tuesday it had activated its pandemic response team to monitor the situation in real time. The team was last called on for the Zika virus outbreak in 2016, a spokesman said. By Tracy Rucinski and Brenda Goh Authorities in Hanoi are mulling over the establishment of two makeshift hospitals that will have 1,200 beds upon completion to prepare for the treatment of patients infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The municipal Department of Health said during a meeting on Wednesday it was working with the citys military command on a plan to build two makeshift infirmaries, each with a 600-bed capacity. The proposed hospitals would be able to provide treatment for a total of 3,000 patients should a serious outbreak occur. According to the Hanoi Department of Police, there were 2,871 Chinese, 20,678 South Koreans, 8,515 Japanese, 402 Italians, 275 Singaporeans, and 24 Iranians in the capital as of Tuesday. Recent reports stated that 414 people had arrived in Hanoi from South Korea over the past 14 days, 23 of whom came from Deagu City, the countrys COVID-19 epicenter, and 15 from areas in neighboring North Gyeongsang Province. A total of 84 people arriving from COVID-19-hit areas in Vietnams Vinh Phuc Province, Chinas Wuhan City, and South Korea have also been put in quarantine at hospitals in Hanoi. Among them, 81 have tested negative for the virus. Another 144 people coming from affected areas in South Korea have been isolated at a local military school managed by the Hanoi Military Command, and about 116 are currently quarantined at a hospital managed by the municipal police department. More than 2,150 people have so far been in home isolation, 1,838 of whom have finished their quarantine period. Existing quarantine areas in the city can only provide space for another 500 people, Ngo Van Quy, vice-chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee said, adding that more areas of the city must prepare themselves. At the meeting, Chu Xuan Dung, director of the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, stated that the agency is taking necessary measures to prepare for the local students to return to school on March 2. All schools in the city have been sterilized for a total of five times. Body thermometers and antiseptic solutions have also been placed around schools, Dung elaborated. Teachers and staff members of local schools have been educated on COVID-19 and given instructions on how to monitor the health of their students. COVID-19 has killed 2,801 people and infected over 82,100 around the world since it first hit the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, according to the South China Morning Post. Vietnam has so far reported 16 cases of the viral infection, including 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese. All patients in Vietnam had been successfully treated and released from the hospital as of Wednesday. The country has recorded no new infections since February 13. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Taliban are pretty close to signing an agreement to formally end the war in Afghanistan. Were pretty close, Trump told reporters Tuesday in New Delhi. Weve got two days now under our belt without violence or with minimal violence, the president said. U.S. and Taliban leaders intend to sign a peace deal on Feb. 29, provided that a week-long reduction in violence that started early Saturday remain in place. Trump in September pulled out of plans for Camp David peace talks with the Taliban after a U.S. soldier was killed in a suicide bombing. Prospects for a long-term peace deal remain fragile. On Tuesday, Afghanistans electoral commission declared President Ashraf Ghani the winner of another five-year term, despite months of challenges and recounts that clouded the election. Ghanis rival, opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah, has claimed victory, undermining the governments legitimacy and possibly hindering its ability to negotiate a peace agreement with the Taliban. The U.S. currently has around 13,000 troops in the country, and administration officials said they would be withdrawn only if the Taliban meets certain conditions. To contact the reporters on this story: Justin Sink in Washington at jsink1@bloomberg.net;Jordan Fabian in Washington at jfabian6@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alex Wayne at awayne3@bloomberg.net, Joshua Gallu 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. Examining coronavirus patients' CT scans could lead to a quicker diagnosis of those with suspected symptoms, doctors have discovered A team of researchers in Mount Sinai, New York - the first in the US to analyse CT scans of patients - have said they can identify specific patterns in the lungs as markers of the disease. The study revealed scan analysis could be a viable option for suspected patients and help determine which patients with inconclusive results should be kept in isolation. The doctors, who published their findings in Radiology, received the scans of 94 patients in China who had been admitted to four medical centers in four Chinese provinces between 18 January and 2 February. Most of them had traveled to Wuhan or had close contact with an infected patient, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine said. Of the 36 patients who received scans in zero to two days within reporting symptoms, more than half showed no evidence of lung disease. In a group of 33 patients who received CT scans three to five days after reporting symptoms, the team observed patterns of ground-glass opacities - white patches showing up on the scan which became more round in shape and dense. In the 25 patients scanned six to 12 days after symptoms, the scans analysis showed fully involved lung disease. Patterns seen in these images are similar to patterns seen in related outbreaks such as Sars and Mers. Recognizing imaging patterns based on infection time course is paramount for not only understanding the disease process and natural history of COVID-19 but also for helping to predict patient progression and potential complication development, said lead author Adam Bernheim, assistant professor of diagnostic, molecular and interventional radiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Doctors said when patients first report symptoms of possible COVID-19, they are nonspecific, often resembling a common cold, so it can be difficult to diagnose and confirmatory tests by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can take several days. Story continues It also cited that the study allows hospitals in the United States and worldwide to confirm or rule out coronavirus based on CT images. If lung scans for patients with early symptoms are inconclusive, doctors can consider holding the patient in isolation for a few days until a decisive verdict can be made. Prof Bernheim added: This is necessary for prompt diagnosis for any individual patient (which will lead to more rapid and effective care), but also for patient isolation to prevent the spreading of the highly contagious disease. Currently, there are 81,191 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 2,768 people have died from the respiratory virus. Read more 'Coronavirus could doom Trump in 2020' 700 people in NY under voluntary quarantine amid coronavirus outbreak Bargains aplenty in coronavirus-hit Europe as demand plummets Every country where coronavirus has spread to, mapped 12 myths about coronavirus SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Callan, a leading institutional investment consulting firm, announced today the 10th anniversary of Callan Connectsthe first-of-its-kind program developed by an investment consulting firm to engage emerging managers and diverse-, women-, and disabled-owned (DWDO) firms. Callan's history of researching diverse and emerging managers traces back to the early 1990s when Edwin Callan cofounded with Marx Cazenave the first multi-manager asset management firm promoting diversity within the institutional investment community. Callan conducted the initial DWDO research for the new firm and formalized the experience in 2010 by launching Callan Connects to promote direct DWDO mandates. Since then, the firm has conducted over 300 meetings with DWDO asset managers and its clients have over $27 billion invested with these firms. "The importance of diverse and emerging manager engagement has increased as institutional investors look to add new talent to their rosters and managers that reflect the diversity of fund beneficiaries," said Lauren Mathias, CFA, senior vice president and Callan Connects program leader. "Our decade-long focus on building out our exposure to these firms has resulted in one of the industry's most robust databases, and it's integral to our unique manager search process." Callan Connects Highlights 300+ meetings since 2010 launch $27 billion in assets managed by DWDO firms for Callan clients in assets managed by DWDO firms for Callan clients 344 DWDO firms or 20% of total managers in Callan's database Firm hosts free annual workshops for DWDO/emerging managers Callan Inclusion Committee oversees program and represents all business lines to collaborate on outreach Each quarter, Callan meets with DWDO firms with less than $10 billion in assets under management (AUM) and emerging managers with less than $3 billion in AUM in cities around the U.S. to make it more convenient for them to talk with the firm's consultants. Prior to meeting, Callan encourages firms to complete its investment manager questionnaire to ensure consideration in searches. Many of these firms have been included in Callan searches. "As an industry, we have a long road ahead to improve diversity and inclusion, and Callan continues to champion these efforts throughout our firm and industry as we have for decades," said Executive Chairman Ron Peyton. The next meeting is on March 23 in Boston. To learn more and register, click here. About Callan Callan was founded as an employee-owned investment consulting firm in 1973. Ever since, we have empowered institutional clients with creative, customized investment solutions backed by proprietary research, exclusive data, and ongoing education. Today, Callan advises on more than $2 trillion in total fund sponsor assets, which makes it among the largest independently owned investment consulting firms in the U.S. Callan uses a client-focused consulting model to serve pension and defined contribution plan sponsors, endowments, foundations, independent investment advisers, investment managers, and other asset owners. Callan has six offices throughout the U.S. Learn more at callan.com. Media Contact: Elizabeth Anathan [email protected] 415-274-3020 SOURCE Callan LLC Related Links https://www.callan.com Vice President Mike Pence peaks during a news conference with President Donald Trump and members of the Coronavirus Task Force at the White House in Washington D.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Read more LOS ANGELES It took several days to test a coronavirus patient in Northern California who might be the first to have contracted the disease through community exposure in the United States. The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County, according to the state Department of Public Health. University of California, Davis officials said the patient arrived at UC Davis Medical Center from another hospital Feb. 19. But the patient was not tested until Sunday. Upon admission, our team asked public health officials if this case could be COVID-19. We requested COVID-19 testing by the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), since neither Sacramento County nor the California Department of Public Health is doing testing for coronavirus at this time. Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered. UC Davis Health does not control the testing process, the medical center said in a statement. On Sunday, the statement added, the CDC ordered COVID-19 testing of the patient, and the patient was put on airborne precautions and strict contact precautions, because of our concerns about the patients condition. The positive test results came back Wednesday, the medical center said. UC Davis said that because of the precautions we have had in place since this patients arrival, we believe there has been minimal potential for exposure here at UC Davis Medical Center. Still, the hospital has asked a small number of employees who might have come in contact with the patient to stay home and monitor their temperature. They are also being monitored for possible signs of the virus. We are handling this in the same way we manage other diseases that require airborne precautions and monitoring, the statement said. The CDC is investigating the case, which could be the first case of novel coronavirus in the United States involving a patient in California who neither recently traveled out of the country nor was in contact with someone who did. At this time, the patients exposure is unknown. Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States, the CDC said in a statement Wednesday. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. Its also possible, however, that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected. Since Feb. 2, more than 8,400 returning travelers from China have entered California, according to the state health department. They have been advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and limit interactions with others as much as possible, officials said. It is not clear how the person became infected, but public health workers could not identify any contact with people who had traveled to China the epicenter of the outbreak or other areas where the virus is widespread. The case was reported out of Solano County, home to Travis Air Force Base, where some travelers from China have been quarantined. CDC officials have also warned that although the virus is likely to spread in U.S. communities, the flu still poses a greater risk. President Donald Trump on Wednesday named Vice President Mike Pence to coordinate the administrations response while asserting that the risk to the American people remains very low. Public health officials who flanked Trump at a rare news conference in the White House briefing room were noticeably less upbeat, repeatedly warning that the deadly COVID-19 virus which has infected 60 Americans, including the newly confirmed case in California still could spread quickly in the U.S. The trajectory were looking at in coming weeks and months is very uncertain, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the CDCs principal deputy director. We can expect to see more cases in the United States, said Alex Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services. On Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters how the state is addressing coronavirus concerns. Were not just preparing weve been actively participating in addressing this issue for many months, aggressively, he said. In fact, theres no other state in America thats been more involved in addressing the issue. Newsom said he met with Trump administration officials to discuss the coronavirus when he traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to attend a National Governors Association meeting and the state continues to work closely with the federal government. We have had a very good relationship, open lines of communication, two-way conversations, Newsom said. Were developing quite good levels of trust, and continue to work through this dynamic moment. I am proud of also being a Californian, where were not turning our backs on people, and thats not the case in every state in this country. The governor said the state has been involved in monitoring and identifying individuals who have been repatriated to the state and other travelers returning to California independently on commercial flights. The Phoenix Hill Sports Park in the capital of Southwest Chinas Sichuan province hosted the 2021 Chinese FA Cup final as its inaugural event Sunday. Covering an area of 128,000 square meters, the park consists of two world-class sports venues, a retail and hotel complex, and a public plaza. It will be one of the venues of the 31st Summer World University Games Jan 12, 2022 05:45 PM Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 14:38:47|Editor: yhy Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday confirmed a new case of coronavirus in northern California that could be a sign that the virus is spreading in a U.S. community. "The patient's exposure is unknown. It's possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States," the CDC said in a statement. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. The California Department of Public Health identified the patient as a resident of Solano County, about 94 km northeast of San Francisco, who is being treated in Sacramento County. "The individual had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual," said the department. The new instance is the 15th case that was tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease in the United States. Two previously known instances of person-to-person transmission in the country include one in Chicago, Illinois, and the other in San Benito County, California, and both people got infected after "close, prolonged interaction with a family member who returned from Wuhan, China," the hardest-hit city by the epidemic of the virus, according to the department. Data of the U.S. CDC showed there are 60 cases confirmed in the United States, including 45 cases of individuals who evacuated from either Wuhan or the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The CDC has warned the American people to prepare for possible wider spread of the virus in the country. San Francisco on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for the city to heighten preparedness for the virus as more cases of the infections were reported worldwide. (Alliance News) - Haydale Graphene Industries PLC on Thursday said its loss narrowed in the first half of its financial year as it confirmed the shut-down of its loss-making manufacturing facility in Taiwan. The stock was trading flat at 1.35 pence each on Thursday morning in London. For the six months to the end of December, the Ammanford-based graphene and nanomaterial manufacturer recorded a narrowed pretax loss of GBP2.7 million compared to GBP3.5 million a year prior. This was on a 17% fall in revenue to GBP1.4 million from GBP1.6 million in the comparative period. The lower revenue was attributed to a "softer start to the financial year" due to disappointing sales of silicon carbide whiskers and blends. Sales in the company's other regions were also below expectations. During the period, Haydale said it closed its loss-making Taiwan manufacturing facility and moved production to its centres in Bangkok and Ammanford. The decision was made as the company did not see any "realistic prospect" of the facility moving into profitability in the medium term. "We look ahead to the second half of financial 2020 showing a more robust turnaround in sales and a reduced operating loss compared to the second half of financial 2019, and on a full year-on-year basis," Chief Executive Keith Broadbent said. "Cost control remains a focus, but we recognise that investment in further resource will be required to drive sales of the new product lines. Therefore, the level of overall cost reduction will reduce within the wider rebalancing towards a structure geared to achieving commercial success." By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-12th District) made public testimony at the Council on Environmental Quality in opposition to the Trump Administrations proposed rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Let us be clear these changes do not serve the interest of the American public at large, Dingell testified. Instead, they prioritize a narrow set of special interests who will disregard the environmental well-being of the American people if it meets their short-term financial needs. All Americans deserve the ability to have a voice in federal decision making, and I urge the Council on Environmental Quality to reject the proposed changes by this administration to NEPA that would silence communities across the country, and weaken our ability to protect clean air, clean water, and public health. Dingell led the introduction of a House resolution opposing changes proposed by the Trump Administration to make significant rollbacks to NEPA. Dingells full testimony as prepared for delivery is available below: Testimony for CEQ NEPA Public Hearing (as prepared for delivery) February 25, 2020 Thank you for allowing me to testify before the Council on Environmental Quality to provide comments on the proposed rule you are considering related to the National Environmental Policy Act-its importance to our nations communities and environmental heritage is longstanding and has done tremendous good over the last 50 years. Let the record forever show, I strongly oppose the administrations proposal because it would weaken NEPA this landmark law and would undermine the laws decades-long track record of success. NEPA passed overwhelmingly and enacted on a bipartisan basis and has maintained broad-based support for decades for a simple reason it has been an unqualified success. The law has effectively provided communities across the country meaningful input on major actions or projects that have a potentially significant impact on the environment in their area. It provides a common sense, look before you leap approach to Federal decision-making that has helped to protect clean air, clean water, and public health in communities across the country. The administrations proposed actions would damage this successful framework. By limiting the major federal actions covered by NEPA, the proposed changes would effectively silence the ability of communities to provide meaningful input on pipelines or other major public works projects that directly affect them. It would also narrow NEPAs mandate to require federal agencies to consider the cumulative impact of a project, limit the geographic scope of review, and allow action to be taken before the NEPA process has been completed. Let us be clear these changes do not serve the interest of the American public at large. Instead, they prioritize a narrow set of special interests who will disregard the environmental well-being of the American people if it meets their short-term financial needs. All Americans deserve the ability to have a voice in federal decision making, and I urge the Council on Environmental Quality to reject the proposed changes by this administration to NEPA that would silence communities across the country, and weaken our ability to protect clean air, clean water, and public health. Portland, OR, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global simulation software market garnered $5.16 billion in 2017, and is estimated to generate $10.03 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2018 to 2025. The report provides a detailed analysis of top investment pockets, market size & projections, drivers & opportunities, key segments, and competitive scenario. Rise in adoption of simulation in aerospace & defense sector, surge in demand for eco-friendly workplace, and surge in usage of simulation software for automotive and healthcare sectors propel the market growth. However, security concerns related to the simulation software restrain the market growth. On the other hand, innovative applications of simulations for digital twins and usage of simulation software for building IoT supporting devices are estimated offer new opportunities in the industry in coming years. Among components, the software segment held the largest share in 2017, contributing to nearly three-fourths of the total market share, and will maintain its lion's share by 2025. However, the services segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 10.8% from 2018 to 2025, owing to the rise in need for regular updates, training, maintenance, and support. Get Sample Report for More Details @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/3374 Based on deployment modes, the on-premise segment accounted for the highest market share of more than five-sixths of the total market and is estimated to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This is due to preference for on-premise deployment in industries including healthcare, aerospace & defense, and others for enhanced data security. However, the cloud segment is estimated to register the highest CAGR of 13.5% from 2018 to 2025, owing to the requirement for real-time data scalability, utilization, and flexibility. North America accounted for the highest market share in 2017, contributing for more than two-fifths of the total market share and would maintain its lead position during the forecast period. This is due to large-scale implementation of simulation technology and solutions by enterprises for addressing the need for novel designs and simplify product development process. However, Asia-Pacific region is expected to register the highest CAGR of 12.0% during the forecast period. The key players analyzed in the report include Altair Engineering, Inc., ANSYS, Inc., Autodesk, Inc., Bentley Systems, Dassault Systems, Hexagon (MSC Software Corporation), The MathWorks, Inc., PTC, Inc., Siemens PLM Software, and The AnyLogic Company. Inquire more about this report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/3374 About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions. AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. [February 27, 2020] Fairview Microwave Unveils New Class AB High Power Amplifiers with Optional Heatsinks IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairview Microwave Inc., an Infinite Electronics brand and a leading provider of on-demand RF, microwave and millimeter wave components, has released a new series of Class AB broadband high power amplifier modules that incorporate GaN, LDMOS or VDMOS semiconductor technology. Fairview's comprehensive new line of class AB broadband high power amplifiers consists of 18 new models spanning frequency bands from 20 MHz to 18 GHz. These designs are unconditionally stable and operate in a 50 Ohm environment. They offer power gain up to 53 dB and saturated output power levels from 10 Watts to 200 Watts. This line includes 2 new heatsink modules with DC controlled cooling fans specifically designed for the 18 new models to ensure optimum baseplate temperature for highly reliable performance. "This new series provides our customers with more options for applications that need a high power, small-form-factor RF amplifier that uses cutting-edge semiconductor technology with wide dynamic range over a broad array of frequencies, high lineaity and exceptional efficiency," explained Tim Galla, Product Line Manager at Pasternack. These compact coaxial packages utilize N-Type or SMA connectors and have integrated D-Sub control connectors for DC bias, enabled with TTL logic control and temperature and current sense functions. The rugged assemblies can withstand relative humidity exposure up to 95% maximum and operate over a wide temperature range from -20C to +60C. Fairview's new class AB, high power amplifiers and heatsinks are in-stock and available for immediate shipping with no minimum order quantity required. For inquiries, Fairview Microwave can be contacted at +1-972-649-6678. About Fairview Microwave: A leading supplier of on-demand RF and microwave products since 1992, Fairview Microwave offers immediate delivery of RF components including attenuators, adapters, coaxial cable assemblies, connectors, terminations and much more. All products are shipped same-day from the company's ISO 9001:2015 certified production facilities in Lewisville, Texas. Fairview Microwave is an Infinite Electronics brand. About Infinite Electronics: Based in Irvine, Calif., Infinite Electronics offers a broad range of components, assemblies and wired/wireless connectivity solutions, serving the aerospace/defense, industrial, government, consumer electronics, instrumentation, medical and telecommunications markets. Infinite's brands include Pasternack, Fairview Microwave, L-com, MilesTek, Aiconics, KP Performance Antennas, PolyPhaser, Transtector, RadioWaves, ShowMe Cables and Integra Optics. Infinite Electronics serves a global engineering customer base with deep technical expertise and support, with one of the broadest inventories of products available for immediate shipment. Press Contact: Peter McNeil Fairview Microwave 17792 Fitch Irvine, CA 92614 (978) 682-6936 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fairview-microwave-unveils-new-class-ab-high-power-amplifiers-with-optional-heatsinks-301011665.html SOURCE Fairview Microwave Inc. New Delhi, Feb 27 : A day after the Delhi High Court talked tough on alleged inaction of security forces during violence in northeast parts of the national capital, Delhi Police set up special teams that were conducting raids on Thursday in the NCR-Delhi to arrest the rioters. Till now, around 250 persons were rounded up, but many were sent back home as their involvement in rioting was not found. Around 100 persons still in police custody had provided useful information on those involved in violence and arson and were absconding. A DCP-rank officer said that situation in the northeast Delhi had improved between Tuesday night and Wednesday and no untoward incident had been reported ever since. This had enabled authorities to spare police officials to conduct raids on Thursday to arrest the suspected rioters. These teams comprises officers and jawans of police stations concerned, apart from those from the Special Cell and Crime Branch. "Though teams are conducting raids to catch hold of all those involved in arson and looting, we are in particular looking for an area councillor who is absconding ever since his role in the violence came to light," an Additional Commissioner of Police, who wished not to be named, told IANS. An Assistant Commissioner of Police posted in northeast Delhi said that so far the death toll was over 30 in Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital and that the district police was busy getting the post-mortems on the bodies conducted and completing other formalities. An officer in the rank of Joint Commissioner of Police said they were raiding the possible hideouts of Shahrukh, who was caught on camera while brandishing a firearm and pressing it to the chest of a security personnel. He had also allegedly fired several rounds in the air. A manhunt was also launched to arrest those responsible for the killing of Intelligence Bureau official Ankit Sharma, whose body was fished out from the Chandbagh drain. Ankit's father Ravinder Kumar Sharma had allegedly named the absconding councillor as one of the rioters responsible for his son's murder. Several people living in violence-hit areas told the visiting IANS team on Thursday that police was otherwise making excuses of getting busy in maintaining peace in the affected areas but the promptness it was now showing had come only after the High Court's tough stand. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Fans want Meghan, Duchess of Sussex to play a role in former first lady Michelle Obamas book tour when she makes a stop in Canada at the end of March for her memoir, Becoming. More specifically, they want the duchess to moderate the discussion. November 2018 marked the release of Obamas memoir, and since then it has become a major hit, selling hard copies and digital downloads including the audiobook that earned Obama a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album. Due to the popularity of the book and the success of the book tour, additional dates were added. A moderator hasnt been announced, and fans want Meghan Markle to step in One of the upcoming stops on the tour will be in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on March 31, 2020. In light of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepping down as senior members of the British royal family, fans are hoping Meghan will attend the book tour stop, as she has been living on Canadas Vancouver Island with Prince Harry and their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex on Jan. 7, 2020, at Canada House in London, England. | Daniel Leal-Olivas/WPA Pool/Getty Images On the Facebook group, Royally Obsessed (a Royal Family Fan Club), one member said they hoped Meghan might be the moderator when Obama heads to Canada. Im secretly hoping a certain resident feminist Duchess fills the seat, one member of the Facebook group wrote referring to the events moderator being unknown. How awesome would that be? they added. Members of the group were quick to share in the excitement about the possibility of Meghan taking part in the book tour. That wouldnt surprise me at all! What a great idea, one person wrote. Another said itd be a good way for the Duchess to exit her role as a senior royal, saying, What a great way to spend her last day as an official working royal-by moving on with her life in a high-profile way! While its certainly a possibility Meghan might indeed take on the role of moderator, how likely is it that it will happen? The duchess doesnt have any official royal engagements scheduled As Meghan and Prince Harry end their time as senior royals, they have one last round of official engagements across the pond. Their final royal schedule went public in Feb. 2020 and between the two of them they have appearances scheduled for Feb. 28 and others March 5 8 before attending the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey with Queen Elizabeth II on March 9. While Meghan doesnt have any publicly known scheduling conflicts for March 31, that isnt to say she doesnt have other plans already in place. Shes been part of similar events before One reason Meghan would make a great moderator is that shes given speeches and attended high-profile panels before. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, and Prince William on Feb. 28, 2018, at the First Annual Royal Foundation Forum | Chris Jackson WPA Pool/Getty Images Shed been doing similar work before she became an official member of the royal family so shes surely comfortable with taking on the job of a moderator. Michelle Obama once called Meghan Markle an inspiration and a friend In an Instagram post on Sept. 25, 2019, Obama shared a picture of the duchess, and in the caption thanked her friend for being a thoughtful leader who is breaking the mold and making our world better for it. She also called Meghan a leader and an inspiration to so many. Judging by those comments, Obama would have no problem with the duchess moderating a stop on her book tour. We think the appearance is in line with what Prince Harry and Meghan want to achieve and given their friendship with the Obamas the duke interviewed former President Barack Obama in 2018 it wouldnt be so far-fetched to think Meghan might show up. Well just have to wait until March 31 to see if the duchess attends the event. By Express News Service RANIPET: Renewing his attack on AIADMK and its alliance partner PMK over Citizenship (Amendment) Act, DMK president and leader of opposition MK Stalin on Wednesday blamed both the parties for the riots over the Act as they had voted in favour of it in the parliament. Speaking at a marriage function at Sholingur near here, he said, While DMK had raised voice against Citizenship Amendment Bill in both Houses of Parliament and voted against it, AIADMK and its partner PMK had voted in favour of the Bill. Had both AIADMK and PMK voted against the Bill, it could not have been passed in the House, he said. Referring to the current riots in Delhi between the supporters of Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the protesters, Stalin stated, What are the consequences of AIADMK and PMK voting in favour of the Bill? The riots. Had both these parties voted against the Bill, there wouldnt be riots now. He noted that CAA would affect not only the Muslims and Sri Lankan Tamils, but also half of the population in the country because half of the people could not produce documents of birth registration. If we cant produce documents, we will go to the list of doubtfuls. Fifty per cent of the population will be marked in doubtfuls list, he said. A baby shower function being held at the protest site | express Rally to condemn violence in Delhi Thanjavur: A rally was taken out on Wednesday to condemn the violent incidents in Delhi. Members of SDPI on Wednesday evening staged a protest in front of the Panagal buildings. They accused BJP and right wing outfits of unleashing violence. They alleged that a speech made by BJP leader Kapil Mishra was the trigger for the violence and accused Delhi police of being complicit. The members of Campus Front of India took out a rally in Adirampattinam. Dont file chargesheet Madurai: Hearing a petition filed by an advocate, T Lajapathi Roy, seeking to quash an FIR registered against him for participating in an anti-CAA meeting, organised allegedly without police permission, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court directed the police not to file chargesheet against him. Justice AD Jagadish Chandira, however, told the police to proceed with the investigation. Bring in Armed Forces: Ansari Nagapattinam: MLA M Thamimun Ansari has appealed to the Union government to deploy Armed Forces to bring the situation under control in Delhi. Addressing media, he said, The image of the country has become questionable after protests for and against the CAA. The government should bring in Armed Forces immediately and stop the violence. CAA supporter seeks protection Chennai: The Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered notice to the Centre on a petition from a Muslim leader, who allegedly received threats to his life for supporting the CAA. When a petition from Syed Ibrahim of Redhills came up, Justice P Rajamanickam said the notice will be returnable by March 6. According to petitioner, he was propagating various welfare schemes of the Central government, including the one relating to CAA. However, members of various Muslim and outfits were attempting to eliminate him. Now, baby shower at protest Chennai: CAA protests and family functions have somehow got connected in a strange way. It was hardly a week back that a couple got married at the protest spot at Old Washerman. This time, the spot played host to a baby shower on Wednesday. Bhagyalakshmi and her husband Vignesh raised anti-CAA slogans during the function. Muslim outfits had announced that they would run four autos to ferry commuters from the protest spot to their houses. Stalin, Pondy cm take part in city protest Chennai: DMK president M K Stalin on Wednesday said the Centre must repeal the CAA and not go ahead with NPR and NRC. Speaking at an anti-CAA rally, organised by Tamil Nadu People Unity Platform, he said the Centre must let go its divisive agenda and focus on development. Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy said Congress will never accept division of the country based on religion. He said he will stand by Muslims and fight for secular values. We are not afraid even if you dismiss our government, he said. Last year, Etsy (ETSY) went against the overall trend. Following three years of spectacular growth, Etsy stock exited 2019 down by nearly 5%. With the coronavirus playing havoc on markets all over the world right now, it appears Etsy is playing the contrarian again; Back to its old ways, posting exceptional earnings results and beating the market. As of writing, Esty stock is up by 13%, following an exuberant reaction to yesterdays 4Q results. So, why is everyone so impressed? Etsys Revenue in Q4 was up by 35% to $269.9 million, beating the estimates $264.9 million. Earnings of $0.25 per share left the analysts' call for $0.16 in the dust. Additionally, Etsy ended the quarter with 46.4 million active buyers, indicating 17.5% year-over-year growth, while also boasting 2.70 million active sellers, an increase of 27.6%. Looking ahead, there was further good news; Etsy estimates FY20 revenue to come in between $1.04 billion to $1.06 billion vs. the Streets call for $1.02 billion. As the fifth most visited e-commerce website in the US, in contrast to many other fast-growing companies, Etsy is actually turning a profit. Most of the worries last year concentrated on whether the company can sustain the growth, as gross profit margins narrowed and EPS fell in line with expectations, instead of routinely trouncing them, while the previous quarters results exhibited the companys first revenue miss in eight quarters. Last year, though, Etsy laid down the groundwork for further growth with a focus on a better seller experience, improving marketing and a heavy investment in technology. As the latest results can attest to, the strategy is working. Oppenheimers Jason Helfstein thinks so, too. The 5-star analyst is among the many impressed with the latest results. In fact, following a closer inspection of the print, Helfstein upgraded his rating on Etsy from Perform to Outperform, with a price target of $64. This conveys his belief that Etsy can add a further 10% to the share price over the next year. (To watch Helfsteins track record, click here) Story continues Helfstein noted, Etsy smartly pivoted its seller leadgen strategy to an outcome-based model, resetting Etsy Ads to Promoted Listing, to the delight of sellers, which should push take-rates >20% over time and closer to SHOP/AMZN for SMB sellers. In addition, 4Q local sales tax headwinds were lower than expected, driving organic GMV +20% y/y vs. 22% in 3Q. Meanwhile, change to lead-gen (Etsy Ads & OffSite Ads) removes '20E margin pressure. While buyer growth slowed in 4Q on marketing toward existing users, management expects new marketing to drive FY20 buyer growth. Raising our 20/21E revenue 1%/3% and EBITDA 4%/8%, respectively. Our price target assumes 4.9x 21E revenue, aided by cash generated from positive working capital. All in all, the Street remains bullish on Etsys prospects. 8 Buys, 1 Hold and 1 sell published by the analysts over the last three months coalesce into a Moderate Buy consensus rating. The average price target comes in at $61.73 and implies possible gains in the shape of 8%. (See Etsy stock analysis on TipRanks) A full moon conjures an image of a person transforming into a werewolf -- a mythical story of moonlight explaining the unexplainable. While werewolves may only exist in the movies, unusual animal and human behaviors noticed under a full moon are real. Could moonlight be responsible? A new study published in the African Journal of Ecology considers the role of the moon in driving a particularly rare occurrence: the solo journey of a naked mole rat from one underground colony to start a new one. Stan Braude, professor of the practice of biology at Washington University in St. Louis, has been studying naked mole rats in the wild in eastern Africa for more than 30 years. Braude previously discovered how naked mole rats disperse -- or leave their underground colony to mate with an outsider and form a new colony -- by migrating above ground. The factors driving this rare behavior are not well understood. In the new study, Braude and his collaborators asked for the first time whether naked mole rats are using moon phases to time their dispersal. A number of publications on other rodent species suggested that if the animals depend on vision to avoid predators, they might not be active at new moons when the sky is the darkest. But if animals, such as the naked mole rats, instead depend on hearing and smell, they would be more likely to be active at new moons, when they can avoid detection. "We were so sure that naked mole rats would only be above ground on nights without moonlight, but the data proved us wrong. They don't appear to entrain to moonlight at all. Our next hypothesis to test is that cues from the social environment are triggering this behavior." Capturing naked mole rats Naked mole rats are almost blind. They spend the majority of their lives underground in tunnels that they dig with their teeth. Naked mole rats live most of their lives in their natal colony as workers, helping out their mothers. And when their time comes to leave the colony to breed, they switch from being active any time during a 24-hour cycle to being nocturnal. They put on fat and become less active in preparation for the journey they will undergo to start a new colony. A journey that requires going above ground. The safest time for them to go above ground would be during a new moon when the night is darkest -- or, at least, that was the expectation. To find out, Braude and his team captured dispersing naked mole rats in Meru National Park, Kenya. They used a collection approach called a drift fence to help guide the movement of animals walking in the open field into a specific location. In this case, the drift fences led to pitfall traps containing buckets. The idea came to Braude from work that Owen Sexton did 30 years ago to study the migration of salamanders at Tyson Research Center, the environmental field station for Washington University in St. Louis. Sexton's group put the drift fences in the woods to study when the salamanders were migrating to the pond. "Salamanders cannot jump. Neither can naked mole rats. If you put a small barrier in their way they have to go around it," Braude said. And they did. Braude and his team successfully collected nine dispersing naked mole rats using this method -- an astonishing accomplishment, given the rarity of these walkabouts. Migrating with or without the moon Capturing naked mole rats in the wild allowed Braude and his team to definitively conclude that naked mole rats do in fact migrate away from their natal colonies by walking above ground. They also knew the exact dates when the nine naked mole rats were above ground. Now they could ask whether there is a correlation between moon phase and their presence above the ground. The short answer was no. "There truly is no association in either direction with the amount of light or lack of light," Braude said. Dispersing naked mole rats did not avoid a full moon and did not prefer a new moon. They do not disperse according to the phases of the moon, the co-authors wrote. Births also not tied to moon phase Braude and his collaborators also used data from captive naked mole rats at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin to consider the association between moon phase and litters born. In this facility, the animals live in a room with windows that allow in sun and moonlight. "They had dozens of successful births and had a wealth of birthdays," Braude continued. Some 173 litters in 23 colonies were born across every day of the lunar cycle during an 11-year period. They found no association. "These results, although negative, gives us better insight into the dispersal. And they suggest perhaps the dispersal has more to do with the social environment that they are leaving than the physical environment that they are entering," Braude said. ### BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 Trend: A delegation led by Rector of Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) Elmar Gasimov took part in the Eurasia Higher Education Summit 2020 (EURIE), organized by the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS) in Istanbul, Turkey. The 3-day summit was attended by about 600 representatives of various universities and educational agencies from around the world. The summit was aimed at ensuring exchange of views and broad discussions among representatives of higher education institutions of Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region on strengthening their cooperation. During the visit, the rector discussed the prospects for cooperation between higher education institutions that are members of EURAS, on the one hand, and Baku Higher Oil School, on the other hand, in various fields of teaching and scientific-research activities. During his visit to the exhibition, organized as part of the summit, Elmar Gasimov also met with Rector of Istanbul Aydin University Mustafa Aydin. As part of the summit, panel sessions and an exhibition were held. The senior teacher of the Information Security Department Khayyam Masiyev, who represented Baku Higher Oil School at the summit as a speaker, spoke at the panel session Digitalization and Innovation on the topic Block chain technology-based cybersecurity platform of the social community. His speech aroused interest among the participants of the event. Baku Higher Oil School was represented at the exhibition with an official stand. The latest achievements were presented at the stand. Visitors were provided with information about the teaching methodology, university admission mechanism, opportunities for cooperation and employment. Participants from the USA, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Italy showed particular interest in the stand. Note that the Eurasia Higher Education Summit, which is the worlds third-biggest international education and exhibition summit, serves as a global discussion platform that brings together employees of prestigious universities of the Eurasian region and world-renowned experts in the field of education. Within the framework of the annual EURIE Summit, exhibitions, conferences and panel discussions on various educational issues are held. The summit offers its participants the opportunity to exchange information, establish contacts and expand cooperation with their foreign colleagues. An Air India flight on Thursday brought back to the national capital 119 Indians and 5 foreigners who were on board a coronavirus-hit cruise ship docked off Yokohama in Japan. IMAGE: IAF's C-17 Globemaster brings back 112 people from China's Wuhan. Photograph: ANI The foreigners, who were brought back to India on board the special Air India flight, included two from Sri Lanka and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru. All the evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at a medical facility set-up by the Indian Army in Manesar. Meanwhile, an Indian Air Force aircraft which had taken medical supplies to China's Hubei province, whose capital Wuhan is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, has returned to India with 76 Indians and 36 nationals from seven other nations. "Appreciate facilitation by the Chinese government," tweeted external affairs minister S Jaishankar after the Indian Air Force Plane with 112 people landed in Delhi. Of the 112, 76 were Indians and 36 were from seven countries -- Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar. All 112 people who have returned from Wuhan will now undergo a 14-day quarantine in India, just like their previous batches, to ensure that they are cleared of the COVID-19 virus. Three Indian crew members on board the cruise ship did not board the special flight and conveyed their wish to continue their stay on board the cruise ship to complete the period of extended quarantine put in place by the government of Japan, a government statement said. IMAGE: Indian nationals on-board Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan brought back in a special Air India flight. Photograph: @MEAIndia/Twitter Out of the total 138 Indian nationals originally on board the Diamond Princess, 16 Indian crew members have tested positive for coronavirus and are receiving necessary medical care and treatment at onshore medical facilities in Japan. They were among the 3,711 people on board the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at the Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on February 3. The ship was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the disease. The Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster military aircraft on Wednesday took 15 tonnes of medical assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment from India to the virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan and later left with 112 Indians and foreign nationals stranded in the city. The Indian embassy in China, which coordinated the operations, said that after unloading the relief supplies, the flight carried 112 Indians and foreign nationals to Delhi. India operated two special Air India flights on February 1 and 2 and airlifted 647 Indian nationals, mostly students, and seven Maldivian nationals. IMAGE: The Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster military aircraft on Wednesday took 15 tonnes of medical assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment from India to the virus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan. Photograph: @DrSJaishankar/Twitter Wednesday's flight was cleared by China after allegations of delay by Indian officials. China's worst-hit Hubei province and its capital Wuhan have been under complete lockdown since January 23. The death toll from coronavirus in China has reached 2,715 while the number of confirmed cases jumped to 78,064, officials said on Wednesday. "This assistance has been provided in the wake the Corona virus outbreak in China and the request by China to provide supplies such as masks and medical equipment," a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs said. IMAGE: All 112 people who have returned from Wuhan will now undergo a 14-day quarantine at the ITBP quarantine facility in Chhawla, New Delhi. Photograph: ANI In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping on February 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed India's solidarity with the people and government of China and also offered assistance in this "hour of need as a gift". "The medical supplies will help augment China's efforts to control the outbreak of this infection which has been declared as a Public Health Emergency by the World Health Organisation," it said. "The assistance being sent today is also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year," it said. WASHINGTON Top officials in the Trump administration struggled on Tuesday morning to justify their response to the growing threat of the coronavirus, which has sickened at least 80,423 people around the world and killed at least 2,712. Having spread well beyond its origin in the city of Wuhan in China, COVID-19, as the disease caused by the virus is known, now appears poised to become a pandemic. Although there have been no recorded fatalities in the United States yet, skeptical members of the U.S. Senate made clear to administration officials that they did not have confidence in their response. That was especially clear during a tense exchange between Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., and acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who struggled to answer seemingly basic questions about the disease, including about its mortality rate relative to that of the flu. At one point during their back-and-forth, which promptly went viral on social media, Kennedy insisted that Wolf tell him the number of coronavirus cases that the United States could expect. Wolf was unable to answer the question, saying only that the number of cases would grow, and that task force members were at work on the issues. That assertion only served to further irritate the Louisiana senator. Youre the secretary, Kennedy retorted. I think you ought to know the answer. There are currently 14 confirmed cases in the United States. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., after a briefing from administration officials Tuesday on the coronavirus. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Kennedy then proceeded to quiz Wolf about how the coronavirus was transmitted. Wolf began to answer when Kennedy interrupted him again. How is it transmitted? Kennedy said, no longer bothering to hide his irritation, his lips curling downward in annoyance. A variety of ways, Senator, Wolf replied. Tell me what they are, please, Kennedy demanded. Wolf responded that the primary mode of transmission was human to human, meaning that it is communicated from one person to another. That is the primary mode by which viruses are spread though they can originate in animals, and frequently do. Story continues Well, obviously, human to human, Kennedy said. How? Wolf, who does not have a medical background, struggled to answer the question to Kennedys satisfaction, making unclear reference to being in the same vicinity and physical contact, repeating that human-to-human cases were of concern. Youre asking me a number of medical questions, an exasperated Wolf said a little later. The exchange proved emblematic, to some, of a bungled response to a growing threat. Bipartisan agreement Trump isnt serious enough about Coronavirus, tweeted Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., on Tuesday morning, reflecting what appears to be a growing consensus. The confrontations took place on Tuesday in what were supposed to be budget-related hearings before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Legislators often use appropriations hearings at which executive branch officials appear to defend federal budget requests to question, criticize and scold the heads of agencies. That was certainly the case during the respective appropriations hearings attended by Wolf and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Both men are involved in the administrations response to the coronavirus, as well as its controversial policies on the U.S. border with Mexico. Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), speaks during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 25, 2020. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Trump offered his own opinions on the coronavirus from India where he had been meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that were very close to a vaccine and that the United States was down to probably about 10 cases. A report in the Washington Post indicated that Trump worried that sounding louder alarms about the virus would cause the stock market to plummet, thus robbing him of one of his favorite arguments for why his presidency has been a success. Trumps assertions clashed with what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appear to have concluded. We are asking the American public to prepare for the expectation that this might be bad, Nancy Messonnier, a top CDC epidemiologist, warned on Tuesday. Before his appropriations committee appearance, Wolf had briefed legislators behind closed doors about the coronavirus. The briefing appears to have left senators dissatisfied. I didnt hear anything this morning that I havent read in the newspaper, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., complained to Wolf, asking him to hold open hearings. OK, Wolf answered. The administration on Monday asked Congress for an additional $2.5 billion to fight the coronavirus, though Democrats said that was not enough. President Trump at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) Kennedy, the Republican from Louisiana, confronted Wolf with Trumps statements from India. Apparently unmollified by the presidents optimistic assertions, Kennedy demanded of Wolf just how many more cases the United States could expect. Is someone modeling that? pointedly wondered the attorney with an Oxford law degree. Wolf began to say that Health and Human Services had medical professionals presumably doing that work. But he found himself cut off by Kennedy, who was growing plainly annoyed. But youre head of Homeland Security. Your job is to keep us safe, Kennedy asserted with audible dismay. Shortly after that, Kennedy questioned Wolf about the exact mortality rate for the coronavirus, which Wolf was unable to produce, saying it was under 2 percent. He said that was comparable to the mortality rate for the flu, which he said was right around that percentage that is, 2 percent. You sure of that? Kennedy asked. Yes, sir, Wolf said. The mortality rate for the flu is about 0.1 percent, making it about 20 times less deadly than the coronavirus. Kennedy persisted, interrogating Wolf about whether there were enough respirators and face masks. He appeared to be referring to a supply adequate to cover the entire American population, not just the doctors who might constitute a first line of response. Wolf appeared to be confused by the question, which only further angered Kennedy. Mr. Secretary, youre supposed to keep us safe, Kennedy said. You need to know the answers to these questions. Wolf additionally said that a vaccine was several months away. Public health officials at the CDC, however, estimate that developing a vaccine that is ready for dissemination will take a full year to develop, test and mass produce. Chad Wolf, acting DHS secretary, testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing Tuesday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images) Later, in response to more conciliatory questioning from Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., Wolf tried to highlight the fact that U.S. authorities are aggressively screening fliers returning stateside at 11 airports, which has resulted in the screening of 50,000 individuals thus far. Wolf added that he was very satisfied by Homeland Securitys response to the coronavirus threat. But by that time, clips of his exchange with Kennedy had been viewed thousands of times on the internet. That and other developments are likely to put the Trump administration in a defensive posture precisely at a time when it needs to be projecting confidence and competence. Azar, the Health and Human Services secretary, also faced tough questioning about the coronavirus, though as a high-ranking veteran of the pharmaceutical industry he was once a top executive at Eli Lilly he appeared better equipped to handle concerns about the growing epidemic than Wolf had been. In his opening statement, Azar said that risk to Americans from the coronavirus was low, but that the spread of the virus to nations outside of East Asia was deeply concerning. Yet he, too, struggled to reassure senators who feel the administration simply has not done enough, or has been forthcoming enough about what it is doing. The Appropriations Committees chairman, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said the administration was lowballing by asking for only $2.5 billion in its coronavirus response. If you lowball something like this, Shelby warned Azar, you'll pay for it later. In response to questioning from Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Azar admitted that the United States had not stockpiled sufficient resources to deal with the outbreak. Well, of course not, or we wouldnt be asking for a supplemental to seek more money to procure more of that, he told her. Much as Wolf had before him, Azar conceded that the nation has only 30 million respirators of the recommended N-95 model, whereas some 300 million are required merely for medical professionals to handle the disease response. A vaccine candidate is in the works, Azar said, alluding to a report in the Wall Street Journal about a potential vaccine being developed by Moderna, a biotechnology firm in the Boston suburbs. Azar added that he was especially concerned with the spread of the coronavirus in Iran and Italy. How the disease migrated there is unclear, which makes that development especially troubling. As for Trump, he tweeted once about the coronavirus on Tuesday, calling Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer incompetent. Schumer had criticized the $2.5 billion request as too low. After that, Trump turned back to tweeting about his visit to India, and what he deemed to be a total miscarriage of justice in the case of former ally Roger Stone. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: By Donald Kirk In a time of crisis, near-panic, over a disease to which the best medical minds have yet to find a sure cure, total cooperation is essential. The World Health Organization, scientists around the world, anyone who knows anything is duty-bound to try and help. Which brings us to North Korea. If there's one country from which absolutely no help is forthcoming, it's the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Sure, we get reminders daily of what the North Koreans are doing to try to contain the coronavirus, COVID-19. We heard weeks ago they had closed the border to China. We know they banned foreign diplomats and NGO people from going shopping. Most recently, they placed all 380 foreign residents under quarantine as if they were some kind of plague from outer space. What the North Koreans haven't done is cooperate with anyone on exactly what's going on in their own country, how many are sick and how many have died. Oh, that's right, they've said more than once that no one has died or is at all ill. That boast has as much credibility as those signs you see looking from China across the Tumen River border into the bleak North Korean landscape proclaiming North Korea a "worker's paradise" whose people have "nothing to envy" the title of Barbara Demick's book. It's interesting North Korea places a complete clamp on what's happening up there. They are not only refusing to provide the slightest detail on the pain and suffering caused their people by COVID-19, they're also not sharing medical or scientific information. They're making no attempt at comparing notes with the South Koreans or Chinese or Russians, all of them neighbors, with all of whom they should be cooperating closely even if they choose to have nothing to do with the Americans or anyone else. While ordering quarantines, closing their borders to China, Russia too, all to keep contaminated people from getting in, they're treating the South Koreans, fellow Koreans, as if they too were foreigners not to be trusted. South Korea, unlike North Korea, has been releasing information on how many are ill, where they got the bug, their condition. We learn where individuals died, their ages, medical background, all that. North Koreans are also suffering. It's for that reason North Korea's media has put out so many rules and warnings. They have to keep the disease from overwhelming the country, the ruling party, the armed forces, the structure of governing, ensuring security and buttressing a system that's been in place since the Soviet Union installed Kim Il-sung after the World War II. Most importantly, the founder's grandson, Kim Jong-un, has to hide the facts to ensure his power, to remain omnipotent before his people. For two reasons, however, North Korean state broadcasts do quote reports on cases in China and South Korea. The first is the North Koreans can claim a certain superiority for having contained the illness at home while others have failed. Second, they want people to know, if they don't do as told, they too may wind up suffering like their South Korean brethren and Chinese neighbors. While trying to wipe out the disease, North Korea has been turning down offers of emergency aid though the United Nations grants relief from sanctions for medicine. The North has accepted aid before so why not now? Are they too proud to acknowledge the need? Do they have enough medicine? Are hospitals and clinics, bereft of basic equipment, able to deal with the disease? Here's a better explanation. Foreign aid teams would become aware of cases elsewhere. They would see the numbers who've died, who've survived, who remain critical. They would reveal what this disease is doing to North Koreans. The last thing Kim wants is for the world, including his own people, to find out the extent of the suffering even if it means depriving aid to impoverished masses. He knows he would be in trouble once the inability of his regime to fight the illness effectively was revealed. At the least he would lose respect. That's a risk he cannot afford. The elite of the capital, Kim and his family and top aides and Workers' Party cadre, presumably have medicine for themselves. Better to let poor people suffer, Kim figures, than to jeopardize my rule just to save a few lives. ) has been covering the confrontation of forces on the Korean peninsula and throughout the region for decades. Donald kirk ( www.donaldkirk.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Fidan Babayeva Trend: Over 60,000 cans of products were exported to the foreign countries in 2019, Director of Azerbaijani Brightman Business Management Consultants company Afet Ahmadova told Trend. We produce 22 types of canned products, most of which are fruit and vegetable sauces, as well as jams, director of the company said. The company actively participates in export campaigns and exhibitions which are organized abroad with the support of the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), director of the company said. "Today we export the products to Russia, Ukraine, the US and the UAE, Ahmadova said. Negotiations are also underway to enter other markets." The income from the export of the companys products to the abovementioned countries in 2019 amounted to $90,000, the director of the company added. "The main goal of the company is to promote Azerbaijani products in other countries and provide opportunities for residents of other countries to appreciate the Azerbaijani unique gastronomic culture." The director of the company emphasized that the demand in the domestic market slightly grew in 2019. This is connected with the ongoing changes in the Azerbaijani markets and closure of some companies. Ahmadova reminded that only natural fruits and vegetables are used in the production process. "We cooperate with such big local supermarkets as Bravo, Bazarstore, Favorit and ARAZ, as well as work with foreign importers and distributors, the director of the company added. The companys products are successfully sold abroad under "Made in Azerbaijan" brand. --- Follow the author on Twitter: Fidan_Babaeva SAN ANTONIO, Texas A Rome couple is nearly done with their time in quarantine at an Air Force base in Texas after they were potentially exposed to coronavirus on a cruise ship last month. Peter and Cindy Molesky were evacuated from the Diamond Princess Cruise ship after some passengers tested positive for coronavirus. The couple were quarantined on the ship for two weeks starting Feb. 5, and were taken to Texas to be monitored for another two weeks after that. Cindy says they were tested on Feb. 21, and those results returned negative for the virus. The two are now cleared to come home next week. That makes more than six weeks away from home for the couple, who were on the Tokyo trip with relatives Cheryl and Paul Molesky, of Syracuse. Between quarantined 12 days on the ship and 14 days here, and so probably we will be just staying home. Im not sure, we may even self-quarantined at home to be sure because I dont want to make anyone nervous, said Cindy. While on the base in San Antonio, Cindy says they received crayons, colored pencils and Sudoku puzzles to pass the time. When they do go outside, she says they have to stay six feet away from other people. She also says they must wear face masks when receiving the food that is delivered to them three times a day. The couple say they can email, call and text friends and family, which has kept their spirits up while theyve been away. They also participate in a daily conference call that provides updates on their situation and coronavirus activity. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Nashville-based 180 Health Partners has announced the addition of Rebecca Whitehead Munn as Chief Operating Officer. Munn has been a recognized member of the healthcare leadership community for over 20 years. Most recently, Munn was responsible for overall strategy and execution for UnitedHealthcare's innovative community-based clinical care teams. While in this role, she worked hand-in-hand with the health plan. Additionally, Munn led the clinical and operational teams, leveraged data-driven patient selection and segmentation tools, and nurtured a trauma-informed care philosophy all while improving patient engagement and increasing positive outcomes. "Rebecca is an outstanding addition to 180 Health Partners," said Justin Lanning, President and CEO. "I am very excited to have her join our team and to have her expertise and knowledge of clinical operations to propel us as we focus on impacting more and more lives across multiple states." Prior to 180 Health Partners, Munn achieved success by working with several global companies and leading their new business innovations and functional models. Through this, she was able to prototype emergent community-based delivery models. Munn earned her B.B.A. in marketing and a minor in psychology from McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, Austin and earned her M.B.A. from Leeds School of Business at University of Colorado. She is a Nashville Healthcare Council Fellow and has a certified specialization in the Foundations of Positive Psychology from University of Pennsylvania. She is the immediate past chair of the Board of Directors of Hands On Nashville. In her free-time, Munn practices yoga, indulges in Mexican food, and visits her two college-aged children. She has lived in Nashville since 2005. 180 Health Partners' mission is to research, define and provide solutions and services related to substance use and behavioral health challenges that help our clients deliver the most comprehensive, integrated and successful programs in the world. SOURCE 180 Health Partners Results: Jeremy Masding, CEO of Permanent TSB with CFO Eamonn Crowley at the banks 2019 results announcement yesterday Permanent TSB's chief financial officer Eamonn Crowley has joined CEO Jeremy Masding in receiving an annual pay package above the notional 500,000-a-year cap on bankers' pay for the first time. The bank's annual report shows Mr Masding's basic salary rose by 2.9pc to 480,000 last year, while Mr Crowley's rose 13.1pc to 431,250. Additional pension contributions and benefits, including 20,000-a-year car allowances, lifted their total 2019 pay packages to 569,969 and 510,924, respectively. Employees at Ireland's bailed-out banks are notionally subject to a pay cap of 500,000 a year under rules imposed after the lenders needed massive taxpayer-funded bailouts, although in practice there are a number of exemptions. Permanent TSB is 75pc State-owned. The bank said its remuneration committee recommended the increases for top executives to "retain and motivate key talent in an increasingly competitive Irish market". Mr Masding announced last year that he plans to leave the bank in 2020. Permanent TSB staff received average salary increases last year of 3.5pc, the bank said. The bank yesterday reported underlying profit of 74m for last year, down from 94m in 2018, reflecting a squeeze in interest income. Pre-tax profit was 42m for 2019, versus just 3m in 2018. The bank previously made provisions for a Central Bank fine over its role in the tracker mortgage scandal. Last May, the regulator fined Permanent TSB 21m. New lending volumes increased by 14pc to 1.7bn, including a 13pc gain in mortgage lending to 1.5bn. Permanent TSB now has 15.5pc of the mortgage market. The bank said the mortgage market in Ireland is growing steadily and remains competitive. Non-performing loans (NPLs) reduced by 38pc to 1.05bn at the end of December, accelerated by September's sale of 500m of NPLs to affiliates of American private equity group Lone Star. Permanent TSB's NPL ratio is now 6.4pc. The results show the bank has around 400 repossessed properties on its books, with 80 actively for sale. The bank said it expects to sell the majority of properties over the next 12 months. Permanent TSB's net interest margin - a key barometer for measuring profitability - increased by two basis points year-on-year to 1.8pc. Mr Masding said: "Our strong performance in 2019 reflects the attractiveness of our customer offering and the progress we are making in growing our business, while managing costs rigorously." In October, Mr Masding announced his decision to step down as head of the group. Permanent TSB chairman Robert Elliott said that while the effective date of Mr Masding's departure is yet to be determined, the board is now at an "advanced stage" in the recruitment process for a new CEO. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:47:24|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chen Guoqiang, former vice governor of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, has been indicted on charges of taking bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Thursday. Chen was accused of taking advantage of his former positions in Shaanxi to seek profits for others or using his power and status to seek illegitimate interests for others through other officials' work and accepting vast sums of money and gifts in return, the SPP said in a statement. His case was handed over to the first branch of the Tianjin Municipal People's Procuratorate for review and prosecution upon the designation of the SPP after the National Supervisory Commission concluded the investigation, it said. Chen will stand trial in the First Intermediate People's Court of Tianjin, it added. The SPP said the prosecutors had informed the defendant of his litigation rights, interrogated him and listened to the defense counsel's opinions. 02/27/2020 Photo (c) olaser - Getty Images Imagine that youre driving down the street and youre coming up on a crosswalk. The street lights are beginning to change and a person is getting ready to cross the street; do you speed up and try to make it through before getting stuck or slow down and give them the right of way? Unfortunately, many consumers would choose the former -- and it turns out that the value of the car they drive may be a big predictor of their behavior. Researchers from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) recently analyzed the actions of nearly 500 drivers who experienced a similar situation to the one described above. They found that only 28 percent slowed down and yielded to pedestrians. Perhaps more eye-opening is the fact that the likelihood that they would stop went down by 3 percent for every extra $1,000 that their vehicle was worth. [The results show] that pedestrians are facing some challenges when it comes to safety, and its really concerning, said lead author Courtney Coughenour. More driver education needed Drivers penchant for not yielding to pedestrians can lead to tragic outcomes, even if theyre traveling at relatively low speeds. The researchers note that the average risk for severe injury for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle is 10 percent when drivers are traveling at only 16 miles per hour (mph). Those rates jump up to 25 percent at 23 mph and 50 percent at 31 mph. The highest rates of severe injury that were measured occur at 39 mph (75 percent) and 46 mph (90 percent). Coughenour says that the study findings indicate the need to educate drivers about traffic laws. "Drivers need to be made aware that they legally have to yield. It's hard to say whether they're not yielding because they don't know the laws or because they don't want to yield," she said. "Further study is needed to examine that. Until then, the bigger thing is driver education." The full study has been published in the Journal of Transport & Health. [February 27, 2020] Earnest Unveils New Streaming Product at Neudata SF Summit NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Earnest Research, the largest provider of data analytics for measuring the consumer economy, announced the launch of Earnest Streaming, a Subscriber Insights & Competitive Intelligence for Streaming and Media Services product based on transaction data. Earnest Streaming provides near real-time insight into the performance of Over the Top (OTT) media companies and concepts like Hulu, Netflix, Youtube TV, Disney+ and others. With Earnest Streaming, clients can gain a deeper understanding of fundamentals such as sources of growth, competitive situations, and subscriber health. "Earnest is committed to helping investment professionals make better decisions. We believe Earnest Streaming will help clients measure the health of OTT participants, uncover developing market trends, and ultimately allow investors to capitalize on the shifting media landscape," said Michael Stern, Senior Director for Financial Services of Earnest Research. Michael Stern presented an exclusive first look into this new product at the Neudata SF Summit at a panel titled: Using Transaction Data to Amplify TMT Signals. Earnest Streaming can help clients answer questions like: Are newly acquired Netflix subscribers churning at faster rates? How has the OTT video subscriber market shifted since the launch of Disney+? What percent of subscribers are loyal to one streaming service vs. having multiple subscriptions? For more information on Earnest Streaming, visit us online . About Earnest Research Founded in 2012, Earnest Research provides restaurants, retailers, e-commerce companies and investment clients with critical knowledge on consumer behavior to power data-driven business decisions. With accurate and near real-time data on sales, foot traffic, orders and other purchasing trends, Earnest enables companies to deeply understand customer habits and gain valuable intelligence on market share and competitors. For more information, visit earnestresearch.com. Neudata SF Summit brings together hundreds of West Coast public market investors looking to use alternative data in their process. For Press or Media Inquiries Dina Lyon, Director of Marketing - [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/earnest-unveils-new-streaming-product-at-neudata-sf-summit-301011971.html SOURCE Earnest Research BURNSVILLE, MN / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / We all agree that Jesus Christ was born and lived almost 2000 years ago, but have you ever stopped and thought about Him as a human? Even though you may think of Jesus as God, we cannot deny He walked upon the earth as a man. The fact that Jesus was God AND man is the heart of the good news of the gospel. In Wes Feltner's new informative and eye-opening book, All Sides of the Savior: Exploring the Humanity of Jesus, published by Critical Mass Books in December 2019, Wes Feltner talks about the human side of Jesus' life. Wes Feltner says that when God inspired the writers of the gospel to write about Jesus, they wrote about the man, Jesus, in his human form. Wes Feltner's idea that we ascribe to the nonhuman part of Jesus but don't want to acknowledge the human side is a common mistake that prevents us from knowing Jesus as a whole. "The reality is that we gladly testify that God became man to save us, but we don't want to think of God in terms of actually being a man," he says. But the bible says He was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes when he was lying in a manger. He walked the dusty roads with his friends and family, and he had a job. He was born human, and he lived as a human. "We readily affirm the humanity of Jesus, yet rarely think of Him as fully human. It goes against the way we have been conditioned to think about Jesus." "But, the way we think about Jesus," Wes Feltner continues, "shapes how we know Him in our mind and soul. Wes Feltner says having an accurate understanding of the humanity of Jesus will free you to relate to Him more honestly and to experience an authentic relationship with Him. Wes Feltner says, "Isn't that the whole point of Christianity - learning more about Jesus in order to relate better to Him and have a personal relationship with Him?" All Sides of the Savior helps to show what Jesus went through as he incarnated into human form. The book is starting to gain notice among clergy and laypeople alike. Paul Allen of the Voice of the Minnesota Vikings says, "Meeting Wes Feltner and closely studying All Sides of the Savior, has helped me sow seeds of faith on a daily basis and handle adversity and daily struggles in my life. It has also helped me in sharing the importance of faith without becoming overbearing and turning off the listener." Wes Feltner, Ph.D., M.Div., has spent the last 23 years in vocational ministry and has served in pastoral ministry in the areas of preaching, vision casting, adult discipleship, and international missions. In 2016-2017, Wes Feltner pastored the 10th fasting growing church in America, according to Outreach Magazine. He has taught at three different seminaries in the area of leadership and pastoral ministry. Wes Feltner has been working on a new personal development program titled Live Free set to launch spring 2020 with Paul Allen of The Voice of the Minnesota Vikings. Wes Feltner currently lives in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. CONTACT: Caroline Hunter Web Presence, LLC +1 7865519491 SOURCE: Web Presence, LLC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578255/Wes-Feltner-Discusses-His-New-Book-All-Sides-of-the-Savior-Exploring-the-Humanity-of-Jesus In today's edition of Paris Live, we open with a look at how the coronavirus is spreading across the globe with now more than 40 countries affected. France has recorded its first death and 18 cases of infection and the President Emmanuel Macron declared that the country will do everything in its power to deal with what he describes as an epidemic. Elsewhere, in Spain, the Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hosted Catalan leaders to try and defuse a crisis over the region's separatist push.The participants agree to disagree for the time being, but will continue to gather each month to dicuss what they call a "political conflict". We choose to focus on a number of environmental stories today, one being in Kenya, where ecologists are opposed to the construction of a coal-burning electricity generation facility in the coastal region of Lamu County. We also hear about what is described as the "Norwegian Paradox". The country has built its wealth from the profitable oil and gas industries, but at the same carved out a place for itself as a pioneer of green energy. Critics say they can't have it both ways and its time to wean themselves off dependency on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, we feature a special interview with Laurent Richard, journalist and producer and founder of the NGO Forbidden Stories. In his new documentary Green Blood, Richard and his partners expose the global pattern of harassment and intimidation facing journalists who try and report on environmental issues. And, there's a focus on the scientific discovery called Carbon 14. Eighty years ago on this day, two American scientists Martin Kamen and Sam Ruben identified the naturally occurring isotope of carbon that has revolutionised science. In this report, French scientists tell us how Carbon 14 helps us to determine the age of artefacts, from bones to plants, in fact anything that is up to 50,000 years old. [February 27, 2020] Global Production of Electric Light Commercial Vehicles to Exceed 2.4 Million Units Annually by 2030 Forecasts IDTechEx BOSTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The light commercial vehicle market is at the dawn of a revolution; the future is electric. The main discourse around on-road vehicle electrification has been primarily focused on environmental concerns about the automotive sector's contribution to climate change and the damaging effect on human health of exhaust pollutants. For businesses keen to address the environmental impact of their vehicle fleets a degree of altruism has always been required. In the electric light commercial vehicle market, this is about to change. In the near future, the main motivation for businesses to transition to eLCV will not be environmental but economic. To help companies plan for the changes in this market, the newly launched IDTechEx report "Electric Vans 2020-2030" provides a detailed ten-year outlook for the uptake of electric light commercial vehicles across key regions; China, Europe, North America and the rest of the world, outlining eLCV production, penetration, market revenue and battery requirement. This report will be of value to companies across the automotive industry including OEMs, battery manufacturers, electric drivetrain parts and systems suppliers, materials and research organizations, charging infrastructure developers, government agencies and companies with significant LCV fleets. The light commercial vehicle market is uniquely positioned to rapidly transition to electric vehicles. LCV operators primarily base their purchase decisions on total cost of ownership calculations, and while the upfront cost of electric LCVs is currently greater than for an equivalent diesel model, the significant operational cost saving from using electricity as a fuel, in replacement of diesel, is increasingly being shown to offset the initial price difference. Over the next decade, as battery pack prices decrease, electric drivetrain efficiencies improve and significant economy of scale savings are realized on the cost of electric components and vehicle manufacturig, it will become a competitive advantage for companies to operate electric vans as they will offer the lowest cost solution. The addition of road charges for diesel vehicles in low emission zones within urban centers will swing the TCO balance heavily in favor of electric LCV. IDTechEx believes the next few years will see companies conducting large scale pilot projects to establish that eLCVs meet their operational range, load capacity, payload and reliability requirements. Once demonstrable evidence is there that eLCVs can meet the operational requirements without increased cost, then the widespread replacement of aging diesel LCVs with eLCV will begin in earnest. For more information please visit www.IDTechEx.com/eVans. To find out more about Electric Vehicle research available from IDTechEx visit www.IDTechEx.com/research/EV or to connect with others on this topic, IDTechEx is hosting: Electric Vehicle Materials, 13 - 14 May 2020, Estrel Convention Center, Berlin, Germany www.ElectricVehiclesEurope.Tech. IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Consultancy and Event products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information on IDTechEx Research and Consultancy contact [email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com. Media Contact: Jessica Abineri Marketing Coordinator [email protected] +44(0)1223 812300 Related Images left-forecast-elcv-share-of-total.jpg Left: Forecast eLCV share of total global LCV market revenue Source: IDTechEx "Electric Vans 2020-2030" Right: The first versions of Arrival's Electric van. Source: Arrival Related Links Further IDTechEx Research on Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicle Materials | 13 - 14 May 2020 | Estrel Convention Center, Berlin, Germany View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-production-of-electric-light-commercial-vehicles-to-exceed-2-4-million-units-annually-by-2030-forecasts-idtechex-301012715.html SOURCE IDTechEx [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and the Congress' state unit chief Sachin Pilot submitted a report to party president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday over the recent incident of torture of two Dalit men in Nagaur district. The report was based on the findings of a three-member fact-finding panel comprising Rajasthan Cabinet Minister and state Congress vice-president Bhanwar Lal Meghwal, MLA Harish Meena and the party's state unit general secretary Mahesh Sharma. Sources said lapses were found on part of police in the handling of the case as the incident happened on February 16 but the FIR was registered four days later only after the video of it went viral. While refusing to comment on the contents of the report, Pilot said that atrocities and crime are condemnable and more so if the targets are Dalits, tribals and other poor sections of the society. "As party (Rajasthan unit) president, when we were in opposition, we stood up against any such atrocities that took place and now that we are in government, it is our responsibility to make sure that the poor amongst us, especially the Dalits, are not made to face the kind of atrocities that recently occurred," he told PTI. According to the police, the incident took place on February 16 at a motorcycle service agency in Karanu village falling under Panchodi police station area. The staffers of the agency attacked the Dalits after accusing them of theft. The brutal incident came to light after a video of the assault went viral. In the video, a group of men were seen thrashing two persons with belts. They later tortured one of the victims by pouring petrol on his private parts with a piece of cloth wrapped on a screwdriver. Reacting to the incident, Pilot had tweeted, "The case of brutal beating of Dalit youths which took place in Nagaur district is serious. The law and order in the state should remain strong and every citizen should feel safe, this is the priority of the government. If anyone tries to take law and order into their hands, strict action will be taken against them". When the Alwar gang-rape incident took place on April 26 last year, Pilot had said the government should take the incident seriously and asserted that atrocities against Dalits was unacceptable. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UNITED NATIONS The U.N. disarmament chief warned Wednesday that the specter of an unbridled nuclear arms race is threatening the world for the first time since the 1970s, the height of the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union. Izumi Nakamitsu didnt name any countries but she was clearly referring to the United States and Russia, and possibly China, when she told the U.N. Security Council that relationships between states especially nuclear-weapon states are fractured. So-called great power competition is the order of the day, Nakamitsu said. Division, distrust and a dearth of dialogue are increasingly the norm. Russia-U.S. relations have been at post-Cold War lows since Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea. Last year, Russia and the U.S. both withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the U.S. saying it pulled out because of Russian violations and the Kremlin denying breaching the treatys terms. Russia has said the U.S. also appears reluctant to extend the New START treaty, the only treaty governing the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by the two countries, which expires in 2021. Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper touted a multibillion-dollar plan for a top-to-bottom modernization of Americas nuclear arsenal to keep up with Russia and outpace China. In late December, Russias defense minister reported to President Vladimir Putin that a new intercontinental weapon that can fly 27 times the speed of sound had become operational, bolstering the countrys nuclear strike capability. Nakamitsu warned that the specter of unconstrained nuclear competition looms over us for the first time since the 1970s. We are witnessing what has been termed a qualitative nuclear arms race one not based on numbers but on faster, stealthier and more accurate weapons, she said. Regional conflicts with a nuclear dimension are worsening, and proliferation challenges are not receding. The Security Council meeting was requested by Germany to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty on March 5 and to support the upcoming conference to review and advance its goals which starts April 27 and ends May 22. Russia and the United States clashed at the meeting over the breakdown in arms control negotiations. Edith M. Lederer is an Associated Press writer. Google has plans to move its production of the Pixel 4a and the Pixel 5 to factories in Vietnam. According to a new report. The report states that the production of both devices is being moved out of China due to concerns over the coronavirus. Which shouldnt be much of a shock as Google is only doing what it feels would be best for its employees. Ever since the outbreak scores of companies have also pulled out of various conventions, such as Mobile World Congress (which was eventually cancelled), for the same reasons as Google is now reportedly moving production facilities. Advertisement While this may not be a surprise, what seems to have slipped under the radar until now is when Google had planned to start production on the Pixel 4a. Pixel 4a production will likely start in April The report notes that production of Googles new low-cost phone will start in April. With Google I/O happening in May, this makes sense. Google is expected to officially announce the new phone at this event. And possibly launch the phone not long after. To do that, it would need the first batch of phones to be ready. Starting production the month before the event where the announcement takes place would certainly fit within this timeline of reveal then release. Advertisement If Google does announce the Pixel 4a at Google I/O this year, its still unknown how long customers will have to wait before they can order one. Usually Google lets you place pre-orders right away, with phones beginning to ship some weeks after. The Pixel 5 production will reportedly take place at the same factory, and happen later in the year. Google will potentially start Pixel 5 production in the second half of 2020 In addition to starting the manufacturing process of the Pixel 4a in just a little over a month, production on the Pixel 5 is said to be happening sometime around the second half of the year. Advertisement Exactly when isnt mentioned, but the second half of the year starts around June. This seems a little early for production to start on a phone that is expected to be announced in October though. More than likely production would start around August or September. Closer to when the phone would likely be revealed. Not a lot is known about the Pixel 5, or really the Pixel 4a for that matter. Save for various leaks about possible specs and concept renders. 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 Orange County has reported just one confirmed case of coronavirus so far. So why did authorities there just declare a local health emergency? County supervisors and public health officials said Wednesday they acted after a federal health official said that it's more a question of when, rather than if, there is "community spread" of the virus in the U.S. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, made those comments on Tuesday. At a news conference on Wedneday, Orange County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick said their declaration "expands our ability to respond in a nimble and flexible way" to the outbreak of the disease, now dubbed COVID-19. In particular, Quick said it gives the county the ability to request aid from neighboring counties, the state and the federal government if it runs short of funds. In addition, people who show up at the hospital with flu-like symptoms will now be tested for COVID-19, with their consent, she said. MOVE FOLLOWS OTHER COUNTIES Orange County is following the lead of San Diego and Santa Clara counties and the city of San Francisco, which also declared emergencies as a precautionary measure. San Diego declared its emergency on Feb. 14, as hundreds of evacuees from Wuhan were under quarantine at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Two of them were diagnosed with COVID-19; they've been treated and released. Santa Clara declared an emergency on Feb. 10; it had two cases involving people who had traveled to Wuhan. San Francisco Mayor London Breed declared an emergency on Tuesday, even though the city hasn't had any confirmed cases. CONTEXT The emergency declaration came the same week as Cosa Mesa has been in the news for fighting efforts by federal officials to transfer coronavirus patients to their OC town. County Supervisors Michelle Steel and Andrew Do noted that the county has filed an amicus brief supporting Costa Mesa's legal effort to block the transfer of COVID-19 patients to Fairview Developmental Center, which has been designated as a quarantine site. A judge issued a temporary injunction preventing the transfer until Monday, when another hearing is scheduled. On Wednesday, CDC officials said the first case of COVID-19 with "no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual" had been identified in a California patient. That person lives in Solana County but is being treated in Sacramento County. SCHOOL PREP On Tuesday, the CDC's Messonnier also said Americans should ask their children's school about its plans for handling a coronavirus outbreak. That spooked a lot of parents. But all schools should already be planning for a possible pandemic, said Susan Chaides, project director for community health and safe schools with the L.A. County Office of Education. She said right now schools should be reviewing those plans and asking questions: "Do we need to tweak them? Or how do we need to implement them?" Schools should be preparing for what closures might look like, Chaides said. That includes how to keep in contact with parents so they're updated on what's going on, and considering putting together homework packets that can be sent home or setting up online tools. Schools also have to think about all those kids who rely on school breakfasts and lunches every day, she said. Students or staff who become sick should stay home, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. And you should be fever-free for 24 hours -- without using medication -- before returning to school. REMEMBER: THERE'S NO NEED TO CANCEL CLASSES If a student were to get sick at school, staff would ask whether they've traveled recently or been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, said Chaides. They would isolate the student, "put a mask on them if they have a mask available," and then contact public health officials and the child's parents. But it's important to remember: Public Health says at this point there is no need to cancel classes or social events. In addition to the one case in Orange County, there's only been one confirmed COVID-19 case in L.A. County, and both people had traveled from Wuhan. UPDATES: 8:50 p.m./a.m.: This article was updated with information about CDC statement about a patient without known exposure to an infected person. This article was originally published at 3:30 p.m. People wearing masks take pictures at Duomo square, as a coronavirus outbreak continues to grow in northern Italy, in Milan, Italy, February 26, 2020. REUTERS/Yara Nardi A number of schools have cancelled trips to northern Italy due to take place this week amid mounting concerns about coronavirus. And the spread of the pathogen to other countries is also causing parents and teachers to rethink school tours that have been booked for the Easter break. The trips, usually to different parts of Europe, have become an increasingly popular and much-anticipated ritual for second-level students, for which parents and teenagers may have saved for years. But the coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy - where many second-level students from Ireland enjoyed a mid-term ski holiday has triggered a high volume of calls to school tour operators. With an increasing number of countries now dealing with confirmed cases of the infection, schools and pupils parents are reviewing their plans to upcoming tours. Read More The situation is uncertain and fluid and, in considering their options, parents and schools have to weigh up potential exposure to risk elsewhere against the loss of money they have paid for the trip. The Department of Foreign Affairs has not imposed a travel ban to any country and, in the absence of that, intending travellers have no recourse to compensation if they cancel. Aoife OMahony, who is a director of the School Tour Company, said that a small number of schools fewer than five have cancelled trips to northern Italy, due to depart this week, because they wanted to err on the side of caution. But while they have received a large number of calls, there were no other school cancellations. She said it was an evolving situation and they were monitoring it. Derek Keogh, managing director of GTI Travel, said they had also received a lot of calls from schools and parents asking about their options. We can totally and utterly understand where they are coming from and we are trying to work with them to see what we can do, but we are restricted because the airlines are still flying and the Department of Foreign Affairs has not imposed a travel ban. He said they had contracts with hotels and other suppliers and they did not stop just because there are pockets of areas that had the coronavirus. Michelle Anderson, marketing manager at Topflight, said their school tour programme was operating as normal as the resorts they featured were not in the area of the isolated towns in northern Italy, to which Irish citizens were being advised not to travel and their ski programme for schools was scheduled to operate up to and including the Easter holiday period. She added: Obviously depending on future developments, this may change in this ever-evolving situation. Gerry Bergin of USIT School Tours said they were also receiving calls from schools and parents and were monitoring the situation on an hourly basis. He said without any official advice in place banning travel to specific destinations, any decision to cancel would ultimately be one for a school or parent and this those circumstances, there would be no refunds. Having said, that we will work with schools to mitigate any costs, he added. Professor Ian Mackay works at the University of Queensland and specialises in virology A top doctor has sensationally predicted everyone in Australia will fall victim to the coronavirus. Professor Ian Mackay, from the University of Queensland, said it is unlikely the deadly virus will ever be contained and the world should prepare for the worst. The doctor's claim came as Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Australia a coronavirus pandemic was 'very much upon us' and detailed a plan to stockpile medicines, create makeshift clinics and place aged-care homes into lockdown. Just hours after Mr Morrison's announcement, an Australian who was on board virus-hit cruise ship Diamond Princess was revealed to be in intensive care at a Perth hospital suffering the most severe case the country has seen so far. The 78-year-old was one of 223 Australians quarantined on the ill-fated ship in Japan, and was flown to Darwin last Friday. Eight Australians had been flown from the Diamond Princess cruise ship at Yokohama in Japan to a quarantine centre near Darwin (pictured), where they tested positive. After tests showed the man had the deadly coronavirus, he was taken to his home state and is now in intensive care at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The elderly man was evacuated with his wife, who does not have the virus, and was said to be a in a 'serious but stable' condition. Dr Mackay said it's unlikely the COVID-19 virus would 'go back in its box' and predicated all Australians would eventually be infected. 'We're likely to have the virus become what we call an endemic virus, or a virus that's just with us for life,' he told The Australian. 'We already have four of these coronaviruses, mostly causing colds. We get them every year. They peak during winter but they still move around between us during the rest of the year as well. So it's likely this might become one of those. Minister for Health Greg Hunt, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly give an update on the coronavirus at a press conference 'At some point in the coming months or years we're all going to get infected because we've all been infected by these other endemic viruses.' The government's emergency response plan, announced on Thursday, would allow federal and state governments to contain the virus if there was a widespread outbreak. The World Health Organisation has not yet formally declared a global pandemic, but Mr Morrison said Australia was operating on the basis that there is one. The prime minister on Thursday instructed Health Minister Greg Hunt to identify 'gaps in capabilities' within Australia's state-based health services as they combat the spread of the flu-like illness. 'We believe that the risk of a pandemic is very much upon us,' he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday. 'We need to take the steps necessary to prepare for such a pandemic.' Coronavirus has killed more than 2,800 people globally and can cause severe lung damage and trigger multiple organ failure AUSTRALIA'S VIRUS PLAN Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the risk of a global coronavirus pandemic impacting Australia is likely, releasing the government's Australian Health Management Plan on Thursday. The government is currently at the 'Initial action stage' which includes: * Health Minister Greg Hunt assumes powers under Biosecurity Act. * Enhanced border screening measures and communications with incoming travellers. * Medical stockpiles deployed to states and territories ready for use. * Potential outbreaks investigated. * National response coordinated with states and territories. The declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organisation or evidence of a large-scale, sustained transmission of the virus in Australia will move the government to a 'Targeted action stage', which would see: * Department of Health coordinating response from National Incident Room. * Health services surging staff numbers. * Items from the National Medical Stockpile distributed to health services. * Consideration of any border or social distancing measures. * Response could be scaled up or down based on spread of virus. If infection numbers reach a level that it can be contained by normal healthcare services, government moves to 'Standdown stage', which includes: * Replenishing medical stockpiles. * Resuming elective or non-urgent medical procedures. * Monitoring for second wave of virus. Advertisement Mr Morrison said that during the past 24 hours, the 'rate of transmission of the virus outside of China is fundamentally changing the way we need to look at how this issue is being managed here in Australia'. 'As a result, we've agreed today and initiated the implementation of the coronavirus emergency response plan,' he said. 'Based on the expert medical advice we have received, there is every indication the world will enter a pandemic phase of the coronavirus.' Mr Hunt warned parliament the 'arc of the virus' continues to expand with confirmed first cases reported in Algeria, Brazil, Greece and Pakistan. 'Against that background, the very clear message for Australians is that we are not immune but we are well prepared,' he said. Pedestrian wearing face masks walk past a display promoting the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games on February 26 The government extended the ban on travellers entering Australia from China for another week. The COVID-19 coronavirus has infected more than 82,000 people worldwide since it originated in December at an animal market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. So far 23 people in Australia have fallen ill with the virus. A 78-year-old who was on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan is in intensive care at Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital in Perth, the West Australian reported. He is in a serious condition, however his wife who was evacuated alongside him does not have coronavirus. Cruise ship passengers wearing face masks arrive in Sydney Harbour Face-mask clad passengers on board The Spectrum of the Seas cruise liner arrived at Sydney Harbour on Thursday, just hours after Australia launched an emergency plan to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. The Royal Caribbean ship pulled into port with about 30 people on board, many who wore protective masks as they disembarked. As they stepped onto Australian soil, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the nation a coronavirus pandemic was 'very much upon us'. One male cruise ship employee wears a face mask as he gets off the Royal Caribbean ship in Sydney on Thursday A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia no guests were on board the ship when it arrived on Thursday. She said the passengers were crew members sent to Australia to cater for firefighters who will be taken on a free four-day cruise along the country's east coast starting on Saturday to thank them for their efforts tackling the summer's bushfires. The spokeswoman said the ship has not been in China for more than two weeks, exceeding the public health guidelines. People are seen taking in the sights of Sydney Harbour on Thursday after The Spectrum of the Seas arrived Royal Caribbean earlier this month announced dates for two free cruises open to volunteers who helped battle the bushfire crisis. The first four-night cruise will leave on Saturday, with the second on March 7. Both will travel north along Australia's coast before returning to Sydney. Around 7,000 first responders and their families have booked for the complimentary voyage. Two female cruise ship workers put on their face masks as coronavirus fears heighten across the globe Advertisement Earlier on Thursday, shelves of a Woolworths supermarket in the Sydney suburb of Bondi were stripped of medicine, toilet paper and food staples amid rising panic over coronavirus. Customers were greeted with near empty aisles when they arrived at the supermarket on Thursday night. The grocery store appeared to be struggling to keep the shelves stocked with paracetamol, toilet paper, tea, milk, pasta, oats and rice crackers. The shelves of a Woolworths in the Sydney suburb of Bondi were stripped of medicine, toilet paper and food staples amid rising panic over coronavirus Expert lists the items you need to stock up on before coronavirus becomes a global pandemic Australians need to start stocking up on food and supplies before the spread of the deadly coronavirus becomes a global pandemic and stocks of required goods start to run low, a survival expert has warned. While the vast majority of the 80,000 infections have been within China, 37 people have died in South Korea, Italy and Iran as the new hot spots emerged in the past week for COVID-19. One of Australia's leading survivalists said the nation's shoppers should start bulking up their weekly shop before the virus' spread leads to food supply shortages. 'We should always be prepared for food shortages - not just from coronavirus but civil incidences, extreme weather and power outages which will cut us off from supply,' Western Australian survival instructor Bob Cooper told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday. Stockpiling by panicked shoppers has already seen shelves emptied in Italian towns at the centre of the country's outbreak in the northern Veneto and Lombardy regions. Mr Cooper said it was too early for such panic here but said Australians should start thinking about whether their food cupboards can sustain them if the supply chain is broken. 'You need to think about things that have a long shelf life: dried fruit, dried foods, cereals, pasta will also last a long time,' he said. 'Packets of flour will also allow to make your own bread.' The survival expert said shoppers should be prioritising vegetables rather than protein, as the former should make up 80 per cent of our diet. 'Things like root vegetables can be sun-dried and re-hydrated and last up to six months. I've tested it with bananas and fish as well,' he said. Mr Cooper said even more important than food is keeping a supply of your own drinking water in case the supply runs out. 'No-one is gonna die of starvation - it might get hard - but that should be the least of your priorities,' he said. 'You need to have your own water supply though.' Advertisement Customers were greeted with near empty aisles when they arrived at the supermarket on Thursday night Earlier this week, one woman from Queensland's Gold Coast revealed her family had started breeding fish to eat in case of economic collapse. Coronavirus has killed more than 2,800 people globally and can cause severe lung damage and trigger multiple organ failure, particularly among the elderly or frail. In Australia, 16 per cent of the population are over 65, compared to just nine per cent in China, where some 2,700 have died. New Delhi, Feb 27 : Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman was one of the guests at the recent dinner in the Capital hosted in honour of US President Donald Trump, during the latter's India visit. Although the grand gala at Rashtrapati Bhavan was teeming with dignitaries including Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, the "Jai ho" composer took out some time for a very special "little friend" -- a monkey! At the dinner, Rahman went clickety-click, and a video he posted on Instagram has a monkey eating from a flower pot. The musical genius revealed a bit of his humorous side in the caption: "Meanwhile our little friend was having dinner too!" He had also posted an image with Army officers, besides an old shot of former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam. "One of our heroes at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Extremely grateful for the kind invitation by the President for a special occasion!," he captioned it. Chef Vikas Khanna was also a part of the gathering. He posted a photo featuring him engaged in a conversation with Modi and Rahman. "The moment I entered Rashtrapati Bhavan, everyone kept asking, if I was cooking for Trump-Modi Dinner. Here I'm telling @arrahman that we have #ChefMontuSaini creating magic in the kitchen. The Chef whose #CulinaryDiplomacy is Legendary," Chef Khanna captioned it. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text For many years, researchers have disagreed as to why some global areas have an extremely large species richness, while others have almost no species. In other words, what explains the uneven distribution of biodiversity on earth? Some researchers have claimed that the species richness of a region primarily reflects the number of new species that evolve there, and that species disperse more or less randomly out from these areas. Others have argued that high levels of ambient energy - such as high temperatures and ample rainfall that stimulate plant growth - set an upper limit to how many species may coexist locally. But now, it appears that an entirely third explanation probably plays the most important role. In a new study, researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Smithsonian Institution have investigated the geographic distributions of all species from three different classes of vertebrates in South America: birds, mammals and amphibians. The results are published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. 'Biologists have discussed this problem for more than a hundred years and have put forward all sorts of likely explanations - but we have yet to find the final answer. With this study, we can say that species richness is not just a mechanical consequence of a contemporary climate with high ambient energy in the form of solar radiation and plant growth. Our research shows that the cause underlying species richness to a large extent should be found in evolution. Animal species have their evolutionary niches that control how they disperse', says Michael K. Borregaard, Associate Professor at the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate at the GLOBE Institute. Species' Patterns Follow Natural Habitats Michael K. Borregaard of the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC) at GLOBE Institute has led the new study. In collaboration with Professor Carsten Rahbek, Director of CMEC, and Gary R. Graves of the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution, they developed new models to calculate and explain species richness in South America. Their models are based on amphibians, birds and mammals. They tally the species of the given animal class within grid squares of 110 by 110 kilometres, and investigate how many of these are present in surrounding areas. In this way, the researchers can describe how the composition of species communities change across the continent, thus getting an indication as to how they might have dispersed. 'When we look at the distribution of species, we see a clear pattern. And this same pattern emerges regardless of whether we look at birds, amphibians or mammals, which are entirely distinct groups. The pattern of shared species composition very closely follows the boundaries of South America's various natural habitats or vegetation biomes. This confirms our hypothesis that species richness is explained by how animals' natural niches limit how they disperse across the continent over evolutionary time. In this way, historical evolutionary adaptations to various types of vegetation will play a key role for biodiversity', explains Michael K. Borregaard. The World's Largest Hotspot for Biodiversity The researchers have divided the entire South American continent into grid squares of 110 x 110 kilometres and recorded the presence of all animal species in the three classes: 2869 bird species, 1146 mammal species and 2265 amphibian species. 'We have chosen South America because it is the world's largest hotspot for biodiversity. And the contrasts between the vegetation biomes are huge. There are pretty distinct boundaries between the Amazon, the Cerrado savannah and the Andes mountains because they are clearly seperate natural vegetation types', adds Michael K. Borregaard. He explains that studies such as the present are essential if the international community is to solve the global biodiversity crisis. 'Right now, we have a worldwide crisis, where we are losing species at an elevated rate. If we are to solve that crisis, we need to know what causes biodiversity. Without that knowledge, it will be difficult to protect the richness of species', he concludes. ### The study is supported by the Danish National Research Foundation, the Independent Research Fund Denmark and the Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Individual Fellowship. Reports regarding the alleged closure of the border checkpoint on the Azerbaijan-Georgia state border are not true, Azerbaijan's State Border Service said. There are currently no restrictions on crossing the border. "So far, no decisions have been made on the matter. If such a decision is made, the public will be informed," Trend cited the Border Service as saying. The first case of coronavirus infection was detected in Georgia yesterday. The virus was detected in a Georgian citizen who was returning from Iran to Georgia via Azerbaijan. Currently, his condition is assessed as stable. During the investigation, footage on this person's passage via customs control was checked and it was established that during the check at the Astara customs checkpoint on Iran-Azerbaijan state border, his body temperature was normal and there were no signs of health issues that could cause suspicion of infection. Presently, all necessary measures are being taken. All persons, who were in contact with Georgian citizen, including customs officers, border guards and medical workers, have been identified and they are under medical supervision. Boston police identified the victim of a fatal shooting in Mattapan Monday evening. Authorities said 29-year-old Ricardo Bent-Hines, of Roxbury, is the victim. Police responded to a call about a person shot in the area of Delhi and Violet Streets in Mattapan shortly after 7:30 p.m. Officers found a man with multiple gunshot wounds when they arrived, Boston Police Department said in a statement. The victim, suffering from life-threatening injuries, was pronounced deceased at the scene, the statement said. Boston police are urging anyone with information connected to shooting to call homicide detectives at (617) 343-4470. Experience and Knowledge are Laceys Strong Points I have the legal knowledge and experience from within the DAs office to meet any challenge that comes my way, said Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey who is up for reelection (date). Lacey is up against two others vying for her spot but is confident that she is the best person to handle the job and everything it comes with. This week, Lacey spoke to the Sentinel about what she has already accomplished and what her vision is moving forward. Her reelection is important, she said, so that she can implement criminal justice reforms in a positive way, a way that protects all of LA Countys residents, especially the most vulnerable. When Lacey was first elected in 2012, she set out to reduce crimes involving, human trafficking, senior fraud and gangs. She has made a significant amount of headway in each of those areas, she said, starting with the rescue of vulnerable children. Its an issue that she has become passionate about. ADVERTISEMENT [When first elected] I didnt anticipate the human trafficking of young girls and that, that was something that gangs had gotten involved in, Lacey said. In the past, the justice system would just prosecute the girls for prostitution. But we started saying, hey theyre victims. The money is going to the gangs. So, we created a human trafficking unit and I put some of my gang prosecutors in there and since then we have tripled the number for human trafficking. The majority of those were gang members. Weve really made progress in that area and rescued vulnerable children from those situations. Protecting senior citizens has also been at the top of Laceys list. Every other Friday her office puts out alerts that warn seniors about the latest scams. The scams are reenacted on videos that are accessible via her website. Our Friday alerts have been picked up around the world in different publications, said Lacey. So, Im really proud of that. Its not what you would call a sexy kind of change but we get Google alerts whenever someone reprints one of our Fraud Friday alerts. Lacey has also gone to bat for the mentally ill, advocating for and procuring federal funding for housing and other services. ADVERTISEMENT In 2013, I put together a group of people who never talked to each other, she said. They were law enforcement, medical professionals, prosecutors and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). We started talking about how we can do better and that took off. We have created training for officers on how to deal with mentally ill people and we have advocated with the state to get more places for people to go. Thats the real issue. People either go to jail or the streets and neither one of those is good. Weve changed some conservator laws to make it easier [to help people]. And, for African Americans its really important because when I look around I see a lot of black people in jail who suffer from mental health issues and they just need help and services. Moving forward Lacey said she wants to work on expanding programs for youth, helping get out of the juvenile justice system and preventing them from ending up there in the first place. She also wants to create more transparency in the DAs office. One of the biggest challenges I face as an elected DA is that a lot of stuff I cant talk about because its confidential. I would like to figure out how to bring more people into the DAs office. This is a tough job. Its so much more complicated than people realize. So, Im asking people to vote for someone who has the experience, the knowledge, the soul and the heart to do it. The Los Angeles Sentinel is part of Laceys long list of endorsements which includes Senator Diane Feinstein, LA County Federation of Labor and Crime Survivors PAC. BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - Baidu, Inc. (BIDU) said, for the first quarter of 2020, the company expects revenues to be between RMB 21.0 billion ($3.0 billion) and RMB 22.9 billion ($3.3 billion), representing a decline of 5% to 13% year over year, which assumes that Baidu Core revenue will decline between 10% and 18% year over year. Baidu, Inc. noted that the Coronavirus situation in China is evolving, and business visibility is very limited. Fourth-quarter non-GAAP earnings per ADS was RMB 26.54 compared to RMB 13.42, previous year. Total revenues were RMB 28.9 billion ($4.15 billion), up 6% year over year. Revenue from Baidu Core was RMB 21.7 billion ($3.12 billion), up 6% year over year. Baidu App's average daily active users reached 195 million, up 21% year over year, in December 2019. iQIYI subscribers reached 106.9 million in December 2019, adding 19.5 million subscribers year over year. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Diane Kruger and Kiernan Shipka were spotted on set of their new series Swimming With Sharks for the first time on Wednesday. The superstar duo, aged 43 and 20 respectively, appeared to be absolutely freezing as they shot scenes in the ocean in Malibu for the forthcoming series which is based on George Huang's 1994 movie about a Hollywood assistant. Heading out on a jet ski, the pair were filming in the ocean with wetsuits under their dresses however once the camera was turned off they bundled up under blankets and jumpers while shooting the new show, for Quibi streaming service. Hard at work and making a splash! Diane Kruger and Kiernan Shipka were spotted on set of their new series Swimming With Sharks for the first time on Wednesday Diane and Kiernan certainly proved themselves to be dedicated to their trades while shooting the scenes as the immersed themselves in the chilly waters. Bundled under blankets and being supported by aides, the duo could not contain their chills as they got to work on the exciting show. The series was announced earlier this month, with much furor surrounding the ladies' signing and the decision to do a gender swap on the characters. The modern Swimming With Sharks is a spin of the Nineties movie which saw Frank Whaley play Guy, a naive assistant who is recruited to work beneath the industry's most powerful producer Buddy Ackerman - played originally by Kevin Spacey. Catching their deaths! Both Diane and Kiernan appeared to be struggling with the icy climes of the water as they worked hard on their scenes Wah! The superstar duo, aged 43 and 20 respectively, appeared to be absolutely freezing as they shot scenes in the ocean in Malibu for the forthcoming series which is based on George Huang's 1994 movie about a Hollywood assistant Locking horns: The modern Swimming With Sharks is a spin of the Nineties movie which saw Frank Whaley play Guy, a naive assistant who is recruited to work beneath the industry's most powerful producer Buddy Ackerman - played originally by Kevin Spacey (pictured) Chilly: Heading out on a jet ski, the pair were filming in the ocean with wetsuits under their dresses however once the camera was turned off they bundled up under blankets and jumpers while shooting the new show, for Quibi streaming service Keeping her balance: Flesh-coloured wetsuits meant it was not clear for the shots that the ladies were covered up Who's who: Diane is taking on an interpretation of the role initially played by Kevin Spacey Written by Kathleen Robertson, directed by Tucker Gates and directed by Chris Cowles, the all-star show is already causing mass buzz on the Hollywood scene. The show is set to air on Quibi, an upcoming American short-form mobile video platform founded by Jeffrey Katzenberg. Quibi describe the series as: 'In the series adaptation, Lou, a young female assistant, works for Joyce, a sole female studio head, at a company filled with manipulators, schemers and intrigue, but little do they know Lou is poised to outwit them all.' Changes: Frank Whaley and Kiernan Shipka are playing the same character Hold me close! Diane seemed to be grasping on for dear life between shoots Help me! Between takes, Kiernan's pretty dress was covered up with towels and a coat All hands on board: Various cameramen and staff surrounded the star Taking it well: Despite the chilly climes, Kiernan seemed to take things well Diana's new project comes 15 months after she and Norman Reedus welcomed their baby daughter. So far, they have yet to release her name publicly, and the couple have only ever shared photos to Instagram that don't feature her face. She's the first child for Diane and second for Norman, who also has a 20-year-old son named Mingus with his former partner, Danish supermodel Helena Christensen. The couple were an item from 19982003, and they welcomed their son in October 1999. The seeds of their relationship seem to have begun with the 2015 FrenchGerman film Sky. Help me! The ladies were prepared to layer up as they stepped out of the sea Wah! Diana's new project comes 15 months after she and Norman Reedus welcomed their baby daughter. So far, they have yet to release her name publicly, and the couple have only ever shared photos to Instagram that don't feature her face Flapping around: The ladies seemed happy for the closeby assistance Careful does it! Diana was careful as she immersed herself in the water The GermanAmerican actress told People in April 2016 that they hadn't met prior to that production. 'I didnt know [Norman] before the film,' she said of her now-partner, who played her love interest after she had ditched her abusive husband. 'We share a lot of intimate scenes. I was really nervous about meeting him and not being able to have a drink with him, or talk with him.' The two seem have hit it off once they finally got to spend some time together, though. 'Hes so relaxed. Hes really easygoing, very gentle,' she said. Swimming away: While Diane looked less pleased to be in the water, Kiernan was having a giggle on the speedboat Happy days! She was more than happy to see a towel coming her way HONG KONG, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosewood Hotel Group and its inspiring brands Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, New World Hotels & Resorts, and KHOS continues on a steady path of growth with new signings and openings in the world's most evocative destinations and a curated pipeline of projects that invite discovery and originality. Rosewood Hotel Group signed 10 new hotel transactions in 2019, including breakthrough deals in high-profile destinations globally. The Group's pipeline is at its strongest in history, with 32 projects under development, including 21 for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, five for KHOS and six for New World Hotels & Resorts. "In addition to growing our hotel pipeline, we have intensified our focus on luxury branded residential development, both as part of a hotel project, or in some cases, on a stand-alone basis," says CEO Sonia Cheng. Steady and Selective Growth Now numbering more than 40 hotels and resorts in 19 countries under its three brands, the Group is highly selective in the pursuit of trend-setting properties with like-minded, visionary partners. Throughout Asia, seven Rosewood Hotels & Resorts properties have opened in the past 24 months, including the brand's new global flagship hotel and residences in Hong Kong and the highest hotel in the world in Guangzhou. The brand debuted in Southeast Asia with the opening of architecturally dynamic hotels in Bangkok and Phnom Penh, a heritage landmark hotel in Yangon, and an intimate forest retreat in Luang Prabang. Also, at Rosewood Phuket, opened in 2017, Rosewood launched Asaya, the brand's integrative wellness concept. Today, the Group operates a total of 19 hotels in Asia, including the New World Hotels & Resorts portfolio with its prominent locations in gateway cities in Greater China, the Philippines and Malaysia. Further expansion of the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts collection is underway with future openings planned for Greater China in Chengdu (2023), Shenzhen (2023), Taipei (2024), Ningbo (2024); and for Southeast Asia in Hoi An, Vietnam (2023) and Hermana Mayor, Philippines (2024). The coming months will see the launch of the Group's first incubator hotels in China for the innovative KHOS brand and the New World Hotels & Resorts is also expanding into India, with a planned opening in Jaipur (2023) and soon announcing a second opening in the Rajasthan region. This momentum has generated exceptional interest in the Group from development partners across the continent. Further growth will be announced for Shanghai, North Asia and the Pacific in the coming months. In recognition of its expanding presence in Europe and the Middle East, the Group is forming a regional headquarters for EMEA in Amsterdam, Netherlands to support its growth. In Europe, the Rosewood brand has been meticulously introduced in prime locations in key gateways and is now targeting leisure destinations that inspire a sense wonder and joy. Italy, Spain and the Netherlands have continued as a focus for future expansion, while openings in Vienna, Munich, Venice and a second London property have already been announced. The growth impetus in Europe has extended into the Middle East, where a regional flagship Rosewood Doha hotel and branded residences property was signed in 2019. The long-standing affinity for luxury hospitality renders the Middle East strategic to the group's future expansion, building upon the current presence in Jeddah and Abu Dhabi. In the Middle East, the growth focus is on Saudi Arabia where the Kingdom's unprecedented transformation for a new era of travel fits perfectly with the Rosewood brand's trailblazing reputation for refined style and timelessness. In the Americas, the Group is also transforming. In 2019, Rosewood Miramar Beach opened in Montecito, California, and a breakthrough management contract was also announced in Hawai'i for the iconic Kona Village resort. In early 2021, Rosewood Sao Paulo will open, marking the brand's debut in South America with a hotel that will set a new standard for luxury accommodation on the continent. In excess of USD300 million is also being invested in renovations in various legendary Rosewood properties, including Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas; The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel in New York City; Rosewood Washington, D.C.; Rosewood Mayakoba on Mexico's Riviera Maya; and the re-opening of Rosewood Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. The pipeline continues to grow in the Americas with upcoming significant deal signing announcements for California, Mexico, as well as in the Caribbean. Rosewood Residences A Life Without Reservations Expansion into branded residences is also a main focus area. With 15 existing residential properties in 10 countries and 14 under development, nearly half of the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts pipeline includes a residential component. Rosewood Residences come in two main categories -- for-sale residences and for-lease serviced apartments, both included as part of a Rosewood hotel. The launch of stand-alone Rosewood-branded residences is also underway, creating a new category of residences. "We are expanding our residential resources in order to better support our owners and developers in their sales and marketing processes while strengthening relationships with buyers of Rosewood-branded residences," says Karl Bieberach, chief development officer for Rosewood Hotel Group. "Within each ultra-luxury Rosewood Residence, the unique culture of the dynamic locale is embraced and showcased from start to finish. This model will continue to be at the forefront of all future developments we lead across the globe." About Rosewood Hotel Group Rosewood Hotel Group, one of the world's leading hotel companies, encompasses three brands: ultra-luxury Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in North America, Caribbean/Atlantic, Europe, the Middle East and Asia; upper-upscale New World Hotels & Resorts in China and Southeast Asia; and KHOS, a dynamic global business lifestyle hotel brand. Its combined portfolio consists of more than 44 hotels in 19 countries. For more information, please visit rosewoodhotelgroup.com. Media Contacts: North America United Kingdom Kendall Trainer Amelia Strange Nike Communications Bacchus PR Telephone: +1 646 654 3475 Telephone: +44 20 8968 0202 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Hong Kong Mainland China and Asia Connie Wong Mathias Cheng We Worldwide We Red Bridge Telephone: +852 2578 2179 Telephone: +86 21 2287 3621 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Thailand and Southeast Asia Japan Nopnarit Lieopanich (Zaadeu) Mayumi Abe Snaith Z Communications Colours PR Telephone: +66 81 444 8444 Telephone: +81 80 3256 0766 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] SOURCE Rosewood Hotels & Resorts Related Links http://www.rosewoodhotels.com 26.02.2020 LISTEN A call to Government to act on the intended Pan Africa International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (Pan Africa ILGA) Conference scheduled to take place in Accra from 27th to 31st July 2020. It has come to our notice that the Pan African wing of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) is scheduled to hold its fifth biennial regional conference in Accra, Ghana, hosted by the Centre for Popular Education and Human Rights Ghana (CEPEHRG). The theme for the conference is SANKOFA: LOOKING BACK TO OUR ROOTS - RECLAIMING OUR RIGHTS. The gaping disconnect between the chosen theme and our African and Ghanaian reality is best underscored by one erudite professor who captured our collective sentiments this way: I dont understand the connection between LGBTQI, Africa, and Sankofa! Lets protest! The choice of Ghana as host of the said Pan African ILGA on the back of the failed initial attempt by the Ministry of Education to introduce Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) into our schools and communities from the tender age of four and upwards cannot be a mere coincidence. Furthermore, the recent decision by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to revise the earlier draft guidelines on CSE, taking out the community-based programme from the national guidelines without a clear indication as to which Ministry/ Department/ Government Agency will be in charge of monitoring any community-based sexual education programmes is frightening in the light of these developments (we shall come to this issue at another time). It is becoming clear that there is, potentially, a conspiracy by some local and foreign actors to find a way to get CSE into the Ghanaian education system, at all costs. It is evident that their intention is to subtly influence social norms and views relating to sexuality in the country and ultimately to nudge our acceptance of sexual orientations and practices such as those espoused by the LGBTQI community. But not on our watch! We want to voice our strong opposition to the hosting of the said Pan Africa-ILGA conference in Ghana with its associated deceptive theme and abuse of our cherished African traditional Sankofa symbol, and we call on Government to immediately take actions to prevent this event from disturbing our peace and stability and disingenuously re-defining our history. Heres why. THE SCIENCE First of all, from basic science, human beings are biologically binary, i.e. male and female. The science is clear. In a Wall Street Journal (WSJ,14th February, 2020) article on the topic NO SEX SPECTRUM, Thomas Williams (Ph.D.) cites the work of biologists Colin M. Wright and Emma N. Hilton which asserts that in humans, reproductive anatomy is unambiguously male or female and constitutes more than 99.98% of all births. They further assert that No third type of sex cell exists in humans and therefore there is no sex spectrum or additional sexes beyond male and female. This latter fact is a key element of CSE, which seeks to confuse our children by suggesting that there are different types of sexes or genders and you could be a male trapped in a female body and vise versa, and to provide a foundation for people to accept practices of the LGBTQI community as normal. In addition, the American College of Pediatricians agreed in 2016 that the exceptionally rare disorders of sex development (DSD) are all medically identifiable deviations from the sexual binary norms and are rightly recognised as disorders of human design. Individuals with DSDs do not constitute a third sex, they conclude. We make the point that identifying as a particular sex or taking on a certain gender role does not and cannot change ones biologically determined sex, whether XY (male) or XX (female). Intersex is not a third sex. Changes in hormonal levels in humans do not constitute a change in sex. Having said that, even if we think of gender as the internalised perception of maleness or femaleness (e.g. I am a man/ woman/ non-binary), the scientific evidence suggests it is biological in origin. If we are to Sankofa, then it is to go back to the basics of true science. Please note that basic biology has not changed over the centuries nor has what we were taught by our basic biology teachers, experts or textbooks changed. HISTORY, CULTURE & FAITH Secondly, we find the co-option of our cherished Ghanaian traditional symbol SANKOFA (and its symbolism) by ILGA as disingenuous, deceptive and unacceptable. LGBTQI has never been part of our celebrated history or tradition as a Ghanaian people, not in the modern Republic of Ghana or during the great ancient Ghana Empire (7-13th century). Consequently, we cannot, and dare not, accept the direct linkage this ILGA group is making to something that is so non-Ghanaian in general and un-Akan in particular! They are forcibly linking an ancient Ghanaian cultural paradigm, value and symbol with a postmodern secular humanist ideology that has no root in science, traditional culture or the faiths of the Ghanaian people. It is a false narrative, an abuse of our traditional African symbol and must be called out for what it is and condemned in no uncertain terms. The LGBTQI global community has unique notoriety with symbol capture of sacred covenantal totems. See what they have done with the Christian covenantal symbol of the rainbow. We will not allow Sankofa to be the next victim. The tradition and culture of our forebears abhors anything that does not promote marriage between male and female. Yes, our pagan ancestors were polygamous, but generally promoted heterosexual norms and saw others as deviants. In fact, many traditional rulers sanctioned, excommunicated, and banished entire families, when such acts came to light in particular households. Our Christian ancestors - and it is only right and fair to claim this heritage that 71.2% (GSS, 2012) of the Ghanaian populace professes - were both strictly heterosexual and monogamists. Therefore, there is nothing SANKOFA about LGBTQI in Ghana and for that matter Africa as a whole. If we are going back to our roots, then it is to promote heterosexual relationships. We therefore call on the National Folklore Board, Ghanas statutory body with the primary aim to protect, promote and preserve the set of traditional beliefs and customs of the Ghanaian people in general and the Akan ethnic group in this case in particular, to act decisively and swiftly to stop this symbol theft and corruption of our identity as Ghanaians. LEGALITY Section 104 of the Ghanaian Criminal Code of 1960 contains provisions criminalizing consensual same-sex sexual activities between adults. Under Section 104 (1)(b) unnatural carnal knowledge with consent is considered a misdemeanor. Unnatural carnal knowledge is defined as sexual intercourse with a person in an unnatural manner or with an animal {Section 104(2), of the Criminal Code). Therefore, how can ILGA legally publicise and hold a conference in Ghana when their professed activities are criminal according to our laws, let alone claim that they have rights in a land where our law frowns on such acts. Clearly, the conference is potentially aiding and abetting the crime/ offence of unnatural carnal knowledge. Conspiracy to commit a crime, is a crime in itself and therefore we call upon the Attorney General, the Ghana Police Service, and its Criminal Investigative Department to act on the information provided. The hosting of an ILGA gathering in a country whose legal framework does not permit the paradigms, values and practices being promoted by ILGA is therefore not only a reproach to our cultural heritage but an affront to the constitution and laws of the Republic of Ghana. This perhaps is a ploy to get a foot in so we steal a mile and to strongly advocate for LGBTQI practices to be legalised in Ghana. Our laws do not support the behaviours the planned event will propagate and therefore on that basis, as law abiding citizens, we are strongly expressing our opposition to the said conference happening in Ghana. Evidently to connect Sankofa with LGBTQI rights, amounts to intellectual dishonesty and a misappropriation of a well-known symbol protected by Ghanas trademark and intellectual property laws. It is crucial to note that our laws seek to promote and protect the customs of the land, with respect to sexuality, sexual orientation, family values and parental guidance. These customs and values are critical and we cannot afford to lose our rich heritage on the altar of modernity. Then again it is important to highlight that with 99% of the population not subscribing to LGBTQI practices , we expect that our government will act to prevent any criminality taking place and to stop the abuse and ridicule of our customs and symbols. To this end, we seek to invoke our right to establish and maintain communications with individuals and communities in matters of religion and belief at the national and international levels as mandated by Article 6 of the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief which Ghana has ratified. All human beings are made in the likeness and image of God and so are LGBTQI proponents and members. God loves them, and we love them too. The fact is that they should not begin to foist their practices and beliefs on the rest of us. CALL TO ACTION We do not want our children, youth or adults to be confused with sexuality concepts that have no grounding in science, history, culture, faith or law. We will not accept this global phenomenon that some have creatively called homo-tyranny. We expect that the Government of Ghana will prevent such an illegality from happening and consequently, we hereby call on: 1. The Historical Society of Ghana to set the records straight on the false claims being made by the conference organisers; 2. The National Folklore Board under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to perform her statutory function as per the Copyright Act, 2005 (Act 690) to administer, register, promote and protect Ghanaian expressions of folklore on behalf of the President and for the people of Ghana; and to prevent this abuse of our traditional symbols; 3. The Attorney Generals Department, Police Service and its Investigative units to investigate and bring the conspirators behind this potentially criminal event to book; 4. Our traditional rulers who are custodians of the culture to stand with other faith-based groups and reject this corruption entirely; 5. Civil society to stand with the people and defend what defines us as Ghanaians and ensure that the culture is not corrupted; 6. All people of faith - particularly traditionalists, Muslims and Christians - to arise and let the world boldly know that neither the concept nor gathering is acceptable; 7. The young people of this great nation, Arise Ghana youth for your country, the nation demands your devotion; 8. All other government ministries, departments and agencies of the Republic of Ghana to stand with the people of the land and reject this conference and the alien concepts they stand for; and 9. The Judiciary to tighten the laws (both criminal and customary) to protect our rich heritage on sexuality and sexual orientation and the rights therein. God bless our homeland Ghana, and make our nation great and strong, Bold to defend forever, the cause of Freedom and of Right. Fill our hearts with true humility, Make us cherish fearless honesty, and HELP US TO RESIST OPPRESSORS RULE, with all our will and might forevermore! Advocates for Christ Ghana (A4CG) [email protected] The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka are holding a demonstration in central Colombo on March 3 to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. The demonstration is part of the global campaign being conducted by the International Committee of the Fourth International and the World Socialist Web Site. A Sri Lankan SEP rally in defence of Assange in April, 2019 The show trial of WikiLeaks founder and publisher Assange, which began in a British court on February 24, is to extradite him to the US. Assange, who has not committed any crime, is incarcerated in Belmarsh Prisonotherwise known as Britains Guantanamoand being held under brutal conditions that violate his fundamental democratic rights and threaten his life. UN special Rapporteur Nils Melzer and top medical professionals have declared that Assange is being subjected to torture and could die if not released and placed under proper medical care. These warning have been ignored by US and British imperialism. If extradited to the US, the WikiLeaks publisher and Australian citizen will be found guilty of bogus espionage charges and given a life sentence of up to 175 years in the darkest corner of the US federal prison system. Assange has been charged with publishing documents provided by whistleblower and former US soldier Chelsea Manning, proving war crimes committed by the US and other imperialist powers. Manning was arrested, tortured and imprisoned, serving seven years of a 35-year jail term before her sentence was commuted in 2017. She was jailed again for refusing to testify against the WikiLeaks founder. These courageous individuals are being persecuted because they dared to Washingtons war crimes. Over the past months numerous organisations around the world and millions of people have come to the defence of Assange. The working class must take the lead in this political struggle. It is the social force that can secure the release of Assange and Manning and defend freedom of speech and all basic democratic rights. The SEP and IYSSE call upon workers, students, youth, artists, journalists and intellectuals to join the Colombo demonstration and support the international campaign. Demonstration details: Tuesday March 3, 4:00 p.m. Outside Fort Railway Station in central Colombo. Otago researchers are playing a leadership role in an Euro 4.8 million international project to conduct the world's first trial attempting to prevent tuberculosis in people with diabetes. Every year, more than 11 million people worldwide develop tuberculosis (TB) and more than 1.4 million die from the disease. In recent years it has become clear that diabetes is an important factor driving the global tuberculosis epidemic. University of Otago McAuley Professor of International Health, Professor Philip Hill, explains that diabetes not only increases the risk of tuberculosis, but also leads to more severe and recurrent disease and more deaths from tuberculosis. Globally, there are now an estimated 425 million people living with diabetes, but this number will strongly increase over the coming decades, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and other settings with a high burden of TB. As such, global TB control can only be successful if TB among people with diabetes is addressed well." Professor Philip Hill, University of Otago Professor Hill is excited that scientists from the University's Global Health Institute will be involved in the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, which is supported by the European Union. He is the lead epidemiologist and biostatistician Professor Katrina Sharples is the lead statistician on the project. "We know we won't eliminate TB unless we tackle the huge reservoir of people already infected who do not have disease symptoms. To do this we have to expand our approach to preventing those at increased risk from developing TB disease and people with diabetes are the obvious next target, but we don't currently have enough information to guide policymakers." The consortium will be led by an experienced group of scientists and clinicians in the Netherlands, Uganda, Tanzania, UK and New Zealand. Three thousand people with diabetes and latent tuberculosis infection in Uganda and Tanzania will either get 12 weekly doses of preventive treatment or placebo and followed over two years to see if this treatment can prevent the disease developing. In parallel to the trial, 1000 people with diabetes but without evidence of latent tuberculosis infection, will be followed to confirm the risk of TB in this group is indeed too low to warrant preventive treatment. "If we are successful, this intervention could see a significant reduction in the burden of TB worldwide," Professor Hill explains. A Melbourne teenager could recover from coronavirus and fly home before her family, who remain stuck in quarantine in Japan after an outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Kaitlyn Soh, 16, was diagnosed when her family were preparing to evacuate the Diamond Princess and fly to Darwin, where they would have spent another two weeks in quarantine. Teenager Kaitlyn Soh (left) with her mother Aun Na Tan and brother Xander in their cabin on the Diamond Princess. Credit:Aun Na Tan As she is a minor, her family were given the option of having just one parent stay back with her, but they insisted on staying together in Japan. Kaitlyn's mother, father and brother have been in isolation at the same hospital but on a different floor to her. The father of a brain-damaged baby who was at the centre of a life-support treatment fight says he wants a coroner to investigate. Earlier this year, judges concluded that Midrar Ali was brain-stem dead and ruled that doctors could lawfully stop providing life-support treatment. Karwan Ali says his son has now been disconnected from a ventilator. He said he hoped that a coroner would oversee an inquest. Mr Ali, and Midrar's mother, Shokhan Namiq, who live in Manchester, lost fights in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Earlier this year, judges concluded that Midrar Ali was brain-stem dead and ruled that doctors could lawfully stop providing life-support treatment They wanted doctors to keep providing life-support treatment. But a High Court judge and three appeal judges ruled against them after concluding that Midrar had died in October, when he would have been 14 days old. 'Midrar has now been disconnected from the machine,' said Mr Ali on Wednesday. 'We are not happy about what happened. 'I want a coroner to have an inquest and investigate.' Karwan (left) and Shokhan Ali, the parents of three-month-old Midrar Ali Judges heard how Midrar was born on September 18. They were told that he had been starved of oxygen, due to complications at birth, had suffered brain damage and been placed on a ventilator. Bosses at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester had asked a High Court judge to rule that ventilation could lawfully be withdrawn. Lawyers representing the hospital's governing trust, the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said three tests had confirmed brain stem death. (Newser) The reported last words of an inmate who died by suicide at Mississippi State Penitentiary last month were, "I'm tired of this s---. They don't care about me or my food." Now, 152 inmates are suing the state's only maximum-security prison for men, known as Parchman, saying they're in "constant peril" in a domain "so barbaric" that prisoners treat their own stab wounds and suffer seizures without medication, all while dining on food tainted with rat feces, per NBC News. The lawsuit was filed with help from rappers Jay-Z and Yo Gotti, who last month sued the warden and the head of the state Department of Corrections on behalf of 29 inmates in Parchman's Unit 29, per the Clarion-Ledger. Gov. Tate Reeves vowed to close the unit, which boasts nonfunctioning toilets, sinks, and lights, after a prison tour in January. "There is no excuse," he said, per NBC. "We can do better." story continues below The proposed class-action suit filed Wednesday claims there's one guard for every 160 inmates and that these guards fail to intervene in violent encountersa video released by Jay-Z's Roc Nation shows evidence of thisand even allow inmates to enter cells at night to carry out assaults. It also describes virtually "non-existent" mental health care and severely lacking medical care, so that "broken bones ... and a host of other injuries and maladies routinely go without examination," per CBS News. The DOJ this month announced a review of conditions at four state prisons, including Parchman, following protests over 18 deaths in state prisons since Dec. 29. But the inmates are asking the US District Court in Greenville to maintain full jurisdiction of the prison until the DOC "[ensures] a safe, livable environment." They want the DOC to release a plan to address the many issues within 90 days. (Read more Mississippi stories.) New Delhi [India], Feb 27 (ANI): Home minister Amit Shah will chair the 24th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council (EZC), comprising of the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar on Friday. During the meeting, the Home Minister will meet the Chief Ministers of the participating states, including West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. "Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah will chair this meeting. Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, is the Vice-Chairman and host. Chief Ministers of Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand respectively, Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee and Hemant Soren, will also participate," the Home Ministry said. The Chief Ministers will be accompanied by two cabinet ministers from each state, as members of the Council, and Chief Secretary and other senior officials of the states. Secretaries, Additional Secretaries and other senior officers of the Central government will also attend the meeting. "The upcoming meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council will deliberate upon nearly four dozen issues which inter alia include inter-state water issues, power transmission lines, royalty on and operationalisation of coals mines, land and forest clearances of rail projects, investigation of heinous offences, cattle smuggling across country's borders, lack of telecom and banking infrastructure in remote areas, petroleum projects, sharing pattern on centrally collected revenues etc," the Home Ministry added. "With such senior level participation of political leadership and officers, a large number of issues are likely to get resolved by consensus in the meeting," it said. Five Zonal Councils were set up in the year 1957 under Section 15-22 of the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these 5 Zonal Councils and Chief Minister of the host state, to be chosen by rotation every year, is the Vice-Chairman. Two more Ministers from each state are nominated as Members by the Governor. The Council takes up issues involving Centre and states, and among Member-states falling in the Zone and thus provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between them. The last meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council was last held in Kolkata on October 1, 2018. "The Zonal Councils discuss a broad range of issues, which include boundary related disputes, security, infrastructure-related matters like road, transport, industries, water and power etc., matters pertaining to forests and environment, housing, education, food security, tourism, transport, etc," Ministry of Home Affairs said. (ANI) Hyderabad: Officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have been told to spend less time on their mobile phones while travelling in their vehicles in the city. They were asked instead to spend time paying attention to the surroundings in which they are travelling through. Give your cell phones a break. Use your phones only to attend to important calls while driving in the city. Pay attention to sanitary conditions, lighting, water leakages, and to potholes on the streets and roads, GHMC Commissioner D.S. Lokesh Kumar said on Wednesday. Chairing a meeting with all GHMC zonal commissioners, Lokesh Kumar stressed on improving sanitation in the city. Every commercial or shopping complex and other businesses that dot about 1,000 km of city roads must have two dustbins outside their establishments, one for dry and other for wet wastes. This must be implemented even for pan shops, tea stalls and small kirana stores, he said, expressing hope that this move will create awareness among people about keeping their surroundings clean. The cost of the dust bins should be borne by the respective establishments, he said. Among the other issues discussed at the meeting were desilting of 344 nalas in the city, and about 50 of them are currently being desilted. The Zonal Comm-issioners were instructed to ensure that all the silt and other wastes removed must be moved to landfills the same day. Also discussed were repairs to existing public toilets and constructing new ones to provide 500 of these facilities in each ward. As many as 1,661 locations have been identified for constructing public toilets, while sites were yet to be chosen for another 1,331 public toilets. Former Dior designer John Galliano took the stand Wednesday and testified that he remembers nothing about allegedly using anti-Semitic slurs at a Paris cafe due to his triple addiction to alcohol, barbiturates and sleeping pills. Charges that the outspoken British designer insulted several patrons of a Paris cafe with anti-Semitic remarks shocked the fashion world and cost Galliano his job at the renowned French high-fashion house. Gallianos appearance at the one-day trial put him in the public eye for the first time in months. In a conservative look for him, Galliano was dressed in black with a polka dot neckerchief, sporting a pencil mustache and long hair. The 50-year-old designer is charged with public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity and could face up to six months in prison and up to (EURO)22,500 ($32,175) in fines. The verdict is expected at a later date. French law prohibits public insults toward others because of their origins, race or religion. Advertisement Journalists, including fashion writers, packed the wooden benches in the paneled, gilded courtroom, which features a high ceiling painted with a woman holding the scales of justice. Television cameras were not allowed but zoomed in on Galliano as he went inside. The famed designer was escorted to a front-row seat at the Justice Palace courtroom, sitting next to an interpreter as he faced the three judges who will decide his fate. Presiding Judge Anne-Marie Sauteraud asked about the evening of Feb. 24, 2011, when Galliano allegedly derided a couple with anti-Semitic insults. Galliano repeatedly said he remembered nothing. I have a triple addiction. Im a recovering alcoholic and a recovering addict, he said when asked why his memory was blank. He said he started drinking in 2007 and became addicted to alcohol, barbiturates and sleeping pills. After his detention by police in February, Galliano said he underwent rehabilitation treatment in Arizona for two months and also in Switzerland. After every creative high, I would crash and the alcohol helped me, he said, adding that his creativity helped make Dior a billion-dollar business. Asked why he didnt tell police investigators about his addictions, Galliano responded: I was in denial. I was still taking those pills and alcohol, and I was in complete denial. A couple contends that Galliano made anti-Semitic comments to them in the cafe in February. Galliano was taken in by police for questioning, and a sobriety test showed he was drunk. Another woman then came forward with similar claims about another incident in the same cafe in October. Both accusations were being addressed at Wednesdays trial. Days after the February incident, a video was broadcast on the website of the British tabloid The Sun showing an inebriated Galliano insulting a fellow cafe client, slurring: I love Hitler. One member of the couple allegedly insulted, Geraldine Bloch, told the court that Galliano pronounced the word Jewish at least 30 times in the approximately 45-minute-long altercation. Asked why, in their statements, no one else at the cafe appeared to have heard Galliano say the word Jewish, Bloch replied, I am very surprised. He didnt say it any softer or louder than the other commentaries, she added. When asked if the designer appeared to be drunk, Bloch responded, I dont know if he was drunk but he was behaving completely strangely. Judges then asked why she remained seated next to him. Bloch said he had upset her so much with his gratuitous insults, that staying there became a question of principle for her. Another patron of the cafe, 30-year-old English teacher, Marion Bully, was called as a defense witness. Bully said she was surprised that instead of changing tables, the couple ordered another drink. It was very difficult to tell who had insulted whom, she told the court. Galliano repeated a litany of insults, including Shut up, Youre ugly and others with four-letter words, Bully told the court. "(But) I absolutely didnt hear anything anti-Semitic, she testified, adding she thought the altercation was totally overblown. Galliano described his increasing work loads at Dior and his signature label, John Galliano, due to the financial crisis. They kept me very busy, he said, adding that he had not had time to mourn after the 2007 death of his right hand man, Stephen Robinson, and the 2005 death of his father. His lawyer, Aurelien Hamelle, told The Associated Press earlier that the designers comments were misplaced and hurtful but attributed them to Gallianos addition to alcohol and prescription drugs. Galliano issued a statement at the time saying: Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologize for my behavior in causing any offense. He also said he was seeking help for personal failures. If the court determines that the insults against the victims were heard by other people, it would be a crime and a conviction could lead to a prison term. If such insults were not witnessed, they would only amount to a petty offense and be punishable by a fine. The February cafe incident and the video reverberated throughout the fashion world because they came to light on the eve of Paris Fashion Week. Dior fired Galliano after 14 years with the company and denounced his comments. After joining the company in 1996, Galliano made an indelible mark on the storied house, with theatrical, often outrageous, runway shows that were among the most-anticipated displays on the Paris fashion calendar. The trial is being held on the opening day of another round of Paris fashion shows, the menswear spring-summer 2012 collection. DUBLIN, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Aerospace Foams Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 - 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The market globally for Aerospace Foams is expected to register CAGR of greater than 6% during the forecast period. Business and General aviation is the largest segment in the Aerospace Foams Market. The major factor driving the market studied is the increasing demand for Light Weight and Fuel-Efficient Aircrafts. The production of Polyurethane (PU) Foams is still highly petroleum-dependent, so this industry must adapt to ever more strict regulations and rigorous consumers. This acts as a restraint to the market. The Global Aerospace Foams market is partially consolidated with many healthy competitions in the market. The major companies include Aerofoam Industries, Armacell, BASF SE, Evonik Industries, SABIC, and Solvay, among others. Key Market Trends Growing Business and General Aviation Sector According to Boeing, the expected growth in air traffic by 2030 would require approximately 40,000 aircrafts, amounting to a value of almost USD 6 trillion . . Out of the total demand, it is expected that Asia Pacific region would require 40% of these aircrafts while Europe and North America would require another 40% combined. The remaining 20 percent of the aircrafts are expected to be delivered to the Middle East , Latin America , Russia & Central Asia , and Africa regions. region would require 40% of these aircrafts while and would require another 40% combined. The remaining 20 percent of the aircrafts are expected to be delivered to the , , & , and regions. The traffic growth averaged 6.7% during the past five years as measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs), which is a major growth factor globally pushing the Aerospace market, which in turn would drive the Aerospace Foams market. According to The World Tourism Organizations, there has been an increase of 6% in the number of tourists travelling in 2018. By the next decade, the number of tourists is estimated to be 700 million. Thus, the Business and general aviation segment demands is expected to drive the production of aircrafts thereby it is estimated that the demands for Aerospace Foams Market would increase in the forecast period. North America to Dominate the Market Presently, North America is the largest market for Aerospace Industry across the globe. is the largest market for Aerospace Industry across the globe. North America constitutes about 52% in the Aerospace Industry thus it is also expected to be the largest market for Aerospace Foams market. Asia Pacific has about 15% of market share in Aerospace Industry but is growing at the fastest rate. constitutes about 52% in the Aerospace Industry thus it is also expected to be the largest market for Aerospace Foams market. has about 15% of market share in Aerospace Industry but is growing at the fastest rate. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period, with increasing demand for segments like Business and General Aviation in China , India , and the ASEAN countries. is expected to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period, with increasing demand for segments like Business and General Aviation in , , and the ASEAN countries. Aerospace manufacturers in North America are expected to expand their operations on account of rising number of air passengers, and increasing military expenditure in the country in recent times. Some of the leading airline manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Bombardier, and Boeing have been investing on new manufacturing and repair activities in the Untied States lately. Key Topics Covered 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Study Assumptions 1.2 Scope of the Study 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 MARKET DYNAMICS 4.1 Market Drivers 4.1.1 Growing Demand for the Light Weight and Fuel Efficient Aircrafts 4.2 Market Restraints 4.2.1 Stringent Regulations Regarding the Use of PU Foams 4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis 4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers 4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services 4.4.5 Degree of Competition 5 MARKET SEGMENTATION 5.1 Type 5.1.1 Polyurethane 5.1.2 Polyimide 5.1.3 Metal Foams 5.1.4 Melamine 5.1.5 Polyethylene 5.1.6 Others 5.2 Application 5.2.1 Commercial Aviation 5.2.2 Military Aviation 5.2.3 Business & General Aviation 5.2.4 Space Aviation 5.3 Geography 5.3.1 Asia Pacific 5.3.1.1 China 5.3.1.2 India 5.3.1.3 Japan 5.3.1.4 South Korea 5.3.1.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific 5.3.2 North America 5.3.2.1 United States 5.3.2.2 Canada 5.3.2.3 Mexico 5.3.3 Europe 5.3.3.1 Germany 5.3.3.2 United Kingdom 5.3.3.3 France 5.3.3.4 Italy 5.3.3.5 Rest of Europe 5.3.4 South America 5.3.4.1 Brazil 5.3.4.2 Argentina 5.3.4.3 Rest of South America 5.3.5 Middle-East and Africa 5.3.5.1 United Arab Emirates 5.3.5.2 Saudi Arabia 5.3.5.3 Rest of Middle-East and Africa 6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 6.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements 6.2 Market Share/Ranking Analysis 6.3 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players 6.4 Company Profiles 6.4.1 Aerofoam Industries 6.4.2 Armacell 6.4.3 BASF SE 6.4.4 Bodo Miller Chemie GmbH 6.4.5 Boyd Corporation 6.4.6 ERG Aerospace Corporation 6.4.7 Everchem Specialty Chemicals 6.4.8 Evonik Industries 6.4.9 General Plastics Manufacturing Company 6.4.10 Grand Rapids Foam Technologies 6.4.11 Huntsman Corporation 6.4.12 Rogers Corporation 6.4.13 SABIC 6.4.14 Solvay 6.4.15 Technifab Inc 6.4.16 UFP Technologies 6.4.17 Zetofoams PLC 7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS 7.1 Biobased PU Foams Manufacturing For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ys5ggw 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: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com SANTA CLARA, California, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- STL [NSE: STRTECH], a global data networks innovator, today announced it will collaborate with VMware, a leading innovator in enterprise software, to develop virtual network functions for 5G Access Solutions for converged wireline-wireless technology. Once available, these solutions will help easy single-click installation of complex 5G rollouts for Telcos and Large Enterprises. STL has built network virtualisation functions for Transport and Access Solutions. These solutions are based on software-defined Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS) fundamentals where the control plane elements and the orchestration can reside either in the central office, edge/far edge data center or central data center. The forwarding elements can be placed based on the application design requirements. Since both the control and forwarding planes are disaggregated, this makes the solution flexible, scalable and programmable. With this collaboration, STL will leverage VMware vCloud NFV to install, manage and maintain the environment for network microservices such as switching, firewall, etc. The solution will enable STL to provide a commercial and stable release to Telco and Large Enterprise customers who are looking for a commercial rollout in the next few quarters. This shall also help customers reduce capex and move to a subscription model as hardware and software modules can be added over time in a cloud native application for FTTX, Radio Intelligent Controller, RAN Orchestration, Metro DWDM, and other use cases. "We continue to drive relentless innovations to develop end-to-end network solutions for our customers. VMware provides the world's leading cloud virtualisation platform and we are delighted to partner them and together deliver 5G Access Solutions for Telcos and Large Enterprise customers. The combined offerings will bring a full stack of solutions for a converged wireline-wireless network for the industry and further increase our overall addressable market," said Dr. Badri Gomatam, Group CTO, STL. "VMware vCloud NFV provides compute, storage, networking, management and operations capabilities, which along with the development capabilities that STL brings to our collaboration, will help provide an integrated solution to Communication Service Providers. With STL's programmable network function suite across wired-wireless network deployments running on top of VMware Telco Cloud, we are in an advantageous position to support our mutual customers for their future network requirements," said Gabriele Di Piazza, vice president of solutions & marketing, Telco and Edge Cloud, VMware. About STL - Sterlite Technologies Ltd: STL is a global leader in end-to-end data network solutions. We design and deploy high-capacity converged fibre and wireless networks. With expertise ranging from optical fibre and cables, hyper-scale network design, and deployment and network software, we are the industry's leading integrated solutions provider for global data networks. We partner with global telecom companies, cloud companies, citizen networks and large enterprises to design, build and manage such cloud-native software-defined networks. STL has innovation at its core. With intense focus on end-to-end network solutions development, we conduct fundamental research in next-generation network applications at our Centres of Excellence. STL has a strong global presence with next-gen optical preform, fibre and cable manufacturing facilities in India, Italy, China and Brazil, along with two software-development centres across India and one datacentre design facility in the UK. STL.tech | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube VMware, vCloud, and vCloud NSX are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other jurisdictions. For more information, contact: SOURCE Sterlite Technologies Limited Related Links www.sterlite.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rizki Fachriansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 15:32 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066f9c63 1 World umrah,Saudi-Arabia,coronavirus Free Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Agus Maftuf Abegebriel is currently in the process of lobbying the Middle Eastern country to exclude visa-holding Indonesians from the temporary ban on all umrah (minor haj) pilgrims imposed by the kingdom amid coronavirus concerns. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh said that Agus had approached Saudi Haj and Umrah Minister Mohammaed Saleh Benten to reconsider the ban on Indonesian umrah pilgrims, saying that the country with the world's largest Muslim population was not among those with confirmed coronavirus cases. "The Indonesian ambassador is currently fighting for the fate of [Indonesian] umrah pilgrims who have obtained their visas," the statement said. The Saudi Haj and Umrah Ministry has temporarily halted the issuance of umrah visas, following the Saudi governments temporary ban announced on Thursday to keep the country safe from the coronavirus outbreak. Data from the ministry shows that, as of last December, Indonesia contributed the second-highest number of umrah pilgrims with 443,879 arrivals, just below Pakistan with 495,270. Read also: Saudi Arabia imposes temporary ban on 'umrah' pilgrims amid coronavirus concerns The news of the umrah suspension, which was one of several precautionary restrictions imposed amid the deadly virus outbreak, has been met with mixed responses from Indonesian officials. President Joko Jokowi Widodo conveyed his respect for the Saudi administrations decision to impose such a restriction, saying that it demonstrated the countrys swift action to protect its citizens from the coronavirus. We fully appreciate and respect [the decision]; it shows that the Saudi administration prioritizes health, Jokowi said on Thursday. Meanwhile, Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Bambang Soesatyo called on the Saudi administration to rethink the ban on Indonesian umrah pilgrims. As a result of the ban of Umrah travel issued by the government of Saudi Arabia to prevent the spread of the Corona / COVID-19 virus, thousands of pilgrims were forced to cancel their departure. (JP/Ardila Syakriah) Unlike other countries that have confirmed COVID-19 cases like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, India and Pakistan, Indonesia is still clean. The restriction will upset the 1 million Indonesian umrah pilgrims who go on minor haj every year, Bambang said. Low-cost carrier Lion Air has stated that it was still operating umrah flights as of Thursday afternoon. Lion Air spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro said the airline had been communicating with Saudi authorities regarding the restriction. (rfa) Dubai Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Iraq yesterday recorded their first new coronavirus cases, all people who had been in Iran, which raised its toll from the disease to 12 dead and 61 infected. Omans health ministry said two Omani women were diagnosed with the virus after arriving from Iran, while the sultanates civil aviation authority said on Monday it had halted all flights to the Islamic Republic. Iraq said the new coronavirus was detected in an Iranian theology student in Najaf, who entered the country before it banned the entry of non-Iraqis coming from Iran. Kuwait recorded the virus in three people among 700 who had been evacuated on Saturday from the Iranian city of Mashhad. They were a 53-year-old Kuwaiti man, a 61-year-old Saudi man and a 21-year-old whose nationality was unclear. The United Arab Emirates on Monday banned its citizens from traveling to Iran and Thailand due to concern over coronavirus, state news agency WAM said. The UAE, a major air transit centre and tourism and business hub, has recorded 13 cases since Jan 28; the latest two are an Iranian tourist and his wife. Kuwait Airways and Iraq Airways last week suspended flights to Iran while Saudi Arabia suspended travel to Iran. Iraq has shut its Safwan border crossing with Kuwait to travelers and trade at Kuwaits request. Irans Deputy Health Minister, Iraj Harirchi, said 12 people had died and up to 61 had been infected in Iran. Most infections were in the Shiite holy city of Qom. Joe Biden leaving a campaign event in Georgetown, South Carolina on Feb. 26, 2020. Tucker Higgins / CNBC GEORGETOWN, S.C. Joe Biden was on a roll. Feeding off the buzzing energy on the second floor of an event venue in this tiny town north of Charleston, the former vice president detailed his plans for health care, education and even for dredging the local port. At long last, about an hour into Biden's remarks, state Rep. Carl Anderson interjected. "He reminds me of a preacher, when he gets going and he leans back. And everyone says, 'He said one more minute!'" Anderson said. There are worse things, for a Democrat in the South, than getting compared to a preacher. Biden joked that Anderson, a local supporter, was trying to get him to shut up. But he relented. He asked for some questions he could answer yes or no. Then a supporter asked if he was going to win. "Yes!" Biden said, as the crowd erupted around him. "South Carolina is the trajectory to winning the Democratic nomination!" The applause was the biggest of the day. Biden's biggest moment yet Biden had been considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination before he stumbled to fourth place in the Iowa caucuses and fifth place in the New Hampshire primary earlier this month. After a second-place finish in the Nevada caucuses last week, though, he is experiencing surging momentum in this Southern state, which he has called his "firewall." Just a week ago, his lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in polling averages was as tight as 2%. Now the gap is in the double digits. And that difference was already widening when, on Wednesday, Biden secured the endorsement of South Carolina's most powerful Democrat, Rep. James Clyburn, the House majority whip. South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary on Saturday will be the most important event of the Biden candidacy to date. The Biden campaign, which spent the first months of the race coasting with front-runner status before taking a beating when voting started in the early states this month, has pegged its own viability to a strong showing among Democrats here. Biden himself predicted a win during the Democratic debate in Charleston this week. Public polling and interviews with Democrats around the state suggest that Biden will do well. In particular, Biden is expected to outperform among black voters, especially those who are older or religious. Black voters especially describe Biden as a known quantity, a candidate they have known and liked since his days with former President Barack Obama, or even earlier. "The name that's known in the community is Biden," said the Rev. Andrew Adams, whose church is located in North Santee, an unincorporated territory in Georgetown County. "I've talked to a lot of people about Bernie," Adams said of Sanders, who has become the front-runner in the race for the nomination. "They don't understand 'Medicare for All,' that situation. He's not answering questions. He's vague about how he's going to make it happen. They are a little suspect about that, so I think that's a turnoff." Super Tuesday states vote in five days Iran preparing to mass-produce coronavirus testing kits: Rouhani Iran Press TV Wednesday, 26 February 2020 11:08 AM President Hassan Rouhani says the coronavirus testing kits developed by Iranian experts are undergoing final tests and will enter the mass-production stage in the near future. All the initial tests on the package have proven to be "positive and credible," Rouhani told a cabinet session in Tehran on Wednesday, saying the equipment would undergo final examination over the next couple of days. "Shortly, we will be able to make hundreds of thousands and even millions of these kits, and place them at the disposal of all of the country's hospitals" he said, noting that the package would enable medics to easily diagnose new cases. The virus named COVID-19 first emerged in China late last year and is now spreading in Europe and across the Middle East, sparking fears of a global pandemic. The outbreak has killed more than 2,600 people and infected more than 77,000 others in China. But the situation has worsened elsewhere with nearly 2,700 other cases and more than 40 deaths globally. In Iran, the virus showed up in the north-central city of Qom, a destination for Muslim pilgrims from across the world. In all, the spread has taken 19 lives across the country and infected as many as 139 others, most of them in Qom, according to the figures released on Wednesday by Kianoush Jahanpour, the head of public relations and information center of the Iranian Ministry of Health. The president warned against either "understatement or overstatement" of the extent of the problem inside the country, and ruled out the possibility of any lockdowns. "There will be no lockdowns of neighborhoods or cities. Only individual people showing the initial symptoms of the virus would be quarantined," he said. Rouhani referred to the National Taskforce for Fighting Coronavirus, which has been formed on his orders, as the only reliable entity for preventative directives and statistics. A bigger threat than coronavirus The president said what demands even more attention than coronavirus itself was "the virus of fear, anxiety, ambivalence, and distrust among the people," which has to be tackled properly as it could lead to other problems if not contained. Rouhani pointed to stepped-up US attempts, over the past two years, to bring to a standstill economic activities and productivity inside Iran, cautioning that "the coronavirus should not turn into a weapon in the hands of the enemies" to achieve that objective. As a case in point, he referred to remarks made on Tuesday by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who accused Beijing and Tehran of censoring information about the outbreak and putting the rest of the world at greater risk. "They themselves are afflicted with the coronavirus over there. They themselves lost 16,000 people to the flu, but do not make any references to it," Rouhani said. The president, meanwhile, praised the efforts made across the country over the past couple of weeks in terms of quarantining and treating patients, preventing the outbreak's further spread, as well as attempts by security forces to confront those seeking to hoard supplies. Overcoming the virus may take a few weeks, he noted, adding that the outbreak could not possibly be more dangerous than the flu, which the country had already tackled. The president noted that there has been a decline in the number of people seeking medical help, and there has been progress in the treatment approaches that are being used. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Last May, relatives of self-exiled Chechen vlogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov living in Chechnya released a video denouncing and disowning him. "My relatives were forced on camera to renounce me and to say that in the event of my murder, they would have no grudge against my murderers and would not seek revenge," Abdurakhmanov said in a video response. "That is, the ground for my physical elimination has been prepared by the Kadyrovtsy," he concluded, referring to the forces of Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. On February 26, an unidentified person reportedly broke into Abdurakhmanov's apartment in an undisclosed location in a European country and attacked him with a hammer while he was sleeping. The Sweden-based Vayfund Chechen Human Rights Association described the incident as "an assassination attempt" and reported that, although Abdurakhmanov was able to fend off the attack, he was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The attacker was reportedly detained by police, who are investigating. Abdurakhmanov posted on a video on WhatsApp in which he interrogates the purported attacker, who is seen lying on the floor. The man says he was from Moscow and that he'd been sent by someone named "Abdurakhman from Grozny," the capital of Chechnya, in order "to frighten" the blogger. The alleged attacker also said cryptically, "they have my mother." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on February 27 expressed regret "that some sort of attack was organized against a citizen of Russia." He added that he did not see any connection between the attack and Abdurakhmanov's long-running feuds with Kadyrov and other highly placed figures in the Chechen government. "We don't think this was an important event for Russia's agenda," Peskov said, according to Interfax. Abdurakhmanov's brother, Mokhmad Abdurakhmanov, told the independent website Caucasian Knot that his brother had been warned by authorities in the country where he was living that he could be in danger following the mysterious death in France of Chechen blogger Imran Aliyev in January. Tumso Abdurakhmanov was born in 1985 in a village in Chechnya's Shatoi region. His father, Umalat Abdurakhmanov, was sentenced to death for opposing the Soviet authorities, a sentence that was later commuted to 18 years in prison. The elder Abdurakhmanov served as an official in the 1990s government of Chechen leader Dzhokhar Dudayev and was wounded during the First Chechen War. Tumso Abdurakhmanov studied as an engineer and by 2015 he was deputy director of the state electricity provider Elektrosvyaz. However, Abdurakhmanov fled Chechnya in November 2015 after, he said, a traffic incident involving a relative of Kadyrov's led to him being abducted, threatened, and given three days to leave the North Caucasus republic. Shortly after that, the authorities in Chechnya filed criminal charges against him, accusing him of Islamist extremism and of fighting for the Islamic State extremist group in Syria. Abdurakhmanov has said the accusations against him are fabricated and that he has never been to Syria. 'We Will Be Looking For You' After leaving Chechnya, Abdurakhmanov lived in Georgia until 2017. His application for political asylum there was rejected. In December 2017, he traveled to Poland. Early in 2018, he applied for political asylum there. His application in Poland has been rejected twice. The 33-year-old vlogger runs two YouTube channels with a combined subscriber base of about 200,000. His videos regularly criticize Kadyrov and the administration of Chechnya. He also frequently expounds on his religious views, which tend toward fundamentalist Islam. In March 2019, Abdurakhmanov published a video in which he called Kadyrov's father, former Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov, a "traitor." In response, Chechen parliament speaker Magomed Daudov, a powerful Kadyrov ally, declared a "blood feud" against the vlogger. "You are my enemy," Daudov said in a video posted to Instagram. "And the enemy of my brothers, and we will be looking for you." Although Daudov claimed, "we don't plan to kill you," he did warn that "we will have unusual fun with you." "From now on, when you go to bed, make sure that you lock the door with a key," Daudov told Abdurakhmanov. "When you go outside, be vigilant. If you get a kick in the back, know that it's no accident." Abdurakhmanov told Current Time, a Russian-language TV channel run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA, at the time that he was taking Daudov's "threat" seriously. "I was threatened, and then I see how Kadyrov's officials comment among themselves, supporting the threat," he said. "High-ranking Kadyrov officials wrote about how they won't regret the means, or the forces, or the time needed to carry out this blood feud."Ramzan Kadyrov's father was assassinated in 2004, and the Kremlin installed Ramzan as head of the republic in 2007, shortly after he turned 30. He has been widely criticized ever since for massive human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial abduction, execution, and disappearing of various antagonists. Numerous Kadyrov critics -- most prominently, journalist Anna Politkovskaya, human rights activist Natalya Estemirova, and former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemstov -- have been killed or attacked both in Russia and abroad. In January, blogger Aliyev was found killed in a hotel room in Lille, France. In August 2019, Chechen Zemlikhan Khangoshvili was shot dead in Berlin. In January 2009, former Kadyrov bodyguard Umar Israilov was gunned down in Vienna. In December 2017, the United States imposed targeted sanctions against Kadyrov under the so-called Magnitsky Act, accusing him of personal involvement in "disappearances and extrajudicial killings." With reporting by RFE/RL's Kavkaz Realii, RFE/RL's Russian Service, and Current Time LYNCHBURG A watchdog group advocating for religious freedom in the armed forces has accused Pentagon officials of dropping a nuclear weapon on the Constitution after a military court held a special session at Liberty University last week. In a strongly worded letter Monday to U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, the New Mexico-based Military Religious Freedom Foundation blasted military officials for allowing the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals to hold a secular criminal proceeding in the halls of a private college with a Christian worldview. To hold oral argument in a United States military justice case in a bastion of odious discrimination such as Liberty University sends a message that the Air Force continues its decades long malfeasance by unconstitutionally elevating the Christian faith over all [others'] faith and non-faith traditions, Michael "Mikey" Weinstein, the groups president, wrote in the letter. In an emailed statement Monday, Liberty said the Military Religious Freedom Foundations accusation that military officials violated the law were erroneous. The practice of holding hearings at Liberty University is not a prohibited endorsement of religion, Keith Faulkner, the dean of the law school, said in the statement. In fact, MRFFs demanded remedy of prohibiting any hearing at a religiously-affiliated law school would be an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendments prohibition against viewpoint discrimination." The watchdog group demanded the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals sever its relationship with the religious institution and the Pentagon open an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Feb. 20 proceeding. The Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals and other military appellate courts have a long history of holding special sessions at law schools across the country. The program is meant to encourage law students to pursue a career in the military justice system. The hearing, which involved an airman who is appealing a court-martial conviction, was held at the Liberty University School of Law's Supreme Courtroom, which is a replica of the U.S. Supreme Court. According to a university news release, two law students presented oral arguments before a panel of military judges in support of both parties as part of the court's outreach program. The students were under the supervision of judge advocates the military equivalent of prosecutors and defense attorneys, who were representing each party. At the center of the watchdog groups claim is that Liberty, as a private religiously affiliated institution, has a history of discriminating against non-Christians and is thus constitutionally barred from hosting a government function. The group cited an employee handbook mandating faculty members be a model of biblical lifestyle. Military officials reached by email, did not provide comment by press time on Wednesday. In Faulkner's emailed statement Monday he said: The Supreme Court of the United States has repeatedly held that the government cannot favor the non-religious over the religious when making selections because doing so relegates religious people and institutions to a disfavored second-class status, something that the government is prohibited from doing. Religiously-affiliated law schools must be treated equally with secular law schools in order to satisfy the neutrality required by the First Amendment. Faulkner cited recent hearings at several other private religious institutions, including Georgetown University and Notre Dame University, as evidence the military court did nothing wrong at Liberty. Thursdays hearing was not the first time a federal court heard arguments at Liberty Law. In the last two years, both the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and United States Court of Appeals for Veterans have visited campus to hear cases. These events provide exceptional real-world experiences for our students and provide outreach opportunities to the courts that help bring the law to life, Faulkner said. During these proceedings, the rules of the visiting court prevail, and Liberty University does not control the proceedings in any way. Still, the watchdog group was firm in its belief the military court made an error by visiting Liberty. "Our secular military and its secular military justice system have no business conducting secular military justice at an exclusive sectarian institution with an extreme sectarian reputation, MRFF board member and retired Army Brig. Gen. John Compere said in a statement. It implies an endorsement of the sectarian institution & its sectarian education which clearly violates the United States Constitution and US Armed Forces regulations." Richard Chumney covers Liberty University for The News & Advance. Reach him at (434) 385-5547. Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik is due to retire on February 29 but there has been no announcement on his successor. While that had prompted some speculation about another extension for Patnaik, the Delhi riots and the apparent failure of the police to contain them have virtually removed that possibility. So will it be S N Shrivastava, the next senior-most officer in the AGMUT (Arunachal-Goa-Mizoram Union Territory) cadre, who has just been repatriated from the Central Reserve Police Force? That National Security Advisor Ajit Doval did not take Patnaik with him during his visits to ... Fingrid Oyj Stock Exchange Release 27 February 2020 at 11:15 EET Fingrid Group's Financial Statements Bulletin January - December 2019: reduced electricity transmission prices decreased the result as expected Fingrid's consolidated financial statements have been drawn up in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Unless otherwise indicated, the figures in parentheses refer to the same period of the previous year. The information published in this report is based on Fingrid's audited financial statements for 2019, published in connection with this bulletin. For Fingrid, 2019 turned out as expected. Grid service prices were reduced on average by eight per cent in the beginning of the year. In 2019, Finland's electricity consumption amounted to 86.1 (87.5) terawatt hours. Fingrid transmitted a total of 68.7 (68.6) terawatt hours of electricity in its grid, representing 76.0 (75.4) per cent of the total transmission volume in Finland (consumption and inter-TSO). The transmission reliability rate remained at an excellent level and was 99.9998 (99.9999) per cent. KEY FIGURES 1-12/19 1-12/18 change % 7-12/19 7-12/18 change % Turnover M 789.4 852.8 -7.4 374.1 415.9 -10.0 Capital expenditure, gross M 135.6 92.7 46.3 76.6 50.2 52.6 - of turnover % 17.2 10.9 20.5 12.1 Research and development expenses M 3.4 3.6 -3.6 1.8 1.8 -4.0 - of turnover % 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 Average number of employees 384 376 2.1 0 382 -100.0 Number of employees at end of period 380 380 0.0 380 380 0.0 Salaries and bonuses, total M 22.3 26.5 -15.9 9.0 13.2 -31.7 Operating profit M 115.5 241.6 -52.2 48.7 91.2 -46.6 - of turnover % 14.6 28.3 13.0 21.9 Profit before taxes M 105.8 229.0 -53.8 36.8 85.3 -56.9 - of turnover % 13.4 26.9 9.8 20.5 Profit for the period M 84.6 183.2 -53.8 28.7 68.7 -58.2 Comprehensive income for the period M 84.7 183.0 -53.7 28.8 68.3 -57.9 Cashflow after capital expenditure M 126.5 158.1 -20.0 32.2 14.7 119.0 Return on investments (ROI) % 6.4 13.2 Return on equity (ROE) % 11.6 23.3 Equity ratio % 32.0 36.6 32.0 36.6 Interest-bearing net borrowings M 1,037.2 974.3 6.5 1,037.2 974.3 Net gearing 1.5 1.3 1.5 1.3 Earnings per share 25,452.50 55,106.29 -53.8 8,644.75 20,656.83 -58.2 Dividend, Series A shares 58,500.00 * 67,650.00 Dividend, Series B shares 21,400.00 * 24,750.00 Equity per share 206,213 232,310 -11.2 Dividend payout ratio, A shares % 229.8 122.8 Dividend payout ratio, B shares % 84.1 44.9 Number of shares - Series A shares qty 2,078 2,078 2,078 2,078 - Series B shares qty 1,247 1,247 1,247 1,247 Total qty 3,325 3,325 3,325 3,325 * The Board of Directors' proposal to the Annual General Meeting on the maximum dividend to be distributed Jukka Ruusunen, President & CEO of Fingrid: "Reliable electricity transmission with reduced transmission prices" "Fingrid's financial result turned out as expected. We reduced grid transmission and cross-border transmission prices in the beginning of the year, due to which the company's financial result was significantly weaker than in the previous year. The transmission reliability rate remained at an excellent level. The company's financial position continues to be strong and the company's credit rating remained high. Fingrid's performance continues to be world-class, which enables continued maintenance and development of the main grid with reasonable costs for customers, also in the face of future challenges. Part of Finland's national heritage, the electricity transmission main grid turned 90 during the year under review. Fingrid develops the main grid in the long term so that the increasing clean electricity production can be connected to the grid and passed on to consumers and industry. In the next few years, we will be busy especially connecting wind power to the main grid and to the electricity market. The pace of wind power construction is so fast that, despite all our efforts, we may not be able to connect all of the projects to the main grid in a manner hoped for by wind power constructors. Electricity production will have less flexibility to adapt to consumption, which means that the required flexibility must be provided by demand-side management and a well-functioning electricity trade in European electricity markets. We developed the electricity market to enable the most efficient balance possible between production and consumption. Change is picking up speed, but at the same time we must take care not to make any compromises on quality and occupational safety. We renewed the asset management quality certification and maintained a good level of occupational safety. For us, sustainability means real, concrete actions when it comes to managing people, the environmental impacts of our operations and good governance. We recognise our key role in Finnish society now and in future: society's best interest is inherent in all of our operations. Fingrid's employees, who work at one of Finland's greatest workplaces, are motivated by our important societal task and role in mitigating climate change - also in the new decade." Financial result Fingrid's consolidated financial statements have been drawn up in accordance with the same accounting principles as in 2018, taking into account the changes brought about by IFRS 16 and the more detailed application of IAS16. The Group's turnover was EUR 789.4 (852.8) million. Grid service income declined to EUR 385.0 (423.2) million, due to the reduced grid service prices. Electricity consumption in Finland totalled 86.1 (87.5) terawatt hours during the year. Imbalance power sales amounted to EUR 346.7 (348.8) million, on a par with the previous year. Cross-border transmission income from the connection between Finland and Russia decreased to EUR 11.6 (35.5) million, as a result of the lower cross-border transmission tariff. The transmission tariff used in imports from Russia is based on the difference between Finland's and north-western Russia's area prices. Other operating income declined to EUR 4.2 (10.8) million. The decline resulted from a decrease in capital gains from the sale of fixed assets. The Group's total costs amounted to EUR 651.6 (659.0) million. Imbalance power costs remained on the previous year's level and totalled EUR 323.5 (320.0) million. Loss power costs grew to EUR 53.9 (47.7) million. The volume of loss power grew slightly, and the price of loss power procurement increased somewhat. The realised average price of loss power procurement was EUR 39.57 (37.88) per megawatt hour. The cost of reserves to safeguard the main grid's system security remained on the previous year's level and amounted to EUR 55.9 (56.7) million. Depreciation totalled EUR 97.8 (99.7) million. Grid maintenance costs amounted to EUR 21.6 (21.2) million. Personnel costs declined to EUR 26.4 (32.2) million, mainly as a result of the capitalisation of personnel costs related to investment projects EUR 4.7 million. A total of EUR 3.4 (3.6) million was used for R&D projects. The Group's operating profit was EUR 115.5 (241.6) million. To recognise changes in the fair value of electricity derivatives and the currency derivatives related to capital expenditure and other operating expenses, EUR -26.6 (37.1) million was recorded in operating profit. The Group's profit before taxes was EUR 105.8 (229.0) million. The biggest differences year-on-year are explained by changes in the market value of electricity derivatives (EUR -63.5 million) and lower grid service income and cross-border transmission income (change totalling EUR -62.0 million). Profit for the financial year was EUR 84.6 (183.2) million. The equity ratio was 32.0 (36.6) per cent at the end of the year. The parent company's turnover was EUR 786.2 (844.6) million, profit for the financial year EUR 148.1 (194.6) million and distributable funds were EUR 199.0 million. Based on the company's own calculations, the result according to the regulatory model that gov-erns grid operations amounts to a deficit of around EUR 15 million for 2019 and to a deficit of some EUR 30 million for the entire regulatory period 2016-2019. Financing The company's credit rating remained high, reflecting its strong overall financial situation and debt service capacity. The Group's net financial costswere EUR 10.1 (15.2) million, including EUR 0.7 million in interest expenses on the lease liabilities entered into the balance sheet following the introduction of the IFRS 16 standard in 2019. The Group's net interest expenses on loans during the year totalled EUR 14.7 (16.3) million. The change in the fair value of financial derivatives was EUR 8.1 million positive (EUR 6.7 million positive). Interest-bearing borrowings totalled EUR 1 120.0 (1 059.6) million, of which non-current borrowings accounted for EUR 884.7 (771.5) million and current borrowings for EUR 235.3 (288.1) million. At the end of the year, the company's interest-bearing borrowings included a total of EUR 32.9 million in lease liabilities, consisting of EUR 2.4 million. The company's liquidity remained good. Cash and financial assets totalled EUR 82.8 (85.3) million on 31 December 2019. The company additionally has an undrawn committed revolving credit facility of EUR 300 million to secure liquidity (until 11 December 2022) and EUR 50 million in uncommitted overdraft facilities. The counterparty risk arising from derivative contracts relating to financing was EUR 22.4 (14.3) million. Fingrid's foreign exchange and commodity price risks were hedged. Fingrid has credit rating service agreements with S&P Global Ratings (S&P) and Fitch Ratings (Fitch). The credit ratings valid on 31 December 2019 remained high and were as follows: S&P's rating for Fingrid's unsecured senior debt and long-term company rating at 'AA-' and the short-term company rating at 'A-1+', with a stable outlook. Fitch's rating for Fingrid's unsecured senior debt at 'A+', the long-term company rating at 'A', and 'F1' for the short-term company rating, with a stable outlook. Customers Fingrid provides transmission grid and electricity market services to its customers: power companies, electricity-consuming industry and electricity market participants. The company's operations are largely based on fulfilling statutory duties, and they are conducted with the customers in mind, fairly and on equal terms. According to the customer survey conducted in autumn 2019, customers' satisfaction with Fingrid has remained at the previous year's good level. More than half of the customers felt that the company's operations had improved during the past year. According to the survey, customers perceive Fingrid as an open and co-operative player who works for the benefit of the whole of society and treats its customers equally. The company received a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 36, which is a good result for a natural monopoly. According to a study carried out by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) in 2019, the transmission tariffs for electricity in the Finnish transmission system are the third lowest in Europe, when compared with transmission grids of a similar size. The comparison included 36 countries. In 2020, the grid service fees will be maintained at the previous year's level. Capital expenditure and maintenance The company's total capital expenditure in 2019 amounted to EUR 135.6 (92.7) million. This included a total of EUR 103.4 (85.1) million invested in the transmission grid and EUR 5.5 (2.9) million for reserve power. ICT investments amounted to EUR 25.6 (4.0) million. A total of EUR 3.4 (3.6) million was used for R&D projects during the year under review. The most significant construction projects during the year were the Iron Lady II (Hikia-Orimattila), the grid reinforcing measures in North Karelia and the construction work at the Olkiluoto, Nurmijarvi, Jyvaskyla, Inkoo and Koria substations. The costliest of all ICT investments was the centralised information exchange system for electricity retail markets, Datahub, which the company is currently building. Finland's main grid turned 90 in 2019. The electricity transmission grid is constructed and maintained with the needs of a clean power system in mind. Investments and maintenance are carried out safely, efficiently and in a timely manner. The proportion of wind power will be substantially increased in Finland going forward. It is Fingrid's duty to ensure that the planned production capacity can be connected to the power system and the electricity market. The main grid is being reinforced both between Finland and Sweden and in Finland along the north-south axis. The Coastal Line from North Ostrobothnia to Pori has been completed, the Forest Line from Oulu to Petajavesi is under construction and the reinforcement of the Lake Line from North Ostrobothnia to Kuopio is at the planning stage. Transmission lines and substations were built extensively throughout Finland in 2019. A total of approximately 150 kilometres of new transmission lines were built. Transmission lines and substations were built extensively throughout Finland in 2019. A total of approximately 150 kilometres of new transmission lines were built, and 12 new or expanded substations were completed. The most significant on-going construction projects are related to the Forest Line, the third AC connection between Finland and Sweden and the construction work around the Oulujoki river. By international standards, grid asset management at Fingrid is world-class. In spring 2019, the company once again placed at the top in the International Transmission Asset Management Study (ITAMS). Fingrid's asset management has been certified according to ISO 55001:2014. The certification was granted to Fingrid for the first time in 2016, and again by Lloyd's Register Verification Limited in autumn 2019. One of Fingrid's long-term goals is to improve the occupational safety culture and in this way achieve its zero accident objective. In 2019, Fingrid's own personnel had no lost-time workplace accidents 0 (0). A total of 7 (4) lost-time workplace accidents were recorded among Fingrid's service providers. Among the lost-time accidents, one led to an absence from work of more than 30 days and was classified as serious. In addition, one workplace accident was classified as serious, because it caused a permanent impairment to the service provider's employee. The suppliers' and Fingrid's combined accident frequency rate increased from the previous year to 5.5 (3.2)/million worked hours. Power system Electricity consumption in Finland totalled 86.1 (87.5) terawatt hours in 2019. Fingrid transmitted a total of 68.7 (68.6) terawatt hours of electricity in its grid, representing 76.0 (75.4) per cent of the total transmission volume in Finland (consumption and inter-TSO). Electricity transmissions between Finland and Sweden consisted mostly of large imports to Finland. In 2019, 16.3 (14.5) terawatt hours of electricity was imported from Sweden to Finland, and 0.5 (1.0) terawatt hours was exported from Finland to Sweden. In the electricity transmission between Finland and Estonia, exports to Estonia amounted to 3.8 (2.4) terawatt hours. Imports from Estonia amounted to 0.3 (0.9) terawatt hours. Electricity transmission from Russia to Finland amounted to 7.5 (7.9) terawatt hours. In 2019, 0.2 (0.2) terawatt hours of electricity was imported from Norway to Finland, and 0.1 (0.1) terawatt hours was exported from Finland to Norway. Nearly the full transmission capacity was available in all cross-border connections during the review period. In 2019, there was no need to raise Fingrid's preparedness for disturbance clearing. The transmission reliability rate remained at an excellent level and system security was 99.9998 (99.9999) per cent. An outage in a connection point in the grid caused by a disturbance in Fingrid's electricity network lasted an average of 4.3 (12.0) minutes, which is equal to the ten-year average. The calculated cost of the disturbances (regulatory outage costs) to consumer customers was only EUR 2.7 (1.5) million. If quick reconnections are included, the cost of disturbances amounts to EUR 5.2 million. The reliability and usability of DC connections were at a good level in 2019. There was one long-lasting disturbance on the EstLink 2 connection, which began in late December and ended in early January 2020. The number of disturbances and the total duration of disturbances were on the same level as in 2018 for DC connections. The volume of transmission losses in the grid increased somewhat from the level of the previous year, amounting to 1.3 (1.2) terawatt hours. This was 1.5 (1.3) per cent of the total volume of transmitted electricity. Electricity market The average market price of spot electricity on the electricity exchange (Nordic system price) was EUR 38.94 (43.99) per megawatt hour. The wholesale prices of electricity were slightly lower than in the previous year in both Finland and the other Nordic countries. The decline in the prices was impacted by the improved precipitation in the Nordics compared to 2018. At times, the availability of wind power had a clear impact on the area price of electricity in Finland. The prices of emissions rights remained on a par with the level they had attained in 2018. Fingrid's congestion income from cross-border transmission lines totalled EUR 73.0 (29.6) million, of which the cross-border transmission lines between Finland and Sweden accounted for EUR 65.5 (28.2) million. EUR 15.0 (18.9) million of this was accrued during the first half of the year and EUR 50.5 (9.3) million during the second half of the year. The links between Finland and Estonia generated EUR 7.5 (1.4) million in congestion income. Fingrid's congestion income has been used, in accordance with regulations, for the Forest Line connection's network investment and for the Alapitka capacitor investment. EUR 72.4 million in accrued congestion income was left unused and will be used for future investments to improve the functioning of the electricity market. Through Fingrid's transmission grid and the cross-border transmission lines, market participants gain access to and can reap the benefits of an open European electricity market. The market is provided with the highest possible transmission capacity, which enables effective trading for the market participants. In 2019, the reliability of Estonia's DC connections, in particular, was weaker than in previous peak years, but despite the challenging situations, the connections were efficiently restored for use by the markets. The usability and reliability of Sweden's DC connections were at an excellent level. Personnel Fingrid employed 380 (380) persons, including temporary employees, at the end of the year. The number of permanent personnel was 338 (327). At the end of the year, 24 (23) per cent of the personnel were women and 76 (77) per cent were men. The average age of the personnel was 44 (44). Legal proceedings and proceedings by authorities An accident took place on a work site in Laukaa, Finland, on 25 August 2017, where an employee of Revilla y Garcia S.L. died after having fallen from a power line tower. A civil court case has been raised in Spain for damages against Fingrid (the client linked with the accident), the main contractor, Technolines S.R.L. filial i Finland, and its sub-contractor, Revilla y Garcia S.L. Fingrid does not believe the claim against it is likely to succeed and, in Fingrid's view, the legal proceedings or their outcome are not likely to have a substantial impact on the company's earnings or financial position. The action raised in the case concerning social security based compensation has lapsed. Events after the review period and estimate of future outlook On 5 December 2019, Fingrid Oyj announced that it had, together with the other owners of Nord Pool Holding AS, entered into a binding agreement to sell 66% of the company's shares to Euronext. On 15 January 2020, Fingrid Oyj announced that the transaction has received the necessary authority approvals and that the other preconditions for its completion have been fulfilled. The sale will have a small positive impact on Fingrid's result and cash flow in the first quarter. Fingrid's indirect ownership in Nord Pool is 6.4%, which is managed through a holding company jointly owned by the Nordic Transmission System Operators. Fingrid Group's profit for the 2020 financial period, excluding changes in the fair value of derivatives and before taxes, is expected to slightly decline compared to the previous year. Fingrid announced on 2 October 2019 that it will maintain the electricity transmission prices in the main grid at their 2019 level in 2020. Results forecasts for the financial year are complicated especially by the uncertainty related to grid income, ITC income and cross-border transmission income, and to reserve and loss power costs. These are dependent on the variations in outside temperature and precipitation and changes in the hydrological situation in the Nordic countries, which affect electricity consumption and electricity prices in Finland and neighbouring areas and thus also grid transmission volumes. The company's debt service capacity is expected to remain stable. Board of Directors' proposal for the distribution of profit The guiding principle for Fingrid's dividend policy is to distribute substantially all of the parent company profit as dividends. When making the decision, however, the economic conditions, the company's near-term investment and development needs as well as any prevailing financial targets of the company are always taken into account. Fingrid Oyj's parent company's profit for the financial year was EUR 148,060,722.84 and distributable funds in the financial statements total EUR 198,985,738.74. Since the close of the financial year, there have been no material changes in the company's financial position and, in the Board of Directors' view, the proposed dividend distribution does not compromise the company's solvency. The company's Board of Directors will propose to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that, on the basis of the balance sheet adopted for the financial period that ended on 31 December 2019, a dividend of EUR 58,500.00 at maximum per share will be paid for Series A shares and EUR 21,400.00 at maximum for Series B shares, for a total of EUR 148,248,800.00 at maximum. The first dividend instalment of EUR 39,500.00 for each Series A share and EUR 14,450.00 for each Series B share, totalling EUR 100,100,150.00, shall be paid on 25 March 2020. The second dividend instalment, a maximum of EUR 19,100.00 for each Series A share and a maximum of EUR 6,950.00 for each Series B share, totalling EUR 48,148,650.00, shall be paid based on the authorisation hereby given to the Board. The Board of Directors has the right to decide on the payment of the second dividend instalment after the half-year report has been confirmed and after having assessed the company's solvency, financial position and financial development. The second dividend instalment decided on with the authorisation given to the Board shall be paid on the third banking day after the decision. It will be proposed that the authorisation remain valid until the next Annual General Meeting. Annual General Meeting 2020 Fingrid Oyj's Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held on 20 March 2020 in Helsinki. In Helsinki, on 27th February 2020 Fingrid Oyj Board of Directors Notes: Financial Statements Bulletin Corporate Governance Statement 2019 Annual review and Financial statements 2019 Attachments Almost 40 percent of the currently invested funds of Adler & Company, the parent organization of the private funds set up in 1978, have gone into new businesses, or so-called start-ups. This compares with an average of about 30 percent for the industry as a whole this year, and only about 12 percent in 1979. (The bulk of the $4.5 billion available to venture capital firms goes to small, already established companies, and for leveraged buy-outs of divisions of larger companies. Only recently, as the growth of venture capital has made attractive, established situations scarcer and more expensive, have start-ups received a significant amount of support). Focus Is on Technology Mr. Adler says that only a comparatively small proportion of his or others' venture capital goes into leading edge technologies, which are largely developed by major corporate investors. Nevertheless, the bulk of venture capital has gone to advanced technology companies, with a heavy emphasis on computer equipment, telecommunications, medical innovations and, recently, genetic engineering. The business, and Mr. Adler's in particular, is thus clearly based on the marriage of money with innovation, the liaison on which the country's future productivity depends. The Data General Corporation, a $650 million computer company based near Boston, was Mr. Adler's first and biggest hit. He was a founder of and active executive in the company, whose success transmuted his original 1968 investment of $150,000 into $15 million to $20 million. Mr Adler recounts the best of his deals lovingly, like a jeweler polishing stones. During a recent conversation, the financier, trim despite his fondness for the delicacies of the Four Seasons and The Quilted Giraffe, ticked off some of his favorites. ''I put $178,000 into Advanced Technology Laboratories in December 1977 and sold it to Squibb in February 1980 for $60 million,'' he recalled. ''I made about $2.5 million there. I put $14,000 into Acuity Systems, and another $420,000 later. I made $3 million in a weighted investment time of 15 months.'' Some Setbacks, Too All of his judgments have not had the Midas touch, however, as Mr. Adler is not hesitant to admit. The biggest failure was Sanders Technology, a New Hampshire company that went into Chapter 11 last May, only two months after Mr. Adler had put about $800,000 of his own and others' money in it. Mr. Adler estimates that his funds lost about $260,000 on the deal and he personally lost $250,000. After days of wait, a special Air India flight carrying 119 Indians, who were stranded onboard a coronavirus-hit cruise ship, Diamond Princess, off Yokohama port in Japan finally landed in New Delhi on Thursday morning. The special flight also carried five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru. Apart from this, the government has also rescued 76 Indians from China's Wuhan region, which is the epicentre of the new coronavirus outbreak. "Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo, carrying 119 Indians and five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again," Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said. Consignment (15 tonnes) of Indian medical relief for #COVID19 lands in Wuhan. Strong expression of our solidarity with the Chinese people at this difficult time. Thank you @IAF_MCC and @EOIBeijing for your efforts. pic.twitter.com/v2ph3LHogM Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020 Those rescued from Japan will likely to be quarantined in New Delhi for about two weeks. Jaishankar also thanked Indian Embassy in Tokyo for its sustained efforts in rescuing Indians. Several Indians onboard cruise ship Diamond Princess off had earlier appealed for help from the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The British Diamond Princess cruise ship carrying 3,711 people on board was kept in quarantine off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, for a month. One such crew member, Anbalagan, who hails from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, had shared several videos, explaining the conditions on the ship. As per Anbalagan, all passengers were secluded in the ship's top decks where they were being sent food to rooms only. He had said they were allowed to walk only for a few minutes a day. Expressing solidarity with the Chinese people in wake of new coronavirus outbreak, the Foreign Minister also informed that Indian medical relief consignment weighing 15 tonnes had also landed in Wuhan. On returns, India brought back over 100 people, including 76 Indians, from China, the Minister said. "On its return from Wuhan, the IAF flight has brought back 76 Indians and 36 nationals from 7 countries -- Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar," he tweeted. The government has said it's closely following the developments in China in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also written to President Xi Jinping, expressing India's commitment to assist China. China reported 29 more deaths due to the new coronavirus epidemic on Wednesday, taking the total number to 2,744 in mainland China. The daily fatality on Wednesday fell to the lowest since January 29, when 26 deaths were HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enstar Group Limited (Enstar) (ESGR) today announced that Sandra Boss will step down from its Board of Directors in order to pursue a full-time executive role with another company. Ms. Boss has been a director of the Company since November 2015. She serves as Chair of the Risk Committee and is a member of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. Her resignation will be effective on April 1, 2020, which will allow for the smooth transition of the Risk Committee chairmanship to Hitesh Patel, an independent director who has served since 2015. Dominic Silvester, Enstars Chief Executive Officer, said, Sandy has made so many valuable contributions to Enstar in her four years as a director, most notably as our first Risk Committee Chair. We thank her for her service to Enstar. She will be greatly missed. Bob Campbell, Enstars Chairman, said, Sandy was the driving force behind the formation of the Risk Committee, which has greatly enhanced our Boards oversight of risk. On behalf of the Board, we wish her every success in the future. Ms. Boss, commenting on her announced departure, said, I have greatly enjoyed working with Enstar as a director and Risk Committee chair during this exciting phase in its growth. While I will no longer have capacity to serve as a director, I look forward to staying in touch with the Enstar team. About Enstar Enstar is a multi-faceted insurance group that offers innovative capital release solutions and specialty underwriting capabilities through its network of group companies in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia, and other international locations. Enstar is a market leader in completing legacy acquisitions, having acquired 100 companies and portfolios since its formation in 2001. Enstars active underwriting businesses include the StarStone group of companies, an A- rated global specialty insurance group with multiple global underwriting platforms, and the Atrium group of companies, which manage and underwrite specialist insurance and reinsurance business for Lloyds Syndicate 609. For further information about Enstar, see www.enstargroup.com . Contact: Guy Bowker Telephone: +1 (441) 292-3645 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 13:13 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066ee460 1 Entertainment Boys-Like-Girls,concert,concert-ticket,music Free Boys Like Girls will hold a concert at Kuningan City Ballroom P7 in South Jakarta on April 9. The American rock band announced the show on Twitter on Monday. We couldnt tell if Jakarta wanted a show or not from the thousands of comments asking for one. So here goes nothing. Tickets on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/ZFIxjuucgo Boys Like Girls (@BoysLikeGirls) February 24, 2020 We couldnt tell if Jakarta wanted a show or not from the thousands of comments asking for one. So here goes nothing. Tickets on Wednesday. Ticket are available at loket.com for Rp 767,000 (US$ 55.51). The Boys Like Girls Comes to Jakarta! concert is said to commemorate their debut self-titled album released back in 2006. The album won gold album certification for selling over 500,000 units. Promoted by Soundlive and co-organized by Bhiva Indonesia, the concert will be the bands second performance in the country following a show on Jan. 25, 2010. The band of Martin Johnson, Paul DiGiovanni, Morgan Dorr and John Keefe is set to perform in other Asian countries as well, such as in Singapore on April 12 and the Philippines on April 14, 15 and 16. Tickets for concerts in Singapore and the Philippines (on April 14 and 16) have apparently sold out. According to news agency Antara, the tour marks the bands return after a hiatus following the release of its album Crazy World in 2012. (wir/wng) RED WING -- When the Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity won Nonprofit Organization of the Year honors from the Red Wing Chamber of Commerce, it had an extra meaning for John Parkes, who was stepping down as executive director after five and a half years. "I took it very personally given that I was leaving," Parkes said. "Its a great recognition of the work we have done. I also believe that it points to a higher awareness of affordable housing as a crisis in Red Wing and Goodhue County." Parkes added that the award is important because Habitat for Humanity works with a limited staff. "We are one full-time person and four part-time people. Thats all we have," he said. "We do manage to leverage that with all the volunteers." In 2019, the local Habitat for Humanity had almost 200 volunteers who donated more than 6,300 hours to projects in Red Wing, Cannon Falls and Lake City. They finished three new homes and several major repair projects, including roofing and siding, for people who qualified. ADVERTISEMENT "In most cases they are seniors or people with disabilities that cant do it themselves," Parkes said, regarding the repair projects. "When it comes to roofs, if those roofs are not replaced, those people are not going to be able to stay there." While there are companies that build low-income rentals in Goodhue County, Habitat for Humanity is the only organization that builds low-income, single-family homes, according to Parkes. Habitats approach is unique, using what Parkes called "an upside-down pyramid scheme." "In 1993, we built a home for somebody," he said. "That was our first home, and we said you can have 30 years to pay us back. Somehow the next year, there was enough money to build another home and somewhere down the road we built two homes. Now we have built 40 homes. The first one just paid back maybe five years ago. It is a model that in the business world would get thumbs down in a heartbeat. But we make it work." One common myth is that Habitat for Humanity gives away homes. Parkes said that is not the case, but that Habitat for Humanity does work with applicants to make the mortgage affordable. "We have to sell the house at appraised value," Parkes said. "We create a mortgage at what we calculate they can afford, which is 26% of their income. If there is a gap between the value and what they can afford, that gap is funded by getting grants from different organizations. Whatever doesnt get grant money, we fund. We will hold the mortgage that you dont have to pay, unless you sell your house. We dont allow flipping. That is the way we keep the home affordable." Parkes left the executive directors position on Feb. 6, and was replaced by Stacy Larson, who was born in Red Wing and raised in Cannon Falls. She has a background in corporate management, and said she is excited to work for Habitat for Humanity. "I want to help these communities that I have lived in, grown up in," Larson said. "It feels good to be doing something that makes a huge difference. I am very excited about our future. I am excited that John is not going very far. He will be our construction adviser." Parkes said he and the Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity group are "grateful for the recognition, but we are also hopeful that the businesses of Red Wing will step up financially because the cost of construction gets higher every year. The appraisals are getting higher. The businesses in Red Wing need our help. They need a place for their workers to live." Its a happy nuisance, I would say. I like spending more time with my girls at home, Lee said. But taking care of them for 24 hours, no school, no kindergarten, is a different story. If this was an actual vacation, we would have planned outings, but we are just stuck indoors in this awkward limbo. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 23:53:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong reported two more COVID-19 patients on Thursday, both linked to a Buddhist temple that had been suspected of multiple other infections, bringing the total confirmed cases to 93. The first case involved a 70-year-old woman, who frequently visited the Buddhist worship hall in North Point, Hong Kong Island, from late January to early February, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said. Her son who lives with her has been sent to hospital after presenting symptoms, and her daughter-in-law and grandson with no symptoms will be put in quarantine. The other case involved an 89-year-old woman who had also been to the worship hall for times. There have been altogether 14 COVID-19 patients who are visitors to the worship place or their contacts. The surface of Buddhist books, cushions and taps there were tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The worship hall has been closed and the government has contacted 221 people related to the place, with more than 20 in hospital, 35 in quarantine and the others under medical surveillance. The CHP urged those who also visited there after Jan. 25 to call its hotline and warned against large gatherings. According to Hong Kong's Hospital Authority, out of all the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong, two patients have passed away, 65 are hospitalized, and 26 have been discharged from the hospital upon recovery. In Europe, officials do not believe the maximum pressure campaign has curbed Irans pursuit of a nuclear weapon. One European diplomat said many Europeans remain concerned that the Trump administration is pursuing regime change even though American officials insist that is not the goal. That diplomat added that, while the government in Tehran seemed shaken by the recent events, including the accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner and the protests that followed, it is not likely to fall. Nor do diplomats expect Iran to step back from its support for proxy militias or halt covert attacks. Arab states have warned of widening violence in the region if Tehran feels pushed too hard by the United States. Anti-American sentiments in Iraq are already are on the rise, an American official said. A Middle East diplomat also predicted that Iran will carry out more attacks similar to those against key oil fields in Saudi Arabia or oil tankers around the Strait of Hormuz to test the Trump administration. Even Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and an Iran hawk, has recognized that the Trump administration is offering nothing to entice Iran to come to the negotiating table. Mr. Graham has told people he is working on potential inducements for Washington to offer Tehran. New nuclear negotiations are unlikely soon. Two senior Middle Eastern officials who speak to the Trump administration regularly on Iran said they do not expect Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, to agree to start new negotiations with the United States soon. Instead, they said, he will wait to see the outcome of the American presidential election in November before deciding on a new strategy. Mr. Trump said he wants to strike a new deal with Iran that is more expansive than the 2015 nuclear treaty that the Obama administration brokered with world powers and Tehran and from which Mr. Trump withdrew the United States in 2018. Trump administration officials say they are looking not only for tougher restrictions on Irans nuclear program, but also for limits on its ballistic missile efforts and its support for regional militias. Four men and one woman were pulled over and charged with driving while intoxicated recently in separate cases in Pearland, according to reports from the citys police department. Police charged a Missouri City man, 31, with DWI Feb. 20 in the 12200 block of Shadow Creek Parkway. A Houston man, 60, was charged with DWI Feb. 20 in the 8000 block of Broadway Street, police said. A 47-year-old Houston man was charged with DWI Feb. 21 in the 2000 block of Main Street, police said. Police arrested a Rosharon man, 29, on a charge of DWI Feb. 22 in the 10300 block of Broadway Street. Police charged a Houston woman, 36, with DWI after a witness reported an unresponsive driver inside a vehicle in a ditch Feb. 23 in the 8000 block of Cullen Estates Drive. Burglary Police charged a Houston man, 18, and woman, 17, with vehicle burglary, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana Feb. 17 in the 3100 block of Laurel Bend Lane. Building burglary was reported Feb. 18 in the 9700 block of Broadway Street, police said. Police filed a vehicle burglary report Feb. 18 in the 3500 block of Business Center Drive. Burglary of a habitation was reported Feb. 18 in the 1700 block of Sleepy Hollow Drive, police said. Police filed a vehicle burglary report Feb. 19 in the 3200 block of Berryfield Lane. Vehicle burglary was reported Feb. 19 in the 13800 block of Crystal Harbor Lane, police said. A vehicle was reported burglarized Feb. 19 in the 2600 block of Pearland Parkway, police said. Police filed a vehicle burglary report Feb. 19 in the 2900 block of Thornridge Bend Court. Vehicle burglary was reported Feb. 19 in the 3100 block of Wild Turkey Lane, police said. A vehicle was burglarized Feb. 18 or Feb. 19 in the 3900 block of Greenwood Drive, according to a Feb. 19 police report. Police conducted a vehicle burglary investigation Feb. 19 in the 2100 block of Birdie Court. Vehicle burglary occurred between Feb. 14 and Feb. 21, according to a police report filed Feb. 21 in the 2500 block of Sunburst Lane. Items were taken from a vehicle Feb. 20 in the 12000 block of Shadow Creek Parkway, according to a Feb. 21 police report. Electronics were reported stolen Feb. 23 from a home in the 2900 block of Norwich Street, police said. Theft A trailer containing a motorcycle and other items was stolen Feb. 10 from a storage facility in the 1800 block of Stone Road, according to a Feb. 17 police report. Trailer theft was reported Feb. 17 in the 2900 block of Broadway Street, police said. Police charged a Manvel woman, 48, with theft and possession of drug paraphernalia Feb. 18 in the 10100 block of Broadway Street. Police filed a vehicle theft report Feb. 18 in the 4500 block of Knapp Road. Vehicle theft was reported Feb. 18 in the 16100 block of Texas 288, police said. Tires were reported stolen Feb. 19 in the 1300 block of Broadway Street, police said. Police charged two Texas City men, 51 and 67, with theft Feb. 19 in the 10100 block of Broadway Street. A Brazoria man, 39, was charged with shoplifting, police said. A 40-year-old Lake Jackson man was charged with theft Feb. 19 in the 10400 block of Broadway Street, police said. Police filed a shoplifting report Feb. 19 in the 2600 block of Pearland Parkway. Police conducted a shoplifting investigation Feb. 19 in the 11100 block of Shadow Creek Parkway. Shoplifting was reported Feb. 20 in the 2700 block of Broadway Street, police said. Theft from a building was reported Feb. 20 in the 9500 block of Broadway Street, police said. Theft of service occurred between Nov. 20 and Dec. 5, 2019, according to a police report filed Feb. 21 in the 3500 block of Business Center Drive. Police charged a Pearland man, 22, with shoplifting Feb. 21 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive. Vehicle parts theft occurred Feb. 14, according to a police report filed Feb. 21 in the 4100 block of Oak Point Drive. Police filed a theft report Feb. 21 in the 2100 block of South Hastings Field Road. Attempted horse theft was reported Feb. 22 in the 3900 block of Wingtail Way, police said. Shoplifting was reported Feb. 22 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive, police said. Police charged a 25-year-old Baytown man with theft of a firearm Feb. 22 in the 3700 block of Main Street. Robbery Aggravated robbery occurred Feb. 19 in the 11000 block of Shadow Creek Parkway, police said. Fraud, forgery Credit card abuse occurred between Nov. 27, 2019, and Feb. 17, according to a police report filed Feb. 17 in the 3300 block of Cotswald Trail. Credit card information was used without the owners consent between Nov. 21, 2019, and Feb. 17, according to a police report filed Feb. 17 in the 2700 block of Morenci Street. Credit card abuse was reported Feb. 17 in the 13400 block of Shadow Ridge Lane, police said. Police filed a credit or debit card abuse report Feb. 18 in the 11900 block of Shadow Creek Parkway. Theft by deception was reported Feb. 20 in the 3100 block of Orange Street, police said. A company check was forged and passed at a bank in Corpus Christi between Feb. 14 and Feb. 20, according to a police report filed Feb. 20 in the 3300 block of Old Alvin Road. Credit card abuse was reported Feb. 21 in the 3600 block of Walden Drive, police said. Police filed a forgery report Feb. 21 in the 11000 block of Shadow Creek Parkway. Assault Police filed an assault report Feb. 17 in the 2400 block of Green Tee Drive. Police charged a Pearland man, 31, and Houston man, 22, with assault, family violence Feb. 17 in the 2900 block of Oak Road. A Pearland woman, 35, was taken into custody on a warrant, police said. A Pearland man, 27, received a citation for assault Feb. 18 in the 3000 block of Green Tee Drive, police said. A woman was assaulted by her husband Aug. 3, 2019, according to a police report filed Feb. 18 in the 2700 block of Pine Hill Drive South. Assault was reported Feb. 20 in the 2000 block of Creek Shore Lane, police said. Police took a Pearland man, 23, into custody on a charge of assault, family violence Feb. 21 in the 5000 block of Spring Circle Drive. A Pearland man, 53, was taken into custody on a charge of assault, family violence Feb. 21 in the 2700 block of Hidden Landing Drive, police said. Assault, family violence was reported Feb. 21 in the 3800 block of Skylark Way, police said. Police filed an assault, family violence report Feb. 21 in the 2200 block of North Austin Avenue. A student assaulted a classmate Feb. 21 in the 2300 block of North Galveston Avenue, police said. Police filed an assault report Feb. 22 in the 2600 block of Ravenlake Court. Police took a Pearland man, 24, into custody on a charge of assault Feb. 23 in the 13000 block of Ferry Cove Lane. He reportedly had several warrants as well. Police filed an assault, family violence report Feb. 23 in the 2800 block of Oak Road. Narcotics Police charged a Pearland man, 22, with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance Feb. 18 in the 2200 block of Main Street. A suspect was charged with DWI, escape from custody, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia Feb. 19 in the 19900 block of State Hwy. 35, police said. A 26-year-old Houston man was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance Feb. 20 in the 1800 block of Kingsley Drive, police said. Police charged a Friendswood man, 44, with possession of a controlled substance Feb. 21 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street. An Alvin man, 28, was charged with marijuana possession Feb. 23 in the 4500 block of Main Street, police said. Police charged two Houston men, 22 and 23, with marijuana possession Feb. 23 in the 4300 block of Main Street. A 21-year-old Pearland woman was charged with marijuana possession in the 4100 block, police said. Threats, harassment A student made threats toward a school and another student Feb. 18 in the 2000 block of Cullen Parkway, police said. Harassing phone calls from an unknown person occurred between Feb. 8 and Feb. 18, according to a police report filed Feb. 18 in the 2400 block of Byron Avenue. Harassment by text and voice call was reported Feb. 20 in the 2300 block of Cunningham Drive, police said. Police filed a terroristic threat report Feb. 23 in the 4800 block of Pecan Grove Drive. Criminal mischief Police filed a criminal mischief report Feb. 17 in the 12700 block of Broadway Street. The walls of a dog park restroom were spray painted between Feb. 16 and Feb. 18 in the 3900 block of Liberty Drive, police said. Police filed a criminal mischief report detailing damage to a residence and yard Feb. 19 in the 3600 block of Gracie Circle. Public intoxication Police charged a Pearland woman, 38, with public intoxication Feb. 20 in the 2100 block of Country Place Parkway. A Pearland man, 37, was charged with public intoxication and criminal trespass Feb. 22 in the 1700 block of Broadway Street, police said. Traffic A Houston woman, 31, was arrested on a charge of no drivers license Feb. 17 in the 4200 block of McHard Road, police said. Police charged a 19-year-old Baytown man with no drivers license Feb. 18 in the 4100 block of McHard Road. Police charged a Houston man, 20, with reckless driving Feb. 20 in the 3000 block of Business Center Drive. A Pearland man, 33, was charged with no drivers license Feb. 21 in the 1700 block of Main Street, police said. Other incidents A student disrupted classes by screaming and cursing at teachers and administrators Feb. 20 in the 3300 block of Manvel Road, police said. Police charged a Channelview man, 30, with indecent exposure Feb. 21 in the 4600 block of Broadway Street. A Houston man, 48, was taken into custody on a charge of disorderly conduct Feb. 22 in the 10300 block of Broadway Street, police said. By IANS NEW DELHI: A Delhi court granted bail to an accused in the Pulwama attack conspiracy case after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) failed to file charge-sheet within the prescribed time. Special NIA Judge Parveen Singh in an order pronounced on February 18 said the accused Yusuf Chopan was entitled to statutory bail. Slamming NIA for its lacklustre approach to the case, Congress leader Ahmed Patel said that it was an insult to the Pulwama martyrs. "Shocked to know that the Pulwama accused got bail because the NIA is so busy that it failed to file the charge-sheet," said senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel and added. "It's an insult to the martyrs. Clearly, the government used this tragic attack for political purposes and was never serious about justice," he said. Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, travelling in a convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway in the Pulwama district, were killed on February 14, 2019 when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-loaded car into the CRPF bus. Jaish-e-Mohammed, the banned terror outfit, claimed the responsibility and even released a video of the attacker. SPRINGFIELD The Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Thursday gave final approval to MGM Springfield to invest $16 million in a housing project on Elm Street at Court Square, to fulfill its promise for market rate housing in the citys downtown. The commissions 5-0 vote came at a meeting held at the MassMutual Center, across the street from the long-vacant historic building at 13-31 Elm St. The Elm Street block is also across State Street from MGMs $960 million casino. Commission Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein praised MGM, the city and state, and the developers for their collaborative effort to make the project a reality. Its a testament to the strength of collaboration, innovation and in this case, true vision," Judd-Stein said, immediately after the vote. We are excited to be a part of it. The $51 million Elm Street renovation project will create 59 market rate upscale apartments, 15 so-called workforce apartments restricted to tenants earning up to 80% of the areas median income, and retail and restaurant space on the first floor of the six-story building. Judd-Stein said Springfield should be so proud of its leadership" and the partners in the project. The $16 million from MGM Springfield is being arranged as a loan, but the amount includes at least $11 million in guaranteed grant funds, officials said. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno thanked the commission for its support of the project, saying it was a "project we never gave up on." The effort to develop the site had languished for more than 30 years, and the project now is important for economic development, housing and the psyche of the city, Sarno said. The developers of the project are Opal Real Estate Group of Springfield, led by businessman Peter Picknelly, and WinnCompanies of Boston. MassHousing is working in collaboration with the project. Gaming Commission member Bruce Stebbins said the approval of plans is a great milestone for the city and its partners. The property has stood vacant and increasingly deteriorated over the last 30 years, Stebbins said. Comment on this story on MassLives Facebook page Related Content Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 00:16:15|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Yu Jiaxin, Jin Jing LONDON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China has demonstrated remarkable coordination and selflessness in its fight against the novel coronavirus as a nation, while showing incredible sensitivity to the needs of the people, Stephen Perry, chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club has said. Perry, whose father "icebreaker" Jack Perry helped establish one of the first modern-day trade links between China and the outside world during the Cold War, is a recipient of China Reform Friendship Medal in 2018 for his outstanding contribution to improving China-Britain ties. It's "amazing" that within a comparatively short period, China has effectively prevented the epidemic from further massive spreading in the country, Perry told Xinhua in an interview. Perry attributed the positive trend in China to the leadership of Communist Party of China (CPC) and a system which features extensive planning and effective allocation of resources in a time of crisis. "This system is one that people don't have in the West," he said. "I'm quite sure that China's detailed planning for dealing with outbreaks like this is extensive, well beyond anything that's available anywhere else in the world," said Perry. "It has all been organized with incredible sensitivity to the needs of the people," he said. Perry was impressed by the huge number of Chinese medical staffs volunteering to Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, while demonstrating immense braveness and the spirit of sacrifice. "It is a wonderful story of selflessness, and coordination throughout China," he added. Perry highly praised the transparency China has shown since the outbreak while sharing timely information with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the whole world, noting that other countries hit by the virus wouldn't have been able to move fast without the help and experience from China. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said the "serious measures at the epicenter, at the source" taken by China not only protected Chinese people, but also prevented the spread of the virus to other countries. "Because of this strategy, if it weren't for China's efforts, the number of cases outside China would have been very much higher," he said earlier this month at a WHO Executive Board meeting in Geneva. In Perry's opinion, resuming production in China while managing the epidemic prevention and control is not easy, but nevertheless a right decision considering the stability and economic growth of the country. He said effective control of the epidemic requires coordination from all countries and the world should work together to produce vaccines and put an end to the epidemic as soon as possible. "It (the virus) will come right back and bite us if we don't deal with it right," he said. Unlike the vigilantes he played in his movies, Steven Seagal is not above the law. At least according to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seagal, the action movie star turned musician, will pay more than $US300,000 ($456,000) to settle charges that he did not disclose that he was being paid to promote a cryptocurrency investment, the SEC said Thursday. Steven Seagal didn't tell his millions of social media followers that he had been paid by Bitcoiin2Gen to endorse the company, the SEC said. Credit:AP Seagal, 67, didn't tell his millions of social media followers that Bitcoiin2Gen had promised him $US250,000 in cash and $US750,000 worth of its tokens before promoting its initial coin offering on Twitter and Facebook, according to the SEC. Under the settlement, Seagal agrees to pay the SEC more than $US330,000 in penalties and interest, including $US157,000 Bitcoiin2Gen had already paid him. "These investors were entitled to know about payments Seagal received or was promised to endorse this investment so they could decide whether he may be biased," Kristina Littman, chief of the SEC Enforcement Division's Cyber Unit, said in a statement. After more than two years of litigation, federal prosecutors asked a judge to dismiss the final charge against a No More Deaths border aid worker. Scott Warren, a teacher with a doctorate in geography, was charged in December 2017 with a misdemeanor offense of driving a vehicle in a wilderness area. The charge stemmed from Warren driving on unauthorized roads in June 2017 on Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge to leave water and supplies for migrants in remote areas. Warren was convicted of the charge by U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins in November. Warren was set to be sentenced Thursday morning, but on Wednesday federal prosecutors asked Collins to dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning the charge cannot be brought again. Collins granted the prosecutors' request and dismissed the case Thursday morning. Prosecutors did not say why they asked for the case to be dismissed. Warren was one of nine No More Deaths workers who were charged with misdemeanors related to leaving humanitarian aid on Cabeza Prieta about 150 miles southwest of Tucson. Chicago, Illinois, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Darby Dickerson, Dean of UIC John Marshall Law School in Chicago, is the 2020 President of the Association of American Law Schools. She assumed the presidency on January 4 after delivering her inaugural address at the AALS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. I am incredibly honored to serve as the 2020 President of the AALS, said Dickerson. The theme for my presidential year is The Power of Words, which pays homage to my area of specialty, legal writing. I encourage legal educators to continue breaking down the caste system that exists in most American law schools, to train students to value candor over spin and to use their words to spur changes that will protect the rule of law and help create a more just and equitable society. Dickersons impact on the profession, faculty and students, was captured by her former Stetson Law colleague, Professor Kristen David Adams, who explained, I have been privileged to know Dean Dickerson for more than 20 years as a steadfast friend and a treasured mentor -- but most of all, as an inspiration. To me, she is the ideal leader for the AALS precisely because her portfolio of talent is so multifaceted and diverse: she is an innovative scholar, an extraordinary teacher and the kind of dean who leads by example and inspires others to join in. Dickerson, who is the first full-time legal writing professional to lead the AALS, began her full-time academic career in 1995 as an Assistant Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law. In 1996, she was named Director of Stetsons Legal Research & Writing program. Early in her career, Dickerson emerged as a leader in professional organizations, such as the Association of Legal Writing Directors and the American Bar Association and authored the first four editions of The ALWD Citation Manual. After she entered decanal roles, she was able to advocate for improved status for non-tenure-line faculty, such as legal writing professionals, academic support professionals and librarians. She was also able to help build programs that emphasized a more holistic approach to educating law students. Dean Dickerson is a visionary who inspires and empowers so many in the academy, said Professor Wendy-Adele Humphrey, Associate Dean for Assessment & Strategic Initiatives at Texas Tech University School of Law. At Texas Tech, she was instrumental in leading the charge to convert our legal writing positions to full parity, tenure-track positions. She also identified my potential as an administrator, and starting later this year, I will become the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Having previously served as Associate Dean and Vice Dean at Stetson University College of Law, Dickerson was named Interim Dean in May 2003 and Dean in February 2004. She left Stetson in 2011 to become Dean and the W. Frank Newton Professor of Law at Texas Tech University School of Law. She then joined The John Marshall Law School as Dean in December 2016. On August 16, 2019, Dickerson made history when she became the inaugural Dean of the newly established UIC John Marshall Law School. As the University of Illinois at Chicagos 16th college, UIC John Marshall is Chicagos first and only public law school. With the transition, Dickerson became one of the few women in history to have served as dean at four law schools. Dean Dickerson is a tremendous leader, educator and mentor, said Elizabeth Kronk Warner, Dean of the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. I am impressed by all she has done to advance equity and inclusion on behalf of all law faculty and instructors, and I am incredibly appreciative for all she has done to mentor me. Dickerson earned her B.A. and M.A. from The College of William & Mary and her J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School. About UIC John Marshall Law School UIC John Marshall Law School, formerly an independent law school, is the 16th college at the University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagos largest university and its only public Carnegie Research 1 institution. Located in the heart of the Citys legal, financial and commercial districts, UIC John Marshall is recognized as one of the most diverse law schools in the nation and is a leader in providing access to underrepresented students. Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Onufriy also participated in it A meeting of the Primate and Delegations of the various Local Orthodox Churches took place in Amman, Jordan Information and Education Department of Ukrainian Orthodox Church A meeting of the Primate and Delegations of the various Local Orthodox Churches took place in Amman, the capital of Jordan. His Beatitude Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine also attended it. Participants of the meeting urged to resolve the church issue in Ukraine through an all-Orthodox dialogue, the Information and Education Department of Ukrainian Orthodox Church reports. "On February 26, 2020, a meeting of the Primate and Representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches was held in Amman, Jordan. The main purpose of the meeting was the unity and reconciliation of the Holy Orthodoxy, the message reads. The participants also thanked the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos for all the tireless efforts to pave the way for dialogue and unite the spiritual brothers in the precious spirit of oneness. As we reported earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky invited Pope Francis to Ukraine. "I invited him to Ukraine. I am sure that he will be in Ukraine - not only in its capital. I said that in order to fully understand what is happening in the east, we must go to the east," Zelensky said. The President also noted the important role that the Holy See could play a big role in bringing peace to Ukrainian soil. As much as half the fines expected to be collected from TPC Group for eight air quality violations, the pre-Thanksgiving explosions and other alleged violations of state clean air and water laws could ultimately end up back in Southeast Texas. Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said he hasnt written off the potential for the county to sue TPC for the explosions and subsequent fires that forced residents within a four-mile radius of the plant out of their homes, but it doesnt make financial sense for both the county and the Texas Attorney Generals Office to sue the company because of the relatively minuscule fines. If you look at the amount of some of the fines, like German Pellets in Port Arthur, which went on for months, the fine was $20,000, he said. Im not going to spend $100,000 on attorneys fees to get half of $20,000. Its more financially responsible for us to allow the AG to do it representing TCEQ. Related: Texas AG to TPC: Unauthorized emissions events could have been prevented The Attorney Generals Office last week officially filed its lawsuit against TPC. When asked about TCEQs role in punishing TPC for some four years of violations and requiring the plant to take steps to rectify the situation, the agency declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. Instead of filing a lawsuit of its own, the county is gearing up to ask in the next legislative session that the fines resulting from the alleged violations of the clean air act be used for supplemental environmental projects in Jefferson County and Port Neches, Branick said. Typically, government agencies can get about 50% of the fines to be used, in the case of air violations, for projects that would improve air quality, such as buying propane vehicles or retrofitting gas engines. Branick said the county has gotten money from the program previously, in part paying for the countys Toyota Prius fleet. Port Neches does not yet have any projects identified, but Branick said the county would work with the city to identify potential uses should the request for the fine money be approved. Related: Refinery, plant hit with $13K fines TPC last week reimbursed Jefferson County almost $70,000 for overtime and other expenses incurred by the county during the emergency response. The city of Port Neches has not yet been reimbursed and is still working on its list of expenses and damage to buildings, said City Manager Andre Wimer. Despite the seemingly strong language in the attorney generals lawsuit, which blames poor operational, maintenance and design practices for TPCs years of unauthorized emissions, local attorney Brent Coon said it looks almost identical to others hes seen filed by the attorney general in similar situations. Coons law firm, Brent Coon &Associates, is leading many of the pending civil lawsuits against TPC for the Port Neches plants explosions. The firm has extensive experience with lawsuits involving petrochemical plants. He said lawsuits like the ones filed largely punish the outliers particularly egregious violations of air and water quality standards but allows more run of the mill violations to continue. There will likely be some amount of admission of wrongdoing and payment of fines, he said. The question is going to be is it severe enough to be a deterrent to TPC or other plants in the future? Probably not. Related: Local lawyers fight venue change for TPC case Its often more profitable for plants to forgo maintenance and operations best practices than undertake a full shutdown that would allow workers time to survey and repair equipment. More effective deterrents than these lawsuits, Coon said, would be legislation that would, among other remedies: decrease or disallow bonuses for plant managers he says are given incentives to run plants to failure; and establish consequences, potentially including jail time, for upper-level management. Hes not optimistic any of those changes are on the horizon, as Texas puts a high value on oil and gas. However, he was impressed by recent strong words from state Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, who called on the Legislature to do more to protect plant workers and residents from industrial disasters and dangerous chemical pollutants. Related: Phelan: Lege must address industrial mishaps Im making a point this week to reach out to him, Coon said. Frankly, its surprising to see someone from the Republican Party come out so strongly on this issue. Branick said he doesnt think the state should adopt new legislation too soon, something he said he thinks Phelan agrees with, but instead wait for the release of information about the cause of the TPC explosions, as well as five others in Harris County last year. I think what (Phelans) going to do is look at what caused these events, what do they have in common and what do we need to do to ensure this doesnt happen again, whether its required maintenance schedules, even saying what type of ownership a chemical plant can have, he said. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain Friendswoods crime rate reached a 20-year low last year, according to the 2019 Friendswood Police Department Annual Crime Report. The nine-page document, available at www.ci.friendswood. tx.us/annual-report, provides comparative statistics for crimes, traffic incidents, call volume and response times. Some 7.14 crimes per 1,000 residents were reported in 2019, compared to 9.18 crimes per 1,000 the previous year, according to the report. Vehicle burglaries dropped significantly 40 percent from 112 in 2018 to 67 in 2019, the report noted. The number of arrests increased from 1,202 in 2018 to 1,247 in 2019. The report noted 13 sexual assault incidents in 2019, a 19 percent drop from 2018s 16 incidents. Aggravated assaults decreased 44 percent to five reported incidents in 2019, down from nine incidents in 2018, according to the document. The number of crashes increased from 514 in 2018 to 537 in 2019, according to the report. No traffic fatalities were reported. The most frequent crash locations were the three farm-to-market roadwaysFM 2351, FM 518 and FM 528accounting for 70 percent of the reported crashes, the report noted. Burglary Vehicle burglary and the theft of $4 or $5 was reported Feb. 16 in the 1100 block of Lost River Drive, police said. The victim told police the drivers-side rear window had been forced down to gain entry into the vehicle, according to the report. Theft A resident of Reserve at Autumn Creek Apartments, 3102 W. Bay Area Blvd., found the communitys mailboxes open and mail missing, according to a Feb. 10 police report. A license plate was stolen from a vehicle in the 600 block of South Heather Lane, according to a Feb. 11 police report. A laptop was stolen in the 700 block of Hackberry Lane, according to a Feb. 12 police report. A black and grey Swiss Army backpack was stolen from the Reserve at Autumn Creek Apartments, 3102 W. Bay Area Blvd., according to a Feb. 12 police report. Fraud A counterfeit $100 bill was used during a Facebook Marketplace purchase in the 300 block of Leisure Lane, according to a Feb. 10 police report. The suspect allegedly gave the victim $145 cash in exchange for a generator. When the victim tried to deposit the money, she learned the $100 bill was fake, police said. Three 15-year-old Friendswood High School students were charged with credit or debit card abuse and transported to the Galveston County Juvenile Detention Center after they allegedly stole a wallet and checkbook Feb. 11, police said. Surveillance video reportedly shows them taking money from the wallet and later returning to steal the wallet. The students attempted to use the stolen credit cards at the schools ATM, according to the report. A Friendswood womans Social Security number was used fraudulently to obtain a loan, according to a Feb. 12 police report. When she contacted the banks fraud department, she learned applications had been filed for three more loans and a credit card, police said. A Friendswood business reported the fraudulent use of a clients account and a $1,000 loss Feb. 12, police said. The account was used to generate calls with a phantom phone number to international numbers, according to the report. Weapons Police charged a Houston man, 35, with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon after a traffic stop for speeding Feb. 15 in the 1600 block of Blackhawk Boulevard. He reportedly was found in possession of a marijuana cigarette but not his drivers license. The officer found marijuana shake and a stolen 9 mm handgun during a vehicle search, police said. The suspect is a felon and registered sex offender, according to the report. A Friendswood man, 33, was charged with deadly conduct after a witness reported gunshots Feb. 16 near the 200 block of East Castle Harbour, police said. Officers detained the man, seized a .40-caliber handgun and found several spent rounds in his front and side yard, according to the report. Narcotics Police charged a Houston man, 20, with possession of drug paraphernalia Feb. 11 after a traffic stop for expired registration and no insurance in the 500 block of East Edgewood Drive. The man, a passenger, reportedly was found in possession of marijuana. Police charged two 19-year-old Friendswood men with possession of drug paraphernalia Feb. 11 in the 1600 block of Mossy Stone Drive. A vehicle search yielded marijuana and residue, three grinders and makeshift pipes, police said. A Friensdwood man, 31, was charged with possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop Feb. 13 in the 100 block of West Parkwood Avenue, police said. He was a passenger in the vehicle, and THC gummies and marijuana allegedly belonging to him were found during a vehicle search, according to the report. He reportedly had outstanding warrants in League City. Police charged a Galveston woman, 37, with possession of a controlled substance after a witness reported a suspicious vehicle Feb. 13 in the 1400 block of South Friendswood Drive. An officer conducted a traffic stop and discovered an Illinois license plate over a Texas license plate on the white Mazda as well as marijuana, Xanax and bump keys in the womans purse during a search, according to the report. A 46-year-old Galveston man was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after an officer reportedly found marijuana and methamphetamine residue under his seat, police said. Police charged a second passenger, a 37-year-old Galveston woman, with public intoxication. A Pasadena man, 38, and his passenger, a 31-year-old Pearland woman, were charged with possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop for expired registration Feb. 14 in the 1600 block of Winding Way, police said. Both reportedly had warrants for their arrest. In addition to debit cards and drivers licenses belonging to other people, officers found hypodermic needles, diazepam, hydrocodone and methamphetamine during a vehicle search, according to the report. Police charged a 24-year-old Webster man with possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop for speeding Feb. 15 in the 600 block of South Friendswood Drive. The officer reportedly found marijuana during a vehicle search. Police charged a Houston man, 20, with possession of drug paraphernalia Feb. 16 in the 16000 block of Blackhawk Boulevard. The officer reportedly saw marijuana in the mans lap before conducting a search and finding more in the vehicle. Driving while intoxicated A Houston man, 25, was charged with DWI after a traffic stop for speeding and expired registration Feb. 11 in the 17100 block of Townes Road, police said. Police charged a Lufkin man, 24, with DWI after he allegedly failed to stop at an intersection Feb. 14 in the 400 block of West Parkwood Avenue. He failed a field sobriety test, police said. A Friendswood man, 42, was charged with DWI Feb. 15 in the 2200 block of Pilgrims Point Drive, police said. He allegedly had been following another vehicle too closely and weaving in the 2600 block of West Bay Area Boulevard. Police charged a Friendswood man, 33, with DWI after he reportedly drove his vehicle into a ditch Feb. 15 in the 1500 block of Glenwood Drive. He failed a field sobriety test, police said. A 27-year-old Fort Worth man was charged with DWI and falsification of drug test results after a traffic stop for failure to maintain a single lane Feb. 15 in the 1900 block of West Parkwood Avenue, police said. He reportedly was in possession of synthetic urine and failed a field sobriety test. Police charged a Friendswood man, 44, with DWI Feb. 16 in the 17200 block of Blackhawk Boulevard. A witness had reported a black car driving slowly down FM 528 before turning into an apartment complex, police said. An officer arrived to find the suspect vehicle stopped over the curb and still in drive, according to the report. The man reportedly failed a field sobriety test. Public intoxication A Baytown man, 41, received a citation for public intoxication Feb. 10 in the 200 block of East Parkwood Avenue, police said. Friendswood police took the man, a passenger in a vehicle stopped for speeding, into custody after he could not answer questions about blood on his face, according to the report. Harris County Sheriffs Department conducted a welfare check at the mans home and learned a violent physical altercation allegedly had occurred. The man was turned over to Harris County, police said. Police charged a 52-year-old Friendswood woman with public intoxication Feb. 14 in the 700 block of West Parkwood Avenue. A witness told police the woman had become belligerent inside a restaurant and appeared to have difficulty keeping her balance, according to the report. Officers arrived to find the woman walking from the restaurant toward her vehicle and took her into custody, police said. A Pearland man, 33, was charged with public intoxication after a reported disturbance Feb. 15 at Cheers Pub, 502 N. Friendswood Drive, police said. Officers arrived to find the man arguing with his girlfriend, according to the report. Police charged a Houston man , 51, with public intoxication Feb. 16 in the 600 block of South Friendswood Drive. He reportedly was found asleep on a bench with two bottles of whiskey. Police charged a 28-year-old Alvin man with public intoxication Feb. 16 in the 700 block of Greenbriar Drive. A witness had reported a man stumbling in the roadway and stepping in front of passing cars, according to the report. Another caller reportedly told police the man had fallen and was bleeding from his head. An officer arrived to find the man walking in the ditch, police said. Tobacco A 14-year-old Friendswood High School student was found in possession of a vaping device on campus and will be issued a court summons for Friendswood Municipal Court, according to a Feb. 12 police report. A Friendswood High School student, 17, was found in possession of an electronic cigarette, according to a Feb. 13 police report. The student allegedly produced the contraband in the assistant principals office. A 14-year-old Friendswood High School student was found in possession of a vaping device after the school district received an anonymous tip, according to a Feb. 13 police report. Traffic Police charged a 33-year-old Houston man with driving while license invalid after a traffic stop for a defective headlight Feb. 17 in the 1500 block of South Friendswood Drive. His license plate light also had failed, police said. Patna, Feb 27 : The Bihar Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution to conduct a caste-based census in the state, officials said. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was advocating conducting a caste-based census since a long time. On Tuesday, the chief minister had proposed a caste-based census in the Assembly, which was passed unanimously on Thursday. Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary announced the passing of the proposal in the House. Talking to journalists outside the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Road Construction Minister Nandkishore Yadav said the resolution would now be sent to the central government. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA Bhai Virendra said: "Party President Lalu Prasad has been demanding a census for a long time... today, the ruling party had to bow to the demand of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly and passed the proposal." "Hold the front page, folks, and give us a couple of inside spreads with colour, lots of colour... William and Kate are arriving next week on their first official visit to the Republic. Let's pull out all the stops." The briefing on the coverage, blanket perhaps, of the royal visit comes from an editor-in-chief in a newsroom bunker somewhere in the verdant land bordering the counties of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Galway, all on the itinerary of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, alongside a meeting with President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other dignitaries, over a three-day visit which starts on Tuesday. According to an official Kensington Palace statement: "The Duke and Duchess will learn about local organisations working to support and empower young people and projects which provide opportunities to help them develop important life skills. Their Royal Highnesses will also hear more about Ireland's conservation initiatives and efforts to protect its environment, with a particular focus on sustainable farming and marine conservation." Great stuff. William's and Kate's visit to Galway will coincide with the city's European Capital of Culture festivities, which will take place throughout 2020. Good on them, I say ... but hold the front page? Really, does anyone in the Republic care a fiddler's bow about William's and Kate's visit next week? I mean, really care? What exactly will be achieved from a couple of days' saunter around the boreens of Ireland and traipsing through a modern European capital city or two; a few days' visit from ordinary, albeit decent, folk with little malice in their blue blood and few worries when it comes to their ATM accounts? "It's no big deal," says retired deputy school principal John Edwards. "If they're coming to visit, that's grand, but it is not going to change the course of our histories overnight, despite William being second in line to the throne. "I'm sure they're lovely people. Polite, considered, educated to a degree, but there are many similar other young couples with three kids, though not necessarily a nanny in tow." "Personally I am indifferent to them and I suspect I'm not alone in this," adds the man who, while across the water as a child in the Sixties, witnessed the investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales. "At the end of the day, the only one with any consequences or say or dividend in matters between Ireland and England is the Queen," says the one-time history teacher, who recalls crossing through Northern Ireland from Donegal back in the bad old days of the 1970s. Stopped by two squaddies at a checkpoint, one noticed a collection of history books strewn across the back seat of Edwards' Volkswagen Beetle. "A history teacher, matey?" the soldier inquired, to which the young Dub nodded in the affirmative. "Perhaps, you should try teaching your people the other side of the story some time," said the soldier, 19 years old if a day, then politely waved the then young history graduate on with a sway of his assault rifle. Ireland and the Crown have had an on-off relationship going back aeons, a relationship drenched in blood, the murder and mayhem of despots and devil-makers drunk on the audacity of religious megalomania and misanthropy on both sides of a divide that demands no retelling here. But a love/hate affair it has ever been, in a long, unforgiving time of warfare and madness. Officially, we were supposed to ignore it, the coronation of Elizabeth II that is - meant to be an event of supreme indifference to the citizens of De Valera's Ireland. Ireland's ambassador to London, Frederick Boland, attended but made clear he wasn't going to enjoy it, and the official Irish response to the affair was what Queen's University Belfast academic Gillian McIntosh called "measured". Cardinal D'Alton, then Primate of Ireland, issued a statement expressing the hope that the country would be "restored to its natural unity" during the reign of the new Queen. "There was quite a lot of hostility towards it," says journalist Mary Kenny, who studied the relationship between the Irish and the British Crown for her book Crown And Shamrock: Love and Hate Between Ireland and the British Monarchy (New Island Books). Unofficially, of course we loved it. Unofficially, we lapped it up, every detail, every epaulette and cummerbund, every title, regiment and crowned head. At the core of ordinary Irish people's affection for Queen Elizabeth, a remarkable woman in many ways, is "the Irish tradition of being interested in people, clan and family. In dynasty," says Kenny. Royal watchers in Ireland - and my own mother was an avid one - have followed Elizabeth through many travails, personal and political. We have binged on Netflix's The Crown. We have shown what Kenny calls a "sympathetic identification" with her as a wife and mother. Our interest may well have been fuelled by a relative lack of pageantry when first a new republic. "The people who provided glamour back then were the Catholic Church. The religious processions of the 1950s were beautiful, exquisite displays, but apart from that and the odd Hollywood film star, there was a vacuum," says Kenny. So, it was towards Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Sandringham and Balmoral that many of us southerners turned for our glitz fix. And so it was with Princess Diana, William's mother. In the South, we Irish did not escape succumbing to her beauty and innocent charm, long before we thought the Brits 'okay' after Queen Elizabeth's address to the Dail in 2011. Women loved Diana, admired her fashion and looks, respected her motherhood and her many charitable works. The same young women empathised with Diana during her battle with bulimia and depression and with her sad excuse of a marriage. This writer loved it when she once said: "They say it is better to be poor and happy than rich and miserable, but how about a compromise like moderately rich and just moody?" We watched the processions and the State occasions, but we followed the family dramas, too. We knew that the Queen Mother loathed the Duchess of Windsor, we felt for Princess Margaret when she wasn't allowed to marry Captain Townsend, we recoiled when the IRA murdered Lord Mountbatten and many wept unashamedly when they heard of Diana's death in that Paris car crash in 1997. The high point of Ireland's relationship with Queen Elizabeth came with the royal visit of 2011. Once again, it was the human element that won out over political or cultural concerns. Irish people responded to her warmly as a person and were delighted to see her genuine response to us and our country, not to mention the cupla focal. Once Elizabeth actually set foot in the country, something changed. The Irish tradition of cead mile failte took over - it's in our DNA. A common reaction to Elizabeth's visit was that Ireland's own ceremonial apparatus - the bands, troops and protocol experts - brought it all off so splendidly. And so to this week and William and Kate. And what of public opinion? Says Dublin-based author and history enthusiast Dave Lawlor: "As far as royal visits go, when it comes to impacting Anglo-Irish relations, the heavy lifting was done during the Queen's visit. I think that was important. We had Charles over last year and that visit passed with little fuss. I'm not sure a lot of people even knew he was here. This coming visit will probably create more of a stir, but that's probably down to the curiosity factor and the celeb-obsessed nature of those interested in Kate Middleton." For others, however, the whole royal thing is something of an enigma. Award-winning national newspaper columnist Paddy Murray says: "I don't understand royalty. I genuinely don't get the fawning and bowing and deference. "Having said that, I do not dislike them. The Queen was charming and charmed us on her visit here. So, welcome, William and Kate. But welcome in much the same way as our Maura Higgins and whoever her current partner is. And, no, I don't get Love Island." Best-selling novelist and landscape artist Muriel Bolger takes a warm and no-nonsense view. "I think it's great to see them coming to Ireland. They're a young couple who should be as any others able to visit and enjoy what our country has to offer," she says. "I'm not sure if their visit will further Anglo-Irish affairs, although I do believe we have much more in common than the things that divide us. "Let's put the red carpet out for Will and Kate. If I were not away, I'd invite them in for a cuppa and some cake, as I did when I met Prince Charles some years ago, though he hasn't taken that invite up just yet." Music promoter and impresario Howard Dee Crean, whose business takes him both sides of the border, argues that William and Kate are actually a nice couple and "His Highness still bears a close resemblance to his much-loved mother". "He is also a very personable man, not the distanced figure cut by his father and grandparents. Let's face it, we like him and his missus," he adds. "Does it support Anglo-Irish relations? Well, it does in as far as the neighbours drop in every now and then and take the time to learn about us, but I am not sure it teaches us anything about them, except that it continues to offer salve to coat the old wounds. "The more optimistic among us might say it is preparing for the inevitable federation of Ireland, a unification that will occur by natural symbiosis, and these visits are the ground laid to pave the way to a spirit of approved unity. The balaclava club will, no doubt, hiss and boo from the side of the theatre and shout loudly of the bold deeds of yore, but I don't think the majority of us are listening as we are too busy grinning at that nice couple from next door who have come to visit." Younger people such as Dublin actor Colin Condon are considered in their reaction to the visit. "I don't have a problem with the two individuals themselves," he says. "However, what they represent and symbolise bothers me greatly. They hark back to a time of colonialism, which I cannot respect. Once occupation of the North of Ireland has ceased and an apology has been issued from all members of the royal family, they are then more than welcome to meet and greet whoever they want to in our country. "I understand the significance of their visit and, with a generous minority of unionists and loyalists living on this island who see them as the next head of state for the UK, it's probably a good thing that they are coming. It progresses reconciliation, which is ultimately what I want for my country, but I won't be paving the streets for them, nor do I have any interest in their itinerary." The last word we'll leave to unashamed royalist Angie Grant, a senior public relations executive with global company Teneo but based in Dublin. "I am really excited for Kate and William's arrival to Ireland. This is their first official visit and, much like when Harry and Meghan visited shortly after their wedding, I think there will be a lot of media attention, especially after the events of the last few months," he says. "Their visit is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Ireland on a world stage. I expect they will be greeted warmly wherever they go and I am sure all eyes will be on what Kate wears during the visit. I really hope she wears some Irish designers during her engagements." Seafood exporters in Vietnam are not too worried though import demand for their products has taken a hit due to the coronavirus epidemic. While Viet Nam's seafood exports saw a drop due to COVID - 19, exporters are not too worried about the situation. Seafood exporters in Viet Nam are not too worried though import demand for their products has taken a hit due to the coronavirus epidemic. According to Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), seafood exports to China by land account for around 20 per cent of total value, and so the border closure has heavily impacted exports in the first quarter. VASEP forecast that in the best case, seafood exports to China in the first quarter would be 40 per cent lower than in the last quarter of last year though still 10 per cent higher year-on-year. If the disease persists for a long time, full-year export to China could see a 6 per cent drop, it warned. But Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of VASEP, said the disease's effect on exports in the first few months of the year had not been too drastic, and China's seafood imports usually pick up after March or April. Doan Chi Thien, a management board member at Nam Viet Corporation, said the Lunar New Year holiday was extended until February 9 in most of Chinas provinces, and so businesses were unable to export shark catfish to them. While shark catfish exports to China are expected to take a big hit, it is only temporary, while other markets are importing the product normally, with ones like South America and Europe in fact increasing shipments, according to Thien. His company has been focusing on diversifying its markets and reducing dependence on only one market, he added. Pham Thanh Tung of seafood supplier Vinh Hoan Corporation said his company hoped demand would pick up in the second quarter, adding that it had already been working on expanding its markets. VNS Big players in Vietnam's seafood sector face big losses The seafood sector witnessed unsatisfactory business results in the first nine months of the year as a number of big companies reported sharp declines in profits in comparison with the same period last year. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump declared that a widespread U.S. outbreak of the new respiratory virus sweeping the globe isnt inevitable even as top health authorities at his side warned Americans that more infections are coming. Shortly after Trump spoke Wednesday, the government announced a worrisome development: Another person in the U.S. is infected someone in California who doesnt appear to have the usual risk factors of having traveled abroad or being exposed to another patient. More than 33,000 have recovered and 2,800 have died from the virus. Live coronavirus tracker Coronavirus news in the U.S. Trump takes a victory lap early on in the coronavirus fight (CNN) Patient could be first case of person-to-person transmission caused by the new coronavirus in the general public in the United States (NBC News) How to prepare your home for the coronavirus (NPR) Disney World tells workers who traveled to Italy to stay home amid virus fears (USA Today) Voluntary quarantine rules applied to 700 in NY (lohud) Possible case of coronavirus being investigated in Southwest Virginia (News10) How is South Florida preparing for the coronavirus? (NBC SF) How Denver has prepared for a possible outbreak (9 News) Maine officials prepare for eventual outbreak (WGME) How to make the most of your time at home (Porch.com) Coronavirus news around the world People walk past an electronic board showing Hong Kong share index outside a local bank in Hong Kong, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. Shares fell in Asia on Thursday after President Donald Trump announced the U.S. was stepping up its efforts to combat the virus outbreak that began in China. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)AP Coronavirus cases surge to over 400 in Italy (BBC) World economy to grow at weakest pace of post-crisis era, BofA says (Financial Times) Japanese woman confirmed as coronavirus case for second time, weeks after initial recovery (Reuters) 20 countries confirm new coronavirus cases as outbreak surges outside China (CNN) Saudi Arabia halts travel to Mecca, Medina over coronavirus (Al Jazeera) Why Irans coronavirus outbreak may be worse than you think (Vox) Mulan was set to be a blockbuster in China. But then came the coronavirus. (NBC News) Local coronavirus news Coronavirus still not causing serious problems with Northeast Ohio companies doing business in China (cleveland.com) Cleveland Clinic CEO talks Coronavirus and prevention (News 5) Ohio State extends travel restrictions to South Korea (The Lantern) Read complete prior coronavirus coverage on cleveland.com PORTLAND - The Portland Public Library will close for six to eight weeks beginning on March 9. The closure will allow a contractor to re-do portions of the library, as part of the $358,000 renovation of the 37-year-old building. Even though the library will be closed, Library Director Janet Nocek said some activities will be held there, while others will take place in the nearby Senior Center. The overhaul of the library will focus on improving the facility in terms of accessibility, service provision and energy efficiency, Nocek said in a statement. Closing the library should make the project go faster - and go more smoothly, Nocek said in subsequent interview. Were certainly anticipating that the ambiance will be improved, and that the library will be made accessible to all. Much of the work will involve efforts to make the building more accessible to people with either physical or mental disabilities or a combination of both, Nocek said. Were trying mightily to remove those things that may be a barrier to our patrons, she said. The project will involve providing more accommodating seating for members of the aging populations, as well as those with joint issues, she said. This accommodating seating will be located in browsing areas and near displays of interest to visually impaired residents, Nocek said. To further serve residents with physical disabilities, the library is installing tables of adjustable height, she said. New lighting will be installed both at a new and updated service desk as well as in areas of adult browsing, Nocek said. The lighting will serve to improve usability as well as being more energy efficient, she said. The library also is addressing the desire of residents who want to use charging stations for mobile devices while reducing or eliminating the problems that can create. At present, a number of patrons place cords in walkways to meeting roomsand use chairs as tables to get closer to an outlet. However, in doing so, they create obstacles of wheel-bound persons and tripping hazards for others, Nocek said. One of the main reasons the library will be closed is because the contractor is tearing up the existing carpet. New carpet will be installed in the public areas, Nocek said. Doing so will yield a number of benefits, she said. It will provide better sound absorption. Color-coded layout of pathways will provide guidance in navigating the library for those with certain cognitive and visual challenges, Nocek said. The project is being funded by a combination of sources, including a $108,400 grant from the Connecticut State Library, and $250,000 from the Endowment Fund. It comes amid a surge in efforts to adjust and expand the library experience for residents of the region. Just last week, Cromwell re-dedicated its library following a $3.2 million renovation and expansion. And both the Russell Library in Middletown and the East Hampton Public Library have embarked on developing long-term strategic plans. WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Washtenaw County residents may expect almost $3,000 on average in tax returns, according to a new study. Financial tech company SmartAsset found Ann Arbor area residents receive the third-largest average tax refund in the state at $2,814, based on IRS data. SmartAsset determined the average by dividing the total amount of money refunded in each county by the number of refunds issued then created an index, according to the study. It just used the same methodology to determine the average amount of taxes owed. Washtenaw County also ranked third for taxes owed at $6,070 on average. Oakland County is at the top of the Michigan list. Metro Detroit residents there received an average of $2,996. Wayne County was secong at $2,887. Livingston County was eighth with $2,668. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: Ann Arbor identifies 5 strategies to eliminate local carbon pollution Farmland protection program reaches $5.6M allocated in Washtenaw County Tea Ninja bubble tea shop opens near University of Michigan See school closings for Washtenaw, Livingston counties Thursday, Feb. 27 What Michiganders need to know about coronavirus A special flight carrying 119 Indians and five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru, who were on board the coronavirus-hit quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, landed in New Delhi on Thursday morning. India thanked Japanese authorities for facilitating the evacuation of people. " flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo, carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again," tweeted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. As many as 138 Indians including 132 crew and six passengers were among the 3,711 people on board the luxury cruise ship, which was quarantined off on February 5 after it emerged that a former passenger had tested positive for the virus. Of these, 16 were tested positive for and will stay in for treatment, while the remaining will be repatriated to India. The repatriation is being facilitated by the Indian government. has infected more than 80,000 people in 37 countries, causing more than 2,600 deaths in the past few months. Earlier this month, India had evacuated as many as 640 of its nationals from Wuhan -- the capital of the Chinese province of Hubei which has been the epicentre of the novel Pew Charitable Trusts Publishes New State Government Broadband Report IBM Announces Theme for 2020 Call for Code Global Challenge Report Outlines Civic Engagement Strategies New York City has launched a pair of new civic tech competitions, of which one is aimed at strengthening tenant protection and the other at boosting access to mental health treatment, the city announced this week.These competitions are the work of a joint effort between the Mayors Office of the Chief Technology Officer (MOCTO) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), which are collaborating with other city agencies as well as the communities of Inwood and Washington Heights. Although there are two separate competitions, the application process for both is open now and slated to run through April 7.The first competition is the NYCx Co-Labs: Housing Rights Challenge , which will see MOCTO and NYCEDC working with the citys Department of Housing Preservation and Development, as well as with the NYC Mayors Office to Protect Tenants. This challenge is looking for ideas to help the city inform residents of the Inwood and Washington Heights neighborhoods about housing rights, and it is also in search of proposals for projects that can help these same residents ultimately take action.In a statement announcing the challenge, organizers noted that winning proposals would empower residents to claim their rights or would connect them with community-based organizations, resources, or relevant city services. Applicants should focus proposals on tenant education and outreach [as well as] solutions that simplify laws, regulations and procedures.The other new NYC civic tech competition is the NYCx Co-Labs: Accessible Mental Health Challenge , which will see MOCTO and NYCEDC working with the Mayors Office of ThriveNYC. The goal of this challenge is to find projects with the potential to improve mental health among Latinx youth between the ages of 13 and 18. To accomplish this, the city is looking for tools and technology that can improve both awareness of and access to mental health resources for that group. Noting that research shows nearly 20 percent of young Latinx residents of New York City have seriously considered suicide, organizers wrote that winning proposals will propose tools and resources that make it easier for Latinx youth to understand mental health and mental illness and how to get support when needed while helping reduce stigma around mental health issues.The second contest is also focused on specifically helping residents of the Inwood and Washington Heights neighborhoods. Although the desired results are hyper-local to New York City, organizers have opened the competition up to technologists, innovators and startups from across the globe.As many as two winners will be chosen for each of the challenges, with the selected projects receiving as much as $20,000 to be used in the service of a pilot program. Winners will also have the opportunity to partner with city agencies for an entire year. Organizers expect to make their selections in the spring after the April deadline passes, with the pilot projects slated to launch in the fall.More information about both challenges can be found online here Pew Charitable Trusts has published a new report about what state governments are doing to close broadband gaps.Dubbed "How States Are Expanding Broadband Access," researchers involved with the report first previewed it earlier this month at an event in Washington, D.C. , which featured panel discussions with many prominent state government broadband officials. The report is available online now , and at its core is a thorough description of what is happening in a number of states to close broadband connectivity gaps, make broadband pricing affordable for all residents and help train those same residents on meaningful skills to benefit from this technology.Other issues covered in depth within the report include a detailed look at the role that states play in broadband deployment, noting that this conversation most commonly revolves around whats being done at the federal and local levels.In addition, the report identifies five promising practices by state governments that have started to yield results. With states often facing common challenges, the idea behind sharing successes is that what works in one state can offer useful ideas to another state.Finally, the report also goes into specific stories across the country, including how Colorado has retrained coal miners to lay fiber, how rival towns in Maine came together to create a joint broadband effort, and how a family in Wisconsin was able to move to a rural community after the towns new broadband infrastructure made telework possible.This is all perhaps most notable because, as Pew officials noted, broadband issues are perhaps most commonly framed as federal or municipal challenges. States taking an active and aggressive role in closing the digital divide is a movement that is still gaining momentum, with some states further ahead than others. This report paints a detailed picture of whats happening at the state level nationwide, doing so by using roughly a dozen states as case studies.IBM has announced the theme for the 2020 Call for Code Global Challenge: climate change.The Call for Code Global Challenge is an annual civic tech competition that ranks among the largest and most prominent in the world. This year, participating developers and technologists are being asked to help halt and reverse the effects of climate change via projects that deploy open source-powered tech.To put the size of this competition in context, over the past two years that it has taken place, Call for Code has seen 210,000 participants building roughly 8,000 applications. The past two winners Prometeo (2019) and Project Owl (2018) continue to receive support from IBM developer teams and other partners helping them to test, scale and deploy ideas that grew from the challenge.The grand prize for this years challenge is $200,000 and open source deployment through Code and Response with The Linux Foundation.More information, as well as the application process, is online now A report this month from New America looks at the successful civic engagement strategies that have emerged as part of Cities of Services Engaged Cities Award.The Engaged Cities Award , for the unfamiliar, is an international effort to find and ultimately share local government work to include citizens in problem-solving processes. What the new report details is, essentially, whats being done at the local level to strengthen relationships between citizens and governments, noting that this type of collaboration is an effective move to strengthen communities and bring more residents into local government.The report can be found online here A "controlling" husband who was tired of his wife, but unwilling to accept the possibility of her divorcing him, put her off the end of a Lough Erne cruiser hired to celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary, a murder trial heard today. In his opening at the start of the Dungannon Crown Court trial of Stephen McKinney, prosecuting QC Richard Weir accused the 43-year-old father-of-two of murdering his 35-year-old wife Lu Na nearly three years ago. Mr Weir told the jury of seven men and five women that when they had heard all of the evidence they would find this was no tragic accident and you will be sure Stephen McKinney killed his wife. Trial judge Madam Justice McBride also heard that Mrs McKinney had also been incapacitated after taking the sleeping drug Zopiclone, obtained online by her husband Stephen, who caused her to enter the water. Her body was recovered for Fermanaghs Lower Lough Erne near Devenish Island, within 40 minutes of her husband raising the alarm in the early hours of April 13, 2017. Expand Close Stephen McKinney's wife Lu Na / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stephen McKinney's wife Lu Na The weather that night was described as good, with very little wind, and with a full moon providing good visibility. Mr Weir said while McKinney denied having anything to do with the death of his wife, when police arrived on the scene, during the four minutes it took them to dock, McKinney did nothing to recover his wife, a non-swimmer, from the lough. The prosecutor further claimed in the wake of his wifes tragic death McKinney gave conflicting accounts to police, authorities, family and friends as to how she came to be in the lough, after she had allegedly went to secure the mooring ropes on their cruiser. Mr Weir further revealed months before her tragic death Mrs McKinney had talked of divorcing her husband, and of taking their children back to China, something he would not have wanted. McKinney, originally from Strabane, but who lived with his wife and children in Flaxfields, Convoy, Co Donegal, now has an address in Castlerown Square, Fintona, Co Tyrone. However, in his opening address Mr Weir admitted that the case against McKinney was a circumstantial one, but one where the strands of evidence were sufficient, when taken together, to support their case. The lawyer said the Manor House Marine cruiser was the second the family had hired from the Killadeas marina in Fermanagh that April, for which they were given comprehensive instructions and safety demonstrations on its operation. Although advised to go to the east jetty at Devenish Island, he went to the west. The court later heard of details of the two emergency 999 calls made by McKinney shortly after 1am the following morning, claiming his wife had just ended up in the water. Initially, in the first call which was cut short, he is recorded saying his wife had fallen into the water after shed complained the boat was moving, that they both got out to adjust the mooring ropes, and she slipped and he jumped into the water to try and help her. When asked how she fell into the water, Mr McKinney was recorded repeating that they both got off the 29ft cruiser, but then: I just dont know, she just ended up in the water. Later he told a second operator: I was in the water looking for her, trying to, I was trying to keep her, I was trying to keep her up. I got hold of her, but she went down and I tried to pull her back up. I tried to pull her back up and she went down, then added: And she pulled me down. Mr Weir said McKinney was told to remain on the cruiser, get something warm to wear, and to put on the boat lights and await the arrival of the police. The lawyer said when he spotted the lights of the approaching police launch, McKinney was heard saying: Oh Lu Na, oh Lu Na. I do see her... look at her... I see my wife... I think I see her. The court heard it had taken police approximately 40 minutes from their Enniskillen base to reach the McKinney cruiser tied up on the west jetty at Devenish Island. However, Mr Weir claimed that while McKinney said he could see his wife in the water, on his own account he does nothing to pull her out of the water. The lawyer said the lough had no current at this side of the island, and that, given the calm conditions, Mrs McKinneys body would not have floated away and back again, and in the time which had elapsed, her body could not have sunk and resurfaced. Mrs McKinneys body, the jury heard, was pulled from the lough by a police officer using a boat hook. Counsel further claimed during the journey to the hospital and afterwards, McKinney told a police officer that his wife had complained the mooring ropes were loose, and she wanted to check them. Outside the hospital treatment room, McKinney had talked of trying his best to save her... she cant swim, that he heard a splash and I heard help and I jumped in... I had hold of her, trying to pull her up. I had a hold of her... at the boat... and she kept pulling me down... I tried my best but Im not a good swimmer. Later when told his wife was dead, McKinney allegedly revealed they had argued over the mooring ropes, and when they went out onto the jetty to check them, I heard her shout, I went to help. Mr Weir claimed McKinney told some of his wifes friends that she had slipped and fell into the water, that he heard a splash and went outside, while another friend allegedly heard him say he saw Lu Na trip and fall into the water. And despite the reportedly good weather conditions that night, McKinney claimed it was rocky on the boat... and that Lu Na was scared. The court heard that McKinney told one friend how his wife went outside and as he went to get his trousers to follow her, he heard splashes, but he told another friend he didnt see how she ended up in the lough. The jury also heard of the effect that the drug Zopiclone, used to treat insomnia, would have had on Mrs McKinney. Her husband said hed obtained it for her online and shed taken some that evening. The amount of the drug found in her system was more than the normal therapeutic dose and the effect on her was likely to have been substantial. Although it was not possible to say if she would have been fully awake at the time, her ability to respond adequately to the dangers she found herself in, would have been impaired. In conclusion, Mr Weir told the members of the jury Lu Na McKinney was incapacitated having consumed the Zopiclone. We say that Stephen McKinney caused her to enter the water at Devenish Island. We say he is a controlling man, tired of his wife, not prepared to accept her divorcing him and all the consequences that would entail for him and their children. And we say when you have heard all of the evidence, this was no tragic accident, and you will be sure Stephen McKinney killed his wife, declared Mr Weir. The trial, expected to hear evidence from up to 100 witnesses during the eight weeks it is likely to last, continues tomorrow. Who is Saurabh Kirpal? Indias likely to get its first openly gay judge of Delhi high court Justice Muralidhar, the judge who sentenced Sajjan Kumar to life in Sikh riots case India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 27: The transfer of Justice Muralidhar S has stirred up a controversy. The Congress accused the government of transferring the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court for his directive on the inaction of the police in the northeast Delhi violence. While the Congress feels that the transfer comes due to the latest directive the fact is that his transfer notification came 14 days after the Supreme Court Collegium recommended his transfer. Along with Justice Muralidhar, Justices R K Malimath and Ranjit More were also recommended for a transfer by the Collegium. Justice Muralidhar has delivered some important judgments at the Delhi High Court. He was on the Bench that delivered the verdicts in the Section 377 and Sikh riots case. Decision to transfer Justice Muralidhar was taken on Feb 12 with his consent In 2009, Justice Muralidhar along with then Chief Justice of the Delhi HC had decriminalised homosexuality. "We declare section 377 of Indian Penal Code in so far as it criminalises consensual sexual acts of adults in private is violative of Articles 21, 14, and 15 of the Constitution. As it stands, Section 377 denies a gay person a right to full personhood which is implicit in the notion of life under Article 21 of the Constitution," the Bench had said. In 2018, the Delhi High Court sentenced Congress leader Sajjan Kumar to life for his role in the Sikh riots case of 1984. The verdict was delivered while reversing a verdict of the lower court, which had acquitted Kumar. Justice S Muralidhar transferred from Delhi HC, notifies Centre The Bench comprising Justices Muralidhar and Vinod Goel held that investigation by the local police was a farce. Three out of the five trials involving allegations of murder were never investigated. The witnesses who might have seen the murders were not questioned. As pointed out by the trial Court, the State machinery came to a complete standstill in those two or three days when the rioting mobs took to the streets and indulged in acts of violence and killings, and setting properties on fire, the Bench had said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 16:03 [IST] There's a new app called RYDD that has been designed to provide a responsible, sober driver to chauffeur both its users and their cars home safely, particularly after a big night out. Fabrice Ruscoe, CEO and co-founder of RYDD Can you tell us about RYDD? What sparked the idea? Can you tell us about the journey of getting RYDD off the ground? What are some of the services that RYDD offers? Car owners may be reluctant to hand over their car keys to strangers. How do you ensure the safety of clients? What happens if one of the drivers are involved in an accident with a clients car? What are some of the obstacles you've had to overcome since starting out? The service is currently only available in Johannesburg. Will you be rolling out in other provinces? Fabrice Ruscoe, CEO and co-founder of RYDD, shares the journey of the latest ride-hailing app in South AfricaRYDD is a South African company to launch an application that allows a person to hail a designated driver at the touch of a button. This highly efficient and reliable designated driver app has just launched its service in Johannesburg and is expected to be launched across South Africa soon. The app was developed by lead developer: mobile, Bradley Goulding and lead developer: back-end, Stuart JackWe wanted to reduce the prevalence of drinking and driving by providing an easy way to request a designated driver to get you and your car home safely after a night out. Using a taxi service is always a good option to avoid getting behind the wheel after a few drinks, but it's not always the most practical option. It often means you have to leave your vehicle overnight at a venue, with the inconvenience of having to get back to it in the morning. The other option is to take a taxi there and back, but a two-way trip can be costly.With RYDD, you can request a designated driver and the app will pair you with the closest available driver.We have seen how technology can fundamentally change the user experience and even an entire industry, as the e-hailing apps have done in the metered taxi space. Having the right technology in place can really grow an industry by attracting new users and new service providers.We wanted to bring that to philosophy to the designated driving industry in South Africa in an effort to reduce the prevalence of drinking and driving. Although the concept of pairing a user to the closest designated driver is very simple in principle, the app is incredibly complex.An app of this nature requires a high level of geo-locating and tracking of a significant volume of drivers, so the development timelines and costs were fairly significant. After an extensive development period, were really excited to be launching the app.RYDD was designed to provide a responsible sober driver to chauffeur both its users and their cars home safely, particularly after a big night out. Users can hail a ride via their app on a smartphone.Our drivers have precious cargo to transport so we make sure that only the very best drivers join the RYDD team. Our drivers go through a rigorous recruitment and selection process. After successfully completing their interview, they are required to complete our driver training program which covers all aspects of our of the RYDD service including app training, customer service and driving protocols.After completing their theoretical training, we assess their driving with a practical driving assessment. Once the driver has completed all their assessments, we undertake criminal background checks and driver license verifications on all drivers before providing them with the RYDD branding and access to the RYDD driver platform.On completion on each RYDD, we ask our customers to rate their driver and provide any appropriate feedback so that we work with our drivers to ensure we continually deliver a premium designated driving experience to our clients.We draw our clients attention to the fact that they are required to have adequate insurance in place for their vehicle which includes the use of the vehicle by a third-party driver. In the unlikely event of an accident, the client will need to claim through their own insurance company. The majority of insurance policies do not limit the cover to only the primary driver, but we do encourage our clients to confirm this with their insurer beforehand.In our experience, insurance companies are usually very supportive of their clients making responsible decisions and not driving while under the influence of alcohol.Whilst we undertook a huge amount of user testing prior to launching to ensure we had a robust solution, there have been a number of scenarios that have only come to light in the live environment. Our ongoing challenging is to keep the platform as dynamic and responsive as possible so that we can respond to and address those issues.Absolutely, the app was launched in Johannesburg and other regions will follow shortly. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:34:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close (Video by Xinhua Reporter Zhang Mocheng) Since the novel pathogen was first discovered in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, China has been using a host of resolute measures to curb the spread of the virus. Scientists identified the novel coronavirus rather quickly and medical institutions across the country were provided with kits that help facilitate diagnosis. NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are encouraging in several aspects, a leading public health expert has said. "It's very heartening to see how quickly Chinese scientists were able to identify the sequence of the virus" and published it rapidly thereafter, said director of the Global Health Initiative at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. These are "very useful to the global community to understand what this disease looks like," El-Sadr said in a recent interview with Xinhua. The moves are valuable in terms of facilitating the development of tests to diagnose the virus disease as well as potential medication, said El-Sadr, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at Columbia University. "Once you know the virus, you can start also thinking of developing vaccines," she added. Clinical testing is essential to help bring people with symptoms quickly to the healthcare system, preventing potential transmissions, noted the researcher with expertise in various areas, including global health, hepatitis and infectious diseases. Since the novel pathogen was first discovered in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, China has been using a host of resolute measures to curb the spread of the virus. Scientists identified the novel coronavirus rather quickly and medical institutions across the country were provided with kits that help facilitate diagnosis. "China is going through a very difficult time. This is not an easy situation for any country to tackle ... we need to acknowledge this," said El-Sadr, while highlighting China's unparalleled ability to mobilize resources to swiftly develop the facilities to take care of a lot of sick people. "That's enormous effort and that should be applauded, because it's very, very important to have sufficient places where sick people can get the care they need," she said. El-Sadr also noted that it is important to try to have sufficient protective equipment for healthcare workers. Meanwhile, she emphasized that frequent and accurate communication of information is critical in the battle against a major public health emergency like the COVID-19 outbreak. "The more people are informed, the less likely they are to start imagining things and to start being fearful unnecessarily," she said. Wafaa El-Sadr, director of the Global Health Initiative at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, receives an interview with Xinhua in New York, the United States, Feb. 21, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Mocheng) Working with the general population through education information, such as circulating the knowledge about how to do self-identification and teaching simple things like frequent hand washing, is very helpful, said El-Sadr. Underscoring the importance of international cooperation and coordination in addressing a major outbreak, the veteran expert said that "infectious diseases don't respect borders and we're all vulnerable" in face of epidemics. She said that by strengthening collaboration on various fronts such as scientific research, China and the United States can contribute to the tackling of major global public health threats. Assessing the ongoing COVID-19 battle, El-Sadr said it is still worrisome "that we haven't seen yet definitive evidence that we are on the down slope that we're getting to the point where the virus and the disease will be extinguishing itself." Yet, she said she is "encouraged because of the level of awareness and the mobilization by communities and by scientists all around the world to try to overcome this." [February 27, 2020] NASA Glenn Announces Public Tours of World-Class Research Facilities WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's Glenn Research Center is offering 45-minute guided tours once a month from April through October. The tours will provide an inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at America's world-class research facilities. Glenn tours are free and open to the public, ages 10 and older. Tour stops are listed below and reservations are required. The tours in April through September will take place at Glenn's Lewis Field in Cleveland. On each tour, visitors will explore a laboratory and see where scientists and engineers conduct research to develop propulsion, power and communications technologies for NASA's aeronautics and space missions. At the end of each tour, guests will visit Glenn's Gift Shop. NASA is celebrating the 20th anniversary of a continuous human presence on the International Space Station this year. Four tours will feature facilities that contributed to the success of the space station. They are marked below with an *. Tour Stops: *April 4, Electric Propulsion and Power Lab, where researchers test spacecraft power and propulsion systems. May 2, Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory, where some of the world's most advanced aircraft noise-reduction ideas are developed and tested. June 6, 8x6 Supersonic Wind Tunnel, where researchers test models for the next generation of supersonic aircraft. *July 11, Graphics & Visualization (GVIS) Laboratory and the Reconfigurable User-interface & Virtual Reality Exploration (GRUVE) Laboratory. Come see things in a different light! *Aug. 8, Zero Gravity Research Facility, where researchers test payloads in free fall for five seconds, dropping over 400 feet. Sept. 12, Simulated Lunar Operations (SLOPE) Laboratory, where rover components are tested for their ability to navigate and investigate planetary surfaces. *October tour date and location to be announced. Access to the Saturday tour program is limited to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents. Other security restrictions apply. Most tour stops are wheelchair accessible. See Glenn Tours for details. Throughout the year, the public can also visit the Great Lakes Science Center in downtown Cleveland, home to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, where you'll find interactive exhibits, space galleries and fun for the whole family. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-glenn-announces-public-tours-of-world-class-research-facilities-301012939.html SOURCE NASA 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. Pompeo said the world will never forget "Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine." U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washington "does not and will not ever recognize" Moscow's claim to Ukraine's Crimea region, which it seized in 2014 and annexed. Pompeo said that "February 27 will mark the sixth anniversary of Russia's attempted annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and the United States reaffirms: Crimea is Ukraine," Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said. "As underscored in our July 2018 Crimea Declaration, the United States does not and will not ever recognize Russia's claims of sovereignty over the peninsula. We call on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea," he said. "Six years on, Russia continues to rely on lies and disinformation in its failed attempt to legitimize the illegitimate. Its efforts are doomed to failure," he said. Pompeo said the world will never forget "Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine." "The United States condemns Russia's illegal actions in Crimea and its continued aggressive actions against Ukraine, including in the Donbas, and will maintain sanctions against Russia until it returns control of Crimea to Ukraine and fully implements its commitments under the Minsk agreements," he said, referring to a set of agreements struck in the Belarusian capital aimed at ending the conflict. Read alsoZelensky declares Feb 26 Day of resistance to Crimea, Sevastopol occupation Pompeo's remarks came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree designating February 26 a memorial day to mark Russia's annexation of Crimea an annexation not recognized by the international community and which has led to a series of sanctions against Moscow. Pompeo said that "Russia's occupation of Crimea and its increasing militarization of the peninsula is a threat to our common security." He added that Moscow's "occupation authorities continue their assault on human rights and fundamental freedoms, brutally silencing critics in civil society and the media, and curtailing religious freedom." Pompeo said more than 80 people from Crimea, including members of the Tatar community, "have been imprisoned by Russia and some subjected to torture for peaceful opposition to the occupation." He also said Moscow had violated international law by forcibly conscripting nearly 20,000 Crimean men, a charge leveled in November by Human Rights Watch (HRW), which said the men were being forced to serve in the Russian military. The consular service is in constant contact with Ukrainians who are abroad, including in Italy. Head of the Crisis Management Center at the Consular Services Department of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Maksym Kovalenko has said Ukraine is not going to evacuate its citizens from Italy yet. Read alsoUkrainian woman tested positive for coronavirus in Italy not in critical condition MFA (Video) "At this point, we are not talking about the evacuation [of Ukrainians] from Italy," he said, according to the Ukrainian media outlet lb.ua. At the same time, the consular service is in constant contact with Ukrainians who are abroad, including in Italy. Kovalenko stressed all requests of citizens of Ukraine had been taken into account. As UNIAN reported earlier, a Ukrainian woman was hospitalized in Italy after having tested positive for the novel coronavirus. She is not in critical condition. Former President John Dramani Mahama said he brought about the now highly acclaimed Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, one of the flagship initiatives of the Akufo-Addo administration. Currently, through the effort of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, about 1.2 million children are studying and being fed free of charge at the senior secondary level. Mr. Mahama has been embarking on what the opposition NDC has termed Speak Out tour as part of his re-election bid for 2020 following his massive defeat as incumbent in 2016. He completed a tour of the Western North Region last week and zoomed into the Ahafo Region this week with his 'Speak Out' sessions. Speaking at Sienchem in the Asutifi South Constituency, Mr. Mahama told the gathering that he started the Free SHS programme, claiming it was meant for day students. Addressing them in Twi, he said, Free SHS is good. If anyone stands anywhere and says that I, John Mahama, will cancel Free SHS tell the person he or she is a liar, adding, I haven't said anywhere that when we come to power we are going to cancel the policy. We started it with day students and we were going to expand it when, unfortunately, we left office. Clear Intentions The former President said that during his tenure he planned that if all the kids go to school at once it was going to be a problem for his government so he decided to build more schools and subsequently started the 200 Secondary Schools project which came to be known as E-Blocks. There are about 600 schools in the country and we decided to build 200 more, he said. Interestingly, by the time Mr. Mahama left office, only 23 out of the 200 schools had been completed and even that only five were funded by his government, with the rest being financed by the World Bank. Propaganda Mood He implied that President Akufo-Addo had forced many children into schools without the needed infrastructure, claiming today your kid gets admission and they say there are no dormitories. Your 14-year-old kid, they will tell him or her to go and rent a room to be able to go to school. As you sit here, whether your kid is in school studying or with some bad people who are into tramadol you would not be able to know, he added. Double Track He said he has not denied that he will cancel the double-tract system which was brought by the government as a temporary measure to cater for the unprecedented huge numbers that were coming to SHS as a result of the free policy. I didn't say I would cancel Free SHS. What I have said is that when I come back to power, I will cancel the red gold greed traffic light double-track system, he added. He claimed that the double-track system is making the students rusty, adding I spoke to one teacher who told me because of double track the students come back to school not remembering what was taught them and you have to use about two weeks to refresh their memories. Besides, the former President claimed when the kids are in the house they engage in all sorts of immoral acts including smoking and use of tramadol. He said his plan is to complete the E-Blocks which he cynically said had been abandoned for rats and snakes. Mr. Mahama's position on the Free SHS continues to be questioned by his opponents, especially members of the ruling NPP, who have ensured the implementation of the laudable policy. Nana Response President Akufo-Addo has already said that Mr. Mahama's intention to review the Free SHS programme shows that he is going to cancel it entirely if he gets the chance. Review is not a policy; he should tell us his policies and leave ours alone, the President fired recently. Previous Comment Last year, Mr. Mahama, speaking at the 27thAnnual Residential Delegate Congress organized by the Ghana National Union of Technical University Students in Kumasi, stated Free SHS is here to stay, an assertion that contradicted the moldy entrenched hostility exhibited by the NDC against the Free SHS policy since 2008 when Nana Akufo-Addo promised it. The NPP National Youth Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye, aka Nana B, said at the time that the seeming endorsement given to Free SHS policy by former President Mahama is driven by ill-faith, deception and opportunism borne out of former President Mahama and the NDC's innate tendencies to subtly associate themselves with good things and to benefit from same. Free SHS Hatred It is on record that former President Mahama and the NDC in 2012 sponsored over 46 radio and television adverts against the Free SHS policy alone. Notable utterances by high-ranking members of the NDC against the policy are in the public domain, with Mr. Mahama himself leading the charge. He said at Okere in the Eastern Region that Free SHS would collapse the education system of Ghana. Besides, at the University of Cape Coast in 2016 as President, he said the Free SHS by the NPP was a 'political gimmick'. In Tarkwa, during an NDC so-called Unity Walk, Mr. Mahama strongly rejected the Free SHS policy, stating that it was unwise to implement it and said on November 25, 2017 that Lalasulala Free SHS will fail. On October 1, 2018, Mr. Mahama reiterated his aversion to Free SHS by stating it was unthinkable to spend GH2 billion on Free SHS and that it was seriously constricting government's budget. Nana Effort At least some 804 facilities which started in 2017 under the Senior High School Intervention Projects (SHSIPs) are beginning to yield results, as some schools are being taken off the double-track system. The projects consist of the construction of new classroom, administration and dormitory blocks, as well as assembly halls, science laboratories and toilet facilities, as part of the effort to expand existing SHSs although the NDC said in 2008 and repeated in 2012 that it would take 20 years or more to put up such massive infrastructural projects to permit the implementation of the Free SHS policy that was proposed by the then Candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. ---Daily Guide KYODO NEWS - Feb 27, 2020 - 22:13 | All, Japan, Olympics, Coronavirus International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said Thursday the body is fully committed to the Tokyo Olympics going ahead on schedule despite the threat of a further spread of the new coronavirus. Bach told Japanese media in a conference call that the IOC "is fully committed to a successful Olympic Games in Tokyo starting July 24." Asked whether there were alternatives to holding the Olympics as scheduled, as suggested in a recent interview with IOC member Dick Pound, Bach only said, "I'll not add fuel to the flames of speculation." (File photo) Bach followed Pound's script, that the best thing to do was to prepare full speed for the Tokyo Games going ahead as planned. In the face of a world health crisis of unknown scope and scale, Pound suggested the remote possibility of a cancelation, a thought that did not sit well in Tokyo. Japan's Olympics minister Seiko Hashimoto dismissed Pound's opinion as an unofficial view. Asked to put to rest the idea that there are potential alternatives to holding this summer's Tokyo Olympics, Bach chose not to say. He chose to speak, however, about steps being taken involving China, where the virus first hit hard, and the big goal for 2020. "(The priority) is to ensure the qualification procedure and protecting the safety of athletes at the same time. This is what we're doing in cooperation with the Japanese authorities, the World Health Organization, the Chinese Olympic Committee and many NOCS," Bach said, referring to national Olympic committees. "For the IOC, it's true what we've been saying all the time that the preparations for Tokyo 2020 are continuing with a view to having a successful Olympic Games this summer in Tokyo." Related coverage: Olympics: Organizers consider downsizing torch relay over virus Olympics: Japan dismisses IOC member's view on Tokyo Games' fate Gov't will ask all schools in Japan to shut over virus fears: PM Abe Nurses in protective gear talk to people in the reception area of the First People's Hospital in Yueyang, Hunan Province, China, January 28, 2020. Reuters/Thomas Peter A coronavirus outbreak that started in China has sickened more than 82,000 people and killed more than 2,800. Cases have been recorded in 47 other countries. Most patients seem to make full recoveries, but people who've recovered could still get the virus again in the future. That already happened to a tour guide in Japan she recovered from the coronavirus, then tested positive for it again three weeks later. The antibodies that patients are producing so far don't necessarily last very long, one expert said. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. People who have gotten the new coronavirus and recovered can get it again in the future, health authorities say the body does not become immune after infection. On Wednesday, Japanese authorities reported the first confirmed case of reinfection. A tour guide in Osaka first tested positive for the coronavirus in late January, then was discharged from the hospital three weeks ago after showing signs of recovery. But she returned to the hospital after developing a sore throat and chest pain and tested positive for the coronavirus once again. Zhan Qingyuan, director of pneumonia prevention and treatment at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, warned last month that this could happen. "For those patients who have been cured, there is a likelihood of a relapse," Zhan said in a briefing on January 31. "The antibody will be generated; however, in certain individuals, the antibody cannot last that long." Reinfections among patients in China have been reported as well. In total, the coronavirus has infected more than 81,000 people, 95% of whom are in China. More than 2,770 have died. (For the latest case total, death toll, and travel information, see Business Insider's live updates here.) A risk of reinfection The coronavirus family includes the viruses that cause SARS, MERS, and the common cold. Most cause upper-respiratory infections. Story continues When a virus enters a human body, it tries to attach to and take over host cells. In response, our immune systems produce antibodies: proteins that recognize and remove viruses. An illustration from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the novel coronavirus. Associated Press That's how humans become immune to certain illnesses. Children that have contracted chickenpox, for example, are immune to the disease as adults. Vaccines are another way to develop immunity. "With many infectious diseases, a person can develop immunity against a specific strain after exposure or infection," Amira Roess, a professor of Global Health and Epidemiology at George Mason University, told Business Insider. "Often, that person will not get sick again upon subsequent exposure to it." But in the case of the new coronavirus, according to Zhan, doctors don't think the antibodies patients develop are strong or long-lasting enough to keep them from contracting the disease again. "Once you have the infection, it could remain dormant and with minimal symptoms, and then you can get an exacerbation if it finds its way into the lungs," Philip Tierno, a professor at the NYU School of Medicine, told Reuters. Coronavirus cases around the world A medical official takes the body temperature of a child at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as China is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter Coronavirus cases have been reported in 47 countries beyond China. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency last month, but does not yet consider it a pandemic. Public-health experts are urging the public especially anyone who travels to wash hands frequently, avoid touching one's face, and stay away from anyone who appears sick. Read the original article on Business Insider Republican members of Congress oppose making lynching a federal crime Four members of Congress one independent and three Republicans have voted against a law that will make lynching a federal crime. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill, with 410 members voting in support. However, four members voted against it: Republicans Thomas Massie, Ted Yoho and Louie Gohmert and independent Justin Amash. As their opposition to the bill meets with both outrage and bafflement, the four congressmen are offering various explanations for their votes. Mr Massie, who has a reputation for voting against bipartisan legislation in Congress, said that Adding enhanced penalties for hate tends to endanger other liberties, such as freedom of speech. Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Show all 15 1 /15 Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: People participate in an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message "Go Trump". Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: People participate in an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message "Go Trump". Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: People participate in an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message "Go Trump". Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: People participate in an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message "Go Trump". Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Children play on playground equipment that was defaced with swastikas during an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message AGo Trump.A Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz speaks at a anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message AGo Trump.A Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 20: A piece of playground equipment that was defaced with swastikas stands during an anti-hate rally at a Brooklyn park named in memory of Beastie Boys band member Adam Yauch on November 20, 2016 in New York City. On Friday, the park and playground was spray painted with swastikas and the message AGo Trump.A Hundreds of people, many with their children, listened to community leaders and Beastie Boys member Adam Horovitz condemn racism and intolerance. Following the election of Donald Trump as president, there has been a surge of incidents of racist activities reported. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn A woamn takes a photo of messages and flowers left at a playground before a protest against racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists protest racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists protest racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists protest racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn New York State Senator Daniel Squadron speaks as activists protest racism and hate after swastikas found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. The two remaining members of the Beastie Boys called for an anti-hate rally at the park in memory of band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Flowers left by activists at the entrance to Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016 after swastikas were found in the park. The two remaining members of the Beastie Boys called for an anti-hate rally at the park in memory of band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Messages and flowers left by activists at a playground protesting racism and hate after swastikas were found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. The two remaining members of the Beastie Boys called for an anti-hate rally at the park in memory of band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Activists Protest Racism And Hate In Brooklyn Activists protest Racism and Hate after swastikas found in Adam Yauch Park in Brooklyn, New York on November 20, 2016. The two remaining members of the Beastie Boys called for an anti-hate rally at the park in memory of band member Adam Yauch after it was defaced with swastikas. / AFP / ANGELA WEISS (Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Mr Yoho explained his opposition to the bill as a broader matter of states rights, saying that hate crimes were already punishable by death in his state and that for the federal government to pass the bill encroaches on the principles of federalism. Mr Gohmert, meanwhile, said he had trouble with the federal nexus of lynching and said the bill sends entirely the wrong message about how serious this is by only allowing for a maximum 10-year prison sentence. And Mr Amash took to Twitter to explain his vote in a long thread, explaining that he opposed the bill for several reasons, including its federalisation of criminal law. Creating federal crimes for matters that are normally handled by the state obscures which government federal or state is responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, he wrote. It gives power to unelected federal officials whom voters cant directly hold accountable. The law is named the Emmett Till Anti-lynching Act in tribute to a 14-year-old boy lynched in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly looking and whistling at a white woman. It was introduced in February last year by Illinois congressman Bobby Rush, who said it would at last outlaw an American evil. Congress has been trying to pass a bill to make lynching illegal for more than 100 years. A version of this latest bill was approved by the Senate, but the version passed by the House will have to be passed again in the upper chamber. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the body of lawyers practising in the Supreme Court, passed two separate resolutions on Wednesday, one condemning the statements of Supreme Court judge, justice Arun Mishra praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and another on pursuing appropriate proceedings before the court in relation to Delhi violence so that suitable judicial orders can help restore normalcy in the national capital. Supreme Court judge Arun Mishra, who on February 22 delivered the vote of thanks at the inaugural ceremony of the international judicial conference, said: India is a responsible and most friendly member of the international community under the stewardship of the internationally acclaimed visionary Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He went on to describe Modi as a versatile genius who thinks globally and acts locally. The remarks by Justice Mishra came in for sharp criticism from SCBA, which, in its resolution, said such statements reflect poorly on the independence of judiciary. The resolution added that independence of judiciary is a basic feature of the Constitution of India and judges would be best advised not to make such statements in the future or display any proximity to the executive, including high functionaries. Such proximity and familiarity may impact judicial decision making process and give rise to justifiable doubts in the minds of the litigants about the outcome of case, the resolution went on to add. The other resolution took note of the violence in Delhi and the failure of law and order machinery to deal with it. The bar body resolved that it would take appropriate steps to bring the issue before the Supreme Court so as to get suitable orders which will help bring the situation under control. The resolution authorized the president of SCBA, Dushyant Dave and secretary, Ashok Arora to take appropriate action in this regard to bring immediate normalcy in the state and hold authorities responsible for failure, accountable. The violence in the national capital was also condemned by a bench of the Supreme Court on Wednesday during the hearing of case on Shaheen Bagh road blockade. Justice KM Joseph, one of the judges on the bench, said that inaction by police and lack of professionalism in police force was a major reason for the violence getting out of hand. The moment an inflammatory remark is made, police should take action. Not just Delhi, any other state for that matter. 13 lives (the death toll at the time he spoke; it had risen to 27 by the end of day) are not small. Police should act as per law. Editors note: The following is another profile of a District 11 congressional candidate from the Texas Scorecard, which provided permission to run the article. Devoted Christian, husband, father, veteran and constitutionalistcongressional candidate Wesley Virdell said those are the aspects that fuel and define his passion to defend the cause of liberty and freedom. The 39-year-old Republican from Brady is one of 10 candidates seeking the party nomination for Texas 11th Congressional District in the United States House of Representativesa seat being left by retiring U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway. Virdell and his wife, Sara, have been married for 17 years and have three sons. An Air Force veteran who served more than six years, Virdell worked on intercontinental ballistic missiles, ultimately attaining the rank of staff sergeant. I was part of the Space Force before it was cool, Virdell said with a chuckle. Elements of the missile defense program Virdell worked on have become part of the new Space Force program created under the direction of President Donald Trump. In addition to military service, Virdells educational background includes associate degrees in occupational studies, electronics, management, and more. After leaving the Air Force, Virdell returned home to his hometown of Brady, where he owns a trucking company that provides energy industry-related services. He also works as a diesel mechanic. Virdell is a long-time voter and has been actively involved at the grassroots level by staying informed, calling his representatives and even traveling to the state Capitol to testify in legislative committees for conservative legislation. CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE HERE: http://bit.ly/2VqTh6M High School Near Seattle Shuts Down Over Possible Coronavirus Case Education officials in Washington state closed a school near Seattle after a relative of a staff member was put into quarantine because they potentially have the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Bothell High School, about 25 miles northeast of Seattle, was shut down on Thursday out of an abundance of caution, Michelle Reid, the superintendent of the Northshore School District, said in a letter to parents and students. A staff member at the school was traveling internationally for a week before returning to the United States and reporting back for work on Monday, Reid said. That staffer said a relative who was traveling with them became ill on Tuesday and was taken to the hospital. The relative was placed into quarantine over concerns they might have the COVID-19 disease, which is caused by the new virus that emerged in China late last year. Subsequently, the staff member began a self-quarantine at home. At this time, there is no confirmation that the family members illness is connected to the coronavirus outbreak, but out of an abundance of caution, the family member is being tested, Reid told school families in the letter. Officials at first were told theyd learn of the test results in one day but public health officials told them in a meeting the results could take up to seven days to be processed. Reid said she was pushing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide the results faster. While health officials have indicated the risk to the community is minimal, and said they didnt think a school closure was warranted, Reid said she decided to close the school on Thursday. While today, our support services staff have been taking initial steps to disinfect the areas where the staff member traveled on the campus, we need more time to fully and completely disinfect the entire school as a preventive measure, she said. Officials also wanted to find students, staff members, or visitors that came into contact with the staff member who is now in isolation when he or she was at work on Monday. Employees in scrubs talk next to the ambulance entrance at Providence Regional Medical Center after a spokesman from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said a traveler from China has been the first person in the United States to be diagnosed with the Wuhan coronavirus, in Everett, Washington, on Jan. 21, 2020. (Lindsey Wasson/Reuters) The country the staff member and their relative traveled to was not disclosed. One of the 60 cases confirmed in the United States was a Washington state resident. That was the first case confirmed domestically and the man was later released from the hospital after officials said he fully recovered. Federal officials warned this week that community spread of the COVID-19 disease is possible and warned people to prepare for their lives to be disrupted, citing school closures as a possible action taken by communities to try to stem such a spread. The first case in the United States from possible person-to-person spread outside of China or Japan was confirmed in California late Wednesday. Officials arent sure how the patient became infected. Federal officials on Thursday said issues that delayed wider testing of the virus were finally solved and urged the public to remain calm, claiming an outbreak of the new virus in the United States would be similar to the annual spread of influenza. The new virus has symptoms that are nearly indistinguishable from the flu, including fever, headache, and trouble breathing. Until recently, only those who have a travel history to China or who have been in close contact with someone who has are being tested. But testing started this week on samples gathered in several major cities from suspected flu patients if their samples tested negative for the flu. Experts say the best ways to avoid the new virus include frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizerespecially before eatingavoid sick people, and not touching ones face, mouth, or nose with unwashed hands. Glowing amphibians such as frogs may be more common than previously thought, according to a new study. US biologists found more than 30 species of amphibians, including toads, frogs, newts and salamanders, all showed a natural phenomenon called 'biofluorescence'. Biofluorescence, where organisms emit a fluorescent glow after absorbing light energy, may be widespread in amphibians, the team conclude. The researchers say it may help amphibians find each other in dim light, attract mates or help camouflage themselves in the face of predators. The colourful effect had previously only been observed in one salamander and three frog species. Scroll down for video The marbled salamander (left) and the eastern tiger salamander (right) both showed biofluorescence - they emitted a fluorescent glow after absorbing light energy Other species used in the study, top left from clockwise: Northern dwarf siren, Alpine newt, three-lined salamander and spotted dusky salamander The team, from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, exposed somewhere between one to five creatures from 32 amphibian species to blue or ultra-violet light. This included common North American species such as the American toad, the wood frog, the California giant salamander and the green pacman frog, which is kept in the US as a pet. While most of the 32 species are from North America, others observed are native to South America (such as the Amazon milk frog) Europe (Alpine newt) and China (Fire belly newt). Close-up of the Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris). The study suggests the ability to emit the fluorescent glow after absorbing light energy may be widespread in amphibians, including those that weren't used in the study Bioflourescence in a dwarf siren salamander, which ranges in length from about 4 to 10 inches Close-up of the Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris). The biggest of the males can reach up to 3.5 inches and the females 4.7 inches The team measured the wavelengths of light emitted by the animals using a spectrometer, an instrument used to measure properties of light over a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. All the creatures that were exposed to light 50 in total showed varying degrees of biofluorescence in different body parts. Fluorescent patterns differed between species, from blotches and stripes to fluorescent bones and all-over fluorescence. A Rio Cauca caecelian. Caecilians are a group of serpentine amphibians that completely lack limbs Closeup of a fringed leaf frog in defensive pose - one of the many amphibian species that displays biofluorescence. This could be as a means of camouflage or attracting a mate The green pac man frog. Scientists found patterns of fluorescence differ substantially between species ranging from illuminated blotches and stripes, to bones or all-over fluorescence WHAT IS BIOFLUORESCENCE? Biofluorescence is the absorption and emission of light from living organisms. These organisms have proteins in their skin or other tissues that absorb light. This causes the light that is emitted to be a different colour than the light that is absorbed. Fluorescence is the temporary absorption of electromagnetic wavelengths from the visible light spectrum by fluorescent molecules, and the subsequent emission of light at a lower energy level. When fluorescence occurs in a living organism, it is known as called biofluorescence. Advertisement Of all the species observed in the study, those from the ambystomatidae family of salamanders spotted, blue spotted, marbled and eastern tiger species showed the highest rates of biofluorescence. 'We were surprised to find that every amphibian species we tested exhibited varying degrees of striking biofluorescent patterns that glowed a brilliant green colour, including from varying life history stages from tadpoles to adults,' Matt Davis, co-author of the research, told MailOnline. 'Some of our favourite patterns were those found in salamanders, where spots and other markings often glowed with intense fluorescent emissions, such as the Eastern tiger salamander.' Biofluorescence may help amphibians to locate each other in low light, thanks to small photoreceptor cells in their eyes called rod cells that are sensitive to green or blue light. The light effect may create more contrast between amphibians and their environment, allowing them to be more easily detected by other amphibians. It could also aid amphibians in camouflage including predator mimicry, where they blend with surroundings to catch prey or even mate choice, as observed in other biofluorescent species such as parrots. The Eastern tiger salamander, which is found in North America. The species' spots glowed with 'intense fluorescent emissions' One of the few species used in the study that originates from outside the Americas was the Chinese fire belly newt (pictured), which has a bright-orange pattern on its underside to detract predators The blue-spotted salamander, one of the 32 species, is native to the Great Lakes states and northeastern United States Mechanisms that cause biofluorescence may include the presence of fluorescent proteins and compounds in skin, secretions and bones. It may also relate to the chemical and structural composition of some amphibians chromatophores, which are pigment-containing and light-reflecting cells. The findings suggest that ancestors of modern amphibians were able to biofluoresce, resulting in the phenomenon being widespread among amphibians today. Biofluorescence is widespread and variable across Amphibia, and our findings shine a new light on how much more we have to learn about the biology of these fascinating vertebrates, the authors say. Previous studies have documented the presence of biofluorescence in ray-fined fishes, arthropods and cnidarians a marine phylum that includes corals and jellyfish. 'In recent years there has been a number of studies that have identified that biofluorescence is widespread among vertebrate lineages such as cartilaginous fishes (sharks), ray-finned fishes (eels, wrasses, gobies), and sea turtles,' Professor Davis told MailOnline. 'We were interested in exploring whether biofluorescence is a phenomena that is widespread in amphibians, as they are aquatic to semi-aquatic vertebrates that are often exposed to light environments that may be conducive to fluorescent conditions.' The research has been published in Scientific Reports. Social and cultural activists from far and wide converged here on Thursday to lend their support to a massive rally that marked the conclusion of Kanhaiya Kumar's 'Jan Gan Man Yatra' across Bihar to galvanise public opinion against CAA-NPR-NRC. Medha Patkar of the Narmada Bachao Andolan fame, Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Tushar Gandhi and former IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan, who gave up his career at a young age in protest against abrogation of Article 370, shared the stage with the former JNU students' leader. Shabnam Hashmi -- founder of socio-cultural organisation ANHAD and sister of slain Marxist playwright and director Safdar Hashmi -- also joined them. Congress MLA Shakil Ahmed Khan, a former president of JNU students' union himself who accompanied Kanhaiya during his tour that commenced at Champaran on January 30, Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary, and leaders of state units of CPI and CPI(M) also addressed the rally held at Gandhi Maidan. Kanhaiya began his speech with a one-minute silence held in the memory of those who lost their lives in Delhi violence. Defending his frequent use of the term "azadi" (freedom) which supporters of the Sangh Parivar hold to be tantamount to supporting secession, Kanhaiya said, "We must talk about the virtues of azadi here since today happens to be the day when legendary revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad had given up his life fighting the British." Charging the ruling BJP with pitting Hindus against Muslims, he said, "Let us resolve to defeat their agenda by emulating the fabled friendship of Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan." The young CPI leader, who made an unsuccessful debut from his native Begusarai Lok Sabha constituency last year, seemed unimpressed with the resolution passed by the Bihar Assembly earlier this week against NRC and inclusion of contentious clauses in NPR forms. "Both the government and the opposition are busy congratulating themselves. I extend my congratulations as well. But to all those who are present here, I would say it is a half-victory. We must not allow our movement to fizzle out and draw inspiration from Gandhi's model of civil disobedience when the NPR exercise gets underway," he said. "Villagers should ask their respective panchayat heads to ensure that no NPR official is allowed to come knocking in their areas of jurisdiction when NPR is scheduled to be undertaken in May," the CPI leader said. "We have to brace for a long and tough fight. We are living under a regime which sends conscientious professionals like Dr Kafeel Ahmed behind the bars and declares anybody questioning its actions as an anti-national," said Kanhaiya, who has himself been slapped with a sedition case. Earlier, in his address, Tushar Gandhi likened CAA, NPR and NRC to the "three bullets that killed the Mahatma" and asserted that these measures would "harm the poor, belonging to all religious communities and not just the Muslims". "If the government does not care about the poor, we must tell those in power -- 'chale jaao' (go away) just as we had done to the British colonisers... it is going to be a long fight. Independence was achieved five years after the call for Quit India Movement," he said. "We need to keep repeating the importance of non-violence over and over again while those with other value systems simply have to utter inciting statements," he said, in an oblique reference to the controversial poll campaign of Union minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur during the recently-held Delhi Assembly elections, which the party lost. Kannan Gopinathan said, "The claim that CAA is all about granting citizenship and not taking it away is bunkum. Any law which seeks to favour one section of the society on the basis of religion can be tweaked to harm another social segment... people say this government is Fascist. I am not sure of that but it is certainly stupid." "This government brought in demonetisation and wrecked the economy but failed to achieve its promise of eradicating black money. It abrogated Article 370 and now it is clueless as to what to do with the situation in Kashmir," he said. "Union minister Amit Shah had declared in Parliament that NRC will be implemented. Faced with public resistance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to say he does not know what NRC is. Keep up the stir for a little longer, he will start saying he does not know Amit Shah," said Kannan, evoking peals of laughter. In the course of his speech, Kanhaiya also made the crowds sing after him the National Anthem but skipped a few words towards the end. Participants at the rally were viciously trolled on social media for the slip-up. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images(LONDON) -- The threat of the coronavirus has hit the London school attended by Prince William and Duchess Kate's two oldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. A spokesperson for Thomas's Battersea has confirmed to several U.K. media outlets that a few students at the school have self-isolated for suspected novel coronavirus and are awaiting test results. "Like all schools we are taking the potential risks connected with the spread of COVID-19 very seriously and to this end are following government guidance to the letter around both prevention against infection and in dealing with cases where any staff or pupils are suspected of being exposed to the virus or who display any symptoms," the spokesperson said in a statement published by the outlets. "We currently have a very small number of pupils who have been tested and these individuals are currently, as per government advice, remaining at home pending the receipt of their test results." Thomas's Battersea has not yet responded to ABC News' request for comment. George, 6, is in his third year at Thomas's Battersea and Charlotte, 4, started her first year at the school last fall. The private school is located in Battersea, South London, less than four miles from Kensington Palace, where Charlotte and George live with their brother, 1-year-old Prince Louis, and William and Kate. It has around 550 students from a variety of backgrounds. Thomas's Battersea has informed parents, including William and Kate, about the coronavirus testing and is not commenting on specific cases to "preserve staff and pupil confidentiality," according to the spokesperson. The newly identified virus, known officially as COVID-19, originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan back in December and has since spread overseas to at least 37 other countries, with South Korea, Italy and Iran seeing recent surges in case numbers. The World Health Organization, which has declared the outbreak a global health emergency and said it "absolutely" has the potential to become a pandemic, has recorded more than 81,000 confirmed infections globally. Over 96% of those cases were in China. At least 2,762 people have died from confirmed cases of the virus, all but 44 in China, according to the latest data from the WHO. COVID-19 causes symptoms similar to pneumonia, ranging from the mild, such as a slight cough, to the more severe, including fever and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. There is no vaccine yet for the virus. Increasing concerns over virus exposure have prompted some airlines to suspend flights to China and South Korea and cities around the world to suspend public gatherings and close schools, businesses and restaurants. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday ordered the closure of all schools nationwide to help control the spread of the disease. More than one dozen people have tested positive for coronavirus in England, according to the BBC. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. GLADWIN, MI A woman charged with attempted murder after telling police she shut off her mothers life support system at a Gladwin nursing home has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Corinne J. Damm, 59, has pleaded no contest to one count of vulnerable adult abuse, according to a Gladwin County 55th Circuit Court official. Damm reached agreement on the amended charge this week after the incident involving her 78-year-old mother at the Gladwin Pines Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Officers with the Gladwin Police Department responded shortly after 8:15 p.m. Feb. 1 to the center, 449 Quarter St., for a report of a suspicious situation. The caller was very distraught stating she had turned off her mothers ventilator at the Gladwin Pines, states a report from the Gladwin Police Department, obtained by MLive through a Freedom of Information Act request. The mother lived and the daughter reported herself to police. Woman cut off mothers life support, then called police to confess, investigators say The daughter, identified as Damm, told the dispatcher a nurse had turned the ventilator back on and her 78-year-old mother was alive. During her interview with police, Damm told investigators her mother lived at home until March 2019 when she began having medical issues and has since been in out and out different medical facilities. Corinne advised her mother said she cant do this anymore and that she wanted to die, per the interview narrative, which later adds, Corinne advised it wasnt like she was trying to plan a mercy killing, she just could not watch her mother in all the pain. Damm told police shed cut her mothers tubes using scissors that were in the room and shut the ventilator off, with the narrative stating she figured it wouldnt be like killing her because she keeps breathing when not on a ventilator at home, the police report states. A nurse heard the ventilator beeping and came into the room, advising Damm only her father had permission to make the decision to turn off the ventilator, the report states. She called her father after cutting the tubes and turning off the ventilator, with Damm telling police her father then called a younger sister, who contacted the facility and asked for law enforcement officials to make the arrest, the report states. Police interviews with personnel at Gladwin Pines note the ventilator was off for approximately 60 seconds before it was turned back on. Damm has been released from the Gladwin County Jail on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond. The attempted murder charge will be dismissed when she is sentenced March 23 by 55th Circuit Judge Tom Lewis on the vulnerable adult abuse charge. American Idol is still in the process of airing would-be singing star auditions, but the Feb. 23 episode featured some unexpected drama. While holding auditions at Sunriver, the Central Oregon resort, judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan all noticed a gas leak aroma, which led to an emergency evacuation. Sunriver firefighters responded, and reported that the kerfuffle was apparently caused by some pilot lights in the kitchen that werent functioning properly. After this was dealt with, the firefighters engaged in a sing-along on Richies hit, All Night Long." American Idol, which is in its third season following a reboot with new judges and a move to the ABC network, was in Sunriver in November, 2019. As KATU reported, Those pursuing the dream in Sunriver had already made the cut once. Early auditions across the country take place in front of show producers. Those who make the cut are then invited to auditions in front of the celebrity judges. Each year, producers choose five locations for those big auditions. Sunriver was on that list for the latest season. (How to watch American Idol": American Idol airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on ABC. No cable or antenna? Live stream American Idol on Hulu + Live TV. You can also catch up on episodes you may have missed via Hulu.) Season 3 of the revamped American Idol premiered on Feb. 16. According to ABC, the episode coming up on Sunday, March 1, sees a determined hopeful defy the odds for a chance to audition in front of the judges, resulting in an American Idol first. Then, a fan favorite from season one returns for another chance to wow the judges, while another hopefuls great-grandmother fulfills her lifelong dream of meeting Lionel Richie. As the audition episodes continue, well see more of Sunriver. An ABC press release says that the episode scheduled for Sunday, March 8, will feature the judges in Savannah, Georgia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, California; and Sunriver, Oregon. What can we expect? The press release says, In Oregon, a couple wins over the judges during their audition with their version of the iconic song Shallow (A Star Is Born 2018), taking their love and artistry to new depths. Later, the judges meet their match when one Hawaiian hopeful confuses the judges with other pop-culture icons. Plus, more incredible standouts are found, hailing from the California coast to the rural hills of West Virginia. American Idol airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on ABC. -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Readers hoping to buy Greenhill & Co., Inc. (NYSE:GHL) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. Investors can purchase shares before the 3rd of March in order to be eligible for this dividend, which will be paid on the 18th of March. Greenhill's next dividend payment will be US$0.05 per share. Last year, in total, the company distributed US$0.20 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Greenhill stock has a trailing yield of around 1.3% on the current share price of $15.76. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it's also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn't going to kill our golden goose! As a result, readers should always check whether Greenhill has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut. See our latest analysis for Greenhill Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. That's why it's good to see Greenhill paying out a modest 44% of its earnings. Generally speaking, the lower a company's payout ratios, the more resilient its dividend usually is. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. NYSE:GHL Historical Dividend Yield, February 27th 2020 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with falling earnings are riskier for dividend shareholders. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. Readers will understand then, why we're concerned to see Greenhill's earnings per share have dropped 20% a year over the past five years. Ultimately, when earnings per share decline, the size of the pie from which dividends can be paid, shrinks. Another key way to measure a company's dividend prospects is by measuring its historical rate of dividend growth. Greenhill has seen its dividend decline 20% per annum on average over the past ten years, which is not great to see. It's never nice to see earnings and dividends falling, but at least management has cut the dividend rather than potentially risk the company's health in an attempt to maintain it. Story continues To Sum It Up Should investors buy Greenhill for the upcoming dividend? Earnings per share have shrunk noticeably in recent years, although we like that the company has a low payout ratio. This could suggest a cut to the dividend may not be a major risk in the near future. It might be worth researching if the company is reinvesting in growth projects that could grow earnings and dividends in the future, but for now we're on the fence about its dividend prospects. Curious what other investors think of Greenhill? See what analysts are forecasting, with this visualisation of its historical and future estimated earnings and cash flow. A common investment mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a list of promising dividend stocks with a greater than 2% yield and an upcoming dividend. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. That means that 187 of those who tested positive for the virus exhibited only mild symptoms or none at all. In addition, at least 37 of those who did are now healthy and have been discharged. But other top Italian medical officials warned that while it was possible that asymptomatic people might be less contagious, because, for instance, they cough less, very little is known about the new virus and how it behaves. Evidence is lacking, said Giovanni Rezza, the head of epidemiology at the leading scientific organization of Italys National Health Service. Lombardy officials said they preferred to know who had the virus. Either you hide problems under a carpet, or you lift the carpet and you clean the floor, Attilio Fontana, the regions president, said in an interview in his office, with views over a foggy and eerily quiet Milan, 29 floors above the virus hunters. Mr. Fontana is a leading member of the League party, led by the nationalist Matteo Salvini, who has not been shy about leveraging the crisis to pursue his aim of bringing down Mr. Contes government. Mr. Salvini has argued in recent days that Mr. Conte had fumbled the response to the crisis and needed to be replaced. Mr. Fontana said he disagreed with Mr. Contes way of dealing with the crisis. The regions tests were necessary, he argued, suggesting that if other places tested as rigorously, they would find more cases, too. I dont exclude that even in your country if they did a serious and attentive epidemiologic analysis they would find more than what the actual infected are, he said, referring to the United States. Numbers were high in Italy, he added, because we do a lot of checks. A case has been registered against political strategist Prashant Kishor in Bihar. He has been accused of forgery by Shashwat Gautam, a resident of Motihari in Bihar, according to HTs sister publication Live Hindustan. Gautam has alleged in his complaint that Baat Bihar Ki recently started by Kishor was actually conceptualised by him, but a former colleague named Osama gave the idea and content to Kishor who used it for his own campaign by a similar name, Live Hindustan reported. Gautam has filed a case against Osama too. Osama has contested students union election in Patna University in the past, and Gautam has been previously asociated with Congress. Gautam has claimed that his website (Bihar ki Baat) was registered in January, while Kishor started his portal in February. He has given proof to the police to support his claim. The case has been registered under Section 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) and the police have started investigation. An engineer, Gautam has spent many years in the United States. He studied MBA in George Washington University in Washington, DC and had even won the students union election there in 2012. Kishor, who was recently sacked from Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United), launched the Baat Bihar Ki campaign last week to connect with youths in the state. The campaign will start the registration of like-minded youths who want to join hands with Kishor to develop Bihar in the next 10-15 years. Kishors Baat Bihar Ki programme is aimed at making Bihar one of the 10 best states in the country. The noted strategist is also said to be in talks with different political parties ahead of the Bihar assembly polls. Kishor, during a press conference recently, had said he is not going to launch a political outfit, but will work to bring about a change in Bihar. My best wishes to you to retain the chair of Chief Minister of Bihar. God bless you, Kishor had tweeted soon after he was sacked by Nitish Kumar. A senior leader of the grand alliance who did not wish to be named said Kishor is busy building an army of youth to take on CM Nitish Kumar. Irrfan Khan is returning to the movies with "Angrezi Medium" and his co-stars from the film -- Radhika Madan and Deepak Dobriyal -- are in awe of the actor's dedication towards his work despite health issues. In early 2018, Irrfan had revealed his neuroendocrine tumour diagnosis. The actor stayed away from the public eye as he underwent treatment in the UK. He started filming for "Angrezi Medium", a sequel to his hit "Hindi Medium", in April last year. Deepak, who had also worked with Irrfan on the 2017 film, said he was amazed by his passion for the craft. "We did talk about his health. I was amazed looking at his passion for acting and strength and courage for his work. He was very much involved in the film and when someone is so involved he forgets about everything else, like what he is going through. When he starts performing he forgets everything, this is his commitment to his job," he told PTI. The actor praised producer Dinesh Vijan for creating a schedule that suited Irrfan's routine. "He had set a fixed time for the shoot, from 10 am to 12 pm and then a break of two-and-half to three hours and then the work would begin only when Irrfan was ready. "This schedule was followed in Udaipur, London and other places. It was really sweet of Dinesh to work around like this," he said. Ahead of the trailer launch of "Angrezi Medium", Irrfan had shared an emotional video and said he won't be able to promote the film due to health issues. Radhika, who plays his daughter's character in the Homi Adajania-directed film, said she wants him to recover completely. "His message got everyone emotional. At the end of the day, it is his film. He is Irrfan Khan, his work speaks for himself, he doesn't need to be physically present," she said. The actor said Irrfan is a thorough professional and working with him was a learning experience. "He is so warm and not intimidating at all. He has no tantrums. He made me feel comfortable, the credit goes to him. He is an institution in himself in terms of everything. "I would observe him. He is so talented but he makes everything look effortless, I wanted to know their process, I wanted to know how they approach a scene," she added. "Angrezi Medium", also featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Pankaj Tripathi and Ranvir Shorey, is scheduled to be released on March 20. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (Photo : https://twitter.com/tjournal/status/1232711125848018944/photo/1) As the spread of the coronavirus grows, the fashion industry is now stepping up, pulling out of their sleeve a design that you can wear in public despite the virus. pic.twitter.com/m9hc6owOwX . , , https://t.co/w5HNjbZDaH TJ (@tjournal) February 26, 2020 There is a conceptual design that was created by a Chinese architect, Sun Dayong. It is a shield that says that it can protect the wearer in any event of an outbreak. Read More: CDC Says Choosing the Right Men's Facial Hairstyle Coud Save You From Coronavirus COVID-19 How can the shield stop the virus Its theory is that by using UV light, it can sterilize itself. It will be designed out of carbon fiber supports that are shaped like batwings, aptly named "Be a Bat-Man". It will be worn like a backpack, and a PVC film would stretch between the supports, it's like the membrane of a bat's wing. The wires in the plastic, in turn, would heat up to a temperature high enough to eliminate all pathogens creating a sterile and safe environment for the user. What makes them so sure The designers are operating on the assumption that the virus can be killed by around 56 degrees celsius. "The PVC film cover is like our car windshields - there is heater wire in between the glass for heat the ice and snow in the winter," he told Dezeen." But sure, we still need to do a lot of work with engineers for real production." Just a concept or something more For now, the designer Sun Dayong is still looking for a backer to turn this unique concept to a reality and would offer his services free of charge. He already has plans on when the epidemic will be contained; he can convert the shield with Google Glass technology. The quirky suggestion is to make it a "unique private mobile space for people," which is fantastic but maybe too advanced for the times. Why a bat design The design was mimicked by the bat, which is ironic. Since the bat has been talked about that it was the primary carrier of the disease, so says some experts. However, it has not been affected by the virus more than humans are. Studies show that the reason for the bat to be mildly immune is that since they have the capabilities of flight, they can increase their body temperature to 40 degrees celsius and also have a fast metabolism that curbs the spread of disease and pathogens in them. There indeed is something to think about, especially given the spread of the virus, and the idea is simple enough to grasp, as for people who would use this device looks ridiculous. The shield sounding more like a coffin because of the constant heat it will radiate once you're inside to kill the germs might not work too good for you as well. Here is to hoping that they fix what needs to be fixed and make this accessible to all. If not, it's just another pipe dream. Read More: Could This Be the Deadliest Country For Anyone Suspected With Coronavirus? They'll Quickly Pull Gun Trigger on You! 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. From 1865 to 1932, African-Americans were Republicans. Franklin Roosevelt, though, started the Democrats' Devil's bargain with blacks: government benefits for votes. This was a disaster for blacks, making them unhealthily dependent on the government. Trump, however, is moving aggressively to convince blacks that they've got nothing to lose by giving Republicans a try. Despite Democrat efforts to claim Abraham Lincoln for their own, the reality is that abolitionism created the Republican Party, and Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican president. Once blacks were enfranchised, and for decades afterward, they voted a straight Republican ticket. For them, Democrats were the party of Jim Crow, segregation within the federal workforce, and the KKK. The Depression changed this. Because they were already economically fragile, it hit blacks especially hard. Although Roosevelt was comfortable discriminating against blacks, his strong voting base in the Jim Crow South meant he sent a lot of New Deal programs that way. Inevitably, blacks benefited from these programs, so they switched their allegiance to the Democrat Party. This switch reached its apex with Johnson's Great Society legislation. Whether or not Johnson ever said, "We'll have those n voting Democratic for 200 years," it's certain that Johnson understood that he could anchor blacks to the Democrat Party through perpetual government largesse: These Negroes, they're getting pretty uppity these days and that's a problem for us since they've got something now they never had before, the political pull to back up their uppityness. Now we've got to do something about this, we've got to give them a little something, just enough to quiet them down, not enough to make a difference. Once the legislation passed, scores of well meaning college students went to black neighborhoods, telling residents that the welfare provisions under new legislation were essentially reparations. The result was disastrous, as black economic gains collapsed and nuclear families disappeared. Husbands and fathers became superfluous because the system gave single mothers more money than husbands could earn. Once having started mainlining government welfare, the majority of the black community was hooked and that was true even in households that were not direct recipients of that welfare. Blacks developed an unbreakable attachment to their Democrat dealers. The bond between blacks and Democrats eventually was so strong that Republican candidates considered wasted every campaign dollar spent on outreach to the black community that is, until Donald Trump came along. He's changed the paradigm. At Tuesday's debate in South Carolina, the Democrats did the usual thing, promising African-Americans everything. It was blatant vote-buying with taxpayer money. Sen. Tim Scott understood what was happening and found it an "embarrassing performance," "patronizing," and "a hot mess." He had more to say about the blatant pandering: "What you saw on the stage yesterday was as if there were no white folks watching seven white candidates talk about black people," said Scott. "Listen to Amy Klobuchar's praising of the First Step Act (passed by Trump) and then watch how they denigrated each other," said Scott. "(Tom) Steyer owned personal prisons, private prisons. They talked about (Joe) Biden passing the 1990s crime bill. They talked about (Mike) Bloomberg. They bombed Bloomberg on the stop and frisk policies." Unlike the Democrats, in 2016, Trump appealed to all voters, not to skin-color blocs. He made only one specific pitch to blacks: "What the hell do you have to lose?" Then Trump set about implementing economic policies that helped all Americans, especially blacks and, with Blexit, blacks increasingly have responded. Now Trump is doubling down on outreach to the black community: The Trump campaign is opening field offices in swing states targeted directly at attracting black voters, a demographic the president has been aggressively courting in his re-election efforts. The offices are planned for 15 cities with large African American communities and will be used for campaign events and activities, as well as meet-and-greets with surrogates. "We see the numbers coming up in the polls and the demand on the ground when we do these types of events, so it's really important that we take this next step and really bring those voters into the party," said Katrina Pierson, a senior Trump campaign adviser. Campaign officials say the goal is get their message directly to African Americans, getting around what they can the "filter" of the media. Offices will feature promotional videos and pamphlets touting President Trump's record on issues such as African American employment and addressing disparities in the criminal justice system. It's soul-destroying for people to be perpetually dependent on government largesse. Trump promises more than just economic well-being. He promises to help heal damaged black communities. Thoughtless drivers in Glengormley whose parked cars are blocking fire appliances getting to emergencies are putting lives at risk, a senior firefighter has said. Station Commander Johnny Wilkinson told a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council that parking in front of the station at Church Road has got "considerably worse" in recent months. He has highlighted a problem with cars double parking during drop-off and pick-up times at the neighbouring Glengormley Integrated Primary School, motorists parking on double yellow and zigzag lines outside the fire station, and shoppers "abandoning" cars on the narrow street. Mr Wilkinson said: "The parking along there is shocking. At school pick-up and drop-off times, they just park cars in front of the station." He said that fire appliances have been delayed leaving the street twice during the past few months. Recalling a recent incident, he said that the appliance could not get along the street, which has a cul-de-sac at one end, due to double parking. "People are very careless. They have scant regard where they park. Sometimes we have to ask drivers to remove their vehicles," he said. "The appliance sat there for five minutes with lights and sirens until people came back to their cars. Where there is life at risk, you can reasonably expect there could possibly be an increased chance of fatalities." He has urged motorists who are parking at Church Road to show consideration. "A fire appliance does need to get out. If it is turning out of the station with lights and horns on, we are going to an emergency. During these situations, seconds do count," he said. He indicated that a meeting is to be held next month to highlight the severity of the parking issue to local elected representatives, the PSNI and neighbouring school. Nigel Arnold, principal of Glengormley Integrated Primary School, acknowledged that the school "continues to struggle to even keep clear the area directly in front of the pedestrian gates to allow for buses to load and off-load children safely". However, he stated: "Much of the difficulty is caused by non-parents parking for the full day in areas adjacent to the school and fire station, even on the pavement. "This is a daily problem even for the school to allow access for larger vehicles to enter through their gates for essential work - grounds maintenance etc. "Historically a bad decision was taken to sell North Eastern Education and Library Board land to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to site a blue light service opposite a primary school main entrance. "Then to close the road and make it a dead end with only one way in and out only enhanced the problem. Residents and shop owners parking cars on the street continues to make matters even worse. "This has been an ongoing problem for over a decade for the school. All agencies have continued to discuss possible solutions but few have been delivered." The principal said new signs "go out on yellow school road markings to reinforce the areas for parents not to park to collect children". SDLP councillor Noreen McClelland said: "This is a vital service. At all times, the entrance to the fire station needs to be clear so that in an emergency fire crews can get out. It is critical." Five invaders were killed on Wednesday. Officer of the 53rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatoliy Shtefan has posted an update on the enemy death toll in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in the past day. Read alsoOSCE Chairperson-in-Office Rama calls on Russia to implement Minsk accords "On February 26, 2020, the losses of Russian occupying forces included: five people were killed, and another one was wounded," he wrote on Telegram on February 27. Shtefan monitors reports on enemy losses on social media. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia's hybrid military forces on February 26 mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded and another one as killed in a booby-trap blast. Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Thursday asked the Special Commissioner of Police (Vigilance) to meet the families of Delhi violence victims and ensure all possible assistance to them. An official said Baijal also asked senior officers of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation, Health Department and the district administration to assist Special Commissioner of Police (Vigilance) Sundari Nanda during her visit. Earlier in the day, Baijal held a review meeting on the law and order situation in northeast Delhi. He directed police to ensure adequate deployment of force, patrolling and area domination exercise, swift and effective response to any situation, prompt registration of FIRs and its expeditious investigation. According to an official statement, Baijal also directed officials to ensure preventive measures and strict enforcement, continued vigil on borders and close monitoring of sensitive places like religious structures, schools, petrol pumps and LPG godowns. He also instructed them to ensure safe passage for fire tenders and ambulances, and general public, setting up of sufficient numbers of help desks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. People cheer during Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sunday, July 1, 2018. Canada's biggest annual birthday bash is being shifted away from Parliament Hill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - Canada's biggest annual birthday bash is moving away from Parliament Hill. The July 1 festivities that normally see thousands of people dressed in red, white and maple-leaf attire on the front lawn will be a casualty of construction this year. Work to renovate the Centre Block building on Parliament Hill the one with the Peace Tower began a year ago and picked up steam this winter. With so much of the front lawn now eaten up by the construction work, there is no room to set up the big main stage where Canadian musicians usually entertain the masses throughout the day. Canadian Heritage spokeswoman Amelie Desmarais says the main stage will be set up in nearby Major's Hill Park, which has a view of the Parliament Buildings from the East. Desmarais says there will still be some activities on Parliament Hill but details about what that will look like aren't coming until the spring. "Public Services and Procurement Canada and Canadian Heritage are working together to ensure that Parliament Hill remains one of the iconic sites where visitors can come to celebrate Canada Day," she said in a written statement. The Centre Block renovations are part of a $4-billion update to most of the buildings on Parliament Hill and the surrounding precinct. They were initially forecast to take about 10 years but some estimates suggest it will be well past 2030 before the iconic building is ready to reopen. Last summer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the crowd of more than 11,000 assembled for the noon-hour show, that "Canada Day on Parliament Hill is something of a tradition for many of us." But the event has been plagued by weather woes in recent years. In 2017, when as many as half a million people were expected in Ottawa to mark the country's 150th birthday, days of heavy rains diluted the event, as did the layers of heavy security established to try and keep everyone safe. Many people reported standing in security lines for hours trying to get onto Parliament Hill, only to be told the space had reached capacity. A year later, it was a heat wave that scorched the fun, with only a few thousand revellers braving the hottest Canada Day on record for the afternoon attractions. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26, 2020. By AFP SYDNEY: A baboon scheduled to undergo a vasectomy in Australia made a dash for freedom Tuesday along with his "two wives", leaving the trio running amok on the streets of the country's biggest city. Animal wranglers and police were called after the trio escaped from a truck en route to a Sydney hospital in the evening rush hour as bemused locals looked on in a western suburb. The state's health minister Brad Hazzard told local media one of the primates had been about to get the snip and the other two were there to "keep him calm". "The two girls came as, effectively, his wives to keep him company while he had his vasectomy," Hazzard told The Daily Telegraph. Videos on social media showed the three wandering past parked cars as passers-by watched in disbelief. "Im six floors up and I was just having a gaze out at the car park... and there were three baboons," one caller to local radio station 2GB said. "Im dead set serious. They even had shiny red bottoms." A spokeswoman for New South Wales Police advised people to avoid the area but said there had been no immediate danger to the public. The runaways were eventually recaptured. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riska Rahman and Prima Wirayani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 13:03 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066eced2 1 Business jakarta-composite-index,JCI,stock-market,Indonesia-Stock-Exchange,IDX,coronavirus Free The Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) nosedived to a level unseen since March 2017 on Thursday afternoon amid fears over the spread of COVID-19, extending losses recorded by Asian stocks. The main gauge of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) plunged 2.63 percent to 5,539.38 before lunch break. The figure was the lowest since March 10, 2017 when the index stood at 5,390, Bloomberg data showed. Market players now are still responding to the novel coronavirus outbreak, which is spreading faster, Pilarmas Investindo Sekuritas researchers wrote in a note. IDX trading director Laksono Widodo told The Jakarta Post that the bourse would continue trading after lunch break despite the sharp drop. Well monitor the situation closely, he said over text message. Weve prepared a crisis protocol if it falls 5 percent. The steep decline was in line with Asian markets. Japans Nikkei dropped more than 2 percent, South Koreas Kospi fell almost 1 percent, the Hong Kong Stock Index slipped 0.84 percent while Shanghais index managed to gained 0.41 percent as of Thursday afternoon. The rising infection cases beyond Chinese shores has certainly raised the pandemic risk, said Desh Peramunetilleke, head of microstrategy at Jefferies in Hong Kong, as quoted by Reuters. The current earnings estimates do not yet factor in such risk and are therefore vulnerable to further downgrades. More than 82,000 people have contracted COVID-19 around the globe as of Thursday afternoon with 2,801 deaths, mostly in China, the worlds second-largest economy. MACOUPIN COUNTY After a string of barn fires, the Illinois State Fire Marshal is seeking who is responsible as the subject or subjects appear to be arsonists. The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Arson Division and Macoupin County Sheriffs Office are seeking information about multiple barn fires over the past month in Macoupin County. Several fires have been reported around the Carlinville, Gillespie and Northwestern Fire Protection District areas. The chances of tigers and humans running into one another at close quarters are higher in Pilibhit than just about any other tiger reserve in India. The reserve has suffered from a chronic human-wildlife conflict and recent incidents hold testimony to this fact. According to reports, in school children at a government school in Keeratpur village were left terrified after a leopard entered the campus from an adjacent field and attacked a dog. Twitter/Picture For Representation The leopard killed the dog and dragged the carcass to the fields near the Barahi forest range of the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Wednesday. The petrified children ran into their classrooms and locked themselves in. According to IANS, the principal Nidhi Diwakar arrived at the school, the children told her about the incident and she immediately alerted the forest department. A field forest team, led by forest inspector Ajmer Yadav, visited the spot and took photographs of pugmarks. PTR deputy director Naveen Khandelwal said that from the pug marks, it was evident that the leopard was an adult. He said that he had directed the Barahi range officer to deploy a picket of armed forest personnel at the school from Thursday for the safety of the students and to monitor the movement of the leopard. Twitter/Pilibhit Tiger Reserve He said that the leopard would hopefully retreat to the forest in a day or two. Meanwhile, the children continued with their classes with no security around. The village head Ranjit Singh, meanwhile, has asked villagers to accompany their children to the school in groups. In recent years, tigers have repeatedly entered Pilibhits farmlands and homes and have then been captured by authorities. Last year an armed crowd gathered and bludgeoned a tigress with sticks and spears after it strayed into human habitation. Since then authorities have mulled over constructing fences in the tiger reserve but little has been done. Apart from the leopard straying into the school, a partially eaten body of a 65-year-old villager in the Mala range of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) was found earlier this February. Twitter The deceased, identified as Phool Chand of Baijunagar village under Gajraula police station, had gone missing after he went to his sugarcane field on Friday afternoon. Field forest force and police have recovered the body around 400 meters deep into the core forest area. Makhan Lal, deceased's son, alleged that the tigress along with its cubs had been moving about in the agricultural area, adjoining Garha forest beat for a couple of months but the forest officials had not taken any action in the matter. He claimed that his father's body was killed by the tigress and dragged into the jungle, where it was eaten. NO CONTACT A new case reported near San Francisco in California could be the first in the US that has no known connection to travel abroad or another known case. Health officials described one of the more serious cases of infection seen so far in the US. This case is similar to the many reported, particularly in Italy, where the virus has spread to local communities through people who have not been to affected region, or been in close contact with people who have returned from these regions. What this means: People who have not travelled to China or any of the affected regions are in danger of picking up the virus as well. SUPER SPREADER A Korean Air flight attendant on duty on return flights between Seoul and Los Angeles between Feb 19-20 tested positive. She stayed in Los Angeles overnight between the flights. She picked up the virus on a flight from Tel Aviv to Seoul on Feb 15-16. She had served hundreds on the 3 flights that she travelled on before showing symptoms. What this means: Patients who come in contact with a high number of people, or super spreaders, pose a huge threat to hundreds. ASYMPTOMATIC A 20-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan travelled nearly 700km and infected five relatives without ever showing signs of infection herself. While the five relatives displayed clear symptoms, it took nearly a week for scientists to identify the woman as the source of the infection as she remained asymptomatic. What this means: The virus can be spread asymptomatically. Other sporadic accounts of similar cases have emerged since, scientists say. SECOND POSITIVE A woman in her 40s working as a tour bus guide in Osaka tested positive for a second time on Wednesday. She first tested positive on January 29, but was released from hospital after she recovered by February 1. The is the first time a patient cleared of the virus has subsequently tested positive for it again outside of China. What this means: The virus may remain dormant, and then can exacerbate days later when patients are released. CLOSED COMMUNITY The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a group the government describes as a cult, has been at the centre of the virus spread in South Korea. Scientists estimate that nearly half of the countrys cases can be traced directly to the cult. Around 1,300 churchgoers have so far exhibited symptoms. The cult has 212,000 members. What this means: Close-knit communities or religious orders that gather in large numbers can multiply cases overnight. The Green Party says it does not feel there is a sense of urgency from other parties on climate during talks on government formation. The party met with Fianna Fail yesterday. Both parties brought a number of representatives to the meeting, which was mediated by an independent moderator, at the Green Partys request, in keeping with Green Party protocol across Europe. Green Party TD for Dublin Central Neasa Hourigan said although the talks were positive and constructive, they are weeks away from government discussions. Were finding a lot of common ground, which we also found with our talks with Sinn Fein earlier this week, she said. With Sinn Fein, we share the belief that housing is a right, with Fianna Fail we had great discussions on education and special needs allocations, which is obviously important to me as a special needs parent. Our worry is always that we feel there is not the level of urgency on the climate crisis from other parties in these talks, or the level of funding of what will be required to tackle it. My point of view is that the climate will affect everything we do in government, from housing to transport. Its not one issue for us. Im not sure Ive been swayed enough from these talks on either party, to be honest. The process has been excellent, the talks have been useful, Ive learned a lot from the whole process, and were expanding our policy perspectives, but were far away from government foundation discussions. Fianna Fail, which brought party representatives from a number of departments, said the meeting involved going through both manifestos, looking for common ground and shared policy objectives, but expects todays meeting between the two will be more substantial on detail. A two-thirds majority vote from Green Party members is required if any coalition is to go ahead, which could present a stumbling block for government foundation, especially among the partys younger membership who will be intent on seeing climate policy implemented in full, which could spell difficulty in negotiations due to Fianna Fails links to rural and farming constituencies. Likewise, Sinn Feins objection to the carbon tax was also flagged as a potential issue during talks, with Mary Lou McDonalds party intent on halting carbon tax increases in the absence of viable alternatives. The first thing we do when we enter government cannot be to throw out the small bit of progress weve made on implementing a carbon tax, so those areas of difference will be difficult, said Ms Hourigan. The two-thirds majority will, of course, be an issue. Our members are very clued-in and theyre going to hold our feet to the fire. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said often during the general election campaign that he would be keen to form a government with Mr Ryans party, and it is understood that the Greens, along with support from Independent TDs, would be Mr Martins first preference in government partners. The Green Party met with Sinn Fein on Monday and Tuesday, and is due to meet with Fine Gael next week for similar talks. The U.S. Justice Department announced on Wednesday that it has set up a new office dedicated to handling denaturalization cases involving terrorists, war criminals, sex offenders and other fraudsters. The move is part of the Trump administration's stepped up enforcement of immigration laws over the past three years, including laws that allow the government to strip away the citizenship of foreign nationals suspected of illegally obtaining naturalization. The Justice Department's civil division was already handling such cases, but officials said a dedicated section was needed in anticipation of a growing number of denaturalization cases coming from law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. "The Denaturalization Section will further the Department's efforts to pursue those who unlawfully obtained citizenship status and ensure that they are held accountable for their fraudulent conduct," Jody Hunt, assistant attorney general in charge of the civil division, said in a statement. Under U.S. law, naturalization can be revoked if it was obtained through fraud. To denaturalize a citizen, the government is required to show that the citizen in question "illegally" acquired naturalization or obtained it "by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation." Protesters opposing a new citizenship law throw bricks and stones at those who are opposing the law during clashes between two groups over the Citizenship Amendment Act on February 24, 2020 in Delhi, India. Yawar Nazir/ Getty Images New Delhi has been wracked by the worst communal violence in decades, leaving 22 people and nearly 200 hospitalized as of Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new Indian Citizenship law has been the flashpoint for these protests. Angry mobs took to the streets on Sunday, armed with pickaxes, iron rods, guns and even swords. Houses, cars, shops and even a mosque were set ablaze. This unrest cast a pall over President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump's first official visit to India. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. The fanfare around President Donald Trump's flashy trip to India this week ended abruptly after months-long tension between Hindus and Muslims boiled over into violent clashes in New Delhi, leaving nearly two dozen dead up from 13 a day earlier and hundreds more wounded as of Wednesday. Widespread protests during Trump's visit were sparked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's new Indian Citizenship law, which had been passed by India's parliament in December. The Associated Press describes this controversial law as one that offers foreign-born religious minorities and illegal immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan accelerated paths to citizenship. It doesn't mention Muslims, though. While the law led to demonstrations from supporters and opposition groups, protests remained peaceful. That changed earlier this week. A child takes cover as angry mobs take to the streets and set fires to homes, cars, shops and a Muslim mosque in New Delhi, India on February 24, 2020. Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times via Getty Images After three days of the worst violence New Delhi has seen in decades, 22 people were dead and 189 were injured, AP said. Asian News International reported on Twitter that 106 people have been arrested in connection with the clashes. Modi appealed for calm in a tweet, saying: "Peace and harmony are central to our ethos. I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important that there is calm and normalcy is restored at the earliest." Story continues But his post drew ire online with people asking why it took him 48 hours to speak up. Sonia Gandhi, who leads the opposition Congress party, called Home Minister Amit Shah to resign because he is responsible for law and order in India's capital, Reuters reported. "We are scared and don't know where to go," Dr. Jeevan Ali Khan, who lives in a Muslim-majority part of New Delhi, told AP. "If the government wanted, they could have stopped these riots." Congress Party workers shout slogans as they burn an effigy of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a demonstration to protest against the violence occurring in New Delhi, India. NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images 'They want to turn India into a Hindu country' Clashes between Hindus and Muslims began Sunday, turning violent as mobs marched through the streets of northeast Delhi on Monday and Tuesday. As Trump and the first lady received a warm welcome on their first state visit to India. protesters carried iron rods and pickaxes, AP reported. And some protesters were armed with guns and even swords, Getty photographers noticed. Smoke billowed in the sky after protesters, some of whom yelled the names of Hindu gods and goddesses, setting a Muslim mosque, houses, a gas station, and fruit and vegetable markets ablaze, witnesses and local TV channels said. Witnesses told Reuters that a tire store had also been scorched by people toting sticks and stones and ANI said that schools in the area have been closed and upcoming exams delayed. Cars were set ablaze as clashes erupted in New Delhi between supporters and detractors of India's Citizenship Amendment Act. Yawar Nazir/ Getty Images India's junior home minister G. Kishan Reddy told ANI that the bloodshed is "a conspiracy to defame India" because it coincided with and overshadowed Trump's visit, according to Reuters. But some protesters said that Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is provoking the violence and targeting Muslims. "We have no weapons, but they are firing at us," Mohammad Shakir, a demonstrator told Reuters. "This BJP is targeting Muslims. They want to turn India into a Hindu country." Victims who have been taken to area hospitals have suffered bullet and stab wounds and several have visible wounds on their heads and elsewhere on their bodies, witnesses told Reuters. A man takes stock of burnt and damaged residential premises and shops following clashes in New Delhi, while riot police try to tamp down on the violence on February 26, 2020. SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images Police officer among the slain AP spoke to the father of 17-year-old Mohammad Sameer who underwent surgery for a gunshot to his chest. The boy was standing on his apartment's balcony when Hindu protesters entered the complex and opened fire. "When Sameer was shot, I took him on my shoulders and ran downstairs," Mohammad Akram said. "But when the mob saw us, they beat me and my injured son. He was bleeding very badly. While they were beating with sticks, they kept on chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans and threatened to barge inside our homes." Although Akram was able to get his child into a car, he was stopped many times in his rush to the emergency room. Hindu mobs stopped the vehicle demanding for the pair to pull down their pants and show everyone if they were circumcised. Luckily, they were able to escape so the teenager could get medical attention. Circumcision is a common practice among Muslims, not Hindus. Journalists were also numbered among the victims several from Indian station NDTV were severely beaten Tuesday morning. The attack only stopped after the protesters realized they were "our people Hindus," the news channel's executive editor Nidhi Razdan shared on Twitter. A third reporter, this one from another local news outlet called JK24X7, was shot and hurt, BBC noted. Police personnel rescue a man during violent clashes between anti- and pro-CAA demonstrations, at Jaffarabad in New Delhi, India on February 24, 2020. Raj K Raj/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Police, who used tear gas and canes to disperse protesters across New Delhi, characterized the tense situation as under control, although additional paramilitary forces have been brought in to patrol the streets and bolster the efforts to squash the clashes. A policeman, Head Constable Ratan Lal, was among those killed in the rampage, ANI reported on Twitter. Eleven other police officers were injured during their attempts to separate the rival groups, AP reported. "We are deeply disturbed and concerned about what ... is happening in Delhi," West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told ANI. She went on to say that "there is no place for violence" in India and appealed to people to "maintain peace." However, this unrest was not confined to New Delhi. As of Tuesday, protesters are emerging in West Bengal and Kerala. Trump, who was given an extravagant welcome just two days prior, is no longer welcome, protesters indicated. Indian police stand guard in front charred vehicles and shops during deadly unrest in New Delhi, India, on February 24, 2020. Yawar Nazir/ Getty Images 'He wants people to have religious freedom' When asked about the worst violence New Delhi has seen in decades, Trump, who called Modi "the Father of India" (Mahatma Gandhi already holds that moniker), defended the prime minister at a press conference at the end of his two-day tour, according to the Hill. "The prime minister was incredible in what he told me. He wants people to have religious freedom and very strongly," Trump said. "He said that, in India, they have worked very hard to have great and open religious freedom. And if you look back and you look at what's going on, relative to other places especially, but they have really worked hard on religious freedom." The president refused to comment on the new law, according to AP. "I don't want to discuss that," he said. "I want to leave that to India and hopefully they're going to make the right decision for the people." Socialist Unity Centre of India supporters burn pictures of US President Donald Trump and barricade roads in West Bengal, India on February 24, 2020. Indranil Aditya/NurPhoto via Getty Images But not everyone sees the situation the same way. 'Temporary symbol of hate' Indian historian and novelist Mukul Kesavan penned an op-ed in the Telegraph, calling the citizenship law "a modern Inquisition aimed solely at India's Muslims." He went on to say that despite being "couched in the language of refuge and seemingly directed at foreigners," the law's "main purpose is the de-legitimization of Muslim citizenship." Protesters hurl stones at police officers during violent clashes between anti and pro CAA demonstrations at Jaffarabad in New Delhi, India, on February 24, 2020. Raj K Raj/Hindustan Times via Getty Images At the height of the violence in New Delhi, Last Week Tonight host and political commentator John Oliver called out the law Monday, saying that India, a de facto secular country, "frankly deserves much more than this temporary symbol of hate." Oliver underscored the "cruel irony" of utilizing Muslim workers to build the detention camps that illegal immigrants, like themselves, will end up. Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly credited a photo taken by Indranil Aditya to Debajyoti Chakraborty. Read the original article on Insider Pakistan's fresh efforts to fight terrorism and promote security is "affording" the US to expand trade between the two countries and in the region, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has said after meeting the country's top leadership here. Ross was in Islamabad on Wednesday, a day after US President Donald Trump concluded his high-profile maiden visit to India, and called on Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Minister of Energy Omar Ayub Khan and others. Building on the productive discussions between President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, "I met with Prime Minister Khan and his economic team today in Islamabad to explore ways to grow the US-Pakistan trade and investment relationship, including in the energy and digital sectors," Ross said in a statement. "Deepening our economic ties will provide measurable benefits for our two nations," Ross said while thanking the Pakistani leaders' willingness to engage in frank conversations. The US Commerce Secretary recalled President Trump's statement in New Delhi when he said, "Our relationship with Pakistan is a very good one." Ross noted that the US was Pakistan's largest export destination and American companies have a long history of doing business in Pakistan, contributing to its economic development and providing high-value jobs. "The work Pakistan has begun to do to fight terrorism and promote security is affording the US and Pakistan the opportunity to strengthen and expand trade in the region and between our countries," Ross said. In a stern message to Pakistan, India and the US on Tuesday asked Islamabad to ensure that no territory under its control is used to launch terror attacks and strongly condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms. A joint statement said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks. The two leaders also called for concerted action against all terrorist groups, including Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, the Haqqani Network, D-Company, Al-Qaeda, ISIS and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. At a press conference, the US president also said that ways to deal with terrorism figured prominently in his talks with Prime Minister Modi who, Trump stressed, is determined to check the menace. In his statement, Ross said the Department of Commerce will continue to facilitate private sector engagement between the US and Pakistan through organising Pakistani business delegations to America and regional trade shows. It will also support technical exchanges on trade facilitation, energy, intellectual property rights, and good regulatory practices. "Our conversations provided opportunities to reinforce the critical importance of improving Pakistan's business environment, including through developing a consistent tax framework, promoting regulatory transparency, and strengthening the intellectual property ecosystem," he said. This includes ensuring the free flow of data, which is crucial to businesses in all sectors of the economy and essential to helping Pakistan integrate into the global digital ecosystem, Ross said. According to the Americna embassy in Islamabad, the US exported USD 2.6 billion worth of goods to Pakistan in 2019. American companies made more than USD 1.4 billion in direct investments in Pakistan since 2016, the embassy tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reliance Industries Ltd is quoting at Rs 1381.4, down 0.76% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The stock jumped 12.21% in last one year as compared to a 7.62% rally in NIFTY and a 5.26% fall in the Nifty Energy index. Reliance Industries Ltd dropped for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 1381.4, down 0.76% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.54% on the day, quoting at 11615.1. The Sensex is at 39648.31, down 0.6%.Reliance Industries Ltd has eased around 6.14% in last one month.Meanwhile, Nifty Energy index of which Reliance Industries Ltd is a constituent, has eased around 8.62% in last one month and is currently quoting at 14189.7, down 1.06% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 62.82 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 92.28 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark February futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 1380, down 0.93% on the day. Reliance Industries Ltd jumped 12.21% in last one year as compared to a 7.62% rally in NIFTY and a 5.26% fall in the Nifty Energy index. The PE of the stock is 23.92 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.) Dutch English PRESS RELEASE: REGULATED INFORMATION 27 February 2020, 07:00 CET Biocartis to Host Webcast for Announcement 2019 Financial Results on 5 March 2020 Mechelen, Belgium, 27 February 2020 Biocartis Group NV (the Company or Biocartis), an innovative molecular diagnostics company (Euronext Brussels: BCART), today announces that it will host a live webcast on Thursday 5 March 2020 at 14:00 CET / 13:00 BST (UK) / 08:00 EDT (US) to announce its 2019 results and its 2020 outlook. The live webcast can be accessed on the Biocartis website or by clicking here . To participate in the questions and answers session, please dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the start time by using the numbers below, followed by the confirmation code 6194332. The webcast and conference call will be conducted in English. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Biocartis investors website shortly after. Conference call dial-ins: UK, London (standard international): +44 (0)8445718892 Belgium, Brussels: +32 (0)24009874 France, Paris: +33 (0)176700794 Netherlands, Amsterdam: +31 (0)207143545 United States, New York: +1 6315107495 Confirmation code: 6194332 ----- END ---- More information: Renate Degrave Head of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Biocartis e-mail rdegrave@biocartis.com tel +32 15 631 729 mobile +32 471 53 60 64 About Biocartis Biocartis (Euronext Brussels: BCART) is an innovative molecular diagnostics (MDx) company providing next generation diagnostic solutions aimed at improving clinical practice for the benefit of patients, clinicians, payers and industry. Biocartis' proprietary MDx Idylla platform is a fully automated sample-to-result, real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) system that offers accurate, highly reliable molecular information from virtually any biological sample in virtually any setting. Biocartis is developing and marketing a continuously expanding test menu addressing key unmet clinical needs in oncology. This represents the fastest growing segment of the MDx market worldwide. Today, Biocartis offers tests supporting melanoma, colorectal and lung cancer. More information: www.biocartis.com . Follow us on Twitter : @Biocartis_. Biocartis and Idylla are registered trademarks in Europe, the United States and other countries. The Biocartis and Idylla trademark and logo are used trademarks owned by Biocartis. This press release is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in any jurisdiction where to do so would be unlawful. Any persons reading this press release should inform themselves of and observe any such restrictions. Biocartis takes no responsibility for any violation of any such restrictions by any person. Please refer to the product labeling for applicable intended uses for each individual Biocartis product. This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities in any jurisdiction. No securities of Biocartis may be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this press release are forward-looking, which reflect the Company's or, as appropriate, the Company directors' or managements' current expectations and projections concerning future events such as the Company's results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which the Company operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release regarding past trends or activities are not guarantees of future performance and should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. In addition, even if actual results or developments are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in future periods. No representations and warranties are made as to the accuracy or fairness of such forward-looking statements. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this press release as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based, except if specifically required to do so by law or regulation. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such person's officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Big changes in Delhi police as Modi, Shah, Doval take control over Delhi violence India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 27: The Centre was swift in taking action to ensure that peace returned at northeast Delhi. Several review meetings on the security front were held in the National Capital to take stock of the situation. The meetings chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah made it clear that all measures have to be taken to ensure that the violence is stopped. The violence has claimed 27 lives. A head constable and an Intelligence Bureau official also lost their lives in the violence. While Shah oversaw the measures, National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval took charge of the situation. He visited the violence hit places twice and conveyed the message of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who appealed for calm. Delhi violence: Four video clips of BJP leaders that court made cops watch While the Delhi police has been accused of caught napping, Home Ministry sources tell OneIndia that it was also decided that restraint would be exercised as they did not want any collateral damage. However an internal assessment of the ministry suggests that the police ought to have acted immediately. The police were in fact caught unaware when so many people from outside were brought into Delhi to create the violence. The Home Ministry has also decided to make major changes in the Delhi police, which has come in for criticism. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 The changes in the Delhi police would be undertaken in a phased manner. The immediate priority is to restore peace and normalcy in the riot hit areas. As a first measure, the 1985 IPS batch officer S N Shrivastava from the CRPF has been appointed special commissioner, law and order, Delhi. Shrivastava was posted as the special director in the CRPF. Incidentally he is the first in line to take over as Delhi police commissioner when the term of Amulya Patnaik gets over. Shrivastava has experience of working in Delhi and he has held several posts. He has also been part of the Special Cell, which led investigations against the Indian Mujahideen. He would join immediately and monitor the violent protests against the citizenship law. Doval during his meetings with the Delhi police instructed them to take stern action against those indulging in violence. 106 people arrested, 18 FIRs filed in connection with Delhi violence: Police Doval had visited Maujpur, Jafrabad, Gokulpuri, Bhajanpur and took stock of the situation. The NSA took stock of the situation following a third high level security meeting by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The police have asked to conduct an in-depth probe into the violence and first identify the perpetrators. An Intelligence Bureau report which spoke about the involvement of the Bhim Army and PFI was also studied. The source added that it is clear that the violence was orchestrated by the anti citizenship law protesters and timed with the visit of US President Donald Trump. We have observed a clear pattern, the source also said while adding that very soon, those behind the violence will be booked and brought to justice. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 7:32 [IST] During the 40-day Lenten period, that begins with Ash Wednesday, Christians give in to prayer, penance, fasting, abstinence and works of mercy in preparation for Easter. By Robin Gomes The Catholic Church in India is focussing on sustaining life and promoting sustainable livelihood during Lent this year. Caritas India, the official development and social action arm of the Catholic Church of India, organizes the annual Lenten campaign each year. During the 40-day Lenten period, that begins with Ash Wednesday, Christians especially give in to prayer, penance, fasting, abstinence and works of mercy in preparation for their most solemn feast, Easter or the Resurrection of Christ from death. Lent, this year, began on Ash Wednesday, February 26. The Apostolic Nuncio to India, Italian Archbishop Giambattista Diquattro officially unveiled this years campaign on Sunday, February 23, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Delhi. Hunger and disease Part of Caritas flagship drive against hunger and disease, the Lenten campaign this year has as its theme, Sustain Life, Sustainable Livelihood. It invites everyone to join efforts in becoming catalysts, adopting the Each one Help one approach in reaching out to attain a sustainable livelihood. Father Paul Moonjely, the executive director of Caritas India said that the reason behind the choice of the theme is the poverty that India is experiencing today. This, he told Vatican Radio, is because of the unemployment situation in the country and as well as the vulnerability of the poor sections of society to the frequent natural disasters and emergencies, which rob them of their livelihood and opportunities, leaving them in conditions of extreme poverty. Listen to Fr. Paul Moonjely Sharing, caring, enabling Fr. Moonjely said the campaign intends to create the Christian environment and spirit of sharing, caring and enabling among the believers. Referring to the Prophet Isaiah (58:6), the Caritas executive director said that the true meaning of Lent urges us to share our riches with the poor, our clothes with those who are without and our resources with the needy. Empowering communities Caritas India, the priest said, takes empowering communities as a serious mission. Through the collectivization of their existence, he said, communities come and work together to ensure their livelihood and opportunities for their survival and protection. Involving dioceses, parishes Fr. Moonjely said that through its extensive network, Caritas intends to take this Lenten campaign to the dioceses. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has decided that the Lenten campaign will be launched in all the dioceses of the country on the First Sunday of Lent, March 1. Materials and background information on the Lenten campaign are being sent to all the parishes, and a pastoral letter of the bishops is also being prepared to sensitize the local communities to contribute to the Lenten collection for the poor. In this task, Fr. Moonjely said, Caritas mobilizes its numerous volunteers who are active in each diocese. They take the initiative of spreading the message of the campaign at the local level and in utilizing the resources to reach out to the needy and the poor through the national Caritas. Molecular-genetic studies did not detect COVID-19 coronavirus infection among 89 Ukrainians who are under observation in Novi Sanzhary. It was reported by the press service of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council. "None of the 89 evacuees, who are being monitored in the village of Novi Sanzhary, Poltava region, are currently infected with the COVID-2019 coronavirus," Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defense Council, said. According to him, molecular genetic studies of biological material, taken from the evacuees, have not yet identified the virus. As we reported earlier, the first case of coronavirus infection was recorded among Ukrainians in Italy, Interfax informed with reference to the Italian media. "The first case of a coronavirus in Campania . The girl who had been feeling not well for several days went to the hospital of San Luca di Vallo Della Lucania yesterday where she was tested for the Covid-19 virus. It tested positive in Cotugno Hospital, Naples: The presence of the Coronavirus has to be confirmed by the Spallanzani Institute of Rome. All those who came in contact with the girl, especially the family who accompanied her to the hospital, were quarantined," the message reads. February 27, 2020 Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Vienna, Austria Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, and the European Society of Radiology (ESR), today announced a collaboration to host an Ultrasound Academy at the European Congress of Radiology , ECR 2020 (Vienna, Austria, 11-15 March). Taking place on 12 March, the educational program will be led by experts in the field, with classes dedicated to clinical education in four fields of ultrasound: vascular, musculoskeletal, interventional radiology and liver shear wave elastography. With advances in fields such as 3D visualization, automated workflows and the application of machine learning, the role of ultrasound continues to expand into new clinical domains, said Boris Brkljacic, ESR President. Collaborating with Philips, a leader in ultrasound and in health technology more broadly, we look forward to providing a rich and insightful program at ECR 2020. At Philips, we are committed to transforming healthcare and that includes evolving ultrasound to be a more intelligent solution to enable swift and more confident decision making, for more people in more places, said Bich Le, Senior Vice President and General Manager Ultrasound, Philips. Working together with the ESR, the Philips Ultrasound Academy will provide practitioners with the latest updates from pioneers in some of the fastest-advancing clinical fields. At ECR2020 Philips will highlight its premium Philips Ultrasound System (EPIQ Elite) , which combines the latest advances in transducer innovation and enhanced performance to improve clinical confidence and the patient experience. The system offers a range of diagnostic ultrasound solutions tailored to the needs of specific medical specialties, including for vascular assessment and diagnosis. The Philips Ultrasound Academy at ECR2020 will take place from 8:00 to 16:45 at TechGate (19th floor), a short walk from the congress venue. ECR2020 attendees can register to attend the academy via the ESR online tool . More information on Philips presence at ECR2020 can be found here . For further information, please contact: Mark Groves Philips Global Press Office Tel: +31 631 639 916 Email: mark.groves@philips.com Twitter: mark_groves David ZIZKA European Society of Radiology, Director of Communications Tel: +43 1 5334064 545 Email: david.zizka@myESR.org About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2019 sales of EUR 19.5 billion and employs approximately 80,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter . About the European Congress of Radiology The ECR is the annual meeting of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), which represents more than 120,000 members worldwide. The ECR is one of the largest medical congresses in the world, attracting more than 30,000 congress participants. With 300 companies exhibiting across more than 26,000m, its exhibition is also one of the largest medical exhibitions in Europe. Attachments [February 27, 2020] Analytics Insight Magazine Names 'The 10 Most Influential Analytics Leaders of the Year' Analytics Insight Magazine, a brand of Stravium Intelligence has named 'The 10 Most Influential Analytics Leaders of the Year' in its February issue. Today's analytics leadership is driving digital transformation, opening new ways to create business value and facilitating data-driven decision-making across organizations. The magazine presents ten most influential pioneers who have embodied a style of leadership that addresses current industry-demands and barriers, while ensuring data quality, data governance and data literacy across organizations. Here are the Analytics Leaders who made the list: Featuring as the Cover Story is Ger Finnin, who serves as the CEO at TQS Integration. He joined the company in 2018 as part of a planned period of growth with over 30 years of experience in Electrical, Mechanical engineering, and Maintenance within highly regulated environments. His skills in these areas along with the ability to build effective teams have been demonstrated by the rapid growth of TQS which has doubled in size since 2018. The issue features Lyndon Cantor, Belinda Johnson and Nils H Rasmussen as Leaders of the Month. Lyndon (Lyn) Cantor serves as the CEO of Sandvine (News - Alert). He has spent over 25 years of his career in the OSS space. His vision for Sandvine has been to move the company to be a leader in the cloud-delivered software solutions. Belinda Johnson, CEO of Mindull Limited, has a B Comm., MBA and is a New Zealand Chartered Accountant. She worked for 5 years in a CA (News - Alert) firm, then became CFO of a large property development company for 5 years. Nils H Rasmussen, who serves as the CEO, founded Solver Inc. in Los Angeles, California, in 1996. He, along with the company's executive team, is responsible for the development of both the company's overall strategy and continuous process improvement for software & services delivery. The issue further includes: Arnab Chakraborty, Managing Director at Accenture (News - Alert) Applied Intelligence who is responsible for driving Accenture's AI business on the US West Coast. He is globally responsible for building the company's AI business with key cloud ecosystem partners. Deep Thomas, the Group Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Aditya Birla Group, is at the helm of steering organization-wide initiatives and transformation programs that leverage data and cutting-edge analytics solutions. Dr. Sreerama KV Murthy is the CEO & Chief Data Scientist at Quadratyx. He possesses conceptual and practical excellence in Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Text & Image Mining and Predictive Analytics. Mark Stouse serves as the Founder and CEO of Proof Analytics. He is the member of the board on Vaulting Ventures. Mark has been named twice to the Holmes Report's Innovator 25, in 2018. Stu Frost is the Founder and CEO of Geminos Software. He has 30 years of experience in founding and leading successful data management and analytics startups. He founded DATAllegro in 2003 which was acquired by Microsoft (News - Alert) in 2008. Zouheir Guedri, who serves as the Founder and CEO of Data&Data, possesses over 20 years of experience in providing advisory services in the areas of big data, data management, and information systems. Penetrating the new business ethics of contemporary industry, these innovators are not only reforming conventional business techniques, but also exploring novel approaches to resolve today's complex business problems with clear strategies that tend to drive innovation in a data-driven culture. Further, to thrive ahead, the aforementioned leaders acknowledge industry and more importantly customer-demands to gain competitive edge in current marketplace with a purpose to bring clarity through data and analytics one can rely on. Read the detailed coverage here. For more information, please visit https://www.analyticsinsight.net. About Analytics Insight Analytics Insight is an influential platform dedicated to insights, trends, and opinions from the world of data-driven technologies. It monitors developments, recognition, and achievements made by AI, big data and analytics companies across the globe. The Analytics Insight Magazine features opinions and views from top leaders and executives in the industry who share their journey, experiences, success stories, and knowledge to grow profitable businesses. To set up an interview or advertise your brand, contact [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005733/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Research Council President Tony Perkins will be attending the Supreme Court oral arguments for June Medical Services v. Russo, a case about whether abortionists in Louisiana must have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. During his time as a state representative in Louisiana, Tony Perkins authored the state's first abortion clinic regulation act, which was among the first measures of its kind in the nation. Tony Perkins now serves as President of Family Research Council, which filed an amicus brief in this case. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins gave the following statement: "As the author of Louisiana's first clinic regulation act, which was prompted by the deplorable conditions and inadequate healthcare of the abortion clinics, I'm thankful to see the effort to protect women from unsafe situations advance through subsequent generations. Protecting the lives of both unborn babies and their mothers requires sustained vigilance. By doing the hard work of passing this law and defending it to the U.S. Supreme Court, the state of Louisiana is proving that the pro-life movement is pro-woman. "This law says nothing about whether a woman may obtain an abortion, only about whether she may obtain medical care if something goes wrong. Nothing about the law should be controversial for a business that insists it cares about women. Regardless of how you feel about abortion, everyone should agree that women deserve to know their doctors have taken the necessary precautions," concluded Perkins. Katherine Beck Johnson, FRC's Research Fellow for Legal and Policy Studies, who helped draft FRC's amicus brief in this case, added: "The admitting privilege requirement is the type of common-sense law to protect women that the abortion industry is eager to eliminate. Louisiana is only trying to ensure that, if something goes wrong during the procedure, the doctor has an agreement with a local hospital to admit the patient. This is standard practice for most doctors and even dentists. But for some reason, a lot of people want to let abortionists off the hook." SOURCE Family Research Council Related Links http://www.frc.org PHOENIX, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Trutankless, Inc. (OTCQB: TKLS) manufactures an award-winning line of WiFi enabled electric tankless water heaters which are an attractive option for American households to upgrade from traditional inefficient hot water tanks. The Company has reported growing demand and sales over the last several periods. The company reported that it recently executed an agreement with Built-Right Holdings, LLC. In the transaction, the parties agreed to convert and retire the original Loan Agreement and Security Agreement, concurrently issuing an amended and restated note having final maturity date of January 3, 2023. "The closing of this transaction better positions the company to realize the benefit of successes in its core business as it seeks to finance its future growth in additional markets," stated Michael Stebbins, President and CEO, of Trutankless, Inc. "We're off to a strong start to 2020, including expansion of key relationships in target markets." Trutankless launched its first-generation Trutankless unit at the IBS show in 2014, where it was named "Best Home Technology Product." Since then, the product has garnered a multitude of accolades for its forward-thinking technology and awarded patents with 34 claims on its innovative advances in water heating technology. Additional information regarding the amendment to the Company's term loan facility will be included in a filing today by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K, which investors are encouraged to read in its entirety. About Trutankless, Inc.: Trutankless, Inc. (OTCQB: TKLS) is a technology-driven developer of accessible, next-generation home automation and efficiency systems. The Company's primary products are a line of electric tankless water heaters that surpasses traditional tank water heaters in energy efficiency, output, dependability and environmental sustainability. The Company sells its products to plumbing wholesale distributors and dealers throughout the United States. Trutankless, Inc. was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Please visit www.trutankless.com or call 855-TO-BUY-TRU. Connect on social media: www.houzz.com/pro/trutankless www.facebook.com/trutankless www.twitter.com/trutankless www.youtube.com/trutankless Forward-Looking Statement: The statements in this press release regarding any implied or perceived benefits from the release by Trutankless of its line of electric tankless water heaters or added key strategic sales and distribution partners are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks of the key strategic sales and distribution partners ability to sell our product, and effects of legal and administrative proceedings and governmental regulation, especially in a foreign country, future financial and operational results, competition, general economic conditions, and the ability to manage and continue growth. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this news release include the introduction of new technology, market conditions, and those set forth in reports or documents we file from time to time with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or update such statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. There is no guarantee that any specific outcome will be achieved. Past performance is not indicative of future results. SOURCE Trutankless, Inc. Related Links http://www.trutankless.com/ SYRACUSE The snowy, blustery winter storm hitting Central New York at the end of this week should bring the bald eagle- watching opportunities this weekend at the southern end of Onondaga Lake up a couple of notches, according to the president of the local Audubon club. Alison Kocek, president of Onondaga Audubon noted that members of her group spotted 17 eagles Sunday on the lake and predicted this weekend even more will be spotted. The area around the southern end of Onondaga Lake is the top winter roosting area for bald eagles in the state. At its peak last winter, more than 100 were spotted on one day on the lake. The birds congregate each winter in the trees overlooking the open water near the countys sewage treatment plant and the mouth of Onondaga Creek. The warm water coming out of the plant keeps the water open and attracts schools of gizzard shad and other fish. The birds are there for the food. They eat fish and occasionally a duck or a goose. The main vantage point for seeing the eagles is in the parking lot behind Best Buy, close to the road in the back of the Destiny USA mall; from on top of the first level parking ramp near Best Buy and along the Creek Walk along Onondaga Creek. The end part of the creek walk is closed this time of year, but occasionally eagles can be seen overlooking the open water along the creek looking for food. The birds visible from the mall parking lot can be seen roosting about 100 yards away in the trees on Murphys Island. Bring a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope. And on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being prime time), how would Kocek rate this coming weekend as far as bald eagle watching on the lake? Last weekend, she gave it a 7. I feel confident in increasing the rating to a 9, she said. The next two weekends are usually our highest numbers (of birds on the lake). See photos, videos taken by local photographers on the Bald Eagles of Onondaga Lake Facebook page. MORE: How to see wintering bald eagles on Onondaga Lake 51 bald eagles captured in photograph at southern end of Onondaga Lake Dont wait: Sign up now for that dream Upstate NY fishing trip this spring or summer Have a question or suggested story concerning the Upstate NY outdoors scene? Outdoors writer David Figura can be reached by email at dfigura@NYup.com, on Facebook or by calling 315-470-6066. SMITHERS, B.C. - The hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en sat down Thursday with senior government ministers to discuss a pipeline dispute that has caused protests across the country, shutting down freight and passenger rail services. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. CN Railway workers check the railroad crossing gate as they prepare to resume service after Ontario Provincial Police made arrests at a rail blockade in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, near Belleville, Ont., on Monday Feb. 24, 2020, during a protest in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Nation hereditary chiefs attempting to halt construction of a natural gas pipeline on their traditional territories. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld SMITHERS, B.C. - The hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en sat down Thursday with senior government ministers to discuss a pipeline dispute that has caused protests across the country, shutting down freight and passenger rail services. Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and British Columbia Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser began the long-sought talks in the late afternoon and wrapped after about three hours, with a plan to resume Friday morning. "Productive talks and we're continuing tomorrow," said Fraser, adding the mood in the room was "very good, very respectful" but it's not appropriate to discuss the details of what took place. "We don't want to jeopardize anything. We had a productive day today and we're hoping for a very solid day tomorrow, too." Bennett said it was a "very good start." Freda Huson, a spokeswoman for the Unist'ot'en camp that has been set up near the pipeline work site, said the meeting Thursday only covered introductions and the mood was respectful. She said she will not attend on Friday because the meeting will only involve the head chiefs and government officials. Hereditary Chief Na'moks left without making a statement. Before the meeting began, both the RCMP and Coastal GasLink said they agreed to conditions requested by the chiefs to allow the discussions to progress. The natural gas company agreed to a two-day pause in its activities in northwestern B.C., while the RCMP committed to ending patrols along a critical roadway while the negotiations unfold. The chiefs praised the moves in a statement released before the talks got underway. "We believe these conditions provide the space we need to be able to sit down at the table in good faith and a positive path forward," the statement read. "We are so close and have called on the provincial and federal governments to support this de-escalation of activities so that this issue can be resolved." The chiefs said the meeting with Bennett and Fraser is a "first step," noting both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan declined invitations to discuss the long-simmering issues that have gained fresh urgency in recent weeks. The chiefs' opposition to a natural gas pipeline cutting across their traditional territory, coupled with their efforts to limit police presence on their lands, have sparked shows of support across the country that have halted rail service for the past three weeks. Bennett said she hoped the meetings would pave the way to end the dispute and protests. "Obviously this is very important," she said moments after arriving in Smithers. "We reaffirm our interest in talking to the Wet'suwet'en Nation and their issues of title and rights." Horgan said he has met with the hereditary leaders twice over the past year and a half and is prepared to sit down with them again, but there need to be conditions for constructive dialogue. Fraser understands the community's governance issues and Bennett represents the Crown in Canada, so the best way forward is for them to be at the table, he said. "I think that this is a good step. I've been seeking peaceful dialogue for a couple of weeks and here we are," he said. "I'm looking forward to harmony as a result of those discussions." Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said the meeting was a victory for open dialogue and peaceful resolution, but it is only the beginning as there are underlying rights and title issues that will take time to resolve. Wet'suwet'en community members are divided on the pipeline and about a dozen supporters of the project gathered outside the Office of the Wet'suwet'en while the meeting took place. Bonnie George, a former Coastal GasLink employee who describes herself as a Wet'suwet'en matriarch, handed out a statement that she attributed to the Wet'suwet'en people. "The public attention brought to our community is having a negative effect on our people and eroding our traditional ways," George said, reading from the statement. Hereditary chiefs are not decision-makers on their own and are instead meant to reflect the consensus of their clan or house and reach decisions together inside a traditional setting called a Feast House, she said. George said she wasn't invited to the meeting but she went into the room with others and they made a statement, telling the gathering that the entire nation needs to be represented. The dispute over the Coastal GasLink pipeline project has been raging for months, but entered a new phase on Dec. 31, 2019, when the B.C. Supreme Court granted the company an injunction calling for the removal of any obstructions from any roads, bridges or work sites it has been authorized to use in Wet'suwet'en territory. The RCMP moved in to enforce that injunction on Feb. 6. Hours later, protesters started holding up railway traffic outside of Belleville, Ont., in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, thwarting freight and passenger rail travel. In Ottawa, one Conservative MP questioned Thursday whether the blockades constitute acts of terrorism. Doug Shipley put the question to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair during testimony at the House of Commons public safety and national security committee. The rookie MP said he was asking on behalf of a constituent who sent him an email after a handful of protesters in the Belleville area lit fires near and on railway tracks the day before actions that were denounced by Trudeau. "This resident wanted to know if the current illegal blockades that are happening across Canada are being deemed as a terrorist activity?" Shipley asked. Blair said they were not, adding the government should not interfere with the police's ability to identify and investigate criminal activity in their jurisdiction. "It's very appropriate that I be careful in doing that because I do not want to interfere with the operational independence of both the police and our prosecutors," he said. "But at the same time that was terribly unsafe, deeply concerning." RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki testified at the same committee hearing, saying the Mounties have discretion on how to enforce an injunction. 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. "Of course, enforcement is the last option," she said. "It's about dialogue and trying to find a peaceful resolution to the blockades." The Ontario Provincial Police took down a major blockade near Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory earlier this week. But about 20 demonstrators gathered near train tracks in Kingston, Ont., farther east along the same line, on Thursday morning. Local police said the group gathered on the Canadian National Railway Co. overpass, but train traffic had not been affected and officers were monitoring the situation. Police in Victoria said two protesters were arrested for mischief after using a substance to write messages that included profanity on the building, driveway and walkway of the B.C. legislature. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. With files from Michelle McQuigge and Liam Casey in Toronto, Mike Blanchfield in Ottawa, and Beth Leighton and Laura Kane in Vancouver. [February 27, 2020] Platform Banking Provider Agora Services is Securing $2 Million in Funding and Opens Headquarters in Atlanta Agora Services, the leading provider of digital platform banking solutions, selected Atlanta as the location for the company's new headquarters. Outside of the financial services footprint, Atlanta, which has become the FinTech Payment Hub, is a notable location for staff expansion with its talent pool from strong universities and seasoned veterans in technology. Agora Services provides financial institutions flexibility with added digital banking platforms without the need for core conversion or overhauling their current technology systems. Agora Services enables banking services providers to offer digital banking solutions that best fit their customers' unique needs with offerings like teen/parent banking, solutions for gig economy workers or elderly-care financial accounts and much more. According to two recent studies from Cornerstone Advisors, Community Banks & Credit Union top concerns are to increase deposits and new customer growth and 39% of Community Banks and 44% of Credit Unions are planning FinTech partnerships in the next 12 or 24 months to be able to launch new banking products. Through Agora's lego box platform, Credit Unions and Community Banks can achieve these results. "In order for financial institutions to remain competitive, they must have the latest and most robust digital offerings," said Arcady Lapiro, founder and CEO of Agora Services. "Banks have to move beyond a website, a standard App or mobile check deposit. They must compete with the latest FinTech technology, including fully integrated digital onboarding, instant account opening, instant virtual card, advanced card controls, shared accounts, budgeting, money pool and more." With Agora, community banks and credit unions have the technology they need to execute their strategy and be successful. "We selected Atlanta because the region provides us the best combination of access to business development and talent while also being a part of the growing FinTech community," stated Lapiro. Agora Services was founded by FinTech veteran Arcady Lapiro, who was part of the founding team that built Fortuneo in 2000, one of the biggest European digital banks and the only one profitable since 2004. Lapiro, a New Yorker, is also an active member of the FinTech industry, serving as a mentor and advisor to several US, Canadian and Israeli FinTech companies. He is also active in the VC world as a venture partner of a leading FinTech fund. In addition to Agora's new headquarters, Agora is in the process of securing $2 million of funding to fuel its growth and sales and deploy its first clients. The funding is driven mostly from its founders for sales and operations as Agora's platform is now fully developed. The ICBA was also an early investor through its ThinkTech program. Agora Services also graduated from MasterCard's (News - Alert) Start Path FinTech program. About Agora Services Agora Services offers financial institutions a robust and customizable cloud-based offering that enables banking customers to create new banking products and manage accounts in real-time. Community banks and credit unions can leverage Agora Services' product offerings to accelerate their digital experience without replacing their core banking system while they improve the user experience and create opportunities to increase deposits and revenues. For more information, visit www.agoraservices.us. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005865/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Three of Britain's biggest finance firms are to axe more than 2,000 jobs as part of their relentless push online. Lloyds is cutting 780 full-time branch roles as it shrinks its presence on the High Street, blaming the switch by its customers to online banking. And insurer Direct Line will slash around 800 jobs in the UK as it shifts emphasis to online customers. Online drive: Three of Britain's biggest finance firms - Lloyds, Direct Line and Virgin Money - are to axe more than 2,000 jobs The cuts by the company, which also owns the Churchill and Green Flag brands, will affect almost 7 per cent of its 11,000 workforce. It said the redundancies will take place predominantly between 2021 and 2022 and will include the closure of one of its sites. Virgin Money said about 500 jobs are expected to go under further integration plans following its merger with Clydesdale And Yorkshire Bank in 2018 as it shuts 22 branches this year and consolidates 30 more within one of its nearby locations. The cuts come as banks are under fire for abandoning rural communities by shutting hundreds of branches across the UK. Lloyds Banking Group has closed 220 branches in the past two years and has earmarked another 56 for closure between April and October. Trade union Unite said that its latest jobs cull was more evidence of the bank's 'profits over people' culture. *Troubled fashion firm Ted Baker is axing 160 jobs to save 7million a year and turn around the chain's fortunes. The cuts will come in the head office, where 102 staff will be made redundant and 58 vacant roles left unfilled. The executive team will be slimmed down from 13 to nine. Google Cloud today announced that its new Seoul region, its first in Korea, is now open for business. The region, which it first talked about last April, will feature three availability zones and support for virtually all of Google Cloud's standard service, ranging from Compute Engine to BigQuery, Bigtable and Cloud Spanner. With this, Google Cloud now has a presence in 16 countries and offers 21 regions with a total of 64 zones. The Seoul region (with the memorable name of asia-northeast3) will complement Google's other regions in the area, including two in Japan, as well as regions in Hong Kong and Taiwan, but the obvious focus here is on serving Korean companies with low-latency access to its cloud services. "As South Koreas largest gaming company, we're partnering with Google Cloud for game development, infrastructure management, and to infuse our operations with business intelligence," said Chang-Whan Sul, the CTO of Netmarble. "Google Clouds region in Seoul reinforces its commitment to the region and we welcome the opportunities this initiative offers our business." Over the course of this year, Google Cloud also plans to open more zones and regions in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Jakarta, Indonesia. The Nigerian Red Cross Society said on Thursday that it would train 100 persons including people with disabilities in various communities in First Aid in Kaduna State. Sunday Awulu, the Branch Secretary of the Society, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna. He said that with the training of additional eight First Aid trainers in December last year, the branch was prepared to ensure that more people benefit from First Aid training this year. Mr Awulu said that People Living With Disabilities were among those targeted for the all-important training. The organisation plans to train 100 people in Community First Aid. In realising this objective, we will select two communities within the state each quarter, and the communities will be responsible in selecting 25 participants each for the training. The training selections will be without discrimination, as people living with physical disability will also be included at every given opportunity, Mr Awulu said. According to him, the Kaduna branch is ready to conduct Certificated training in Basic, Advanced and Professional First Aid to corporate organisations and individuals that will make such request. He noted that with the current large number of volunteers across the 23 local government areas in the state, there was so much that the society would achieve this year. The official said the society was developing focused and strategic systems, that would enhance efficient service delivery with the required impact. He said that the effort would include developing the potential in young people through mobilisation for service delivery. Mr Awulu said the society would expand its coverage and alleviate the situation of vulnerable people, including those affected by disaster, epidemics, armed conflicts, and the poorest communities in urban and rural areas. According to him, the vulnerable include women, children, aged and displaced people. The Kaduna Red Cross Branch has always occupied a strategic position in humanitarian endeavours within the state. Last year, the branch, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross, alleviated the sufferings of people who were victims of various armed conflicts that affected some parts of the state. The branch will expand its coverage this year to ensure that many communities not reached last year, feel the impact of the Red Cross movement this year, Mr Awulu said. (NAN) Independent deputy Nicusor Dan, who is backed for Bucharest mayor by the Save Romania Union (USR), thanked Liberal leader Ludovic Orban for supporting his bid and announced that if he wins a term as mayor, he will support the business environment. "I thank Chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Ludovic Orban for supporting my candidacy for the City Hall. This is a gesture of utmost political responsibility, given that the PNL itself has highly competent people for this position. Through this gesture of responsibility, the Bucharesters' desire to have a single candidate of the opposition running against the Firea - Social Democrat administration is very close to being fulfilled," Nicusor Dan said in a statement. He assured the business environment that they will have a reliable partner in him. "The city needs development, and the private sector is the driver of development. We will simplify the interaction with the authority, we will issue all the permits within the legal term. We will be an interface between the local business environment and the local education system. We will have a fair and predictable policy. We will provide financial and logistic support to technology, creative industry and research start-ups. We will build, in public-private partnership, conference centers that will put Bucharest on the global business map," he said. PNL Chairman Ludovic Orban announced on Thursday that he supports Nicusor Dan's run for Bucharest mayor in this year's elections, but mentioned that this proposal still requires the approval of the party's leading bodies. Trial of accused of threats against Moscow judges to begin in March RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 12:59 27/02/2020 MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI) - The Meshchansky District Court of Moscow will begin hearing on merits of the case of town of Voronezh resident Mikhail Kvasov, who stands charged with murder threats to Moscow judges, on March 4, lawyer Olga Pelsh has told RAPSI. According to investigators, Kvasov has threatened to murder the judge of Moscows Tverskoy District Court Stanislav Minin. The defendant does not admit guilt saying he published the incriminating statement in support of rallies and did not imply to threaten the judge. Earlier, Moscows Basmanny District Court had Kvasov to be recommitted to a mental hospital. A relevant motion was filed by an investigator, who said that in 2007 Kvasov had a medical checkup in the Voronezh psychoneurologic dispensary and was diagnosed with the mixed anxiety-depressive disorder. The Mounties say they have been using controversial facial recognition tool Clearview AI for the last four months, and have used it to solve online child exploitation cases. The RCMPs National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC) has been using and evaluating Clearview AIs software for approximately four months for online child sexual exploitation investigations, the force said in a statement released Thursday. The NCECC has two licenses for the Clearview AI application and has used it in 15 cases, resulting in the successful identification and rescue of two children. The national police force also said that a few units have been using Clearview AI on a trial basis to determine its utility to enhance criminal investigations. The RCMP had previously refused to confirm whether it used Clearview AI. It said it was releasing the information Thursday in the interest of transparency. Four regulators, including Canadas privacy commissioner, recently opened an investigation into Clearview AI to determine whether it violates Canadian privacy laws. The tool identifies people by searching what the company describes as a database of billions of images scraped from the open web, including social media. Tor Ekeland, Clearview AIs lawyer, previously said that the company looks forward to a productive dialogue with Canadian officials. Clearview only accesses publicly available data from the public internet. It is strictly an after-the-fact investigative tool for law enforcement, and is used to solve crimes including murder, rape and child exploitation. The Mounties said they will be engaging with the Privacy Commissioner to work in partnership with him to develop guidelines and policies that conform to legislation and regulations. The force says it tests new technology in its attempts to counter the growing and disturbing threat of online child exploitation. In 2019, the NCECC saw a 68 per cent increase in reports of online child sexual abuse over the previous year. While we recognize that privacy is paramount and a reasonable expectation for Canadians, this must be balanced with the ability of law enforcement to conduct investigations and protect the safety and security of Canadians, including our most vulnerable. Four GTA police forces previously confirmed to the Star that they have used the tool. All have since stopped using the tool pending review by Ontarios privacy commissioner, Brian Beamish. The United States has designated Kataib Hezbollah Secretary-General Ahmad Al-Hamidawi as a global terrorist, US Counterterrorism Coordinator Ambassador Nathan Sales told reporters on Wednesday. "Today, Secretary [of State Mike] Pompeo has taken decisive action against Iran-backed militias in Iraq by designating Ahmad Al-Hamidawi as a specially designated global terrorist or SDGT," Sales said. "Al-Hamidawi is the Secretary-General of Kataib Hezbollah or KH, a group that is responsible for numerous terrorist attacks against US and Coalition forces in Iraq. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Getty Images A Louisiana district judge who has admitted texting racial slur messages is under pressure to step down from Gov John Bel Edwards. Edwards released a statement saying that District Judge Jessie LeBlanc "has compromised her ability to preside as a judge, and she has damaged the judiciary. She should resign. After denying sending the text messages for months, Ms LeBlanc, finally admitted to sending them in an interview on Sunday on WAFB-TV. She said that she used the slur to describe a black sheriff's deputy and a black law clerk in text messages she sent to Assumption Parish Chief Deputy Bruce Prejean as their extramarital affair ended. I profusely apologise for that. I should have never said it, she told the station. However, the judge said she had no plans to resign and is, in fact, gearing up to seek re-election when her current term in Louisiana's 23rd Judicial District expires in December. Mr Edwards had publicly called for the judges recognition in a statement. The admitted and repeated use of racial slurs by a judge who has taken an oath to administer justice fairly and impartially is wrong, period, There is never any circumstance or context in which such derogatory and degrading language is okay, he said. The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus also called for an independent investigation of Ms Leblancs conduct by the states Judiciary Commission should she refuse to resign. LeBlanc's lawyer, Jill Craft, hit back at the judges statement saying that Edwards should focus on his own branch of government rather than criticise the judge. If that is now the litmus test for any public official, then every one of our public officials should be immediately held to the same standard, including private statements about race, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, sex, religion, This means all public officials should immediately be required to disclose all of their private communications. Craft said. Story continues She said that Ms Leblanc has made her contrition clear about the comments she made in a private conversation. A court motion has been filed by District Attorney Ricky Babin and the district's lead public defender asking that LeBlanc voluntarily recuse herself from criminal matters in Assumption Parish, or be forced to do so because of the affair. LeBlanc took office in 2012 and maintains that the affair would not have caused any trial verdicts in her court to be overturned. The public is urged to look at every case she has ever handled, how she runs her Court and how she does her job. There has never been a hint of bias, Craft said. However, Mr Babin said that hundreds of the judge's cases are now under review. Additional reporting by Associated Press Read more Iran attacks US for coronavirus propaganda Gay conversion therapy may be banned in nine countries How many US coronavirus cases are there and where Good morning, Please find below the News Alert issued today. Best regards, Florence Lievre Global PR Manager | Group Marketing & Communications Capgemini Group | Paris Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 71 Email : florence.lievre@capgemini.com _____________________ Press contact: Florence Lievre Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 71 Email: florence.lievre@capgemini.com European Commission awards a contract to Capgemini Invent to support and strengthen industry ecosystems Paris, February 27, 2020 - To address the cyber security challenges faced by different critical infrastructures in and across European Union members, a consortium led by Capgemini Invent , part of the Capgemini Group , has been awarded a contract by the European Commission - to strengthen industry ecosystems, by helping facilitate the set-up and further development of Information Sharing and Analysis Centers: ISACs . The main scope of this new contract is to support the establishment and development of European sectoral ISACs and to promote coordination between them. This includes establishing and launching a cooperation platform, the facilitation of common procedures and standards, supporting the enhancement of ISAC maturity, and enabling the establishment of new ISACs in critical sectors. Led by Capgemini Invent, this project is being executed by 5 providers, bringing together technical and social expertise through a network of key industry leaders. The partners in this consortium next to Capgemini Invent are Intrasoft, DFN CERT, Spark Legal Network and TNO, all supported by the Dutch National Cyber Security Center. Major European players in the fields of energy, finance, railway and aviation have already formed an ISAC. The project's task is to support and further professionalize these ISACs, all in close cooperation with ENISA1 - building upon their great work performed in previous years. Potential other sectors envisioned for future ISACs include Europe's industrial sectors and operators of essential services such as health, maritime, and water. The consortium parties involved will foster the right set-up for a sustainable ISAC. Roeland de Koning , Principal Consultant public security at Capgemini Invent and project coordinator of the project commented: "We have a strong consortium of organizations and experts, all well-known authorities in the field of ISACs. To support our approach, they have clearly stated their commitment through a Letter of Intent. Most notable is the strong involvement of experts from the Dutch NCSC, European FI-ISAC and EE-ISAC, the only specialists who can speak from experience and share lessons learned for future European ISACs." Note to the editor For more information about the European Commission's open platforms to collaborate on cyber threats and more specific the cooperation between Europe's industrial sectors and operators of essential services go to https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/open-platforms-collaborate-cyber-threats About Capgemini Invent As the digital innovation, consulting and transformation brand of the Capgemini Group, Capgemini Invent helps CxOs envision and build what's next for their organizations. Located in more than 30 offices and 25 creative studios around the world, its 7,000+ strong team combines strategy, technology, data science and creative design with deep industry expertise and insights, to develop new digital solutions and business models of the future. Capgemini Invent is an integral part of Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology services and digital transformation, Capgemini is at the forefront of innovation to address the entire breadth of clients' opportunities in the evolving world of cloud, digital and platforms. Building on its strong 50-year heritage and deep industry-specific expertise, Capgemini enables organizations to realize their business ambitions through an array of services from strategy to operations. Capgemini is driven by the conviction that the business value of technology comes from and through people. It is a multicultural company of almost 220,000 team members in more than 40 countries. The Group reported 2019 global revenues of EUR 14.1 billion. Visit us at www.capgemini.com . People matter, results count. 1 European Agency for Cybersecurity: https://www.enisa.europa.eu/ Attachment The city crime branch has arrested five men for allegedly trying to rob a jewelery shop in suburban Kandivali in broad daylight on February 22. On the morning of February 22, five men armed with revolvers and choppers barged into the shop and demanded that cash and jewelery be handed over to them. But the shop owner shouted for help, and people gathered outside, so the accused fled on their motorcycles, a police officer said. Officials of unit 12 of crime branch scanned footage of more than 100 CCTV cameras installed in Kandivali and along the Western Express highway and zeroed in on the accused, he said. The accused were identified as Gheverchand Suthar, 37, Bharat Sharma, 38, Shahid Yusuf Khan, 30, Farman alias Faijan Qureshi, 24 and Shejad Malik, 24. Suthar, leader of the gang, confessed to having committed several robberies in Gujarat and Karnataka, the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkmenistan reduced import of textile raw materials from Turkey in January 2020, Turkeys Ministry of Trade told Trend on Feb. 27. According to the ministry, Turkmenistans import of textile raw materials from Turkey amounted $1 million in January 2020, which is 8.73 percent less compared to January 2019. In January 2020, Turkeys export of textile raw materials to world markets amounted to $673.7 million, which is 0.28 percent less compared to same month of 2019. Turkey's export amounted to $171.5 billion in 2019, having increased by 2.1 percent compared to 2018. In the meantime, Turkey's import dropped by 9.1 percent and amounted to $202.7 billion. Turkeys foreign trade turnover in 2019 exceeded $374.2 billion. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu One of his deputies is Mullah Muhammad Yaqoub, the son of deceased Taliban founder Mullah Muhammad Omar. Now 30 years old, Mullah Yaqoub ostensibly leads the Talibans Quetta-based shura, or council, overseeing Taliban activities in the countrys more predominantly Pashtun south and west. But he lacks battlefield experience and his bloodline provides little guarantee that his fathers loyal followers will consistently support him. The Taliban leader with the most battlefield credibility is another deputy, Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of the shadowy Haqqani network that controls the Talibans Peshawar-based shura, with operations in northern, eastern and central Afghanistan. Separated by mountains from the southern Pashtuns as well as Afghanistans northern Tajiks and Uzbeks, the Haqqani networks manpower, financial resources and battlefield skills, particularly suicide bombings and kidnapping operations learned through cooperation with Al Qaeda, have been crucial to Taliban success. It is telling that Mr. Haqqani was the author of a Times Op-Ed last week asserting that the Taliban was prepared to accept a peace accord. The Haqqani network is the Talibans most independent and militarily effective fighting force. In having the reclusive Mr. Haqqani be author of the piece, the Taliban leadership might have been trying to send a message of unity to both the West and to Taliban commanders in the field. Even so, theres another impediment to securing a real peace deal: Members of the Talibans Qatar-based negotiating team are largely disconnected from and disrespected by the Talibans senior leadership. The lead negotiator, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, is a career Taliban politician, not a warrior, who was replaced as deputy Taliban foreign minister in the late 1990s after his own falling out with Taliban leadership. The teams ostensible chief is Mullah Omars former deputy, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was wasting away in a Pakistani prison until the United States pushed for his release in late 2018, probably because he has long supported negotiations. So what is really driving these peace talks? The answer seems to be President Trump, who has promised to end Americas involvement in Afghanistan and made the release of American hostages a priority. The presidents special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, a Trump loyalist, is determined to secure a deal that need only survive until the fall election. Mr. Khalilzad, who appears to be interested in becoming secretary of state in a second Trump term, pressured President Ashraf Ghani last November to release Anas Haqqani, Sirajuddin Haqqanis younger brother, along with two other prominent Haqqani network officials, in exchange for two Westerners held by the group. The exchange was viewed as a crucial first step toward revitalizing the negotiations. But in a bad omen for the impending deal, a cease-fire in Zabul province that was promised as part of the prisoner exchange never materialized. All of this means that the Taliban will have little to lose from signing a deal that they can walk away from, and much to gain when the United States draws down its forces. Significantly, among the American troops that will depart are those who train the most effective government fighters, the Afghan special operations forces. Those commandos have had an outsize impact in relieving besieged Afghan cities. Neutralizing them is a key goal of Taliban and Haqqani field commanders. I am not arguing that the United States should keep troops in Afghanistan forever. But there are better ways to seek a true, lasting peace such as by treating Afghanistan as the fractured nation it is and negotiating separate deals with regional Taliban leaders and warlords. President Klaus Iohannis has signed on Thursday the decoration decree of deputy Silviu Vexler, head of Romania-Israel parliamentary friendship group. The head of state bestowed the National Order "For Merit" in rank of Knight upon deputy Silviu Vexler as a token "of high appreciation for the important contribution he had in keeping the memory of the Holocaust victims alive, for the initiation of legislative projects focused on preventing and combating anti-Semitism, as well as for the services brought to our country in the area of parliamentary diplomacy." AGERPRES [February 27, 2020] JEDEC Wide Bandgap Power Semiconductor Committee Publishes Guideline for Switching Reliability Evaluation Procedures for GaN Devices JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, the global leader in standards development for the microelectronics industry, announces the publication of JEP180: Guideline for Switching Reliability Evaluation Procedures for Gallium Nitride Power Conversion Devices. Developed by JEDEC's JC-70 Committee for Wide Bandgap Power Electronic Conversion Semiconductors, JEP180 is available for free download from the JEDEC website. To enable the successful adoption of GaN power transistors, both reliable operation in power conversion applications and switching lifetime need to be demonstrated. Existing tests for silicon power transistors do not necessarily validate operation under actual-use conditions of power conversion equipment and may not be applicable for GaN power transistors. To address this need, JEP180 is intended for use by manufacturers of GaN power transistors and power conversion equipment. For the first time since the introduction of GaN power transistors, JEP180 will enable manufacturers to evaluate switching reliability of GaN power transistors and to assure their robustness at the technology level and in power conversion applications. The document provides guidelines for Switching Accelerated (News - Alert) Life and Dynamic High-Temperature Operating-Life tests that are applicabl to GaN planar enhancement-mode, depletion-mode, cascode power transistors, and integrated power solutions. JEP180 was developed over a period of more than two years by a team of respected industry experts from leading GaN power device manufacturers. "This new guideline provides engineers a robust evaluation of switching behavior, which will further accelerate industry-wide adoption of GaN, especially in automotive and industrial markets where efficiency, power density and reliability matter the most," said Dr. Stephanie Watts Butler, GaN technology innovation architect at Texas Instruments (News - Alert) and the chair of JC-70. "This latest guideline covers switching reliability and helps assure successful usage of GaN devices in a wide range of applications by addressing one of the key topics identified by our committee members. We continue in our work to build a full coverage of guidelines and standards for use of both GaN and SiC devices." Tim McDonald, Senior Advisor to Infineon's CoolGaNTM program and the chair of the JC-70.1 subcommittee. About JC-70 Formed in October 2017 with twenty-three member companies, JC-70 now has over 60 member companies, which underscores industry interest in the development of universal standards to help advance the adoption of wide bandgap (WBG) power technologies. Global multinational corporations and technology startups from the US, Europe, Middle East, and Asia are working together to bring to the industry a set of standards for reliability, testing, and parametrics of WBG power semiconductors. Committee members include industry leaders in power GaN and SiC semiconductors, as well as prospective users of wide bandgap power devices, and test and measurement equipment suppliers. Technical experts from universities and national labs also provide input. Interested companies worldwide are welcome to join JEDEC to participate in this important standardization effort. JC-70 plans to hold four committee meetings in 2020, including a meeting co-located with the APEC Conference on March 16 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Contact Emily Desjardins ([email protected]) for more information or visit www.jedec.org. About JEDEC JEDEC is the global leader in the development of standards for the microelectronics industry. Thousands of volunteers representing nearly 300 member companies work together in over 100 JEDEC committees and task groups to meet the needs of every segment of the industry, manufacturers and consumers alike. The publications and standards generated by JEDEC committees are accepted throughout the world. All JEDEC standards are available for download from the JEDEC website. For more information, visit www.jedec.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005918/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Regina McDonnell Hayes arrived in New York in 1966 after a two-year stint as an au pair in Paris, unsure of what to do next. She signed with a temp agency, accepting a variety of dull assignments until one day she landed in the offices of Coward-McCann, a now-defunct division of G.P. Putnam's Sons, working for the publicity director. Serendipity intervened: a new colleague confided she was quitting, and suggested Hayes should apply for her job, working with the childrens editor. They hired me but I dont think there were any other applicants, Hayes said. I knew from the first week that this was what I was meant to do. The idea that the people in that office read books all day was enough. Fifty-four years later, Hayes retired from Viking Childrens Books on February 1, where she had been publisher for 30 years and an editor-at-large since stepping down from that role in 2012. The editor of numerous award-winning books, steward of a storied backlist, beloved mentor of authors and junior colleagues, she said she wanted to leave without fanfare. I had been thinking about it for a while but I didnt give them much warning, said Hayes, who fought attempts to send her off with a lot of fuss. Instead, the office had a little gathering where her colleagues toasted her and gave her their best wishes electronically. They went into the video studio and put them all on a thumb drive so I could watch them at home later because they knew I would have been mortified to watch in public. A Bookish Kid As a child, Hayes says she was the stereotypical kid with her nose in a book all the time, but she majored in psychology at Newton College, now a part of Boston College. I started as an English major but it was ruining my reading. I didnt want to analyze the books. I just wanted to enjoy them. As a result, she began work in publishing with no formal education in literature or editing and, at the time, that was okay. There was not much pressure on us or even attention to what we were doing because we were just a backwater then, she said. The bosses hadnt realized how much gold there was in them thar hills. Among the seismic changes Hayes has seen in her career was the realization of that gold, the enormous growth of a retail market for both frontlist and backlist books, and a revolution in the way books are marketed. When I started, you basically just threw a book out there, she said. Other than getting it to the important librarians, there was no marketing. There has also been, of course, a complete technological transformation in how books are made. Hayes remembers the laborious process of pre-separating colors for illustrations and the days when only three colors could be used because four-color was too expensive. When she began at Coward-McCann, freelancers created book jackets, but the rest of the books elements were designed in-house and by hand. You got out the typeface book and figured out what font you wanted for a chapter head and then you used tracing paper to copy it. She learned the business from editor-in-chief Alice Torrey, who had an unsentimental attitude about childrens literature. She always had a cigarette dangling from her lip and she used to say, The one word I dont want to hear is cute. After seven years, Hayes moved to Dial to work for legendary editor Phyllis Fogelman. Unlike Coward-McCann, Dial had its own art director, Atha Tehon, who, Hayes said, had high standards and exquisite taste. When she told Tehon about designing her own books at Coward-McCann, she almost fainted. I got a real education in design from her. Fogelman, who personally edited the works of Tom Feeling and Julius Lester, was committed to diversity decades before it became a publishing imperative. After acquiring a manuscript that had won the Council on Interracial Books writing contest, she assigned Hayes to edit it. The book was Song of the Trees by Mildred D. Taylor, the first book in Taylors (eventual) quintet about the Logan family. Hayes edited Taylors next book, too: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Dial, 1976). I remember when I first read it thinking, Can this be as good as I think it is? and it was. The book won the 1977 Newbery Medal. Taylor wrote three more volumes, the latest of which, All the Days Past, All the Days to Come, was edited by Hayes and published by Viking this past January. Those books taken together are just an amazing, intimate portrait of civil rights in 20th-century America, and they are so powerful because it is so personal, Hayes said. Those stories are infused with Mildreds family story, the stories she heard growing up. Perhaps what Hayes cherishes most from her Dial years, though, is her reunion with James Marshall, whom she had first worked with at Coward-McCann. Meeting Jim changed my whole attitude, she recalled. He showed me that childrens books could be so smart and funny and quietly subversive. His books were definitely for children but they also gave adults something because he had an incredible sense of humor. You could just walk down the street with him and he would point out 10 things that made you laugh, none of which you would ever have thought of yourself. The Viking Decades She helped me write some of the best books of my life, teaching me something new with every pass. Sarah Dessen After nearly a decade at Dial, Hayes became publisher of Viking Childrens Books in 1982, a job she held until 2012, when she became editor-at-large. During those decades she edited, published, and befriended many of the most beloved luminaries of childrens publishing, including Barbara Cooney, Roald Dahl, Robert McCloskey, Simms Taback, and Rosemary Wells, whom Hayes had first worked with years earlier at Dial. Wells recalled, She was assigned to edit one of my early novels because there was a Roman Catholic heroine and since Phyllis Fogelman knew nothing about the Catholic tradition, she sent my manuscript to a beautiful brown-haired Irish girl on her staff. It was Regina. We instantly because mischievous friends, chatty new mothers as well as editor and writer. Wells and Hayes reimagined the board book category with Very First Books, a series that launched two bunnies named Max and Ruby. Up until that time, baby and toddler books were all based on simple concepts. The Max and Ruby books actually had little plots, told quickly across six spreads. Hayes also edited Mary on Horseback, a novel about a traveling nurse that Wells considers one of her best works. Reginas mark is all over its pacing and its purpose, Wells said. It was she who said, Youve got a chunky middle-aged heroine who doesnt know how to dress. Whats worse, she births loads of babies. How to lose every boy reader in the world! Keep her in the background as gray eminence. And I did. Eventually, after Hayes became Vikings publisher, she had to set down her pencil. I started out trying to keep certain books and authors to myself but I finally realized it was really unfair to the authors because Id be keeping them waiting for months, she said. Shaping a list is different from being an editor. Its different but it can be just as exciting. At Viking, she was also charged with revitalizing Puffin, the paperback line, which at the time she took over, had an annual list of 1012 titles. Nancy Paulsen was managing editor and the two of them went to town. Nobody was really paying attention to us, so we just plunged in. It was sort of like, My fathers got a barn. Lets put on a show! she said. Before we knew it the list had grown to 75 books. I had to go in and ask for more acquisition money from our president [Alan Kellock] and he looked at me and said, 75 books? How did that happen? Kellock doubled their budget from $25,000 to $50,000. The 1980s saw a rapid growth in retail sales, with membership in the Association of Booksellers for Children having grown to 400 stores. Childrens booksellers needed books they could handsell directly to adults who might not know what they wantedsturdy paperbacks, good-looking reissues of the classics, and new books that would appeal to a generation of kids raised on cartoons. In 1987, a young man came in one day to see Hayes. His portfolio was stunning, she remembers. We were definitely interested in giving him work but we didnt have a manuscript for him at the moment. Lane Smith remembers this meeting vividly, too. Jon [Scieszka] and I had previously been kicked out of several publishing offices with A Tale of a Wolf [its original title], Smith said. It had been suggested to us that our weird and slightly scary take on a classic fairy tale might not be appropriate for small readers. Hayes read the dummy while Smith waited. This was too much for my nerves so I moved to a wall to admire an original Bemelmanss Madeline painting, he recalled. But my ears were turned around backwards like a cats, searching for some clue to Ms. Hayess reaction. Was that a chuckle? Wait, was she actually laughing? If so, this was a response our book had not received in the weeks we had been shopping it around. Hayes finished and told him on the spot she wanted to publish his book, which was retitled The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. I recall saying, Excellent, or something equally nonchalant but if Regina had looked out her window minutes later she would have seen a madman zig-zagging into traffic, coins spilling from pockets, wildly looking for a pay phone to tell Jon our lives had just changed. Hayes remembers that, right out of the gate, Viking had trouble keeping True Story in print. I think we reprinted something like six or seven times that first year, for a total of something like 80,000 copies, which for that time was huge, she said. Next came The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, which won a 1993 Caldecott Honor. Without Regina, there would not have been a True Story of the 3 Little Pigs or a Stinky Cheese Man or a Math Curse or Science Verse or Time Warp Trio series, said Scieszka. She had both an editors sharp eye for a good story, and a generous, kid-centered heart. And she always saw that humor was important. Simms Taback also won a Caldecott Honor during Hayess tenure, for There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, a redesigned edition of a novelty book he had published years before. After that, he brought in Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, which of course went on to win the Caldecott Medal, Hayes said. He was a joy to work with. The last book we published with him [Taback died in 2011] was Kibitzers and Fools. He came in to meet with [art director] Denise Cronin and me about it one day and I remember he said, This is the most Jewish book I have ever written and I cant believe Im here putting it together with a couple of Irish girls. Reviving the Backlist At Viking, Hayes also worked closely with the estates of many departed creators, including McCloskey, Ludwig Bemelmans, Don Freeman, Ezra Jack Keats, and Astrid Lindgren to ensure backlist classics like Make Way for Ducklings, Madeline, Corduroy, The Snowy Day, and Pippi Longstocking would continue to reach new audiences. In the 1970s, many of the books had been redesigned without jackets, or in a reduced trim size, to save money. Hayes restored them to their original glory. The work brought her in contact with legends like Cooney, whom she visited at the authors home on the Damariscotta River in Maine, in a house her son had built for her. Thomas Moser made all her cabinets and in her studio there was a place for every brush and tube of paint, Hayes remembered. Everything was blue and white. It would have made for incredible photos although I cant imagine Barbara would ever be on Instagram. McCloskey, who also lived in Maine, was lovely and so sweet, Hayes recalled, but also very shy and intimidated by his own fame. She remembers him being asked to give a speech at the Childrens Books and Author breakfast at ABA. He arrived in New York, where the plan was to meet for dinner the night before, but McCloskey went to the wrong hotel and his luggage had been lost. Finally, he showed up about 8:30 [p.m.]. A kind lady had found him wandering around a different hotel, Hayes recalled. He was wearing a ratty old sweater so we bought him socks, underwear, and a new shirt in the hotel gift shop. They were outrageously expensive but he said they were the best socks he had ever had. The next morning he came to the breakfast in the new shirt, but with the ratty sweater over it. He said he couldnt give the speech to a big audience with just a thin shirt between me and them. Whats Next? Hayes plans to spend more time with her four grandchildren, who live in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. (They have libraries like you wouldnt believe, she admits.) She will miss the work, and the people she worked with will certainly miss her. She helped me write some of the best books of my life, teaching me something new with every pass, said Sarah Dessen, who published more than a dozen of her bestselling YA novels with Viking. I am so lucky to have gotten to work with her. Rosemary Wells said Hayes belongs in the pantheon of great editors, the whisperer behind the curtain that helps each actor perform to his highest ability. I have had the good fortune of working with the best and brightest editors of my generation, said Wells, who counts Fogelman, Michael di Capua, Dick Jackson, Ann Tobias, and Amy Ehrlich among them. But Regina takes the cake. No doubt Hayes would blush at that praise. Then and now, for her, it was always about the story. I still love the work and Im never happier than sitting with a big fat manuscript, a pencil in hand, to date myself, but it was time to make way for ducklings, she said. I just had to do it and know that Id then figure out what to do next. A pilot from Connecticut has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for his role in a marijuana trafficking operation that made millions of dollars by moving about two tons of pot across the country in a small plane, federal prosecutors said. VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Valencia Technologies Corporation ("Valencia"), a private medical device company, today announced interim efficacy data from the eCoin Pivotal Clinical Trial will be presented at the upcoming Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine & Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU) 2020 Annual Meeting to be held from February 25 29 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Alexandra Rogers will be presenting interim 6-month efficacy data from the pivotal study evaluating the use of its eCoin implantable tibial neurostimulator for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) in patients with urgency urinary incontinence. The study is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of tibial nerve stimulation with eCoin in 133 participants. Implanted under local anesthetic in approximately 20 minutes, the eCoin provides automated therapy and eliminates compliance related burdens to patients. The study is designed to evaluate changes from baseline in OAB symptoms as measured by voiding diaries and patient-reported outcomes through 48 weeks of eCoin therapy. Results from the trial will support Valencia's pre-market approval application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration upon completion. Oral Presentation Details : Title: Interim Pivotal Study Effectiveness Data of a Coin-Sized Tibial Nerve Stimulator for Urgency Urinary Incontinence Presenter: Alexandra Rogers M.D. Date: Friday, February 28th Time: 4:20 p.m. Venue: JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona Ballroom About Valencia Valencia Technologies Corporation is a medical technology company located in Valencia, California. Valencia's fully-implanted nickel-sized and shaped eCoin Peripheral Neurostimulator is implanted in a 20-minute office procedure under local anesthetic. The Company's pivotal trial intended to support a pre-market approval application for the use of eCoin in patients with symptoms of overactive bladder is currently underway. eCoin is approved for investigational use only. Contact: Stacy Chambliss (661) 775-1414 [email protected] SOURCE Valencia Technologies Corporation Related Links http://www.valenciatechnologies.com SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Democrats in Oregon tried to pressure boycotting Republican lawmakers back to the Statehouse by emphasizing bills that would help their constituents. But Republican senators stayed away Wednesday for a third day to block a bill on climate change they say should go before voters. Meanwhile, a Senate committee passed an amendment to bill 1510 to ensure that campaign contributions cannot be solicited or used to pay fines or legal expenses incurred from being AWOL from the Legislature. The approval moves the bill onto a stack of other legislation that is frozen because of the walkout. Soloadspro, founded by the fellow digital marketer Garrett Jackson, was created to teach and improve the skills of social media marketers and social media marketing agencies (SMMA) in matters regarding the Pay Per Call method. Pay Per Call is a method that uses Google Call Ads and allows marketers to charge per phone call instead of a monthly retainer that in most cases limits them. Most traditional social media marketing agencies charge a retainer every month, whereas with the Pay Per Call strategy, agencies can record and charge a client for each phone call generated. For many, Pay Per Call can look complicated, because it combines both online and offline elements. However, with the right Pay Per Call platform, advertisers, publishers, and agencies are empowered to generate, track, and analyze inbound calls the same way they do online traffic. For businesses, Pay Per Call can spare them a long trial and error process that would be needed if the money was invested in other advertising platforms such as Pay Per Click platforms. In many cases, it takes time to detect the negative keywords, gain a high-quality score, raise the Click Through Rate and optimize the PPC campaign in general. Furthermore, paid clicks guarantee only traffic and not calls. The visitors of a website are not guaranteed to make calls, let alone become paying customers. The conversion rate of the Pay Per Call method is higher than the conversion rate of any other traditional methods. Recent researches show phone calls are more likely to convert than other methods such as contact forms, outbound calls campaigns, e-mail newsletters, and others. Social media marketing agencies should know that when it comes to the Pay Per Call method, the duration of a phone lead is one of the main factors that impact its quality. In most scenarios, a longer conversation is a reliable indication of a call that was made by someone who didnt dial the number by mistake and was actually interested in the advertised product or service. For this reason, the advertiser and the Pay Per Call SMMA usually agree on the minimal duration of leads that the advertiser should pay for. Soloadspros Pay Per Call mastery course comprises four parts. The first part is the introduction where media marketers and SMMA will get a brief introduction to the Pay Per Call method, will learn how they can switch to the Pay Per Call method, and what are the total costs to get started. The second part is dedicated to selecting a profitable niche and how to qualify a lead for a client or to the Pay Per Call agency itself. The third part of the Pay Per Call mastery course is focused on client acquisition. Here, course learners will discover how to find clients, how to upload contacts from D7 lead finder, how to analyze the cold email campaign results, how to use loom to follow up with clients, how to deal with undecided clients, how to use voice messages to reach out to clients, and will receive tips and guidelines needed to follow when charring clients. In the last part, learners will find out how to prospect for free using Google Tag Manager. As a bonus, clients will learn when they should outsource their cold calls, how to outsource, and they will get access to email subject lines that have high open rates and to several powerful resource downloads. The Pay Per Call method helps erase barriers when it comes to acquiring clients because it is performance-based and also encourages a partnership between the client and the agency. Thanks to its ever-growing popularity in recent years, this advertising method is here to stay. Mastering the Pay Per Call method will help many acquire financial independence by becoming a digital nomad. Body temperature will be taken of all people leaving the territory of Ukraine at all major border crossing points and at major airports As of now, no cases of coronavirus have been reported in Ukraine, but the government is ready for any scenario, and all government services are on alert. It was stated by Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, the press service of Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers reports. "The Government has taken all necessary measures to ensure that in case of penetration of infection, it is immediately localized and people are given all the necessary assistance. The Government's task today is to prevent the penetration of the coronavirus into the territory of Ukraine," Honcharuk said. Body temperature will be taken of all people leaving the territory of Ukraine at all major border crossing points and at major airports. There is an epidemiologist at each checkpoint who is equipped with all the necessary means of epidemiological protection: sets of insulating coveralls, protective goggles and contactless thermometers. As we reported earlier, people who were evacuated from China, and put under quarantine in Novi Sanzhary have negative results of the tests for coronavirus as 112 Ukraine reported citing the Healthcare Ministry of Ukraine. Today, we have received the first results of analyses: 48 samples are negative. We will take more samples and will receive more results, the Healthcare Ministry noted. BJP ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Thursday demanded an "impartial probe" into the Delhi violence, which claimed at least 34 lives, and said stringent action should be taken against the guilty irrespective of their caste and religion. The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader said the visit of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to riot-hit areas to interact with locals and review the security measures underlines the Union government's seriousness in the matter. "I strongly condemn the violence seen in Delhi over the last few days. It happened when a foreign guest (US President Donald Trump) was in the country. An impartial probe should be conducted, and stringent action be taken against the guilty irrespective of their caste and religion," Paswan tweeted in Hindi. In another tweet, the minister welcomed a resolution passed by the Bihar Assembly seeking a caste-based census in 2021. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump is desperate to be seen as a man of action. And yet, when it comes to Kashmir, Trump has done nothing but repeatedly mouth platitudes about 'getting involved to help' India and Pakistan 'reach an agreement'. Donald Trump has, for long, sought to portray himself as a great deal maker. The US president has, on multiple occasions, offered to 'mediate' between India and Pakistan on Kashmir, perhaps the thorniest dispute in the world outside Palestine. The latest such offer came Tuesday, when Trump, holding a press conference in Delhi, describing Kashmir as a "big problem" and a "thorn", said: "We talked a lot about Pakistan. I have a very good relationship with Prime Minister Khan. We talked about it today at length with Prime Minister Modi. No question it is a problem. It is a problem, they are working on it," Trump said. He further added: "We just hope, and I just said I'll do whatever I have to do, if I can do that because my relationship with both gentlemen is so good. But there has been difficulty in Pakistan. We are seeing what we can do about it. Anything I can do to mediate, anything I can do to help I would do." On previous occasions, Trump's Kashmir comments set the cat among the pigeons. But this time, there was nary a peep from the establishment, and not just because of Trump's weak tea denial that he was "not offering to mediate" when reminded that India rejected his previous offers. Because those in the diplomatic and political sphere know by now that the US president, when it comes to Kashmir, is all talk and no hat. Platitudes aplenty Trump is desperate to be seen as a man of action. From withdrawing the US from the Paris Accord to reversing the previous regime's Cuba policy to tearing up the Iran nuclear deal and wooing his 'great personal friend' North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, Trump, if nothing else, has taken big, bold decisions even if the follow up is sorely lacking. And yet, when it comes to Kashmir, Trump has done nothing but repeatedly mouth platitudes about 'getting involved to help' India and Pakistan 'reach an agreement'. Trump's first offer came during Imran Khan's maiden visit as prime minister to Washington in July 2019. If I can help, I would love to be a mediator. If I can do anything to help, let me know, Trump told Imran. The US president further added that Modi himself requested that Trump 'mediate' the Kashmir issue, a charge the Ministry of External Affairs vehemently denied. The following week, on 1 August 2019, Trump, somewhat backpedaling after the chilly response from New Delhi, told reporters at the White House, "It's really up to Prime Minister Modi. I think they are fantastic people Khan and Modi, I mean. I would imagine they could get along very well, but if they wanted somebody to intervene, to help them. and I spoke with Pakistan about that and I spoke frankly in [sic] India about it. If I can, if they wanted me to, I would certainly intervene." In September 2019, Trump, again speaking to reporters at the White House, said, ""I am willing to help them if they want. They know that. That (offer) is out there." Trump also repeated the 'offer' on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum assembly in Davos, Switzerland during a meeting with Imran in January 2020. No deal The fact is, Trump, is in no position to upset either Imran or Modi. Trump, who vowed to 'bring the troops home' while running for president, needs Pakistan's help to broker a peace deal in Afghanistan and extricate the soldiers from the intractable war. And once the troops are home, Trump will be hugely dependent on Pakistan to keep the peace for which the US has spilled countless blood and treasure. Trump can similarly not afford to antagonise India which has been drawing closer and closer to the US since the 90s for a whole host of reasons: From US companies like Amazon making great inroads in India to the US needing New Delhi as a strategic counterweight to Beijing's expansionist ambitions and India becoming a larger and more stable trading partner. And don't forget Trump's personal interests. Trump has had his eye on reelection ever since he took over the Oval Office, filing his paperwork for his 2020 bid the day after his inauguration in January 2017. Remember, this is a man who won the presidency and has continued holding weekly campaign rallies, an 'unpresidented' occurrence in US politics, to steal a phrase from the man himself. Trump, who is historically unpopular among the US populace, can hardly afford to take his eye of the ball. Antagonising the small, but powerful Indian-American community, which has for years overwhelmingly voted for the Democrats 80 percent of Indian-Americans cast their ballot for Hillary Clinton is not an option. The last thing the self-confessed 'big fan of Hindu' needs is to jeopardise his reelection bid by getting on the wrong side of an important voting bloc. With inputs from PTI Aligarh, Feb 27 : Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) students have sought the resignations of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Delhi Police Commissioner for failing to save the lives and properties of the people in the violence-hit national capital. The students have also slammed the opposition political parties for being silent on the ongoing violence in North-East Delhi which erupted after clashes between pro and anti-CAA protesters on Sunday. At least 27 people have been killed, while over 200 others have been injured in the deadliest violence in the national capital in decades. Condemning the violence, former student leader Salman Imtiaz, told reporters here: "The violence must stop immediately, and the government should behave in a lawful manner. "We call upon all peace-loving people to come out and safeguard the lives and properties of people in Delhi." Another students leader and former AMUSU president Faizul Hassan said: "Police acted in an unprofessional manner and revealed incompetence in upholding law and order in Delhi." Meanwhile, the AMU Teachers Association also condemned the violence in Delhi. "It is shameful to see such unlawful acts being carried out in front of the police," AMUTA Secretary Professor Najmul Islam said. A close partnership between India and the United States is central to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. New Delhi: In what is being seen as a veiled message to China, the US President Donald Trump has backed a strong and capable Indian military (that) supports peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, even as he reaffirmed the American resolve to support the transfer to India of advanced US military technology. A Joint Statement on the Vision and Principles for India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership that was is issued by India and the US late on Tuesday evening stated, Noting that a strong and capable Indian military supports peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, and reaffirming his pledge to support the transfer to India of advanced US military technology, President Trump welcomed Indias recent decision to procure MH-60R naval and AH-64E Apache helicopters. ... The leaders looked forward to early conclusion of defence cooperation enabling agreements including Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement." The US has been particularly focused on the Indo-Pacific region and its maritime partnership with India, Japan and Australia as part of the Quad initiative, which has been viewed in the context of growing Chinese military and economic power. A close partnership between India and the United States is central to a free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. This cooperation is underpinned by recognition of ASEAN centrality; adherence to international law and good governance; support for safety and freedom of navigation, overflight and other lawful uses of the seas; and unimpeded lawful commerce; and advocacy for peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in accordance with international law, the Joint Statement said, adding, India and the United States took note of efforts towards a meaningful Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and solemnly urged that it not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of all nations according to international law. Taking note of their countries shared commitment to advancing effective development solutions in the Indo-Pacific and globally, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump look forward to a new partnership between USAID and Indias Development Partnership Administration for cooperation in third countries, the Joint Statement said. The hope of the opposition party to overturn the election of the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello through the cou... The hope of the opposition party to overturn the election of the incumbent Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello through the court of law suffered a major setback on Thursday as a Lokoja High Court has faulted the PDP Governorship Primaries held on 3rd September 2019. Recall that, Engr. Musa Wada emerged the candidate of the PDP for the Governorship election held on 16 November, 2019. Not satisfied with the outcome, an aspirant in the partys Primary, Alhaji Abubakar Idris challenged the victory of Engr Wada. Alh. Abubakar Ibrahim who came second in that primary through his counsel said he won the PDP primaries, alleging the smuggling in of 600 and another missing 241 votes to favor the PDP flag bearer. But Justice John Olorunfemi while looking at the evidence brought before him by the plaintiff and the defendant ruled that the PDP primary was hasty and inconclusive. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:59:52|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SOFIA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Bulgarian government on Thursday allocated 10.4 million BGN (5.78 million U.S. dollars) to purchase 14,000 anti-hail rockets, the cabinet said in a statement. The number was determined on the basis of data from previous years and the trend towards increasing the strength and frequency of hail processes, the statement said. Before the beginning of the hail suppression season, the country's Hail Suppression Agency (HSA) has 4,382 rockets left, the statement said. According to the statement, the HSA protects an area of more than 20.5 million decares (2.05 million hectares). The rockets are used to disperse a reagent into the air to reduce hail from forming in the clouds. Opalesque Industry Update - Representation has improved over the last two years, but a strong imbalance remains, according to Preqin, a provider of data, analytics and insights to the alternative assets community: Preqin's landmark 2020 Women in Alternatives study finds that more women are working in the alternatives space compared to two years ago. The proportion of alternative assets employees that are female has grown to 19.7% in 2019, up from 18.8% in 2017. But the findings also highlight that there is a lot of progress yet to be made. At senior levels, a significant gender imbalance remains - just 12% of senior alternatives employees are women. Regionally, North America and Europe lead the way when it comes to female representation. But fund managers everywhere trail investors. Institutions are more diverse at every level of seniority, although the representation of women employees decreases as the AUM of an investor rises. Joanna Nye - VP, Research Enablement says: "Over the last two years we have seen a modest increase in female representation in the alternatives industry. Modest, but not insignificant - this rise does represent real gains in the number of women employed in the industry. Fund managers have clearly realized that this is an issue for them, and some larger firms have announced plans to attract and retain more female talent. But diversity pledges and childcare schemes must be weighed against accusations of uncomfortable working environments and the chronic underrepresentation of women on company boards and in C-suite positions. Firms may be attracting more junior female employees, but they still promote men at far greater rates." Key Women in Alternatives Facts: Globally, the proportion of women employees in alternative assets has grown to 19.7% in 2019, up from 18.8% in 2017. Private equity (19.4%), venture capital (21.1%) and real assets fund managers (19.6%) have the greatest proportion of female employees. Women make up 30% of junior employees, 25% of mid-level staff, and just 11.9% of employees at a senior level. Across all asset classes, venture capital has the largest proportion of senior women employees (13.4%) and real estate the lowest (8.5%), the only sector with single digits. In North America, 20.4% of alternatives fund manager jobs are held by women, followed by Europe at 19.1%, Asia at 18.8% and the Rest of the World at 17.5%. Women are much better represented at institutional investors, accounting for 27.8% of employees in total. However, female representation at investors is inversely correlated with size: women represent 31.7% of employees at investors with less than $1bn in AUM, compared to 25.6% when assets are $100bn or more. This study is based on an analysis of over 200,000 contacts at alternative assets firms known to Preqin, across all asset classes. It does not include administrative or support staff. Press release Bg For more information and analysis, see the full Preqin Impact Report: Women in Alternative Assets here: Article source - Opalesque is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Ukraines State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has registered criminal proceedings on the pressure on ex-Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin by the former US Vice President Joseph Biden, as Interfax-Ukraine reports. The SBI entered information about a criminal offense into the Unified register of pre-trial investigations, Shokin's lawyer Oleksandr Teleshetsky said at a press conference Thursday at Interfax-Ukraine. The case was opened based on Shokins statement, the court ordered the SBI to register this proceeding. According to the lawyer, Shokin reported Bidens pressure on him. The reason for the pressure was the investigation by the Prosecutor General's Office of grave international corruption crimes related to the activities of ex-Minister of Ecology Mykola Zlochevsky and Burisma executives, Teleshetsky said. He added that the relevant suit had been filed to the SBI on January 28, 2020, but the information on criminal offense had only been submitted to the Unified register of pre-trial investigations on February 24, after the court had ordered the SBI to register the case. The lawyer reported that it was being investigated under Part 2 of Art. 343 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (interference with the activity of a law enforcement officer). At the same time, the lawyer emphasized that, despite Shokins statement of Bidens name, the proceedings mention a US citizen, without the name. The lawyer also reminded that the SBI was investigating criminal proceedings on Shokin's statement on disclosure of the secret of the pre-trial investigation to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. Given that a possible figurant in all three of these criminal offenses is Joseph Biden as the man who, in our opinion, is involved in all these events, we consider it necessary for the effectiveness of the investigation...to combine the proceedings into one, to create an effective investigative team and a group of experienced prosecutors, Teleshetsky said. The lawyer also added that it was appropriate to involve the U.S. side in the investigation so he would address the Prosecutor General's Office with such request. We will definitely do it. This is one of the priority directions in this criminal proceeding because without the use of mechanisms of international legal cooperation it is impossible to investigate this case, he explained. Viktor Shokin, based on Bidens statements in public, has good reason to believe that Biden is the customer, and sometimes the perpetrator of those criminal offenses which Shokin reported to the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, the lawyer said. Teleshetsky said that Greece's law enforcement authorities are investigating the fact of Shokin's poisoning with mercury in 2019, and the ex-Prosecutor General of Ukraine himself links this attempt with Biden. "For today, there are no results of the investigation into this fact, we do not have sufficient grounds to state...to file to Greek law enforcement agencies with requests or warrants before they establish objective truth of all circumstances...They may appear tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," he added. US President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani reportedly said in a number of interviews that the former Vice President was involved in Ukrainian politics and corruption cases. In particular, he claims that former Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin was fired at Biden's request - allegedly for having investigated Burisma's relations with his son, Hunter Biden. At the end of January 2020, Shokin stated that he had been poisoned with mercury five months ago in Greece, after which he had undergone a long treatment period. I have no obvious enemies, which I know to be an enemy for sure. Certainly, it is one of the versions, but this version requires investigation, but there is a possibility of Biden's involvement in some of these issues. I have officially addressed the Greek law enforcement agencies on this matter...I asked them to investigate...Officially, I have not yet received the answer, although I addressed a long time ago on the issue of initiation of criminal proceedings in connection with my intended murder, "he said. There can no longer be any doubt that Bolshevik Bernie Sanders is a runaway freight train with the Democrat establishment tied to the tracks in front of him near a stop called Super Tuesday. Sanders absolutely steamrolled the field in Nevada, creating the sadly funny optic of Joe Biden celebrating like it was 1999, apparently thrilled that Sanders won only around 2.5 times as many votes as he did. If Sanders can keep his Havana daydreaming under control, he will sail to the convention with the lion's share of the delegates provided by actual voters. Considering the voting coalition he pulled together in Nevada and the laws of political momentum, it is a good bet he may secure a majority of delegates and not just a plurality. Democrats are almost out of time to change the trajectory of the race, although it remains to be seen if Sanders fantasizing about Cuban literacy rates slows him down. Some Democrats are begging the New York Nondisclosure Agreement to carpet bomb the airwaves and social media with attacks on Sanders knowing that if Sanders sails into the convention with a significant lead, they will be left holding a menu with a couple of equally horrible choices, the political equivalent of Brussels sprouts or liver and onion. Their hope to pull off a convention bait and switch works only if somebody can keep the delegate count close. But who can pull it off? Mike Bloomberg? Not without a charisma transplant and the removal of layers of baggage. So far, he and Shrill Indian have combined to net one more delegate than is currently in the hands of the candidate from Minnesota who nobody has noticed is in the race. Joe Biden? He was last seen fantasizing about running for the Senate, even as his South Carolina firewall is fraying. Pious Pete, the Bible "scholar"? Sanders could not have hand-selected a better field of awful candidates to propel him. At this point, suggestions to stop Sanders range from the fanciful to the absurd, with Joe Scarborough winning first prize for stupidest suggestion when he indicated it was time for Shrill Indian to drop out to help stop the Bolshevik, apparently surmising that her core of socialist voters can't wait to help Mike get it done. An increasing number of Democrat talking heads are resigning themselves to the Sanders storm rolling in and trying to prepare the ground to receive its rain. Liberal revisionists have tried out two lines while the race is still somewhat in play: the Paul Krugman he's not really a crazy Marxist...he just plays one on TV special and the one about vote for Bernie because he won't be able to do the crazy stuff he has promised. These are political losers, but they are just the warm-up act for the socialism revisionism to come. Today's Democrat Sanders critics will soon pivot to singing homilies to socialism. What we are going to be hearing ad nauseam is that Sanders is for a kinder and gentler form of Democrat socialism like what we see under Scandinavian skies in places like Denmark. Bernie loves to talk about how he wants to turn America into Denmark while spitting out proposals that would make old-school Soviets blush. His Denmark delusion is hampered by the simple fact that Denmark is not a socialist country. Denmark ranked higher on the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic freedom (12th) than the U.S. (18th). The Prager Institute nailed it when it said Denmark is a "small capitalist country (and the size and population of Maryland) whose citizens pay oodles in taxes in exchange for oodles in benefits." The only redeeming feature that allows the sky-high taxes and benefits is the Danes' capitalism. Cut that leg off their stool, and they would be the Cuba that so enamors Sanders. With his Denmark fetish, one can picture Sanders playing the role of Hamlet, holding one of any number of skulls of those people killed by Marxist regimes, muttering, "To be a Marxist country. That is the answer." America's Hamlet is preaching societal collapse, and even some of the Democrats know it, which is why they pulled the "go ahead and vote for him because he can't do his crazy stuff anyway" argument off the shelf. So how did we get to the point where the nation founded by champions of liberty is on the cusp of nominating a man who is a fellow ideological traveler with history's greatest foes of liberty? The Democrats have been on a steady march toward this Marxist moment for generations. Ronald Reagan, in one of the greatest American orations, delivered back in 1964, saw that we were heading toward the moment, noting that "back in 1936, Mr. Democrat himself, Al Smith, the great American, came before the American people and charged that the leadership of his Party was taking the Party of Jefferson, Jackson, and Cleveland down the road under the banners of Marx, Lenin, and Stalin." We are now 84 years past that 1936 Al Smith epiphany, and we are nearing the finish line, which is not surprising, since socialism is the natural destination for big-government Democrats as each successive generation ups the ante on the generation that came before. My first direct run-in with Marxism came in college in the late 1990s when I was working on a master's degree. My first professor proudly declared himself a Marxist, which struck me as bizarre. But I soon realized that all my professors and most of my fellow students were also Marxists and that I was the real outlier. Since I had gone to a service academy for my undergraduate degree, I missed the memo that Marxism was cool, although it is now also seeping into military schools since many rely on the same pool of propaganda-pounding professors. Most Americans don't yet appreciate just how much Marxism and its grievance-mongering offshoots have become the university mainstream in America, but this is of profound importance. America's colleges, with a few notable exceptions, have been churning out Marxists for decades, which is why an old Marxist who looks like a madman is this year's surprise hot political commodity. The short-term problem for Democrats is that there are still too many older voters they need with an understanding of history who are horrified at the prospect of socialism. But the long-term problem for Republicans is that the balance is tilting farther toward Marxism with each passing year as academia continues to crank out Marxist voters and influencers who are changing the ideological balance of society. Even if Sanders gets demolished in the 2020 election, Democrats will not tack to the center, since socialism is now the beating heart of their party. Sanders's candidacy is the outcome of this tectonic shift, not the cause of it. Younger Americans, particularly those who cycled through American universities, have already been so thoroughly indoctrinated that most will not find their way back, which means that their number will continue to grow. They are like a cult of zombies that cannot be reasoned with in any real sense. Meanwhile, the media will work overtime selling socialism to the broader public. A Sanders failed run will make it that much easier for the next socialist to run and win, since it will help to normalize the concept. Sanders's success serves as a warbling warning siren that America may be approaching its socialist moment. The see-saw nature of politics means that the soil will likely be fertile for a Marxist to win in the near future, likely as early as 2024. Should that happen, America will be well on its way to becoming something irreversibly rotten under the false pretense of creating a larger state of Denmark. Image: AFGE via Flickr. Pudong inks foreign investment deals worth USD 1.7 bn By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-02-27 16:37 Shanghai has inked foreign investment deals worth 1.7 billion USD despite the coronavirus outbreak. On February 25, a total of 21 foreign-funded projects were signed in Pudong New Area, covering a range of fields including automotive aftermarket services, medical devices, intelligent manufacturing, and asset management. The investments are mainly made by industry-leading players from the USA, Japan, Singapore, UK and Switzerland, among others. Major investors include Liebherr, Siemens Healthineers, ExxonMobil, SSG Capital Management, Legal & General Group and PineCypress Fund. Representatives of those multinational companies still remain confident in Chinas long-term economic development and their passion in investing in Shanghai remains strong. World-leading industrial gases company, Air Products, plans to add 470 million USD to projects in the Chinese market in project investment and asset management. Full of confidence in the Chinese market, it will continue its investment in air separation, gasification and hydrogen energy. In January, Pudong attracted 710 million U.S. dollars of foreign investment, up 57.6 percent year-on-year and accounting for 47 percent of the total foreign capital inflow to Shanghai in the same month. Amid the coronavirus outbreak, it is now going all out to help enterprises resume work and production. An Air India aircraft carrying Indian nationals and foreigners from Chinas coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan, arrives at airport in New Delhi. PTI Photo New Delhi: An Indian Air Force aircraft on Thursday evacuated 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan. The C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft was sent to Wuhan on Wednesday and it carried 15 tonnes of medical supplies for coronavirus-affected people in China. On its return, the aircraft brought back 112 people including 23 citizens from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives and one each from South Africa, the US and Madagascar. Earlier, India had evacuated around 650 Indians from Wuhan in two Air India flights. In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, China in these three flights, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. On the medical supplies delivered by India to China, the MEA said they will help augment the country's efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak which has been declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. The assistance is also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year, it said. The following is partial transcript from a Portland mayoral debate hosted by the Columbia Corridor Association on Feb. 26 featuring Portland mayor Ted Wheeler, mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone and mayoral candidate Ozzie Gonzalez. Some of the questions and responses have been condensed for clarity. Click here to read the story about the debate. Click here to view other questions and responses. Corky Collier, debate moderator and executive director of Columbia Corridor Association: Weve got an audience question talking about inclusionary zoning in 2017. Since then, essentially no market-rate apartment development proposals have been advanced. What will you do to boost market-rate apartment construction? Or more generally, what can we do to lower the cost of housing, not only for low-income individuals, but for middle-income, family-income individuals as well? Gonzalez: I think the same answer can apply to both how were going to get enough money for homelessness services as well as were going to reduce the cost of housing. And I think it means in the same vein, we have to look at all the tools we have available to us. So far, the government programs for homeless services, for mental health services, for affordable housing programs, have not demonstrated their ability to outperform the private sector market, trying to do things on their own. There's a lot of opportunities out there of people willing to build homes, willing to address homeless services, willing to provide mental health services. And by and large, there's people out there putting forward their own time and their energy to do this. So what I'd say is that we're going to know we're finished with things like homeless services or affordable housing programs, when we know that everybody that has a job here in Portland, Oregon, has a place to live inside of Portland, Oregon, if they so choose. And that means that an organization like this, a hotel, with all the different staff composition that makes it up, has a good answer for where people live, if they want to live in Portland, that they have an opportunity at a price point that they can meet. The affordable housing conversation is a fantastic one to have. But let's be real. It's only covering the housing needs of a very narrow bandwidth of people out there in our community. It doesn't cover low income and it doesn't cover middle income. There's people out there building affordable housing projects that make too much money to qualify for the affordable housing project. There's people out there building affordable housing projects that don't make enough to qualify for the affordable housing program. So theres a lot of opportunity to bring the lessons learned from the private sector community, from folks that have had to operate in the real world, that have had to run businesses and learn how to stretch a dollar and make it effective, to bring that partnership forward. And what Im saying is that not all of this has to be a tax or a bond measure or a government program. The kind of partnerships my colleagues are talking about are the kind of partnerships that really leverage the lessons learned from people outside of the community willing to put time, talent, money, land and resource forward. -- Everton Bailey Jr. Who is Saurabh Kirpal? Indias likely to get its first openly gay judge of Delhi high court Decision to transfer Justice Muralidhar was taken on Feb 12 with his consent India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 27: The Congress has attacked the Centre over the transfer of Delhi High Court judge, Justice Muralidhar to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The judge was hearing the Delhi violence case and the late evening notification came on the day when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. While the case was heard on Wednesday, February 26, the decision to transfer him was taken by the Collegium of the Supreme Court on February 12. The Collegium on the same day also recommended the transfer of V Ranjit More from Bombay to Meghalaya and Justice Ravi Malimath from the Karnataka High Court to Uttarakhand. Justice S Muralidhar transferred from Delhi HC, notifies Centre Transfer of Hon'ble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well settled process have been followed, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a tweet. He also said that by politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them. We respect independence of judiciary. Record of Congress in compromising independence of judiciary, superseding judges even of Supreme Court during Emergency is well known.They rejoice only when the judgment is of their liking otherwise raise questions on the institutions itself, Prasad also said. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 Big changes in Delhi police as Modi, Shah, Doval take control over Delhi violence Congress leader, Priyanka Gandhi on the other hand said that the midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certainly sad & shameful. "Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the government's attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable," she said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 11:10 [IST] BALTIMORE - Yet another embarrassing chapter in Baltimores troubled history ended Thursday when the citys ex-mayor was sentenced to three years in federal prison for fraudulently selling her self-published childrens books to non-profit organizations to promote her political career. Catherine Pugh accepted full responsibility for her actions and apologized through tears during the roughly 10 minutes she spoke in federal court in Baltimore before she was sentenced. The veteran Democratic politician said that no one is more disappointed than me and added that she did not want to bring any more shame to the city. I think the first thing I should do is apologize to the citizens of Baltimore who put their faith and trust in me as their mayor, and to all the people who put their faith and trust in me as state senator and as delegate, Pugh said outside the courthouse afterward. The scandal shook Marylands largest city, which for years has struggled with grinding poverty, political mismanagement, record crime rates and police abuses that led to massive riots. And it made a mockery of Pughs inaugural promise to restore trust in Baltimores leaders. Pugh, who turns 70 next week, was elected mayor in 2016 and resigned under pressure in May as authorities investigated bulk sales of her Healthy Holly paperbacks, which netted her hundreds of thousands of dollars. Federal authorities accused her of double selling the books, keeping many for self-promotion purposes and failing to deliver them to institutions they were purchased for, including the Baltimore City Public Schools. Pugh used the proceeds to fund straw donations to her mayoral campaign and buy a new house. Pugh was also sentenced Thursday to serve three years of supervised release after getting out of prison. She was ordered to pay more than $411,000 in restitution and to forfeit more than $669,000 to the government. The disgraced former mayor pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and tax evasion charges in November. She will be notified by April 13 when she must surrender and begin her sentence. She had no qualms to use any means necessary to win the mayoral election, Assistant U.S. Attorney Martin Clarke said during the sentencing hearing. Prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow to sentence the former mayor to nearly five years in prison, while her attorneys suggested a term of one year and a day. Prior to the hearing, a visibly stressed Pugh teared up when she turned around in her seat and saw friends and others sitting in the packed courtroom. Her attorney, Steven Silverman, handed her a box of tissues and briefly rubbed her back. Dozens of people submitted letters to Chasanow pleading for leniency, including Kweisi Mfume, the former NAACP leader and Democratic nominee for Marylands 7th Congressional District. Five people spoke in support of Pugh during the hearing, including her former high school teacher. But Chasanow said she found it ironic that Pughs supporters stressed her commitment to public service because it was precisely that reputation for good work that enabled her to commit those offences. I have yet frankly to hear any explanation that makes sense, Chasanow said. This was not a tiny mistake, lapse of judgment. This became a very large fraud. The nature and circumstances of this offence clearly I think are extremely, extremely serious. Baltimore City Council President Brandon M. Scott called the sentencing a sombre moment for Baltimore, saying in a written statement that Pughs acts seriously undermined the publics trust in our local government. This moment reminds us that, as elected officials, we have one job: to serve the people, period, Scott said. Pugh, helped by longtime aide Gary Brown Jr., carefully carried out the Healthy Holly scheme over more than seven years, starting when she was a Maryland state senator and into her tenure as Baltimores mayor. Brown and another Pugh associate, Roslyn Wedington, await sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy and tax fraud. A detailed accounting of the sales presented by prosecutors in their sentencing memorandum showed that organizations paid Pugh $859,960 for orders of more than 132,100 copies. But only about 73,200 copies were printed. Prosecutors said Pughs personal inventory of books never exceeded 8,216 copies, but she resold them repeatedly through the elaborate scheme. The University of Maryland Medical System one of the states largest employers was Pughs biggest book customer. The system is slated to get $400,000 of the restitution Pugh was ordered to pay. Another book buyer, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund, is expected to get about $11,000. The medical system paid Pugh a total of $500,000 for 100,000 copies that were meant to be distributed to schoolchildren, but about 60,000 of those books were sent to a city warehouse and a Pugh office where thousands were removed to give to other customers. Prosecutors say Pugh never delivered the other 40,000 books the health system purchased for city schools. While serving in the state Senate, Pugh sat on a committee that funded the medical system. She also sat on the hospital networks board from 2001 until the scandal erupted in March. Pugh returned the last $100,000 payment. Pugh still faces a state perjury charge for failing to include her ownership of Healthy Holly LLC in financial disclosure forms filed with the Maryland State Ethics Commission. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A 2019 Nissan Altima sedan is suspended on a conveyer belt at the Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Canton, Miss. The new NAFTA deal could see production in Canada decline and car prices go up, according to a government report. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The new North American free trade deal may lead to jump in the price of vehicles, as well as a decline of automotive production in Canada, a new report from Ottawa says. According to an economic impact assessment of the Canada-United States-Mexico agreement released by Global Affairs Canada on Wednesday, new automotive rules in the revamped trade deal could lead to higher production costs and higher prices for consumers. Under the new deal known as CUSMA, USMCA or more simply new NAFTA vehicles must contain at least 75 per cent North American content in order to qualify for duty-free access to the Canadian, American and Mexican markets. Thats up from the current 62.5 per cent threshold prescribed under NAFTA. The new agreement also adds wage requirements and a more complicated process for qualifying automotive, steel and aluminium products for duty-free status. The Global Affairs report found that about 19.1 per cent of Canadian automotive exports to the U.S. and about 9.6 per cent of automotive exports to Mexico would fail to meet the new rules of origin. That means vehicle and parts producers will have to adjust their sourcing plans to meet the new rules of origin, or alternatively pay most-favoured nation (MFN) tariffs on U.S.-bound products. However, if the cost of sourcing more parts from North America is more expensive than paying the tariffs, manufacturers may opt to pay the tax. The application of MFN tariffs or adjustments to meet the new rules of origin could result in higher prices for consumers and overall higher costs of production due to increased sourcing of more expensive parts from within the region, the report said. This would likely affect competitiveness and, as a result, other automotive producing countries outside North Americasuch as Japan, South Korea, Germany and Chinacould benefit from this change. While the new rules may increase auto part production in North America, it may also likely increase production costs, the report said, which could give non-North American producers an advantage. Story continues As a result, the economic model projects that Canadas exports of motor vehicles to the United States would decline by US$1.5 billion relative to the current trade regime under NAFTA, and imports from the United States would decrease by US$1.2 billion, the report said. At the same time, automotive imports from non-North American countries could increase, resulting in a decline of the Canadian automobile production of 1.7 per cent. The report compared the economic impact of the new trade deal to a no-NAFTA situation one that was considered unlikely by many that would have seen the United States withdraw from the trade agreement, something President Donald Trump had threatened throughout the contentious negotiation process. The Standing Committee on International Trade is currently meeting to discuss Bill C-4, the governments legislation to enact CUSMA. Randy Hoback, a Conservative member of parliament on the committee, criticized the authors of the report on Wednesday for comparing the new trade deal to a no-NAFTA situation instead of to the existing trade deal. Other reports have previously asserted that the new trade deal will likely increase production costs as well as the price of North American-made vehicles. A Scotiabank Economics report from 2018 found that the new administrative requirements and wage costs in the agreement will likely increase the price of North American costs and reduce international competitiveness of the industry, leaving the possibility that production shifts overseas. The U.S. International Trade Commission said the new trade deal would increase jobs in the U.S. automotive sector but lead to a decrease in consumption due to higher vehicle costs. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android and sign up for the Yahoo Finance Canada Weekly Brief. Two more victims today, but data is contested: a Qom MP speaks of at least 50 deaths alone in the holy city. Categorical denial of the authorities, but the toll remains uncertain. Several countries in the area close borders with the Islamic Republic. Qatar calls for voluntary isolation of passengers from Iran and South Korea. Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - With the last two victims recorded in these hours, the overall death toll related to the new coronavirus in Iran rises to 14 while the controversy rages over a possible "cover-up" by the authorities about the real extent of the emergency . The latest deaths are confirmed by the University of Medical Sciences in Saveh, according to which "tests showed that [the victims] had" Wuhan's coronavirus (Covid-19). As for the infections, the official figures released by the Ministry of Health speak of 61 people affected. Most of these are in the area of Qom, the Shiite holy city where the outbreak of the epidemic originated in the country which then spread to other countries in the Middle East. Government sources, behind anonymity, say that the cause of the epidemic would be "the illegal entry of people from Pakistan, Afghanistan and China". To date, several countries in the area have decided to close the borders with the Islamic Republic. Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan and Iraq have registered the first cases of coronavirus. All the infected people had previously been to Iran. Kuwait, in an attempt to contain the epidemic, has asked Baghdad to close the borders between the two nations. In addition, Qatar intends to ask passengers from Iran and South Korea to remain in voluntary isolation - at home or in appropriate facilities - for quarantine for a period of 14 days. Meanwhile, the Iranian deputy minister of health has denied the allegations of covering up the emergency linked to the epidemic, in response to statements by a Qom parliamentarian that so far only "lies" have been spread. For Ahmad Amirabadi-Farahani the death toll, in the holy city alone, would be at least 50. The ministry rejected "this information categorically". "This is not the time for political controversy," added Iraj Harirchi, because coronavirus is "a national problem". However, Ahmad Amirabadi-Farahani insisted on the accusations stressing that "he had provided 40 names of deceased persons to the vice minister. Now I await your resignation. " For the World Health Organization (WHO), the peak in infections that has been reported in recent days in Iran - as in Italy and South Korea - is a source of "great concern" with a view to containing the global spread of the virus. Today a team of experts is expected to arrive in the country. Fear of Falling: How Hospitals Do Harm by Keeping Patients in Bed Hospital policies that keep elderly patients bed-ridden often lead to dangerous long-term disability Dorothy Twigg was living on her own, cooking and walking without help until a dizzy spell landed her in the emergency room. She spent three days confined to a hospital bed, allowed to get up only to use a bedside commode. Twigg, who was in her 80s, was livid about being stuck in a bed with side rails and a motion sensor alarm, according to her cousin and caretaker, Melissa Rowley. Theyre not letting me get up out of bed, Twigg protested in phone calls, Rowley recalled. In just a few days at the Ohio hospital, where she had no occupational or physical therapy, Twigg grew so weak that it took three months of rehab to regain the ability to walk and take care of herself, Rowley said. Twigg repeated the same patternthree days in bed in a hospital, three months of rehabat least five times in two years. Falls remain the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. Hospitals face financial penalties when they occur. Nurses and aides get blamed or reprimanded if a patient under their supervision hits the ground. But hospitals have become so overzealous in fall prevention that they are producing an epidemic of immobility, experts say. To ensure that patients will never fall, hospitalized patients who could benefit from activity are told not to get up on their owntheir bedbound state reinforced by bed alarms and a lack of staff to help them move. Thats especially dangerous for older patients, often weak to begin with. After just a few days of bed rest, their muscles can deteriorate enough to bring severe long-term consequences. Older patients face staggering rates of disability after hospitalizations, said Dr. Kenneth Covinsky, a geriatrician and researcher at the University of California-San Francisco. His research found that one-third of patients age 70 and older leave the hospital more disabled than when they arrived. The first penalties took effect in 2008 when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services declared that falls in hospitals should never happen. Those penalties are not severe: If a patient gets hurt in a hospital fall, CMS still pays for the patients care but no longer bumps up payment to a higher tier to cover the treatment of fall-related conditions. Still, Covinsky said that policy has created a climate of fear of falling, where nurses feel that if somebody falls on their watch, theyll be blamed for it. The result, he said, is patients are told not to move, and they dont get the help they need. To make matters worse, he added, when patients grow weaker, they are more likely to get hurt if they fall. Congress introduced stiffer penalties with the Affordable Care Act, and CMS began to reduce federal payments by 1 percent for the quartile of hospitals with the highest rates of falls and other hospital-acquired conditions. Thats substantial because nearly a third of U.S. hospitals have negative operating margins, according to the American Hospital Association. Nancy Foster, the AHAs vice president of quality and patient safety policy, said these policy changes sent a strong signal to the hospital field about things CMS expected us to be paying attention to. Limiting patient mobility certainly is a potential unintended consequence, she said. It might have happened, but its not what Im hearing on the front line. Theyre getting people up and moving. While hospitals are required to report falls, they dont typically track how often patients get up or move. One study conducted in 2006-07 of patients 65 and older who did not have dementia or delirium and were able to walk in the two weeks before admission found they spent, on average, 83 percent of their hospital stay in bed. While lying there, older patients often find themselves tracked by alarms that bleep or shriek when they try to get up or move. These alarms are designed to alert nurses so they can supervise the patient to safely walkbut research has shown that the alarms dont prevent falls. Often stretched thin, nurses are deluged by many types of alarms and cant always dash to the bedside before a patient hits the ground. Dr. Cynthia J. Brown, a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has identified common reasons older patients stay in bed: They feel too much pain, fatigue or weakness. They have IV lines or catheters that make it more difficult to walk. Theres not enough staff to help them, or they feel theyre burdening nurses if they ask for help. And walking down the hallway in flimsy gowns with messy hair can be embarrassing, she added. Yet walking even a little can pay off. Older patients who walk just 275 steps a day in the hospital show lower rates of readmission after 30 days, research has found. Across the country, efforts are afoot to encourage hospital patients to get up and move, often inside special wings called Acute Care for Elders that aim to maintain the independence of seniors and prevent hospital-acquired disabilities. Another initiative called the Hospital Elder Life Program, which is designed to reduce hospital-acquired delirium, also promotes mobility and has shown an added benefit of curtailing falls. In a study of HELP sites, there were no reported falls while staff or volunteers were helping patients move or walk. Barbara King, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing, studied how nurses responded to intense messaging from hospitals about preventing falls after the 2008 CMS policy change. She found that pressure to have zero patient falls made some nurses fearful. After a fall happened, some nurses adjusted their behavior and wouldnt let patients move on their own. CMS declined a request for an interview and did not directly answer a written question about whether its falls policy has limited patient mobility. In 2015, King studied a nurse-driven effort to get more patients walking on a 26-bed hospital unit in the Midwest. The initiative, in which nurses encouraged patients to get out of bed and documented how often and how far they walked, boosted ambulation. Hospitals still face barriers, such as the shortage of staff time, walking equipment, and ways to record ambulation in electronic medical records, King said. Getting more patients out of bed will also take a significant change in mindset, she said. If we think that a patient walking is a patient who will fall, King said, we have to shift that culture. Melissa Bailey is a Boston-based correspondent on the KHN enterprise team, focusing on aging and dying. This article was first published by Kaiser Health News. A new Hill Country outpost offers a "mindful escape" to tiny cabins nestled in nature north of San Antonio. Getaway, a company with similar cabins across the country, announced their latest Texas location on Thursday. The collection of 40 cabins sits on 60 acres, an hour and a half drive from the Alamo City. There are 32 two-person cabins, which feature a queen bed, and eight four-person cabins, which have queen bunks. Cabins include air conditioning and heat, a private bathroom, running water, a stove, a fire pit and a picnic table. READ ALSO: Go glamping with these luxury camping rentals near San Antonio Two of the primary attractions are the lack of WiFi and a lockbox where guests can leave their cell phones. "Rarely do people take the time to escape the daily grind, put away their devices and get in touch with their thoughts, nature, themselves or their loved ones," said Jon Staff, the company's founder. Getaway was created to give people the time, space and permission to be off." Bookings are available for $99 a person this week. Guests can bring their dogs along for $40. The Hill Country spread, which will also welcome guests from Austin, follows the company's first Lone Star State location outside Dallas. Getaway has 10 outposts located near cities across the country, including Los Angeles and Boston. Click through the gallery above to see the Hill Country cabins. An academy chain has closed three of its schools over the coronavirus scare because it has some students of Italian origin. Schools in Wolverhampton, Buckinghamshire and London run by Khalsa Academies Trust will shut for two days for a deep clean as a precautionary measure. A letter to parents from the chain said there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus within any of the three schools and they do not suspect there to be any such cases at this present time. The decision comes after Public Health England said its general advice was not to close schools in an attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus a message echoed by the health secretary, Matt Hancock. But on Wednesday parents were told three schools run by Khalsa Academies Trust would close based on advice by the government and because the schools have some students of Italian origin. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty It comes after authorities in Italy reported the number of people infected in the country grew to 447 and 12 people had died. Across the UK, at least eight schools have closed while others have sent pupils home amid fears they may have been exposed to coronavirus during half-term trips to northern Italy. Travellers returning to the UK from northern Italy were told they may need to self-isolate as part of measures to stop the spread of illness. Recommended NHS patients to be tested for undetected coronavirus as pandemic fears The letter to parents, published on the websites of the Khalsa Academy in Wolverhampton and Atam Academy in Redbridge, stated: Please rest assured the closure of the three schools is purely a precautionary measure, as we are placing the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff as our top priority. There are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 within any of the three schools, nor do we suspect there to be any such cases at this present time. The Khalsa Academies Trust has been approached for comment by The Independent. Close Brexit briefing: How long until the end of the transition period? Boris Johnsons plan to walk away from talks with the EU by the end of June unless there is a broad outline of a Canada-style free trade deal has been met with dismay in Brussels. EU diplomats reportedly believe a dramatic crisis lies ahead this summer. Frances Europe minister Amelie de Montchalin said the bloc would refuse to accept artificial deadlines in trade talks. We do not accept time pressure, Montchalin told an audience at Chatham House in London on Friday. Mr Johnson will convene the governments Cobra committee in response to a growing number of cases of the coronavirus but has been ridiculed for scheduling an emergency meeting for Monday. Barna: 5 trends driving Americans' perception of church relevance, influence Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment New research by the evangelical Christian polling firm Barna Group, which looked at how Americans relate with the churches they attend, reveals five notable trends affecting pastors and Christian leaders. The findings are part of the State of the Church 2020 study, a year-long examination of the spiritual and religious trends that define American life these days. The researchers primarily explored two different categories of adults who have relatively recent experience in a Christian church: practicing Christians and churched adults. In the first case, were talking about those who are the most church savvy adults. In the second, were looking at all of those adults who are reasonably familiar with the experience of churchgoing, Barna President David Kinnaman explained in an article based on the research. Here are the five trends that Barna discovered: 1. Declining church loyalty, church hopping Barna found that nearly two in five churchgoers report regularly attending multiple churches, suggesting that just because somebody might attend church doesnt mean they attend the same church every time. However, 63 percent of churched adults and 72 percent of practicing Christians tend to stick with a single congregation. And nearly two in five churched adults and one-quarter of practicing Christians at least occasionally attend other churches. Interestingly, church hoppers are just as likely as more loyal attenders to report weekly attendance. In other words, just because they select from a handful of different churches to attend doesnt make them any less likely to actually attend church on any given weekend, the study says. Also, those who 'hop around' dont do so as a routine part of their churchgoing in a given month, but typically attend another church occasionally. 2. Churchgoers on the value of church The study shows that two-thirds of churched adults say they attend church because they enjoy doing it, and the same is true for four in five practicing Christians. One in six churchgoers says they attend because they have to and one in seven says they do so out of habit. While most churchgoers attribute positive feelings to their participation in church, half of Christians agree that 'church as usual' is declining in popularity. Or, at least, churchgoers perceive that other people feel this way, it says. About half of Christians and more than half of churched adults overall admit that people they know are tired of the usual type of church experience, it adds. While you might think that some groups of Christians are more likely than others to feel this way, data show no significant difference across denomination, generation or faith segment. 3. Churchgoers largely experience or expect positive emotions and outcomes by going to church. Overall, 37 percent churched adults say they leave worship services feeling inspired, 37 percent feel encouraged, 34 percent feel forgiven, 33 percent feel as though they have connected with God or experienced his presence, and 26 percent say they are challenged to change something in their life, every time. Nearly 30 percent of churched adults express always feeling that attending service was the most important experience they had all week and 28 percent say that they learned something new. Even so, 32 percent of churched adults say they feel disappointed by the experience at least half of the time and another 40 percent leave feeling guilty. Kinnaman cautioned, In survey research, people tend to under-report negative experiences. As researchers, we have to amplify the times when they have the courage to report these kinds of disappointing experiences, and acknowledge there may be other ways a worship community has let them down, beyond those listed here. 4. Church membership is still a common practice and is correlated with positive outcomes but its importance is declining among younger churchgoers. Fifty-four percent of those who attend church at least every six months report being an official member at their place of worship, with 37 percent reporting they regularly attend but are not members. Practicing Christians, expectedly, show deeper commitment, with 71 percent noting they are members and 26 percent claiming regular attendance without membership. Surprisingly, no significant differences emerged in membership rates between denominations whether mainline or non-mainline, Protestant or Catholic, the study revealed. However, a different story emerges when looking across the generations. Boomers are more likely than both Gen X and Millennials to be formal members of their congregation, with nearly seven in 10 churched Boomers (68% vs. 48% churched Millennials and 51% churched Gen X) confirming membership. Younger generations of churchgoers were also more likely to mention not applicable, which suggests that the category of membership isnt even part of their churchs nomenclature. The study also showed that 72 percent of members are more likely to say they connect with God or personally experience His presence during worship services most of the time, compared to 52 percent of non-members saying so. 5. The perception of the Churchs relevance to the community is under question especially among non-Christians. Barna found that while practicing Christians firmly believe that Christian churches have a strong community impact 66 percent very positive and 28 percent somewhat positive the rest of the American population is not as quick to sing their praises. Only about a quarter agrees that churches have a very positive impact, and roughly the same percentage say it has no effect at all. Thirty-eight percent of U.S. adults say it has just a somewhat positive impact. Non-Christians, meanwhile, are inclined toward indifference (39% no impact) or more willing to see harm in churches local contributions (8% very negative, 10% somewhat negative). The general population, and practicing Christians especially, look at the Christian faith positively 75 percent of U.S. adults, 100 percent of practicing Christians, 91 percent of self-identified Christians, 49 percent of non-Christians, regardless of generation, race or denomination, Barna found. However, the Church itself is regarded as irrelevant by about one in 10 Americans. Even some who are committed members of the Church feel it is falling out of style; the percentage of practicing Christian Millennials who agree the Church is irrelevant today is the same as non-Christians who hold this view (25% each definitely agree). Barna announced the relaunch of its State of the Church survey report after a gap of 10 years of its public release, earlier this month. The group said it was using new technology to help churches personalize the insights, beginning with the 2020 report. Tokyo, Feb 27 : The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is ready to deploy its inspectors to Pyongyang as soon as an agreement was reached to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, its head said here on Thursday. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi is in Tokyo at the invitation of Japanese authorities to review the process of dismantling the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, among other activities, reports Efe news. While speaking to the media, Grossi also referred to the steps that the US was making to ensure that the Pyongyang regime ceases to be a regional and global threat on account of its nuclear weapons. Grossi said that the UN agency was forced out of North Korea 11 years ago when the Pyongyang regime had conducted a nuclear test and was preparing for a second. But for the last two years there have been signs of an easing of tensions owing to a rapprochement between North and South Korea as well as direct contact between the US and the North. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have held three summits during that period with a view to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "Once the agreement is reached, we will be able to immediately deploy our inspectors," Grossi said. However, the situation will be very different than that of 11 years ago with "a different North Korea" as the Pyongyang regime has conducted six nuclear tests, is equipped with nuclear weapons and has a greater enrichment capacity than it had then, according to Grossi. "We will face enormous challenges in terms of the inspection of the programme," added Grossi, who said that everything will depend on the type of agreement reached. He added that earlier this month he visited Washington and had the opportunity to discuss the matter with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who asked him to maintain a high level of readiness to act when the time to verify the agreement comes. PORTLAND, Oregon -- The National Congress of American Indians drove another nail into the coffin of its senior-most attorney at a federal court hearing here on Wednesday. NCAI had previously been reluctant to explain why John Dossett, its former general counsel, was reassigned to a different position. Officials cited a need to protect personnel matters at the largest inter-tribal advocacy organization in the United States. But the landscape shifted significantly after Dossett sued his former employer. Speaking with forceful language, NCAI's attorney said in public -- and for the first time -- that there was a good cause for the organization to take action. Id like to start by cutting to the chase," attorney Michael Kelley told the court. "John Dossett was disciplined for sexual harassment. Period." That is what he was punished for," Kelley continued. "He was punished for sexual harassment." That is a fact," he said. The Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse at 1000 S.W. Third Ave. in Portland, Oregon. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) According to Kelley, Dossett was found to have engaged in behaviors that NCAI deemed unacceptable -- especially in a workplace where issues such as protecting Native women from violence were at the forefront. The offensive conduct included the use of vulgar language and the use of sexually-charged language, he said. "It affects Indian people directly," Kelley said as he explained to the court that Native women are victimized at higher rates than any other group, an issue that NCAI successfully addressed by pushing for the recognition of tribal sovereignty in the Violence Against Women Act Of Dossett's ability to present himself as an advocate on such issues in Indian Country, "It affects his credibility," Kelley said. The comments, made in open court, were the most direct to date on a controversy that eroded confidence in NCAI as an effective champion for Indian people's needs. Barely a year ago, the organization's president was refusing to explain why Dossett had been reassigned and, eventually, ousted from his prominent legal post. "Personnel actions -- we don't discuss in public. They become news fodder," Jefferson Keel, who declined to seek re-election as NCAI's president, said at the organization's winter session in February 2019 even as he promised to be "completely transparent" about future actions. Indianz.Com was the first to report on Dossett's reassignment. An August 31, 2018, story explained that NCAI gave him a different title -- that of "senior counsel" -- following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment. Dossett, who is non-Indian, had worked for the organization , headquartered at the Embassy of Tribal Nations in Washington, D.C., since 1995. The story, which won Indianz.Com an award from the Native American Journalists Association in 2019, led Dossett to sue the news website's parent corporation, Ho-Chunk Inc. , in addition to NCAI, which owns Indian Country Today High Country News , a non-profit organization, also was named as a defendant in the complaint. All three news outlets wrote about the turmoil at NCAI. But in a dramatic turnaround, Dossett's attorney on Wednesday conceded that Ho-Chunk Inc. cannot be sued due to sovereign immunity . The corporation is an arm of the Winnebago Tribe and serves the Indian nation's economic development needs. "I think you're out of the case," Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman told attorney Nicole Ducheneaux , a citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe who is representing Ho-Chunk Inc. in the litigation. "I agree with that," responded Ducheneaux, who founded one of the first law firms to be majority-owned by Native women. John Dossett served as general counsel and as senior counsel of the National Congress of American Indians. He is seen in at an NCAI event in 2016 in Washington, D.C. Photo: NCAI As of Wednesday, however, Dossett would not agree to have Ho-Chunk Inc. voluntarily dismissed from the lawsuit, his attorney said. There was a reason for that -- and it appeared to be based solely on the optics of suing a prominent award-winning tribal entity. Arguing that one tribe lacks sovereign immunity might not go over well with potential clients in Indian Country, Dossett's attorney said. "He wants to continue working as counsel for Native American tribes," attorney Scott Whipple , a solo practitioner, said of Dossett. Dossett's reluctance to have Ho-Chunk Inc. taken off the case means the tribal entity must wait for a formal ruling on a previously-filed motion to dismiss the lawsuit. NCAI and High Country News must also wait for decisions on their respective motions to dismiss. Beckerman, whose duties as a magistrate give her great leeway to address key matters in the case, did not give a timeline for any reports, rulings or recommendations. But she promised to take action "as soon as I can." The hearing was the first in the case since the complaint was filed last August . Ho-Chunk Inc., the National Congress of American Indians and High Country News are represented by separate legal teams. Indianz.Com, though it is owned by Ho-Chunk Inc., operates independently of the corporation. Indian Country Today, while owned by NCAI, also operates independently. During the hearing, however, Dossett's attorney portrayed Indian Country Today in a different manner. He insisted that NCAI's former executive director, Jackie Pata, who left the organization following the turmoil, played a role in reviewing and approving the news outlet's first story about the turmoil. When told about the claim after the hearing, Indian Country Today's award-winning editor Mark Trahant offered his own forceful denial. That never happened, he told Indianz.Com. Join the Conversation SPRINGFIELD Residents, business owners and city officials got a sneak peek Wednesday at Costa, a new restaurant MGM Springfield is opening in the space formerly occupied by Cal Mare. The restaurant, scheduled to open Friday, offers Italian dishes like pasta, meatballs and pizza and fresh mozzarella cuisine that has been a "hallmark of our South End neighborhood in downtown Springfield, said Anthony Caratozzolo, vice president of hospitality for MGM Springfield. Tonight is really a thank you to the South End, Caratozzolo said. They have been so great to us and we wanted to invite them in before the opening to let them taste and get a sneak preview. Caratozzolo and Anthony Amoroso, corporate executive chef for MGM Resorts, were among the MGM staff who attended the preview for the new restaurant, which is the third in the company nationwide. The concept debuted as Osteria Costa at The Mirage Las Vegas and MGM National Harbor in 2018. Because there is such a strong Italian heritage here in the South End there is not a better group to invite in to give us feedback before we go public, Caratozzolo said of the community members in attendance. Caratozzolo said he visits local restaurants like Frigos, Red Rose and La Fiorentina frequently to get a bite to eat and chat with the owners. Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said he is thrilled to see the new restaurant catering to the Southern part of Italy, where his parents immigrated from. We all laugh now because what was considered peasant food when we were growing up, the food we ate at dinner every night is now considered gourmet food, he said. Cal Mare closed on Feb. 24, allowing just four days before the new restaurant opens. All Cal Mare employees will become Costa employees on Feb. 27. Costa will be open Sunday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. DUBLIN, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Coiled Tubing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Services (Well Completion, Drilling), by Operations (Circulation, Pumping), by Application, by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global coiled tubing market size is expected to reach USD 4.72 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period according to this report. The market is expected to grow on account of increasing need to maximize oil and gas output from existing oil and gas wells. Rising demand for primary energy for transportation, power generation, and household activities has resulted in increased consumption of oil and gas in major economies. As a result, there are increasing investments in exploration and production activities in unconventional oil and gas reserves. Coiled Tubing (CT) plays a significant role in enabling upstream oil and gas players to produce oil in a cost effective way. It can be used on live wells as the product can be inserted into the well while the oil and gas production is ongoing. Moreover, there are number of well intervention operations such as well completion and well cleaning that can be performed in a cost effective way through utilization of coiled tubing. It can endure greater tensile and compressive forces when perforating highly deviated and horizontal wells. North America was the largest regional market for coiled tubing in 2019. The region is predicted to maintain its dominance in the forthcoming years. Significant boost in the production of tight oil particularly in U.S has resulted in significant rise in demand for coiled tubing. Canada is yet another prominent regional market, as there are number of deviated wells in the country, for which CT is largely used for well intervention and drilling services. The top three players in the global coiled tubing market include Halliburton, Baker Hughes Company, and Schlumberger Limited. These companies gain competitive edge in oilfield service market as the oil and gas exploration and production companies are aiming to minimize cost of production through innovative technologies like coiled tubing. Further key findings from the report suggest: North America is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 5.5% in terms of revenue, from 2020 to 2027, owing to accelerating production of tight oil in the country is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 5.5% in terms of revenue, from 2020 to 2027, owing to accelerating production of tight oil in the country Well intervention service is estimated to exhibit the fastest CAGR of 5.0%, in terms of revenue from 2020 to 2027. The growth is attributed to rising demand from oil and gas producers to maximize production from the existing wells Onshore application acquired the highest market share of 61.5% in 2019 owing to abundant production of oil and gas from onshore fields Offshore application is estimated to experience the fastest CAGR of 5.6% in terms of revenue, from 2020 to 2027, owing to rising investments in offshore fields on global scale In 2018, Baker Hughes Company was awarded the contract by Saudi Aramco for coiled tubing services and drilling for Marjan oilfield expansion Key Topics Covered: 1. Methodology and Scope 2. Executive Summary 3. Coiled Tubing Market Variables, Trends, & Scope 3.1 Market segmentation & scope 3.2 Market size and growth prospects, 2016 - 2027 3.3 Coiled tubing - Value chain analysis 3.4 Coiled tubing technology outlook 3.5 Regulatory scenario 3.6 Market dynamics 3.6.1 Market driver analysis 3.6.1.1 Growing energy demand 3.6.1.2 Shift in trend towards developing unconventional resources 3.6.2 Market restraint analysis 3.6.2.1 Stringent environmental regulations 3.7 Key market opportunities prioritized 3.8 Industry analysis - Porter's 3.9 PESTEL analysis 4. Coiled Tubing Market: Service Estimates & Trend Analysis 4.1 Coiled tubing market share by service, 2019 & 2027 4.2 Well Intervention 4.2.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 4.2.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 4.2.3 Well Completion 4.2.3.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 4.2.3.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 4.2.4 Well Cleaning 4.2.4.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 4.2.4.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 4.2.5 Others 4.2.5.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 4.2.5.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 4.3 Drilling 4.3.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 4.3.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 4.4 Others 4.4.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 4.4.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 5. Coiled Tubing Market: Operation Estimates & Trend Analysis 5.1 Coiled tubing market share by operation, 2019 & 2027 5.2 Circulation/Deliquification 5.2.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 5.2.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 5.3 Pumping 5.3.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 5.3.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 5.4 Logging 5.4.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 5.4.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 5.5 Perforation 5.5.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 5.5.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 5.6 Others 5.6.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 5.6.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 6. Coiled Tubing Market: Application Estimates& Trend Analysis 6.1 Coiled tubing market share by application, 2019 & 2027 6.2 Onshore 6.2.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 6.2.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 6.3 Offshore 6.3.1 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (Units) 6.3.2 Market estimates and forecast, 2016 - 2027 (USD Million) 7. Coiled Tubing Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis 7.1 Coiled tubing market share by region, 2019 & 2027 7.2 North America 7.3 Europe 7.4 Asia Pacific 7.5 Central & South America (CSA) 7.6 Middle East & Africa (MEA) 8. Competitive Landscape 8.1 Vendor Landscape 8.2 Competitive Environment 8.3 Strategy Framework 9. Company Profiles 9.1 Schlumberger Ltd. 9.1.1 Company overview 9.1.2 Financial performance 9.1.3 Product benchmarking 9.1.4 Strategic Initiatives 9.2 Industries and Services Catered 9.3 Baker Hughes 9.4 Halliburton 9.5 Weatherford International Inc 9.6 Archer Limited 9.7 Calfrac Well Services Ltd. 9.8 Cudd Energy Services 9.9 Superior Energy Services Inc 9.10 Trican Well Service Ltd 9.11 C&J Energy Services, Inc For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8n9yw3 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 Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 06:54:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's flagging economy is set to get a boost from the coming ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the central bank of Mexico (Banxico) said on Thursday. The USMCA, already ratified by Mexico and the United States, is awaiting the approval of Canada's parliament. The bank's governing board also cited other factors likely to spur Mexico's economy in 2020, including a government plan to invest in strengthening the energy sector and more efficient public-sector spending by the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. "The majority (of board members) said they expect a gradual recovery of the global economy in 2020 and 2021," which would also serve to improve the nation's economy, the bank said in minutes from the last board meeting, which were released on Thursday. According to Banxico's growth forecasts, gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to expand between 0.5 and 1.5 percent this year, and between 1.1 and 2.1 percent next year. In 2019, Mexico's GDP shrank 0.1 percent, marking the first contraction in a decade, mainly due to a slowdown in global economic growth. The governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday said the state is set to recruit 2,200 constabulary personnel to complement the efforts of existing security agents. Mr Gandujes spokesperson, Abba Anwar, in a statement on Thursday said each of the 44 council areas in the state will benefit from the arrangement, and will have 50 constabulary personnel each. Mr Anwar said the governor stated this at a groundbreaking ceremony of a military training centre at Falgore Forest, Tudun-Wada local government, Kano. The governor said the effort was meant to further improve the security system with the inclusion of community people, adding that the personnel would be trained, guided and monitored by the federal security agencies. New military formation in Kano The state donated a 2,169-hectare land for the construction of the military facility. The facility will consist of an auditorium, dining, officers and soldiers quarters and a shooting range. It will also have a clinic and guest houses, the statement said. Also, a separate from the Military facility is the construction of Cattle Ranch, in line with the federal governments direction on dousing herders and farmers clashes. READ ALSO: The governor said the idea of the project was conceived when Falgore forest was being used by kidnappers, armed robbers, and other criminals. He said President Muhammadu Buhari gave permission for the establishment of the military training ground. In his remark, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magsahi, commended the effort of the state government in improving the security of the state. He said the project will improve the economic activities of the area and its surroundings. Mr Magashi also commended President Buhari for providing a good atmosphere for the project. The event was attended by a representative of the Chief of Army Staff, General Commander 1 Divisional Army Barrack, Commandants of Military formations among other senior military officers and politicians. Was it a train wreck? Or total chaos? Or a shout fest? Liberal Democrats and pundits all used those words and worse to describe Tuesday nights Democratic debate in Charleston. They are being too kind. The first 45 minutes or so of the debate were unwatchable even if you couldnt see it. Tuesday was a travel day for NHJournal so we had to listen to much of the debate on the radio. It was incoherent. Pete Buttigieg talking over Bernie Sanders resulted in noises even dogs couldnt hear. There may have been a good debate in there somewhere, but who could here it over Joe Bidens constant shouts of I already did that! South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham had a pretty fair-minded, if unflattering, take: Drunks in a bar arguing among themselves are less annoying, more courteous and entertaining, and make more sense than the candidates in the South Carolina debate. For most of the candidates, it doesnt matter. Tom Steyer doesnt have a future in this race. Neither does Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and its hard to see one for Sen. Elizabeth Warren, either. (If you disagree, answer this question: Name a state Warren will win. Including Massachusetts.) Nothing they said in this debate was going to move their candidacy forward. Mike Bloombergs performance, which was mediocre, was irrelevant too, but for a different reason: His billions mean hes not going anywhere, no matter what happened in Tuesdays debate. Remember: Bloomberg isnt even on the ballot in South Carolina. Bernie Sanders isn't going anywhere either. South Carolina is a side show hes never really expected to win. Hell clean up on Super Tuesday. And then there is Buttigieg. Hes an excellent debater. Some smart analysts like Bob Shrum think he may have had the best night of any candidate. But ... so what? Hes in single digits in S.C. not to mention California, Texas and North Carolina on Super Tuesday. Thats not going to change in a single debate. Which leaves Joe Biden, the one person for whom Tuesdays debate mattered. A lousy performance and he could lose South Carolina and any hope moving forward. A good performance could help boost his odds of winning and, possibly, getting a fresh start for Super Tuesday. So which one was it? Biden hit it out of the park, S.C. state Sen. Dick Harpootian, a veteran Palmetto State pol, told NHJournal. Tonight we saw the beginning of the unraveling of Bernie Sanders. Harpootlians a Biden backer, but hes also a smart political observer. He noted that Bidens Tommy Come Lately line and attacks on Steyers ownership of for-profit prisons could shake loose some of the black Democrats from the junior billionaire in the race and bring them home to Biden. Add in the impact of Rep. Jim Clyburns endorsement and Biden could potentially break out on Saturday. If we beat Bernie by 10 points in South Carolina, it resets the entire race, Harpootlian said. Unfortunately, Biden may not get all the bounce he might have, due to the chaos of the night. The shouting, overtalking, name-calling and general out-of-control tone of the night created its own headlines headlines that will take away from the good Biden news from the debate. As one Twitter wag quipped: You know who didnt have to deal with this kind of political chaos and infighting? Fidel Castro. Michael Graham is political editor at InsideSources.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 By Trend Azerbaijan and Turkey today act as the main guarantors of security and development in the region, Deputy Chairman of Board of the Social Research Center, Doctor of Political Sciences, Political Analyst Elshad Mirbashiroglu told Trend. The intensifying partnership between the two countries stipulates the geopolitical situation of the region as a whole, the analyst added. "The recent visit of the president of the fraternal country to Azerbaijan confirmed this statement, Mirbashiroglu added. The joint statement of the presidents emphasized the nature of the strategic partnership. The parties expressed gratification with the intensification of comprehensive cooperation in the military-industrial, defense, economic, transport, energy, tourism and agricultural sectors." The analyst stressed that trade turnover between the two countries increased by 33 percent in 2019. Of course, the newly signed documents will give a new impetus to the dynamics of the growth, Mirbashiroglu said. One of the most important geo-economic events on a global scale will occur at the end of this year, the political analyst said. The issue is the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor project. The significance of this project is stipulated by the fact that it will make an important contribution to the development of not only our two countries, but the entire region as a whole. This project will greatly strengthen the regions geopolitical role in the world. Of course, one of the most important indicators characterizing fraternal relations between the two countries is mutual political support." Turkey makes the issue of Azerbaijans territorial integrity important on all international platforms and helps reveal Armenias aggressive policy, Mirbashiroglu said. Azerbaijan, in turn, demonstrates the political and moral support for Turkey in its struggle for justice. These aspects have been recently once again outlined in the statements of the presidents made for the press. "The extremely important negotiations on joint production of weapons were held, the analyst added. Taking into account that Azerbaijan is at war, the issue of improving and modernizing weapons is extremely important. The newly signed documents, in accordance with the spirit of strategic partnership, will make an invaluable contribution to the intensification of the comprehensive cooperation with Turkey." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Pioneering Black NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson Dies Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who calculated rocket trajectories and earth orbits for NASAs early space missions and was later portrayed in the 2016 hit film Hidden Figures, about pioneering Black female aerospace workers, has died. She was 101. Johnson died Monday of natural causes at a retirement community in Newport News, Virginia, family attorney Donyale Y. H. Reavis told The Associated Press. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement that Johnson helped our nation enlarge the frontiers of space even as she made huge strides that also opened doors for women and people of color. ADVERTISEMENT Johnson was one of the computers who solved equations by hand during NASAs early years and those of its precursor organization, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Johnson and other Black women initially worked in a racially segregated computing unit in Hampton, Virginia, that wasnt officially dissolved until NACA became NASA in 1958. Signs had dictated which bathrooms the women could use. Johnson focused on airplanes and other research at first. But her work at NASAs Langley Research Center eventually shifted to Project Mercury, the nations first human space program. Our office computed all the (rocket) trajectories, Johnson told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper in 2012. You tell me when and where you want it to come down, and I will tell you where and when and how to launch it. In 1961, Johnson did trajectory analysis for Alan Shepards Freedom 7 Mission, the first to carry an American into space. The next year, she manually verified the calculations of a nascent NASA computer, an IBM 7090, which plotted John Glenns orbits around the planet. Get the girl to check the numbers, a computer-skeptical Glenn had insisted in the days before the launch. Katherine organized herself immediately at her desk, growing phone-book-thick stacks of data sheets a number at a time, blocking out everything except the labyrinth of trajectory equations, Margot Lee Shetterly wrote in her 2016 book Hidden Figures, on which the film is based. ADVERTISEMENT It took a day and a half of watching the tiny digits pile up: eye-numbing, disorienting work, Shetterly wrote. Shetterly told the AP that Johnson was exceptional in every way. The wonderful gift that Katherine Johnson gave us is that her story shined a light on the stories of so many other people, Shetterly said Monday. She gave us a new way to look at Black history, womens history and American history. Johnson considered her work on the Apollo moon missions to be her greatest contribution to space exploration. Her calculations helped the lunar lander rendezvous with the orbiting command service module. She also worked on the Space Shuttle program before retiring in 1986. Johnson and her co-workers had been relatively unsung heroes of Americas Space Race. But in 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Johnson then 97 the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor. The Hidden Figures book and film followed, telling the stories of Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, among others. Johnson was portrayed in the film by actress Taraji P. Henson. The film was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and grossed more than $200 million worldwide. In 2017, Johnson was brought on stage at the Academy Awards ceremony to thunderous applause. Jackson and Vaughan had died in 2005 and 2008 respectively. Johnson was born Katherine Coleman on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, near the Virginia border. The small town had no schools for blacks beyond the eighth grade, she told The Richmond Times-Dispatch in 1997. Each September, her father drove Johnson and her siblings to Institute, West Virginia, for high school and college on the campus of the historically Black West Virginia State College. Johnson taught at Black public schools before becoming one of three Black students to integrate West Virginias graduate schools in 1939. She left after the first session to start a family with her first husband, James Goble, and returned to teaching when her three daughters grew older. In 1953, she started working at the all-Black West Area Computing unit at what was then called Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton. Johnsons first husband died in 1956. She married James A. Johnson in 1959. He died last year. Johnson is survived by two of her three daughters, six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, said Reavis, the family attorney. Johnson spent her later years encouraging students to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Just last week, she was giving an interview to a high schooler who wanted to talk to her in French, Reavis said. She had two degrees. One in French, and one in Mathematics. Looking back, Johnson said she had little time to worry about being treated unequally. My dad taught us you are as good as anybody in this town, but youre no better, Johnson told NASA in 2008. I dont have a feeling of inferiority. Never had. Im as good as anybody, but no better. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday confirmed a possible first person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 in California in a patient who is identified as a member of the general public. The individual is a resident of Solano County, CA. They are receiving medical care in Sacramento County, say state officials. The individual suspected of being the first person to-person coronavirus transmission had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual, according to the California Department Of Public Health. NEW: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a possible first case of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 in California in general public. The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento Co. per State Officials Andrew Blankstein (@anblanx) February 27, 2020 The individual suspected of first possible person to-person Coronavirus transmission had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual per California Dept. Of Public Health Andrew Blankstein (@anblanx) February 27, 2020 Per Governor @GavinNewsom's office: The individual infected with Coronavirus is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County. The individual had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual. Yashar Ali (@yashar) February 27, 2020 .@CAPublicHealth says the first possible community transmission of coronavirus in California involved an individual who lives in Solano County in the Bay Area. "The individual had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual." pic.twitter.com/w1I8ibI1OS Stephanie K. Baer (@skbaer) February 27, 2020 UPDATE: The patient with coronavirus is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County; had no known exposure through travel or contact with known infected person https://t.co/qmWxB0RNpX https://t.co/uzoayzwq56 ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 27, 2020 Solano County is where 15 infected travelers are hospitalized in various facilities, which is straining resources and endangering people up there, government lawyers said Monday during the Costa Mesa hearing. #coronavirus https://t.co/LdPFARzbQ4 Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) February 27, 2020 *BREAKING* CDPH: Solano County resident is 1st case in the U.S. of someone who became infected w/#coronavirus from an unknown origin, aka "community spread." "The individual had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual." Bob Redell (@BobNBC) February 27, 2020 Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 01:54:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Israeli doctors have removed a lung from a cancer patient's body, cleaned it from the tumor and successfully returned it to the patient's body, Beilinson Hospital in central Israel reported Thursday. The surgeons said that this is a breakthrough, as the method of "cleansing" tumors from organs, which is still at a beginning stage, may change cancer treatment globally. With the new method, there is no need to wait for an organ transplant, which also allows the patient to return to normal life without any chemotherapy or radiation treatments. The cancer patient who underwent the surgery has suffered from the tumor that blocked the main airway in his left lung, leading to the lung's collapse. Permanent resection of the lung, as is usually done in such cases, would have exposed the patient to several risks, even death, until finding a suitable lung for a transplant. After prolonged discussions, the doctors decided to perform the new and complex procedure, which was attended by an extensive team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and technicians. During the operation, the patient was breathed through his right lung which continued to function, while the surgeons cut off the diseased lung and cleared it of the tumor. Then, the lung was reattached, the blood vessels and bronchial tubes were reconnected as in a lung transplant, and the thorax was sutured back. After hospitalization in the cardiac intensive care unit, the patient began a rehabilitation procedure and his condition is currently described as very good. "The new surgery may offer new hope for patients with lung cancer worldwide to cure the disease completely," the doctors said. BOISE The House voted Thursday to directly defy a court order and prevent Idahoans from changing gender markers on birth certificates. The House approved the bill 53-16 that would prevent transgender people from changing the sex listed on their birth certificate to match their identity. Rep. Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot, said the bill would help the state to maintain accurate birth records for reports and studies. Biological sex is necessary for public services and policies, she said, adding school districts use it for things like determining who may use which bathrooms. Biological sex is a real scientific fact, and it never goes away, Young said. No amount of surgery, hormones or other procedures can change a persons biological sex. A federal court ruled in 2018 that Idahos previous ban on birth certificate changes was unconstitutional. Since then, about 150 people applied for the change, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Young said the state failed to adequately defend the previous law and that the decision should be up to lawmakers. Rep. Linda Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, was one of two Republicans who voted against the bill. The bill seemed to defy the courts decision, she said. I listened to many people give their stories in committee on why they needed their own stats to match their gender marker, Hartgen said. Their stories were very compelling to me. My job is to protect all of the people in my district and the state of Idaho, not just people who look like me. The bill will lead to a lawsuit that the state will lose, Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, said. All this bill does is pick on a vulnerable population, he said. Its not going to be successful. The bill now heads to the Senate. The House approved a bill on Wednesday that would prevent transgender women from participating in womens sports in Idaho. A third bill to prevent therapy and treatment for transgender minors was held in committee. Love 10 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Delhi Violence Over CAA Protest LIVE Updates: Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday visited riot-affected areas in northeast Delhi to take stock of the situation and interacted with locals. Baijal visited Maujpur, Jaffrabad and Gokulpuri, an official said. He was accompanied by senior police officers. Auto refresh feeds The violence saw an ebb but did not subside completely. Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel patrolled the streets of the region amid reports of sporadic violence. After northeast Delhi witnessed four straight days of communal violence over the contentious citizenship law, the toll in the National Capital's worst riots rose to 37 on Thursday. The Delhi Police on Thursday released details of 37 people killed in the recent riots in the northeastern part of the city, a day after the violence subsided. Among those who lost their lives is one police official, while the other 36 are civilians. Of the deceased, 15 were Muslims and 10 were Hindus, while the religious identities of the others is not clear. The majority of the victims (21) died of gunshot wounds, four each of "stabbing injuries" and "assault", three due to "assault with burns" while the cause of death was not known for four people, said Delhi Police. Thirty-four of the victims were declared dead at the Guru Tegh Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, while the rest were declared dead at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. The youngest victim, Aman, was 17, while two 70-year-olds were the oldest victims. Twenty-nine of the deceased were male, one female, while the gender of the others was not known. The following is a list of riot victims who have been named till now Medical Superintendent of GTB Hospital Sunil Kumar said, "Over 215 riot victims have been brought to our hospital and treated since 24 February. However, at present only 51 patients are admitted. The condition of almost all patients are stable except one." The ministry said there was no major incident in the last 36 hours in any affected police station of Delhi's northeast district.As many as 514 suspects were either arrested or detained for questioning and further arrests would be made in the course of investigation, it said. No major incident of violence was reported from the riot-hit northeast Delhi in the last 36 hours, the Home Ministry said on Thursday night. The ministry issued the statement after Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation in the violence-hit parts of the city in a meeting with senior officials and top police brass. Further arrests would be effected in the course of investigation, it added. The Delhi Police has separately set up two SITs for investigating serious offences. So 48 FIRs, pertaining to clashes, loss of lives and property, etc, have already been registered and further FIRs would be registered in due course and police has detained or arrested 514 suspects for questioning so far, the ministry said. Prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) will be relaxed for a total of 10 hours in Delhi on Friday in view of improvement in the situation, the Home Ministry said on Thursday. Besides, the Delhi Police has also deployed three Special CPs, six Joint CPs, one Additional CP, 22 DCPs, 20 ACPs, 60 Inspectors, 1,200 other ranks and 200 lady police under the overall supervision of Commissioner of Police to effectively guide and supervise police response so as to contain and normalise the situation. Nearly 7,000 central paramilitary forces have been deployed in the affected areas of northeast District since 24 February, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. On Thursday evening, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against Hussain under Section 302 (murder), among others at the Dayalpur police station, News18 reported. The AAP, which is the ruling party in Delhi after a landslide win in the Assembly polls held on 8 February, reportedly suspended Hussain after he was booked by the Delhi Police. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor T ahir Hussain was booked for murder, arson and violence on Thursday in connection with the spate of violence that erupted in northeast Delhi this week, reports have confirmed. Family of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, who died during the riots, have accused Hussain of killing him, an allegation that has been denied by the AAP councillor. "It is wrong to target me. I and my family have nothing to do with it," Hussain said. The AAP leader also demanded strict action against BJP leaders responsible for giving inflammatory speeches. Hussain, however, has denied any involvement in the riots or the killing of the Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma during the clashes and said that the allegations were "baseless". He called for an impartial probe into the incident and said action should be taken against the guilty. BJP leaders accused Tahir Hussain of instigating violence and triggering riot-like situation after reports said that bits of broken bricks and glass was found on the terrace of the AAP councillor. Ironically, BJP leaders like Kapil Mishra, are themselves facing the heat for raising hate slogans against a particular community, which many have said acted as a catalyst resulting in the Delhi riots. The teams will be headed by Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) Joy Tirkey and Rajesh Deo. The teams will have four Assistant Commissioner of Police-rank officers each and the probe will be supervised by Additional Commissioner of Police BK Singh. The Delhi Police Thursday transferred northeast Delhi riots probe to the crime branch. The cases will be probed by two Special Investigation Teams (SITs), officials said on Thursday. The police has so far filed 48 FIRs. Ankit Sharma (26), who worked for the IB, had gone missing on Tuesday and his body was found in a drain near his home in northeast Delhi's riot-hit Chand Bagh area on Wednesday. His family members claimed that the local councillor and his associates were behind the killing. Hussain rejected the allegations. On Thursday, reports emerged saying that bits of broken bricks and glass was found on the terrace of the AAP councillor's home. Later in the day, he was booked on charges of murder and arson. Hussain, however, has denied involvement in the killing and called the allegations against him " baseless ". Police said witnesses can also contact on mobile numbers: 8750871221, 8750871227 to share information. The identity of the witnesses will be kept secret, they said. The appeal read, "Whereas incidents of clashes have taken place in the northeast district, Delhi since 23 February. All those who are witnesses to the incidents or have captured any activity on their mobile phones or camera are hereby requested to come forward and give their statements, footage and pictures in their possession at the DCP office, northeast district, Seelampur, Delhi, during office hours, on any working day within seven days." Delhi Police on Thursday issued an appeal requesting people, including media persons, to come forward and give their statements and share video footage in connection with the violence in northeast Delhi. According to Shamshuddin, his father, who is a carpenter, he and his son were standing inside one of the lanes of Mustafabad, when the police starting shooting and releasing tear gas to quell the crowd. "It happened within seconds. He was just standing there when he shouted and fell down. His trousers had turned red. We rushed him to the house and realised that it was a big wound." A 22-year-old man's scrotum and penis were ripped apart, and his anal region suffered severe injuries during police firing in Delhi's Mustafabad on Tuesday, doctors who treated him at Al Hind Hospital said. The man, Mohammad Imran, a welder, was to wed in May, his brother Ibrahim said. Imran's condition is stable and he is recuperating at LNJP Hospital, to which facility he was shifted the next morning. According to Anwar, 75 percent of the patients came with severe bullet and pellet injuries. The rest had suffered head injuries due to stone pelting in the area. "I hadn't anticipated this kind of thing would happen here. I have been living here for the past ten years, and nothing communal has happened before. It's small hospital and we are ill-equipped to handle such a high casualty rate. I haven't slept in the past two days because I am constantly attending to patients," Anwar said. Mustafabad is a Muslim dominated area surrounded by Hindu dominated areas on all sides such as Bhajanpura, Dayalpura and Gokulpuri. Since the riots broke out over three days ago, Anwar, who runs a local hospital, says he has not slept. 'No rioter, whichever party they belong to, should be spared. And if those involved in riots are found to be from the AAP, double punishment should be given,' Kejriwal said Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday slammed Opposition parties for politicising violence, saying that the police should act against those responsible for the violence irrespective of political affiliation or religion. He said that some people have also been identified for posting inflammatory content on social media and an investigation is underway. Earlier on Thursday, Ghaziabad SSP Kalnidhi Naithani had said that district police prevented a mob from resorting to violence in areas bordering Delhi. However, in view of the Friday Jumma prayers, police personnel have been deployed in large numbers. "Rapid Action Force is patrolling sensitive areas and social media is also being monitored," he said. Speaking to ANI, Additional District Magistrate Shailendra Kumar said: "Ghaziabad is divided into 56 zones and 18 sectors. There is peace in the district. Security has been increased in sensitive areas along the Delhi-Ghaziabad border in wake of violence in the national capital, Uttar Pradesh Police said on Thursday. Son of the former political leader Devi Lal, Chautala is an Independent MLA supporting the BJP in the state. "This is a matter of Delhi and there will be judicial proceedings involved" Chautala added. Dismissing the reports of clashes in northeast Delhi as "trivial matter", which turned violent since 24 February, Haryana Assembly Minister Ranjit Chautala on Thursday said, "Riots have taken place before as well, even during the UPA-era. When Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated, entire Delhi was in ashes. This is a part of life. The government is trying its best to contain the situation. Rekha Sharma, chairperson of National Commission for Women (NCW), along with two other members, is expected to visit north-east Delhi's Jaffrabad area to take cognisance of any grievance or assault on women during the communal clashes in the National Capital, ANI reported. The next day, their family rushed to GTB hospital and identified the bodies that had been pulled out of a drain. On the second of the high-pitched violence that Delhi was subjected to, two brothers, Aamir (25) and Hashim (16), had set out from Ghaziabad to Gokalpuri to meet their family and were killed during the communal riots. Tiwari took to Twitter to say that the accused in the case must be hanged within stipulated time. "Four hundred times tattooing a knife to an IB officer? How much did religious intolerance make you fall," asked Tiwari. The day after the AAP councillor Tahir Hussain was suspended from party faction following an FIR being registered in his name under Section 302 IPC at Dayalpur police station, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari on Friday hit out at AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, saying that not just Hussain but "his boss must also get double punishment." "Many people have lost their houses and are left to fend for themselves as their work has also been affected. We have set up teams to provide ration kits and other items like milk to the riot-affected people," he said. "As directed by Delhi Waqf Board chairman Amanatullah Khan, the relief camps will be set up in northeast Delhi areas that were affected by the riots. Distribution of milk and biscuits for children and ration kits have also started," Akhtar had said. Waqf Board will set up relief camps in violence-hit areas of the city and distribute ration kits in the affected areas, a member of the Board Himal Akhtar said on Thursday. The Chhatra Parishad also took out a rally in Nonapukur area along the AJC Bose Road. Hundreds of students took part in it, condemning the violence in Delhi and also demanding revocation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Thousands of women took part in the rally organised by the Trinamool Mahila Congress. It began at Hazra Crossing and culminated at the Gandhi statue in the Maidan area. Led by state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, protesters shouted slogans targeting the "politics of polarisation and hatred professed by the Sangh Parivar". They also protested against alleged police inaction over the violence. Two separate rallies were taken out in Kolkata on Thursday in view of communal violence in Delhi since the past four days. In an attempt to protect the nation from the "divisive forces", the Trinamool Congress's women's wing and the Congress-backed Chhatra Parishad spearheaded two separate protests in West Bengal. Shrivastava's name has been finalised for the next Delhi police commissioner, a Union Home Ministry official said, adding that he would take charge from Patnaik. The Home Ministry cleared the name of senior IPS officer SN Shrivastava as the Special Commissioner of law and order in Delhi, officials said on Friday. Incumbent Amulya Patnaik demits office on Saturday. All the matters have been listed for hearing on 13 April. One of the pleas also sought NIA probe against AAP leader Amanatullah Khan, actor Swara Bhaskar, radio jockey Sayema and ex-bureaucrat Harsh Mander for alleged hate speech. Mander had previously filed a plea in Delhi High Court seeking the arrest of four BJP leaders for their incendiary speeches. A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notices to the Centre, Delhi government and police on the pleas. The Delhi High Court also sought response of the Centre, the Delhi government and police on pleas seeking FIR against AIMIM leaders Asaduddin Owaisi, Akbaruddin Owaisi and Waris Pathan for alleged hate speeches. Apart from registration of FIRs, the petition also seeks setting up of a Special Investigation Team to look into the alleged hate speeches. A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi government and police on the plea which also seeks registration of an FIR against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, AIMIM leaders Waris Pathan and Akbaruddin Owaisi. The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the response of the Centre and Delhi government on a plea seeking lodging of an FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandh and Priyanka Vadra for allegedly giving hate speeches. The toll in the communal riots in Delhi's northeast district has climbed to 39, said a health department official on Friday. Various areas in northeast Delhi have been witnessing widespread violence since last Sunday. Reporters and camera persons were allowed complete access to Hussain's house yesterday, where petrol bombs, acid packets and slingshots were found. The collection of samples from his residence three days after the clashes broke out raises questions on its purpose; as media persons had even handled the purported material yesterday. BJP leader Kapil Mishra had tweeted a video which purportedly shows AAP's Tahir Hussain hurling petrol bombs and stones from the terrace of his residence. "In case of any emergency, please call on 112," the announcement said. Local mosques in northeast Delhi appealed on Friday for maintaining peace and harmony in the riot-hit area. The mosques appealed to people to be united and not fall prey to rumours, urging people to report about suspicious people to the authorities and cooperate with the police. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijilal is expected to visit the violence-hit areas in northeast Delhi today, after communal riots broke out in since last Sunday, which had claimed 39 live and injured over 200 people so far. "The funds will be transferred to the impacted family accounts directly. Regular updates will be provided and will be managed with full transparency," read the statement. A campaign under the leadership of BJP's Kapil Mishra was floated on Friday to identify underprivileged Hindu families who have been impacted by the communal riots in Delhi. The purpose of the campaign is to provide short term monetary relief to such families. During his two-day visit to his home state, Nadda came to Singh's residence on Friday morning to inquire about his health. A total of 39 people have died so far while more than 200 have been injured after communal clashes broke out in the northeast part of the National Capital on Monday. In an informal chat with media at former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and Congress veteran Virbhadra Singh's residence, Holly Lodge, Nadda preferred to keep mum when a journalist queried about his reaction to the violence in Delhi. Nadda went towards his vehicle without answering the question. BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda avoided questions posed by the media in Shimla on Friday related to communal violence in northeast Delhi. Ever since he rejoined the Delhi police, Shrivastava was busy in controlling the communal violence in northeast Delhi, in which at least 39 people were killed. In the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Shrivastava was serving as the special director general (training). He had served the Delhi police in various capacities, including as the head of the elite anti-terror wing, Special Cell. Shrivastava, a 1985-batch IPS officer, will take charge from incumbent Amulya Patnaik, who demits office on Saturday. He will hold the additional charge of the Delhi police commissioner with effect from Sunday and until further orders, the order issued by the Union Home Ministry said. Senior IPS officer SN Shrivastava, who on Friday was given the additional charge of the Delhi police commissioner with effect from Sunday, while touring the riot-hit areas in northeast Delhi said, "My primary job will be to ensure that there is a feeling of security and people should also feel police are there for them." The law minister also alleged that Congress can stoop to any level for votebank politics, adding, "but it should act responsibly for maintaining peace and harmony in country." Claiming that Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi had provoked the public, Prasad said, "BJP condemns in strongest possible terms the politics Congress is trying to do when it is most important to work on peace in Delhi," he said. Taking a jibe at the Congress, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed party chief Sonia Gandhi for trying to teach the government 'Raj Dharma'. He said the party was incapable of lecturing the BJP. The toll in the communal clashes that were witnessed in various areas of northeast Delhi since Sunday has risen to 42, News18 reported. The report also said mentioned that 38 among those have been reported dead in GTB Hospital, three from LNJP and one from Jag Pravesh Chandra Taking stock of the situation in riot-affected areas of northeast Delhi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has deputed a five-member committee on Friday to visit the areas and submit the report to her, CNN-news18 reported. On being asked about BJP's stand on "polarising" statements mande by its leaders like Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "We have clarified our position very clearly, we do not approve these statements. Likening the violence in Delhi with that of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Mayawati termed them as most serious and unfortunate and said they have drawn the concern of the world and got negative publicity. BSP president Mayawati on Friday wrote a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, demanding a high-level judicial probe monitored by a Supreme Court judge into the violent clashes in Delhi. Salman Khan, 20, a resident of Karawal Nagar, said he was near his house on Tuesday night when a mob poured a chemical on his back that caused his skin to burn. "Some unidentified people caught me near my house and poured an acid-like liquid on my back. I have no idea what the substance was. It was very hot and my skin started burning as soon as they poured it on me," he said The woman is one of the many who have been brought to the Al-Hind Hospital over the past few days after being attacked by armed mobs in violence-hit northeast Delhi. Each has a horrific tale to tell. "We jumped from the first floor with dupattas wrapped around our bodies to save ourselves," says a 45-year-old woman at northeast Delhi's Al-Hind Hospital told PTI, recalling how she and her two daughters were forced to flee their home after a mob allegedly barged in and molested them on Wednesday night. The nightmare ended only after the women entered a Muslim-dominated lane. Shabbir was brought to the GTB hospital and succumbed to injuries during treatment, said Salman, who was crying outside the emergency ward. "My father stepped out today at 5 am but, after some time, two men brought him on a scooter saying he had been thrashed. He had injuries on head and leg," his 18-year-old son Salman said. A 60-year-old scrap dealer was allegedly beaten to death in northeast Delhi on Friday in what appears to be a fresh case of violence. Ayub Shabbir found injured by locals at Karawal Nagar in the morning, his son said. Additional PRO of the Delhi Police, Anil Mittal, told Indian Express, "Across the northeast district, there is relaxation in the imposition of Section 144 in northeast Delhi from 12 pm to 4 pm. A similar relaxation was given from 4 am to 10 am today." She said she went through the data provided by the police and it showed three women were injured but it wasn't direct injuries."No rape or molestation was recorded by the police," Sharma said. "We met a few women but the way we wanted to meet them could not happen. The situation was peaceful but tension was there in the air," Sharma told PTI. Sharma said she would be going back to the area again on Saturday as she could not meet enough women as the police were busy in giving security for Friday prayers. The situation is peaceful but there is "tension in the air", National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma said on Friday after a visit to Jaffrabad, one of the worst affected areas in the riot-hit northeast Delhi, to look into the condition of women. The Central Board of Secondary Education told the high court that it was optimistic about holding Board exams in the northeast Delhi centres from 2 March. The court had on Wednesday taken note of the "worsening situation" in the area and had directed the CBSE to come up with a plan to re-schedule them or change the affected centres. Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued notice to the Delhi government and police on the plea and asked them to ensure security is not breached in board exam centres in violence-hit northeast Delhi. The Delhi High Court Friday asked the AAP government and the police to respond to a plea for ensuring security at board exam centres in northeast Delhi where violence over the amended citizenship law has left 39 people dead and scored injured. This is the first visit of the Lieutenant Governor to the riot-hit areas after violence broke out on Monday. At least 42 have been killed and over 200 injured in communal clashes in northeast Delhi. The areas worst affected in the violence include Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Chand Bagh, Khureji Khas and Bhajanpura. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday visited riot-affected areas in northeast Delhi to take stock of the situation and interacted with locals. Baijal visited Maujpur, Jaffrabad and Gokulpuri, an official said. He was accompanied by senior police officers. The Delhi Police on Friday met clerics of different mosques in the Kardam Puri and Kabir Nagar areas of northeast Delhi, as a part of the confidence-building measure after a spate of violence gripped the district earlier this week and resulted in the deaths of at least 42 people. A Forensic team is inspecting the spot where the body of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma was found on 26 February. His body was found IN Northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh area amid a spate of violence in the district earlier this week. On being asked about BJP's stand on "polarising" statements mande by its leaders like Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "We have clarified our position very clearly, we do not approve these statements. Likening the violence in Delhi with that of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Mayawati termed them as most serious and unfortunate and said they have drawn the concern of the world and got negative publicity. BSP president Mayawati on Friday wrote a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, demanding a high-level judicial probe monitored by a Supreme Court judge into the violent clashes in Delhi. Salman Khan, 20, a resident of Karawal Nagar, said he was near his house on Tuesday night when a mob poured a chemical on his back that caused his skin to burn. "Some unidentified people caught me near my house and poured an acid-like liquid on my back. I have no idea what the substance was. It was very hot and my skin started burning as soon as they poured it on me," he said The woman is one of the many who have been brought to the Al-Hind Hospital over the past few days after being attacked by armed mobs in violence-hit northeast Delhi. Each has a horrific tale to tell. "We jumped from the first floor with dupattas wrapped around our bodies to save ourselves," says a 45-year-old woman at northeast Delhi's Al-Hind Hospital told PTI, recalling how she and her two daughters were forced to flee their home after a mob allegedly barged in and molested them on Wednesday night. The nightmare ended only after the women entered a Muslim-dominated lane. Shabbir was brought to the GTB hospital and succumbed to injuries during treatment, said Salman, who was crying outside the emergency ward. "My father stepped out today at 5 am but, after some time, two men brought him on a scooter saying he had been thrashed. He had injuries on head and leg," his 18-year-old son Salman said. A 60-year-old scrap dealer was allegedly beaten to death in northeast Delhi on Friday in what appears to be a fresh case of violence. Ayub Shabbir found injured by locals at Karawal Nagar in the morning, his son said. Additional PRO of the Delhi Police, Anil Mittal, told Indian Express, "Across the northeast district, there is relaxation in the imposition of Section 144 in northeast Delhi from 12 pm to 4 pm. A similar relaxation was given from 4 am to 10 am today." She said she went through the data provided by the police and it showed three women were injured but it wasn't direct injuries."No rape or molestation was recorded by the police," Sharma said. "We met a few women but the way we wanted to meet them could not happen. The situation was peaceful but tension was there in the air," Sharma told PTI. Sharma said she would be going back to the area again on Saturday as she could not meet enough women as the police were busy in giving security for Friday prayers. The situation is peaceful but there is "tension in the air", National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma said on Friday after a visit to Jaffrabad, one of the worst affected areas in the riot-hit northeast Delhi, to look into the condition of women. The Central Board of Secondary Education told the high court that it was optimistic about holding Board exams in the northeast Delhi centres from 2 March. The court had on Wednesday taken note of the "worsening situation" in the area and had directed the CBSE to come up with a plan to re-schedule them or change the affected centres. Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued notice to the Delhi government and police on the plea and asked them to ensure security is not breached in board exam centres in violence-hit northeast Delhi. The Delhi High Court Friday asked the AAP government and the police to respond to a plea for ensuring security at board exam centres in northeast Delhi where violence over the amended citizenship law has left 39 people dead and scored injured. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal interacts with some locals in Maujpur area in #NortheastDelhi . He says, "I have come here to see myself how things are on ground". #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/RQ3KSDrPia This is the first visit of the Lieutenant Governor to the riot-hit areas after violence broke out on Monday. At least 42 have been killed and over 200 injured in communal clashes in northeast Delhi. The areas worst affected in the violence include Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Chand Bagh, Khureji Khas and Bhajanpura. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday visited riot-affected areas in northeast Delhi to take stock of the situation and interacted with locals. Baijal visited Maujpur, Jaffrabad and Gokulpuri, an official said. He was accompanied by senior police officers. Delhi: Police officers meet clerics of different mosques of Kardam Puri and Kabir Nagar areas of #NortheastDelhi , as a part of the confidence-building measure. pic.twitter.com/YpjhpVszBF The Delhi Police on Friday met clerics of different mosques in the Kardam Puri and Kabir Nagar areas of northeast Delhi, as a part of the confidence-building measure after a spate of violence gripped the district earlier this week and resulted in the deaths of at least 42 people. Delhi: A Forensic team is inspecting the spot where the body of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma was found on 26th February. His body was found in #NortheastDelhi 's Chand Bagh area. pic.twitter.com/72ARXfGzEe A Forensic team is inspecting the spot where the body of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma was found on 26 February. His body was found IN Northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh area amid a spate of violence in the district earlier this week. Delhi Violence Over CAA Protest LATEST Updates: Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday visited riot-affected areas in northeast Delhi to take stock of the situation and interacted with locals. Baijal visited Maujpur, Jaffrabad and Gokulpuri, an official said. He was accompanied by senior police officers. This is the first visit of the Lieutenant Governor to the riot-hit areas after violence broke out on Monday. At least 42 have been killed and over 200 injured in communal clashes in northeast Delhi. The areas worst affected in the violence include Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Chand Bagh, Khureji Khas and Bhajanpura. The Delhi High Court Friday asked the AAP government and the police to respond to a plea for ensuring security at board exam centres in northeast Delhi where violence over the amended citizenship law has left 39 people dead and scored injured. Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued notice to the Delhi government and police on the plea and asked them to ensure security is not breached in board exam centres in violence-hit northeast Delhi. The Central Board of Secondary Education told the high court that it was optimistic about holding Board exams in the northeast Delhi centres from 2 March. The court had on Wednesday taken note of the "worsening situation" in the area and had directed the CBSE to come up with a plan to re-schedule them or change the affected centres. The situation is peaceful but there is "tension in the air", National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma said on Friday after a visit to Jaffrabad, one of the worst affected areas in the riot-hit northeast Delhi, to look into the condition of women. Sharma said she would be going back to the area again on Saturday as she could not meet enough women as the police were busy in giving security for Friday prayers. Taking stock of the situation in riot-affected areas of northeast Delhi, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has deputed a five-member committee on Friday to visit the areas and submit the report to her, CNN-news18 reported. Taking a jibe at the Congress, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed party chief Sonia Gandhi for trying to teach the government 'Raj Dharma'. He said the party was incapable of lecturing the BJP. Claiming that Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi had provoked the public, Prasad said, "BJP condemns in strongest possible terms the politics Congress is trying to do when it is most important to work on peace in Delhi," he said. A campaign under the leadership of BJP's Kapil Mishra was floated on Friday to identify underprivileged Hindu families who have been impacted by the communal riots in Delhi. The purpose of the campaign is to provide short term monetary relief to such families. "The funds will be transferred to the impacted family accounts directly. Regular updates will be provided and will be managed with full transparency," read the statement. The forensic team has arrived at the residence of suspended AAP councilor Tahir Hussain, who has been accused of hatching a conspiracy to kill the IB officer Ankit Sharma during the communal clashes that Delhi has been witnessing since Sunday. Three days after the riots broke out, the forensic team has arrived at Hussain's multi storey building on Friday in Chand Bagh area of northeast Delhi, News18 reported The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the response of the Centre and Delhi government on a plea seeking lodging of an FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra for allegedly giving hate speeches. A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi government and police on the plea which also seeks registration of an FIR against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, AIMIM leaders Waris Pathan and Akbaruddin Owaisi. Apart from registration of FIRs, the petition also seeks setting up of a Special Investigation Team to look into the alleged hate speeches. The Delhi High Court on Friday sought reply of the Centre and Delhi government on a plea seeking probe under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to find out those behind the violence in northeast Delhi. A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Delhi government and Ministry of Home Affairs on the plea. The court posted the matter for hearing on 30 April. The Home Ministry cleared the name of senior IPS officer SN Shrivastava as the Special Commissioner of law and order in Delhi, officials said on Friday. Incumbent Amulya Patnaik demits office on Saturday. Shrivastava's name has been finalised for the next Delhi police commissioner, a Union Home Ministry official said, adding that he would take charge from Patnaik. The day after the AAP councillor Tahir Hussain was suspended from party faction following an FIR being registered in his name under Section 302 IPC at Dayalpur police station, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari on Friday hit out at AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, saying that not just Hussain but "his boss must also get double punishment." Tiwari took to Twitter to say that the accused in the case must be hanged within stipulated time. "Four hundred times tattooing a knife to an IB officer? How much did religious intolerance make you fall," asked Tiwari. Rekha Sharma, chairperson of National Commission for Women (NCW), along with two other members, is expected to visit north-east Delhi's Jaffrabad area to take cognisance of any grievance or assault on women during the communal clashes in the National Capital, ANI reported. The Delhi Police Thursday transferred northeast Delhi riots probe to the crime branch. The cases will be probed by two Special Investigation Teams (SITs), officials said on Thursday. The police has so far filed 48 FIRs. The teams will be headed by Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) Joy Tirkey and Rajesh Deo. The teams will have four Assistant Commissioner of Police-rank officers each and the probe will be supervised by Additional Commissioner of Police BK Singh. Aam Aadmi Party councillor Tahir Hussain was booked for murder, arson and violence on Thursday in connection with the spate of violence that erupted in northeast Delhi this week, reports have confirmed. Family of Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma, who died during the riots, have accused Hussain of killing him, an allegation that has been denied by the AAP councillor. On Thursday evening, the Delhi Police registered an FIR against Hussain under Section 302 (murder), among others at the Dayalpur police station, News18 reported. The AAP, which is the ruling party in Delhi after a landslide win in the Assembly polls held on 8 February, reportedly suspended Hussain after he was booked by the Delhi Police. AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 27, 2020 Sharma was found dead in a riot-hit area in Jaffrabad on Wednesday. He was allegedly beaten to death by a mob on Tuesday. Sharma's father, Ravinder, alleged that Hussain's supporters had killed the IB staffer and that he had been shot after he was beaten, NDTV reported. The report also said that the body has been sent for autopsy. BJP leaders also accused Hussain for instigating violence and triggering riot-like situation after reports said that bits of broken bricks and glass was found on the terrace of the AAP councillor. Ironically, BJP leaders like Kapil Mishra, are themselves facing the heat for raising hate slogans against a particular community, which many have said acted as a catalyst resulting in the Delhi riots. Hussain, however, has denied any involvement in the riots or the killing of the Intelligence Bureau staffer and said that the allegations were "baseless". He called for an impartial probe into the incident and said action should be taken against the guilty. "It is wrong to target me. I and my family have nothing to do with it," Hussain said. The AAP leader also demanded strict action against BJP leaders responsible for giving inflammatory speeches. "I came to know from news reports that I am being blamed for the murder of a man. These are lies and baseless accusations. For our safety, my family and I had moved away from our home on Monday in police presence," he said. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the party's stand remains clear that strictest punishment must be taken against anyone associated with spreading violence and added that Hussain has given his statement on the matter. Thirty-four people have been killed and over 200 injured in the communal clashes that broke out in northeast Delhi three days ago after violence between anti and pro Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at locals and police personnel. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Shiv Vihar are among the areas mainly affected by the riots. With inputs from agencies Pakistan on Thursday expressed concern over the $3 billion defence deal between India and the US for the supply of advanced American military helicopters, saying it will further destabilise the already volatile region. During President Donald Trump's visit, India and the US on Tuesday finalised under which 30 military helicopters will be procured from two American defence majors for the Indian armed forces. Under a $2.6 billion deal, India will buy 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from Lockheed Martin for the Indian Navy. Another contract to acquire six AH-64E Apache helicopters for $800 million from aerospace giant Boeing has also been sealed. Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui during her weekly news briefing here said, This deal will further destabilise the already volatile region. We have alerted the community many times about India's aggressive designs not only towards Pakistan but also other countries in the region." Defence and security ties between India and the US have been on an upswing in the last six years. The bilateral defence trade touched $18 billion mark in 2019, reflecting growing defence cooperation between the two sides. In June 2016, the US had designated India a "Major Defence Partner," intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with New Delhi to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners. The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson also welcomed Trump's offer to mediate in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue and claimed that the US President lauded Islamabad's efforts against terrorism. Farooqui said Trump's remarks showed an upward trajectory in Pakistan-US relations. Although President Trump offered to mediate on the Kashmir issue in the past, New Delhi has told Washington that it is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan and there is no scope for any third-party mediation. Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked after New Delhi ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5. India's decision evoked strong reaction from Pakistan, which downgraded its diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian envoy. Pakistan has been trying to internationalise the Kashmir issue but India has asserted that the abrogation of Article 370 was its "internal matter". The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson also expressed grave concern over communal clashes in New Delhi. Our leadership as well as the community has also raised their concerns on the situation in New Delhi, she said. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is "very saddened" by the casualties in the communal clashes in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law and calls for maximum restraint for violence to be avoided, his spokesperson said. Communal violence over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in northeast Delhi killed at least 34 people and left over 200 injured till Thursday as police struggled to check the rioters who ran amok on streets, burning and looting shops, pelting stones and thrashing people. Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric during a daily briefing here on Wednesday said, "He's very saddened by the reports of casualties following the protests in Delhi, and as he has done in similar circumstances, he calls for maximum restraint and for violence to be avoided." Dujarric was responding to a question on whether the Secretary General has any comment on the riots in parts of New Delhi over the new citizenship law and if he has communicated with the Indian Government. Earlier Dujarric had said that Guterres is closely following the situation in New Delhi and stressed that demonstrators should be allowed to demonstrate peacefully and security forces should show restraint. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday said law enforcement agencies are working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. "Senior representatives of the government have been involved in that process. The prime minister has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time," Kumar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HOUSTON A company that owns a suburban Houston chemical plant jeopardized public safety when it failed to remove dangerous chemicals ahead of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, resulting in a blaze that sent toxic smoke into the air and injured first responders, prosecutors told jurors on Thursday. Arkema Inc., a subsidiary of a French chemical manufacturer, and three of its senior employees are on trial over charges accusing them of releasing toxic pollutants and injuring two sheriffs deputies. During opening statements, Michael Doyle, a special prosecutor assigned to the case, told jurors that Arkema and the workers on trial ignored every red flag to move the organic peroxides manufactured at the facility as Harveys potential dangers became apparent. Harvey dumped nearly 50 inches (127 centimeters) of rain in parts of the Houston area and caused 36 deaths locally. The organic peroxides, used to make such things as plastic resins, are volatile and can combust if not kept at temperatures at or near freezing. If it burns and its toxic gases are inhaled, this can cause lung damage or even death. They left this hazardous chemical deliberately unprotected, Doyle said. He said Arkemas actions were part of a long pattern of reckless behavior in which the company had never removed organic peroxides from the plant in the face of dangerous hurricanes and other storms during the facilitys more than 50 year history. During Harvey, the organic peroxides were instead stored inside refrigerated trailers at the plant, located just northeast of Houston. But some of the trailers lost power after the plant was overwhelmed by flood waters. Doyle told jurors Arkema didnt let authorities know they werent able to remotely monitor some of the trailers and keep track of the chemicals temperature. Two deputies were injured after going into a toxic cloud released when one of the trailers burned after the chemical combusted, he said. The fire also forced the evacuation of more than 200 residents and sent 21 people to the hospital. Letitia Quinones, one of the attorneys for Pennsylvania-based Arkema, told jurors the company had safeguards and equipment in place which had worked during the previous 20 storms that had impacted the plant and there had never been any serious problems. Arkema believed it was safer to keep the chemicals at the plant, where they could be safely monitored, instead of on roadways during a pending hurricane, she said. No one knew how devastating Hurricane Harvey was going to be on the city on Houston. No one, Quinones said, echoing Arkemas long held defense that the fire wasnt criminal as it was caused by a natural disaster. Quinones said Arkema fully cooperated with authorities and shared all information about what was going on at the plant during Harvey, including that some of refrigerated trailers storing the organic peroxides couldnt be monitored and were likely going to combust. Quinones suggested the deputies who were injured were at fault for what happened to them because they didnt stay out of an evacuation zone that had been set up around the plant. There is nobody more sorry for the events that occurred than my client. But the mere fact it happened on his watch does not make him a criminal, said Tim Johnson, an attorney for Arkema CEO Richard Rowe, one of the three company employees on trial. Opening statements were stopped Thursday afternoon because the courthouse was shut down early after a water main break earlier in the day impacted Houstons water supply. It was not immediately known if opening statements would resume on Friday or Monday. Arkema, Rowe and ex-plant manager Leslie Comardelle are all charged with reckless emission of an air contaminant. If convicted, Arkema faces up to a $1 million fine while Rowe and Comardelle each faces up to five years in prison. In addition, Arkema and its now retired vice president of logistics, Michael Keough, face a felony assault charge related to the injured deputies. If convicted, the company could be fined up to $10,000 and Keough could face up to 10 years in prison. The U.S Chemical Safety Board said Arkema worked to keep equipment that stabilized its organic peroxides, used to make such things as plastic resins, from losing power. But Arkema didnt consider flooding of safety systems a credible risk, even though the plant was inside flood zones. The trial could last up to six weeks. Opening statements were delayed three days after Judge Belinda Hill sanctioned prosecutors on Monday for withholding evidence that could be beneficial to the defense. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 YEREVAN. The staff of the hospital of the Medical Department of Armenia Police is holding a protest today demanding not to close this medical facility. The protesters, most of whom are retired police officers, say that if the hospital is closed, they will have virtually no other place to receive medical treatment. Besides, according to the protesters, there is also a security issue here as no one will take a risk to harm a police officer at a police hospital. We tell virtually every suicidal person to do it. It's part of most suicide prevention campaigns. When we don't have the answers, it's where we tell our loved ones they'll find them. "See a therapist." And yet suicide prevention experts say outside of psychiatrists, the majority of mental health professionals have minimal to no formal training in how to effectively treat suicidal people. Suicide-specific training is not commonly offered as part of college curriculums, optional postgraduate training opportunities are limited, costly and time-consuming, and experts say some therapists may not be aware they even need the education. "Any professions ethical standards require that you not treat a problem you dont know, and yet every day thousands of untrained service providers see thousands of suicidal patients and perform uninformed interventions," said Paul Quinnett, a clinical psychologist and founder of the QPR Institute, an organization that educates people on how to prevent suicide. "People think if you send someone, a loved one, to a therapist, that therapist will be skilled in how to address ... their risk for suicide. Nothing could be farther from the truth." Numbers released in January from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 48,344 people died by suicide in 2018, a small increase from the year before, though the rise in deaths over time has been steady. Since 1999, the suicide rate has climbed 35%. If you need help: How to find a therapist if youre suicidal Suicide is the nation's 10th-leading cause of death, yet experts say training for mental health practitioners who treat suicidal patients psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, among others is dangerously inadequate. Many suicide prevention experts say combating suicide requires a holistic approach that includes communities, families, educators and religious leaders working together. But society, they say, has placed the burden of caring for suicidal people on a mental health workforce woefully underprepared to help them. Story continues In Depth: Funding for suicide lags behind other top killers There are no national standards that require mental health professionals be trained in how to treat suicidal people, either during their education or their career. Only nine states mandate training in suicide assessment, treatment and management for health professionals, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The American Psychological Association and the Council on Social Work Education, which accredit graduate programs in psychology and social work, have standards to prepare graduates to treat patients in crisis but do not require specific competencies regarding suicide. For its 2014 report on guidelines to improve training among the clinical workforce, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention assessed the state of education by sending surveys to 443 academic institutions. Of those, 69 responded, and 70% said no specific training for suicide was provided. "As I started pursuing my clinical training and I knew I wanted to work on suicide, I got all these head turns," Whitcomb Terpening said. "People said it's not possible to have an out-patient practice where you aren't getting sued, where people aren't dying, where you're not just in crisis situations all the time." A 2012 paper by the American Association of Suicidology cites decades of studies that underscore the training gap, and experts say not much has changed in the last several years. It found about half of psychology students receive formal classroom training on suicide during their graduate education. Only about 25% of social workers receive any suicide prevention training. Marriage and family therapists had even less. Most psychiatrists receive some instruction, but many experts agree it's insufficient. "When people ask me, 'Who should I see?' the only thing I can say is 'See a psychiatrist if you can,' because ... they're supposed to cover that topic during the course of their training," Quinnett said. "You have some assurance that they know something about it. But you can't say that for any other (mental health) profession, which is astounding to me." Suicidal people have a spectrum of experiences with therapy, some harmful, some lifesaving. Many people living with suicidal thoughts say when they found the right clinician, someone who didn't overreact and who made an earnest effort to understand their pain, they felt less suicidal. "Having someone on your side that gets what you're going through, that can advocate for your needs, and that gives you the space to talk through your thoughts is a game-changer," said Whitcomb Terpening, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of The Semicolon Group, a therapy practice in Houston that works exclusively on suicide. "They'll have your best interest in mind, not just to keep you alive, but to help you find a life worth living." "I'm scared." Facing suicide, patients are afraid, and therapists are lost When someone who's feeling suicidal opens up to a therapist, they do so expecting the person sitting across from them wants to understand their suffering. But Stacey Freedenthal, a suicide attempt survivor and associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, says a common feeling among therapists when they realize they're sitting across from a suicidal person is panic. They worry the patient might try to kill themselves, could succeed and they may get sued or lose their license. Their reflex is to send the patient to an emergency room. Stacey Freedenthal, associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, said that when she was suicidal, she needed to be able to talk openly about her thoughts without someone saying things like, "but you have so much to live for." "Youve got this person who has taken weeks or months or more to work up the nerve to go to a professional and the professional is saying, 'I cant help you, you have to go somewhere else.' And that can be very harmful," Freedenthal said. Research shows emergency room visits and involuntary hospitalizations triggered when a mental health professional believes someone is at imminent risk of killing themselves can increase a person's risk of suicide. Susan Stefan, a scholar and litigator on behalf of people with psychiatric disabilities, says that in many cases, an emergency room can be the worst place for a suicidal person. In many cases, an emergency room can be the worst place for a suicidal person, says Susan Stefan, a scholar and litigator on behalf of people with psychiatric disabilities. "It's loud, it's hurried, people are in a rush," she said. "There is no training, generally, for emergency physicians, or staff to deal with suicidal people. In many places, there's not much sympathy." Even if a therapist doesn't overreact, that doesn't mean they know how to help. Freedenthal says she once had a therapist who made her "promise" she would never do anything to hurt herself. "Thats great in principle, but I kind of wouldnt have been going for help if it was that easy," she said. Some therapists try to avoid the question of suicide altogether. Freedenthal says she always asks her students and even colleagues with decades of experience, "What is your fear about asking someone if they're thinking of suicide?" The most common answer: "That they'll say yes." Some chronically suicidal people say they've been dropped by therapists who were unable to tolerate the intensity of their pain. Others say their clinicians were so fixated on predicting how likely they were to kill themselves, they didn't spend enough time listening to why they were hurt or what they might need. "A lot of people who say they're suicidal are trying to convey the depth of their despair," Stefan said. "I think we as a society waste a lot of time trying to stop people from killing themselves as opposed to exploring why they want to die in the first place." They didnt even know how to ask the question Back in the 90s, Quinnett was the clinical director at a mental health center in Spokane, Washington. One year, they lost 13 patients to suicide. When Quinnett reviewed the death records, he realized his clinicians didn't know how to treat suicidal patients. "They were good people. They were goodhearted. They were crushed when their patients died, but they didn't even know how to ask the question, let alone how to assess and manage the risk," he said. Afterward, Quinnett said he helped put together a comprehensive, mandatory training program on suicide. Once it was fully up and running, he said clinic deaths plummeted, to one or none a year. Eventually a new CEO took over and Quinnett said he decided to shutter the program over cost concerns. Quinnett said suicides started up again, so he quit. About 10.6 million people seriously thought about suicide. Almost all mental health professionals see suicidal patients at some point in their careers, experts say, yet only a small fraction seek out specialized training. For those who do want it, it can be hard to come by. Some of the best therapies aren't available for training at scale, and those that are require time and money. David Jobes is director of the Catholic University of America's Suicide Prevention Lab and created CAMS Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality widely regarded as one of the most effective approaches to treating suicidal patients. In the absence of training, Jobes said many clinicians spend most of their time trying to treat a patient's underlying mental illness, rather than asking the person, "What makes you want to kill yourself?" CDC data published in 2018 shows 54% of people who died by suicide had no known mental health condition. CAMS, Jobes said, is a model that endeavors to understand the sources of people's suffering. But very few people are trained, he said, and those who could benefit from it most have probably never heard of it. Andrew Evans, president of CAMS-care, which trains practitioners on the CAMS approach, said last year that the company trained about 5,000 mental health professionals in the U.S. "That's a drop in the bucket, because millions of people have suicidal thoughts," said Jobes, noting CDC data from 2017 that showed 10.6 million American adults seriously thought about suicide. Terpening, who works with suicidal patients, says that as long as training for mental health providers is voluntary, patients won't get the care they need. "Everyone's told 'Reach out, there's always somebody to talk to.' But there isn't. Because we're not trained in graduate schools, we're not trained in our clinical intern hours, we're not offered those kinds of opportunities," she said. Lack of training, Terpening added, doesn't just leave practitioners ill-equipped, it leaves them afraid. "Therapists want to do well, they just dont know how," she said. "Fear is born out of the unknown." Many therapists are so frightened of treating suicidal people they'll screen out potential patients who they think may be at risk, Quinnett said. Clinicians also are afraid of liability, though Stefan said the concern is far less real than most mental health professionals think. Even if a grieving family sues, she said, most cases are not successful. Facts, however, are not always persuasive when the undesired outcome feels so catastrophic. A survey of mental health providers in Colorado, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, showed many do not think they need more training, but desire it, according to a 2018 article in the Journal of Public Health Policy. It found providers reported being "generally pleased with their existing training and felt prepared to address suicide within their practice," though 80% supported mandating suicide-related continuing education. "I need help, too." Training helps therapists care for their patients and for themselves When confronted with the intensity of pain a suicidal person is feeling, some therapists find themselves overwhelmed wanting to help, fearing they're not capable, with stakes that feel enormously high. "It is emotionally painful," said April Foreman, a clinician and board member of the American Association of Suicidology. "Remember, youre a therapist because youre emotionally sensitive, and then we give you training to be even more sensitive. Then we put you in a room with someone who has the kind of pain and despair and behaviors that put them at risk of dying. "Unless you seek out on your own specialized training, and most people do not get this, it will become exquisitely painful for you and impact your well-being." Foreman says therapists practicing Dialectical Behavior Therapy, another highly effective treatment approach for severe suicide risk, are expected to have a consultation team to help manage stress and burnout. "I will tell you, having lost patients to suicide, the consultation group is invaluable," she said. Terpening says being able to talk with peers is a crucial part of her own self-care. "The work can be isolating," she said, "so to be able to hear from other people is so helpful and so healing in ways that a spin class never could be." Suicide prevention: Self-care tips, true stories on how survivors cope Calls to fix broken system go unheeded The issue of inadequate training has been documented for decades. In 2001, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention said it was critical that "mental health personnel receive appropriate graduate school training on the subject of suicide while preparing for their professions." Nearly 20 years later, experts say not enough has changed. Anthony Pisani, associate professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at the University of Rochester, said it is essential the goal be met, and training must extend well beyond school. "Addressing suicide risk is not something you can get trained in once and be done," he said. "This is such a hard problem with such serious consequences that people are going to feel and be unprepared unless they are engaged in an ongoing way." SUBSCRIBE Help support mental health journalism like this. The American Association of Suicidology report on gaps in mental health training made several recommendations for improving care. It said accrediting organizations must include suicide-specific education as part of their requirements so graduate programs have the training in their curriculum. State licensing boards, it said, must require clinicians be competent in suicide treatment. And the report said government has a role to play, too, by requiring that health care systems receiving state or federal funds ensure their mental health professionals are trained in suicide risk detection, assessment, treatment and prevention. Maybe, most importantly, experts say clinicians have to overcome their fear of not knowing with certainty who may live or die. "I get the fear our licenses are our livelihood, we need to be able to protect them," Terpening said. "But we also have to be able to see past the risk to do what's right for our patients." If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has resources to help if you need to find support for yourself or a loved one. Alia E. Dastagir is a recipient of a Rosalynn Carter fellowship for mental health journalism. Follow her on Twitter: @alia_e This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Suicide prevention: Therapists rarely trained to treat suicidal people Shah Rukh Khan is a symbol for both success and humility and has always championed for causes attributed to bettering mankind. Last year, the La Trobe University named a PhD scholarship under his name and this year, it has been awarded to a young female researcher, Gopika Kottantharayil Bhasi, from Kerala. Her PhD paper talks about farming practices through animal science, ecology, and molecular studies. Viral Bhayani Viral Bhayani Viral Bhayani A video has been making rounds on the internet wherein the actor is honouring her with the scholarship. Another adorable moment from the video went viral when SRK helped out the scholar as her hair got entangled in her coat. Take a look at the video here: This gesture is being appreciated by people on the Internet, as they are calling it an epitome of chivalry and are lauding the actor. Viral Bhayani Viral Bhayani SRK congratulated Gopika at the event and said, I would like to personally thank Mitu. I take myself as the first-hand ambassador of Melbourne and I attended the Indian film festival of Melbourne last year and it was such a warm and hospitable experience. Im a staunch believer in education and I would like to congratulate Gopika. Way forward for everyone is to gain an education and theres never an end to learning. The key to empower women world over is only by providing them with education. He went on to add, I think education in India or anywhere else in the world is a step forward. Gopika is fortunate that shes soon going to be studying at La Trobe which is a fantastic university and Im glad shes getting this opportunity to do a PhD on her research. I admire Gopikas dedication and determination. This scholarship will enable her to travel to La Trobe in Melbourne, Australia where she will pursue her dreams of helping to improve Indias agriculture sector. I wish her well." We were honoured to have @iamsrk present the Shah Rukh Khan PhD scholarship in #Mumbai today. Congratulations to Gopika Kottantharayil Bhasi, who will soon begin her PhD at #latrobeuni in Melbourne, Australia: https://t.co/tx5kUW62Lh A special thanks to our partners @IFFMelb pic.twitter.com/StaaV36yR8 La Trobe University (@latrobe) February 27, 2020 Well, we congratulate Gopika for the same and are happy to see a superstar like SRK working for the cause of education. TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noront Resources Ltd. (Noront or the Company) (TSX Venture: NOT) announced today that Mr. Gregory Honig, Director of Origination, Canada for Resource Capital Funds (RCF), has been appointed to Noronts Board of Directors (the Board) in place of Sybil Veenman who will be stepping down as RCFs appointee on the Board. Appointment of Gregory Honig Mr. Honig has over 15 years of experience in the mining industry with extensive capital markets, M&A, and corporate development experience. Prior to joining RCF, Gregory worked for Xstrata Nickel as Director - Business Development and for Orion Securities as Senior Analyst - Mining Investment Banking. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of First Drilling LLC and received his ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Noronts Chairman, Paul Parisotto, welcomes Mr. Honig to the Board of Directors and extends his thanks and appreciation to Sybil Veenman who will be stepping down as a Board member and RCF appointee, having served in that capacity since August 2015, but will remain engaged with Noront as a Special Advisor to the Board. Issuance of Stock-Based Compensation The Board has granted options to acquire an aggregate of 6,823,074 common shares of the Company to certain directors, officers, management and special advisors of the Company with 4,362,966 of these options vesting immediately and 2,460,108 of these options vesting over two years. These options have an exercise price of $0.145 per share, being the closing market price on the date of grant, and are exercisable for a period of five years. The Board has also accelerated the expiry of 1,250,000 performance share units (PSUs), and issued 250,000 PSUs and 553,648 restricted share units (RSUs) to management of the Company. The RSUs are convertible into common shares of the Company on the one-year anniversary from the date of grant and the PSUs are convertible into common shares of the Company upon the achievement of certain performance objectives. The options, RSUs and PSUs were granted pursuant to Noronts stock option plan and share awards plan, respectively. The issuance of options and restricted stock units are subject to all applicable regulatory and exchange approvals. About Noront Resources Noront Resources Ltd. is focused on development of its high-grade Eagles Nest nickel, copper, platinum and palladium deposit and the world class chromite deposits including Blackbird, Black Thor, and Big Daddy, all of which are located in the James Bay Lowlands of Ontario in an emerging metals camp known as the Ring of Fire. www.norontresources.com A case of cheating and content theft was registered against election strategist Prashant Kishor in Patna on Wednesday (February 26) after a former JD(U) leader named Sashwat Gautam accused Kishor of using his content for his 'Baat Bihar Ki' campaign without his permission. The FIR against Kishor has been lodged under Sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) of the IPC. In his complaint, Shashwat told the police that he had developed the content with another person named Osama and had given his content to Kishor. An investigation, in this case, has been launched by Patna Police. It is to be noted that Kishor, who is the brain behind several successful political campaigns in different states of the country, recently announced the 'Baat Bihar ki' programme. Addressing a press conference, Kishor had said that 'Baat Bihar Ki' programme is aimed at making Bihar one of the 10 best states in the country. Kishor had also said that he will travel across Bihar for 100 days ahead of the state elections to drum up support for his programme. In January 2019, Kishor was expelled from the JD(U) after he had raised questions over Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's decision to support the Citizenship Amendment Act. Meanwhile, JD(U) leader Ajay Alok took a jibe at Kishor on Thursday and said that a case of cheating has been registered against the election strategist and it seems that Kishor has become musician Anu Malik when it comes to stealing idea. The coronavirus is spreading fast beyond its China birthplace but sub-Saharan Africa, one of the world's most vulnerable regions, has so far been almost spared -- and experts want to know why. More than 2,760 people worldwide have died of COVID-19 and almost 81,000 infected in over 45 countries. Most of these have been in China, but cases are now rising fast in parts of Europe and the Middle East, while the first infection in Latin America was recorded on Wednesday, in Brazil. But across all of Africa, just two cases have surfaced -- a tally that has health specialists scratching their heads, given the continent's close economic ties with China. "This is the question that everyone is asking, especially as other regions such as South America or Eastern Europe now have cases," said Amadou Alpha Sall, head of the Pasteur Institute in Dakar, the Senegalese capital. "The current figures could be the reality, it's hard to know. Maybe it's because Africa is not that connected." Thumbi Ndungu, director of a Durban-based infectious disease research centre, SANTHE, said "I dont think anybody knows" why Africa so far appeared to be unscathed. He also speculated that it could be "there isn't much travel to that particular part of China from Africa -- back and forth". Or "it could just be a coincidence," said Ndungu. - Coverup unlikely - Could it be a coverup, or cases that have gone undetected? Michel Yao, an emergency response expert at WHO Africa, based in the Congolese capital Brazzaville, said these scenarios were most unlikely. To detect and hide cases would require an "exceptionally managed" response, he said. And undetected cases would result in an outbreak that would be "surely detected, because it spreads faster," Yao said. Could Africa's predominantly hot climate ward off or even kill the virus? "There is no current evidence to indicate that climate affects transmission," said Rodney Adam, who heads the infection control task force at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi. "While it is true that for certain infections there may be genetic differences in susceptibility... there is no current evidence to that effect for COVID-19." If the continent can count itself lucky so far, experts say it is just a question of time. "We think Africa is going to be affected," said Yazdan Yazdanpanah, head of infectious diseases department at Paris's Bichat hospital. On the plus said, the apparent delay has given African countries precious weeks in which to prepare. Yao said more than half of sub-Saharan countries are now equipped with laboratories that can test for the virus -- up from just two a few weeks ago. "In the beginning we had two, South Africa and Senegal... (now) we have 29 out of 47 countries that have laboratories that can perform the tests. So this is progress," he said. "We were lucky to have a big window of opportunity," he said. Another positive is that Ebola outbreaks that have struck parts of West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo have generated valuable skills for handling coronavirus. There is currently no vaccine or cure for the novel virus -- the response is to contain it by identifying and isolating patients and carrying out grassroots awareness campaigns. "This experience may add value on ground," said Yao. - Question of time - Despite this, Africa's vulnerabilities are well known. A 2016 analysis by the Rand Corporation, a US thinktank, found that of the 25 countries in the world that are most vulnerable to infectious outbreaks, 22 are in Africa -- the others were Afghanistan, Yemen and Haiti. Africa's many conflict zones, poor health infrastructure and porous borders are among the factors that accentuate the risk, it said. Last week a Lancet study found that only Egypt, Algeria and South Africa had "the most prepared health systems in the continent" to handle the virus. South Africa announced Thursday that 132 of its citizens trapped in China's Wuhan city, would be evacuated and placed in quarantine for 21 days. In many countries, a sudden surge in numbers of seriously ill patients could overwhelm intensive care units. "Africa is at high risk," said Yao. On Thursday, Madagascar banned all travellers who recently visited Iran, Italy or South Korea -- the latest countries suffering major outbreaks of the virus -- from entering the island country, a popular tourist destination. Several African airlines including Kenya Airways have suspended flights to China, although the continent's biggest carrier Ethiopian Airlines has kept its China routes open. burs-sn/pma The Tennessee Supreme Courts Access to Justice Commission has released its annual report detailing the pro bono legal service reported by attorneys, bar associations, law firms, law schools, legal service providers, mediators and other organizations. Pro bono is a Latin term meaning for the public good, and attorneys working pro bono are often working for no, or a reduced, fee. For the second time since the Tennessee Supreme Court began requesting pro bono reporting data, in 2018, more than half of Tennessee Attorneys reported completing pro bono hours. The 50 percent benchmark has been a long-standing goal of the Access to Justice (ATJ) Commission, arising out of its 2012 Strategic Plan. Tennessee saw an increase in the number of Tennessee Attorneys reporting pro bono hours and in the percentage of Tennessee Attorneys reporting pro bono hours. The percentage of Tennessee Attorneys who reported pro bono in 2017 (51.50 percent) increased in 2018 by more than one percentage point (52.78 percent). These numbers reflect both the highest number and highest percentage of Tennessee Attorneys who reported participating in pro bono in the prior year since the ATJ Commission began collecting this reporting data. Performing pro bono service is becoming part of the legal culture in Tennessee and the ATJ Commission could not be more pleased, said Justice Connie Clark, who serves as the Supreme Court liaison to the ATJ Commission. Every day Tennesseans struggle with issues like eviction, expungement, protective orders, employment discrimination, and more. Lawyers are in the unique position to provide assistance when there is nowhere else to turn. Tennessee is consistently recognized on the national level as one of the top Access to Justice states. According to the Pro Bono Report, 9,539 attorneys practicing in Tennessee provided 640,958 hours of pro bono service, an average of over 67.19 hours per reporting attorney. The value of these services is estimated to be over $137.8 million. Continuing a trend for the past six years, the majority of these hours (68.96 percent) were provided to persons of limited means without a fee or at a reduced fee. For the first time in the history of the report, more than half of All Attorneys licensed in Tennessee, including both attorneys with primary addresses in Tennessee and attorneys with primary addresses outside of Tennessee, reported completing pro bono work. Overall, 51.15 percent of all attorneys licensed in Tennessee reported completing one or more hours of pro bono, a number reflecting a 4 percent increase from the prior year, when it was 47.11 percent. The total hours of Pro Bono for All Attorneys licensed in Tennessee also shows the highest number ever reported at 749,217 hours. This number reflects an increase of 50,814 hours from the prior year, and an increased value of nearly $11 million of pro bono services. The numbers are just outstanding, but what really stands out to me is that the vast majority of time given is boots on the ground lawyers meeting with our states most vulnerable populations, including single parents, the elderly, and veterans, to provide advice, write letters, and find solutions during legal clinics, said Gail Ashworth, chair of the ATJ Commission. The ATJ Commission is working very hard with all of its partners to get services where they are most needed and we are making progress. According to the report, single parents, ethnic minorities, and elderly persons are the most commonly served persons, and the percentage of respondents that served each of these categories of persons increased in this years report. They were most likely to receive services at a legal clinic where attorneys were most likely to meet with them, provide advice, or review or draft a document. The issues they most often tackled were the ones that derail lives every day: those related to family law, domestic violence, consumer law, and juvenile/education. Also, for the first time, the ATJ Commission was able to analyze data by county. The ATJ Commission was able to identify certain areas of the state where proportionally high numbers of Tennessee Attorneys reported completing pro bono. This information was then mapped to highlight the Top 20 Counties for Pro Bono using three different evaluation metrics. Three Tennessee counties (Lake County, Hancock County, and Van Buren County) reported that 100 percent of their attorneys provided pro bono, and 19 counties reported that 70 percent or more of their attorneys perform pro bono work. The Tennessee Supreme Court announced its Access to Justice campaign in 2008 and subsequently created the ATJ Commission, which is composed of ten members from across the state. The ATJ Commission provides collaborative leadership to create solutions and resources that address and eliminate barriers to justice for all. The ATJ Commission will release its sixth Strategic Plan in 2020. A federal lawsuit has been filed against the state of South Carolina by students and LGBTQ advocacy groups over a three-decades-old law that bans public school health courses from teaching about homosexual relationships except when talking about sexually transmitted diseases. The laws, known as no promo homo laws, prohibit teachers from educating about any 'alternative lifestyles' other than heterosexual relationships and then only in the context of STDs. Specifically, the law reads: The program of instruction provided for in this section may not include a discussion of alternate sexual lifestyles from heterosexual relationships including, but not limited to, homosexual relationships except in the context of instruction concerning sexually transmitted diseases. Students and advocacy groups in South Caroline (pictured) have filed a federal lawsuit against the state over an anti-LGBTQ law in public school sex education classes In the U.S., only five other states Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma - require such stringent regulations when it comes to public school sexual health curriculum. South Carolina teachers who defy the 1988 law run the risk of being fired. Lambda Legal and the National Center for Lesbian Rights have sought to challenge the law on the grounds that it constitutionally violates the Equal Protection Clause in the 14th Amendment. 'The law singles out LGBTQ students for negative treatment, a press release relating to the lawsuit said. It prevents LGBTQ students from receiving any health education about their relationships except in the context of sexually transmitted diseases, without imposing any comparable restriction on health education about heterosexual people. The lawsuit's plaintiffs argue that the 'no promo homo' laws discriminate against LGBTQ students and and singles out those children for 'negative treatment' in South Carolina schools The student organization Gender and Sexuality Alliance, a high school group from the Charleston County School District, as well as the Campaign for Southern Equality and the South Carolina Equality Coalition are plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Eli Bundy, a sophomore who serves as president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, said: LGBTQ kids at our school and every school in South Carolina just want to feel safe, respected and equal to other students in the classroom. This discriminatory law treats LGBTQ students like we are outsiders in our own community, and that we arent equal to our peers. School should be a safe place for all students to be treated fairly and equally. Jeff Ayers, executive director of South Carolina Equality, added that the law serves no state purpose at all. This statute attempts to, at best ignore, and at worst to completely stigmatize young people who identify as LGBTQ in South Carolina and it must be struck down, said Ayers. Executive director of South Carolina Equality Jeff Ayers (pictured) blasted the 1988 law for stigmatizing LGBTQ youth and denying them access to sexual health education Defendant Molly Spearman, state superintendent of education, agreed that the no promo homo laws are questionable and requested an opinion from South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. Wilson, a Republican official, has agreed that such laws erode at the Equal Protection Clause and suggested that the Assembly repeal the statute'. He wrote: School officials who abide by this provision may not be entitled to good faith immunity in light of Obergefell and other authorities, thereby subjecting them to the risk of 1983 liability. Wilson noted that religious liberties must also be protected and that those families who dont want an LGBTQ curriculum have the option to opt out from health classes. We also note that the religious liberties of parents, students, teachers and administrators who object to a discussion of homosexuality in the classroom must be protected. Section 59-32 50 authorizes an opt out from the class teaching health education. He doubled down on that stance, adding that protections of religious liberties should be upheld, but not at the cost of LGBTQ rights. Important free exercise of religion rights must be protected, while at the same time, ensuring that anti-gay discrimination which violates the Constitution is not present in the classroom, he wrote. Spearmen then shared a follow-up statement the supported the attorney generals and said the final decision will be made in court. My primary obligation is always to uphold the rights and safety of our students and their families. The lawsuit filed today highlights an issue that the General Assembly has failed to address, she wrote. Alan Wilson, the Republican attorney general in South Carolina, (pictured) said in an opinion that enforcing the law risks liability, but says religious liberties must still be upheld I agree with the arguments and evidence presented in the opinion. I also believe that parents should continue to have the final say in whether or not their child participates in health education curriculum. Peter Renn, counsel for Lambda Legal, said in a statement that the law allows LGBTQ students to be treated like pariahs and face bullying. This discriminatory law is archaic, outrageous, and profoundly damaging to LGBTQ students, treating them as pariahs, Renn said. It should come as no surprise that where the government stigmatizes a group of students as unmentionable, it risks breeding a school environment hostile to LGBTQ students, with more harassment and abuse in classrooms, hallways, and locker rooms. South Carolinas lawsuit comes as states like Arizona and Utah have repealed no promo homo laws after receiving backlash. Advocates successfully argued that the laws also infringe on teachers First Amendment rights. In the Human Rights Campaign and the Equality Federation Institutes fifth annual State Equality Index released in January, South Carolina received failing marks in laws protecting the LGBTQ community. They were listed under the High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality category, which is the indexs lowest-rated category. The Democratic National Committee has warned its presidential candidates to be cautious after Bernie Sanders campaign reported that an impersonator with a domain registered overseas had posed as one of its staffers and sought conversations with members of at least two other campaigns. Bob Lord, the DNCs chief security officer, wrote in an email to his partys presidential campaigns on Wednesday that adversaries will often try to impersonate real people on a campaign to get people to download suspicious files, or click on a link to a phishing site. Lord said attackers may also try to set up a call or in-person meeting that they can record and publish. Lord said that the fake domain name that was used in the Sanders incident is registered in a foreign country, though Lord noted that anyone can register a domain name in any country. Attribution is notoriously hard, he wrote. The appropriate authorities have been alerted. Sanders campaign spokesman Mike Casca on Wednesday confirmed the incident and said the domain was registered in Russia. That doesnt mean the effort involved the Russian government or even Russian hackers, however. Its clear the efforts and investments made by the DNC and all the campaigns to shore up our cybersecurity systems are working, Casca said. We will remain vigilant and continue to learn from each incident. Sanders said Friday that he was briefed by U.S. officials about a month ago that Russia has been trying to help his campaign as part of Moscows efforts to interfere in the 2020 presidential election. His campaign believes this incident is consistent with the kind of discord the Russians are hoping to create in the U.S. electoral system. Democratic campaigns have been extra vigilant for phishing attempts after Russian hackers sent John Podesta, chairman of Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign, an official-looking message to his Gmail account that appeared to come from Google. It warned that someone in Ukraine had obtained Podestas personal Gmail password and tried unsuccessfully to log in, and it directed him to a website where he should change your password immediately. That eventually resulted in thousands of Podestas emails being hacked and leaked. Lords message on Wednesday instructed the campaigns to use official campaign domains for all business. If you are using an alternate domain, please refrain from doing so and let us know if you are operating from a domain that others have not corresponded with before, he wrote. Do not use your personal mail account for official business. Suzi Taylor has handed herself in after police issued an arrest warrant when she failed to appear in court earlier this week. The warrant was scrapped after the former The Block contestant's lawyer explained it was a misunderstanding and that Taylor simply confused two separate hearings. The 49-year-old was scheduled to appear in two different courts at the same time, her lawyer claimed, and insisted no further charges were laid for failing to appear in court or breaching bail, The Courier Mail reported. Taylor, who won $349,000 with friend Yvonne Cosier in season 11 of The Block, is accused of luring a Tinder date to her Brisbane apartment then beating him when he refused to hand over his bank details in October last year. Outside court, her lawyer said Taylor had a 'chaotic life' of late and was trying to turn a new leaf. 'She accepts that she's had a bit of a chaotic life in the last few weeks but has now taken steps to resolve that,' he said. The 49-year-old's lawyers have claimed her failure to attend the hearing was a misunderstanding because she was listed to appear in two courts at the same time 'She has sat down and given me really clear instructions on fighting her charges.' Taylor will appear again in court on March 18. The former model was released on strict bail to live with her cousin on the Gold Coast, but was arrested in January after she went missing. A court previously heard Taylor left the house on Christmas Day to visit her children, and stayed in a halfway house. Taylor's lawyer told the court her cousin 'ratted' on her to police because she was jealous about who looked better in a pair of jeans. Magistrate Pamela Dowse fined Taylor $300 after she pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching bail, but did not record a conviction. Taylor told waiting media: 'I lost a little bit of weight in prison so I needed a new pair of jeans' as she walked free in January. The former Penthouse Pet was listed to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on at Roma Street for charges including common assault and breach of bail. But she was also set to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court 20 on George St to face charges of driving without a licence, contravening a requirement or direction of police, drink driving, obstructing police, breach of a bail condition, deprivation of liberty, extortion and possessing dangerous drugs. The warrant had been issued for two counts of breach of bail, with Taylor to appear in court again on March 9 Taylor, who won $349,000 with friend Yvonne Cosier in season 11 of Nine's hit reality series, is accused of luring a Tinder date to her luxury Brisbane apartment then beating him when he refused to hand over his bank details in October last year. The Courier Mail reported Taylor showed up in court 20 on Monday, but the warrant was issued by the Magistrate in courtroom 1 when she didn't arrive. Police allege Taylor's assault was motivated by needing to pay off 'rebels and bikies' chasing her for money. After discovering her 33-year-old victim had no cash on him, police claim she said she needed it to pay off. She is alleged to have called for her flatmate and co-accused, Ali Ebrahimi, to come and help her, who soon tied the man up with a phone charger. Along with Taylor, he is accused of beating the victim while demanding the PIN to his phone to transfer themselves money. Taylor allegedly told Ebrahimi: 'No, he isn't going anywhere, he has been here hours now. I have bills to pay, I have Rebels and bikies coming to my house chasing me for money, so I am not letting him go until I get my money.' The former Penthouse Pet and nude model denied having any affiliations with bikie gangs or owing them money. Taylor was listed to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on at Roma Street for charges including common assault and breach of bail on Monday, but she was also set to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court 20 on George Street for other charges Court documents allege the midnight liaison on October 29 turned sour minutes after the unsuspecting man walked in the door. Taylor had invited him for a drink via a message on another dating app, Plenty of Fish, and soon said they should 'take this into the bedroom'. As they lay on her bed kissing, Taylor - who the man knew as 'Katie' - whipped off her top to expose her breasts and then allegedly made her demand. 'If you want to go any further you need to cough up some money... This is what I do for a living and my time is my money,' she allegedly said. The man said in his statement filed with the court he was blindsided by this demand because he thought the encounter was a hookup not him hiring a prostitute. 'I believe by this comment Katie was implying that I needed to pay her for sex. This comment completely shocked me, and I have then said 'I am not paying for anything',' he told police. New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Haji Tahir Hussain, who is a corporator from Ward 59 of Nehru Vihar, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, has denied his involvement in the death of Intelligence Bureau (IB) employee Ankit Sharma through a video statement. In the video, Tahir Hussain is heard denying his role in inciting violence claiming that he was a victim of mob violence and was rescued by Police two days ago. The AAP corporator's statement comes after an IB employee was found dead in a drain in northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh area. Calling himself a peaceful Indian Muslim, Tahir said he will always work for the country and Hindu-Muslim relations. Tahir Hussain told ANI, "I worked to stop violence, I'm innocent. I stopped people from climbing up my building. On February 24, police conducted a search of my building and moved us out from there, and later, we shifted to a safe location. Till 4 pm on February 25, police were present at the building." Several videos, however, have been shared on social media in which Tahir, dressed in a red sweater and white shirt, is seen moving around his rooftop. He is also in the same dress in the video which he posted in his defence. The brother of Ankit Sharma on Wednesday told Zee News that Tahir Hussain was behind the killing of his brother. He said that hundreds of rioters took refuge at the AAP corporator's house. They pelted stones from there and also fired bullets along with throwing petrol bombs. Notably, the death toll in the communal violence in northeast Delhi has reached 34 on Thursday. Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that the IndiGo airlines flying ban imposed on stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra in January has been reduced to three months The regulator told Justice Navin Chawla that the airlines internal committee had passed the order at 9.30 am. Kamra was banned from flying by four airlines on January 28 after he tweeted a 111-second video that showed him heckling television anchor Arnab Goswami on a Mumbai-Lucknow flight. Neither the journalist nor the pilot had lodged a formal complaint against Kamra. But once the video got out, there were calls for action against the comedian. IndiGo specified a six-month period while other airlines Air India, Spicejet and GoAir imposed an indefinite ban on him. Kamra had approached the aviation regulator against the flight ban, asserting that the airline hadnt gone by the rulebook in his case. He pointed out that Captain Rohit Mateti, the pilot who was incharge of the flight, hadnt complained against him as should have been done under aviation rules relating to unruly passengers. Justice Navin Chawla had pulled up the regulator at the last hearing for its tweet backing the airlines decision to impose the flight ban and refusing to act on Kunal Kamras representation to him. The judge told the regulator that once Kamra lodged a complaint before the DGCA claiming violation of Civil Aviation Rules by the airlines, the regulator could not say it will not look into it. After the court was informed about the decision to reduce the duration of the flight ban, the judge disposed of Kunal Kamras petition but gave him the right to come back with a fresh plea if the regulator doesnt take a call on his representation within the next two months. In a video clip posted by Kamra in January, he is seen asking the journalist if he is a coward or a journalist. While Goswami can be seen sitting in the plane and watching something on his laptop with his earphones plugged in, Kamara continued to troll him. Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, by Product Type (Smoke Evacuation Tubings, Smoke Evacuators Portable and Stationary, Smoke Evacuation Wands & Pencils, Smoke Evacuation Filtration Devices, and Smoke Evacuation Pencils and Wands), by Application (Laparoscopic Surgery, Open Surgery, Aesthetic Surgeries, Orthopedic Surgery, and Others), by End-user (Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Cosmetic Surgery Centers, and Hospitals), and by Region (North America, Latin, America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa), was valued at US$ 174.7 Mn in 2019, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period (20202027), as highlighted in a new report published by. Implementation of stringent regulatory laws regarding the adoption of smoke evacuation systems in hospitals is expected to drive growth of the smoke evacuation system market growth. For instance, in June 2018, Rhode Island, a state in the U.S. was the first state to address the issue of surgical smoke with a law passed by Democratic Governor Jared Polis in March 2018, for requiring smoke evacuation system in hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to use smoke evacuation systems for surgical procedures that generate plume. Moreover, in March 2019, Colorado became the second U.S. state to pass the law of requirement of installation of surgical smoke evacuation systems at hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. These factors are expected to drive the global smoke evacuation system market growth in North America. Free Download PDF Research Report Brochure @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/3035 Major manufacturers such as Buffalo Filter LLC. have a broad product portfolio of smoke evacuators such as Plume safe Turbo (220V), Porta plume safe 604, ViroVac 220V, VisiClear 220V, and Buffalo filter VisiClear with 2 Plume Port Activ. Moreover, market players are focused on product development and launches in order to expand their market presence. For instance, in October 2014, Buffalo Filter LLC launched PlumePen Elite, a surgical plume evacuation pencil, which is designed to offer surgeons the comfort and advance features for removing smoke during surgical procedures. Browse 37 Market Data Tables and 27 Figures spread through 165 Pages and in-depth TOC on Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, by Product Type (Smoke Evacuation Tubings, Smoke Evacuators Portable and Stationary, Smoke Evacuation Wands & Pencils, Smoke Evacuation Filtration Devices, and Smoke Evacuation Pencils and Wands), by Application (Laparoscopic Surgery, Open Surgery, Aesthetic Surgeries, Orthopedic Surgery, and Others), by End-user (Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Cosmetic Surgery Centers, and Hospitals), and by Region (North America, Latin, America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) Global Forecast to 2027 To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in the Global Smoke Evacuation System Market Press Release, click the link below @ http://bit.ly/2PxDD5M Key players in the market are involved in adopting inorganic strategies such as acquisitions for expanding their portfolio of smoke evacuation systems. For instance, in June 2018, Stryker Corporation acquired SafeAir AG, a Switzerland-based medical device company that develops and manufactures innovative surgical smoke evacuation solutions. This acquisition is beneficial for Strykers surgical instruments division, and has also allowed Stryker to strengthen its smoke evacuation portfolio in Europe. Key Takeaways of the Global Smoke Evacuation System Market: The global smoke evacuation system market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period (20202027), owing to frequent product launches and approvals, and robust pipeline of smoke evacuation system . Among region, North America is expected to hold dominant position in global smoke evacuation system market, owing to high rate of adoption of these systems by hospitals and increase in affordability of such systems. For instance, Rhode Island is the first U.S. state and Colorado is second state in the U.S. to pass legislations laid by Democratic Governor Jared Polis in March 2018, for requirement of surgical smoke evacuation systems at hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to increasing incidence of cardiovascular diseases, laser surgeries, and other surgical procedures which require smoke evacuation systems, in India, China, and Japan. For instance in 2011 according of National Centre of Biotechnology Information, approximately 66% of Asia Pacific population suffered from CVD diseases. Major players operating in the global smoke evacuation system market include Medtronic Plc., BOWA-electronic GmbH & Co. KG, CooperSurgical, Inc., Symmetry Surgical, I.C. Medical, Inc., CONMED Corporation, CLS Surgimedics, Stryker Corporation, Surgiform Technologies LLC, Zimmer Biomet, Steris Corporation, and Applied Medical Technology, Inc. Get your Customized Research Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/3035 Detailed Segmentation: Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Product Type : Smoke Evacuation Tubings Smoke Evacuators Portable Stationary Smoke Evacuation Wands & Pencils Smoke Evacuation Filtration Devices Smoke Evacuation Carts and Accessories Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Application: Laparoscopic Surgery Open Surgery Aesthetic Surgeries Orthopedic Surgery Others Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By End-user: Clinics Ambulatory Surgical centers Cosmetic Surgery centers Hospitals Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Region: North America Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Product Type : Smoke Evacuation Tubings Smoke Evacuators Portable Stationary Smoke Evacuation Wands & Pencils Smoke Evacuation Filtration Devices Smoke Evacuation Carts and Accessories Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Application: Laparoscopic Surgery Open surgery Aesthetic Surgeries Orthopedic Surgery Others Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By End-user: Clinics Ambulatory Surgical centers Cosmetic Surgery centers Hospitals By Country: U.S. Canada Europe Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Product Type : Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Application: Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By End-user: By Country: U.K. Germany Italy France Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Product Type : Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Application: Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By End-user: By Country: China India Japan ASEAN Australia South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Product Type : Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Application: Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By End-user: By Country: Brazil Mexico Argentina Rest of Latin America Middle East Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Product Type : Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Application: Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By End-user: By Country: GCC Israel Rest of Middle East Africa Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Product Type : Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By Application: Global Smoke Evacuation System Market, By End-user: By Country/Region: Central Africa South Africa North Africa Company Profiles Medtronic Plc.* Company Overview Product Portfolio Financial Performance Key Strategies Recent Developments BOWA-electronic GmbH & Co. KG CooperSurgical, Inc. Symmetry Surgical I.C. Medical Inc. CONMED Corporation CLS Surgimedics Stryker Corporation Surgiform Technologies LLC Zimmer Biomet Steris Corporation Applied Medical Technology, Inc. About Coherent Market Insights: Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity. Contact Us: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com U.S. Office: Name: Mr. Shah Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154, U.S. US : +1-206-701-6702 UK : +44-020-8133-4027 JAPAN : +050-5539-1737 IT seems that anytime there are discussions about poverty, there are also debates about how to measure poverty. This week was no exception. Statistics Canada released its latest information about Canadas poverty rates, declaring a decline in poverty across the country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion IT seems that anytime there are discussions about poverty, there are also debates about how to measure poverty. This week was no exception. Statistics Canada released its latest information about Canadas poverty rates, declaring a decline in poverty across the country. You would think that this would be cause for celebration. But instead, its all about those pesky little numbers and interpretations. On Tuesday, StatCan released its 2018 Canadian Income Survey. There was no change in the median after-tax income for Canadian families and unattached individuals. It stayed flat at $61,400. However, for families alone, the median after-tax income went up $2,300 from 2017, to $91,600. Within this group, couples with children saw their median after-tax income increase by $2,700, to $101,900, in 2018. In terms of poverty, the StatCan report stated, "About 3.2 million Canadians, or 8.7 per cent of the population, lived below Canadas Official Poverty Line in 2018, down from 9.5 per cent in 2017. For children under 18 years of age, the poverty rate was 8.2 per cent in 2018, little changed from 2017 but continuing a general downward trend since the most recent peak of 15.0 per cent in 2012. In 2018, about 566,000 children lived below the poverty line in Canada, compared with 1 million in 2012." Beginning in 2018, StatCan began to calculate the official poverty line using the market basket measure (MBM) rather than the previously preferred Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe explains the differences between the two: "The LICO is a fairly complex measure. It tries to estimate a level of income below which a family is expected to use 20 percentage points more of their income on basic needs than the average family. The MBM is simpler. It tries to measure how much it costs to purchase a modest, basic standard of living. If your income is below the cost of that basket of goods and services, then you count as being in poverty according to MBM." Provincially, Manitobas poverty rate fell below 10 per cent in 2018, down from 12 per cent in 2015. Tombe says its part of an overall trend: "Poverty is down since 2015 in all provinces. A strong economy and rising employment rates are a contributing factor, but federal policy changes are a large part of the reason. The Liberals increased the size of cash transfers to low-income families through their changes to child benefits. They made the payments more generous for low-income families, which raises incomes directly and therefore lowers measured poverty. I think it is fair for them to take credit for much of the reduction." There have been those who are critical of the MBM and what it contains and, by extension, how poverty is calculated. For example, child care and pharmacy costs are not considered basic needs and, in some areas, housing costs are not accurately reflected. This gives rise to concerns that the poverty rate is then under-represented and under-reported, leaving those who are living on the margin further sidelined. 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 difficult to come up with a way of measuring something like poverty because each case is unique and personal. How do you compare what poverty is in the inner city of Toronto to the experience in a remote post in northern Manitoba? How do you compare the life of a newly arrived Syrian refugee working in Winnipegs inner city in January to a family of five living in destitution in Saskatoon? You cant. And no system will ever be able to. In the end, its important to have a baseline as a starting point for analysis to understand how the economy is doing and to understand if the policy direction is working. But it must be understood that numbers have flaws. There will always be a need for context and an openness from government and policy-makers at all levels to listen to those on the ground working with those in poverty. Numbers be damned. Shannon Sampert is a retired political scientist and is now a media consultant with her company Media Diva. s.sampert@uwinnipeg.ca Twitter: @paulysigh Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 14:19:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the sidelines of the 56th Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Feb. 15, 2020. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi) The two sides should further strengthen exchanges between counterpart departments and between experts, and work closely in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, drug and vaccine research and development, Wang said. BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan need to boost coordination to prevent cross-border spread of the COVID-19 epidemic and effectively safeguard public health in both countries and the region at large, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday night. In a phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Wang also urged the two countries to actively explore ways to strengthen international cooperation on public health within multilateral frameworks. Briefing Motegi on the latest progress in China's epidemic prevention and control efforts, Wang noted that the situation is steadily improving though it remains complex and grave, and China will continue to make all-out efforts to win the battle against the epidemic. The fundamentals of China's long-term economic growth remain unchanged, and the epidemic only has a short-term and limited impact, Wang said. China, he added, will endeavor to minimize the impact of the epidemic and achieve its economic and social development goals this year. Medical workers cheer themselves up at the Intensive Care Unit of Wuhan No. 7 Hospital in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 24, 2020. (Photo by Xiong Fang/Xinhua) China appreciates Japan's firm stand with China from the very beginning and thanks the Japanese government and all sectors of the Japanese society for their valuable support and help, Wang said, adding that in the face of the epidemic, China and Japan constitute a community with a shared future that should stick together through thick and thin. China is equally concerned about the epidemic in Japan and has provided necessary medical materials based on Japan's needs, Wang said, pledging further assistance within China's capability if necessary. The two sides should further strengthen exchanges between counterpart departments and between experts, and work closely in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, drug and vaccine research and development, Wang said. He also suggested that China and Japan jointly ensure the stability of their industrial chains and supply chains and reduce the epidemic's impact upon bilateral cooperation as much as possible. Noting that both China and Japan are major economies in the world, Wang said he believes that maintaining normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan constitutes an important contribution to the world's economic stability and development. Passengers wearing face masks are seen at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) Motegi, for his part, extended sincere sympathies to the Chinese side over the difficulties and losses inflicted by the new virus and voiced hope that the epidemic will be curbed soon with joint efforts of all Chinese people. As a friendly neighbor of China, Japan is willing to continue cooperation with China to the greatest extent, he said. Expressing gratitude to China for donating medical supplies to Japan, Motegi shared the view that the two countries, as important economies in the world, should work together to safeguard normal economic and trade cooperation and ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains. Motegi briefed Wang on the novel coronavirus epidemic in Japan, saying that confirmed cases have emerged sporadically in Japan and in some areas, the epidemic has been spreading on a small scale. Photo taken on Feb. 11, 2020 shows a signboard conveying support to China in fighting the novel coronavirus epidemic at a store in Tokyo, Japan. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi) It has not yet become a widespread epidemic, he said, adding that the following two weeks are crucial for Japan to contain the outbreak. The Japanese government has formulated response policies and will take measures to contain its spread, Motegi said, expressing his hope that the Chinese and Japanese sides would continue to share information and enhance communication and cooperation. Wang said that the two countries, as neighbours, should help each other. He voiced confidence that Japan has the capability and conditions to effectively contain the spread of the epidemic and hoped the Tokyo Olympics will be successfully held as scheduled. NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced Fair Play, Equal Pay, a new gender parity initiative that will engage businesses to take action now to help build a more equitable future for girls. Industry leaders and major corporate partners of GSUSA, including Accenture, Ernst & Young, and SAP, have already committed to the initiative to increase female leadership and equal pay in their organizations by 2030. One of the most comprehensive and solutions-oriented corporate gender parity programs to date, GSUSA's Fair Play, Equal Pay initiative leverages the power and impact of the Girl Scout brand to encourage companies that work with Girl Scouts to take the pledge toward parity and equal pay for equal work. Girl Scouts is working with Canadian organization Women in Governance (WiG), an expert in gender parity whose assessment and analytical tools will be instrumental in informing GSUSA's gender parity certification decisions. GSUSA's certification will use a scaled 4-star system with each level of certification coming with a unique Girl Scouts' Gender Parity Certification Seal. WiG's best-in-class enablement tools, including customized support to address gap areas, will be critical in enabling companies to achieve higher targets and make meaningful progress towards gender parity. The initiative is sponsored in large part thanks to a generous grant from The David and Lura Lovell Foundation, a national foundation which supports initiatives in four main areas, by invitation only, including gender parity. For Girl Scouts, creating a more equitable working world in which girls and young women can see themselves fairly reflected in organizational leadership and receive equal pay for equal work, dovetails seamlessly with GSUSA's mission to develop girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. "Girl Scouts has helped build the leadership skills and potential of girls for over a century, but the world they inherited wasn't always prepared to meet them where they were: ready to lead and expecting to be valued and paid on par with men," said GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. "Through our gender parity initiative, we're not only working to develop girls with the capacity to lead but also create a world ready for their talents. We want our vendor partners to know that working with Girl Scouts means a commitment to girls' leadershipboth now and in the futurewhich means committing to gender parity between men and women." Based on GSUSA's research, Girl Scouts is the only organization in the United States to create a program that challenges entities to complete four vital components: 1) sign a parity pledge in which they publicly commit to increase gender parity within their organization, 2) complete an assessment of their gender parity status, 3) advance their gender parity status using expert-informed resources available through the initiative, and 4) achieve a Girl Scout gender parity certification and proudly promote their success. "We're making progress around all aspects of women's and girls' lives, but we can set the bar even higher," said Jennifer Morgan, Co-CEO of SAP. "We can always be doing more and this is a critical and necessary step towards raising that bar and putting more young girls and women in positions of leadership. We are expanding our commitment to engage more girls and women in the conversation by sponsoring the Gender Parity Forum this October at G.I.R.L. 2020, GSUSA's national convention. SAP's support of GSUSA's gender parity initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to empowering women through technology, disrupting what it means to be 'ready to lead,' and making sure we have everyone at the table for the tough conversations." Transforming the workplace is foundational to making progress toward gender parity. Only 4.8% of CEOs on the 2018 Fortune 500 list are women. And studies by LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Company show that women remain underrepresented at every level in corporate America, even while companies' commitment to gender diversity is at an all-time high, proving that turning commitment into practice has been a challenge. "Women in Governance is moving the needle in a very concrete fashion in corporate Canada, encouraging women to develop their leadership and advance their careers and supporting organizations in their quests to increase the number of women in decision-making bodies as well as in traditionally male-dominated industries," said WiG President and Founder Caroline Codsi. "After four years of great success with our Parity Certification across Canada, we are now thrilled to partner with GSUSA to get corporate America aligned and ready to welcome the next generation of female leaders among its ranks, not only because it is the right thing to do but because it is the smart thing to do." As the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, Girl Scouts is uniquely positioned to ensure that a focus on gender parity is given priority consideration among its collaborators and vendor base. With an estimated $1 billion in potential purchasing power nationally, Girl Scouts does business across industries, geographies, and disciplines. Contractual relationships with Girl Scouts and alignment with the iconic brand are highly regarded assets. To learn more about the Fair Play, Equal Pay initiative, visit www.girlscouts.org/fairplayequalpay. To join Girl Scouts or volunteer, visit www.girlscouts.org/join. We're Girl Scouts of the USA We're 2.5 million strongmore than 1.7 million girls and 750,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) to change the world. Our extraordinary journey began more than 100 years ago with the original G.I.R.L., Juliette Gordon "Daisy" Low. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, she organized the very first Girl Scout troop, and every year since, we've honored her vision and legacy, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We're the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org. SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA Related Links http://www.girlscouts.org ALBANY An increasing number of state legislators are seeking to bypass Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo by pursuing a constitutional amendment, leaving it to New York's voters to replace a state ethics panel that has been accused of brushing aside wrongdoing including allegations of sexual harassment and government corruption. The latest push to dismantle the Joint Commission on Public Ethics comes after the Times Union reported in November that Cuomo was allegedly briefed on the details of the commission's closed-door deliberations early last year, around the time the panel voted whether to investigate the misuse of government resources by Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to the governor who is in federal prison for a bribery conviction. JCOPE was formed in 2011 under an agreement by Cuomo and two former legislative leaders Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos who were both subsequently pushed out of office due to their unrelated convictions on federal corruption charges. Although it had been touted as an independent enforcement body that would restore the public's confidence in state government, JCOPE has for years been mired in criticism that its politically appointed members are not independent. Following the Times Union's report last November, which revealed the inspector general's office had for nine months investigated the leak allegation but closed the case as unable to be substantiated, lawmakers in Albany have cited the alleged meddling and revived their calls for breaking apart JCOPE. Sen. Liz Krueger, D-New York, was flanked by more than a dozen lawmakers and good-government advocates at the Capitol on Wednesday as she explained why she believes pursuing a constitutional amendment is better than passing legislation that would require the governor's signature. "I actually think Gov. Cuomo is the one person who might like the way it's working now, and he doesn't get a vote in a constitutional amendment," Krueger said. "The people get the vote, and we have to listen to them." The path proposed by Krueger, which is being sponsored by Brooklyn Assemblyman Robert C. Carroll in that chamber, would require two consecutively elected Legislatures to pass the resolution for a constitutional change presumably the current houses and the ones that will be elected in November before it could be presented to voters on the ballot. The earliest that could happen is next year. Krueger's proposal, co-sponsored in that chamber by four other Democratic senators Allesandra Biaggi, James Gaughran, Robert Jackson and Jen Metzger would abolish JCOPE and the Legislative Ethics Commission, which went years without meeting, and replace them with the state Government Integrity Commission, a panel that would have a majority of its members appointed by judges. A few hours after Krueger and the supporters of her bill spoke, Cuomo sidestepped questions about the legislative push during a Capitol news conference. I havent heard it, so Ill see what they put forth, he said. Several hours after Cuomo was asked about the issue, his spokesman, Richard Azzopardi, cast doubt on the prospects of Krueger's bill gaining traction. "Sen. Krueger has proposed this bill for three years and it has never even passed the state Senate," Azzopardi said. "There are thousands of individual legislative opinions, but a basic test of credibility is whether it passes their own house and the test of relevance is whether it passes both." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. A day earlier, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said she has not used her allotted appointment to fill a vacancy on JCOPE's panel, in part, because of the stigma associated with its alleged lack of independence. Krueger said Stewart-Cousins' position is understandable. She and other lawmakers noted that JCOPE doesn't disclose whether it has opened an investigation even to a victim of sexual harassment. Its deliberations take place in secret, its records are not subject to the state's Freedom of Information Law, and someone who files a complaint is often never informed of what happened to their case. "If I was her, I wouldn't want to be associated with this group in any way, shape or form," Krueger said of the majority leader. "I'm not sure that I think that she is wrong to just step away from this." JCOPE has 14 commissioners: three appointed by the temporary president of the Senate, three by the Assembly speaker, one each by the Senate and Assembly minority leaders, and six by the governor. But the governor appoints the chair of JCOPE, and two of his appointees can block an investigation. Get state news first with our Capitol Confidential newsletter. "Transparency and democracy are important. JCOPE has neither," Carroll said. "This constitutional amendment would bring transparency, it would bring democracy to our ethics. ... It will actually make our government run better, and it will make it more just." By Trend No arguments and references to wartime can justify the mass killings of civilians during the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, reads an article in Russias Novye Izvestia online newspaper, published under the Atrocities of the Century: February 26 marks the next anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre title, Trend reports Feb. 26. The author of the article notes that the history of mankind has many sad pages of the fierce cruelty that representatives of one nation showed in relation to another. This is, without a doubt, the darkest episode of the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, during which hundreds of residents of the Azerbaijani Khojaly town, including women and children, were killed, wounded and went missing, says the article. The Armenian servicemen explained their interest in this city by its convenient location, just 10 kilometers from Khankendi, the center of the Nagorno Karabakh region, the article noted. In addition, the only airport in Nagorno Karabakh capable of receiving heavy aircraft was located in Khojaly. The argument is strange because, according to numerous witnesses, there were no heavy weapons in town, and it was impossible to launch mortar fire at Khankendi from such a distance. Nevertheless, the Armenian command completely blocked the town (even telephone communications were cut off, electricity as well), reads the article. Armenian sources report that the city residents were allegedly warned of an imminent assault. However, according to the common opinion of human rights activists, no warning about evacuation can be an excuse for the massacre and killings of civilians who didnt want to flee their homes and apartments. The Russian Memorial Human Rights Center says that by the beginning of the operation, 2,000-4,000 civilians remained in Khojaly town. Eyewitnesses say that military support was provided to the Armenian military by the 366-th Motor Rifle Regiment of the Armed Forces of the former USSR, without the direct order of their leadership, reads the article. As Dmitry Polyakov, general of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the former USSR, later said in an interview with the Financial Times, 103 Armenians who remained in Nagorno-Karabakh served in this regiment. The shelling began at 23:00 (GMT + 4), at 1:00 the infantry entered Khojaly, and by 7:00 the resistance of the defenders of the town was completely suppressed. Surviving residents of Khojaly said that during the assault they tried to hide in the basements of residential buildings, and then tried to leave the town, the article said. Some managed to escape, but not everyone. The Memorial Human Rights Center found that about 200 bodies were delivered to neighboring Agdam district four days after the capture of Khojaly, 13 of these bodies belonged to children and 51 to women. The cause of death of the vast majority of them was bullet wounds, and some were killed with blunt objects. There were also recorded facts of abuse of the bodies and even scalping. This is just a small part of the evidence published by the Russian and European media immediately after the tragedy, the article said. Moreover, Human Rights Watch organization testifies that a crowd of residents, accompanied by a couple of dozens of retreating defenders, fled the city after it was occupied by the Armenian armed forces, the article said. Afterwards, they were shot dead by the Armenian armed forces. The Armenian side claims that such a death toll is allegedly connected with the fact that Khojaly residents were leaving along the "free corridor" that was provided for them, the article said. The armed people fired at the Armenian outposts, thereby forcing return fire. However, these facts were not confirmed and it is strange to justify the death of innocent people this way. There is no excuse for such atrocities, the article said. According to the Azerbaijani authorities, the result of the terrible massacre is as follows: 613 dead, including those frozen that winter night (63 of them children, 106 women, 70 old people), 8 families were completely destroyed; 487 wounded (including 76 children); 150 missing, the article said. Moreover, 1,275 people were held hostage and 5,379 people were expelled from their place of permanent residence. So far, nothing is known about the fate of 150 people (of which 68 are women and 26 are children). In any case, the Khojaly massacre is a tragedy of not only the Azerbaijani people. Such atrocities do not have any justification. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A case has been registered against poll strategist Prashant Kishor in Patna on charges of copying the content for his new Baat Bihar Ki campaign, police said on Thursday. In the complaint filed by Shashwat Gautam, who worked as an advisor to chief minister Nitish Kumar and later as a strategist with the Congress, Kishor has been accused of plagiarizing the content for the programme. Another youth, Osama Khurshid, who had earlier contested the Patna University students union election in 2018, on a JD (U) symbol has also been named in the first information report (FIR). Gautam, who was ideologically aligned to Nitish Kumars JD (U) and handled the partys digital campaign in the 2014 assembly elections, was later made the national coordinator in the All India Congress Committee (AICC) by Rahul Gandhi. I will talk about the matter in detail on Friday, Gautam said. As per the FIR, Gautam has accused Kishor of stealing the campaign slogan, logo and data that he had created for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. He alleged that Osama, belonging to East Champaran, stole a laptop containing details of his campaign titled Bihar ki Baat. However, Kishor hit back saying, This is nothing but a third-rate mischief and a poor attempt by a person to gain his two minutes of fame by making an outlandish claim. Law enforcement agencies should thoroughly and expeditiously examine the matter so that the truth comes out in the public domain. Gautam was based in Washington DC, USA and worked as a civil servant with the Maryland government before moving back to India to work with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. He is an MBA in data analytics and MS in finance. He has also worked as a director at the Bihar governments Centre for Economic Policy and Public Finance (CEPPF) to set up an Advanced Analytics Unit for public finance. Sources said that Gautam had created the project to be launched in future and Osama, who had initially worked with him, resigned and handed over the content to Kishor. Sources said that Gautam has provided evidence to the police, as he had got the project registered in January 7, 2020. The FIR has been registered with the Pataliputra police station under Sections 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Sub-inspector Chandan Kumar is investigating the case. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Manx pension rise welcomed The Manx Retirement Association has welcomed an 3.9% increase in pensions. The rise of up to 374 a year in the Manx state pension and up to 263 in the basic state pension were announced in the Budget last week. Manx Retirement Association's chairman Howard Parkin says the rise acknowledges the contribution" of older people to society on the Island. Lieutenant governor GC Murmu on Thursday scrapped the recruitment process of 250 probationary officers and 1,200 banking associates for the Jammu and Kashmir Bank citing legal infirmities. The administrative council that met here under lieutenant governor GC Murmu noted that the issue of recruitment in Jammu & Kashmir Bank had been ongoing for a long time since 2018. It also noted that various legal infirmities had been pointed out, said principal secretary (planning) and Jammu & Kashmir administrations spokesman, Rohit Kansal. He added the council directed the Union Territorys finance department to advise the Jammu & Kashmir Bank to initiate a fresh, new, fair norm-based and transparent recruitment process . The detailed modalities will be worked out by the Banks board and announced at its next meeting, said Kansal. As a consequence, the ongoing recruitment process by the bank for these posts shall stand scrapped, he said. He said all the applicants found eligible for recruitment in the last process shall be considered eligible for the fresh recruitment. The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in December filed a charge-sheet against 17 bank officials, including two former chairmen, Sheikh Mushtaq and Parvez Nengroo, in the recruitment scam case, which surfaced in 2018. investment sectors The Principal Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday said that the Administrative Council has approved policies that will help attract investment to the Union Territory, in the run-up to the Global Investors Summit. J-K Administrative Council also reviewed the state of proposed Global Investors Summit which is scheduled to be held shortly. As part of preparations, the council approved policies for four sectors in order to help J-K attract investment in these sectors, said Kansal. He also added that 14 sectors have been identified as focused sectors to attract investment. (With agency inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON She has had a very busy schedule walking the catwalks at various fashion weeks. And Irina Shayk looked sensational as she stepped out to attend the Isabel Marant fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on Thursday, after enjoying a $349 pamper session earlier in the day. The model, 34, was sure to turn heads when she arrived in style in a black mini dress and dark tights that accentuated her long legs. Glamorous: Irina Shayk looked stylish in a black mini dress while stepping out for the the Isabel Marant fashion show in Paris on Thursday Irina complemented her Gothic chic look by wearing a pair of sleek black ankle boots, while she accessorised wit a pair of large shades. The catwalk queen offset her dark ensemble by keeping her personal items in a small white handbag. Her brunette locks were brushed back into a sleek ponytail, and she used a natural palette of make-up to highlight her pretty features. Treating herself: Earlier in the day, Irina prepared for Paris Fashion Week by pampering herself with a $349 24k pure gold face mask from Mimi Luzon (R) Legs for days! The model, 34, was sure to turn heads when she arrived in style in a black mini dress and dark tights that accentuated her long legs Fashionista: Irina complemented her Gothic chic look by wearing a pair of sleek black ankle boots, while she accessorised wit a pair of large shades Before her outing, Irina spent some quality time with friend Mimi Luzon who has a bespoke skin and beauty brand. The 24-K Pure Gold Mask helps clients get healthier looking skin, as it is said to help renew cells and improve skin elasticity, as well as reduce dryness and wrinkles. It can be used as a one-time glamour treatment, though it is suggested that a person can have up to four treatments. Spa treatment: The 24-K Pure Gold Mask helps clients get healthier looking skin, as it is said to help renew cells and improve skin elasticity, as well as reduce dryness and wrinkles Accessorise: The catwalk queen offset her dark ensemble by keeping her personal items in a small white handbag Stylish: Irina's brunette locks were brushed back into a sleek ponytail, and she used a natural palette of make-up to highlight her pretty features The supermodel split from Bradley Cooper, 45, in June 2019, after four years together. They are parents to daughter Lea De Seine, two. Irina recently admitted there have been some tough times as a single mother since she and Bradley separated some eight months ago. 'It's hard to find a balance between being a single mom and being a working woman and provider,' she said in an interview with British Vogue. 'Trust me, there are days I wake up and I'm like, "Oh my god, I don't know what to do, I'm falling apart."' But the pair still appear to be on good terms, and were pictured together last week reuniting at a fashion event in London. Attention to detail: Irina wore chic pearl-drop earrings for the occassion Read what is in the news today: Society -- Vietnams Ministry of Health on Wednesday evening declared the end of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa after having recorded no new patient there for 39 days. -- Minister of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung has asked local businesses to stop sending Vietnamese workers to regions affected by the COVID-19. -- The Department of Information and Communications in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau has fined a local woman, Le Hong M., VND10 million (US$431) for spreading fake news on Facebook about eating boiled eggs to help avoid COVID-19 infection. -- Hanois Department of Health, in collaboration with the capitals military high command, has proposed building two 600-bed makeshift hospitals that can accommodate up to 3,000 patients for COVID-19 treatment. -- Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has ordered continued quarantine and close monitoring of those entering Vietnam from regions hit by COVID-19. Business -- Seventeen out of 45 commercial banks in Vietnam has slashed fees for interbank transfers of small sums worth less than VND500,000 ($21.5) after the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) also cut charges in a bid to promote cashless payment. -- Cash payment accounts for 66 percent and 70 percent of purchases over mobile phones in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, respectively, according to the results of a market survey on consumer demand in Vietnams culinary industry conducted by Gojek, the parent company of the ride-hailing application Go-Viet, in collaboration with market research company Kantar. Lifestyle -- The seventh Japan Vietnam Festival, which was originally scheduled for February 22-23, has been postponed until at least mid-2020 due to COVID-19 fears, according to Special Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Tsutomu Takebe. Sports -- The Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation (VGPC), the promoter of the Formula 1 VinFast Vietnam Grand Prix 2020, announced the completion of the Hanoi Circuit - the first ever F1 track in Vietnam - on Wednesday. World News -- Over 81,350 people have been infected with the novel coronavirus and 2,772 killed globally as of Thursday morning, according to the South China Morning Post. The number of confirmed cases in South Korea has reached 1,216, with 12 deaths. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg said Thursday that he would shutter his campaign operation if someone else wins the nomination and rejects his support, as an aide to front-runner Bernie Sanders pledged to do earlier this week. What do you mean, Im going to send a check to somebody and theyre not going to cash the check? I think I wouldnt bother to send the check, Bloomberg, who rallied supporters in Houston on Thursday morning, said in an interview with the Houston Chronicle. Bloomberg, a billionaire media mogul and former New York City mayor, has poured more than $500 million into his campaign on ad spending alone. He told rally attendants that he operates well over 100 field offices around the country, including nearly 20 in Texas filled with 180 staffers. Though Bloomberg has said he intends to redirect his campaign outfit to help the eventual nominee if he loses, Sanders aide Jeff Weaver on Tuesday told NBC News its a hard no when asked if the senator from Vermont would accept Bloombergs help. Bloomberg, asked about Weavers comment, said, Its fine with me. Youre saving me a lot of money, thank you very much. I said that I would help, Im going to keep our campaign offices, the main ones anyways, open until Nov. 3, Bloomberg added. And if they dont want to use them, then fine. Then well close them. Asked if he would divert his planned presidential spending to down-ballot races in that scenario, Bloomberg said he would fund Democrats in nonpresidential contests regardless. He noted his support for 21 winning Democratic congressional candidates in 2018, including U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston. Its not an either-or, Bloomberg said, though he did not specify whether he would spend more on down-ballot races if the presidential nominee rejects his help. Bloombergs comments came after a rally in downtown Houston at The Rustic, where he was introduced by Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Bloomberg also is scheduled to make a campaign stop in San Antonio on Sunday, two days before the Texas primaries. Other candidates are making last-minute stops throughout the state. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts rallied in San Antonio on Thursday and is to be in Houston on Saturday, ahead of businessman Tom Steyers planned visit to the Bayou City on Sunday. Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., is scheduled to make stops in Dallas and Austin, while former Vice President Joe Biden is set to visit Houston and Dallas on Monday. Recent polls have shown Biden and Sanders jockeying for the lead in Texas, trailed by Bloomberg and Warren. A poll released by Progress Texas/Public Policy Polling this week found that Biden would jump out to a six-point lead over Sanders if Bloomberg were not in the race. Bloomberg said he has a right to run and called it ridiculous to suggest that he is aiding Sanders path to the nomination by staying in the race and eating into Bidens support. Our polling, I dont know that it shows that. If you take out anybody, everybody else benefits because those votes go elsewhere, Bloomberg said. I would take away votes, I hope, from most of them. Thats the whole idea. In the interview, Bloomberg also weighed in on some Democrats concerns that Sanders would jeopardize down-ballot Democrats, particularly those running in battleground Texas House districts. Democrats are aiming to flip the lower chamber, where Republicans hold a nine-seat majority. I think theres no question about that, Bloomberg said. The moderates of both the Republican and Democratic Party will not. They will pick Trump over Bernie Sanders. During his 17-minute stump speech, Bloomberg directed most of his fire toward Trump, slamming the president over his response to the coronavirus outbreak. He said Trump buried his head in the sand when briefed on the threat and is crippling our ability to respond now that its at our doorstep. The former mayor has begun running a coronavirus-focused TV and digital ad accusing Trump of making reckless cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Trump has proposed funding cuts to the CDC, but Congress has not approved them. Bloomberg also promised Thursday not to tweet from the Oval Office, as Trump is known to do. He also framed himself as the candidate with the most experience going head to head against Trump, from their years in New York City. I know how to play against Donald Trump, Bloomberg said. I know how to beat him, and Im ready to do it again. jasper.scherer@chron.com George Eustice accused some veteran farmers of 'standing in the way of change' Older farmers will be paid to 'retire with dignity' to help bring new blood into the profession, the Environment Secretary said yesterday. George Eustice accused some veteran farmers of 'standing in the way of change' and coasting along on state subsidies. They will be offered lump sums to quit and let the young generation tend their land. The average age of a farmer is 59 but many young people want to join the trade. The move forms part of major reforms to farming as Britain leaves the EU and subsidies are phased out. Mr Eustice told the National Farmers' Union conference in Birmingham that his family had farmed in West Cornwall for six generations. George Eustice (pictured) accused some veteran farmers of 'standing in the way of change' and coasting along on state subsidies He said: 'Our pedigree South Devon cattle and British lop pigs were almost part of the family. I understand the responsibility and commitment that a farmer feels to the toil of previous generations. 'I also understand the burden of expectation that can exist to loyally continue the family tradition and how this sometimes stands in the way of change.' But he said 'a fresh perspective can make a world of difference. New entrants are the lifeblood of any vibrant industry and farming is no exception.' About 3 billion of state subsidy is paid to farmers each year but this will be phased out in England between 2021 and 2027. The Scottish and Welsh governments are expected to maintain the subsidy until at least 2024. Mr Eustice told the National Farmers' Union conference in Birmingham that his family had farmed in West Cornwall for six generations Some 61 per cent of farm income comes from the subsidy. The new system will see farmers receive payments to enhance the environment such as planting trees or hedgerows. Mr Eustice said the current system encouraged some farmers 'to coast, to take no risks' and simply remain in occupation of land in order to collect the subsidy. 'We are giving consideration to an exit scheme to help older farmers retire with dignity,' he added. He said they would receive a lump sum equivalent to several years of subsidy 'in return for them either surrendering their tenancy or selling or letting their farm'. Trump had said a comprehensive trade agreement with India would take much longer to finalise than earlier expected. After the euphoria over US President Donald Trumps visit died down amid no clear deadline for concluding a trade deal, India is now aiming to go slow on the negotiations front. But rather than planning a limited trade pact, both sides now want to create a comprehensive free-trade agreement (FTA) which will be wider in scope. Senior officials said both nations have agreed to go back to the drawing board and prepare better concession offers on most issues. They include medical devices, agriculture and high-value tech goods. Talks with Indias second-largest trade partner will be reset on trade concepts such as export incentives under Americas Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheme and reciprocal tariffs on a wide range of sectors. On Tuesday, Trump had said a comprehensive trade agreement with India would take much longer to finalise than earlier expected. He added it was unlikely before the year-end. Now, after the relative failure of two high-profile visits by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump to end trade animosities, the government wants to take time to prepare a better negotiating platform, another official said. The deal did not happen because core demands were not met on both sides. We now need to get back to the drawing board, a senior official said. However, Delhi will soon engage with Washington DC to finalise the next spate of visits by trade officials. Senior government officials continue to hold US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizers decision to suddenly cancel his visit to New Delhi as responsible for the deal not taking off. Lighthizer, considered Trumps point man on trade, was expected to arrive in India as part of the Presidents vanguard team to flesh out any proposed deal. While his office has not given any official statement on why he wasnt present this time around, diplomatic sources said Lighthizer did not want to lend his name to a deal which was half finished. Lighthizer was responsible for shutting down the vast majority of Indias export promotion schemes last year after a sustained battle at the World Trade Organization. Officials confirmed that India had offered to sign a smaller pact, focusing on agriculture goods. Talks on agri tariffs were open for the longest time. "It was suggested that a limited trade cooperation pact, arising out of these, be included in the joint statement by both the leaders, a commerce department official said. This would have seen India systematically rolling back duties on high-value farm imports such as almonds, walnut, apples, and wine. These were among the 29 items on which the government had hiked duties by up to 50 per cent last year, he added. American farmers have lost their prime foreign markets after nations retaliated to Trumps unilateral tariff hikes by making it equally expensive to buy American products. New Delhis biggest demand - the reinstatement of trade benefits under the US GSP scheme - has been rebuffed by US officials. They made their position clear last week by classifying India as a developed economy, which we dont support, said a senior trade department official. Photo: Dale Cruse/Flickr Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Chicago. Search on for 3 suspects in Avalon Park shootings Police are looking for three shooters who killed a Malcolm X College nursing student and injured four other people in Avalon Park on Tuesday. Read the full story on ABC Chicago, WLS. Funeral on Saturday for veteran ABC7 reporter Bob Petty Bob Petty started reporting here back in 1971 and retired in 2002. Read the full story on ABC Chicago, WLS. Fired Lincoln Park High School principal, assistant principal sue CPS, saying they were defamed and denied due process Former Principal John Thuet says he's been working as a food delivery driver since he was abruptly fired from Lincoln Park High. Read the full story on Chicago Tribune. Art criticized as racist could be removed from public schools under new policy The school district has a large collection of 20th-century murals, some of which are now considered problematic. Read the full story on Chicago Tribune. 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. (Photo : Pixabay) China's pioneering mission to explore the other side of the moon is unveiling lunar secrets and techniques one layer at a time. Chang'e-4 landed in the Von Karman crater on January 3, 2019, after which it deployed a lunar rover named Yutu-2. The rover's mission was to discover the South Pole-Aitken basin, the oldest and largest crater on the far side of the moon, which has 1,553 miles in diameter. ALSO READ: LOOK: NASA Snaps Photo Of Chinese Lander On Far Side Of The Moon Loose deposits of pulverized rock, dust The rover has since observed that the crater is full of loose deposits of pulverized rock and dust, 39 feet thick, much like what Apollo astronauts located at the other side of the moon. Equipped with Lunar Penetrating Radar, the rover investigated the far side of the moon using the radio indicators to a depth of 131 feet under the lunar floor - three times the more than Chang'E-3, China's previous assignment, was able to explore. CE3 landed at the near aspect of the moon in 2013. "The subsurface of the CE-4 landing site is much more transparent to radio waves," says Li Chunlai, research professor and deputy director-general of the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Li, whose study was published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, said the qualitative commentary suggests a completely exceptional geological context for the landing sites. Boulders in various sizes seen The radar found out embedded boulders in a variety of sizes alongside porous, granular cloth. It's because meteors and different debris often hit the moon at some stage in the early, chaotic days of our solar system. When the moon is struck by using an object, it sends up a wave of fabric someplace else on the moon. Over time, the cratered floor people see now has become the peak layer, with alternating layers of boulders and free, exceptional grain material buried beneath. These records transformed all through the first days the research was working on the lunar surface, developing the first electromagnetic photo of the subsurface of the other side of the moon. ALSO READ: Chinese Rover Finds New Kind Of Rock On The Moon "This work suggests the widespread use of the Lunar Penetrating Radar could greatly enhance our expertise of the records of lunar impact and volcanism and will shed new mild at the comprehension of the geological evolution of the Moon's far facet," Li stated. Craters could help learn moon's evolution Impact craters are how researchers can learn extra approximately the moon's evolution and how it formed. Researchers attempt to identify the composition of the lunar mantle, which exists between the crust and the core. When asteroids and other objects collide with the moon, the crust is cracked, and pieces of the mantle arrive on the surface. Yutu-2 continues its investigation of the moon's farside, and the assignment team is calling on the possibility of returning samples to Earth. ALSO READ: China's Chang'e-4 Mission Finds Gel-Like Substance On The Far Side Of The Moon 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Audit: Kansas City needs to better prepare employees for retirement KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A new audit says Kansas City, Missouri, is not doing its part to help city employees make informed retirement decisions. The City Auditor's Office concluded that the city does not have a retirement education program. Another quick reminder that City Hall is failing their employees in a variety of different ways . . . Read more: Concentration doesnt come easier at St. Bavos Cathedral, in Ghents historical center, where the interior panels of the altarpiece are on display. Theyre shown in a cramped little room, and although the church forbids both speaking and photography inside, that doesnt help when you hear the roar of dozens of hand-held audio guides. (The cathedral is opening a new interpretation center this autumn, and I have one request: please, audio guides with in-ear headphones.) Under these conditions, and with Van Eycks panels more than five feet away behind thick glass, I struggled to form a definitive opinion on their restoration especially regarding the face of the Lamb of God, which last month launched a thousand memes more worthy of ruminants than children of Adam. The altarpiece does appear brighter and crisper than it did on my last visit to Ghent. Mary glistens, the angels trill. But its hard to appreciate the altarpiece, here, as anything but a bucket-list jewel. It made me think, for better and worse, of my iPhones screen, which emits light through each pixel. If Van Eycks innovations are hard to see in the cathedral, all the more reason to grab the chance to see the outer panels at the MSK. Consider this, however: We see more images in a month than the worshipers of 15th-century Flanders saw in a lifetime. And even we, in our muddle of memes, feel something like the awe they must have experienced standing before these 600-year-old paintings, where human invention stretches toward the sacred. Van Eyck: An Optical Revolution Through April 30 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Ghent, Belgium; vaneyck2020.be. New Delhi/Washington, Feb 27 : While the Donald Trump administration echoed Indian government's call for calm, the US Democrats amplified India's opposition over the Delhi communal violence. In a statement, the US state department said, "Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased and injured in New Delhi. We echo Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for calm and normalcy and urge all parties to maintain peace, refrain from violence, and respect the right of peaceful assembly." On the other hand, the US Presidential candidate and Democrat senator Bernie Sanders claimed that the violence in Delhi was targeted specifically at a particular community. "Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying, 'That's up to India'," Sanders tweeted, adding, "This is a failure of leadership on human rights." The Democrat senator from Vermont was referring to US President Donald Trump's response to a question related to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during a news conference shortly before he concluded a two-day visit in India. Trump had said that he "heard about" the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), but that it is "up to India", indicating that the US was not going to interfere in India's internal affairs. Incidentally, rioting erupted between pro and anti-CAA protesters in Delhi while Trump was on his maiden state visit to India. Sanders is the second Democratic presidential nominee after Senator Elizabeth Warren to speak against the violence over the CAA in Delhi. The 78-year-old senator, who is one of the staunchest critics of Trump and hopes to run against him in the presidential elections later this year, also criticised Trump for his defence deal with India. "Instead of selling $3 billion in weapons to enrich Raytheon, Boeing and Lockheed, the United States should be partnering with India to fight climate change," he tweeted. Incidentally, this is not the first time that Democrats have aligned themselves with the opposition in India. The US opposition has been taking the same stand as the Indian opposition over most of the Modi government's decisions. Last year, Democrats slammed the Indian government over the reorganisation of Jammu & Kashmir and the nullification of Article 370. Sanders was the first US presidential candidate to publicly rebuke India for its decision. He criticised India while speaking on the platform of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Most of Sanders' anti-India remarks, his critics say, come from his campaign manager, Faiz Shakir, a Pakistani-American. Sanders' scathing commentary against India often makes news headlines in Pakistan. GEORGETOWN, South CarolinaJoe Biden needs to win South Carolina to keep his presidential hopes alive. He knows it. Thats why there wasnt much risk for him, during Tuesday nights debate, in setting a marker by saying he would win Saturdays primary. If he gets it right, hell have correctly called it. If he gets it wrong, who cares? Hell be finished anyway. And barring a systemic polling error, it looks like hell get it right. Advertisement The Biden campaign has been having some of its best days of the early primary seasona low bar, surethis week. A second-place finish in the Nevada caucuses gave way to a strong debate on Tuesday night, showing a vigor that was missing earlier in the year. The next morning he received an endorsement from South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, the House majority whip whose reverence within the Congressional Black Caucus is exceeded only by that within South Carolina Democratic circles. The most recent polls of the state show him with comfortable leads over his nearest competitors, Bernie Sanders and Tom Steyer, the latter of whom had been eating into Bidens base of support with an overwhelming advertising blitz. A fabrication that might have ended his campaign in another era, hasnt picked up much damaging traction in the era of Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the firewall can hold a few more days, its because South Carolina is just not a state that allows whoever is coming in with a head full of momentum to roll through and pick up another victory. Candidates with little connection to black voters, who make up about two-thirds of the primary electorate, will not find success by popping into a black church a couple of times or speaking about the need for criminal justice reform. And, yes, the candidates who served as Barack Obamas vice president for eight years will have a stronger foundation than those who did not. The scene on Monday, at the South Carolina Democratic Partys First in the South dinner at the Charleston Marriott, was a sharp reinforcement of something thats both obvious and needs to be said often: Democrats are not in Iowa or New Hampshire anymore. It was not the perfect cross-section of the state primary electorate, as it was, after all, a fundraiser. One of the loudest laugh lines of the night came from Clyburn, who told the crowd that he had been going to the First in the South dinner for so long that he could remember when it cost only $25 to attend. Advertisement Advertisement The crowd was about equal parts black and white and, except for a table here or there, not particularly receptive to revolutionary politics or to candidates who had staked their first year of campaigning on Iowa with little regard for what came next. The first thing Bernie Sanders said, after a cordial reception, was that he recognized there were differences of opinion in the room, and he went from there to defend his own electability. His argument that he could put Texas in play in the general election, judging by the limited applause for a line that might have given him rapturous applause at one of his own megarallies, didnt pass the smell test. Advertisement Advertisement Pete Buttigiegs acknowledgement that white candidates too often only reach out to black voters around elections, and then take them for granted, came across less as a humbling appeal than a spotlight on exactly what he was doing at that moment. Amy Klobuchars closing lineI know you, and I will fight for youwas at least half-wrong, and she still seems to be learning that audiences here dont care that she launched a presidential campaign in a snowstorm. Even Tom Steyer, who has gained some traction over his fellow also-rans, earned a few eye-rolls when he enthusiastically mentioned how he was the only candidate to call for reparations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few lines from the presidential candidates earned as much applause as the ones from Rep. Joe Cunningham, a freshman Democrat representing a targeted low country district, did when he called for pragmatic and mature leadership in Democrats presidential choice. About midway through the program, those attendees who had been politely eating their plated dinners of chicken and fish during other candidates speeches stood up with their cameras when Joe Biden came out. (He was called on stage by SCDP Chairman Trav Robertson, who introduced him as the only person who has ever eulogized two United States senators from the same state. Robertson named one, Fritz Hollings, but stopped short of naming the other.) Biden barely said anything, speaking for only four of his allotted 10 minutes. Most of that was devoted to aggrandizing and touting his relationship with Clyburn. (The shortness of his remarks, judging by the way he pointed to Clyburn to emphasize his brevity as he was walking offstage, seemed to be in Clyburns honor.) Advertisement And even in that short amount of time, he managed to screw up the big ask: My names Joe Biden. Im a Democratic candidate for the United States Senate, he said. Look me over, you like what you see, help out. If not, vote for the other guy. Give me a look though, OK? Advertisement He left stage to a standing ovation. Everybody in South Carolina loves Joe Biden. They may not say it, but they love him. Denise N. Washington, a black woman from Georgetown, was 100 percent committed to Joe Biden since the day he entered the race. She had staked out the seat immediately in front of his podium on Wednesday at an event Biden was doing in Georgetown, about an hour north up the coast from Charleston. She was dressed sharply for the occasion, wearing one of the custom hats she had designed, a hobby for which shes become locally famous. Advertisement Ive always been a Biden supporter. You know, Biden supporter, Obama supporter. She appreciates him looking out for people with disabilities, as well as his positions on Social Security, health care, gun control, and education. I love everything that he stands for, she said. The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer from a local pastor who prayed for Biden, his campaign, and an overwhelming turnout to vote. It was left, then, to state Rep. Carl Anderson, who represents Georgetown, to address the latest statewide scuttlebutt. He spoke about how some nefarious upstate conservatives had been calling on Republicans to vote for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary on Saturday, because they know that our vice president, Joe Biden, is the strongest candidate in this race. And without saying a namebecause there was no need tohe addressed the issue of Tom Steyer spending an exorbitant amount to peel away Bidens base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tell your friends, who are trying to get you to go the other way because the billionaires and the millionaires are dumping money into South Carolina, listen: Weve got the right person in Biden, Anderson said. Doesnt have a lot of money, so guess whathes on our level, right? I got you? So hes our friend, right? Advertisement Advertisement In his speech and the question period that followed, Biden touched on education, Social Security, a push to dredge the Port of Georgetown, rural broadband, climate change, and gun violence. Much time was spent, too, discussing how Barack and I, alongside Clyburn, secured votes for landmark health care legislationObamacare, not the ACAthat Sanders would rather do away with in favor of something else. The Q&A was a typical question period for Biden: Questions werent entirely questions so much as prompts for him to speak haphazardly, and at length. Anderson politely tried to cut him off after a while by starting a round of applause, and Biden said he would take two more quick questions. Advertisement Neither Bidens speech nor the questions he got dealt with what is so often defined as the one racial issue in cable news discussions about, or presidential debates in, South Carolina: the criminal justice system. The frustration with that narrow scope is palpable among black voters. As Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a surrogate for Elizabeth Warren, told reporters before the debate Tuesday night, People are lazy, often, and come into our communities and just talk about the criminal/legal system. Biden doesnt talk to black voters with the pathos that so often can be a tell. Hes not, after all, just introducing himself. Advertisement We are sick and tired of it, Anderson told me afterward about the way certain other candidates have campaigned for black votes. He is here, and hes not coming stating something that he has not already done. When you follow his record, he has always been here to help minorities. Advertisement Steve Williams, a journalist and author whos written a book about black Americans in Georgetown, was also in the audience. He doesnt think Biden is a great debater and didnt like how Biden complained during Tuesday nights debate when he didnt get time to speak. But hell still support Biden, because he has more experience, and he knows policy and politics. He had another reason, too. He and Obama, their administration, it was a team administration, he said. And I feel a sense of pride when I think of Joe Biden because, No. 1, Obama picked him. The CPI(M) has decided to demonstrate during the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on March 1 to protest against the Centre's alleged failure to contain the violence in Delhi, a party leader said on Thursday. Shah is scheduled to address a rally at the Shaheed Minar Ground where state BJP will felicitate him for the passage of the Citizenship Amendment) Act in Parliament. "We will mark his visit with a Go Back Amit Shah programme across the state. It is due to his failure as Union home minister to contain the violence in Delhi where so many people were killed. He will be shown black flags and will face protests during his visit," the leader said. This will be Shah's second visit to West Bengal after assuming the office of the Union home minister. He had addressed a seminar on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill at Netaji Indoor Stadium on October 1 last year. Earlier during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit in January, protests have rocked the city against the contentious CAA. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lewis Capaldi was just an ordinary, young Scottish lad before he was flung into the spotlight thanks to his incredible pipes and lyrics. His sudden stardom meant a lot of people wondered who he was, where he came from and how did someone so funny, with such a beautiful voice get so famous so fast? Lewis took to his Youtube channel to share a mini documentary all about where he came from and still lives (Yes, with his mum despite his millions of dollars in the bank!) Watch the video above. Donald Trump sought to downplay the possibility of a widespread outbreak of coronavirus inside the United States, calling the risk low and breaking harshly with his top health officials who had signalled the virus inevitably would reach US soil. This ends. This is going to end, the president said. Hopefully sooner rather than later. He sharply broke with what top US health officials said on Tuesday when they said it is a matter of when, not if, the virus arrives in the United States. No, I dont think its inevitable. It probably will, It possibly will, he said. This will end. ... Nothings inevitable. Mr Trump described his administration as very, very ready to deal with the virus, touting a Johns Hopkins University study of countries best prepared to deal with a pandemic. The United States was ranked first, Mr Trump noted, and noted none of the 15 known American cases have pushed those victims towards death. He said all 15 have fully recovered or are expected to do so. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty He did not announce he is naming a czar to oversee the federal governments anti-virus efforts. But he did say were bringing in a specialist who is a State Department employee without naming that person or describing just what he or she will be doing. And he put Mike Pence in charge of the governments efforts, saying the vice presidents experiences as governor of Indiana on health issues make him qualified to take the lead. He did, however, strike a bipartisan tone about funding to fight Covid-19. He has pitched a $2.5bn emergency funding package, but Senate and House Democrats want as much as $8.5bn in emergency dollars to fight it. If they want to do more, well do more. We dont want to spend too much because we think weve kept it down to a minimum, he said, again downplaying the viruss expected impact inside the US while touting what he and his aides already have done. Previous presidents have used crises to try to bring the country together, urging them to listen to local, state and federal officials by heeding their warnings and following their preparedness recommendations. Not Mr Trump, other than signalling hes open to more than just a $2.5bn emergency spending package. The response is he agrees with conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who has said Democrats and other Trump critics have tried to weaponise the issue to hurt him politically. Trump also slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for criticising his response. I think shes incompetent. Shes not leading the country, Mr Trump said. Shes trying to create a panic. And theres no reason to panic. ... All theyre trying to do is get a political advantage. He called Ms Pelosis statement earlier in the day that he is requesting too little to deal with the virus stupid. Asked by a reporter about the recent stock market slide over coronavirus worries, Mr Trump shifted blame to Democratic presidential candidates debates. I think the stock market will recover, our consumer is very, very strong, he contended, adding later that the virus had helped bring down markets but those candidates have been making fools of themselves has frightened Wall Street. He used the press conference to predict he will win by a lot in November. Together, the remarks show his bid to secure a second term is never far from his mind even during a potential health crisis. At the top of his press conference, Mr Trump credited moves hes made to shut down flights from countries with a large number of coronavirus cases as helping prevent, so far, an outbreak in the US. He noted he was criticised for doing so, alluding to his critics as being too quick to judge his decision. On Wednesday morning, the president blamed the media and Democrats, tweeting that the former is doing everything possible to make the Caronavirus [sic] look as bad as possible, including panicking markets, if possible. Likewise their incompetent Do Nothing Democrat comrades are all talk, no action. USA in great shape! he claimed, even as his top health officials continued to contend it is only a matter of time before the virus hits on American soil. The president opted to have his own news conference after growing frustrated with US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention officials for saying in a Tuesday briefing that the virus definitely would arrive in the United States rather than explaining preparedness plans. He also confirmed the administration has plans in place to quarantine areas as large as cities, if there is an outbreak. He said he doubts such measures will be needed, saying were looking at worst-case scenarios. Recommended Democrats in China to hold primary online due to coronavirus outbreak I dont think well ever be anywhere near that, Mr Trump said, predicting Americans will have to remain a little bit flexible on summer travel plans. He said Americans will be staying here on their summer vacations and spending money domestically, indirectly making a point that could boost his re-election campaign. Mr Trump decided against using his rare appearance in the James Brady Briefing Room to name one official to act as a so-called coronavirus czar. After a report the president was mulling just that earlier in the day, his Department of Health and Human Services secretary told a House committee the president had moved away from the idea. I dont anticipate one, Alex Azar said on Capitol Hill, claiming the Trump administrations efforts so far are working extremely well. If it doesnt or theres a need for a change ... that would be for the president to decide, he added as White House aides, as deputy press secretary Judd Deere did in a tweet, tried to knock down the report. The President took decisive action by creating the Coronavirus Virus Task Force a month ago and is pleased with the leadership of @SecAzar to protect the public health, Mr Deere tweeted. Trump official wrongly says coronavirus rate similar to flu With that, the White House put ample responsibility and pressure on Mr Azar to head off a widespread outbreak. During the White House briefing, Mr Azar said there will be more cases inside the United States as Mr Trump stood over his right shoulder but he stressed preparedness steps Americans should take. Our containment strategy is working, Mr Azar said from the White House podium that largely goes unused under Mr Trump, who shut down daily press briefings. Anne Schuchat, CDCs principal deputy director, said the virus is spread primarily via coughing and sneezing, urging Americans to wash their hands and take other traditional sanitary practices. As seems par for the Trump course, he made an odd claim during the rare press conference, defending his proposed double-digit budget cut to CDCs fiscal 2020 spending bill because we can build up fast. He was referring to hiring doctors to work for the federal agency but federal hiring is notoriously cumbersome. The fate of some 5,000 Taliban prisoners jailed in Afghanistan is threatening to turn into a major stumbling block in efforts to end the 19-year war in the country. The Taliban is demanding the release of the detainees before the launch of direct negotiations between Afghans and the Taliban over a permanent cease-fire and a future power-sharing arrangement. Those intra-Afghan talks, slated for mid-March, will begin after the United States and the Taliban sign a historic peace deal that will trigger the phased withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan. Experts said the issue of Taliban prisoners could be a key obstacle in launching the country's peace talks or, conversely, be used as a bargaining chip to exact concessions from the militants. There are fears that the release of thousands of Taliban fighters could deprive the Kabul government of a key amount of leverage and undercut the peace process by strengthening the Talibans position on the battlefield. 'Trust-Building Measure' Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told RFE/RLs Radio Free Afghanistan on February 26 that Kabul will free 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for the release of 1,000 members of the Afghan security forces held by the militants. Shaheen said the trust-building measure was a prerequisite for the launch of the intra-Afghan talks. He added that the prisoner release was part of the U.S.-Taliban peace deal, although Afghanistan is not a signatory to that bilateral agreement. But the Taliban and the United States have not yet disclosed the contents of the deal. The Kabul government has ruled out releasing the prisoners before the start of talks. When we, as the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, enter into negotiations with the Taliban and they demand the release of their prisoners, it will naturally be discussed, and will take into account the laws and interests of our people and [our decision] will be based on the consensus that will arise at that stage, said Sediq Sediqqi, President Ashraf Ghanis spokesman, on February 20. 'Quid Pro Quo' Omar Samad, a former Afghan diplomat who is now a senior fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council, said the issue could be used as a political stumbling block or a bargaining chip. Bargaining chip can mean quid pro quo, he said. Michael Kugelman, South Asia associate at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, said the Afghan government could offer the Taliban a major concession before intra-Afghan talks with the expectation that the militants will reciprocate. Kugelman said that could mean the insurgents agreeing to reduce violence during the negotiations, which analysts expect to be complicated and protracted. The United States and the Taliban agreed to a weeklong reduction of violence across Afghanistan before the signing of the peace deal. The partial truce has largely held, with a dramatic decrease in Taliban attacks from around 75 per day down to under 15. The militants contest or control nearly half of the country. A similar truce during intra-Afghan talks has been mooted, although the Taliban has not commented on the possibility. But analysts warned that there was a risk in the government giving away one of its primary bargaining chips at such an early stage of the peace process. The Taliban has ample leverage because it's in no hurry to conclude a peace deal, said Kugelman. If it receives a major concession it may hold out and demand more before giving something up in return. 10,000 Taliban Prisoners There are an estimated 10,000 Taliban prisoners being held in Afghanistan. But the militants have said that some of those detained were accused of being sympathizers or members of the group, often to settle old scores, and are not actually combatants. There have been several high-profile prisoner swaps and releases of insurgents since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 that toppled the Taliban regime. In November 2019, two Western hostages were released from Taliban custody in exchange for three senior Taliban prisoners, including Anas Haqqani, the younger brother of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of the Haqqani network, a powerful Taliban faction. The prisoner swap was seen as an attempt to kick-start U.S.-Taliban peace negotiations after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly ended the talks over rising Taliban attacks. In 2014, five senior Taliban members were released from the U.S. military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in exchange for a captured U.S. soldier, Bowe Bergdahl. All five former Guantanamo Bay detainees are based in Qatar, where they have taken part in negotiations with U.S. officials. In 2013, former President Hamid Karzai controversially released scores of Taliban prisoners from a formerly U.S.-run prison near Kabul as an attempt to convince the militants to open direct talks with Kabul. The move failed to convince the Taliban to come to the negotiating table. Analysts said some of those freed returned to the Taliban, bolstered their ranks, and increased the insurgencys efficacy on the battlefield. SEE ALSO: Afghan Boy Supports 30 After Father Killed By Taliban It is, of course, an honor when the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., acquires a portrait of you to add to its permanent collection of people who have made a significant impact on the culture, development and history of the United States. When the gallery, a part of the Smithsonian Institution, acquires a second one less than a month later, the honor increases exponentially. Tomas Ybarra-Frausto is the subject of the two recent acquisitions, the first a painting by artist Cruz Ortiz, the second an image made by San Antonio photographer Al Rendon. Despite decades as a powerfully influential writer, critic and scholar, Ybarra-Frausto is little known outside the rarefied worlds of art and culture, Chicano and otherwise. So when news broke of the acquisitions, it brought a wave of attention that apparently makes Ybarra-Frausto described by friends as modest, quiet and subdued somewhat uncomfortable. During a recent chat, he quickly steered the conversation away from the portraits to other topics, such as the book he is writing about California-based installation artist Amalia Mesa-Bains and the state of Chicano art. He also provided a rather simple explanation of the term rasquachismo, a concept he first promulgated to describe the collective experiences exclusive to Chicanos and that now refers more to the brash, trash-to-treasure ingenuity of the culture. Ortiz painted Ybarra-Frausto because hes one of his heroes. Hes always been someone Ive looked up to as a scholar in the same field where I work, he said. And to have him living in San Antonio and not paint him would be a misstep. But even Ortiz acknowledges Ybarra-Fraustos renown is anything but mainstream and that he painted him as part of a series of portraits he calls Buena Gente (good people) in which he attempts to document important people who are not pegged to be remembered. Rendon said he made his photograph after becoming friendly with Ybarra-Frausto and his longtime partner, Dudley Brooks. Wed visit with them and have dinner when they lived in New York, he said. I knew about his importance, so when they moved back to San Antonio 10 years ago, I asked if I could do their portrait. I wanted to have a good picture for my archives. The color photo was taken in the downtown apartment the couple lived in before they moved to the edge of Beacon Hill. On ExpressNews.com: Rediscovering American literature in 'Modern Chicano Writers' A scholar and leading intellectual of his generation, the 83-year-old Ybarra-Frausto was never an artist. Instead, he was an observer and critic whose writings helped bring Chicano and Latino culture to the wider world. Theres hardly a corner of that culture that Ybarra-Frausto hasnt influenced. He was one of the first to think seriously about Latino and Chicano art and culture, said Taina Caragol, curator of painting and sculpture and Latino art and history at the the National Portrait Gallery. And he expanded mainstream culture and made room for this art and literature that he championed. As evidence of the importance of this work, Ybarra-Fraustos archives, which he donated to the Archives of American Art, are the fifth-most requested of the 6,000 or so collections on file there, according to Caragol. Born in New Braunfels, Ybarra-Frausto grew up on San Antonios West Side. He said his interest in language was sparked while attending Spanish-language theaters downtown. He became fascinated by the clever, often risque wordplay of the vaudeville acts that performed following the films. As associate director for creativity and culture at the Rockefeller Foundation, he was able to award grants to scholars whose work advanced Latino and Chicano studies. This included helping to fund the creation of a project called Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage at the University of Houston to rescue and restore newspaper and magazine articles, books and other writings of Hispanics in the U.S., from Colonial times to 1960. That is a major initiative that has saved historically important materials that would have been lost otherwise, said his longtime friend and neighbor Arturo Madrid, professor emeritus at Trinity University. But perhaps Ybarra-Frausto is best known for coining the term rasquachismo, derived from the word rasquache, long used by Mexicans and Chicanos to describe something kitschy, crummy, even low-class. I came up with the concept after reading Notes on Camp by Susan Sontag, he said, referring to the 1964 book of essays that first argued that the camp aesthetic of the homosexual community was an act of resistance. On ExpressNews.com: 3 more Latino S.A. artists donate to Smithsonian archive of paper treasures Rasquachismo, he said, initially referred to the shared experiences that only Chicanos understood. Its like when your mother is making tortillas on a cold morning, he said. The sight, the smell. Thats rasquachismo. He has also defined it as the idea of making do with what you have and using everything and not discarding. Ybarra-Frausto has watched delightedly as, in the intervening years, the concept has been adopted by others and evolved to mean, according to Smithsonian Magazine, an underdog aesthetic in Chicano art that is brilliantly tacky, gaudy and even defiant. Its a sensibility that applies to everything from a velvet painting of cockfighting chickens to a self-portrait of an artist in a quinceanera dress against a backdrop of dollar bills. I heard theyre doing fashion that theyre calling rasquachic, he said with a smile. Ybarra-Frausto continues working and observing. The Mesa-Bains book, for example, will be about both her life and her installations, which take inspiration from the domestic altars common in Latino households. Ive known Amalia for a long time, and the book is written and going through the final phases of editing, he said. The title will be Amalia Mesa-Bains, Life and Art. As for the Chicano art, he said the movement is more international than ever. In a strange way, there are a lot more Latino and Chicano exhibitions in Europe than in the U.S. these days, he said. Maybe its because there arent many Mexicans in Europe. So theyre more exotic. My generation, we were never in Europe. He added that it was his generation that first endorsed the creation of this type of art. In order to have a movement, you have to have curators and writers and registrars, he said. We were the gatekeepers who promoted the work. Thats why you see this happening more and more. As for those portraits, it may be anywhere from 18 months to three years before theyre displayed at the gallery, according to Caragol. Because one is a photograph and the other a painting, Caragol said, its unlikely theyll be shown together. Ybarra-Frausto said he is looking forward to seeing them on display, especially Ortizs 8-foot-tall portrait of him, titled Tomas in an Aztlan Dream. Its funny, but Ive never even met him, he said of Ortiz. Maybe I will when they display the painting. Or before that. Maybe Ill call him. Express-News reporter Deborah Martin contributed to this report. Richard A. Marini is a features writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini (@ChaudhryMAli88) The geography of the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest has been expanded to include six more countries, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Gambia, Guatemala, Haiti, Norway and Tajikistan, the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency's press service said on Thursday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th February, 2020) The geography of the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest has been expanded to include six more countries, namely Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Gambia, Guatemala, Haiti, Norway and Tajikistan, the Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency's press service said on Thursday. The contest was launched by Rossiya Segodnya under the aegis of the Russian Commission for UNESCO to support young photographers and draw public attention to the challenges of modern photojournalism. It is named after Rossiya Segodnya's photo correspondent, Andrei Stenin, who was killed while covering the conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014. This year's entry submission will close on February 29 at 8:59 pm GMT. The winners in each category are set to receive 125,000 rubles (almost $2,000), 100,000 rubles (over $1,500) and 75,000 rubles (over $1,000) for first, second and third place, respectively. The winner of the highest award, the Grand Prix, will receive 700,000 rubles (over $10,500). An international jury will begin to select the best of the best in April. The shortlist will be published on the contest website in June. The awards ceremony will be held in September in Moscow followed by the launch of an international tour showcasing the Stenin Contest winning works. As per tradition, the roadshow includes major exhibition venues in a dozen cities across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the middle East. Since 2018, the tour has also stopped at the New York headquarters of the United Nations. In February 2020, the winners' exhibition was hosted by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. John Katko is the only one of New Yorks five Republican House members who wont serve as a delegate for President Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention. The Trump slate of 81 New York delegates filed this week includes GOP Reps. Elise Stefanik and Tom Reed from Upstate New York, and Reps. Lee Zeldin and Peter King from Long Island. Zeldin, King and Reed were among Trumps earliest supporters from New York in the 2016 presidential election. Stefanik, who represents a North Country district, emerged as one of Trumps most vocal defenders at House impeachment hearings in November. Katko, R-Camillus, did not endorse or vote for Trump in the 2016 presidential election, and he didnt attend the Republican National Convention. When Trump named his honorary New York campaign co-chairs last month, Katko was the only GOP House member left off the list. Katko endorsed Trumps bid for a second term last month. He also invited one of the presidents top allies in Congress, Rep. Devin Nunes, to a fundraiser in Syracuse next week. Read more Meet Donald Trumps presidential delegates from Central New York Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: 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. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) The founder of a website linked to several mass shootings in the US and New Zealand is facing arrest in the Philippines over a cyberlibel charge initiated by the websites current owner. The Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 158 issued Wednesday a warrant of arrest for 8chan founder Fredrick Brennan, his lawyer Alexander Acain Jr. told CNN Philippines. Acain said he will recommend Brennan who is currently in the United States to return to the Philippines and post bail. But he said that it is up to Brennan whether or not to heed his recommendation. The case involves a series of supposedly libelous tweets where Brennan called 8chan owner James Arthur Jim Watkins senile and incompetent. The warrant came more than a month after the Pasig City Prosecutors Office found probable cause to charge Brennan for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act. They are a malicious imputation of senility on the part of [Watkins,] a condition, status or circumstance tending to cause dishonor, discredit or contempt of [him,] Pasig City Assistant Prosecutor Juliene Raymond Cabanacan said in an eight-page resolution issued January 2 and received by Brennans camp on February 19. The prosecutor also said that Brennan failed to prove that Watkins was actually senile. If found guilty, Brennan, who has a disability, may be jailed for six to 12 years. Brennans tweets were in reaction to Watkins testimony before the US Congress in September 2019, where he was grilled over 8chans links to at least three racist violent incidents last year. The 8chan founder is asking Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to overturn the prosecutors resolution, arguing that his tweets were not libelous, defamatory or motivated by malice, and that Watkins is a public figure who did not suffer any harm. In a 26-page petition sent Thursday to Guevarra and seen by CNN Philippines, Brennan argued that his tweets were protected speech as they are fair commentary on a matter of public interest. He said that he was merely exercising his civic duty to inform the public about the people operating a website that hosted hate speech and white nationalist creed because it has already claimed the lives of many innocent people. Brennan shrugged off Watkins cyberlibel complaint in an interview with CNN Philippines in October 2019, even suggesting that the suit was just filed to intimidate him as he is opposing the 8chan owners bid to become a Filipino citizen. Brennan created 8chan in 2013 and eventually turned over ownership of the website to Watkins, but stayed on as an administrator until 2016. Since then, he has completely severed ties with the messageboard since then and has expressed that the current administrators of the website "are running it in a way that is indefensible." READ: Creator of website linked to US shooting cooperating in PNP probe 8chan, now known as 8kun, is an online messaging board that has been used by anonymous accounts to share extremist messages and cheer on mass shooters. It is rife with racist and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. CNN has reported that at least three atrocities have been linked to the messageboard, including the shooting in El Paso, Texas, which killed 22 and injured 24 others. India, the worlds biggest exporter of onion, banned exports of onions in September last year to keep domestic supplies intact after flooding in several states worsened seasonal shortages, leading to a spike in local prices The government on Wednesday decided to lift the nearly six-month-old ban on export of onions in a bid to protect the interests of farmers as prices are likely to fall sharply due to bumper rabi crop. Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan tweeted about it: Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan): Govt lifts ban on onion exports pic.twitter.com/6HSsRNS6YU CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) February 26, 2020 India, the worlds biggest exporter of onion, banned exports of onions in September last year to keep domestic supplies intact after flooding in several states worsened seasonal shortages, leading to a spike in local prices. Sources said the decision was taken at a meeting of a Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Home Minister Amit Shah, according to a PTI report. Wholesale prices of onions have more than halved in the last five weeks, according to data compiled by the National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, a government agency, Reuters said. The lifting of the ban would be effective once the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issues a notification in this regard. The GoM on Wednesday also deliberated on whether to reduce or scrap the Minimum Export Price (MEP) on onion to facilitate outbound shipments, the sources said to PTI. The MEP is the rate below which no exports are allowed. Paswan, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba were present at the meeting. In September 2019, the government banned onion exports and also imposed a MEP of $850 per tonne. The move came after prices had started skyrocketing due to supply-demand mismatch. There was a shortage of onion as kharif crop was adversely affected due to excess rains and floods in key producing states, including Maharasthra. Currently, the arrival of rabi (winter) crop of onion has begun in small quantities and would increase from mid-March onwards. In March alone, onion arrivals are expected to be as high as 40.68 lakh tonne (Metric Tonne) when compared with 28.44 lakh tonne in the year-ago period, as per the sources. The arrival is anticipated to be higher at 86 lakh tonne in April compared to 61 lakh tonne in the year-ago, they added. Exports of onion are expected to arrest the fall in domestic prices and thereby protect the interest of growers, the sources said. During the meeting, the sources said the import of pulses, especially urad, was also discussed. According to Ford Authority , the 2021 Bronco will be powered by Fords 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine. The same is found in the F-150, the Edge ST, and the Lincoln Nautilus as well. But, will it be offered in a slightly more powerful state of tune? Recently, we learned that the 2021 Bronco will be launched much earlier than the expected date. We also got to know that it will come with 150 accessories at launch. Now, theres news surrounding its drivetrain options. The Ford Bronco is all an off-road enthusiast can talk about these days. There is a lot of news out there about it that have given us enough detail to speculate and talk about. Update 7-13-2020: The Ford Bronco Family has finally made its debut. Two engines will be available at launch: a 2.70liter EcoBoost V-6 with 310 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque or a 2.3-liter EcoBoost thats good for 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. There will also be a seven-speed manual transmission available with 6 normal gears and a crawling gear when you opt for the advanced 4x4 system. If you want to learn more, check out our debut article: The Ford Bronco Has Arrived and We can Smell Fear from Jeep Dealers Everywhere The 2.7-liter V-6 Is The First Choice Of Engine For The Bronco Ford Authority stated that the sources familiar with this project said the Bronco will come with the 2.7-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 EcoBoost mill under the hood. It will be mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. In the F-150, the engine makes 325 horses and 400 pound-feet of torque. In the Edge ST and the Lincoln Nautilus, it makes 10 more horses. At the onset, the power figures seem adequate for the Bronco. If you connect the dots, the 2.7-liter V-6 is almost certain of making the cut. A few months back, Off-Road.com reported that they spotted a listing on a Canadian Tires website that featured a 2021 model year "Ford truck" named Bronco with an engine size listed at "4-140 2.3L DOHC." Considering that the Jeep Wrangler comes with a six-cylinder engine, Ford could also offer the 2.7-liter, V-6 mill. Now, knowing Fords propensity to offer multiple engine options and the kings treatment that the Bronco is receiving, you will be left spoiled for choices. There will be at least a couple more mills that will power the SUV. We Need A Manual Transmission As Well Although a 10-speed automatic transmission is said to be the gearbox choice, we also know that the Bronco will be offered with a manual transmission. In fact, a 2018 report by Jalopnik suggests that Ford is also working on building a manual gearbox for the Bronco. This shouldnt come as surprise because the Broncos primary rival, the Jeep Wrangler, is also offered with a manual gearbox on the Rubicon trim. According to the outlet, Ford has specifically asked Getrag to build a manual transmission for the new Bronco. Dubbed the MT 88, it will most likely be paired to the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine because the transmission companys website lists that the new gearbox is rated for 405 pound-feet of torque and is capable of use in all-wheel-drive configurations. In all likelihood, it will be sport seven gears. Getrag has been working on a new manual gearbox since 2015, codenamed the 6/7MTI550. If this news of the 2021 Bronco getting a seven-speed manual gearbox does indeed come true, it will join a very small group of cars, like the Porsche 911 and the Chevrolet Corvette, that currently offer the same amount of ratios and three pedals. To say the least, Ford has answered the prayers of many purists. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost Can Also Make An Appearance Under the hood youll find a 2.3-liter No word on specs yet... BUT... The all-new 2021 Ford Bronco will be based on the new Ranger. Although the SUV will be manufactured in the U.S. at the Michigan plant together with the new Ranger, it is developed in Australia. The Bronco will share the new Rangers T6 platform that was developed at Fords Asia-Pacific Engineering Center in Victoria. Theres no confirmation on this, but all points lead to this theory. Since the Bronco will share its underpinnings with the Ranger (and knowing Fords propensity to offer multiple drivetrains), the reincarnated SUV could receive a 2.3-liter EcoBoost mill as well. The Ranger already got it and we can be almost sure of it making its way inside the Bronco as well. In the Ranger, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine makes 270 ponies and 310 pound-feet of twist. 2.3-liter EcoBoost specifications Engine 2.3-liter EcoBoost Horsepower 270 HP Torque 310 LB-FT Fuel economy city/highway/combined 21/26/26 combined Transmission 10-speed automatic Weve mentioned it on numerous previous occasions that Ford has aimed the Bronco directly at the Jeep Wrangler. The "270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque" power figures of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost are squarely aimed at the Wranglers 2.0-liter version, albeit slightly better. Jeep Wranglers 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine churns out 270 horses and 295 pound-feet. Pound-for-pound, the Bronco holds the baton here for its extra 15 pound-feet of torque, but a lot will depend on a number of factors like the weight, drive setup, and other drivetrain components. This EcoBoost engine will also take on the Wranglers 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar mill. The most popular FCA engine develops 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The extra horses cannot make up for a significant 50-pound-foot deficit when compared to the Blue Ovals 2.3-liter mill. And, when youre off-roading or taking off from a standstill, the extra torque will matter more than the 15 fewer horses. How Does A Hybrid Bronco Sound? Speaking of the 2.3-liter mill, it features a twin-scroll turbocharger that extracts exhaust gas from two pairs of cylinders in alternating sequence in order to enhance pulse energy and reduce lag. It also features an Auto Start-Stop function that shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts it immediately when the brake is released. This feature improves fuel economy. Some people find this extremely annoying, but its a small sacrifice to make it a greener and cleaner car. Not to mention, this directly falls in place with the hybrid news weve heard about. Although the company did not mention this explicitly, the Bronco could come in a hybrid avatar. On an earlier occasion, Ford mentioned the Bronco as a part of Fords new strategy that includes going all-in on hybrids to bring more capability to customers of our most popular and high-volume vehicles. What better way to market a hardcore off-road beast that also cares about the environment! A Bronco Raptor Could Be In The Making Apart from this, Ford will also be introducing the Raptor badge on the Bronco. And it gets better. The Bronco Raptor could feature a V-8 mill! But, given that the 5.0-liter, V-8 Coyote will be retired soon, the new 7.3-liter, V-8 mill will certainly not feature in here, and neither will the 5.2-liter V-8 from the Mustang Shelby GT500. We are not sure how this will play out, since the $850 million allotted for the Bronco cannot cover the research and development costs of a new engine. Anyway, thats another story for another day because Ford wont be launching the Raptor trim right away and kill the hype. It could come along with the Bronco pickup truck sometime down the line. Final Thoughts The Ford Bronco was scheduled for a spring launch at the Detroit Auto Show, but it will debut earlier than expected. A new report surfaced that the Ford Bronco will actually debut in April of 2020 at the New York Auto Show. The reason for this, you ask? I believe Ford doesnt want a clash with the launch of the next-gen 2021 F-150. Perhaps, that is reserved for the Detroit Auto Show. What other mills do you think will make an appearance under the 2021 Broncos hood? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. Source: Ford Authority China should ban the eating of dogs and cats completely to 'restore its international image', a scholar has urged. The news came after a Chinese city drafted a law to forbid the consumption of the pets to improve food safety in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Guo Changgang, an academic from Shanghai, called for Beijing to set up legislation and impose the restriction across the country. The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen this week drafted a law to forbid the consumption of dogs and cats to improve food safety in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak (file photo) Animal activists have demanded the Chinese government take similar actions for years. The annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival is one of the most controversial food festivals in China and sees thousands of dogs cruelly killed, skinned and cooked with blow-torches before being eaten by the locals. 'The consumption of dog meat and cat meat has never been a social custom that is "widely accepted by the people",' claimed Mr Guo, the head of the History Research Centre of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. He acknowledged the government's efforts to crack down on the wildlife trade to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. But he hoped that national lawmakers could extend the protection to cover companion animals. The annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival is one of the most controversial food festivals in China and sees thousands of dogs cruelly killed, skinned and cooked with blow-torches before being eaten by the locals. The picture shows butchered dogs at a stall in Yulin on June 21, 2018 'Eating wild animals, dog meat and cat meat is one of the important elements that damage China's international image,' he wrote yesterday on news app Toutiao. His remarks followed a proposed ban from Shenzhen, a city of 13 million in southern China's Guangdong Province. Regional lawmakers on Tuesday drafted a law to bar dog, snake, frog and turtle meat from residents' dinner table. Their proposal allowed residents to eat nine types of livestock - pigs, cows, sheep, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, ducks, geese and pigeons - as well as aquatic animals permitted by law. Shenzhen officials are currently waiting for feedback from the public before signing the directive into law. Guo Changgang (pictured), the head of the History Research Centre of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences said China should establish a relevant law to protect companion animals At least 2,809 people have died and some 82,500 have contracted the coronavirus globally Mr Guo is a long-time animal rights advocate. He said last year that China should establish a relevant law to protect companion animals, especially pet dogs, as soon as possible. He submitted the proposal to the central government last March during Two Sessions, the most important political gathering of the country. Mr Guo, who was a local representative at the meeting, said pet dogs were friends to mankind and were loyal to their owners - whether the owners are normal residents, police officers or rescuers. 'Therefore pet dogs are not ordinary animals, livestock or assets, but creatures capable of giving strong emotional support,' the scholar argued. International animal rights activists have also expressed their support for the potential ban in Shenzhen. People eat dog meat at a restaurant in Yulin on June 21, 2017. Each year, thousands of dogs are cruelly killed, skinned and cooked with blow-torches during the festival on summer solstice Puppies are seen in a cage at a dog meat market in Yulin on June 21, 2017. The Chinese city of Shenzhen has proposed legislation to prohibit all residents from consuming dog meat Charity group Humane Society International said it welcomed the city's planned policy. Peter Li, the group's China Policy Specialist told MailOnline: 'Although the trade in Shenzhen is fairly small compared with the rest of the province, Shenzhen is still a huge city bigger than Wuhan so this would be very significant and could even have a domino effect with other cities following. 'Already in Yulin where the notorious dog meat festival is held, most dog slaughter operations have temporarily shut down in the last two months because no dogs are allowed to be transported across provincial boundaries. 'Although World Health Organization advice is clear that dogs and cats pose no known coronavirus threat whatsoever, it's no surprise that attention is turning to this trade at this time because as well as causing immense cruelty to our companion animals, the dog meat trade undoubtedly poses a huge human health risk for other diseases such as rabies.' Experts from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said tests proved that humans caught the virus from animals at the Huanan Seafood Wholesales Market (pictured) China passed new legislation this week to ban all trade and consumption of wild animals. In the file photo above, a man looks at caged civet cats in a wildlife market in Guangzhou on January 4, 2004. The cat-like creatures triggered the SARS outbreak in 2003 China's top legislative committee on Monday passed new legislation to ban all trade and consumption of wild animals. Beijing is yet to revise its wild animal protection law, but the passage of the proposal was 'essential' and 'urgent' in helping the country win its war against the epidemic, wrote state newspaper People's Daily. The exact source of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, remains unconfirmed. Scientists speculate that it originated in bats, snakes, pangolins, or some other animal. In China alone, the health crisis has claimed at least 2,744 lives and infected more than 78,400 people. And globally, at least 2,809 people have died and more than 82,500 have contracted the disease. Experts from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said tests proved that humans caught the virus from animals at the Huanan Seafood Wholesales Market. Conservationists have accused China of tolerating a shadowy trade in exotic animals for food or use in traditional medicines whose efficacy is not confirmed by science. Weeks into the novel coronavirus crisis, the outbreak finally appears to be stabilizing in central China, where the virus was initially detected before it spread throughout the country and the world. Small outbreaks continue to fast expand elsewhere, however, not least of which on board the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan, where two deaths were confirmed Thursday, the first from the hundreds of cases on the ship, which has begun disembarking passengers after a 14-day quarantine this week. The global death toll now stands at 2,129, after an additional 108 deaths were reported in Hubei province as of Thursday morning. All but 11 deaths have occurred in mainland China. On Thursday, South Korea reported its first death from the virus. An additional 349 cases were confirmed in Hubei, more than 1,300 fewer than reported the day before. Outside of the provincial capital Wuhan, epicenter of the outbreak, the daily count of patients who have been treated and discharged has exceeded the number of newly confirmed cases for four consecutive days now, according to state news agency Xinhua. There is some uncertainty of how cases are being diagnosed in Hubei, with the criteria for diagnosing the virus outside of the lab shifting in recent weeks. Chinese authorities this week switched back to reporting only laboratory confirmed cases from Hubei, after last week allowing clinical diagnoses by doctors -- based on symptoms or more immediate tests -- to be counted towards the province's totals. More than 10,330 patients have been discharged across Hubei so far, though some 43,000 remain in hospital, 2,050 of whom are in a critical condition, the provincial health authority said. The Chinese Center for Disease Control (CCDC) previously estimated that the virus peaked in late January, according to data from lab tests. However, the number of clinically diagnosed cases -- patients with symptoms who could not be tested or were believed to have falsely tested negative -- continued to rise well into February. While the data from the epicenter of the outbreak appears to be positive, the crisis may not be over yet, either inside China or worldwide. Experts have warned there could be a renewed increase in cases once China properly returns to work late this week or next -- hundreds of millions of people around the country have been on lockdown for weeks now. The number of cases is also continuing to grow alarmingly in several places outside of the mainland, though still far short of the figures seen in China. On Thursday, South Korea recorded an additional 31 confirmed cases, bringing the country's total to 82. That came after an increase of 20 on Wednesday, previously the largest single-day jump in Korea. In Singapore the infection rate continues to climb, with 84 confirmed cases. Similarly, in Hong Kong, there are 63 confirmed cases, and two deaths. In Japan, where global attention has been focused on the Diamond Princess cruise liner, the worst outbreak outside of mainland China, there have been 68 cases confirmed with no connection to the ship, raising concerns of a self-sustaining outbreak in the country. Cruise ship disembarks More passengers from the Diamond Princess disembarked Thursday morning, though serious questions remain over the effectiveness of the two-week quarantine imposed on the ship since it first docked at the Japanese port of Yokohama. When the first load of passengers left the ship over the weekend, on a pair of flights to the US, more than a dozen of the 300 or so on board were found to be showing symptoms of the virus. All of those who had boarded the planes were supposedly coronavirus free, according to Japanese authorities. The Japanese quarantine officially ended Wednesday, and the first group of passengers began disembarking. Hundreds of cases have been confirmed on board, however, and on Thursday authorities in Japan confirmed the first two deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Jan Swartz, President and CEO of the vessel's operator Princess Cruises, who had flown to Japan to greet the passengers as they left the ship, said that those on board united to help each through an "unprecedented situation." "I think the guests and our crew who came together to help support each other, from 57 different countries and regions around the world, really lifted each other's hearts," Swartz said. Multiple countries have arranged flights to bring their citizens home once they disembark -- so long as they do not test positive for the virus. Canada has chartered a plane from Tokyo's Haneda airport Friday. The 47 Canadians who had been found to have the virus would receive medical care in Japan, the government said in a statement. The early evacuation of Americans from the ship was seen as something of an implicit criticism of the Japanese quarantine, with the Centers for Disease Control saying that remaining on the ship was an ongoing risk to US citizens. Speaking to CNN this week, Kentaro Iwata, an infectious disease specialist at Kobe University who visited the ship, said he was highly concerned about the effectiveness of the quarantine and the precautions taken on board. "I was so scared because there was no way to tell where the virus is and everybody was not careful about it," Iwata said. "There was no single infection control person inside the ship -- the bureaucrats were in charge of everything." Economic woes Japan is likely facing a recession as the coronavirus compounds existing problems with the country's economy. In China, while the worst of the virus is hopefully past, the economic cost has yet to be fully realized, and there are fears it could continue to grow and have knock-on ramifications for the global economy. China's central bank promised more support Wednesday for companies, including lowering lending rates, increased credit support and providing medium and long-term loans. The People's Bank of China said the epidemic "has had some impact on the Chinese economy, but the shock will be short-lived and will not change the country's sound economic fundamentals." Other outlooks are not so rosy. Around a third of 1,000 small and medium-sized companies surveyed by academics from Tsinghua University and Peking University last week said they could only survive for a month with the cash they have. Smaller companies account for around 60% of China's GDP, and employ a massive 80% of all workers, according to government statistics published last September. "The coronavirus could be the straw that breaks the camel's back," wrote Zhao Jian, director of the Shandong province-based Atlantis Research Institute in a research note earlier this month. He warned that if the outbreak doesn't end soon, unemployment will likely rise as businesses shut down -- a problem Beijing had been fighting hard this year to prevent. Job losses could spur a tide of housing foreclosures, Zhao added, compounding the country's economic woes. Even as the country starts to get back to work, problems remain for smaller firms. According to the state-backed Global Times, Chinese factories and businesses trying to resume operations this week have been "faced with tremendous risks and challenges, from lengthy applications to tough restrictions and shortages in cash, labor and supplies." Companies have reported having to submit up to 21 separate documents, including a 15-page application form, emergency plans and various other letters of commitment, to local officials. A screenshot of an application from a company in Sichuan province went viral on social media this week -- a single application to resume operation require a total of nine stamps from various county and provincial officials. "These are the unintended consequences of the battle against the epidemic: the restrictive measures put in place to stop the virus have also restricted companies from resuming production," Tian Yun, director of the China Society of Macroeconomics Research Center, told the Global Times. "In some places, officials have taken the battle to a whole new, unnecessary level." Highlights Huawei Mobile Services were announced globally earlier this week The suite of apps come as a replacement for Google's Mobile Services Google is currently barred from working with Huawei Barely days after Huawei launched the its very own suite of apps to replace Google Mobile Services (GMS), the Android maker is now working to bring the Huawei back to its side. Fresh reports have emerged that claim Google has been in talks with the US administration, where it has pleaded to allow it to regain work with the Chinese tech giant. This information comes courtesy of DPA which claims Android and Google Play vice-president Sameer Samat informed it that Google has applied to the US government to resume business dealings with Huawei. However, Samat has not revealed when a decision would be made on the issue. The report comes after the White House has allowed some US companies to apply for a license to trade with Huawei, with the likes of Microsoft even receiving a green light to resume business ties. This has meant that Huawei has resumed shipping Windows and other Microsoft services on its laptops. Now with Google applying for a license, the company could again be allowed to provide its Google Mobile Service suite to Huawei phones in the future. An outcome that even Huawei is hopeful of as its consumer group CEO Richard Yu has previously said they would update the Mate 30 series immediately if they got the nod for providing Google services on their phones. There is, however, no clear indication of how long this process may take. It could range from a few days to months, and at the end, the decision may still not end up being favourable for Google and Huawei. In the meantime, Huawei phones continue to be blocked from using GMS, and instead now come running Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) that brings with itself a number of essential apps, including access to the Huawei App Gallery that serves to replace Google Play on newer Huawei phones. There are also alternatives to Google Drive and other essential services that you find pre-installed with all modern-day Google Play certified Android phones. Geography isnt static. Rivers change course, mountains erode, and islands disappear under rising seas. The geography of farming and food changes, too. For example, 180 years ago, my home county was the castor bean and castor oil capital of the United States. Both titles, however, slipped into irrelevance as a new resource, crude oil, rose to dominate the lubricant business. Today, fewer and fewer Americans have ever heard of castor beans or castor oil. Disappearing wheat Those long-forgotten twins seem to have a modern equivalent. Total U.S. wheat acres peaked at 88 million in 1981. Last year, the most recently completed reporting year, total U.S. wheat acres were about one-half of that, or 45.6 million acres. In its just-published Agricultural Projections to 2029, however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts wheats decades-long slide will stabilize between 45 million and 46.5 million acres in the coming decade. That estimate also comes with a warning: U.S. [wheat] export growth is tempered by sustained price competition from Russia, Ukraine and the European Union. Translation: After 40 years of falling U.S. wheat plantings and, now, fast-rising international competition for exports, dont bet on our forecast. Corn and soybeans Its no surprise that the two biggest benefactors of wheats decline are Americas two biggest crops, corn and soybeans. As David Widmar of Agricultural Economic Insights pointed out more than two years ago, almost 30 million of wheats lost 43 million acres have been planted to corn and soybeans since 2000. There are two critical (among other) reasons for the big switch: government ethanol blending mandates have fueled corns rise and fast-growing soy exports, especially to China, have pushed soybean acres higher. Both forces, however, are losing steam. Increased use of electric cars and, soon, trucks, has already flat-lined the once voracious U.S. gasoline and, in turn, ethanol appetite and continued global competition in the soy trade is pinching U.S. soybean margins towards breakeven. Brazilian soybeans The elective, sustained tariff war with Americas biggest soybean customer, China, throughout 2018 and 2019 has added to that woe. More troubling for U.S. farmers is the unabated growth of their soy competitors, especially South Americas biggest soy boy, Brazil. Late last year, USDAs Foreign Agricultural Service noted that for the first time ever, Brazil is forecast to overtake the United States as the leading soybean producer in the world during the 2019/20 season. Part of the explanation is American; 2019s terrible weather clipped U.S. soybeans harvest nearly 20 percent. Another part, though, is Brazils strong and steady rise in plantings. Last July, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture forecast the nations soybean acreage would balloon 25 percent in the coming decade. If accurate, the increase of 23.5 million acres would boost Brazilian soy acres to 112 million by 2029, or about 22 million acres more than the record U.S. soy plantings in 2017. A few days after that news hit global markets, Reuters reported that the chairman of Chinas largest food company, state-owned COFCO International, told Brazilian ag leaders that his firm wanted to increase its Brazilian soy imports by 25 percent over the next five years. More troubling, the COFCO boss added that his company would underwrite soy expansion on some or most of Brazils undeveloped 25 million hectares. How many acres are in 25 million hectares? You better sit down for this: a staggering 61.8 million. That number and the Chinese promise should finally dispel another myth too long at the center of U.S. agricultural geography: Buy land because theyre not making it anymore. Well, they are making more of it and many of those makers Brazil, Ukraine, Russia, China among others are poised to substantially alter American farm and food geography in the next 20 years. In fact, they already are; just ask a wheat grower. If you can find one. 02/27/2020 Photo (c) fizkes - Getty Images While the goal for most employees is to feel secure in their work, a new study conducted by researchers for RMIT University found that job insecurity can negatively impact consumers personalities. The study revealed that feeling uneasy about a job can manifest itself in negative personality traits like laziness and emotional instability. Traditionally, weve thought about the short-term consequences of job insecurity -- that it hurts your well-being, physical health, sense of self-esteem, said researcher Dr. Lena Wang. But now we are looking at how that actually changes who you are as a person over time, a long-term consequence that you may not even be aware of. Personality differences The researchers looked at data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey to better understand how consumers feelings towards their jobs can affect their personalities. Over 1,000 survey respondents answered questions that gave insight into their personalities, as well as their attitudes about their current place of employment. Ultimately, the researchers learned that job insecurity can affect how consumers perform at work, how they interact with others, and their personalities overall. The study found that despite fears around losing their jobs, participants were more likely to pull back from their job responsibilities and complete fewer tasks. Job insecurity was associated with less effort at work and less productivity. From a personal standpoint, the researchers learned that participants were more likely to react poorly to stressors and incite conflict with others during periods of job insecurity. Support from employers Dr. Wang explained that job insecurity is a legitimate fear in many cases. However, she also explained that consumers often feel fear about losing their jobs when theres no chance of that happening. To help ease tensions, the researchers urge employers to be a source of comfort to employees. This team says bosses should be proactive in helping to settle work-related anxieties. Some people simply feel daunted by the changing nature of their roles or fear theyll be replaced by automation, said Dr. Wang. But while some existing jobs can be replaced by automation, new jobs will be created. Some employers have the ability to reduce that perception, for example by investing in professional development, skills and training, or by giving career guidance. An Idaho man was sentenced for insurance fraud in violation of Idaho code after reportedly purchasing a 1992 Mercedes for $700 and then adding the vehicle to an existing policy with GEICO. Hester then filed a claim for damages done to the vehicle caused by the hood flying up while driving. During the claims process, he reportedly fabricated his own bill of sale, listed a price of $3,750, stated the vehicle was in excellent condition and signed as the purported seller. GEICO found the seller who provided the actual bill of sale of $700 and stated that she advised Hester of the vehicles damage to the hood. Hester admitted to investigators with the Idaho Department of Insurance that he knew about the vehicles damage and forged a bill of sale. Fourth District Court Judge Jason Scott ordered a one-year fixed sentence. The court then suspended the sentence and placed Hester on one year of unsupervised probation. Hester was ordered to serve 100 hours of community service and pay a fine of $500 plus court costs. He was also ordered to pay $453 in restitution to the Idaho Department of Insurance and $836 to GEICO. The Office of the Attorney Generals Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case. Topics Auto (CNN) -- This was supposed to be the year that the bottom line of Corporate America rebounded after lackluster profit reports for most of 2019. But the coronavirus outbreak is threatening to end the earnings recovery before it even begins. Goldman Sachs warned in a report Thursday that it now thinks US companies "will generate no earnings growth in 2020." The bank said this forecast is based on "the likelihood that the impact of the virus becomes widespread." Microsoft, Priceline owner Booking Holdings and Budwesier brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev were the latest blue chip firms to say that disruption due to the coronavirus will hurt their results. Apple did so last week. Stocks around the world have plunged this week and several key global market indexes are now in a correction, a 10% drop from recent highs. Gold has soared and long-term US bond yields have fallen to record lows in a classic flight to safety. The VI, a measure of market volatility, has skyrocketed. And the CNN Business Fear & Greed Index, which looks at the VIX and six other gauges of market sentiment, is now showing levels of Extreme Fear in the market. Goldman Sachs warns that it may only get worse in the near-term. "The trajectory of the US and global economy is highly uncertain at this time," said the Goldman Sachs analysts in their report. They added that "a more severe pandemic could lead to a more prolonged disruption and a US recession." The Goldman analysts added that they also expect a "severe decline in Chinese economic activity," lower demand for US exporters, disruptions to supply chains and higher levels of uncertainty. With that in mind, Goldman Sachs analysts said that earnings for the S&P 500 could plunge 13% this year. Although Goldman Sachs has turned bearish on their earnings outlook, the rest of Wall Street remains slightly more hopeful -- for now. According to estimates tracked by FactSet Research, analysts are forecasting a 0.9% increase in S&P 500 profits for the first quarter and a full year earnings increase of 7.5%. Other market experts think that this is a reason to stay away from stocks for the foreseeable future. "Disruption caused by the virus has already filtered down to earnings," said Columbia Threadneedle Investments strategists Josh Kutin and Anwiti Bahuguna in a blog post Thursday morning. "Even if the momentum of the long bull market is still intact, the higher volatility keeps us from being too optimistic about equity market opportunities in the short term," they added. This story was first published on CNN.com "Goldman Sachs: American companies will have zero profit growth this year." Altman Vilandrie & Company has promoted Ryan Dean to Director. Ryan's expertise in wireless, data centers, and Internet of Things has allowed him to provide significant value to our clients and help grow the firm. Altman Vilandrie & Company, a leading strategy consulting firm focused on the communications, media, and related technology sectors, has promoted Ryan Dean to Director. Dean, who joined the firm in 2008, advises the firms Telecommunications, Media, and Technology (TMT) sector and private equity clients on a range of business strategy and investment issues. Ryan has succeeded in every step of his career at our firm and has earned this promotion to Director, said Altman Vilandrie & Company COO Steve Conway. His expertise in wireless, data centers, and Internet of Things has allowed him to provide significant value to our clients and help grow the firm. Dean is based in Altman Vilandrie & Companys San Francisco office and works with clients throughout the TMT space, including wireless operators, CSP technology vendors, website/hosting providers and private equity investors. During recent client engagements in the wireless sector, Dean led the development of a business case for new product development, analyzed and recommended new consumer wireless offers, and supported an organizational redesign. Recently for investor clients, he evaluated several data center and fiber providers. Dean earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from M.I.T. About Altman Vilandrie & Company Altman Vilandrie & Company is a strategy consulting group that focuses on the telecom, media, technology and investor sectors. The companys consultants are experienced in strategy, marketing, finance, M&A, technology, regulatory and operations disciplines. Based in Boston, with offices in New York City and San Francisco, Altman Vilandrie & Company enables clients to seize new opportunities, navigate mounting challenges, improve business performance and increase investor value within complex and converging industries. Ninety percent of the boutique firms operator clients are large- to mid-cap companies including service providers, technology and software developers and media companies. Altman Vilandrie & Companys financial clients include many of the largest and most prominent investors in the telecom, media and technology markets. Mahindra & Mahindra Chairman Anand Mahindra, whose Twitter timeline is full of positive stories, has shared a fun video of a child dancing to bhangra tunes while a group of students performed in front of US First Lady Melania Trump during her recent visit. In the viral video, the child can be seen dancing among audience while the US First Lady watched a bhangra performance on stage. Mahindra said the child did not give a "hoot" to anyone, including "nervous" secret service agents, which was nothing less than a "breath of fresh air". In a world burdened by natural calamities, trade battles, social upheavals & pandemics, this viral clip showing a childs unrestrained enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air. He didnt give a hoot about the celebrity in front & the nervous secret service agent behind! Balle balle! pic.twitter.com/xF0OmSPwyC anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 26, 2020 US First Lady had visited the Sarvodaya Co-Ed Senior Secondary School in Nanakpura, Delhi, on February 25, where she witnessed a 'happiness class'. Calling it a "Balle Balle" moment, Mahindra said the viral clip showing the child's unrestrained enthusiasm was refreshing amid natural calamities, trade battles, social upheavals and pandemics. "He didn't give a hoot about the celebrity in front and the nervous secret service agent behind! Balle balle!" the tycoon tweeted. Since the businessman shared the video, the post has been retweeted over 6,000 times and has received 33,000 likes. Also read: 'Taj Mahal's hurried makeover won't be sustained,' says Anand Mahindra Appreciating the kid's unbridled enthusiasm, a user replied: "There is a kid in every person. It is just that we restrict to open our wings and celebrate life." "He's just wow... I have watched this video in a loop," said another user, adding that "such a blessing that one can have a childhood like this. After years when he (will) watch himself like this in the video, it will be a good feeling for him!" During her visit to the school, FLOTUS Melania Trump was welcomed by students with flowers. They also waved the Indian and American flags as they greeted her. Delhi government started 'Happiness Classes' for students studying in Classes I-VIII in 2018. Under this programme, students are taught several activities such as meditation, storytelling, question answer sessions to reduce anxiety and stress levels among children. Edited by Manoj Sharma There is plenty on the line for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday when voters in Israel head to the polls for the third time in a year, but Donald Trump also has a stake in the outcome. The US president and the Israeli leader did little last month to hide their mutual affection as they strode side-by-side into the East Room at the White House to roll out Mr Trump's long-anticipated Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. The politically adept Mr Netanyahu sent a signal to voters back home about his relationship with Mr Trump, a country on which his depends for military equipment and defence dollars. "President Trump, Donald, I'm honoured to be here today," Mr Netanyahu said, daring to do something every other world leader avoids while standing in the White House: Calling the ego-driven American president by his first name. Even Trump himself typically refers to himself as "Trump" when speaking publicly in the third person. Israel's coming election and the man who wants to take Mr Netanyahu's job, a former military general named Benny Gantz, came up several times. Mr Trump, for the most part, tried to remain objective. He gave both incumbent and challenger credit for endorsing his peace plan and being willing to use it to start a round of negotiations with Palestinian leaders; that offer, however, was immediately rejected. Yet, Mr Trump let his affection for Mr Netanyahu show during several telling moments. One came when Mr Trump was touting a map included in his dead-on-arrival peace proposal that sketches out a disjointed Palestinian state spread across various sections of Israel. Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Show all 20 1 /20 Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power An Israeli man holding his dog casts his ballot EPA Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Chief Rabbi of the Vizhnitz (Hasidic Dynasty) Israel Hager (left), casts his ballot AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara casts their votes AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power A man takes a selfie with his mobile phone as he casts his ballot Reuters Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israel's former defence minister Avigdor Lieberman and his wife Ella cast their ballots AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israeli children accompany their father during Israel's parliamentary election at a polling station AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz and his wife Revital vote AP Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin prepares to vote AP Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power A family votes in the settlement of Tekoa AP Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Ballots lies on a table AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israel's former justice minister Ayelet greets supporters after casting her ballot AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power A mother takes a photograph of her daughter near a ballot box Reuters Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Children stand with their relative as they place his vote in a ballot box Reuters Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power A woman holds her dog's leash as she prepares to vote Reuters Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power Israel's head of the Joint List alliance Ayman Odeh casts his ballot accompanied by his family AFP/Getty Israel election 2019: Netanyahu battles to hang on to power EPA "This is the first time Israel has authorised the release of a conceptual map illustrating the territorial compromises it's willing to make for the cause of peace and they've gone a long way," Mr Trump said. "This is an unprecedented and highly significant development." Then came a made-for-campaign-season remark that could give the sitting prime minister a leg up when voters cast ballots there yet again: "Mr Prime Minister, thank you for having the courage to take this bold step forward." Former foreign policy officials and analysts noticed the map moment -- and Mr Trump's preference towards Mr Netanyahu. "The plan's announcement was never about starting negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, let alone reaching an agreement. From its inception the Trump administration's intensely pro-Israel peace team sought to abandon the approach of the previous three U.S. administrations and reframe Washington's policy towards a two-state solution so that it closely aligned with Netanyahu's vision of Israel's borders," according to Aaron David Miller, a former senior US official who has advised Republican and Democratic secretaries of state. "Trump inherited a nearly dead two-state solution. He may well end up burying it on his watch," contends Mr Miller. Why? One reason: To keep a trusted and loyal ally in power in a key Middle Eastern capital. "The Trump administration deems it useful if possible to keep Netanyahu around through the US elections to help shore up its pro-Israel base," according to Mr Miller, calling the peace proposal "preternaturally oriented toward" the sitting Israeli PM. Though Mr Trump is underwater, according to multiple polls, with Jewish-Americans, Israel matters to his conservative base. A lot. That support has swelled over the past two decades, according to Gallup, an independent polling agency. Just over half, 59 per cent, of American Republicans supported Mr Netanyahu's country in 2001. Fast forward to a Gallup survey taken last year: That figure had jumped to 76 per cent. There has been a surge in support for Israel among Republicans over the past several decades, according to an annual survey by Gallup. In 2001, 59 per cent of Republicans and 42 per cent of Democrats sided with Israel in the conflict with the Palestinians. As of last year, however, that figure is dramatically higher for Republicans at 76 per cent, and only slightly more for Democrats at 43 percent. And Gallup have found last year that 65 per cent of Republicans support Mr Netanyahu, making him a a key to Mr Trump's efforts to hold together is voting coalition in the six or seven swing states that will matter most come November. Democratic lawmakers also see Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu as politically linked, both with plenty to lose come Monday. So close does House Foreign Affairs Committee member Ami Bera, a California Democrat, see the two leaders that he called the peace proposal a "plan that the president put out with Prime Minister Netanyahu." "You can't really get a peace negotiation or peace plan if only one party is at the table," Mr Bera. "And, obviously, the Palestinians were not part of this process. It also does seem to mirror a lot of what Netanyahu wants to do." Cebu City (CNN Philippines, February 27) More than 250 houses were razed when a huge fire broke out in a congested portion of a village in this city on Wednesday night, authorities have reported. Chief Inspector Noel Ababon of the Cebu City Fire Department said the blaze affected at least 600 families and destroyed 259 houses with combined estimated value of P1.5 million. The fire's origin is still not known, according to investigators. Ababon reported no one died or got hurt as of late Wednesday. Initial reports showed that the fire emanated from the house a certain Jerry Cabido in Sitio Santo Nino at around 7:05 p.m. The conflagration reached Task Force Bravo fire alarm level, indicating a need for at least 28 fire trucks to put it out. Firefighters declared the fire under control before 9 p.m. Growing concerns inside the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank about the spread of the new coronavirus have prompted the institutions to consider scaling back their Spring Meetings in April or hold them by teleconference, people familiar with the discussions said on Wednesday. The institutions' April 17-19 Spring Meetings are scheduled to bring some 10,000 government officials, journalists, business people and civil society representatives from across the globe to a tightly packed, two-block area of downtown Washington, DC, that houses their headquarters. Financial markets have fallen sharply in recent days on news that the virus is spreading rapidly in Europe. Italy has reported more than 400 cases and people who have visited Italy have tested positive in Brazil, Algeria, Austria, Croatia, Greece and other countries. Like other coronaviruses, the new virus - which causes a disease now called COVID-19 - is transmitted from person to person via droplets when an infected person breathes out, coughs or sneezes. It can also spread via contaminated surfaces such as door handles or railings. The IMF has warned in recent days of a potentially deeper economic fallout as the coronavirus spreads beyond China, cutting its forecast for 2020 global growth by 0.1%. 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 The virus' spread has raised concerns inside the Fund and the World Bank that the close interactions among people from their 189 member countries at the Spring Meetings could inadvertently contribute to the problem. Officials from both institutions and member governments said that talk of canceling the meetings outright is premature, but they are considering several options to modify them. No decisions have been made, they said, adding that much depends on efforts to contain the virus in the coming days and weeks. Options include scaling back the number of meetings, canceling external events and limiting the size of the country delegations that would travel to Washington. Another alternative is to hold "virtual" meetings by teleconference, and the institutions could still proceed with full-fledged meetings. One person familiar with the IMF's planning discussions said: "Plenty of people here see wider merit in testing whether holding key meetings virtually could be made to work." Other sources said IMF and World Bank managers were considering various options, and the scale and scope of the meeting would reflect the degree of concern. "Of course we are thinking about all eventualities," one of the sources familiar with the planning efforts said. DECISIONS EXPECTED IN COMING DAYS In a joint statement responding to Reuters' queries, the IMF and the World Bank said that their senior leadership teams were closely monitoring the spread of the coronavirus. "The question of arrangements for the Spring Meetings is one on which Bank and Fund have been coordinating with our respective Corporate Secretariats, which are our primary liaisons with shareholders.A We anticipate a decision on the scale and scope of Spring Meetings will be made in the coming days." After the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, the IMF and World Bank canceled their annual meetings scheduled for later that month in the U.S. capital. The meetings were reconvened in November 2001 in Ottawa, Canada. Both institutions by-laws state that their annual meetings of boards of governors, normally held in the fall, must be held in person. LUKEVILLE, Ariz. Cut down a saguaro cactus in Arizona and you can face years in prison. But over the past several weeks, work crews have been destroying dozens of the protected cactuses, which can live for 200 years, to build a new wall on the southwestern border. The remains of chopped-up saguaros are now visible along a swath of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona, part of what Native American leaders warn is a range of environmental and archaeological threats posed by the Trump administrations scramble to build the wall. Work along the border, according to tribal leaders of the Tohono Oodham Nation who live on both sides of the border, is blasting ancient burial sites and siphoning an aquifer that feeds a desert oasis where human beings have slaked their thirst for 16,000 years. The outcry by tribal citizens reflects the latest phase in the quarreling over the border wall, after federal courts allowed the Trump administration to speed construction by waiving dozens of laws, including measures protecting endangered species and Native American burial sites. Federal officials have cited President Trumps national emergency declaration in 2019, aimed at curbing unauthorized immigration, as justification for the waivers. A promenent political pressure group, "Niger Delta Youth Coalition" (NDYC) has applauded the Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for supporting rotation of presidency to Southern Nigeria come 2023. National Coordinator of NDYC Prince Emmanuel Ogba who made the commendation in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Port Harcourt, said it is in the spirit of equity and natural Justice that Presidency should rotate to the South after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. " It will bring peace and enhance cordial relationship. It will reduce cost of campaign during election", the group coordinator said. He described El- Refai as a detribalised Nigerian who has respect for the rights of the minority and a leader who believes in the unity of the nation. He called on northern elders and youths to align with El-rufai because he maens well for the nation. "Dr. Bridges is a distinguished and well-respected physician-scientist whose work has led to great improvements in patient care," said Bryan Kelly, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director at HSS. "His experience and expertise will only enhance our commitment to delivering high-quality and high-value healthcare." Dr. Bridges, a rheumatologist, is the director of the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he serves as the Anna Lois Waters Endowed Chair of the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology. He is also the Director of UAB's Comprehensive Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, Bone, and Autoimmunity Center. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, his medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine and his PhD degree in microbiology from UAB. He completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch in internal medicine, where he also served as Chief Medical Resident. He has been continuously funded by National Institutes of Health grants and is focused largely on rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility and treatment response. Dr. Bridges has authored more than 140 manuscripts and 20 book chapters and has served as editor of three editions of the text Vasculitis, published by Oxford University Press. In January 2020, Dr. Bridges was appointed president of the Rheumatology Research Foundation and member of the Executive Committee of the American College of Rheumatology. Additionally, he is a former co-editor of Arthritis & Rheumatology and former chair of the NIH Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, and Skin Study Section. In addition to membership on several American College of Rheumatology committees, he previously served as chair of the ACR Committee on Research and as a member of the Rheumatology Research Foundation's Scientific Advisory Council. "I am excited and humbled by the privilege of leading the renowned HSS Department of Medicine to further advance the science and practice of Rheumatology and related specialties," said Dr. Bridges. "Together with esteemed colleagues in Orthopedics, there is no greater opportunity to impact musculoskeletal health worldwide." Dr. Crow will remain at HSS continuing her work as the Benjamin M. Rosen Chair in Immunology and Inflammation Research and the Joseph P. Routh Professor of Rheumatic Diseases Medicine. "Dr. Crow is an exceptional international leader, and her dedication to improving the lives of patients with autoimmune conditions has led to incredible scientific breakthroughs," said Dr. Kelly. "We're looking forward to her continued success at HSS." "The advancement of patient care practices at HSS is demonstrated through our commitment to recruiting outstanding physician leaders in our clinical specialties, such as Dr. Bridges," said Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO at HSS. "Dr. Bridges has made significant contributions to the field of rheumatology. He approaches complex cases with dedication and compassion, and is an advocate for populations disproportionately affected by rheumatic diseases. We are proud to welcome him to HSS." About HSS HSS is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the tenth consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2019-2020), and named a leader in pediatric orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report "Best Children's Hospitals" list (2019-2020). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has one of the lowest infection rates in the country and was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. The global standard total knee replacement was developed at HSS in 1969. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State. In addition, HSS will be opening a new facility in Florida in early 2020. In 2018, HSS provided care to 139,000 patients and performed more than 32,000 surgical procedures, and people from all 50 U.S. states and 80 countries travelled to receive care at HSS. There were more than 37,000 pediatric visits to the HSS Lerner Children's Pavilion for treatment by a team of interdisciplinary experts. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. The HSS Global Innovation Institute was formed in 2016 to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is the world's leading provider of education on musculoskeletal health, with its online learning platform offering more than 600 courses to more than 21,000 medical professional members worldwide. Through HSS Global Ventures, the institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. www.hss.edu. SOURCE Hospital for Special Surgery Related Links http://www.hss.edu KAMPALA State Minister for Environment Beatrice Atim Anywar has ordered that Section 2 of the 2009 Finance Act that prohibits the importation, local manufacture, sale or use of plastic bags or bags of polymers of ethene and polyethene should be effected. Speaking to journalists at her office in Luzira, said the ban is taking immediate effect-directing implementing agencies including National Environment Management Authority among others to take responsibility. Directive targets plastic bags, cups, straws, coffee stirrers, soda, and water bottles, and most food packaging materials that pose a threat to the environment. The continued manufacture of banned products must stop, the minister said. Section 2 of the 2009 Finance Act prohibits the importation, local manufacture, sale or use of plastic bags as well as the importation, local manufacture, sale or use of sacks and bags of polymers of ethene and polyethene with effect from March 31, 2010. The legislation followed a pronouncement in the 2009/10 budget by the then Finance Minister, Ms. Syda Bbumba, banning the manufacture, importation, and sale of polythene bags of less than 30 microns used for the conveyance of goods and liquid in order to protect our environment. Implementation of the ban by NEMA however, hit a snag following an inter-ministerial disagreement on the back of intense lobbying by plastics manufacturers Minister Anywar said the lag was caused by intensive lobbying by plastic bags manufacturers and lack of Government commitment to save the environment from plastic pollution. The ban on plastics and Kaveera comes only two weeks after thousands of people, including primary school children, university students and members of the public lobbied Parliament and government for urgent action to tackle the plastic pollution and critical loss of nature. The march on streets of Kampala was led by World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF), highlighting growing environmental concerns in the Uganda and increasing warnings of the need for unprecedented action to tackle the menace. David Duli, the Country Manager, urge that since natural processes cannot degrade plastics in the environment, the continued manufacture, use and poor disposal practices of plastics adds to the accumulation of the hazardous materials in compartment of the environment. He says Kaveera destroys soil productivity by blocking the flow of useful nutrients and releasing toxic chemicals into the soils and that that they also clog drainage channels. Related You dont have to be a Wall Street analyst to get the message: Investors are betting that sales for these firms will rise as Americans prepare for an outbreak that government officials have stated is just a matter of time. Consumers contemplating a self-quarantine might want to have some of the products these companies make on hand, along with the medical masks that are already making a fashion statement from New York to Milan. Betting on stress-hoarding of Mint Milanos may be a smart move. But the prices of other stocks also reflect the thinking of investors who have been dumping riskier investments in favor of longstanding safety plays. MarketAxess, a bond trading platform, has slipped only slightly this week, making it a comparative overperformer. Investors are gobbling up government bonds: 10-year Treasury notes have surged in price pushing yields, which move in the opposite direction, to panicky record lows. Prices for gold, viewed by some as a store of value and a place nervous Chinese investors like to wait out a storm, have also risen. The gold miner Newmont Mining has had a great February: Its stock is up nearly 10 percent. Fortunately, there is at least one stock that is up for optimistic reasons: Gilead Sciences, whose drug, remdesivir, is now in a clinical trial as a possible treatment for the virus. The pharmaceutical companys share price has surged roughly 18 percent this month. Stock investors tend to look on the bright side. In their worldview, the economy almost always grows. Profits rise. Share prices climb. And inevitably, they get richer. The prime accused in Kerala cyanide killings, Jolly Joseph (47), tried to commit suicide by slitting her wrist in the Kozhikkode district jail in the early hours of Thursday, jail officials said. She was immediately rushed to the Kozhikkode Medical College Hospital where her condition is stable. Jail officials said they got to know about the incident at 4.30 am when fellow inmates alerted them. She reportedly told officials that she cut her wrist with her tooth and sharp edge of the plate used to serve food to the inmates. Officials were keeping a close watch on her as earlier too she had shown suicidal tendencies. She was arrested with three others for allegedly killing six of her family members by giving them cyanide-laced food. The special investigation team that probed the sensational case had filed charge sheets in six murder cases. Her journey came to an abrupt end even as she was planning to get married for the third time. The special investigation team had arrested four people last October for allegedly killings six members of the Ponnamatam family in Koodathai (Kozhikkode district) in a span of 14 years after giving them cyanide-laced food. These killings which took place between 2002 and 2016 were planned and carried out with clinical precision attracting national attention. The other accused are Mathew, Prachi Kumar and K Manoj, a former CPI (M) leader. Later, the party had expelled him from its primary membership. The first to get killed in the spate of serial murders were the in-laws of Jolly, retired teacher Anamma Thomas in 2002 and her husband Tom Thomas, also a retired teacher, in 2008. Their son Roy Thomas, (Jollys first husband), died in 2011 and another relative Mathew, the brother of Anamma, died in 2014. In 2016, another relative Sily and her one-year-old child died under mysterious circumstances. All the deaths were natural till the police blew the lid off after digging up six graves. During the investigation, the police also found that Jolly had been faking her profession as a professor of the National Institute of Technology in Kozhikkode for 14 years. Among the witnesses are her two children whose statements were recorded before a magistrate. All the four accused have been charged with murder, conspiracy, destroying of evidence, forgery and other charges. Iraq's divided parliament Thursday postponed a confidence vote for the government of prime minister-designate Mohammad Allawi over lack of quorum, plunging the country deeper into political uncertainty. The vote has been a key demand of Allawi as well as well populist cleric Moqtada Sadr who had threatened to organise mass protests outside parliament unless lawmakers backed the government in a vote this week. After multiple meetings between parliamentary groups and key officials, including Allawi, parliament speaker Mohammed Halbusi postponed the session until Saturday. The political wrangling coincides with unprecedented protests since October 1 in the capital and Iraq's south, demanding a complete government overhaul. Prompting objections from protesters, political parties nominated Allawi as a consensus candidate this month, after President Barham Saleh threatened to unilaterally choose a premier if they failed to agree. But two months after outgoing premier Adel Abdel Mahdi's government resigned under pressure from the street, lawmakers remain divided over the distribution of cabinet posts. Another bone of contention is the fate of the 5,200 US troops stationed in Iraq, which Shiite lawmakers have voted to expel, over objection from their Sunni and Kurdish counterparts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Armenian News - NEWS.am presents a daily digest of top news as of 27.02.2020: Given the current state amid the spread of coronavirus, Armenian MFA issued a statement urging Armenian citizens to temporarily avoid visits to Iran, China, Japan, South Korea, and Italy, unless strictly necessary. The Armenian embassy in Japan also urged Armenian citizens there and in South Korea to contact them. Meanwhile, the countrys health minister Arsen Torosyan noted at the governments session that Armenia has tested 95 people for coronavirus, and all patients tested negative. By the way, the first flow of Armenian citizens from Iran has returned to the country by a special flight. The next flow will return on February 28. The PM Nikol Pashinyan, in his turn, noted Armenian nationals must be confident that the government is not hiding information about coronavirus. The number of new coronavirus deaths worldwide has reached 2,804. Iran had confirmed 19 deaths and 139 infection cases. And Georgia has also recorded the first case of coronavirus. Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan received Thursday CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas, who is on a working visit to Armenia. Speaking on Artsakh settlement, Zas reaffirmed the CSTO position that there is no alternative to the peaceful settlement of the conflict. Meanwhile, a roundtable discussion on CSTO took place in Yerevan. And the Azerbaijani membership in CSTO has been touched upon during the meeting. According to Russian envoy to Armenia, Sergey Kopirkin, the consensus of all member states is needed for this. While Belarusian envoy, in turn, Igor Nazaruk noted the trend in this direction can be viewed as a positive step amid the common historical past within the ex-USSR. Nearly 2 million traffic violations have been recorded in Armenia in 2019, said the head of the Traffic Police. According to Yegor Karapetyan, 298,645 people received warnings about violations identified through the use of various technical means. And a total of 4803 decisions were made regarding driving while intoxicated. The staff of the hospital of the Medical Department of Armenia Police held a protest today demanding not to close this medical facility. Earlier, the PM stated on the closure of the hospital. According to the protesters, most of whom are retired police officers, if the hospital is closed, they will have virtually no other place to receive medical treatment. Besides, there is also a security issue here as no one will take a risk to harm a police officer at a police hospital, the protesters added. The government decided to dismiss Vahagn Vermishyan as Chair of the Urban Development Committee; this decision was an unreported one. Vermishyan has been arrested by a court order. Six more people have been charged in the criminal case opened against him on charges of bribe-taking. The term of the arrest of Armenian SRC ex-head Gagik Khachatryan was extended for another two months, said his attorney Yerem Sargsyan. Gagik Khachatryan is accused of abuse of office and embezzlement on a particularly large scale. Juventus and the Italian squad ex-striker, world champion Alessandro Del Piero has been on a short visit to Yerevan. He posted a respective video on Instagram writing: "Good morning Yerevan. PIERRE | The South Dakota Senate on Tuesday passed a proposal to get rid of the faculty union at the state's universities. The union has at times been instrumental in resisting proposals from lawmakers to shake up the university system. The Board of Regents that oversees the state's universities has resisted oversight from lawmakers in recent years. Gov. Kristi Noem supports the proposal. The governor's office and other proponents argue that the contract negotiations are costly and prevent universities from adapting through the hiring of professors without tenure. The current system couldnt be much farther from flexible and adaptive, said Senate Majority Leader Kris Langer, a Dell Rapids Republican. Opponents argued that the bill threatens the ability of the state to recruit faculty. They said professors would be hesitant to come to a university system that does not allow collective bargaining. But Sen. Jeff Partridge, a Rapid City Republican, said the the state's funding of the university system remains flat at about $225 million annually. He said schools need to be more creative in making the money stretch farther. Union membership has also dwindled in recent years, according to lawmakers. The House is considering a similar bill. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 David Odom said he has never smoked marijuana and has no plans to start. But hes helping spearhead a movement in Madison County to light up if he so desired. The Tennessee Valley Progressive Alliance, led by Odom, and 20 other organizations sent a letter earlier this month to Huntsville and Madison County leaders that urged law enforcement to no longer enforce marijuana possession laws. The letter received no response other than a reply from the office of Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle confirming their received it, Odom said. "I can't really say I was expecting dead silence but I'm not too surprised," Odom said. Among the groups signing on to the letter: The Madison County Democratic Executive Committee, League of Women Voters of the Tennessee Valley, NAACP of Huntsville and Madison County and the UAH College Democrats. The letter begins by describing an "urgent request to improve the public safety, social equity, and overall well-being of our community: We ask that you stop arresting people for cannabis possession and, likewise, drop all criminal charges related to cannabis possession. These actions will help ease racial disparities in community policing, allow greater enforcement emphasis on crimes that have victims, especially violent crime, and improve the vital relationship between the community and law enforcement officers." AL.com contacted the same elected leaders as the groups Sheriff Kevin Turner, District Attorney Rob Broussard, Madison Mayor Paul Finley and Battle and only Broussard responded. I dismissed the whole proposition quickly in my mind when I saw that (letter), Broussard said. Those are laws on the books and Im sworn to uphold the law. No matter how I felt about it, there is no way I would chart a different course in how we handle things. Except for violent crimes, law enforcement has the authority to not pursue charges or not prosecute cases. As an example, you may be pulled over by police for speeding but may not necessarily receive a ticket charging you with a crime. Odom said the group is looking for such latitude when it comes to marijuana possession. "A lot of people don't know this, local leaders have the authority to act on this," he said. "They dont have to wait for Montgomery, they dont have to wait for Washington." Even if local leaders chose to look the other way on marijuana possession, it still remains a crime on the federal level. Jefferson County authorities last year considered, then withdrew, a plan to end arrests for some non-violent misdemeanors. That included simple marijuana possession. Polling indicates strong support for legalizing marijuana. A Gallup poll conducted last year found that 66 percent of those sampled backed legalization. Another poll last year by the Pew Research Center reflected that 67 percent in favor of legalization. An unscientific poll conducted by AL.com earlier this month found 83 percent of those participating wanted marijuana to be legal. Broussard said marijuana prosecution has evolved over the years -- from those convicted serving time in prison to today offenders rarely serving any jail time. Given that evolution, a time could come in the future where marijuana crimes do not lead to arrest or prosecution. Over the years, the system has acknowledged the severity of various charges, including marijuana-related charges, Broussard said. Its still criminal but if somebody thinks somebody is going to be incarcerated for a little bit of marijuana, theyre not keeping up with whats really going on. The groups also said in the letter that marijuana arrests were tilted toward minorities. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, blacks are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested on a marijuana possession charge than whites. And with Huntsville part of a moonshot effort to attract 25,000 new workers to the Tennessee Valley over the next three years, the groups argue that marijuana legalization could help serve as a magnet. The groups also cited an initiative by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin that would pardon people convicted of a misdemeanor marijuana charge in the citys municipal court. Amid the silence from Huntsville-area leaders, though, Odom said the groups are pushing onward. "What we want to do now is open up this discussion to the broader community, get more voices involved," he said. "If these elected leaders see how strong the support is, I think they will take a closer look at what we're asking." He encouraged anyone supporting their plan to contact their elected officials and make that known. This is not a liberal thing, not a big city thing, Odom said. This is just broad, diverse support. Saudi Arabia on Thursday halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam over fears about a new viral epidemic just months ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, a move coming as the Mideast has over 220 confirmed cases of the illness. The extraordinary decision by Saudi Arabia stops foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure the world's 1.8 billion Muslims pray toward five times a day. It also said travel was suspended to Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina. The decision showed the worry about the outbreak potentially spreading into Saudi Arabia, whose oil-rich monarchy stakes its legitimacy on protecting Islam's holy sites. The epicenter in the Mideast's most-affected country, Iran, appears to be in the holy Shiite city of Qom, where a shrine there sees the faithful reach out to kiss and touch it in reverence. "Saudi Arabia renews its support for all international measures to limit the spread of this virus, and urges its citizens to exercise caution before traveling to countries experiencing coronavirus outbreaks," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement announcing the decision. "We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm." Disease outbreaks always have been a concern surrounding the hajj, required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their life, especially as pilgrims come from all over the world. The earliest recorded outbreak came in 632 as pilgrims fought off malaria. A cholera outbreak in 1821 for instance killed an estimated 20,000 pilgrims. Another cholera outbreak in 1865 killed 15,000 pilgrims and then spread worldwide. More recently, Saudi Arabia faced a danger from a related coronavirus that caused Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS. The kingdom increased its public health measures in 2012 and 2013, though no outbreak occurred. While millions attend the 10-day hajj, this year set for late July into early August, millions more come during the rest of the year to the holy sites in the kingdom. "It is unprecedented, at least in recent times, but given the worldwide spread of the virus and the global nature of the umrah, it makes sense from a public health and safety point of view," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a research fellow at the James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. "Especially since the Iranian example illustrates how a religious crossroads can so quickly amplify the spread and reach of the virus." The virus that causes the illness named COVID-19 has infected more than 80,000 people globally, mainly in China. The hardest-hit nation in the Mideast is Iran, where Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 19 people have died among 139 confirmed cases. Experts are concerned Iran may be underreporting cases and deaths, given the illness's rapid spread from Iran across the Persian Gulf. For example, Iran still has not confirmed any cases in Mashhad, even though a number of cases reported in Kuwait are linked to the Iranian city. In Bahrain, which confirmed 33 cases as of Thursday morning, authorities halted all flights to Iraq and Lebanon. It separately extended a 48-hour ban over flights from Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, through which infected travellers reached the island kingdom off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said there were no immediate plans to quarantine cities but acknowledged it may take "one, two or three weeks to get control of the virus in Iran. As Iran's 80 million people find themselves increasingly isolated in the region by the outbreak, the country's sanctions-battered economy saw its currency slump to its lowest level against the US dollar in a year on Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two boats lie at the waters edge, abandoned by fishermen who are cleaning their nets. Further down the beach a crowd listens to the Preacher. The fishermen have removed themselves from this joyous commotion. Theyre exhausted and frustrated, theyre not listening to the Word of God. Instead, they silently scrub off last nights failure from their empty nets. All through the night they laboured, only to catch nothing. The Preacher notices the boats. Can He sense their owners bitter disappointment? He leaves the crowd and walks down the beach towards the fishermen. Go out to where its deeper, Jesus says. Let your nets down to catch some fish. We worked hard all last night and didnt catch a thing, Simon protests. But if you say so, Ill let the nets down again. Go out deeper When we stand on a shore of disappointment and have removed ourselves from the crowds passionately listening to Gods Word, when weve laboured through the long night and our efforts have come to nothing, when were cleaning our empty nets with hot frustration because weve failed, thats when God shows up. Even when we ignore Him, He cant ignore us. Jesus leaves the crowd. He comes alongside us, stands in front of our boat, and speaks just to us. He sees weve wrestled with the night; our pride has been crushed, our strength depleted. So, He says to go deeper, to throw the nets weve just cleaned back into the sea, and try again. Like Simon the fisherman, we want to protest. Doesnt He know how hard lifes been? We tell Him weve already spent hours casting out into the ocean of unfulfilled promises, only to come up empty. Time and time again. We dont want to be reminded of our failures, our screw-ups, and our inadequacies. But were weary. Sometimes, when all options have been exhausted, its easier to obey. We have nothing more to lose. Jesus steps into our boat and tells us to give it one more try: this life with Him. We push the boat out of the shallows and jump in. Cast out again When were alone with Him, floating on deep water, He assures us Hes overcome every failure, every mistake, every disappointment, and everything that makes us feel not good enough for Him. All our mess meets its end in Him, and all His beauty finds its home in us. Our failures become His victories. What we couldnt accomplish out of our own strength and skill, He will accomplish through us. Sometimes God needs us to try first and fail, so we wont be left thinking we deserve the honour, reward and praise when we do succeed. When pride is beaten, we know that nothing is possible except through Christ. Because we caught nothing through our own efforts, God will use our boats to bring home a catch so great our nets will tear with His goodness. We may have toiled through a cold and lonely night, and have nothing to show for it, but now we have Jesus in our boat. This changes everything. We dare to throw our nets into the ocean of Gods promises one last time. The impossible happens. We haul in so much we fear we may sink into the depths of grace. We know how uninhabited these waters were without Gods love at our helm. We cant take credit for this miracle. Through this display of His holiness, our sins are exposed. We were full of bitter frustration. We didnt believe Him. At times we didnt even want Him. Now were wrecked in repentance. He knows this, yet still He wants us. He sees all, yet He wont forsake us. The catch This time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! Soon both boats were on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realised what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, Oh, Lord, please leave me Im such a sinful man. For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught. Jesus replied to Simon, Dont be afraid! From now on youll be fishing for people! As soon as they landed they left everything and followed Jesus. (Luke Chapter 5, Verses 6-11) Dont be afraid. God knows the plans He has for your life even when you dont. You may have been fishing aimlessly and coming up empty, but Jesus will climb into your boat and direct you to the deep waters of His purpose. He will fill your nets with Gods promises until theyre overflowing. So, leave everythingyour fears, disappointments, mistakes, the unfulfilled plans you had for your lifeleave it all on the shore. And follow the Love that first found you. After losing his 22-year-son who got married just 10 days ago in the Delhi riots, Agaz Hussain now is equally worried about the safety of Hindu families in his neighbourhood and the future of his daughter-in-law. Waiting at his house-cum-shop for the body of his son on Thursday, Hussain wondered what will happen to his young daughter-in-law. Ashfaq, the third among five sons and three daughters of Hussain, was killed in the riots in Brijpuri on Tuesday evening. "I received information that he was in Al Hind hospital. Ashfaq worked as an electrician and had gone to Brijpuri before the evening namaz to attend a complaint," Hussain said, adding he was a very friendly person. "He had more Hindus than Muslims as his friends. All of them had visited our ancestral home in Bulandshahr for his marriage," he said. However, Hussain's biggest worry is about the Hindu neighbours. "In these troubled days, I would ask our Hindu neighbours not to venture out. We offer them all help," Hussain said. The Hussain family lives in a small house in a crowded bylane of Indira Vihar in Gokalpuri area which has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims in many parts. There are around 20 Hindu families in this neighbourhood. "There is a young widow in my home but my concerns are doubled as if anything happens to my Hindu neighbours, people would say it happened due to revenge," Hussain said. He said there is a small temple also in the neighbourhood which is being protected by local Muslim boys so that it is not targeted by the rioters. "Islam teaches us to take care of our neighbours. People get carried away by emotions which is wrong, you cannot respond to violence with violence," he said. Ashfaq's teacher in a local madrasa, Maulana Mehdi Hasan said the violence could have been prevented if the police had taken timely action. "Many calls were made to police but no help arrived as the area was consumed by violence and riots," he claimed. Hussain said his elder son called police control room number repeatedly but no one was available for help. He also complained that no police, government official or any political leader visited the family. "Everyone including our Hindu and Muslim neighbours, Ashfaq's friends from other areas came but no police officer, government representative or politicians did so. We do not want them to come, but I want answers from them." The violence in many parts of northeast Delhi has snuffed out at least 38 lives and injuries to over 200. Widespread arson has also resulted in gutting of scores of vehicles, houses, shops, some religious places, schools and other properties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP on Thursday said the violence in the city is an outcome of "instigation" by opposition leaders and sought to link Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's call for "aar par ki ladai" (fight to the finish) during a rally last year against the CAA to the outbreak of communal clashes in northeast Delhi. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar also referred to some comments of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and highlighted the presence of a large amount of stones and alleged petrol bombs at an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader's residence to target opposition parties. Addressing a press conference, he accused the Congress and the AAP of "politicising" the riots, which have claimed 34 lives, so far, in the national capital. He said AAP MLAs should have been out in the field to restore peace but instead the Delhi chief minister identified riot victims by their religion in the Delhi assembly. The violence is not about what transpired in "two days", Javadekar said in an apparent reference to February 24 and 25 when the highest number of casualties occurred, but the "pot was put on the boiler for two months". At a rally in the national capital against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), Sonia Gandhi gave a call for "aar par ki ladai", he said. Javadekar was referring to the Congress chief's rally against the amended citizenship law on December 14 last year. "She said 'now we have to decide, choose your side'. Is this not instigation? Priyanka Gandhi said 'hundreds of people will be put behind bars'. Is this not misinterpretation (of CAA)? Rahul Gandhi said, 'Don't worry. We are with you'. They stoked fears and instigated people," Javadekar said. He likened Sonia Gandhi's comments to the "justification" of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who had said that the earth shakes when a big tree falls, a reference to the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Asked about alleged provocative statements made by BJP leaders like Kapil Mishra, he said the matter is in court and added that AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan and AIMIM leader Waris Pathan made speeches that incited people. "Riot factory has been found at AAP councillor Tahir Hussain's house. Why is the Congress and the AAP silent on this," he asked, in a reference to the recovery of stones and alleged petrol bombs from there. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has said legal action should be taken against any leader found involved in the riots, and the violence should not be politicised. Javadekar also accused opposition parties of being silent on the attack on police personnel and journalists besides the death of Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma. The duty of all political parties right now should be to work to restore peace but they are doing "petty politics", he said, referring to Congress' demand for Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation during its delegation's meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind. Defending Shah, Javadekar credited his effective handling of the situation and the Delhi Police for the "return of peace" in the area in the last two days. "The situation in North East Delhi is under control. Arrests have been made, inquiries have been fast-tracked to identify culprits behind this violence," he told reporters. Opposition leaders "instigated" people and stoked fears among them against the amended citizenship law by spreading falsehood, he said. To a question about the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge S Muralidhar, Javadekar said it was in pursuance of the decision of the Supreme Court collegium. Earlier in the day, the Congress hit out at the government over the transfer of Justice Muralidhar, alleging that the Modi dispensation was waging a battle of revenge against the judiciary. Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, on a day when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Londons Victoria and Albert Museum looks to the Gilbert Collection Between 1933 and 1945, Jewish art collectors in Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe were systematically forced into exile, deported, or murdered by the Nazis. The Nazis forced Jewish art collectors to relinquish their businesses, academic positions, and possessions. Many of their art collections were confiscated, dispersed, sold, or simply destroyed. A 17th-century table clock, with elements assembled between 1880 and 1900, likely made by Matthias Walbaum in Augsburg, Germany. Silver-gilt, ebony and ivory; silver and gilded silver, ebonized wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl and ivory, glass. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) After World War II, the Allies and other European countries tried to return many of these stolen artworks. But despite these efforts, the complete provenance of many artworks in museums and private collections are still unknown. The Concealed Histories: Uncovering the Story of Nazi Looting exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London, exposes this dark chapter in the history of art collecting. A selection of exquisite gold boxes, pietre dure (hardstone mosaics), portrait miniatures, and micromosaics from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection, one of the worlds most important decorative arts collections, are on display. All of the objects exhibited were once owned by Jewish art collectors, and the display shows how eight collectors and their families were persecuted by the Nazis. A jeweled, gold-mounted amethystine quartz snuffbox, circa 1755, by an unknown artist. Likely made in Dresden, Germany. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) Silver stacking beaker, 16031609, by Hans Kellner; Nuremberg, Germany. Cast, chased, tooled, stamped, embossed, and engraved silver. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) The objects are incredibly beautiful and great examples of craftsmanship and virtuosity; the contrast to the histories that we tell through these objects could not be starker, Dr. Jacques Schuhmacher said in a phone interview. Schuhmacher is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert provenance and spoliation curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum. He uncovered the personal stories of the Nazi persecution behind these objects in his role as the UKs first full-time museum provenance researcher. The exhibition shows his progress so far. Snuffbox with monogram L. M. in diamonds, 177576, by Joseph Etienne-Blerzy in Paris. Enameled and engine-turned gold set with rose-cut diamonds. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) Collecting Beautiful Objects In the past, museums and collectors were interested in the history of an object only if it came from a prestigious collection, Schuhmacher explained. So normally, when a curator acquired an object at the Victoria and Albert Museum, they only recorded from whom the museum received the object, and that did not change in 1933 when the Nazis seized power. And it also did not change in 1945 when the Allies defeated the Nazis and the extent of the Nazi looting became apparent. Interestingly, just after the war, the person responsible for the restitution of Jewish librariesJohn F. Hayward, who was intimately familiar with the history of Nazi lootingeven he did not ask specific provenance questions, Schuhmacher said. Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert emigrated from London to Los Angeles in 1949. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) As art collectors, husband and wife Sir Arthur (19132001) and Rosalinde Gilbert (19131995) were no different. The Gilberts were acutely aware of Nazi crimes. Born in London to Eastern European Jewish immigrants in 1913, they first made money in fashion in the 1930s. Then they immigrated to Los Angeles in 1949, where Arthur became a wealthy real estate developer enabling the couple to build a world-class art collection. Sir Arthur Gilbert with some pieces from his prestigious collection. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) They were motivated by the objectthey were mesmerized by the objects. They wanted to own them and add them to their collection. And like many other collectors, they simply did not ask detailed questions, Schuhmacher said. Yet they were aware of the Nazi atrocities; the Gilberts generously supported charities that commemorated victims of the Holocaust, he added. Even if collectors had asked questions, the answers may not have been forthcoming, as art dealers had little information about the objects they were selling. Enamel miniature on gold, circa 164550, by Paul Prieur of Paris, France. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) Enamel miniature on copper, in a two-colored gold frame, 1791, by Carl Ralph Huerter, England. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) Since the 1990s, museums and art collectors ask about the previous ownership of any object theyre interested in, especially the history of an object between 1933 and 1945. One of the most important events on Nazi-looted art was the Washington Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets held Nov. 30 through Dec. 3, 1998. Art officials and 44 governments agreed on a set of 11 principles to address Nazi-looted art in their collections. Investigating Nazi-Era Provenance The significance of the Washington conference cannot be overstated, Schuhmacher said. After the conference, museums around the world began to proactively look at their collections, identifying art that had belonged to Jewish families. What I find interesting is that UK museums did not take this as an opportunity to talk about this topic to their visitors and communicate the difficulties in conducting this research to them. Concealed Histories: Uncovering the Story of Nazi Looting is the first exhibition of its kind in the UK. Provenance exhibitions are very common in Germany and in the United States, Schuhmacher explained. In Germany, practically every museum has put on a display about objects in their collections that were once in the hands of the Nazis. But German museums often had Nazi-looted art delivered to their doorstep by the Gestapo in wooden boxes labeled as Jewish Property. Whereas UK museums acquired objects after they had passed through several art dealers, so its more challenging to clarify those objects provenance, he said. Museums struggled enormously with this research, especially because it was carried out by curators who performed this research in addition to their normal tasks cataloging objects and organizing exhibitions. A museum like the Victoria and Albert has millions of objects, [and] I would say a large number of them have significant gaps in their provenance. So where do you even start? So they started identifying objects with a gap. But a gap doesnt necessarily mean that there is a problem with the object; it just means that there is a gap, Schuhmacher said. No definitive list of Nazi-looted art exists for museums to compare their collections to. To clarify, such provenance requires archival research, an understanding of the history of Nazi looting, and a familiarity of the relevant archives in Germany and other European countries, he added. Sometimes archives dont hold the answers to the questions were trying to resolve. Its possible that the documents that we are looking for do not exist, or that they were destroyed during the war. The point is to be open and transparent about this provenance and put it on display for everyone to see and to make it clear: This is what we know about it, and this is what we dont know about the object, Schuhmacher said. In Concealed Histories: Uncovering the Story of Nazi Looting, Schuhmacher and the Gilbert Collection curator Alice Minter have created a display that does just that. Puzzling Provenance Schuhmacher tells us what hes learned about two of the eight objects exhibited and the plights of the Jewish people who once owned them. He is optimistic that exhibition visitors may be able to provide clues to the gaps in the provenance of some of these objects, such as a pair of monastery gates that once belonged to an Orthodox church in Kyiv, Ukraine. The gates are thought to have been gifted to the monastery by Catherine the Great of Russia. Monastery gates from Kyiv, Ukraine, circa 1784, by an unknown artist. Embossed, pierced, and engraved, partially gilded silver and iron. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) Gilbert bought the gates in 1973 from London-based art dealer S.J. Phillips. The gates were previously owned by the famous American collector William Randolph Hearst. Schuhmacher wrote to Hearst Castle and found out that Hearst had bought the gates in 1935 from a Jewish art dealership with branches in Frankfurt and Berlin, called J. & S. Goldschmidt. But the circumstances of the sale are unclear and troubling, as in 1935 the Nazis issued the infamous Nuremberg Laws, making the persecution of Jews in Germany legal. Julius Goldschmidt in 1931. Goldschmidt and his brother Arthur owned the art dealership J. & S. Goldschmidt. The brothers had to relinquish their business after the Nazis seized power. (Cleveland Museum of Art Archives) Schuhmacher delved further into the history of the company and found that in 1933 (when the Nazis seized power), the owners had to hand over their gallery space in Berlin to a Nazi association of German artists. In 1937, the Goldschmidts were told to dissolve their company by the Nazi authorities as part of a wider program to remove Jews from the art business. Both Goldschmidts had already left Germany: Julius moved to London; Arthur moved to Paris, subsequently escaping to Cuba when the Nazis invaded France. Another puzzling provenance is that of a stunning 18th-century German snuffbox, created by Dresden goldsmith Johann Christian Neuber, which the Gilberts purchased in 1987 with no provenance attached to it. Schuhmacher searched published sources and also archives in the Netherlands and Germany. He found the box listed in a 1912 catalog published by German collector Eugen Gutmann (18401925), who was born to Jewish parents but had converted to Protestantism. Gutmann founded the Dresdner Bank, which had branches across Germany, and this wealth enabled him to put together a collection which was as magnificent as the Gilbert Collection, Schuhmacher said. A gold-mounted hardstone snuffbox with canted corners, circa 1780, probably by Johann Christian Neuber, probably from Dresden, Germany; the cover set with an enamel miniature, 17751780, probably painted by Nicholas Claude Vassal, Paris. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) Eugen Gutmann, founder of the Dresdner Bank, in a photo dated Dec. 1, 1922. Gutmanns son Friedrich inherited his fathers prestigious art collection, which was seized by the Nazis in 1942. German Federal Archives. (CC-BY-SA 3.0 de) Schuhmacher was then able to contact a descendant of Gutmann named Simon Goodman, the Anglicized version of Gutmann, who had written The Orpheus Clock: The Search for My Familys Art Treasures Stolen by the Nazis. There was an enormous gap in the provenance of the snuffboxfrom 1912 to 1987which was particularly concerning because of what happened to Eugen Gutmanns son Friedrich and his wife Louise. The couple had inherited the bulk of Eugens collection when he died in 1925. They lived in the Netherlands, where they were safe from Nazi persecution until 1940 when the Nazis invaded. Because the Gutmann collection had been published, it was well-known to Nazi art dealers, and they descended on the couples home in 1942 and seized the collection. Bottom of the Johann Christian Neuber snuffbox. Chased gold with agate, lapis lazuli, carnelian, bloodstone, turquoise, and imitation pearls. (Victoria and Albert Museum, London) The Nazis meticulously created an inventory of everything that they seized from the Gutmanns, but this box is not on the inventory, Schuhmacher said. Its not known what happened to the box. The Gutmanns could have sold the object between 1912 and 1942, or the object could have been in the collection when the Nazis seized the art, but they didnt list it. Friedrich Bernhard Eugen Gutmann with his son Bernhard in 1923. In 1943, Gutmann and his wife, Louise, were taken to the Theresienstadt ghetto, and they were both murdered. (PD-US) In 1943, Friedrich and Louise were put on a train to Italy, or so they were told, but the train took them to the Theresienstadt ghetto and they were both murdered. To find out more about Concealed Histories: Uncovering the Story of Nazi Looting, visit VAM.ac.uk. The exhibition ends on Jan. 10, 2021. The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection of decorative arts are on longterm loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum and can be seen in The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Galleries. A Ukrainian woman, who was provisionally diagnosed with coronavirus in Italy, is waiting for a final confirmation. This was announced by Ukraines Minister of Health Zoryana Skaletska, RBC reports. According to Skaletska, the final confirmation should come from the clinic that is located in Rome. It is being awaited. "I was informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that there are two cases of confirmation of infection in Naples. One of them is Ukrainian. But now they are waiting for the final confirmation on the coronavirus, there is a positive result. Italian doctors sent the materials for testing to Rome," Skaletska said. The minister also noted that the Ukrainian woman was in a hospital in a non-critical condition. Her relatives were also quarantined. As we reported earlier, the Department of Consular Services of Ukraines Foreign Ministry reports that the evacuation of Ukrainians from Italy is not in progress. "The evacuation (of Ukrainians 112 International.) from Italy is not being discussed at this moment," Maksym Kovalenko, the Head of the Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said. London: Environmentalists were jubilant after a British court effectively halted Heathrow Airport's planned expansion, ruling that the government had not considered the commitments it agreed to in Paris to curb global warming when approving the project. Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned the ruling as "madness" and said it was proof that embracing "mindless commitments" to go carbon-neutral by 2050, as he is under pressure to do, would cost jobs. 'Madness': Scott Morrison slammed the decision. Credit:AAP "This is the madness," Morrison told Sydney radio 2GB when asked about the ruling. He said he had resisted embracing the net-zero pledge adopted by Labor leader Anthony Albanese, because no-one could tell him how it could be done while protecting jobs and avoiding spikes in power prices. When Bad Science Discredits Good Medicine Has Australias Medical Research Council been caught producing highly problematic research to discredit homeopathy? The message that homeopathy doesnt work has been hammered by the mainstream media and the medical industry. Even for those who are supporters of natural medicine, the message that homeopathic medicine is scientifically impossible seems to resound deeply. The notion that diluted and potentized medicine not only works, but is highly effective, appears preposterous at first glance, particularly in the light in which it is presented. Is homeopathy really unscientific? A deep dive into medical literature proves otherwise. There are a couple of studies, systematic literature reviews [i] which the medical industry and media have upheld as the basis for their narrative. This is the very important story of one of those studies. A Systematic Review released five years ago by the National Health and Medicine Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) has been used globally to shape policy around homeopathic medicine. This study used a highly questioned methodology never seen before nor since in a systematic review[ii] (I will further discuss this below). The bias was so evident and profound, that a freedom of information request on this review led to the discovery that a high quality study with a more positive outlook for homeopathy had actually been buried. High intrigue and drama indeed! Why Is This Important? Homeopathy has been a polarizing medicine since its inception over 200 years ago by Samuel Hahnemann. Conventional medicine has been fighting homeopathy ever since, particularly in times when it was much more popular than allopathy. Homeopathic medicines are cheap to produce, cant be patented, and are easy to replicate, thus it is seemingly impossible to achieve the staggering profit levels from homeopathic medicines that pharmaceutical companies are accustomed to earning today. Hence, the industrial medical complex sees homeopathy as a threat to its profits and continued existence. I would like to assert otherwise, that homeopathy, conventional medicine and other forms of traditional medicine can all co-inhabit the same space and enrich each others effectiveness in the real world, but that is a topic for another article. We have moved into an era where evidence-based medicine is considered the gold standard. But how can we move forward in health policy and appropriate treatments when the evidence base itself is biased, fraudulent and influenced by profits? While funding for research in Natural Medicine is almost non-existent. The literature review produced by the NHMRC has been used not only in Australia, but also in the UK, Europe, and the United States, to shape public health policy and public opinion. A cursory search on the internet will show how many mainstream media outlets have covered the story of the report when it was released in 2015. Exalted news agencies amongst them The Guardian, CBS and Time magazine all misrepresented the results with the incorrect conclusion that homeopathy does not work for any condition. The NHMRC is a highly recognized authority on which health practitioners, policymakers, and researchers rely. So what do we do when our public institutions, created to uphold truth, can no longer be relied on? What Is Wrong With the NHMRC Review? The review claims to have looked at 1800 studies, but in fact they only considered 176, of which only 5 matched their unprecedented quality thresholds, based on the number of participants in a study. They only looked at studies that had more than 150 participants. While this may sound reasonable at first, it in fact has nothing to do with the NHMRCs standards for other trials, and this minimum set sample size has never been used before, or since, as it has no scientific basis[iii]. Other NHMRC-published evidence reviews have no minimum trial size for reliability. The British Medical Journal (BMJ), one of the most highly respected journals in the world, sets their minimum for quality at 20 participants. Add to this the fact that this arbitrary number was decided upon in a posthoc analysis, the accusation of bias is hard to dismiss. .[iv] You can read more about it online. Practically, this means that the NHMRC very conveniently dismissed some of the best and most reliable studies[v] that homeopathy has to offer, such as Reillys 1986 study on pollen with a sample size of 144 people[vi], and Jennifer Jacobs study on pediatric diarrhea in Nepal with a sample size of 126[vii]. According to the Homeopathic Research Institute, had NHMRC actually used BMJs threshold of 20 participants then 166 of the 176 studies considered would have been considered.[viii] The NHMRC used additional criteria for quality, a grading system whos mechanics and definitions were never disclosed, creating a significant lack of transparency and trust in their assessment. Fraud When the Australian Homeopathic Association (AHA) learned of this report, they made a Freedom of Information Request to get a better understanding of what had happened with this study. What they uncovered was simply unbelievable there had been, in fact, a previous review, also commissioned by the NHMRC. This second review had been buried! What could the implication be, you ask? Upon further investigation, the AHA learned that a very respected scientist conducted the first review, Prof Karen Grimmer, who had actually developed the NHMRCs quality guidelines. That study had been well received, and yet the NHMRC quickly and silently buried it, while commissioning a completely new study. After a strong campaign led by the Homeopathic Research Institute (HRI), the Australian Homeopathic Association, and a petition that had gathered almost 75 000 signatures, the NHMRC finally released the first report in August of 2019.[ix] What Was Found in the First Report? The first report concluded that there is encouraging evidence for homeopathy in 5 conditions: fibromyalgia, ear infections, upper respiratory tract infections, side effects of cancer treatment, and postoperative ileus (first time to flatus after surgery). I want to clarify that this doesnt mean that the evidence was negative in other areas, only that there werent enough high-quality trials to make a proper assessment. This is not absolute proof that homeopathy works, but it is a far cry from the notion that there is no evidence in its favor. The truth of the matter is that we need to do more research, but funding for this kind of work is extremely limited. Even though excellent research is slowly trickling out, we still have a long way to go, and scientists have a hard time building a career while focusing on alternative medicine. And, the NHMRC report, released in 2015, only made matters worse. Such a negative message in the public eye led to even less funding being available for new homeopathic studies. If youre wondering whether the first report was buried due to quality issues, according to the Homeopathic Research Institute: The First Report is in draft form and as such it is not a perfect finalized document. However, the report was sufficiently well-formed to have undergone peer review. FOI requests revealed that a member of NHMRCs committee overseeing the review process considered the first review to be high quality saying, I am impressed by the rigor, thoroughness and systematic approach given to this evaluation [.] Overall, a lot of excellent work has gone into this review and the results are presented in a systematic, unbiased and convincing manner.4 (Professor Fred Mendelsohn, NHMRC Homeopathy Working Committee).[x] To rub salt in the wound, NHMRC released the report with annotations from their CEO, Professor Anne Kelso. The notes insinuate that this review is of low quality (very much in opposition to the panels previous comments on the review). The Author, Dr. Grimmer, was never given the opportunity to respond to these notes before the release of the report. This gives the impression that Prof Grimmer has not given sufficient consideration to the quality of the evidence being reviewed a remarkable claim given her expertise and experience in using the FORM approach. In fact, risk of bias is one of the factors the author would have considered when assigning a grade to the evidence base for each medical condition (grading it from A-D). Risk of bias is therefore integrated within the reports findings throughout, as well as being presented directly in the main text of each chapter.[xi] Just to reiterate, Dr. Grimmer is considered a foremost expert in the FORM approach[xii] the framework that the Australian government has adopted for guideline development, it is misleading to assume her work is of inferior quality, these comments represent a petty attempt to discredit the report and save face. So What Does This All Mean? In essence, the results of this misconduct have enormous ramifications. They are a clear sign that the evidence base on which modern medicine proclaims to ground itself is not objective. There are forces with unfathomable resources working hard, covertly, and with a long-term strategic plan to manipulate the evidence base in order to protect and grow their profits. Everything we are told by the medical industry needs to be viewed through a lens of protectionism and profits. Despite many important discoveries we have to question the motives underlying scientific headlines in the news. It is almost impossible to sift through all this without a solid scientific foundation and plenty of time, something the average person cannot practically accomplish. It is thanks to watchdogs like the Homeopathic Research Institute that this information is coming out. But, with so much at stake for media companies dependent on pharmaceutical advertising funding there is almost no chance that this information will get the broad and deep coverage it deserves. Ananda More: After her own seemingly miraculous cure from a lifetime with depression using homeopathy, she decided to dedicate her life to this medical system. She began her professional homeopathic practice in 2005 specializing in autism, vaccine injury, and immunity. As owner of Riverdale Homeopathy, a homeopathic dispensary, bookstore, and clinic, she is intrinsically connected with the homeopathic community. This article was first published on GreenMedInfo.com Coal royalty revision, railway projects and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) are some of the issues that are likely to figure in the Eastern Zonal Council's meeting here on Friday, officials said. The meeting will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by chief ministers of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand, they said. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is the vice-chairman of the council and the host. The officials said nearly four dozen issues will be discussed in the meeting. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already reached the state. Police have made elaborate security arrangements in view of the council's meeting and another meeting of the home minister on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act at the Janata Maidan here, a senior official said. The issues set to figure in the council's meeting include inter-state water issues, setting up power transmission lines, royalty and operationalisation of coals mines, land and forest clearance for rail projects, lack of telecom and banking infrastructure in remote areas, petroleum projects and sharing pattern of centrally collected revenues," a senior official said. "Odisha will raise issues relating to adoption of postage stamp method for unified power tariff in different states, disaster resilience infrastructure, rail projects, operation of mines, financial inclusion, grants to gram panchayats under the 14th Finance Commission, devolution of power to panchayat bodies," he said. Coal royalty, implementation of direct benefit transfer, telecom and internet connectivity, use of Aadhar database, timely release of central grants will also be raised by the state, the official said. Since all the four eastern states - Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand - are coal bearing areas, the respective chief ministers will certainly raise the issue as the Centre has delayed coal royalty revision by three years, he said. The Odisha chief minister has already written several letters to the Centre seeking coal royalty revision and share for the states on green cess. "We will raise the issues relating to coal royalty revision and mobile phone connectivity to 11,000 villages in remote Odisha," Chief Secretary A K Tripathy told reporters. The chief ministers of each state will be accompanied by two cabinet ministers besides the chief secretary and other senior officers. Secretaries or additional secretaries and other senior officers of the central government will also attend the meeting, the officials said. The last meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council was held in Kolkata on October 1, 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thursday 27 Followers (Netflix streaming anytime) From Japan comes this trendy drama about an aspiring young actress (Elaiza Ikeda) who hits it big when a candid Instagram post from a famous photographer (Miki Nakatani, who also directs) blows up on the Internet. Friday 28 Queen Sono (Netflix streaming anytime) How about a little spy thriller out of South Africa? A highly trained undercover agent (Pearl Thusi from The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency) must take on her most dangerous mission while dealing with a crisis in her personal life. This marks Netflixs first original series out of Africa. Expect more in the future, including a teen drama from South Africa and an animated sci-fi series out of Zambia. Toy Boy (Netflix streaming anytime) Continuing the international theme, Netflix pulls this sexy crime drama out of Brazil. After seven years in a Malaga prison, a male stripper (Jesus Mosquera) is released pending retrial and sets out to prove his former lover framed him for her husbands murder. Think Just Mercy mixed with Magic Mike. The Kingmaker (Showtime 7pm) Showtimes newest documentary looks into the life of controversial Filipino first lady Imelda Marcos, deposed along with her husband after the 1986 People Power Revolution. In addition to following her time as wife to notorious dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the film watches, somewhat aghast, as Mrs. Marcos works to get her son, Bongbong Marcos, appointed to increasingly prominent political posts. Saturday 29 Fire Fight Australia Concert (KRQE-DT2 10pm) This concert, recorded on Feb. 16, is aimed at raising money for rural and regional recovery efforts in the wake of the devastating Australian bushfires. The somewhat eclectic musical guest list includes 5 Seconds of Summer, Alice Cooper, Icehouse, k.d. lang, Michael Buble, Olivia Newton-John and Queen + Adam Lambert. Sunday 1 Dispatches from Elsewhere (AMC 8:08pm) This oddball anthology series centers on a group of ordinary people (Jason Segel, Richard E. Grant, Sally Field, Andre Benjamin among them) who stumble across a puzzle hiding just beyond the veil of everyday life. Its based, somehow, on Games of Nonchalance, a sort of ARG (alternate reality game) experience that unfolded on the streets of San Francisco courtesy of Northern California artist collective Nonchalance. Monday 2 Breeders (FX 11pm) Martin Freeman (The Office, Sherlock, The Hobbit) and Daisy Haggard (Episodes, Back to Life) are a couple of loving, attentive parentsdespite the fact that they sometimes want to kill their two children. Their overflowing lives of family and career reach the breaking point, however, when Allys estranged father (Michael McKean from Lavern & Shirley, This Is Spinal Tap and Better Call Saul) appears on their doorstep, essentially adding a third child to the mix. Simon Blackwell (Veep, Peep Show) and Chris Addison (Veep, The Thicke of It) are the minds behind this bitter British sitcom. Tuesday 3 Americas Choice 2020: Super Tuesday (CNN 3pm) A whole mess of states hold their primary elections and caucuses today. At some point, we might have a solid clue as to who will be running against Donald Trump for the presidency. Most of the broadcast networks are waiting until 8 or 9pm to start their coverage. But if youre particularly anxious, CNN starts their day-long coverage at 3pm. You can spend the afternoon nervously Facebooking as the vote count creeps from 1 percent reporting to 2 percent reporting. Wednesday 4 Volcano Live! with Nik Wallenda (KOAT-7 7pm) You cant beat high-wire balancing acts for that special combination of thrilling and tedious. Tonight, the legendary seventh-generation tightroper Nik Wallendawho already walked across Niagara Fallsspends half an hour or so (out of a two-hour show) pussyfooting across an active volcano in Nicaragua. Dave (FXX 8pm) Kevin Hart is the producer behind this sitcom inspired by the life of unlikely Jewish rapper/comedian Lil Dicky (a.k.a. Dave Burd)who racked up a million views on YouTube in 24 hours for his 2013 music video Ex-Boyfriend. ST. PAUL The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld aspects of the St. Cloud Times and KARE 11's reporting in a suit centered on their coverage of the 2012 shooting death of a Cold Spring, Minn., police officer. Ryan Larson, the man whom police falsely suspected of killing Officer Thomas Decker, sued the two news outlets for defamation. The suit stems from their coverage of a press conference held one day after the killing in which law enforcement announced Larson's arrest and identified him as a suspect. The police would later release Larson without charging him and clear him as a suspect. But the damage, he has said, was already done. Larson went on to file suit in district court against the newspaper and television station, alleging that their coverage included false statements that harmed his reputation. At the time, KARE 11 was still owned by USA Today publisher Gannet, which still owns the Times. The company spun off its television businesses as a separate company in 2015. He also sued several state and local law enforcement agencies for violating his civil rights. ADVERTISEMENT Although the district court jury found in favor of the newspaper and station, a judge later ordered a new trial. That decision was then appealed to the state Supreme Court, which in an opinion filed Wednesday, Feb. 26, wrote that coverage of police statements about Larson was protected under a Minnesota law that protects the right of journalists to report fairly on public happenings. In a split decision, the Supreme Court wrote that the district court failed to recognize the existence of the privilege and ordered a new trial. Stephen C. Fiebiger, Larson's attorney, said he and his client were pleased by the outcome. "Its been a long journey and my client is glad to be back in court," Fibeger said in a telephone interview. Of the 11 statements in news stories that Larson said were false and defamatory, the Supreme Court said that two were protected by the fair reporting privilege. Five others, the Supreme Court said, must be retried because the jury was not adequately told how to determine whether they were protected under the law. Four of the statements fall outside the scope of the law, the Supreme Court wrote, and "are not actionable as a matter of law because they are non-actionable opinion, true, or not capable of defamatory meaning." The news came as a mixed bag to the defense. Steven Wells, one of the attorneys representing the news outlets, said his clients were gratified by the court's decision to extend fair reporting privilege to coverage of law enforcement statements in what was likely the first time a Minnesota court had done so. But he expressed disappointment in the decision to overturn the district court jury's verdict, he said, especially since the jury previously found the 11 statements in question to be accurate. Attorneys for both sides in the suit could not immediately say what their next steps will be. ADVERTISEMENT "Well keep fighting," Wells said. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuses housing officials and lawyers are cracking down on nearly two dozen run-down, tax delinquent properties owned by a handful of out-of-town slumlords. City officials are asking the Common Council for approval to seize 22 properties then sell them to the land bank. Its the first time the city has lumped together multiple properties from tax delinquent slumlords. Officials say they want to send a message to these out-of-town owners that they need to pay their bills or get out of Syracuse. The city seizes houses almost every week. But this latest batch focuses exclusively on limited liability companies run by notorious landlords. Those companies shield an owner from liability and also make it difficult to track down the individual whos really behind the property. The batch of properties being seized next week targets property owners atop the citys list of do-nothing landlords who are also behind on taxes. Its intentional, said Kristen Smith, corporation counsel for the city. Its applying pressure to get their attention. In addition to being behind on taxes, the 22 properties owe more than $3.5 million in judgments for unpaid code violations, Smith said. Most of the properties are owned by a handful of notorious Brooklyn investors who have flouted code violations, judgments, lead paint citations and even law enforcement for years. Smith said more than half of the properties can be traced back to Mendy Kletzky, of Brooklyn. Kletzky has been the scourge of Syracuse housing officials and county health officials for years. The district attorney filed charges against Kletzky in 2017 for willfully violating health laws after Kletzkys property at 119 Kellogg St. failed lead paint tests 20 times. Other Brooklyn owners include Jacob Schlaff and Moshe Rosen. Six of the houses are owned by someone in Spring, Texas, near Houston. The address listed for the LLC is a half-million-dollar brick house in a posh, gated community. The house at 1222 Butternut St. is owned by Androit Landstyle LLC, of Texas. The city will seize the property next week for $6,289 in unpaid property taxes. Another two properties are owned by RDM Global LLC, which the city identified as one of its top code scofflaws in 2018. County real estate records show Shailesh Kunnath Sekharan as manager of RDM Global. The company lists an address at 140A Metro Park in Rochester. That building is a virtual office that people can use as an address to open a bank account, receive mail or list as a commercial business address. RDM is also connected to Blake Global, an LLC with owners in Dubai that owns a dozen properties in Syracuse and is suing after a city crew bulldozed one of its run-down homes. Two of the properties are owned by LLCs with similar names that list a P.O. box of a local property manager in Clay. Smith said most of the property owners have been through seizure proceedings before. She hopes by lumping together multiple properties, the city will get the landlords attention. These are property owners that have been put through this process before but never all at once, she said. We think the impact will be greater if theyre hit all at once. Its one thing to try to handle a warning letter on just one property. In total, the 22 properties primed for seizure owe Syracuse $150,000 in unpaid taxes and fines. Five houses are vacant and 17 are occupied. After the city seizes the properties, theyll be transferred to the land bank, which will either demolish them or seek an investor interested in rehabilitation. For the occupied properties, the land bank will send post cards to tenants letting them know the property is under new ownership and they shouldnt pay any more rent to the prior owner. Katelyn Wright, executive director of the land bank, said the land bank will work with tenants in those properties to see if any are interested in buying the property. The land bank will also coordinate with Catholic Charities to relocate any tenants living in houses that need to be demolished or are unsafe, she said. Wright said shes never seen the city bundle tax delinquent properties by owner like this before. The seizures and sales to the land bank will first require council approval. Wednesday, councilors were eager to get the houses away from their deadbeat owners. Councilor Latoya Allen, chair of the councils neighborhood committee, has sometimes been reluctant to move ahead with seizing properties for the land bank, especially if theyre owner occupied. Wednesday, she showed no hesitation. This is the perfect time for us to crack down on these landlords that havent been taking care of their properties, one, but also neglecting to pay their taxes, she said. As far as Im concerned, all of them are ready. I heartily concur on that, added Councilor Pat Hogan. I remember these addresses from my previous time on the council. The council meets Monday to vote on the properties. Thats the beginning of the seizure process, Smith said. The city has to properly notify the owners of a pending seizure. It will be several months before the city ultimately takes ownership of the properties. Syracuse properties for seizure Address Owner Address Taxes owed Occupancy 326 Apple St. Lapworth Holdings USA LLC PO Box 216, Clay, NY 13041 $7,366 Rental Occupied 122-124 Berwyn Ave. Androit Landstyle LLC 20110 Callioppe Knolls Dr, Spring, TX 77379 $10,604 Rental Occupied 1220 Butternut St. Androit Landstyle LLC 20110 Callioppe Knolls Dr, Spring, TX 77379 $7,377 Rental Occupied 1222 Butternut St. Androit Landstyle LLC 20110 Callioppe Knolls Dr, Spring, TX 77379 $6,290 Rental Occupied 1224 Butternut St. Androit Landstyle LLC 20110 Callioppe Knolls Dr, Spring, TX 77379 $6,194 Rental Occupied 205 Cannon St. RDM Global LLC 140A Metro Park, Rochester, NY $933 Rental Occupied 1127 West Colvin St. Moshe Rosen 299 E 2nd St., Brooklyn, NY 11218 $13,029 Rental Occupied 105 Commonwealth Ave. Jacob Schlaff 1142 54th St., Brooklyn, NY 11219 $2,955 Rental Occupied 146 Corning Ave. W. 146 W Corning LLC 1142 54th St., Brooklyn, NY 11219 $6,638 Rental Occupied 102 Elmhurst Ave. Mendy Kletzky 1615 41st St., Brooklyn, NY 11218 $10,359 Vacant Residential 257 Hudson St. 257 Hudson LLC 1142 54th St., Brooklyn, NY 11219 $4,829 Rental Occupied 231 Kellogg St. RDM Global LLC 140A Metro Park, Rochester, NY $3,364 Rental Occupied 207 Kirk Ave. 207 Kirk Ave LLC 1745 50th St., Brooklyn, NY 11204 $9,381 Rental Occupied 321 Pacific Ave. Moshe Rosen 299 E 2nd St., Brooklyn, NY 11218 $11,285 Vacant 313 Pleasant Ave. W. Honeywealth LLC 20110 Callioppe Knolls Dr, Spring, TX 77379 $8,646 Vacant 104 Pond St. Vivid Empire LLC & A&M of CNY Properties 835 N. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13208 $2,384 Rental Occupied 215 Rich St. Barnes Tranter USA LLC PO Box 216, Clay, NY 13041 $7,056 Vacant 355 Valley Dr. Honeywealth LLC 20110 Callioppe Knolls Dr, Spring, TX 77379 $8,564 Rental Occupied 101 Wall St. Wall Street House LLC 1142 54th St., Brooklyn, NY 11219 $5,108 Rental Occupied 105 Wall St. Wall Street House LLC 1142 54th St., Brooklyn, NY 11219 $5,680 Rental Occupied 111 Wall St. Wall Street House LLC 1142 54th St., Brooklyn, NY 11219 $5,479 Rental Occupied 123-125 Warner Ave. MYB Ventures LLC (Bernard Isaacson) 1976 52nd St., Brooklyn, NY 11204 $6,017 Vacant Chris Baker is a public affairs reporter for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact him via email at cbaker@syracuse.com or follow him on Twitter. Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. A police search of a pond in North Carolina in connection with the disappearance of 15-month-old Evelyn Boswell has not turned up anything related to the little girl, authorities said. The Wilkes County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday's search of the pond in the Shepherds Crossroads Community, in Wilkes County, was 'inconclusive.' The search took place just hours after Evelyn's mother, Megan Boswell, 18, was locked up for allegedly giving police several conflicting stories about her daughter's whereabouts. The little girl has not been seen by some family members since mid-December but was not reported missing by Megan until February 18. A police search of a pond in North Carolina in connection with the disappearance of 15-month-old Evelyn Boswell (pictured) has not turned up anything related to the little girl, authorities said Megan's mother and Evelyn's grandmother, Angela Boswell, is also being held in custody, after she was arrested last week alongside her boyfriend William McCloud on charges of theft and violating probation in a separate case. The couple were reportedly picked up in a vehicle related to the investigation and have been interviewed by officers. The Sheriff's Office and emergency crews searched the pond in connection to the case. in connection to Evelyn's disappearance on Wednesday. Aerial footage from WJHL showed investigators preparing to search the water, using a Remote Operated Vehicle device. In the video, a small boat was seen siting on the grass next to a few SUVs. An investigator was also seen lowering a long yellow rope into the water. Evelyn's mother, Megan Boswell (left), 18, is in the Sullivan County Jail on a charge of filing a false police report. Megan's mom, Angela Boswell (right), is being held there as well, on charges of theft and violating probation in a separate case However, investigators confirmed nothing related to the investigation was recovered. Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy spoke of his frustration with the investigation because the missing child's mother has changed her account of what happened to Evelyn on multiple occasions. 'There's not really much that we can answer due to the irrelevant information from Megan,' he said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. 'Every time we talk to her, her story changes.' 'We hope and pray that she's alive and we are going to continue to work like she is alive,' the sheriff said about Evelyn. Aerial footage showed investigators at the pond (pictured) preparing to search the area In the video, a small boat was seen siting on the grass next to a few SUVs One investigator is seen lowering a long yellow rope into the water. Investigators later confirmed the search was 'inconclusive' The hunt for the missing toddler has been plagued by issues from the get go, as her family failed to report her missing for almost two months after she vanished. Her mother claims she last saw her daughter on December 26. Other people connected to the little girl have given different timelines of when they last saw her, leaving officers unclear when she went missing. Megan did not report her disappearance until February 18. Angela's boyfriend, William McCloud (left) is also in jail. They were arrested last week in North Carolina on fugitive warrants unrelated to the toddler's disappearance She initially said that Evelyn was with her father Ethan Perry, according to court documents. Her story has since changed several times. She spoke out for the first time on Friday about her daughter's disappearance, claiming she knew who has the toddler. Speaking to WCYB, Megan said she last saw Evelyn in December but didn't report her missing until Tuesday because she was afraid the people who had her would disappear. 'Well the reason I didn't report it or anything was I knew the person who had her, and I didn't want them to run away with her,' Megan said. 'And as soon as they thought anything was going on they just kinda vanished. So I'm just kinda worried, you know, about where they are at. What they're doing with her at this point in time.' Megan added that she left her daughter with a person she thought she could trust while she was at work but that she would do things differently if she had a second chance. 'In a way I knew that as soon as anything went down this person was going to disappear and they have. And they have tried to find them... They won't answer phone calls. They just kinda disappeared,' she continued. Sheriff Cassidy (pictured) spoke of his frustrations after the girl's mother had changed her story multiple times during the hunt for her daughter 'Yeah I probably would have called the first day. I should have. But I just didn't want them to run with her, like they have now.' Megan would not say who she believes has her daughter but said she was cooperating with the police and could not share further information on the case. Then in an interview on Monday with WJHL, Megan claimed that her mother took Evelyn to a campground in Mendota, Virginia. Authorities have also searched multiple campgrounds in that area and found no sign of the girl. 'I told TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) where to find her in Mendota. My mom took her to a campground in a silver camper and if they dont go tonight, Im going to go find her myself, because Ive told them and theyre not really like taking it seriously,' Megan said. She added that TBI isn't taking her seriously because 'I've not fully told them I've been like "hey, like my mom camped out in Mendota, you know, to go check them out," but I've never been like, "hey, she's like in a silver camper" because my mom did threaten me like you know if I told anybody Im not gonna get into that but she did.' In an interview on Monday, Megan claimed that her mother took Evelyn (pictured) to a campground in Mendota, Virginia Authorities have searched multiple campgrounds in that area and found no sign of the girl On Tuesday, Megan then claimed she went to the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office for a lie-detector test but was turned away because she is pregnant - a claim the Sheriff refuted in Wednesday's press conference. 'She was never asked to meet us for a polygraph. We never set up any type of interview for her,' Cassidy said. Megan was arrested on Tuesday evening and charged with filing a false police report. She was arraigned in court on Wednesday morning and remains in custody in Sullivan County Jail - where her mother Angela is also being held. Angela McCloud were arrested last week in North Carolina on fugitive warrants unrelated to the toddler's disappearance. Before she was returned to Tennessee Monday evening, Angela told the judge she wanted to go home and resolve the situation with her granddaughter. McCloud was also extradited back to Tennessee. Sullivan County detectives have interviewed Angela and McCloud. Details regarding those conversations have not been disclosed and Sheriff Cassidy did not comment on those interviews during Wednesday's press conference. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation previously said McCloud and Angela are 'believed to have information' regarding the girl's whereabouts. The disappearance of Evelyn Boswell: A confusing case that has been bogged down by misinformation and conflicting accounts It's unclear when exactly Evelyn Boswell (pictured) went missing, but her disappearance was reported February 18 It's unclear when exactly Evelyn Boswell went missing. Her mother, Megan Boswell claims that she last saw her daughter on December 26. The child's babysitter told police that she last saw the toddler on December 10 or 11. And David Jones, the baby's great-grandfather, said he hadn't seen Evelyn since about a week before Thanksgiving. Even if the child hadn't been seen since last year, her disappearance wasn't reported until February 18. Due to the conflicting stories from Megan and Evelyn's grandmother, Angela Boswell, police have been left frustrated and confused by the case. Below is a timeline of what has occurred so far: February 18, 2020: Evelyn Boswell was reported missing by her mother, Megan Boswell. Court documents show that when police asked her about Evelyn, Megan told them that the child was with her father, Ethan Perry. Megan reportedly told police that she was supposed to meet Perry on February 19 at 4pm at the Ingles in Colonial Heights to exchange custody. But Perry, is on active duty in the military and stationed in Louisiana. February 19, 2020: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) issued an Amber Alert for Evelyn. February 20, 2020: TBI releases another photograph of Evelyn as investigators urged the public to send them any information that could lead to the toddler being found. February 21, 2020: Angela Boswell and her boyfriend William McCloud were arrested in North Carolina after authorities found a 2007 BMW that they allegedly stole. Angela and McCloud, both of Tennessee, were charged with possession of stolen property. Megan spoke out for the first time about her daughter's disappearance claiming she knows who has the toddler. Court documents show that when police asked Megan Boswell (left) about Evelyn, Megan told them that the child was with her father, Ethan Perry (right) She said she last saw Evelyn in December but didn't report her missing until Tuesday because she was afraid the people who had her would disappear. Megan claimed that Evelyn was with a person she trusted to watch her daughter while she was at work. Sheriff Cassidy also said that his office received conflicting reports about when Evelyn disappeared. One report indicated that Evelyn was last seen on December 26. However, Cassidy said a babysitter claimed to have seen her on December 10 or 11. February 22, 2020: Sullivan County Sheriff's Office detectives traveled to Wilkesboro to interview Angela and McCloud about Evelyn. No details from those conversations were released. February 23, 2020: Agents from TBI released a new photo of Evelyn and said that investigators are still working to find Evelyn. February 24, 2020: Angela Boswell was extradited to Tennessee. Megan claimed that her mother, Angela Boswell, had taken her daughter to Mendota, Virginia. Megan said Angela was traveling to a campground in Mendota and had a silver camper. 'I told TBI where to find her in Mendota. My mom took her to a campground in a silver camper and if they dont go tonight, Im going to go find her myself, because Ive told them and theyre not really like taking it seriously and if they dont go tonight, I will go myself and go get her,' Megan said. Police revealed that they searched several campgrounds in the area and found no trace of Evelyn. Megan also addressed rumors about her family being gypsies. 'Gypsies are not a cult. They have been asking people if there is like a Gypsy ringleader and likeI mean like were not like ringleaders, were not like out here kidnapping babies, or anything like that,' Megan said. February 25, 2020: Earlier in the day Megan claimed that she was pregnant and was unable to take a polygraph test due to the pregnancy. It was also revealed that the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office does not conduct polygraph testing. By Tuesday afternoon, the TBI said they had received more than 500 tips related to Evelyn's disappearance. Authorities arrested Megan Tuesday night and charged with false reporting. February 26, 2020: Megan is arraigned in court Wednesday morning. Sullivan County Sheriff's Office hold a press conference after Megan's arrest. Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy confirmed that police in North Carolina were searching a pond in Wilkes County in connection to the case. Advertisement A candlelight vigil was held by a local mother's group for Evelyn on Saturday night in Cumberland Square Park in Bristol, Virginia Attendees are seen at the candlelight vigil that was held by a local mother's group for Evelyn on Saturday in Cumberland Square Park in Bristol, Virginia Evelyn's father, 20-year-old Ethan Perry, is on active duty in the military and stationed in Louisiana. Perry posted a brief Facebook update addressing his daughter's disappearance last week saying: 'I'm currently working with authorities trying to find Evelyn. I can't say much more than that at the moment.' Authorities said they have received more than 570 tips from the public, but 'there have been no credible sightings'. Police said Wednesday that they have followed up on each tip. People and businesses in the community are offering reward money for Evelyn's safe return. As of Wednesday afternoon, the total reached more than $59,000. Authorities are urging anyone with information that could lead to Evelyn's whereabouts to call 1-800-TBI-FIND. BRUSSELS - The European Union on Thursday slapped sanctions on two senior members of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and accused them of responsibility for illegal drilling in waters off the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The EU imposed asset freezes and travel bans in Europe on TPAO Vice-President Mehmet Ferruh Akalin and Deputy Director of Exploration Ali Coscun Namoglu. EU citizens and companies are also banned from providing funds to the two men. These persons are responsible for, or involved in, planning, directing and implementing offshore hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean which have not been authorized by the Republic of Cyprus, EU headquarters said in a statement. Turkey annexed the northern third of Cyprus in 1974 in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The Greek Cypriot part of the island is an EU member country. Turkey alone recognizes the independence of the north. Ankara has been carrying out drilling activities as part of an agreement with the islands Turkish Cypriots and insists that it is protecting both its, and their, rights and interests concerning access to the regions energy resources. Cyprus has denounced Turkey as a pirate state that flouts international law. It says that any gas exploration deal Ankara has reached with the Turkish Cypriots would be legally invalid under U.N. resolutions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said protesters who took part in unsanctioned rallies last summer were provoking security forces who responded with violence. In an interview with Russian news agency TASS that was published on February 27, Putin said people who complain about being beaten by police at such rallies "must first receive permission to rally, and then express their opinions." When asked to watch a video showing a police officer "hitting a female protester, for which nobody was held responsible," Putin added that if people are acting within the existing rules and laws, whos going to swing the baton? On the contrary, [the police] would protect them. The question most likely referred to a video showing the ordeal of activist Daria Sosnovskaya who was punched in the stomach by police at an unsanctioned rally in Moscow in August. The video of Sosnovskayas arrest, widely circulated on the Internet, showed two men in uniforms that resemble those of Russia's National Guard taking her toward a police van. The video added to outrage at home and abroad over a decision by officials to block opposition candidates from running in elections for Moscows city council. When the TASS journalist asked Putin about cases when police and National Guard officers complained that they "suffered" after being hit by water bottles some protesters threw at them, Putin said such attacks against law enforcement may "unbalance" the situation in the country. Putin also commented on the conviction of blogger Vladislav Sinitsa, who was sentenced to 5 years in prison in September for a tweet advocating retaliation against the children of officers who violently dispersed a rally in Moscow. "They [law enforcement officers] carry out their duties. And they must do it. Now they are dealing with demonstrators here, tomorrow they will go to a battlefield and take part in combat operations. And somebody on the Internet calls for killing their children. What is that?" Putin said. Russia has in recent years increasingly criminalized online content, frequently jailing people for sharing or publishing information deemed extremist or illegal. The law currently forbids the sharing of content considered extremist, though rights groups say this label is also applied to opposition material. Passengers at Milano Centrale train station in Milan, Italy, wear protective respiratory masks as restrictive measures are taken to contain the outbreak of the new coronavirus. (PA) A doctor for the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised people not to get too close to each other in order to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Dr David Nabarro said there should be more social distancing as the disease, officially known as Covid-19, continued to spread across Europe amid fears of a global pandemic. The WHO coronavirus response envoy told BBC Radio 4: The most important thing we are realising is its really infectious but its infectious if you are close up with people. So social distancing, learning to actually not have to be very close with each other, is really important. Dr David Nabarro has advised people not to get too close to each other, to prevent the spread of coronavirus. (PA) The infection continues to spread across Europe amid fears of a global pandemic. (PA) As of Wednesday, a total of 7,132 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK. Of these, 13 have tested positive, eight of whom have since been discharged from hospital. Some schools in the country have closed while others have sent pupils home for fear they may have been exposed to coronavirus during ski trips to northern Italy. In Italy, the number of people infected grew 45% in 24 hours to 322, and deaths of patients with the virus rose to 11. Austria, Croatia and Switzerland reported their first cases, while Spain and France recorded new ones, also involving people who had been to northern Italy. The first positive test in South America has been recorded after a 61-year-old Brazilian man who had recently been to northern Italy tested positive, it has been reported. Read more: UK schools close as coronavirus panic spreads across Europe Dr Nabarro said face masks were not effective in protecting against the virus. He told LBC: "People misunderstand the face mask. They think it is about protecting themselves, but it's actually about protecting others if you are producing a lot of respiratory droplets. He added: "People tend to touch them a lot, and if you touch your face mask when it's wet, then whatever respiratory bugs you've coughed out will go on to your hands and then you'll put it on other surfaces. "So generally no, it's not necessary to wear a face mask." Story continues Read more: In numbers: How coronavirus has spread around the world Staff assigned for coronavirus tests at the Molinette hospital in Italy. (PA) Health secretary Matt Hancock said official advice has been changed to say people who have been to anywhere in Italy north of Pisa should self-isolate if they develop flu-like symptoms on their return to the UK. He told MPs on Wednesday: We have a clear, four-part plan to respond to the outbreak of this disease: contain, delay, research and mitigate. Hancock said guidance has been published in recent days for schools, employers, first responders, social care and the travel industry. He said: If anyone has been in contact with a suspected case in a childcare or an educational setting, no special measures are required while test results are awaited. There is no need to close the school or send other students or staff home. Once the results arrive, those who test negative will be advised individually about returning to education. In most cases, closure of the childcare or education setting will be unnecessary, but this will be a local decision based on various factors including professional advice. Hancock said it is important not to overreact in response to Covid-19 and that there is no clinical benefit to using thermal imaging at airports to screen passengers. Overreaction has its costs too, economic and social, he said, and so we have to keep the public safe but we also need to act in a way thats proportionate. Public Health England announced that flu patients will now be assessed for coronavirus to see if it is spreading. The total number of cases of coronavirus in China is around 77,150, while the death toll is approximately 2,592. Outside mainland China, the outbreak has spread to some 29 countries and territories, with a death toll of around two dozen. Captain of crude tanker shot in Eastern Venezuela The captain of a crude tanker was shot by assailants boarding the ship while anchored off eastern Venezuela, according to a Reuters report. The New York homicide detective who extracted a murder confession from a 13-year-old suspect in the death of Barnard College student Tessa Majors was grilled this week in court over whether he coerced that statement and his history of misconduct. Defense attorneys claim that veteran Detective Wilfredo Acevedo misled the Harlem boy and used deceiving intimidation tactics to coerce a confession. The boy told Acevedo that he and two friends tried to rob Majors, an 18-year-old student who was in the park alone, on December 11 in Morningside Park. One teenager blocked her from running away and a second fatally stabbed her. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Hannah Kaplan, of the Legal Aid Society, questioned Acevedo before Manhattan family court, saying he's been accused of violating NYPD rules and citizens' civil rights more than a dozen times since 2006. If Judge Carol Goldstein finds that the confession - which is central to Majors' case - was coerced, it could be barred from being used as evidence in court. The New York homicide detective who extracted a murder confession from a 13-year-old suspect in the death of Barnard College Tessa Majors was grilled this week in court over whether he coerced the boy's admission Majors' case has evoked comparisons to the 1989 Central Park Five case where a jogger was murdered in the park and police and prosecutors extracted false confessions from five black teenagers through intimidation. Years later, those convictions were overturned. In Majors' case cops made sure that the teenage suspects were questioned in the presence of a lawyer or legal guardian. In the 13-year-old's case with Acevedo, lawyers claim that the detective misled the Harlem teenager and his uncle about their rights to have an attorney present during their initial interrogation on December 12. The boy's uncle Roosevelt Davis was in the room for the interview but did not know that the detective could lie or that he could have stopped the questioning at any time. Video from the interrogation room shows Acevedo telling the boy: 'If you are lying, you would get in a lot, a lot of trouble,' according to the New York Times. He also falsely told the boy that cops had video footage and other evidence that put the suspect and two middle school friends at the park when Majors was killed. In his confession the boy said: 'So they got mad. And then, and then, she was probably refusing to give it to them. And they got mad. They probably took it from her'. 'It' was a reference to Majors' cellphone. 'When you said that, it is your understanding that that is not actually true,' Kaplan asked Avecedo at the hearing. 'That's right. I just wanted him to tell me what occurred in the park. That's all. We can lie, yes,' Acevedo replied. This is crime scene where Tessa Majors was fatally stabbed on December 11 in Morningside Park in Manhattan in a robbery gone wrong Acevedo testified Tuesday that in a police training session on interrogating suspects he was taught how to 'lie' and 'deceive' his subject. 'You are taught to suggest to a suspect that confessing is in their best interest?' Kaplan asked. 'That is correct,' he replied. 'You did not tell (the uncle) that if (he) requested an attorney that even if (his nephew) was refusing to answer questions, you would stop questioning?' she asked. 'No, I did not,' he replied. That 13-year-old suspect faces felony murder, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon charges. Rashaun Weaver, 14, was arrested and charged as an adult with robbery and murder on February 15. His DNA was found beneath Majors' fingernails. Luciano Lewis, 14, surrendered himself to police four days later and was given the same charges. On Tuesday, Kaplan said Acevedo has been accused of falsifying evidence, entering a home without a probable cause or warrant, and wrongfully detaining a citizen without a basis of facts to conclude the person committed a crime. He's been sued a number of times for false arrests, withholding exculpatory evidence and fabricating accusations, according to court papers. In one extreme case he was accused of beating a female inmate so badly that she required hospitalization. '[On September 24, 2014], isn't it true that you approached a woman inside a cell at the 32nd Precinct and attacked her. Do you recall that?' Kaplan asked, citing internal disciplinary findings from the NYPD. 'That is incorrect, I've never attacked anyone,' Acevedo replied according to the New York Daily News. Kaplan continued to challenge him saying the woman ended up in the Bellevue Hospital with swelling to her arms and wrists. He declined to respond. Flowers and candles pictured at the entrance of Morningside Park following Majors' death on December 15, 2019 He's also accused of filing false or inaccurate police reports and failing to properly document his police work. At least some of the complaints against him were substantiated by the city's Civilian Complaint Review. Acevedo said only one of them was. In court he said 'I don't recall' or variations of that phrase at least 19 times. However, the NYPD is defending the detective. 'Detective Acevedo made 237 arrests including 93 felony arrests removing dangerous criminals from our streets. He has been recognized with 24 department medals. He has never been found to have made a single false statement or falsely arrested anyone by either the Department, the [Civilian Complaint Review Board], any Civil Court or District Attorney,' the force said in a statement. Goldstein is expected to rule on the confession in mid-March. In the past five trading days, telecom stocks mirrored the broader equity indices and trended down as the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc beyond its country of origin and affected countless people. The death toll has swelled to 2,808 worldwide so far, with 61 outside mainland China and 82,419 confirmed cases globally. With the communist government publicly admitting its failure to contain the spread of the virus, markets went on a tailspin fearing a global economic slowdown due to the cascading effect of the deadly disease. This has disrupted normal business operations and supply-chain mechanisms of various companies as they preferred to exercise caution and put on hold their delivery schedules to and from the communist nation and countries like South Korea until the health risks are neutralized. This, in turn, triggered uncertainty within the industry, inducing a downtrend. With 60 positive cases confirmed in the United States to date, including a person with no apparent exposure to an infected person or any notable travel history, the markets remained apprehensive about possible repercussions. Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has begun collating relevant data from telecom carriers about the use of telecommunications equipment and services from China-based ZTE and Huawei. The move is fallout of a FCC policy that aims to dissuade telecom carriers from utilizing Universal Service funds to purchase equipment and services from companies posing a national security threat. The information collection is a mandatory exercise for eligible telecom carriers, their affiliates and subsidiaries that receive the Universal Service funds and voluntary for others. The Trump administration is further mulling to impose tougher restrictions on the sale of essential chips and components to Huawei that are considered to be highly sensitive, while relaxing some curbs on non-sensitive chip sale. The U.S. government has even urged EU nations to shun Huawei in favor of other telecommunications equipment suppliers like Nokia and Ericsson. Regarding company-specific news, carrier aggregation, software launch and earnings primarily took the center stage over the past five trading days. Recap of the Weeks Most Important Stories 1. Verizon Communications Inc. VZ has collaborated with Qualcomm Technologies, Samsung Electronics Americas and Motorola Mobility to achieve peak speeds of 4.2 gigabits per second on its live 5G network. The latest feat of industry frontrunners marks a significant milestone in the era of universal migration from 4G to 5G world. The trial was conducted in Texas to check the efficacy and viability of Verizons 5G Ultra Wideband network, which depends on three fundamental drivers to unleash the full potential of this cutting-edge technology. These include massive spectrum holdings, particularly in the millimeter wave bands for faster data transfer, end-to-end deep fiber resources and the ability to deploy large numbers of small cells. The pilot project was run on Motorolas upcoming 5G smartphone, which is powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon X55 5G modem. (Read more: Verizon Hits 4.2 Gbps Network Speed With Carrier Aggregation) 2. Nokia Corporation NOK has introduced two new cloud-native software applications, Nokia Assurance Center and Nokia Experience Center, in a way that helps communication service providers migrate toward experience-driven and automated 5G network operations. Built on Nokias Common Software Foundation, these products bring a new level of service automation and data- and customer-centricity for operators, apart from driving additional revenue sources. The Nokia Assurance Center is a multi-vendor system that provides a unified Assurance platform across traditionally disparate systems and domain silos. Leveraging Bell Labs AI and ML technology, the system is part of Nokias broader operations software portfolio to enable round-trip operations automation. (Read more: Nokia Advances Service Operations With Cutting-Edge Software) 3. Intelsat S.A. I reported relatively modest fourth-quarter 2019 results with both the top and bottom line exceeding the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, revenues were down year over year as media revenues declined due to the increasing importance of digital platforms content. On GAAP basis, net loss for the reported quarter was $114.9 million or loss of 81 cents per share compared with loss of $111.3 million or loss of 81 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. The wider net loss was primarily due to lower revenues and higher operating expenses. Net loss per share was, however, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of loss of 99 cents. Quarterly revenues declined 4.8% to $516.9 million but surpassed the consensus estimate of $499 million. (Read more: Intelsat Q4 Loss Narrower Than Expected, Revenues Fall) 4. InterDigital, Inc. IDCC reported solid fourth-quarter 2019 results, wherein both the bottom line and top line surpassed the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate. Higher revenues generated from new licensing avenues highlighted the operating leverage of the companys business model and reflected the strength of its licensing business. Net income in the quarter was $13.8 million or 44 cents per share compared with $2.1 million or 6 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. The significant year-over-year improvement was largely attributable to higher revenues. The bottom line surpassed the consensus estimate by 17 cents. The wireless R&D companys revenues totaled $102.2 million, up from $75.3 million in the year-earlier quarter. The top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $96 million. (Read more: InterDigital's Q4 Earnings Beat on Higher Revenues) 5. Iridium Communications Inc. IRDM reported tepid fourth-quarter 2019 results wherein net loss widened but revenues increased on a year-over-year basis. Fourth-quarter adjusted loss per share was 15 cents compared with loss of 9 cents in the year-earlier quarter. The bottom line was narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 18 cents. Quarterly revenues were $138.9 million compared with $132.2 million in the year-ago quarter. The rise was led by higher total service revenues and engineering and support service revenues. The top line matched the consensus estimate. (Read more: Iridium Incurs Wider Loss in Q4, Revenues Rise Y/Y) Price Performance The following table shows the price movement of some of the major telecom stocks over the past week and six-month period. Story continues Click to get this free report Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Nokia Corporation (NOK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Iridium Communications Inc (IRDM) : Free Stock Analysis Report InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Intelsat S.A. (I) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research QUEENSBURY, N.Y. A Watervliet man was arrested on multiple drug possession charges, unlicensed operation and resisting arrest after backing into a New York State police patrol car. Christopher A. Morris, 38, was interviewed by state police after he struck a patrol car while he was backing out of a parking space at Jolly Gas in Queensbury. A trooper fueling his patrol car saw Morris pulling out of a parking spot. The trooper called to Morris to get his attention, but was unable to stop him from backing into the troop cars push bumper. The patrol car was not damaged. Morris did not have identification and refused to identify himself, telling the trooper that he did not have a license. Morris was found to be in possession of approximately 1 gram of cocaine, several glassine bags containing a brown powder believed to be heroin, a hypodermic needle, several digital scales with drug residue, and marijuana. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance fifth degree, a felony, criminal use of drug paraphernalia second degree, aggravated unlicensed operation second degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance seventh degree, obstruction of governmental administration second degree, possession of a hypodermic instrument, and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, all misdemeanors. Further investigation confirmed Morris identity, and that he had three outstanding warrants. He was arraigned in Warren County Centralized Arraignment Part and remanded to Warren County Jail. He is due back in court on a later date. New Delhi, Feb 27 : Crush into spring/summer 2020 well-informed with the top looks to grab the maximum attention. This spring speaks loudly about femininity with a myriad of options to offer the urbane woman. So, if youre looking to keep your wardrobe up-to-date, the latest trends can be your inspiration and choice. Here, we offer you from cut-outs to off-the-shoulder for you to add to your shopping list. Unconventional shapes meet craftsmanship as designers flaunt attractive pattern-making skills. A series of artistic draping, twisting, cut-outs, cinching and folding techniques are used to emphasize silhouettes. Floral embroideries make a comeback. On the surface front, wide explorations of washes are featured over denims ranging from worn out effects to deeper indigo dips. Deepak Mohindra, Chairman, Apparel Sourcing Week shares key details that are going to be big this summer. Cut-Outs The waist is being emphasized as brands go for cut-outs around the midriff. Dresses emerge as the most popular category for the trend as seductive cuts hint at skin show. The detail compliments all body types since it gives the illusion of a more slender form, and works wonders on black! Come summer, the detail is set to cast a breezier impact, and make everything just a bit more alluring. Corsetry Since decades, corsets have been regarded as symbolic of a very restrictive, feminine figure. But designers today are taking the detail to a level that speaks about the female body with a bold and empowering edge. Corseted details came centre stage as designers presented it over millennial and Gen Z-approved streetwear looks. Dramatic shoulders set against structured corset-belts stood out at Mugler and Hellessy, while Dolce and Gabbana opted for the golden route of pairing the detail over tulle dresses. Ruching Femininity makes a comeback with ruched detailing for spring/summer 2020 as fashion brands turn to gathered detailing to accentuate body forms. Shoulders, sleeves and the bust area emerge as key points of focus, along with ruching extending all the way down the side over bodycon dresses. There is no specific placement being followed, rather the focus is on achieving a no-fuss look. Off-The-Shoulder Baring the neck is in style this season as designers flaunt collar bones and amplify the shoulders without showing too much skin. The industry is inclining itself towards adopting the 'less is more' concept by opting for off-the-shoulder details on outfits. Both Carolina Herrera and Alexander McQueen used this detail on short dresses but to different effects -the former presented a romantic vibe with tiered ruffles, while the latter went for a statement in neon green with drooping flouncy sleeves reaching mid-arm. See-through From diaphanous shirts and dresses, to gauzy skirts and see-through windcheaters, to delicate fabrics like tulle, organza and mesh, S/S '20 is embracing transparency in a big way. This season sees a diverse range of techniques, with few key pieces featuring the fusing of appliquA and embroidered motifs, paired with ruching and gathers. (This article is a website exclusive and cannot be reproduced without the permission of IANSlife) (N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in) The Raleigh News & Observer today highlighted North Carolina's ambitious goal of having 2 million residents with a high-quality postsecondary degree or credential by 2030. One of Governor Roy Cooper's top priorities has been educating the workforce needed to meet this goal and continue recruiting companies to North Carolina. As Governor Cooper has traveled the state, visiting with community college leaders, workforce development boards and students and learning about ways to help grow the state's talent pipeline he has proposed or launched. In order to achieve the ambitious goal of several programs to help North Carolina meet the mark.In January, Governor Cooper announced that the Finish Line Grants program issued more than 3,000 grants and $2 million since the program was announced in July 2018. The Finish Line Grants program helps students stay on track to complete their degree or credential when they face unexpected financial emergencies that might otherwise cause them to drop out. To learn more about Finish Line Grants, click HERE Governor Cooper also proposed NC GROW -Getting Ready for Opportunities in the Workforce-a scholarship program to help people get community college degrees and job training.NC GROW and Finish Line grants are key parts of NC Job Ready , Gov. Cooper's initiative to prepare North Carolinians for the jobs of today and tomorrow and connect employers with the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed.Success at community colleges is largely attributed to the educators. Governor Cooper's responsible compromise budget proposal included a 4% pay raise for community college employees.Governor Cooper continues to be a champion of workforce development and community college growth and will continue to fight for students and educators.By Kate MurphyFebruary 26, 2020North Carolina has plenty of good jobs. What it doesn't have is enough people with the education to fill all of those jobs.Less than half of the state's residents ages 25 to 44 have a college degree or professional credential.Education leaders across North Carolina are trying to fix that by setting a very ambitious goal: that 2 million residents will have a high-quality postsecondary degree or credential by 2030.[...] MyFutureNC is a statewide nonprofit organization created to reach the 2030 goal through collaboration between North Carolina leaders in education, business and government."Those areas of the state that are struggling will certainly see a benefit from this, because it's hard to grow a business or create jobs in an area that doesn't have a skilled workforce," Hans said.With just regular growth and no significant changes in policy over the next 10 years, the state would have about 1.6 million adults who have the required level of education the workforce needs. But with the goal set at 2 million by 2030, the state needs to help about 400,000 people get those degrees and credentials.[...]"A real impediment to this goal is the rising cost of higher education coupled with the fact that many families are living on the edge financially," North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said.Investment from the state plays a big role in making college accessible for people, Cooper said. Finish line grants provide financial help to students who come close to finishing a degree or credential but hit an unexpected financial roadblock, like major car repairs or medical bills. Using federal money, the state offers these grants to students who are more than halfway to finishing their education. The grants have helped hundreds since 2018.Cooper also mentioned last dollar community college scholarships, which help students pursuing jobs in high-demand fields cover remaining tuition and fees.Nearly 70% of jobs in North Carolina require a post-secondary credential or degree, according to MyFutureNC. Cooper and Hans say community colleges are going to help move the needle with short-term, affordable education options.[...]While Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy is opening doors for a few dozen students each year, MyFutureNC partners are working to scale that success across the state and raise North Carolina's education standard. The group set up a website to measure the progress toward the 2030 statewide attainment goal and how individual counties are performing.Governor Cooper said.It's good that they've all agreed on a goal, he said, but actually reaching it is going to be a lot harder. 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 Facebook is clamping down on ads and misinformation relating to coronavirus, implementing a policy Head of Health Kang-Xing Jin outlined last month. Criticism of social media platforms for spreading fear and confusion about coronavirus is rife. Still, Facebooks decision-making has raised a few eyebrows, as the coronavirus ad restrictions could be interpreted as limiting free speech in a way that is inconsistent with Facebooks general practices. Notably, it has refused to block politicians from spreading misinformation in ads on its platform on the grounds that doing so would hinder free speech. Curtailing Ads for Fake Cures Were taking steps to stop ads for products that refer to the coronavirus and create a sense of urgency, like implying a limited supply, or guaranteeing a cure or prevention, a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement provided to TechNewsWorld by company representative Andrea Vallone. For example, ads with claims like face masks are 100 percent guaranteed to prevent the spread of the virus will not be allowed, the spokesperson said. Not only is this announcement not really new, but it shouldnt have to exist, as not allowing advertising thats intentionally misleading or is absolute fraud should not be allowed, remarked Liz Miller, principal analyst at Constellation Research. The United States Federal Trade Commission has some fairly straightforward guidelines on advertising that makes medical claims, Miller told TechNewsWorld, and can set fines running into the millions of dollars if they are breached. Why isnt Facebook looking to the FTC Act for guidelines and insisting theyre the minimum expectation for all health or medical advertising? she asked. Clearing Out Misinformation Facebook also is removing content that promotes false claims or conspiracy theories about the coronavirus, or false claims about what health resources are available. It is also taking these actions: A D V E R T I S E M E N T Labeling misinformation as such and directing users to more accurate information such as pop-ups redirecting them to the World Health Organization or local or regional health authorities; Providing ad credits to WHO and ministries of health across Asia; and Sharing aggregated and anonymized mobility data and high-resolution population density maps with researchers at universities to help inform their forecasting models for the spread of the virus as part of Facebooks broader Data for Good program. A Concerted Effort Facebook might be ramping up its efforts in the wake of a meeting it hosted at its Menlo Park campus between WHO and 12 high-tech firms, including Google, YouTube, Amazon, Twitter, Salesforce, Verizon, Airbnb, Twilio and Dropbox. Apple, Lyft and Uber reportedly were invited but did not attend. The meeting focused on how the attendees were working to stop the spread of misinformation. The group will meet every few months. Prior to the meeting, Twitter said it was not seeing significant coordinated attempts to spread disinformation at scale with respect to coronavirus, but that it would remain vigilant and would remove people tweeting misinformation from its service. Speech Is Not Free Facebooks actions against fake ads and misinformation about coronavirus raise questions about its support for freedom of speech, which was its argument for refusing to take action against misleading statements politicians might post on its platform. Facebooks position certainly suggests that if the penalties were higher for fake political news, Facebook would be more aggressive at moderating that content as well, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. This shows they can do it, and that if the risks are high enough for Facebook, they will do it, he told TechNewsWorld. On the other hand, false medical claims do potentially carry liability back to Facebook, whereas false political claims do not, Enderle pointed out. Thats probably dictating Facebooks behavior. Facebook is not a free speech zone, said Mike Jude, research director at IDC. Even its contract claims that it reserves the right to exclude any commentary that violates its rules. If you put any limits on speech its no longer free, he told TechNewsWorld. Facebook could report people advertising purported cures for coronavirus to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jude said, but that would be the camels nose in the tent when it comes to social media regulations, and they probably dont want that. Clamping down on ads is different from restricting misinformation spread through user posts and conversations, Constellations Miller noted. The latter falls under the question of whether an individual user has the right to spread content that is based on misinformation, she pointed out. In that situation, Facebook must tread a fine line between free speech and giving the community the opportunity to debunk misinformation, and banning content, Miller observed. Opening a Can of Worms Moderating is a slippery slope, remarked Enderle. What constitutes the truth for one group may constitute a lie for another, and sensibilities concerning what is appropriate content vary widely. Facebooks fact-checkers may be having problems enforcing its rules in a logically consistent way, Jude suggested. Once the body of rules becomes so complex that a human cant articulate how its applied consistently, the whole edifice collapses, he added. Remember Robocop 2, when the committee came up with all the rules he had to follow and had them hardwired in? When he saw a crime he couldnt function because of all the contradictions built into the rule book, Jude said. Facebook is now the committee trying to program its version of Robocop, he suggested, trying to contain badness with a rule book that has too many internal inconsistencies. Every new rule they adopt just makes it worse. The Indian government has evacuated a total of 195 Indians and 41 foreign nationals from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan and quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. Till date, a total of 842 Indians and 48 foreign nationals have been evacuated from China and Japan. The figure includes 640 Indians and seven Maldivians evacuated from Wuhan in two special operations earlier. As many as 119 of the 138 Indian nationals onboard cruise ship Diamond Princess -- quarantined off the coast of Japan since February 5 -- have been evacuated. In addition, 5 foreign nationals -- two Sri Lankans, one Nepali, and one each from Peru and South Africa -- were also evacuated, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Three Indian crew members chose to not board the special flight, while 16 could not be evacuated as they have been tested positive for the coronavirus. All evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at the facilities set up by the Indian Army in Manesar. As many as 76 Indian nationals and 36 foreign nationals -- including 23 from Bangladesh, six from China, two from Myanmar and Maldives, and one each from South Africa, the United States, and Madagascar -- were evacuated from Wuhan. Coronavirus first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has since then spread to several countries across the world. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of people have lost their lives to coronavirus, thousands and thousands of people are still affected by the deadly flu and the number just keeps on increasing. It's an epidemic and Wuhan is the epicentre, as we all know. With so much going on, here's some good news related to coronavirus that should make Indians proud. In a special Indian Air Force flight, India has sent 15 tonnes of medical supplies to Wuhan for people affected by the virus. Twitter The same flight brought back 112 people as well, and out of all those evacuated from China, 76 were Indians, 23 citizens from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives and one each from South Africa, the US and Madagascar. All of the people have been taken to ITBP facility in the national capital for quarantine. A spokesperson of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said, "The evacuees will go through a thermal screening procedure at the tarmac of the airport after which they will be kept at our facility in Chhawla area for quarantine." People are of course celebrating this great gesture and are appreciating the air force's efforts. Consignment (15 tonnes) of Indian medical relief for #COVID19 lands in Wuhan. Strong expression of our solidarity with the Chinese people at this difficult time. Thank you @IAF_MCC and @EOIBeijing for your efforts. pic.twitter.com/v2ph3LHogM Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020 Hmm. Its a great honor, Saving Our People life" And you saved many. A special Indian Air Force aircraft carrying 76 Indian nationals and 36 foreigner landed in Delhi on Thursday, rescuing people from coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan in China #COVID2019 #IAF @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar ansh kakkar (@ansh291092) February 27, 2020 Prayers going around. Thank you Hope the delicate and unprecedented situation that has occurred in China soon improves and citizens of China & the world citizens get much needed relief from the outbreak. Prayers and best wishes to all! (@PSchwiter) February 26, 2020 It's so important. Providing relief to neighbour during such emergency is always to help & save humanity, human lives. It always surprises why few countries hesitate & turn down off er of such relief during such times. Smallest of aid should be accepted with grace & gratitude. Jai Hind BN Sharma, IG (Retd) (@BholaNath_BSF) February 26, 2020 Hopefully soon. Happy to see India assisting China in difficult times. Pray the virus is controlled in China and elsewhere. Best wishes China. Ordinary Being (@NayyarSanjeev) February 26, 2020 Of course, it does. I appreciate the good samaritan help to the neighbors at this hour of crisis. Human value transcends everything. May the Chinese people get better soon and wish them good. Shiva (@ShivaKap) February 26, 2020 By Online Desk A Bangladeshi student of Visva-Bharati University was allegedly asked to leave India for uploading photographs of the anti-CAA protests on Facebook. The first-year student, identified as Afsara Anika Meem, was asked by the Centre to leave the country for participating in 'anti-government activities', the Telegraph reported. The 20-year-old student who had come to India in 2018 from Bangladesh's Kustia is pursuing a Bachelor of Design degree at the department of fine arts. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office had issued a 'leave-India' letter dated February 14 after several students and faculty members of the varsity took to the streets to protest against the contentious Act passed by the Parliament in December. However, Afsara claimed that she had not participated in any rally but merely put photographs on the social media platform out of curiosity, following which she was heavily trolled by a section of fanatics. I am still unable to understand what wrong I have committed to face such a punishment. I posted a few photographs out of curiosity as many of my friends had participated in the protest rally. But when I found that a particular group of people was trolling me on social media, I immediately deactivated my Facebook account. I am really innocent. When I received the letter from the department today, a dark sense of grave loss gripped me. I came to India to study at Visva-Bharati as I dream to be an artist. I dont know what will happen to me now, Afsara told the newspaper. As per the report, sources in the Bangladesh deputy high commission said they were not aware of the notice sent to Afsara. A former New Jersey woman who authorities say enlisted her son to kill her husband and sister in the 1990s has been indicted on murder charges after 25 years, authorities said. A Monmouth County grand jury ruled in favor of indicting Dolores Morgan, 66, and her 47-year-old son, Ted Connors, on seven counts of murder and conspiracy in the 1995 shooting of Nicholas Connors and the 1994 stabbing of Ana F. Mejia. Prosecutors said Ted carried out the murders with his best friend, Jose Carrero, at the request of Morgan. The murders were unsolved and remained a cold case until Carrero made a confession to police in January, leading to the trio's arrests. Dolores Morgan (left) and Ted Connors (right) were indicted on murder charges on Thursday in the deaths of Nicholas Connors and Ana F. Mejina New evidence uncovered by the Long Branch Police Department and the cold case department also prompted their arrests. Carrero, 48, has since been arrested and pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree conspiracy to commit murder on February 22. He has agreed to testify against the alleged crime duo and is expected to face five to 10 years in prison for each charge when he is sentenced, NJ.com reports. Authorities say Mejia was found dead and only partially clothed inside her Long Branch apartment bedroom on December 8, 1994. She had been stabbed 23 times and officers found a white substance thought to be cocaine around her mouth. It was later determined that it was baby formula belonging to her two children, ages one and three. Both children were inside the apartment at the time of the murder, but were unharmed. Ted recently admitted to authorities that he was a drug dealer in the 1990s and his mother was aware of it. He said he lost money because Mejina and her boyfriend were arrested in a 1994 drug case. Prosecutors say they killed Mejina because of what they perceived was her attempt to tip off authorities about her boyfriend's illegal actions. Ted's attorney, Jonathan Petty, said many people had a reason to kill Mejina over her reputation as a possible 'snitch'. Petty said a search warrant executed at her home one week before the murder led police to find a kilo of cocaine and more than $130,000. Six months later, Connors, who was Morgan's husband and Ted's adoptive father, was shot dead on a sofa inside his home with several gunshot wounds to the head. Jose Carrero (pictured), Ted Connors best friend, confessed to authorities about the murders and has pleaded guilty Prosecutors claim Connors was killed over his $200,000 life insurance that Morgan collected one day after his death. Following the murders, Morgan, Ted and his then-girlfriend traveled to the Dominican Republic. Ted's former girlfriend told police that during the trip, Morgan said: 'We already have two deaths on our hands. We cant afford another. We cant afford the police snooping around our house again'. '[Morgan] has done nothing but hide her involvement and manipulate the system to ensure she was protected,' prosecutors said. Within a year, the pair escaped to Florida to start new lives. The three suspects are currently being held in jail pending trial. Defiant Harvey Weinstein is continuing to protest his innocence from his hospital bed, as he waits to be transferred to Riker's Island to serve time for two counts of rape and sexual assault. The convicted rapist appeared unrepentant Wednesday, as his attorney revealed that he was insisting he hadn't raped or sexually assaulted anyone and was urging his team to keep fighting his conviction. 'He's been consistent from the day I met him about his innocence, and he's still very forceful in proclaiming that 'I didn't sexually assault anyone and I didn't rape anyone,' New York defense attorney Arthur Aidala told ABC News. Weinstein allegedly made the comments from his hospital bed at New York's Bellevue Hospital, where he remained under police guard. Defiant Harvey Weinstein is continuing to protest his innocence from his hospital bed, as he waits to be transferred to Riker's Island to serve time for two counts of rape and sexual assault. He is pictured arriving in court on Monday - just hours before he was taken to Bellevue Hospital The disgraced movie mogul, 67, was en route to the notorious Riker's Island jail on Monday evening when he was rerouted to hospital with high blood pressure and heart palpitations. This came just hours after a New York jury found him guilty on two counts at his highly-publicized trial. Aidala said the disgraced media mogul was in 'good spirits' and was 'focused on the future'. 'When I saw him yesterday, I was not expecting him to be in as good spirits as he was,' he said. The disgraced movie mogul, 67, was en route to the notorious Riker's Island jail on Monday evening when he was rerouted to hospital (above) with high blood pressure and heart palpitations. This came just hours after a New York jury found him guilty on two counts at his highly-publicized trial The convicted rapist appeared unrepentant Wednesday, as his attorney Arthur Aidala revealed that he was insisting he hadn't raped or sexually assaulted anyone and was urging his team to keep fighting his conviction 'He was in pretty good shape - pretty focused on the future, what the next steps are.' 'Obviously, we all wish he was sleeping in his own bed right now, but he appeared to be as healthy as possible, although his vital signs might not have been ideal, but he was trying to motivate me and passing the message along to the rest of the team to keep fighting for him,' he said. Weinstein spokesman Judah Engelmayer also confirmed that Weinstein was proclaiming his innocence, in an interview with ABC News Wednesday. 'He's trying to keep high spirits,' he said. 'He's trying to keep his mind off his situation and he's hoping that his team, his friends, his family still can maintain the fight for him.' 'He maintains his innocence and he still wants his chance to prove it.' Engelmayer told Page Six earlier this week that Weinstein had hired a 'prison consultant' to help him prepare for the 'logistics' of life behind bars, including ensuring Weinstein receives proper medical care in jail. 'He's been consistent from the day I met him about his innocence, and he's still very forceful in proclaiming that 'I didn't sexually assault anyone and I didn't rape anyone,' New York defense attorney Arthur Aidala told ABC News An artist's sketch during the trial: The jury convicted Weinstein of the third degree rape of aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 and criminal sexual assault of film production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 The 67-year-old reportedly suffers from diabetes and severe back pain, and was seen pushing a walker into the courtroom throughout the duration of his trial The 67-year-old reportedly suffers from diabetes and severe back pain, and was seen pushing a walker into the courtroom throughout the duration of his trial. The jury convicted Weinstein of the third degree rape of aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013 and criminal sexual assault of film production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006. However, they acquitted him of the more serious charges of two counts of predatory sexual assault and first degree rape. He faces a maximum of 29 years in prison. It is not yet known when he will be deemed fit enough to be moved to Riker's Island, ahead of his sentencing on March 11. The Riker's Island jail complex, whose main building went up in 1932, is notorious for being plagued by violence and neglect. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed in 2017 to close it within a decade. As a high-profile inmate, jail officials are likely to place Weinstein in a private or semi-private cell where he will be closely guarded to help ensure his safety. Weinstein can also request to be placed in protective custody himself. The Rikers Island jail complex, whose main building went up in 1932, has long been plagued by violence and neglect As a high-profile inmate, jail officials are likely to place Weinstein in a private or semi-private cell where he will be closely guarded to help ensure his safety New York prison bosses are said to be worried about how to handle the infamous prisoner, fearing he may commit suicide like Jeffrey Epstein. Billionaire Epstein hanged himself last August in his cell at Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Officials fear Weinstein may have to be kept in a private section of Riker's Island's North Infirmary Command, which is for high-risk inmates, for his own safety, according to TMZ. The Hollywood producer is also facing four felony charges in Los Angeles in connection with his alleged sexual assaults against two women in 2013. More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct. He has denied the accusations, and said any sexual encounters were consensual. New York prison bosses are said to be worried about how to handle the infamous prisoner, fearing he may commit suicide like Jeffrey Epstein When the very first coronavirus reports emerged, I had a suspicion that Iran would be a target of the worlds anger. The spread of Covid-19 to the Middle East was as inevitable as history because the Muslim pilgrim routes have always acted as a channel for pestilence. But however honest or dishonest Irans response to the virus has been, contemporary hatred for Shia Islam in Sunni Muslim lands and the anti-Iranian bias of the western world was going to turn poor old Persia into a plague pariah. A virus that clearly had its origins in China is now supposedly turning Iran into a menace to us all. The New York Times announced that it was emerging as a worldwide threat, spreading the coronavirus to a host of neighbouring countries. The Jerusalem Post declared that Iran had now set the Middle East ablaze with fears of coronavirus. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo said Washington was deeply concerned by information indicating the Iranian regime may have suppressed vital details about the outbreak in that country. It was inevitable, of course. After originally denying that it had shot down the Ukrainian passenger jet over Tehran on 8 January, Irans word was not going to be trusted when it announced its first coronavirus deaths. The holy city of Qom had itself suffered 50 fatalities, one of the countrys own MPs claimed to the horror (and denial) of the government. Of the 139 people testing positive in the country, even its health minister admitted he was a patient after dripping perspiration at a televised press conference. With 19 officially admitted deaths in a week, it did not help when an Iranian cleric announced that the very fabric of the golden-domed mosques of Qom would protect its pilgrims. This was truly medieval in its fantasy. Irans neighbours piled on the grief. The Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia all pointed at Iran as the source of their own virus outbreaks accurate enough in that the victims (even in Lebanon) appeared to have arrived from Tehran but for a world which has for years collectively isolated and sanctioned Iran and deprived it of the very basic commodities, including medical equipment, this is surely a grotesque act of hypocrisy. The virus coincides with the great pilgrimages to Qom. Had it broken out a few months later, then the most dangerous source might have been and could still be this midsummers Haj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Coronavirus does not respect Islam. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty Nor Christianity for that matter. Early records show that Muslims in the Middle East thought that Christians might be spared the Black Death when it arrived in the region. They were not. Within only seven years of the death of the Prophet Mohamed, pestilence struck the entire region. The Plague of Amwas, named after a Palestinian village not far from Jerusalem (its modern Arab inhabitants were evicted by Israeli forces in 1948), killed 20,000, including the prophets own companion Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, and struck from Syria to what is today Saudi Arabia. In an earlier epidemic, the second caliph, Umar al-Khattab, was advancing from Medina to Syria but turned back when he heard from Abu Ubaidah that a plague had broken out in Syria. He returned to Arabia, an act provoking a debate which has echoes even amid todays coronavirus outbreak. Should we stay where we are amid a pestilence? Or run for home? Early Muslims apparently contented themselves with a supposed quotation from the prophet himself its historical accuracy is equally open for debate in which Mohamed said that if plague is in a land, do not approach it; but if it occurs in a land while you are there, do not leave to escape it. Scholar Yaron Ayalon has pointed out that both Muslims and Christians faced the philosophical as well as physical question of contagion. If a disease could be transmitted from one person to another, there should be a way to prevent it, and if so, the argument that epidemics were a divine punishment for mans sins would be harder to sustain. Some Muslim writers suggested that even though contagion existed, it was up to God to decide whether a person should become ill. For hundreds of years, of course, the Middle East and the Islamic world had a surer grasp of medicine than Europeans possessed. A Christian Arab from Iraq, Hunayn ibn Ishaq, for example, translated both Hippocrates and the Roman physician and surgeon Galen of Pergamon. But a 16th-century Muslim historian in Mamluk Egypt said that dying from the plague was equivalent to a martyrs death in battle we should perhaps predict the reawakening of this idea in the modern Middle East and even suggested, apparently quoting the prophet, that Medina and Mecca were surrounded by angels and thus no plague could enter the cities. This was surely an early version of the Qom cleric who has just claimed that the very mosques of the city would protect pilgrims. Muslim records of the great plagues which scourged the Islamic world are even scarcer than the European documents which recorded up to 800,000 deaths from the Black Death in England alone in the 14th century. Arab historians believe that the plagues originated in Mongolia and there is little doubt that they moved along the Silk Road at the speed of armies and camels rather than airliners, of course to Persia (Iran) and then to the Levant (Syria, modern-day Lebanon, Palestine and modern-day Israel, and then Egypt). The Syrian writer Ibn al-Wardi, who was himself a victim of the plague in 1348, spoke of the Black Death emerging from The Land of Darkness. Up to 30 per cent of all Persians died in the 14th century. The great Arab traveller Ibn Battuta recorded 2,000 deaths a day in Damascus. Four years later, Mecca was struck by a plague apparently brought down the Haj pilgrimage route. In 1347, the Black Death infested Cairo and wiped out a third of the population at the rate of a thousand a day, according to historian and journalist Max Rodenbeck, who records 55 plague outbreaks in the Egyptian city, including 20 epidemics within just over 150 years. Fatally, he wrote, ruler and ruled alike continued to ascribe the plague to heavenly anger. The sheikh of Al-Azhar was certain that this was Gods punishment for mens fornication and for women who would adorn themselves and walk in the streets. As late as 1835, an English visitor to Cairo recorded how his landlord, banker, doctor, donkey driver, the relatives of his servant and a magician all died of the plague which took the lives of around another 70,000 souls. I doubt if the cruel story of Middle Eastern contagion counts for much in the White House or among the Sunni monarchs of the Gulf. Within the regions refugee camps, in Syria, in Iraq, in Jordan and Lebanon, however, history hovers a little closer. Compared to the ancient plagues, coronavirus the description pandemic aside is an infinitesimal threat to humanity. But its spread is of a speed that past generations in the Middle East would understand. The plague reached Italy at almost the same moment it struck Alexandria in Egypt. The Silk Road knew no sectarian or national divisions. Nor did the pilgrim routes of Islam. A Shelby County father is behind bars, accused of seriously injuring his infant daughter. Alabaster on police on Thursday announced the arrest of 23-year-old Aaron Lee Ward. He is charged with aggravated child abuse, which is a felony. Police said the investigation began on Feb. 13, when Alabaster officers were notified by Childrens of Alabama about a possible abuse case. Chief Curtis Rigney said the 23-day-old child had suffered numerous injuries that were life-threatening. According to court records made public Friday, Ward is accused of picking up the infant and hitting her head on the side of the crib. He then reportedly grabbed her ankles and snatched her up toward his chest. The baby has 20 healing rib fractures, fractures to her tibia and fibula, fractures to both femurs and extensive head trauma including a skull fracture. As of Thursday, the child remained hospitalized in critical condition but is expected to survive. Its always a sad day when a small child is harmed in this manner, said Det. Randy Ray. We can only pray for a full recovery. The investigation is still ongoing. The Department of Human Resources is also involved in the case. Ward was booked into the Shelby County Jail and remains held on $120,000 bond. Anyone with information is asked to call Alabaster police at 205-663-7401 or the Alabaster Criminal Investigations Division at 205-664-6850. Malawi on Thursday became the latest African country to legalise the growing of cannabis, a crop that could supplement the tobacco industry, which has been the country's economic mainstay. Lawmakers unanimously passed the new law legalising the farming, importing and exporting of cannabis for medicinal and industrial use, according to documents seen by AFP. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world and has long relied on tobacco which brings in around 60 per cent of foreign exchange earnings. Several countries have decriminalised the growing and use of medicinal cannabis. The new law establishes a regulatory authority which will be tasked with issuing licences to cultivate, process, store, sell, export and distribute cannabis. The law also requires that cannabis will be grown under strict practices, including prohibiting children in the sector. Malawi was last December forced to confront child labour practices after the US restricted tobacco imports from the impoverished nation over allegations workers including children were being exploited. Cannabis has for many years been illegally grown in remote parts of Malawi and smuggled out of the country. The grade is popularly known as "Malawi gold". Financial crimes expert Jai Banda lauded parliament's decision as government has for years lost out on valuable tax revenue. "Cannabis is mainly cultivated in remote areas, mainly for export to surrounding countries such as South Africa, Kenya and the overseas market. Trade is organised by professional traffickers," Banda told AFP. "It has been a long journey but here we are. I guess we will be able to export and thereby earn the much needed forex. This is a path in the right direction. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Walking and running subjects our feet to forces in excess of body weight. The longitudinal arch of the feet was thought to be the reason the feet do not deform under such load. However, researchers from the University of Warwick, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University in Japan and Yale University have illustrated that the transverse arch may be more important for this stiffness. Past theories of the foot stiffness look at the longitudinal arch, however in the paper 'Stiffness of the human foot and evolution of the transverse arch' published today, the 26th of February in the journal Nature, researchers from the University of Warwick working in collaboration with Yale University and OIST Graduate University, propose the transverse arch may play an equally important role. The collaboration found that the transverse arch is a bigger source of foot stiffness than what was found due to the longitudinal arch in previous work. They also discovered that the transverse arched evolved to become almost human-like over 3.5 million years ago. This collaboration between Dr. Shreyas Mandre, from the Department of Maths at the University of Warwick, Professor Mahesh Bandi, from the Nonlinear and Non-equilibrium Physics Unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and Professor Madhusudhan Venkadesan, from Yale University was funded by a Young Investigator award by the Human Frontiers Science Program. Foot forces in running Play The authors say that this research motivates further work into the role of the transverse arches in the disciplines of podiatry and evolutionary anthropology. These insights could also inspire new designs for prosthetic and robotic feet. The role of the transverse arch may be understood in simpler terms by looking at a thin paper sheet. When the short edge is held flat, the sheet is floppy and droops under a little weight. But curl the edge a little and even 100 times as much weight is not excessive. Flat thin objects like paper sheets bend easily, but are much difficult to stretch. The transverse curvature of the sheet engages its transverse stretching when attempting to bend it. This coupling of bending and stretching due to curvature is the principle underlying the stiffening role of the transverse arch." Dr. Shreyas Mandre, Department of Maths, University of Warwick But because the foot serves multiple mechanical functions, its structure is more complicated than the paper sheet. Therefore, "flattening" the foot to test the hypothesis of curvature-induced stiffening may have unidentified confounding variables. To overcome this difficulty, the researchers ingeniously disrupted the underlying principle while keeping the transverse arch intact. "Understanding of the underlying principle enabled us to build mechanical mimics of the foot comprising springs that imitated the elastic tissue of the foot. Disrupting the transversely oriented springs in these mimics had the same effect as flattening them," explains Ali Yawar, a co-author of the study. Stiffness of a curved foot mimic Play "We disrupted the underlying principle of curvature-induced stiffening in human cadaveric feet by transecting the transverse tissue, which reduced the mid-foot stiffness by nearly half," said Carolyn Eng, another co-author of the article. In comparison, experiments in the 1980's on disrupting the stiffening mechanism due to the longitudinal arch only showed a reduction in stiffness by about 25%. This research also injects new interpretation of the fossil record of human ancestral species, especially pertaining to the emergence of bipedalism. The researchers formulated a measure of the transverse arch to accounts for variations in the length and thickness of the feet. They used the measure to compare related species such as the great apes, human ancestral species and some distantly related primates. "Our evidence suggests that a human-like transverse arch may have evolved over 3.5 million years ago, a whole 1.5 million years before the emergence of the genus Homo and was a key step in the evolution of modern humans," explains Prof. Venkadesan. It also provides a hypothesis for how Australopithecus afarensis, the same species as the fossil Lucy, thought to not possess longitudinally arched feet, could generate footprints like humans that were discovered in Laetoli. Hugh Bonneville looked dapper as he tucked into a marmalade sandwich with a Paddington Bear statue at a new interactive trail in London. The event, called Scenes in the Square, is being hosted in the capital's iconic Leicester Square famed for its movie premieres and is celebrating a century of cinema. Taking a look at all the best characters, scenes and films over the last 100 years from 1920 to 2020, the interactive tour has eight interactive bronze statues for people to sing, dance and take photos with in celebration of the square's 350th anniversary. Iconic: Hugh Bonneville looked dapper as he tucked into a marmalade sandwich with a Paddington Bear statue at a new interactive trail in London Hugh couldn't resist taking the opportunity to tuck into some marmalade sandwiches with none other than Paddington Bear, he stars in the 2014 and 2017 movies as Henry Brown. The Downton Abbey star, 56, looked dapper in a blue tweed three-piece suit with a patterned shirt underneath. Hugh appeared in good spirits as he posed with the Paddington Bear and joyfully held up a plate of marmalade sandwiches. Hungry? The event, called Scenes in the Square, is being hosted in the capital's iconic Leicester Square famed for its movie premieres and is celebrating a century of cinema Incredible: Taking a look at all the best characters, scenes and films over the last 100 years from 1920 to 2020, the interactive tour has eight interactive bronze statues for people to sing, dance and take photos with Happy days: Hugh couldn't resist taking the opportunity to tuck into some marmalade sandwiches with none other than Paddington Bear (pictured with author Rosie Alison) Legendary: Paddington Bear has been turned into two huge movies, starring Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown and Hugh Grant as Phoenix Buchanan Gene Kelly's widow Patricia was also in attendance as she unveiled a statue dedicated to her late husband in his 1952 film Singin' in the Rain. The statue sees Gene as his character, Don Lockwood, during his iconic dance scene where he swings off a statue in the rain while holding an umbrella. Paying homage to the film and Gene, Patricia replicated the look by wearing a burgundy tombola hat and clutched a black umbrella with a wooden handle. Singin' in the Rain: Gene Kelly's widow Patricia was also in attendance as she unveiled a statue dedicated to her late husband in his 1952 film Singin' in the Rain Classic: The statue sees Gene as his character, Don Lockwood, during his iconic dance scene where he swings off a statue in the rain while holding an umbrella Homage: Paying homage to the film and Gene, Patricia replicated the look by wearing a burgundy tombola hat and clutched a black umbrella with a wooden handle Making cinema history: Gene pictured as his character Don Lockwood during his iconic dance scene where he swings off a statue in the rain while holding an umbrella in the film The author finished her look with a stunning purple embroidered coat complete with a purple scarf and burgundy suede knee-high heeled boots. Zizi Strallen, who is currently starring as Mary Poppins in the West End musical, unveiled a statue dedicated to Julie Andrews in the 1964 Disney classic. The actress, 30, replicated the statue as she held a black umbrella in the wind to copy the film's 'flying nanny' scene where Mary Poppins travels to the Banks' household via her black umbrella. A Spoonful of Sugar: Zizi Strallen, who is currently starring as Mary Poppins in the West End musical, unveiled a statue dedicated to Julie Andrews in the 1964 Disney classic Flying nanny: The actress, 30, replicated the statue as she held a black umbrella in the wind to copy the film's 'flying nanny' scene where Mary Poppins travels to the Banks' household via her black umbrella Other statues: Other statues at the interactive tour included Wonder Woman, Batman, Laurel and Hardy (pictured), Mr Bean and Bugs Bunny Mr Bean! Visitors can share a photo with a Mr Bean statute, the 90s comedy series was turned into two films Other statues at the interactive tour included Wonder Woman, Batman, Laurel and Hardy, Mr Bean and Bugs Bunny. While presenter Alex Zane, 40, was on hand to present the event as the stars descended on Leicester Square. Scenes in the Square started on Thursday 27 February and will run until the 30 June. 'What's up, Doc?' Bugs Bunny statue was cleverly placed in an allotment of plants and carrots at the interactive trail COVID-19 claims its first major business casualty in Japan. As Japan struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organisation, the local economy is being hit hard, with businesses at popular tourist sites now facing an uncertain future. In the city of Kyoto, local merchants have taken matters into their own hands, setting up an aEmptya tourism campaign to lure visitors at a time when tourist numbers from China and other countries has dropped dramatically. For one longstanding business in Aichi Prefecture, however, the drop in tourist numbers has dealt a fatal blow, as theyave now been forced to file for bankruptcy. According to Japanese credit reporting agency Tokyo Shoko Research, Fujimisou, a ryokan located in the onsen hot spring resort town of Nishiura in Aichi Prefecture, filed a bankruptcy application with Nagoya District Court on 21 February, after being in operation for 64 years. The 46-room ryokan, located at the tip of the Atsumi Peninsula, was once a thriving business, with guests enjoying fresh seafood meals sourced from Mikawa Bay and each room offering expansive ocean views. Fujimisouas financial records show a turnover of approximately 550 million yen (US$4.98 million) back in December 2005. However, following a financial slump in 2013, they found themselves short on funds and were forced to come up with a solution, turning to the Chinese market to stay alive. By shifting their focus to accomodating Chinese tour groups, the ryokan was able to turn their fortunes around, with demand from these tour groups growing in recent years. However, with their main cashflow coming from Chinese tourists, the drop in numbers over the last month, during what was meant to be the busy Lunar New Year holiday season, proved to be too much for the business, prompting them to go into receivership. The massive number of cancellations by Chinese tour groups that tipped the longstanding ryokan into the red is a cautionary tale for other businesses who rely heavily on the Chinese market to survive. People wearing face masks look for products at a supermarket, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The coronavirus epidemic has already disrupted economic growth in China and a further spread to other countries could derail a "highly fragile" projected recovery in the global economy in 2020, the International Monetary Fund warned on Wednesday. In a note for G20 finance ministers and central bankers, the global lender mapped out many risks facing the global economy, including the disease and a renewed spike in U.S.-China trade tensions, as well as climate-related disasters. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the outbreak was a stark reminder of how unforeseen events could threaten a fragile recovery, and urged G20 policymakers to work to reduce other uncertainties linked to trade, climate change and inequality. "Uncertainty is becoming the new normal," Georgieva wrote in a blog posted on the IMF website. "While some uncertainties like disease are out of our control, we should not create new uncertainties where we can avoid it." Finance ministers and central bankers from the top 20 advanced industrialized economies will gather in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this week, still uncertain about the impact of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19. Despite the outbreak, the IMF said it was sticking to its January forecast for 3.3% growth in the global economy this year, up from 2.9% in 2019. It represents a downward revision of 0.1 percentage points from its forecast in October. It said the recovery would be shallow and could be derailed by a re-escalation of trade tensions or further spread of the disease, which had already disrupted production in China and could affect other countries through tourism, supply chain linkages and commodity prices. China has said it could still meet its economic growth target for 2020 despite the epidemic. Georgieva said the IMF expected only a small reduction in China's gross domestic product growth unless a protracted outbreak worsens the slowdown. Story continues Even in the best-case scenarios, the projected rate of global growth was modest, she said, urging G20 policymakers to act to reduce trade tensions, mitigate climate change and tackle persistent inequality. Cyber attacks, an escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East or a breakdown in trade talks between China and the United States could impede the short-term global recovery, the IMF said. Climate-related disasters, protectionism and social and political unrest triggered by persistent inequality posed further economic risks. In her blog, Georgieva said a Phase 1 trade deal between the United States and China eliminated some negative consequences of trade tensions, reducing the drag on global GDP by 0.2% in 2020, or about one quarter of the total impact. But it left many tariffs in place and contained managed trade arrangements that could distort trade and investment. She said the IMF estimates that these provisions will cost the global economy some $100 billion. She also cited new IMF estimates that a typical climate-related natural disaster reduced growth by an average of 0.4 percentage points in the affected country the year it ocurred. To respond, policymakers should focus on diversifying energy sources and investing in resilient infrastructure. Georgieva said it was also critical to address persistently high income and wealth inequalities that she said could foment distrust in government contribute to social unrest. Ministers could act this week by focusing on raising living standards and creating better paying jobs through investments in high-quality education, research and digitalization, she said. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Tom Brown and David Gregorio) Amr Nabil/Associated Press Saudi Aramco is starting early preparations for an international listing, just months after the oil giant turned its record initial public offering into a domestic affair and sidelined global banks, people with knowledge of the matter said. The worlds largest publicly traded company is in discussions with Wall Street banks to draw up scenarios for a second listing overseas, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Aramco wants to be ready to move ahead if Saudi Arabias de-facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, gives the go-ahead to proceed with the plans, the people said. New Delhi : Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that rioters from outside and some political and anti-social elements were involved in the northeast Delhi violence in which 24 people, including a police head constable, were killed. Speaking in the Delhi Assembly, the chief minister appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah that if required, the Army should be called in to control the situation in the riot-affected areas. Kejriwal said the common man of Delhi did not indulge in violence and asserted that a modern Delhi cannot be built on a pile of dead bodies. He said everyone has suffered losses and that politics of hatred and violence will not be tolerated. On Wednesday evening, Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia visited some riot-hit areas to take stock of the situation and interacted with locals. "There are two options before Delhiites. One is that we should stand together and make prosperous future of Delhi, and second is to get involved in violence. Modern Delhi cannot be built on a pile of dead bodies. We have to make Delhi developed city through good schools, hospitals," Kejriwal said in the House. He sought to know why such incidents took place and who were behind the violence in parts of northeast Delhi. "The common man of Delhi did not indulge in violence. Some outsiders, some political elements and some anti-social elements indulged in violence. Hindus and Muslims do not fight and they want to live peacefully," he said. In his earlier tweet, the chief minister said the situation has become "alarming", adding that he is writing to the Union home minister. 'I have been in touch with large no. of people whole nite (night). Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence (sic),' Kejriwal tweeted. 'Army shud (should) be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately. Am writing to Hon'ble HM to this effect,' he added. While speaking in the House, the chief minister said that the police tried to control the situation, adding that around 50 police personnel were also injured. But in some videos being circulated on social media, some police personnel were seen supporting rioters and it should be investigated, he said. The Delhi government will give a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of head constable Ratan Lal who was killed in the violence. "As per the Delhi government's policy, we will give Rs 1 crore to head constable Ratan Lal's family," he said in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. On Wednesday, the chief minister also condoled the death of an Intelligence Bureau staffer, whose body was found in northeast Delhi's riot-hit Chand Bagh area. Ankit Sharma may have been killed in stone pelting, officials said. At least 24 people have been killed and over 200 injured in communal violence that broke out in northeast Delhi three days ago. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar are among the areas mainly affected by the riots. John Moyle Memorial Field Day 2020 This is Denis Johnstone VK4AE contest manager for Australia's John Moyle Memorial Field Day 2020 with a reminder that the contest will be held from 0100 UTC on Saturday 21st March to UTC 0059 Sunday 22nd March 2020. This week I will discuss the suggestions heard from some club stations that they should operate as a portable station from their club premises. Actually, this not permitted under the rules for a club station to operate as a multi-operator station at home. The weather this summer continues to be less than friendly, but that does not mean that the effort should not be made " particularly by club stations and set up a portable station at the local park or sportsground " with appropriate approvals if needed from the local authorities. The concept of a field day station is to set up and operate a station under less than ideal conditions. Why should not a single operator station (or a club station) set up as a portable/mobile station in the carpark near the local parts supplier? Consider the advertising potential for Amateur Radio in attracting interested others is worth far more than the potential of creating a winning score in this contest. Next, the concept of using a fully computer system for a field day is to me an anathema to the spirit of the contest. The idea behind the contest is for providing practice at operating a portable station in less than ideal conditions, not simply amassing a Home Station high score. Further, if allowed, the WSJT modes would provide a decidedly unfair advantage for those so equipped. So, the following year many stations would then be using this system. This would fully exclude the rest of the operators in the contest. I leave you with those thoughts. Thanks for listening Denis Johnstone VK4AE A billionaire with heart according to many South Carolinians, anyway. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images Im gonna introduce to you the nominee for the Democratic Party and the next real president of the United States, the man onstage said. Tom! Tom as in, Tom Steyer. He emerged, dressed in his customary tartan tie and rolled-up shirtsleeves, taunting Democrats who would urge him to drop out of the race with the sound of Tom Pettys I Wont Back Down. Casually, he asked, Hows it going? The answer, for Tom, is quite well in this immediate area. In the previously alternate and currently principal political universe of South Carolina, the hedge-fund billionaire and political activist who barely registers in most national polling and who virtually nobody has voted for in the early nominating contests can be simply referred to this way. Tom. Here, as in other states where hes invested his millions of ad dollars for over a year, Toms everywhere: on billboards and TVs and along the side of the highway. But in South Carolina, unlike Iowa or New Hampshire or Nevada, people dont just look right past him. Here, Toms so competitive that, on Sunday, as CBS released a poll that confirmed his third-place status (18 percent) just behind Bernie Sanders (23 percent) and Joe Biden (28 percent), the former vice-president (and former front-runner) took time out of his day to attack him. Before church in North Charleston, Biden appeared on CBSs Face the Nation, where he blamed Steyer for his shrinking numbers in the state. Whats happening is you have Steyer spending millions of dollars out campaigning there, so I think a lots happening in terms of the amount of money being spent by billionaires to try to cut into the African-American vote, he said. Later, he told reporters, Im not saying Tom Steyers a bad guy, but Tom Steyer was one of the largest investors in private prisons in the United States of America while I was trying to get rid of private prisons and Barack was trying to get rid of private prisons. (Barack as in, Barack Obama.) The Steyer campaign claimed Biden was exaggerating once again, that Farallon Capital Management, the candidates hedge fund, had only made a small investment in the countrys largest private prison firm, Corrections Corporation of America, and when Tom looked into it, he ended it. The small investment was $34 million, and Steyer defended it to critics at the time. (At a campaign stop in Hampton on Sunday, Steyer told the crowd, I know people describe me in the press as being a rich person, but I dont think thats who I am.) Asked about Bidens remarks at the Family Worship Center in Yemassee, a rural town about an hours drive from Charleston, Steyer said what hes said any time the issue has emerged since the presidency has been in his sights: Was it a mistake? Yes. At the time it was very new and I thought they could provide better service. And I decided its not something anyone should make money from and I sold it 15 years ago. Dr. Janice Ryan-Bohac and her husband, Dr. Paul Bohac, both 66, were not swayed by Bidens anti-Tom talking points. It was a long time ago, Janice said, and besides, its a national emergency the state of the government and the planet and there are more pressing things at hand. Janice has been a Steyer supporter since he just had the anti-Trump political action committee, while Paul only came around two or three weeks ago. I like all of them, really. Its a hard choice, Paul said. Today sealed the deal. I could feel the sincerity. Janice, so persuasive that she recounted convincing more than one voter to go with Tom, was pleased. Hes a billionaire with a heart and I think we need a different kind of president, she said. With Steyer ahead of more legit-seeming candidates like Pete Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar, and creeping up on Bernie and Biden, hes about to experience real scrutiny for the first time. As Alex Seitz-Wald of NBC News put it: Tom Steyer is going to receive more incoming fire in the next six days than hes received in the past six months combined. Lucky for Steyer, he is a gifted campaigner, and at least anecdotally, black voters seem to respond to the way he discusses racial injustice and his plans for reparations. But Thomas Jenkins, 67, still considered himself undecided. Jenkins said he hadnt heard of Steyer until Wednesday, when, out of the blue, he received a text message from the campaign advertising Sundays event. I think hes smart. I think hes honest. I think he spoke to us honestly and told us the truth and God bless him if he makes it, Jenkins said. Because I think hed be good for the United States of America and for South Carolina and for Jasper County. Jenkins said he planned to decide between the three candidates he was considering (he wouldnt say who the other two were) by the 28th the day before the primary. I promise you, on the 29th, Ill have my mind made up. If you see me about 12, Ill let you know! Michael Howard, 53, felt similarly. I see a lot of people with this on, he said, raising his hand to show me a square, white TOM 2020 sticker. And Im not ready to put that on yet. The GDP of Louisiana is $255 billion as of 2018, the 24th largest of all 50 states. With an ideal geographic location on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and a workforce of more than two million people, Louisiana is able to produce a large quantity of domestic products from oil to fish. The 5 Biggest Industries in Louisiana Oil Louisiana has the highest number of oil refineries per capita in the United States and is the third biggest producer of petroleum. In fact, the state accounts for a fifth of the entire countrys oil refining capacity, processing more than three million barrels of oil each day. Oil and coal production combined generated close to $16 billion and accounted for 7.5% of the states total GDP in 2016. In addition to processing a large portion of the crude oil in the United States, Louisiana is home to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, the only port of its kind in the country and the entry point for the majority of foreign oil that comes to the U.S. Natural gas Oil isnt the only energy-related industry that contributes to Louisianas GDP. This state also produces a fourth of gas in the United States. An incredible 112,000 miles of gas pipelines run through Louisiana, allowing this valuable resource to be sent all over the country. Oil and gas are also the highest paying jobs in Louisiana. The average worker in these industries makes $69,000 per year, around 75% more than the average employee in the state. Healthcare Healthcare is Louisianas biggest employer. 14.5% of working-age adults in the state are employed by the healthcare industry, accounting for 293,000 people in total. However, salaries are fairly low; the average healthcare worker in Louisiana makes just $37,000 annually, approximately 10% less than the average state income of $41,000. For comparison, the overall average salary for healthcare in the United States is nearly $42,000. Agriculture A sugarcane field in Louisiana. Image credit: Myarklamiss.com Agriculture is a major part of Louisianas economy. The state is the second largest producer in the country of both sugarcane and sweet potatoes. 60% of agricultural revenue comes from crops; other products include rice, soybeans, cotton, corn, and tomatoes. The remaining 40% comes from livestock, mostly cattle and calves. Fishing Louisianas geographical position on the Gulf of Mexico makes commercial fishing one of the top industries for the state. It is the biggest producer of shrimp in the entire country, but catfish, crayfish, and oysters are also major commodities, contributing to $331 in annual revenue from fishing. 25% of seafood consumed in the United States comes from Louisiana, which can produce up to two billion pounds of fish per year. Economic Growth In Louisiana From 2017 to 2018, Louisianas GDP grew 1.1%. While any economic growth is a good sign, Louisiana is actually falling behind most other states. This GDP growth is lower than 40 of the 50 U.S. states. The only state whose GDP did not grow in 2018 was Alaska, which experienced a 0.3% reduction in GDP. Pelosi Says House Will Promote Non-Menacing Policy for 2020 Elections Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told reporters Thursday that House Democrats will run on their own policy agenda that may break from the platform of the Democratic presidential nominee. Pelosi said Democrats won the House in 2018 by pursuing a non-menacing policy agenda and she will use a similar message in 2020. Ive been very clear in all of this: Our responsibility is to win the House, the California Democrat said during a press conference in the Capitol. We know how to win. Weve demonstrated that in the most gerrymandered voter-suppressed political arena you could name. When Democrats won about 40 seats during the mid-term elections, they used a message of a bold, progressive agenda that was mainstream and non-menacing. Pelosi, who has not endorsed a candidate, said the party would unify behind any of the candidates, including self-described democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has triggered fears among some members of the Democratic party about whether his policies are too far left. Sanders has promised free healthcare, free college, elimination of student debts, and free child care. Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Vice President Joe Biden debate at the tenth Democratic 2020 presidential debate at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina on Feb. 25, 2020. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) His anti-corporate message has won him millions of followers and supporters, enabling to take a delegate lead in the Democratic field before they head to the crucial Super Tuesday primaries on March 3. But some Democrats fear a Sanders-led presidential ticket might hurt the freshmen Democrats or vulnerable Democrats who are seeking reelection. On Thursday, Pelosi didnt mention Sanderss proposed policies but attempted to show that her party is unified. Our responsibility is to make sure that those who [were] elected last time return to Congress, keep the majority, and add to our numbers, Pelosi said. The presidential is its own race, and contrary to what you may be hearing or writing, we are all unified, she added. Whoever the nominee is of our party, we will wholeheartedly support. At one point, she was asked about Sanderss Medicare for All health care plan. Well, I think that health care is the most important issue in the campaign, Pelosi replied. There are three issues: Health care, health care, and health care. Pelosi also said that Democrats will support any of the candidates who are the nominee. While she didnt mention Sanders by name, she told reporters that she wasnt hearing from anybody about concerns over what impact Sanders could have in the House races. However, some Democrats have gone on the record to express their concerns with Sanders and their prospects of being elected in 2020. I think it would be difficult to have a socialist at the top of the ticket, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) told The Hill this month. I think he clarifies it and says a democratic socialist, but a socialist is a socialist, whether its Republican socialist or democratic socialist, if there is such a thing. Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) also told The Associated Press that moderates might actually have to run away from our nominee to get elected before adding that it is highly unlikely that Bernie Sanders will moderate his views, either. LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) announces grant awards to 35 agencies in partnership with Macy's, as a result of the $1,000,000 raised from Macy's Thanks for Sharing program to support ETAF's 2020 priorities. The following agencies will receive funds to support either Youth HIV Education & Prevention or Health Navigation and Mental Health Wellness for Women affected by HIV and AIDS. AIDS Delaware, DE Legal Aid Services of Broward County, FL Alliance for Housing & Healing, CA Our House of Portland, OR Annex Teen Clinic, MN Pierce County AIDS Foundation, CA Being Alive, CA Peer Health Exchange, CA Black AIDS Institute, CA Project Angel Food, CA Boulder County AIDS Project, CO Project Weber/RENEW, RI Cascade AIDS Project, OR REACH LA, CA Chicago House & Social Service Agency, IL San Diego LGBT Community Center, CA Desert AIDS Project, CA San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, Inc., CA DOORWAYS, MO San Francisco LGBT Community Center, CA Fenway Community Health Center, MA Shanti Orange County, CA Foothill AIDS Project, CA Sierra HOPE, CA Friends for Life, TN Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, AZ HIV Resource Consortium, Inc., OK The Regents of UCLA, CA Huckleberry Youth Programs, CA U. of Minnesota's Youth & AIDS Project, MN Hudson Valley Community Services, NY Us Helping Us, People Into Living, Inc., DC In the Meantime Men's Group, Inc., CA Visual AIDS for the Arts, NY Jerusalem House, GA "As an involved and committed Ambassador for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, it is a pleasure to receive today at the flagship Macy's on Union Square, $1,000,000 in funding through our partnership with Macy's Thanks for Sharing Program. Macy's supports the vision of Elizabeth and our quest for an AIDS-free world. ETAF has a long history of support from Macy's and once again their meaningful commitment to our work will positively impact thousands of individuals affected by HIV and AIDS, stated Kathy Ireland, ETAF Ambassador and Donor." HISTORY OF MACY'S AND ELIZABETH TAYLOR Elizabeth Taylor and Macy's have a long history of partnership in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Elizabeth Taylor was Founding Chair of Macy's Passport, an awareness-raising fashion show and gala event which began in the 1980's and continued for thirty years. ETAF Ambassador, Kathy Ireland supported Elizabeth at Macy's Passport and at Elizabeth's request introduced her to the audience to help raise funds for people living with HIV and AIDS. In addition, Ms. Taylor was involved in related cause-driven promotions via Macy's, including Glamorama and Fashion Pass. In 2017, ETAF supporters, actress Judith Light and renowned HIV specialist Dr. Michael Gottlieb MD, presented Macy's with the inaugural Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Dr. Michael Gottlieb Partnership Award. Since the onset of the AIDS pandemic, Macy's has stood with top designers and community organizations to raise millions of dollars as well as invaluable HIV and AIDS awareness. ABOUT ETAF Working tirelessly on the AIDS crisis through the 1980s, Elizabeth Taylor established The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) in 1991 to reach her vision of an AIDS-free world. ETAF works to provide the direct care needed for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. Emphasizing Elizabeth's commitment to marginalized communities, ETAF's work ensures that HIV prevention education and access to treatment is available through domestic and international initiatives. HIV Decriminalization nationally is ETAF's primary advocacy initiative. We now have the necessary tools to stop the spread of HIV and end the AIDS crisis with sufficient resources. www.etaf.org. For more information, contact Cathy Brown, ETAF at 310-339-3643; [email protected] ABOUT Macy's Macy's is America's Department Store. For more than 160 years, Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., has served generations at every stage of their lives. Macy's customers come to us for fashion, value and high-quality products. We are proud of our heritage and the unique role we play in American culture and tradition. We celebrate occasions big and small, and have created decades of memorable experiences through Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows, and celebrity appearances. With the collective support of our customers and colleagues, Macy's helps make a difference in every market we serve, supporting local and national charities through funding and volunteer service. With fashion, value and celebration as our guide, Macy's makes life shine brighter for our customers, colleagues, and communities. For more information, please visit macysinc.com SOURCE The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Related Links http://www.etaf.org If US intelligence officers get their hands on information about a catastrophic imminent terrorist attack with unknown origins that will kill 250,000 Americans within the United States if unchecked, what should the president of this country do? Right now, there are thousands of unsuspected bio-terrorists armed with a deadly virus that kills one out of every 200 infected people around the world and some of those bio-terrorists already managed to infiltrate our borders and wreck havoc on American lives and economy. We need to close our borders to all international traffic immediately to stop the spread of this deadly virus in its tracks. Here are the facts about this deadly virus so far: 1. The most potent characteristic of the virus is that it goes in stealth mode in 1.2% of the infected people (see footnote 1). That means 1 out of every 100 infected people show NO signs at all of the infection. These people, themselves, don't even know that they are infected and spread the virus to other people. Applying border controls where we screen people for symptoms such as cough and fever WILL NOT STOP these bio-terrorists infiltrating our borders. This is why we see infections spreading in Italy, Korea, and Iran at the moment. We don't even know who brought the virus into these three countries. What we know is that other bio-terrorists who SHOW NO SYMPTOMS are currently spreading this virus in other European and Asian countries. (The percent of infected people that show no signs of an infection is very likely much higher than the 1.2% figure calculated by China's CDC. Chinese health officials didn't have enough test kits to administer tests on everybody. A person is given the new coronavirus test only if he/she showed severe signs of an infection. After this person is tested positive, then this person's family and maybe a few friends were screened for new coronavirus and that's when China's CDC was able to identify infected people who showed NO signs at all.) Story continues 2. Another extremely potent characteristic of the virus is that 4 out of 5 infected people will have MILD symptoms. You may think that this is good news. It isn't. This ensures that most bio-terrorists will go undetected and infect dozens of people if we do NOTHING to isolate healthy people from infected people who show NO signs of an infection or display only MILD symptoms. Then, the each newly infected person will go on and infect dozens of other healthy people, and within a few weeks there would be nothing we can do to contain the situation. [caption id="attachment_522910" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Best Bumble Bios For Girls Copyright: djoronimo / 123RF Stock Photo[/caption] That's why we need to close our borders to all international traffic immediately and start isolating ourselves from other people. 3. The fatality rate of this virus is 500 time higher than the regular seasonal flu. The fatality rate of this virus is estimated at above 2% within the Wuhan region. The fatality rate is also estimated at 13.6% within Iran. We believe Chinese and Iranian officials are better at reporting the number of deaths than reporting the number of infections. We believe they are severely undercounting the number of infections in Iran and the Wuhan region. These aren't trustworthy countries when it comes to data that have large implications in terms of social unrest. Outside of Iran and China the country with the largest number of infections is Korea. Korean authorities reported 1595 infections and 12 deaths as of this morning. This means the fatality rate in Korea is 0.75% (12 divided by 1595). However, if you recall that at least 1.2% of infected people show no signs and 4 out of 5 people display mild symptoms. So, we are certain that even the Koreans are undercounting the number of infections. So, we believe that the actual fatality rate of this virus is at most 0.75%; it is probably closer to 0.5% or less. In the rest of this article we will use 0.5% as our fatality rate. This means 1 out of every 200 infected people WILL DIE because of the new coronavirus. The last time we had a pandemic was in 2009. Around fifty million Americans were infected within the first 12 months. If we ignore this new coronavirus and do NOTHING to contain it, it will potentially kill 250,000 Americans. 4. There are more than 2700 deaths in China so far. Since 1 out of every 200 infected people die, we can estimate that currently there are more than 540,000 people within China who are infected with new coronavirus. Chinese officials reported less than 80,000 cases so far. That means there are 460,000 infected people within China who aren't identified yet. Chinese officials may be aware of it, but not reporting it in order not to cause a public unrest. That's probably why China is taking very drastic measures to contain the virus and isolate healthy people. Insider Monkey is a finance website following insiders and hedge funds. We look for best stocks to buy and best stocks to sell. We published our latest stock picks on February 18th. The stocks we recommended to buy lost 7% through Wednesday, vs. S&P 500 Index's 7.7% loss. The stocks we recommended to sell lost 13.6%, so we were able to deliver some protection to our subscribers. Yesterday, we recommended a short position in another company. This company's sales went down around 70% due to coronavirus and we don't think it is going to recover any time soon, yet the stock is down less than 10% year-to-date. You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find the name of this stock. 5. Iran reported a total of 26 deaths (they just reported 7 more deaths while I was writing this article). This means there are around 5200 Iranians who actually carry this new coronavirus, yet Iranians identified less than 200 infected people. This also means that there were hundreds of infected people about a couple of weeks ago in Iran who were freely roaming the country and travelling to other countries and spreading the virus. One implication of this is that we will see coronavirus show up in other Middle Eastern countries without any connection to previously known cases in the next couple of weeks. 6. Italy reported a total of 12 deaths (the same number of deaths as Korea), yet they were able to identify only 400 infections. We estimate that there are 2400 infected people in Italy, so there are 2000 Italian bio-terrorists unknowingly exposing other healthy Italians and Europeans to the new coronavirus and spreading it throughout Europe. We will see coronavirus infections popping up in other European countries without any connection to any of the previously known cases in the next couple of weeks. Conclusion Last night CDC reported the first coronavirus infection without any connection to any of the previously knows cases in California. This person didn't travel outside of US. This means another person infected this person and is in the process of infecting other people. Those other infected people are either infecting new people or will start infecting new people in the next few days. We have NO idea who these people are and they are already in California. And these people might already be travelling to other US states. Again, we need to close our borders to all international traffic immediately and start isolating ourselves from other people. If we take these steps, we will significantly slow down the spread of this virus and save thousands of lives until we come up with a vaccine. Here is the good news. We won't ignore the spread of this virus and let 250,000 Americans die. As this virus spreads and we discover large clusters of infections, we will close schools, businesses to put on a good show. Basically, we will close the barn door after the horse bolted out. But better late than never. In 2009 we have 50 million infections of the swine flu virus. This time we will potentially have 500 thousand to 5 million infections depending on how drastically we react. This means we will see 2500 to 25,000 Americans die because of the new coronavirus. The US economy was growing at a 2% rate before the coronavirus. As the number of infections in this country shoot up, we will close schools, restaurant, and businesses. Two thirds of the US economy is consumption. China's auto-sales plunged 18.7% in January. The figure will be much higher in February. We will see double digit declines in several categories of consumption in United States. If our analysis is accurate, we should see the US economy to contract in Q2. The new coronavirus seems to spread in hot and humid countries as well. This means infections may not disappear during summer months and US consumer may cut back on travel, restaurants, and retail shopping during the summer. Every year we receive 80 million international visitors. This number will also decline significantly during the summer months as travelers in other countries will also refrain from traveling and exposing themselves to the virus. This means US economy will also contract in Q3 and we will be in a recession before the US elections. Major US stock indices decline by at least 20% during a recession. That's not it though. Donald Trump will probably lose the election if thousands of Americans die because of a virus that could have been prevented if we had shut down our borders a month ago, and lose their jobs because of a recession. A liberal president will probably lead to modest to large tax increases for the corporations. If corporate tax rate increases to 28%, we will immediately see another 10% decline in US companies. So, if our analysis about the new coronavirus is correct, we could see 20-30% declines in the stock market by the end of 2020. If the fatality rate of the virus is 0.5%, there are 600K bio-terrorists who are spreading the virus at the moment. If we are overestimating it by 100% and actual fatality rate is 0.25%, the number of bio-terrorists is closer to 1.2 million and we'd have no chance of containing the virus. Every day 200,000 people travel internationally to the United States. The number of infected people is exponentially increasing in Europe and Middle East. We aren't accepting any travelers from China and that's why we were able to slow down the spread of the coronavirus so far. However, before it is too late (it may already be too late), we should close our borders to travelers from all other countries so that we don't let new bio-terrorists into our countries. International tourism is only 2.9% of our economy. We can sacrifice international tourism revenues so that we can save the rest of our economy. Otherwise we may have to shut down our economy for weeks like the Chinese do now. The easiest way to get some protection for investors is shorting S&P 500 ETFs, Russell 2000 ETFs, or certain sector ETFs. On the long side long-term bonds should deliver small gains in the next 6 months. Footnote 1: This is based on a study done by Chinese Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) that was published on more than a week ago analyzing the outcomes of 72,314 infected people. Disclosure: I have long positions in an S&P 500 ETF, and long positions in S&P 500 ETF put options. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Ukraine doesn't have nuclear weapons and probably won't ever be as strong as Russia. But Kyiv has become much, much more formidable than Moscow ever anticipated or wanted. Ukraine and the Russian-backed, separatist [sic] forces of Donetsk and Luhansk remain locked in a shooting war that, since 2014, has claimed around thirteen thousand Ukrainian lives and displaced over two million more. Ukraine's Armed Forces entered the Donbas conflict in a decrepit state; in the words of Ukrainian General Viktor Muzhenko, as "an army in ruins." Kyiv was confronted with two principal challenges: Ukraine sold or decommissioned a great swathe of its vast, but aging, Soviet military inheritance over the 1990s and 2000s; and the Ukrainian army suffered from poor training, rampant corruption, and flagging morale, Mark Episkopos, a frequent contributor to The National Interest, wrote in an article on February 26, 2020. Read alsoU.S. may provide Ukraine with up to US$700 mln in aid in 2020 envoy With the assistance of U.S. and NATO military advisors, Ukraine has made significant strides in addressing the latter problem over the past several years; though much remains to be done, Ukraine's army is slowly taking the shape of a centralized professional fighting force. The same, however, cannot be said of Ukraine's difficult path to military hardware modernization. Congress has so far approved two lethal aid packages to Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expected to request further military aid at his upcoming summit with President Donald Trump. What does Ukraine need, what is it asking for, and what has it gotten thus far? Prodigious price tags and congratulatory news headlines belie an altogether unsettling reality: U.S. military aid to Ukraine has been strategically, and even tactically, inconsequential. The bulk of previous military aid shipments consisted of small arms, anti-ECM (electronic countermeasures) technology, and miscellaneous personnel gear such as night-vision goggles. These are all important tools in their own right, but not nearly enough to guarantee Ukrainian success in retaking the separatist-held [sic] regions of Donbas, let alone in fending off a hypothetical Russian military invasion west of Donbas. Experts agree that the centerpiece of the previous 250 million dollar lethal aid package, Javelin anti-tank missiles, are "mainly symbolic" due to the dearth of heavy armor operated by the Donetsk and Luhansk separatist [sic] forces. The current congressional plan to provide Ukraine with portable surface-to-air missile launchers is even more symbolic the separatists [sic] have no fighter jets, and the Russian air force cannot conduct military operations over Donbas airspace without triggering an international crisis that would increase the chances of direct Western intervention. Read alsoUkraine, U.S. sign contract for delivery of second batch of Javelin defense ministry The Washington-Kyiv military relationship finds itself entangled in a Catch-22 situation: If the goal of U.S. lethal aid is to shift the balance of power in Donbas or to prepare Ukraine to singlehandedly resist a full-fledged Russian military offensive, then much more drastic action is needed however, said action would only invite Russian escalation and thus leave Ukraine's security interests even worse off. It is for this reason that Ukraine is unlikely to receive strategically meaningful military aid, such as the Patriot missile system that Kyiv sought to purchase earlier last year. There are, however, pragmatic military reforms that the Ukrainian army can implement in the short term to stake out a better position in the Donbas war. Main battle tanks (MBT's) like Ukraine's T-84 and T-80 are unwieldy given the urban nature of the conflict, but there is a clear operational rationale for replacing Ukraine's bloated, aging roster of over 800 BMP-2's with a leaner force of modernized heavy infantry fighting vehicles. Ukraine is reportedly taking steps in this direction with their upcoming BMP-1UMD, an evolution of the Soviet BMP-1 with digitized controls, a German-made engine, and revamped armaments suite. Meanwhile, a more robust network of counter-battery radars and modern transport vehicles can mitigate the impact of separatist [sic] artillery attacks. Future lethal aid packages would reflect a more realistic vision of Ukraine's military needs if they were grounded in these kinds of practical concerns, rather than niche missile launchers that may never see the operational light of day. Bernie Sanders, the front-runner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, is very popular in Oregon. He won the states primary four years ago by an impressive 14 percentage points, and a 2019 poll indicated that hes going to triumph in the state again come May 19. And it all started with dentists. We tend to forget that, before the Vermont senator launched his long-shot bid for the White House in 2016, he was little-known outside his own state. Sanders, 78, has been in the U.S. Congress since 1991, but hes been the ultimate backbencher and thus for years gained scant attention in the national media -- and even less in Oregon. In 1992, he earned a brief mention in The Oregonian when Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio signed on to a Sanders bill to create a single-payer health-care system -- still Sanders signature issue all these years later. Its probably safe to say most readers scanned right over Sanders name in that 1992 article without even registering it. The Vermont independent, who identifies as a democratic socialist, scored another blip of coverage in Oregon a few years later when he called Nikes treatment of its overseas factory workers atrocious. But his name again quickly disappeared from the local press. Then came a 2012 op-ed in The Oregonian in which the senator called lack of dental access a national problem that forces many Americans to live with extreme pain, and a mouth without teeth often makes it difficult to find and keep a job. He added that not only do we need more dentists, but dentists must start serving more low-income people. This time his name didnt quickly drop from the papers pages once more. Letters to the editor poured into The Oregonian responding to Sanders editorial. In November 2011, more than 300 dentists from Oregon provided free care over two days at our second Mission of Mercy, wrote West Linns Barry J. Taylor. Over the course of a year, dentists throughout the state volunteer countless hours on dental vans providing free care. The Oregon Dental Associations charitable arm, the Dental Foundation of Oregon, gave more than $40,000 in 2011 alone to organizations that provide care and education to low-income children in Oregon. Portland dentist Jon Goodwin wrote that Sanders op-ed did a fairly good job of delineating the extent of the need that exists, but the solutions remain somewhat elusive. He believes that having more providers would help, but he failed to point out that dentists now graduate about $250,000 in debt and may not be in a position to provide cut-rate dentistry. He pointed out that dentists volunteering their time is a positive thing but it does not make a good and sustainable health-care delivery system. Goodwin then took the opportunity to suggest an idea: The senator also proposes more government-sponsored care. What he doesnt mention is the proven and extremely cost-effective option of optimally fluoridated drinking water. Water fluoridation has long been a contentious issue in Portland, and so the dentists letter launched a whole other debate. After that, Sanders name became an increasingly common sight in The Oregonian. By the time the 2016 race for the Democratic nomination began to turn toward Oregon, Sanders was a national figure. In March of that year, thousands of supporters -- probably including a few dentists -- waited for hours outside the Moda Center in Portland to hear Sanders talk about his vision for America. -- Douglas Perry @douglasmperry Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Did you know you can save your preferences across all your digital devices and platforms simply by creating a profile? Would you like to get started? Yes, I'd like to register/log in Not right now No, never ask again PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Varian (NYSE: VAR) today announced that J. Michael Bruff, chief financial officer and Anshul Maheshwari, vice president, investor relations and treasurer will be participating in the following investor conferences: Barclays Global Healthcare Conference in Miami Beach, FL on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on at BTIG MedTech, Digital Health, Life Science & Diagnostic Tools Conference in Snowbird, UT on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Information about the webcast of the company's presentation at the Barclays Global Healthcare Conference will be available through a link on the company website at www.varian.com/investors. About Varian At Varian, we envision a world without fear of cancer. For more than 70 years, we have developed, built and delivered innovative cancer care technologies and solutions for our clinical partners around the globe to help them treat millions of patients each year. With an Intelligent Cancer Care approach, we are harnessing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics to enhance cancer treatment and expand access to care. Our 10,000 employees across 70 locations keep the patient and our clinical partners at the center of our thinking as we power new victories in cancer care. Because, for cancer patients everywhere, their fight is our fight. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com and follow @VarianMedSys on Twitter. Investor Relations Contact Anshul Maheshwari Vice President, Treasury and Investor Relations +1 (650) 424-6081 [email protected] Press Contact Mark Plungy Director, Public Relations +1 (650) 424-5630 [email protected] SOURCE Varian Related Links www.varian.com LONGMEADOW Bay Path University has named Sandra J. Doran as its sixth president. Doran, president of Salem Academy and College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will succeed Carol Leary, who retires in June after 25 years as Bay Paths president. The school will introduce Doran to the community at a ceremony Thursday afternoon. Dorans appointment follows a 10-month national search. Leary announced her retirement in April. Sandy Doran is a charismatic leader who cares deeply about womens education and is passionate about access to education and student success, Jonathan Besse, chair of Bay Paths Board of Trustees, said in a statement. She has an impressive and broad background in a variety of complex organizations, all of which flourished greatly under her leadership. In a statement, Doran who holds a law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law and a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Southern Methodist University said she is humbled by the trust the board has placed in me to continue the spirit of innovation here at Bay Path. The visionary nature of President Leary is inspiring and unprecedented in higher education, and I look forward to working with the Bay Path faculty and staff to build on her legacy," Doran said. "Serving our students, and providing them with a superior learning experience, gives us all great joy. I look forward to engaging with all members of our community, students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and our business and philanthropic partners. Under Leary, Bay Path grew from a small, traditional womens college to a nationally recognized university offering undergraduate programs for women, and masters and doctoral degrees for women and men. It has a student population of more than 3,300. Leary was paid a total of $468,872 in salary and benefits in 2017, the most recent year for which numbers are available, according to an online database maintained by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The scene of the stabbing at Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 24. Photo: Collins A woman has appeared in court charged with the murder of a father of three in west Dublin. Christina Anderson (38), a mother of three, was remanded in custody after being brought before Dublin District Court yesterday afternoon. She is accused of the murder of Gareth Kelly (39) at Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 24, on Tuesday. Detective Sergeant Dara Kenny, of Clondalkin garda station, gave evidence of arresting Ms Anderson for the purpose of charging her at 2.10pm yesterday. When the charge was put to her she made no reply, the court heard. Ms Anderson, wearing a navy top and dark bottoms, did not speak during the brief hearing and held her head in her hands. Expand Close Stabbed: Gareth Kelly (39) was a father of three / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stabbed: Gareth Kelly (39) was a father of three She was brought to court by five prison officers. Her solicitor, Michael Kelleher, made an application for her to be psychiatrically and medically assessed while in custody. Judge Colin Daly acceded to the requests and also asked for her to be psychiatrically examined for the court. Ms Anderson, with an address at Brownsbarn Wood, was remanded in custody. She will appear before the court again next Wednesday, March 4. Mr Kelly, a father of three, died after being stabbed outside a property at around 7am on Tuesday. Mr Kelly left his partner's home to go to work. But his car would not start and he was trying to jump-start the vehicle when he was attacked. His Skoda was examined at the scene before it was removed for further investigations. "An Garda Siochana is investigating all the circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing as there is no known motive at this time," a Garda spokeswoman previously said. She added that gardai were appealing to anyone who was in the Brownsbarn Estate and Kingswood area between the hours of 6am and 7am on Tuesday morning to contact them. "Gardai are particularly appealing to road users who may have camera footage," she added. The Frenchtown Borough Council is holding a meeting on Saturday morning to present an overview of the proposed Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the developer of the site a former ceramics mill across from Harrison Street. Country Classics has proposed two, three-story apartment buildings of 42 and 50 rental units per building on the 6.84 acre site, which hasnt been utilized for the manufacturing of ceramic products since 1995. A total of 17 of these 92 apartments would be affordable housing units. The 17 units will help the borough meet its obligation to provide an additional 57 affordable housing units. The proposal also allots for eight duplexes and one triplex, or total of 19 homes, to be built along Harrison Street and the lower portion of 8th Street. 3 Country Classics at Frenchtown development Frenchtown Mayor Brad Myhre said the proposal, completed in close consultation with the borough, was unanimously approved by the Planning Board. This is the third developer thats approached us, and this goes back over a decade. This is the developer who has invested the most in buying the site and in remediation ahead of time, while with the other developers everything was conditional," Myhre said. The borough is currently negotiating the PILOT agreement for the proposal with Country Classics, and an ordinance regarding the agreement still needs to be introduced and adopted. The project would not have moved forward without the PILOT agreement, Myhre said. Once the agreement is executed, the developer still needs to complete an environmental remediation of the site prior to beginning construction. Through the PILOT agreement, the borough and Country Classics will agree to a timetable of payments to the municipality that increase over time in lieu of annual property tax payments. According to Vice President of Country Classics Scott Van Cleef, PILOT agreements are commonly used throughout the state for property sites similar to that of the former ceramics mill. Its really a prototypical use of the PILOT -- to take an unproductive, contaminated piece of property and turn it into a community of homes that will benefit the whole community," Van Cleef said. Its a negotiated payment with a developer. Theyre generally used a lot with redevelopment, particularly if theres environmental contamination or theres affordable housing obligations. In Frenchtowns case, both of those elements are present," Myhre echoed. Most contaminated soil has already been removed from the site, and Country Classics continues to perform additional monitoring on groundwater with hopes of putting a shovel in the ground by spring of this year, Van Cleef said. According to state law, a municipality receives 95% of the revenue made through the PILOT agreement, and the county receives the remaining 5%. But, unlike other municipalities, Frenchtown has opted to split half of its earnings from the agreement with Frenchtown School, which Myhre said is currently being impacted by devastating state aid cuts. Our entire governing body cares about our school, and were trying to help to the greatest extent possible. So were going to do a revenue share under our PILOT with the school system, which is highly unconventional," Myhre said. Most PILOTs actually dont have to give anything to the school unless they choose to; the municipality doesnt have to give anything to the school unless we choose to. In alignment with the proposal, Country Classics would also foot the bill to really clean up the Frenchtown community, according to Myhre. This includes repaving and implementing sidewalks on a portion of Harrison Street in front of the school, as well as implementing curb extensions to better control school traffic, according to Myhre. Country Classics would also oversee the repaving and addition of sidewalks along lower 8th Street, as well as the maintenance and disposal of trash throughout the site. Were going to transform the gateway of our community from an abandoned mill to nice, residential housing, Myhre said. Phoenix Advisors, an independent financial consultant based in Bordentown, is aiding the borough in its negotiations with Country Classics at cost to the developer. According to Myhre, the borough is ostensibly paying for nothing for the project, particularly because the needed sewer infrastructure for the buildings is already in place. For these reasons and more, Myhre said that the development will provide both long-term financial stability and sustainability for the Frenchtown community. (The development) is going to blend into the community, transform the gateway, and give us a long-term economically important revenue for our borough," Myhre said. "Financially this should help our borough a great deal, because we have such a small tax base now they we debate whether or not we can afford $500 for something. Echoing Myhre, Van Cleef described the proposal as a wonderful project to bring residents into. This community will add to the businesses in Frenchtown, increase the tax base, provide affordable housing which they need as part of the state requirements, and help with their sewer fees. So theres a lot of good things that this community will bring to Frenchtown, Van Cleef said. Saturdays meeting will be held at Borough Hall on Second Street. Caroline Fassett can be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips Coronavirus continues expanding its geography: as of today, it has been spotted in 19 European countries. The number of deaths in the world has reached 2801 people. In particular, Italy experienced the greatest surge in infection in the EU, which was the first European country to introduce enhanced preventive measures to combat the virus. Thus, with this state of things, the question of Ukraines readiness to fight back the coronavirus is more acute than ever. Moreover, in parallel, another question arises - is it really possible to fight against an epidemic? Since the end of last year, one of the most discussed and exciting topics in the world has been the outbreak of a new coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Today, the infection already has 3 epidemic centers outside China. In particular, these are South Korea and Italy. The spread of the virus in recent days has caused an even greater wave of anxiety among those skeptic Ukrainians, who already believed that Ukraine, unlike other European countries, was not ready at all to face the infection. Ukraine: level of readiness for the virus When onboard a plane, they said to remain seated to wait for medical control. But in a minute the lat everyone out. Without any control, Ivanna Budnik said in a message on her Facebook page on February 24. The girl arrived from Italy on a Rome - Kyiv flight, and was outraged at the negligence of workers at the Boryspil International Airport. She is not the only person who believes that all the doors are open for the virus to get to Ukraine. Tonight, the flight from Rome arrives in Zhuliany (the international airport in Kyiv). No one has even looked in the direction of the passengers, not but that they checked anyone. My relative came. Thus I've gt the first-hand information, another user of the social network Oksana Belova writes. It should be noted that Italy really became the epicenter of the coronavirus in Europe, as the number of people infected in the country as of the morning of February 27 reached 453. Most of the cases were registered in Lombardy and in Veneto - the regions are considered the red zones in the country. The cases were also reported in Piedmont, Lazio, Liguria, Marche, and Bolzano. It should be noted that Italy really became the epicenter of the coronavirus in Europe, as the number of people infected in the country as of the morning of February 27 exceeded 453. Most of the cases were registered in Lombardy and in Veneto - the regions are considered the red zones of the country. Also, cases have been reported in Piedmont, Lazio, Liguria, Marche, and Bolzano. On February 21, when we flew to Rome, nothing like this happened. The crew on board didn't wear masks and gloves, mar1naa.b posted on Instagram. According to the woman, the situation has changed dramatically on February 25 exactly, when she was returning home. Half an hour before boarding, we were told that after arriving at Boryspil airport everyone should remain seated and wear safety belts until the medical staff arrived to measure our temperature. None of the passengers were afraid of this, many were already masks during the flight. And another thing which scared me while boarding - all flight attendants were wearing gloves and masks." The traveler also adds: After boarding the plane, a man from the medical staff, came, he had two thermometers in his hands (two people got measured their temperature at a time). It took half an hour, maybe more. There was a woman with him, she explained to us that in case of symptoms of coronavirus we should immediately call a doctor or ambulance at home." I just returned from Milan. Two medical workers entered the plane and measured the temperature to everyone. Until this process was completed, no one got out of the plane, Tatyana Prokopiy shares her experience on Facebook. What about passengers on other flights? Ukrainians also complain about negligence in relation to checks of passengers of other flights. In particular, these are flights from Egypt and London (1 case of infection in each of the countries). Today we arrived from Egypt, nobody checked anything, only the passport control officers were wearing masks and gloves, says Tatyana Grinevich on Facebook. What about land transportation? A large number of Ukrainians are also concerned that inspections bypassed ground transportation. Although there are a lot of tourists who travel by car or bus and risks to get infected is also high. We just returned from Italy by bus, there were 30 of us, we lived and traveled around Italy for a week, there were a lot of Chinese in Venice. Together with them, we went up to the town hall in the same elevator. My point is that nobody checked us when crossing the border. And how many people get into the country by ground transport without examination. Were not ready for an epidemic," Natalya Demidova-Razkevich wrote on Facebook. It is worth noting that, according to Ukrainian travelers, there is no such panic around this topic in Europe. The same body temperature checks are introduced in some countries, but not in all of them. Answers to questions disturbing Ukrainians On February 24, during a briefing following the meeting of the operational headquarters on preventing the introduction and spread of coronavirus in Ukraine, Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk said that Ukraine was ready to meet the threat of virus with dignity: The medical system of Ukraine is completely ready to provide assistance to those who identified symptoms of the disease. The appropriate infectious disease teams have been prepared - they are provided with all the necessary sanitary and epidemiological means." It is difficult to say what information is true, because many experts still doubt that Ukrainian hospitals are able to withstand in case the virus gets inside Ukraine. Thus, the chairman of the National Medical Chamber of Ukraine Serhiy Kravchenko expressed this opinion: One of the methods for treating coronavirus is extracorporeal oxygen saturation of human blood, but there is only one such device in Ukraine - at the Kyiv City Heart Center. According to the expert, the rent is $3,000 - $5,000 dollars per day. Honcharuk also said that from 20 p.m. (February 24, - ed.), all people coming from countries with registered cases of coronavirus will have their body temperature checked. Temperature screening will be carried out for all passengers at the main airports of Ukraine, and also starting from 8 a.m. on February 25 for those traveling through the Tysa checkpoint in Zakarpattya. Shortly after, the same regime will work at other border points." In case if at this moment you felt relief for a few seconds, we will upset you - the effectiveness of temperature screening as a guarantee of preserving national security from a threatening infection is quite controversial because the incubation period of the COVID-19 can last up to 27 days. Moreover, it turns out that in general any preventive measures in the fight against the Chinese coronavirus may not be enough. A virus that has no borders "Look at Italy, they canceled flights from China, and now this country suffers the most in Europe," Met Hancock, British Minister of Health Met Hancock said commenting on the decision of the authorities not to cease air service with Italy, where about 3 million of British people travel to every year. As it was reported earlier, Italy was the first in the EU to introduce enhanced inspections on international flights from China, after WHO announced a six-month emergency, activating the tools (inspection protocols and the like) that were already used in the country during the outbreak of SARS in 2003. Also, cruise liners were carefully checked in the country. In particular, the Costa Crociere cruise ship with 6000 passengers, who were blocked for several hours on January 30 in the Italian port of Civitavecchia due to suspicion of coronavirus among Chinese tourists (this suspicion was not confirmed then). In other words, it is impossible to quarantine every inhabitant of the planet, one way or another, those around them who appear healthy will carry the virus further on. In particular, Inna Berezyuk, the doctor, the chairman of the board of the Expert Council of Public Research and Projects in the Field of National Health and Social Protection expressed such an opinion on her Facebook page. The expert noted that each of us today should continue to work in the same rhythm: "... Just do your own work. According to your professional rules, professional knowledge and professional experience." European officials also speak against the spread of panic, who, reacting to the outbreak of the virus in Italy, note that now we are talking about a virus that does not pay attention to borders. Therefore, the decision to close these borders, according to the health ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the European Commission, is "disproportionate to the degree of threat." Moreover, officials call the attitude to the situation in Italy to be too serious (Austria suspended railway connections with Italy, and the Romanian authorities decided to quarantine for 14 days all citizens of their country who are returning from the north of Italy). The German Minister of Health Jens Spahn also expresses this point of view, while recognizing that things could get worse. One on one in the fight against the threat Taking into account the experience of Italy, where the actions of the authorities in countering the threat seemed coherent and a cut above the preventive measures in Ukraine, the responsibility for maintaining their own lives lies with each of the citizens. Therefore, in order to protect oneself from the coronavirus COVID-19, the World Health Organization advises following the usual safety practices: Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick. Practice respiratory hygiene Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19. AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. announced that Michael Butt, chairman of the board of directors, will retire from the company, effective Sept. 16, 2020. A co-founder of AXIS and member of the Insurance Hall of Fame, Butt is a recognized industry leader who is credited for his instrumental role in establishing Bermuda as one of the worlds foremost re/insurance hubs. Butt will be succeeded by Henry B. Smith, who has served as a member of the AXIS Capital board of directors since May 2004 and as lead independent director since May 2012. I want to express my deep appreciation to Michael for all he has done for our company since its inception, and for the many contributions he has made to the re/insurance industry over the course of his career, said Albert A. Benchimol, AXIS president and CEO. Michaels impact on our industry and our company has been immense. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with Michael and call him my mentor, colleague and friend. Over the course of his five-decade career, Butt has been a builder of business, a builder of markets and a passionate voice on issues such as climate risk, said AXIS in a statement. He was appointed chairman of the AXIS Capital board of directors in September 2002, and has played a pivotal role in guiding AXIS from a start-up into an established player in the global re/insurance industry, the company added. Butt has held numerous leadership roles within the industry which included serving as chairman of Sedgwick Ltd.; CEO of Eagle Star Holdings plc and Eagle Star Insurance Co.; CEO of MidOcean Ltd., and director of XL Capital Ltd. and Farmers Insurance Group. In 2011, Butt was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) to commemorate his contributions toward the building of the Bermuda reinsurance industry and in 2019 was named by the International Insurance Society as its 2019 Insurance Hall of Fame Laureate. I wish to express my gratitude to the many people who have made my nearly two decades at AXIS so enjoyable. I particularly want to thank my fellow board directors and AXIS colleagues, as well as our shareholders, clients, and partners in distribution, said Butt. I am confident AXIS is in good hands under the leadership of our CEO Albert Benchimol and the incoming independent board Chairman Henry Smith, and believe the firm is very well-positioned to be a leader in the specialty insurance and global reinsurance industry. Smith is the former CEO and president of W.P. Stewart & Co. Ltd. Previously he served as the CEO of the Bank of Bermuda Limited, a position he held for seven years until the acquisition of the bank by HSBC Holdings plc. At AXIS, in addition to the role as chairman-elect of the AXIS board of directors, Smith is current chair of the executive and compensation committees and a member of the corporate governance & nominating and risk committees. Source: AXIS Capital Topics Reinsurance As states continue to grapple with the passionate debate over whether to display statues and other tributes to Confederate leaders, Marines have been told the materials won't be tolerated on any of the Corps' installations. Commandant Gen. David Berger last week instructed top Marine leaders to remove Confederate-related paraphernalia from the service's bases worldwide. The directive is one of several forward-leaning initiatives Berger said he is "prioritizing for immediate execution." In his memo, a copy of which was obtained by Military.com, Berger also ordered leaders to find ways to move more women into combat jobs, to review the possibility of yearlong maternity leave for female Marines, and to extend parental leave policies to same-sex partners. The commandant's order came about a week after a congressional hearing on the rise of extremism in the ranks. A recent survey of active-duty troops by the independent Military Times also found signs of white supremacy are on the rise. Related: Neo-Nazi Group Membership May Not Get You Booted from Military, Officials Say Maj. Eric Flanagan, Berger's spokesman, did not specify the types of Confederate paraphernalia the general wants stripped from Marine Corps bases. "Last week, the Commandant of the Marine Corps directed specific tasks be reviewed or addressed by Headquarters Marine Corps staff," Flanagan said. "Many of the tasks were published on Twitter Friday. Other tasks not published previously are mostly administrative matters." Official policy decisions, changes or implementation plans will be published in appropriate orders or service-wide messages, he added. The debate over Confederate materials and names on military installations has swirled for years. Ten Army bases are named after leaders of secessionist states, a point of contention for many -- especially after a 2015 racially motivated attack on a South Carolina church thrust the debate over honoring Confederate history onto the national stage. The attack prompted fierce debate over whether state and local governments should remove statues, street names and other references to Confederate leaders. Major retailers announced they would no longer sell Confederate flags. But the military's response to Confederate names, flags and other materials was less clear. The Defense Department didn't take any immediate action on the issue, Military Times reported at the time, opting to leave it up to individual services to address. Richard Kohn, a history professor who studies peace, war and defense at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said Berger appears to be modernizing the Marine Corps. Ridding military installations of Confederate materials is long overdue, he said. "We have the need within the country to try and create as much unity as possible and to suppress white nationalism and racism within the ranks of the military because, every once in a while, it crops up and causes an issue," Kohn said. Several Marines have recently been punished or booted out of the military over racist social media posts, and lawmakers are pushing the Pentagon to better track extremism in the ranks. Since the Marine Corps' major installations opened after the turn of the 20th century, Kohn said they're unlikely to have overt nods to Confederate leaders. A 2017 study by the Congressional Research Service found there were no Navy or Marine Corps bases named for Confederate military leaders. The Navy Department follows a procedure for naming streets, facilities and structures on its bases for deceased members of the sea services or those who made significant contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps. Names of internal portions of buildings can be assigned at the discretion of the local base commander. But even as one member of the Joint Chiefs makes a stance to rid his service's bases of Confederate paraphernalia, Kohn said it's unlikely to result in the Army renaming those 10 bases that have drawn criticism. "I think the Army would worry about alienating the local population," he said. "... Most of the people joining the military are from areas where these bases are ... so the recruiting people might say, 'You know, you really don't want to do that.'" -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Read more: Congress Wants the Military to Report Extremism in the Ranks. Here's Why That Will Be Tough Some universities are offering financial incentives to Chinese students who circumvent Australia's travel ban, which requires visitors spend at least 14 days outside of China. Melbourne University is offering students support packages worth up to $7,500 to return, while students enrolled at Western Sydney University are eligible for up to $1,500. With some Australian universities receiving more than $500 million a year in Chinese tuition, the coronavirus is putting their revenues at risk, according to University of Sydney associate professor Salvatore Babones. Visit Business Insider Australias homepage for more stories. Australian universities are growing desperate. With the coronavirus expected to cost the sector at least $2.8 billion in lost revenue, according to the Centre for Independent Studies, some Australian universities are trying to incentivise Chinese students to recommence their studies as soon as possible. They're currently facing a government travel ban requiring visitors to spend 14 days outside of China before being permitted to enter the country, in order for symptoms to be detectable. This week Melbourne University revealed it is offering $7,500 to students to enable them to circumvent travel restrictions, with a similar $1,500 offer having also been made by Western Sydney University to 300 students. In effect, the money allows students to spend two-weeks in countries without a travel ban, such as Thailand, before flying to Australia where they will then be permitted to enter. However, while the universities each say the payments are for their students' welfare, University of Sydney Associate Professor Salvatore Babones says it's more akin to a cash grab. "They are treating international students as cash cows," he told Business Insider Australia. "We are encouraging vulnerable youngsters to travel, at a time when their own country recommends against travel, to a developing country where they have little access to health care services. They're putting Thailand at risk and they're putting themselves at risk because if they get sick in Thailand who is going to look after them? Story continues "They won't be allowed into Australia either if they show symptoms so we're really encouraging these youngsters to gamble on a two-week trip to Thailand in the hopes of getting into Australia to finish their degrees. It's morally indefensible." That's of course not how the universities themselves see it. "Last week, the Australian Department of Health confirmed travel via another country as a legitimate means of entering Australia. It was in line with this advice that the University has offered to support our students with a one-off $1500 contribution if they wish to take up this approach," a Western Sydney University spokesperson told Business Insider Australia. "Students who choose to not take up this offer will continue to be supported with online resources and remote learning activities." "Our number one priority is the health and wellbeing of our entire university community. We understand this has been a difficult time for students who have been affected and we are working hard to ensure they can complete their studies on time," University of Melbourne provost professor Mark Considine said, announcing the program. While universities keep their exact numbers private, Babones' research estimates Chinese students alone represent more than $8 billion of the $39 billion Australian education export market, making them a vital revenue tap that universities are anxious to keep flowing. For seven major universities, Chinese students account for more than half of all international enrolments, and in some cases account for nearly a quarter of their total fees, according to his research. The University of Sydney, for example, receives upwards of $500 million a year according to Babones' estimates, while the University of New South Wales and the University of Melbourne are among the most dependent on Chinese student fees, with a 25% fall in enrolments costing each in excess of $100 million. "It is not a disaster for them to sit out one semester and then come back to university a semester later. It's only a disaster for the universities that depend on their tuition," he said. In fact, it's this over-exposure that he warned of in July 2019 when he published a report noting that seven of the Group of Eight universities -- with the exception of the University of Western Australia, as well as UTS, were at significant risk. UWS's offer then is perhaps not as financially motivated as Melbourne's. Nor perhaps was the University of Adelaide when, rather than offer money directly to students, it proposed discounted fees and airfare reimbursements for those affected. Interestingly, the government travel ban has only been expanded until 29 February, with no plan yet announced to extend it further. Not only does Babones believe it should be, but he also argues it now needs to extend to Thailand to avoid universities, and travellers, exploiting the loophole. "If you let in 20,000 or 40,000 students, somebody is going to have the virus, and it will spread, and it won't be the universities that suffer. This is their moral hazard whereby they get to profit by bringing them in, but they won't bear the costs of treating them which is extremely expensive. It'll be Medicare that will bear those costs," he said. It comes as the effectiveness of the travel ban period is also under scrutiny. Research suggests the incubation period -- the time it takes for symptoms to appear -- could be longer, rendering the two-week ban inadequate. The Australian Department of Health and Melbourne University have been contacted for comment. A major manufacturing and supply chain conference, which is expected to attract around 2,000 people, takes place in Belfast today. And the impact of coronavirus on the supply chains of manufacturers dependent on China is expected to come up at the Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition. The Titanic Exhibition Centre event will be a forum for manufacturers and operators to gather to discuss pressing issues facing their industry, organisers said. The conference features free workshops, speakers and exhibitors including government agencies and supporting organisations. Speakers include Invest NI chairperson Rose Mary Stalker, Manufacturing NI deputy chief executive Mary Meehan and Aidan Conaty, the founder of TCI China, who will discuss the risks and rewards for Northern Ireland food companies doing business in China. Experts will also be offering free advice - with Brexit set to be a major topic. The organisers added: "A panel of experts has been assembled to provide practical advice now that the implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland businesses and their supply chains are becoming clearer. "In addition to the challenges posed, the summit will also highlight some of the opportunities." Brexit stage speakers will include Frankie Devlin, a partner at KPMG specialising in indirect taxes, who will discuss the impact of Brexit on customs and VAT for businesses. Solicitor Paul McMahon will discuss Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol and Digitorc digital protection consultant Michael Spratt will talk about post-Brexit personal data transfers. Other trade events are also taking place under the banner of the main conference, including an expo on 3D Printing, a Brexit summit, and a food and drink manufacturing conference and exhibition. An event on automation and robotics will provide visitors with practical advice and demonstrations on how to improve day-to-day business operations. Others issues include the rapid pace of technological advances in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and robotics. Speakers will also consider environmental concerns and intensifying competition, both domestically and internationally. Manufacturing generates annual sales of around 20bn a year in Northern Ireland and indirectly supports over 214,000 jobs. Accounting for almost two-thirds of all exports, it makes up one-third of the Northern Ireland economy, according to trade body Manufacturing NI. Key sectors include food, engineering, transport, technology, building products, fabrics, polymers, packaging and renewables. If economy is Guantanamo, business is Switzerlands Champ-Dollon the sort of place the Jordan Belforts of the world end up. Imprisoned but comfy. As more travellers hop on the points train, pointy end travel is more accessible. With that comes an obsession with pillow plumping, edamame, ergonomics and wine. Really good wine. Enter: the Business Traveller Cellars in the Sky 2019 Awards, the results of which were announced in London this week. The annual awards, which recognise the best business and first class wines served by airlines around the world, were presented on Monday evening at The Langham hotel in London by Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the International Wine Challenge. Malaysia Airlines took Gold for Best Overall Cellar. Meanwhile, Qantas won the Best First Class Cellar category, with Cathay Pacific awarded Silver, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Singapore Airlines awarded joint Bronze. Malaysia Airlines got Gold for Best Business Class Cellar, with Qatar Airways and Air New Zealand jointly taking Silver, and Aer Lingus taking Bronze. Business Traveller magazines Cellars in the Sky Awards has been running since 1985. In 2019, 35 airlines entered, with the judges masters of wine Sarah Abbott, Tim Atkin and Peter McCombie, journalist and wine writer Kathryn McWhirter and head judge Charles Metcalfe blind tasting more than 250 bottles (tough job) to find the winners. As for vin rouge, Business Traveller reports, ANA won Best First Class Red (for its Domaine David Duband, Nuit-Saint-Georges Les Pruliers 1er cru 2017, Burgundy, France), while Air New Zealand won Best Business Class Red (Brennan B2, 2016, Queenstown, Central Otago, New Zealand). As for vino blanco, Qantas won Best First Class White (Shaw and Smith Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay 2017, Adelaide Hills, Australia), with Best Business Class White going to another Australian wine, this time served by ANA (Stella Bella Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Semillon 2018, Forest Grove, Margaret River, Australia). This years awards saw the introduction of a rose category, with Best First Class Rose going to American Airlines (Chateau Gassier Le Pas du Moine Cotes de Provence Rose 2018, Sainte-Victoire, France). Best Business Class Rose was meanwhile awarded to Air New Zealand (Two Rivers Isle of Beauty Rose 2018, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, New Zealand). In the champagne chariot race, Cathay Dragon took Gold for Best First Class Sparkling (Champagne Rare Millesime 2002, Piper-Heidsieck, France), while Malaysia Airlines took the top spot for Best Business Class Sparkling (Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2007, France). For those with a sweet tooth, Emirates took Gold medals in both Best First Class Fortified/Dessert (Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2013, South Africa) and Best Business Class Fortified/Dessert (Dows Colheita Port 1992, Douro Valley, Portugal). Finally, Oneworld was named Best Airline Alliance, while Singapore Airlines was judged to have both the Best-Presented First Class Wine List and Best-Presented Business Class Wine List. Interested in the process? Blind tastings took place in November 2019 at Londons Amba Hotel Grosvenor in Victoria, Business Traveller says. The judges paired up and tasted half of the entries for each flight. Once they had tasted them independently, they convened in their pairs and compared findings, scoring the wines out of 100. Scores were then averaged to get a fair mark. Team A then picked their favourite wines of the flight and put them up against Team Bs selection, with the quartet then re-tasting the final selection and awarding Gold, Silver, Bronze and sometimes Highly Commended. By the time we get to the final top winners, theyre bloody good wines and theyve been through the mill to get there, head judge Charles Metcalfe commented. Read Next They are every inch the glamorous couple. And Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright proved just this as they stepped out for a shopping spree on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, LA on Wednesday, where they were waylaid by perfume testers on the side of the street. The former Coronation Street, 32, looked radiant in a pretty floral dress with voluminous sleeves and paired with trainers while her former TOWIE star husband, 33, donned chino shorts and a cream polo shirt with black piping. Happy days: Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright proved just this as they stepped out for a shopping spree in Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, LA on Wednesday, where they were waylaid by perfume testers on the side of the street Michelle looked radiant in the blue dress which boasted yellow and black detailing while she kept things low-key with box-fresh white trainers. Clutching a nude Gucci bag under her arm while also weighed down with a vast black shopping bag, she was every inch the summer stunner. Her hair was worn in bouncy loose waves falling from a centre parting while she was also donning delicate necklaces and trendy Ray Ban sunglasses. The duo looked to be interested in perfume testers available outside a cosmetics shop in the street as they stopped to try some products out. Hot stuff: The former Coronation Street, 32, looked radiant in a pretty floral dress with voluminous sleeves and paired with trainers while her former TOWIE star husband, 33, donned chino shorts and a cream polo shirt with black piping Try before you buy! The couple were testing out cosmetics in the street Happy days: Clutching a nude Gucci bag under her arm while also weighed down with a vast black shopping bag, she was every inch the summer stunner The couple have been together since late 2012 when they met on a holiday to Dubai. Former TOWIE star Mark popped the question nine months later and the pair married in a lavish ceremony at Hengrave Hall in Suffolk in May 2015. In January 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. Happy days: The couple have been together since late 2012 when they met on a holiday to Dubai The happy couple: 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 Happy days: In January Michelle 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.' Despite his departure, he is currently back on screens for a temporary return. Strutting their stuff: Mark left his dream presenting role in 'lonely' Los Angeles to be back with his gorgeous wife in February 2019 Chatting way! Mark took a quick phone call in the midst of the shopping trip Myanmar President U Win Myint met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House here on Thursday and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues. The visiting dignitary, earlier today, had called on External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also laid a wreath at Rajghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet had approved three MoUs for cooperation between India and Myanmar on combating timber trafficking, conservation of tigers and other wildlife and in the field of petroleum products and communications. In the evening, the Myanmar President is scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Myint is accompanied by his wife, Daw Cho Cho, during the tour. President Myint is also slated to visit Bodh Gaya. In the Buddhist holy city, the visiting dignitaries are expected to offer prayers at the Mahabodhi Temple. On Saturday evening, they are scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. President Myint had arrived in India on Wednesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Representative Image Indian automobile industry body SIAM on Thursday said it has proposed a South Asian Automotive Forum, with participation of industry associations and government representatives from all the five countries in the region. The objective of the forum is to further trade and establish a strong automotive industry in South Asia, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers Association (SIAM) said in a statement. Besides, the forum would also aim to widen and deepen the relationship between automotive industries in all the five South Asian countries -- Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka, it added. SIAM said it had proposed this during the recently held first meeting between the associations of all the five countries. The associations that participated in the meeting included Bangladesh Automobiles Assemblers & Manufacturers Association (BAAMA), Automobiles Association of Nepal (NADA), Myanmar Automobile Manufacturers and Distributors Association (MAMDA) and Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA). "A large share of our automobile exports, about 16 per cent amounting to USD 1.8 billion per annum, goes to these South Asian countries. Hence, it is important that a forum for discussions be established to ensure sustained and mutually beneficial growth," SIAM Exports Group Chairman Rakesh Sharma, who is also Executive Director at Bajaj Auto said. He further said several Indian automobile and auto component manufacturing companies have already established factories for manufacturing and assembly in these markets. "Now the aim is to build a closer engagement within the South Asian Automotive fraternity to support the development of an efficient value chain and serve the large customer base whilst meeting the objectives of the respective governments," Sharma said. SIAM said the proposed forum is aimed at building a more comprehensive relationship between the automotive industries in all the five countries. It envisages exchange of views and information on topics of mutual interest for all participating members, organising joint conferences, seminars and trade shows, business meetings between manufacturer and manufacturer, supplier and manufacturer, along with delegation visits to manufacturing facilities, testing facilities and scrappage facilities. "The proposed forum will also enable the participants to provide better inputs in the shaping of the automotive policies including in the important areas of homologation, scrappage, road safety and other developments in the mobility space. Sharing of infrastructure can also be envisaged," SIAM said. B oris Johnson is set to enrage EU leaders by abandoning part of the Brexit agreement he signed and rejecting calls for alignment in a trade deal. The bloc laid out its position on Tuesday, reiterating calls for a level playing field between Britain and the EU27, with the UK to outline its stance today. European figureheads have insisted access to the single market could hinge upon shared standards. But, despite the risk of derailing talks, Britain is expected to ignore their demands. Boris Johnson is to call for divergence on EU laws / Getty Images A Downing Street source said: The Prime Minister is working to a mandate which derives from his manifesto which set out very clear what he would be seeking in the negotiations, also set out what would not be acceptable to the UK, and that whatever happens at the end of this year, the UK will be regaining in full its political and economic independence. This comes after the PM previously signed a Political Declaration with the EU in 2019, which accepted there should be robust commitments to ensure a level playing field. The agreement would impact areas including state subsidies, workers rights and environmental standards. Michel Barnier has repeatedly called for alignment / REUTERS However, Downing Street insiders have suggested the mandate won by the PM at the last election overrides what was agreed with the EU. In the Tory manifesto, Mr Johnson promised no political alignment with the EU, an end to the role of the European Court of Justice and full control of the UKs fishing waters. The UK's mandate is expected to be laid out later today by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove. Brexit: UK's final day in EU 1 /44 Brexit: UK's final day in EU Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives to attend a cabinet meeting held at the National Glass Centre at the University of Sunderland AFP via Getty Images A massive banner by the campaign group Another Europe is Possible is hung off Westminster Bridge in London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union PA People wear Union Jack hats and Brexit Day t shirts in Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit Getty Images Pro EU supporters let off flares from Westminster Bridge by the London Eye as people prepare for Brexit Getty Images European Parliament President David Sassoli speaks during a media conference at the Parlamentarium in Brussels AP MEP Jonathan Bullock holding the Union Jack waves from a taxi as he leaves the European Parliament AFP via Getty Images Commuters walk along London Bridge toward the City of London with Tower Bridge AFP via Getty Images Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon delivers a speech on Brexit day Reuters AFP via Getty Images European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President David Sassoli arrive for a meeting near The European Parliament in Brussels AFP via Getty Images Steve Bray in Westminster this morning Jeremy Selwyn People walk past a Brexit countdown clock at the Parlamentarium in Brussels AP Union Flags line the Mall leading to Buckingham Palace AFP via Getty Images British members of the European Parliament from the Brexit Party Jonathan Bullock and Ann Widdecombe wave in front of the train station as they leave in Brussels AFP via Getty Images Pro-EU anti-Brexit protesters hold placards in Parliament Square in London AFP via Getty Images Sunrise over the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid arrives at King's Cross St. Pancras Station in London before boarding a train to the North East for a cabinet meeting in Sunderland PA Brexit Party members of the European Parliament, Jack Pugh and David Bull, depart from the Parliament to return to Great Britain on the day the United Kingdom will officially fulfill Brexit and leave the European Union Getty Images Britain's ambassador to the European Union Tim Barrow leaves the British representation to the EU residence in Brussels AFP via Getty Images A man sits as members of the media set up on Parliament Square on Brexit day Reuters European Commission Chief Negociator Michel Barnier arrives for a meeting near the European Parliament in Brussels AFP via Getty Images Red Viking apples with the Union Jack are displayed and given out for free to promote British produce on Parliament Square AP A woman carrying the red box belonging to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab goes into King's Cross Station in London to board a train to the North East for a cabinet meeting in Sunderland PA A technician makes lighting adjustments prior to a media conference of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament President David Sassoli at the Parlamentarium in Brussels AP Ann Widdecombe member of the European Parliament (MEP) for South West England, reacts with other members of the Brexit party as they leave en masse from the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium PA Euro Balloons stuck in a tree in Westminster Jeremy Selwyn Newspapers and other souvenirs are pictured at a store, near Parliament Square REUTERS Julian Smith, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland arrives at King's Cross Station in London PA A British bulldog toy and other souvenirs are pictured at a souvenir store, near Parliament Square Reuters International Trade Secretary Liz Truss arrives at King's Cross St. Pancras Station in London before boarding a train to the North East for a cabinet meeting in Sunderland PA British MEP's carry a Union flag as they march out of European Parliament with their luggage in Brussels to take the Eurostar train back to Britain AP A Brexiteer in Parliament Square, Londo PA Mr Johnson, whose Europe adviser David Frost has rejected the notion of alignment , is set to push for a Canada-style trade deal. This is despite Michel Barnier, the EU's Brexit negotiator, downplaying such a possibility. Yesterday, Mr Barnier issued a fresh warning that the UK must accept common standards with the bloc if it wants continued preferential access to European markets. Speaking to an ESCP business school seminar in Brussels, Mr Barnier said: We are ready to offer to the UK super-preferential access to our markets a level of access that would be unprecedented for a third country. Keralas great granny, Bhageerathi Amma, who recently won the accolades of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat radio address for clearing fourth-level examination at the age of 105, is now set to get her Aadhaar card. Hailing from southern district of Kollam, the centenarian woman had scripted history by becoming the oldest equivalency learner by clearing the fourth standard equivalency examination conducted by the state-run Kerala State Literacy Mission (KSLM). While expressing happiness over the prime minister mentioning her name in his monthly radio address last week, Bhageerathi Amma had said her only sorrow was that she was yet to get her Aadhaar card. The chances of getting government welfare pension were gone as she had no Aadhaar card, the granny said. The officials of a nationalised bank, who came to know about the plight of the woman through media, recently visited her at her home and completed all necessary procedures to get her enrolled in Aadhaar. She has now got the acknowledgement receipt for the Aadhaar enrolment and the card is expected to be issued in the next two days, a KSLM official said. Bhageerathi Amma tried to get Aadhaar card before also but unfortunately she could not make it due to technical reasons. Her fingerprint and retinal scan could not be taken due to old age, the official told PTI. While narrating the story of Bhagirathi Amma, Modi had said in his radio address that, If we wish to progress in life, we should develop ourselves, if we wish to achieve something in life, the first pre-condition for that is the student within us must never die. The woman had appeared for the examination, conducted by the state literacy mission, at Kollam last year and the result was announced recently. The woman, who had always yearned to study and gain knowledge, had to give up her dream of educating herself after her mother died as she had to take care of her younger siblings. Bhageerathi Amma had left formal education in class three at the age of 9. Due to her advanced age, she had difficulty in writing the exams and took three days to complete the three question papers on environment, mathematics and Malayalam, literacy mission sources said. She scored 205 out of a total of 275 marks and scored full marks in maths, they said. One of her six children and three of her 15 grandchildren are no more. The woman has 12 grand and great-grandchildren. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON RACINE Racine Police have identified 28-year-old Demarcus A. Anderson as the man found dead Tuesday morning and have named a suspect, Donley M. Carey, in the death which is being investigated as a homicide. Racine Police say they received a call from an anonymous female at 6:23 a.m. Tuesday who said that someone had been shot and was dead inside a single-family residence at 901 S. Memorial Drive. When police arrived on scene, they entered the residence and discovered Anderson dead on the main floor inside. Police say Anderson sustained multiple gunshot wounds. On Wednesday around 4:40 p.m., RPD released on its Facebook page a photo of Carey stating that he is wanted in reference to the Memorial Drive homicide. Carey, 34, is described as 6-feet tall, 200-pounds, and is considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach, the post read. If seen or location is known call 911. Any nonemergency information regarding Donley Carey should be directed to the detective bureau at 262-635-7756. While identifying Anderson as the shooting victim, police said the residence had became the subject of a former police problem-solving assignment on Jan. 6. The assignment was due to an increase in loud music complaints, parking violations and other nuisance-type activity during private club activities associated with the residence. A neighbor who lives a block away from the scene said that police often responded to the place where Andersons body was found. The neighbor said the single-family home was often used for Saturday night parties that ran into Sunday morning. Any information the public has regarding the homicide investigation or anyone with additional information regarding prior activity during private club events should contact the Racine Police Detective Bureau at 262-635-7756. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 262-636-9330. Suspect According to online court records, charges of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm as a felon have been filed. Almost 20 years ago, Carey was charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide for firing a shot that injured a restaurant employee in 2002, according to Journal Times reporting from the time. He ended up pleading guilty to attempted armed robbery and was sentenced to eight years of extended supervision. Last year, Carey was arrested in Racine after he allegedly was involved in a home invasion in Woodstock, Illinois. Carey pleaded guilty to felony criminal trespass in that case and was sentenced to one year of conditional discharge, Illinois media reported. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Samir Ali - Trend: Azerbaijan's Ministry of Health and State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance, together with other relevant structures, have begun to study reports on the detection of the COVID-19 virus in a Georgian citizen who arrived in Georgia from Iran via Azerbaijan on Feb. 25, press services of the above-mentioned organizations said in a joint statement, Trend reports. So, the footage on this person's passage via customs control was checked and it was established that during the check at the Astara customs checkpoint on Iran-Azerbaijan state border, his body temperature was normal and there were no signs of health issues that could cause suspicion of infection. "It is possible that the signs of the disease appeared 10-12 hours after he got from the Astara customs checkpoint to the Georgian border. The incubation period of this disease is up to 14 days, and the symptoms of the disease may not appear before that. All necessary measures are taken taking this report into account. All persons, who were in contact with Georgian citizen, including customs officers, border guards and medical workers, have been identified, and they are under medical supervision," the statement read. Donald Trump has disagreed with his own health experts who have warned it was inevitable that coronavirus would spread within the US. In a briefing to the media on Tuesday, officials from the centres for disease control and other health experts, said communities in the US should start planning for social distancing measures. Its not so much of a question of if this will happen anymore but rather more of a question of exactly when this will happen, said Nancy Messonnier, director of the national centre for immunisation and respiratory diseases. But in his own press conference on Wednesday, Mr Trump appeared to play down such certainty, while insisting his government was ready for whatever came. I dont think its inevitable. I dont think its inevitable because were doing a really job at the borders and checking people coming in, he said. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty "I think it has a chance that it could get worse. There is a chance you can get fairly substantially worse. But nothing's inevitable." Wash your hands, stay clean, you dont have to necessarily grab every handrail unless you have to. Mr Trump went on to dismiss concerns over the risk the virus poses to the public. View this the same as the flu, he said: When somebody sneezes, I mean, I try and bail out as much as possible when theyre sneezing. Turning to one of the health experts stood behind him, Mr Trump added: I really think, doc, you want to treat this like you treat the flu, and, you know, its going to be fine. The mortality rate for coronavirus is around 2 per cent for regular flu it is closer to 0.1 per cent. Flanked by vice president Mike Pence, who he has appointed to head the governments response to the disease, and other officials, Mr Trump said: The risk to the American people remains very low. He added: Were ready to adapt and were ready to do whatever we have to as the disease spreads, if it spreads. It probably will, it possibly will. It could be at a very small level, or it could be at a larger level. Whatever happens were totally prepared. Hotel in Tenerife under quarantine after pair test positive for coronavirus There are currently 15 cases of coronavirus detected among individuals inside the United States. In addition, 40 American passengers brought back from a cruise ship in Japan also tested positive for the virus. The administration has proposed $2.5bn in additional funding to address the coronavirus, a sum politicians from both parties have said may be insufficient. On Wednesday, public health officials warned Americans to prepare for more coronavirus cases and New York City announced plans to provide up to 1,200 hospital beds if needed stock markets fell for the fifth consecutive day. Dr Anthony Fauci, the head of the national institute of allergy and infections diseases, said that while the virus was contained in the United States, Americans must prepare for a potential outbreak as transmissions spread outside of China. If we have a pandemic, then almost certainly we are going to get impacted, he told CNN. Additional reporting by agencies Donors love Bharatiya Janata Party. The Narendra Modi-led party received Rs 742.15 crore in donations above Rs 20,000 during the last financial year. This is 3.5 times higher than donations received by remaining national political parties in the same period put together. An analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) shows that total donations declared by national political parties for financial year 2018-19 was Rs 951.66 crore. The combined number of donations was 5,520. These donations almost doubled in comparison to Rs 481.77 crore reported in financial year 2017-18. Political parties are required to declare donations above Rs 20,000 every financial year received by them from any source under provisions of The Representation of the People Act. The treasurer of every party has to present a report on political donations exceeding Rs 20,000. The ADR study showed that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received 4,483 contributions amounting to more than Rs 20,000 during FY19, which totalled to Rs 742.15 crore. This is a significant uptick from Rs 437.04 crore that BJP declared as donations in FY18. Notably, the party returned to power in the Centre with a thumping victory after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Despite being a distant second, Congress fared comparatively well. The main opposition party declared 605 donations above Rs 20,000 in the last financial year. The amount came up to Rs 148.58 crore. The party received Rs 26.66 crore during financial year 2017-18. Donations above Rs 20,000 declared by All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), National Congress Party (NCP), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), and Communist Party of India (CPI) for FY 2018-19 amounted to Rs 44.26 crore, Rs 12.05 crore, Rs 3.02 crore and Rs 1.6 crore, respectively. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) declared that it did not receive any donations above Rs 20,000 in FY19, as it has been declaring for the past 13 years. "It is found that the total sum of donations declared by INC in its contributions report is incorrect. It is found that the total declared (Rs 146.78 crore) by the party is Rs 1.80 crore less than the actual amount (Rs 148.58 crore)," the ADR report further noted. The report also stated that BJP did not declare the names of donors for 164 donations of Rs 2.34 crore in its contributions report for FY19. CPI (M) did not name one donor, who made a contribution of Rs 30,000. Of the seven national parties, BJP, INC, CPI and CPI (M) did not declare PAN details of 1,300 donations through which the parties collected a total of Rs 29.44 crore. BJP failed to provide PAN details of 1,170 donors (Rs 27.24 crore), INC of 28 donors (Rs 92.80 lakh), CPI of 81 donors (Rs 1.17 crore) and 21 donations from CPI (M) of 21 donors (Rs 10.70 lakh). BJP, INC, and CPI (M) declared Rs 2.49 crore from 46 donations with incorrect PAN details. ALSO READ: Oyo's Ritesh Agarwal shares this title with Kylie Jenner ALSO READ: Coronavirus update: India doesn't want its people to travel to Korea, Iran, Italy ALSO READ: Rs 6.5 lakh crore haircut, 1.1 million job losses; is IBC really a success? ALSO READ: Honey trap, blackmail: SoftBank's Rajeev Misra allegedly scuttled rivals' careers STAINES-UPON-THAMES, United Kingdom, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mallinckrodt plc (NYSE: MNK), a global biopharmaceutical company, announced today that it will present new data from two studies of Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) in multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse. The data will be highlighted in poster presentations at the Fifth Annual Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2020, held Feb. 27-29 in West Palm Beach, Florida. "These studies underscore our commitment to patients with difficult-to-treat MS relapse who continue to have symptoms and disease exacerbations that don't resolve with standard therapy," said Tunde Otulana, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Mallinckrodt. "We look forward to sharing data in MS relapse from two studies that seek to better understand this patient population and Acthar Gel's potential role in MS relapse." Acthar Gel is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the treatment of acute exacerbations of MS in adults. Controlled clinical trials have shown Acthar Gel to be effective in speeding the resolution of acute exacerbations of MS. However, there is no evidence that it affects the ultimate outcome or natural history of the disease.1 Please see Important Safety Information for Acthar Gel below. These studies are sponsored by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and include: Top-line Results of a Prospective Observational Registry of Repository Corticotropin Injection for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis Relapse2 The multicenter, prospective, observational registry sought to characterize the adult patient population (18 years of age) being treated with Acthar Gel for acute MS relapse and describe treatment patterns, MS exacerbation recovery, and safety outcomes. The primary endpoint was: change from baseline to Month 2 as measured by the MS Impact Scale, version 1 (MSIS-29v1) physical subscale score. Patients were also assessed with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I) scale. Patients were followed for up to 24 months, and a minimum of six months at 31 U.S. sites. Study Design of the Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled OPTIONS Study of Repository Corticotropin Injection for Acute Exacerbations of MS3 Interim baseline patient characteristics from 50 percent enrollment (n=32, 18 years of age) will be presented. The study is an ongoing, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group pilot trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Acthar Gel in patients who continue to experience acute exacerbations of MS after treatment with high-dose intravenous or oral corticosteroids. The study's primary objective is to generate an estimate of the response rate for Acthar Gel and to assess its safety and tolerability. The secondary objective is to assess the effect of treatment on quality-of-life measures. Find more information about the OPTIONS trial here on the ClinicalTrials.gov website. About Multiple Sclerosis MS is a neurologic disorder that affects the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord).4 Symptoms can include fatigue, balance/coordination issues, numbness or tingling, vision problems, muscle spasms, tremors and emotional changes.5 More than eight in 10 people with MS will experience a relapse, also known as a flare-up, exacerbation or attack, that brings new or worsening symptoms.5,6 Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) Indications Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) is indicated for: Treatment during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of systemic lupus erythematosus Monotherapy for the treatment of infantile spasms in infants and children under 2 years of age The treatment of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis in adults. Controlled clinical trials have shown Acthar Gel to be effective in speeding the resolution of acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis. However, there is no evidence that it affects the ultimate outcome or natural history of the disease Inducing a diuresis or a remission of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome without uremia of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus Treatment during an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis) The treatment of symptomatic sarcoidosis Adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy), ankylosing spondylitis Treatment of severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as: keratitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis, optic neuritis, chorioretinitis, anterior segment inflammation IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Contraindications Acthar should never be administered intravenously. Administration of live or live attenuated vaccines is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of Acthar. Acthar is contraindicated where congenital infections are suspected in infants. Acthar is contraindicated in patients with scleroderma, osteoporosis, systemic fungal infections, ocular herpes simplex, recent surgery, history of or the presence of a peptic ulcer, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, primary adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenocortical hyperfunction or sensitivity to proteins of porcine origins. Warnings and Precautions The adverse effects of Acthar are related primarily to its steroidogenic effects. Acthar may increase susceptibility to new infection or reactivation of latent infections. Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-axis (HPA) may occur following prolonged therapy with the potential for adrenal insufficiency after withdrawal of the medication. Adrenal insufficiency may be minimized by tapering of the dose when discontinuing treatment. During recovery of the adrenal gland patients should be protected from the stress (e.g. trauma or surgery) by the use of corticosteroids. Monitor patients for effects of HPA suppression after stopping treatment. Cushing's syndrome may occur during therapy but generally resolves after therapy is stopped. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms. Acthar can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and hypokalemia. Blood pressure, sodium and potassium levels may need to be monitored. Acthar often acts by masking symptoms of other diseases/disorders. Monitor patients carefully during and for a period following discontinuation of therapy. Acthar can cause GI bleeding and gastric ulcer. There is also an increased risk for perforation in patients with certain gastrointestinal disorders. Monitor for signs of bleeding. Acthar may be associated with central nervous system effects ranging from euphoria, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, personality changes, and severe depression, and psychosis. Existing conditions may be aggravated. Patients with comorbid disease may have that disease worsened. Caution should be used when prescribing Acthar in patients with diabetes and myasthenia gravis. Prolonged use of Acthar may produce cataracts, glaucoma and secondary ocular infections. Monitor for signs and symptoms. Acthar is immunogenic and prolonged administration of Acthar may increase the risk of hypersensitivity reactions. Neutralizing antibodies with chronic administration may lead to loss of endogenous ACTH activity. There is an enhanced effect in patients with hypothyroidism and in those with cirrhosis of the liver. Long-term use may have negative effects on growth and physical development in children. Monitor pediatric patients. Decrease in bone density may occur. Bone density should be monitored for patients on long-term therapy. Pregnancy Class C: Acthar has been shown to have an embryocidal effect and should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Adverse Reactions Common adverse reactions for Acthar are similar to those of corticosteroids and include fluid retention, alteration in glucose tolerance, elevation in blood pressure, behavioral and mood changes, increased appetite and weight gain. Specific adverse reactions reported in IS clinical trials in infants and children under 2 years of age included: infection, hypertension, irritability, Cushingoid symptoms, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, pyrexia, weight gain, increased appetite, decreased appetite, nasal congestion, acne, rash, and cardiac hypertrophy. Convulsions were also reported, but these may actually be occurring because some IS patients progress to other forms of seizures and IS sometimes mask other seizures, which become visible once the clinical spasms from IS resolve. Other adverse events reported are included in the full Prescribing Information. Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information. ABOUT MALLINCKRODT Mallinckrodt is a global business consisting of multiple wholly owned subsidiaries that develop, manufacture, market and distribute specialty pharmaceutical products and therapies. The company's Specialty Brands reportable segment's areas of focus include autoimmune and rare diseases in specialty areas like neurology, rheumatology, nephrology, pulmonology and ophthalmology; immunotherapy and neonatal respiratory critical care therapies; analgesics and gastrointestinal products. Its Specialty Generics reportable segment includes specialty generic drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients. To learn more about Mallinckrodt, visit www.mallinckrodt.com. Mallinckrodt uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATED TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release includes forward-looking statements concerning Acthar Gel including expectations with regard to the studies described in this release, as well as its potential impact on patients and anticipated benefits associated with its use. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: satisfaction of regulatory and other requirements; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; issues with product quality, manufacturing or supply, or patient safety issues; and other risks identified and described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" section of Mallinckrodt's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, all of which are available on its website. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and Mallinckrodt does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. CONTACTS For Trade Media Inquiries Caren Begun Green Room Communications 201-396-8551 [email protected] For Financial/Dailies Media Inquiries Jim Heins H+K Strategies 212-885-0463 [email protected] Investor Relations Daniel J. Speciale, CPA Vice President, Investor Relations and IRO 314-654-3638 [email protected] Mallinckrodt, the "M" brand mark and the Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals logo are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company. Other brands are trademarks of a Mallinckrodt company or their respective owners. 2020 Mallinckrodt. US-2000279 02/20 References 1 Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) [prescribing information]. Mallinckrodt ARD LLC. 2 Data on file. Mallinckrodt ARD, LLC, 2020. Kaplan J, Miller T, Baker M, Due B, Zhao E. Topline results of a prospective observational registry of repository corticotropin injection for the treatment of multiple sclerosis relapse. Poster to be presented at: The fifth annual Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2020; February 27-29, 2020; West Palm Beach, FL. 3 Data on file. Mallinckrodt ARD, LLC, 2020. Goldstick L, Miller A, Due B, Bauer W, Zhao E, Cohen J, Robertson D, Wynn D. Study design of the randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled options study of repository corticotropin injection for acute exacerbations of RRMS. Poster to be presented at: The fifth annual Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum 2020; February 27-29, 2020; West Palm Beach, FL. 4 Willis BMJ Best Practice Multiple Sclerosis. October 2018. p. 4. 5 Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2012. Available at https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Multiple-Sclerosis-Hope-Through-Research#3215_29. Accessed February 13, 2020. 6 Tillery EE, Clements JN, Howard Z. What's new in multiple sclerosis? The Mental Health Clinician. 2017; 7(5) 213-220. SOURCE Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Related Links http://www.mallinckrodt.com/ We're deep enough into the 21st century that it doesn't even feel novel anymore, and we're still getting shafted in an area that should have been fixed decades ago. Cannabis is still illegal. It's preposterous, but it doesn't even feel weird. We're all used to it. I'm bored just saying it. Apparently our lawmakers still need more time to think about it. The recreational cannabis legalization bill, Senate Bill 115, was unceremoniously shoved to the side last week. I heard they took it to a quiet spot out behind the Roundhousesomewhere where its cries wouldn't be heardand strangled it like a mad dog. The tattered bill was seen tumbling lifelessly along the gutters of Santa Fe later that evening. If you can't tell: It still bugs me. I've been asked what went wrong, and I still refuse to guess. I have my own conspiracy theories, but I'll be tucking them away for now. It's likely that the more vanilla explanations are right, anyway. Some aspects of the bill rubbed people the wrong way, after all. For instance: If it had passed, the bill would have made it illegal for individuals not enrolled in the state's Medical Cannabis Program to grow marijuana plants. Imagine the state criminalizing growing your own tomatoesit seems crazy. Placing limits of any kind on growing marijuana seems ridiculous until you consider the the need to control potential black market activities (made possible by the drug's illegal status elsewhere). But outright barring law-abiding citizens from growing a plant naturally is beyond strange when you stop and think about it. I still think any bill that will free those who have been incarcerated for minor cannabis crimes should be pushed through, no matter what flaws it has. It's easy for me to hop on Twitter, take a dump on our leaders for not passing the bill and go about my day like everything's groovy. For the poor wretches sitting behind bars over a joint right now, the news was probably devastating. Oh well! Maybe next year. I'm sure that will comfort them in their jail cells. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham doesn't seem ready to back down yet, anyway. She told reporters that legalization is inevitable, and I'm inclined to agree. It only took a few million years for that first fish to crawl up on the beach and take a nervous breath. I just don't want us to be like his neighbor, the nervous fish that waited another million to see how it pans out. You Ain't From 'Round Here The madness has finally come to an end. The New Mexico Department of Health is no longer required to issue medical cannabis cards to non-residents. Last week, the governor signed a measure that once again requires medical cannabis program applicants to be residents of New Mexico. That means at least 613 out-of-state patients are probably pretty bummed this week. But I think I'm pretty confident in saying that we all expected this to come. The argument was made last year that because of a wording change made to a medical expansion bill that defined a patient as a person instead of a resident of New Mexico, the Medical Cannabis Program had to be opened up to nonresidents. A judge repeatedly ruled in favor of this interpretation, but the state wasn't having itprobably because it was turning our program into a quick-stop pot supplier for out-of-staters. The bill's authors repeatedly told reporters that it wasn't their intention to open the program to nonresidents, but that was neither here nor there. And before anyone starts complaining about non-resident visitors in need of their medication, keep in mind that the new reciprocity rule kicks in July 1, allowing individuals enrolled in other states' medical cannabis programs to make purchases at New Mexico dispensaries. It will still be illegal to cross state lines with cannabis, though. Native Patient Protection Flubs A bill that would have potentially protected Native cannabis patients living on tribal land from federal prosecution stalled on the house floor. Under Senate Bill 271, Tribe and Pueblo Medical Marijuana Agreements, the New Mexico Department of Health would have been authorized to enter into intergovernmental agreements with tribes and pueblos that would have allowed tribal groups to come up with their own medical cannabis programs. This would have gone a long way in protecting patients from federal scrutiny. While a patient is able to purchase and possess medical cannabis on state land, the moment they enter federal trust lands, they are considered a criminal. Apparently that will continue for at least another year. Research Bill Fails A bill that would have allowed research facilities to grow or buy cannabis for research purposes was also put into the ground before the session was out. House Bill 334 would have established a Cannabis Control Division to regulate licensing for research facilities. The facilities would be allowed to purchase and cultivate their own cannabis to be used in much needed studies. Currently, scientists can get authorization to grow cannabis for research, but they can only use plants provided by the Drug Enforcement Agencyplants that are well known to be subpar in quality and useless for these purposes. So don't expect any of that research that our dear lawmakers keep crowing for, since they keep missing opportunities to make it happen. By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A planned EU-China investment agreement looks unlikely to be struck by September as planned because of the coronavirus outbreak, European Union trade chief Phil Hogan said, while also casting doubt on deals with other Asian countries. The European Commission chief and other senior EU officials are set to meet Chinese counterparts in Beijing in late March before an EU-Chinese summit to be held in Leipzig, Germany, in September - ideally to sign a deal. EU Trade Commissioner Hogan told the international trade committee of the European Parliament on Wednesday that the March meeting would now probably not happen, and that he was not optimistic of a deal by the Leipzig summit. "There's a lot of time lost now and going to be lost because of the coronavirus. A lot of meetings have been cancelled," Hogan said. "If we were going to get a deal by the Leipzig summit we would have to largely have it completed by July." The EU sees the agreement as opening more sectors of the Chinese economy to investment by European companies as well as setting conditions for them to do so, such as whether they have to do so jointly with a local Chinese firm. "We are making some progress with the Chinese in relation to a lot of matters, but the key issues of industrial subsidies and forced technology transfer are still not dealt with," Hogan said. He also cautioned against assuming that trade negotiations with other Asian partners could progress, albeit due to other reasons. Indonesia and Malaysia are contesting EU rules that are set to have palm oil phased out as fuel for transport from 2024. Hogan said the Commission wanted to establish a working group with the two top palm oil producers on the issue, but they had not agreed on the terms of reference. This, he said, undermined prospects of trade deals with each country. "There will be no deal with Indonesia until this issue is resolved and there will be no reopening of negotiations with Malaysia until this issue is resolved." Hogan also met Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar this week and concluded that a free trade agreement with India was also not possible in the short term. "We suspended talks in 2013 for good reason and we have not seen any conditions that are changed that would allow us to restart them," he said, adding that a lesser investment protection agreement might be feasible. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Mark Heinrich) India will be represented by its envoy at the signing of a deal between Taliban and the US on the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, people familiar with developments said on Thursday. The signing of the deal is scheduled for February 29 in Doha. Ambassador P Kumarans presence at the ceremony, however, shouldnt be interpreted as a sign of Indias involvement in any way with the negotiations with the Taliban or the planned deal, said the people who declined to be named. We received an invitation from the Qatar government to attend the event and we will be represented by our envoy, said a person familiar with the issue. India remains committed to an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process that retains the gains and constitutional structures put in place in Afghanistan over the past 19 years, the person added. However, this will be the first time India will be officially represented at an event involving the Afghan Taliban. In November 2018, India participated in the second meeting under the Moscow Format at a non-official level by sending retired ambassadors TCA Raghavan and Amar Sinha. There has been considerable debate within the Indian government on whether there should be a shift in New Delhis position on the Afghan Taliban from having no engagement with the militants who control or contest almost half of Afghanistans territory to some form of engagement. The deal with the Afghan Taliban deal hinges on reduction of violence and Afghan and US officials have reported a significant decline in attacks in recent days. The US state department has also announced the two sides are preparing to sign agreement on February 29. The deal is expected to be followed by intra-Afghan negotiations, which will put in place a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire and the future political roadmap for Afghanistan. The proposed peace deal with the Taliban figured in discussions during US President Donald Trumps visit to New Delhi this week, the people cited above said. Trump briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his administrations plans regarding the deal and the reduction of US troops in Afghanistan to 8,600, the people said. The Indian side made it clear the troop drawdown shouldnt be too precipitate and the US should keep in mind that we shouldnt lose the gains of the past 19 years in terms of the Constitution, rights of women and minorities and the Afghan National Defence Forces, said a second person who declined to be named. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Congress on Thursday hit out at the government over the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge S Muralidhar, alleging that the Modi dispensation was waging a battle of revenge against the judiciary. Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, on a day when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur. Taking a dig at the government over Muralidhar's "sudden" transfer, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred." Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case of Gujarat, died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014, when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. Upping the ante against the Modi government, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Centre's attempts to "muzzle" justice and "break people's faith in an upright judiciary are deplorable". "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certainly sad & shameful," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted. "Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the government's attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable," she added. Calling the transfer a classic "hit-and-run injustice" by the BJP government, senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said the saffron party's " of revenge" has been exposed. "It seems those doing justice in country will now not be spared," he said at a press conference here. "Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar transferred by the government to save BJP leaders in Delhi violence case," he alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Steven Seagal has been fined $314,000 by the U.S. securities regulator for failing to disclose he had been paid to endorse a bitcoin offering he was promoting on his social media channels. The Hollywood star agreed to pay the fine after being charged with unlawfully touting for failing to disclose the payments he was receiving for promoting an investment in an initial coin offering from Bitcoiin2Gen (B2G). The Securities and Exchange Commission revealed on Thursday that it had settled the charges with Seagal. The martial arts expert was promised $250,000 in cash and $750,000 worth of B2G tokens in exchange for his promotions. Actor Steven Seagal has been fined $314,000 by the U.S. securities regulator for failing to disclose he had been paid to endorse a bitcoin offering he was promoting on his social media channels That promotion included posts on his social media accounts in which he encouraged the public not to 'miss out' on Bitcoiin2Gen's initial coin offering. A press release was also issued in February 2018 that was titled 'Zen Master Steven Seagal Has Become the Brand Ambassador of Bitcoiin2Gen'. It included a quote from Seagal that said he endorsed the initial coin offering 'wholeheartedly'. The promotions came six months after the SEC warned in 2017 that coins sold in initial offerings may be securities. The SEC has previously said that celebrities and others using social media to encourage people to buy stocks and other investments legally need to disclose details about compensation they receive for any endorsement. They also, in accordance with the anti-touting provisions of the federal securities laws, need to reveal the nature and scope of the compensation they receive in exchange for the promotion. The securities regulator said Seagal had agreed to give up $157,000 in ill-gotten gains and to pay another $157,000 as a penalty for failing to disclose the payments. The martial arts expert was promised $250,000 in cash and $750,000 worth of Bitcoiin2Gen tokens in exchange for his promotions A press release was also issued in February 2018 that was titled 'Zen Master Steven Seagal Has Become the Brand Ambassador of Bitcoiin2Gen'. It included a quote from Seagal that said he endorsed the initial coin offering 'wholeheartedly' In addition to the fine, Seagal has agreed not to promote any securities for three years. Seagal has not admit to any wrongdoing. 'These investors were entitled to know about payments Seagal received or was promised to endorse this investment so they could decide whether he may be biased,' said Kristina Littman, Chief of the SEC Enforcement Division's Cyber Unit. 'Celebrities are not allowed to use their social media influence to tout securities without appropriately disclosing their compensation.' Seagal gained fame as an action-adventure film star in the 1980s. In 2018, he was embroiled in a sexual assault saga when two women came forward with allegations against the star. The women accused Seagal of assaulting them in 2002 and 1995. His lawyer said at the time that Seagal adamantly denied the allegations. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office later declined to press charges because of the statute of limitations. Burma Kachin State Approves Chinese-Backed Business Park in Border Town The Kanpiketi Myanmar-China border checkpoint in Waingmaw Township in northern Kachin States Special Region 1. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy YANGONThe Kachin State parliament approved a proposal on Thursday to implement a Chinese-backed business park project in the border town of Kanpiketi, a part of Beijings grand infrastructure plans for its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Proposed in 2018, the Kanpiketi Business Park will cover nearly 70 acres in the border town in northern Kachin States Special Region 1. The area is controlled by the New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDAK) militia, which is allied with the Myanmar military. At an estimated cost of US$22.4 million, the project will be developed by Myanmar Heng Ya Investment Development Company Ltd, a joint venture of Myanmars Kampaiti Development Company Ltd and Chinas Yunnan Tengying Trading Company Ltd. According to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA), the sons of NDAK militia founder Zahkung Ting Ying are directors at Kampaiti Development. In 2009, the NDAK was converted into a Border Guard Force (BGF), a government-sponsored militia, and still has significant influence in Special Region 1. Yunnan Tengying Trading company limited is a subsidiary of Yunnan Baoshan Hengyi Industry Group. The Irrawaddy has learned Baoshan Hengyi also operates in the Kachin State capital of Myitkyina under the name Yunnan Tengchong Heng Young Investment Company (YTHYIC). Under that name, the company signed an agreement with the Kachin State government in 2018 to develop the US$400-million Myitkyina Economic Zone on 4,700 acres of land along the historic Ledo Road. The project has drawn criticism for lacking transparency. State Minister of Finance, Revenue, Planning and Economy U Wai Lin said that the Chinese company holds a 70 percent stake and the Myanmar company holds 30 percent of the joint venture company. According to the Kachin government, local people in the project area will be displaced but the number of people who will be impacted is still unknown. Local lawmaker H La Awng told The Irrawaddy he was cautious about the project. We are not opposed to projects for development in that area, he said. But we warned them that they must have proper negotiations with the local people before the project begins. The business park is one of three cross-border economic cooperation zones under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) agreement. The CMEC will reach from Chinas Yunnan Province to Mandalay in central Myanmar and then stretch south to Yangon and west to the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Rakhine State. The Myanmar government first agreed to build the cross-border zones during a visit by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to Beijing to attend a forum on the BRI in 2017. Beijing and Naypyitaw then signed a 15-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the CMEC in 2018. The Myanmar government approved three sites in Kachin and Shan states in 2018 at the first implementation meeting of the Economic Cooperation Zones Central Committee in Naypyitaw. The cross-border zones will be developed in Kanpiketi Town, Shan States Muse Township and Shan States Chinshwehaw in Laukkai Township, a part the Kokang Self-Administered Zone. The name of the Kanpiketi project was changed from a cross-border economic cooperation zone to the Kanpiketi Business Park Project when the Cross Border Economic Cooperation Zone Central Committee met last October in Myitkyina. The business park includes plans to construct a South AsiaSoutheast Asia Culture Park (Zone A) on 12.65 acres, two Trade and Logistic Zones (Zones B and D) on 8.8 acres and 12.7 acres, a Border Inspection Gate (Zone C) on 5.1 acres and a Business Shop (Zone E) on 1.65 acres. According to U Wai Lin, the joint venture company will implement Zone C first, which includes a border inspection gate, government staff housing, a waiting area and related facilities. The minister said the company plans to invite other investors to construct the other zones. The Irrawaddy has learned that the Kachin State government approved the project last Thursday during a government meeting. As a part of the BRI, China is working on upgrading the border area. We need to upgrade our infrastructure as well, U Wai Lin said. The finance and planning minister added that the government is prepared to sign the MoU with the joint venture company to implement the project. A draft of the MoU was submitted to the offices of the Union and state attorneys general last year. The state government has also submitted the project to the National Economic Coordination Committee (NECC) for inclusion in the new Myanmar Project Bank. Launched in 2013, the BRI is Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature foreign policy project. It aims to build and expand roads, rail lines and shipping lanes linking at least 70 countries from China to Europe through Central and South Asia, the Middle East and Russia to boost trade and investment. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Launches Online Project Bank for Development Projects Myanmar to Upgrade Urban Infrastructure in State Capitals, Border Town A man who broke into a mobile phone shop on Market Square, Longford town, last year, has been given a five month suspended sentence and warned not to return to Longford, Athlone or Mullingar. Patrick Scanlon, 13 Rathvilly Drive, Finglas, Dublin 11, explained to the court that he served as a paratrooper in the army for a number of years and was recently diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which he said was the reason he was committing crimes. His record, the court heard, shows a number of suspended prison sentences, with the most recent one being from September 2019, when he was given a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for three years. On February 10, 2019, gardai received reports of a male in his late 40s breaking into a mobile phone shop on the corner of the Market Square at approximately 11am, explained Garda Barry Gillespie. He kicked in the bottom half of the PVC door, entered the shop and filled a rucksack with phone accessories. He was chased down the street by a civilian, dropped the bag and fled the area. He was identified via CCTV footage and made a full admission at a later date. In his defence, Mr Scanlon explained that he was recently diagnosed with PTSD. He said that he attended Trinity College Dublin after leaving the army in 1993, where he did courses in addiction studies, social studies and street law. Mr Scanlon added that, after leaving the university, he became an outreach worker, advising youths, alcoholics and drug addicts. Unfortunately, I couldn't hold down a job. I have terrible problems with anger. I attended AA. I'm homeless at the moment, Mr Scanlon explained, adding that the only family he has is a sister in Canada, whom he hasnt seen in several years, and his 72-year-old mother, for whom he is a carer. Why dont you live with her? Judge Hughes asked. I come from Finglas. Its a bad area. Well, its not a bad area but there are elements of the area that I dont need to be around, Mr Scanlon replied. Why are you in the business of theft? Judge Hughes asked. Its part of the PTSD. Its wanting to live on the edge all the time, said Mr Scanlon. What do you do with the goods? Judge Hughes pressed. Mr Scanlon explained that he gives most of the goods he steals to his mother. What would your mother, a 72-year-old woman want with a bag full of phone accessories? asked a sceptical Judge Hughes. I was after drinking heavily and taking drugs the night before, Mr Scanlon replied. I think youre a talker and youve talked plenty of judges into giving you suspended sentences. I think Im going to send you to prison, said Judge Hughes. I would ask you sir, please dont. Please give me one more chance, Mr Scanlon implored. I was born in 1970. I came of age in the 1980s. In Dublin we were in the grip of a terrible crisis with drugs and people stealing things. What point are you making? Judge Hughes interjected. I come from a disadvantaged background. Ive done a lot of negative stuff and a lot of bad stuff. But Ive also done a lot of good stuff and I believe that the scales of the law should be balanced, he replied. Judge Hughes sentenced Mr Scanlon to five months in prison, but suspended this sentence for a period of three years. He also barred Mr Scanlon from entering Longford, Mullingar or Athlone. Thank you, sir, said Mr Scanlon, saluting and bowing to the amused judge before leaving the court. Oregon health officials dispelled a rumor Wednesday that a child had coronavirus and visited a Kaiser Permanente emergency room. There are currently NO cases in Oregon and the risk of getting it here is currently low, the Oregon Health Authority said on Twitter. According to at least one rumor the state has received, a child checked into the Hillsboro hospital not long after returning from a family vacation in Italy. By the afternoon, according to the rumor, the child tested positive for coronavirus. But thats not possible, a state health official said, because it takes at least a few days to get back the results of a test for coronavirus. The only entity that does tests in the United States right now is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Theres no way a person would come into the ER with symptoms today and know that day that they have COVID-19, health authority spokesman Jonathan Modie said in a statement. But COVID-19, as the disease is officially called, is still very much a threat to the American public. The CDC said this week that the new virus will spread to communities and that regular people, local governments and health care systems should start preparing now for that inevitability. As if to punctuate that point, federal officials confirmed Wednesday what could be the first community spread of the virus in the United States. A person in California has coronavirus but didnt travel to China and apparently didnt have contact with someone known to have the coronavirus. The case brings the total number of U.S. infections to 15, besides for the sick Americans brought home from the cruise ship Diamond Princess. -- 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. Quarantine officials disinfect international students' bags and belongings when they enter Incheon International Airport Monday. /Yonhap By Bahk Eun-ji International students studying in Korea are starting to return to their home countries amid the soaring number of cases of coronavirus infection here, according to university officials Thursday. An officials at the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management (KDI School) said an international student in his 20s from Bangladesh, who entered the school this year, left for his home country Sunday. She said the student asked for leave of absence for the semester. The KDI School is a special graduate school affiliated with the KDI. Among the approximately 200 students, half of them are international students from developing countries. More than 2,000 international students have earned degrees from the school since it opened in 1997. The international students are invited to study at the school by the Korean government, which provides tuition fees, covers living expenses and provides housing for them in the form of a scholarship. After studying here, it is hoped that they will share their positive experiences from Korea when they return to their home countries. Chinese students delay trips to Korea amid coronavirus worries Ruling party, government fuel public's mistrust Protestant churches urged to cancel Sunday worship When the Bangladeshi student returned home, he reportedly told his peers that he was worried about the situation surrounding the COVID-19 virus, which has become an epidemic in Korea. "After he heard about the coronavirus spread in Korea, he was scared that the airports would be closed, so he booked a plane ticket and went back home," his friend was quoted as saying by a local daily newspaper. At the time last week when the Bangladeshi student departed, the number of confirmed COVID-19 patients had surged to 602 on Feb. 23 from just 30, Feb.18. To date, Korea has reported 1,766 cases of the highly contagious virus, with 13 deaths, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). In response to the concerns shown by the international students, the KDI School notified them that classes would be cancelled for a week until March 3. The school initially opened for the new semester Feb. 10 and held classes despite the Ministry of Education's order to postpone the start of the spring semester. "We can't say his decision to take a leave of absence was not due to the recent outbreak of the contagious virus in Korea. There are growing fears of infection among other students," the school official said. In addition, Hanyeong University officials reported that Vietnamese students studying at the school are rushing to return home for fear of community spread of the new coronavirus. Around 20 out of a total of 93 students from the country, who have been studying Korean since December 2018, have informed the school that they will return to Vietnam. The Vietnamese students said that their parents were so worried about their safety with the COVID-19 virus outbreak in Korea that they told their children to return home as soon as possible. Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged SCANA Corp., two of its former top executives, and South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. (SCE&G), now known as Dominion Energy South Carolina Inc., with defrauding investors by making false and misleading statements about a nuclear power plant expansion that was ultimately abandoned. The SEC's complaint alleges that SCANA, its former CEO Kevin Marsh, former Executive Vice President Stephen Byrne, and subsidiary SCE&G misled investors about a project to build two nuclear units that would qualify the company for more than $1 billion in tax credits. According to the complaint, the defendants claimed that the project was on track even though they knew it was far behind schedule, making it unlikely to qualify for the tax credits. The complaint further alleges one SCANA executive said that officers of the company "flew around the country showing the same . . . construction pictures from different angles and played our fiddles" while the project itself "was going up in flames." SCANA abandoned the project in mid-2017 with neither nuclear unit completed. The complaint alleges that the false statements and omissions enabled SCANA to boost its stock price, sell more than $1 billion in bonds, and obtain regulatory approval to raise customers' rates to finance the project. "When making statements to the public, executives cannot provide false information or half-truths," said Richard R. Best, Director of the SEC's Atlanta Regional Office. "This case demonstrates the SEC's commitment to holding companies and individuals at the highest corporate levels responsible when they mislead investors and fail to provide them with full and fair information." The SEC's complaint, filed in federal court in South Carolina, charges SCANA, SCE&G, Marsh, and Byrne with violations of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws, and charges SCANA, SCE&G, and Marsh with reporting violations. The complaint seeks a permanent injunction, return of allegedly ill-gotten gains along with prejudgment interest, and financial penalties from all defendants, and an officer and director bar against Marsh and Byrne. The SEC's investigation was conducted by John O'Halloran and supervised by Natalie Brunson and Justin Jeffries of the Atlanta Regional Office. The litigation will be led by Graham Loomis and H.B. Roback. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in this matter. Canadian veterinarians are at greater risk of struggling with mental health-related issues than the general public, a recent study suggests. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (684 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Canadian veterinarians are at greater risk of struggling with mental health-related issues than the general public, a recent study suggests. The study, published recently in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, says veterinarians who participated in the research had higher levels of perceived stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, secondary traumatic stress and suicidal thoughts. It also found that female veterinarians were worse off than their male counterparts. The results didn't surprise Dr. Renee Fleming, a veterinarian in Guelph, Ont. The stressors of the job are numerous, she said, from euthanizing beloved pets to conflicts that arise when what is best for the animal is not what its owners want, or can afford, to animal cruelty. "It's an emotionally challenging profession," she said. "There are sick animals and a lot to handle in a day and you never know what you're going to see." Dr. Jennifer Perret, a veterinarian and the lead author of the study, said the mental health toll on Canadian veterinarians is known within the industry, but she and her supervisor, Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton, wanted to dig deeper on the research surrounding it. "One of the reasons I came back to school to research this was feeling burnt out myself and seeing it in my classmates and wanting to find out why," said Perret, now a doctoral student at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. More than 1,400 veterinarians across the country about 10 per cent of all veterinarians in Canada participated in the online survey. The study also found the 12-month prevalence of suicidal thoughts among study participants was 26.2 per cent, substantially higher than the prevalence of a general international population of two to 10 per cent. "These results should serve as a call to action for tools and educational programs directed at supporting veterinarian mental wellness in Canada, with special attention paid to the disparate needs of the genders," the paper said. Studies going back decades have highlighted the risks veterinarians face, including a relatively high rate of suicide, compared to both the general population and other health-care providers. In 2010, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association formed a task force on the wellness of its members. In 2012, the organization published the results of a national survey in a study. More than half of the 769 respondents reported suffering from burnout and nearly one-third found the burnout severe enough they needed to stop working. Nearly one out of five said they thought about suicide and one out of 10 reported they attempted suicide. Last month, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association launched a new campaign and website, called "i matter." "Our campaign is really designed around resiliency and wellness and if you need a hand, you need to ask, you need to get help and build a network that supports you and we are trying to help with that," said Dr. Susan Dorland, president of the association, which has about 3,100 members across the province. The site provides information about understanding mental health and resources available to veterinarians. Veterinarians deal with an onslaught of stress, grief and trauma, Dorland said. "It's a wonderful profession," she said. "The best side of it is the relationships with patients that give you the greatest joy and satisfaction, but that can also give you the most stress." Perret said the standout from her research is the high levels of secondary stress similar in symptoms to post-traumatic stress disorder which is worse among female veterinarians. Secondary stress occurs when veterinarians deal with animals and humans under their care who are themselves experiencing the trauma. "The emotional involvement is very real," she said. The paper did not delve into the reasons for the mental health outcomes, but it's an area of research Perret is exploring. Euthanasia is a known stressor in the field. "I had one day a few weeks ago where I had to help three families say goodbye to their pets, consecutively," she said with a deep sigh. "You're trying your best to be an emotional support for the family and be caring and that's really draining. You grieve with them, hug them and you turn around, go into the next room and do it all again. You have to shrug all that emotion off and do you job. It catches up with you later." She often talks through difficult days with her husband and her colleagues. "The word is getting out that veterinarians are struggling with their mental health," she said. "It's important to know that you're not alone." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. A leading Kenyan university has heaped blame on female students who are raped and claimed their reckless behaviour caused them to become sexual violence victims. The University of Nairobi said the mounting number of incidents of rape and robbery of university students in the capital of Nairobi took place at particular locations which are nearby to university affiliated buildings. The memo said: In all the three rape incidences reported last year, a clear case of recklessness on the part of our female students can be drawn. The memo, which all pupils received, then drew attention to a case where it claimed a female student entertained herself in various joints around the city and decided to walk all alone (drunk) when her bag was grabbed and she was gang-raped by three men. Students were also advised to remember key phone numbers off by heart in case they misplaced their mobile phone and ensure they were with friends they trusted on outings. Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Show all 13 1 /13 Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice Nailantei Lengete Nice Nailantei Lengete Alexander Schmidjell Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice Nailantei Lengete talks to schoolgirls Nice Nailantei Lengete talks to schoolgirls in Kenya about the importance of education Alexander Schmidjell Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice Nailantei Lengete talks to schoolgirls Nice Nailantei Lengete talks to schoolgirls in Kenya about the importance of education Alexander Schmidjell Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice Nailantei Lengete Nice Nailantei Lengete Alexander Schmidjell Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice with a Maasai community Nice with members of a Maasai community in Kenya Alexander Schmidjell Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice with a Maasai community Nice with members of a Maasai community in Kenya Alexander Schmidjell Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice Nailantei Lengete She was named by Time Magazine in 2018 as one of the 100 most influential people in the world Amref Health Africa Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice Nailantei Lengete Nices community organised a homecoming ceremony for her when she returned from the TIME 100 gala in April 2018 Amref Health Africa Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice welcomes Dr. David Nkedienye Nice welcomes Dr. David Nkedienye, the governor of Kajiado County at the time, to the official part of an Alternative Rite of Passage ceremony in Rombo, Kenya. His presence was a sign of acknowledgment and encouragement Anja Ligtenberg Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Alternative Rite of Passage ceremony Nice helps young girls prepare for their Alternative Rite of Passage ceremony Anja Ligtenberg Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice celebrates with Morans Nice celebrates with Morans (young men) from a Maasai community in Kenya Anja Ligtenberg Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice Nailantei Lengete and her sister Nice Nailantei Lengete (left) and her elder sister (right) as children Nice Nailantei Lengete Forgotten Women: Ending FGM in Kenya Nice Nailantei Lengete A portrait of human rights activist Nice Nailantei Lengete Steve Murigi The university has now apologised for the memo and the institution's vice-chancellor Stephen Kiama said it had been insensitive and is not reflective of the university's ethos. The memo has sparked a backlash with high-profile individuals hitting out at it on social media and a petition condemning it garnering almost 6,000 signatures. Recommended How one Kenyan woman escaped FGM and saved thousands more from the cut Misogyny has been time and again endorsed by the powers in play in Kenya, and that has got to stop, states the petition. You do not incriminate females in their own rape cases and get away with it. Adelle Onyango, a rape survivor who is founder of No Means No, voiced her outrage to her 374,000 Instagram followers. She hit out at the university for assigning blame NOT on the rapists but on the victims and even expose one victims story where they assign blame to her! Ms Onyango added: And then these TIPS yall keep throwing around at women. Right now, where we go, what time we will go there, who we will go with, how we will get there, what we will wear etc is governed by how safe we will be and that is NOT normal neither is it OK! If men just stopped raping us, rape will stop. This is what victim shaming looks like. This is what normalisation of rape looks like. And we will not stand for it. The Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics estimates some 14 per cent of Kenyan women and six per cent of men aged 15-49 have suffered sexual violence at least once in their lives. Human Rights Watch has previously warned a history of impunity for sexual violence in Kenya severely damages womens capacity to report incidents of rape and sexual harassment to the police. In a 2017 report, the prominent organisation found women who attempted to report sexual violence encountered police who ordered them away without bothering to take statements or mocked or verbally abused them. Additional reporting by wires On the evening of February 19, 2020, in the west German city of Hanau, a severely disturbed 43-year-old German male opened fire in two separate bars frequented by persons of non-German origin, particularly Turkish, killing nine innocent people. It appears that all the victims were non-Germans, either immigrants or first-generation born of immigrants. The murderer fled the scene, returned to his apartment, and turned the gun on his 72-year-old mother and then on himself. Eleven dead. The perpetrator, Tobias Rathjien, apparently never married, had posted an extensive internet manifesto before his evil deeds and, possibly, a video, where his crazed and odious views were on display, as well as his obviously severe mental derangement. The events are still being investigated, so many of my sentences must begin with the phrase "it appears" or "apparently." But the political consequences of this appalling mass murder are unfolding so quickly in Germany and in much the way I would have predicted that I thought it important to comment now, based on what is tentatively known. Significantly, it appears that all of the murderer's internet leavings have been taken down, so it's impossible now to add to the little that was quickly spotted about his severe, probably psychotic, delusions and paranoia. Was that intentional, to make it easier to present him as a "typical right-winger"? Some of what is known about the man, per various news sources that had brief access to the written manifesto and video: He apparently expressed a belief that all people in Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Israel, Pakistan, Iran, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines, among other countries, must be killed. He apparently said he favored reducing the world's population by half through mass murder. In addition to his dreams of mass murder, certain of his truly delusional ravings were spotted before the internet trail was expunged: he apparently believed that the United States military is currently operating underground facilities where children are being sexually abused and killed and some sort of satanic worship is going on. He also said he has been unable to form a relationship with a woman because the German government has been following him. How is this atrocity, perpetrated by an obvious paranoid schizophrenic, being used by German elites and the chancellor? Unless you can read German, it's impossible to appreciate the torrent of blame, howling rage, condemnation, and calls for punishment, all directed against the right-wing party Alternative fur Deutschland (AFD), that this appalling mass murder has called forth. It is no exaggeration to say this atrocity is being utilized, first and foremost by Chancellor Merkel herself, to destroy the AFD a destruction that, if accomplished, would leave Germany with no conservative opposition to the government's widely detested mass migration and climate hysteria policies. The ongoing political reaction strongly suggests that this is the event Germany's major political parties and their supporters were waiting for an event that can be readily fashioned into a club with which to beat the AFD to death. To give you a flavor of what's being said, here is a translation of the lead portion of Merkel's remarks on the event: The background of these terrible murders will be investigated down to the last detail. But there is a lot of evidence that suggests the perpetrator acted out of far-right extremist and racist motives, out of hatred for people with a different background, a different religion, and different looks. Absolutely no mention by the chancellor of the fact that there is "also a lot of evidence" that the perpetrator was a delusional, paranoid psychotic, even more mentally disturbed than the German Wings commercial copilot who flew his plane into a mountain in the French Alps. Neither the German nor the English mainstream coverage mentions or does so only passingly the individual's obvious severe mental illness, paranoia, and delusions of persecution. That would attenuate the narrative that's being built up, which is this: Everyone in Germany who has rational reservations about the sudden and deliberate import of millions of Muslims, everyone who sensibly and soberly questions whether it makes sense for two societies so different in values and behavior to be thrown together, is a potential mass murderer, or at least complicit in engendering mass murder. What is unfolding in Germany now, hour by hour, is the deliberate and grossly dishonest intrumentalizing of a great tragedy, perpetrated by an almost certainly lone psychotic, for the purpose of shutting down the AFD, whose views on immigration are infinitely closer to those of a large majority of Germans than those of the chancellor. The Germans have a special court (Verfassungsschutz Gericht) for monitoring and surveilling groups and occasionally political parties deemed a threat to the constitution, the rule of law, and democracy. Being placed under such surveillance is the kiss of death to any political party. The tactic is almost invariably employed against conservative groups. "Antifa," closely aligned with the three parties of the Left, the Greens, SPD, and the odious "die Linke," direct successors to the East German Communists, runs wild, intimidating, threatening, and physically assaulting conservatives; destroying property; and menacing peaceful demonstrators and conservatives in their homes. But the Verfassungsschutz Gericht rarely if ever gives Antifa (or its stealth sponsor parties of the Left) a glance. When a tragedy like this occurs, on the other hand, the cry goes up from the Left, with at least tacit support from the chancellor, for constitutional court surveillance of a party that has never advocated anything close to what Antifa regularly engages in, let alone the horrible acts of the Hanau murderer. We have seen this tactic in America, but conservatives have more resources here for self-defense. In the early days after severely disturbed Jared Loughner's 2011 shooting spree in Arizona, which left six dead and a congresswoman severely wounded, there were serious efforts by the American Left to blame the deranged perpetrator's acts on conservative commentators who had criticized President Obama. In the event, those efforts failed. And we all remember the unhinged Bernie Sanderssupporter who came within one brave cop of killing a score of Republican congressmen. Republicans were outraged, but no one seriously suggested that Bernie Sanders, and his intense criticisms of America, was morally responsible for the acts of a lone psychopath, or that allowable political discussion needed to be abridged, to avoid the risk of pushing such persons over the edge. I'm usually loath to analogize between historical events, to suggest that this or that set of circumstances is just like one that occurred long ago. But in the case of the Hanau murders in Germany today, and how they are being ruthlessly utilized to destroy Germany's only conservative opposition, to destroy a political party fully committed to democracy and the rule of law, the similarities of what did in fact occur long ago in Germany to these events are too much to escape mention. Adolf Hitler became the chancellor of Germany under the Weimar constitution on January 30, 1933. At Hitler's ascension the Nazi Party held a plurality of seats in the Reichstag (parliament), but not a majority other parties were present in the parliament, including the socialists, the communists (lots of them), and various smaller parties of the center and right. Almost four weeks to the day after Hitler's assumption of the chancellorship, the Reichstag burned, almost certainly the work of an arsonist. The crime was pinned on a Dutch communist, who almost certainly worked alone. In fact, history has never fully settled the question of whether the Reichstag's burning might have been a false flag action by the Nazis themselves. But what followed the Reichstag fire is not in dispute: claiming that the act of arson was the work of Reichstag communist parliamentarians who were attacking the Weimar Republic (a contention no one credits today), Hitler convinced the aged President Hindenburg to issue an emergency decree allowing the arrest of all Reichstag communists which Hitler did with alacrity. This moved the Nazis in the Reichstag from a plurality to a majority and greatly facilitated Hitler's dissolution over the ensuing year of the Weimar Republic and his establishing the Third Reich. Will the Hanau atrocity be Merkel's Reichstag fire? So far, she's certainly acting like it and with as little justification, in fact or logic. I leave the readers with a recommendation: over the next few weeks you will be reading more defamatory falsehoods about the AFD than at any time since that conservative, democratic, and sensibly patriotic party entered the Bundestag following the 2017 national elections. The AFD's platform is available in English on the internet. It's long, but much of it will not be of interest; some of it will be of great interest. A Google search brings it up fairly easily. I urge the readers to spend a few minutes on it, and to judge for themselves, based on this document, whether the hysterical denunciations of the AFD are remotely justified, measured against its stated aims. I said in my February 16 AT article that democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law are at risk in Germany today. After the horrific events of Hanau of a few days ago, and the shameful misuse by German leaders of those events, that risk has greatly intensified. CAIRO - Saudi Arabias unprecedented decision to halt the umrah pilgrimage amid the global outbreak of a new virus could prevent millions of Muslims from undertaking a major religious rite that many spend years saving up for. Unlike the hajj pilgrimage, which takes place once a year and is required for all Muslims who are able to undertake it, the lesser umrah pilgrimage can be performed year-round. Nearly 20 million Muslims undertake the umrah pilgrimage each year, including more than 7 million foreign travellers. Here is a look at the umrah pilgrimage and the implications of the decision to halt it. ___ WHAT IS THE UMRAH? Just like the five-day hajj, which annually brings 2-3 million pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from around the world, umrah is centred on the holy cities of Mecca and Medina and includes rituals dating back to the Prophet Muhammad, who founded Islam in the 7th century. Pilgrims begin by entering a state of physical and spiritual purity known as ihram. Women forgo makeup and perfume and wear loose-fitting clothing and a head covering, while men dress in seamless, white terrycloth garments. They begin in Mecca, where they circle the black, cube-shaped Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam, seven times. Muslims believe the Kaaba was built on the site where God ordered the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail in a test of faith before ultimately staying his hand. Its an alternative version of the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac. Pilgrims then trace the path of Hagar, the wife of Ibrahim, who Muslims believe ran between two hills seven times searching for water for her dying son. Tradition holds that God then brought forth a spring that runs to this day. The sacred well of Zamzam is believed to possess healing powers, and pilgrims often return with bottles of its water as gifts. Both rites are performed in Meccas Grand Mosque. Male pilgrims then shave their heads in a sign of purity and completion of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims often perform umrah as part of the hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. ___ WHAT DOES THE UMRAH MEAN FOR MUSLIMS? As with the hajj, those who undertake umrah try to shed the trappings of materialism and grow closer to God and their fellow Muslims. The pilgrimage attracts Muslims from all over the world and every walk of life, but once they enter the state of ihram, everyone appears and is treated as an equal. Poorer Muslims may spend years saving up to perform hajj or umrah, which are seen as major life events. In poorer districts across the Middle East, families decorate the outer walls of their homes with paintings of the Kaaba, airplanes and ships to commemorate the journey. The umrah has become even more important in recent years as millions of Muslims fall outside the Saudi-imposed quotas for participation in the hajj. In countries with large and rapidly growing Muslim populations, aspiring pilgrims can languish for years on waiting lists. For many of them, umrah may be the only way to pray at Islams holiest sites. ___ WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SAUDI ARABIA? The Saudis custodianship of the two holy cities and hosting of the pilgrimages is a major source of legitimacy and prestige in the Muslim world. An outbreak in Mecca and Medina would not only risk spreading the illness throughout Saudi Arabia and further afield, but would also embarrass the monarchy. Saudi Arabias arch-rival Iran has emerged as a major focal point of the global outbreak. At least 26 Iranians have died from the COVID-19 disease, and it has been linked to most of the more than 350 confirmed cases across the region. Irans death toll is the highest of any country outside of China, where the outbreak began. Iran has come under heavy criticism over a lack of transparency regarding the virus, especially after its own deputy health minister tested positive for it. The epicenter appears to be in the Shiite holy city of Qom, where pilgrims kiss and touch a famous shrine. The Saudis risk losing tens of millions of dollars a day as hotels and other establishments empty out, but the cost of containing an outbreak could be much higher. ___ HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED BEFORE? The pilgrimage would pose a major risk in the event of an outbreak. The new virus is easily transmitted from person to person, but carriers often show no symptoms. That would allow it to spread like wildfire among pilgrims eating and praying together in crowded areas, who might then unknowingly bring it back to their own countries. Its happened before. A cholera outbreak in 1821 killed an estimated 20,000 pilgrims, and another cholera outbreak in 1865 killed 15,000 pilgrims and then spread worldwide. But Meccas gates remained open throughout even more serious pandemics, such as the 1918 Spanish influenza, according to John Slight, a history professor at Open University U.K. and the author of a book about the British empire and the hajj. The pilgrimage has long sparked public anxiety about pandemics, dating back to when the second caliph of Islam spotted a woman debilitated by a skin disease at the shrine in 632 and asked her to leave, said Muhammad Abdel-Haleem, director of the Center for Islamic Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Colonial authorities have occasionally barred people from travelling to Mecca and Medina over health concerns, such as fast-spreading cholera. Britain, for instance, imposed mass, controversial quarantines on Indian pilgrims ships. But the authorities of the shrines themselves never stopped travellers, said Faisal Devji, history professor at Oxford University. ___ Krauss reported from Jerusalem. Various mishaps on the set of 'The Exorcist' led to rumours of a curse. (Credit: Warner Bros) A new documentary series is set to tell the most infamous true stories of allegedly cursed Hollywood movie sets, including The Exorcist and Poltergeist. Horror streaming platform Shudder has unveiled a trailer for Cursed a five-part series exploring the truth behind some of the most notorious production stories in cinema history. The movies depicted in the series are: The Exorcist, The Omen, Poltergeist, The Crow and Twilight Zone: The Movie. Read more: How real are exorcism movies? Documentary filmmaker and Film Junk Podcast co-host Jay Cheel is behind the project, which will premiere at the SXSW Festival in March before its Shudder debut in April on both sides of the Atlantic. The first episode, due to premiere on 2 April, will follow the notorious problems on the set of The Exorcist, including a devastating fire and the apparently coincidental deaths of many people associated with the production. Read more: Brad Pitt says The Crow star Brandon Lee feared dying young A double bill of episodes on 9 April will delve into allegations of supernatural events around the making of horror classics Poltergeist and The Omen Finally, the tragedies on the set of The Crow and Twilight Zone: The Movie will be the subject of the last pair of programmes, available from 16 April. Brandon Lee died in 1993 after an accident on the set of comic book adaptation 'The Crow'. (Credit: Miramax) The Poltergeist and The Omen episodes will have their world premiere at SXSW, with director Cheel in attendance. Cursed Films features interviews with numerous talking heads, including witnesses to the various incidents and the actors and filmmakers involved in the movies. Among the roster of big-name interviewees are The Omen director Richard Donner, The Exorcist star Linda Blair and historian Mitch Horowitz. Read more: Chad Stahelski discusses The Crow tragedy Shudder is available on numerous devices in the USA, UK, Canada, Ireland and Germany. In recent days, both Mr. Biden and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said that Mr. Sanders should not become the nominee if he arrived at the convention short of a delegate majority. Bernie had a big hand in writing these rules, Ms. Warren said during a CNN forum on Wednesday night. I dont see how he thinks he gets to change them now that he thinks theres an advantage for him. Slightly less than 3 percent of delegates have been allocated in the race so far, and Mr. Sanders, of course, can win a majority, making him the nominee. But while Mr. Sanders has demonstrated momentum in the race, winning the most votes in each of the first three contests, he has yet to show that he can expand his coalition enough to set his campaign on a path to capturing the majority of delegates. As a result, some within Mr. Sanderss own campaign foresee a possible brokered convention. The argument of Mr. Sanders and his allies that a plurality of delegates should be sufficient to clinch the nomination is a different standard than the one laid out in party rules that his team helped draft two years ago. Its also a reversal of their stance in 2016, when Mr. Sanders encouraged superdelegates to support him over Mrs. Clinton, who secured the majority of pledged delegates. The will of the people should prevail, he said when asked during last weeks debate if the candidate with the most pledged delegates should be the Democratic nominee. The person who has the most votes should become the nominee. Supporters of Mr. Sanders said that blocking him from the nomination if he had the most delegates would repel progressives, and would deliver a second term to Mr. Trump. Ex-Hollywood Mogul Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape and sexual assault in New York on Tuesday. Weinstein had been expected to move to New York Citys notorious Rikers Island jail complex following the verdict, but was admitted late Monday night to Bellevue Hospital a few miles away. One of his lawyers, Arthur Aidala, told reporters after meeting with Weinstein that his 67-year-old client looked like he was in good shape but was not a picture of health by any stretch of the imagination, and doctors would decide when to release him. He was upbeat, though obviously he prefers being in his own house, Aidala said. Media reports said Weinstein had experienced chest pain or heart palpitations before being admitted to Bellevue, a public hospital. Aidala said Weinstein was somewhat flabbergasted by the verdict and cautiously optimistic about his eventual appeal. I almost feel emboldened by Mr. Weinsteins spirits and his desire to continue to fight these charges, Aidala added. Weinstein was convicted of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping former aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. Jurors acquitted Weinstein on the two top charges, predatory sexual assault, which carried a maximum life sentence. Those counts required jurors to consider accusations by the actress Annabella Sciorra, who testified that Weinstein raped her in the early 1990s. The actress Ellen Barkin, a friend of Sciorra, tweeted on Tuesday: Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein is still not in jail. He is in a private suite in Bellevue hospital. This is not what the jury had in mind. Weinsteins guilty verdict was a milestone for the #MeToo movement, which was fuelled by his case starting in late 2017. Aidala said Weinstein was not being handcuffed at Bellevue. Weinstein was admitted to a unit that provides medical care for inmates. A spokesman said earlier on Tuesday that Weinstein suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. During the trial, the former producer appeared frail and used a walker. The Rikers Island jail complex, whose main building went up in 1932, has long been plagued by violence and neglect. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed in 2017 to close it within a decade. Follow @News18Movies for more The devastated family of a young Co Down man who died suddenly after suffering an asthma attack have urged other sufferers not to ignore the seriousness of the condition. Michael Kearney (25) passed away at his family home in Ballynoe near Downpatrick last Sunday. The call centre worker was laid to rest following a funeral service held in St Patricks Church, Legamaddy today. A funeral notice described him as the much-loved son of Angela and Liam, and the loving brother of Ashley, Patrick, Alan and Elaine. It also said Mr Kearneys death was very deeply regretted by the entire family circle. Speaking ahead of the Requiem Mass, his aunt Roisin McCartan said the loss of Mr Kearney - who she described as happy-go-lucky - had left the family totally devastated. She told the Irish News that her nephew always had his inhalers. The Co Down man was found by his 17-year-old sister, who was forced to enter her siblings home via a bathroom window into the property, the newspaper reproted yesterday. The teenager then began performing CPR while calling for an ambulance and alerting family. Sadly, despite their best efforts, Mr Kearney passed away at the scene. A post-mortem examination revealed he had suffered an asthma attack. Mrs McCartan said the family had not expected that to be the cause of death, saying her nephew, who had recently started a new job that he loved with Ulster Bank, had always had asthma and managed the condition with his inhalers. He would have taken them regularly. He wouldnt have gone anywhere without them or would have phoned if he went anywhere without them and some of us had to go and take his inhaler to him, she explained. It was very quick, very sudden. It was a matter of minutes. We werent expecting it. Asthma never even came into the familys minds but the results came back and it was asthma. She said Mr Kearney - a former pupil of St Malachys High School in Castlewellan - was loveable and kind-hearted. He would have done anything for anybody. It didnt matter what it was. He was very caring and very attentive to all of us. Family was everything to him, she continued. He had a very colourful personality, very bubbly and happy-go-lucky, and he loved his family and friends. Everybody knew him and he was the type of wee fella, if you were down in the dumps, he would cheer you up. Mrs McCartan added: We are just totally devastated and the whole community, because everybody knows everybody, is just completely devastated. Theres just a void. He was just a lovely person and a wee rainbow. She stressed that the sudden death of her nephew underlined how serious the asthma can be, He wasnt attending the doctor and there were no signs of being poorly. He managed it but we just didnt realise it was going to take him in the end. So many people dont give it the awareness of how serious it is, said Mrs McCartan. Any tightness you feel in the chest, go and get it checked out and always have an inhaler or be aware where you can go to get a spray inhaler. It is a serious condition, even though people manage it every day. A convicted killer who escaped an Alabama worker release facility is now back in custody after five days on the run. The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force on Thursday developed information Thursday that 43-year-old Daniel Miner was at a residence in Morgan Countys Falkville community, said Northern District of Alabama U.S. Marshal Marty Keely. The home was on Pitts Road. Keely said they learned Miner might be at the home. They set up surveillance and late Thursday afternoon they saw two men in the back of the home, one of them resembling Miner. They then learned Miner had communicated with relatives and told them his house was surrounded by lawmen. About 6 p.m., the other man exited the home. He told authorities Miner was inside and that he was armed with a knife and had explosives strapped to him. Shortly before 7 p.m., authorities deployed tear gas into the house and Miner surrendered. No explosive devices were found. The standoff lasted about three hours. The U.S. Marshals were assisted by Morgan, Cullman and Madison county sheriffs offices, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and other first responders from the area. The Alabama Department of Corrections issued a report late Saturday night that Miner had missed a roster count at the Childersburg Work Release Center. Miner was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole on July 25, 1994. He pleaded guilty to his role in the shooting death of Edward Lee Williams during a 1993 robbery in Marshall County. Miner was 17 when the deadly shooting by rifle happened and 18 when he pleaded guilty. The slaying happened in the course of the theft of two shotguns, two rifle, one sword, 29 compact discs and an undetermined amount of cash, according to court records. The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Morgan County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies took Daniel Miner into custody in Falkville on Thursday evening. (Twitter) Earlier Thursday, Keely announced that the USMS was offering a $10,000 reward for information leading lawmen to the fugitive. We believe he is dangerous, Keely said. Anyone who sees him should avoid contact and call. Miner was wearing white prison clothing and has white power, iron cross, and dragon tattoos on his body, according to the prison escape report. Miner was categorized by the Alabama Department of Corrections as being Minimum-out, which is described by the prison system as Appropriate for inmates that do not pose a significant risk to self or others and suitable to be assigned off-property work details without the direct supervision of correctional officers. Inmates must remain in prison clothing at all times and work is generally assigned to only government positions (i.e. city, county, ADOC, ADOT, etc.).Inmates in this custody are generally assigned to Community Work Centers (CWC) with higher security facilities only maintain a small number of job assignments requiring minimal supervision. According to ADOC, Miner was not assigned to work release as he is not eligible for such placement. He is a minimum-out, custody-level inmate and had been assigned to a community work center setting since July of 2018. Miner is not eligible for ADOCs Work Release Program. After assessing Miners risk and needs, it was determined that he was eligible for the Work Center Program. ADOCs Work Center Program is much different than the Work Release Program these inmates are required to wear white state inmate clothing (an inmate uniform) and are eligible to work for local or state government entities. Officials said the inmates are not paid a prevailing wage. As an inmate housed at Childersburg Community Based Facility / Community Work Center, Miner was only eligible for the Work Center Program. While local/state government job assignments of Work Center inmates are not publicly disclosed, Miner worked under close supervision and remained dressed in his state-issued prison whites clothing. He was not assigned to an off-property job at the time of his escape. Work Release inmates are eligible to work for private civilian businesses in the community after thorough and careful vetting. These inmates wear street clothes that any normal civilian would wear to work, and work for a prevailing wage. Fears are intensifying over the spread of coronavirus in Europe as France reported its second death and the number of people in Italy with the virus continues to climb. Authorities in Italy said yesterday the number of people infected in the country had reached 370, or up 45pc in 24 hours, and 12 people have now died. Austria, Croatia and Switzerland also reported their first cases linked to the outbreak in Italy, while Spain and France recorded new ones, also involving people who had been to northern Italy. France recorded its second death, a 60-year-old Frenchman who died in a Paris hospital. German Health Minister Jens Spahn said his country was at the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic after new cases sprang up that can no longer be traced to the virus's original source in China. A total of five new cases of coronavirus in the west and south of Germany - taking the country's total to around 20 - meant the disease appeared to be moving to a new phase, he added. "The infection chains are partially no longer trackable, and that is a new thing," said Mr Spahn. "Large numbers of people have had contact with the patients, and that is a big change to the 16 patients we had until now where the chain could be traced back to the origin in China." The first positive test in South America has also been recorded in a 61-year-old Brazilian man who had recently been to northern Italy. For the first time, the number of new cases officially reported outside China has exceeded new cases reported by Beijing. Figures from the World Health Organisation showed there were 427 new cases reported in 37 countries on Tuesday, compared with 411 reported by Beijing. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told MPs yesterday that 7,132 people in the UK have so far been tested. Of these, 13 have tested positive, of whom eight have been discharged from hospital. He said the NHS is looking to extend home testing while a new public information campaign will be launched. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Hancock said "isolation pods" have been sited at hospitals in England for people who turn up at A&E with symptoms. A number of schools in the UK have told staff and pupils to stay at home after returning from ski trips to northern Italy, where several towns in the Lombardy and Veneto regions remain on lockdown. Meanwhile in the US, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said yesterday there were six more cases of coronavirus among citizens evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, taking the total number of confirmed cases among Americans to 59. The agency reported 14 cases in the country and 45 cases among people evacuated from the cruise ship and Wuhan in China. US President Donald Trump accused two cable TV news channels of presenting the danger from the coronavirus in as bad a light as possible and upsetting financial markets, even as public health officials warned Americans to prepare for a likely local outbreak. Yesterday Mr Trump wrote on Twitter that CNN and MSNBC, both of which frequently criticise him, "are doing everything possible to make (the coronavirus) look as bad as possible, including panicking markets", adding: "USA in great shape!" Global stock markets have slumped in recent days due to worries over a prolonged disruption to supply chains and economies from the disease. China, where the outbreak began, has reported 78,064 cases and 2,715 deaths, while South Korea has the second-highest number of cases with 1,261 and 11 deaths. Expressing "grave concern" over the violence in New Delhi, a US commission on international religious freedom urged the Indian government to take swift action for the safety of its citizens. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said that the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith amid reports of attack on Muslims and expressed "grave concern" over the violence. "We urge the Indian government to make serious efforts to protect Muslims and others targeted by mob violence," USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said in a statement on Wednesday. A senior US State Department official also tweeted on the violence in Delhi, urging for calm and respect for the right of peaceful assembly. "Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased and injured in New Delhi," Alice G. Wells, Principal deputy assistant secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs at the US State Department tweeted on Thursday. "We echo PM @NarendraModi's call for calm and normalcy and urge all parties to maintain peace, refrain from violence, and respect the right of peaceful assembly," she wrote. Reacting to the statement by the USCIRF and the comments by "few individuals" over the communal riots in Delhi, India on Thursday them as "factually inaccurate, misleading" and an attempt to politicise the issue. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "We have seen comments made by USCIRF, sections of the media and a few individuals regarding recent incidents of violence in Delhi. These are factually inaccurate and misleading, and appear to be aimed at politicising the issue". US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and a number of other leading American lawmakers have also expressed concern over the clashes in several parts of Delhi in which at least 32 people have been killed. Though the MEA did not clarify the individuals being referred to, it is being seen as a reference to US lawmakers critical of India on the issue of the Delhi violence. USCIRF Chair Perkins said that the "ongoing violence we are witnessing in Delhi and the reported attacks against Muslims, their homes and shops, and their houses of worship are greatly disturbing. One of the essential duties of any responsible government is to provide protection and physical security for its citizens, regardless of faith". USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava said the "brutal and unchecked violence" across Delhi cannot continue. "The Indian government must take swift action to ensure the safety of its citizens," she said, adding that reports are mounting that the "Delhi Police have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims, and the government is failing in its duty to protect its citizens". "These incidents are even more concerning in the context of efforts within India to target and potentially disenfranchise Muslims across the country, in clear violation of international human rights standards," Bhargava said. In its 2019 report, the USCIRF had classified India as a "Tier 2" country for engaging in or tolerating religious freedom violations that meet at least one of the elements of the "systematic, ongoing, egregious standard for designations as a country of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act. Meanwhile, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and the Indian-American Muslim Council (IAMC) issued statements condemning the violence. "We strongly condemn the violence, loss of life and destruction of places of worship in India this week. There is no religious, historical or political justification possible for what is happening in New Delhi," Suhag Shukla from the HAF said, adding that the perpetrators, no matter the religious community to which they belong, should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The IAMC urged the "international community to call out India for its relentless attacks on minorities and marginalized communities". "The latest spate of violence in Delhi is a harbinger of things to come under an avowed Hindutva administration that is violating human rights and religious freedom at a pace rarely seen in history," it alleged. The MEA said that the law enforcement agencies are working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. "Senior representatives of the government have been involved in that process. The prime minister has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time," said MEA Spokesperson Kumar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) OSTERSUND, Sweden, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract with Omsorgsbygg Oslo KF to build Oslo City Emergency Center, Norway. The contract is worth about NOK 1.5 billion, about SEK 1.6 billion, which will be included in the Nordic order bookings for the first quarter 2020. The new emergency center will be open 24 hours a day and provide healthcare and social services for people living in Oslo. The building, that will be located in the area at Aker Hospital, will among other things consist of seven operating rooms, eight rooms for x-ray diagnostics and about 100 dedicated areas for examination and treatment. The emergency center will be built as a passive house and certified according to BREEAM Excellent. The construction site will be fossil-free and Skanska's ambition, together with Omsorgsbygg, is to carry out as much work as possible without emissions. Construction will commence in March 2019 and is scheduled to be completed in mid-2023. Skanska is one of the leading development- and construction companies in the Nordics, with operations in building construction and civil engineering in Sweden, Norway and Finland, and developing residential- and commercial property projects in select home markets. The commercial development stream is also active in Denmark. Skanska had sales of about SEK 70 billion and more than 15,200 employees in its Nordic operations during 2019. For further information please contact: Jacob Birkeland Head of Media Relations Skanska AB +46-(0)10-449-19-57 Direct line for media tel +46-(0)10-448-88-99 This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/skanska-builds-oslo-city-emergency-center--norway--for-about-nok-1-5-billion--about-sek-1-6-billion,c3048037 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3048037/1202202.pdf 20200227 NO emergency center https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/oslo-city-emergency-center,c2756193 oslo city emergency center SOURCE Skanska Married At First Sight star Michael Goonan's bad-boy antics may have finally caught up to him during Wednesday night's explosive dinner party. But it seems the 28-year-old businessman hasn't said goodbye to his hard-partying lifestyle after leaving the show last year. According to Yahoo, the business owner kicked off a two-week bender earlier this month, during the same week that his marriage to Stacey Hampton aired on screens. Michael Goonan's post-show bender REVEALED: Married At First Sight groom, 28, kissed multiple women, was kicked out of a nightclub and watched a stripper perform a private show earlier this month During 12 days of debauchery (which took place both in Darwin and Sydney) Michael reportedly kissed multiple women, got kicked out of a nightclub and even watched a stripper perform a private show. Michael has been avoiding Adelaide for fear he will run into his rumoured ex-'wife' Stacey, who is at home looking after her sons, Yahoo reports. On February 6th, Michael was pictured partying at a media event in Darwin. Stacey who? According to Yahoo, the business owner kicked off a two-week bender earlier this month, during the same week that his marriage to Stacey Hampton aired on screens Out of sight: Michael has been avoiding Adelaide for fear he will run into his rumoured ex-'wife' Stacey, who is at home looking after her sons (pictured), Yahoo reports There, he was pictured chatting and joking with the event's publicist, Lily North. Later in the evening of February 6th, Michael was kicked out of Monsoons Restaurant and Party Bar in Darwin after he allegedly made unwanted advances towards two unnamed women. One of the women told Yahoo that Michael began hitting on her in the club, before allegedly proceeding to grab her waist. Groom gone wild! On February 6th, Michael was partied at a media event with publicist Lily North (pictured) in Darwin Booted: Later in the evening of February 6th, Michael was kicked out of Monsoons Restaurant and Party Bar in Darwin after he allegedly made unwanted advances towards two unnamed women After being escorted from the club, Michael reportedly began taking photos of the bouncers while bragging about his fame and wealth. 'He said to them, 'do you know who I am? I have money, I'm from MAFS,' a witness told Yahoo. Timeline of Michael Goonan's wild post-MAFS bender February 6: Michael parties with promoter in Darwin February 6-7: Michael is kicked out of a nightclub in Darwin February 13: Michael kisses The Bachelor's Renee Barrett in Darwin February 15: Michael spotted with Abbey Saunders in Sydney February 18: MAFS Michael hits up Melbourne Advertisement The witness said that Michael even Googled himself and waved his phone up to the bouncers' faces to prove he was famous. On February 13, the day before Valentines Day, Michael was busted kissing Bachelor star Renee Barrett in Darwin. Renee briefly appeared on Matt Agnew's season of The Bachelor and is set to appear on the upcoming season of Bachelor In Paradise. Remember me? On February 13, the day before Valentines Day, Michael was busted kissing Bachelor star Renee Barrett (pictured) in Darwin There he is! Renee had shared a video of Michael drinking a cocktail with her at a bar, before swiftly deleting the clip Familiar face: Renee (pictured) briefly appeared on Matt Agnew's season of The Bachelor and is set to appear on the upcoming season of Bachelor In Paradise Renee had shared a video of Michael drinking a cocktail with her at a bar, before swiftly deleting the clip. On the same day, Stacey had insisted that she and Michael were still together, and were only spending Valentine's Day apart because of his work commitments. 'He works away guys calm down. 'Im spending it with my kids and ice cream instead since he cant be here. Just to clear things up,' she wrote on Instagram fan page MAFS Funny. It continues: On February 15th, Michael travelled to Sydney and was picked up at the airport by Instagram model Abbey Saunders (pictured) That night, Michael and Abbey (pictured) attended raucous buck's night, during which a n unnamed female stripper performed a naked show for guests. On February 15th, Michael travelled to Sydney and was picked up at the airport by Instagram model Abbey Saunders. That night, the pair attended raucous buck's night, during which a female stripper performed a naked show for guests. Michael and Abbey were pictured sitting together watching the X-rated show unfold. The next day, Michael and Abbey were seen kissing passionately on multiple occasions. Michael's two-week bender came to a close on February 18th, when Michael travelled to Melbourne where he reportedly met up with another woman, Finally over: Michael's two-week bender came to a close on February 18th, when Michael travelled to Melbourne where he reportedly met up with another woman Officials for a salvage company suing to halt demolition of an overturned cargo ship on the Georgia coast appeared to back away Tuesday from claims that sawing the vessel into enormous chunks would cause an environmental catastrophe. Officials from the salvage firm Donjon-SMIT told a U.S. District Court judge they would be willing to dismantle the South Korean freighter Golden Ray using the same large-scale method their written lawsuit condemns as too risky. The ship remains off St. Simons Island, where it capsized Sept. 5 after departing the Port of Brunswick with 4,200 automobiles in its cargo decks. Judge Lisa Godbey Wood has treated the suit filed Feb. 13 with a sense of urgency as the multi-agency team overseeing removal of the ship prepares to start cutting it apart in May. Wood told Donjon-SMIT officials and their attorneys several times that differences between their testimony and their written legal filings caught her by surprise. I felt like you were rushing into court because you felt we were heading into large-scale environmental destruction, Wood said. Donjon-SMITs lawsuit says the Coast Guard violated a federal law passed to improve oil spill responses by allowing the ships owner to replace the salvage firm with a competitor. Donjon-SMIT officials say in November they presented a plan to the ships owner, GL NV24 Shipping Inc., to remove the ship in sections weighing approximately 600 tons (544 metric tons). Taking off the top of the wreck first and working down would allow for removal of the cars inside. The company said the ships owner rejected its plan and hired another firm, T&T Salvage, willing to remove the vessel in larger chunks of up to 4,100 tons (3,720 metric tons). By allowing the switch, Donjon-SMIT said, the Coast Guard violated the 1990 Oil Pollution Act that requires shipowners to designate salvage responders in advance. This has left Donjon-SMIT with no other option but to seek court intervention in the best interest of the proper enforcement of (federal law) and to avert an imminent environmental catastrophe, Donjohn-SMITs lawsuit said. Testifying in favor of an injunction Tuesday, Donjon-SMIT salvage master Douglas Martin told the judge his company recommended against cutting the Golden Ray into larger pieces because of concerns that they might collapse, dropping cars and other debris into the water. He said the companys concerns arise from its experience using that method on other wrecked ships. We made our preferred recommendation, but we never said we would not do the large-scale removal, Martin testified. We were always capable and willing to do it. Pressed by the judge on why the company would use a salvage technique despite the dire warnings in its lawsuit, Martin said the decision on how to dismantle the ship was ultimately up to the owner and the Coast Guard. If its mandated that, This is how its going to go; well do it with you or without you, then youd rather be in, Martin said. The judge did not say how soon she might rule on Donjon-SMITs request to temporarily halt removal efforts on the Golden Ray. Crews last week began work to surround the ship with a mesh barrier reaching from the seabed to the surface to contain any cars or other debris falling into the water during demolition. Martha Mann, a Justice Department attorney representing the Coast Guard, said the agencys commander overseeing the salvage efforts found that exceptional circumstances justified switching companies to remove the ship. The Coast Guard wants to get as much work as possible done before hurricane season starts June 1. It says Donjon-SMITs preferred plan would take four months longer. The vessel is very large. It is in a position its not meant to be in lying on its side, Mann told the judge. Its subject to tidal influence and hurricane season is going to be here in a few months, which only heightens the threat of pollutant releases. Martin told the judge he believed Donjon-SMIT could get the job done by early August. And an attorney for the company, Joseph Odachowski, argued that the decision allowing the owner to choose a new salvage firm has already delayed the demolition by several months. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Georgia Pollution Trucking (Updates affected countries and death toll, adds detail on Nigeria case, reinfection cases, NYSE plans, White House plans) * New infections fall in China but rise elsewhere * Iran, Italy and South Korea battle epidemics * WHO raises alert risk to 'very high' * Wall Street selloff deepens * Interactive graphic https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 By Stephanie Nebehay and Ryan Woo GENEVA/BEIJING, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The coronavirus spread further on Friday, with cases reported for the first time in at least six countries across four continents, battering markets and leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise its impact risk alert to "very high." Hopes that the epidemic that started in China late last year would be over in months, and that economic activity would quickly return to normal, have been shattered. World shares were on course for their largest weekly fall since the 2008 financial crisis, bringing the global wipeout to $5 trillion as supply chains were disrupted, travel plans postponed and major events cancelled. The WHO said it was raising its assessment of the global risk to 'very high' from 'high', which its head of emergencies Dr Mike Ryan said was intended to put national authorities on full alert. "I think this is a reality check for every government on the planet - wake up, get ready, this virus may be on its way and you need to be ready," Ryan said. The latest WHO figures indicate over 82,000 people have been infected, with over 2,700 deaths in China and 57 deaths in 46 other countries. Mexico, Nigeria, New Zealand, Lithuania, Belarus and Azerbaijan reported their first cases, all with travel history connected to epicenters in Italy and Iran. Mexico is the second Latin American country to register the virus, after Brazil. The Nigerian case, an Italian man, is the first in sub-Saharan Africa. The man traveled through the capital and other parts of Nigeria for almost two days before he was isolated and quarantined, authorities said, underlining the difficulties already overstretched health services will have in containing the disease. Story continues Potentially making it even harder to eradicate, a growing number of discharged coronavirus patients in China and elsewhere are testing positive again, sometimes weeks after being allowed to leave the hospital. In addition to stockpiling medical supplies, some governments ordered schools shut and cancelled big gatherings to try to halt the flu-like disease. Switzerland cancelled next week's Geneva international car show, one of the industry's most important gatherings. The New York Stock Exchange said it had "robust contingency plans" to allow it to continue operating if its floor had to close. SURGING OUTSIDE CHINA The outbreak appears to be easing in China, where it first emerged late last year in an market illegally trading wildlife. Mainland China reported 327 new cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest in the country in more than a month, and China's three biggest airlines restored some flights. But the virus is surging elsewhere. Countries other than China now account for about three-quarters of new infections. South Korea, with the most cases outside China, reported 571 new infections on Friday, bringing the total to 2,337, with 13 people dead. The death toll in Italy rose to 21, with nearly 900 testing positive. Cafes and schools have been closed as daily life has ground to a halt. The WHO's Ryan said Iran's outbreak may be worse than realized. Its toll of 34 dead is the highest outside China, although there are reports of much higher numbers. A WHO team is expected to be in Iran by Sunday or Monday. In the United States, the outbreak of the new coronavirus and efforts to prepare for its possible spread have become political in a presidential election year. Federal government health officials told lawmakers the country had insufficient testing resources, a source said, and Democratic presidential candidates slammed the government's response. But the White House played down the coronavirus crisis and called the high level of news coverage a ploy to hurt U.S. President Donald Trump. The Trump administration plans to use defense legislation to boost production of protective gear like masks and gloves, the health secretary said. Online retailer Amazon.com joined other companies in implementing travel restrictions for its employees. Japan is scheduled to host the 2020 Olympics in July but Ryan said discussions were being held about whether to go ahead. Organizers will decide next week on the ceremonial torch relay, due to arrive on March 20 for a 121-day journey. Confirmed cases in Japan have risen above 200, with four deaths, excluding more than 700 cases on a quarantined cruise liner, Diamond Princess. Six people from the ship have died, including a man who was reported on Friday as the first British person to die from the disease. [Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus: open https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser.] (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Ryan Woo, Yingzhi Yang in Beijing, Lisa Lambert and Mark Hosenball in Washington, Sangmi Chai in Seoul, Leika Kihara in Tokyo, Kate Kelland in London, Tsvetelia Tsolova in Sofia, Michael Shields and Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi in Zurich, Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City; Writing by Nick Macfie and Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Timothy Heritage and Grant McCool) SPRINGFIELD Public universities in Illinois began making their case Wednesday for state funding increases larger than those that Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker proposed in his budget address Feb. 19. Pritzker proposed an average 5 percent increase for state university operating budgets, or about $55.6 million, contingent upon voters in November approving a constitutional amendment to allow a graduated income tax structure. But three higher education institutions Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University and the University of Illinois System each tried to make its case for even bigger increases before a Senate budget committee. The largest of those requests came from the U of I System, with its three campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Springfield and Chicago. It is seeking a 12.1 percent increase, or an additional $75.3 million, for its operating budget. Adjusted for inflation, this increase would still be below our fiscal 2015 funding level, said U of I System President Timothy Killeen. And I want to remind you, we now have many thousands more students in our classrooms than we did back then. All three institutions said they are still recovering from the effects of a two-year-long budget impasse from July 2015 through August 2017 when higher education took the heaviest funding cuts. Killeen said the proposed increases at U of I would go toward salary increases, hiring additional faculty and increasing student financial aid. We do know that students who are accepted into our university and often leave because of financial issues, he said. But some members of the committee were skeptical of the need for that large of an increase. Among those was Sen. Scott Bennett, a Champaign Democrat, who noted that U of I recently announced plans to raise tuition starting in the fall of 2020 after going five years with no tuition increases. When, by then, you had to increase tuition, it was at the same board (of trustees) meeting in which certain administrators also got increases, Bennett said. He then asked, What assurance can you give us that this growth will be in ways that we will see that will benefit a classroom experience and not simply grow a network of administrators across the system? Killeen, however, noted that during the budget impasse, U of I eliminated about 300 higher-level administrative positions and that the schools focus would be building up its teaching faculty by hiring 100 new faculty per year for the next five years. In his budget proposal, Pritzker said the proposed 5 percent increase for higher education as well as other increases throughout state government could occur only if voters approve the constitutional amendment on income taxes. Without that, he said, next years budget would be essentially the same as the current years budget. It would be a setback for us, Ill be honest, Killeen said in response to a question from Sen. Elgie Sims, a Chicago Democrat. Ill be honest, this is a time for the state to be investing in public higher education. Were demonstrating what can be done when youve got a healthy public education system. Other university officials gave similar answers when asked how they would be affected if the state adopted what Sims called a Plan B budget. Those funds are to help us with our increasing efforts for student success, particularly for our minority and low-income students, said EIU President David Glassman, who is seeking a 6.9 percent increase for that campus. Glassman noted that minority students make up about 34 percent of the student body on the EIU campus in Charleston, and 36 percent are first-generation college students, many of whom need more academic and social supports than middle-class, non-minority students in order to succeed. Officials at Governors State University, which is located on the south side of the Chicago metropolitan area, said much the same thing. Enrollment at GSU is 57 percent minority and 36 percent are first-generation college students. Its not a pretty situation, said Angela Sebastian-Hickey, a member of the schools board of trustees. During the budget crisis and impasse, we basically depleted our reserves in order to get through that crisis period. The unions went without for such a long period of time, and we just had to negotiate increases in salaries for our instructors, and, you know, long overdue, so that's locked in. We have to pay for that. And, you know, we're trying to hold tuition for our students. Earlier in the meeting, Sebastian-Hickey emphasized the need to hold down tuition rates at GSU. When our students don't receive funding, they don't go to school, she said. It's not that they go to another school, they just don't go. Wednesdays hearing was just the first in a series of hearings lawmakers will have as they start to cobble together a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. The final budget will likely come up for a vote just before the scheduled adjournment date of May 31. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 In addition to scaling up its growing operations, Fuchs said the company wanted to expand into other areas of the hemp industry. She said Natural ReLeaf is opening a new manufacturing facility and dispensary at 3497 Bataan Memorial West on Thursday. The new location will be Natural ReLeafs second dispensary in Las Cruces, while giving the company a CBD extraction facility. Fuchs said the company intends to have a food-grade lab and commercial kitchen, and plans to produce CBD-infused products ranging from lotions to bath bombs. THIS years anniversary of the 1986 people power uprising passed without much fanfare, which is symbolic of the socio-political milieu we are in. That uprising that toppled the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos was mainly a liberal democratic pursuit and liberal democrats are currently in the minority. The presidency of Rodrigo Duterte is one proof of this. The Duterte presidency is the closest we have to a Marcos regime return. Which makes Ferdinand Marcos Jr. almost becoming our vice president not that surprising, too. It was not only about the tons of money the Marcoses still possess. It was also about a big chunk of the populace embracing the viewpoints and standpoints that in the past allowed the Marcoses to thrive. I say the memories of the Edsa revolt are slowly but surely going the way of the defeat of the Japanese on Philippine shores during World War II. When I wrote a special report I titled, Liberation of Cebu, what I readily observed was the dwindling number of people who remembered that episode in our history. Those who remembered are mostly the World War II veterans who are also mostly gone. Most of the veterans of the Edsa uprising are old and many of its leaders have passed away. The symbol of the uprising, Corazon Aquino is dead and her son Benigno Aquino III, who would later become this countrys President like his mother before him, is already old and sickly. The other leaders of the anti-Marcos uprising, former president Fidel Ramos and Juan Ponce Enrile are rarely seen in public. Even the once handsome and charismatic rebel soldier Gregorio Honasan, a senator, is becoming a caricature of his young self. One thing I learned as I matured is that every generation is shaped by its milieu and shapes its own milieu in return. The activists that succeeded the participants of the so-called First Quarter Storm or FQS against Marcos in the early seventies were succeeded by another generation of activists in the late seventies and the 80s. Those generations shaped their own methods of activism. Story continues The younger generation of activists are now at the forefront of defending liberal democratic tenets that are being assaulted from several fronts by the so-called ultrarightists. At times, the older activists misinterpret the younger generations methods for passivity and inaction. But rest assured that slowly and surely, they are picking up the struggle like our generation did in the late seventies and early eighties. In this sense, Edsa was not a failure. The 1986 Edsa uprising was a response to a stimulus and was not supposed to be a solution to this countrys myriad of problems. The solution to the ills plaguing the Philippines is one continuing search. That search is hit and miss and is dependent on our maturity as a nation, or should I say on the leaders the voters put into office. Putting flawed characters on leading positions shows how flawed we still are as a nation. So please, dont blame Edsa for our current woes. DDMA orders DMs to number all shops within 24 hours as odd-even rule being violated in markets Delhi to ease restrictions, if Covid cases come down in next 2-3 days: Health Minister Delhi violence: Volunteers bring much-needed food, medicines to riot-affected India pti-PTI New Delhi, Feb 27: From providing legal counselling to offering food to the wearied people gathered outside the mortuary at the GTB Hospital here, many good samaritans have volunteered to help the kin of those who have died in the riots in northeast Delhi. At the mortuary, scenes of grieving family members added to the sombre ambience. But in that milling crowd, two men in black coats could be seen assisting families in identifying bodies or informing them about their legal rights. Farhan Azimi, who practices at Saket district court and Mumtaz Hashmi from Tis Hazari court jotted down details of victims and their family members in a register. "We are taking down details, including name, address and phone numbers so that we can reach out to them in future. In many cases, victims are made the accused, as we have seen in the past. So, we want to give the families legal counselling so that they know their legal rights," Azimi told PTI. Asked what motivated him and his colleagues to help the riot-affected people, he said, "Amid hatred, we still see a ray of hope." "So much of hatred has been spread, from election campaign days to the recent time. But, even in these difficult times, I feel that humanity is alive ('Insaniyat zinda hai')," he said, adding, "We offer help without exception; Hindu or Muslim identity is immaterial." A group of volunteers from Old Seelmapur area who have been visiting the mortuary since Wednesday morning to help the grieving families said that people from both the communities have been affected by the riots and all that can be done is to help them in these difficult times. "We get food prepared in an area at Old Seelampur, get packaged water and medicines in case of any emergency," said Salauddin Siddiquie, a volunteer. Many families have been facing various issues here. They have to constantly run behind the investigating officer stay updated about the post-mortem of their loved ones, he said. "While others are struggling to find their missing family members, our group of volunteers are here to help them with identification of bodies or in case they want any arrangement to be made for the last rites of their loved ones," he added. Another group of volunteers from Shahid Nagar, Ghaziabad, have been visiting the mortuary since Wednesday morning with refreshments and water. "We come here at noon with packaged water, fruits and biscuits. There is no shop near the mortuary area. So, we are trying to help the people in our own small way. Everyone has lost their loved one. People are coming from other states also to collect the bodies of their loved ones. They are already under stress," Amir Malik said. The Public Work Department has set up a makeshift shelter for family members who are awaiting to collect bodies at the hospital. "We have also placed a water dispenser here and a PWD staff will also be here to assist them," a PWD official said. Democratic presidential contender Elizabeth Warren is returning to Houston on Saturday evening for a rally at Discovery Green. Warren will start Saturday in South Carolina for that states critical primary vote, but then travel to Arkansas before ending her day at a Houston town hall meeting that starts at 7 p.m. It will be Warrens first campaign stop in Houston since the city hosted a Democratic presidential candidates debate in September. Know the candidates: Houston Chronicle 2020 primary election voter guide; San Antonio Express-News 2020 primary election voter guide The Oklahoma native has deep Texas ties. She moved to Houston in the late 1960s and attended the University of Houston, where she earned a teaching degree in 1970. Warren later taught at the University of Houstons law school before going on to teach at the University of Texas-Austin. It will be Warrens second trip to Texas this week as she tries to build support in advance of the March 3 presidential primary election. Early voting is underway. On Thursday shes scheduled to campaign in San Antonio with former presidential candidate Julian Castro. Texas has 228 pledged delegates up for grabs on Tuesday more than the four early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina combined. That has Texas poised on Tuesday to play a huge role in deciding who will be the Democratic nominee against President Donald Trump. More Information Houston Town Hall with Elizabeth Warren WHEN: Saturday TIME: 7 p.m., gates open at 5 p.m. WHERE: At Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney Street, Houston, TX 77010 TO ATTEND: The public is asked to RSVP at elizabethwarren.com See More Collapse For subscribers: Fracking bans, Medicare For All: Could Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren really win in Texas? Her visit comes after U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders held four rallies in Texas last weekend, including on Sunday at the University of Houston. Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg has been a frequent Houston visitor and is returning on Thursday morning for a get-out-the-vote rally. American filmmaker Steven Spielberg has decided to step down from the director's chair for the upcoming adventure movie 'Indiana Jones 5', with James Mangold in talks to replace him. The ace filmmaker will be handing over the directing reins of an 'Indiana Jones' film to another filmmaker for the first time in the franchise's 39-year history, reported Variety. 'Ford v Ferrari' director Mangold will probably be roped in to helm the forthcoming movie, albeit, a deal hasn't officially been made. If not at the helm, the 'Schindler's List' director will remain as a hands-on producer for the fifth film in the Indiana Jones franchise. The decision to leave the director's chair was entirely Spielberg's, in a desire to pass along Indy's whip to a new generation to bring their perspective to the story, cited the publication as a source close to the filmmaker as saying. However, actor Harrison Ford is confirmed to be on the project, who recently made headlines speaking about the future of the franchise while promoting the upcoming film. James Mangold was a much talked about individual recently as his directorial for 'Ford v Ferrari', won Best Film Editing and Best Sound Editing at the 2020 Academy Awards and was also nominated in the tightly fought Best Picture category. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three men have been arrested after a disturbance at a funeral in Strabane, Co Tyrone, on Thursday morning. Video footage circulating online shows members of the congregating fleeing their seats during a funeral service at a church in the Melmount Road area. The men aged 17, 22 and 32 were arrested following the incident. No serious injuries were reported but a large number of weapons including knives and hatchets were seized. Expand Close There was a heavy police presence at the funeral. Credit: Leona O'Neill / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp There was a heavy police presence at the funeral. Credit: Leona O'Neill Police denied online speculation that shots were fired during the incident. "We are aware of suggestions online that shots had been fired at the church on the Melmount Road, however there was a proactive police operation in place at the location and no evidence of shots having been fired were noted," a PSNI spokesperson said. District Commander Chief Superintendent Emma Bond appealed for calm in the area. "A disturbance did break out within the church, however it was quickly addressed," she said. "A number of dangerous weapons were seized and we are thankful to have been able to remove these items from the streets. "We are aware of tensions between individuals who were in attendance at the funeral and I am appealing to anyone with influence to help bring about a calm resolution to the current issues." NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Overview The market for North America Calcium Carbonate is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 1% during the forecast period. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865875/?utm_source=PRN - The major factor driving the growth of the market studied is the increasing demand for paints & coatings from the construction industry. - On the flipside, declining paper production in North America is expected to hinder the growth of the market studied. Moreover, the health hazards associated with the usage of calcium carbonate is also expected to hinder the market growth. Scope of the Report The North America Calcium Carbonate market report include: Key Market Trends Increasing Demand from Paints & Coatings Industry - In paints and coatings, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has established itself as the main extender. Fineness and particle-size distribution affect the opacity of coatings. Moreover, CaCO3 offers interesting properties with regards to high brightness, low oil absorption, dispersibility, weather resistance, low abrasiveness, low electrolyte content, pH stabilizing effect, and improved anti-corrosion and rheological properties. - Ultrafine CaCO3 used in paints and coatings has a spatial steric effect. The addition of ultrafine CaCO3 to paint can cause the relatively dense lithopone to stay in suspension and not sink to the bottom. It can increase the whiteness and luster of the paint film without reducing covering ability. These performance-enhancing qualities have ensured the large-scale acceptance of ultrafine calcium carbonate by the paint industry. - It can prevent settling in latex paints and can reduce the amount of dispersant needed. It is used even more extensively in the aqueous paint industry. Typically, 20%-60% ultrafine CaCO3 ate is used in aqueous paints. - The construction industry in the United States has witnessed rapid growth over the past few years, as a result of increased private sector spending on residential construction. This increasing trend is likely to continue, depending on the funding for larger projects, such as the Hudson Yards in New York City, among various others. - This growth in the construction industry is expected to contribute to the demand for paints & coatings manufacturing and add up to the consumption of calcium carbonate. United States to Dominate the Market - The United States is expected to be the largest market for North America calcium carbonate during the forecast period. - The United States is the second-largest producer of paper, globally, with China being the largest producer. The world's largest pulp and paper mill is in Memphis, Tennessee, and is owned by International Paper. - The country also exports large amounts of pulp and paper-related products to various countries, globally. However, the recent trends are discouraging the growth in the market demand for calcium carbonate in paper applications. - Adhesives and sealants, and paints and coatings are hugely boosted by the burgeoning construction and transportation industries in the country, which unveils key opportunities for calcium carbonate market. - The healthcare sector is one of the most advanced sectors in the country. The increasing geriatric population and the growing requirement for medical facilities for the treatment of chronic diseases have been supporting the growth of the healthcare sector, as well as the consumption of calcium carbonate in the country. - Owing to the growing end-user industries, the market for calcium carbonate in the country is estimated to grow minimally during the forecast period. Competitive Landscape The North American calcium carbonate market is fragmented in nature, with only a few top players together accounting for significant share of the market. The major companies include Omya AG, Imerys, Minerals Technologies Inc., Mississippi Lime Company, and J.M. Huber Corporation among others. Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - Report customization as per the client's requirements - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865875/?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 Toronto: Canada said on Thursday it won't provide security for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan when they step back from royal duties. Mary-Liz Power, a spokeswoman for Canada's public safety minister, said the assistance would cease in the coming weeks "in keeping with their change in status". Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Credit:AP Harry and Meghan have said they will walk away from most royal duties starting on March 31, give up public funding and try to become financially independent. They plan to live part-time in Canada. Power said that as Duke and Duchess of Sussex, they have been considered "internationally protected persons" who warranted security measures under international treaty. Britain's Metropolitan Police also had requested the Royal Canadian Police to provide assistance, which it has been doing since November. A day after the Delhi High Court talked tough on alleged inaction of security forces during violence in northeast parts of the national capital, Delhi Police set up special teams that were conducting raids on Thursday in the NCR-Delhi to arrest the rioters. Till now, around 250 persons were rounded up, but many were sent back home as their involvement in rioting was not found. Around 100 persons still in police custody had provided useful information on those involved in violence and arson and were absconding. A DCP-rank officer said that situation in the northeast Delhi had improved between Tuesday night and Wednesday and no untoward incident had been reported ever since. This had enabled authorities to spare police officials to conduct raids on Thursday to arrest the suspected rioters. These teams comprises officers and jawans of police stations concerned, apart from those from the Special Cell and Crime Branch. "Though teams are conducting raids to catch hold of all those involved in arson and looting, we are in particular looking for an area councillor who is absconding ever since his role in the violence came to light," an Additional Commissioner of Police, who wished not to be named, told IANS. An Assistant Commissioner of Police posted in northeast Delhi said that so far the death toll was over 30 in Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital and that the district police was busy getting the post-mortems on the bodies conducted and completing other formalities. An officer in the rank of Joint Commissioner of Police said they were raiding the possible hideouts of Shahrukh, who was caught on camera while brandishing a firearm and pressing it to the chest of a security personnel. He had also allegedly fired several rounds in the air. A manhunt was also launched to arrest those responsible for the killing of Intelligence Bureau official Ankit Sharma, whose body was fished out from the Chandbagh drain. Ankit's father Ravinder Kumar Sharma had allegedly named the absconding councillor as one of the rioters responsible for his son's murder. Several people living in violence-hit areas told the visiting IANS team on Thursday that police was otherwise making excuses of getting busy in maintaining peace in the affected areas but the promptness it was now showing had come only after the High Court's tough stand. The Trump administration can withhold millions of dollars in law enforcement grants to force states to cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement, a federal appeals court in New York ruled Wednesday in a decision that conflicted with three other federal appeals courts. The ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan overturned a lower court's decision ordering the administration to release funding to New York City and seven states New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, Virginia and Rhode Island. The ruling is the most recent immigration issue that has pitted New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal against the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice joined a lawsuit against Grewal, challenging rules he put in place two years ago to limit how much information local cops can share with federal immigration officers. In response to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, Grewal said in a statement he was disappointed in the ruling, but said it has no immediate impact on the state. The Justice Department is holding hostage millions of dollars in grant funding that our state and local law enforcement partners rely on to carry out their public safety mission, Grewal said. Its unfortunate that the federal government has decided to weaponize the federal grant funding process in order to carry out the Presidents anti-immigrant agenda, but Im confident that we will ultimately prevail in the courts." The states and city sued the U.S. government after the Justice Department announced in 2017 that it would withhold grant money from cities and states until they gave federal immigration authorities access to jails and provide advance notice when someone in the country illegally is about to be released. Before the change, cities and states seeking grant money were required only to show they were not preventing local law enforcement from communicating with federal authorities about the immigration status of people who were detained. At the time, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions said: So-called sanctuary policies make all of us less safe because they intentionally undermine our laws and protect illegal aliens who have committed crimes. In 2018, the Justice Department imposed additional conditions on the grant money, though challenges to those have not yet reached the appeals court in New York. The 2nd Circuit said the plain language of relevant laws make clear that the U.S. attorney general can impose conditions on states and municipalities receiving money. And it noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly observed that the federal government maintains broad power over states when it comes to immigration policies. In the past two years, federal appeals courts in Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco have ruled against the federal government by upholding lower-court injunctions placed on the enforcement of some or all of the challenged conditions. While mindful of the respect owed to our sister circuits, we cannot agree that the federal government must be enjoined from imposing the challenged conditions on the federal grants here at issue, the 2nd Circuit three-judge panel said in a decision written by Judge Reena Raggi. These conditions help the federal government enforce national immigration laws and policies supported by successive Democratic and Republican administrations. But more to the authorization point, they ensure that applicants satisfy particular statutory grant requirements imposed by Congress and subject to Attorney General oversight, the appeals court said. The Justice Department praised the decision, issuing a statement calling it a major victory for Americans and saying it recognizes that the attorney general has authority to ensure that grant recipients are not thwarting federal law enforcement priorities. The department added that the ruling's effect will be limited because other courts have ruled the other way, giving the plaintiffs in the New York case the opportunity to point to those as reasons to ignore the new conditions. Cody Wofsy, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, called the decision a real outlier, saying he believed the 2nd Circuit was the nation's first court to side with the Trump administration on the issue. Over and over, courts have said the Department of Justice doesn't have authority under governing statutes to impose these conditions," he said. "These conditions are part of the administrations attempts to bully, cajole and coerce state and local governments into participating in federal immigration enforcement activities." Under the Constitution's federalism principles and the 10th Amendment, Wofsy said, states and municipalities are entitled to decline to become part of the administrations deportation force. The appeals rulings pertain to the issuance of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. Created in 2006, it is the vehicle through which Congress annually dispenses over $250 million in federal funding for state and local criminal justice efforts. The Byrne Program was named for New York City Police Officer Edward Byrne, who at age 22 was shot to death while guarding the home of a Guyanese immigrant cooperating with authorities investigating drug trafficking. A 24-YEAR-OLD woman was sentenced to at least 23 years and two months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple offenses involving trafficking, child abuse, cybercrime, and child sexual exploitation materials. Six people who sexually exploited Filipino children were convicted in Metro Cebu just in the last week alone. And nearly every week, more suspects are arrested and charged for live-streaming the sexual abuse of children to foreign sex offenders. The reality is abundantly clear and should be amplified by everyone: it does not pay to engage in Osec (online sexual exploitation of children). Whatever easy money criminals receive is outweighed by the high risk of arrest and spending 20 years or the rest of their lives in prison away from their families and communities, said International Justice Mission (IJM) Cebu Field Office Director John Tanagho. In a decision rendered Wednesday, February 26, 2020, Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 70 Judge Christine Muga-Abad also ordered the online sex trafficker to pay P600,000 in fines. Under a plea bargain, the trafficker entered guilty pleas to offenses under Republic Act (RA) 9208 as amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act), RA 7610 (Anti-Child Abuse Law), RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act), and RA 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act). Her original charges were also violations of these same laws. Under plea bargains, the accused pleads guilty not to the original charges but to other similar offenses, usually before a court trial starts. This protects child victims from the possibility of having to testify against the perpetrators who are often family members or neighbors, reducing the potential for re-traumatization. On September 14, 2017, two female victims -- one a minor and the other adult -- were rescued in Lapu-Lapu City by operatives from the Philippine National Police-Women and Childrens Protection Center-Visayas Field Unit (PNP-WCPC-VFU) and the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (through its Special Weapons and Tactics unit; Women and Children Protection Desk; and Police Station 3). The minor victim is related to the trafficker. Story continues On July 20, 2018, the trafficker was arrested by police officers from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Station 3 by virtue of an arrest warrant. Also supporting the September 2017 rescue operation were the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Central Visayas, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat)-Central Visayas, and IJM. This coming March 16 and 17, the Iacat and IJM will hold a conference in Manila called Global Resolve Against Online Sexual Exploitation of Children. This conference aims to strengthen the global communitys response to Osec, the most urgent form of child sexual exploitation. It will assemble key stakeholders from around the world to learn about the Osec, and the Philippine governments response to the crime. The conference also presents participants the opportunity to network with others from across a wide range of sectors (government, law enforcement, NGOs, corporations, etc.) who are also engaged in fighting Osec. So far in IJM-supported cases, more than 80 persons have been convicted in the Philippines for Osec since 2011. IJM has supported Philippine law enforcement agencies in operations that led to the arrest of more than 200 Osec perpetrators and the rescue of almost 600 victims and children-at-risk across the country. One may report a suspected case of Osec by texting ENDOSEC (space) (incident details) to 7444-64 for Smart network subscribers; or directly connect with WCPC at (032) 410-8483 for Visayas, and 0917-180-6037 or 0928-604-6425 for Mindanao. (PR) Amidst fears of a growing coronoavirus epidemic, protective face masks are sold at a Manhattan hardware store in New York City on Feb. 26, 2020. (Scott Heins/Getty Images) 83 in Isolation Over New Coronavirus Fears in New York County Eighty-three people are in voluntary quarantine in Nassau County in New York state due to concerns about the new coronavirus, officials said. There are no cases confirmed in the county as of yet. The people either traveled to mainland China in the last 14 days or had potential exposure to someone who had traveled there within the past two weeks. We are asking them to isolate themselves, Nassau County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein said at a press conference on Wednesday. We expect them to remove themselves from other people, including their family members. We help them do that if they dont understand what we need. Most of the people are residents of the county and are isolated at their houses, he said. Prior to being quarantined, health officials interview them to make sure that people need to undergo the process. Some 320 people have been listed as possibly needing to undergo quarantine, and of those about 175 have been placed in quarantine. Of those, 83 are still in quarantine. County health officials monitor those who are quarantined on a daily basis to check their temperature and to discuss the importance of voluntarily complying with the quarantine. All of them to this point have understood that this is a vital part of this. If somebody is not complaint, we would take next steps. But theres no reason to go there, because that hasnt happened, Eisenstein said. This process has worked very well. Signs detailing the Center for Disease Controls advice for combating coronavirus are displayed above face masks at a Manhattan hardware store in New York City on Feb. 26, 2020. (Scott Heins/Getty Images) Officials noted that much remains unknown about the virus, which emerged in China in late 2019 and causes a disease known as COVID-19. This is a brand new virus to us. Were learning new things everyday. And I still dont have answers to many of the questions you might ask about the pathophysiology of the virus and things like what is the known incubation period, Eisenstein said. Officials are following guidance from federal agencies, he said. County officials take part in all of the webinars held by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he said. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran told reporters that county health officials are ready if the virus begins spreading in the county. The health department prepares for this sort of thing all year round, Curran said. Were monitoring this situation in Nassau very, very closely and have been right from the beginning to respond to any cases should they emerge in our county. There is no need for people to avoid large gatherings in the county at the moment. That message might be sent out if a case is confirmed in the county. The countys Office of Emergency Management has asked the state to send supplies and resources if theyre needed. Health officials emphasized that prevention of the disease includes good hygiene practices recommended during flu season, including avoiding sick people and frequently washing hands. Jamie Ensor | Newshub American DJ Diplo was rushed to safety on Wednesday after a shooting at a festival he was performing at in Brazil. The musician, known for his solo work as well as part of Major Lazer and LSD, was about to take the stage at Sao Paulo's Latinha Mix Block, when gunshots rang out. Diplo, whose real name is Thomas Pentz, dropped to the ground with other party-goers at the street festival. Security guards then rushed towards him and swooped him into protection. The artist had been streaming live on his Instagram account when the shots were heard, but that footage is no longer publicly available. Diplo shared a post on Instagram expressing his thoughts after the incident. [February 27, 2020] axialHealthcare Announces $15 Million in Series C Funding to Support Expansion into Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Sector axialHealthcare, a care optimization company navigating substance use issues for patients, providers, and health plans, today announced it has closed $15 million in equity financing to accelerate its expansion into the substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery sector, led by previous institutional investors Oak HC/FT, .406 Ventures, BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners (BCBSVP), and Sandbox Advantage Fund. The company also announced it has launched a new modernized brand identity that reflects the company's expanded scope, both of which are designed to meet the needs of patients, providers, and health plans during the evolving opioid overdose epidemic. "While early prevention and risk mitigation efforts will continue to be critical, it's become increasingly apparent that addressing the next phase of the opioid epidemic and SUD in general requires a greater focus on treatment and recovery," said Carter Paine, Chief Executive Officer at axialHealthcare. "This funding will support the market launch of an end-to-end platform that offers personalized solutions from risk to recovery, with a new emphasis on connecting and aligning what is a fractured ecosystem for recovery. In collaboration with our client partners, we are devoted to finding a better way to support patients and families struggling with the complexities of SUD." The opioid epidemic in the United States is evolving. Although opioid overprescribing has decreased, drug overdoses and hospital admissions have increased while access to quality treatment continues to be inadequate, as evidenced by the 80% of individuals with SUD who are not receiving any kind of treatment. To address this shift, the company has expanded its scope from using proprietary analytics focused on risk prevention and mitigation for patients with elevated opioid or polydrug-related safety concerns to also encompass treatment conversion and adherence for patients struggling with SUD. The new treatment and recovery focus couples high-tech and high-touch, creating a more hands-on approach to whole-patient care that enables recovery. When patients in need of treatment are identified, axialHealthcare's clinical team assesses individual patient needs, connects them with appropriate treatment, and provides peer recovery support specialists to guide them throughout their journey to sustained recovery. To assist overburdened providers, peer recovery specialists engage patients on a consistent and long-term basis to encourage care plan progress and connect to community and social resources, all in support of sustained recovery. To represent its new services-based approach to improving patient care, the compan also launched a modernized visual identity conveying expertise and empathy, including a new logo and website. "With more than 19 million Americans suffering from SUD, there's a dire need for a comprehensive solution that can address the changing epidemic our country is facing, and the axialHealthcare team is uniquely positioned to be that solution," said Nancy Brown, General Partner at Oak HC/FT and longtime axialHealthcare Board Member. "axialHealthcare has been a leader within the prevention landscape and their new expansion into treatment offers clients an end-to-end solution that improves patient outcomes no matter where they are on the substance use spectrum." About axialHealthcare axialHealthcare connects patients, providers, and health plans with an end-to-end platform that covers the entire substance use spectrum. Leveraging services grounded in analytics, our risk to recovery platform identifies patients at risk, prevents escalation in their condition, and supports appropriate treatment enrollment and adherence. This high-tech, high-touch approach delivers measurable clinical and financial outcomes by effectively managing cost of care while supporting sustained recovery for patients with substance use disorder. For more information, visit www.axialhealthcare.com. About Oak HC/FT Founded in 2014, Oak HC/FT is the premier venture growth-equity fund investing in Healthcare Information & Services ("HC") and Financial Services Technology ("FT"). With $1.9 billion in assets under management, we are focused on driving transformation in these industries by providing entrepreneurs and companies with strategic counsel, board-level participation, business plan execution and access to our extensive network of industry leaders. Oak HC/FT is headquartered in Greenwich, CT, with offices in Boston and San Francisco. About BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners (BCBSVP) is a corporate venture fund program to which thirty-three BCBS entities have committed over $575 million across three Funds. BCBSVP invests in promising emerging companies of strategic relevance to Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies and provide access to its portfolio to deploy innovation at scale. BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners is sponsored by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.bcbsvp.com. About 406 Ventures .406 Ventures is a Boston-based early stage venture capital firm investing in healthcare and enterprise technology companies founded by visionary entrepreneurs. .406 Ventures was founded in 2006 and has over $1B under management across six funds. The firm leads, or co-leads, first institutional investment rounds in market-changing companies. .406 Ventures' healthcare theses focus on systems, technologies, and services that improve clinical delivery, with investments in companies such as Abacus Insights, AbleTo, axialHealthcare, Iora Health, Nomad, Redox and WelbeHealth. Learn more at 406ventures.com and here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005193/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] An army jawan died after he fell into a deep gorge following an avalanche in Gurez sector along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, said the army on Thursday. "Sepoy Karnail Singh, 22, was deployed on the forward post in Gurez sector. On February 26, owing to sudden snow avalanche, he fell into a deep gorge," an army official said. He said Singh was rescued and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, where he succumbed. The army on Thursday paid tributes to Singh at the Badami Bagh Cantonment. "LtGen K J S Dhillon, GOC Chinar Corps and all ranks paid homage on behalf of the nation," the official said. Singh had joined the Army in 2018. He belonged to Changer Tarsooh village in Himachal Pradesh and is survived by his parents. His mortal remains were taken for the last rites to his native place, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours, the official said. "In this hour of grief, the army stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and remains committed to their dignity and wellbeing," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 02:34:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Israeli State Attorney's Office announced Thursday that it plans to indict two former senior defense officials for corruption in relation to a 2 billion U.S. dollars deal to purchase German submarines. The State Attorney's Office said in a statement that it had decided to press charges against Avriel Bar-Yosef, former deputy chief of the National Security Council, and Shai Brosh, a former top navy officer, pending a hearing. The date of the hearing has yet to be scheduled. The office said Bar-Yosef is suspected of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, while Brosh was allegedly a middleman for passing messages between Bar-Yosef and other defendants in the case. The so-called "Case 3000" involves purchases of submarines and missile ships from the German shipbuilder Thyssenkrupp. In December 2019, State Attorney's Office announced it had decided to indict David Shimron, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's personal lawyer and cousin, with money laundering in relation to the deal. Netanyahu himself was previously questioned as a witness but the police said he was not a suspect in this case. China's Chang'e 4 lunar lander has won the race to the dark side of the moon, allowing the country to be the first to uncover its secrets. The craft, which landed on the moon in January 2019, deployed the Yutu-2 rover to investigate the Van Karman crater near the moon's south pole. The device used a lunar penetrating radar to probe 131 feet beneath the surface in order to determine the moon's 'internal architecture', which was found to consist of three distinct layers. The top consists of lunar regolith, the middle harbors coarser-grained materials and greater numbers of embedded rocks and the final layer is a 130 feet thick mixture that alternates between coarse-and fine-grained material, along with embedded rocks. Researchers said the data information gathered rover, along with data from the previous near-side Moon explorations, could help shed light on the geological history of the lunar surface. Scroll down for videos The top consists of lunar regolith, the middle harbors coarser-grained materials and greater numbers of embedded rocks and the final layer is a 130 feet thick mixture that alternates between coarse-and fine-grained material, along with embedded rocks As most of the knowledge on lunar regolith comes from Nasa's Apollo and the Soviet Union's Luna missions to the near side of the Moon, scientists were, until now, uncertain whether these observations would hold true elsewhere on the lunar surface. Dr Elena Pettinelli, a professor in the mathematics and physics department of Roma Tre University in Italy and one of the study authors, told the PA news agency: 'These series of ejecta or deposits came from different impact craters that were created during the evolution of the Moon's surface. 'It is quite interesting because we can see quite clearly the geological sequences of these events 40 meters [131 feet] below the surface.' The radar uncovered boulders hidden underneath in various sizes, along with porous, granular material. Yutu-2 (pictured), which can climb 20-degree hills and 8 inches tall obstacles, was deployed 12 hours later to explore the landing site. Previous landings have been on the near side of the Moon, which faces Earth China's Chang'e 4 landed on the moon in January 2019, and deployed the Yutu-2 rover to investigate the Van Karman crater (pictured) near the moon's south pole Researchers believe these findings are due to meteors frequently hitting the moon during the early days of our Solar System. The team also noted that the floor of Von Karman crater is a smooth sheet of cooled lava from volcanic activity that occurred about 3.6 billion years ago -early astronomers believed these areas were bodies of water, not molten lava. The Chang'e 4 (CE-4) spacecraft landed on the Von Karman crater on January 3 2019. Its rover, Yutu-2, which can climb 20-degree hills and 8 inches tall obstacles, was deployed 12 hours later to explore the landing site. Previous landings have been on the near side of the Moon, which faces Earth. The far side, which cannot be seen because it faces away from Earth, has been observed many times from lunar orbits but never explored on the surface. However, many blacks have decided to brave the cold and remain in Chicago. Chicago is home, says my dad, a retired CTA bus driver and union official. My father has lived in Chicago since he first landed in the Windy City after he and his three siblings were shuttled up north from Alabama via the Greyhound bus. At the time, Danny Boy was waist-high and knee-deep in overalls stuffed with fried chicken wrapped in equal parts aluminum foil and tear drops, the latter shed from grief over the sudden death of his mother. The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a measure that would fund several states' nutria eradication efforts Thursday, a day after Northern California Rep. Josh Harder brought a stuffed nutria onto the House floor. Harder, a Democrat who represents Modesto, Turlock and the rest of Stanislaus County, brought the invasive rodent named "Nellie" before the chamber Wednesday to make a plea for federal help. "People see swamp rats all the time roaming the halls of DC, but I believe this is actually the first time in American history that we have a taxidermied swamp creature on the actual floor of the House of Representatives," he said. "This here is my good friend Nellie the nutria, she's got nacho-cheese colored teeth, can weigh up to 40 pounds, she can eat up to 20 percent of her body weight every single day, and she has an exponential rate of growth. She may look cute to some people but Nellie and her friends are a real menace." The congressman explained the threat nutria pose to California's wetlands, and encouraged his colleagues to vote for a bill co-sponsored by Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) that would make $12 million available each year until 2025 to about a dozen states trying to put down nutria uprisings. Louisiana recently upped the bounty it pays to hunters who kill nutria, from $5 to $6, and California still has a nutria eradication force working under the state's Department of Fish and Wildlife. California allocated $10 million in state money last year to fight its nutria population. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Eric Ting is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting New Delhi, Feb 27 : Mobile operators association, COAI, has suggested steps to facilitate reduction of financial stress on the industry in wake of the AGR payments where it has sought floor price for telecom tariffs be introduced from April this year. TRAI has now initiated a consultation process on floor pricing. "Our proposal is that a floor price needs to be made effective immediately (say from 1st April, 2020)," COAI Director general Rajan Mathews said in a letter to DoT Secretary Anshu Prakash. For AGR related payments COAI seeks reimbursement of credit due to telcos from the government through adjustments can help companies meet AGR payment. "Government needs to allow set-off of GST credits lying with the government. Further, after the GST set-off, the payment of balance amount of interest, penalty, and interest on penalty be allowed in a staggered manner. It is requested that a moratorium of 3 years be provided, as we expect that it will take at least that much time to recover the health of the sector, followed by a payment tenure of 15 years at a simple interest of 6 per cent," the letter said. The amounts payable under the Supreme Court judgement, after mutual discussion maybe frozen to avoid recurring claim of interest, penalty and interest on penalty. In the alternative, the government may consider granting loan equal to the AGR amount at 6 per cent rate of interest (as being reported in media) so that the AGR liability maybe discharged immediately. The other proposals are reducing License fee from 8 per cent to 3 per cent and existing Spectrum Usage chargs to 3 per cent and 0.5-1 per cent for forthcoming auctions for recovering only the administrative cost. Financial Bank Guarantees should at least be reduced to one quarters License Fee, COAI said. The telecom Industry has invested over Rs 10.44 lakh crore in setting up world class mobile networks over the last 20 years and has committed around Rs 3.68 lakh crore in spectrum through auctions since 2010. However, the revenues and profitability have declined significantly. The debt burden is well over Rs 7 lakh crore, and there is still significant investment required in the future, it said. The Burundian government said on Tuesday it had killed at least 22 wrongdoers in what it described as violence linked to upcoming presidential election scheduled for May. Wrongdoers took advantage of this electoral period thinking people are distracted, police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said on the state broadcaster RTNB. The population should remain calm because security officers are ensuring its security. The authorities said two members of the police force were killed and six attackers were captured. Burundi has been wracked by political violence since 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for a disputed third term in office. Hundreds were killed in a crackdown by security forces and more than 400,000 displaced, most to Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This year election will choose a successor to President Pierre Nkurunziza. The ruling CNDD-FDD partys candidate, Evariste Ndayishimiye, a retired army general who heads the department of military affairs in the presidents office, faces a former rebel leader, Agathon Rwasa, of the opposition CNL party. In a report published last month, the Burundi Human Rights Initiative said CNL supporters had been beaten to death by members of the ruling partys youth wing, the Imbonerakure, and buried in secret cemeteries. Serious human rights violations continued in 2019, but were often hidden and quickly covered up, making it difficult to establish the circumstances in which they took place, the report said. The United Nations has warned that human rights abuses may increase again before the elections scheduled for May. We can disinfect surfaces in Metro, and we can step that up 10 times and it still wont be as effective as just good personal hygiene on the part of the million people who ride our buses and trains, Stessel said. Because if we happen to clean that [rail car] pole at 9 a.m., and then at 9:05 someone contaminates it, lets say, and at 9:06, thats you on the pole then it doesnt do any good. [February 27, 2020] Bluedot's Location Technology Powers GoToll Mobile App for Simple Toll Payments Without Stopping SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Bluedot today announced the company's location technology powers GoToll , a new mobile app that allows drivers to automatically pay for highway tolls without having to slow down, stop, or take any other action that might distract them. GoToll, created by Transurban , a global transportation company and toll operator, launched this month in the state of Virginia. This new technology is revolutionizing the transportation industry one trip at a time. Individuals now have more control in the palm of their hands as they travel. Just as travelers can use an app to hail a ride, they can now use an app to pay for toll lanes. "Consumers are more mobile than ever and expect choice, convenience, and responsiveness to their needs while they travel. GoToll delivers this powerful combination and, by using Bluedot technology, will enhance the journey of millions of drivers," says Emil Davityan, Co-Founder and CEO of Bluedot. "This new era of mobility as a service unlocks valuable experiences for people on-the-go. The GoToll app is leading this digital transformation where transport and customer experience intersect." Powered by Bluedot's location technology, GoToll can understand travel direction as well as differentiate between regular lanes from HOV lanes, providing pinpoint accuracy and end-to-end security to support frictionless payments. Usrs of the app simply enter their car's license plate and a credit card into the app. The GoToll app does the rest. Tolls are paid automatically as drivers pass toll locations, and they can easily keep track of all their toll payments right within the app. Bluedot also ensures personal information is not tracked, shared, or sold by automatically anonymizing all personally identifiable information. "GoToll gives drivers another option for easily paying for tolls with convenience and ease," says Elisa Bell, Director of Mobile Products at Transurban. "Bluedot's technology enabled us to develop the platform quickly with no hardware required. The technology is also very smart and accurate, even at high vehicle speeds, and we can assure our users that their private information will be protected." Building on a successful history between Bluedot and Transurban in Australia , this advanced, transformative technology comes to the U.S. and enables: Accurate location detection at high speeds Ability to differentiate whether a driver is in a HOV or regular lane Safety detection, ensuring drivers receive push notifications only at appropriate times; for example, when they are not in motion Automated mobile toll payments GoToll will initially support 12 Virginia toll roads (including the 495, 95, 395, and 66 Express Lanes), with further expansion planned across North America and the Eastern seaboard. To get the app, download it from the Apple or Google Play stores, and simply register a license plate and credit card. To learn more about Bluedot's tolling solutions, visit: https://bluedot.io/solutions/tolling/ About Bluedot Bluedot 's location technology for mobile apps powers meaningful interactions between brands and their customers. With pinpoint accuracy, its easy-to-implement location technology can identify when a mobile app user arrives at a business, places mobile orders at drive-thrus, arrives at a curbside or pick-up spot, or passes a toll location. Inherently compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and other emerging legislation, Bluedot never shares or sells personal information. Marquee brands like Salesforce, Oracle, Eat Club, Transurban, and McDonald's trust Bluedot for their location-based needs. Visit bluedot.io to learn more. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bluedots-location-technology-powers-gotoll-mobile-app-for-simple-toll-payments-without-stopping-301012452.html SOURCE Bluedot [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Netherlands - MK-48 Torpedo Conversion Kits Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 19-75 WASHINGTON, February 26, 2020 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands of sixteen (16) MK-48 Mod 7 Advanced Technology (AT) torpedo conversion kits and related equipment for an estimated cost of $85 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on yesterday. The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy sixteen (16) MK-48 Mod 7 Advanced Technology (AT) torpedo conversion kits. Also included are spare parts, containers, associated hardware, torpedo handling equipment, and cables; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $85 million. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve security of a NATO ally which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Northern Europe. The Netherlands desires to upgrade additional MK 48 Mod 4 torpedoes to the MK 48 Mod 7 AT model. They intend to use the MK 48 Mod 7 AT torpedo on their Walrus Class submarines. The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Company, Portsmouth, RI. The Netherlands may require offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the Purchaser and the prime contractor. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Netherlands. Travel of U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Netherlands on a temporary basis for program technical support and management oversight will be required. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.a -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio Suspicion: Wilson Mills Road The high school principal reported Feb. 18 that inappropriate photos were found on a students computer and that the computer had been confiscated. Officers learned that the student had received photos of a males genitalia and had conversed about the photos, but the incident occurred in Mayfield Heights, where she resides. The matter was turned over to Mayfield Heights police. Civil matter: Highland Road An estate liquidator said Feb. 24 that a 68-year-old resident was selling things on the property without going through the liquidation process. He asked for officers to accompany him while he confronted the resident. Officers learned that a small amount of scrap material had been removed from the property with the owners permission. They advised those involved that it was a civil matter. Welfare check: Wilson Mills Road Staff at Yours Truly reported Feb. 22 that a possibly homeless woman was inside the restaurant and appeared to be confused. The woman had left the area before officers could check on her wellbeing. Suspicious activity: SOM Center Road A resident asked officers to check his property Feb. 20 after seeing a suspicious male remotely through his video doorbell. The suspect was not located in the area. Special attention was given. Traffic stop: Interstate 271 After a womans vehicle was stopped on the entrance ramp for having expired license plates Feb. 18, officers learned that the woman, of Poland, Ohio, had an active warrant out of Pennsylvania. The agency had a 250-mile pickup radius and asked that the woman 45, be held until she could be picked up. The woman spent the night in jail, but was subsequently released after complaining of a dental emergency. The reason for the warrant was not specified in reports. Read more news from the Sun Messenger. California Is Monitoring at Least 8,400 People for Coronavirus, Governor Says California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that 33 people in California have tested positive for COVID-19 coronavirus, and officials are currently monitoring more than 8,400 people for the virus. Newsom stated that 5 of the 33 patients who tested positive for the virus have left the state. Health officials said some of the 33 positive cases were part of the group of evacuated Diamond Princess cruise passengers who were repatriated back to the United States after spending weeks on the quarantined ship held off the coast of Japan. Newsom said that 49 jurisdictions are monitoring 8,400-plus people for the virus. We knew this was inevitable due to the contagious nature of the virus, he said. As of Wednesday night, the United States had 60 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, 42 of which were on the ship, according to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are currently in deep partnership with CDC on one overriding protocol that drives our principal focus right now and thats testing, and the importance to increase our testing protocols and to have point of contact diagnostic testing as our top priority not just in the state of California but I imagine all across the United States, Newsom said during the press conference. Medical staff treating patients infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus at a hospital in Wuhan, China on Feb. 24, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Thousands of people around the United States have been asked to self-quarantine as the CDC and state health officials monitor them. California health officials have 200 testing kits and will be receiving more in the coming days, but the governor stressed that the number is simply inadequate. The CDC is now moving expeditiously on providing more testing kits, Newsom said. California in late January received its first flight from people who were evacuated from virus-hit Wuhan, China. All 195 passengers were taken to the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County, located in Southern California, before they were released earlier in February. Evacuees were also taken in at the Travis Air Force Base in Solano County, located some 40 miles southwest of Sacramento, as well as the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar near San Diego. A woman wearing a face mask is seen on a street in downtown Shanghai, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, on Feb. 26, 2020. (Aly Song/Reuters) Dr. Sonia Y. Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health, said that the risk to the general public remains low and attempted to downplay fears a day after U.S. health officials confirmed the first potential community transmission in Solano County. This is a fluid situation right now and I want to emphaize the risk to the American public remains low, she said in the press conference. There have been a limited number of confirmed cases to date. In a Wednesday night statement, the CDC said it isnt sure how the new California patient contracted the virus, adding that the person had no relevant travel history before the case was detected. At this time, the patients exposure is unknown, the federal agency said in a statement. Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. Meanwhile, state officials in New York are monitoring around 700 people who were asked to self-isolate. None of the individuals have displayed symptoms associated with the illness. Health officials in Washington state, Oregon, Georgia, and Michigan have also confirmed they have asked hundreds of people to self-quarantine and be subjected to the CDCs guidelines. Voluntary self-isolation will help limit the potential spread of this virus, Jill Montag, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health, told reporters. Travelers who are under a voluntary quarantine are being monitored by health officials, who deliver their food and monitor them for possible symptoms such as respiratory issues, coughing, or a fever. There have been obliging burglars, sentimental burglars and grateful burglars, but the man who held up Mr. Boyce, assistant station master at Clyde, at 12.20 a.m. on Saturday, was businesslike, and at the same time most foolishly generous. Clyde is situated three stations beyond Dandenong, on the Korumburra line, and Mr. Boyce was sitting in his office when the door opened, and he found himself gazing down the barrel of an evil-looking revolver, held by a tall, thickset man, of fair complexion, with a discharged soldiers badge in his coat. This burglar was most unusual, for he wore a clean white shirt, which indicates that cleanliness may sometimes be next to ungodliness. Holding Mr. Boyce at the point of the revolver, the nicely laundered gentleman helped himself to 4 10/. A 1914-1918 Discharged Returned Soldier Badge. Credit:Australian War Memorial. REL28892 Before he decamped he took from his pocket a photograph, on the back of which he solemnly wrote an acknowledgement of the theft, and handed the document to the station master. The "hold up" then took his departure, leaving the "held up" in a state of amazement, for the photograph on which the acknowledgement had been written was that of the ungodly man in the clean shirt. Mr. Boyce immediately communicated with the police at Cranbourne, Dandenong and Kooweerup, and some developments are expected. CLYDE STATION ROBBERY The family members of Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer Ankit Sharma have accused Tahir Hussain, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor from Nehru Vihar, of plotting his death at the hands of the mob during violence in Northeast Delhi. The mob that snatched and killed my brother was operating from Hussains house. A mob was pelting stones from the terrace of that building, Sharmas brother Ankur said. The 26-year-olds body was fished out of a clogged drain in Chand Bagh, where he lived. Sharma worked as security assistant with the IB. Also Watch | Delhi violence: Intelligence Bureau staffer, a cops son, killed; family mourns Ankur said his brother had left for work around 8 am on Tuesday and returned home around 4.30 pm. He had gone out to see what was happening when Hussains men caught him, alleged Ankur. Ankit went at the site (Chand Bagh) where stone-pelting was taking place. Around 15-20 people came from Tahirs building and dragged 5-6 people inside the building. They also fired at other people who tried to save those taken inside the building, his father Ravinder Kumar told news agency ANI. Kumar is an assistant sub-inspector with the Delhi Police and works at the Karol Bagh police station in Central Delhi. A senior police officer said they are investigating the allegations. Kumar said an FIR was filed after his son went missing. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kapil Mishra took to Twitter an demanded Hussains arrest, sharing a video that showed rioters pelting stones and petrol bombs from the roof of a house that Mishra and local residents said belongs to the leader. , IB , pic.twitter.com/Y7pjk4smp7 Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) February 26, 2020 Hussain denied having anything to do with the murder or the riots. I have come to know from TV reports that I am being blamed for the murder of a man. These are lies and baseless accusations. For our safety, my family and I had moved away from our home on Monday in police presence. There should be an impartial probe into the incident and action should be taken against whoever is found guilty. It is wrong to target me. I and my family have nothing to do with it, he said. The partys social media head Ankit Lal shared Hussains video saying he was rescued by the police on February 24 after a mob attacked his home. #AAP councillor Tahir Hussain was rescued by @DCPNEastDelhi Ved Prakash Surya on 24th February after a mob attacked his home. Here's what Tahir has to say. Do listen and out this as a slap on every BJP thug trying to blame someone who is himself a victim of the riots. 1/n pic.twitter.com/1h80x2M2NM Ankit Lal (@AnkitLal) February 26, 2020 In a tweet, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called Sharmas death a tragic loss of life. A local resident who claimed to be an eyewitness said Sharmas brother Ankur and two of his friends were taken away by the mob, and when some other people tried to rescue them, they were forced to retreat because the mob fired at them. Around 10 pm, Ankits family began visiting different police stations and hospitals in east Delhi to search for him. Ankits body was found in the drain on Wednesday morning after some women nearby told the authorities that a mob had dumped some bodies in the drain and then rolled cement-laden sacks on it in a bid to drown it. The authorities then brought in divers to fish out the body. There was no word on his missing friend. The four-storey house that residents said belonged to the local AAP leader was found deserted and partially burnt on Wednesday. The only Covid-19 patient in Khanh Hoa discharged from hospital on February 4th. (Photo: MoH) Earlier, it was the first Vietnamese locality announcing the disease. After Khanh Hoa, Thanh Hoa province is also proposing the MoH announce it is free of the disease while Ho Chi Minh city gains enough criteria for being recognized as free of the disease. Only Vinh Phuc province is collecting more days to announce freedom from the disease. According to MoH page, as of 7a.m on February 27th, all of 16 patients detected in Vietnam were cured and discharged from hospital; 92 suspected cases are being strictly monitored; and more than 5,400 others who had contact with suspected cases or emigrated from infected areas are also under supervision. In the world, 82,147 cases were reported, with 78,497 in China. The disease has claimed 2,800 lives, including 2,744 in China./. People around the world have grown far more cynical about the idea their governments have their best interests at heart, according to polling from Pew. By the numbers: When Pew last asked this question in 2002, majorities in nearly all countries polled believed their government was run to benefit all people. Amid the current populist wave, there is far more doubt. Expand chart Reproduced from Pew Research Center; Chart: Axios Visuals Zoom in: Italy saw the most remarkable decline in people's belief that the country was run for all, falling from 88% in 2002 to 30% in 2019. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Italy's mainstream parties have rapidly lost support to populists. Germany, which is also undergoing extreme political fragmentation, also saw a massive drop (86% to 48%). Lebanon, which has been gripped by protests over corruption and poor government services, saw a plunge from 78% to 26%. The U.S. and U.K. saw similar drops, both from around 65% to around 45%. Canada's drop was much smaller (59% to 56%) while France started low but ticked up slightly (40% to 44%). Bucking the trend were the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as Japan (albeit from a low starting point). A former juvenile lifer who was 16 when he participated in a robbery-murder didnt receive a manifestly excessive punishment when a midstate judge resentenced him to 30 years to life behind bars, a state Superior Court panel has ruled. That court, in an opinion by Judge Alice Beck Dubow, rejected Emru Kebedes claims that he got a raw deal on resentencing because Lancaster County Judge Dennis E. Reinaker didnt fully consider all aspect of the case, including his efforts at rehabilitation. Kebede was among four teens who killed 65-year-old Ray Diener in May 2007 during a robbery at Dieners West Donegal home. One of the other robbers fatally shot Diener, but Kebede was liable for the slaying as an accomplice. Kebede initially was sentenced to life in prison without parole after a jury convicted him of second-degree murder in 2009. The former Mount Joy mans resentencing in January 2018 was mandated by a 2012 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that automatic life prison sentences for juvenile killers are unconstitutional. During the 2018 court hearing, Kebede, now 29, asked for a 15-year prison term that would have set him free. Instead, Reinaker imposed the 30-year-to-life term that is the new standard range sentence for juvenile murderers in Pennsylvania. On appeal to Dubows court, Kebede, who represented himself, argued that Reinaker didnt adequately consider his rehabilitation efforts behind bars and other issues including his remorse for participating in Dieners murder, the fact that he came from a broken home, that he struggled with substance abuse, and that he was influenced by a brother who was in and out of prison. Dubow called Kebedes claim that Reinaker short-changed him a bald allegation. She found the county judge did not ignore or misapply the law, exercise (his) judgment for reasons of partiality, prejudice, bias or ill-will, or arrive at a manifestly unreasonable decision. Her decision means Kebede still has more than half of his new sentence to serve before he even becomes eligible for consideration for parole. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:45:23|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIRUT, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese battalion of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) offered medical support and medicines to the clinic of Ibl al-Saqi, a town in southern Lebanon, said a statement by the Chinese troops on Thursday. The municipality expressed thanks to the Chinese medical team for their donation, saying that it hopes China will succeed in winning the battle against the novel coronavirus very soon. Since their deployment last May in Lebanon, the Chinese troops have been providing free humanitarian medical assistance to the local people. The UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti announced that the UNIFIL has taken all necessary preventive measures, in coordination with its medical unit, to prevent any infection with coronavirus among its troops whose number has reached 11,000 in military and civilian personnel. He explained that in light of the global emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), following the spread of the coronavirus, UNIFIL health guidelines have been sent to all individuals, to ensure all adherence to WHO guidelines. REDDING, Calif. - Redding residents said a flyer calling for ex-military, former law enforcement, and veterans is going around town, stating that their time is now. Terry Rapoza is with the State of Jefferson Movement and says he first came across the flyer at their meeting on Monday night. On Monday I was handed a copy of the flyer by a couple who received it, said Rapoza. Rapoza started looking into where the flyer came from, trying to get ahold of the sender with no luck. My first thought was what exactly are these guys doing, said Rapoza. I wanted to reach out to them to ask them. Rapoza called the flyer itself and the meeting place is bizarre. It's so ambiguous I dont know what to make of it, said Rapoza. Anyone can send anything out at any time. But the flyers made some people feel nervous. It's not very good for the community, it's much more divisive, said one resident. The State of Jefferson Movement says, the planned military meeting is not associated with their organization. Action News Now reached out to the Redding Police Department and said they were are of the flyers and sent out to several police cars to monitor the situation. The Tennessee Legislature is 6 weeks into its second and final session. The deadline to introduce new legislation has passed, with over a thousand potential new laws being tossed in the hopper. Its get down to business time on the Hill for lawmakers to see what they will pass or wont approve this year (outside a balanced operating budget which they are required to do by the state Constitution). So far about all thats gotten done has been final passage of a controversial measure to allow adoption agencies to refuse to assist LGTBQ couples. The measure was quickly signed into law by Governor Bill Lee, despite sharp criticism and threats of lawsuits and even a boycott of the state by some groups. Several dozen large and smaller businesses with operations in Tennessee have sent an open letter to the Legislature and the Governor asking them to refrain from passing any more ant-LGBTQ legislation. What will we see happen for the remainder of 111th General Assembly? Weve invited some of the top journalists covering this session to join us and talk about it on INSIDE POLITICS this week. They are TENNESSEAN Capitol Hill reporter Joel Ebert and Kim Kruesi, the Legislative reporter for the Associated Press. As the SS Robert L. Vann sailed up the English Channel, we would stand guard in four-hour shifts around the clock. At the time the Germans were launching buzz bombs, or V-1 flying bombs, which would nose-dive into the ground with about a ton of TNT. I had once felt the effects of a small concussion just from the sound of one of those bombs. The British were said to be tracking down about 90 percent of the buzz bombs, but they were raising hell with the Belgian population. On March 1, while standing watch in the rear gun tub, which was surrounded by steel and was our largest piece of armament, I suddenly heard a bang on the side of the ship. I didnt know what it was, but a second or two later, there was an explosion. I quickly got onto the main deck, where I saw a friend unleashing a life raft. It was already in the water, and we watched it float straight into the propeller, which still had a head of steam. It was a good thing we didnt get into that raft. I knew at the time that we would have to abandon the ship. I turned to my friend, Joe, and asked, Where do we go now? We ran to midship, downhill, because the ship was sinking from the center. The explosion had been as clean as a whistle, splitting the ship right in half. As water flooded in, it sounded like a waterfall, and I believe the only reason we didnt sink faster was because they had poured cement into the ship for buoyancy. As Joe and I were running toward the lifeboats, we saw the officer-in-charge sitting in a life raft on the deck with his suitcase. We knew he was in danger of being sucked under with the raft if the ship became submerged. When Joe and I reached the lifeboats, we called for him to jump into it. But he grabbed two ropes that were on the same side of the pulley, and went straight into the water, like a bullet. Luckily, Joe was able to yank him into our boat. The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020 will be tabled in the legislative assembly on Thursday. Mumbai: Marathi will be made compulsory in schools of all boards across the state from the first to 10th standard from the academic year 2020-21. The state Legislative Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that makes Marathi learning and teaching compulsory in schools in the state with a provision for a penalty in case of non-compliance. The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020 will be tabled in the legislative assembly on Thursday. According to the legislation, schools found not complying with the provisions of the bill would attract penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh. The bill covers all schools irrespective of boards they are affiliated to. Speaking in the house, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed happiness over the passage of the bill in the Council. Marathi is a historical language, which has got a great literature, culture and past. It is a language of strength and devotion and it is everyones duty to conserve it, he said. He added that he will also pursue with the Centre the demand of granting classical language status to Marathi. A bill is generally introduced and approved in the Assembly first and then it goes to the Council. However, in this case, the Council chairman allowed the minister concerned to introduce the bill in the Upper House first. As an exception, I am allowing Subhash Desai, minister for Marathi language, to table the bill in the Upper House, said Council chairman Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar. Speaking in the Vidhan Sabha, school education minister Varsha Gaikwad said that the state government will introduce the bill making the Marathi language mandatory in all schools in the state on Thursday. The decision was taken through a mutual understanding after holding deliberations with all the educational boards including IB, ICSE and CBSE. The government has also studied the pattern being followed in Southern states in teaching local languages in their schools, she said. Interjecting, BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar demanded that rules of the legislature be changed for conducting the proceedings exclusively in Marathi. No matter the outcome, the Super Tuesday Democratic primary elections will be a turning point in the race to determine which candidate will face Donald Trump in November. This year, 14 states are voting on Super Tuesday, including the nations most populous states, California and Texas. Of crucial importance, we will see the impact of former New York mayor Michael Bloombergs non-traditional, self-funded run, that has seen him invest up to $400m to win support in many of the states voting on Super Tuesday. In order to win any delegates (a candidate needs to amass 1,991 delegates to achieve the partys nomination) candidates have to win at least 15 percent of the vote in the state. There are enough delegates at stake that a strong showing for senator Bernie Sanders could cement his spot as Democratic nominee. At the same time, should he fail to overcome his top rivals, the race could become a serious competition between two or potentially even three candidates. Heres a state-by-state breakdown to keep you informed heading into Super Tuesday. All demographic numbers are from the Centre for American Progress States of Change report. Alabama The Yellowhammer state has 61 total delegates including 9 superdelegates up for grabs on Super Tuesday. Demographically, Alabama is one of six states along with the District of Columbia where black Democratic voters are the majority. Democratic voter composition in Alabama in 2016 was 71 per cent black, 26 per cent white and three per cent other races. According to 2016 Census data, Alabama has a slightly higher than average population of individuals 65 years of age and older almost 20 per cent versus the 19 percent average. The states median household income is more than $10,000 less than the national average, $42,830 versus $53,657 nationally. FiveThirtyEight predicts former Vice President Joe Biden will take the state, giving him a 61 percent chance at victory in the state. Mr Sanders is the next most likely to take the state with a 21 percent chance of victory, and Mr Bloomberg is in third with a 17 percent chance of victory. Arkansas There are 31 pledged delegates available to win in Arkansas including five superdelegates. Demographically, Arkansas Democratic voters are 69 per cent white, 36 per cent black, three per cent Hispanic and two per cent other races. According to 2016 Census data, the state has a slightly higher than average population of individuals over the age of 65 21 per cent versus the national average of 19 per cent and a median household income of $41,262 more than $10,000 less than the national average of $53,657. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders has the best chance to win the state. He was given a 38 per cent chance to win the state. Mr Bloomberg is the next most likely to win, with a 28 per cent chance of victory. Mr Biden has a 25 per cent chance to win. Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Show all 29 1 /29 Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states An anti-dairy protester is led away after storming the stage at Joe Biden's Super Tuesday event in Los Angeles, California EPA Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Supporters of Bernie Sanders cheer as results are announced at a Super Tuesday party in Texas AFP/Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Supporters of Joe Biden hold up an election pooster from Barack Obama's 2008 run at a Super Tuesday event for the Democratic contender Reuters Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Bernie Sander takes to the stage before supporters during his Super Tuesday event in Vermont EPA Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Supporters of Bernie Sanders cheer as results are announced at a Super Tuesday party in Texas AFP/Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Supporters of Bernie Sanders cheer as results are announced at a watch party in Texas AFP/Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Joe Biden gestures to suppporters at a Super Tuesday event for the Democratic contender AP Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Elizabeth Warren waves to supporters at a rally in Michigan as results come in following Super Tuesday Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states A spray painted mural of presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders on the side of a building in Kirby, Vernont EPA Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Supporters of Bernie Sandes cheer at a Super Tuesday rally in Vermont Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Supporters of Elizabeth Warren hold sings and cheer in Cambridge Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren leaves the voting booth at the Graham & Parks School in Cambridge, Massachusetts Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states A poster for sale at a rally for Bernie Sanders on Super Tuesday in Vermont Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Democratic voter Elliot Zaagman wears a protective mask as he poses for a photo after casting his ballot in Bangkok, Thailand EPA Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Daisy, a Golden Retriever, outside a polling in San Diego. 1,357 Democratic delegates are at stake as voters cast their ballots in 14 states and American Samoa on what is known as Super Tuesday Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (greets fellow voters after casting his ballot in his state's primary election at the Robert Miller Community Center in Burlington, Vermont Getty Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states A first time voter stands behind a voting booth in a polling location for the North Carolina primary Reuters Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg takes part in his Super Tuesday night rally in West Palm Beach, Florida Reuters Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Fourteen states are holding their primaries with more than one third of the total pledged delegates in the Democratic primaries to be awarded on Super Tuesday Getty Images Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren and her husband Bruce Mann greet supporters as they walk to a polling site to vote on Super Tuesday in Cambridge, Massachusett EPA Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Voters cast their ballots at a polling location inside an elementary school on Super Tuesday in Minneapolis, Minnesota EPA Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states AP Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Democratic voter Le'ana Freeman poses for a photo after casting her ballot at a polling station in Bangkok EPA Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Voters arrive to cast their ballots at a polling location inside Hunter House at Nottoway Park in Vienna EPA Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Democrat Jamie Wilson gets a sticker after voting in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas AP Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states A Polling Place sign in the border town of Hidalgo, Texas EPA Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states A girl carries her mothers ballot to the table where she will fill in her choice at the Taylor Elementary School polling location in Arlington Getty Images Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states A man wearing an 'I Voted' sticker and a 'Bernie Abroad' badge after voting in the American presidential primary in Oxford, England Getty Images Super Tuesday: Lively scenes as results flood in across 14 states Stickers for people who vote AFP via Getty Images The most recent poll examining the Arkansas electorate from Talk Business & Politics/Hendrix College Poll reported that Mr Bloomberg had a 3.2 percent lead over Mr Sanders in the state. Just under 20 per cent of respondents said theyd vote for Mr Bloomberg, while 16.4 per cent said theyd vote for Mr Sanders and 18.5 per cent said theyd vote for Mr Biden. California This is a massive prize. California, the countrys most populous state, has 415 pledged delegates and 79 superdelegates up for grabs. Californias Democratic voters are 50 per cent white, 26 per cent Hispanic, 15 per cent Asian, eight per cent black and one percent other races. Census information from 2016 shows that 17 percent of the state is over the age of 65, just under the national average of 19 percent. The states median household income is $61,933, which is $2,276 higher than the national average. Despite this, the states poverty rate, 14.5 per cent, is slightly higher than the national average of 13.6 per cent. Mr Sanders is overwhelmingly favoured in polling to win California. FiveThirtyEight gives Mr Sanders an 89 per cent chance to win, with poll averages predicting Mr Sanders will win between 24 per cent and 43 per cent of the vote and win an average of the states 227 pledged delegates. Every other candidate is at risk of falling under the 15 per cent viability threshold. The closest runner up, Mr Biden, is only expected to win an average of 17 percent of the vote and an average of 83 delegates. Mr Sanders and Mr Biden are the only candidates whose predicted averages exceed the 15 percent viability threshold. Colorado The Centennial State has 67 pledged delegates on the line and nine superdelegates. Colorados Democratic voters are 75 per cent white, 15 per cent Hispanic, six per cent black, and four per cent Asian and other races. Census data from 2016 shows that the state has a population of individuals 65-year-old and over that is 2.4 percent lower than the national average of 18.9 per cent. The states median household income is $61,303, $7,676 more than the national average. The states poverty rate is 2.6 per cent lower than the national average of 13.6 per cent. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders will win Colorado with 31 per cent of the vote and earn an average of 35 delegates. Maine Maine has 24 pledged delegates with three PLEO delegates available to win. The states Democratic voter demographic makeup is 95 per cent white, one percent black, one per cent Hispanic and two per cent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts that Mr Sanders has a 67 per cent chance to win the state. The next closest runner-up is Mr Bloomberg with a 10 per cent chance at success, then Mr Biden and Ms Warren at eight per cent each. Massachusetts Massachusetts Ms Warrens home state has 91 pledged delegates, including 12 superdelegates. The state Democratic voter demographic makeup is 80 per cent white, eight per cent black, seven per cent hispanic and five per cent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders has a 58 per cent chance of winning the state. Ms Warren who is the states senator has a 25 per cent chance to win. The next closest candidate is Mr Biden with an eight per cent chance of victory. Mr Sanders is predicted to win an average of 35 delegates from the state. Minnesota Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchars home state has 75 pledged delegates, including 10 superdelegates. It is also a place where Mr Trump narrowly lost in 2016 and is at the top of Republican target lists. The states Democratic voter demographics are 84 per cent white, eight per cent black, five perc ent Asian and other races, and two per cent Hispanic. FiveThirtyEight predicts the Minnesota race is likely to go to Mr Sanders, now that Ms Klobuchar is out. The next closest candidate is Ms Warren with a three per cent chance to win. North Carolina Long a battleground state in the general election, there are 110 delegates up for grabs in North Carolina, including 14 superdelegates. The demographics of the states Democratic voters is 52 percent white, 41 percent black, four percent Hispanic and four percent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts that Mr Sanders is the most likely to win, with a 43 percent chance to take the state. Mr Biden is the next most likely to win, with a predicted 36 percent chance of victory. After that, Mr Bloomberg has a 19 percent chance to win and Ms Warren is given a two percent chance. Oklahoma Oklahoma has 37 pledged delegates, including five superdelegates. Recommended Three key congressional races to watch on Super Tuesday The states Democratic voter demographics is 66 per cent white, 20 percent black, nine per cent Asian and American Indian, and five per cent Hispanic. FiveThirtyEight predicts a close race in Oklahoma. Mr Sanders leads the pack with a 35 percent chance to win. Mr Biden and Mr Bloomberg are tied, both with a possible 30 percent chance of victory, and Ms Warren is the next closest with a three percent chance to win. Tennessee Tennessee has 64 pledged delegates, including eight superdelegates. The Democratic voter makeup in Tennessee is 55 percent white, 41 percent black, two percent Hispanic and two percent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts Tennessee will be a toss-up between either Mr Biden or Mr Sanders. Both have been given a 39 percent chance of victory. The next closest candidate is Mr Bloomberg with 17 percent, and Ms Warren at three percent. Texas As the second most populous state in the US, Texas has 228 pledged delegates, including 30 superdelegates. It is also the second most sought-after state in terms of electoral college votes. The last Democratic presidential candidate to win here was Jimmy Carter in 1976. The Lone Star States Democratic voters are 39 percent white, 29 percent Hispanic, 27 percent black and five percent Asian and other races. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders will win the state with a 52 percent chance of victory. Mr Biden was given a 35 percent chance of victory and Mr Bloombergs chances of winning are 10 percent. Mr Sanders is expected to win an average of 84 delegates from the state, and Mr Biden is predicted to win 74. Utah Utah has 29 pledged delegates, including four superdelegates. Utahs Democratic voter base is 83 percent white, 11 percent Hispanic, four percent Asian and other races, and two percent black. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders will have an overwhelming victory in Utah, giving him an 87 percent chance of winning. His next closest competitors are Mr Bloomberg and Ms Warren, who both have a four percent chance of victory in the state. Vermont Vermont Mr Sanders home state has 16 pledged delegates including two superdelegates. Vermonts Democratic voter base is 95 percent white, two percent Hispanic, two percent Asian and other races and one percent black. FiveThirtyEight predicts it is a virtual certainty that Mr Sanders will win the state. Virginia Virginia has 99 pledged delegates, including 13 superdelegates. The states Democratic voter base is 54 percent white, 32 percent black, eight percent Asian and other races and six percent black. FiveThirtyEight predicts Mr Sanders has the best chance of winning the state, giving him a 48 percent chance of victory. Mr Biden was given a 27 percent chance at winning the state, and Mr Bloomberg was given a 22 percent chance of victory. American Samoa American Samoa, a US territory in the South Pacific, has six delegates. The territory does not have superdelegates. FiveThirtyEight predicts that Mr Sanders has the best chance of winning the territory, giving him a 40 percent chance of victory. Mr Biden has a 27 percent chance of winning and Mr Bloomberg has a 20 percent chance of victory. Class closures are unlikely in the near future, experts said, because relatively few coronavirus cases have been diagnosed in the United States. There were 60 people with the virus in the United States as of Wednesday evening, and 42 of them had been aboard a cruise ship. No cases have been confirmed in the District, Maryland or Virginia, authorities said this week. WASHINGTON Climate change activism in popular culture may be associated with woke millennials and graying hippies, but some of the most dire warnings about global warming are coming today from national security professionals. As the Trump administration has downplayed climate change as a national priority, it has increasingly fallen to members of the military and intelligence establishment to argue to keep focus and resources on climate change. On the whole, they treat global warming not as an environmental phenomenon or a moral imperative, but, rather as a force capable of altering the nations security outlook. The calculus is, as it happens, more like simple math. They see climate change as an impediment on their ability to fight future wars, explains Michael Klare, author of the new book All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagons Perspective on Climate Change. Klare says that bases in the North and South Pacific prone to flooding, and missile interceptors in Alaska are in danger from melting permafrost, and the U.S. could be hampered in potential conflict with Russia and China. Their capacity to wage war is being degraded by climate change. That much is clear in a series of dire scenarios outlined in a new report by the Center for Climate and Security, a nonpartisan Washington think tank that considers global warming from a national security perspective. It depicts a volatile world where water-hoarding warlords and border-closing nationalists upend long-established security arrangements, plunging the world into chaos. In other words, the stuff of a Hollywood cli-fi thriller, only playing out in real time, in real life. Getty Images Like the new book by Klare, the report places the Pentagon squarely in the global warming fight. That fight has been largely abandoned by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Interior, where political appointees with backgrounds in the oil and gas industries have roundly rejected the scientific consensus on climate change. Story continues The nations military does not have that luxury, Klare argues, not when rising sea levels caused by melting polar ice caps threaten the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, one of the biggest naval installations in the world. Situated in coastal Virginia, it has been devastated by flooding nine times in the last decade, according to InsideClimate News. Theyve started taking real hits from climate change, Klare says. They know this is becoming extreme. That notion is partly reflected in the climate proposal of former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, one of two military veterans currently running for president (the other is Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard). Buttigieg has vowed to increase the climate planning and regional readiness budget at the Department of Defense and to integrate climate security and resilience at the Pentagon by creating a senior climate security role in the Secretary of Defenses office responsible for managing climate security risks. Those risks are real, said John Conger, director of the Center for Climate and Security, as he unveiled the report in a House of Representatives office building on Capitol Hill on Monday. He pointed to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, which was pummeled by Hurricane Michael in 2018, and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, which found itself under water during flooding that devastated parts of the Midwest last year. Relative to other anticipated climate change effects, however, these two incidents were relatively mild, if expensive nevertheless. Written by a consortium that includes several retired flag officers, the report warns of a catastrophic security future unless carbon emissions are quickly, and radically curbed. The authors are unsparing in their warnings: If we collectively turn our backs on these threats, they write, we stand on the precipice of some of the greatest, multidimensional security threats the world has ever seen. The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Annapolis after breaking through 3 feet of ice during an exercise in the Arctic Ocean. (Tiffini M. Jones/U.S. Navy via Getty Images) The release of the report in Washington follows a similar event last week in Munich, where the World Climate and Security Report 2020 was made public. The product of an international group of military experts, the Munich report makes points similar to its Washington counterpart, suggesting that there is a growing consensus by military and national security leaders around the world that climate change can wreak havoc on geopolitical stability. The Munich report warned that, in particular, water shortages and food insecurity are looming threats. The extremists of Boko Haram, for example, have exploited Nigerias water shortages to their advantage. To underscore the point, the Munich session at which the report was unveiled was titled, in part, Apocalypse Now? Instrumental to both publications was Sherri Goodman, a former Pentagon undersecretary for environmental security and, before that, a staffer for the Senate Armed Services Committee. In addition to causing headaches for U.S. military planners, climate change directly threatens our troops and our capacity to defend ourselves in a dangerous world, she wrote in an op-ed published with retired Army Gen. Gordon Sullivan last year (Sullivan helped author the new climate change report form the Center for Climate and Security). Lyndon B. Johnson was the first president to have been warned of the national security implications of climate change. In some way, every president since has also been told of the geopolitical dangers of climate change, though not every president has taken that threat with equal seriousness. President Trump often invokes national security as a strength of his administration, lavishing praise on his generals. But he has questioned their expertise in private, and has apparently ignored their warnings on climate change. The Washington report that was published on Monday is based on the premise that, in the near term (that is, until 2050), the globe will continue to warm at a rate of 1-2 degrees Celsius per year, as greenhouses gases trap the suns heat within the Earths atmosphere, causing it to become steadily warmer. That scenario presents a high-very high threat to security around the world. The authors posit, for example, that Africa would see violent extremist groups bolster their numbers, and security threats spiral into nearby fragile areas as a result of unrest called by epidemics made worse by climate change and rapid loss of rural livelihoods. The near-term scenario for South America is one that is already hauntingly familiar: drought and diminishing crop yields driving migrant populations northward, in search of more clement regions. Transnational criminal groups, and narcotics and human traffickers will likely take advantage of this growing destabilization, further straining local security institutions, the authors write. One of the conclusions of the report challenges the longstanding assumptions about climate change having a disproportionate effect on equatorial regions. Northern, industrialized regions will also face significant threats at all levels of warming, the report says. In longer term, high emissions warming scenarios, these countries could experience catastrophic security risks, including high levels of migration and a breakdown of key infrastructure and security institutions. Broken ice floats in Lake Argentina below the cracked and creviced face of the Perito Moreno glacier, part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, in the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. (David Silverman/Getty Images) In that longer term, the report estimates that temperatures could increase by 4 degrees Celsius. Thats close to the United Nations nightmare scenario known as RCP 8.5, which would see temperatures rise by 4.9 degrees Celsius by 2100. The current administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler, has downplayed the likelihood of an RCP 8.5 scenario, though that scenario is predicated on nothing more radical than the global community remaining on the current course (there are some mainstream scientists who believe that scenario can still be avoided). The Center for Climate and Security evaluates that a 4-degree rise by centurys end will spell a catastrophic threat, one that no region will avoid. North America, for example, will see rising ethnonationalist, anti-democratic and isolationist views, the report says, in what could be a veiled dig at Trump. In addition, great power competition over resources in the melting Arctic may become acute. South America could see violent conflict as a result of prolonged droughts and exacerbated epidemics, while Asia would see the deterioration of important military alliances and partnerships on which regional peace depends. That peace has already been threatened in nations like Pakistan, which has been routinely pummeled by extreme weather events, and which is currently engaged in a water war with India. If we dont come together to mitigate this threat, soon, American interests and security are on the line, said a statement from Conger, the director of the Center for Climate and Security. Thats not a controversial opinion in the scientific community. But it is not one shared widely by the current administration, which has repeatedly said that increased environmental regulation harms American businesses. Asked if Wheeler, the EPA administrator with an exceptionally strong pro-industry record, had read the report, a spokeswoman for the agency said only that the EPA is reviewing the report. She declined to elaborate. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: SHAWNEE, KS (AP) - A mother is suing Bluejacket-Flint Elementary after a teacher was caught on surveillance video last year kicking her daughter, who was in kindergarten. The woman filed the lawsuit last month against the Shawnee Mission School District and the case was moved to federal court this week. THERE are fears that some shops and homes in the country have poisoned pilchards following a recall of a batch of the brand from a processing plant in South Africa due to a canning deficiency. Business people also buy their wares, including food items, from South Africa for resale in the country. A number of Zimbabweans buy their groceries in South Africa and some receive parcels from relatives based in the neighbouring country.Business people also buy their wares, including food items, from South Africa for resale in the country. South Africas West Point Processors, which supplies the fish, announced the recall on Saturday, citing a canning deficiency that may make the product unfit for human consumption. Because consumer safety is our top priority, we wish to recall some Pilchards in Tomato Sauce products, the company said in a statement quoted in the South African press. The recall is only related to the 400g Pilchards in Tomato Sauce products which have the specific batch codes starting with ZST2 and ZSC2. There is a small possibility that some tins may have a canning deficiency which could make the product unfit for consumption. We are working to identify the issue and ensure that our product meets the high standard our consumers rightly expect from us. In an interview yesterday, Industry and Commerce Ministry Deputy Minister Cde Raj Modi urged people to be on the lookout for the condemned batch of fish. He said people must not be tempted to eat it as it was unsafe. Cde Modi also urged retailers to remove the condemned product from their shelves. He said businesspeople who may have bought large consignments of the condemned fish can approach his ministry so that he can engage South African authorities for the Zimbabwean businesspeople to be compensated. I advise our wholesalers and retailers in this country to check on the brands they have. If it is any of the brands mentioned in the report and of the affected batch, may they kindly remove them from the shelves. I also call upon border authorities at our ports of entry to ensure that this condemned batch does not find its way into the country. Consumers must report to authorities anyone found selling this product after this warning, said the Deputy minister. Tinned foods including various South African brands of pilchards are widely sold in the city, especially in shops that demand cash payments only. In an interview yesterday, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe regional manager Mr Comfort Muchekeza said it was highly likely that some Zimbabwean households and retailers have the condemned product. The fact that the consignment is being recalled is a sure indication that they are not fit for human consumption. Consumers should be wary of them. There are so many effects on the human body in particular and health-wise in general caused by consuming food not fit for human consumption. Those in the medical field will better know what real effect these particular fish will cause on the human body but as consumers what they need to do even before they fully understand what effects are likely to be caused by consuming them is not to consume them then seek medical advice in case they have already consumed the fish. If need be, get legal advice and assistance in case there is need for redress, he said. National Consumer Rights Association coordinator Mr Effie Ncube urged consumers to comply with the recall as it was meant to protect them from potential harm. Whenever suppliers recall goods that they sold to consumers, it is important that consumers abide by that recall. That is the case throughout the world because the supplier will be having specific reasons why they are recalling those goods. It may be that they are containing some harmful chemicals or they are defective in one way or the other, said Mr Ncube. Shops and supermarkets in the CBD visited by the Chronicle had pilchards brands but not the condemned batch code ZST2 and ZSC2. However, some consumers in Bulawayo who spoke to Chronicle said they had large quantities of tinned fish in their homes that they had bought for groceries club to be shared in June and December. We buy our groceries in bulk and tinned foods are some of the products we buy early on in the year as they have a long shelf life. We are yet to check all our stuff but it is really worrying. If they are part of the recalled stuff, we would have lost a lot, said Mrs Sibonelo Dube of Pumula East suburb. On Tuesday, Botswanas government issued a statement warning its citizens to be on the lookout for the condemned fish. King Mswati III is set to grace the first-ever World Monarchs Summit 2020 that is organised by His Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, King of Tooro Kingdom. The summit that is slated to take place in Tooro Kingdom in September this year will be co-hosted by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Omukama. King Mswati confirmed his participation during his meeting with King Oyo at Eswatini palace in Swaziland. King Oyo is currently in Swaziland where he went to extend his invitation to the king of Eswatini. Stories Continues after ad I was most honoured to visit His Majesty King Mswati III in Eswatini who confirmed his participation in the first-ever World Monarchs Summit 2020 from 7 11 September 2020 in Uganda. I thank His Majesty and the people of Eswatini for the great hospitality and friendship. king Oyo wrote on social media platforms. The summit is expected to bring together the worlds reigning sovereign, constitutional and hereditary monarchs including Kings, Queens, Emirs, Emperors, Grand Dukes, Princes and Sultans, among others, to interface with the wider strategic stakeholders in order to share experiences and support initiatives that are geared towards inclusive development. Mswati III, Ingwenyama and King of Swaziland was crowned on April 25, 1986 at the age of 18, thus becoming the youngest ruling monarch in the world at that time. Together with his mother, Ntfombi Tfwala, now Queen Mother (Ndlovukati), he rules the country as an absolute monarch. Mswati III is known for his practice of polygamy and currently has 15 wives. A Swazi kings first two wives are chosen for him by the national Councillors. His policies and lavish lifestyle have led to local protests and international criticism. Home-grown kitchen appliances company Wonderchef, co-owned by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, is eyeing a bigger presence in the global market after making an initial impact in India. The company has entered the UAE market through a partnership with Landmark Group's furniture and home furnishing brand HomeBox. In the initial phase, the company is eyeing 10 percent of its total revenue from the UAE market, by 2022. For UAE, almost one-fourth of the total $16 billion consumer appliance market revenue comes from kitchen appliances. In an interaction with Moneycontrol, Ravi Saxena, Managing Director, Wonderchef, said that they while the product portfolio will remain the same, the company may need to build combination products that are more relevant to certain markets. "Electrical appliances they have stringent requirements like Dubai and we already meet those needs. We will use HomeBox's network to distribute our products. Even if we sell to other retailers, it will be through HomeBox," added Saxena, who co-owns the company along with Kapoor. Wonderchef will be competing with brands like Samsung, LG, Dyson, Bosch, Whirlpool and Arcelik in the UAE market. Saxena said that there will be synergies in their product offering and the market demand in the Middle East. For instance, he said that their automatic cooking device Nutripot which is suitable for cooking items like biryani and mutton curry would be relevant for that market as well. Wonderchef is eyeing a Rs 300 crore total revenue in FY20. In FY19, the revenue stood at Rs 240 crore. Saxena expects Wonderchef to achieve a 30 percent revenue growth in FY21 as well. Wonderchef sells a slew of appliances, including mixer and grinders, microwave Nutripot, air fryer and chimneys among others. It also sells cookware and bakeware. In the Middle East, the company is present in markets like UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for the time-being. Internationally, the company sells products in the United States, United Kingdom, Mauritius, Maldives and Australia. "We started our international expansion only 18 months ago. It is still a long way to go though we have strong partners in all these markets," Saxena said. Saxena added that the company will not indulge in price-wars in any market that they operate in. When it comes to the market, Saxena said that his company has also been hit by slowdown. "We expected a 32 percent revenue growth in FY20 but it is lower than that," he said. UK has expelled two Saudi diplomats for drink-driving offenses, reports say. The unnamed diplomats were flashed out for three violations, according to Sky News. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a written statement to the parliament that owing to the serious nature of the alleged offences, both individuals were expelled from the diplomatic mission. One of the Saudis, according to the British top diplomat, was found responsible for two incidents of drink-driving in 2018 while another was caught for being under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving. The Foreign Office does not tolerate diplomats or dependents breaking the law, Raab added in the statement. We take all allegations of illegal activity seriously, he said. When the police or other law enforcement [agencies] bring instances of alleged criminal conduct to our attention, we ask the relevant foreign government or international organization to waive immunity where appropriate. Approximately 23,000 people are entitled to diplomatic immunity in the UK, Arabian Business reports. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You should upgrade or use an You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser The state of Tennessee executed death row inmate Nicholas Todd Sutton, 58, last Thursday using the electric chair, viewed universally as a barbaric throwback. Sutton had been convicted and sentenced to death in 1986 for the stabbing death of a fellow prisoner, Carl Estep. Sutton was already in prison for the brutal killing spree of four people, including his grandmother and two high school friends. He spent his entire adult life behind bars, having been just 18 years old when he was sentenced to life prison for those killings in 1980. Nicholas Todd Sutton Thursday nights state-sanctioned killing inside the death chamber at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution was the fifth time since 2018, when the state resumed executions, that Tennessee has used this method to execute a prisoner. Sutton was the 139th inmate executed in Tennessee since 1916. Fifty-three prisoners currently remain on the states death row. Gruesomely nicknamed Old Sparky, the electric chair used Thursday contains wood from the gallows that was used for hangings until that form of execution was outlawed in 1913. The man who rebuilt the chair in 1989, Fred Leuchter, has raised concerns that reductions in the voltage and duration of each round of electricity used since it was reintroduced make it likely that the condemned will feel severe pain and could cook the executee and boil his blood. The electric chair was first proposed in 1881 by a Buffalo, New York, dentist, Alfred P Southwick, as a humane alternative to hanging. Associated almost exclusively with the United States, there is nothing humane about the electric chair, which is now a possible method of execution in nine states including Tennessee. After a prisoner is strapped to the chair, varying cycles of alternating electric current are passed through the body with the aim of rendering the person unconscious, inducing cardiac arrest and finally causing fatal damage to the vital organs. According the Death Penalty Information Center, although opposition to the death penalty is on the rise, as of 2014 public opinion in the United States is almost evenly split between the death penalty and life without parole for serious capital crimes. As of this year, 29 states as well as the federal government and the US military still have the death penalty, while the remaining 21 states and Washington, D.C., have abolished the practice. Seven states carried out at least one execution in 2019. Texas led the way with nine deaths. Suttons life and death speak volumes about social and economic inequality when contrasted with the life of Tennessees millionaire governor, Bill Lee, who could have commuted his death sentence. Both Sutton, 58, and Lee, 60, were of the same generation, but after that the similarities end. In a country riven by class divisions and income inequality unrivaled since the Gilded Age, the governor and his victim lived in completely different worlds. Lee was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Sutton with a rusty fork. Bill Lee grew up on a 1,000-acre horse and cattle farm in Williamson County, Tennessee, now the richest county in the state. He played in the creeks, rode horses and enjoyed a life of extreme privilege, attending some of best elementary and high schools in Tennessee. Then it was university. While Lee grew, his father and uncle worked to form a business that young Bill Lee would finally receive. He was being prepped for his very bright future. While Lee frolicked in this idyllic rural setting, Nicholas Sutton was doing anything but enjoying his life. According to Suttons attorneys, their client was living in a pressure cooker, suffering constant and pervasive childhood trauma. His father was a violent, abusive and unstable man who suffered from severe mental illness, struggled with substance abuse and was repeatedly institutionalized. It was reported by the Tennessean that the attorneys also noted that Sutton started taking illicit drugs with his father by [age] 12, beginning a lifelong addiction. Only his grandmother would take him in and care for him. In 1992by then Sutton was already in prison on death rowLee would take over the multimillion-dollar family business but suffer his own personal trauma in 2000, when his wife and mother of their four children was killed in a tragic horseback riding accident on the familys Franklin farm. Lee called her death a great tragedy but received help well beyond the means of working-class families. Certainly, beyond any help that Sutton might have hoped for. Lee was able to stop working and eventually pulled through, but not by his own bootstraps. Heres how Bill Lee survived, the Chattanooga Times reported in 2018 when Lee was seeking the Republican Party nomination for governor. His mother and sister helped look after the children. They hired a woman to clean the house. For months, parents at the school cooked dinners for the family. His friends showed up in the morning to pray with him. They got him out of the house, took him to restaurants and ball games. He couldnt have done it if he didnt have so much support, his mother, Ann Lee, told the Chattanooga Times. That shaped him. Lee would, according to the Chattanooga Times, decide to run for governor while on an RV trip through New England andover a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Meanwhile, Sutton was dining on death row fare, having changed his outlook on life while awaiting his ultimate fate. Suttons lawyers said he had gone from a life-taker to a life-saver after becoming sober in prison, the Tennessean reported. His clemency application cited accounts from three prison officers who said Sutton stepped in to save their lives when he didnt have to, twice stepping between staff and angry inmates to diffuse potentially lethal conflicts. Attorneys hoped the courts or Gov. Bill Lee would intervene this time. They pointed to problems with the trial that put him on death row and to his remarkable transformation in prison, where correction officers said he had saved multiple lives. They were hoping for clemency. Lee used to belong to the Men of Valor, a prison ministry. He was the keynote speaker at the groups All-Day Criminal Justice Reform and Addiction Conference, in September of last year. The Tennessee Star reported that Lee remarked in the course of his speech that The trauma the vast majority of them endured as a child led me to believe that I would be in prison, too, if it happened to me. Despite his professed empathy for the incarcerated, Lee turned down Suttons request for clemency. With the final go-ahead Thursday, the executioner sent two cycles of 1,750 volts of electricity coursing through Suttons body. Sutton was pronounced dead at 7:26 p.m. local time. 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 scoring apartment rentals in Houston if you're on a budget of up to $1,400/month. Take a look at the listings, below. (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. 2660 Augusta Drive (Greater Uptown) Here's an 847-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 2660 Augusta Drive that's going for $1,303/month. You can expect to see hardwood flooring and a dishwasher in the apartment. Amenities offered in the building include secured entry and garage parking. Pet owners, rejoice: This rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is quite walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a look at the full listing here.) 702 W. Dallas St. (Fourth Ward) Located at 702 W. Dallas St., here's a 663-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom abode that's listed for $1,305/month. The residence has a walk-in closet, hardwood flooring and stainless steel appliances. When it comes to building amenities, expect garage parking. 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 surrounding area is friendly for those on foot, is very bikeable and boasts excellent transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 3737 Watonga Blvd. (Central Northwest) Also listed for $1,305/month is this 1,186-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhome. It's located at 3737 Watonga Blvd. The building has outdoor space, secured entry and a swimming pool. The unit also has a fireplace. Animals are not welcome. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is moderately walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has some transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) 300 Forest Center Drive (Kingwood Area) Then, check out this 1,096-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that's located at 300 Forest Center Drive. It's listed for $1,306/month. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate garage parking and secured entry. You can also expect to find a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting and a dishwasher in the apartment. Pet lovers are in luck: This rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Look out for a $400 non-refundable pet fee. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area isn't very walkable, isn't particularly bikeable and has minimal transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 9889 Cypresswood Drive Finally, here's a 1,147-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at 9889 Cypresswood Drive that's going for $1,309/month. The building features a gym, garage parking and secured entry. In the apartment, the listing promises a dishwasher. Good news for pet lovers: The rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Be prepared for a $300 pet deposit. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area requires a car for most errands and is bikeable. (Check out 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, 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. California Resources (CRC) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.73 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.60 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.53 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 21.67%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this oil and natural gas company would post a loss of $0.37 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.35, delivering a surprise of 194.59%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. California Resources, which belongs to the Zacks Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States industry, posted revenues of $610 million for the quarter ended December 2019, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.78%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.08 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates two times over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. California Resources shares have lost about 25% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's decline of -3.2%. What's Next for California Resources? While California Resources has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for California Resources was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is -$0.39 on $619.20 million in revenues for the coming quarter and -$0.01 on $2.49 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Oil and Gas - Exploration and Production - United States is currently in the bottom 38% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report California Resources Corporation (CRC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Virginia Tech Board of Visitors to consider 2020-21 tuition and fees at March 30 meeting; public comment opportunity available March 19 Editors note: The full board meeting originally scheduled for March 29-30 has been canceled. In accordance with Virginia law, Virginia Tech provides notice that its Board of Visitors will meet on Monday, March 30, 2020, at 1:15 p.m. in 2100 Torgersen Hall (620 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg) to consider tuition and mandatory fees for the 2020-21 academic year. Virginia Techs tuition and fees strategy is intended to support the universitys strategic plan within the context of the various budget implications of the states General Assembly actions and other major initiatives that impact university costs in the upcoming year. In addition, Virginia Tech will hold a public comment opportunity on Thursday, March 19, at 11:15 a.m. in Assembly Hall at the Holtzman Alumni Center (901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg). Several members of the Board of Visitors will be on hand as university officials provide an overview of proposed tuition and fees ranges and to receive public comment in accordance with guidelines posted to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors website. Over the last several years, the Board of Visitors has sought to balance the affordability of a Virginia Tech education with targeted investment that will position the university as a global leader in teaching, research, and innovation. Guided by these dual objectives, the university has leveraged incremental state funding with cost containment strategies, administrative efficiencies, and the reallocation of existing resources towards high priority needs to maximize available resources. In addition for 2019-20, the General Assembly provided funds that could be used to moderate tuition increases for in-state undergraduate students at public universities. As a result of these efforts, the board was able to freeze tuition increases for in-state undergraduates for 2019-20, and held tuition increases to 2.9 percent in each of the prior three yearsall while making a sustained commitment to critical initiatives that will advance Virginia Techs mission as a leading global land-grant institution. On March 30, the board will consider a combination of tuition and fee adjustments that will address the increasing costs of personnel, fringe benefits, fixed costs, continued investment in academic programs including faculty, and the enhancement of high-demand student support services. To further advance affordability, the university will continue working to expand private philanthropy in support of the university and increase student financial aid programs, namely the universitys Funds for the Future program which offsets the cost of tuition and fee increases on returning students with family incomes up to $100,000. The following ranges of tuition and Educational and General (E&G) fee adjustments for fall 2020 will be considered by the Board of Visitors. Final decisions are contingent upon the outcome of the General Assembly session, when total mandated costs and the level of state support are fully understood by the university: Virginia resident undergraduates : Tuition and E&G fees may increase between 0 percent and 4.9 percent. : Tuition and E&G fees may increase between 0 percent and 4.9 percent. Non-resident undergraduates : Tuition and E&G fees may increase between 2.9 percent and 3.1 percent. : Tuition and E&G fees may increase between 2.9 percent and 3.1 percent. On-campus graduate students : Tuition and E&G fees may increase between 2.9 percent and 3.1 percent. : Tuition and E&G fees may increase between 2.9 percent and 3.1 percent. All students: Mandatory fees may increase up to $103 to support enhancements in student health services, counseling services, transit services, and wireless network. These recommendations are designed to continue Virginia Techs trend of below average increases in undergraduate tuition and fees, made possible through Commonwealth investment and the universitys focus on cost containment and strategic allocation of limited resources. Public comment For those interested in participating in the public comment opportunity: The Board of Visitors and university administration will facilitate a budget workshop on March 19, 2020, at 11:15 am at the Holtzman Alumni Center within the Inn at Virginia Tech (901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061). After a presentation providing an overview of the proposed increases, the public will be provided an opportunity to make comments in accordance with Board of Visitors guidelines. By March 12, speakers must pre-register on a first-come, first-served basis for the public comment period with the Board Secretary. Speakers will be asked to specify their affiliation with the university, e.g, current student, parent, alum, faculty/staff, member of the public. Register at the Board of Visitors website. Following the public presentation on March 19, the public comment period will be held for 60 minutes. If time remains during the one-hour public comment period after the pre-registered speakers offer their comments, additional speakers may be offered the opportunity to speak during the remaining time. There will be dedicated time slots for a representative from the Student Government Association and from the Graduate Student Assembly to provide a statement on behalf of their respective constituency. This does not preclude individual students from registering to speak during the public comment period or from providing written comments. Each speaker is limited to 3 minutes and must restrict their comments to tuition and fees only. Speakers wishing to have their comments entered in the public record must bring a typed copy. In lieu of oral comments, written comments will be accepted through March 22. Enter written comments online at the Board of Visitors website, or mail to: Kim ORourke Secretary to the Board of Visitors Virginia Tech (MC 0125) 800 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please send an email to vppg@vt.edu or call 540-231-6232 during regular business hours at least 10 days prior to the event. Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits Commits $1 Million To Thurgood Marshall College Fund Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazers)the worlds pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol announced that it has signed a $1 million agreement with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) the pre-eminent national organization dedicated to promoting educational excellence among students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). The agreement establishes a partnership that gives Southern Glazers access to TMCFs diverse talent pipeline, connects Southern Glazers employees with HBCU students for mentoring and professional development, and provides student leaders with opportunities to pursue future careers with the Company. In addition to recruiting and on-campus events, Southern Glazers will participate in the 20th Annual Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute is intended to develop students leadership skills and provide companies access to a talented and diverse student population for full-time jobs and internship opportunities. ADVERTISEMENT Nearly 400 students attended the 2019 event from 47 publicly supported HBCUs and PBIs. Student attendees were selected from thousands of candidates and received full scholarships to participate in the week of career development activities as TMCF Scholars. Southern Glazers Chief Human Resources Officer Terry Arnold and its Chief Executive Officer Wayne Chaplin, both serve as executive sponsors of the program. The Companys strategic supplier, Moet Hennessy, a long-time supporter of TMCF and the charter corporate sponsor of its Hennessy Fellows graduate program, was influential during the building of Southern Glazers new partnership. Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Arnold stated, We are honored to be working with the esteemed Thurgood Marshall College Fund to help attract, recruit and hire top talent for internships and full-time positions with Southern Glazers. This agreement highlights our commitment to cultivate a more diverse and highly-skilled employee base to help position us for continued growth well into the future. Mr. Chaplin added, Enhancing diversity is critical to our long-term success and also reinforces our values and culture. There are tremendous careers opportunities with Southern Glazers as we continue to innovate and grow, and we look forward to partnering with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to help identify future leaders for our Company and our industry. Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO, Harry L. Williams said, This exciting partnership with Southern Glazers is another example of the diverse set of amazing global corporate partners that value and want to make long-term investments in the development and success of HBCU students through TMCF. We look forward to this decade long endeavor to create more pipelines into Southern Glazers expanding on the success of our partnership with Moet Hennessy. Bangladeshi construction workers stack stones on the island of Bhasan Char in the Bay of Bengal, Feb. 14, 2018. Bangladesh is holding off on its plan to relocate tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees to an uninhabited island, a minister said Wednesday, claiming the government reached the decision after failing to get backing from the U.N. and international community. Instead of working to transfer refugees from camps in Coxs Bazar district to Bhashan Char, a low-lying island in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh will instead focus on repatriating them to Myanmar, Enamur Rahman, state minister for disaster management, told BenarNews. We have decided to hold off the plan temporarily to relocate 100,000 Rohingya to Bhashan Char, Rahman said. We have not received support from U.N. agencies and the international community, he said, without elaborating. A United Nations spokesman did not immediately respond to a BenarNews email seeking comment. Now our focus is to push for repatriation, not relocation, Rahman said. He made the announcement less than a year after the U.N. drew up plans to help Dhaka relocate the refugees to the island, where Bangladesh has spent U.S. $280 million to construct flood walls and buildings. The idea was to help ease crowding at camps in Coxs Bazar, where some 1.1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are sheltering. The population of the camps swelled after more than 740,000 refugees crossed into southeastern Bangladesh as they fled a brutal military crackdown in Myanmars Rakhine state in 2017. In January, Yanghee Lee, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, visited Bhashan Char and told reporters earlier this month that she had questioned whether the island is truly habitable. A recent attempt by Dhaka and Naypyidaw to return thousands of the refugees to Myanmar on a voluntary basis collapsed in August 2019, with UNHCR, the U.N.s refugee agency, and Bangladeshi officials saying that none of those interviewed among the 3,450 people cleared for repatriation were willing to go back. UNHCR said it had assisted Bangladesh in interviewing the refugees on whether they wished to return to Myanmar. Bangladesh built the facilities on Bhashan Char while aiming to relieve pressure on the sprawling refugee camps in Coxs Bazar. But refugee leaders and human rights groups have criticized the relocation proposal, saying the island is flood-prone, vulnerable to frequent cyclones and could be completely submerged during a high tide. On Tuesday, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen told a parliamentary committee on foreign affairs that the government hoped to persuade China to press Myanmar to take the Rohingya back. China would likely mediate a third meeting on the Rohingya crisis between Bangladesh and Myanmar that is expected to take place in March, he said. Meanwhile, a Rohingya leader at Kutupalong camp, hailed the governments decision to hold off on its plans to relocate refugees to the island. We are not sure whether we will get anything better in a place where we have never been, Mohammad Shafiq told BenarNews. We, the Rohingya people, want to go back to Arakan, he said, using the Rohingya name for Rakhine state. Without the consent of the UNHCR, no Rohingya will move from the camps. Full service carrier Vistara will cancel 54 international flights next month, including on routes connecting Delhi with Bangkok and Singapore, amid weak demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement on Wednesday, the airline said it has made temporary adjustments to selected services to/from Bangkok and Singapore for March. "20 flights between Delhi and Bangkok, 26 flights between Mumbai and Singapore and 8 flights between Delhi and Singapore will be cancelled in March 2020," it said. The airline said the adjustments have been made to the services in response to weak demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. "Vistara will continue to monitor the situation and progressively evaluate the need for any further adjustments to its schedule to meet changing demand patterns," it noted. 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 With respect to the cancelled flights, customers can opt for a full refund or alternative travel dates free of cost. Such customers would not have to pay any cancellation or re-issuance fee. A joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, Vistara operates more than 200 flights daily. Over 2,700 people have died due to novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), while the number of those infected is around 80,000. In the wake of the virus outbreak, whose epicentre is China, many airlines, including Indian carriers, have cancelled some of their overseas flights. Air India has cancelled its flights to Shanghai and Hong Kong till June 30. An Air India spokesperson said the airline has reduced frequency of its flights on Delhi-Singapore route to five days from seven days. Further, the airline is now operating flights on four days on Mumbai-Chennai-Singapore route while it was daily earlier. A GoAir spokesperson said the airline has scaled down the number of flights operated to Phuket and Bangkok. These flights are being operated from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Specific details could not be immediately ascertained. Last week, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said there was a potential 13 per cent full-year loss of passenger demand for carriers in the Asia-Pacific region due to COVID-19. "Considering that growth for the region's airlines was forecast to be 4.8 per cent, the net impact will be an 8.2 per cent full-year contraction compared to 2019 demand levels," the grouping had said on the basis of an initial assessment. "In this scenario, that would translate into a USD 27.8 billion revenue loss in 2020 for carriers in the Asia-Pacific region -- the bulk of which would be borne by carriers registered in China, with USD 12.8 billion lost in the China domestic market alone," it said. IATA is a global grouping of around 290 airlines, including Vistara and Air India. The woman reported being attacked with what is believed to be a syringe on Feb. 18 in the entrance vestibule of a business in the 5500 block of Shady Side Road in Churchton, county police said. Surveillance video showed a man walking near her, then leaning in and assaulting her, they said. Over the past few days hundreds of homes, shops, and vehicles have been set on fire in Northeast Delhi by the mobs which have been running riot. Now there is a new allegation that is giving an all-new dimension to the attacks. BCCL Several people have alleged that the riotous mob was using apps that provide details about the ownership of vehicles to identify and set them on fire. There are several apps available online through which one can access details including the ownership of any vehicle, simply by looking up the registration number of it. These apps use the publicly available details from the Vahan database to identify the owner of any vehicle. Vahan is the governments web-based database of all driving licences and vehicle registrations. The information, including the name and addresses of the vehicle owners, can be searched through the portal by anyone. Though it is yet to be substantiated beyond doubt that the rioters used the publicly listed information to identify their targets, there is a growing call to restrict it. BCCL The Delhi-based Internet Freedom Foundation has expressed concern over reports that the database for vehicle registration called Vahan was exploited by malicious actors in identifying vehicles owned by Muslim vehicles, which were allegedly being burnt down. They have also written to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH) in this regard. "Deeply concerned that government administered databases could inadvertently mobilise threats of violence and public property damage, we have written to different departments of the Union Government and the Chief Minister of Delhi articulating our concerns with the Vahan database and immediate actionable steps that we expect leadership to take," the letter said. BCCL According to IFF, in the absence of personal data protection laws to protect peoples online privacy, the Government has been increasingly centralising and aggregating government databases, to extract economic value. "These efforts have little regard for individual privacy and do not seek the informed consent of individuals before their personally identifiable information is integrated or used in these datasets," it further alleged. They have suggested that the government should immediately stop public and private access to databases like Vahan and Sarathi and seek a legal opinion from Union Ministry of Law and Justice on the legality of MoRTH monetisation of these databases. They have also demanded that aggregation of government databases which lead to seamless sharing of individuals personal and sensitive personal data without any meaningful consent should be stopped and issue an urgent advisory for third party mobile applications to remove their applications from respective mobile stores. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 26, 2020. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic Wednesday in Beijing. Wang said that China and Serbia are like-minded brothers who stick with each other through thick and thin, good partners in jointly promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and good friends in advancing China-Europe cooperation. He called on both sides to uphold the open and inclusive multilateralism, oppose any kind of bullying, and work together with the international society to build a community of shared future for mankind. Noting that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has been operating at a high level, Dacic said the novel coronavirus epidemic has not affected bilateral pragmatic cooperation in all fields. The Serbian side openly and firmly supports the one-China principle, as well as China's core interests and major concerns on Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong issues, he said. Indonesia is the latest country to introduce a Sigfox IoT network, with the recent official launch by Sigfox Indonesia of what it calls its 0G network for IoT operation in the country. For the moment the Sigfox network will be available in the Greater Jakarta Area and Bandung. Initially it will offer two sensing devices: Personal Tracker, used for tracking vehicles and people, and Wallet Tracker, a form of employee ID monitored through apps. The company is also developing sensors and applications with local technology and IT firms for manufacturing industries, property developers, farming, fisheries and other sectors. The planned IoT ecosystem will involve an MoU-backed collaboration with the Bandung Institute of Technology. Sigfox Indonesia will also seek collaboration opportunities with various sectors, communities, institutions and other corporations to enable a viable IoT ecosystem. Sigfox Indonesia is the only Sigfox IoT network operator in Indonesia. Indonesia is one of 70 countries throughout the world connected to the Sigfox global IoT network, which covers one billion people. Sigfox says its network allows billions of devices to connect to the internet, in a straightforward way, while consuming as little energy as possible. Sigfoxs representative, Roswell Wolff, president Sigfox Asia Pacific, described Indonesia as one of our most important markets and noted requirements are growing across all vertical sectors in Industry 4.0, smart cities, logistics and supply chain, automotive, and utilities, and backed by strong government support. Pentair plc (NYSE:PNR), which is in the machinery business, and is based in United Kingdom, saw significant share price movement during recent months on the NYSE, rising to highs of US$47.29 and falling to the lows of US$42.93. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Pentair's current trading price of US$43.59 reflective of the actual value of the mid-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Pentairs outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. View our latest analysis for Pentair Is Pentair still cheap? According to my valuation model, Pentair seems to be fairly priced at around 0.82% above my intrinsic value, which means if you buy Pentair today, youd be paying a relatively fair price for it. And if you believe that the stock is really worth $43.24, theres only an insignificant downside when the price falls to its real value. Is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since Pentairs share price is quite volatile, we could potentially see it sink lower (or rise higher) in the future, giving us another chance to buy. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market. Can we expect growth from Pentair? NYSE:PNR Past and Future Earnings, February 25th 2020 Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. Pentairs earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 30%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value. Story continues What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? It seems like the market has already priced in PNRs positive outlook, with shares trading around its fair value. However, there are also other important factors which we havent considered today, such as the track record of its management team. Have these factors changed since the last time you looked at the stock? Will you have enough confidence to invest in the company should the price drop below its fair value? Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on PNR, now may not be the most advantageous time to buy, given it is trading around its fair value. However, the positive outlook is encouraging for the company, which means its worth diving deeper into other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to take advantage of the next price drop. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Pentair. You can find everything you need to know about Pentair in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Pentair, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. MONTREAL - Quebec provincial police have arrested a 51-year-old man in connection with the violent death of a teenage girl who was found by the side of a road in Quebec's Laurentians region. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL - Quebec provincial police have arrested a 51-year-old man in connection with the violent death of a teenage girl who was found by the side of a road in Quebec's Laurentians region. Oceane Boyer's body bore marks of violence, and police on Thursday described the 13-year-old's death as a homicide. Police confirmed the arrest via Twitter Thursday afternoon. The Surete du Quebec said Boyer was found at about 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday in Brownsburg-Chatham, about 70 kilometres northwest of Montreal. She was confirmed dead in hospital shortly after. Police were able to identify the body after the girl's parents called to report her missing Wednesday evening. Sgt. Marc Tessier said several citizens had called to offer information. Police asked anyone with details of the event to contact them, adding all calls to the station would be treated confidentially. Quebec Premier Francois Legault reacted on Twitter, describing the death as a "horrible tragedy." "My heart is with the parents, the family and friends of young Oceane," he wrote. A youth centre in Lachute that the girl frequented announced it would offer psychological support for local teens. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel has arrested a cadre of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) here from Jirighat and seized a pistol, magazine and live ammunition from his possession, said Assam Police on Thursday. The arrested person has been identified as Pouthuilung Gonmei (45). During interrogation, Gonmei revealed about the movement of a person with ransom money collected from a kidnapping at Tamenglong, Manipur. As per his statement, the person received the ransom money at Kolkata and he was arriving by flight at Silchar. Acting on his statement, the police immediately arrested Rikhi Paujuam at Kumbhirgram Airport. He was carrying unaccounted cash of around Rs 3 lakh. In this connection, a case under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC), Arms Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has been registered. An investigation is underway to unearth the group. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 26 times, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on Feb. 27. The Armenian armed forces were using large-caliber machine guns and sniper rifles. 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. (Newser) A mother in northern Utah is pushing for changes to a middle school policy she says is bound to create "another generation who feels that rape culture is completely normal." Alicia Hobson says her daughter Azlyn, a sixth grader at Laketown's Rich Middle School, came home angry after a Valentine's Day dance, complaining that she was forced to partner with a boy who'd previously made her feel uncomfortable. Azlyn had refused the boy's offer to dance, only to be told by Principal Kip Motta that "no" wasn't an option, the 11-year-old tells the Salt Lake Tribune. "He was like, 'You guys go dance. There's no saying no in here,'" Azlyn says. "I just didn't like it at all." In an email, Hobson told Motta that her daughter "ALWAYS has the right to say no," while "boys don't have the right to touch girls or make them dance with them." story continues below Motta tells KSTU that male and female students are asked to accept all invitations at school dancespart of a physical education curriculum in which students are taught various dance styles, per the Washington Postso that no kids "feel like they are left out." He adds students have avoided dancing with certain people in the past by communicating with him in advance. But Hobson counters that "in life, you get rejected all the time." Students "need to get used to it and learn how to cope with their frustration," she writes on Facebook. "We want to protect every child's right to be safe and comfortable at school," but "we also believe that all children should be included," Motta tells the Tribune, noting the policy will be reviewed. An elementary school in Ogden rescinded a similar policy after a parent complaint in 2018, per the Post. (Read more middle school stories.) SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- eDynamic Learning, the largest publisher of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and elective courses for middle and high schools in North America, today announced it is refreshing and enhancing their full catalog with many courses releasing in time for back to school. In addition to a fresh new look, all courses will provide the option to download a new highlighter and note-taking tool, created specifically to use with eDynamic courses in the Chrome browser. Additionally, each course will feature more interactive elements providing more opportunities for students to engage with the curriculum. eDynamic Learning won't be changing what schools say they like most about the curriculum, which is the intuitive design, the consistent framework, and the easy navigation. "We want students and teachers to focus on what's most important - the learning - not learning a different course layout or a new program," said Lisa Rahn, Director of Strategy & Design. Along with the numerous new interactive features, the company will also add a translation tool that includes more than 60 languages. This tool enables students to select text within any course and translate it into their target language. This will be particularly helpful in states that have a high English Language Learner (ELL) population. "We strive to include all students in our learning experiences by removing barriers such as language. Our goal is to help all students find success in school and tie their passions to a rewarding career," said Tyler Wood, VP of Marketing of eDynamic Learning. To support the numerous requests from districts across the U.S., eDynamic Learning will release forty-one new courses in 2020. "We are growing our digital curriculum continually and we're committed to ongoing enhancements of our existing library to ensure a consistent and exceptional experience no matter what course schools offer from eDynamic Learning," said Jerry Wooden, President of eDynamic Learning. About eDynamic Learning With offices in Southlake TX and Kelowna, BC, eDynamic Learning is a teacher-founded company offering over 150 CTE and elective courses for grades 6-12. eDynamic Learning's rigorous curriculum and high-quality content is used in a variety of online and blended learning environments, meets WCAG 2.0AA guidelines, and is available on all technology platforms and devices. To learn more, visit www.edynamiclearning.com. Press Contact: Tyler Wood eDynamic Learning 904-253-0728 [email protected] SOURCE eDynamic Learning Related Links www.edynamiclearning.com Premier Brian Pallister says the public needs to understand how important it is to respect Manitobas gold standard process of approving large-scale natural resource projects such as the proposed Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Premier Brian Pallister says the public needs to understand how important it is to respect Manitobas "gold standard" process of approving large-scale natural resource projects such as the proposed Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels. However, the premier appears to be having trouble following the very process hes trumpeting at least when it comes to the proposed $540-million outlet project. Despite months of complaining that his government has done everything in its power to consult with First Nations communities that may be affected by the flood-mitigation project (a federal requirement before the project can proceed), many Indigenous leaders say they have still not been consulted by the province. Mr. Pallister has repeatedly blamed that on federal officials, accusing them of "moving the goal posts" on the approval procedure by adding conditions to the process. "Despite the fact weve had approaching 600 meetings with Indigenous groups over the last three years, the federal regulations and regulatory authority have come back and said that we need more consultations," the premier said in November. But as recently as just two weeks ago, several First Nations leaders maintained they have still had little or no consultations with the province. Where they have taken place, theyve often consisted of little more than a phone call or a few letters, some Indigenous leaders say. "We need to continue to let Manitobans know we havent been treated as partners," Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs Organization said earlier this month. "Were looked at as an afterthought." Several Free Press reports last year revealed the Pallister government had not consulted with a number of First Nations that were on a list of communities that were supposed to be contacted. While Mr. Pallister continues to claim his government has consulted extensively, theres mounting evidence that shows otherwise. The premier continued this week to accuse Ottawa of adding more conditions to the approval process. However, he gave only one example of what those extra conditions were, saying the federal government has expanded the list of Indigenous communities that must be consulted. 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. Consultations are an important part of any major project that affects Indigenous communities. The Supreme Court of Canada has made it clear that meaningful consultations are required by law to ensure the concerns and input of Indigenous communities are heard, particularly with respect to how a project may affect their livelihoods. We need to continue to let Manitobans know we havent been treated as partners, Grand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs Organization said earlier this month. (Daniel Crump / Free Press files) In the case of the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlets, First Nations have expressed concerns about how the project may impact fish stocks and water levels. Those concerns have yet to be fully heard by the province. To complicate matters further, Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said this week that "formal" consultations with Indigenous communities have still not taken place. There have been "engagements," but no formal talks, he said. The province is negotiating with Ottawa to determine what criteria should be used to hold formal consultations. Regardless of the legal requirements to consult, effective consultations cant occur without a sincere commitment by government to listen to those affected by the project and to find solutions, where possible, to address their concerns. Despite Mr. Pallisters repeated claims that his government has engaged in consultations with Indigenous communities, it appears a sincere desire to listen is still missing from the equation. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday blamed the BJP for the communal violence in the national capital, saying this is their "Gujarat model", and alleged that the saffron party does "by spreading hatred". The death toll in the violence over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in areas in northeast Delhi increased to 34 on Thursday, and over 200 people are injured. "BJP is responsible for the riots. It's their Gujarat model, which is nothing but spreading hatred," Yadav said when asked about the violence in Delhi. "When the US President was here and lakhs of policemen were deployed, how can a riot happen? Had the government and police wanted, the riots could not have happened. It's their failure that they even could not control riots in Delhi," he said. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister attacked the BJP, saying they do "by threatening and spreading hatred" and divide society and play the Hindu-Muslim card. "They are damaging brotherhood to divert attention. When there is a riot no will ask about roads, development, employment, investment and black money", Yadav said On Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he said, "The chief minister does not know political dignity. The language he speaks cannot be of an elected representative. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday granted parole to gangster Arun Gawli who is serving life imprisonment in a 2008 murder case. Gawli, who had made a foray in politics before his conviction, is lodged in Nagpur Central Jail. His lawyer Rajendra Daga told PTI that Gawli had sought parole on the ground that he needed to attend to his wife who is scheduled to undergo a surgery. A division bench of Justices Sunil Shukre and Madhav Jamdar directed that Gawli be released on parole "as per his eligibility and rules". The state police had objected to Gawli's plea, claiming that his release might create a law and order situation. But the HC noted that the gangster had been released on earlier occasions too and there were no reports that he violated any laws during the parole period, his lawyer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After the last rhino in Vietnam disappeared in 2010, conservationists warned that pangolin may be the next animal species to be added into the list of extinct wildlife. The world reserves one day each year, February 15, to call people to take action to protect pangolin. On the occasion of the 2020 World Pangolin Day, Save Vietnam Wildlife (SVW) issued alarming warnings about the future of pangolin as the animals are facing the highest risk of extinction due to hunting and trade to serve human needs. SVW said with the prices of VND7-10 million per kilogram from traders, pangolin is the most hunted subject in Vietnam. The scientific research by camera trap shows that the pangolin population is facing a high risk of extinction. SVW said with the prices of VND7-10 million per kilogram from traders, pangolin is the most hunted subject in Vietnam. The scientific research by camera trap shows that the pangolin population is facing a high risk of extinction. Javan pangolin (Manis javanica) is found only in some natural reserves with just several thousands. Most of them are released after being rescued from illegal trade. No image of Te te vang (Manis pentadactyla) has been captured by camera trap in the last 20 years, while there are only seven individuals of this species at rescue centers. SVW warned that if no effective conservation activities are carried out, Vietnam will see the pangolin species going extinct in the next 10 years. There are rumors that pangolin can treat diabetes, increase vitality and libido, and treat cancer diseases. Therefore, this animal has been aggressively hunted by humans. Meanwhile, science has proven that pangolin's bone, meat and organs have no function of disease treatment. The persistent blind confidence is a big barrier to the struggle to minimize the demand for the products from rare and precious animals in general and pangolin in particular. Every day and every hour, the community continues to condemn humans destruction and cruelty that exhausts wildlife resources in nature, putting rare animals on the brink of extinction. Despite the efforts to correct mistakes, human activities are still causing animals to suffer. The extinction of wild species is the longest and most painful legacy for the mankind. In fact, Vietnam issued many strong decisions to protect pangolin from the risk of becoming extinct. Both Manis javanica and Manis pentadactyla are listed as endangered precious and rare species prioritized for protection. The list is attached to the governments Decree No 160/2013 dated November 12, 2013. According to the Penal Code, from July 1, 2016, the highest penalty for individuals who violate the wildlife protection laws is the 15-year prison sentence and the fine of VND2 billion. For commercial organizations, the punishments are the fine of VND5 billion and the permanent suspension of business. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), eight species of pangolin are threatened with extinction. Thien Nhien Wildlife massacre: forest rangers do little to prevent it Reporters provided photos and evidence about the slaughter of Red-Book-listed wild animals to forest rangers, but they remained unruffled. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) Police in San Francisco announced Wednesday they've identified a man seen in a widely shared viral video, who was the victim of a robbery in the city's Bayview neighborhood. The video, released Sunday, shows an elderly Asian man being robbed of the recyclables he had collected at a San Francisco Housing Authority complex on Osceola Lane. During the alleged robbery, several bystanders appear to laugh at and taunt the victim, and at least one person can be heard saying, "I hate Asians." Police haven't revealed how old the victim is or his name, but said the case remains under investigation. Police also said a second video has surfaced of the robbery, showing the victim talking to two private security officers. Officers are in touch with the representatives of the security company that patrols the public housing in the area, according to police. Police haven't released any information about the suspects in the robbery. During Tuesday's San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisors denounced the robbery. Supervisor Gordon Mar called the robbery "shocking and racially-fueled." Board President Norman Yee said, "What I find most deplorable about this incident was the anti-Asian sentiment that was spewed and the fact that there were was a group of bystanders that did nothing to help him. In these dark times, we cannot stand by idly and tolerate this behavior." Supervisor Shamann Walton, whose supervisorial district includes the Bayview, said he's working closely with Bayview Police Station Captain Troy Dangerfield on the case. Anyone with information about the robbery is being asked to call police's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or to text a tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message. 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. WASHINGTON An urgent push by Congress to renew several expiring F.B.I. surveillance powers foundered on Wednesday, as House Democrats feuded privately over stronger privacy protections and Republicans remained uncertain about what President Trump, a vocal skeptic of government spying, would accept. The powers a set of tools put in place after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to aid F.B.I. investigations of terrorism and espionage suspects will expire on March 15 unless Congress moves to extend them. But a range of surveillance critics, from progressive civil liberties advocates to conservative allies of Mr. Trump outraged by the Russia inquiry, see legislation to do so as a potential vehicle to force new restrictions. On Wednesday, a carefully brokered attempt by House Democrats to extend the programs with some new limits collapsed just hours before the House Judiciary Committee was set to begin debate. A hearing to consider the measure was abruptly canceled, 65 minutes before it was scheduled to begin, after a liberal-leaning Democratic lawmaker challenged it as not going far enough. Across the Capitol, with just over two weeks to go before the expiration of the authorities, Senate Republicans have yet to resolve their own differences over the issue. Some Republican lawmakers have called for sweeping new restrictions, while others want to extend the laws without any changes. Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are the pack animals of the human circulatory system. They transport oxygen to the places in the body where it's needed: to the cells that make up our muscles and organs. They also carry away the waste product carbon dioxide. But if the number of red blood cells is too high or too low, if the cells are not able to flow properly, if they become deformed or their function is somehow impaired, a whole range of health problems and diseases can result. It is therefore fundamentally important that we understand how erythrocytes behave in the body's circulatory system. 'Blood is continuously flowing within the body, but hardly ever when we perform medical diagnostics,' says biophysicist Professor Lars Kaestner, summarizing the problem that is preventing us from achieving a really fundamental understanding of the red blood cells. 'Blood never flows in test tubes or on microscope slides. In fact, some of the erythrocytes that are being examined under those conditions are already dead,' explains Kaestner. A lot of the information that could probably be obtained if blood was examined under realistic conditions is therefore lost to us. Lars Kaestner describes the research progress that has been made over the last 20 to 30 years as follows: 'Two or three decades ago, blood was examined as a suspension with all its constituent components and the parameter of interest would then be measured as some kind of average value. Today, in contrast, it is possible to examine things in greater detail and to measure individual red blood cells. However, these individual cells are all different in appearance. One red blood cell may be just a few hours old, whereas another might be reaching the end of its natural lifespan of approximately 120 days.' And the behaviour or response of a red blood cell will vary depending on its age and on the environment in which it finds itself. Over the next four years, Lars Kaestner and his team will be working with partners from Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Spain in order to learn more about how red blood cells are influenced by their extra-cellular environment. The aim of their collaborative project EVIDENCE (Erythrocytes properties and viability in dependence of flow and extra-cellular environment) is to study red blood cells under physiological flow conditions, i.e. under conditions that are as close to reality as possible. 'We also want to use mathematical modelling to gain a fundamental understanding of how blood flows in the body,' says Lars Kaestner. If the researchers succeed in developing a mathematical model of blood flow, it could serve as a basis for many more research projects and experimental studies of blood flow and particularly the behaviour of red blood cells. Specific goals of the collaborative research programme include the development of novel diagnostic techniques for rare anaemic disorders such as those similar to sickle cell anaemia, developing an artificial, lab-scale spleen and methods for producing red blood cells in the laboratory. 'That particular sub-project is important for the transfusion sector,' explains Kaestner. While the technology already exists to produce artificial blood, a single batch can cost several hundred thousand euros. Improving the production process and thus making the manufacture of blood substitutes more cost-effective could generate significant benefits, as it would complement natural sources of blood and would allow the artificial blood substitutes to be tailored for complex medical conditions. The European Union has provided four million euros of funding for the project as part of its Marie Sk?odowska-Curie Actions programme. The research consortium is headed by Professor Dr. Lars Kaestner of Saarland University. Other project partners: Station Biologique de Roscoff (CNRS), France INSERM, France University of Zurich, Switzerland University of Bristol, Great Britain Sanquin Research, Hematopoiesis Research Group, Netherlands Sanquin Research, Blood Cell Research Group, Netherlands Nanion, Germany Erytech Pharma, France R&R Mechatronics, Netherlands CTC Research, Germany University of Grenoble (CNRS), France Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain ### Plans for a new hostel in a former tourist office in the heart of Cork city have been appealed to An Bord Pleanala. The developers themselves and Brittany Ferries, which runs an office in a nearby building, are among those to lodge appeals against the decision by Cork City Council to grant planning permission earlier this year for the development on the Grand Parade. UK firm, Westhill, through an Irish subsidiary Bluescape Limited, was granted planning earlier this year to redevelop the former tourist office at 40-42 Grand Parade to provide 246 hostel bed spaces in 48 rooms over six floors in a new venue to be called Tourist House. The large alteration and conservation project will also include a ground floor bar and a rooftop terrace. Among the planning conditions was a requirement to remove the top floor of the proposed building in the interest of visual aesthetics and integration with the existing environment. Westhill was also told to install windows facing onto the narrow Rochford Lane running alongside the building where the bar will be located to improve vibrancy and surveillance of the area. Bluescape are now named as among those to have lodged appeals to An Bord Pleanala. It is not clear if they are appealing the condition in relation to the elimination of the top floor. Caseys Furniture store, which had welcomed the redevelopment plans but also expressed serious concerns about the proposed ground-floor bar, is also amongst the objectors. It has already pointed out that there are nine bars within 200m of the site and if the hostel bar goes proceed, it would result in a serious over-predominance of bars within an area close to the primary retail area of the city. An Bord Pleanala is expected to make a decision by the end of June. Meanwhile, the decision to grant planning to the Munster Agriculture Society (MAS) for its ambitious RDS-style multi-purpose sports, exhibition and education facility on a portion of its Curraheen site, west of Cork city, has also been appealed to An Bord Pleanala. The MAS, which stages the Cork Summer Show, was granted conditional planning in January for various buildings to include exhibition halls with tiered seating, a restaurant and lounge with an outdoor terrace, as well as various office facilities. But planners ruled that the complex, to be located just south of the N40 Ballincollig bypass, cannot be used as an examination hall. The planning decision has now been appealed by local resident, Jeanette De Groot, who objected to the original planning application citing concerns about the construction of the facility in the green belt, about the buildings blocked their views and daylight, and about the possibility of flooding on the site. The Bord is due to issue a decision in early June. Roz Pichardo, founder of Operation Save Our City, speaks during a press conference on the opening of a supervised-injection site in South Philadelphia next week at the Bellevue in Center City Philadelphia on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. The site will be the first in the country. Read more More than two years after the city announced its support of a supervised injection site, Philadelphia is finally getting one. The first legally sanctioned site in the nation will open next week in South Philadelphia, an area where overdose deaths are rising. On Tuesday, a federal judge issued a final order in favor of Safehouse, the nonprofit working to open a site, solidifying his October ruling that a supervised injection site would not violate federal law. Wednesday, Safehouse announced that the South Philly location could open as early as next week. Some members of the community and a few elected officials expressed understandable surprise and apprehension following the announcement. At a Safehouse-hosted press conference on Wednesday morning, a few South Philly residents protested the lack of community involvement in the location decision. One shouted, We are not going to give you our blessing. Councilmember Mark Squilla, whose district neighbors the sites location, called the rollout horrible and a disgrace. Critics of Safehouse have a point. Community buy-in is important both inherently and for the sites success. On the other hand, while community inclusion in this development is important, radical solutions like that of a safe injection site rarely generate consensus and given the overdose death rate, solutions with proven track records are required, even if they are radical. READ MORE: Whats missing from Philadelphias approach to opioid crisis? Experts from outside the city weigh in | Opinion READ MORE: How Philly plans to combat the nations worst big-city opioid crisis in 2020 Over the past three years, Philadelphia has lost more than 3,300 people to overdose deaths. According to a 2017 study commissioned by the city, a single site is estimated to save 24 to 76 lives a year. Considering that the most significant reduction that Philadelphia has made in overdose deaths has been of 100 lives from 1,217 in 2017 to 1,116 in 2018 the numbers saved by a site represents a dramatic improvement. Safehouses leadership said that they intend to be good neighbors including hosting community meetings in the first few weeks after opening. In addition, Safehouse is starting small. The site will be open four hours a day for five days a week. Safehouse organizers expect only two or three clients will use the site every day. The small scale of operation is unlikely to draw much if any attention. While supervised injection sites are new to the U.S., they are not new worldwide. There are more than 120 sites operating worldwide, without a single fatal overdose recorded in three decades. Study after study shows that the sites save lives and do not increase crime or drug use. In addition, they decrease public injection and dropped syringes, a hazard to neighborhoods. Last week, the city announced a public safety plan in anticipation of a site, expressing its commitment both to saving lives and ensuring order. READ MORE: What to expect when your city is expecting a supervised injection site: Lessons from around the globe | Perspective Supervised injection sites wont create new problems for Philadelphia. They will take problems that already exist and put them inside a safe and supervised setting where overdoses are reversed and used syringes are discarded in biohazard bins not the street. The sky is not going to fall but if it starts looking like it is, the site can always shut down. Pacific Gas and Electric Co.s lawyers recently submitted a revised plan to take the company out of bankruptcy, masterfully sprinkling billions among the companys most powerful stakeholders hedge funds, shareholders and bondholders along with perhaps $1 billion in fees to consultants, banks and, yes, attorneys. All will cheer the companys procession out of bankruptcy court and over to the California Public Utilities Commission, again and again, for rate hikes. But 73,000 wildfire victims and 16 million California ratepayers should not be cheering. The wildfire victims deserve better. The utility will pay those claimants from a $13.5 billion fund financed half in cash and half in stock PG&E stock. Thats right: The current plan tethers the victims financial futures to the performance of the company that burned down their homes. It also saddles those families with the risk of any future wildfires started by PG&Es failing equipment. Thats chutzpah. If the victims are worried about uncertain PG&E stock valuations, they should be. In the 23-month span over which the companys wires ignited 18 wildfires killing 107 people and destroying 15,700 homes the companys shares plummeted 90%. What about the next wildfire season? Last year, a federal court monitor found evidence of shoddy work, poor record-keeping and falsified documents in the companys vegetation maintenance efforts. More recently, PG&E resisted a judges efforts to tie executive bonuses to safety improvements. The company must compensate wildfire victims entirely in cash, just as it pledged all-cash payments to insurance companies and other claimants. Opportunistic hedge funds gobbled up insurance claims at steep discounts and will reap steep profits on their $11 billion payout in cash, not stock. PG&Es plan also unfairly dilutes the victims claims by committing to secure bondholders claims over theirs and by allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies to recover funds from the victims allocation. Millions of customers dont fare much better under PG&Es plan, which stands to leave us depending on a company with a junk-level credit rating to provide our power. The plans generous distribution of assets to powerful stakeholders will encumber the utility with heavy debts, and many observers doubt it will emerge with the financial soundness to issue investment-grade bonds. Junk-rated PG&E bonds would not only inhibit PG&Es access to capital but also inflate its financing costs a worrisome prospect for a company whose exit plan requires it to take on $38 billion in debt and pay billions of dollars a year in interest. The result would be hefty rate hikes that force customers to pay hundreds of millions of dollars more to Wall Street through their monthly utility bills. PG&E optimistically projects that electricity rates will increase by a third over the next three years, but more realistic assumptions would push energy bills even higher. Company executives have little to fear, however: By turning wildfire victims into shareholders, they will have created a sympathetic bulwark against customer objections. There is a better way: transforming PG&E into a customer-owned private company. A customer-owned utility has the best chance of restoring safe, reliable and affordable power delivery by aligning the companys financial interest with the public interest and sharply reducing capital costs. The leaner capital structure of a customer-owned company would avoid billions of dollars in expenses for dividends, high-yield bonds and federal taxes. It would reinvest those savings in grid safety and reliability, compensating victims and dampening rate increases. And unlike a public takeover, a customer-driven buyout would avoid exorbitant costs to taxpayers and endless legal battles. Getting there wouldnt be easy. We would need a bankruptcy court willing to force shareholders and institutional funds to absorb the losses that any investor should incur in a bankruptcy. We would need a Public Utilities Commission willing to stand up to incessant industry pleas for excessive rate increases. And we would need Sacramento lawmakers to continue resisting company efforts to jam an inadequate plan through bankruptcy. But we should not waste this crisis or the opportunity it presents to transform PG&E into a responsible, responsive utility. Financial institutions stand ready to effectuate a buyout. We need the states leaders to embrace it as nearly 200 local elected officials, representing more than 9 million Californians, have urged them to do. Regardless of the outcome, ratepayers collectively face a burden of many billions of dollars in long-overdue investment in maintenance, upgrades, and microgrids. If customers are going to pay for PG&E, we ought to own it. Sam Liccardo is the mayor of San Jose, the largest city in PG&Es service area. He leads a coalition of 195 mayors, supervisors and other elected officials urging that PG&E become a customer-owned utility. A tyre burst appeared to be cause of the bus accident that killed 24 people in Bundi district, the Rajasthan government told the state assembly on Thursday during a brief discussion which ended with an opposition walkout. A mini-bus carrying a wedding party had hurtled off a bridge on Kota-Dausa highway on Wednesday morning. After making a statement on the accident, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal targeted the opposition BJP by asking under whose tenure the highway was built. As BJP members protested, Speaker C P Joshi asked them to maintain order and directed the minister to end his statement. The BJP MLAs then walked out. According to report from the relief management control room, the prima facie cause of the accident was a tyre burst, Dhariwal earlier said. However, the matter is being investigated, he added. A case against bus driver Shyam Singh, who also died in the accident, has been registered. The documents recovered from the vehicle are being examined, the minister said in the statement. The vehicle had insurance and a temporary permit for a two-way trip from Kota to Sawai Madhopur, where the marriage party was headed. Its fitness certificate was valid till September 20. Dhariwal said the state's health and transport ministers went to Kota on Wednesday to offer their condolences to the families of the victims. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of those killed Rs 40,000 for the injured. The state government will also bear the expenditure on the education up to the college level of the victim's children. Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore said the government should run a campaign against vehicles running without valid permit and fitness certificates. He demanded that the compensation should be raised from Rs 2 lakh to 10 lakh. Leader of opposition Gulabchand Kataria said the government should take care of the future of the children whose family members were killed. Thirteen people, including the driver, had died on the spot and 11 others succumbed to their injuries while on the way to a hospital in Lakheri town, police had said on Wednesday. Five others were injured. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the mass cremation of 21 of the victims in Kota. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed their grief over the tragedy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Brisbane's unit market was unable to record price gains in recent years due to a supply glut, but there are signs that the downturn might soon be over, the latest market analysis from CoreLogic shows. The city witnessed an unprecedented level of unit completions in 2016, when 21,342 units finished construction. This was almost double the yearly average of 11,585. The oversupply led to a decline in unit prices. In fact, Brisbane unit values in January this year remained 11.5% below their 2010 peak. "It is worth noting that oversupply is very much a unit-centric story. Houses across Brisbane have actually seen quite strong capital growth returns in the past few years, except for a brief, cyclical downturn over part of 2019," said Eliza Owen, head of Australian research at CoreLogic. However, it appears the tides are changing, given that unit approvals across Queensland have been slowing since 2015. Citing figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Owen said 75% of state-wide unit constructions were concentrated in the Greater Brisbane metropolitan region. Read more: What Brisbane's bayside holds for investors Recent quarterly data show that approvals are 46% below the decade average, which could indicate that the delivery of new units would likely be subdued starting this year, Owen said. "The time series suggests that the lag between approvals and completions varies from about one to two years. CoreLogic project data suggest unit completions across Brisbane over 2020 will average about 4,000 per quarter, reflecting the long-term average," she said. Another part of the price-growth equation is demand. Owen said Queensland needs about 8,000 dwellings to house the growing population each quarter to June 2021. "With approvals data suggesting a decline in construction, and steady estimates of population growth, Queensland dwellings may fall into undersupply in the year ahead. Rental yields are also well above the capital city average at 5.3% gross, meaning there could also soon be a turning point in investor demand," Owen said. The improvement in the citys unit values indicates this likely turnaround. CoreLogic data show that Brisbane units have recovered by 2.2% since bottoming out in June 2019. "This fits in with a more broad-based recovery, as reductions in the cash rate have reduced the cost of servicing debt, and increased incentive to purchase property," Owen said. A recent report by Herron Todd White (HTW) Residential said the absorption of the unit oversupply during the 2015-2017 period is another good sign for Brisbane. Things have been looking up of late and with substance. This solid groundwork for a positive 2020, the report said. However, HTW Residential said detached housing is still the best property type to invest in. "The basics indicate that buying a detached home within reasonable proximity of the city as best you can afford will be the surest approach this year. The flex points are you can travel further out but be nearby to public transport options, major services, and employment centres," it said. A cruise ship turned away from Jamaica and the Cayman Islands after a crew member tested positive for flu will be allowed to dock in Mexico as long as "health standards" are met, the country's president said Thursday. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told reporters that the cruise ship Meraviglia, which has been anchored off Cozumel island in the Caribbean since Wednesday, "is being allowed to dock." "We cannot act inhumanely. Imagine the desperation," he said, referring to the 6,000 people aboard. Operator MSC lashed out at authorities for refusing to allow it to dock at its previous destinations for "acting out of fears" over the coronovirus, after it declared a crew member was being treated for seasonal flu. Carlos Joaquin, governor of Quintana Roo state which includes Cozumel, said the passengers and crew would be examined by doctors "who will verify the health issues on board." "If there is a risk to health there will be no authorization for landing," he added. Earlier Joaquin said the vessel had been refused permission to dock after it arrived late Wednesday. MSC said it had received clearance and was waiting to enter once "unfavorable weather conditions" improved. A handful of people wearing masks took part in a protest at the dock on Wednesday, one man shouting: "We don't want the virus in Cozumel." Coronavirus has hit more than 45 countries and killed more than 2,700 people of the 81,000 infected, the vast majority in China. The first case of coronavirus recorded in Latin America was confirmed in Brazil on Wednesday. Mexico's health ministry said it was analyzing a possible case in Mexico City. The Cayman Islands and Jamaica had refused to allow the ship to dock over the coronavirus fears. The cruise firm said it was "extremely disappointed" that Jamaican authorities delayed a decision to give the ship clearance despite having been provided with medical records. It said Grand Cayman authorities had also turned the Meraviglia away "without even reviewing the ship's medical records." "In both instances, the ship was effectively turned away simply based on fears," MSC said. "No other cases of type A influenza have been reported on board MSC Meraviglia. Moreover, no cases of COVID-19 virus have been reported on board MSC Meraviglia or any other ship in MSC Cruises' fleet." The situation recalled the US cruise ship Westerdam, which was at sea for two weeks after it was rejected by five countries over fears its passengers could be carrying the new coronavirus. It was finally allowed to dock in Cambodia. Bhubaneswar, Feb 27 : The stage is all set for the 24th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) scheduled to be held here on Friday, said an official on Thursday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the meeting while Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will be the vice-chairman and host of the meet. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren will also participate in the meeting, officials said. Banerjee has already arrived in Bhubaneswar for the meeting. The Chief Ministers will be accompanied by two Cabinet Ministers from each state, as well as members of the Council, and chief secretary and other senior officials of the states. Senior officials of the Central Government will also attend the meeting. The EZC meetings are meant to improve cooperation and coordination among states. The last meeting of the EZC was last held in Kolkata on October 1, 2018. The upcoming EZC will deliberate upon a number of issues including inter-state water issues, power transmission lines, royalty on and operationalisation of coals mines, land and forest clearance of rail projects, investigation of heinous offences, cattle smuggling across country's borders, lack of telecom and banking infrastructure in remote areas, petroleum projects, sharing pattern on centrally collected revenues etc. Meanwhile, the Odisha government has made all preparations to host the meeting. KINGSTON, Ontario, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Modern Metis Woman announces that their 2019-2020 scholarship recipient is Brittany Schroeder. Unfortunately Canadian Tire (CTC-A.TO) is preventing the issuing of Modern Metis Womans 2019-2020 scholarships to Aboriginal Women attending post-secondary school. Modern Metis Woman wants to extend its sincere condolences to Ms. Schroeder for not being able to help her in her Post-Secondary education with its private funds due to Canadian Tires' unjust actions. Canadian Tire Blocks Scholarships Canadian Tire through a lawsuit, that Modern Metis Woman is not involved in, has frozen the accounts of Modern Metis Woman Inc. Canadian Tire has been contacted by 2 different law firms stating Modern Metis Woman is a registered charity with Revenue Canada with no funds from them. Canadian Tire, over the last 6 months has obtained a court order and all of the banking information from Modern Metis Woman to corroborate these facts but refuse to release the Injunction without concessions from Modern Metis Woman. Modern Metis Woman is trying to make post-secondary education more accessible for full-time students from across the country who are of Metis heritage and self-identify as a *Woman. Ms. Schroeder is in her 2nd year of her degree to become a Doctor of Medicine. Ms. Schroeder is proud member of Metis Nation British Columbia (MNBC), the Vernon & District Metis Association (VDMA), and the University of Albertas Indigenous Medical and Dental Students Association (IMDSA), which she helped establish. Read the winner's application at http://modernmetiswoman.com/scholarship-winners/ Jane Shaw, Vice President Communications, of Canadian Tire stated, With respect to your proposed press release, it contains numerous false and defamatory statements, and we object to you issuing it. We take the allegations that you have made very seriously and will respond accordingly should you move forward with distributing the press release. Metis have endured historical hardships and systemic racism; this is a reminder from Corporate Canada specifically Canadian Tire Corporation Limited its here to stay. Through a lack of Aboriginal Education, colonial powers like Canadian Tire Corporation Limited often misrepresent Aboriginal Womens importance. The Scholarship Modern Metis Woman is a private, non-profit, micro-financed organization that lends itself to furthering Metis womens education. Carleigh Milburn, the founder of Modern Metis Woman, has contributed grants to show her love and passion for womens education. Through Carleigh Milburns financial contribution, Modern Metis Woman has been provided with ongoing Canadian undergraduate scholarships. Apply for the scholarship here: http://modernmetiswoman.com/scholarships/ *When Modern Metis Woman refers to a woman they are speaking to anyone who self-identifies as a woman. Therefore, gender being socially constructed, anyone who Modern Metis Woman represents will be considered as a self-identifying Aboriginal Women. Modern Metis Woman focuses on the consideration of gender rather than sex. Biological preconceived sex, male or female, is no longer tolerated. Anyone who identities as a woman will be accepted by Modern Metis Woman and represented. Anyone who is LGBT+ that considers themselves two-spirited, will also be welcome and included. To ensure inclusion, discussions will be developed to propagate a positive environment so that each person feels comfortable. Privatization is scheduled for 2020-2021. Kyiv City Council on Thursday approved a list of 120 objects of municipal property to be put up for privatization. Sixty-two of 95 deputies supported the decision at Council meeting, according to a UNIAN correspondent. The draft decision, which was included on the agenda as an urgent one, initially had 90 objects on the list, but 40 more objects were added at the initiative of the Property Department of the Kyiv City State Administration and individual deputies of the Kyiv City Council. At the same time, at the initiative of the profile commission, 10 objects on Trukhanivska Street were later removed from the list. Privatization is scheduled for 2020-2021. During the debate, municipal deputy Leonid Antonenko (Kyiv Team), who was recently appointed first deputy chairman of the State Property Fund, said that if the decision was adopted it would still be illegal. He said the decision-making procedure was being violated. "With today's decision, you are creating problems not only for filling the budget, but also for those who, being unaware that the law is being violated, will come and acquire these facilities. Read alsoUkraine plans to sell five SOEs within 2020 privatization campaign An article has been violated that stipulates that the privatization procedure involves the adoption by the local council of a decision on the privatization of municipal property. This means that the deputies must determine how each of these 130 objects should be privatized by acquisition or through a bidding. Let me remind you that the previous list was privatized by acquisition of 60% of objects that were included in the program (of privatization), the rest only four objects were privatized through biddings," Antonenko said. He added that the deputies of the City Council should be making a decision on each object separately. In addition, Antonenko drew the attention of the deputies to the fact that the list included objects where Kyiv Council had recently extended lease agreements. "Thirty objects out of 130 this is every 4th object that is included in this list, has a tenant who has extended the terms of the contract by 9-10 years in the past or the month before last. Today, these objects are included in the privatization list," said Antonenko. The Department of Communal Property of the Kyiv City State Administration, whose representative attended the meeting, assured that he saw no violations in the procedure and in the prepared draft decision. A prosecution witness, Dr. Musa A. Musa, on Thursday, told Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, how Shamshudeen Bal... A prosecution witness, Dr. Musa A. Musa, on Thursday, told Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, how Shamshudeen Bala, made payments for three units of four bedroom semi-detatched duplexes in Apo and Guzape areas of Abuja. Bala, son of former FCT minister and Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, made the payments in the name of two companies: Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Limited and Diakin Telecommunications Limited. The witness was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) at the time the properties were purchased. He disclosed that Bala brought United States Dollar cash equivalent of N10,000,000 to him as part payment for the said properties which was converted into banking instrument while the remaining payments were made to the Accounts Department of the company. Musa revealed that two of the properties were sold to the defendant at the cost of N74,000,000 each, while the third was sold to his company at the cost of N66,700,000. The witness tendered the Bill of Deed Documents of the three properties in evidence before the court. Earlier, another prosecution witness, Abba Alli, narrated how the defendant opened accounts for the companies in Aso Savings and Loan Plc., stating that payments were made into these accounts in his name. Alli said he gave the account opening forms to the defendant, who in turn, filled in the necessary information and returned them to him for processing. Justice Dimgba adjourned the matter till March 24, 2020, for continuation of trial. Geneva: A Chinese ambassador on Wednesday ripped into the US for an "attack" on China's candidate to head a United Nations agency that monitors and tracks intellectual property like patents, trademarks and industrial designs - a lucrative and crucial part of the growing Digital Age. China's ambassador in Geneva, Chen Xu, criticises the US. Credit:AP The showdown over the leadership of the World Intellectual Property Organisation amounts to the latest face-off between the United States and China. Veteran WIPO official Weng Binyang is one of six remaining candidates out of 10 who originally announced plans to replace the Australian director-general Francis Gurry. Candidates from Colombia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Peru and Singapore are also in the race. The comments by Chen Xu, China's ambassador in Geneva, laid bare rising tensions over an alleged US campaign to Weng from becoming head of the money-making agency that counts 192 member states. (Natural News) In todays hyper-connected world, human beings have become nothing more than a steady stream of data that is exploited and analyzed on a monetary basis. Data is a valuable commodity in todays economy. Data is constantly being collected from smartphones, smart TVs, Alexas, and other surveillance devices connected to the internet. With 5G wireless technology rushing onto the scene, that steady stream of data becomes more available, in a variety of new forms. 5G promises a new wave of EMF microwave radiation, requiring the installation of hundreds of thousands of new cell sites, towers and additions to existing infrastructure. 5G, operating in the 10-300 GHZ range, will bombard human civilization with a new torrent of short wavelength bursts of electromagnetic frequency radiation that contribute to oxidation of cells, DNA damage, and cancer. The all-knowing Internet of Things will further manipulate the population 5G is the gateway to the Internet of Things allowing everyday items to connect to the internet and report on consumer decisions, behaviors, habits, trends and so much more. 5G will provide instant connectivity, as sensors and smart technology are embedded into every aspect of our lives. The data will be collected from various apps, street lamps, stop lights, vehicles, hearing aids, home security systems, pharmaceuticals, appliances, thermostats, and so much more, recording everything about your life. Sensors will document your physiological processes and understand what makes you tick. As more data is collected about your heart rate, impulses, facial expressions, and levels of excitement, the all-knowing brain will begin to understand why you do what you do. Cameras and microphones, connected to the internet, will give this all-knowing brain detailed documentation about peoples lives. In conjunction with artificial intelligence, 5G becomes the open door for governments, corporations, hackers and other powers-that-be to oversee every aspect of our lives, with the potential to manipulate your future behavior. AI will sift through the heaps of data, predicting your whereabouts and influencing your future decisions and movement. Any entity that wants to sell you something will benefit from this widespread collection and analysis of data. Who knows which powers-that-be will emerge to capitalize on the data? Who knows who will take advantage of people, as detailed data on every human being provides a roadmap to the psychology and movement of every individual? 5G is the Trojan Horse to a new wave of health issues In the coming years, the masses will be convinced that the Internet of Things will make their life better and that constant bombardment of EMF pollution is completely safe. Dr. Martin Pall, a Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University has published widespread evidence on the biological effects of electromagnetic fields, and how wireless radiation impacts the electrical systems in our bodies. As the masses beg for the conveniences bestowed by the Internet of Things they will throw away confidentially and privacy in every aspect of their lives and welcome the devastating biological effects of this technology to assault their bodies. Dr. Pall has documented several harms, that would result from 5G, including cardiac effects, cell death, oxidation, chromosomal breaks, endocrine effects, DNA damage, lowered sperm quality, calcium channel manipulation, cataract formation, melatonin depletion, and changes in brain function and behavior. Regardless of these warnings, the masses will inevitably accept the degradation of their health for a more convenient life. The all-knowing brain has analyzed so much data, and will find a goldmine of new data as 5G ushers in a new level of internet connectivity. The Internet of Things will not only affect human health but it will further manipulate human urges by manipulating dopamine loops in human brains, controlling people and making them beg for more of the conveniences that it offers. Learn more about the effects 5G will have on us by watching the mini-documentary below. Sources include: WakingTimes.com NYMag.com Brighteon.com NaturalNews.com A teenager was arrested during a night out in Kings Cross after police found her carrying almost $10,000 worth of cocaine in her bra. The 19-year-old woman and her passenger were driving down Roslyn Street in the inner Sydney city suburb when police stopped her at about 9.10pm on Thursday. They found at least 40 bags of the drug, which weighed 26.51g, were allegedly stuffed down her top. A teenager was arrested during a night out in Kings Cross after police seized almost $10,000 worth of cocaine from her bra (stock image) Officers from the Surry Hills Police Area Command searched her silver Mazda 3, where they allegedly found cash inside the passenger's handbag. The estimated street value of that amount of cocaine is more than $9,900. She was arrested and taken to Kings Cross Police Station, where she was charged with supply prohibited drug, deal in property proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug. The woman, from Liverpool, was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 19 March 2020. Congress veteran Sushilkumar Shinde said on Thursday that "a little Modi wave" still prevails in the country, and conceded that initially he himself had been impressed by the prime minister. Things began to go downhill after Narendra Modi's first two years in office, he said. Addressing party workers here, Shinde said the Congress succeeded in making the Shiv Sena -- a former BJP ally -- accept a common minimum program for running a coalition government in Maharashtra. "We brought a secular government to power in Maharashtra and this is just a beginning," he said. He further said that prime minister Modi still enjoys some public support. "I know that a little Modi wave is still there. He had cast a spell on us. He had cast a spell on me too," the former Maharashtra chief minister said. "During the initial two years, I too said that he was doing good work, but later the economic situation started deteriorating, misleading claims about employment were exposed, a rift was being created between communities and the situation in the country deteriorated due to some wrong decisions on religious lines," he said. Commenting on Donald Trump's visit, Shinde said Modi's speech on the occasion was only about his friendship with the US president and nothing else. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after United States lawmakers reacted sharply to the violence in the Indian capital, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders accused President Donald Trump of failing on the issue of human rights. Slamming the US president, Sanders said the Trump's statement regarding the violence in New Delhi during his India visit was a "failure of leadership". Asked about incidents of violence during his India visit, the US president had said, "As far as the individual attacks, I heard about it, but I didn't discuss that with him (Modi). That's up to India." Reacting to the issue, Sanders on Wednesday tweeted, "Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying 'That's up to India'. This is a failure of leadership on human rights." Sanders is the second Democratic presidential nominee after Senator Elizabeth Warren to speak against the violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act in New Delhi. Apart from the Democratic presidential candidate, other influential senators too expressed concern over the developments on Wednesday. "We are alarmed by the recent violence in New Delhi. We continue to support an open dialogue on issues of significant concern in order to advance our vital long-term relationship," Senator Mark Warner from the Democratic Party and John Cornyn from the GOP said in a joint statement. Warner and Cornyn are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus, the largest country-specific caucus in the US Senate. Congressman Jamie Raskin said he was horrified by the violence, which was fueled by religious hatred and fanaticism. "Liberal democracies must protect religious freedom and pluralism, and avoid the path of discrimination and bigotry," the Congressman said. Richard N Hass, who heads the powerful Council on Foreign Relations, said the reason for India's relative success has been that its large Muslim minority saw itself as Indian. "But this is at risk owing to govt attempts to exploit identity politics for political advantage," he said. Earlier in the day, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom urged the Government of India to take swift action for the safety of its citizens. Expressing "grave concern" over the violence, the US body said the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith amid reports of attack on Muslims. California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a press conference Thursday that at least 8,400 people are being monitored for new coronavirus in the state. The news comes a day after the Centers for Disease Control announced what's being called the first American case of unknown origin. That Solano County resident is being treated at UC Davis Medical Center near Sacramento. State and federal health officials are trying to locate everyone who came in contact with the Northern California woman. She had no known connection to individuals who traveled abroad or other known causes. The woman lives in Solano County, home to Travis Air Force Base, where dozens of people infected in China or on cruise ships have been treated. But Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health, said there was no evidence the woman had any connection to the base. "We are not overreacting, but we are not underreacting," Newsom said. "Yesterday's case generated a lot of attention, but we all knew this was inevitable." Newsom declined comment when asked by reporters to name the community in Solano County where the woman is from. He urged people to take precautions while emphasizing that the risks to public health are low. He said there was no need to declare a public health emergency. Everybody in this country is rightfully anxious about this moment, Newsom said. I think they should know we are meeting this moment with the kind of urgency that is necessary and I dont want to over extend the anxiety. Newsom said a total of 33 people in California have tested positive for the virus and five of those were moved out of the state. Newsom said the state has only received about 200 testing kits for the virus, an amount he called simply inadequate. But he said federal officials have promised him the state will get many more soon. Newsom said the state is collaborating with the Trump administration and noted that many flights with American evacuees from China have been taken in and cared for at Travis AFB as well as other bases in the state. Watch the press conference here. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Amy Graff is a digital editor at SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE: Why San Francisco has declared a coronavirus state of emergency: Your questions answered Eerie photos show empty streets in Italy amid coronavirus fears Maps: Cases of new coronavirus multiples across the globe Local emergency declared in San Francisco amid coronavirus concerns Bay Area company to expand coronavirus drug trials to other companies CDC warns men with beards amid coronavirus scare CDC reportedly took 4 days to test Solano County resident for coronavirus JetBlue waives all change, cancellation fees on new bookings due to coronavirus Are elderly at a greater risk for coronavirus complications? Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger the services top officer has ordered all Confederate-related paraphernalia from Marine Corps installations. The announcement comes amid nearly two years of ongoing controversy over what to do with some 700 Confederate statues, erected across 31 states sparking a fierce national debate. Last week, the Commandant of the Marine Corps directed specific tasks be reviewed or addressed by Headquarters Marine Corps staff, Marine spokesman Maj. Eric Flanagan told Task & Purpose Wednesday. Just several weeks ago defense officials told a House subcommittee that belonging to a white supremacist or neo-Nazi group would not automatically get a service member kicked out of the U.S. military. The decision also comes a week after a congressional hearing warned of the rise of extremism within the ranks of the military. The document, first tweeted out by Military analyst B.A. Friedman, did not specify when the order to remove Confederate flags and other related paraphernalia would be put into place, however. Ridding military installations of Confederate materials is long overdue, Richard Kohn, a history professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told Military.com. We have the need within the country to try and create as much unity as possible and to suppress white nationalism and racism within the ranks of the military Kohn added. Last week Berger sent the directive to his senior staff to be reviewed or addressed by Headquarters Marine Corps staff, Flanagan told Task and Purpose. Any official policy decisions, changes or implementation plans will be published via appropriate orders and messages. The U.S. military has come under criticism in recent years for installations and warships named after Confederate leaders and battle victories. Marine Corps Times reports that though the Corps has no installations named in recognition of the Confederacy, the Army has 10 installations named after Confederate leaders and the Navy has had several ships named in honor of the Confederacy, including the still active guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville. More: How the United Daughters of the Confederacy championed the Lost Cause narrative. Civil War Times advisory board weighs in on the monuments controversy. Religion, Free Press Vital for Preserving Liberal Democracy Against Socialism, Progressivism: Barr Attorney General William Barr warned that a strain of progressivism that has emerged over the last few decades is moving America away from the liberal democracy envisioned by our Founding Fathers, adding that the remedy for this is by protecting religious freedom, free press, and the decentralization of government power. Barr expressed his concerns over the recent push of progressivism that subscribes to the philosophy that demands the use of coercive power of the state to remake man and society. He said this movement has become increasingly militant and totalitarian in style as they go about changing society. These progressives, he said, seek power through the democratic process to advance their policy agendas, which he describes as having become more aggressively collectivist, socialist, and explicitly revolutionary. He said the goal of this progressive program is to use public money to provide benefits to the public in order to build a constituency of supporters who would eventually become dependents. The tacit goal of this project is to convert all of us into 25 year-olds living in the governments basement, focusing our energies on obtaining a larger allowance rather than getting a job and moving out, he said during his speech at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention on Wednesday. Barr added this movement provides one explanation as to why Americas contemporary political discourse has become less like a disagreement within a family, and more like a blood feud between two different clans. I think one significant reason our politics has become so intense and so ill-tempered is that some in the so-called progressive movement has broken away from the fold of liberal democracy to pursue a society more in line with the thinking of [Jean-Jacques] Rousseau than that of our nations Founders, he said. The radical writings of Rousseau, a political philosopher, influenced the French revolution and modern socialism. Despite his concerns, the attorney general said he was an optimist and had hope that problems resulting from the recent progressive movement could be corrected. He suggested a three-prong prescription that could prevent the slide toward despotism, namely by revivifying morality through religion, ensuring that government power is never centralized, and by allowing the free press to do its job to serve as a check on despotic tendenc[ies] of democracy. Religion Barr said although the Founding Fathers had envisioned that religion and government should be in separate spheres, they were strong believers that religion was indispensable to sustaining our free system of government, while quoting Alexis de Tocqueville, a political scientist, and historian who chronicled Americas democratic republic in the 1800s. Tocqueville believed religion was democracys most powerful antidote to any tendency toward a tyrannical majority hijacking the system for despotic ends. Religion allows people to limit the role of government by cultivating internal moral values in the people that would guard against individual rapacity without resort to the states coercive power, Barr said. Experience teaches that to be strong enough to control willful human beings, moral values must be based on authority independent of mans will, the attorney general said. In other words, they must flow from a transcendent Supreme Being. Men are far likelier to obey rules that come from God than to abide by the abstract outcome of an ad hoc utilitarian calculus. It is safe to give the people power to rule, but only if they believe there are moral limits on their power, he added. But Barr noted that the influence of religion has declined over the past several decades, and some of it has been caused by the courts misinterpretation of the First Amendments Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses in the U.S. Constitution. While most everyone agrees that we must have separation of Church and State, this does not require that we drive religion from the public square and affirmatively use government power to promote a culture of disbelief, he said. Barr previously spoke about the importance of religion during a speech last year at the University of Notre Dames law school. He drew attention to the comprehensive effort to drive away religion and traditional moral systems in society and to push secularism in its place. Decentralization of Government Power Along with religion, the decentralization of government power plays an important role in providing a crucial check on moving toward a totalitarian government, Barr said. He said the destruction of federalism has become another source of extreme discontent in contemporary society. We have come to believe that we should have one national solution for every problem in society, he said. You have a problem? Let us fix it in Washington, DC. One size fits all. He said he believes the framers envisioned that a majority of decision making about peoples affairs would be done at a state and local level, while the federal government was supposed to be a government with limited powers. The Framers would have seen a one-size-fits-all government for hundreds of millions of diverse citizens as being utterly unworkable and a straight road to tyranny, he said. That is because they recognized that not every community is exactly the same. He added that a decentralized system and more diversity would enable people who do not like a certain system to move to another one. It is easier to run away from a local tyranny than a national one. If people do not like the rule in a state, they can vote with their feet and move, he said. Free Press The free press was another vital institution that would assist in keep despotic tendencies at bay, Barr said. But he raised concerns about the state of the press in modern America, which has become remarkably monolithic in viewpoint, where journalists see themselves less as objective reporters of the facts, and more as agents of change. These developments have given the press an unprecedented ability to mobilize a broad segment of the public on a national scale and direct that opinion in a particular direction, he said, adding that it has become easier for the press to mobilize a majority and allow that mobilized majority to become more powerful and overweening with the press as its ally. This is not a positive cycle, and I think it is fair to say that it puts the press role as a breakwater for the tyranny of the majority in jeopardy, he added. He said one way to restore the press to its role is to allow for a greater diversity of voices in the media that provides people with diverse, divergent perspectives on the news of the day. Barr ended his remarks on an optimistic note, saying that our nations greatest days lie ahead, but only if we can alter our course and pay heed to the lessons of the past. One of the states oldest commuter groups and a petition started by riders are calling for NJ Transits CEO to step down, blaming the agencys leadership for a lack of substantial improvement over the last two years. The New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers called for NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett and state Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti to resign. The commissioner is also chairwoman of NJ Transits board of directors. Also on Wednesday, a group of commuters started circulating a Change.org petition asking Gov. Phil Murphy and the state legislature to replace NJ Transits management. PLEASE retweet, and take a moment to stand up for yourself and your fellow NJT rider. Enough is enough. Lets get this petition viral & get a response @GovMurphy and @SenatorLorettaW @NJSenatePres @CommutingLarry @NJ_ARP @Lackawanna_Rail #NJTransit https://t.co/MeBj6R8vLj FIX NJT Advocates (@FixNjt) February 27, 2020 Even a ranking lawmaker has raised questions. I think the governors office needs to closely examine whether the current management is up to the task, said state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen . The petition also dropped a very big hint about who commuters think should replace Corbett, suggesting former NYC Transit President Andy Byford, whos last day of work there was last Friday. The current leadership has had two years and continues to make excuses for why change has not started to appear on the horizon, the petition said. The commuting meltdown of Feb. 3, when an Amtrak overhead wire problem closed one of two Hudson River tunnels causing massive delays for commuters leaving New York, was one of the factors that led several commuters to launch the petition, said co-author Ryan Felmet, who commutes on the Morris & Essex line between Summit and New York. The reasons are actually endless. There is no visibility into what is actually going on with the system, he said. Not one rider I have spoken to has felt any improvement in the past several years, and in fact, felt the opposite. He cited what has become familiar commuter complaints about canceled and delayed trains, rude conductors, dirty trains, overcrowded trains to the point handicapped, seniors, and pregnant women cannot find seats. As of Thursday morning, the petition had 100 signatures in less than 24 hours. The entire system is breaking down in huge way, and nothing is changing, he said. Ive missed critical (work) meetings, time with my family, and spent thousands of dollars over the past five years on alternative transit due to the deterioration of NJ Transit service. NJ-ARP echoed what commuters said, that NJ Transit service is no better or more reliable than it was on January 1, 2018. Pressure has been on us by our members to call for change and weve hung tight with the present team, hoping beyond hope, that things would change, said Len Resto, president of the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers. They (NJ Transit) are in P.R. mode. The only positive stuff you see out of the agency is when they sponsor it and pay for it. Corbett was hired two years ago in February. In a statement Wednesday, he was backed by his bosses. Governor Murphy has full confidence in the capabilities of Executive Director Corbett and Commissioner Scaccetti to address the long-term issues facing NJ Transit after nearly a decade of inaction and funding cuts," said Jerrel Harvey, a governors spokesman. In his budget address on Tuesday, Murphy proposed allocating an additional $132 million for NJ Transit to hire 98 new engineers and fund critical service enhancements, Harvey said. "This builds upon the customer-focused improvements made over the last two years to ensure that New Jerseys public transit system is once again reliable for commuters and a model for the nation, he said. Commuters remain skeptical, Felmet said, especially about the on-time performance and breakdown numbers citied by NJ Transit, based on their experiences. From day one, we knew that turning around NJ Transit from years of neglect and mismanagement would take years of collaboration, hard work, and increased state funding, said Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, through a spokesman. Commuters are frustrated that theyre not seeing results quickly enough, and so are we. She citied a reduction in canceled trains between 2018 and 2019 and other progress. No one In this administration will rest until NJ Transit is once again a world-class transportation agency that delivers the reliable, safe, and on-time service New Jersey commuters deserve, she said. Byford was suggested in the petition, and by Resto, because of his operational experience running transit systems in New York, London and Toronto. You need an operations guy who knows what he is doing like Byford, and can interact with the troops (employees), Resto said. The next person needs operational experience to head a transit agency in trouble and help rescue it. Byford could not be reached for comment. Corbett deferred comment to NJ Transit. Agency officials defended Corbett, listing 26 accomplishments such as progress replacing Portal Bridge, ordering new trains and articulated buses, expanding service on 12 bus routes, increasing light rail frequency, improvements at more than 160 train stations, upgrades to six major bus park and ride stations and successfully applying for $39.5 million in federal grants for work ranging from an electric bus pilot program to new platforms at Newark Penn Station. We know weve still got a long way to go before we deliver New Jersey residents the world-class commutes they deserve, said Nancy Snyder, an NJ Transit spokeswoman. Despite having to dig out from the incredible hole we were in after years of neglect and disinvestment, our progress has been steady and substantial. Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. 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. FBI agents are conducting an investigation at the HISD administrative offices, but what they are looking for is unclear. The FBI sent out a news release Thursday morning, describing their presence at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center in northwest Houston as "conducting court authorized law enforcement activity." They would not elaborate. At least a dozen federal authorities were seen at the building at 4400 West 18th Street. At least six unmarked vehicles were parked nearby. On HoustonChronicle.com: DEA says Houston is a major meth 'transportation hub,' target of new crackdown Thursday afternoon, a federal agent was seen loading what appeared to be a black trunk into a vehicle. Earlier, media outlets reported that authorities were seen carrying out white boxes from the building. Authorities are also at the Cypress area home of an HISD administrator. Sonia Gonzalez, an attorney with the Houston Federation of Teachers, said she went to the administration building when she heard of the activity. She said she saw one person from the IRS working with the FBI. READ ALSO: All East Loop 610 lanes flooded, cars under water near Port of Houston Anytime something happens in the district, it affects our teachers, so of course it worries us, she said. The FBI sent out the following news release Thursday morning: The FBI is conducting court authorized law enforcement activity at the Hattie Mae White, HISD Administration Building. We want to assure the public there is no danger to the HISD students, staff or greater Houston community. We will provide any additional information once it becomes public. We have no further comment at this time. HISD released the following statement in response to the investigation: HISD can confirm that the FBI is in the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center this morning regarding a court authorized law enforcement matter. The district is fully cooperating. There is no danger to students, staff or the community. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Danny Hermosillo is the Sr. Digital News Editor for Chron.com | Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @Dannyherm1| Email him at Danny.Hermosillo@chron.com Like many ninth graders, Darius Wilson wasnt sure what he wanted to do with his life after high school. College was a possibility, but thats expensive. My family isnt that rich, he said. Then Wilson learned about Area 31 Career Center, where students spend half of their day getting hands-on experience so they can get a job straight out of high school or get a head start on a college degree. Wilson is a senior now. Hes learning precision machining and is on track to leave high school with an associates degree. Virtually all high school students have to make the same calculations Wilson did as a freshman. For some, family expectations and wealth dictate that theyll go to a four-year college after high school, no questions asked. But for plenty of others, its not so simple. Jesse Johnson, who opened two local Metal Supermarkets branches, donates metal to some schools in the area so students in career programs or shop classes can get experience that may one day lead to a job. Johnson said hes noticed more students are beginning to think about trade careers as an alternative to a traditional university education. I dont know if its due to parents or older siblings, but when I go into schools, kids seem to be a lot more conscious of what college is gonna cost, he said. Johnson guessed it could partly have to do with children growing up watching their parents pay back student loans. Even for those students who want to go to college to study business, for example, and have the means to do so, Johnson said its still common for them to want to get some kind of training because its good practical knowledge to have, or it could also just be a hobby. The average in-state tuition for a four-year public institution in Indiana was $7,518 for the 2018-19 school year, according to CollegeCalc, which tracks college pricing data. And thats just tuition. At IUPUI, for example, where in-state tuition was $9,464 for the 2018-19 school year, the school estimates all expenses would come to about $22,500 for students who live on campus. Many proponents of higher education talk about a college degree being a so-called key to success, but some also simply argue college is a formative experience, where students can pursue their passions. This can be a very expensive formative experience. Terri Jett, a political science professor at Butler University, said she knows a four-year college degree isnt the best path for everyone but hopes we find a way to support those students who do want a college degree. All people should really follow their passion, she said, adding that starting at a less expensive community college and then transferring is another option. Allen Wright, a freshman at KIPP Indy Legacy High, wants the benefits of both worlds. Hes interested in technical engineering but also wants to get the college experience. The opportunity of traveling around the world for study abroad and stuff like that, thats why I think college would be better, he said. Jett, who is also on the board at Indiana Humanities, has a liberal arts bachelors degree, which she thinks is more sustainable over the long haul because of acquired skills such as writing and communication. Thats not just wishful thinking. David Deming, director of the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, wrote in The New York Times last year about income data from the U.S. Census Bureau that show liberal arts majors start slow in earnings but eventually catch up to their peers in STEM careers. This is by design, he wrote. A liberal arts education fosters valuable soft skills like problem-solving, critical thinking and adaptability. Such skills are hard to quantify, and they dont create clean pathways to high-paying first jobs. But they have long-run value in a wide variety of careers. He also cited a 2018 survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, which found the three attributes employers considered most important from college graduates were written communication, problem solving and the ability to work as part of a team. Thats why, Jett said, its important for everyone, not matter what career or education path they take, to still get those soft skills by continuing some kind of writing outside of school, visiting the library or getting involved with organizations that have book clubs. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. A survivor of shocking domestic abuse was tortured, locked in a dog cage and threatened to be buried alive during a horrific three-year ordeal. Angelique, 22, unwillingly fell into a slave-master relationship with Thomas Jennings when she was a vulnerable 16-year-old in Ballarat in regional Victoria. The pair met at a party before Jennings moved her into his home and forced her to sign a 'contract' which said Angelique was now his 'slave'. Things quickly spiralled out of control for the teenager, who can't read or write and lives with an intellectual disability. Thomas Jennings (pictured) moved Angelique into his home and forced her to sign a 'contract' which said Angelique was now his 'slave' For the next three years, Angelique was held captive, choked, burned and shocked with electricity before she was dramatically rescued by the perpetrator's friend. Angelique told A Current Affair Jennings treated her even worse than his pet dog. 'He would stand above [me] in the shower and pour chilli on me or chilli powder and ruin my shower and make me get out of the shower and stay in that state,' Angelique said. 'He locked me in the dog cage and left me there for as long as he wanted until he said I could come out. 'He put the dog collar around my neck and the dog lead and made me crawl on all fours.' A survivor of domestic abuse has revealed how she was tortured and locked in a dog cage while living in an abusive relationship Chris Bourne gave Angelique the helping hand she needed to escape the abusive situation Angelique was told to 'obey or get hurt' and that she would be buried in bushland if she didn't comply. 'He wanted to put me in the boot and take me out to the bush and bury me alive,' she said. The abuse lasted three torturous years for Anglelique, until at 19 she was finally able to escape with the help of Chris Bourne, who was once a friend of Jennings. Jennings openly tortured Angelique in front of his mates, including Mr Bourne. '[Jennings] would deny her basic human rights, water, the ability to have any communication with family or friends, he was just a monster,' Mr Bourne said. 'She was so small, she was malnourished, she was not clothed half the time properly and she would just be hiding in a corner waiting to be beaten. 'He attempted to have his dog attack her, he grabbed it by the collar, told it to kill her and just went into full attack mode and he had every intent to release the dog on her.' Mr Bourne went to the police, who he said told him they would need a statement from Anglelique before they took action. Mr Bourne bought a $15 panic button online and snuck it to her, urging her to call for help if she felt in danger - and she soon did. At her signal Chris took Angelique to the police station after convincing Jennings she needed to make a statement about an unrelated matter. The young woman was choked, burned, shocked with electricity and threatened to be buried alive before she was rescued and taken into police custody (stock image) When she got to the station she finally revealed the dark story of what had been going on behind the closed doors of the Ballarat terrace. Jennings was arrested and charged with a string of offences. He was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to 11 offences at a Ballarat court. He was sentenced for false imprisonment, recklessly causing injury and threatening to inflict injury. Jennings was recently released from jail. Angelique shared her story as a warning to women across Australia to watch out for her abuser. 'I wouldn't want it to happen to anyone else, so people need to be warned to stay away,' she said. 'I know it is always going to be playing on my mind somewhere, in my mind or in my heart, but obviously now is the time for me to be happy, so I should be able to deserve happiness.' STRATHAM, N.H., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Visible Assets, Inc. (Visible) develops, manufactures and markets RuBee (IEEE 1902.1), wireless defense/industrial Internet of Things (IoT) products, including high-security asset visibility and sensor networks. Visible announced today the appointment of Richard A. Clarke to its Board of Directors. As a national security advisor to four presidents, and as Chairman and CEO of Good Harbor Consulting, Richard A. Clarke has championed and managed many country-wide cybersecurity programs, both in the U.S. and globally. Richard A. Clarke served in the White House for an unprecedented ten years, including as the first national Counter-Terrorism czar (National Coordinator for Security and Counter-terrorism), serving under President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, and President George W. Bush. On 9/11, Clarke was the national crisis manager. During the Bush (43) administration as the nation's "Cyber-Czar," Clarke developed the country's first National Strategy to Defend Cyberspace. Previously, Clarke was confirmed by the US Senate as Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs in the Bush (41) administration and served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence under President Ronald Reagan. After leaving the government following a thirty-year public service career, President Obama, asked Clarke to serve on the five-person President's Review Group on Intelligence and Technology. Also, after his government career, Clarke taught national security management at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government for five years and was an ABC News-on-Air Commentator for fifteen years. He has also authored nine books. His first book, Against All Enemies: Inside America's War on Terror (2004) was a New York Times #1 bestseller. His latest work is The Fifth Domain: Protecting our Country, Our Companies, and Ourselves in the Age of Cyber Threats. Clarke has been honored with membership in the National Cyber Security Hall of Fame and given the Lifetime Achievement Award for Cybersecurity by the annual RSA Conference. Dick Clarke is CEO of Good Harbor LLC, a boutique cybersecurity/risk management consultancy and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Middle East Institute. "As a national security advisor to four presidents, and as Chairman and CEO of Good Harbor Consulting, Clarke has championed and managed many country-wide cybersecurity programs, both in the U.S. and globally. His proven leadership, experience in government and business sectors, and broad knowledge of the new security challenges faced by all governments today and will enhance the high-quality board we already have in place," said John Stevens, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visible. "This addition ensures we will continue to be driven by a diverse Board of Directors with a wide range of experiences and opinions. We are truly honored that someone of Dick's stature and experience has agreed to join the Visible board," said Stevens. RuBee is similar to RFID but is based on magnetic fields not Radio Frequency (RF) fields. Consequently, RuBee works on and inside steel and underwater, it has no eavesdropping target or tempest security risks. RuBee has no Electromagnetic Radiation Hazards for Flammables (HERF) risks and is safe on and near explosives. RuBee is the only wireless technology that has a zero safe separation distance (SSD) on Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) unsafe fused ordinance. "Visible's RuBee wireless technology opens many new doors and opportunities for enhanced security of mission-critical assets throughout the world," said Richard Clarke. "Current and pending RuBee installations around the globe have the potential to enhance security and mitigate the loss of high-value weapons and other critical military assets. I am excited to be part of the Visible Assets Board and look forward to working with the company to help enhance the security of existing products and to advise and optimize RuBee-based cyber-secure deployments globally." Visible markets several integrated network security products, including Armory 20/20, Allegro (a Weapon Shot Counter), and Asset 20/20. Armory 20/20 provides real-time, secure, fully automated weapons inventory; weapon check-in/out; and ultra-sensitive exit/entry management and detection in armories. Asset 20/20 provides advanced wireless sensor systems, including shock, vibration, temperature, humidity, and pressure with up to 20-year service life for a variety of sensitive strategic and tactical defense assets. This board addition increases the number of directors from six to seven. Current Board members include Jim Boyle, Partner Inflexion Fund; Philippe Duleyrie, Partner Firestead Capital; Michael Kim, CEO MedTrack; Thomas Massengill, Private Investor; Four-Star Admiral, Ronald J Zlatoper; and John Stevens, CEO Visible Assets, Inc. About Visible Visible Assets, Inc. is a privately held U.S. company, based in Stratham, New Hampshire. Visible designs, manufactures, and markets RuBee wireless real-time asset security and visibility networks based on the IEEE 1902.1 standard. Visible Assets, Inc. provides its integrated visibility and security solutions through partners, including Camcode Global, ECLIPS Engineering, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Husky Injection Molding Systems, LMT Defense, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, SAP, Thales Australia, and Vertex International. RuBee Visibility Networks are installed and operating in over 1,800 sites and facilities throughout the world. Visible Assets, Inc. has an active RuBee licensing program. For more information visit www.rubee.com . Contacts: SOURCE Visible Assets, Inc. State governors, who are members of the National Economic Council (NEC), on Thursday explained why the Excess Crude Account (ECA) balance dropped by about 78.2 per cent within two months. The balance in the ECA declined from $325 million in January to about $71 million as announced at the end of the last Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja. The sudden drop in the balance of the account by about $254 million gave rise to speculations that the money in the account may have been misappropriated. The special account was established to hold savings from excess revenues realised from the export of Nigerias crude oil at a price above the approved benchmark in the federal budget. But, representatives of the Nigeria Governors Forum explained that the operation of the account was with their knowledge and due approvals of the NEC. Speaking on behalf of the governors at the end of the NEC meeting on Thursday, the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, gave reasons for the drop in the balance of the ECA by about $254 million. The change in the balance of the ECA from $325 million last January to the current $71 million is mainly due to the new $250 million investment in the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), approved by the Council, Mr Umahi said. READ ALSO: The Authority is doing very well. They are handling infrastructure so nicely that the governors and the federal government are investing well. When the investment was made, both the federal, state and local governments all got their investment certificates. So, we are together in this, he added. The governor said the other expenditure of $4 million was for the consultancy cost approved by the NEC separate from the $250 million NSIA investment, assuring that no money was missing. The monthly NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, is usually attended by the 36 state governors, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Earlier, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had reported to the council that the balance in the ECA stood at about $71.8million. The minister also gave the balance in the Stabilization Account as N34.2 billion, while the balance on the Natural Resources Account is about N101.9 billion. Also, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, made a presentation on the handling of Lassa fever by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Lassa fever has caused over 100 deaths across the country in the past few months. On the efforts at addressing the disease, the health minister said the National Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been activated, while state Health EOCs are activated in affected states to intensify the sensitization of the public on safety measure needs to check the spread of the disease. Mr Ehanire also assured of the countrys readiness to respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), saying a multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group has been established. He said four diagnostic testing facilities are ready at the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Lagos, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo State and Redeemers University in Osun State. NEC was also presented an update on the status of the ownership structure of the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) by the councils committee set up for the purpose. The committee said it received responses from the public, while forensic audit of the DisCos were ongoing, adding there were requests for additional time to complete the report. The committee said state governments would provide it with details of their investments in the electricity companies. Close Trump says that coronavirus is 'just like flu' but it's a 'little bit different' California's governor reported more than 8,400 people in the state are under medical monitoring after a potential mass exposure to a deadly coronavirus has forced health officials into action, as Donald Trump continued to downplay the threat of the virus while US markets plummeted to historic lows. Meanwhile, a recently revealed whistleblower report claims that US health officials sent crews to evacuate Americans from China without any protective gear or training as they entered the outbreak's epicentre in Wuhan. The Dow Jones made its largest one-day point decline in history, surpassing Monday's 1,031-point drop, despite the president's attempts to calm market fears that the US was working to contain the outbreak. Health officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed more than 60 cases in the US and said more were expected to come in the following weeks. But the president's appointment of Vice President Mike Pence to lead the administration's response has rattled officials, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi telling reporters at her weekly briefing that she discussed her concerns with his role. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty Meanwhile, Mr Pence told his allies that "we're ready for anything" while the White House takes control of all coronavirus-related messaging and statements, silencing health officials in the administration and across the federal response. He also tapped National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow - who falsely claimed just two days ago that the virus outbreak has been "contained" - to the government's coronavirus task force. Janet Yellen, the former chair of the Federal Reserve, said the coronavirus could throw the United States into a recession if it substantially hits the country. Confirmed cases of the virus have increased in recent days across the globe, with fears of a potential pandemic only continuing to grow. Follow the latest updates The plan to shed thousands from the Marine Corps' ranks next year won't be the only cut -- and it won't be the biggest reduction the force will face either, the service's top general told lawmakers Thursday. Commandant Gen. David Berger gave a glimpse into a much-anticipated review that will shape the Marine Corps for years to come while testifying before members of the House Armed Services Committee. Rep. Mike Rogers, an Alabama Republican, asked Berger when "we're going to start seeing you take the knife out and start taking some action." The Marine Corps' 2021 budget request includes a plan to drop the service's end strength from 186,200 to 184,100. "That probably won't be the largest [cut] or the last," Berger said. "Why? I think every service chief would love to have a bigger force, but you need us to be lethal. You need us to be mobile. It needs to be integrated with the Navy. "So, we're going to reduce the size of the Marine Corps some this year, more next year," the commandant said. Related: The Marine Corps Must Get Smaller to Get Better, Commandant Says The Marine Corps has completed the first round of a force-structure review Berger directed last summer at the start of his tenure as commandant. But the work to reshape the service to deal with a near-peer threat will be ongoing, Berger said. "We know the size of the Marine Corps we think we'll need 10 years from now," he said. "... You'll see the impacts to programs I think later this summer and into the spring of next year." The general did not specify the future end strength or the programs that will be cut as a result of the review. Next year's budget documents state that the Marine Corps will begin phasing out the decades-old Amphibious Assault Vehicle, along with Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. The future Marine Corps, Berger said last year, will look radically different than the one in place right now. "And that's going to not be easy, fiscally or emotionally," he said at the time. In his planning guidance, Berger called the need to redesign the Marine Corps his No. 1 priority. He also told Military.com earlier this month that the service needs to get smaller in order to get better. "We need the resources," he said. "When we shrink a little bit in structure ... we're going to take that money and pour it into the Marine Corps that [the country needs]." Not all lawmakers were sold on the idea of cutting military personnel, though. The Navy is in the process of building its end strength back up after a previous drawdown left manpower gaps at sea, which officials found contributed to two fatal ship collisions in 2017. Rep. Trent Kelly, a Mississippi Republican, warned against making long-term cuts for short-term gains. It's tough to replace experienced troops the services lose in the process, he said, if leaders later find they cut too deeply. "When we make cuts in personnel to the Marine Corps or the Navy or the Army ... and then the next year we go, 'Well, that number was a little too low, so we'll just build it back,'" Kelly said. "You can't replace an E-6 with a trainee. That's 12 years of experience to get there that we can't replace." -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Read more: Force-Wide Review Could Result in a 'Radically Different' Marine Corps NEW YORK - New evidence against Mexicos former top security official has been uncovered since he was charged with taking tens of millions of dollars in bribes to protect Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans notorious Sinaloa cartel, federal prosecutors said Thursday. The strength of the governments case has only increased since a grand jury indicted Genaro Garcia Luna last year on charges he conspired to traffic cocaine and made false statements, prosecutors wrote in court filings. Prosecutors wrote they have additional witnesses that will testify Garcia Luna agreed to assist the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes. The testimony is corroborated, the government said, by newly discovered financial records that show Garcia Luna had been living off those bribes since moving to the United States with his family several years ago. Garcia Luna denies the charges and says he intends to fight them at his New York City trial. His defence attorney, Cesar de Castro, has said the case is built upon the discredited and self-serving accounts of drug traffickers. The new details came as prosecutors asked a federal magistrate in Brooklyn to reject Garcia Lunas request to be released on $1 million bond while awaiting trial. De Castro argued it would be nearly impossible for Garcia Luna to flee the United States, saying he also is under investigation in Mexico and would be arrested upon entering that country. Garcia Luna has surrendered his passport, he added. The government comes in and says hes a flight risk because hes Mexican and has access to corrupt Mexican officials, de Castro said. He is not a flight risk. Prosecutors countered that Garcia Luna has every incentive to flee prosecution, saying he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years behind bars on each of three conspiracy counts. This incentive is only further amplified by the strength of the governments evidence in this case, they wrote. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy did not rule out the possibility of Garcia Luna being released on bond, but said he wants to know more about the sureties who would be on the hook financially should he abscond before trial. Garcia Luna is accused of accepting tens of millions of dollars in bribes often stuffed in briefcases full of cash to shield the Sinaloa cartel from law enforcement. Prosecutors allege that Garcia Luna amassed a fortune allowing Guzmans narcotrafficking syndicate to operate with impunity in Mexico. Before convicting Guzman last year, jurors in his New York trial heard former cartel member Jesus Zambada testify that he personally made at least $6 million in hidden payments to Garcia Luna, on behalf of his older brother, cartel boss Ismael El Mayo Zambada. Guzman was sentenced to life in prison last year after a jury convicted him in a massive drug conspiracy involving murder and mayhem. The cartel shipped multi-ton drug loads to New York and other American cities, including the federal district covering Brooklyn and Queens, prosecutors say. Garcia Luna, who lived in Miami before being charged, led Mexicos Federal Investigation Agency from 2001 to 2005, and from 2006 to 2012 served as Mexicos secretary of public security. ADEJE, Spain Among the hundreds of guests who remained stranded in a hotel in the Canary Islands on Thursday, after four guests were found to have the coronavirus early this week, an overriding question loomed: Whats going on? Romane Guilloux, 20, a guest from France, asked about the lockdown imposed on patrons of the hotel, the H10 Costa Adeje Palace, a four-star resort in the south of Tenerife, the largest of the islands. Several European countries reported their first coronavirus cases on Thursday, and Britain confirmed a case that was linked to Tenerife. Some countries were taking aggressive steps to halt contagion of the virus, from shutting schools to closing mosques. But at the Costa Adeje Palace, where officials said more than 700 people from 25 countries were staying, confusion reigned. Some guests appeared to be deeply frustrated, uncertain about how long they will have to remain in isolation and upset over what some thought were loose hygiene practices that might increase the chances of the virus spreading. Guests have been allowed to mingle around the resorts pools. They have dined in the hotels restaurants and wandered in the common areas. The hotel staff has gone home when not working. Such measures have alarmed medical experts. CM Kejriwal says situation in Delhi alarming, may need Army help Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal today said the situation in Delhi has become alarming after the toll in the communal violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in northeast Delhi rose to 20. Kejriwal flagged concern that the Army might have to be called in as police is unable to control it. Kejriwal said the situation has become alarming, adding that he is writing to union home minister Amit Shah. I have been in touch with large number of people whole night. Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instill confidence (sic), Kejriwal tweeted. Army shud (should) be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately. Am writing to Honble HM to this effect, he added. The Delhi Police late on Tuesday issued shoot-at-sight orders in four areas of northeast Delhi Bhajanpura, Maujpur, Khureji Khas and Chand Bagh where looting, arson and rioting of unprecedented scale were reported throughout the day even as the toll in the violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) climbed to 24 on Wednesday. The orders were issued after the union home ministry appointed SN Shrivastava, a 1985-batch IPS officer, as Special Commissioner (Law and Order), Delhi. Police also cleared the Jaffrabad metro station of women anti-CAA protests camping there since Saturday, leading to counter-agitations on Sunday that triggered the violence. The flare-up after Monday night with incidents of arson, looting and setting vehicles and shops on fire in several localities like Chand Bagh, Bhajanpura, Gokulpuri, Maujpur, Kardampuri and Jaffrabad also saw pitched battles between members of two groups who hurled petrol bombs and even opened fire. National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval marched through the affected areas late last night and also took stock of the situation, sources said. According to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital authorities, the number of dead has risen to 20 while the number of injured has gone up to 189, although the situation at the hospital seems to be settling. The toll from communal violence over the CAA has risen from 13 on Tuesday to 20 today (Wednesday), PTI quoted Medical Superintendent of GTB Hospital, Sunil Kumar, as saying. Police struggled to check the rioters who ran amok on streets, burning and looting shops, pelting stones and thrashing people, as the communal flare-up over the CAA escalated in north-east Delhi. Earlier, at least four bodies were brought to the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital from the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP) Hospital, a senior official said. Later, while interacting with reporters, GTB MS said, from Tuesday midnight it is a trickle of patients and not a gush of injured persons as was earlier. There are people with several kinds of injuries, including from gunshots, while many sustained trauma from jumping from rooftops to escape violence, he said, adding that many received head injuries, as well. We are fully prepared with doctors, nurses, paramedics, consumables, linen and other paraphernalia and hoping that the situation wont worsen from here, he said. Asked if the victims have been identified, Kumar said, Many people have been identified, some are yet to be. Meanwhile, Section 144 was imposed in parts of the city and shoot-at-sight orders were in place in northeast Delhi as of Tuesday evening. Home minister Amit Shah held a three-hour meeting with top MHA officials and Delhi Police representatives to take stock of the situation. At midnight, Delhi Police Special Commissioner Satish Golcha said the protesters have left the Jaffarabad metro station and added that the Maujpur Chowk was also clear. "Now, 66 Futa road is absolutely clear of all protests," he said. Earlier, there were reports of stone pelting in Laxmi Nagar, however, the mob dispersed shortly later. Home minister Amit Shah cancelled his planned trip to Kerala and held a three-hour meeting with Delhi Police and home ministry officials. Newly appointed Special Commissioner of Police SN Srivastava was also present. The meeting lasted for three hours and according to sources, heads are expected to roll over Delhi violence. Shah has held three meetings over the past 24 hours. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval took stock of the situation in the national capital. Doval held a meeting with Delhi Police officials and chaired a meeting at DCP north-east office. SCOTTSDALE, Az., February 27, 2020 -- A targeted therapy drug used for breast and kidney cancers may also extend progression-free survival for patients with advanced head and neck cancer who are at high risk for recurrence after standard treatment. Patients enrolled in a randomized phase II trial who received the mTOR inhibitor everolimus were more likely to be cancer-free a year after therapy than those who took a placebo drug, and the benefit persisted for those with mutations in their TP53 gene. The findings may present a new treatment option for a group of patients whose survival rates have not improved in more than 30 years. The study will be presented at the 2020 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium, taking place February 27-29 in Scottsdale, Arizona. "While cure rates tend to be upwards of 85% for patients with head and neck cancers associated with HPV, they tend to be less than 40% for patients with disease related to smoking," said lead author Cherie-Ann O. Nathan, MD, professor and chair of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Shreveport and director of head and neck surgery at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center. "These patients are recurring most often, and their survival rates have not changed in decades, despite advances in surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy." To address this disparity, the researchers focused on patients with advanced, HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), or HPV-positive disease and smoking history of more than 10 pack-years, and enrolled 52 patients to receive up to one year of either everolimus or a placebo drug. Eligible patients had to be free of disease after either definitive treatment with chemoradiation therapy or surgery followed by chemoradiation. Researchers then tracked how long they remained cancer-free with additional therapy. After a year, 81% of patients on everolimus remained progression-free, compared to 57% of those in the placebo group (p=0.039). Dr. Nathan clarified that this timepoint was not stipulated a priori and is a post-hoc analysis. Two-year progression-free survival, which was the primary endpoint, continued to favor everolimus but was no longer significant. Subset analysis determined that for patients with TP53 mutations, the survival difference remained significant for an additional year after they stopped immunotherapy (two-year PFS of 70% vs 22.5%, p=0.036). The difference was not significant at two years for patients without the mutation. While TP53 mutations occur in almost 80% of HPV-negative, smoking related cases of HNSCC, the potential link between TP53, the mTOR pathway and survival was a surprise to the researchers. "There's really no drug that targets TP53, and so we've never had a targeted therapy for it or considered it an actionable mutation," she said. Sixteen of the 28 patients on everolimus and seven of the 24 patients on the placebo drug experienced Grade 3 or higher toxicities, including three and five serious adverse events, respectively. Dr. Nathan said the drug's tolerability indicates that it may have potential as longer-term maintenance therapy to delay recurrence for high-risk patients. "Although the sample size is small, as it closed due to lack of accrual, these finding indicate that patients at high risk for tumor relapse could be given mTOR inhibitors to stall progression and keep any residual cancer cells from growing. Our hope is that head and neck cancer can be treated as chronic disease, similar to some breast cancers," she explained. "Everolimus is used for patients with breast cancer or renal cell cancer for extended periods without major side effects, and there is potential for patients with TP53-mutated head and neck disease to see a survival benefit, as well." Additional trials are needed to confirm the link between TP53 and survival, as well as to determine the safety of keeping patients with HNSCC on the drug for multiple years. ### Dr. Nathan, who is also the current President of the American Head and Neck Society, will present "Multi-Institutional Randomized Double-Blind Phase II Trial of Everolimus vs. Placebo as Adjuvant Therapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck" (Abstract 5) today during the symposium's Plenary Session. The investigator-initiated trial was sponsored by the University of Chicago and funded by Novartis. Email press@astro.org for a copy of the abstract or presentation slides from the meeting. Attribution to the 2020 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium requested in all coverage. This release includes updated information not available in the abstract. 2020 Head and Neck Cancers Symposium News Planning Team Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD; Maie St. John, MD, PhD; Francis P. Worden, MD; Charu Aggarwal, MD, MPH; Sue Yom, MD, PhD; Brian O'Sullivan, MD, FASTRO; disclosures available online. ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM The 2020 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancers Symposium is a two-and-a-half-day meeting that convenes radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, surgeons and all members of the treatment team for a practical and comprehensive examination of treatment advances for patients with head and neck cancers. Scientific, interactive and case-based educational sessions will cover the latest research on multidisciplinary therapies, clinical applications and new treatment strategies, supportive care and toxicity mitigation. The meeting is cosponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC). ABOUT ASTRO The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the world's largest radiation oncology society, with more than 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. The Society is dedicated to improving patient care through professional education and training, support for clinical practice and health policy standards, advancement of science and research, and advocacy. ASTRO publishes three medical journals, International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics, Practical Radiation Oncology and Advances in Radiation Oncology; developed and maintains an extensive patient website, RT Answers; and created the nonprofit foundation Radiation Oncology Institute. To learn more about ASTRO, visit our website and follow us on our blog, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. ABOUT ASCO Founded in 1964, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is committed to making a world of difference in cancer care. As the world's leading organization of its kind, ASCO represents more than 40,000 oncology professionals who care for people living with cancer. Through research, education, and promotion of the highest-quality patient care, ASCO works to conquer cancer and create a world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation. Learn more at http://www.ASCO.org, explore patient education resources at http://www.Cancer.Net, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. ABOUT AHNS The American Head & Neck Society (AHNS) is the single largest organization in North America for the advancement of research and education in head and neck oncology. The mission of the American Head and Neck Society is: to promote and advance the knowledge of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of neoplasms and other diseases of the head and neck; to promote and advance research in diseases of the head and neck, and; to promote and advance the highest professional and ethical standards. For more information, visit http://www.ahns.info. ABOUT SITC Established in 1984, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) is a nonprofit organization of medical professionals dedicated to improving cancer patient outcomes by advancing the development, science and application of cancer immunotherapy and tumor immunology. SITC is comprised of influential basic and translational scientists, practitioners, health care professionals, government leaders and industry professionals around the globe. Through educational initiatives that foster scientific exchange and collaboration among leaders in the field, SITC aims to one day make the word "cure" a reality for cancer patients everywhere. Learn more about SITC, our educational offerings and other resources at sitcancer.org and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. ATLANTA (dpa-AFX) - Delta Air Lines is cutting down its flights to South Korea amid growing concerns about the spread of the new virus to the country. The carrier said it will suspend service between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Incheon from February 29 through April 30. The last flight departing from Minneapolis to Incheon will be on February 28 and the last flight from Incheon to Minneapolis will be on February 29. Delta will also reduce to five times weekly its services between Incheon and Atlanta, Detroit and Seattle through April 30. The airline's new service from Incheon to Manila, previously scheduled to begin March 29, will now start on May 1. 'The health and safety of customers and employees is Delta's top priority and the airline has put in place a number of processes and mitigation strategies to respond to the growing concern,' the company said in a statement. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines said it will suspend flights between Honolulu and Seoul starting next Monday and running through April 30. The carrier currently flies the route five times a week. Delta, United Airlines and American Airlines have already suspended all flights to and from mainland China and Hong Kong. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. The Congress government in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday decided to extend financial assistance to filmmakers who will shoot their films at least on 50% of shooting days in Madhya Pradesh, an official said. The announcement is part of the Madhya Pradesh Film Tourism Policy-2020. The assistance will go to the filmmaker as a grant. According to the announcement, the government will give as a grant 25% of the expenditure on the movie or 1 crore, whichever is less, to a filmmaker on the shooting of his first movie done on at least 50% of the shooting days in the state. Similarly, the grant for the second movie of the filmmaker will be 25% of the cost or 1.25 crore, whichever is less. The grant for the third and subsequent movies will go up with 75% of the cost or 1.50 crore, whichever is less. A feature film which showcases Madhya Pradesh prominently and is shot in the state for 75% of the shooting days will get an additional grant of 50 lakh. A filmmaker whose film is based on Madhya Pradesh will get 50% of the film cost or 5 crore, whichever is less, as a special grant. The grant will be decided by a film facilitation centre, as per the statement. The African Development Bank and African Development Fund today approved a framework for $122.55 million to clear Somalias arrears, paving the way for the Bank Group to fully reengage with Somalia and opening opportunities for enhanced financing for the country. The historic Framework for Somalias Arrears Clearance and a Policy-based Operation was approved at a meeting of the Boards of Directors held Wednesday. The framework is premised on Somalia having secured donor support to clear all arrears to the Bank Group. This will result in the lifting of sanctions on the country, opening up new finance opportunities. In response to the decision, the Finance Minister of Somalia, Dr. Abdirahman Beileh, said, the African Development Bank has accompanied Somalia through the difficult reforms, which can only make Somalia a better place for all Somalis. We are committed to continuing our reforms as we have seen their benefits to our governance systems and capacity to manage our economy, and, more importantly, to improving government accountability to the people. The Bank plans to immediately resume normal cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia as soon as it clears its arrears to the Bank Group. Additional financial resources will be provided to support ongoing and new reforms necessary for Somalia to reach Completion Point under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. It is a historic day for us as a Bank. I think collectively we should be very proud of what has happeneddifficultiescannot be allowed to exist forever.. because it defeats the very purpose of why we are here to serve, President of the African Development Bank Akinwumi Adesina said, commenting on the approval. The sacrifices of the Somali people under the leadership of the Federal Government of Somalia during the implementation of difficult and wide-ranging reforms has been recognized by the wider international community. The Bank commits to supporting the country towards reaching completion point, bearing in mind that more reforms to advance the national development agenda to consolidate peace, ensure inclusive economic growth and reduce poverty are still needed, Khaled Sherif, the African Development Banks Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, added. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires UPSC Recruitment 2022: One day left to apply for several vacancies at upsc.gov.in, here's direct link Delhi violence: 2 brothers, migrant labourer, octogenarian woman among 38 dead India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 27: The death toll in the communal violence in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law reached 38 on Thursday, senior officials said. A labourer who had migrated from Bihar, a garage owner, and a driver and his younger brother were among the 38 people who lost their lives as armed mobs ran amok in the streets of northeast Delhi. Aamir (25), who worked as a driver, and his brother Hashim (16) set out from Ghaziabad on Wednesday to check on their elder brother Shairuddin in Gokalpuri, one of the focal points of the violence. The two never reached Shairuddin's place. Big changes in Delhi police as Modi, Shah, Doval take control over Delhi violence Deepak Kumar (34), a native of Bihar's Ara district who worked in a manufacturing unit in Gokalpuri, was trapped in the violence and shot dead by rioters on Tuesday. His brother Ajay said he was shot multiple times in the head. Mubarak Hussain (31), a tile unit worker who lived in Vijay Park area was also shot dead on Tuesday afternoon in Maujpur, which was among the areas worst-hit by the violence. Akbari (85) died due to asphyxiation after her house at Gamri village near Khajuri Khas was allegedly set on fire on Monday. On Thursday, her family took her body home to Meerut. Parvez Alam (50), a garage owner, from Ghonda was shot in his back while he was trying to pacify an irate mob. His 20-year-old son Mohammed Sahil and nephew rushed him to hospital on a motorcycle. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 106 people arrested, 18 FIRs filed in connection with Delhi violence: Police They put a tilak on their foreheads to escape the angry crowd on the way. Alam died during treatment at the hospital. Rahul Solanki (26), who was pursuing his LLB from a private college in Ghaziabad, was shot in his right shoulder on Monday when he had stepped out to buy milk. On Wednesday, his father requested security personnel to give them protection so that the family could conduct his last rites peacefully. Muddasir Khan (35) was shot outside his house in Kardampuri on Monday. He sustained a bullet injury on his head and was declared brought dead by doctors at GTB Hospital. Most of those who were killed suffered gunshot injuries and were brought to the GTB Hospital. Also among the dead are Delhi Police Head Constable Rattan Lal (42), Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma (26), Mohammad Faizan, Suleman (22), Mohammad Zakir, Mohammad Musharaff (33), Ashfaq Hussain (22), Vinod Kumar (45), Vir Bhan (50), Mohammad Furqan, Rahul Thakur (23), Mohsin Ali (24), Aman (17), Bir Bhan Singh (50), Pravesh (48), Marrof Ali and Aman (18). Many are yet to be identified. Communal violence over the amended citizenship law had escalated in northeast Delhi on Tuesday as police struggled to check the rioters who ran amok on streets, burning and looting shops, pelting stones and thrashing people. Flash China and Japan need to boost coordination to prevent cross-border spread of the COVID-19 epidemic and effectively safeguard public health in both countries and the region at large, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday night. In a phone call with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Wang also urged the two countries to actively explore ways to strengthen international cooperation on public health within multilateral frameworks. Briefing Motegi on the latest progress in China's epidemic prevention and control efforts, Wang noted that the situation is steadily improving though it remains complex and grave, and China will continue to make all-out efforts to win the battle against the epidemic. The fundamentals of China's long-term economic growth remain unchanged, and the epidemic only has a short-term and limited impact, Wang said. China, he added, will endeavor to minimize the impact of the epidemic and achieve its economic and social development goals this year. China appreciates Japan's firm stand with China from the very beginning and thanks the Japanese government and all sectors of the Japanese society for their valuable support and help, Wang said, adding that in the face of the epidemic, China and Japan constitute a community with a shared future that should stick together through thick and thin. China is equally concerned about the epidemic in Japan and has provided necessary medical materials based on Japan's needs, Wang said, pledging further assistance within China's capability if necessary. The two sides should further strengthen exchanges between counterpart departments and between experts, and work closely in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, drug and vaccine research and development, Wang said. He also suggested that China and Japan jointly ensure the stability of their industrial chains and supply chains and reduce the epidemic's impact upon bilateral cooperation as much as possible. Noting that both China and Japan are major economies in the world, Wang said he believes that maintaining normal economic and trade cooperation between China and Japan constitutes an important contribution to the world's economic stability and development. Motegi, for his part, extended sincere sympathies to the Chinese side over the difficulties and losses inflicted by the new virus and voiced hope that the epidemic will be curbed soon with joint efforts of all Chinese people. As a friendly neighbor of China, Japan is willing to continue cooperation with China to the greatest extent, he said. Expressing gratitude to China for donating medical supplies to Japan, Motegi shared the view that the two countries, as important economies in the world, should work together to safeguard normal economic and trade cooperation and ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains. Motegi briefed Wang on the novel coronavirus epidemic in Japan, saying that confirmed cases have emerged sporadically in Japan and in some areas, the epidemic has been spreading on a small scale. It has not yet become a widespread epidemic, he said, adding that the following two weeks are crucial for Japan to contain the outbreak. The Japanese government has formulated response policies and will take measures to contain its spread, Motegi said, expressing his hope that the Chinese and Japanese sides would continue to share information and enhance communication and cooperation. Wang said that the two countries, as neighbours, should help each other. He voiced confidence that Japan has the capability and conditions to effectively contain the spread of the epidemic and hoped the Tokyo Olympics will be successfully held as scheduled. Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff Mohamed Farid discussed with visiting commander of US Joint Special Operations Command Scott A. Howell several files and issues of common interest in light of military cooperation ties between Cairo and Washington. The two sides probed fields of joint exercise, the transfer and exchange of military expertise, as well as improving combat capabilities of the Armed Forces in both countries. Farid affirmed the strength of military cooperation between the Egyptian and US armies, which he said, helps establish security and stability in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the US commander praised the strong friendship ties between Cairo and Washington, in addition to mutual coordination between the two countries Armed Forces. Search Keywords: Short link: Bui The Duy, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology talks to Vietnam News Agency about the novel ideas of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Workers produce mechanical goods at the Strong Way Co Ltd in the Khai Quang Industrial Zone in the northern province of Vinh Phuc. Advanced technology application has helped enterprises to improve competitiveness. What should Vietnam do to maximise the fast development of the Fourth Industrial Revolution? A firm foundation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) is a high level of integration among digitalisation in physics and biology with a breakthrough of the internet of things and artificial intelligence. Industry 4.0 will provide favourable conditions for Vietnam to be on par with other countries in the course of development. It will also create favourable conditions for developing nations to apply new and advanced technology. For Vietnamese enterprises, Industry 4.0 will help them improve competitiveness through the application of advanced technology. More importantly, it will make Vietnam a venue for more foreign projects with advanced technology and high added value. Vietnam has a good IT infrastructure a strong foundation for the country to develop its digital economy. Further, digital technology, particularly the internet of thing have helped improve Vietnamese peoples living conditions. In 2018, Vietnam ranked 88/193 countries (according to a United Nations survey on e-Government) for having introduced e-government principles. Hopefully, Vietnam will soon have a digital Government. What sectors are most impacted by Industry 4.0? Generally speaking, the Fourth Industrial Revolution has impacted on almost all socio-economic activities in Vietnam. Of course, the impacts vary from one sector to another. Theoretically speaking, labour-intensive occupations are most affected. According to a projection by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), some 86 per cent of workers in the textile industry may face the risk of becoming unemployed. However, according to a recent survey conducted by Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), that projection by the ILO was too high. Meanwhile, many experts in the field of automation have predicted it is unlikely to greatly affect the textile industry as robots couldnt be used in all parts of the production chains. The Ministry of Science and Technology would advise all occupational sectors to develop their own plans to utilise opportunities arisen from Industry 4.0 and limit its impacts on their labour force. Has the Ministry of Science and Technology adopted a plan to put the Industry 4.0 into life? Acting as a focal point, the Ministry of Science and Technology has worked closely with local governments and local agencies to carry out all the tasks assigned by the Government, including the project 'Supporting National Innovative Start-up Ecosystem'. We hope with efforts from concerned Vietnamese and foreign counter-parts, Industry 4.0 will be implemented successfully. Of course, the Ministry of Science and Technology will encourage all enterprises to create their own fund for the development and application of science and technology projects while co-operating with other enterprises to apply their technology projects on a larger scale. Last but not least, the MOHA encourages all enterprises to promote co-operation with their foreign counterparts in their exchange of scientific research and application. VNS 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. Passengers have slammed an airline after a dog was seen sitting on the tarmac in extreme heat before it was loaded onto a flight. The woman was travelling on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Adelaide on Wednesday at 6.30pm when she snapped the picture of the dog in a green crate. 'Thought airlines were supposed to change their policy on animals boarding flight after the luggage and not sitting on the tarmac,' the woman wrote alongside the images. The woman was travelling on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Adelaide on Wednesday at 6.30pm when she snapped the picture of the dog in the green crate 'It's 34 degrees in Sydney. I could only imagine how hot this poor dog is! 'Not good enough Virgin Australia.' She said as the owner of two bulldogs and recent tragedies around the world where dogs have died on flights she hoped the airline did something about it. The woman said the container sat there while another trolley of luggage was loaded onto the plane. Several social media users echoed the woman's concerns. 'Virgin needs to take responsibility,' one person posted online. She said as the owner of two bulldogs and recent tragedies around the world where dogs have died on flights she hoped the airline did something about it Another called the move 'horrendous'. The airline commented on the thread that they were investigating the incident. Virgin Australia's policy on animals on flights states once the animal has been dropped off and prior to when it is put on the plane it will be kept in 'shaded, well-ventilated areas for as long as possible'. A spokeswoman for the airline said procedure was followed to a tee on this occasion (stock image) 'We also focus on keeping the loading and unloading time at the aircraft to a minimum when handling your pet to ensure they are not exposed to the elements for longer than is necessary,' the policy guide states. Typically animals aren't taken outside until 15 minutes before they are boarded to minimise stress to them. A spokeswoman for the airline said: 'We take the welfare of all animals travelling on board with us seriously. All standard procedures were followed by our team in the loading of this pet on flight VA436. 'In line with standard procedures, the pet was kept in a shaded area next to the baggage belt to protect it from the elements. Our team conducted a final water and welfare check on the pet before it was loaded. It only takes a few minutes to load pets onto the aircraft and this pet was only brought out onto the tarmac when it was required for loading. 'We take pride in the safe transportation of pets around our network and we will continue to maintain the highest of standards when getting pets ready for their flight.' Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 13:09:36|Editor: yhy Video Player Close SYDNEY, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Australian state government of New South Wales (NSW) has told individuals and businesses to prepare for a possible COVID-19 pandemic, warning that the novel virus is likely to converge with the winter flu season in the coming months, placing extreme pressure on the state's healthcare system. Speaking at a media conference on Thursday, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said although the state health department has made extensive plans to control the virus that has claimed the lives of around 2,800 people and infected more than 80,000 others across the world, it is up to every individual to take preventative measures. "Simple hygiene measures like regular hand washing, sneezing into your elbow and, most importantly, staying home when sick, will not only help ease emergency department presentations for flu but also support existing COVID-19 pandemic plans," he said. "Businesses also need to review their continuity plans now. Look at strategies for keeping workers safe with simple measures such as alcohol hand rub in the workplace, stress the importance of staying home when sick, and use technologies that allow people to work from home where necessary." "We also ask everyone to please see your GP for minor illnesses and injuries where possible, to ensure we keep our emergency departments for emergencies only, particularly as we head into the busy flu season." The state's Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the rate of infection around the globe highlights how quickly the virus can pass from person to person. "We know from managing past pandemics, including influenza, that unless everyone is onboard from the start -- government, business and the community -- it makes our task that much harder," she said. "We have been prudently planning and regularly reviewing everything from emergency departments and intensive care capacity, staff capacity and training and supplies of critical medical equipment to streamlining how we manage patients with acute respiratory illness." "While the few COVID-19 cases in NSW to date have been mild, the global spread of the virus, coupled with flu season fast approaching, means the situation for our hospitals could change quickly so we're asking everyone to plan now." 1.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard President Trumps Wednesday coronavirus press conference did nothing to comfort Wall Street, and in fact seems to have spooked it as stocks head for worst week since financial crisis, CNN Business reported Thursday morning. US stocks fell into correction territory on Thursday as a weeklong selloff continued because of the coronavirus outbreak. All three major US indexes are now on track for their worst week since the financial crisis. Stocks reacting negatively to the scare of a pandemics is normal, but no one in their right mind can sell the Presidents press conference yesterday as even remotely comforting. Trump could barely articulate words, and seemed to not even be paying attention. He passed the buck to Mike Pence, and much time was spent stroking egos with flattery and praise, instead of actually comforting the American people or the precious stock market. Trump can't even pretend like he is paying attention or understanding what is being said. pic.twitter.com/D4Mh38mOyA Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) February 27, 2020 The Trump administration has ricocheted from stumble to bumble to outright failure so far, and its causing a panic so large that Speaker Pelosi announced the House would come up with a plan and she urged Trump to bring back the pandemic experts he let go while Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a concerned letter asking why two Trump administration heads contradicted the CDCs recommendation. Pelosi was referring to the fact that Trump hasnt filed the parts of government that deal with a pandemic crisis. Rachel Maddow, citing reporting from Pulitzer Prize winning science journalist Laurie Garrett, reported that Trump fired the governments entire pandemic response chain of command back in 2018 and never replaced them with anyone. One of the national security jobs the president emptied and never bothered to refill is the position at the national security council thats supposed to take point on all global health security matters. There used to be someone in that job. On Tuesday, Trumps acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf revealed that he was completely unprepared during a Senate hearing on the coronavirus, Wolf couldnt accurately state the number of coronavirus cases in the United States. He guessed fourteen. The real number is thirty-five. Wolf was so frighteningly ill-prepared that even Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) was outraged. .@SenJohnKennedy to @DHS_Wolf: "You're supposed to keep us safe and the American people deserve some straight answers on the coronavirus and I'm not getting them from you." Full video here: https://t.co/HXd04ox0eb pic.twitter.com/b5UbSOmn1f CSPAN (@cspan) February 25, 2020 Wolf also didnt know how the virus was spread and instead kept repeating vague comments about human-to-human, weve seen that. When asked how it was transmitted, he couldnt explain and kept repeating human-to-human, which is stunningly vague. Wolf was also unable to name the mortality rate, and would not confirm that we have enough respirators. Wolf actually though the questions about respirators and masks were about the Department of Homeland Security team, not the American people. After Kennedy pushed him, Wolf finally admitted we do not have enough masks for the American people. This stunning level of incompetence is not normal, nor is it meant as political criticism. Both Republican and Democratic administrations have managed to competently handle health crises in the past. This is just part of what people normally rely upon the government to do. Then on Wednesday, Trumps Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar a former drug company executive and pharmaceutical lobbyist (drain that swamp) refused to assure that the eventual vaccine would be affordable for all: Here's the clip of Azar not assuring Rep. Schakowsky a covid-19 vaccine will be affordable to all. pic.twitter.com/Z8aNd4wLWj Michael McAuliff (@mmcauliff) February 26, 2020 So, vaccines for the rich only, masks for the Trump administration but not enough for our citizens, and probably not enough respirators. Not exactly the stuff of stability. Trump, concerned first and foremost with the stock markets negative reaction to his failure to prepare for a pandemic, quickly tried to cover that failure up by suddenly replacing Azar with Mike Pence, who as governor of Indiana actually enabled the biggest HIV outbreak in the state due to his refusal to believe science. Why Pence? Well, most of Trumps heads are currently acting heads, which is how he has managed to gut the entire government and replace it with political stooges whose only qualification is often being the best cheerleader for Trump. Azar was reportedly blindsided by Trumps actions (more proof that the people in Trump world really would benefit from reading a few things about how Trump treats everyone, and no, they are not exempt), because cowardly Trump once again never told him he was being replaced. The stock market hates Trumpitis, the chaos and the instability, but Wall Street loves the deregulating Republicans. And of course, that clustermuck was followed up with a humiliated Azar claiming he was still in charge. Basically, Trump gutted the government, filled it up with even more swamp but this time totally incompetent swamp, and is running it with the mentality of Mean Girls. It should surprise no one that the market is headed toward its worst week since the Bush financial crisis. Donald Trump is no Barack Obama or even George W Bush. Some large electronics manufacturers in Vietnam are feeling the punch from the COVID-19 outbreak as material imports and finished product exports have been affected by tighter border control. A production line of Young Poong Electronics VINA company in the Binh Xuyen II industrial park in Vinh Phuc province According to the Industry Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, electrical and electronic products, including mobile phones and televisions, have the biggest turnover among commodities Vietnam trades with China and the Republic of Korea (RoK), where COVID-19 is raging. Like automobile, textile-garment and footwear production, the electronics sector is suffering from a shortage of components for manufacturing. In 2019, Vietnam imported some 40 billion USD worth of electronic components, including 16.8 billion USD from the RoK (accounting for 42 percent), 13.8 billion USD from China (34 percent), and 1.7 billion USD from Japan (4.2 percent). Therefore, border control measures taken to prevent the disease will influence the import of materials and the export of finished electronic products, the agency said. Samsung Electronics Vietnam, a large company invested by the RoK, said border control may affect the production of several new strategic models since some components and spare parts for manufacturing have to be imported from China, mainly via border gates in northern Lang Son province. Although Lang Son authorities are working to speed up customs clearance for a batch of component imports at the request of Samsung, its material supplies from China in the time ahead are forecast to be affected since the neighbouring country plans to shut down its border gates. This will subsequently make Samsung unable to import components by road, the firm said. Samsung Electronics Vietnam added import by air or sea is currently under consideration, but it will be more difficult than via road since it is costlier and hard to supply enough materials for production in a timely manner. Recently, Samsung has still imported components from the RoK as usual. However, this country has also reported a COVID-10 outbreak over the last few days. The company predicted more difficulties for its production inputs if the RoK Government applies export-import control measures to prevent the disease. Electronics manufacturers and associations in Vietnam are proposing the Government directly negotiate with central and local authorities of China about border control and disease prevention measures so as to ensure material supplies. They also called for financial support for companies in this sector to overcome difficulties. Director of the agency Truong Thanh Hoai said his office will help businesses seek other material sources and increase trade promotion activities in search of new export markets, especially those taking part in the free trade agreements that Vietnam is also a member like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). For the long term, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has suggested many solutions to address existing shortcomings to the Government, including developing supporting industries and those producing important materials, he added./.VNA Vietnam retailers striving to mitigate COVID-19 implications Feeling the bite of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many businesses in retail and services are coming up with measures to soften the blow. The Annual General Meeting of Iceland Seafood International hf will be held on Thursday 19 March 2020 at 4pm at Kollunarklettsvegur 2, 104 Reykjavik, Iceland. Enclosed is the Notice to convene the Annual General Meeting, proposed agenda and proposed resolutions for the Annual General Meeting. Attachments Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday responded sharply to the Congress criticism over the transfer of Justice S Muralidhar from the Delhi High Court hours after he roasted Delhi Police for not acting against hate speeches. Prasad said the transfer was ordered on the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde and was carried out with the consent of the judge. The well settled process has been followed, Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a string of tweets before launching a sharp counterattack at the Congress that has linked the judges transfer to his biting criticism of Delhi Police at a hearing on Wednesday. Prasad said the Congress had displayed its scant regard for the judiciary by politicising a routine transfer. People of India have rejected the Congress Party, and hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them, he tweeted. Moments earlier, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala had called the transfer a classic hit-and-run injustice by the BJP government. Justice Muralidhar was hearing cases against BJP leaders who have made inflammatory speeches. This has exposed the politics of revenge and pressure practiced by the BJP, Surjewala told the news conference. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had set the tone early in the day in a tweet, stressing that the midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar wasnt shocking given the current dispensation but was certainly sad and shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the governments attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable, she said. In his five-tweet response, the law minister also targeted the Gandhi family also. The Party, which is the private property of one family, has no right to lecture about objectionable speeches. The family & its cronies have routinely used the harshest words against the Courts, the Army, the CAG, the PM and the people of India, he said. Prasad said those raising questions about the transfer do not respect the judgment of the Apex Court pronounced after elaborate arguments, a reference to the Congress questioning the circumstances around Judge Loyas death despite the Supreme Court holding that there was no need to probe his death due to natural causes. Marilyn Smrcina of the Midwest Chase subdivision expressed opposition to the village board Tuesdayon behalf of several residents in that area. Jim Pehta, president of the Midwest Chase Homeowners Association, was not at the meeting, but said Monday that residents there were up in arms over the idea to create two land locked parcels in the middle of our subdivision." President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that France was preparing for a jump in the number of coronavirus cases, adding "we are going to have to deal with it as best we can." "We are facing a crisis, an epidemic that is coming," Macron said while visiting staff at the La Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris, where the first French person carrying the new coronavirus died Tuesday. "We know that we're only at the beginning... we're going to try with all our caretakers to make the right decisions," Macron said alongside Health Minister Olivier Veran. "You had a case here... I know this affected many of your teams," he said, pledging to address the crisis "truthfully" so that measures can be taken "calmly". France has reported 18 cases so far and two deaths, including an 80-year-old Chinese tourist who was the first casualty of the virus reported outside Asia. The second was a 60-year-old teacher, a case that has worried officials because he had not travelled to an outbreak hotspot. A 55-year-old man from the same region as the teacher, who also had not travelled to an outbreak zone, was also hospitalised with the virus, and investigations are under way to try to find the source of the infections on French soil. More than 2,700 people worldwide have died of COVID-19 so far, and almost 80,000 have been infected, mainly in China. The French government has asked citizens returning from Italy's Lombardy and Veneto regions to avoid "all non-essential outings" and keep their children home from school. The same recommendations have been issued for people returning from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and South Korea. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jury weighs verdict for ex-Barclays bankers in Qatar fee trial Former Barclays' banker Roger Jenkins arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London By Kirstin Ridley LONDON (Reuters) - The jury in the London trial of three former Barclays bankers accused of funnelling secret fees to Qatar in return for emergency funding during the financial crisis in 2008, retired to consider its verdict on Wednesday. One of the most ambitious cases brought by the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) hinges on how Barclays struck side deals worth 322 million pounds ($417 million) with Qatar as the wealthy Gulf state pumped about 4 billion pounds into the British bank in June and October 2008. Seven women and five men are weighing up four months of evidence in Britain's first jury trial of top financiers at a major bank over conduct at the peak of the financial crisis, when Barclays secured a two-part, 11 billion pound emergency fundraising to avert a state bailout. Roger Jenkins, the "gatekeeper" of Barclays' Qatari relationship who was recommended a 25 million pound bonus for his work on both deals, Tom Kalaris, who ran the wealth arm and Richard Boath, a former corporate finance head and technical advisor on the June deal, all deny fraud charges. Qatar, a major investor in Britain which also remains a significant Barclays shareholder, is not accused of wrongdoing. Judge Andrew Popplewell has told the jury to put aside views about bankers, their bonuses and the financial crash, saying the case turned on circumstantial evidence and how the defendants behaved against the backdrop of the credit crunch. "Whether or not you think that these defendants or bankers in general deserve the bonuses they get paid for doing the job they were doing and for the money that they were making for the bank -- that has no bearing on their guilt or innocence in this case," he told the jury. Prosecutor Ed Brown alleged the men devised bogus side deals, called Advisory Services Agreements (ASAs), to satisfy Qatar's demand for higher fees than other investors and never intended Barclays to receive any commercial services in return. Story continues He alleged they lied to the market and other shareholders through the bank's public documents, as payments for the ASAs were not disclosed. The defendants agreed that the ASAs were mechanisms to ensure Qatari investors received what they wanted, but denied they were a fee for investing in the bank. They said the ASAs were legitimate, separate advisory deals, that had been cleared by internal and external lawyers and senior directors, and were intended to secure genuine, valuable business in a region it was keen to expand into. 'ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE' John Kelsey-Fry, representing Jenkins, said the prosecution had failed to spot the "total absence of evidence or logic" supporting allegations the ASAs were false. "There have been so many hares set running by the prosecution in this case, the field is positively flooded with them running around in every direction crashing into each other," he said. The defendants are accused of conspiring with former finance director Chris Lucas to commit fraud by false representation and also face a separate charge of fraud by false representation. Jenkins, Kalaris and Boath face both charges over the first fundraising in June 2008, when Qatar received an extra 42 million pounds for a three-year ASA. Jenkins also faces both charges over the second capital call, when Qatar received another 280 million pounds for another, five-year ASA. Brown has told the jury that Lucas, who he alleged was "at the centre of the scheme to provide the Qataris with their fee", would have been charged had he not been too ill to stand trial. Lucas was not represented in court. His lawyer declined to comment. ($1 = 0.7714 pounds) (Reporting by Kirstin Ridley; Editing by Alexander Smith) Friends Shoshana Bricklin and Susan Windle show their support for Bernie Sanders at Mishkan Shalom Synogouge in Manayunk on Feb. 25, 2020. Read more Phyllis Blumberg is president of a Main Line Philadelphia synagogue, someone who has spent a lifetime practicing and contemplating Jewish values. Late last month, she was leaning toward Mike Bloomberg. But she admits her son, Noah, 27, has been trying to make the case to her for Bernie Sanders. And the case hes making goes right to the heart of their family: their Jewish identity. My son says [Bernies] the one with the Jewish values, hes the one whos lived all his life that way, said Blumberg, a former University of the Sciences administrator, and president of Congregation Beth Am Israel. His case was: Hes living his values. Hes living Jewish values. You raised me on this. Its a case progressive Jews are increasingly making, seeing in Sanders echoes of their own Jewish notions of justice and tikkun olam repairing the world and of more progressive views on Israel. Not to mention a visceral echo of familiar Jewish roots dating to Brooklyn and Eastern Europe. At the same time, the secular Sanders views on Israel and his outspoken support for the Palestinian people present a stubbornly complicated picture for Jews of varying observance, economic, and political leanings as the 78-year-old comes into focus as potentially the countrys first Jewish president. Hes never rejected his Jewish background, said lawyer Shoshana Bricklin, a member of the progressive Mishkan Shalom synagogue in Manayunk. "The values he puts forth are the values I grew up with: Protect the poor, deal with the most vulnerable, the widow and the orphan. Its all part of our historical text. For me, it was a perfect match. I think he has taken a courageous view of Israel and Palestine, said Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, director of the Social Justice Organizing Program at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Wyncote. His view is not quite in step with the mainstream Jewish community, and thats a significant reason why a lot of Jews have shied away from him. Indeed, Rabbi Aaron Gaber of Brothers of Israel in Bucks County openly bristled at President Donald Trumps suggestion last year that Jews who support Democrats are disloyal. But Gaber, a self-described left-of-center moderate," also took no comfort in Sanders remarks about the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC providing a "platform for bigotry. (At the most recent Democratic debate, Sanders called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a reactionary racist.) The people he has surrounded himself with as advisers, and some of the stances hes taken, that gives me great pause, Gaber said. Theyve bought into a theory and ideology where they can only hold Israel responsible. When the chips are down, will a Bernie Sanders administration support Israel? Im not sure they will. Zayde Bernie There was a time when Sanders seemed to avoid talking about being Jewish, referring to himself generically as the son of a Polish immigrant. But Sanders, who grew up in Brooklyn, has begun talking more about his Jewish roots, his view of the Bible as a document of justice, the family his father, Eli, left behind in 1921 later being killed in the Holocaust. During a Feb. 24 CNN town hall meeting, Sanders somberly traced his commitment to fighting racism and white nationalism to growing up in a neighborhood with people who had tattoos from the Holocaust. He recalled a visit to his fathers town in Poland, where locals showed him a mass grave dug by Jews, who were then shot. That had an impact on Rabbi David Ackerman of Beth Am Israel in Penn Valley. A lot of people found, frankly, comfort in Sen. Sanders presentation in which he really talked about his parents and grandparents and Eastern European Jewish background, Ackerman said. I think that resonates among American Jews. No doubt, Bernie Sanders feels familiar, like the crusty relative at the end of the Passover seder table, perhaps, engaged all night in heated arguments, the doppelganger of Larry David an actor with serious Jewish, not to mention millennial, cred. Young Jewish supporters have taken to calling him Zayde Bernie, Yiddish for grandfather, much like Hispanic supporters call him tio, or uncle. Philadelphia poet and writer Susan Windle notes the campaign slogan of Not me. Us." echoes the saying of the noted Jewish scholar Hillel: If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? Its a big tent, American Judaism, said Windle, a member of Mishkan, a synagogue once considered so radical that the Jewish Exponent would not take its ads but that now, much like Sanders, finds itself more in the mainstream. I travel in very progressive circles," she said. Bernies agenda reflects their agenda. Tzedek, Tzedek, Tirdof, Justice, Justice, shall you pursue. Its ingrained. I see him as culturally very Jewish. Nobody should question. 'Usually the firebrands Sanders is the only candidate who lived in Israel a few months on a kibbutz, in the 1960s, a common experience for American Jews in the days before the Birthright program. Bloomberg mocked him for embracing the socialism of those iconic collective communities, but others note that Israel itself was founded by a socialist, David Ben-Gurion. In Sanders, the Vermont senator who describes himself as a democratic socialist, Windle sees echoes of Jewish activists dating back generations. He stands in a rich tradition of labor organizers, big-time activists, she said. These are people that we recognize in our own communities. Theyre usually the firebrands. The Sanders campaign believes it can build on his appeal with American Jews, almost 70% of whom disapproved of the job Trump was doing in 2019, according to Gallup. Republican attempts to make inroads with Jewish voters have had little success: In a recent poll of the Jewish electorate, 65% of Jews identified as Democrats; two-thirds favor any of the Democratic candidates, including Sanders, over Trump. The Sanders campaign has hired a Jewish outreach director, Joel Rubin, a former deputy assistant secretary of state under President Barack Obama. Rubin said American Jews generally support active American diplomacy and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thats squarely where Bernie is, Rubin said. Dan Laufer, 35, a North Philadelphia web developer who describes himself as less religious than Bernie, agreed. If anything, [being Jewish] strengthens his ability to maybe get both sides to a table, Laufer said. Ive been to Israel. I have family there. I absolutely support Israels existence, but obviously this is a human-rights catastrophe that has gone on way too long. Rabbi Ackerman agreed that the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC is a divisive force but said Sanders comments still "got my back up, I have to say. The AIPAC piece is a particularly complicated one because probably as many people in the Jewish community agree with him, he said. Benjamin Barnett, founder of Philadelphias Independent Film Festival, identifies as a lefty who has never voted for a Republican," but who supported Trumps decision to move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Sanders views on Israel, and his alliance with Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who have been deeply critical of Israel, have spooked me as a Jew, Barnett said. He doesnt think Sanders is the person to negotiate a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians. I would hope Bernie would use [his Jewishness] in a way that would show positivity and give him street cred in the Middle East, as a Jew to walk in there, and not a messianic wannabe evangelical like Trump," Barnett said. I just dont think thats going to happen. For Orthodox Jews, Sanders remains difficult to embrace. I appreciate that hes proud of his heritage, said Rabbi Ephraim Epstein of Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill, who is undecided. But I view my heritage with more adherence to the Torah and its precepts." I am deeply appreciative of Mr. Trumps steadfast support of the state of Israel," he added, "and recognize that every candidate has room to grow in their life. Aviv Yavne, manager of Star of David Kosher Grill in Narberth, said that he found Sanders very cool but that Israel keeps him a Trump supporter. I have a lot of friends who are anti-Trump," Yavne said. I tell them, I am biased. Because of Jerusalem. Two Jews walk into a debate The sight of two old Jews, Sanders and Bloomberg, competing at the highest level of American politics had Jews doing a little head-shaking. (Bloomberg dropped out of the race Wednesday.) Maybe thats the fight we need to have, between the oligarch and the socialist," Windle said. As Jon Lovett, a podcaster and former Obama speechwriter, put it after the debate in which Sanders and Bloomberg discussed their heart stents: Its the most old New York Jew thing thats ever happened in the history of American politics. ... The buttoned-up business Jew and the hippie-dippie tikkun olam Jew. ... I feel like Im watching my childhood on stage. Others find it harder to relate. Hes not religious at all," Rabbi Gaber said. When was the last time he was at a Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur service himself? Hes never really been active in the Jewish community. Film festival founder Barnett said his pride over a historic first would be muted. I just dont feel Bernie Sanders made any effort in his life to be a Jewish politician, Barnett said. Theres nothing in my body that says hes going to be good for the Jews. Rabbi Ackerman, though, said he would feel pride if Sanders became the first Jewish president. Like many pondering Sanders, hes taking his cues from his millennial children, who, he said, definitely feel a sense of pride." Others worry about anti-Semitism. Bloomberg, in particular, evoked a particular archetype, the financier buying his way into power.. Its eerily similar to the Golden Age of Spain, Rabbi Epstein said. The [Jewish] finance minister in the court of Ferdinand and Isabella didnt fare well. But Laufer, the Jewish millennial supporter, said Sanders doesnt get enough credit for representing a historic breakthrough, and for defying global divisions with prominent Muslim Americans among his most ardent supporters. Bernie would be a groundbreaking president," Laufer said. "You need that because of rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. Having a non-Christian president would start shifting things in peoples minds. Budget 2020 initiatives should help the property sector says Colliers Internationals new research Colliers International on Feb 26 published a new research report that assesses the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Singapore real estate market and outlines key recommendations for various property sectors drawing references from the market performance during the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in 2003. Since the announcement of the first case of novel coronavirus (officially known as COVID-19) case in Singapore on 23 January, more cases have been detected due in part to the governments robust containment efforts and contact tracing capability. The Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) alert level was raised to Orange on 7 February following the detection of a few local cases without any links to previous cases or travel history to China. Of note, Singapore did not have a large number of infections (91 as at Feb 25) by comparison, and more than half of the patients (58 as at Feb 25) have been discharged from the hospital, according to the Ministry of Health. Tricia Song, Head of Research for Singapore at Colliers International, said, On top of its efficient containment measures, the Singapore government has also announced a SGD4 billion package in the recent Budget 2020 to help sectors most affected by the COVID-19 outbreak to tide over this difficult period. While there are near-term risks on the property sector, we believe the strong response to the outbreak will support market confidence and help pave the way for the eventual rebound in market performance. Assuming the COVID-19 outbreak runs its course by June this year, we estimate that certain property sectors, such as investment sales and office leasing, could see rapid recovery in the second half of 2020. Budget 2020 initiatives and COVID-19 measures The Singapore government has on 18 February 2020 unveiled a slew of measures that will help the country deal with the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as address longer-term global challenges and structural shifts. Among the measures, a SGD4 billion Stabilisation and Support Package was introduced to provide assurance and support to workers and enterprises in this time of economic uncertainty. The sectors that are more directly affected by the outbreak will receive additional support. Story continues Apart from the COVID-19 targeted measures, Colliers Research believes that initiatives to support research and innovation, as well as the postponing the increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST) beyond 2021 should help the property sector. Budget 2020 initiatives Budget 2020 initiatives for property stakeholders Budget 2020 initiatives and COVID-19 Measures vs Impact of SARS on real estate market in 2003 Singapores economy also took a beating from the SARS outbreak in 2003, with a 0.3% year-on-year (YOY) contraction in Q2, at the height of the epidemic. However, the economy rebounded in Q3 and Q4 of the same year, with respective growths of 5.3% and 8.9% YOY, bringing full year GDP growth to 4.5% in 2003. The growth momentum continued in 2004 where Singapores GDP grew by 9.9%. Meanwhile, Singapores property market which was already declining prior to the SARS outbreak, having been hit by the dot-com buble in 2001, Iraq War in 2003 and an office supply boom between 2002 and 2003 continued to bottom out in 2003. In particular, rents and prices of the office, retail, and industrial properties eased in the first half of 2003. However, they all recovered by the end of 2004: office rents were up by 3.5%; retail rents recovered by 3.7%; and industrial rents climbed by 1.5%. Budget 2020 initiatives especially helpful because of Chinese economys impact As the Chinese economy accounts for a much larger proportion of the global economy than in 2003, the impact on Singapores economy is likely to be more severe this time. Comparing COVID-19 with SARS in 2003, we assume the COVID-19 crisis will peak in H1 2020. However, with the recent spread of the virus beyond East Asia, there is an increased possibility of a negative scenario in which disruption persists into H2 2020. The Singaporean government announced a SGD4 billion stimulus package in 2020, compared to the SGD230 million off-budget SARS relief package in April 2003. Offbudget measures could be implemented should the current rebates be Office, Retail and Industrial Price Index deemed insufficient given the uncertain impact of the virus outbreak. Real estate investment sales registered quarter-on-quarter declines of 63% in Q1 and 5% in Q2 2003, as the SARS outbreak dampened investors confidence. However, transactions mounted a strong comeback across most sectors in the second half of 2003, taking overall real estate investment sales to SGD3.2 billion, up by 29% YOY. Ms. Song added, Drawing parallels to SARS in 2003, we expect some negative impact on occupancy and rents in the first half of the year, but most could recover in the latter part of 2020. We believe this crisis presents both threats and opportunities: retailers should take this downtime to accelerate technology adoption and offline-to-online strategies; industrial landlords could upgrade assets and improve processes; and investors should hunt for opportunities that may emerge from this crisis. Forecasts and recommendations for 2020 Colliers Research is monitoring the evolving situation closely and is maintaining its forecasts for the various property sectors for now. It has made the following recommendations: Office: Occupiers to rationalise their real space requirements and accelerate technology adoption. Colliers recommends that they consider a Flex-and-Core TM strategy or split office locations, and wellness certified buildings. Retailers: To take this opportunity to work with landlords to bridge the offline-to-online gap, and landlords, as well as lining up marketing campaigns to recapture shoppers, post-epidemic. Industrialists and landlords: To use this downtime to upgrade assets to align with Industry 4.0. The crisis clearly highlighted the importance of efficient inventory and last-mile management process for warehouses. Investment: Sales could be weak in H1 2020, but could see a rapid recovery in H2, going by SARS experience in 2003. Investors should focus on long term drivers, which remain most attractive for hotels and office assets. The post Budget 2020 initiatives will help real estate sector appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources. Industrialist Aman Lohia, who had fled to Dubai with his three-year-old daughter around seven months ago in violation of court order has been brought back to India on Thursday said officials familiar with the developments. Lohia had fled the country with his daughter and a couple of confidants in disagreement with a Delhi High Court order giving his daughters custody to his estranged wife, Kiran Lohia. Aman claimed the order showed a gender bias of Indian courts towards women. On August 24, 2019, when the daughter went to see Aman as per the parenting plan approved by the court, he took her along with family confidant Pawan Kumar and maid Shiuratia Debi Mahato to Bagdogra. From Bagdogra, they took a taxi to Kathmandu, from where they went to Dubai via a circuitous route to gulf cities including Doha using a passport acquired from the Commonwealth of Dominica, a country in the Carribean. He hoped to obtain his daughters custody as per Dubai laws. The Delhi high court handed over Amans escape case to the CBI which obtained a Yellow Notice against Aman and Mahato from the Interpol. The external affairs ministry also issued a note verbale on September 9, 2019 UAE authorities to not let Aman leave the country. The court had termed Lohias escape with his daughter on a Dominican Passport and refusal to subject himself to the jurisdiction of the Indian legal system as a contempt of court. Amans lawyers had filed an affidavit on September 4, 2019, claiming he was a victim of gender bias of the courts and that it was the love for his daughter which directed his actions. The HC had rejected his arguments and said that Lohia had taken the law into his own hands, become a judge, jury and an executioner and was now trying to adorn the role of a victim. The Central Bureau of Investigation filed a charge sheet against Aman last December. It also named his mother Meena Lohia, accomplice Pawan Kumar and maid Shiuratia Debi Mahto. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Gavin Newsom is rushing in where angels and more cautious politicians fear to tread by devoting virtually all of his second State of the State address to Californias seemingly intractable housing and homelessness crises. Newsom is staking his governorship, and perhaps his hopes of climbing further up the political pecking order, on jump-starting housing construction and moving tens of thousands of men, women and children off the streets. While beginning his more than 40-minute address to the Legislature with boilerplate paeans to the states vibrant economy and patting himself and lawmakers on the back for last years accomplishments, he quickly segued into the issue that polls say is uppermost in Californians minds. No amount of progress can camouflage the most pernicious crisis in our midst, the ultimate manifestation of poverty, homelessness, Newsom declared. Thats why Im devoting todays remarks to this crisis. Lets call it what it is a disgrace that the richest state in the richest nation succeeding across so many sectors is falling so far behind, to properly house, heal and humanely treat so many of its own people. Dan Walters: Two crises should not be wasted California has a housing crisis but another, much smaller crisis near the Capitol could demonstrate how the housing shortage could be addressed, columnist Dan Walters says. So what would Newsom do? He said he wants a coordinated, crisis-level response involving multiple state agencies and local governments to not only create more shelters and permanent housing, but to deal with the homeless populations issues with drugs and physical and mental health. Newsom embraced, at least conceptually, laws to compel the severely mentally ill to receive care via conservatorships, and drug addiction programs because we need to stop tolerating open drug use on our streets. While pledging hundreds of millions of new state dollars for a comprehensive approach to homelessness, he also hinted that he might propose new taxes as well, saying We need significant sustainable revenue. Turning to the larger housing shortage, Newsom told legislators, When we dont build housing for people at all income levels, as a consequence we worsen the homeless crisis. Dan Walters: Capitol grinds up major housing bill A Senate bill to make housing more affordable by overcoming local resistance to high-density construction, dies, a victim of NIMBYism, columnist Dan Walters says. During his campaign for governor in 2018, Newsom more or less pledged to build 3.5 million new housing units by 2025. Hes since backed off and didnt give any new goals last week while saying he wanted to massively increase housing production. Newsom didnt overtly support legislation, Senate Bill 50, that would have overridden local land-use controls for some kind of housing, and saw it fail in the Senate due to opposition from local governments. But he said he wants something along those lines. Look, I get it. Cities need to meet their housing goals in a way that matches their community, he said. But doing nothing is no longer an option. As a former mayor, I respect local control, but not at the cost of creating a two-class California. Newsom deserves credit, certainly, for taking political ownership of these two serious crises, but they are very tough nuts to crack textbook examples of why a state as large and complex as California, with so many often disparate interests, is inherently very difficult to govern. Dan Walters: California for All vs. daunting reality Gov. Gavin Newsom says he wants a "California for All" that closes its economic gaps, but the reality is daunting and at the moment, the gaps are growing wider, Dan Walters says. Newsom inherited them because previous governors, Jerry Brown particularly, saw them as virtually impossible to conquer and were unwilling to spend political capital on them. Newsom is willing, even eager, to try. And if he pulls it off if housing construction doubles, as the state says it should, and the makeshift camps of the homeless vanish he rightfully will claim victory. If, however, Newsom hasnt moved the needle on them three years hence, hell be pilloried as being all talk and no performance. Its a big political gamble. CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias state Capitol works and why it matters. For more stories by Dan Walters, go to calmatters.org/commentary. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly 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. British ambitions of becoming a global economic power after Brexit suffered a major blow yesterday after a court ruling suggested future airports, motorway and energy projects could all be blocked to prevent global warming. The Court of Appeal ruled that the 14 billion expansion of Heathrow airport was illegal because the Government failed to take into account its legal duty to curb climate change. Green campaigners said the victory was groundbreaking and warned the legal precedent sounded the death knell for big infrastructure projects that increased greenhouse gases. But critics said the move would hand a huge economic advantage to the UKs competitors. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the Government would not appeal the ruling and that Heathrow expansion was the private sectors responsibility. He tweeted: Airport expansion is core to boosting global connectivity. We also take seriously our commitment to the environment. This Government wont appeal todays judgment given our manifesto makes clear any Heathrow expansion will be industry-led. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell joins protesters who oppose the expansion of Heathrow Airport outside the High Court Under the extension plan, a third runway would be built north-west of the airport, that would allow it to handle 756,000 flights a year, up from 473,000 last year. The expansion was ruled unlawful by judges as it failed to take into account the UKs legal commitment to curb global warming under the 2015 Paris Agreement. This commits the UK and nearly 200 other countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to stop the world heating up by more than 2degC. How Paris deal in 2015 was exploited by the activists The expansion of Heathrow has been blocked because green campaigners successfully claimed in court that it fails to take into account the UKs legal commitment to reduce greenhouse gases. The Governments Airports National Policy Statement set out the framework for the airports growth. But Friends of the Earth argued that it ignored the commitment to the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement was signed by the UK in 2015 and was ratified in law the following year. It commits Britain, and nearly 200 other countries, to keep future global temperature rises well below 2C (3.6F) and to endeavour to limit them to 1.5C. The policy failed to spell out how the massive expansion of Heathrow Airport could be consistent with reducing Britains greenhouse gas emissions. The Court of Appeal ruled that this case was one of exceptional public interest. It noted that the issue of climate change is a matter of profound national and international importance of great concern to the public and, indeed, to the Government of the United Kingdom and many other national governments, as is demonstrated by their commitment to the Paris Agreement. The court said Heathrow expansion might be able to go ahead if the Government could show it was consistent with the Paris Agreement. The Government said it will not seek to overturn the ruling. But Heathrows chief executive announced that the airport intends to appeal to the Supreme Court. Advertisement In a summary, Lord Justice Lindblom said the failure to take into account the Paris Agreement was legally fatal to the plan. The Heathrow expansion scheme, first mooted 17 years ago, was voted for overwhelmingly by MPs in June 2018. The then transport secretary, Chris Grayling, said the it would set a clear path to our future as a global nation in the post-Brexit world. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose Uxbridge constituency neighbours the airport, did not vote for the plan. He was in Afghanistan at the time and once promised he would lie down in front of bulldozers to stop it. Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said the airport would challenge the courts decision at the Supreme Court, saying: We think the appeals court got it wrong. We have a very strong legal case, and we will be making that very firmly. Mr Holland-Kaye said Heathrow would work with the Government to review its policy to make sure we can demonstrate expansion is compatible with the Paris accord on climate change. Former transport secretary Andrew Adonis said: The only winners from a refusal to expand Heathrow as agreed by Parliament two years ago will be other international hubs that will take the extra traffic, especially Amsterdam, Paris and Dubai. There wont be fewer flights they just wont come to Britain. Dr Adam Marshall, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said it was bitterly disappointed. He added: Without expansion, firms risk losing crucial regional connectivity and access to key markets across the world. The benefits of a third runway would extend far beyond south-east England. Hundreds of UK companies are already invested in the supply chain for expansion, and tens of thousands of additional jobs will be created if the project goes ahead. Former chancellor George Osborne criticised Mr Johnsons lack of leadership. He tweeted: Judges kill off Heathrow third runway and Britain getting the modern air transport infrastructure we need, despite the elected Parliament voting for it overwhelmingly. Presumably this is the kind of over-reaching undemocratic judicial activism Boris wants to curb...or perhaps not. But green activists and academics celebrated the ruling. Will Rundle, of Friends of the Earth one of the organisations which brought the legal action said a third runway would have had dire implications for present and future generations. This ruling is an absolutely ground-breaking result for climate justice, he added. Campaigners cheer outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on February 27 Its time for developers and public authorities to be held to account when it comes to the climate impact of their damaging developments. Clare Farrell, a co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, added: The recognition of this appeal will support citizens all over the world who are begging for policy-writing in line with the truth. Dr Phillip Williamson, from the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, said the Court of Appeal judgment shows that the Paris Agreement is legally binding, not an aspiration, and will require many other policy re-thinks. Environment minister Zac Goldsmith, an opponent of Heathrow expansion, tweeted that the courts decision was HUGE!!! He also criticised a tweet by Greens MP Caroline Lucas which asked, How can we trust Government pledges on climate when it has taken the courts to end climate-wrecking projects like Heathrow? Mr Goldsmith wrote: Sometimes wonder if Greens actually prefer the bad news! How else to interpret this reaction to this good news (and this judgment combined with the Governments decision not to appeal certainly is good news). Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is visiting the UK today, tweeted: Heathrow third runway ruled illegal over climate change. Imagine when we all start taking the Paris Agreement into account. An act of self-harm to make us all poorer Commentary by Alex Brummer for the Daily Mail Climate-change activists will not be the only ones celebrating the Court of Appeals decision to block a new third runway at Heathrow. It saves the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who once threatened to lie down in front of the bulldozers, from having to make an embarrassing U-turn. It is a great victory for British Airways owner IAG, which controls an astonishing 51.5 per cent of the take-off and landing slots at the airport and has such a dominant position that Virgin Atlantic and the myriad of other global carriers find it hard to compete. And for most of the people living under the flightpath, including voters in Johnsons Tory constituency of Uxbridge and the LibDem strongholds of south-west London, it will be a blessed relief. But, as a resident of the Richmond Park neighbourhood, who is already woken up in the early hours by the noise of the lumbering jumbo jets arriving from the Far East, followed the red-eye flights from North America, I will not be joining in the celebrations even though a third runway would increase the number of planes flying above my house. The fact is that, as Britain looks to become more global in the post-Brexit era, it desperately needs more runway capacity in the prosperous south-east if we are not to lose out to foreign rivals. The success of the economy in recent decades has been supported by a brilliant services sector, which accounts for 71 per cent of our economic output. Services are about people, not goods, and it is Heathrows role in ferrying an army of consultants, lawyers, architects, engineers, academics and digital specialists between Britain and key corners of the business world such as Silicon Valley, which makes it so important. A computer generated image released by Heathrow airport on June 18, 2019 shows what the airport will look like in 2050 following the completion of a third runway and new terminals If this traffic were to be lost to Amsterdams Schipol (which has six runways), Frankfurt (four), or Charles de Gaulle in Paris (also four), the economic cost to the UK would be incalculable. Meanwhile, although much of China is locked down at present because of the coronavirus, it has more than 200 international airports capable of accommodating the very biggest commercial planes. In 2015, the Airport Commission, headed by City grandee Sir Howard Davies, recommended pressing ahead with a new runway at Heathrow and came up with a higher carbon-pricing formula designed to overcome the objections of the green lobby. But dither and delay since then by the Cameron and May governments, together with changes in the UKs carbon emissions targets, gave the activists the upper hand in the Court of Appeal. Heathrow, owned by Spanish construction group Ferrovial and the sovereign wealth funds of Qatar and Singapore, plans to take its plans for a third runway to the Supreme Court. But without full government backing, and at a time of new promises to tighten carbon-emission standards, it is hard to see how real progress can be made. This lack of government leadership is shameful. At the very time it is vital to demonstrate that Britain is determined to invest in its global future after Brexit, we are doing the reverse by washing our hands of the third runway. The Government should absolutely be supporting Heathrow in its appeal. What kind of message, otherwise, is it sending out to the world? As anyone who uses Heathrow knows, the airport which handled 65million passengers last year is already full to the gunwales. Capacity constraint leads to higher emissions per flight, not lower. It also means that Londons role as a hub for global traffic, with all the commerce that brings with it, is seriously hampered. What few people realise is that Heathrow is enormously important for freight and exports. In terms of value, it is the UKs biggest port for global markets excluding the EU and Switzerland, and handles 33 per cent of Britains exports to very fast-growing international markets which are at the heart of global Britain. Marks & Spencer, for instance, supplies its franchise operators in Hong Kong with several jumbo-jet flights a week of fresh sandwiches and produce. What happens when capacity shortages prevents it and other exporters from doing so? They will go to other airports. Heathrow says the third runway would be worth billions of pounds in exports. The battle over Londons vital global transport hub is a sharp reminder of how the economic costs of a green agenda threaten the prosperity of the nation. Uncomfortable as the noise and pollution is for people like me living under the flightpath, the greater public good would be served by a new runway. Moreover, the arrival of lighter, less polluting aircraft should, over time, substantially reduce noise and emissions. By blocking the new runway, the Government and the courts have engaged in an act of self-harm which I fear could make us all poorer. Dubai, Feb 27 : Indian expats based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have called for peace in Delhi, adding they were shocked and worried over the ongoing violence in the Indian capital city which has so far killed 34 people. Violence erupted between pro- and anti-Citizenship Amendment Act groups in areas like Jaffrabad, Maujpur and Gokulpuri in northeast Delhi on Sunday. Besides the casualties, over 200 people were injured in the violence. "I have been staying in the UAE for many years and we have seen peace and harmony among the communities of different backgrounds. However, what is happening in Delhi is disheartening, especially for those of us who hail from the same city," the Khaleej Times quoted Dubai resident Nadeem Hasan as saying on Wednesday. "The people of the city should protect each other and stand for each other. This is the beauty of our country and Delhi sees people from across the country who live and work together... We stand by the people of Delhi in these tough times and hope that we shall be able to overcome these times as we have faith in our country and its people." Seema Ansari, whose in-laws and cousins reside in New Delhi, said the very thought of riots and violence was making her nervous. "The situation is very volatile and tense in Delhi. Our folks in Delhi have been spending sleepless nights not knowing when the situation may spiral out of control," Ansari told the Khaleej Times. Abu Dhabi resident Meraj Siddiqui, a graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia university in New Delhi, said his close friends who were staying in one of the areas that were attacked by the mob escaped from danger as they were away for a couple of days. "My close friend and his wife were lucky enough to escape the violence. However, two of their neighbours were killed I am scared for my family and friends and have been calling them/messaging them constantly. "All I can do now is pray and appeal people to restrain themselves and not get provoked by hate speeches," the Khaleej Times quoted Siddiqui as saying. Explained: Why cops should not wear uniforms similar to the Army India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 27: The Indian Army has urged the Centre not to let cops wear combat gear in Delhi. The Army has written to the Defence ministry saying that the Home Ministry should issue instructions that combat gear should not be worn by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) while being deployed to handle law and order situations or being deployed in urban areas affected by terrorism. The Army says that the surroundings do not demand such a requirement. Distinctly different: The use of distinctly different, both in colour and pattern disruptive dress by the CAPFs and state police forces should be restricted only to deployment in jungle terrain in left wing extremism affected areas. The bullet proof jackets worn by the CAPFs and state police should be of plain khaki and not of combat colour. Explained: Why Kolkata Port Trust is leasing out land parcels as big as London Docklands Combat uniforms: Over the years the state police and CAPFs have started wearing combat uniforms which are just slightly different from the ones that are worn by the Indian Army personnel. These minor variations cannot be distinguished by civilians giving them the impression that the personnel wearing such dresses in cities and towns of India while engaged in internal security duties, escorting VIPs, on policing duties are Army personnel. Further the Army has also told the Defence Ministry that the sale of Army pattern clothes in the open markets should be regulated. As the country marks the National Science Day on Friday, many leading Indian women scientists have stressed on the need for the right kind of support, equality, and gender-fair policies in the field of research. National Science Day is celebrated on February 28 each year commemorating Indian physicist C V Raman's discovery in 1928 of the Raman effect -- the scattering of photons or light particles by matter. Raman received a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. Of the 607 Nobel medals awarded so far in scientific disciplines globally, just 20 have gone to women. Noting that a career in science is a demanding and tough option, Rupamanjari Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida said there are additional barriers -- often unintentional and unconscious ones -- which are put up along the career path of women in science. "When such a career demands long hours, there are issues of lack of security and basic amenities that affect women more adversely than men in this society. We need to pay active attention to these preventable problems, Ghosh, a Professor of Physics, told PTI. G Geetha, Professor and Head, Division of Research and Development at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab, emphasised on closing the gender gap, and moving towards women-led projects in science. She noted that out of the 560 awardees of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, only 18 recipients have been women. The prize is one of the highest multidisciplinary science awards in India. According to Geetha, women represent only about a fifth of senior authors in all published research. A study, published in the journal PLOS One in 2018, assessed 293,557 research articles from 54 journals, and found that "29.8 per cent of all research authors, and 33.1 per cent of the first, 31.8 per cent of the co-, and 18.1 per cent of the last authors were women." Another study by the UK's Intellectual Property Office (IPO) noted that women inventors account for just under 13 per cent of patent applications globally. For society to evolve with equality, Geetha feels the state and union governments should provide women grants for startups, core research, travel, and prototype development. "Universities should preferentially encourage women entrepreneurs and women startups. A survey has to be conducted on participation of women as chairpersons or committee member in policy making, Geetha added. Professor Manjula Reddy, Chief Scientist, Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad believes that science in India is progressing at a rapid pace since the last decade, thanks to the focus and initiatives on education and research. "Setting up new educational and research institutions across India has contributed to this cause, she said. However, Reddy, who won the Infosys Prize 2019, thinks India is lagging behind in basic sciences as compared to developed countries, and needs to make serious efforts to fill the gap. "This can be achieved with structured funding, more focus on education and research activities. "Basic research is a developmental activity; it may not have immediate tangible benefit, but has long-term sustainability and is the bedrock for future technological advances," she explained. Gagandeep Kang, Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences at the Christian Medical College in Tamil Nadu believes that there is a lot of work to be done to build an understanding of the process and outputs of science -- a spirit of inquiry, and a deep trust in science and scientists. "As scientists, some are doing reasonably well in many fields, but there are many areas where both quality people and skills are limited or lacking," said Kang, who was awarded the prestigious Infosys Prize in Life Sciences in 2016. Kang feels India does not have sufficient researchers working across various disciplines. "That means we are unable to grow up to global standards, and there are few areas that I am aware of where an Indian group is among the world leaders," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) When Lucy hosts overnight guests, it will actually not be the first time the giant elephant has been inhabited by humans, though its been a while. During one quirky chapter of her storied past, a family of six rented Lucy as their home in 1902. They constructed a second floor within the elephants wooden frame, and installed a kitchen and a parlor, according to Jeremy Bingaman, Lucy the Elephants educational director. A bathroom was built in the cove of her right shoulder. The second floor has been removed, and Lucy has no running water, but a white claw-foot tub remains in the tiny bathroom. Lucy will be available to rent from Mr. Helfant, the Airbnb host, on three days next month, for two guests a night. A staff member and a security guard will be on hand in the nearby gift shop. And a mobile trailer will be positioned at Lucys feet to satisfy guests toiletry needs. For now, its a three-day offering, but Mr. Helfant said he was open to an extended run. When you work for a 90-ton, 138-year-old elephant, nothing is off the table, he said. The $138 rental price is a nod to Lucys age. Mr. Helfant said the main goal was not rental income, but the power of Airbnbs global advertising. I would hope that everyone would say, no matter who the nominee is for president, we wholeheartedly embrace that person, she said, mentioning the stakes in state and local races ahead of the coming post-census redistricting cycle. We led the way in 2018. We will lead it now, and, again, until everybody else has their houses in order. But we cannot show any division. This has to be about unity, unity, unity. Charred remains of vehicles set ablaze by rioters during communal violence over the amended citizenship law, at Shivpuri area of north east Delhi. PTI photo After two days of communal clashes that claimed 27 lives, a brittle quiet settled over parts of riot-hit northeast Delhi on Wednesday but there was violence in some other places with shops set ablaze and the body of an IB staffer found in a drain. As police conducted flag marches and security personnel spread out across the northeastern edge of the national capital in a bid to quell the violence raging since Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first reaction appealed for peace and brotherhood. Asserting that it was important for calm to be restored at the earliest, Modi said on Twitter, Had an extensive review on the situation prevailing in various parts of Delhi. Police and other agencies are working on the ground to ensure peace and normalcy. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited some riot-hit areas. What has happened has happened. Inshallah, there will be complete peace here, he said as he walked through the mostly mixed neighbourhoods and congested lanes of northeast Delhi and met locals. On Tuesday, he undertook a late night tour with Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik and newly-appointed Special Commissioner S N Shrivastava. Shrivastava's appointment came in the wake of Patnaik facing flak for failing to curb the spiralling violence in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's visit, sources said. The Delhi Police said it has arrested 106 people for their alleged involvement in the violence and have registered 18 FIRs. No untoward incident was reported on Wednesday and PCR calls from northeast Delhi have reduced, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Mandeep Singh Randhawa told reporters. On day three of the trouble, the death toll stood at 13 on Tuesday. The death toll at GTB Hospital has risen to 25, GTB Hospital Medical Superintendent Sunil Kumar said. Unusually, the estimate of more than 200 injured and the dead has come not from the police but hospital authorities. Hospital authorities said of the deceased at the GTB, at least nine received gun shots. One of the deceased is also a woman, authorities said. Two deaths were also reported on Wednesday at LNJP Hospottal taking the total count of fatalities to 27. Calling the situation in northeast Delhi alarming, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the Army should be called in as police is unable to establish control. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury described the Delhi violence a chilling reminder of the 2002 Gujarat riots and demanded that Army should be called to control the situation. At the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Kejriwal said the common man of Delhi did not indulge in violence and alleged that outsiders, some politicians and anti-social elements were behind it. He also announced Rs 1 crore compensation for the family of Rattan Lal, the Delhi Police Head Constable who lost his life in the violence. Kejriwal, along with his deputy Manish Sisodia, later visited the violence-hit areas. Away from 'leader-speak', fear hung like a heavy cloud over the area, littered with the detritus of a riot -- mangled and charred vehicles, bricks, stones and jagged glass. The Intelligence Bureau staffer, identified as Ankit Sharma, was found dead in a drain in Chand Bagh where he stayed. Sharma may have been killed in stone pelting, officials said. Shops and schools were closed and many streets deserted with police making announcements that no one should come out of their homes. Officials said the CBSE Class 12 English exam on Thursday has been postponed in the northeast and parts of east Delhi in view of the turbulent situation due to violence. There was heavy deployment of force in Chand Bagh with security personnel not allowing anyone to come out. The blackened walls of a 'mazaar' in the locality spoke volumes of the violence the day before. In Ashok Nagar, a mosque was vandalised and set on fire by miscreants, a day before. The shops outside the mosque, belonging to Hindus and Muslims, were also set on fire. After two days of mobs roaming unchecked through the streets, looting shops and setting property on fire, the uneasy quiet was a respite. But not everywhere. In Gokulpuri, for instance, smoke darkened the skies with rioters setting on fire shops. Meharban, in his mid-thirties, was allegedly beaten by a mob in Chand Bagh area and later thrown into the drain. I went to buy flour. People there asked whether I was a Muslim and then started thrashing me. They later threw me in the drain of Chand Bagh, he said. The incident occurred around 2.30 pm. Meharban, who sustained head injuries, could barely talk, was taken to a hospital in a PCR van. Their livelihoods lost with their shops looted and their children in a state of panic after witnessing the bloodshed, many people were seen leaving their homes. Among them was a family that promised to be back, but said they did not know when. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Vilnius, Lithuania, February 27, 2020 The Committee to Protect Journalists today expressed alarm over the assault of Chechen blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov. Yesterday, an unidentified person broke into Abdurakhmanovs apartment while he was asleep and beat him with a hammer, according to news reports and a report by Vayfond, a Sweden-based Chechen human rights group. Abdurakhmanov woke up and fought the assailant, and was able to stop the attack and call police, according to the same reports and the bloggers brother, Muhammad Abdurakhmanov, who spoke to the independent regional news website Kavkazsky Uzel (Caucasian Knot). The attack took place in an unidentified E.U. country according to the BBC. Reuters reported that the attack took place in Poland, but CPJ could not independently confirm the location of the attack. Abdurakhmanov posted a video following the attack, which has been taken down from YouTube but was reposted on Kavkazsky Uzel, where he questioned the assailant, who said he had come from Moscow at the orders of Abdurakhman from [Chechen capital] Grozny, and added that they have my mother. The bloggers neighbor, who spoke to the BBCs Russian service, said that Abdurakhmanov had a severe headache from a hammer blow, but did not look seriously injured. He was brought to a local hospital in an ambulance, the neighbor, who was not identified by name, told the BBC. Abdurakhmanov is blogger whose two YouTube channels have more than 330,000 subscribers. He frequently posts criticism of Chechen authorities and of Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Russian-administered republic. The attack against Chechen blogger Tumso Abdurakhmanov is alarming and must be thoroughly investigated, said Gulnoza Said, CPJs Europe and Central Asia program coordinator, in New York. Bringing the perpetrators of this attack to justice is crucial for ensuring the safety of Chechen dissidents living in Europe. Mariusz Ciarka, a Polish police spokesperson, told CPJ via email that authorities were verifying information provided by foreign media and could not immediately provide more details because of personal privacy laws. Abdurakhmanov has lived in exile since fleeing Chechnya in 2015, following threats from a Chechen official linked to Kadyrov, according to news reports. After Georgia refused his asylum claim, Abdurakhmanov moved to Poland, where his request for asylum was denied in 2018, according to news reports. Both Vayfond and the bloggers brother called the assault an assassination attempt. On January 30, the body of Imran Aliev, another Chechen blogger, was found in a hotel room in Lille, in northern France, with stab wounds in the throat and chest, according to reports by French daily Le Monde and news agency Agence France-Presse. CPJ was not able to determine whether Alievs death was tied to his reporting. Abdurakhmanov said in a video that he believed he was the real target in the attack that killed Aliev. Chechen authorities have threatened, intimidated, and arrested journalists for their work, according to CPJ research. Washington Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday urged party unity amid Bernie Sanders' surge in the presidential race, even as House Democrats worry about a volatile election season that could put a self-described democratic socialist atop the ticket and threaten their majority. "I would hope that everyone would say, no matter who the nominee is for president, we wholeheartedly embrace that person," Pelosi, D-Calif., told the House Democratic caucus at a closed-door meeting. "We cannot show any division. This has to be about unity, unity, unity," she said, according to an aide at the session. Down-ballot jitters are apparent as the Vermont senator takes a commanding lead in early voting and withstands the constant pummeling by rivals who have been unable to slow his rise. With South Carolina's primary on Saturday, followed by the Super Tuesday contests on March 3, House Democrats are navigating how best to hold onto their seats while opponents try to lasso them to Sanders' socialist label. Many first-term Democrats are counting on their own brands, not the party's eventual presidential nominee, whoever that may be, to see them to re-election. "I will go into my race with the same degree of confidence, no matter who is at the top of the ticket," said Rep. Tom Malinowski, a freshman Democrat from a competitive New Jersey district who supports former Vice President Joe Biden in the primary. Malinowski said he will "absolutely" support Sanders if the senator becomes the party's nominee. But the congressman said Democrats need to simplify their message and seize the moment with a candidate who can topple Trump. "Why we would risk this extraordinary opportunity by nominating somebody who has a tendency to divide our own side is beyond me," he said. Other Democrats, though, are more open about their fears of a Sanders nomination. First-term Rep. Elaine Luria, who defeated an incumbent Republican in 2018 in a swing district in coastal Virginia, said a Sanders candidacy would be "incredibly divisive" and could endanger more centrist members of Congress like herself. Her opponents are already trying to tag Luria, a former Navy commander and Naval Academy graduate, as a "socialist," she said. Luria rejects the label as "ridiculous." "Bernie Sanders just adds fuel to that fire," Luria said. She has endorsed Biden but had praise for former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, calling both of them politicians who "build bridges rather than break them down." Hoping to propel Biden's lagging candidacy in a state he has pledged to win, the No. 3 House Democrat, Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, an influential leader and the highest-ranking African-American in Congress, announced his endorsement on Wednesday. Veteran Rep. David Price, D-N.C., said of Biden: "There's not a congressional district in this country he couldn't campaign in." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Divisions run deep among House Democrats, whose primary preferences span the party's ideological reach, from the most liberal and progressive members backing Sanders to those preferring Biden, Bloomberg or the other more centrist candidates. Freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is one of Sanders' most high-profile backers in the House. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is a Sanders campaign co-chairman. Many liberals say Sanders is the only candidate able to energize base voters and take on Trump. His commitment to curbing income inequality and his bold policy proposals, including "Medicare for All" and tuition-free college, are galvanizing voters, they say. They point to Sanders' strong showing in Nevada as a snapshot of the coalition he could build nationwide against Trump. Campaigning Wednesday in South Carolina, Sanders warned that a "conventional campaign" like Biden's won't defeat Trump. In Tuesday night's presidential debate, candidate Pete Buttigieg warned of the potential down-ballot consequences in Congress if Sanders won the nomination. Senate Democrats are struggling to flip the chamber from Republicans, who have a slim majority, while House Democrats are working to retain their advantage. Pelosi said she thinks that "whoever our nominee is, we will enthusiastically embrace and we will win the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives." House Democrats hold a modest majority, and while Trump is eager to have his party in control of the chamber, House Republicans have seen a rush toward the exits with retirements. The House GOP is still recruiting candidates to challenge the Democrats and has lagged in fundraising. Pelosi said lawmakers will have a briefing Thursday at the Democratic National Committee headquarters about the nominating process. The party convention is in July. (PHOTO: Getty Creative) SINGAPORE Transport operator SMRT Corp. and airline services provider, SATS Ltd., join the list of Singapore companies cutting pay amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In light of the challenging situation arising from the COVID-19 outbreak, SMRT is implementing a salary reduction of up to 5.0% and a 0.5-month reduction in bonus for its management staff this year, according to Neo Kian Hong, Group CEO, SMRT, in a email reply on Thursday (27 February). SMRT, fully owned by Temasek, said however that it will continue with the planned recruitment efforts for the new Thomson-East Coast Line to better serve our commuters. State investor Temasek said on Tuesday it will freeze all salaries as well as promotion increases, and partially cut annual bonuses for the senior management team. Temasek also asked senior management to take a voluntary pay cut for up to a year. Separately, SATS has on 19 February implemented a series of cost-saving measures such as a 10 per cent pay cut for the management team, a company spokesperson told Yahoo Finance Singapore. Workers aged 55 and above were given the option of voluntary early retirement, and staff can also request to go on voluntary unpaid leave and their jobs wouldnt be replaced, the spokesman added. The COVID-19 epidemic has caused a sharp decline in passenger and cargo volumes across Asia, impacting revenue streams for SATS. We are, therefore, taking proactive steps to mitigate the risks and impact of the situation on our business and our people, SATS said in a statement. SATS, SMRT and CapitaLand are among the portfolio companies under Temasek. CapitaLand yesterday said it will implement a pay freeze, saying board members and senior management will take a reduction in their fees and base salaries ranging from 5 to 15 per cent. Singapore Airlines, majority owned by Temasek, has said it will freeze hiring for all ground positions and reduced capacity as demand fell. As of 26 February, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore was 93, of which 62 have fully recovered. Story continues Related stories: COVID-19: Temasek to freeze wages, Singapore Airlines to suspend hiring CapitaLand becomes latest company in Singapore to freeze wages Singapore plans biggest budget gap in more than two decades Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 23:48:10|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on Thursday applauded an ongoing crackdown on corrupt immigration officials, saying his ministry takes zero tolerance towards corruption. "The Department does not tolerate corruption and malfeasance and action is taken whenever we become aware of such," Motsoaledi said. He was speaking following the sentencing of two former employees at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) - Steven Boshego and Leseba Malekane - earlier this week. They were each sentenced to a five-year jail term. Boshego, an administration clerk working at the KwaMhlanga office in Mpumalanga Province, was convicted of fraud at the KwaMhlanga Magistrate Court following his arrest for selling birth certificates to foreign nationals. Malekane, an immigration officer at the Boksburg office in Gauteng Province, was convicted of unprocedurally releasing foreign nationals who were being processed for deportation, in exchange for money. Thanks to the good work of law enforcement officers, the department has two less corrupt individuals who are now behind bars, where they belong to, Motsoaledi said. A number of immigration officials have been arrested recently during an intensified crackdown directed at corruption at the DHA. Last month, a sting operation by the police led to the arrest of another DHA official Sam Langa, who is accused of demanding a bribe from a foreign businessman who was in South Africa illegally. Motsoaledi encouraged the public to approach the police when they pick up instances of corruption perpetuated by any of DHA officials. "We shall continue to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that corrupt individuals are duly punished following due process," he said. The minister vowed to rid the DHA of people who have corrupt intentions. Iran is scrambling to contain a coronavirus outbreak that is threatening to spin out of control. Lack of transparency and poor infrastructure are combining to create perfect conditions for the virus to spread, Deutsche Welle writes in the article Could Iran become a new coronavirus epicenter? Cases of coronavirus are continuing to increase in Iran, with the country's health authorities on Wednesday reporting 44 new cases and four new deaths in 24 hours. The total number of cases in Iran currently stands at 139. Nineteen people have died so far from the virus. International health officials are concerned that a coronavirus outbreak in the country could quickly spin out of control and create a new epicenter for an outbreak in the Middle East. Official information from Iranian authorities shows that the virus appears to be spreading quickly in a short amount of time. The fatality rate of COVID-19 infections in Iran is an alarming 15%, which is the highest anywhere in the world. Iran currently has the highest number of coronavirus deaths outside of China. The Iranian government is trying to maintain the guise of control, however, Tehran can be hard to trust, and has a track record of blocking information both to the outside world and among the country's institutions. On Monday, the Iranian official responsible for fighting the outbreak, Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi, appeared before the press to urge the Iranian public not to overreact to the coronavirus outbreak and insisted the government has the outbreak under control. During the press conference, Harirchi was seen sweating profusely and wiping his forehead. The next day, he tested positive for COVID-19. Harichi was not wearing a face mask or other protective items during the conference. Quarantined in a hospital, he released a video of himself announcing the infection, saying Iran would "defeat" the illness. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the coronavirus must not become a "weapon" for "shutting down" the Iranian economy, which is already battered by sanctions. Rouhani also accused Iran's "enemies" of trying to spread fear in the country. Rouhani admitted that it may take "one, two or three weeks'' to get the virus under control. On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iranian authorities of concealing the truth about the outbreak from the Iranian people. The Iranian government has set up a committee led by government spokesman Ali Rabiei to inform the public about the coronavirus. Although schools have been closed across the country, and the government has asked people to stay at home, Rabiei warned Iranian media against turning the outbreak into a political issue. However, videos shared on social media are showing poorly supplied and overrun hospitals. There are reports that coronavirus test kits are running out. Rabiei has also insisted that official government statistics are correct. However, Ahmad Amirabadi-Farahani, a lawmaker from the city of Qom, said Monday that 50 people in Qom alone have died from coronavirus. The lawmaker demanded that the city be placed under quarantine, as its facilities are not equipped to deal with the crisis. Iranian health officials denied the claims, and Deputy Minister Harirchi said before he was diagnosed with coronavirus himself that he would resign if the numbers are even a quarter of 50. The head of a medical university in Qom, Mohamad Reza Ghadir, told state television that the situation in the city was "critical" and that local health authorities had been ordered by authorities not to publish statistics about the outbreak. The city of Qom is located 130 kilometers (80 miles) south of Tehran, and is a holy city and pilgrimage destination for Shiite Muslims. Around 700 Chinese students study Islamic theology there. Iran's China connection As Iran's main economic partner, China can wield considerable influence in Tehran. Two days after Iran stopped air travel to China in February, Iran's Mahan Air announced the airline would continue flights to China after its CEO met with China's ambassador in Tehran. The airline is owned by a religious foundation that is close to Iranian hardliners. In January 2019, the German government banned Mahan Air from operating in Germany to protect "foreign policy and security interests." The airline is suspected of helping transport weapons from Iran to Syria. For continuing flights to China as the coronavirus was spreading, Shirin Ebadi, an Nobel Prize-winning Iranian legal scholar said that the airline's CEO, Hamid Arabnejad, should be held accountable for endangering public health. Mahan Air says it is not responsible for transporting the coronavirus to Iran. On February 20, the airline said it has operated only a few flights to China since the beginning of February, and all were used to transport humanitarian goods. Mahan added all security precautions were taken. However, Iranian journalists said closer examination of Muhan Air's flight plans show the airline flew 55 flights to China between February 5 and 23. A 56-year-old Delhi police inspector allegedly shot himself dead at his residence in Rohini, police said on Wednesday. The deceased Jai Bhagwan was posted in Delhi Police's Security Wing. "The incident came to light when Jai's wife returned home from office and saw his body lying on the floor," police said. However, the time of the incident is not yet known. Police said that the gun recovered from the spot was the personnel's service revolver. However, no suicide note has been recovered yet, so the reason behind the grave step could not be ascertained. Further, probe is on. Students and others protest against the Thai government at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok, Feb. 27, 2020. Students at universities across Thailand during the past week have staged on-campus protests on a scale not seen in decades to vent their anger at a court order disbanding a top opposition party, and to demand that democracy be truly restored after years of junta rule. Meanwhile amid a parliamentary debate over whether lawmakers should vote to censure his government, Prime Minister and former junta chief Prayuth Chan-o-cha gave the pro-democracy students a warning Thursday, saying they risked being prosecuted over their flash demonstrations. [I]m concerned about the children, who are the nations future, Prayuth told reporters. Prayuth, who took power in 2014 after a military coup that he led as army chief, and which followed a series of tumultuous street protests, reminded students to respect the law to avoid arrest. Similar protests were held four years earlier. The laws are sacred. Im not threatening you, but protesters of all sides in 2010 and 2014 were prosecuted, Prayuth said. During the debate on the floor of parliament, Prayuth said he was tracking the student demonstrations, claiming they did not compare with mass protests in 1973 and 1976 that ended in massacres. On Thursday, students at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok joined thousands of others who have been protesting at campuses in the Thai capital and other cities since Feb. 21, when the Constitutional Court ordered the Future Forward Party (FFP) broken up and its top leaders banned from politics for 10 years. The party that is popular with young Thais was ordered broken up less than a year after it finished third in a general election touted as marking the end of junta rule. After the 2019 election, instead of having a new future, a good future, we have the old future, plus 250 people (senators) we have not voted for, a student leader, who asked to be identified as Boy over fear of reprisal, told BenarNews. We actually feel hopeless and disappointed with this country. The president of the Federation of Pattani Students and Youths (PerMAS) in Thailands Deep South was among the students who demonstrated at the Ramkhamhaeng campus on Thursday. Despite the election, we dont feel it is a democracy. Laws have been drafted that deviate from the will of the people in an attempt to maintain power and restrict civil liberties, Zukriffee Lateh told BenarNews. It is necessary for us to come out and call for democracy to change this country, he said. People must be able to determine their own political will. Officials did not release details of the number of people arrested since last weeks announcement to disband the FFP, which is led by auto-parts billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, nor about the charges they could face. Thailands strict public gathering law does not allow more than 10 people to congregate at any one time. However, these laws do not apply to gatherings on campuses. Zukriffee Lateh, president of the Federation of Pattani Students and Youths, speaks during the rally at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok, Feb. 27, 2020. (Nontarat Phaicharoen/BenarNews) Deadly outcomes From parliament, Prayuth delivered a message to the student protesters. To correct the understandings of brothers and sisters at home, students and teachers, Id like to say I understand your intention, Prayuth said, adding that police were trying to avoid consequences similar to the protests back in the 1970s. Police turned on protesters on campus, killing more than 75 students in 1973, and 46 officially or more than 100 unofficially in 1976. The incidents of 1973 and 1976 were different. Today, Im not creating such conditions, Prayuth said. Im worried that the students might be naive after being fed one side of the story, he said. May students who rally listen to the information the government has aired before choosing what you want to believe. In 2010, leaders of street protests who supported former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat who rallied to oust then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva were arrested. The protests resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people. Nine self-proclaimed royalist leaders were sentenced to four years after being convicted of treason following 2014 protests while 25 people were killed, according to official figures. Natjasak Phuthachakrawan, who attended the Ramkhamhaeng rally, was not swayed by the student speakers, saying their efforts could lead to violence. Do you know what democracy is, he told BenarNews, adding he was concerned there could be a repeat of the Oct. 14, 1973 violence. I know how that was. High school students have joined the protests as well. A group from the all-girls Satriwithaya School in Bangkok displayed pro-democracy posters as they rallied at the Democracy Monument across the street from their school on Wednesday, the Bangkok Post reported. We came today not on behalf of the school but as members of a new generation who dont want the monument to be just a place where vehicles make a U-turn, one said. In this episode of Market Foolery, Chris Hill and Jason Moser go through the results of three recent earnings announcements. MasterCard NYSE:MA) Home Depot NYSE:HD) Shake Shack NYSE:SHAK) Finally, in the Fool mailbag, what stocks should you go for if you're a young investor? To catch full episodes of all The Motley Fool's free podcasts, check out our podcast center. To get started investing, check out our quick-start guide to investing in stocks. A full transcript follows the video. This video was recorded on Feb. 25, 2020. Chris Hill: It's Tuesday, February 25. Welcome to Market Foolery. I'm Chris Hill. With me in studio: Jason Moser. Thanks for being here. Jason Moser: Thank you for having me. Hill: We've got earnings from Home Depot and Shake Shack. We're going to dip into the Fool mailbag. We're going to start with a leadership change, and that is MasterCard getting a new CEO next year, January 1, 2021. Michael Miebach, who's the chief product pfficer, is going to become the CEO. And Ajay Banga, who's been CEO for the past decade, is going to be the executive chairman. And the fact that shares of MasterCard are down 4% today, I think, have nothing to do with these announcements, just because Miebach has been there for a decade under Banga's leadership. This has been a phenomenal stock. He's been CEO for 10 years. Stock's returned more than 1,300% since then. This seems like a smooth leadership transition as you could possibly hope for if you're a shareholder. Moser: Yeah, I totally agree. I am a shareholder, and to me, this is one of those things that we hope for. You like a clear succession plan laid out there. And the reasons are the reasons, you know, I mean, we don't know why Mr. Banga is stepping down from that role. I mean, it sounds like it's something that's in line with what he wants to do with his life, though. And so I think that the big question for me is going to be, it's going to be interesting is if Mr. Banga's views are also Mr. Miebach's views. And what I mean by that is, they've run this business to this point with a certain worldview. And there is a really good article recently in the Financial Times, I think it was, that was a focus on Mr. Banga, and the title of the article was "MasterCard chief speaks out against nationalism and Facebook." [laughs] But it was a really good article, because it gave a lot of his opinions, his worldviews. Siloed payment systems are stupid. I mean, he's thinking, "Why everybody wants to try to build their own thing, it makes it fragmented and inefficient." He has big questions over Libra, Facebook's intentions, how it's going to make money. You know, MasterCard was part of that initial interest group and pulled out, along with a lot of other companies. So just for me, it's going to be interesting to see, going forward, if their two views are compatible. Because if not, then you would expect to see some strategy changes over the course of the next, I would assume, at least decade, unless Mr. Miebach just doesn't really do a good job and has to step down. I don't anticipate that being the case; he's obviously very familiar with the business. But that really, for me, is the big question is, are their two views compatible? Because that'll dictate a lot of the strategy over the course of the coming decade. Hill: So not that we're focused on the short term, but let's talk about why the stock is down today. Revised guidance regarding the potential impact of coronavirus. You're a shareholder. What did you think of it? Moser: I mean, to me, it seems logical. What we're seeing at this point with coronaviruses is ultimately a global slowdown, and it's going to be hard to fully quantify. And I think a lot of companies are really just trying to get a grip on what quarter one is going to look like and what quarter two could potentially look like. So to me, you know that that only makes sense. If the global economy slows down, then that has a material impact on MasterCard's business, because they facilitate the movement of a lot of that money. But it doesn't impact the business itself; it's just a matter of slowing growth versus accelerating growth. And if we hit a period of slowing growth, because of this temporary albeit scary situation, then so be it, but it doesn't change my view on owning the business. And this is certainly one where -- you know, Peter Lynch always says, "The best stock to buy is probably one you already own." I think MasterCard falls into that camp. I mean, I think if you saw this company get shellacked on greater market concerns, it's one that I would certainly consider adding to. Hill: We'll get to slowing growth when we talk about Shake Shack, but let's hit Home Depot first. Moser: That was a nice little gut shot right there. I like that. Hill: [laughs] I'm not trying to take shots at Shake Shack; we will get to that. But Home Depot's fourth-quarter profits look good, their revenue was a little light. Given the revenue being light and the market environment this week, and the fact that I don't own Home Depot yet ... I'm not going to lie, I was kind of hoping that this stock was going to get smacked in the mouth today, and it is not, it's up about 1%, 2%. So it's on my list, I'll buy it at some point, but I really was kind of hoping -- once I saw the report coming out, I was like, "Oh, maybe this can be, like -- I mean, gosh, 8% down?" Moser: [laughs] This has become our Visa and MasterCard. We sat there for two, three years talking about Visa, but now we're going to be talking about Home Depot every quarter. I too do not own shares and look at this company and ask myself every quarter, "Why don't I own shares?" And I haven't come up with a good answer yet, Chris. I mean, to your point, it was a good quarter. And I think it's important to note too that the revenue appeared a little bit light, but that was also based on an extra week last year. And so actually, if you look at it, they did grow modestly from the previous year. And there was strength in the average ticket. The average ticket was up 4.4%, very modest growth in transactions, just under 1%, but that led to a good earnings report, good earnings-per-share figures for the year at $10.25 versus the $10.03 they predicted just a quarter ago. So this is a company that just keeps on doing what they say they're going to do. They play in a really attractive market. And I'll tell you, one thing they continue to do quarter in and quarter out is these big-ticket comp transactions. These big tickets are over $1,000. They represent 20% of the company's U.S. sales. Growth there was up double-digits, again, for the quarter. Now, double digits could mean just 10%, but regardless, some of those big-ticket items, they seem to be really good at doing it. Sales per retail square foot, $455 for the year, highest in the company's history. It's really hard to knock what they're doing. And so, for me, it's finding the red flags. And going through the call, I was searching coronavirus in China. And, you know, I was a little bit surprised, there's not a big mention there. I mean, they talked about it very briefly in the context of the supply chain and in regard to the first quarter. They're like, "Hey, listen, most of our stuff, we've already got it here, it's already been shipped or it's en route." But they did notify, they did say, this is a fluid situation, it's changing day by day, and they are looking at Q2 and Q3 and Q4 and seeing what the potential effects may be, but for now, it seems like the business is still firing on all cylinders. Grew the dividend again. I mean, this thing pays $6 a year just to hold the stock. I mean, it's really hard to argue against that at this point. Hill: It is. And to go back to something you had said about management and their ability to deliver. I think one of the reasons the stock -- or I should say, one more reason -- the stock is not falling today is, despite the fact that management talked about, this is going to be a big year for Home Depot in terms of the money they're investing in the business, with other businesses and other management teams, that would scare some investors off. But I think this management team has proven they're going to invest it wisely. And I think that's, again, one more reason why people have confidence in it. Moser: Yeah, I think so. I mean, they're still calling for $16 billion in operating profit for the year, which is modest growth from a year ago, but it's growth nonetheless. And when you talk about the money that they're investing, I think it's reasonable to look at the next five years and think that those investments will start paying off. They've been investing a lot in their professional customer. I mean, the big focus on the do-it-yourselfers like you and me, but they also have this tremendous pro business, and they are building out an entirely new and separate experience for those pro customers to be able to come in there and do their work and get the stuff that they need. And I think that's only going to help their cause as time goes on. Another interesting data point I saw, just going back to the dividend for a second. They raised the dividend this year, 10% increase in the quarterly dividend; that's 11 consecutive years with dividend increase. Which is kind of surprising to me, in that I thought it would have been more. But, you know, we talk about Dividend Aristocrats a lot, Lowe's is on that list, Home Depot is clearly not. And they're not going to be for a while, but I think it's also reasonable to assume that they'll continue raising that dividend for the foreseeable future, because I'd imagine they want to be on that list too at some point. Hill: At some point, but it's a nice reminder that at one point in time, Bob Nardelli was running this company. Moser: [laughs] Yeah. Bob Nardelli is -- Hill: [laughs] The Dark Ages. Shares of Shake Shack are down 14% today. Fourth-quarter profits came in much higher than expected. And if that were the only thing that mattered, the stock would probably be up or at least flat, but same-store sales were down 3.5%. Sales grew 21%, but that's lower than expected. That's actually the slowest sales growth they've had in a quarter since they went public. So I don't know, how concerned should people be about this business? Moser: Well, first and foremost, thank you for not saying same-shack sales, because that's a tongue twister, I think, that just doesn't really work well for podcasts. I wish they would just abandon it altogether. Hill: It's a little too cute. Moser: It is a little -- [laughs] yeah, well said. So we have a little connection with Shake Shack, and we went and we taped a Market Foolery on location one day in New York City. It was a lot of fun, they were super to us, we got some great food. That said, it's always confounded me as to why the stock has done so well for so long. I mean, it's a burger joint, right? Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's a burger joint. They make pretty good food, but, I mean, I don't know that this is something that necessarily has the growth potential of something like maybe a Chipotle. I mean, honestly, you look at the stock, and before today, it was trading at well over 100 times earnings, which makes Chipotle look like a value play today. But to your point, the numbers were not really very good. Traffic was down close to 5.5%. Comps down. They've seen a slowdown of delivery. And what's more is the delivery question for them, I mean as they integrate more with Grubhub, in this relationship that they form with Grubhub, it's going to cause a lot of lumpiness, it sounds like, this year as well. It's something that they can't necessarily quantify at this point in the year. So I think you probably see this stock pull back some more as time goes on, because you do have to wonder -- they just opened up the most restaurants in one year that they've ever opened up, and whether it was a direct result or an indirect result, traffic was down. And so, then this becomes a demand story. You start asking yourself, "How much demand is really there?" I do wonder, if maybe this isn't kind of like a Bojangles' story, in that they are a good restaurant with a loyal cult following, but maybe they can't quite fully grow out of that East Coast footprint that they currently reside in. I mean, that's where they were born. It's a New York story. And it seems like all of the bulls that I know [...] up in New York anyway, so maybe we're missing something there. But, yeah, I don't know that I have a lot of optimism for this company, at least in the near term. The stock just seems just so outrageously priced based on the fundamentals. Hill: Well, and to your point about the footprint. You can have a quarter like this where same-store sales are down 3.5%, if you've got a massive, national -- you know, if Starbucks put up that kind of quarter or McDonald's for that matter. I mean, in McDonald's case, that would be pretty bad, but it's a national thing. Part of Shake Shack's job over the next decade, I would argue and I think you would agree, is that they need to prove they can grow nationally. And when they're putting up negative comps on a regional basis, that is the opposite argument. You guys should just stick to where you are and you'll do fine there, but don't go West of the Mississippi. Moser: And I think that you may be on to something there. I mean, it does feel like burgers are very regional. And you have one part of the country where it's all about Whataburger, and then you've got Smashburger and you've got In-N-Out Burger and you've got Five Guys and you've got Shake Shack. So they're all good in their own right, but they can't all just keep growing to the moon. And, yeah, they've got -- like what? I don't know -- 250 -- something like that -- stores. They're not going to be able -- maybe it's more than that, maybe it's like 380, I don't know, it's somewhere in that general neighborhood. But the point is, I think that while they have robust growth aspirations, I think if you think this is going to be a Chipotle-like story where they have 2,500 stores, I don't know, man, to me that just sounds really optimistic; I would bet against that. Another thing to note just for this coming year. If you are interested in the stock, keep this in mind, because you may find a better entry point, because the revenue guidance that they laid out for the year also includes this temporary closure of two New York City Shake Shack's, and that matters, because those are two of their busy stores. And so just keep that in mind that -- I mean, the market is thinking, hey, that's going to be something else that's going to weigh on the business in the near term, but that will go away. There would be a catalyst in the back-half of the year that could play out in investors' favor; that remains to be seen, but it's worth noting regardless, because those two stores are going to be closed for a combined 14 to 18 weeks, and that's going to be a lot of money that they lose in sales from that. Hill: Our mailing address is 2000 Duke St., Alexandria, VA. We got a very nice letter from Daniel Good in Ireland. And he included a couple of magnets, which was very nice, so thank you for that, Daniel. And a very kind letter with some very nice thoughts. But he had a couple of questions I thought we could hit real quick before we wrap up. First, he asked, "What are your thoughts on the European market for 2020 and in general? I know you mainly focus on U.S. equities. However, do either of you have holdings or would you recommend it as a place to diversify your portfolio other than emerging markets and U.S. stocks?" I really like this question, because it's a reminder that we do tend to talk in terms of those two groups, like, there's U.S. stocks and then there's emerging markets. And, you know, there are opportunities in Europe, but to be perfectly honest, I don't really think of them as an investor. I tend to stick close to home when I'm looking at my investment opportunities. Moser: Yeah, I mean, I do too. I view investing as more of a big picture, you know, why focus on specific markets when you can focus on businesses that cover many markets? I mean, the world is a lot smaller today thanks to technology and these intricate supply chains and so forth. So for me, you know, we don't necessarily have to say, well, I've got U.S. exposure, now I need European exposure and emerging markets exposure. Because, frankly, I've already got a healthy amount of European exposure in my own portfolio, but they aren't necessarily European domiciled companies either. I'll use a few examples here, Autodesk is one, and that's in the business of AutoCAD software, that almost half of their revenue comes from their Europe, Middle East and Africa segment. Ansys is another one that's in simulation software. Very strong presence in Germany and France; generate a lot of sales from Europe. And another company, PTC, with 35% or so of their revenue coming from Europe, with a big focus on Germany as well. And those are all software companies that are focused on that autoCAD and simulation-style software offerings. PTC and Ansys have actually partnered up. And Autodesk, I think a lot of people out there are familiar with that name. So those are just three examples of software companies that -- yeah, they're U.S. investments, but they're really also European investments. You get a nice exposure to the European economy there. You look at big tech, things like Facebook, Google, Amazon. We love those companies here. I think it's fair to assume that they're going to be under even more of a microscope in Europe here in the coming years. And maybe that's a good thing, maybe that's a bad thing. But I mean, those are businesses that, of course, give you a lot of exposure to the European economy as well. So looking for pure plays there, nothing wrong with that. I don't necessarily view investing that way anymore, because we don't have to. China, very much the same thing. I mean, I don't really look for pure-play China investment ideas, I just look for good businesses with a healthy exposure to the Chinese economy, and it seems to be working out. Hill: Daniel's a university student, and he also writes, "Since I'm 21 years old, I don't know whether it's better to invest in dividend stocks like Pfizer or growth stocks like Virgin Galactic? Moser: Well, Daniel. [laughs] Hill: [laughs] But this reminds me of the most recent YouTube Live Q&A that we did. You, me, and Bill Mann. We were talking about blue chip companies, not this specific in terms of Pfizer and Virgin Galactic, but we got a similar question in terms of, sort of, to what extent should you allocate your portfolio toward growth, particularly if you're a younger investor, or dividend? And I look at this question and think, ideally, you want to have at least somewhere between 10 and 20 stocks in your portfolio, and there's room for both. Moser: I want it all, right? It is a very interesting dilemma, because we talk about when you're younger and you have all of this time in front of you. And you can take on more risk. And a lot of times, that risk is in the form of growth-type stocks, maybe businesses that are less proven, less profitable. They're not going to be dividend payers. By the same token, the whole idea behind dividend payers is you want to hold on to those things as long as you can. So 10, 20, 30, 40 years, if you can. I mean, Home Depot, I think, is a great example. If you're owning Home Depot and they're giving you $6 a year just to hang on to that share. Well, you can do the math and see over the course of a decade, two decades, how meaningful that can be. And so, I mean, the answer, as you said, is you want them both. I think it's just looking to find a healthy mix and not really committing to one or the other. But recognizing the fact that, while, Daniel, you're younger and you're in that "grow your wealth" stage of life, eventually you'll get to that "protect your wealth" stage of life. And it's really neat, when you get to protecting your wealth, to already have that more or less unassailable just bedrock dividend core in your portfolio that has already been so hard at work for you. Because, I mean, eventually, you hang on to one of those things long enough, I mean, in theory, your cost basis becomes zero, and that's pretty sweet. But, yeah, I don't think it's an either/or, I think it is both, and I think it's just really finding that healthy mix and taking advantage of those opportunities when you can. Hill: Well, and as you and Bill Mann and I talked about on YouTube, fortunately for all investors, those dividend stocks are a lot more attractive now. You certainly have a lot more options, and the businesses appear to be more dynamic than when you and I were Daniel's age. And it's, like, yeah, they're blue chip, they're dividend payers, it's IBM, it's not going anywhere, it's safe, it's steady, but you know. Guess what? Apple is a dividend stock, and look how that's done over the last couple of years. Moser: It does feel like you don't have to sacrifice capital gains for dividends anymore. I mean, that used to be, I think, the perception was that, if you're going to hold a dividend stock, well, the stock price is not going to really do much, but you get that dividend check every quarter. It does feel like dividend payers are more dynamic, and you don't have to necessarily sacrifice capital gains anymore. Microsoft, I think another great example. And a lot of these companies, Microsoft included -- again, we go back to that Dividend Aristocrat list -- a lot of these companies want to be on that list, and the only way to get there is to keep growing that dividend year in and year out for at least 25 consecutive years. So you find a lot of those companies that are close to that, and there are a lot of good ones from which to choose, for sure. Hill: Jason Moser, thanks for being here. Moser: Thank you. Hill: As always, people on the program may have interest in the stocks they talk about, and The Motley Fool may have formal recommendations for or against, so don't buy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. That's going to do it for this edition of Market Foolery. The show is mixed by Dan Boyd. I'm Chris Hill. Thanks for listening. We'll see you tomorrow. UPDATE: There are 195 asymptomatic individuals in New Jersey who are self-quarantined based on their travel history, according to the state Health Department. These individuals are monitored by local health officials. None of them are considered high risk. Fears over the coronavirus are rising. While the risk to Americans still remains low, concerns have heightened in recent days as the country may have seen its first case of community spread of the virus. Federal officials have sounded the alarms. Why? Because if the virus does take a foothold in the U.S. and lead to community spread meaning the virus begins spreading from person to person in communities across the U.S. we could be faced with one of the worst public health crises in decades. Concerns escalated over the weekend when COVID-19 began circulating rapidly in Italy and Iran. There are also outbreaks in South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan. The novel virus outbreak, which started in December in China, has infected more than 81,000 and claimed nearly 3,000 lives. A top official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has told Americans to start preparing for an outbreak. We are asking the American public to work with us to prepare for the expectation that this could be bad, Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters Tuesday during a conference call. Ultimately, we expect we will see community spread in this country, Messonnier added. Its not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness. With increasing fears comes more questions: Why is the virus so contagious? What does a 2% mortality rate actually mean? What are the symptoms? Who is most susceptible to contracting the virus? Are there any treatments for it? Well break down everything you need to know. Its important to note that this virus is complicated. Even health officials dont fully understand how the virus works. Why is the virus so contagious? While Ebola is one of the deadliest viruses on the planet, its not easily contracted. To become infected, you have to be exposed to a persons bodily fluids. Coronavirus, on the other hand, is vastly more contagious, spreading similarly to the flu. This means that exposure to coughs, sneezes, contaminated handrails or surfaces are all ways you can become infected. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, according to the CDC. What does the 2% mortality rate mean? Disease mortality rates are the percentage of people who die if they contract the illness. The 2003 SARS outbreak had a mortality rate of roughly 10%. The 2015 MERS outbreak had a death rate of around 35%. And Ebola has a death rate of 90%. The coronavirus, by contrast, has a 2% mortality rate. While this may not sound high, the virus has already killed nearly 3,000 people. (SARS and MERS each led to fewer than 1,000 deaths.) But to put in perspective, the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which killed 50 million people worldwide, also had a mortality rate of 2% to 3% but was extremely contagious. Coronavirus is a respiratory illness that can cause pneumonia. Symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath. Are there any treatments? Right now, there is no vaccine for the virus. Health officials are working on one, but it could be a year or even 18 months away. A clinical trial is underway for an antiviral drug called remdesivir, which health officials believe could end up being an effective treatment. The results of the trial, which is being conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, could be released as early as April. Who is most susceptible? What has surprised many health officials is the staggeringly low rate of infection among children. Older adults and people with pre-existing chronic health conditions and those who are immunocompromised appear to be most at-risk from the virus. How efficiently does the virus spread? While the virus isnt as contagious as diseases like measles, its still considered highly infectious. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in Hubei province and other parts of China. In the United States, spread from person-to-person has occurred only among a few close contacts and has not spread any further to date, according to the CDC. What is the testing capacity in the U.S.? Within the past week, there have been concerns over the capacity to test for the virus. Issues have arisen with the CDC test kits that the agency had sent to laboratories throughout the country, delaying the governments ability to expand its testing capacity. Those problems appear to have been fixed. What does community spread mean? Until recently, all the cases in the U.S. had been from people who contracted the virus outside the country. The greatest fear is that the coronavirus will eventually take a foothold in the U.S. and begin spreading within communities. That may have happened. On Wednesday, shortly after President Trumps press conference on the state of coronavirus preparedness, it was reported that a person in Northern California might be the first in the U.S. to contract the virus without having traveled outside the country or had direct contact with someone who had. However, the source of the infection is still unclear. But it could be the first case of community spread in the U.S. Is anyone in N.J. under quarantine? Yes. There are 195 asymptomatic individuals in New Jersey who are self-quarantined based on their travel history, according to the state Health Department. They are being monitored by local health officials. None of them is considered high risk. The Ocean County Health Department had 13 people being voluntarily monitored for COVID-19. As of now, all but four have completed the monitoring process, according to Brian Lippai, spokesman, spokesman for the countys health department. None showed any symptoms of coronavirus. Those 4 will be done by the end of the weekend, Lippai said in an email. The 13 people were identified through their recent travel history, and the individuals were in consistent daily communication with us and were given instructions should they demonstrate any symptoms which fortunately never occurred, Lippai said. Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. 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. More than 80,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide (Ahn Young-joon/AP) Coronavirus has spread from Wuhan in China to countries across the world, with more than 85,000 confirmed cases and nearly 3,000 deaths worldwide. Here is all you need to know. What is the scale of the problem? So far, China has reported a total of 79,257 cases, including 2,835 deaths, while more than 6,500 infections have been reported outside China. After Brazil confirmed Latin Americas first case on Wednesday, the virus has reached every continent except Antarctica. Whats happening in the UK? There have been 23 confirmed cases in the UK so far after over 7,000 people were tested. A British man, who was quarantined on board a cruise ship in Japan, is the first Briton to have died from coronavirus. The Japanese Ministry of Health said the man was the sixth person to have died on the Diamond Princess cruise ship where over 700 cases were reported. There is one confirmed case of coronavirus in Northern Ireland, while over 90 people have been tested. The patient is an adult woman who returned from northern Italy to the Republic of Ireland before travelling to Northern Ireland. It has now been confirmed that a case has been diagnosed in the Republic of Ireland. What is the UK Government recommending people returning from infected regions do? The UK Government said that people returning from Hubei province in China, Iran, lockdown areas in northern Italy, and special care zones in South Korea in the last 14 days should immediately self-isolate at home and call NHS 111. Earlier this week five schools in Northern Ireland put precautionary measures in place after pupils came home from half-term ski trips to northern Italy. People returning from a number of other countries including the rest of China and Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore should self-isolate if they develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath. What else is being done to tackle the spread of the virus? Health minister Robin Swann said any confirmed cases in Northern Ireland would be admitted to the infectious disease unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Northern Ireland now has full access to the NHS 111 helpline service on coronavirus. Callers should press 1 when they are advised. This service is provided in Northern Ireland solely for coronavirus guidance and not for other conditions. Is anyone benefiting from the outbreak? Yes. On Thursday, consumer healthcare giant Reckitt Benckiser said the coronavirus has helped to drive greater demand for its Dettol and Lysol hygiene products. Reckitt Benckiser has seen a greater demand for its Dettol and Lysol hygiene products (Steve Parsons/PA) Is this a pandemic? The World Health Organisation (WHO) has not declared a pandemic, but says coronavirus remains an international emergency. Stormont's health committee has agreed to classify coronavirus as a "notifiable disease", which would allow a judge to legally compel someone suspected of having the disease to undergo medical testing. This power is highly unlikely to ever be used, it highlights the seriousness with which the Department of Health (DoH) is taking the situation. What is a coronavirus? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars). The strain that has recently emerged is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. The respiratory disease it causes has been named Covid-19 by WHO. How is it spread? The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with the virus coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person and can be picked up other people touching them then touching their nose or mouth. Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath (Ian Hinchliffe/PA) What are the symptoms? Initial symptoms of the novel coronavirus include fever, cough, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. More severe cases can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, sepsis and septic shock which can lead to death. There are no specific treatments or vaccines for a new coronavirus but symptoms can be treated. What should I do to prevent catching or spreading the virus? The best way to protect yourself and others is: Wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel, regularly throughout the day. with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel, regularly throughout the day. Catch your cough or sneeze in a tissue , bin it, and wash your hands. , bin it, and wash your hands. If you have recently arrived back from specified areas follow the returning traveller advice. What about my holiday? Managing director of Gallagher Travel Heather Fielding said travel to Europe and further afield is continuing as normal. "It is a fluid situation but obviously there are people going to Italy who are concerned. Tour operators and airlines are working closely with the Foreign Office. If people want to change or cancel their holidays, fees are still in place. Some airlines are a little more lenient than others when it comes to changes but that would fall under normal ticketing regulations anyway," she said. "We are recommending that people take out adequate travel insurance that covers them when it comes to disruption. The majority of people who would book through us would have chosen an inclusive package which means they are fully protected, in the case of not being allowed to travel to a certain area with a tour operators I would be giving a full refund or helping them find an alternative. "The majority of people are looking at it as they still want to get away to the sun and they realise in relation to the size of the population there's a very small number of people being affected - the elderly or those with an underlying medical condition. Generally speaking we're finding bookings are still coming through and people are still prepared to travel, it's not a problem." Are some groups more at risk? The UK Government says that based on current evidence most cases appear to be mild and that those who have died in Wuhan appeared to have pre-existing health conditions. The World Health Organisation has said that about four in five people who contract the virus get mild symptoms and recover. But it added that older people or patients with pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes are more at risk of developing serious illness. WASHINGTON As state and federal agencies prepare for the eventual spread of coronavirus in the United States, Democratic members of Congress accused the administration of President Donald Trump of acting too slowly and requesting inadequate funding to prepare for the outbreak. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, grilled U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in a hearing on his departments budget Wednesday morning. While applauding his decision to declare a public health emergency and put travel restrictions in place, she decried the administrations decision to shift funding from health programs to fight the pandemic. On Monday, the U.S. health department requested $1.25 billion in emergency coronavirus funding from Congress and revealed plans to shift money from other health programs to coronavirus response a total of $2.5 billion in spending. The money is intended to pay for testing and screening of the virus, masks, the development of a vaccine and other public health responses. DeLauro will now help lead House Democrats in drafting their own plan to fund the coronavirus response with Republicans. Both parties have said they are willing to allocate much more than Azar requested. We will work quickly, said DeLauro, while declining to speculate on how much she would push for. I want to make to sure we have enough money to do this. Trump administration health officials briefed federal lawmakers on the global health epidemic Tuesday and Wednesday, and in multiple hearings, faced tough questioning about their plans to address it. On Tuesday, the White House also briefed state health officials, including Connecticut Commissioner Renee Coleman-Mitchell, about response to the virus, a state health department spokesman said. Trump has scheduled a news conference on the federal plan for tackling coronavirus Wednesday evening. He suggested on Twitter Wednesday morning that the media is doing "everything possible to make the caronavirus [sic] look as bad as possible including panicking markets." Globally, the total number of coronavirus cases has climbed above 80,000 and nearly 3,000 people have died. The flu-like virus has now infected individuals in the U.S., Asia, Europe, Middle East and Latin America. The World Health Organization says more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed outside China than inside that nation, where the virus first exploded. Azar said Wednesday 70 individuals have tested positive with coronavirus, some of whom returned to the U.S. from travel in Asia. Azar described the current health risk to Americans as "very low." From a public health perspective, we are technically in a state of containment, Azar said. That could change rapidly. ... We fully expect we will seek more cases in the United States. No one has tested positive for coronavirus in Connecticut to date. But residents and health officials are worried and the administration is not alleviating their fears, said Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5. She slammed the administration for having a laissez-faire attitude toward the virus and shes double-checking the information theyre sharing because theres been an erosion of trust. Im actually already getting letters from people in Connecticut from people who are concerned about replenishing supplies, such as gloves and face masks and what does this mean and what is the plan, said Hayes. We shouldnt wait for an epidemic to hit. We should have a plan in place and just like everything else, this administration it seems like they lack a level of preparedness. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., revealed a Senate proposal on Wednesday for $8.5 billion for fighting the virus, including $2 billion to reimburse state and local spending on the virus. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who leads the Senate budget subcommittee for health, said Tuesday that lawmakers have time to consider what is the "right number" of money to put toward the response because the administration can immediately tap about $250 million in infectious disease money already authorized. But speaking to DeLauros House budget subcommittee Wednesday, Azar said his administration has already spent or obligated about $105 million of that money, prompting concerns among some lawmakers that it will not be enough. In the hearing, both Republicans and Democrats blasted Azar for giving lawmakers a two-page document requesting emergency funding with little detail about how it would be spent. President Barack Obamas administration presented a 20-page request when asking for funds to fight the Ebola epidemic. I was in the hearings where this crowd made the Obama administration provide chapter and verse, day in and day out about where the money was going and it was never enough information on where it was going, DeLauro said. We have a two page document. Tell us. We can deal with it. U.S. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the lead Republican on the subcommittee, also asked for more detail, but said he was confident that Azar will request more funding if he needs it. Nevertheless, he urged Azar not to be stingy now. "I dont think we should sacrifice short term here, he said. "I just dont think we should be penny-wise and pound foolish on that. Both DeLauro and Cole warned the administration not to divert over $500 million from funds earmarked for Ebola response to pay for the coronavirus, as Azar planned to do. Azar faced questioning on coronavirus by two House committees Wednesday and the Senate on Tuesday. In the Senate hearing, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., criticized Azar for not seeking funding for the pandemic response weeks ago. We cannot continue to close our eyes to these developing pandemics, he said. We are going to have to be partnering with many other countries. And under this administration, unfortunately, we're going the wrong way. We are operating in less countries abroad, not more countries. Rep. John Larson, D-1, and other Democrats called on Trump Wednesday to appoint a coronavirus chief to lead the pandemic effort. Politico reported Wednesday that the White House was weighing the idea. Azar said Wednesday he did not expect such an official to be named. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans to prepare for the likelihood that "this might be bad." Its not so much of a question of if this will happen in this country anymore, but a question of when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness, said Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control. The range of comments from Trump, Azar, the CDC and other Trump officials drew criticism from Democrats this week, who questioned their handling of the issue. Democrats also slammed Trump for proposed budget cuts to the CDC and other health programs, including past decisions to break apart a pandemic "chain of command" for handling a major health crisis. The CDC said Tuesday that it was working with public health labs in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles and Seattle to conduct community-based tests of people with flu symptoms for the coronavirus. "This is just the starting point and we plan to expand to more sites in the coming weeks until we have national surveillance," said Messonnier. emilie.munson@hearstdc.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson A hot potato: While TikTok remains one of the most popular apps in the world, its policies and parent companys alleged ties to the Chinese government have brought plenty of controversy. One person whos definitely not a fan is Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, who called it fundamentally parasitic and spyware. As reported by TechCrunch, Huffman was taking part in a panel discussion with former Facebook execs Sam Lessin and Elliot Schrage at the Social 2030 conference in San Francisco. When asked if Silicon Valley startups could learn something from TikTok, Huffman revealed his feelings on the app. Maybe Im going to regret this, but I cant even get to that level of thinking with them, Huffman said. Because I look at that app as so fundamentally parasitic, that its always listening, the fingerprinting technology they use is truly terrifying, and I could not bring myself to install an app like that on my phone. I actively tell people, Dont install that spyware on your phone,' he later added. Following its launch in China back in September 2016, TikTok, which allows users to create 15-second video clips, has amassed over 800 million monthly average users. The app has seen more than 1.5 billion downloads during its lifetime, making it the seventh-most downloaded app of the last decade. But TikTok has been plagued with privacy issues, including a $5.7 million fine for illegally collecting the personal information of children. Its also been the subject of a US national security review, been banned by the Navy and TSA, and is the target of a class-action lawsuit that claims it comes pre-installed with Chinese surveillance software. TikTok's privacy policy reveals that it collects a shocking amount of data from users, including IP address, IP history, mobile carrier, device ID, where they log-in from multiple devices, unique device identifiers, and even keystroke patterns. It states that this information may be shared with third-party services such as advertisers. Center image credit: G Holland via Shutterstock The government of Vermont is on the verge of supplying the missing piece of the state's marijuana legalization effort. On Wednesday, the state House of Representatives passed a bill that would set standards for the sale of the drug for adult recreational use. The tax and regulate cannabis bill, as it's titled, passed by a comfortable margin of 90 to 54. It now moves back to the state Senate for reconciliation. (That body passed a similar, but not identical, bill last year.) The bill's provisions include the creation of a Cannabis Control Board to regulate the industry and grant business licenses. A Cannabis Regulation Fund would also be established in order to finance the Board's operations, and other related purposes. Most importantly for marijuana companies, the Board would start taking applications for recreational sales licenses as soon as Jan. 15, 2022. Current medical cannabis dispensary operators in the state would be among those getting preference when applying for recreational sale permits. Another element of the bill in its present form is a 20% state tax on cannabis sales; the revenue derived from this would be utilized for educational programs. Restrictions include a ban on flavored marijuana vapes, and a limit of 30% potency of THC in all product. Although the use of recreational cannabis has been legal in Vermont since 2018, the sale of it is still prohibited. Medical marijuana, on the other hand, has essentially been fully sanctioned. Vermont is a small state, and its medical cannabis retail scene is limited. One company active there is Grassroots, which is set to be acquired by Massachusetts-based Curaleaf (OTC:CURLF) if and when their long-pending deal finally closes. Look for Grassroots/Curaleaf to file for a recreational sales license when the time comes. Curaleaf's stock was down marginally in early afternoon trading Thursday. Taiwan authorities have accused Chinese internet trolls of sowing panic over the coronavirus outbreak, with much of the disinformation falsely implying the island has an out of control epidemic. Police say they are investigating a surge of stories spreading online and through social media claiming President Tsai Ing-wen's government was trying to cover up an outbreak. "We suspect that mainland Chinese Internet trolls are making up and spreading the false messages based on the content and the phrases," Taiwan's Investigation Bureau said in a statement late Wednesday. "The intent is to cause misunderstanding among the public and to sow panic to seriously jeopardise our social stability," it added. Tsai, who won a landslide second term in January and is loathed by Beijing, took to Facebook to warn people against believing rumours. While she did not mention China by name, she hinted at linguistic clues suggesting much of the misinformation was being written outside of Taiwan. "Some of the rumours even contain phrases not used in Taiwan," she wrote. One key language difference is that Taiwan uses traditional Chinese characters, not the simplified versions used on the mainland. Despite its cultural links and close proximity to China, Taiwan moved swiftly against the outbreak, quickly restricting and then banning arrivals from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. It currently has 32 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with one death. The coronavirus outbreak has only added to tensions between Taiwan and China. Beijing regards the self-ruled democracy as its own territory and has kept it frozen out of international bodies including the World Health Organization. And the island has long been a target for Chinese nationalist internet trolls seeking to undermine public faith in Tsai's government. Analysts say trolls have got better in recent years at deploying traditional Chinese and Taiwanese phrasing. But much of the current misinformation on the virus appears to be more rudimentary. Examples of disinformation given by the Investigation Bureau was one false social media message claiming to be written by the child of a ruling party councillor saying Taipei "dares not disclose over 500 infections and 200 deaths". Another false message alleged that the administration of "Governor Tsai," a term used by mainland Chinese to refer to the president, was covering up the cremation of bodies, the bureau said. Taiwan's FactCheck Centre -- an independent organisation that debunks misinformation -- said there has been a surge in false posts deploying simplified characters or common phrases used in mainland China. "New variants of such disinformation keeping coming out to spread falsehoods in an attempt to create panic," the centre wrote. "We urge readers not to forward these messages but to verify and discredit them." An escaped tarantula named Screwbox has sparked panic in a suburban home after a storm caved the ceiling in, smashing its enclosure. Pet sitter Tahlia Renton, 24, returned to her family home to discover the ceiling had caved in and smashed the tarantula enclosure in the Perth suburb of Mindarie at 11:30am on Wednesday. The alfresco area of Ms Renton's home flooded on Tuesday during a 'bad bout' of rain as one car floated and windscreens were broken during the intense Perth storm. The wild weather caused the ceiling to collapse in a room where Ms Renton keeps nine tarantulas, a python and a bearded dragon. But when she only counted eight tarantulas, she feared that the venomous spider could fatally bite her two pet dogs. 'Not knowing if the spider was hurt or if it had gotten out the back door, they're non venomous to humans but if the dogs were to try and catch it or play with it, it can be a fatal bite for them,' Ms Renton told Daily Mail Australia. 'So I just wanted to know where it was and get it in a safe place.' An escaped tarantula named Screwbox (pictured) has sparked panic in a suburban home after a storm caved the ceiling in, smashing its enclosure Pet sitter Tahlia Renton, 24, returned to her family home to discover the ceiling had caved in and smashed the tarantula enclosure in the Perth suburb of Mindarie on Wednesday Parts of Mindarie were flooded on Tuesday evening with one car having to be pulled from the rising water and trees smashing through windshields. The wild weather caused the ceiling to collapse in a room where Ms Renton keeps nine tarantulas, a python and a bearded dragon Ms Renton began searching for Screwbox and eventually found it 'scared stiff' from the roof collapsing and enclosure breaking. 'They can dash extremely fast so it was very slow and nerves were through the collapsed roof,' Ms Renton joked. 'It was always going to be a slow and steady process.' Mr Renton created a makeshift home for Screwdriver before catching him. 'I prepped a temporary container for it and got some peat bedding ready then had to get a deep dish and some paper straws and cornered it,' she said. 'Once the container was close enough i managed to coax it inside and then slide paper between that and the wall to trap it inside. 'You can't use anything too hard like tweezers etc because it can damage their skin really easy so its always going to be a slow and steady process - there have been escapes in the past.' Ms Renton feared for the lives of her two pet dogs as tarantula venom is highly potent for canines. Eventually, she managed to find the tarantula and put it back in an enclosure When Ms Renton only counted eight tarantulas, she feared that the venomous spider could fatally bite her two pet dogs Another one of Ms Renton's tarantulas. The Perth woman has nine of the hairy arachnids in total Ms Renton said the ceiling collapsed between 8:30am and 11:30am on Wednesday morning while she was out but was surprised because there was no obvious damage to her roof. 'I don't think I realised what the aftermath of the storm could be, the water had obviously stored in the roof and seeped through over night to cause the collapse,' Ms Renton said. 'It wasn't an immediate thing, which is what has brought on the shock I think.' Perth was lashed with winds of up to 126km/h on Tuesday evening while Mindarie was inundated with almost 20mm of rain on Wednesday. In Mindarie, trees also smashed through the windshield of cars, while one car was seen floating in rapidly rising floodwaters, reports ABC news. Ms Renton has now cleared away her exotic pets to avoid her nine tarantulas, python and bearded dragon from escaping. 'We're just going to have to wait and see if anymore of the ceiling comes down, but as long as all of our enclosures and furniture are out of the way its a lot easier to manage,' she said. SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - California health officials on Friday confirmed the second case of novel coronavirus in the United States believed to have been transmitted to a person who didnt travel internationally or come in close contact with anyone who had it. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. President Donald Trump with Vice President Mike Pence, left, and members of the president's coronavirus task force speaks during a news conference at the Brady press briefing room of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - California health officials on Friday confirmed the second case of novel coronavirus in the United States believed to have been transmitted to a person who didnt travel internationally or come in close contact with anyone who had it. Health officials in San Jose said the patient was an older adult woman with chronic health conditions who does not have a travel history or any known contact with a traveller or infected person. It comes a day after state officials said a woman hospitalized at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento had contracted the illness after no known contact. This new case indicates that there is evidence of community transmission, but the extent is still not clear, said Dr. Sara Cody, health officer for Santa Clara County and director of the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department. California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to members of the press at a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. Newsom spoke about the state's response to novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Behind him are Director of the Governor's Office of Emergency Services Mark Ghilarducci, right, and California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Sonia Angell. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a possible first case of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 in California in the general public.(AP Photo/Randall Benton) Officials were able to get quick confirmation because the test was done by the Santa Clara County Public Health Laboratory with test kits received from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials submitted the woman's specimens for testing Thursday and received the results Thursday night. The California Department of Public Health said Friday that the state will receive enough kits from the CDC to test up to 1,200 people, a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom complained to federal health officials that the state had already exhausted its initial 200 test kits. State official also said the federal government decided it will not need to use the Fairview Developmental Center in Orange County to isolate passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. That's because of the imminent end of the isolation period for those passengers and the relatively small number of persons who ended up testing positive, officials said. The CDC had originally estimated that as many as half the passengers would test positive. But the state said the actual number has been substantially lower. A federal judge had granted officials in Costa Mesa a temporary restraining order blocking the transfers during the time when state officials said the facility had been critically needed. Solano County Health Officer Dr. Bela Matyas discusses his county's response to a resident diagnosed with coronavirus on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Fairfield, Calif. The county declared a local state of emergency Thursday after a resident, who had not traveled abroad or come in close contact with international travelers, was diagnosed with the highly contagious virus. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) Cody said the newly confirmed case in Santa Clara County is not linked to two previous cases in that county, nor to others in the state. The Santa Clara County resident was treated at a local hospital and is not known to have travelled to Solano County, where public health officials have identified dozens of people but less than 100 who had close contact with the case announced Thursday. They are quarantined in their homes. and a few who have shown symptoms are in isolation, officials said. At UC Davis Medical Center, at least 124 registered nurses and other health care workers were sent home for self-quarantine" after the woman with the virus was admitted, National Nurses United, a nationwide union representing RNs, said Friday. Despite University of California medical facilities being generally better prepared and equipped to treat challenging medical cases, the ... case highlights the vulnerability of the nations hospitals to this virus," the union said. A person enters NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, where a woman diagnosed with coronavirus previously sought treatment, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Vacaville, Calif. Health officials believe she is first person in the U.S. diagnosed with the highly contagious coronavirus without traveling abroad or coming in close contact with an international traveler. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) The case of the infected women marks an escalation of the worldwide outbreak in the U.S. because it means the virus could spread beyond the reach of preventative measures like quarantines, though state health officials said that was inevitable and that the risk of widespread transmission remains low. California public health officials on Friday said more than 9,380 people are self-monitoring after arriving on commercial flights from China through Los Angeles and San Francisco. That's up from the 8,400 that Newsom cited on Thursday, though officials said the number increases daily as more flights arrive. Officials are not too worried, for now, about casual contact, because federal officials think the coronavirus is spread only through close contact, being within six feet of somebody for what theyre calling a prolonged period of time, said Dr. James Watt, interim state epidemiologist at the California Department of Public Health. The virus can cause fever, coughing, wheezing and pneumonia. Health officials think it spreads mainly from droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how the flu spreads. A security guard leaves NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, where a woman diagnosed with coronavirus previously sought treatment, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, in Vacaville, Calif. Public health officials are retracing the steps of the woman, believed to be the first person in the U.S. to contract the highly contagious coronavirus without traveling abroad or coming in close contact with an international traveller. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) As infectious disease experts fanned out in the Solano County city of Vacaville, some residents in the city between San Francisco and Sacramento stocked up on supplies amid fears things could get worse despite official reassurances, while others took the news in stride. The woman in the community who has coronavirus first sought treatment at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville, before her condition worsened and she was transferred to the medical centre in Sacramento. Sacramento Countys top health official told The Sacramento Bee on Friday that he expects several medical workers to test positive themselves in the next few days. Numerous workers at both hospitals have been tested, but the tests were sent to labs approved by the CDC and generally take three to four days to complete. Peter Beilenson, Sacramento County's health services director, said he expects even those who test positive to become only mildly ill. California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to members of the press at a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. Newsom spoke about the state's response to novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a possible first case of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 in California in the general public.(AP Photo/Randall Benton) Confusion over how quickly the woman was tested for coronavirus concerned McKinsey Paz, who works at a private security firm in Vacaville. The company has already stockpiled 450 face masks and is scrambling for more since theyre hard to come by. The company's owner bought enough cleaning and disinfectant supplies to both scrub down the office and send home with employees. But they appeared to be at the extreme for preparations. Eugenia Kendall was wearing a face mask, but in fear of anything including the common cold. Her immune system is impaired because she is undergoing chemotherapy, and she has long been taking such precautions. Were not paranoid. Were just trying to be practical, said her husband of 31 years, Ivan Kendall. We wipe the shopping carts if they have them, and when I get back in the car I wipe my hands and just hope for the best. Experts in both communities are interviewing immediate family members and expanding their net to include more distant family members who may have been in contact, social gatherings like church that the patient may have attended and any possible time spent at work or events like a concert. Besides the woman, all the other cases in the U.S. have been for people who travelled abroad or had close contact with others who travelled. Earlier U.S. cases included 14 in people who returned from outbreak areas in China, or their spouses; three people who were evacuated from the central China city of Wuhan; and 42 American passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The number of people sickened by the virus hovered Friday around 83,000, and there were more than 2,800 deaths, most of them in China. ___ 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. Onda Mundial, a community of Latin artists, uplifts Latin American culture in Mexico City, according to a published article in Remezcla. Onda Mundial has helped to boost Latin American culture since they kicked off in August 2019 at Galera. If you happen to visit Mexico or if you live in Mexico, maybe you have heard this community that aims to boost Latin American culture through music. They throw a party every month that is focused on Latin American acts. During the party, local and well-known Latin American artists gather to celebrate Latin music and culture. This includes artists like Debit, Lechuga Zafiro, F5, Quixosis, La Bruja Texcoco, and many more. This is a celebration not only of one music from one generation but also from the previous generations as well. This is a combination of classical and contemporary music that reflects the diverse culture of Latin Americans. This is now one of the biggest gathering of Latin artists in Mexico because this is not just a monthly party but it has many aspects that reflect the diversified culture of Latin Americans which is very difficult to boil down into one definition alone. Lucia Anaya, the co-founder of Onda Mundial, said: "It has now become an infrastructure that connects [the members of] the artistic community who want to develop their projects, and where we can project these new like-minded Latin American talents who can change the global perception of Latino culture." Moreover, Onda Mundial already has 25 producers coming from different countries in Latin America such as Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and more. It is not surprising anymore why this becomes the favorite hub not only of Latin Americans but also by local and international Latin American artists. This is also an avenue for the younger generation of Latin American artists to collaborate with other local and national artists to learn more about music. Anaya explained that the idea of putting Onda Mundial is to connect producers who came from different places and different backgrounds to experiment and work together. Anaya added: "Many improvised and spontaneous things happen, and those very moments are the best to develop organic, unplanned collaboration." As mentioned earlier that Onda Mundial is not just about having a monthly party. In January this year, they helped released new music from F5, Exz, Rubinskee, and Quixosis. With this Anaya said: "Michael Rucker felt it was important to build a catalog of music made in Latin America that reflects its current panorama. "I think in 10 years we'll look at our past productions and have a musical picture of what happened [back then] and how things evolved." The next big thing that they are planning at present is to bring Onda Mundial outside Mexico. They plan to land in the United States and Europe this year. It is not possible to achieve the group's objective since they have a well-experienced team that can help to uplift the community through music. The Onda Mundia is expected to unit the Latin artists and will help their fellow artists most especially the younger generations to develop their music genre without leaving behind their roots of culture and tradition. FRANKENMUTH, MI -- Marylynn Bigelow, a 67-year-old University of Michigan nurse nearing retirement, purchased an 80-acre plot in Michigans northern Lower Peninsula. Its in Emmet Countys Levering, a small town minutes from the Mackinac Bridge. She hoped to become hemp farmer -- and still may. I wanted a place I could maybe live out my dream of having a sustainable homestead, Bigelow said Tuesday evening while sitting in a gray sweater and scarf at a dinner table in the exposed-stone banquet room of Frankenmuths Black Forest Catering, formerly Sullivans Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill. Bright white, flared napkins, as if prepped for a wedding reception, were propped neatly on the table before her as some of Michigans most curious, opportunistic and courageous farmers trickled in, many addressing one another by first names. I come to something like this and its intimidating," Bigelow said. "Everybody knows everybody and they clearly know what theyre doing. This was the first of two planned informational sessions dubbed Hemponomics 102, intended for prospective hemp farmers, or those who gave it a try last year, to learn, share and network. Dave Crabill, a spokesman for iHemp Michigan, a hemp farming trade organization that put on the event, said the course number was chosen based on the upcoming hemp farming pilot growing season being the states second. Michael E. Thue of Center for Compassion in Traverse City, shows off tattoos displaying THC and CBD molecules, which are one in the same. While its arguable that some in the room may have more knowledge or experienced than Bigelow, none, if any, are masters of the essentially brand-new crop that became legal to grow in 2018. The room is filled with optimism and trepidation. Bigelow, while traveling back and forth to her farm from University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, with the help of her son attempted to grow three acres of hemp last year. Her harvest was a total loss and had to be destroyed. Everyone is still learning, said Crabill, who led planning for the $70-per-ticket event, $30 for iHemp members. Michigan in 2019 took the federal government up on its offer allowing states to create their own pilot hemp farming programs. In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed interim hemp farming rules to remain in place until Nov. 1, 2021. There were 603 Michigan hemp farmers who registered for the 2019 pilot program. They planted an estimated 15,477 acres and 300 indoor facilities grew 10 million square feet of plants indoors. So far, more than 400 hemp farmers have signed up to grow in the 2020 season. On a table in the fringes of the Frankenmuth event were vacuum-packed bags of Cherry Wine hemp seed and distillate from the hemp plant that looked the consistency and color of fresh honey. The distillate is sold for use in CBD tinctures, topical lotions, edibles and other health products. In the opposite corner, T-shirts read, Have a hempy day, below a smiley face. The eyes were replaced with cannabis leaves. Hemp and marijuana come from the cannabis plant, but theyre just bred for different traits. While marijuana is usually produced for it intoxicating THC, hemp -- or industrial hemp as the government calls it -- has minimal amount of THC, by definition, less than .3% THC. The strict and arbitrary THC limit is one most farmers argue should be increased in order for U.S. hemp farmers to compete globally. Based on comments made by attendees Tuesday, most would like to see the limit elevated to between 1% and 3%. Hemp, usually wispier than its marijuana brethren, is sought after for its medicinal properties derived from cannabinoids, like popular and loosely regulated CBD thats even now available at Family Video, gas stations and health stores across the U.S. But Crabill and attendees Tuesdays hemp farming event believe the possible uses of hemp are vast and largely untapped. The grain is a super food, Crabill said. That hemp seed is 30% protein and high in amino acids ... The fiber is super exciting. The Patagonia jacket I bought is hemp fiber." Crabill spoke of efforts to compress hemp plant material with lime or sand to create building materials known as hempcrete and a process that uses hemp in plastic. We see a future where hempcrete is just a normal building material down the road ... Were going to need trainloads before we get to this point." Crabill said the industry is sorely lacking in processors able to convert the plant into marketable commodities. He said theres an estimated 3 million pounds of hemp plant material sitting idle nationally with no economically feasible way to convert it into marketable products, due to proximity and availability of processors. Patagonia wants fabric, not fiber, Crabill said. The challenge is setting up the full supply chain for fiber to fabric. One of biggest problem for Michigan hemp farmers in 2019 were hot harvests, meaning the hemp tested with above allowable THC levels. Numerous factors, including hot weather or delayed harvesting, can cause levels to rise. While the state allows retesting, THC levels usually dont diminish while plant remains rooted, Crabill said. This is why Bigelow lost her fields of hemp. She purchased seeds intended to produce plants within the allowable THC range, but the plants tested hot. Exactly how hot, she couldnt recall. Based on 847 samples tested by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) in 2019, 84% were within the acceptable THC range. Only a few outlying samples rose about 3% THC, which is still relatively low when compared to marijuana THC levels that can approach 30%. Photo of double rainbow near MaryLynn Bigelow's failed hemp farm in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. Photo courtesy of Marylynn Bigelow Bigelow said she has a good friend in Slovakia who distributes CBD, so she thought hemp would be a good crop for her, since shes already has an inside track to the market. But after losing her entire hot hemp crop in 2019, she considered abandoning the idea. But I dont know, she said. It keeps coming back to me." She pulls out her cell phone and swipes to the picture of a vast northern Michigan field beneath a blue sky spotted with dark clouds and a group of rusty-leaved trees in the distance. And I think this is the reason.. " she says. A stream of color dives in from the top of the image. Thats a double rainbow, Bigelow says, "and it ends right where our failed hemp is. Thats my pot of gold, right there. A second Hemponomics 102 event is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Western Michigan Universitys Fetzer Center, 2251 Business Ct. in Kalamazoo. More details and ticket information is available on the iHemp Michigan website. -- Gus Burns is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact him with questions, tips or comments at fburns@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, @GusBurns. Read more from MLive about medical and recreational marijuana. More on MLive: Hot hemp could ruin Michigan farmers Hemp could become huge industry in Michigan USDA releases preliminary hemp farming rules Hemp program shrouded in secrecy MASSENA, NY The annual start of navigation through the St. Lawrence Seaway is being pushed back this spring by efforts to alleviate high water levels on Lake Ontario. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, U.S. and Canadian Seaway managers announced that oceangoing vessels would not be able to enter the Great Lakes until April 1, a delay of nearly two weeks from March 20, when marine executives wanted to open the shipping lock system. The delay is forced by heightened current velocity on the St. Lawrence River caused by increased water flow through the Moses-Saunders Dam, a hydroelectric dam used to regulate the levels of Lake Ontario by controlling the rate of escaping Great Lakes water. The board that decides dam flow-through rates will increase outflows above safe levels for ships until April. The goal is to draw down Lake Ontario as much as possible heading into whats expected to be another year of record high water levels across the Great Lakes. High water problems have been felt acutely along the Lake Ontario shoreline. Severe coastal flooding struck in 2017 following a change in lake level management. Flooding struck again last summer, when levels broke an all-time record set in 1918. While shoreline residents were happy to learn about the efforts to draw Lake Ontario down, the shipping industry is less than enthused. Marine executives said the delay will disrupt commercial supply chains that link Midwest ports to global markets. In statements, shipping executives called the Moses-Saunders Dam ineffective and pushed for new but unspecified mechanisms to regulate Great Lakes water levels. Delaying, shutting down or interrupting American, Canadian and international trade on the St. Lawrence Seaway and further damaging the economy and our nations global trading reputation should never be an option, said Bruce Burrows, president of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. This dam is a very limited tool that does not solve this problem. We need to work together to develop a much broader, holistic resiliency plan that looks at every avenue including flood zoning, shoreline resiliency and infrastructure investments. Ships can begin moving within the Great Lakes system before April 1. The Welland Canal, which allows movement between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, opens March 24. The Soo Locks between Lake Superior and Lake Huron opens March 25. An April start to navigation on the Seaway is not unheard of in recent history. In 2015, the Seaway did not open until April 2 due to ice buildup on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. In 2018, the Seaway opened on March 29. In 2009, it opened on March 31. Those late starts were due to environmental conditions. A delay caused by efforts to alleviate high water is unique, said Bryce Carmichael, an engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who serves as U.S. section secretary on the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board. The board is an arm of the International Joint Commission (IJC), an agency which resolves boundary water disputes between the U.S. and Canada. It sets outflows at the Moses-Saunders Dam, which spans the border near Massena, N.Y., about 65 miles southwest of Montreal. Carmichael said the river board made the decision to continue high outflows after a cost-benefit analysis of economic impacts caused by the shipping delay. The board has to consider the interests of shipping, hydropower generation, municipal boating, shoreline residents upstream and downstream and ecosystem impacts when deciding outflows rates. Dave McDowell, mayor of the Village of Sodus Point, N.Y., said the decision to delay shipping was a welcome surprise. His village, located on Sodus Bay about 30 miles east of Rochester, was hard hit by coastal flooding in 2017 and 2019 that impacted tourism. Any reduction even mere centimeters helps, he said. You sort of lose the summer, McDowell said. Boating drops. Marina slip rentals drop. Dockside gas stations struggle. Theres a lot of business loss. All of our restaurants were down at least 50 percent. One just permanently closed. It has a very significant impact. McDowell isnt shedding any tears for shipping interests, whom he called spin doctors. They have never proven their losses, he said. When youre generating record profits and moving record levels of cargo, crying wolf seems petty to me. Shoreline residents in New York and Ontario say theyre drawing the short straw in the balancing act between competing interests in Lake Ontario water level regulation. Theyve lately been pushing the IJC to let more water out of the lake during the year, an act which is opposed by the shipping industry and downstream communities like Montreal. They have found a sympathetic ear among state and federal lawmakers, as well as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomos administration, which declared a state of emergency last May and pledged $300 million to dredge bays, rebuild roads and sewers, armor the shore and assist homeowners through a special commission created to help strengthen the shoreline. Last summer, the IJC did increase outflows at the Moses-Saunders Dam during shipping season, which caused some delays but not full stoppages. Since shipping stopped in late December, the IJC has been pushing more water through the dam than its lake regulation plan calls for. Mild weather and minimal ice cover have allowed for increased outflow, but it hasnt dropped the lake below its long-term average because of water pouring in from Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior which are also well above averages. Because of the elevation drop at Niagara Falls, water in Lake Ontario cannot backflow into Lake Erie. The river board said it hasnt decided yet what the outflow rates through the Moses-Saunders Dam will be after April 1. Its very difficult to know exactly what the conditions are going to be more than a couple weeks out, said Carmichael. A high precipitation event could drive up water supplies. Carmichael said high outflows did impede navigation in the St. Lawrence River in 1986 during the previous period of record high water. Vessels moored during increased 24-hour flow periods and then moved during 48- to 72-hour periods when flow was cut back. That had a pretty significant impact on goods availability and the cost of goods transiting the system due to those delays, he said. Thats the last time Im aware of any outflow regulatory decisions that impacted the availability of dates to transit. Read More Water is flowing out of Lake Ontario at record pace. So is the water flowing in DEC announces Lake Ontario Chinook salmon and lake trout stocking cuts -- again Lake Ontarios Chaumont Bay: Upstate NY ice fishing mecca for walleye, perch Kali9/iStock(MILWAUKEE) -- An ex-employee killed five people when he opened fire at the MillerCoors building in Milwaukee, law enforcement officials told ABC News. The suspect then took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot, Police Chief Alfonso Morales said at a press conference. Five people, all employees of the company, were found dead in the building, police said. No one else was injured. The suspect is a 51-year-old man from Milwaukee, according to officials. "This is a tragic day for our city, a tragic day for our state," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said at a press conference Wednesday night. "Five families, six families actually, are grieving. ... This is a time for us to think about these families." Officials said they would not identify the victims until families were notified. "We are still learning more details about what happened at Molson Coors earlier today," Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement. "What we do know, though, is that more lives were lost in a mass shooting in Wisconsin." "Our hearts go out to the families of those whose lives were senselessly taken, all of the folks and workers at Molson Coors, and the Milwaukee community as we grapple with yet another act of gun violence that will have long-lasting consequences for this community and our state," he added. "There is an active situation at our Milwaukee facility and we are working closely with the Milwaukee Police Department," Molson Coors Beverage Company, the parent company of MillerCoors, said in a statement. "Our top priority is our employees and well provide updates in conjunction with the police as we are able." Police in Milwaukee said they responded to an active shooting situation Wednesday afternoon near the area of the 4000 block of West State Street. An employee told Milwaukee ABC affiliate WISN that she was at her desk when she received an email about the active shooting, telling her to shelter in place. She was not in the building where the shooting took place, she said. They were later evacuated from one building and into another before they were sent to a reunification center, the employee said. The FBI and ATF responded to the scene to assist with local law enforcement. Copyright 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. This is the age of the rabble-rouser with social media amplifying the noise of the loudest voices. In Delhi, a marginal politician like Kapil Mishra has mastered the art of staying in the news by making provocative remarks. Mishra, once a minister in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and now with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is accused of fuelling the flames that have engulfed a part of the national capital by threatening the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or the CAA, street protesters to withdraw their agitation or face the consequences. The same leader had during the Delhi election campaign pitched the election as an India versus Pakistan battle, a shockingly communal remark designed to spread hate in the hunt for votes. Then he was barely rapped on the knuckles by the Election Commission, but now his mischievous role in the Delhi violence needs to be investigated. Mishra is not alone in being a troublemaker. Last week, Waris Pathan, a local leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in Mumbai, had warned of how our 15 crore can outweigh their 100 crore in the context of the anti-CAA protests. These incendiary remarks have only added a toxic edge to communal relations on the ground, leading to an eruption that has left dozens dead and more than 100 injured in the Delhi riots. Lets be clear: This was a riot waiting to happen after months of hateful, high-pitched rhetoric that has sparked off fear, resentment and anger among communities. When protesters at Shaheen Bagh are described as desh ke gaddar (anti-nationals) who deserve to be shot by government ministers and their cheerleaders, and when every attempt is made by the political leadership to demonise the Indian Muslim, the seeds are sown of a potential flashpoint. When a relentless propaganda machine with the aid of some media caters to the worst prejudices of the majority community, then a deepening religious divide on the ground is almost inevitable. That the State did not seem to anticipate the likelihood of trouble is even more perplexing: The government machinery was caught napping, deliberately or otherwise. That it should happen while a high-profile United States presidential visit is underway is even more baffling. Surely, the last thing the Narendra Modi government wanted was the pageantry of a ceremonial occasion being shadowed by the grim underbelly of religious violence on the street. Which is why the role of the State machinery in failing to control the violence needs investigation. Its the oldest rule of the administrative rulebook that no riot is allowed to simmer for 48 hours without some level of either administrative incompetence or complicity or both. On day one, the Delhi police was outnumbered and ill-prepared to handle the spurt in street violence. On day two, there is enough video and anecdotal evidence to suggest that the police, instead of acting in a strict and non-partisan manner, was seen to shamefully side with one group of rioters. This communalisation of the police force is not new: In almost every major riot, the polices role as an enforcer of the rule of law without fear or favour has come under the scanner. In recent times, the police has been totally embedded with the ruling elite: The entire system of transfers and appointments is decided on the whims and fancies of the political class. Which is why both the police headquarters and administrative leadership in the home ministry need to answer some tough questions. Who failed to ensure that sufficient police forces were on the ground on the first day of the violence? And who allowed the police to get away with their one-sided actions on day two of the rioting? This dangerous mix of incompetence and complicity cannot go unpunished. The fact that some anti-CAA protests organised by Muslim groups in northeast Delhi took a terribly violent turn, was seen as enough reason to allow local Hindu groups to retaliate with impunity. The result is a scarred and divided neighbourhood where both ordinary Hindus and Muslims have suffered a loss of life and property. The real worry is that north-east Delhi may only be a trailer, and that it will not take long for similar violent eruptions to spread elsewhere. For there is little sign that the ruling party at the Centre has learnt its lessons or that it genuinely wants to bridge the growing religious divide. If it did, it would sack the likes of Kapil Mishra, instead of indulging and even legitimising their venomous rhetoric. If it did, it would start a dialogue with the Shaheen Bagh protesters instead of ostracising them. And if it did, it would realise that the politics of reflexive anti-Muslim hatred may consolidate a Hindutva vote bank but will only end up polarising society to the point of no return. Post-script: In my reporting from northeast Delhi, I met Kamal Sharma, whose restaurant was gutted and I met Mohammed Nawaz, whose fruit shop and house was razed to the ground. Both lived on opposite sides of the main road. If we cant heal both their lives, we will have only created another unofficial border, this time in the heart of the national capital. Rajdeep Sardesai is a senior journalist and author. His latest book is 2019: How Modi won India The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON (TNS) Armed with new evidence that federal immigration officials accessed a state database of licensed Maryland drivers dozens of times in the last two years, state lawmakers are proposing legislation to limit their access in the future.State and federal officials urged caution in response, suggesting retaliatory measures from the Trump administration could effect all Marylanders.The bill, backed by Democrats, would force U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to get a warrant if they want to run images of targeted individuals through the Maryland Image Repository System, known as MIRS, which holds the motor vehicle records and drivers license pictures of millions of law-abiding residents and allows image comparisons using facial recognition software.The bill also would require the state to track federal queries to the system moving forward.Currently, any credentialed ICE agent can access that system remotely, and without a warrant. Last year, lawmakers obtained information from the states Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, which maintains MIRS, that ICE officials had logged into the system 14 times in 2018 and 42 times in 2019. State officials said it was unclear how many searches were conducted after each log in, or who was the subject of those searches.ICE said Wednesday it does not comment on proposed legislation, but has concerns about any state or local laws that limit the sharing and exchanging of critical information, or that protect criminals at the expense of the safety and security of law-abiding residents.Lawmakers and immigrant advocates say ICE appears to be using the system to go after a broad range of community members, including in Baltimore County and in the Washington region.We have seen certain cases where they didnt have any sort of criminal record, but were targeted, said Lydia Walther-Rodriguez, the Baltimore region director for the immigrant advocacy organization CASA.Three weeks ago, an ICE agent detaining a Rockville man at his home and in front of his family stated that he had found him thanks to the MVA database, Walther-Rodriguez said.This is an ongoing issue that we have been facing for years now.Harrison Rudolph, a senior associate at the Center on Privacy & Technology at the Georgetown University Law Center, which has tracked facial recognition programs nationwide and backs the bill, said a few other states have such databases and deal with ICE requests for data, but none appear to have provided such sweeping access as Maryland.Maryland allows any federal law enforcement officer with a particular type of credential to log directly into the facial recognition system, he said. Thats an unprecedented level of access.Couple that access with facial recognition software which has been criticized for being error-prone, particularly when assessing people of color and women and there is plenty of reason for concern, Rudolph said.Thewrote about immigrants concerns about the misuse of motor vehicle records in 2014 , and about additional concerns related to the incorporation of facial recognition technology into the system in 2016 . Del. Dana Stein, a Baltimore County Democrat and the new legislations lead sponsor in the House, said he crafted his bill based on that coverage and concerns raised by community members, and hopes it will pass into law.Among a lot of legislators, there is broad agreement that ICE deportations of individuals who have not committed any crime who are just here as undocumented individuals shouldnt happen," said Stein. We should not be facilitating that by giving ICE access to the states database.Sen. Clarence Lam, a Baltimore-area Democrat and lead sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, said it is only "intended to put a layer of protection in place to ensure that the database, when accessed by federal agents, is being accessed for appropriate reasons not to prevent legitimate law enforcement work.They just need to show a judge probable cause to be able to seek a warrant," he said. "If a judge signs off on that warrant, they can access the database.Being in the country without proper documentation is a civil offense, not a crime.Maryland first approved special drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria in 2013, and since then more than 275,000 people without lawful status in the United States have signed up, state officials said. Immigrant communities saw the creation of the new licenses as a great victory, because being able to drive provides huge economic benefits to families.Advocates and state officials also saw it as a way for the state to build trust in immigrant communities, said Walther-Rodriguez, something undermined by the sharing of records with ICE without warrants and without informing those signing up for the special licenses of the arrangement.Backing the proposed legislation would be a good way for the state to mend the damage, Walther-Rodriguez said. But the state has not taken that step.State officials have instead raised concerns that the Department of Homeland Security might retaliate against the state if the bill passes, as it was seen to have done against New York in response to recent legislation limiting ICE access to information in that state.Earlier this month, DHS temporarily barred New Yorkers from enrolling in Global Entry and other programs aimed at getting travelers through borders and airport lines more quickly, citing a new law in that state that allows unauthorized immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. The so-called Green Light Law blocks agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection from accessing motor vehicle databases without a court order.MVA Administrator Christine Nizer wrote in a letter to Maryland lawmakers ahead of two hearings on the bill in Annapolis on Thursday that the Trump administrations posture towards states that are implementing laws to limit their access to records is uncertain, and that the "potential implications should be considered in the deliberation of this legislation.ICE also cited the New York law, saying in a statement it not only impedes ICE from identifying aliens who present a danger to national security or are a risk to public safety, but also blocks ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents who investigate crimes like child exploitation, human trafficking and drug smuggling, from accessing important public records critical to identifying criminal suspects.Stein and Lam said they were aware of the Trump administrations response to the New York law, but feel they have more narrowly tailored their bill, and would hope the Trump administration would notice the differences including the Maryland bills focus on ICE alone, not on Customs and Border Protection. State officials estimated the bill would not impact the state budget.Andrew Arthur, a resident fellow in law and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for lower immigration in the U.S., opposes the bill, saying it would inhibit legitimate law enforcement actions by ICE in Maryland and give drug smugglers and human traffickers more cover to operate in the state, including along the busy Interstate 95 corridor.Arthur suggested that ICE agents are targeting specific individuals who deserve to be targeted, and should be provided all government resources to do that work.You cant separate out one agency or another as it relates to national security and law enforcement, he said. Five people were killed Wednesday after a gunman opened fire on the campus of Miller brewing in Milwaukee. In a statement to employees, Molson Coors CEO Gavin Hattersley said the shooter "was an active brewery employee." It is a horrible, horrible day for the employees here. A very rough day for anyone who is close to this situation, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said, calling the incident "horrific." "There were five individuals who went to work today, just like everybody goes to work, and they thought they were going to go to work, finish their day and return to their families," Barrett added. "They didnt and tragically they never will." Authorities offered no immediate motive for the attack. President Donald Trump addressed the shooting before speaking at the White House with reporters about steps his administration is taking to combat the coronavirus. Our hearts break for them and their loved ones, the president said. "We send our condolences. Well be with them, and its a terrible thing, a terrible thing. Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said the suspect was a 51-year-old man. The gunman died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The five victims of the shooting were also employees. There are no other injuries. The identities of the gunman and the five victims are not being released at this time. Morales said further information would be given the following day. Police said there is no longer an active threat, but that the scene of the shooting remains active as the investigation continues. Police said they first responded to the scene just after 2 p.m. The incident occurred at a sprawling complex that includes a mix of corporate offices and brewing facilities. Miller brewing has about 1,400 employees in Milwaukee. Hours after the shooting, employees were still sheltering in place. Police said they are working to identify the employees on lockdown before they can be released. The Associated Press contributed to this report. University hopefuls could be forced to wait until they receive their A-level grades before applying for a course under radical plans from a watchdog. The Office for Students has suggested scrapping predicted grades and pre-qualification unconditional offers. A post-qualification scheme would also tackle the rise of 'attainment offers' whereby pupils only need to gain low A-level grades such as two Es to secure places. The OfS said the current system did 'not always work in the interests of students' who may not select the universities and courses best suited to them. University hopefuls could be forced to wait until they receive their A-level grades before applying for a course under radical plans from a watchdog (stock image) Other proposals included cracking down on 'false marketing' and 'inducements' to students such as offering cash or promises of accommodation in return for signing up to courses. Institutions could also be asked to sign up to a code of practice that systematically offers lower grades to disadvantaged students. Universities minister Michelle Donelan yesterday welcomed the admissions review, saying it would 'be instrumental in helping assess how the system can be improved'. It came as a separate report from think-tank, the Higher Education Policy Institute called on the Government to introduce an allowance to ensure the first year of a degree was free for students whose parents had not attended university. The OfS consultation suggested either saving university offers until after a pupil had received their A-level results, or delaying the whole application process until post-results day. The Office for Students has suggested scrapping predicted grades and pre-qualification unconditional offers (stock image) Under the second scenario, hopefuls would 'register' interest in a course and apply to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. But these applications would only be shared with universities after A-level results were known. OfS wants to close 'gaps between most and least advantaged' The higher education watchdog has said universities could be compelled to make lower offers to all applicants from poorer backgrounds. The Office for Students wants to close 'the gaps between the most and least advantaged groups'. At present, individual institutions decide whether to make less demanding offers to pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. But the OfS said all universities could sign up to a unified policy. This would emulate Scotland, where poorer applicants qualify for a 'minimum entry threshold' and are offered up to three grades lower across three A-levels, such as BBB instead of AAA. Advertisement This would see the abolition of predicted grades and pre-qualification unconditional offers. Teachers have reported being 'placed under pressure from senior staff, students and parents to submit what they believe to be overly ambitious predicted grades'. The watchdog did admit, however, that a post-results application process could put strain on the Student Loans Company, UCAS, exam boards and schools. Vital timings would have to change, with A-level exams and results coming earlier and the start of the first academic year 'moved slightly later'. A post-qualification offer system whereby applications were submitted as usual but offers only made after A-level results would also remove unconditional offers and the 'need for predicted grades'. A third scenario would see the current system retained, but the OfS said it would still need improving. The consultation will run until May 21, with recommendations published in the autumn. CHARLESTON, S.C. - Bernie Sanders will swing through North Carolina, Virginia and Massachusetts in the coming days. Elizabeth Warren will make stops in Texas and Arkansas. Amy Klobuchar will be in Tennessee and Virginia. The South Carolina primary is just two days away, but the race is quickly going national as candidates pivot to the 14 states that vote on Tuesday. The move is in part a recognition of Joe Bidens strength in South Carolina, with most of the focus on the margin of his victory and who might come in second place. But its also an effort to tap into the hundreds of delegates at stake in the Super Tuesday contests. About a third of the delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination will be on the table. The tight turnaround between Saturdays primary in South Carolina and the contests that follow on Tuesday is creating a hectic stretch for campaigns. What happens in South Carolina does matter, mostly because of what the coverage is going to be over the three days leading up to Super Tuesday. If someone seems out of the running, theyre going to lose value, said Achim Bergmann, a Democratic strategist whose firm does work in a number of Super Tuesday states. Its a tough deal for the candidates who are perceived to be at the lower rungs at the moment to figure out where can they get some juice. New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg has sought to bypass the traditional early voting states including South Carolina to focus exclusively on the Super Tuesday states. But even he had to balance the competing demands as he qualified for Tuesdays debate in Charleston. He went back to New York after the debate only to return to South Carolina the next day to appear at a CNN town hall. Bloomberg will be in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina all Super Tuesday states over the next several days. The strains on some candidates are evident. Pete Buttigieg hopscotched from Nevada on Saturday to Colorado and South Carolina by Sunday morning. He then hit Virginia before returning to South Carolina. But even a meticulously crafted schedule can fall apart. Buttigieg had planned to swing down to Florida, which votes later in March, for three private fundraisers Wednesday. He abruptly cancelled the events and a public campaign stop in the Miami area because of illness. His aides said he had flu-like symptoms. Buttigieg met with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and did media interviews in Washington, D.C., before returning to South Carolina on Thursday for another round of campaigning. Jim Messina, a top aide on both of Barack Obamas presidential campaigns, said Buttigieg is in a bind when it comes to the South Carolina-Super Tuesday dance. It is a big deal for his campaign if Buttigieg doesnt perform in South Carolina, he said, because more people like me are going to say on TV he cant get the minority vote, and thats not helpful to his narrative. Indeed, strategists in key Super Tuesday states say voters there are watching to see what happens in South Carolina before they make up their minds. Anybody who defies expectations and does better than you expect, it just builds a stronger narrative for them, said Matt Angle, a Texas Democratic strategist. Texas offers the second-biggest delegate pot on Super Tuesday, with 228 pledged delegates, and Buttigieg and Biden are expected to campaign there after South Carolina votes. But other candidates, including Sanders, Warren and Bloomberg, have all made stops there this week. Biden wasnt doing much outside South Carolina, where his flagging campaign is seeking its first win of the primary season. Likewise, billionaire Tom Steyer has essentially hunkered down in the state, while Bloomberg, who participated in the debate, has all but ignored the early four contests and instead will campaign across a handful of Southern states that vote next week. Buttigieg was not alone in trying to stir fundraising events into the mix. Klobuchar held a fundraiser in Charleston on Monday and was to duck out Thursday for one in North Carolina and another Friday in Tennessee, along with campaign events in both states over the two-day stretch. And Sanders had plans to dash up to North Carolina, a conveniently situated March 3 primary state, on Wednesday and again Thursday, when he also plans to cross into Virginia. While other candidates are making their final pitches in South Carolina, Sanders was also scheduled to make two campaign stops in Massachusetts, home turf for Warren and a critical Super Tuesday state. Its a very difficult time, logistically, to try to balance all this, acknowledged Sanders adviser Jeff Weaver. Suddenly, now you have contests all across the country, and candidates just have to do the best they can. Weaver underscored the stakes for candidates who head into Super Tuesday unprepared to compete, noting that in 2016, Hillary Clintons delegate lead coming out of the days contests was tough to overcome. But for much of the field, the Super Tuesday fight isnt just about racking up delegates its about survival. Candidates who just havent moved by Super Tuesday 41% of the delegates are gone. Youre not really going to have a chance at the nomination. Your moneys going to dry up very quickly, Messina said. I think youll soon after see some of these also-ran candidates out of this race. ___ Beaumont reported from Columbia, South Carolina. ___ Catch up on the 2020 election campaign with AP experts on our weekly politics podcast, Ground Game. [February 27, 2020] Why Big Data Analytics Is Imperative for Succeeding in the Online Casino Gaming Industry | Quantzig Quantzig, a global data analytics and advisory firm, that delivers actionable analytics solutions to resolve complex business problems has announced the completion of its recent article that examines the role of big data analytics in the online casino gaming industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005336/en/ Over the past decade, the applications and use cases of big data analytics have been on a constant rise. 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For more information on our engagement policies and pricing plans, visit: https://www.quantzig.com/request-for-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005336/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A high-profile Leicestershire farmer and regulator contributor to national newspapers has been honoured for his dedication to British farming. Joe Stanley, a beef and arable farmer, was presented this year's Meurig Raymond Award at the NFU Conference for his dedication to the industry. Stanley has become a well-known advocate for the food and farming sector via the mainstream media and on social media. He is a regular contributor and columnist in national newspapers and farming trade magazines, and last summer hosted BBC Breakfast for a week on his farm near Ashby-de-la-Zouch. He has also just become the NFUs Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland county vice chairman. Joe Stanley said: Its a huge honour to have been given this award and many congratulations to all the other nominees. All Ive done is talk about what all the NFU members have been doing for our environment and producing quality food. "If all of us just put some attention to promoting what we do as an industry that will be such a positive message. NFU Director General Terry Jones said Joe Stanley is a 'worthy winner' of this years award: He is the embodiment of what the NFU is all about," he said. "As well as running his own farming business, hes an engaged grassroots NFU member and his local branch is enjoying a revival of activity due to his efforts to make the NFU more open and accessible to the younger generation. His dedication, hard work and positivity has made him a progressive voice for our industry and helped raise the profile of British farmers and what they do. Stanley, representing the NFU East Midlands region, was selected from eight nominees drawn from each of the NFUs seven English regions and NFU Cymru. The other nominees were: Judith Jacobs (East Anglia), Bal Padda (West Midlands), Hugh Passmore (South East), Mark Weekes (South West), Clare Morgan (Wales), David Martin (North East), Kit Hopley (North West). A special Air India flight carrying 119 Indians and five people from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru, who were on board the coronavirus-hit quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, landed in New Delhi on Thursday morning. New Delhi: A special Air India flight carrying 119 Indians and five people from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru, who were on board the coronavirus-hit quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, landed in New Delhi on Thursday morning. India thanked Japanese authorities for facilitating the evacuation of people. Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo,carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka,Nepal, South Africa&Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020 "Thank you @airindiain once again," tweeted Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. As many as 138 Indians including 132 crew and six passengers were among the 3,711 people on board the luxury cruise ship, which was quarantined off Japan on 5 February after it emerged that a former passenger had tested positive for the virus. Of these, 16 were tested positive for coronavirus and will stay in Japan for treatment, while the remaining will be repatriated to India. The repatriation is being facilitated by the Indian government. Coronavirus has infected more than 80,000 people in 37 countries, causing more than 2,600 deaths in the past few months. Earlier this month, India had evacuated as many as 640 of its nationals from Wuhan the capital of the Chinese province of Hubei which has been the epicentre of the novel coronavirus. SPRINGFIELD A crime analysis covering the first year of operations at MGM Springfield has provided mostly good news, but raised concerns about an increase in drunken driving. Christopher Bruce, a crime analyst for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, told the commission during its meeting Thursday at the MassMutual Center that data gathered from Springfield and surrounding communities showed mostly good" news, particularly when considering the casino and its volume of visitors. Despite the hypotheses from before the casino opened, there is so far no sign that the presence of the casino has increased crime or calls for service at hotels, bars and gas stations, with the exception of a nearby Pride station, Bruce said. There were some troubling statistics related to drunken driving, Bruce said. Among them, motor vehicle accidents that led to drunken driving arrests were up 122% totaling 53 accidents reported in 2019 in the region, as compared to the average of 22 in previous years. In addition, Agawam and Chicopee both had significant increases in drunken driving arrests. The state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission named MGM Springfield as the location of the last drink for seven drunken drivers whose cases were adjudicated from Aug. 1, 2019, to Jan. 31, 2020, the report said. Otherwise, crime was lower than normal in the region, the analysis found. Violent crime, for example, was unusually low in Springfields Metro Center and surrounding neighborhood, Bruce said. The large number of patrons drawn to the casino and their associated offenses and victimizations have made the facility the top location for crimes and calls for service in the region, although the overall effect on the regions numbers is mild, he said. The analysis found that issues likely influenced by the casino include an increase in traffic collisions and traffic-related calls on state highways and some local roads, particularly to the south and west of the casino in Agawam and West Springfield. At the end of the year, kidnapping, purse snatching, thefts from vehicles, forgery and fraud were the only crimes that had significantly increased in Springfield, Bruce said. Bruce cautioned against drawing links between MGM and specific crime trends. But his analysis suggested patterns in the region possibly related to the casino were purse snatching in Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke; thefts from vehicles in Springfield, Longmeadow and East Longmeadow; fraud (con games) throughout the region; and shoplifting in Chicopee, Holyoke, and Wilbraham. Bruce said the trends involve many factors, including increased law enforcement efforts. Statistics will continue to be compiled. The statistics presented Thursday generally covered the period from September 2018, the first full month of operations at MGM Springfield, through August 2019. Related Content: The Pentagon's top general said recently that the U.S. Army's 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) will face a tough operating environment when it deploys to Africa, one that's much more austere than it faced in Afghanistan. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley testified on the challenges that the SFAB will face in Africa before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday. The Pentagon announced in mid-February that the specialized advisory unit will deploy to Africa to train local forces in an effort to contend with Russia and China in the region. Rep. Anthony Brown, D-Maryland, asked for more information on the deployment since the commander of the 1st SFAB, Brig. Gen. Scott Jackson, said recently that the unit will not have the military infrastructure that was available in Afghanistan, such as the network of bases, supply chains and helicopters. Related: Pentagon Ends Reviews of Niger Ambush that Killed 4 Soldiers In 2017, a terrorist ambush on a 12-member Army Special Forces unit operating in a remote area of Niger left four American soldiers dead. The unit was accompanying 30 Nigerien forces on a mission to capture or kill a high-level Islamic State group leader in West Africa when more than 100 extremists launched a deadly attack near the village of Tongo Tongo. "What are we doing to ensure that the SFAB has the infrastructure they need to do their job?" Brown asked. U.S. Africa Command is currently assessing whether any changes need to be made to the military infrastructure in preparation for the SFAB's mission, Milley told Brown. "Just so we are clear, though, the SFAB is not special operations forces; however, they are trained and explicitly selected to be able to operate in an expeditionary manner in a very austere environment," Milley said, describing how all of the SFAB members volunteered for such duty to train, advise and assist indigenous military forces. "The SFABs conduct a foreign, internal defense mission. They don't do all the other Special Forces missions, but they are capable of operating in very austere environments." Brown said he understood Milley's point but did not accept the answer. "Gen. Jackson made those comments because he has concerns about the infrastructure for logistics support that he will get while he is on the ground and, unlike what we demand in Korea and other places, we cannot ask African nations to foot the bill because they are broke," the lawmaker said. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who also testified at the hearing, said the SFAB will have what it needs to conduct its advise-and-assist mission in Africa. "We are not going to put them out there without the means to do their job," he said. The SFAB's upcoming deployment will allow the Army to return elements of an infantry brigade from the 101st Airborne Division to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, so it can focus on its primary job of training for combat. The company-sized element of the 101st deployed to Kenya in early January as part of the East African Response Force (EARF) after an attack by al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabaab on a base in Kenya killed one U.S. soldier and two American contractors. The recent shifting of forces is the result of a review Esper has ordered to assess how each of the combatant commands is organized and equipped to support the National Defense Strategy. Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Mississippi, told Esper and Milley that he just returned from a trip to Africa with Rep. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, to meet with local leaders and military commanders. "We do not need to reduce the number of troops that we have there," Kelly said. "I think we have some real threats -- both terrorists and great power competition -- in that region, and I just think that we need to be judicious in making sure we don't reduce the amount of troops there." The U.S. currently has roughly 6,000 troops based in Africa. In a Jan. 10 statement, Inhofe said that troop withdrawals from Africa would be "short-sighted" and could cripple AFRICOM's ability to execute its mission. Esper told lawmakers at the hearing that news reports of a planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from Africa are not accurate. "There are no plans to completely withdraw all forces from Africa. That has been misreported and repeated over and over again," he said. "But what I am looking to do is to make sure I can resource the missions that are absolutely required and to right size the force." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Read More: Esper Won't Rule Out Troop Drawdown in Africa as France Urges Troops to Stay South Sudan Rejects UN Human Rights Criticism By Lisa Schlein February 26, 2020 A senior South Sudanese official rejected criticism by the U.N. Human Rights Council that his country is a serious violator of human rights. Samuel Luate Lominsuk, director-general for Multilateral Affairs of South Sudan, praised the decisions and compromises made by his government, which he said enabled the formation of a national unity government. His government is negotiating peace with the South Sudan Opposition Alliance, he said, adding that peace talks with Sudan in the capital, Juba, are making progress. Lominsuk said efforts to improve the human rights situation in his country are moving ahead, which belies the U.N. council's depiction of South Sudan as the worst country on Earth in terms of human rights violations. "My government would like to reiterate that South Sudan has deep-rooted traditions and norms, which compel us to respect one another in all aspects of life," he said. "Consequently, anyone who commits a crime, touching a woman's dignity, is severely punished." A report published last week by the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan describes what it calls the widespread and pervasive sexual and gender-based violence in the country. The report accuses both the government and opposition of deliberately starving the population as a tactic of war. The U.N. commission is scathing in its criticism of the government, which it says is riddled with corruption. The South Sudanese government did not respond to the report at the time of its release, and Lominsuk did not acknowledge the report or its findings during his address to the council. Instead, he stressed the positive developments and improvements in the human rights situation in his country. He also called on the council to remove South Sudan from Item Four, which looks into human rights abuses in specific countries deemed to be the worst violators. Countries that will come up for review under that item during the month-long session include North Korea, Myanmar, South Sudan, Iran, Burundi, Syria and Venezuela. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fredrick Brennan, who founded but later distanced himself from the 8chan message board that has given encouragement and visibility to violent extremists, is facing arrest in the Philippines in a cyberlibel case brought by the sites current owner. An arrest warrant was issued Thursday in Pasig City, his lawyer, Alex Acain, told Rappler, a news site in the Philippines. Mr. Brennan is currently in the United States, and it was unclear on Thursday if he planned to return to the Philippines, where he lives. The case stems from Twitter posts Mr. Brennan, who gave up control of 8chan in 2015, directed at Jim Watkins, who took over the site and also lives in the Philippines. Mr. Watkins, whose message board contains unapologetically racist material that has frequently cheered deadly violence, sued Mr. Brennan after tweets that referred to Mr. Watkins as senile and called the sites moderators incompetent. In the Philippines, cyberlibel is a criminal offense that can be punished with prison time. In recent years, Mr. Brennan has repeatedly criticized the site and how it has been run. Several mass shooters, including those accused in shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, and El Paso, had posted hate-filled screeds on the forum before their attacks, and been cheered on by the sites users. Norway gave the go-ahead on Wednesday for the demolition of a bomb-damaged building adorned with drawings by Spanish master painter Pablo Picasso. The government, which ruled out a further postponement to the 2014 decision to demolish the building, has said it would relocate the two Picasso murals. Completed in 1969 in the centre of Oslo, the "Y block", named for its shape, bears drawings by Picasso sandblasted on its walls - the work of Norwegian artist Carl Nesjar, who collaborated with the Spanish master painter. Previously the home of a government ministry, the building was damaged in the deadly bomb attack carried out by right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik on 22 July 2011, before he went on to carry out a mass shooting on the island of Utoya, killing a combined 77 people. In 2014, Norway decided to demolish the building for security reasons as part of a major reconstruction project, and decided to relocate the murals "The Fishermen" and "The Seagull." Anther building, "H block", which was also damaged in the blast and has three other Picasso murals, will not be destroyed. The 2014 decision to knock down "Y block" provoked a backlash among champions of architectural heritage and the ensuing public outcry saw a delay to the demolition. Three organisations and associations announced on February 13 their intention to take the state to court and asked the government to postpone the demolition until the court had ruled on the matter. On Wednesday, the government rejected this request, arguing that further delays would lead to financial cost as well as the postponement of the reconstruction project which has already been decided. The ministry of local government and modernisation said in a statement that the agency in charge of managing the state's real estate assets, Statsbygg, had been given the "assignment to start preparation work for the demolition of the Y block." No starting date has been set, but postponing the implementation of the measure beyond April 1 would cost between 30 and 50 million Norwegian kroner ($3.2 million to 5.3 million or 2.9 million to 4.9 million euros) per month, according to Statsbygg. A petition launched a year ago to stop the demolition of "Y block" had gathered nearly 28,000 signatures by midday on Wednesday. Picasso's 'The Fishermen' adorns a wall of the Y-block in Oslo which is to be demolished Norwegian artist Carl Nesjar (left) sandblasting one of Pablo Picassos works into the concrete during the construction of the Y-block in Oslo ST. LOUIS Less than a year after resuming control of St. Louis Public Schools, the districts elected board faces its first major challenge this spring with a vote on closing schools. Up to 20 of the districts 68 schools could be considered for consolidation or closure. District enrollment this year dropped below 20,000 for the first time since the late 1800s. Fewer than 200 students attend each of the potential target schools, including Clay Elementary in the Hyde Park neighborhood with just 129 students in a school built for 335. The district has 110 teaching vacancies and a shortage of nurses, social workers and counselors who have to shuttle among several schools. To get to the next place, something has to change, Superintendent Kelvin Adams said at a recent meeting of the districts Parent Action Council. The seven-member School Board is expected to vote on a recommendation from Adams in April, and could make changes as early as next fall. Responding to isses of several reviewers have discovered on the camera system of the newly launched Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphone, is readying an update to improve the camera. The company has already released a pre-launch software update that cites camera improvements. However, this is available only in South Korea, which some are saying starts to address the auto focus issue. "The Galaxy S20 features a groundbreaking, advanced camera system. We are constantly working to optimise performance to deliver the best experience for consumers. As part of this ongoing effort, we are working on a future update to improve the camera experience," The Verge quoted as saying on Wednesday. It is pertinent to note that Reviews from publications including Input and PC Mag have highlighted that the autofocus system is unreliable. Initial reviews of the Galaxy S20 Ultra have panned it for its poor autofocus performance, aggressive skin smoothening and image processing. The autofocus issue, in particular, has been a major cause of concern among reviewers as well. Also, the Galaxy S20 Ultra's camera system is one of its main selling points, including a huge 108MP sensor and a periscope telephoto lens. MILWAUKEE The five victims of Wednesdays mass shooting at the Molson Coors brewing complex, otherwise known as Miller Valley, were identified Thursday. The five victims are Jesus Valle Jr., 33, of Milwaukee; Gennady Levshetz, 51, of Mequon; Trevor Wetselaar, 33, of Milwaukee; Dana Walk, 57, of Delafield; and Dale Hudson, 50, of Waukesha, according to the Milwaukee Police Department. We are here today because six families lost their loved ones, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said during a Thursday afternoon press conference. Molson Coors CEO Gavin D. Hattersley said, They were part of the fabric of our company and our community and we will miss them terribly. Let us put our arms around these grieving families, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. They have gone through something no one ever wants to go through ... an unbelievable loss of life. Anthony Ferrill, a 51-year-old electrician who had been working at Molson Coors for more than 15 years, has been identified by police as the man who killed Valle, Levshetz, Wetselaar, Walk and Hudson. Barrett declined to comment on the rumor circulating on social media that Ferrill had been facing racial discrimination at work preceding Wednesdays attack; Barrett added that the investigation was ongoing. The Journal Sentinel reported that Ferrill did not get along well with coworkers, but that Ferrill had not been recently fired as other media outlets had reported; Molson Coors (previously known as MillerCoors) confirmed that Ferrill was an active employee at the facility when the shooting occurred. It was the first mass killing in the U.S. in 2020, according to The Washington Post, and it was the 11th mass shooting in the past 16 years in Wisconsin, according to Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes Wisconsins deadliest since August 2012 when white supremacist Wade Michael Page fatally shot six people and wounded four others at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek before eventually shooting himself after being wounded by police. Court records also show that Ferrill was one of several people who sued MillerCoors LLC Health Benefits Program and its insurer in 2015 in a civil contract case. In 2016, he was also cited in Racine County for a traffic forfeiture. On Thursday, police searched a home on Milwaukees north side, surrounding it in crime scene tape, as part of the ongoing investigation. Eyewitness account Everyone was pretty calm. Thats how Alex Mohr remembers the minutes following Thursdays shooting at Molson Coors. Mohr doesnt work for Molson Coors, but was delivering water on-site for Premium Waters, Inc. at around 2 p.m. Wednesday when the shooting started. I was just going about my day normally, said Mohr, a Racine native and Caledonia resident whose mom, Loreen Mohr, works at The Journal Times. He was in the process of using a forklift to get a pallet of water bottles off of his truck when All of a sudden there were 20 cops coming through that door with assault rifles. They also were wearing bulletproof vests, Mohr recalled. Considering the number of police officers arriving suddenly, and the armor they were packing, Mohr quickly surmised it was an active shooter situation even though he had not heard any gun shots; some media reports indicate Ferrill was using a silencer on his firearm. 'Panic button for active shooter situations planned for one local school RACINE For the first time, a local school may be allowed to broadcast an emergency message to immediately alert law enforcement of an active Police didnt immediately tell Mohr that anyone had been shot Theres a guy with a gun. Get to the safest spot possible, they told Mohr. I figured it has to be a shooting or something, he said. Police ordered all of the staff to the westernmost point of the brewery campus, the tourist center, where employees waited for the all clear. Most everyone was calm in the tourist center, Mohr said, except for one woman who appeared frantic and distraught. Mohr said he believed the woman had actually seen someone get shot. She was crying. Besides her, everyone was pretty calm and taking direction. They were later released, but had to sign a form with name, address and contact information first. Mohr said he believed this was ordered by law enforcement, to get a record of everyone who had been on campus. Over the past 24 hours, Mohr has spent his time talking to loved ones, letting them know what he went through and that hes OK. It was a crazy experience. Something you dont want to have to face, he said. I just feel very fortunate and I am thinking a lot about the families of the victims. (I feel) just sad more than anything. Thursday morning, Mohr and his supervisor at work returned to the campus to pick up the truck Mohr had left behind it was within the perimeter police had set up and thus wasnt able to be removed from the area the day of the shooting. Mohr returned to work Thursday afternoon. I wouldnt say Im the least bit traumatized. I didnt experience much. Officers worked for hours Wednesday afternoon and night to clear the more than 20 buildings in the complex where more than 1,000 people work. Police announced at a late evening news conference that that work was completed and all employees had been allowed to go home. Recovery The brewery is scheduled to remain closed for the time being, the company announced. A Molson Coors conference in Texas that the companys CEO had been attending ended early Wednesday as a result of the shooting. Molson Coors employees union, Brewery Workers Local 9 UAW, announced that grief counselors would be made available to those affected on Thursday. It also reminded members that 24/7 support was available. Other Milwaukee organizations have shown their support for survivors of the shooting, such as the Brew City Brand printing Miller strong t-shirts, and multiple restaurants and shops offering free or discounted services to Molson Coors employees. In a statement, state Rep. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said MolsonCoors and Miller Brewing are not just Milwaukee companies, they are woven into the fabric of Wisconsin. Please remember not just those that lost their lives and loved ones today, but also the thousands of employees who are impacted by todays events. Today and coming days should be focused on the victims and healing while we learn the facts of todays events. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 4 Sad 8 Angry 8 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. Air Marshal (Retd) C Hari Kumar, who was heading the Indian Air Force's Western Command during Balakot airstrike last year, has termed the Pakistani claims of shooting a Su-30 during the aerial skirmish on February 27 last year as "their imagination." The former IAF officer told ANI that "it is their imagination" if Pakistan claims to have shot a Su-30. Talking about the Balakot terror training camp, he said: "We had very good intelligence inputs. I can't put a figure but taking around 500-600 people (in the Balakot camp) is a good guess. If you look at Balakot, since that, we are almost a year down the line, we have not had a major terror attack." "The message is also clear the use of the Air Force is not escalatory. The government has the will and wherewithal to take action as quickly. Next time it happens, we will hit them even harder," he said. The retired IAF officer said the PAF had started activating itself on February 14 itself, the day when Pulwama terror attack took place. "On February 27... In the morning at 0942, our radars picked up a lot of increased air activity across Pakistan. But we also have to understand that most of the flying that they do from their bases is towards the east. So it is a regular air activity. In fact, it was by day. They showed themselves. It is just that they got airborne in all the airbases, they regrouped and turned around the east," he said while talking about Pakistan's so-called Operation Swift Retort. "It's not that we did not have adequate Combat Air Patrol (CAP). We had two sets of Su-30 CAPs next to Srinagar, two Mirage upgrade aircraft close to Udhampur and we had Operational Readiness Platforms (ORPs) all along. The moment it hit, two (MiG-21) bisons scrambled from Srinagar, MiG-29UPG scrambled from Udhampur, we had scrambles all along," said the former IAF officer. "It is just that he had used the time frame and moved in with large numbers. They never crossed IB nor the LOC. We could tackle them well. They dropped 11 bombs but none of them hit the target," he said. The former Air Marshal recalled that when they came in, there were enough counter by which they could not follow through. "They did not succeed in hitting anything but they dropped so many weapons. They had the AMRAAMs. At that moment, he had the advantage of the first shot," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amendment setting vote on Constitutional changes on April 22 reaches State Duma RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 14:11 27/02/2020 MOSCOW, February 27 (RAPSI) An amendment setting April 22 as the date of the All-Russian vote on Constitution has been submitted to the State Building and Legislation Committee of the lower house of Russias parliament in the framework of run-up to the second reading of the bill on Constitutional changes, a State Duma statement reads on Thursday. According to Pavel Krasheninnikov, an author of the amendment, the proposed changes with respect of the date of the All-Russian vote were developed basing on the results of a meeting of the working group on drafting amendments to the Constitution held on February 26. The date of the voting is to be a legal public holiday, it is to be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. India on Thursday refuted the claim made by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that Muslims and their places of worships were targeted in three-day-long Delhi riots, calling it factually incorrect, selective and misleading and advised bodies such as OIC to desist from making irresponsible statements. OIC statement is factually inaccurate, selective & misleading. There is an effort on the ground to restore normalcy & create confidence. We urge these bodies not to issue irresponsible statements, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a media briefing. Kumar was responding to the OIC statement alleging the violence was targeted against Muslims lives, mosques and Muslim-owned properties. Watch | Factually inaccurate, misleading: India on OICs comments over Delhi violence OIC condemns the recent & alarming violence against Muslims in India, resulting in the death & injury of innocent people & the arson and vandalism of mosques and Muslim-owned properties, said a tweet posted by the OIC on Thursday. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation describes itself as the 2nd largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations with 57 member states, mostly Muslim majority countries. It claims to be the collective voice of the Muslim world, safeguarding their interests. India has accused OIC of interfering in Indian matters in the past as well, and it didnt agree with the organizations description of the riots as anti-Muslim violence. The OIC calls on Indian authorities to bring the instigators and perpetrators of these acts of anti-Muslim violence to justice and to ensure the safety and security of all its Muslim citizens and the protection of Islamic holy places across the country, OIC had claimed in another tweet. Ground reports and official accounts do not bear out OICs claims that a single community was targeted in the three-day riots that started on Sunday evening in northeast Delhi. Casualties have been reported from both Hindu and Muslim communities along with accounts of violence from both sides. Ravish Kumar said the cause of the violence was being investigated and the law enforcement agencies were active on the ground to bring the situation back to normal. PM himself has publicly appealed for peace & brotherhood. I would also like to refer to some statements which have come out, by agencies/individuals. We would urge that it is not the right time to make such irresponsible comments, it can create more problems than it would solve, he said. MEA had earlier today responded to similar criticism from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, (USCIRF), an international body, expressing grave concern over violence targetted against a minority community. MEA had rejected the comments and said they were not just misleading but aimed at politicizing the incident of violence. Seen comments made by United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), sections of media and a few individuals on recent incidents of violence in Delhi. These are factually inaccurate and misleading, and appear to be aimed at politicising the issue, Raveesh Kumar had said. At least 34 people have been killed in the riots that started on Sunday with clashes between groups supporting and opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act. Over 300 people have been injured. Motorcity, the exclusive distributor of Isuzu vehicles in Bahrain has delivered a fleet of Isuzu trucks to the Mohammed Al-Ojaimi Group, a leading Saudi-based company serving different industries within Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The group is currently executing the second phase of the Electricity and Water Authoritys (EWA) transmission development project, and the Isuzu D-Max pickups and N-Series trucks are perfectly suited to increase productivity and keep operational expenses low. General Manager of Motorcity Commercial, Arun Kumaar highlighted the demand for reliable vehicles that support the growth of businesses, stating, Isuzu trucks are built to provide sustainable and efficient transportation solutions. The trucks come with high cargo capacity, advanced safety features and turbo inter-cooled diesel engines, which effectively reduce their fuel consumption. They are tried and trusted as dependable and affordable commercial vehicles. Movement & Maintenance Manager at Mohammed Al-Ojaimi Group, Hussam M. Dalal believes that upgrading the fleet with Isuzu trucks is a significant step, stating, We wanted to strengthen our presence in the Bahrain market, and adding four Isuzu D-Max pick-ups and three Isuzu NPR crew cabins to our existing fleet is part of a strategic plan. We are confident of their durability, ease of maintenance and low operational costs. Kumaar handed over the fleet to Dalal at the Motorcity showroom in Nuwaidrat. The full range of Isuzu vehicles are available at the Motorcity showroom.-- Tradearabia News Service VMware, Inc., an innovator in enterprise software, announces new innovations to advance the companys strategy to make security intrinsic to the digital enterprise. Intrinsic security makes protecting critical applications and data more automated, proactive and pervasive across the entire distributed enterprise. The announcements made at RSA Conference 2020, include: New VMware Advanced Security for Cloud Foundation, which will enable customers to replace legacy security solutions and deliver unified protection across private and public clouds Advancements to the VMware Carbon Black Cloud, which including automated correlation with the MITRE ATT&CK framework and upcoming prevention coverage for Linux machines New VMware Secure State auto-remediation capabilities to automate actions across cloud environments and proactively reduce risk New Approach To Cybersecurity VMwares Sanjay Poonen will deliver a keynote address: Rethink the Way You Secure Your Organisation with Intrinsic Security, which will discuss how making security intrinsic can unlock new advantages and make life easier for security practitioners. There has never been a more challenging and exciting time in security" There has never been a more challenging and exciting time in security, said Sanjay Poonen, chief operating officer, customer operations, VMware. Attacker sophistication, security threats, breaches, and exploits are becoming more prevalent with no end in sight. And with cloud, new applications, pervasive mobility, IoT, and data at the edge, the problem is only getting harder to solve. There must be a new approach to cybersecurity one that is built-in, unified and context-centric. Delivering best-in-class financial services We believe the best strategy and approach is to make security intrinsic, enabling organisations to leverage their infrastructure and its unique capabilities across any app, any cloud and any device to better secure the worlds digital infrastructure from networks, to endpoints, to workloads, to identities, to clouds. Our members rely on us to deliver best-in-class financial services, said Mark Fournier, Systems Architect for the U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union. VMware has put our team in a position to deliver consistent innovation, evolve our digital transformation and keep our data better secured amidst an attack landscape thats constantly evolving. VMwares ability to deliver and help secure our digital infrastructure gives us the confidence that were staying ahead of the latest threats in an environment where cybersecurity is built into the fabric of our enterprise, not just bolted on. Single point of compromise Most security professional know this, but struggle to adequately protect their data centres Data breaches are increasingly devastating, often wiping out billions in market capitalisation and costing public company CEOs their jobs. Damage rarely results from a single compromised server. It results from attackers moving laterally (East-West) through the datacentre from a single point of compromise, often for months, as they locate, harvest and exfiltrate sensitive data. Most security professional know this, but struggle to adequately protect their data centres. A survey commissioned by VMware and conducted by Forrester Consulting shows that 75 percent of respondents depend on perimeter firewalls, however East-West security controls need to be different than those for traditional perimeter (North-South) security as 73 percent of respondents believe their existing East-West traffic is not adequately protected. Protecting data centre workloads VMware is specifically addressing the internal data centre security challenge with the new VMware Advanced Security for Cloud Foundation, which will include VMware Carbon Black technology, VMware NSX Advanced Load Balancer with Web Application Firewall capabilities and VMware NSX Distributed IDS/IPS. Each one is purpose-built for the data centre and together deliver a unique and more comprehensive data centre security solution. VMware Carbon Black technology protects workloads with Real-time Workload Audit/Remediation Also, all three will tightly integrate into VMware vSphere, the industry standard for data centre workloads, enabling security to follow workloads wherever they go through their entire life. Data centre security starts with a strong foundationproperly protecting data centre workloads. VMware Carbon Black technology protects workloads with Real-time Workload Audit/Remediation, Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) and Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR). Hardware-based solutions VMware Carbon Black will be tightly integrated with VMware vSphere to yield an agentless solution, eliminating the need to insert antivirus and other agents. Instead, endpoint telemetry will be managed and gathered via built-in sensors protected by the hypervisor. This also means, unlike agent-based solutions, the hypervisor will be able to detect if an attacker attempts to gain root access and tamper with the VMware Carbon Black technology all from a separate trust domain. The web server is the front door of the data centre, and NSX Advanced Load Balancer / Web Application Firewall safeguards this frequent point of attack. Often customers using hardware-based solutions with fixed capacity will turn off security filtering under heavy loads, leaving critical servers vulnerable. The unique, scale-out software architecture of the NSX Web Application Firewall helps confirm web servers have enough computation capacity for maximum security filtering even under peak loads. Traditional perimeter security products Policies will be automatically generated and enforced on an application-specific basis The NSX Web Application Firewall uses rich understanding of applications, automated learning, and app-specific rules to provide strong security with lower false positives. Behind the web tier, micro-segmentation and in-band East-West firewalling helps prevent lateral movement of attackers. The VMware NSX Distributed IDS/IPS, a new capability of the VMware NSX Service-defined Firewall, will provide intrusion detection on the many different services that make up an application making it easier to get deep visibility. The distributed architecture of NSX Distributed IDS/IPS will enable advanced filtering to be applied to every hop of the application, significantly reducing the blind spots created when using traditional perimeter security products. Policies will be automatically generated and enforced on an application-specific basis, thereby lowering false positives. Discovering potential threats VMware has introduced automated correlation with MITRE ATT&CK framework Technique IDs (TIDs)a list of common tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)built into the VMware Carbon Black Cloud. Using MITREs ATT&CK framework, customers can begin searching for specific TTPs based on MITRE ATT&CK techniques within the VMware Carbon Black Cloud to discover potential threats and identify areas of improvement in their security posture. VMware Carbon Black has also integrated with the Microsoft Windows Anti-Malware Scanning Interface (AMSI) to provide additional visibility by decoding obfuscated commands. Using the integration, customers will be able to seek visibility into the exact content executed by script interpreters, such as PowerShell. Customers will also be able to search across their continuously collected endpoint activity data and create custom detections based on AMSI-related script content. Endpoint prevention solutions VMware Carbon Black will be adding malware prevention capabilities for Linux machines Finally, VMware Carbon Black will be adding malware prevention capabilities for Linux machines. This innovation will empower customers to migrate away from other endpoint prevention solutions specific to Linux and consolidate their security programs. This addition to the VMware Carbon Black Cloud platform means customers will have the option for comprehensive security coverage across all major operating systems (Windows, Mac, and Linux). With VMware Secure States real-time detection and remediation capabilities, customers can now close the loop on cloud security and compliance to mitigate risks proactively. VMware Secure State is adding a new, flexible remediation framework to help customers automate actions across multicloud environments. Currently in Beta, this solution is designed to help cloud security teams collaborate with DevOps teams and gain trust as they gradually scale best practices. Maintaining centralised visibility The service provides pre-defined, out of the box actions or ability to create new, custom actions as code. All actions can be targeted to selectively remediate resources based on conditions such as cloud accounts, regions or resource tags. Security teams will also get comprehensive capabilities for managing overall cloud risk. To address existing misconfigurations, they can either bulk remediate violations themselves or publish actions to delegate decisions to DevOps teams. Customers maintain centralised visibility into remediation progress and changes to cloud resources In order to prevent new misconfigurations, they can build guardrails that auto-remediate violations at real-time speed. With an extensible, policy as code approach, users can programmatically execute all remediations as code using API and integrate them within the CI/CD pipeline. No matter how actions are triggered, customers maintain centralised visibility into remediation progress and changes to cloud resources. Hosting two breakout sessions The new portfolio offerings, product demos and more will be on display this week at the RSA Conference in the Moscone North Expo, booth #6145. VMware Carbon Black will be in Moscone Expo North, booth #5873. In addition to Poonens keynote address on February 26, VMware will host two breakout sessions during the conference. VMwares SVP and GM of Network Security, Tom Gillis, will deliver Unshackle Legacy Security Restrictions for 2020 and Beyond. VMware Carbon Blacks Cybersecurity Strategist, Rick McElroy, and Senior Threat Researcher, Greg Foss, will deliver 2020 ATT&CK Vision: Correlating TTPs to Disrupt Advanced Cyber Attacks. Over the past day, Russia-led forces opened fire ten times at Ukrainian positions in Donbas, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed, one Ukrainian injured and one Ukrainian received a combat wound, the press service of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) headquarters has reported. "On February 26, armed groups of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire ten times. The enemy fired on our positions from 120 mm caliber mortar banned by the Minsk agreements, as well as from grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and small arms ... As a result of a blast on an unidentified explosive device, one member of the JFO was killed. Also, as a result of enemy shelling, one Ukrainian defender was injured and another one received a combat wound," the JFO staff said in its morning update on Facebook on Thursday morning. The enemy made shell attacks on our positions near Maryinka, Pavlopil, Avdiyivka, Orikhove, Zolote-4, Novotoshkivske and Luhanske. "From the beginning of the current day, the Russian occupation troops did not show fire activity. There are no losses for the current day," the JFO HQ reported. OTTAWA Both the Manitoba government and the provinces Indigenous chiefs will ask the Supreme Court to have Ottawa stop imposing its will on the province about the federal carbon tax. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Supreme Court of Canada has granted both the Pallister government and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs intervener status in March hearings that will decide whether the federal carbon levy is constitutional. (Adrian Wyld / Canadian Press files) OTTAWA Both the Manitoba government and the provinces Indigenous chiefs will ask the Supreme Court to have Ottawa stop imposing its will on the province about the federal carbon tax. The highest court in the land has granted both the Pallister government and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs intervener status in March hearings that will decide whether the federal carbon levy is constitutional. The court will hear arguments from the Ontario and Saskatchewan governments, which both argue Ottawas carbon tax over-reaches into provincial jurisdiction. Courts in both those provinces have sided with Ottawa, though Albertas top court separately found the opposite on Monday. The AMC is urging the justices to go beyond questions of federal and provincial jurisdictions, and instead clarify how Indigenous and Canadian laws intersect. "The lack of judicial clarity on the constitutional relationship between First Nations and settlers has perpetuated uncertainty and conflict," reads AMC's factum, which was completed by the Public Interest Law Centre, an advocacy centre that is part of Manitoba's legal aid program. Regardless of whether the Supreme Court finds that Ottawa or the provinces have jurisdiction over carbon taxes, the AMC wants the court to acknowledge in its ruling that a third level of laws Indigenous ones also govern Canada to an equal extent. Submitted on Jan. 27, the AMC continually cited the Wet'suwet'en gas-pipeline dispute in British Columbia before this month's blockades and protests gained national attention. "The urgency and necessity of applying a reconciliation lens to the appeal is made evident by fundamental social, legal and environmental tensions in Canada. These include pipeline blockades, violence, police actions, increased frequency and severity of extreme events including floods, droughts, wild fires and the changing of wildlife migration patterns." Meanwhile, the Pallister government's filing argues that Ontario and Saskatchewan are right to oppose the federal levy on greenhouse gases. 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. "There would be virtually no limit to Parliaments ability to legislate in areas of provincial jurisdiction, given the breadth of activities that create GHG emissions. This would substantially disrupt the balance of federalism," reads the Manitoba governments filing. Yet unlike the Ontario and Saskatchewan governments, Manitobas argument hinges on a criticism that the federal levy isnt uniform across the country. Thats because the federal cabinet assesses whether provinces carbon policies are adequate, and some provinces have forged deals with Ottawa that will lead to a lower decline in carbon emissions. "The result is an uneven application of the federal benchmark and backstop, leading to a regional patchwork of carbon-pricing regimes, of varying stringency." Manitoba has made the same argument in its own Federal Court case, filed last April, but put on pause until the Supreme Court rules on the other two provinces cases. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca CHEYENNE Wyoming may be a frontier state, but it sure loves its fences. More than a century ago, Wyoming built its stock with fences, its forebears reining in the wild, open spaces with apportioned grazing lands and property lines all neatly demarcated within the otherwise craggy and rugged states clean, rectangular border. But as the state enters a new frontier with eyes toward conquering emerging marketplaces in technology can Wyomings current leadership similarly rein in the borderless expanses of the internet? Is it feasible or even possible to try to regulat... FMCG majors HUL and Nestle have been jointly ranked first in the industry for their approach to in the 'India Access to Spotlight Index'. They were followed by food and beverages major PepsiCo India, Industries and Coca-Cola India. The index is published by Access to Index (ATNI) and hosted by Access to Nutrition Foundation, an international not-for-profit organisation. ATNI report is published once in every three years and this is the second edition of India Spotlight Index. India was selected as a spotlight country as it has a rapidly developing food and beverages sector, a statement said. The initiative is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the governments of the UK and the Netherlands. This season, 16 largest in India's food and beverage sector were assessed with the aim to encourage these to improve their nutrition practices, it added. The other were Amul, Mondelez India, Mother Dairy, Parle Products, AAVIN, Adani Wilmar, Emami Agrotech, Hatsun Agro Product, ITC, Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (Nandini) and Marico Limited. "ATNI sees food and beverage companies in India showing their commitment to provide healthy food and engaging in a dialogue on how to support India's Eat Right Movement," ATNI Executive Director Inge Kauer said. Lifestyle changes in India have caused a shift in consumer habits -- from the consumption of traditional food, to more urban food habits consisting of packaged and processed foods, high in sugar, fat and salt. "In fact, India is among the top 10 consumers of fast food in the world. This, coupled with the fact that India is set to become the third largest consumer economy, presents an enormous opportunity for food and beverage companies to make nutrition a core part of their business plans, and to adopt comprehensive, public and commercial strategies to address issues related to the double burden of malnutrition in India," she said. (TNS) Almost two months after the library system in Contra Costa, Calif., was hit with a ransomware attack that disabled its online network for weeks, another mysterious outage has struck its 26 branches while authorities are still investigating what happened the first time around.After residents reported not being able to access their online library accounts to reserve or check out books, library spokeswoman Brooke Converse confirmed this week the librarys Internet systems are down again.The Library is experiencing a network outage as we continue the remediation work from the January ransomware attack. The investigation is still active and ongoing, she said in a statement emailed Tuesday evening. Were doing everything we can to get library services restored as quickly as possible.She did not say what caused the latest outage or when services would be restored, nor did she indicate whether investigators believe it was related to the original ransomware attack or could be the result of a new one.County Administrator David Twa did not respond to an email asking whether the current outage is related to the ransomware attack or what steps the county has taken to protect all its systems.In an email response to the same questions, public information officer Susan Shiu would only say: We continue to do remediation work and continue the ongoing, active investigation, then added that the IT Department continues to work with state and federal investigators.The library first experienced network outages on Jan. 3. At the time, library and county officials said they were trying to assess the extent of the data breach from an apparent hack and ransomware attack.It took almost the entire month for Wi-Fi and all other services to re restored, as officials scrambled to fully bring back about two libraries a day.Law enforcement agencies, including the Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office and District Attorneys Office, as well as federal authorities, are still investigating the original attack.While the library collects names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and birth dates, it does not collect Social Security Administration numbers or store credit-card payment information, according to a statement released by the library system in January. The statement also noted the libraries stopped collecting drivers license information last year and removed all of it from customer records.By mid-January, the library system had restored some services , including public Wi-Fi and printing, but patrons still couldnt access their online accounts to reserve books for much of the month.Converse did not explain immediately which services are currently unavailable due to the network outages, but it appeared as of Wednesday morning that patrons again couldnt log into online accounts to reserve books or access digital news subscriptions.Libraries appeared to be open across the county, though. Patrons can call ahead to order books or go in and browse, then check out the ones they find. They cant use the library computers to search the catalog, however. But they can can still use use library computers for offline activity such as Microsoft Office and to print. And they can order e-books through OverDrive, a platform the library uses for ebooks.The only fully operational library in Contra Costa is the one in Walnut Creek because its run by the city, not the county.Visitors to the library website are greeted with a banner message that reads: My Account is temporarily unavailable. We are working to restore service as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience!Ransomware attacks against local governments and agencies have increased in recent years, and 2019 was particularly bad, according to analysts at Emisoft, a firm that monitors ransomware. report by the company found that last year, an unprecedented and unrelenting barrage of ransomware attacks affected at least 113 state and municipal governments and agencies, 764 healthcare providers and 89 universities, colleges and school districts across the nation.University of Maryland researchers found in a study last year that some local governments are susceptible to cyber attacks because of a lack of cybersecurity preparedness and a lack of adequate funding for it. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung (L) and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan (Photo: VNA) The official made the call during talks with his host Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan on February 25, as part of his working visit to the country. At the talks, Dung spoke highly of Indias increasing position in the international arena and affirmed that the Vietnam-India relations are thriving, voicing his hope that the bilateral ties will be strengthened in the future. Regarding Indias financial and scientific-technologically potential, Dung said that the nations investment in Vietnam remains modest, adding that Vietnam hopes to welcome more Indian investors in the coming time. For his part, V. Muraleedharan pledged that India will closely collaborate with and support Vietnam as the country is holding the role of the ASEAN Chairman in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2020-2021. The host also affirmed that Vietnam is a key partner in Southeast Asia and playing the role of a pillar in Indias Look East Policy. The two officials also took note of existing difficulties in the bilateral trade. That India adjusts floor rate, raises import tariff on Vietnams cashew nuts and imposes restriction on incense stick imports has caused difficulties for Vietnamese firms and producers, Dung noted. Meanwhile, V. Muraleedharan expressed his hope that Vietnam will open its door to Indian fruits and create favourable conditions for its pharmaceutical companies. A roundtable between the Vietnamese minister and Indian businesses was held the same day, drawing nearly 100 leading firms including Essar, HCL and Mahindra. The India visit of the Vietnamese Minister was made at the invitation of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog). While in India, Dung joined working sessions with leaders of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and visited Indian tech giants of Nasscom and Wipro. SAO PAULO - Signs of anxiety appeared Thursday among Brazilians after Latin Americas first case of the new coronavirus was confirmed in Sao Paulo, and the number of suspected cases skyrocketed, even as the government sought to reassure the population about preventative measures. In the citys international airport, the largest in South America, some people wore masks. Several stores began to make hand sanitizer available and some airport workers in contact with passengers used facial protection. Simone de Almeida, 58, was preparing on Thursday morning to travel to Lisbon, Portugal, and had some reservations. Im not so worried about Brazil yet, but it seems this is getting worse in Europe. I considered cancelling my trip, but my family calmed me down. Im wearing a mask because I will be on a flight for 10 hours. I need to do something, de Almeida told The Associated Press. Meanwhile, Alessandro Silveira, a 25-year-old airport worker, didnt hide his concern. I thought they would give us masks to keep working, but they havent. My manager said we would receive them soon. Im a little scared, said Silveira. Within 24 hours, the number of suspected cases jumped to 132, from 20, and government authorities said they expect the number to reach 300. The government has already discarded dozens of suspected cases. David Uip, co-ordinator of the coronavirus contingency centre in Sao Paulo, said at a press conference on Thursday that the vast majority of those infected by the virus will be asymptomatic or suffer only slight impact. He added that people with respiratory discomfort should seek medical attention. Brazilian Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta regretted that Brazils first case of the virus, in a 61-year-old businessman who had travelled to Italy, was confirmed in Latin Americas most populous city. At the same time, Mandetta was optimistic about the governments actions to mitigate the impact. Here we have a system that has the greatest musculature, the greatest response, a health system with management and committed people. It was the first metropolis to eliminate transmission of HIV from mother to child, said Mandetta. To contain the new coronavirus, the health ministry decided to push up the date for its national flu vaccination campaign to March 23. Despite being different viruses, Mandetta explained it will help avoid confusion stemming from the presence of similar symptoms that can overload the health system. The government plans to administer 75 million doses of flu vaccine. In addition, the health ministry launched a page dedicated to combating the spread of fake news about the coronavirus. Many specialists appeared on the main television channels and radio stations on Thursday, answering questions from citizens about how to avoid contagion and dispelling false rumours. The virus reaching Brazil also began to generate concern in Rio de Janeiro. In two travel agencies visited by The Associated Press, employees said they had received increased calls from customers to confirm if scheduled trips had suffered alterations. With the news of the advance of the virus outside China, mainly in Europe, some decided to rethink trips to the continent. One of the three agencies had cancellations of trips to France and Italy. People are starting to feel scared, said Jessica Lopes, a 28-year-old agency employee. - De Sousa reported from Rio de Janeiro. U.S. Marines (L) and South Korean Marines, wearing blue headbands on their helmets, take positions after landing on the beach during the joint military combined amphibious exercise, called Ssangyong, part of the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle military exercises, in Pohang, South Korea, on March 12, 2016. (Kim Jun-bum/Yonhap via AP) US, South Korea Postpone Military Exercises As Virus Cases Spike to Nearly 1,600 The United States and South Korea have decided to postpone their joint military exercises this spring until further notice due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus in the East Asian country. The announcement was made as South Koreas tally of known cases increase to nearly 1,600, including 13 fatalities. The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) announced on the morning of Feb. 27 that the decision to postpone the joint exercise was made in response to the South Korean governments recent decision to raise its virus alert level to severethe highest of four levels. Last year, the two allies held mainly computer-simulated drills, known as Dong Maeng, in March and August. These drills were scaled-down versions of the real exercises known as Key Resolve and Foal Eagle that have been held in the years past, amid denuclearization efforts involving North Korea. South Korean Marines, wearing blue headbands on their helmets, and U.S. Marines move together during the annual joint military exercise Key Resolve and Foal Eagle by South Korea and the United States in Pohang, South Korea, Monday, March 7, 2016. (Kim Jun-bum/Yonhap via AP) On Feb. 23, South Korean President Moon Jae-in raised the alert level to the nations highest as the number of coronavirus cases multiplied from 104 on Thursday to 602 on Sunday. The containment efforts for COVID-19 and the safety of the ROK [Repubic of Korea] and U.S. service members were prioritized in making this decision, USFK stated. The decision to postpone the exercise was first raised by General Park Hanki, chairman of South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff. USFK commander General Robert Abe Abrams agreed to the postponement based on the severity of the present COVID-19 situation within South Korea, according to the announcement. Additionally, the decision will adhere to and support South Koreas containment and mitigation plan for COVID-19. USFK stressed that the decision to delay the joint military exercises was not taken lightly, and added the two countries remain committed to providing a credible military deterrence and maintaining a robust combined defense posture to protect the ROK against any threat. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) announced 334 new confirmed cases and one additional death on Feb. 27 morning, bringing the nations total to at least 1,595. The latest death involves a 74-year-old patient who died of respiratory failure on Feb. 27, according to local outlet Yonhap News Agency. The patient is tied to the localized outbreak from Shincheonji Church in Daegu, which led to a large spike in cases in Daegu and nearby areas. Many of those cases have been traced back to a 61-year-old female follower of the church who tested positive for the virus on Feb. 18 as the countrys 31st confirmed case. A woman wearing a mask to prevent contracting the coronavirus walks past a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Daegu, South Korea on Feb. 21, 2020. (Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters) Of the 334 new cases, 307 are in Daegu and four are in the broader North Gyeongsang province. Among the 1,595 cases, 1,107 are in Daegu and 321 are in North Gyeongsang province. Another six cases are in the capital Seoul, three in Daejeon, two are in Ulsan, four in Gyeonggi province, two in North Chungcheong province, four in South Chungcheong province, and two in South Gyeongsang province. Meanwhile, one Korean Army civilian worker and 20 soldiers13 in the Army, five in the Air Force, and one each in the Navy and the Marine Corpsare also infected with the virus, Yonhap reported on Feb. 27, citing the defense ministry. On Feb. 26, USFK announced that a 23-year-old U.S. soldier stationed at Camp Carroll in South Korea had tested positive for coronavirusthe first U.S. soldier to be infected. Camp Carroll is located in the village of Waegwan, which is about 12 miles from the city of Daegu. About 9,500 service members of the Korean military are quarantined at their bases. Among them, 540 have symptoms of the virus or have come in contact with infected patients, while the remaining recently visited Daegu or nearby areas. The U.S. State Department has raised its travel advisory for South Korea to Level 3, the second-highest of a four-level system, urging people to reconsider travel to the East Asian country. If suspected to have COVID-19 (coronavirus) in South Korea, you may face travel delays, quarantine, and extremely expensive medical costs, the State Department said. On Feb. 24, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised its travel advisory to South Korea to Level 3, calling for travelers to avoid nonessential travel to the country. OSTERSUND, Sweden, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract with Oulu University Hospital to build a new hospital building in Oulu, Finland. Skanska's share of the contract is worth EUR 190 M, about SEK 2.0 billion, which will be included in the Nordic order bookings for the first quarter of 2020. The new ten-story main building, with a total area of about 59,000 square meters, will house functions for emergency rooms, intensive care units, operating rooms, delivery wards and support functions. The new building will replace outdated hospital buildings completed in the 1970's. The building consists of two parts built by two alliance consortiums. Skanska is the main contractor in the B alliance. Oulu University Hospital, Caverion, Siemens and Tierna Group, a joint venture of architectural agencies, are also part of the alliance. Preparatory construction works begun in 2019, and the project is scheduled for completion in phases and will be completed in its entirety by the end of 2023. Skanska is one of the leading development- and construction companies in the Nordics, with operations in building construction and civil engineering in Sweden, Norway and Finland, and developing residential- and commercial property projects in select home markets. The commercial development stream is also active in Denmark. Skanska had sales of about SEK 70 billion and more than 15,200 employees in its Nordic operations during 2019. CONTACT: Liisa Salmela Communications Manager Skanska Finland tel: +358-50-374-3070 Jacob Birkeland Head of Media Relations Skanska AB +46-(0)10-449-19-57 Direct line for media: tel +46-(0)10-448-88-99 This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/skanska-builds-new-hospital-building-in-oulu--finland--for-eur-190-m--about-sek-2-0-billion,c3047382 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3047382/1201733.pdf 20200227 FI hospital https://news.cision.com/skanska/i/20200227-oulu-university-hospital-street-view,c2755916 20200227 Oulu University Hospital street view SOURCE Skanska Harare, Zimbabwe (PANA) Zimbabwe faces an economic and humanitarian crisis exacerbated by policy missteps and climaterelated shocks, while the countrys recovery programme monitored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is now off-track Despite being launched in September, iPhone 11 raced to become the second-best selling model globally with 2.1 per cent share in 2019, a new report said on Thursday. According to Counterpoint Research's 'Market Pulse', out of the top 10 models, Apple captured six places with iPhone XR being the top-selling model globally in 2019, capturing 3 per cent market share. iPhone XR was also the only model to capture double-digit market share in any region (NAM region -- US and Canada). Apple is followed by Samsung with three models, all from its A series, among the top 10. The mid-range A series with features like OLED display, multiple cameras, in-display fingerprint sensor, coupled with the brand power of Samsung created an excellent value proposition for buyers. "The revamp of A series has paved the way for a successful mid-tier strategy for Samsung," said the report. The first iPhone with multiple cameras was launched at a lower price than its predecessor. This also indicates the impact of the new iPhone series during the all-important holiday season in Q4. Oppo with its A5 smartphone replaced Xiaomi's position from 2018, which was also the top-selling model in China. The top 10 smartphone models alone captured approximately 15 per cent of the global smartphone sales. Huawei the second-largest player in the global smartphone sales, had no models in the top 10 globally. The company, which has concentrated its efforts in China after the trade ban was imposed, had its Huawei P30 in the top five models in China. Realme entered the top five in Rest of APAC region for the first time ever with its C2 device. This was driven by strong growth in the India and the SEA market. In fact, realme was the fastest growing brand globally for CY 2019 (426 per cent YoY growth). "5G still contributed to only 1 per cent sales in 2019 hence, there were no 5G models among the top 10. However, this might change in 2020, as the networks roll out, Apple launches its 5G iPhones and 5G devices enter lower price tiers," said the report. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:37:50|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close COLOMBO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Two Sri Lankan crew members who were on board a quarantined luxury cruise ship in Japan hit by the COVID-19, had safely landed in New Delhi upon being evacuated following a request made by the Sri Lankan government. The Sri Lankan foreign ministry said the two Sri Lankan nationals had been evacuated to New Delhi on a charter flight organized by the Indian government. The two Sri Lankan crew members are in good health, according to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Japan, the Ministry said. "A total of 124 crew who were on board the cruise ship have been evacuated and will undergo a quarantine period in the Army facility in Haryana, India," the Ministry statement said. "Upon completion of the quarantine procedure in India, the two Sri Lankan crew members will return to Colombo," it added. The Diamond Princess cruise ship was quarantined in the Japanese port of Yokohama since Feb. 5 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19. The cruise ship was carrying 3,700 passengers and crew from 56 countries and regions when it arrived in Yokohama earlier this month. Most of the passengers disembarked last week and some crew members left Japan with the help of their governments. Skeena Intersects 22.59 g/t AuEq over 14.33 metres at Eskay Creek Posted by Publisher Internet Skeena Resources Limited (TSX.V: SKE, OTCQX: SKREF) (?Skeena? or the ?Company? https://www.commodity-tv.com/play/skeena-resources-infill-drilling-at-eskay-creek-to-increase-resource-possible-sale-of-project/) is pleased to announce the final gold-silver assays from the 2019 Phase I surface drilling program at the Eskay Creek Project (?Eskay Creek?) located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. Four ground-based surface drill rigs were utilized for the 2019 Phase I program in the 21A, 21E and HW Zones to infill and upgrade areas of Inferred resources to the Indicated classification. A total of 14,266 metres over 209 holes were drilled. Drill hole results reported in this release are from the 21E and HW Zones. Reference images are presented at the end of this release as well as on the Company?s website. Phase I Eskay Creek Drilling Highlights: 13.24 g/t Au, 701 g/t Ag (22.59 g/t AuEq) over 14.33 m (SK-19-246) ? HW Zone o Including: 5.18 g/t Au, 5,860 g/t Ag (83.31 g/t AuEq) over 0.90 m o And: 1.75 g/t Au, 1,235 g/t Ag (18.22 g/t AuEq) over 1.05 m o And: 1.23 g/t Au, 1,895 g/t Ag (26.50 g/t AuEq) over 0.85 m o And: 176.00 g/t Au, 1,530 g/t Ag (196.40 g/t AuEq) over 0.90 m 2.58 g/t Au, 51 g/t Ag (3.26 g/t AuEq) over 25.00 m (SK-19-222A) ? 21E Zone 3.36 g/t Au, 40 g/t Ag (3.89 g/t AuEq) over 14.00 m (SK-19-217) ? 21E Zone 1.94 g/t Au, 166 g/t Ag (4.16 g/t AuEq) over 13.50 m (SK-19-237) ? 21E Zone Gold Equivalent (AuEq) calculated via the formula: Au (g/t) + [Ag (g/t) / 75]. Reported core lengths represent 80-100% of true widths and are supported by well-defined mineralization geometries derived from historical drilling. Grade capping of individual assays has not been applied to the Au and Ag assays informing the length weighted AuEq composites. Processing recoveries have not been applied to the AuEq calculation and are disclosed at 100%. Samples below detection limit are nulled to a value of zero. 2019 Drilling Demonstrates Continuity and Exceptional Silver Grades The 2019 Phase I infill program at Eskay Creek continues to demonstrate the excellent continuity of the current resource model which is derived largely from historical drilling. Phase I infill drilling within the 21E Zone, which is located on the eastern flank of the Eskay deposits, has correlated extremely well with the historical drilling with respect to grades, widths and spatial distribution of mineralization. Initial drilling within the HW (Hanging-Wall) Zone has not only corroborated the current resource model but has located additional mineralization of equivalent tenor as confirmed by drill hole SK-19-245 which intersected 1.63 g/t Au, 62 g/t Ag (2.45 g/t AuEq) over 16.21 metres. Situated 20 metres east of this expanded mineralization, drill hole SK-19-246 intersected extremely high-grade silver mineralization of 13.24 g/t Au, 701 g/t Ag (22.59 g/t AuEq) over 14.33 metres including 5.18 g/t Au, 5,860 g/t Ag (83.31 g/t AuEq) over 0.90 metres. This intercept was predicted by the resource model. Drill intercepts in the HW Zone are located less than 20 metres below surface. Current Status Eskay Creek Drilling Four ground-based drill rigs are now operational at the Eskay Creek Project continuing the Phase I infill program. Exploratory drilling is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks. About Skeena Skeena Resources Limited is a junior Canadian mining exploration company focused on developing prospective precious metal properties in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company?s primary activities are the exploration and development of the past-producing Eskay Creek mine, which contains a combined Indicated and Inferred 4Moz, 4.4 g/t gold-equivalent open-pit resource. The Company recently completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on Eskay Creek which highlights an after-tax NPV5% of C$638M, 51% IRR and a 1.2-year payback. Skeena is also exploring the past-producing Snip gold mine. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited, Walter Coles Jr. President & CEO In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch Qualified Persons Exploration activities at the Eskay Creek Project are administered on site by the Company?s Exploration Managers, Colin Russell, P.Geo. and Adrian Newton, P.Geo. In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo. Vice President Exploration and Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting its exploration activities on its exploration projects. Quality Assurance ? Quality Control Once received from the drill and processed, all drill core samples are sawn in half, labelled and bagged. The remaining drill core is subsequently securely stored on site. Numbered security tags are applied to lab shipments for chain of custody requirements. The Company inserts quality control (QC) samples at regular intervals in the sample stream, including blanks and reference materials with all sample shipments to monitor laboratory performance. The QAQC program was designed and approved by Lynda Bloom, P.Geo. of Analytical Solutions Ltd., and is overseen by the Company?s Qualified Person, Paul Geddes, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and Resource Development. Drill core samples are submitted to ALS Geochemistry?s analytical facility in North Vancouver, British Columbia for preparation and analysis. The ALS facility is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for gold assays and all analytical methods include quality control materials at set frequencies with established data acceptance criteria. The entire sample is crushed and 1kg is pulverized. Analysis for gold is by 50g fire assay fusion with atomic absorption (AAS) finish with a lower limit of 0.01 ppm and upper limit of 100 ppm. Samples with gold assays greater than 100ppm are re-analyzed using a 50g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish. Analysis for silver is by 50g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish with a lower limit of 5ppm and upper limit of 10,000ppm. Samples with silver assays greater than 10,000ppm are re-analyzed using a gravimetric silver concentrate method. A selected number of samples are also analyzed using a 48 multi-elemental geochemical package by a 4-acid digestion, followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and also for mercury using an aqua regia digest with Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish. Samples with sulfur reporting greater than 10% from the multi-element analysis are re-analyzed for total sulfur by Leco furnace and infrared spectroscopy. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute ?forward looking information? and ?forward looking statements? within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management?s expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as ?anticipates?, ?believes?, ?targets?, ?estimates?, ?plans?, ?expects?, ?may?, ?will?, ?could? or ?would?. Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Ridgewood Infrastructure has closed its debut fund - Ridgewood Water & Strategic Infrastructure Fund at the $600 million hard cap. The vehicle beat its $500 million target. Ridgewood Infrastructure invests in essential infrastructure in the U.S. lower middle market. The fund has already made three investments including theVista Ridge Regional Water Supply Project, a long??term contracted 142??mile water pipeline that will supply the city of San Antonio, Texas with approximately 20% of its fresh water; Undine, which owns and operates regulated wat...................... To view our full article Click here (Adds byline) By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf's record as a Revolutionary Guards air force commander, a war veteran and a national police chief has endeared him to Iran's supreme leader and boosted his chances of becoming the next speaker of parliament after Friday's election. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose grip on power is being challenged by mounting pressure from Washington and by growing discontent at home, is seen by analysts as counting on security hawks like Qalibaf to form a loyal and compliant parliament. The Guardian Council, a hardline body that vets candidates, has all but ensured the parliamentary vote will usher in a majority of Khamenei loyalists by disqualifying moderates and leading conservatives from standing. "Today our problem is the economy and we need jihadi managers like Qalibaf to overcome economic problems," Amirali Hajizadeh, head of the Guards aerospace unit, said in a strong video message of support posted on Iranian websites. The vote for the 290-seat assembly - the first since Washington quit an international nuclear pact with Iran and reimposed crippling sanctions - will test support for the clerical establishment ahead of presidential elections next year. Qalibaf's chances of becoming speaker hinge on gaining the trust of hardliners, who struggled for days to reach consensus on a single slate for Tehran. Hardliners could still nominate a rival as speaker in coming months. "Hardliners are very divided ... moderates and independent candidates will not vote for Qalibaf," said a former reformist official on condition of anonymity. "It will be a very chaotic parliament with different groups of hardliners." A NO-NONSENSE CANDIDATE Ahead of the election, Qalibaf has tried to win over middle- and lower-income voters by focusing on the economic hardships caused in large part by U.S. sanctions and by promising to tackle vested interests. Story continues Some doubt that parliament is capable of bringing about change as Khamenei and the Revolutionary Guards determine the overall direction of the country by controlling the media, the armed forces, the intelligence services and most financial resources. "Nothing can change under this establishment. It does not matter who wins this election," said Ramin Sardari, 28, a jobless university graduate in Tehran. Qalibaf, who ran unsuccessfully in two presidential races and was forced to drop out of a third to avoid splitting the hardline vote, has revived his political ambitions by standing for parliament. In 2005, he resigned from the military to run for president. He was seen as a strong contender but lost in the final days when Khamenei and his allies switched allegiance to hardline populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Qalibaf went on to win Ahmadinejad's job as mayor of Tehran, a post he held for 12 years. He won a reputation as a pragmatic problem-solver, tackling Tehran's acute infrastructure crisis and improving public transport. But the capital's stubbornly chaotic traffic, his alleged involvement in a corruption case in 2016 and the deaths of 50 firefighters in a building collapse the next year damaged his popularity. Despite that, many voters in Tehran still view the charismatic 58-year old, who leads the hardliners' list of candidates for Tehran's 30 parliamentary seats, as a no-nonsense candidate who can get the job done. TOUGH ON DISSENT Qalibaf's strong military credentials are expected to win over hardline candidates who share his background. At age 19, he first served in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Guards general within three years and eventually commander of its air force in 1998. A year later, when a bloody crackdown on protesting students precipitated nationwide unrest and forced the national chief of police to resign, Khamenei appointed Qalibaf to the post. To civil rights activists and reformers he is known as someone who crushed protests and personally beat demonstrators in 1999, and also played an active role in repressing unrest in 2003. Qalibaf was among a group of Guards commanders who sent a letter to then-president Mohammad Khatami, a reformist, threatening a coup unless he moved to end demonstrations. In 2009, Qalibaf took credit as Tehran mayor for helping suppress months of bloody unrest that rocked the establishment after a presidential vote that opposition candidates said was rigged to secure Ahmadinejad's re-election. Qalibaf has however sometimes upset his anti-Western hardline backers. He ran a flashy campaign in the 2005 presidential race, wearing a Western-style white linen suit and calling himself a "Hezbollahi Reza Shah" in reference to the father of Iran's shah, who was toppled in the 1979 Islamic revolution. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Giles Elgood) Wall Street's main indexes plunged on Thursday for the sixth straight session, with the S&P 500 confirming its fastest correction in history as the rapid global spread of coronavirus intensified worries about economic growth. The S&P 500 finished 12 per cent below its February 19 record close, marking its fastest correction ever in just six trading days. The previous record was nine days in early 2018, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices analyst Howard Silverblatt. Trader Michael Milano works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, where stocks opened sharply lower on Thursday. Credit:AP The Dow registered a record one-day points drop, which was also its fourth 1,000-point decline in history and the second this week. All three major U.S. indexes were also on track for their steepest weekly pullback since the global financial crisis, as new infections reported around the world surpassed those in mainland China. The partnership will play a key role in making the Topeka region a globally recognized hub of animal health and ag tech innovation. We are proud that Topeka has been selected by Plug and Play, said Katrin Bridges, Greater Topeka Partnerships senior vice president of innovation. This partnership will play a key role in making our region a globally recognized hub of animal health and ag tech." GO Topeka today announced that Plug and Play, a global innovation platform that specializes in creating industry-specific accelerator programs, will bring its first Innovation Summit to Topeka on Tuesday, March 3. Titled The Future of Animal Health and Ag Tech, this event will host 200 industry leaders, startups and investors in the Capital City for a day-long discussion on the regions animal health and ag tech industry, anchored by the KC Animal Health Corridor. The first time we came out to Topeka and saw the landscape and the ecosystem of the corporations, the excitement and really the challenges at hand, we thought to ourselves, We need to be here, said Stephen Fay, Plug and Plays director of corporate partnerships. With our wide grasp of technologies and solutions across different industries, including at the intersections of (agricultural technology) and animal health and biosciences, were very excited to explore and foster that ecosystem here in Topeka. Plug and Play will work collaboratively with participants from the region to identify key industry challenges in animal health and ag tech. Once identified, Plug and Play will seek out the best startups to help develop solutions to these challenges. Through its partnership with Topeka, Plug and Play will bring eight to 10 startups to the city every six months, beginning this summer. Those startups will go through three-month accelerator programs aimed at helping the businesses get off the ground, providing mentorship, resources and office space. Roughly two-thirds of the companies that Plug and Play invests in will have an exit. This is a leading performance metric compared to other early stage investors and accelerators. We are proud that Topeka has been selected by Plug and Play, said Katrin Bridges, Greater Topeka Partnerships senior vice president of innovation. This partnership will play a key role in making our region a globally recognized hub of animal health and ag tech innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship. The KC Animal Health Corridor, anchored by Manhattan, Kan., and Columbia, Mo., is home to more than 300 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration in the world. Companies with a strategic location in the KC Animal Health Corridor now represent 56 percent of total worldwide animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales. As part of the Greater Kansas City region, Topeka is strategically located in the middle of the KC Animal Health Corridor, said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor. The addition of Plug and Play further enhances the Corridors ecosystem that attracts and supports emerging and established companies alike. The Greater Topeka area in Shawnee County represents a community of 178,915 people, located in the Kansas City region. As the state capital of Kansas, Topeka is home to a dynamic employer base with headquartered companies including Hills Pet Nutrition, Advisors Excel, Security Benefit, Capitol Federal and Evergy. Topeka is located less than 40 minutes from suburban Kansas Citys shops and restaurant districts, less than one hour to downtown Kansas City, including the KC Crossroads District, the River Market and the Country Club Plaza, and an hour from Kansas City International Airport. Based out of Silicon Valley in Sunnyvale, Calif., Plug and Play has three other official U.S. locations outside of its headquarters: Houston, Cleveland and Northwest Arkansas. In 2018 alone, Plug and Play accelerated 1,107 startups worldwide. Companies, investors and entrepreneurs can register for this all-day event on Eventbrite. About Plug and Play Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 25 locations globally, giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 10,000 startups and 280 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in the Plug and Play community have raised over $7 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, and PayPal. For more information, visit http://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com About Go Topeka GO Topeka creates opportunities for economic growth that provide a thriving business climate and fulfilling lifestyle for Topeka and Shawnee County. The Greater Topeka area in Shawnee County represents a community of 178,915 people, located in the Greater Kansas City region. As the state capital of Kansas, Topeka is home to a dynamic employer base with headquartered companies including Hills Pet Nutrition, Advisors Excel, Security Benefit, Capitol Federal and Evergy. Topeka is located less than 40 minutes from suburban Kansas Citys shops and restaurant districts, less than one hour to downtown Kansas City, including the KC Crossroads District, the River Market and the Country Club Plaza, and an hour from Kansas City International Airport. Topeka is proud to be a part of the #KCHeartland. For more information, visit http://www.gotopeka.com About the KC Animal Health Corridor The KC Animal Health Corridor, anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, is home to more than 300 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration in the world. For more information, visit KCanimalhealth.com DUBLIN, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Teleradiology Market Analysis Report by Product (Ultrasound, MRI, CT, X-ray, Nuclear Imaging), by End Use (Hospital, Ambulatory Imaging Center, Radiology Clinics), by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global teleradiology market size is estimated to reach USD 10.9 billion by 2027 registering a CAGR of 13.9% over the forecast period. Shortage of radiologists, coupled with continuously rising demand for imaging procedures, is expected to drive the market. Despite a significant increase in the installation of radiology equipment in countries such as U.K., U.S., and Singapore over the past few years, there is still a high unmet need for diagnostics imaging. For instance, as per a report by the National Health Service (NHS), the average waiting time for an MRI test in England was reported to be 21 days in 2018. In addition, legislative amendments made by various governments worldwide for diagnostic imaging services will enhance the growth of teleradiology during the forecast period. For instance, amendments in Australia's Health Insurance Act 1973 for diagnostic imaging have enabled Medicare funding for these diagnostic imaging services since March 2008. This has allowed better access to diagnostic imaging for various conditions. North America is a major market for teleradiology and accounted for 39.5% of the global revenue in 2019 due to factors such as greater funding for R&D, rising patient awareness levels, and growing cancer prevalence. The regional market is likely to expand further on account of favorable government initiatives for improving the healthcare facilities in rural areas and increased healthcare expenditure. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period, exhibiting a CAGR of 14.9%. Rising demand for innovative and advanced medical platforms, coupled with rapidly growing healthcare infrastructure, supports the growth in this region. In addition, presence of target population and need for improved disease diagnosis are anticipated to drive the demand for teleradiology equipment in APAC. Further key findings from the report suggest: X-ray held the largest teleradiology market share in 2019 owing to its wide application scope, such as in the detection of dental injuries and fractures in bones. Growing demand for bedside imaging and core diagnostics and introduction of novel technologies are expected to further boost segment growth CT scan is expected to witness the fastest growth over forecast period. Extensive usage, faster testing, high-resolution imaging capacity, and advent of new generation systems such as 4D are some of the factors responsible for segment growth Based on end use, hospitals held the largest market share in 2019. Large patient base, building financial capacity, and receptivity to advanced technologies are the factors responsible for uptake of radiology products in hospitals North America held the largest share in the market for teleradiology in 2019 due to wide usage of advanced technologies, presence of key companies, and established healthcare infrastructure in the region held the largest share in the market for teleradiology in 2019 due to wide usage of advanced technologies, presence of key companies, and established healthcare infrastructure in the region Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region over the forecast period due to supportive government regulations for the expansion of teleradiology and quick adoption of new technologies is expected to be the fastest-growing region over the forecast period due to supportive government regulations for the expansion of teleradiology and quick adoption of new technologies Some of the prominent companies are 4ways Healthcare Ltd., HealthWatch TeleDiagnostics Pvt. Ltd., RamSoft, Inc., Everlight Radiology, Virtual Radiologic, Agfa-Gevaert N.V., ONARD, Teleradiology Solutions, and Global Diagnostics. Most of these companies focus on expanding their product portfolios and entering in untapped markets such as Asia Pacific Key Topics Covered Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope Chapter 2. Executive Summary 2.1. Market Outlook 2.2. Segment Outlook 2.2.1. Product outlook 2.2.2. End-use outlook 2.2.3. Regional outlook 2.3. Competitive Insights Chapter 3. Teleradiology Market Variables, Trends & Scope 3.1. Market Lineage Outlook 3.1.1. Parent market outlook 3.1.2. Related/ancillary market outlook 3.2. Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping 3.3. Industry Value Chain Analysis 3.3.1. Reimbursement framework 3.4. Market Dynamics 3.4.1. Market driver analysis 3.4.1.1. Increasing prevalence of target diseases 3.4.1.2. Introduction of technologically advanced diagnostics 3.4.1.3. Growing base of geriatric population 3.4.1.4. Favorable regulatory initiatives 3.4.2. Market restraint analysis 3.4.2.1. Lack of skilled professionals 3.4.2.2. Lack of security for data imaging 3.5. Teleradiology Market Analysis Tools 3.5.1. Industry Analysis - Porter's 3.5.1.1. Supplier power 3.5.1.2. Buyer power 3.5.1.3. Substitution threat 3.5.1.4. Threat of new entrant 3.5.1.5. Competitive rivalry 3.5.2. PESTEL Analysis 3.5.2.1. Political landscape 3.5.2.2. Technological landscape 3.5.2.3. Economic landscape 3.5.3. Major Deals & Strategic Alliances Analysis 3.5.4. Market Entry Strategies Chapter 4. Global Teleradiology Market: Product Estimates & Trend Analysis 4.1. Definitions and Scope 4.2. Teleradiology Market Share, 2019 & 2027 4.3. Segment Dashboard 4.4. Global Teleradiology Market by Product Outlook 4.5. Market Size & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2016 to 2027 for the following Chapter 5. Global Teleradiology Market: End Use Estimates & Trend Analysis 5.1. Definitions and Scope 5.2. Teleradiology Market Share, 2019 & 2027 5.3. Segment Dashboard 5.4. Global Teleradiology Market by End Use Outlook 5.5. Market Size & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2016 to 2027 for the following Chapter 6. Global Teleradiology Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis 6.1. Regional market share analysis, 2019 & 2027 6.2. Regional Market Dashboard 6.3. Global Regional Market Snapshot 6.4. Regional Market Share and Leading Players, 2019 6.5. SWOT Analysis, by Factor (Political & Legal, Economic and Technological) 6.6. Market Size, & Forecasts, Volume and Trend Analysis, 2019 & 2027: 6.7. North America 6.8. Europe 6.9. Asia Pacific 6.10. Latin America 6.11. MEA Chapter 7. Competitive Landscape 7.1. Recent Developments & Impact Analysis, By Key Market Participants 7.2. Company/Competition Categorization 7.2.1. Innovators 7.2.2. Market Leaders 7.2.3. Emerging Players 7.3. Vendor Landscape 7.3.1. List of key distributors and channel partners 7.3.2. Key customers 7.3.3. Key company market share analysis, 2019 7.4. Public Companies 7.4.1. Company market position analysis (Revenue, geographic presence, product portfolio, key serviceable industries, key alliances) 7.4.2. Company Market Share/Ranking, by region 7.4.3. Competitive Dashboard Analysis 7.4.3.1. Market Differentiators 7.4.3.2. Synergy Analysis: Major Deals and Strategic Alliances 7.5. Private Companies 7.5.1. List of key emerging companies/technology disruptors/innovators 7.5.2. Funding Outlook 7.5.3. Regional Network Map 7.5.4. Company market position analysis (geographic presence, product portfolio, key alliance, industry experience) 7.5.5. Supplier Ranking 7.5.6. Key company profiled 7.5.7. Virtual Radiologic (vRad) 7.5.7.1. Company overview 7.5.7.2. Financial performance 7.5.7.3. Product benchmarking 7.5.7.4. Strategic initiatives 7.5.8. Agfa-Gevaert Group 7.5.9. ONRAD, Inc. 7.5.10. Global Diagnostics 7.5.11. Everlight Radiology 7.5.12. Cybernet Medical Corporation 7.5.13. 4ways Healthcare Ltd. 7.5.14. RamSoft, Inc. 7.5.15. USARAD Holdings, Inc. 7.5.16. HealthWatch TeleDiagnostics Pvt. Ltd. 7.5.17. Koninklijke Philips N.V. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hqcqy0 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 Rajeev Misra, the head of the world's biggest tech fund SoftBank Vision Fund, has been accused of hatching a plan to lure SoftBank's former president Nikesh Arora into a "honey trap" and blackmailing him. So far, both Misra and Vision Fund have denied the accuracy of these reports. Misra, who was appointed Vision Fund CEO in 2017, allegedly ran a years-long "dark art campaign" to malign other executives who were potential roadblocks in his way to the top job, a Wall Street Journal report said. This not only led to his promotion to the position of CEO of SoftBank Vision Fund but also damaged the reputation of many targeted executives. SoftBank has said it'll review the fresh allegations. "For several years, we have investigated a campaign of falsehoods against SoftBank Group and certain former employees in an attempt to identify those behind it. SoftBank will be reviewing the inferences made by the Wall Street Journal," a SoftBank spokesperson told BusinessToday.In. Notably, in his capacity as CEO of the company, Misra has invested billions of dollars in the world's leading companies like Uber, WeWork, Oyo and Zume. As part of his "dark art campaign", Misra allegedly hired several people who leaked damaging reports of rival executives to media and even orchestrated shareholder push to fire them. In one of the incidents cited in the report, Misra in 2015 allegedly hired an intermediary to lay a "honey trap" against Nikesh Arora, then SoftBank president. The report said Misra's intermediary allegedly tried to lure Arora into returning to a Tokyo hotel room with "one or more women". The room, where Misra had allegedly installed hidden cameras, would have caught him in compromising positions. The entire conspiracy, however, failed when Arora didn't go to the hotel room. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 17) The Philippines exceeded its target of 8.2 million foreign tourists in 2019, with the Tourism Department saying Monday that it recorded 8.26 million international visitors last year. The figure is 15.24-percent higher than at the end of 2018, when 7.16 million foreign arrivals were recorded. The Tourism Department recorded a spike in foreign tourist arrivals in December, when 776,798 of them visited the country. Without doubt, our convergence programs with other government agencies, particularly in improving access as well as product development and marketing initiatives with local government and private sector have greatly paid off, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement. Most foreign tourists still come from South Korea, with 1.98 million Koreans visiting the country last year. South Korea has been the country's top tourist source for nearly a decade. China follows at a close second with 1.74 million arrivals and then by the United States with 1.06 million visitors. Jacinda Ardern may be the darling of political progressives in Australia and beyond, but as the New Zealand Prime Minister prepares to get into election mode at home, she finds herself under fire for failing to deliver on her promises. As New Zealand prepares to take to the polls on September 19, many locals are upset at her for failing to keep her promises in a number of key policy areas. During her stint as prime minister, Ms Ardern developed a prominent and sympathetic international profile, both as a young mother in the country's top job, and for her response to the Christchurch massacre and the White Island volcano tragedy. Political allies in Australia were even calling for her to take over as PM across the Tasman Sea. And now, more New Zealanders than ever would be more than happy for her to oblige. Jacinda Ardern won hearts across the globe for her support of victims of the mosque terror attacks in Christchurch. Pictured with a mosque-goer after the attack wearing a hijab Australian National University professor John Wanna said the PM is 'regarded as a bit of a show pony who is not delivering,' among her constituents. 'They [NZ Labour] did not expect to win at all, so they made all these promises and then they fell into government. Now, in government, Ardern can't get a lot of things through. Daily Mail Australia takes a look at some of Ms Ardern's key policies, and whether she's delivered on them. She has been praised internationally for being respectful and a great role model for women (pictured during a trip to Fiji) Failed KiwiBuild Project While campaigning for the last election in 2017, an idealistic Ms Ardern vowed to build 100,000 new homes solely for first home buyers to help them get a foothold on the property ladder. The policy was in response to New Zealand's homelessness and housing crisis, but the PM's detractors believe it has offered little reprieve. Ms Ardern said the 100,000 homes goal would take a decade to complete but that target was 'reset' in September 2019 after shortfalls in new buildings and a lack of interest from buyers. While campaigning for the last election, an idealistic Ms Ardern vowed to build 100,000 new homes solely for first home buyers to help them access the market (stock image of housing development in New Zealand) Instead, the government introduced lower deposit requirements and allowed people to pool their $10,000 first home owner grants into one to cover the cost of a deposit. Social housing waiting lists are also at an all time high, but the Labour Party claims since coming to power they have reversed the previous National government's sell-off of state housing. They have also added an additional 3,600 social housing properties for low-income and in-need families. A further 2,400 homes are being built with another 13,000 scheduled to be built. Ms Ardern said: 'If the National government had built state houses at the pace of our targeted 1,600 per year, we'd have an additional 14,000 state houses - that's the entire waiting list gone.' Climate change policies and planting one billion trees Ms Ardern has been a strong advocate for policies to alleviate climate change, both before and during her tenure. During her election campaign, she vowed to plant one billion trees to help the environment and plan for the future. 'We've already set an aspiration that as a nation, we will plant one billion trees and 140 million are already in the ground,' she said in November 2019 during a parliamentary sitting. She described climate change as 'the biggest challenge of our time'. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern plants a tree gifted to her daughter Neve during a 'Trees That Count' Matariki tree planting event While Ms Ardern is yet to reach the target of one billion trees, she's well on her way to reaching it and would continue to work toward the goal if reelected. 'We have done more in 24 months than any Government in New Zealand has ever done on climate action,' she said. Ms Ardern said not only are her policies on the climate strong to support her own nation - but she wants to offer support to their neighbours in the Pacific Islands. Further supporting her climate policies, the government banned single use plastic bags. During her early days as leader, Ms Ardern claims she often received letters from children and young people urging her to get rid of single use plastics. Ms Ardern vowed to plant one billion trees to help the future of the planet during her leadership Reducing Child Poverty The prime minister also vowed to reduce child poverty in New Zealand as part of her policy reform. The issue is one close to Ms Ardern's heart; she is also the current Minister for Child Poverty Reduction. However, statistics released on Tuesday showed there hadn't been any significant reduction in child poverty between 2017 and 2019. But Ms Ardern said the results are not a reflection of the current environment, and that some of her key improvements are yet to filter into the results. She said the government remains on track to meet the child poverty reduction targets. 10 YEAR TARGETS FOR REDUCING CHILD POVERTY - 120,000 children out of poverty in low income households (before housing costs) from 16 percent down to 5 percent - 130,000 children out of poverty in low income households (after housing costs) from 23 percent down to 10 percent - 80,000 children out of material hardship from 13 percent down to 6 percent Advertisement Material hardship includes households which cannot afford items others would deem essential - like fruits and vegetables. Other examples include putting off a doctors visit because it is not affordable or going without electricity because they can't pay the bill. 'Policies already in place that will help to reduce material hardship - like free lunches in schools, cheaper visits to the doctors, nurses in schools - are yet to show through in the numbers,' Ms Ardern said. The latest report noted that the 2021-2022 data would be the best time to understand the full effects of the policy. Ms Ardern designated $5.3billion to the Families Package to cut child poverty by 50 per cent over a four year period. She said her government 'has already taken action on lifting between 42,000 and 73,000 children out of poverty through the $5.5 billion Families Package.' New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (L) and her daughter Neve Gayford. Ms Ardern is passionate about childhood poverty and is working to reduce the rates Offering Free GP Visits During the election, Ms Ardern vowed to reduce the cost of visits to the local general practitioner by $10. But after she was elected she changed her tune, saying instead these figures would be achieved gradually over multiple budgets during her tenure. Since her election, Ms Ardern has successfully reduced the cost of visiting a doctor for most Kiwis. For more than half a million New Zealand citizens, the cost of a trip to the doctor was reduced in late 2018. Kids under 13 also benefited from the policy with free visits. 'In a country like New Zealand cost should not put people off going to see the doctor when they're sick. I'm proud that the Government has made cost much less of a barrier to hundreds of thousands of Kiwis,' Jacinda Ardern said at the time. 'The Coalition Government has set out improve the wellbeing of all New Zealanders and we're committed to making our country the best place in the world to be a child. 'Extending free doctors' visits to every child under 14, is a big step towards that goal.' Ms Ardern was commended for having her baby with her in parliament and committing to both being prime minister and being a mum. She has offered free doctors trips to people under 14 Backtracking on Capital Gains Tax Since 2011, Ms Ardern has been advocating for a capital gains tax in New Zealand. Capital gains tax is an additional payment that people and businesses must make on any profit they make through selling their assets, including but not limited to real estate and property. After finally leading her party to victory during the 2017 elections, one of her priorities was to proceed with that policy. She had campaigned with it during the election and had to announce in April of 2019 that the policy did not make it through parliament. 'Here we were finally in government, we had political parties that represented the majority of New Zealanders and I still couldn't get it across the line,' she said at the time. 'I just couldn't get the numbers, and it wasn't for lack of trying.' A street food vendor wearing a protective facemask, amid fears of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, prepares food in a shopping mall in Bangkok on Feb 25, 2020. (Photo: AFP/Mladen Antonov) Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul asked the Thai public to avoid travelling to affected countries and called on airlines to refrain from luring travelers with promotions. Two of the new patients, who are all Thai nationals, had returned from a vacation in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido and came into contact with the third, said Sukhum Kanchanapimai, permanent secretary at the ministry. The grandfather had not disclosed his travel history when he first sought medical attention and risked becoming a super-spreader, an incident of large transmission from a single source, Anutin said. "We have to criticise this case ... it creates a lot of trouble for us," Anutin said. The patient came to the hospital on Feb 23, but did not disclose his travel history until the next day, B Care Medical Center said in a statement. The patient came into contact with 30 medical personnel at the hospital, who later tested negative for the virus and are in self-quarantine at home, the statement said. Passengers, cabin crew and students in the boy's class were all being tested, officials said. The boy's school has been closed for 14 days and will be cleaned, a statement from the Don Mueng District Office said. A Thanachart-TMB bank also announced it would close its branch in the area for disinfection after an employee's relative was reported to have the virus. The branch's workers have tested negative for the virus, but were asked to stay home for 14 days, it said. Public Health Ministry officials will be prohibited from travelling to risky countries. If travel is required, personnel are required to self-quarantine for 14 days, Sukhum said. At-risk countries include China, Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, Iran and Japan. "For the airlines, please reduce promotions," Anutin said. "Even though tickets are cheap, it could be your last holiday." National carrier Thai Airways Pcl said its executives took pay cuts to reduce costs amid the fall-off in passenger travel. Thailand was the first country outside China to confirm a case of COVID-19 on Jan 13. In late January, Thailand had the second-highest number of infections after China, but new cases have gradually declined. No one in Thailand has died from the coronavirus. Thai authorities on Monday classified the coronavirus a "dangerous communicable disease", giving health personnel and police more authority to quarantine people with symptoms, or those have travelled from risky areas. A total of 22 patients have been discharged from a hospital in Thailand and 15 are being treated, authorities said on Tuesday. After the family of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer, who was found dead in northeast Delhi's riot-hit Chand Bagh area, accused AAP leader Tahir Hussain behind the killing, Zee News on Thursday reached the AAP leader's Chand Bagh home and found several incriminating materials. Clashes have been raging in northeast Delhi over the Citizenship law and till now 34 people have died. Tahir is facing allegations that miscreants threw stones and hurled petrol bombs at people from the roof of his Chand Bagh home on February 25. However, Tahir has continued to deny this, but now a Zee News coverage shows the presence of petrol bombs, stones, and acid chemicals in his house. The ground reality revealed the sinister homework as well as preparation ahead of the riots, showing a well thought out conspiracy. At least 100 rioters were also present on the roof of the house of Hussain. Bags of stones were found on first, and second floors of the house. The fourth floor of the house had poly bags filled with acid chemicals. The roof was also full of stones, catapult, and crates of bottles filled with petrol bombs. The brother of IB employee Ankit Sharma had told Zee News that Tahir Hussain was behind the killing of his brother. He said that hundreds of rioters took refuge at the AAP corporator's house. They pelted stones from there and also fired bullets along with throwing petrol bombs. However, Tahir has denied his involvement in Delhi's violence. He has also denied his involvement in the death of IB employee Ankit Sharma through a video statement. Ankit's body was found in a drain near his home in Chand Bagh. Several videos have been shared on social media in which Tahir, dressed in a red sweater and white shirt, is seen moving around his rooftop. He is also in the same dress in the video which he posted in his defence. Zee News Editor-in-chief, Sudhir Chaudhary, visited the violence-affected areas and met people who bore the brunt of the riots. When the Zee News team went to the violence-hit Chand Bagh area and spoke to those who have lost their near and dear ones they repeatedly alleged one person responsible for the violence. The man alleged to be the kingpin behind the riots is Tahir. Tahir is a corporator of Aam Aadmi Party from Ward 59 of Nehru Vihar, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, under Mustafabad assembly constituency falling in the North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. The affected people told Zee News that a lot of weapons and other objects were kept in Tahir Hussain's house and hundreds of rioters congregated at his place and hurled stones, petrol bombs at other people's houses. Some people stated that several rounds of bullets were also fired from the roof of the corporator's house. Notably, the funeral of Ankit Sharma is scheduled at his native village Etawah in Budhana tehsil of Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh. Ankit Sharma, who has been posted in Delhi's IB office along with his father Ravindra Sharma, was killed by unidentified miscreants while returning home from duty on Tuesday evening. His body was dumped in a drain in Chand Bagh area. Alabama legislative leaders announced support today for initiatives aimed at expanding mental health care in Alabama and reducing the likelihood that encounters between the mentally ill and law enforcement result in jail time or tragedy. Some of the initiatives were not brand new but were announced today as a package with bipartisan support from lawmakers and other state officials. Few details were provided about funding the proposals. House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said he believes there is broad support for funding but lawmakers have not passed budgets for next year. Department of Mental Health Commissioner Lynn Beshear joined legislators for the announcement, as did State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey. This is the beginning," Beshear said. "This is not the end. But it can be transformational, and will be. Ledbetter said Gov. Kay Ivey asked him to spearhead development of a plan to expand and improve mental health care in the state. Ledbetter said that happened after he told the governor that the state was failing in its responsibilities to care for the mentally ill. Ledbetter said he brought the issue up after a visit from a constituent whose son suffered from mental illness and died in an encounter with law enforcement. Since then, Ledbetter said he and other lawmakers have met with probate judges, school officials, mental health providers and others in search of ways to target Alabamas shortcomings in mental health care. The initiative includes: A bill that requires each school system in the state to employ a mental health service coordinator if the Legislature provides the money. A bill that authorizes law enforcement to place people who are believed to be mentally ill and pose a threat to themselves or others under 72-hour protective custody and provide transportation to a hospital for evaluation and treatment. A bill to require the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission to give mandatory crisis intervention training and continuing education to law enforcement. A joint resolution for the creation and funding of three 24-hour crisis care centers to serve as an alternative to hospital and emergency room visits for suicide prevention and other crisis services. A joint resolution calling on all 67 Alabama counties to implement the Stepping Up initiative, a national program aimed at reducing the number of people with mental illness in jails. House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, said Alabama has not emphasized mental health issues without a court order since the Gov. Lurleen Wallace administration in the 1960s. The speaker said "its time to quit kicking the can down the road." Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said improving mental health care can lead to reduced recidivism in prisons, improve education, and "enhance the quality of life for all Alabamians." Ivey proposed the three mental health crisis centers during her State of the State address in February. Mental health care is a major issue in Alabamas prison crisis. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled in 2017 that mental health care in prisons was horrendously inadequate. The state has boosted funding for prisons to expand mental health services and to address a severe shortage of correctional officers. An evangelical christian blogger has controversially claimed women in police uniform are 'unattractive to men' and should 'stick to being feminine'. Mother-of-four - and grandmother-of-nine - Lori Alexander, 60, from San Diego in California, who goes by the name The Transformed Wife on Twitter, commented: 'I'm not sure how men could be attracted to women dressed as men like female police officers and females in the military.' 'These are men's jobs. If they weren't, then women could dress like women in these jobs but they can't. Stick to being feminine, women.' And many were quick to hit back at the suggestion - including PC Rosie Finnis who works for Essex Police, who replied saying the remark was 'one of the most offensive things she's ever read,' before proudly posting a photo of herself posing in her uniform. Lori Alexander (pictured), 60, from San Diego in California, took to Twitter and claimed women in police uniform are 'unattractive to men' and should 'stick to being feminine' PC Rosie Finnis, who works for Essex Police, hit back at the controversial claim, before proudly posting a snap of herself in her uniform PC Rosie Finnis replied saying the remark was 'one of the most offensive things she's ever read' (pictured) Lori Alexander has a streak of stirring outrage for her incendiary comments on social views and faith, and her controversial post this time around quickly garnered up over 5, 500 comments. 'This is one of the most offensive things I've ever read,' commented Rosie. 'I am confident when I say, there's not a female police officer that joined the job because the uniform is flattering. 'To minimize the work we do down to a uniform is appalling. I'm not here for men to find attractive.' Over 1,000 liked PC Finnis' tweet, with hundreds commenting in support of her response. Taking to the comments section, many slammed Lori for her outdated views. 'Ring ring... Hello? This is 2020 calling. The 1950s would like their tweet back please,' wrote one (pictured) 'Ring ring... Hello? This is 2020 calling. The 1950s would like their tweet back please. Face with rolling eyes,' wrote one, while a second penned: 'What a ridiculous statement. Were you born in the 30's?.' A third added: 'Wow are you kidding me...who are you to judge anyone based on their choices. Shame shame shame on you,' while a fourth commented: 'Who told you these are men's jobs ? Also, can you define 'feminine' ?' And while another branded it the 'most ignorant statement' they have ever read, other women in the police force were keen to express their views. 'I'm in shock at this tweet and as a military lady of 20 years I can't believe this view point is still alive today,' one penned. 'As we celebrate nearly 30s of equality in the Royal Navy I'm proud to wear my uniform and doing my job is my priority whether I'm "attractive" or not.' Another wrote: 'I spent 21 years in the military because I wanted to follow in the footsteps many others in my family and trust me, the men did and DO find women in uniform attractive. I find her tweet highly insulting to those women who serve and protect her right to say such things.' In his statement to the Bureau of Military History, Nicholas Carroll, Hugginstown, vice-commandant of the 8th battalion of the Kilkenny Brigade of the Old IRA, replayed the events of the attack on the Barracks during the Irish War of Independence. The battalion decided to attack the RIC barracks in Hugginstown because it was in a remote area and they had, a fair prospect of success. They didnt have the necessary arms so they submitted their plans to the Brigade Council in mid February 1920. Bombs The attack commenced about 11.30pm. Joe McMahon opened proceedings by flinging a few bombs on the back roof of their barracks. After a few shots were fired, Treacy called on the police to surrender which they refused to do. They were given a few minutes to let out the sergeants wife and children. The fight began with the police replying to our rifle fire and hand grenades. It continued for about three-quarters of an hour. By that time the bombing section had blown away a portion of the roof of the barrack kitchen and were preparing to set the roof on fire, the police shouted their intention to surrender. They were ordered to throw their arms out on the street which they did. Then they surrendered with their hands up. Of the RIC garrison, constable Ryan was seriously wounded. Spiritual and medical aid were got for him but he died a few hours later. The sergeant was also slightly wounded. We then entered the barracks which was badly damaged and removed some equipment, including two boxes of ammunition. The captured arms and ammunition were taken away in a horse and cart by a party of volunteers from Kilkenny. Within a few days of the capture, British military accompanied by RIC men raised and searched many houses. Carroll was one of around 20 men taken first to Cork prison, then Belfast and finally to Wormwood Scrubs, London. He went on a hunger strike which was successful after 21 days without food. He spent 17 days on hunger strike and was unconditionally released on May 10, 1920. I was removed to hospital to recuperate for a week and then was sent home, he said in his statement. For some time after my return there was an air of peace and independence in the district. The RIC was confined to the larger centres and the police section of the IRA and the republican courts commenced to function. New brigade In October of 1920, a further reorganisation of the brigade area, the 8th Battalion, was held. Carroll was elected vice commandant. The other battalion officers were: William Farrell, Commandant; Pierce Barden, adjutant and John Carroll, Quartermaster. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was unequivocal in its assertion on Thursday that strict action should be taken against those who incited communal violence in northeast Delhi, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying double punishment should be given if anyone from his party was involved. With AAP councillor Tahir Hussain's alleged role in the violence in northeast Delhi's Chand Bagh area coming under the scanner, Kejriwal at a press conference said there should not be any over the country's security and sought strictest punishment for the rioters. No rioter, whichever political party they belong to, should be spared and if anyone from the AAP is found guilty, double punishment should be given, said Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of the party. "The police does not come under me. If I had police, we would have taken strict action against those involved in violence," the chief minister said. The family of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer, who was found dead in a drain near his home in northeast Delhi's riot-hit Chand Bagh area, has accused Tahir Hussain of being behind the killing. The family members of Ankit Sharma (26) alleged that Hussain and his associates were behind the killing. On the complaint of Ankit's father, the police have registered an FIR against Hussain, who has rejected the charge. To a query about the allegation, a visibly agitated Kejriwal said, "Why are you asking for remarks?... Is this how we will run our criminal justice system? Whoever has incited violence, there should be strictest action. No one, be it they belong to BJP, AAP and Congress, should be spared." "If my minister is involved in violence, take strict action...If anyone from AAP is found guilty, double punishment should be given," he said. Earlier in the day, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said that they have heard Hussain's side of the story too and that he has been claiming innocence. Singh said the party's stand remains clear that strictest punishment must be given to anyone associated with spreading violence. Another AAP leader and Environment Minister Gopal Rai said probe must be conducted and action taken against those found responsible for inciting violence, irrespective of religion or caste. "I have just one thing to say -- irrespective of religion and caste, a probe must be conducted and action must be taken even if it is Tahir Hussain or it is (BJP leader) Kapil Mishra," Rai told reporters. Thirty-eight people were killed and over 200 injured in the communal clashes that broke out in northeast Delhi after violence between anti- and pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at local residents and police personnel. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar are among the areas mainly affected by the riots. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A beard may make a powerful fashion statement. Perhaps even take your Tinder profile photo up a notch or two. And a beard may help you stand out at a cocktail party. But if you are worried about staying protected from the Coronavirus (and you should be worried if you arent already), you might want to shave that beard off. All those Imperials, Van Dyks and Horseshoes dont really cut it in the present scheme of things. It turns out that face masks dont go well with some types of beards, and the efficiency of the air filtration is reduced significantly. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had back in 2017 released a graphic that illustrated which types of beards work well with air filtration face masks, and which dont. With Coronavirus, or COVID-19, spreading rapidly around the world, millions are using face masks in the hope to keep the air borne virus outat least as far as possible. Facial hair that lies along the sealing area of a respirator, such as beards, sideburns, or some mustaches, will interfere with respirators that rely on a tight facepiece seal to achieve maximum protection. Facial hair is a common reason that someone cannot be fit tested, the CDC had said at the time. Those words ring true even today. Coronavirus is close to being a global pandemic, even though it has not officially been notified as such by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the data compiled by various agencies around the world, there are now 81,164 confirmed cases of Coronavirus around the world. Five more countries have reported Coronavirus cases in the past 24 hoursthese are Algeria, Austria, Croatia, Pakistan and Switzerland. The American city of San Francisco has also declared a state of emergency because of the Coronavirus, though authorities insist there have been no cases of COVID-19 there as yet. The first case from South America has also been reported from Brazil. It turns out that being clean shaven is the best way to go. But if you still must have a beard, then a stubble, a long stubble, a full beard (of course, duh), ducktail, Verdi, mutton chops and Fu Manchu are a complete no-no. You could, however, still be good with the soul patch, side whiskers, the pencil moustache, toothbrush (reminds anyone of that gentleman called Adolf Hitler?) and the walrus are quite okay. The helpful infographic you can see here will tell you exactly what works and what doesnt. While it is more of a case of putting two and two together, erring on the side of caution in these worrying times is perhaps more prudent. ALSO READ | Coronavirus And Superspreaders: Humans Can Carry And Transmit COVID-19 Without Symptoms ALSO READ | Coronavirus Testing is Making Some Serious Progress in Singapore; New Test Helps Link Cases Israel reports third coronavirus case A man who returned from Italy 4 days ago tested positive for deadly coronavirus. Israel on Thursday reported its third case of coronavirus, an Israeli who just returned to the country from Italy. PATIENT TAKEN UNDER QUARANTINE The Health Ministry said an Israeli citizen who returned from Italy four days ago tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. Israel on Thursday also decided to bar the entry of passengers from Italy the country in Europe hardest hit by the outbreak the Israeli Broadcast Authority said, citing Interior Minister Aryeh Deri. Israeli citizens coming from Italy have also been directed to stay at home four 14 days as a mean of medical quarantine. Over 10 countries ban Ukrainian poultry supplies over bird flu outbreak 16:39, 27.02.20 834 The European Union has partially lifted the ban on poultry shipments from the entire territory of Ukraine. The authorities in Milwaukee were working on Thursday to piece together how and why a 51-year-old gunman killed five of his co-workers at the citys sprawling Molson Coors campus. The police have not yet offered a motive for Wednesdays shooting, nor have they released details about the gunman or how the shooting unfolded, although a local newspaper identified him as a longtime employee who had feuded with a co-worker. Here is what we know: The victims were all employees of Molson Coors. They were machinists, electricians and powerhouse operators from Milwaukee and its suburbs. On Thursday, the police identified the five victims as Dale Hudson, 50; Gennady Levshetz, 51; Jesus Valle Jr., 33; Dana Walk, 57; and Trevor Wetselaar, 33. Police are still investigating what happened inside the brewery and the possible motive for the attack, said Alfonso Morales, the Milwaukee chief of police, who declined to comment further. I do want to extend my condolences to the families of the victims, he said. None of 89 evacuated Ukrainians, who are now under observation in the village of Novi Sanzhary in Poltava region, as of today do not have symptoms of Covid-2019 coronavirus, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksiy Danilov said. "None of the 89 evacuated, who are now under the observation in the village of Novi Sanzhary in Poltava region, are coronavirus ill as of today," reads a report posted on the NSDC official website on Thursday morning. According to the NSDC, molecular genetic studies of biological material taken from the evacuated Ukrainians have not yet detected a coronavirus. The first batch of biomaterial was transferred by plane to Kyiv on February 22, and the next collection of the biological material of the evacuees scheduled for March 1. What is current Foreign Office advice regarding travel and coronavirus? The Foreign Office now advises against all but essential travel to 10 small towns in Lombardy and one in Veneto in Italy, which have been isolated by the Italian authorities. These towns are Codogno, Castiglione d'Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano and Vo' Euganeo. The Foreign Office also advises against all travel to Hubei Province in China, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak. There is advice against all but essential travel to elsewhere in mainland China. Will my travel insurance policy cover me if my holiday is cancelled due to coronavirus? According to Neil Wright, the founder and managing director of Coverforyou.com, if you bought travel insurance when you booked your holiday, you will be protected if the country you are due to visit becomes an area the Foreign Office advises against travel to in the future. But he added: 'Bear in mind, insurance cannot be purchased to cover an area which is already under lockdown. 'At the moment this is Italy, but with things changing by the day, another reason we urge clients to purchase their insurance as soon as possible so they are safeguarded against further areas being locked down.' What should I do when looking for travel insurance? When it comes to purchasing travel insurance, Su Crown, a spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers (ABI), told MailOnine Travel: 'Don't just go for the cheapest option. 'Make sure you read all of the clauses so that if you do have to cancel your trip due to coronavirus, you are covered. 'Make sure that everybody you are travelling with is on the same policy so everybody has the same level of cover.' If I want to cancel my holiday to a destination where there are no travel restrictions, will my insurer refund me? If you cancel your holiday to a destination where there are no travel restrictions, claiming a refund through travel insurance could prove tricky - even impossible. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, explained: 'While the government has now updated its advice to cover the Italian locations that have experienced an outbreak, those travelling to nearby cities like Milan or Verona still won't be able to cancel and claim on their travel insurance, nor will those travelling to Tenerife. 'Instead, you will have to rely on your travel operator's or airline's goodwill if you want to arrange an alternative holiday or rebook a flight at a later date. Some travel agents and airlines are offering worried travellers the chance to change plans where possible. 'If your travel company can't help, contact your insurance provider directly to find out if they will cover you as some insurance companies will review scenarios on a case-by-case basis.' If I am sick or elderly, can I cancel my holiday to a destination where there has been a coronavirus outbreak or do I need a sick note? If you are booked to travel to an area where the Foregin Office advises against going to, you shouldn't need a sick note to claim on your travel insurance. However, the Telegraph reports that in a survey of 11 major insurers, seven would only consider refunding trips to the elderly or the sick where there is an outbreak of coronavirus if the customer can provide a doctor's sick note. But Dr Richard Vautrey, the GP committee chair at the British Medical Association said it was 'completely inappropriate' for customers to approach their family doctors for sick notes. He said: 'Practices are under intense pressure, especially at this time of year, and this is not a good use of GP time, taking doctors away from treating ill patients coming through their doors.' Instead, he suggested patients could request a summary of their pre-exisiting health conditions but it is unclear if insurers will accept a generic medical history as proof a person is unfit to travel to a coronavirus hit area. Are airlines cancelling flights due to coronavirus? This is the current status of flights on UK and Irish airlines: British Airways British Airways has cancelled a number of its flights to and from Milan today and are merging them with others, due to a reduced demand due to coronavirus. A spokesperson said: 'We will be contacting customers on cancelled flights so we can discuss their travel options including alternative British Airways flights within two hours of their original departure time where possible, full refunds or booking for a later date of travel. 'We understand that some customers flying to/from Northern Italy may wish to change their travel plans and have introduced flexible booking options. Customers can also find the latest information and options on BA.com.' British Airways has also cancelled flights to mainland China until April 17. EasyJet EasyJet says that all of its flights are operating as normal and 'standard terms and conditions on tickets continue to apply'. This means no refunds will be offered to people who choose not to fly. A spokesman added: 'We would like to reassure customers that our existing policies and procedures are in line with the guidance provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and EASA. 'We remain in regular contact with them and will amend our procedures if and when required if guidance changes. The health and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is the airline's highest priority.' The fee to change an easyJet flight ranges from 25 to 52. Ryanair According to the Ryanair website, all of its flights, including those to Italy are operating as normal. The airline says: 'There is currently no change to advice for airlines. Our flights are operating as normal and all our terms and conditions apply.' This means no refunds will be offered to people who choose not to fly. To change flights on Ryanair, fees range from 35 to 95. Jet2 Jet2 says its flying programme today remains unchanged. A spokesman said: 'Foreign Office guidance shows that there are no travel restrictions in place to any of our destinations. ' Tui Tui says there are no cancellations or delays to its flights due to coronavirus. The tour operator says it is 'monitoring the situation closely'. Virgin Atlantic Virgin Atlantic has suspended its flights to mainland China because of the virus. Aer Lingus The Irish carrier says it 'continues to operate flights to and from all destinations on our network'. Passengers who have booked through the Aer Lingus website who want to change the dates or destinations of their flights should visit the airline's website. Other airlines have suspended flights to destinations where there have been outbreaks of the coronavirus such as Iran, South Korea and China. Qatar Airways has suspended flights to South Korea and Iran and Delta has suspended and reduced services between the US and Seoul. Emirates has suspended flights to Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia and to some Chinese destinations. Etihad has suspended flights to Shanghai, Chengdu and Nagoya in Japan. Flights to Hong Kong have also been suspended to Hong Kong until March 28 due to reduced demand. American Airlines says it is 'continuing to closely monitor the situation and will make any updates as necessary'. Can I get a refund if my flight from the UK is cancelled due to coronavirus? If your flight from the UK is cancelled, you should be offered either a refund or a replacement flight - even with a different airline - to your destination. You can also be offered the chance to change the dates of travel. What if I am catching a connecting flight to my holiday destination through an area where the Foreign Office advises against travelling to? In this case, the airline should re-route your ticket so that you reach your final destination by connecting in an airport where it is safe to travel to. What if I have booked two flights to a get to a destination separately on different airlines but one is cancelled? You can only claim a refund for the flight that is cancelled. This is because airlines have no responsibility for any prior or subsequent flights you take. The CEO of Reddit has criticised TikTok for being "fundamentally parasitic", claiming the viral video app abuses the privacy and personal data of its users. Steve Huffman, who also co-founded the social news site, made the comments in front of Silicon Valley investors, entrepreneurs and media at the Social 2030 conference on Wednesday. Other members of the panel he was part of, including former Facebook executive Sam Lessin, praised TikTok for its innovative features. But Huffman warned that people should be highly sceptical of the Chinese-owned app. "Maybe I'm going to regret this, but I can't even get to that level of thinking with them. Because I look at that app as so fundamentally parasitic, that it's always listening, the fingerprinting technology they use is truly terrifying, and I could not bring myself to install an app like that on my phone," Mr Huffman said. "I actively tell people, 'don't install that spyware on your phone'." 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 According to Tech Crunch, which first reported Mr Huffman's comments, TikTok was one of the major topics of discussion at the San Francisco event. Since launching four years ago, TikTok has amassed more than 800 million users around the world, largely from a younger demographic. Its exploding popularity has brought with it significant scrutiny over the way it handles its user's data. Both the US Army and US Navy have blocked the app on government-issued devices, while earlier this week the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) banned employees from using the app over national security concerns. Mr Huffman's claim that TikTok contains spyware comes after a class action lawsuit in the US that alleged TikTok comes pre-installed with "Chinese survillance software". TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent but the Chinese firm has previously denied that the data of US users is ever sent to China. "We store all TikTok US user data in the United States, with backup redundancy in Singapore," the company said in a statement last year. "Our data centres are located entirely outside of China, and none of our data is subject to Chinese law. Further, we have a dedidicated technical team focussed on adhering to robust cyber security policies, and data privacy and security practices." Tiktok security issues exposed app users to hackers No more specifics were provided in the statement about what data privacy practices were employed, though TikTok's privacy policy states that it collects a vast array of user data. Information automatically collected by the app includes location data, a user's IP address, browsing and search history, email address, phone number, device type, messages send through the app and even keystroke patterns. Other data that can be collected include phone and social media contacts, as well as a user's age, name and password. TikTok's privacy policy states that personal information of its users may be shared with third parties for a variety of reasons, including advertising and research. Paddy Power and Betfair owner Flutter saw pre-tax profits tumble as it was hit by higher UK gambling taxes. The betting firm said pre-tax profit fell 38% to 136 million for the year to December, as it was also weighed down by greater investment in the US. The company, which is preparing to close its 10 billion merger with Poker Stars owner Stars Group, saw profitability slip despite higher sales. Revenue for the year increased by 14% to 2.14 billion as it saw online revenues increase by 18% over the period. However, Flutter said it took a 73 million hit as a result of higher gambling taxes in the UK, Ireland and Australia. I am immensely proud of the groups performance given the complex regulatory environmentChief executive Peter Jackson The tax hit came after the UK increased its online betting tax from 15% to 21% last April as part of a regulatory clampdown on the sector. Regulators also reduced the maximum stake for bets on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), from 100 to 2, as part of the crackdown. Flutter said this move resulted in a 30 million hit to profits in its retail business. The company said trading in the new financial year had a strong start with good momentum across all of Flutters brands. Chief executive Peter Jackson said: 2019 was a very significant year for Flutter, with further successful expansion in the United States, enhancement of responsible gambling initiatives within our business and the announcement in October of our proposed merger with The Stars Group. I am immensely proud of the groups performance given the complex regulatory environment. The entrepreneurial culture of our business and the quality of our people are continuing to drive our global expansion while providing our teams with the opportunities they seek to develop their careers and gain new experiences. Shares in the company slipped 3.4% to 8,520p in early trading. BRIDGEPORT A long-time dish washer at Vazzys Restaurant has been charged after police said he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in the restaurant. Police said the girl, who worked at the restaurant as a hostess, reported the incident to the restaurant manager but nothing was done. She later went to police. Jaime Sena, 56, a Mexican citizen, was charged Wednesday evening with third-degree sexual assault and second-degree unlawful restraint. He was released after posting $100,000 bond pending arraignment in state Superior Court in Bridgeport on March 6. We are in the process of reviewing all the evidence in the case, said Senas lawyer, Frank Riccio II. The girl also accused a cook at Vazzys of similar actions. Police said they are searching for the man, who they did not identify. Edward Gavin, the lawyer for restaurateur John Vazzano, the owner of Vazzys, said his client has cooperated with police. The Vazzys restaurant group has been a pillar of the greater Bridgeport community for years. We take allegations such as these seriously. We acted immediately and appropriately. The individuals involved are no longer employed or associated with our restaurants, Gavin said. We acted promptly and cooperated with law enforcement. In early January, the girl met with police. On Jan. 29, a detective conducted a follow-up investigation and the girl was interviewed by a forensic psychologist at the Center for Family Justice, according to Senas arrest warrant affidavit. During that interview, the affidavit states, the girl said she had worked at Vazzys for about a year and during the first couple of months of her employment, the workers in the kitchen would be creepy and compliment her body. She stated the worst offender was Sena, who would hug her and tried putting money down her shirt. In December 2019, the affidavit states, Sena ripped open her shirt in a stairwell in the restaurant and began touching and kissing her chest. He then tried to give her money, the affidavit states. The girl states in the affidavit that she didnt want to stay at work after that incident and texted her manager about what Sena had done. She stated that her manager texted her that something would be done. When the victim later met with her manager in the restaurant, however, the teenager saw Sena was still working there, the affidavit states. On Feb. 19, the affidavit states, Sena spoke with police. In Spanish, Sena said the victim was about to leave work and he went up to give her a hug. Sena said he tripped and his face went into her exposed chest. He then blurted out that he didnt yank or pull her shirt open and that it had all been an accident, according to the affidavit. The latter condition could pose immediate problems, and not just because of the antipathy between the two sides. No one in their right mind could frown upon the prospect of peace breaking out in Afghanistan after a relentless 40-year conflict straddling the 20th and 21st centuries. Nor can there be any serious doubt that a negotiated settlement is the only way out. Whether the tentative understanding reached between Afghan Taliban and US representatives in Doha last week represents a meaningful step down that path is less clear. Reduced violence through this week is supposed to lead to a deal whereby the US will begin withdrawing some of its troops. The Taliban have reportedly vowed not to entertain foreign guests such as Al Qaeda and agreed to enter into talks with the government in Kabul, which has not been a party to the Qatar negotiations. The latter condition could pose immediate problems, and not just because of the antipathy between the two sides. When the results of last Septembers electoral exercise were finally released this month, giving President Ashraf Ghani a fraction more than 50pc of the vote, the outcome was challenged by Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, who threatened to set up a rival government. One of the latters chief allies declared: Even if they put a knife on my throat, even if they hang me, I will not accept an announcement based on fraud. His identity should clang a few bells: Abdul Rashid Dostum, a crusty old warlord, has shifted allegiances so often since the Khalq/Parcham days that its a wonder he can even remember which side he is currently on. Notwithstanding Dostums hyperbole, even the election commissions statistics suggest that less than a third of Afghanistans 9.6 million registered voters cast their ballots, and nearly a million of those were discarded. Of the 1.8m that were deemed valid, 300,000 have been called into question by the Abdullah faction. Ghanis official tally anyhow adds up to less than a million votes in an overall population of about 37m. Taliban threats no doubt contributed to the lowest turnout this century, but it may also have had something to do with the fact that allegations of corruption have swirled around both the leading contenders, who played the same roles in the last election. The chances of meaningful democracy gaining a foothold in Afghanistan are more than likely to diminish once the Taliban join the administration in one form or another. An opinion column published in The New York Times last week under the byline of Sirajuddin Haqqani, described as the deputy leader of the Taliban, says that the future form of government will depend on a consensus among Afghans. If that means nothing in particular, the declaration about building an Islamic system in which all Afghans have equal rights, where the rights of women that are granted by Islam from the right to education to the right to work are protected should provide pause for thought to anyone who recalls the practices of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996-2001). Competing interpretations of religious precepts have abounded for centuries. The Taliban were schooled in and implemented the least enlightened doctrines during their years in power. Who can say whether they have overcome that intellectual debility? Afghan women may not exactly have been liberated in the aftermath of 2001, but at least some of them have regained certain rights and freedoms, and they rightly fear losing them all over again. The Taliban were effectively the offspring of an insidious menage-a-trois involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the US, which lost interest in the region once the Red Army beat a retreat and the Soviet Union subsequently crumbled. In the mid-1990s, many Afghans looked upon the Taliban infiltrated by Pakistan as potential saviours after the mujahideen predictably chose internecine warfare over any attempt at competent governance. Some of them aligned themselves with the Taliban, including CIA-ISI favourites Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Jalaluddin Haqqani (father of the NYT contributor), the latter at one time described as goodness personified by US officials. The Americans changed their minds after 9/11. The ISI didnt. The hubristic folly of the American invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 more or less equalled the sheer idiocy of the Soviet aggression in December 1979. Documents published by The Washington Post last December revealed that many senior US personnel were aware they were launching an unwinnable war. Douglas Lute, a three-star general who served under the Bush and Obama administrations, was quoted as saying in 2015: We didnt have the foggiest notion of what we were undertaking. Overall, its not hard to empathise with the Taliban demand for an American withdrawal. It would be far better, though, if Afghanistan could also be free of the Taliban and Pakistani interference. But dont hold your breath. By arrangement with Dawn A Massachusetts father convicted of using drain cleaner and prescription painkillers to try to kill his ailing seven-year-old daughter, causing lasting damage, was sentenced on Monday to up to 18 years in prison. Christopher Conley, 37, of Northampton, was sentenced three days after a Hampshire Superior Court jury found him guilty of attempted murder and two lesser charges of assault and battery on a child following a three-week trial and a day of deliberations. Conley injected Liquid-Plumr into his severely sick daughters cecostomy tube on April 15, 2015, and then tried to give her an overdose of her opioid pain medications, prosecutors said. A cecostomy tube is used to help empty the bowels. Scroll down for video Christopher Conley, 37, of Massachusetts, was sentenced Monday to 16 to 18 years in prison for trying to kill his seven-year-old daughter with a drain cleaner and opiates in 2015 Prosecutors said Conley confessed to injecting Liquid-Plumr into his severely sick daughters cecostomy tube used to empty the bowels As a result, the girl had to undergo a seven-hour surgery to remove two-thirds of her small intestine and another surgery to remove a third of her bladder, authorities said. Conley confessed to the police at the time of his arrest he tried to kill the girl because he wanted to end her suffering stemming from multiple health problems caused by a birth defect. But he took the stand at trial and recanted his confession, saying he was pressured by his then-wife, Julie Conley, who is awaiting trial on an assault and battery charges. He testified he wanted to make sure his daughter did not lose both her parents to prison. Prosecutors said Conley also told police that he tried to kill his daughter in 2009 by dipping her central line in her soiled diapers to give her an infection. Around that time, the Department of Children and Families removed the girl from the Conleys' care after her doctors expressed concerns that the child was a victim of medical abuse, also known as a Munchhausen syndrome by proxy, which the Cleveland Clinic's website defines as 'a mental illness in which a person acts as if an individual he or she is caring for has a physical or mental illness when the person is not really sick.' During the 18 months that the child spent in state custody, prosecutors said her condition improved, but as soon as she was returned into the care of Christopher and Julie Conley, her health began deteriorating again. Christopher Conley's attorney, Mark Bluver, said in court the girls injuries were caused by a rare but natural condition that doctors failed to diagnose. Conley confessed to the police at the time of his arrest he tried to kill the girl because he wanted to end her suffering, but at trial he recanted During sentencing, the defense sought a 7 1/2-year sentence for Conley, with his lawyer asking the judge to balance 'compassion with retribution,' reported The Daily Hampshire Gazette. Judge Richard Carey was not swayed by Bluver's arguments, saying that Conley's 'intentional and horrific acts' toward his daughter justified a longer prison term than the sentencing guidelines allow. Before the sentence was announced, the court heard from the victim's adoptive mother, who said in her impact statement that Conley's daughter, now aged 12, continues to suffer from physical and psychological complications associated with her father's actions five years ago. The child spent close to 11 months at the hospital after narrowly escaping death, and sustained extensive and possibly permanent damage to her internal organs. According to her adoptive mother, she has to monitor every morsel of food she ingests, and she continues to experience persistent problems with her bowels, which have made her a target for bullying. Because of Conleys lack of criminal record, he will be allowed to serve his time at the county jail rather than in a state prison. 'The child got some justice today,' said Child Abuse Unit Chief Assistant District Attorney Linda Pisano. Julie Conley has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her and her trial begins on March 9. Story by Nadine Carroll A fundraiser to send Quaden Bayles to Disneyland has exceeded expectations with more than US$470,000 raised to send the 9-year-old on the holiday of a lifetime. But his family has turned down the offer and instead wants to donate the money to charities who they say desperately need it. Last week, Quaden captured hearts around the world when a video of the aftermath of him being bullied was live streamed on Facebook. In the video, Quaden, who was born with a common form of Dwarfisim called Achondroplasia, looked to his mum, with tears streaming down his face and announced he wanted to die after an incident at Carina State School in Brisbane. Quadens mother, Yarraka Bayles, released the video to show what her son deals with daily. The fundraiser to send Quaden to Disneyland has raised more that $470,000 but his mother says she wants to donate it to charity. Source: GoFundMe American comedian Brad Williams, who also has dwarfism, started the GoFundMe page to show Quaden and others, that there is good in the world and they are worthy of it and thousands of people jumped at the chance to put a smile on Quadens face. Quadens aunt, Mundanara Bayles, told NITV News the family have been overwhelmed with the support they have received for the nine year old and as much as he would love to go to Disneyland, they want to focus on the bigger picture. "We've had seven kids at the Murri School in Brisbane, where I am on the board, take their lives in the last ten years,"Ms Bayles told NITV. Quadens family said they have been overwhelmed with the support they have received, Source: GoFundMe "We want the money to go to community organisations that really need it. They know what the money should be spent on, so as much as we want to go to Disneyland, I think our community would far off benefit from that, Ms Bayles explained. The family is currently speaking with Mr Williams to organise how the funds will be spent, as the GoFundMe terms and conditions state that all donated funds will be used solely for the purpose you have stated on and in connection with your campaign, and under no circumstances may you use the funds for any other purpose. Mr Williams did add a disclaimer of some sorts on the fundraising page, stating that after all the flights, hotel, tickets and food is paid for, any excess money will be donated to anti-bullying/anti-abuse charities. Quadens family have named Dwarfism Awareness Australia and Balunu Healing Foundation as two charities they would like to see the excess funds go toward. A security analyst, Adam Bonaa, wants the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Interior Minister to order the immediate arrest of all the police officers who were seen assaulting some citizens in Sunyani over the funeral rites of a queen mother. He described the actions of the police, some of who were captured in a video which went viral, as a major indictment to their image. For me, the action of the royal guards is very primitive. If you watch the subsequent videos, where some of the regional commanders officers turned on one of their own and started beating him and royal guards joined in with impunity. I will call directly on the Minister of Interior to act with speed and get all those officers arrested and detained and investigate them, interdict them, Mr. Bonaa said. In the said videos, the men, locally referred to as abrafuors as well as uniformed Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) officers, were seen beating and residents in the streets. This follows a reported directive by the traditional authorities in the Bono Regional capital demanding that residents wear red or black attire to mark the mourning of their queen mother, Nana Yaa Nyamaa Poduo II, who died on August 1, 2019. Sunyani Traditional Councils response The Sunyani Traditional Council has however denied ordering its men to beat residents who were not in the right funeral attire. A representative of the Sunyanihene, Kofi Adom Manu, admitted on Eyewitness News that certain things went wrong but not [to the extent] of what you have been seeing. The Regional Police Command has already ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident. The Bono Regional Police Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Nana Kwaku Dua, also said a consensus has been reached with the traditional authorities to ensure their men are kept in check. ---citinewsroom VANCOUVER - A hospice society in British Columbia says it is outraged by the province's decision to stop its funding because it refuses to provide medically assisted death. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A hospice society in British Columbia says it is outraged by the province's decision to stop its funding because it refuses to provide medically assisted death. British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks before Premier John Horgan announces a new hospital would be built in Surrey, B.C., Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck VANCOUVER - A hospice society in British Columbia says it is outraged by the province's decision to stop its funding because it refuses to provide medically assisted death. Angelina Ireland, president of Delta Hospice, said the funding was abruptly cancelled without consultation between the care facility, Fraser Health and the Health Ministry. "So, this is like a decree sent out against our society," she said in an interview Wednesday. On Tuesday, Health Minister Adrian Dix said Fraser Health will stop paying $1.5 million in annual funding to the Delta Hospice Society next year after giving the organization one year's notice to end its service agreement without cause. Ireland said if the government wants to implement medical help in dying then it should create facilities for people who want the procedure. The government should not be allowed to put medically assisted death "on the backs" of facilities that provide hospice and palliative care services, she said. "This is like going to a pizza place and telling them you better make me some Chinese food," Ireland said. "That's not what they do. You need to go to a Chinese restaurant and ask them to make you Chinese food." Over the past three years, three people have asked for medically assisted death at the hospice, she said. "All I can say is they were transferred out to their preferred location two went home and one went next door to the Delta Hospital, one minute away," she said. "We facilitate a transfer as is the practice in a hospice and palliative care facility. We have no training to provide euthanasia." Delta Hospice will look at its legal and other options to continue serving patients and families, Ireland said. In announcing the decision to cut off funding to the Delta Hospice Society, Dix said people have the right to receive medical assistance in dying where they live and that decision must rest with the patient alone. B.C. developed its policy after the federal government made it legal in 2016 for patients to get medical assistance in dying under certain circumstances. The provincial policy requires a hospice to allow patients to access medical assistance in dying if its beds are more than 50 per cent publicly funded. The contract with the hospice society covers 94 per cent of the cost to operate 10 beds at the Irene Thomas Hospice in Delta, near Vancouver. Ireland said palliative care beds in the province are becoming scarce. "We are gravely concerned for the future of hospice and palliative care in British Columbia," she said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 26. 2020. (TNS) Greensburg Junior High School now has a STEMConnects Lab.Last spring, the school was awarded funding from the Indiana Department of Education in the form of a Digital Learning Grant. Part of the monies were spent in the science classrooms to implement STEM units, and the other portion was used to purchase equipment for the lab.The school received a $50,000 grant last year.Greensburg Community Schools was one of 48 school districts that were awarded the Digital Learning Grant last year for a grand total of $2.2 million in funding.Last year, when it was announced the school had received the award, GJHS Technology Integrationist Nick Parcell said the impact it had was huge and there was no way they could have afforded the equipment without the grant.Parcell also said they kept the school districts pathways in mind.Different pathway groups consist of Agriculture; Architecture and Construction; Arts, AV Technology and Communications; Business and Marketing; Civic Arts; Education and Teaching; Health Science; Hospitality and Human Services; Information Technology; Manufacturing and Logistics; Public Safety; and STEM.As we were writing the grants, that [pathways] was definitely in our mind to help kids get from here to there and beyond, Parcell said.Parcell co-authored the grant with science department chair and teacher Dana Calfee.We cant be excited enough on a daily basis that we have the opportunity to build this into our culture, Calfee said.According to Parcell, the STEMConnects Lab is a place where all students can come to learn about digital design and creation through the use of 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills and other tools.They complete challenges on the equipment to work their way to mastery and then they are able to use the equipment for their own purposes or for class. Teachers are also able to create projects that utilize the equipment.STEMConnects is an entity/program/organization that we created to house or guide everything in our building related to STEM, Parcell said. The idea being that STEM connects to every aspect of our students' lives and futures. Beyond the obvious STEM subject areas, students use technology to learn in school and out of school, they communicate using STEM, their future jobs will involve STEM, they interact with the world using STEM, they wear STEM. STEM is a part of everything.Parcell said part of the money was used to purchase equipment for the STEMConnects Lab, such as 3D printers, a CNC mill, a laser cutter, a sewing machine, camera equipment, electronics, microcomputers, tools, and more.All GJHS students are able to come to the lab and work through challenges on any of the pieces of equipment and work towards certification, Parcell said. After a student is certified they are able to use the tool for classroom or personal reasons.At the end of the day, if GJHS is able to get students excited about something, theyre doing something right. Right now, GJHS is providing students with opportunities to explore creativity and prepare for life after high school. I must admit, I have been living vicariously through my best friend for the past two weeks as she embarked on a trip to Copenhagen, Denmark. Attempting to soak in every picture she sends my way, I have indulged in her images of beautiful flower markets, chai tea lattes, art pieces, and streets upon streets filled with rows of identical housing. I marvel at the images and thank her for them, yet I cant help but long to physically be there. The Ministry of Defence's equipment plan is facing a funding shortfall of up to 13 billion, meaning Britain may not be able to expand its F-35 fighter jet fleet. The National Audit Office said the MoD's unwillingness to take 'difficult decisions' meant military capabilities could be lost as funding for them simply runs out. A contract for 48 jets, thought to cost 9.1billion by 2025, has already been signed but there is uncertainty for future plans, reports The Telegraph. The Ministry of Defence is facing a funding shortfall of up to 13 billion, meaning Britain may not be able to expand its F-35 fighter jet (pictured) fleet after a current contract for 48 is completed Training and maintenance is included in the contract but the future of this is also not clear and dependent on trials. The spending warning comes after the Prime Minister confirmed armed forces' procurement processes would form part of what the Government has billed as the deepest review of foreign and defence policy since the Cold War. The MoD's central projection is that the rolling 10-year programme to purchase and support aircraft, ships and weaponry will cost 183.6 billion between 2019 and 2029 a budget overrun of 2.9 billion. But in the 'worst-case scenario', if all the risks associated with the plan were to materialise, that could rise to 13 billion. It is the third year in succession that the National Audit Office has concluded the plan is 'unaffordable'. While the central estimate for the shortfall is down on last year, the NAO said this was because the MoD had made 'more optimistic judgments' about the likely costs, which had taken out 7.8 billion, rather than address the underlying issues. The MoD's predicts its rolling 10-year programme to purchase and support aircraft, ships and weaponry will cost 183.6b between 2019 and 2029 a budget overrun of 2.9b (pictured is a F-35B fighter jet flies over HMS Queen Elizabeth while in Portsmouth) The MoDs ten year Equipment Plan is unaffordable. Estimated costs will be 2.9 billion higher than its budget over 2019-2029 and in a worst case scenario this gap could grow to 13 billion. Our new report: https://t.co/YTW1VWd58p #defence pic.twitter.com/5OzGrUHEG4 National Audit Office (@NAOorguk) February 27, 2020 The MoD has been trying to manage the financial pressures by establishing tighter control of in-year expenditure. But the NAO said this 'short-term focus' on living within its annual budget meant existing military capabilities were increasingly being lost. It said that unless action was taken, the 'floating hospital' facilities provided by the ship RFA Argus would go, while the number of Sentry early warning radar aircraft could be cut. The head of the NAO Gareth Davies said the MoD had failed to take the 'necessary strategic decisions' to address the 'affordability gap' in its plans. 'There is evidence that its continued short-term focus on living within annual budgets is increasingly affecting the armed forces' ability to maintain and enhance the UK's military capability,' he said. The National Audit Office said the MoD's 'short-term focus' on living within its annual budget meant existing military capabilities were increasingly being lost (pictured is an RAF F-35B jet as it takes off from the flight deck of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth) 'The MoD needs to determine its strategic priorities so that it can develop an affordable long-term programme of investment.' A Ministry of Defence told The Telegraph: 'The F-35 programme remains on track and within budget, providing a game-changing capability for our Armed Forces. 'We continue to drive down costs with every purchase and remain committed to purchasing 138 F-35 Lightning aircraft.' Defence Secretary Ben Wallace insisted the MoD had made 'encouraging progress' in improving its financial management but acknowledged there was 'work still to do'. 'We will need to create the financial headroom in our equipment plan to harness emerging technologies and develop the battle-winning capabilities of tomorrow,' he said. 'We know that to get this right, we must accelerate our work to mobilise, modernise and transform so that we deliver more effectively and efficiently over the long-term. 'Reviewing our acquisition process will be an important part of this work.' I think we need to harass and disrupt gangs every day. Taurangas MP Simon Bridges took no prisoners at a public meeting on gangs and crime during some fiery exchanges at the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club last night. I say that because its like a cancer, and its going to keep growing unless we take a strong approach to it, says Simon. It was standing room only as the Leader of the National Party, flanked by Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller and Nationals Justice Spokesperson Mark Mitchell, took a staunch and firm stand against gangs, in front of an audience that included Mongrel Mob members and associates. The numbers of gang members have grown, as we see more methamphetamine in Tauranga, more cocaine, more other hard drugs, more gangs, more guns, and with those guns more violence as a result of that. I think that you have to be tough on crime. You have to be clear and forthright, and crack down on gangs if you want to make a difference on this issue. Simon called the public meeting after the city has experienced quite a few events over the last few weeks, that for those of us who have lived in this community for many years, is quite disturbing and very different from the Tauranga that many of us know and love and expect to be, says Todd who opened the meeting. Many of us, myself included, are feeling less safe, in this city that literally means safe harbour, a great place for us all to live and to work in, says Simon. There have been a number of deaths in our community. Ive received messages and texts from many of you, and have had phone calls with about the gang warfare around the greater Tauranga area. We want to hear your feedback on the issue of gangs and crime in Tauranga and NZ. This is an emotional, strong, tough conversation we are having. I know there are people from all sections of the community here, right through to gang associates and members. Thats in a way good and it keeps things real. Joshua Love and Mongrel Mob Waikato public liaison Louise Hutchinson both asked Simon about meeting and talking with the gangs. Mongrel Mob Waikato public liaison Louise Hutchinson. Im not interested in window dressing, says Simon in his reply to Joshua. If they want a really serious conversation where they get rid of their guns, where they stop peddling meth, where they give up the violence and they stop intimidating New Zealanders, then Ill think about doing that. He also shot back at Louises request for him to visit the Waikato Mongrel Mob headquarters. He had declined the invitation to visit last year. Why is it that your Mongrel Mob chapter is growing exponentially in numbers? Why is it that the methamphetamine numbers in Hamilton and the Waikato are going through the roof and continue to rise and rise? Why is it that your leader wont give back the illegal guns he has in the hundreds? Why is it that Police intelligence makes quite clear that theres still a whole lot of illegality and drugs and violence going on as a result of the chapter that youre here representing today? Both were heckled by the audience. Nationals Justice Spokesperson Mark Mitchell. Mark Mitchell also replied to Louise, who acts as the public relations liaison for the Waikato Mongrel Mob. Louise I know that youre driven by your own best of intentions. I had a lady who came out of prison, who lives in my constituency. She became a victim, and got involved in the gang scene when she was 14. She suffered horrendously inside that environment, and suffered rapes and serious assaults that were so serious that she almost died. She ended up in hospital, says Mark. The first thing she asked when she came out of prison was please keep the gangs away from me, please dont let me go back to the gangs. I want to start fresh and I want to have a relationship with my 14-year-old daughter. She pleaded with me. I did everything that I could to make sure that she was supported. Do you know what happened, Louise? You took her down to the Waikato, to the Mongrel Mob. You know where she is now? Shes back in jail, breaching her parole. So please dont stand up here and start lecturing me about the Mongrel Mob. Dont stand up here and tell us that the Mongrel Mob in Hamilton is driven by the best intentions. She is just one case. I could give you a dozen. Mark has had a Police career and was based in Rotorua for the first part of it, where he was also a member of the Armed Offenders Squad. Gangs are a scourge in our society, says Mark. They have been around for a long time. Its time that we showed some focus and have some intestinal fortitude, and actually start to get stuck in to the problem. He recounted a recent incident about three weeks ago when he was in Taradale. There were 30 patched gang members on the main street of Taradale in the middle of the day, with firearms, shooting at each other. You had a child in a car seat that ended up with a shotgun pellet embedded in the car seat. We were one step away from a tragedy. I think its time that in New Zealand, we dont have patched gang members taking over a town, or taking over a car park so that they can do a patching ceremony and the public are pushed out and excluded. Todd Muller also related his recent experience meeting members of the public in his constituency. I was doorknocking in Papamoa East a few weeks ago and pretty much at every door the issue that was put on the table was the concern that public safety didnt seem to be as good as they were expecting or hoping, says Todd. One lady summed it up the best when she said weve moved from a place to come here to get away from that sort of stuff. You dont expect this in this community. Simon, who has been living in Tauranga since 2001, worked as a crown prosecutor prior to being elected as Taurangas MP. Back then I didnt see gangs particularly much in Tauranga, even in my line of work, says Simon. There was a small number of gangs. Today there are many more gangs. We see them in and around our communities. We see them patched. Its incredibly common to see them at the Mount if youre over there in the weekend but in other parts too, on Cameron Rd and all around Tauranga. I think thats intimidatory. There are 1400 more patched gang members in NZ today over the last couple of years, according to Police. And were seeing different gangs. Thats intimidating and I think that makes us feel less safe. Simon stated that there were two elements that he felt were crucial to solving the issue of gangs. One is the softer side and the other is the harder side, says Simon. The softer stuff is what we sometimes calls social investment. Thats preventing it in the first place, thats education, welfare, getting people into work and employment. He acknowledged there are community organisations that are already working effectively in the social investment space. The Graeme Dingle Foundation, represented at the meeting by regional manager Dan Allen-Gordon is once such organisation. Our view of it is that we want to use you. Youre better, youre on the ground, you know whats happening and using you to help us in a social investment type role is crucially important to this conversation and to making a real difference, says Simon. The other side of the coin is cracking down hard on gangs and illegal activity. If Im Prime Minister I will ban gang patches in public places, says Simon. Weve talked quite clearly about some of the things that we will do, around a unit that goes out and makes sure gangs are absolutely to the letter of every law, obeying them and if theyre not we legally throw the book at them. So both sides of the coin are essential. Simon was asked what his definition of a gang was. Gangs arent cuddly whanau-related motorcycle clubs that get together on Sunday and have a barbecue and chew the fat and then go away nice and everythings fine. All the gangs Ive seen have a patch to them as an integral part of what they do meth, other drugs, guns, violence, misogyny. There are some smarter guys around them who are making lots of money as well who dont wear patches. I would call them organised crime not gangs. And weve got to go after them too. The National Party has recently released both their law and order discussion document and their social sector policy document. A Welcome Bay resident expressed concern about the level of crime in the area. Weve got over 250 reported criminal offences in the last 12 months. Social housing areas have got parasite drug dealers driving around in Bentleys and Harleys. Even last night we had a gun shot down the street at 10.30pm at night. Its just an ongoing drama. Simon says he has a solution for those who move into social housing and then proceed to be involved in illegal activities from home. Ive got a very clear solution that I think is firm and fair. And thats remind, remedy and remove. How it works if theyre doing a stunt like that in a house owned by the state, well go in and well remind them very politely about their obligations. If they then dont fix it, and they dont remedy it, they will be removed. And if you think thats mean, understand this right now in New Zealand, there is a waiting list of over 12,000 people who are waiting for those houses. In Tauranga, theres hundreds of them. So tell me why someone who is deserving with little kids who follows the rules shouldnt be in that house, when some scumbags are terrorising a neighbourhood with impunity. Simon also stated he will always oppose cannabis legislation. There is a law that the Prime Minister and her team have drafted and it doesnt deal with critical things. It doesnt tell us what the THC level in cannabis for example. If you dont put the THC level in, if you set it too low, the gangs are just going to sell the high stuff. If you set it too high, the gangs will keep doing it anyway because thats the way it goes. I take the view that gangs that peddle as part of their chapters, drugs, guns and violence, have no place in this country, says Simon. Youve got a leader thats been a crown prosecutor for you for many years in this town, says Mark. Simon has seen the harm that gangs inflict. Hes seen the social harm that they create. Hes seen the intergenerational problems and issues that we face in this country for a long, long time. Hes appointed me as Justice Spokesperson. If we win the election in September I will be your Justice Minister and under the Justice Portfolio weve got Police, Corrections, and Courts. Make no mistake. Weve got the intestinal fortitude and the focus to get stuck in and actually start making real inroads to dismantling gangs and organised crime in this country. Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller, Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Nationals Justice Spokesperson Mark Mitchell. By the numbers: Total patched and prospect gang members (October 2017- August 2019) Auckland City 230 (18.6 per cent increase) Bay of Plenty 1380 (30.4 per cent increase) Canterbury 480 (16.2 per cent increase) Central 640 (30.1 per cent increase) Counties/Manukau 760 (21.4 per cent increase) Eastern 1041 (30 per cent increase) Northland 376 (-2.3 per cent decrease) Southern 217 (61.9 per cent increase) Tasman 124 (82.4 per cent increase) Waikato 556 (44 per cent increase) Waitemata 369 (22.6 per cent increase) Wellington 556 (14.6 per cent increase) Source: Minister of Police By Steven Landers The possibility that coronavirus (Covid-19) or some other new disease could wreak havoc in the United States and overwhelm our public health systems should give us all pause. The status and visibility of public health in America is so diminished that many people probably do not know what the term public health means, and most cannot name key public health leaders, for example, who is our surgeon general? While the coronavirus spreads, the public is looking for expert advice and clear plans, but our leaders are failing. President Trump is sharing off the cuff unscientific opinions about coronavirus while recently issuing a budget proposal that cuts public health, and the leader of the Democratic primary (Senator Bernie Sanders) is focusing on a massively disruptive overhaul of the entire healthcare system without any believable way to develop consensus, organize, finance, or transition to this Shangri-La he promises. The coronavirus isnt the only reason we should be concerned about our public health readiness -- what about our aging population and the need to address caregiver shortages? What about epidemics of suicide, addiction, and violence? What about unacceptably high levels of black infant mortality? As a doctor and public health professional I am becoming embarrassed and frustrated about the state of public health in America and know we can do much better. As a physician, I absolutely treasure patient care and my patient relationships, but I also have fallen in love with public health because it offers a way to prevent suffering and impact thousands of peoples lives. I left my post at Cleveland Clinic and joined Visiting Nurse Association Health Group in New Jersey largely because of the history of excellence and innovation in public health. It is time for public health to become a more prominent part of our national health policy dialogue. I see three important areas our leaders and 2020 candidates should focus on to address emerging issues like the coronavirus, and to strengthen our public health readiness. Focus #1: We should train more nurses, aides and family physicians In order to have a high performing public health system, there has to be an adequate supply of front-line, versatile, skilled and compassionate caregivers. Whether we are fighting coronavirus or caring for a growing number of people with Alzheimers disease, the tip of the spear are nurses, aides and primary care physicians. We do not have enough of these valuable professionals. Focus #2: Improve connectivity in electronic health information systems To adequately respond to public health challenges, people need well-coordinated care, where important aspects for prevention and treatment dont fall through the cracks when they are cared for in multiple settings. Doctors and nurses at the front lines of healthcare need their time freed up from duplicative typing and clicking that takes time away from care. Public health leaders need to be able to quickly track and analyze population level trends in order to respond quickly to crises and target interventions. All of these needs are being hurt because of poor connectivity between the many different information systems. In spite of the mass adoption of electronic record keeping, these expensive systems frequently fail to connect with each other in a robust way. Its time we focus on a fixable difference between public health and other nimbler sectors. Enter RESTful Application Program Interfaces (APIs). APIs are programs that allow programs to communicate with each other. We should be using them to link electronic medical records and other public health and human service applications. We should adopt policies that demand more openness and clear national standards for APIs. Focus #3: Reduce Fragmented Management of Public Health Programs In any given community there is a confusing mix of public health and human service programs that are not coordinated or integrated with one another rather than a high impact orchestra, we have a bunch of one man bands. There are so many different programs with different management, governance, funding models, and oversight bodies -- it is too confusing for people to know where to get help, and we are too fragmented to respond to complex problems that require different specialties and functions to make an impact. Federal, state and local governments should actively pilot innovations that better organize and align public health and related human service programs. Regionalizing and bundling certain programs under larger accountable entities is worth trying. Im proud my colleagues at Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey are developing innovative approaches to program integration and creating no wrong front door for care. Steven Landers MD, MPH, is president & CEO of VNA Health Group. The opinions in this article are his and do not represent those of his employer. 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. ROME - A total of 40 police officers and 10 demonstrators have been injured in the past two days in violent clashes on the Greek islands of Chios, Samos, and Lesbos, during protests against the Greek government's decision to create migrant detention centre hotspots, Greek media said. In an attempt to calm the situation, which is starting to take on shades of urban guerrilla warfare, the governor of the North Aegean and the mayors of Chios, Western Lesbos, and Mitilene convened on Thursday afternoon in Athens for a meeting with the government. The revolt broke out when hundreds of riot police were sent to the islands of Lesbos and Chios to protect construction sites where the hotspots are being built. Police used tear gas, water cannons, and smoke bombs against demonstrators. Some eyewitnesses and an Italian worker employed with an NGO on Lesbos said among the demonstrators are also members of the far right Golden Dawn party and groups from the far left. The same sources said a group of demonstrators raided a hotel on Wednesday evening where some of the police sent from Athens were staying. Local media sources said there was an attack on the military base in Kyriazis, where other police officers were staying. "Heather has become an indispensable partner for us, said Jose Clemente, AISIN. We have been able to achieve maturity under her leadership - overseeing and now moving forward with tangible results." RXA, the leader in applied artificial intelligence, advanced data science, and analytics allowing companies to make smarter, faster decisions, today announced two new additions to the executive leadership team to support its exponential growth. Heather Reed has been appointed RXAs Chief Experience Officer, and Jeff Doak will assume the role of Chief Technology Officer. Chief Technology Officer Jeff Doak will lend structure to RXA as it expands technology programs and addresses further growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning. This new appointment ensures that RXA will remain ahead of the curve in technology adoption and usage. As Chief Experience Officer, Heather Reed will oversee client relations, ensuring all clients have the best possible experience with RXAs products and services. In this position, Heather will certify that RXA has the highest client retention and loyalty. Heather has dedicated her career to guiding organizations on how best to connect with their customers, largely focused on market research management consulting across industries and disciplines. Heather has built and led large delivery teams charged with creating roadmaps for organizations to take action to improve the customer and employee experience, while optimizing resources. She also has extensive experience in organizational restructuring, operations and international acquisitions. Heather holds an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. The industry is experiencing exponential growth in the area of advanced technology and Heathers leadership and expertise as our new Chief Experience Officer are critical to what customers need and want in a trusted advisor. She understands the market and her leadership is unmatched in the industry, said Tom Stanek, president RXA. We look to Heather to continue to cultivate our culture of meaningful, client-driven results while orchestrating the best possible customer experience, whether that be with our people, products, services, or our marketing efforts. Heather has become an indispensable partner for us, said Jose Clemente, AISIN. We have been able to achieve maturity under her leadership - overseeing and now moving forward with tangible results. Jeff Doak has been a leader in data analytics and visualization for over 20 years. His skills as a data engineer and developer have helped hundreds of companies find meaningful insights across a variety of digital practices. At RXA, he has managed the data engineering practice of the business, ensuring clients data assets provide timely, meaningful insights. Jeff was formally CTO of Converseon, a technology, AI, and machine learning company, where he oversaw the development of industry leading technologies and tools. Jeffs extensive knowledge about information technology and data analysis is part of the reason our technical division has grown substantially in recent years. We are thrilled to be able to offer him a new title and greater responsibility at our company, said Jonathan Prantner, Chief Analytics Officer, RXA. With these two additions to the leadership team, I feel every confidence that RXA will impact the AI space locally and across the globe. About RXA RXA is a leading applied artificial intelligence and data science company founded in 2016 in Ann Arbor, MI. RXA has a diverse portfolio of services and solutions such as being a leading DOMO implementation and consulting firm, customized artificial intelligence kick-start programs, and an RXA Studio to support the development of new products, companies, and proprietary solutions such as Media Optimization, Voice of Customer, and Workforce Optimization to help organizations improved their ROI and decision making while streamline operations. RXAs solutions are currently being leveraged by over 70 different customers across North America, Europe, and Asia. RXA has been named the 2019 Innovative Partner of the Year by Domo, Inc. Website: http://www.rxa.io Twitter: @RXAio LinkedIn: company/rxa.io A woman wears a face mask at the main train station in Dusseldorf, Germany (AP/Martin Meissner) Germany is at the start of a coronavirus epidemic, its health minister has warned. Jens Spahn said some of the infection chains in the country are no longer trackable. It comes as fears grow over the spread of coronavirus across Europe. France has reported its second death, while the number of people in Italy with the virus continues to climb. Coronavirus cases in Europe as of 9am on Wednesday (PA) Spahn said: We are at the beginning of a corona epidemic in Germany. The new cases in North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Wuerttemberg are a further sign of that. The infection chains are partially no longer trackable, and that is a new thing. Which worldwide events have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak? "Large numbers of people have had contact with the patients, and that is a big change to the 16 patients we had until now where the chain could be traced back to the origin in China. Spahn suggested the country would need to change its strategy to contain the virus and cut infection chains. Meanwhile, Italy has reported the number of people with the virus has grown to 322, up 45% in 24 hours. Eleven people have died. Austria, Croatia and Switzerland also reported their first cases linked to the outbreak in Italy, while Spain and France recorded new ones also involving people who had been to northern Italy. Confirmed cases by country as of 9am on Wednesday (PA) The first positive test in South America has also been recorded, with a 61-year-old Brazilian man who had recently been to northern Italy. Meanwhile, for the first time, the number of new cases officially reported outside China has exceeded new cases reported by Beijing. Reuters reported figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) showing there were 427 new cases reported in 37 countries on Tuesday, compared to 411 reported by Beijing. In the UK, health secretary Matt Hancock told MPs on Wednesday that 7,132 people in the UK have so far been tested. Story continues A woman wearing a face mask on the London Underground (PA) Of these, 13 have tested positive, of whom eight have been discharged from hospital. He said the NHS is looking to extend home testing while a new public information campaign will be launched. Countries with confirmed cases of coronavirus (PA) A number of schools in the UK have told staff and pupils to stay at home after returning from ski trips to northern Italy, where several towns in the Lombardy and Veneto regions remain on lockdown. At least eight schools have closed despite national guidance urging them to stay open. Hancock urged schools not to close unless they had a confirmed case of the virus. Additional reporting by PA. On Jayalalithaas 72nd birth anniversary, the makers had released a new look of Kangana Ranaut who plays Amma in the film. Apparently, Balas name was not on the second look poster. Bala took to Facebook to reveal the real reason for his ouster. Award-winning writer, filmmaker and screenplay writer Ajayan Bala has accused director AL Vijay of cheating him by side-lining him in Thalaivi, the biopic of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, although the film is based on his novel with the same name. The fact of the film being based on the book Thalaivi reportedly also helped producer Vishnu Induri to win a case relating to the film. On Jayalalithaas 72nd birth anniversary, the makers had released a new look of Kangana Ranaut who plays Amma in the film. Apparently, Balas name was not on the second look poster. Bala took to Facebook to reveal the real reason for his ouster. Betrayal is very common in film industry, he wrote. But this one from Vijay whom I have known for 10 years and worked in his films is shocking. Having worked so hard for the research and screenplay for the film and having used my novel as proof in the court, removing my name from the credits is unethical. I pointed out some factual errors in the screenplay degrading late leaders, which the makers wanted to include in the film for commercial gains, and thats the reason behind this humiliation. And what do you call this other than backstabbing? I am aware that they wont even pay my balance dues because I posted this publicly. He also requested fellow writers not to work for anyone in cinema without entering into proper agreements. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Bala removed his FB post a few hours later. Sources close to him said that taking quick damage control measures, the producers of Thalaivi had come to a compromise with Ajayan Bala, and hence he had deleted the post. Meanwhile, netizens trolled the second look of Kangana Ranaut from Thalaivi as soon as her sister Rangoli Chandel posted it on her Twitter handle, comparing it with actress Nithya Menen who is on board The Iron Lady, yet another biopic announced a few months ago by director Priyadarshini. Rangoli wrote, Kangana in and as #Thalaivi ... without any prosthetics or any special effects Kangana looks like Jaya Amma, shocking, determination can make anything happen #Thalaivi. Posting a picture of Nithya Menen with Jayalalithaa, Papa Ki Pari wrote, As usual #Thalaivi makers have zero creativity, copying @MenenNithya look, they had this look to more perfection, watch the real biopic #Theironlady not this sasti copy #thalaivi which doesnt even cover her life as politician. Sanjay Ramesh said, Nithya is apt. Replying to Sanjay and Taran Adarsh, Sweety posted, For sure. #TheIronLady is her true biopic as its showing her life as politician as well. ..Thalaivi just her early life, how she became an actress and allthats not interesting at all. When DC got in touch with Priyadarshini to find out more about the delay of her project, the young debutant filmmaker said, A character in any film is directly related to its feel and emotional state. And in this case, the four major characters associated with her still live in the hearts of millions of Tamil people. When I am making the screen adaptation, it needs lot of understanding of the context, patience and time. It is a mammoth responsibility. I want to recall late ace writer Sujathas words here. Making a biopic of larger than life personalities is like walking on a knife. Im taking time to pen the screenplay. I want to thank Nithya Menen for understanding the magnitude of the project and waiting patiently. I am also waiting for legal permissions from Mrs. Sasikala. LOCKPORT Members of the New York Civil Liberties Union brought its fight against facial recognition-based surveillance home Tuesday with a public forum at Lockport Public Library. Since 2018, an intense public debate has erupted in Lockport and nationally over Lockport City School Districts deployment of a facial and object recognition system, with NYCLU asking that the system not be used. Tuesdays forum was the first time a lengthy public discussion was had about the surveillance system, which has been in use in all district schools since January. Jim Shultz, parent of a Lockport High School student and a vocal critic of the system, said the forum was meant to encourage discussion of the system and its issues. The issue here is this system and whether it does or does not protect our students for the money thats been spent on it. And what are the privacy implications? Shultz said. This is the kind of ... diverse community discussion that would have been great to have had before we wrote the check for all of this. Shultz used the metaphor of Wheres Waldo? to illustrate how the districts technology is supposed to work. Youre supposed to look on the page amidst all these other characters and find Waldo. This is essentially the same methodology that the facial recognition cameras operate on. They operate based on a database. They are scanning and looking for specific people. They are looking for the specific people that are in the database. The problem, of course, is there isnt a database of people who are school shooters, Shultz said. Shultz stressed that it does not matter necessarily what current school administrators promise, but rather the technical capacity of the system because policies can change. Jayde McDonald, a 2015 LHS graduate, said her main concern with the technology is the possibility for misidentification of minorities, which facial recognition is prone to do, according to studies. I do not think that a facial recognition system of any kind would be useful in protecting both students and teachers, MacDonald said. Stefanie Coyle, deputy director of NYCLUs Education Policy Center, said a bill proposed by state Assembly Member Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster, is a solution available to pause systems and force the state education department to study the issues. Coyle said the difference between a traditional surveillance system and Lockports system is the latter is tracking peoples biometric data. She also pointed out that the state education department has not adopted specific regulations for biometric data. Among the 25 or so attendees at the forum, a variety of questions and comments emerged. An older African American man said the manipulation and reprogramming of these things can be done. An African American woman suggested school safety comes from ensuring schools have counselors and mentors to talk with students who need help, rather than put them (students) in surveillance and act like theyre in prison. Afterward, Coyle told the Union-Sun & Journal that she wished LCSD administration had organized a forum like this themselves. Im so happy that so many community members came out. But Im also discouraged because its very clear the school district never answered any of these question and didnt put out any information, Coyle said. Superintendent Michelle Bradley released a statement to the US&J right before the 6 p.m. start of the forum, which she did not attend, calling on NYCLU to allow a diversity of community perspectives to be shared. NYCLU has previously admitted that, notwithstanding the many effective policy revisions the District has adopted to effectively address legitimate privacy concerns, NYCLU is opposed to facial recognition technology under virtually any circumstances, Bradley wrote. The District truly hopes that NYCLU will allow the diversity of community perspectives to be shared during the Town Hall, and not just the voices of those who like NYCLU are inalterably opposed to facial recognition technology. Bradley pointed to a previous statement she released when the system went live in January in which she highlighted the districts policy saying no students would be put in the facial recognition database. On Jan. 2, LCSD activated the first facial and object recognition-capable surveillance system in a public school district in New York state. The district spent $1.4 million of the $4.2 million allocated to it through the New Yorks Smart Schools Bond Act to acquire and install the system, one of the first of its kind in any American school. The system relies on the Aegis software suite created by Canadian-based SN Technologies. The facial recognition software works by using a database of flagged individuals and sending an alert to district personnel when a flagged person is detected on school property. The object recognition feature would reportedly detect 10 types of guns and alert certain district personnel, as well as law enforcement, if a weapon is detected. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 North Korea's Senior Officials Hold Meetings by Video Conference to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus 2020-02-26 -- The North Korean government conducting senior-level meetings by video conference instead of meeting face to face, as fears over the spread of the novel coronavirus reach even high-ranking senior officials in the reclusive country, including Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un himself, sources in the North told RFA. Pyongyang has yet to publicly acknowledge a confirmed case of COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but the Central Committee of the Korean Workers' Party has been holding its high-level meetings via video conference since early February, and has also ordered the military to do the same. "Due to the recent outbreak of the new coronavirus, the Central Committee's morning conference has transformed into a video conferencing format," a Pyongyang official told RFA's Korean Service. "The senior level meetings attended by the Highest Dignity every morning have changed to video meetings," the source said, employing an honorific phrase commonly used to refer to Kim Jong Un. The source said that normally senior officials of the Central Committee would attend a morning conference as soon as they enter the office. "The morning conference that the Highest Dignity attends is an important meeting to determine the key policies of the party and cabinet, where the decisions will be forwarded to the departments and agencies," the source said. "As the coronavirus situation became more serious, they started video conferencing for senior level meetings from early February. But only the meetings between the Highest Dignity and the senior level officials are held as conferences and officials below the senior are were still meeting face to face," said the source. "Officials and residents are complaining about [this]. They say that it pretty much means [the government] only cares about the Highest Dignity and those around him being infected, but it is okay if lower level officials get infected," the source said. But the source said that all the caution surrounding Kim Jong Un is causing people to believe that SARS-CoV-2 has entered the country. "It has been reported that due to the coronavirus, all contact with the Highest Dignity, no matter how close is prohibited. With the news that he is holding meetings via video conference, people here in Pyongyang are now doubly afraid of the virus." Military complies with CC's orders A source affiliated with the military in North Hamgyong province told RFA on the same day how the military is complying with the Central Committee's orders. "Battalion commanders or higher ranked [officers] who commute from private houses to military units were ordered not to have direct contact with the soldiers they command," the second source said. "As most of the higher-ranking officers live with their families in private houses outside of military bases, [they] have regular contact with ordinary citizens, so they are not allowed to have contact with the soldiers because they might pass the coronavirus to them," the second source added. "[They] are required to deliver orders down the chain of command by telephone," the second source said. "So face to face contact between commanders and soldiers is prohibited, and that's causing confusion in the military command system." COVID-19 at top of news broadcasts North Korea's media is drilling the point home that the coronavirus is a serious problem by airing news about the virus ahead of reports on Kim Jong Un in news broadcasts. Under normal circumstances, news of the Supreme Leader's activities is always first in any news program, but over the past few days, news of the virus has been the top story. "Residents have been made aware that the coronavirus situation is becoming a very serious problem. They say it is extremely unusual for the propaganda media to release news about the coronavirus [as the first item in a broadcast]," a North Hamgyong resident told RFA on Sunday. The third source confirmed that television, radio and even newspapers have reports on the coronavirus ahead of propaganda about Kim. "On the streets, we can see most people wearing masks and entering public places," the third source said. Another source, a resident of Ryanggang province told RFA on the same day, "It is the first time in my whole life that I've seen quarantine of patients in China and other countries as it truly is on our regularly scheduled propaganda," "People who have never seen high-tech medical equipment because they are used to what we have here are envious of what they see, but they are much more anxious about what they would do if they catch the new virus." Money from refugees blocked by SARS-CoV-2 The coronavirus is also preventing North Korean refugees, defectors, and overseas workers from sending money into North Korea via go-betweens in China, as roads between the northeast Asian neighbors have been closed. Kim Joo-il, the Secretary General of the London-based International North Korea's Association for Human Rights and Democracy (INKAHRD), told RFA Tuesday that strong measures such as closing the border with China and strengthening crackdowns could have a huge impact on North Koreans' domestic life as well as trade and business. "Most of the money from family members [in foreign countries] to North Koreans has traditionally been sent through brokers, but it can't be delivered these days," said Kim. "North Korean defectors are unable to send money to their families not only in South Korea, but also in the UK and Europe," he added. Kim, a former refugee who now lives in New York, said that a relative in North Korea urgently needs surgery to treat cancer, but he is unable to send dollars to help because the border with China has been blocked. Ma Youngae, a former North Korean agent who defected, then became the head of INKAHRD told RFA on the Tuesday that she has heard stories of North Korean residents who have been suffering because they aren't getting money from abroad. "You need [to be able to send] money if your family in North Korea has cancer, an urgent illness, or needs major surgery," she said. Ma spoke of North Korea's crumbling medical infrastructure that once was praised to providing free medical care to all in decades past, but now requires that patients have money. "As recent as 10 years ago, people could get medical treatment at no cost, but now there is no such thing as free treatment in North Korea. It's hard to get antibiotic shots even at hospitals. So people spend a lot of money to buy it on their own and bring it to the hospital." Russia, a traditional ally of North Korea, responded to the crisis with a donation of testing kits. "Due to the persisting risk of the new COVID-19 infection, Russia has donated 1,500 coronavirus diagnostic test kits to Pyongyang at the request of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We hope that this step will help North Korea prevent the infection from penetrating the country," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday. Reported by Jieun Kim, Myungchul Lee, and Albert Hong for RFA's Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anisah Shukry and Yantoultra Ngui (Bloomberg) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thu, February 27, 2020 13:06 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066edf8d 2 SE Asia Malaysia,Yang-di-Pertuan-Agong,Mahathir-Mohamad,Anwar-Ibrahim,politics Free Malaysias monarchy is taking center stage as the country awaits a resolution to a four-day power struggle pitting Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad against long-time rival Anwar Ibrahim. The king, known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, has spent the past two days speaking to lawmakers to determine who has the support of the majority after Mahathirs resignation on Monday due to bickering in the coalition. The monarch could announce the name of Malaysias next prime minister as soon as Thursday or decide to push for an election. Mahathir was expected to meet the king at noon. The spotlight on the king is unusual. The Malay rulers usually stay on the sidelines, stepping in only to perform ceremonial functions like swearing in ministers or pardoning criminal convicts. After Mahathirs shock election win in May 2018, the then-king made him wait nearly an entire day to be sworn in as prime minister. This time, the uncertainty is worsened by shifting alliances among a range of political parties divided largely on racial and religious lines. Mahathir said Wednesday he would return to power if enough lawmakers back him. The former ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, which now commands 41% of seats in parliament after Mahathirs party left, announced it would back Anwar as premier. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's prime minister, speaks during a plenary session on day two of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019. (Bloomberg/Andrey Rudakov) Rotational monarchy On Thursday, opposition parties United Malays National Organization and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, making up more than a quarter of the house, denied a report they would back Muhyiddin Yassin -- an ally of Mahathir -- as prime minister. A few regional parties who could shift the balance of power havent stated publicly who they would support. Malaysias rotational monarchy dates back to the British colonial era when the Conference of Rulers were set up to be composed of the rulers of nine Malay states. The position of the king is passed among the rulers, with each term lasting five years. The current king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad, ascended the throne last year after the previous monarch stepped down in an unprecedented abdication. Sultan Abdullah is the ruler of Pahang state, the birthplace of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is facing corruption charges he denies. A street vendor selling roasted chestnuts on Petaling Street in the Chinatown district of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. (Bloomberg/Samsul Said) Mahathir clashed with the royalty when he ran the country in the 1990s, removing their legal immunity and scrapping laws barring people from criticizing the king. Anwar appears to have warmer ties with the royalty. The former king pardoned him a week after Mahathirs election win in 2018, and asked his wife, then-Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, if she wanted to become the premier. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kapil Mishra on Thursday alleged in a tweet that AAP leader and Municipal Councillor Tahir Hussain's phone call details will reveal Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh's involvement in the Delhi violence. "If Tahir Hussain's phone call details, during the Delhi violence, are released, it would reveal both Sanjay Singh and Kejriwal's role in the violence and Intelligence Bureau officer Ankit Sharma's murder," tweeted Mishra (roughly translated from Hindi). Earlier, the BJP leader had accused the AAP leaders trying to save Tahir Hussain. He has also alleged Tahir Hussain for the killing of the IB officer, whose body was recovered from North-East Delhi's Chand Bagh area here on Wednesday. He also alleged that Hussain was in constant touch with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Taking to Twitter, the BJP leader said (roughly translated from Hindi), "The killer is Tahir Hussain. He dragged not only Ankit Sharma but also four other boys. Out of them, three of them have been found dead. In the video, Tahir Hussain can be seen with the masked boys carrying sticks, stones, bullets and petrol bombs. Tahir Hussain was constantly talking to Kejriwal and AAP leaders." Yesterday, family members of Intelligence Bureau Officer Ankit Sharma had also alleged that a few people who were pelting stones from the building belonging to Hussain in Chand Bagh, had killed Sharma. Ankit's father Ravinder Kumar has stated that his son was attacked while returning from his duty. At least 32 people, including a police head constable, have died while around 200 people have sustained serious injuries in the violence that raged for three days in the North-East Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SOME Amazon merchants spooked by the coronavirus fallout are curtailing their ad spending, several report. In particular, small sellers are buying fewer ads on the site to reduce demand in the event of supply disruptions. And they are starting to raise prices too. "If we're going to run out, why not run out at full price," said Chuck Gregorich, who sells China-made patio furniture on Amazon.com. "We have to make sure the sales we have are as profitable as they can be." He expects to lose as much as $2m (1.8m) in sales this year due to factory closures and other coronavirus-related slowdowns. The sudden shift in sales tactics by merchants like Mr Gregorich threatens Amazon's fastest-growing and profitable revenue source. Amazon merchants spent about 6pc less on advertising over the past two weeks than they did a year ago, says Daniel Knijnik, who runs Quartile Digital, a New York firm that helps manage Amazon advertising for 2,300 brands selling goods on the site. Many of them are small outfits forced to react more quickly than big brands selling to the likes of Walmart and Target, he says, because they lack the inventory stockpiles and alternative suppliers their larger counterparts can draw on. Amazon's advertising sales are a small piece of overall revenue, but they help the company offset the huge costs of storing and shipping millions of products. In the holiday quarter, what Amazon calls 'other' revenue - most of which is advertising - totalled $4.78bn, up 41pc from a year earlier. Like many of its tech industry peers, Amazon started 2020 predicting strong sales growth. Now mounting fears of a pandemic and the related economic fallout have put those rosy projections in question. Amazon's shares have dipped 5.9pc so far this week, tracking the decline in the S&P 500 index. The falloff in advertising could be a harbinger of worse news to come. The company is taking other previously unreported measures to soften any virus impact for smaller sellers. On February 7, Amazon advised merchants that they could put their accounts in 'vacation status' to avoid getting penalised by its algorithms if they suspected items would run out of stock. It also instructed merchants to cancel any customer orders they would not be able to fulfil. "If your performance metrics have been impacted by this event, please include a brief description of how your business was impacted when you respond to the relevant performance notification," Amazon said in a notice. "We will consider this unforeseen event when we evaluate your account's recent performance." Bloomberg Mumbai, Feb 27 : Filmmaker Rohena Gera's award-winning debut feature "Is Love Enough? SIR" is scheduled to release on March 20. "Is Love Enough? SIR" features actors Tillotama Shome, Vivek Gomber and Marathi actress Geetanjali Kulkarni. The film also had its World Premiere at the 71st International Cannes Film Festival, "The film is about fighting for a dream, and the film has become my dream come true. To have my first film in Cannes, and then to have it travel around the world from Brazil to Japan to Hungary to Israel...it's beyond what I would have dared to dream. But that said, I made the film for India. It is an Indian story, it is about us. The fact that people abroad connected to it is a bonus. What I am so excited (and nervous) about is to see how people at home feel," Rohena said. Apart from announcing the film's release date, the makers on Thursday unveiled the first look poster of the project too. Produced by Inkpot Films, and co-produced by Cine-Sud Promotion, the film is a story of a Marathi widowed domestic worker played by Tillotama Shome who finds a complicated romantic spark with her recently single employer Ashwin (Vivek Gomber), who's just returned from the U.S. after breaking off his engagement. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Still to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones in violence in parts of northeast Delhi, relatives are anxiously waiting outside GTB hospital's mortuary for the postmortem to be conducted before the bodies are handed over to them. IMAGE: Kin of Mohsin Ali, who died in communal violence over the new citizenship law in northeast Delhi, cry after receiving his dead body outside the mortuary of GTB Hospital, in New Delhi, on Thursday. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo Family members of people, who are missing since the violence broke out, also have been asking hospital authorities to check whether were brought dead or are being treated. Relatives of 35-year-old Mudassir Khan who have been waiting at the mortuary at GTB hospital said they are still to recover from the shock. IMAGE: A relative shows photograph of newly-wed Tasneem Fatima, wife of Ashfaq Hussain, 22, who was killed during the violence, outside the mortuary of GTB hospital in New Delhi, on Thursday. Hussain, an electrician, was shot when he was returning to his house after attending to a complaint, during the clashes in northeast Delhi. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo "We have been coming here since last two days. Yesterday, the in-charge IO said that files were ready and the post-mortem would be conducted. Today, we have been waiting here since 8 am and the post-mortem is underway. "We hope to get the body soon. We will conduct the last rites today itself," his nephew Arbaaz Khan said. IMAGE: Azra Khatun weeps as she waits to receive the body of her newphew Ashfaq Hussain. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo Talking about the situation in his area in Mustafabad, Arbaaz said with security deployment, it is returning to normal but there is still fear among people. "No one is able to sleep peacefully. There is still fear. Children are not going to school, everyone is preferring to stay indoors and we are not even using our vehicles to commute. We are in shock over what happened within three days," he said. IMAGE: Kuresha, mother of Mohd Irfan, weeps as she requests hospital staff not to conduct a post-mortem on her son's body, outside the mortuary of GTB hospital, in New Delhi. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo Mudassir was outside his house in Kardampuri on Monday when he was attacked by a mob, his family said. He sustained bullet injury on his head and was declared brought dead by doctors at GTB hospital. He used to work in a plastic scrap manufacturing unit and lived with his wife and children in Kardampuri area of northeast Delhi. IMAGE: Muqima Khatun, mother of Shahbaz who went missing during the communal clashes in northeast Delhi, wails outside the mortuary of GTB Hospital. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo Many relatives and friends of riot-affected victims are waiting in the hospital anxiously to get details about their loved ones. Some of them claimed that neither police nor the hospital authorities are telling them exactly when will the post-mortem be conducted. IMAGE: Shahzad, right, weeps as he waits to receive the body of his friend Mohsin Ali. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo Relatives including the mother of of 22-year-old Shahbaz, 25, who has been missing since February 25, are waiting anxiously outside the mortuary at GTB hospital since morning to know if their son is even alive. "Around 2 pm, he had gone to Karawal Nagar for treatment. He had suffered injury in his eyes while he was doing some welding work. When I called him around 3 pm, his phone was found to be switched off," his inconsolable mother said. IMAGE: Mallika, wife of Musharraf, 33, wails outside the mortuary while waiting to receive her husband's body. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo Shahbaz and his family live in Loni and worked in a welding shop in the area. A relative said they have been going from one hospital to another since February 25 to know his whereabouts. IMAGE: Tahira Begum from Mustafabad waits outside the mortuary of GTB hospital to receive the body of her sister Mehtab who was killed during the communal violence. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo "We have been here since morning and still we haven't received any information about Shahbaz," she said. 35-year-old Musharraf's family has been at the mortuary in GTB since two days. "I have been narrating the stories of what happened with my husband to everyone out here but no one is telling us when will the post-mortem be finally conducted," his wife said. IMAGE: Relatives of the victims, killed during the violence in northeast Delhi, wait outside the mortuary of GTB hospital. Photograph: Vijay Verma/PTI Photo Musharraf lived with his wife and three children at Bhagirathi Vihar area of Gokalpuri. Recalling the horror, Musharraf's wife said 'a group of people barged inside our house and thrashed my husband brutally. They dragged him out of our house and kept beating him'. The communal violence over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi has claimed at least 34 lives and left over 200 people injured. KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City, Missouri police are assisting the FBI investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon. The incident was reported around 2:30 p.m. near 39th and Baltimore. Jacob Becchina with KCPD tells FOX4 the FBI is leading the investigation. KCPD confirmed that the shooting involved an FBI agent and suspect [...] Next Match: Ramapo College 2/27/2020 | 7:00 PM Next Match Full Schedule Feb. 27 (Thu) / 7:00 PM Ramapo College History | The sixth-ranked Rutgers University-Newark men's volleyball program pushed their record out to 12-0 this evening when they took down New Jersey City University, 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-18). NJCU dropped to 5-6 on the year after hitting just .121 as a team.As a team, the Scarlet Raiders hit .234 and tallied double-digit kills in each set.paced the team with 16 kills and seven digs whileadded 11 kills on 23 attacks.continues to pass the ball with precision as he secured 46 assists in the win.hit a red-hot .800 in the match and also added a block assist.Jersey City was led by Jonathan Andrews' 16 kills while Julian Moreira collected a team-high five blocking assists. Leo Ferrari paced the squad with 26 assists and J.J. Berdecia had a team-high six digs.The Gothic Knights got the better of the Scarlet Raiders in the opening set, taking a 1-0 lead after a 25-23 win. Late in the set, the Scarlet Raiders trailed 20-17 but cut the lead down to one aftercollected a kill which was followed up by an NJCU attacking error. A service ace would swing play back into NJCU's favor as they once again took a three-point lead.brought the Scarlet Raiders one point closer, 24-23, however, Jonathan Andrews tallied a kill to close the opening set in their favor.Rutgers University-Newark leveled play in the second set with a 25-19 win. A 5-0 run midway through the set put the Scarlet Raiders up 12-7. Zaleck tallied three of his 11 kills during that run which was capped by a Kumar service ace. The Gothic Knights looked to rebound nicely and cut the lead to three but the Scarlet Raiders once again found their stride to push their lead out to 18-11. More attacking errors by the Gothic Knights late in the set gave the Scarlet Raiders all they needed as they finished off NJCU to tie the match up at one.In the third set, the Gothic Knights held a slim margin which the Scarlet Raiders comfortably overcame. Once in the driver's seat, the Scarlet Raiders didn't relinquish the lead despite the Gothic Knights' best efforts. Kumar broke the 18-18 deadlock which ignited a 4-0 run in which he had three of the four points. From there, the Scarlet Raiders held off NJCU's comeback attempt to take a 2-1 lead in the match.The Scarlet Raiders posted their largest margin of victory in the fourth and final set, 25-18. Halfway through the set, the Scarlet Raiders had doubled NJCU's total, 14-7. The men didn't take their foot off of the gas pedal as they pushed on to remain undefeated.Up next for the Scarlet Raiders is bout against Ramapo College at the Golden Dome on Thursday, February 27 at 7:00 pm. After Tricare officials announced sweeping changes to the locations where retiree and military family health users can access on-base care, hundreds of Military.com readers have posted comments, feedback and worries via social media, email and the stories on this site. For many, feelings center around a pair of issues: access to needed care and broken promises. The Defense Health Agency early this month announced plans to halt care for military retirees, retiree families and active-duty family members at 38 stateside Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs), instead treating active-duty patients only. The changes are expected to roll out over five years, and officials pledged to complete the process only when they've guaranteed each patient has care in the civilian community. But many military retirees pushed back, saying that their removal from those 38 locations and others, such as Ireland Army Medical Center at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is already in motion. In many cases, they said, their care has not been handed off at all. Related: Here's the List of Military Clinics That Will No Longer Serve Retirees, Families Near Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, Lauren Hawes is struggling to find care for her husband, who had back surgery just a week before his Jan. 30 retirement date. When she attempted to refill his pain medication on his first day as a civilian, she found that he had been removed from on-base care upon retirement, and that no new doctor or specialists had been assigned. "He was told he would have no disruption of care and could continue with his primary-care manager until he chose to transfer everything to the [Department of Veterans Affairs]. David is still waiting for the 'first available appointment' with his new, assigned [primary-care manager]. We are currently paying out of pocket for him to continue his vital treatment plans," she told Military.com in an email. A spokeswoman for the New London clinic told Military.com on Feb. 13 that, while it is not accepting new patients, no enrollees had been removed from that facility. At the military hospital on Camp Lejeune, which is scheduled for expansion, retiree family member Lisa Collela said she was removed from on-base specialist clinics in December before securing care elsewhere. Collela, who has been diagnosed with erythrodermic psoriasis, sees a dermatologist monthly to receive injections for her condition, without which her limbs swell and become covered in lesions. She also sees a rheumatologist quarterly for psoriatic arthritis. Collela said she last received her injection in late December, but learned early that month that any other appointments must be with a civilian provider in the community. That provider, she said, did not have any openings until March 3, leaving her without injections for more than two months. After her condition deteriorated, she visited an urgent care, which helped her get seen sooner -- on Feb. 26, still almost two months since her last visit. The new doctor, however, refused to use the medication she had been on that worked well, opting to try something new that could require even more frequent visits. And in addition to now paying co-pays for doctor visits, which she did not have to do on base, the drug itself costs more. "Being removed from these clinics has caused my health to decline drastically. ... My limbs are beyond swollen. This is not the normal size of my legs. My feet are covered, making wearing shoes uncomfortable and heels for work impossible," she wrote in a Facebook post. "I can barely use my right hand and my left is becoming stiff. ... My body is covered with these lesions (except face, arms, scalp) and is slowly spreading into very uncomfortable places because my PCM cannot prescribe the medications I take for these conditions." Near Waco, Texas, retired sailor Jerry Hill echoed a sentiment shared by many of the retirees who contacted Military.com after the early February stories: Blocking them from care at the military clinics isn't just an inconvenience, it's a broken promise. "Many retirees chose where to retire based on the ability to use most of these facilities because acquiring care at local civilian facilities is very difficult or even impossible because those facilities limit the number of Tricare retirees in their hospitals," he wrote. "This will ruin many retirees' lives. Where is the support and concern for those who have earned that care as promised during their service for the United States of America?" Florida-based retiree Ralph Rassmusen agreed. "Why do I feel discriminated against being an old person? I guess they don't care about the old folks' vote," he wrote in an email. "I know that you are aware of all this, but shout louder." -- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com. Read more: US Soldier in Korea Has Active-Duty Military's First Case of Coronavirus Independent MLA from Haryana's Meham Balraj Kundu on Thursday said that he will withdraw support given to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's government. He added that he will submit a letter to the state Assembly Speaker on Friday in order to withdraw the support. "I had extended my support to an honest government and Chief Minister ML Khattar. Now, I have realized that their display of honesty is a farce. I will hand over a letter to the Assembly Speaker to withdraw my support tomorrow," said Kundu while speaking to reporters here. Kundu had reportedly claimed that the state's cooperative sugar mills have shown a loss of Rs 3,300 crores and alleged it was due to corruption and malpractices. He had reportedly written a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in this regard earlier this month. Responding to Kundu's statement regarding the withdrawal of the support, Khattar has assured a probe if there is any truth in the allegations leveled by the MLA. "We will speak to him. We are open to ordering a probe if there is credible primary evidence to believe his allegations. But if there is no evidence, there is no point in ordering any inquiry," Khatter told reporters on Wednesday. Manohar Lal Khattar is heading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) coalition government in Haryana. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Doctors have noted that Italy is registering so many cases because its looking for them. Italy had tested 9,462 people already more than 95 percent of whom have tested negative, Borelli said. Of those who are positive, two-thirds are being treated at home without requiring hospitalization. Pakistan Prime Minister will embark on a day-long visit to Qatar on Thursday, just two days before the US and Afghan Taliban would sign a landmark peace deal in Doha. "As part of regular exchange of high-level visits, Prime Minister will be visiting Qatar on February 27, 2020 to meet His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar," The Express Tribune quoted a Foreign Office statement as saying on Wednesday night. This will be the premier's second visit to Qatar after assuming office in 2018. Khan, however, would not attend the signing ceremony which is scheduled for Saturday. Instead Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will represent Pakistan at the ceremony to be attended by delegates from over two dozen countries. The 18-month gruelling talks have now resulted in an imminent agreement between the militant group and the US under which foreign troops would be withdrawn from the war-torn country. In return, the Taliban have agreed not to allow the Afghan soil to be used against any other country. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Flash China on Wednesday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's groundless accusation against the country's novel coronavirus (COVID-19) prevention and control work, and urged the U.S. side to give up ideological bias, and stop undermining China-U.S. mutual trust and cooperation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a press briefing in response to a question concerning Pompeo's accusation that expelling Wall Street Journal (WSJ) journalists exposes the issue in China's COVID-19 response, alleging that if China permitted its own and foreign journalists to speak freely, China and other nations would have been far better prepared to address the challenge. "When the Chinese people are going all-out to fight the epidemic, Mr. Pompeo once again launched groundless accusation against China. This is so abhorrent and we are firmly opposed to it," Zhao said. Noting Pompeo's remarks did not even get the facts straight, Zhao said the Chinese government has been open, transparent and highly responsible in its epidemic prevention and control efforts. As for the WSJ article with its insulting headline, it is never a question of freedom of speech and press. All people, as long as they have conscience and bottom line, should reject and resist such racist and wrongful words and actions, said the spokesperson. "Even WSJ has admitted its mistake and been learning some lessons, how come Mr. Pompeo, in total disregard of the public opinion of the international community, made yet another attempt to back up WSJ by badmouthing China? One has to wonder if WSJ is an agent of the U.S. State Department," he added. "Since Mr. Pompeo talks about freedom of speech so much, would he care to explain why he cursed at a NPR journalist? Why was the journalist denied press credentials to travel with him? Is that Mr. Pompeo's definition of 'freedom of speech'? I think it's typical discourse monopoly and double standards," said Zhao. "We urge Mr. Pompeo to give up his ideological bias against China, discard the Cold-War mentality and zero-sum game mindset, act in ways that suit his status, stop undermining China-U.S. mutual trust and cooperation, and make no more attempts at sowing discord among the Party, the Chinese government and the Chinese people," the spokesperson added. (TNS) Members of the New York Civil Liberties Union took their fight against facial recognition systems in schools to a local audience on Tuesday at the Lockport Public Library.Since 2018, an intense public debate has erupted in Lockport and nationally over the district installing a facial and object recognition system with the New York Civil Liberties Union asking for the facial recognition component to be removed.Tuesdays forum was the first time a lengthy public discussion was organized on the surveillance system, part of which has been in use since January.Lockport resident Jim Shultz, the most prominent critic of the system, started things off.The issue here is this system and whether it does or does not protect our students fro the money thats been spent on it. And what are the privacy implications, he told the crowd. This is the kind of community discussion and diverse community discussion that would have been great to have had before we wrote the check for all of this.Shultz used the metaphor of Wheres Waldo to illustrate how the districts technology is supposed to work.Youre supposed to look on the page amidst all these other characters and find Waldo. This is essentially the same methodology that the facial recognition cameras operate on. They operate based on a database. They are scanning and looking for specific people. They are looking for the specific people that are in the database. The problem of course is there isnt a database of people who are school shooters, Shultz said.He stressed that it doesnt matter necessarily what the current administrators promise, but rather the technical capacity of system because policies can change.Jayde McDonald, a 2015 Lockport High School graduate, said her main concerns with the technology were the possibility for misidentification of minorities, which facial recognition is prone to do, according to studies.I do not think that a facial recognition system of any kind would be useful in protecting both students and teachers, MacDonald said.Stefanie Coyle, the deputy director of NYCLUs Education Policy Center, said a bill proposed by Assembly Member Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster, is a solution available to pause the installation of systems and force the state education department to better study the issue.Coyle said the difference between a surveillance system and Lockports is that the district system is tracking peoples biometric data. She also pointed out that the state education department has not passed specific regulations for biometric data.Attendees offered a variety of questions and comments during the meeting.The manipulation and reprogramming of these things can be done, one man said.Another attendee suggested the solution to school safety is ensuring districts have counselors and mentors on hand to talk with students if they need help.Rather than put (the students) in surveillance and act like theyre in prison, the woman said.After the meeting, Coyle said she felt the forum went well but expressed a desire to see Lockport school administrators hold a forum of their own.Im so happy that so many community members came out. But Im also discouraged because its very clear the school district never answered any of these question and didnt put out any information, Coyle said.Superintendent Michelle Bradley released a statement right before the start of the forum, which she did not attend.... NYCLU is opposed to facial recognition technology under virtually any circumstances, Bradley wrote. The district truly hopes that NYCLU will allow the diversity of community perspectives to be shared during the town hall, and not just the voices of those who like NYCLU are inalterably opposed to facial recognition technology.Bradley also pointed out when the system went live in January district policy stated no students would be put in the facial recognition database.The district spent $1.4 million of the $4.2 million allocated to it through the New Yorks Smart Schools Bond Act to acquire and install the system, one of the first of its kind in any American school. The system relies on the Aegis software suite created by Canadian-based SN Technologies.The facial recognition software works by using a database of flagged individuals and sending an alert to district personnel when a flagged person is detected on school property. The object recognition feature would reportedly detect 10 types of guns and alert certain district personnel, as well as law enforcement, if a weapon is detected. [February 26, 2020] dltledgers: As senior banking executives move to fintech, does it signal a shift in Singapore's finance sector? SINGAPORE, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- This was originally published by dltledgers. Below is the full article. While the Monetary Authority of Singapore assesses 21 applications for its digital banking licenses, there is much talk within the finance community about the increasing impact of technology. The question is: can established banking institutions keep pace? One sign that the balance may be shifting is the increasing number of finance executives that are finding their way into the employ of Singapore's leading fintech (financial technology) companies. The migration of senior bankers to tech firms is nothing new in Singapore. As far back as 2017 the press reported on the finance industry's struggle to attract top talent. This only increased, as tech firms like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Amazon, in particular, continued to climb up the list of ideal employer rankings. What is new is the extent to which technology companies are penetrating the financial services industry. What began as a flurry of startup companies in payments has now snowballed into a barrage of well-funded technology platforms, covering almost every element of financial services. These include retail banking (Grab), e-wallets (Razer), local payments (Rapyd), investment management (Stashaway), insurance (Singapore Life), commercial banking (Aspire, Arival Bank), robo-advisors (Bambu), and most recently, trade finance (dltledgers). These companies are growing quickly - many on the back of significant, recent, venture capital investment. According to a report released by Accenture, Singapore-based fintech firms raised more in the first nine months of 2019 (a record US$735 million (S$1 billion)) than in all of 2018 (US$642 million). It is no coincidence that these businesses all fit broadly within the Singapore government's vision for a future economy built on intellectual property and fintech, alongside other "deep tech" industries like biotech, quantum computing, and robotics. With this amplification in funding and attention, perhaps not surprisingly, has come acceleration in the shift of senior talent away from traditional banking institutions. This may even be partly assisted by government initiatives, such as [email protected] This is a pilot programme by the Economic Development Board (EDB) and trade promotion agency Enterprise Singapore, which is specifically designed to help "high-potential" technology companies to attract talent. What is more, the trend can be seen at all levels of seniority - with technology companies snapping up the brightest minds in bothmid- and senior-level positions. Recent high-profile appointments include Razer Fintech's appointment of Neal Cross, in December 2019, to its board advisors. Cross previously headed up innovation at DBS - "the world's leading digital bank" - and is best known for being named the world's most disruptive CIO/CTO, by a panel that included Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak, and Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson. The announcement of Cross joining Razer came only shortly after Societe Generale director, Jason Tay, joined Singapore-based currency conversion platform, M-DAQ, which at almost the same time doubled in its valuation, in its most recent funding round, to S$500m. Most recently, Nikhil Joshi, who was responsible for strategic and economic decision-making as Business Manager at Barclays, APAC, announced a move to one of Singapore's newest, but fast-growing tech startups companies - cross-border trade platform and leading blockchain developer, dltledgers. Mr Joshi's experience with complex transactions across credit, equity and FICC asset classes, specifically in relation to balance sheet and regulatory capital, demonstrates how Singapore's fintech ecosystem has diverged a long way from its relatively simple beginnings. These are far from isolated examples. Tushar Tejuja, Managing Director of Singapore-based HR tech startup focussed on technology recruitment, HackerTrail, says that the appointments you read about in the press are only the tip of the iceberg: "At HackerTrail we've seen a huge increase in appetite for fintech among senior banking professionals. Not long ago a career in Singapore's banking sector was seen as the ultimate goal, but now we see quite the opposite. Despite the finance sector's investment in innovation, many bank employees tell us that, given the constraints caused by legacy infrastructure, compliance, and bureaucracy, it is difficult - if not impossible - for them to compete with the more agile, well-funded, and flexible fintech firms. It is literally a case of 'if you can't beat them, join them', and in many cases we see candidates accepting significantly smaller packages in order to join what they see as a fintech revolution." There are 150 banks in Singapore, with a total asset size of nearly S$2 trillion. To foster innovation and stay relevant, many of these banks operate fintech-focused investment funds and accelerators, including all three of the dominant local banks - DBS Innovates, The Open Vault at OCBC, and UOB. Leading banking figures have spoken publicly about so-called "dirsuptors", and how the banks are prepared for their impact, but how extensive this impact will be in Singapore's business world is yet to be seen. Find the original article at https://www.dlt.sg/as-senior-banking-executives-move-to-fintech-are-banks-in-singapore-losing-ground/ Editors' Notes: Please contact James Green (details above) if you are interested in an exclusive on this article. (details above) if you are interested in an exclusive on this article. Founded in January 2018 , dltledgers' blockchain-powered trade platform enables trading companies to connect different parties within their supply chain network, and to digitalise trade processes and financing documentation with banks and trade finance providers. Since the launch of platform in October 2018 , over S$2 billion of live trade finance transactions has been executed, with over 390 traders and more than 45 banks currently onboard. dltledgers has enabled its customers to reduce trade execution times from 45+ days to a matter of hours; lowering operational overheads and improving working capital lifecycle by up to 80%. , dltledgers' blockchain-powered trade platform enables trading companies to connect different parties within their supply chain network, and to digitalise trade processes and financing documentation with banks and trade finance providers. Since the launch of platform in , over of live trade finance transactions has been executed, with over 390 traders and more than 45 banks currently onboard. dltledgers has enabled its customers to reduce trade execution times from 45+ days to a matter of hours; lowering operational overheads and improving working capital lifecycle by up to 80%. Dltledgers raised $2.5m in a round led by Walden International in 2019. The company is in the process of preparing for a significant investment round, and has already received two term sheets from well-known investors. in a round led by Walden International in 2019. The company is in the process of preparing for a significant investment round, and has already received two term sheets from well-known investors. Customers include Shiseido, IFFCO, Agrocorp, and Wipro Unza. Partners include DBS Bank, Microsoft, SAP, Google, TDB, and Standard Chartered Bank. Blockchain's unique ability to reduce risk and replace the need for trust within cross-border trade is now universally accepted, and for various reasons is a topic of much discussion in today's trading community. Find dltledgers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dltledgers/ For more information on dltledgers visit: www.dlt.sg HackerTrail is a Singapore -based HR tech startup, focused on technology recruitment. The company recently raised S $1.5m in seed funding, and grew by 100% in both 2018 and 2019. You can find more here: www.hackertrail.com Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200226/2731271-1 SOURCE dltledgers LEXINGTON Nebraska Counts, a statewide coalition of nonpartisan nonprofits serving as Nebraskas Complete Count Committee for the 2020 U.S. Census, will be working in Lexington this spring to help ensure a successful local count. Get-out-the-count canvassers will be going door-to-door in various locations across the area in March. They will distribute information about the census, answer questions about the process and the safety of the information being collected, and encourage all residents to complete the census. Census Day in Nebraska is April 1. Nebraska Counts supports and informs Nebraskans about the census but is not conducting the official count, said Heather Engdahl, Nebraska Counts census director. Its specific role is promotion and education. As part of that effort, Nebraska Counts also will be hiring part-time canvassers from the local community. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Our most important everyday connections are with our fellow Nebraskans, so thats why its important that our staff is made up of people from the community, Engdahl said. Students at another university in Ireland have joined the protests demanding the reversal of rent increases in on-campus accommodation. NUI Galway saw students begin their sleep-out on its campus. Students Unions in Trinity, UCC and DCU are already staging protests at their colleges calling for the reversal of increases of up to 3% and 4%, which they say will leave students travelling long distances or dropping out of college. The President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) Lorna Fitzpatrick was there in support of the protest and she said students are calling on universities to reverse the announced increases, freeze rents and talk to their students to understand the hardships they are facing. Ms Fitzpatrick said: Students have been struggling for a long-time, but these increases are absolutely a step too far. "We think universities need to care more about their students welfare and less about making profits from students simply looking for somewhere to live. We are not letting up on this and completely support the action being taking by students and we will continue to back them until the increases are reversed and rents are frozen. "Members in UCC have been sleeping out since Tuesday, NUIG from today, and they will be there until these decisions are reversed, which really shows that students cannot take anymore. The USI said students simply cannot afford the increases being introduced and proposed. Students in UCC protesting today NUIG Students Union President, Clare Austick said: We meet students everyday who have to work two or more part-time jobs to stay in college. "Students who commute huge distances, students who can't afford decent accommodation and students who arent in college who should be. "We are outraged that in the midst of an accommodation crisis, the university is again looking to profit from the desperation of students looking for accommodation. TCD Students' Union President, Laura Beston, said good work being done to encourage less well-off students into college is being undone by the increases. Students in DCU protesting today Ms Beston said: "Last week we launched our petition against rent increases on campus and calling for a rent freeze. "The more numbers we have opposing the proposed rent increase, the less likely it is to happen. "Trinity must accept that philanthropic actions, campaigns to create greater access to college or work to create a fairer society are nullified by decisions which actively block students from accessing higher education. Students can sign petitions against the rent rises with UCC Students Union, TCD Students Union and NUIG Students Union. PMCG Places #33 on the DC Metro List with Growth Rate of 303% TOWSON, Md., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PM Consulting Group (PMCG), an SBA-certified 8(a), HUBZone, and MDOT-certified MBE firm that delivers professional and management consulting solutions to federal and state government clients, is pleased to announce it has been included on the inaugural Inc. 5000 Series: D.C. Metro list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. PMCG ranked number 33 on the listing with 303 percent growth from 2016-2018. We are very pleased to yet again be recognized by Inc. 5000, said Walter Barnes III, president of PM Consulting Group. Last year, we were on the national Inc. 5000 list and to now be named as one of the fastest-growing companies in the DC region is truly an honor. The companies on this list demonstrate just how much the small business sector impacts the economies of D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware, says Inc. editor in chief, Scott Omelianuk. Across every single industry, these businesses have posted revenue and growth rates that are beyond impressive, further proving the tenacity of their founders and CEOs. About PM Consulting Group PM Consulting Group (PMCG) is an SBA-certified 8(a), Hubzone, and MDOT-certified MBE firm that delivers professional and management consulting solutions to federal and state government clients. Established in 2008, PMCG specializes in professional services in the areas of Healthcare, IT, and International Development. Our services range from mission support services to management consulting helping Federal and State agencies operationalize strategic goals. Our value is in bridging the gap between business functions and technology. Visit PMCG at www.pmconsultinggroupllc.com or 410-512-6557. PMCG is listed under the GSA IT Schedule 70 under contract number 47QTCA20D002J and GSA Professional Services Schedule under contract number GS-00F-166GA. From homes and offices to stadiums, museums and hospitals, buildings provide us with a wealth of benefits. And while they have a clear practical purpose, on a purely aesthetic front their design can also lift the spirits and create a sense of wonder. Their impact on the environment, however, is a cause for concern. Think about it: buildings need huge amounts of energy for air conditioning, heating and lighting, not to mention the appliances that make homes comfortable and businesses tick. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), final energy use in buildings hit approximately 3,060 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2018, up from 2,820 Mtoe in 2010. Fossil fuels' share in buildings' energy use was at 36% in 2018, the IEA says, a small drop compared to 38% in 2010. As we head deeper into the 21st century, technology and different ways of thinking will have a big role to play in making our buildings greener, more efficient spaces. Commercializing sustainability At January's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, CNBC's Steve Sedgwick chaired a discussion which looked at how technology, innovation and ideas could be deployed to create a more sustainable built environment. Christian Ulbrich, the president and CEO of property firm JLL, kicked off the discussion by seeking to explain some of the challenges. "There is a massive built environment which is existing, and it is not very sustainable," he said. "It is built to kind of last for 100 years, so we not only have to touch everything which has to be rebuilt, we also have to touch the existing footprint." As the conversation progressed, Ulbrich went on to express the opinion that sustainability had to be commercial. Asked by CNBC's Sedgwick whether there was an appetite from customers for buildings using new technology that was green, he replied that there was "great appetite." "I think at the end of the day and some people may not like it sustainability has to be commercial," he said. Ulbrich went on to add that we were now "at a point where there is commercial viability around a lot of the sustainability activities, and so that's why there is tremendous amount of appetite." According to the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group, the potential is indeed significant. In a foreword to a 2019 report, the organization's Director of Climate Business, Alzbeta Klein, wrote that green buildings represented "one of the biggest investment opportunities of the next decade $24.7 trillion across emerging market cities by 2030." Tech has a role to play All these caveats notwithstanding, the conclusion of the paper has turned out to be controversial and damning. It has been a tumultuous month at the World Bank. The banks armies of analysts and economists routinely produce research on topics ranging from best practices to a variety of development issues to how to promote gender equality in emerging economies. Indeed, the vast majority of papers and research it produces apply to certain niches of analysis; they are launched and read without much ado, let alone controversy. This was not the case with a recent working paper. Entitled Elite Capture of Foreign Aid: Evidence from Offshore Bank Accounts, it was authored by economists Jorgen Juel Andersen, Niels Johannesen and Bob Rijkers, with the support of the World Banks own economists, including its (now former) chief economist Penny Goldberg. According to reports, the paper had also gone through numerous reviews that helped improve and organise its findings. The findings were damning. Using data from offshore banks in places like Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong and Singapore, the researchers traced what happened when aid disbursements were made to some of the worlds most aid-dependent countries. Around the same time that the money was released, the researchers noted there was an increase in the number of deposits in those offshore accounts. The same correlation was found over almost a decade of economic data, by tracking aid disbursements from more than 20 different countries. The writing, then, was on the wall. The aid that the World Bank was giving to some of the worlds poorest countries appeared to be going directly into offshore accounts. The finding also meant that the early transmission of these funds ensured that local elites did not have to make tax payments on money that appeared to be stolen from the people. Particularly bad were countries whose GDP was made up with development aid. There are, according to the paper itself, some alternative explanations to the sudden increase in activity of these offshore accounts. It is possible that countries with less developed credit markets moved the money to offshore accounts where it could be kept until it was allotted to various development projects. It is also possible, the economists noted, that large national organisations maintained these offshore accounts and utilised them as a way to be more, rather than less, present. All these caveats notwithstanding, the conclusion of the paper has turned out to be controversial and damning. One obvious problem is that the raison detre of the World Banks existence is to help the worlds poorest populations, the very people from whom aid was being stolen and dumped into this or that offshore account. If the paper is taken at its word, it means that aid disbursements do little to nothing for the poor, and often go directly into the already heavy pockets of corrupt economic elites. The convulsions this one paper has produced in one of the worlds largest aid and development organisations is speculated to have led to Penny Goldbergs resignation, after holding the position of chief economist at the bank for only a brief 15 months. The Economist accused the World Banks bosses of suppressing the papers publication. It is indeed true that the papers release seemed to have been delayed; then it was published by one of its authors on his own website, before finally being uploaded on the World Banks website for the public to access. The controversy does not detract from the damning findings made by the paper. Though not included in the report, Pakistanis, long dependent on aid, know quite well where the money goes. Indeed, the political cataclysms of the countrys recent history have all been dependent on findings via Panama Papers, WikiLeaks and other sources, which have revealed the extent of corruption and graft among the countrys political elites. At the same time, it is quite another thing altogether when the World Bank itself publishes research suggesting that its own aid disbursals can lead to as much as a 75 per cent increase in offshore account holdings. Indeed, if the bank wants to take its own work and findings seriously, it must change the course of its actions. When it publishes such research, in sum, it amounts to an admission that their most important work is a complete failure. What the World Bank is going to do may determine the course of aid in this century. There are already compelling critiques of how the structure and means of aid disbursements do not lead to development successes or lift people out of poverty. This new paper adds even more fuel to the fire, suggesting that the entire architecture of aid needs to be reconsidered. Economists do not talk often about morality. In this case, however, the data also reveals that economic elites in developing countries believe stealing to be an entirely acceptable proposition, fodder to fuel the expensive tastes of autocrats wives and other highly positioned people. If the money is being stolen with such regularity by so many and over such a long period, it follows that those who govern the worlds poorest make no bones about taking what is meant for others. This last bit is not the World Banks problem, but it is something to think about. Morality aside, the paper and the resignation of the chief economist, along with allegations made in the media, all mean that some significant changes are around the corner. Evil middlemen we know so many who have stolen with impunity may soon have far fewer opportunities to steal. Of course, the very poor will continue to lose out; they never got what was meant for them, and perhaps they never will. By arrangement with Dawn David Beckham has heaped praise on his former Manchester United team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the job he is doing as manager. Solskjaer, who is in his first full season as United manager after taking over in December 2018, has had a difficult campaign at times and his side are fifth in the Premier League. They have had good moments, beating Manchester City, Leicester, Spurs and most recently Chelsea, but are three points off the top four. David Beckham has heaped praise on Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer His former team-mate Solskjaer has had a difficult first full season in charge of United Despite his up and down season, Beckham who was part of the Treble-winning side with Solskjaer and spent years with him at United hailed the Norwegian. 'I think he's doing a good job,' Beckham told Sky Sports. 'The fact that he's stepped in and stepped up, and that he continues to be positive about players, he's got that from the boss [Sir Alex Ferguson]. 'He would never criticise a player from his club and Ole has been exactly the same. Beckham said Solskjaer's decision to protect the players is out of Sir Alex Ferguson's playbook 'He's still learning but he will protect his players and protect Manchester United. 'All of the fans will be behind him because he's a great person and because of what he's done for Manchester United over the years.' United have had a tough time since Ferguson left in the summer of 2013 and have not won the Premier League in the intervening years. Beckham celebrating a goal with Solskjaer when they were both players for United Fierce rivals Liverpool are likely to win the title this season and Beckham, who launched his Inter Miami MLS side on Wednesday, admitted he is keen to see United step it up again in the near future. He continued: 'I think when you're a club as big as Manchester United and you've had the amount of success that we had, there was always going to be a period where other clubs have some success. 'When that success is being had by Manchester City or Liverpool it's always going to be talked about. There was always going to be a transition period, especially when Alex Ferguson stepped down. The pair, pictured celebrating, were part of the side that captured the Treble in 1999 'You had David Gill working at the club too and the players stopped playing, Giggsy [Ryan Giggs], Scholesy [Paul Scholes] and the Nevs [Gary and Phil Neville], they all stopped playing so there was always going to be a period when they weren't as successful. 'Is it hard to watch them now? No because I'm a real Manchester United fan and whatever the situation, I love watching them play. 'But let's hope it doesn't last for too much longer that we go without trophies because we are one of the biggest clubs in the world and not many clubs have that tradition.' Mishler said the amendment was proposed because the committee learned that there is one manufacturer who makes the Honor and Remember flag. Offering the choice between displaying the Honor and Remember flag or the American flag will take the burden off the manufacturer, he said. Additional reporting by Declan Brennan A garda child specialist interviewer has said that she didn't follow some of the good practice recommendations when interviewing a child about allegations that a care worker sexually assaulted her in a creche. The 29-year-old accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the complainants, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 23 counts of sexually assaulting four girls at a creche in Leinster on dates between February 2015 and December 2016. They were aged between five and eight at the time. The trial has so far heard evidence of one complainant, now aged 11. The jury viewed a video of the then eight-year-old girl being interviewed by a specialist garda in January 2017, a month after the allegations came to light. The child told the garda that the man touched her privates in various locations within the creche, including in a book corner in the after school room, on the creche bus, in a toilet cubicle and on a windowsill in one room. She said she didn't like it and it nearly always hurt her. She said the man touched her with his hand and with his phone when it was buzzing. She said he would ask her if she liked it and she said no. The girl was then cross-examined by defence counsel via video-link. The jury heard that Garda Louise Curtin, a garda specialist interviewer, assisted in the interviewing of this complainant. Gda Curtin agreed with Sean Guerin SC, defending, that she didn't establish with the child the importance of telling the truth, the issue of fantasy versus reality, whether she may be suggestible or whether there may be alliance with her and other children in the creche. Good practice guidelines She accepted that each of these issues are dealt with in good practice guidelines that were circulated during her training. The garda said she was advised in garda training college not to broach the subject of fantasy versus reality with a child, as it may confuse them. So someone in Templemore is telling you to ignore part of the guidelines. The printed manual that the gardai circulate says you should follow these guidelines but in Templemore they told you not to ask these questions, Mr Guerin asked. She agreed that this was the advice given to her during her training. When asked if she would agree that suggestibility is a real issue in a case where a group of children have been talking together in a creche, the witness replied that the information they obtain is from the child only during the DVD process. She accepted that the issue of whether the child spoke to another complainant was on the agenda that day as a question to ask her but said this was in the context of establishing who she first told about the allegations. Mr Guerin suggested to Gda Curtin that establishing whether the complainant was suggestible was actually very important in this case. We were aware that there was a conversation and that if the complainant mentioned that we were prepared to discuss it. Not all points in the plan would be covered because the child may not voluntarily broach the subject, the witness replied. We are providing an opportunity for the child to tell her best account of real events that occurred. It is important to cover who she first spoke to, so the investigation team can move forward as to who also needs to be interviewed, she continued. She agreed that she was aware that the complainants were in a friendship group, which Mr Guerin suggested meant that there was a possibility of an alliance that may affect the credibility of the allegation. Gda Curtin accepted that this alliance was not something covered while interviewing the complainant. It was just something we didn't consider. I have never covered suggestibility and alliance in the DVD process, Gda Curtin replied after she agreed that she may have covered over 100 such interviews with children in the ten years she has been working in this area. She agreed that there is a process before interviewing children on DVD, during which if it is established that the child is suggestible or that there may be alliance that may affect the credibility of an allegation, they are deemed unsuitable for the interview conducted on DVD. Gda Curtin agreed that no questions were asked of the complainant that may suggest that she was not suitable for the DVD interviewing process. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury of seven men and five women. A 50-year-old Holyoke woman pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield on Wednesday for her role in an outdoor heroin and cocaine market following a sweeping drug bust last year. Milagros Gaetan was one of 42 people arrested in October as part of a coordinated effort from federal, state and local law enforcement known as Operation Open Air, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Andrew Lellings office. The majority of the arrests came from targeted surveillance and investigations into opioid sales in public spaces in Holyoke, the statement said. Seventeen people, including Gaetan, were indicted for heroin distribution, while the remaining 25 were charged with various firearms or drug possession offenses. These defendants sold heroin and fentanyl so they could profit from a crisis that is killing about 2,000 Massachusetts residents a year, Lelling said in his statement last year. During this operation, law enforcement targeted and dismantled illegal drug markets operating in plain sight." Members of the Hampden County Narcotics Task Force met on Oct. 1 to make controlled purchases of drug evidence from suspects in a known open-air heroin, cocaine and cocaine base distribution point on Appleton Street in Holyoke, according to an affidavit from one of the Massachusetts State Police detectives involved in the investigation. An undercover officer walked down the street and met a woman later identified as Gaetan on the rear porch of 365 Appleton St. Gaetan asked him what he was looking for, and the officer said he wanted one bundle, equal to 10 bags of heroin, the affidavit said. Gaetan told the officer to wait, and she returned shortly with the bundle, which she gave to him in exchange for cash. The officer was equipped with a transmitter as well as an audio- and video-recording device that captured the illegal drug sale, according to court records. Investigators returned to the area less than a week later to conduct another controlled drug purchase. Gaetan and an unknown female sold a bundle of heroin to the officer, court records said. The unknown female was allegedly directing suspected drug customers to stand under a stairwell during the deal. An Appleton Street resident was also working on a vehicle in the alley near the apartment and allegedly walked into an apartment as the drug sale was in process, court records said. The officer later asked, Do you have any pollo? referring to cocaine. Gaetan, the unknown female and the resident all allegedly replied, Yes." The investigator was given two nickels, a street reference for a quantity of cocaine, in return for cash, according to the detectives affidavit. The woman admitted to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute heroin, prosecutors said. Gaetan faces up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and fine of $1 million, the U.S. Attorneys office said. She is expected to be sentenced June. 26. 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:
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But the union keeps butting into the e-commerce giant, which ships billions of packages a year. The Teamsters joined several other major labor unions in filing a petition Thursday asking the Federal Trade Commission to open a wide-ranging study into Amazons business practices. The unions, which represent more than five million American workers, hope to sic the antitrust regulator on a company increasingly reaching into the industries they represent. We wanted to demonstrate that there is a real desire to see them take this on, said Michael Zucker, director of Change to Win, a federation of labor unions that led the effort. The petition asks the F.T.C. to use its broad powers to gather nonpublic information about a companys or industrys effects on commerce. In a 28-page document with 149 footnotes, the unions lay out areas they think the F.T.C. should explore, including whether Amazon requires companies to use more of its services to succeed on its marketplace. Senator Marco Rubio (Republican-Florida) is asking U.S. officials to review the national-security implications of AT&T's planned sale of its majority stake in Central European Media Group Enterprises (CME) to a Czech-owned conglomerate because of its record of acting as "China's proxies" inside the Czech Republic. In a letter dated February 27 and sent to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Attorney General William Barr, Rubio wrote that PPF Group, the Czech company that is looking to buy CME, has "supported Chinas malign activities abroad." In particular, Rubio, who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence committees and chairs the bipartisan and bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China, added that PPF-owned telecommunications firms are working with Huawei Technologies to develop 5G networks. "I believe the Administration needs to conduct closer reviews of corporate deals like AT&Ts sale of CME, and understand how the Chinese government and Communist Party work through proxies like PPF," Rubio wrote in the letter, which requests the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) exercise its authority and launch a "full review" of the national security implications of the upcoming sale. "Failure to do so undercuts U.S. diplomatic efforts aimed at countering the Chinese Communist Partys political interference in foreign governments and societies," he added. Washington added Huawei to an economic blacklist in May, citing security fears over the company's products. Besides the Czech Republic, CME operates in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, reaching around 97 million people, Rubio said, adding that the group owns some of the most-watched news programming in Central and Eastern Europe. AT&T did not immediately comment, while PPF said it appeared Rubio was relying on "false information" from a Czech politician. PPF said that as part of the process of acquiring CME, it is cooperating with all the relevant regulatory bodies and providing them with "all necessary information." "The fact that we, like thousands of other Western companies, also operate in China, does not in any way imply a contradictory worldview," PPF said in a statement. "Far from it; as people who have lived a considerable part of their lives under totalitarian communism, we deeply value freedom of expression," it added. Last year, AT&T announced it would sell its majority stake in CME it had acquired in 2018. With reporting by Reuters The journalist who introduced the Duke of Sussex as 'just Harry' at an Edinburgh conference yesterday has said she thinks he 'doesn't need a title to be a big deal.' Former Labour advisor Ayesha Hazarika told crowds at the sustainable travel event in the Scottish capital yesterday: 'He's made it clear that we are all just to call him Harry. So ladies and gentlemen, please give a big, warm, Scottish welcome to Harry.' Ms Hazarika said he was 'warm and relaxed' and 'didn't look like a man wracked with anxiety' about the debate over his and Meghan's titles after their decision to step down as working royals. She told Good Morning Britain today: 'He was very warm, relaxed and seemed very focus on the reason he was up there. 'He was pretty chilled out. One thing I did notice was that he was very informal. He wandered around very freely with all the other delegates. 'I got the impression he is very focused on what he wants to do. He was pretty defiant as well. I didn't sense that he thinks 'this has all been a nightmare, I'm going to hide away. 'From the reaction he got and the way he conducted himself, he clearly doesn't need a title to be a big deal.' Journalist Ayesha Hazarika, who introduced the Duke of Sussex as 'just Harry' at an Edinburgh conference yesterday, has said she thinks he 'doesn't need a title to be a big deal.' Harry flew on a commercial flight from his new home in Canada before boarding an LNER train from London to Edinburgh to attend yesterday's Travalyst conference. The 35-year-old was there for a 'working summit' with delegates of the new Edinburgh-based travel firm, which plans to create a system where users can track their carbon emissions. Ms Hazarika explained today: 'I was a bit nervous about how to introduce him. It's been a huge fandangle over his title. 'I said 'what do you call him?' and they said just call him Harry.' She added that 'while there are those who don't like him', Meghan and Harry 'have a huge platform'. Presenter Susanna Reid retorted: 'I'm not sure it's about not liking them. But Harry is talking about sustainable travel, so rather than flying in why wouldn't you skype into the conference?' Prince Harry, 35, is pictured addressing delegates at the Travalyst conference in Edinburgh yesterday The journalist replied: 'First of all the conference is about four pillars of travel, not just aviation. Host Ayesha Hazarika, a former Labour adviser and broadcaster, tweeted a picture of her with Harry today 'Yes he flew here from Canada, but he got the train up. 'We are a generation where we fly, we fly all over the world to see our loved ones, for work. That is not really going to change all that much. 'The question is how do we mitigate that?' Susanna then probed whether Harry had mentioned the debacle over his and Meghan's royal title. But Ms Hazarika replied simply: 'No, not at all.' She added: 'There were tonnes of experts from the travel industry there, they were just pleased to see him. 'He asked us just to call him Harry. He wanted to be accessible, informal and for people to come and chat to him. 'It was probably a nod to what you're talking about, but with the reaction he got, the way he conducted himself, he clearly doesn't need a title to be a big deal.' Meghan and Harry will cease to be working royals from March 31 or 'Megxit' as it has become known. They released a statement on the use of their branding 'Sussex Royal' after questions were raised over whether they could continue to use it after stepping down. But their statement, branded 'rude to the Queen' by Meghan's estranged father Thomas Markle and royal experts alike, claimed the monarchy has 'no jurisdiction' over the use of the term 'royal' outside of the UK. Supplier News 27 February 2020 LONDON, DALLAS and SINGAPORE - OTA Insight, the cloud-based data intelligence platform for the hospitality industry, will offer an early preview of Market Insight, its new predictive market intelligence technology that is able to capture hotel booking intent in real-time, at ITB Berlin (Stand 112b, Hall 10.1). "The way we've been looking at data to gauge booking demand all these years has been quite limited," said Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO at OTA Insight. "Hotels have traditionally based revenue decisions primarily on OTB data, which provides some indicators on the potential for future demand, but in reality it's only part of the picture." "With a broad range of additional sources of information available that can help signal booking intent, the industry is crying out for a revolutionary technology that harnesses the true power of this data." In an industry-first, Market Insight's new breakthrough technology is built to tap into billions of carefully weighted data-points from multiple top-of-funnel data sources, ranging from hotel web searches, online reviews, flight data, events, holidays, alternative lodging inventory data to weather forecasts and uses its unique AI-powered technology to deliver location-specific and segmented demand insights. Photo: OTA Insight "From our extensive research and development efforts, some incredible insights have already come to light and we have been able to draw some clear correlations between a range of data sources which highlight booking intent and their effect on demand, so we're excited to be able to bring an early preview of the concept to ITB," said Fitzpatrick. This new real-time market intelligence technology will make it easier and faster for hotels to uncover revenue opportunities ahead of the competition and allow commercial teams to align budgets and campaigns with one clear view on future market demand. Hoteliers are invited to register to be one of the first to see the future of hotel market intelligence at ITB at Stand 112b, Hall 10.1. Media enquiries: For further press information please contact us at [email protected]. Three candidates running for Portland mayor, including incumbent Ted Wheeler, said Wednesday that the city should rethink its form of government and they would be open to governing in a different system. During a mayoral debate in Northeast Portland, Wheeler, sustainability consultant Sarah Iannarone and architect Ozzie Gonzalez said the commissioner form of government in Portland, the last major city that utilizes it, doesnt work well for its residents. Wheeler is seeking to become Portlands first two-term mayor since Vera Katz, whose tenure ended in 2004 after three terms. Iannarone ran for mayor along with Wheeler and many others in 2016 and finished third. Gonzalez is a first-time candidate for an elected Portland city government position. [Read: What Portland mayoral candidates have to say about housing, homelessness and jobs] Throughout the debate, Wheeler said he is proud of how his administration has addressed homelessness, housing, the environment, infrastructure and other city issues. He said he was running for reelection because he had a vested interest in the city and that he believes stability would benefit the city. Youve got to stick around for a while if you want to get things done, Wheeler said. Iannarone said shes offering the city an opportunity for a different path forward, including a focus on growing middle-income jobs. And Gonzalez said hes more intimately familiar with Portland businesses owned by women, people of color and other members of marginalized communities than his two opponents and said that he didnt plan to use the mayors office as a stepping stone to further political ambitions. The debate was hosted by the Columbia Corridor Association, a nonprofit business association that represent companies stretching from the Willamette River in the west to the Sandy River in the east. The majority of the crowd of about 60 people were representatives of corridor association companies. During the debate, Wheeler touted partnerships forged with Multnomah County, religious communities and others to help thousands of people either homeless or at risk of becoming losing their home and said the $258 million Portland housing bond that voters approved in 2016 has delivered more than promised and provided ahead of schedule under his leadership. He said his administration has worked to address job training and workforce development and consolidated bureaus whose primary jobs are to issue permits. Wheeler questioned if TriMet should remain an independent agency to address public transportation concerns in the city and region. He said there should be discussions of combining transit with planning and economic development strategies and suggested TriMet be considered to merge with Metro. Iannarone said the city needs a plan to address housing for people at every level of the income spectrum, more growth in middle-income jobs, a streamlined process for development and to be more open to considering unused pieces of land for more housing. She said she wants to institute policies focused on keeping people safe whether theyre housed or houseless. She said she disagrees with the citys policy of sweeping homeless camps and that she favors allowing people to stay in their cars if the only alternative is living on the street. She said she believes her experiences in the community, including as a former business owner, would allow her to more effectively bridge divides in the community than Wheelers administration. We need to look critically at what were spending and where, she said. We need to deal with the mental health crisis on our street. We need to make sure were not criminalizing people unnecessarily, and we need to make sure that were not wasting precious money that could be spent on housing and services sweeping the homeless. Gonzalez said he believes everyone who works in Portland should have a place to live in the city and the current conversation around affordable housing is only covering the housing needs of a very narrow bandwidth of people out there in our community. He said he disagreed with stopping sweeps of homeless camps. He said he favors having more underdeveloped spaces, such as parking lots, reconfigured and designated as areas for the houseless population to go if they are moved. Gonzalez, a TriMet board member, agreed with Wheeler that the transit agency hasnt done enough to meet the demands of the community. He also said government agencies need to do more to make roads safer for all types of traffic. As of Wednesday, 15 candidates have qualified to appear on the ballot in the mayors race for the May 19 primary. They include activist and lead organizer of nonprofit Don't Shoot PDX Teressa Raiford and Piper Crowell, Nikes director of global and innovation policy. The latter has not reported raising any money, according to filings published by the state elections division. The Columbia Corridor Association said Raiford was invited to participate in the debate, but she didnt attend. The association said the four candidates it invited were chosen based on who raised the most campaign funds. Four of the five seats on the Portland City Council will be on the May ballot. There are also races for the council seats of Commissioner Amanda Fritz, Commissioner Chloe Eudaly and the late Commisioner Nick Fish. Eudaly is running for re-election and Fritz is not. March 10 is the deadline for candidates to file for city office. If no candidate gains more than 50% of the votes, the top two vote-getters proceed to a runoff during the Nov. 3 general election. Wheeler, who won election without a runoff in 2016, said Portlands form of government doesnt adequately reflect the needs of the community or government accountability. He called it embarrassing that as mayor he has no oversight over transportation, fire safety or emergency preparedness. He said he supported moving toward changing the system through a citizen review of the city charter, which will likely begin in 2021. Iannarone said shed look forward to overseeing the charter review process if elected, and she said she knows of policies she believes would help city government work more efficiently. She said the charter review panel should also review of how the city engages with the community. Gonzalez said hed be prepared to work as mayor in the commission form of government or one with a city manager who oversees all the city bureaus. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 |@EvertonBailey Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 08:40:06|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Security guards work at the main entrance of the Aga Khan University Hospital where a patient of COVID-19 was admitted, in southern Pakistan's Karachi on Feb. 27, 2020. Pakistan has taken all precautionary measures to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevent its massive outbreak in the country, said Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza after two confirmed cases of the disease were reported in the country. (Str/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has taken all precautionary measures to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevent its massive outbreak in the country, said Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza after two confirmed cases of the disease were reported in the country. Mirza told a press conference Wednesday night that one of the patient has tested positive in the southern port city of Karachi while the other is being treated in isolation wards of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. The close relatives of one of the patients all tested negative, while the screening of the family members of the other patient is underway, he added. Mirza said both patients had a recent history of travelling to Iran, adding that both are in stable condition and are provided with the best possible medical facilities. "I am sure that the number of patients from the disease will be very low in the country as we have declared a kind of emergency against the disease days ago, and there is unity in the country to stop its spread," he said. Though Mirza did not reveal identities and details of the patients, history sheet of one of the patients from the Directorate General of Health Services of Sindh, where Karachi is the capital city, said the 22-year-old visited Iran with his two friends and started to show symptoms of the disease in Iran before coming back to Karachi on Feb. 20. The man reported in Aga Khan University Hospital of the city on Feb. 26 when his cough got serious. He was immediately sent to isolation ward and later tested positive of the disease. Spokesman of PIMS Waseem Khawaja told Xinhua that they received a suspected patient with a recent history of travelling to Iran at the hospital. The 61-year-old was shifted to an isolation ward as he was showing strong symptoms of COVID-19. He said the man belonging to the country's north Gilgit-Baltistan area arrived in Pakistan from Iran a few days ago, and started showing signs of the disease upon his return to Pakistan. Mirza said that "both cases are being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols," and things are well under their control. Pakistan is screening all passengers coming from Iran at airports and land borders, and special isolation wards have been formed to shift the suspects for coronavirus test. Following the official announcement of the confirmed cases of the disease by Mirza, Sindh and Balochistan provinces have announced holidays in schools, directing the kids to stay indoors. Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday criticised the "massacres" of Muslims in India after riots in New Delhi left at least 38 dead. "India right now has become a country where massacres are widespread. What massacres? Massacres of Muslims. By who? Hindus," Erdogan said during a speech in Ankara after violence broke out this week in Delhi over a citizenship law. Over 200 people were injured and 38 killed since late Sunday in clashes that saw mobs fight running battles, armed with swords and guns. Thousands of properties and vehicles were torched in the violence. Erdogan, a devout Muslim, sees himself as a defender of Islam, often taking public stands on issues concerning the faith and its followers. He accused the mobs attacking Muslims of hurting children studying in private tuition centres with "metal sticks as if to kill" them. "How will these people make global peace possible? It is impossible. When making speeches -- since they have a large population -- they say 'we are strong' but that is not strength," Erdogan added. An Indonesian official who claimed women can get pregnant by swimming in a pool where men had ejaculated is now facing sanctions by the government. Sitti Hikmawatty, a member of the child protection commission, made the comments while being interviewed about teen pregnancy by a major newspaper. A three-member panel has now been established to rule on whether she should be punished after her remarks embarrassed the government. 'This should serve as a lesson for all officials to be extra careful when they make public statements,' the newly formed commission's chairman Susanto, who goes by one name, said. Sitti Hikmawatty, an Indonesian child protection commissioner, is facing punishment after she claimed that women can get pregnant if they swim in a pool where a man has ejaculated Hikmawatty - whose name translates as 'wisdom' - had told the Jakarta Tribune that women could get pregnant 'even without penetration' in an interview last week. 'There's a certain kind of sperm that is very strong,' she told the newspaper. 'Even without penetration, men may become sexually excited (by women in the pool) and ejaculate, therefore causing a pregnancy. 'If women are in a phase where they are sexually active, (such a pregnancy) may occur. No one knows for sure how men react to the sight of women in a swimming pool.' Her claims were quickly rubbished by doctors who said semen would quickly die in chlorinated water, while she was also mocked on social media. The Indonesian Doctors Association told the Jakarta Post that women cannot be impregnated in swimming pools. Indonesian blogger doctor, called Blog Dokter, said in response to her claims: 'Once again, I remind you, if you do not understand health problems, it's better to be quiet. Instead of your comments causing anxiety and panic. 'I will emphasise here, swimming with the opposite sex will not cause pregnancy. Not all men who swim ejaculate and sperm cannot live in chlorinated pool water, let alone swim into the vagina.' The head office of the Indonesian Child Protection Office (KPAI) pictured in the capital Jakarta She has faced ridicule on social media. Photos have been uploaded of her shaking hands with a senior commissioner with the reflection of pool water pasted over the top. One Twitter user wrote: 'When there is a flood. Ordinary people: Save ourselves and other valuables. Sitti Wisdom: Please separate men and women so that no one gets pregnant.' A cartoon strip has also been posted online showing a women getting pregnant after she enters flood waters with a man. The chairman of the KPAI, Susanto, has issued a statement saying her claims do not represent the views of the organisation. 'We hereby state that KPAI's understanding and attitude are not reflected in the online news narrative.' Ms Hikmawatty issued an apology on Sunday. 'I apologise to the publi for giving an incorrect statement,' she said. 'It was a personal statement and not from KPAI. I hereby revoke the statement. I plead with all parties not to disseminate it further or even make it available.' A 24-year-old Huntsville man has been identified as the person found dead in a cell at the Madison County jail this week. Letorryne James Taylor was declared dead after being found unresponsive in his cell just after 4 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the Madison County sheriffs office, which operates the jail. Its not yet clear what caused Taylors death, said sheriffs spokesman Brent Patterson in an interview with AL.com. Taylors body has been sent for an autopsy at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Family members werent immediately available for comment. Huntsville police arrested Taylor on Tuesday night on a felony charge of second-degree assault, the authorities said. Taylor was accused of assaulting a paramedic from the local ambulance service, Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc. It happened when emergency crews were called to check on a person who was lying on the ground next to a truck at Jefferson Street and Clinton Avenue in downtown, said Don Webster, a spokesman for the ambulance service. Taylor was also charged with a felony count of promoting prison contraband when jail staff found methamphetamine in his possession during an search, Sheriff Kevin Turners office said in a news release. Taylor was housed in a single-occupant cell after being booked in to the jail around 9:45 p.m. He was found unresponsive the next day at 4:10 p.m., about 30 minutes after his last cell check, said Patterson, the sheriffs office spokesman. There were no signs of trauma or injuries to Taylors body, Patterson said. Its unclear how long it could take for the autopsy to determine cause of death. When people are brought to jail and we find them unresponsive, we will use every available resource to determine what the cause of death is, Patterson said. Mahura Nichiro, New Roads School, Accor Hospitality Group Top the 2020 REBRAND 100 REBRAND revealed the 2020 REBRAND 100 Global Awards winners. The full list of winners showcased at REBRAND.com includes: Projects launched between January 2017 and October 2019 were eligible. The prominent, global, multidisciplinary jury reviewed the work in 37+ industries from around the world in this round. "My biggest takeaways are that creative trends are going global, the importance of purpose to drive brands is increasing, and brands stand out when they build their own unique brand archetype," said 2020 juror, Fatima da Gloria, Global Brand Director, Air France-KLM Group. Don Ryun Chang, Dean, Hongik University Graduate School of Film and Communications noted, "I was immensely impressed with the collective quality of the top entries chosen from diverse regions of an increasingly interconnected world that truly communicated the most effective brand transformations." Zayn Khan, CEO, Southeast Asia, Dragon Rouge added, "I was delighted to see such diverse entrants from well-funded multi-national corporations to small non-profits around the world. The most impressive cases had meaningful insights, 'big ideas' and great storytelling." Anaezi Modu, REBRAND CEO and Executive Producer of the Awards agrees, "Each round of this unique, global review of brand change never disappoints." About REBRAND and the REBRAND 100 Global Awards REBRAND is the world's leading platform for brand transformation insights, case examples, and programs. Celebrating 15+ years of excellence, its renowned REBRAND 100 Global Awards is the most prestigious, juried recognition for repositioned brands. Featured in media like The Wall Street Journal, BBC, articles and books, results have generated the most comprehensive global library of brand change. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005607/en/ Coronavirus in Iran: Health Experts Question Officially Reported Infection Numbers 02/27/20 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Grave Concerns Mounting Amid Rising Death Toll, Fears of Regional Outbreak February 26, 2020 - Amid a rising death toll in Iran from the COVID-19 coronavirus strain, public health experts are suggesting that the number of infections in the country is significantly higher than those officially reported by the Iranian government. "[Iranian authorities] don't want to admit that they're facing a major outbreak," said public health expert Kamiar Alaei in an interview with the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) on February 26, 2020. Alaei noted that the Iranian health care system has the capacity and infrastructure to counter a coronavirus outbreak, but state officials had not rapidly and effectively mobilized their resources "due to political concerns." "Because they hid the outbreak in Iran, health guidelines were not promptly updated, and healthcare workers were not trained on how to deal with; nobody was prepared or ready for it," said Alaei, who helped develop harm reduction programs in Iran that were focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and other infectious diseases. An Iranian health ministry spokesman announced on February 26, 2020, that 19 people had died from COVID-19 and 139 had tested positive with it. But an earlier statement by a lawmaker in the city of Qom, where the outbreak is believed to have started, claimed that 50 people had died from it as of February 13. Official Iran's statistics on coronavirus as of February 27th Infections: 247 Deaths: 26 However, a group of Toronto-based scientists and doctors suggested that the actual number of infections could be closer to 18,000. Their preliminary epidemiological study was published online on February 24. "Given the low volumes of air travel to countries with identified cases of COVID-19 with origin in Iran (such as Canada), it is likely that Iran is currently experiencing a COVID-19 epidemic of significant size," noted the study published by the medRXiv website, an online archive and distribution server that prints preliminary, non-peer-reviewed studies related to the medical, clinical, and related health sciences. "A large epidemic in Iran could further fuel global dissemination of COVID-19," said the study. Officials' Delayed Acknowledgments Left Healthcare Workers Misinformed, Vulnerable In the interview with CHRI, Alaei, who left Iran after both he and his brother were detained under trumped-up charges without due process, suggested that the reason Iran's mortality rate from COVID-19 is higher than the global average is that the government has not yet reported the country's actual number of infections. "After several weeks of denials, Iran began reporting its first few cases of coronavirus, but those were deaths, not infections, and definitely those who died had been infected for a while, which means a greater population could have been infected with milder symptoms," he said. Alaei added that Iranian officials may have initially suppressed news of the outbreak because they didn't want to dissuade people from attending the recent revolutionary anniversary celebrations or from going to the polls to vote in the parliamentary elections. "This disabled the healthcare system and left healthcare workers misinformed about what they're supposed to do," he said. Iranian officials have denied reports that healthcare workers have died from COVID-19, including one report about Narjes Khanalizade, a 25-year-old nurse in the city of Lahijan, Gilan Province, who officials claimed died from influenza. Coverage of Narjes Khanalizade's death (source: Iranian daily Aftab Yazd) CHRI has meanwhile been informed by a credible source that two doctors have died from the COVID-19 in a hospital in Tehran. But the deaths have not been officially announced and their colleagues have been warned by unidentified state agents to refrain from publicizing the news, according to the source who requested anonymity for security reasons. Growing doubts over the government's ability to stop the virus from spreading have meanwhile been compounded by repeated instances of state officials concealing information from the public about issues of national concern such as the Revolutionary Guards' accidental downing of a passenger jet, as well as by government officials tasked with countering the virus testing positive for it themselves. "The Iranian health system is very well established, it has good infrastructure, good human resources, well-trained doctors and health workers," Alaei told CHRI. "But how can they be expected to do their job right if they're not properly informed and mobilized due to the government's political concerns?" he asked. The Ukrainian side at a meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas called for a full ceasefire, the opening of new checkpoints on the contact line and the release of detainees. Darka Olifer, the spokesperson for Ukraine's representative in the TCG Leonid Kuchma, wrote this on her Facebook page following the TCGs meeting in Minsk on February 26, 2020. "The Ukrainian side called on the Russian Federation to ensure a ceasefire, open new checkpoints on the contact line, release the detainees, provide access for representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross," she wrote. The Ukrainian side said that an attempt by the illegal armed groups of ORLO to organize a provocation on February 18 could undermine the process of peaceful settlement in Donbas. Olifer noted that systemic ceasefire violations are not just slowing down, but throwing back the process of peaceful settlement. On February 26, the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on the peaceful settlement of the situation in eastern Ukraine met in Minsk, Belarus. ish (Newser) One of the strangest police chases in a while is in the books, with a suspect in custody. Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies recovered a stolen Lincoln Navigator Thursday morning following a freeway pursuit, reports ABC7. The odd part? The vehicle was doubling as a hearse, and it had been stolen from outside a Pasadena church on Wednesday eveningwith a casket and corpse inside. Police recovered both the casket and the body after the chase. One unidentified suspect was in custody. Earlier, the sheriff's office had urged the thief to do the right thing: "Out of all the bad decisions you have made, at least make one good one," read a department tweet. (A similar thing happened in Mexico.) A man accused of murdering journalist Lyra McKee has been granted bail. The 29-year-old was shot dead by dissident republicans while observing a riot in Derry in April last year. An extremist group styling itself as the New IRA said it carried out the killing. Paul McIntyre, 52, appeared before a district judge in Londonderry via video link from prison on Thursday. Judge Barney McElholm said: "Society is demanding justice for Lyra McKee. But justice is no good if one-sided, biased or not seen to be unscrupulously honest." "I will grant Mr McIntyre bail," he added. Police believe the man accused of murdering the journalist was the same height as someone seen picking up casings from bullets used to kill her, a detective told the court. But Mr McIntyre's defence cast doubt on the credibility of an expert witness and the matching of photos of him with images from the night. The solicitor said the issues were "insurmountable". Ms McKee was standing near a police vehicle when she was hit by a bullet fired by a masked gunman towards officers in April last year. An officer told Mr McElholm a mapping expert had visited the scene to confirm that a person photographed there was the same height as Mr McIntyre. He is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and belonging to or professing to be a member of a proscribed organisation. His address was given in court as Kinnego Park in Derry. Dressed in a red jumper, he sat throughout the hearing. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, who died during the Delhi violence, was cremated here on Thursday, as thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to the officer in his native village Etawah. "No one will be spared in the Delhi violence case, irrespective of any party," Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan, who attended the last rites of Ankit Sharma, said. Sharma's body was recovered from North-East Delhi's Chand Bagh area in Delhi on Wednesday. Ankit's father Ravinder Kumar has stated that his son was attacked while he was returning from duty. An FIR was registered on Thursday against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councilor Tahir Hussain for allegedly murdering Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma. The FIR was registered at Dayalpur Police Station based on the complaint of Sharma's father Ravinder Kumar. At least 38 people, including a police head constable, have died, while around 200 people have been injured in the Delhi violence since February 24. Moreover, properties worth crores of rupees have been damaged after clashes took place between two opposing factions over the newly-amended Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least one Massachusetts mayor is optimistic following news that Eversource Energy will purchase the Massachusetts natural gas assets of Columbia Gas. Glad that we can begin to turn the page, said Dan Rivera, the mayor of Lawrence. Eversource announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement to purchase Columbia Gas of Massachusetts operations from NiSource for $1.1 billion. The announcement came the same day as the announcement that Columbia Gas of Massachusetts has agreed to pay a criminal fine of $53 million in a plea agreement with federal prosecutors over the 2018 gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley region that killed one person, injured many others and damaged homes and businesses. Rivera said he hopes prosecutors ensure that part of the fine and proceeds of the sale of the company will go to benefit the victims of the explosions and their families. This can come in a direct credit for gas to the ratepayers, or lump sum payments, he said. Eversource and NiSource expect to close the transaction by the end of the third quarter of this year, bringing operations under local ownership by the largest energy company in New England. Rivera has publicly battled with Columbia Gas officials. On Sept. 13, 2018, an over-pressurized natural gas line set off a series of fires and explosions in three Merrimack Valley communities. The explosions and fires damaged 131 structures, killed one person, drove thousands from their homes in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, and sent to the hospital at least 21 people, including two firefighters. More than 2,000 families lived in temporary housing - some for weeks, others months - in the aftermath. 7 Whos going to pay for what I lost? Business owners say they still await claim payment, six months after Columbia Gas explosions Immediately following the explosions, Columbia Gas was slow to address the issue. The day after the explosion, Rivera accused gas officials of hiding" from the public. The least informed and the last to act have been Columbia Gas, Rivera said during heated remarks. It just seems like theres no one in charge, theyre in the weeds. Within 24 hours of the explosions, Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency, authorizing the chairman of the department of public utilities to authorize Eversource to take management control over the coordinated effort to restore utility services in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. The prospects of Eversource taking over brings with it a level of trust given that they came in under the Governors emergency order and made quick work of getting people back in their homes after the explosions, Rivera said Thursday. They have shown us to date that they can focus on people not just gas lines. Rivera said Eversource will need to work to earn long-term trust from customers who were left scared and skeptical of gas service following the explosions. Additionally, he wants to see Columbia Gas, and its parent company NiSource, live up to all of its responsibilities financial and otherwise before the utility assets change hands. Related Content: Gurugram, Feb 27 : Samsung on Thursday announced an additional bonus of upto Rs 5,000 on the Galaxy S20 series in exchange of their old smartphones. In terms of pricing, the Galaxy S20 smartphone in India will cost Rs 66,999, while the S20+ is priced Rs 73,999 and the Galaxy S20 Ultra at Rs 92,999. Potential consumers pre-booking the Galaxy S20+ and S20 Ultra can purchase Galaxy Buds+ at Rs 1,999 and consumers purchasing the Galaxy S20 can buy them at Rs 2,999. One can also avail Samsung Care+ (accidental and liquid damage protection) at just Rs 1,999 against the original price of Rs 3,999. Samsung Care+ offers complete protection for phone from any kind of accidental physical or liquid damage. This includes front screen and covers phone from any liquid damage for a period of one year. Additionally, the smartphone manufacturer has also collaborated with different networks like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone to provide discounted plans to Galaxy S20 users. Jio users will get double data benefits with additional one-year unlimited services with Jio's annual plan of Rs 4,999 annual plan. Airtel customers can also avail double data benefits on the recharging with Rs 298 or Rs 398 for the first 10 consecutive recharges. Similarly, Vodafone and Idea customers can avail double data on recharge of Rs 399 along with 56 days validity for the first six recharges. In terms of specifications, Galaxy S20 comes in Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink colours; Galaxy S20+ comes in Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cosmic Black and Galaxy S20 Ultra comes in Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black colours. The Galaxy S20 series comes with a 25W fast charger (S20 Ultra supports 45W superfast charging). S20 houses 4000mAh battery, S20+ has 4,500mAh battery while Ultra has a huge 5,000mAh battery. The entire series is equipped with massive storage as standard -- S20 in 128GB variant LTE version with 8GB variant while S20+ and S20 Ultra in in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB variants. S20 and S20+ have a triple camera system at the rear with main 64MP camera and a 10MP selfie shooter while S20 Ultra has main 108MP camera and 40MP front camera. Saudi Arabia on Thursday suspended visas for pilgrims wishing to visit Mecca over fears of Covid-19, the foreign ministry said. The visa suspension is coming some months ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage. This move came as the Middle East has over 240 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus. Neighbouring countries such as Iran, Kuwait and Bahrain have all reported confirmed cases of the disease. This decision by Saudi Arabia stops foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca, the Kaaba, and will also affect travel to Prophet Muhammads mosque in Medina. Authorities have also suspended entry to the kingdom to those with tourist visas from nations affected by the new virus. This will affect the holy pilgrimage known as Umrah, which can be performed at any time of the year. The decision showed the Saudi authorities are worried about the outbreak potentially spreading into the country and are trying to keep out the epidemic as much as possible. Diseases outbreaks have always been a concern surrounding the hajj, as thousands of pilgrims attend from all over the world. With the nature of the new coronavirus, the Saudi authorities might not be able to combat an outbreak of such magnitude. Middle East Although there has been a decline in the cases reported from China, fresh cases are constantly on the rise in some parts of Asia, Europe and the Middle East. While Saudi Arabia is yet to report any confirmed case of the disease, Iran is currently the hot-spot for the disease in the Middle East. Iran now has the highest death toll from the virus 22 dead from among 141 confirmed cases outside of China, where the outbreak began. READ ALSO: Also, two top Iranian government officials in the country the deputy minister of Health and an MP are among those who have contracted the disease. The epicentre in Iran is the holy Shiite city of Qom, where the faithful in reverence reach out to kiss and touch a famous shrine. The Iranian government has also refused the quarantine measures, saying it is too traditional. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said there were no immediate plans to quarantine cities but acknowledged it may take one, two or three weeks to get control of the virus in Iran. Also, Kuwait announced that the cases in the country have risen to 43 cases from 26 on Thursday. All the cases confirmed were also linked to travelers who recently came from Iran. Other countries in the region which have confirmed at least a case of Coronavirus are Iraq and Bahrain, all linking cases to Iran. Iraq As of Thursday, Iraq reported six cases of the virus and link all cases to travellers from neighbouring country, Iran. Iraqi authorities have, however, taken drastic measures to stem the spread by ordering schools and universities closed for 10 days, starting Thursday. The government also banned public gatherings and ordered the closure of cinemas, cafes, clubs and other social forums for the same period. AFP said it was not immediately clear whether the ban on public gatherings would include anti-government protest sites such as Baghdads landmark Tahrir Square, where demonstrators have been staging a sit-in for months. Seattle, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2020 -- The global rigid packaging market was valued at US$ 529.97 billion in 2016 and is slated to reach US$ 753.39 billion by 2025, registering a CAGR of 4.05% during the forecast period (2017-2025). Plastic is the most widely used material in rigid packaging, as it offers high chemical resistance, high strength, and toughness in comparison to glass, which is more brittle. Its low weight allows greater flexibility during transit, which results in both space and fuel efficiency. Moreover, plastic is more easily recycled than glass, and this has resulted in its dominance in the global rigid packaging market. Despite its numerous advantages, plastic is non-biodegradable and is a major source of environmental pollution, which has led to a major shift in preference towards sustainable packaging. Thus, paper and paperboard are increasingly being utilized as a replacement for plastic packaging. According to the U.S. Forest and Paper Association, the country recycled over 70% of its used paper in 2016. While, on the other hand, metal, wood and glass are slowly losing their importance due to their high manufacturing costs and lack of flexibility. Request to Get the PDF Sample of the Report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/846 Global Rigid Packaging Market Insights Asia Pacific is projected to witness the fastest growth in the global rigid packaging market over the forecast timeline. High demand for rigid packaging products in the pharmaceutical industry in emerging economies such as India and China is one of the major factors driving the demand for rigid packaging in the region. Increasing infant and geriatric population has led to the heightened demand for healthcare products. Moreover, affordable healthcare in countries such as Thailand and India has boosted medical tourism sector in the region. According to the Indian Ministry of Tourism and Culture, in 2016, 361,060 foreign patients visited India for medical treatments. The North America and Europe markets are also expected to exhibit significant growth, owing to high consumption of consumer goods and electronics. Furthermore, the pharmaceuticals industry in these regions is highly matured and due to the high prevalence of lifestyle diseases in these regions, the market in the region is projected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The rigid packaging market in North America was valued at US$ 74.4 billion in 2016, while Europe stood at US$ 98.6 billion in the same year. High disposable income of the population in the GCC of the Middle East has led to an increased consumerism in the region. Electronics and consumer goods sales have significantly risen, driving the rigid packaging industry as well. Political and economic turmoil in Syria, Iraq and Iran has resulted in a declining market in these countries. This has been compensated by high growth in the GCC countries. The rigid packaging market in Latin America is experiencing a significant growth at present. Brazil has the fourth largest pharmaceutical industry in the world. Argentina, Mexico and Brazil are also among the largest producers of non-patented generic drugs, which are exported to over 40 countries. Mexico being a member of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has access to the lucrative markets of U.S and Canada which has resulted in Mexico becoming a manufacturing hub for international pharmaceutical companies. However, other end-use industries in the region are stagnant and may hinder market growth. The Latin America rigid packaging was valued at US$ 61.4 billion in 2016 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 3.31% during the forecast period. Buy This Complete A Business Report: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/846 Global Rigid Packaging Market Competitive Backdrop The global rigid packaging market is extremely competitive and consolidated, with the presence of well-known market players, including E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Honeywell International Inc., Mondi Group Plc, Amcor Ltd., Sonoco Products Company, Sealed Air Corporation, Alwin Lehner GmbH, and Tray Pack Corporation. Integrated project delivery offers risks and rewards for team members Degenkolb Engineers shares a few lessons learned after 10 years of working on IPD teams. By KENDA SALISBURY and JAY LOVE Degenkolb Engineers Salisbury Love After more than 10 years working on integrated project delivery (IPD) teams, Degenkolb Engineers has learned many lessons. As IPD becomes more prevalent and accepted by owners as a viable project delivery process, its helpful to understand the strengths of the process. The Lean Construction Institute defines IPD as a project delivery approach that integrates people, systems, business structures, and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to reduce waste and optimize efficiency through all phases of the project, from early design through project handover. IPD requires a change in thinking of the entire design and construction team. By bringing the entire team together from the beginning stages of the project, they can consider all aspects in every conversation. Degenkolb Engineers has provided structural engineering services for more than $4 billion in IPD and lean-driven health care and education projects. This experience includes: Sutter Healths California Pacific Medical Center, Van Ness Campus (CPMC Van Ness): 13-story, 1 million-square-foot acute care hospital with 247 patient beds, diagnostic and treatment centers, and subterranean parking. Photo by Brett Drury [enlarge] The new CPMC Van Ness hospital in San Francisco is the first building in the U.S. to use viscous wall dampers. Without them, the hospital would have required up to 60% more steel. Sutter Healths California Pacific Medical Center, Mission Bernal Campus (CPMC Mission Bernal): Seven-story, 215,000-square-foot acute care hospital with 120 patient beds, operating suites, expanded maternity ward and emergency room, and acute geriatric unit. Sutter Healths Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Merritt Tower: 11-story, 250,000-square-foot acute care hospital with 238 patient beds and inpatient acute rehabilitation treatment center. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Joan and Sanford I. Weill Institute for Neurosciences: 274,000-square-foot research facility for psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery, and basic neuroscience with desktop research, clinical research and clinical care space. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Research and Academic Building at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center: Five-story, 175,000-square-foot laboratory research and academic facility. Team culture A strong IPD requires active facilitation and participation. A significant investment of time is needed to build the individual relationships and culture of the team as a whole. Strong relationships and trust create psychological safety and collaboration, allowing the team to take risks. The environment created must allow all ideas to come to the table. A common theme heard amongst our IPD project teams is staffing continuity. Teams must have a process for onboarding and offboarding team members. There must be a commitment to maintaining continuity of project knowledge and team culture, said Ray Pugliesi, Degenkolb senior principal and project manager for the UCSF Weill Institute. Including design and preconstruction personnel needs to be supplemented by construction superintendents and foremen who will be out on the project site. Field staff are best equipped to tell you if your design is feasible for construction. IPD is an intentional process and requires agreement from all parties. There are differing opinions on whether IPD can be executed with traditional contracting methods or if an Integrated Form of Agreement (IFOA) is needed. IFOA is a tri-party agreement between the owner, contractor and architect. The IPD IFOA shares the project risks and rewards proportionate to team members financial and technical involvement. To date, our experience centers around IFOA-based IPD projects. Pulling together The CPMC Mission Bernal project team encountered a difficult situation late in construction. All of our target costs started creeping up and our contingency started to disappear, explained Carrie Mitchell, Degenkolb principal and project manager for structural design. The team pulled together and created a new plan and schedule for the entire project to stabilize key project indicators. I dont think the team would have pulled together without the IFOA, she said. The IFOA encouraged the team to pull together, without pointing fingers, saving approximately 85% of the projects profit. Its imperative to keep project goals top of mind for the entire team every week. Wayne Low, Degenkolb senior principal and project manager for structural design for Sutters Alta Bates Summit Merritt Tower, participated in an IPD research study at UC Berkeley. In our research we found that it only takes one partner to send the whole project awry, Low said. Not all parties of the design and construction team participated in the IFOA for one project. One team member didnt participate and had a large scope of construction responsibilities and fell behind on delivery. This team member was unresponsive to the team, causing constraints for the project as a whole. People always put their own interests first if theyre not financially tied together, Low said. IPD encourages team members to bring all possible design and construction solutions to the table and to keep all of these options open until the team makes final design decisions. For Sutter Health, the ability of their facilities to function after a large earthquake is key. At CPMC Van Ness, the team explored traditional code-based structural design and looked at developing technologies and practices. Structural engineers proposed a hybrid steel moment-frame design incorporating viscous wall dampers. Developed in Japan over the past 30 years, viscous wall dampers absorb strong movement and reduce overall stress on the building. CPMC Van Ness is the first building in the United States to use viscous wall dampers. The wall dampers absorb about 90% of the energy from an earthquake and have the added benefit of augmenting the strength of the building. Without the wall dampers, the hospital would have required up to 60% more steel. Factoring in the cost of the wall dampers with structural steel, the design saved 25% of the total cost of the buildings structural steel. While IPD is still relatively new to design and construction, it is imperative to understand the process as a whole, the time and commitment needed by each team member, and the importance of shared risk and reward. Kenda Salisbury and Jay Love are Degenkolb engineers. Other Stories: Alexa Negron Luciano, transgender and homeless, walked the streets of Puerto Rico neighborhoods hunched over, with a long towel covering her jet-black tresses. She was a well-known figure on Puerto Rico social media, where people frequently posted photos and comments mocking her as something of an oddball bag lady. On Sunday, the mockery turned deadly. Someone posted photos of Ms. Negron being questioned by the police for supposedly peeping at another customer in a womens bathroom at a fast-food restaurant, and the post went viral. Not 12 hours later, she was framed in the headlights of a car and shot to death amid a cackle of laughter her final moments apparently also posted on social media. At 27, Ms. Negron became the latest example in a long legacy of violence against gay and transgender people in Puerto Rico. Thy Chea held his 1-year-old son in his arms Wednesday night as they stood in Boston Logan International Airports baggage claim area. The last time Chea was in the United States, the boy was in his mothers womb. Im feeling so grateful, Chea said, adding he spent 18 months from his partner, Victoria Un, and their two children. This is my first time holding him. Chea, 50, of Lowell, reunited with his family after 18 months apart following his deportation to Cambodia. After multiple failed attempts, the green card holder was granted travel documents to re-enter the country to fight the immigration case that initially triggered his removal. Its been a really long fight trying to get Thy back, and its been a fight not just in the courts, but really by his family, by his community," said Bethany Li, an attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services who represents Chea. Li said Chea is the fourth Cambodian refugee to be re-admitted to the U.S. after being deported and the first Cambodian on the East Coast to hold that distinction. At age 10, Chea and his family fled Cambodias Kmer Rouge regime, which killed at least 2 million people in the 1970s. They lived in a refugee camp in Thailand before entering the United States as a refugee in 1981, obtaining a green card. Chea moved to Massachusetts in 1994 after living in New Orleans and then California with his family, according to court documents. He held steady jobs, but fell into legal trouble. In 1999, he pleaded guilty to assault and battery and threat to commit a crime." In 2000, he was ordered deported. Chea was allowed to remain in the country under an order of supervision, an arrangement where Immigration and Customs Enforcement allows immigrants to remain in the country as long as they check in with agents periodically. Over the next two decades, Chea would meet Un and have a daughter together. Un was pregnant with their son when Chea was asked to check in early with ICE in the spring of 2018. During that visit, Chea was taken into custody. Thy Chea, his partner Victoria Un and their two children pose for a photograph with friends and activists at Boston Logan International Airport Wednesday night. Chea, 50, of Lowell, returned to the country 18 months after he was deported. The battle that led to Cheas deportation isnt entirely over. Chea requested to reopen his immigration case, but was found deportable based on his plea to the of a threat to commit a crime. He appealed again to the Board of Immigration Appeals, the highest body for interpreting immigration laws. On June 3, the BIA sided with Cheas request to reopen his immigration case and remanded the case to an immigration judge to determine whether his guilty plea is cause for deportation. Following the BIA decision, Chea requested travel documents from U.S. officials but was denied multiple times. He filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and filed another request. This time, his travel documents were issued. On Wednesday, three dozen advocates and family members gathered around the baggage claim area awaiting Cheas arrival. Some held signs that said, welcome home and unjustly deported. Others held bouquets of flowers. Kevin Lam, organizing director of the Asian American Resource Workshop, said Chea is one of dozens of Cambodians from the Lowell area who have been targeted by immigration enforcement, often for crimes they were pressured to plead guilty to without understanding the impact it could have on their immigration status. I want to share with you that his return is just one of many more that were fighting for, said Kevin Lam, organizing director of the Asian American Resource Workshop. Li said Cheas return offers hope that he wont be the only deported refugee to be able to return to the United States. We really hope that this is the start of a lot more people coming back from Cambodia, she said. The past 18 months have been devastating, Un said, but Im happy that hes back. Related Content: Trump admin. can enforce ban on Title X funds for clinics that promote abortion, Ninth Circuit rules Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Trump administration can enforce a rule denying Title X funds to family planning clinics that promote abortion. In an opinion released Monday and authored by Circuit Judge Sandra Ikuta, the Ninth Circuit vacated multiple injunctions from lower courts against the Protect Life Rule and sent it back to the lower courts for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Regulations issued in 1988, and upheld by the Supreme Court in 1991, completely prohibited the use of Title X funds in projects where clients received counseling or referrals for abortion as a method of family planning, wrote Ikuta. In light of Supreme Court approval of the 1988 regulations and our broad deference to agencies interpretations of the statutes they are charged with implementing, plaintiffs legal challenges to the 2019 rule fail. Ikuta took issue with the term Gag Rule that critics use, as Ikuta wrote that the Trump administration regulation, created in March of last year, is less restrictive than the 1988 regulations. But the 2019 rule is less restrictive in at least one important respect: a counselor providing nondirective pregnancy counseling may discuss abortion so long as the counselor neither refers for, nor encourages, abortion There is no gag on abortion counseling, noted Ikuta. Circuit Judge Richard A. Paez authored a dissent, being joined by Chief Judge Sidney R. Thomas and Circuit Judges Kim McLane Wardlaw and William Fletcher. Three separate district courts in well-reasoned opinions recognized that the Rule breaches Congresss limitations on the scope of HHSs authority and enjoined enforcement of the Rule, dissented Paez. In vacating the district courts preliminary injunctions, the majority sanctions the agencys gross overreach and puts its own policy preferences before the law. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, whose state was among those fighting the rule, denounced the Ninth Circuit opinion in a statement. This reckless rule is just another attempt by the Trump-Pence Administration to roll back womens access to reproductive healthcare, stated Becerra. Leaving women in the dark about their healthcare and restricting doctors from providing candid advice is simply not in the best interest of public health. In California, we will continue to fight for comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including safe and legal abortion. However, Steven Ertelt of Lifenews.com defended the rule, writing that it doesnt require doctors or nurses to withhold information but rather merely prevents Planned Parenthood from promoting abortion using taxpayer funds. The abortion chain could continue to receive Title X funds if it stops aborting unborn babies or if it completely separates its abortion business from the real health care services it provides, stated Ertelt. Meanwhile, community health centers vastly outnumber Planned Parenthoods and provide far more comprehensive medical services to low-income and minority women across the country. They still have access to those funds, assuring that low-income individuals still will have options for their medical needs. SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser also celebrated the 7-4 ruling. Abortion is not family planning and a strong majority of Americans including 42 percent of Independents and more than one third of Democrats oppose taxpayer funding of abortion," she said. Roger Waters recited the English version of Aamir Aziz's poem and said that the poet was fighting against Prime Minister Narendra Modis fascist and racist Citizenship law Pink Floyd's co-founder Roger Waters recited verses from poet Aamir Azizs Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega during an event in London while demanding the release of Wikileaks' founder, Julian Assange. A report by The Quint noted that on 22 February, addressing those gathered, Waters said, "Julian is why we are here today, but this is no parochial protest. We are today part of a global movement, a global movement that might be the beginning of the global enlightenment that this fragile planet so desperately needs." The Pink Floyd guitarist attempted to put Assange's arrest in a global context drawing on the protests in India and other parts of the world including Chile, Lebanon, Colombia, Bolivia, and France. Waters recited the English version of Aziz's poem and said that the poet was fighting against Prime Minister Narendra Modis fascist and racist Citizenship law, a report in The Indian Express added. The passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has sparked nationwide protests both, against and in favour of the amended citizenship law. The poem was released by Aziz two months ago when citizens in New Delhi first took to the streets to protest against the CAA. Here is what Waters recited: Everything will be remembered. Killers, we will become ghosts and write of your killings, with all the evidence. You write jokes in courts, we will write justice on the walls. We will speak so loudly that even the deaf will hear. We will write so clearly that even the blind will read. You write injustice on the earth, We will write revolution in the sky. 'If the police had imposed curfew when the trouble began, it would have made news, no doubt, that Trump is here and one third of Delhi is under curfew, but at least lives could have been saved.' IMAGE: Security forces patrol a street in a riot-affected area in Delhi, February 26, 2020. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters "The police and home minister did not take professional decisions. When you don't behave professionally, luck also deserts you," Vibhuti Narain Rai, former director general of police, Uttar Pradesh, tells Archana Masih/Rediff.com. During his tenure in uniform, Mr Rai researched the role of the police during communal strife. His dissertation on combating communal conflict is used as an important handbook on the relationship between the State and minorities. You have said in the past that no riot can last more than 24 hours unless the State wants it to continue. Why was the Delhi police unable to control the situation in the national capital? It is the failure of the Delhi police. The Delhi police is under the central government and the shots are called by the home ministry and Home Minister Amit (Anilchandra) Shah. The Delhi police allowed the build-up at Shaheen Bagh that caused the shutdown of a road used by 500,000 commuters every day. If protest is a Constitutional right, then the commuters's right to a road is also a Constitutional right. The BJP thought Shaheen Bagh would help it in the Delhi election, but it did not serve its purpose. Shaheen Bagh and the Delhi violence validates my thinking that this was allowed to escalate by the ruling party. (Delhi Chief Minister Arvind) Kejriwal may not be secular in the real sense, but knew that the Muslims had no option and would support him. He did not go to Shaheen Bagh and did not utter a single word in sympathy with the protestors. Rather, he said if the police was under his control, he would have cleared Shaheen Bagh. The situation that ensued is an example of the political interference in the working of the Delhi police. The police was not allowed to clear the unlawful and unauthorised dharna. Interference from the home ministry has crippled the Delhi police, and the police commissioner has proved useless. Why could the government not have stopped this situation from spiraling out of control considering the violence and arson occurred when the US president was in the city? The Delhi police must be committed to ensuring the security and stay of the US president. The last thing the Modi government would have wanted is a situation where the police uses force or imposes a curfew while President Trump was in the city. Though in the end, the violence and deaths attracted the worst kind of publicity. If the police had imposed curfew when the trouble began, it would have made news, no doubt, that Trump is here and one third of Delhi is under curfew, but at least lives could have been saved. This was a result of the lack of decision taking capacity of the Delhi police and political interference. Surely, the Delhi police must have more resources compared to other states. Even if there was a shortage of forces because of the commitment to Trump that does not mean that you cannot use the existing force effectively. The visuals show that the police were outnumbered and helpless. In a situation where there is a shortage of force, the best move is to impose curfew. When a curfew is announced, people go inside their houses and this saves a lot of damage. The home ministry must have thought that there would be no need for a curfew and violence would not escalate until Trump left the country. This did not happen because the police and home minister did not take professional decisions. When you don't behave professionally, luck also deserts you. Luck favours the professionals. Arvind Kejriwal has asked for the army in the riot-affected areas. The army is no solution and should not be called. If they had imposed a curfew, the situation would not have spiraled out of control. India is not Palestine or Syria that people will defy a curfew. A lot of the injured have gunshot wounds which is very disturbing. In my experience in civil disturbances the weapons used are knives, sticks or petrol cans -- but the head constable was killed by a gun shot. This is serious. The Delhi high court has directed that FIRs should be filed against those who made inciteful comments. What prevented the police from doing this? The police at times doesn't take action because of political compulsions. (BJP leader) Kapil Mishra (whose comments are alleged to have sparked off the violence) could have been booked. Not only him, but all those who tried to block Jafrabad station should also be booked for unauthorised blocking of public space. What would be the solution for those who want to protest peacefully without impinging on the right of movement of others? They should have been shifted to a place designated for protest like Jantar Mantar. Allahabad is also having a protest like Shaheen Bagh, but they are not blocking any road. A park in a densely populated Muslim area is being used for the protest. Protestors sit in public places for attention and publicity which would not be the same if they sat on a dharna in a park. How should the situation be dealt with? At least they should not have allowed any other Shaheen Bagh to come up. Jafrabad should not have been allowed and Kapil Mishra should not have been allowed to say what he did. What should be done to prevent the situation from deteriorating further? CCTV footage should be scanned and those instigating and indulging in riots should be booked and not let to go scot free. You have said before that we are becoming more cruel and less civilised. Why? You saw a crowd beating a helpless person sitting on the ground. We are becoming more cruel and less civilised. As a society we have considered more than 50% of our brethren worse than animals because of the caste system. We have treated animals better than human beings. We gradually set ourselves on the path of getting more civilised. This violence shows we have a long way to go. Over the last 70 years, we have maybe become a lame democracy. BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- eDreams ODIGEO (www.edreamsodigeo.com), Europe's largest online travel company with over 18 million customers and one of the largest European e-commerce businesses, today reported its results for the nine months of the fiscal year 2020. 9M RESULTS HIGHLIGHTS 9M performance in line with guidance - Bookings, following the completion of our strategic revenue model shift, started to show faster growth. During 3Q fiscal year 2020, Bookings grew by 5% year-on-year, and reached 8.3 million in 9M fiscal year 2020, up 2% versus 9M fiscal year 2019 - Revenue Margin was up 8% year-on-year to 412.9 million, due to an increase in Revenue Margin per booking of 6% - Adjusted EBITDA rose 10% to 86.8 million ( 9M fiscal year 2019: 79.1 million) - Adjusted Net Income increased 46% to 31.4 million - Cash position improved by 47% to 71.7 million (net of overdrafts) ( 9M fiscal year 2019: 48.9 million) - Net leverage ratio reduced to 2.9x from 3.9x in December 2018 . Strategic initiatives delivering strong results. - Diversification Revenue up 29% year-on-year, 86% larger than our Classic Customer Revenues - Revenue Diversification Ratio up to 51% (from 43%) - Product Diversification Ratio up to 82% (from 68%) Acquisition Cost per Booking Index reduced by 31 pp since fiscal year 2015, and Repeat Booking Rate rose to 41% Mobile bookings up to 44% of total flight bookings versus 39% in 9M fiscal year 2019 fiscal year 2019 Industry-leading subscription programme (Prime) showing strong results. Prime subscribers grew by 110,000 to 499,000 (+28% vs 2Q FY20) and reached 555,497 on the 23rd of February 2020 Acquired Waylo, the US hotel booking technology business CURRENT TRADING & FY20 UPDATE Bookings, following the completion of our strategic revenue model shift, have shown improving performance in the first three quarters of our fiscal year. This is as anticipated and guided to the market. This growth in Bookings has accelerated during the third fiscal quarter, with December growing at 11% year-on-year After the Coronavirus outbreak, the biggest drop is in Asia . Also we have seen a drop in all our destinations, and more recently in Italy in particular. . Also we have seen a drop in all our destinations, and more recently in in particular. What we have seen since the expansion of the disease to Italy is a drop in Bookings for the entire group of 12% is a drop in Bookings for the entire group of 12% If we assume this pattern to continue for the remaining 5 weeks of FY20, we estimate the following results for the aggregate of the fiscal year: - Bookings: UP 1% vs FY19, reaching 11.3 million - Revenue Margin: UP 4% vs FY19, reaching 552 million - Adjusted EBITDA: UP 9% vs FY19, reaching 130 million Dana Dunne, CEO of eDreams ODIGEO said: ''I am pleased to report another quarter of solid results across the Group in line with our guidance. Our strategy shift to enhance revenue diversification again has delivered positive results, the 20th consecutive quarter of achieving or exceeding guidance. With leading positions in many European markets, a proprietary, market leading technology platform and the industry leading subscription model, the foundation is set for continued progress. While the impact of the coronavirus has brought a slowdown to the industry, the underlying fundamentals of online travel are strong, and once the virus is contained, a return to normal trading patterns will resume. I find comfort in the resilience of our business model and our strong financial position." (*) More information on: https://www.edreamsodigeo.com/press-releases/2020/02/9m-adjusted-ebitda-up-10-to-e86-8-million-all-key-metrics-in-line-or-above-guidance/ SOURCE eDreams ODIGEO Related Links https://www.edreamsodigeo.com FRESNO, Calif., Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The second annual Growing Together Black Farmers with Urban Farmers Conference will be held on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Fresno, California. Hosted by the West Fresno Family Resource Center and the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), the conference is open to all farmers and ranchers, yet is uniquely tailored towards black farmers and urban Farmers. "The "Growing Together" Black Farmer Conference with Urban Farmers is an open forum for farmers and ranchers to share, learn and grow together," says State Conservationist Carlos Suarez, of NRCS California. "NRCS continues to increase its outreach efforts to minority producers. African American farmers, especially in the Central Valley, constitute an important group of farmers who can benefit from USDA conservation program assistance." The free conference will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Maxie Parks Community Center, located at 1802 E. California Ave., Fresno, CA. The conference will include breakfast and lunch for participating farmers. Please contact Christine Chavez at (530) 792-5695 with any questions pertaining to the conference. This one-day statewide conference will be a great opportunity for farmers and ranchers to network and learn about resources available to them. Workshops will cover four topics: 1) access to capital and business resources; 2) youth in agriculture; 3) resources from agencies; and 4) an urban leadership roundtable. The conference will also allow time for networking with other farmers and ranchers and with more than a dozen resource booths. The registration website can be found at http://www.wfresnofrc.org/BlackFarmersConference. The West Fresno Family Resource Center was established in 2001, West Fresno Health Care Coalition (DBA: West Fresno Family Resource Center), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, serves residents of one of the poorest metropolitan communities in California's Central Valley, southwest Fresno and beyond. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is the lead USDA partner in this conference. NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources since 1935. For more information on NRCS, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov. SOURCE USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service Related Links http://www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Versa Networks, the leader in Secure SD-WAN, today announced that it will present and demonstrate Versa Secure SD-WAN at a number of important industry events in March. Versa is the leader in Secure SD-WAN, uniquely combining full-featured SD-WAN, complete integrated security, scalable advanced routing, genuine multi-tenancy, and sophisticated analytics to meet WAN Edge requirements for small to very large enterprises, as well as Service Providers. Versa enables secure, scalable, and reliable enterprise-wide networking, increasing multi-cloud application performance and dramatically driving down costs (CapEx and OpEx). Versa Secure SD-WAN is available on-premises, hosted through Service Providers, Cloud-Delivered, and via the Versa Titan service for small to mid-tier businesses. Versa will participate in the following important industry events in March: WAN Summit NYC; March 9 10; New York Hilton Midtown. Versa is exhibiting at the event in booth 11. 10; New York Hilton Midtown. Versa is exhibiting at the event in booth 11. Channel Partners Conference & Expo; Las Vegas, NV ; March 9 12; Sands Expo Convention Center. Versa is exhibiting at the event in booth 850. ; 12; Sands Expo Convention Center. Versa is exhibiting at the event in booth 850. MPLS SDN NFV World Congress; March 31 April 3 ; Paris, France ; Marriott Paris Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center. Hector Avalos , Versa Networks VP of Sales and Business Development, will present a session titled "Secure SD-Branch Use Case" on April 2 at 3:20 pm CET . Avalos will also participate in a panel titled "Adjusting SD-WAN Services to Enterprise Requirements & the Multi-vendor Approach" on April 2 at 5:50 pm CET . Versa is also exhibiting at the event in booth 403. About Versa Networks Versa Networks, the leader in Secure SD-WAN, combines full-featured SD-WAN, complete integrated security, advanced scalable routing, genuine multi-tenancy, and sophisticated analytics to meet WAN Edge requirements for small to extremely large Enterprises and Service Providers. Versa Secure SD-WAN is available on-premises, hosted through Versa Powered Service Providers, Cloud-Delivered, and via the simplified Versa Titan cloud service designed for small to mid-tier businesses. The company has transacted hundreds of thousands of software licenses globally through its global Service Providers, partners, and Enterprises. Versa Networks is privately held and funded by Sequoia Capital, Mayfield, Artis Ventures, Verizon Ventures, Comcast Ventures and Liberty Global Ventures. For more information, visit https://www.versa-networks.com or follow Versa Networks on Twitter @versanetworks. Versa Networks and Versa Titan are registered trademarks of Versa Networks, Inc. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. Contact: Dan Spalding [email protected] (408) 960-9297 SOURCE Versa Networks Related Links www.versa-networks.com The Michigan Citizens Redistricting Commission is the topic of this second Making Democracy Work Town Hall style meeting. It is being held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 13 at the Trailside Senior Center, 4700 Dublin Ave., Midland. The League of Women Voters of the Midland Area is pleased to present educational information on the implementation of the citizens Redistricting Commission. Information presented will include the history of Gerrymandering, the Redistricting Commission and the future implementation of the Commission. It will also cover how it is selected, what they will do, who is eligible and how to apply. Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi on Thursday advocated for increased use of the state's waterways for trade and commerce to ensure the North Eastern region's accessibility to the Southeast Asian countries. Mukhi said the Northeastern region has immense natural resources accounting for 34 per cent of the country's water resources and 40 per cent of hydropower potential. Therefore the waterways of Assam should be exceedingly utilised to ensure the region's accessibility to the Southeast Asian countries, the governor told a programme organised by ASSOCHAM here. Considering the vast extent of rivers Brahmaputra and Barak in the state and the status of National Waterway 2 and 16 given to these two rivers, they should be increasingly used to get access to the traditional domestic market of eastern India along with Bangladesh and ASEAN countries, he said. The governor also said because of the strategic location of the Northeast, its expanse of fertile farmland and huge untapped human capital, the area has the potential to be the country's most prosperous region. The Northeast is an unexplored territory for most investors, Mukhi said adding that ASSOCHAM can play a catalytic role in shaping up trade, commerce and industrial landscape of the region, particularly Assam. The Central government has been focusing on the development of the region through the Act East Policy, and its isolation is gradually reducing because of improvement in connectivity through road, rail, telecom, power and waterways, the governor said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vedanta Ltd is quoting at Rs 129.15, down 0.84% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The stock tumbled 23.76% in last one year as compared to a 7.62% rally in NIFTY and a 16.42% fall in the Nifty Metal index. Vedanta Ltd dropped for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 129.15, down 0.84% on the day as on 13:24 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.54% on the day, quoting at 11615.1. The Sensex is at 39648.31, down 0.6%.Vedanta Ltd has eased around 9.18% in last one month.Meanwhile, Nifty Metal index of which Vedanta Ltd is a constituent, has eased around 9.16% in last one month and is currently quoting at 2430, down 1.23% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 100.43 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 128.52 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark February futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 129.3, down 0.77% on the day. Vedanta Ltd tumbled 23.76% in last one year as compared to a 7.62% rally in NIFTY and a 16.42% fall in the Nifty Metal index. The PE of the stock is 13.94 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.) BERRIEN COUNTY, MI A Michigan man arrested earlier this month in Mexico after fleeing the country five years ago in the midst of a criminal sexual conduct investigation will now stand trial in Berrien County Circuit Court on multiple charges. William Troy Stanson, 53, was bound over to circuit court Thursday morning by Berrien County District Judge Charles T. LaSata on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct on a child under 13, as well as two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct relationship. A federal complaint was created Jan. 31 for the purpose of issuing a federal arrest warrant for Stanson on a charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Stanson, according to the complaint, was accused in 2015 of having intercourse with a minor approximately 300 times while the girl was between the ages of 6 and 17. Stanson, according to the complaint, confessed to police on July 17 2015, to having repeated intercourse with his victim, impregnating her when she was 16 years old and paying for an abortion. A warrant was issued for Stansons arrest less than a week later, according to the complaint. While investigating his whereabouts, police confirmed on Aug. 15, 2015 that Stanson had sold is pickup truck to an individual in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, a town located approximately 150 miles from the U.S./Mexico border, the complaint states. Stanson, who was awaiting sentencing in a separate case in Berrien County when he fled the country, will be sentenced March 30 on charges related to that case, Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic told MLive. Those charges include accosting a minor for immoral purposes, failing to register as a sex offender and failing to appear for sentencing. Helping lead to his international arrest, the two cases involving Stanson were featured Jan. 29 on the Investigative Discovery Network television show In Pursuit with John Walsh." Tips began to pour in hours after the show aired, which led directly to Stanson being located by authorities and his ensuing arrest on Feb. 4, a news release issued by the Michigan State Police earlier this month stated. According to the federal complaint, a neighbor of Stansons in Mexico turned him in. Once it was determined where Stanson was, the FBI obtained its warrant and requested assistance from Mexican law enforcement partners in Baja California, located in northwestern Mexico, the release stated. In five years, it was something we never took our eye off, we just kept pressing and pressing and finally were able to make the connection with the network to get it out there nationally and thats what brought it home, Michigan State Police Lt. DuWayne Robinson told MLive earlier this month. We had great support from our federal law enforcement partners and the Mexican authorities. Everybody was just tremendous in their assistance to us," Robinson said. Agencies that assisted in Stansons arrest include the Michigan State Police, Bridgman Police Department, FBI, U.S. Marshals Office, Guardia Estatal de Seguridad (Baja California, Mexico), according to the Michigan State Police. Also on MLive: Michigan man charged in 2015 sex assault on minor arrested in Mexico Michigan man charged with sexual assault of young child Former priest sentenced to two months in jail for tying up teen boy Kalamazoo woman pleads guilty to three counts of child sex abuse LANSING, MI - Whats not to love about our job? We get to hear the stories of incredible restaurants in all part of Michigan, sample the cuisine and then we get to tell you all about it. But, the truth is, we also love the nomination process of our Michigans Best searches where you share your passion for those favorite spots. That couldnt more obvious than on our current search for Michigans Best Burger. The response has been overwhelming, and were loving it. Overall we received a record 503 nominations, beating our record of 354 for Michigans Best Diner last year. Now its time to vote, which you can still do in our 12 regional polls. The deadline is noon Friday, Feb. 28. Click on the link below to vote in any and all regions. Well update poll leaders later today. RELATED: How to vote for Michigans Best Burger While we count down the final hours of voting, we thought we would share some of your passionate pleas for restaurants in the Lansing area. Enjoy reading. Look for our poll winners on Friday afternoon. Visits will take place in March. Our winners will be announced in early April. PASSIONATE PLEAS - LANSING -Westons Kewpee Burger- Olive Burger is really good. This olive Burger has recently made a trip to South Beach Wine and Food Festival to compete for Best Burger! Josh Yerian -The best burger in Michigan is located at Amys Downtown Diner in Perry, MI (115 S Main St, Perry, MI 48872). It is home cooking at its finest and one of the largest burgers you can get in the area. She offers five different burgers on the regular menu, Classic Burger, Classic Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger, Mushroom & Swiss Burger and Bacon Jalapeno Burger) as well as two larger burgers on the Go Big or Go Home menu (The open-faced chili burger with bacon & jalapenos or my personal favorite, the burger topped with BBQ sauce, bacon, grilled onions and a pickle stuffed between grilled cheese sandwiches). Amys Downtown Diner is a hidden gem in the area that opened in August 2018 and has been heavily involved in the community ever since. They also were voted Best Sandwiches by the Argus-Press Readers in their Best of the Best 2019. You will be missing out if you do not consider Amys Downtown Diner as one of the Best Burgers in Michigan. Spencer Reynolds -I would like to nominate Jameson's Irish Pub & Grill's (Brighton, MI) Jameson's Burger. The blend of Velveeta cheese, grilled onions and Thousand Island dressing makes it absolutely deelicious! And, the burger is juicy but, not messy to eat. I will be in Brighton today and plan to stop by for my 'usual' Jameson Burger (no pickles, no tomato). Kelley Graves -Champs Pub in Brighton should be on this list. Locally sourced meat from Marvs Meats cooked and topped the way you want it on the flat top right in front of you at the bar. Just a really good old school bar burger and dont forget the shoestring fries. Champs quality and consistency has stood the test of time with all of the great dining options we have in town. The beer list is the largest in the county and his signature sandwiches are also worth the trip. Try it out the next time your in Brighton! Kind Regards, John & Deb Armstrong -The best burger in Lansing Is the Pimento Cheeseburger at The Creole in old town Lansing. Skip right past Meat (which it is right next to). The pimento cheese with the peppered haystack potatoes make it outstanding. Get some portabello fries or creole poutine to go along with it. The Creole and Olympic Broil are very close to each other and there really are no other places in Lansing that compare to these two places burger wise. Mark -Id like to nominate the Country Pub in Gregory, MI for the best burger. I love their burgers for the quality of meat, spicing, and you can get it anyway you want it, cheese, tomatoes, pickles, bacon, etc. They serve them up perfectly cooked. Its just the perfect normal bar burger! Angela Johnson -Jonnas Bar and Grill in Howell!! Juiciest burger Ive ever tasted!! Not to mention the staff is amazing!! Ask for Sean! Hes Always coming around making sure everyones food taste delicious!! A+ burgers and more! Darlene -Ive had some good burgers in Michigan but the best definitely comes from EnVie in Lansing. #thebasicburger is so classically delicious and the name is definitely meant to mess with your mind. Perfectly seasoned with fresh veg if you wish and comes with the house made fries that are unlike any other French fry youve had as well (ask for the house made cranch or make them dirty if you want a condimentgasm) Can I say that? The burger itself is made with house ground filet mignon, New York, with some secret ingredients to make it the reason I go back. 2 seared on the outside, juicy on the inside quarter pound patties on a pretzel bun makes this burger my favorite. Plus the ambiance is a nice casual upscale feel and a great craft beer/ cocktail/ and wine selection. Feels like it should be in Chicago. They have another option, the EnVie burger which is top notch, and if you are lucky enough to get it when they announce it the day of, the Pickle Burger is quickly becoming a local sensation. You got to try it. I already tell everyone. Jason Franks -My Place Diner in Charlotte. All their burgers are fresh hand patties cooked to order. The toppings are all fresh and customized per each order. Prices are fantastic as well. -I am a burger fanatic. I have one rule when trying out a new restaurant, try the burger first. 9 times out of 10 if the restaurant doesnt take the time and effort and put some love into one of the most simple menu items (Aka the burger) then why should I trust them to put that effort into a more expensive entre? This being said, I came across a restaurant in Mason, Mi that has a Burger so good, you will have a hard time ordering anything else. The first time I went into this restaurant they had a Hangover Burger which included Bun, Patty, Cheese, Avocado, Bacon, Thin Slice of Ham, over easy egg and just for fun I added some jalapenos. After my first bite I realized this could quite possibly be the best burger I have ever tasted. I do not think I set that burger down once I picked it up. Since then, I have ordered many different builds of their burgers as they have many options, but the number 1 thing that stands out is the Beef Patty. It is by far the most juicy, delicious beef patty you could find on a burger. I have yet to this day to ask them what blend of beef is in this patty, but whatever it is should become standard for all burgers. You probably were not expecting essays for these responses so I will just end it at this. Head on over to Courthouse Pub in Mason, Mi and try one for yourself. If you do, and you do not think its one of the better burgers you have had in Michigan, just let me know and I will pay for it myself. Good luck with your search. James Roth (Please note, I have no affiliation with this company other than my love for their burgers) OTHER PASSIONATE PLEAS Why you love Yooper Burgers Passionate pleas for Detroits Best Burger Its true, you have a love affair with burgers in the Northern Lower Peninsula Ann Arbor sends in passionate pleas for Michigans Best Burger You can vote in all the Polls throughout the state: Time to vote for the Best Burger in Michigans Northern Lower Peninsula Vote for the Upper Peninsulas Best Burger Vote for the Best Burger in Bay City, Saginaw and Midland region Who has Metro Detroits Best Burger? Vote now Its time to vote for Ann Arbors Best Burger! Who has Jacksons Best Burger? Vote now Time to vote for Kalamazoos Best Burger Who has the Best Burger in the Grand Rapids/Holland area? Vote now Vote now for Muskegon and the Lakeshores Best Burger (from Southwest Michigan to Manistee) Vote now for the Lansings Best Burger (including Howell and Brighton) Time to vote for Flints Best Burger Vote now for the Best Burger in the Port Huron area and Thumb With support from the FCA Foundation, we are able to generate new opportunities for teachers and students each year and bring this program to thousands of students that otherwise wouldnt have the opportunity. Lori Gatmaitan, SAE Foundation Director The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, awarded $95,000 to the SAE Foundation in support of SAE Internationals A World In Motion (AWIM) program to provide hands-on STEM education to as many as 3,000 students in classrooms throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. For more than 32 years, SAEs AWIM program has been successfully impacting students and teachers in communities across the country, said Lori Gatmaitan, SAE Foundation Director. With support from the FCA Foundation, we are able to generate new opportunities for teachers and students each year and bring this program to thousands of students that otherwise wouldnt have the opportunity. SAEs AWIM supports existing Pre-K 8th grade school curriculums with a hands-on Engineering Design Experience, which requires students to work in teams to solve a challenge by designing, building and testing a product. AWIM works to engage and inspire students at the earliest age possible to pursue STEM subjects and careers. Previously, the FCA Foundation provided funding to establish AWIM programs in Toledo, Ohio; Kokomo and Tipton, Indiana; and Belvidere, Illinois. This years FCA Foundation grant will enable the continuation of those programs, and expansion of AWIM to the Barack Obama Leadership Academy in Detroit and the Huron and Ojibwa Elementary Schools in Macomb County, Michigan. Added Christine Estereicher, global chief operating officer for the FCA Foundation: In order to fully realize the potential of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other new technologies, we must continue to find innovative ways to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. In total, FCA Foundation funding will support SAEs goal of reaching 95 classrooms: 35 classrooms in Toledo, Ohio; 20 classrooms in Belvidere, Illinois; 20 classrooms near Kokomo and Tipton, Indiana; eight classrooms in Detroit; and 12 classrooms in Macomb County, Michigan. For more information on how to get involved with the SAE Foundation, visit: http://www.saefoundation.org. About SAE International SAE International is a global association committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including award-winning programs like A World in Motion and the Collegiate Design Series. More at http://www.sae.org. About SAE Foundation The SAE Foundation encourages and increases student achievement and participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to build a STEM-fluent workforce. Funds raised by the SAE Foundation support SAE Internationals award-winning A World In Motion (AWIM) program, Collegiate Design SeriesTM (CDS), awards and scholarships. SAEs STEM education programs enable students to develop the 21st century skills needed to succeed in real-world work environments and connect classroom learning with real-life application. Overall, SAEs STEM programs have reached more than six million students worldwide and engaged more than 30,000 STEM industry professionals as volunteers. SAE International is a global association engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers to advance mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. http://www.saefoundation.org About the FCA Foundation The FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, supports organizations and initiatives that help empower people, build strong, resilient communities and generate meaningful and measurable societal impacts particularly in the field of education. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle San Franciscos car ban on Market Street introduced a month ago after 10 years of handwringing has barely affected motorists, with almost no spillover traffic on side streets. But its a huge improvement for buses, streetcars and bicycles. Congestion increased only marginally on nearby roads, according to new data from the traffic analytics firm Inrix. It shows that the biggest slowdown occurred on Mission Street, where southbound vehicle speeds decreased by 4% from 10.3 miles per hour to 9.9 miles per hour during the 8 a.m. commute. On other adjacent streets, car speeds declined by an average of 1%. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan held a meeting with CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas on February 27. Zas, the new head of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, is currently on a visit to Armenia. Tonoyan congratulated Zas on his appointment as Secretary General. During the meeting issues of international and regional security were discussed, as well as the process of further developing the military component of the CSTO, the defense ministry said in a news release. The sides also discussed the development of the CSTO Crisis Response System, the increase of the potential of the CSTO Rapid Response Collective Forces and Peacekeeping Forces, the perfection of the system of representatives of the organizations militaries, the joint combat readiness exercises, as well as issues related to the implementation of joint events dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War victory. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan Li Ning Company Limited (HKG:2331), which is in the luxury business, and is based in China, saw significant share price movement during recent months on the SEHK, rising to highs of HK$27.70 and falling to the lows of HK$21.40. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Li Ning's current trading price of HK$21.55 reflective of the actual value of the mid-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at Li Nings outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. Check out our latest analysis for Li Ning What's the opportunity in Li Ning? Good news, investors! Li Ning is still a bargain right now. My valuation model shows that the intrinsic value for the stock is HK$30.61, which is above what the market is valuing the company at the moment. This indicates a potential opportunity to buy low. Whats more interesting is that, Li Nings share price is theoretically quite stable, which could mean two things: firstly, it may take the share price a while to move to its intrinsic value, and secondly, there may be less chances to buy low in the future once it reaches that value. This is because the stock is less volatile than the wider market given its low beta. Can we expect growth from Li Ning? SEHK:2331 Past and Future Earnings, February 26th 2020 Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Buying a great company with a robust outlook at a cheap price is always a good investment, so lets also take a look at the company's future expectations. Li Nings earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 58%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value. What this means for you: Story continues Are you a shareholder? Since 2331 is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to increase your holdings in the stock. With an optimistic outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as capital structure to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on 2331 for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its buoyant future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy 2331. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the track record of its management team, in order to make a well-informed investment decision. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Li Ning. You can find everything you need to know about Li Ning in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Li Ning, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday told her party leaders that the mosquito, despite being a small insect, is quite powerful and they should not allow it to take a toll on their popularity among voters. Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony for the newly-elected mayors and councillors of Dhaka, Hasina told them to find ways to keep the mosquito menace in check, bdnews24 website reported. "You must make sure the mosquito menace does not take a toll on your popularity and reduce the number of votes. Despite being a small insect, the mosquito is quite powerful," she said. Hasina asked the public representatives to ensure equal services for all citizens and alleviate their sufferings by controlling the mosquito menace. "Sometimes you confront multiple problems at the same time. Right now, we're facing the risks of coronavirus; dengue was another problem just days ago. We need to destroy the mosquito breeding grounds," she said. Last year, Bangladesh faced its worst-ever dengue fever outbreak as hospitals were flooded with patients, putting a severe strain on the country's already overwhelmed medical system. Dhaka, an overcrowded megacity that was the epicenter of the outbreak, struggled to contain the mosquito-borne viral infection, drawing criticism and spreading panic among some residents. Dengue is found in tropical areas around the world and is spread by a type of mosquito that mainly lives in urban areas. The virus causes severe flu-like symptoms and while there is no specific treatment for the illness, medical care to maintain a person's fluid levels is seen as critical. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A slate of new industrial, medical and commercial businesses is expected to come to the planned 43-acre Gulfpoint Business Park that is under construction along the Interstate 45 frontage road and Scarsdale Boulevard. Houston-based Wycoff Development & Construction LLC owns the property, 14101 Gulf Freeway, and is working to develop approximately 30 acres of the site to accommodate 5,000- to 60,000-square-foot buildings. Texas Injection Molding a company that supplies custom plastic injection molding services for manufacturing and consumer products is one of the entities coming to what will be a master-planned, multiuse business park. Ross Wycoff, principal of the development company, talked about what type of companies are coming to Gulfpoint. We actually have about five of the lots under contract or very close to being under contract, he said. Though Texas Injection Molding is the only incoming company he would disclose disclose, Wycoff said plans for the park include a multistory medical office building, a single-story pediatric facility, an industrial services company and a furniture distributor. Wycoff said he was initially surprised at how many medical companies showed interest in the area as he had anticipated drawing on only commercial and industrial businesses. However, he said the move makes sense due to the nearby Memorial Hermann Southeast and CHI St. Luke's Health-Patients Medical Center, both of which are within a five-mile radius of the park site. Additionally, the parks location offers easy access to the Texas Medical Center via Beltway 8 and Texas 288. Wycoff Development is working to prepare the sites and complete a road through the park. The road, which will be completed in the coming months, will be called Gulf Commerce Drive and will stem from the Interstate 45 feeder road. Wycoff said the company bought the land approximately three years ago but is only now breaking ground and preparing pad sites because flood detention and mitigation work was delayed by Hurricane Harvey. Work is underway to build a large detention pond, and building pad sites are being raised above the flood pain. For more information visit wycoffdevelopment.com. The Income Tax department on Thursday raided at least 25 premises linked to Chhattisgarh government officials and others on charges of tax evasion, officials said. Those covered under the action include family members of a senior IAS officer in the state. About 25 premises are being raided as part of the action, they said. Sources said the premises linked to A K Tuteja, joint secretary in the state commerce and industry department, retired IAS officer and former chief secretary of the state VivekDhand and Raipur MayorEzaj Dhebar are being searched. Dhand is also the Chairman of Chhattisgarh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). Some locations linked to liquor barons AnwarDhebar (Mayor Ezaj Dhebar's brother) and Pappu Bhatia are also being searched, they said. Senior Congress MLA and party's state chief Mohan Markam said he came to know about the I-T raids at various locations, including his party mayor's premises and other officials, in Raipur through media. It is the survey of the I-T and details of it are being taken, he told reporters in the state assembly premises. State government authorities did not offer any comment. Officials said the I-T teams are assisted by the CRPF, a central paramilitary force, to conduct the raids in Raipur and a few other locations, the officials added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) I was trained as a classical musician, but for me it has always been a joy to be able to share the music of my country here in the United States, Rodriguez said. A concert of this type I think is a great opportunity for us with a Mexican background to be able to share the music of our country, of our parents and grandparents. New Delhi, Feb 27 : Railways firm RITES Offers for Sale (OFS) for non-retail investors opened on Thursday and the share has declined 5.52 per cent to Rs 300.60 after the government proposed sale of equity shares of the company. RITES, in an exchange filing after market hours on Wednesday, said that the Government of India has proposed to sell its stake in the company. The government has proposed to sell 1.25 crore equity shares, in aggregate representing 5 per cent stake in the company on February 27, 2020 (for non-retail investors only) and on February 28, 2020 (for retail investors and for non-retail investors), with an option to additionally sell up to 1.25 crore equity shares, representing 5 per cent stake, through an offer-for-sale (OFS). The floor price for the OFS is Rs 298 per share. RITES is a public sector enterprise (PSE) and a leading player in the transport consultancy and engineering sector in India, having diversified services and geographical reach. The government's stake in RITES stood at 77.39 per cent as on September 30, 2019. Cuevas: So its funny because Jessica was actually my third date in the pods. My first two dates were not very memorable, to say the least. In my head, I was like, Is this going to get any better? And the second I said that, I walked in the pods and Jess just said, hello, and I said, hey. And the energy, I really felt it across, even though we didnt see each other. But I knew right off the bat, like wow, this girl is awesome. She is a very confident person that has a lot of similarities to me. So I hate the say it after the first time we talked, but I knew there was something there and it just intensified after that. Photo: iStock Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Boston. Jassy Correias family, friends honor her memory 1 year after her death It's been one year since Jassy Correia was reported missing and never returned home. Family and friends continue to struggle to cope with their loss as federal prosecutors mull whether to seek the death penalty for her killer, Louis Coleman, III. Read the full story on Boston 25 News. Groups demand gas tax hike to fund transit improvements after latest MBTA breakdown Passengers frustrated by the latest MBTA breakdown and other transportation advocates are calling for a gas tax hike to fix Massachusetts transit woes. Read the full story on 7News - WHDH Boston. Sanders to hold rallies in Boston and Springfield Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders will hold a rally Friday in Springfield and one on Saturday on Boston Common. Read the full story on Boston Herald. JetBlue flight returns to Boston after suspected bird strike The airline said the pilot of Flight 133 reported a suspected bird strike after takeoff from Boston on Sunday. JetBlue said there was no indication that the plane was damaged. Read the full story on WBZ | CBS Boston. Officials acknowledge spike in gun violence; 9 homicides so far this year Boston Police Commissioner William Gross and Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins on Tuesday acknowledged theres a jump in gun violence in Boston. In the latest incidents, one person was killed and another injured in separate shootings overnight Tuesday. Read the full story on WBZ | CBS Boston. 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. As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the world, thousands of people are buying face masks to protect themselves. Some local stores in cities like New York, Houston and San Francisco have told DailyMail.com that supplies are running low and, while major retailers like CVS and Walgreens haven't yet run out online or at the national level, shortages are starting to crop up. And a recent national survey found that nearly 96 percent of a small sample of pharmacists said they'd had shortages while restocking and Amazon has introduced measures to beat back price gouging and inflation for the products. Despite US officials' warnings that the masks are not (yet) necessary to wear in the US or on planes, celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Bella Hadid and Kate Hudson have taken selfies wearing masks out of 'paranoia.' The US government even says that it is planning to stockpile 300 million masks in preparation. The virus, also known as COVID-19, has now sickened more than 82,500 people worldwide and killed more than 2,800. So will a mask actually prevent you from getting sick? DailyMail.com breaks down the different types of masks out there, where to buy them - and why they probably won't prevent someone from coming down with the virus. Panic has causes thousands of people across the globe to stock up on face mask over fears of the coronavirus outbreak. Pictured: People wear surgical masks in San Francisco's Chinatown on February 26 THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MASKS: FLIMSY PAPER ONES WON'T HELP BUT A HEAVY-DUTY N95 RESPIRATOR MIGHT There are two common types of face masks: medical disposable face masks and the N95 respirator. A standard face mask, which sells for about $1.50 each on Amazon, creates a barrier between the nose and mouth and any droplets or germs in the environment. They are loose-fitting, disposable and not meant to be shared. Face masks can prevent splashes and large-particle droplets but they do not 'filter or block very small particles in the air that may be transmitted by coughs, sneezes or certain medical procedures,' according to the US Food and Drug Administration. These are not meant to be used more than once so if you are wearing this mask and it becomes soiled or damaged, throw it away and replace it with a new one. There are two common types of face masks, standard surgical face masks and N95 respirators while filter airborne particles. Pictured: A vendor in India shows an N95 mask at medical store, February 7 N95 respirators, considered the 'gold standard', are meant to fit much more closely to the face and they are designed to filter airborne particles. The 'N95' number means that during tests, the respirator blocked at least 95 percent of very small (0.3 micron) test particles. Most of these respirators are manufactured for use in fields such as construction, where workers may be exposed to dust and small particles. However, these thick masks are very uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and may make it a bit more difficult to breath. A two-pack typically sells for about $21.99 on Amazon. But retailers have been selling the masks on Ebay for as much as $10,000, taking advantage of people's fears. The respirators are not meant for children, and experts say men with facial hair may not receive full protection from the mask. A third type has become increasingly popular: trendy cloth face masks. But studies have shown that paper masks are more effective. An August 2016 study shows that 'wearing cloth masks reduced the exposure [from small particles] to some extent,' but 'the most commonly used cloth mask products perform poorly when compared to alternative options available on the market.' It's unclear what country is the biggest producer of masks for the US, but China is one of the top global producers of medical masks. And as officials in the virus-stricken country by up masks, it could mean hospitals around the world may be in short supply. CELEBRITIES STOCK UP ON MASKS It's not just the general public that have been pictured covering their noses and mouths. Hollywood stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez have been pictured mid-flight wearing face masks. Paltrow took a selfie in a first-class seat on a flight to Paris wearing a black eye-shade and a black face mask that retails for about $34. Her caption read: 'En route to Paris. Paranoid? Prudent? Panicked? Placid? Pandemic? Propaganda? 'Paltrow's just going to go ahead and sleep with this thing on the plane. I've already been in this movie. Stay safe. Don't shake hands. Wash hands frequently.' This a reference to her role in the 2011 film Contagion, in which her character succumbs to a deadly disease. Meanwhile, Hudson took a photo of herself wearing a standard surgical face masks and captioned it: 'Travel. 2020.' Many of Hudson's follower commented that the mask she was using didn't have any benefits and 'won't do much' in terms of offering protection. Several celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow (left), Kate Hudson (right) and Bella Hadid have pictured themselves mid-flight wearing masks. Paltrow wore a black mask that retails for about $34 while Hudson wore a standard surgical face mask Bella Hadid takes a selfie on an Alitalia flight wearing a face mask US STORES RUNNING LOW ON SUPPLY OF MASKS Most surgical face masks can be bought at local drug stores, chain pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens and Walmart, and even through online retailers including Amazon. However, pharmacies in New York and Washington, DC told DailyMail.com last month that they had sold out of masks, Teresa Zhan, a pharmacist at Chinatown Pharmacy Corp in Manhattan, said at the time that her 10 years as an employee, she's never seen anything like this before. When boxes, containing 20 to 30 masks each, began disappearing off the shelves, Zhan said her pharmacy began selling them individually. 'We had to restrict people to no more than five each,' she said. 'It wasn't fair that people kept buying boxes and then there wouldn't be any left for other customers.' And they're not the only ones. A spokesperson for Home Depot told Yahoo Finance that customers are limited to buying 10 face masks each. Several retailers throughout the US have either run low or completely run out of face masks, and HHS Secretary Alex Azar says the country needs 300 million masks. Pictured: A woman wearing a face mask walks past empty shelves n Hong Kong, February 6 Several stores across the country, including in California, Hawaii and Texas, have reported that their supplies of masks are running low if not completely gone. A Daily Beast report also said New York's Bellevue Hospital, which examined the city's first suspected case of coronavirus in January, was running low on masks. The supply 'dipped by hundreds over the course of a day' after news got out about the patient. However, a spokesperson insisted the hospital had plenty of masks and stated: 'We cannot confirm that report and we have the supplies we need.' On Tuesday, US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the country currently has a stockpile of 30 million N95 surgical masks but estimates 300 million are needed. That estimate is several times the number of American health care workers, Azar said, and reflects the need of doctors and nurses to replace masks. The US is currently not in short supply, but Azar says the nation does not have the manufacturing capacity to produce 300 million masks. MOST MASKS WON'T PREVENT YOU FROM GETTING SICK Doctors say that masks may reduce the risks of viral transmission but they can't entirely prevent it. 'A mask is going to be protective if it's worn well,' Dr Robert Amler, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief medical officer and dean of New York Medical College, told DailyMail.com in an earlier interview. 'But if it's worn for a long period of time, it tends to slip around a bit. 'It's not going to prevent every droplet from getting into your mouth or nose, but for short periods of time it might be helpful.' What's more, because virus particles are so small, and paper masks are porous, air can leak through around the nose area and on the side of the masks. 'Those masks are not really designed to prevent people from inhaling viruses,' Dr Jeffrey Klausner, a professor of medicine and public health at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, told Yahoo Finance. 'What they are designed to do is to prevent people from coughing or sneezing respiratory viruses that they might have outward.' And while there is evidence that masks with an N95 rating can be effective, particularly among healthcare workers, the CDC does not recommend routinely using respirators outside of workplace settings. Most experts say that while masks lower the risk of viral transmission, they can't entirely prevent it. Pictured: People wear face masks at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan, February 27 Flight attendants wear masks at Tom Bradley International terminal at Los Angeles International Airport Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at the California Department of Public Health in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2020. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Gov. Newsom on New Coronavirus: We are not overreacting, nor are we underreacting Governor Gavin Newsom held a public briefing on Feb. 27 on the new coronavirus. On Feb. 26 San Francisco and Orange County declared local health emergencies and the possible first U.S. case of community transmission was detected in California. Alongside Gov. Newsom were state health officials who explained the rigorous protocols in place to address the latest case of a Sonoma County individual who tested positive for the virus from an unknown source. This case could be the first community transmission of the new coronavirus in the U.S. and was initially declined testing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) because the individuals condition did not match the viruss symptoms. The individual went days in the community before being tested and found positive for the virus. The patient is now being treated in San Francisco and health officials are doing deep tracking and tracing of individuals that [may have been] in contact with this individual, including workers at the to which hospital the patient was admitted. Newsom said he was not surprised by the case announced yesterday and said it was inevitable with this kind of virus. Were honestly surprised it didnt happen sooner, he said. There is nothing more important than point-of-contact diagnostic testing that can be readily made available so that we can have full-spectrum testing of this disease, Newsom said. Thats our top priority as it relates to the moment. We have just a few hundred testing kits in the state of Californiasurveillance testing and diagnostic testingthats simply inadequate to do justice to the kind of testing required to address this issue head on. CDC is moving expeditiously on that, Newsom said. More testing locations will be established so that local health agencies do not have to send tests back and forth to the CDC headquarters. We will see multiple locations in the next few days, said Newsom. The CDC is partnering with Newsoms administration to ensure that testing protocols will be advanced with urgency, according to a CDC press release. Some of these testing protocols include isolating the individual, surveillance and diagnostic testing, point-of-contact tracing, and deep tracking. Risk Remains Low As of Feb. 27, there were 33 confirmed cases of positively tested people in Californiaof those individuals, 24 were from repatriation flights. In the remaining group of nine, seven extracted the virus through travel. One person was exposed due to close person-to-person contact through a spouse, explained California Public Health Officer, Dr. Sonia Angell. California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Sonia Angell (L) speaks as California Gov. Gavin Newsom (R) looks on during a news conference at the California Department of Public Health in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 27, 2020. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) We are expanding our surveillance activities, increasing our lab capacity with more testing, increased demands on medical systems we are ready for anything, Angell said. Angell emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low, in the event that that risk changes, we will make everyone aware. The health emergencies declared in San Francisco, Orange County, and other counties earlier this month, were to prevent outbreaks rather than responses to current crises. While there are only 33 confirmed cases in California, thousands of people have arrived in California from locations in Asia on traditional commercial flights and they may carry the virus. Currently, 49 local jurisdictions are monitoring those individuals. Newsom Not Worried About Resources for Response We have been in constant contact with federal agencies, we have history and expertise in this space, Newsom said. We are not overreacting, nor are we underreacting to the understandable anxiety many people have as it relates to this novel virus. At the same time, there is no better resource state in America to address this issue head on. Newsom said his administration is working formally with the Trump Administration and collaboratively at all levels to ensure public health safety is the nations top priority. He also touted California as a uniquely positioned state with enough resources to tackle the virus. I am not worried about the money, Newsom said. Im not worried about resourcing this responsewe are well-resourced as a state. We are running record reserves and running surpluses. The Legislative Analysts Office released a report last year projecting that the state will bring in a $7 billion surplus in the 20202021 fiscal year, which is a $14 billion decrease from the 20182019 fiscal year. President Donald Trump appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead the nations COVID-19 response on Feb. 26 and agreed to work with Congress on funding. Lawmakers will allocate $2.5 billion to counter the virus and were not resistant to allot more. Were ready to adapt and were ready to do whatever we have to as the disease spreads, if it spreads. The level weve had in our country are very low, Trump said at a conference on Feb. 26. We have great quarantine facilities. Were rapidly developing vaccines. Trumps Coronavirus Task Force consists of coordinator Debbie Birx, HIV/AIDS expert; Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Aza; Surgeon General Jerome Adams; Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin; and Larry Kudlow, Trumps economic adviser. Virus Transcends Politics Newsom said, We have had a very strong working relationship with the [Trump] administration from the secretary level to the director level. We have been in consistent contact not only as a team but individually. I know his team is [taking this seriously], the folks that came up after him in the press conference, I know each and every one of them are sincere and resolved, and so I know I have absolute confidence in the folks hes assembled around him. Newsom emphasized that politics has no place at this moment and that the respiratory virus needs to be combated with a sense of urgency and conviction that transcends politics and transcends pettiness. Well see what hes able to accomplish, Newsom said of Trump. But look, its all about your team and the people you assemble, and hes got long term professionals that have transcended his administration that are there that have earned reputations that are solid, and weve developed relationships with trust, and those relationships predate his administration and mine. Newsom Comments on Litigation With Costa Mesa Last Monday, federal agencies and state officials found themselves in a courtroom with Costa Mesa city officials over the potential usage of a 60-year-old facility as a quarantine site for COVID-19 positive patients. The judge temporarily halted the state from moving forward, citing inadequate information about whether the facility is fit to be used as a quarantine site. The Orange County Board of Supervisors strongly oppose its use. We are in litigation in real time on that, both parties are meeting on that, Newsom said. I dont want to speak to the specifics of the site in or around the Costa Mesa community, but we clearly have protocols and we have pre-identified locations, and thats among a more favored location in the state. But there are other sites in addition to that site all across the state. The Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Feb. 25, 2020. (Jamie Joseph/The Epoch Times) A protester holds up a sign near the Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Feb. 25, 2020. (Jamie Joseph/The Epoch Times) The next hearing will be on March 2, which will determine whether the state can override the citys imposition and transport patients to the Fairview Developmental Center, which has been slated for closure. The center, the city argues, is too close to residential and recreational areas and is too outdated to contain the respiratory virus properly. Burma Myanmar Military Chief Places Hti at Bagan Temple Known for Divine Blessings Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and his wife offer a part of the Hti to Buddhist monks for their blessings before it is hoisted to the top of the Htilominlo Temple on Thursday. / Aung Shine Oo MANDALAYSeeking divine blessings, Myanmar military commander-in-chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and his wife on Thursday placed the Hti umbrella atop Bagans ancient Htilominlo Temple, following in the footsteps of some of Myanmars most powerful figures including his predecessor, Senior General Than Shwe. Known as a Hti in Burmese, the umbrella is considered the most important part of the pagoda to Myanmar Buddhists, and is placed atop the highest part of the religious structure. The religious ceremony to put up the new umbrella was also attended by U Than Htay, the chairperson of the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP); U Nyan Tun, the former second vice president of Myanmar; and other serving and retired military officers. The 46-meter-high Htilominlo pagoda was built in the 12th century by King Htilominlo, also known as Nadaungmya, or Zeya Theinkha Uzana. Legend has it that Prince Zeya Theinkha Uzana was chosen to be the future king of the Bagan dynasty by guardian spirits. According to the legend, the dying king ordered his five sons to stand in a circle around a white umbrella and prayed to the guardian spirit of the umbrella, asking it to tilt toward the son who was worthy of being the king of Bagan. The umbrella tilted toward prince Zeya Theinkha Uzana, who was chosen and known as King Htilominlo from that day. In Burmese, the name Htilominlo refers to the person that the spirit of the umbrella wishes to be king, at a time when the country needs a king to rule. According to the legend, Htilominlo Pagoda was built on the spot where the white umbrella was placed and the king was chosen. Throughout history, after the fall of the Bagan Dynasty, kings and rulers from the Ava to the Konbaung era paid homage and made donations at the Htilominlo Temple, believing their offerings would earn them favors from the guardian spirits and their reigns would last a long time. The tradition continues to this day. Partly due to astrological predictions, as well as the legend, the temple has become the pagoda of choice for some of Myanmars most powerful leaders, including the late General Ne Win, former commander-in-chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe and former President U Thein Sein. A visit to the temple has become de rigueur for officials when they are in town, and making offerings there has become a ritual among Myanmars powerful. Former President U Htin Kyaw paid a visit to Bagan after the plain was jolted by an earthquake in 2016 to inspect the damage to structures in the area, including Htilominlo Temple. President U Win Myint was in Bagan in August 2019 to inspect restoration work on damaged pagodas after the ancient city was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He too stopped at Htilominlo Temple to check on the restoration work there. In 1996, a new Hti was placed by U Aung San, the then minister of culture, on behalf of then dictator Snr-Gen Than Shwe. It was toppled during the earthquake in August 2016, which damaged dozens of pagodas and temples on the Bagan plain. Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing is Snr-Gen Than Shwes successor, and rumor has it he is eyeing the countrys presidency in the near future. According to the temples trustee committee, the weight of the new Hti hoisted into place by the current military chief conforms with UNESCOs conservation recommendations. The new Hti is much lighter than the old one and we are making sure the structure of the pagoda is not harmed by the machinery used to place the umbrella, said U Tin Hla Oo, the secretary of the trustee committee. We are glad the pagoda is now complete with its glittering Hti, after the damage due to the earthquake, he added. You may also like these stories: MP for Military-Proxy USDP Supports Myanmar Nationalists With Apartment, Funding Myanmars Wa Army Confirms It Has a Helicopter In Pacified Eastern Myanmar, the Military Is Free to Pursue Its Agenda Chennai: Actress Gayatri Sai, who made her acting debut as a child artiste in director Mani Ratnam's 1990 film "Anjali", has filed a police complaint against a pizza delivery boy for allegedly sharing her contact number on several adult WhatsApp groups. "@dominos_india guy delivered pizza at my place in Chennai in a intoxicated state on the 9th of feb and shared my number in adult groups and a complaint is pending since your office is yet to speak to me. I have numerous calls and WhatsApp which he has shared. please be safe all," she tweeted on February 26. .@dominos_india I thought you gave a statement to support the case but looks like you want to close it. I am a shareholder of jubilant foods and feel this totally not fare at all . This case should be put under crime against women @DrMRaviIPS1 @TNPOLICE_HQ Gayatri Sai (@gainsai) February 27, 2020 On Thursday, Gayatri informed that the ADGP of the Chennai Police had transferred the case to the all-women station at Teynampet. "@DrMRaviIPS1 commisioner called and said he is transferring the case to protection under women Sir. Hope other online apps do not share our numbers. Most of our orders these days are online. The complaint is lodged in Teynampet station sir," she tweeted. Intelligence Bureau staffer killed by rioters in Chand Bagh An Intelligence Bureau staffer was shot and thrown into the drain allegedly by anti-CAA rioters in Delhis Chand Bagh are on Tuesday evening while returning home from duty. The body of Ankit Sharma, 26, was fished out from a drain in northeast Delhi's riot-hit Chand Bagh area where he lived, officials said. Sharmas family has now said that Aam Aadmi Partys Haji Tahir Hussain from Mustafabad is to be blamed for his death. Reports suggest that his body had bullet injuries. Sharma, a new entrant in service, was said to be undergoing training in the IB. His body was taken to the GTB Hospital for an autopsy. "He left home around 5.30 pm on Tuesday and has been missing since then," his brother Ankur said. On Tuesday evening, mobs roamed Chand Bagh and other areas, pelting stones and setting property on fire. Sharma, one of the 22 killed in the communal violence over the citizenship amendment law, is survived by his parents, brother and sister. His father is also a serving assistant sub-inspector with Delhi Police. North-East Delhi has been witnessing ensuing violence with mobs taking to streets. The total death toll has now reached 24 and hundreds have been injured. According to media reports, Delhi Police officials, on Wednesday, met members of the Aman Committee in Shahdara's Usmanpur area in connection with the matter. Extensive interaction with the local community is helping to ease the anxiety. The situation is peaceful in these areas. People are requested not to pay attention to rumours," Delhi Police said. It was further reported that Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik has said that normalcy has returned in North-East district to a large extent and that assurance has come from his side that senior officers are on rounds and extra forces have been given. "Various confidence-building measures are being taken and things are being brought back to normal," Patnaik had said. A UK government warning that it could walk out of EU trade talks if there was no broad outline of a deal by June had a negative Pound Sterling impact on Thursday, although it was only one of several elements pushing the UK currency lower. - The Pound to Euro exchange rate is -1.1% lower @ 1.17243 on 27/2/2020 - The Pound to US Dollar exchange rate is -0.13% lower @ $1.28889 on 27/2/2020 The UK governments negotiating document for EU trade talks document was published on Thursday ahead of the first round of negotiations due to be held on Monday According to the document: The broad aim of the negotiations is to secure a trading relationship with the EU similar to the ones the 27-nation bloc has with Canada, Japan and South Korea. The document states that the government will not negotiate any arrangements in which the UK does not have control of its own laws and political life. There will also be no jurisdiction for EU law or the European Court of Justice in the UK. A key demand is that broad agreement of a deal should be agreed within the next four months which would be by the end of June. In the House of Commons Michael Gove, minister in charge of negotiations, warned that the UK would walk away from the talks if there is no agreement by mid-year. In this scenario, the UK would rely on World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules under an arrangement with the EU similar to Australia. According to the UK, a separate agreement on fisheries is needed to reflect the fact that the UK will be an independent coastal state at the end of 2020. In contrast, the EU wants to include fishing as part of a wider agreement. In a terse commentary, EU chief negotiator Barnier stated that he took note of the UK negotiating mandate. He also stated that the talks will be tough and short given the UK choice not to extend the implementation period beyond the end of 2020. Rhetoric will inevitably be tough on both sides ahead of negotiations. A key factor will be whether both sides can settle down to make sensible proposals and concessions as the talks get under way. Sterling weakened on Thursday with evidence of a hard-line UK government stance having some negative impact, although there were a myriad of potential negative factors as fears over the coronavirus triggered a maelstrom across global capital markets amid a fresh slump in risk appetite. The pound has reversed early gains as the government firmly places the prospect of no-deal back on the table in order to strong-arm the EUs dynamic alignment to bend to their will, said Simon Harvey, a forex analyst at broker Monex Europe. The resumption of trade uncertainty comes just as business optimism starts to improve, suggesting the Brexit headwind to the economy may not have abated just yet, Harvey said. Giles Coghlan, chief currency analyst at HYCM, added: Boris Johnsons bullish approach to Brexit negotiations has the market in jitters. With a no-deal threat still on the table, we could see much of the gains made by the GBP in the aftermath of the 2019 General Election result being lost. Sterling/Euro was also vulnerable to month-end selling pressure with EUR/GBP strengthening to a 1-month high above 0.8500 while GBP/USD traded below 1.2900 despite wider US dollar losses. In a tweet, Marc-Andre Fongern, head of research at MAF Global Forex, commented that: Apparently, investors have hardly any interest in buying the pound sterling at the moment, as the EU-UK trade negotiations and the associated uncertainties seem to be depressing sentiment. Given the recent dollar weakness, this is particularly noteworthy. "The pound is the only G-10 currency losing ground against the greenback after 10 Downing published its negotiating mandate where it indicated that the UK is ready to walk away from talks in June if negotiations with the EU dont proceed the PMs way" says Shaun Osborne, Chief FX Strategist at Scotiabank on Thursday. "The UK is seeking a broad outline of the agreement in four months time with the aim of finalizing the deal by September. "With rising odds of a no-trade-deal Brexit by year-end, BoE cut odds have also picked up to 80% by mid-year from about 70% yesterday - albeit continuing the decline from as low as ~35% early last week with coronavirus risks poised to test central banks around the globe." Current customer wins in the first quarter 2020, are expected to add predictable recurring revenue for up to three years Commences security coverage for cannabis retail stores Enters into a formal contract with a major logistics/distribution company in Ontario, to securely transport cannabis to retail stores in Ontario Secures contract with Global Affairs Canada to provide high risk pre-deployment training, boosting its continuing client-diversification focus. ALMONTE, Ontario, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 3 Sixty Risk Solutions Ltd. (3 Sixty or the Company) (CSE: SAFE) (OTCQB: SAYFF) (FSE: 62P2) is pleased to announce that the Company, which operates through its wholly-owned subsidiary, 3 Sixty Secure Corp., has secured multi-year contracts providing secure transport and guarding services to a number of cannabis-based companies in Canada. The company expects these contracts to provide predictable recurring revenue material in nature for up to three years. Additional contracts under negotiation, align with 3 Sixty's strategic priorities which include significant organic growth, including a non-cannabis client base, coupled with the expansion of security services offered to existing customers within the legalized cannabis industry. "We have been extremely impressed with the cadence and quality of agreements that we are engaging in," said Thomas Gerstenecker, Founder and CEO of 3 Sixty. "The company is confident that it is building an iconic brand that resonates with Canadian consumers and it continues to build a national distribution network for a significant part of the cannabis market. We are thrilled to have been selected to provide guarding and secure transport services by these leading companies who demonstrate clear growth ambitions, tremendous production capacity, and have supply agreements in place that can support their strategic intentions." The Company has, and continues to secure contracts within the cannabis retail sector across Canada as it relates to safe and secure cannabis deliveries in multiple provinces, guarding and cash management solutions. In addition, our recent contract win as a third-party secure transport provider to the Ontario Cannabis Stores distribution provider, will continue to show significant growth (in revenue and operational footprint) for our secure transport service line, as retails stores continue to materialize over 2020. Finally, Global Affairs Canada has selected the Company to provide high-risk security training for government employees prior to their deployment to hazardous locations around the world. 2020 will see the Company not only continue to capture market share within the cannabis industry, but also drive a more diversified security service platform forward in other industry sectors, said Thomas Gerstenecker. A strategy of providing security service offerings to a more diversified client base across other industries will demonstrate a less constrained approach, positively increasing opportunities for sustainable growth added Thomas Gerstenecker. 3 Sixty will release its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2019 before market open on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. The Company expects to provide an operational update concurrent with the results. Management will host its conference call on Tuesday, 28 April, 2020 at 9:00am EST to discuss the results. Dial-in details are as follows: Toll Free (North America): 1(877) 221-6399 About 3 Sixty Risk Solutions Ltd. 3 Sixty Risk Solutions Ltd., operating through its wholly-owned subsidiary, 3 Sixty Secure Corp., is one of Canada's leading security service providers to the cannabis sector, transporting approximately $250 million of product every month. 3 Sixty provides cannabis security consulting, guarding and secure transport security services to more than 600 customers and more than 100 licensed cannabis producers, including some of the world's largest, such as licensed producers owned by Canopy Growth Corporation. 3 Sixty has a staff of over 650 employees and employs a fleet of over 150 vehicles, which management believes provides a combined security footprint to approximately 35 million square feet of patrolled area. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: the business and operations of 3 Sixty. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, 3 Sixty assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange 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. Photo: Daniil Vnoutchkov/Unsplash Missed the most recent top news in Los Angeles? Read on for everything you need to know. Massive fire at oil refinery in Carson contained after explosion, officials monitoring air quality Read the full story on Fox 11 Los Angeles. Prominent Los Angeles chef struck by vehicle on Pico Boulevard Read the full story on NBC LA. Firefighters rescue woman trapped under Gold Line train at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles Read the full story on ABC7. 10-story office building proposed in the Hollywood Studio District Read the full story on Urbanize LA. 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. Firefighters Wednesday morning contained a large fire that broke out at an oil refinery in the city of Carson late Tuesday night. A prominent Los Angeles chef and restaurant owner was struck by a vehicle and hospitalized but is expected to make a full recovery, his restaurants director of operations said Tuesday. A woman was trapped under a Gold Line light rail train at Union Station, prompting a rescue operation by firefighters, officials said. The implications of the Turkish-Russian fallout over Idlib go beyond Syria and represent a collapse of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Islamist-driven approach to foreign policy. Turkey is an isolated country today that has confrontational ties with the United States and Russia, as well as the Arab world and Europe. It is trying to ensure its vital security interests against this difficult backdrop. But the few friends Ankara has left, such as Qatar, Pakistan or Azerbaijan, provide Turkey with no strategic value that could strengthen its hand against its adversaries. The only option Erdogan has is to try and play the United States and Russia against each other, as he has been doing for some time now, but this approach seems to also have run its course. Erdogans bellicosity in international relations and disdain for diplomatic niceties as well as the advice of professional diplomats may go down well with his die-hard supporters. Nevertheless, an increasing number of Turkish analysts including some former supporters of Erdogan believe that the situation Ankara finds itself in Syria in particular is largely, if not totally, self-inflicted. They also fear that a similar debacle is emerging in Libya, where Turkish soldiers have also started to incur losses. It was only four months ago, just before Erdogan ordered the launch of Turkeys Operation Peace Spring against the US-supported People's Protection Units (YPG) in northeastern Syria, that there was speculation about a potential confrontation between Turkish and US forces. At the same time, the strategic ties Turkey was ostensibly developing with Russia were being touted by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as unshakable. Ankara had hoped that these ties would counterbalance Turkeys deteriorating relationship with the West, and especially with the United States. Erdogans decision to purchase Russian made S-400 air defense systems over the objections of Turkeys NATO allies was also considered to be more of an act of defiance of the West than a coherent move based on a sound military rationale. Erdogans biggest miscalculation is proving to be the reliance he placed on Russia. Even after the situation in Idlib calms down as it is likely to do eventually (albeit most probably at a cost to Turkey) since a Turco-Russian war is not something Ankara can sustain the cracks in the relationship will remain. Put another way, the tables in Syria have turned again for Ankara only four months since it was confronting the United States east of the Euphrates River. Erdogan is pointing an accusing finger at Russia now and referring to it in barely shrouded terms as an aggressor. Meanwhile, he has turned to the United States again for support, even calling on it to deploy Patriot missiles against the Syrian-Russian threat. It is no surprise that some cynical commentators are suggesting that instead of seeking US Patriots, Ankara should deploy the Russian S-400s to ward off the threat from Syria. Turkeys campaign in Idlib against the Syrian army has already cost the lives of 18 Turkish soldiers and military contractors, some killed by Russian air power. The casualties are expected to rise in the coming days and weeks since Erdogan is determined to forge on with what the opposition believes is his, not Turkeys, war. Veteran political commentator Fikret Bila said he believes this is a war Erdogan cannot win. He argued that Turkeys main objectives in Syria are toppling the Assad regime and securing a voice for radical Islamists in that country. Bila does not believe these objectives are achievable. Defeating the Syrian army, which Russia is supporting does not appear to be within the realm of possibility, Bila wrote in his column for the independent news portal T24. Fehmi Koru, another veteran columnist who once stood close to Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party, is also pessimistic about the success of Erdogans policies. Referring to Ankaras vacillation between Washington and Moscow, Koru doubts that any results that could be considered a victory for Turkey will be obtained from this approach. I fear that the policies Turkey has implemented in Syria since 2011 will all result in failure, Koru wrote in his personal blog. Erdogan is clearly irked by such disheartening commentary. In order to shore up domestic support for his Syria policy, he has elevated Turkeys engagement in Syria to the level of the Turkish War of Independence of 1919-1922. In his address to party members Feb. 15 where he made this remark, Erdogan also repeated his ultimatum to Syria to pull its forces back to the cease-fire line agreed on with Russia in Sochi, Russia, in September 2018. He warned that if the Syrian army did not withdraw by the end of February, Turkey would force it to do so militarily. These people are our brothers and we will not abandon them to the mercy and persecution of tyrants, Erdogan said. We are prepared to die for this if need be, Erdogan added. He has also been stressing in his various public speeches that Turkey cannot cope with the hundreds of thousands of refugees piled up on its borders following the regime's Russian-backed onslaught in Idlib. His attempt to try and equate Ankaras engagement in Syria with Turkeys War of Independence is not convincing everyone. Political commentator Murat Yetkin underlined the gross exaggeration this analogy entails. No offense, but it is wrong for President Erdogan to see the War of Independence prosecuted by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his friends for the liberation of the homeland, and the establishment of the republic, with what is happening in Syria and Idlib, Yetkin wrote in his Yetkin Report blog. Yetkin added that Erdogans approach was also problematic because it involves military operations on another countrys territory, which, he said, poses international legal issues according to rules set by the United Nations. Erdogan is, of course, justified in his concerns about a new flood of Syrian refugees. The majority of Turks are also deeply concerned about this. Turkey currently hosts up to 4 million Syrians and the burden is growing. Nevertheless, many fail to see how Erdogan expects to resolve the refugee problem by going to war against the Syrian regime when he could be talking with it to chart a rational course. Erdogan, however, rejects any notion of speaking to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Imbued with a firm Sunni-based ideological outlook, and an innate sympathy for the Muslim Brotherhood in all its forms, Erdogan believes that talking to Assad would be a betrayal of his coreligionists. Assad is an Alawite; Alawites are an offshoot of Shiite Islam. Instead, Erdogan continues to send reinforcements to the few sections of Idlib that Turkey still controls with the support of the Syrian National Army that it funds and supplies, and a motley crew of jihadi fighters. Erdogan is also closed to all domestic calls from the opposition to withdraw Turkish forces from Syria since this would amount to an admission of defeat. As matters stand, his political woes at home over a host of economic and political reasons are increasing. Retired ambassadors Ali Tuygan and Yusuf Buluc underlined in a jointly penned article that the most striking defect of Erdogans Syria policy is its total lack of national endorsement. President Erdogan has said military operations can start any moment. Yet Turks hardly know where the country is heading except that their sons will be exposed to deadly harm if Damascus does not heed the warning, Tuygan and Buluc wrote in their Diplomatic Opinion blog. At least at this critical juncture the people of Turkey are entitled to know exactly which of its interests will be served, what causes will be pursued, which instruments will be used and at what cost, they added. Indicating that Turkeys attempt at regime change in Syria had failed, Tuygan and Buluc said, It is time for the Turkish government to climb down and face the reality on the ground. They recommended a withdrawal of Turkish forces from Idlib and a return to the diplomatic track. Facing the reality on the ground in Syria, however, was never Erdogans strong point. As matters stand, he appears determined to be dragging Turkey into the quagmire. If he wins, he will secure a massive victory for himself. If he loses, though, the country loses with him. Communist Party of India leader and former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) president, Kanhaiya Kumar, targeted the Narendra Modi government on Thursday during the samvidhan bachao, nagrikta bachao (save constitution, save citizenship) rally for its divert and rule policy, where real issues such as an unprecedented 45-year-high unemployment and aam aadmi denial of their basic daily necessities are being glossed over with impunity. He took an aim at the Centre for promoting nepotism and crony capitalism while every hour a youth is committing suicide for the growing joblessness. The government introduced the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Population Register (NPR) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to divide the country and divert the attention of people from the real issues that we are facing, he said amid azadi slogans by a cheering crowd who was seen recording his fiery speech on their smartphones. Kumars rally marked the conclusion of the Jan Gan Man yatra that started on January 30 from Bhitharwa Ashram in West Champaran district. The firebrand speaker along with the member of legislative assembly (MLA) from Kadwa constituency, Shakeel Ahmed Khan, addressed 62 rallies across the states 38 districts over the past four weeks, despite Kumar being attacked at least nine times by his rivals. An emotionally charged Kumar, who overshadowed other leaders, including Khan,also an ex-JNUSU president, appeared to take the attacks on him in his stride. Even, Congress leader Awadesh Singhs vehicle was not spared by the mob, he said. Kumar clarified that yatra has nothing to do with the Bihar election slated to be held later this year, but saving the constitution is the need of the hour. If only the constitution of country remains, then only the elections will be held. So. it is of utmost important to save the constitution. He accused the Modi governments complicity in the north-east Delhi violence and questioned it for not lodging a sedition case against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kapil Mishra, who had allegedly instigated the crowd. He demanded that the Nitish Kumar-led government must issue a notification with immediate effect, upholding its promise of implementing the NPR on the basis of the old 2010 format and an outright rejection of carrying out the NRC survey. Kumar also slammed the Bihar government for failing to reap the demographic dividends as health care is on sick bed, influx of students and job aspirants to other states. DM Diwakar, a political expert from AN Sinha Institute of Social Sciences, said that Thursdays rally was a show of strength, which would give the Left parties an edge to negotiate more seats from their allies in the assembly election. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Egyptian President Sisi was flanked by top government officials as well as Mubarak's sons, Alaa and Gamal, at the funeral ceremony Egypt on Wednesday held a military funeral service for former president Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for 30 years until he was toppled in a popular uprising in 2011. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended the ceremony. He was flanked by Mubarak's sons Alaa and Gamal, top government officials and military leaders and as they led the funeral procession at a mosque complex in the eastern New Cairo suburb. Mubarak's flag-draped coffin was borne through the site on a horse-drawn carriage as honour guards fired off a 21-gun salute. Soldiers marched behind carrying Mubarak's military medals. The body of the former president was carried via a helicopter earlier in the day to the Mosheer Tantawy Mosque where the military funeral was held. Mubarak died at a Cairo military hospital on Tuesday at the age of 91, weeks after undergoing a surgery. Dozens of Mubarak's supporters, wearing black and carrying posters of the former leader, gathered outside the mosque in the early morning before funeral service started. Mubarak's body will be airlifted from the mosque later in the day to be interred at burial grounds in Cairo's Heliopolis district. Earlier, Egyptian honour guards carried Mubarak's coffin wrapped in the Egyptian flag on their shoulders into the mosque along with his sons. Top military officials and Gulf Arab leaders also attended the funeral service of the former air force commander. The Egyptian presidency mourned Mubarak's death with "great sorrow" and praised him as a "hero" of the 1973 war, and the military hailed him as "one of its sons" and offered condolences to his family. The country will observe three days of nationwide public mourning, starting Wednesday, to mark the death of the former president. Mubarak was ousted following massive protests during the popular uprising that started in January 2011. Mubarak was arrested two months following his overthrow and stood trial in a number of criminal cases on various charges. He spent most of his detention years in a military hospital in Cairo until his acquittal in 2017 after he was cleared of all charges. Mubarak and his sons were found guilty in only one of several cases against them in 2015, in which they were sentenced to three years for using public funds to renovate family residences. He was sentenced to life in prison for conspiring to kill protesters during the 18-day popular uprising, but was freed after being cleared of the charges. Search Keywords: Short link: Hotel operator Marriott International said it expects a roughly $25 million hit to its monthly fee revenue from the fast-spreading coronavirus, as U.S. airline JetBlue Airways said it would drop cancellation fees, even though it doesn't serve markets hit hardest by the outbreak. The travel industry has been facing mounting problems after weeks of cancellations focused on Asia, with online travel agency Booking Holdings forecasting a wider-than-usual range for its first-quarter outlook, citing uncertain travel demand and flagging a significant hit to the period from the virus. Hawaiian Airlines has suspended flights between the international airports at Honolulu and Incheon, South Korea beginning March 2 through April 30, citing a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Asian country. The United States told Americans on Tuesday to begin preparing for the coronavirus to spread within the country as outbreaks in Iran, South Korea, and Italy escalated, triggering concerns of a hit to global travel demand. "Due to the uncertainty regarding the duration and extent of the coronavirus outbreak, Marriott cannot fully estimate the financial impact from the virus, which could be material to first-quarter and full-year 2020 results," Marriott said, adding that room additions in 2020 could also be delayed as a result of the outbreak. Marriott, which is currently facing low occupancy rates in the Asia Pacific region, has also issued cancellation fee waivers for guests affected by the virus outbreak in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan until March 15. U.S. airlines and hotels are extending options for customers to rebook travel to a growing list of countries, including Italy, as coronavirus cases spike beyond China and spark fears of a global pandemic. "It is not possible to predict where, and to what degree, outbreaks of the coronavirus will disrupt travel patterns," Booking said in its earnings release. JetBlue which only flies in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America, became the first U.S. airline to offer waivers for all travel on Wednesday, announcing it would suspend change and cancellation fees for new flight bookings between Feb. 27 and March 11 this year. "While authorities have not issued any travel restrictions to the locations we fly, we want to give our customers some peace of mind that we are ready to support them should the situation change," JetBlue said in a statement. Marriott reported a quarterly profit above analyst estimates on Wednesday as occupancy and room prices in North America inched higher. The company also forecast revenue per available room growth a measure of a hotel's financial performance to be between flat and up 2% in 2020. The hotel operator said it expects 2020 earnings, excluding the impact of the virus, to be between $6.30 and $6.53 per share. Analysts were expecting $6.47 per share, according to Refinitiv data. WASHINGTON New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg has plastered TV, radio waves and websites in Texas for weeks, pouring at least $25 million into ads as he bets that a moderate like him will stand a better chance of winning in the Republican stronghold than a Democratic socialist or a liberal senator from Massachusetts. One problem with that logic: Both U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are polling better in Texas than the former New York mayor, as the Democratic base in the red state shifts leftward. As of February, just 27 percent of Democratic voters in Texas identified as moderate, according to University of Texas/Texas Tribune polling. Results dating back to 2008 when more than 50 percent considered themselves moderate. Sanders is essentially tied for first with former Vice President Joe Biden, according to two of the most recent polls, both of which had Warren at third. Big money is powerful, but it doesnt always win, Warren says in a new ad airing across Texas that goes directly at Bloomberg, who has become a punching bag for Warren and Sanders in the final stretch before Super Tuesday, March 3. Know the candidates: Houston Chronicle 2020 primary election voter guide; San Antonio Express-News 2020 primary election voter guide Still, in a state where a Democrat hasnt won statewide in a generation and where Hillary Clinton beat Sanders by a 2-to-1 margin in 2016 many believe a moderate is best, and fear having Sanders or Warren at the top of the ticket would tank the partys hopes of flipping the state to blue. Republicans, including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, have already taken to branding their Democratic opponents as closely to Sanders and Warren as possible. We have to make certain that we have a dose of reality, longtime state Sen. Royce West, a Dallas-area Democrat vying to take on Cornyn, said during a primary debate earlier this month. No Democrat can win by being far left. It's not going to happen." The progressives disagree. Bernie is winning right now because the Democratic Party is a progressive party, and progressive ideas are popular ideas, even if there are a lot of people on this stage who don't want to say so, Warren said during Tuesday nights debate in South Carolina. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox More Information Where Sanders and Warren stand on the issues Bernie Sanders Guns: Famously voted against the Brady Bill, but supports assault weapon and high-capacity magazine ban, universal background checks, red flag laws and a federal licensing program. Energy and Environment: Would declare climate change a national emergency and launch a multi-trillion-dollar plan paid for by petro-related military cuts and tax increases. Ban fracking. Health Care: Single-payer national health insurance "Medicare for All." Immigration: Moratorium on deportations, expand the Dreamer program, dismantle and rebuild ICE and Border Patrol agencies. No wall. Elizabeth Warren Guns: Federal licensing and registration system for gun ownership, as well as assault weapon ban. Higher taxes on gun manufacturers. Energy and Environment: No new fossil fuel leases on public land, ban fracking, enact emissions reduction deadlines and multi-trillion-dollar investment in green energy paid for by reeling back recent tax reductions on the wealthy. Health care: Famous/controversial multi-trillion-dollar universal government health care plan funded by taxes on the wealthy. Immigration: Make illegally crossing the border a civil, not criminal offense; increase number of refugees allowed into the country, end family separations and "stay in Mexico" policy. No wall. - Eric Dexheimer See More Collapse The economy is doing really great for people like Mr. Bloomberg and other billionaires, Sanders said. In the last three years, last three years, billionaires in this country saw an $850 billion increase in their wealth. But you know what? he continued, for the ordinary American, things are not so good. Warren and Sanders both say they have the solutions to level the playing field. But theyd go about it in different ways. Bernie and I agree on a lot of things, but I think I would make a better president than Bernie, Warren said. And the reason for that is that getting a progressive agenda enacted is going to be really hard, and it's going to take someone who digs into the details to make it happen. Health care and college Both candidates would institute sweeping universal programs, of which Medicare For All has received the most attention. Warren has cited Sanders signature plan as a difference between herself and him, saying that Bernie and I both want to see universal health care, but Bernie's plan doesn't explain how to get there, doesn't show how we're going to get enough allies into it, and doesn't show enough about how we're going to pay for it. Warren throughout the campaign has pitched herself as more of a pragmatist, loaded with fully fleshed-out plans, while Sanders has been concerned less with the details of his proposals than with using them to energize his supporters a network hes been building since his insurgent run against Clinton in 2016. Sanderss calls to guarantee health care as a human right are a consistent refrain in his public speeches, when he also calls out America as the only major country that lacks a single-payer health care system similar to Medicare For All. For subscribers: As Bernie Sanders surges, Texas liberals take their own shot Warren released her Medicare For All plan in November, for instance, with details on how she would pay for it, after weeks of dodging questions about whether it would raise taxes on the middle class. She says it would not. Her plan calls for employers to pay the government the amount theyre currently paying to cover employees health insurance plans. It would also rely on some new taxes on the wealthy and would require states to contribute. Sanders just released his spending plan this month, and it identifies the sources including a payroll tax of a little more than half of the $30 trillion he estimates the program will cost. But its not just health care theyre pushing. Perhaps one of the clearest illustrations of the progressives differing approaches is in their student debt forgiveness proposals. Sanders would forgive all of the roughly $1.6 trillion in outstanding student loan debt a proposal he offered over the summer in an effort to up the ante on Warren, who had already called for forgiving $640 billion of student loan debt. Warrens plan would be based on income. Those making $100,000 or less would have up to $50,000 in debt forgiven. Those making over $100,000 would be eligible for significantly less. Sanders would wipe out everyones debt, in keeping with his belief in universality, as he explained when he rolled out the proposal over the summer. If Donald Trump wants to send his grandchildren to public school, he has the right to do that, Sanders said at the time. What we are saying today is public colleges and universities should be tuition-free and debt-free for all Americans. Guns Sanders has come under fire repeatedly his historic reluctance to support new gun restrictions something that sets him apart from most of the Democratic pack. In 2005, Sanders supported a federal law that protects gun manufacturers from liability for crimes committed with their products. As a congressman, Sanders also famously voted against the Brady Bill, which established federal background checks and mandatory waiting periods for gun purchases. Sanders said he no longer stands by those votes, saying I have cast thousands of votes, including bad votes. He supports bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background checks, red flag laws and a federal licensing program. I am proud that I have a D-minus voting record from the NRA, Sanders said. If elected president, it will get worse than that. For subscribers: Bernie Sanders' ascension in Texas leaves moderate Democrats fighting for scraps Warren, too, supports a federal licensing and registration system for gun ownership, as well as an assault weapon ban. She would also significantly increase taxes on gun manufacturers. To get it all done, she says, she would push to end the filibuster, the 60-vote threshold needed for most legislation to pass the Senate. Sanders has said he wouldnt go that far. Warren has likened the filibuster rules to giving a veto to the gun industry. Oil and gas Another industry Warren says is benefiting from the filibuster she has in her sights: Oil and gas. Warren has made the industry a key piece of her campaign to crack down on corruption. Why can't we get anything passed in Washington on climate? she said at the debate in Nevada earlier this month. Everyone understands the urgency, but we've got two problems. The first is corruption an industry that makes its money felt all through Washington. Warren would target oil and gas executives with her Corporate Executive Accountability Act a bill the senator authored that would hold executives of large corporations criminally responsible when their companies commit crimes or harm large numbers of Americans through civil violations. She and Sanders both support the Green New Deal and would pour trillions into green energy initiatives funded by taxes on the wealthy in an effort to shift entirely to clean energy over the next decade. They also both have said they would ban hydraulic fracking. Both argue the fresh investments would create plenty of new jobs for those in the oil and gas industry, including some 230,000 in Texas who would be in the market for new employment. There's an upcoming $27 trillion market worldwide for green, Warren said in Nevada. And much of what is needed has not yet been invented. My proposal is, let's invent it here in the United States and then say, we invent it in the U.S., you've got to build it in the U.S. ben.wermund@chron.com A BJP MLA was robbed of his mobile phone while waiting for a cab near Civil Lines in the city, an official said on Thursday. MLA Babveer Singh Luthra was waiting for a cab when two motorcycle-borne miscreants approached him and snatched the mobile phone from his hand, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Yogesh Dadhich said. Vidhayak Puri police station's SHO Om Prakash said the MLA informed the police about the incident on Thursday and a case was being registered against the unidentified miscreants. I was waiting for a cab and was looking for the location of the driver in my phone when the accused snatched my mobile. The incident occurred near Civil Lines railway crossing which is near the chief minister's residence, the MLA said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Airlines are turning to some of the world's hardest-hitting disinfectants, capable of stopping everything from sexually transmitted diseases to the MRSA superbug, in the fight against the coronavirus. Qantas Airways, Korean Air Lines and Singapore Airlines's carrier Scoot are among airlines that helped evacuate people from the outbreak's epicentre, the Chinese city of Wuhan, and from a cruise ship off Japan. They've stepped up aircraft-cleaning efforts as a result, trying to ensure that planes used in rescue missions are safe to be put back into commercial use. Qantas used the same plane for all evacuation flights, and said it cleaned it for 36 hours after. Credit:Qantas The standard vacuum-and-wipe clean-up on board has turned into hospital-grade sterilisations. How was this done? And are there any risks for passengers using the planes when they return to service? Here are some answers: The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the AAP government's response on Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's plea that the police be directed to place before the trial court certain tweets of his wife Sunanda Pushkar before her death in 2014. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri issued notice to the Delhi government and asked it to file a status report on the petition by Tharoor who has claimed that the tweets of his wife, in the days prior to her death, would be an indication of her state of mind. The Congress MP has moved the high court against a trial court order of January 30 dismissing his plea for directions to the police to place before it certain tweets of Pushkar. The high court said the tweets were available in the public domain and the Congress leader can access it from there and place it before the trial court. To this, senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, who appeared for Tharoor, told the high court that arguments on charge are going on and he would have to rely on the prosecution evidence, which includes the tweets. That is why he was asking the police to place on record the entire tweets as the agency had her phone, Pahwa said. After hearing brief arguments on behalf of Tharoor, the high court listed the matter for further hearing on March 18. In the trial court, Tharoor, the sole accused in the death case of his wife, had contended that the Delhi Police was trying to selectively place reliance on some of Pushkar's tweets to claim the differences which allegedly led her to commit suicide, whereas in entirety they showed her positive frame of mind and that she was quite optimistic about her relationship with him. The former Union minister was accused by Delhi Police under Sections 498-A (husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code. The trial court had dismissed his plea saying that "at the stage of (framing of) charge such a roving inquiry by the court is not expected". Tharoor had earlier told the trial court, "This is a case where cause of death is not established yet. The charge sheet took very adventurous route and wanted a psychological autopsy. But nothing has established in the case. There are rather reports which say it was neither homicide nor suicide. "A psychological autopsy was conducted. They wanted to know the mental status of victim. But till date they are not clear whether she committed suicide or it was a homicide." The tweets clearly indicate that Pushkar was not having any "suicidal ideation" as is sought to be alleged by the prosecution, he had contended. The police had told the court that Pushkar was suffering from mental agony due to a strained relationship with her husband. She had a scuffle with her husband and had various injury marks a few days before her death, it had said. Police has accused Tharoor of torturing his wife which led her to commit suicide. The maximum punishment for the offence listed in the charge sheet is 10 years of imprisonment. However, if convicted for 302 (murder), the maximum punishment is death penalty while the minimum is life imprisonment. Pushkar, 51, was found dead in a suite of luxury hotel Leela Palace in Delhi's Chanakyapuri on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple was staying at the hotel as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at that time. The coronavirus battle brewing inside the Trump administration is putting two urgent imperatives in conflict showing credibility in tackling a global health crisis while calming unsettled investors and voters in an election year. On Monday, one top White House official publicly disputed concerns about a market downturn while President Donald Trump commented directly on it. On Tuesday, health officials broadcast their expertise about the virus while Trump sought to quash such chatter. And on Wednesday, top aides debated publicly whether the administration would need a czar to coordinate a government response as the president announced a rare evening news conference and attacked the media. Then Trump came striding out Wednesday night to the White House briefing room podium, attempting to clear things up. He tapped Vice President Mike Pence to helm the response and acquiesced to a bipartisan congressional demand for more emergency funding than the White House had previously requested. But his typical confidence and downplaying of the threat he bragged that America was a top-ranked country for handling a viral outbreak and noted the seasonal flu was killing more people than the coronavirus continued the administrations occasional discordant messaging on the subject. Were ready to adapt and do whatever we have to as the disease spreads, if it spreads, Trump said, making only his second appearance on the briefing room podium during his time in office. Widening fears about a potential health catastrophe are thrusting the Trump White House into a form of crisis management different from anything it has experienced in three years, pitting transparency against politics just as top officials hoped to be pivoting away from impeachment to the 2020 reelection fight. Now, the White House is trying to project confidence about Americas ability to contain the coronavirus now present in 37 countries, but about which much remains unknown while appearing prepared for an outbreak in the U.S. Its a tricky moment for any president to balance an image of both strength and caution, coming in a week when the administrations political messaging has seemed disorganized and often in conflict. Story continues In an effort to appear in control of the response, the president told aides on Air Force One during his return trip from India that he wanted to hold Wednesday nights news conference. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and other members of the coronavirus task force were expected to brief the president ahead of his appearance, which came hours after the stock market closed out another volatile day. President Trump realizes that people need to hear about the coronavirus from him, said Jason Miller, senior communications adviser on the 2016 Trump campaign. The media environment he is returning to is different than when he left for India. Miller said Trump needed to be surrounded by officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conveying basic concepts like who is at risk of contracting coronavirus and how Americans can avoid it. Even if the virus is not our fault, we will be the ones to solve the problem, Miller said. That is the message the American people need to hear. Trumps decision to appear as the face of the coronavirus response came after the president and officials the White House were livid with the statements made Tuesday by Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Her warning that a coronavirus outbreak in the United States was not a question of if, but rather a question of when raised alarm bells and contradicted the public messaging from the White House that the situation was serious, but under control. On the same day, Director of the National Economic Council Larry Kudlow said on CNBC: We have contained this, I wont say airtight but pretty close to airtight. The White House tried to project a sense of confidence, and pointed to the presidents early creation of a coronavirus task force, travel restrictions and a containment strategy. But that was at odds with what federal officials have publicly warned could be a dire situation messaging seen as credible by many lawmakers but slammed by the presidents aides and allies. I dont understand how the CDC could make an announcement as important as yesterday without it being tightly coordinated with the [White House], former President George W. Bushs press secretary, Ari Fleischer, said on Twitter. There should have been an Oval Office meeting, a statement by POTUS about protecting people, and then a press avail by experts. Bizarre. With criticism over the messaging mounting on Wednesday, the White House sent out talking points to allies praising the presidents response as aggressive and proactive. The Administration is taking aggressive and proactive measures, working closely with state and local partners to protect the public health, the document said. President Trump has led the way in addressing the coronavirus and has allowed the U.S. to stay ahead of the outbreak as it has developed. Publicly, the president tried to show he had taken command and assured that Americans were safe. The risk to the American people remains very low, he said. We have the greatest experts really in the world. But behind the scenes, officials have prepared for scenarios in which the virus could spread out of control especially in densely populated and poor areas abroad. Its not known exactly how many people are affected in Iran, but an unofficial report published by Canadian researchers was circulated among some officials inside the White House that predicted as many as 18,000 cases a number seen as within the realm of possibility. The National Security Council held a table-top exercise last week in which officials went through potential scenarios and mapped out needs in the case of any spike in cases. An administration official also said the White House was considering measures that included travel restrictions for South Korea and Italy. The CDC already raised its travel advisory for South Korea to the highest level, recommending that travelers avoid all nonessential travel, but Italy still remains at the level below. Trump on Wednesday took credit for an early decision to ban certain travelers from China shortly after the virus outbreak began. A lot of people thought we shouldnt have done it that early, he said. Senior administration officials have stressed in recent days that the presidents decision early on to shut down flights between the U.S. and China gave the administration much-needed time to ramp up vaccine development, explore potential treatments and examine possible disruptions to supply chains for U.S. companies. Unfortunately what we are seeing is a political effort by the Left and some in the media to distract and disturb the American people with fearful rhetoric and palace intrigue, White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement. The virus remains low-risk domestically because of the containment actions taken by this Administration since the first of the year. The global situation is serious and changing hourly, which is exactly why Secretary Azar continues to lead a whole-of-government response in partnership with state and local leaders that includes the best experts on infectious diseases, Deere said. Its also exactly why the White House is requesting from Congress $2.5 billion in funding to accelerate vaccine development and further support preparedness and response efforts. The President is receiving regular updates, and is prepared to take additional action to protect the American people. White House aides have long wanted the public message on the coronavirus to delve into the public health concerns rather than the potential economic damage. But behind the scenes, aides have been running models of the possible impact on both the U.S. and global economies. The U.S. stock market took major tumbles Monday and Tuesday after the coronavirus spread to both Italy and Iran, then swung between gains and losses throughout Wednesday. New analysis released by Moodys Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi estimated the odds of the coronavirus turning into a pandemic were now at 40 percent a development that Zandi said would result in a recession in the U.S. for the first half of 2020. A worker disinfects subway trains against coronavirus in Tehran, Iran, in the early morning of Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Iran's government said Tuesday that more than a dozen people had died nationwide from the new coronavirus, rejecting claims of a much higher death toll of 50 by a lawmaker from the city of Qom that has been at the epicenter of the virus in the country. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) The coronavirus has been a body blow to the Chinese economy, which now threatens to take out the entire global economy, he wrote in a research note. A global recession is likely if COVID-19 becomes a pandemic, and the odds of that are uncomfortably high. The White House is also trying to work with leaders at the state level on a possible coronavirus response. There are nuances of the messaging that may lead some to believe were saying something different, said Michael Kilkenny, medical director for the Cabell-Huntington Health Department in Huntington, W.Va. But we all have the same understanding that this is a serious threat to the public health of the U.S., and that when we talk about a disease that has the potential to spread asymptomatically, the reality is you cannot stop community spread. Kilkenny and other state and local health leaders met with administration officials including acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney at the White House on Tuesday to discuss preparedness efforts for the coronavirus. He said he agreed with the CDCs assessment that community spread is likely. Thats the prudent concept to grasp, and were grasping that at the local levels across the country, Kilkenny said. To deny that would happen here would be foolish. Brianna Ehley contributed to this report. Serious About Reforms President Kiir And R-TGoNU? "Such a broadcaster will not giving fair opportunity for opposition parties to criticise the government where and when necessary or publicise their policies for public consumption." Here is one suggestion By Jacob J Akol In a multi-party democracy, a government should not have control of a broadcaster: radio, television or both, funded by the public. Such broadcaster becomes nothing but propaganda platform for the party in power. Such a broadcaster will not giving fair opportunity for opposition parties to criticise the government where and when necessary or publicise their policies for public consumption. You cannot have fair play and fair democratic elections under such circumstances. A government may have a ministry of information or a spokesperson but not a broadcaster or a print publication funded by the public. A public broadcaster, funded by the public should be open to all political parties in a liberal democracy. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nina A. Loasana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Fri, February 28 2020 N, a woman from Depok, West Java, was left shocked after a motorcyclist flashed his genitals as she closed the front gate to her home after returning from a nearby store. At that time, my neighborhood was very quiet, nobody else was around. I was carrying my child at that time. If I was not carrying my child, I would have screamed at him, I would have chased and hit him, N told kompas.com on last week. A month prior, a 21-year-old identified as CA witnessed a man conducting a similar act from his car on the sidewalk of Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, one of the busiest roads in the capital. 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 At the center of the ethics boards rulings was a 2016 county ordinance stating that donors who seek official action with the county may contribute no more than $750 in nonelection years. Attorneys for Berrios sought to overturn the rulings, arguing that the county limits are unconstitutional and that higher limits set by state law should apply, among other objections. The President of TESCON at the University of Ghana, Martin Abdallah, has challenged the NDC MP for Bolga Central, Albert Adongo, to an economic challenge. Mr. Adongo wants to challenge Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to an economic debate, but Abdallah feels the lawmaker is no match to the astute economist. In the past few days, your braggart-self was at a full gear when you challenged the venerable economic wizkid cum Vice-President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia. As you may be in the know, the plate of Vice-Presidential duties is almost always full and that will not serve the Vice President the luxury of comfort for such an encounter. Dr. Bawumia is preoccupied and fully neck-deeped in his aged-continuance effort to partner His Excellency President deliver on the transformative policies, projects and programmes of government. Thence, in the stead of the Vice President, I WELCOME AND ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE to debate you on the unprecedented economic gains recorded under the Nana-Addo led NPP government, Abdallah said in a statement. Below is the full statement unedited. OPEN LETTER TO ISAAC ADONGO: I ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE TO DEBATE YOU ON THE ECONOMY, I HOPE YOU WONT CHICKEN OUT I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirit. I must apologize for conveying this message to you through this medium. If I had any other practicable and convenient channel of communicating with you, I would have graciously explored it. Accept my sincere apologies if you are discomfited by my resort to public engagement through an open letter. In the past few days, your braggart-self was at a full gear when you challenged the venerable economic wizkid cum Vice-President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia. As you may be in the know, the plate of Vice-Presidential duties is almost always full and that will not serve the Vice President the luxury of comfort for such an encounter. Dr. Bawumia is preoccupied and fully neck-deeped in his aged-continuance effort to partner His Excellency President deliver on the transformative policies, projects and programmes of government. Thence, in the stead of the Vice President, I WELCOME AND ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE to debate you on the unprecedented economic gains recorded under the Nana-Addo led NPP government. Mr. Adongo, let it never dawn on you for a nano-second that Dr.Mahamudu Bawumia is your coequal in the discipline of economics. Need I remind you that while you were still struggling to obtain your degree at the University of Ghana Business School in the late 1990s, Dr. Bawumia was already an astute PhD holder for years from the University of British Columbia, Canada? I wish to inform you that with my little degree of knowledge in economics as a final year student of Economics at the University of Ghana, I have readied myself to debate you on the economy. Sir, I can bet you with my bottom cedi that your self-serving and skewed thoughts on the economy will not pass you any basic macroeconomic paper at Legon. Mr Adongo, On this note, I hereby submit myself to all terms and preconditions that will facilitate the debate between you and me. I can assure you that if you succumb to this challenge, like Goliath met his David, you( Isaac) will meet your Matin. I hope that you will not chicken out of your own challenge. While I wish you plentiful years in opposition, I look forward to your speedy response. Thank you. Martin Abdallah, President, UG-TESCON Source: Peacefmonline.com/GHANA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video At least 200 factories in Cambodiamost of which make garmentsare likely to suffer supply chain disruptions associated with the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in China, leaving the jobs of up to 160,000 workers at risk, a labor official said Thursday. According to our forecast weve anticipated that, in March, at least 200 factories will face raw material shortages, and the worst scenario will see 160,000 workers affected due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Ministry of Labor spokesman Heng Sour said at a press conference in the capital Phnom Penh. However, we also know that factories in China are resuming their operations and the government is working its best through communication with buyers and other governments to make sure that China will prioritize supplying raw materials to Cambodia so that we will only be affected for a short period of time. Heng Sour said that the government is working to ensure that Cambodia is the first country to receive raw materials for production, particularly for its garment industrya crucial sector that employs one million people. To date, at least 10 factories have requested a partial suspension of operations, he said, leaving 3,000 laborers without work. We are cooperating with the factories to pay the workers, Heng Sour said, adding that Cambodia has already prepared all types of scenarios and resources to resolve impacts from COVID-19. Earlier this week, Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen pledged to cut taxes for up to a year for garment producers facing supply chain shortages due to travel restrictions and quarantines in China, as well as new tariffs ahead an expected of suspension of trade preferences with the European Union. He also promised that workers will be provided with 60 percent of the current minimum wage for up to six months and vocational training in the event that production is suspended. The EU in mid-February announced plans to suspend tariff-free access to its market under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme for around one-fifth of Cambodias exports, citing rollbacks on democracy and human rightsa decision that would reinstate tariffs on garments and footwear beginning Aug. 12, unless it is overturned by the blocs governments or its parliament. The decision, which Hun Sen has shrugged off and called an attack on Cambodias sovereignty, will result in a loss of around U.S. $1.1 billion of the countrys annual U.S. $5.8 billion in exports to the bloc, some 75 percent of which are made up of clothing and textiles. Worker representatives Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service on Thursday, Cambodian Confederation of Unions President Rong Chhun questioned why Heng Sour chose not to address the impact of the EBA, saying that the loss of trade preferences combined with the effect of COVID-19 is likely to result in even greater job losses for workers. Cambodia is facing two issues: COVID-19 and [the partial loss of the] EBA, he said. These issues will have a massive negative impact on workers employment. Rong Chhun noted that when workers lose their jobs, others who are benefiting from workers employment will also lose benefits. Ath Thon, president of the Cambodian Labour Confederation, agreed that the impact of the EUs decision should also be factored into any expectations for Cambodian production and how workers will be affected. He also said he was surprised that the ministry decided to release information about potential negative impacts to the industry, when it had been silent in the past. This is a serious issue and it will be difficult to resolve, he said of the partial loss of EBA status. Observers have expressed concerns that if buyers in the EU are forced to shoulder the burden of the reinstatement of tariffs on Cambodian garment imports, they will look to other nations for cheaper products, causing a steep drop off in orders for factories in the Southeast Asian nation. Government mismanagement Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) executive director Moeun Tola told RFA reports that garment factories might be forced to shut down had been circulating well before the COVID-19 outbreak in China. We learned from workers that some factories had started to reduce working hours before the outbreak, and some factories havent been producing anything, even though they remain open, Moeun Tola said. Even if the Cambodian government had warned of factory closures recently, due to the shortage of raw materials from China, but I believe the closures are the result of government mismanagement, he added. The garment sector has been operating since the 1990s, but the government missed the chance to cultivate cotton instead of relying on importing raw materials, so production takes a hit when there is a disruption in what we can bring in from China. Sam Rainsy, the acting president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), placed blame for the fragility of Cambodias economy at the feet of Hun Sen. What we have noticed is that Cambodia has been facing a serious economic crisis over the past three decades, said the CNRP chief, who has been living in self-imposed exile in France since 2015 to avoid a string of what he says are politically motivated charges and convictions. Cambodias economy is weak so the impact will be serious. But Hun Sen is weak and lacks the skills to resolve the economic issue, he said, adding that the measures he introduced earlier this week will be ineffective. Sam Rainsy suggested Cambodias economy was suffering from cancer, but what Hun Sen had offered were headache pills, so we wont be cured. This economic crisis is the result of mismanagement, he said. [The country] is being led by people without vision. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun and Pheap Aun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Iran Nuclear Accord Parties Meeting To Try To Salvage Deal By RFE/RL February 26, 2020 The remaining members of the floundering Iran nuclear deal are meeting in Vienna for the first time since Germany, France, and Britain initiated dispute procedures that could reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran. The February 26 talks come as the signatories try to rescue the landmark 2015 accord, which has been faltering since U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018 and enforced crippling sanctions on Iran. The meeting, overseen by the European Union, is being attended by senior diplomats from Iran, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia. They have promised to uphold the deal that saw Iran agree to reduce its program of developing nuclear weapons in exchange for an easing of sanctions, even without Washington's support. However, since the U.S. withdrawal, Iran has stepped up its program in defiance of Washington's "maximum pressure" campaign. "This is a chance -- though not of 100 percent -- to stop escalation before it's too late," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was cited as saying by the Russian Embassy in Vienna on Twitter. Iran has since breached its main limitations, exceeding the stockpiles of heavy water and uranium allowed, the number and types of centrifuges it can operate to enrich uranium, and the purity of uranium. As a result, in mid-January, the three European countries said they had "no choice" but to trigger a dispute mechanism in the accord, citing reduced compliance. The process for ultimately reimposing UN sanctions consists of several steps, the final one of which is to notify the UN Security Council. The restrictive measures would then automatically be reinstated after 30 days unless the Security Council voted to keep them lifted. Trump has called the deal "fatally flawed," in part because it did not restrict Tehran's ballistic-missile program or address its support for terrorist groups in the Middle East. Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only and that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) allows the country to run reactors to generate power. With reporting by dpa and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-nuclear- accord-parties-to-meet-and-try- salvage-deal/30455311.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The market will grow by USD 5.9 billion between 2020-2024 The report, marine scrubber market 2020-2024 has been added to Technavio's catalog. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the market, including its global and regional market share as well as market segmentation based on geographic regions and Product for the forecast period 2020-2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005330/en/ Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global marine scrubber market 2020-2024 (Graphic: Business Wire) To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research: Download Free Sample Report The report on the marine scrubber market includes: Marine scrubber market analysis and forecast 2020-2024: Features Competitive landscape Market segmentation Regional Segmentation Product Segmentation Market drivers Market trends Market challenges Five forces analysis Market landscape Market sizing forecast Marine Scrubber Market 2020-2024: Competitive Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Alfa Laval Clean Marine AS CR Ocean Engineering LLC DuPont de Nemours Inc. Langh Tech Oy AB Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Shanghai Bluesoul Environmental Technology Co. Ltd. Valmet Wartsila Corp. Yara Marine Technologies Marine Scrubber Market Landscape 2020-2024: Geographic Landscape North America size and forecast 2019-2024 APAC size and forecast 2019-2024 Europe size and forecast 2019-2024 South America size and forecast 2019-2024 MEA size and forecast 2019-2024 Key leading countries Marine Scrubber Market Landscape 2020-2024: Product Segmentation Hybrid size and forecast 2019-2024 Open loop size and forecast 2019-2024 Others size and forecast 2019-2024 Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Compliance with MARPOL regulations will drive the marine scrubber market Air pollution caused by more and more ships sailing each day to different parts of the world is becoming one of the major environmental problems. These emissions lead to the formation of greenhouse gases and global warming, which directly contributes to the depletion of the ozone layers in the atmosphere. NOx and SOx are the two main pollutants released from ships. These pollutants are released in the form of smoke that results from the combustion of fuel. Consequently, the MARPOL Convention was adopted by the International Maritime Organization to address this issue. The convention includes regulations that are aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships, from both unintentional and routine operations. This is driving the installation of marine scrubbers in ships to comply with the emission standards, both as retrofits in old ships and as new installations in newer vessels. Growth in global seaborne trade An emerging trend in the marine scrubber market The maritime transport industry carries over three-fourths of global trade by volume. As a result, global seaborne trade has become a steady and strong part of the shipping industry. The increase in the trade of all kinds of commodities and high demand for these goods from consumers are propelling the demand for seaborne trade volumes and maritime transport services. Shipping vessels that sail through various open seas and territorial waters must comply with various emission standards to operate in these specific areas. This is driving the installation of marine scrubbers in shipping vessels. Other Key Topics Covered in the Report are: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2019 Market size and forecast 2019-2024 Get Full Report: LINK CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE DECISION FRAMEWORK DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES MARKET TRENDS Growth in global seaborne trade Financial aid for the installation of marine scrubbers Frequent changes in regulations Technavio also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive, and tailored research. To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research: Download Free Sample Report For More Information: Click Here Related Reports on Energy include Heavy Fuel Oil Market- Global Heavy Fuel Oil Market by end-user (shipping and others) and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America). Bunker Fuel Market Global Bunker Fuel Market by geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America) and type (high sulfur fuel and low sulfur fuel). 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/20200227005330/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 Listen, Im sure that all of those political prisoners languishing in Castros jails, Im sure all of those who were shot on a firing squad, Im sure all of those who were tortured and live in New Jersey and can tell you their stories, would find the literacy program to really be worthy of losing all of their freedoms and all of their rights, Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.), the only Cuban American in the Democratic caucus, said Monday night. Lt Governor Anil Baijal has appointed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and three others to represent the Delhi Police in court cases related to law and order situation in northeast Delhi, where communal clashes broke out over the amended citizenship law. According to an order issued by the Home Department, Additional Solicitor General Maninder Kaur Acharya, senior lawyers Amit Mahajan and Rajat Nair will also represent the Delhi Police in such cases. The communal violence in northeast Delhi has claimed 34 lives so far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By PTI KOLKATA: At a time when the Central government is looking for big-ticket investment in the mining sector and improving its productivity, the segment may face hurdles to attract foreign investors due to policy and regulatory issues, overseas mining companies' officials said. Even as the government has taken several policy measures to open up the sector, issues such as "liability burden" and the system of selecting lowest bidder (L1) for awarding contracts or projects are major concerns for the deployment of quality technology in any mining project, they observed. They said the Indian mining sector needs international technology for improving its productivity and achieving sustainable growth. "The government has taken several positive policy measures but the factor like 100 per cent liability is a major concern as international technology solution providers are just partial stakeholders in any project. On the other hand, best services and technology may not be found at the cheapest cost," Australian company Mineral Technologies regional manager Glen D'Costa told PTI in an interview. He was here as a part of the Australia-India Business Exchange 2020 delegation. Explaining further, D' Costa said the involvement of technology partners for any mining project is about 15 per cent but as per current regulations, the foreign collaborators need to bear 100 per cent liabilities of a project. "Australian companies in India are looking to create value by investing in systems and processes. This cannot be done always as the lowest bidder. The government needs to take a look at this," D' Costa said. However, the practice of selecting L1 or lowest bidder in any project is relevant not only for government departments but even for private firms. The Downer Group was evaluating opportunities in India in operation of mines and acting as MDO, he said. Another mining software and services company, Mine Excellence managing director Amit Bhandari said there is reluctance in adopting technology in Indian mining which can minimise cost and reduce risks of accidents. D'Costa said policy stability is also very important for attracting foreign investors. Last year, the mining of monazite mineral by the private entities was "abruptly prohibited", which is a concern for foreign investors, they said. The government had said that it prohibited mining of atomic minerals by private entities and will grant operating rights to only state-run companies to "safeguard" strategic interest of the country. Atomic minerals zirconium, monazite and thorium are found in abundance along several beaches of the country. The government will register 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in order to promote cooperative farming, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said on Thursday. A budgetary provision has been made to provide each FPO a sum of Rs. 15 lakh for all farming related activities ranging from sowing, harvesting to distribution and marketing, he added. The minister was addressing 91st Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society here. He is also President of the Society. Tomar also talked about doubling of farmers' income and called for wider dissemination of government schemes so that the benefits percolate down to the lowest level among the farmers, an official statement said. On the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), he said the crop insurance has now been made voluntary for farmers to alleviate concerns that insurance companies were gaining more than farmers, besides reports of malpractice at lower level during inspection. "With a view to alleviating such concerns, the crop insurance scheme has been turned voluntary now and premium also remains the same," he said. Against the total sum of Rs 13,000 crore premium collected by insurance companies, a total of Rs 58,000 crore insurance benefits have been paid to farmers, he added. Speaking on the occasion, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called for synergy between the various R&D institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), universities and academia, PSUs and industry so that the huge investments being made by each of them yields bigger returns. The prime minister has set a goal to make India a USD 5 trillion economy in five years and the agricultural sector will be a big factor towards achieving the goal, he said. More R&D in agriculture, timely availability of farm credit, mechanised farming and automation will be critical to boost rural economy, he added. In his address, Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation and Planning Rao Inderjit Singh underlined the need to avoid duplication of R&D. Minister of State for Agriculture Parshottam Rupala called for increased digitisation for targeted agriculture subsidies and rural schemes. Rupala said more capital is required in actual R&D since at least 70 per cent share of government research body Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Budget goes towards salaries and allowances. He also called for scaling up PPP model with ICAR R&D Extension programme. Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Pratap Chandra Sarangi said the agricultural laboratories should be made common property with the participation of all concerned including students and farmers. Underlining the role of agriculture sector in India's economy, Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary, said concerted efforts are required towards fulfilling the Prime Minister's goal of doubling farmers' income. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Whisper, Indias leading feminine care brand, today released a stirring campaign to #KeepGirlsInSchool and prevent them from dropping out when they get their periods. As part of this campaign, Whisper launched its new film that aims to create awareness on how even today, girls across India drop out of school on hitting puberty. The film brings to light the startling fact that 1 in 5 girls are dropping out of school each year and we dont even notice. To bridge this gap, Whisper reinforces its pledge to double the impact of their existing menstrual hygiene education program by reaching 5 crore girls by 2022. The film, conceptualized by Leo Burnett, sheds light on how girls go missing from school during periods and nobody notices. The film portrays the daily life of schoolgirls, filled with fun and curiosity until they start disappearing one after another. It jolts the viewer with the reality of the grave situation that even today, many girls miss out on school just because they are unaware about managing their periods driving the importance of period education at the right time. The film leaves the viewers with a sense of responsibility to do their bit to make a difference. Chetna Soni, Category Leader - Feminine Care, P&G Indian sub-continent said, Whisper has become synonymous with challenging societal barriers to menstrual hygiene in the country through its path-breaking campaigns and #KeepGirlsInSchool is the latest edition in the brands illustrious history. We pioneered breaking period taboos by using our voice in advertising and media through trail-blazing award-winning campaign #TouchThePickle and following it up with revolutionary campaigns like #SitImproper and #WhispersBreakSilence. She further added, In addition to being a leading voice on breaking period taboos; Whisper has also made a significant impact on-ground. Over the past three decades, we have educated more than 2.5 crore girls in India on menstrual hygiene through our Period Education Program. We pledge to double this impact in the next two years and educate over 5 crore adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene by 2022. This is in line with our efforts to increase awareness and acceptance of healthy menstruation practices, and our vision to achieve 100% menstrual hygiene in India. When we started our journey in India three decades ago, the number of women using sanitary protection was less than 1 crore. Our efforts to create awareness and education have been critical to increasing this number to more than 7 crore women today. To spread the message of #KeepGirlsInSchool, Whisper is joining forces with Bhumi Pednekar, actress and passionate advocate for menstrual hygiene awareness and access. The cause of keeping girls in school hits home, and feels personal to me, especially with periods continuing to be a taboo topic. I was shocked to learn that lack of period education is leading to 1 in 5 girls dropping out of school each year. Whispers initiative comes at a time when empowering the young women of India with the right knowledge and education is critical for our countrys growth. It is a rare opportunity where each of us can collectively make a difference in the lives of young girls. It truly is time to #KeepGirlsInSchool, the actress said. Speaking about the campaign, Rajdeepak Das, Managing Director India & Chief Creative Officer Leo Burnett South Asia said, It is shocking to know that even today in India, 1 in 5 girls drop out of school because of period hygiene. We have been partnering with Whisper to not only tell this moving story, but with the #KeepGirlsinSchool initiative we want to jolt people with the reality of these numbers and encourage everyone to join us in our movement to towards achieving 100% menstrual hygiene in the country. GREENE COUNTY, Mississippi -- Michael Pretty Boy Floyd Wilson was hit with a second life sentence after a Greene County jury found him guilty of escape Wednesday. Wilson, 49, was the subject of a two-day manhunt by U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement agencies after he escaped from the South Mississippi Correctional Facility in Leakesville on July 5, 2018. Wilson scaled a fence at the prison and was discovered missing about 12:48 p.m. that day. He was captured by Marshals and Jackson County Sheriffs deputies about 6 p.m. on July 7 on Sunnyside Drive in a residential area across from the Walmart Neighborhood Market in the St. Martin community. I commend the hard work and dedication of the law enforcement agencies who worked diligently to search for, and ultimately apprehend, this defendant after his escape," said district attorney Angel Myers McIlrath. "I am proud of the verdict and sentence handed down today. Floyd was already serving a life sentence for beating two men to death in Harrison County in 2015. The new life sentenced will run concurrent to the first and, as noted, he will not be eligible for parole. Highlights of the Quarter Ended Dec. 31, 2019 (unless otherwise noted, all financial amounts in this news release are expressed in U.S. dollars) Sales Sharply Higher: Consolidated sales of $5.4 million were 38% higher than prior-year period sales of $3.9 million, and fiscal year-to-date (YTD) consolidated sales of $10.3 million were 20% higher than prior-year sales of $8.6 million. Gross Margins Strengthen: Comprehensive gross margin more that doubled to 15.6% in the quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared to 6.8% in the prior-year period, and rose to 13.3% year to date, as compared to 9.0% in the comparable period of fiscal 2019. Comprehensive gross margin more that doubled to 15.6% in the quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared to 6.8% in the prior-year period, and rose to 13.3% year to date, as compared to 9.0% in the comparable period of fiscal 2019. Positive YTD Adjusted EBITDA : Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) 1 for the six-month period ended December 31, 2019 was $67,000, as compared to ($723,000) in the prior-year period. In the quarter, Adjusted EBITDA was ($53,000). However, except for a one-time charge of $140,000 in the quarter (see further details below), the Companys fiscal Q2 2020 Adjusted EBITDA would have swung to a positive $87,000. : Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) for the six-month period ended December 31, 2019 was $67,000, as compared to ($723,000) in the prior-year period. In the quarter, Adjusted EBITDA was ($53,000). However, except for a one-time charge of $140,000 in the quarter (see further details below), the Companys fiscal Q2 2020 Adjusted EBITDA would have swung to a positive $87,000. Comprehensive Loss Narrows : IBC recorded a comprehensive loss of $770,000 in the quarter, or ($0.02) per share, which compared favorably to a loss of $1.1 million, or ($0.03) per share, in the prior-year period. The Company recorded a YTD loss of $1.3 million, which compared favorably to a loss of $1.9 million in the prior-year period. : IBC recorded a comprehensive loss of $770,000 in the quarter, or ($0.02) per share, which compared favorably to a loss of $1.1 million, or ($0.03) per share, in the prior-year period. The Company recorded a YTD loss of $1.3 million, which compared favorably to a loss of $1.9 million in the prior-year period. Beryllium-Aluminum Division Achieves Profitability on Stronger Sales : The Engineered Materials division (EMC), which produces advanced beryllium-aluminum (BeAl alloy products for commercial and defense markets, achieved profitability in the quarter on sales of $1.8 million, a 55% increase over the prior-year period. Sales of $2.9 million YTD were 20.8% higher than the prior-year period. : The Engineered Materials division (EMC), which produces advanced beryllium-aluminum (BeAl alloy products for commercial and defense markets, achieved profitability in the quarter on sales of $1.8 million, a 55% increase over the prior-year period. Sales of $2.9 million YTD were 20.8% higher than the prior-year period. Copper Alloy Sales Higher: Sales in the Copper Alloy division also were higher Q/Q and Y/Y. In the quarter, sales of $2.7 million were 31% higher than in the prior-year period, and YTD sales of $7.4 million were 20% higher than in the prior-year period. FRANKLIN, Ind., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. (IBC or the Company) (TSX-V: IB; OTCQB: IAALF) announces its financial results for its fiscal second quarter of 2020. Consolidated Results Highlights The Company generated consolidated sales revenue of $5.4 million, a 38% increase over sales of $3.9 million in the prior-year period. In the six-month period ended December 31, 2019, consolidated sales of $10.3 million were 20% higher than sales of $8.6 million in the prior-year period. SELECTED RESULTS: Consolidated Quarter Ended 12-31-2018 Quarter Ended 12-31-2019 Sales $ 3,904,142 $ 5,385,769 Adjusted EBITDA $ (607,532 ) $ (54,204 ) Net Income (Loss) $ (1,087,693 ) $ (769,743 ) IBC narrowed its comprehensive loss in the quarter to $770,000, or ($0.02) per share, as compared to a loss of $1.1 million, or ($0.03) per share, in the prior-year period. Year to date, the Company posted a loss of $1.3 million, which compares to a loss of $1.9 million in the six months ended December 31, 2018. On an Adjusted EBITDA basis, IBC booked ($53,000) for the quarter, which compared favorably to Adjusted EBITDA of ($606,000) for the prior-year period. Year-to-date, IBC recorded Adjusted EBITDA of $67,000, as compared to ($723,000) in the prior-year period. In Q2 of 2020, the Company booked a one-time charge of $140,000 to reimburse a customer for out-of-spec material that was supplied to IBC by another company. Except for that one-time charge in SGA, Copper Alloys Adjusted EBITDA would have been $20,000 for the quarter instead of ($120,000). Comprehensive gross margin strengthened in the quarter and year-to-date, improving to 15.6% in the quarter ended December 31, 2019, from 6.8% in the prior-year period, and rising to 13.3% year to date, as compared to 9.0% in the comparable period of fiscal 2019. EMC Division Highlights SELECTED RESULTS: Engineered Materials Division Quarter Ended 12-31-2018 Quarter Ended 12-31-2019 Sales $ 1,176,401 $ 1,821,650 Adjusted EBITDA $ (52,167 ) $ 301,229 Net Income (Loss) $ (154,053 ) $ 49,272 The EMC division swung to profitability in the quarter on sales of $1.8 million, which represented a 55% increase over sales in the prior-year period of $1.2 million. Year-to-date, EMC sales were $2.9 million, a 20.8% increase over sales of $2.4 million in the prior-year period. Increased sales in these periods were due largely to higher demand for BeAl products by semiconductor equipment manufacturers. In addition: EMC posted net income of $49,000 in the quarter, reversing a loss in the prior-year period of $154,000. Net loss in the six-month period ended December 31, 2019 was $209,000, as compared to a loss of $455,000 in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA for EMC was $301,000 in the quarter, which compared favorably to Adjusted EBITDA of ($52,000) in the prior-year period. Year to date, Adjusted EBITDA for EMC was $289,000, as compared to Adjusted EBITDA of ($221,000) in the prior-year period. EMCs gross margin in the quarter expanded by 63.8%, going from 14.8% in the quarter ended December 31, 2018 to 24.1% in the quarter ended December 31, 2019. Demand for BeAl products used in defense applications remained steady in calendar year 2019 but is expected to strengthen as rates of production for defense programs such as the F-35 Lightning II aircraft begin to accelerate beyond low rates of initial production. For example, according to Lockheed-Martin, the annual rate of production of the F-35 aircraft is expected to nearly double by 2022 from 2018 production levels. IBC is continuing to pursue additional contracts for high-performance BeAl products in other defense-sector platforms. EMC continues to recycle BeAl scrap material into useful feedstock for both aerospace and commercial BeAl casting products, which helps to reduce our cost of cost of goods sold and capture higher margins. Copper Alloys Division Highlights SELECTED RESULTS: Copper Alloys Division Quarter Ended 12-31-2018 Quarter Ended 12-31-2019 Sales $ 2,727,741 $ 3,564,119 Adjusted EBITDA $ (362,975 ) $ (119,293 ) Net Income (Loss) $ (547,706 ) $ (365,527 ) In the Copper Alloys division, sales in the quarter of $3.6 million were 31% higher than sales of $2.7 million in fiscal Q2 of 2019. Division sales in the six-month period ended December 31, 2019 increased 20% to $7.4 million, from $6.2 million in the prior year-to-date period. Adjusted EBITDA for Copper Alloys division was ($119,000) in the quarter, which compares to Adjusted EBITDA of ($363,000) in the prior-year period. In the six-month period ended December 31, 2019, Adjusted EBITDA flipped to a positive $181,000, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of ($171,000) in the prior year-to-date period. In the quarter, the Company booked a one-time charge of $140,000 to reimburse a customer for out-of-spec material that was supplied to IBC by another company. Except for that one-time charge in SGA, Copper Alloys Adjusted EBITDA would have been $20,000 for the quarter instead of ($120,000). Gross margin for Copper Alloys jumped 242% in the quarter, going from 3.3% in the quarter ended December 31, 2018 to 11.3% in the quarter ended December 31, 2019. Copper Alloys posted a net loss of $366,000 in the quarter, which compared to a loss of $548,000 in the prior-year period. The division posted a loss of $304,000 in the six-month period ended December 31, 2019, which compared to a loss of $574,000 in the prior year-to-date period. The Board of Directors and I are pleased with the strong upward trajectory in sales across both our Copper Alloy and EMC divisions, and we were particularly pleased to see EMC swing to profitability in the quarter, said Mark A. Smith, IBC Board Chairman. The growth in gross margins in both divisions bodes well for future revenue growth. We look forward to driving these trends forward, expanding sales further, and realizing our goal of profitability for the Company. FISCAL Q2 2020 SEGMENT AND CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS RESULTS Following is a summary of the Companys results of operations to Adjusted EBITDA for the second fiscal quarter of 2020, on a consolidated and segment-by-segment basis: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8e137951-beb9-4403-8e96-a260dcb2e71c NON-IFRS MEASURES To supplement its consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS, IBC uses Adjusted EBITDA, a non-IFRS financial measure. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator for cash flow generated by our business that is independent of our capital structure. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to loss for the period or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to our data. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA represents our income (loss) for the period before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and share-based compensation. A reconciliation of our first quarter loss to Adjusted EBITDA follows: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d58c5e66-7f37-4e3d-91d7-3f3c6c9dcda4 For more information on IBC and its innovative alloy products, go here. On Behalf of the Board of Directors: "Mark A. Smith Mark A. Smith, Chairman of the Board CONTACTS: Mark A. Smith, Chairman of the Board Jim Sims, Investor and Public Relations IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. +1 (303) 503-6203 Email: jim.sims@ibcadvancedalloys.com Website: www.ibcadvancedalloys.com @IBCAdvanced $IB $IAALF ABOUT IBC ADVANCED ALLOYS CORP. IBC is a leading beryllium and copper advanced alloys company serving a variety of industries such as defense, aerospace, automotive, telecommunications, precision manufacturing, and others. IBC's Copper Division manufactures and distributes a variety of copper alloys as castings and forgings, including beryllium copper, chrome copper, and aluminum bronze. IBC's Engineered Materials Division makes the Beralcast family of alloys, which can be precision cast and are used in an increasing number of defense, aerospace, and other systems, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. IBC's has production facilities in Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. The Company's common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "IB" and the OTCQB under the symbol "IAALF". CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS 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. This disclosure contains a forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like believe, expect, anticipate, plan, intend, continue, estimate, may, will, should, ongoing and similar expressions, and within this news release include any statements (express or implied) respecting anticipated sales trends in fiscal 2020, expected demand for the Companys products and expectations as to additional quantities to be sold under the Lockheed Martin contract. Although IBC believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statement are reasonable, forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statement. The forward looking statements made by the Company in this press release are based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. IBC makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made, except as required by applicable law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in IBCs filings, including its Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, available at www.sedar.com. 1 IBC reports non-IFRS measures such as "Adjusted EBITDA. Please see information on this and other non-IFRS measures in the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this news release and in the Companys MD&A for the quarter. Vietnam has imposed a temporary suspension of entry on people with recent travel history to areas affected by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic as per a new directive signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. In the new directive, PM Phuc asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promptly inform South Korea and other countries and territories about Vietnams newly adopted measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. The COVID-19, which first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, has infected over 82,000 people and killed 2,800 globally as of Wednesday, according to the South China Morning Post. South Korea has confirmed 12 deaths and almost 1,600 infections so far, with the majority of them in Daegu, its fourth-largest city, and its neighboring North Gyeongsang Province, according to Reuters. South Korea accounted for a quarter of Vietnams 18 million tourists last year - the biggest group after Chinese visitors, whose travel had already been curtailed because of the virus, Reuters reported. As per Vietnams measures to fight against the spread of COVID-19, all travelers coming from any area that has reported cases of COVID-19, including parts of South Korea, are suspended from entering the Southeast Asian country. Those who travel to Vietnam for special official duties will have to make health declaration and be quarantined for 14 days after arrival in accordance with current regulations. A medical worker in protective clothing walks by a sign informing of a quarantine zone at a hospital in Vietnam in this undated file photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre Vietnamese who are living and working in South Korea, especially in Daegu City and North Gyeongsang Province, should seriously follow instructions on epidemic prevention and control of the host country. Vietnamese citizens returning from COVID-19-affected localities in South Korea will also undergo 14-day quarantine. The Ministry of Public Security will provide information about incoming travelers with travel records to affected areas to the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Health, and Peoples Committees of relevant provinces and cities to carry out isolation measures. Incoming flights from South Koreas affected areas shall land at Vietnams Van Don International Airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh, Phu Cat Airport in the south-central province of Binh Dinh, and Can Tho International Aiport in the namesake Mekong Delta city. The Ministry of Public Security was tasked with providing information about travelers from South Korea who entered Vietnam from February 11, 2020 for local authorities to monitor their health and timely isolate them if necessary. Vietnam has so far reported 16 cases of the viral infection, including 13 Vietnamese, one Vietnamese American, and two Chinese. All of them have fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital as of Wednesday morning. The country has recorded no new infection since February 13. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Nadia District Police has arrested a man from Jharkhand for allegedly duping a trader of over Rs 6 lakh by giving false advertisements about dealerships of a company in the social media, an officer said on Thursday. Biswajit Jha, a resident of Krishnagar saw an advertisement for dealership of an ayurvedic company in the social media. He applied for the dealership by depositing Rs 1,79,800, Inspector, Cyber Crime, Rajesh Kumar Gupta said. The advertiser asked Jha for his bank account details. When he provided them with the details, he found that Rs 5 lakh was withdrawn from his account by the advertiser fraudulently, police said. Jha lodged a complaint with the cyber crime police station of Krishnagar on December 17 last year. The police during the investigation found that the crime was committed by a man from Dhanbad. A police team from Krishnagar arrested the accused Shankar Kumar Das in connection with the fraud on February 24 in Dhanbad and brought him here on transit remand, the inspector added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia today hosted a meeting devoted to the prevention of coronavirus with ambassadors accredited to Armenia, and among the attendees were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Avet Adonts, Minister of Healthcare Arsen Torosyan and Deputy Minister of Healthcare Lena Nanushyan, as reported the news service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. Minister Torosyan presented the steps that the Armenian government is taking to fight against coronavirus and to prevent the spread of coronavirus in case of detection of the disease at border checkpoints. Ambassador of China to Armenia Tian Erlong presented the latest statistics on the epidemic in China. He informed that the number of recovered is comparatively growing on a daily basis and that the Chinese government expects to prevent the spread of the virus in the spring. Italys Ambassador to Armenia Vincenzo del Monaco presented the situation in Italy and stated that even though there are over 400 people infected with the virus, there are low statistics in terms of quantity and territory. The results of the meeting were summed up by the healthcare minister, and Avet Adonts declared that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be hosting meetings with diplomatic representations on a regular basis, if necessary. As much as we would have liked to see the likes of Dodge Durango SRT and Maserati Levante Trofeo join in on this drag race, well have to settle for FCAs other two high-performance SUVs. Which is not that bad, considering that what youe about to see is a straight-line skirmish between the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio QV. Wait, thats not a fair fight! Yeah, youre right. Its not. This race does seem unfair at first sight and for good reason. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk packs a Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 Hemi SRT engine cranking out 707 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 645 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. It puts power down on all four corners with some help from an eight-speed automatic transmission and needs just 3.5 seconds to set the 0-60 mph interval on fire. Alfa Romeos hard-punching Stelvio QV, on the other hand, is motivated by a 505-horsepower (at 6,500 rpm), 443 pound-feet of torque (at 2,500-5,500 rpm) 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6. AWD is also on the menu, as is an eight-speed auto transmission that paves the way for a 0-60 mph sprint time of 3.6 seconds, 0.1 seconds slower than the Trackhawk. If youre wondering how the Stelvio QV perform similarly to the Trackhawk despite the fact that it packs 202 horsepower less, well, the answer is weight. The Italian SUV weighs 4,360 pounds (just under two tons or exactly 1,978 kilos), while the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is considerably heavier, at 5,363 pounds (almost 2.5 tons or 2,432 kilos, to be more precise). That said, we couldnt help but applaud the Stelvio QVs performance. As youll see in the video, the Trackhawk never really manages to shake it off, although towards the end of the race, the sheer amount of horsepower and drag racing-focus has the final word, allowing the American to finish the sprint in front. Of course, things would be completely different on a twisty road or circuit, where the Stelvio would surely run circles around the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. But for now, its Jeeps fan base that gets the bragging rights. Check out CAR Magazines video below for the full action. New Mexico Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a firearm bill on Tuesday that will empower state district courts to order the brief surrender of firearms from individuals deemed to be a threat to themselves, or others, and urged sheriffs to resign if they refuse to enforce the new bill. Several deputies from rural communities opposed the bill in committee hearings stating that is a breach of constitutional protections to legal process, free speech, and the right to bear arms. There have been mass protests in favor of, and against, the new law. Grisham said that they should resign as law enforcement officers and an official in that community if they truly plan to do just that. Tony Mace of Cobol County, the President of the New Mexico Sheriffs Association, said the new law goes too far by potentially impounding guns before any crime is even committed, and that he and other sheriffs will assert their discretion over its enforcement. The county of roughly 20,000 adjacent Texas residents is the latest of a minimum of a dozen New Mexican counties to adopt the label for sanctuaries. The red-flag legislation this year allows police and sheriff deputes to petition the court within 48 hours for the surrender of household firearms from people that appear to pose a danger to themselves or others. Petitions may support affidavit from relatives, employers or administrators of faculties, and authorities could also be held responsible for officers who fail to enforce the law. Mothers demand action, a regulation advocacy group, is planning a years-long campaign to publicize the law and description how people can petition enforcement for extreme risk protection orders a state chapter leader, Emelie De Angelis said. She said her group stresses that district attorneys can seek red-flag orders from judges in areas where sheriffs could be reluctant to try to do so. "We were really adamant-that especially with things of our sheriffs- many of whom say they don't want to enforce this- DA's had to remain in the law", she said. Invoking the 2019 mass shooting in El Paso, Texas and therefore, the 2018 mass shooting that killed 17 students at a Florida high school, Lujan Grisham outlined her motivation to sign the Red-flag law. Red-flag laws gained momentum after learning that the young man accused within the attack on Florida was widely known to be mentally disturbed yet had access to weapons. Now this state is responding, said Gov. Lujan Grisham. " We are watching the chance to try to the maximum amount as we will for a threat that would create mass violence." A Red-flag order would set a 10-day court hearing deadline on whether the initial order to surrender firearms is extended for one year. A flagged gun owner may request an extension of up to 30 days for the hearing. Failure to surrender firearms as ordered may be a misdemeanor which may cause the removal of weapons by the authorities, the law comes into effect on May 20. A consumer forum here has asked the Punjab National Bank (PNB) to pay compensation to a customer for deducting Rs 50,000 from his account without any intimation. PNB has been asked to pay Rs 50,000 along with Rs 5,000 as compensation for the "harassment, mental agony and pain" suffered by the bank customer Bikram Singh Rawat, a resident of East Vinod Nagar. The New Delhi Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed the bank to pay the amount within 30 days. "We are convinced that the submissions put forth by the complainant are true. The complainant is an account holder in Punjab National Bank and the six unauthorized transactions were done by the bank with the complainant's account for a sum of Rs 50,000 and it did not refund the said amount," the commission said. Rawat had filed a complaint in 2018, alleging that Rs 50,000 was deducted from his bank account in six unauthorised transactions without any intimation. He alleged that even after approaching the bank and lodging an FIR, the Punjab National Bank neither refunded the amount nor gave him any information about the transactions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The annual meetings of the United States Harness Writers Association were held this past weekend at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida. Saturdays USHWA meeting gathered together the groups Board of Directors, while Sundays session was an open event for all of USHWAs members. Positive numbers for USHWA were reported by several officers and committee chairpeople. The Association reported a profit for the fourth consecutive year, with the prospects of a fifth straight growth period looking good. USHWAs financial status is largely determined by the annual Dan Patch Banquet, and high-level performance in both sponsorship participation and ads taken in the popular souvenir banquet journal were very promising. Also a good sign is that the membership of USHWA, declining a few members a year in a contracting industry in recent times, actually showed a small increase since last years meetings. The annual By-Law and Rules & Regulations Change Proposals did not offer some of the controversy and heated exchanges of recent years, although both sides were argued well on a couple of contentious issues. One By-Law change that went into effect right away was the method by which the directors established the two ballot candidates for this summers Communicators Hall of Fame elections, and as reported earlier Jay Bergman and Joseph Kyle were selected from a talented field to take a place on the election ballot. Sundays general membership meeting saw the 26 USHWA directors in attendance joined by a similar number of members from the active membership ranks. The greater portion of the Sunday meeting was devoted to the committee reports of some two dozen USHWA subdivisions which keep all aspects of the organization in working order throughout the year, from Hall of Fame candidate biography compilation, to traffic control during the Dan Patch Banquet, to oversight of various phases of social media usage. Kim Rinker, the director of the Ohio Standardbred Development Fund, was elected president of the organization during the Sunday meeting. Rinker, who had been vice president, succeeds Shawn Wiles of Monticello Raceway, who by USHWA bylaw now becomes the Chairman of the Board. In a contested election for USHWA Vice-President, Barry Lefkowitz, the USHWA treasurer, narrowly defeated Derick Giwner of Daily Racing Form Harness. Lefkowitz said that he would retain his treasurers duties as well during this term. Both Wiles and Lefkowitz were presented with Gold Lifetime Membership pins during the General Meeting: Wiles as an outgoing President, and Lefkowitz, for the required years of service on the Board as treasurer. Jerry Connors was again voted USHWA secretary. (With files from USHWA) Syracuse, NY -- In open court and in painstaking detail, a bevy of lawyers have argued for days over the fallout from an illicit grand jury audio recording and a false confession in the transcript of a double murder case. Two prosecutors have squared off against five defense lawyers, representing two murder suspects, over whether a long-delayed murder trial could actually go forward next Monday. This is a mess, said defense lawyer Annie Porter. This is not a mess we asked for, by any means, but its what were left with. But a judge ruled Wednesday that none of it mattered. Under law, the only reason to delay the trial would be if the murder suspects suffered prejudice because of the transcripts false confession and the illicit recording. And no one could point to actual harm that came from the fiasco. In other words, theres no proof the grand jury would have voted differently if none of this had happened. So what happened? Jazzmin and Treamon Elmore are accused of the robberies-turned-murders of two Eastwood men, Luis Sepulveda, 21, and Christopher McLaurin, 28, in June 2018. Their younger brother, Brendell, then 13, has admitted to being along for the ride, but says he carried only a broken gun. Thats why it was a surprise to everyone when the transcript of Brendells grand jury testimony claimed that he admitted: I shot the dude." It made no sense, in context. And the prosecutors, defense lawyers and judge all agreed it was an error. In fact, state Supreme Court Justice Gordon Cuffy ruled Wednesday, it was pretty clear that Brendell said simply, I shut the door. The problem is that the transcript is the only official account of the secretive grand jury process. The court reporter who certified it as accurate checked her notes and confirmed that she heard Brendell confessing to murder. That might have been the end of the story, except there was another factor: an illegal recording, accidentally made, by the court reporter. No audio of grand jury proceedings is allowed. But one existed in this case. And after listening, the lawyers and judge were pretty sure Brendell had said, I shut the door. For days now, lawyers on both sides have picked apart the problem. Could the transcript be fixed? Not under law, the judge ruled. Should there be a trial delay while the prosecutors got a new indictment? No need for that, the judge ruled. In the end, the question was what the grand jurors heard and whether there was a problem that affected their vote. There had to be actual prejudice against the defendants, the judge said. In this case, theres no evidence that the grand jurors, who were actually sitting there, heard anything inaccurate. And they didnt know the illicit recording existed. Therefore, the judge ruled, the trial would go forward on Monday as planned. Treamon Elmore, who is the accused gunman, faces up to life in prison without parole, if convicted. Jazzmin Elmore faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of planning the fatal robberies. Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 470-6070. 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. Now she is in a single ward under medical supervision. A Ukrainian woman who has tested positive for the novel coronavirus has been hospitalized in Italy; it is the first confirmed case among Ukrainians in that country. A 26-year-old Ukrainian woman came to visit her parents in the country's south from the region of Lombardy, where an outbreak of the disease had recently been recorded, Italy's Fanpage media outlet reported. Read alsoCoronavirus response delay could have seen 100,000 cases, China reports 433 new infections media The young woman was feeling bad for several days, and on Wednesday, February 26, accompanied by her parents, she went to the hospital. She tested positive for the coronavirus. Now she is in a single ward under medical supervision. Her diagnosis must be re-confirmed by the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases. Everyone who came into contact with the woman, including her relatives, were placed in quarantine. As UNIAN reported earlier, the Chinese authorities reported an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan late in December 2019. The causative agent of the disease was a new type of coronavirus, COVID-19. The virus is transmitted from person to person, with the incubation period lasting at least two weeks. On January 30, the World Health Organization declared an international emergency over the spread of the novel coronavirus from China. Malnutrition has been identified as one of the factors limiting India's economic growth potential. According to the National Nutrition Survey 2016-2018, 35 per cent of children under five years are stunted and another 17 per cent are wasted (low weight for height). In this context, the private sector has a significant role to play in bringing healthy products to the market. However, Indian food and beverage (F&B) products are quite unhealthy. On the healthiness quotient, the average score of top 10 F&B companies is just 3.1 out of 10. Whats shocking is that of the 1456 food and beverage products assessed from these firms, only 16 per cent met the 'healthy' product criteria. These findings are part of the India Access to Nutrition Spotlight Index by international not-for-profit Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI). It assessed India's top 16 F&B manufacturers in terms of 2018 retail sales on nutrition-related policies and practices. These firms accounted for 31 per cent of India's packaged F&B market with combined retail sales of over Rs 1.8 lakh crore. In recent years, many companies have announced initiatives to fortify products or reformulate them to make it nutritious. The report finds that the while there is increased commitment from companies to provide healthy food, industry efforts are not sufficient to match the nutrition challenge India faces. Hindustan Unilever and Nestle India rank joint first with a score of 6.9. Britannia Industries and Cola-Cola India have shown substantial progress across most elements of the Index since 2016: Britannia (1.6 to 4.9) and Coca-Cola (2.4 to 4.4). Britannia has done that by formalising its commitments and approach to addressing malnutrition in India in its newly developed Britannia Nutrition Policy. Coca-Cola improved distribution of its Minute Made Vitingo to address iron deficiency in children and launch healthy products in the dairy segment. Out of 13 companies that sell staple products covered under FSSAI's (Fortification of Foods) 2018 Regulation, 10 voluntarily fortify staple products to help address micronutrient deficiencies. The best practice is by Mother Dairy and Britannia that fortify all products in their portfolio covered by the regulation. Britannia and ITC are the only India-headquartered companies that have a nutrition policy in place. Inge Kauer, executive director, ATNI, says: "Lifestyle changes have caused a shift in Indian consumer habits - from consumption of traditional food to more urban food habits consisting of packaged and processed foods. India is among the top 10 consumers of fast food globally. This, coupled with the fact that India is set to become the third largest consumer economy, presents an enormous opportunity for food and beverage companies to make nutrition a core part of business plans, and adopt strategies to address issues related to malnutrition in India." Marketing responsibly also plays an important role, especially when it comes to marketing products to children. Presently, only six of the companies have a responsible marketing policy that includes commitments about marketing to children. Coca-Cola and Mondelez India commit not to market any of their products to children. However, none of the companies specifically state that they apply the recently adopted World Health Organization South-East Asia Region nutrition criteria or incorporate them into marketing policies. The report recommends companies to manufacture healthier products and disclose the percentage of products that meet the healthy standard. It also suggests firms to outline the nutrition criteria for their products and increase investment in developing and selling products that meet healthy nutrition criteria. MILTON KEYNES, England, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Surface Treatment global business unit of BASF's Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall brand, moves to a new facility in Milton Keynes, UK. Christophe Cazabeau, Senior Vice President Surface Treatment of BASF, officially opened the new Chemetall Limited office and laboratory facility at the Napier House, during a ribbon cutting ceremony. Napier House, the new home of Chemetall Limited, has been redesigned and reflects BASF's office interiors. The main floor exhibits an open floor design enabling teams across other departments to engage, and cultivate an environment conducive to collaboration. In particular, the new "break out area" is an ideal space for employees to come together for meetings, refreshments, and company events. The facility is also inclusive of conference rooms dedicated for departmental meetings. "The workspace was designed to meet modern work practices.The fully optimized office layout will help increase productivity and efficiency," explains Jason Bird, Chemetall Quality manager, who led the office transition project. The newly designed laboratory located on the ground floor offers: dye penetrant testing, a "wet lab" to process and test customer's products and panels, salt spray cabinets, and a powder coating room. The laboratory includes new testing equipments to meet customer demands and cater to current and future testing requirements. The SEM room is now open for customers to view images of the sample surfaces treated with Chemetall' s pre-treatment product portfolio. "The new workspace provides significant opportunity for the fusion of all departments and functions. It encourages greater employee communication and facilitates knowledge sharing between the teams," Managing Director, Wayne Brown commented. "Our newly enhanced facility not only fits the modern concept of collaborative workspace; it demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement in technology, safety and quality of our production sites to drive sustainable solutions in a close, partnership-based cooperation with our customers."- Christophe Cazabeau. For more details on Chemetall's innovative products and solutions, please visit www.chemetall.com. About BASF's Coatings division The Coatings division of BASF is a global expert in the development, production and marketing of innovative and sustainable automotive OEM and refinish coatings, decorative paints as well as applied surface treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates in a wide range of industries. The portfolio is completed by the "Innovation Beyond Paint" program which aims at developing new markets and businesses. We create advanced performance solutions and drive performance, design and new applications to meet our partners' needs all over the world. BASF shares skills, knowledge and resources of interdisciplinary and global teams for the benefit of customers by operating a collaborative network of sites in Europe, North America, South America and Asia Pacific. In 2018, the Coatings division achieved global sales of about 3.86 billion. Solutions beyond your imagination - Coatings by BASF. For more information about the Coatings division of BASF and its products, visit www.basf-coatings.com. About BASF At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around 63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1096152/Napier_House_Chemetall_Limited_facility_photo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1096153/Ribbon_Cutting_Ceremony_Chemetall_Limited.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/708518/BASF_Chemetall_Logo.jpg FBD chief executive Fiona Muldoon has defended the insurers profit levels, saying exceptional circumstances and not price rip-offs had led to it doubling profits to almost 113m last year. Ms Muldoon was responding to renewed political criticisms about the insurance industry, as Sinn Fein finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said he had written to FBD to ask it to set out a schedule to cut the costs of its premiums. Ms Muldoon who leaves the insurer after five years at the helm during which she was credited for helping to bring it back from the brink said the profit level was as good as it gets for FBD because of an extraordinary sequence of events in 2019. The four buses came along together, she said, referring to the strength of its underlying book, investment returns, little to no-hit from weather claims, and a release of reserves. She said 2019 had been extremely favourable because there had been no weather-related claims compared with previous years when Storm Darwin cost the insurer 44m in gross payouts, while Storm Ophelia and Storm Emma cost about 12m each. Responding to Mr Dohertys call for a schedule of cuts, she said that publishing a schedule if the law allowed it would mean that FBD would disclose much more information than its foreign-owned competitors. She claimed that British and continental European rivals only disclose opaque information about the money they generate in Ireland, and none of them disclose the detail that FBD does. For consumers, I think that there has been a modest downward price fall but it is modest, and until our costs come down you cant lower insurance until the input costs come down, Ms Muldoon said, referring to the high legal costs faced by SMEs in contesting claims through Irish courts. Updated at 4:45 p.m. ET on 2020-02-27 Malaysias king will ask parliament to vote for a new prime minister after two days of interviewing MPs failed to break the countrys political impasse, interim leader Mahathir Mohamad said Thursday. If no candidate gets majority support, the sultan will call fresh elections, Mahathir said, after meeting with Malaysias ruler earlier in the day. As you know, the king has asked all MPs to make a statement they have made statutory declarations and for two days they did that, Mahathir, 94, told a packed press conference in the administrative capital of Putrajaya during the launch of an economic stimulus package. The result is, they cannot find anybody with a distinct majority, and because he did not get a distinct majority, he says that the right forum is the parliament, Mahathir said, referring to the king. So the Dewan Rakyat will be called on March 2 in order to determine who gets majority support in Dewan Rakyat to become the next PM. However, if the Parliament fails to find a person with the majority, we will have to go for a snap election, he said. The National Palace did not issue a statement on Thursday but has called a meeting of its council of rulers for Friday morning. One of the prime minister hopefuls, Anwar Ibrahim, suggested that Mahathir's announcement was "a challenge to the rights and privileges" of Malaysia's ruler. "As we all know, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is scheduled to meet the Council of Rulers to discuss this matter. The presidential council urges all parties to respect the discretion and authority of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on this matter, Anwar said in tweeting a statement issued by Pakatan Harapan, the political coalition he now heads after Mahathir withdrew from it. Two or three candidates The special vote and events during the past week are unprecedented in the history of the multi-racial country of 30 million, which gained independence from Britain in 1957. Over the last two days, King Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah held individual interviews with almost every member of the 222-seat lower house of parliament, to determine who they support to be appointed as prime minister after Mahathir resigned as the countrys leader. Mahathir was re-appointed as the interim PM after the king accepted his resignation on Monday. Under the constitution, the king does not have the authority to call for elections on his own and can only act upon the advice of an interim, acting or caretaker prime minister, according to Malaysias foremost authority on constitutional law, Professor Shad Saleem Faruqi. A source in Mahathirs party told BenarNews there currently were two or three candidates for the premiership. The candidates are Dr. Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim and possibly Muhyiddin Yassin, the source told BenarNews, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. Anwar, the president of the Peoples Justice Party (PKR), was Mahathirs designated successor as prime minister, but tensions over whether and when he should assume power had roiled Malaysian politics for months. Muhyiddin is president of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu), and was home minister until Monday. Mahathir told reporters he had discussed with Muhyiddin the possibility of his being Bersatus candidate for prime minister. Mahathir is Bersatus chairman, although he briefly stepped down from that post this week. If everybody chooses him (Muhyiddin), Im okay, Mahathir said. Asked if Bersatu would be naming two candidates, Mahathir said that the party had not yet come to a decision. Mahathir said that he and Muhyiddin had differing views on working with the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the countrys former ruling party. My position is, of course, I wont accept UMNO as a component party. But Muhyiddin is a little bit more relaxed, quite prepared to accept them en bloc, Mahathir said. A new experience Mahathirs media adviser, Kadir Jasin, said the special parliament sitting was unprecedented. This is a new experience for Malaysia. But it also shows that there are systems in place to overcome the problems relating to the choice of a candidate for the prime minister and to overcome political tussles amongst parties, Kadir told BenarNews. He added that Mahathirs announcement of possible snap elections if the parliamentary vote failed to determine a new prime minister proves wrong the allegations all these years that Mahathir is a dictator. During the 1990s Mahathir, as prime minister, and Anwar, as his deputy, were members of UMNO, the party that dominated Malaysian politics for decades. The two fell out then and Mahathir removed Anwar from the deputys post. But in the run-up to the 2018 general election, they joined forces to lead the Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition in an effort to remove the UMNO-anchored Barisan Nasional bloc, led by then-Prime Minister Najib Razak, from power. Ahead of the polls two years ago, the Pakatan manifesto stated that Mahathir would hand power to Anwar, and it was this arrangement that voters endorsed in handing the opposition bloc its historic victory. But in a live address on national TV on Wednesday, Mahathir said he had resigned from the post to give parliament an opportunity to decide who would replace him. If its true that Im still supported, Ill be back. Otherwise I will accept whoever is selected, Mahathir said. Whoever is chosen to serve as the next prime minister can appoint whoever he wants to fill posts in the new cabinet, Mahathir said. He can choose any member without ties to any party (to be in the cabinet) as individuals and not looked upon as representatives of their party, the interim leader said, adding that qualified independent candidates could also be considered for the next cabinet. The Democratic Action Party (DAP), an ethnic Chinese-majority party belonging to the Pakatan bloc, said it was backing Anwar as a potential candidate for prime minister and resisting Mahathirs call for a so-called unity government, according to the Asia Times. Mahathir [said] he wanted to form a unity government of individuals. This means that only Mahathir will decide who will be cabinet ministers. DAP and other political parties will not be consulted in the process, the news outlet quoted DAP lawmakers as saying. Lim Kit Siang, the party's leader, spoke out strongly against the notion of a unity government. It is foolish and short-sighted to purportedly establish a national unity government by destroying the Pakatan Harapan Government, he said in a statement Thursday. The ideal way to establish a national unity government is to build on the Pakatan Harapan coalition and convince other political parties and entities to come together in the larger interest of the nation to build a New Malaysia, he added. Pakatan council criticizes Mahathir Meanwhile late Thursday, Pakatans Presidential Council held an emergency meeting after which it came out with a statement criticizing Mahathirs public announcement about the upcoming special parliamentary session. Anwar posted excerpts from the same statement on his Twitter feed. "The right and power to appoint a Prime Minister is in the hands of His Majesty, the council said. It was unreasonable for the interim Prime Minister to precede His Majestys speech in this regard, the statement said. Mahathirs move to announce the calling of the special session of parliament to elect the next PM posed a challenge to the rights and powers of the king, the Pakatan council alleged. The council also urged all parties to respect the discretion and authority of His Majesty the King in this matter. Efrem Harkhams story was written across the globe, from Baghdad to Beverly Hillsby way of Sydneyfrom chaotic refugee camp to luxury hotels. Its a story of rags to riches that shows the American dream is alive and well. But its not a tale of naked, hard-nosed ambition. Though hardship has punctuated his journey, its also been marked by kindnessgiven and receivedalong the way. Harkham, the founder and CEO of Luxe Hotels and Luxe Collection (formerly L.E. Hotels), has hospitality in his blood. His mother ran a warm, welcoming home in Iraq, fragrant with the aromas of wonderful delicacies. But peace in his native Iraq would be breached by Hitlers propaganda. In 1942, Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues were burned. After Israel declared its independence in 1948 and subsequently pushed back against attacks from neighboring countries, life became worse for Jews in Iraq; their businesses were taken over by the Iraqi government, and their rights were stripped away. Harkhams family was among the last group of Jews to leave Iraq in 1951. They could only take five pounds of personal possessions with them, including clothes and photos. Efrem Harkham is the chairman and CEO of Luxe Hotels and Luxe Collection Hotels. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times) From Iraq to Israel Israel was to be their new home. All of the new arrivals were sprayed with DDT, and, along with 100,000 others, Harkham and his family were redirected to old British military camps, where tents and sheet-metal huts awaited them. It was muddy and chaotic; disease flourished. About 700,000 Jews had arrived in Israel in the last five years, an influx that caused a food shortage. The future of the country, beset by economic woes, was uncertain. The Harkham family would live in the camp for the next four years. But though most of their material possessions were left behind, what they had leftfaith and hopewould be the foundation for building their future. My parents believed that we are on earth for a reason, and that in our journey through life, God is always with us, Harkham wrote in his new book, Living the Luxe Life: The Secrets of Building a Successful Hotel Empire. They knew that not only did something better await them, but also they could make their surroundings better, little by little, for themselves and for others. The Chicken and the Goat Harkhams parents were preoccupied in different ways. His mother was in charge of feeding the family; she was given ration coupons for eggs, milk, and bread. But with the bit of money she had, she got two chickens, which meant that they could now have eggs. And then a few months later, she was able to get a goat, which meant goat milk to feed not only the family, but also friends and family nearby. Due to my parents examples during these years, I learned that when things are at their worst, you should try to make things better around you, Harkham said. Efrem Harkham as a young boy. (Courtesy of Efrem Harkham) His father was concerned with improving education for kids in the camp, and by and by was able to get funding to build a school for more than 400 children. Somehow, even though there was a food shortage, he managed to get the kids a daily luncha bread roll and a small bottle of milk. For the kids, it would stave off hunger during the school day. Perhaps everyone experiences a first moment of newfound maturity. For Harkham, it was while accompanying his mother to the market when he was 5; she was acutely stressed, as she needed to return to tend to the baby. Harkham had come along to help carry bags. He was hit by a great sense of responsibility toward her, as well as a sense of pure, selfless love. He intensely felt the difficulties his parents were going through and wanted to spare them as much worry as possible. For example, he would wear out his shoes, getting holes in themand never let his parents know. It might have been easy for the family to fall into despair, given their sudden descent into poverty and difficult circumstances. But they relied on their faith, and Harkham took a lesson from their adversity: As Jews, we are constantly taught the reason God tests us with adversity is because God wants us to develop to our fullest potential. We must remember that our abilities are greater than we imagine. Over the years, the family has remained tightknit. Passage to Australia Meanwhile, his father was focused on getting the family out of Israel, and the trajectory of their lives shifted when the opportunity to move to Australia came up. On their way Down Under, they had a layover in Hong Kong, where Harkham and his siblings saw their first hotels and ate in their first restaurant. It was better than Disneyland, he recalled. Family picnic in Centennial Park, Sydney, 1969, with (LR) siblings Rebecca, David, Terry, Sophie, his father Nagi, and mother Aziza. (Courtesy of Efrem Harkham) In high school, Harkham was bullied a great deal. He told his family that the black-and-blue eyes he received over the years were the result of sports-related injuries. But things came to a head one day, when Harkham found his voice and fought back. He was cast as the perpetrator by the adults, but his bullies never bothered him again after that. Harkham blossomed after school, joining his brothers company as a traveling salesman (he was also studying law at the time), and then partnering with him. It was the beginning of many years of hard work and success in the apparel industry, both in Australia and, later, in the United States. At age 21, now a millionaire, he moved to Los Angeles. It All Boils Down to Showing Up Harkham says that much of his success can be attributed to one simple thing: showing up. One day, he was invited to a luncheon to honor a friend, a local councilman. He wasnt particularly in the mood to go, but he knew that magical things happen when you show up. Seated next to a banker, he struck up a conversation. The banker asked him if hed be interested in buying a discounted note for a hotel on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. He was in escrow 30 days later. This is how after 14 years in the apparel industry, he transitioned to the hospitality industry, starting with owning the only hotel on the famous Rodeo Drive. While running his hotel, Harkhamlike all good businessmensaw a void in the industry: a lack of consistency and targeted marketing, for example. He created a global hotel representation group, which would give managers and owners of individually owned hotels the tools to improve profits, whether through marketing, sales, or training. Part of what the Luxe Collection does is connect hotel members to corporate clients or travel consortiums. In effect, the company becomes part of an extended team, helping the hotels achieve what would be difficult for an independently owned hotel to do on its own. Harkham became known not just for showing up, but also for forging those connectionsamong his contacts, his staff, and his community. It was something that President Ronald Reagan would remark on one day. Harkham had met Reagan on a few occasions and, at his office in California, was struck by an engraved quote on the former presidents desk that said, There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he does not mind who gets the credit. It was none other than Reaganthe man who called for Gorbachev to tear down this wall and who didnt care who would get the credit for itwho reinforced in him the idea to surround oneself with the best people possible and to set aside ones ego. This month, Harkham opened the Luxe Life Hotel New York, in what used to be the headquarters of Time Life magazine. There, the artists and writers of Life had lived above their shared offices; they included Charles Dana Gibson, Norman Rockwell, and Robert Capa. The architects were John M. Carrere and Thomas Hastings, who also went on to build the New York Public Library. Perched above the doorway is a gilded statue of an angel by sculptor Philip Martiny. This Life Angel would be featured in the magazine, its hand over a globe of the Earth. The newest Luxe Hotels addition, Luxe Life Hotel in NoMad, Manhattan. (COURTESY OF LUXE HOTELS) A Family Legacy For all of his success in business, Harkham also has been focused on giving back through education. It was always a cherished cause of his father, who passed away last year, at age 105. It was no surprise that he was often asked the secret to his longevity; he would explain that you get back what you put in, tenfold. Seeds continue to be planted: The familys Hark Angel Foundation builds schools in poor communities around the world, most recently in Burma. There are other schools in Los Angeles, Sydney, and Kenya. Reaping what you sow goes back to a simple truth that Harkham was taught very young. In that refugee camp, half a world away, Harkham and his siblings fervently believed their parents when they told them things would get better. In his book, Harkham writes: Remember that if you plant poison, you get poison. If you plant great stuff, innovative thoughts, and positive ideas, it grows as such. Our minds are fertile ground, so whatever you put in is what you get out. Living the Luxe Life: The Secrets of Building a Successful Hotel Empire by Efrem Harkham and Mark Bego. Speakers at the Young Black Males Matter event Feb. 25 at the Indiana Statehouse talked about a bill that would lower the age children can be tried as adults for certain crimes. They talked about the disparate impacts of minor marijuana possession charges on African Americans. The names change and the bills get different numbers, but they talked about a lot of the same issues that, had this been the 20th Young Black Males Matter event rather than just the fifth, wouldve been brought up decades ago. The Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males held the event for boys ages 12-18. The event was partly meant to teach young Black males how they can advocate for themselves and their community. But before that can happen, according to the commissions executive director, James Garrett Jr., young Black males need to feel they really do matter and can make a difference. They dont feel their voice is being heard, Garrett said, so why should they be engaged? Were trying to change that paradigm to get them to understand they need to be engaged because they do matter. Alex Burton, president of the Evansville City Council, told the young men things are happening around them whether theyve given their input or not. Not being engaged, he said, means those things are happening to them, not for them. Jadon Watkins, a senior at Pike High School, said he thinks its important to advocate for yourself and others, but he also said he doesnt like to be involved in negative stuff. Young Black males in this generation are going through a lot of things and troubles, just get caught up in a lot of stuff, said Watkins, who was at his first Young Black Males Matter event. Still, he said, many of the challenges arent changing. Kenneth Allen, chairman of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males, pointed out the commission was created by the state in 1993 to help address the problems Black males face in criminal justice, education, employment, health and social factors. Unfortunately, he said, some of the same things we were dealing with in 1993, were still dealing with in 2020. Young Black males now have a little bit of an advantage compared to before because of advances in technology that make it easier to spread awareness of issues and contact legislators, Allen said, and maybe thats a start in the process of making sure they feel their voices matter. Today is for you, he told the young men. The building were in belongs to you. This is, in fact, your Statehouse. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Kenneth Allen, chairman of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males, speaks to students at the fifth annual Young Black Males Matter event Feb. 25 at the Indiana Statehouse. (Photo/Tyler Fenwick) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - U.S. wildlife managers proposed Thursday to set aside a vast area across seven Western states as habitat critical to the survival of a rare songbird that migrates each year from Central and South America to its breeding grounds in Mexico and the U.S. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made public its recommendation for the western yellow-billed cuckoo in a federal notice. If approved, the designation would affect activities that involve federal funding or permitting along hundreds of miles of rivers and streams in Arizona and New Mexico north to Idaho. Each spring and fall, the cuckoo uses river corridors as routes to travel between its wintering and breeding grounds. Nesting pairs find refuge in willows, cottonwoods and other trees along waterways and once their chicks hatch, their voracious appetites for insects help them fuel up for the return trip south. The birds play a role in the health of river systems throughout their range, said Michael Robinson with the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups pressing for more protections for the threatened species. The birds return year after year to the river valleys that often have eruptions of caterpillars, cicadas, grasshoppers and other invertebrates that would otherwise defoliate all the trees if there wasnt something like a yellow-billed cuckoo to control them, Robinson said. With its long tail and flashy white markings, the cuckoo also is referred to as a rain crow. Its often heard on humid afternoons, its distinctive song of coos and rattling clicks preceding the summer storms. Federal biologists describe the cuckoo as an elusive species. Difficult to observe, it selects its nesting spots based on habitat conditions and the availability of food. That means breeding habitat not suitable one year may become suitable the next due to increased rainfall or flooding, while favourable areas might degrade the next year. In proposing the critical habitat, the Fish and Wildlife Service took into account the dynamic nature of the cuckoos nesting and breeding habits. The agency said threats to the birds habitat include altered hydrology, grazing, nonnative vegetation, human disturbance and climate change. The cuckoos decline brings us a message about the desperate situation of Western rivers, Robinson said. Most breeding in the U.S. occurs in Arizona and New Mexico. The proposed habitat designation also would include areas in California, Colorado, Utah, Texas and Idaho. A habitat plan was first floated in 2014 but never approved. Under the new proposal, other areas in California, Nevada and Wyoming were removed from consideration. The Kerala police has launched a massive search operation for a six-year-old girl who was reported missing from near here on Thursday. Devananda (6), also called Ponnu, is the daughter of Dhanya and Pradeep Kumar, the police said. The girl was at home with her mother on Thursday morning, they said, adding that she went missing when Dhanya went behind the house for some household chores for just about five minutes. "We have launched a massive hunt for the child but have not found her yet," the investigating officer told PTI. The girl was reported missing since 11 am on Thursday, he added. The police have also used divers to look for her in a nearby river. "Our divers have searched the nearby river. The dog squad has searched the entire area. A sniffer dog went to a nearby area but came back," a police officer said. The district collector, along with top police officials of the district, visited the area and has been coordinating the search operation. "A massive hunt has been going on for the child. We have alerted all the police stations in the state. We have circulated her photo with various haircuts among all the officials," a senior police officer said. Meanwhile, fake messages were circulated on the social media, claiming that the girl was found from a nearby locality. The police said those spreading such fake messages would be booked. Meanwhile, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The image perhaps said more than the words as a series of officials at a press conference in Huntsville to discuss the coronavirus each squirted their hands with sanitizer before speaking. And that image carried the message to growing concerns over the coronavirus: Wash your hands, cover your cough, stay home if you are sick. "We as a community will be ready," Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said. Related: Auburn cancels overseas travel Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Madison County Commission Chair Dale Strong attended the press conference along with representatives from both hospitals in Huntsville as well as Dr. Karen Landers of the Alabama Department of Public Health. The intent was to calm any fears over the coronavirus and help educate the public on best practices to avoid being infected with the respiratory ailment. I want to spread the message and remind people that the first thing that our citizens can do, we have very smart people in the state of Alabama, Landers said. "Our citizens can educate themselves from vetted sources. The Alabama Department of Public Health has a coronavirus webpage. The CDC has a wealth of information on the coronavirus and is updated as needed. "And remind yourselves that this is a respiratory virus. What do we do to reduce the risks of other respiratory viruses? First of all, we need to be aware to wash our hands or use hand sanitizer for more than just running them other the water. I have the 'Happy Birthday' song that I do a couple of times when washing my hands. We cover our cough. We use our respiratory etiquette and cough into our sleeve. When we are ill, we should stay at home. We should take the advice of our healthcare providers." Landers said no cases of the coronavirus have been identified in Alabama and that residents would be informed should such a case be detected. "We want our community to know that our community is prepared," Battle said. "We're ready. We hope that we dont have to be ready." Medical officials at the press conference stressed that monitoring community health risks is part of their everyday job and not an effort that began with the spread of the coronavirus. "At this point in time, we have the ability to respond to this," Landers said. "We have the experience to respond to this. We are staying up to date on the information. When we partner with the people in this room, with the community leaders, with the hospitals, with the physicians, with the nurses, with our first responders when we partner, and when we work together, we're stronger. We can get through this when we continue to work together." Dr. Pam Hudson, CEO of Crestwood Hospital, and Tracy Doughty, VP of Operations at Huntsville Hospital, echoed those sentiments. We are ready," Hudson said. "That's just part of what hospitals do." Said Doughty, Were prepared if something happens here. It is our duty to make sure we are ready for anything like this to protect our community and Huntsville Hospital is one of the cogs of that. Houston, TX, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The IAGC successfully concluded its 49th Annual Conference in Houston, TX on February 26, 2020 where members elected new directors and officers at the trade associations annual general membership meeting. Magne Reiersgard (PGS) continues as the IAGC Board Chairman for the final year of his two-year term with Colin Murdoch (CGG) continuing as the Vice-Chairman and Maurice Nessim (WesternGeco) continuing as Past Chairman. Rebecca Pitman (Shearwater) - Treasurer, Tana Pool (TGS) - Secretary & Legal Committee Chair, and Nikki Martin (IAGC), President also continue as officers. Joining the officers are newly elected directors for two-year terms from February 2020 to February 2022: Huasheng Zheng (BGP), Chris Usher (ION), Irene Waage Basili (Shearwater), Maurice Nessim (WesternGeco), and Shawn Rice (MagseisFairfield) - Americas Chair. The entire slate of directors is as follows: Huasheng Zheng (BGP International), Colin Murdoch (CGG), Joe Dryer (Fairfield Geotechnologies), Chris Usher (ION), Carel Hooijkaas (Magseis Fairfield), Magne Reiersgard (PGS), Richard Price (Polarcus), Stephan Midenet (Seabed Geosolutions), Irene Waage Basili (Shearwater), Katja Akentieva (TGS), Maurice Nessim (WesternGeco), Peter Wijnen (PGS) - EAME Chair, Shawn Rice (Magseis Fairfield) - Americas Chair, Tristan Allen (WesternGeco) - Asia Pacific Chair, Vince Thielen (CGG) Data Licensing Chair, and Dmitry Nefedov (ION) HSE Chair. We are pleased to welcome all our board members and officers. As the IAGC sharpens its focus on accelerating exploration and expanding energy opportunities to meet the global energy demand, the insight and direction of these board members will have a meaningful impact on the industry and our association. The staff and I look forward to working closely with them, said Nikki Martin, President of the IAGC. Our officers will play a key role as the IAGC continues executing its mission of ensuring a viable geophysical and exploration industry now and in the decades the come. They truly epitomize the theme of this years conference, providing 20/20 vision for energy, shaping the G&E industry for this decade and many more to come. We are very grateful for their companies and individual support. The general membership meeting was held at the Annual Conference on 26 February in Houston, TX along with other meetings held during the week. This years sessions focused on the conference theme 20/20 Vision for Energy: Shaping the G& E Industry for the New Decade outlining a clear vision for moving the G&E industry forward and continuing to build the path of sustainability and efficacy for this decade and those to come. Nearly 300 attendees participated in the only conference in the world where the leading C-suite and G&E industry professionals convene to exchange ideas and best practices for the industry. With advanced programming and networking events on G&E industry matters, the IAGC 49th Annual Conference featured customized, exclusive opportunities for professionals, including hearing from prominent industry leaders on key global issues. The conference featured Honorable Karl Rove, former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush coordinating the White House policy-making process. He discussed the 2020 U.S. Presidential election outlook and its potential impact on domestic energy policy as well as the global energy landscape. Other distinguished speakers included Dr. Scott Tinker of the University of Texas at Austin and Dr. Michelle Michot Foss of the Baker Institute of Rice University. During the Considerations in the Energy Transition session, Drs. Tinker and Michot Foss delved into the role of oil and gas in the energy transition and potential unintentional consequences of making a swift transition without counting all the costs of other energy sources. Michael Faust, Director of Exploration at BHP also joined the session, providing insight from a company perspective. Verner Ayukegba, Senior Vice President for International Policy at African Energy Chamber discussed the evolution of successful regulatory frameworks of African nations that promote investment. He also highlighted the need for African nations to have the opportunity to utilize the same resources that advanced nations have used for decades in order to advance while still supporting climate goals but on their own terms. This years Exploration Executive Outlook Panel featured Kevin McLachlan, Senior Vice President Exploration Total; Bjrn Inge Braathen, Senior Vice President Exploration, North America Equinor; Martin Stauble, Vice President Exploration, North America & Brazil Shell; and Mike Cousins, Senior Vice President, Exploration and New Ventures ExxonMobil. These executives shared industry priorities and goals of their respective companies for the next decade. They also shared how their companies are using artificial intelligence (AI) to become even more safe and efficient. Andrew McConville, Chief Executive and the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association were the recipients of the annual Presidents Excellence Award. Each year at the Annual Conference, the IAGC presents this award in recognition of individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions in support of our association and the geophysical and exploration industry. Our 2020 Annual Conference was the best one yet, providing engaging and stimulating discussion and solutions to important G&E challenges. Our speakers explored key aspects of the industry and what we should be implementing now to ensure long-term viability, bring awareness to our critical role and enhance and protect our reputation in providing critical energy resources to the world for the years to come. We are so proud to have hosted this stellar group of speakers and sponsors from around the world to focus on these key issues, added Nikki Martin. # # # Attachments NOBODYS PERFECT Alexis Coe examined a small library of books about our first president and noticed something interesting. She writes, "No woman has written an adult biography of George Washington in more than 40 years, and no woman historian has written one in far longer. What was more, she says it seemed as if the men had taken a vow that they would proceed in the exact same way, which starts off by declaring Washington too marvelous to be real. They were mirroring each other with slight differences, but not in content, approach or perspective. When Coe, a historian and former research curator at the New York Public Library, announced that she was working on her own book about Washington, many people asked if she was writing about his marriage, his wife or his social life. No, she said. Its a biography. Like a man would write. That biography is YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST, which lands at No. 11 on this weeks hardcover nonfiction list. During the course of her research, Coe scoured digitized archives and made several trips to Mount Vernon, Washingtons historic home. Her book topples several tall tales related to Washington, including one about his wooden teeth. She writes, At best, we can say Washington had a poachers smile. His dentists took chunks of ivory from hippopotamuses, walruses and elephants, sculpted them down and affixed them to dentures using brass screws. (He also paid his slaves for their teeth.) Coe says the most persistent myth she helps debunk is the one whereby Washingtons mother, Mary, was thwarting him from the day he was born until the day she died. Examples other historians have used to support this claim arent true either because they havent had much interest in motherhood or they havent cared enough to look into these terrible things Mary allegedly did. For instance: Coe learned that Mary Washington never sent a letter to the Virginia Assembly asking for financial help during the war. In fact, Washington himself later admitted that the person he had trusted with his mothers care had fallen down on the job. Coe says, I thought the exclusion of that part of the story was vexing. Im not here to venerate or degrade Washington. Im here to look at him as objectively as I can and present a balanced view. Sometimes that means looking at his life and realizing he could be a negligent son, he could be a doting stepfather, and its possible for readers to hold both ideas at once. He and his beard have become almost inseparable in recent years. That all changed on Wednesday, when Jared Leto was seen out after a gym session in Los Angeles with nothing but close-cropped stubble. The 48-year-old Dallas Buyers Club star had been spotted with his luxurious beard only days earlier. Close shave:Jared Leto, 48, recently sheared the shaggy beard he's worn for years, instead rocking some designer stubble after a trip to the gym in LA on Wednesday Jared was dressed sportily for his workout in a Gucci T-shirt, which he paired with North Face track pants and a pair of blue and white Adidas sandals. Though he shaved his face, Jared still had his long hair, which he wore up with hair clips. His commitment to physical fitness is likely part of how Jared has managed to look remarkably youthful despite his age, though his new fresh-faced look certainly didn't hurt. Working up a sweat: Jared was dressed sportily for his workout in a Gucci T-shirt, which he paired with North Face track pants and a pair of blue and white Adidas sandals Baby steps: Though he shaved his face, Jared still had his long hair, which he wore up with hair clips Earlier this month, he posted a photo to Instagram from a group workout with some of his celebrity friends, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Liam Hemsworth and their trainer Jason Walsh. 'Right after this we played Twister,' Jared joked in the caption. Jake had his own funny rejoinder: '@jardleto shall forever be deemed 'the human pretzel.' Jared shared one of the last looks at his beard for the time being on Monday, when he posted a selfie with a stunning view from the hills above Los Angeles. Workout buddies: The exercise aficionado posted a photo to Instagram from a group workout with some of his celebrity friends, including Jake Gyllenhaal and Liam Hemsworth Top of the world: Jared shared one of the last looks at his beard for the time being on Monday, when he posted a selfie with a stunning view from the hills above Los Angeles 'Years ago I wrote a song called City of Angels after coming home to L.A. after a long tour. Theres something mythical about Los Angeles. It has certainly been a magical place for me, not necessarily because of the landscape and the weather but because of the community,' he wrote. 'Its a group of likeminded people that come together and look for ways to make the impossible possible.' He posed inside a car for another shot from Friday that prominently featured the scraggly beard. 'Ever had a staring contest with the back of someones head? Pinch to zoom and check out my new nose job #opticalillusion,' he joked. Last glimpses: He posed inside a car for another shot from Friday that prominently featured the scraggly beard The Blade Runner 2049 actor was last spotted in LA with his beard on February 17, when he went out for lunch at the celeb-friendly spot Joan's on Third with his mother Constance Leto and his girlfriend Valery Kaufman. Jared has had a relatively low profile on the big screen in recent years, even as he's ramped up his music making with his band 30 Seconds to Mars. He starred in the critically acclaimed sequel Blade Runner 2049 in 2017, opposite Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford and Ana de Armas, but his only film of 2018 was the critically reviled The Outsider, about an American man who becomes a member of the yakuza, a Japanese organized crime syndicate. He didn't appear in any films in 2019, and his Joker performance from 2016's Suicide Squad was only featured in archival footage in the well-regarded Birds Of Prey. This year he's expected to come roaring back with two high-profile project: the Spider-Man spin-off Morbius and the serial killer thriller The Little Things. Back at it: After taking 2019 off, he'll return this year in the Spider-Man spin-off Morbius as the title character, a Nobel-winner with a rare blood disease Hubba hubba: After taking an 'illegal' trip to find an unorthodox career, he ends up restoring his health and also picking up some unwanted side effects, like a thirst for blood Fully formed: As he battles against the film's villain, Loxias Crown, played by The Crown's Matt Smith, Morbius' transformation accelerates to the point where he develops bat-like features In Morbius, he stars as a Nobel Prizewinning scientist suffering from a rare and debilitating bloode disease. After taking an 'illegal' trip to find an unorthodox career, he ends up restoring his health and also picking up some unwanted side effects, like a thirst for blood. As he battles against the film's villain, Loxias Crown, played by The Crown's Matt Smith, Morbius' transformation accelerates to the point where he develops bat-like features. The character is popular among fans of Spider-Man comics and is one of his recurring nemeses, though it's unclear if Tom Holland will be appearing in the film. However, Michael Keaton, who squared off against the webslinger in Spider-Man: Homecoming, has a brief cameo in the trailer as he appears to draft Morbius to his side. 'Michael Morbius, got tired of doing the whole good guy thing huh? What's up, doc,' he says. [February 27, 2020] Deadline Reminder: The Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Reminds Investors of Looming Deadline in the Class Action Lawsuit Against JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (JELD) Law Offices of Howard G. Smith reminds investors of the upcoming April 20, 2020 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who acquired JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. ("Jeld-Wen" or the "Company") (NYSE: JELD) securities between January 26, 2017 and October 15, 2018 inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors suffering losses on their Jeld-Wen investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to [email protected]. On October 15, 2018, after the market closed, Jeld-Wen reported a $76.5 million charge for third quarter 2018 related to ongoing litigation concerning Jeld-Wen's anticompetitive behavior. The Company also announced the resignation of its ChiefFinancial Officer, Brooks Mallard. On this news, the Company's stock price fell $4.03, or 19%, to close at $17.28 per share on October 16, 2018, thereby injuring investors. The complaint alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose: (1) that Jeld-Wen was engaged in anticompetitive conduct through a price-fixing conspiracy with another door manufacturer to artificially increase or maintain prices of interior molded doors; and (2) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis. If you purchased Jeld-Wen securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than April 20, 2020 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff if you meet certain legal requirements. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005452/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday blamed the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the violence which engulfed the North-East district of the capital and alleged that these parties were instigating people for the past two months. "The situation in North-East Delhi is under control. Arrests have been made, inquiries have been fast-tracked, and it will bring out the real culprits behind this violence. We are seeing that those who were elected from where violence was reported are absent from the scene. The Chief Minister is speaking in Assembly about the religion of those who were killed. They are blaming BJP for it," Union Minister and BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said at a press conference here. "Who started this? This did not happen in two days. People were being instigated for the past two months. After the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed on December 11, Congress held a rally at Ramlila Maidan on December 14 where she said 'now we have to decide: Is paar ya us paar'. Is this not instigation?" he asked. The senior BJP leader alleged that there is a "selective silence" among Congress and AAP. "Mani Shankar Aiyyar went to Pakistan and said 'we find hope in Shaheen Bagh'. Salman Khurshid and Shashi Tharoor have supported protests like this. They are so vocal about Shaheen Bagh but they are selectively silent on today's day-long report by all channels that an AAP corporator's house has become a factory of riots. All kinds of ammunition, petrol bombs, stones of various sizes have found from his residence. Why is Congress silent on this? We condemn this," he said. "Why they instigated the mob for the last two months? It had resulted in this kind of violence. Priyanka Gandhi said: "100s of people will be put behind bars." Is this not misinterpretation? and Rahul Gandhi said: 'Don't worry. We are with you'," he added. Javadekar continued: "Amanatullah, who is now in AAP, said 'you won't be allowed to wear skull caps'. Can you tell me where this is written in CAA? Then Waris Pathan made a statement. All these are inflammatory statements, but Congress and AAP have not uttered a single word. I am surprised, there is selective silence." The BJP leader said that the duty of all political parties should be to consolidate peace and to have a dialogue with people in such a situation. "Instead, we have seen those who fought elections from the regions from where the violence is being created are absent from the scene. Why are the other political parties silent on the attacks on policemen? Why are they silent on Ankit Sharma and the death of another police officer? So many journalists have been attacked as well," he said. The death toll in the violence in North-East Delhi that began on Sunday rose to 34 today. The police have registered 18 FIRs in connection with the violence and arrested 106 people. Responding to Congress' allegations regarding the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge S Muralidhar, Javadekar said: "Transfer of Justice Murlidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation by the Supreme Court collegium head by CJI. They recommended on February 12. And Justice's consent has already been taken." Earlier in the day, Congress said that the Delhi High Court Judge S Muralidhar, who pulled up the authorities yesterday over the violence in Delhi, was transferred "to save Bharatiya Janata Party leaders". A government notification about the transfer of justice S Muralidhar was issued on Wednesday which had stated that after consultation with Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, President Ram Nath Kovind transferred Justice S Muralidhar, Judge of Delhi High Court, as Judge of Punjab and Haryana High court. The notification further said the President has directed Muralidhar to assume charge of his office in Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Supreme Court Collegium had in its meeting held on February 12 recommended transferring Justice Muralidhar from the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wow thats Judd!: How the father of Minimalism came to revisit and embrace colour This March sees the first US retrospective of Donald Judd in 30 years. MoMAs curator Ann Temkin and Christies specialist Stephen Jones explain how it will reveal aspects of the artists practice that may surprise those who think they know it well In the early 1970s, the American artist Donald Judd (1928-1994) left New York for a one-horse town in the middle of the desert. When asked why he had abandoned the feisty birthplace of Minimalism for Marfa in Texas, he responded, Theres more time to think out here. In truth, Judd wanted a place where he could show his art at its spacious best. Over the next 25 years he installed his gleaming aluminium cubes and polished vertical stacks in military hangars and warehouses, where their silver surfaces reflected the sky and the vast arid plains. This colonising of Marfa enabled Judd to show art on his own terms, free from the confines of the museum and the European traditions that dominated the art world. Out here in the wild, Judds structures looked alien, indestructible, and unlike anything else that had come before. This March sees the opening of Judd at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the first retrospective of the artist in over three decades. The curator, Ann Temkin, hopes the show will offer a more nuanced vision of an artist who, she believes, has been obscured and distorted by heroising mythologies since his untimely death from cancer in 1994. On show at Judd at MoMA: Donald Judd, Untitled, 1967. Green lacquer on galvanized iron. 12 units, each 9 x 40 x 31 in (22.8 x 101.6 x 78.7 cm), installed vertically with 9 in (22.8 cm) intervals. The Museum of Modern Art, Helen Acheson Bequest (by exchange) and gift of Joseph Helman 2020 Judd Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Stephen Jones, Christies Senior Writer in Post-War and Contemporary Art, agrees: Most people only know Donald Judd through his geometric stacks mainly because they are the easiest to house and exhibit but his practice was much more varied than that. It included prints and paintings. I hope the exhibition will prompt people to re-examine him. Judds official career (as designated by the artist) began on 1 August, 1960, the date he moved his home and studio from uptown Manhattan to the top floor of a four-story 19th-century brick building downtown. At the mercy of this sanctioned date was an entire decades worth of abstract painting, the first casualties of the artists tightly controlled vision. View major works by Donald Judd sold at Christies Two years later he renounced painting, explaining that there are several problems that I couldnt resolve I didnt like the flatness, I didnt like them being against the wall. He had spent years studying the masters of European modernism including Fernand Leger, Piet Mondrian and Henri Matisse and came to the conclusion that, I didnt understand them very well. On show at Judd at MoMA: Donald Judd, Untitled, 1960. Oil on canvas. 70 47 in (177.8 121.6 cm). National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa 2020 Judd Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York From that moment on, the artist devoted his practice to wall-mounted and free-standing objects but refused to call it sculpture. What in Gods name do you call it then? asked the critic Lucy Lippard, to which he responded that he never thought about sculpture at least, almost never. Born in 1928, Judd was, according to Temkin, painfully aware of the historical moment into which he had been cast by circumstance. He was 20 when Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) showed his first drip painting, and 28 when Pollock died. The sense of responsibility was palpable among a new generation of artists fuelled by the breakthroughs of the New York School, Temkin explains. Sign up today Christies Online Magazine delivers our best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe Judd was the chief spokesperson for this next generation, one that set out to create a new art that completely rejected imagery and the idea that art was an emotional, existential and spontaneous act. See below for all upcoming works by Donald Judd The movement became known as Minimalism and it was deeply American. Its materials were man-made and assembled by machine, while its style was as sparse and ordered as a Quaker meeting. On show at Judd at MoMA: Donald Judd, Untitled, 1973. Plywood. Five units, each 72 143 72 in (182.9 363.2 182.9 cm), with 12 in (30.5 cm) intervals. An additional sixth unit fabricated in 1975. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa 2020 Judd Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York For many, this new art was alienating and impersonal. There were no titles, no figures, no parts, no metaphors to decipher: it existed for the eye alone. It was art stripped down to its most basic essentials. As Judds friend the sculptor Dan Flavin (1933-1996) said, It is what it is and it aint nothing else. Minimalism was about staying true to its materials, be those bricks or electric light. Judd favoured plexiglas, because it revealed the emptiness of the structure it formed. His famous vertical stacks are as much about the space between the forms as the forms themselves. They are pure and beautiful, and highly sought after at auction. On show at Judd at MoMA: Donald Judd, Untitled, 1969. Clear anodised aluminium and blue plexiglas. Four units, each 48 60 60 in (121.9 152.4 152.4 cm), with 12 in (30.5 cm) intervals. Saint Louis Art Museum. Funds given by the Shoenberg Foundation, Inc. 2020 Judd Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York But there is another side to MoMAs exhibition, one that reveals a surprising change of direction in the 1980s. One that is often overlooked because it doesnt fit with the Judd narrative of an all-American art. Around 1984, Judd moved to Switzerland, where he discovered an aluminium furniture factory that manufactured pure, powdered colour which he used to create rectangular forms in vibrant hues. So unexpected were these objects that one curator recalled his shock on first seeing them: Wow thats Judd! On show at Judd at MoMA: Donald Judd, Untitled, 1991. Enamelled aluminium. 150 750 165 cm. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Bequest of Richard S. Zeisler and gift of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (both by exchange) and gift of Kathy Fuld, Agnes Gund, Patricia Cisneros, Doris Fisher, Mimi Haas, Marie-Josee and Henry R. Kravis, and Emily Spiegel. 2019 Judd Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo: John Wronn CN Railway workers check the railroad crossing gate as they prepare to resume service after Ontario Provincial Police made arrests at a rail blockade in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, near Belleville, Ont., on Monday Feb. 24, 2020, during a protest in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Nation hereditary chiefs attempting to halt construction of a natural gas pipeline on their traditional territories. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Robotics U Delaware Creates Social Robot for Safe Computing Training Researchers from the University of Delaware's College of Education & Human Development and College of Engineering have created "Zenbo," a social robot that can deliver safe computing training to young students. Zenbo, who stands two feet tall, is programmed to share familiar stories and solicit responses from kids 8 to 12 years old and then test their knowledge on topics like phishing and password safety. Fifth graders at the College School, located on the University of Delaware's Newark campus, watch Zenbo the social robot describe good habits for using safe computing. Photo: Evan Krape. The idea, according to campus reporting, is to help children learn the basics of cybersecurity and good digital citizenship habits, including the ethical and responsible use of the internet. The researchers believe that the use of an interactive robot can boost student engagement over plain video watching and generate better outcomes in student knowledge about cybersecurity, especially for students with autism or emotional learning difficulties. The robot has been tested with fifth graders from the College School, an on-campus school covering grades 1 through 8 and housed within the College of Education. For example, the students recently listened as Zenbo delivered a rewrite of Little Red Riding Hood. The robot described how Red was leaving to visit her sick grandmother. But in this version, Red's mom has reminded her to safeguard the password needed to enter her grandmother's home. When she encounters the Big Bad Wolf in the woods, Red has to decide whether or not to share private information with a stranger. When Zenbo asked the listeners what Red should do, their responses were split between sharing and not sharing. "These checkpoints reinforce positive behaviors and create teachable moments for when children make mistakes," said Chrystalla Mouza, a professor in teacher education. "It's important that this training is provided in school because we cannot rely on it being provided elsewhere." The research team plans to pilot Zenbo and a university-developed cyber safety curriculum in additional classrooms in spring 2020. The project was funded by a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. Polls consistently show high voter satisfaction with ranked-choice voting, and its no surprise. By allowing voters to express their support for more than one candidate, ranked-choice voting makes more votes count. By allowing voters to rank a personal favorite first, even if that candidate is unlikely to win, it eliminates the risk of spoiler candidates. And by encouraging voters to find something they like in multiple candidates, it fosters consensus. The candidates respond in turn, by behaving more civilly and reaching out to voters beyond their own base. Running a negative, divisive campaign may pay off in a head-to-head (-to-head-to-head, etc.) election, but not in a ranked-choice one, where victory can depend on appealing not just to a core of supporters, but also to voters who might not be inclined to pick the civil candidate first. Consider what happened in Maines Second Congressional District in the 2018 midterms. Maine first adopted ranked-choice voting in 2016 for its statewide and congressional primaries and elections, and it was popular enough that the Legislature expanded it in 2019 to include presidential elections. The Second District race featured the Republican incumbent, Bruce Poliquin; his Democratic challenger, Jared Golden; and two independent candidates. After the first round of ballot counting, Mr. Poliquin held a small lead over Mr. Golden, 46.3 percent to 45.6 percent. The independent candidates combined to win about 8 percent, and when they were eliminated in the second and third rounds, more of their votes transferred to Mr. Golden, who ultimately won with more than 50 percent of the vote even though he won fewer first-choice rankings than Mr. Poliquin. In contrast to Mr. Poliquin, who had publicly dismissed the independent candidates, Mr. Golden reached out to them, and thus won over their supporters. Republicans cried foul, but the voters ended up with a congressional representative who was actually representative. Maine is the only state to have used ranked-choice statewide, but the reform has been catching on everywhere, from California, Minnesota and Colorado to Utah, Massachusetts and Maryland. Last year, voters in New York City overwhelmingly approved ranked-choice voting for their mayoral, City Council and special elections and primaries starting in 2021 the largest jurisdiction in the country, by far, to try it. In fact, some Democrats have already used ranked-choice this season: early voters in the Nevada caucuses. Caucuses offer a form of ranked-choice voting, because voters gather in groups to support their first-choice candidates, and those whose candidates do not receive enough support then redistribute themselves to other candidates. The problem is that many people cant afford to spend hours at a caucus site, either because of disability or work or family obligations. Voting early by ranked-choice ballot allowed more than 70,000 Nevadans to register their preference for multiple candidates, as though they were at their caucus. Turkish families reunite with PKK-kidnapped children Two more mothers in Turkey are reunited with their son and daughter after months of protesting outside the offices of the Peoples' Democratic Party. With the efforts of Turkish police, families reunited with their children, who were kidnapped by PKK terrorists, after many years of longing. According to security forces, five members of the organization surrendered Thursday to Turkish authorities. SIT-IN PROTESTS AGAINST TERROR FORCES Halise Alptekin and Mehmet Emin Alkan among those surrendered terrorists to Turkish authorities, reunited with their families in southeastern Diyarbakir. The mother of Halise Alptekin -- Sahize Altinkaynak -- from southeastern Mardin province had attended sit-in protest against the PKK terror group in southeastern Diyarbakir province. Turkish families reunite with PKK-kidnapped children WATCH The brother of Mehmet Emin Alkan -- Mehmet Nuri Alkan -- from southeastern Diyarbakir had attended sit-in protest against the PKK terror group in southeastern Diyarbakir province. Lets say I can write a claim to the SBI that I think aliens stole my car, she continued. And the SBI obviously will not open [a case] as there is not evidence of a crime. But then I can go to court and make the SBI open it, through a court decision. So this case looks to me like that. A worker disinfects a public bus against coronavirus in Tehran, Iran, in the early morning of Feb. 26, 2020. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo) New York City on High Alert for Coronavirus, Officials Say New York City agencies are on high vigilance for the COVID-19 coronavirus and ready to deal with its potential spread, officials said on Wednesday. No one should take this lightly, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. If you have symptoms that seem like a flu and theres any possibility of a nexus to travel to those counties or anyone whos been to those countries thats close to you in your life, get to a doctor immediately, he added, according to Fox New York. De Blasio said in a press conference that health officials had distributed 1.5 million masks in New York, and he is seeking federal assistance for more masks. The mayor said that New Yorkers dont need to wear a mask in public. The mayor and the citys health commissioner said 1,200 hospital beds could be made available immediately if needed. He is calling for expanding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) testing and is urging the CDC to expand testing of people arriving from high-risk areas outside of China, including Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand. This situation is not a situation that should cause undue fear, Gov. Andrew Cuomo told a separate news conference, saying that 27 people in New York have tested negative for the virus. There are no confirmed cases in the state. Earlier on Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said a total of 59 cases of coronavirus had been confirmed in the United States so far. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday that while the immediate risk was low, the global situation suggested a pandemic was likely. Its not a question of if. Its a question of when and how many people will be infected, said the CDCs principal deputy director, Anne Schuchat. Reuters contributed to this report. [February 27, 2020] Enghouse Q1 2020 Earnings Release and Conference Call MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 27, 2020 /CNW/ - Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX: ENGH) announced today that it intends to release its first quarter Fiscal 2020 results after market close on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Enghouse's Fiscal 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM will be held at The TMX Broadcast Centre, 130 King St W, Toronto, ON at 4:30 pm on Thursday March 5, 2020. A conference call to discuss these results will be held: Friday, March 6, 2019 at 8:45 a.m. EST The conference call can be accessed by dialing the following numbers: Local/ International: 647-792-1278 North American Toll- Free: 1-888-504-7961 Confirmation Code: 2744315 This call will also be web-cast and can be accessed at the following web location: https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=D6066742-4F6B-42DD-8A72-139D845190FA The call will be archived for one week and will be available at this same web location following the call or by visiting the Enghouse website at www.enghouse.com. SOURCE Enghouse Systems Limited Dear Dave: I am writing to you about a problem I believe you have addressed before: Why does the culture of a company, or even a department, often become so negative and defeatist? Where I work, there is nothing but grumbling, attacks on people especially on management and beliefs that the work being done is not that important. There is also so much talk about our jobs being replaced by robots some day and our job security is a joke. I try my best to not add to this negative thinking. Do you have any advice for me? W Dear W: Your problem can be found in just about every company. Negativity is spread by negative people who are unhappy and dont want anyone else to be happy. Plus, these same people are scared to death about their future with the company and that they will be replaced in a "New York minute" by automation so they circulate anything they can find or dream up to make others frightened, too. I guess misery loves company. In all honesty, I know that automation is being implemented by a lot of companies trying to cut down on their most expensive resource their people. We hear stories about robots and computer programs that make the intelligence and the work of the average employee seem like there is no contest at all. Your fearmonger coworkers are not only frightened by automation, but they want to make sure everyone else is frightened and on edge, too. I admire your desire to learn how to manage your feelings and emotions amidst all of the threatening rants you are subjected to. I feel bad for your weaker coworkers who will have the bejeepers scared out of them, because someone told them they wont be around for long. Fearmongers prey on these types of folks, and they almost love to see these folks in agony. The good news about organizations is that they are stocked with plenty of purpose-driven, skilled people. The bad news is, these same organizations are also stocked with cynical, skilled people. In other words, being talented in a particular craft does not guarantee that you will be smart, driven, fearless, and positive when you work. Those things come [slowly] with experience, but they also come with emotional control dare I say, emotional intelligence. ADVERTISEMENT In all my time in business, I met and did business with so many truly gifted people who knew how to do business while making you feel welcomed and respected. If there were problems, they found answers. If someone was badmouthing the work or the company, they would not fall victim to these attacks. They did their jobs and held their heads up. Of course, they checked out vicious rumors, but they gave their fact-checking the scrutiny it deserved and then went about their business with positive attitudes. Their presence made vulnerable, frightened workers look to them as rocks of strength and emotional control. Thats how effective cultures are produced. Try this I think you should develop a sense of reason and calmness as you work and be a role model who is not jumpy, nervous or anxious every time someone reports a setback. Employ critical thinking and ask questions like, where did this news come from and how do we know if it is true? You will probably be left alone, because you will be considered to not be any fun. And that is your goal. Also, talk to those who have been made nervous about unsubstantiated news. It is easy to pick out these people, because they will have a look of terror in their eyes and an expression of, "please help me." These folks need a leader who can tell them, "lets sit down and look at facts or the lack of them." Finally, yes, there might be some truth in what the fearmongers are saying. However, you will never know the facts and the severity of the news until you check things out. Gather your close coworkers and those who have been "blown-away by gossip" and start becoming analysts of information rather than victims of contrived chaos. Check things out with cool heads and strong hearts. Despite Katie Conrads cold feet before she married Derek Sherman on Lifetimes Married at First Sight Season 10, the young couple hit it off and had a great physical and emotional connection on their honeymoon in Panama. But when Katie and Derek returned to Washington, D.C., and moved in together, problems between them began to crop up. Katie admitted she was still attracted to the ex who almost caused her to call off the wedding when he professed his love. Meanwhile, Dereks admission that he hadnt been in love before and didnt know if he would fall in love with Katie for up to a year sent up red flags for his wife. On the Feb. 26 episode of Married at First Sight, The L Word, Katie and Dereks marital issues escalated as they continued to clash over the proper timeline for falling in love. Katie Conrad | MAFS Lifetime via Instagram Katie and Derek clashed over the idea of falling in love In a heart-to-heart about what it meant to fall in love, Katie asked Derek why he thought he hadnt fallen in love in his previous relationships. What do you think it would take? she asked him. I guess the real answer is, I dont know, the Married at First Sight star told his wife. He admitted that, in some ways, he was waiting for the day that [he] actually got [his] heart broken. Ive always been the one thats kind of broken hearts, Derek told a visibly distraught Katie. Im getting too old to keep going after the chase, she told him, adding that shed often been the more invested party in past relationships. Im scared that youre gonna be that too, Katie confessed. Katie was especially worried that Derek wouldnt let himself go or allow himself to be vulnerable enough to fall deeply in love. It doesnt sound like you have ever wanted something bad enough to really fight for it, she said. Derek admitted his greatest fear was never falling in love The young couple continued to discuss the touchy subject as they cuddled in bed later on. Derek told Katie he wanted nothing more than to fall in love and that he was open to it. My greatest fear in my entire life is that Ill never actually fall in love, he said. But I want to find love. I want to love. Katie said she understood, but worried that Derek wouldnt ever fall head over heels for her and that it would leave her heartbroken in the end. Ive always been able to be vulnerable for somebody I really cared about, the Married at First Sight star said. I think its concerning for me that you have never had that. Thats when Derek grew increasingly frustrated. I feel its unfair, he said of Katies characterization of his romantic history as a red flag. I kinda feel its bullsh**. I feel like you dont have to feel love before youre 27. In a diary cam video, Derek elaborated on his explanation to Katie and his frustration with her attitude towards him. I feel like, in a perfect world, wed all fall in love once, he revealed. I dont think its weird if I havent fallen in love yet. At some point I will. Just because shes fallen in love twice, she holds it against me. Dereks wife worried shed be hurt yet again But Katie explained that she was just afraid of being left in the dust by yet another difficult relationship. I have been hurt before, so I dont really want to be hurt again, especially not so soon, the Married at First Sight star told Lifetime producers, looking emotionally exhausted. It just sucks. It sucks not really having a reassurance. I felt like I knew kinda where we were going and what was going to happen, and now I dont have any idea. Later, in a heart-to-heart during a car ride, Derek gave Katie as much reassurance as he could. I have a crush on you, he confessed after both of them apologized for their argument. I dont know whats gonna happen at the end of this. I have no idea, Derek continued. But Im optimistic. Derek squeezed his wifes hand as he said, I dont want to break your heart. Dont break mine. West Chester, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2020 -- Carosella & Associates is pleased to announce that Vincent Carosella, Jr. has been named a "Five Star Attorney of the Year" by Suburban Life Magazine. Based on a months-long poll, readers chose Mr. Carosella as one of the top business lawyers in the greater Philadelphia area. Winners were also vetted according to the magazine's criteria of active participation in local Bar Associations, philanthropic endeavors and involvement in the community, continuing education, and favorable peer and client reviews from reputable law-related organizations. "I'm honored and humbled to receive this award," says Vincent Carosella, founder of Carosella & Associates. "Our team works tirelessly to provide top-notch legal services to local businesses big and small. We're very proud of the work we do and it's inspiring to know we've made a difference and that our clients, the community, and Suburban Life Magazine appreciate our efforts." The business attorneys at Carosella & Associates offer a full range of legal services, including entity formation, shareholder and operating agreements, NDA's, risk management planning, business succession planning, and more. In addition, the full-service West Chester law firm focuses on practice areas such as estate planning, real estate law, bankruptcy, family law, criminal law, social security disability, and immigration law. Their collaborative team approach helps clients find creative solutions for any legal matters that may arise. Adhering to the highest professional standards and the values of trust, service, interdependence, and cooperation, Carosella & Associates provides big firm firepower with personalized small firm service clients can rely on. About Carosella & Associates For more than 24 years, the skilled team of attorneys, paralegals, firm administrators, administrative assistants and legal secretaries at Carosella & Associates has provided top-quality legal representation for matters in myriad aspects of the law. Several of the attorneys at Carosella & Associates are licensed to practice law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. For more information visit carosella.com. PRISTINA -- Kosovo's new prime minister claims President Hashim Thaci violated the constitution by signing a 2013 "secret agreement" with NATO to limit the powers of the country's security forces when he was prime minister. Prime Minister Albin Kurti informed parliament speaker Vjosa Osmani of his concerns in a letter on February 26. Osmani said she had forwarded the letter to all legislators. Thaci did not immediately comment on Kurti's allegations. The matter related to an exchange of letters on April 19, 2013 between Thaci and then-NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, according to Kurti's office. It said the alleged agreement gave the alliance's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, "absolute veto powers" over any actions by the Kosovo Security Forces in the ethnic Serb-dominated areas in the north of the country. In his letter to Osmani, a copy of which was also sent to Thaci's office and the chief prosecutor, Aleksander Lumez, Kurti vowed not to take any steps that would endanger cooperation between Kosovo and NATO. In a Facebook post, Osmani said that "demands that every institution in Kosovo respect the constitution and the constitutional procedures" should not be interpreted as an "attack" on NATO, but rather as "an advancement of democracy and transparency and respect for the law and constitution in the country." In a statement e-mailed to RFE/RL, a NATO official said that "any movement by the KSF to the northern part of Kosovo requires prior notification to and agreement by the KFOR Commander." "For 20 years, peace and stability in Kosovo has been a priority for NATO. Our mandate has not changed, and we will continue our peacekeeping mission," the statement added. ODU AMC High-Density Chrome-Plated ODU, a worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing high-performance connector solutions and cable assemblies, is introducing to the US market ODU AMC High-Density with Chrome-Plated surface and integrated silicone cable assembly solution. ODU AMC High-Density Chrome-Plated is a miniature connector solution design that provides the highest possible number of contacts in the most compact space. This connector solution combines numerous high-density signal configurations and customized versions for power, up to 15A, and high-speed data transmission. Thanks to this chrome-plated surface, these connector series are highly robust and can be configured in many different ways, including autoclavable versions, high-density configurations, and a variety of sizes. Additional product features include watertight protection of IP6K8, up to 2 meters, high-speed data transfer capability: USB 3.2 Gen 1x1*, USB 2.0* and HDMI*, compact and lightweight. Applications used in harsh environments are prone to be exposed to extreme mechanical and chemical conditions. The new silicone-overmolded technology in our complete cable assembly solutions offers an easy to clean, no stick-slip effect and bend protection. This connector solution is ideal for medical, test and measurement, and industrial applications. For more product info go to: https://www.odu-usa.com/connector-solutions/push-pull-circular-connectors/odu-amc/odu-amc-high-density/ *These ODU specific connectors can transmit common data transmission protocols such as USB 3.2 Gen 1x1, USB 2.0, and HDMI 2.0, but they are not USB- and HDMI- standard connectors. ODU Group: Global Representation with Perfect Connections The ODU Group is one of the worlds leading suppliers of connector systems, employing 2,300 people around the world. In addition to its company headquarters in Muhldorf am Inn (Germany), ODU also has an international distribution network and production sites in Sibiu/Romania, Shanghai/China and Tijuana/Mexico. ODU combines all relevant areas of expertise and key technologies including design and development, machine tooling and special machine construction, injection, stamping, turning, surface technology, assembly and cable assembly. The ODU Group sells its products globally through its 12 sales offices in Denmark, England, France, Italy, Sweden, the US, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Romania and Germany as well as through numerous international sales partners. ODU connectors ensure a reliable transmission of power, signals, data and media for a variety of demanding applications including medical technology, military and security, automotive, industrial electronics, and test & measurement. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday sought to downplay worries about decline of Marathi, saying that it is "inscribed on rocks, hearts and hills" and has survived foreign rule. Thackeray was speaking at a function at the Vidhan Bhavan (state legislature complex) to celebrate Marathi Language Day. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and other ministers too were present. "When we celebrate 'Marathi Bhasha Din', why do we do it by expressing concern about what will happen to Marathi?" the chief minister said. "Marathi is not an ordinary language. Leave aside the language, there was a time when even the hoof-beats of the horses that Marathas rode made enemies run helter-skelter," he said. "Marathi is inscribed on rocks, hearts and hills. Only speaking the language should suffice," Thackeray said. Marathi survived Mughal and British rules, he pointed out. The chief minister also asked why there was a need for anyone's approval for granting the status of classical language to Marathi. "Those who are seeking evidence of whether Marathi is a classical language wouldn't have been born had Shivaji Maharaj not been there," he said. Stressing the need to imbibe Marathi culture, he also asked why schools are not named for Maharashtrian saints such as Tukaram, Namdev and others. He respects other languages, the chief minister added. Ajit Pawar said the urge to speak the language should "come from within". Marathi should be used in trade and also in computer operations, he said. The deputy CM lauded the recent passage of a bill in the Legislative Council making Marathi a compulsory subject in the schools of all boards in Maharashtra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The move will save the average electricity customer around 22 a year. (stock photo) More than one million people are to benefit from price cuts announced by Electric Ireland. The move is set to put huge pressure on its rivals to also reduce their tariffs. There are 12 energy suppliers in the residential market. State-owned Electric Ireland is cutting its residential electricity prices by 2.5pc, and its gas prices by 11.5pc. There was disappointment that the electricity price reduction was not larger. The move will save the average electricity customer around 22 a year while the average gas customer will save around 78 on their annual bill. Dual-fuel customers of Electric Ireland will save 100 a year. The changes come into effect on April 1, which is a year after the supplier last increased its prices. Electric Ireland currently has more than 1.1 million electricity customers and almost 140,000 gas customers, according to recent figures from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. Other suppliers are expected to follow with price cuts. It comes as wholesale energy prices have fallen by 50pc in the past few months. Demand for energy is down sharply due to the coronavirus reducing demand in China. Wholesale gas prices in January were down 52pc when compared with the same month last year. Electricity prices on wholesale markets decreased by 47pc when compared to the same period last year, according to Naturgy, a supplier to businesses. And Bord Gais said the coronavirus outbreak saw oil prices plummet more than 15pc due to dwindling demand from China, one of the world's largest oil consumers. "Wholesale energy costs have been falling for some time. We expect other suppliers to follow Electric Ireland and announce similar price cuts," said Eoin Clarke, head of comparison site Switcher.ie. Daragh Cassidy, of product comparison site Bonkers.ie, said this was the first energy price decrease in the Irish market since Bord Gais decreased its gas prices by 4pc in October. However, it also increased its electricity prices by 2.5pc at the same time. He said the outlook for energy prices was muted, as a lacklustre world economy and the coronavirus have helped dampen energy demand. This meant further price decreases from Electric Ireland can't be ruled out in the coming months. And its rivals were highly likely to respond in kind. In 2018 and last year, all the major energy suppliers announced price increases, in a development that added 200 to the average bill for dual-fuel customers. At the time providers cited wholesale price rises for the bill hikes. New Delhi/IBNS: A day after taking the reign of her party to level charges against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Delhi violence that claimed 35 lives so far, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday led a delegation of her outfit to President Ram Nath Kovind and reiterated her demands of the removal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from his office. Submitting a memorandum to Kovind, Gandhi outside the President's House blamed the "inaction" of the Home Minister and the central government for the riots which went on for 48 hours between Monday morning and Tuesday night. In the letter, which was read out by Gandhi who was accompanied by a number of senior leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Congress said, "Due to the complete inaction on the part of the Home Minister and the central government, the violence has claimed the lives of at least 34 (now 35) people and over 200 have been injured at last count. Several crores of properties and business have fallen prey to unchecked arson and looting." "Rashtrapati ji, you are given the highest possible responsibility under the Constitution of India to act as the conscious-keeper of this government and to remind it of its constitutional duties and the pillar of rajdharm by which any government must abide." Gandhi's Congress party has also urged the President to remove the Home Minister from his office for his "abdication of duty" and "inability to contain the situation". Congress delegation led by Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi & Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh meet with the Honourable President of India, to present a memorandum on the Delhi violence. pic.twitter.com/jAzyh0fEvy Congress (@INCIndia) February 27, 2020 The riot was preceded by a clash between the supporters and protestors of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which aims to grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi but not Muslim refugees who came to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan due to religious persecution before 2015. Heat of politics in national capital over Justice Muralidhar's transfer Delhi High Court Judge Justice S Muralidhar, who came down hard upon the Centre, the Delhi government and police over the violence in the national capital a day ago, was transferred to Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday night. The notification of Justice Muralidhar's transfer, which was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium on Feb 12, was issued at 11 pm on Wednesday. Slamming the central and Delhi governments, Justice Muralidhar on Wednesday said the court cannot let another 1984 riot, which took place after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to happen. The High Court judge also asked the central and Delhi government to work together to combat the violence in the national capital. The court also criticised the provocative statements by several BJP leaders over the last few months including the latest one by former MLA Kapil Mishra who had threatened to take action if blocked roads due to the anti-CAA protests were not cleared by police within three days. Congress, BJP fight over Judge's transfer Congress on Thursday was quick to accuse the ruling dispensation of pressurising the judiciary in the case. At a press conference in the morning, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "BJP's pressure against judiciary and politics of revenge stand exposed. Yesterday, judges S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh of Delhi HC bench, took note of BJP leaders role in riots, filed an FIR against them and ordered Delhi Police to act in accordance with Constitution." "When the judges showed provocative videos of BJP's Union Minister, MP, MLA and Kapil Mishra, Tushar Mehta ji, a lawyer of the Central Government and a favourite of Modi ji, argued that, 'it is not the right time to file cases against the named offenders'," added the Congress leader. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isnt shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the governments attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable." The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isnt shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the governments attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable. pic.twitter.com/KKt4IeAMyv Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 27, 2020 BJP refutes Congress charge, calls 'routine transfer' Union Law Minister and senior BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad tweeted, "Transfer of Honble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12.02.2020 of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India. While transferring the judge consent of the judge is taken. The well settled process have been followed." "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary. People of India have rejected Congress Party and hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them" Washington Daniel Goldman, who shot to prominence as a top staff investigator during the House impeachment inquiry, is leaving his post at the House Intelligence Committee, he said in a statement Thursday. A former federal prosecutor, Goldman was one of about a dozen specialty hires brought in by Chairman Adam Schiff after Democrats took control of the House in 2019. CNN first reported the news of Goldman's move. Goldman was one of Schiff's top lieutenants during the probe into President Trump's dealings with Ukraine. As director of investigations and senior adviser on the Intelligence Committee, he led closed-door depositions of more than a dozen witnesses during the initial phases of the investigation, and served as Democrats' chief questioner in subsequent high-profile public hearings. His departure may suggest the committee is easing off large-scale, Russia-related investigations into the president, although both Goldman and the committee chairman indicated some work would continue. "It's been the honor of a lifetime to work for Chairman Schiff and the Committee, and help provide a vital check on the President, as the Constitution requires Congress to do," Goldman said in a statement. "I'm indebted to my colleagues for working tirelessly in pursuit of that objective. While I am eager to return to New York to spend some much-needed time with my family, I know that the Committee's work will continue apace under Chairman Schiff's leadership." US-POLITICS-CONGRESS-TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT Daniel Goldman questions witnesses before the House Intelligence Committee as Chairman Adam Schiff looks on during a hearing on Capitol Hill on November 19, 2019. SHAWN THEW/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Schiff said Goldman had provided "strategic guidance, wise-counsel and steady leadership" to the committee at a "turbulent, but critical time." "We know that the team Dan helped us build from scratch will continue their important work," Schiff said. Story continues In an interview earlier this month on the "Stay Tuned with Preet" podcast, hosted by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, Goldman said the Intelligence Committee was still weighing whether to subpoena former national security adviser John Bolton, who declined to testify voluntarily during the impeachment proceedings and was not subpoenaed by the Senate. The president was acquitted by the Senate on two articles of impeachment on February 5. Two advisers to the House Judiciary Committee who were also deeply engaged in the impeachment proceedings Norm Eisen and Barry Berke have likewise left their posts. Trump campaign looks to gain support from African American voters The right way to wash your hands Mardi Gras Indians give special performance to woman with cancer An Introduction to Doing Business in Vietnam 2020 will provide readers with an overview of the fundamentals of investing and conducting business in Vietnam.... >>> Vietnam continues tightening defensive line against Covid-19 >>> Vietnam halts sending workers to coronavirus-hit regions >>> Vietnams last Covid-19 patient discharged from hospital The ministry asked the provincial Peoples Committee to direct competent agencies to continue prevention and control measures in line with the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in 2007. A receptionist at a hotel in the provinces Nha Trang beach city was put into quarantine on January 27, and tested positive for the virus four days later. She had reportedly come into close contact with the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Vietnam, a Chinese father and son from Chinas Wuhan city, the epicentre of the virus outbreak. The ministry had subsequently declared a coronavirus epidemic in Khanh Hoa province in light of this case. Since the receptionist was discharged from hospital on February 4 after making full recovery and tested negative for the virus, Khanh Hoa province has reported no new COVID-19 cases. COVID-19 is classified as a Class A contagious disease, a group of extremely dangerous infectious diseases that can transmit very rapidly and spread widely with high mortality rates, including the likes of influenza A-H5N1, SARs, Ebola or smallpox. The incubation period for the virus is around 14 days. As of February 26, 16 people in Vietnam infected with the coronavirus were cured, while no new cases have been recorded in the past 14 days. Currently, 31 suspected cases are quarantined while 5,675 people who had close contact with the suspected are under close medical observation. On February 26, a representative from the health ministry said Khanh Hoa and Thanh Hoa provinces are eligible to announce disease-free status. Black History Spotlight Kidd and Tatum Maintained Gospel Radio Legacy Paul E. R. Kidd, Jr. Paul Edward Ramson Kidd Jr. ruled the gospel music airwaves for more than 50 years. Based in Los Angeles, his show aired locally as well as on the Armed Forces Radio Network (AFRN), which comprised 400 radio stations located in 28 countries. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Kidd was born into a devout Christian family. His father was an AME itinerant elder who served as pastor of First AME Church in San Francisco in Walker Temple AME Church in Los Angeles. ADVERTISEMENT Kidd came to L.A. in 1956 following his honorable discharge from the military the previous year. In 1962, he joined KGFJ and worked under the legendary Jim Maddox and later became gospel program director as well as on-air personality. He also served as a broadcaster at KNOB, KFWB, KDAY, KACE and KMAX. In addition, Kidds show on AFRN, Amen Corner, exposed gospel music to thousands of enlisted men and women around the world. He eventually amassed an extensive gospel music collection, which he donated to 102.3 FM Radio Free KJLH. Kidds catalogue became the foundation for the stations Spread the Word gospel music program hosted by Aundrae Russell. Currently, Kidd documenting and archiving his extensive radio programming memorabilia, along with his taped programs and collectible gospel music. Nationally known as The Voice, Edna Tatum was a popular emcee and gospel broadcaster for more than 30 years. Her ministry spanned several decades of hosting concerts and narrating for gospel legends such as the Rev. James Cleveland, The Fourth of Mary, the Rev. Daryl Coley, Albertina Walker, and Kurt Carr. Tatum began her public speaking career as a church announcer during Sunday services and special programs. As a young adult, she became a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and was selected by Rev. James Cleveland to introduce him and the Southern California Community Choir at several events as well as narrate on many of his recording projects. She went on to host the Gospel Music Academy Awards at the Apollo Theatre in New York and became the only artist to narrate a gospel music concert at the Sultans Pool in Tel Aviv, Israel. ADVERTISEMENT In a 2011 Sentinel interview, she shared some of the most memorable moments in her career. I will always treasure learning and growing in Christ during my time with the great Rev. James Cleveland. Then, never will I forget performing live narration for Rev. Cleveland at Carnegie Hall, at three McDonalds Gospel Festivals and continuing to be a guest host each year at the Chicago Gospel Festival which attracts more than 200,000 people, recalled Tatum. Equally memorable is being able to record a CD with the famous Billy Preston. Our song, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, was a wonderful and unforgettable collaboration, she said. Tatums reputation grew internationally through her Gospel Classics broadcast on KPFK-FM, which was also streamed live on kpfk.org. Tatum passed away at the age of 70 on March 14, 2014 after experiencing health complications from a heart attack suffered in October 2013. Panun Kashmir, an organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, on Thursday reiterated its demand for carving out a separate homeland with a union territory status for the rehabilitation of the community in the Valley. It said a bill should be passed in Parliament to "recognise the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley". "Neutralisation of Article 370 has made future reorganisation now legally very easy and creation of a union territory east and north of river Jhelum in Kashmir for the permanent rehabilitation of displaced Hindus of Kashmir a distinct possibility," a statement issued by Panun Kashmir leaders Ajay Chrungoo and Agnishekhar said. The leaders alleged that the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration "continue to pursue the same policy" like that of the PDP, the Congress and the NC with regard to the Kashmir Pandits (KPs). "We, however, are hopeful that the government of India will now formally recognise the genocide perpetrated on Hindus of Kashmir and enact a law for prevention and punishment of this crime as well as reversal of this genocide on the principle of non-refoulement," the leaders said in the statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Snapask, a Hong Kong-based education technology company, completed a US$35M funding round. The round, which brought total funding raised to date to over $50m, was led by Asia Partners from Singapore and Intervest from South Korea, among others. The company intends to use the funds for further expansion in Southeast Asia, notably in Vietnam and Singapore, and focus on the development of analytics products to promote self-directed learning technology and video learning content. Founded in 2015 by Timothy Yu, CEO, Snapask is an education technology startup that provides an app that matches students with quality tutors for instant one-on-one learning sessions. Apart from the app, the company also develops B2B solutions with AI technology to provide personalized learning resources through big data analysis. Through to today, Snapask has served over 3 million students in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea. FinSMEs 27/02/2020 Bookings to stay in Lucy the Elephant will be received March 5 and stays will start March 17 |Provided by Airbnb For three nights only, couples can have the chance to spend one night in one of the most recognizable monuments at the Jersey Shore. Lucy the Elephant has been listed on Airbnb, the rental website for temporary homes and hotels. One-night stays for two people inside the monument will be available starting on March 5 for stays on March 17, 18 and 19. The price for a night inside the Margate monument will be $138, the same amount of years that Lucy has been at the Jersey Shore. In addition to the overnight stay, the price includes dinner and breakfast at local restaurants. The guests will also receive a bag from Lucy, and some other items from the greater Atlantic City area. So what can you expect to find when you sign up to stay inside of a six-story elephant on a beach block with views of the ocean? The first part is getting up to the living quarters. As the guests enter the back legs of Lucy and climb up the wooden stairs, they will find Victorian-style decor, from the sheets to the rugs. Both the Save Lucy Committee and Airbnb wanted to make sure the interior would look like the inside of a 1902 summer home, a move that would act as a time machine that would have the couple feel as if they were transported back to that time. Since there is no running water inside Lucy, Airbnb is renting a bathroom trailer, an air-conditioned and heated portable unit that has a shower, toilet, and a sink. Guests will have to walk out of Lucy and head into the trailer to use it. Inside Lucy, there is central air and heat to keep the guests comfortable during the stay. The listing will not be the first time a family has lived in the pachyderm. In 1902, a doctor and his family from England spent a summer. For the listing, the living area was redecorated to look as it did back in 1902. Don't Edit rovided by Airbnb Save Lucy Committee Executive Director Richard Helfant says the marketing and exposure the Airbnb listing will give Lucy is significant. "The people staying in Lucy are going to become part of Lucy's history, which is an amazing thing," Helfant told NJ Advance Media. "Not many people know that Lucy is not only a national landmark, but she is the oldest roadside attraction in the United States. She's older than the Statue of Liberty and even older than the Eiffel Tower in Paris." While Lucy may be one of the first National Historic Landmarks to be listed on the website, other places that have been added included the Goodyear Blimp and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Helfant said the listing came at the right time, with Airbnb searching for a new unique location while one of the Save Lucy Committee members, who hosts an Airbnb location himself, saw the same other locations being listed in a magazine for Airbnb hosts. Helfant said when the Airbnb team met Lucy, they fell in love with her and decided to put up the vacancy. While it's only a three-day availability at the moment, that could change, Helfant said. "It was never intended as a means to turn her into a guest house," Helfant said. "It is strictly a marketing event for us to help spread the word beyond our local reach. That is not to say that down the road, if someone came to us with a proposal to do something, we would consider that proposal on its own merit. We are always looking at ways to grow Lucy and make her better and more popular. So whatever that would be, we would look at it and weigh in at that time." For anyone who misses out spending the night inside Lucy, there will be a chance to see how the interior has been redecorated. "Anyone who comes to see Lucy on the weekend when she is open for tours during the winter will actually be able to see how it is designed for the stay," said Airbnb spokeswoman Liz Debold Fusco "Even though you will not be able to stay, there will be the ability to see what she looks like for those lucky guests." Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb Don't Edit Provided by Airbnb A planned 20-storey apartment tower right next to the "at capacity " Buranda State School will not proceed after the Queensland Government and the developer reached an agreement. Parents who had opposed the development for almost a decade cried when local MP Jackie Trad made the announcement at the Woolloongabba school on Thursday morning. Buranda State School students, teachers, parents, Greens candidate Sally Dillon and South Brisbane MP Jackie Trad celebrate the decision on Thursday. The school currently has about 260 students. Parents long opposed plans by Singaporean developer Wee Hur to build the 20-storey complex overshadowing the school on one side of Logan Road. A once-hidden island has been uncovered in Antarctica after melting glaciers caused by record high temperatures revealed its rocky shore to passing scientists. A group of polar researchers from the Thwaites Offshore Research (THOR) project spotted the island as their ship passed through Pine Island Bay in Antarctica. The island has been named Sif after the Norse goddess of fertility and family, who was also the wife of the warrior god Thor, by the THOR glacier research team. Researchers on board the Nathaniel B. Palmer ship are studying the Thwaites glacier in Pine Island bay, one of the fastest-retreating glaciers in Antarctica. The team don't know how long the 634,400 sq ft island has been exposed, but say it was likely revealed by higher than usual temperatures caused by climate change. Scroll down for video The new island has been named Sif by researchers who say it was uncovered due to warming temperatures causing ice sheets to melt 'After being the first visitors, we can now confirm that Sif Island is made of granite and that it is covered by remnant ice shelf, and a few seals,' said Julia Smith Wellner from the THOR expedition team It is big enough for satellites to spot from space but the never-before-seen island has previously been hidden under thick layers of ice, and was only revealed after parts of the glacier broke off and melted. Cartographers for the British Antarctic Survey estimate the island, made of granite, is about 1,240ft across by 520ft wide - roughly 634,400 sq ft or about the same size as Windsor Castle. Researchers hope to be able to reveal more about the composition of the island and how it came to be uncovered when their journey finishes at the end of March. Ships rarely travel as far south as the Palmer so the crew are probably the first to discover the island and may be the first humans to step foot on its rocky shore. 'After being the first visitors, we can now confirm that Sif Island is made of granite and that it is covered by remnant ice shelf, and a few seals,' said Julia Smith Wellner from the THOR expedition team. Cartographers for the British Antarctic Survey estimate the island, made of granite, is about 1,240ft across by 520ft wide - roughly 634,400 sq ft or about the same size as Windsor Castle This satellite image shows Sif Island and a series of icebergs - Sif is the large white block in the bottom middle of the image They took samples from the island in the hope of getting a clearer picture of how the frozen continent is shifting, but won't know for sure until they get to a lab in March. 'This one island could hold a lot of clues,' University of Virginia in Charlottesville glacial geologist Lauren Simkins told Nature News. As glaciers retreat they release pressure on the continent allowing the ground underneath the ice to rise up - a process called rapid rebound. This sometimes stabilises the ice by anchoring it in place but can also accelerate the break up of the glacier by creating more cracks. 'Rapid rebound could increase stress on the remaining ice sheet, causing it to break apart more quickly', she said. 'But a rising continental shelf could also anchor glaciers, increasing their stability and slowing their march to the sea.' When they first spotted the new island, there was a commotion on board as everyone rushed to see the rocky land amongst miles of water and ice. 'I think I see rocks,' shouted an officer aboard the ship. They looked at charts and maps of the area and realised it was a 'brand new island' likely 'never seen before'. 'There was a commotion as everyone on board rushed to see the rocky, ice-covered outcrop and suggest potential names. 'But the hubbub quickly gave way to excitement about the scientific implications of the find,' says Wellner, a marine geologist at the University of Houston in Texas. Thwaites Glacier is in West Antarctica and is sometimes called the Doomsday Glacier due to its potential impact on global sea levels Climate scientist Peter Neff examined the new images and satellite data to try and determine how long it has been uncovered for. He said it looks like 'Sif Island' has been slowly revealed since about 2010. The THOR project is an international mission tasked with studying the stability of the massive Thwaites glacier in Pine Island Bay, Western Antarctica. Researchers say the melting ice on the new rock will help them better determine how quickly changes are happening and what this means for the glacier. Ships rarely travel as far south as the Palmer so the crew are likely the first to discover the island and may be the first humans to step foot on its rocky shore 'New islands emerging as ice sheets retreat is not particularly surprising', Paul Cutler, a programme director in glaciology at the US National Science Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia told Nature News. 'New islands have appeared over the past few years in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland' but this is 'an exciting opportunity to piece together the geological history of a vastly under-studied region of Earth'. The new discovery comes as NASA recorded a record high temperature for the continent - at 64 degrees Fahrenheit with melted ice spotted from space. This is also not the first island in Antarctica to be effected by rising temperatures. The island is big enough for satellites to spot from space but the never before seen island has previously been hidden under thick layers of ice Satellite images last week revealed 20 per cent of snow on Eagle Island melted in just 10 days due to the extreme temperatures. The warm spell began on February 5 and ran through to February 13, peaking on February 6, with temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula reaching 64.9F (18.3C). 'I havent seen melt ponds develop this quickly in Antarctica,' said glaciologist Mauri Pelto of Nichols College in Massachusetts. 'You see these kinds of melt events in Alaska and Greenland, but not usually in Antarctica.' Sometimes called the Doomsday Glacier due to the potential impact its collapse could have on sea levels, Thwaites is unusually broad and fast. Already, Thwaites accounts for about four per cent of global sea-level rise as warming waters cause it to melt from the underside. Researchers have long held concerns that a tipping point in the stability at its foundations could result in a run-away collapse of the glacier. There are multiple teams studying the glacier at the moment to determine the risk it poses to global sea levels and the newly uncovered island will feed into that work. Haryana Independent MLA Balraj Kundu announced his decision to withdraw support to the M L Khattar dispensation on Thursday, saying he was "deeply hurt" with the government giving "clean chit" in the sugar mills corruption he had flagged. "I had extended my support to an honest chief minister and an honest government, but I came to know today that the display of honesty is a farce," the MLA told reporters outside the Assembly, after the chief minister refused to order any probe into allegations made without substantial proof or due to personal enmity. "I withdraw my support to this government and on Friday I will formally hand over my letter to the Governor and the Speaker," said Kundu, who represents Meham constituency in the Assembly. Kundu's withdrawal of support will have no impact on the stability of the Bharatiya Janata Party-Jannayak Janta Party government. In the 90-member House, the BJP has 40 members, JJP 10 and seven are Independents, six of whom continue to back the government. The main opposition Congress has 31 MLAs, and Haryana Lokhit Party and Indian National Lok Dal have one member each. The MLA said he was deeply hurt at the "clean chit" given by the ruling dispensation in a matter pertaining to corruption which he had brought to the chief minister's notice recently. Kundu had earlier in the day frequently interrupted the chief minister in the House on the issue of corruption when he was responding to a debate on the Governor's Address. He alleged that the CM was trying to give justifications that were not valid. "I said I don't doubt the chief minister's honesty and integrity. But the way he gave his reply in the House, I am deeply hurt. Only those are honest who are CM's Yes Man, those who are loyal to him, even if they indulge in corruption. Giving clean chit by CM to such people has deeply hurt me and I withdraw my support to this corrupt government, he said. Commenting on Kundu's charge, the chief minister told reporters, "Inside the House, I have said that if there is credible primary material to believe where any wrongdoing comes to light, we will order a probe. But if anyone levels allegation without any substantial proof to back it or if anyone has personal enmity and levels allegations, what is the meaning of a probe on such allegations." Kundu claimed that he has highlighted the state's cooperative sugar mills showing a loss of Rs 3,300 crore and alleged it was due to corruption and malpractices. He said that he had written a letter to Khattar and had met him over the matter recently. The legislator claimed that he had submitted "proof" of corruption and malpractices to the chief minister on how the loss had taken place in the past four years. The losses have taken place "because of inefficiencies at every step, misutilisation of funds/fraud/corruption due to malpractices adopted for the selfish interest of officers concerned", Kundu claimed. The MLA had recently alleged that the officers had acted on behalf of a minister in the previous Khattar government in the state and said he would raise the matter in the budget session of assembly. The Haryana Police had over a month ago booked Balraj Kundu and his brother Shivraj Kundu for allegedly cheating a Rohtak resident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Today, more and more kids are getting interested in app development and programming. We've come across some kids like Siddhant Nair, C.B. Sajan and Sean Solano Paul. And now, 12 kids in India are going to represent our country in Silicon Valley, showcasing their out-of-the-world creations. Aditya Jha: WhiteHatJr The kids are part of WhiteHatJr -- an EdTech startup that teaches programming to kids from the age of 6 to 14 years. They conducted a competition for the students in their institution dubbed Silicon Valley Programs where the kids were asked to think of an out-of-the-box idea that helps in solving problems that humanity is facing on a daily basis, code independently and show a final product in a duration of 40 hours. Over 7000 applicants participated in this competition and after a tough competition, 12 kids have emerged victorious. They will be given an opportunity to pitch their apps to venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, USA. The kids will be meeting major VC firms like Nexus Venture Partners, Owl Ventures etc. Apart from this, they will also get to meet major silicon valley entrepreneurs to get guidance on entrepreneurship and get inspired. They will also be visiting Googleplex, meeting their engineers at the Waymo facility and experience autonomous vehicles. 7-year-old Brinda Jain, one of the winners of this competition has created an app to help ambulances move through traffic with the help of a green corridor and faster routes that the app can navigate the ambulance through. 8-year-old Souradeep Sarkar from Burdwan, West Bengal has created an app to help dyslexic children learn and understand letters, words, numbers and colours more effectively. 9-year-old Mae Mae from Shillong has created an app to stop bullying in school that secretly helps in complaining to the authorities anonymously to enable strict action effectively and responsibly. Another 9-year-old by the name of Garvit Sood has created an eye-vision test that helps in early diagnosis of eye disorders through a mobile/tablet app. WhiteHat Jr. Other kids who are shortlisted to visit Silicon Valley include Agastya Singh Yadav from Noida, Aaron Ghosh from Hyderabad, Jishnu Baruah from Assam, Yuvraj Singh from Kolkata, Venkat Raman Patnaik from Odisha, Hirranya Rajani, Shaurya Sharma and Shrey Shah from Mumbai. Karan Bajaj, Founder and CEO, WhiteHat Jr said, We wanted to offer them the right global exposure to facilitate entrepreneurship at an early age and our Silicon Valley Program is that much-needed platform for kids. We have also started a 15 under 15 fellowship wherein WhiteHat Jr will help the top 15 kids on the platform incubate their own startups and provide a $15,000 fellowship to them. Zr. Ms. De Ruyter is officially deployed in the Strait of Hormuz. There, the navy ship participates in the European security mission. This mission intends to reduce tensions in the area around Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Between these countries, the Strait of Hormuz is an important sailing route from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. Zr. Ms. De Ruyter is officially deployed in the Strait of Hormuz. There, the navy ship participates in the European security mission. This mission intends to reduce tensions in the area around Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Between these countries, the Strait of Hormuz is an important sailing route from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. The maritime safety situation is mapped with the radar systems on the ship and the NH90 maritime combat helicopter, among other things (Picture source: Dutch Ministry of Defense) "This mission is about free passage," Commander Naval Forces Deputy Admiral Rob Kramer told the crew. "Your presence in this area alone is incredibly important." Something that also emphasized Foreign Minister Stef Blok. He was in the region to talk to authorities from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, hoping to relieve tensions in the region. Last year, 6 oil tankers were severely damaged in the event of a serious incident. Iran and the United States also shot each other's drones out of the sky. The situation is still tense and changeable, but there have been no special maritime incidents in recent weeks. Upon arrival in the Strait of Hormuz, the frigate was immediately introduced to the Iranian Navy. A boat from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard called the ship and asked where it was going. "That was as expected," said the commander captain-lieutenant-in-the-sea Theo Klootwijk. "We indicated that we made use of the internationally recognized right of transit in this strait. They took a few photos of our ship and left again." The mission is called Agenor and falls under the name of European-led Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz, in short EMASOH. It is led by France and is managed from the headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The Ministry of Defense has stationed 4 staff officers here for operations, intelligence, logistics and legal affairs. Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy and Portugal also supporting the mission. The mission is under French leadership. Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy and Portugal also support the mission (Picture source: Dutch Ministry of Defense) CAMEROON, Cameroon - The U.N. disarmament chief warned Wednesday that the spectre of an unbridled nuclear arms race is threatening the world for the first time since the 1970s, the height of the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union. Izumi Nakamitsu didnt name any countries but she was clearly referring to the United States and Russia, and possibly China, when she told the U.N. Security Council that relationships between states especially nuclear-weapon states are fractured. So-called great power competition is the order of the day, Nakamitsu said. Division, distrust and a dearth of dialogue are increasingly the norm. Russia-U.S. relations have been at post-Cold War lows since Moscows 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimea. Last year, Russia and the U.S. both withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the U.S. saying it pulled out because of Russian violations and the Kremlin denying breaching the treatys terms. Russia has said the U.S. also appears reluctant to extend the New START treaty, the only treaty governing the number of strategic nuclear weapons deployed by the two countries, which expires in 2021. Last week, U.S. Defence Secretary Mark Esper touted a multibillion-dollar plan for a top-to-bottom modernization of Americas nuclear arsenal to keep up with Russia and outpace China. In late December, Russias defence minister reported to President Vladimir Putin that a new intercontinental weapon that can fly 27 times the speed of sound had become operational, bolstering the countrys nuclear strike capability. Nakamitsu warned that the spectre of unconstrained nuclear competition looms over us for the first time since the 1970s. We are witnessing what has been termed a qualitative nuclear arms race one not based on numbers but on faster, stealthier and more accurate weapons, she said. Regional conflicts with a nuclear dimension are worsening, and proliferation challenges are not receding. The Security Council meeting was requested by Germany to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty on March 5 and to support the upcoming conference to review and advance its goals which starts April 27 and ends May 22. Russia and the United States clashed at the meeting over the breakdown in arms control negotiations. But they supported a statement by the 15-member Security Council saying the treaty, known as the NPT, remains the cornerstone of the nuclear nonproliferation regime and the foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The council resolved to advance the NPTs goals and underlined the treatys essential role in the preservation of international peace, security and stability as well as the ultimate objective of a world without nuclear weapons. Germanys Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the council that despite its achievements the NPT is facing serious setbacks: Nuclear disarmament has come to a standstill. New technologies are creating dangerous strategic imbalances. And proliferation crises are demanding our fullest attention. He pointed to North Korea acquiring nuclear weapons, disregarding the NPT and Security Council resolutions, as a key failure. Maas said the only realistic way ahead is applying pressure and stepping up nuclear diplomacy. He urged international support for U.S. efforts to negotiate with North Korea, and for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal which remains the best and only promising tool to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia blamed the breakdown of nuclear and arms control agreements on attempts by one state to dominate the world and to impose on the international community its rules at the expense of the interests of other states and of international law a clear reference to the United States. He said the U.S. has ignored a Russian proposal to impose a moratorium on medium- and short-range ballistic missile systems. And he said Putin is still waiting for an answer to his proposal to extend the New Start treaty without any preconditions. Nebenzia also accused the Trump administration of lowering the threshold for the possible use of nuclear weapons and accused NATO countries of practicing joint nuclear missions, which include elements of nuclear planning. Acting U.S. deputy ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet said that advancing to a world without nuclear weapons must take into account the global security environment. We cannot overlook the actions of those states that are expanding and modernizing their nuclear stockpiles, as well as developing exotic delivery systems, threatening their neighbours, and violating their arms control agreements, she said in a clear reference to Russia and China. Looking ahead to the NPT review conference, Chalet said the United States seeks a positive outcome that reflects consensus on as broad a basis as possible and avoid divisive positions. States must also be united in the goal of the final, fully verified denuclearization of North Korea and remain committed to a secure, peaceful, and bring future for North Korea if it fulfills its obligations, she said. And we must remain united in our determination that Iran never acquire a path to nuclear weapons. Russias Nebenzia said its important for nuclear and non-nuclear states to join efforts to ease tensions and confrontation. Its important that the review conference of 2020 contribute to strengthening the nonproliferation regime rather than weakening it, he said, In other words, be as non-confrontational as possible. . The project also would make the city eligible, Noland said, to apply to the Federal Railroad Administration for a quiet zone, where trains couldnt sound their horns. The city would have to apply for that designation and might have to make some additional investment to ensure drivers couldnt bypass crossing gates, he added. There has been a lot of discussion about race and racism this political season. While former New York City mayor and billionaire Mike Bloomberg pours millions into ads appealing to African Americans, Sen. Bernie Sanderss campaign preaches about a coalition including and highlighting African Americans and Latinos. Earlier this month, it was the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania versus the mayor and district attorney. Before that, it was President Donald Trump accusing Gov. Tom Wolf of denying a black Philadelphia girl a scholarship. Some may say its part of a political season that will be fought hard over every vote, especially black votes. All you have to do is ask former Vice President Joe Biden, currently clinging to nomination chances by a string on the hopes of black voters in South Carolina. But I think its more like prop season. Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and progressives: They all suggest that they are a friend to my community. The names of Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, and Rosa Parks get invoked. Code language has been dangled in ads and speeches, suggesting that black folks have a place at the table on issues like raising the minimum wage and criminal justice reform. Respectfully, I ask my fellow politicians: Please stop. It is disrespectful and plain insanity to think that you can speak for a community that grows more and more marginalized each political season. On what grounds do Bloomberg, Sanders, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain, President Trump, and others get to posture about racism? I dont know their hearts or motives. I dont care how many people of color they have on staff. I think of what my grandma said: Match your words with your deeds. Weve seen this before: Take 2018, dubbed by some the Year of the Woman, when women were used as props while solutions to real issues like pay equity, mandatory maternity leave, and inclusion remained elusive. Weve seen officials use veterans in this way as well and wrap themselves around the flag to show their patriotism. Yet, to date, the number of homeless veterans remains stubbornly high, and the care they receive from Veterans Affairs questionable at best. Now consider people of color. There needs to be policy discussion that reflects the frustration of black Americans, not polite nods to those who have been overlooked. There are brothers and sisters in my community who have a seat at the table, but most do not feel politically connected. These are people who are struggling to stay alive amid an epidemic of gun violence, facing a lack of quality education for their children, and seeking jobs that provide a sustainable living. If the next commander-in-chief is focused on race, he or she need only witness the condition of black Philadelphians. Echoing when W.E.B. Du Bois published his work on conditions for black Philadelphians in 1899, challenges for this group remain perilous. Young black men are more likely to die from gun violence than any other cause, according to a city study on the health of black men and boys. Our children barely graduate from high school and often are not prepared for college. The Philadelphia Department of Public Healths 2019 Health of the City report reveals that only 60.6% of all black Philadelphia high school students will graduate on time. And in a city that is majority black, we are desperately in need of work. The 2018 U.S. Census American Community Survey found that the unemployment rate for black Philadelphians was 13.8% that year, with 29% of black Philadelphians living in poverty, according to last years Health of the City report. My community faces issues that go much deeper, are far more systemic, and wont be resolved by elected officials who debate over who loves us the most. Those who are still running need to connect with my community and neighborhoods that are struggling. Where are the presidential candidates and their offices in Philadelphia? Old City, Center City. Not Cobbs Creek. Not Eastwick. Not Nicetown. We are not props for political campaigns and empty rhetoric. Black voters are political power. We decide elections, including in Pennsylvania. If black voters really matter, stop the polling and come to our neighborhoods. We will ask questions, challenge your perspectives, make you feel uncomfortable, and potentially change your policies. But we will ultimately vote for you with unflinching loyalty when we have a meaningful seat at the table, and when our presence is felt. Anthony Williams is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania state Senate, representing the 8th District. The boss of the Co-operative supermarket says 'the climate emergency is upon us' and has called on retailers to cut plastic use and ditch polluting lorries. Steve Murrells, who will be giving a speech at the Westminster Business Forum today, will be the first supermarket boss to publicly support the introduction of electric lorries for the big grocers. Murrells took the top job at the Co-op in 2017, having led its food business since 2012. Climate call: Co-op boss Steve Murrells will be the first supermarket boss to publicly support the introduction of electric lorries for the big grocers Today he will say: 'As a nation we face many challenges, but these can be overcome if we truly co-operate and pool our natural resources together. 'The climate emergency is upon us but there's no need to be apocalyptic. We should instead be optimistic, providing we take bold and collective action. No one retailer should carry the burden, and the Government needs to create a level playing field for business, through targets and legislation to back this up.' His comments follow promises from UK supermarkets to change. It is believed that they produce around 800,000 tons of plastic a year. Research by consumer group Which? found that 52 per cent of items they sell were 'easy to recycle', adding in its report that 'we think every supermarket could do more'. Tesco and Waitrose performed best in the survey, while and Morrisons did worst, followed by Co-op. In November, Tesco, Britain's biggest supermarket, vowed to remove 1bn pieces of plastic by the end of this year equivalent to one piece in 18 it currently produces. Sainsbury's, number two in the UK, is investing 1billion to become carbon neutral by 2040. Early prototypes for electric lorries have been put forward by the likes of Tesla, Daimler and Cummins. Some firms in continental Europe are already trialling electric HGVs, with experts promising they 'look set to become the norm'. Realty firm Lodha group's UK subsidiary on Thursday launched a $225 million-bond issue in the Singapore market to refinance part of its outstanding debt New Delhi: Realty firm Lodha group's UK subsidiary on Thursday launched a $225 million-bond issue in the Singapore market to refinance part of its outstanding debt. The issue has been opened and the closing date will depend on market response, sources said. The bonds will be listed on Singapore exchanges. JP Morgan, UBS and CLSA are the merchant bankers for the issue. Lodha Developers International, a subsidiary of Mumbai-based Lodha Developers (which has been renamed Macrotech Developers), proposes to offer $225 million (around Rs 1,611 crore) aggregate principal of senior secured notes maturing in 2023. The company would use the proceeds of the issue to refinance a part of its outstanding $324 million (around Rs 2,320 crore) senior notes due to mature in 2020. "Earlier this week, we raised 86 million pound (Rs 800 crore) in the UK. With these proceeds and additional cash flows from our UK and India businesses, we look forward to fully repaying our 2020 USD bonds in March 2020," said Abhishek Lodha, MD and CEO, Macrotech Developers. In November 2019, Lodha had said it had arranged $325 million to repay bonds maturing in March 2020 through infusion of funds from promoters, sale of commercial properties and refinancing against unsold inventories in London projects. "Our $325 million bond pertaining to London business is maturing in March next year (2020). So we have arranged funds in advance to meet our obligations when bonds mature. About $155 million has been arranged through financing against unsold inventories in a London project, while another $110 million will be infused by promoters through family offices," Lodha had said. Lodha group had made a foray into the London market in 2013 with the acquisition of the landmark MacDonald House at 1 Grosvenor Square in prime Central London for over GBP 300 million (Rs 3,100 crore). Macrotech Developers is India's largest residential real estate developer by sales and construction area. The company has clocked net new sales of over Rs 7,000 crore in 2018-19 with collections of over Rs 9,000 crore. It delivered over 10,000 offices and homes in FY 18-19. In the first nine months of 2019-20, sales have reached around Rs 5,000 crore, up 15 percent from the corresponding period of the previous year. India business debt of the company is around Rs 15,000 crore. When state Senate Democrats announced a proposal two weeks ago to change newly implemented criminal justice reforms, they incurred the political wrath of liberal lawmakers and activists alike. Members of the Assembly called their Senate colleagues fake-ass legislators who were backing a bullshit proposal. Activists have publicly warned Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins that she risks losing support from the progressive left. And Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has doubled down on his position that it is too soon to reexamine the new limits on cash bail and a requirement that prosecutors turn over evidence to criminal defendants within 15 days of arraignment. But while these shows of force suggest that Senate Democrats could pay a political cost for their efforts to change the reforms, political forces are driving lawmakers toward making a deal on the issue in the coming weeks. New polling shows that the reforms are increasingly unpopular with voters in an election year. Both Stewart-Cousins and Gov. Andrew Cuomo said this week that they want to address the issue in the state budget, due April 1. Liberal senators have even left the door open to backing changes once their colleagues translate the Senate proposal into actual legislative language. And adding to the pressure, media reports continue to turn public support against the reforms. Heastie has cited misinformation in the news media as a top concern for his efforts to hold the line on the reforms. Numerous stories in recent months have highlighted anecdotal examples where the new laws have purportedly endangered public safety, claims that some reformers have labeled fear-mongering. This includes a claim, later proven to be untrue, that the new law contributed to the death of a witness in a case against the MS-13 gang on Long Island. While media outlets have corrected their coverage at times, the damage to the cause of reform remains, Heastie said. You guys put these stories out there, he told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday. But when the information is corrected, it may end up not on Page One where the initial story started, it ends up on Page 13 in some correction like, Oops. Whether negative stories about the reforms are accurate or not, they have taken a toll on public support for the new reforms in recent weeks, despite efforts by activists to draw attention to the positive effects of the reforms, which have allowed many people accused of low-level, nonviolent offenses to keep their jobs and housing while awaiting their day in court. A Siena College poll released on Monday found that nearly 60% of voters now have a negative view of the reforms, a big swing from the majority who favored the reforms last April. The opposition also runs several points higher in the suburbs and upstate, with a majority of New York City voters (where liberal voters are a bigger share of the electorate) also saying the changes are bad for the state. Just 1% of voters agree with Heasties belief that it is too soon to consider changes to the reforms. Democrats gained control of the state Senate in 2018 in large part by winning suburban swing districts on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley. A key political consideration to holding those gains is by making changes to the reforms, which Republicans have seized on as a top issue in their campaigns to win back seats in the chamber. In the past week alone, Democratic district attorneys and state Chief Judge Janet DiFiore have called for lawmakers to change the laws. In the past two days, both Cuomo and Stewart-Cousins have told reporters that the budget process is the way that they want to get them done. Like the proposal that Cuomo first introduced at the beginning of last year, the Senate proposal aims to completely eliminate cash bail while allowing judges, with some restrictions, to decide who should be jailed before their trial. By giving some ground on the issue of judicial discretion, while eliminating cash bail, both Stewart-Cousins and Cuomo have argued the criminal justice system could move in a more progressive direction. If we can change it within the budget in ways that will enhance what were doing, I think we ought to do it, Stewart-Cousins told reporters Wednesday. While some liberal senators, such as state Sens. Jessica Ramos and Alessandra Biaggi, have joined activists in saying they are opposed to any rollbacks of the reforms, they have yet to comment about their conferences proposal. Though the supporters of the newly implemented reforms have made their voices heard in the last two weeks, it appears that they have not been able to sway the Senate or Cuomo to move away from their efforts to make changes to the law in the budget. While they will need Heasties support in order to do that, the political forces against him have only continued to get stronger. Heastie has a lot to gain politically with progressive and minority voters by holding the line on bail, according to political consultant Hank Sheinkopf, but the political forces against him will make it difficult to resist efforts by the governor and the Senate to make changes. Its a hard win to get, said Scheinkopf. The pressure is going to build. Meeting of CoE Committee of Ministers to be held in Strasbourg instead of Tbilisi - GeorgianJournal I agree with Sen. John Stinner that it would be a mistake to do nothing. Here is my contribution to the dialogue. Should we begin by proposing $200 million for a new prison? Not to mention the $30 million or more annually to run it? Given present staffing problems, could we staff it? For years, Nebraska has resisted private prisons. Director Scott Frakes is proposing a public-private partnership. Expediency has a price. Private, for-profit corporations have financial incentives to keep prison full and expanding. Though we are told Corrections will staff and run the prison, Frakes plan lets the camel of private prisons get its nose under the tent. What if Corrections could not staff it? The first responses from Sen. Steve Lathrop called the proposal an illusion of progress. It might more accurately be called an admission of failure. Over the past five years, our prisons have become more overcrowded, more violent, the morale has worsened and programming and inmates' freedom of movement has lessened. Thailand's Central Group has taken full control of electronics retailer Nguyen Kim through its latest indirect acquisition of a 41.5 percent stake. The largest retailer of Thailand acquired the stake through an indirect subsidiary. The acquisition was revealed when Central Retail Corp. (CRC), a subsidiary of the Central Group, completed an IPO on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on February 20. According to CRCs newly publicized financial statements for 2019, in June last year, an indirect subsidiary of the company, which held a 49 percent in Vietnams NKT New Solution and Technology Development JSC (NKT), bought out the remaining 51 percent in the company. NKT wholly owns and operates electronics store chain Nguyen Kim. The indirect subsidiary paid a total of VND2.6 trillion ($112.15 million) for the stake in NKT, CRC said in its financial statement. The transaction brings CRCs holdings in NKT to 81.5 percent, up from 40 percent, it said. The Nguyen Kim electronics store chain was founded in 1992 in Ho Chi Minh City, and is said to operate over 70 stores nationwide. The Central Group has bought out supermarket chain Big C Vietnam from France's Casino Group in 2016 for over $1 billion. The Thai corporation, which entered Vietnam in 2011, runs 32 shopping centers and 215 retail stores nationwide, and said last year it plans to open 20 new hotels in the country. Emmy Rossum disappeared into the role of 1980s billboard icon Angelyne when she was spotted filming a mini-series about her this Wednesday. The 33-year-old Shameless actress was all decked out in Angelyne's typical pink clothes and immense platinum hairdo. She could be seen strolling across the beach in an eye-popping pink and white miniskirt and a simple pair of sneakers. There she is: Emmy Rossum disappeared into the role of 1980s billboard icon Angelyne when she was spotted filming this Wednesday Emmy's look included exaggerated makeup and a bubblegum sweater that barely contained the fake breasts she was wearing for the role. The mini-series Angelyne is being executive produced by Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, who also happens to be Emmy's husband since 2017. Nancy Oliver, who wrote several episodes of True Blood and Six Feet Under as well as the movie Lars And The Real Girl, is creating the mini-series. The look: The 33-year-old Shameless actress was all decked out in Angelyne's typical pink clothes and immense platinum hairdo Angelyne, who became famous for a pink Cadillac, gained attention in the '80s when her famous billboards appeared around Los Angeles. She promoted herself to fame for its own sake, but guarded the secret of her real identity until The Hollywood Reporter writer Gary Baum exposed it in 2017. Angelyne was born Ronia Tamar Goldberg in communist Poland and immigrated to America with her parents, who survived Nazi concentration camps. Workaday: She could be seen strolling across the beach in an eye-popping pink and white miniskirt and a simple pair of sneakers Emmy revealed on her Instagram page recently that Angelyne, whose name is now Renee Goldberg, will executive produce the show about her life. The Hobbit star Martin Freeman will feature on the series as a billboard company owner who helps kick-start Angelyne's rise to fame. He was glimpsed in a distinctly 1980s costume earlier this week while filming a scene with Emmy, whose fake bust looked fit to burst out of her skimpy top. NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court judge Justice S Muralidhar, who was hearing cases related to Delhi violence, was late on Wednesday (February 26, 2020) transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. However, this was a routine transfer as the Supreme Court Collegium had already recommended the same on February 12, several days before riots broke out in Northeast Delhi. A government notification in this regard, which was issued on Wednesday, said that after consultation with Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, President Ram Nath Kovind transferred Justice S Muralidhar, judge of Delhi High Court, as Judge of Punjab and Haryana High court. The notification further added that the President directed Muralidhar to assume charge of his office in Punjab and Haryana High Court. In its meeting held on February 12, the top court colegium had recommended the transfer of Justice Muralidhar from the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. However, the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) had condemned the judge's transfer and also passed a resolution unanimously regarding this. The Bar Association had expressed shock and dismay at the transfer of one of the finest judges by the collegium of the Supreme Court. Condemning his transfer, the Bar Association said, "Such transfers are not only detrimental to our noble Institution but also tend to erode and dislodge the faith of the common litigant in the justice dispensation system. The Delhi High Court Bar Association had requested for the revisit of the issue and to recall the move to transfer Muralidhar.'' The Delhi High Court Bar Association also abstained from work last week as a token of protest against the transfer and said: "It is a rarest of rare case, the majesty of our revered institution is at stake." On Wednesday a division bench of Justice Muralidhar and Justice Talwant Singh, while hearing a plea seeking a judicial enquiry into the violence and registration of FIR against BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Pravesh Verma for allegedly making hate speeches, adjourned the matter till Thursday. The bench on Wednesday afternoon also directed the Delhi Police to examine the videos related to hate speeches by political leaders, which allegedly led to violence in northeast Delhi, and take a decision in the matter. Justice S Muralidhar along with Justice Anup J. Bhambhani also conducted a midnight hearing related to Delhi violence on Tuesday midnight. They heard a plea seeking safe passage of injured victims of violence in New Delhi to medical institutions with adequate facilities. (With Agency inputs) 1920 A beautiful player-piano including bench, scarf, and 24 rolls of music were for sale for $475 from C.P. Ziegler Photo and Music studio, Columbus. 1970 Roger Lenz, a student at Columbus Zion Lutheran School, placed first in the seventh and eighth grade division at the Lakeside Lutheran High School Spelling Contest. Twelve Lutheran elementary schools and 200 students participated. The Columbus Industrial Development Corporation was taking a survey of available labor to staff a new garment factory being considered in Columbus. 1980 The Wisconsin State Transportation Commission made public a ruling that would allow the Milwaukee Road to close the Birdsey Street track crossing. Some city residents were concerned, that with the crossing closed, the only route to the neighborhood would be via the Lewis Street Viaduct. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Columbus Community Hospital employees may get what they wanted, slower speed limits near the hospital entrances. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation agreed to recommend that the speed limit be lowered from 50 to 35 miles per hour. 1990 YSRCP leader and MLA Ambati Rambabu on Thursday slammed TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu for trying to create a rift between different regions. "The TDP chief is trying to create a rift between different regions and create chaos in the state. It is not correct for N Chandrababu Naidu to hamper the development of all regions," he said in a press meet. He said that the people at Vishakhapatnam Airport opposed TDP Chief as he went there to propagate against Visakhapatnam as executive capital of Andhra Pradesh. "The people over there opposed Chandrababu Naidu, as he went there to propagate against Visakhapatnam as executive capital of Andhra Pradesh," he said. He defended the police for blocking Chandrababu from leaving the airport and go for 'Praja Chaitanya Yatra' and asked how can he expect support from people. "How can N Chandrababu Naidu expect support from people of north Andhra region for his Yatra to bat for Amaravati and against Visakhapatnam," he asked. Rambabu said that all the people are equal before the law and the police did their duty, to prevent any untoward incident and failure of law and order situation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the state government to consider allowing 29 students of an unauthorised CBSE school here to appear for the Class X examination being conducted by the state board. In an interim order on a petition by a trust running the school, Justice S V Bhatti directed Director General of the Department to consider issuing a government order to facilitate the students write the examination. The Judge also pulled up the Central Board of Secondary (CBSE) for allowing such a situation where the students could not write the Class X board exam. The state government counsel informed the court that the department was ready to examine the issue with a view to preventing loss of academic year for the students. The students of the Arooja Little Star School at Thoppumpady were unable to take the ongoing Class X board exam as their institution did not have CBSE affiliation. The school officials allegedly did not inform the students and parents about the non-recognition which came to light only last week. In its plea, the school management said it had obtained permission for students to appear for the exams at another CBSE affiliated school but the latter 'withdrew' from the arrangement. When the matter camp up for hearing, the regional officer of CBSE was present in the court complying with its order on Wednesday. The court sought to know from the CBSE why no action was taken against the school which had been functioning without affiliation of the central board for the past seven years. It also directed the CBSE to file an affidavit on all aspects, including the actions it intend to take against the schools lacking affiliation. On Wednesday, the court had said the students should not be allowed to suffer and impleaded the Secretary, General Education, and the Director of General in the case. The manager of the scand her husband have been arrested and booked under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Students camping out day and night in protest at proposed incoming rent hikes at accommodation owned by their university believe they will remain in their tents on-campus for at least another week. As the student protest calling for a three-year rent freeze at University College Cork (UCC) enters its fourth day tomorrow, today saw students at both University College Dublin (UCD) and NUI Galway also pitching tents on campus amidst growing frustration over incoming rent increases. Almost 300 staff members at UCC have publicly signed a petition in support of the protests, saying that the proposed 3% increase to be introduced by UCC in September "cannot be justified". "Housing affordability is what matters most, and UCC has the responsibility to provide abundant and affordable accommodation to its students and must organise its resources, and priorities, accordingly," the petition states. UCC students are committed to camping out in the Quad until the university pledges to reverse the incoming increase and freezes rents for the next three years, according to Ciara Kealy, the UCC Students' Union (UCCSU) deputy president. Since Tuesday, almost 20 tents have been pitched and more than 50 students are now involved in the protest on a rotational basis, swapping in and out between lectures. This is the third such rent increase in recent years introduced by the university. Rents increased by 5% in 2018, and by a further 11% in 2019. "I don't think anyone would be happy if their rent increased by almost a fifth in a few short years," Ms Kealy said. "Every time there has been an increase, there has been weeks and weeks of talks between students and the university and they haven't listened. If we don't protest this time, the same thing is just going to happen again. "We've been told that the chairperson of the UCC board isn't available until next Thursday to meet us. I have a feeling we are going to be camped out here until next Thursday." Today, students at NUI Galway and University College Dublin also pitched tents in protest at incoming rent increases. UCD Students' Union says a 12% increase, to be introduced over the next three years in 4% increments, will lock young people out of education. At NUI Galway, students said the proposed 4% increase will place another intolerable financial burden on students and their parents. A UCC spokesman said the university respects the students' right to protest. The UCC board has committed to waiving the increase for students in receipt of hardship funds. "UCC Campus Accommodation rents are significantly below those of private operators and we intend to keep it that way." Campus accommodation receives no state funding, he added. Meanwhile, the University of Limerick has defended its attempt to double up on accommodation by turning single occupancy rooms into twin rooms. In an email to students and staff, UL president Dr Des Fitzgerald said the decision was made following an extensive survey that found 76% of students were willing to share a room. According to UL Student Life, the group representing UL students, these rooms were not designed for two students. OPPO may be planning the launch of a brand new smartwatch with a curved screen. Thats based on a recent tweet from Twitter user Ice universe, showcasing what appears to be an official render of the wrist-worn gadget. The image doesnt reveal too much about the watch but what sets this OPPO device apart, first and foremost, is its curved display. An initial look at the image shows a design that is otherwise familiar in smartwatches. OPPO appears to have set the square-faced watch on a sports-style rubber or silicone band. A thin, equally-spread bezel surrounds that panel. The defining feature though is its curved screen. The curve is present but far less pronounced toward the top and bottom bezels. On the left- and right-hand edges, that curves much more steeply with a striking similarity to curved displays on smartphones. Advertisement The overall effect of that is a smartwatch that has a more modern aesthetic, keeping a larger screen size while reducing the overall space that it appears to take up. Whats there aside from design? Ice universe doesnt provide any deeper details about the OPPO smartwatch shown in the image, aside from a brief comment on its curved screen. So there isnt presently any information on the devices chipset. No details are available regarding its RAM, display resolution, or storage, let alone strap or housing dimensions. Also unknown is whether or not this wearable will run Googles Android-based Wear OS based on the image. So the device may or may not have access to Google Play or related apps, games, and watch faces. Instead, the render appears to show a portion of the gadgets settings menu. Advertisement That could give away at least one important detail. The Battery, Password, and More options shown on that screen are fairly straightforward. Users might expect to find those on any smartwatch. However, the display also showcases a Multifunction Button option. No deeper menu is showcased for that. But the appearance of the feature does imply that at least one physical side button will be reassignable. Any number of user-defined choices may be tucked behind that, although the most likely scenario is that button can be reprogrammed to serve quick access to another built-in feature or app. When might OPPOs curved screen smartwatch arrive? Another detail thats noticeably missing from the Chinese tech giants leaked render is a launch date. Advertisement OPPO is set to announce new devices in early March. Among those, the company has confirmed a decision to launch its upcoming Find X2 Flagship device. Originally expected to land at the MWC 2020 event in Barcelona, thats one of two devices the company is expected to announce. That event has now been called off, however, forcing OPPO to plan out its own launch event. Typically, events at MWC are more focused, rather than centering around a slew of announcements from any one company. That doesnt necessarily equate to enough content for a full, standalone launch event outside of the tech gathering. So it isnt out of the question that OPPO might launch its new wearable at the same unveiling to pad out the announcement. Advertisement OPPOs curved screen watch looks great! pic.twitter.com/fFZo68drEG Ice universe (@UniverseIce) February 26, 2020 In the wake of the violence in Delhi, the US and Russia on Wednesday issued advisories to their citizens, asking them to exercise caution and avoid violence-hit areas. The US Embassy in India issued a security alert, advising American citizens that it is important to monitor local media outlets for updates on demonstrations, road and Metro closures, and possible curfews. "US citizens in India should exercise caution in light of violent demonstrations in Northeast Delhi and avoid all areas with demonstrations," the embassy advisory said. "The Government of India-imposed law that prohibits political gatherings of four or more people -- known as Section 144 remains in effect in certain areas," it said. Advising Americans on actions they should take, the embassy urged citizens to avoid locations where heavy traffic or road closures or protests are expected. "Keep a low profile. Be aware of your surroundings. Monitor local media for updates. Follow the instructions of local authorities," the advisory read. Russia asked its citizens to be careful, avoid large gatherings and violence-hit areas -- Jaffrabad, Maujpur and Bhajanpura. At least 24 people have been killed and over 200 injured in communal violence which broke out in northeast Delhi three days ago. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar are among the areas mainly affected by the riots. Dozens of British tourists have been cleared to leave a hotel in Spain's Canary Islands that was on lockdown over the coronavirus - but 118 have been told they have to stay in quarantine. The guests at Tenerife's H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel have spent three days in isolation after the coronavirus was detected there in four Italian tourists. Sources said that 50 of the 168 Britons currently held on the site are free to leave the hotel. But it is not clear at this stage if the newly released Brits will choose to leave the island, or if they will be allowed to return to the UK. The move appears to have caught the Foreign Office off-guard, who just hours earlier insisted there were no plans to bring trapped tourists back to the UK. Those who can leave are understood to have arrived on Monday, after the guests who were diagnosed had already left. Overall, 130 guests from 11 countries have been told they can leave by Spanish authorities. A statement from the Foreign Office said: 'We are urgently seeking clarification from the Canary Island authorities following their announcement that 130 tourists of different nationalities will be granted permission to leave the Costa Adeje Palace Hotel. 'We continue to offer support to all British nationals at the hotel.' A live camera positioned outside the resort prepares to film cleared guests on their way out of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel today Health officials wear face masks as they stand at the entrance of the Tenerife hotel today A tourist in quarantine inside the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary island of Tenerife The nationalities of the freed guests are yet to be announced. The Foreign Office said earlier today it had 'no plans' to fly British tourists home from their hotel lockdown. The 168 Britons at the resort had their hopes raised on Thursday when Canary Islands officials said they were in talks with foreign diplomats about a possible flight. Some guests had pleaded with Boris Johnson to order a rescue mission after they were told they were facing a two-week quarantine at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace. But an FCO spokeswoman told MailOnline earlier today: 'We're in touch with Spanish authorities but as far as we're aware there's no plans for a flight at the moment.' A woman and her child look out of the window of their hotel room today at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife which is in quarantine over coronavirus fears Downing Street defended the response to the situation at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The Foreign Office has been in contact with more than 100 British nationals who are staying in the hotel. 'They are providing them with support, they are also in regular contact with local authorities and tour companies to share information. 'The quarantine is being managed by the Spanish authorities. We understand that those guests who have been assessed by medical staff and who are not showing symptoms are free to move around within the hotel.' Pressed on whether there would be an evacuation flight for Britons, the spokesman said: 'We base all our decisions on medical and scientific advice and everything is kept under review.' A tourist wearing a face mask cycles on an exercise bike next to the pool at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace today where 168 Britons are beginning a two-week lockdown Professor Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England, said the agency had sent a 'health protection specialist' to Spain to work with local authorities. The specialist will work to 'better understand the public health measures that have been put in place in the hotel', she said. 'This includes understanding spread of the virus within the hotel and how the Spanish authorities are monitoring the situation.' The guests are locked in a four-star hotel and have been allowed to leave their rooms, lounge by the pool and eat in the hotel restaurant. Spanish officials ordered the two-week quarantine after four Italian guests who stayed at the hotel last week tested positive for coronavirus. Julio Perez, a spokesman for the Canary Islands regional government, said today that talks with foreign officials had been taking place in Tenerife and Madrid. Regional health minister Teresa Cruz told a press conference that there had been a 'good reaction from the respective embassies to repatriate their citizens'. 'Today the health ministry has a meeting about the same subject, seeking the implication of the different embassies so they can get their citizens home if they feel it is appropriate,' she said. Perez added: 'This morning our government authorities have had meeting with different consuls and in Madrid there's been talks with ambassadors. 'If we can assure a transfer in such a way that we know that when they reach their home countries, their respective health authorities and epidemiology services can carry on conducting active monitoring, they could go if this is organised. 'At the moment it's safe for the 140-odd tourists who checked in after the people staying at the hotel who have tested positive.' However, British officials do not appear to have shared the enthusiasm described by their Spanish counterparts. The Foreign Office says it has spoken to dozens of the British tourists by phone and text, but there are no plans to arrange a repatriation flight. A man walks next to the swimming pool of the Tenerife hotel, which was placed in quarantine by Spanish authorities after four Italian guests tested positive for the virus Tourists next to the outdoor pool today at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace where most guests have been allowed out of their rooms Officials are keeping the situation under review. The FCO previously chartered such a flight for British nationals who were trapped on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. However, that was only after the Japanese quarantine had been widely declared a failure with hundreds of people infected during the two-week lockdown. Whitehall was also forced into action in the Japanese case after the United States government unilaterally pulled out more than 300 U.S. nationals. Before that, countries scrambled to get their citizens home from Wuhan after the start of the outbreak in China. The Foreign Office chartered two flights to bring British nationals home which landed at RAF Brize Norton. Earlier a 'frightened' British mother trapped at the hotel said she feared the hotel lockdown would turn into another Diamond Princess disaster. Lara Pennington, who is on holiday with her two young sons and elderly in-laws, said claimed that some guests were failing to follow measures to stop the virus spreading. 'The Spanish government were advising that if we wanted to we could leave our rooms as long as we were wearing masks and washing hands,' she told ITV's Good Morning Britain today. 'It's clearly apparent there are large numbers who are not following that process. 'Containment strategy is clearly not working, it was never going to work. It should be an enforced quarantine,' said the 45-year-old tourist from Manchester. Lara Pennington (pictured), 45, from Manchester, said today that guests at the Tenerife hotel are flouting quarantine rules and risking spreading the virus Hannah Green and Court Amys are pictured in a photograph this morning at the Tenerife resort The FCO previously chartered a rescue flight for British nationals who were trapped on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan (pictured) The Briton has decided to self-isolate her family in the hotel room to keep out the disease, which has already claimed the lives of 2,771 people worldwide. She said today that her family has still to be tested for the illness and had only been provided with thermometers to check whether they were are infected. 'We're not being looked after in terms of our vulnerability,' she said. 'We are frightened.' Spanish authorities padlocked the doors of the four-star hotel after four guests from Italy tested positive. Guests were initially told to stay in their rooms but local authorities have now said people without symptoms can move around the hotel, including to the pool and bar. This has raised fears that the virus will spread rapidly among the guests, with social media photos showing people not wearing face masks and sharing buffet meals. Steve McHardy, 53, an estate agent from Kinross, in eastern Scotland, and his wife Susan, also 53, are among those stuck in the hotel. Mrs McHardy told TV doctor Hilary Jones during ITV's Lorraine that they were supposed to be enjoying a four-day sunshine break to celebrate a birthday but have now been told they will need to stay in Tenerife for at least 14 days. A resort worker cleans the pool of the h10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain, this morning The hotel laid on free champagne for tourists yesterday after guests were told they would have to stay put at the resort until mid-March A police officer wearing a mask talks on the phone in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in La Caleta, in the Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain yesterday Guests were sunbathing in masks and enjoying free supplies of food and alcohol at the hotel poolside yesterday after learning they would be staying well into March Employees wearing protective masks arrange water bottles in the lobby of the hotel Mrs McHardy added: 'We didn't go out in the beginning but yesterday we went to reception - you are allowed to go out with your masks on. 'At the beginning, we were getting food parcels put to our rooms, but now the only food you can get is at the restaurant so we have to go out now.' Dr Jones responded to the couple and criticised the isolation measure at the hotel. He said if somebody was diagnosed on the last day of the 14-day quarantine, the 14-day period would need to start again. He added: 'At the moment, what's happening in that hotel is not self-isolation because people are sunbathing round the pool, going to the restaurant - you are in a mass quarantine together. 'My worry, and your worry, will be this - that on day 14 when you are ready to come home and somebody tests positive, you're back in quarantine for another 14 days because you will have been exposed. 'That's the worry if people don't self-isolate. 'You haven't been given logical guidance to follow and nor is anybody else adhering to that, even if it was there. 'You could potentially be in quarantine for (another) 14 days if on day 14 somebody tests positive.' VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CloudMD Software & Services Inc. (CSE: DOC, OTCQB: PHGRF, Frankfurt: 6PH) (the Company or CloudMD), a Company focused on revolutionizing the delivery of healthcare provides an update amidst global coronavirus outbreak. The CloudMD telemedicine app, which launched in B.C. just 3 weeks ago, is a virtual clinic that patients can access for free, allowing them to see a doctor in real-time from their smartphone or desktop device. CloudMDs app allows a physicians practice to extend into virtual visits for their patients who may not need face to face interactions, said Dr. David Ostrow, current Chief Medical Officer of CloudMD and former CEO of Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Patients are able to do this without sacrificing the background medical knowledge that exists in their clinic records and with the assurance that they are getting a full range of services using CloudMD. In addition, with CloudMD theres less time off work and fewer waits in crowded waiting rooms. To ease the demand on the healthcare system, the Company is currently reaching out to governments and agencies to better understand how its services can best provide support. Through their telemedicine app and network of online physicians, patients can easily and conveniently receive an evaluation and treatment and avoid being exposed to, or spread new infections in waiting rooms of medical clinics and hospitals. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that was first identified in China and recent reports have cited it has spread to over 30 countries worldwide. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not officially declared the outbreak as a pandemic and is still focusing on containment efforts. However, several authorities have stated a pandemic is inevitable, warning governments, businesses and individuals to prepare for the next phase of disease management: mitigation. The goal of mitigation is to reduce the illnesses impact on society by reducing the spread of the virus. Mitigation strategies range from individual behavior changes such as hand washing, to working from home and intermittent school closures. The USs Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week encouraged people to use telemedicine services as the coronavirus outbreak spreads1. We are prepared to rapidly scale our resources as needed to meet the currently rising demand for telemedicine services, said Dr. Essam Hamza, CEO of CloudMD. Our services can make an impact by providing triaging, support, information and medical advice for a worried public. Unnecessarily heading to a doctors office or emergency room not only increases demand on already stretched resources, but also increases a patient's chances of exposure or spreading of virus. We will be looking to work with government agencies and health organizations to help support their patient populations. 1 https://www.statnews.com/2020/02/25/cdc-expects-community-spread-of-coronavirus-as-top-official-warns-disruptions-could-be-severe/ The Company will be providing further updates in the coming weeks as the situation develops. To learn more about our telemedicine services, visit www.cloudmd.ca . The app is now available for download on the Apple Store and Google Play . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Essam Hamza, MD" Chief Executive Officer About CloudMD Software & Services CloudMD is digitizing the delivery of healthcare by providing patients access to all points of their care from their phone, tablet or desktop computer. The company offers SAAS based health technology solutions to medical clinics across Canada and has developed proprietary technology that delivers quality healthcare through the combination of connected primary care clinics, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI). CloudMD currently has a combined ecosystem of 315 clinics, over 3000 licensed practitioners and almost 3 million registered patients. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. MEDIA CONTACT: Email: media@cloudmd.ca GOVERNMENT & AGENCIES CONTACT: Email: info@cloudmd.ca INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT: CloudMD Software & Services Inc. investors.cloudmd.ca Email: investors@cloudmd.ca 27 Feb 2020, 12:47 PM FM pulls up banks for 'blindly' following rating agencies; says they have lost local touch Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has told banks they shouldn't blindly believe in "credit scores" of those seeking loans as branch-level connect with customers was more important. The FM rapped state-owned banks for being out of touch with customers at the ground level, saying they often failed to communicate government schemes to customers due to their inability to communicate in the local language. Hurun Global Rich List: Jeff Bezos retains No 1 spot, Mukesh Ambani richest in Asia Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is still the richest person in the world, even after losing $7 billion in one year, according to the ninth annual Hurun Global Rich List. Bezos, 56, has retained the top spot for the third year with an estimated net worth of $140 billion, mainly due to the world's largest divorce settlement with former wife MacKenzie Bezos, who made the list in her own right with $44 billion. Coronavirus outbreak: IMF, World Bank consider 'virtual' Spring Meetings Growing concerns inside the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank about the spread of the new coronavirus have prompted the institutions to consider scaling back their Spring Meetings in April or hold them by teleconference. Financial markets have fallen sharply in recent days on news that the virus is spreading rapidly in Europe. Italy has reported more than 400 cases and people who have visited Italy have tested positive in Brazil, Algeria, Austria, Croatia, Greece and other countries. 119 Indians on board coronavirus-hit Japan cruise land in New Delhi After days of wait, a special Air India flight carrying 119 Indians, who were stranded onboard a coronavirus-hit cruise ship, Diamond Princess, off Yokohama port in Japan finally landed in New Delhi on Thursday morning. The special flight also carried five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru. Apart from this, the government has also rescued 76 Indians from China's Wuhan region, which is the epicentre of the new coronavirus outbreak. Apple to open first retail store in India next year, Tim Cook says Apple Inc. will open its first physical retail store in India in 2021, Chief Executive Tim Cook said on Wednesday. Cook said Apple would start selling its products online in the country this year and will open its first Apple-branded store there next year. Before we go any farther, lets spend a moment discussing what goes on when you taste Sichuan (also spelled Szechuan or Szechwan) peppercorns. First of all, dont confuse them with the otherwise beloved black peppercorns. Taxonomically speaking, the former, of the genus Zanthoxylum, is only related to the latter, of the genus Piper, at the class level. That means the two plants are no more related to each other than am I to the Bactrian camel, the western long-beaked echidna or the ocelot. This bears noting simply because, when youre cooking, you dont want to replace Sichuan pepper with black pepper in the same way you dont want to invite me for dinner, only to open your door to a snarling ocelot. Heres why: As part of the centennial celebrations of the American University in Cairo (AUC) last week, three exhibitions were inaugurated at the Tahrir Culture Center (TCC) in three different galleries connected by the theme of arts relationship to technology. Curated by Shiva Balaghi, senior advisor to the President of AUC, the three shows are a perfect opportunity for imagination to extend the boundaries of rigid technology. The shows also examine the relationship between technology and society in the most creative ways. With the aim of hosting shows that bring together art and science departments, Balaghi started organising this project a year ago. In addition to the need to have a database on artists whose artworks harmonize with the theme, I wanted the artworks to look good together, she explained. At the Margo Veillon Gallery, Glitch showcases paintings, drawings and digital animations by a group of Egyptian and international artists. The show casts light on how past, present and future could be mediated through the intricate games of technology. Artists participating in Glitch represent different countries, including UK, Iran, Morocco, Bangladesh, US, Egypt and Pakistan. I actually picked artists with works I like, Balaghi said, and whose works are relevant to the theme. And it so happened that the majority are women. I dont think the biography of an artist stands in the way of accepting their participation. I dont think that knowing the artist is Iranian would help the viewer understanding the work better. Among the highlights are three pictures by Basim Magdy, an Egyptian artist whose works capture themes of love, beauty and time, combined with his own poetic texts. AUCs mission is to be a global university in Cairo, Balaghi went on. Therefore, our policy should reflect being both global and rooted in the Egyptian culture. Balaghi mentioned Petra Cortright, a popular US YouTube artist whose works are being exhibited for the first time in Cairo. Cortright collects images from the Internet. They could be anything: a picture on Facebook or an advertisement. Then she makes videos or digital paintings out of them, posting them for free.One of these artworks is exhibited in the form of a painting, featuring a format resembling a vase of blossoming flowers, which are actually made of hundreds of images on the internet. The painting echoes the composition of traditional Dutch still lifes with floral themes, according to Balaghi: It is all made digitally on the computer, so we call it a digital painting.Equally interesting is Aish baladi or local bread, a digital installation by Egyptian artist Haytham Nawwar. In digital black and white drawings, bread emerges in different forms and situations like different expressions of human face. As aish, life, and baladi, my country, have different connotations in Arabic, Nawwar plays an ingenious game connecting digital and human worlds.The culture scene in Cairo is thriving, with a huge number of artists and events. However, it is hard to bring artworks by international artists or Arabs who live in Europe or the US to Cairo because of the high expenses. And here is our point of uniqueness, because there are few places where international artists can show in Cairo, Balaghi said.In addition to Glitch, the Future Gallery hosts artworks by Laila Shereen Sakr, an Egyptian-American artist and professor of digital arts at the University of California. Laila describes her exhibition as a personal biography. She invented the name VJ Um Amel for herself as she likes the idea of being an Arab cyborg.VJ Um Amel is a name I use in a set of art performances where I examine the association between the identity of mother and techno-feminist construct of a cyborg and local and international conceptions of Arab, Sakr explained.The exhibition suggests that there is no longer any division between theory and practice and that the routine integration of technology into every aspect of our daily lives actually reflects the fact that we are immersed in a huge digital experience.Sakr earned her MFA in digital arts and media from the University of California Santa Cruz. Her scholarly writing and art practice are intertwined around glitch aethetics and Egypt. I had my first baby, Amel in the middle of my studies, so this is how it started. Now that I had my first baby, I realized that I needed to stay at home more. Therefore, I started to learn more on how to do art via internet.Beit Um Amel (Um Amels Home) is the artists debut solo exhibition in Egypt, where she was born. The paradox is not lost on her: home refers to an emotional warmth, but the exhibits present a lifeless virtual world. They portray digitally treated pictures, either taken by the artist or given to her by friends living in different countries.One intriguing picture is an appalling scene of destroyed homes in Yemen. The artist adds threads of torn clothes, enhancing the drama. Another interesting picture, The Beach, was originally sent to the artist by a friend in Columbia. A favourite destination of hers, the beach has become a fixed corner of her virtual home.Sakr uses different techniques, gama, glitch and pixel sorting, to produce a totally different version of the image.Other pictures feature images of her own profile, and her belly while she was pregnant.I attempted to bring motherhood, softness and love back home, she said. I have been doing this sort of art for eight years now. My girl, Amel, is 12. I guess you have a better understanding now of the concept of my project, she laughed. At the Marriott Gallery, Corners of a Dream by Bahiya Shehab professor of arts at AUC takes up a fairly narrow room barely big enough five viewers: four documentaries visualising four lines by Mahmoud Darwish My country is not a suitcase; Those who have a land have no sea; Imprisoned butterflies; and We love life if we have access to it are shown one after another, but each uses four screens.The viewer has to shift their eyes between the four screens to grasp the message of each film. The most intriguing film is My country is not a suitcase, which features scenes of empty suitcases with anxious hands adding some vegetables in one scene, or spice cans on the opposite screen, books and newspapers on the third screen, and clothes for a newborn girl on the fourth. *A version of this article appears in print in the 27 February, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Japan on Wednesday banned any foreigners who have visited Daegu and Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made the decision in a meeting to discuss responses to the outbreak. Japan had already banned travelers from China's Hubei and Zhejiang provinces. More than 30 countries are either banning or restricting travelers from Korea, including some parts of China, where the virus is rampant. El Salvador and Seychelles banned all visitors from Korea, and the Philippines and Vietnam all travelers from Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province. Fears are spreading among Korean expats that authorities in their host cities could force them into quarantine as central governments there decline to take responsibility. The Chinese central government is not banning travelers from Korea, according to Cheong Wa Dae, but some regions including Shanghai are. The U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Korea again on Wednesday, urging travelers to "reconsider travel" to the country. It came two days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its highest travel advisory for Korea, recommending that Americans "avoid all nonessential travel" to Korea. "If suspected to have COVID-19 (coronavirus) in [Korea], you may face travel delays, quarantine, and extremely expensive medical costs," it said on its website. But U.S. President Donald Trump said the same day that it is too soon to put travel restrictions on Koreans. "At a right time we may do it," he told reporters. "At the moment it's not the right time." Mumbai, Feb 27 : Music composer duo Sachin-Jigar have launched their initiative Gujarat Cultural Movement with the song "Beni". Jigar says it is an ode to the pure and special bond shared by siblings. "A sister plays various roles in an individual's life. 'Beni' is an ode to the pure and special bond shared by siblings, which also signifies the feeling of togetherness shared by a community. We have recorded the different aspects of the relationship at various stages of life, bringing out the cultural beauty of Gujarat at the same time," Jigar Saraiya said. Sachin Sanghavi added: "It has been a very special experience collaborating with some of the most wonderful personalities in the Gujarati industry for 'Beni'. We are blessed with a heritage of rich ethnicity in the form of our literature and varied art forms, it is very gratifying to contribute in any way towards our culture." Gujarat Cultural Movement aims to provide a platform to aspiring artistes across various fields such as singing, dancing, music composing, stand-up comedy, or any other form that highlights the Gujarati ethnicity. The YouTube channel of Sachin-Jigar, would feature videos of artistes that desire to show their talents after sorting entries from aspirants received on mail. The Duke and Duchess of Sussexs decision to quit royal life completely has raised a number of issues. On Thursday, Canada revealed it would stop providing protection for Harry and Meghan after they step down, leading to questions over who will pick up the costs of their future security. Here we look at some of the main questions Megxit has raised, from where they will live to how they will fund their new lives away from the royal family. Who will pay for their security? Canada has said it will stop providing protection for the pair leading up to March 31. As part of its statement, Canadas Office of the Minister of Public Safety said the assistance will cease in the coming weeks, in keeping with their change in status. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the development as did Scotland Yard, with a spokeswoman saying we dont discuss matters of security. It is not known whether taxpayers will continue to fund Harry and Meghans personal protection officers, or whether the couple will eventually finance their own security. Harry and Meghan (Phil Noble/PA) Harry and Meghans website says: It is agreed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son. This is based on the dukes public profile by virtue of being born into the royal family, his military service, the duchess own independent profile, and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over the last few years. No further details can be shared as this is classified information for safety reasons. Security for the royal family as a whole costs the taxpayer in excess of an estimated 100 million a year, but the actual figure is never disclosed. When will the changes take place? Megxit will happen on March 31 when Harry and Meghan stop representing the Queen and become financially independent. The couple will continue to be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as by their titles the Earl and Countess of Dumbarton and the Baron and Baroness Kilkeel. Story continues During a recent tourism conference in Edinburgh, the duke requested that he be addressed simply as Harry. Where will they live in Canada? Meghan has been staying on Vancouver Island, but the family will be looking for a permanent home. A general view of Frogmore Cottage (Steve Parsons/PA) They could remain in British Colombia or head to Toronto where Meghan lived while filming Suits, but their exit plan means they have the freedom to live wherever they want. What about Meghans citizenship? This is still unclear. At the time of their engagement, Kensington Palace said Meghan would be applying for British citizenship. But it was not specified whether she would hold dual American citizenship. It is not known what stage the process was at or what will happen now. How will they make money? Quitting royal life means the couple are free to seek employment. No commercial deals have been signed so far, but their financial independence means they could seek out fashion lines, sponsorship, become involved with Netflix or Disney, write books, or Meghan could resurrect her lifestyle blog or acting career. The Duke of Sussex speaks with former Disney chief executive Robert Iger as the Duchess of Sussex embraces Beyonce (Niklas Hallen/PA) But the Palace said the couple have vowed that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of the Queen. What about the Sussex Royal Foundation and can they still use the Sussex Royal name? The pair had been in discussions with aides and senior royals about the use of the brand SussexRoyal, but it appears they had fallen foul of UK Government rules. Plans to trademark SussexRoyal have now been abandoned and the couples website which used the title will now have to be re-branded. A statement on the site said: While the Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK Government rules surrounding use of the word Royal, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation will not utilise the name Sussex Royal or any other iteration of Royal. Harry and the then Meghan Markle watch Wheelchair Tennis at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada (Danny Lawson/PA) For the above reason, the trademark applications that had been filed as protective measures and that reflected the same standard trademarking requests as done for The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have been removed. While there is not any jurisdiction by The Monarchy or Cabinet Office over the use of the word Royal overseas, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use Sussex Royal or any iteration of the word Royal in any territory (either within the UK or otherwise) when the transition occurs spring 2020. Where will Archie go to school? The family will be spending most of their time in North America. Baby Archie (Toby Melville/PA) If this continues, it is more than likely that Archie Mountbatten-Windsor will not have a British education, but nothing has been confirmed. How much will the Prince of Wales give Harry and Meghan? This is unlikely ever to be revealed. Charles will continue to offer private financial support to his youngest son and Meghan. It could come from his 21 million-a-year private income from the Duchy of Cornwall landed estate, or from his own private investments. What will happen in 12 months time? Impossible to tell. There is scope for the Queen, Charles, Harry and the Duke of Cambridge to review the arrangements in a year. The Royal family leave after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, London (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) But they might decide there is no need for a meeting if all is going well. Topics up for discussions might range from security and whether Charless financial help will continue, to whether Harry and Meghan still retain Frogmore Cottage as a UK base or whether they make a complete move to North America. Tax authorities are within the rights to demand tax on past revenue, which takes time to scrutinise, but it is highly unusual for officials to demand the entire revenue as tax. Mumbai: Indian jewelers have received surprise tax notices asking them to turn over money they made from customers who scrambled to buy gold after Prime Minister Narendra Modis 2016 ban on high-value currency notes, according to a dozen jewelers and tax officials. Indian jewellers have received surprise tax notices asking them to turn over money they made from customers who scrambled to buy gold after Prime Minister Narendra Modis 2016 ban on high-currency notes, according to a dozen jewellers and tax officials https://t.co/lSwcRqP74F pic.twitter.com/557SkauX9T Reuters India (@ReutersIndia) February 27, 2020 When Modi announced a sudden ban on 500 and 1,000 rupee bills on 8 November 2016 to weed out undeclared cash, clients thronged the store of one Mumbai-based jeweller, clamoring for necklaces, rings, bullion anything gold. The jeweller - who asked to only be identified by his surname, Jain, to avoid retribution - said he sold his entire stock at a steep premium that day and pocketed revenue usually earned in two weeks. Three months ago, he received a tax notice asking for the source of those earnings and ordering him to turn in all revenue made that night, under suspicion that black money was behind the purchase. Jain appealed against the order, but as per Indian law, he had to deposit 20 percent of the disputed amount. If we lose the case, then we have to close the business to pay the remaining amount, said Jain. About 15,000 jewellers have been sent tax demands similar to Jains, said Surendra Mehta, secretary of the India Bullion and Jewelers Association. Mehta estimated tax authorities are seeking around Rs 50,000 crore ($7 billion) from people in the gems and jewelry sector. This could create a problem for the industry in the long run as those who need to pay 20 percent to appeal may have to purchase bullion or jewelry on credit, said Mehta. If they lose their cases, the jewelers could default on the loans, potentially hurting suppliers and bankers, he said. Tax authorities are within the rights to demand tax on past revenue, which takes time to scrutinise, but it is highly unusual for officials to demand the entire revenue as tax. A tax official based in Kolkata, likened the exercise to being asked to dig up a dead body after three years, find out how the person died and catch the killer. Two senior tax officials told Reuters the department has sent thousands of notices this year, including to jewelers, demanding an estimated Rs 1.5-2 lakh crore in taxes. The Central Board of Direct Taxation and the Finance Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the government has not spoken about the tax demands on the jewelers. The move highlights Modis push to shore up revenue as Indias once-booming economy grows at roughly 11-year lows. Indias corporate and income tax collection for the current year is likely to fall for the first time in at least two decades, several senior tax officials have told Reuters. Scrambling to fill coffers Officers, whose promotions and transfers hinge on meeting the governments annual tax targets, are scrambling to at least partly meet the shortfall ahead of the end of the fiscal year on 31 March, a half-dozen tax officials said. As part of its drive to beef up revenue, New Delhi has extended an amnesty scheme to settle disputes stuck in litigation to March-end. Authorities are also investigating maids and drivers, suspecting that their wealthy employers used them to hide undeclared funds after demonetization, officials told Reuters. The push risks re-igniting complaints that New Delhi is being overbearing in its collection drive, an issue that was spotlighted when a prominent coffee magnate who committed suicide last year left behind a letter blaming persecution by tax officers. Three of eight jewelers interviewed by Reuters said authorities had demanded the full amount they made on 8 November 2016, while the others declined to share details. One tax officer said the department was only levying a tax on sales of previously undisclosed stock. He added some jewelers were suspected of accepting the annulled notes after 8 November and backdating receipts to make it seem the purchases were made when the bills were still legal tender. Another Kolkata-based tax official said the department was likely to lose its cases against the jewelers. I know it is illogical... (But) at least the 20 percent will help add to collections this year, he said. She was thrust into the public eye when she starred on Made In Chelsea and never fails to turn heads with her stellar sense of style. And Georgia Toffolo cut a chic figure as she posed in a stunning photoshoot at the Wallace Collection for her SHEIN campaign this month. The reality star, 25, donned a series of looks for the shoot, including one where she looked radiant in a pink and orange crop top and a satin miniskirt. Stunning: Georgia Toffolo, 25, cut a chic figure as she posed in a stunning photoshoot at the Wallace Collection for her SHEIN campaign this month In another, Georgia looked breathtaking in a white dress with structured shoulders and flared sleeves. The former I'm A Celeb winner added height to her fame with a pair of multi-coloured heels and accessorised with a handbag. Georgia also donned a black short-sleeved midi dress with a square neckline and a floral detail. The star dew further attention to her look with shining emerald green earrings and a pearl headband. Beauty: Georgia looked breathtaking in a white dress with structured shoulders and flared sleeves Sensational: In another look, the reality star opted for a long-sleeved champagne dress with beige heels Casual: I'm A Celeb winner Georgia also sported more laid back looks for the glamorous photoshoot Chic: One ensemble featured a pale blue floral shirt with white high-waisted shorts The TV personality opted for a more casual look for one outfit, sporting a white shirt with flared sleeves and a dramatic collar which she wore with blue jeans and white boots. Georgia was all smiles as she attended the launch of the SHEIN x Georgia Toffolo collaboration at Peggy Porschen Chelsea on Thursday where she showed off some of the items in the collection. It comes after Georgia revealed she had her car broken into and her handbag stolen on New Year's Eve just a week after she was held in Male airport's detention centre. She hared a video on her Instagram Stories of her broken car window, which she claims had been smashed with a brick. Moments before she revealed the break in to her fans, Georgia - known as Toff - had been wishing her followers a Happy New Year before heading for a night out with her family. Looking good: Georgia also wore a white shirt with flared sleeves and a dramatic collar which she wore with blue jeans Beginnings: Toff was thrust into the public eye when she starred on Made In Chelsea and never fails to turn heads with her stellar sense of style Sensational: Georgia showed off her modelling chops as she posed up a storm during the shoot Colour: In one snap, Georgia wore a white woolly jumper and a pink floral skirt However her night out soon took a turn for the worse when she realised some of her valuables had been stolen from inside her car. Speaking on the clip, Toff said: 'Happy new year everyone, someone just threw a brick through my car window and stole my handbag. 'But on the bright side they left a tampon and my favourite blusher. So, trying to look on the bright side of things - not great!' Event: Georgia attended the launch of the SHEIN x Georgia Toffolo collaboration at Peggy Porschen Chelsea on Thursday All smiles: The Made In Chelsea beauty styled her blonde locks into loose waves for the event Ensemble: Georgia donned a white long-sleeved polka dot dress with a high collar Pals: Georgia added height to her frame with a pair of black heels and also wore a matching headband as she posed alongside her friends Refusing to left her celebrations be thwarted by the break-in, Toff soon added that she still drove the car to meet her family for their New Years Eve meal. Georgia has also had her fair share of bad luck, as last month she was held in Male airport's detention centre due to a page falling out of her passport. And after 'crying for nine hours', the media personality expressed her gratitude towards her fans and the British government for their support, and surprisingly revealed she even ended up 'having a laugh' with the immigration officers. (Newser) A Japanese woman thought to have recovered from the coronavirus has tested positive again, raising yet more concerns about the spread of the virus. The woman, a tour bus guide in Osaka, was first diagnosed in late January and was released from the hospital on Feb. 1, authorities say. This is the first known case of a recurring COVID-19 infection in Japan, though there have been a few similar cases in China, reports Reuters. "Once you have the infection, it could remain dormant and with minimal symptoms, and then you can get an exacerbation if it finds its way into the lungs," says Philip Tierno Jr., a professor at NYU's School of Medicine. He says it is possible that the disease "is bi-phasic, like anthrax." In other developments: Saudis ban pilgrims. In an apparently unprecedented step, Saudi Arabia has banned foreign pilgrims from entering the country in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus, the AP reports. Islam requires the faithful to visit Mecca at least once in their lives, and authorities at Cairo's international airport say there was "intense confusion" and "extreme anger" among passengers waiting for flights when news of the ban broke. story continues below More deaths in Italy . Italy says the death toll from the outbreak is now 14, with 470 confirmed infections. Iran has reported 26 deaths and 245 infections, but Christl Donnelly, an Oxford University professor of statistical epidemiology, warns that based on death tolls, the true total of cases in both countries is likely to be more than 1,000, the Guardian reports. . Italy says the death toll from the outbreak is now 14, with 470 confirmed infections. Iran has reported 26 deaths and 245 infections, but Christl Donnelly, an Oxford University professor of statistical epidemiology, warns that based on death tolls, the true total of cases in both countries is likely to be more than 1,000, the Guardian reports. Japan closes schools . Japan has announced that all elementary and secondary schools will be closed from March 2 until after the spring break at the end of the month. Hong Kong has closed schools until April 20. . Japan has announced that all elementary and secondary schools will be closed from March 2 until after the spring break at the end of the month. Hong Kong has closed schools until April 20. France braces for epidemic . In France, which has reported 18 infections and two deaths, President Emmanuel Macron warned that the number of cases is expected to rise steeply, the BBC reports. "We are facing a crisis, an epidemic, that is coming," he said while visiting a hospital. "We are going to have to deal with it as best we can." . In France, which has reported 18 infections and two deaths, President Emmanuel Macron warned that the number of cases is expected to rise steeply, the BBC reports. "We are facing a crisis, an epidemic, that is coming," he said while visiting a hospital. "We are going to have to deal with it as best we can." Virus is now in 47 countries . Coronavirus cases have now been reported in 47 countries and on every continent except Antarctica, the New York Times reports. Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Romania were among the new countries that reported their first cases Wednesday. Other countries already affected reported steep rises in the number of cases: South Korea said there had been 505 new infections and Kuwait reported 43 more cases, all apparently linked to the Iran outbreak. . Coronavirus cases have now been reported in 47 countries and on every continent except Antarctica, the New York Times reports. Denmark, Estonia, Norway, and Romania were among the new countries that reported their first cases Wednesday. Other countries already affected reported steep rises in the number of cases: South Korea said there had been 505 new infections and Kuwait reported 43 more cases, all apparently linked to the Iran outbreak. China death toll is lowest in weeks. As cases surged in other countries, China reported its lowest death toll in almost a month, per RTHK. Authorities reported 29 more COVID-19 deaths Thursday, the lowest since Jan. 29, when 26 deaths were reported. Authorities reported 433 more infections, 24 of them outside Hubei province. (Read more coronavirus stories.) President Donald Trump, with members of the President's Coronavirus Task Force, holds a paper about countries best and least prepared to deal with a pandemic, during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Wednesday. Associated Press President Trump held up a map Wednesday night that ranks the US world-best in epidemic preparedness. The map comes from the 2019 "Global Health Security Index" ranking, which measures how well-prepared 195 countries are to tackle a major infectious disease outbreak, like COVID-19. The US scored well on measures including "biosecurity" and "emergency preparedness," but was near the bottom of the list when it came to "healthcare access." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Trump wants the world to know that the US is number one, even when it comes to fighting off the novel coronavirus. "We're rated number one for being prepared," the president said at the White House on Wednesday, as he announced he was putting Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the administration's coronavirus response. "Johns Hopkins, I guess, is a highly respected, great place," Trump continued. "They did a study, comprehensive, 'The countries best and worst prepared for an epidemic,' and the United States is now, we're rated number one." The study that Trump was referring to is a first of its kind global ranking called the Global Health Security Index, which came out last October. The work was a collaborative project, between the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, and The Economist Intelligence Unit. And yes, it is true that those experts put the US in first place, overall, among 195 countries, when it comes to combating a major infectious disease epidemic, like the new COVID-19 outbreak: Screen Shot 2020 02 27 at 11.48.54 AM Global Health Security Index But the experts who made this map, and ranked the US in first place, are quick to add caveats to America's number one status. "Even though the US does rank at the top for the index, there are areas where there is room for improvement," Priya Bapat, a consultant with the Economist Intelligence Unit, told Business Insider, shortly before President Trump spoke on Wednesday. Story continues The US scored extremely well on measures like emergency preparedness, risk communication, a culture of responsible science, biosafety and biosecurity. "At the national level, the US has a lot of really good plans and policies in place," Bapat said. "And more importantly, we make that information publicly available." But Bapat also pointed out that one of the US's greatest weaknesses (and lowest scores) is in a category called "healthcare access." "And I think we all kind of know why," she said. The US isn't ready for COVID-19 because Americans have terrible healthcare access According to the Global Health Security Index ranking, the US comes in 175th out of 195 countries, when it comes to Americans' access to healthcare. The US does not provide universal health coverage to its citizens, which means that more than 8% of Americans go completely uninsured, with no private insurance, and no government sponsored medicare or medicaid, either. This is different from how things are run in every other rich country around the globe. "That is a real vulnerability for the US, in terms of just the amount of money that we have to pay out of pocket," Bapat said. Take the case of one Miami man who thought he had the coronavirus after returning from China, went to the hospital to get tested, and is now being served a $1,400 bill, his uninsured portion of a hospital visit that ended up totaling more than $3,000. "How can they expect normal citizens to contribute to eliminating the potential risk of person-to-person spread if hospitals are waiting to charge us $3,270 for a simple blood test and a nasal swab?" Osmel Martinez Azcue asked the Miami Herald. America's Health Insurance Plans, the trade association of health insurance companies in the US, says that insurance providers will cover any "reasonable, medically necessary healthcare costs related to infectious diseases and medical conditions, including COVID 19," but like a lot of insurance claims, it's hard to know exactly how that might play out in an individual, real-world scenario. Healthcare bills are, after all, still the number one most common reason Americans file for bankruptcy protection. "You should never, ever have to say, 'I can't afford this medical treatment I need,'" British doctor-turned comedian and writer Adam Kay recently told Insider. The overwhelming and often prohibitively expensive cost of medical care isn't the only health metric where the US lags behind, when it comes to being ready for COVID-19. The US also lags far behind in its ability to test for new cases of COVID-19, a major pitfall Issues with US healthcare stretch beyond patient exam rooms, and into the labs. As Business Insider's Aria Bendix recently reported, the US COVID-19 testing system already lags far behind that of other countries. "As of Wednesday, the US has only tested 445 people for the virus, compared to around 35,000 people who have been tested in South Korea, Bendix reported on Wednesday. "Switzerland, whose population is 38 times smaller than that of the US, said it's capable of conducting around 1,000 tests per day." Medical workers at UC Davis, who suspect they may have just detected the first case of community-spread coronavirus in the US, said in internal memos that they had already asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to test their suspected case of COVID-19 one week prior, but were initially denied that test, since the sick person didn't meet the CDC's criteria for testing. (They hadn't been to China, or come in contact with anyone else who had COVID-19.) Other labs in states around the country are still waiting to ramp up their own COVID-19 testing labs, after testing kits the CDC sent out initially for the novel coronavirus turned out rotten. Currently, only 12 labs outside CDC headquarters in Atlanta are up and running, ready to test for the new coronavirus. According to Bapat, that's a serious issue, which could threaten the most vital aspect of the country's preparedness strategy for COVID-19. "I would say that detection and reporting is probably the biggest priority right now, being able to identify if and when the disease is within your country," she said. "Because once you're able to detect it early, it's much easier to contain the spread of the outbreak within a particular country, and be able to have your experts make a plan." Read the original article on Business Insider THE MDC has made sensational claims that it is working with some disgruntled Zanu PF MPs to impeach President Emmerson Mnangagwa, pictured, over the countrys worsening economic rot and the recent killings of innocent civilians by security forces, the Daily News reports. This comes as Zanu PFs notorious demons of factionalism and tribalism have returned to the former liberation movement with a vengeance with devastating effects on both the ruling party and the country. However, Zanu PF said yesterday that it was wishful thinking on the part of the MDC to think that the countrys main opposition could sway its legislators to turn against its leader, no matter the circumstances. But combative MDC deputy national chairperson Job Sikhala told the Daily News that they were in earnest talks with some unnamed Zanu PF Members of Parliament to try and impeach Mnangagwa. Impeachment is one of the available ways to the country to get rid of this dictator. There are many people in Zanu PF who are fed up with his brutal rule and they have been whispering to and encouraging us to take that move (impeachment). There is, therefore, no doubt that impeachment can be carried out every possible card is on the table, but I will not divulge our next strategy for now. Violation of the Constitution is central to every impeachment process, the main one being the crimes against humanity that were committed on the people of Zimbabwe in August 2018 and in January 2019, Sikhala said. The militant Zengeza West MP was referring to the August 1, 2018 army shootings which left at least six innocent civilians dead after soldiers used live ammunition to quell an ugly demonstration in Harare. Security forces were further accused of killing at least 20 civilians in January 2019 following deadly riots which erupted in Harare, Bulawayo and several other towns after a steep fuel price hike that was announced by Mnangagwa ahead of his trips to Eastern Europe at the time. Sikhala said all this formed part of the grounds to impeach Mnangagwa who later set up a commission of inquiry to deal with the August 2018 killings. Rights groups and Western powers have also demanded punishment for the security forces accused of killing the civilians in 2018 and last year. Sikhala also said yesterday that the countrys worsening economic rot, as well as its high unemployment and poverty levels also provided solid reasons to push for Mnangagwas ouster. In addition, his failure to fulfil any of his promises is an aggravating factor. He promised jobs, jobs and more jobs when he committed the coup in 2017. But we have never witnessed a single job that he created. No single industry has opened and instead, people are losing the jobs they had during (the late president Robert) Mugabes era. Finally, he is an illegitimate president. He rigged against President (Nelson) Chamisa. The presidency he holds is clothed with all the characteristics of illegitimacy. The peoples president is Advocate Nelson Chamisa, not this masquerade, the take-no-prisoners Sikhala said further. The planned putsch against Mnangagwa comes as Zanu PF is reeling from escalating factional wars. At the same time, Zimbabwe is in the grip of a gigantic economic crisis the worst in a decade which has stoked tensions in the country. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Jeyhun Alakbarov Trend: The condition of 186 people suspected of being infected with coronavirus is controlled by doctors in Azerbaijan, Trend reports on Feb. 27 referring to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Health. Seven of them are in the infectious disease ward of the Clinical Medical Center, two - in a special medical facility, 86 - in Astara central district hospital and 91 - in Jalilabad central district hospital. The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019. Since then, nearly 3,000 people have died and 82,000 people have been confirmed as infected worldwide. Amid the controversy over the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), workers of the Madhya Pradesh Health Department were stopped from conducting a survey of TB patients in an Indore locality. People of Khajrana area opposed the survey being conducted by ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers fearing that it was a veiled attempt to get citizenship- related data, officials said on Thursday. ASHA workers were carrying out a survey in Ilyas Colony of Khajrana area to find out if there were any untreated tuberculosis patients, an official said. District TB Officer Dr B L Kaushal confirmed the incident. "Initially, the residents of Khajrana cooperated with us. But two days ago some residents started opposing it due to some misunderstanding," Kaushal said. "We do not want to give too much importance to this one incident," he said, adding that for the time being survey was stopped in the area. The survey for TB patients began in Indore district from February 17 and will continue till March 3, he said. The Muslim-dominated Khajrana is one of the areas in the city which have seen protests against the proposed NRC and National Population Register (NPR) along with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Amulya Nidhi, a social worker who works in the health sector, said, "The Health Department should take the residents into confidence and complete the survey, so that no TB patient is denied treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The online Tire Source shop from Capital Honda can help drivers get a quote on new vehicle tires Capital Honda is a Honda dealership in Charlottetown that offers vehicle service and parts. Currently, the dealership is promoting its online Tire Source shop, which can help drivers get a quote on new tires and wheels for their vehicles. Drivers who are interested in getting a quote on a new set of tires or wheels for their vehicles are encouraged to try out the Tire Source shop on the dealerships website, capitalhonda.com. The Tire Source page can be found under the Service drop-down menu at the top of the website. Clicking that will load the first step in the Tire Source shop, which gives customers the choice to find tires or find wheels. To use Tire Source with Capital Honda, customers will need to input basic information about the vehicle which they are purchasing parts for. After selecting either wheels or tires on Tire Source, customers will be asked what year their vehicle is, then what make it is and finally what model their vehicle is. They may even be prompted to select a trim level. Once all vehicle information is filled out, Tire Source will automatically come up with a complete list of possible wheels and tires that can be purchased through Capital Honda. Clicking on the Add to quote button allows customers to get a quote on the price of the tires and wheels they are interested in. Customers can also find a form to schedule vehicle service on the dealerships website. Vehicle services include tire and wheel services. Spring Farm Cares brought together a number of community professionals to address the problems associated with animal welfare and animal abuse. Spring Farm Cares Co-Founder/Director Dawn Hayman organized an Intervention workshop that stressed the importance of why everyone from law enforcement and veterinarians, to animal shelters and mental health specialists need to work together. "Its a society problem. Animal crueltys just a symptom of something, and weve known that. I mean Ive been in this business for 32 years now, and Ive watched the changes in the last 32 years and seeing whats happening, and animals take the hit, but you cant just address it at the animal level. You have to go to the source of the problem." Mental health is typically the core of where animal cruelty starts, but Mental Health Counselor Kelsey Mooney tells us getting people the right treatment isnt an easy task. "In Oneida County, mental health counselors, social workers, psychologists theyre filled. Theyre absolutely swamped with people, and its very difficult to find somebody that might specialize in what you need." Kim Ferris-Church is a Humane Education Manager Lollypop Farm. She's working on a program in Monroe County that treats people with animal abuse problems. The program provides 12 weeks of therapy, much like addiction counseling. "Each session goes through various things like anger management, responsible pet care, substance abuse, and were addressing the needs of the people in the program in a non-judgemental way so we can really make an impact in their life, and so then were hoping by doing this were offering support, were educating people about the needs of animals, and then were preventing future abuse from happening." Oneida County currently doesnt have an Animal Crimes Intervention Program, but Spring Farm Cares is hoping to help start a program in the area as a way of protecting animals and human beings. 71.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard THIS IS THE NEWS WE WANT. Joe Biden is considering Kamala Harris, among other women, as his VP. Daryon Jackson, who was formerly Senator Kamala Harris political strategist, flagged video on Thursday of former Vice President Joe Biden saying he was looking for a VP who matched his ideals like Kamala Harris or another woman. Jackson then noted that it sounded like Harris was his top pick. Watch both clips he posted here: Sounds like Kamala Harris is probably Joe Bidens top pick for Vice President. pic.twitter.com/XKzxjDn6Yf Daryon Jackson (@daryongeronimo) February 27, 2020 Ive been begun thinking about that in terms of both women, women of color, Latinos, and men of color. But also, on others who share my philosophic view of what to do, the Democratic candidate for president said. Asked if Kamala Harris would fit that bill, Biden said, I think so. Biden said he hadnt spoken with Harris yet, and he was considering a list of women. Jackson pointed out that it sounded like Harris was Bidens top choice: I think so, but again Ive not spoken to Kamala Harris about that and its presumptuous of me to do that. But I think Kamala Harris is someone but look, theres a number of women who Biden then refused to name the women, saying hed get into real trouble to do so. But he said hes beginning to talk about it with his close associates. The man who co-authored the original Violence Against Women Act (thats Joe Biden) is doing the absolute right thing in contemplating a woman VP, especially Kamala Harris (and other women, but he didnt name names). The women in this country are beyond fed up after three plus years of Trump triggering memories of predators like Trump and general Republican assaults on their dignity, rights, and autonomy. The Brookings Institute wrote last week, The most profound change in American politics today and in the years to come will result from a massive movement of women into the Democratic Party. As this realignment takes place Hillary Clinton may well go down in history as this centurys equivalent of Al Smith. Furthermore, if you want to see the Trump effect in action, in 2018 women opting for Democrats jumped to 19 points from 13 in 2016, In 2016, Clinton led Trump by 13 points (54% to 41%), but in the 2018 midterm elections women opted for Democratic rather than Republican congressional candidates by 19 points (59% to 40%). More important for the long term, the Democratic margin over the Republicans in party identification grew from six points in 1994 (48% to 42%) to nearly twenty in 2017 (56% to 37%). When Harris dropped out of the race, women repeatedly expressed their sense of defeat and loss. Theyre still doing it now on social media. Diana Butler Bass wrote of Elizabeth Warren taking on Bloomberg at the debate, When she yelled This is personal to MB, she was yelling what millions of women want to yell to Trumps face since the Access Hollywood tape. Every woman I know wants to yell at Trump THIS IS PERSONAL and watch him fall back on his heels with no response. Thats why we marched. Why weve voted. Why weve organized. THIS IS PERSONAL. Candidates who ignore how women are feeling since Trump got elected do so at their own peril. Add in the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing and the smearing and abuse of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, and you have some very, very fed up women. After Harris dropped out, many women took comfort in Elizabeth Warren or Amy Klobuchar, but neither are gathering the delegates needed so far, which is only creating a further loss of morale. Warren, with her policy chops and a history of going to battle out of genuine care for the people of this country should be a natural winner, but she is trailing behind Sanders among the progressives. The Democratic Party is going to need fired up women voters in 2020. They make up the majority of the party and while its seldom acknowledged in the media, they brought 2018 to the Democrats and they are the fight. Chairman of the Dem Coalition Jon Cooper tweeted, Raise your hand if you think a @JoeBiden/@KamalaHarris ticket would mop the floor with Trump/Pence, and within an hour had 1.7 thousand retweets. Kamala Harris would fire up women in the Democratic base. Bigly. Women need a fighter in the White House, and with Joe Biden who fought for women before it was cool and Kamala Harris, they would be assured that they would matter policy-wise and they would be believed. At a town hall in Georgetown, S.C., a 90-minute drive from Charleston, Biden aides took down the teleprompter his usual accompaniment before he walked into the room to a standing ovation. He glanced at his notes only sparingly at the beginning, then spent most of the town hall wandering across the roped-off speaking area trying to connect with the audience. Occasionally, he resurrected old laugh lines that had been culled out of his speech as hes been more intentional about attacking his opponents. The attacks were still there, dipped in sarcasm. David Lyon, the ousted governor-elect of Bayelsa State has finally accepted the final ruling of Nigerias highest court, Supreme Court that nullified his victory at the November 16th, 2019 governorship election in the State. In a statement he personally signed and made available to reporters on Thursday, Lyon said though the decision of the Supreme Court dashed the hope of the people of the state, he accepted it in the interest of peace and the development of the State. The former Governor-elect called on the supporters of his political party, his loyalists and the people that voted for him during the polls to accept the judgment and move on. He thanked the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the state and national levels for their tenacity in upholding the principles of constitutional democracy. DAILY POST reported that The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 26 February 2020, reviewed the judgment it gave against APC on 13th February 2020 and decided to maintain its earlier judgment Lyon added, I am aware of the extent to which this decision has further dashed the hope of Bayelsans as it upturned the democratic mandate of the Bayelsa electorate. I hereby unequivocally state my decision to accept the Supreme Court verdict however distressing as it is. It is the decision of the Supreme Court, and we are all bound to accept the outcome as law-abiding citizens of this great country. I wish to appeal to my party faithful, my supporters, all Bayelsans and all lovers of peace and justice to accept this verdict and maintain the peace. While they have a right to think that this is a case of judgment without justice, I strongly appeal against all forms of violence or any conduct that threatens the peace and development of our state. I strongly believe that God still loves Bayelsans and will still allow His Will to come to pass in their lives. I seize this opportunity to thank the leadership of our party, the All Progressives Congress at the National, State, Local Government and ward levels for their tenacity in upholding the ideals of constitutional democracy. He added: I appeal to all Bayelsans not to shy away from participating in the governance of our dear state for the common good and wellbeing of its people. In the same vein, I urge the good people of the state to continue to uphold the dreams of our founding fathers in our aspiration to lead the state irrespective of party affiliations. The politician said it is his resolve to continue to join forces with well-meaning individuals, institutions and organizations towards bringing the much-needed development to the State. The Bank of China (BOC) announced on Thursday that it will raise 2.82 billion U.S. dollars through the offshore issuance of preference shares, with a yield of 3.6 percent. The fund-raising, expected to be completed on March 4, will be used to replenish the bank's additional tier-1 capital and increase its capital adequacy ratio, the lender said in a statement filed to the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Earlier data showed the non-performing loan ratio at the BOC was 1.37 percent by the end of September. Preference shares, along with common shares, are two primary types of stocks that companies offer to investors. Preference shareholders have priority rights over ordinary shareholders in the distribution of profits and residual assets, and most of them have a fixed dividend. An IT staffer at Ukraine's State Judicial Administration has been charged with illegally mining cryptocurrency at his workplace. The prosecutor's office in Kyiv reported Wednesday that, together with other agencies, it has completed an investigation into the court administration department employee who illegally exploited government data systems. The unnamed individual is said to have taken advantage of the equipment and internet bandwidth allocated for Ukraine's court documents database and the Judiciary web portal to mine cryptocurrency from January to May 2018. He is additionally alleged to have exploited workplace servers to host external websites, including three online stores and a website for motorcycle fans, the prosecutor's office said, according to Yahoo!Finance. Read alsoIn Ukraine, cyberpolice operative demanded bribe in cryptocurrency The employee has been charged with illegal intervention in the work of computers and computer networks, and malware distribution. According to Ukraine's criminal code, if found guilty, the perpetrator faces up to six years in prison and a ban on government jobs. The news follows a handful of other cases of illegal mining by government employees in the country. Last November, Ukraine's railway administration, Ukrzaliznytsia, caught employees mining crypto using the companys power capacity in the city of Lviv. In August, law enforcement uncovered an illicit crypto mining facility at the Yuzhnoukrainsk Nuclear Power Plant. It's possible to achieve returns close to the market-weighted average return by buying an index fund. A talented investor can beat the market with a diversified portfolio, but even then, some stocks will under-perform. While the Phoenix Group Holdings plc (LON:PHNX) share price is down 12% over half a decade, the total return to shareholders (which includes dividends) was 59%. And that total return actually beats the market return of 29%. On top of that, the share price is down 7.1% in the last week. But this could be related to the soft market, which is down about 5.4% in the same period. View our latest analysis for Phoenix Group Holdings To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. Looking back five years, both Phoenix Group Holdings's share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 18% per year. The share price decline of 2.5% per year isn't as bad as the EPS decline. The relatively muted share price reaction might be because the market expects the business to turn around. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). LSE:PHNX Past and Future Earnings, February 27th 2020 We know that Phoenix Group Holdings has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? Check if analysts think Phoenix Group Holdings will grow revenue in the future. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of Phoenix Group Holdings, it has a TSR of 59% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! Story continues A Different Perspective It's nice to see that Phoenix Group Holdings shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 16% over the last year. Of course, that includes the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 9.7%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 3 warning signs for Phoenix Group Holdings (of which 2 make us uncomfortable!) you should know about. We will like Phoenix Group Holdings better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on GB exchanges. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. The looming global coronavirus pandemic could break out in Australia at the peak of the winter flu season, as experts warn that it is possible to be infected with both potentially lethal respiratory illnesses at the same time. Brett Sutton, the state's Chief Health Officer, said Victorians who fall sick this flu season are likely to be tested for coronavirus and influenza at the same time. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton says more cases of coronavirus in Australia are 'inevitable'. Credit:Joe Armao "We have to bear in mind that the pickup in coronavirus cases and the flu season might coincide," Dr Sutton said. "It may well be that we have respiratory clinics seeing both flu patients and coronavirus patients." It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared on Thursday that Australia was activating its pandemic plan as the coronavirus spreads to 42 countries across the world. MIDDLEFIELD, N.Y. - The Otsego County Sheriff's Office confirms that firefighters were injured in a Middlefield structure fire. Neighbors tell NewsChannel2 it was a garage on fire on Route 35. The Assistant Coordinator for Otsego County Emergency Services says there may have been more than one explosion. At least five firefighters, three from the Cooperstown Volunteer Fire Department, were transported this evening to Bassett Hospital after the garage fire set off an explosion, perhaps a propane tank. Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin says state fire is investigating the incident. Several fire departments responded to the scene, from Middlefield, Cooperstown, Westford, Cherry Valley, and Milford. NewsChannel2 will provide updates as they become available. Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH) has announced that IEEE Communications Society (Bahrain Chapter) will be an affiliated partner of MEET ICT & BITEX 2020, the leading ICT event in Bahrain. Held under the patronage of Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, the event will take place from March 24 to 26, 2020 at the Gulf Convention Centre. BTECH stressed the importance of this partnership with IEEE Communications Society (Bahrain Chapter) in enriching the content of the MEET ICT & BITEX 2020, especially that IEEE Communications Society (Bahrain Chapter) is the world's largest technical organisation for the advancement of technology. IEEE Communications Society (Bahrain Chapter) has chapters in more than 140 countries around the world with tens of thousands of members. BTECH welcomed the contributions of IEEE Communications Society (Bahrain Chapter) to the event as they are an association that provides essential reference for many technical topics under communications and networking technology. The tenth edition of the event is jointly organised by BTECH and WorkSmart for events management under the theme Leading the Way to a Digital Economy through AI. The MEET ICT Conference will host numerous activities catered towards developing businesses and ICT professionals which includes seminars, workshops, a virtual reality and game center, demo space, and a special robot and media corner. During the conference, specialised workshops and panel discussions will be organised, in addition to meetings and networking sessions for emerging companies as well as technical and educational institutions. Meanwhile, the exhibition will include pavilions for different participating countries, and a display area for entrepreneurs and student projects in the ICT field. Lastly, the event will host a virtual reality space and innovative solutions. -- Tradearabia News Service After two days of the stock market tumbling, President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday morning to blame the media and Democrats for causing undue alarm and harming American financial markets. Don't Edit Don't Edit President Donald Trump is pushing against criticism that his administration isn't doing enough to meet the coronavirus threat, as lawmakers called for giving disease fighters much more money than the $2.5 billion the White House has requested. A day after he sought to minimize fears of the virus spreading widely across the U.S., Trump is holding a White House press conference with experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, health officials said three new coronavirus cases have been reported in the U.S., bringing the tally here to 60. Trump tweeted Wednesday that the CDC, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and others in the administration are "doing a great job with respect to Coronavirus!" and accused some news outlets of "panicking markets." On Capitol Hill, senior lawmakers called for a bipartisan spending package that would give federal, state and local officials more resources. Congress in recent years took a similar approach with the opioid epidemic, pumping out federal dollars for treatment and prevention. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York unveiled an $8.5 billion coronavirus proposal. Trump and members of his administration have been sending mixed messages about the virus. The CDC on Tuesday warned the American public to prepare for an an outbreak of the disease, which has spawned more than 81,000 cases around the world mainly in China. The count in the U.S. includes people who traveled back from outbreak areas in China or their spouses; three people who were evacuated from the central China city of Wuhan, and 42 Americans who were passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship and were evacuated by the federal government to the U.S. from where the ship was docked in Japan. Before he flew home from India on Tuesday, Trump said the coronavirus situation is "very well under control in our country." The administration has asked Congress for an additional $2.5 billion to speed development of a vaccine, support preparedness and response activities, and to gather needed equipment and supplies. Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have questioned whether that request is sufficient. Schumer's $8.5 billion plan is more than triple Trump's request. It includes $4.5 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services to work to contain the outbreak in the U.S., $1 billion to develop and manufacture a vaccine, $1 billion to help other countries battle the coronavirus, and $2 billion to reimburse states for costs incurred in tackling the outbreak. Schumer has been harshly critical of Trump's response to the outbreak, and his request announced before the Democratic-controlled House Appropriations Committee has weighed in rankled some Democrats hoping for quick, bipartisan action to address the crisis. Arriving back in the U.S. early Wednesday, Trump immediately began to counter critics who say he should have acted sooner to bolster the federal response to the coronavirus. An outbreak of the coronavirus in Iran has fundamentally changed the situation in the Caucasus, a region bordering Iran. The governments of Armenia and Georgia have closed land and air links with Iran. Azerbaijan, which is linked to Iran more than others, is in no hurry to close the border. AMnews reports in its article Coronavirus approaches the Caucasus how Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia are reacting on how the countries of the South Caucasus have reacted to the approach of the coronavirus to their borders. Azerbaijan border with Iran remains open Azerbaijan is the only country in the South Caucasus that so far has not closed its border with its land neighbor, Iran. Between these countries there is a large passenger flow. In 2019, almost half of all Azerbaijani citizens traveling abroad went to Iran. Many go for treatment, for trading or on pilgrimages to Muslim shrines. Many tourists come from Iran to Azerbaijan as well. There are direct flights from Azerbaijan to Iran by air to Tabriz and Tehran. There are several checkpoints by land and air. At present, land and air traffic between Iran and Azerbaijan continues, although customs checks, including sanitary checks, and disinfection are carried out at customs. All livestock products are removed without factory packaging and which have not undergone heat treatment. The import of meat products in baggage is prohibited, said Natig Akhundov, representative of the Azerbaijani Customs Committee. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan recommends that the public be extremely careful when traveling to Iran, follow the instructions of local authorities, and if problems arise, to contact the Azerbaijani Embassy. The main infectious disease specialist of Azerbaijan, Jalal Isaev, advises that people refrain to travel to Iran for the moment. Azerbaijani economist Gubad Ibadoglu predicts that the spread of coronavirus in Iran will also negatively affect the economy of Azerbaijan. Armenia closed the border with Iran but not entirely Armenia, which also borders directly with Iran in the south, closed the border with this country for two weeks on February 23. It has limited, but not completely canceled, air traffic between the two countries. This decision was made on the recommendation of the national commission to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Economically, this is a difficult decision for Armenia, as now this country has only one open border with Georgia. The countrys Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan explained in detail on his Facebook page the decision, writing that a closed border will not interfere with the transport of goods with Iran. They will be implemented without restrictions, only truck drivers will be more thoroughly checked when crossing the border. The Prime Minister of Armenia officially stated that so far there are no people infected with the virus in the country, and there are all the necessary technical and professional resources for an accurate diagnosis. Pashinyan said that within two weeks, the Armenian government intends to work closely with the Iranian government, to analyze information on the extent of the spread of the coronavirus and to clarify further actions. Georgia empty planes flying from Iran Georgia does not have a land border with Iran, but there are close economic and tourist relations between these countries. In 2019, about 140,000 Iranians visited Georgia. Every week, 14 flights to Iran fly from Georgian airports. According to the decision of the Government of Georgia, since February 23, air traffic has been limited. In particular, the import of passengers from Iran to Georgia and vice versa has been suspended. The Georgian government is asking citizens to refrain from traveling to Iran. In order for tourists from Iran who are in Georgia to return to their homeland, airlines will deliver empty planes to Georgia without passengers, with whom they will take the tourists back home. The first empty flight has already arrived in Georgia from Tehran. About 130 Iranians left Tbilisi by this plane. As they say in the Tbilisi international airport, Tbilisi is waiting for several more empty planes from Iran. The Georgian government is monitoring the development of the situation, and also continues to work with Armenia and Azerbaijan. In the future, if such a need arises, we cannot exclude the restriction of movement across the land border. The Georgian government has already warned Georgian citizens that they should refrain from traveling to Iran, and citizens who are in Iran can contact the Georgian embassy if necessary, the Georgian government said in a statement. Information on the situation in Iran has changed the rhetoric of representatives of the Ministry of Health of this country, who say that in Georgia, the risk of the virus spreading remains low, but definitely it is necessary to increase preventive measures, since Iran is close at hand, Georgian experts say. According to the director of the Center for Disease Control Amiran Gamkrelidze, in connection with the coronavirus, Tehran poses a greater danger to Georgia than China. QBE has appointed Stephen Postlewhite as managing director, QBE Re. He will start the new role from April 1, taking over from Jonathan Parry, who will retire in 2021. With more than 20 years experience in the industry, Postlewhite joined QBE in November 2018 as deputy global chief underwriting officer of QBE Re in London, as part of a planned succession. Prior to QBE, Postlewhite spent 14 years at Aspen Insurance, where his roles over time included CEO of Aspen Insurance, CEO of Aspen Reinsurance, group chief risk officer and chief actuary. Previously, Postlewhite worked at the UK regulator and at KPMG where he trained and qualified as an actuary. Parry will continue to play an active role in QBE until his retirement next year, the company said. QBE Re has achieved excellent results over time, embodied by careful cycle management, strong client relationships and a team of highly experienced underwriters, said Richard Pryce, CEO of QBE International. Stephen, therefore, takes over the business at an exciting time, with industry tailwinds and a very strong set of results in 2019 giving us significant scope for profitable growth. He has already made a strong contribution to the business and we look forward to him taking QBE Re forward into the future, Pryce added. Jonathan is a well-known and highly respected figure in the reinsurance world, and he leaves QBE Re in a very strong position, added Pryce. I would like to thank him for his significant contribution to QBE Re. We wish him the very best in his retirement. Source: QBE European Operations Topics Talent Contributed Photo / East Haven Police Department EAST HAVEN It took 13 minutes for firefighters to free a driver after a rollover crash in town Wednesday afternoon, according to police officials. Lt. Joseph Murgo said police were on scene for a one-vehicle rollover in the area of Burr and James streets around 1:30 p.m. The City watchdog has launched a full investigation into NMC Health as one of the biggest scandals to hit the London stock market in years intensified. Shares in the private healthcare provider were suspended yesterday at just 938.4p, having lost two-thirds of their value since mid-December. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) probe comes after a string of revelations about its murky finances, including allegations its billionaire founder kept board members and shareholders in the dark about 260million worth of loans. Murky finances: NMC told investors that unnamed businesses controlled by its Indian founder BR Shetty and a senior associate used it to arrange loans without telling board members Although NMC operates in the Middle East, its shares have traded in the UK since 2012. It became a stock market darling as shares rose nearly 20-fold to a peak of 4120p in August 2018, propelling it into the FTSE 100 index. Its status as a blue-chip stock encouraged thousands of UK investors to buy its shares. Millions of other savers are also exposed to it through their pensions and investments that include assets linked to the FTSE 100. EY audit gave the all-clear The scandal at NMC comes as a major embarrassment for its auditor, British accounting giant EY. In NMC's annual report last May, EY gave it a clean bill of health, saying it was happy with the way the firm recognised its revenue and accounted for acquisitions. But Muddy Waters, the short-selling hedge fund which first attacked NMC last year, claims its then chairman, BR Shetty, artificially inflated the costs of construction work done for the company, which he hired his own contractors to complete. In a further extraordinary announcement this week, NMC admitted that it could be on the hook to pay back 260million worth of loans which had never appeared as liabilities on its balance sheet. These loans, borrowed by companies owned by Shetty, secretly named NMC as a guarantor, and appear to have slipped past the notice of everyone at the firm. EY said: 'It is not our policy to comment on companies we audit.' The Big Four accounting firm is being investigated by the Financial Reporting Council for its audit of Thomas Cook, after the travel firm went bust last year. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'The FCA may need to look again at the listing rules and whether they are providing sufficient protection to investors when it comes to overseas companies becoming listed in the UK.' He added that the Serious Fraud Office may step in. Mould said: 'It may find grounds for getting involved in the worst-case scenario, where the company has been understating its debts or overstating assets. With the CEO sacked and shares suspended, we're starting to lean towards the worst-case scenario rather than this looking like something more benign.' The FCA launched its probe just hours after NMC made the latest bombshell revelations about its finances and sacked its chief executive, Prasanth Manghat. NMC told investors on Wednesday that unnamed businesses controlled by its Indian founder BR Shetty and a senior associate used it to arrange loans without telling members of the board or disclosing them to investors a breach of stock market rules. Under the arrangement, which was kept off the Abu Dhabi-based company's balance sheet, suppliers to Shetty's companies were paid using loans from third-party lenders. An internal investigation, led by former FBI director Louis Freeh, discovered that as well as being arranged in secret, NMC was on the hook for the loans if the firms owned by Shetty failed to pay up. It also identified 'potential discrepancies and inconsistencies' in the company's bank statements and ledger entries. Shetty, 77, was assisted in this alleged deception by Khaleefa Butti al-Muhairi, the former vice-president of NMC. Both were evicted from the board last month for 'incorrectly reporting' their shareholdings. NMC yesterday said the FCA has 'commenced a formal enforcement investigation'. It added: 'NMC will continue to co-operate with the FCA and any and all other relevant authorities.' The FCA has the power to impose multi-million-pound fines on companies and individuals, and ban them from the City. NMC has been engulfed in scandal since US hedge fund Muddy Waters published an explosive report in December which raised 'serious doubts' about its accounting and governance. It accused the firm of inflating its profits, assets and cash. The allegations have been fiercely denied. NMC, which operates private hospitals in the Middle East, froze trading 'to ensure the smooth operation of the market'. It said it was 'focused on providing additional clarity to the market as to its financial position and to restoring its admission to trading'. A member of a provincial middle class family, he ruled the country more than Nasser and Sadat. Unlike them, he did not die in office. Tried and convicted of killing protesters and dissidents, he was acquitted years later. He led the fight against Islamic extremism, and mended fences with the rest of the Arab world. Cairo (AsiaNews) Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who was forced to resign as a result of the Arab Spring of 2011, died today at the age of 91 surrounded by his family. His brother-in-law, General Mounir Thabet, made the announcement, saying that the former president, who had been ill for some time, had been hospitalised at the Galaa military hospital in Cairo where he had recently undergone surgery. Current Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi has already made arrangements for Mubaraks funeral. Born on 4 May 1928 in Kafr El-Meselha, a village in Monufia governorate, into a conservative middle class family. His father was a petty bureaucrat in the Ministry of Justice. The future strongman entered Egypts Military Academy in 1947, switching a couple of years later to the Air Force Academy where he eventually served as an instructor. He was president for almost 30 years, from October 1981 to February 2011, when he resigned. After he left office, he was put on trial and had to cope with a series of cardio-vascular issues that weakened his body and mind. For some analysts, he seemed unable to accept the possibility of ending his days behind bars and see someone else take over during his lifetime. Unlike his predecessors Nasser and Sadat, he did not die in office, despite leading the country for a longer period of time. His trial, which began in 2012, ended when the Egyptian Court of Cassation, Egypts highest appeal court, acquitted him in March 2017 of murder charges in connection with the killing of 850 protesters and at least 239 dissidents during the riots that broke out between 25 January and 11 February 2011 in Tahrir Square. Mubarak, who insisted that he was innocent of all the charges, was initially convicted and sentenced to life in prison. But his acquittal by the Court also ended applications by the victims' lawyers to reopen the case in a civil court. For the plaintiffs, this was expected, considering Mubaraks links to current President al-Sisi. Although he was acquitted of the most serious charges, related to the crackdown during the 2011 unrest, when scores died, he faced additional charges and was found guilty of minor offences related to corruption. For this reason, the court imposed a travel ban, which initially applied to his entire family. On Saturday however, the court finally acquitted his sons, Alaa and Gamal, of all charges. Mubaraks reign saw a tough fight against Islamic extremism. Over these years, a series of deadly attacks were carried out, such as the 1997 Luxor massacre (more than 60 dead) and an alleged attempt on Mubaraks own life in Addis-Ababa in 1995. After 2004, Egypt saw more attacks by al-Qaeda, which Egyptian authorities used to justify a harsh crackdown in the Sinai and keep the state of emergency indefinitely. Coming to power to counter Islamic extremism, Mubarak saw, after his fall, Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammad Morsi win the first free elections. The new democratic president wanted to govern with Sharia (Islamic law) . In foreign policy Mubarak formally kept the peace agreement with Israel, which he visited once for the funeral of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. He boosted ties with the rest of the Arab world, hosting Yasser Arafat after he was expelled from Lebanon in 1983, and supporting Iraq in the war with Iran, thus paving the way for Egypts rapprochement with the Gulf monarchies and re-integration in the Arab League in 1989. NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Overview The travel and tourism market in South East Asia is segmented by Country, Type of Travel and by Mode of travel. The market is expected to observe growth due to the increasing outbound travel by young population within the region as well as growing inbound travel to the region. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865890/?utm_source=PRN - The growing government focus on the tourism industry in the region s a major driver for the industry. ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025 is aimed to improve the tourism quality as well as the destinations in the region. - China is the leading country to travel in the ASEAN region due to the proximity and availability of heavily discounted travel packages along with eased visa applications. Scope of the Report The South East Asia Travel and Tourism industry report covers information about the countries in the region, the type of travel, and the mode of travel. Additionally, the report will cover insights on Online travel market in the region, driver and restrains to the market. The report will also cover information on some of the major players active in the region. Key Market Trends Growing Chinses Tourists in ASEAN Region There are several reasons for the sky-rocketing numbers of Chinese tourists during the last 15 years. China is the most populous country in the world with 1.41 billion people and they constitute roughly one-fifth of the global population. China, whose per capita GDPaccording to the World Bank was US$8,827 in 2017, has a 430-million strong middle class and 60 percent of its 1.41 billion people live in urban areas. Due to the constant increase in personal incomes, most of the middle-class people have developed a special passion for tourism and shopping. Internet or online technology has made it easy to book plane or cruise tickets and hotel accommodation. A relaxation of visa requirements for Chinese tourists, including visa-on-arrival, by many countries, has prompted Chinese to travel abroad. Affordable airline tickets and connectivity have made overseas travel easier. The creativity of Chinese tour operators in organizing efficient and highly professional group tours, including the controversial "zero-dollar" tours, in which tourists pay all expenses in advance and shop at designated places, paying using online Chinese companies. All these factors, especially rising incomes, have led to an unprecedented boom in the Chinese outbound tourism sector. In Southeast Asia, all members of ASEAN have been enjoying a boom in their tourist sectors, due to the huge surge in the number of Chinese tourists. There are two reasons, the first is the rise of incomes in both China, which, as we have seen, emerged as the second-largest economy with a huge middle class during the same period, and also in ASEAN, which contributes more than 40% of international tourists in intra-ASEAN tourism. The second is the affordability of air travel, thanks to the mushrooming of budget airlines. Chinese tourists have been flocking to Southeast Asian countries, which are conveniently located for China. For example, Thailand has been receiving more than 10 million tourists from China annually over the last three years. Almost one-third of Thailand's 35.38 million foreign tourists came from China in 2017. The same trend is observed for the other ASEAN countries which is a driving factor for the ASEAN Tourism sector. Government Developing plans for Tourism Growth The diverse range of recreational activities and travel options in the ASEAN region has made it a top tourist destination. According to the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC), the tourism sector contributed a mountainous USD 119.7 billion in 2016 to the region. Thus to improve and maintain its growth prospects, the ASEAN countries have been investing and planning to become a major global tourism region. According to ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025, the regional bloc has pledged that by 2025, it would "be a quality tourism destination offering a unique, diverse ASEAN experience, and will be committed to responsible, sustainable, inclusive and balanced tourism development, so as to contribute significantly to the socioeconomic well-being of ASEAN people." The 21st Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers which was held in January 2018 in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2018 and saw the adoption of a number of new declarations along with plans associated to boosting and complementing the current strategic plan of ASEAN countries. The plan includes developing ASEAN tourism products, enhancing connectivity, and expanding the ASEAN regional destination-marketing program. Among the few steps being taken to improve tourism in the plan is enhancing connectivity for tourism, an ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross Border Transport of Passengers by Road Vehicles (CBTP) being signed in 2018. This framework will facilitate the unified cross-border movement of tourists and will also promote over-land travel between ASEAN states. Another plan in works is the collaboration between five of ASEAN member states namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam along with China in the formation of the Lancang Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance. Competitive Landscape The market is expected to be fragmented with the presence of a large number of online and direct players in the region. There are major international players like Expedia, to local players like Vetravel operating in the industry. Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - Report customization as per the client's requirements - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865890/?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 Share price of Vodafone Idea fell on Thursday after two straight sessions of consecutive gains on reports the telco called on government to allow it to pay adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues over 15 years. In a letter written to the Department of Telecommunications, finance ministry and Niti Ayog, the telco has requested deferment of the AGR payment schedule. In addition, the telco has asked for adjustment of Rs 8,000 crore of Goods and Services Tax (GST) refund towards AGR dues. Share price of Vodafone Idea declined 6.5% to day's low of Rs 3.97 against previous close of Rs 3.97 on BSE. Volume-wise, 458.17 lakh and 3,240.73 lakh shares were trading on BSE and NSE. Vodafone Idea share was trading lower than their 5, 20, 50, 100 and 200-day moving averages. Stock price of telco has lost 13% in one week, 35% in one month and 78% in one year. Vodafone Idea's letter also called for a reduction in licence fees and spectrum usage charges (SUC). As per the letter, Vodafone Idea is also batting for reducing licence fee from existing 8 per cent to 3 per cent, and spectrum usage charges (SUC) from about 3 per cent currently to 1 per cent. Vodafone Idea is also reportedly considering seeking funds against its 11.5 per cent stake in Indus Towers, which is the largest tower company in the country. The merger of both tower companies will help Vodafone Idea divest its stake in the tower arm to mobilise funds. Funds generated from the deal would help relieve the liquidity crunch in the telco. The telco's rating has been recently downgraded by many brokerage houses such as CRISIL, Care Ratings, India Ratings and Brickwork Ratings over company's funding inability for AGR dues and the lack of relief regarding immediate payment from the Centre. The existing liquidity (about Rs 12,530 crore as on December 31, 2019) will be insufficient if there is a payout of AGR liability of Rs 44,150 crore," the CRISIL's rating report had said. Vodafone Idea partially paid Rs 2,500 crore on February 17 and made a further payment of Rs 1,000 crore on February 20, 2020. ALSO READ: Stocks in news: State Bank of India, Ruchi Soya, DB Corp and more ALSO READ: Share Market LIVE: Sensex drops 400 points, Nifty below 11,560; Cipla, HCL Tech, JSW Steel top losers Altered Carbon Payment Deferred Season 2 Episode 2 Editors Rating 3 stars * * * Previous Next Photo: Diyah Pera/Netflix After a crowded premiere bridging a gap between seasons that not only spanned two years, but saw the series leading man turn from Joel Kinnaman into Anthony Mackie, Altered Carbon should settle into more of what its going to be this season in its second episode. So why does it still feel like a show trying to push its way through a bit of an identity crisis? Its more chaotic than engaging at this point, and the stakes dont feel quite there because were so occupied with new characters and threats. Bluntly, its hard to care yet, and one hopes that the show finds some urgency soon, not just in its quick plotting, but also the characters and their world. First up, we meet Colonel Carrera (Torben Liebrecht), Protector of Special Forces. Hes kind of a monster. He comes in with his fancy soldiers to take over the Axley crime scene, and the inevitable bloodbath is pretty obvious to everyone but the victims. A bit of talk reveals that Kovacss new sleeve is part canine possibly dog, or maybe even wolf and a highly priced asset. And then the colonel goes rogue on the investigators to close any loops in intelligence, shooting the lead officer as his team goes slo-mo gun fu on everyone in the room. Theres a lot of wall-jumping, sliding, and other things that dont really seem logical (a back flip?) but make for a cool-looking scene. Meanwhile, Kovacs and Poe talk about what he now remembers. What was Quell doing there, and is it just a coincidence that Kovacs got in her way? And if it is, why didnt she kill him? Poes suggestion that it was someone using Quells sleeve which is illegal doesnt fit with the fact that she left him alive. She knew it was Kovacs. Poe does suggest that theres one living connection to Axley who may know more about what happened to him: Trepp, the woman who shot Kovacs in the back on Maghda Prime. Carrera reveals to Danica Harlan that Axleys death was a real one, wiping all of his back-ups, and it appears that hes blaming the Quellists (which could be accurate, given we know Falconer was there). Is Axleys death part of a plan to spark a more intense war? Carrera and Harlan bicker he clearly wants war; she just wants him gone. Kovacs tracks down Trepp in the middle of a bounty hunt, which allows for a fun little shootout and the revelation that Kovacs actually completed the five highest bounties before finding her like they were nothing. They catch up, and its nice to see Simone Missick bite into a part she seems to be having fun with. Trepp doesnt know much Axley paid her a lot to find Kovacs, and thats it. Well, she did overhear something about blackmail and an illegal sleeve just before she was hired. Maybe that means something? She suggests they partner up to find Axleys business associates. Its also revealed that Harlans father is completely missing, gone and not responding to contacts, but Danica might have the courage to make a move that would make him proud, and erase her greatest challenger in Carrera to boot. Kovacs quest takes him to a place called the Soul Market, searching for Axleys buddies. Hes pointed there by his pal Hideki in a major exposition dump scene, one that also reveals that Axleys death was a real one. Kovacs tells him that hes worried someone has taken Quells sleeve, and that he will destroy whoever dares do so. Again, if the person in Quells sleeve who saw him right after he sleeved isnt Falconer, why did that person leave him alive? Just to frame him for Axleys murder? Then whos in Quells sleeve? His journey leads him to a man who can harvest memories from stacks, selling them to others. Its a clever idea experiencing someone elses most pleasurable memories, at a cost but the writers dont really make the most of it. When Kovacs signs in, it creates a hit on the sleeve that Carerra is so eager to get his hands on. So as hes learning that Axley was afraid that Quellcrist Falconer was coming for him, the authorities are coming for him. Axleys buddies reveal to Kovacs a patch, or memory, of Quell slicing and dicing her way through a market, even slitting the throat of a child. Its not her, he says. And then chaos erupts outside as Falconer is in the club, slitting throats. She fights with Kovacs. Well, she kicks him through a glass door and then kills Axleys colleagues in a gruesome fashion. Shes crazed. Do you hear the screams? she asks. Kovacs gets his guns back and the two shoot at each other across a bar, allowing for some classic glass-shattering sound design. They fight, he throws a knife, they yell, and then she suddenly seems to break, recognizing him and becoming herself again. Is she fighting for control of the sleeve? Has she gone mad and is now being brought back from insanity by the only person who can do so? Just as Carrera gets there, she flees, and Kovacs learns that this Wedge Tech sleeve wont allow him to shoot at the Protectorate. Carrera knocks him to the ground. So where are we? We have a new villain (Carrera) and a new ally (Trepp), which should help expand the narrative this season. And we have even more questions about what is going on with Quellcrist Falconer than we did before. After all, the bridge between seasons was all about Takeshi Kovacs finding his long-lost love, but he never asked himself if she wanted to be found. All of this is well-paced its a show thats easy to binge but feels a little thin compared to last season, which took its time with characters, mystery, and the building of its world. Theres a lot of hyper action so far this season, and even Mackie seems to be getting lost in the constant exposition about who needs to go where and get what and talk to whoever and do what when they get there and so on and so on. Given the sag that comes in the middle of most Netflix seasons, its hard to say that this show should slow down, but maybe that trend will be a good thing in this case. Altered States Its important that when Trepp goes to cash in the top five bounties, we learn that shes looking for someone named Anil Imani. She raises the bounty to find him. Dont think I missed that Poes memory is still glitching. Im just waiting to see what its going to mean. Is Kovacs right that it will put his safety in jeopardy? The scene in which Kovacs learns he has higher tolerance settings in this sleeve that are hurting his ability to get drunk is pretty clever. Did anyone else start singing They Might Be Giants when Carrera went on his villainous rant about the fall of Constantinople? Just me. Never mind then. 3. After last nights fiery debate in South Carolina, the candidates returned to the campaign trail to make their case ahead of the states primary on Saturday. Joe Biden picked up a key endorsement from Representative Jim Clyburn, seen above to Mr. Bidens right, the highest-ranking African-American in Congress and a powerhouse in the state. But our look inside Mr. Bidens campaign suggests that even if he succeeds in South Carolina, his campaign is on precarious footing because of limited organization, money and early-voting outreach. Next Tuesdays primaries in 14 states will dole out a third of the total delegates needed to secure the Democratic nomination. The states include Massachusetts, where Elizabeth Warren just picked up an endorsement from her hometown paper, The Boston Globe. The couple were found dead at their home earlier this week (West Midlands Police) A 25-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering his mother and stepfather in their home. Anmol Chana, 25, is accused of killing Jasbir Kaur, 52, and her husband Rupinder Singh Bassan, 51, who were found dead at their home in Oldbury, near Birmingham, early on Tuesday morning. The couple was pronounced dead at the scene, having suffered serious injuries, West Midlands Police said. Chana was arrested at his home in Hamilton Road, Smethwick shortly after they were found and charged with their murders. Appearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court, Chana, wearing a grey t-shirt, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth in a brief hearing. He was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 2 March. India on Thursday faced criticism and calls to protect religious freedom and the safety of its citizens from across the world, including two US presidential candidates and the UN human rights chief, following the communal violence in New Delhi. The government pushed back against the criticism, with external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar describing the comments by organisations and individuals as inaccurate and misleading and aimed at politicising the situation. There was also condemnation from quarters that have been inimical to India in recent months, such as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which was dismissed by New Delhi. Our law enforcement agencies are working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. Senior representatives of the government have been involved in that process. The prime minister has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood, Kumar said. Communal violence linked to protests in New Delhi against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) flared up as US President Donald Trump began a visit to India on Monday, claiming 38 lives and injuring almost 350 people this week. The violence received widespread coverage in the international media as it coincided with the visit. Bernie Sanders, a leading Democratic Party candidate in the US presidential race, tweeted: Over 200 million Muslims call India home. Widespread anti-Muslim mob violence has killed at least 27 and injured many more. Trump responds by saying, Thats up to India. This is a failure of leadership on human rights. Elizabeth Warren, another Democratic presidential candidate, tweeted that it is important to strengthen relationships with democratic partners like India, but the US must be able to speak truthfully about our values, including religious freedom and freedom of expression and violence against peaceful protesters is never acceptable. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed grave concern at the violence, including reports of mobs specifically targeting Muslims. The brutal and unchecked violence growing across Delhi cannot continue, said USCIRF commissioner Anurima Bhargava. The Indian government must take swift action to ensure the safety of all of its citizens. Instead, reports are mounting that the Delhi police have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims, and the government is failing in its duty to protect its citizens. These incidents are even more concerning in the context of efforts within India to target and potentially disenfranchise Muslims across the country, in clear violation of international human rights standards. The USCIRF has already convened a hearing in Washington on March 4 to discuss how the citizenship law is being used to target religious minorities in India. The Trump administrations pointperson for South Asia, Alice Wells, also said in a tweet that the US echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for calm and normalcy and urges all parties to maintain peace, refrain from violence, and respect the right of peaceful assembly. In the UK, the Boris Johnson government told Parliament it believes the CAA is divisive and that it has raised concerns over the laws impact with Indian authorities. The issue was discussed in the House of Lords on Tuesday evening, with contributions from several members such as Meghnad Desai, Raj Loomba and Indarjit Singh. The CAA has also been divisive in the 1.5 million-strong Indian community in the UK, the government said. Elizabeth Sugg, junior minister in the Foreign Office, said: To conclude, the CAA has clearly been divisive in India. Its full impact remains unclear. We hope and trust the government of India will address the concerns and protect the rights of people of all religions, in keeping with Indias constitution, its democratic values and its inclusive traditions. Addressing a session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said she was concerned by reports of police inaction in the face of attacks against Muslims by other groups and previous reports of excessive use of force by police against peaceful protesters opposed to the CAA. The issue had widened into broader inter-communal attacks, Bachelet said, appealing to all political leaders to prevent violence. She also criticised the continuing detention of political leaders and activists and excessive restrictions on the use of social media in Kashmir. She added large numbers of Indians had opposed the CAA and supported the countrys long tradition of secularism. The OIC condemned the alarming violence against Muslims and called on Indian authorities to bring instigators and perpetrators of these acts of anti-Muslim violence to justice. In a speech in Ankara, Turkish President Erdogan condemned what he called massacres of Muslims in New Delhi. India right now has become a country where massacres are widespread...Massacres of Muslims. By who? Hindus, he said. External affairs ministry spokesperson Kumar said the violence in New Delhi is currently a matter of investigation and law enforcement agencies have said the situation is fast returning to normal. He added, We would urge that this sensitive time is not the right time to make irresponsible comments because it would create more problems than it would solve. India also exercised its right to reply to UN human rights chief Bachelets speech and said its Constitution provides extensive collective and individual fundamental rights and freedoms and the country recently enacted legislative measures to address historical grievances of a group of persecuted persons to ensure that theyare not pushed into statelessness. The reply added: Peaceful protests and demonstrations are part of Indias democratic traditions. However, at the same time, violence has no place in the democratic ethos of India. We have taken all measures and restored peace and normalcy in the affected areas in Delhi. As the outbreak of the new coronavirus spreads beyond China, the world's leading economies face great uncertainty. Equity markets plunged as the number of infections soared in countries such as South Korea and Italy. Analysts worry that further declines in stock prices could pose a drag on the real economy. Countries need to act promptly and flexibly with a cautious eye on the economic impacts while protecting public health by containing the outbreak. Finance ministers and central bankers from the Group of 20 major economies, after concluding a two-day meeting in Riyadh on Feb. 23, issued a communique affirming that they "remain committed to use all available policy tools to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, and safeguard against downside risks." But the economic impact of the deadly virus is still unclear at the moment. In order to devise appropriate measures policymakers need to grasp the scope of the challenge. The International Monetary Fund's baseline scenario for the coronavirus outbreak puts China's economic growth for 2020 at 5.6%, down 0.4 percentage point from the fund's January estimate, while global growth would drop by 0.1 point, Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said. This scenario assumes that business in China returns to normal during the April-June quarter. A more protracted outbreak would create further disruption and put heavier downward pressure on corporate earnings. "I think we're going to need another three or four weeks to see how the virus reacts" before the economic impact can be predicted, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC. "I think we're at a point where it's too early to either say this is very concerning or it's not concerning." If the epidemic persists, the damage is likely to extend far beyond China. Japan could suffer a blow to inbound tourism, while other Asian countries would face risks from supply chain delays. Even the U.S., in the midst of a yearslong economic expansion, is unlikely to escape unscathed. Information from China is critical to understanding the extent of the outbreak. Beijing did not send a cabinet-level official to the Riyadh meeting, but instead had its ambassador to Saudi Arabia represent the seat. "I don't know how real China's figures are," Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said, referring to Beijing's reported coronavirus case numbers. China should address such doubts and provide appropriate disclosures of accurate data. G-20 members softened the economic blow from the global financial crisis of 2008 with coordinated fiscal and monetary stimulus. But the coronavirus outbreak is not a purely economic problem, and coordination is more complicated in such a fluid situation. In the 2008 crisis, China played a central role in shoring up the world economy with its massive stimulus package. Now, monetary policy in Japan, the U.S. and Europe is nearing its limits, and G-20 members have little fiscal room to maneuver. The outbreak has shown that in a globalized economy, pandemics present a major risk akin to climate change. This is a test of how well countries are able to coordinate their efforts in the face of a new challenge. Nikkei Hope City, a five-year-old church with bold ambitions for growth, has filed a document with the city's planning department related to the future development of 17 acres in west Houston where it is planning to build a new home. The church went under contract last year to purchase the industrial property near the northeast quadrant of Interstate 10 and Beltway 8 with the intention of turning the collection of warehouses and empty grain silos into a flagship worship center. After a period of fundraising, Hope City closed on the acquisition last summer. Sofia Vergara fits almost anyones definition of success. Shes earned four Emmy nominations and four Golden Globes nominations for her role on ABCs hit show Modern Family. Shes been named the highest-paid actress on television for seven years running, and shes happily married to Joe Manganiello. But Vergaras life wasnt always so sweet. As a child growing up in Colombia, she experienced the kind of trauma most people never see. Her family life Sofia Vergara | Morgan Lieberman/Getty Images Vergara was born in Barranquilla, Colombia in 1972, the youngest of five children in a loving, Catholic family. Her mother stayed at home with the kids while her father worked on the familys cattle ranch. The ranch provided well enough that Vergara attended a private Spanish-English school. The 70s and 80s were a dangerous time in Colombia, however. Drug trafficking in Barranquilla brought violence between warring paramilitary factions, and although the members of the Vergara family were somewhat protected by their economic status, the same advantages also made them potential targets. Life took many unexpected turns Vergara, a devout Catholic, refused work as a model, thinking it was too immodest of a job. Eventually, her mother convinced her to appear in a Pepsi ad that was a huge hit in 1989, but after that Vergara retreated from show business. She might have never gone back, but at 18-years-old Vergara married her first husband, and a year later she gave birth to her son Manolo. She had started studying to become a dentist, but all that changed when Manolo was only two and the couple divorced. Sofia Vergara left home to protect her son Determined to provide for her son, she took him with her to live in Bogota. With violence in Barranquilla escalating, she hoped to keep him safe in a bigger city, where she could also find better-paying jobs as a model. In Bogota, she was offered work as an actress on a Mexican telenovela. When that led to a job on a travel show that was based in Miami, she jumped at the chance to take her son away from the violence in Colombia. Becoming an American Although Vergara came to the U.S. in 1994, it took another 20 years for her to become a citizen. When she finished the process she was proud to tell Jimmy Kimmel that she got a perfect score on her naturalization test. You know what? Its a very emotional moment for me, she said. It took me a lot of time to get my residence even though I was working here for a long time. She has often spoken about how grateful she is to have her citizenship, once saying, Honestly, I cant be more thankful to this countryFrom my experience, its a country that has given me an opportunity to raise my family, to work and make money. Not everyone is impressed While Vergara is happy and grateful to be an American, some people dont seem to think her immigration status is something to be proud of. A few years ago at a party, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice felt slighted by Vergara. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Giudice opted not to take the high road about the situation, and complained loudly about her, calling her that woman and worse. Maybe the most shocking comment Giudice made was to suggest that Vergara, as an immigrant, was somehow beneath her. I cant stand her, she said. She has more of an accent than me. You would think shed be nice; shes an immigrant! Its clear by Vergaras success, however, that not everyone thinks less of her for being born in Colombia. Whether they know the full story behind her harrowing childhood or not, her many fans are happy shes here. For many investors, the main point of stock picking is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But its virtually certain that sometimes you will buy stocks that fall short of the market average returns. We regret to report that long term BNP Paribas SA (EPA:BNP) shareholders have had that experience, with the share price dropping 16% in three years, versus a market return of about 32%. The last week also saw the share price slip down another 10%. However, this move may have been influenced by the broader market, which fell 6.6% in that time. Check out our latest analysis for BNP Paribas While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. Although the share price is down over three years, BNP Paribas actually managed to grow EPS by 1.1% per year in that time. Given the share price reaction, one might suspect that EPS is not a good guide to the business performance during the period (perhaps due to a one-off loss or gain). Alternatively, growth expectations may have been unreasonable in the past. After considering the numbers, we'd posit that the the market had higher expectations of EPS growth, three years back. But it's possible a look at other metrics will be enlightening. We note that the dividend seems healthy enough, so that probably doesn't explain the share price drop. Revenue has been pretty flat over three years, so that isn't an obvious reason shareholders would sell. So it might be worth looking at how revenue growth over time, in greater detail. You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). ENXTPA:BNP Income Statement, February 27th 2020 BNP Paribas is a well known stock, with plenty of analyst coverage, suggesting some visibility into future growth. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts Story continues What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, BNP Paribas's TSR for the last 3 years was -1.1%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. A Different Perspective It's nice to see that BNP Paribas shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 17% over the last year. Of course, that includes the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 3.4% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for BNP Paribas that you should be aware of before investing here. But note: BNP Paribas may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on FR exchanges. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. US President Donald Trump's maiden official visit to India demonstrated the value US places on the New Delhi and Washington partnership, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday. "President @realDonaldTrump's first official trip to India this week demonstrates the value the US places on the #USIndia partnership. Democratic traditions unite us, shared interests bond us, and under the President's leadership our partnership has and will only grow stronger," Pompeo tweeted. Trump was on a two-day visit to India earlier this week. Over the course of his nearly-36-hour-long trip, that commenced on Monday, the US President participated in a host of engagements including a roadshow, addressing a mammoth crowd at the 'Namaste Trump' event at Ahmedabad, visited the Taj Mahal and held delegation-level talks. During the visit, India and the United States further strengthened their defence cooperation, with the two countries giving a nod to an agreement under which India will get USD 3 billion of advanced military equipment including Apache and MH-60 Romeo helicopters. United States President Donald Trump has described his India visit as "great" and "very successful." "Just landed. India was great, trip very successful. Heading to the White House. Meetings and calls scheduled today. @CDCgov, @SecAzar and all doing a great job with respect to Coronavirus! Briefing this afternoon," Trump tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Jacy Gomez Scotch Plains police officers just seized 132 animals from an illegal puppy mill operation in Union County. These pets, which are currently housed across more than a dozen shelters in the area, are the lucky ones. After they receive the proper care, many will begin their search for forever families. But millions more remain imprisoned in puppy mills across the nation. Theyre psychologically terrified, trapped in pitch-black spaces less than two feet wide, and are unable to access clean food or water. They need our help. In a nutshell, puppy mills are large-scale commercial dog breeding facilities that frequently sell dogs to pet stores, flea markets, and online marketplaces. More than 2 million puppies sold each year come from puppy mills. These outfits disregard animal welfare to earn a quick buck, subjecting dogs -- and other common household pets -- to heinous living conditions in the process. There are an estimated 10,000 active puppy mills across the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency that "oversees" these operations, regulates less than a third of these setups. The conditions are gruesome. Eager to sell as many dogs as possible, breeders frequently stack cages on top of one another to save space. This setup robs dogs of adequate lighting, airflow, and personal attention. Sanitation is another problem. Most puppy mill enclosures are built with grid or wire flooring, which allows urine and fecal matter to easily pass from unit to unit. And animals lack access to clean food and water as a result. Then there's the countless safety concerns -- ones that stem beyond serious psychological stress and neglect. Animals confined to small spaces suffer frequent leg and foot injuries, including toe infections, cysts, overgrown toenails, and even skeletal problems. Unsurprisingly, breeders aren't keen to help animals when injuries arise. After all, many of these animals aren't subject to routine veterinary examinations. That's why it's not uncommon for puppy mill dogs to have cataracts, pneumonia, parasites, heart disease, or diabetes. There are countless examples of documented abuse. In 2016, authorities discovered that one North Carolina woman was holding 130 neglected animals on her property. Many of these animals -- which included dogs, cats, and goats -- suffered from "missing teeth and jaws." Just last year, more than 700 dogs were taken from a puppy mill in Georgia. These pooches were filthy and matted. Some could barely walk having lived their entire lives in a small cage. These harrowing conditions aren't merely an animal welfare epidemic; they're also a public health threat. Puppy mills are ground zero for a host of diseases that impact animals and humans. Consider what happened last year in Iowa. State public health officials warned Hawkeye residents who had recently come in contact with a Marion County puppy mill that they may have been exposed to canine Brucellosis -- a bacterial infection that dogs transmit to humans through contaminated urine, blood, and other bodily fluids. Brucellosis commonly causes fever, aches, and fatigue in humans. In more severe cases, the bacterium could spark miscarriages in women. The disease is far more contagious among dogs. It typically attacks the reproductive organs, leading to serious fertility complications. It can also strike the eyes, liver, and spleen. Addressing these problems will require action from local, state, and federal lawmakers. New Jersey lawmakers, for example, adopted a bill in 2018 to strengthen its animal cruelty laws. Thanks to this legislation, every county prosecutor is required to established and oversee an animal cruelty task force to handle animal welfare issues in the area. But more must be done. Roughly a third of U.S. states have no specific laws on the books relating to puppy mills. The lack of protection is unacceptable, and lawmakers should be held accountable for their inaction. Animals don't have voices, but we do. We must use them in the face of injustice. Jacy Gomez, a former congressional staffer for Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), is a communications specialist. 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. NEW HAVEN Coronavirus is likely to spread in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local officials across Connecticut are preparing to deal with a potential outbreak. Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday that the state government was prepared to address the disease, following the drills and procedures it has established. CDC officials reported Tuesday that Covid-19 was likely to spread in the United States in the near future, noting that it had appeared without obvious cause in several countries, which qualifies as community spread, the second of three criteria for a global pandemic. A Yale New Haven Health System official, at the same time, said most people who do become ill wouldnt require hospitalization. Yale New Haven adapting, cautious Dr. Richard Martinello, medical director for infection prevention for the Yale New Haven Health System, said its five hospitals and Northeast Medical Group staff are continuously re-examining protocols to screen patients who may have traveled to an affected area or been in the company of someone who has and who shows symptoms of the coronavirus. One of the challenges that were working on now is thinking about how we can adapt the protocols that weve set forth, he said. All patients are asked whether they have any signs and symptoms of the disease, such as cough, fever or trouble breathing, he said. Screening is focused in the triage desk of our Emergency Departments at Yale New Haven, Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial and Westerly, R.I., hospitals, but it also is occurring in doctors offices. We are creating a process where we can make decisions about what countries we can add to the list that we currently have, Martinello said Wednesday. Now, patients are only being asked about China, and were in the process of re-evaluating that, he said. He said he is increasingly concerned about travelers to South Korea and, to a lesser extent, Japan and Italy. He said the CDC is still focused on China but that Yale New Haven is recognizing that individual hospitals and doctors offices need to be flexible. ... This is changing so rapidly, we need to be adaptable to it. Weve had people who were in Israel and were in a meeting with people from South Korea who appeared to be sick with a respiratory infection, Martinello said. There are a lot of nuances here. We need to be cautious. He said that while there have been patients that staff have been concerned about, we havent identified anybody suffering from the coronavirus. If any of our staff have a concern, our infection-prevention team is available 24/7, he said. More for you UNH recommends students in Italy return as coronavirus spreads Really over the course of any given day were going to see some changes, he said. The screening questions are being integrated into patients electronic health records. The important thing right now is we all need to pay careful attention to this, Martinello said. Most people who get sick will get a mild, moderate illness that wont require hospitalization. We do need to avoid unproductive anxiety over this. Concerns across the state Lamont during a press conference Thursday asked residents to have confidence in the state governments ability to handle the potential impact of coronavirus, noting they had regularly conducted pandemic drills, including this past August, and communicated with health care providers and local and federal agencies regularly. This is not a call to make you nervous. Its a call to give you confidence that were ready for whats going forward here, said Lamont. Matthew Cartter, director of infectious diseases for the state Department of Public Health, noted the CDC had shifted in recent days from attempting to keep the virus out of the United States to mitigating its effect here, as well. Such a disease, easily spread person-to-person, was always likely to come to our shores, he said. A vaccine would likely not be available for at least a year, he noted. He said the current moment provided a window of opportunity for preparation, allowing health officials to better address the virus. Its no good pretending that its not going to come. I think the old saying is better to prepare for the worst than hope for the best, and right now its time to prepare, said Cartter. Jennifer Jackson, president and CEO of the Connecticut Hospital Association, said hospitals across Connecticut are prepared to treat those battling the virus. I want the public to be assured that hospitals are prepared to care for patients with Covid-19. This is what hospitals do. We regularly prepare, we plan, we train, for outbreaks of disease, said Jackson. We have built resiliency into our system. We have experience preparing for Ebola, for H1N1, and every year, for the flu. Cartter noted that the CDC has guidelines for workplaces and schools to follow in case of a pandemic. In the future, if need be, he said the state might recommend social distancing measures, such as having people stand six feet apart or canceling large gatherings. Michael Spera, police chief in Old Saybrook and president of the Connecticut Emergency Management Association, wrote to Lamont Wednesday, sharing his concerns about the lack of protective equipment available to emergency responders. CEMA is most concerned with the extreme shortage of available personal protective equipment and has called on the Governor to take immediate measure to ensure that healthcare and public safety providers have the personal protective equipment needed to respond to a potential outbreak of the virus in Connecticut, Spera said in a statement. The CDC has recommended that those sickened by the virus wear face masks to keep from spreading it to others. Lamont said officials had been in touch with the states congressional delegation about its needs, including masks, so they can accurately lobby for funds from the federal government. Such supplies are now in high demand, he noted, as countries and states prepare to deal with coronavirus. New Havens plan for a coronavirus case New Haven officials said a report of a potential case, first shared with the citys Public Safety Access Point personnel, would then be transmitted to New Haven fire and police, American Medical Response, the city Health Department and Yale New Haven Hospital, among others. Assistant Fire Chief for Operations Mark Vendetto said firefighters and EMTs would take particular caution to isolate the sick individual, including responding with an apparatus outfitted with a biocell, calling the person in question over the phone to assess their symptoms before making face-to-face contact, and wearing protective equipment before addressing the patient. Fire Chief John Alston said firefighters would be offered counseling and information afterward, with hope of helping them digest the stressful situation. New Haven police would provide traffic and crowd control, Lt. Mark ONeill said. Yale New Haven Hospital would ensure the patient is brought to its York Street campus, isolating them in a negatively-pressurized room in the emergency department to be stabilized, according to April Alfano, YNHHs manager of disaster preparedness and response. Mayor Justin Elicker said the disease has been on the citys radar for five or six weeks, after an individual flew back to New Haven from China, leading Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana to work with officials and community partners to develop the plan. Director of Health Maritza Bond said officials now are monitoring a handful of people in New Haven who may have been at risk of contracting the illness. Fontana said the city is staying abreast of the latest guidance from the CDC and would adapt its plan as needed. He asked residents to take the same steps they would to avoid transmitting the flu at this time, including washing their hands and covering their mouths when coughing. Students and others The University of New Haven recommended Tuesday that students and faculty at its Tuscan campus return to the United States due to the evolving threat of the coronavirus in Europe. Fairfield University closed its Florence University of the Arts study abroad program Tuesday, bringing 142 students back to the United States. Sacred Heart University brought home its students studying at John Cabot University in Rome. UConns study abroad programs in Italy remain active, but the university Wednesday advised the 88 students studying there to avoid traveling to areas affected by the coronavirus. Southern Connecticut State University is making arrangement for two students in Italy to return home, while Quinnipiac University Wednesday recommended its students studying abroad return home , according to HQ Press. Local chief elected officials broke into discussion of the disease at Wednesdays meeting of the South Central Regional Council of Governments, demonstrating evidence of the heightened consciousness about coronavirus among those responsible for planning any response. Meriden City Manager Timothy Coon said officials in that community had begun formulating a plan to address the virus if necessary. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim advised residents to take preventative measures in a statement, including washing hands often, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, as well as cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces. If action needs to be taken, our Health Department is prepared to respond in case of an emergency and the Emergency Operations Center will share information as quickly as it becomes available, said Ganim in a statement. The Bridgeport EOC continues to monitor the coronavirus situation and has been involved with other health stakeholders within the community; remaining in contact with local hospitals as they are partners in responding to an emergency plan activated by the City in case the virus poses a threat to the community. Bradley International Airport has not begun screening for the coronavirus, as the airport does not receive direct flights from any region yet affected, Public Information Officer Ryan Tenny said Wednesday. The CDC is screening passengers at 20 airports across the country, he noted. The safety of our passengers and the entire Bradley International Airport community is of utmost importance to us. We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation, and we are staying in constant contact with the experts at the CDC and State Department of Public Health to ensure that all possible precautions are taken and contingencies are considered, Tenny said in a statement. We will continue to respond to the advice of health experts and we are prepared to adjust our operations with the appropriate measures should the need arise. Torrington Area Health Department nurse Leslie Pollito said Wednesday that she and others at the department are prepared if they need to plan for a pandemic, and had been consulting with local and state officials and watching the CDCs travel advisories, which include a recommendation to avoid nonessential travel to China and South Korea. Nows the time to plan, Pollito said. We dont want people to panic, but its never too early to plan for things like this. The Norwalk Health Department has indicated on its website that officials are monitoring the spread of the disease. We will continue to work with partners at the state and federal levels, as well as our partners here in Norwalk, to stay updated on this situation and to prepare for a response should the situation warrant it, officials said. Severity of possible outbreak remains unclear The severity of a potential coronavirus outbreak in the United States is still unclear, federal officials said Wednesday. Ultimately, we expect we will see community spread in this country. Its not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness, said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, in a call with reporters Wednesday. She noted that there is no vaccine for Covid-19, the specific strain of coronavirus in question, or medication approved to treat it. She said nonpharmaceutial interventions would be the most important part of the response. The CDC is striving to both contain the spread of the disease and mitigate its effects at this time, she said. According to the World Health Organization, 77,780 confirmed cases of the disease had been reported in China as of Tuesday, and 1,205 reported outside the country. A total of 2,700 deaths have been reported, according to the WHO. Fifty-four Americans had come down with the disease as of Monday, according to the CDC, including 14 within the countrys borders. Chinese health officials, studying 72,314 cases diagnosed before Feb. 11, said Monday the lethality rate for those individuals was about 2.3 percent, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. About 81 percent of cases were considered mild, officials said. The number of mild cases of the disease that may not be coming to the attention of public health officials, which would affect the lethality rate, is as of yet unclear. The lethality rate for the 1918 outbreak of Spanish flu was about 2.5 percent, although that disease killed healthy, younger people at a higher rate than Covid-19 appears to have so far. The typical lethality rate for a flu outbreak is about 0.1 percent; 16,000 people have died from the flu in the United States so far this season. The lethality rate for SARS, which infected about 8,000 people in 2002-03, was 10 percent during that period, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. According to Yale University, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, and more severe illnesses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Symptoms of Covid-19 include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, according to the CDC. Symptoms may appear between two and 14 days after someone is exposed, officials said. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com; Ed Stannard and Mark Zaretsky contributed to this story. A Winnipeg man has been sentenced to nine months in jail for a 14-month spree uniting the citys two headline-grabbing plagues: liquor store thefts and the meth crisis. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Winnipeg man has been sentenced to nine months in jail for a 14-month spree uniting the citys two headline-grabbing plagues: liquor store thefts and the meth crisis. Benjamin Karl Harrison, 33, admitted to 29 raids at Manitoba Liquor Marts across the city between May 2018 and July 2019, stealing nearly $7,500 worth of booze. "I want to stay out of trouble and get back to work," Harrison told provincial court Judge Sid Lerner at a sentencing hearing earlier this month. "I want to do a lot better." Harrison wasnt arrested for his first theft until March 2019. Released on a promise to appear in court, Harrison was arrested again in October, after police linked him to all the other Liquor Mart thefts. In a police interview, Harrison said he was "using a lot of meth at the time," Crown attorney Katy Sweet told court. Aware staff had a "hands-off" policy when dealing with thieves, Harrison had a simple approach, Sweet said: "His method is just to grab the (liquor) and walk out." Harrison targeted Liquor Marts across the city "because he didnt want to steal close to his home," Sweet said. Harrison sold much of the stolen goods to help pay the rent on his downtown apartment, after his worsening addictions to alcohol and meth left him unable to make ends meet, said defence lawyer Zach Kinahan. 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. Harrison has struggled with poverty, homelessness and addiction, and for a time was living in his car, said Kinahan, who urged Lerner to sentence Harrison to time served. "Substances were having a powerful impact on his life at the time," he said. "He is ashamed of himself He had a place to live. He could have worked. He doesnt know what will be out there for him when he is released." While Harrison may think his actions were non-violent, things could have turned out differently had staff or customers chosen to intervene, Lerner said. "We run the risk of people deciding they are going to be good citizens, at least in their own minds, by stopping somebody from walking out," the judge said. "If that happens, of course, all sorts of bad things could happen. Its a very dangerous situation." Harrison received credit for time served, reducing his remaining custodial sentence to three months. Lerner sentenced him to an additional 18 months supervised probation, during which time he is banned from attending any Winnipeg Liquor Marts. dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca Heathrow expansion looks doomed after the government announced it would not challenge a devastating court ruling against the controversial project. The judgment that the third runway is unlawful by failing to take into account the UKs climate change commitments now looks likely to give Boris Johnson a convenient exit route from the scheme. Asked whether it was the governments intention to appeal against the decision, the prime ministers spokesman replied: It is not. Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, failed to set out a plan B, insisting ministers still wanted overall airport expansion while arguing it was also absolutely determined to hit carbon emission commitments. However, the saga is not over, because Heathrow airport announced it would mount an appeal despite not being a party to the Court of Appeal case. We will appeal to the Supreme Court on this one issue and are confident that we will be successful. In the meantime, we are ready to work with the government to fix the issue that the court has raised, a spokesperson said. No 10s decision confirms suspicions that Mr Johnson who once vowed to lie down in front of bulldozers to stop a third runway could use a defeat to abandon expansion altogether. In recent weeks, he had suggested the project would be stopped by the courts, telling MPs this month: I see no bulldozers at present and no immediate prospect of them arriving. And he is known to rage at criticism that he fails to stick to his promises and be conscious that diggers moving into Heathrow would be the ultimate symbol of a broken pledge. Heathrow expansion plans revealed: In pictures Show all 6 1 /6 Heathrow expansion plans revealed: In pictures Heathrow expansion plans revealed: In pictures Artist's impression of Heathrow Airport with the third runway (L) Grimshaw Architects Heathrow expansion plans revealed: In pictures The runway will pass over the M25 Grimshaw Architects Heathrow expansion plans revealed: In pictures Heathrow aiport as it currently stands Google Heathrow expansion plans revealed: In pictures Overlay shows the approximate size of the expansion plan for Heathrow Airport Google Heathrow expansion plans revealed: In pictures Design for the new terminal to serve the third runway PA Heathrow expansion plans revealed: In pictures Artist's impression of Heathrow Airport with the third runway (L) Grimshaw Architects Friends of the Earth hailed the ruling as an absolutely groundbreaking result for climate justice, adding: We were fighting a project that would have had dire implications for present and future generations. And Greenpeace predicted defeat for Heathrows appeal, saying: The third runway is already on its knees over costs, noise, air pollution, habitat loss and lack of access, and now Heathrow Ltd has yet another impossibly high hurdle to clear. The landmark decision is first time any government has been held to account over the Paris Accord, said Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University, in the Netherlands. The court said that in future, a third runway at Heathrow could go ahead but only if it fitted with the UKs commitment under the Paris Agreement, which seeks to limit global heating. The judges found that the government had not followed that policy when backing the expansion plans two years ago. It was legally fatal to Heathrow expansion that it did not take those climate commitments into account, they said. That raises huge questions over trying to expand another airport, such as Gatwick or Birmingham and has implications for all huge infrastructure projects. Mr Shapps tweeted: Airport expansion is core to boosting global connectivity. We also take seriously our commitment to the environment. This govt wont appeal todays judgment given our manifesto makes clear any Heathrow expansion will be industry led. A non-official resolution moved by three AAP MLAs in the Punjab Assembly seeking to send foreign breeds of stray cattle to slaughter houses as part of measures to tackle the stray cattle menace, was opposed by the Congress, SAD and the BJP on Thursday. Aam Aadmi Party MLAs Aman Arora, Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Baljinder Kaur moved the resolution in the House, saying the state government should take care of indigenous breed of cows and send the stray cattle of American and Holstein Friesians breeds to slaughter houses to protect life, property and crops. Arora claimed that stray cattle of foreign breeds were responsible for the maximum number of fatal road accidents in the state, besides damage to standing crops worth Rs 200 crore. Every year, 150 people lose their lives because of road accidents involving stray cattle, Kaur said adding there were around 1.10 lakh stray animals in Punjab. SAD MLA Sukhwinder Kumar, however, termed the AAP's resolution against "religion and society". "Sending stray animals to slaughter houses is not a solution," Kumar said. BJP legislator Arun Narang said that he could never think of killing any animal and proposed that more funds should be provided to cow sheds in order take care of stray cattle. Raja Amrinder Singh Warring of the Congress said that he was not in favour of killing stray cattle but proposed that anyone who leaves cattle on road be sent to six-month jail. He also said a proper census of cattle in the state should be done and record be maintained. AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu also refused to support the non-official resolution of his party colleagues and said that there should be an audit of the mobilisation of the cow cess to know where the money was being spent. State minister and Congress MLA Charanjit Singh Channi asked Arora to amend the non-official resolution by removing the suggestion of sending stray cattle of foreign breed to slaughter houses. Arora said if the state government could give a time-bound and viable solution to deal with the problem of stray cattle menace, then there was no need to send stray cattle to slaughter houses. Later Arora told reporters that he had discussed this issue threadbare with certain leading Hindu organizations and leading minds of the Hindu religion and they were unanimous in saying that the indigenous Indian breed and American breeds had no biological or scientific relationship with each other. Earlier, the House passed the Punjab Appropriation Bill, 2020, which was presented by state Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A nurse is operating an equipment in an intensive care unit treating COVID-19 coronavirus patients at a hospital in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 22, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) First US Coronavirus Patient With Unknown Origin Wasnt Tested for Days A COVID-19 coronavirus patient said to be the first U.S. case from unknown exposure wasnt tested for several days because federal officials believed the person didnt meet testing criteria. The patient was taken to UC Davis Medical Center on Feb. 19, read a memo from Dr. David Lubarsky, the CEO of the University of California Davis Health. But it wasnt until Sunday, Feb. 23, that the person was tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before the results came back positive, according to the memo. Upon admission, our team asked public health officials if this case could be COVID-19, the UC Davis Medical Center said in a statement. We requested COVID-19 testing by the CDC, since neither Sacramento County nor [California Department of Public Health] is doing testing for coronavirus at this time. South Korean medical workers wearing protective gear visit a residence of people with suspected symptoms of the novel coronavirus to take samples, near the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church in South Korea, on Feb. 27, 2020. (Jung Yeon-je/AFP via Getty Images) Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered, the statement added. UC Davis Health does not control the testing process. The patient is notable because they might be the first person to be infected through community spread inside the United States, according to the CDC. At this time, the patients exposure is unknown, the agency said. Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. Theres a possibility that the individual may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected, the CDC said, adding that it will update the public if that is confirmed. It came after President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the coronavirus risk to the United States is low and placed Vice President Mike Pence in charge of a coronavirus task force. President Donald Trump holds a press conference with health officials and cabinet members about the coronavirus in the White House on Feb. 26, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) The risk to the American people remains very low, Trump said in a press conference at the White House. The vaccine is coming along well, and we think this is something that we can do fairly quickly, the president said. Of the 15 people [to have contracted the virus] eight of them have returned to their homes, to stay at their homes until theyre fully recovered. One is in the hospital. And five have fully recovered. And one we think is in pretty good shape, Trump also said. In almost all cases, theyre getting better, the president said. We took in some from Japan because theyre American citizens. Theyre in quarantine and theyre getting better, too, Trump said, adding that they were repatriated because we felt that we had an obligation to do that. (Natural News) The speed and intensity with which the Wuhan coronavirus known as Covid-19 raced across China was truly shocking. Nobody saw it coming, and when it struck, one of the most important economies in the world ground to a halt and massive cities were reduced to ghost towns. Millions were placed under quarantine, with massive restrictions implemented to control the flow of people purchasing food, seeing doctors, etc. The most recent reports out of China would seem to indicate that the governments draconian measures have proved somewhat effective. In the past few days, the number of people diagnosed with the coronavirus in China has been slowly but steadily decreasing. But at what price? Some of the drastic measures taken by the Chinese government may have long-term effects that we cannot even imagine right now. Cities and people doused in toxic chemicals In a desperate bid to stem the tide of the disease, authorities first ordered that entire cities be doused in chemicals. And when those measures proved to be insufficient, men dressed in hazmat suits were dispatched to spray disinfectant right inside buildings, even when there were people standing right there. Dousing citizens in bleach water might have slowed down the progress of the coronavirus in the short-term, but how will these chemicals affect people in the long-term? Reporting on the drastic measures taken by the Chinese government, Business Insider reported: Spray trucks, hoses, and bottles filled with household disinfectants like bleach are quickly being dispatched across China, as the country scrambles to control the outbreak of the novel coronavirus known as 2019-nCoV. China has placed around 56 million people under quarantine, hoping that keeping people home, and having them wear masks when they go outside, will help prevent more virus spread. But in cities and towns across Asia, sanitation workers are also redoubling efforts to spray down entire towns, sending trucks filled with low concentration bleach-and-water solutions into the streets, and dispatching hazmat-suited workers into train stations and malls to wipe every nook and cranny. While China appears to be winning the war against corona, however, the rest of the world cannot say the same. Number of new infections down in China, but increasing sharply elsewhere Today, for the first time, the number of new coronavirus cases diagnosed in China was lower than the number in other countries. The disease is now spreading at a steady rate across the globe. As reported by the BBC, the World Health Organization has still not taken the step of declaring the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic, but as one country after another reports its first cases, it is looking increasingly likely that the agency will be forced to do so before too long: Several European countries have announced their first coronavirus cases, all apparently linked to the growing outbreak in Italy. Austria, Croatia, Greece and Switzerland said their cases involved people who had been to Italy, as did Algeria in Africa. The first positive virus test has been recorded in Latin America a Brazilian resident just returned from Italy. Italy has in recent days become Europes worst-affected country. Authorities have confirmed more than 300 cases and 12 deaths there, the most recent a 70-year-old resident of Lombardy who died after being taken to intensive care in Parma. The country has also seen four children infected. In the Canary Islands, on the island of Tenerife, hundreds of guests are in lockdown in a hotel, after two Italian guests tested positive for the virus. In addition, the Iranian government has reported 139 cases of the virus, with 19 deaths though authorities believe that the government is not accurately reporting the number of cases there. And in South Korea, 115 new cases were reported today, raising the total number of infected patients to 1,261, with 11 people succumbing to Covid-19. Clearly, we have not even come close to seeing the end of this disease. And we may have to deal with the fallout from the disease itself, as well as the measures taken to curb its spread, for years to come. Stay on top of the latest coronavirus developments at Outbreak.news. Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com BusinessInsider.co.za BBC.com The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday denied reports that a special court had granted bail to an accused in the Pulwama terror attack case in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. In a statement, the agency said the bail was granted to Yousuf Chopan, who had been arrested by the NIA in a terror conspiracy case, and not the February 2019 attack case. The NIA spokesperon said Chopan was arrested in the case pertaining to a criminal conspiracy hatched by senior commanders of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group to carry out terror attacks in different parts of India, including Delhi-NCR. Raising the bail to the accused, the Congress said it was an "insult" to the security personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack and demanded Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation over it. The NIA official said the agency had not filed charge sheet against Chopan in the JeM conspiracy case as enough evidence could not be gathered against him, resulting in his bail by a special court in Delhi. "It is to clarify that Yousuf Chopan was never arrested in Pulwama attack case. However, he along with six others was arrested in the NIA case 08/2019/NIA/DLI (JeM Conspiracy case) in which two charge sheets were filed against eight accused (including two killed)," the agency statement said. The agency said it had filed the charge sheets in the case against Sajad Ahmad Khan, Tanveer Ahmed Ganie, Bilal Ahmad Mir, Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat and Mehraj-ud-din Chopan, besides Mudassir Ahmad Khan and Kari Mufti Yaseer who were killed in an encounter with security forces. Mudassir Ahmad Khan, the mastermind behind the JeM conspiracy case who was also the main conspirators in the Pulwama attack case, was killed in an encounter. "During the investigation in the JeM conspiracy case, seven over ground workers (OGWs) were arrested. However, out of which six accused were charge-sheeted in two charge sheets and Yousuf Chopan was not charge sheeted due to inadequate evidence," the NIA said. As such Chopan has been granted default bail by special NIA court on February 18, 2020 and he has been sent back to Kot Bhalwal Jail, Jammu under Public Safety Act by the order of District Magistrate, Pulwama. "Needless to say, NIA follows the policy of fairest possible investigation. In the Pulwama Attack Case 02/2019/NIA/JMU, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the suicide attack, significant leads have emerged and a breakthrough in the case is expected shortly," it said. Meanwhile, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the Pulwama terror attack accused got bail as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) neither collected evidence nor filed a charge sheet. "After taking political advantage of the Pulwama attack, forming government, now the Modi government does not care about the sacrifice of the country and the martyrs," he claimed. "Is this not 'treason'," he asked. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel also attacked the government, saying he was "shocked to know that the Pulwama accused got bail because NIA so busy that it failed to file a charge sheet." "It's an insult to our martyrs. Clearly government used this tragic attack for political purposes and was never serious about delivering justice," Patel said in a tweet. At a press conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed that the nationalism of the BJP stands exposed because the NIA has failed to charge sheet against terrorist Yousuf Chopan. "Who will take responsibility for this. This was an attack on the country's honour. Accountability is a must," Khera said. "The BJP wasted no time to garner votes and shamelessly used the martyrdom of our soldiers," he claimed. "We demand the resignation of the Home Minister," Khera said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alabama is gearing up for another election season. Alabamians, and residents from 13 other states, will head to the polls next week to vote in the Democratic presidential primary. In Alabama, there will also be a Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Alabama Sec. of State John Merrill expects 1.1 to 1.3 million people to take part in the primary, or a turnout of around 30-35 percent, according to his office. Data from the Alabama Secretary of States office for the 2016 presidential election, the 2017 special Senate election and the 2018 governors race shows which counties tend to be best at getting out the vote. The presidential election, as is usually the case, saw the highest turnout, while the 2017 special election saw a much lower turnout. The 2018 governors race was right in the middle. So which areas tend to have the highest turnout? Alabama richest and poorest counties lead the way in voter turnout | Graphic by Ramsey Archibald Several of the poorest counties in the state - and one of the richest - typically see high turnout. Greene County, the smallest county in the state in terms of population, and the poorest in terms of median household income, had the highest turnout for those three elections. On average, just over 62 percent of the countys roughly 7,000 active voters participated in the statewide elections in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Greene is one of a handful of smaller counties at or near the top of the list, but at least one of Alabamas larger counties has above-average turnout, too. Shelby County, just south of Birmingham and the richest county in the state in terms of median household income, is the county with the sixth-most eligible voters in Alabama. Its second in voter turnout. Just over 60 percent of its 149,000 active voters participated in the last three statewide elections, according to the Secretary of States office. The other counties in the top five are clustered around Greene, either in or near the Black Belt. Pickens County, on the Mississippi Border, had an average turnout of 60 percent, with just over 14,000 active voters in 2018. Just over 59 percent of Sumter Countys 10,000 active voters took part in those elections, and just under 59 percent took part in Marengo County. There were 16,100 active voters there in 2018. Jefferson County, the largest county in the state by population, saw the 8th highest turnout at just under 58 percent. There were 480,000 active voters there in 2018. Madison County, home of Huntsville, was just behind Jefferson at 9th, with a turnout of 57.5 percent. Montgomery sat at 54.5 percent, while Mobiles turnout during the last three elections was 50.3 percent - 16th worst in the state. The state average turnout for those elections was 53.7 percent. Many of the counties with the lowest voting percentages can be found in the eastern half of the state, and especially along the border with Georgia. The 11 counties with the lowest turnout over the last three statewide elections are either on the border or one county removed. Russell County, the eastern-most county in the state, is the county with the lowest turnout. Just 42.7 percent of eligible voters took part in those elections, on average. Its one of just 13 counties to average less than 50 percent turnout over that stretch. In 2018, following the primary, Secretary of State Merrill raised questions about the high voter turnout in some Black Belt counties. Such questions predate Merrill. Greene County, especially, has had its share of issues - 11 people were convicted of absentee voter fraud there 20 years ago. And there are a handful of counties with more active, registered voters than there are adults, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Merrills office this week explained that some difference in active voting rolls and Census population estimates is expected, and doesnt mean rolls are inflated or that ineligible voters havent been removed from voting rolls. 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. The Maharashtra Health Department said on Thursday that a total of 55,785 travelers have been screened for possible novel coronavirus infection at the Mumbai international airport so far. Passengers arriving from 12 Covid-19 affected countries/regions -- China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, Italy, Iran and Malaysia -- are being screened at the Mumbai airport. Those who are suspected to have contracted the deadly infection are sent to isolation facilities for treatment. However, no case of coronavirus infection has come to light in the state so far, the Health Department said in the statement. As many as 98 travelers who had arrived from Covid-19- affected areas were quarantined in hospitals across the state, but 95 of them tested negative for the virus as per the National Institute of Virology's (NIV) reports. At present, five persons are quarantined -- three at Naidu Hospital in Pune and two at Mumbai's Kasturba hospital. Reports of swab samples of three of these passengers were awaited from the NIV. All travelers from the Wuhan city of China -- the epicentre of the outbreak of epidemic -- are being isolated and tested, whether they show any symptoms are not, the Health Department said. Follow-up at home is conducted for the travelers from Covid-19-affected countries who do not show any symptoms during the screening at the airport. "To date, out of 312 travelers, 228 have completed their follow-up of 14 days," the department said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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 city officials broke ground this week on the latest homeless shelter under Mayor Eric Garcetti's A Bridge Home initiative. The facility is being built at 3210 Riverside Drive in Los Feliz near the southeastern edge of Griffith Park. When it's completed, the shelter will provide beds for 100 men and women experiencing homelessness. The goal of "bridge housing" is to give people a safe, short-term place to stay while outreach workers connect them with health services, counseling and long-term housing. When a person secures that housing solution, their bed opens up for someone else in need. "The Los Feliz Bridge Home will bring those currently living on the street or the banks of the Los Angeles River into housing and real, life-changing care," Councilman David Ryu said in a press release. The site will also include bathrooms and showers, communal space, storage facilities, an area for pets, and offices, where shelter residents can meet with counselors and social workers. The $5.6 million project will be mostly funded through state grants, said Mark Pampanin, a spokesman for Councilman Ryu's office. The city has contracted People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) to operate the shelter. Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu, center left, Mayor Eric Garcetti, and other city and community leaders break the ceremonial ground of a new emergency homeless shelter in Los Feliz on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (Courtesy Jackie D'Almeida, L.A. Council District 4) The Los Feliz site is the third of four bridge housing locations that are either open, under construction, or planned in Ryu's council district (which includes parts of Hollywood, Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Sherman Oaks). One of those sites is planned a few blocks away on Riverside Drive at Hyperion Avenue. For that location, the city is looking to lease unused office space from a property owner who proposed the arrangement during district staff's outreach work, Pampanin said. Ryu proposed the Los Feliz site for bridge housing about a year ago. The shelter is slated to open in late June, according to Pampanin. He told LAist it took a little longer than expected to break ground, due mainly to the site being near the Hollywood Fault line, which required a more in-depth seismological study to examine earthquake safety. Still, the Los Feliz shelter's timeline has been fairly fast, compared to other bridge housing plans put forward elsewhere in the city. The mayor's goal is to establish a temporary, emergency shelter in each of the city's 15 council districts, totaling at least 1,500 beds. The expectation was that these bridge housing sites would be fast-tracked "from application to construction, allowing those that meet legal and environmental standards to open their doors in as little as 32 weeks," according to the program's website. Back in June 2018, Councilman Mike Bonin proposed a shelter on vacant land in Venice that had been a Metro bus yard. Twenty months later, after more than a year and a half of neighborhood outrage, lawsuits, and construction delays, that shelter finally opened this week. What made the process in Los Feliz different, according to Pampanin, is a "new narrative" on the homelessness crisis and a revised approach from city officials to focus on small group meetings with community members, which led to more community members feeling empowered to be part of the solution. "What's changed is that you're seeing the city of Los Angeles and the communities across Los Angeles start to recognize that homelessness doesn't get better when we just say no," he said. "When you can actually have a conversation on that issue and you can talk about well, how do we solve it? How do we get that encampment off your corner and what should we do? People start to really realize that A Bridge Home, and then permanent supportive housing, is the best way to do that." Despite that stronger community support, a neighborhood group opposed to the shelter has filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing officials of not following the proper environmental review protocols for the site. The Venice shelter faced similar lawsuits, but eventually a county judge ruled in favor of the city in that case, given the passage of Assembly Bill 1197, which grants the city of L.A exemptions to environmental reviews for supportive and emergency shelters. "Frankly, that changes nothing for us," Pampanin told us on Wednesday. "No judge has said that we have to stop work, and we're confident that this case has very little merit. So we're moving full steam ahead." READ MORE: Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 10:34 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066e2354 1 World umrah,pilgrims,pilgrimage,Saudi-Arabia,coronavirus Free In an unprecedented move that will likely have massive repercussions the world over, Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary ban on all umrah (minor haj) pilgrims to keep the county safe from the coronavirus. As reported by Arab News, the temporary ban was one of several precautionary restrictions announced on Thursday as health authorities in the country observed the latest developments of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. In addition to umrah pilgrims, the Saudi government will also impose a similar ban on tourist-visa holders from countries judged to pose a particularly high risk of spreading the virus. Read also: Going to a country with COVID-19 cases? Here are the Foreign Ministry's recommendations for Indonesian travelers The country welcomes nearly 7 million umrah pilgrims every year, most of whom arrive at airports in Jeddah and Madinah. Data from the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry show that, as of last December, Indonesia contributed the second highest number of umrah pilgrims with 443,879 arrivals, just below Pakistan with 495,270. Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry staffer Ubaidillah Amin Moch said that requests for umrah visas and other visas to Saudi Arabia would be stopped as of Thursday and that a number of pilgrims had been held up at the airport due to the new restrictions. We respect Saudi Arabias decision as part of an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and we ask all Indonesian umrah pilgrims to be patient while we wait for the Saudi government to reopen [access], he said in a statement on Thursday. We ask the management of umrah travel agencies to be proactive in conveying this information to the pilgrims, he added, saying that the ministry was awaiting further information from the Saudi government. Read also: Airline fares cut to boost sales amid COVID-19 scare Golkar Party lawmaker Ace Hasan Syadzily has responded to the news of the umrah suspension, saying that he was still awaiting an official confirmation from Saudi authorities. If such a policy is indeed in effect, we are honestly shocked, Ace said on Thursday, adding that he had expected the Saudi administration to have been more prepared in anticipating the viral outbreak given that the country had also faced a similar challenge in 2013. We are, of course, thinking about umrah pilgrims who have been scheduled to depart soon for the country. They surely must have been looking forward to their departure, in accordance with the original schedule as organized by their travel agencies. He went on to say that he expected further explanation from Saudi officials regarding the duration of the ban, as well as whether the Saudi administration has recorded any confirmed coronavirus cases among umrah pilgrims. (rfa) The gunman dies from "self-inflicted wounds" during the shooting in the mid-western Wisconsin state. The shooting took place at Molson Coors headquarters Five people have been killed in a shooting at the Molson Coors Brewing Company campus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin state, local officials say. They say the gunman died from "self-inflicted wounds". The attacker was identified as a 51-year-old Milwaukee resident. His motives were unclear. The shooting occurred in the early afternoon while hundreds of employees were still at work. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said it was a "tragic day for the city". Speaking at a news briefing shortly after Wednesday's shooting, he described it as a "horrific act". Meanwhile, Milwaukee police chief Alfonso Morales said that the five victims were all employees of the brewing company. He praised the way the city's police, FBI officers and firefighters responded to the attack. As the incident unfolded, nearby schools and businesses were locked down, local media report. Speaking at the White House in Washington, President Donald Trump offered his "deepest condolences to the victims and families in Milwaukee". He described the gunman as a "wicked murderer". Wisconsin congressman Mike Gallagher condemned the attack on Twitter, saying: "There's no place for these kinds of hateful and disgusting acts in our society." Molson Coors owns the Coors and Miller beer brands. The company is yet to publicly comment on the shooting. BBC UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Thursday expressed regret over Sri Lanka's decision to withdraw from a 2015 resolution calling for an investigation into the alleged human rights violations during the country's civil war against the Tamil separatists, saying it risks setting back efforts to advance reconciliation. Sri Lanka co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council's 2015 resolution along with 11 other countries, including the US and Britain, calling for an investigation into alleged human rights violations during the island nation's civil war, which ended in 2009 with the killing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran by the Lankan Army. "I regret that the new Government has announced a very different approach to the commitments previously made in the resolution which risks setting back efforts to advance reconciliation, accountability and human rights," Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said at the 43rd UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva. Responding to Sri Lanka's pledge to appoint yet another Commission to probe human rights accountability, Bachelet expressed doubts about its ability to deliver justice to the victims. Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Wednesday pledged to appoint another Commission while notifying the UN rights body about Sri Lanka's decision of withdrawal. Gunawardena blamed the previous Lankan government of agreeing to a resolution which he alleged ran counter to the country's sovereignty. Bachelet, however, asserted that domestic processes have consistently failed to deliver accountability in the past and she was not convinced the appointment of yet another Commission of Inquiry would deliver justice. "Domestic processes have consistently failed to deliver accountability in the past and I am not convinced the appointment of yet another Commission of Inquiry will advance this agenda. As a result, victims remain denied justice and Sri Lankans from all communities have no guarantee that past patterns of human rights violations will not recur," she said. "The State must work for all its people and the needs of all communities, particularly the minorities, must be acknowledged and addressed. I urge the Government to preserve and build upon the gains which have been made over the last few years. "In particular, I encourage the Government to ensure the Office on Missing Persons and the Office of Reparations are provided with political and resource support," the former Chilean president said. Bachelet said she was troubled by the recent trend towards moving civilian functions under the Ministry of Defence or retired military officers, and renewed reports of surveillance and harassment of human rights defenders, journalists and victims. "The increasing levels of hate speech, and security and policy measures appear to be discriminately and disproportionately directed against minorities, both Tamil and Muslim. "The fundamental problem remains that Sri Lanka has still not addressed impunity for past violations, nor undertaken the security sector reforms needed to address their drivers and enablers. Systemic barriers that continue to exist within the criminal justice system remain an impediment to real justice," she said. Sri Lanka's decision to withdraw from co-sponsoring the resolution came after the US imposed travel restrictions on Army chief Lt Gen Shavendra Silva and his immediate family members over alleged gross violations of human rights during the final phase of the island nation's Civil War in 2009. 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 LTTE rebels of the civil war in 2009. His brigade was accused of attacking civilians, hospitals and stopping humanitarian supplies to trapped Tamil civilians. According to a United Nations report, some 45,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the last months of the war alone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) OLDSMAR, Fla., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cryo-Cell International, Inc. (OTC:QB Markets Group Symbol: CCEL) (the Company), the worlds first private cord blood bank to separate and store stem cells in 1992, announced results for its fiscal year ended November 30, 2019. Financial Results Revenue Consolidated revenues for fiscal 2019 were $31.8 million compared to $29.2 million for fiscal 2018. The revenues for fiscal 2019 consisted of $30.0 million in processing and storage fee revenue, $1.0 million in licensee income, $172,000 in product revenue and $652,000 in public banking revenue compared to $27.8 million in processing and storage fee revenue, $1.0 million in licensee income, $104,000 in product revenue and $296,000 in public banking revenue for fiscal 2018. Net Income (Loss) The Company reported net income of $2.3 million in fiscal 2019 or $0.29 per basic and $0.27 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($855,000) in fiscal 2018 or ($0.11) per basic and diluted shares. Net income for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2019 resulted from a 9% increase in revenue and a 5% decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses offset by an 18% increase in cost of sales. Also included in the net income for the twelve months ended November 30, 2019 was an impairment charge of $2,332,763. Due to changes in sales trends and estimated recoverability of cost capitalized into inventory, an impairment charge was recognized during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 to reduce inventory from cost to net realizable value. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses is due in part to $580,000 of expenses related to the Cord:Use purchase during fiscal year 2018. During fiscal 2018, $3.1 million of non-cash income tax expense was incurred which related to the reduction of the federal income tax rate to 21% as of January 1, 2018 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The decrease in the federal income tax rate caused a decrease in the Companys deferred tax asset which resulted in this increase in the income tax expense. About Cryo-Cell International, Inc. Founded in 1989, Cryo-Cell International, Inc. is the worlds first private cord blood bank. More than 500,000 parents from 87 countries have entrusted Cryo-Cell International with their babys cord blood and cord tissue stem cells. In addition to its family bank, Cryo-Cell International has a public banking program in partnership with Duke University. Cryo-Cells public bank has provided cord blood for more than 600 transplantations and operates cord blood donation sites across the U.S in prominent hospitals such as CedarsSinai Hospital in Los Angeles and Baptist Hospital in Miami. Cryo-Cells mission is to provide clients with state-of-the-art cord blood and cord tissue cryopreservation services, raise awareness of the opportunity for expectant parents to bank or donate their babys cord blood and support the advancement of regenerative medicine. Cryo-Cell operates in a facility that is FDA registered, cGMP-/cGTP-compliant and licensed in all states requiring licensure. Besides being AABB accredited as a cord blood facility, Cryo-Cell was also the first U.S. (for private use only) cord blood bank to receive FACT accreditation for adhering to the most stringent cord blood quality standards set by any internationally recognized, independent accrediting organization. In addition, Cryo-Cell is ISO 13485:2003certified by TUV, an internationally recognized, quality assessment organization. Cryo-Cell is a publicly traded company, OTCQB:CCEL. For more information, please visit www.cryo-cell.com. Forward-Looking Statement Statements wherein the terms believes, intends, projects, anticipates, expects, and similar expressions as used are intended to reflect forward-looking statements of the Company. The information contained herein is subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in such forward-looking statements or paragraphs, many of which are outside the control of the Company. These uncertainties and other factors include the success of the Companys global expansion initiatives and product diversification, the Companys actual future ownership stake in future therapies emerging from its collaborative research partnerships, the success related to its IP portfolio, the Companys future competitive position in stem cell innovation, future success of its core business and the competitive impact of public cord blood banking on the Companys business, the Companys ability to minimize future costs to the Company related to R&D initiatives and collaborations and the success of such initiatives and collaborations, the success and enforceability of the Companys menstrual stem cell technology license agreements and umbilical cord blood license agreements and their ability to provide the Company with royalty fees, the ability of the reproductive tissue storage to generate new revenues for the Company and those risks and uncertainties contained in risk factors described in documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company. The Company disclaims any obligations to subsequently revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. Contact: David Portnoy Cryo-Cell International, Inc. 813-749-2100 dportnoy@cryo-cell.com Scott Morrison has leapt ahead of other country leaders to be ready for a pandemic that infects hundreds and possibly thousands of Australians. The lessons of the summer bushfires now shape the government's actions in responding swiftly to an emerging threat. Prime Minister Scott Morrison appears to have learned lessons from his handling of the bushfire crisis. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Morrison is treating the coronavirus as a pandemic before the World Health Organisation declares it one, but what matters is how Australians see this in action. The speed of the federal response will be measured in the way isolation wards are set up, or masks stockpiled, or medicines purchased. In 2016, the City of Winnipeg found crosswalks with amber lights installed at eye-level are much safer than the typical overhead lights, but the study was not made public. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In 2016, the City of Winnipeg found crosswalks with amber lights installed at eye-level are much safer than the typical overhead lights, but the study was not made public. Not much was done on the matter until pedestrians eight-year-old Surafiel Musse Tesfamariam and Galila Habtegergish, 4, were killed in collisions at crosswalks in 2018 and 2019, respectively. BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The crosswalk on St. Annes Road between Varennes and Bank avenues where an eight-year-old pedestrian Surafiel Musse Tesfamariam was killed in 2018. "Im outright angry," said Christian Sweryda, a law student and road safety advocate who uncovered the study through an access to information request. The study, which was also not shared with city councillors at the time, showed drivers are 100 per cent more likely to yield for pedestrians with the lower-mounted lights, when seen from 60 metres away. "How do you do a study, find out that it improves safety, then shelve it?" said Sweryda, alleging the city has known its crosswalks are unsafe since 2012, when he began advocating for such lower-set lights. He also got copies of emails from 2013, in which Michael Cantor, the citys traffic signal engineer, flagged the issue to higher-ups. "I addressed this in 2012, Michael Cantor brought this up in 2013, they studied this in 2016, a child was killed in 2018, and they had seven months to react between that child (Surafiel) being killed on St. Annes Road and the four-year old dying on Isabel (Street)," Sweryda said angrily. The city had previously installed lower lights as a pilot project at the same intersection where Surafiel was killed, but they were removed before the fatal incident, then later reinstalled. Sweryda has submitted another access to information request to find out why they were removed. Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas) said councillors were only made aware of the 2016 study after Sweryda sent the report to CBC News and media approached her. 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. She said the city is now working on a consultation-based road safety action plan to make crosswalks safer. Winnipeg will look into different options, such as amber lights or flashing beacons, according to Santos, adding she hopes to get the report to council by next year. "I dont want any more delays," she said. "I am concerned that this report has been there for four years, and its taken a few pedestrian deaths for the city to move along, which is very unfortunate." Sweryda countered, sating the city does not need a year to decide to invest in new crosswalk lights. "Why are we studying something that is common sense?" he said Sweryda, adding other cities in Canada installed similar lights more than a decade ago. melanie.ritchot@freepress.mb.ca There's nothing like stopping by to see the things you love while on vacation, whether that's friends, family or your nine-foot pyramid tomb. And New Orleans, Louisiana has plenty of special places to see, including the city's famous above ground cemeteries - which is exactly where actor Nicolas Cage visited during his recent vacation. The Face/Off actor was spotted visiting his nine-foot tomb with a mystery lady - because nothing says romantic date quite like touring a cemetery, amiright ladies? Nicolas Cage leaving the cemetery where his tomb is with a mystery woman / SWNS Cage and his mystery woman were spotted leaving the cemetery together. He was previously married to makeup artist Erika Koike for four days. Cage, 56, procured the tomb back in 2010 for his future funeral. It's nine feet and inscribed with the Latin words omnia ab uno, which means Everything from One." The tomb is in St. Louis 1, which is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans. There are plenty of cemetery tours in the southern city, so you could visit his tomb with a mystery woman on your next vacation. The front of Nicolas Cage's pyramid tomb / SplashNews This isn't the National Treasure star's only strange purchase (and it's not even his weirdest one in New Orleans). According to CNBC, Cage previously purchased the famous LaLaurie mansion in New Orleans for $3.4 million before losing it to foreclosure. The home is said to be one of the most haunted houses and it has a truly horrific backstory, inspiring American Horror Story: Coven. Nicolas Cage has filed for an annulment four days after getting married / Getty Images He also bought two castles in Europe, a private island in the Bahamas, shrunken pygmy heads and a $150,000 pet octopus. Perhaps the octopus will get its own tomb nearby. Although all those purchases added up. He eventually faced foreclosure on a few of his properties (at one point, he owned 15 of them, from Newport Beach in California to Newport, Rhode Island) and owed the IRS a reported $6.3 million in property taxes. SplashNews Cornerstone Specialty Hospitals Bellaire will shut its doors in April, laying off 126 employees. In a letter Monday to the Texas Workforce Commission, the company said it would close its offices at 5314 Dashwood Drive on April 25. Cornerstone Healthcare Group is based in Dallas and provides long-term acute care, behavioral health, senior care and home health services. The long-term care location in Bellaire opened with 32 beds in 2004, just months before the Bellaire Medical Center closed. Cornerstone Healthcare Group acquired a 65-bed acute care unit within HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center in November, creating what it called the future of patient-focused care. Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox As of November, the long-term care group said it operated 18 specialty hospitals nationwide. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Last month, Kindred Hospital announced it would close four of its Houston area-locations. gwendolyn.wu@chron.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu Domingo Garcia, national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, a lead plaintiff in the case, said he expects the issue to wind up at the Supreme Court. LULAC said in a news release that it was considering its next move. The league and its allies could request a rehearing by the full 5th Circuit, which has 16 active members, or go straight to the Supreme Court. SOCIETY CAN WE BE HAPPIER? EVIDENCE AND ETHICS by Richard Layard (Pelican, 22, 416pp) Did you know that in the English language there are more words to express negative rather than positive emotions? We truly are a nation of doomsters and gloomsters, and could all benefit from some Boris boosterism. Another startling fact in this book is that the Dalai Lama meditates for five hours a day. Where does he find the time? Even for ordinary mortals there are never enough hours in the day. And there lies the rub. Can we be happier? Well, yes is the obvious answer, but how is the tricky part. Richard Layard, an economist, has long promoted the idea of happiness as a better measure of a societys progress than GDP, which is a false god (file image of a happy dog) This book attempts to show ways of achieving the greatest possible happiness and the least misery. It is not so much a self-help book as a society-help book. We are in this together, or, as the author puts it, we can all be heroes in the happiness revolution. Richard Layard, an economist, has long promoted the idea of happiness as a better measure of a societys progress than GDP, which is a false god. Happiness should be our true goal. What seemed pie-in-the-sky 15 years ago, when his groundbreaking book Happiness: Lessons From A New Science came out, has become commonplace. We now have an International Day of Happiness, World Happiness Summits and World Happiness Reports. When pioneering headmaster Anthony Seldon began happiness and wellbeing lessons at Wellington College in 2006, other schools followed. I will never forget the day my then seven-year-old daughter returned home from primary school to put into practice what she had been preached in her classroom, and gave me a shoulder massage. Layard reminds us culture can be changed and change is often dramatic. Until recently, men dominated the world of work, gay couples had to hide in shame, and it was fashionable to smoke in public places. Happy people do better in their careers But the happiness revolution is far from over, and he urges us to do more, especially when it comes to improving mental health. His clarion call is backed up with a wealth of research and case studies (there are 50 pages of footnotes and a 30-page bibliography). Perhaps his most compelling insight is that productivity increases if employees are allowed to work from home. This is hardly surprising, given we are told the worst part of everyones day is when they are with their boss. His other findings are no less inspiring. Learning new things improves our happiness and wellbeing improves academic performance and life expectancy. Our emotional development at 16 is a better predictor of adult happiness than educational qualifications. Happy people do better in their careers. Workers are much better off (so to speak) if they dont know what everyone else is earning. (A third of U.S. workers sign an agreement not to reveal their salaries in order to minimise resentment.) The happiest countries in the world are the egalitarian Scandinavians (Finland, Denmark and Norway take the top three places). The UK comes in at 15. Our emotional development at 16 is a better predictor of adult happiness than educational qualifications (file image) Mental and physical health and human relationships are more important factors than income when it comes to determining wellbeing. In the U.S., people are no happier than they were in the Fifties, despite huge improvements in living standards. While in China, people are no happier now than they were in the Nineties. Layard gives two reasons for this: social comparisons arising from wealth creation cause competition (keeping up with the Joneses), and urbanisation leads to the breaking of social ties. So economic growth can lead to an increase in stress. Layard highlights the worsening mental health crisis and how a quarter of young people have mental health problems. Social media has a lot to answer for: The medium which aims to put people in touch with each other has led, instead, to more people feeling left out. CAN WE BE HAPPIER? EVIDENCE AND ETHICS by Richard Layard (Pelican, 22, 416pp) The figures he cites are alarming. One million Britons have not spoken to another person for five days. In 2013, 840,000 people took their own lives worldwide double the number who were murdered. Layards prose is lucid and his analysis is spot on, but his prescriptions sometimes smack of wishful thinking. He says social media should be subject to stricter regulation but does not explain how. And do newspapers really need to be more positive as he argues? Papers describe the world as it is, not how wed like it to be. Finally, it is questionable whether the economics of happiness is really a science. But even if the book belongs to the eat-up-your-broccoli type, Layards optimistic message cannot be faulted. We do have reasons to be cheerful: society has become less violent and crime has fallen, which he attributes to the influence of women. Roll on the gynocracy! There are few personal disclosures in the book, but when they come they are all the more affecting. At the end, the author thanks the German doctor who saved his fathers life. In mental torment in Berlin, my father put a pistol in his mouth, pointing upwards. The bullet missed his brain but lodged in his skull. Following the operation to remove it, he recovered swiftly and soon met my mother. In due course, I appeared. I was a love-child. Now that is the ultimate feel-good story, guaranteed to put a smile on every readers face. : The Madras High Court on Thursday quashed an I-T department's show-cause notice to former IPS officer K Vijayakumar, demanding capital gain tax on sale of land given to him by the Tamil Nadu government for his role in eliminating sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. Vijayakumar, who led Operation Cocoon against forest brigand Veerappan in 2004 killing him in an encounter, was allotted plots along with the other members of Special Task Force by the then AIADMK government for their 'commendable' service. In 2009, the former IPS officer sold the portion of his share of land for Rs 1.99 crore. Claiming that the income of the petitioner through such sale would attract capital gain tax, the income-tax department had issued the show-cause notice stating that the approval of exemption by the Centre was not produced. Aggrieved, the petitioner, who is at present senior security advisor in the Union Home Ministry, moved the court challenging the notice. He submitted that the reward awarded by the state in recognition of his service in public interest is exempted of tax under the Income Tax Act. Allowing the petition, Justice Anitha Sumanth quashed the show-cause notice. The petitioner has been recognised by the Central government on several occasions for meritorious and distinguished services and from the information available in public domain, it is seen that he was awarded the Jammu and Kashmir Medal, Counter-Insurgency Medal for meritorious service (1993) and the Presidents Police Medal for Distinguished service(1999). Specifically for his role in shooting down Veerappan he was awarded the Presidents Police Medal for Gallantry on the eve of Independence Day in 2005. She said, Seen in the context of the recognition by the Centre of the petitioners gallantry, the approval of the Centre in this case is rendered a fait accompli. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said that Ankara would not take the 'smallest step back' in the conflict with Russia backed Damascus over the northern Syrian region of Idlib, as per reports. Erdogan is scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart Vladamir Putin in a meeting next month. Turkey refuses to back down Erdogan, while addressing the ruling party lawmakers in Parliament said that Turkey would not take the smallest step back in regards to the conflict in Idlib. He further claimed that Turkey would push back the regime to the borders that were previously agreed upon by Russia and Turkey, as well as ensure that people are returned to their homes. As a part of a long-standing deal with Russia that is a supporter of President Bashar al-Assad, Turkey that supports the rebels has 12 observation posts in Idlib. But due to an aggressive offensive by the Syrian regime, several of these outposts have come under fire from Assad's forces. Read: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey Close Borders With Iran Over Coronavirus Fear According to reports, Turkey announced that 17 of its security personnel have been killed this month. In response to this aggression by the Syrian regime, Erdogan has bluntly warned that Syria should "stop its attacks as soon as possible". He also told Syria to pull back to the agreed positions by the end of February. Read: Turkey Orders Arrest Of 228 People Allegedly Linked To 2016 Coup Attempt According to reports, Erdogan also said, that the time that was given to those that are besieging Turkey's observation posts is running out and that they would save those trapped in the observation posts one way or another. Read: Russia Urges Turkey To Refrain From Provocative Statements On Syrian Crisis Erdogan also claimed that the only problem that Turkey faced is the inability to use its air force because the skies above Idlib were controlled by Russia. Damascus on Wednesday announced that it had recaptured large areas in recent days, including the town of Kafranbel in the south of Idlib, a town known to have been among the first to rebel against Damascus. Read: 'Situation In Idlib Will Only Be Resolved When Syrian Troops Withdraw': Turkey's Erdogan While Turkey and Russia, despite backing different sides have worked to end the conflict in Syria, but the latest offensive in Idlib has caused tensions to soar between the two nations. (Image Credit: AP) (With inputs from Agencies) (CNN) -- Iran's novel coronavirus death toll has climbed to 19, with 139 confirmed cases of the sickness. Despite the spread of the virus, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that authorities won't quarantine any Iranian cities. He also warned about the virus becoming "a weapon at the hands of our enemies," as part of "propaganda" against the country. Rouhani said the virus should not further cripple the country's economy. Iran has the most coronavirus cases in the Middle East, and is in an ongoing state of economic crisis. US sanctions on the country have seen its currency tank and unemployment grow. In China's Hubei province, the epicenter of the virus, reported fatal cases of coronavirus would put the death rate at around 2%. South Korea, another outbreak center for the sickness, would have a mortality rate from the virus of around 1% based on figures provided by that country. In Iran, according to numbers provided by the Iranian health ministry, the death rate from Covid-19 would be over 13%. It's unclear why Iran's mortality rate might be higher than other countries with outbreaks of the pathogen, but some suspect under-reporting of the total number of cases. The US sanctions have also dealt a blow to Iran's medical sector, which has struggled to keep up with soaring prices of medicines and medical instruments. Iranian officials are scrambling to contain the virus, as well as the fears it has sown. Many schools and public offices around the country have closed. On Wednesday, officials banned hookah from cafes in a bid to stem the contagion. But in the holy city of Qom, ground zero of the country's coronavirus outbreak, pilgrimages have continued unabated, despite health officials calling on clerics to limit visitors to the city. As of Tuesday, crowds still gathered around the shrine of Fatima Masumeh, a revered figure in Shia Islam, the religious sect of most Iranians. Throngs were seen touching the shrine and performing communal prayers. Of 28 new cases reported on Wednesday, 15 new cases were from Qom. Iranian officials are also becoming infected with the virus. On Tuesday, Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi tested positive for novel coronavirus, a day after downplaying the sickness at a news conference. At the presser, Harirchi appeared ill, wiping his forehead and nose. He and others at the conference did not wear a medical mask. An MP also contracted the virus. "My corona test is positive ... I don't have a lot of hope of continuing life in this world," Mahmoud Sadeghi, a parliamentarian from Tehran, wrote on Twitter, according to Reuters. An MP from Qom earlier this week accused the government of covering up figures. According to Reuters, the head of the Medical Science University in the holy Shia city of Qom, Mohammad Reza Ghadir, expressed concern over "the spread of those people infected by the virus across the city." He added that the health ministry had banned releasing figures linked to the coronavirus. Meanwhile, neighboring states are dealing with Iran as a regional breeding ground for the virus. Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and other regional states each have reported cases originating from Iran. Iraq and Afghanistan have closed their land borders with the country, and scores of flights to Iranian cities have been suspended. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Iran was already struggling with one crisis. Now it has the worst coronavirus outbreak in the Middle East" In 2018, the controversial Russian art project "DAU" scandalised Germany with its plans to rebuild the Berlin Wall and offer visitors an immersive experience of daily life behind the Iron Curtain. Eighteen months later, "DAU" has again caused shock and outrage in the German capital with the world premiere of its film "DAU: Natasha" at the Berlin film festival. Aside from debts, the films are now all that is left of "DAU", director Ilya Khrzhanovsky told AFP on Wednesday. Yet the films have proved as scandalous as the rest of the project, with Golden Bear candidate "DAU: Natasha" prompting furious reactions in the Berlin press. The daily Tagesspiegel called the film, which was shot over several years in which those involved were living in a mock-up Soviet world, a "dangerous game between fiction and reality". "When conceptual chaos collides with real chaos, it is difficult," Khrzhanovsky admitted on Wednesday. One film critic at local broadcaster RBB refused to write a traditional review of the film, pointing to accusations of abuse against Khrzhanovsky. Following a harrowing interrogation scene in which a woman is sexually abused on screen, Fabian Wallmeier wrote that he "left the cinema with my knees shaking". - Immersive experience - Chaos has never been far from the "DAU" project, which blurs the lines between theatre, cinema and anthropological experience. "We were cancelled twice in Berlin and lost a lot of money. We are covering debts and did not have the money to go to London," Khrzhanovsky told AFP. After authorities rejected its plans to rebuild the Wall in Berlin in late 2018, "DAU" eventually launched a similar immersive experience in Paris early last year. The project invited paying customers over the age of 18 to embark on a "journey" into the Soviet Union through films, sets, concerts and conferences, and attracted nearly 40,000 visitors despite numerous hiccups. Yet the project began over a decade ago, and was initially intended to be little more than a biopic of Nobel Prize-winning Russian physicist Lev Landau. It rapidly escalated into a sprawling experiment, in which 400 volunteers were filmed living in a recreation of a Soviet scientific institute in Ukraine. Those who participated did so "because they decided to be there, not because it is a job or because they want to be famous", Khrzhanovsky said. In two years of immersion, Khrzhanovsky and co-director Jekaterina Oertel shot around two dozen films, one of which was "DAU: Natasha". - 'Still standing' - The film, which is up for the top prize in Berlin this week, focuses on Natasha, who took part in the Ukrainian experience for several months in 2010. She even met her husband on the project, the directors recalled with amusement. "She went back to her prior life like the others -- except those who decided they are now actors," Khrzhanovsky said. On Wednesday, though, Natasha Berezhnaya was in Berlin to answer questions about the film which bears her name. "We were free, we knew what we were doing and we shot these scenes with full independence," she told reporters, countering rumours of abuse and harassment which have swirled around the largely improvised project. According to Khrzhanovsky, the only rule he observed was to warn actors when a scene may include violent or sexual acts. "It's a journey... about a woman who is beaten and humiliated but still standing, just like millions of Russian women up to this day," Oertel told AFP. "Natasha is Natasha placed in another time, she's herself, this is how she behaves. It's for you to decide if it's fiction or real." With another "DAU" film -- "DAU: Degeneratsia" -- also featured on the Berlinale programme, Khrzhanovsky too believes the film festival is finally a chance for Berliners to "have their reactions" to his controversial project. "When conceptual chaos collides with real chaos, it is difficult," said Khrzhanovsky, left, shown with actressNatalia Berezhnaya, centre, and co-director Jekaterina Oertel In 2018, local fossil ivory hunters tunneled into permafrost in northeastern Sibera and they came across a remarkable discovery. What they unearthed nearly 500-lateral feet (150 meters) and 23-feet (seven meters) deep underground was the carcass of a bird, and animal to be 46,000 years old. The 46,000-year-old bird was discovered nearly completely intact in 2018. (Kennedy News/Love Dalen) The frozen bird was then given to paleontologist Love Dalen and other researchers at the Swedish Museum of Natural History to understand more about the newly found animal. The researchers believe the species is an ancestor of the horned lark and it's the first of its kind to be discovered. According to the study, which was published Feb. 21, on Nature.com, researchers believe that the bird is an ancestor to two subspecies: a lark found in northern Russia and a lark found in Mongolia. One of the biggest takeaways is that the carcass was unearthed almost completely intact, according to the study, making it one of the best-preserved ancient specimens ever discovered. CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP The bird is also believed to be part of the genus Eremophila, but the evolution of this species had been unknown until recently. "No autopsy has been done, but I think we can conclude its death likely wasn't violent and it must have been frozen relatively quickly because otherwise it falls apart," Love Dalen of the Swedish Museum of Natural History told CNN. (Kennedy News/Love Dalen) The bird was found near the village of Belaya Gora, located in the brutally cold climate of Yakutia, an area in northeastern Siberia known as the "Pole of Cold." "The Siberian 'Pole of Cold' is located within the Sakha Republic, or Yakutia, in northeastern Asia," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews explained for a story earlier this year. "In winter, it is the coldest inhabited area on Earth -- only the tops of the great Antarctica and Greenland ice sheets are colder." Story continues Average temperatures in January and February are around minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but forecasters say it can easily become as cold as minus 60 degrees F or more. "This finding implies that the climatic changes that took place at the end of the last Ice Age led to formation of new subspecies," Dalen told CNN. A modern-day horned lark. (Tom Koerner/USFWS on Flickr) In the last few years, multiple well-preserved animals have been found around the same region buried in permafrost. Some of these specimens have included a 42,000-year-old foal in 2018 which was described as the most well-preserved Ice Age animal ever unearthed, and an 18,000-year-old puppy in 2019. Permafrost is ground that is at or below-freezing temperatures all year long that is found in Arctic regions. Permafrost can range between very thin to very thick into the ground. "There could be permafrost that is greater than 100,000, even [1 million], years old," said Andrews. The research group said it now plans to start mapping the entire genome, so it can be compared to the genomes of other subspecies of the horned lark. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios. (Bloomberg) -- In the suburbs of Dublin on a windy, overcast day in January, several alumni of Airbus and the U.K.s Royal Air Force watched as a flying object, shaped a bit like a crouching frog, hovered about 10 meters (33 feet) up in the air. The craft, called MNA-1090, opened its cargo bay door, and lowered a package about the size of a shoebox to the ground on a string. The robotics engineers whod helped design the vehicle opened the carton, looked inside, and smiled: the dozen-or-so pots of Ben & Jerrys ice cream were still perfectly frozen. In late March, customers on the outskirts of Dublin, far from the dense metropolises that make services like Uber Eats and Deliveroo viable in terms of revenue, will get to try ordering food and drink the same way. Manna.aero built the MNA-1090 drone to be an airborne replacement for the human-and-bicycle formula used the world over by food-delivery apps, and is preparing to run a couple of hundred test flights per day over several weeks to lay the groundwork for a permanent service for small Irish towns. Ben & Jerrys, U.K. food delivery firm Just Eat Plc, and local Irish restaurant chain Camile Thai are signed up to participate in the pilot that will take place at the University College Dublin campus. In five years, its going to be the most normal thing you can imagine, Manna Chief Executive Officer Bobby Healy says. If you live in a city, having a hot meal delivered to your doorstep in under an hour has never been easier or cheaper. For about the price of a small coffee, a human being will cycle to a restaurant, collect your freshly baked pizza and bring it to your apartment. Innovations in smartphones, mapping and gig-economy logistics have catalyzed growth of the sector, which research firm Frost & Sullivan estimates will be worth $200 billion by 2025. But the margins are tiny for the companies handling the delivery, and the competition fierce. In October, Grubhub Inc. executives told shareholders they didnt believe it was even possible to generate significant profit from food delivery. The cost of paying people to drive food around was just too much, they said. Story continues Companies are looking for an alternative, and a roster of investors believe Healy might have a model that could work: a drones-as-a-service for restaurants and delivery apps. Heres how Healy said it will work: Manna will partner with restaurants or food courts that have a high-throughput of orders and a small outdoor space to house a drone-loading team. The Manna craft itself is about the size of a computer printer and will carry meals weighing around 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) in under three minutes, even in wind and rain. Upon arriving at its destination, the drone will hover and wait for the customer to accept delivery using an app, having indicated when ordering exactly where they want their food to land on the lawn, an outdoor dining table or just in the driveway. The drone will descend and lower the food parcel that, Healy said, will still be piping hot. Mannas vehicle has been designed to travel for 100 million hours without a problem, Healy said in an interview. But, alongside space for three 10-inch pizzas, it also has a backup battery and two parachutes, just in case. The 51-year-old Irish entrepreneur is a mobility veteran: In 2003, he sold off travel software firm Eland Technologies to industry titan Sita.Aero. He then helped build CarTrawler into a transportation platform used by more than 100 international airlines. Healys got some well-known names putting $5.2 million behind Manna, including billionaire Peter Thiels Founders Fund, Dynamo venture capital, and FFVC, among others. For food platforms, Manna says the service is more than just a gimmick it will lower delivery costs and allow them to scale to currently under-served suburban areas in a profitable way. Healy said Mannas drone delivery will cost platforms $3 to $5 per delivery. Fabricio Bloisi, CEO of online delivery platform iFood in Brazil, said the use of drones is a great breakthrough for the industry because of their efficiency and ability to travel relatively large distances. He said his companys working with Sao Paulo-based Speedbird to reduce delivery time by combining the use of drones with bicycles and motorbikes. Ubers testing a drone for food delivery in the San Diego area, and Alphabet Inc.s Wing is already delivering coffee, food, medicine and household items directly to homes in Finland, Australia and the U.S. state of Virginia. Amazon.com Inc.s also developing its Prime Air service, with a view to delivering parcels, not necessarily food, of up to five pounds via drone. The companys bidding for a stake in the U.K.s Deliveroo. Healy isnt worried. Hes pitching Manna as a business-to-business company, where its drones are used by food delivery companies, not end consumers. To the entrepreneur, Wing isnt his rival. Were arming their competitors. Still, not everyone is so rosy about the drone delivery trend. In a sign of how divided views are on the technology, Dutch food delivery firm Takeaway.com NV which recently bought Just Eat, one of Mannas partners for the March pilot said it thinks drone delivery for food is a fantasy. We just dont see any way how it can work currently from a technical perspective, said Joris Wilton, a spokesman for Takeaway. We will not be investing in developing it in-house. Miki Kuusi, co-founder and CEO of Helsinki-based food delivery company Wolt, said his company has tested drone deliveries, but, its been more PR than actually about a business case. That partly has to do with complexities around picking up the food orders, he said. Drone services have to be deeply integrated with the restaurants to ensure that drones are loaded in the right way, something most restaurants in a hectic environment are not equipped to do. Then theres the tricky issue of regulation. Airspace authorities have tightened restrictions on drone usage as their popularity with consumers and troublemakers has grown. People also express discomfort at the idea of machinery whizzing above their homes both for privacy and safety reasons. Add to that the complexity of hauling hot food in the sky over several kilometres and its an uphill battle for any startup to launch a service. Healy recognizes that changing the industry wont come overnight, given the need to safely test the technology, get approvals from regulators at each new stage as well as from the local communities. Still, he expects to have completed between 20,0000 and 50,000 successful deliveries by year-end. With this industry its crawl, walk, run, Healy said, and we want to crawl for a little while, we want everyone to feel good about it. To contact the author of this story: Natalia Drozdiak in Brussels at ndrozdiak1@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Nate Lanxon at nlanxon@bloomberg.net, Amy Thomson 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. [February 27, 2020] Announcement Regarding Amendments to the Press Release titled "Announcement of Commencement of Tender Offer for Shares of UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited (Securities Code: 3258)" due to Changes of Conditions of Tender Offer Sapporo GK: (Translation) February 27, 2020 To all parties concerned Company Name: Sapporo GK Managing Partner: Sapporo ISH Executor of Managing Partner: Takaaki Fukunaga Contact: Fortress Investment Group (Japan) GK Tel: +81-3-6438-4400 While Sapporo GK (hereinafter referred to as the "Tender Offeror") commenced the tender offer for the common shares of UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited (Code No.: 3258, Tokyo Stock Exchange) (hereinafter referred to as "Target (News - Alert)") on August 19, 2019 (hereinafter referred to as the "Tender Offer"), the Tender Offeror decided as of today to change the conditions of purchase, etc. through the Tender Offer. Accordingly, the Tender Offeror hereby announces that the amendments shall be made to the "Announcement of Commencement of Tender Offer for Shares of UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited (Securities Code: 3258)" dated August 16, 2019 (including the portions amended by the "Announcement Regarding Amendments to the Press Release titled 'Announcement of Commencement of Tender Offer for Shares of UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited (Securities Code: 3258)' due to Changes of Conditions of Tender Offer" dated September 5, 2019, September 20, 2019, October 2, 2019, October 17, 2019, October 25, 2019, November 11, 2019, November 15, 2019, November 29, 2019, December 13, 2019, December 18, 2019, December 27, 2019, January 20, 2020, January 29, 2020 and February 13, 2020, respectively), as follows: Particulars: Portions to be amended are underlined. 1. Purpose, Etc. of Tender Offer, Etc. (1) Overview of the Tender Offer In light of the situation described above, the Tender Offeror made a comprehensive assessment of various factors, including Chitocea TOB, the status of tenders made by the Target's shareholders to the Tender Offer and the prospect of tenders going forward and determined, after careful consideration to extend the tender offer period of the Tender Offer until February 28, 2020, the last day of the tender offer period of Chitocea TOB ("13th Change of Tender Offer Conditions"), as there is a need to extend the Tender Offer period to correspond with the extension of the tender offer period of Chitocea TOB. In light of the situation described above, the Tender Offeror made a comprehensive assessment of various factors, including Chitocea TOB, the status of tenders made by the Target's shareholders to the Tender Offer and the prospect of tenders going forward and determined, after careful consideration to extend the tender offer period of the Tender Offer until February 28, 2020, the last day of the tender offer period of Chitocea TOB ("13th Change of Tender Offer Conditions"), as there is a need to extend the Tender Offer period to correspond with the extension of the tender offer period of Chitocea TOB. Thereafter, on February 24, 2020, Urchin posted on the website of PR TIMES a document titled "Blackstone Update on UNIZO Holdings (Securities Code: 3258); Blackstone Intends to Launch Tender Offer for Shares in UNIZO at JPY6,000 per Share, subject to UNIZO Consent," in which Urchin stated that following recent developments in respect of the Target including the increase in price of the currently outstanding tender offer by Chitocea to JPY5,700 per share, it has reassessed its position in respect of the Target and announced its intention to cause its wholly owned subsidiary, Urchin BidCo GK, to launch a tender offer to acquire up to all of the outstanding shares of the Target at a price of JPY6,000 per share, subject to UNIZO consent and entry into an agreement between Urchin and the Target by April 30, 2020 setting forth certain terms. Further, according to the press release titled "Notice Regarding Change of Conditions for Tender Offer by Chitocea Investment Co., Ltd. for UNIZO Holdings Company, Limited Stock" dated February 25, 2020, the Target announced that Chitocea had determined to extend the period for the Chitocea TOB to March 18, 2020. In light of the situation described above, the Tender Offeror made a comprehensive assessment of various factors, including the Chitocea TOB, the status of tenders made by the Target's shareholders to the Tender Offer and the prospect of tenders going forward and determined on February 27, 2020, after careful consideration, to extend the tender offer period of the Tender Offer until March 18, 2020, the last day of the tender offer period of Chitocea TOB ("14th Change of Tender Offer Conditions"), as there is a need to extend the tender offer period of the Tender Offer to correspond with the extension of the tender offer period of Chitocea TOB. (3) Measures to Ensure Fairness of Tender Offer Price and Avoid Conflicts of Interest, and Other Measures to Ensure Fairness of Tender Offer (V) Ensuring of Objective Circumstances to Secure Fairness of Tender Offer Price In addition, the Tender Offeror set the period of the Tender Offer before the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions as 30 business days, even though the minimum tender offer period required under law is 20 business days (Please note that the tender offer period was extended to 34 business days after the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions, then to 41 business days after the 2nd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 51 business days after the 3rd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 56 business days after the 4th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 60 business days after the 5th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 70 business days after the 6th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 80 business days after the 7th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 90 business days after the 8th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 93 business days after the 9th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 100 business days after the 10th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 111 business days after the 11th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 117 business days after the 12th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, and thereafter, to 127 business days after the 13th Change of Tender Offer Conditions). We intend to ensure the fairness of the Tender Offer by having a comparatively long tender offer period in order to provide the shareholders of the Target with an appropriate opportunity to consider whether or not to apply for the Tender Offer, as well as to ensure that any party other than the Tender Offeror will have an opportunity to make a competing tender offer for Target Shares. Please note that the tender offer period was from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to October 7, 2019 (Monday) after the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions, but then changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to October 17 (Thursday) after the 2nd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 1 (Friday) after the 3rd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 11 (Monday) after the 4th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 15 (Friday) after the 5th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 29 (Friday) after the 6th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to December 13 (Friday) after the 7th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to December 27, 2019 (Friday) after the 8th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to January 8, 2020 (Wednesday) after the 9th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to January 20, 2020 (Monday) after the 10th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 4, 2020 (Tuesday) after the 11th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 13, 2020 (Thursday) after the 12th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, and thereafter, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 28, 2020 (Friday) after the 13th Change of Tender Offer Conditions. In addition, the Tender Offeror set the period of the Tender Offer before the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions as 30 business days, even though the minimum tender offer period required under law is 20 business days (Please note that the tender offer period was extended to 34 business days after the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions, then to 41 business days after the 2nd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 51 business days after the 3rd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 56 business days after the 4th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 60 business days after the 5th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 70 business days after the 6th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 80 business days after the 7th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 90 business days after the 8th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 93 business days after the 9th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 100 business days after the 10th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 111 business days after the 11th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 117 business days after the 12th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, to 127 business days after the 13th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, and thereafter, to 140 business days after the 14th Change of Tender Offer Conditions). We intend to ensure the fairness of the Tender Offer by having a comparatively long tender offer period in order to provide the shareholders of the Target with an appropriate opportunity to consider whether or not to apply for the Tender Offer, as well as to ensure that any party other than the Tender Offeror will have an opportunity to make a competing tender offer for Target Shares. Please note that the tender offer period was from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to October 7, 2019 (Monday) after the 1st Change of Tender Offer Conditions, but then changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to October 17 (Thursday) after the 2nd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 1 (Friday) after the 3rd Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 11 (Monday) after the 4th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 15 (Friday) after the 5th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to November 29 (Friday) after the 6th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to December 13 (Friday) after the 7th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to December 27, 2019 (Friday) after the 8th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to January 8, 2020 (Wednesday) after the 9th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to January 20, 2020 (Monday) after the 10th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 4, 2020 (Tuesday) after the 11th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 13, 2020 (Thursday) after the 12th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 28, 2020 (Friday) after the 13th Change of Tender Offer Conditions, and thereafter, changed to the period from August 19, 2019 (Monday) to March 18, 2020 (Wednesday) after the 14th Change of Tender Offer Conditions. 2. Outline of Tender Offer (2) Schedule, Etc. (II) Anticipated Tender Offer Period at the time of filing of the Notification From August 19, 2019 (Monday) to February 28, 2020 (Friday) (127 business days) From August 19, 2019 (Monday) to March 18, 2020 (Wednesday) (140 business days) (8) Settlement Method (II) Commencement Date of Settlement March 6, 2020 (Friday) March 26, 2020 (Thursday) End - This press release is made for the purpose of publicly announcing the Tender Offer and not for the purpose of soliciting an offer to sell nor offering to purchase any securities in the Tender Offer. Any shareholder who intends to apply for the sale, etc. of any securities should make sure to act at its own discretion after reviewing the Tender Offer Explanation Statement as to the Tender Offer. This press release does not constitute a solicitation of sale of, or an offer for purchase of, any securities, nor a part thereof, and neither this press release (or a part thereof) nor the delivery thereof shall provide a basis for any agreement for the Tender Offer and may be relied upon for executing any such agreement. - The Tender Offer is conducted to purchase common stock of the Target, a corporation incorporated in Japan. Although the Tender Offer will be conducted in accordance with the procedures and information disclosure standards prescribed in the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, these procedures and standards may differ from the procedures and standards in the United States. In particular, Sections 13(e) and 14(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules prescribed thereunder do not apply to the Tender Offer, and the Tender Offer does not confirm to those procedures and standards. All of the financial information contained in this press release is based on Japanese accounting standard, not U.S. accounting standards, and may not necessarily be comparable to financial information based on U.S. accounting standards. Further, it may be difficult to enforce any right or demand arising under U.S. federal securities laws, because both of the Tender Offeror and the Target are incorporated outside the United States and none of its officers are U.S. residents. It may be impossible to sue a company outside the United States and its officers in a non-U.S. court for a violation of the U.S. Securities laws. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that one would be able to compel a company outside the United States or its subsidiaries and affiliated parties to subject themselves to the jurisdiction of a U.S. court. - Unless otherwise specified, all procedures relating to the Tender Offer shall be conducted in Japanese language. If some of the documents relating to the Tender Offer are prepared in English language and if there is any inconsistency between the English version and the Japanese version, the Japanese version shall prevail. - This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to substantially differ from the projections and other matters expressly or impliedly set forth herein as "forward-looking statements." Neither the Tender Offeror nor the Target, nor any of their respective affiliated parties, assumes that such express or implied projections, etc. set forth herein as "forward-looking statements" will eventually prove to be correct. The "forward-looking statements" contained in this press release have been prepared based on the information held by the Tender Offeror and the Target as of the date hereof and, unless otherwise required under applicable laws and regulations, neither the Tender Offeror nor the Target, nor any of their respective affiliated parties, assumes any obligation to update or revise this press release to reflect any future events or circumstances. - There is a possibility that the Tender Offeror, any of the Target's financial advisors or the tender offer agent (including their respective related parties) may conduct purchases of common stock of the Target not under the Tender Offer for its or their own account or on the account of its or their clients, or may take any action toward such purchase, prior to the commencement of the Tender Offer or during the tender offer period, in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the requirements under Article 5(b) of Rule 14(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to such extent as is permitted by Japanese legislation related to financial instruments transactions and other applicable laws and regulations. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005745/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Likhitha P Nair By Express News Service KOCHI: Anish K G lives what most of us would call a dream life. This 39-year-old, who hails from South Pampady near Kottayam is a painter, employed as a senior animator with the Polish gaming company People Can Fly. Though he has been painting since school days, Anish never prioritised his career as an artist. For my graduation, I studied chemistry. Painting was sidelined during that time. While I was working with K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, I drew a portrait of K R Narayanan with charcoal on paper, that is still on display in the office room, Anish recollects his brief confrontation with the artistic side through the years. After he studied animation and worked in Bengaluru briefly, he was hired by People can fly, a company that crafts AAA games, including GTA. For two years, he was busy working on a new third-person shooter game called Outsiders, that is expected to hit the market in September 2020. But now, Anish has a big responsibility on his shoulderof opening up Indias gems in front of a few of the most influential diplomats in the world. On January 26, the Republic Day of India, an exhibition on his paintings named IndiaA palette of colours and pictures were held on behalf of the Indian Embassy to Poland and Lithuania. Many Ambassadors and diplomats from other embassies in Poland attended the event that was organised by the Indian embassy exclusively for their guests. For Anish who has never conducted an exhibition of this magnitude in his life, the opportunity was a stroke of serendipity. In 2018, he visited the Embassy during Independence Day celebrations and noticed that many high profile guests who await the flag hoisting could be educated about India and its culture. I spoke to the officers, and they asked me to bring samples. So I bought around 20 canvases and litres of paint with my own money, and started making paintings about India in the beginning of 2019, he says. It was indeed a huge risk, but the frames were approved by the embassy and the series was displayed this year. The deep colours of Pushkar festival, the vibrancy of Giddha dance, lamps lining up Diwali celebrations, Taj Mahal and tuk-tuks are all part of Abishs Indian narrative. His childhood in Kerala is also reflected on canvaswith chendamelam, Kathakali and Theyyam being central attractions. The guests were quite curiousthey wanted to know the whereabouts of each painting. It was a great feeling to be introducing my country in front of the world, he says. The list of invitees for Anishs show included Polish celebrity Magorzata Pieczynska, Tsewang Namgyal, the ambassador of India to Poland, and Wieslaw Stypula, member of the Association of Poles who lived in India under the care of Maharaja Jama Digvijaysinhaji Saheb after World War II. Anish K G, hailing from South Pampady near Kottayam, is now taking international diplomats on a tour of Indian culture through his paintings Cheil India announced #ReduceTheMargin, a critical initiative tackling the cause of paper wastage and calling people out to be more responsible in their use of paper. Striking at the very core, the company has found a unique solution to this problem. They are targeting the 1.2 billion users of Microsoft and Microsoft itself. By downloading a widget from www.reducethemargin.com on ones computer, the default setting of MS Word automatically reduces the margin area by 25%. This helps in greatly reducing paper wastage while printing. Paper is one of the most widely used and abused items in our daily lives. In offices, homes, schools and other places of business, we end up wasting paper as much as using it. The average office goer uses 10,000 sheets of A4 copy paper a year for printing. Globally, the most favoured official software being Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word becomes the automatic choice in offices. What is cause for concern is the fact that the default setting of Microsoft Word leads to each printed page having a wasted margin area of approximately 38%. That is why they are targeting Microsoft, tweeting to them and trying to convince them to #ReduceTheMargin once and for all. The initiative has spread far beyond Cheil India. MG Motors, adidas, ITC, India Pictures, Experience Commerce, Conceptual Pictures and Atthah have joined the initiative. Speaking about the initiative, Emmanuel Upputuru, Chief Creative Officer, Cheil India said, While the world is dealing with problems like gender equality, climate change and racism, there are still other important issues that need our attention and solutions. I am absolutely delighted to see #ReduceTheMargin come alive. An action so simple anyone can take, including Microsoft! This digital product comes straight out of our core principle of Creativity + Technology. We demonstrated that with Samsung Good Vibes app, now this. There are more in the pipeline. Watch this space. To download and know more about the widget, log on to www.reducethemargin.com When Major Bloom opens the doors to its retail marijuana shops in Worcester and Attleboro, the company will have made its first sales months before. The business will have already launched online with an e-commerce shop, touting apparel and other items that will promote cannabis culture. But beyond that selection of curated merchandise, Ulysses Youngblood, the co-founder and president of Major Bloom, said the e-commerce store will be a driver to work with non-profit organizations. What we ultimately are going to do is take profits and proceeds from the lifestyle brand and put them back into non-profit organizations to help with our direct impact plan," said Youngblood. The e-commerce shop is expected to have a soft launch next month at themajorbloom.com, selling apparel and other items, like jewelry and a subscription to Broccoli, a magazine for cannabis enthusiasts that was created by women. Youngblood said the brand will also offer high-end items like leather goods. Major Bloom is working with the company Digital Retail Partners to design the apparel and launch the e-commerce store through the platform Shopify. In Canada, where marijuana is legal, Shopify is the online platform widely used for weed purchases. Regulations dictate that marijuana company logos cannot be on the apparel sold. For Youngblood, that meant an exciting opportunity to work with graphic designers from Digital Retail Partners and some of his own friends to create unique content with images and messages relating to cannabis culture. Our job is to provide a really good experience and be able to push the culture forward," Youngblood said. As the e-commerce store grows, Major Bloom hopes to establish partnerships with socially-conscious brands to curate more content for the cannabis community, Youngblood said. For one, living here and also opening a business here, raising a family here, teaching here, it means a lot to see things happening in the community that have a good social cause for it," said Youngblood, who lives in Worcester and teaches at Clark University. This isnt only just for Worcester. I think it goes to any community that has been impacted by the war on drugs or any community thats been disenfranchised. Youngblood said hes noticed that some cannabis companies in California have excelled at brand promotion to drive people to their dispensaries. But he says he has not noticed many companies looking toward e-commerce. Thats part of the reason why we did it, he said. I dont understand why other companies are not championing their direct impact plan and who theyre working with and what their social cause is but thats a gap we saw and were taking advantage of that. While the majority of items will be available online, Youngblood said he plans to have some exclusive items available for purchase inside Major Bloom retail stores. One benefit of this model is that items on the e-commerce store are taxed differently than THC products, which Youngblood said offers a better opportunity to share profits and resources with non-profit organizations. Entrepreneurship for All, or EforAll, is an organization that looks to promote economic and social impact in communities through inclusive entrepreneurship and is in Massachusetts communities like Lowell, Holyoke and Fall River. Its one of the organizations Major Bloom will help support through e-commerce, Youngblood said. Major Bloom is a certified economic empowerment applicant, part of a program to provide priority review to people and communities disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs. License applications for Major Blooms locations have been deemed complete by the Cannabis Control Commission. Youngblood said he hopes the businesses will open later this year. Related Content: Parents are refusing to let their children be treated by Asian doctors amid fears that they will contract coronavirus, say some medics. Some families at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital have been rejecting health professionals of Asian appearance with many asking if they have been tested for COVID-19. Staff also reported seeing patients refuse to share waiting rooms with Asian families after wrongfully believing that their ethnicity is linked to the virus. Patients at Melbourne's Royal Children's hospital have refused treatment from Asian doctors Families avoided doctors and patients of Asian descent amid coronavirus fears (file image) The director of emergency medicine at the Royal Children's Hospital, Stuart Lewena, said that the Department of Health were alerted after several staff members reported hearing racist comments. He explained that a doctor was told by parents of a child she was treating that they weren't comfortable with her treating their child due to the risk of coronavirus. Dr Lewena spoke at a press conference on Thursday and said: 'It was clear that message was sent on the basis of her race. We intervened to highlight to that family that wasn't acceptable and we've been supporting that staff member'. 'We want to use this as an opportunity to say that's not acceptable in healthcare and it's certainly not acceptable in our society.' Dr Lewena said three more staff members also came forward to say they had similar experiences. He told reporters that 'Paranoia around coronavirus is acceptable, but we need to be sensible and respectful in terms of how we go about dealing with it.' Health Minister Jenny Mikakos also noted that the racial fears in regards to coronavirus were unnecessary. 'There is no place for this behaviour in our public hospitals, there is no place for this in our broader community,' she said in a statement on Thursday. Melbourne's Children's Hospital launched an anti-racism warning on Thursday that criticized any abusive behaviour shown amid the coronavirus paranoia. Doctors around Australia have spoken out about being racially abused by patients. Gold Coast surgeon Dr Rhea Liang posted a tweet last month that said: 'Today a patient made jokes about not shaking my hand because of coronavirus. In front of my team. 'I have not left Australia. This is not sensible public health precautions. This is racism.' The Department of Health spoke out against racial abuse fueled by the virus (file image) Other doctors also reported being asked if coronavirus could be contracted from Chinese food or from sitting next to a person of Asian descent. Chinese citizens have faced a racist backlash across the world following the outbreak of the deadly virus. Restaurants in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam have all refused to accept Chinese customers and French Asians began a trending hashtag that said 'JeNeSuisPasUnVirus' ('IAmNotAVirus'). The risk of contracting coronavirus in Victoria is very low with only three people currently infected. They are all in isolation after returning from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. An employee of Chattanooga-based Steam Logistics said he was fired after alerting a female employee to alleged hanky panky involving the company president and COO Steve Cox. Gus Hopper filed the Chancery Court complaint against Steam Logistics. The suit, filed by attorney Joshua Ward, says Mr. Hopper worked at the firm from Jan. 5, 2017, until he was fired last April 5. In says in March of last year, Mr. Hopper and several other employees went on a company trip to Minnesota for an event called the "Polar Plunge." The suit says those attending also included Mr. Cox and Jensen Seymour. It says several of the employees were drinking alcohol. The complaint says Mr. Hopper observed Steve Cox and other employees using Jensen Seymour's phone to send text messages to a female co-worker. It says the messages were "flirtatious and suggestive." It says they sent the female employee photographs of Mr. Seymour with his shirt off and told her she would be a "popular jumper" at the Polar Plunge because she was a pretty girl. The complaint says they "asked her if she was wild, and told her he/they thought she was 'wild full time.' " The suit says, "It was apparent to Mr. Hopper that the text messages were inappropriate, and he believed that it was unfair to (the female employee) to receive and respond to text messages of this nature believing she was communicating with a particular co-worker when she was in fact communicating with several co-workers including the president and COO of the company that she worked for." It says Mr. Hopper texted the female employee "to let her know the truth" and he sent her a picture of the people engaged in the texting. The suit says the photograph shows Steve Cox typing into a cell phone while Mr. Seymour and another co-worker look at the screen. It says the text messaging ended soon thereafter. The suit says the female employee reported the text messages to human resources and she had a meeting with Adam Scherer, Steam Logistics' chief financial officer. It says she showed him the text messages. Later, Mr. Scherer told her he had investigated her complaint and determined that Mr. Seymour had been the one sending the text messages. Mr. Hopper was fired on April 5. He was told that it was because the company "felt he was unhappy," the suit says. It says when he requested a separation notice the listed reason was "poor performance." The complaint charges that the firm retaliated against Mr. Hopper for engaging in protected conduct in violation of the Tennessee Human Rights Act. Crew members from a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship off Japan began leaving the vessel Thursday for a new quarantine on-shore after passengers left the boat, the government said, as one new death was reported in northern Hokkaido. "Today, 240 crew members are leaving the ship and this disembarking operation will continue for a couple of days," a health ministry official told AFP. Those leaving the boat will be placed in medical observation for 14 days at government-designated dormitories before being allowed to leave Japan, they said. Hundreds of crew members of the Diamond Princess remained on the vessels to continue operations while Japanese officials placed thousands of passengers in a quarantine after the ship arrived at a port near Tokyo on February 3. But the quarantine has been heavily criticised after more than 700 people on board tested positive for the virus. Hundreds of passengers who tested negative were allowed to depart the vessel after the 14-day quarantine on-board, but several have since been diagnosed with the virus. The health ministry has also admitted that it allowed some travellers to go home without testing them during the quarantine period. The ship carried about 3,700 passengers and crew members when it reached the port of Yokohama. Several nations, including the US, Australia and the Philippines, have used chartered flights to repatriate hundreds of their citizens. Passengers and crew members who tested positive for the virus have been sent to hospitals in Japan. A total of four people who were hospitalised after being taken off the ship have died. Several government officials working on the ship have themselves contracted the infection, but authorities have defended a policy of not uniformly testing those working on the vessel, arguing that medical experts have the skills to avoid infections. Crew who show no symptoms will stay at National Tax College dormitories in Saitama, near Tokyo, for observation. Japan's government used the dorms to conduct a 14-day quarantine of some Japanese nationals who evacuated from Wuhan and its surrounding areas of China, the epicentre of the outbreak. Hokkaido Governor Naomichi Suzuki announced on Thursday a man in his 80s infected with the virus has died, bringing the death toll outside the ship to four. Many public elementary schools and junior high schools in Hokkaido were closed as the governor has requested the public schools to be closed for about a week. The city of Osaka also said it will close its kindergartens, elementary and junior high schools from Saturday for two weeks, according to public broadcaster NHK. Aside from the cruise ship, Japan has seen at least 186 cases of infections among the general population. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday brought back the accused Aman Lohia and his minor daughter to India from UAE (Dubai). As per Delhi High Court order, CBI had registered a case against Aman Lohia for allegedly kidnapping his minor daughter from the guardianship of Kiran Lohia (mother of the minor). In December last year, the investigative agency had conducted searches at the residence of Aman Lohia, who allegedly kidnapped his minor daughter over a custody battle. The CBI had searched the residence of Aman and his father Ajay Prakash Lohia in Delhi's Vasant Vihar area and their offices in Kolkata. The CBI had taken over the case from Delhi Police on September 11, 2019. The agency had registered a case against Aman Lohia and others under Sections 120b (criminal conspiracy), 361 (kidnapping from lawful guardianship), 363 (kidnapping), 365 (Kidnapping with intent to wrongfully confine person) of Indian penal Code (IPC). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [February 27, 2020] Canon UVgel Ink Technology Receives Avery Dennison ICS Performance Warranty Certification For The Colorado 1650 MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, joins its colleagues in Canon Europe in the announcement that Avery Dennison has awarded its ICS Performance Guarantee to applications printed on the Colorado 1650 with UVgel 460 inks. Canon introduced the Colorado 1650 at Fespa in Munich last year and started installing commercial placements immediately after that. The company worked closely with Avery Dennison to obtain the formal certification of the Colorado 1650's UVgel 460 inks, which are now in the Avery Dennison ICS warranty program with Performance Guarantee status. This means that outdoor applications are warranted for up to five years and indoor up to eight years, depending on the type and combination of Avery Dennison media and laminates. "The Colorado 1650 continues to help customers create revenue opportunities through expanded applications potential and new features such as double-sided printing, and the ability to print matte or gloss without changing inks or media. At the same time, the Colorado 1650 helps to lower costs with reduced ink usage, automation, unattended printing, and consistency of output, helping to reduce rework. Additionally, customers can enjoy the peace of mind of guaranteed compatibility and superior performance when printing on Avery substrates," said Peter Kowalczuk, President, Canon Solutions America. Paul Roba, Avery Dennison's OEM Relationship Manager commented: "With the Colorado 1650 printer and th UVgel 460 ink, we are excited to add a unique high-quality print production platform to our extensive Integrated Component System Warranty Program. We continue to provide thoroughly tested solutions to our Print Service Providers, increasing confidence in graphic performance and identifying throughput improvement processes." The ICS Performance Guarantee combines films with other qualified components to form a system which is guaranteed to be compatible and provide superior performance. This system reflects many years of joint developmental work between Avery Dennison and industry leading printer, ink and clear coat manufacturers. To learn more about the program click here. About Canon U.S.A. Inc. Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. With approximately $33 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents granted in 2019 and was named one of Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies in 2020. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss and follow us on Twitter @CanonUSA. About Avery Dennison Avery Dennison Corporation is a global materials science and manufacturing company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company's products, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications; tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical and retail applications; tags, labels and embellishments for apparel; and radio-frequency identification (RFID) solutions serving retail apparel and other markets. Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company employs approximately 30,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2018 were $7.2 billion. Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office. Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. Colorado and UVgel are trademarks or registered trademarks of Canon Production Printing Netherlands B.V. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canon-uvgel-ink-technology-receives-avery-dennison-ics-performance-warranty-certification-for-the-colorado-1650-301012771.html SOURCE Canon U.S.A., Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] By Kim Young-un Kim Young-un, assistant professor at the University of Nottingham China The economic impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak, newly coined COVID-19, is rippling through China's neighboring countries. South Korea is predicted to be hit hard due to its heavy trade reliance on China, both in terms of exports and imports. This means disruption and revenue losses for South Korean firms. The degree of the impact on firms will vary depending on industry, internationalization strategy, and supply chain structure. Due to travel restrictions and shut down of stores, China's local consumption has plummeted, meaning South Korean products will likely be unsold and stocked up. As China is South Korea's largest export market, taking over 25 percent of total exports, this will surely have an impact on South Korean firms' bottom line. From the import side, South Korean firms are highly reliant on China's intermediate manufactured goods as China takes up more than 40 percent of Asia's global supply chain. Texts sent by Johnny Depp during his relationship with Amber Heard are "very damaging" to his libel case against a British tabloid, the UK High Court has heard. The Hollywood actor is suing the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article which alleged he had been abusive to his former wife. At a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, Mr Justice Nicol heard 70,000 text messages were "accidentally" disclosed to the defendants by Mr Depp's former legal team. Adam Wolanski QC, representing News Group Newspapers, told the court the texts are "very damaging" to Mr Depp's case. The barrister said the messages included texts sent to actor Paul Bettany, in November 2013, in which Mr Depp wrote: "Let's burn Amber". He also wrote: "Let's drown her before we burn her!!! I will f*** her burnt corpse afterwards to make sure she is dead." Mr Wolanksi said that, in a further text to Mr Bettany in May 2014, he wrote: "I'm gonna properly stop the booze thing darling ... Drank all night before I picked Amber up to fly to LA, this past Sunday. "Ugly, mate... No food for days... Powders... Half a bottle of whiskey, a thousand red bull and vodkas, pills, two bottles of champers on plane and what do you get...??? "An angry, aggro Injun in a f*****' blackout, screaming obscenities and insulting any f*** who got near... I'm done. "I am admittedly too f***** in the head to spray my rage at the one I love... for little reason, as well I'm too old to be that guy. But, pills are fine!!!" Mr Wolanski said the "significance" of the messages is that Mr Depp's case is that he was not drunk on that flight, while Ms Heard claims he slapped and kicked her and threw his boot at her before passing out in the toilet. The barrister added: "His version of events is that he was quietly sketching during the flight." Mr Wolanski said there was another text message from Mr Depp to Ms Heard in March 2013, following an incident in which she claims he assaulted her during a row over a painting, in which he referred to the evening in question as a "disco bloodbath" and "horrendous moment". The barrister also referred to texts sent by Mr Depp's nurse during a 2014 "detox trip" to the Bahamas, in which she revealed that he was "manic... full on - flipping out" and said he was "angry with everyone but mostly himself". David Sherborne, representing Mr Depp, said there is "no single smoking gun" in any of the evidence disclosed so far which supports Ms Heard's claims Mr Depp was violent. "Nowhere, I repeat, nowhere, is there a single smoking gun, text or email, no document - unlike Ms Heard's own taped confession we looked at before - there is no document where Mr Depp says 'I hit Ms Heard' let alone 'I hit her on numerous occasions'." Mr Sherborne said there is no document is because Mr Depp "simply never did it so they (the defence) are not going to find it." He said the defendants had the opportunity to look at 70,000 messages and had only found these few. Mr Sherborne added: "The idea that somehow these texts contradict the account (given by Mr Depp) and are therefore so critical to the defendants' case just simply isn't made out." The barrister said Mr Depp's witness statement claims it was "physically impossible" for him to do the things Ms Heard accused him of on that flight, and that two other witnesses supported his account. Mr Depp, wearing a suit and blue-tinted glasses, sat in court behind his lawyers throughout the hearing. The 55-year-old denies the allegations of domestic abuse and has accused Ms Heard of being the "aggressor" in their relationship, which ended in May 2016. The court was told he stopped using law firm Brown Rudnick on February 11 and is now represented by Schillings. The star's libel claim arises out of publication of an article in The Sun in April 2018 under the headline "Gone Potty How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy' casting wife-beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?" Mr Sherborne told the court the words "wife-beater" were later removed from the article online. The court previously heard Mr Depp's case is that the article bears the meaning that he was "guilty, on overwhelming evidence, of serious domestic violence against his then wife, causing significant injury and leading to her fearing for her life, for which the claimant was constrained to pay no less than 5 million to compensate her, and which resulted in him being subjected to a continuing court restraining order; and for that reason is not fit to work in the film industry". A trial of the libel claim is due to start on March 23 and last for 10 days, during which a number of witnesses will give evidence - including many over video link from California. Mr Depp has brought separate libel proceedings against Ms Heard in the US, which Mr Sherborne said are "ongoing". Mr Depp and Ms Heard met on the set of 2011 comedy The Rum Diary and married in Los Angeles in February 2015. In May 2016 Ms Heard obtained a restraining order against Depp after accusing him of abuse, which he denied. The couple settled their divorce out of court in 2017, with Ms Heard donating her 7 million settlement to charity. A federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that the Trump administration can withhold funding to states who do not assist with federal immigration policies, handing the Trump administration a victory in the sanctuary cities-related case. A three-panel judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals of the 2nd Circuit overturned a lower court decision that ordered the Justice Department (DOJ) to release the funds held under department policy. The lower court ruled the department lacked the authority to impose several immigration-related conditions on a federal grant program, known as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (or the Byrne JAG). The Byrne JAG grant program, administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), was created to provide states and local government funding to support a number of initiatives including law enforcement, prosecution, and court, prevention and education, and other related areas. In the fiscal year of 2018, there was $269 million available under the program, according to BJA (pdf). In 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions took steps to clamp down on so-called sanctuary cities, jurisdictions that shield illegal aliens from federal immigration agents. The department imposed three conditions on the grant program that state and city applicants had to comply with. The conditions required states and cities to remove any restrictions on communication between state and local agencies and officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); give DHS access to detention facilities to interview inmates about their immigration status; and give DHS at notice when a wanted alien is scheduled to be released from a detention facility. Seven states including New York and New Jersey then sued the department in 2018 asking for injunctive relief from the three conditions. The district court ruled in favor of the states, blocking the department from enforcing the conditions on the challengers and ordering the department to release funds to them. Upon appeal to the 2nd Circuit, the judges reversed the decision, ruling that the plain language of the relevant statutes authorizes the Attorney General to impose the challenged conditions. We cannot agree that the federal government must be enjoined from imposing the challenged conditions on the federal grants here at issue, Justice Reena Raggi, a President George W. Bush appointee, wrote in the opinion (pdf). These conditions help the federal government enforce national immigration laws and policies supported by successive Democratic and Republican administrations. But more to the authorization point, they ensure that applicants satisfy particular statutory grant requirements imposed by Congress and subject to Attorney General oversight. Nor can we agree with the district court that the challenged conditions impermissibly intrude on powers reserved to the States, the judge said. The 2nd Circuit ruling goes against rulings from three other appeals courtsthe 9th Circuit, 7th Circuit, and 3rd Circuitthat have upheld injunctions blocking the enforcement of some or all of the DOJ conditions. The DOJ spokesperson said in a statement sent to The Epoch Times that the decision rightfully recognizes the lawful authority of the Attorney General to ensure that the Department of Justice grant recipients is not at the same time thwarting federal law enforcement priorities. The grant conditions here require states and cities that receive DOJ grants to share information about criminals in custody. The federal government uses this information to enforce national immigration lawspolicies supported by successive Democrat and Republican administrations. All Americans will benefit from increased public safety as this Administration is able to implement its lawful immigration and public safety policies. While todays ruling is a major victory for Americans, its full scope will not be realized until the practices of granting nationwide injunctions and associational injunctions are stopped, as certain cities that are parties to this judgment may nonetheless use rulings from other courts to evade these lawful conditions, the spokesperson said. The Epoch Times contacted the offices of the state attorneys general. New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times that he was disappointed by the ruling. Even though todays court decision has no immediate impact, were nonetheless disappointed by the ruling, Grewal said. The Justice Department is holding hostage millions of dollars in grant funding that our state and local law enforcement partners rely on to carry out their public safety mission. Its unfortunate that the federal government has decided to weaponize the federal grant funding process in order to carry out the Presidents anti-immigrant agenda, but Im confident that we will ultimately prevail in the courts. Meanwhile, spokespeople from the Rhode Island attorney general office and New York State attorney general office told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that they were reviewing the decision to decide on options. White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement following the decision that they were pleased by the Courts decision and remain committed to ensuring that no jurisdiction has license to nullify Federal law or deprive American Citizens of their fundamental rights. Sanctuary jurisdictions deliberately imperil the safety of the American people by releasing criminal aliens onto city streetsinstead of handing them over to Federal authorities, Grisham said in the statement. Since taking office, President Trump has made clear that his administration would not allow these lawless jurisdictions to heartlessly inflict pain and suffering onto our communities. Todays unanimous decision by the Second Circuit upholds the Department of Justices lawful authority to require jurisdictions that receive Federal grant money under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to obey the law and not impede the removal of criminal aliens, she added. Charlotte Cuthbertson contributed to this report. This article was updated with statements from the White House and New York State attorney general office on Feb. 27. From The Epoch Times Ukraine in world's top 3 poultry meat suppliers to EU in 2019 report 22:30, 27.02.20 1691 Last year, Ukraine increased exports to the EU by 8.6%. Some species of moths can absorb as much as 85 per cent of the sound that hunting bats pitch and reflect off the insects to locate them, according to a study which may lead to advanced, bio-inspired acoustic camouflage technology. The study, published in the journal Royal Society Interface, revealed that the moths, which are unable to hear the ultrahigh frequency calls of bats, evolved this defensive strategy to help them survive. According to the researchers, including those from the University of Bristol in the UK, bats produce high frequency sound to search for and find prey, putting huge predation pressure on nocturnal insects. Countering this, they said, many nocturnal insects evolved the ability to hear the ultrasonic calls of bats, which allows them to actively evade approaching bats. However, many moth species, the study noted, cannot hear, and have a different mechanism to defend against bats. The researchers discovered that the scales on the midsection of the moths Antherina suraka and Callosamia promethea looked structurally similar to fibres that humans used as noise insulation. They measured that the scales on the body of a moth absorb as much as 85 per cent of the incoming sound energy. These scales, the study noted, can reduce the distance within which a bat would be able to detect a moth by almost 25 per cent, potentially offering the insect a significant increase in its survival chances. "We were amazed to see that these extraordinary insects were able to achieve the same levels of sound absorption as commercially available technical sound absorbers, whilst at the same time being much thinner and lighter," said Thomas Neil, lead author of the study from Bristol University. "We are now looking at ways in which we can use these biological systems to inspire new solutions to sound insulating technology and analyse the scaling on a moth's wing to explore whether they too have sound absorbing properties," Neil said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is hitting the road again and will pull into The Shops at La Cantera on Saturday, March 21. The visit allows fans to stock up on sweets and merchandise. Onboard the truck will be collectibles, giant cookies and key chains. If that's not enough, macarons, headbands and T-shirts will also be available. SAN FRANCISCO DNA sequencing giant Illumina on Monday introduced a powerful new line of its instruments, bringing down the average time of sequencing a human genome to one hour from more than one day just a couple of years ago. The San Diego companys announcement is the latest step toward the dream of making genomic analysis a near-universal part of medicine, enabling easier and less costly detection of rare diseases and the ability to link genetic variations with health and illness. As sequencing prices fall and capacity rises, uses of the technology that were once impractical become feasible. And one day, Illumina chief executive Francis DeSouza said, the companys NovaSeq line is expected to reduce the cost of sequencing to $100 per human genome. That would be one-tenth the figure that Illumina announced in 2014, when it achieved the milestone of $1,000 per genome. A decade ago, the expense was about $10 million. The $100 mark could be reached a few years from now, DeSouza implied in his talk at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. That was the same conference Illumina used to introduce its $1,000-busting version of its HiSeq line. The NovaSeq line needs to be optimized, just as with the HiSeq one, he said. Advertisement Illumina said shipping of the NovaSeq 6000 is scheduled to start in March and that NovaSeq 5000 will begin shipping midyear. The NovaSeq 5000 and 6000 systems are priced at $850,000 and $985,000, respectively. These machines can also be purchased individually, unlike the HiSeq line, and that could expand the number of medical and research institutions that could afford them. The lowest price for HiSeq Illuminas former top-end system is a base $6 million for a set of five machines. Originally, the system sold in sets of 10 for $10 million a system. Illumina is headquartered in San Diego. (courtesy photo ) Biotech researchers regard Illumina as the dominant maker of DNA sequencers. With a market value of more than $20 billion, Illumina is also the biggest publicly traded biotech company in San Diego County. Its value is based on both its continued technological progress and the demand for these advancements in the biotech sector. Investors appeared to like the announcement, which was made after the close of regular trading Monday. Illuminas shares rose in after-hours trading to $165.01 each, up $23.47 or 16.6 percent. More uses The greatly increased sequencing speed will enable more applications and a larger scale for genomic sequencing for medicine, said genomics pioneer J. Craig Venter, whose Human Longevity company in La Jolla has already ordered the new system. Venter, who helped lead sequencing of the first human genome, has been an Illumina customer for years. Faster, inexpensive and innovative sequencing technology is a key component driving breakthroughs in precision medicine, said Venter, referring to the growing push by scientific, medical and government leaders to customize medical care for each person. This technology is also enabling (Human Longevity) to expand (its) database, the worlds most comprehensive database of genomic, phenotypic and clinical data. RELATED STORY: Illumina diving into chip-based sequencing RELATED STORY: Obama unveils precision medicine plan More precise and thorough DNA sequencing is a major part of the precision-medicine field, with the goal of taking every medically significant fact learned about a patient and using that knowledge to select the best treatment for him or her and to develop new treatments based on the resulting knowledge. Two years ago, President Barack Obama introduced the federal Precision Medicine Initiative to lead and coordinate efforts in the government and private sector. In addition, Illuminas high-volume, industrial-capacity sequencing machines are key to ever-growing research efforts to look for genetic patterns and variants among millions of people that could unlock mysteries about the causes of various diseases. In San Diego, a $207 million effort to deeply explore the health of 1 million patients is being led by Dr. Eric Topol, a Scripps Health cardiologist and geneticist. The grant from the National Institutes of Health is part of the federal initiative that Obama rolled out. Studies like this one reflect the other side of DNA sequencing making sense of what all the huge amounts of generated data actually mean. Such analysis imposes its own costs, which arent included in the raw price tag of a sequenced genome. Topol said the reduction in cost will allow many more labs and companies to enter the high-level DNA sequencing market, although he believed the expense is still high. The $100 genome that the Illumina CEO projected is speculation, Topol said. Someday well get there, for sure. But when, and with which platform, remains to be seen. Entire genome A human genome contains about 3 billion letters of the genetic alphabet the string of A, C, G, and T that represent genes and other elements of DNA. Processing this information takes immense computing power. And because actual genes represent only a small percentage of the DNA in a genome, many diagnostic tests keep costs down by focusing only on that part, which is called the exome. However, scientists have discovered medical significance in numerous stretches of DNA outside of genes. These important areas are missed in exome sequencing. DeSouza said the increased capacity brought about by NovaSeq should help make full-genome sequencing more affordable and thus more routine. One use of this increased capacity is to conduct repeated genomic sequencing of cancer patients, whose tumors frequently mutate. Being able to keep up with the mutations will allow doctors to better guide therapy, such as by discovering when cancer cells have become resistant to certain drugs. Science Playlist On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1020 To wit, the day before Meghan first appeared on @KensingtonRoyal in November 2017, the account gained 981 followers, bringing its audience to just under 2.27 million. The day Meghans engagement was announced (her debut appearance on the account), it gained 104,092. It kept gaining, steadily and in occasional frenzied bursts. Over the three-day period that consisted of Meghan and Harrys wedding weekend in May 2018, plus the Monday morning release of their nuptial portraits, @KensingtonRoyal acquired more than 1.5 million new followers. In the period after Meghan was effectively incorporated into @KensingtonRoyal, that accounts following more than tripled in size. For the remainder of 2018, the two couples surfaced on their single account smiling radiantly or, on the prescribed days, staring off in solemn remembrance in an easy rhythm. The impression was of companions casually interspersed throughout one anothers lives, locked in a perpetual couples staycation behind the walls of their shared palace, with participants slipping out now and then to pursue their philanthropic passions. In 2019, however, Harry and Meghan began a process of gradual separation. They extricated themselves from their joint royal household arrangement with William and Kate, moving their administrative offices out of Kensington Palace, and hiring new staff. They formed a charitable foundation separate from the one William and Harry had founded in 2009, which had been the locus of both couples philanthropic efforts. And, most visibly, on April 2, they introduced a stand-alone Instagram account. Though Meghan was by no means a global star before her marriage, she had maintained an active and successful personal Instagram account, its profile buoyed by her regular role on a moderately popular American cable legal drama. That account boasted around 2 million followers before its deletion following her engagement (not far from the approximately 2.27 million followers @KensingtonRoyal had when the engagement was announced). From its very first post, Harry and Meghans new Sussex account was distinct from @KensingtonRoyal and seemed unmistakably the work of an Instagram veteran. It established a signature color palette (royal blue) and typography (a hybrid of caps-locked roman and lowercase italics). These kinds of personalized elements were absent from @KensingtonRoyal. The Katsina State Police Command in Katsina State said they have killed 17 suspected bandits and recovered 189 rustled animals in Kankara local government area of the state. This was contained in a statement issued by the police spokesman of the command, Gambo Isah, a superintendent of police, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Katsina. Today being 27/02/2020 at about 03:00hrs, a distress call was received that bandits in their large numbers armed with AK 47 rifles stormed Gurbi village, Kankara local Government Area of Katsina State. They killed four persons and rustled large number of domestic animals after they received a fierce resistance by the local vigilante groups, he said. Mr Isah explained that the state Commissioner of Police, directed DPO Kankara Division to lead Operation Puff Adder in collaboration with Vigilante groups to the scene. READ ALSO: He said the team engaged the bandits in a shootout. He noted that the team succeeded in killing 17 suspected bandits and recovered 80 cows, 108 sheep and a donkey from the hoodlums earlier carted away from the village and other neighbouring villages. Mr Isah further revealed that three other persons from the team sustained various degrees of injuries during the encounter. He added that some of the bandits managed to escape with gunshot wounds. The police spokesman said that the operatives were now combing the nearby bushes for arrest of the fleeing bandits. (NAN) The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) plans to set no limit on foreign ownership in fintechs. The foreign ownership ratio limit of 49 percent was mentioned last year in the draft decree to replace Decree 101 on non-cash payment. However, the limitation is not included in the latest draft version. Explaining this, SBV said intermediary payment is a new type of service which runs on the basis of technology, so foreign investment plays an important role in market development. If the foreign ownership ceiling is removed, payment services, including electronic money transfer, e-wallet, payment portal and finance switching services can call for foreign capital. The foreign ownership ratio limit of 49 percent was mentioned last year in the draft decree to replace Decree 101 on non-cash payment. However, the limitation is not included in the latest draft version. This will give opportunities to Vietnamese firms to both get more investment capital and learn experience and technology from foreign enterprises. And this comes in line with the current digital economy development trend. In case of VietUnion, in order to develop Payoo e-wallet in the last 10 years, the business decided to call for investment from the Japanese NTT Data. The foreign partner has over 50 percent of capital in Payoo and its presence has helped Payoo become one of the top five businesses in the e-payment service sector. The five names include Payoo, MoMo, SenPay, Moca, AirPay and Zalo Pay. It requires huge investment to develop e-wallets, including financial resources, technology, and high-quality labor force. If Vietnam doesnt set limits on foreign ownership ratio, this will attract experienced and powerful players from markets such as India, Malaysia and Japan, which will help Vietnams fintech industry develop, according to Urata Kentaro from VietUnion. A report found that investment capital poured into Vietnams fintechs in 2019 accounted for 36 percent of total investment capital in Southeast Asia, a sharp rise of 30 times compared with the year before. The $100 million investment in MoMo e-wallet by a foreign fund and the $300 million investment in VnPay were among the biggest deals. Vietnamese enterprises will not be able to build a payment product that is both fast and secure for customers, said Le Anh Huy, deputy CEO of FPT Wallet, whch owns Senpay. Some experts commented that even if SBV sets limits on foreign ownership in fintechs, foreign investors will still find their way to own intermediary payment service providers in Vietnam. If so, it would be even more difficult to control fintechs. At present, all the five biggest e-wallets in the market have foreign capital with an ownership ratio of over 30 percent. The ratio in oneif the E-wallets is 90 percent. The five biggest players now hold more than 90 percent of the share of the market of 29 players. Kim Chi Banks, fintech firms promote cashless payments during epidemic To prevent the spread of the new strain of coronavirus in Vietnam, customers are encouraged to adopt cashless payment methods. Newscity NM Sues Google Last week, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas sued Google, claiming the company is violating federal and state laws by collecting children's personal data. The Associated Press reports that the lawsuit accuses Google of spying on children through an education services package that it offers to school districts and teachers called Google Education. The free package features tools for educators to centralize their class projects, assignments, forms and other files in a single place. Balderas claims that the suite also gives the company access to monitor the browsing habits of students and teachers in the classroom and at home while on a private network. The suit alleges that Google is collecting data that includes physical locations, browsing history, saved passwords and contact lists. In a press release, Balderas said that by collecting data from children under the age of 13, Google is violating the Federal Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act and New Mexicos Unfair Practices Act. Student safety should be the number one priority of any company providing services to our children, particularly in schools, said Balderas. Tracking student data without parental consent is not only illegal, it is dangerous; and my office will hold any company accountable who compromises the safety of New Mexican children. Balderas' offices notified schools that there was no immediate danger in continuing to use the apps and said the lawsuit should not interfere with daily instruction at schools. TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canadas (PDAC) 2020 Conventionthe worlds premier mineral exploration and mining eventwill commence this weekend in Toronto, marking its 88th year. Every year the PDAC Convention injects upwards of $70 million into the local Toronto economy. The PDAC Convention is the one event the worlds mineral exploration and mining industry cannot afford to miss, and 2020 will be my 32nd consecutive year attending, says PDAC President Felix Lee. It is an opportunity for industry professionals to gather and best position themselves and their companies for the year ahead. Toronto is the mining investment capital of the world and Canada is home to more than half the worlds mining and exploration company headquarters. More than 25,000 attendees from over 132 countries are consistently represented at the PDAC Convention, and some of the top reasons for this are the networking, investment and learning opportunities, adds Lee. Its a historical and iconic event that we are proud to offer on behalf of the sector each year. A topical lineup of programs, short courses, speakers, investment opportunities and events are available for attendees, reflecting the current trends and issues facing the industry. PDAC 2020 Convention highlights include: The PDAC 2020 Convention takes place March 1-4 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Visit www.pdac.ca/convention for more information. General public welcome to attend. About the PDAC The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is the leading voice of the mineral exploration and development community. With over 7,500 members around the world, PDACs work centres on supporting a competitive, responsible, mineral sector. Please visit www.pdac.ca . Media contact Kristy Kenny +1 (416) 807-8214 kkenny@pdac.ca A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/639a5e58-6675-4b7a-a4ea-45a8228ef5a1 The cases filed against Aarey metro car shed protesters will be withdrawn within a month, Maharashtra Minister Satej Patil said on Thursday. Patil, the Minister of State for Home, made the remarks after meeting some of the protesters here. Thereis a due process to withdrawthe cases. I spoke to them (the protesters who met him on Thursday) on the issue. I assured them that the word we gave to them on behalf of the Maha Vikas Aghadi will be kept. "The cases will be withdrawn in the coming one month, Patil told reporters outside the state legislature building in south Mumbai. The MumbaiPolice had filed cases against several protesters, including green activists, in October las year after they hit the streets to oppose felling of trees in the Aarey Colony, a green belt in suburban Goregaon, to make way for a car shed which is part of the metro-3 project. The Supreme Court ordered a stay on the deforestation activity in the days that followed, but over 2,000 trees had already been cut down by authorities by then. The Shiv Sena-led MVA government, which assumed office on November 28 last year, had in December announced withdrawal of the cases filed against metro car shed protesters. These cases were filed when the BJP-led government was in power. Protesters were booked under IPC sections related to unlawful assembly and assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging duty, among others. Felling of trees had drawn sharp criticism from non- BJP parties, including the Shiv Sena which was a constituent of the saffron alliance government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Clarissa Manuel Foundation announces new youth program initiative - Young Cultivated Minds of the Future (YCMF) LONG BEACH, Calif. - Feb. 26, 2020 P.O. Box 90816 Long Beach, CA. 90815 president@clarissamanualfoundation.org FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE: Friday, February 26, 2020 Long Beach, California - Feb. 26, 2020 - The Clarissa Manuel Foundation is a public non-profit institution focused on preventing the further deterioration of the community through educational and enrichment programs. The foundation is named in honor Beginning with the current version of Microsoft Edge, Microsoft will begin blocking adware, Bitcoin miners, and other unwanted apps that sometimes accompany apps that users download from the web. Microsoft Edge version 80 contains a new Settings menu with the option to Block potentially unwanted apps, which works in conjunction with Windows Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to detect and warn against what Microsoft calls PUAs, or Potentially Unwanted Apps. (Microsoft has listed what it considers to be common PUAs here.) If turned on, Edge will block these apps by default, though youll have the option to override Microsofts decision and allow the app to download and install. Microsoft Microsofts new PUA protections live in the Settings menu. The new option takes Windows own built-in protection in a different direction. To date, Microsofts efforts have been focused primarily on malware. The companys answer to that has been the Microsoft Store, which has a list of curated apps that Microsoft has already approved. But far more applications can be downloaded from third-party app stores or from the web itself, where users must depend on the trustworthiness of the apps author. Microsoft If Edge detects a PUA, it will pop up this notification. You can click the ellipsis menu to white-list it. Microsoft makes clear, moreover, that PUAs are not malware, per se. Adware or cryptominers dont necessarily harm your PC; they simply slow it down. Some anti-malware applications already identify applications like cryptominers and block them. Microsofts code now attempts to sniff out piggybacked applications that come bundled with apps that are otherwise harmless. Edges protections against PUAs are off by default, though they can be turned on by going to Edges Settings menu, then to Privacy and Services > Services > Block potentially unwanted apps. If a PUA is detected, youll see a notification, like the images shown in this article. Youll then have the option to reject the app entirely, or let Microsoft know that its okay to download. Microsoft will take this feedback and incorporate it, Microsoft said in a blog post. The CPI(M) and Nationalist Congress Party also asked Shah to resign, taking responsibility for the violence. New Delhi: More than 72 hours after riots broke out in several areas of northeast Delhi, the Opposition came out with its first credible reaction on Wednesday as Congress president Sonia Gandhi addressed one of her rare structured press conferences, where she demanded the resignation of Union home minister Amit Shah for the violence in the national capital. The CPI(M) and Nationalist Congress Party also asked Mr Shah to resign, taking responsibility for the violence. The Congress plans to march to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday and put forward their demands on the situation in Delhi. Other Opposition leaders, like Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, LJPs Sharad Yadav, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury as well as leaders of the DMK and NCP have also sought time from President Ram Nath Kovind. On Wednesday, the Congress Delhi unit also organised a peace march from the AICC headquarters. Many senior leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, joined the march, which was stopped at Janpath, where Ms Vadra sat on a dharna. Earlier, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee was held, after which Mrs Gandhi addressed possibly her first structured press conference at the AICC office. The CWC observed a minutes silence over the Delhi deaths. Alleging there was a well-planned conspiracy behind the violence, Mrs Gandhi demanded the immediate resignation of the home minister. After reviewing the situation, the CWC is of the firm opinion that what has happened in Delhi is a colossal failure of duty for which the entire responsibility must be borne by the Central government, and particularly the home minister, and calls upon the home minister to tender his resignation immediately, Mrs Gandhi said, reading out the CWC resolution. She also attacked the Aam Aadmi Party, asserting that chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his government are equally responsible for not activating the administration to reach out to the people to maintain peace and harmony. It is the collective failure of the two governments that has resulted in a great tragedy in the capital city which threatens to become worse by the day, she read out from the CWC resolution. Mrs Gandhi also called out BJP leader Kapil Mishra for his statement that she claimed incited the violence in the city. The conspiracy was witnessed during the Delhi polls and BJP leaders gave hate speeches, creating an atmosphere of fear and hatred. On Sunday, a BJP leader has given an inflammatory speech by giving a three-day ultimatum to the Delhi police, she said. The BJP hit back, accusing the Congress president of playing dirty politics by targeting the Narendra Modi government over the violence in Delhi. Addressing Congress workers who sat on dharna with her at Janpath, Ms Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the Centre of having failed to maintain peace in the capital. She also accused the government of having destroyed Delhi, where people come from across the country in order to seek employment. The CPI(M), meanwhile, demanded that the Army be deployed immediately to contain the situation. There is nothing spontaneous about the violence. On Sunday, local BJP leader Kapil Mishra made a provocative speech in the presence of a senior police officer at Jaffrabad, threatening to remove anti-CAA protesters. Yet the police was unprepared to meet the situation, the CPI(M) politburo said in a statement. CPI general secretary D. Raja said: The line of raj dharma is being violated again, now in Delhi. Canadian actor Saul Rubineks role of a Polish Jew who hunts down Nazis in the new series Hunters hits close to home. Oscar-winning Get Out writer-director Jordan Peele executive produced the Amazon Prime Video drama, about a group of vigilantes pursuing escaped Nazi officials who are conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the U.S. in the late 1970s. Rubinek plays a weapons expert and Polish-born Holocaust survivor alongside Carol Kane as his wife. Rubineks real-life daughter, Hannah Reid Rubinek, co-stars as the daughter of the couple, who are recruited to be a part of the Nazi-hunting group by Al Pacinos Holocaust survivor character in New York. Rubinek says he relates to the material because his own parents survived the German occupation of Poland during the Second World War and were hidden by a couple in order to survive for two and a half years. Rubinek was born in a refugee camp in Germany and immigrated with his parents to Canada, first to Montreal and then Ottawa, in 1949. I auditioned for the series, but it was kind of like I was born to play it, Rubinek said in a recent phone interview from Los Angeles, where he now lives. My first language is Yiddish and the character is a Polish Jew whose first language is Yiddish and comes to America. Rubinek also felt another profound connection to the shows look at the complexities of confronting evil. Rubinek said when his daughter was 13 he presented a documentary hed made about his parents experience, titled So Many Miracles, to her classroom to help the students understand the Holocaust and inspire them to investigate their own family history. But the situation became particularly difficult when they found out that one of Hannahs classmates was the great-granddaughter of someone in the Nazi Partys SS organization. That was to the courage of that classmates mother, who was willing to open up and find out about her own grandfather and to share it, Rubinek said. So when showing the documentary, there was my daughter, a granddaughter of victims, and the great-granddaughter of a perpetrator, who were essentially holding hands watching this film. And that then comes to roost here in this series. Because this is a series about the consequences of that kind of horror, both from the point of view of people who want to create a new world order, and their own misguided and fanatical idealism, and also from the people who want revenge for what happened in the past and find that there are profound ramifications for using violence as a way to justify their revenge. So you look into the abyss, with the risk that the abyss looks back at you. David Weil, whose grandmother survived the Holocaust, created the series. The show combines scenes of horrific violence, both contemporary in nature and through flashbacks to the Holocaust, along with dark humour and comic book-style touches. The museum of the Nazi German Auschwitz death camp has expressed dismay over a scene that shows a murderous game of human chess being played there, insisting that no such thing took place at the camp. In last weeks interview, Rubinek said he hadnt yet watched the series, but hed read it all and felt it was very provocative and bound to offend all kinds of people. And he was in support of its multi-faceted storytelling techniques that use all the tools in their tool box to tell the story in an entertaining and a profound way. There are a lot of people who are Holocaust deniers out there and also were living in a world where anti-Semitism, anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, anti-otherness has become the norm, Rubinek said. Were in a world of increasingly right-wing nationalistic governments that tend to divide people and create a hostile environment for people that dont think or look like you. So a show like this that deals with trying to stop a Fourth Reich which has its own racial purity designs on their idea of a better world going all over the world as a television series is bound to do some good, especially since its not simplistic and the bad guys are not just monsters. If they were just monsters, they would be easy to explain. Theyre not, theyre human beings. And the people that are after them are human beings and they have to pay consequences for how they go after them. Read more about: Turn this small-time indie project into reality by supporting the Kickstarter here , watching the trailer on YouTube here , and visiting the brand new Steam page here . Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Member of the Executive Council, and Chairman of Department of Community Development today honored the Grand Challenge team winners Czech Technical University-University of Pennsylvania-NYU and winners of the three Challenge categories at the three-day US$5-million Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC) 2020 that concluded in Abu Dhabi, organizers Khalifa University of Science and Technology announced. The winning teams in all three categories Challenge 1, 2, and 3 also received awards from H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili at the ceremony. His Excellency Hussein Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Steering Committee General Chair, MBZIRC 2020, Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Steering Committee General Co-Chair, and His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla, Steering Committee Member, were present. Others who attended the ceremony included UAE government officials, Challenge partners, stakeholders from the academia, research, and industry, as well as all the MBZIRC 2020 team members. The Czech Technical University-University of Pennsylvania-NYU team won the first position in the Grand Challenge. The University of Bonn team came second, while the combined team of Universidad Politecnica Madrid-Universidad Pablo Olvide Poznan University of Technology- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique won the third place. The Beijing Institute of Technology topped Challenge 1 category with the Czech Technical University-University of Pennsylvania-NYU team and the University of Tokyo in the second and third places, respectively, while the Czech Technical University-University of Pennsylvania-NYU team won the Challenge 2 category with Nimbro (University of Bonn) and Technical University of Denmark in the second and third places. Challenge 3 was won by University of Seville-Tecnico Lisboa-CATEC team, while the Technical University of Denmark and the University of New South Wales-Sydney tied for the second place. The 32 finalists, representing 17 countries, were shortlisted out of 134 teams from across the globe that applied to compete in MBZIRC 2020. Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi said: The second edition of MBZIRC has emphatically placed MBZIRC as one of the most prestigious competitions in robotics and artificial intelligence globally, while positioning Khalifa University as the leading higher education institution driving innovation in all areas of science, engineering, and newly-emerging technologies. Dr. Al Hammadi added: Congratulations to all the winners of MBZIRC 2020, especially the Grand Challenge winner and winners of all three Challenge categories. However, all the participating teams deserve credit for their commitment, determination and perseverance during the competition, consistently raising the bar of excellence as displayed by various autonomous drones. Through this Challenge, we have witnessed how technology continues to evolve and we firmly believe the advancements demonstrated by these UAVs and UGVs will very soon become part of our everyday lives. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires With a fiscal breakeven oil price of just over US$87 per barrel (pb) of Brent this year, around 85 per cent of its revenues still coming from the hydrocarbons sector, but only around five billion barrels of estimated proved oil reserves (barely the 22nd largest in the world), the sultanate of Oman has long been looking for some way to safeguard its financial future. Against the backdrop of an increasingly geopolitically polarised Middle East between pro-Saudi and pro-Iranian factions, Oman appears to be seeking to solidify its image as a relative regional safe-haven in order to achieve this financial goal. A slew of announcements in recent weeks support this re-positioning. In basic terms, Oman has a huge natural advantage in pursuing this strategy, which is simply its geographical position. It has long coastlines along the Gulf of Oman and along the Arabian Sea, away from the extremely politically sensitive Strait of Hormuz. These offer largely unfettered access to the markets of South Asia, West Asia, and Africa, as well as to those of its neighbours in the Middle East. It has also been careful not to clearly align itself with either the pro-Saudi Arabian countries in the Middle East (or with the U.S.), including the UAE and Kuwait, or with the pro-Iranian countries in the region (or with Russia), including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the remainder of the Shia crescent of power. There has been talk and some action off and on over the years about an Iran-Oman gas pipeline finally going ahead but since the re-imposition of sanctions by the U.S. in 2018, Oman has let the matter slide. Instead, the Sultanate has sought to develop three elements to financial stability. The first involves focussing on the development of value-added products in the petrochemicals sector rather than on unrefined crude oil flows or gas exports, with the focus being the multi-layered Duqm Refinery and future Duqm Petrochemicals projects (including the tangential Ras Markaz oil storage terminal project, and the Muscat-Sohar Product Pipeline project). The second is deepening its relationship with China, both in terms of hydrocarbons and petrochemicals exports and infrastructure projects relating to the One Belt, One Road programme. In the hydrocarbons sector alone, as of the end of January, Omans daily production of crude oil and condensates stood at 958,270 barrels, with Chinese demand accounting for over 85 per cent of all this output. And the third is ensuring that none of the resultant revenues are frittered away on unexplained project expenses or vanity projects. Related: Major Bank Sees Abysmal Demand Growth For Oil A perfect example of first two points is Omans focus on the US$3.6 billion Liwa Plastics Project industrial complex near the Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Companys Sohar refinery in the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm. This is specifically designed to enable Oman to capitalise on the synergies with the refinery and the market for plastics in China, the fastest-growing market for these products in the world. At the same time, Oman recently announced that it has increased the planned investment in the flagship Duqm Refinery and future Duqm Petrochemicals projects from the initial US$6 billion (for the Refinery element) to a combined US$18 billion. This will enable downstream production to increase from its current 15 million tonnes to 24 million tonnes by 2030, while the commodity sales volumes will nearly double from 21 million tonnes to 40 million tonnes by the same date. To further tie China in to the future economic stability and well-being of the Sultanate, Oman has signed a land lease agreement to establish a huge industrial park in Duqm that will allow a number of Chinese companies to invest in the Sultanate to the tune of at least US$10 billion in the first instance. Although initially focussed on expanding the capacity and product capabilities of the Duqm Refinery and associated operations, the deal then pans out into a much broader range of projects in three areas - heavy industrial, light industrial, and mixed-use - all of which will be ready within the next five to 10 years. In the light industrial zone there will be 12 projects, according to Yahya bin Said al Jabri, chairman of the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm, including the production of 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar power units, and the production of oil and gas tools, pipelines and drilling equipment. The mixed-use sector will focus on projects designed for the tourist trade, including the construction of a US$150 million hotel on a 10 hectare area, US$100 million to build a hospital, and US$15 million towards a school. The heavy industry sector will also see 12 projects, dealing with the production of commercial concrete, building materials and related industries, production of glazed glass, methanol and other chemicals. In addition, the site will cater for steel smelting, aluminium production, production of vehicle tires, building materials for protection against water and corrosion, extracting magnesium from seawater, and various chemical-aromatic projects. At the same time, though, there will be none of the wasteful spending that is often seen surrounding such projects in other countries in the region. Some time ago, the Sultanates Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council announced that it had formed a specialised working group to study public spending and the means to reduce it, and the Omani government announced that it would apply zero-based budgeting in the ninth five-year plan of approving allocations for development projects only after all feasibility studies and real cost analysis of each of them had been completed. The Council also underlined that it aimed to avoid having any additional requests for funding from developers after any project had been started. Related: Oil Price Forecasts Take A Turn For The Worst Similarly forward-looking, though, Oman appears cognisant that although China will remain a key partner in its future in all economic spheres, other partner options also need to be developed in tandem. Specifically, the last few weeks have seen the development of Omans first-ever deepwater oil well, and by non-Chinese partner, Italys Eni. Earlier this month, a drillship chartered by Eni Oman began drilling activities in Block 52, a vast deepwater concession that extends off the Sultanates southern and south-eastern seaboard, according to the companys managing director, Salvatore Giammetti. Also earlier this month, Omans Oil & Gas Ministry signed a new exploration and production sharing agreement (EPSA) with a joint-venture consortium comprising French super-major, Total, and Thai state-owned PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), for the rights to explore and develop the non-associated gas resources within Block 12. With an eye to future such investments, Oman also announced a few days ago that Masirah Oil Limited (MOL) has successfully completed the drilling of an appraisal well in Block 50, with first oil already flowing. According to government statements, the Yumna-1 well, located 30 kilometres off the Sultanates east coast near Masirah Island, was spudded on 26 December, and has tested so far at a production rate of 11,843 stock tank barrels of oil per day through a one-inch choke, with a crude oil gravity of 42 degrees API. In the meantime, a second exploration well drilled in the concession has successfully reached a well target depth of more than 3,000 metres into the Cambrian formation and a restricted flow rate of 3,500 barrels per day of light oil of high quality without associated water has begun. Currently, OilPrice.com understands from sources in Muscat, all of the oil now flowing is being stored temporarily on board Aframax tankers. In broader terms, a Muscat-based legal source familiar with the governments plans told OilPrice.com last week, the spudding of the new appraisal well and the corollary success of the venture so far bodes well for a push in the coming weeks to entice further major foreign oil and gas industry players to sign EPSAs both in the Yumna oilfields and elsewhere in the country. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A Government review into the future of radio will assess the impact of streaming and new technologies on the industry. It aims to protect the future of radio and will examine listener trends in the industry, as well as how media organisations should adapt in line with new challenges and opportunities over the next decade. The industry has been altered by smart speakers in homes and online audio platforms, according to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The terms of reference of the review have been agreed between the department and media organisations in the radio industry. The focus of the review was agreed between DCMS and the industry (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Media Minister John Whittingdale said: Ever since Chelmsford in Essex became the birthplace of radio in 1920, radio has demonstrated its ability to adapt and compete with new technologies. Im very pleased to bring together key partners so that we can collectively look ahead to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for the UKs cherished radio and audio sector. The review will be published in March next year. Travis Baxter, content and external affairs director at Bauer Media, which operates Absolute Radio and Kiss FM, said: Digital innovation is delivering great opportunities for the radio industry and digital listening continues to grow apace. Now is the time to ensure we work together to assess and understand the wider future landscape and harness the full potential of existing and new technologies for a vibrant UK radio and audio sector. JELDAK, Afghanistan Their young bodies are as broken as the bomb-pocked 40 miles of highway they guard. Some are missing fingers, others a leg or an eye. Many carry multiple scars and the ringing sound of the last explosion trapped in their heads. Most have not been home in years to go home is to drive into Taliban territory. So their mothers come to them once in a while, with dried fruit or embroidered tunics. A brief truce has brought this battle-weary unit of the Afghan police, holed up in their hilltop outposts in Zabul Province, an unexpected respite from the daily attacks they had come to see as inevitable. It is the final days before a peace deal between the United States and the Taliban insurgency is expected to be signed, and the partial cease-fire that was set as a precondition seems to be holding. The police on this remote, southern battlefield suddenly have time for questions they once hardly imagined asking: Could there really be peace? What would that be like? Wouldn't like to pre-empt any findings of Court of inquiry as it is a very fair process: IAF chief on chopper Abhinandan Varthamanan: This year, that year, the dog fight which took down a Pak F-16 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 27: To avenge the attack at Pulwama, India hit the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror facility at Balakot on February 26 2019. A day later on February 27 2019, the entire nation went through some tense moments, when an Indian Air Force pilot, Abhindan Varthamanan was captured by Pakistan. On February 27 2019, 24 fighter jets took off from Pakistan and flew towards India. These included the US made F-16 Fighting Falcons. The Indian Air Forces, Netra Surveillance system detected 10 F-16s taking off from airbases in Pakistan. The IAF swung into action and scrambled the MiG 21 Bisons, Sukhoi Su-30MKIs and Mirage 2000s. The Balakot strike: India now sets the deadline for Pakistan India sent out an alert message to Pakistan asking them to return. As per protocol India sounded a second alert, but the Pakistan jets entered Indian airspace. Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is a father of two children, who graduated from National Defense Academy in Kadakvasla. Prior to his foray into national defense, he was a student in Sainik Welfare school in Amaravathi Nagar, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The IAF pilot was captured by Pakistan after an air combat. The aerial combat that led to his capture was a testament to the commanders Moxey who stuck to his guns and remained undeterred in his duty to protect the Indian air Space from invasion. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 The borders were on high alert and by around 9.45 am on Wednesday, the radars picked up blips of a possible intrusion. At around 10.00 hours, three F-16s of the Pakistan Air Force violated Indian air space and entered into the Nowshera sector and dropped bombs. The IAF got into action and scrambled its MiG 21s squadron. Wing Commander Abhinandan took off in one of the MiG 21 Bisons. The operation was not going to be an easy one as Abhinandan was flying a vintage MiG Bison in comparison to the advanced F-16s. It's akin to bringing a knife to a gun fight but it's the knife that he had and he had to wield it to the best of his ability. Pakistan's target was to engage the Indian Brigade HQ and Army Installations. The Indian Air Force scrambled jets to take on the incoming fighters. Two MiG 21s were sent from Srinagar and the Sukhoi 30 MKI went airborne. The MiG 21 flown by Abhinandan managed to reach the spot in time to intercept one F-16 D Wing Commander Abhinandan remained steadfast in his mission, stayed in hot pursuit of a Pakistani F-16 jet, which he eventually engaged with an R-73 air to air missile. The Pakistani Air Force strike package also had four Mirage-3 aircraft and four Chinese made JF-17 Thunder fighters to escort the F-16s. Terror business as usual at Balakot a year after it was hit It was clearly a risky proposition, he could have turned away at any given moment. However, the Commander had a job to do, a country he had sworn to protect, and he wasn't about to quit. He valiantly pursued the Pakistani aircraft, despite, the dire warning issued by another aircraft part of the Indian formation about the presence of Pakistani fighters. He continued the hot pursuit and locked the F-16 on his radar. He pushed home the attack and fired an R-73 air to air missile. While this brought the F-16 down, it also exposed Abhinandan's wing to PAF missile, following which he was forced to eject and land into the Pakistan side of the Line of Control where he was captured. Pakistan was clearly looking to hit Indian military installations, but due to the heroic feat by Wing Commander Abhinandan and the presence of the Indian Air Force, Pakistan missed all the targets. Before being captured the brave-heart displayed the utmost courage, resilience and did not give in easily. He fought his captors, fired in the air, swallowed important documents before it could get into the enemy's hands. He did all this while he was profusely bleeding after the incident. He was surrounded by the locals who were threatening to attack him. He fired some gunshots but to no avail. He then jumped into a pond where he pulled out the documents and maps. He swallowed some and the rest he soaked into the water, ensuring that the enemy got nothing from him. Explained: This day that year, when India hit Pakistan at Balakot Abhinandan who has been around the air force block for 16 years, is from Chennai. He is the son of a decorated former fighter pilot, Air Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman. Abhinandan joined the National Defence Academy in 2000 and was commissioned as a fighter pilot in 2004. He was as a Su30MKI pilot before he started flying the MiG21s. Abhinandan always drew inspiration from his father, who was commissioned as a fighter pilot in 1973. He has to his credit nearly 4,000 flying hours. Varthaman senior commanded the Western Sector during Operation Parakrama in 2001, the military buildup after the Parliament attack. WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Cory Booker will deliver the keynote address here next month when Syracuse University presents its annual prize for the nations best political reporting. Booker, a Democrat from New Jersey, ended his campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination in January. He will speak March 30 at the annual dinner where SUs S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications honors the winners of the Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting. The prize honors the life and work of Robin Toner, the 1976 SU graduate who became the first woman to serve as national political correspondent for The New York Times. Toner died of cancer in December 2008. Previous keynote speakers at the awards ceremony include Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Kasich and SU law school graduate Joe Biden. In 2016, Obama gained national attention for his keynote speech at the prize ceremony when he warned about the corrosive effects of the divisive and often vulgar rhetoric in American politics and the presidential campaign. This is the first year that the Toner Prize will be awarded in two categories, one for national political reporting and one for local political reporting. Each prize winner will receive $5,000. The winners will be announced at the dinner, 6 p.m. March 30 at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: 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. Asserting that freedom of expression cannot be banned, a Pakistani court on Thursday asked the law enforcement agencies to inform it whether there is any "specific threat" to a women rally scheduled to be held on March 8. The Lahore High Court was hearing a petition filed by Judicial Activism Council Chairman Azhar Siddique seeking a ban on the 'Aurat March', claiming that there are various anti-state parties present who are funding the rally with the sole purpose of spreading anarchy among the masses. The petitioner termed the march "against the very norms of Islam" and that its hidden agenda is to spread "anarchy, vulgarity and hatred" in the society. The rally, which first started in 2018, has now become an annual event held on March 8, coinciding with the International Women's Day. The march seeks women empowerment by highlighting their rights. The representatives of the federal and Punjab governments appeared before the high court on Thursday and submitted their reply in the case. During the hearing, Siddique alleged that during last year's march, women were holding "vulgur" placards, which defamed the country as well as Islam. "We want the court to ban vulgarity and un-Islamic activity in the name of 'Aurat March'," he said. Advocate Hina Jilani, who was representing the 'Aurat March', said Pakistani women are holding the rally to highlight the importance of women in the society and their rights. She said last year's march was held in a peaceful manner and the petition against it is filed with a malafide intention. This year the march will be held on a Sunday, so it has no impact on business activity, Jilani said. Adjourning the hearing till March 3, Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh observed that freedom of expression cannot be banned and directed the police and the Federal Investigation Agency to inform it on next hearing whether the 'Aurat March' has any "specific threat" from extremists or clerics and the security measures taken by police. According to a report in the Dawn newspaper, on March 8 last year, women across Pakistan came together to participate in the march. However, the backlash against the march and its organisers was swift. The backlash began with a trickle of comments on Twitter and Facebook, then escalated as people began faking and doctoring images of posters to circulate them on social media and stir up further controversy, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha on Thursday, just two days prior to the signing of a landmark peace deal between the US and the Taliban in the Gulf nation's capital to end the brutal war in Afghanistan. Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Sheirda Al-Kaabi received Khan at the airport. "Arrival at Daiwan-e-Amiri & Meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani," Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party said in a tweet accompanied by a short video of the meeting. Earlier, the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement the focus of Khan's visit will be on "strengthening the bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on regional developments". This is the second visit of Prime Minister Khan to Qatar after taking office in 2018. The Emir of Qatar visited Pakistan in June 2019 and the trip resulted in strengthening the bilateral economic collaboration in diverse areas, the statement said. Khan's visit comes as the US is set to sign a historic peace deal with the Taliban on Saturday provided that a week-long reduction in violence across Afghanistan holds. The Taliban has also confirmed the plan to sign the peace deal that day. Qatar has invited Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to attend the peace deal signing ceremony in Doha. US President Donald Trump said on Monday in India that the landmark Afghan peace deal had received "tremendous support". Trump's remarks came after the US and the Afghan Taliban started a seven-day partial truce ahead of the possible peace deal to end more than 18-year-long war. The longstanding war has killed tens of thousands of civilians and Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Some 2.5 million Afghans are registered as refugees abroad and another two million are displaced within their country. The agreement struck during talks between the US and the Taliban, if maintained, may secure a peace deal that would lead to a withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, fulfilling a campaign promise of President Trump. The US currently has reportedly less than 14,000 troops in Afghanistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 20:55:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Refugees from Syria are seen at a temporary settlement in Hatay, Turkey, on Feb. 26, 2020. As Russian-backed Syrian attacks are prompting a refugee exodus in Idlib province, the last rebel-stronghold of the war-torn Syria, Turkish officials are wary of a new humanitarian crisis unfolding at their country's sealed gates. (Xinhua/Wang Feng) HATAY, Turkey, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- As Russian-backed Syrian attacks are prompting a refugee exodus in Idlib province, the last rebel-stronghold of the war-torn Syria, Turkish officials are wary of a new humanitarian crisis unfolding at their country's sealed gates. "It seems like there are around 1.5 million people who are near our borders. Turkey is currently not allowing any entry and we are supporting this position," Lutfu Savas, major of Turkey's Hatay province, located on the Syrian border, told Xinhua in an interview. "We think it's best to offer these people all the necessary accommodation on the other side of the border within a safe zone that the Turkish government wants to establish," he pointed out, adding that all crossings from the Syrian sides have been halted at least six months ago. Hatay is one of the cities in Turkey that hosts the greatest number of a total of 3.7 million Syrian refugees, causing economic and social consequences, disrupting the city's and surrounding region's demographic tissue, the mayor said. "We host some 500,000 guests who constitute nearly a third of our population," Savas said, noting that due to financial difficulties, the expense of caring for the refugees creates a very serious burden on the border province and its local people. Hatay is a relatively small province and job opportunities are consequently fewer, and local young people are left unemployed because Syrians will accept any job, mostly illegal, and will not have to pay taxes, Savas pointed out, complaining about unfair competition. The mayor insisted however that despite social problems, there had been no "major" incidents nor violence in Hatay because of the region's historical multicultural tolerance, located at the crossroads of many civilizations over the centuries. The Syrian government's assault to retake the rebel-held territory has created since December one of the worst humanitarian emergencies of the nine-year civil war amid fears that NATO member Turkey, who has send thousands of troops into Syria to halt the offensive, might also be entangled in clashes. Nearly a million Syrians have fled toward the border with Turkey over the past three months. Many are living in makeshift tents or in the open, with reports of babies dying from freezing nighttime temperatures. The exodus is the largest of a war that has displaced 13 million people and taken hundreds of thousands of lives, and ranks among the largest in recent history. With about three million residents trapped between a closed Turkish border and shelling from government forces, the crisis has the potential to grow far worse as the government battles to reclaim all of Syria, said observers. During a speech in parliament on Wednesday, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan touched upon the "big humanitarian crisis" in Syria and said it is out of the question to accept more Syrians amid rising anti-refugee sentiment in Turkey. Turkey has been hailed internationally for its hospitality towards Syrians but the sheer number of Syrians scattered across the now saturated country have caused social tensions and in some places violence between refugees and locals. "We cannot handle another million, it is not possible to silently accept these people in our country," he said a few hours before a new round of talks between Turkish and Russian delegations in the Turkish capital Ankara to find a solution to the Idlib crisis. Experts have expressed pessimism regarding finding a solution any time soon to the humanitarian drama in Idlib, arguing that it would only be solved in the framework of a concerted political dialogue between belligerents parties in the country, which seems very unlikely at this stage. "Turkey's fears are understandable, the new burden arising in Syria is certainly not something that Turkey can handle on its own, international support is imperative," Didem Isci, a researcher from the Ankara-based think-thank Bosphorus Migration Studies (BMS), told Xinhua. This expert on migration issues underlined that while there is not an organized anti-refugee sentiment in Turkey, the Ankara government is domestically under pressure of rising hostility towards Syrians at a time when the country is slowly recovering from a recession. "There is an absolute need for burden sharing from the European Union especially, but is seems that there is also discord within the Union, but a just share of the burden is a must, otherwise we can only expect the worst," Isci added. Frustrated over lack of international response, Erdogan has threatened to "open the gates" to Europe for Syrian refugees if the EU doesn't provide additional support for them. [February 27, 2020] STL and VMware to Collaborate on 5G Access Solutions for Telcos and Large Enterprises SANTA CLARA, California and PUNE, India, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- STL (NSE: STRTECH), a global data networks innovator, today announced it will collaborate with VMware, a leading innovator in enterprise software, to develop virtual network functions for 5G Access Solutions for converged wireline-wireless technology. Once available, these solutions will help easy single-click installation of complex 5G rollouts for Telcos and Large Enterprises. STL has built network virtualisation functions for Transport and Access Solutions. These solutions are based on software-defined Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS) fundamentals where the control plane elements and the orchestration can reside either in the central office, edge/far edge data center or central data center. The forwarding elements can be placed based on the application design requirements. Since both the control and forwarding planes are disaggregated, this makes the solution flexible, scalable and programmable. With this collaboration, STL will leverage VMware vCloud NFV to install, manage and maintain the environment for network microservices such as switching, firewall, etc. The solution will enable STL to provide a commercial and stable release to Telco and Large Enterprise customers who are looking for a commercial rollout in the next few quarters. This shall also help customers reduce capex and move to a subscription model as hardware and software modules can be added over time ina cloud native application for FTTX, Radio Intelligent Controller, RAN Orchestration, Metro DWDM, and other use cases. "We continue to drive relentless innovations to develop end-to-end network solutions for our customers. VMware provides the world's leading cloud virtualisation platform and we are delighted to partner them and together deliver 5G Access Solutions for Telcos and Large Enterprise customers. The combined offerings will bring a full stack of solutions for a converged wireline-wireless network for the industry and further increase our overall addressable market," said Dr. Badri Gomatam, Group CTO, STL. "VMware vCloud NFV provides compute, storage, networking, management and operations capabilities, which along with the development capabilities that STL brings to our collaboration, will help provide an integrated solution to Communication Service Providers. With STL's programmable network function suite across wired-wireless network deployments running on top of VMware Telco Cloud, we are in an advantageous position to support our mutual customers for their future network requirements," said Gabriele Di Piazza, Vice President of Solutions & Marketing, Telco and Edge Cloud, VMware. About STL - Sterlite Technologies Ltd: STL is a global leader in end-to-end data network solutions. We design and deploy high-capacity converged fibre and wireless networks. With expertise ranging from optical fibre and cables, hyper-scale network design, and deployment and network software, we are the industry's leading integrated solutions provider for global data networks. We partner with global telecom companies, cloud companies, citizen networks and large enterprises to design, build and manage such cloud-native software-defined networks. STL has innovation at its core. With intense focus on end-to-end network solutions development, we conduct fundamental research in next-generation network applications at our Centres of Excellence. STL has a strong global presence with next-gen optical preform, fibre and cable manufacturing facilities in India, Italy, China and Brazil, along with two software-development centres across India and one datacentre design facility in the UK. STL.tech |Twitter | LinkedIn |YouTube VMware, vCloud, and vCloud NSX are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other jurisdictions. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/876464/Sterlite_Technologies_STL_New_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Musician Tanya Tucker (L) and executive Peter Nygard attend the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 07, 2016 in Louisville, Ky. (Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Churchill Downs) FBI, NYPD Raid Fashion Mogul Peter Nygards Manhattan HQ in Sex Trafficking Probe Federal agents and New York police officers on Feb. 25 raided the Manhattan offices of the Canadian fashion retailer Peter Nygard as part of an investigation into allegations he trafficked and sexually assaulted dozens of teenage girls and women. The search followed a raid on his Los Angeles home on Monday night and came after 10 women filed a lawsuit earlier this month accusing the fashion mogul of sexually assaulting them. Some of the women said they were minors at the time of the alleged assault, claiming Nygard gave them alcohol or drugs and then raped them. The plaintiffs, who were unnamed in the lawsuit, claim Nygard lured young, impressionable, and often impoverished children and women to his Bahamas estate with drugs, money, and promises of modeling opportunities. The lawsuit also accuses the businessman of sex trafficking in Lyford Caya private gated community located on the western tip of New Providence, Bahamas. It accuses Nygard of enticing women to attend pamper parties in the compound attended by prominent political figures, and then sexually assaulting them. Several of the young women were forced to stay at one of his properties and perform sex acts, the lawsuit says. The Finnish-born multimillionaire took away their passports when they were flown into the Bahamas and expected a sex act before he was willing to consider releasing any person from his estate, the lawsuit alleges. It also claims some of the women were forced to recruit new victims, and that Nygard kept a database on a corporate server containing the names of thousands of potential victimssome 7,500 underage girls and women. Some complaints in the lawsuit date back four decades. Nygard denied the sex-trafficking claims through a spokesman, calling them fabricated and manufactured. Nygard welcomes the federal investigation and expects his name to be cleared, the spokesman, Ken Frydman, said in an email. He has not been charged, is not in custody and is cooperating with the investigation. The spokesman said that Nygard is not surprised by the raids. Frydman said Nygard, who is estimated to be worth at least $700 million, will step down as chairman of Nygard companies and will divest his ownership interest. He added that Nygard doesnt want his legal battles to distract employees, who rely on the company for their livelihoods. His company, Nygard International, which he founded in 1967, owns brands including ALIA, Bianca Nygard, Tan Jay, and SLIMS. It began in Winnipeg as a sportswear manufacturer. Its website says its retail division has more than 170 stores in North America. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Advertisement For 21 devastating days, Australia watched in horror as more than half of Kangaroo Island was reduced to cinders after a catastrophic bushfire ripped through 211,000 hectares. Two people lost their lives and families were forced to flee, leaving animals and belongings behind, as they escaped to the mainland. Now remarkable pictures show both the devastation and a glimmer of hope for the future, as residents begin to recover from this season's unprecedented fires. The suffering began on January 4, when a fire killed celebrated bush pilot Dick Lang, 78, and his son Clayton, 43. The fires, described at the time as 'virtually unstoppable', tour through their community as the men made the brave decision to stay and fight - but were overrun by flames as they drove along the highway. With a perimeter of 640km, the bushfire scorched 210,712 hectares of land and destroyed at least 56 homes over the course of three weeks. They were finally extinguished on January 21, after endless hours of toil by exhausted firefighters. Owners of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, Sam Mitchell (pictured, left) his wife Dana (right) and son Connor (centre) stand at the edge of the fire ground in Parndana Two kangaroos are nursed back to health at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park. They are the lucky ones, after 90 per cent of the island's koala population was wiped out The Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park has treated 600 animals since the fires, 95 per cent of them being koalas. Swatches of national park were lost, including Flinders Chase, killing tens of thousands of native animals as well as farming livestock. Experts believe around 90 per cent of its koala population is now dead - with only 5,000 koalas left out of the original 60,000. But the island's economy is reliant on agriculture and tourism, which is worth an estimated $180 million, so residents are scrambling to rebuild as soon as possible. The South Australian Tourism Commission launched the #BookThemOut campaign to encourage tourists to visit the bushfire affected areas in the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island, with the recent Kangaroo Cup Racing Carnival reaching record attendance this past weekend. However, with the island known to be a popular tourism destination for Chinese tourists the local industry is now also being heavily affected by coronavirus. Despite a mammoth effort head, locals are rallying round to rebuild their devastated communities and care for the injured wildlife. A bushfire damaged car sits in front of a gutted property at the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat, on the edge of the Flinders Chase National Park Yucca plants spring back to life among the bushfire damaged trees and flora along the South Coast Road towards Flinders Chase National Park Sam Mitchell, owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, releases a koala back into native bushland. He is one of the lucky 10 per cent of koalas who survived the fires The usually lush landscape of Vivonne Bay is seen after the devastating three weeks of fires on Kangaroo island. Around half of Kangaroo Island, including much of the Flinders Chase National Park, was burnt Signs of regrowth are seen among the bushfire affected blue gum forestry west of Parndana. Two people lost their lives, while tens of thousands of native animals and farming livestock were also killed Vet nurse Nikki Anderson of Zoos SA weighs a male koala affected by the recent bushfires at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park Bushfire damaged land is seen from Stokes Bay Road on Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island's economy is reliant on agriculture and tourism, worth an estimated $180 million Penny Lenehan Hawser, a ranger and keeper from Australia Zoo, assists the Kangaroo Wildlife Park team in koala care. Tens of thousands of koalas were killed during the fires A young boy jumps off Vivonne Bay Jetty into the water on Kangaroo Island, as locals start to tentatively return to their normal lives A koala affected by the recent bushfires is released back into native bushland following treatment at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park Dana Mitchell, owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park feeds a koala joey affected by the recent bushfires inside the joey hospital alongside her son Connor A kangaroo is seen at the bushfire damaged Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat at the edge of Flinders Chase National Park Penny Lenehan Hawser, a ranger and keeper from Australia Zoo, assists the Kangaroo Wildlife Park team in koala care, feeding them by hand Young boys swim around Vivonne Bay Jetty, as residents of Kangaroo Island begin to return to their normal lives after suffering three weeks of devastating bushfires Signs of regrowth are seen among the bushfire affected blue gum forestry west of Parndana. Around half of the island was burnt by the bushfires Barry Smith, a long time local and survivor of the 'Ash Wednesday Fires' walks through his bushfire damaged property in the Stokes Bay region Young koalas affected by the recent bushfires sit amongst eucalyptus in a recovery pen at the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park A kangaroo is seen at the bushfire damaged Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat at the edge of Flinders Chase National Park Veterinarian Dr Elise Nishimoto of Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic and vet nurse Nikki Anderson of Zoos SA discuss treatment to a male koala A blue gum forest, west of Parndana, is starting to recover from the bushfires - with hopeful signs of regrowth after blazes tour through Kangaroo Island Bushfire damaged property owned by Barry Smith, a long time local and survivor of the 'Ash Wednesday Fires' in the Stokes Bay region Dana Mitchell, owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park feeds a koala joey affected by the recent bushfires inside the joey hospital Along with other kindhearted animal experts, Dana Mitchell - owner of the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park - has been nursing the koalas back to health Dianne Hakof, Hospital Manager Zoos SA and Veterinarian Dr Elise Nishimoto of Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic apply treatment to a male koala A glimmer of hope is seen in the form of regrowing leaves in the bushfire-affected gum forests west of Parndana on Kangaroo Island A kangaroo is seen at the bushfire damaged Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat at the edge of Flinders Chase National Park, which has destroyed by bushfires Children are playing in the water at Vivonne Bay Jetty, as residents of Kangaroo Island start to return back to their daily lives Russia respects the sovereignty of all countries and the Delhi violence is an "internal" matter of India, a Russian Senator on Thursday said. Member of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and Deputy Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Andrei Klimov, also met representatives from five political parties, including BJP, Congress and AAP. In the meeting, Klimov said it was decided to hold inter-party conferences. Responding to a question on Pakistan, Klimov said peaceful cooperation between India and Pakistan is in best interest of both the countries. On the recent violence in Delhi, Klimov called the violence an "internal" matter of India. "We respect sovereignty of all countries, including India, but it is a matter of internal affairs of India and I am not a prosecutor or judge. It is story about internal life of India but we are against any kind of extremism," said Klimov in an interaction with reporters. Thirty-eight people have been killed and over 200 injured in the communal clashes that broke out in northeast Delhi three days ago after violence between anti and pro Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A skull and bones belonging to a missing 18-year-old have been found inside the lion enclosure of a safari park in Pakistan. Muhammad Bilal was reported missing on Tuesday from his family home in Lahore after going out to gather fodder for their cattle. Skeletal remains of the teenager was discovered inside an enclosure housing four lions at the Lahore Safari Park on Wednesday. A skull and bones belonging to 18-year-old Muhammad Bilal who went missing in Pakistan on Tuesday have been found inside a lion enclosure at a safari park Park workers searching for the teen discovered the grisly remains on Wednesday morning along with scraps of his clothing (pictured), which is how he was identified Bilal's relatives had gone to the park on Tuesday night to demand that workers look for him, but they refused - saying it was too dangerous to start a search in the dark. When workers went out on Wednesday morning they discovered the bones along with scraps of clothing. The boy's father identified his son's remains from the clothing. Family members accused the safari park of negligence, but police said Bilal climbed into the lion enclosure looking for cattle fodder Furious relatives then ransacked the park, where Bilal often did odd jobs, accusing staff of incompetence. But police later told The Times that they had seen security footage of the teenager scaling the perimeter fence and said his family were aware he had gone there. Chaudhry Shafqat, deputy director of Lahore Zoo Safari, had earlier rejected suggestions that security at the zoo was inadequate. He suggested Bilal could have been killed before his remains were thrown to the lions, but later said he had also seen footage of the teenager climbing into the enclosure himself. Safwan Subhan, who chairs the Pakistan Wildlife Foundation, added: 'People from nearby villages enter the park and responsibility lies on them too.' The bones have been sent for testing to confirm the identity, and rule out any suspicion of foul play. Appointment 27 February 2020 Hilton's Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah has appointed Miguel Duarte Silva as its F&B director. In his role, Silva will lead the F&B team, managing its 10 F&B venues, including Lexington Grill, Umi and Marjan. A culinary veteran, Silva first entered the F&B world at 18 where he was already a restaurant owner in Portugal. By 23 he had four restaurants and by 28 he made the move to the hospitality industry. Since arriving in Dubai in 2015, Silva has worked as operations manager for Grosvenor House, helping in securing Toro Toro multiple awards. He has also managed the teams at Belgian Beer Cafe, Cargo, Maison Mathis and Le Petit Belge. MANSFIELD, Texas A Texas teacher who alleged she was discriminated against because of her sexual orientation has reached a settlement with the school district. Stacy Bailey, who is an art teacher at Mansfield Independent School District, will get a letter of recommendation and a $100,000 payment to her and her attorney as part of the settlement. The school board approved the settlement Monday. All parties deny any wrongdoing or liability, but wish to resolve their disputes to avoid the time, expense, stress and other impacts of continuing litigation, which would interfere with the mission of educating the students of MISD, said Donald Williams, associate superintendent of communications and marketing for the district, in a statement. Bailey filed a federal lawsuit against the district in 2018, The Dallas Morning News previously reported. The agreements the district and I made in this settlement are a positive first step in making things better for gay employees, gay students and gay families in Mansfield, Bailey said in a statement. Bailey was placed on paid administrative leave for about eight months during the 2017-18 school year after a parent complained that she was promoting the homosexual agenda' to students at Charlotte Anderson Elementary School in Arlington. She had shown her students pictures of her then-fiancee Julie Vasquez. District officials had argued that it was not discrimination but about whether or not Bailey broke district policy that required controversial subjects be taught in an impartial and objective manner. Eventually the district renewed Baileys teaching contract in 2018 and moved her to Lake Ridge High School. The settlement also required documentation of Bailey being placed on administrative leave be removed from her record. The districts human resource and counseling staff must undergo training about LGBTQ issues in school as well as optional training for administrators, educators, staff and parents in the district. The board of trustees will vote on whether to add a prohibition of sexual orientation discrimination to school policies within two months of the end of the current Supreme Court term this summer. This settlement is a win-win for Stacy and the educators and students in Mansfield ISD, Jason Smith, Baileys attorney said. The Judges decision in this case sends a message to school districts all across this country: The Constitution protects gay teachers from discrimination. A blast of winter weather has led to a number of mid-Michigan school districts staying closed Thursday, Feb. 27. Kearsley Community Schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 27th, due to dangerous road conditions, reads a post on the districts Facebook page Wednesday night. Caro, Atherton, Bendle, Owosso, Davison, Goodrich, Morrice, Carman-Ainsworth, Ubly, Vassar, Bentley, Dryden, Montrose, LakeVille, Cass City, International Academy of Flint, Grand Blanc, Caseville, Imlay City, Harbor Beach, Flushing, Lapeer, Swartz Creek, Akron-Fairgrove, North Branch, and Mayville schools are among the districts that have canceled classes. Kearsley Community Schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, February 27th, due to dangerous road conditions. ... Posted by Kearsley Community Schools on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 A complete list of school and organization closings and event cancellations are available on the ABC 12 website here. A special weather statement from the National Weather Service notes increasing northerly winds will draw in colder air to the area, with temperatures expected to fall through the 20s Wednesday night. This along with falling snow is allowing snow to more effectively stick to road surfaces, per the statement. Light to occasionally moderate snow will persist through the evening rush. Snowfall rates may reach a half inch per hour. A winter weather advisory in effect until midnight Wednesday for several counties including Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Tuscola, Huron, Shiawassee, and Oakland counties calls for an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow, with a total accumulation of 4 to 6 inches by the time it tapers off. Thursdays forecast shows no snowfall and highs in the mid-20s, but wind gusts may reach above 30 MPH. Snow-covered roads lead to multiple crashes, closures across mid-Michigan 30-degree temperature surge coming in just 48 hours; snow will disappear like Frosty the Snowman A blogger from Russia's mainly Muslim region of Chechnya critical of its strongman leader Ramzan Kadyrov said Thursday he had fended off an attacker armed with a hammer while at home in exile in Europe. Tumso Abdurakhmanov posted a video showing the attacker, whom he had apparently overpowered, covered in blood. He also brandished the hammer that he said the assailant wanted to kill him with. The Sweden-based Chechen rights group Vayfond described the attack as an "assassination attempt". Abdurakhmanov, currently in Poland, has lived in exile since 2015 after receiving what he describes as threats to his life from Chechnya. His YouTube video blog critical of Kadyrov has some 75,000 subscribers. He gained greater international prominence earlier this year when he said that the murder of another Chechen blogger, Imran Aliev -- known as Mansur Stariy -- in the French city of Lille in late January was an assassination carried out by another Chechen whom he named. "Who sent you? Where did you come from?" Abdurakhmanov repeatedly asked the attacker in the video. The man said he had flown from Moscow to attack him. "They gave me your address," he said, adding: "They are holding my mother." His brother Mukhammad told the Kavkazky Uzel specialist website that Abdurakhmanov had been hospitalised under police guard with non-serious injuries following the attack in Poland. The attacker had also been hospitalised. When Abdurakhmanov, 34, left Chechnya in 2015 he headed first for Georgia where his request for asylum was rejected. He has since sought sanctuary in Poland but says his asylum bid there was rejected in 2018 due to possible security risks for the country. The attack comes amid growing concern over the security of Chechen dissidents living in Europe and elsewhere after repeated reports of attacks. "This is not the first attack on a person whom Ramzan Kadyrov considers to be objectionable," the Memorial rights group said in a statement. "Many killings and assassination bids carried out in Moscow and other regions of Russia, in Turkey, Ukraine, western and eastern Europe, were carried out by killers sent from Chechnya," it said. Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian national and former Chechen rebel commander, was shot twice in the head at close range in a Berlin park in 2019, allegedly by a Russian man who was arrested shortly afterwards. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it would be up to Polish law enforcement agencies to investigate the attack on Abdurakhmanov but said: "I do not think it is a very important event for the Russian agenda." He told reporters he was "not inclined" to see a pattern of attacks on opponents of Kadyrov. Kadyrov emerged as Chechnya's undisputed number one in the wake of the killing of his father Akhmat in a 2004 Grozny bomb attack. The Kremlin credits him with bringing stability to the area after an Islamist insurgency that followed two post-Soviet wars. But rights groups say this has come at the expense of horrific abuses including murders and kidnappings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) File image A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against political strategist and Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) chief Prashant Kishor on February 27, for alleged plagiarism in Baat Bihar ki' campaign, News18 has reported. The FIR was filed in Patna under Section 420 and 406 for criminal breach of trust and cheating. News18 has quoted Kishor as responding that the FIR is nothing but third rate mischief and poor attempt by a person to gain his two minutes of fame by making an outlandish claim. Law enforcement agencies should thoroughly and expeditiously examine the matter so that truth comes out in the public domain. Kishor had launched the 'Baat Bihar ki' programme earlier in February, with an aim of reaching out to people who believe in the need for a new leadership for Bihar". This came weeks after Kishor was expelled from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) over his open opposition to the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed pan-India National Register of Citizens (NRC). He has been credited with designing Prime Minister Narendra Modis 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign. Kishors I-PAC had worked with Nitish Kumar's JD(U) for the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls, and with the Congress in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh in 2017. The organisation had also worked with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the recent Delhi Assembly polls. I-PAC is currently working with Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and MK Stalins Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for the 2021 Assembly election. Claire Bretecher, a satirical, fearless and lacerating French comic artist who was one of the first women to break into Frances male-dominated cartoon industry, died on Feb. 10 in Paris. She was 79. Her death was announced by her publisher, Dargaud, which provided no other details. Ms. Bretecher (pronounced bruh-tay-SHAY) became a celebrated cartoonist in the 1970s, and her comic strips were a fixture in French newspapers and magazines for decades. Her work also appeared around the world; in the United States she was published in Ms. magazine, Esquire and National Lampoon. She brought a mordant wit to gender issues and was so incisive about the human condition that in 1976 the philosopher Roland Barthes called her the best sociologist of the year. She specialized in holding up to scrutiny the affluent urban female in all her angst, melodrama and hypocrisy. Ms. Bretecher embodied many of her characters traits, and she readily lampooned them. The second stage motor for Northrop Grumman's new OmegA rocket, the Castor 300, roars to life during a static fire at the company's propulsion facility in Promontory, Utah on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (Image credit: Space.com/Robert Z. Pearlman) PROMONTORY, Utah A new rocket's second stage roared to life for the first time today (Feb. 27), sending flame and smoke billowing out against the snow-capped mountains of Utah. Mounted on a horizontal test stand at Northrop Grumman's Promontory propulsion facility, the Castor 300 solid-fuel motor was fired for about 139 seconds, the same amount of time within a second or two that it will burn in flight as the second stage of the company's new OmegA rocket. The 1:05 p.m. MST (3:05 p.m. EST or 2000 GMT) demonstration was witnessed by about 500 people, including Northrop Grumman employees, local high school students and members of the surrounding communities. The so-called static test followed a similar firing of the OmegA's Castor 600 first stage in May 2019. With both tests complete, and today's static fire appearing to have been successful, Northrop Grumman remains on track for a maiden OmegA launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in spring 2021. Related: 3 new rockets are on track for 1st test flights in 2021 "I talked to the program managers who were in the bunker and thrust trace looks really good, time of burn looks really good and the nozzle vectoring was spot on, so, so far, the very preliminary conditions looked exactly like what we wanted. Good news," Charlie Precourt, vice president and general manager for propulsion systems at Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and a former NASA astronaut, told reporters after the test was conducted. Northrop Grumman is building OmegA to launch U.S. national security missions. In 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded the company a $792 million launch services agreement to advance the rocket's development through the first flights of its intermediate and heavy configurations. The company is now waiting to learn if OmegA will be among the Air Force's selection of launch service providers for missions beginning in 2022, in a competition with Blue Origin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. That decision, worth billions of dollars, is expected to come next year. View of the Castor 300 motor on the test stand at Northrop Grumman's propulsion facility in Promontory, Utah. The booster, which for the purposes of this test was mounted to the end of several space shuttle-legacy Space Launch System (SLS) steel cases, serves as both the common element and second stage for the company's new OmegA rocket. (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) Common boost segment The Castor 300 motor with its composite-wound case is central to Omega's design. "Because of the Air Force's demanding mission for a variety of different orbits with different payload sizes, we wanted to build something that could, with modular variants on configuration, capitalize on the similarity of a common segment. And so that common segment is known as the Castor 300 300 represents the mass of the propellant, 300,000 pounds [136,000 kilograms]," Precourt told Space.com in an interview. In its intermediate configuration, the OmegA uses a double segment (the Castor 600) as its first stage. In its more powerful, heavy variant, that stage is comprised of four common segments (Castor 1200). Both versions use a single common segment (Castor 300) as a second stage, Northrop Grumman GEM strap-on boosters and a liquid-fuel upper stage powered by two Aerojet Rocketdyne RL-10 engines. "The [Castor] 600 and 300 represent the replacement of the RD-180, which was the primary objective [of the Air Force] for the first part of this development program," Precourt said, referencing the Russia-sourced rocket engine that currently powers the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V first stage. "With this test Thursday, we have completed that basic requirement to match or exceed, and in our case, we are exceeding the performance capabilities." Artist rendering of Northrop Grumman's OmegA rocket standing on launchpad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The company is on target for its first certification flight in 2021. (Image credit: Northrop Grumman) Objectives intact Though comprised of the same common boost segment, the tests of the Castor 600 in 2019 and the Castor 300 differed in some key ways. For one, because of its shorter length (41.6 feet, or 12.69 meters, versus 72 ft or 22 m), the Castor 300 was mounted to more inert shuttle-legacy, Space Launch System (SLS) steel cases to adapt to the test stand. The OmegA will need to launch in different climates depending on the time of year or from where it will launch (in addition to using NASA's Pad 39B in Florida, Northrop Grumman also plans to use Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for OmegA launches). To prepare for this, the static test for the first stage was a "hot" test. The vehicle was conditioned prior to firing to be at 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). The Castor 300 test was "cold"; the vehicle was conditioned at 40 degrees F (4 degrees C). The tests also differed based on how each stage was designed to throttle while firing. Solid rocket motors are throttled by changing the way the propellant is cast in the segment. The more surface area exposed at any given time, the more thrust is generated. "One of the things we need to do is demonstrate that the design meets what we have required of it," Precourt explained. In total, the Castor 300 test had 11 primary objectives, including validating the performance of the motor, measuring insulation performance and measuring the thermal and strain data on the case and nozzle structural components. At the end of the 122-second Castor 600 test in May 2019, the aft exit cone of the stage's nozzle unexpectedly broke apart. Post-test analysis showed that a pressure differential between the push of the atmosphere on the outside of the nozzle and the pull from the inside the segment resulted in the nozzle failing. Had the vehicle been in flight, at 18,000 feet (5,500 m) where the atmospheric pressure is less, the issue would likely not have occurred. "So, we just needed to beef up the stiffness at the tail end of the nozzle," said Precourt. "We got that well under control, and it was a fairly straightforward thing to correct." The plume from the static test of Northrop Grumman's new OmegA Castor 300 second stage billows out against the snow-capped mountains of Promontory, Utah on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (Image credit: Space.com/Robert Z. Pearlman) From here to launch Today's test clears the way for Northrop Grumman to proceed toward its first launch of the OmegA rocket. "With a successful test Thursday, we have achieved what we need to for the first certification flights from the standpoint of the [Castor] 300 and the 600. There are some ongoing subsequent tests of certain aspects of the stages that will go on, but they are second order kinds of things. What is more important is we move into assembly and preparation for launch," Precourt told Space.com. The first and second stages for the first flight will be prepared in Promontory and then moved by rail to the Kennedy Space Center later this year. In August 2019, Northrop Grumman took over the use of a high bay in NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building, as well as a space shuttle-era mobile launch platform (MLP) to support OmegA launch operations. Construction of a launch tower on the MLP is currently underway. OmegA's liquid-fuel upper stage is being fabricated at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Once ready, it will be shipped to NASA Glenn Research Center's Plum Brook Station in Ohio, where it will undergo its own test fire in a vacuum chamber before being delivered to the Cape for integration with the Castor segments. In December 2019, Northrop Grumman announced the selection of Saturn Satellite Networks to provide up to two satellites to fly on the first launch. Two OmegA intermediate configuration certification flights are planned for 2021. An additional two flights to certify the heavy variant of the rocket are planned to follow in the 2024 timeframe. Two more static fires of the Castor 300 and 600 are also planned for 2021. Disclosure: Northrop Grumman underwrote travel expenses for Space.com to provide coverage of the Omega second stage static fire. Robert Pearlman is a Space.com contributing writer and the editor of collectSPACE.com, a Space.com partner site and the leading space history news publication. Follow collectSPACE on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of HP Inc. (HP or the Company) (NYSE: HPQ). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether HP and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On February 27, 2019, HP reported disappointing total Supplies revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, citing weaker-than-predicted demand from commercial customers in the Companys Europe, the Middle East, and Africa market. In reporting these results, HP acknowledged that its traditional four-box modelfocused on in-store base, usage, market share, and price (i.e., the four key drivers of revenue growth)had been based upon incorrect data concerning inventory, market share, and pricing assumptions. HP also revealed that it lacked telemetry data to determine reliable market share assumptions for its Supplies business. Accordingly, the Company revised its previous estimate of Supplies revenue for fiscal 2019 to a decline of 3%, versus prior guidance of flat to slightly up revenue year over year. On these disclosures, HPs stock price fell $4.12 per share, or 17.27%, to close at $19.73 per share on February 28, 2019. On May 30, 2019, at the Sanford C. Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference, HPs President and Chief Executive Officer Dion J. Weisler disclosed that the consumer segment of the Companys supplies business had had telemetry data for years, meaning that management had known the importance of telemetry data for an accurate model and that the commercial Supplies business lacked this key input. On this news, HPs stock price fell $0.46 per share, or 2.4%, to close at $18.68 per share on May 31, 2019. Then, on August 22, 2019, HP announced that Weisler would step down from his roles at the Company at the end of October 2019 due to a family health matter. HP also announced mixed earnings results from the third quarter of fiscal 2019, with Supplies revenue down 7% year-over-year. On this news, HPs stock price fell $1.12 per share, or 5.92%, to close at $17.81 per share on August 23, 2019. Finally, on October 3, 2019, HP announced that it was departing from the purely transactional Supplies-centric business model and moving away from using the four-box model, transitioning instead to a hardware-driven business model. Under the new business model, HP would de-emphasize Supplies revenue as the singular metric to determine our progress and instead focus on the key metrics [of] service growth and operating profit dollars, which better reflect[] the system profitability. HP also announced mass layoffs as part of a major restructuring. On these disclosures, HPs stock price fell $1.76 per share, or 9.57%, to close at $16.64 per share on October 4, 2019. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com China is under attack from the Novel Pneumonia Coronavirus (NCP). As this epidemic is being battled by the Chinese government and people, the governments and people around the world have expressed sympathy and support for China. Several countries have offered assistance by supplying a large number of disease prevention materials. Recently, the Indian Ambassador to China, Mr Vikram Misri, expressed goodwill and support towards the Chinese people from the Indian people and government. He said the whole world has seen the Chinese people and government's commitment to fighting the epidemic and it will end soon. The Novel Pneumonia Coronavirus (NCP) has attacked China. While the battle to fight the epidemic continues, the governments and people around the world have expressed sympathy and support for the Chinese government and people. While we see international solidarity, in some countries some individuals maliciously referred to the virus on social media as "Wuhan virus" and "China virus." A mainstream American media outlet, published an article titled "China is Asia's Real Sick Man" earlier this month. Apart from the dismissive reference to China as "Asia's sick man," the article is also taking a dig on China's economic outlook. Many top U.S. officials have even suggested that China's epidemic would help bring jobs back to America. Human development history is a history of constant struggle with diverse diseases. Historically, infectious diseases caused massive human death. In ancient society, people moved around in a limited area due to less advanced transportation and communication, thus limiting the geographical scope of infection. For example, the Black Death that took place in fourteenth-century Europe caused more than 25 million deaths, wiping out nearly a third of the European population at the time. When that happened, Asia, Africa, and the Americas outside Europe, let alone being infected, didn't even know there had ever been such a severe epidemic. The global mobility of humans comes with the development of science and technology, as well as modern means of transportation such as steam engines. In particular, the invention of aeroplanes allowed people to travel within half a day from the Eastern Hemisphere to the Western Hemisphere, and from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere. Citizens have had to endure the accompanying negative influences when enjoying the luxury, such as the rapid spread of infectious diseases worldwide, which no country can cope with on its own. The idea of "saving others is protecting ourselves," is deeply rooted in the hearts of people, leading to the formation in public health of a culture of mutual destiny. If a country is hit by a major natural disaster or serious disease, aid and resources can pour in from around the world. In history, China has sent medical teams in inadequate medical conditions to many countries to help them improve their health status. China's medical team has made remarkable contributions to the African battle against Ebola. China is also a major contributor to financing the WHO, performing its obligations as a major country for international health collaboration and progress in human health. Infectious diseases are spread regularly around the world. In many instances the original source is hard to identify. Everyone, whatever their race, can fall victim to the infection. Hence, it is not appropriate to associate any infectious disease with a particular country or race. Any attempt to name the naturally occurring viruses after a country or city name will only come up against protest. The "Saharan virus" was not named the Ebola virus. Neither was the flu that infected hundreds of millions of Americans and killed tens of thousands of them called the "American flu." Nor has any foreign government or media named the "sick man" of the United States, let alone blaming the American political system for its happening. Linking a virus to a specific country or city, or attacking the country fighting the epidemic, is not only a showcase of ignorance about the disease that only brings shame to the human civilization, but is also racist discrimination and denial of the country's epidemic control efforts. This undermines international community co-operation in combating infectious diseases. Those who do these acts are the true "sick-minded people." The article published in the American newspaper described China as Asia's real sick guy, not only condemned by the Chinese government and people but also widely opposed and denounced by people with a worldwide conscience, including the US. The article was criticized by Catherine Ceniza Choy, professor of ethnic studies at the University of California, Berkeley, who said, "This is extremely harmful and wrong" on February 8, arguing that the consequences of publishing such an opinion include fueling more fear and anxiety and increasing hostility against Chinese and other Asians worldwide. More than 1,00,000 signed petitions against the newspaper have been received on the White House website. The Chinese government and people need not be overly concerned about those individuals or views that attack China nor should they be distracted. As the proverb goes, all kinds of fish are in the sea, there are a handful of people in each and every country with extreme ideologies, vicious and arrogant people. But such individuals and views can never become the mainstream of any nation or culture. We can see that while the media house published an offensive article by the author, more American-funded corporations and American private charities provided China with a huge amount of aid for disease prevention as quickly as they could possibly, and many Americans expressed sympathy and support for China; More than 20 countries have provided emergency materials to help China, including Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Singapore and Pakistan. The Prime Minister in Sri Lanka led the entire island's prayer to invoke blessings for China and the cabinet ministers joined in the donation. The Union of Comoros, a tiny, least developed African nation, has given China a symbolic gift of 100. It's not very much, but it does mean a lot. Governments in many countries and the WHO have highly appreciated the Chinese government's response to the outbreak, and have acknowledged China's efforts and contributions to preventing the disease from spreading globally. China isn't alone in the fight against the disease. By Long Xingchun The author is Professor at the School of Foreign Languages of China West Normal University (CWNU) It was also noted that the consular service were in constant contact with those who were abroad and all requests of Ukrainians were being taken into account The Department of Consular Services of Ukraines Foreign Ministry reports that the evacuation of Ukrainians from Italy is not in progress. The Head of the Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maksym Kovalenko informed about it, Ukranews reports. "The evacuation (of Ukrainians 112 International.) from Italy is not being discussed at this moment," he said. Kovalenko noted that the Consular Service was in constant contact with those Ukrainians who were abroad, including in Italy, According to him, all requests of Ukrainian citizens are being taken into account. As we reported earlier, there is no information on Ukrainians that are among the infected with coronavirus in Japan. Ukraine's Embassy in Japan stated this is a response to the information request, which was made by UNN. "Information about the infected citizens of Ukraine, except for the crew members of the Diamond Princess cruise liner, is not available. Ukrainian citizens who have been infected and are in hospitals will be released after the results of the two tests are negative and Japanese doctors make a decision on their discharge," the statement reads. When you adopt a rescue animal, sometimes that animal rescues you. Vincent Veale, a United States Navy veteran, was suffering from clinical depression and post-traumatic stress, and a pit bull in desperate need of a loving home changed his life. Veale, 59, lives in Wilmington, Delaware. He grew up in the Bronx, and vividly remembers having a good childhood. His father, uncle, and oldest brother were both United States Navy veterans, and he himself enlisted in 1981 at the age of 21. The Navy was ingrained in our family, Veale explained. Trauma at Sea Veale served on the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier and was an aviation storekeeper. He was responsible for delivering critical supplies and parts to the aircraft on the ship. What he enjoyed most about his job was being on the flight deck watching planes take off and return from missions. Watching the crew guide the planes in and seeing the pilots land on the aircraft carrier was particularly memorable. Veale served in the Mediterranean Sea most of the time and had the opportunity to travel to Italy, Israel, Spain, and France. His favorite trip by far was to Paris. It reminded me of New York. The subway system, all the places you could eat, the artto me I was like at home, Veale said. Vincent Veale served in the United States Navy from 1981-1985. (Courtesy of Vincent Veale) While the Navy offered Veale the opportunity to travel, he would have to contend with the traumatic experiences that come with being an active-duty sailor. On October 23, 1983, two terrorists drove truck bombs into United States Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 220 Marines and 21 United States personnel. The wounded were flown to U.S. ships off of the coast including the USS Nimitz. The trauma of seeing his fellow service members wounded and the misery of uncertaintyit was possible he knew someone stationed at the barrackstook a psychological toll on Veale. I didnt know what was going to happen after that, Veale explained. Everything was a question mark. Keeping It Inside Veale kept his feelings to himself and focused on his duties in order to keep his mind off the unknown. Being called to his battle station was particularly traumatizing because there were no windows. In 1985, Veale left the Navy. He was recently married and moved back to New York, where he worked for Con Edison. His wife didnt like New York, and the couple moved to Virginia, where he worked for a power company for 16 years. Veale didnt know at the time that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress, and he found himself acting out and struggling to control his anger. Vincent Veale with his emotional support dog Greta. (Courtesy of Pets for Patriots, Inc.) This led to problems at home and ultimately led to a divorce in 2005. He lost his home and found himself living out of his car for four years. He always had a full-time job, but couldnt afford his own place because his income went toward child support. I had nowhere else to go. I just had my clothes and my car, Veale recalled. Veale ultimately found a shelter for veterans but felt isolated from others. He went to the Veterans Affairs hospital, where he was officially diagnosed with clinical depression and bipolar disorder. Two years ago, he was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress. Emotional Support Dog His therapist at the Veterans Affairs hospital suggested that Veale adopt an emotional support pet. He contacted an organization called Pets for Patriots that connected him with an affiliate organization called New Leash on Life. The organization rescues dogs in Pennsylvania, and inmates train them to be service dogs. They brought a dog named Greta to him one day, but she was initially apprehensive to engage with him. She had been abused, and someone had beaten her, likely to force her to fight in the past. Veale asked the organization to bring Greta for a second visit, and this time he was preparedhe brought some food with him. I had some hot dogs, and Greta came right to me and sat between my legs. That was the love story right there, Veale recalled. Vincent Veales emotional support dog Greta was rescued after being severely abused. (Courtesy of Pets for Patriots, Inc.) Greta has helped Veale deal with his depression and post-traumatic stress immensely. She is always present for him, and just recently she was by his side during a depressive episode when he needed her most. Greta has also helped Veale connect with others in his community since he needs to walk her three times a day. Initially, he would try to walk past people. However, they would stop and praise Greta, and now he has become more comfortable interacting with them. She has helped him cope with his emotions immensely. She can feel what Im going through without me even saying anything, Veale said. Taurence Callagain, 36, has been accused of raping a woman he met on a commuter train in 2015 An Atlanta man who pretended to be gay in order to strike up a friendship with a woman on his commuter train has been convicted of her rape. Fulton County District Attorney, Paul L Howard Jr., announced the news Wednesday, while also providing shocking new details on the case. In a statement, the DA stated that Taurence Callagain, 36, met his victim at a transit station in August 2015. The pair regularly rode the train together, and Callagain lured the woman - who is a lesbian in a long-term relationship - into a false friendship. He told her that he was gay so that she was under the impression that their relationship was strictly platonic and they eventually exchanged phone numbers. On September 6, 2015, the victim missed her connecting bus, and Callagain offered to give her a ride home, according to prosecutors. While en route, he told the woman that he needed to stop by his house and pick up some marijuana. Callagain struck up a friendship with the woman on the Atlanta commuter train they used to ride together The woman accompanied him inside, at which point he suddenly began strangling her before he pushed her into his bedroom and began to rape her. Callagain warned the victim against screaming or resisting during the ordeal, telling her that if she made noise he would 'get my boys to come in and hold you down'. She later told investigators that she heard another man's voice in the house and 'was terrified that if she screamed Callagain would, in fact, do as he said'. The victim managed to subsequently flee Callagain's home, and three miles back to her own residence. She then went to Atlanta Medical Center for treatment, where police were called. The pair met at the H.E. Holmes MARTA station in Atlanta in August 2015 The woman accurately described the interior of Callagain's home, and her underwear was found in a laundry hamper. The defendant claimed the sex was consensual, but Callagain was later arrested. The District Attorney did not reveal when he is due to be sentenced. Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu was on Thursday taken into preventive custody at the airport here for his 'safety' as the ruling YSR Congress workers staged a protest opposing his visit, police said. Tension prevailed near the airport with the TDP workers repulsing the YSRC activists who tried to block Naidu's convoy. A notice under Section 151 CrPC was served on Naidu and he was taken into preventive custody "because of his safety and security", Visakhapatnam city Commissioner of Police Rajiv Kumar Meena told PTI. The Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly was sent back into the VIP lounge inside the airport here. "He has cooperated with us and agreed to go to the VIP lounge at the airport. Though we initially tried to allow him to go ahead with his planned programme, there were too many numberof protestors and so we decided to take him into preventive custody for his safety," Meena said. The TDP chief arrived here on Thursday afternoon from Vijayawada en route to Vizianagaram as part of his state-wide Praja Chaitanya yatra. He was supposed to visit Gopalapatnam and other areas near Visakhapatnam but the YSRC organised a protest opposing his visit. Calling him "Uttarandhra Drohi" (deceiver of north- coastal Andhra), the ruling party members tried to block the former chief minister's convoy at the airport and squatted on the road. The TDP workers sought to counter their YSRC counterparts, leading to tension in the area. The Police Commissioner said there were "no clashes" between workers of the two parties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reuters Apple Inc's shareholders on Wednesday defeated a proposal critical of its removal of apps at the request of the Chinese government, but the proposal drew a much higher proportion of votes than similar proposals in previous years which had gained support only in single-digit percentages. The proposal had called on the iPhone maker to report whether it has "publicly committed to respect freedom of expression as a human right." Shareholders defeated it, with 59.4 percent voting against and 40.6 percent voting in favor. The proposal highlighted Apple's 2017 removal of virtual private network apps from its App Store in China. Such apps allow users to bypass Chinas so-called Great Firewall aimed at restricting access to overseas sites. Apple shareholders have voted down human rights measures related to China in the past. They defeated a 2018 proposal that urged Apple to create a human rights panel to oversee issues such as workplace conditions and censorship in China, with 94.4 percent of shareholders voting against it. Apple opposed this year's proposal, saying the company already provides extensive information about when it takes down apps at the request of governments around the world and that it follows the laws in countries where it operates. "[W]hile we may disagree with certain decisions at times, we do not believe it would be in the best interests of our users to simply abandon markets, which would leave consumers with fewer choices and fewer privacy protections," Apple said in its opposition. Proxy advisory firms Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services both recommended votes in favor the measure, according to reports from them seen by Reuters. The freedom of expression proposal was one of six to be voted upon at the company's annual shareholder meeting at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California. By wide margins, shareholders approved Apple's executive pay, existing board of directors and the retention of Ernst & Young as its accounting firm, results that were widely expected. Shareholders defeated a "proxy access" proposal to allow shareholders to nominate more than one director to Apple's board, with 68.9 percent voting against and 31.1 percent voting for. They also voted down a measure to tie executive compensation to environmental sustainability metrics, with 87.9 percent voting against and 12.1 percent for. Apple had opposed both proposals. Agona East District Chief Executive, Hon. Dennis Armah Frimpong has threatened to terminate any contract the Assembly has had with Zoomlion Company Limited over its poor performance leading heaps of waste deposits across the District. "It is an eyesore to see firth scattered all over the District. It's uncalled for, the Assembly won't entertain this behavior from any Department. As I speak, heaps of waste has been deposited right inside Agona Nsaba, Agona Asafo and other communities tarnishing the image of the District" Hon. Dennis Armah Frimpong made these lamentations when he led the Agona East Assembly to showcase its developmental achievement over the past three years at a public forum held at Agona Nsaba. " But for this complemented activities of the staff of Zoomlion Company Limited, Agona East District Assembly has performed brilliantly in all sectors Your Assembly won the Best in Infrastructure Development for 2019 in the Central Region with overall Best in construction of classroom blocks. A good number of development project aimed at improving the lives of the people are springing up in the District thanks to His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and Professor Kwesi Yankah, Minister of State In charge of Tertiary Education for spearheading this achievements As I speak, over thirty (30) new classroom blocks are being constructed to ease congestion in our schools. Most of them have been completed and handed over to beneficiary communities. The rest are at various stages of completion. Completed schools include Agona Mansofo AEDA KG, 3-Unit Classroom block for Mangoase AEDA JHS, 6-Unit Classroom block for Agona Duakwa Salvation Army Primary School and Construction of 6-Unit Classroom block at Duabone among others" He mentioned other projects as completion of Teacher's quarters at Agona Mankrong, completion of teacher's quarters with electricity at Agona Nsaba Methodist JHS and rehabilitation of Duabone CHIPs compound and others. " Plans are far advanced for Fifty-Five (55) communities to be connected to the National Grid to boost local industry thanks to Professor Kwesi Yankah. Over Twenty-One (21) broken down boreholes throughout the district have been repaired to serve the people with potable drinking water at Dzibolase, Seth Okai, Duabone, Adesimase Aboano and other rural areas in the district. Construction of Boreholes with an overhead tanks have also been completed for Akwakwaa, Mankrong, Abokor, Namanwura and Aboadro communities. Funds have been set aside for routine maintenance of the boreholes On roads, the following have been reshaped for smooth transportation of goods and services They are Ninta-ofoase, Ninta- Nampon, Brofrase- Kwesi Painstil-Bentum, Agona Asafo- Kwesitwikwaa- Fawomanye Junction and Nsaba- Agona Nyakrom Construction of culverts have been completion on River Oboyambo and Dutch River respectively" Still on roads, Hon. Dennis Armah Frimpong noted that reshaping of Swedru-Domokyi, Mensakrom-Asasekwaa and Duotu-Bremprow have been completed. Additionally, construction of steel bridge over River Akora at Agona Nsaba and a footbridge at Nampon have been completed. The DCE further stated other projects as completion of Nsaba and Duakwa Market Centers to boost economic growth in the District. He however bemoaned poor performance of Zoomlion Company Limited which is tarnishing the image of the district describing it as a sabotage to the the Assembly's development agenda " This is what good governance is about providing social amenities to improve the lives of the people. Four More Years for Nana To Do More" Hon. Armah Frimpong concluded INVESTOR ALERT: Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation of Crown Castle International Corp. (CCI) on Behalf of Investors Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf Crown Castle International Corp. (News - Alert) ("Crown Castle" or the "Company") (NYSE: CCI) investors concerning the Company and its officers' possible violations of federal securities laws. On February 26, 2020, Crown Castle announced that it would restate its financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the first three quarters in the year ended December 31, 2019. According to the press release, the Company had recognized service rvenues from its tower installation services in a manner that "was not acceptable under GAAP." On this news, the Company's share price fell sharply during intraday trading on February 27, 2020. If you purchased Crown Castle securities, have information or 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 Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005940/en/ As the Central Statistics Office (CSO) gets ready to announce the gross domestic product (GDP) numbers for the third quarter ended December 2019 (Q3FY20) on Friday, most experts peg the number closer to 5 per cent. This is despite the slew of measures announced by the government over the past few months to help revive growth. Analysts at Nomura, for instance, had expected the GDP growth to slow further to 4.3 per cent in Q4 2019 from 4.5 per cent in Q3, and predicted a below-trend growth of 5.7 per cent in FY21 from 4.7 per cent in FY20. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ... Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has kicked against suggestions that members of the Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association ... Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has kicked against suggestions that members of the Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) should be recruited into the new security outfit created by South West governors, Amotekun. While declaring his support for the new security outfit, Bello said Alhaji Yaqub Bello, a former Chairman of MACBAN in the state, made the suggestion on Monday February 24th during a public hearing on the Oyo State Security Network Agency Bill, 2020, also known as Amotekun bill.While declaring his support for the new security outfit, Bello said So, our request is to include Myetti Allah as members of Operation Amotekun to enhance the job of the outfit, since we know the terrain of where we rear our cattle. Some of us have been in Oyo state for over 40 years, cohabiting with the natives, married Yoruba women and have children.So, our request is to include Myetti Allah as members of Operation Amotekun to enhance the job of the outfit, since we know the terrain of where we rear our cattle. Having Fulani among the outfit will make it easier for Amotekun men to distinguish between genuine herdsmen and the criminals while on patrol. A Fulani man can also serve as an interpreter while interrogating any suspected herdsman. FFK is of the opinion that this will not work. Taking to Twitter to air his objection, he wrote Recruiting Miyetti Allah into Amotekun is like recruiting demons into an army of angels. It's like recruiting hyenas into an army of lions. It's like recruiting vultures into an army of eagles. It's like recruiting sharks into an army of dolphins. Simply put: KO LE WERK! It's like recruiting Nazis into the Israeli Defence Force. It's like recruiting the Ku Klux Klan into the ranks of the Black Panthers. It's like recruiting Hutus into an Army ofTutsis. It's like recruiting the white Boers into Nelson Mandela's ANC. I say it again: KO LE WERK! TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In front of an audience of nearly a thousand REALTORS at the Ontario Real Estate Associations REALiTY Conference and AGM, OREA President Sean Morrison announced today, that the Ontario Government has passed the Trust in Real Estate Service Act, 2019 (TRESA). The legislation was called back for third reading yesterday, and, at 11:50 am this morning, the Bill unanimously passed third and final reading. TRESA amends the Real Estate & Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA). This is a huge win for our Realtor members, their clients and hardworking Ontarians across the province, said OREA President Sean Morrison. Thanks to the Ford Governments newly passed legislation, Ontarios homebuyers and sellers can have greater confidence that the Realtor at their side during the largest financial transaction of their life has the highest professional standards, training and modern tools in North America, such as the ability to form personal real estate corporations. OREA has been advocating for a review of REBBA for over a decade and finally, the Ontario Government has passed this historic piece of legislation. Ontarios real estate rules were outdated they were over 18 years old and passed at a time when fax machines were the way most real estate deals were made. By strengthening consumer protection and fixing the broken real estate discipline system, the Government of Ontario is showing Realtors and home buyers and sellers that it is on their side, said OREA CEO Tim Hudak. Ontarians deserve the best when it comes to making the biggest financial transaction of their lives and TRESA will make this province the North American leader once again when it comes to a well-regulated real estate market. TRESA is one of the few pieces of legislation in Ontario to receive bi-partisan support with positive and constructive debate in the Legislature led by Minister Lisa Thompson and NDP Consumer Critic Tom Rakocevic and other MPPs. OREA will continue to work closely with the Government of Ontario as they develop regulations for the Bill, and work towards enacting the legislation into law. For more information, please contact: Ontario Real Estate Association Jean-Adrien Delicano Specialist, Media Relations JeanAdrienD@orea.com 416-445-9910 ext. 246 | 416-459-6059 Videos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e53c9f25-b204-4852-92bb-1abe52608607 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9320aa13-865b-4009-a3f8-d051dd2f321c Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has responded to the detection of the first case of the new coronavirus in Georgia, saying "there is no reason to panic." "We have no reason to panic. The Health Ministry, all responsible agencies and the inter-agency council [created to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the country] are in total control of the situation," Agenda.ge cited him as saying. Health Minister Ekaterine Tikaradze said that Georgian border guards, who wore special equipment, checked the man and he was transported to Tbilisi by medics because of his suspicious symptoms. Photo: Tourism Prince George Mr. PG is turning 60 years old in 2020, and Prince George is ready to celebrate. The city's mascot first appeared publicly on May 8, 1960, to welcome delegates to a Rotary International conference at the Simon Fraser Inn. Since then, he has become a beloved icon and has appeared on parade floats, a phone booth, a Canada Post stamp and in countless photos from residents and visitors alike. The city is currently working with Exploration Place and Tourism Prince George to increase awareness of the history of Mr. PG and present some activities to enhance civic pride while celebrating the mythical logmans birthday. Mr. PGs likeness was trademarked in 1985 and, as a result, the city oversees graphic representations of Mr. PG and also maintains the site of the physical statue of Mr. PG at the intersection of Highways 16 and 97. Two main events are planned to mark Mr. PGs birthday: a May 8 celebration with food trucks at the site of Mr. PG, and a May 9 scavenger hunt in Lheidli Tenneh Memorial Park featuring Mr. PG-related items. In addition to these events, Mr. PG will be featured in numerous other local activities. London, Feb 27 : A UK court on Thursday halted Heathrow Airport's controversial planned third runway as the government "did not take climate commitments into account", reports said. In its verdict on the case brought by environmental groups, councils and the Mayor of London, the Court of Appeal held that the "Heathrow expansion decision was unlawful because it did not take climate commitments into account", the BBC reported. The judges said that a third runway could go ahead in the future, as long as it fits with the UK's climate policy. The BBC reported there were "whoops and jumps of jubilation from environmentalists outside the court room" after the judgement was pronounced. Friends of the Earth, one of the environmental groups that brought the case, said the ruling was "an absolutely groundbreaking result for climate justice" and "has exciting wider implications for keeping climate change at the heart of all planning decisions". "It's time for developers and public authorities to be held to account when it comes to the climate impact of their damaging developments," the group's Will Rundle said. While Heathrow said it would challenge the decision in the Supreme Court, the government said it would not appeal. Scott Morrison's own government is spending $200,000 on workshops teaching public servants in Canberra about radical feminism and 'mansplaining'. The Prime Minister and his Treasurer Josh Frydenberg this week admitted the summer bushfires and the coronavirus were likely to jeopardise his government's promise of delivering a surplus budget in 2020. Despite that, the public purse is still generously funding radical feminist workshops run by Future Women, a training company which former Australian Women's Weekly editor Helen McCabe founded in 2017 to capitalise on the 'Me Too' movement. She describes her workshops as a 'safe space to motivate women as we push for a gender equal world'. Scott Morrison's own government is spending $200,000 on workshops teaching public servants in Canberra about feminism and 'mansplaining'. Taxpayer funds have gone to Future Women, a training company which former Australian Women's Weekly editor Helen McCabe (left) founded in 2017 to capitalise on the 'Me Too' movement An analysis of government tender documents by Daily Mail Australia show taxpayers spent $198,000 in late 2019 on training and management workshops across seven government departments and agencies. This included $33,000 by Mr Morrison's Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for 'human resources services' through to the end of 2020. Where YOUR taxes went Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet ('human resources services' from November 28, 2019 to December 31, 2020): $33,000 Department of Home Affairs ('education and training services' from December 5, 2019 to December 4, 2020): $33,000 Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business ('human resources services' from November 27, 2019 to December 31, 2020): $33,000 Department of Industry, Innovation and Science ('education and training services' from December 13, 2019 to December 31, 2020): $33,000 Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development ('management support services' from December 5, 2019 to November 10, 2020): $16,500 Australian Public Service Commission ('education and training services' from November 7, 2019 to November 12, 2019): $33,000 Digital Transformation Agency ('education and training services' from December 5, 2019 to December 5, 2020): $16,500 Source: AusTender, Commonwealth of Australia, December 2019, on Future Women tenders Advertisement Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's department also shelled out $33,000 for a year's worth of 'education and training' workshops. The departments in charge of employment and industry, and the Australian Public Service Commission also paid for seminars on feminism. Future Women's 'manifesto' describes itself as an organisation for women 'who object to being mansplained, talked over, ignored, dismissed, or told to take the minutes or pour the tea, to sit down, be quiet, be nice and decorative, to not make this about gender all the time, are labelled difficult and disingenuous'. Despite that description, Ms McCabe insisted her group did not conduct seminars on 'mansplaining'. 'The idea we are offering mainsplaining workshops is not correct,' she said in a statement on Thursday afternoon. Ms McCabe said Future Women provided professional development programs 'to leading private and public sector organisations throughout Australia' in partnership with CareerCEO, a leadership training group. 'Their Communicating with Authority workshops are not gender specific,' she said. 'Future Women is dedicated to helping women connect, lead and learn.' The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet said Future Women had been hired to train 10 women among their staff, with funding allocated from within the existing human resources budget. 'It is aimed at developing and inspiring future leaders, and is completely in line with the government's spending guidelines, as well as our commitment to training and development for our staff,' it said in a statement. 'This program is one of a number of initiatives aimed at addressing the shortage of women in senior leadership positions across the Australian Public Service.' While the department suggested the training wasn't about promoting feminism, Future Women's manifesto alleged females in the workplace have their complaints 'invalidated for the modest crime of being a woman'. The Future Women Academy vows to combat 'unconscious bias' by promoting feminism at work, and its website also features a guide on 'fourth-wave feminism'. 'We're driving an ambitious change agenda to modernise our workplaces and create more diverse, inclusive and gender-balanced work cultures where everyone can contribute and achieve success,' it said. Emilie Dye, the director of policy at the Australian Taxpayers' Alliance, said taxpayer spending on feminism workshops was 'wasteful' as the bushfires and coronavirus required more government resources. An analysis of government tender documents, by Daily Mail Australia, show taxpayers spent $198,000 in late 2019 on training and management workshops across seven government departments and agencies. Pictured is a Future Women forum from 2018 'It's an extreme waste of money particularly when our budget surplus is decreasing, the economy's being strained by coronavirus, bushfires were super expensive,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday. 'And then we're spending money on random workshops. 'Every dollar matters to the taxpayer.' Ms Dye said that as a woman, she found the idea of 'mansplaining' seminars and 'gender workshops' to be 'incredibly frustrating'. 'A lot of people don't see "mansplaining" or "manspreading" as an issue,' she said. 'As a woman, I don't really have a problem with that. It's pushing a certain agenda.' Ms Dye argued the focus on so-called microaggressions did little to tackle more serious issues like sexual harassment and genuine cases of sexism. Future Women also has a magazine-style website with a 'hot list' of books by feminist authors, including Naomi Wolf, who was arrested in 2011 for participating in Occupy Wall Street protests in New York. This included $33,000 by Mr Morrison's Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for 'human resources services' through to the end of 2020 Prime Minister Scott Morrison (left) and his Treasurer Josh Frydenberg (right) this week admitted the summer bushfires and the coronavirus were likely to jeopardise his government's promise of delivering a surplus budget in 2020 Controversial feminist Clementine Ford is described as one of 'eight things FW is loving right now', despite the fact she was removed in 2018 from a Lifeline charity event for tweeting 'kill all men'. Former Labor adviser Jamila Rizvi described Ford's book Boys Will Be Boys as 'a gritty, maddening and eye-opening read'. Future Women also promotes hard-left politicians, including New York-based American congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who rails against capitalism. An article on the Future Women website incorrectly describes Ms Ocasio-Cortez, 30, as 'the youngest female senator in US history' - she is in the House of Representatives representing New York's 14th congressional district. It also seems to overlook how the Democrat lawmaker doesn't 'govern' the United States - that's the job of Republican President Donald Trump and his administration. Controversial feminist Clementine Ford is described as one of 'eight things FW is loving right now', despite the fact she was removed in 2018 from a Lifeline charity event for tweeting 'kill all men' 'AOC continues to unsettle established politicians on both sides of the aisle with her thoroughly modern approach to governing whether that's asking a killer question during congressional hearings, or joining a protest outside speaker Nancy Pelosis office on climate change in her first week,' it said. The Future Women website also features a glowing profile on comedienne Hannah Gadsby, who once described Australian celebrity export Barry Humphries as an 'inhumane d*** biscuit of the highest order' for his politically incorrect humour. 'She moves effortlessly from story-telling to human observation, sexual innuendo, to gender politics and a thorough dissection of privilege, with ease,' the profile by Ms Rizvi said. 'Observing her performance is like watching a weaver at work.' The Indian Army Corps of Signals contingent led by Captain Tanya Shergil marches during the 71st Republic Day Parade at Rajpath in New Delhi (Photo: PTI) The Supreme Courts judgment making women officers from the short service commission (SSC) eligible for permanent commission (PC) and holding of command in non-combat heralds a new era in gender equality in the male-dominated Indian Army. Women officers form just four per cent of the total commissioned officers in the Indian Army despite being inducted since 1992. There are only 1,653 women officers in the Indian Army against close to 39,000 male officers. After the Supreme Court order, the number of women officers in the Indian Army is expected to rise. In 2008, women officers were given permanent commission in only two non-combat streams the Judge Advocate General (JAG) and the Army Education Corps. In March last year, the defence ministry said that PC will be allowed in eight non-combat branches (signals, engineers, army aviation, army air defence, electronics and mechanical engineers, army service corps, army ordnance corps and intelligence) where women are inducted for SSC, taking the number of branches where women could get PC to 10. But the defence ministry order restricted women to just staff positions and they were not allowed command position. Now, the Supreme Court has struck down this provision, making them eligible for command positions. Moreover, the Court said that even women officers currently serving in these 10 branches will be eligible for PC and it must not be restricted to those who were recruited after the defence ministrys order was issued. In a hard-hitting order, the Supreme Court said the time has come for a realisation that women officers in the Army are not adjuncts to a male dominated establishment whose presence must be tolerated within narrow confines. Women officers could now get command position in various non-combat postings like NCC battalions, record officers, training regiments and commandants of Sainik and military schools. However, the road ahead is still full of challenges. The men who join the Army as SSC officers can opt for PC after 10 years of service if they want to continue in the Army. The Supreme Court order has said that some 255 women officers who are in service for 14-20 years and some 77 women officers who have above 20 years of service would be given the option of PC within three months. Then there are women officers (600, by some estimates) who have completed 10 years of a total of 14 years of SSC. Indian Army chief Gen. M.M. Naravane has said that the Army will be sending letters to all eligible officers asking if they want PC. But some officers said that there are difficulties for women officers to clear boards if judged on the same yardsticks as men because they were never groomed for PC. They explain that the board gives points to a candidate on various parameters, such as if they have done high-altitude postings. As per the number of vacancies for PC, only those who secure top marks get qualified. But since women officers were not to get PC, their commanding officers usually did not give them postings where they could get more marks. These postings usually went to male officers and COs would also give more marks to male officers compared to women officers thinking that men will need them during their boards, said an officer. He said that many women officers also did not go for junior commands that their male counterparts go for after 6-7 years of service and which is important to get promotions. So the thing is that within the current parameters how will these women will pass the boards to get PC? The only option will be to dilute these parameters and judge men and women officers differently, said the official. The court order says that those officers who have more than 14 years of service will continue to be in the Army till they complete 20 years of service in order to be eligible for pension even if they didnt opt for PC or did not qualify for PC. The SC order said women officers with over 20 years of service who are not granted PC will retire and avail pension. It is the women officers with service between 10 years and 14 years who will bear the brunt of the changed circumstances, said another officer. He said that since they were not eligible for PC they never cared about their annual confidential reports that carry the most marks in boards. There is a possibility that these officers may go to the Supreme Court, said the official. Gen. Naravane has said that the Army has prepared a roadmap for granting PC to its women officers. The road ahead For the new women officers, physical training, posting and service courses will be changed and will be similar to those taken by male officers. Women officers will be eligible for various courses just like their male counterparts in junior command that will allow them to progress in the service. They will be eligible for competitive exams for Staff College which is for Major rank officers. The women officers will now have to go to difficult postings if they want to opt for PC, said a senior officer. He said that some postings that are considered as peace postings for male officers have currently been nominated as field postings for women officers. This will also change in the future. Meanwhile, there are some apprehensions among male officers that the Supreme Court order may impact their peace postings. After being in difficult postings like Kashmir, forward areas and Siachen, male officers are usually put in peace postings where they can be with their families. It should not be that women will keep getting peace postings by giving various excuses like they have small children and only male officers suffer, landing up in tough postings, said an officer. However, defence sources point out that women have proved their mettle and under tough conditions. There are many women who are posted in Kashmir, including female doctors risking their lives, said another senior official. Last year, Indian Air Force Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal was awarded the Yudh Seva medal for distinguished service in wartime. She was one of the fighter controllers when Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft entered Indian air space on February 27 post the Balakot air strikes. She had kept her cool in a trying situation and played a crucial role in repulsing the attack. The Supreme Court, in its order, said the engagement of women officers in the Army has been an evolutionary process. Women officers were initially inducted in 1992 for just five years, which was extended for another five years. On incorporation of the provision for SSCs for women officers, they were allowed to become SSC officers and their tenure extended to 14 years. The SC order on PC and command is another milestone. Since last year, the Army has, for the first time, started recruiting women in military police. The all-boys Sainik Schools in the country will start offering admission to girl students from the 2021-22 academic session. This will help in the creation of future women officers. The next crucial move will entail the storming of another male bastion allowing girls to take admission in the prestigious National Defence Academy. Google Maps A woman was charged Wednesday with injury to a child after accidentally shooting her 10-year-old nephew at an apartment near Greenspoint, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. Caitlyn Smith, 19, remains in Harris County Jail on the second-degree felony charge. A magistrate set bail at $20,000. The child is in serious condition but is expected to make a full recovery, Gonzalez said. (Alliance News) - St James's Place PLC on Thursday reported a sharp rise in assets under management over the course of 2019, despite a "challenging" year for UK wealth managers. All three of the company's fund classes saw growth in 2019. SJP's assets under management ended 2019 at GBP116.99 billion, up 22% from GBP95.55 billion a year ago, which represents a record for the company. Investment funds grew 13% to GBP31.22 billion whilst Unit Trust/ISA & Discretionary Fund Management added 21% to GBP32.93 billion. Pension funds increased 30% to GBP52.84 billion. By asset class, St James's Place North American Equities fund - which makes up 21% of total funds - increased 26% to GBP25.1 billion from GBP19.9 billion at the end of 2018. The wealth manager's UK Equities fund - which makes up just under 18% of total funds - increased by 15% over the course of 2019 to GBP20.2 billion from GBP17.6 billion. Fixed Income Securities - just under 17% of total funds - gained 24% during 2019 to GBP20.9 billion from GBP16.9 billion. Group net inflows totalled GBP8.99 billion, down from GBP10.28 billion in 2018, with gross inflows of GBP15.10 billion, down from GBP15.70 billion. The Cirencester, England-based company saw a net investment return of GBP12.45 billion in 2019 versus a GBP5.48 billion investment loss in 2018. "Last year was challenging for the UK wealth management sector with investor sentiment being impacted by uncertain macro-economic indicators, the US-China trade dispute, and the domestic political environment. Therefore, I am pleased to report a solid set of results. Positive net flows, together with the impact of positive investment returns, increased client funds under management to a record, once again demonstrating the resilience of St James's Place," Chief Executive Officer Andrew Croft said. The wealth manager recorded a European embedded value operating profit - the company's preferred metric - of GBP952.0 million, down from 4.8% year-on-year from GBP1.00 billion and slightly behind market consensus of GBP955.9 million. EEV new business contribution totalled GBP793.0 million in 2019 versus GBP852.7 million in 2018, a 7.0% drop. Market consensus was predicting GBP788.60 million new business contributions. The wealth manager's pretax profit slipped 16% year on year to GBP146.6 million from GBP173.5 million. St James's Place declared a 31.22 pence final dividend, up 5.0% on the year before, giving a total dividend of 49.71p - up 3.1% on the year before and ahead of the 48.3p market consensus. Croft continued: "The fundamentals underlying the business remain strong and over time, increasing funds under management will generate increased returns. However, in the short term, our profit has been impacted by the more modest gross flows relative to the planned investment in the business for future growth." St James's Place ended 2019 with 4,271 advisers, an 8% rise over 2019. "The Parliamentary majority following the December 2019 general election provides for longer-term political stability, which has translated into improved investor sentiment. This has consequently resulted in an increase in activity across the business with new investments seeing a return to good growth in the early part of 2020," Croft said. He added: "Uncertainties remain for the UK and there are market concerns as a result of coronavirus, but we are encouraged by this start to the year which, together with the strength and scale of our business today, gives us confidence that we are well placed to continue to grow." Shares in St. James's Place were down 2.8% in London on Thursday morning at 1,053.50 pence each. By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. Spirit Airlines, Inc. SAVE launched a four times weekly service from Austin, TX to Cancun, Mexico. This marks the carriers first ever international service from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The flights are available on alternate days between Mondays and Saturdays. The carrier plans to solidify its foothold further in Austin with daily services connecting Austin with Nashville, TN and Newark, NJ, set to begin on Mar 26, 2020. The airline began operations in Austin a year ago and will offer up to 14 daily departures to 13 cities already following the launch of the new services. Spirit Airlines, Inc. Price Spirit Airlines, Inc. Price Spirit Airlines, Inc. price | Spirit Airlines, Inc. Quote Apart from the Cancun service, Spirit currently offers flights to Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Orlando from Austin. As far as the carriers international expansion initiatives are concerned, in January, it announced the decision to start operating flights to two Colombian cities, namely Bucaramanga and Barranquilla from April 2020 onward. Non-stop flights connecting Fort Lauderdale with Bucaramanga will take to the skies on Apr 22, 2020 and operate thrice a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Flights connecting Fort Lauderdale and Barranquilla will be initiated a day later, flying on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. (Read more: Spirit to Expand by Adding New Flights to Colombia) Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks Spirit carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other top-ranked stocks in the same space are Azul S.A. AZUL, Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion, S.A.B. de C.V. VLRS and Delta Air Lines, Inc. DAL. While Azul and Controladora Vuela sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Delta carries the same Zacks Rank as Spirit. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Shares of Azul and Controladora Vuela have rallied more than 7% and 44%, respectively, in a years time. Meanwhile, Delta has an impressive earnings history, having outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average being 8.2%. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year. See their latest picks 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 Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Spirit Airlines, Inc. (SAVE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Controladora Vuela Compania de Aviacion, S.A.B. de C.V. (VLRS) : Free Stock Analysis Report AZUL SA (AZUL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Pizza Thanh Long is being offered at half price than common products to bolster sale Business based on social responsibility Hanoi-based pizzeria chain Pizza Home has seized the limelight with its unusual new pizza recipe that brings the mouthwatering toppings on a pinkish dough made by mixing Thanh Long (dragon fruit) directly into the dough. Both customers visiting the pizzerias to grab a quick snack and those ordering online have been growing at a tremendous pace. Pizza Home CEO Hoang Tung shared that their inspiration for Pizza Thanh Long came from creative genius Kao Sieu Luc, who came up with Thanh Long bread to help farmers bolster sales in a bid to alleviate the implications of COVID-19. Blending Thanh Long into the dough will add a natural sweet taste and eye-catching colour, said Tung, adding that the team wants to lend a helping hand to farmers in selling their produce, such as Blue Dragon fruit and watermelon, that have lost important export markets since the COVID-19 outbreak. Tung also decided to sell the pizza at half price for only VND55,000 ($2.4) to boost sales. Sometimes profit is not the ultimate goal for businesses when they launch a new product. The top mission of Pizza Thanh Long is exercising corporate social responsibility, lending support to farmers," Tung shared. "This product is also the renewal of our brand, attesting to the creativity of our team at Pizza Home, Tung shared. After Pizza Thanh Long, the Pizza Home team has been experimenting to blend watermelon into the dough, which will be launched within a few days only to be followed by other novel products using fresh local agricultural produce to create a stable output market for local farmers. A journey of passion and constant invention After graduating from two universities simultaneously in 2003 Hanoi Foreign Language College and the Faculty of Tourism of University of Social Sciences and Humanity under Hanoi National University Hoang Tung became a tour guide for a renowned travel firm. After Pizza Thanh Long, the Pizza Home team has been experimenting to blend watermelon into the dough, which will be launched within a few days only to be followed by other novel products using fresh local agricultural produce to create a stable output market for local farmers. On account of his job, Tung could visit many locations and taste authentic local food and developed a passion for introducing distinct local delicacies to more and more people. In early 2007, using funds contributed by several shareholders, Tung opened Viet Kitchen at 24C Ba Trieu Street, Hanoi. The conceptual base for the project was to serve truly authentic Vietnamese dishes to show the unembellished and untamed side of Vietnamese cuisine to patrons. Within a single year, Viet Kitchen succeeded in establishing co-operative ties with more than 200 travel firms and built up stable customer sources. In 2008, Tung decided to strike out on his own. He and another co-founder of Viet Kitchen opened Mien Dong Duong Co., Ltd. (Indochina Travelland ITL). When the company has managed to reach stable operations, Tung has shifted into the F&B business with coffee, before establishing the Pizza Home chain. Explaining why pizza, Tung recalled that when he was still a tour guide, he was fascinated by the flavour of this Italian dish, and his favourite food was the obvious choice for trying his wings in the F&B business. There are many pizza brands in the market, but most belong to foreign firms. This has inspired me to open a pizza brand owned by Vietnamese, Tung said proudly. With the idea, Tung had quickly found the perfect companion who was the chief at a renowned hotel in Hanoi. Pizza Home came into being in 2014, with his friend in charge of production and Tung taking care of operation management. Initially, we made a couple of decisions that were off the mark. For example, building a menu with many dishes scaled up management pressure. Besides, as a new brand, we only had a few customers, Tung recalled. With their constant efforts, combined with diverse marketing campaigns like Buy one, get one free or Giant pizza challenge, Tung and his team have gradually expanded their customer base, with increasingly buoyant business. Pizza Home currently has five branches in Hanoi, all managing stable growth. Tung said he is mulling over breaking into the southern market in the not-so-distant future. The food industry still has ample space. I wish to build a strong brand, creating more jobs for locals and contributing to society, he said. TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lydian International Limited (Lydian or the Company) announced today that on February 26, 2020, the Administrative Court of the Republic of Armenia (the Administrative Court) ruled in favor of Lydian Armenia (the Companys principal operating subsidiary) and invalidated eight out of ten findings made by the Environmental and Mining Inspection Body of Armenia (the Inspection Body) under Act 30 in August 2018. At that time, the Inspection Body completed its investigation at the Amulsar Project and declared that Lydian Armenia was in breach of ten Armenian legislative requirements, including that Lydian Armenia had engaged in illegal mining activities during the construction phase of the Amulsar Project. Lydian vigorously disputed the findings and alleged that the Head of the Inspection Body was biased. The Investigative Committee of Armenia commenced a criminal case against Lydian Armenia in August 2018 based on the Inspection Bodys findings. The Administrative Court decision establishes that Lydian Armenias construction activities at the Amulsar Project did not constitute illegal mining. Lydian has always maintained that there was never any proper basis for commencing the criminal investigation. The Administrative Court also invalidated decision 30/1 of the former Head of Inspection, Artur Grigoryan, who rejected an administrative appeal brought by Lydian Armenia before the Inspection Body. The Court found that Mr. Grigoryan had been actively engaged in anti-Amulsar activities prior to his appointment to the Inspection Body, which raised reasonable doubts on his objectivity when rejecting Lydians administrative appeal. Other findings invalidated by the Administrative Court included allegations of newly found red listed plant and animal species, illegal disturbance of agricultural land and non-permitted atmospheric emissions. Those findings were determined to be baseless. The remaining two findings the Administrative Court did not invalidate were recommendations to improve documentation and annual statistical reporting. The Inspection Body has 30 days to appeal the ruling of the Administrative Court. Edward Sellers, Lydians Interim President and CEO commented on the Administrative Court decision: Lydian welcomes the impartial decision of the Administrative Court of Armenia. This is yet another instance where the Judiciary in Armenia have recognized Lydians legal compliance. In several previous rulings, Armenian Courts have found that Lydians legal rights to operate have been unlawfully impeded. Lydian has suffered serious financial losses as a result of illegal activities that the Government of Armenia has not curtailed. The actions and inactions of the Government continue to negatively impact all of Lydians stakeholders, including hundreds of employees, contractors and suppliers, as well as thousands of shareholders and investors. We call on the Government of Armenia to abide by the Administrative Courts ruling and restore Lydians legal right to operate. All inquiries regarding the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (the CCAA) proceedings should be directed to the court-appointed monitor, Alvarez & Marsal Canada Inc. (email: lydian@alvarezandmarsal.com or telephone: +1 416-847-5158). Information about the Companys CCAA proceedings, including all court orders made and the monitors reports, are available on the monitors website, at: http://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/Lydian. For further information regarding the Company, please contact: Edward Sellers, Interim President & CEO +1 647-401-5959 Bill Dean, Chief Financial Officer +1 720-307-5089 Or: moreinfo@Lydianinternational.co.uk Caution regarding forward-looking information Certain information contained in this news release is forward looking. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects, is expected, intends, anticipates or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, will, would, should, or occur or the negative or other variations of such terms. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among others, statements with respect to: the ability of the Company to resume construction and/or gain access to the Amulsar Project, of which there can be no assurances; the Companys ability to restart construction and operate the Amulsar Project; whether the decision of the Administrative Court will ultimately be upheld; there being no legal basis on which to prevent the Companys development of the Amulsar Project; the CCAA proceedings and creditor protection and the restructuring process, including the outcome; and the expectation that the CCAA process will preserve value for some stakeholders, of which there can be no assurances. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, without limitation: changes in gold and silver prices; adverse general economic, political, market or business conditions; failure to achieve the objectives of the future exploration and drilling programs; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; risks associated with obtaining and maintaining the necessary licenses and permits and complying with permitting requirements, including, without limitation, approval of the Armenian government and receipt of all related permits, authorizations or other rights, regulatory changes; risks associated with in the Companys ongoing CCAA proceeding; as well as "Risk Factors" included in the disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results and future events could materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. After months of work, a new cafe is ready to start brewing in Rochester's Kutzky Park neighborhood. The owners of Fiddlehead Coffee Co. posted an excited message on its Facebook page this week announcing that its second location is expected to launch a "soft opening" on Saturday. The second Fiddlehead Coffee Co. is in a 2,000-square-foot space on the street level of the Avani Livingapartment complex near the Miracle Mileshopping center. That's the complex at 1620 West Center St. that also houses Fresh Thyme Farmers Market. Sarah Phelanand her brother-in-law/business partner Patrick Phelanhad hoped to open the Avani location last fall, but delays postponed that plan. While it will start serving on Saturday, the second Fiddlehead won't be fully functional quite yet. ADVERTISEMENT "We are still awaiting custom kitchen equipment, so for a few weeks we'll be serving coffee & pastry only with "soft open" hours. There may be some tasty treats to sample, too," posted the Fiddlehead crew on their Facebook page. "We'll have extended hours once our full menu is available for our official grand opening on March 21." The Avani location "will be very similar" to the original Fiddlehead cafe located in the Flats on 4th apartment complex, 412 Third Ave. SE. Its menu will include the same wide array of coffee and tea drinks offered downtown as well Fiddlehead's "cafe all day menu" of soup, sandwiches and salads. The cafe is located in the northeast corner of the complex, below the apartments. It faces both the Miracle Mile shopping center and the Kutzky neighborhood. Those staging demonstrations across Canada in solidarity with Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs in opposition to a natural gas pipeline in British Columbia should at least be honest about what theyre protesting. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Those staging demonstrations across Canada in solidarity with Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs in opposition to a natural gas pipeline in British Columbia should at least be honest about what theyre protesting. So far, they havent had the guts to do so. If those blocking rail lines and roadways, lighting fires and disrupting transit in major cities are doing so in support of the hereditary chiefs who are against the construction of Coastal GasLinks pipeline, then theyre also opposing the 20 First Nations in the area that have signed off on the deal. Yet, you wont see any of the protesters with placards criticizing First Nations who have negotiated economic agreements with Coastal GasLink. That wouldnt fit their narrative. They prefer instead to pretend that this is simply a David-and-Goliath battle between government and a large energy company on one side and an oppressed group of hereditary chiefs on the other. The issue is far more complex than that. A woman holds signs as demonstrators block vehicular traffic along Wellington Street in Ottawa at a rally in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs on Monday. (Justin Tang / Canadian Press files) Anyone whos paid attention to this issue knows by now theres a jurisdictional conflict between hereditary chiefs and band councils along the B.C. coast. Hereditary chiefs have jurisdiction over their traditional land, which was never ceded to the Crown. That was confirmed in a 1997 Supreme Court of Canada ruling. Band councils, which draw their authority from the Indian Act, have jurisdiction over reserve land, but also claim to represent the broader interests of Indigenous communities in the area. The former say they were not properly consulted on the pipeline project. The latter signed economic agreements with the company that will bring jobs and economic opportunities to their communities. Coastal GasLink consulted and negotiated in good faith with the band councils, but not with the hereditary chiefs, even though they should have. Hereditary chiefs say their proposals for an alternate pipeline route were ignored by the company. They also say the RCMP has no jurisdiction to enforce court injunctions on their traditional land. Its complicated. There are no clear villains or heroes in this story. Much of the information that has emerged in recent weeks is probably news to most Canadians. The hereditary chiefs are on sound moral and legal ground. But so are the chiefs and band councils who are looking out for the best interests of their people. Protesters are taking sides in a jurisdictional conflict. Theyre not just opposing Coastal GasLink, government or the RCMP. Theyre opposing Indigenous communities that are proponents of the project. Granted, governments should have worked out these jurisdictional issues with Indigenous communities long ago, probably through the signing of treaties. Theres plenty of blame to go around. Nevertheless, this is the mess thats been left behind. 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. Standing up for the rights of one group of Indigenous people at the expense of another isnt helpful (or honourable). It wont solve anything. Its no surprise that some Indigenous people from the affected area have said publicly that outsiders should mind their own business and stop protesting. The jurisdictional conflicts between hereditary chiefs (there isnt agreement among them, either) and band councils is something they should work out on their own, without interference from others. A protester walks past a "Shame on Canada" sign at a second rail blockade in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, near Belleville, Ont., on Monday. (Lars Hagberg / Canadian Press files) Many protesters probably arent aware theyve taken sides in this dispute. Some probably believe this is a clear-cut case of government and Coastal GasLink trampling on the rights of Indigenous people, when its far more nuanced than that. That doesnt absolve them of their responsibility to be informed on the subject. If theyre not aware of the jurisdictional dispute, they should educate themselves. If they are aware of it and choose to protest anyway, they should be clear about what theyre opposing. Theyre not just supporting the hereditary chiefs, theyre protesting a group of First Nations who believe the project will help pull their people out of poverty. By taking sides in the dispute, they want to deprive those communities of those economic benefits. If thats what they choose to protest, thats fine; they can go ahead and do so (and be prepared to face arrest if their protests contravene court orders). But they should at least have the courage to stand up and be clear about what theyre opposing. tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca Canada will stop contributing to Prince Harry and Meghan Markles security costs in the coming weeks, a government spokesman has said. Canada has been paying some of the costs for the duke and duchess since last October. A statement given to Yahoo News U.K. from the Office of the Minister of Public Safety in Canada read: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing to relocate to Canada on a part-time basis presented our government with a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances. The RCMP has been engaged with officials in the U.K. from the very beginning regarding security considerations. As the duke and duchess are currently recognized as Internationally Protected Persons, Canada has an obligation to provide security assistance on an as-needed basis. At the request of the Metropolitan Police, the RCMP has been providing assistance to the Met since the arrival of the duke and duchess to Canada intermittently since October 2019. The assistance will cease in the coming weeks, in keeping with their change in status. The couple spent the Christmas holiday in Canada with son Archie. (Photo: Getty Images) Harry and Meghan spent an extended break on Vancouver Island over Christmas, with their son Archie. They returned to the U.K. in January and thanked representatives at Canada House for their nations hospitality. But it was shortly after the visit that they made the shock announcement that they wanted to step back from royal duties, saying they would carve their own path. Over the weekend, it was confirmed that their last day of senior royal duties would be March 31. In a statement on their website, they did not give any details on how their future security would be funded. Previously, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were ongoing discussions about the funding. (Photo: Getty Images) Part of the statement on the Sussex Royal website said: It is agreed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son. This is based on the dukes public profile by virtue of being born into the royal family, his military service, the duchesss own independent profile and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over the last few years. Story continues No further details can be shared as this is classified information for safety reasons. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously said he and his country were supportive of the Sussexes living there, but that there was an ongoing discussion about who would pick up the security bill. He added: I think most Canadians are very supportive of having the royals be here, but how that looks and what kind of costs are involved, there are still lots of discussions to have. There are still a lot of decisions to be taken by the royal family, by the Sussexes themselves, as to what level of engagement they choose to have. We are obviously supportive of their reflections but have responsibilities in that as well. Prince Harry returned to the U.K. this week ahead of his final round of royal duties. Prince Harry returned to the U.K. this week, but will wrap his royal duties at the end of March. (Photo: PA Images) He spoke at a conference in Edinburgh for his sustainable travel brand Travalyst, and was introduced by Ayesha Hazarika who said: Hes asked we just call him Harry. Meghan is likely to return to the U.K. early next week when she has engagements. She and Harry will attend the Endeavour Fund awards together on March 5. She will mark International Womens Day on March 8, but there are no details about what event she will attend. The couple will step back from duties on March 31, meaning from April 1 they will not be funded by the Crown. They had been thought to be preparing to set up a foundation under the name Sussex Royal, but have confirmed they wont be using the word royal in any territory, owing to its limitations in the U.K. The duke and duchess announced their intention to set up a nonprofit organization instead of a foundation. A spokesman for the couple previously said they would be focusing on the same issues after royal life as while they were as senior members of the family. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. A woman stocks up on face masks at a store in Daegu, South Korea, on February 25. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images The doomsday church that is at the heart of South Korea's COVID-19 crisis was holding prayer sermons in Wuhan, China, where the illness originated, until December. About 200 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus met at the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak and mostly ignored rumors of the illness that began to swirl as early as November, a kindergarten teacher told the South China Morning Post. However, she refused to believe that Wuhan-based members could have played a part in the outbreak in Daegu and the rest of South Korea because "none of our brothers and sisters in Wuhan have been infected," she said. "Shincheonji holds that it is the only real church that upholds the biblical truth and all other churches mainstream or cults are evil," a former missionary said. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Believers of a religious cult that is at the center of South Korea's coronavirus outbreak were meeting in Wuhan, China, in December and stopped only after people in their community began to come down with the then unknown illness. An estimated 200 Chinese members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus gathered for prayer sessions in Wuhan, the South China Morning Post reported. Wuhan is where the COVID-19 virus originated. The coronavirus has now infected more than 81,000 people around the world. Mainland China has the most cases 78,064 and is followed by South Korea with 1,261 and Italy with 323. Almost 700 people aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined for weeks in Yokohama, Japan, also tested positive for the sickness. "Rumours about a virus began to circulate in November but no one took them seriously," an anonymous 28-year-old kindergarten teacher who belongs to Shincheonji told the Post. "I was in Wuhan in December when our church suspended all gatherings as soon as we learned about [the coronavirus]." Story continues The churchgoers went home for the Lunar New Year in January. All the Shincheonji members who met in Wuhan are now in quarantine, the Post reported, but a follower traveled from Daegu, South Korea, to China in January. It's unclear where they went or where they are now. Chinese sources told the Post that 20,000 Chinese residents follow the Shincheonji church. A majority of them reside in big cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Changchun, and Shenyang. A doctor's colleague disinfects him in a quarantine zone in Wuhan, China. STR/AFP via Getty Images A Shincheonji churchgoer sparks a 'superspreader' event Shincheonji, which has almost 250,000 followers, was established in 1984 by Lee Man-hee, who claims he is the second coming of Jesus Christ and can take 144,000 people with him to heaven on Judgment Day. A "superspreader" event involving a 61-year-old woman at the church's Daegu branch, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, triggered nearly half of South Korea's COVID-19 infections, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twelve people have died, officials told the Post. The woman, identified as "Patient 31," didn't get herself tested for the coronavirus because she hadn't traveled internationally and thought she had simply picked up the common cold. Over two weekends, she came in contact with over 1,000 churchgoers who met at Daegu's Shincheonji outpost for tightly packed prayer services. Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin asked all of them to "stay at home isolated from their families." In the days since the discovery of Patient 31, 200,000 South Korean members of the doomsday cult have been tested for the coronavirus. Workers from a disinfection service sanitize a street in front of a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Daegu. Reuters A health official leading the charge in Daegu's fight against COVID-19 tested positive for the virus and only then acknowledged that he is a member of the church cult. That caused 50 other medical officials to be quarantined alongside him. A police officer and elementary-school teacher did the same. South Korea was also shaken by a second cluster of infections discovered in a hospital in Cheongdo County, a county near Daegu. One hundred patients were infected and seven died, The New York Times reported. South Korean health officials are now investigating whether these cases are in any way connected to a funeral ceremony that was held over three days at the hospital, according to the Post. 'Branded as a cult' A pastor in Hubei, China, the province where Wuhan is, defended Shincheonji members, telling the Post they work hard and tried to promote their faith and convert nonbelievers even during the coronavirus crisis. The kindergarten teacher wouldn't comment on whether any Shincheonji members from Wuhan had traveled to South Korea recently but also insisted that they had nothing to do with the mass COVID-19 cases that have erupted there. "I don't think the virus came from us because none of our brothers and sisters in Wuhan have been infected," she told the Post. "I don't know about members in other places but at least we are clean. None of us have reported sick. There are so many Chinese traveling to South Korea, it's quite unfair to pin [the disease] on us." A respiratory specialist with a patient in Wuhan. Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images The woman said a 2018 police raid of the group's "holy temple" in Hankou, China, during which they were "branded as a cult," didn't affect members' beliefs. They simply began to pray in smaller groups. "We are aware of all the negative reporting out there after the outbreak in South Korea, but we do not want to defend ourselves in public because that will create trouble with the government," she said. "We just want to get through the crisis first." Other churches are 'evil' Bill Zhang, a Shanghai resident and a former missionary for Shincheonji, echoed that sentiment. "The Shincheonji church in Shanghai has been raided many times and police spoke to church leaders regularly," he told the Post. "But the church members simply continued their meetings in smaller groups of eight to 10 people and regrouped when the surveillance was relaxed." The church's secretive nature poses a challenge for authorities looking to put an end to their activities, the 33-year-old Zhang said, adding that the branch in his neighborhood alone drew in between 300 and 400 people to its twice-a-week meetings. A worker sprays disinfectant at a Daegu railway station. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images "Shincheonji holds that it is the only real church that upholds the biblical truth and all other churches mainstream or cults are evil," he said. In Daegu, a lot of people are angry at church members who health officials have been unable to track down after news of Patient 31 broke. "I don't care whether they are a cult or not," Park Ji-hyok told The New York Times. "What makes me angry is that many church members have gone into hiding, rather than cooperating with the government" in controlling the spread of the coronavirus. Read the original article on Business Insider An American woman who was kidnapped at birth in her native Romania has been reunited with her family after 25 years apart. Belle Barbu was born to a low-income family in Romania who were falsely informed that she had a heart condition. They were sent away from the hospital while she 'underwent treatment' and were told just days later that their newborn daughter had died. But Belle had actually been kidnapped and taken to a human trafficking orphanage where a large sum of money was paid for her adoption in America. Now, at 25 years old, she has finally been reunited with her biological parents in a tear-jerking reunion. Belle Barbu, now 25, was kidnapped at birth in her native Romania but she has since been united with her biological family. Pictured: Belle embracing her mother for the first time Belle, who now lives in Washington County, Utah, was encouraged by friends to take a DNA test which traced her heritage back to India, Israel and parts of Europe. One of her friends, who was also adopted from Romania, shared the results to a Facebook group set up to help adopted Romanian children find family members. The group has so far had more than 500 success stories and it took just 48 hours to find Belle's biological family. She then decided to reach out to Operation Underground Railroad - a non-profit organisation which helps reunite victims of child trafficking with their birth parents. OUR was put in touch with an investigator in Romania who was able to confirm a DNA match between Belle and her family. It was only then that she discovered the true story about why they had been separated at birth. Belle travelled to Foggia, Italy, along with OUR's founder, Tim Ballard, in November 2019 for the reunion. Belle travelled to Foggia, Italy, along with OUR's founder, Tim Ballard, in November 2019 for the reunion She greets many of those who have gathered before being introduced to her biological father who pulls her in tightly for a hug (pictured) The moment was caught on camera as Belle nervously walked into a courtyard where her Romanian family had gathered. Her mother bursts into tears as the pair embrace with dozens of family members watching on. Belle too begins to cry and affectionately strokes her mother's back. She is then introduced to her biological father who pulls her in tightly for a hug. Belle then turns to address the group and says: 'There are a lot of words that I want to say and I want to introduce you to my friend and my family.' Belle's adoptive mother walks forward and embraces her biological mother. Speaking afterwards to DeseretNews, Belle said: 'I was literally taken from my parents and taught a whole different life. 'I still don't know how to thank the Lord for bringing us back together. How did he make that happen? It was such a miracle... 'There's nothing perfect about my story, but yet, it came together so perfectly. 'I've never cried more deeply in my life than I have through this journey.' Belle now plans to go back to college in America to study health, business and horse therapy. She also hopes to arrange for her biological family to visit her and to advocate in the fight against human trafficking. Belle (pictured) now plans to go back to college in America to study health, business and horse therapy She also hopes to arrange for her biological family (pictured together) to visit her and to advocate in the fight against human trafficking OUR works with law enforcement in 24 countries to help fight the problem of trafficking. In the last six years the organisation has been able to help rescue 3,200 victims and arrest more than 1,700 individuals. Speaking of Belle's reunion, Tim Ballard said: 'It was extremely emotional - one of the most amazing moments since I started here at OUR. 'There was so much joy and so many different feelings for each person from Belle to each of her family from Romania. 'It boils down to hope and faith and that we can all make a difference in someone's life for good. 'We should all want to see reunions like this. 'We can all play a part in reuniting families who have been separated due to injustices like trafficking.' Here are todays top news, analysis and opinion curated for you. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times. Tahir Hussain, the man at centre of AAP vs BJP row over Delhi violence Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Tahir Hussain is under fire after allegations that he is involved in the killing of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma. Read more Pot was boiling for two months: Centre hits back at Congress, AAP for Delhi violence The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at the barbs from Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing these parties of instigating violence in Northeast Delhi where 34 people have died in clashes. Read more Industrialist fled to Dubai with daughter accusing courts of gender bias, CBI brings him back Industrialist Aman Lohia, who had fled to Dubai with his three-year-old daughter around seven months ago in violation of court order has been brought back to India on Thursday said officials familiar with the developments. Read more Shinzo Abe calls for all Japan schools to be closed to fight coronavirus Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for all schools in the country to close from Monday until the end of their spring holidays as part of measures to combat the spread of coronavirus. Read more India vs New Zealand: All pace attack, new opener - 3 selection dilemmas facing India ahead of 2nd Test match in Christchurch Post Indias capitulation in Wellington, captain Virat Kohli wanted to protest his side from external factors and instead, asked them to focus on their skills, learn from the mistakes committed and then march on to Christchurch. Read more Bhagyashree reveals she was separated from husband Himalay for 1.5 years, says remembering that phase is scary Actor Bhagyashree, who has been married to Himalay Dasani since 1990, revealed that they were separated for a year and a half in the middle. Read more Reliance Jio doesnt have a single Chinese component, Mukesh Ambani tells Donald Trump Its no secret that the US is trying to get Huawei banished from the smartphone world. In the recent past, the country has not only imposed sanctions against the company banning all US-based companies from doing business with Huawei, but it has also urged other countries, including the European Union, from including the company in its 5G network. Read more Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Malaika Arora: Bollywood celebs usher in the trend of golds and jewel tones While muted monochromes may have been all the rage over the last couple of seasons, the arrival of Spring 2020 ushers in an array of gold and jewel-toned ensembles on the red carpet. Read more FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) on Wednesday said the Chandigarh bench of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the scheme of amalgamation for the merger of the company and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) New Delhi: FMCG major Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) on Wednesday said the Chandigarh bench of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the scheme of amalgamation for the merger of the company and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH). On 6 November, 2019, the Mumbai Bench of the NCLT had sanctioned the scheme and the order was subject to sanction of the Chandigarh Bench of NCLT. #JustIn | NCLT (Chandigarh Bench) sanctions scheme of amalgamation & arrangement between GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare & Hindustan Unilever pic.twitter.com/Ef1GsEelxY CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) February 26, 2020 "In this regard, we wish to inform you that the scheme has now received the sanction of the Chandigarh NCLT," HUL said in a regulatory filing. The effective date of the scheme will be communicated upon being finalised in accordance with the procedure specified by the Mumbai NCLT and Chandigarh NCLT, it added. On 3 December, 2018, Anglo-Dutch FMCG giant Unilever had announced the acquisition of health food portfolio, including popular brands Horlicks and Boost, from GlaxoSmithKline in India and over 20 other markets for 3.1 billion pounds (about 27,750 crore). Under the deal, Unilever's Indian arm, HUL is acquiring GSKCH India via an all-equity merger, valuing the total business of the latter at Rs 31,700 crore. DENVER, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlas Real Estate, a full-service real estate company specializing in investment brokerage, property management and institutional acquisition, proudly announces the promotions of Ryan Denison and Brian Bellew, two standout team members. In his new role as Regional Manager, Denison will oversee all property management operations in the Denver Metro market, a role for which he is imminently qualified. Denison was promoted for his exemplary performance as Team Lead, wherein he served as an impactful leader and top property manager. Denison's steady work ethic has helped him achieve outstanding results. He successfully and consistently fosters strong relationships with owners and residents. As an investment real estate owner himself, Denison has the aptitude and sensitivity to think like an owner in every decision he makes. "As we enter another exciting stage of growth, we're thrilled to promote Ryan Denison and Brian Bellew to new leadership positions," said Tony Julianelle, CEO. "Their skills, experience, commitment to excellence and superb customer relations have bolstered company performance, elevating the brand at every touchpoint." Brian Bellew has been a leader across multiple business lines, and with his promotion, is welcomed as the newest member of the Atlas Leadership team. In his expanded role, Bellew will serve as Director, Zillow Offers Broker Partner Operations, overseeing all functions related to representing Zillow through Zillow Offers, from property acquisition through resale. This new role will give Bellew ample opportunities to maximize his leadership acumen and analytical skills. "The Atlas Leadership team has provided steadfast guidance and support throughout our careers, and with our expanded responsibilities, we're further empowered to accelerate Atlas' momentum," said Bellew. "Speaking for Ryan and myself, we love working alongside our forward-thinking team to bring innovation to the real estate industry." For media inquiries please contact Andrea Mazzola at 866-225-0920 ext. 103 or [email protected]. About Atlas Real Estate: Atlas is a distinctly different real estate company specializing in: Investment; Property Management; Institutional Acquisition; a full-service Buy/Sell Brokerage; and a Zillow Offers Partner Agent. Serving Colorado, Arizona and Nevada, the group transacts more than $1 billion in real estate annually and manages more than 3,200 residential units. Atlas has been recognized as Best Place to Work, Best Property Management and Top Company in Real Estate. To learn more about Atlas, visit www.RealAtlas.com. Andrea Mazzola Flackable 866-225-0920 ext. 103 [email protected] SOURCE Atlas Real Estate Related Links http://www.RealAtlas.com A single quick-dissolving tablet of NURTEC ODT can provide fast pain relief and return patients to normal function within one hour, and deliver sustained efficacy that lasts up to 48 hours for many patients. NURTEC ODT disperses almost instantly in a person's mouth without the need for water, offering people with migraine a convenient, discreet way to take their medication anytime and anywhere they need it. NURTEC ODT is not indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine. Biohaven expects topline results from its prevention of migraine trial later this quarter. Vlad Coric, M.D., CEO of Biohaven commented, "The FDA approval of NURTEC ODT marks an important milestone for the migraine community and a transformative event for Biohaven. Millions of people suffering from migraine are often not satisfied with their current acute treatment, at times having to make significant tradeoffs because of troublesome side effects and reduced ability to function. NURTEC ODT is an important new oral acute treatment for migraine that offers patients the potential to quickly reduce and eliminate pain and get back to their lives." Dr. Coric added, "We believe NURTEC ODT will be the first of many innovative Biohaven medicines to become available to treat devastating neurological diseases, a therapeutic category many other companies have abandoned. We are dedicated to helping patients with these conditions, who often have limited or no treatment options, live better, more productive lives." NURTEC ODT, with its novel quick-dissolve oral tablet formulation, works by blocking CGRP receptors, treating a root cause of migraine. NURTEC ODT is not an opioid or narcotic, does not have addiction potential and is not scheduled as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. NURTEC ODT may offer an alternative treatment option, particularly for patients who experience inadequate efficacy, poor tolerability, or have a contraindication to currently available therapies. More than 3,100 patients have been treated with rimegepant with more than 113,000 doses administered in clinical trials, including a one-year long-term safety study. In the pivotal Phase 3 trial, NURTEC ODT was generally well tolerated; the most common adverse reaction was nausea (2%) in patients who received NURTEC ODT compared to 0.4% of patients who received placebo. Mary Franklin, Executive Director of the National Headache Foundation commented, "Everyone knows someone living with migraine, yet it remains an invisible disease that is often overlooked and misunderstood. Almost all people with migraine need an acute treatment to stop a migraine attack as it occurs, which can happen without warning. The approval of NURTEC ODT is exciting for people with migraine as it provides a new treatment option to help people regain control of their attacks and their lives." Peter Goadsby, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Neurology and Director of the King's Clinical Research Facility, King's College Hospital commented, "I see many patients in my practice whose lives are disrupted by migraine, afraid to go about everyday life in case of a migraine attack. Many feel unsure if their acute treatment will work and if they can manage the side effects. With the FDA approval of NURTEC ODT, there is renewed hope for people living with migraine that they can get back to living their lives without fear of the next attack." The FDA approval of NURTEC ODT is based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial (Study 303) and the long-term, open-label safety study (Study 201). In the Phase 3 trial, NURTEC ODT achieved statistical significance on the regulatory co-primary endpoints of pain freedom and freedom from most bothersome symptom (MBS) at two hours post dose compared to placebo. NURTEC ODT also demonstrated statistical superiority at one hour for pain relief (reduction of moderate or severe pain to no pain or mild pain) and return to normal function. The benefits of pain freedom, pain relief, return to normal function and freedom from MBS were sustained up to 48 hours for many patients. Importantly, these benefits were seen with only a single dose of NURTEC ODT. Eighty-six percent of patients treated with NURTEC ODT did not require rescue medication (e.g. NSAIDS, acetaminophen) within 24 hours post dose. The long-term safety study assessed the safety and tolerability of rimegepant with multiple doses used over up to one year. The study evaluated 1,798 patients, who used rimegepant 75 mg as needed to treat migraine attacks, up to one dose per day. The study included 1,131 patients who were exposed to rimegepant for at least six months, and 863 who were exposed for at least one year, all of whom treated an average of at least two migraine attacks per month. The safety of treating more than 15 migraines in a 30-day period has not been established. NURTEC ODT is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to rimegepant, NURTEC ODT, or to any of its components. Hypersensitivity reactions with dyspnea and severe rash, including delayed serious hypersensitivity days after administration, occurred in less than 1% of subjects taking NURTEC ODT in clinical studies. Biohaven Conference Call Information Biohaven is hosting a conference call and webcast on Friday, February 28, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. ET. Participants are invited to join the conference by dialing 877-407-9120 (toll-free) or 412-902-1009 (international). To access the audio webcast with slides, please visit the "Events & Presentations" page in the Investors section of the Company's website. Biohaven's Commitment to Patient Access Biohaven is committed to supporting the migraine community by eliminating barriers to medication access. The company has launched a patient support program. For more information and to enroll, please call 1-833-4-NURTEC or visit www.nurtec.com. NURTEC ODT will be available in pharmacies in early March 2020 in packs of eight tablets. Each eight tablet pack covers treatment of eight migraine attacks with one dose, as needed, up to once daily. Sample packs containing two tablets will also be made available to healthcare providers. Patients with migraine should discuss with their primary care provider or neurologist whether NURTEC ODT is appropriate for them. About NURTEC ODT NURTEC ODT (rimegepant) is the first and only calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist available in a quick-dissolve ODT formulation that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the acute treatment of migraine in adults. The activity of the neuropeptide CGRP is thought to play a causal role in migraine pathophysiology. NURTEC ODT is a CGRP receptor antagonist that works by reversibly blocking CGRP receptors, thereby inhibiting the biologic activity of the CGRP neuropeptide. The recommended dose of NURTEC ODT is 75 mg, taken as needed, up to once daily. For more information about NURTEC ODT, visit www.nurtec.com. About Migraine Nearly 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from migraine and the World Health Organization classifies migraine as one of the 10 most disabling medical illnesses. Migraine is characterized by debilitating attacks lasting four to 72 hours with multiple symptoms, including pulsating headaches of moderate to severe pain intensity that can be associated with nausea or vomiting, and/or sensitivity to sound (phonophobia) and sensitivity to light (photophobia). There is a significant unmet need for new acute treatments as more than 90 percent of migraine sufferers are unable to work or function normally during an attack. About CGRP Receptor Antagonism Small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists represent a novel class of drugs for the treatment of migraine. This unique mode of action potentially offers an alternative to current agents, particularly for patients who have contraindications to the use of triptans, or who have a poor response to triptans or are intolerant to them. What is NURTEC ODT? NURTEC ODT (rimegepant) is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. Limitations of Use NURTEC ODT is not indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine. Important Safety Information Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to NURTEC ODT or any of its components. Warnings and Precautions: If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue NURTEC ODT and initiate appropriate therapy. Serious hypersensitivity reactions have included dyspnea and rash, and can occur days after administration. Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reaction was nausea (2% in patients who received NURTEC ODT compared to 0.4% in patients who received placebo). Hypersensitivity, including dyspnea and rash, occurred in less than 1% of patients treated with NURTEC ODT. Drug Interactions: Avoid concomitant administration of NURTEC ODT with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4, strong or moderate inducers of CYP3A or inhibitors of P-gp or BCRP. Avoid another dose of NURTEC ODT within 48 hours when it is administered with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4. Use in Specific Populations: Pregnant/breast feeding: It is not known if NURTEC ODT can harm an unborn baby or if it passes into breast milk. Hepatic impairment: Avoid use of NURTEC ODT in persons with severe hepatic impairment. Renal impairment: Avoid use in patients with end-stage renal disease. Please click here for full Prescribing information. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 or report side effects to Biohaven at 1-833-4Nurtec. Please click here for full Prescribing information and Patient Information. About Biohaven Biohaven is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative best-in-class therapies to improve the lives of patients with debilitating neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Biohaven's neuroinnovation portfolio includes FDA-approved NURTEC ODT (rimegepant) for the acute treatment of migraine and a broad pipeline of late-stage product candidates across three distinct mechanistic platforms: calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonism for the acute and preventive treatment of migraine; glutamate modulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and spinocerebellar ataxia; and myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibition for multiple system atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. For more information, visit www.biohavenpharma.com. Forward Looking Statement This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of certain words, including "believe", "continue", "may", "on track", "expects" and "will" and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company's management about NURTEC ODT as an acute treatment for patients with migraine. Forward-looking statements include those related to: the Company's ability to effectively commercialize NURTEC ODT, delays or problems in the supply or manufacture of NURTEC ODT, complying with applicable U.S. regulatory requirements, the expected timing, commencement and outcomes of the Company's planned and ongoing clinical trials, the timing of planned interactions and filings with the FDA, the timing and outcome of expected regulatory filings, the potential commercialization of the Company's product candidates, the potential for the Company's product candidates to be first in class or best in class therapies and the effectiveness and safety of the Company's product candidates. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Additional important factors to be considered in connection with forward-looking statements are described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2020. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Biohaven Contact Dr. Vlad Coric Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Media Contact Mike Beyer, Sam Brown Inc. (312) 961-2502 [email protected] NURTEC is a trademark of Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. Copyright 2020 Biohaven. All rights reserved. SOURCE Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd. Related Links http://www.biohavenpharma.com Kinshasa, DR Congo (PANA) - DR Congo and Central African Republic Wednesday agreed to establish a surveillance system to deal with the activism of armed gangs all along their common border, an official source said here Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Prime Minister's Question time in the House of Commons. (Photo by HO/PRU/AFP via Getty Images) A parliamentary exchange involving Boris Johnson may have compromised the trial of a former British soldier facing trial for attempted murder, it was claimed today. Lawyers for the alleged victim's family have written to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, asking him to investigate comments made about the case of Dennis Hutchings. Mr Hutchings, 78, from Cawsand in Cornwall, is being prosecuted over a fatal shooting of a man in Northern Ireland in 1974. John Patrick Cunningham, 27, died after being shot in the back as he ran away from an Army patrol near Benburb, Co Tyrone. Mr Hutchings, a former member of the Life Guards regiment, has pleaded not guilty to his attempted murder and is due to go on trial in Belfast next month. His case has been at the centre of a political debate about the prosecution of military veterans in historic cases. The Cunningham family's legal representatives wrote to the Speaker following an exchange between Mr Johnson and Conservative MP Jack Lopresti during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. According to Hansard Mr Lopresti referred to Mr Hutchings being told in the past that he would not be prosecuted. Expand Close Dennis Hutchings (Gareth Fuller/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dennis Hutchings (Gareth Fuller/PA) He then asked if the Prime Minister accepted that if the ex-soldier goes on trial on March 9, "all the assurances, promises and manifesto commitments will amount to nothing more than meaningless empty platitudes?" Mr Johnson reportedly responded that it was to "rectify" such matters that the Government "are finally bringing in a law to prevent the vexatious prosecution of our hard-working, hard-serving veterans when no new evidence has been produced". Concerns have been raised about any potential impact on the rules around public statements about ongoing court cases. In the letter sent today to Sir Lindsay, Kevin Winters of KRW Law claimed: "During PMQs yesterday both the spirit and the letter of the sub judice rule appear to have been ignored, and the integrity of the trial of Dennis Hutchings compromised. "We respectfully request that you investigate whether the exchange yesterday constitutes a breach or violation of the rule on sub judicie." Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed American Cannabis Company, Inc. (OTCQB: AMMJ) ("the Company"), a company that offers end-to-end solutions to existing and aspiring participants in the cannabis and hemp industries. CEO and Director of the Company, Terry Buffalo, joined Stock Day host Sharon Lee. Lee began the interview by asking Buffalo about the Company's background and current projects. "American Cannabis has been around for about seven years, and we are a seed-to-sale consulting company," explained Buffalo. "We go into new markets helping clients with their application work and business plan," he continued, adding that the Company will also assist with the build-out and deployment of their client's facilities as well as operational management. Lee then commented on the Company's financials throughout 2019, and asked about the factors that contributed to their revenue increases. Buffalo noted that the Company was able to take on additional revenue by working with multiple clients in the emerging markets of both Missouri and Illinois. "In 2020, hopefully we will have 6 to 7 new markets that are coming onboard, which will contribute to our 2020 progress going forward," said Buffalo. The conversation then turned to a discussion about the contraction of cannabis stock prices and the opportunity it represents for the Company. "You have companies that are not doing enough due diligence," explained Buffalo, noting that many companies in the cannabis industry are not keeping up to date with their financials. "They're just running kind of free to make acquisitions for top-line numbers," he added. "Now the market is changing; you have investors who actually want a return on their money," said Buffalo. "We're going to continue seeing it be very challenging in the capital markets for private and public companies to be able to raise capital going forward," he continued. "How do you see American Cannabis taking advantage of this?", asked Lee. "We've been very strategic and methodical," shared Buffalo. He explained that one of the Company's Missouri clients, CannCare, is looking to diversify their holdings in other markets. "We're vetting a couple of deals with them currently. We hope that we will have some of those deals inked in the next couple of weeks," said Buffalo. He also explained the Company's recent strategic S1 filing in 2019, stating that the Company will "have the liquidity available to us when the opportunities do present themselves." Lee then asked about the Company's all natural, fully amended potting mix, SoHum Living Soils ("SoHum"). "With SoHum in general, it's a very clean product," said Buffalo, noting that consumers are becoming more and more concerned with what they are ingesting and how products are developed or grown. "The other thing about SoHum is that it enables you to lower your costs tremendously," explained Buffalo. "This is basically a product that from start all the way through harvest you need to add nothing but water. So, it helps to eliminate human error and labor costs," said Buffalo. To close the interview, Buffalo expressed the Company's excitement for their future projects. "We do have a very clean balance sheet; we have no debt on our books, which is a rarity for the cannabis space," said Buffalo. "We're going to be very methodical as we're looking at these acquisitions that we're trying to bring under our company umbrella," he added. "Again, we'll be trying to bring some additional cash flow and positive numbers, which will also bring shareholder value." To watch the entire interview with American Cannabis Company, follow the link to the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DcmIOYsrps&feature=youtu.be Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/ About American Cannabis Company, Inc. American Cannabis Company, Inc. offers end-to-end solutions to existing and aspiring participants in the cannabis and hemp industries. We utilize our industry expertise to provide business planning and market assessment services, assist state licensing procurement, create business infrastructure and operational best practices. We are continuing to grow the Company by promoting our operational management services, and furthermore, the firm has become more involved with taking equity positions in client projects, licensing the American Cannabis Company brand, as well as continuing to analyze acquisition opportunities worldwide. American Cannabis Company also developed and owns a portfolio of branded products including: SoHum Living Soils - Winner of the High Times S.T.A.S.H Award for "Best Potting Mix", The Cultivation Cube and the High-Density Cultivation System. We also design and provide other industry specific custom product solutions. For more information, please visit: www.theacclife.com www.americancannabisconsulting.com www.sohumsoils.com www.americanhempservices.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities and words such as "anticipate", "seek", intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "project", "plan", or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based drugs. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.sec.gov. Cannabis Remains an Illegal Schedule 1 Drug Under Federal Law Cannabis and its derivatives are considered illegal "Schedule 1" drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 811). As such, Cannabis and its derivatives are viewed as being highly addictive and having no medical value. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency enforces the Controlled Substances Act, and persons violating it are subject to federal criminal prosecution. The criminal penalty structure in the Controlled Substances Act is determined based on the specific predicate violations, including but not limited to: simple possession, drug trafficking, attempt and conspiracy, distribution to minors, trafficking in drug paraphernalia, money laundering, racketeering, environmental damage from illegal manufacturing, continuing criminal enterprise, and smuggling. A first conviction under the Controlled Substances Act can generally result in possible fines from $250,000 to $50 million dollars, and incarceration for periods generally from five and up to forty years. For a second conviction, fines increase generally from $500,000 to $75 million dollars, and incarceration for periods generally from ten years to twenty years to life. Contact: IR@americancannabisconsulting.com 303-974-4770 About The "Stock Day" Podcast Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America. Stock Day recently launched its Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona. SOURCE: Stock Day Media 602-441-3474 Disclaimer Stock Day Media publishes general information about our featured companies, and a basis for conducting due diligence. The general information we publish is based upon sources we believe to be trustworthy. However, you should always conduct your own due diligence on any company when considering whether or not to make an investment. Claims of past performance are no guarantee of future performance. Apart from the general information we publish about our featured companies, we may sometimes provide our own opinions about the industries and markets our featured companies do business in. All of the opinions we may make are our own, and must not be considered to be complete, precise, accurate, or current investment advice, or construed or interpreted as research. Any investment decisions you may make concerning any of our featured companies are solely your own responsibility based on your own due diligence. Our publications about our featured companies are provided only as an informational aid, and as a starting point for doing additional independent research and due diligence. We also recommend, as a general rule, that before investing in any security you should consult with a professional financial planner or advisor, and you should conduct a complete and independent investigation before investing in any security after prudent consideration of all pertinent risks. Our featured companies compensate us for our publication services. We only accept cash consideration in exchange for our publication, and do not accept any form of equity compensation, either from our company clients or company-related third parties. We do not buy, sell or hold any securities in the companies we feature. 17b Disclosure Section 17(b) of the 1933 Securities and Exchange Act requires publishers who distribute information about publicly traded securities for compensation, to disclose who paid them, the amount, and the type of payment. In order to be in full compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, Section 17(b), we are disclosing that we entered into a contract with American Cannabis Company, Inc. wherein we agreed to publish a podcast about the Company. In exchange for our services, the Company compensated us with $1,800.00. We are not a registered broker, dealer, analyst, or adviser. We hold no investment licenses and may not sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. Our publications about our featured companies are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52895 Taapsee Pannu penned a truly touching note for her director Anubhav Sinha, ahead of their film Thappad's release. Taapsee, who has previously worked with him in Mulk, declared that she is the biggest fan of his love affair with words and lines. Sharing a sweet picture of her and Anubhav on the sets of Thappad, she also wrote that she is a proud witness of his 2.0 version, referring to the social-centric movies he has been directing off-late. Taapsee wrote, "Maalum hai aapko sahaare ki zarurat nahi hai, main bas saath dene aaya hu (I know you don't need support, I have just come to give you company). That day and now I am the biggest fan of your love affair with words and lines. The proud witness of version 2.0, I really don't know if I am a bigger fan of the writer/director or the human being he is!" Continuing to sing praises of him, she wrote, "He has spoilt his actors for delivering their best and being their best. Not just my filmography but the book of my life (if ever there is one) shall be incomplete without writing about you. (And since it's WRITING, I shall send it to you only for doctoring) Yet another Friday for us and with full faith in the honesty with which we made our career's best film, we shall soon get back to breaking our own record! ZINDABAD !" Anubhav has delivered a hat-trick with three consecutive films, Mulk (2018), Article 15 (2019) and Thappad (2020) generating rave reviews from critics and movie goers. Although Thappad is yet to release, early reviews of the film are overwhelmingly positive. It hits screens on February 28. The film addresses the issue of domestic violence. ALSO READ: Taapsee Pannu's Thappad's Early Movie Reviews Are Out! ALSO READ: Is Taapsee Pannu's Thappad A Male-bashing Film? Here's What Actor Pavail Gulati Has To Say A district court here sentenced a 31-year-old man to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor girl in Bhiwandi town of Maharashtra's Thane district. In an order issued on Wednesday, district judge R R Vaishnav sentenced Kasim Ansari to seven years of rigorous imprisonment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and fined him Rs 3,000. Additional public prosecutor Ujjwala Moholkar told the court that the incident took place on July 31, 2014 in Hanuman Nagar where the accused lured the 13-year-old victim to his home and raped her. Ansari also threatened the minor girl with dire consequences if she complained about the attack, she said. However, the victim subsequently confided in her parents and a complaint was lodged with Bhiwandi town police station, she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Married At First Sight's Stacey Hampton has accused Hayley Vernon of forging a letter by her 'husband', Michael Goonan, in which he supposedly 'confessed' to their affair. The 26-year-old law graduate claimed that Michael, who runs his family's commercial ice business in Adelaide, couldn't possibly have written the letter because he has dyslexia. She also alleged the handwriting in the letter wasn't Michael's, and labelled the supposed forgery 'weirdly desperate'. Scroll down for video At war! MAFS' Stacey Hampton (left) has accused Hayley Vernon (right) of forging a letter by her 'husband', Michael Goonan, in which he supposedly 'confessed' to their affair 'This is fake, sorry. I know his writing,' Stacey commented below a post about the letter on the MAFS Funny Instagram account. 'That's not fair at all, Hayley. You can't forge someone's confession... he is dyslexic. I don't even think much of him right now, but this is weirdly desperate and low.' Hayley strongly denied forging the letter, replying: 'How desperate, Stacey, saying I forged [Michael's] confession letter... you are a terrible supposed lawyer. I thought you didn't argue with fact? Claims: The 26-year-old law graduate claimed that Michael (pictured), who runs his family's commercial ice business in Adelaide, couldn't have written the letter because he has dyslexia Having her say: 'This is fake, sorry. I know his writing,' Stacey wrote on Instagram. 'That's not fair at all, Hayley. You can't forge someone's confession... he is dyslexic. I don't even think much of him right now, but this is weirdly desperate and low' Hitting back: Hayley strongly denied forging the letter, replying: 'How desperate, Stacey, saying I forged his confession letter... you are a terrible supposed lawyer. I thought you didn't argue with fact? You best shut up and get your facts right before you point the finger again' 'You best shut up and get your facts right before you point the finger again.' It comes after Michael's leaked letter blew the lid off Married At First Sight's cheating scandal earlier this week. After Michael had denied kissing Hayley at Wednesday night's dinner party, the handwritten note obtained by Daily Mail Australia seemingly proved otherwise. Scandal! It comes after Michael's leaked letter blew the lid off Married At First Sight's cheating scandal earlier this week. Left: Michael on October 16; right: Hayley on October 14 'Hayley, you're not the only one I kissed! Plenty more secrets,' Michael wrote, before signing off with 'M'. Hayley was given the note by someone at Fox FM after stopping by the Melbourne radio station for an interview on Thursday morning. Michael had visited the same studio only recently, and had given the note to a staff member with instructions to pass it on to Hayley. 'You're not the only one I kissed, plenty more secrets': The letter, which Michael wrote to provoke a reaction from Hayley, also hinted that he kissed another bride from the show Messages: Hayley was given the note by someone at Fox FM after stopping by the Melbourne radio station for an interview on Thursday morning. Michael had visited the same studio only recently, and had given the note to a staff member with instructions to pass it on to Hayley Gossip: Hayley sent a photo of the note to several friends via Instagram on Thursday afternoon. Daily Mail Australia has obtained a screenshot of one of those messages, which read: 'This is the letter Michael left at Fox FM for me' Hayley sent a photo of the note to several friends via Instagram on Thursday afternoon. Daily Mail Australia has obtained a screenshot of one of those messages, which read: 'This is the letter Michael left at Fox FM for me.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. Cheater: Hayley's secret kiss with Michael was exposed at Wednesday night's dinner party Hayley's secret kiss with Michael was exposed at Wednesday night's dinner party. The pair had hooked up a week earlier in Vanessa Romito and Chris Nicholls' apartment after a boozy night out in Darling Harbour. At the time, Stacey was in Adelaide with her children, and Hayley's 'husband', David Cannon, was down the hallway in his room. Affair: The pair had hooked up a week earlier in Vanessa Romito and Chris Nicholls' apartment after a boozy night out in Darling Harbour During the dinner party, Michael dodged allegations he was unfaithful by insisting he was 'too drunk to remember' what happened. He acknowledged that he was acting 'stupid' and flirting with Hayley on the night in question, but claimed he had no recollection of kissing her. Hayley, who prides herself on being honest regardless of the consequences, told the group they had in fact kissed. Meanwhile, Stacey took her husband's side and accused Hayley of 'taking advantage' of Michael while he was drunk. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine The Delhi High Court on Thursday made the Centre a party in the PIL which has sought lodging of FIRs and arrests in communal violence in northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law and gave it four weeks to file a reply to the petition. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar said that "looking at the complexity of the situation", the central government was seeking more time to file a reply to the plea which has also sought lodging of FIRs against three BJP leaders over their alleged hate speeches in connection with the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) related violence. On Wednesday, a different bench of the high court, comprising of Justices S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh, had expressed anguish over the police failure to register FIR against the three BJP leaders -- Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma and Kapil Mishra -- over their alleged hate speeches and had asked the police commissioner to take a "conscious decision" on it by Thursday. When the arguments commenced post-lunch on Thursday before the new bench, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta at the outset said some of the alleged hate speeches in question were three weeks to more than a month old and yet instead of waiting for one more day the matter was mentioned by the petitioners before the bench headed by Justice Muralidhar on the ground that there was "great urgency". Mehta said the petitioners could have waited for one more day as the matter was listed for hearing before the Chief Justice's bench on Thursday. The SG said that everyone was trying to restore normalcy in the national capital and urged the court not to intervene at this stage as it would not be conducive to maintaining law and order in the city. He further said: "Considering the prevailing situation, it is the considered opinion of the police authorities that any decision at this juncture may not be conducive for restoration of normalcy. The decision (on lodging of FIR) will be taken at an appropriate stage in accordance with law". The SG also submitted that the authorities have examined all the audio/video clips and other material including that on Twitter and "after having carefully considered all these materials, a conscious decision is taken to defer the decision on the question (of lodging FIR)". He also urged the court to allow the impleadment application moved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), instead of waiting for the petitioners' reply as done by the previous bench. "Union of India's impleadment cannot depend on the yes or no of the petitioner," said Mehta, who also stated he was authorised by the LG to appear for the police. Delhi government standing counsel Rahul Mehra, who also claimed to be appearing for the police, said he will not get into the issue of appearance and instead urged the bench to issue some directions in view of the seriousness of the situation prevailing in north-east district of the city. Mehra said, "The court yesterday had asked why FIRs regarding hate speeches were not lodged when FIRs for other offences have been registered". He also told the bench that as on date 48 FIRs have been registered in connection with the deaths, arson, loot and other offences committed in that area. The death toll in the communal violence reached 34 on Thursday, with around 200 people injured. "In larger interest of the citizens some directions may be issued," Mehra told the court. However, the SG said the MHA and police need time to file a reply. He also told the court that the hate speeches would be looked into and a decision would be taken on what has to be done and added that the decision taken would be indicated in the MHA response. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, who appeared for petitioners Harsh Mander and Farah Naqvi, said there was "hatred in the air" due to the alleged hate speeches and "it resulted in the deaths, arson and looting". He said if hate speeches led to murder, then those making such speeches would be responsible for the death. "FIR has to be lodged immediately, today itself. These people should be arrested and taken off the streets," he added. The high court had on Wednesday had observed that the city had seen enough violence and it should not witness another 1984 anti-Sikh riots-like incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Textile, footwear and electronics producers in Vietnam are running low on feedstock and might have to suspend production if the Covid-19 epidemic continues. Many companies only have enough to maintain production until March, Truong Thanh Hoai, head of the Ministry of Industry and Trades Industry Agency, said at a meeting held on Wednesday to discuss how to help affected industries. China, the country hardest hit by the epidemic, is the largest source of intermediate goods for Vietnam's industries besides being a leading consumer of their products. Hoai said textile and garment, footwear and electronics are among the sectors directly affected by the epidemic. The automobile industry, which imports over 70 percent of components from China, would start suffering from shortages by the end of the first quarter, he said. "Many companies only have enough production materials to last until March or early April. After this, if the Covid-19 epidemic continues, they will have to partially or completely halt production." Earlier this month Truong Van Cam, vice chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, had suggested that many companies would have to be shut down and if the feedstock shortage persists after March. Nguyen Xuan Duong, chairman of Hung Yen Garment Corporation, told VnExpress his company only has enough to hold out until the end of this month. Along with the possibility of partners canceling orders due to delayed deliveries, this could cause the company millions of dollars in losses if the epidemic persists until the second quarter. Le Tien Truong, general director of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group, said many of his companys subsidiaries have had to negotiate with partners to delay delivery by two to three weeks due to raw material shortages. A delay in delivery of half a month could cause losses of $1.5-2 billion for the textile and garment industry. The shortages caused by the epidemic in China and South Korea have had an impact on Vietnam's industrial production in the first two months of the year. Manufacturing only grew by 6.2 percent in the period, a 2 percentage point decrease year-on-year. Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh has instructed ministry agencies to monitor the situation and make forecasts, besides adopting counter measures, since demand in major markets would also be affected by the epidemic. "We are not pessimistic ... but we must remain proactive." Joe Biden looks on course to secure a campaign-saving lifeline in South Carolina, after a new poll suggested he had a 20 point lead over his rivals. The poll was published just days before voters in South Carolina, a state where African Americans make up more than half of voters, cast their ballots for a candidate to challenge Donald Trump. The poll, conducted by New Jerseys Monmouth University, found the former vice president on 36, a full 20 points ahead of Bernie Sanders, who has emerged as the de facto frontrunner after wins in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada. Billionaire Tom Steyer, who has spent large sums of his own money to reach out to black voters, was placed third in the poll on 15 points. Of particular interest to Mr Biden, will be the fact he also has by far the largest level of support among African Americans. It suggested the 77-year-old had the support of 45 per cent of black voters, compared to 17 per cent for Mr Steyer, and 13 points for Mr Sanders, the veteran senator from Vermont. 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 South Carolina chooses presidents, Mr Biden said on Wednesday. You decided to launch Bill Clinton to the White House, and up to that time, it didnt look like he was going very far but you did. You launched my buddy Barack Obama to the White House. He added: I firmly believe, once again on Saturday, you hold in your hands, in South Carolina, the power to choose the next president of the United States. Mr Bidens campaign had always argued that Nevada and South Carolina would be his firewalls. After dismal showings in Iowa and New Hampshire, two overwhelming white and largely rural states, he has been counting on strong performance in these much more diverse states to give him a boost ahead of Super Tuesday, when more than a dozen states hold their primaries, including many of those where Michael Bloomberg has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to fund his non-traditional campaign. Joe Biden claims he was arrested in South Africa trying to see Nelson Mandela in prison In recent days some polls suggested Mr Bidens support may be slipping, with some suggesting Mr Sanders was set to continue his momentum. Commentators pointed out that while African American voters in South Carolina, especially older ones, respected Mr Biden because of his experience and because of the eight years he served as Barack Obamas deputy, it was not without caveat. Indeed, much of has been based on the presumption Mr Biden has the strongest chance of defeating Mr Trump in November. Yet after bad performances in New Hampshire and Iowa, questions were raised about Mr Bidens viability. Reports suggest some young African Americans are likely to vote for Mr Sanders. Earlier this week, Mr Biden secured what was seen as an important endorsement, when congressman Jim Clyburn, the highest-ranking African American in Congress and who represents South Carolinas sixth congressional district, said he was backing the former vice president. I want the public to know that I am voting for Joe Biden. South Carolina should be voting for Joe Biden, Mr Clyburn said in North Charleston. I know Joe. We know Joe. But most importantly, Joe knows us. I know his heart. I know who he is. I know what he is. I know where this country is: We are at an inflection point I am fearful for the future of this country. Im fearful for my daughters and their future, and their children and their childrens future. He added: It is time for us to restore this countrys dignity, this countrys respect. That is what is at stake this year. Not everyone will be happy if Mr Biden does well in South Carolina and thereby feels empowered to continue his campaign. A number of Democratic officials who believe Mr Sanders is too progressive to beat Mr Trump, despite the presence of polls showing he could do, fear the longer there are multiple centrist candidates in the race, dividing up support and delegates, the more likely it is Mr Sanders will win the nomination. Updated: Firefighters have isolated the cylinder leaking acetylene gas at Edgecumbe College this morning. Crews are no longer at the scene, says Fire and Emergency northern communications shift manager Paul Radden. An Edgecumbe College staff member says people are allowed back in the school building. "The evacuation has been lifted, and the gas leak has been dealt with." Earlier: A Bay of Plenty school has been evacuated this morning following gas leak reports. Firefighters and police are at Edgecumbe College, where people have been evacuated from the school and surrounding areas. "We are assisting FENZ following a reported gas leak at the college, which has caused it to be evacuated," says a police spokesperson. "Police received the report at 10am." There has been an acetylene gas leak from a cylinder, and the school was evacuated at about 10am, says Fire and Emergency northern communications senior dispatcher Colin Underdown. He says fire crews are currently awaiting contractors to turn the power off. Fire will use a positive pressure ventilation fan to blow gas out of the building into the atmosphere. It is unknown at this stage how long the school will be evacuated for. At the scene? Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz Prominently driven by the increasing adoption in knee osteoarthritis, the global arthroscopic devices market is recently witnessing introduction of smaller and technologically advanced arthroscopic devices that have updated optics to match the capabilities of the latest HD systems. This will significantly benefit the growth of the global arthroscopic devices market over the course of following decade. Integrated Endoscopy, a U.S-based medical devices company, recently launched its FDA-approved arthroscope NUVIS with advanced optical design and high-definition visualization features. This unique and battery operated arthroscopic device will effectively resolve the safety and sterility issues of reusable traditional arthroscopes, thereby creating multiple opportunities in the arthroscopic devices market. To Remain Ahead Of Your Competitors, Request for a Sample Here @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/18358 Global sales of arthroscopic devices will surpass the market value of US$ 10 Bn by the end of 2029. As indicated by a new Persistence Market Research (PMR) study, arthroscopic devices market is set for a promising CAGR over the course of 2019 2029. Key Takeaways Arthroscopic Devices Market Study Small manufacturers of arthroscopic devices are focusing on increasing their global footprint to expand business, internationally. Such activities are expected to fuel the arthroscopic devices market growth during the forecast period. For instance, in October 2018, MinInvasive an Israel based company launched OmniCuff rotator cuff repair system in the U.S. and expanded its business activities internationally. Increasing tie-ups between arthroscopic device manufacturers and distributors to outsource upstream services in emerging markets such as India, are expected to improve sales of arthroscopic devices in these markets. For instance, in November 2016, Stryker Corporation collaborated with Indo UK Institute of Health to deliver affordable arthroscopic care in India. Strategic acquisition of start-ups and mid-sized companies by key arthroscopic device companies to broaden their products and services is expected to propel the arthroscopic devices market growth. For instance, in 2019, Smith & Nephew acquired Ceterix Orthopaedics to enhance its product portfolio. The company added meniscal repair system NovoStitch Pro in its product portfolio through this acquisition. North America is expected to be the prominent region in the arthroscopic devices market owing to growing incidences of arthritis knee pain and well-developed medical infrastructure. According to the National Centre for Health Statistics, about 650,000 arthroscopic lavage and debridement procedures are performed for arthritis knee pain each year in the U.S. Rise in arthroscopic device product recalls and retrieving of all faulty and defective arthroscopic device products from the market are restraining the arthroscopic devices market growth. In June 2018, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MRHA) UK, sent an urgent field safety notice to Stryker Corporation for initiating a lot-specific recall for Stryker hip implant products to reduce incidences associated with these arthroscopic devices. For Critical Insights On The Arthroscopic Devices Market, Request For Customization Here @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/request-customization/18358 Product Arthroscope and Arthroscopic Systems Arthroscope Arthroscopy Fluid Management Systems Arthroscopy Visualization Systems Arthroscopic shavers Arthroscopic Shaver Systems Disposables Arthroscopy Implants Interference Screws Suture Anchors Arthroscopy Radio Frequency Systems and Wands Arthroscopy Radio Frequency Systems Arthroscopy Radio Frequency Wands End User Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers Orthopedic Clinics Region North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Technological advancements such as advanced visualization and improved suturing techniques in arthroscopic devices will result in a market flourishing with ample growth opportunities, providing scope for a competitive advantage to market players in terms of innovation. For In-Depth Competitive Analysis, Buy Now @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/18358 Who Is Winning? The arthroscopic devices market report tracks the key market players, which include- Arthrex, Inc. Stryker Corporation Smith & Nephew Plc. CONMED Corporation KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG Olympus Corporation Richard Wolf GmbH Johnson & Johnson Leading manufacturers of arthroscopic devices are focusing on collaborations with different organizations to enhance their arthroscopic devices product portfolio especially in sports medicine. Three members of a family drowned when the car they were travelling in plunged into an irrigation canal in Telanganas Nalgonda district on Thursday morning, the police said. The incident took place at around 8 am when the family was returning to their village of Vadderigudem of Pedda Adiserla Pally block in the district. The deceased were identified as Orsu Rangaiah (45), his wife Alivelu (38) and daughter Keerthi (18). Their son Karthik (15) was rescued by locals. Gudipally sub-inspector of police J Gopal Rao told Hindustan Times that Rangaiah who had been staying in Hyderabad for the last 10 years and was working in the stone-cutting business, came to the village along with his family members to see his old parents. On Wednesday, they had gone to the neighbouring village to attend a marriage of their relatives and were returning to their village on Thursday morning. The bridge over the irrigation canal belonging to Alimineti Madhava Reddy Project (AMRP) is very narrow. Rangaiah apparently lost control over the steering of the car and it plunged off the bridge into the canal, the SI said. He said the car floated on the water for some time and some locals immediately jumped into the waters to rescue the family members. However, Rangaiah panicked and did not open the doors. Apparently, he thought they would be safe if they remained in the car. Some villagers forcibly broke open the window panes and pulled Karthik out and by the time, they tried to rescue others, water entered the car and within minutes, it drowned completely, Gopal Rao said. Meanwhile, Gudipalli police who rushed to the spot managed to retrieve the car with the help of cranes but could not save the other three family members. We have booked a case of accidental death and are investigating the matter, the sub-inspector said. This is the fourth such incident involving family members in a span of one month in Telangana. On February 21, three persons, including the husband of a woman sarpanch and their son, died when their car plunged into an irrigation tank at Vellanki village of Ramannapet block in Yadadri Bhongir district. On February 17, the bodies of TRS lawmaker D Manohar Reddys sister Radha, her husband Satyanarayana Reddy and their daughter Vinaya Sri, who had gone missing since January 27, were fished out from the Kakatiya Canal along with their car near Karimnagar town. On February 16, a car in which a couple was proceeding to a temple fell off the bridge into Kakatiya Canal almost at the same spot. The husband died and the woman survived with injuries. A constable, who rushed to the spot to conduct an inquiry, also fell off the bridge and died. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Ulrika Jonsson has revealed her daughter was recently tested for coronavirus after complaining of 'flu-like symptoms and chest pain' (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) Ulrika Jonsson has praised the amazing NHS for looking after her eldest daughter so well following a recent coronavirus scare. The Swedish media personality assured her followers that everything is fine but that the last few days have fraught with anxiety and exhaustion due to 20-year-old Bo coming home from university complaining of chest pain and flu-like symptoms. Read more: Ulrika Jonsson says having sex for first time in five years was "like losing my virginity" Wasnt allowed to go to Drs, Jonsson recalling in an Instagram post that she rang 111 and they sent out an ambulance and paramedics took Bo to the A&E very calmly. Corona had to be ruled out in isolation and investigations pursued due to her cardiac defect, she continued to explain. She was ridiculously brave - despite the distress it was causing her. Finally, [she was] given the all clear. Jonsson, 52, went on to say she is so proud of Bo for handling the tests like a trooper and that shes so relieved there she wasnt suffering from something serious. Will be eternally grateful to our amazing #nhs which is always there when you need it and has been saving her life since before she was born, she added. Huge thanks to the 3 wonderful paramedics who treated her with such care and respect. And were sweet with our doggies. I bow to thee. Read more: Ulrika Jonsson opens up about 'lonely' marriage to third husband Bo was born with a congenital defect that affects the valves and chambers of the heart. By the time she was three, she had already had two open-heart surgeries and one closed. The first years of her life were terrifying and volatile, Jonsson previously wrote in a HELLO! column. Together, we walked a tightrope between life and death. As a mother, I carried the knowledge, fear and terror in my head that no matter how brilliant the advancement of medicine, no one knew how long she might live. Or even if. A Thai minister once jailed for conspiring to smuggle heroin into Australia is facing censure for lying to the countrys Parliament about revelations of his criminal past. Government enforcer Thammanat Prompao, who pleaded guilty to a heroin trafficking charge in Sydney in 1993, is among six Thai MPs facing a week-long censure motion. The Age's front page from September 9 is shown during Wednesday's censure debate against embattled Thai minister Thammanat Prompao, right, in Parliament in Bangkok. Credit:Facebook The opposition accuses Thammanat of being ineligible to be a cabinet minister because of his criminal record, and says he misled Parliament by lying about the case after the Sydney Morning Herald and Age published stories in September detailing his drug-trafficking conviction. At the height of the lengthy censure debate, Thammanat attempted to block the admission of Australian court documents which in part formed the basis of the Herald and Ages reports. The National Emergency Coordination Group will meet tomorrow ahead of more weather warnings as Storm Jorge looms. STATUS Orange weather warnings have been issued as the latest storm is set to batter Ireland with gusts of up to 130km/h and up to 50mm of rain. We may be coming into spring but the wintry washout weather isn't showing any signs of letting up. Given the prolonged period of very wet weather, the flooding that has already occurred and the potential impact of Storm Jorge, due to hit Ireland this weekend, the NDFEM has decided to convene a meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) tomorrow morning in the National Emergency Coordination Centre, Agriculture (NECC)," the department of housing, planning and local government said. Met Eireann released the fresh weather alerts today as they said that snow, ice, heavy rain and strong winds are all forecast over the coming days. Forecaster Joanna Donnelly said the storm is set to hit coastal counties on Saturday. A Status Orange wind warning is in place for Galway, Mayo Clare and Kerry between 6am on Saturday until 3am on Sunday. Another Satatus Orange wind warning has been issued for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo from 12pm on Saturday until 3am and Sunday. "It's going to affect Ireland on Saturday. It's an orange level warning for coastal counties of the west, so that's up to 130 km/h gusts," Ms Donnelly told Independent.ie A status yellow snow ice warning for Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo is currently in place until midday today, but Met Eireann are expecting to issue another ice and snow warning after the storm's arrival. "There are going to be more wintry showers after Jorge comes through. So, there's likely to be more snow/ ice warnings after. For the the moment we'll be concentrating on the wind warnings." Status Yellow rainfall warning will be in place for Munster, Connacht and Donegal on Friday. "Rainfall accumulations of 20 to 30mm expected during Friday and Saturday generally but 40 to 50 mm in parts of Kerry, with a continuing risk of flooding due to already saturated ground and elevated river levels," a Met Eireann spokesperson said. Selbyville, Delaware, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to latest report Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Market by Product (Earbuds, Headphones), Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), Regional Outlook, Competitive Market Share & Forecast 2026, by Global Market Insights, Inc., the market valuation of Bluetooth headphones will cross $120 Billion by 2026. The wireless Bluetooth headphones market growth is attributed to technological advancements in wireless Bluetooth headphones. Wireless Bluetooth headphones are rapidly adopted due to ease of listening, comfort, and convenience they offer to the consumers. Market players are investing heftily in R&D activities to improve several technological capabilities such as high-quality sound and noise cancellation. This enhances the listening experience of the consumers, propelling industry growth. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/4567 The wireless Bluetooth earbuds segment will expand at 10% CAGR through 2026 impelled by increasing penetration of smartphones across the globe. Headphones & smartphone manufacturers are developing earbuds with high-quality listening experience, longer stand-by, and music playtime. Smart functionalities, such as gesture recognition and voice assistance in the earbuds, are also gaining popularity among consumers. Growth in the headphones segment is attributed to features offered by wireless types of headphones such as noise cancellation and connectivity features. In addition, the ease of convenience and comfort offered by these devices have surged wireless Bluetooth headphones market demand. Market players are gaining lesser profitability owing to decline in prices and the availability of numerous headphone variants from several manufacturers. The online channel segment is expected to witness a rapid surge till 2026 as consumers increasingly embrace mobile shopping apps for better product recommendations and the ability to shop 24/7. In addition, greater variety and selection of products listed on e-commerce websites compared to brick and mortar stores has accelerated the growth of the online sales channel. The non-availability of premium wireless Bluetooth headphones in physical stores is also causing consumers to transition towards online websites, which often provide free shipping and better prices compared to in-store discounts. Asia Pacific wireless Bluetooth headphones market is predicted to witness over 10% growth during the forecast period due to rise in the sale of smartphones, tablets, and laptops across the region. The regional market is specifically driven by the presence of a high population coupled with a rise in disposable income in economies including China, India, Japan, and South Korea. In addition, the growing demand for Bluetooth headphones from offshoring centers in India and the Philippines will augment market growth. Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/4567 The global wireless Bluetooth headphones industry is highly competitive with the presence of prominent players holding a major market share. Several technology partners are partnering with online retailers and offering products at low prices to gain market share. Branding strategies are helping vendors to enter and capture untapped markets. Companies also offer a wide range of products to their customers. Some major findings of the wireless Bluetooth headphones market report include: The continuous use of smartphones for multimedia consumption, internet calling services, live streaming, and OTT apps is driving the uptake of wireless Bluetooth headphone . . Several component suppliers focus on technological innovations, high-end design, and product differentiation to enhance the features of the final product. A decline in cost and enhancement in the quality of the product has improved loyalty amongst consumers. Expansion in the manufacturing abilities and increasing consumption in the emerging economies have transformed the earphones & headphones industry. Wired technology can hinder free movement and obstruct operations; hence, customers are shifting toward wireless equipment. Noise-canceling headphones are gaining customer attention as they provide noise elimination and wide usage across various verticals. Enhancement in product features and decline in prices are expected to increase the adoption of wireless Bluetooth earbuds among users. Market players are launching earbuds with enhanced product features and at competitive prices to improve their market share. Some of the major enterprises operating in the wireless Bluetooth headphones market include Apple, Inc., Bang and Olufsen A/S, Beats Electronics LLC., Beyerdynamic GmbH & Co. KG, Bose Corporation, Bowers & Wilkins Group Ltd., Harman International Industries, Inc., Jabra Corporation, LG Electronics, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Motorola Solutions, Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V, Sennheiser Electronic, Skullcandy, Inc., and Sony Corporation. Table of Contents (ToC) of the report: Chapter 3 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Market Insights 3.1 Industry segmentation 3.2 Industry landscape, 2014 - 2026 3.2.1 Earphones and headphones industry landscape 3.2.2 Wearable industry landscape 3.3 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.3.1 Distribution channel analysis 3.3.1.1 Direct selling 3.3.1.2 Independent authorized distributors and resellers 3.3.1.3 Online channel 3.4 Technology & innovation landscape 3.4.1 Wireless charging 3.4.2 Noise cancellation technology 3.5 Regulatory landscape 3.5.1 U.S. 3.5.1.1 Consumer Product Safety Act 3.5.1.2 Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) 3.5.2 EU 3.5.2.1 EMC Directive 3.5.2.2 Eco-design Directive 3.5.2.3 EU 517/2014 3.5.3 China 3.5.3.1 Electricity act of 1994 3.5.3.2 Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2002/96/EC) 3.5.4 Russia 3.5.4.1 The Federal Law 'On Personal Data' No. 152-FZ 3.5.4.2 Information Protection Act No. 149 3.5.4.3 Regulation No. 781 3.5.4.4 Rules of sale of goods by remote method, No. 612 3.5.4.5 Protection of rights of consumers, No. 2300-1 3.6 Industry impact forces 3.6.1 Growth drivers 3.6.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.7 Growth potential analysis 3.8 Porters analysis 3.9 Competitive landscape, 2019 3.9.1 Manufacturers unit & sales volume, 2014 2019 3.9.2 Strategy dashboard 3.10 PESTEL analysis Browse Complete Table of Contents (ToC) @ https://www.gminsights.com/toc/detail/bluetooth-headphones-market About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. GMIPulse, our business analytics platform offers an online, interactive option of exploring our proprietary industry research data in an easy-to-use and dynamic manner. Clients get to explore market intelligence across 11 top level categories and hundreds of industry segments within them, covering regional, company level and cross-sectional statistics that make our offering a stand-out for decision makers. Boehringer Ingelheim will work with Trutino Biosciences to access the company's On-Demand-CytokineTM (ODC) platform to develop new cancer immunology compounds The partners aim to develop safer, more tolerable and more effective cytokine therapies for single agent and novel combinations with Boehringer Ingelheim's innovative cancer vaccine, oncolytic virus, T cell engager and myeloid-targeting therapies Boehringer Ingelheim and Trutino Biosciences today announced they have entered into a research collaboration and worldwide licensing agreement based on Trutino's innovative On-Demand-Cytokine (ODC) platform. Under the terms of strategic alliance, Boehringer Ingelheim gains access to Trutino's ODC platform technology for the generation and development of up to three new ODC candidates. This new collaboration combines Boehringer Ingelheim's long-term strategy to provide first-in-class, breakthrough therapies for cancer patients with Trutino's unique knowledge and expertise in increasing the safety and efficacy of cytokine therapies. "Developing a strong and innovative cytokine therapeutic program as an additional component of our cancer immunology portfolio, demonstrates how we are 'Taking Cancer On,' and provides a high potential combination partner for our existing cancer vaccine, oncolytic virus, T cell engager and myeloid-targeting therapeutics portfolio," said Jonathon Sedgwick, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Global Head, Cancer Immunology Immune Modulation Research at Boehringer Ingelheim. "We are very pleased to partner with Trutino and harness the potential of their innovative scientific platform to develop treatment breakthroughs that will transform the lives of cancer patients." Trutino's ODC platform masks the activity of cytokines until they reach the tumor site and become fully activated, sparing systemic exposure and potentially leading to a higher margin of safety and greater efficacy than conventional cytokine treatments. Trutino will generate the new ODC molecules and carry out preclinical validation, handing over development to Boehringer Ingelheim for late pre-clinical testing through the rest of development. "We are excited to embark on this partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, a leader in cancer immunology, to advance cytokine therapeutic options that address the unmet medical needs of patients worldwide," said Phillip Kim, Ph.D., MBA, Founder and CEO of Trutino Biosciences. "Boehringer Ingelheim has a deep commitment to innovative scientific approaches and is a leader in bringing novel cancer therapies to market. This global partnership validates the broad potential of our proprietary ODC platform to create safer and more effective cytokine therapies that can be delivered systemically and activated locally. Together, we can rapidly develop a new generation of cytokine therapies to address critical unmet need in oncology." Trutino's clinical potential was initially recognized by Boehringer Ingelheim through its grass roots programs, including the 'BI Innovation Prize,' where the ODC platform technology was an early-stage standout in the 2019 program held in San Diego. Launched in 2015, the grass roots programs comprise of 'BI Office Hours,' 'BI Academy' and the 'BI Innovation Prize.' Through Office Hours, Boehringer Ingelheim has provided over 200 early-stage companies in the life-sciences community with mentoring and direct access to relevant expertise and industry perspective from senior leaders within the company. In partnership with BioLabs in Boston, New York and San Diego, Boehringer Ingelheim has awarded numerous entrepreneurs with free lab space through the 'Golden Ticket' program. As a company dedicated to improving health and quality of life, these programs give Boehringer Ingelheim the opportunity to lend expertise to the innovation community and offer guidance around the science to help enable ideas to deliver the next breakthroughs. The partnership with Trutino will strengthen Boehringer Ingelheim's next generation immune oncology portfolio, which combines cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, T Cell engagers and myeloid targeting platforms with the aim of making "cold" tumors that are invisible to the immune system "hot" to rally the immune system against the tumor. Under the terms of the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim will provide an upfront payment, near-term pre-clinical milestone payments and clinical, regulatory and commercial milestone payments, including royalties on future product sales. Please click on the following link for 'Notes to Editors': http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/press-release/cytokine-platform-collaboration-trutino-biosciences View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005580/en/ Contacts: For further information: Boehringer Ingelheim Dr. Reinhard Malin Head of Communications Innovation Unit Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Center GmbH Media PR +49 6132 77-90815 reinhard.malin@boehringer-ingelheim.com Linda Ruckel Associate Director, Media and Corporate Reputation Boehringer Ingelheim U.S. Media PR +1 203-791-6672 linda.ruckel@boehringer-ingelheim.com Trutino Bioscience Phillip Kim +1 858-880-5501 pkim@trutinobio.com John Zacamy +1 212-486-2760 info@trutinobio.com And if you add the 155 delegates allocated from the early voting states Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina by the time Super Tuesday has ended, almost 40 percent of the total delegate allocation will be spoken for. If one candidate opens a wide delegate lead, it could prove mathematically difficult for others to climb back into contention. As such, what happens on Super Tuesday could very well decide the race or come very close to doing so. At the very least, the results that come out of Super Tuesday could winnow the field. For a specific look at what is at stake for each major candidate on Super Tuesday, have a look at our handy guide. Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk! You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details. According to persons aware of the development, Temasek has approached the corporate affairs and finance ministries for their approval to buy a 51 per cent stake, which will give it controlling rights in LVB. Temasek already has an interest in several financial sector firms. Hence, it is seeking consent on whether it can take a controlling stake in one more Indian bank, which is ... 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 Advertisement Pope Francis has been forced to cancel a planned Mass in Rome with other clergy after suffering a 'slight illness'. The Vatican said the 83-year-old pontiff had a 'slight indisposition' that meant he did not attend an event at the St John Lateran basilica in Rome on Thursday morning. A spokesman said Francis would continue with the rest of his day's business, but preferred to stay within the Vatican rather than travel across the city. There was no word from the Vatican about the nature of his illness, but the pope was seen coughing and blowing his nose during the Ash Wednesday Mass. Pope Francis has cancelled an event in Rome on Thursday morning due to a 'slight illness', a day after he was pictured coughing and blowing his nose during Ash Wednesday Mass The Vatican said that Francis failed to attend a morning Mass at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano because of a 'slight indisposition', having appeared unwell the previous evening Pope Francis as arrives to lead the Ash Wednesday Mass, where he appeared unwell during the ceremony Earlier in the day Francis had met with crowds in St Peter's Square where he touched hands and kissed faces, despite warnings over coronavirus Northern Italy is currently in the grips of a coronavirus outbreak, which has spread across the country. Cases have been confirmed in Rome, where the Vatican is located Pope Francis caresses a child's cheek as he takes part in his weekly general audience at the Vatican, a day before missing an engagement due to illness Cardinal Vicar Angelo De Donatis reads a speech prepared by Pope Francis to members of the clergy after the pontiff was unable to attend morning Mass Francis did later emerge to hold Mass at the Church of Saint Martha in Vatican City, with officials insisting that he would carry out the rest of his day's duties It comes a day after he kissed heads and touched faces as he met with crowds in St Peter's Square, saying he had solidarity with those suffering from coronavirus. Italy is currently in the grips of a coronavirus outbreak that has seen towns in the north placed on lockdown and travellers from the region spread the infection to previously unaffected areas of Europe. Rome had three cases, but all three were cured. Francis had been scheduled to go to the St John Lateran basilica to meet with Rome clergy and celebrate a penitential Mass at the start of Lent. Francis is bishop of Rome, but delegates the day-to-day running of the archdiocese to a vicar. The Argentine pope has generally enjoyed good health. He lost part of one lung as a young man because of a respiratory illness, and suffers from sciatica, which makes walking difficult. Francis has had a busy schedule lately, including his public general audience on Wednesday and the Ash Wednesday service later in the day in a Roman basilica. Pope Francis kisses a child at the end of his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square in Vatican City Pope Francis greets catholic faithfuls at St Peter's square in the Vatican at the end of his weekly general audience The Vatican said that Francis would continue with the rest of his work on Thursday, but cancelled a meeting with priests because he preferred to stay at home (pictured meeting crowds on Wednesday) Pope Francis poses with faithful from Iraq in St. Peter's Square during his weekly audience Several people in the crowd wore face masks to protect themselves against infection as they waited to see Francis on Wednesday Only a few of the 12,000 or so faithful who turned out to see him on Saint Peter's Square were wearing face masks. But the 83-year-old Francis did not shy away from shaking hands with members of the congregation - and even kissed some of the children present. Pope Francis is known hugging the faithful or accepting kisses on his cheek or forehead. However, a year ago he explained his reticence for allowing people to kiss his ring, explaining the practice could spread germs. In his Ash Wednesday homily marking the beginning of Lent, the pope exhorted the world's 1.3 billion Catholics to 'switch off the television and open the Bible'. He urged followers to give up trolling people on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook for Lent. Pope Francis greets faithful in St. Peter's Square during his weekly audience on February 26, 2020 in Vatican City 'I would like to express my closeness to the coronavirus patients and to the health workers who are treating them, as well as to the civil authorities,' Pope Francis said People wear face masks as a precaution to the outbreak of Coronavirus in Italy, during the weekly General Audience at St. Peter's Square Faithful wear face masks as they wait for Francis arrival in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican for his weekly general audience He said there was too much 'verbal violence' in the world which was 'amplified by the internet'. Francis added that Lent was 'a time to give up useless words, gossip, rumours, tittle-tattle and speak to God on a first name basis.' It comes as 50 more cases including eight children of COVID-19 have now been confirmed in Italy, taking the toll past 370. Twelve patients have died. Almost a dozen towns have been quarantined in the northern part of the country in a desperate attempt to contain the worsening coronavirus crisis. Cases from Italy have now been confirmed in Austria, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, France, Greece and Spain, as well as Algeria and Brazil. It comes after thousands of British families jetted to Italy during the half-term break from schools last week and Easter holidays are just five weeks away. More than 82,000 cases of the COVID-19 the disease caused by the coronavirus have been recorded across the world, with the death toll nearing 2,800. The first coronavirus vaccine by the biotech firm Moderna will be shipping the first batches to the US government in six weeks, so researchers will begin the immunization work and study. Trials will begin on the anti-viral, but testing and further approvals will be as long as a year. In this period, all tests will be done to check on the anti-viral in controlled conditions. Moderna (MRNA) on Monday said that the initial batch of the novel coronavirus vaccine (now COVID-19) called mRNA-1273, is now in route to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). A rise of 15% in company shares was recorded by the company, with its address in Boston where trading share went up on Tuesday. Moderna reported that "the first vials of the experimental vaccine would be used in a planned Phase 1 study in the United States, which typically involves testing a vaccine on a small number of healthy humans." Clinical trials will begin by the start of April, as the starting phase to check if the vaccine is safe and for use against the virus. NIAID Director Anthony Fauci stressed that it was needed to make sure it is safe for humans. According to the Wall Street Journal that reported the development of the vaccine, a dual dose will be given to volunteers to check if the vaccine works against coronavirus. Fauci related to CNN that 45 volunteers are already in line to receive the anti-viral coronavirus vaccine. Should the clinical trials be a success, more testing and regulatory approvals are still needed, and all the processes needs to be cleared. Also read: Coronavirus Effects: How it Harms Human Body Organs With more than 80,000 infected worldwide, the clock is ticking, and everyone from health agencies and pharma companies are racing the clock as more deaths are added. The global effort to restrain the coronavirus is putting pressure to find a cure fast. Director Anthony Fauci related to CNN that scientists and researchers can hasten the release of an anti-viral once phase 1 trials have good results just to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It will take time to create a suitable coronavirus vaccine that even working at an emergency speed wil still require at least a year or 18 months before it is approved for use, said Fauci. Not only Moderna is racing to complete a successful coronavirus anti-viral medicine, other pharma giants are working on their version too. One of these players is Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and GlaxoSmithKline (GLAXF) who are doing their research on anti-virus vaccines, including government researchers working at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Another vaccine made by Gilead (GILD) is remdesivir which has help minimize symptoms of positive patients. Gilead gained 5% in stocks as the World Health Organization confirmed some success with its use of remdesivir, but it is not yet final if it indeed works against coronavirus. Moderna's anti-viral is in an experimental stage, manifesting that it is not proven yet. The development of the cure is fast and it was developed in 42 days by using the genetic information of the virus. Further testing of Moderna's vaccine based on mRNA technology is still underway which will help determine if the coronavirus vaccine works. Related article: Lysol and Clorox Effective Against Coronavirus? EPA Says It's Complicated @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ANKARA, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The Turkish army is retaliating with artillery fire at Syrian government targets in Syria after an airstrike killed 22 Turkish soldiers in the northwestern Idlib province, two Turkish security officials said on Friday. "All known" Syrian government targets are under fire by Turkish air and land support units, Turkey's communications director Fahrettin Altun said separately on Friday, according to state-run Anadolu news agency. Turkey has decided to "respond in kind" to the attack by the Syrian government, Altun added. (Reporting by Orhan Coskun; Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Jonathan Spicer) Russias latest report on childrens health released this month notes a shortage of qualified doctors and singles out medical facilities that are in poor condition. About one-third of 117,000 medical facilities that were inspected lack running water and more than 40 percent lack central heating, according to the Audit Chamber, the Russian governments public spending watchdog. Most of the buildings housing medical institutions are in unsatisfactory sanitary and technical condition, contributing to their natural dilapidation, the report says of the inspections carried out in January. Slightly more than half the buildings dont have hot water, 35 percent lack sewer systems, and 47 percent arent accessible by wheelchairs. Major repairs are needed at 14 percent of the inspected buildings. Theres a lack of qualified pediatricians in the regions and the conditions of most buildings used for childrens clinics cant provide patients the needed comfort, the Audit Chamber said. The figures havent changed much from 2016 when a similar report was compiled. The chambers previous chief auditor then said central heating was missing at more than 40 percent of Russian clinics or hospitals and running water was absent in 31 percent. The watchdog also criticized President Vladimir Putins $400 billion national spending program for earmarking a small fraction of the funds on childrens health care through 2024, The Moscow Times reported. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 08:20:59|Editor: ZD Video Player Close A medical worker demonstrates a visit to the isolation ward with a "5G+VR" visiting system at the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 26, 2020. A "5G+VR" visiting system is put into use in the isolation ward of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, setting up a new communication channel among doctors, suspected COVID-19 patients and their families in the isolation ward. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) What's another two years for a 92-year-old building? HGTV darlings Chip and Joanna Gaines snatched up Waco's Grand Karem Shrine building from McLennan County in 2018 and are finally installing their vision for a sleek, new boutique hotel in downtown Waco, Texas, which should debut in 2021. For years, officials in town struggled with how to make the best use of the vacant building. The Gaineses made it easy for them when they vowed to transform the historic three-story structure, which was temporarily put on hold. Earlier this month, Joanna Gaines posted some images of what appears to be the Karem interior with a caption explaining that demo day was fast approaching. HoustonChronicle.com: 'Fixer Upper' stars Chip & Joanna Gaines snatch up Waco's 129-year-old Cottonland Castle Despite the tear-down plans, its clear to fans of the show that some of its original bones will likely remain intact. At least one room already showcases some of the Magnolia-style brand that fans have come to embrace: a fireplace with character, elegant crown moldings and unique pendants (that were pretty sure will be repurposed). In another photos, Chip Gaines can be seen amid a backdrop of an exposed-brick arcade, a staple character of the structure, that may also survive demolition day. So why the long delay between in beginning renovations, roughly two years after closing on this space? The couple has been busy: Apart from raising youngest son, Crew, the couple also manages a successful hub of their Magnolia brand in town (from a magazine to bakery and shops) and features a range of product lines from furniture to home decor and paints Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines that are sold everywhere from Target to Home Depot. Another recent focus for the couple has been launching "Magnolia Stay" vacation rentals, which opened for summer bookings just weeks ago. Their tight collection of Waco lodgings requires a two-night minimum stay and starts at a lofty $545 per weeknight. Although each rate includes full use of an entire house, which accommodates several people. Up next for the Gaineses: their TV networks premiere show. We're not sure when the busy couple sleeps, but we'd guess it's on Magnolia bedding. (Newser) The Church of Scientology apparently wasn't thinking about the environment when it opened a new church in southern California Saturday. Images shared by the church show hundreds of helium balloons being released during the Ventura center's grand opening, KTLA reports. The pictures quickly sparked anger, with groups including the Surfrider Foundation wondering what the church was thinking. Balloons and their remnants are well known for killing marine life and animals when ingested, littering the environment, and even causing power outages if they hit power lines. Ventura's mayor says the church asked for a balloon release in its permit application for the event and was told the city wouldn't allow it, but the church went ahead with it anyway. story continues below "This is a community that voraciously defends its natural environment and we will not stand for this type of assault on our environment and animal life," Ventura's mayor tells CNN. "It is completely hypocritical for the church to claim environmental bona fides and then turn around and do a balloon release which does incredible harm to this environment they claim to protect." Scientology officials attended the city council meeting Monday night and apologized, the Ventura County Star reports. "This is not the way we wanted to introduce ourselves to the community," the president of the Ventura chapter said. "We are here to apologize. We have been doing beach cleanups and starting tomorrow we will be doing daily beach cleanups." (Read more Scientology stories.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 23:34:07|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga in Beijing on Thursday. Li said Battulga's visit demonstrates Mongolia's firm support to China's fight against the coronavirus outbreak, and its friendship toward the Chinese people. China stands ready to work with Mongolia to overcome the impact of the epidemic, and gradually resume their normal exchanges and cooperation, said Li, expressing belief that after the epidemic is over, the two countries' relationship will embrace new development opportunities. China's epidemic prevention and control work has shown positive changes, but the task is still arduous and can not afford to be taken lightly, said Li. He said China is advancing the work on coordinating the prevention and control work with economic and social development, and has confidence and capability to win this battle and achieve this year's economic and social targets. China has been sharing information with the international community in an open, transparent and timely manner, and is willing to continue to cooperate with the international community to safeguard world public health security, said Li. Battulga expressed his sympathies to the Chinese people for their loss. He said China has adopted effective measures and achieved positive results, expressing belief that China will surely win the battle. Mongolia is willing to work with China to overcome difficulties, enhance mutual political trust, consolidate good neighborliness, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to elevate bilateral relations to a new height, he said. Meanwhile, he reveals that Chanakya, with Ajay Devgn, is slated to go on floors by October. Director Neeraj Pandey of A Wednesday, Baby, M.S Dhoni: The Untold Story and Naam Shabana fame is finally making his digital debut with an action-thriller named Special Ops for Hotstar. The fictional web series revolves around a manhunt for a terrorist mastermind who was behind the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, the 26/11 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the 2016 Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir. If we dont have something new, then we would not be saying it. We believe we had a unique story to tell, which is also a relevant one to tell. This story is the journey of a guy who believes in a certain amount of truth, and it is the story of his tenacity, having lived 19 years where people dismissed his story. But he is living with his truth and is able to complete his journey with that truth, says Pandey about the project. Pandey is among the breed of filmmakers who rely on the story and not the cast to make a project successful. In fact, he doesnt believe in star power at all. Star factor is never there in our films; right from my first film I never believed in the star factor. When I cast Shushant Singh Rajput in Dhoni, he was not a star. Star factor does not matter, but your story has to appeal. If it does not work, then even if you have a star, it will not work. Our basic effort is to put forth our story in the best possible manner, he explains. Meanwhile, the filmmaker reveals that his upcoming feature film Chanakya, starring Ajay Devgn, is slated to go on floors by October this year. Right now, we are busy preparing for the film. Hopefully, next year you will see what we are doing, he smiles. Before signing off, Pandey also dismissed reports that he is not working on any film with Akshay Kumar based on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. It is all rumors. I am not doing it, he asserts in conclusion. Mitsubishi Corporation Telephone:+81-3-3210-2171 Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. Telephone:+81-52-961-3582 TOKYO, Feb 28, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - A consortium made up of Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (Chubu) has been selected as the preferred bidder for a new offshore electricity transmission link in the UK.Valued at approximately GBP 1,217 million, the new offshore electricity transmission asset is comprised of subsea cables, land cables, offshore substations and an onshore substation that connects with the Hornsea One Offshore Windfarm (Generation Capacity: 1,218MW) situated approximately 120 km off the UK's eastern coast.The consortium will operate this electricity transmission business for a 25-year period following the successful acquisition of the asset and the granting of an Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) license by the UK's Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem).With the acquisition of the Hornsea One Offshore Windfarm transmission link, MC will now be operating, through its 100% subsidiary Diamond Transmission Corporation Limited (DTC), nine out of 23 offshore transmission assets in the UK, giving it the largest share of the market.MC sees its participation in offshore transmission and other businesses that contribute to reducing greenhouse emissions as an opportunity to realize its vision of simultaneously generating economic, societal and environmental value through its businesses.Hornsea One project will be Chubu's second UK OFTO project following its participation in the Walney Extension project. Chubu will contribute to the operation by utilizing its highly trusted technical knowledge on the transmission system. Chubu also expects that the experience operating such offshore transmission businesses will carry advantages for the installation of offshore wind farms in Japan. In addition, Chubu Electric Power Company Netherlands B.V. (CEPCON), Chubu's 100% subsidiary, has been established in the Netherlands in August 2019 and is expected to acquire UK OFTOs including Walney Exension and Hornsea One.About Mitsubishi CorporationMitsubishi Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is a global integrated business enterprise that develops and operates business across virtually every industry including industrial finance, energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, foods, and environmental business. Mitsubishi Corporation's current activities are expanding far beyond its traditional trading operations as its diverse business ranges from natural resources development to investment in retail business, infrastructure, financial products and manufacturing of industrial goods.For more information on Mitsubishi Corporation, please visit the company's website at https://www.mitsubishicorp.com/jp/en/.Source: Mitsubishi CorporationContact:Copyright 2020 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service PATNA: Former Bihar chief minister and founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) Jitan Ram Manjhi on Wednesday said his successor and current CM Nitish Kumar would be welcomed if he considered returning to the Opposition grand alliance or Mahagathbandhan. In further grist to rumours that a political realignment could be well in the works in the state, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav met Nitish on the sidelines of the ongoing Budget session for the second straight day, after Tuesday. Tejashwi visited the CM in his chamber and the two had tea along with Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary. Word of the meeting set off feverish speculation among members of the BJP, a partner in the ruling alliance. While some sought to play it down as a courtesy meeting, the majority in the ruling alliance remained tight-lipped over it. Taking to Twitter, Tejashwi posted, We consider Nitish Kumar as our guardian. He made me the leader of Opposition. We wanted him to become CM. Quizzed on the meeting, Tejashwis mother and former CM Rabri Devi called it a courtesy call. The Bihar Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution against the implementation of the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. Asking not to be named, a senior BJP leader said the resolution was adopted half-an-hour after Tejashwi stepped out of the CMs chamber. One wonders what he (Nitish) would do next, he said. Former JD(U) leader and ace poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who quit the party after falling out with the CM, tweeted, Thanks to Nitish Kumar for putting his thought on the NRC-NPR. But there are larger issues concerning the interest of Bihar and the social harmony around us. We hope that you would stay true to your inner conscious and stand up on both these counts as well. CM bats for cheap, not free power Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said he was all for providing electricity at cheaper rates but not for free. His Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal made power free, for consumption upto 200 units, a decision is seen as key to him being voted back. Speaking at the Bihar Assembly on Wednesday, the CM said, I dont think its fair to provide electricity for free. Wherever this done, the direct fallout was reckless use of electricity and damage to the environment. Latinos currently represent 18.3 percent of the U.S. population and is poised to increase up to 28.6 percent by 2060, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As of 2018, there were already 59.9 million Latinos living in the country which means there are almost 60 million people who lives miles away from their loved ones in Latin America. While living the American Dream isn't easy, being an immigrant proves to be a lot more difficult. And nothing helps them cope more than those moments they share with their family - even if it's through voice and video calls - to remind them that miles away, somebody cares. A new study by Nielsen has revealed that Latinos use technology to bridge the distance between them and their loved ones. Moreover, they have moved to the forefront of technology adoption in other areas with social media, apps, mobile video usage, digital music consumption, radio listening, TV viewing, gaming, and web activities. The study further reveals that 35 percent of Latinos agree that they are among the first of their peers to try new technology products (over-indexing non-Hispanic whites by 36 percent), while 54 percent of Latinos agree they are willing to spend more for top-quality electronics. Another data to take note is that, the internet plays an integral role in everything Latinos do, from cultural connectivity to infotainment to online purchase and they do it using a smartphone, as US Latinos over-index the US total population by nine percent for smartphone ownership. Moreover, 99 percent of US Hispanic households have a wireless-phone service. For Dominican Maria Valdez, PopSugar Lead Editor, getting an iPhone device has allowed her to optimize how she communicates with her family. With the iOS 13 features of her iPhone 11, she is able to allow Siri read her family's message without pulling out her phone on busy hours, and respond by just saying "Hey Siri" or tapping on her AirPods. Aside from communication purposes, she utilizes Siri to control Apple Music and even third-party apps like Spotify with easy commands like "Turn it up" or "Play the next song," to seamlessly enjoy her favorite jams. Another feature that has improved the way Latino families stay connected is Family Sharing. Since Valdez and her siblings live abroad, they are able to visit iCloud once in a while and find out that their dad has been compiling, organizing, and scanning all their childhood photos. It is also worthy to take note that while people would assume only the younger generations are more technologically-inclined, the study revealed that Latinos 50 years and older have become particularly tech savvy, over-indexing non-Hispanic Whites by 36 percent, admitting they like to have a lot of electronic gadgets, and by 28 percent for agreeing they often discuss their knowledge of technology or electronic products with other people. The increase of technology use for Latinos can also be attributed to the fact that Latino labor force is growing as they accounted for 75 percent of all U.S. labor force growth between 2010 and 2016. This means their economic clout is poised to grow exponentially as they enter their prime earning years. One evidence is the increase of Hispanic homeownership rate in the U.S. Technology may have shaped economies and connected people across the globe but for Latinos living miles away from their loved ones, it is a life-saver. Night sweats. Mood swings. Insomnia. Hot flushes. Weight gain. Headaches. Depression. Anxiety. Palpitations. Joint symptoms . . . I could go on. Its a grim list, isnt it? Yet these are just a few side-effects of the menopause. No doubt you would assume that a combination of such symptoms in women in their 40s and 50s would be enough to at least pique a doctors interest and mobilise them into action. Well, you would be wrong. As the Mail reported yesterday, too many women approaching or going through the change of life end up being ignored, fobbed off by their GPs, or given a sticking plaster prescription for antidepressant drugs. As the Mail reported yesterday, too many women approaching or going through the change of life end up being ignored, fobbed off by their GPs, or given a sticking plaster prescription for antidepressant drugs Shameful Around 13 million British women are menopausal but, according to a survey of 1,500 for the influential online forums Mumsnet and Gransnet, one in four have to visit their GP at least three times before getting appropriate treatment, including HRT. This is an absolute scandal. The menopause is defined as when regular monthly periods stop. The average age for this is 51. But symptoms can begin several months or years before this, in what is known as the perimenopause, when levels of oestrogen and progesterone start to fluctuate. At a time when many more people male and female are better informed than ever about the possible consequences of the menopause, when it is deemed OK to talk about it publicly and there are even campaigns for it to be acknowledged in the workplace, I see it as a shameful betrayal by the medical establishment of those women finding it difficult to cope. You can be sure that if it was men who had to deal with such symptoms, delays in accessing treatment would not be an issue. Whats worse, when some women finally manage to get therapeutic help, its often the wrong treatment. The most common menopausal symptoms, such as anxiety or palpitations, are too frequently dismissed as psychological and patients are given antidepressants the medical equivalent of a patronising pat on the knee. Ive seen this several times in my own clinics. Women have been referred to me because they are depressed, but when you listen to what they are saying, it rapidly becomes clear that their difficulties are the result of the menopause. Mindfulness and meditation techniques can often help with hot flushes. But for some women there is no doubt that the symptoms can profoundly affect their lives and HRT can be a godsend One patient I saw was taking antidepressants, a beta-blocker to deal with palpitations (which had been put down to anxiety) and a highly addictive anti-anxiety medication. She had tried to tell her GP that the symptoms had taken hold as she was going through the menopause. He ignored her. She asked for HRT, but he refused to prescribe it and declined to give a satisfactory reason why. So convinced was she that her symptoms were a direct result of hormonal changes that she went privately to get HRT. Within a few months of starting it, her depression and anxiety had vanished, she was able to stop all the other medication and did not need to see me any more. Im a passionate advocate for the NHS, but something is seriously wrong here. GPs are the crucial gatekeepers to the health service, but its just plain wrong that they are denying a range of treatments to women whose lives could be transformed by them. The menopause is, of course, a natural phenomenon. It is not an illness and it should not be viewed as such. Nor is HRT right for everyone. Sometimes the best treatment for the menopause may be as simple as painkillers for frequent headaches or joint problems. Mindfulness and meditation techniques can often help with hot flushes. But for some women there is no doubt that the symptoms can profoundly affect their lives and HRT can be a godsend. So why do they find it so difficult to access it? It is not only a manufacturing and supply issue of particular brands, although that has caused problems over the past six months. The British Menopause Society and other organisations have provided detailed guidance on equivalent doses so doctors can switch prescriptions to brands that are in stock locally if necessary. But the struggle to access HRT pre-dates these problems, and the reasons for it should concern us all. I believe it is down to a toxic combination of misogyny, ageism and ignorance. Too many older male doctors simply do not listen to older women, or they fail to take their concerns seriously. This is the result of an unconscious bias rooted in a society that places value on the young female body and shies away from the ageing female body. Sometimes the best treatment for the menopause may be as simple as painkillers for frequent headaches or joint problems Relentless An unforgivable failure to update themselves on the pros and cons of HRT is also a factor. Many doctors are reluctant to prescribe HRT because they are wary of its safety record. This stems from a number of studies over the years linking HRT use to some cancers, particularly breast cancer. Initially, HRT was heralded as a panacea for the problems faced by women of a certain age. But over the past 20 years, the pendulum has swung dramatically the other way and there has been near-relentless negative publicity. These downbeat studies are quoted in every gynaecology textbook and there is no doubt they have coloured the view of generations of doctors and made some of them very reluctant to prescribe it. But we must weigh these risks against the affect of the menopause on womens mental health. Antidepressants, when appropriately prescribed, can be lifesavers, but HRT might be more effective in menopausal women. And the benefits of HRT are routinely underplayed. They include the reduced risk of bone fractures because of osteoporosis, and reduced rates of heart disease and bowel cancer. Desperate Compounding the problems is the fact that many older women are still largely deferential to doctors. They dont want to be seen to cause a fuss or make a scene. Then there is ignorance among doctors. I was taught little about the menopause at medical school except for a brief lecture on HRT in the second year, which only emphasised the risks. There wasnt much focus on the menopausal symptoms. And that was it. No doubt things have changed but I would wager that todays medical students would still learn far more from watching breakfast television and shows such as Loose Women. Knowledge of the perimenopause the early stages of menopause is even more limited among doctors, with campaigners saying that doctors wrongly assume women are too young to be experiencing such symptoms. Yet this is the time that HRT can be particularly helpful as it can regulate hormonal fluctuations. All of this adds up to a very unsatisfactory situation in which women who are in desperate need of help are being let down. Of the quarter who have to return again and again to their GPs until their pleas are heard, I wonder how many simply give up, convinced there is nothing that can help them, that no one cares or is willing to listen, and that they must suffer in silence. We doctors must start listening. City of Odessa The Odessa firefighter who was treated at Medical Center Hospital for minor injuries after a fire on Wednesday has returned to duty, according to a city spokeswoman. The fire at the residence at 1608 E. 42nd St. appears to have started in a carport and spread to a shed and then the homes attic, according to the press release. No one was home at the time of the fire, which was about 3:30 p.m. The media of the future should allow people to express their experiences, not to impose a right or wrong In his speech at Age of Crimea Forum in Kyiv a renowned media expert, a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Institute of Global Affairs at the London School of Economics, Peter Pomerantsev, elaborates on the current state of the media in the world and the crucial need for them to focus on commonalities instead of fueling hatred. Building on the examples of the Soviet time, he brings the issue of Russian anti-Ukrainian propaganda and offers a way to defeat it. Ukrinform publishes his whole speech as it was delivered in Kyiv. *** In August 1976 my father, a Ukrainian, Russian language writer, went for a swim on a beach in Odesa. When he came back from his swim there were two men in suits standing over his clothes. They flashed their passes at him, they were from the KGB, and told him to get dressed quickly. He had to put his trousers over his wet trunks. In the drive to the KGB offices and then during the interrogation the trunks were still wet, growing cold and damp around his crotch, leaving a dark patch on his trousers and making him squirm- there he was trying to keep up a dignified facade all he could think about were the wet trunks. He realized they must have done this on purpose- they were well trained in messing with peoples heads, these mid-ranking KGB colonels of the 1970s. They were also selfish and self-serving: he realized that they had decided to arrest him in Odesa, not in his home town of Kyiv, because they wanted a few days by the seaside themselves. He had been detained for the possession and distribution of what the regime called 'harmful literature': books written by exiles like Nabokov, or which told the truth about the Soviet labor camps like Solzhenitsyns Gulag Archipelago. The KGB demanded he confess who had given him the censored books, who he had given them to. They threatened that if he didnt cooperate he would get seven years prison and five years exile. He refused to cooperate, and so the interrogations continued for many months, first in Odesa and then in Kyiv. After work at the library, the black car would pick him up and take for more questionings. His friends and family were interrogated too, told to confess of his crime of reading books. At night he would take the short wave radio, and like millions of other Soviet citizens, would try to tune in to Western radio stations through the fog of jamming, hoping to hear about the arrests of his friends across the Soviet Union. He hoped that when and if his arrest would come, his name too would be mentioned on the radio - having your name broadcast to the world gave you a second life. Everyone prepared for the worst. His mother-in-law taught him a code based on sausages: if I will bring you sausages cut right to left it means weve managed to get news of your arrest out to the outside world, and its been handed to human rights groups. If I cut them left to right, it means weve failed. Meanwhile, his life carried on almost as normal. He married. His wife became pregnant. Somewhere in between interrogations, in 1977, in Kyiv, I was born. After many other adventures, and while I was still a baby, my family ended up exiled from Soviet Ukraine. I grew up in Britain. But the reason I tell this story now is not out of family sentimentality, but because it captures the principles and ideals of what we thought constituted a democratic information space in the 20th century, and which were repressed by 20th-century dictators. In my fathers struggle for the simple right to read what he wanted and say what he thought we can see a clear example of the battle of freedom of expression against censorship, perhaps the essential battle of the 20th century. In his attempts to tune into Western radio stations we see the desire for media pluralism as a way of guaranteeing a democratic debate, a yearning for the marketplace of ideas And throughout all of this, we can see the idea that the citizens could hold the powerful to account with the truth, that the powerful were afraid of the truth and would go to great lengths to suppress it, and to impose their own version This drama, between the ideals of freedom of expression, pluralism and truth on the one hand- and censorship, control over all information and ideology on the other, was dramatized with great power by writers such as George Orwell, who depicted a world where regimes seek to persuade and force people to follow their ideology, convince people that two plus two equals five. In many places across the world, this fight is still the most important one, not least in occupied Crimea where the Kremlins police state censors, takes away people's right to justice and personal security, just like they did in decades and centuries past. The way theyve always done. But in many places, in much of the West, but also in South Asia and Latin America, in the Balkans and, I think, in much of Ukraine, the ideals that were meant to guarantee a democratic information space have been turned upside down We used to think that the more information there was in society the better it would be for democracy, that the best information would eventually win out in a marketplace of ideas but today one can create so much disinformation at a click of a button this formula is no longer certain. Will accurate information really win out in a world of troll farms? And today propagandists and authoritarian regimes dont necessarily try to convince and persuade people of their truth, that two plus two equals five. Instead, their aim is to seed doubt, to confuse people, to make them give up on ever finding the truth in a deluge of disinformation, and in this chaos to insist you need a dictator to lead you through a dark, confusing world. We used to think that the more pluralism there was, the more media, the better the debate. But today, across the world, we see pluralism pushed to the point where it turns into polarisation and factionalism so intense that people live in separate realities, the possibility for interaction between different parts of society breaks down, in ways that can put the cohesion of a country at risk. And perhaps most disturbingly, we used to think that the powerful were frightened of the truth. But today we see politicians who dont care if they are caught out lying, who celebrate the idea that they dont care about the truth. We see this across the world, not least from the President of Russia who, during the occupation of Crimea, first told the world with his famous smirk that there were no Russian soldiers on the peninsula, when everyone knew there were, and then just as easily celebrated their military success. That wasnt so much a case of lying as stating that the truth simply doesnt matter any more Indeed today the powerful have also learnt to use the ideals of freedom of expression against citizens. In many countries, they do not crush dissent through censorship or arrest by the secret police, but through creating online mobs and troll farms and cyber militias, who descend like a swarm of online locusts onto critical journalists, attack and intimidate them, accuse them of being fake news, destroy their reputations and peoples trust in them. But when critical journalists and activists complain about these orchestrated campaigns, argue that they are being used to stifle dissent, the regimes claim that online troll farms are actually just concerned citizens voicing their freedom of expression. Isnt freedom of expression, the powerful say, exactly what you journalists and activists fought for in the twentieth century? Well here you have it!. And for all the cynicism of the argument, in a legal sense, they are right. In Article 19 of the Declaration of Human Rights, the article defending the freedom of expression, there is nothing about outlawing disinformation. There is only the right to receive and impart information. There is no legal category called disinformation. So opponents of bullying regimes have no philosophical or legal ways to defend themselves. So we see the great ideals that were meant to guarantee a democratic information space - freedom of expression, pluralism, showing truth to power, the marketplace of ideas - all being used by the powerful to destroy the citizen. Perhaps one of the strongest examples of this information world turned upside down I saw play out in Odesa, when I visited it to research my latest book some forty years after my fathers arrest there. As you all know, unlike Soviet times, Odesa is now full of media, with dozens of TV channels, internet portals and social media sites. I visited the city in the aftermath of the terrible fire that killed some forty pro-Kremlin sympathisers in the city. As you all know the Kremlin then waged a vicious information operation in the city, trying to stir up conflict between different ethnicities, spreading an avalanche of lies through its troll farms and paid for propagandists that claimed the fire had been started on purpose, that it was not a tragic accident but the planned mass murder of ethnic Russians the operation was meant to fuel mistrust, polarisation, and ultimately it aimed to push Odesa into civil conflict and give Putin an excuse to invade. So in a sense the freedoms that my father fought for when he was arrested in Odesa had been won, there was less censorship in the city than ever before, but a world of more information had not only bought the benefits expected.it meant more ways to spread disinformation, to inflame hatred. So what do we do to cope in this new world? How can we still uphold the democratic values of freedom of expression, of pluralism and debate, in an environment where all our old assumptions have been turned upside down. To try to answer that question is the mission of the research centre I direct at the London School of Economics. We conduct research across Europe to try and understand better how the propagandists work, and what independent media can do to adapt to the new challenges. We think about what sort of regulation is needed in the new online environment, and we run experiments to see how the media can counter disinformation and polarization. I believe that regulation does have a role to play in this battle: a small role, but a crucial role. But for regulation to be effective, and for it to be in line with human rights and laws around freedom of expression, one has to understand more about the specifics of internet information dynamics. What matters online is not the existence of a single piece of content, but the way it can be pushed and distributed at scale, the ease with which troll farms and bots and search engine amplification can create coordinated, deceptive campaigns. Take the infamous Russian social media campaign during the 2016 US elections. That often pushed out content that was often neither true nor false, it simply expressed emotions towards various issues. What was disinforming, what was deceptive, was the behaviour, the fact one couldnt tell that what seemed like real Americans online were actually part of a vast, deceptive campaign from St Petersburg. When it comes to the online world, we need to think of disinformation as not so much about content, as about behaviour. I dont mean individual anonymity, which I dont have an issue with, but the sort of mass deceptive behaviour a troll farm produces. Regulating this sort of behaviour, making such mass deception illegal, is less likely to contravene freedom of expression rules. Indeed its part of a citizens right to receive information. Online we live in a new form of censorship, where we dont understand how the information environment around us is shaped. This needs to change. We need to know who is behind online campaigns, which content is being targeted at who and why. We need to empower a person to understand who is creating the information around them. Only then can we interact with the information around us as equals, be able to analyse and critique it. But we need to go ask much more fundamental questions too. Shouldnt algorithms, the computer programs that define what people see online and in what order, reflect a fair, accurate and balanced set of opinions? So if you were to type in Crimea in Google, you dont just get the Kremlins propaganda, but a mix of fair and accurate content. And then who will oversee the algorithms, so they abide by such rules? We need the internet to become a more open space. This sort of transparency will then help us develop a new type of media that instead of driving people apart, works at bringing them together into a common conversation. Media that unifies a nation, connects people to each other. This means that those who create media getting up every morning and thinking not how they will fire up their own audience against another part of the population, but how to reach those audiences that have become alienated from each other, how to unite polarized groups. We have to think much more about what is the effect of media on audiences. Does a piece of content encourage evidence-based deliberation or rage? Trust or paranoia? Such things are not difficult to measure, and academics have been researching how to do so for a while. Back in the late 1990s, for example, the American academic Kathleen Hall Jamieson, showed how the confrontational Presidential television debates, where one candidate attacks the others personality, made viewers feel cynical about politics. Today, when I watch TV political debates in many countries, and sometimes in Ukraine, I feel that they are not trying to reach a genuine debate that looks for the truth, but that they are more like reality shows where a lie can be as valued as the truth, as long as it helps fuel conflict. Can we create TV political debates in a different way? If, for example, we forced candidates to show they would work with each other on solving a policy issue, could that nurture a conversation where facts and cooperation become vital? In the research we have done we find, for example, that focusing on practical policies to improve the future, rather than on identity politics, can bring out a more rational and civil conversation from audiences. In our research, we always ask ourselves what are the common values that people in different, seemingly polarised groups hold. I know that in Ukraine much thought has been given to this, as often it has been a question of saving the country from Russias aggression. In Odesa, as the information war raged in 2016, I was told how local government officials responded to the Kremlins attempts to push the city into conflict. Local Odesan officials felt they knew the people in their city better than Putin. They felt that most Odesans saw their town as a wealthy trading port, a city of markets and merchants. So instead of playing on the ethnic tension, as the Kremlin would have wanted, they decided to target what all sides had in common. They put up posters across Odesa with pictures of the wrecked cities of the neighbouring Donbas, where Moscows invasion had led to such destruction. No one in Odesa wanted that sort of future, no one wanted physical destruction. The Kremlin always brings destruction and oppression. Ukraine, on the other hand, means security. And after centuries of being invaded by all sorts of brutal Empires, Ukraine deserves its security, the security that can only come from a strong army and close alliances with those countries that wish it to be free and prosperous. This year Ive been back in Odesa again, this time running focus groups that bring together people from different sides of the Odesan political divide. They voted for different people in the last elections. Some are nostalgic for the USSR, others detest it. But as our focus groups progress, we soon find that beneath these divides, divides that the Kremlin tried so hard to play on with its information war, there are deeper commonalities. Even those who say they are nostalgic for the Soviet Union, agree that they do not want Soviet censorship and arbitrary arrests in Ukraines future. Everyone talks about their experience as children when they realized that the Soviet ideology was a sham, the sense of realization that the pretty words repeated in the Komsomol had nothing to do with the reality of the system. And people on all sides talk, sometimes with great difficulty, about their sense of loss and confusion in the 1990s, how people lost their status and sense of self, but also how they adapted, survived, prospered. Whenever I travel across Ukraine Im always struck by one common theme that everyone has in common: the amazing resilience to survive brutal, mental and physical, adversity. The Holodomor of course, but also Nazi occupation, the brutality of the Soviet prison system and secret police, Chernobyl, the war in Afghanistan, the chaos of the 1990s, the Russian invasion... I think the media of the future needs to explore these difficult experiences, and find the resilience within them. Not to impose a right or wrong, but to allow people to express their experiences, however complex and contradictory they might be. The lawyer and novelist Larysa Denysenko, who chairs the next panel, has written powerfully about what all Ukrainians share are traumatic experiences: I would add that it is not only trauma, but the resilience to overcome it, to never break under arrest or pressure, whether in Odesa in 1976, or in Crimea in the second decade of the 21st century, or at any moment along the front lines of the war against the Kremlins aggression If we could cry out all our pain and speak out all our traumas, grievances and misunderstandings, says Denysenko, then our entire land would be covered with blood-stained black soil, fertile and breeding, and on the surface several salty lakes would appear, big ones, the size of a small European country. But we are silent. But why quote her - when you can hear from her yourself. Prince Harry and his bodyguards had an entire First Class train carriage to themselves after his eco-conference in Edinburgh. Modern train carriages on the LNER service have 58 seats at 207 a head if you book on the day, producing a total cost of 12,006, although the bill would be cheaper for advance tickets. Harry and his party booked seats in the first class carriage but Buckingham Palace would not say if the cost was met by Harry or the taxpayer. A royal source said the Prince only reserved the number of seats needed for his party. Prince Harry and his bodyguards had an entire First Class train carriage to themselves after he attended a sustainable tourism summit (pictured at the event) in Edinburgh on Wednesday Even so the set-up, on the LNER train to Kings Cross on Wednesday night, stands in stark contrast to that of other royals who go by train on official engagements. Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled to and from a visit to the new Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre near Loughborough, Leicestershire, alongside other commuters. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also occasionally travel by train, taking their seats with other paying customers. The Queen is, however, afforded a small First Class carriage to herself when travelling by train to Sandringham, given her status as the reigning monarch. Last night Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Harrys travel arrangements but sources insisted that he regularly travelled by train with other commuters. Harry had been attending a working summit for his new Travalyst partnership, which is working with leading industry figures to make it easier for customers to find greener ways to travel. Harry (pictured arriving at the train station to head to London) had been attending a working summit for his Travalyst partnership, which is working with leading industry figures to make it easier for customers to find greener ways to travel Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Harrys travel arrangements but sources insisted that he regularly travelled by train with other commuters (the prince is pictured at Waverley station in Edinburgh on Wednesday) Over the summer Harry (pictured arriving in Edinburgh) was critisised for using private jets The initiative has been widely welcomed but follows heavy criticism aimed at the prince for his use of private jets. Over the summer he was known to have taken at least three return flights on private planes in a matter of weeks. The trips included a weekend away at Sir Elton Johns mansion in the south of France. He did, however, take a scheduled flight from Canada to come to this weeks summit. In a nod to the Sussexes impending Megxit from official royal duties, he told delegates concerned about how to address him to just call me Harry. The prince will now remain in the UK for a string of public engagements. Five persons were arrested from Madhya Pradesh's Khargone and Indore districts on Thursday for alleged possession of country-made weapons, police said. With the arrests, the police have also unearthed a nexus involving illegal sale of cartridges from licensed weapon shops. The police nabbed Sevak Singh Chawla (21), Karan Yadav (19), Chandrakant Thackeray (20), Shashank Kaushal (27) and Radheshyam Singh (28) and recovered 34 country-made pistols that they had sold, inspector general (IG) Vivek Sharma said. This is the biggest seizure of illegal arms in a single case in the last one and a half years in the state, the senior official claimed. A resident of Khargone district, Chawla runs an illegal arms factory, while four other accused, who are residents of Indore, purchased weapons from him, he said. "During interrogation, we found that those who purchased firearms from the accused, bought bullets from licensed gun shops. I have written to the police headquarters to start probe into the illegal sale of bullets," Sharma said. Authorised shops should sell new bullets to licensed arms holders only when they bring in used cartridges that they had bought earlier, he added. "There should be a policy wherein licensed weapon owners are allowed to buy cartridges only from one particular shop in their locality," he said. Police personnel of Indore range have also been instructed to check the sales records of the licensed gun shops under the ongoing campaign against the mafia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nisum Sajid Mohamedy, Executive Vice President of Growth and Delivery at Nisum, a leading digital commerce firm, has been accepted into Forbes Business Development Council, an invitation-only community for senior-level business executives. Sajid was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. In his current role, Sajid is responsible for all of Nisums go-to-market activities and client delivery teams comprised of over 1,400 people, across the U.S. and international markets. Sajid is an experienced strategy professional and entrepreneur, with a demonstrated track record of creating and scaling businesses, specializing in business planning, entrepreneurship, marketing analytics, international growth, M&A, venture capital, and market analysis. Ranging from tech to renewables and real estate, Sajid has served as a founder or senior leader of 4 high growth ventures. We are honored to welcome Sajid into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Business Development Council. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world. As an accepted member of the Council, Sajid has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Sajid will also share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. Finally, Sajid will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team. I am very pleased to join the Forbes Councils, said Mohamedy. In overseeing Nisums strategic growth and development, I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with other leaders in the space, learn from my peers and stay ahead of the trends and technologies that are impacting our clients businesses so that were able to consistently able to help them identify and exploit their unique value propositions and differentiators. ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. For more information about Forbes Business Development Council, visit forbesbizdevcouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com. ABOUT NISUM Nisum is a leading global digital commerce firm headquartered in California, with services spanning digital strategy and transformation, insights and analytics, blockchain, business agility, and custom software development. Founded in 2000 with the customer-centric motto "Building Success Together," Nisum has grown to over 1,400 professionals across the United States, Chile, India, and Pakistan. A preferred advisor to leading Fortune 500 brands, Nisum enables clients to achieve direct business growth by building the advanced technology that B2C and B2B clients need to reach end customers in todays world, with immersive and seamless experiences across digital and physical channels. Whether youre a hot start-up or a major global brand, Nisums approach is the same: forge the most powerful connection possible between people, processes, and technology in order to achieve unparalleled success with fast time-to-market, scalable and cloud-based solutions. At the intersection of business and technology, Nisums combination of deep expertise, acceleration models, and global execution capabilities results in integrated solutions that deliver real and measurable growth. For more information about Nisum or this topic, please visit nisum.com. B oris Johnson today set a deadline of June for the EU to make progress in Brexit talks or he will prepare to quit the single market without a trade deal. If UK negotiators think the European side are stalling on easy issues, the Prime Minister will assess whether to halt talks and focus instead on preparing for an orderly exit to current arrangements in December. The ultimatum was contained in a 40-page opening bid for the talks which start on Monday. It also emerged that an economic assessment of the trade terms proposed by the UK may not be published at all, although there will be a consultation. Saying that there is limited, but sufficient time for broad agreements in some areas by June, the document said: If that does not seem to be the case at the June meeting, the Government will need to decide whether the UKs attention should move away from negotiations and focus solely on continuing domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion. Boris Johnson has set a June deadline for Brexit talks / PA The UK team will require good progress ... on the least controversial areas, which are expected to include an agreement in financial services to safeguard the City of London and broad agreement for free trade in manufactured goods. This will be seen as Britain trying to impose a sequence that favours its priorities, unlike in 2017 when the EU pushed British interests to the back of the timetable. French demands for fishing rights to be discussed first will be rejected by the UK. It sees fishing as one of the trickier issues that need more time, along with the role of the European Court and the so-called level playing field rules. In the Commons, Michael Gove said: It is our aim to secure a comprehensive free trade agreement as well as agreement on questions such as fisheries, internal security and aviation. We are confident that those negotiations will lead to outcomes which work for both the UK and the EU. But this House, our European partners and, above all, the British people should be in no doubt: at the end of the Transition Period, on 31 December, the United Kingdom will fully recover its economic and political independence. We want the best possible trading relationship with the EU but in pursuit of a deal we will not trade away our sovereignty. There were no big surprises in the mandate issued by the Government but the gap between the EU and UK opening positions was clear. On the key level playing field issues of environment standards and worker rights, the UK document rejects alignment with EU laws and says: The agreement should include reciprocal commitments not to weaken or reduce the level of protection. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss was meeting Donald Trumps trade envoy Robert Lighthizer in Whitehall today, symbolising the UKs willingness to do deals outside the EU. Earlier Mr Gove later told MPs: Whatever the outcomes of these negotiations, the transition period will end at the end of this year. The EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier acknowledged the UK's stance and reiterated the block's desire for an "ambitious" partnership with the UK. He said: We take note of the UKs mandate published today and will discuss our respective positions on Monday. We will stick to all our prior commitments in the Political Declaration. - Ghana's military is ranked 106th in the world according to a Global Firepower ranking 2020 - The US has the strongest army world-wide - Egypt has Africa's strogest military - Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in Ghanas military has been ranked as the 106th strongest globally on a ranking of 138 countries. Ghana moved up two places in the latest ranking. The data was in the Global Firepower ranking 2020. The ranking used 50 factors to determine a countrys power index score. READ ALSO: Central University cuts sod for construction of teaching hospital Some of the factors considered include; geography, military might and financials to logistical capability. The Global FirePower (GFP) data also revealed that Ghanas total population of over 28 million has about 15, 500 active personnel. The countrys airpower strength of 24 (comprising 13 helicopters, 6 aircraft trainers and two special-mission aircraft). Ghanas army also operates a defence budget of $120 million. The ranking which relies heavily on values from the CIA World Factbook claims that Ghana has 150 armoured vehicles, 20 naval vessels and operates a defence budget of $710 million. Meanwhile, in Africa, the strongest military was Egypt (9th) followed by Algeria (28th), South Africa (31st), Nigeria (44), Morocco (56), Angola (57), and Ethiopia (59). READ ALSO: Ghanas President Akufo-Addo visits one of the coldest places on earth The strongest military globally went to the United States, followed by Russia and then China is 3rd. India placed fourth followed by Japan, and South Korea with France coming seventh and the United Kingdom eighth. ATTENTION: Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana "I will score President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo 0/100" - Market woman reveals | #Yencomgh READ ALSO: NPP primaries: 5 incumbent MPs in the Eastern Region go unopposed Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: YEN.com.gh A judge in Malaga has ordered that Sergio Ruiz, the main suspect in the disappearance of the young Romanian woman, Dana Leonte, be released from custody on bail. The judge has ordered Ruiz to pay 25,000 euros and to report to a court in Velez-Malaga every month. He has to hand in his passport and is not allowed to leave Spain. The judge said that while Ruiz remains the chief suspect in the case, the evidence gathered so far is "circumstantial" and that investigators have been unable to find enough proof to link Ruiz to the time, place and cause of death. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:25:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday held talks with Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Xi said the Chinese government and people are making all-out efforts to fight the coronavirus outbreak, during which the Mongolian government and people have offered precious support. Hailing Battulga the first foreign head of state to visit China since the outbreak, Xi said the special visit by Battulga to express consolations and support to China fully embodies the high attention he paid to the China-Mongolia ties and the profound friendship between the two peoples. "This vividly shows that the two neighbors are in the same boat and working hand in hand to help each other," said Xi. WINNIPEG, MANITOBA / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / (CSE:WGC; OTCQB:WGMCF) Winston Gold Corp. ("Winston" or the "Company"), announced today that it has been requested by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. ("OTC Markets") to comment on recent promotional activity concerning its common shares. On February 24, 2020, OTC Markets informed the Company that it had become aware of promotional literature encouraging investors to purchase the Company's common shares and making certain statements regarding the potential returns on such investment, including certain promotional newsletter emails. Specifically, OTC Markets sent the Company copies of three promotional newsletters (the "Communications") sent between February 23, 2020 and February 24, 2020, which were prepared by Gold Standard Media LLC ("Gold Standard"). The Company became aware of the promotional activities on February 23, 2020. The Company has been informed that this promotional activity coincided with higher than average trading volume in the Company's common shares. The Company engaged Gold Standard on February 19, 2020, for a one-time ninety-day digital marketing campaign, which included the Communications, for a fee of USD$50,000. While the Company's CEO had provided previously publicly disclosed information about the Company to Gold Standard, and the Company's CEO and CFO reviewed certain drafts of two of the newsletters related to the Company's business and prospects, the Company had not reviewed or seen the final drafts of these newsletters prior to publication or distribution and was not aware that certain of the promotional statements were added to the materials reviewed by the Company. Furthermore, certain of the newsletters distributed as part of the paid campaign were not reviewed by any officers or directors of the Company. The Company did not have editorial control over the content of the final product. The Company has no opinion as to whether or not and/or the extent to which the promotional activity affected trading activity because of the many factors that affect trading activity generally, which may include promotional activities as well as the volatile nature of the industry in which the Company is involved and the prior issuance of public news releases. The Company had previously issued over the preceding several weeks press releases regarding the announcement of a private placement of units for gross proceeds of up to CAD$3,000,000, and an update on the Winston Gold Project near Helena, Montana. The Company does not know the relative influence of these announcements on the trading activity of the Company's shares compared to the promotional activities in which the Company had little involvement. The Company has determined that one statement in the Communications which references that the Company "will generate around USD$66.76M in 2020" is materially inaccurate and the Company was not provided the opportunity to review the final draft of such newsletter prior to publication. In addition, the Company has determined that certain statements included in these newsletters related to the Company and its business might be read as misleading and/or incomplete and readers should not place undue reliance on these newsletters. Specifically, the Company does not condone the use of sensational language to describe the Company's business prospects or the growth potential of the Company's industry. Further, the Company does not condone any comparison between the investment potential of the Company's common shares and the actual price growth of the Company's competitors or any comparison between the Company's potential market cap growth and the actual growth of its competitors. The Company encourages investors to review the business and prospects of the Company on its own merits. The Company does not condone any statements made regarding the urgency of investing in the Company's common shares or any other similar statements. Finally, the Company notes that investing in the Company's securities involves certain risks and uncertainties which investors should review prior to making any investment decision. The Company encourages all investors to undertake proper due diligence and carefully consider all investment decisions. The Company directs potential investors to rely solely on its filings and disclosures made with Canadian securities regulators, available at www.sedar.com. Women across Latin America are organizing a wave of protests to force gender politics into the public arena amid staggering rates of femicide and highly restrictive abortion laws. Thousands of Argentines who demonstrated last week in Buenos Aires for the decriminalization of abortion are part of pan-continental movement that has seen action from Chile and Peru to Mexico. "This time, it will be historic," said Mabel Gabarra, a lawyer and founder of a campaign to provide free, safe and legalized terminations in Argentina. Despite some progress, and the enormous profile the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct has given women's rights in the West, many of the goals of Latin American advocates remain unrealized. In Argentina, a bill to decriminalize abortion passed the lower house in 2018 but was rejected by the senate, which boasts 30 women among its 72 members. Since center left President Alberto Fernandez assumed power in December, there has been renewed hope that the balance of a decade-long fight will tip in favor of abortion rights. Several times, Fernandez has expressed his support for a change to Argentina's laws that allow the procedure only in cases of rape and risk to the mother's life. "The history of feminist movements shows that the demonstrators need to impose their will, they need to maintain the pressure," said Argentine historian Lissell Quiroz-Perez, of the University of Rouen in France. - Systemic problem - In a demonstration of the solidarity underpinning Latin America's feminist movements, the protest in Buenos Aires was attended by Chilean feminist collective LasTesis. In November, the group performed a song back home in Santiago called "The Rapist is You," which portrays violence against women as a systemic problem with a political context. The anthem -- also known as "A Rapist on Your Way" -- quickly spread across the globe with its denunciation of a lack of action from the government, courts and police on violence against women. Seen as emblematic of a wider feminist pushback, it shone a global spotlight on inequality in a country engulfed for months by protests that have been marred by police violence, some of it sexual. In 2017, Chile adopted a law legalizing abortion in the cases of rape or risk to either the mother's or baby's life. "We still don't have a law for violence against women," Claudia Dides, director of the Miles feminist charity, said. "We still don't have a parliament that realizes the importance of eradicating this type of violence." - Spike in femicide - Depending on where you are in the region, there are wildly differing laws when it comes to abortion. In Uruguay, Cuba and Mexico the procedure is entirely legal but in much of Central America it is totally banned, including El Salvador, where a woman can be jailed for a miscarriage. In Colombia, the supreme court was due to rule Wednesday on whether or not to legalize abortion. The arrival of a left wing government in Mexico at the end of 2018 gave feminists hope that the issue of violence against women would be tackled. But with more than 1,000 femicides in 2019, two recent brutal murders -- one of a seven-year-old girl -- once again highlighted a lack of action by authorities. Mexican feminists have demanded more effective policies from President Andres Manuel Lopez to combat the wave of violence. It's a similar case in Peru where 2019 femicides were the highest in a decade. "Feminist movements in Latin America are very dynamic. They inform and mobilize much better than in other countries," said Quiroz-Perez. Many countries in the region have passed "pioneer laws" to promote equality and tackle violence against women. In practice, says Quiroz-Perez, their application is blocked by "male chauvinism ingrained in (public) institutions." THURSDAY University-Community Forum: Open Streets Classroom: A University-Community Partnership for the Public Good, 4 p.m., main meeting room, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave. Faculty and students will join members of the wider Corvallis community to create community-university collaborations in the context of Open Streets Corvallis. Registration: https://openstreetscorvallis.org. Linus Pauling Institute Seminar, 2 p.m., Room 402, Linus Pauling Science Center, 2900 SW Campus Way, Corvallis. Maret Traber, principal investigator at the Linus Pauling Institute, will present Why Do Vertebrates Need Vitamin E? Its a vitamin. Its an antioxidant. If you dont have it you die, but what does it do? Starker Lecture Series: Women of Forestry: Inspiring Leadership, 6 p.m., Whiteside Theatre, 361 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. The series will focus on women who act as agents of change within the forestry and forest products sector as well as within their communities. The College of Forestry graduated its first woman student, Pauline Barto Sandoz, 75 years ago. This series will explore the triumphs of women as well as the myriad of challenges they face in forests, mills, research labs and beyond. This week's presentation includes a screening of "Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Matthai." Panelists: Beth Hahn, Southern Africa program manager, U.S. Forest Service International Programs; Reem Hajjar, assistant professor in Integrated Human and Ecological Systems, College of Forestry; and Shamiso Mupara, founder, Environmental Buddies, Zimbabwe. FRIDAY Oregon State University Anthropology Lecture Series, noon, Room 314, Learning Innovation Center, 165 SW Sackett Place, Corvallis. Adonia Lugo, interim chair and teaching faculty of the Urban Sustainability Program at Antioch University, Los Angeles, will present Ethnography as a Tool for Social Change: Lessons from Mobility Justice. "The Data Privacy Dilemma," noon, Room 109, Memorial Union, 2501 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis. Presented by the Associated Students of Oregon State University Office of Advocacy, OSU Libraries and Press, and the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, this student-led symposium will consist of presentations, a question-and-answer panel, and student focus groups. The College of Public Health and Human Sciences presents Needs of Children with Disabilities: Community Engagement in Health Services Research, 1 p.m., Room 115/Bray Leadership Conference Room, Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families, 2631 SW Campus Way, Corvallis. Darcy McMaughan, assistant professor of health policy and management and director of the program on disability research and community-based care at the Texas A&M School of Public Health, will speak. "Race War and Apocalypse: The White Power Movement Imagines the Future," 4 p.m., Room 128, Learning Innovation Center, 165 SW Sackett Place, Corvallis. Lecture by Kathleen Belew. The white power movement in America wants a revolution. Based on a decade of deep immersion in previously classified FBI files and on extensive interviews, this talk explores the story of American paramilitarism and the birth of the alt-right. Speech Communication Colloquium Series, 4 p.m., Room 162, Strand Agriculture Hall, 170 SW Waldo Place, Corvallis. This lecture by Trischa Goodnow features an analysis of editorial cartoons that emerge in the wake of school shootings. Based on a content analysis of 250 editorial cartoons spanning the last two decades, the lecture discusses the common themes that echo the public debates about the problem, the causes, the solutions and the players. This is a chapter from the working draft of Goodnows book, Framing Tragedy: How We Visualize School Shootings. TUESDAY "Advancing Womens Participation in the Technology Sector," 3 p.m., Native American Longhouse Eena Haws, 311 SW 26th St., Corvallis. Eight Cambodian women leaders will appear on a panel to gain insight into how different departments at the university connect to promote cooperation in research and development of innovation technology and to share about their own work. The delegation is here through a U.S. Department of State-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program. A reception will follow the discussion. MARCH 5 "Science of Opportunity," 6:30 p.m., Austin Auditorium, LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. NASA astronaut Donald R. Pettit will deliver the first Octave Levenspiel Distinguished Lecture, presented by the School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering. Free, but tickets are required. Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2020-octave-levenspiel-distinguished-lecture-with-donald-r-pettit-tickets-92315334651. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Michigan Senate rejected its second appointee from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday, disapproving the appointment of George Heartwell to the Natural Resources Commission in a 20-17 vote. Heartwell, the former mayor of Grand Rapids, was Whitmers choice to chair the commission overseeing hunting and fishing rules in Michigan. He previously served as a member of the Michigan Transportation Commission. Heartwells appointment was opposed by several gun rights groups due to his past support of an unenforceable local gun ordinance in Grand Rapids. During a February Senate Advice and Consent Committee hearing, Heartwell told lawmakers he was an open-minded leader who supports the Second Amendment and hunters rights, but Senate Republicans were ultimately unconvinced. On Wednesday afternoon, the panel, chaired by Sen. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township, recommended the full Senate reject Heartwell, and the majority agreed the following morning. Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, said he was frustrated by criticisms about Republican motivations in the advice and consent process, and said hes heard from hundreds of concerned citizens that they dont trust Heartwell to chair the commission. This commission does still retain some very important powers and also has a very important advisory role to the department, he said. We are seeing a huge lack of trust in our natural resources policy with what our department is deciding to do...we need to make sure that folks who are getting on the commission are folks that we can trust. Whitmer spokesperson Tiffany Brown said Wednesday evening the rejections of Whitmers appointees clearly depart from the long established tradition of approving well-qualified candidates, and defended Heartwells background as a former Christian minister, an avid fisherman and former gun owner who supports the Second Amendment and hunters rights. Its sad that Sen. Lucido would rather waste time on partisan games than focus on getting things done for the people of Michigan, she said in an email. Lucido he had concerns with the appointment, referencing Heartwells committee testimony that he hadnt hunted in decades out of personal preference. We want the best person it can possibly be, and that means we can do better than what we saw, he said. Sen. Jon Bumstead, R-Newaygo - who testified in Heartwells defense at the committee level - sided with Senate Democrats in opposing the disapproval vote. Under the state constitution, the Senate has 60 days to vet gubernatorial appointments and can reject one by majority vote. No Senate action results in automatic confirmation of the appointee. During Gov. Rick Snyders tenure, the Senate rarely exercised this oversight authority, known as advice and consent. But the Senate Advice and Consent Committee created this session has met regularly to vet Whitmer appointments - and Heartwells is the second to be rejected. Heartwells rejection was preceded by the disapproval of Natural Resources Commission appointee Anna Mitterling, an independent from Mason. A few days before the 60-day vetting window was up, the Senate voted 20-16 to reject her appointment. Senate Democrats, who strongly opposed Mitterlings rejection, had a similar reaction to the vote against Heartwell. Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr., D-East Lansing, said on the Senate floor appointment rejections used to be based on individual qualifications, and now seem to be based in politics. I think its unfortunate that outside influences have had so much effect in this process, he said. I think its unfortunate that the long arm of the NRA comes all the way down into this body and gets to choose whos on the Natural Resources Commission. I think thats inappropriate. Related coverage: Michigan Senate panel: Reject Gov. Gretchen Whitmers natural resources appointee Whitmer appointee tells Senate panel he supports Second Amendment rights amid criticism over gun record New Natural Resources Commission chair opposed by gun groups slated for Senate grilling Whitmer natural resources appointee was smeared by Michigan Senate rejection, critics say New Michigan NRC chair says hes not anti-gun, despite gun group opposition Michigan GOP Senate scrutinizes Whitmer appointments under partisan power split Michigan Senate rejects Whitmer appointee, governor alleges sexist, partisan games Acadeum, an Austin, Texas-based developer of the Academic Sharing Platform, raised $7m in Series A funding. The round was led by the Lumina Foundation and along with Rethink Education, LearnStart and Socratic Ventures. This investment will allow the company to grow and strengthen the communities of course-sharing institutions while expanding the use of best practices through the consortial model. Founded in 2016 by Josh Pierce, CEO, Acadeum supports the formation of course-sharing consortia for institutions of higher education, including the Council of Independent Colleges, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, and Digitex. The consortial model allows faculty to review and select courses from other participating institutions that count toward graduation requirements, GPA, and financial aid. To date, the platform has powered more than 150 separate consortia, resulting in 5,000 students completing courses. Institutions have used the consortial model to advance a variety of solutions to improve retention and graduation rates, while collectively generating over $10 million in additional revenue. By facilitating consortia between and among institutions, Acadeums Academic Sharing Platform, allows colleges and universities to exchange academic resources, student and enrollment data, and financial payments. FinSMEs 27/02/2020 Heres How People Are Coming Together to Help Victims of Hindu-Muslim Riots in Delhi Twenty people, including a Delhi Police head constable, have died so far in the riots that broke out on 24th February in Maujpur and Jafrabad areas of Delhis North East district. Twitter Since then there have been incidents of stone-pelting, houses, factories and entire slums being burnt, violence against protestors, and incidents of targeted violence against people from the Muslim community. Several reporters narrated in first-person accounts how men wearing saffron tilaks raised Jai Shri Ram slogans as they burned down vehicles and shops. Amidst all the hatred, chaos and violence, some instances of unity, love and brotherhood have emerged. Many have come together to step up donation camps for victims injured in the riots. From Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter, Good Samaritans are using all channels to procure some of the most basic needs for people who have lost homes in the violence. From Sanitary pads, Diapers, Soaps, Dupattas, Blankets, Toothbrush you name it people are sending in Whatsapp forwards and tweeting out locations where you can drop these items for the victims. Here are some ways in which people are arranging donations for riot victims: #1 Please donate all you can do, for the victims of the NE Delhi riot victims. pic.twitter.com/LYlmSqfK6J Akifa Shahid (@ShahidAkifa) February 27, 2020 #2 JNU is coordinating donations/funds in Delhi for victims, those of us overseas can donate via google pay at # 9868947995 (debit card is needed for the transaction) pic.twitter.com/BTiyTMMOON (@panipataleka) February 27, 2020 #3 Facebook #4 The help for victims is not just limited to India, people living out of the country are doing their bit too, a Go Fund Me page set up by Indians in the US appeals for help, We are collecting money to help Delhi riot victims. All the money would directly benefit the victims of the riots and local personals onsite in Delhi would help the people in need with food/shelter/medication and other things that is necessary at this time. Go Fund Me Apart from donations, during the clashes, residents of the affected helped each other selflessly. Residents of Yamuna Vihar formed a human chain to ensure that school children are escorted safely amidst violence. This is happening now at Yamuna Vihar in East Delhi. Locals form a human chain to escort schoolchildren to safety. Police is nowhere to be seen. Remember this is Delhi, barely 20 kms north of Hyderabad house, the site of Modi-Trump joint statement an hour or so back pic.twitter.com/HHodTvJpK8 Bodhisattva Sen Roy (@insenroy) February 25, 2020 Many Gurudwara managements in the area made adequate arrangements for accommodation and langar fort the affected people. The Sikh community in North Delhi, including a Gurdwara in Majnoo Ka Tila offered to help the injured and the needy on Monday, February 24. Gurudwaras in North Delhi including in Majnoo ka Tila will look after people who need help tonight, Delhi GPC leaders said. People in North and Northeast Delhi please be informed . . Kallol Bhattacherjee (@janusmyth) February 24, 2020 In Seelampur, Dalits blocked the roads against aggressive mobs and secured the area to give shelter to their Muslim neighbours. According to a report by India Today, even a local BJP ward councillor from Yamuna Vihar came forward to help a Muslim family. The report states that long-time friend of the family, came to the rescue and prevented the mob from causing harm. Delhi may be festered in anti Muslim and CAA violence at but its these gestures that give us hope and faith even in difficult times. The Alabama House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed legislation that would give judges more discretion in denying bail to people charged with violent crimes. The legislation has drawn support from the family of college student Aniah Blanchard of Homewood. Blanchard, 19, was abducted from a convenience store in Auburn last year and shot to death, her body found in rural Macon County. The man charged in her murder had been released on bail after charges for several violent offenses. The bill, by Rep. Chip Brown, a Republican from Mobile County, is named Aniahs Law. The House passed it by a vote of 104-0. A related bill passed by a vote of 105-0. Blanchards mother, Angela Harris, was watching from the House gallery and struggled to speak after the bills passed. My hearts full and Im happy that everybody voted in favor of it because its something that we need, Harris said, her voice choked with emotion. She had previously been to the State House to advocate for the bill and proclaimed it was her cause on behalf of her daughter, as had Aniahs stepfather, Walt Harris. Blanchards father, Elijah Blanchard, stepmother, Yashiba Blanchard, have also spoken out for the bill and were at the State House today. The bills move to the Senate. One of the bills, HB 81, would also require approval by voters because it would amend the state Constitution, which affirms the right to bail except for those charged with capital offenses. Im honored that the Blanchard family was there to see this important piece of legislation pass and I appreciate my colleagues realizing the need for this legislation and overwhelmingly passing it today," Brown said. I really do feel like this bill is for Aniah Blanchard and all other victims of violent crime in Alabama that this hopefully could prevent some of these tragedies from happening in the future. Brown sponsored similar legislation last year. It passed the House but did not pass the Senate. He said he believes it has support there and that the unanimous vote today sends a strong message. The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits excessive bail. Brown said he believes his bill would survive constitutional challenges. A lot of the language mirrors federal law, Brown said. Ive had constitutional attorneys go over this with a fine-tooth comb. I feel like were on very solid, Eighth Amendment constitutional grounds. Separate bail reform legislation is also pending in the Senate. World-renowned model Alessandra Ambrosio continued to celebrate Carnival on Sunday in her birthplace in Brazil. The 38-year-old supermodel was noticed celebrating Sunday night with friends at the Marques de Sapucai sambadrome. The annual Carnival festivities kicked off on Friday, with the supermodel seen departing on Saturday from her home country, with Carnival lasting until Wednesday. She finished her look with decorative silver earrings and nude heels as she posed on the red carpet along with several friends. Alessandra Ambrosio managed to make a stylish statement while she was celebrating the Brazilian Carnival. You'll likely agree that somehow the supermodel in this stunning outfit by Eduardo Caires looked nothing short of sensational. Her dress was handmade particularly for the occasion, and consisted of a plunging crop top and fringed skirt made from hundreds of light-catching crystals. Carnival is a much-anticipated annual festival that kicks off before Lent, starting on Friday before Ash Wednesday. The first Carnival took place way back in 1723, and is considered the world's biggest carnival, with more than 2 million people on the streets each year. She took Instagram on Saturday to share her videos, where she had a gold bikini top and a white skirt for the Carnival. The supermodel also shared their posing snaps during the festivities with Beto Pacheo and other friends. She was also seen sporting the same bikini top with a pair of gray pants as designer Giovanni Bianco chatted with her. ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO'S CAREER She participated in modeling lessons when Ambrosio was 12, and then began posing for Dilson Stein at age 15. Competing in the series Elite Model Look in Brazil, she began her modeling career early. Her first notable modeling work was to shoot the cover of the monthly Brazilian Elle. In 2005, she walked the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway wearing lingerie made almost entirely out of candy. By 2006 she was chosen for the Victoria's Secret "PINK" line as the first brand ambassador. She walked the runway three months after giving birth to her first child in the 2008 edition of the Fashion Show, and opened the show in 2009 the following year. The 2011 series showed her sporting the heaviest wings she'd ever made for the show when her second child was pregnant. She was ranked number six on Forbes' list of top-paid models in 2012, reported to have gained $6.6 million in a year. The popular media often cite her as among the sexiest women on earth. As an Angel she was chosen in May 2007 as one of the annual "100 Most Beautiful People in the World" People magazine. Ambrosio is already regarded as one of the stars in the fashion industry. After competing in Brazi's Elite Model Look competition, she started modeling at just 15 years of age. Since 2005 until their divorce in 2018, she was married to Re / Done Jeans founder Jamie Mazur. Today she has two girls, Anja, 11, and Noah, 8, whom Ambrosio share with Mazur together. Jolly Joseph , 47, accused of killing six members of her first husbands family between 2002 and 2016 in north Keralas Koodathayi village, tried to commit suicide by slitting her wrist inside the Kozhikode district prison in the early hours on Thursday, jail officials said. Joseph was immediately rushed to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, where her condition is said to be stable. Jail officials said that they came to know of her suicide bid around 4:30 am when fellow inmates alerted them. Joseph reportedly told the officials that she slit her wrist with her tooth and sharp edge of the plate used to serve her food. Officials are keeping a close watch on her as she has shown suicidal tendencies in the past as well. Joseph, who is from Kattappana village in Idukki district, was arrested on October 5, 2019, along with three of her accomplices on charges of killing six of her first husbands family members between 2002 and 2016. MS Mathew, Praji Kumar and K Manoj, a local CPI(M) leader, who was later expelled from the party, are behind bars for allegedly aiding her in committing the crimes. Police suspect a similar modus operandi behind all the murders. She allegedly served cyanide-laced food to her first husband, Roy Thomas, his parents and three members of his extended family, including a baby girl, and spaced out her the serial killings over 14 years in her bid to make them appear to be normal deaths. Police said preliminary investigation has revealed that Joseph became a serial killer to take control of Roys property and to live with a person of her choice. Josephs mother-in-law from her first marriage, Annamma Thomas, 57, was the first to die in 2002, followed by her father-in-law, Tom Thomas, 66, in 2008, her first husband, Roy Thomas, in 2011 and Annammas brother , MM Matthew, 68 in 2014. In 2017, Joseph married Shaju, who is the son of Toms brother, Zacharias Thomas, as both his one-year-old daughter, Alphin, and wife, Sili , had died under mysterious circumstances. Joseph is a suspect for both these murders as she was nearby when Alphin died in 2014, while Sili passed away on her lap in 2016. During the investigation, police also found that Joseph, a commerce graduate, lied about her academic qualifications. She used to claim that she held an engineering degree and was a member of the faculty at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut, for 14 years. However, NIT officials said that she was never an employee and used a forged ID card to gain access to its Calicut campus, police added. Josephs cover was blown when a Special Investigation Team of the Kerala Police started probing the case after receiving a complaint on the six deaths from Roys brother, Rojo, who lives in the United States, last year. Rojo had filed Right to Information (RTI) pleas to get details on the deaths of his family members and also filed a complaint with the police. Police said that a probe into Roys death had found traces of cyanide in his body. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 06:03:47|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The presidential campaign of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday downplayed the significance of the upcoming Democratic primary in South Carolina and said it is considering naming a potential vice president during the primary process. Bloomberg campaign manager Kevin Sheekey said in an interview with MSNBC that the South Carolina primary, slated for Saturday at which Bloomberg's name won't be on the ballot, "is not going to matter," adding that the "Super Tuesday" next week "is going to be really definitional for this race." Sheekey also shrugged off concerns that former Vice President Joe Biden's perceived win in South Carolina would mean much. The primary "hasn't happened yet" and "he was winning by 35 points a month ago and now quite frankly the question is whether he will win at all," Sheekey said, referring to Biden. Several polls conducted in the state ahead of the primary show Biden leading the Democratic field, with a Monmouth University poll published Thursday having the former vice president retaining an advantage over second-placed Bernie Sanders by 20 percentage points -- 36 percent to 16 percent. Meanwhile, Sheekey said the Bloomberg campaign would consider naming a running mate even when the Democratic nominating process is still ongoing. "We've thought about it," Sheekey said. "I think the other campaigns have thought about it too ... We do need to figure out how to consolidate different factions of this party. We need to figure out how to bring people together." An avowed Trump critic, Bloomberg has changed party affiliations several times. He was a Democrat before 2001, a Republican between 2001 and 2007, and an independent until 2018. He registered as an Democratic candidate in the 2020 presidential election. Throughout the year, Haven for Hope receives many donations from generous San Antonians: clothing, blankets, hygiene products, canned goods. But theres one item that seems to always go too quickly and is always needed something that many people take for granted but thats turned out to be very helpful in building rapport with the homeless community. Coffee. It is not a need people commonly think of, said Celeste Eggert, Haven for Hopes vice president and chief development officer. But its still one we have. To help meet that need, City Councilman Manny Pelaezs District 8 office is collecting coffee donations bags of coffee beans, creamer, sugar, paper cups and stirrers throughout the month of March to donate to Haven for Hope. On ExpressNews.com: City purchasing first mobile shower unit for San Antonios homeless Pelaez said he learned of the agencys constant need for coffee last year and donated a pallet of the caffeinated item, about 500 boxes, to the organization. We run through coffee pretty quickly and can always use more, Eggert said. Haven for Hope, the nonprofit created by businessman and philanthropist Bill Greehey to concentrate homeless services in a single location, serves about 1,700 people each day at its campus just west of downtown. Eggert said coffee is provided with meals and at daily recovery meetings. But a cup o joe is more than just a jolt in the morning or something to warm the hands; its a way to establish a relationship between people experiencing homelessness and those who have services to help them. On cold days, Pelaez said, a hot cup of coffee can attract a homeless person to churches and organizations such as Haven for Hope. It may be the only warm thing they have that day, he said. Once the person is in house, social workers and volunteers have the chance to learn about the homeless person and the services they need. The workers also can share the services they have to offer: fresh meals, a shower, medical services, even immediate shelter. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio ID Recovery program is first step to getting out of homelessness It can be one cup of coffee that connects (service providers) with homeless individuals, Pelaez said. Coffee donations can be dropped off at the District 8 Igo Library Field Office, 13330 Kyle Seale Parkway. Large donations can be scheduled for pickup. For more information, call Pelaezs office at 210-207-0943. sara.cline@express-news.net Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Bloomberg) Hong Kong, Beijing Thu, February 27, 2020 12:34 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066ec0cc 2 World Xi-Jinping,China,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,outbreak Free Chinese President Xi Jinping and six of his top officials have donated money from their own pockets to fight the coronavirus, as the government scrambles to mobilize public support that has wavered over its response to the outbreak. The personal donations were reported by the official Xinhua news agency, which said the officials sat on the powerful Politburo Standing Committee, the ruling Communist Partys top echelon. Xinhua didnt say how much they donated. The party called days ago for all members to make voluntary donations to support prevention and control efforts, with authorities facing the dual challenge of both halting the viruss spread and stabilizing economic growth thats been further threatened by the weeks-long closure of factories, offices and schools across China. Party committees and governments at all levels should make arrangements on both virus prevention and economic development to win the war against the virus and meet the poverty reduction targets, Xi told a Politburo Standing Committee meeting Wednesday, according to Xinhua. It echoes similar calls that followed a devastating 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province, when party members were encouraged to pay special dues to recovery efforts. More than 45 million members paid a total of 9.7 billion Yuan (US$1.4 billion), Xinhua reported. A worker screens the temperature of passengers arriving from Italy at Debrecen International Airport in Debrecen, Hungary, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. Clusters of coronavirus cases in Italy and Iran are sending worrying signs that the new coronavirus has already spread far beyond China and is creating new outbreaks around the globe. (Bloomberg/Akos Stiller) The virus marks Xis biggest crisis since he came to power, as Chinese citizens begin questioning his governments response to the disease and the partys overall competence. It has so far infected more than 78,000 people in China since emerging in central industrial powerhouse Hubei province in December. Countries around the world are increasingly reporting new cases of their own. Chinas government has spent more than 100 billion Yuan so far to fight the virus, the state-run Economic Daily reported Tuesday, citing the Ministry of Finance. The influx comes as the country faces increased pressure on government finances. Even before the outbreak, more than half its provinces had expected to see a slower expansion of revenue in 2020, and that could stretch authorities efforts to make fiscal policy more supportive of the economy post-outbreak. SparkLabs Connex logo Working with SparkLabs Connex will enable us to address the growing smart city opportunity, states Danial Mausoof, Global Head of Enterprise Sales at Nokia. SparkLabs Group (http://www.sparklabsgroup.com), a network of accelerators and venture capital funds, has launched SparkLabs Connex, a new startup accelerator focusing on IoT, smart cities and proptech. It is based on SparkLabs proven accelerator model and will leverage its deep presence in key innovation ecosystems, including Silicon Valley, Seoul, Shenzhen, Taipei and Singapore. SparkLabs Connex (http://www.sparklabsconnex.com) unites the supply (startups) and demand (cities, technology vendors, enterprise customers and industry organizations) sides of the IoT, smart city and proptech ecosystems to accelerate access to innovation. This accelerator will invest in startups that address key market drivers, including 5G monetization, sustainability and green building initiatives, and leverage emerging technology enablers, such as 5G, Low Power WANs, eSIMs, artificial intelligence and security. We are fortunate to have Charles Reed Anderson join us as the Managing Partner of SparkLabs Connex. He is one of Asias leading advisors to governments, enterprise customers and technology vendors on how to successfully navigate the increasingly complex IoT, smart city and proptech solution ecosystems. He is a recognized thought leader in these areas, so we are excited to have him on board, states Jay McCarthy, Co-founder of SparkLabs Group. Charles is the founder of CRA & Associates, a Singapore-based IoT and smart cities advisory firm, and has previously served as a Senior Advisor on IoT to McKinsey & Company, led the IoT, Mobility and Telecoms practices for IDC Asia Pacific, and worked for leading global operators O2 (Telefonica), Vodafone and BT Global Services. My ambition is for SparkLabs Connex to become the innovation hub for the IoT, smart city and proptech ecosystems, and Im excited with the quality and variety of partnerships we have signed at launch - and will sign in the future. SparkLabs Connex is more than an accelerator, its an ecosystem play, and we believe it creates a unique value proposition for startups, partners and investors, explains Charles. SparkLabs Connex will be working with leading ecosystem players that enable us to assess the startups in which we invest. Connex partners include leading technology vendors Nokia, True Digital, Beca and Skyroam, as well as the cities of Taipei, Taiwan, Songdo, South Korea and Darwin, Australia. In addition, Connex is partnering with GO SMART, the Global Organization of Smart Cities, which shares innovation and best practice with over 325 cities and vendors globally, and the Urban Technology Alliance, which has eight Smart City testbeds across cities in France, Spain, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Working with SparkLabs Connex will enable us to address the growing smart city opportunity. We can help solve the challenges of smart city orchestration with our solutions, such as the Integrated Operations Center, and expand our smart city ecosystem while answering the needs of our enterprise customers, states Danial Mausoof, Global Head of Enterprise Sales at Nokia. SparkLabs Connex Venture Partners include Thomas Jakob, Managing Director of TEGEOS Consulting, Regional President of Bosch.IO for Asia Pacific, and former CEO/CFO for T-Systems in Asia Pacific; Alex Tan, Executive Director of Qala Investments, former CIO of mobile operator M1, and former Senior Director for Next Generation Infrastructure responsible for the delivery of Singapores Smart Nation Platform for the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA); and Anthony Bartolo, EVP and Chief Product Officer of Avaya and former EVP and Chief Product Officer of Tata Communications, who in 2019 was named as a Power 100 individual, a global index of the leading professionals in the Telecommunications industry. In a connected world where AI-driven IoT solutions prevail, the ecosystem of partners contributing innovative ideas, helping to bring them to fruition and the capabilities to scale them up is crucial. Charles and Connex are ideally placed to connect these required parties and fill the ecosystem with life, says Thomas Jakob. These new additions complement the existing Venture Partners Kai Huang, Co-founder at Flash Bike, Co-founder and former CEO at Blue Goji, and Co-Founder of Guitar Hero; Charles Huang, Co-founder and CEO at Indigo 7, Co-founder of Guitar Hero, and former COO of Leeo; and Jeffrey Guo, Chairman of Syntrend Creative Park and Syntrend Startup Foundation. "GO SMART drives collaboration between cities and the technology vendors that provide smart city solutions. The partnership with SparkLabs Connex will provide GO SMART with access to new solutions and use cases, and also connect us to SparkLabs Groups global ecosystem of startups, explains Chen-Yu Lee, Secretary General of GO SMART. About SparkLabs Group SparkLabs Group (http://www.sparklabsgroup.com) is a network of startup accelerators and venture capital funds that has invested in over 280 companies across 6 continents. SparkLabs Group was awarded the Newsweek Momentum Award in November 2019, ranking it as one of the Top 100 Smart City Partners globally, and the only venture capital firm or accelerator included in the ranking. SparkLabs accelerator network consists of SparkLabs Korea (Seoul), SparkLabs Cultiv8 (AgTech, FoodTech & Sustainability in Sydney & Orange, Australia), SparkLabs Taipei, SparkLabs Frontier - ASU (Arizona State University), and others. In 2019, SparkLabs Group launched SparkLabs Foundry (http://www.sparklabsfoundry.com), an innovation-as-a-service platform for the Forbes Global 2000. Gov. Greg Abbott did not sugarcoat his warning for the roomful of Republicans gathered Monday to rally for conservative activist Lacey Hull, the governors preferred candidate for a battleground Texas House seat in west Houston. Democrats, Abbott said, will be investing heavily in House District 138, which includes Spring Branch and Cypress-Fairbanks. The seat long has been in the Republican column, but shifting demographics have eroded the GOPs advantage since lawmakers reshaped the district nearly a decade ago. I think everybody in this room knows exactly what is at stake in this election, Abbott said. Out of the 150 members in the Texas House of Representatives, there's only a nine-Republican margin, and there's several seats that are extremely vulnerable. And we happen to be in one of those right now. Republicans acknowledge it will be tough to hold the seat. Before focusing on November, however, they must sort out who to nominate in place of state Rep. Dwayne Bohac, who squeaked out a 47-vote win in 2018, then passed on a 2020 re-election bid. The three Republicans seeking the nomination are Hull, former Harris County Department of Education board president Josh Flynn and activist and radio host Claver Kamau-Imani. Three Democrats Akilah Bacy, Josh Wallenstein and Jenifer Rene Pool are running in that partys primary. A spokesperson for the Texas Democratic Party called the district a top priority in our coordinated efforts to take back the Texas House. The GOP contest has spawned tension within Houstons conservative activist community, where each of the three candidates cut their teeth before running for office. Some of Flynns allies are backing Hull, irritating Flynn loyalists. Others, including Republican state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, are frustrated that Flynns resignation from the education department board allowed Democrats to gain control of the body. And a legal dispute over Flynns eligibility for office pits Flynn and Jared Woodfill his attorney and longtime ally against Harris County Republican Party Chair Paul Simpson, Woodfills political nemesis. As if the primary needed more friction, Kamau-Imani lit into Abbott earlier this month, tweeting that the governor who was paralyzed at age 26 when a falling tree crushed several of his vertebrae has the spine of overcooked linguine for endorsing state Rep. Sarah Davis, a moderate Republican who often draws the ire of tea party conservatives. Republican lawmakers swiftly denounced Kamau-Imani, but the backlash has not stopped him from continuing to attack Hull over her support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), the states largest tort reform group. Kamau-Imani, who could not immediately be reached for comment, has argued the groups support for Democrats and moderate Republicans makes their funding tantamount to baby-killing blood money. Despite all the bluster, Hull appears to be the favorite, boosted by a fundraising surge after Abbotts endorsement and an influx of funding from TLR, which recently contributed $19,000 to her campaign and spent another $15,000 to conduct a poll. Abbotts campaign also spent $17,000 on digital ads for Hull. "We want to win this, and we want to win without a runoff, Hull said at the rally with Abbott. It's not going to be easy, but it's been done before, and we can do it." Flynn and Kamau-Imani have received less support, raising about $12,000 and $8,500, respectively, since the start of the year, though groups such as Texas Alliance for Life and Woodfills Conservative Republicans of Harris County group have supported Flynn through direct mail slates. Since Jan. 1, Hull has raked in $118,000 in contributions and spending from groups on her behalf. Flynn and his supporters argue that his lengthy history of activism and involvement in the local party means he will be a fierce advocate for conservatives in Austin. Woodfill also questioned the extent of Hulls activist work, saying I'm sure she's a nice person, but I've never met her and I was the party chairman for around 12 years. Flynn, Woodfill added, has been working to get conservative Republicans elected for 20-plus years. He's a former Marine, he's served in about every position you can serve in in the local and state party. Hulls supporters argue that she is best positioned to unite conservatives focused on fiscal and social issues, with endorsements from the business-minded Houston Realty Business Coalition and three members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, including state Rep. Valoree Swanson of Spring. When I had a feeling that Dwayne Bohac was probably not going to run again, I knew that people were looking for a good candidate to run, and I was one of the ones who said Lacey, it needs to be you, Swanson said. I knew no one could outwork her. I also knew that Lacey stands for conservative principles and she will not bend. Hulls activism stems from her work on campaigns and as a precinct chair, as well as a parental rights group she co-founded called We the Parents, which seeks reforms to Child Protective Services under the view that the vast majority of the time, children are ripped from loving homes, the groups website reads. Souring Flynns candidacy was Simpsons ruling in December that he is ineligible for the Republican primary after improperly resigning his trustee seat. Simpson said he made the ruling due to a state law that makes people who hold a "lucrative office" ineligible for the Legislature. The Texas Supreme Court has said a post is considered lucrative if the office-holder receives any compensation, no matter how small. Flynn resigned from the board, but Simpson said he submitted his resignation to the wrong person. Flynn sued and won a temporary restraining order, and both sides allowed Flynn to appear on the ballot, despite Simpsons continued insistence that he remains ineligible. The Party has an obligation to protect the integrity of the ballot and to ensure the eligibility of our candidates, party spokeswoman Genevieve Carter said in a statement. I would hope that a former Party Chairman would agree. Woodfill said Simpson gave Flynns opponents an advantage by creating this cloud that doesn't necessarily exist, because most people won't go to see that an injunction has been granted in favor of Josh. I see it as Paul Simpson's political vendetta against Josh Flynn and those who opposed him, Woodfill said. Most county chairmen would not insert themselves into the process and try to be the individual that influences the election, and that's what Paul Simpson has done. jasper.scherer@chron.com EQS Group-Ad-hoc: Nordea Mortgage Bank Plc / Key word(s): Annual Results Nordea Mortgage Bank Plc: Annual Report 2019 27-Feb-2020 / 14:00 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Stock Exchange release Nordea Mortgage Bank Plc: Annual Report 2019 Nordea Mortgage Bank Plc's Annual Report, Corporate Governance Report and Alternative performance measures have been published. The documents are attached to this release and they are available on the Internet at https://www.nordea.com/en/investor-relations/reports-and-presentations/subsidiary-reports/finnish-subsidiary-reports/. Only information having material influence on the value of securities is included in this press release. The Annual Report now published covers the operations of Nordea Mortgage Bank Plc in Finland. Nordea Mortgage Bank Plc is a subsidiary wholly owned by Nordea Bank Abp. The financial statements of Nordea Bank Abp comprise the operations of the Nordea Group as a whole and gives the best overview of the Group. Summary of the year 2019: - The opeRating profit of Nordea Mortgage Bank amounted to EUR 154.8m - Net interest income totalled EUR 219.7m - Total operating income was EUR 212.8m - Total operating expenses were EUR -68.3m, increase mainly explained by additional service fees related to the purchase of EUR 2,229.5m loan portfolio in June 2019 - Net loan losses totalled EUR +10.3m, due to allowance reversals triggered by the change of parameters of statistical models for loan loss provisions. Realised loan losses were EUR -0.4m - Loans to the public increased 16% compared to year-end 2018 and amounted to EUR 26,719.9m, increase mainly driven by the purchase of EUR 2,229.5m loan portfolio - Debt securities in issue decreased 4% and amounted to EUR 16,117.7m - The size of the cover pool increased 11% compared to year-end 2018 and amounted to EUR 21,943.2m, mainly as a result of the purchase of EUR 2,229.5m loan portfolio Summary of the key figures Change 2019 2018 % Net interest income, EURm 219.7 219.8 0 Total operating income, EURm 212.8 208.5 2 Total operating expenses, EURm -68.3 -54.1 26 Profit before loan losses, EURm 144.5 154.4 -6 Net loan losses, EURm 10.3 -11.4 Operating profit, EURm 154.8 143.0 8 Loan loss ratio, annualised, bps -3,9 4.9 Return on equity, % 10.4 9.6 8 Tier 1 capital ratio, % 23.5 24.1 -3 Total capital ratio, % 27.9 29.1 -4 Number of employees (full time equivalents) 18 17 6 Nordea Mortgage Bank Plc's semi-annual report will be published 17 July 2020. Helsinki, 27 February 2020 Nordea Mortgage Bank Plc Board of Directors Additional information: Jussi Pajala, Chief Executive Officer + 358 40 545 3859 Vesa Ruokokoski, Chief Financial Officer + 358 50 364 3251 http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3586E_2-2020-2-27.pdf http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3586E_3-2020-2-27.pdf http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/3586E_1-2020-2-27.pdf This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. AP Republican members of Congress oppose making lynching a federal crime Four members of Congress one independent and three Republicans have voted against a law that will make lynching a federal crime. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill, with 410 members voting in support. However, four members voted against it: Republicans Thomas Massie, Ted Yoho and Louie Gohmert and independent Justin Amash. As their opposition to the bill meets with both outrage and bafflement, the four congressmen are offering various explanations for their votes. Mr Massie, who has a reputation for voting against bipartisan legislation in Congress, said that Adding enhanced penalties for hate tends to endanger other liberties, such as freedom of speech. Mr Yoho explained his opposition to the bill as a broader matter of states rights, saying that hate crimes were already punishable by death in his state and that for the federal government to pass the bill encroaches on the principles of federalism. Mr Gohmert, meanwhile, said he had trouble with the federal nexus of lynching and said the bill sends entirely the wrong message about how serious this is by only allowing for a maximum 10-year prison sentence. And Mr Amash took to Twitter to explain his vote in a long thread, explaining that he opposed the bill for several reasons, including its federalisation of criminal law. Creating federal crimes for matters that are normally handled by the state obscures which government federal or state is responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, he wrote. It gives power to unelected federal officials whom voters cant directly hold accountable. The law is named the Emmett Till Anti-lynching Act in tribute to a 14-year-old boy lynched in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly looking and whistling at a white woman. It was introduced in February last year by Illinois congressman Bobby Rush, who said it would at last outlaw an American evil. Congress has been trying to pass a bill to make lynching illegal for more than 100 years. A version of this latest bill was approved by the Senate, but the version passed by the House will have to be passed again in the upper chamber. T he Queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall and her husband say they will not be self-isolating after returning from a coronavirus-hit area of northern Italy. Zara and her England rugby star partner Mike Tindall returned from a ski trip in Bormio, Lombardy, last week. The Lombardy region has become the epicentre of the Italian battle against the virus in Europe. However, Bormio is not one of the 10 locked-down towns named by the Foreign Office in their advice urging travellers returning home to self-isolate. The couple has opted not to quarantine themselves because they are not showing symptoms. The married couple have said they are following Public Health England guidelines / @mike_tindall12 A spokeswoman for the couple said they were following official Government and health advice, but as they do not currently have any symptoms they would not be going into self-isolation. Authorities in Italy have reported that the number of people infected in the country grew to 322, up 45 per cent in 24 hours, and 11 people have now died. The FCO is advising against all but essential travel to 10 small towns in Lombardy including, Codogno, Castiglione dAdda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano and one in Veneto, Vo Euganeo. These towns have been isolated by the Italian authorities due to an ongoing outbreak of the deadly new strain of coronavirus. Earlier on Wednesday, Radio 4s Nick Robinson said he was in self-isolation for two days after returning from a holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia. The 56-year-old BBC presenter said it followed a routine precautionary check on doctors advice following his trip. On Tuesday night, Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow announced he would be in precautionary self-isolation for two weeks after visiting Iran to cover the countrys election. Snow said he did not have any symptoms of the virus. Police are here for you, please don't assemble in groups...: OP Mishra during flag march in Delhi India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 27: Tension continued to grip northeast Delhi with police and paramilitary troops conducting flag marches in the area. The death toll in the violence over the amended citizenship law that has rocked northeast Delhi rose to 30 on Thursday, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital (GTB) Hospital authorities said. "Grocery, medical and other shops can be opened. There is nothing to fear, police are here for your security. Please don't assemble in groups, especially the youth'', said during a flag march in Chand Bagh area. Late on Wednesday, Doval also held a meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah to apprise him of the situation in Chand Bagh, Gokulpuri, Bhajanpura, Maujpur-Babarpur, Jaffrabad, Seelampur and Trilokpuri areas. After Monday night, incidents of arson, tension had smouldered in the national capital and on Tuesday, streets in several localities like Chand Bagh, Bhajanpura, Gokulpuri, Maujpur, Kardampuri and Jaffrabad saw pitched battles between the members of two groups who also hurled petrol bombs and opened fire. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval late night also took stock of the situation. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 Delhi violence: Fire service received 19 calls from violence-hit areas Meanwhile, in a midnight hearing, the Delhi High Court directed police to ensure safe passage and emergency treatment for those injured in the violence over the amended citizenship law. The hearing took place at the residence of Justice S Murlidhar on an urgent plea seeking safe passage for the injured to medical institutions with adequate facilities. The Delhi High Court later also directed police to respond by 12:30 pm on Wednesday to a plea seeking lodging of FIRs and arrests of those involved in the ongoing communal violence in parts of northeast Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 12:02 [IST] New Delhi, Feb 27 : A total of 113 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and Delhi Police are deployed in the strife-torn areas of the national capital to maintain law and order, the Union Home Ministry said on Thursday. The Ministry said that the deployment of the security personnel was made a day after the deadly violence broke out in various areas of northeast Delhi that include most affected localities of Bhjanpura, Chand Bagh, Maujpur, Kardampuri, Jafrabad, Ashok Nagar, Shiv Vihar and many other nearby places. Asserting that the "situation is under control", the Ministry said that a total of 73 companies of CAPF or paramilitary forces were deployed in the city on Monday in addition to 40 companies of Delhi Police. One company of CAPF or Delhi Police consists of around 105 to 115 personnel. As per the calculation, a total of 113 companies or around 12,000 security personnel from CAPF and Delhi Police have been deployed in the violent hit areas. The Ministry's clarification came after reports in some sections of media raised questions about shortage of police personnel in the city which led to the turmoil in the city which began after a clash between groups of anti-CAA or pro-CAA supporters. "As against cited shortages of police personnel in Delhi, it is stated that there is adequate strength of forces on the ground since this Monday. Based on professional assessment, 73 companies of CAPFs deployed in addition to 40 Coys of Delhi Police. Situation is under control," Ministry spokesperson Vasudha Gupta said. Several parts of northeast Delhi witnessed incidents of stone-pelting and firing from country-arms. The violence began on Sunday evening and it turned deadly on Monday and Tuesday leaving 36 people dead and over 200 injured. The dead include a police Head Constable, an Intelligence Bureau (IB) staff, and an assortment of civilians ranging from an autorickshaw driver to small businessmen. Muslims pray at Masjid al-Nabawi after completing the hajj pilgrimage in Medina, Saudi Arabia on August 19, 2019. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry announced it will temporarily suspend the entry of foreigners for pilgrimage and tourism purposes, preventing travel to the country's holiest sites over fears of the fast-spreading coronavirus. In a statement published Thursday, Riyadh's government said it was temporarily "suspending entry to the kingdom for the purpose of umrah and visiting the Prophet's Mosque." The decision was taken "to support the efforts of countries and international organizations, especially the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the virus, control it and eliminate it," the ministry added. The extraordinary move will stop foreign nationals from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, as well as Prophet Muhammad's mosque in the city of Medina. Tweet 1 Saudi authorities stressed the measures were provisional and would be subject to "continuous evaluation." The foreign ministry also called on its own citizens not to travel to countries where the deadly flu-like virus was spreading. BANGKOK Saudi Arabia cut travel to Islams holiest sites, South Korea toughened penalties for those breaking quarantines and airports across Latin America looked for signs of sick passengers as a new virus troubled places around the globe. With the number of sick and dead rising, the crisis gave way to political and diplomatic rows, concern that bordered on panic in some quarters, and a sense that no part of the world was immune. Viruses dont know borders and they dont stop at them, said Roberto Speranza, the health minister in Italy, where northern towns were on army-guarded lockdowns and supermarket shelves were bare. As outbreaks grew sharply Europe and the Middle East, air routes were halted and border control toughened. But for an illness transmitted so easily, with its tentacles reaching into so many parts of the world, leaders seemed willing to try anything to keep their people and economies safe. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for schools across the country to close for weeks, a decision that impacted 12.8 million students. The most important thing is to prevent infections, said Norinobu Sawada, vice principal of Koizumi primary school, so there arent many other options. In South Korea, the hardest-hit country outside China, four Busan markets known for colorful silks and a dizzying array of other wares were shuttered while the military sent hundreds of its doctors and soldiers to aid in treatment and quarantines. K-pop superstar band BTS canceled a series of Seoul concerts planned for April. The global count of those sickened by the virus exceeds 82,000, with China still by far the hardest-hit country. Recent days have seen sharp spikes in South Korea, Italy and Iran. South Korea reported 256 additional cases Friday, raising its total to 2,022, with most occurring in the region around the city of Daegu. Many cases there have connections to a church and health workers are testing thousands of its members. Chinas National Health Commission reported 327 new cases and 44 deaths over the previous 24 hours, most of them in Wuhan, the city where the COVID-19 illness emerged in December. Mainland Chinas total cases are now 78,824 with 2,788 deaths. Even the furthest reaches of the globe were touched by the epidemic, with a woman testing positive in Tromsoe, the fjord-dotted Norwegian city with panoramas of snow-capped mountains. Health officials said the woman had traveled to China. In Iran, the front line of Mideast infections, officials loosened rules barring the import of many foreign-made items to allow in sanitizers, face masks and other necessities, and removed overhead handles on Tehrans subways to eliminate another source of germs. Peru put specialists on round-the-clock shifts at its biggest airport, Argentina took the temperature of some new arrivals and El Salvador added bans for travelers from Italy and South Korea. The holy city of Mecca, which able-bodied Muslims are called to visit at least once in their lives, and the Prophet Muhammads mosque in Medina were cut off to potentially millions of pilgrims, with Saudi Arabia making the extraordinary decision to stop the spread of the virus. With the monarchy offering no firm date for the lifting of the restrictions, it posed the possibility of affecting those planning to make their hajj, a ritual beginning at the end of July this year. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm, the country said in announcing the decision. Disease has been a constant concern surrounding the hajj, with cholera outbreaks in the 19th century killing tens of thousands making the trip. More recently, another coronavirus that caused Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, prompted increased public health measures, but no outbreak resulted. It wasnt just governments that were taking action: Cologne Cathedral, one of Germanys main religious sites, was emptying its basins of holy water to prevent the spread of infection. And Facebook canceled its annual conference for developers. COVID-19s global creep had some countries warning people to obey containment measures. Singapore charged a former Wuhan resident who has the virus and his wife for allegedly lying about their whereabouts as officials tried to stem further infections. In Colombia, which has yet to report any cases, officials reminded residents they could be jailed for up to eight years if they violate containment measures. And in South Korea, the National Assembly passed a law strengthening the punishment for those violating self-isolation, more than tripling the fine and adding the possibility of a year in prison. It came later than it should have, said Lee Hae-shik, spokesman for the ruling Democratic Party, calling for further non-partisan cooperation to address the outbreak. Countries efforts to contain the virus opened up diplomatic scuffles. South Korea fought prohibitions keeping its citizens out of 40 countries, calling them excessive and unnecessary. China warned Russia to stop discriminatory measures against its people, including monitoring on public transit. Iran used the crisis to rail against the U.S., which it accused of a conspiracy that was sowing fear. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Contributing to this report were Tong-hyung Kim and Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea; Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark; and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo. Acting on a WhatsApp complaint, Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar paid a visit to the Morarji Desai Residential School in the town on Tuesday. The minister said that he received a complaint about the lack of basic amenities in the school, like drinking water, ventilation, beds and pillows. Situation pathetic The situation is worse and the place is not suitable for a residential school. The school, started in 2007, does not have its own building till now. Only meritorious students get admission in the school, but the situation is pathetic, Suresh Kumar said. He interacted with the students and asked them about the quality of the food served, whether they get hot water for bathing, how many sets of uniforms are distributed and others. The students complained about the defunct solar water heater and the old school building. Land available Speaking to reporters, Suresh Kumar said the officials have said that six acres of land is available for the school. I will take all measures for the construction of a new building. If it is delayed, the school would be shifted to another building by the next academic year, he said. The minister explained that it is impossible to upgrade the government schools in Karnataka on the lines of Delhi. There are just 449 government schools in Delhi, while Karnataka has 53,000 government schools. However, we will try to adopt the best methods from Delhi schools, he said. To a question on SSLC preparatory exam question paper leak, the minister said there is no need to give more importance to it, as it was a measure to introduce the question paper pattern to students during the preliminary exams. All deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners have been directed to take extra caution for SSLC exams. All measures would be taken to conduct the exam in a smooth manner, he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tom Westbrook (Reuters) Singapore Thu, February 27, 2020 11:40 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066e79bb 2 Business stock-market,Asian-stock-markets,coronavirus,COVID-19,gold-prices,oil-price,Wall-Street,Donald-Trump,bonds,treasury Free Oil and Asian share markets extended losses on Thursday as the rapid global spread of the coronavirus kept investors on edge and seeking safety in gold and bonds. Rising fears of a pandemic, which US health authorities have warned is likely, had already wiped more than US$3.6 trillion from global stock markets by Wednesdays close. China accounts for about 96 percent of cases and has instituted dire containment methods that have paralyzed global supply chains. But most new infections are now being reported elsewhere, with news on Thursday of a jump in cases in South Korea accompanied by a warning that the virus may be spreading in California. South Korea reported 334 new cases on Thursday, its largest daily rise since its first case was confirmed on Jan. 20. China reported 433 new infections. MSCIs broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.5 percent and is down more than 4 percent for the week. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1 percent by lunchtime and has lost 7 percent this week. Japan's Nikkei fell 1.7 percent to its lowest since October. The Hang Seng fell 1 percent. Gold climbed 0.7 percent. The market was complacent until last week as central banks and governments were at the rescue, said Desh Peramunetilleke, head of microstrategy at Jefferies in Hong Kong. The rising infection cases beyond Chinese shores has certainly raised the pandemic risk, he said. The current earnings estimates do not yet factor in such risk and are therefore vulnerable to further downgrades. A show of confidence from President Donald Trump, who sought to play down the risks to the United States at a White House press conference, offered little solace to traders focused on the virus spread. US stock futures fell as far as 1 percent as he spoke, while European stock futures fell 2 percent in Asian trade, suggesting a possible catch-up drop in stocks there. Fresh record-low yields on benchmark 10-year US Treasuries overnight, and the mornings firm demand for dollars, yen and Swiss francs underscored the worried mood. The only bright spot, ironically, was Chinas stock market, which steadied in relief that domestically, at least, the outbreak appears to be under control. The virus has driven an enormous flight of assets out of Asia as investors try to isolate themselves from both the outbreak itself and the cost of what has now been more than a month of paralysis in the worlds second-biggest economy. New Zealands government said on Thursday it might need to pump money into its economy, where China accounts for about a quarter of exports, should the fallout cause a global recession. Capital Economics now expects Chinese growth to contract this year. The economic risks from extended disruption are non-linear, Capitals chief Asia economist and its senior China economist, Mark Williams and Julian Evans-Pritchard, said in a note. The longer it continues, the more likely it is that some firms wont be able to pay workers, and will have to either cut pay, lay people off or shut down altogether. The latest wave of selling has already driven the China-sensitive Australian dollar to a new 11-year low and pushed US oil to a one-year trough, where they mostly sat on Thursday. Last at 1.3088 percent, the yield on benchmark US 10-year Treasuries is less than one basis point firmer than an all-time low hit overnight. US crude made a fresh one-year low of $47.84 per barrel in Asian trade, while gold rose to $1,649.78 per ounce. A worker at the sprawling Molson Coors complex in Milwaukee opened fire Wednesday afternoon, killing five employees before taking his own life, the company's chief executive officer and police said. The suspected shooter, a 51-year-old man from Milwaukee, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police Chief Alfonso Morales told reporters. Gavin Hattersley, Molson Coors president and CEO, said the gunman was a brewery employee. President Donald Trump called the shooter a "wicked murderer" and offered his "deepest condolences" to the victims and families. "Our hearts break for them and their loved ones," Trump told reporters during a coronavirus briefing at the White House. More than 1,000 people were working at the campus, comprised of corporate offices and two breweries, when police began receiving reports of a shooting about 2:08 p.m. (local time), Morales said. About 10 minutes later, employees began receiving texts and emails from the company warning them about an active shooter, according to texts shared with CNN. None of the victims had been named as of Wednesday night. Hours after the shooting, police said, many employees were still inside the complex as officers continued searching through the complex and "identify who is missing." Police said there's no active threat at the complex and they have not discussed a possible motive. The corporate offices will be closed for the rest of the week and the breweries will remain closed for the time being, Hattersley said. "There are no words to express the deep sadness many of us are feeling right now. I am on my way to Milwaukee now because in the hours and days ahead, the most important thing is that we support and care for each other," the CEO said. A 'tragic day' for Milwaukee Scores of police officers, SWAT teams and FBI agents were seen walking around the city's Miller Valley neighborhood, which is named after the iconic 160-year-old brewery. Speaking to reporters, Mayor Tom Barrett said a regular work day turned into chaos, not only for employees but for the community. "This is a tragic day for our city, this is a tragic day for our state. Five families, six families actually are grieving and will be grieving because of this horrific act of this individual," Barrett said. "This is a time for us to think about those families. Because there are five individuals who went to work today, just like everybody goes to work. And they thought they were going to go to work, finish their day and return to their families. They didn't and tragically they never will." Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said Wednesday's incident was the 11th mass shooting in Wisconsin since 2004. "We are here on the scene of another American tragedy. Another senseless American tragedy. One that shouldn't have to happen and unfortunately it's in our backyard. And I hate to say that it is in our backyard once again," he said. US Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin also lamented the shooting. "Gun violence has taken too many lives in Milwaukee and the mass shooting today is heartbreaking," Baldwin tweeted. "I want to thank the first responders who ran into harm's way and saved lives. My office is standing by to help the #MKE community in the wake of this tragedy." 'Find a safe place,' texts warned employees Several emergency text messages were sent to employees warning them of a shooter on the complex, CNN affiliate WITI reported. "Find a safe place, active shooter on campus," said one of the text messages shared with WITI. Another employee, who was not at work at the time of the shooting, told CNN they began receiving texts and email communications about 2:18 p.m. (local time). The first text indicated there was an active shooter in or near "South Packaging, building 4 2nd floor stairwell." Multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies -- including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives -- rushed to the scene. Molson Coors became the parent company of MillerCoors in 2016. Last year, Molson Coors announced it was retiring the MillerCoors name as part of a reorganization. With February coming to a close, around 300-odd teachers in as many as 114 city government schools and the education department have still not been paid for November, December and January. The delay in salary is not new for these 200 computer teachers, including senior and junior instructors, 20 data-entry operators, 87 counsellors, and other employees, who were made to wait for their salaries in months of September and October too. Their September salary was credited on October 25 while the salary for October was credited on December 23, after a month-long delay. With the end of February, it will be four months since we were last paid, said a computer teacher working in one of the government schools in Chandigarh. I have to pay school fees of my two children, the house rent, electricity charges, but I dont know how I will manage to do this without any money, she said. Sharing the problems faced due to uncertainty in receiving salaries, a computer teacher working at one of the government schools in Chandigarh, said, The only thing constant is the untimely salary. Every month we remain clueless about getting any money. TEACHERS OUTSOURCED VIA SPIC Computer teachers working at government schools are outsourced through the information technology department called Society for Promotion of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC). Senior teachers draw a salary of around 35,000 per month while junior teachers get around 29,000 per month and data entrepreneurs get around 20,000 per month. DELAY IN CONTRACT FINALISATION Earlier, it was decided that all the outsourced employees will be hired via Government e-Marketplace (GeM) as the service charge of GeM is much lower than that of SPIC. However, later the education department found that there was no category under which they could hire teachers via GeM. Meanwhile, the contract with SPIC was renewed only till September 2019. Unable to find any alternative, the district education officer (DEO) Alka Mehta on February 24 wrote to the centre head of SPIC informing about the extension of contract till March 2020. In the letter, Mehta added that the counsellors and computer teachers will be outsourced via GeM portal as and when they are available on it. School education director Rubinderjit Singh Brar said he will look into the matter tomorrow and expedite the process. VIOLATION OF PAYMENT OF WAGES ACT According to the provisions of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, wages need to be paid before the 7th day of every month, after the last day of the wage period. In case the number is less than 1,000 employed workers, the salary is to be paid by the 10th day of every month. Bipin Sher Singh, chairman of all contractual Karamchari Sangh, UT, said, It does not matter if it is a government or a private agency, the salaries should be released on time. How can someone survive in a city like Chandigarh with no money in hand? SIMILAR SITUATION IN UT COLLEGES It has been five months since around 40 contractual college teachers hired under the Chandigarh Higher Education Society (CHES) have not received their salaries. The teachers joined their services in September 2019, but UT administration is yet to process the file of their dues. The teachers were hired by societies of these colleges against the funds generated by self-financing courses at an overall consolidated salary of 25,000 per month. They were engaged for subjects such as management, economics, computer applications, English, Punjabi and history on pure temporary basis according to the CHES advertisement released in 2019. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will embark on a day-long visit to Qatar on Thursday, just two days before the US and Afghan Taliban would sign a landmark peace deal in Doha. "As part of regular exchange of high-level visits, Prime Minister Imran Khan will be visiting Qatar on February 27, 2020 to meet His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar," The Express Tribune quoted a Foreign Office statement as saying on Wednesday night. This will be the premier's second visit to Qatar after assuming office in 2018. Khan, however, would not attend the signing ceremony which is scheduled for Saturday. Instead Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will represent Pakistan at the ceremony to be attended by delegates from over two dozen countries. The 18-month gruelling talks have now resulted in an imminent agreement between the militant group and the US under which foreign troops would be withdrawn from the war-torn country. In return, the Taliban have agreed not to allow the Afghan soil to be used against any other country. For Ashfaq Hussain, a resident of Mustafabad in North-East Delhi and his wife Tasneem, the past two weeks were the happiest days of their life. The two had begun a new life together as a husband and wife on February 14, which is also Valentine's Day. But the happiness turned into grief on Tuesday, just 11 days after they got married. Hussain,22, who used to work as an electrician in Mustafabad, was returning home after work in the evening when he was caught in the violence that had engulfed the area for days. He was stabbed twice in the neck and shot five times. Three of the bullets hit him in the chest, two others on his side. BCCL His family alleged that the Delhi Police did not allow them to take him to GTB Hospital and they had to take the body to the Al Hind Hospital in Mustafabad. Only in the morning, they were able to take Hussain's body to GTB Hospital. He wanted to come home early from work, but he could not make it because of the violence, a relative said. BCCL Another riot victim, Mohammad Shahid too had a similar story. 22-year-old Shahid who used to drive an auto rickshaw to make a living was killed on Monday afternoon after he was hit by a bullet that passed through his body. Shahid's family in Mustafabad said they got to know about his death only after his photos began circulating on social media. Shahid's wife is now pregnant, but their child will grow up without a father. She doesnt earn a living. BCCL As of Thursday morning, a total of 19 people killed in the violence that began on Monday have been identified. Ratan Lal, Shahid Alvi, Mahtab, Rahul Solanki, Ashfaq Hussain, Mohammed Furkan, Mubarak Hussain, Birbhan Singh, Nazeem Khan, Mudassir Khan, Vinod Kumar, Ankit Sharma, Vir Bhan Singh and Deepak. BCCL Meanwhile, the death toll in violent clashes has risen to 32 on Thursday. After three days of mayhem, on Thursday there is a relative calm in North East Delhi which saw the worst communal violence in the national capital in decades. Security forces conducted flag marches earlier on Thursday in different parts of the northeast district to monitor the situation in the area. Security has been deployed at various locations in the district including Jafrabad, Maujpur-Babarpur, Gokulpuri, Johri Enclave, and Shiv Vihar. On Wednesday, NSA Ajit Doval had taken stock of the situation and met with residents of some of the worst affected areas. Michigan church offers 'drive-thru ashes' on Ash Wednesday Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A church in the Detroit, Michigan area is offering drivers the ashen cross of Ash Wednesday, as well as prayers, in observance of the start of the liturgical season of Lent. St. Davids Episcopal Church of Southfield is holding a Drive-Thru Ashes event on Wednesday at their propertys driveway from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Drive-Thru Ashes event is in addition to two worship services featuring both Communion and the imposition of ashes, at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. ET, respectively. St. Davids Episcopal Rector Chris Yaw told The Christian Post on Thursday that the event was first observed a few years ago to minister to those too busy to attend an Ash Wednesday service. Episcopal churches have been doing what they call ashes on the go for a long time, explained Yaw, who credited the churchs music director with the idea. So we made up some signs, we put a half mile down the road one way, half mile down the road the other way, drive-thru ashes a half mile ahead. According to Yaw, the event has grown over the past few years. While dozens of drivers came in their inaugural Drive-Thru Ashes event, last year well over 500 people stopped by. When 500 people drive by and want ashes on Ash Wednesday, it tells you that people want to pray more than they are able to give time to do so, he said. In addition to the imposition of ashes on the forehead, participants in the drive-thru event will also hand out prayer cards and, if asked, will pray with motorists who come to their driveway. Yaw also told CP that in the past some people, without being asked, donated money. Last year, the church received around $800 from drivers, all of which was directed to charity. An important date for churches that observe the liturgical calendar, Ash Wednesday is observed with a worship service centered on a reminder that all people are destined to die. A key part of the service is ashes, often derived from burned branches from last years Palm Sunday, are placed on the forehead of a worshiper in the form of a cross. St. Davids Episcopal is not the only church in the United States offering drive-thru ashes. This year, Munholland United Methodist Church of Metairie, Louisiana, will be hosting a similar annual event. In a 2016 interview with CP, the Rev. Tim Smith of Munholland UMC explained that their event was about taking the church into the community and meeting people where they are. Many of the people who came through yesterday were on their way to or from work or unable to attend services at their church, said Smith at the time. "They wanted to 'start their day' with the observance of Lent and the marking of ashes. It's a reflection of the still strong spiritual hunger and desire still very much a part of people's lives." BATON ROUGE, La., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Stuttering Association's Baton Rouge chapter is holding an open house Monday, March 2nd, 2020 from 7:00PM-9:00PM. The free community event is for anyone who are or have been affected by stuttering. Louisiana State University students, faculty, and speech language pathologists will be on site at the Goodwood Library in the large meeting room to answer questions and be available to anyone who is interested in learning more about stuttering. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, and a grad student of Southern University, this year's open house host, Melvin B. Givens is also a person who stutters. "We want everyone who stutters, or has an interest in, or been affected by stuttering to feel welcome to this event. The evening provides an inside look into the lives of the 5 panelists as they answer questions from an audience of people who stutter. The goal of the evening is to create community for people who stutter and follow the NSA welcoming words, "We who stutter, and those who support and help us, are not alone. Together we are strong," said Givens. Panelist and coordinator, LSU's own Geoffrey Coalson Ph.D. CCC-SLP, is also a person who stutters, and is among the faculty present for the evening. "We're looking forward to a great evening for our Baton Rouge chapter as it continues to thrive and evolve along with our neighboring NSA chapters in New Orleans and Lafayette. Our goal is to provide people with the opportunity to become acquainted with fellow stutterers and provide resources and support that they may not know is available to them," said Coalson. Stuttering is defined as a communication disorder involving disruptions, or "disfluencies," in a person's speech, affecting over 3 million American adults today. The National Stuttering Association, originally named the National Stuttering Project, was founded in California by Bob Goldman and Michael Sugarman in 1977. The mission of the non-profit organization is dedicated to bringing hope and empowerment to children and adults who stutter, their families, and professionals through support, education, advocacy, and research. The open house will be held at the Goodwood Library at 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70806 in the large meeting room. The evening is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Geoffrey Coalson at 225-578-3937 or email [email protected]. Contact: Melissa Cunningham [email protected] 562.212.2143 SOURCE National Stuttering Association Related Links http://westutter.org/ Giant Food Stores has unveiled a new name and logo. The chain of grocery stores is now called The Giant Company, and its logo is designed with oversized red letters, including a subtle leaf motif in the letter A. The announcement was made Feb. 26 during a company business meeting in Hershey. Giant said the change is meant to highlight the role the company, its stores and employees play in the lives of families since its founding in 1923. For nearly a century, weve been a trusted part of the communities we serve, helping families come together to share a meal and create special memories, said President Nicholas Bertram in a statement. The company said logos for all of its banner brands including Giant, Martins, Giant Heirloom Market, Giant Direct and Martins Direct have been refreshed. The leaf in the letter "A" is intended to signify the companys commitment to growth and freshness, according to a press release. The new logo for Giant stores includes a leaf design in the letter "A." In recent years, the chain has expanded with different services including grocery delivery and pickup, catering, in-store pharmacies, nutrition education and on-site fuel stations. The new logo is already erected on the exterior of The Giant Center in Hershey and Giants corporate headquarters in Carlisle. Giant said the name and logo will be integrated into its operations over the next year. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 17:02:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Police across China will further tighten the crackdown on crimes involving wildlife animals, a public security official said at a press conference Thursday. Public security organs should fight against crimes involving rare and endangered wild animals and wildlife with important ecological, scientific and social values according to current criminal law and wildlife protection law, said Liu Xuejun, deputy head of the food and drug crime investigation bureau of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). Noting that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Monday adopted a decision on thoroughly banning the illegal trading of wildlife and eliminating the consumption of wild animals to safeguard people's lives and health, Liu said the MPS is working out a guideline with other law enforcement agencies to implement the decision and related laws. The hunting, trading and transportation of terrestrial wild animals that naturally grow and breed in the wild for consumption shall also be completely prohibited, according to the decision, and illegal consumption and trade of wildlife shall be severely punished. The police will carry out special operations targeting wildlife crime, Liu added. Norwegian English On behalf of Sbanken ASA, DNB Markets has on 27 February 2020 purchased 87 754 shares for use in Sbanken's share purchase programmes for employees and executive managers. The shares have been acquired at an average price of NOK 64.9112 per share. After this, Sbanken ASA owns a total of 117 200 own shares. Contact details, Investor Relations: Jesper M. Hatletveit, Head of IR, Sbanken ASA, +47 959 40 045 Henning Nordgulen, CFO, Sbanken ASA, +47 952 65 990 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. HELSINKI, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The wooden Metsa Pavilion is to be built on the grounds of the Finnish Embassy in Tokyo. The Pavilion is constructed of prefabricated wood elements made of Kerto LVL (laminated veneer lumber). Metsa Wood, the producer of Kerto LVL, sees collaboration as an important factor in the growth of wood construction. Projects like Metsa Pavilion present a perfect opportunity for industry professionals to get together and share knowledge - making the most of Kerto LVL as a fast, light and green construction material. The wooden elements were produced by the element factory Timberpoint, located in Loviisa, Finland. "Trusting wood, and what can be done with it, is moving wood construction forward. This calls for collaboration with builders, architects, material producers and element factories," explains Marko Suonpaa, co-owner of Timberpoint. Collaboration during different stages of planning and building also helps with industrial efficiency: since the element factory had been part of the planning process from the early stages, production could be done with maximum efficiency. It took only seven weeks to manufacture all the elements. Design in collaboration The Metsa Pavilion project has been a joint effort from the very beginning. Metsa Wood brought the professionals together and shared knowledge about Kerto LVL's possibilities. Everyone involved got to focus on their core speciality and expertise. "We didn't really use any new or innovative techniques: we worked with what we already knew," says Jussi Bjorman, Director of Technical Customer Service at Metsa Wood. "You could actually build apartment buildings using similar techniques." "What was new, however, was the better use of element production expertise: Marko Suonpaa and other professionals from Timberpoint were in touch with the Pavilion's structural designer Lasse Hietanen from AINS Group from the very beginning of the project." According to Bjorman, collaboration between everyone involved has been fluent. The diversity of the group of professionals has brought many good ideas to the table when people working with different parts of the building process have been in contact with each other. "Metsa Pavilion has been an interesting project," says Suonpaa. "It has massive LVL column structures. And Kerto LVL is also visible on every surface," he continues. "As a material, wood is easy and fast to work with. The benefits of Kerto LVL are dimensional stability and strength." Wood elements to be proud of Suonpaa also had his hands on a very prominent detail that became his favourite part of the Pavilion. "The staircase was closest to my heart. It was uniquely demanding and prestigious, and it was nice to make," says Suonpaa. The idea was to cut 75 mm thick Kerto LVL panels into the shape of the stairs and glue them together. The veneers thus formed a striped and visually interesting surface for a striking staircase. "Metsa Pavilion will be in the public eye and a place of events. It has been a meaningful project for us, and it will remind us of the good quality work we've done." Watch the Talking Wood video with Marko Suonpaa. Images: https://databank.metsagroup.com/l/Rw99dNpKTzDS For more information, please contact: Viivi Kylama Marketing Manager, Metsa Wood tel. +358-40-820-9850 viivi.kylama@metsagroup.com Kirk Nichols VP Sales, Americas, Metsa Wood USA mobile: +1-(40)-861-1098 kirk.nichols@metsagroup.com For press information in UK, please contact: Matt Trace Director, Defero Communications tel. +07828663988 matt@deferouk.co.uk This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/metsa-wood/r/metsa-wood--metsa-pavilion-brings-construction-professionals-around-the-same-table,c3046373 The following files are available for download: Our expansion will help us continue leading our industry while supporting our community, said Abel Olivera, CEO of Jensen Meat. Our newly created jobs encourage economic growth and improve local quality of life Jensen Meat, a U.S.-based ground-beef processor, announced today it has invested $9 million to expand its operations in Southern California, increasing capacity and creating 50 new jobs. Jensen Meats newest developments demonstrate the companys dedication to its local community as it continues unprecedented growth and maintains its promise to support sustainable, responsible production. Jensen Meats expansion will position the company to meet increased customer demand for high-quality beef products. Its fresh processing room, which has capacity for 10 million more pounds per year, is already under construction and is expected to be completed in March. In addition, its two new individually quick frozen (IQF) lines will add 30 million pounds to its capacity. The main plant operations will continue uninterrupted throughout company expansion. Our expansion will help us continue leading our industry while supporting our community, said Abel Olivera, CEO of Jensen Meat. Our newly created jobs encourage economic growth and improve local quality of life. As a provider to our schools and businesses as well as to our national consumers we see our mission and vision perfectly complimented by this next step. Jensen Meat experienced double-digit growth in recent years. The company has recently invested significantly in its operations and development, including the installation of solar-powered cells to decrease waste and reduce its energy footprint. In addition, Jensen Meat expanded into the plant-based industry by securing co-packing relationships with various businesses. As we continue to grow, we look forward to involving our community even more, added Abel Olivera, CEO of Jensen Meat. We are only as good as the people who work for us. We wouldnt be here today without our dedicated team, and we believe our employees support will secure our bright future. Jensen Meat Company was founded in 1958 by Reggie Jensen and supplies restaurant, retail, foodservice distribution, and school markets. The company stands apart for its rigorous training, its use of the Buddy System a form of job shadowing and its forward-thinking approach to operations. In addition to employing a staff of nearly 400, Jensen Meat is also active with local nonprofits, including Feeding America and Childrens Hospital. Additional details about Jensen Meats expansion or job creation plans are available upon request. To schedule an interview or for more information on Jensen, visit http://www.jensenmeat.com and find Jensen Meat at http://www.facebook.com/jensenmeat. About Jensen Meat, Company Jensen Meat, Co. is a privately held, leading processor and marketer of high-quality ground beef products. Located in the Otay Mesa area of San Diego, CA, the company has strong branded products sold under Fat Burger, Great Value, Kroger, Sams Choice, and Sysco, as well as other licensed product extensions. Founded in 1958 by Reggie Jensen, it produces 75 million pounds of ground beef annually from its new 150,000 sq. ft., state of the art plant and manufactures 250 SKUs of retail and foodservice products such as individually quick-frozen and fresh patties. Jensen Meat products are sold through retail, foodservice, and club store channels throughout the United States. ST. PAUL Maurice Londell McClendons most recent target was sleeping next to her boyfriend in a tent near Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul when he attacked her, authorities say. McClendon cut a hole through the tent and put her boyfriend in a choke-hold before ordering the woman at knife-point to lay face down on the ground, according to a criminal complaint. St. Paul was "(his) town," he told the woman, and he was there to collect taxes. Then he sexually assaulted her for three to four hours, according to the complaint. Thats the account the woman gave to police about what McClendon did to her in the early morning hours of Sept. 26, 2019, according to the criminal complaint filed Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court. He is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in the case, as well as a third count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. ADVERTISEMENT The narrative is similar to what two other homeless women say McClendon did to them during the spring of 2018 and summer of 2019, court records say. In the first instance, a woman said she was near the area of the Minnesota History Museum around 7 p.m. on May 24, 2018, when McClendon approached her and a friend and asked if they wanted "to smoke dope," according to the criminal complaint. She followed him down some stairs near an exit ramp of Interstate 94 East and 10th Street. Once there, she said McClendon pulled out a knife, put his hand over her mouth and raped her, the complaint said. In the other incident, a different woman was near the Minnesota History Museum Aug. 15, 2019, when McClendon approached her and asked if she wanted to smoke a blunt, according to the criminal complaint filed in the case. She said she recognized the man from the Higher Ground homeless shelter in St. Paul so she said yes, and followed him to a nearby utility shed. She was sitting down digging through her purse for something when she looked up and saw McClendon exposing himself, court documents say. Upset, she told police she pushed him away. McClendon then punched her in the face, pushed her down and raped her, the complaint said. ADVERTISEMENT Surveillance video obtained from Higher Ground showed the woman and a man staff identified as McClendon together the day of that assault, according to the complaint. The woman later picked McClendon out as her attacker in a photo line-up. DNA taken from the sexual assault examinations conducted on the other two women linked McClendon to the crimes, according to court documents. In interviews with police, McClendon denied raping anyone but did acknowledge exchanging drugs and money for sex with woman in the area of the alleged attacks, the complaints said. He told one officer he would go to a secluded area with the women, show them money and then "make sure they did a good job" before paying them," the complaint said. McClendon entered a plea of not guilty to the Aug. 15, 2019 charges, and that case is expected to go to trial in the coming weeks. No plea has been entered in his 2018 case. Public defender Jeremy Plesha, who was appointed to represent McClendon in both those cases, said he was not aware of the new allegations against his client. ADVERTISEMENT "We are in the process of sorting the matters out," Plesha said, adding that he hopes his client receives "due process" at his upcoming trial. McClendon is a registered sex offender and was convicted for violating the requirements of his registration in 2011, court records say. He was also convicted in 2018 of disorderly conduct and violating No Contact Order in a domestic violence case. He was convicted of violating a similar order in 2019. A $13.5 billion settlement between victims of Californias catastrophic wildfires and the utility blamed for causing them was supposed to bring some peace and hope to people still reeling from the devastation. Instead, the deal has sparked confusion, resentment, suspicion and despair as the victims, government agencies, and lawyers grapple for their piece of the pie. More than 81,000 have filed claims to the settlement fund, setting the stage for a potential scrum as Pacific Gas & Electric scrambles to emerge from one of the most complex bankruptcy cases in U.S. history by June 30. How is it in any way fair that the actual victims of this fire, or any of the fires, are put at the very, very bottom of the priority list, wrote Michelle Barker, 54, in a recent letter to U.S Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali, who is overseeing the settlement. Barker lost her home to the 2018 fire that wiped out Paradise, California. The tensions may boil over during a hearing Wednesday focusing on whether federal and state agencies are entitled to tap the fund to recoup any of the $4 billion they doled out after the wildfires. Health chain Adventist Health is also seeking at least $1 billion for losses from its heavily damaged hospital in Paradise, and lawyers could try to take up to a third. Victims are also upset that half the settlement, or $6.75 billion, would be paid in stock from PG&E, the company responsible for ruining their lives. The stock payment may prove a clever strategy, said San Francisco bankruptcy attorney Michael Sweet, because that could make it more difficult for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to follow through on threats of a government-backed takeover if PG&E doesnt make reforms. A government takeover would likely cause the companys stock to drop, further diminishing the value of the victims settlement. They are turning the victims into human shields, Sweet said. You only go into bankruptcy because there isnt enough to go around for everyone. Barker, who lost her Paradise home, is among dozens making passionate pleas to Montali asking him to rework a deal he approved in December. More than 1,600 wildfire victims signed an online petition calling the settlement unfair. PG&E is building off of our losses in a sense, said Jason Meek, 48, whose Northern California wine country home was destroyed in 2017. Its important in my view that this settlement is done with thought and care. The possibility of government agencies tapping the fund has outraged people still looking for new places to live after losing their homes and, in some cases, still grieving loved ones who perished during the worst wildfires in modern U.S. history. Montali, who also presided over PG&Es previous bankruptcy from 2001-2004, has never left any doubt that compensating the wildfire victims is his top priority in the new case, which began in January 2019. Claimants have since filed more than $50 billion in wildfire claims, which the utility has proposed settling for a total of $25.5 billion, which includes reimbursement for insurers and other things. Attorneys representing the victims concede the settlement isnt perfect, but they say its the best deal possible under the circumstances. Still, there is a growing sentiment among victims that theyre getting such a raw deal they should reject it, even if that means waiting longer to be paid. I want you to know that many of us understand what is happening and that we will move heaven and earth to stop it, vowed Lisa Williams, 59, another survivor of the 2018 Camp Fire, in a Feb. 6 letter. Williams, who now lives in Las Vegas, started a wildfire victims group on Facebook opposing the current deal. Compounding frustration over the plan to pay them in stock, PG&E agreed to an all-cash settlement of $11 billion to reimburse about 110 insurers for losses paid out to policyholders. Not only do we have to wait to get paid but wed have to depend on the companys recovery, said Meek, who said he has moved many times since losing his house, and is nowhere close to rebuilding on his property. If a fire comes again, what will happen to the stock price? The last time PG&E emerged from bankruptcy in April 2004, its stock more than doubled while paying out billions of dollars in dividends. PG&Es stock has sunk as low as $3.55 four months ago, but has since rebounded to $16 to $18 per share, largely on hopes the company will be able to deliver on its projection of record profits as it bounces back from bankruptcy. Court documents say none of the victims will have to accept PG&E stock if they dont want it but the process for choosing an alternative hasnt been spelled out yet. Sarah Bates, a 67-year-old former nurse who moved to Virginia after losing her Paradise home in 2018, said those affected the most are being tossed aside. I dont have a lot of faith that Im going to see any significant compensation at the end of it all, Bates said. Related: Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Made Anthony Iswara (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 18:55 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20670b7be 1 Business garlic,imports,permit,recommendations,Trade-Ministry,China,coronavirus,COVID-19,food-supply Free Indonesians could find it difficult to buy garlic during the Ramadan holiday season this year if the country fails to get imports from China soon, an official has said. Food Resilience Agency (BKP) head Agung Hendriadi said that the garlic stock had already fallen to 80,000 tons as of Thursday. With monthly garlic consumption of some 46,000 tons, current stocks would only suffice until April. So far, the Trade Ministry has only issued import permit letters for 62,000 tons out of 103,000 tons recommended by the Agriculture Ministry. Agung urged the Trade Ministry to issue a permit for at least 80,000 tons of garlic to fulfil domestic needs. We are also trying to [import] from other countries like India and Thailand that also produce garlic, he told reporters after a discussion with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in Jakarta on Thursday. The latest import effort aims to maintain supply and avoid further price increases amid the coronavirus outbreak. The virus has been blamed for the diminishing garlic supply from China, thereby spiking the commoditys price in Indonesia. The price currently stands at a national average of Rp 46,600 (US$3.35) per kilogram, almost double the usual Rp 25,000 to Rp 30,000 per kg, according to the Information Center for Strategic Food Prices (PIHPS). Insya Allah [God Willing], we hope that the coronavirus will go away soon so that we can rejoice once again, Agung added. Read also: Rising garlic price cannot be blamed on coronavirus Indonesia has long depended on China, the worlds leading garlic producer, to fulfil its domestic garlic consumption. In 2019 alone, Indonesia imported around 465,000 tons of garlic with an import value of nearly $530 million, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data showed. Indonesia is only able to produce 85,000 tons per year or only 10 percent of annual garlic needs, with the remaining 90 percent fulfilled by imports. The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) commissioner Guntur Saragih also voiced concern on Feb. 14 but said the rising prices could not be blamed on the coronavirus. He instead blamed slow import realization for the scarcity, which he said had already happened before the virus broke out. The KPPU said that the government had issued import recommendations for more than 100,000 tons, 60,000 tons of which would be used to ensure supplies until the Ramadhan holidays which were unrealized as of Feb. 14. "Its a problem when imports are done late. Supply will certainly thin out, thus automatically shifting [prices]," Guntur said. However, his team's investigation had yet to ascertain whether importers were intentionally holding back imports to push up prices. This is not the first time that garlic prices have skyrocketed. Last year, garlic prices spiked to more than Rp 80,000 per kg due to import recommendations not being issued until April 2019. The Portland rental market is not as frenzied as it has been with rents holding steady, and yet some potential tenants feeling the pressure to act fast are finding themselves being scammed. Experts believe that almost half of renters across the country have encountered a listing they suspected was fraudulent and most looked elsewhere. Of those who fell for the fraud, some lost around $1,000 by paying a security deposit or rent for a property that doesnt exist, is different than advertised or was listed on Craigslist or other classified sites by fake landlords, according to ApartmentList.com, an online rental platform that verifies landlords and tenants. March 2020 Portland Rent Report What are red flags? If the asking rent is low, be suspicious. Before you share personal information with someone posing as a landlord, know what you should expect to pay in that market. A just-released report by Apartment List predicts Portlands median rent for a two bedroom will be $1,325 in March, which is a slight bump of 0.1% over this month. Another warning: If there is no required background or credit check, and youre being rushed to pay upfront in cash, be leery. Portland homeowners entangled in scams Terry Rusinow, who owns two Northeast Portland vacation rentals, spends time on Craigslist every day flagging photos of her properties that are being misrepresented by scammers. Two years ago, a woman showed up at Rusinows doorstep, explaining that shed paid $1,600 to rent the home for two months. The woman had driven from Texas, her car packed with her belongings. I was in shock," said Rusinow. She was in shock. I said, Lets go to the police. But she just left. She was blown away. Another couple told Rusinow that they were out $1,400. A man and a woman from Vancouver, Washington, who thought they were renting their first place, said the mans dad, a lawyer, even reviewed the application and thought it looked legitimate. The fake ads on Craigslist use Rusinows photos, description of the home and address. Fake correspondence is written in her name. People come by and knock on the door to ask, Are you renting your place? she said. People are desperate, naive or see a great deal and grab it. I try to get the word out about scams. Craigslist advises people to deal in person with the other party and warns people not to wire money. Here are five ways to avoid a rental scam Confirm the owners identity: Go to portlandmaps.com or contact the county assessors office or public records to find the owners name. If there are two owners, make sure both are agreeing to rent the home. Ask for a photo ID when you meet in person. If a property management company or building manager represents the owner, conduct an online search for feedback and reviews on how they handle business. Confirm the address matches exterior photos: Look at Google maps street view or conduct a reverse image search by right-clicking the images and selecting search Google or go to TinEye to see if the photos are being used to list an apartment in another city. Fake landlords often use photos of homes for sale on real estate databases like Redfin or Zillow as well as short-term rentals from vacation stays sites like Airbnb or Vrbo. Tour the place before you pay anything: If you cant see the home yourself, ask a friend or friend of a friend to go inside (do not just drive by) and ensure the photos match reality. Most online rental platforms will schedule tours to meet the person who has the rights to rent the unit. While there, talk to current tenants to hear if there are any issues. Sign an Oregon rental lease agreement: The contract should be signed by the owner in your presence and you should receive a copy of the lease before you pay. Anyone who claims to represent the owner should have documents to prove this. Verify everything in the advertisement, or promised verbally, is spelled out in the lease before signing or paying a deposit. Once youve signed the lease, you are most likely bound to the apartment, as is, says Apartment List. Dont pay with cash: A reputable landlord will not insist on receiving the security deposit and rents in cash, which cant be traced, or through Western Union, PayPal, iTunes, Zelle or other types of wire transfers. If youre sure you want to live there, pay with a personal check or cashiers check. Some owners accept credit cards. What to do if you have been scammed Call the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center hotline at 877-FTC-HELP or submit a FTC online complaint form File a complaint on the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center Call the police and give them all the details you have There are many free real estate databases such as OregonLives, where you can search Oregon apartment listings and use local resources. Before paying a service to provide a list of rental properties, check if there are complaints with the Better Business Bureau or negative reviews online. If the listings are fake or expired, you cant get a refund and you may be billed monthly for continuing to use the service you cant cancel. --Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072 jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories Want to search Oregon apartment listings and use local resources? Click here. LAFAYETTE Ind. (WLFI) Job growth is continuing in Greater Lafayette. Wednesday, Subaru of Indiana Automotive announced that it will be investing 158 million dollars into its Lafayette campus which will add 350 new jobs. It's an expansion SIA says made sense because of how welcoming the greater Lafayette community is to corporate partners. "Subaru has expanded many times most recently in the past couple of years by adding over 200 jobs and investing over 140 million dollars to bring the Ascent to Lafayette and this community has been supportive every step of the way," said Rachel Hazaray Assistant General Counsel at SIA. The company is investing again which Mayor Tony Roswarski says shows how good of partners the greater Lafayette community is. A lot of factories don't cost 158 million dollars to build in the first place, said Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski. That's an expansion that I think only sends a positive message that Lafayette, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County and the state of Indiana is a great place to do business." The city and county are both giving SIA a Tax abatement on personal property and real estate as well as training funds for the new employees it will need to hire for the expansion. County leaders say these types of incentives bring business to the community. "You're competing against other states you're competing again other communities and this is part of the tools we use to help these companies land here," said Dave Byers Tippecanoe County Commissioner. The company will be building a new service parts facility and a transmission assembly shop. The service parts facility will be a stand-alone building on the North side of the property. It's an expansion the company says is needed. "Subaru has increased sales steadily over the past 11 years and this will help us meet the demand for service parts to service those vehicles that we have been selling, added Hazaray. Local leaders say this expansion isn't just a win for the greater Lafayette area, but Indiana as a whole. "To have that type of global advanced manufacturing footprint speaks very well for our continued success in the community, added Mayor Roswarski. SIA will break ground on the new facility this summer. They hope to have the operation up and running by 2023. The Indiana Supreme Court has ruled that sheriffs deputies illegally obtained a search warrant to arrest a suspected drug dealer who removed a GPS tracking device from his SUV. The ruling means that the authorities were not allowed to use evidence against Derek Heuring of Booneville, Indiana, who investigators suspected was selling methamphetamine. Heurings attorney, Michael Keating, told DailyMail.com that the charges against his client, including selling drugs and theft of a GPS device, were dropped on Wednesday. I think it was obviously correct, Keating said of the courts decision. Authorities in Warrick County, Indiana, on Wednesday threw out drug and theft charges against Derek Heuring (above), a man in his 30s from Booneville Authorities charged him with stealing a GPS tracking device (like the one seen above) that was installed on his car after investigators suspected him of dealing methamphetamine Investigators conducted a search of his home (above) for the missing GPS tracking device, during which they found drugs and drug paraphernalia Keating ridiculed the idea that cops could charge someone with stealing a GPS device when that device resembled an unidentified box mysteriously attached to their vehicle. In the summer of 2018, the Warrick County Sheriffs Department obtained a warrant to place a GPS tracking device on Heurings Ford Expedition. The officers sought the warrant because they believed that Heuring was selling methamphetamine. After obtaining the warrant, officers attached a GPS tracking device - a plain black plastic box with no markings - which allowed investigators to monitor Heurings movement for 30 days. The tracking device was working for about a week, as it transmitted signals pinpointing Heurings location. Soon afterward, however, the device stopped working. Officers waited for the tracking system to come back online, but it never did. Technicians said that the battery was fully charged, leading sheriffs deputies to conclude that the device was stolen. Investigators then learned that the tracking device had been removed from the SUV. So the sheriffs department obtained another warrant to search Heurings home and his fathers barn for evidence. Sheriffs deputies believed that the missing GPS tracking device was in one of these locations. Investigators told the courts that they had probable cause that Heuring stole the GPS tracking device that was planted inside his SUV. A magistrates court granted the sheriffs departments request for two warrants - one per each location. The ensuing search by investigators for the missing GPS turned up other contraband, including drugs, drug paraphernalia and a handgun. So officers sought further warrants after discovering the contraband. The additional searches then turned up even more drugs as well as the missing GPS device. Heuring is seen above in December 2017. His lawyer successfully argued in court that the evidence obtained during the search for a missing GPS tracking device was inadmissible in court The court ruled that the sheriff's department illegally searched Heuring's home and his father's barn Heuring was subsequently arrested and charged. In court, Keating, demanded that the evidence collected by investigators be suppressed because the authorities did not demonstrate they had probable cause to search the premises. The Indiana Supreme Court agreed, declaring that the justification used for obtaining the initial search warrants was illegal. The court ruled that even if the authorities could prove that Heuring removed the tracking device, it did not mean he 'stole' it. To find a fair probability of unauthorized control here, we would need to conclude the Hoosiers don't have the authority to remove unknown, unmarked objects from their personal vehicles, Chief Justice Loretta Rush said in the ruling. The court reprimanded law enforcement officials, saying they should have come up with a better rationale for pursuing a search warrant than the one they used. By law, any evidence collected as a result of an illegal search warrant cannot be considered at trial. We find it reckless for an officer-affiant to search a suspect's home and his father's barn based on nothing more than a hunch that a crime has been committed, the court wrote. We are confident that applying the exclusionary rule here will deter similar reckless conduct in the future. Military students from Saudi Arabia have resumed flight training at US bases, nearly three months after a Saudi trainee shot and killed three US Navy sailors at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. The US Navy said in a statement that flight training for the Saudi students resumed Tuesday. Training for about 850 Saudis at multiple US bases was suspended December 10, four days after Mohammed Alshamrani killed three US sailors and injured eight other people in the deadly shooting. Operational training, such as flying and other non-classroom instruction, was allowed to restart once additional safety restrictions were put in place. Police tape is pictured at the Pensacola Naval Air Station after Alshamrani opened fire in a classroom on December 6, killing three American sailors and wounding eight others Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham (left); Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson (center); and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters (right) were killed in the attack The Navy said new policies prohibit the possession of personally owned firearms by international students and limit foreign nationals to their assigned bases and facilities. International students must agree to the new policies in order to participate in US training. 'The Navy is making every effort to minimize disruptions to our foreign national partners while implementing the revised security initiatives,' the Navy statement said. Three American sailors were killed and eight other people were wounded when Saudi military trainee Mohammed Alshamrani (pictured) In addition, a new continuous review process is also being implemented by March 13. That new monitoring, which was ordered by Defense Secretary Mark Esper, is intended to allow US officials to pick up on signs of radicalization or other problematic behavior that might not have been apparent when the student entered the training program. The shooting at Pensacola, in which Saudi Air Force officer Mohammed Alshamrani killed three US sailors and injured eight other people, focused public attention on the presence of foreign students in American military training programs and exposed shortcomings in the screening of cadets. Early last month, the Justice Department announced that 21 Saudi military students were sent home after a review of all Saudi trainees. The 21, including an undisclosed number at Pensacola, had posted jihadist or anti-American sentiments on social media pages or had 'contact with child pornography,' including in internet chat rooms, officials said. None is accused of having had advance knowledge of the Dec. 6 shooting or having helped the gunman carry it out. El presidente @MartinVizcarraC recibe el legado ambiental, reconocimiento por promover el cuidado del medio ambiente, al haber neutralizado el 57.3 % del total de la huella de carbono generada por los viajes aereos, consumo de electricidad, entre otros, en los @Lima2019Juegos. https://t.co/1EReqzEkwP pic.twitter.com/1wDfKE3rEU Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 08:41:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday night told Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi by phone that he believes Japan has the capability and conditions to effectively contain the spread of the novel coronavirus epidemic and wishes the successful hosting of the Tokyo Olympics as scheduled. A prominent German lawyer has brought proceedings before the High Court here over what he claims are several attempts by parties based in the Middle East to hack his private email account. Mark Somos claims that in recent weeks and months he has been the subject of attempts to unlawfully access his gmail account by an unknown individual using a Qatari phone number. Mr Somos, who is represented in his proceedings before the Irish Courts by Niall Buckley Bl, is an international law scholar, and has acted as counsel in several International Court of Justice cases. He claims the hacking has been instigated by "Qatari based actors" arising out of his representation of several victims of human rights abuses by the State of Qatar. Mr Somos says he has received warnings from the German security authorities about attempts by Qatar to hack his and his client's phones and computers. On behalf of his clients, who Mr Somos said have been placed under extensive police protection in Germany, he has submitted complaints to multiple United Nations bodies, including the Human Rights Council. Last month he claims he received an alert that somebody using a Qatari phone number reset the recovery email and recovery number for his personal google address. The full number was masked, but he claims the international dialing code for Qatar was displayed. As a result of this he checked various devices recently used to access his Gmail account. These include an attempt by somebody using an IP address from a device used in a park in Heidleberg in Germany, where he is based. He also has tried to geo-locate other IP addresses of devices that he claims have attempted to hack his account. He claims the attempts are a breach of his rights, including his right to privacy, adding that the attempted hacks have caused him considerable distress. He now seeks various orders against the internet giants to help him and his lawyers identify who is behind the hacks, so he can bring proceedings against them. He sought information from the internet giant, but was informed it requires an order from the courts before it will supply such information. The action is before the Irish courts as Google's Dublin facility is its European, African and Middle East headquarters. In his action, Mr Somos seeks various orders, including orders requiring Google Ireland Ltd. to disclose the identity of who unlawfully accessed his Gmail account on dates in December 2019 and January of this year. He also seeks an order that he be provided with the identifying particulars of the devices who he claims have unlawfully accessed his Gmail account. The action was briefly mentioned today to Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, who had given Mr Somos permission to serve short notice of the proceedings on Google who adjourned the action to a date next week. Could improved broadband availability reduce the growing number of pregnant women who die in the United States?With the introduction of a bill titled Data Mapping to Save Moms Lives Act in both the Senate and House of Representatives last month , some legislators believe high-speed Internet could make a difference for pregnant mothers.The bill would require information on maternal health to be included in the Federal Communications Commissions Mapping Broadband Health in America initiative, which currently presents mapped correlations between broadband access and physician shortages, diabetes and obesity.This legislation would ideally bring more context to some troubling facts on maternal deaths in the United States, where, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , upwards of 700 women die annually as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications. Moreover, a 2017 report by NPR and ProPublica indicates that more U.S. women perish for such reasons compared to women in every other developed country, and the number of fatalities has increased in the U.S. over the last several years.Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly, who helped bring the House bill to the table, said she cant currently confirm whether broadband is directly connected to any of these deaths. However, she pointed out that both telehealth and websites oriented toward care could theoretically save lives.For moms thats always a good thing to have as much information and as much access as possible, Kelly said.Kelly added that the bill would lead to more data, which is essential for informing policy. Maternal mortality cuts across socioeconomic levels, but there are still a lot of poor women that die, she said. Were hoping that this can be another tool that we can use to decrease those deaths.But has the FCCs Mapping Broadband Health in America program led to any decisions, partnerships or investments with its current offerings? For the answer,reached out to the FCC Connect2Health Task Force, which oversees the initiative.Ben Bartolome, special counsel for the task force, said in an email that the initiative led to an unprecedented collaboration between the FCC and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to tackle broadband health gaps in the Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky. That collaboration brought about a project called Linking & Amplifying User-Centered Networks through Connected Health, also known as L.A.U.N.C.H. , which involves an ongoing pilot in Kentucky.In addition, were also aware that other federal agencies and academic research institutions have used and relied on the MBHA platform with respect to their policy/research initiatives and programs, and with some suggesting integration of other data sets, Bartolome said.Yet even if a lack of broadband access can be linked to maternal deaths in particular areas, saving lives will likely involve much more work and coordination. Stacey Millett, project director for the Health Impact Project at Pew Charitable Trusts, said the many stories she has heard from states about maternal health do point to a need for more broadband infrastructure. But there are numerous factors, from hospital closures to transportation to housing, that can impact the likelihood of a pregnant womans survival.We do need to understand that 50 percent of health outcomes and this is pretty well researched and documented are driven by factors beyond access to care and behavior, Millett said. Were talking about employment, education, income, community, family safety, the physical environment, housing, transportation And I think that thats why we consistently talk about having those sectors at the table.Millett also emphasized that maternal death affects certain groups more than others. In a recent article , she mentioned the statistic that black women are three to four times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy complications. Both Millett and Kelly, whose legislative district is more urban and suburban, cited the fact that preventable maternal deaths occur in cities as well as rural communities. Such evidence suggests that a multifaceted approach to the problem will yield the most success.Whether its broadband or transportation and education and employment were hoping that policymakers, decisionmakers, [and] community members understand the links, Millett said. Finnish Customs agency Tulli remains perplexed at what to do with a $15 million horde of Bitcoin that was seized from a dark web criminal in 2016. It reportedly doesnt want to sell it back to the public as it believes the buyers of cryptocurrencies rarely use them for normal endeavors. Tulli director Pekka Pylkkanen told local media: From our point of view, the problems are specifically related to the risk of money laundering. A large operation in 2016 saw the arrest of three Finnish individuals after they trafficked 40,000 ecstacy tablets, 30,000 tabs of LSD and 18 kilograms of powdered drugs into the country. Along with the arrests, Tulli also confiscated 1,666 Bitcoin from the criminal organisation, which was at the time valued under $1 million. The value of cryptocurrencies skyrocketed in the following two years with Bitcoin reaching a peak of $20,000 in December 2017. However, despite the Bitcoin now being worth more than $15 million, Finnish authorities remain none-the-wiser on what to do with the digital stash and the $14m profit. Tulli continues to be in a better position than authorities in Ireland, who last week revealed how the private keys to a 50 million Bitcoin fortune had been lost, meaning that the seized assets are now totally inaccessible. For more news, guides and cryptocurrency analysis, click here. The post Finnish customs remain hesitant over selling $15m Bitcoin haul appeared first on Coin Rivet. It wasnt a storm that brought parts of Houston to a halt Thursday, but a city-owned pipe that busted open, crippling water pressure for thousands. The ensuing rush of water onto East Loop stranded about a dozen motorists, with some taking refuge on the roofs of their cars. Firefighters rescued three people and moved 12 vehicles away from the rising water. The break also forced a boil order, closures of schools, medical and social services, and restaurants out of fear for public health. The immediate aftermath was a familiar sight but under blue skies. It was a little bit chaotic in the beginning but we always pull together, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said of the massive emergency response. Ken Ellis/Staff By 8 p.m., water stopped flowing through the broken segment of the pipe and receded from the surrounding area, said Houston Public Works spokeswoman Erin Jones. Drinking water was re-routed to other pipes in the system, and pressure was expected to gradually increase through the night, she said. Repair work likely will start early Friday morning, Jones said. Late Thursday, Harris County advised utility districts and county water providers to test their water to ensure the safety of the water supply. The boil order was issued for most of Houston around 6:30 p.m., more than six hours after a hulking 96-inch pipe erupted near Clinton Drive and East Loop 610, when the water pressure dropped below the Texas Commission on Environmental Qualitys required minimum of 20 PSI, according to a city alert. Health officials warned the lack of pressure could increase the risk of bacteria. Jones said the boil order would remain active until further notice. The pipe responsible for the boil order was installed 35 years ago. It broke open just before noon when a city contractor began digging to repair a gradual leak on the water line near Clinton Drive and East Loop 610, officials said, causing water to bubble onto the neighboring highway. Jones said the pipe stems from the East Water Purification Plant, roughly three miles east of the break. The water line carried about 50 percent of the drinking water in Houston, officials said. MAJOR CLOSINGS: Houston restaurants, schools closing after water main bursts in Houston Mayer Sylvester Turner pointed to aging infrastructure as the primary catalyst for the chaos. This is an example of the need for infrastructure improvements, not just in this city but cities across the board, he said during a press conference. When you re dealing with an aging infrastructure, youre going to have these main line breaks. And in some cases, they are major arteries and can cause major disruption. Shortly after the break, east and central Houston residents and businesses began complaining of dropping water pressure. For some, the lack of water meant that toilets could not flush. As the problem festered, Houston ISD decided to close their schools Friday because of the widespread water service disruption, with water issues being reported as far west as Lamar High School in River Oaks. Officials at the University of Houston and Texas Southern University officials had already closed their campuses for Thursday. Southbound lanes of the East Loop reopened late Thursday after Texas Department of Transportation workers cleaned debris. Northbound lanes were expected to open by the morning rush hour, TxDOT said via Twitter. To our knowledge, nothing in our system failed, TxDOT spokeswoman Raquelle Lewis said. It was just inundated. Houston Public Works officials identified the contractor involved with the broken pipe as Harper Brothers Construction. A woman who answered the phone for the Houston-based company put a reporter on hold for 10 minutes before disconnecting the line. Additional calls were rejected and the firms website was later inaccessible. Hospitals impacted and closures reported Lack of water was a growing problem at Houstons medical hub. Houston Methodist Hospital experienced low water pressure, while Texas Childrens Hospital officials reported having had extensive water issues at their Texas Medical Center facilities. Some pediatric facilities were closed. We do not have running water at all our locations. It was changing really rapidly, childrens hospital spokeswoman Natalia Angulo-Hinkson said, later adding that water pressure was stable. Memorial Hermann spokesman Drew Munhausen said some of their hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, including Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Childrens Memorial Hermann Hospital and TIRR Memorial Hermann, were experiencing water issues and others were fine. A Houston Chronicle reporter found toilets in a fourth floor bathroom at the Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute unflushed and a sink with little to no water pressure. At one point, officials declared an internal disaster at some hospitals in the medical center, including Memorial Hermann, Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, according to Dr. David Persse, Houston's local health authority and medical director of the city's EMS program. That declaration is usually made when hospitals lose electricity or water in the building, he said. Other common causes include fires and bomb scares. A sign in a first-floor bathroom at St. Lukes warned that patients should not be served water, ice, coffee or ingestible liquids that are not bottled. Any activities that allow for the ingestion of tap water should be avoided and bottled water should be used instead, the sign continued, citing the brushing of teeth as an example. The Harris Health System announced that eight of their outpatient facilities would be closed on Friday. The burst pipe also took an economic toll on dozens of Houston restaurants as many lost water pressure and were forced to close. Jason Cho, owner of the Museum District eatery Dak & Bop, said his Binz Street location was without water. He was more concerned for his employees, who were unable to work and sent home. This could be one of a few shifts a week that theyre counting on to support their lives, their families, Cho said. This is just as impactful and devastating as Harvey, or any other natural disaster weve been through. Its hard enough to be a successful restaurant when everything goes right. At Rosies Cannonball on Westheimer, a backup water supply kicked in, but supervisors erred on the side of caution and stopped serving lunch, employee Peru Flores said. Beyond restaurants, the water pressure at the Harris County Jail was coming to a worrisome crawl and authorities were exploring the use of portable toilets for inmates. To conserve water pressure, we have suspended showering and laundry services, officials said. Meals will be served on disposable trays to reduce the need for dish washing. Court dockets at the Harris County Civil, Criminal, Family and Juvenile District Courts were also canceled for Friday. ONLY ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Mayor Turner taps Bay Area planner to become Houston's first chief transportation planner I got scared America Vega lives in the Pleasantville neighborhood within feet of the water main break. As water crept closer to her front door, she could not leave to pick up her three young daughters from their elementary school in Galena Park. Her sister picked them up and delivered them to the backyard, where Vega hoisted them over the fence while standing atop an overturned trash can. Inside their home, water barely trickled out of their faucets. The deluge crimped her plans for the day. I have to cook and I have to wash dishes and all of that, said Vega, a stay-at-home mom. Another resident, Jose Guillen, was at work when his wife sent photos of water inching toward their home. She called 911 for a rescue, he said, but the water eventually stopped flowing. I got scared, he said. Because the first thing that comes to your mind is your kids and your wife. nicole.hensley@chron.com julian.gill@chron.com Jay R. Jordan, Matt Dempsey, Sarah Smith, Dug Begley and Todd Ackerman contributed. TRY THE APP: Get alerts, breaking news and in-depth coverage on what's happening in Houston for your mobile phone and tablet devices through our mobile apps on Google Play and the App Store. The annual What Kids Are Reading report analysed the reading habits of 71,652 pupils here School pupils in Northern Ireland have the highest level of reading comprehension in the UK regions, according to a new literacy study - although the Irish Republic does even better. The annual What Kids Are Reading report analysed the reading habits of 71,652 pupils here. The results were compiled by data from assessment provider Renaissance UK and analysed by the University of Dundee. Last year, pupils here ranked joint UK first with their counterparts in Scotland. According to the latest report, Northern Ireland pupils have maintained their top ranking within the UK while Scotland has now dropped to joint second place with England. Wales ranked lowest out of all the UK regions. However, pupils in the Republic outperform their Northern Ireland and UK peers at primary school. At primary level, pupils in Northern Ireland are reading less difficult books than their Republic of Ireland peers, and with less comprehension. However, the gap between children here and their counterparts across the border closes at secondary school level, the report notes. The study also suggests that if Northern Ireland primary pupils wish to outperform their peers in the Republic, then they should begin reading books matched to the same difficulty levels as the Republic's. Overall, the reading habits of 1.1m pupils across the UK and the Republic of Ireland were studied for the report. For the first time, the study also features attitudinal data - how pupils feel about reading - provided by the National Literacy Trust. It also concludes that reading for pleasure is key to children's literacy success. The study found pupils who read daily are nearly three times as likely to read above the expected level compared with their peers who don't read daily. Conversely, pupils who do not read daily are twice as likely to read below the average expected for their age. The report also found children in primary and secondary school were reading slightly more than last year, with the average pupil reading 240,599 words - a 1% increase on the previous year. University of Dundee academic Professor Keith Topping, who analysed the data, said: "Reading for pleasure is a vital component to literacy success, but it is also important to encourage pupils to read more often and to pick books of appropriate reading difficulty for their age." Favourite authors for pupils include JK Rowling, whose Harry Potter books are a hit with primary school children, while David Walliams' book, Gangsta Granny, remains the top read title among secondary school pupils. With Japan government expressing interest to invest in Odisha's steel sector, the state government on Thursday offered an exclusive Japanese Industrial Cluster & Township near here. Already in pact with some Indian industries with stakes in Odisha, Japan has expressed keen interest to invest in different sectors including steel and tourism in the state. Japanese Ambassador to India, Santoshi Suzuki, who met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here along with Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, said they are interested to invest in the state. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made an offer for an exclusive Japan Industrial Cluster and Township near here. Patnaik also urged the Japanese Ambassador to consider to be a partner country for the Make-in-Odisha Conclave-2020. "We had a very good discussion regarding the future investment in this very important state in the area of steel industry," Suzuki told reporters. Asked about any specific plan for the immediate investment in the state, Suzuki said, "I represent the government. The Japanese businessmen and industries will decide on that mater. However, Odisha has huge potential in steel, tourism and other sectors." Union Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan who hails from the state said, "Japanese company Nippon and ArcelorMittal have a joint venture to develop Esar Steel Pellet plant at Paradip while Japan's JFE Holdings and JSW Steel Ltd have tied up for Bhushan Steel Ltd."The Japanese are indirectly investing in Odisha, he said. In order to meet India's goal of achieving 300 MTPA steel production, Pradhan said Odisha will have a major role. Therefore, he said, the steel sector in the state should grow. "Both the Government of India and the Government of Odisha have informed Suzuki about the facilities to be provided to Japanese investors," Pradhan said. The state government also informed the Japanese delegation that Odisha now is the highest producer of steel in India and will provide a huge opportunity for ancillary and downstream industry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Greater Accra Zongo Caucus Coordinator of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Ismail Ali Horoya has vowed to deliver victory for John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer of the party for the 2020 elections in the Zongos. Alhaji Horoya called on Ghanaians especially the Zongos to come on board, and rally behind the party to back to power. It is time for all and sundry to join the train for the partys victory come 2020 election. All party faithful should work hard for the party because "Operation Take Position" will surely come to pass. Zongo caucus is fully ready to deliver the Zongo to His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, he indicated. Mr. Horoya disclosed this during the inauguration ceremony of the Zongo Caucus working Committees of Ablekuma North Constituency in the Greater Accra Region. The Committees are expected to mobilize grassroot support for the within the Zongo Community and to ensure unity among members. The Constituency Zongo Caucus Coordinator, Abdul-Wahab Abubakar J. called for unity among members of the umbrella party and the newly inaugurated committees for victory 2020. He said, the unity of the party is very paramount in delivering all the Zongos within the Constituency for the party which he believes every member is poised for action to bring back the party to power. With the current competent and action-oriented selected working committee members, I believe victory will be ours come 2020 God willing. I urge you all to contribute your quota by coming on board for the party's victory come December 7, Mr. Wahab added. Other working committees inaugurated include Womens Working Committees, Youth Working Committees and Communication/Social media committee. Some dignitaries of the party present at the ceremony include the National Vice Chairman of NDC Saeed Sinare, Opare Addo, National Youth Organizer, Hon. Vanderpuije, Ablekuma South MP, Madam Winifred Ashley, Ablekuma North PC, Augustine Rasito, Constituency chairman among others. The boss of Persimmon has quit the company after just over a year in office, sending the housebuilder's share price down over 4 per cent. David Jenkinson took over the helm at Persimmon 15 months ago after former boss Jeff Fairburn was ousted in the wake of a backlash against his 75million annual bonus. As well as turbulence at the top, Persimmon has been battling to build up its reputation as a builder of quality housing, after a spate of complaints from disgruntled new buyers of its properties. All change: The boss of Persimmon has quit the group after just over a year in office In its annual results published today, Persimmon revealed the number of homes it sold last year fell from 16,449 to 15,855, marking a drop of 4 per cent. Total group revenue slipped by 2.5 per cent to 3.65billion, while pre-tax profits fell from 1.09billion to 1.04billion. Average selling prices increased over the period, rising to 215,709 from 215,563 in 2018, the group's latest results show. Jenkinson's predecessor, Fairburn, then the country's best-paid chief executive, was ousted from the company in November 2018, amid a row over his huge bonus package. Fairburn's 2018 75million bonus was slammed as 'obscene' by politicians, charities and corporate governance experts. Financial matters: A chart showing how much money Persimmon has made per plot Outgoing boss Jenkinson also received around 40million in pay and bonuses in 2017 and 2018. The company remains heavily reliant on cash from new homes sold via various Government Help to Buy schemes. He's quit: David Jenkinson has quit his job It sold nearly 6,300 new homes to first-time buyers last year, of which the 'vast majority' were funded by Help to Buy. Julie Palmer, a partner at the corporate restructuring consultancy Begbies Traynor, said: 'Persimmon's financials may be on a solid base currently but the company's reputation is continuing to show cracks as reports of customer complaints are rife for the housebuilder, with concerns around its build quality. 'This has ultimately led to Dave Jenkinson's departure and his replacement will need to rebuild the company's image.' Shares in FTSE-100 listed Persimmon have fallen markedly since this morning's revelations and are currently down 4.52 per cent or 139p to 2,939p. The group said it tried to put 'customers before volume' last year, adding that improving the quality of its homes remained a key part of its strategy for future success. Persimmon said customer demand had been 'encouraging' in the first few weeks of this year, with sales rates tracking above previous years. On the leadership front, Persimmon said Jenkinson will step down as chief executive in 'due course', after 23 years with the business in various roles. Chairman Roger Devlin said: 'Dave has played a critical role in the development of a new Persimmon. 'As chief executive, he quickly set about designing and implementing a programme of change and started the process of resetting the culture of the business.' Meanwhile, Jenkinson said: 'I'm very pleased with the progress that we've made over the last year in reshaping Persimmon's approach and culture while at the same time maintaining our operational momentum.' After a spate of customer complaints, in December last year an independent review into Persimmon's operations revealed the housebuilder had a 'systemic nationwide failure' when it came to installing fire-stopping cavity barriers. The review, written by Stephanie Barwise, a QC at law firm Atkin Chambers, said the failure to meet minimum building standards was a 'manifestation of poor culture' at the company. Barwise urged Persimmon to reconsider its 'purpose and ambition.' Violence has erupted in New Delhi with riots on Sunday, just as U.S. President Donald Trump visits India. Full out clashes were happening on Sunday, with protestors who were pro or against the new Indian citizenship law that sparked a row between Muslims and Hindus. All the violent clashes got worse when Muslims and Hindus made religion an issue. It could not have been a worse time when U.S. President Trump is having a meeting with Indian minister Modi. Sources have reported that the violent clashes between Islamic communities occured in north-east Delhi, about 11 miles from the India capital. Currently, President Trump is holding a caucus with Indian political leaders, diplomats and businessmen over economic issues that face India today. The bone of contention is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which has been called an Anti-Islamic law when it was ratified by lawmakers in 2019. Most demonstrations were peaceful, until now that has violent clashes in Delhi. In an interview, he was asked about his opinion on the current violence in India, but the U.S. President avoided any further comment, saying that it is "up to India" to handle. Also read: Is a Trade War Looming Between U.S. and India? Violent riots according to correspondents in New Delhi, did not sit well with correspondents who viewed it as an affront to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was an unwanted distraction from President Trump's visit to India. BBC respondents at north-east Delhi noted Hindi mobs who were hurling stones and shouting loud. Some of the Hindu mob were heard shouting, "Shoot the traitors." Yogita Limaye of the BBC, reported smoke coming from a tire market that was set ablaze by unknown assailants. Tuesday afternoon, there was violence when a mosque got vandalized in the Shahadra district. There was a footage showing several men who attempted to rip the crescent moon from the mosque's minaret. Riot were rampant in three Muslim areas in the north-east Delhi since Sunday. All the violence is between religious differences, either one is pointing fingers that the Muslim or Hindu side began the scuffle. Some sources revealed that BJP leader Kapil Mishra made threats to sit-in protest over the CAA in the weekend, telling them that they would be forced to leave when Trump left India. This is did not end well, for the record with the following fisticuffs that soon followed. The police spokesman MS Randhawa said that all was under control, with enough policemen to settle the Delhi incident ensuing violence since Sunday. However, there are several areas with frenzied mobs, still hurling stones and chanting aloud. According to Randhawa, the police will send drones and CCTV footage that would lead to the arrest of the starters of this violence. More people from Muslims and Hindus are joining the protests, against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The New Delhi riots is the standout with excessive violence, which the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi should deal with, or quell it from getting worse. Already the riot has led to several unfortunate civilian happenings wherein 35 people were killed and over 200 are injured since it started on February 24. Related article: US Grapples To Broker a Trade Deal With India in Time for Trump's Visit @ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. With a final agreement yet to be signed four months after conclusion of talks, the Isak-Muivah faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) on Thursday reiterated its demand for an honourable political solution to the Naga issue. A statement issued after an emergency joint council meeting at the outfits head quarters at Hebron in Nagaland defended the demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution while it accused the Government of India (GoI) of a double standard policy. NSCN shall continue to endeavour to conclude an honourable political solution that is acceptable to the Naga people, said the statement which reaffirmed the outfits decision to uphold the Framework Agreement signed with GoI in August 2015. The outfit stated that the Naga national flag and constitution represent their national identity and recognition of the same is a matter of right of the Nagas for an honourable political solution. The statement also states that the final agreement with GoI should be a Naga Solution for all Nagas, wherever they are. It (the meeting) condemned in the strongest term the double standard policy of GoI and caution the GoI from using its agencies including National Investigation Agency (NIA) to arrest and harass members of NSCN who are in political negotiations with GoI for the past 22 years, the statement said. Following NIA action against some senior members of NSCN last month, the outfit had accused the Centre of using carrot and stick policy to deal with the Naga political issue. NSCN-IM and seven other Naga rebel outfits called Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) concluded peace talks with Centre in October last year in search of a lasting political solution. But the final agreement, which is expected to bring lasting peace to Nagaland and the region, is yet to be signed. The Naga insurgency began in 1950s with the demand for independence, but over the years it settled for integration of all Naga-inhabited areas in Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Later NSCN-IM demanded a separate Naga flag and constitution to be included in the final agreement. But the Centre rejected that demand as not acceptable. NSCN-IM, the largest of the Naga outfits started peace talks with Centre in 1997 and signed a framework agreement in August 2015, which was to pave way for the final agreement. The seven NNPGs joined the talks in 2018. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the U.S. is very, very ready for whatever the coronavirus threat brings, and he put his vice president in charge of overseeing the nation's response. Trump sought to minimize fears of the virus spreading widely across the U.S., saying, I don't think it's inevitable. But standing next to him at a White House news conference were health authorities who reiterated that Americans need to get ready for what could become a wider outbreak requiring such steps as school closures. Our aggressive containment strategy here in the United States has been working and is responsible for the low levels of cases we have so far. However, we do expect more cases, said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 81,000 cases of COVID-19, an illness characterized by fever and coughing and sometimes shortness of breath or pneumonia, have occurred since the new virus emerged in China. The National Institutes of Health's top infectious disease chief cautioned a vaccine won't be ready for widespread use for a year or more but said the virus might return, so researchers have to push ahead. NIH's Dr. Anthony Fauci called it quite conceivable that the virus will come back and recycle next year. In that case, we hope to have a vaccine. Trump said Vice President Mike Pence will be working with CDC, NIH and other government agencies to coordinate the response. In previous outbreaks, the White House has appointed a czar" to pull together the different departments' work. We're very, very ready for this, for anything, even if it's a breakout of larger proportions, Trump told a news conference. The U.S. announced a 15th case of coronavirus Wednesday, bringing the total number of infected people in the country to 60. No details were released immediately on the newest case. But the higher count includes people who traveled back from outbreak areas in Asia: three who were evacuated from the central China city of Wuhan and 42 Americans who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan. On Capitol Hill, senior lawmakers called for a bipartisan spending package that would give federal, state and local officials more resources. Trump had requested $2.5 billion to fight the virus; Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York countered with an $8.5 billion proposal. Trump told reporters he was open to spending whatever's appropriate. Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have questioned whether Trump's original request is sufficient. House Appropriations chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., said it's premature to put a price tag on the package. Were working on it and well have a number but Im not sure its going to be the number that Schumers proposing," said Lowey, adding that she's working with lawmakers of both parties. READ MORE: Cuomo asks lawmakers for $40M in emergency money to prepare NY for coronavirus READ MORE: Central NY couples stuck in Texas quarantine get coronavirus test results Aides said the House measure is likely to be unveiled next week. Bipartisan four corner meetings Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate began Wednesday, a House Democratic aide said, with a bipartisan bill the goal. Schumer has been harshly critical of Trump's response to the outbreak, and his request announced before the Democratic-controlled House Appropriations Committee has weighed in rankled some Democrats hoping for quick, bipartisan action to address the crisis. Arriving back in the U.S. early Wednesday, Trump immediately began to counter critics who say he should have acted sooner to bolster the federal response to the coronavirus. Trump has wondered aloud if Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar is the right person to lead the administrations response. The White House had considered naming a virus czar, but was not sure that was the right route, said a person familiar with the discussions. Azar himself was said to be supportive of naming a czar. Among those under consideration for such a post: Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham was also pushing back. Grisham retweeted a CDC post that said there is currently no reported community spread of coronavirus in the U.S. This week, the NIH received a shipment of test doses of a vaccine candidate from Moderna Inc., in preparation for first-step safety testing in a few dozen people aimed to begin by April. But Fauci cautioned reporters that in a best-case scenario, "youre talking about a year to a year and a half before any vaccine would be ready for widespread use. Fauci said that while only a few cases have turned up in the U.S. from travelers outside the country, we need to be able to think about how we will respond to a pandemic outbreak. It's very clear. If we have a global pandemic, no country is going to be without impact, Fauci said. A pandemic involves the continual spread of sustained transmission from person to person in multiple regions and hemispheres throughout the world simultaneously, Fauci noted. Rent freezes for hard-pressed tenants could soon be introduced, with Fianna Fail set to drop its opposition to the controversial policy. During the General Election campaign, Fianna Fail insisted rent freezes were not legally possible and would interfere with property rights. However, following its first day of government formation talks with the Green Party, it is now considering the introduction of short-term caps on rents. "We are open to negotiation and agreement on it because we realise people deserve to see some immediacy to help renters rather than pawn them off with a legal opinion," a senior Fianna Fail source said. A Green Party source confirmed the issue was noted among many other policy areas discussed during more than six hours of talks. Fianna Fail is prepared to examine whether a two-year rent freeze, which was introduced by the then housing minister Alan Kelly in 2015, could be implemented again. The two parties also discussed rent pressure zones and tax incentives for landlords offering long-term leases. Fine Gael has insisted rent freezes do not work and are unconstitutional. A national rent freeze was a key element of Sinn Fein's election manifesto. The issue is sure to be centre stage when Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar meet to discuss policy matters next week. In a phone call yesterday, Mr Varadkar told his Fianna Fail counterpart he did not believe there was "sufficient basis" for appointing a negotiating team or beginning programme for government talks. However, they agreed a "one- day policy exchange" on housing, health, climate change, the cost of living and taxation. Opposition At a parliamentary party meeting, Mr Varadkar said it was still his plan to lead Fine Gael into opposition and insisted the onus was on the other parties to form a government. There was strong support for his view at the meeting, TDs said afterwards. Communications Minister Richard Bruton reiterated his position that Fine Gael should not go into government. "Bruton was particularly strong in saying this was not a space we should be going into," one TD said. Junior Minister John Paul Phelan said that for the past four years there had been radio debates where everyone on the panel was against the Fine Gael representative and that it was time for those people to form a government. Retiring senator Paul Coghlan spoke in favour of going into government with Fianna Fail, arguing it should be done in the national interest. Fine Gael TDs and senators were asked to put their phones into a box before the parliamentary party meeting to prevent any leaks. Separately, significant differences have emerged between the Green Party and Sinn Fein on tax matters following two days of exploratory talks. Sinn Fein opposes increases in the carbon tax, wants to abolish the local property tax (LPT) and abolish the Universal Social Charge for anyone earning up to 30,000. Sources said Sinn Fein is, as it stands, "not for turning" on its opposition to carbon tax hikes, while the Greens are against new tax cuts or abolishing LPT. The Rural Independent Group held talks with Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein yesterday. The alliance of Independent TDs said they wanted an overhaul of the penalty points system in return for supporting the next government. However, this was immediately ruled out by Sinn Fein. The thing that would immediately make all of us uneasy is if this person has no direct contact with someone who comes from an affected country, said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University. That would suggest there are other undetected cases out there, and we have already started some low-grade transmission. Public health officials said the infected individual was a resident of Solano County, Calif., and was receiving medical care in Sacramento County, but they have not disclosed any other information to protect the patients privacy. Doctors in the patients community may want to expand testing for the coronavirus among their patients in order to identify other infected individuals there, Dr. Schaffner said. Physicians are going to want to start testing everybody with a fever and a cough, he said. Theyre going to want to do that and the patients are going to want to do that. Right now, however, testing capacity is limited in the United States. The C.D.C. developed a diagnostic test and distributed testing kits to local health departments around the country. But the kits were flawed, and the agency must manufacture new ones. Although a dozen states are capable of testing for coronavirus infection, confirmatory tests must still be done by the C.D.C., a process that can take days. William Wilson, a US military veteran who pursued a variety of careers upon his discharge and moved to Florida after retirement in 2004, has published his latest book Nap-Towns Dirty Little Secrets: a gripping and potent literary debut. Nap-Towns Dirty Little Secrets reveals the dark side of a young man involuntarily forced out of his home at an early age to fend for himself in the dark alleys of the inner city. One morning, he is befriended by a local (illegal) debt collector whose job it is to pick up weekly protection payments from local merchants by any means necessary. Published by Page Publishing, William Wilsons engrossing book is a riveting tale of one mans quest for respect and financial gain after being turned out of his home as a wayward and uncontrollable youth. Readers who wish to experience this fast-paced work can purchase Nap-Towns Dirty Little Secrets 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. UPSC Recruitment 2022: One day left to apply for several vacancies at upsc.gov.in, here's direct link Mayawati wants SC-supervised probe into Delhi violence India pti-PTI New Delhi, Feb 27: BSP chief Mayawati on Thursday demanded a Supreme Court-supervised probe into the communal violence in parts of northeast Delhi and said that the Centre and the AAP government should pitch in together to compensate people for the loss suffered in the riots. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said police should be given a free hand to control the law and order situation in the national capital. In a statement, she said the recent violence in northeast Delhi was much like the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. "It is very sad and condemnable," the statement said quoting Mayawati. She alleged that under the garb of the riots, cheap politics was being played by the parties in the city, saying the parties must desist from it. Demanding a Supreme Court-supervised probe into the violence, she said the central and the Delhi government should together compensate for the loss of lives and property in the riots. She would soon be writing a letter to the president in this regard. The Bahujan Samaj Party chief said the parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, must take stern action against its leaders for inflammatory statements. The communal riots, which broke out on Sunday in various parts of northeast Delhi over the amended citizenship law, have so far claimed 34 lives. While most recruiters ask straightforward questions to establish your expertise, career history and if you're a good fit for the team, some ask curve-ball questions tough enough to fluster even the most prepared job seekers. How can you tackle these bizarre interview questions without showing how they intimidate you? And, if a recruiter asks a peculiar question, is that a sign of an astute employer or the mark of a sadistic tyrant you should walk away from? Quackers! Can you get your ducks in a row when it comes to tough interview questions - or do you crack under pressure? James Innes, founder of the James Innes Group and author of several best-selling career books says: 'An identifying feature of tough interview questions is that they will either address a negative issue or they will be phrased in such a manner as to lead you into giving what seems to be a negative response. 'The key to all answers is to identify how you can turn this potentially negative situation into a positive one which really isn't too difficult when you know how.' These include ones like: 'Would you rather fight a horse-sized duck or 100 duck sized horses?' Below, we offer six solutions and tips to deal with wacky and more complex questions that can strike fear into the heart of most interview candidates. 14 Tough interview questions How would you answer these 14 genuine interview questions? None of them really have 'correct' responses, but employers use them to flummox you and see how you cope with the pressure. Answer them, read our seven tips underneath and come back to see if you would respond differently. 1. Why is water tasteless? 2. If you were an elephant, what would you do with your trunk? 3. Would you rather fight a horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses? 4. Do you like to sing in the bath? 5. How many ways can you get a needle out of a haystack? 6. What do you do when there is no answer? 7. What would you do if the sun died out? 8. If there was a monkey hanging from a chandelier, how would you get it down? 9. It's your first day on the job and you have a few hours to kill before orientation. What do you do with your time? 10. How many tube stations are there in London? 11. Can you sell me this pen right now? 12. How many watch repair shops are there in London? 13. A penguin walks through that door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here? 14. If you could have dinner with five people of your choice dead or alive who would you choose? Source: James Innes, Hays Recruitment, Tiger Recruitment and Michael Page , TopCV 1. Ask about their reasoning Experts are divided about the reasons for these types of questions. Innes says that some interviewers like to ask questions which can only be defined as tough, mean or downright nasty. But Nick Kirk, UK managing director of Michael Page, believes that in most cases employers use these kinds of questions to challenge the interviewer's ability to respond on the spot. Kirk says: 'Candidates who are able to seamlessly think on their feet, or come up with creative responses, often make for successful employees.' A few awkward questions Innes has come across in his career include: Would you rather fight a horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses? and what would you do when there is no answer? Innes says young candidates in particular should expect to be asked such silly questions. 'Some of the big tech or big investment banking and consulting companies or even just some of the biggest companies in the world where they know that young graduates will be falling over themselves to get their foot in the door. 'These are the kinds of organisation who have 'pioneered' such questions.' While some of these questions may seem rather ridiculous or bordering on the inappropriate, Innes doesn't recommend walking out of the interview. He suggests turning the tables instead: 'You could respond by questioning the validity of the question and seeing how they respond to that!' 2. Don't panic! Preparation is key. Innes explains: 'If you're aware that you might get asked a particular question or type of question and you've taken the time to think it through beforehand then you've won more than half the battle. He adds: 'Another identifying feature of many tough interview questions is how direct they are. 'Often they lack subtlety, coming straight to the point in order to instantly put you on the spot. 'Rather than seeing this as a threat, you should try to see it as something positive; at least you're unlikely to misunderstand the question.' James Innes (pictured) says interview candidates shouldn't see peculiar questions as a threat but as something positive because there's less room for misunderstanding 3. Set a scene and show examples While questions like 'where do you see yourself in five years' or 'tell me about a time you've failed' aren't quite as bizarre as being asked to choose between ducks and horses, they can throw most candidates off because they're perceived as negative and make people feel like they need to defend themselves. But Karen Young, a direct or at recruitment and human resources company Hays says the best way to tackle these questions is to find common ground between your career ambitions and the job. 'A good example would be to say in five years' time I'd like to be a valued employee who has deep expertise in XYZ and have developed the skills to progress to a people management position. I believe I'd have the opportunity to develop such expertise over time in this role.' Young adds: 'When faced with the question 'tell be about a time you failed', many candidates feel uneasy as the word 'fail' typically spurs people to become defensive. 'The worst thing you can say in this situation is that you have never failed. The interviewer isn't trying to catch you out, instead they want to know how you overcame failure and what you learnt. 'When you answer the question make sure to set the scene, paint a clear picture of where you went wrong, what you learnt and what you would do differently next time.' 4. Rehearse Just like actors have to practice before entertaining an audience, so too should you practice before the big day of the interview. Kirstie Mackay, head of LifeSkills, created by Barclays: 'We know that young people find interviews daunting, but preparing properly can make a huge difference to the outcome. 'Make sure you rehearse some potential curve ball questions ahead of the day with a friend so that you can be as prepared as possible for being put on the spot during an interview.' 5. Use a bridging question Don't panic and spurt out the first thing that comes to your mind. There's nothing wrong with taking a minute to think. Delay tactics could also work. Mackay adds: 'In the interview, try and stay calm, and if you're struggling to think of an answer, you could use a bridging technique like "that's a really interesting question" to buy some time to think before responding. Remember that the interview is a two way process, so be confident in your ability and the worth you're bringing to that company.' 6. Think about the company's objectives and answer accordingly Kirk says you should consider the companies objectives and what your role would entail if you successfully pass this interview. He adds: 'If the company is very creative in nature, your response should match this creativity and demonstrate some 'out of the box' thinking. 'If your future role involves a customer service element to it, then a calm and collected delivery of a response is more important than a creative solution.' 7. Be yourself It may be tempting to offer an answer that you think the recruiter wants to hear but this could backfire. A recent survey conducted by TopCV and CV-Library found that after skills and experience 77 per cent of UK organisations cared most about personality. Amanda Augustine, careers expert at TopCV says: 'You can possess the right qualifications on paper, but if you don't demonstrate during the interview that you're a good cultural fit for the team, you won't land the job. 'Don't just stick to the script let your prospective employer see who you are. Let your personality shine and don't be afraid to be yourself.' Article by Angelique Ruzicka. The Meadows Standardbred Owners Association is pleased to announce the auction of two breedings to benefit the organizations collegiate scholarship fund. Hanover Shoe Farms has donated a breeding to trotter Andover Hall, while Winbak Farm has donated a breeding to pacer Bolt The Duer. Andover Hall has produced nine million-dollar winners in his stallion career, led by Nuncio, who made more than $3 million, and Donato Hanover, who not only earned just under $3 million but has gone on to become a top stallion in his own right. A son of Garland Lobell, Andover Hall stands at Hanover Shoe Farms for a fee of $6,000. Bolt The Duer set his career mark of 1:47.4 in The Adios, and his record still stands as the fastest horse ever at The Meadows. During this three-year-old campaign, he faced a tough crop of sophomores, including Sweet Lou, A Rocknroll Dance, Michaels Power and Pet Rock. A son of Ponder, Bolt The Duer stands in New York for Winbak Farms for a fee of $4,000. These breedings should appeal to a lot of potential bidders, said MSOA President Rich Gillock. We cant thank both Hanover and Winbak enough for their donations for our scholarship program. Both breedings are being offered via auction on the website OnGait.com. Bidders have from now until Wednesday, March 4 at 12 noon to vie for the top price. (Meadows Standardbred Owners Association) A University of Arizona program dedicated to teaching Mandarin and providing Chinese cultural education opportunities will close, university officials said. The university cited unspecified changes in federal laws and policy for the decision to close a branch of the Confucius Institute in Tucson on July 31, the Arizona Daily Star reported. The program brought Chinese culture to university and public school students and educated community members by teaching Mandarin, health and wellness and performing arts since it was established in 2007, officials said. Its headquarters is based in Beijing, China. To our partners in China and from our local community, and to Chinese teachers, CIUA staff and volunteers who have worked at CIUA, we are deeply indebted for their immeasurable contributions and dedication to the outstanding Chinese language and cultural program, university officials said in a statement. The change wont affect the Chinese Language program for the universitys Department of East Asian Studies, officials said. We will work with the Confucius Institute Headquarters to identify other institutions or nonprofits in Tucson or southern Arizona that might be interested in hosting a Confucius Institute, the statement said. Program activities, including language classes at public schools, are expected to continue for the remaining academic year, officials said. Arizona State University and universities in other states such as Kentucky, Kansas and Maryland have previously announced plans to cut ties with the Confucius Institute. Centricity Music then had Daigle return to the studio to record more songs to expand the EP into the full-length album also called How Can It Be, which was released in 2015. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard magazines Christian Albums chart and went on to produce two more No. 1 Christian singles in First and Trust In You. The acclaim and her meteoric rise to stardom was a lot for Daigle to absorb. She admits she felt pressure in approaching the Look Up Child project and decided what she needed to do first was take a break to figure out who she was and what experiences and stories should inform her second album. I went home, back to Louisiana and just kind of stepped away from music, Daigle said. I didnt want to write from a place of burnout. So I ended up going home, got refueled and then thats when I knew, OK, its time to do this again. Trump Administration Moves to Address Tragic Rise of Sexual Misconduct at K-12 Schools The U.S. Department of Education announced on Wednesday a new effort to address the tragic rise of sexual misconduct complaints from K-12 schools across the country. A new Title IX enforcement initiative will be led by the Departments Office for Civil Rights (OCR), according to a press release. The OCR will conduct nationwide compliance reviews in schools and districts to examine how they handle sexual misconduct complaints, including those involving teachers and school staff. In addition, the OCR will conduct quality reviews of data on sexual misconduct cases submitted by school districts, in order to make sure that those incidents are accurately recorded and reported to the federal government. The plan also includes public awareness campaigns, and a nationwide proposal to collect more detailed data on Title IX offenses. We hear all too often about innocent children being sexually assaulted by an adult at school. That should never happen. No parent should have to think twice about their childs safety while on school grounds, said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Thats why Ive directed our OCR team to tackle the tragic rise of sexual misconduct complaints in our nations K-12 campuses head-on. School districts across the United States reported approximately 9,700 incidents of sexual assault, rape, or attempted rape in public elementary and secondary schools during the 2015-2016 school year, according to the latest data available (pdf) in the OCRs Civil Rights Data Collection. The number of K-12 sexual harassment and violence complaints filed with OCR is nearly 15 times greater than it was a decade ago, said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kenneth L. Marcus. This disturbing change is a matter of serious concern and requires immediate attention. The new initiative follows a recent announcement by the Education Department that its doing extensive research to find the best ways states and school districts can prevent whats commonly called pass the trash. It occurs when school officials quietly transfer a teacher or other employee who has committed or been accused of a sexual offense to another school district. Although the practice is prohibited under the Every Student Succeed Act, it is known that from time to time abusers find new jobs at different schools. Outlawing the despicable act of passing the trash was a major step toward keeping our children safe from predators while theyre at school, said Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), who pushed for a ban on passing the trash in 2015. Parents deserve to know that when their kids go to school each day, they are going to be in a safe environment where they will not be preyed upon. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Ilkin Seyfaddini Trend: The whole economy of Uzbekistan is of great interest for German companies, Regional Director for Central Asia with the German Eastern Business Association (OAOEV), Eduard Kinsbruner told Trend in an interview. In December of 2019, OAOEV announced about program development, to promote Uzbek industrial products on the German market, including the introduction of German quality standards at the relevant enterprises of Uzbekistan and the certification of manufactured industrial goods in Germany. "We see good opportunities for German companies to become involved, particularly in the construction and infrastructure, agriculture and food, tourism, logistics and the chemical industry," the official said. "The declared aim of the Uzbek government is to increase exports, diversify its structure and reduce dependence on raw materials. To this end, the framework conditions have been improved in recent years and a competent department, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, has been created," the official stated. Kinsbruner added that in the area of component supply, Uzbek companies have an underestimated potential that German companies could also make greater use of. "Strengthening Uzbek exports would lead to the creation of new jobs, a reduction in youth unemployment and political stabilization," Kinsbruner said. The German Eastern Business Association (OAOEV) is the major regional initiative of the German economy for 29 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The OAOEV supports its members in their projects, arranges contacts and answers questions about market entry. OAOEV works, in close cooperation with the German government and the governments of the partner countries, to reduce trade barriers and improve economic conditions in the region. The OAOEV was founded in May 2018 through the merging of the Eastern Committee (founded in 1952) and the Eastern Europe Business Association of Germany (founded in 1989). --- Follow author on Twitter: @seyfaddini MadridThe Catalan and Spanish delegations met for nearly three hours at Madrids Moncloa Palace on the first day of negotiations. The meeting ended shortly before eight oclock in the evening, with the President of the Catalan government, Quim Torra, being the first to make a public statement. He gave a press conference in the Moncloa newsroom, the first time a Catalan president has done so since February 2012, following a meeting between the then Catalan and Spanish presidents, Artur Mas and Mariano Rajoy. Torras press conference was held in the larger of two rooms, one which is usually reserved for members of the Spanish government, the leader of the opposition PPs Pablo Casado used it last week and for Sanchez's appearances with visiting foreign leaders. Torra had asked to use it instead of appearing at the Centre Blanquerna, the Catalan governments headquarters in Madrid, a request which the Moncloa agreed to in order to accommodate the large number of attending journalists, as its other press room is much smaller. Those present were also provided with simultaneous translation from Catalan to Spanish. A joint statement was released following the summit, declaring it to have been "positive" and agreeing to hold one on a "monthly" basis, alternating between Madrid and Barcelona. The meeting began shortly before 5 pm in the Moncloas Tapies room. On one side of the table narrow, glass, rectangular, with no microphones the Catalan team consisting of President Quim Torra; Vice President Pere Aragones; ministers Alfred Bosch and Jordi Puignero; the Deputy General Secretary of ERC, Marta Vilalta; the leader of JxCat on Barcelona City Council, Elsa Artadi; the Director General of the Presidency, Josep Rius, and the MP and President of ERCs National Council, Josep Maria Jove. On the other side of the table were the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez; the first Deputy PM, Carmen Calvo, and five ministers: Salvador Illa, Manuel Castells, Carolina Darias, Maria Jesus Montero and Jose Luis Abalos. The latter left shortly after the meeting began to appear before the congressional transport commission at his own request. The second Deputy PM, Pablo Iglesias, was unable to attend due to a bout of tonsillitis. A very important meeting Before taking a train to Madrid, President Torra visited the SuperComputing Center in Barcelona on Wednesday morning, where he referred to the afternoon's meeting as "very important" and insisted that he would attend in order to defend the right to self-determination and amnesty. Torra announced that he was "about to go on a very important trip to Madrid. Today the government of Catalonia is going to Madrid to uphold its principles, which are the exercise of the right to self-determination and amnesty". Rates of the Covid-19 coronavirus have continued to spike across Europe with new instances confirmed in France, Italy and Germany as the number of cases outside China outstripped those within the East Asian nation for the first time since the viruss emergence. The flu-like illness gained a further foothold in Europe with France reporting an additional death and Germany announcing new cases without clear origins in China, which is believed to have been the point of origin for the virus. Meanwhile in Italy, where the virus has quickly spread following infections in 10 towns in the north, health officials confirmed 400 people had been infected in total while 12 people had died. The day marked the first in which there were more cases in the rest of the world than were announced in China, fuelling concerns the spread of the disease may teeter into a pandemic. Beijing confirmed 411 cases of the virus on Wednesday, while the WHO counted 427 among other countries across the globe. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty The virus was also observed in all of the planets habitable continents for the first time. In a 24 hour period initial cases were announced in Romania, Norway, Georgia, North Macedonia, Greece, Pakistan, Algeria and Brazil. So far the virus, which is believed to have originated in a market in Wuhan, central China, has infected about 80,000 people and killed more than 2,700. Berlins health Minister Jens Spahn warned his nation was on the cusp of an epidemic, telling a news conference The infection chains are partially no longer trackable, and that is a new thing. Large numbers of people have had contact with the patients, and that is a big change to the 16 patients we had until now where the chain could be traced back to the origin in China. The continued spread has led to more stringent plans to contain the outbreak, with Kuwait chartering a flight into Milan to evacuate citizens from the Italian city. In Israel citizens have been warned off travel altogether, while Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended entry into the country for those seeking to make the pilgrimage to Mecca or visit the al Masjid al Nabawy in Medina. In the UK at least eight schools have closed with a number sending students home after returning from trips to the north of Italy amid concerns pupils and staff may have been infected. Among those sent home were four from Thomass in Battersea, the primary school attended by Prince George and Princess Charlotte. In a statement a spokesman for the school said they made up a very small number of pupils who have been tested and were undertaking self-quarantining measures as a precaution. However, despite the growing spread of the virus, World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus advised diplomats in Geneva against speaking of a pandemic which the body defines as the worldwide spread of a new disease. Recommended Patients could be denied lifesaving care if virus overwhelms NHS Using the word pandemic carelessly has no tangible benefit, but it does have significant risk in terms of amplifying unnecessary and unjustified fear and stigma, and paralysing systems, he said. It may also signal that we can no longer contain the virus, which is not true. On Wednesday evening Donald Trump sought to downplay the possibility of a widespread outbreak of the coronavirus inside the United States, calling the risk low a day after his top health officials signaled the virus inevitably would reach US soil. The president described his administration as very, very ready to deal with the virus, touting a Johns Hopkins University study of countries best prepared to deal with a pandemic. The US was ranked first, Mr Trump noted, and noted none of the 15 known American cases have pushed those victims towards death. He said all 15 have fully recovered or are expected to do so. He put vice president Mike Pence in charge of the governments efforts, saying his experiences as governor of Indiana on health issues make him qualified to take the lead. He did, however, strike a bipartisan tone about funding to fight the coronavirus. He has pitched a $2.5bn emergency funding package, but Senate and House Democrats want as much as $8.5bn in emergency dollars to fight it. Earlier stock market unease prompted the president to lash out at the nations media, who he claimed had exacerbated the threat posed by coronavirus. He claimed MSNBC and CNN are doing everything possible to make the Coronavirus look as bad as possible, including panicking markets, if possible. Its estimated that some $3 trillion (2.3 trillion) has been wiped off the value of firms on global stock markets in the past four days. An Indian Air Force (IAF) special aircraft, on February 27, arrived in New Delhi with 76 Indians and foreign nationals stranded in China due to the coronavirus outbreak. Earlier, the C-17 Globemaster aircraft had landed in Wuhan with 15 tonnes of medical supplies from India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the consignment of relief material as a strong expression of India's solidarity with the Chinese people in their "difficult time". The consignment comprises masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment sent by India. 76 Indian nationals are returning home on this flight, which also has on board 23 nationals from Bangladesh, 6 from China, 2 each from Myanmar and Maldives and one each from South Africa, USA and Madagascar. Wish them all a safe journey and good health, Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri had tweeted earlier. 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 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP): Globemaster landed at 6:45 am today from China with 112 evacuees, including 36 foreign nationals. All evacuees will be taken to the ITBP quarantine facility in Chhawla, Delhi after their thermal screening. #COVID2019 #CoronaVirus pic.twitter.com/7RTMVbOW5u ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2020 The six Chinese were stated to be the spouses and family members of the Indians. All of those who have returned are expected to undergo a 14-day quarantine like their previous batches to ensure that they are cleared of the COVID-19 virus. India had operated two special Air India flights on February 1 and 2, and airlifted 647 Indian nationals, mostly students, and seven Maldivian nationals. The latest IAF flight was cleared by China after allegations of delay were made by Indian officials. This comes at a time when the death toll from coronavirus in China has reached 2,744. The number of confirmed cases are nearly 78,500. (With inputs from PTI) A major U.S. retail partner for embattled Winnipeg women's fashion house Nygard has pulled the label from its shelves following multiple sexual assault allegations against founder Peter Nygard. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A major U.S. retail partner for embattled Winnipeg women's fashion house Nygard has pulled the label from its shelves following multiple sexual assault allegations against founder Peter Nygard. Department store Dillard's made the announcement on Tuesday, the same day U.S. federal agents and New York police raided Nygard's Manhattan office. Nygard stepped down from his company later on Tuesday. "In light of the serious allegations concerning Peter Nygard, which are in direct opposition to our core values, Dillard's has refused current deliveries, canceled all existing orders and suspended all future purchases from Nygard," wrote a spokesperson for the Little Rock, Ark.,-based retailer, which operates 257 stores and 28 clearance centres across 29 states. Nygard cultivated a close relationship with Dillard's, building Nygard boutiques inside the department stores in the mid-2000s and visiting the stores in person to put on fashion shows promoting the Nygard brand. DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Alex Dillard (left) and Peter Nygard at Nygard's offices in Winnipeg in 2007. Nygard cultivated a close relationship with the retailer who recently dropped the Nygard clothing line from his 257 stores and 28 clearance centres in the U.S. "He has a police escort, there's a red carpet out and people on either side of the aisles chanting his name," Nygard's communications director told the Free Press about Nygard's visits to Dillard's stores in 2007. At the time, Nygard told the Free Press his products had seen significant sales increases from Dillard's outlets and was a top supplier to Dillard's in some product categories. When Dillard's president Alex Dillard visited Nygard headquarters in Winnipeg in 2007, he said the two companies had integrated their supply chains to allow for quick restocking of sold-out Nygard products. A description still posted to the Nygard website calls the collaboration between the two companies "a major strategic partnership based on trust." Hudsons Bay Co. and the North West Company say they have not stocked Nygard products in years, despite being listed on Nygards website. "In light of the serious allegations concerning Peter Nygard, which are in direct opposition to our core values, Dillard's has refused current deliveries, canceled all existing orders and suspended all future purchases from Nygard." Spokesperson from Dillard's A handful of smaller stores in both countries have also said they will no longer be carrying the brand. The accusations against Nygard also has shoppers wondering whether to buy or boycott. Jackie Macdougall, who was entering the McPhillips Street Walmart, said she was aware of the Nygard scandal but did not believe a full boycott by retailers was appropriate. "I realize he's the man who founded it, but there's a lot of people that are employed by this company, and I don't think all those people should be punished for one man's act," she said. "So I don't know if I'm really for pulling everything and trying to shut down the company because there's a lot of people employed by them. I mean, he gets charged, he's going to be punished. And he's now pulled out of the company completely, from what I understand." A Walmart spokesperson says it is monitoring the allegations against Nygard closely but did not indicate whether the discount retailer will continue carrying his brand. "I realize he's the man who founded it, but there's a lot of people that are employed by this company, and I don't think all those people should be punished for one man's act." Jackie Macdougall Karen Friesen, who was walking out of the Nygard Fashion Park location on Broadway with purchases, said her decision to continue shopping at Nygard was based on the quality of the product. "The way I feel, I've been shopping at Nygard Alia for over twenty years," she said, "I'm happy with the product, and I feel the situation with him is different from the product itself." "I understand he's resigned his position, so I feel that's a different issue and I'm going to continue to shop here." 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. Friesen also said a boycott was unreasonable and cited the many employees within Nygard International as reasoning. "I feel that's an overreaction, and it's unfair to those that are making a quality product," she said. "It's not their fault that the head is what he is. My feeling is that I like the product, it's reasonably priced, and I'm going to continue buying it and I'm sure they'll continue on with new management." with files from Malak Abas and The Canadian Press solomon.israel@freepress.mb.ca @sol_israel LONDON When the European Parliament bade farewell to Britain last month, its members broke out into a wistful chorus of Auld Lang Syne. But when British negotiators travel to Brussels on Monday to kick off the next phase of Brexit, these old acquaintances are likely to give them the cold shoulder. Negotiations for a sweeping new trade agreement between Britain and the European Union are beginning in an atmosphere of deepening acrimony, with each side accusing the other of bad faith, posturing and moving the goal posts. Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government released its objectives for the trade agreement on Thursday a 30-page document that served mainly to underscore how far apart the two sides are, as they begin a fiendishly complicated negotiation that must produce a deal by the end of the year. The whole objective of doing what were doing is so the U.K. can do things differently and better, Mr. Johnson told the BBC, explaining why Britain has rejected a European Union demand that it adhere to European standards on labor, environmental protection and state aid. The number of Catholics applying to join Northern Irelands police service has risen by more than 200. Almost one third of those who want to join are identified as Catholic, equating to 2,158. PSNI deputy chief constable Mark Hamilton said he was pleased. Chris Patten, a former Conservative Party chairman whose 1999 report on overhauling the RUC led to the creation of the PSNI and 50/50 recruitment of Catholics and Protestants, said: I am extremely pleased that the Police Commission Report which I chaired with great support from a number of others has turned out to be such a success. That is partly because of the leadership of the police and the support of the community. There are obviously always going to be problems in policing any community but what has been achieved here has been outstanding. In just over three weeks the force received 6,961 applications, an increase of over 700 from a 2018 recruitment campaign, the PSNI said. An extra 223 were from Catholics. Senior officers have expressed concern the proportion of Catholics applying has fallen back amid the continued threat from dissident republicans. Measures have been put in place to encourage them to put their names forward in relative safety. Sinn Fein and the SDLP have called for the reintroduction of the 50-50 recruitment policy, which ran for 10 years until 2011. Unionists have expressed concern. At the time, Mr Patten produced his report only 8% of the force was Catholic, now it accounts for around 30%. He said: At the moment the Equality Commission and police service have done a very good job and they will want to keep an eye on whether they need to go back to 50/50 recruiting. The proportion of women applying has also increased on 2018, to around 40%. Mr Hamilton said: I am encouraged to see the number of people who have shown an interest in a career in the police service from across all sections of the community. Sinn Fein policing spokesman Gerry Kelly has been subjected to threats from dissident republicans after he lent support to the latest recruitment campaign and urged Catholics to sign up. He said: An accountable police service needs to be representative of the whole community it serves and representative in all grades and ranks also. The decision to abandon 50/50 recruitment was both political and wrong. It is anticipated that successful applicants will begin training from autumn 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 20:14:36|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA. Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A member of the police mobile brigade and two civilians were shot by a separatist group in a shootout in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua, Antara news agency reported on Thursday. The exchange of fire started at 4:50 p.m. local time in an area about 500 meters from an airport in Nduga district's capital of Kenyam a day earlier. Brigadier Junaidi was shot at his left chest with a bullet penetrating his back, making his condition critical. He was rushed to a nearby general hospital in Mimika district on Wednesday, and was shifted to the Police Hospital in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta for an intensive medical treatment one day after. Before the shootout, the rebel group, which the Indonesian government calls "the criminal armed group", shot two civilians near the airport. Both of the victims are in critical conditions and now are being treated at the general hospital in Mimika. In December last year, the separatists killed 16 construction workers of the Trans-Papua highway in Nduga district. The Indonesian security forces and the separatists have been frequently involved in shootouts in Papua province, leaving scores of casualties from both sides. Wednesday's exchange of fire was the sixth since December last year. Papua province is home to the separatist Free Papua Movement which has been seeking an independence trough guerrilla wars since decades ago, targeting soldiers, police personnel and civilians. The judicial collegium, which comprises the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court (SC), has disappointed us yet again by recommending the transfer of Justice S Muralidhar, one of the finest judges of the country, known for his independent views, as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On Wednesday, the Centre notified the transfer. It can be argued that the transfer is intended for his own good and that Justice Muralidhar will eventually take over as Chief Justice in Chandigarh, once the current Chief Justice, Ravi Shanker Jha, is elevated to the Supreme Court (SC). It is assumed that once that happens, Justice Muralidhar as the senior-most judge will take over as Acting Chief Justice until his formal orders as Chief Justice are issued. But this begs a tricky question: Why was he not directly appointed as a Chief Justice of a high court? Supposing when his turn comes to become the Chief Justice in Chandigarh, the government goes back on his appointment? What will then the collegium do? Will it turn weak as it did in the case of Akil Abdulhamid Kureshi (who was originally recommended as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh)? The then collegium headed by former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi transferred him to Tripura when the government demurred. Or will it dig in its heels and say that since there is no Memorandum of Procedure in place to decide on such issues, the collegium will continue to decide appointments? The law is clear on the primacy of the collegium. In fact, the government has little role in the process of appointment and transfer of judges as has been held in Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association and Another vs. Union of India (popularly known as the Second Judges Case) Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1303 of 1987: It has been indicated that the judiciary being best suited and having the best opportunity to assess the true worth of the candidates, the constitutional purpose of selecting the best available men for appointment as superior Judges is best served by ascribing to the judiciary, as a consultee, a more significant role in the process of appointment. The only question is of the extent of such significance and the true meaning of the primacy of the role of the Chief Justice of India in this context, that judgment said. It added: A homogenous mixture, which accords with the constitutional purpose and its ethos, indicates that it is the opinion of the judiciary symbolised by the view of the Chief Justice of India which is given greater significance or primacy in the matter of appointments. In other words, the view of the Chief Justice of India is to be expressed in the consultative process as truly reflective of the opinion of the judiciary, which means that it must necessary have the element of plurality in its formation. In actual practice, this is how the Chief Justice of India does, and is expected to function, so that the final opinion expressed by him is not merely his individual opinion, but the collective opinion formed after taking into account the view of some other Judges who are traditionally associated with this function. I believe it is time for the collegium to reinvent and reassert itself. It is true that there may have been times under Justice Gogoi when it seemed to have turned it into an extension of the law ministry. But we now have a new collegium by Chief Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde, known to be fair and independent, and which includes Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman who is fiercely independent and one of the best judges the country has known. Sooner or later, the collegium will have to bell the cat and resist the supersession and dilution of its recommendations by the government. The problem is that even without any ostensible say, the government can control judicial appointments. The malaise starts from the level of high courts. The High Court Collegium, comprising the Chief Justice and the two senior-most judges, are usually reluctant to recommend any person whom they know the government may object to. The ones they do decide to recommend are also in peril because the government can always block their names with inconvenient intelligence reports. On the flip side, the collegium system itself is not infallible because we have had whimsical chief justices and strange decisions. For instance, the transfer of Justice Rajiv Shakdher to the Madras High Court from the Delhi High Court by then Chief Justice of India Tirath Singh Thakur came in for criticism by members of the bar and even some quarters in government. Justice Shakdher was finally transferred back to Delhi after 20 months by a different Chief Justice. Still, in balance, the collegium system has produced better judges than those in the pre-collegium era. But much depends on the collegium of the moment. Whatever its intentions may be, the collegium must realise that it is supreme in the present framework. The Supreme Court collegium must send out a strong signal. How the transfer of Justice Muralidhar pans out in the future, will tell us about the strength of the collegium system. Let Justice Muralidhar not become another Justice Kureshi. Rajiv Nayar is a senior advocate practicing in the Delhi High Court The views expressed are personal A row erupted on Thursday over the timing of the transfer of judge Justice S Muralidhar, who had slammed the police for not registering a case against three BJP leaders for their alleged hate speeches, as the Congress said the "midnight" notification was "shameful" and the Centre accused the opposition party of politicising a "routine" shift. The Union on Wednesday night issued three separate notifications for the transfer of Justice Muralidhar and two other judges--Justice Ranjit Vasantrao More of the Bombay High Court and Justice Ravi Vijay Kumar Malimath of the Karnataka High Court. Justice Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The notifications said President Ram Nath Kovind approved the transfers after consulting the Chief Justice of India. They came on a day when a bench headed by Justice Muralidhar, the third senior-most judge in the Delhi High Court, expressed "anguish" over Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur in connection with the protests against the new Citizenship law. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Justice Muralidhar was transferred on the recommendation of the Collegium and accused the opposition party of politicising a routine transfer. He added that a "well-settled process" was followed in the transfer. At the BJP party briefing, senior leader and union minister Prakash Javadekar said the transfer was in line with the recommendation of the Collegium. The recommendation was made on February 12. The Congress alleged that the transfer of Justice Muralidhar was aimed at saving some BJP leaders in the Delhi violence case and exposed the government's "intimidation and vendetta politics" against the judiciary. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the government of making attempts to "muzzle" justice and "break people's faith in an upright judiciary". "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certainly sad and shameful," she tweeted. Taking a dig at the government over what he called Muralidhar's "sudden" transfer, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred." Special CBI judge B H Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, died in alleged mysterious circumstances on December 1, 2014. At a press conference on the issue of Justice Muralidhar's transfer, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the BJP government was "waging a battle of revenge" against the judiciary. He called the transfer a classic case of "hit-and-run injustice" by the government. The judge who reminded the government of its 'raj dharma' and initiated and directed action against the BJP leaders making inflammatory statements was transferred overnight from the Delhi High Court, he said. Hitting back at the Congress over the allegations, Law Minister Prasad said, "By politicising a routine transfer, Congress has yet again displayed its scant regard for the judiciary." "Transfer of Hon'ble Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated February 12 of the collegium headed by Chief Justice of India," Prasad said in a series of tweets. He said a judge's consent is taken before transferring him or her. Continuing his attack on the opposition party, Prasad said the people of India have rejected the Congress and "hence it is hell bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them". Referring to a tweet by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the death of Judge Loya, the Union minister said the Loya judgement had been well-settled by the "Those raising questions do not respect the judgment of the apex court pronounced after elaborate arguments. Does Rahul Gandhi consider himself above even the Supreme Court," he asked. Prasad also said the government respects the independence of the judiciary. He said the party which is the "private property of one family" has no right to lecture about objectionable speeches. "The family and its cronies have routinely used the harshest words against the Courts, the Army, the CAG, the PM and the people of India." Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot asked the Centre what message it was trying to convey by transferring Justice Muralidhar. "What message is central government trying to give by transferring Justice Muralidhar, who showed his resentment against police inaction during Delhi violence and in failure of police to act against BJP leaders for their hate speeches," Gehlot tweeted. The CPI(M) said Justice S Muralidhar's transfer was a "selective response" to his court order. The Left party demanded the government keep the transfer order in abeyance to reinforce the confidence of the people in the judicial system. "Post-haste implementation appears to be a selective response for what unfolded in the yesterday. The fact remains that the Bench headed by Justice Muralidhar called the bluff of the Delhi police in trying to shield the hate speeches of top BJP leaders in Delhi in the course of the Delhi assembly election and after. Vietnam Refuses Entry to Travelers from Parts of South Korea and Other Coronavirus-Affected Countries 2020-02-26 -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc Tuesday ordered a temporary refusal of entry to all travelers originating from areas affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including parts of South Korea, the country with the most confirmed cases outside of China. As of Tuesday afternoon EST, there were 977 confirmed cases of the deadly virus in South Korea, mostly in the southeastern city of Daegu. On the prime minister's orders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced to the South Korean government, and the governments of other affected countries, that it would be taking preventative measures including the denial of entry to those originating from or traveling through epicenters of local outbreaks. In addition, those who must enter Vietnam for reasons other than tourism must voluntarily report their health condition and be quarantined for 14 days. The Ministry of Transport will reroute flights from South Korea to Van Don International, Phu Cat International, and Can Tho Airports. The Police Ministry will also send information regarding passengers originating or traveling through South Korea that have entered Vietnam since Feb. 11, in order to re-assess their health. In addition, Vietnamese returning from China will only be allowed to enter the country via international border gates. South Koreans to be sent back to Daegu Also on Tuesday, authorities in the city of Danang were working on a plan to send 20 passengers from South Korea back to their homes. The 20 South Koreans entered Danang via a direct flight from Daegu Monday. They are currently in isolation in a hotel, after refusing to quarantine at Danang's Lung Disease Hospital. The Vietnamese Health Ministry has mandated that all passengers coming from coronavirus affected areas be quarantined for 14 days. The 55 Vietnamese that were on the same flight from Daegu all agreed to be quarantined, but the South Koreans refused to follow the ministry's regulations. Danang authorities said Tuesday that if the 20 South Koreans want to remain in Danang, they must accept the quarantine or agree to be sent back home. Also on Tuesday, a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City's Cu Chi district admitted 20 South Koreans. Representatives of the South Korean consulate in Ho Chi Minh visited them in the hospital. Vietnamese workers in Asian countries Vietnam's Ministry of labor said Monday it was working on a plan to bring home about 20,000 Vietnamese overseas laborers in affected areas like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Once they return, the relevant agencies are directed to plan for 14-day quarantines for all of the laborers. State media said Monday that there were currently about 20,000 Vietnamese living, studying or working in South Korea, with 8,000 living in the Daegu epicenter alone. Vietnam's embassy in Seoul has launched a citizen protection hotline and is ready to take measures to protect its citizens in the country. The embassy also confirmed that as of Monday there were no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 among the Vietnamese citizens in South Korea. As of Tuesday afternoon Vietnam had no current confirmed cases of the virus. There were 16 confirmed cases previously, with 16 full recoveries reported. Reported by RFA's Vietnamese Service. Translated by Huy Le. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Copyright 1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content February not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Juliette Montesse (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France Thu, February 27, 2020 06:37 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066d3bdb 2 World embezzlement,France,Prime-Minister,Francois-Fillon Free French former prime minister Francois Fillon and his wife Penelope appeared in a Paris court Wednesday for the start of their trial on charges of embezzling over a million euros in an alleged fake-jobs fraud. The couple and Fillon's former parliamentary colleague Marc Joulaud risk 10 years in jail and heavy fines. The eagerly-awaited trial of the former presidential hopeful and his wife was due to start on Monday, but was delayed over a lawyers' strike. Investigators say Fillon, 65, paid Welsh-born Penelope, 64, the salary of a parliamentary assistant between 1998 and 2013 -- up to 10,000 euros (almost US$10,900) a month -- without her doing much, if any, actual work. The trial kicked off with technical arguments as to whether some of the alleged crimes happened too long ago to be prosecuted under France's statute of limitations, and how to define the crime of misappropriating public funds. The court must decide these issues before it can examine the merits of the case. It could decide to refer the questions to an appeals court, in which case the trial would be postponed. If not, the defendants are expected to start presenting their case on Thursday. The claims first emerged in January 2017, and torpedoed Fillon's shot at the presidency in elections that year. Did she work? They also contributed to the implosion of his rightwing Republicains party, pushing many voters toward the centrist party of now-President Emmanuel Macron. Fillon has denied the allegations and insisted that Penelope -- charged with complicity -- did real work for him in his rural constituency of Sarthe. But investigators say they have found little evidence of her efforts, and have seized on a 2016 newspaper interview in which Penelope declared: "Until now, I have never got involved in my husband's political life". She had made a similar statement to Britain's Sunday Telegraph in 2007. Joulaud, 52, stood in for Fillon in parliament when he was a cabinet minister and also hired Penelope as an assistant. France's National Assembly has joined the case as a civil party, and said it could seek over a million euros (dollars) in compensation. The Mike Bloomberg money flood shows no sign of drying up anytime soon. The billionaire Democratic presidential candidate has been ramping up his advertising in Pennsylvania. A new $355,000 ad buy for the week of March 3 means Bloomberg is poised to break $20 million spent on television and radio advertising in the state. That doesnt include digital ads on platforms such as Facebook and Google. Initially averaging more than $1 million a week when he joined the race in November, the former New York City mayor spent more than $2 million a week in Pennsylvania in February, according to the ad-tracking firm Advertising Analytics. The vast majority was spent on television ads across the states six media markets. Almost half of the money the campaign has spent on Pennsylvania advertising has gone to the Philadelphia market, which is both the most expensive and contains the biggest share of the states Democratic voters. About one-third of Bloombergs ad spending has gone to the Pittsburgh and Harrisburg markets combined. Bloombergs massive advertising campaign unprecedented in political marketing has blanketed the country as the former Republican tries to win the Democratic presidential nomination with a novel strategy of skipping early states and focusing instead on the largest states that deliver the most delegates. In addition to challenging traditional ideas about momentum and how to win the nomination, Bloombergs strategy makes it much more likely that Pennsylvania becomes crucial to victory. The states April 28 primary election comes late in the race. But the field could remain crowded even after next weeks Super Tuesday elections, making Pennsylvania key to winning the nomination this year. The owner of one of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions, Blarney Castle in Cork, has failed to halt plans for a 120-bed nursing home and housing development just two kilometres away. Charles Colthurst last year put the plan by Hydro Estates Ltd on hold after lodging an appeal against the Cork County Council decision to give the project the go-ahead. However, An Bord Pleanala has now given the green light to Hydro Estates Ltd for the nursing home and 23 of the 29 planned houses at St Ann's Hill, Kilnamucky, Tower, Blarney. The appeals board omitted six homes from the permission "in the interest of visual amenity and having regard to the landscape character of the site". The board gave the project the go-ahead after ruling that the proposal "would not adversely affect the character and setting of the protected structure or archaeological sites on the site". The appeals board also ruled that the proposal "would not adversely impact on the residential amenities or the amenities of adjoining properties, and would be acceptable in terms of visual impact". Each year, Blarney Castle features in the top-10 fee-paying attractions, with around 460,000 visitors. Planning consultants acting for Mr Colthurst, McCutcheon Halley, claimed that the proposed development "will have a significant negative visual impact" on Blarney Castle. The nursing home is to be built on the site of the former St Ann's Hydropathic Establishment. The World Health Organization declared Thursday that the new coronavirus epidemic was at a "decisive point" as countries across the globe battled to contain the deadly outbreak. Saudi Arabia banned pilgrims from visiting Islam's holiest sites as the number of deaths jumped in neighbouring Iran, while Japan and Iraq ordered the closure of schools. Alarm is growing as China is no longer the only breeding ground for COVID-19, with other countries including South Korea and Italy becoming hotbeds of infection, raising fears of a pandemic. "We're at a decisive point," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference in Geneva. "If you act aggressively now, you can contain this virus, you can prevent people getting sick, you can save lives." The virus has already killed more than 2,760 people, mostly in China -- where it first emerged in December -- and infected more than 81,000 in over 45 countries. But there are now more daily cases being recorded outside China, raising fears that poor countries with weak health infrastructures will not be able to cope. "It's what's happening in the rest of the world that's now our greatest concern," Tedros said. - Bracing for economic hit - World financial markets have plunged on fears that widespread lockdowns could hamper business activity and dent global growth, while sports matches and festivals have been cancelled to try to stem infections. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank are ready to provide countries in need with immediate emergency funding to fight the coronavirus outbreak. The EU said it was bracing for an economic hit, with tourism already feeling the pinch and supply chains reliant on China being affected. As confirmed cases in France, the world's most visited country, more than doubled in a day from 18 to 38, President Emmanuel Macron warned: "We are facing a crisis, an epidemic that is coming." With COVID-19 spreading in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia suspended visas for visits to Islam's holiest sites for the "umrah" pilgrimage, an unprecedented move, raising questions over the hajj which starts in July. Neighbouring Iran reported seven new deaths over 24 hours, taking the overall toll to 26, the highest outside China. The first cases in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Estonia involved people who had been in Iran. In Japan, schools were ordered to close for several weeks. Japan has seen at least 186 cases of infection among the general population, with four deaths. Worryingly, one woman was found to be positive again after initially contracting the virus, then being released from hospital after treatment and a negative test. - 'Nothing's inevitable' - Several governments have also advised against travel to Italy -- Europe's epicentre with 528 cases and 14 deaths. In Latin America's first case, a 61-year-old patient in Brazil had travelled to Italy. Other countries including Algeria, Denmark, Norway, Romania, Spain and Sweden, have also reported infections linked to Italy and Iran. Spain was on Thursday investigating its first suspected cases of locally-transmitted coronavirus infection as The Netherlands confirmed its first ever case and Germany said it now had 44 infected patients. But Italy hit back, with Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio slamming "false reports" abroad about panic, cities in lockdown and runs on supermarkets. And France's Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, meeting in Rome, underlined that "European solidarity" would be vital to tackle the outbreak, rejecting calls to close borders. The US and South Korean militaries announced the postponement of joint exercises planned for this spring after Seoul declared its highest "severe" alert level over the virus which has claimed 12 lives out of almost 1,600 cases, the highest number outside China. Even China itself -- which sealed off an entire province and shut down cities across the country -- is now worried about importing cases and ordered people arriving in Beijing from affected countries to go into 14-day self-quarantine. China reported 29 more deaths Thursday -- its lowest daily tally since January -- and 433 new cases. But President Donald Trump has played down fears of a major outbreak. "I think that there's a chance that it could get worse, a chance it could get fairly substantially worse, but nothing's inevitable," he told reporters Wednesday. US public health officials confirmed a coronavirus case in California, the first of unknown origin out of about 60 cases. The virus is believed to have originated in a market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where it is suspected of having hopped from animal to human. Zhong Nanshan, a respected scientist who advises the government, said China would have had far fewer cases if action had been taken as early as December -- a rare critique from a prominent insider. WHO's Tedros said all countries should ensure their health systems were prepared. "We are actually in a very delicate situation in which the outbreak can go in any direction based on how we handle it." burs/txw/har/pvh The coronavirus epidemic in Iran has cost 26 lives The global spread of the coronavirus Country's across the Middle East are ramping up precautions North Korea has postponed the new school term as a precaution against the virus A dog in Beijing wears a homemade cover over its snout, which its owner said was as a preventive measure against COVID-19 Italian soldiers check traffic to and from the small town of Castiglione d'Adda, southeast of Milan Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address a rally at the Janata Maidan here on Friday in support of the amended Citizenship Act, days after parts of Delhi witnessed widespread violence over the the contentious law. Shah will attend the rally after chairing a meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) here which will be attended by four chief ministers, including Mamata Banerjee who is a bitter critic of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the National Population Register (NPR) as well as any nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC). Though Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, who will also be present in the city on Friday for the EZC meet, have backed the CAA, both have made clear that they are against NRC. The Bihar Assembly has also passed a resolution stating that NRC is not needed in the state, making it the first NDA-ruled state to categorically say no to NRC and to seek removal of controversial clauses from the census exercise. The Patnaik-led ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha has also sought removal of some contentious clauses from the NPR exercise. State BJP president Samir Mohanty said the rally to be addressed by Shah was part of his party's countrywide awareness programme on CAA undertaken in January following protests by the opposition against the amended law. Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Babul Supriyo and Giriraj Singh and BJP MP Rupa Ganguli have already addressed public meetings counting virtues of CAA in different places of Odisha including Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Jeypore. Apart from organizing awareness campaigns and rallies on the amended Citizenship Act in all organisational districts of Odisha, BJP workers have congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah by sending postcard messages. Ahead of Shah's pro-CAA rally, Mohanty on Wednesday had flagged off a fleet of campaign vehicles whose purpose is to inform people about the rally. State BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said that the Congress and some other political parties were trying to mislead people on the amended citizenship law and Friday's public meeting was aimed at making it clear that CAA is in the national interest. However, a senior state Congress leader hit out at the BJP for organising the rally, saying that before counting the positive of CAA, Shah should first restore normalcy in Delhi where communal violence has so far claimed 34 lives. Congress MLA Suresh Routray said at a time when the national capital was witnessing bloodshed over CAA, Shah should be in Delhi to ensure peace there instead of visiting Odisha. "What will he (Shah) tell the people in Odisha? The Home Minister should stay in Delhi and do the needful at a time when the national capital is burning," he said. The ruling BJD also took a swipe at the pro-CAA rally to be addressed by Shah. Party spokesperson P K Deb said such awareness exercise should have been done much before amending the citizenship law and enacting the new law. During the EZC meeting here of Friday, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee would meet Shah for the first time after the enactment of CAA. But it is not clear whether she would have a one-on-one meeting with the home minister on the sidelines of the meet. Banerjee, who is already in Odisha and has visited the Jagannath Temple in Puri on Wednesday said that India is known for peace and harmony. "We want peace, not bloodshed," Banerjee said while responding to a query on the communal violence in Delhi. Apart from attending the EZC meeting and the pro-CAA rally, Shah will also meet state BJP leaders to discuss strategies for strengthening the party in Odisha, sources said. He is scheduled to visit the Jagannath Temple in Puri and Lord Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar on the concluding day of his Odisha visit on February 29. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Greg Hatala/For NJ Advance Media Don't Edit Vintage family photos from N.J. In 2013, newser.coms John Johnson wrote about the closing of Sears Portrait Studios. The headline queried whether it was the end of an era. My answer would be ... "yes." Sears didnt run the photographic service that had been available at the iconic retailer since 1959; CPI Corporation of St. Louis had been subcontracted to handle the picture business in 962 Sears stores in the U.S. and Canada. After the retail giant began offering portrait photos at its locations, many, many American families stopped in for sittings. Who remembers the classic 16 x 20-inch print gracing so many living room walls? Sears gave families convenient and cost-effective opportunities to have group photos taken that didnt require one member to be missing (to hold the camera) or blurred (from running to get into the shot before the camera timer went off). Here's a gallery of photos of family members in New Jersey that stopped the action at just the right moment. Click on the links at the end for more galleries. And if you have vintage photos you'd like to see in our slide shows, send them in an email to greghatalagalleries@gmail.com. Don't Edit Courtesy of Kathleen Karn A late-19th century photo taken in a New Jersey studio of Walter Pestridge and his wife, Lillian May (Roberts) Pestridge, of Delanco. Don't Edit Courtesy of Adam Kaspar Adam Kaspar captions this photo taken in Vineland as: "Almond Street, looking west towards Fourth. September 1945. My grandmother Jean Kaspar on the left, her sister Belle Waddell on the right." Don't Edit Courtesy of the Library of Congress The caption on this photo from the Library of Congress reads "Bridgeton, New Jersey. FSA Farm Security Administration agricultural workers' camp. Councilman and family on the stoop of their house, 1942" Don't Edit Don't Edit Courtesy of Bo Bosefskie Gustave Deinlein, second from left, is shown with his wife, children and other relatives in Berkeley Heights in 1902. Don't Edit Courtesy of Leslie O'Such A photo from 1962 taken on Second Avenue in Garwood with, from left, Debbie O'Such, Leslie Gallison and Frank O'Such. Don't Edit Courtesy of Calvin Lawrence Calvin Lawrence with his mother and father in Jersey City in 1956. Don't Edit Courtesy of the Boonton Historical Society The four Marcello brothers, seated, are shown with members of their families in Boonton in 1915. Don't Edit Courtesy of Mike Murphy The Murphy family attended Wally Schirra Day in Oradell in 1962 when this photo was taken. Schirra, from Hackensack and one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts, was being honored with a parade. Don't Edit Don't Edit Courtesy of Scott Weurfel This unidentified mother and her children sat for a portrait at Elcott-Scott Photographers in Freehold at the turn of the century. Don't Edit Courtesy of Bobby Cole Photo Archives Army Captain Roland Burroughs of Paterson gets to meet his son, Jeffrey, for the first time in 1967; he had been stationed in Vietnam for more than a year. Burroughs' wife, Patricia, and daughter, Stacey, are also pictured. Don't Edit Courtesy of Lisa Lusardi Elizabeth Traverso and her sons, Louis and Daniel, are pictured in Asbury Park in this photograph taken in 1931. Don't Edit Courtesy of Jennifer Becker Eugene and Dorothy Patterson are shown in front of their home in Fair Haven in this undated photo. Don't Edit Courtesy of the Historical Society of Princeton The Historical Society of Princeton captions this photo: "Portrait of an unknown African American couple taken in Princeton, New Jersey around 1900 by Rose Photography." Don't Edit Don't Edit Courtesy of Joan Scrivani Two girls identified as Joan and Clair Elizabeth are shown on Brown Street in Union City in this 1950s photo. Don't Edit Courtesy of Tom Felmey Sara Connolly Felmey is shown with her four youngest children, Rebecca, Clarence Jr., Paul and Sara Ann, in Millville in the 1930s. Don't Edit Courtesy of Walt Sharp Leonard and Almira (Sharp) Keene are shown in Dover in 1926. Don't Edit Courtesy of John Kolenderski This photo, taken in Jersey City in the late-19th century, shows a couple identified only as Mr. and Mrs. Boemer. Don't Edit Courtesy of Cheryl Warfel Members of the Reichert and Taylor families attended a party on Pennington Road in Trenton in 1938 and sat for this photo. Don't Edit Don't Edit Courtesy of the Hatala family Members of the Meschi and Morrello families come together for a backyard barbecue on Chimes Terrace in Vineland in the 1970s. Don't Edit Courtesy of Elizabeth Robinson From left, Sue, Michael, Liz, Rose and Mike Robinson in Heislerville in the early 1960s. Don't Edit Courtesy of Paula Griggs Mary Bellangee with her daughters, Paula and Barbara, on Ferry Avenue in Camden in the 1960s. Don't Edit Courtesy of Mike Triano Debby, Mike and Donnie Triano stand with their mother, Patricia, on Hancock Avenue in Jersey City on Easter Sunday in 1962. Don't Edit Courtesy of Frank Orr Sara and Frank McCulloch of Atlantic City sat for this portrait in 1953. Don't Edit Don't Edit Greg Hatala/For NJ Advance Media Vintage photos of pets and their people in N.J. https://www.nj.com/news/2015/05/vintage_photos_of_pets_and_their_people_in_nj.html Vintage photos of community service in N.J. https://www.nj.com/news/2015/11/vintage_photos_of_community_service_in_nj.html Vintage photos of people at play in N.J. https://www.nj.com/news/2017/03/vintage_photos_of_people_at_play_in_nj.html Stockton, CA, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Guardian Alliance Technologies announces its new Triage Center, a technologically advanced intake system for Guardians comprehensive Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) that enables agencies of all sizes to digitally collect and review applicant answers in a secure environment free of charge. The Triage Center moves the vast majority of law enforcement agencies into the modern era and away from paper-driven file management. The Guardian Platform, a Software as a Service in use by public safety organizations throughout the U.S., was built with input from experienced law enforcement background investigators across the country, and is designed to streamline and improve the pre-employment background investigation process for public safety agencies of all sizes. The Guardian Platform provides advanced information management tools, including Artificial Intelligence used for social media screening, to help agencies conduct a comprehensive assessment of public sector applicants efficiently, accurately, and cost effectively, representing a quantum leap forward in conducting background investigations. We are thrilled to offer complimentary access to our exclusive technology to law enforcement across the United States, said Ryan Layne, CEO of Guardian. Providing these features at no cost is part of fulfilling our core mission to help protect the integrity of the law enforcement profession at large. The applicant and investigator access the new Triage Center through an online portal where the applicant completes and submits their PHQ (one of the most comprehensive in the country) and all related documents. Once the PHQ is submitted, the Guardian system automatically generates a data-driven Concerns Report, allowing investigators to quickly determine which applicants meet their agency standards. Use of the tools contained in the Triage Center greatly reduces the chance of human error, and expedites the pre-investigation review process, allowing investigators to move quickly to full background investigations on qualified applicants using the Investigation Center of the Guardian Platform. In addition, all PHQs submitted through the Triage Center are stored in Guardians National Applicant Information Center (NAIC) and can therefore be checked by other agencies in the Guardian Alliance Network who may investigate the same applicant(s) in the future. Among other things, that means a candidate rejected by one Guardian agency is not able to change their PHQ answers in secret in order to get hired by another. Guardian, a member of the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. (FBINAA) Strategic Alliance Program, relies on input from its Advisory Board, all of whom are FBINAA members. Chief Joey Reynolds (Ret.), 2017 President of the FBINAA, stated, Guardians unique knowledge of technology and law enforcement practices has given way to a revolutionary platform that provides investigators with 21st century tools that enhance the quality and thoroughness of their investigations and dramatically streamlines the background investigation process. Use of the Guardian Platform for end to end management of applicant evaluation and investigation activities moves law enforcement agencies into the modern era and away from paper-driven file management, providing several layers of significant benefits. The Triage Center is just one more Guardian tool that agencies can use to continue to strengthen the publics trust in public safety organizations. _ The FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. (FBINAA) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing the highest degree of law enforcement expertise, leadership training, and information to law enforcement executives around the world. The Associations Mission is Impacting communities by providing and promoting law enforcement leadership through training and networking. Association members are graduates of the prestigious FBI National Academy Program. The FBINAA has over 16,500 members representing all 50 US states and 174 Countries world-wide. The FBINAA is the strongest law enforcement leadership network in the world. Located in Quantico, VA, the FBINAA is a non-political organization and is not affiliated with any special interest group. For more information about Guardian, visit www.guardianalliancetechnologies.com YouTube Best Practices 2020 YouTube has developed into one of the biggest online powerhouses available to artists, and those who ignore the video sharing platform do so at their own peril. Here we look at how bands and artists can get the most out of YouTube in 2020. Guest post by Stephanie Kurse of The Orchards The Daily Rind Its the most popular video search engine in the world, the second largest search engine just behind Google (its parent company), and ranks the second most popular social media network. It has reached 1.9 billion monthly registered users and over 2 billion users in 2020. To ignore the power of YouTube would be a mistake. Looking at the social network, the video platform, the marketing engine it may seem a bit overwhelming. And thats why The Orchard has your back with these 2020 YouTube Best Practices to help you grow and optimize your channel, content, engagement, and in turn, revenue. Stay tuned for the key points and a slideshow presentation at the end! Channel Presentation First impressions are important. When viewers head to your YouTube channel with the choice of making the decision of truly becoming a fan and subscribing, you want to ensure youve convinced them properly. To do this, your channel presentation must be up to par. If youre not sure where to start to turn the once visitor to a subscribing and engaging fan weve got your back. Verification Firstly, you want to ensure your channel looks legit. If an artist channel, is it an OAC (Official Artist Channel)? If a label channel and over 100K subscribers, are you verified? An OAC aggregates your content & subscriber count from your various YouTube channels (official YouTube, Vevo and a Topic channel) into one place, making it easy for the viewer to know that this is the artists official channel where all their content can be found. Once verified, to a similar point, the viewer knows theyre watching from the correct source. Branding The next step is branding. Utilizing YouTubes channel art its banner and icon image are important in creating familiarity from other digital presences. You also want to utilize your channel properly by promoting upcoming or recent releases, tours, or any other important and relevant information. The banner should be updated relatively often and should be visible on desktop and mobile. Banner links can show five links on the main page of the channel, so include your most important links on your main page, and other links live on the About page. Examples of promotional links include: an auto-subscribe link, smartURLs, DSPs, socials, merch and tour links, official sites, and more. Video Layout Once the top of your channel looks presentable, its time to focus on what your viewers came here for: the videos. YouTube allows you to customize the layout of your videos to curate the viewers watch session. Above the fold is a space for two different trailer videos one for already subscribed users, and one for non-subscribed users. This gives you the opportunity to target these viewers differently, as they should be. For example, new users can be presented with the most popular content on the channel, while returning fans can view a new release or priority content. Playlists Below the trailer video, the main page leaves space to place playlists of your choice. If an OAC, there will be two automated YouTube playlists: titled Music videos and Albums. These playlists cant be moved or changed, but a playlist can be placed in the first slot as well as after these automated shelves. If a non-OAC channel, you have free range to organize as you please. Since playlists are so important in curating that watch session and increasing channel watch time, we recommend creating many playlists filled with videos. You should also be sharing playlists when sharing a new video simply place the new video first in the list. When setting up a playlist, include a proper title and description, and be sure to update descriptions as needed. We recommend listing a priority playlist first. If there are no priority releases at the moment, then we recommend a Most Popular or Taste of playlist to grab the attention of the viewer before even scrolling. Below that and below the automated shelves, we recommend giving the user a variety of options to choose from. Search Engine Optimization YouTube being the second largest search engine on the internet means the SEO holds a lot of value to ensure your great content is being surfaced and reached by the target audience. As were talking firstly about the overall channel, you want to be sure that your channel SEO is up to par. This means having important keywords and information in the About tab and if an OAC, including a biography and images in the Artist Center. Keywords could mean popular songs, albums, artists, genres, locations, milestones anything that people might be searching for surrounding the artist or label. Next, you want to add similar keywords to the channel tags to aid in populating the channel in both Google and YouTube search. Having a custom URL for your channel can be an easy way for fans and algorithms to find your channel as well. Including Featured channels (that will live in the Channels tab as well as on the main page of your channel) can help direct traffic to similar/relevant channels thus expanding your audience from other channels. Titles and Descriptions Aside from the main channel page, each video you publish will also have its own watch page that can be optimized with SEO for the same reason of helping your target audience find your great content. The title gives a sense of what the video will be, so be sure to identify that. For example: Lyric Video, Official Music Video, Live @ X, Behind the Scenes, etc. Below the titles be sure to leave a description. Be sure to take advantage of the description page as you can include a lot more information on your video. In the description, repeat the title and song information, utilize important keywords or information within the first few sentences, add the lyrics, use relevant hashtags, perhaps a blurb, and all of the artists or labels relevant links (to other playlists, socials, to subscribe, and more). Lastly but still very important is including video tags in the metadata. These tags should include all relevant keywords and should fill all of the available characters, including easily misspelled words, the year, album, song, label, geography, featured artists, the type of video, and more. Video Features Although SEO proves to be an important feature in optimizing videos, thats not all YouTube provides to make sure your video has the resources to be successful. End-screens are an important feature that help curate and lengthen a viewers watch session, driving them to other (chosen) videos or playlists at the end of the video they were watching. Enabling cards are played during the video and similarly drive viewers to more content on your channel (or outside verified websites such as a tour website). Utilizing both of these features are important in keeping the viewers watching your content. Two more engaging watch session features are the branding watermark and subtitles. The branding watermark is a logo that when scrolled over, allows the user to subscribe to the channel without leaving the video, which makes becoming a fan easier. The other feature, subtitles, can help broaden your audience and really keep viewers engaged while watching. Fans who might use subtitles are people who enjoy reading the lyrics, are hard of hearing, speak another language, or more. Thumbnails Lastly, and arguably one of the most important optimizations for videos, would be regarding thumbnails the first glimpse of what a video is to the viewers eyes. Thumbnails should be bright, easy to see, with a clear picture of the artist or a striking image thats on brand to grab someones attention easily. No thumbnail should look all too similar to the others as to avoid confusion to viewers. Engaging With Viewers YouTube provides so much more than just being a video hosting service; YouTube builds communities. Its a space where artists and labels can build a direct connection with the music and the fans. Because creating this community is so important, especially for releases, YouTube makes it easy to engage with fans in numerous spaces. Community Tab & Comments The Community tab (YTs version of a social feed) is a place to directly engage with your audience through gifs, polls, photos, text statuses, and other content. Replying and liking interacting within the tab will have fans realize the importance of being notified in this space and subscribe. Posting in Community can also be a good way to keep the channel active, even without any new big releases. Just like interacting through the Community tab, its important to interact with comments and fans in the watch pages to have them continually coming back to the video. Heart, like, reply, and pin a comment to start even more engagement. YT Stories, YT Live-Streaming, YT Premiere Three direct ways to engage with viewers are YT Stories, utilizing YT live-streaming, and YT Premiere. YT Stories are similar to Instagram Stories, but can be 15 seconds long and last for 7 days. This is a great way to show on-the-go engagement and a cool way to answer fans questions in real time. With live-streaming, you cant get any more real-time which makes it the best way to genuinely communicate with your audience. Its important to use live-streams to keep audiences feeling part of a larger community. The larger community can also come together as a whole to create an event for a release with YT Premiere a feature that creates a countdown, hype, around a new video alongside a live-chat where fans can show their excitement and the artist can engage by commenting along. Engaging with viewers doesnt end with YouTubes features that make it easy to do so; engaging with viewers also means continued content and pushing YT from other places. Continued consistent, engaging, and creative content creation such as vlogs, Q&A, behind the music, personal videos, serialized content, and setting a schedule so viewers know when to expect new content, are key in creating a strong, loyal fanbase; and pushing this content from other socials, having it in bios and smartURLs can help bring a new fanbase to your videos. For a slideshow presentation of our 2020 YouTube Best Practices see below! Share on: YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. A Yerevan hospital is denying media reports on the death of an Iranian patient from double pneumonia. Astghik Medical Center spokesperson Lusine Petrosyan told ARMENPRESS the media report is disinformation. She said no Iranian patient has died in their hospital. The reports are false, I dont know how such information has spread, it is false. No Iranian citizen has been hospitalized in our hospital with double pneumonia and none has died, she said. Asked whether or not any pneumonia-related deaths have occurred in their hospital, Petrosyan said: At this moment we are clarifying if any other patient has died from pneumonia. However, we deny the report on the Iranian nationals death, she said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan -- Terms approved to proceed with collaborative effort with international consortium MIRAMAR, Fla., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Generex Biotechnology Corporation ( www.generex.com ) (OTCQB:GNBT) ( http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/GNBT/quote ) today announced that the company has received a contract from the China Technology Exchange, Beijing Zhonghua Investment Fund Management Co., LTD., Biology Institute of Shandong Academy of Sciences and Sinotek-Advocates International Industry Development (Shenzhen) Co., LTD. The terms of the contract, which have been agreed to in writing by both parties, include an upfront payment of $1 million to initiate the project work in the United States, a $5 million licensing fee for the Ii-Key technology, payment by the Chinese consortium for all costs and expenses related to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, and a 20% royalty on each dose of vaccine produced. Joe Moscato, President & Chief Executive Officer of Generex has signed the draft contract with deal terms and will be traveling to China next week to sign the final, official contract with its Chinese partners to develop a COVID-19 vaccine using the Ii-Key immune system activation technology. Generex management will be presenting the companys data, demonstrating the technology, and finalizing work plans with those partners to produce an Ii-Key-COVID-19 peptide vaccine that can be tested in human studies within 90 days. Mr. Moscato is expected to sign the official agreements on behalf of Generex at a signing ceremony in China next week, at which time Generex will make further announcements. Mr. Moscato said, Our subsidiary NuGenerex Immuno-Oncology has developed Ii-Key peptide vaccines against several potentially pandemic viruses, including bird flu, swine, flu, HIV, and a previous coronavirus, SARS. This wealth of experience has enabled us to develop a standardized protocol for rapid vaccine development, so we are positioned to respond in the event of a new, emerging pathogen. Our partners in China have recognized the power of our Ii-Key platform and have delivered this contract to establish a collaboration to combat the COVID-19 epidemic, and we are excited to begin the work. About Generex Biotechnology Corp. Generex Biotechnology is an integrated healthcare holding company with end-to-end solutions for patient centric care from rapid diagnosis through delivery of personalized therapies. Generex is building a new kind of healthcare company that extends beyond traditional models providing support to physicians in an MSO network, and ongoing relationships with patients to improve the patient experience and access to optimal care. NuGenerex Immuno-Oncology (formerly Antigen Express), a subsidiary of Generex Biotechnology, is a clinical stage oncology company developing immunotherapeutic peptide vaccines based on the CD-4 T-Cell activation platform, Ii-Key. NuGenerex Immuno-Oncology (NGIO) is being spun out of Generex as a separate, independent public company to advance the platform Ii-Key technology, particularly in combination with the immune checkpoint inhibitors. NGIO is currently engaged in a Phase II clinical trial of its lead cancer immunotherapeutic vaccine AE37 in combination with pembrolizumab (Mercks Keytruda) for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release and oral statements made from time to time by Generex representatives in respect of the same subject matter may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by introductory words such as "expects," "plan," "believes," "will," "achieve," "anticipate," "would," "should," "subject to" or words of similar meaning, and by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements frequently are used in discussing potential product applications, potential collaborations, product development activities, clinical studies, regulatory submissions and approvals, and similar operating matters. Many factors may cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, including inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of risks and uncertainties, some of which are known and others of which are not. Known risks and uncertainties include those identified from time to time in the reports filed by Generex with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be considered together with any forward-looking statement. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results or events, and one should avoid placing undue reliance on such statements. Generex undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Generex claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements that is contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Generex Contact: Generex Biotechnology Corporation Joseph Moscato 646-599-6222 Todd Falls 1-800-391-6755 Extension 222 investor@generex.com Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University and Baylor College of Medicine extended restrictions on college-funded travel this week to include South Korea amid concerns over the spread of coronavirus. The universities along with the University of Houston System, Rice University, and UTHealth announced in January temporary policies to stop all but the most essential travel to China, which they have maintained. The institutions cited advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which on Monday issued a Level 3 travel guidance warning for South Korea. That travel health advisory says people should avoid non-essential travel to a country. The warning came just days after it escalated Chinas warning to a Level 3 and Japans to a Level 2, urging residents to practice enhanced caution on Saturday. Italy and Iran, whose vice president was diagnosed with the flu-like virus this week, have similarly have Level 2 warnings. On HoustonChronicle.com: Coronavirus prompts Texas universities to clamp down on travel to China More Information Travel health notices scale Level 1 (Watch) - Exercise normal precautions. This includes being up-to-date on all recommended vaccines. Level 2 (Alert) - Practice enhanced precautions. Defines a specific at-risk population Level 3 (Warning) - Avoid nonessential travel. The outbreak is of high risk to travelers and no precautions are available to protect against the identified increased risk. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention See More Collapse Texas Southern University spokesman Steve Scheffler said Wednesday that it has modified a study abroad program based in China so staff and students will not travel to East Asia this summer. Prairie View A&M University officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. UT officials expanded its restriction to South Korea Tuesday, stating that they would assist students in South Korea with the transition. Texas A&M and Baylor similarly included South Korea in its restricted travel list Wednesday. The CDC reports that 50 countries, including the Republic of Korea and the United States, have confirmed cases of the COVID-19, or coronavirus. The U.S. has had 14 confirmed cases 12 of which were travel-related and two that were spread through person-to-person contact. There are multiple cases of the virus in people under federal quarantine at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, the CDC has said. One case includes a traveler who returned to the U.S. from Wuhan City, China, on a U.S. State Department-chartered flight, while the others were flown-in passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama, Japan. Nearly 450 people in the U.S. have been tested for the mysterious virus, which has no preventative vaccine. Coronavirus can be spread through close contact with another person or via the respiratory droplets of an infected person, according to the CDC. It may be possible that a person can be infected by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it. People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic, but its possible for people to infect others when they arent showing symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath, but can range from mild to severe instances of illness or death. Federal health officials say the best way to prevent the virus is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and to wash your hands often with soap or use a hand sanitizer that is 60 percent alcohol especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. They also advise those who are sick or diagnosed with the virus to stay home aside from when getting medical care, cover their cough or sneezes, throw tissues in the trash, and to frequently clean and disinfect objects and surface they touch regularly. Those who are sick should also wear face masks and try to isolate themselves from families and pets in their homes. Staff writer Todd Ackerman contributed to this report. brittany.britto@chron.com File Image The Delhi government will give a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of head constable Ratan Lal who was killed in violence in northeast Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on February 26. "As per the Delhi government's policy, we will give Rs 1 crore to head constable Ratan Lal's family," he said in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.. Kejriwal had visited Lal's family on February 25. For the latest updates on the violence in Delhi, follow our LIVE blog "Politics of hatred and violence will not be tolerated. Common man of Delhi did not indulge in violence; outsiders, some political elements are involved in it," Kejriwal said. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia on Thursday closed off the holiest sites in Islam to foreign pilgrims over the coronavirus, disrupting travel for thousands of Muslims already headed to the kingdom and potentially affecting plans later this year for millions more ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan and the annual hajj pilgrimage. The unprecedented move, which wasnt taken even during the 1918 flu epidemic that killed tens of millions worldwide, showed the growing worry about the virus across the Middle East, which has more than 360 confirmed cases. The regions hardest-hit nation is Iran, which is Saudi Arabias biggest nearby rival, with the death toll reaching at least 26, the largest behind only China, where the epidemic began. The number of infections in Iran has spiked by over 100 to at least 254, but a World Health Organization official said he believes that figure is a substantial underestimate of the true number. Those Iranians who have fallen ill include Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, better known as Sister Mary, the English-speaking spokeswoman for the students who seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and sparked the 444-day hostage crisis, state media reported. Saudi Arabia barred pilgrims from Mecca, home to the cube-shaped Kaaba that the worlds 1.8 billion Muslims pray toward five times a day, and also the holy city of Medina. Authorities also suspended entry to travelers holding tourist visas from nations affected by the virus. We expect that this will give Saudi Arabia a chance to really strengthen their own disease control measures for the moment, said Rick Brennan, the WHOs emergency director for the Eastern Mediterranean. The kingdoms Al Saud ruling family stakes its legitimacy in overseeing and protecting the sites, and it appeared to reflect worries about pilgrims spreading the virus. The outbreaks epicenter in Iran is the holy city of Qom, where the faithful are drawn to a famous Shiite shrine that has stayed open despite calls by the civilian government for it and other sites to be closed. Authorities have canceled Friday prayers in Qom, Tehran and other cities. There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Saudi Arabia, although infected Saudis are under care in neighboring Bahrain. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement announcing the decision. By leaving the suspension of travel to the holy sites open-ended, Saudi Arabia has raised the possibility of disruption for Ramadan and the hajj. The news shocked the worlds Muslims, many of whom save their entire lives for a chance to see the Kaaba and walk along the path of the Prophet Muhammad and visit his tomb in Medina. Some of them who are already headed to Saudi Arabia heard about the ban as they reached airports in Pakistan, Indonesia and Turkey. Authorities at Cairos international airport said the decision created intense confusion and extreme anger among thousands of passengers waiting for flights. Reinforcements were called to control the crowd as the news broke, according to security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent allowed to talk to reporters. This is a long-awaited journey for me and my four members of family, said Achmad Warsito, a disappointed pilgrim in Indonesia. No words can describe how I feel today. Disease outbreaks have always been a concern surrounding the hajj, which is required of all able-bodied Muslims once in their lives. Pilgrims fought off a malaria outbreak in 632, cholera in 1821 killed an estimated 20,000, and another cholera outbreak in 1865 killed 15,000 before spreading worldwide. More recently, Saudi Arabia faced danger from a different coronavirus, one that causes the Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS. The kingdom increased its public health measures during the hajj in 2012 and 2013, urging the sick and the elderly not to take part. In recent years, Saudi officials also instituted bans on pilgrims coming from countries affected by the Ebola virus. Since the new coronavirus emerged in December, it has sickened 82,000 people globally and caused more than 2,800 deaths from the illness that has been dubbed COVID-19. While millions attend the hajj, which this year is set for late July into early August, millions more visit the kingdoms holy sites year round. Those other pilgrimages are referred to as the umrah, which drew 7.5 million people in 2019 alone. One of the biggest times for the umrah is the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins at the end of April. The exact dates for the hajj and Ramadan always depend on the sighting of the moon due to the lunar calendar. Pilgrims spend upward of 10 days at holy sites, mingling in tight quarters. Many are older, have pre-existing diseases and come from countries with suboptimal disease surveillance, according to a letter Thursday in The Lancet medical journal. Respiratory infections already are the most-common illnesses. We do not need to wait for the first case to emerge in Saudi Arabias holy sites, the letter said. The time for preparedness is now. Dr. Ziad A Memish, a Saudi professor who studies infectious diseases and co-signed the letter, welcomed the kingdoms decision. This is a very tough decision, he told The Associated Press. But with the rapid spread of COVID-19 and a lack of good diagnostics, preventative vaccines and therapeutics, this is the best decision that could be taken at such difficult times. Kristian Ulrichsen, a research fellow at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, called the Saudi decision unprecedented. Given the worldwide spread of the virus and the global nature of the umrah, it makes sense from a public health and safety point of view, he said, especially since the Iranian example illustrates how a religious crossroads can so quickly amplify the spread and reach of the virus. Dalia Samhouri of the WHOs regional health emergencies department told AP that the Middle East is plagued by emergencies, adding that two-thirds of its 22 countries are directly or indirectly facing complex emergencies. She said weak health systems increase the vulnerabilities of populations and the risk of disease spread so that they may not have the capacity to early detect and rapidly respond to the COVID-19. Brennan, the WHO regional director, said the biggest area of concern was Iran. We believe the figure 250 is a substantial underestimate of the true number, he said. And thats because our disease surveillance now, our documentation, hasnt really caught up with the disease yet. But we expect in the coming days that the numbers will increase substantially. Irans Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour seemed to address that, saying new labs in Iran were conducting tests and the number of confirmed cases could continue to rise. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised medical workers, calling their efforts very invaluable. The virus has struck the official in charge of Irans response, as well as at least two lawmakers. The state-run IRNA news agency reported that Ebtekar, the Iranian vice president and hostage-takers spokeswoman, had been infected and had quarantined herself at home. She had attended a Cabinet meeting Wednesday with President Hassan Rouhani and other top officials and appeared pale in video on state media. During the 1979 hostage crisis, Ebtekar threatened to destroy the Americans if a military raid tried to rescue them. IRNA separately reported 81-year-old cleric Hadi Khosroshahi, Irans former ambassador to the Vatican, died of the coronavirus infection at a Tehran hospital after falling ill in Qom. ___ Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad; Isabel DeBre and Maggie Michael in Cairo; Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia; Andrew Wilks in Ankara, Turkey; and Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad contributed. The opposition have been dealt a heavy blow as the regime army attacked the southern and eastern outskirts of the Jabal al-Zawiya area and captured Kafr Nubl reports Al-Modon. On Wednesday, regime forces and loyalists militias struck the Jabal al-Zawiya area in the southern Idleb countryside after taking control of more than 20 villages, towns and farms, which the opposition had been controlling in the east and west of the rugged mountain area. The southern and eastern outskirts of the Jabal al-Zawiya area on Wednesday morning saw heavy fighting between the two sides. The attacking forces concentrated on the al-Futairah, al-Breij, Tel Ras al-Sheikh, Malajeh, and Kafr Mousa fronts. Ten other fronts also erupted, with a number of villages and mountain hills targeted on the Ras al-Harba approaching side. Russian warplanes stepped up strikes around midnight the night before, until the early hours, striking villages and towns in the Jabal al-Zawiya area. They focused on the fronts and the advancing lines, with more than 200 strikes, carried out by swarms of warplanes. The attacks used targeted and incendiary bombs on fortifications with an unprecedented intensity, as well as cluster and vacuum bombs. Regime forces and militias from the 25th Special Missions Division and the Fifth Corps and Fourth Division as well as Russian special forces, along with more than 20 armed formations took part in the attack operations, which used heavy land fire in preparation to invade the Jabal al-Zawiya area. More than 400 rockets and artillery rounds struck the mountains towns and villages, including Russian Smerch missiles, which weigh 800kg, as well as Golan and Tochka missiles, and traditional artillery and Grad and Katyushka rockets. Regime forces and loyalist militias on Tuesday/Wednesday night took control over a group of towns and positions, the most important of which was the icon of the revolution, Kafr Nubl, and the surrounding villages. On the southernmost fronts the attacking forces took control of the villages of Baarbou, Deir Sunubl, and Qaaoura. Regime forces and militias have benefited from the excitement of the attacking force backed by heavy land and air power in recent military operations. From the opposition perspective, the brutal bombardment has been the decisive factor in forcing them to retreat to the rear. In addition to the heavy fire, there have been other factors, most important the failure in the management of the artillery operations and the absence of coordination with the factions in the area, as well as their failure to take advantage of the areas rugged terrain in repulsing the attacks. On some fronts in the mountains, reinforcement groups have expressed a lack of readiness to actually withstand the attacks despite the logistical capabilities and geographical factors of the area. The fronts on which the factions are fighting lack sufficient numbers of fighters to defend the area. The reason the area has been emptied of its fighters goes back to Hayat Tahrir al-Shams policy, which caused the expulsion of fighters over the last two years, as well as the lack of anti-armor missiles and heavy weapons. Icon Sadness reigned in Syrian opposition circles after the loss of the city of Kafr Nubl, south of Idleb, to regime forces and loyalist militias. The loss of one most important strongholds of the Syrian revolution was a true shock. Kafr Nubl had long been connected to the popular movement against the regime since 2011. The opposition referred to the city as the icon of the revolution and demonstrations there started at the beginning of April 2011. Since the start of military operations by regime forces in May 2019, air fire has begun to reach the city, which has been repeatedly targeted from the air, with warplanes carrying out multiple massacres. After the vanguard of the attacking forces reached the countryside of Maarat al-Numan and Khan Sheikhoun in the middle of that year, the intensity of the fire increased. In the last quarter of 2019, the city witnessed a large wave of displacement, and over the course of a year, the bombing caused the destruction of more than 50 percent of its buildings. Regime forces and security branches suppressed the demonstrations in the city in the first months of 2011, and on Jul. 4, 2011, they took full control over it and carried out a massive campaign of arrests against activists and a large number of civilians who participated in the demonstrations. Then city residents fleeing from security grip and officers that defected from the regime army formed an armed battalion, which later joined the then-emerging brigades in Jabal al-Zawiya and northern Hama, which had a role in regaining control of the city and expelling regime forces on Aug. 10, 2012. Kafr Nubl was known for its opposition to Jabhat al-Nusra and Salafi organizations early on. Its activists were persecuted and arrested, and demonstrations in the city demanded the exit of the al-Nusra Front repeatedly. 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. West P&I to acquire stake in Nordic Marine Insurance The West of England P&I Club has announced that it will acquire a significant stake in specialist marine insurance provider Nordic Marine Insurance (NMI). Founded in 2012 and based in Stockholm, NMI is a provider of specialist marine products for ship owners and charterers which includes fixed premium primary delay cover. The agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval in Sweden, will see West Group acquire Alandias shareholding in Nordic Marine Insurance. Alandia will remain an important partner of Nordic Marine Insurance. The new venture is expected to formally launch later this year. Tom Bowsher, West Group CEO commented: NMI is a highly regarded provider of marine products that perfectly complement our own core services. This investment will significantly enhance the range of specialist products that we can offer to ship operators, as well as strengthening Wests presence in Scandinavia. There is a strong synergy between the ambitions and values of our organisations and we look forward to working in close partnership with NMI for the benefit of our Members and others. Tony Karlstrom, Alandia CEO commented: The new partnership will help NMI grow its core delay business and will allow Alandia to focus on its core H&M business while still from that aspect remaining in continued cooperation with NMI. It is a solution that benefits all three parties. Dan Lennhammer, Managing Director, Nordic Marine Insurance, commented: We are delighted to have reached agreement with West, a partner with an outstanding pedigree and global reach. We share a vision with West for providing ship operators with a broad range of high-quality products that meet all of their insurance requirements as well as benefiting from Wests global service network. No major incident was reported from the riot-hit northeast Delhi in the last 36 hours, the Home Ministry said Thursday night. The ministry issued the statement after Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation in the violence-hit parts of the city in a meeting with senior officials and top police brass. New Delhi: No major incident was reported from the riot-hit northeast Delhi in the last 36 hours, the Home Ministry said Thursday night. The ministry issued the statement after Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation in the violence-hit parts of the city in a meeting with senior officials and top police brass. The ministry said there was no major incident in the last 36 hours in any affected police station of Delhi's northeast district. As many as 514 suspects were either arrested or detained for questioning and further arrests would be made in the course of investigation, it said. Prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 of the CrPC will be relaxed for a total of 10 hours on Friday in view of improvement in the situation, the ministry said. So 48 FIRs, pertaining to clashes, loss of lives and property, etc, have already been registered and further FIRs would be registered in due course and police has detained or arrested 514 suspects for questioning so far, the ministry said. Further arrests would be effected in the course of investigation, it added. The Delhi Police has separately set up two SITs for investigating serious offences. Nearly 7,000 central paramilitary forces have been deployed in the affected areas of northeast District since 24 February. Besides, the Delhi Police has also deployed three Special CPs, six Joint CPs, one Additional CP, 22 DCPs, 20 ACPs, 60 Inspectors, 1,200 other ranks and 200 lady police under the overall supervision of Commissioner of Police to effectively guide and supervise police response so as to contain and normalise the situation, the statement said. It said a total of 35 people have lost their lives in these tragic incidents since February 24 and the situation is slowly returning to normal. However, hospital sources said the death toll has reached 38. Among the dead include two security personnel. Besides, nearly 70 police personnel and senior officers have suffered injuries. The home ministry requested the people not to lay credence to any rumour. The Delhi Police has set up helplines 22829334 and 22829335 for round-the-clock assistance. These numbers are being given adequate publicity so that information about miscreants and any emerging situation may be conveyed to police, the statement said. Adequate steps have been taken to ensure medical support to the injured, the ministry said. As a confidence-building measure among different sections of the society, the Delhi Police has started holding peace committee meetings across Delhi to normalise situation and improve inter-community harmony, the statement said. Such peace committee meetings would continue till situation normalises, it added. So far, the statement said, nearly 330 peace committee meetings have been organised in various districts of Delhi in the last two days. Apart from this, meeting with Residents Welfare Associations (RWA) and Market Welfare Associations (MWA) have also been convened in several areas. Such meetings have been attended by different sections of the society including civil society groups, representatives of different political parties including the Congress, the AAP, the BJP, etc, it said. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation has already initiated steps to clean the streets and repair damaged public properties in riot-affected areas, the statement said. Other civic agencies, it said, are also ensuring the civic amenities to the citizens is restored as soon as possible. Movement of traffic on the highway and connecting roads is returning to normal, the statement said. The Union Home Minister has appealed to citizens not to believe in rumours and fall prey to evil designs of miscreants and groups interested in precipitating communal tension. The statement said only 12 police stations out of the 203 PSs in Delhi (about 4.2 percent of the geographical area) have been affected by the riots, while normalcy and communal harmony has prevailed elsewhere in the national capital. The Delhi Police is mandated and obligated to provide security to all sections of society irrespective of caste and religion, it said. An escaped Canadian prisoner who fled to the U.S. and stole a dead boy's identity which he has lived under for more than 40 years is set to be extradited. Canadian prison officials want him finish serving out the 885 days left on his prison sentence for theft. In 2013, the Stony Mountain prison in Canada first issued a warrant of 'apprehension and re-commitment to custody' for Jean-Pail Halleux, 73, according to the Sacramento Bee. Halleux was convicted in 1972 of breaking into a Manitoba lumber yard. He was sentenced to two years at the Rockwood Institution, which has since been renamed Stony Mountain Institution. By September 1, 1973, Halleux had escaped prison, serving only 17 months of his sentence and eventually made it to the U.S. According to court documents, Halleux used several aliases that included multiple versions of his own name and Jack Joseph Rivard. Then in 1977 he had apparently stolen the name of Thomas Carl Coy, a California boy who died in 1949. Jean-Paul Halleux's mugshot after being arrested in 1972 for breaking into a lumber yard According to online court records obtained by the Sacramento Bee, a social security number attached to Coy's name was given to Halleux in Nevada in 1977. By 1980, Halleux used the name to establish a new life. He settled in at an address in Sacramento. It wasn't until 2018 that Halleux was first brought into custody in the U.S. for stealing Coy's identity. While standing in front of a U.S. Magistrate judge on Wednesday, Halleux, 73, appeared under the assumed name. 'Is what you want to do is go back to Canada to handle this matter?' U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison Claire asked. 'Yes, it is,' Halleux said. Halleux was ordered to remain in custody at the Sacramento County Main Jail until he's handed over to Canadian officials. That process can take up to three weeks. According to court documents, the time Halleux that serves in the U.S. jail won't be subtracted from his leftover sentence in Canada. Before his escape, he only served 1,336 days of his 2,221-day sentence. This is the home in a Sacramento neighborhood where authorities finally arrested Halleux While living in the California state capitol, Halleux made money operating several tow truck companies. One online comment on Yelp gave him glowing reviews on his customer service in 2013. 'Very friendly guy,' a customer wrote. 'Overall I was completely satisfied and would recommend this service to anyone! I took a card of his and will be calling next time, which will be inevitable with my luck. Thanks Tom!' Canadian extradition documents also cited that 'there is no statute of limitations in respect to the offenses for which the person sought stands charged'. But it wasn't until years later that anyone in the U.S. noticed a problem with Halleux's identity. This mugshot was taken after Halleux was arrested in 2017 for stealing Thomas Coy's identity Then the state DMV reached out to the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, which charged Halleux with perjury for using the name Thomas Carl Coy on February 19, 2015 to register for the car title. The district attorney also charged that Halleux falsely obtained Coy's identity 'for an unlawful purpose and to obtain or attempt to obtain credit, goods, service and information in the name of Thomas Carl Coy, a deceased child, without consent.' When about a dozen unmarked cars pulled up to Halleux's house two years ago, his longtime neighbor was caught off guard. 'It was a shock, a total shock,' Goodlow told he Sacramento Bee.'I've never known him in 20 years to do anything off the rails.' After the arrest, Halleux was fitted with a GPS ankle monitor. He awaited his trial later that year in March. He remained free until this week when federal prosecutors in Sacramento filed court papers to arrest and detain Halleux without bail until his extradition hearing. 'The court should detain Halleux without bond because he is a flight risk,' wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Quinn Hochhalter, in a court filing. 'Halleux previously escaped from prison and has evaded Canadian authorities for almost forty years. 'Allowance of bail in any amount would not guarantee Halleux's presence in court and would invite the possibility of embarrassing the United States in the conduct of its foreign affairs.' Most Irish retailing schemes are effectively full, according to Bannon. His firm manages over 50 schemes around Ireland and, "apart from one or two outliers", all are over 95pc occupied. (stock photo) The media's focus on extreme cases, and invalid comparisons with European markets, are two of the reasons behind the false narrative that has developed around retailing in Ireland. That's according to Neil Bannon, chairman and head of consultancy at Bannon Property Consultants. And Neil Bannon should know, as one of Ireland's most experienced retail agents and responsible for a swathe of instructions across Ireland. According to Bannon, an inaccurate, negative narrative has developed around the Irish retail market, which has spooked investors and developers, who remain happy to invest in other sectors, even though the supply and demand dynamics may be less solid than in retailing. The "elephant in the room", he says, is internet retailing, which according to Bannon is misunderstood. "It's just another means of supply and as with all markets, the supply-demand dynamic will ultimately determine values in retail real estate," he says. Irish internet shopping is well behind many European markets, and comparisons with other markets are misleading - not least due to over-supply problems in other markets, but also because of the less restrictive planning regimes abroad which often see retail parks permitted to sell all types of goods (eg UK and France.) Most Irish retailing schemes are effectively full, according to Bannon. His firm manages over 50 schemes around Ireland and, "apart from one or two outliers", all are over 95pc occupied. And why would it be any different? he asks. Spending has risen by 34pc since 2012, consumer savings and household worth are at all time highs, there's another half-million people in the country, and almost no new space has been built for over 10 years. The largest retail development, he tells me, is the 14,000 sq m extension to Galway Retail Park, which will open in April, fully pre-let, to tenants including Harvey Norman, Boots and Carraig Donn. (The scheme has an "open-use" retailing permission.) Rents for 1,000 sq m units are "in the early to mid, 300 per sq m range". Bannon Property Consultants also manages eight retail parks for Sigma (Oaktree) in locations like Naas, Navan and Sligo, and that portfolio is 99pc let. Despite the positive fundamentals, rental growth has been muted and Bannon puts that down to the absence of UK retailers, who traditionally underpinned the demand for shops here. As an example, he tells me that 11 new shopping centres opened here in 2007, all fully let, and highly dependent on UK brands as tenants. "In Athlone Town Centre, over 70pc of the occupiers were UK brands," he says. Now, though, we have a much shallower market, although the UK names are slowly being replaced by European brands. Another problem is that the US and UK over-supply statistics are being transposed onto Ireland by international retailers and investors. But there is no comparison, says Bannon. Irish supply is at mid-European levels, and 20pc below the UK. For the States, he says, think of the five largest shopping centres near you, then imagine that there are five more of each of them, in easy reach. That's the scale of the US over-supply. The problems in Ireland are on the Main Streets, which Bannon says is a 50-year trend. "Much modern retailing cannot function in houses converted into shops." Infrastructural changes are another issue: "When a scheme like Athlone Town Centre opens, every Main Street within 30 miles on the motorways suffers." The future for Main Street, Bannon says, is to focus on "necessity shopping" - convenience driven and experiential offers like grocery, butcher, baker, coffee, and hairdressers etc - but not fashion, as you can't compete on range. In the meantime, he suggests, many retailers are finding it difficult to make profits from online retailing. "When you add the costs of shipping, advertising, and unusable returns, it gets close to the cost of rent for a shop." The future is multi-channel, a blend of Main Street, centres and internet, and he cites Next as a retailer that is getting that right. A British father who plunged to his death while skydiving in the Grand Canyon was given a parachute with holes, it has been revealed. Christopher Swales, 55, had been jumping in tandem with an instructor as a 30th wedding anniversary gift from his wife in September. But the father-of-two, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was killed when something went wrong as he came into land. His instructor survived with a broken leg. Mr Swales was found unconscious following the tragic accident at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport but later died from his injuries in hospital. Christopher Swales, 55, had been jumping in tandem with an instructor as a 30th wedding anniversary gift from his wife Deborah in September The skydiving had been bought as part of a package through a company called Paragon Skydive - but investigators later found the parachute was damaged. According to a report by investigators, obtained by The Sun, the canopy had 'numerous' holes that had been patched up and circled with pen to track the 'continuing tear' of the fabric. The jump also took place when winds were at 27mph - 2mph more than what is allowed for a leap in the UK. U.S police have since closed the case and ruled his death as an accident, with the skydiving company insisting: 'All the equipment was functioning 100 per cent correctly'. He was found unconscious after the fall at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport but later died from his injuries in hospital The father-of-two, from Harrogate, north Yorkshire, was killed when he came into land when something went wrong. His instructor survived with a broken leg 'It was maintained according to the regulations.' The firm blamed the instructor Matthew McGonagle, 34, for 'panicking' when turning too quickly when he missed the landing point - and the pair were in free-fall before hitting the ground, according to the publication. Mr Swales, who was due to turn 56 just days before his death, ran his own successful joinery business and was a well known figure in the area. He was step-father to his wife Deborah's eldest son Alan and the couple renewed their wedding vows last October after 30 years of marriage. Mr Swales was found unconscious after the fall at the Grand Canyon National Park Airport but later died from his injuries in hospital BERLIN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 21: (L-R) Director Bassam Tariq and Riz Ahmed pose at the "Mogul Mowgli" photo call during the 70th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 21, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images) Photo: Andreas Rentz, Staff / Getty Images Photo: Andreas Rentz, Staff / Getty Images Bassam Tariq, the film director from Fort Bend County whose The Ghosts of Sugar Land landed on Netflix and on the short list for inclusion in the Academy Awards documentary short category, is earning largely positive reviews for his first feature-length film which recently premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival. Mogul Mowgli, starring Riz Ahmed (The Night Of, Nightcrawler) as a British-Pakistani rapper in New York forced to return to England due to illness, was greeted with generally glowing notices in the film press. Varietys Guy Lodge exclaims, Outside of Ahmeds seething, spitting, cant-look-away performance, Mogul Mowgli is a sparsely scripted but scratchily atmospheric culture-clash drama that runs on some quite traditional father-son melodramaticsAhmeds turn is the substance and subtext here, drawing on his thespian and musical gifts, as well his personal history, to offer an impassioned reflection on the liminal place occupied by many immigrant artists in western culture: In the case of Ahmeds ambitious MC Zed, he winds up othered by his own family. A lively addition to Berlins Panorama program, its the fruit of a palpably close collaboration with American-Pakistani docmaker Bassam Tariq, who brings restive visual and sonic verve to his first narrative feature; indie distributors should roll up. And Lodge isnt alone. Joseph Owen, reviewing for the British site theupcoming.co.uk, Highly rated director Bassam Tariq brings a potent audiokinesis to Mogul Mowgli, his first fiction feature, which he complements with Paul Corleys stressful, unsettling score. Ahmed co-wrote and produced the project, which makes capital of his skills as an MC on Londons hip hop circuit. Wendy Ide in Screen Daily writes, Riz Ahmed co-wrote as well as stars in this abrasive drama which uses the degenerative disease of a rising British-Pakistani rapper as a device to explore family ties, cultural identity, shared experience versus kinship and the continued fall out from PartitionAnd while the picture doesnt quite maintain its vigorous energy through to the very end, it is still a satisfyingly knotty exploration of the bi-cultural experience. The Guardians Peter Bradshaw concurs, writing, Riz Ahmed brings his intense and always engaging presence to this film as star, co-producer and co-writer with its director, Bassam Tariq. It is a deeply personal drama about culture, family, community and what it means to represent - though it can also be self-indulgent and even a bit self-involved, though this is arguably a function of the story. Caitlin Quinlan, on the site Little White Lies, says, Tariq beautifully captures the textures of Zeds world and his fathers memories that infiltrate his new understanding of his life: the dust, ashes, talc, spices, crushed flowers. A few shifts in tone feel occasionally jarring, but the film steers away from too sentimental an approach and finds a moving and invigorating conclusion with Ahmed firmly at its thumping heart. So far, only Hollywood Reporters Stephen Dalton was less than enthusiastic. Although Mogul Mowgli is an admirably ambitious effort overall, a more complex, colorful, daring film seems to be trapped just below the surface. No word yet on when Mogul Mowgli, which as of Tuesday morning has a 100 per-cent on Rotten Tomatoes though there are only a few reviews posted at this point, on when it might get picked up for American distribution. Tariq was born in Pakistan, moved to southeast Texas as a child, went to University of Texas Austin and had been living in New York City before, in recent months, returning to the Houston area. cary.darling@chron.com Israel on Wednesday became the first country to officially warn its citizens to avoid any international travel amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak. Several airlines have canceled flights to China, where the respiratory virus originated, and governments have issued warnings about travel to certain countries, but no country has actively urged their citizens avoid traveling abroad at large until now. "If you don't genuinely have to fly don't do so," Israel's health ministry said in a statement. Although the majority of cases remain in China, the virus has spread to several other countries. In response to criticism that the country was stoking panic and could cause both economic and diplomatic damage, the health ministry said they'd rather deal with the inconveniences now than be sorry later, The Times of Israel reports. The only confirmed Israeli cases so far involve people who were on a cruise ship that was quarantined in Japan, although South Korea which is experiencing one of the larger outbreaks beyond China reportedly informed Israel over the weekend that a members from a group of pilgrims returned to South Korea from Israel and tested positive for the disease. Read more at The Times of Israel. More stories from theweek.com Harvard scientist predicts coronavirus will infect up to 70 percent of humanity Law & Order: SVU is coming back for a record 22nd season What it's like to be in Venice during coronavirus lockdown Something is rotten in the state of Denmarkin all of Europe actuallyand Amazon has been tight-lipped about it. It seems there might have been a hack or a well-executed denial-of-service attack. I realize this was in October, but Google autocomplete suggests that AWS DDoS attack be followed by a year. These things happen frequently. Denial-of-service attacks are as old if not older than the internetand so is the lack of candor on the part of your data center operator or hosting provider. The thing that protected us all in the past from watching the whole net go black is the same thing that will protect us again: multiple data centers run by different providers. That is to say, multicloud. A multicloud strategy starts with the obvious deploying (or maintaining your ability to deploy) on multiple vendors clouds. Meaning you keep your software on AWS and Azure and maybe even on GCP. You forego using any vendor services that might prevent your ability to move, and you pursue a data architecture that allows you to scale across data centers. Single cloud advantages and drawbacks Relying on a single vendors cloud allows you to eat the buffet of sometimes lower-cost alternatives from the cloud provider. Adding these is usually seamless. Meaning, if youre an AWS customer, you use Amazon Elasticsearch Service instead of building your own search cluster. If youre on Google, you can use their document database, Google Cloud Datastore, instead of rolling your own. (Natural News) Even as the coronavirus begins to spread around the continent, EU officials have steadfastly refuse to implement border controls, insisting that the sanctity of open borders is more important. (Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Summit.news) The number of confirmed cases in Italy has soared from 3 to 322 in the space of just five days, with 10 deaths, but authorities insist that the Schengen Area, which abolishes passport checks and border controls between 26 European states, must not be compromised. Despite 50,000 citizens in Lombardy and Veneto being under internal lockdown, no such measures have been proposed for national borders. Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte has refused to implement border controls, claiming it wouldnt help stop the containment of the virus. This prompted former interior minister Matteo Salvini to demand Contes resignation if he isnt able to defend Italy and Italians. We agreed to keep borders open, closing borders would be a disproportionate and ineffective measure at this time, Health Minister Roberto Speranza also told reporters in Rome on Tuesday. As RT highlights, borders will remain open despite Italy now being a major source of coronavirus spreading into neighboring European countries. Switzerland and Austria- which border Italy to the north also confirmed their first cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. The Swiss patient, a 70-year-old man, had returned from an event in Milan two weeks ago. Across the Alps in Austria, a young Italian couple tested positive for the illness after entering Austria from Bergamo in Italy on Friday. French transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari has also refused to close the border between France and Italy. Germany has likewise refused to do so. European commissioner for health Stella Kyriakides also said borders should remain open while suggesting that the threat of disinformation was more of a concern. At what point does stopping an immensely dangerous and disruptive global pandemic become more important than the sacred, never to be questioned or curtailed international flow of people? Numerous nearby countries have closed their border with China yet infected Chinese citizens are still flowing into the west. The World Health Organization, whose job it is to stop a global pandemic, has repeatedly insisted that preventing stigmatization and keeping borders open is critical, to the point where they seem more concerned about that than actually stopping the pandemic. Now that the coronavirus is beginning to impact the global economy and interrupt supply chains, is that prioritization going to come back to haunt them? Read more at: Summit.news WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- President Donald J. Trump will address The Latino Coalition (TLC) Legislative Summit on Wednesday, March 4 at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C. Convening small-business owners, business influencers and elected officials from across the country, the TLC Legislative Summit is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to build their professional network while advocating for the public policies that impact them most. "We are pleased to welcome President Trump back to The Latino Coalition stage," said Hector Barreto, TLC's Chairman and former U.S. Small Business Administrator. "The president and his administration have led an economic expansion by creating an environment where small businesses can survive and thrive. With record-low unemployment levels, outstanding job growth and strong GDP, this administration has a proven track record that is worthy of celebrating." A friend to the organization, President Trump will keynote The Latino Coalition's Leadership Luncheon, discussing our country's Great American economic comeback thanks to a record number of job-killing regulations, enacting historic and record-setting tax cuts, and fighting for fair and reciprocal trade agreements. Throughout the day, panels will examine critical legislative and policy issues such as procurement, technology, education and regulatory reforms. The Legislative Summit will also include notable guests such as: newly confirmed U.S. Small Business Administrator Jovita Carranza; U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson; U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos; U.S. Rep. Tony Cardenas (CA-29); U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX); U.S. Rep. William Hurd (TX-23); Jennifer Korn, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Liaison; U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13); Ruben Barrales, Senior Vice President, External Relations, Wells Fargo & Company; Dan Bryant, SVP Global Public Policy and Government Affairs Walmart; Eric Hoplin, Head of External Relations for Wells Fargo & Company and Daniel Garza, President The Libre Initiative to name a few. "Creating and maintaining the best possible business environment for entrepreneurs is the duty and responsibility of our elected and appointed officials," Barreto added. "And while election years present their own opportunities and challenges for politicians, small-business owners expect our half of the economy to be prioritized, always. Our Summit will remind leaders in Washington, D.C. that meaningful reforms can happen in an election year because good policy is good politics!" For more information or to register, visit: The Latino Coalition 2020 Legislative Summit. The Latino Coalition would like to thank the following Title Sponsors: Wells Fargo, Walmart, Edison International, Southern California Edison, PG&E, Google, and T-Mobile. TLC also acknowledges and is grateful for all its partners: AltaMed Health Services Corporation, Altria Client Services, AT&T, California Resource Corporation, Comcast Corporation, Cuellar Enterprises, East West Bank, Edison Electric Institute, Ecco Select, Grupo MAGNO, Guardian, Herbalife, Hispanic Business Roundtable Institute, MasterCard, Master Your Card, NCTA, Optimum Seismic, PhRMA, The Latino Coalition Foundation, The Libre Initiative, Tributo Tequila, Univision, US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, and Verizon. ABOUT THE LATINO COALITION- The Latino Coalition (TLC) was founded in 1995 by a group of Hispanic business owners from across the country to research and develop policies solutions relevant to Latinos. TLC is a non-profit nationwide organization with offices in California, Washington, DC and Guadalajara, Mexico. Established to address and engage on key issues that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States, TLC's agenda is to create and promote initiatives and partnerships that will foster economic equivalency and enhance and empower overall business, economic and social development for Latinos. Visit www.thelatinocoalition.com or follow us at #TLCSUMMIT. SOURCE The Latino Coalition Related Links http://www.thelatinocoalition.com President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved the composition of a committee to monitor the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). A statement from Mr Buharis spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said the establishment of the committee was in line with the provisions of Part V1, Section 21 of the NDDC Establishment Act. The NDDC monitoring committee is headed by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the permanent secretary in the ministry, Omotayo Alasoadura and Olusola Adesola, respectively, are also members of the committee. Alfred Abah, a director in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, is a a member and secretary of the committee. Other members are Shamsuddin Bello, representing the office of the Accountant General of the Federation; Charles Ikeah, representative of the Federal Ministry of Environment; Atanda Musiliu, representing Ministry of Petroleum Resources; Aisha Umar, representing Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; M.K Mohammed, representing Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; and Dorothy Nwodo, representing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. Mr Buhari recently replaced the acting managing director of the commission, Joy Nunieh. The NDDC was set up in 2000 by the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo to fast-track development in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Twenty years later, the region still remains backward in terms of infrastructure and standard of living, despite the huge amount of money made from oil exploration in the area. The commission itself has been plagued by poor funding and corruption. Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, said last year that the NDDC was bedevilled by corruption, so much so that the commission was being seen as an automated teller machine (ATM) where people could just walk in to pick cash. Mr Akpabio later claimed that the NDDC abandoned $70 million in a bank for 13 years, while hundreds of its projects remain abandoned and uncompleted across the oil producing states, partly due to non-release of funds. The owners of a livestock market have accepted a health and safety breach following the death of an elderly Co Tyrone farmer, who succumbed to injuries after an incident involving a bullock. Harry McAnespie (80), from Aughnacloy, suffered severe head trauma in the incident on June 23, 2018. He was airlifted to hospital but passed away during the early hours of the following day. The dead man's brother, Sinn Fein councillor Michael McAnespie, died after he was attacked by a bull on his farm in Loughmacrory in 2007. The Health & Safety Executive commenced an investigation which led to proceedings against Clogher Valley Livestock Producers Limited. Originally it faced two charges of failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare both of employees as well as non-employed persons, who may be affected by exposure to risks. At Dungannon Crown Court yesterday, the company was represented by director Harrison Boyle, and only one charge was read, that of failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of non-employed persons. Responding, Mr Boyle said: "On behalf of the company, I plead guilty to the charge." A lawyer for the Public Prosecution Service said this was acceptable and the remaining matter could be left on the court books. Mr McAnespie's widow, accompanied by family members, were present in the public gallery for proceedings. Judge Paul Ramsey QC asked for Victim Impact Statements, and ruled that sentencing will take place next month. At the time of the incident, Clogher Valley Livestock Producers extended its sympathy to Mr McAnespie's family, describing him as a long-standing customer. They said: "This has been a most tragic incident. Harry was very well-known and highly respected in the farming community, and his loss will be keenly felt." The number of new coronavirus cases around the world is quickly multiplying, with outbreaks in South Korea, Italy and Iran causing concern. You can see the spread of the pneumonia-like virus in the maps above from Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering. The maps are regularly updated with data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. About 81,000 people in 37 countries have been sickened by the pneumonia-like virus and 3,000 have died, according to world health officials, who are simultaneously cautioning against the risks of unnecessary fears or stigma. China, the source and epicenter of the virus, has seen the most infections, with 78,604 infections and 2,715 deaths. But WHO said the number of new cases reported outside China on Tuesday exceeded the number of new cases in China for the first time. Chinese officials reported 411 new cases on Tuesday while the number in the rest of the world was 427. ALSO: Local emergency declared in San Francisco amid coronavirus concerns In Europe, 10 countries have reported infections and Germany, France and Spain are among the places with a growing caseload. France announced its second death and Greece became the newest country to see a case of the virus. Italy's infection toll is increasing rapidly, going from three cases on Feb. 21 to 374 on Wednesday. The outbreak is centered in northern Italy's Lombardy region. South Korea announced 284 new cases, largely in Daegu, bringing its total to 1,261. In the Middle East, where cases increased in Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq, blame was directed toward Iran. South Korea is battling a mass outbreak centered in the 2.5 million-person city of Daegu. With Brazil confirming the arrival of Latin America's first case, the virus now has a toehold on every continent but Antarctica. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com. ALBANY With cases of the new coronavirus now being reported on every continent except Antarctica, federal and state leaders said Wednesday health care systems are moving into high gear. Both President Donald Trump and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced additional funding on the federal and state levels to fight the disease. And health care experts in the Capital Region said New Yorkers should be prepared but not panicked by the probability that the virus will turn up in New York state. It is highly probable that you will see a continuing spread of this virus. It is highly probable that we will have people in New York state that test positive, Cuomo said during a press conference in the Capitol Red Room. Our operating paradigm is always prepare for the worst and hope for the best, he added. Cuomo said he is seeking another $40 million for the state Health Department and had ordered hospitals and others in coming weeks to meet and develop contingencies for quarantines if that becomes necessary. There could be home quarantines or even hotel quarantines, but the various players all need to be on the same page with the same protocols, Cuomo said. This is an evolving process, added state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker. Wednesday evening President Trump assured the public that the risk of contracting the disease, now called COVID-19, remains "very low" for most Americans at the moment, but his health officials said they do expect more cases in the U.S. and the virus to continue into the next year. Its going to be very well under control," Trump said at a White House press conference. "It may get bigger, it may get a little bigger, it may not get bigger at all. Trump appointed Vice President Mike Pence to lead the administration's efforts to fight COVID-19. He said the administration will do whatever is necessary to keep Americans healthy and outlined the steps his team has already taken to contain the outbreak including restricting travel and keeping infected individuals isolated until they're well. Trump also waded into a congressional dispute over how much funding to direct toward coronavirus response. Democratic members of Congress have accused the Trump administration of acting too slowly and requesting inadequate funding to prepare for the outbreak. This is the first time I have ever been told we should take more," Trump said. Were going to spend whatever is appropriate... They can do whatever they want. Were requesting $2.5 (billion). Some Republicans want us to get $4 (billion). Some Democrats want us to get $8.5 (billion). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requested $1.25 billion in emergency money and wants to shift funding from other health programs to coronavirus response for a total of $2.5 billion. The money is intended to pay for testing and screening for the virus, safety masks, the development of a vaccine and other public health responses. The Trump Administrations proposal drew criticism from Democrats, though, who say more money will be needed. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said his conference wants $8.5 billion while House Democrats were also working on their own proposal. So far, among New Yorkers there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19, a flu-like illness that can cause symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath. Of 27 New York samples sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control, 26 have come back negative for the virus and one is still pending. Worldwide, the total number of new COVID-19 cases has climbed above 80,000 and nearly 3,000 people, mostly in China, have died. And the World Health Organization says more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed outside China than inside that nation, where the virus first exploded earlier this winter in the city of Wuhan. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said 70 individuals in the U.S. have tested positive with COVID-19, some of whom returned to the U.S. from travel in Asia. In New York, Cuomo also called on the U.S. government to permit Wadsworth Laboratories Center and the New York City Public Health Lab to test for the virus to allow most testing and faster results. The state has independently worked to develop and validate a test using the CDC protocol, Cuomo said. With approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Wadsworth could immediately begin testing to support New York and other Northeast states. The request comes amid reports that some of the CDC test kits being sent to states have been faulty. More Information When to suspect coronavirus The CDC states that for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms can include: Fever Cough Shortness of breath CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Note: If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travel from China, you should call ahead to a healthcare professional and mention your recent travel or close contact. If you have had close contact with someone showing these symptoms who has recently traveled from this area, you should call ahead to a healthcare professional and mention your close contact and their recent travel. Your healthcare professional will work with your state's public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19. See More Collapse Much of Cuomos talk on Wednesday aimed to reassure the public that the state is ready to deal with the highly transmittable virus. Health officials said hospitals for now have adequate supplies of protective masks, numbering in the millions, for their health workers and patients. Preparations have been going along fairly smoothly, said Kenneth Raske, president of the Greater New York Healthcare Association, a hospital trade group. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. He added that his group has advised hospitals to conserve items like face masks when possible. And despite the near-inevitability that the virus will show up in New York, scientists and health workers stressed that people shouldnt panic. Instead, people should take the same basic common-sense precautions that are advised during any winter flu season, such as hand washing and staying home when sick. People should be aware and vigilant but should not panic, said David Holtgrave, dean at the University at Albany School of Public Health. Precautions could mirror what people do if expecting a bad snowstorm or hurricane, for instance, by making sure there is some extra food and water in case of a quarantine. People in public places or traveling on planes should bring sanitary wipes. Those are all just good practices and they are relevant to COVID-19, he said. Holtgrave added that employers would do well to examine contingencies for having people work from home, if there were a bad outbreak. That would lessen the chance of disease transmission in common meeting spaces like offices. Colleges and universities should do the same, he said. Its much better to plan now than to wait until some entity says its time to shut down he said. Hospitals have already made some changes. While Albany Medical Center has long asked people if they have traveled to foreign countries recently, officials there are now asking if people have been to China specifically, said Michelle Kaiser, infection preventionist at AMC. Right now I dont see this as an immediate threat to people in this area but as something we have to watch, added Dr. Arthur Gran, an infectious disease specialist at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, which is part of the St. Peters Health Partners. Meanwhile, Saratoga Hospital defused a rumor that it is treating a patient for COVID-19. "We are aware of the rumor, which is unfortunate," hospital spokesman Peter Hopper said in a statement. "It is important to state: our medical staff is fully informed and engaged on the CDC clinical criteria for coronavirus. This criteria is incorporated into all patient evaluations, as appropriate. No patient at Saratoga Hospital has met this criteria." All of the health professionals reached by the Times Union stressed that the best protections come from the same precautions that are advised during flu season. As well as hand washing, people should avoid touching their eyes or nose with their fingers, and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. For more information people can call a state DOH hotline at 1-888-364-3065, or go to a website at https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/ Additionally, the federal Centers for Disease Control has information on a website at https://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus-2020.html Emilie Munson contributed. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518-454-5758 @RickKarlinTU (CNN) Saudi Arabia has suspended pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina for people outside the country over novel coronavirus fears. The kingdom, which bills itself as the custodian of Islams two holiest sites, will open religious rituals to residents and nationals only. In recent years, diplomatic rifts in the region restricted travel for pilgrims from Qatar and Iran, prompting an outcry. But a wholesale temporary ban on foreign visits to the holy sites is a first in living memory. Across the Middle East, governments have been struggling to cope with the spread of Covid-19. Iran, a regional breeding ground for the virus, has canceled this Fridays prayers in affected provinces. Iraq has closed schools, public offices and other public gatherings until March 7. Kuwait, which has the second-largest number of confirmed coronavirus cases after Iran, is also scrambling to stem the spread of the virus, evacuating citizens from Iran and Italy, which has also seen a surge in the virus. The majority of Middle Eastern coronavirus cases have come from Iran, one of the biggest outbreak countries outside of China. Iran has 141 confirmed cases, and 22 have died from the sickness, according to state media. Saudi Arabia, which froze diplomatic relations with Iran in 2016, has no reported cases of the virus. In addition to stopping pilgrimages for outsiders, preventative measures include suspending the entry of nationals of countries with confirmed Coronavirus outbreaks, according to a tweet by the Saudi foreign ministry. Saudi Arabia stress that these measures are temporary and subject to continuous evaluation by the relevant authorities, a graphic embedded in the tweet said. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm. #CoronaVirus #COVID19 This story was first published on CNN.com. "Saudi Arabia suspends travel for pilgrimages to Islams holiest sites over novel coronavirus fears." Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 00:27:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A recovered patient is discharged from the temporary hospital, which applies traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment to patients, in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 26, 2020. TCM has been widely applied in treating infected patients as it has been proved effective in improving the cure rate. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan) BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China has stepped up efforts to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Here are the latest developments: -- By Tuesday, 822 infected patients had been discharged from hospital after recovery in the city of Jingzhou, in Hubei Province, according to city mayor Cui Yonghui. The city had reported 1,577 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection by Tuesday, Cui said. -- Authorities in southwest China's Yunnan Province have decided to give out more than 10 million yuan (1.42 million U.S. dollars) in subsidies to 42 companies. These companies were in operations during the Spring Festival to Feb. 9, manufacturing and transporting materials needed for epidemic prevention and control work, according to the provincial department of human resources and social security. -- Work has resumed in about 50 percent of the major transportation projects in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. Work will resume in most transportation projects in Chongqing by March 10, according to the Chongqing Traffic Bureau. Photo taken on Feb. 11, 2020 shows the construction site of a makeshift hospital in Anlu City, which is under the administration of Xiaogan City, in central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) -- A make-shift hospital has begun operations in the city of Anlu in Hubei Province. So far, it has received more than 60 infected patients. Anlu is a city under the jurisdiction of the city of Xiaogan. By Tuesday, Anlu had reported 547 confirmed cases of infection, with 19 deaths and 256 discharged from hospital. -- Police authorities have emphasized the importance of enhancing supervision over law enforcement in Hubei Province. The provincial department of public security has issued a notice, demanding all public security organs in Hubei to fulfill responsibilities and enforce laws with strict standards during the crucial stage of prevention and control against the virus. -- Public security authorities across China have stayed tough on illegal activities hindering epidemic control and business resumption. They have handled around 22,000 criminal cases related to the epidemic as of Monday, according to the Ministry of Public Security. So far, police have cracked 688 cases involving the production and sales of counterfeit and shoddy protective materials, with more than 1,560 suspects apprehended and over 31 million fake or inferior face masks seized, Vice Minister Du Hangwei said. -- A total of 163 passengers on a flight from the Republic of Korea to the city of Weihai, east China's Shandong Province, are now under medical observation after five passengers were reported to have a fever. -- A total of 1,029 people have been prosecuted in China over criminal offenses related to the COVID-19 epidemic. China's prosecutors have been involved in the investigation and evidence collection of 6,144 epidemic-related criminal offenses that concerned 8,243 people in total. They intervened and handled 383 cases of causing transmission of the novel coronavirus due to refusal to take preventive measures, 895 cases of manufacturing or selling fake products, and 144 cases of illegal business operations. -- China has not seen any further spread of the novel coronavirus in its prison system apart from the confirmed cases in five prisons in Hubei, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces. As of Tuesday, those five prisons had reported 555 confirmed cases, including four in critical conditions. Migrant workers arrive at Nanchang Changbei Airport by a chartered flight in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Feb. 26, 2020. First batch of some 350 migrant workers from Gansu and Qinghai provinces to Nanchang arrived by two chartered flights. (Xinhua/Peng Zhaozhi) -- China has assisted a total of 250,000 outbound Chinese group tourists to return home since the outbreak of COVID-19 through chartered flights or by altering flight tickets. -- The National Health Commission said Wednesday it received reports of 406 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 52 deaths on Tuesday from 31 provincial-level regions on the Chinese mainland, bringing the overall confirmed cases and total deaths on the mainland to 78,064 and 2,715, respectively. -- Hubei Province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, reported 401 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection and 52 new deaths on Tuesday. -- China's daily new confirmed cases of COVID-19 outside Hubei Province, epicenter of the outbreak, dropped to five on Tuesday. -- China's daily number of newly cured and discharged novel coronavirus patients has surpassed that of new infections for the eighth consecutive day. Tuesday saw 2,422 people on the Chinese mainland walk out of hospital after recovery. A total of 29,745 patients infected with the novel coronavirus had been discharged from hospital by the end of Tuesday. -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Tuesday called for all-out efforts to treat medical workers who were infected with the coronavirus. -- China's Ministry of Justice calls for more convenient and effective public legal services to protect migrant workers' interests amid the outbreak. Actor Anupam Kher and writer Chetan Bhagat exchanged views on Indias achievements in the last 72 years on Twitter in the context of recent violence in Delhi. Heres how it went. Chetan on Tuesday tweeted to say since independence in 1947, we were still debating the Hindu-Muslim divide while the world had witnessed many historic events. He wrote: India 1947: Hindu Muslim Hindu Muslim Meanwhile world: moon landing, computers, internet, artificial intelligence, cellphones, smartphones, apps. India 2020: Hindu Muslim Hindu Muslim. 1947: Hindu Muslim Hindu Muslim 2020: Hindu Muslim Hindu Muslim Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) February 25, 2020 Among those who replied to his tweet was actor Anupam Kher, who said that his tweet was far from the truth. He said that Indians, both Hindus and Muslims, had made major advancements. He replied, Dear @chetan_bhagat! With this tweet you are not only belittling yourself but millions of Indians. Both Hindus and Muslims!! In the last 72 years India has achieved phenomenal success in almost every field. This tweet is just a smart tweet but far from the truth.:) #NotCool Dear @chetan_bhagat! With this tweet you are not only belittling yourself but millions of Indians. Both Hindus and Muslims!! In the last 72 years India has achieved phenomenal success in almost every field. This tweet is just a smart tweet but far from the truth.:) #NotCool https://t.co/1xTIxD44Vj Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) February 25, 2020 Answering Anupam, Chetan said that while the actor was right, recent developments were heartbreaking. He said, Aapki baat sahi hai sir (what you say is true) but why are we still doing Hindu Muslim even now? Its heartbreaking. Delhi has been engulfed with violence which has claimed many lives so far and injured several others. Anupam, meanwhile, has been in New York shooting for his sitcom, New Amsterdam, for the American TV network, NBC. Anupam plays a neurologist named Vijay Kapoor in the medical drama. Also read: Punnagai Mannan: Rekha makes a shocking revelation, talks about the unplanned kiss by Kamal Haasan in the film Chetan is an Indian writer, popular for his books like Two States, Five Point Someone, Half Girlfriend, The Three Mistakes of My Life and Revolution 2020, among others. At least three of his books have been made into successful films, including Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor-starrer 3 Idiots and Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor-starrer Two States and Arjun Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer Half Girlfriend. Follow @htshowbiz for more (Newser) Police in Milwaukee have not disclosed the identity of the gunman behind Wednesday's shooting rampage at the Molson Coors campusbut the company has described the 51-year-old as an "active brewery employee." The man was still in his uniform when he stormed the facility and killed five fellow employees before taking his own life, the New York Times reports. Police, who spent hours clearing more than 1,000 employees from 20 buildings on the iconic campus Wednesday evening, said the identities of the victims would not be released for at least 24 hours, reports the AP. Police, who have not released details on how the shooting unfolded, say they believe the shooter acted alone. story continues below An employee who gave his name as Randy told reporters that the shooting began at 2pm, when a group of machine shop operators and maintenance people were finishing their shift. Molson Coors chief executive Gavin Hattersley returned from a conference in Texas Wednesday evening and praised employees for their bravery, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. "We are a family here at Molson Coors in Milwaukee, and this is an unthinkable tragedy for us," he said. "All across Milwaukee and Wisconsin, there are folk that are associated in some way with our employees at Molson Coors, and I'd ask you to stay close with themand particularly the families of those who lost their lives today," he said. (Read more mass shootings stories.) An NGO on Thursday condemned the midnight transfer of Justice S Muralidhar from the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, claiming that the move was to punish an "honest and courageous" judicial officer. Justice Muralidhar was hearing the Delhi violence case and a notification came late in the evening on Wednesday when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. The notification, which was issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, stated that the president took the decision after consulting the Chief Justice of India. It, however, does not mention when Justice Muralidhar has to take charge of his office. The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) said the transfer has nothing to do with "public interest" and everything to do with "punishing" an honest and courageous judicial officer for simply carrying out his constitutional duties. Earlier in the day, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Justice Muralidhar was transferred following the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium, asserting that a "well-settled process" was followed. CJAR said it knows that Justice Muralidhar's transfer was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium on February 12 but the rushed manner in which the notification has been issued by the Union government cannot be ignored. The fact that the notification for Justice Muralidhar's transfer was issued in the evening after he held the Delhi Police and the central government accountable for the Delhi riots tells the true nature of his transfer, the NGO claimed. "That Justice Muralidhar had raised tough questions about the conduct of sitting ministers of the Union government, MLAs and other high officials seems to have influenced this move," it said in a statement. CJAR claimed that judges have been given reasonable time in transfer orders, but Justice Muralidhar's was with immediate effect. This highlights the "punitive nature" of this move, it said. "If this was indeed a transfer with the consent of the judge, no element of consideration seems to have been given by the Centre in ordering him to make the move," the NGO said. It claimed that Justice Muralidhar's transfer resembles the "punitive transfers" of high court judges during the Emergency. The move resembles the "petty vindictiveness" of the government, the NGO alleged. The Supreme Court collegium, in a meeting on February 12, had recommended transfer of Justice Muralidhar to Punjab and Haryana High Court. The collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India S A Bobde, in a meeting on February 12, had also recommended transfer of Bombay High Court Judge Justice Ranjit V More to Meghalaya High Court. Justice Muralidhar began his law practice in Chennai in September 1984 and in 1987 shifted to the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court. He was active as a lawyer for the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee and was its member for two terms. Justice Muralidhar was counsel for the National Human Rights Commission and the Election Commission of India, and a part-time member of the Law Commission from December 2002 till May 2006 when he was appointed a judge of the Delhi High Court. His pro bono work includes cases of victims of the Bhopal Gas tragedy and those displaced by the dams on the Narmada river. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi, Feb 27 : Despite being launched in September, iPhone 11 raced to become the second-best selling model globally with 2.1 per cent share in 2019, a new report said on Thursday. According to Counterpoint Research's 'Market Pulse', out of the top 10 models, Apple captured six places with iPhone XR being the top-selling model globally in 2019, capturing 3 per cent market share. iPhone XR was also the only model to capture double-digit market share in any region (NAM region -- US and Canada). Apple is followed by Samsung with three models, all from its A series, among the top 10. The mid-range A series with features like OLED display, multiple cameras, in-display fingerprint sensor, coupled with the brand power of Samsung created an excellent value proposition for buyers. "The revamp of A series has paved the way for a successful mid-tier strategy for Samsung," said the report. The first iPhone with multiple cameras was launched at a lower price than its predecessor. This also indicates the impact of the new iPhone series during the all-important holiday season in Q4. Oppo with its A5 smartphone replaced Xiaomi's position from 2018, which was also the top-selling model in China. The top 10 smartphone models alone captured approximately 15 per cent of the global smartphone sales. Huawei the second-largest player in the global smartphone sales, had no models in the top 10 globally. The company, which has concentrated its efforts in China after the trade ban was imposed, had its Huawei P30 in the top five models in China. Realme entered the top five in Rest of APAC region for the first time ever with its C2 device. This was driven by strong growth in the India and the SEA market. In fact, realme was the fastest growing brand globally for CY 2019 (426 per cent YoY growth). "5G still contributed to only 1 per cent sales in 2019 hence, there were no 5G models among the top 10. However, this might change in 2020, as the networks roll out, Apple launches its 5G iPhones and 5G devices enter lower price tiers," said the report. Since the coronavirus outbreak began in January it has spread around the globe with Boris Johnson placing the UK on lockdown on 23 March. While restrictions have eased over the last few months, the prime minister recently announced new legislation banning people from meeting socially in groups larger than six. So what can people do to keep safe? Are there practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of contracting the illness like wearing a face mask or latex gloves? A shop in Brighton, which became a hot-spot for the early spread of the virus in the UK after one resident became a super-spreader, said all customers must wear face masks and plastic gloves in order to browse the store. And shares in Top Glove (a Malaysian company that makes more than 70bn pairs of surgical gloves a year) have climbed 14 per cent indicating the heightened interest. But do gloves actually protect you? Should I wear gloves to protect myself? An NHS doctor went viral after sharing a video on TikTok saying that people could be doing more harm than good by wearing gloves in public. Dr Karan Raj said that wearing gloves could be contributing to further spread of the virus. The NHS says that items like face masks and gloves play a very important role in a clinical setting but there is little widespread evidence that they are useful for members of the public. Public Health England (PHE) and the World Health Organisation has also not recommended people wear gloves or face masks to protect themselves. A spokesperson for PHE tells The Independent: PHE is not recommending the use of gloves as a protective measure against COVID-19 for the general public. People concerned about the transmission of infectious diseases should prioritise good personal, respiratory and hand hygiene. [Updated government advice also says people should stay at home and practice social distancing]. A virologist at Imperial College London also told The Independent that they worry items like gloves give a false sense of security and washing hands is a far better precautionary measure. What is the best way to prevent spread? Public Health England says: The best way to protect yourself and others is: wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel, regularly throughout the day. [And] catch your cough or sneeze in a tissue, bin it, and wash your hands. [Updated government advice also says people should stay at home and practice social distancing]. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty WHO also advises the best way to prevent the spread of coronavirus is to wash your hands frequently, either with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. You also need to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands, as this is how the virus can enter your body. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Rozanna Latiff and Joseph Sipalan (Reuters) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thu, February 27, 2020 17:41 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206706ddb 2 SE Asia Malaysia,Prime-Minister,parliament,Mahathir-Mohamad Free Malaysia's parliament will vote on a new candidate for prime minister on Monday and if nobody can win majority support there will be a snap election, interim prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday. The Southeast Asian country was plunged into political turmoil this week by the unexpected resignation of Mahathir, who at 94 is the world's oldest government leader. It set off a new tussle for power between him and old rival Anwar Ibrahim, 72. Mahathir said the choice of premier would go to parliament after the king had told him no candidate emerged with enough support to become prime minister. The monarch had held two days of consultations with individual lawmakers. Parliament would be called on March 2 to pick a prime minister, Mahathir said. "If the [parliament] fails to find a person with the majority then we will have to go for a snap election," Mahathir said. Mahathir agreed to act as interim prime minister after resigning earlier this week amid political maneuvering between his coalition and the opposition. The resignation of Mahathir broke apart a coalition with Anwar that had scored a surprise election victory in 2018, restoring to power the leader who had governed Malaysia from 1981-2003. Mahathir had said he favored a unity government in which members would not be chosen according to party allegiances. Anwar said on Wednesday he was opposed to forming a "backdoor government" and that three parties from the former Pakatan Harapan ruling coalition had proposed his name to the king as candidate for prime minister. The former ruling party United Malays National Organization (UMNO), which ruled Malaysia for six decades until being defeated in Mahathir's return in 2018, also rejected the idea of a unity government but said it wanted new elections. Aegon Life Insurance, pioneer of digital insurance in India, recently announced the appointment of Naveen Bachwani as its Chief Operating Officer to drive Digital Transformation, Product Development and Operations for the digital-first Insurance organization. He will be based out of the corporate office in Mumbai. Naveen Bachwani comes with experience of more than 20 years in Customer Strategy, Digital Transformation and Communication Design. His last assignment was with the Edelweiss Group. He has also held leadership assignments across a variety of roles with industry leaders like the ICICI Group, Times of India, Experian India and others, including multiple stints as a P&L owner and entrepreneur. We are happy to welcome Naveen Bachwani to the Aegon Life family. His rich experience in the industry, domain know-how across the BFSI spectrum and strong understanding of business operations will provide a unique perspective to the organization. Naveens consultative approach and his deep understanding of technology will help in making our products more powerful and relevant to customers, Sunita Rath, Chief People Officer, Aegon Life Insurance said. On his appointment, Naveen Bachwani, expressed I am glad to be a part of the Aegon Life family. I have always been passionate about Technology and believe in Aegon Lifes long-standing strategy of going Direct-to-Customer (D2C). Aegon Life Insurance has gained significant experience and understanding of the digital insurance space in India, and I am very happy to be a part of its journey to success, going forward. Naveen Bachwanis experience includes being a Speaker and Jury Member at industry events across India, contributing as a Visiting Faculty at various Management institutes (NITIE, KJ Somaiya, etc.) and acting as a Business Mentor to select non-profits and startups. His contributions have also been featured in various online/print magazines like ZDNet India, YourStory, etc. Naveens academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Xaviers, Mumbai, and an MBA in Marketing from K.J. Somaiya, Mumbai. At least 11 schools in the UK have sent pupils home over fears children and staff are at risk from coronavirus after an outbreak in Italy. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic) At least 12 schools in the UK have sent pupils home over fears children and staff are at risk from coronavirus. Some schools have closed entirely while others have told students and teachers who are feared to have been exposed to the virus, known as Covid-19, in Northern Italy, to stay at home. Travellers returning to the UK from northern Italy have been told they may need to self-isolate as part of measures to stop the spread of illness after hundreds of infections were confirmed in the region. Authorities in Italy reported on Tuesday night that the number of people infected in the country grew to 322, and deaths of patients with the virus rose to 11. Britons who have been in affected regions of Italy including Lombardy and Veneto were told they should self-isolate at home for 14 days even if they have no symptoms. A number of schools are closed and more have sent some staff and pupils home over coronavirus fears. Coronavirus cases in Europe have rocketed this week. Austria, Croatia and Switzerland reported their first cases, while Spain and France recorded new ones, also involving people who had been to northern Italy. The first positive test in South America has been recorded after 61-year-old Brazilian man who had recently been to northern Italy tested positive, it has been reported. These are the schools which are known to be been affected: Cransley School in Northwich, Cheshire is closed for the week Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough is closed for the week Lutton St Nicholas primary school in Lincolnshire is closed Gedney Church End primary school in Lincolnshire is closed St Christophers C of E High School in Accrington told parents it would be shut on Wednesday Sandbach High School in Cheshire said students and staff who visited Aprica, in Italys Lombardy region, were to stay indoors and self-isolate Brine Leas School in Nantwich, said its sixth form was closed due to staff shortages following Government advice regarding travel to Italy Penair School in Truro, Cornwall has told students to stay home after returning from ski trips Salendine Nook High School in Huddersfield has told students to stay home after returning from ski trips Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in West Derby has told students to stay home after returning from ski trips Newquay Tretherras in Newquay has told students to stay home after returning from ski trips St Peters C of E Primary School in Windsor is closed on Wednesday Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK 3 1 of 3 Jeff Roberson Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Matt Rourke Show More Show Less 3 of 3 ROTTERDAM Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum cable TV, is creating a new community loan fund that will make $10 million in loans to local community development lenders throughout the country where it has operations. That includes New York, where the new Spectrum Community Investment Loan Fund will loan $1 million to an Albany-based community loan fund known as Pursuit Community Finance that had previously been called the Excelsior Growth Fund. Community loan funds provide small business loans to businesses that otherwise might have trouble getting traditional bank loans. Similar loans are planned in Texas and Ohio, two of the cable giant's biggest markets outside of New York. Pope Francis yesterday issued a plea for Catholics around the world to give up trolling on social media for Lent. The Pontiff said believers should observe a fast not just of food but of online insults in order for them to get nearer to God in the run-up to Easter. The Pope issued his Ash Wednesday appeal for more online decorum in an address to 12,000 people in St Peter's Square ahead of the 40-day period of abstinence. Lent, he said in remarks that were apparently off-the-cuff, "is a time to give up useless words, gossip, rumours, tittle-tattle and speak to the Lord on first name terms". "We live in an atmosphere polluted by verbal violence, too many offensive and harmful words, which are amplified by the internet. People insult each other as if they were saying 'Good Day'," he said. "Lent is a time to disconnect from cell phones and connect to the Gospel," he added, saying that Catholics should imitate Jesus's retreat to the desert and seek silence. In recent years, Francis himself has been on the receiving end of vicious online attacks from ultra-conservative Catholic websites and often anonymous Twitter feeds. He has faced criticism from hardliners for his stance on immigration, climate change, and social issues, including moves to re-examine the church's teachings about sex. The Pope has reached out to the LGBT+ community and divorcees, while expressing concern for the poor and the environment. Last September, he hit back, saying that while he welcomed "constructive criticism" he had no time for "those who smile while stabbing you in the back". Yesterday, he celebrated Ash Wednesday in traditional fashion, having ashes rubbed on his forehead to remind Christians of mortality and that everyone will one day become dust. Daily Telegraph London Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] A Kilkeel seafood company has said its trade supplying businesses in China has been "shot down" as a result of coronavirus. Rooney Fish sells oysters and 800 tonnes of crab to China every year, and whelks to South Korea. Around 99% of its turnover comes from exporting to 15 countries in total. But owner Andrew Rooney said its usual flow of orders had stopped, leading to a loss for his company, which employs 67 people. "The effect of coronavirus has hit us from the very start of it, from the end of January," he said. "Our last orders were for December to the end of January. Usually people go back to work after Chinese New Year, but this year, it was extended because of coronavirus - and it still hasn't picked up. "We're just sitting here, and we've paid for the product, paid our fishermen, paid the auctioneers who sell some product to us, and we've paid our seafish levies, but there's nobody coming forward to buy the stuff off us. "We usually sell cooked whole brown crabs and oysters to China and we sell whelks to South Korea. But that's all been shot down. "We're using the usual channels of communication with our customers and they're saying to us that's they're just sitting in the house. There's no one on the streets of Shanghai, no one on the streets of Beijing, and there are no tourists going out to eat." Mr Rooney added: "I'm not covered at all, I'm going to have to absorb the loss." He said orders to Europe had also been affected. "Usually we have a lorry going out on a Friday to France, Spain, Italy, but there's nothing now." And Mr Rooney said he hoped he could secure government help, arguing that farmers often got emergency help when hit by weather conditions. "Bad weather, good weather, there's always something for the farmers and there always seems to be support for the aerospace industry and for companies like Harland and Wolff. "The government really needs to help food processors now." He said he was fearful for the future. "I honestly don't know what the future will hold for us." The second-generation family business was set up in 1975. Last year, the company received financial support from the government to attend a trade show in Shanghai, where it met a new buyer. And in a press release from the Department for International Trade last month, Mr Rooney described how he hoped to sell the company's Millbay Oysters to Japan and Singapore. During 2018, fish and other seafood accounted for 1m in exports from Northern Ireland to China, while meat and meat preparations accounted for exports of 5.3m. Last year, China and the UK agreed a new deal for beef to be exported from the UK to China. The exports had been due to begin at the end of 2019. In 2017, Karro Group and Cranswick, which both have major operations in Northern Ireland, won approval from Chinese authorities to send their pork products to China. Attorney General William Barr, the focus of intense public scrutiny for revising a stiff sentencing recommendation for longtime GOP operative Roger Stone, took aim at the press Wednesday lamenting a "massively consolidated" media landscape in which journalists are increasingly abandoning objectivity. In a speech before the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, the attorney general referred to the press as "remarkably monolithic in viewpoint," adding that journalists "see themselves less as objective reporters of the facts and more as agents of change." "These developments have given the press an unprecedented ability to mobilize a broad segment of the public on a national scale and direct that opinion in a particular direction," Barr said. "Not only does it become easier for the press to mobilize a majority, but the mobilized majority becomes more powerful and overweening with the press as its ally." Barr's biting criticism appeared to echo the dark appraisals of President Donald Trump who has labeled large segments of the press as the "fake news" for its reporting on the Trump administration. Earlier Wednesday, Trump suggested that the press was overstating the threat posed by the deadly coronavirus and contributing to a national panic. Trump said reporters were "doing everything possible to make the coronavirus look as bad as possible," blaming press reports for the recent stock market plunge. Trump goes head-to-head with CNN's Jim Acosta during India news conference In his remarks in Nashville, Tennessee, Barr said the evolution of the media represented a less-than-positive cycle. "I think it is fair to say that it puts the press role as a breakwater for the tyranny of the majority in jeopardy," he said. "The key to restoring the press in that vital role is to cultivate a greater diversity of voices in the media." Speaking directly to his audience, Barr called the group of broadcasters "the last holdouts in the consolidation of organs and viewpoints of the press." Story continues "It is, therefore, essential that you continue your work and continue to supply the people with diverse, divergent perspectives on the news of the day," he said. "And in this secular age, it is especially vital that your religious perspective is voiced." Barr's intervention in the Stone case ignited a firestorm, which raised new questions about the Justice Department's independence from the White House. While Barr said that Trump did not influence his decision to revise the sentencing referral, Trump publicly commended the attorney general for intervening on behalf of the president's friend. Last week, Stone was sentenced to just more than three years in prison on seven felony convictions in a case that emerged from Justice special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AG William Barr laments 'massively consolidated' mainstream press New York, Feb 27 : Calling relations with "incredible" India "extraordinary", US President Donald Trump has said that Washington was going to do a lot of business with New Delhi. Asked at a White House news conference about his recent visit to India, Trump said on Wednesday: "A lot of tremendous progress was made in terms of relationship. Our relationship with India is extraordinary right now. And we are going to be doing a lot of business with India." India and the US have not been able to reach a comprehensive agreement on trade, but negotiations were continuing and Trump has said that he expected they would come up with one. At Wednesday's news conference, he said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "a great gentleman, a great leader", and India is an "incredible country". During the trip "we were treated very, very well and we really enjoyed it". "They are sending billions and billions of dollars now to the United States," he said. Indian business leaders at a meeting with Trump in New Delhi on Tuesday had told him about the billions of dollars they were investing in the US. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) A reserve police officer in Indiana was arrested Tuesday, Feb. 25, after police say he handcuffed his teen son and locked him in jail to teach him a lesson. Police launched an investigation into Timothy Hayes Jr., 37, in January after a staff member at a high school in Franklin filed a report with child protective services about his 15-year-old son, WISH reported. Hayes is a reserve officer at Southport Police Department, per WTHR. Timothy Hayes Jr., 37, was arrested after police say he handcuffed his teen son and left him in an Indiana jail. Southport is roughly 12 miles south of Indianapolis. Hayes allegedly handcuffed his son and left him alone in a jail intake facility for more than 30 minutes, according to WAVE. After, Hayes drove them to the Marion County Arrestee Processing Center where the two never got out of the car, the outlet reported. Hayes called his actions a scare tactic in a statement to police, according to WISH. His sons been doing some things that concern him, and he was trying to show him what happens when you go down that path, Police Chief Tom Vaughn told the outlet. A warrant was issued for Hayes arrest on Monday and he turned himself in Tuesday morning, the Indianapolis Star reported. Hes charged with criminal confinement and neglect of a dependent, both felony counts, according to the outlet. Hes been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation, the Star reported. A toddler is fighting for his life after falling from a second-storey balcony and suffering a serious head injury. The two-year-old boy fell from a home in Ormeau in the Gold Coast's north just after 6pm on Wednesday evening. Police said he was knocked unconscious by the fall and the child protection unit will be leading an investigation into the incident. A toddler is in a critical condition after falling from a second-storey balcony (stock image) The toddler was treated by critical care paramedics and taken under lights and sirens to Queensland Childrens Hospital. He was still in a critical condition on Thursday morning, a Children's Health Queensland spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. Police are due to visit the family of the boy on Thursday. ALBANY, N.Y. At a recent House Armed Services Committee meeting, Congressman Anthony Brindisi spoke to the secretary of defense, Mark Esper, about the work being done in at places like Rome Lab, and asking for funds to support local projects that enhance national security. Rome Lab and the defense industry across our region play a critical role in keeping our country safe, Brindisi said. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, it is my job to fight for their priorities and work with the administration to strengthen our national security. Whether it is quantum research, or other emerging technologies, our district will continue to lead the nation in research and development. We need a budget that funds these critical projects. Brindisi questioned Esper about the budget and the administrations plan to address security threats, and voiced concerns about funding of quantum research, artificial intelligence, and drones. Brindisi spoke about the critical work being done in the Mohawk Valley, saying It is critical that we expedite the development and acquisition of counter-UAS technologies wherever possible. Our DoD Lab base has done a great job developing critical counter-UAS technologies to mitigate these threats by fielding them as soon as possible. Photo: Tuan Nguyen/Unsplash Missed the most recent top news in New York City? Read on for everything you need to know. Court sides with Trump in sanctuary cities grant fight The decision overturned a lower court's decision ordering the administration to release funding to New York City and seven states. Read the full story on PBS NewsHour. Trump slammed for halting study to protect New York City from next Hurricane Sandy "This is the equivalent of the president of the United States telling New York City to drop dead, Councilman Mark Treyger (D-Brooklyn) told the Daily News. Read the full story on New York Daily News. 83 people in Nassau County monitored for possible coronavirus exposure Dozens of Long Island residents are being monitored for potential exposure to the deadly coronavirus, health officials announced Wednesday. Read the full story on New York Post. Woman dies 10 days after attack at Bronx ATM; 3 women sought Three women are wanted for questioning by police in the Bronx after a woman was attacked at an ATM on the night of Feb. 11 and died 10 days later. Read the full story on ABC New York, WABC. 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. handsofsteel BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: mumbai Posts: 335 Thanked: 539 Times The Land of the Rising Sun - 20 day holiday in Japan Wife and me decided that a holiday abroad should be attempted at least once in two years. We tested the waters with a 10 day trip to Singapore and KL in Oct 16 which came off as a grand success. The self imposed two year clause expired last October with no headways made thanks to career compulsions. A resolution was made this new year to wrestle and overcome the monster called procrastination and avail of the much delayed holiday. We prefer to travel with friends and had traveled to Singapore with a friend and his family. With kids of the same age and the ladies being best friends, this was a great touring group. Contacted the old friend and asked him if he was game. He jumped in on the opportunity. The obvious and easiest trip to plan was Western Europe. Having been there earlier alone, it seemed the perfect place to spend three weeks. Post my customary due diligence, I finalised an itinerary Amsterdam-Bruges-Brussels-Paris(with Euro Disney)- Cologne-Munich-Garmisch Partenkirchen-Halstadt-Vienna-Munich. All airbnb listings were perused, countryside farms identified, and detailed itinerary drawn up. The centerpiece of attraction for the kids was to be (but obvious-eurodisney), for the ladies- Paris and for the petrolhead gents-an eight day road trip across the Bavarian Alps in a BMW z4 While budgeting the trip, we realized that the cost of renting the child seats (my friend needed two of them) would be more than the cost of the car rental itself. We examined all possible alternatives (including carrying it from here), but realised that this was an unavoidable expense and a deal breaker at that. This put our best laid plans in a major spin. With the prospect of the road trip seeming more improbable by the day, the familiar habit of procrastination reared its head once again. A couple of months flew by and I realised that it was now or never. We decided to keep Europe for a later date and evaluate other destinations. Dubai (simplest, but too many relatives (for my colleague)), Maldives/Mauritius (seriously! the sea again? - with us employed in the marine field), Australia? (Is there enough for 4 active kids to do?-better visit when team India visits next) were all considered and shelved. Heck! This looked like turning into another Goa vacation. It was then decided to revisit the USPs of the Europe trip. Fast trains, pretty places, Disney! With four children aged between 5-12, accident parks were a must! I always knew Hong Kong had the nearest Disney but never regarded it as anything more than a stopover. During the search, we then realised that Japan not only had a Disneyland but also a Disney Sea, Universal Studios as well as extreme amusement parks with some of the world's tallest, fastest and gravity defying roller coasters. So, Fast trains-check, pretty places-check, Disney-(and a lot more) check. I am a firm believer that the first step should be to book not-refundable tickets. Just see how everything falls in place thereafter. Started trawling sky scanner and other portals for the best deal available, when I came across an offer by an aggregator. These tickets were cheaper than the airline's parent portal so decided to take the plunge. I booked eight tickets from Bombay to Tokyo on 26 Sept and return from Osaka to Mumbai on 12Oct. I used a friend's credit card to avail of the fabulous offer and had to book these in two sets of 4 tickets each, one for each family. All put, the tickets cost me 36k/head for the return trip. I am at a stage where I am not able to make up my mind whether to shift/relocate, pull out all stakes or continue to soldier on here.That said, the best compromise for now at least, was to stay here and keep holidaying abroad.Wife and me decided that a holiday abroad should be attempted at least once in two years. We tested the waters with a 10 day trip to Singapore and KL in Oct 16 which came off as a grand success. The self imposed two year clause expired last October with no headways made thanks to career compulsions.A resolution was made this new year to wrestle and overcome the monster called procrastination and avail of the much delayed holiday.We prefer to travel with friends and had traveled to Singapore with a friend and his family. With kids of the same age and the ladies being best friends, this was a great touring group. Contacted the old friend and asked him if he was game. He jumped in on the opportunity.The obvious and easiest trip to plan was Western Europe. Having been there earlier alone, it seemed the perfect place to spend three weeks. Post my customary due diligence, I finalised an itineraryAll airbnb listings were perused, countryside farms identified, and detailed itinerary drawn up. The centerpiece of attraction for the kids was to be (but obvious-eurodisney), for the ladies- Paris and for the petrolhead gents-an eight day road trip across the Bavarian Alps in a BMW z4While budgeting the trip, we realized that the cost of renting the child seats (my friend needed two of them) would be more than the cost of the car rental itself. We examined all possible alternatives (including carrying it from here), but realised that this was an unavoidable expense and a deal breaker at that.This put our best laid plans in a major spin. With the prospect of the road trip seeming more improbable by the day, the familiar habit of procrastination reared its head once again. A couple of months flew by and I realised that it was now or never. We decided to keep Europe for a later date and evaluate other destinations.Dubai (simplest, but too many relatives (for my colleague)), Maldives/Mauritius (seriously! the sea again? - with us employed in the marine field), Australia? (Is there enough for 4 active kids to do?-better visit when team India visits next) were all considered and shelved. Heck! This looked like turning into another Goa vacation.It was then decided to revisit the USPs of the Europe trip. Fast trains, pretty places, Disney! With four children aged between 5-12, accident parks were a must! I always knew Hong Kong had the nearest Disney but never regarded it as anything more than a stopover. During the search, we then realised that Japan not only had a Disneyland but also a Disney Sea, Universal Studios as well as extreme amusement parks with some of the world's tallest, fastest and gravity defying roller coasters. So,Fast trains-check,pretty places-check,Disney-(and a lot more) check.I am a firm believer that the first step should be to book not-refundable tickets. Just see how everything falls in place thereafter.Started trawling sky scanner and other portals for the best deal available, when I came across an offer by an aggregator. These tickets were cheaper than the airline's parent portal so decided to take the plunge. I booked eight tickets from Bombay to Tokyo on 26 Sept and return from Osaka to Mumbai on 12Oct. I used a friend's credit card to avail of the fabulous offer and had to book these in two sets of 4 tickets each, one for each family. All put, the tickets cost me 36k/head for the return trip. Last edited by handsofsteel : 26th February 2020 at 19:31 . Akon has already dominated the music charts, but now he has an even bigger ambition to build his own city. While other musicians build huge mansions and collect fancy cars, Akon is choosing to make a difference with a high-tech city in Senegal. Heres the story of Akon, the rap artist turned city planner. Akon considers Senegal his home Akon | Tristan Fewings/MTV 2019/Getty Images for MTV Akon was born in St. Louis, but his home will always Senegal. During an interview with VH1, he explained. My mom and pop made sure we were all born in the States, Akon said, that way we wouldnt have any immigration problems. We came here to go to school. Then in the summer, we would go back to Senegal. Because of his African background, Akon was bullied in school. He had to develop a tough persona to protect himself, which eventually led him to crime. It took spending time in prison for him to realize that he wanted something different. When Akon was released, he started working on his rap career, and it paid off. After his solo debut album, Trouble, became successful, he continued with hits like Dangerous, Picky, Play Hard, Smack That, and more. Soon, Akon was known around the world and working with some of the biggest names in music. But that wasnt enough for him. Akon is a big humanitarian Spending his early years in Africa made a big difference to Akon. After he became a superstar, he wanted to give back. He tried to improve the lives of those in Senegal and other impoverished African countries. When he accomplished that, he realized the entire world needs help, and he expanded his programs to cover America as well. In 2007, Akon set up the Konfidence organization to help impoverished children in Senegal, West Africa, and the United States by promoting health, education, and support to those in need. But his most famous humanitarian effort brought light to those in the dark. In 2014, he launched the Akon Lighting Initiative to bring electricity to 600 million Africans living without it. Because Africa has an overabundance of sunshine, he focused on renewable and solar power. When the project became a success, Akon launched a similar program for the United States as well. He plans to build a city After all of his successful humanitarian work, Akon wants to build a city to serve as an example for the rest of the world. During an interview on Nick Cannons radio show, he explained the project. Hell call the city Akon City, and it will have its own airport for visitors. Of course, true to his style, the whole project will be powered by renewable energy, and the economy will be based on Akons cryptocurrency, AKoin. Akon revealed that hes been working on the project since March, but its a big undertaking. He expects the city to be ready in about 10 years, which means it wont be ready until at least around 2030. However, he revealed that stage two of the building process is expected to start in 2025. If hes is successful in building this city, it could have big implications for the rest of the world. We often fight over the realities of sustainable energy and solar power, but Akon is stepping in and getting it done. This could be an example for the rest of the world to follow. Not only does Akon light up the world with his music, but he literally lights up the world of those without power. And now, hes got even bigger plans to build a paradise-like city. Honestly, does the world even deserve him? Were not sure, but were definitely glad hes making a difference. Sen. Elizabeth Warren has released a plan for protecting border communities, coming just hours before her town hall in San Antonio tonight. The challenges at the border did not start with Donald Trumps ignorance and bigotry. For decades, decisions made in Washington have divided and disrupted communities, cities, tribal nations and families many of whom have lived along what is now the border for longer than the United States has even existed, Warren said in her plan. More than 15 million residents lie within what the federal government considers the U.S.-Mexico borderland, encompassing the communities from Texas to California and extending 62 miles inland on each side of the border. San Antonio is more than 150 miles north of the border, though the citys leadership is part of the U.S.-Mexico Border Mayors Association and its convention center annually hosts the Border Security Expo for the Border Patrol, Homeland Security and their contractors. San Antonio was thrust into the border crisis as tens of thousands of migrants released at the border streamed into the downtown bus station, prompting the city to open a temporary migrant shelter last year. It also was one of four sites designated for court-ordered family reunifications following the Trump administrations practice of separating migrant families at the border in 2018. Warrens plan would eliminate the 100-mile zone, or what Warren calls a constitution-free zone, an area 100 miles inland from the U.S. borders - encompassing about two-thirds of the U.S. population - that gives Border Patrol agents expanded authority to enter private property and conduct stops and searches of private citizens. It also requires Customs and Border Protection agents to wear body cameras. Its time to rein in CBP, she said. The Massachusetts senator vowed to reduce cross-border wait times at ports of entry by opening more pedestrian and vehicular lanes, ending the deployment of military officers to the border and limiting aspects of the law that allow the government to waive environmental regulations for a border wall. She said she would appoint a White House adviser for border community issues. The proposal draws heavily from several of her other plans that intersect with some of the borders highest needs, including her plans for rural communities, small business and immigration. sfosterfrau@express-news.net | Twitter: @silviaelenaff A policeman for one of the separatist governments in the Donbas at a WWII memorial near Donetsk, Ukraine, September 2017 Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has staked his presidency on ending the war against Moscow-backed insurgents in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine in a manner that will not break his country apart or invite further Russian interference. This will be a tall order. Under the terms of the Minsk agreement, the internationally accepted framework for resolving the conflict, a settlement that both preserves Ukraines sovereignty and restores its territorial integrity is near impossible. In the last six years, the conflict in the Donbas has taken more than 13,000 lives and displaced some 1.5 million people. The Ukrainian government agreed to the Minsk framework during the peak of hostilities in late 2014 and early 2015, while under tremendous pressure to stem the fighting. The agreement grants the two self-declared separatist republics in the Donbas a constitutionally guaranteed special statusone that entails local autonomy inside Ukrainecementing these areas position as separate from the rest of the country. Whats more, the agreement stipulates that the breakaway regions will hold local elections before the central government regains control of Ukraines eastern border with Russia. To hold elections without first securing the border and removing Russian forces would allow the militants in power to intimidate voters or tamper with the results. Whats more, it would entail a continued Russian military presence in the region, overseeing elections in which Russia has a clear stake. And devolving unique powers to the separatist regions would exacerbate divisions within the country and risk fracturing further its already fragile political cohesion. Malign forces within Ukraine, beholden to a belligerent neighbor, would remain capable of exploiting its divisions to undermine the countrys sovereignty and subvert its efforts to build a modern liberal state. Zelensky has tried to head off this eventuality by introducing legislation of his own on decentralization. His plan could eventually grant the Donbas greater control over local affairssuch as language policy, education, and policingbut only as part of a broader devolution of authority throughout the country. The region would thus receive certain rights to local autonomy, but no more than any other province. And to ensure the integrity of local elections in the Donbas, Zelensky has demanded that they be conducted only after Kyiv regains control of its border and Russian forces have withdrawn. Unfortunately, Zelenskys effort to change the existing terms of the Minsk framework to reflect those positions has been thwarted by Russian intransigence and Western fecklessness. THE NEWS FROM NORMANDY In December 2019, Zelensky joined Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris for a meeting of the so-called Normandy Formata structure created in 2014 to negotiate an end to the Donbas conflict. Zelensky left the meeting with a joint declaration outlining steps to de-escalate hostilities, including the disengagement of forces at the line of contact and a comprehensive prisoner exchange. But he made no progress on the postconflict political settlement. Putin still clung to the terms of the Minsk agreement, while Macron and Merkel offered Zelensky no support in his effort to amend the deal. Indeed, the joint declaration reaffirmed Russias position that the Minsk agreement, as currently written, remains the basis of the work of the Normandy format [sic], whose member states are committed to its full implementation. Kyiv cannot count on help from western European mediators, who would prefer a quick resolution and are frustrated by the slow pace of progress. Whats more, some Western leadersnotably Macronare eager to repair relations with Russia. They are not going to step up pressure on Moscow to compromise; rather, they are more likely to see Ukrainian intransigence as the greatest obstacle to peace and put pressure on Kyiv to yield. Without an improbable and dramatic shift in global politics that changes either Putins posture or the Wests reluctance to increase pressure on Moscow, Zelensky can hope to achieve little more at the next meeting of the Normandy Format, tentatively scheduled for April. Kyiv simply lacks the leverage and the external support to extract concessions from Moscow. Under these circumstances, Zelensky will have to consider alternatives. SOVEREIGN IS HE WHO DECIDES Ukraines president has two broad options. The first is a grand bargain: a comprehensive settlement with Russia that extends beyond the Donbas to include other elements of the larger Ukraine crisis, such as Crimea. Another approach would be to disengage altogether from efforts to reestablish sovereignty over the Donbas. Each of these strategies has its own advantages and drawbacks. A grand bargain would look beyond the immediate conflict in the Donbas. The larger Ukraine crisis touches on a wide range of interrelated issuesthe status of Crimea, NATOs future role in eastern Europe, and Russias broader relationship with the Westthat could be included in a deal. If Zelensky chose this approach, he could propose an agreement in which Kyiv abandoned its pursuit of NATO membership, perhaps in exchange for closer security ties with the United States. Such a step would help ease Moscows concerns about Ukraines geopolitical orientation. In this case, Kyiv would also offer to formally recognize Russias incorporation of Crimea in exchange for Moscows full withdrawal from the Donbas, the reinstatement of Ukraines control over its eastern border, and the reincorporation of the Donbas without a special status. The West would incrementally lift sanctions imposed on Russia, and it would offer Ukraine greater assistance in domestic reconstruction, including critical political and economic reform. Such a grand bargain would supersede the Minsk agreement. Alternatively, Kyiv could acknowledge thatfor the foreseeable futureefforts to end the war on favorable terms are futile. By fortifying the line of contact that divides government- and separatist-controlled territories and taking steps to reduce the intensity of the fighting, Kyiv would in essence unilaterally freeze the conflict. The government could then redirect its resources toward the areas it actually controls, where it could focus on growing Ukraines economy, strengthening institutions, and building a robust liberal state. Such an approach would avoid or postpone the difficulty of reincorporating a region that has been estranged and radicalized under six years of pro-Russian rule. And the arrangement would not necessarily be permanent: Kyiv could reevaluate its options down the line as conditions evolve both in the separatist territories and across Ukraine. BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE Both of these options have drawbacks. A grand bargain would require Moscows assent, which is not assured. Kyiv would also need the support of its European partners and the United States. The Europeans are likely to agree to most, if not all, elements of such a deal, but powerful anti-Russian forces in the United States would likely warn Kyiv against cutting a deal with Moscow that abandoned its claim to Crimea or swore off NATO membership. For the second optiondisengaging from the DonbasMoscows position is not as important. Theoretically, Kyiv could abandon the Donbas without Russias consent. Moscow might still press Kyiv to bear the responsibility for the population in the separatist regionby paying pensions, for exampleand it would likely castigate Kyiv for deserting its citizens, but that is little different from Moscows current stance. Both strategies would face stiff opposition, however, from the nationalist wing of Ukrainian civil society. This small but vocal minority refuses to sacrifice any degree of control over Ukraines territory or sovereignty, and it has a proven ability to mobilize against parties or policies that cross its redlines. As president of a country whose disaffected civil society has instigated two revolutions in the past fifteen years, Zelensky cannot ignore the prospect that his choices in the Donbas could stir popular outrage. By engaging the countrys civil societyboth to persuade it and to seek its inputhe can build popular legitimacy for whatever approach he ultimately chooses, thus mitigating the inevitable nationalist backlash. THE BEST REVENGE Given Russias inflexibility and the Wests unwillingness to intervene, Ukraine will likely remain unable to forge acceptable peace terms that fully preserve both its sovereignty and its territorial integrity. Indeed, the pursuit of both is likely to erode the prospects for each, leaving Kyiv ever more beholden to Moscow and less in control of its eastern provinces, not to mention Crimea. This state of affairs might not be just, but it is the reality. Zelensky must make a choice; given the range of forces arrayed against him and the lack of support from abroad, he should pursue whichever strategy he believes can best secure sovereignty, even at the expense of territorial integrity. While both of the options described above sacrifice some degree of Ukrainian control over the countrys internationally recognized territory, they would also leave Kyiv with greater sovereignty over the territory it does control. Ensuring and strengthening that sovereignty will allow the Ukrainian government to continue building a modern, prosperous, and liberal state. As for individuals, so for nations: living well is the best revenge. Read the original article here. Jesus Quintero, CEO and President, said, "In line with the Company's new Marketing and Distribution strategies, hempSMART is now unveiling new products through our " smart" product line. We believe these new additions will strengthen our product offering and make it more attractive to a larger customer audience. The new product line branded as " smart. powered by hempSMART ' is directed at young, active consumers who are looking for high quality CBD to enhance their lifestyle and well-being. The smart. product line has created a fresh look that will differentiate us from the crowded marketplace." HempSMART will unveil the new "smart." line at the World CBD EXPO, Town & Country Convention Hall in San Diego, California, on March 20 through 21. In this trade show, we will be presenting our hempSMART product line and the new smart. product line together with our Lead US Network Marketing Associates that have been with the company since its inception and are an integral part of our Network Marketing Business Model. The San Diego Conference focuses on Health, Wellness and Education and expects over 9,000 visitors. It is one of the most renowned and well-respected CBD Shows on the West Coast. Gloria A. Lynch, Global Marketing & Sales Manager stated, "I am very excited to work side by side with the US sales team and to launch this new division of the Company. The new hempSMART website will streamline the product offerings and make it easier for our customers to place orders." The San Diego event will be the first in a series of exciting Marketing initiatives that will support the Company's growth. More details on new products will be released in the near future." In the coming months, hempSMART plans to aggressively pursue a range of marketing and sales strategies, which will elevate the Company to new heights. About Marijuana Company of America Inc. MCOA is a corporation that participates in: (1) product research and development of legal hemp- based consumer products under the brand name hempSMART, which targets general health and well-being; (2) an affiliate marketing and retail sales program to promote and sell its legal hemp-based consumer products containing CBD; (3) joint ventures and acquisitions of business entities engaged in the growth and sale of hemp and cannabis products in jurisdictions where cultivation is legal; and (4) the expansion of its business into ancillary areas as market opportunities in this segment mature and develop. Legal Status of Cannabis While legalized in California for recreational and medicinal use, cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 811) and illegal under the federal law. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements," which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs, and results of new business opportunities and words such as "anticipate," "seek," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward- looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.sec.gov. For more information, please visit the Company's websites at: MarijuanaCompanyofAmerica.com hempSMART.com Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Marijuana Company of America Related Links http://www.hempsmart.com The Blue Acceleration. Global trends in (A) marine aquaculture production; (B) deep offshore hydrocarbon production, including gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids below 125 m; (C) total area of seabed under mining contract in areas beyond national jurisdiction; (D) cumulative contracted seawater desalination capacity; (E) accumulated number of marine genetic sequences associated with a patent with international protection; (F) accumulated number of casts added to the World Ocean Database; (G) container port traffic measured in Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU); (H) total length of submarine fiber optic cables; (I) number of cruise passengers; (J) cumulative offshore wind energy capacity installed; (K) total marine area protected; (L) total area of claimed extended continental shelf. Graphic: Jouffray, et al., 2020 / One Earth By Grace Dungey 13 February 2020 (Mongabay) Humanity has depended on the ocean for millennia. Today, however, the rush to the sea is occurring with unprecedented diversity and intensity, propelled by population growth and demand for diminishing terrestrial resources. A study published in January in the new journal One Earth analyzed 50 years of data on 18 kinds of marine resource claims, broadly grouped as food, material and space. The authors, from the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University, captured the results in a series of graphs showing the amount of activity since 1970 in areas such as marine aquaculture, shipping, deep hydrocarbons, and offshore windfarms. The graphs all show sharp upticks in the past 20 to 30 years. The authors call this race for the sea the blue acceleration. The current narrative is that we are about to move into the ocean as the new frontier, lead author Jean-Baptiste Jouffray, a Ph.D. candidate in sustainability science, told Mongabay. However, when you look at the graphs, it has started already. Jouffray said he and his team are concerned about the increase in human activity in the oceans. They warn that the current approach could fundamentally alter the ecology not only of the oceans but of the global environment. [Humanity hopes] the ocean will solve our need for food, freshwater, minerals, and will be the medicine chest for the future, but central to the blue acceleration is the idea that the ocean is not limitless, he said. Moreover, the current scale of activity in the oceans prioritizes the exploitation of ocean resources above scientific exploration, to the detriment of marine ecosystem health, Jouffray said. Although some claims may complement each other, most will overlap and compete, creating potential conflict, he said. Some spatial claims are for marine protected areas, aimed at limiting resource exploitation, preserving ecosystem health and cultural and aesthetic values, and prioritizing some industries, such as tourism. There are calls for the global marine protected area coverage target, currently 10% of the ocean by 2020, to be increased to 30% by 2030. (About 5.7% is currently protected.) But these protected areas sometimes conflict with extractive claims, such as for hydrocarbons or minerals. [more] The blue acceleration: Study shows humans surging incursions into the sea Ocean Claims: The ocean is increasingly regarded as an engine of present and future human needs for food, material, and space. Claims were identified and categorized through an iterative process aimed at understanding ocean uses of direct relevance for ecosystem sustainability, human well-being, and economic growth. Around the globe are some of the key distal drivers shaping this new global ocean context. See Note S1 for methodology and details on each claim. Graphic: Jouffray, et al., 2020 / One Earth The Blue Acceleration: The Trajectory of Human Expansion into the Ocean ABSTRACT: Does humanitys future lie in the ocean? As demand for resources continues to grow and land-based sources decline, expectations for the ocean as an engine of human development are increasing. Claiming marine resources and space is not new to humanity, but the extent, intensity, and diversity of todays aspirations are unprecedented. We describe this as the blue accelerationa race among diverse and often competing interests for ocean food, material, and space. Exploring what this new reality means for the global ocean and how to steer it in a sustainable and equitable way represents an urgent challenge. The Blue Acceleration: The Trajectory of Human Expansion into the Ocean (Sharecast News) - Premier African Minerals updated the market on progress to restart tailing reprocessing at RHA Tungsten on Thursday, following a site visit by the Zimbabwe's minister of industry and commerce, Dr Sekai Nzenza, on behalf of the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Fund (NIEEF). The AIM-traded firm said that following the visit, NIEEF requested until 11 March to evaluate the basis of its ongoing involvement with RHA following the submission by Premier of revised cost estimates, denominated in RTGS dollars, for RHA and other planned plant improvements. Local costs in RTGS dollars were said to be increasing at a rate "substantially greater" than implied by the official rate at which the RTGS dollar exchanges against the US dollar. NIEFF was expected to re-evaluate, either providing additional funding for RHA in RTGS dollars reflecting those increased local costs, or varying the terms of the RHA shareholder agreement that would allow Premier to access alternative external funding, which in turn would provide for the escalating costs when expressed in local currency. "I am deeply appreciative for this visit and the frank discussions with the honourable minister," said chief executive officer George Roach. "The support we continue to receive from the Zimbabwean government confirms the importance of this project. "Pursuant to the above request by the minister, we have agreed to place mobilisation and commissioning on hold pending their review." At 1454 GMT, shares in Premier African Minerals were down 10.44% at 0.09p. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.27 By Rufiz Hafizoghlu Trend: Turkmenistan increased chemical imports from Turkey in January 2020, Trend reported referring to the Turkish Ministry of Trade on February 27. Over the reporting period, Turkmenistan has imported chemicals in the amount exceeding $7.8 million from Turkey, an increase of some 20.1 percent compared to January 2019, the ministry stated. In January 2020, chemical exports from Turkey to the world market made up $1.7 billion, increase of 10.6 percent compared to the same period in 2019. During the reported period chemical exports accounted for 11.5 percent of Turkey's total exports in the same month. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu The U.S. traditionally pushed other countries to crack down on human traffickers and toughen their laws on trafficking. But in 2018, only five countries changed their laws, down from 25 in 2016. Many more tough laws are still needed. The administration has also made no attempt to address underlying causes of trafficking such as child poverty. Americas foster care system, for example, is dysfunctional and amounts to a pipeline for traffickers. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine last year offered an important road map to cut American child poverty by half a step that would reduce trafficking but the administration has ignored it. We are losing the war on trafficking, mostly because we have made this all about prosecutions, Vandenberg said. We are doing almost no prevention. Rachel Lloyd, who was trafficked into the sex trade as a teenager, now runs an excellent program in New York City called the Girls Educational and Mentoring Service, or GEMS, which helps girls who have been trafficked. Lloyd said that when she realized that the administration was only engaged in a P.R. effort, she turned down a position on an administration advisory panel and also declined a $10,000 donation from Ivanka Trump for GEMS. Why would we give them cover and validation? asked Lloyd, whose memoir, Girls Like Us, is one of the best books on trafficking. Human trafficking is one of the pre-eminent moral challenges of our time. The International Labor Organization estimates that worldwide, some 10 million children exist in forms of modern slavery. In Cambodia, I once saw terrified young girls being sold for their virginity; in Pakistan, I saw a brothel owner determined to kill a girl who had escaped. Trumps exploitation of trafficking victims for his own purposes is particularly sad because this is a rare issue where Democrats and Republicans have worked productively together: Evangelical Christians and liberal feminists both have done heroic work for 20 years. Representative Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, has done outstanding work on this issue, as has Gloria Steinem. Opposition MLAs created an uproar in the Punjab Assembly on Thursday, storming the Well of the House and walking out over the questioning by police of some pilgrims returning from the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan. Punjab Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa told the assembly that some pilgrims were questioned following information from the Intelligence Bureau unit in Amritsar. Opposition MLAs accused the government of harassing pilgrims making use of the visa-free Kartarpur Corridor to visit the Sikh shrine, just across the border from Gurdaspur district. The uproar in the House comes days after Punjab Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta triggered a row, suggesting in the media that Pakistani agencies could make overtures to Indian pilgrims to Kartarpur Sahib. Shiromani Akali Dal's legislative wing leader leader Sharanjit Singh Dhillon raised the issue during the Zero Hour. Devotees are being questioned in police stations by Punjab police, he said, citing a media report, and sought a reply from the Congress-led government. Aam Aadmi Party legislator Kultar Singh Sandhwan described the questioning of pilgrims as shameful and sought the immediate dismissal of DGP Dinkar Gupta over this. Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia sought the suspension of Gurdaspur's senior superintendent of police and a station house officer. Jails minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa quoted from a letter written on February 17 by an IB official to the Gurdaspur SSP, seeking the questioning of some pilgrims. He said the state government will take strict action against the SSP and the SHO if they are found at fault. SAD members stormed the Well of the House and then staged a walk out. Later Aam Aadmi Party and Lok Insaaf Party MLAs also walked into the Well of the House, and staged their separate walkouts. AAP MLA and Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema attacked the state police chief, claiming that he was posing a threat to peace and amity in the state. "The DGP had an eight years stint in the IB and he still has links there, Cheema claimed. Lok Insaaf Party legislator Simarjeet Singh Bains claimed that the questioning of the pilgrims had exposed the conspiracy behind the DGP's purported statement. Bains said the police chief should be removed and an FIR lodged against him. The DGP was under fire earlier over his remarks suggesting that that the Kartarpur Corridor was prone to misuse by Pakistani agencies. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh told the House that the top cop had tendered an apology over the remarks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Lin Minwang US President Donald Trump has just wrapped up his first official visit to India without much substantive achievement despite the pomp and pageantry. Its clear that Washington and New Delhi have the common strategic needs to contain China on certain issues, but they are still far from aligned in terms of strategic capability and coordination if they want to translate such needs into concrete actions and policies. There is no denying that the China factor was once the lubricant on US-India relations, and its role has been further intensified with the current escalated strategic competition between major countries. Ever since the George Walker Bush administration, the US has upheld the strategic logic of containing China through India, which has been accepted by the US strategic circle over timeand even evolved into a bipartisan consensus. However, will it eventually bring the expected return if the US puts its strategic stake on India? Is Indias strategic choice going to satisfy the US? After all Washington has mixed feelings toward New Delhi. On the one hand, it put forth the Indo-Pacific strategy, promising a permanent and stable US-Indian strategic partnership and even important strategic status equivalent to Japan. On the other hand, the US has nursed a grudge over its trade deficit against India and even terminated Indias Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) treatment as a beneficiary developing country. The common strategic demand of the two countries for building a multi-polar Asia is the fundamental reason for their joint advancement of the Indo-Pacific strategy. However, what India wants is an ASEAN-centered, inclusive regional architecture focused on economy and infrastructure, whereas the US aims at a regional security framework centered on the quadrilateral security dialogues between Washington, Tokyo, New Delhi and Canberra. During his visit to India, Trump tried to woo India into a closer strategic partnership to contain China, but the host didnt say yes to everything it asked for. Actually such a scene once appeared during the Cold War when New Delhi complained about Washingtons stinginess, while Washington complained about the others insatiability. Besides, the US has long been a strategic pragmatist - leveraging if it can and kicking out if it cannot - which has left an indelible impression on India and Pakistan of South Asia. After all the engagement, India has become well aware how to deal with the US. In the words of its foreign minister, India needs to form alliance on multiple ends and choose partners based on specific fields. In other words, the Asian country will seek foreign cooperation in light of its own needs and interests. Such subtle traces can be found with a close scrutiny of the US-India Joint Statement reached during Trumps visit to India. For the Trump administration, it has become harder to count on India to counterbalance China, but more attention has to be paid to the increasingly fortified military and defense relation between Washington and New Delhi in recent years. We should carefully consider whether this tendency will affect the South Asian situation and Chinas security environment, and then make targeted and rigorous preparations. (The author is a researcher at the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, Shanghai) Sunnyvale residents with Measure B and Santa Clara residents with Measure C are deciding on changes to their voting systems in Tuesday's primary election, following moves by numerous cities in the Bay Area and statewide to transition to district-based voting in recent years. In 2018, Santa Clara lost a lawsuit claiming its at-large voting system was diluting minority votes, and held its first district-based election in November that year. The Asian Law Alliance, supporting the plaintiffs, said not a single Asian-American had been elected to the City Council in Santa Clara history despite being a majority of its population. The city chose to split its voting into six districts with all residents casting a vote for mayor, instead of all residents voting for the mayor and all council members in the previous at-large system. Though the city is still appealing the court's ruling that it violated the state Voting Rights Act, Santa Clara is now considering changing its boundaries to delineate three districts with two representatives for each district. Measure C would change the city charter, keeping the six-district system for the general election in November and updating it to three districts for the 2022 election. The court's ruling in 2018 didn't affect the city charter, which still supports the at-large voting system. If Measure C fails, the city will have to return to the drawing board next year. Supporters of the change, including Mayor Lisa Gillmor and council members Teresa O'Neill and Kathy Watanabe, say three shared districts will allow council members to work more efficiently in larger and busier districts, and make it cheaper to run for office compared to the at-large system. Those who oppose Measure C say the six-district election in 2018 produced a diverse and representative City Council, and they believe a three-district system will again quell minority votes and pose the same violations to the Voting Rights Act as the at-large system. Vice Mayor Patricia Mahan, City Councilwoman Karen Hardy and the Silicon Valley NAACP are among those who oppose Measure C. San Jose, Menlo Park, Fremont, Martinez, Concord, Redwood City, Richmond, and several other cities throughout California have switched to district-based voting to avoid legal repercussions. Sunnyvale, whose at-large system currently allows council members to elect the mayor, voted in 2018 to consider the transition to a district system, and began an outreach process to collect boundary maps and input in January of last year. The approved district map for Measure B on Tuesday's ballot can be found at https://sunnyvaleelections.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Preferred-District-Map-and-Sequencing.pdf. 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. In the wake of the communal riots in Delhi, the Press Council of India has advised the media not to glorify violence and desist from publishing or telecasting pictures likely to cause revulsion. The PCI also drew the media's attention towards the norms of journalistic conduct on covering of communal disputes and clashes. "Press Council of India (PCI) advises the media not to glorify the violence and to desist from publishing/telecasting pictures likely to cause revulsion," the PCI said in a statement. "News, views or comments relating to communal or religious disputes/clashes shall be published after proper verification of facts and presented with due caution and restraint in a manner which is conducive to the creation of an atmosphere congenial to communal harmony, amity and peace," the norms state. "Journalists and columnists owe a very special responsibility to their country in promoting communal peace and amity," another norm highlighted by the PCI states. "Their writings are not a mere reflection of their own feelings but help to large extent in moulding the feelings and sentiments of the society at large. It is therefore, of utmost importance that they use their pen with circumspection and restraint," it states. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Getting carried away while looking at art is one of its central pleasures. It is among the reasons we buy pictures or go to museums: to lose ourselves. That experience is only heightened for professionals in the field, who delve even more deeply into the works. But some artists enchant more than others. Art historians get drunk on Degas, said Richard Kendall, an independent curator who has written many books on the Impressionist master, known above all for his ballerina depictions. Mr. Kendall chuckled and added, Ive devoted an embarrassingly large amount of attention to him. His most recent venture into the work of Edgar Degas (1834-1917) was for a catalog essay about the artists Three Dancers in Yellow Skirts (circa 1891), an oil on canvas being offered by Hammer Galleries at the European Fine Art Fair, known as TEFAF, in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Terje Solsvik (Reuters) Oslo, Norway Thu, February 27, 2020 16:08 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066fd6bf 2 People Greta-Thunberg,Nobel-Peace-Prize,climate-activists,climate,climate-crisis,NATO,Hong-Kong Free Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, pro-democracy campaigners in Hong Kong and the NATO military alliance are among those tipped for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, following nominations by politicians. Also on the list, according to the eight members of the United States Congress who nominated her, is imprisoned Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul. Norway's Nobel Institute, which does not confirm or deny the names of any particular individuals or organizations nominated, said on Wednesday it had received nominations for 317 candidates this year, up from 301 in 2019. Of these 210 were individuals and 107 were organizations. It will announce the winner in October. Thousands of people who can make nominations, including members of national parliaments, former laureates and leading academics, often announce whose names they have forwarded. The outcome is decided each year by a committee of five people appointed by Norway's parliament. Thunberg, 17, famous for launching her School Strike for the Climate campaign that has spread around much of the world, is the bookmakers' favorite to win, according to betting firm Paddypower. Although nominated last year, the 2019 prize went to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his peacemaking efforts which ended two decades of hostility with longtime enemy Eritrea. The Swede would be the second youngest person to win a Nobel, beaten only by Malala Yousafzai, who was a few months younger at the time of her 2014 award for promoting children's right to education. The two activists were pictured together this week at Britain's University of Oxford, where Malala, as she is best known, is a student. While Thunberg's name was put forward by two Swedish parliamentarians, three members of the Norwegian parliament have suggested that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - the military alliance that last year marked its 75th anniversary - should be given the award. In January, members of Congress led by Oregon Democrat Suzanne Bonamici nominated Loujain al-Hathloul, whom rights groups have said was held in solitary confinement for months and subjected to abuse including electric shocks, flogging, and sexual assault. "Ms. al-Hathloul is deserving of the Committee's recognition in 2020 because she embodies the peaceful struggle for equal right of women in Saudi Arabia," Bonamici and seven other members of Congress wrote in a letter and published online. Norwegian Liberal Party MP Guri Melby meanwhile said she had nominated "the people of Hong Kong" for fighting for freedom of speech, democracy and the rule of law, which would be certain to provoke a sharp reaction from China if an award was ever made. The award in 2010 of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo resulted in a six-year standoff between Norway and China, during which diplomatic ties were virtually frozen. Liu, who had called for sweeping political reforms, died in 2017 while serving a lengthy prison term. T he brewer behind Corona beer has warned of the steepest decline in quarterly profit for at least a decade after the coronavirus outbreak cost it $170 million (132 million) in lost profit. Anheuser-Busch InBev is the worlds biggest brewing giant and is also behind the Budweiser and Stella Artois brands. It forecast that its first quarter earnings will tumble by about 10 per cent after the virus saw demand slump in China. The outbreak also coincided with the Chinese New Year, sending the companys shares 8 per cent lower. AB InBev estimates the earnings hit across China after seeing around $285 million (221 million) of lost sales in the first two months of 2020 alone due to Covid-19. Coronavirus: Confirmed cases around the world The Belgium-based group said: The impact of the Covid-19 virus outbreak on our business continues to evolve. The outbreak has led to a significant decline in demand in China in both on-premise and in-home channels. Additionally, demand during the Chinese New Year was lower than in previous years as it coincided with the beginning of this outbreak. Last month USA Today reported Google searches in the US for "Corona beer virus" and "beer virus" spiked amid other searches related to "coronavirus symptoms", which saw a 1,050 per cent increase. AB InBevs warning comes amid a swathe of company alerts over the impact of coronavirus on demand and supply, with Microsoft also adding to the growing list. The US tech giant revealed overnight it will miss revenue guidance for its Windows and Surfaces businesses and blamed uncertainty over coronavirus and an impact on its supply chain, while a raft of UK firms also revealed the toll taken on Thursday, including banking giant Standard Chartered. AB InBev also admitted its 2019 performance was below our expectations as net profits slumped to 114 million US dollars (88 million) in the final three months from 456 million US dollars (353 million) a year earlier. Listen to today's episode of The Leader podcast: Take a look at some of the historic photos that show the horror of riots that shattered many Indian lives...Afghan traders leaving Amritsar, Punjab, with all their belongings, after communal violence in the city during the Partition of British India, March 1947. Fighting took place between the city's Muslim population (around 50 percent), anxious for Amritsar to be incorporated into Pakistan, and the other, Sikh and Hindu, half of the inhabitants, who supported incorporation with India. (Image: Getty Images) Biju E Paul By Express News Service ALAPPUZHA: The prices of LPG cylinders have been rising all the time the latest hike happening a fortnight ago forcing homemakers to tweak their family budget time and again. But Rathnamma at Arattuvazhi village in Keralas Alappuzha district is not sweating over the prices, unlike her neighbours. She doesnt have to, when she is sitting on her own gas deposit in her compound. The methane gas which she has been using for cooking for the last nine years comes from a borewell she dug. And she is the cynosure of her neighbours envy. Rathnamma, 66, engaged workers on October 7, 2011, to be precise, to dig the borewell in her compound for clean drinking water, which was not readily available in the marshy terrain. They kept working, but even after digging to a depth of 75 ft, what we were left with was only dirty water. "I got upset and even had an argument with them over their competence. We decided to stop the work for the time being and I asked the workers to close the wells mouth using a PVC cap. When they lighted a match stick as part of the work, we were shocked to find uninterrupted flame at the mouth of the well, Rathnamma said. Tension gave way to relief and fun when the plumber brought quality pipes and connected the wells mouth with my LPG stove. I made black coffee for all and we all drank it happily, Rathnamma recalled the day. Still, she found it tough to convince her husband who came back from his shop in the night. Rathnamma has been saving Rs 5,000 per year My husband (Rameshan) came to know about all these developments only after he returned from the shop. Whether the gas would pose a danger to us and our neighbours was his major worry. He also expressed doubt even about the chances of an explosion, which made me really tense. I sniffed in and around the stove, but there wasnt any smell. I couldnt sleep that night and kept buckets of water near the stove, thinking I would douse the fire using it in case of a blast. But nothing happened. The plumber returned next morning and we made tea and cooked food using the gas. Neither was there any smell and nor any taste difference to the food we made. Since then, Ive been relying on the natural gas well, said Rathnamma. The news spread and people started coming to see the gas well. Officials from the Geological Survey of India inspected the well and site twice and said the gas is odourless methane. Though they had arrived with heavy equipment, they could not identify any bulk gas deposit in the area. An ONGC team also carried out tests, but concluded the same. Rameshan said some other residents too had identified the presence of gas in the area, but were not ready to use the gas for cooking. But he has been saving at least Rs 5,000 per year. Experts had said the gas supply would stop after weeks, but Rathnamma has been lucky for nearly a decade. Former two-time world 100m freestyle champion Filippo Magnini of Italy had his four-year doping ban overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday. The 38-year-old had been banned in November 2018 by Italy's anti-doping agency (Nado), after which he retired from the sport. But Lausanne-based CAS found that "there was insufficient evidence to conclude that Filippo Magnini had violated the world anti-doping code". "I WON. CAS acquitted me from any kind of accusation," said Magnini on Instagram. "It has always been like this, I have always won races in the last few metres. "They taught me never to give up. I have always been an athlete and a correct person. I tremble with joy." An investigation into Magnini and fellow swimmer Michele Santucci was opened after criminal proceedings against a rogue nutritionist, Guido Porcellini. Porcellini was banned for 30 years by the Italian authorities for trafficking doping products and counterfeit medicine. Magnini's name was found among the evidence, which revealed certain products to be destined for the Italian swimmer, although investigators conceded he may not have used or even received them. NADO had initially demanded an eight-year ban for the 2005 and 2007 world champion, who also won Olympic bronze with the 4x200m Italian relay team in Athens (2004). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jewish Federation presents Joe Buchanan in concert Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m. at the Jewish Cultural Center, 5461 North Terrace Road. The cost is $10 for adults, college students with i.d. are $3 and children are free. For more information or to RSVP contact 423-493-0270 or visit jewishchattanooga,com. This concert is made possible in part by The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, which supports, connects and celebrates Jewish life in the South. We hear about the power of contemporary Christian music. We thought we would share the power of contemporary Jewish music," states Michael Dzik, executive director of the Jewish Federation. Bio on Joe Buchanan Texas native, Joe Buchanan makes Jewish Americana music. Grounded in the idea that there is always room at the table, Joe's music highlights the values, and history of the Jewish people delivering stories steeped in the struggle and triumph of the human spirit. Raised with one foot in Houston and one in the Texas Hill Country, Joe grew up swinging off ropes on the Frio River and spending time like any kid - trying to figure out what was what. He has discovered several truths that he shares in his music. So here is a truth for you. You are not damaged goods and you are not broken. You are whole and complete and loved by the One exactly as you are. You may have done something wrong but there is nothing wrong with you. It was a choice and you can make another one. You are not a mistake and you are not a burden. You are part of the wonder and beauty of creation. This world is a tremendous gift and you are part of that gift. Joe Buchanan His debut album, Unbroken, is filled with music that speaks to the incredible beauty of finding a home after a lifetime of searching. Produced by The Pioneer of Jewish Blues, Saul Kaye (www.saulkaye.com), and recorded live off the floor at the world famous Fantasy Studios, Unbroken is 14 tracks of original, Jewish Americana. You can hear samples of his music by listening at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YecZ61QvSxg. He's toured the United States, leading an original Shabbat service, playing concerts and giving a workshops. Combining elements of country, roots-rock and folk, Joes music reaches deep to tell personal stories of struggle and triumph. This is feel-good, toe-tapping, Americana with a Jewish Soul. PANAMA CITY, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. ("Bladex") today announced the successful closing of a US$100 million 5-year senior, amortizing acquisition finance facility (the "Facility") for Imperia Intercontinental Inc ("Imperia"), the parent company of Banco Cuscatlan de El Salvador, S.A. ("Banco Cuscatlan") and Seguros e Inversiones S.A. ("SISA"). Imperia entered the financial sector with the acquisition of Citibank's consumer banking and insurance business in El Salvador in June 2016. Banco Cuscatlan, rated AA+ locally by Fitch Ratings, is the fifth largest bank in the country, with US$1.7 billion in assets as of December 31, 2019. SISA is one of the largest players in the Salvadorian insurance sector with a gross written premium market share of 20.7% at year-end 2019. Bladex acted as Joint Lead Arranger and Bookrunner, together with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("J.P. Morgan"). Bladex is also the Administrative Agent under the Facility. Proceeds of the Facility were used to partially finance Imperia's acquisition of Scotiabank's Banking and Insurance operations in El Salvador. The acquisition consolidates Banco Cuscatlan's market position in the country as the second largest bank, with US$3.8 billion in total assets, a diversified loan portfolio mix and a customer base of more than 750,000 clients. With the acquisition, Banco Cuscatlan becomes the market leader in mortgages and credit cards, and SISA consolidates as the largest player in the insurance sector. Federico Nasser Facusse, Imperias Vice president, stated "This purchase, represents the merger between two great banks and insurers, which reaffirms our commitment to El Salvador and our desire to continue investing in the development and growth of El Salvador and of all the Salvadorians. This positive news confirms that El Salvador is a country with favorable conditions to invest and with a promising future." The Facility was 1.57x oversubscribed and attracted the interest of 13 financial institutions from Central America and the Caribbean, Europe and the United States of America, most of which represent new banking relationships for Imperia. Alejandro Jaramillo, Bladexs Chief Commercial Officer, stated: "Bladex is very pleased to have teamed-up with J.P. Morgan in structuring and syndicating a very relevant credit facility for Imperia, allowing it to continue its growth trajectory in El Salvador and to set a strong footprint for its growth in the region" Bladex, a multinational bank originally established by the central banks of Latin-American and Caribbean countries, began operations in 1979 to promote foreign trade and economic integration in the Region. The Bank, headquartered in Panama, also has offices in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, the United States of America, and a Representative License in Peru, supporting the regional expansion and servicing of its customer base, which includes financial institutions and corporations. Bladex is listed on the NYSE in the United States of America (ticker symbol: BLX), since 1992, and its shareholders include: central banks, state-owned banks and entities representing 23 Latin American countries, commercial banks and financial institutions, and institutional and retail investors through its public listing. For further information on Bladex, please access its website at www.bladex.com or contact: Felipe Suarez - SVP, Head of Loan Structuring & Syndications Tel.: +507 210-8500 Head Office Address: Torre V, Business Park, Avenida La Rotonda, Urb. Costa del Este, Panama, Republic of Panama SOURCE Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (Bladex) Related Links http://www.bladex.com A woman who was charged after her stepchildren saw her topless in their own home has taken a plea deal in court to avoid being registered as a sex offender if convicted. Tilli Buchanans decision brought an end to the case that drew attention to a debate over whether its fair to treat men and women differently for baring their chests. Her husband was not charged even though he also had his shirt off at the time. Tilli Buchanan and her attorneys argued that Utah law on lewdness involving a child was unfair to women and asked a judge to throw out the charges and declare part of the law unconstitutional. Buchanan and the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah had pointed to a court ruling that overturned a topless ban in Colorado and helped fuel a movement. Tilli Buchanan pictured in November. Source: AP But the judge instead sided with prosecutors who argued that lewdness is commonly understood to include womens breasts in American society. This whole thing is ridiculous, her attorney Randy Richards said. She (or other women) have to worry about their kids seeing them topless? Its ridiculous. Buchanan, 27, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour count of lewdness as part of the agreement that dropped two other charges of lewdness involving a child. The remaining charge will be dropped after a year as long as Buchanan doesnt commit any new crimes. Fears of 10 years on sex offender registry prompts decision The stakes were too high to go to trial because she would have been on the sex offender registry for 10 years if she had been found guilty of the charges that were dropped, Richards said. Buchanan and her husband said they took off their shirts to keep their clothes from getting dirty while they hung drywall in their garage in a Salt Lake City suburb. When her husbands three children, ages 9 through 13, walked in, she explained that she considers herself a feminist and wanted to make a point that everybody should be fine with walking around their house or elsewhere with skin showing, her lawyers said in court documents. Story continues The charges were filed after the childrens mother reported the incident to child welfare officials working on a separate investigation involving the children. Police said Buchanan removed her shirt and bra in front of the children while under the influence of alcohol. A global movement advocating for the rights of women to go topless, called the Free the Nipple campaign, has seen mixed success fighting similar ordinances in other parts of the country. The 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling that blocked a ban in Fort Collins, Colorado, on women going topless in public. But the US Supreme Court recently left in place the conviction of three members of the Free the Nipple campaign who were arrested for going topless on a New Hampshire beach in 2016. 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. The history of the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood will come alive at the 37 Place Community Center on Feb. 29, thanks to collaborations from Indy Fringe, Harrison Center for the Arts and six Great-tri-archs people who have been in the community for decades. This is an area that has a very rich history as it relates to Indianapolis, said Gina Fears, assistant director of recovery and reentry at Public Advocates in Community re-Entry (PACE) Inc. Fears is a facilitator for the event, and said she is looking forward to sharing the stories that made Martindale-Brightwood what it is today. Its the heartbeat of the city, she said of the neighborhood. Fears, 59, worries valuable stories arent being told because of social media. I had family members that told stories, and today we have Facebook and Snapchat, so we dont get those types of stories, Fears said. We will have some Great-tri-archs there and they will give their reflections. The six Great-tri-archs will have a panel discussion about the history of the Martindale Brightwood neighborhood and how it has grown over the years. If I dont know where Ive come from, Fears said, how can I decide where Im going? I grew up in the city, I know the east side and what it used to look like, and I show my grandkids that growth. I show them where I used to live, where businesses used to be. We cant celebrate growth and changes if we dont know the history. At the event, visitors can view portraits of the Great-tri-archs, created by Harrison Center artist Abi Ogle. At 4 feet by 6 feet, the portraits will hang from the ceiling and imitate the styles of several famous African American artists. Joanna Taft, executive director of the Harrison Center, thinks this is an appropriate homage to the people who shaped the city. All of them have been leaders in Martindale-Brightwood, Taft said, and have great stories about loving their neighborhood and wanting to grow new leaders to continue to tell that story. Visitors to the living museum will also see a play, Wind Chimes and Promises, which details a familys escape from the Klu Klux Klan in the deep South, only to move next door to Klan members in Indianapolis in 1919. The play, adapted by local playwright Rita Kohn from the novel of the same name by Phyllis J. Adair, will be performed at 2 p.m. Kohn, who wrote the play in 2009 after being totally engrossed by the novel, said the play highlights the importance of knowing the history of who we are and where we came from. I think that without knowing our history and our heritage, we lose so much of our beauty, Kohn, 86, said. Right now in the United States, theres a lot of historical amnesia. We forget that some people did not choose to be immigrants; they were snatched from their homes. There are people living in Indianapolis who are descendants of the survivors of that middle passage. To not acknowledge ancestry, where we come from, is to disrespect what they went through. Contact staff writer Breanna Cooper at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @BreannaNCooper. Companies are making large donations to help relief and quarantine efforts to cope with coronavirus amid a spike in infections. Samsung on Wednesday donated W30 billion to the Korea Disaster Relief Association and the country's largest carmaker Hyundai W5 billion to help prevent the spread of the disease, particularly in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, which have become hotbeds of the infections after a so-called supercarrier attended a service by a sizeable religious sect (US$1=W1,216). Priti Patel's battle with Home Office staff spiralled after she told permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam to get rid of a senior official on Christmas Eve but the top mandarin refused, it was claimed today. Ms Patel is said to have instructed Sir Philip to move director of communications Andy Tighe out of the department. But Sir Philip allegedly declined to carry out the order due to the timing of the request with Mr Tighe, a former BBC journalist, later choosing to retire from the role. The incident, reported by the Huff Post website, is thought to have been one of the main drivers behind the apparent deterioration in the relationship between Ms Patel and Sir Philip. It is one of a number of claims which have been made in recent weeks about Ms Patel and Home Office officials apparently falling out. Ms Patel has reportedly tried to oust Sir Philip from his position as the department's top civil servant while the Home Secretary has faced allegations of bullying and belittling staff - accusations her allies have rejected. Sir Philip today appeared to make light of the Home Office war as he made a rare public appearance. Priti Patel, pictured arriving at the National Police Chiefs' Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners joint summit in Westminster yesterday, is alleged to have tried to oust a senior Home Office official on Christmas Eve Sir Philip Rutnam, pictured at the same police summit yesterday, is alleged to have refused to obey the order because of its timing Ms Patel is said to have wanted to get rid of Home Office director of communications Andy Tighe, pictured above. Mr Tighe later retired from the role Claims and counter-claims in Priti Patel's Home Office war Claim: The Home Secretary bullied and belittled staff, creating an 'atmosphere of fear'. Counter-claim: Allies of Ms Patel dismissed the suggestions she was a bully. Business minister Nadhim Zahawi said Ms Patel is 'utterly professional' and a 'collegiate team player'. Claim: Ms Patel was alleged to have 'dressed down' staff in front of their colleagues, sent 'aggressive' emails in the middle of the night and asked 'why is everyone so f***ing useless' during previous ministerial roles. Counter-claim: Allies of the Home Secretary dismissed the allegations as 'malicious gossip'. Claim: Ms Patel was cut out of security briefings by MI5 and officials were not sharing as much intelligence with her as they did with her predecessors. Counter-claim: The Home Secretary was reportedly 'livid' at the suggestions. Security sources said reports they did not have a 'strong working relationship are simply untrue'. Claim: Ms Patel tried to remove permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam from the Home Office. Counter-claim: The Home Office has not been drawn on any of the specific claims relating to relations between Ms Patel and Sir Philip. However, the department issued a joint statement saying 'the Home Secretary and Permanent Secretary are deeply concerned about the number of false allegations appearing in the media'. Advertisement He remained tight-lipped on the alleged rift with Ms Patel but did prompt laughter during his address to the National Police Chiefs' Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners summit in Westminster as he spoke about his increased public profile. He said: 'You probably have already heard a great deal more about permanent secretary's in the last few days than you ever expected to. 'But be reassured, I am not got to talk about that. I am going to talk about what really matters, which is cutting crime and building a law enforcement system that is more capable, more resilient and better placed for the future.' An ally of Ms Patel dismissed the claim that she had asked for the official to be sacked on Christmas Eve and said: 'This allegation is a complete lie.' It came after it was revealed that two senior civil servants have been forced out of the Home Office after clashing with Ms Patel. A top official working in police oversight transferred to the Department of Transport and a member of the Home Secretary's private office left their post in recent weeks, the Times reported. The clashes between Ms Patel and Sir Philip are believed to have started last September after the latter allegedly tried to stand in the way of an announcement that more police would be allowed to carry tasers. A number of disagreements are then thought to have followed. Ms Patel and Sir Philip released a joint statement in recent days to deny reports of a split at the top of the department. Her allies have described her as a 'demanding' boss but not a bully. The reports of feuding prompted the head of the Civil Service to order an end to media leaks in a directive to Government staff. Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill told all civil servants that advice they provide for ministers and 'any debates' around it should remain 'private'. Responding to the claims reported by Huff Post, a Home Office spokesman said: 'The Home Secretary and Permanent Secretary are deeply concerned about the number of false allegations appearing in the media. Who is Sir Philip Rutnam, the Whitehall mandarin who Priti Patel 'wants to get rid of?' Sir Philip Rutnam is one of the most senior civil servants in Whitehall. He joined the Home Office as permanent secretary - the top civil servant role in each department - in April 2017 having previously done the same job at the Department for Transport for five years. However, his time at the Home Office has proved to be controversial because he was in post during the Windrush scandal. He faced calls in November 2018 to resign over it with Tory London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey claiming the mandarin needed to step down to 'restore confidence' in the Home Office. Amber Rudd resigned as home secretary in April 2018 because of the controversy which saw some migrants from Commonwealth countries who came to the UK from the late 1970s to 1973 being wrongly declared illegal immigrants. An official report examining what went wrong found that Ms Rudd had been let down by her officials. However, it stopped short of criticising Sir Philip. Advertisement 'They are focused on delivering on the Home Offices hugely important agenda, which includes creating an immigration system that works for the UK, putting more police on the streets and keeping the public safe from terrorism.' Extraordinary briefings about relations between Ms Patel and Sir Philip have dominated recent weeks in Westminster. The Home Secretary is said to be livid over claims that she bullied staff and was cut out of security briefings by MI5 allegations that emerged after she allegedly tried to have Sir Philip removed. The Home Office issued a joint statement from the pair on Sunday but a Whitehall source said relations between them had completely broken down, adding: Can they continue to work together? I just dont know. No 10 is going to have to sort it out because it is completely dysfunctional. Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, has given his support to Ms Patel with Downing Street stating he has 'full confidence' in his Home Secretary. Asked to give the same endorsement to Sir Philip, the PMs official spokesman ducked the question, replying: The Prime Minister has full confidence in the civil service. Allies of Miss Patel are urging Sir Mark to move Sir Philip to a new role in Whitehall. Number 10 has insisted that the appointment of permanent secretaries is a matter for the Cabinet Secretary. Wyoming Business Tips for March 2-8 A weekly look at issues facing Wyoming business owners and entrepreneurs from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming. By Jessica Schneider, attorney, Hirst Applegate LLP (guest author) Successful businesses are the result of years of hard work, determination and sacrifice by business owners and their families. As such, most business owners want to preserve the product of their hard work for the benefit of their families and loved ones after theyre gone. They also want to ensure their business does not falter or fail after their retirement or death, if the business can remain viable. Proper estate planning can help achieve both goals. -- Estate planning. In its simplest form, estate planning is the process of executing documents and designating agents to manage and transfer an individuals assets in the event of his or her incapacity or death. Common estate planning documents include wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney and health care powers of attorney. For business owners, the estate planning process also should include analyzing and taking appropriate action regarding the individuals business interest(s). -- Probate. The term probate refers to a process that occurs after the death of an individual. The probate process typically involves a deceased individuals agent, known as a personal representative or executor, filing a lawsuit to be granted court authority to gather and distribute the deceased individuals assets, including the individuals business assets. The probate process can often be very expensive and time consuming. As such, most estate plans include documents and actions that seek to avoid probate. -- Transitioning business ownership. Typically, an individuals business interest(s) can be transferred to another person or entity, either during life or at death. Proper estate planning can utilize the transferability of an ownership interest to avoid probate; transfer ownership to the owners family or others (for example, a key employee); account for the financial needs of the owner during his or her life; provide for the continued operation and management of the business; and designate who will benefit from the business interest, or the proceeds of the ownership interest if the interest or business is liquidated, in the event of the owners incapacity or death. -- Tax consequences. The sale or transfer of a business interest can generate unwanted tax consequences, such as capital gains or losses and unexpected income. A proper estate plan can account for such tax consequences and seek to limit them. -- Help with estate planning for business owners. If you would like to learn more about estate planning for business owners, contact your local Wyoming SBDC Network adviser for no-cost, confidential assistance. You also may want to join our upcoming March 5 webinar, Estate Planning for the Small-Business Owner, where these issues will be addressed in more detail. Schneider is an attorney with Hirst Applegate LLP in Cheyenne and will present the webinar. Her practice focuses on real estate planning, estate administration, trust administration, creditors rights, banking real estate and business law. Schneider graduated from the UW College of Law in 2008. For more information or to receive no-cost assistance now, you can contact your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center or Wyoming SBDC Network adviser at www.wyomingsbdc.org/sign-up. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers no-cost advising and technical assistance to help Wyoming entrepreneurs think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. In 2019 alone, the Wyoming SBDC Network helped Wyoming entrepreneurs start 108 new businesses, create or save 3,402 jobs; and bring a capital impact of more than $24 million to the state. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3922, Laramie, WY 82071-3922. All opinions, conclusions and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) -Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: NPLG) ("Platinum Group" or the "Company") and Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (JSE-IMP) ("Implats") announce that the shareholders of Waterberg JV Resources Proprietary Limited ("Waterberg JV Co.") have agreed to amend the terms of the Implats Purchase and Development Option (defined below), which was due to be exercised on April 17, 2020 following the Waterberg JV Co.'s approval of the 2019 Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") on December 5, 2019. In consideration for this amendment, Implats has agreed to fund 100% of a new implementation budget and work programme effective February 1, 2020. The programme, which has been approved by Waterberg JV Co., will be aimed at increasing confidence in specific areas of the DFS while awaiting the expected grant of a Mining Right and Environmental Authorization and is estimated to cost approximately US$4 million. This amount will be offset against Implats' future development funding commitment should it elect to exercise the Purchase and Development Option. The end date of Implats' Purchase and Development Option will be amended from the original date of April 17, 2020 to 90 calendar days following receipt of an executed Mining Right for the project. All other terms of the Purchase and Development Option remain unchanged. The work program will include geotechnical drilling along the planned decline positions as set out in the DFS, as well as detailed review of critical areas that could affect the implementation schedule and budget to mitigate execution risks. The sustainability of water supply and a suitable housing strategy will also be progressed further. The Waterberg JV Co. technical committee and Board have approved the work program that includes the initial work for early 2020 outlined in the DFS. Platinum Group will continue to be the Manager of the project, as directed by the technical committee of Waterberg JV Co., and Implats will direct the new work program. The Mining Right application for the Waterberg project is well advanced. Further detail on the Purchase and Development Option On November 6, 2017, Implats purchased 15% of the Waterberg Project for US$30 million. Implats was also granted an option (the "Purchase and Development Option") to increase its stake to 50.01% through additional share purchases from Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation ("JOGMEC") for an amount of US$34.8 million and earn-in arrangements for US$130 million paid to Waterberg JV Co. to fund development work on the Waterberg Project, as well as a right of first refusal to smelt and refine Waterberg concentrate. A DFS Technical Report, effective September 4, 2019, was approved by Waterberg JV Co. shareholders on December 5, 2019. Before the amendment announced today, Implats had until April 17, 2020 to elect whether or not to exercise the Purchase and Development Option. The amendment announced today allows for the additional project de-risk work to be funded by Impala at 100% with Implats' decision whether to exercise the full Purchase and Development Option to be made within 90 calendar days from the date on which the full Mining Right is executed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The work program to be funded by Impala will be a credit to Implats' required US$130 million funding commitment should Implats elect to exercise its Purchase and Development Option. If Impala does not elect to exercise the Purchase and Development Option, funding provided by Implats will not be a credit to Implats, and instead will be an out of pocket expense to Implats. Impala will provide a 90-day notice to Waterberg JV Co. if it elects to not continue with 100% project funding. The proposed program and agreement outlined above will be subject to final documentation and amendments of the formal Purchase and Development Option, the Call Option and other agreements which are expected to be completed promptly. About Platinum Group Metals Ltd. and Waterberg Project Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground palladium and platinum deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being jointly developed with Implats, JOGMEC, Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd. and Hanwa Co. Ltd. On behalf of the Board of Platinum Group Metals Ltd. R. Michael Jones President and CEO For further information contact: R. Michael Jones, President or Kris Begic, VP, Corporate Development Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Vancouver Tel: (604) 899-5450 / Toll Free: (866) 899-5450 www.platinumgroupmetals.net Disclosure The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management. This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the planned amendment to the Purchase and Development Option, Call Option and other agreements as discussed herein, potential exercise by Implats of the Purchase and Development Option, financing and mine development at the Waterberg Project and grant of the mine right application. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including the Company's inability to generate sufficient cash flow or raise sufficient additional capital to make payment on its indebtedness, and to comply with the terms of such indebtedness; additional financing requirements; the 2019 Sprott Facility is, and any new indebtedness may be, secured and the Company has pledged its shares of Platinum Group Metals (RSA) Proprietary Limited ("PTM RSA"), and PTM RSA has pledged its shares of Waterberg JV Co. to Sprott, under the 2019 Sprott Facility, which potentially could result in the loss of the Company's interest in PTM RSA and the Waterberg Project in the event of a default under the 2019 Sprott Facility or any new secured indebtedness; the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; Implats may not exercise the Purchase and Development Option; the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. or Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd.; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 20-F annual report, annual information form and other filings with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa if implemented as proposed would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Estimates of mineralization and other technical information included herein have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The definitions of proven and probable reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7. Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the mineralization can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the "reserve" determination is made. As a result, the reserves reported by the Company in accordance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC Industry Guide 7. In addition, the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and historically have not been permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC pursuant to SEC Industry Guide 7. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. In particular, "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. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under NI 43-101; however, SEC Industry Guide 7 normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC Industry Guide 7 standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, descriptions of the Company's mineral deposits in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of SEC Industry Guide 7. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52840 Click here to read the full article. BERLIN Robert Montgomerys Lady in the Lake posed the question of whether its possible to make a complete film from one POV and yet create a true emotional connection with an audience if it doesnt have a face to connect with. Saudi Runaway delivers a haunting POV experience via the hands of a woman, most of the times hidden behind a burka, and her willingness to record with her phone the situation that thousands of other women live in Saudi Arabia. This is the story of Muna, a young designer, whose life has been controlled and determined by a state that gives very few rights to women. When forced into an arranged marriage, she decides to escape. Using her phone as testimony of an archaic and violent patriarchy, Muna and director Susanne Regina Meures create an intuitive and immensely emotional documentary. More from Variety Produced by Christian Frei Filmproductions in co-production with Kiosk International and Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen, Saudi Runaways world sales are handled by Rise and Shine. Variety talked with Maures the film bowed in Berlinales Panorama. How did this project start? How did you get in contact with Muna? At the beginning of 2019, a new wave of Saudi Runaways hit the international media. Several teenagers and young women fled the Kingdom under dramatic circumstances. Some were successful, but many failed and faced unthinkable consequences. I had been planning on filming in Saudi Arabia for quite a while. But every time I applied for a visa, it got rejected. In April 2019 I got in touch with a Saudi activist in Europe who also runs a blog and a closed chat group supporting women who are trying to leave the Kingdom. I placed a post in the chat group, looking for girls/women who were planning on escaping in the near future. My hope was to find someone who would be willing to document their everyday life and their planned escape with their mobile phones. Someone who would be able to give us a personal insight view into a hidden world. Many young women got in touch and told me again and again very similar stories of their horrifying day to day life. Domestic violence, often sexual abuse, imprisonment in their own homes, no freedom to choose or decide anything without the consent of their male guardian. I could feel their great urge to share their stories but most women were too afraid to participate in a film. Then, one day, Muna got in touch. She was adamant that the world needs to see what is going on and started filming the same day. Story continues During the period where Muna was shooting how were the dynamics between her and you? What guidelines did you gave her? Muna had five weeks left until her planned escape, so we had a pretty tight deadline. She meticulously and authentically started to film her life as well as her secret escape plan from day number one. We were in touch every day, she sent me her footage and we chatted for about 5-6 hours to discuss technique, form and content. I didnt give her specific guidelines but reacted to the clips she sent me. She uploaded the high res files onto Dropbox and deleted them straight away on her phone. The film is an achievement not only regarding Munas will to record but how her story was edited, vwhich is vaguely reminiscent of Bressons A Man Escaped, the documentary manages to have thriller and almost horror film beats in the way it displays the conditions of women in Saudi Arabia. What was the editing process? What were your guidelines? Once Muna was safe and I had gathered all the footage, I employed about 20 translators to translate all the material. I dont speak Arabic, so all the spoken content was also new to me. But the storyline was pretty clear from the start, so my editor and me were very fast and finished the film in less than three months. But the footage wasnt easy to handle, the pictures were often shaky and the content fragmented. We had to turn the mobile phone clips into a flowing film, which would also be readable for the Western audience. During shooting, Muna and I chatted almost continuously for five weeks, which amounted to about 700 written pages. These words served as the basis for the voice-over and also as a framework to contextualize the images. Your second feature feels very much like a follow-up to your debut, Raving Iran. What attracts you to these stories? One of the things that really draws me to repressive systems, repressive regimes especially with regard to younger generations, is to see how they are dealing with their reality. Everyone is using social media, through it they live in a very comparative world, they are very aware, being from a young generation in Iran or Saudi Arabia, they are very aware of where they are. It creates friction and a lot of frustration. Theres a question that every documentary filmmaker and even anthropologist have to confront which is how to approach the material and the idiosyncrasies of a society, being an outsider. I did a lot of research, I spoke to a lot of people, and I knew it would be hard for me to get to the place, literally, and the place where I knew I would find the story I wanted to tell. That is also one of the reasons why I gave the camera to her, because I really wanted to tell the story from its most inner core. At the same time, I dont believe in this colonial thinking that foreign filmmakers shouldnt be doing films about other countries. Theres often a wonderful clarity to a well-researched view from the outside. Talking again about social media, I also feel that I can relate quite well to the young, very westernized generation in the Middle East. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. At least 24 people are dead and 189 injured as violent clashes in India entered their third day. Unrest across the country began in December with the passing of a law that makes non-Muslims from some neighbouring nations eligible for fast-tracked citizenship a move many Muslims say is discriminatory and marks a break from India's secular traditions. Persecuted religious minorities including from Hindu, Sikh, or Christian communities are eligible for citizenship, but those from Islam do not enjoy all the same advantages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) says the new citizenship law is necessary to protect persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, and denies any bias against India's Muslims. Since cruising back to power in May, Modi has pursued a Hindu-first agenda that has emboldened his followers, who account for about 80 percent of the population, and left India's 180 million Muslims reeling. Now opponents and supporters of the law, largely divided between Muslims and Hindus, are facing off against each other. Some say the polarization evokes a dark chapter in India's past. With files from the Associated Press. STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty Over Ten , an industry-leading SaaS company, today announced a partnership with Riskalyze, which enables advisors to pinpoint an investor's Risk Number in an effort to build a portfolio containing an appropriate amount of risk. Through this new integration, Twenty Over Ten's Lead Pilot customers will be able to seamlessly deliver tailored content to clients based on a pre-determined risk tolerance score. Unveiled at the T3 Advisor Conference in February, Lead Pilot is the first inbound marketing solution for financial advisors designed to drive qualified prospects through hyper-personalized content marketing. With Lead Pilot, advisors are able to launch robust, multi-touchpoint content campaigns from a streamlined, easy-to-use dashboard. Riskalyze's Risk Number technology enables advisors to leverage the numbers generated by its program to craft portfolios that contain exactly the right amount of risk. "In today's fast-paced environment, advisors need a way to better connect with their clients and prospects while also leveraging a tool to quickly capture leads," said Ryan Russell, co-founder of Twenty Over Ten. "We are excited to partner with the industry's most trusted name in the quantitative measurement of client risk tolerance." With this simple one-click integration, advisors can seamlessly bring their leads from Lead Pilot right into their Riskalyze account. Every lead that is generated from a Lead Pilot landing page is added directly to the advisor's Riskalyze account as a new contact as well, allowing advisors to further engage via email with customized content and associate data with their newly generated leads. "We're thrilled to see the Risk Number integrated into the heart of the Lead Pilot marketing automation platform," said Jonathan Scott, Director of Core Product at Riskalyze. "This integration will allow advisors to individually tailor the content they deliver to prospects based on their quantified risk preference." To introduce this new offering to the advisor community, Twenty Over Ten and Riskalyze will be hosting a joint webinar to help educate and train advisors on how to best leverage the integration on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT. Those interested in attending can register for free by visiting https://hs.riskalyze.com/20over10webinar . ABOUT TWENTY OVER TEN: Twenty Over Ten is a leading SaaS company whose mission is to help professionals in regulated industries redefine their marketing efforts. Twenty Over Ten offers a family of agile marketing products, Lead Pilot, Website Engine and Providence, all which give companies the marketing tools they need to scale. The company is headquartered in State College, PA. For more information, please visit twentyoverten.com. ABOUT RISKALYZE Riskalyze is the company that invented the Risk Number, which powers the world's first Risk Alignment Platform and was built on top of a Nobel Prize-winning academic framework. Advisors, broker-dealers, RIAs and asset managers use the Riskalyze platform to create alignment between clients and portfolios, leverage sophisticated analytics to increase the quality of their advice, automate trading and client account management, and access world-class models and research in the Riskalyze Partner Store all with the mission of empowering the world to invest fearlessly. To learn more, visit riskalyze.com . Media Contacts: Amanda Larson Twenty Over Ten (855) 360-1732 [email protected] https://twentyoverten.com https://twitter.com/twentyoverten SOURCE Twenty Over Ten Related Links https://twentyoverten.com About 14% of Cook Countys more than 1.6 million registered voters cast ballots in the April 2019 election, according to election data on the clerks website. Nearly 63,000 of those ballots were cast at early voting sites in the weeks leading up to the election. Umaro Sissoco Embalo swore himself in as the new president of Guinea-Bissau on Thursday, defying a bitter ongoing row about the outcome of the December 29 elections. "I swear on my honour to defend the constitution, to respect it and have it respected," Embalo said, his right hand raised, before a crowd of several hundred at an upscale hotel in the West African state's capital, Bissau. Outgoing president Jose Mario Vaz then placed the presidential sash over his shoulders, an AFP reporter at the scene said. The ceremony took place despite a continuing legal and political battle over the official results. The party of defeated candidate Domingos Simoes Pereira has filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court. Embalo, a 47-year-old former general and prime minister, won 53.55 percent of the votes in the December 29 runoff, according to the National Electoral Commission. Guinea-Bissau. By Jonathan JACOBSEN (AFP) Pereira, 56, from the traditional ruling party, the PAIGC, won 46.45 percent, but has denounced the result as fraudulent. The Supreme Court, responding to the PAIGC's petition, has issued rulings requiring a check of the vote tally sheets. However, this has failed to resolve the dispute, and a row has arisen between the Supreme Court and the election panel. On Tuesday, the election commission confirmed the results that it had announced, while the PAIGC stood by its objections. Guinea-Bissau has a reputation for graft and as a transit point for cocaine smuggling. It is also chronically unstable, having seen four coups and 16 attempted coups since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974. Two-thirds of its 1.8 million people live below the poverty line despite rich mineral reserves and tourism potential. The Eastern Bay of Plenty will finally get the harbour development it has wanted for decades, thanks to a $79.4 million central Government investment. The announcement from Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones today is expected to be a game changer for the township of Opotiki and the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty, creating hundreds of jobs and unlocking new aquaculture industries. The funding is part of the $12 billion New Zealand Upgrade programme which was announced in January and is possible because of the work of the Provincial Development Unit. Opotiki Harbour has been in the pipeline for such a long time with successive governments unable to make the project stack up," says Shane. "With the full attention of officials from the Provincial Development Unit, including engineer Rosie Mercer from the Funds Independent Advisory Panel, we have been able to develop a concept that is fit-for-purpose yet affordable. Building a new harbour to support the growth of aquaculture is the biggest transformational investment the Provincial Growth Fund has made to date and will unlock the largest economic development opportunities in the region. World demand for sustainable seafood is increasing rapidly and large scale aquaculture requires a safe, accessible harbour for harvesting produce and servicing boats." Shane says todays announcement will provide safe access for more boats into the harbour allowing Opotiki to become a major servicing base for aquaculture and other marine related industries. The new harbour will enable significant aquaculture initiatives in the region to get underway, which includes mussel farming. This will be the catalyst for private investment in marine related industries, wharves and a residential development. The project is expected to create around 1850 jobs, including more than 730 in Opotiki. Around 200 jobs will be created during the building phase through work on the harbour construction. "Direct employment in Opotiki longer term will be driven by work on sea farm servicing vessels, production staff in processing facilities and support staff in the aquaculture industry. Given Opotiki has one of the countrys highest levels of social and economic deprivation, with low household incomes, high unemployment and below average educational outcomes, new employment in town will make a big impact on wellbeing and social participation." The Opotiki District Councils economic modelling conservatively predicts the harbour development will produce $132 million in economic benefits for New Zealand. The overall cost of the project is $99.4 million with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council committing $20 million to it. The lack of an improved harbour has been the greatest hindrance to economic growth in the Eastern Bay of Plenty region and this initiative has been a priority for Opotiki for some decades. Im proud the PGF has been a part of this solution for this communitys aspiration." Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash says the investment is closely aligned with the Governments strategy to grow the aquaculture industry to $3 billion by 2035. A new harbour in Opotiki is critical infrastructure that will enable aquaculture growth and help realise meaningful jobs, wellbeing and prosperity for the people of the region." By Stephanie Nebehay, Michael Shields and Parisa Hafezi GENEVA/DUBAI (Reuters) - All countries need to prepare to combat the coronavirus, the World Health Organization said on Thursday, as authorities raced to contain the epidemic's rapid global spread and Wall Street looked set for its biggest weekly fall since the 2008-2009 financial crisis. With new infections reported around the world now surpassing those in mainland China, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said even rich nations should prepare. "No country should assume it won't get cases, that would be a fatal mistake, quite literally," Tedros said, pointing to Italy, where 17 people have died in Europe's worst outbreak. In addition to stockpiling medical supplies, governments ordered schools shut and cancelled big gatherings, including sports events, to try to halt spread of the flu-like disease known as COVID-19 that emerged in central China more than two months ago from an illegal wildlife market. The death rate appears to be around 2 percent, although it could be lower if there are many mild, undiagnosed cases, experts say. By comparison, seasonal influenza has a case fatality rate of around 0.1%, said Anthony Fauci, Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, ahead of a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence, who has been put in charge of coordinating the U.S. response. "So therefore you have somewhat of a serious potential for morbidity and mortality," he said, adding, "We're dealing with a serious virus." There is particular concern over a case in Japan in which a woman tested positive for the virus for a second time. Second positive tests have also been reported in China and could imply contracting the disease does not confer immunity. Scientists warned that much remains unknown about this new virus. The head of the WHO's emergency program, Dr. Mike Ryan, said discussions were being held with organizers about the fate of the 2020 Olympics, scheduled for July in Tokyo, although no decision was expected soon. Story continues Their cancellation or relocation would be a massive blow for Japan, which said it was closing its entire school system for the next month in a bid to prevent spread of the virus. The virus has so far mainly battered China, causing nearly 80,000 infections and more than 2,700 deaths, according to WHO figures. It has spread to another 46 countries, where around 3,700 cases and 57 deaths have been reported. "This virus has pandemic potential," Tedros told reporters in Geneva. He said Iran, Italy and South Korea were at a "decisive point," but still short of sustained community transmission. MARKET SELLOFF Spooked by the impact on China, the heart of corporate supply chains, and the increasing effect on other countries, stocks sank deeper into the red on Thursday and oil prices fell. Global equity markets have dropped for six straight days, wiping out more than $3.6 trillion in value <.MIWD00000PUS>. The S&P 500 <.SPX> finished 12% below its Feb. 19 record close, marking its fastest correction ever in just six trading days, while the Dow registered a record one-day points drop, which was also its fourth 1,000-point decline in history and the second this week. Jeremy Farrar, a specialist in infectious disease epidemics and director of the Wellcome Trust global health charity, urged finance institutions to commit an initial $10 billion funds to fighting the virus. "What we are really missing is tangible, high-level funding and support from global financial institutions," he said in a statement. "The possible impact of this coronavirus is far beyond a health emergency - it's a global crisis with potential to reach the scale of the global financial crisis of 2008." Traders are betting the U.S. Federal Reserve will move aggressively to cut borrowing costs in coming months in response to the effects of the coronavirus on the economy. Politicians are also scrambling to respond. President Donald Trump's administration was considering invoking special powers to rapidly expand U.S. production of protective gear, two officials told Reuters. California's governor complained that the state was monitoring over 8,000 people but had only 200 test kits. President Emmanuel Macron attempted to rally the nation as France's number of reported cases doubled. "We have a crisis before us. An epidemic is on its way," Macron said. Germany, too, has warned of an impending epidemic. And Greece, a gateway for refugees from the Middle East and beyond, announced tighter border controls. There is no cure for the coronavirus, which can lead to pneumonia, and a vaccine may take up to 18 months to develop. MISINFORMATION 'EPIDEMIC' Iran extended closures of cinemas, cultural events and conferences for another week and called off Friday prayers in some cities. The WHO's Ryan said Iran's outbreak may be worse than realized. It has suffered the highest death toll outside China, with 26 dead, suggesting there are likely many more cases than the 245 reported, which includes some senior officials. Italy, desperate to stave off a probable recession, warned that an "epidemic of misleading information" could do worse harm than the virus itself. The coronavirus has played havoc with global aviation and tourism as airlines cancel flights, countries ban visitors from hot spots and nervous passengers put off travel. Chinese authorities said the number of new deaths there stood at 29, its lowest daily tally since Jan. 28. There were 439 new cases in mainland China as of Thursday, the WHO said, compared to 746 elsewhere. [Interactive graphic tracking global spread of coronavirus: open https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser.] (Reporting by Ryan Woo, Yilei Sun and Lusha Zhang in Beijing, Daniel Leussink in Tokyo, Aradhana Aravindan in Singapore, Parisa Hafez in Dubai, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Sudip Kar-Gupta and Michel Rose in Paris, Crispian Balmer and Gavin Jones in Rome, Lisa Lambert in Washington, and Kate Kelland in London; Writing by Catherine Evans and Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by John Stonestreet and Bill Berkrot) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 04:11:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's only announced case of COVID-19, known as the novel coronavirus, was discharged from hospital after the quarantine period was over and the case has tested negative, said a joint statement by the Egyptian Health Ministry and the Wold Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday. The recovered case was of a foreign national and Egypt is now completely free from any coronavirus cases, said Egyptian Health Ministry's spokesman Khaled Megahed. He noted that all the tests the foreigner went through were conducted under supervision of both the Egyptian Health Ministry and the WHO. Both health bodies previously announced that the foreigner suspected of having contracted the virus had undergone six RT-PCR tests in three consecutive days and they all resulted negative. For his part, WHO representative in Egypt Jean Jabbour praised the precautionary measures taken by Egypt to combat COVID-19 and the country's success in discovering and dealing with its sole case. Meanwhile, Egypt's Health Minister Hala Zayed held a meeting on Thursday evening with the ministry's senior officials to follow up the implementation of the precautionary measures to face the novel coronavirus. CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) Security today released the results of a new poll of U.S. city and state employees which examines their preparedness for dealing with cyberattacks. The study found that 73% of government employees surveyed are concerned about impending ransomware threats to cities across the country, and more employees fear of cyberattacks to their community than natural disasters and terrorist attacks. IBM Security is encouraging U.S. cities to battle ransomware by strengthening their preparedness through collaboration and threat sharing, creating and implementing incident response plans, and regularly testing their preparedness in threat simulations via IBM Securitys Cyber Range (pictured) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. More than 100 cities across the United States were hit with ransomware in 2019, according to research from Emsisoft. Data in the new Harris Poll, sponsored by IBM Security, found ransomware attacks might be even more widespread, with 1 in 6 respondents disclosing their department was impacted by a ransomware attack. Despite the growth of these attacks, half of the employees surveyed have not seen any change in preparedness from their employers, with only 38% receiving general ransomware prevention training. Also, budgets for managing cyberattacks have remained stagnant according to 52% of state and local government IT/Security professionals polled. "The emerging ransomware epidemic in our cities highlights the need for cities to better prepare for cyberattacks just as frequently as they prepare for natural disasters," said Wendi Whitmore, VP of Threat Intelligence, IBM Security. "The data in this new study suggests local and state employees recognize the threat but demonstrate over confidence in their ability to react to and manage it. Meanwhile, cities and states across the country remain a ripe target for cybercriminals." 2020 Elections Concerns With the impending 2020 election in the U.S, it's no surprise election security is top of mind for government employees. In fact, the new IBM Harris Poll study found 63% of respondents are concerned that a cyberattack could disrupt the upcoming elections, with the majority of government employees placing their local Board of Elections among the top three most vulnerable systems in their communities. While concerns of attacks against election systems and voting machines continue to make headlines, cyberattacks can also be used as a form of distraction or a way to weaken confidence in systems for voters, or even impede them from casting ballots. The Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has warned that ransomware attacks, in particular, pose a heightened risk to the elections. According to the study, the fear of ransomware attacks feels real to the vast majority of responding government employees, with 73% expressing concerns about threats to U.S. cities. Public Education Public schools have emerged as a growing target for cybercriminals in 2019, ranking as the 7th most targeted industry according to IBM's X-Force Threat Intelligence Index (moving up from 9th the year prior). Ransomware impacted school districts in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Louisiana and other states last year. The IBM Harris Poll study found that education respondents had the lowest amount of cybersecurity training compared to other surveyed state and local professionals. In general, 44% of those from the public education sector said they hadn't received basic cybersecurity training, and 70% said they hadn't received adequate training specifically on how to respond to a cyberattack. With low training numbers, the majority of education respondents aren't overly confident in their ability to recognize and prevent a ransomware attack confidence is nearly 20% lower than other state and local employees surveyed. Calling on the Federal Government With ransomware attacks against cities likely to continue in 2020, both U.S. government employees and taxpayers believe the federal government should step in to assist. The survey shows 78% of government employees believe the federal government should provide assistance to communities in responding to cyberattacks, echoing sentiments from IBM's 2019 study where 50% of U.S. taxpayers said it's the federal government's responsibility to protect cities from ransomware. The majority (76%) of state and local employees also believe cyberattacks warrant emergency support, similar to those used for natural disasters. Positive Progress and the Path Forward for Cities While the study details where work needs to be done in preparing cities for cyberattacks, the results also showed some improvements made since last year. When asked whether they had seen any increases in preparedness and concern for cybersecurity in their departments, government employees surveyed claimed they had seen more improvements than not, and nearly 70% think their employers are currently taking the threat of cyberattacks seriously. City and state employees ranked ransomware #3 among the threats they were most familiar with demonstrating that well publicized attacks are increasing awareness. To expand on these improvements, IBM Security is encouraging U.S. cities to strengthen their preparedness through collaboration and threat sharing, creating and implementing incident response plans, and regularly testing their preparedness via threat simulations. IBM X-Force IRIS has been closely working with dozens of city experts and law enforcement agencies to encourage local governments across the U.S. to get a jump start on their cybersecurity preparedness and become better equipped to handle impending threats. To download the full report of the survey results, go to ibm.biz/city-employees For more information on IBM X-Force IRIS go to http://ibm.biz/IBM-X-Force-IRIS. If you're experiencing an emergency, contact IBM X-Force IRIS' incident response 24/7 hotline: 888-241-9812 About the Survey & IBM Security Ransomware Research This survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of IBM among 690 employees who work for state or local government organizations in the United States. The survey was conducted January 16 through February 3, 2020 among adults 18+, employed full time or part time by local or state government. Four groups were captured in this survey: 1. Local and state employees (working across all public sectors) 2. Local and state employees in IT & related activities 3. Local and state employees in public safety/emergency response 4. Local and state employees in public education Each group was weighted to their respective population by education, age, gender, race, Hispanic ethnicity, US region, household income, full-time/part-time employment status and local/state level to population benchmarks from the March 2019 Current Population Survey (CPS), conducted by the US Census Bureau. For all groups, propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. About IBM Security IBM Security offers one of the most advanced and integrated portfolios of enterprise security products and services. The portfolio, supported by world-renowned IBM X-Force research, enables organizations to effectively manage risk and defend against emerging threats. IBM operates one of the world's broadest security research, development and delivery organizations, monitors 70 billion security events per day in more than 130 countries, and has been granted more than 10,000 security patents worldwide. For more information, please check www.ibm.com/security, follow @IBMSecurity on Twitter or visit the IBM Security Intelligence blog. Contact: Kimberly Samra, IBM Security, (510) 468-6406, [email protected] SOURCE IBM TWIN FALLS City Park is getting new restrooms for $494,314. The City Council voted to award a contract for the project Monday, with Mayor Suzanne Hawkins casting the lone dissenting vote. The park needs a new restroom to replace the one that is many decades old and isnt compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Parks and Recreation Director Wendy Davis said. City officials said they were surprised by the cost of the project. But even the lowest bid was shockingly expensive. There were four bids for the work, ranging from a low bid of $458,115 to a high of $541,250. A new electrical panel, which is critical for the parks lights, is part of the project. There were a few add-ons to the project as well, including security cameras and new asphalt for a stretch of path. Those add-ons increased the cost to $494,314. Hayes Construction will build the new restrooms, which will have more stalls. Several factors raised the cost of the project. For one, construction is expensive these days. Were in a phase right now where there is a tremendous demand on the building trades, City Manager Travis Rothweiler said. Were starting to see bids that are reflecting that. The restrooms also lie in a historic district. Its more expensive to build with materials that fit within the historic district standards. On top of that, public restrooms in general are surprisingly expensive. People are not kind to public restrooms and parks, Davis said. They treat them horribly. Public restrooms get abused, and that means they have to be built bulletproof. They cant have exposed pipes, and they have to be designed so that theyre easily hosed down. City councilman Shawn Barigar and Greg Lanting both noted that the current restrooms leave a lot to be desired. Every time Im at events Ill admit Id rather use the port-a-potties than the existing restrooms, Lanting said. He also pointed out that City Park is the most used park in the Magic Valley. Mayor Suzanne Hawkins, who voted against awarding the contract, said shes in favor of improving the restrooms, but also said shes worried about the pricetag. Its unclear how the citys budget could look following the state legislative session, she said. Barigar agreed that the cost was high, but noted restrooms are always expensive to build, especially bulletproof ones. I dont disagree its expensive, Barigar said. I dont think its going to get any cheaper. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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 Governor Newsom's plan to reduce homelessness includes leasing 286 state-owned properties across California to local governments for shelters or other homeless services. The spaces include Caltrans parking lots, state hospitals and armories, among other properties -- which can all be rented out for $1 a month plus, a $5,000 annual fee. Cities and counties can rent the spaces for up to seven years, according to the lease agreement, and they must be used for emergency shelter or a feeding program. However, some of the properties are also listed as available for affordable housing development under a previous order from Newsom. (More on this later.) Newsom said he's ready to release the properties at any minute. "You just literally have to write in your name and we hand that property over. It can happen literally in hours, not days, not weeks," Newsom told LAist/KPCC during a recent visit to L.A. to check on state-owned trailers set up to house homeless families. Cities can also tap into $650 million in state emergency homeless aid to develop the sites. The state's interactive map shows there are 19 sites in L.A. County and eight in Orange County. Here are what some local leaders want to do with them. The Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa, June 6, 2019 (Jill Replogle/LAist) COSTA MESA: FAIRVIEW DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER The Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa is one of the state properties on the table. The center opened in the 1960s, and over the years, housed hundreds of developmentally disabled people. But the center has been set to close for a while now, and local leaders have been eager to turn the space into something new. (Costa Mesa and Orange County are currently battling a plan to temporarily house coronavirus patients at the site.) In February 2019, State Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva introduced a bill to use the 114-acre property as temporary housing for homeless people with severe mental illness. Then, in May, Gov. Newsom announced that he would set aside $2.2 million in his budget to study the Fairview property. So, Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva held back her bill. Now, the center has officially entered shut-down mode, with only a single resident waiting to be transferred out. Talks of repurposing the space are heating up again. Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley said she sent Newsom an outline of the city's plan for the site last month: 1,500 units of affordable, veterans and homeless housing. "That would basically end veteran's homelessness in Orange County," Foley said of her proposal, which would completely demolish the existing buildings. She said the initial response from the Governor's office was positive. Still, she said she doesn't know how much the new units will cost, who will pay, or who would run it. "We're up in the treetops. We're very conceptual at this point," Foley said. She definitely doesn't want the space to be used as a homeless shelter, however. "There is no need to warehouse people," she said. Regardless, Foley doesn't expect anything to be built on the land for at least another year. Meanwhile, this month Assemblywoman Quirk-Silva introduced a new bill, again intended to use the Fairview Developmental Center to house homeless people with mental illness. Quirk-Silva's office said they're aware that Costa Mesa has an alternative plan for the land, and will continue to watch how that proposal plays out. NORWALK: METROPOLITAN STATE HOSPITAL The Metropolitan State Hospital is one of three properties in Norwalk identified by the state for possible emergency homeless services. The hospital is home to several hundred mental health patients, locked in because most have committed some kind of crime. There are no plans to close the hospital anytime soon, but housing for homeless people could be built elsewhere on the property, or existing buildings could be used -- if the city wants to lease it. "I'm in favor of it if we have direct input and we would need to be assured that there was going to be funding," Norwalk Mayor Margarita Rios said. She wants to see the land used for transitional housing for homeless people, and has visited the Governor's office twice to discuss the plan. At this point, there isn't a specific proposal for the Metropolitan Hospital, but Rios said she's working with the state and county to ensure there would be wrap-around services for homeless residents, like counseling, if they do develop the land. "We're at a point now where the decisions have to be made," she said. "Now Newsom has taken a big leap forward." She said she plans to meet with the Governor again next week. The Department of State Hospitals, which oversees Metropolitan, said in a statement that it was "fully supportive of this effort to use surplus state property for short-term housing for our neighbors in need." NORWALK: SOUTHERN YOUTH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY The Southern Youth Reception Center and Clinic, a juvenile detention center that closed in 2012, is also on Newsom's list for potential emergency housing. Mayor Rios said she wants to see affordable and mixed-use housing on that land. "We want to develop something there that would be beneficial to the community of Norwalk," she said. State Assemblyman Ian Calderon and State Senator Bob Archuleta co-authored a bill to give Norwalk first dibs on the property, rather than Los Angeles County or any other potential buyer. Mayor Rios said she wants to use the site to address Newsom's concerns about homelessness, but also accomplish her own goals for the city. SOUTH LA: CALTRANS PROPERTIES Across the state, most of the surplus state properties available are owned by Caltrans. That includes spaces like parking lots or land purchased to make way for freeways never built. In L.A. County's 2nd District, five Caltrans Park & Ride lots are up for lease along Interstate 5. The office of Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas is evaluating each site. Considering their proximity to the freeway, Ridley-Thomas's office said the parking lots wouldn't be ideal for long-term housing. Some, though, might work for immediate shelter. Ridley-Thomas said he wants to nail down those decisions quickly. "We cannot be in a mode of hyper-cogitation. We cannot be in a place where we're being unduly laborious about this," he said. (Ridley-Thomas is running for City Council in the 10th District.) Governor Gavin Newsom tours one of the trailers he sent to Los Angeles to use for emergency homeless housing along with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. (Caroline Champlin/LAist) WILL THESE PROPERTIES ACTUALLY BE USED FOR SHELTER? Newsom released Executive Order N-23-20 in January, kicking off the process of evaluating surplus state property that could be used specifically for a "short-term emergency basis" to address homelessness. But in some cases -- including the Fairview Center, Metropolitan State Hospital and Southern Youth Correctional Facility -- those properties are also on a state list that could be developed as long-term, affordable housing. This week, Newsom said it's up to local governments to determine how they want to use the land -- or if they want to use it at all. "Some are appropriate, some are not. Some work for temporary shelters, others are better for permanent supportive housing," he said. "That has to be dealt with at the local level." Newsom has described the development process as a flexible partnership, although the official template for leasing Caltrans properties is more rigid: "Tenants shall only be permitted to use the Premises as a temporary shelter and/or feeding program, no other use of the Premises shall be permitted," the template reads. Shark Tanks Barbara Corcoran has been scammed out of almost $400,000 after her office unknowingly became a victim of a phishing scheme, PEOPLE confirms. The incident unfolded last week when Barbaras bookkeeper received an email about an invoice approving the payment for a real estate renovation, Corcoran tells PEOPLE. I lost the $388,700 as a result of a fake email chain sent to my company, Corcoran says. It was an invoice supposedly sent by my assistant to my bookkeeper approving the payment for a real estate renovation. There was no reason to be suspicious as I invest in a lot of real estate. The bookkeeper continued to communicate with whom she thought was Corcorans assistant and went ahead with the wire payment on Tuesday. The error wasnt noticed until the bookkeeper sent a follow up to Corcorans assistants actual address, informing her of what she had just done. Thats when the company became aware of the scam and the assistant noticed the hacker had altered her email. Barbara Corcoran | Tony Rivetti/Getty Images The money was wired to the scammer yesterday and my bookkeeper copied my assistant, who was shocked to see her name on the correspondence. The detail that no one caught was that my assistants email address was misspelled by one letter, making it the fake email address set up by the scammers, Corcoran explains. However, it was too late as $388,700.11 was already gone from the account. The scammer disappeared and Im told that its a common practice, and I wont be getting the money back, Corcoran says. Despite the dramatic loss, Corcoran is keeping a positive attitude. I was upset at first, but then remembered it was only money, Corcoran tells PEOPLE. RELATED: Shark Tanks Barbara Corcoran Talks Starting Her Real Estate Business with $1,000 and A Lucky Break as a Diner Waitress TMZ was first to report the news and revealed that the company the scammer used was FFH Concept GmbH in Germany a legitimate marketing agency in Hurth. Corcorans IT team was able to trace the emails back to a Chinese IP address, TMZ reported. Story continues Shark Tank investors | Eric McCandless/Getty Images RELATED: Shark Tank Star Barbara Corcorans Brother Dies of a Heart Attack in the Dominican Republic In addition to her role on Shark Tank as an investor, Corcoran is known as a businesswoman, speaker and consultant. She is the founder of The Corcoran Group, a real estate brokerage in New York City. She sold the company to NRT for $66 million in 2001. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - TROUBADOUR RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: TR) (OTC Pink: TROUF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce 2020 exploration plans at the Company's 100% owned Amarillo Copper Project, Southwestern BC. Drilling on the 1km long Trench Anomaly in late 2019 lead to a new porphyry discovery and returned an intercept of 0.14% CuEq over 11.5m (see Company news release dated January 16, 2020). Geophysical and geochemical analysis suggests the discovery intersection clipped the north side of a large porphyry copper target. Staking immediately after the discovery has secured the prospective ground extending towards the south. Exploration Plans for 2020: 2,000m of drilling focused on the extensive Trench Anomaly, following up on the 2019 drill discovery of 0.14% CuEq over 11.5m as well as other high priority targets. Expand geophysical coverage to include newly acquired ground to the south and high priority regional targets following up on grab samples assaying 0.43% and 0.49% Cu. Age dating of porphyry mineralization to understand the relationship with district scale mineralization. "We are very encouraged by the alteration and mineralization encountered during the latest drill program. This is a brand-new discovery in an area that has seen exploration activity for decades. Using a systematic approach to exploration, we discovered a new porphyry system in only our sixth exploration drill hole. We have just touched the edge of a large porphyry system within the extensive Trench Anomaly and see great potential for increased grade and thickness of mineralization as we explore south to the core of the anomaly," states Geoff Schellenberg, Company President. The porphyry mineralization encountered in the Fall 2019 drill program transitioned the Company's exploration model from concept to reality and was a large step forward for the project. The age of the mineralizing event at Amarillo is an important indicator in the prospectivity of the project and has been a recurring question in meetings with industry peers who have shown interest in the project. The company is currently in the final stages of selecting a supplier of this service and expects to receive this age data in Q2. In addition to the age dating, the Company is planning to extend existing geophysical coverage to include the newly acquired ground located south of the Trench Anomaly ("Trench Anomaly extension") as well as the North Copper Target situated 3km north of the 2019 discovery drilling. Priority will be given to the Trench Anomaly extension that encompasses 1,270 ha of prospective new ground recently acquired through staking, increasing the overall project size to 5,449 ha. The existing magnetic and chargeability anomalies trend onto this newly acquired ground. The Company is also expanding geophysical coverage to the high priority North Copper Target area where two grab samples returned 0.43% and 0.49% Cu (see Company news release dated January 8, 2019). With drill permits in hand, geophysics will improve targeting and drilling success at the North Copper Target. In 2020 the Company plans 2,000m of drilling to test the extension of the new discovery resulting from the 2019 drill program as well as new priority targets generated from the expanded geophysical coverage. The Company's exploration plans are subject to adequate funding. Stock Option Grant The Company wishes to announce that is has granted incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants, exercisable to purchase up to 1,100,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.05 for a period of five years. The incentive stock options were granted in accordance with the Company's Stock Option Plan. Patrick McLaughlin, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. Amarillo Project The Amarillo project is host to some of the more prospective targets developed in this world class southern BC porphyry belt in decades. The multiple overprinting anomalies (e.g. soil geochem, prospecting and geophysical anomalies) established over the last couple of years, compound the potential for a major discovery. The Amarillo Project consists of nine (9) mineral tenures totalling 5,449 hectares and is situated within the heart of a major mining district. The multi-element geochemical signature of the Amarillo Project is consistent with a large multi-phase mineralizing system and is acutely similar to some of the neighbouring mining operations including the producing Copper Mountain mine located 60km to the southwest and the past producing Brenda mine located 10 kilometres to the north. For further information please contact: Troubadour Resources Inc. 625 Howe Street, Suite 488 Vancouver, BC V6C 2T6 Geoff Schellenberg, President Office: (604) 681-0221 geoff@troubadourresources.com Forward Looking Information Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. 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/52878 NORMAL Illinois State University Police have investigated an alleged criminal sexual abuse of an ISU female student and Police Chief Aaron Woodruff said the incident serves as a warning to people that all sexual contact must be consensual. ISU Police reported on Wednesday that the incident happened between 10 p.m. Feb. 15 and 2 a.m. Feb. 16 in Wright Hall, one of the Tri-Towers, 194 N. Adelaide St., Normal. The female student alleges that a man, who is not an ISU student but is a friend of another student, groped her in a residence hall room, Woodruff said. "There was no (physical) injury as a result," Woodruff said. "She is not moving forward with a criminal investigation." However, the man has been banned from ISU residence halls as a result of the incident, Woodruff said. ISU police have referred the matter to the university's Title IX office, which conducts non-criminal investigations of allegations of sexual assault and abuse and provides resources for victims, he said. While people know that alcohol abuse may increase the risk of sexual assault and abuse, Woodruff has noticed another trend, especially in the past year. More sexual assaults have happened after people met using Tinder, the online dating application. While Woodruff said Tinder was not a factor in the Wright Hall incident, more couples have met on Tinder and non-consensual sex has sometimes resulted. "Some view Tinder as a dating site," he said. "Some view it as an opportunity for sex." In some cases, perpetrators claim they don't know what they've done is sexual assault or abuse, Woodruff said. But no one should meet someone expecting sex, he said. "The main thing is any sexual contact needs to be consensual," Woodruff said. "And consent can be withdrawn at any time." Contact Paul Swiech at 309-820-3275. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_swiech. 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. President Donald Trump kicked off his first official visit to India by addressing a rally of more than 100,000 people on Feb. 24 in Indian prime minister Narendra Modis home state of Gujarat. Trump promised the thousands of cheering Indians, who greeted him, an incredible trade deal and the most feared military equipment on the planet. Accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, he toured Sabarmati ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi lived for 13 years. Afterwards, Trump visited the Taj Mahal, a 17th-century mausoleum built by an Indian emperor for his beloved wife. Trump and Modi have built a personal rapport. The US presidents 36-hour visit to India is seen as India returning the favour for Howdy, Modi! a rally in Texas in fall 2019, where the two leaders appeared together. A few news reports had suggested that Modi and Trump could discuss rising violence and discrimination against religious minorities in India. However, media reports noted that Trump defended Modi on religious freedom in India, even as riots broke out in Delhi. I am a scholar who studies US foreign policy toward India. In the past, US administrations concerned with boosting trade with India have celebrated the two countries shared commitment to democracy and human rights. Under the Trump administration, I argue, the relationship is in danger of becoming purely transactional. Departing from the past Over the past several decades, American presidents, regardless of political affiliation, have reaffirmed the shared values that have bound the two states. Despite the ebbs and flows in the India-US relationship, both sides have long seen democracy as an important link. In 1977, president Jimmy Carter visited India shortly after prime minister Indira Gandhi lost an election. Gandhi had declared a state of emergency in India, ruthlessly curtailing civil rights and personal liberties. Carter opposed providing US nuclear fuel to India because India had conducted a nuclear test in 1974, arguing that it had violated the spirit of a prior agreement. Story continues Nevertheless, Carter went out of his way to laud India for its ability to restore democratic practices, following the state of emergency. Several decades later, a president of a wholly different ideological leaning, George W Bush, adopted a markedly similar stance when hosting prime minister Manmohan Singh for a state visit in Washington. When introducing his visitor to his wife Laura Bush, the US president famously celebrated the absence of religious extremism in India, calling it a democracy which does not have a single al-Qaeda member in a population of 150 million Muslims. Bush went on to attribute the absence of Islamic extremism in India to its commitment to democracy. In 2015, Barack Obama had criticised Indias failure to uphold human rights. By the time of the first George W Bush administration, the Indo-US bilateral relationship had opened up a significant market for American goods. A big reason for this growing trade relationship was a shift in Indias US foreign policy. Even as trade grew, the US presidents have not shied away from criticising India. After president Barack Obamas second visit to India in 2015, he criticised Indias failure to uphold human rights during Modis first term in office. Every person has the right to practice his religion or not to practice it, if they choose so, without persecution, Obama stated in a speech in Mumbai shortly before his departure from India on Jan. 27, 2015. A transactional relationship? Trumps visit diverges from this past of US presidents alternately celebrating and critiquing democracy in India. Trump seems to be focused on material issues, primarily Indias increasing spending on US military supplies. In recent years, defence and military sales relationship with India have been burgeoning, growing some 557% between 2013 and 2017 over the previous five-year period and now reaching almost $20 billion. In early February, India announced it would purchase $2.4 billion in Sikorsky naval helicopters from the US. Trump seems to be focused on India increasing its spending on US military supplies. These military acquisitions, in considerable part, stem from Indias growing apprehensions about China. These fears stem from Chinas military capabilities arrayed along much of Indias Himalayan border and the failure to resolve a border dispute. Indeed, Trump has adopted a hard line stance toward India when it comes to business transactions. On the eve of his departure to New Delhi, Trump ended Indias preferential trade status as a developing country. The move could impose as much as $260 million in new duties and is meant to induce India to open up its markets to a range of American manufactured and agricultural products. A requiem for human rights? Missing from Trumps visit is any allusion whatsoever to recent disturbing political developments in India. In early August 2019, India ended the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir. It also placed a number of prominent politicians under house arrest, blocked telephone and internet services and dramatically bolstered its military presence in the region. In December 2019, India passed the Citizenship Amendment Act, a law that allows the immigration of a range of minorities to India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan but bars Muslim migrants. Protests that erupted across the country in opposition to the new law have been brutally repressed by police. India is also drafting a National Register of Citizens, an effort to document all voting-age Indians that could in effect disenfranchise millions of poor minorities because of their inability to produce appropriate papers. All of these policy initiatives have been undertaken since Prime Minister Modi was re-elected in April 2019. Several members of US Congress, most notably Pramila Jayapal of Seattle, have been outspoken about Indias human rights challenges. But Trump has stayed silent, and he seems unlikely to break that silence on his first-ever official visit to India. As I see it, Trumps message is clear: As long as India opens up its markets to American products, and is willing to make common cause with the US on some foreign policy issues, the shared commitment to democratic values and civil rights of minorities can be set aside. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article. We welcome your comments at ideas.india@qz.com. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the worlds most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz: CHICO, Calif. $34 billion, thats how much the California lottery has given to California schools since 1985. Now, the California State Auditor claims the lottery shorted the state by $36 million. Action News Now spoke with Assistant Superintendent at Chico Unified School, Kevin Bultema. "Those dollars that we receive from the lottery really benefit the district as a whole," Bultema said. The California State Auditor said the lottery owes schools $36 million. Their findings read in part, We determined that the lottery has not ensured that it maximizes funding for education and the State Controllers Office (SCO) is not effectively overseeing the lotterys performance. But, the lottery sent Action News Now a statement disagreeing. CSA incorrectly claims education contributions were underfunded by $36 million," the statement read. Bultema was unaware of the CSAs claims until Action News Now brought it to his attention. We dont know what the impact is to Chico Unified specifically at this time, Bultema said. Currently, we receive about $700,000 a year in restricted dollars that we use for textbooks that helps us with our textbooks every year. Then we receive another $1.9 million in what we call unrestricted dollars and those really are used to offset teachers salaries. One parent, Jennifer Saxon, said they expect institutions to follow the rules just like people. Thats outrageous that theres so much corruption that things are being taken away from children who need it so much and teachers are already underpaid and self-funding classrooms and I just think its a horrible thing to happen, Saxon said. Another parent, Cara Nielsen, who has kids enrolled in Parkview Elementary said the schools could use the extra money. I know the schools work really hard to get things to the students so they could really use that money the students could really use, Nielsen said. Again, the $36 million shortfalls are what the CSA is claiming but the lottery doesnt agree with that. Shenandoah Telecommunications (SHEN) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.27 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.32 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.30 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -15.63%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this telecommunications service provider in parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia would post earnings of $0.32 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.29, delivering a surprise of -9.38%. Over the last four quarters, the company has not been able to surpass consensus EPS estimates. Shenandoah Telecom, which belongs to the Zacks Diversified Communication Services industry, posted revenues of $161 million for the quarter ended December 2019, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.14%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $161.48 million. The company has not been able to beat consensus revenue estimates over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Shenandoah Telecom shares have added about 11.3% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's decline of -3.2%. What's Next for Shenandoah Telecom? While Shenandoah Telecom has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Story continues Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Shenandoah Telecom was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $0.36 on $162.40 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $1.57 on $670.60 million in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Diversified Communication Services is currently in the bottom 35% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Shenandoah Telecommunications Co (SHEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein donated more money to former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton than any other Democratic candidate, despite Clinton's claim that he contributed to 'every Democrat'. Donations from the disgraced movie mogul included $1.4 million bundled toward her failed presidential bid in 2016 and another $73,390 in 1999 when she ran for her New York Senate seat. Weinstein was found guilty of third-degree rape and a first-degree criminal sexual act on Monday. He now faces up to 29 years behind bars. Federal Election Commission filings show that he formerly donated large funds not just to Clinton but to former President Barack Obama, John Kerry and Al Gore during their presidential bids. In total, he donated $2.3 million to the party and its candidates. Hillary Clinton with Harvey Weinstein in 2004. They were friends and he raised money for a number of Democrats including Clinton, her husband Bill, President Obama and Al Gore Harvey Weinstein, center left, bundled half as much to President Obama's 2012 reelection campaign as he did to Clinton in 2016. Also pictured are Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. Harvey Weinstein, left, also contributed to Al Gore, right, on his failed presidential bid Clinton justified receiving campaign donations from Weinstein by saying he donated to 'everybody's campaign'. She and her husband Bill had been friends with the producer for years. On Tuesday, she said of that: 'Well, it's true. He contributed to every Democrat's campaign. 'He contributed to Barack Obama's campaign and John Kerry's campaign and Al Gore's campaign and everybody's campaign. 'I don't know whether that should chill anyone else from contributing to political campaigns, but it certainly should end the kind of behavior that he was just convicted for.' How much money did Democrats receive from Harvey Weinstein? Hillary Clinton: $1.4million for failed 2016 presidential bid; $73,390 for Senate campaign Barack Obama: $72,100 personally raised; $679,000 bundled to 2012 reelection campaign Democratic National Committee: $305,149 Senator Cory Booker: $17,800 Senator Chuck Schumer: $14,200 Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: $11,500 Senator Patrick Leahy: $5,600 Senator Richard Blumenthal: $5,400 Advertisement She previously insisted she knew nothing of his predatory behavior. 'How could we have known? He raised money for me, for the Obamas, for Democrats in general. 'And that at the time was something that everybody thought made sense. 'And of course, if all of us had known what we know now, it would have affected our behavior,' she said. According to Federal Election Commission filings, the money Clinton received far outweighed the amounts donated by Weinstein to any of the other candidates she mentioned. The Miramax founder had personally raised $72,100 for Obama, but bundled only a further $679,000 to his 2012 reelection campaign, half of the $1.4 million figure he bundled to Clinton. According to Center for Responsive Politics, bundling is the act in which 'people with friends in high places who, after bumping against personal contribution limits, turn to those friends, associates, and, well, anyone who's willing to give, and deliver the checks to the candidate'. Even the $73,390 Weinstein donated to Clinton's 1999 Senate run far exceeds the figure pumped into the Senate campaigns of other Democratic candidates. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who replaced Clinton as junior senator in New York, received only $11,500. Others guilty of accepting money from the convicted rapist include New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, who received $17,800, and New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who received $14,200. He also donated $5,400 to Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and $5,600 to Patrick Leahy of Vermont. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Harvey Weinstein attend the TIME 100 Gala in 2014. The convicted rapist contributed $11,500 to the junior New York senator's campaign New York Senator Chuck Schumer, pictured left, who received $14,200 from disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein, pictured right, at a 2014 news conference in New York City Senators Patrick Leahy and Richard Blumenthal also received donations from Weinstein Filings show that the disgraced producer donated $2.3 million to Democratic candidates, including $305,149 received by the Democratic National Committee. Weinstein was brought down first in 2017 by a series of explosive magazine articles. It triggered a wave of women coming forward and forced Hollywood players, many of whom had ignored his behavior for years, to confront his behavior. The candidates he supported were also forced to look back at the donations he had made to their campaign, with many vowing to repay the contributions to women's charities. Speaking to Fox News, spokespeople for Schumer and Booker confirmed they had donated Weinstein's contribution back to a women's charity, as had Blumenthal and Leahy. Gillibrand announced in 2017 that she was awarding her $11,500 Weinstein contribution to RAINN, the nations largest anti-sexual-violence group. Also speaking in 2017, Clinton said it was impossible to give back all of Weinstein's donation but would contribute $13,000 to a women' organization. A spokesperson for Cory Booker confirmed that his Weinstein contribution went to charity Hillary made the comments on Tuesday while promoting her new Hulu documentary Hillary was promoting her new Hulu documentary in Berlin on Tuesday when she was asked for her opinion on the verdict in Weinstein's trial. She said it 'speaks for itself' and that it was 'time for an accounting'. 'Well, I think that the jury's verdict really speaks for itself. 'And it is obviously something that people have looked at and followed because it was time for an accounting. And the jury clearly found that,' she said. Weinstein is now in the hospital, where he was taken with 'chest pains and heart palpitations' on Monday after the guilty verdict, before he could be taken to jail to await sentencing on March 11. Clinton and Weinstein together in 2012, with his wife Georgina Chapman in the background. Clinton said on Tuesday that he donated to 'everybody's' campaign After losing the T20I series at the hands of Australia, South African skipper Quinton de Kock said they will have to have a good look at themselves and ask some "honest questions". "It is just another blowout. Obviously it is not good enough doing it twice in one series. We are going to have to have a good look at ourselves and ask some honest questions," ESPN Cricinfo quoted De Kock as saying. Australia performed brilliantly in the third T20I and overpowered the hosts as they secured a 97-run victory. After being asked to bat first, the Aaron Finch-led side put up a massive total of 193 runs before bundling South Africa for just 96. Mitchell Starc and Ashton Agar both clinched three wickets each in the match to help the visitors dominate South Africa. Australian spinners, Adam Zampa and Agar, were at their devastating best as they picked 13 wickets combined in the three-match T20I series. Praising the Australian spinners, De Kock said, "I am not in the other batsmen's minds. We have got some really good players of spin. But in saying that their two spinners bowled really well. They did not give much away." South Africa and Australia will now face each other in a three-match ODI series, starting from February 29. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Women all over Latin America are taking a stand against femicide and abortion laws as feminism sweeps across Latin America. Women are protesting across Latin America in a call to force gender politics into the arena following increasing cases of femicide and highly restrictive abortion laws. Thousands of Argentines organized a demonstration in Buenos Aires last week for the decriminalization of abortion. The same demonstrations have also seen action from other countries like Chile, Peru, and Mexico. Mabel Gabarra, a lawyer and founder of a campaign to provide free, safe, and legalized terminations in Argentina said the movement will be "historic." Many of the goals of Latin American advocates are yet to be realized despite the enormous attention the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct has received in the West. A bill to decriminalize abortion passed the lower house in Argentina in 2018 but was later rejected by the senate which has 30 female members out of its 72 members. A renewed sense of hope had settled since President Alberto Fernandez assumed power in December. Fernandez had been very vocal about his support to change Argentina's laws on abortion which currently only allows the procedure in cases of rape and risk to the mother's life. Latin Americans expect the decade-long fight will top in favor of abortion rights. Chile adopted a law legalizing abortion in the cases of rape or risk to either the mother's or baby's life two years ago. In Uruguay, Cuba, and Mexico the procedure is legal. However, it is banned in much of Central America. Women also face time in prison for a miscarriage in El Salvador. Colombia's supreme court is due to rule whether or not to legalize abortion on Wednesday. Feminism has also taken over other Latin American countries such as Mexico where there were over 1,000 cases of femicide in 2019, and two recent brutal murders--- one case involving a seven-year-old girl. Mexican feminists have demanded President Andres Manuel Lopez for better policies to fight the wave of violence. Peru has also seen an increase in femicide cases in 2019 where it was said to be the highest number recorded in a decade. Chilean feminist collective LasTesis attended performed a song called "The Rapist is You" in Santiago November last year. The song portrays violence against women as a systemic problem with a political context. The anthem had quickly spread across many countries for tackling the government, the court, and the law enforcement's lack of action on violence against women. It also highlighted inequality in a country marred with months of protests that were met with police violence, and in some cases, sexual violence. "We still don't have a law for violence against women," director of Miles feminist charity Claudia Dides said. "We still don't have a parliament that realizes the importance of eradicating this type of violence." The song is considered as symbolic of a wider feminist pushback that is taking over Latin America. Argentine historian Lissell Quiroz-Perez from the University of Rouen in France said demonstrations about feminism should maintain the pressure by imposing their will. "Feminist movements in Latin America are very dynamic. They inform and mobilize much better than in other countries," said Quiroz-Perez. In practice, she said, laws promoting equality and tackling violence against women are blocked by "male chauvinism ingrained in public institutions." It took 108 minutes to cancel a false alarm about an incident at the Pickering nuclear plant on a Sunday morning in January because no one working in the provincial emergency operations centre knew how to rescind it, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones says. We had some gaps, Jones acknowledged Thursday after an investigation by emergency management officials found human error and a number of systemic issues led to the alert that left many local residents fearing they had been exposed to potentially harmful radiation. The report found duty officers in the emergency operations centre were relatively new on the job, had been working long shifts with a lot of overtime following abbreviated training sessions in an operation where pay had been cut for some staff as a result of jobs being reclassified. Lower pay may be impacting staff retention and hiring, noted the report, which also cited a lack of familiarity of some staff with the alert system and dealing with communications failures, as well as supervisors who couldnt settle on a solution to the false alarm. Senior civil servants were then contacted before the alert was cancelled and corrected at 9:11 a.m. Jones summed it up this way: Too many people were involved and not enough of them understood what the next steps would be if one was sent in error. The emergency alert awakened thousands of Ontarians on cellphones, radios and TVs at 7:23 a.m. on January 12, warning of an incident at the Pickering nuclear power plant. It was supposed to be a routine test during a shift change of duty officers but the screeching alert on a Sunday along with the mention of Pickering rattled many in the area, where potassium iodide tablets have been distributed to mitigate the effects of radiation in case of a disaster. Its extremely shocking, said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, who questioned why it took almost two hours to issue an all-clear when the report stated the unnamed duty officer who sent the alert in error knew right away he had made a mistake. This is why were asking the question when did the minister know what happened? If she knew right away then she should have stepped up to the plate and let the people in the general area, the people around Pickering, know it was a false alarm, Horwath added. If she didnt know, and if almost two hours went by before she knew, then theres something wrong internally that the minister wasnt briefed. Either way, its a problem. Jones said the government has taken action on more than a dozen of the reports recommendations to make sure it doesnt happen again and has decided to assess and review staffing levels in the provincial emergency operations centre that also handles floods and other natural disasters. One of those changes involves separate computer log-ins for the test and emergency broadcast systems. Im not happy about it but at the end of the day I think that we have a better system, Jones told reporters of the alert imbroglio, which follows more than a week of coverage about the problems Premier Doug Fords government is having with licence plates that cant be read in some lighting conditions. Green Leader Mike Schreiner said the report shined a light on some troubling problems. There will be human error in any system. The fact that it took so long to deal with the systemic issues around it raises serious questions. New Democrat MPP Kevin Yarde raised concerns about a portion of the report that found Pelmorex, the private company handling the broadcast part of the alert, appeared to be calling the shots as a correction was being debated by repeatedly recommending against a second alert, warning that people will get alert fatigue. The erroneous alert had nothing to do with Ontario Power Generation (OPG), which operates the 49-year-old Pickering station. In the immediate wake of the snafu, Toronto Mayor John Tory blasted the poor showing by provincial emergency officials. The first alert said it was meant to warn people living within 10 km of the Pickering station, which is five km from Torontos eastern city limits on the north shore of Lake Ontario. In the wake of the false alert, OPGs chief nuclear officer Sean Granville noted that in the unlikely event of an incident at the station, the Crown utility has a sophisticated and robust notification process in place that we would immediately follow. Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra shared a delightful video of a little boy who broke the internet with his incredible dance moves while watching a performance for US First Lady Melania Trump at a Delhi government school on Tuesday. Sharing the video on his Twitter handle, the business tycoon wrote, In a world burdened by natural calamities, trade battles, social upheavals & pandemics, this viral clip showing a childs unrestrained enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air. He didnt give a hoot about the celebrity in front & the nervous secret service agent behind! Balle balle! In the shared clip, Melania Trump can be seen watching a dance performance by the students at the Sarvodaya Senior Secondary School in Nanakpura. While the students were performing a dance routine on stage, one student, named Gaganjit, broke into an impromptu jig in the audience, much to the amusement of Melania Trump. While her security apparatus went into a tizzy, Melania Trump enjoyed the impromptu performance thoroughly. As the cameras caught Gaganjit dancing, the First Lady could be seen laughing and clapping for him. In a world burdened by natural calamities, trade battles, social upheavals & pandemics, this viral clip showing a childs unrestrained enthusiasm is a breath of fresh air. He didnt give a hoot about the celebrity in front & the nervous secret service agent behind! Balle balle! pic.twitter.com/xF0OmSPwyC anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 26, 2020 As the post went viral, Twitterati flooded the social media with their reactions. Chotta Sardar took the entire limelight, he is the star of event...burrrraaaaaaaaahh, wrote a Twitter user. Another wrote, At last this video brought some smile on face. Paaji tusi cha gaye. A lesson for the so called grown ups... live life child like, commented a third. Some perfections can only be inherited. Bhangra in blood. Every move he is doing is an epitome of perfection. This little sardar just stole my heart... God bless, remarked a fourth. If youre a Mac user whose work involves different varieties of fonts, you might be in for some trouble with macOS Catalina. Some people are reporting that after upgrading to the latest version of macOS, excruciating font conflicts occur, the kind that render text unreadable in Mail, Safari, and other places. And if youve ever moved font files into the Fonts folders in your Library and User Library folders, or you use a third-party font manager such as FontExplorer X Pro, FontAgent, or Suitcase Fusion you may be in for a rude surprise. I had font problems after upgrading to Catalina. I consider myself a font management expert, but I couldnt fix my problems without help. Heres a look at what I encountered and what I had to do to get back to work. Hopefully, you can learn from my experience. When fonts disappear, youll know it The story began simply enough: I thought I was ready to upgrade to macOS Catalina. I dutifully confirmed that all my important apps were 64-bit happy, then I upgraded my Mac. Everything seemed to work well for a few days, and then suddenly, I couldnt see the text in Mail and on some webpages in Safari. (Why it took several days for the problem to appear is still a mystery.) I used my third-party font manager to clear all the font caches on my Mac, but I saw no improvement. I checked the Read and Write permissions on every Fonts folder I could find, and they were correct. (The System font folder only allowed the System to Write; other font folders allowed me to Read and Write.) So I searched Apples discussion forums for fonts disappear after Catalina and found several threads, all with descriptions similar to mine, dating back to October 2019. But there were no solutions there. Finally, I contacted the font experts at Monotype. After confirming that I had cleared the font caches and checked permissions on Fonts folders, I disabled all the fonts in my font manager, which, in my case, is, FontExplorer X Pro. That worked. Apparently, there is a conflict between some of the Macs core fonts and some fonts that I long ago had activated in FontExplorer. What about the now-inactive fonts I need for my projects? No problem: with FontExplorers auto-activation feature enabled, any new fonts needed when I open documents or apps are automatically activated. I dont expect the Catalina font chaos to return, since FontExplorer wont try to activate any font already activated by the System. Where did all my fonts go? I noticed that hundreds of fonts in FontExplorer were marked as Conflicts, colored red in its list of fonts. To add to the fun, FontExplorer showed the former locations of those font fileswhere the font files lived before Catalina moved them. In Catalina, all the fonts not required by the systembut that Apple wants to make always available to appsare placed into a Supplemental folder, located in System/Library/Fonts . These fonts include Apple Chancery, Arial, Baskerville, Brush Script, Futura, Georgia, Gill Sans, Impact, Papyrus, Times New Roman, Trebuchet, Verdana, Webdings, Wingdings (1, 2 and 3) and Zapfino. FontExplorer colors all Conflicts (including missing fonts) in red. The location of the Apple Chancery listed in red is no longer correct because macOS Catalina moved it into the System/Library/Fonts/Supplemental/ folder. I looked for these lost files on my Macs hard drive, and discovered that Catalina had emptied all the Fonts folders that Apple had previously sanctioned for activating fonts. These include: ~/Library/Fonts/ /Library/Fonts/ /Network/Library/Fonts/ /System/Library/Fonts/ As a power-using graphic design wonk, I placed important fonts into these folders as a workaround when an app wouldnt recognize a font that I activated in my font manager, just to get the job done. I suspect some of you have done the same. (To quote Tom Pettys song Running Mans Bible: Desperate measures that might have been wrong.) Catalina moved all the fonts from these folders into a Fonts (Removed) folder alongside the legitimate Fonts folder in my ~/Library/ folder as well as the /Library/ folder. Thoughtfully, Apple even labeled the folder containing my removed fonts with the date and time they were moved. The Fonts (Removed) folder contains a time-stamped folder containing the fonts that macOS Catalina moved from my Macs Library/Fonts/ folder. A similar folder was created in each users ~/Library/Fonts/ folder. Armed with my two folders of abandoned fonts (from my former ~/Library/Fonts/ and former /Library/Fonts/ ), I was now able to add those fonts back into FontExplorer. And since font managers wont add duplicates of fonts, only the missing fonts were added. The moral of the story All the pre-Catalina preparation in the world may not shield you from Catalina font chaos. Even if you dont use a third-party font manager, previous versions of macOS allowed fonts to be activated from up to 7 different Fonts folders. Catalina moves those fonts to the new ~/Library/Fonts (Removed)/ and /Library/Fonts (Removed)/ folders. If you find yourself helplessly staring at invisible text in Mail, Safari, or other apps, try these techniques. Saudi Arabia on Thursday suspended visas for visits to Islams holiest sites for the umrah pilgrimage, an unprecedented move triggered by coronavirus fears that raises questions over the annual hajj. The kingdom, which hosts millions of pilgrims every year in the cities of Mecca and Medina, also suspended visas for tourists from countries with reported infections as fears of a pandemic deepen. Saudi Arabia, which so far has reported no cases of the virus but has expressed alarm over its spread in neighbouring countries, said the suspensions were temporary. It provided no timeframe for when they will be lifted. The kingdoms government has decided to take the following precautions: suspending entry to the kingdom for the purpose of umrah and visit to the Prophets mosque temporarily, the foreign ministry said in a statement.- Suspending entry into the kingdom with tourist visas for those coming from countries, in which the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is a danger. The move comes as Gulf countries implement a raft of measures, including flight suspensions and school closures, to curb the spread of the disease from people returning from pilgrimages to Iran. Even as the number of fresh coronavirus cases declines at the epicentre of the disease in China, there has been a sudden increase across the Middle East. Since its outbreak, the United Arab Emirates has reported 13 coronavirus cases, Kuwait has recorded 43, Bahrain has 33 and Oman is at four cases. Iran has emerged as a major hotspot in the region, with 19 fatalities from 139 infections the highest death toll outside China, where COVID-19 originated. While no cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia, one citizen is reported to be infected in Kuwait along with four Saudi women in Bahrain all of whom had returned from Iran. Unprecedented move The umrah, which refers to the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of year, attracts millions of devout Muslims from all over the globe each year. There was no clarity over how the move would affect the annual hajj pilgrimage due to start in late July. Some 2.5 million faithful travelled to Saudi Arabia from across the world to take part in last years hajj one of the five pillars of Islam. The event is a key rite of passage for Muslims and a massive logistical challenge for Saudi authorities, with colossal crowds cramming into relatively small holy sites. This move by Saudi Arabia is unprecedented, Ghanem Nuseibeh, founder of London-based risk consultancy Cornerstone Global Associates, told AFP. The concern for Saudi authorities would be Ramadan, which starts at the end of April, and hajj afterwards, should the coronavirus become a pandemic. The holy fasting month of Ramadan is considered a favourable period by Muslim pilgrims to perform the umrah. Saudi Arabias custodianship of Mecca and Medina Islams two holiest sites is seen as the kingdoms most powerful source of political legitimacy. But a series of deadly disasters over the years has prompted criticism of the Sunni kingdoms management of the pilgrimage. In September 2015, a stampede killed up to 2,300 worshippers including hundreds of Iranians in the worst disaster ever to strike the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage forms a crucial source of revenue for the government, which hopes to welcome 30 million pilgrims annually to the kingdom by 2030. De facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans Vision 2030 reform plan seeks to shift the economy of Saudi Arabia the worlds top crude exporter away from oil dependency towards other sources of revenue, including religious tourism. A timeline of key dates With such a rush of new developments, its worth us looking back at where and when this all started: 31 December: China alerts the World Health Organization to several cases of unusual pneumonia in the city of Wuhan China alerts the World Health Organization to several cases of unusual pneumonia in the city of Wuhan 7 January: Chinese authorities identify a new type of coronavirus Chinese authorities identify a new type of coronavirus 13 January: The WHO reports a case in Thailand, the first outside of China The WHO reports a case in Thailand, the first outside of China 30 January: The WHO declares the outbreak a global emergency as the death toll in China jumps to 170 The WHO declares the outbreak a global emergency as the death toll in China jumps to 170 2 February: The Philippines reports the first death outside China, a Chinese man from Wuhan The Philippines reports the first death outside China, a Chinese man from Wuhan 7 February: Li Wenliang, a doctor who tried to issue a warning about the coronavirus, dies Li Wenliang, a doctor who tried to issue a warning about the coronavirus, dies 15 February: A Chinese tourist dies in France, the first death in Europe A Chinese tourist dies in France, the first death in Europe 11 February: The WHO announces that the disease caused by the virus would be called Covid-19 The WHO announces that the disease caused by the virus would be called Covid-19 19 February: Iran reports two deaths the first in the Middle East Iran reports two deaths the first in the Middle East 26 February: The global death toll approaches 2,800 as 80,000 cases are recorded worldwide, with Brazil confirming the first case in Latin America SOURCE: AFP Diseases bring out the worst in us, inspiring racist attacks, xenophobic public policy, and isolationism. Its happening right now in the world of coronavirus disease 2019, formally called COVID-19. But diseases also bring out the worst of us, grifters and promoters who thrive on the spread of conspiracies and the panic they cause. Theres one particularly pernicious conspiracy I want to address, one that also cropped up during the 201316 Ebola virus disease outbreak originating in Western Africa. Advertisement Im talking about bioweapons. Whenever a disease emerges, claims that it has spread too quickly to be natural soon follow. Conspiracy theories infect us faster than the virus itself, it seems. This time, the basic idea behind all of them is that the origins of COVID-19 in Wuhan, home to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, is suspicious. From there, some claim that it escaped the lab accidentally after being used in a regular, if risky, experiment, or a bioweapons program. Others suggest it was released intentionally, though it gets convoluted when you try to determine who, exactly, was being attacked: As the podcast Knowledge Fight has documented, Alex Jones has said that COVID-19 is both a false-flag style attack by the Chinese government against its own people and a ChiCom (that is, Chinese communist) plot to attack the West, a conspiracy repeated by Rush Limbaugh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responsible outlets have covered the conspiracy theories, attempting to debunk them. But even some experts dont seem immune here. One rejected the idea of the virus being a biological weapon and praised the Wuhan Institute of Virology as a world-class research institution that does world-class research to the Washington Post at the end of January. Less than a month later, he was tweeting sympathetically about a New York Post opinion piece claiming the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19, had escaped from the same lab. These kinds of conspiracy theories thrive on our fear of the uncertain, on our tendency to demand absolute proof that something is not the caseand its difficult to prove something 100 percent false. Even scientists can get sucked into this: During the Ebola outbreak, a colleague and I tried to address concerns about ebolavirus becoming airborne, a theory based on the argument that because no one could prove it absolutely couldnt happen, we should act as if it was happening. Advertisement With so many actual bad deeds to choose from, we dont need to make up a new conspiracy. In the case of COVID-19, there are a number of clear explanations for its sudden emergence. But it does not matter how effectively we counter conspiracies claiming evidence that the virus shows signs of being engineered. Thats because the rumors of a lab escape or a bioweapon stem from historical amnesia, a caricatured villain, and good old-fashioned racism. Advertisement The first big point folks make is that the Wuhan Institute for Virology is in the same city as the market visited by some of the first patients with COVID-19. This is a conspiratorial version of correlation equals causation. The fact that two things are nearbynever mind that Wuhan has the same population as New York City, is just as busy, and the market and lab are almost 10 miles away from each otheris enough for some to start just asking questions, as conspiracy theorists so often do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But just asking questions is lazy. There are other explanations for where in Wuhan the virus could have originated, the most obvious being bats. A number of species of bat can be found in Hubei province, home to Wuhan, and they absolutely carry coronaviruses. Those viruses often need an intermediate host, and animals that can serve that role are also found in and around the city, not just in markets. Like humans, animals go where food and shelter are. Weve seen this elsewhere, and with other viruses, including the original SARS coronavirus (spread from bats to civets to humans), Hendra virus in Australia (bats to horses to humansand less than six miles from a major university biology department!), and Nipah virus (bats to pigs to humans). So wed do well to ask what the chances are that this particular virus originated in a lab as opposed to coming from animals, just like all the other outbreaks that have happened in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These conspiracy theories also forget, or misunderstand, or mislead their audiences about how laboratory accidents typically happen. And they do: In the past few years there have been investigations into systemic problems with laboratories all over the world, including the U.S. and the United Kingdom. In August, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases was shut down, and it remains so as part of an ongoing review. Laboratory accidents in the United States, including the accidental shipping of H5N1 avian influenza to a U.S. Department of Agriculture lab and the exposure of approximately 75 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers to anthrax, led to a funding pause on certain kinds of gain of function studies that result in the creation of new potential pandemic pathogens with enhanced virulence and transmissibility. Advertisement Advertisement All of this is alarming. But through this weve been able to better measure the chances of a laboratory accident leading to an outbreak. Colleagues of mine modeled the chance of a laboratory failure leading to a wide outbreak, and the long and the short of it is that the chances of such an accident leading to an infection are tiny, and the chances of that leading to a local outbreak and then a global outbreak are smaller and smaller again. History has also shown that laboratory accidents leading to outbreaks share common features: There were three laboratory accidents involving SARS in Asia immediately after the first outbreak of the disease, the final one causing the death of a patient. These outbreaks, however, all had straightforward ties to their labs of origins. COVID-19, on the other hand, has no such ties. Advertisement Advertisement Following those releases, China updated its laboratory biosafety standards a number of times, most recently just last week. Inevitably, folks will point to the timing of these new biosafety guidelinesignoring those the U.S. has produced in the past few yearsin China as evidence that a lab accident causing this outbreak is plausible. What they fail to realize is that those new guidelines were in the works long before COVID-19 reared its head. The first draft was produced last October, according to the South China Morning Post, but the outbreak has provided the crisis that moves various government departments to act to bring the new regulations about. Its a response that will be familiar to anyone that has worked with the government. Nothing gets policy moving like a crisis. Advertisement While safety issues continue to challenge China as well as other countries, the scandals of recent years in China have been good old-fashioned corruption. One scientist, for example, was found to have embezzled about $4.8 million in funds meant for transgenic animal research, distributing it to other companies that he was involved with. Another was found to be illegally selling off lab animals. But before you get too conspiratorial, these animals almost certainly werent sold to food markets or anything like thatthey went to other labs. China is the worlds largest purveyor of laboratory animals, which can be expensive. If researchers are motivated to sell them at all, they stand to make more money selling them as lab animals, not as food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is where the caricatured villain comes in. Conspiracies need a bad guy smart enough to be dangerous but dumb enough not to be too threatening. China has a biosafety level 4 lab that foreign scientists call world-class and threatens the United States scientific dominance, but simultaneously it apparently has lousy standards and sells lab animals for food. In this telling, Chinese scientists are smart but also somehow stupid at the same time. Driving these caricatured views, moreover, is an undercurrent of racism. The history of China includes a series of at times violent occupations by English, American, French, and Japanese forces. From this history arises the trope of China as the sick man of Asia, an unintentional collaboration between English diplomats and Chinese intellectuals, and made popular more than a century later by, of all people, Bruce Lee, as the South China Morning Post describes. This trope describes the government of China as weak and failing, but also the Chinese people themselves as physically frail. Recently revived by a columnist at the Wall Street Journal, to the anger of the Chinese government, the trope feeds an image of the Chinese as cunning but not intelligent. Its an odious hang-up from our colonial past, and one wed be well placed to abandon. Its worth noting that part of that history includes the use of biological weapons against China by the JapaneseChina is the most recent nation to have had bioweapons used against them, en masse, by a foreign power. Advertisement Advertisement Lets be clear: The government of China is not off the hook. Its response to COVID-19, and the quarantine of tens of millions of people, was an egregious and wasteful violation of human rights. Its current approaches to media and its arguable mistreatment of health care workers ought to be condemned. Like any major power, China has a litany of human rights violations it should answer for. Advertisement With so many actual bad deeds to choose from, we dont need to make up a new conspiracy. If I had to guess, Id say that the seeds of this conspiracy lie in the fact that were scared of COVID-19. Its easier to say this was an attack by China than it is to admit that in the more than 15 years since SARS, we havent put enough work into global public health as we should have. And in the U.S., weve consistently defunded public health programs and failed to implement the labor laws and health care reform that would protect us from an outbreak like this one. As usual, its easier to create a bad guy than it is to admit that maybe wethe U.S., and the worldscrewed the pooch when it comes to public health. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. (Newser) President Trump held a presser about the coronavirus Wednesday as the US announced its first case of unknown originmeaning the person had apparently not traveled abroad or come on contact with a confirmed case, the Washington Post reports. As for Trump, he's putting Mike Pence on the case. "I'm going to be putting our Vice President Mike Pence in charge, and Mike will be working with the professionals, doctors and everybody else that's working," he said, per CNN. Trump also said he's willing to compromise with Democrats on coronavirus funding. "We started out by looking at certain things, we've been working with the Hill very, very carefully, very strongly, and I think that we have very good bipartisan spirit for money," he said. story continues below "We were asking for $2.5 billion, and we think that that is a lot," he added. "But the Democratsand I guess Senator Schumerwants us to have much more than that." Indeed, the AP reports that Schumer is seeking $8.5 billion in a newly unveiled coronavirus proposal. "If they want [us to] give more, we'll do more," Trump said. "We'll spend whatever is appropriate." He also said a coronavirus vaccine is something America "can develop fairly rapidly." Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar took the podium and said "the immediate risk to the American public is and continues to be low." The CDC says the case of unknown origin is in Northern California, but little else is known. (One city has declared a state of emergency over coronavirus.) ALBANY Antonius Wiriadjaja was a block from his apartment in Brooklyn headed to the subway when he heard what he thought were fireworks. When he looked down, blood was pouring from his chest. The shooter was aiming for a pregnant woman, who was shot in the leg, and a stray bullet hit Wiriadjaja. A suspect was later arrested, but the gun used in the shooting was never found. The thought that the firearm which was used to shoot me and a pregnant woman is potentially still out there in the streets keeps me awake at night, Wiriadjaja said. Wiriadjaja was joined by others from Gays Against Guns on Wednesday as the advocacy group stood beside Assembly Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz, D-Kings County, calling for state lawmakers to support legislation that would help trace firearms and strengthen efforts to ensure weapons are handled safely and responsibly. Today, I am asking for the New York state legislators to consider voting for these bills to maintain better records of firearms, and to prevent guns like the one that shot me from going out to the streets without a trace, Wiriadjaja said. The bills include a prohibition on ghost guns by requiring self-manufactured firearms to have engraved serial numbers, establishing a statewide ammunition database, requiring manufacturers to include GPS technology on guns and establishing funding to develop personalized handgun technology for all firearms. The earlier bills also include a provision that would require gun owners to have at least $250,000 in liability insurance, money which would be used to compensate victims of gunfire. You need insurance to purchase a home or to operate a vehicle, Ortiz noted, so mandating liability insurance for gun owners is common sense. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Lets mandate that gun owners have liability insurance to be accountable and responsible for their weapons, he said. This year, the assemblyman introduced an additional bill that creates a commission to monitor performance and safety criteria for personalized guns. I feel its very important for New York to stand up and develop policies that really will address the cancer of this issue, Ortiz said. Its very important that we be able to save lives. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to accurately reflect where Antonius Wiriadjaja was when he was shot. Wiriadjaja was shot in Brooklyn. SPH acquires portfolio of five high quality senior independent living properties in Hokkaido, Nara and Tokyo Leveraging on partnership with Bridge C Capital to identify suitable opportunities in Japans aged care and healthcare sector Marks first overseas investment for Aged Care business in the Japanese market in partnership with Bridge C Capital In line with strategy to acquire cash-yielding assets in defensive sectors to grow recurring income Singapore Press Holdings Limited (SPH) on Feb 24 announced that it has, through two special purpose vehicles, Straits Himawari TMK One TMK and Straits Himawari TMK Two TMK, entered into sale and purchase agreements to acquire five aged care assets in Japan for an aggregate consideration of JPY5.26 billion (approximately S$65.8 million). senior independent living properties Image credit: TISG SPH said that the acquisition of the portfolio of five high quality senior independent living properties is in line with the Groups strategy of investing in aged care and healthcare assets, and expanding its business footprint in markets with fast-ageing populations. Three of the properties are in Hokkaido, one is in Nara in the Osaka Metropolitan Region and the fifth, in Tokyo. The properties are well-designed and located, with a total capacity of 365 beds. Seniors are offered quality independent living services including community-based activities, transport and laundry, meals and care services. SPH said that further details of the senior independent living properties will be disclosed on completion of the acquisition. Mr. Ng Yat Chung, Chief Executive Officer of SPH, said: We continue to seek opportunities to expand our Aged Care business overseas. This acquisition is in line with our strategy of growing our recurring income base through the acquisition of cash yielding assets in defensive sectors. The acquisition of the senior independent living properties is made as part of SPHs partnership with Japanese real estate asset manager Bridge C Capital in October 2019 to establish a fund focused on investing in aged care and healthcare assets such as senior housing, nursing homes and medical office buildings in Japan. Asset management fees will be generated as part of the fund, eventually adding to the recurring income stream from the assets. The senior independent living properties in Japan will continue to be managed by the current operators on long leases averaging 23.4 years. Story continues Mr. Anthony Tan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SPH said: The move builds on the acquisition of Orange Valley, one of the largest private nursing home operators. We believe that the aged care industry is set for continued growth in countries with fast-ageing populations like Singapore and Japan. We will continue to leverage on the track record and network of Bridge C to explore future growth opportunities in Japan. The aged care sector in Japan has attractive demographics with the proportion of the elderly population (65 years and above) expected to rise to 30% by 20252. Senior care offerings, including home, facility and the elderly care market are estimated to be worth JPY15 trillion (approximately S$188 billion) in 2025. The aggregate consideration will be fully satisfied in cash and funded through internal as well as external resources. The acquisition is expected to complete by March 2020 and is not expected to have a material effect on the net tangible assets per share or earnings per share of the Company for the current financial year. A recent report by OCBC said that as its media business in FY19 was a drag on results, and with a weak macro backdrop likely to continue to weigh on its advertisement revenue moving forward, it is relying more on property for income diversification. The report noted that SPH has made some strides in media business with its digital push and income diversification strategy, as shown by its latest acquisition of UK student accommodation assets, but its Singapore residential property exposure in Bidadari still remains a source of potential headwind. In its investment summary OCBC said: Under expectations SPHs FY19 results came in below our expectations. The groups operating revenue was down 2.4% YoY to S$959.3m, bolstered by revenue contribution from its Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) portfolio, SPH REITs Figtree Grove and Rail Mall, which helped to offset declines in its media revenue. The groups newspaper ad revenue YoY decline has increased from 12.4% in FY18 to 13.9% in FY19, owing to notable weakness in the Classified segment. PATMI was down 23.4% YoY to S$213.2m, due largely to the lack of investment income, following the previous divestment of the groups Treasury & Investment portfolio. Adjusting for exceptional and one-off items, core PATMI came in at S$155.2m, comprising 96.5% of our full-year forecast. The group has declared a final and special DPS of 5.5 S-cents and 1S-cents, bringing the full-year DPS to 12 S-cents. Relying on property moving forward SPH has also announced that it will be looking to streamline its media sales capabilities, with around 5% reduction in staff numbers across the Media Group. We expect modest net cost savings in FY20, given that the group will be incurring ~S$8m in retrenchment cost in 1QFY20. Moving forward, we believe the group will continue to be on the lookout for more PBSA assets, building on its portfolio AUM of more than S$600m though we note that cap rates for such assets in the UK have been compressing. The group has also partnered a Japanese asset manager to set up a fund focusing on aged care and healthcare assets in Japan; SPH will be contributing up to S$50m in seed equity. Separately, we note that Woodleigh Residences is 20% sold as at 31 Aug, with an ASP of ~S$1.9k psf. In our view, the groups media business outlook remains challenging, and we believe it is still too early to call the bottom on this segment. We roll forward our valuations and reduce our FV slightly from S$2.29 to S$2.28. The post Senior independent living properties in Japan acquired by SPH appeared first on iCompareLoan Resources. The outlook for India's aviation industry remains "negative" in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, which has resulted in many international passengers cancelling their travel to South East Asian countries, according to rating agency Icra. More than 81,000 people have been infected and over 2,700 people have died due to coronavirus. China is the epicentre of the virus outbreak. Icra noted that the outbreak has impacted travel to and from China as well as other South East Asian countries. "The suspension of flights on the India-China sector will not result in any significant impact on the financial performance of the airlines, unless the lockout is prolonged, as the traffic on these routes account for only 0.9-1.3 per cent of the total international passenger numbers." Icra said on Thursday. However, the agency said the impact is expected to be severe if passengers from other South East Asian countries, hit by coronavirus, cancel their travel. Traffic from these countries account for around 19.5-23.8 per cent of the total international passengers flying to and from India, it noted. The extent of impact of the flight/ ticket cancellations on the profitability of the domestic airlines would, however, vary depending on the airlines' presence in these routes. In a note, the agency said it has "maintained its negative outlook on the Indian aviation industry in view of the ongoing lockouts in parts of China following the outbreak of the coronavirus". Some airlines have already discontinued flights to China and Hong Kong until June 2020. Air India has temporarily stopped flying to China and Hong Kong till June 30. The airline has also reduced the number of flights to Singapore. Vistara has decided to cancel 54 flights to Singapore and Bangkok in March. GoAir has suspended its operations to Singapore and has also scaled down the number of flights operated to Phuket and Bangkok. Among other carriers, Singapore Airlines has extended suspension of flights across its network, including India, till end of May. However, Icra said decline in jet fuel prices would partly compensate airlines' loss of revenues due to flight cancellations. Crude oil prices have fallen in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, which has impacted many countries. Icra said the medium-term impact on the domestic aviation industry would also depend on the economic shock to the global economy due to the coronavirus outbreak. Historically, foreign airlines have enjoyed high market share while domestic airlines account for less than 40 per cent of the total passengers carried on international routes to and from to India, Icra Vice President Kinjal Shah said. "Assuming the same proportion on routes to and from China and other impacted South East Asian countries, the Indian aviation industry could see a maximum impact (of 19.5-23.8 per cent) on the international passenger traffic growth...," she said. This impact would be there in case there is a complete suspension of flights to and from these countries, as they fly 4.5-5.5 million passengers, she added. According to her, such a scenario would be negative for the Indian aviation industry, which is already reeling under significant passenger traffic slowdown, with the international traffic growth for up to December quarter of the fiscal having witnessed a decline of 8.4 per cent. As per Icra, prolonged shutdown of manufacturing activities in China and subsequent impact of the outbreak on the global economic activity could result in a slump in global oil demand. "The jet fuel price has declined materially following the coronavirus outbreak in China. This was the sharpest decline in prices since Q4 CY2018," Shah said. Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) Jet fuel accounts for around 40 per cent of an airline's operational costs. A decline in the ATF price by USD 1 at the current level would have a positive impact of 0.5-0.7 per cent on the profit margins of the airlines. This would partly compensate their loss of revenues due to flight cancellations, Shah said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An architectural illustration of the Downtown Campus with expansion east of Interstate 10/35. FEBRUARY 27, 2020 Plans to expand the footprint of UTSAs Downtown Campus have received the green light to move forward. During its meeting in Austin today, the UT System Board of Regents approved the purchase and lease of properties near the downtown San Antonio campus to prepare for the College of Business expansion and to increase campus parking options. UTSA will purchase about 2 acres of land located east of the campus between Dolorosa and West Nueva streets from Bexar County for a new College of Business building. The building will be situated adjacent to the future home of UTSAs School of Data Science and the National Security Collaboration Center. The university is also expected to lease from the Texas Department of Transportation about 8.5 acres on the Durango Loop and under Interstate 35 to create surface parking lots for students, faculty and staff. The growth of the College of Business is part of a 10-year vision for the future of UTSA. Bexar County officials approved in January the $5.7 million purchase of the land, which is currently occupied by the former Central Texas Detention Facility. County Judge Nelson Wolff, a great supporter of the plans for the campus expansion from the beginning, has credited President Taylor Eighmy for turning around the future of the Downtown Campus. This approval is another step toward educating our youth and excelling students in the field of cybersecurity, business and data science. This development will bring life to our downtown and be a beacon to students from all walks of life, Wolff said. Explore UTSAs Campus Master Plan in Sombrilla Magazine. Learn more about A Vision for UTSA, the universitys strategic plan. The current building on Main Campus that is home to the College of Business is facing a shortage of more than 200,000 feet, which is projected to increase to 550,000 square feet as enrollment grows over the next decade. With the expansion of a business presence at the Downtown Campus, broad needs and opportunities in San Antonio will be met by enhancing career-engaged learning, accommodating rapid enrollment growth and fueling the citys economic development. Along with bringing select business programs to the Downtown Campus, the initiative also will help create academic and professional connections among students, faculty and San Antonios business community. UTSA hopes to support upcoming entrepreneurs, while creating a career-engaged services network hub for students and prospective employers. The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) on Wednesday said it has launched a new toll-free number for GST helpdesk, which will be operational 365 days for answering queries related to the indirect tax New Delhi: The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) on Wednesday said it has launched a new toll-free number for GST helpdesk, which will be operational 365 days for answering queries related to the indirect tax. In a statement, the GSTN said it has revamped GST helpdesk by introducing new features to improve taxpayers' experience by making the system more robust and transparent. The GSTN has come up with a new GST help desk toll-free calling number '1800 103 4786'. The caller may call on this number on 365 days in a year from 9 am to 9 pm. With the introduction of the toll-free number, the existing contact number for the GST helpdesk (0120-24888999) has been discontinued, the GSTN added. Further, 10 new languages were introduced on helpdesk. Till now, taxpayers had a facility to interact with the GST helpdesk agents in Hindi and English. Now they can interact in 10 other Indian languages -- Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Kannada, Odia, Malayalam, Punjabi and Assamese. Further, an improved version of Grievance Redressal Portal too has been launched. The GST helpdesk receives average 8,000 to 10,000 calls every day. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- San Francisco-based real estate firm Hamilton Zanze (HZ) has acquired the 248-unit Commonwealth at 31 multifamily apartment community in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The purchase marks the firm's third acquisition of the 2020 year and fifth acquisition in the Nashville metro area to-date. The Commonwealth at 31 apartments were recently acquired by California investment firm Hamilton Zanze. The 248-unit Commonwealth at 31 apartments were built in 2017 in the Nashville submarket of Spring Hill. "Commonwealth at 31 offered an attractive opportunity to buy a brand-new property in the strong submarket of Spring Hill," said David Nelson, managing director of transactions for Hamilton Zanze. "The property features a contemporary vintage, robust amenity package, and prime location which will provide our residents with the quality of life offered in Nashville's urban core. As this is our fourth acquisition in the metro within the last 12 months, we are excited about our continued growth in the region." Built in 2017, Commonwealth at 31 offers spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom units averaging just over one-thousand square feet each. The community includes a resort-style swimming pool, fitness center, dog park, and community fire pits. Large units feature washers and dryers, private balconies, walk-in closets, and stainless-steel appliances. HZ's capital improvements plan includes community amenity upgrades, environmentally conscious interior investments, and exterior renovations. Property management responsibilities have been transitioned to HZ affiliate Mission Rock Residential, a Denver-based company. The community is located a 35-minute drive south of downtown Nashville in Williamson County, which is home to the top-ranked school district in Tennessee, a strong driver of housing demand in the area. Nashville has seen tremendous growth in recent years, benefiting from a well-established economy driven by top universities, including Vanderbilt University, and abundant business opportunity. To learn more about Commonwealth at 31, please visit https://commonwealth31.com/ ABOUT HAMILTON ZANZE Hamilton Zanze (HZ) is a private, San Francisco-based real estate investment company that owns and operates apartment communities. Since its founding in 2001, Hamilton Zanze has acquired over $4.5 billion in multifamily assets primarily in the Western, Southwestern, and Eastern U.S. The company currently owns and operates 85 properties (20,298 units) across 15 states. For additional information, visit www.hamiltonzanze.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Nicole Marshall, Curated Communications [email protected] (504) 644-7335 SOURCE Hamilton Zanze ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 27, 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 signed, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, a Memorandum of Agreement to sell to an unaffiliated third party, the 2002-built vessel Norfolk, with delivery to the buyer latest by April 6, 2020, for a sale price of US$8.75 million before commissions. Upon completion of the aforementioned sale, 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 9.7 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. London, Feb 28 : Britain will plan for an "orderly exit" from the European Union (EU) if no trade deal is agreed by June, a UK government report has said. Downing Street on Thursday said if trade talks with Brussels fail to progress, the government will need to decide whether Britain's attention should move away from negotiations and focus solely on continuing domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion, Xinhua reported. The 30-page document spelling out Britain's negotiating mandate confirms that the British government will not extend the current transition period beyond December 31. The document says Britain hopes a broad outline of an agreement with Brussels would be made clear and could be finalised by September 2020. Details of Britain's approach, including a call for a Canada-style trade deal with the EU, was outlined as MPs in the House of Commons debated Prime Minister Boris Johnson's strategy. In that debate, Cabinet Minister Michael Gove said there will be no border down the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of Britain. The government said it wants regulatory freedom from the EU and will not accept any role for the Court of Justice of the EU in dispute resolution mechanisms, Downing Street added. Political commentators have said Britain's approach to a trade deal clashes with the negotiating mandate published by the EU earlier this week, setting the scene for tough negotiations when talks open next week. Britain's negotiating mandate calls for a liberalised market for trade in goods, with no tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions on trade in manufactured or agricultural products. It also wants a separate agreement on fisheries, allowing for annual negotiations on access to each other's waters and an agreement on equivalence on financial services to be decided before the end of this June. The document states, "The vision for the UK's future relationship with the EU is a vision of a relationship based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals." "Whatever happens, the government will not negotiate any arrangements in which the UK does not have control of its own laws and political life." A comprehensive free trade agreement should be at the core of a trade deal, which should be on the lines of free trade agreements already agreed by the EU in recent years with Canada and with other friendly nations, the document also states. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Reuters/Kevin Coombs Microsoft said it would fall short of its sales forecast for the third quarter because of the continued spread of the coronavirus. The "uncertainty related to the public health situation in China" has affected Microsoft's Windows and Surface hardware businesses, Microsoft said. The forecasts for other parts of Microsoft's business didn't change. Meanwhile, Microsoft could move the production of its Surface devices out of China because of the virus, according to a report from Nikkei Asian Review citing unnamed sources. Click here to read more stories from BI Prime Microsoft on Wednesday said it would miss its sales forecast for its third quarter because of the impact of the coronavirus on its Windows and Surface businesses. The business segment Microsoft calls "More Personal Computing" which includes revenue from licensing Windows to PC manufacturers and its line of Surface hardware is unlikely to hit the company's predicted $10.75 billion to $11.15 billion in revenue due to supply constraints and "uncertainty related to the public health situation in China," Microsoft said. The forecasts for other parts of Microsoft's business are unchanged. Microsoft shares were down about 2% in after-hours trading immediately following the announcement to about $167 per share. The updated guidance comes after Microsoft canceled events in China in Shanghai, Taipei, and most recently Hong Kong related to its Ignite conference. "As Microsoft closely monitors the impact of the COVID-19 health emergency, our top priority remains the health and safety of our employees, customers, partners, and communities," Microsoft said Wednesday. "Our global health response team is acting to help protect our employees in accordance with global health authorities' guidance." Meanwhile, Microsoft could be moving production of its Surface devices out of China because of the virus, according to a report from Nikkei Asian Review citing unnamed sources. Microsoft declined to comment to Business Insider on the report. Story continues The update comes after Microsoft last quarter had what appears to be the best quarter for its Windows business since Satya Nadella became CEO in 2014 and started refocusing the company on the cloud. It was thanks to Microsoft ending support for Windows 7, its operating system that was used on millions of PCs since its launch in 2009, and encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 10 or buy new PCs that come preinstalled with it. Got a tip? Contact this reporter via email at astewart@businessinsider.com, message her on Twitter @ashannstew, or send her a secure message through Signal at 425-344-8242. Read the original article on Business Insider Joe Biden has an 18 point lead in South Carolina ahead of the state's Democratic primary, a new poll reveals. The Clemson University Palmetto poll was released on Wednesday, just three days out from Saturday's vote. The former Vice President, 77, has a 35% of the vote share, well ahead of billionaire Tom Steyer (17%) and Bernie Sanders (13%). The promising poll news comes on the same day that Biden nabbed a key endorsement from Democratic powerbroker Rep. James C. Clyburn, the longest serving member of the South Carolina delegation and a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Biden also managed to escape largely unscathed following Tuesday night's chaotic Democratic debate, which aired on CBS. The new poll indicates that Biden is surging in the state following a strong week on the campaign trail, as a separate East Carolina University poll taken last week showed him with a much smaller 8% lead. It signals a reversal of fortunes for Biden - a one-time front-runner whose national poll numbers have dramatically slipped in recent months amid criticisms of a lackluster campaign. Joe Biden has an 18 point lead in South Carolina ahead of the state's Democratic primary, according to a Clemson University Palmetto poll Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders has replaced Biden nationally to become the new Democratic front-runner. However, in South Carolina, residents have a less-favorable view of the self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, the new poll reveals. Just 54% of those polled say they hold a favorable view of Sanders, in comparison to 63% who have positive opinions of Biden. However, 43% of the 650 people who participated in the Clemson University Palmetto Poll were aged 65 and over - and Biden usually performs better with older constituents. Indeed on Wednesday, Clyburn, 79, decided to reveal his plans to endorse Biden after speaking to an elderly constituent at a funeral. Biden nabbed a key endorsement from Democratic powerbroker Rep. James C. Clyburn on Wednesday Clyburn spoke emotionally with reporters in North Charleston, telling them of his late wife, Emily, as well as the reason he was endorsing Biden. 'I am fearful for the future of this country,' he told stated, before voicing his support for 'My good friend my late wifes great friend, Joe Biden.' 'Ive been saying to many, Ive known for a long time who I would vote for. But I had not decided whether or not to share it with the public,' he continued. 'But I want the public to know that I am voting for Joe Biden, South Carolinians should be voting for Joe Biden.' Clyburn, at times on the verge of tears, spoke about Biden's work in the civil rights movement, and about the affection his late wife had for Biden. Biden was present at the endorsement event, and thanked Clyburn for his support. Bernie Sanders has replaced Biden nationally to become the new Democratic front-runner Soon after, he pivoted to slam main rival Sanders. 'Today people are talking about a revolution. What the countrys looking for are results. What theyre looking for is security. 'What theyre looking for is to be able to sustain and maintain their dignity,' Biden said. 'South Carolina chooses presidents. It decided Bill Clinton to the White House. And up to that time it didnt look like he was going very far,' said Biden. 'You launched my buddy Barack Obama to the White House. And I firmly believe, once again on Saturday you hold in your hands in South Carolina the power to choose the next president of the united States.' Kansas City Police Desperately Seeking Info On Double Trouble Police try to identify 2 teens involved in Kansas City shooting KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Police are trying to identify two people involved in a shooting on Frb. 9. The people of interest in the video posted above are seen wearing hooded sweatshirts. The shooting happened at 4422 St. John Ave. Both are described as black male teens. Kansas City Gas Station Killing Postscript & Fight For Justice Man charged with murder in deadly shooting at KCMO gas station KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Surveillance footage led Kansas City, Missouri, police to a man suspected of fatally shooting another man last October at a gas station. Gilberto Barron-Aguilar, 36, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action Tuesday in connection with the Oct. Help KCK PD ID Crook KCK police ask for public's help with aggravated robbery case KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City, Kansas, police are requesting the public's help with the investigation of an aggravated robbery that occurred earlier this month. Police said in a news release on Tuesday that they need assistance identifying the suspect and a vehicle involved in the Feb. 15 incident. KCPD Suspect Runaway Tech KCPD employee who allegedly claimed to be officer, left accident scene, works in IT A woman accused of falsely identifying herself as a police officer and leaving the scene of an accident is an IT supervisor at the Kansas City Police Department, officials confirmed Tuesday. A police investigation is being conducted into allegations that Paula Chapman-Fagan, 55, "flashed a police badge" and drove away after a car accident late last year in the parking lot of a Platte County thrift store. Grown Up Allegations Confront Kansas City Adult Teen Teen charged as an adult in Kansas City murder KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A teenager will stand trial as an adult after being charged with the murder of a Kansas City, Missouri, man. Da'Shaun Brown, 16, of Kansas City, Missouri, is charged in Jackson County Court with second degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action and assault. Horrific Reminder Note Charge Man Accused of Killing Wife Wrote Note to Himself to Remember to Reference Her in Present Tense A Missouri man accused Wednesday of murder in his wife's presumed death created a note reminding himself to speak about the still-missing woman "in the present tense" after she vanished in October. Abuse Alleged In JaxCo Case Kansas City father accused of abusing his 3-week-old daughter KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City father left in charge of his three small children is accused of abusing his 3-week-old daughter. Corriel Willis, 25, is charged in Jackson County Court with two counts of abuse of a child resulting in serious emotional or physical injury. Search For Justice Cont'd Mom sues Independence police over son's shooting death INDEPENDENCE, MO (AP) - The mother of a man shot and killed by police claims in a lawsuit that Independence and Sugar Creek officers used excessive force during the confrontation. Tamy Lorraine Lukecart claims police actions were "unreasonable and unjustified" in the death of 22-year-old Dakota Lukecart on Jan. 24, 2017. Wichita Top Cop Shares Remorse After Rape Comment Wichita police chief apologizes after suggesting some rapes are 'preventable by using good judgment' WICHITA, KS (KCTV) - The Wichita police chief is now posting an apology after he suggested women who use dating apps are at least partially at fault if they're assaulted. Wichita's Police Chief, Gordon Ramsay is trying to walk back some comments he made on Tuesday, regarding rape, dating apps and, "good judgement" at the Wichita City Council Workshop. Show-Me Takeaway Downgrade Missouri property seizures under Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act down 35% in 2019 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Missouri seized more than $5.9 million worth of property in 2019 under the Criminal Activity Forfeiture Act, according to an annual report from the State Auditor's office. That represents a more than 35% decrease from 2018, when law enforcement officials statewide seized more than $9.1 million in personal property. Hero Cop To JoCo Rescue Overland Park officer races into burning apartment building, relentlessly trying to rescue woman OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Careless discard of smoking materials is the official cause of a fire that came close to killing a woman in Overland Park. The fire happened Monday night at the Four Seasons Apartments on 87th Street near Antioch Road. Justice And Starting Over Lamonte McIntyre says his life is starting now Two years after he was released from prison for crimes he did not commit, Lamonte McIntyre will receive $1.5 million in compensation from the state of Kansas."I feel like a brand new me. I feel like a new person. Once again we take a moment to roundup local police action, court cases andmisdeeds from around the metro. As always and with respect to our Constitution, we remind readers that anybody mentioned in this post isuntil proven guilty.Developing . . . Ryan Welch, Beaumont Enterprise / The Enterprise Agents with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) are cracking down on businesses selling alcohol to minors this Spring Break. The commission is planning undercover stings at re-sellers across the state, using teens who will attempt to purchase alcohol from bars, liquor stores and the like, officials said in a statement. Agents will also be patrolling locations around the state. FRONT PAGE Because of an editing error, an article on Wednesday about President Trumps demand that two Supreme Court justices recuse themselves from cases that involve him described incorrectly a judge whom Mr. Trump called an Obama judge. He is a federal judge, not a Supreme Court justice. NATIONAL An article on Tuesday about a group working to influence the Trump administration on personnel decisions referred incorrectly to an individual contacted for comment. The person was a former employee of the Heritage Foundation, not a current employee. An article on Wednesday about a surveillance system used by the National Security Agency misidentified which 2016 Ohio machete attack investigation was cited in the report as having made use of the Freedom Act phone logs system. It referred to a February 2016 attack at a restaurant, not a November 2016 attack at Ohio State University. NEW YORK An article on Wednesday about the conditions Harvey Weinstein could face in prison misstated which medical facility at Rikers Island has private cells with features like showers. It is the West Facility, not the North Infirmary Command. The coronavirus has rattled financial markets and has the attention of the nation, but so far has yet to make much of a dent in the presidential campaign. Democratic candidates did talk about the illness in Tuesday nights debate, critiquing President Trumps response to the emergency. But the campaigns themselves are remaining tight-lipped about whether they are making any plans for how a full-blown pandemic in the U.S. would affect candidate travel, large rallies and even voter turnout. Like any organization, we take the CDC recommendations seriously. We are developing staff and office policies and will continue to monitor the situation, Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to Joe Biden, told Yahoo News. Only one other campaign contacted by Yahoo News responded to questions about what contingency plans they might be making for a scenario in which schools are closed, as the CDC has said might be necessary, or if large public events are canceled, as has happened in China, South Korea and Italy. We are continuing our travel and town hall schedule, said Chris Meagher, a spokesperson for Pete Buttigieg. A paramedic exits a tent set up by the Civil Protection Department in northern Italy. (Claudio Furlan/Lapresse via AP) Terry Sullivan, who ran the 2016 presidential campaign of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told Yahoo News that most campaigns are just trying to get through the week. Variables like that probably arent even on their radar, Sullivan said. A spokeswoman for Sen. Elizabeth Warren declined to comment on how a severe or medium-scale outbreak might affect the campaign, and pointed to Warrens proposals for how to respond to the outbreak and, more broadly, how to do a better job of preparing for such situations. The candidates themselves agree, however, that Trumps leadership on the issue has been lacking. Instead of building capacity to combat these problems, Donald Trump has deprioritized global health security and risked putting us on our heels in a crisis, Warren wrote in a Medium post outlining her plans for Preventing, Containing, and Treating Infectious Disease Outbreaks at Home and Abroad. Story continues In the debate, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg faulted Trump for weakening the governments capabilities over the past few years. Whats really happening here is the president fired the pandemic specialists in this country two years ago, so theres nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing, and hes defunded Centers for Disease Control, CDC, so we dont have the organization we need, Bloomberg said. This is a very serious thing, as you see, the stock markets falling apart, because people are really worried, and they should be. Trump with members of the coronavirus task force, Feb. 26, 2020. (Evan Vucci/AP) During the debate, Biden pointed to the work the Obama administration did when he was vice president during the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa in 2014 and 2015. I was part of making sure that pandemic did not get to the United States, saved millions of lives, Biden said. We set up, I helped set up, that office in the presidents office on diseases that are pandemic diseases. We increased the budget of the CDC. We increased the NIH budget. Our president today, and hes wiped all that out, Biden said. We did it. We stopped it. There are also no clear signs that the virus has had an impact on voter behavior, and it may be too soon to tell. If a large number of voters were to become uncomfortable about going to the polls on Election Day, that might produce an uptick in early voting. Early voting numbers are up in Virginia ahead of their March 3 primary, but thats likely just the result of a Democratic electorate that is unusually energized to oppose Trump. In California, mail-in ballots began arriving at the homes of voters in early February. But early voting numbers are mixed, according to Paul Mitchell, vice president of Political Data. The raw early vote numbers are up, Mitchell told Yahoo News in an email, but thats because the total vote-by-mail universe has skyrocketed since 2016, up from 10 million to 16 million. But the total percentage of early votes is down from 2016, he said. And in addition, there are some people holding on to their ballots who in the past have voted by mail, Mitchell said in a podcast interview with the Sacramento Bee. Theyre Democrats who vote in every primary and theyre older and theyre turning in their ballots at a lower rate than in previous primaries, he said. I think this is a population of voters that are going to vote. Theyre just voting later because theyre trying to figure out which candidates are going to be viable whats going to happen in South Carolina. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: David Iben put it well when he said, 'Volatility is not a risk we care about. What we care about is avoiding the permanent loss of capital. It's only natural to consider a company's balance sheet when you examine how risky it is, since debt is often involved when a business collapses. We can see that Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) (STO:ERIC B) does use debt in its business. But should shareholders be worried about its use of debt? What Risk Does Debt Bring? Generally speaking, debt only becomes a real problem when a company can't easily pay it off, either by raising capital or with its own cash flow. Ultimately, if the company can't fulfill its legal obligations to repay debt, shareholders could walk away with nothing. However, a more common (but still painful) scenario is that it has to raise new equity capital at a low price, thus permanently diluting shareholders. Of course, the upside of debt is that it often represents cheap capital, especially when it replaces dilution in a company with the ability to reinvest at high rates of return. The first step when considering a company's debt levels is to consider its cash and debt together. Check out our latest analysis for Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson How Much Debt Does Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson Carry? The image below, which you can click on for greater detail, shows that at December 2019 Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson had debt of kr37.7b, up from kr33.4b in one year. But it also has kr51.8b in cash to offset that, meaning it has kr14.1b net cash. OM:ERIC B Historical Debt, February 27th 2020 How Strong Is Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson's Balance Sheet? We can see from the most recent balance sheet that Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson had liabilities of kr116.8b falling due within a year, and liabilities of kr77.7b due beyond that. Offsetting these obligations, it had cash of kr51.8b as well as receivables valued at kr71.2b due within 12 months. So its liabilities total kr71.5b more than the combination of its cash and short-term receivables. Story continues While this might seem like a lot, it is not so bad since Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson has a huge market capitalization of kr273.4b, and so it could probably strengthen its balance sheet by raising capital if it needed to. But we definitely want to keep our eyes open to indications that its debt is bringing too much risk. Despite its noteworthy liabilities, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson boasts net cash, so it's fair to say it does not have a heavy debt load! Better yet, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson grew its EBIT by 117% last year, which is an impressive improvement. If maintained that growth will make the debt even more manageable in the years ahead. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But it is future earnings, more than anything, that will determine Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson's ability to maintain a healthy balance sheet going forward. So if you want to see what the professionals think, you might find this free report on analyst profit forecasts to be interesting. Finally, a business needs free cash flow to pay off debt; accounting profits just don't cut it. Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson may have net cash on the balance sheet, but it is still interesting to look at how well the business converts its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to free cash flow, because that will influence both its need for, and its capacity to manage debt. In the last two years, Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson's free cash flow amounted to 46% of its EBIT, less than we'd expect. That's not great, when it comes to paying down debt. Summing up While Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson does have more liabilities than liquid assets, it also has net cash of kr14.1b. And it impressed us with its EBIT growth of 117% over the last year. So is Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson's debt a risk? It doesn't seem so to us. The balance sheet is clearly the area to focus on when you are analysing debt. But ultimately, every company can contain risks that exist outside of the balance sheet. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson that you should be aware of. Of course, if you're the type of investor who prefers buying stocks without the burden of debt, then don't hesitate to discover our exclusive list of net cash growth stocks, today. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Thank you for reading. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaking at the event (Photo: baoquocte.vn) This is the statement of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung at a 10-year summation meeting of implementation of honouring President Ho Chi Minh, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on February 25th. Speaking at the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said that over the past 10 years, the honouring of Uncle Ho has achieved many positive results and has been implemented by Vietnam's overseas representative offices on five continents. The Vietnam's overseas representative offices have also attached plaques for sites where Uncle Ho lived, studied, worked or traveled in Singapore, the UK, Slovakia, India and France. So far, 22 nations on the world have had 29 statues and monument works. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also built and repaired monuments, museums where President Ho Chi Minh used to live. There are 11 memorial sites named Uncle Ho in foreign countries, including eight works in China, Laos and Thailand, and three works in France, Russia and Germany. In addition, the publication of books and movies about President Ho Chi Minh have been also carried out, including nearly 40 books of foreign authors introducing Uncle Ho's biography, his will and his career. Honouring President Ho Chi Minh is to promote his ideological, moral and personality values as well as honour the country and people of Vietnam in the international arena. The image of Uncle Ho has contributed to promoting international friends' understanding about the history and culture of Vietnam./. China reported 433 new cases of coronavirus infections on Feb. 26, the National Health Commission said on Thursday, up from 406 a day earlier, with a cluster of new cases in Beijing raising concerns about the management of employees returning to work. The total number of confirmed cases on mainland China has now reached 78,497, the Commission said, though the number of new deaths on Wednesday stood at 29, the lowest daily rate since Jan. 28. The outbreak has now killed a total of 2,744 people in China. Hubei, the central Chinese province at the epicenter of the outbreak, reported 409 new cases and 26 deaths on Wednesday. Beijing and the provinces of Heilongjiang and Henan were the locations of the other three fatalities. The number of new cases outside Hubei stood at 24, up from 5 on the previous day and reversing five days of declines. Ten of those were in Beijing. A statement published by the Comission on Thursday, citing a meeting held the previous day, said that the situation in Hubei province and Wuhan is "still complex and serious", and added that the risk of a rebound in infection in other regions should not be overlooked. Also, some coronavirus patients discharged from hospitals after recovery have been readmitted after testing positive again, health authorities said recently. Also read: Coronavirus' inverse effect: These Chinese stocks are doing really well A health official in southern Guangdong province told state media on Wednesday that 14% of patients discharged from hospital experienced a resurgence of the virus, although they had not infected any others they had been in close contact with. The number of new confirmed coronavirus cases in Beijing on Feb. 26 had jumped to 10 from zero the previous day. Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of Beijing Center of Disease Control, told a news briefing on Thursday that it was a cluster case. The new cases all stemmed from a property management agency in Beijing's Chaoyang district, and had either been working in the same office or sharing the same dormitory, Pang said. The case showed that companies were not putting in place adequate monitoring of staff during their 14-day quarantine period, Chen Bei, deputy secretary general of Beijing city government, told a briefing later on Thursday. Also read: Corona beer victim of coronavirus outbreak It has also highlighted the risks of crowded dormitories and poorly ventilated basement housing often used for some workers. Chen said no more than six people should share basement dormitories, which should have windows. She also reiterated that people returning to Beijing must undergo a 14-day self quarantine before they're allowed to go back to work. Chinese authorities are also turning their attention to potential sources of infection from abroad, as the number of new cases outside China now exceed those domestically. The Shanghai government said it is trying to identify anyone who came into contact with a coronavirus patient who arrived in the city from Iran, another coronavirus hotspot. Also read: 119 Indians on board coronavirus-hit Japan cruise land in New Delhi More than 40 countries and regions outside mainland China have reported infections. On Wednesday, cases were detected for the first time in Brazil, Pakistan, Norway, Greece, Romania and Algeria. The coronavirus has infected more than 80,000 people and killed nearly 2,800, the majority in China. A senior medical advisor in the Chinese government who won fame for combating the SARS epidemic in 2003 on Thursday said the original source of the coronavirus remains unclear. "Though the virus was first discovered in China, it may not have originated from China," said Zhong Nanshan, an 83-year-old epidemiologist. Zhong said he believes there are other wildlife species apart from the pangolin, which is suspected as the original source emerging from a seafood market in Wuhan that also sold wild animals, that carry coronavirus. Zhong said China would present a video report to the European Respiratory Society to share China's experience in addressing the virus outbreak. He again repeated an earlier forecast that the coronavirus outbreak in China will be contained by end-April after peaking in mid-to-late-February. Also read: Expedia to lay off 3,000 employees as coronavirus hits travel industry Also read: Coronavirus: Australian scientists develop vaccine candidate The mystery surrounding dinosaur footprints on a cave ceiling in Central Queensland has been solved, in article published in Historical Biology, after more than a half a century. University of Queensland palaeontologist Dr Anthony Romilio discovered pieces to a decades-old puzzle in an unusual place -- a cupboard under the stairs of a suburban Sydney home. "The town of Mount Morgan near Rockhampton has hundreds of fossil footprints and has the highest dinosaur track diversity for the entire eastern half of Australia," Dr Romilio said. "Earlier examinations of the ceiling footprints suggested some very curious dinosaur behaviour; that a carnivorous theropod walked on all four legs. "You don't assume T. rex used its arms to walk, and we didn't expect one of its earlier predatory relatives of 200 million years ago did either." Researchers wanted to determine if this dinosaur did move using its feet and arms, but found accessing research material was difficult. advertisement "For a decade the Mount Morgan track site has been closed, and the published 1950s photographs don't show all the five tracks," Dr Romilio said. However Dr Romilio had a chance meeting with local dentist Dr Roslyn Dick, whose father found many dinosaur fossils over the years. "I'm sure Anthony didn't believe me until I mentioned my father's name -- Ross Staines," Ms Dick said. "Our father was a geologist and reported on the Mount Morgan caves containing the dinosaur tracks in 1954. "Besides his published account, he had high-resolution photographs and detailed notebooks, and my sisters and I had kept it all. advertisement "We even have his dinosaur footprint plaster cast stored under my sister's Harry Potter cupboard in Sydney." Dr Romilio said the wealth and condition of 'dinosaur information' archived by Ms Dick and her sisters Heather Skinner and Janice Millar was amazing. "I've digitised the analogue photos and made a virtual 3D model of the dinosaur footprint, and left the material back to the family's care," he said. "In combination with our current understanding of dinosaurs, it told a pretty clear-cut story." The team firstly concluded that all five tracks were foot impressions -- that none were dinosaur handprints. Also the splayed toes and moderately long middle digit of the footprints resembled two-legged herbivorous dinosaur tracks, differing from prints made by theropods. "Rather than one dinosaur walking on four legs, it seems as though we got two dinosaurs for the price of one -- both plant-eaters that walked bipedally along the shore of an ancient lake," Dr Romilio said. "The tracks lining the cave-ceiling were not made by dinosaurs hanging up-side-down, instead the dinosaurs walked on the lake sediment and these imprints were covered in sand. "In the Mount Morgan caves, the softer lake sediment eroded away and left the harder sandstone in-fills." Rush Limbaugh (left) and other right-wing media figures have pushed a baseless conspiracy involving Dr. Nancy Messonnier, a top official at the CDC working on the response to the coronavirus outbreak. Read more As fears grow about the spread of the coronavirus within the United States, right-wing media figures are going after a top CDC official with ties to Philadelphia. For the past 25 years, Dr. Nancy Messonnier has worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where she has taken a leading role in warning the public about the potential spread of the coronavirus. On Tuesday, Messonnier, a Philadelphia native and University of Pennsylvania graduate, warned that an outbreak with the United States appears inevitable. Its not a question of if but rather a question of when and how many people in this country will have severe illness," Messonnier told reporters, warning if the virus spreads widely, drastic methods might be required to contain it, such as closing schools and requiring employees to work from home. The disruption to everyday life might be severe," she warned. READ MORE: Coronavirus will spread in the U.S., CDC warns, and there might not be enough testing capacity to detect it But some right-wing media figures aligned with President Donald Trump including popular radio host and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Rush Limbaugh want listeners and readers to ignore Messonniers extensive background and knowledge of infectious diseases in favor of a baseless conspiracy theory that she is secretly working to harm Trump and his administration. Their evidence? Her brother happens to be Rod Rosenstein, Trumps former deputy attorney general who was responsible for appointing Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate Russias interference in the 2016 presidential election. READ MORE: Rod Rosenstein: The one man standing in Trump's way is the president's polar opposite On his nationally syndicated radio show Wednesday, Limbaugh took issue with Messonnier for warning about the likely spread of coronavirus within the United States, suggesting her real goal was to create panic and tank the stock market, thereby hurting Trumps chances of being reelected: Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the Centers for Disease Control which today warned it could be bad, it might be bad, dont go to school and dont go to work, stay home and teleconference is the sister of the former deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein. Well... do what you want with it. It may mean nothing. Who knows? Its just in that town, Im telling you, everything is incestuous. Most of that town is establishment oriented or rooted, which means they despise Trump. The CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The consequences of Limbaughs actions could be life or death. If the coronavirus does begin to spread within the United States, the public will have to rely on experts like Messonnier, wrote Judd Legum, who covers conservative media on his Popular Information newsletter. If Limbaughs 20 million listeners choose [] his conspiracy theories instead, they could put themselves and their families in danger. The baseless conspiracy theory began in the fringes of right-wing media, where it was mentioned on Twitter before being picked up on fringe, pro-Trump websites. Gateway Pundit, a right-wing conspiracy theory site that has received White House press credentials from the Trump administration, pointed to the fact that Messonnier briefed reporters while Trump was in India as proof of her desire to harm the president. Trump himself appears focused on the coronavirus impact on the stock market, saying at a news conference Wednesday night the risk to the American people remains very low and I dont think its inevitable. The Washington Post reported that the president was furious about the stock markets slide, and CNBC Washington correspondent Eamon Javers reported Trump was also upset about Messonniers comments. Conspiracy theories about the coronavirus have also spread to mainstream news organizations. Fox News programs have repeatedly promoted a debunked theory that the coronavirus was developed in a lab Wuhan, China, as part of the countrys biological weapons program. Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) has also pushed the false theory multiple times, including during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Based on the virus genome and properties there is no indication whatsoever that it was an engineered virus, Richard Ebright, a professor of chemical biology at Rutgers University, told the Washington Post. There have been 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus within the United States, most of whom caught it overseas, according to a dashboard created by Johns Hopkins Universitys Whiting School of Engineering. Globally, more than 82,000 people have contracted the disease, which has killed at least 2,800. For more on the coronavirus in the Philadelphia area, check here for latest updates. Communities of bacteria known as biofilms are notorious for forming on implanted medical devices and tissues in the body, where they give rise to chronic, sometimes life-threatening infections (Philadelphia, PA) - The same way baking soda breaks down grease and grime, making surfaces easier to clean, researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) now show that a new therapeutic molecule can break apart communities of harmful bacteria, opening the way for bacteria-killing antibiotics to more effectively clear out infections. Communities of bacteria known as biofilms are notorious for forming on implanted medical devices, such as catheters and prosthetics, and on tissues in the body, where they give rise to chronic and sometimes life-threatening infections in patients. Biofilms are extremely difficult to eradicate, because, united with an impermeable matrix, the microbes are able to resist antibiotics and other agents that would otherwise eliminate them. The new molecule, a type of monoclonal antibody, however, is able to open up these biofilms, causing their dissociation. It is the first agent of its kind to show promise as an immunotherapeutic strategy to fight off infectious biofilms. "With this new antibody, we open the door for better treatment strategies for patients who suffer from chronic infections associated with implanted medical devices or who suffer from recurrent infections, such as repeated infections of the urinary tract," explained Cagla Tukel, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at LKSOM, and senior author on the new study. The study was published online in the journal Nature Communications. The new antibody, named 3H3, was isolated from a healthy human subject by Scott K. Dessain, MD, PhD, a professor at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research and coauthor on the new study. Drs. Dessain and Tukel were intrigued by 3H3's ability to attach to beta-amyloid, a sticky protein that functions abnormally in Alzheimer's disease. A form of amyloid called curli is secreted by bacterial cells and is a major component of biofilms. Bacterial amyloid curli acts like glue, enabling bacterial cells to adhere to one another and form a continuous film over a surface. In experiments with biofilms of infectious Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, which forms biofilms in the human intestinal tract and on medical devices, Dr. Tukel's team found that amyloid binding by 3H3 disrupted biofilm formation, causing the separation of bacterial cells within the biofilm. The researchers then tested the antibody in mice infected with catheter-associated S. Typhimurium biofilm. In these animals, 3H3 injections also led to biofilm dissociation and, when followed by antibiotic therapy, allowed for the swift eradication of individual bacterial cells from the animals. There are currently no existing therapies that are used clinically to break up biofilms. Here Dr. Tukel's team showed that while 3H3 breaks the biofilm, it also prevented the dissociating bacteria from entering the circulation, where they could cause sepsis. 3H3 was found to bind to individual bacterial cells facilitating their uptake by immune cells. Therefore, this novel approach has the potential to reduce the risk of sepsis. "We are very excited about these findings," Dr. Tukel said. "There is great need for an immunotherapy that can be used alongside lower dose antibiotics or other antimicrobials to safely and effectively eradicate biofilms in infectious settings." Dr. Tukel and colleagues plan next to test 3H3 on a wide variety of biofilms. As many important pathogenic bacteria produce curli or curli-like amyloids in their biofilms, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this novel immunotherapy has the potential to be applied to a wide variety of infections. "We also are developing a clinical approach," Dr. Tukel noted. "Our preclinical findings in animals are promising, and we've identified a clear path to clinical development." ### Other researchers who contributed to the new work include: Sarah A. Tursi, Lauren K. Nicastro, Amanda L. Miller, Connie Qiu, Stefania Gallucci, and Bettina A. Buttaro, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, LKSOM; Rama Devudu Puligedda, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA; and Paul Szabo and Norman R. Relkin, Weill Cornell Medical Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute, New York. The research was supported in part by funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and from the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. About Temple Health Temple University Health System (TUHS) is a $2.2 billion academic health system dedicated to providing access to quality patient care and supporting excellence in medical education and research. The Health System consists of Temple University Hospital (TUH); TUH-Episcopal Campus; TUH-Jeanes Campus; TUH-Northeastern Campus; The Hospital of Fox Chase Cancer Center and Affiliates, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center; Temple Transport Team, a ground and air-ambulance company; Temple Physicians, Inc., a network of community-based specialty and primary-care physician practices; and Temple Faculty Practice Plan, Inc., TUHS's physician practice plan comprised of more than 500 full-time and part-time academic physicians in 20 clinical departments. TUHS is affiliated with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Temple Health refers to the health, education and research activities carried out by the affiliates of Temple University Health System (TUHS) and by the Katz School of Medicine. TUHS neither provides nor controls the provision of health care. All health care is provided by its member organizations or independent health care providers affiliated with TUHS member organizations. Each TUHS member organization is owned and operated pursuant to its governing documents. It is the policy of Temple University Health System that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment. In an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am, Director of Astghik Medical Center Asatur Asatryan said the citizen of Armenia who died at the medical center didnt die from the coronavirus and that the results of the test have been announced. Asatryan informed that the patient, a man who was over 50, was diagnosed with double pneumonia and had been transferred to the hospital a day before. Earlier, the following announcement had been posted on the Facebook page of Astghik Medical Center: Dear citizens, today the presses spread false information according to which a citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran had died from double pneumonia at Astghik Medical Center. Astghik Medical Center officially declares that this information is inaccurate since no citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been hospitalized and has not died at Astghik Medical Center over the past couple of days. Seven urban landscape features you cant ignore The Bay Areas ongoing boom continues to bring new buildings and spaces. The Chronicles urban design critic takes you on a tour of those that deserve some extra attention. Seven urban landscape features you cant ignore The Bay Areas ongoing boom continues to bring new buildings and spaces. The Chronicles urban design critic takes you on a tour of those that deserve some extra attention. The Bay Areas economic boom brings a steady stream of new buildings and spaces around us, plus the political and social tumult that can make physical changes seem beside the point. Some of them, though, deserve attention. The reason is that the quality of our lives is inseparable from our surroundings. Alterations to skylines or familiar streets can bring pleasure or dismay, as well as surprise. They also offer insight on what sharpens a regions sense of place. Which leads me to seven snapshot critiques of fresh additions to our landscape. Short and mostly sweet, with full awareness theres plenty more change on the way. Cellular Origami UCSF parking garage, 1630 Third St., San Francisco The most captivating architectural flourish that greets visitors to Chase Center isnt the $1.5 billion arena where the Golden State Warriors gamely toil. Its a parking garage. To be more precise, the jangly aluminum curtain that drapes UCSF Mission Bays huge garage along Third Street. Its a drape assembled from 1,504 blob-like panels, some flat and others folded, that are locked into place but constantly shimmer. The idea is a DNA strand, said Lisa Iwamoto of IwamotoScott Architecture. We wanted something that felt like a three-dimensional mural. But it cant move, so were using the (ambient) light around it instead. The marching orders from UCSF were that the screen had to fit onto the support rails installed for a prior screen that failed. IwamatoScott came through, working with a team that included Acosta, the panel fabricators. Now we have a billboard-scale piece of 21st century eye candy served up on a tight budget unlike the glitzy realm across the street. Fox Plaza 1390 Market St., S.F. You cant blame the newish owners of Fox Plaza for wanting to freshen up the glum slab that has loomed over Mid-Market since 1966, when it replaced the beloved Fox Theater. But Swift Real Estate Partners has now made things even worse by adding thick bands of LED lighting along the slabs broad girth, emphasizing the tombstone shape all the more. Besides outlining a 29-story mistake, the lighting captures that awkward moment when a trend goes too far. Nearby City Hall uses computerized illumination to accent the delicate grandeur of its dome. Fox Plaza just looks obliviously lurid. If Swift wants to upgrade the lobby, fine. That belt of aqua-blue paint across the slabs midriff is pleasantly harmless. The lighting? Maybe theres still time for a refund. 500 Folsom St. Rincon Hill, S.F. So many towers have risen on or near Rincon Hill that newcomers can escape notice. Even a 42-story apartment building that resembles a stack of nine-story-tall blocks set one atop the next. The design by Skidmore Owings & Merrill doesnt soar, but theres a visual twist in the interplay of box upon box because of tightly spaced metal fins, cubes that are glassy when viewed head-on are silvery solid when glimpsed from the side. More depth is provided by the notched vertical bands of red terra-cotta that hold multistory balconies. If 500 Folsom sounds cerebral, somewhat detached youre right. Fortunately, it rises from human-scaled wings designed by Fougeron Architecture. As residents move in, lets hope they add a domestic feel to the austere show. Patricias Green Octavia Boulevard and Hayes Street, S.F. Patricias Green has been a Hayes Valley oasis since it opened in 2005, a gathering spot that concludes Octavia Boulevard with a play structure, a lawn, a simple plaza and a sculpture that changes every year or so. Now theres another feature, an act of subtraction rather than addition: The traffic lanes on either side of the green between Hayes and Linden streets have been closed. The block is only 145 feet long, but the bollards installed in December prevent cars cutting from Octavia to Hayes. Instead, theres a calm pedestrian zone amid the ever-more-hectic Hayes Street scene. The next challenge is to make the car-free strips flourish as something besides the site of a symbolic victory over automobiles. Theyre still classified as fire lanes but if theres a way to add movable tables or chairs, the transformation could be more inviting. Presidio Theatre 99 Moraga Ave., the Presidio, S.F. We take the ongoing revival of the Presidio for granted and, with it, the extent to which our shared landscape is the beneficiary of our regions ample wealth. Inside the newsroom Like the news articles that The Chronicle publishes, our columns seek to be thoroughly reported, using interviews and data to back up the writers observations. But columns allow writers to offer readers their own perspective on the issues theyre examining. John Kings columns on urban design and architecture are drawn from his exploration of the Bay Area landscape as well as research into projects; interviews with planners, designers and residents; and on-site visits. Based in The Chronicles newsroom, King gets his ideas from readers observations as well as the buildings and spaces that catch his eye. Then you enter this mock-Spanish theater from 1939 that sat empty after the Army handed off the Presidio to the National Park Service in 1994 and marvel anew. The landscape is fitting and fresh, the exterior sparkles with life. The interior feels like a welcoming club, with abundant historic details but also 600 wide, comfortable seats. As for the discreet addition, it includes what Im told is an uncommonly generous womens restroom. Credit for all this goes to philanthropist Peggy Haas, who funded the $40 million restoration with a project team led by Hornberger + Worstell architects. The impulse was hers. The payoff is ours. East Cut plazas Transbay district, S.F. Theyre the funky antithesis of the Transbay transit centers lavish rooftop park, and theyre right across the street two playful plazas conceived with the idea that someday theyll be razed. One is at Main and Howard streets. The other is around the corner on Beale Street. Hillocks wearing artificial turf rise amid blue asphalt traced with swirls of blue paint that add a hint of topographical mystery. The abundance of sturdy lampposts signals that these spaces are open around the clock. The laid-back oases were paid for by the developers of Park Tower, the 46-story shaft between them at Beale and Howard. When (if?) work begins on the rail extension to the transit center, theyll be replaced by construction staging areas. We were able to convince everyone to allow an interim use, something that can be deconstructed when need be, said Emily Rylander, a principal at Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture. Until then? Consider them small pop-up pleasures in a district where everything else seems super-scaled. The Broadway 3093 Broadway, Oakland If I were doing a full architectural review of this six-story newcomer to Oaklands Pill Hill, there would be plenty of nits to pick in the formulaic design. The saving grace: Theyre not Bay Area formula those boxy crates of infill housing along freeways and transit corridors that have flat facades and a few random bays. Instead, the Broadway has a thick, prow-like form with deep balconies and a streamlined Art Deco air. Sure, people would roll their eyes in Miami. Or in Santa Monica, where designer VTBS Architects is based. But in Oakland, settled in like a cruise ship docked near Interstate 580, its a welcome sight. John King is The San Francisco Chronicles urban design critic. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron Accusing home minister Amit Shah of "abdication of duty" during the communal violence in Delhi, a Congress delegation led by party chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday urged President Ram Nath Kovind to call for his resignation and remind the Centre of its "raj dharma". Reading out parts of the memorandum that the party submitted to the president, Gandhi said both the Delhi government and the Centre remained "mute spectators" instead of trying to take remedial measures to control the situation. "We call upon you and the constitutional office you hold, that the life, liberty and property of the citizens is preserved, secured and protected. You should immediately call for the removal of the home minister given the gross ineptitude, abdication of duty and his inability to contain the situation. "We owe this to the citizens who have lost their loved ones, their homes and their livelihood and most of all their long cherished amity and brotherhood. We hope you will take decisive action on this matter," she told the media outside Rashtrapati Bhavan after meeting the president. The delegation included former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ahmed Patel, P Chidambaram, K C Venugopal, Mallikarjuna Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Anand Sharma, A K Antony, Kumari Selja and Randeep Surjewala. "Rashtrapatiji, you are given the highest possible responsibility under the Constitution of India: to act as the conscience keeper of this government and to remind it of its constitutional duty and the pillars of raj dharma by which any just government must abide," she said, flanked by senior leaders of her party. Questioning Shah's role, Gandhi asked where he was as the violence spread across northeast Delhi. "What was he preoccupied with since last Sunday that he was unable, apparently, to give his attention to these grave events? For that matter, the Delhi chief minister, and the newly elected Delhi government were also completely missing from the scene. "There was clearly a shocking and, in this day and age, unpardonable failure of intelligence agencies leading up to these heart-breaking events. Was there any information provided which could have helped prevent escalation of violence or was it not acted upon by the Home ministry?" she asked. Gandhi said both the Centre and the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had failed in carrying out their responsibilities. "Instead of taking active steps to remedy or diffuse the situation, the Central government as also the newly elected Delhi government have remained mute spectators as completely mindless rage, designed violence and organised looting of property has continued unabated," she said. Hitting out at Delhi Police, Gandhi said the forces on the ground were clearly inadequate to quell the situation in northeast Delhi and asked why additional security forces were not deployed immediately by Shah. Manmohan Singh, in his remarks to the media, said the Congress leaders conveyed to the president that what had happened in the last four days in the national capital was a matter of deep concern and national shame. "That 34 people have died and more than 200 people have been injured is reflection of the total failure of the Central government to control the situation. "We requested the president to use his power to call upon the central government to protect and preserve its raj dharma so that the citizens of this country and this city are assured of peace, tranquillity and justice," he said. Gandhi also said it was a "shameful indictment" of the Central government, the Home ministry and the Home minister himself, that the Delhi High Court had to step in (on Wednesday). It had to remind the Home ministry and the police of their principal duty to act against instigators, the rioters and those engaging in the acts of targeted violence, she said. "What is particularly worrying is that an atmosphere of sectarian hate and communal tensions has been spread and deliberately cultivated by certain individuals and forces. "This violence has taken place over the course of four days, but you are aware that the seeds of this division have been sown by deliberately made inflammatory remarks of BJP leaders in the run up to (and even after) the Delhi elections and a calculated design to foment hate and division amongst the citizens of this country," Gandhi said. When asked to comment on the president's silence so far on the violence, Gandhi said that it was not her place to comment on it. "Let them talk, we will say what we want to," Gandhi added when asked about BJP's statements on the violence. "It is how the leaders and institutions of a country react in times of crisis that defines how we are remembered by history and the rest of the world. We cannot be found wanting in this hour where certain groups seek to divide the people of our great nation for their parochial and petty gains," she said. (Newser) Take a gander at the stars, and you might spot ... no, you won't. It's way too small. But scientists say Earth likely has another moonat least for nowthat's no bigger than a car, New Scientist reports. Astronomers at the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona noticed it crossing the sky on Feb. 15 and posted a tweet with images. The Minor Planet Center followed up with a statement that "this object is temporarily bound to the Earth" and "no link to a known artificial object has been found." The upshot is that it's likely an asteroid, about 6 by 11 feet, that was ensared by Earth's gravity. What's interesting is how rarely astronomers notice these "minimoons," considering all the millions of asteroids zipping around our solar system. story continues below Only one was officially observed before now, back in 2006. It orbited Earth for 11 months before breaking free into space, Popular Mechanics recently recalled. Such minimoons also get pulled into Earth's atmosphere and become meteors, like fireballs that were spotted in Australia in 2016 and Europe in 2014. Seems they might be useful, too: A scientist told Astronomy in November that minimoons are "awesome" because they're "the most accessible object" we can reach in the solar system. The magazine explained they could be used "for sample return missions, tests of asteroid redirection technologies or resource mining." As for the latest minimoon, dubbed 2020 CD3, it's probably bound to our planet for the next three years. (Read more astronomy stories.) The Libyan Tribal Council has rejected an offer by Tunisian President Kais Saied to host them for reconciliation talks in capital Tunis as part of efforts to defuse the Libyan crisis. The offer came both from President Kais and Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Tani, who was in Tunisia early this week, Tunisie Numerique reports. The tribal council reportedly said in a statement that the proposed talks will benefit the interest of Muslim Brotherhood and their allied terror groups. Libya has been embroiled in a deep political crisis since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, killed in 2011 in a NATO-led uprising. The oil-rich African country has seen the situation further worsened since April after retired Gen. Khalifa Haftar, backed by Egypt and UAE, launched a surprise military offensive to topple UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) headquartered in Tripoli. The GNA is backed by Turkey and Qatar. Haftar accuses the GNA of housing terrorist groups and being controlled by members of the Muslim Brotherhood. The tribal council has refused every mediation efforts by Turkey and Qatar. Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan also travelled to Tunisia late December to seek Saieds support for Turkish military intervention in Libya. Erdogan has sent dozens of Turkish forces as well as around 2,000 Syrian mercenaries to prop the GNA. The move came in the wake of the military and maritime agreements Turkey signed with the GNA in November. LUXEMBOURG, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellation Oil Services Holding S.A. (together with its subsidiaries, "Constellation" or the "Company") has reached a preliminary agreement for third-party financing in the amount of $35 million to fund capital expenditures for its Atlantic Star rig. The capital expenditures are related to Atlantic Star's previously announced three-year contract with Petrobras S.A. The estimated contract value is approximately $199 million. The financing is expected to be secured by a priority-lien on the Atlantic Star rig and its related contract and insurance receivables as well as the equity interests in Star International Ltd., the rig owner. Atlantic Star is a midwater semi-submersible drilling rig which was acquired by the Company in 1997. An upgrade to Atlantic Star was completed in February 2011. The rig is capable of drilling at water depths of up to 2,000 feet and has a drilling depth capacity of up to 21,320 feet. About Constellation Constellation is a market leading provider of offshore and onshore oil and gas contract drilling and FPSO services in Brazil through its subsidiary Servicos de Petroleo Constellation S.A. ("Servicos de Petroleo Constellation"). With continuous operations since 1981, Servicos de Petroleo Constellation has built an unmatched reputation for excellence in offshore and onshore drilling services, obtaining ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and API Spec Q2 certifications for its quality management, environmental and safety records and systems. NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains "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, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws. Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by the "forward-looking statements." The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly revisions to any "forward-looking statement," including, without limitation, outlook, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued "forward-looking statement" constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on "forward-looking statements" is at investors' own risk. SOURCE Constellation Oil Services Holding S.A. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: In a tragic incident, a couple hailing from Hyderabad was among the three who died in a car accident that took place in Frisco at Dallas, United States. Musheerabad residents Divya Avula (34) and her husband Raja Gavini (41) along with another man, Premnath Ramanatham (42) were pronounced dead by the police, after the Acura car they were travelling in crashed into a black Ford F-150. The Ford car was driven by a juvenile, who was shifted to a hospital with minor injuries. According to a press release by Frisco Police Department, at around 6.40 pm, the black Ford was travelling north on FM 423 when it hit the Acura that was taking a turn from south FM 423 to east Del Webb. Avula was driving the car. The couple is survived by a six-year-old daughter.As of now, the police have the identity of the juvenile who was driving the Ford, but no cases have been filed yet. This reduces demand on animals, diverts waste, and minimizes environmental impact. On cold winter days, I stay warm by putting on a wool sweater. Given the choice between cotton hoodies and fleece zip-ups, I find myself always gravitating toward wool when the temperature outside has plunged below zero because I know it offers the coziest, most comfortable form of warmth. Wool is an ancient material that people have used for centuries to keep themselves warm, but recently it has faced backlash from animal rights activists who are concerned about the way in which sheep are kept, treated, and shorn for their coats. This has contributed to a surge in synthetic insulating layers, which have their own environmental issues, primarily the shedding of plastic microfibers into waterways which, ironically, cause harm to marine animals. There's no easy answer to the question of what to wear to keep oneself warm, but I deal with it by doing one of two things. Either I buy my wool sweaters second-hand, which prolongs their life, spares them from landfill, and reduces demand for virgin product (they're also much cheaper); or I choose recycled wool content when buying new, an option that's becoming more widely available. This winter I received a sample sweater from California clothing brand prAna (best known for its yoga and workout wear), and it has quickly become a favorite in my closet. It contains 39 percent recycled wool, blended with polyester and nylon. prAna began using recycled wool in select sweaters almost by accident. The company describes how it loved the wool coming out of Prato, Italy, before it even knew the wool was recycled. "From there, it just made sense." Recycled wool is made from reclaimed textile waste, and does not have to be re-dyed: "The mill is able to mix already-dyed fibers to create color, rather than shearing new wool and treating and dyeing the fibers." prAna Men's Leonidas Long-Sleeve Henley Sweater shown on model Recycled wool performs no differently from virgin wool. It's still warm and light, breathable, durable, renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable. The Campaign for Wool says it is "hydrophilic highly absorbent, and retains liquids and so dyes richly while remaining colourfast, without the use of chemicals," and that when "a natural wool fibre is disposed of in soil, it takes a very short time to break down, whereas most synthetics are extremely slow to degrade." Sounds like an ideal material. prAna released four new sweaters in winter 2020 two for women and two for men in a mix of pull-over and zip-up styles. I can attest to the comfortableness of the Brandie Sweater, which is not itchy, pulls over my head, and has a flattering, almost form-fitting cut without feeling constricting in any way. You can see it here, as well as the Women's Lockwood Sweater and the Men's Riddle Full Zip (currently out of stock) and Leonidas Long-Sleeve Henley. Prices are $139-$149. Following Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussexs bombshell decision to step down as senior members of the royal family, Queen Elizabeth II called a meeting between herself, Harry, Prince Charles, and Prince William. After the royal summit concluded, the queen said the family supported Harry and his wifes choice and they would officially stop carrying out royal duties this year. Other senior royals are stepping up their efforts and even appearing together at engagements. Now though, a joint appearance with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge has some wondering if they were sending a message to Harry about what hes missing being away from royal life. Prince William and Prince Charles | Chris Jackson/Getty Images Prince Charles and Prince William were blindsided by Megxit On Jan. 8, the Duke of Sussex and retired actress announced their choice to leave royal life behind. Almost immediately, reports surfaced that Harrys father and brother were not expecting to hear about the couples plans the same time the rest of the world did. BBC correspondent Jonny Dymond said that Palace officials told him that senior royals like Charles and William were hurt, disappointed, and felt blindsided by the news. Its also been reported that Prince Charles was pretty upset with the duchess for not talking to him about things since he thought they had formed a close bond even before she married Harry. The elder prince gave Meghan the nickname Tungsten after the strong metal because he admired her strength and toughness and did not hesitate when he was asked to walk her down the aisle the day she and Harry tied the knot. But in Harry and Meghans absence things have gone on as usual. Although a recent royal visit is leading some fans to believe that it was aimed at showing the Duke of Sussex exactly what he missing out on now. They had fun during a visit with injured members of the armed forces On Feb. 11, Princes Charles and William visited injured members of the armed forces at Leicestershires military rehab facility. The father-and-son duo appeared playful and even shared video of Charles pushing William in a wheelchair to set up shooting from that position. Of course, some read into this a bit because engagements and projects involving wounded servicemen and women have always been a cause close to Harrys heart. One tipster took that further and said they were indeed trying to send Harry a message. They know Harry follows royal press obsessively, and they wanted him to see that things are going great without him and that if he were to return he would be far from miserable., the source told Womans Day Australia., adding, Im sure Charles and Wills wouldve wanted to remind Harry of that. As much as Harry insists he loves his new life, a huge part of him will miss the military, as well as the day-to-day contact with his dad and brother. The publications source remained anonymous so we wont if that really was the case for sure unless the Duke of Cornwall or Duke of Cambridge comment on it, which is something that likely wont happen. Therefore, the speculation will continue. Read more: Did Queen Elizabeth II Just Make Up Her Own Rules For Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? MIDDLETOWN The latest cohort of 20 Skill Up for Manufacturing pre-apprentices were joined by industry stakeholders, employers and families for a graduation ceremony Wednesday at Middlesex Community College. Many graduates are considering job offers and are on their way to a new career, according to a press release. There are presently 13,000 open manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, according to the college. Manufacturing employers who attended the event included: Sylviana Lopez from Roto-Frank, Rebecca Limson from General Dynamics/Electric Boat, Asi Carmelli from Hobson & Motzer, Dave Parmelee from Wepco, and Jamie Scott from NHMA. Skill Up for Manufacturing is a free, five to 10-week pre-apprentice training development program with coursework developed in close coordination with participating manufacturers that quickly funnels underemployed and unemployed residents in Connecticut into manufacturing jobs, according to the release. It is managed by Workforce Alliance of South Central CT and has expanded from five-week introductory and now includes 10-week intensive sessions in plastics and CNC machining. About 80 percent of Skill Up for Manufacturing applicants so far had no prior manufacturing experience. Applicants ranged from 18 to 55, male and female, and came from 39 different towns across the state. These manufacturing companies visited the class, and are currently hiring: Sikorsky Aircraft (Stratford), Bigelow Tea (Fairfield), Roto-Frank (Chester), MPI (Seymour), Ulbrich (North Haven), ASML (Wilton), Hobson & Motzer (Durham), Medtronics (North Haven), M-Cubed (Monroe), Cowles (North Haven), Light Metals Coloring (Southington), RAF (Seymour), MW Industries (Berlin), Holo-Krome (Wallinford), Best Logic Staffing, and Hobson & Motzer (Durham and Wallingford). Skill Up for Manufacturing graduates have completed 250 hours of classroom activities at Middlesex Community College/Vinal Technical High School and Gateway Community College, earning them 250 Pre-Apprenticeship hour through the CT Department of Labor, plus OSHA 10 and Six Sigma certifications. Since March 2019, more than 120 people have successfully completed the free training program with a curriculum designed by local manufacturers. Skill Up for Manufacturing is managed by Workforce Alliance of South Central CT and registration for upcoming classes and opportunities for manufacturers to participate are available. Visit workforcealliance.biz/skillup to learn more. By Troy Stangarone Every U.S. president ideally wants to head into their re-election campaign with foreign policy successes to tout to voters. However, foreign policy has traditionally had very little impact on U.S. elections unless there is something deeply wrong in the policy. In the case of the current talks with North Korea, this history suggests there is likely to be little progress until after the November election. The potential downside to foreign policy for a president's re-election is perhaps underscored by the Vietnam War. What began under the Kennedy administration as an effort to support the South Vietnamese government with military advisers in time became a deeply unpopular war in the United States as casualties grew with no end to the conflict in sight. It slowly eroded President Lyndon Johnson's public approval and became a significant factor in his decision not to run for re-election in 1968. Even foreign policy achievements have often not translated into electoral success. Despite George H.W. Bush's stunning foreign policy successes in peacefully managing the end of the Cold War and then building an international coalition to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991, only a year later he would go on to lose the presidential election to a relatively unknown Democrat named Bill Clinton. Instead, U.S. elections tend to be fought on domestic issues such as the state of the economy or cultural issues. The 1992 election between Bush and Clinton introduced the phrase "it's the economy, stupid." In more recent elections, those issues have remained the focus of the American electorate despite the country's deeper involvement in conflicts abroad. President George W. Bush's re-election campaign was the most recent election where foreign policy was a significant issue. September 11 was still fresh in American minds and only the year before the United States had invaded Iraq. Foreign policy played a larger role than normal. Exit polling from the 2004 election indicates that 19 percent of the American public considered terrorism the most important issue. Another 15 percent viewed the war in Iraq as the most important challenge facing America. However, these two issues still trailed the economy and moral values as the most important considerations for Americans in the election. In the 2008 election, 63 percent of Americans thought that the economy was the most important issue facing the country. Only a combined 19 percent thought either Iraq or terrorism were the most important issue. In 2012 and 2016, the most important issue for Americans remained the economy. Foreign policy became less relevant. With his impeachment trial behind him President Donald Trump could try to reach a deal with North Korea prior to the November election, but history suggests that success is unlikely to help him in his re-election. Failure would be unlikely to be as detrimental to his electoral chances as Vietnam was to Johnson's, but with little potential upside there may be negligible incentives for Trump to take significant steps before the election. North Korea is also not a significant issue for the American public. Even during the period of "fire and fury" North Korea barely registered as the most pressing problem for the United States in an ongoing Gallup poll. Trump, who is finely attuned to public opinion, may sense this as well. Reporting suggests that he does not want another summit meeting with Kim Jong-un prior to the election. U.S. political calculations aside, reaching an agreement likely also faces challenges from North Korea. In the immediate term, North Korea's self-isolation to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus makes restarting talks impractical for the foreseeable future. However, once North Korea lifts its quarantine it may still have reservations about engaging in substantive talks with the United States. Trump's own actions to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Iran nuclear deal likely signal to Pyongyang the innate uncertainty that comes with U.S. policy after an election. A Democratic administration might be less likely than Trump to unwind any agreement, but it might also be more of a risk than North Korea is willing to take. If reaching a deal in 2020 is complicated by politics, that doesn't mean that progress cannot be made with North Korea this year. The best course would be to engage in mid-level talks to work through the issues that need to be finalized prior to concluding a deal. Ideally, the Trump administration would work in close consultation with leaders on Capitol Hill and the eventual Democratic nominee to ensure that if real progress is made and there is a change of administrations the talks can be quickly picked up and finalized with the support of Congress and the new U.S. administration in 2021. The enmity in Washington over the impeachment may make this difficult, but continued talks would allow progress and potentially an interim deal to be concluded. The only real question is whether all of the parties are willing to use 2020 as more than a year lost to electoral politics. Troy Stangarone (ts@keia.org) is senior director and fellow at the Korea Economic Institute. by Nirmala Carvalho A married man who converted to Christianity, he died as a martyr because he refused to give up his faith. In his native region, he is known as Devasagayam (Gods help). The Congregation for the Causes of Saints recognised a miracle attributed to him in 2013. Thousands of people visit the places of his birth and martyrdom. Mumbai (AsiaNews) The future "canonisation of Blessed (Lazarus) Devasagayam will be a great affirmation for the Catholics of Tamil Nadu since he would be the first Indian from the state to be raised to the dignity of sainthood, said Fr AXJ Bosco, a Jesuit and Dalit activist, speaking to AsiaNews. The clergyman is overjoyed that Pope Francis signed on 21 February the decree that starts the process of canonisation of Blessed Lazarus. Known in his native land as Devasagayam (Gods help in the local language), he will be the first married lay martyr from India to become a saint. The pontiff authorised the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to issue eight decrees, including one concerning the miracle attributed to the Indian Blessed who lived in the 18th century. The case involves a 24-week foetus whose heart was restarted after the mother prayed intensely and drank water from the well in the martyr's native village. Eventually the baby was born healthy through natural childbirth. According to Fr Bosco, the Pope's decision has great significance. The message is that it is possible for anyone, irrespective of status in the Church, to follow the radical spirituality of Jesus, lead a holy life, and be a saint. So far only priests and nuns have become saints in India. The Blessed Lazarus Devasahayam was born on 23 April 1712 in Nattalam, a village in Tamil Nadu, into a high-caste Hindu family. He eventually embarked on a career as a court official for the king of Travancore. In 1741 he discovered the Catholic faith through a French-born Dutch officer captured by Travancore and later converted. On 14 May 1745 he was baptised and took the name of Lazarus. Following his conversion, he began to proclaim the Gospel and many people converted thanks to his work, including his wife. After repeated attempts to force him to give up his faith, he was arrested and tortured in public, as a warning to those who might think of converting to Catholicism. Finally, he was shot on 14 January 1752 in Aralvaimozhy, where he had been taken in secret. On 2 December 2012 he was proclaimed blessed. Ever since Pope Francis authorised the canonisation process, thousands of people have been rushing to the place where he was shot, said Bishop emeritus Peter Remigius of Kottar, the diocese in which Devasahayam's places of birth and martyrdom are located. In all the parishes of the diocese there is great jubilation; the news has gone viral on social media. The woman involved in the miracle is from the diocese and lives very close to the blesseds birthplace. According to the bishop, it is a great gift for the Diocese of Kottar, the Church of Kerala and India. It will have a deep impact on the equal dignity of every person. His canonisation will raise awareness that all human beings have value, because we are all children of God and co-heirs of Christ. Even his caste name, Pillai, is not used. After his conversion, he embraced the Gospel message and began treating everyone as equal. He moved around and mixed with people of the lower castes, thus incurring in the wrath of his own. We have been waiting for three centuries for this honour. HOUSTON - Businesses and schools shut down Thursday after a main line from a plant that supplies water to about half of Houston burst open, submerging vehicles on a flooded freeway and prompting emergency officials in the nations fourth-largest city to deploy tanker trucks to mitigate any fire hazards. This was a major, a major break, Mayor Sylvester Turner said at a mid-afternoon news conference. As you can see it produced a lot of water and it is still producing a lot of water. Turner said the line had been isolated on both ends, but until it fully drains, it will continue to spew water, though at a diminishing rate. He said its expected to take about six to eight hours for it to completely drain. Flash flooding from the water main break submerged vehicles on an eastern section of Loop 610, a highway that circles the city. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted early Thursday afternoon that all occupants were out of flooded vehicles. There were no reports of injuries. Drivers in the low-lying city are used to navigating flooded roadways during storms, but rising water on caught many by surprise on a sunny day. The water came out very, very quickly and didnt give people much of a notice, Turner said. Officials said the break happened around noon as a contractor worked to repair a leak in the 8-foot (2.4-meter) line, which is 35 years old. The closer they got to where the leak was occurring, removing the soil, the line simply erupted, Turner said. The fire department said on Twitter that it had rescued three people and searched and cleared 12 vehicles. Turner said they would be watching nearby homes and putting out sandbags to keep them from flooding. Water pressure was expected to remain low in the affected areas for the next six to eight hours, Turner said at the mid-afternoon news conference. Officials urged residents to conserve water. Restaurants without water must stop operating, Turner said. A boil water notice was issued Thursday evening for the citys entire fresh water system. All of Harris County courts will be closed Friday because of the water main break. The Houston Independent School District cancelled after-school activities Thursday and said schools would be closed Friday so maintenance workers could inspect its facilities to make sure they were properly functioning. The low water pressure also caused a fire concern, and fire Chief Samuel Pena said tanker trucks would be deployed in the area. Turner said the break was an example of the need for improvements in infrastructure, which has been a major focus since Hurricane Harvey waterlogged the city in 2017. When you are dealing with an aging infrastructure, you are going to have these main line breaks, Turner said. And in some cases they are major arteries and can cause a major disruption. Most Americans knowledge of Philip Haney, if they have any at all, comes from the obituary/eulogy type commentary that has followed the news stories of his death by gunshot last week. The generic MSM commentaries dont do the man justice; the image they portray is that of a sort of forgettable, bookish-looking bureaucrat who clashed with the Obama administration and ultimately was run out of his post at the Department of Homeland Security. The approved ruling class conclusion: no big deal; happens all the time as part of Beltway political intrigue; barely even a footnote or asterisk in the history of the times. Not so. Philip Haney testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee June 28, 2016 Screen shot from Fox News Philip Haney was a personal acquaintance, not a long-time friend. But even as just a personal acquaintance, he quickly conveyed that he epitomized the ideal of a public servant: he was not a political partisan; he was first and foremost an American patriot, determined as a founding member of the Department of Homeland Security to do his best to protect all of the American people. And he committed to do so at the critical post-9/11 time in American history. With his academic background, skills, talents and devotion, Haney quickly developed the expertise that enabled him to start connecting dots with regard to the Islamic threat inside and outside America. But when he attempted to do his job as a public servant, sound the alarm responsibly, and call for action by the US government to address the threat, he ran up against the Obama administrations ideological sympathy with Islam (transparently evident in the Islamic apology tour that began Obamas Presidency; the Benghazi-was-caused-by-an-anti-Muslim-video lie; the future must not belong to those who slander the Prophet speech to the UN; and the Iranian nuclear deal). Haneys refusal to stand down and go quietly in the face of one of the most serious threats facing America in the 21st century represents the heroics that make him deserving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Haneys conflict was not the petty turf-war of a Deep State bureaucrat determined to control and direct US foreign policy in a Ukrainian cesspool of Deep State/ruling class corruption (Lt. Col. Vindman?). Haney knew first hand of explicit threats to the national security of the American homeland, and encountered an American President determined to deny the threat and prevent remedial action. For all President Trump has done about the Islamic threat most recently with (1) a peace plan that for once in the history of American presidential initiatives in the Middle East effectively identifies and isolates the Islamic jihadist mentality of Palestinian leadership as the core obstacle to peace with the Jews, and (2) a reinstatement of Islamist expert Raymond Ibrahim to speak to the Army War College a posthumous award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Philip Haney would powerfully signal to Islamists inside and outside America that the Trump administration is newly awake and alert to the threat, and truly represents a new sheriff in town when it comes to dealing with it. Back to Mr. Haneywatching him genuinely tear up as he described a conversation with his wife about his dawning recognition that the Obama administration not only would not act to protect Americans from this real threat but would act aggressively to hide or otherwise remove evidence of it was truly stirring. Here was a man with a straightforward love for his country, and a clear, informed understanding of the nature of the Islamic threat and the ways in which it conflicts with the American culture of freedom and the American rule of law. He was astonished, baffled and ultimately despairing at the reaction of the Obama regimewhich was in the midst of doing everything short of murder to destroy Haneys professional reputation and run him out of government. He did not have the role of soldier in the military, but he stood as a warrior for preserving American freedom. Read Haneys book See Something, Say Nothing to get a fuller picture of what he encountered and endured. Few of us can imagine what it is like to be on the receiving end of a US government-sanctioned campaign of harassment, intimidation and character assassination (Lt. Gen. Flynn?). Ask yourself how any American administration could take the actions Obamas did toward Haney, and you will not come away with a comfortable feeling. Because it is one thing for Obama to have Islamic sympathies from personally growing up in Islamic schoolsfrom which it might be reasonable to expect Obama to want extra caution exercised by his DHS before identifying Islamic threats to America as Islamic threats to America. But it is quite another for Obama officials to zero in on Philip Haney and his documented, rational findingsand take action to destroy him rather than action to address the very real threats he identified. Americans are only now slowly coming to grips with the magnitude of the damage to America caused by eight years of President Barack Obama and his carefully managed and disguised radical leftist ideology. President Trump has long understood it at least at a gut level, and is working more intensively every day to repair the damage. But to date, the Obama-directed politicization and weaponization of the enormous power of the federal government against a political opponentin the person of Donald Trumpis getting most of the attention. American patriots are holding out hope that AG Barr and John Durham will out the truth and impose accountability on the perpetrators of that piece of the Obama legacy. But the story of Philip Haney lies at the center of another piece of that legacy that deserves just as much attention, and just as urgently. Awarding the Medal of Freedom to Philip Haney would be richly deserved by Haney, and a clarion signal that attention is now being paid to the need to protect America from Islamization and the ideology of sharia supremacy. Eric Georgatos is a former corporate lawyer who operated the Brushfires of Freedom blog from 2008-2016 (a book of top postings from the blog is available at America, Can We Talk?). Indians have emerged as the fastest growing nationality for applications to the UK, new official statistics released on Thursday revealed. The UK's Office for Statistics (ONS) found that over 37,500 received a Tier 4 (Study) in 2019, which marks a 93 per cent increase from the previous year and the largest number of visas issued in the Tier 4 category to Indians over the last eight years. Indian professionals also held on to their global lead in the Tier 2 skilled category for the UK, with over 57,000 visas granted to Indian workers last year accounting for over 50 per cent of all such visas. This phenomenal increase in numbers is testament both to the UK's world leading education system and to the exceptional talents of Indian students, said Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India. We couldn't be prouder that the best and brightest continue to pick the UK, making the living bridge between our countries stronger each day, she said. The introduction of a new Graduate Visa route, launched recently for the 2020-21 intake of international students, is likely to have a further impact on this upward trend from India, with its two-year post-study work option. Barbara Wickham, Director India, British Council, added: It is exciting to see so many trusting the UK as the destination for their education and furthering their careers. This bodes very well for both countries' continued focus on realising their knowledge ambitions in a fast changing world. The UK also continued to be a popular destination for Indian holidaymakers, with more than 515,000 Indian nationals being granted visit or tourist visas last year an 8 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The overall statistics show that in 2019, 95 per cent of Indian nationals who applied for a were successful, an increase of 5 per cent over 2018. The latest ONS figures reveal a broader post-Brexit trend of rising migration from outside the European Union (EU), set for a further hike once the UK government's new points-based system kicks in from January 1, 2021. EU net migration has fallen, while non-EU net migration has gradually increased since 2013 and is now at the highest level since 2004, said Jay Lindop, Director of the Centre for International Migration at the ONS. Since 2016, immigration for work has decreased because of fewer EU citizens arriving for a job. Meanwhile, immigration for study has gone up and is now the main reason for migration. This is driven by more non-EU students arriving, specifically Chinese and Indian, said Lindop. Britain's exit from the EU will end the current free movement of people from within the economic bloc at the end of the Brexit transition period on December 31 this year, bringing EU and non-EU migrants under one system. We are ending free movement and will introduce an Immigration Bill to bring in a firm and fair points-based system that will attract the high-skilled workers we need to contribute to our economy, our communities and our public services," the Home Office has said. "We intend to create a high wage, high-skill, high productivity economy, it said in its policy document for the new points-based system, which the Prime Minister Boris Johnson led government hopes will ultimately bring down overall migration into the UK. The police booked seven students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), including five women and two men, in connection with the ongoing anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, protest on an important link road in the Jeevangarh area of Aligarh. The protest, in which a group of women staged a sit-in on the link road, began on Monday night, a day after clashes between the police and anti-CAA protestors. The protest at Jeevangarh is illegal and does not have permission from the administration. We have lodged an FIR in this regard. The role of AMU students has been found in the protest, so a few of them are also named in the FIR, said SSP (Aligarh) Muniraj G. According to police sources, one Mohd Sajjad and Shadab, active in student politics at AMU, and five women students, are named in the FIR. For further action, we will share the details of these accused with the AMU administration, said the SSP. More than 150 unidentified protesters were also booked for rioting, inciting violence and obstructing officials in their work. The FIR was lodged on Tuesday, but the names of AMU students were added on Wednesday. AMU registrar Abdul Hamid said, The university administration will take suitable action against the students after reviewing evidence and information provided against them. The district administration had on Monday accused AMU students of inciting violence in the city. Meanwhile, police teams investigating the violence that erupted in Aligarh on Sunday, collected pictures of 73 people allegedly involved in the violence. The cops decided to put up these pictures at important crossings for the identification of the accused. These 73 people, including men and women, were identified after viewing video footage of the violence. We are seeking support of local police to identify them, said officials. Aligarh, located 162 km from Delhi, became tense after violence between police and anti-CAA protesters on February 23. The district administration deployed additional police force and booked over 2,000 people in 13 FIRs regarding the matter. Senior police officials were monitoring the situation in the district while internet services remained suspended in the district for the third consecutive day on Wednesday. Our polls are open right now for our search for Michigans Best Burger. These regional polls were pulled together from the hundreds of nominations we received from you, our readers. In fact, we got over 500 nominations in total from across the state. Weve also gotten dozens and dozens of emails telling us just where to find the very best burgers in Michigan. We enjoyed reading some of these passionate pleas so much that we decided to share them with you. Check out these awesome shout outs below. You can still vote in any of our regional polls through Friday February 28 at noon. Vote here for your favorite burgers in the Ann Arbor metro area. After the polls close, our Michigans Best team of John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman will put together the itinerary for the search and hit the road, visiting about 30 places as they taste their way across Michigan. As always, we invite you to come join us on the search, and experience some of these amazing burgers first hand. How to vote for Michigans Best Burger: all of our polls. -Blimpys in downtown Ann Arbor has amazing burgers, deep fried veggies, onion rings, and fries. Its a pretty cool experience. You walk in, grab a tray, order fryer food, and then how many patties for a burger. They can do 4,5 or 6 patties or like me a double works. Then choose your bun, cheese and then condiments. Burgers are amazing really thin patties, fresh buns and the burger is to die for.- Amanda Holloway - I travel from Ann Arbor to Houghton, Marquette, St. St Marie, Petoskey, Traverse City, Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit, and even Bad Ax, but every time I come home to Ann Arbor, its the half-n-half burger at Fleetwood Diner to which I compare all other burgers. I have visited local burger joints in almost every small town in the state, and nothing compares. Fleetwood Diner is my nomination.- Sam Birkenkam -I wish to nominate the Bridgewater Bank Tavern in Bridgewater (just outside Saline). Their burgers are made fresh, with a great assortment of fresh toppings, and a choice of buns and cheeses. Definitely one of the best anywhere. My wife raves about their Olive/Blue Cheese Burger, which is made with huge chunks of olives. I get craving for the Jalapeno Burger, which has enough peppers on it to satisfy even my lust for heat. -Craig Simon -Please consider Albion Malleable Brewing in downtown Albion! Our burger blend is house ground sirloin, chuck, and brisket, served on a Michigan baked bun with fresh toppings. Our most popular is our house burger with lettuce, pickle and an insanely popular homemade special sauce that our customers love to put on everything. Personally my favorite is the Jolly Roger, topped with fire roasted poblano, bacon, cheese and jalapeno honey mustard. But everything from our olive burger to unique take on a mushroom burger (Parmesan cheese skirt, bacon, mushrooms, arugula and garlic aioli) is fantastic. Ben -Albion Malleable Brewing. Their homemade veggie burger!!! Sooo good. Have to try their homemade signature sauce with sriracha fries.Have a wonderful day!Jessica Tyagi -Albion Malleable Brewing Company Flavor, appearance, chef has a flare with ingredients. Jo Hooper -I wanted to nominate Frita Batidos in Ann Arbor for the best burger in Michigan. Truth be told, its the best burger Ive had in my life! My dad is visiting from out of town today and it was my first pick of where to take him. They do Cuban style street food, so you pick your Frita, including your burger meat and toppings. My perfect combo is a beef Frita with Muenster cheese and avocado spread. They cook all of their burgers medium rare unless you specify something different, which really enhances the flavor. All burgers also come layered with their signature aioli and shoestring fries. Make sure you come hungry!! From there you can grab a Batido, one of their specialty milkshakes - even adding rum to it if youd like. Their sangria is legendary too! Its a casual space with shared picnic table style seating, and theyll bring your food out to you after your order. Favorite burger in Michigan by far!! Paige M. Compagner -KNIGHTS STEAKHOUSE-Dexter/Ann Arbor (the ORIGINAL)I love Knights burgers best they are AWESOME! FRESH! JUICY! QUALITY MEAT! Family owned business. - Michael Leier -The Little Brown Jug in Maybee MI This small town bar may be the only option for burgers, but their burgers are always incredibly. Perfectly seasoned, always tender, and are paired perfectly with their curly fries. -Emily McCall -Id like to make a nomination for Michigans Best Burger. Ive more than once told the owner that I wanted to enter his burger in a national competition. The name of the restaurant is Dimos Deli and Donuts located in Ann Arbor. While the burger is a perfect blend of high quality yummy ingredients . . . I think its the home made bread that makes this burger standout . . . and its hard to beat the fries served on the side!! Have fun making your evaluations . . . and I look forward to your findings. -Doug Bowen -Roys Squeeze Inn in Ypsilanti makes the best burger in Washtenaw county. The Quarter Squeeze and Big Squeeze have an essence that you can only find from a flat top grilled burger that is seasoned to perfection. Salt and pepper bring out a grilled onion flavor and is served with fresh lettuce, onion and tomato and mayonnaise. Their Little Squeeze Burgers are sliders topped with pickle, mustard and ketchup. The classic sliders are a family favorite in my home, but I always go for the quarter squeeze with a single slider on the side.The atmosphere projects nostalgia and hasnt changed since they moved to there current location about 20 years ago. The single-room, bar top service counter provides a cozy space where you can chat with strangers and share your love and enthusiasm for the amazing Squeezes at Roys Squeeze Inn. -Nate Jessee -Ann Arbor Region: Old Town Tavern Best burger in Ann Arbor, hands down! They use Knights meat, great bun, and all the fixings you need. Pair it with some sweet potato fries and it cant be beat. Also helps that its kind of a townie spot in a sea of fancy restaurants. -Kyle Bingham Follow the links below to vote Time to vote for the Best Burger in Michigans Northern Lower Peninsula Vote for the Upper Peninsulas Best Burger Vote for the Best Burger in Bay City, Saginaw and Midland region Who has Metro Detroits Best Burger? Vote now Its time to vote for Ann Arbors Best Burger! Who has Jacksons Best Burger? Vote now Time to vote for Kalamazoos Best Burger Who has the Best Burger in the Grand Rapids/Holland area? Vote now Vote now for Muskegon and the Lakeshores Best Burger (from Southwest Michigan to Manistee) Vote now for the Lansings Best Burger (including Howell and Brighton) Time to vote for Flints Best Burger Vote now for the Best Burger in the Port Huron area and Thumb Follow our Michigans Best adventures on social media: @mlivemibest on Twitter @mlivemibest on Instagram Facebook at MLiveMIBest. Join in by using the hashtags #mibest and #ItriedMiBest In addition: Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail. John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo. Special thanks to Michigans Best Burger search sponsor, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. A Bexar County Sheriffs Office raid Thursday afternoon of a West Side home uncovered an illegal gambling operation, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar. The Covert Operations unit, searching for narcotics, executed a search warrant at the home on the 100 block of Loy Drive shortly after 1 p.m. Inside, deputies found 21 8-liner gambling machines, around $1,000 in cash and over 5 grams of methamphetamine, Salazar said. Nicole Casimiro, who Salazar said was in charge of the 8-liner operation, was led out of the home in handcuffs. Casimiro was wanted on a felony warrant for possession of narcotics and will now face an additional charge of facilitating a gambling operation. Salazar described the home as an ongoing neighborhood nuisance. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Its tragic. This is a nice neighborhood. There are some nice, maintained yards and then youve got this, Salazar said, gesturing to the home over his shoulder. Officials suspect a number of code violations, including illegal wiring, and the home could be shut down. The County Fire Marshals Office and City Code Compliance were called to the scene. The home had surveillance cameras outside and a metal bar designed to prevent entry through the door inside, Salazar said. The bar was not in place when deputies carried out the raid and no one was injured. Salazar said illegal gambling operations prey on elderly people on fixed incomes and draw in organized crime. The owner of the machines, who was called by investigators but elected not to open them, could also face charges, Salazar said. Deputies forced the machines open and took the cash inside as evidence. Mark Dunphy is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read him on our breaking news site, MySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mark.dunphy@express-news.net | @m_b_dunphy By PTI After losing his 22-year-son who got married just 10 days ago in the Delhi riots, Agaz Hussain now is equally worried about the safety of Hindu families in his neighbourhood and the future of his daughter-in-law. Waiting at his house-cum-shop for the body of his son on Thursday, Hussain wondered what will happen to his young daughter-in-law. Ashfaq, the third among five sons and three daughters of Hussain, was killed in the riots in Brijpuri on Tuesday evening. "I received information that he was in Al Hind hospital. Ashfaq worked as an electrician and had gone to Brijpuri before the evening namaz to attend a complaint," Hussain said, adding he was a very friendly person. ALSO READ: Home set afire by rioters, Delhi family finds hope in 'miracle baby' "He had more Hindus than Muslims as his friends. All of them had visited our ancestral home in Bulandshahr for his marriage," he said. However, Hussain's biggest worry is about the Hindu neighbours. "In these troubled days, I would ask our Hindu neighbours not to venture out. We offer them all help," Hussain said. The Hussain family lives in a small house in a crowded bylane of Indira Vihar in Gokalpuri area which has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims in many parts. There are around 20 Hindu families in this neighbourhood. "There is a young widow in my home but my concerns are doubled as if anything happens to my Hindu neighbours, people would say it happened due to revenge," Hussain said. ALSO READ: CRPF personnel donate blood at GTB Hospital He said there is a small temple also in the neighbourhood which is being protected by local Muslim boys so that it is not targeted by the rioters. "Islam teaches us to take care of our neighbours. People get carried away by emotions which is wrong, you cannot respond to violence with violence," he said. Ashfaq's teacher in a local madrasa, Maulana Mehdi Hasan said the violence could have been prevented if the police had taken timely action. "Many calls were made to police but no help arrived as the area was consumed by violence and riots," he claimed. ALSO READ: UNHRC expresses 'great concern' over CAA, Delhi riots Hussain said his elder son called police control room number repeatedly but no one was available for help. He also complained that no police, government official or any political leader visited the family. "Everyone including our Hindu and Muslim neighbours, Ashfaq's friends from other areas came but no police officer, government representative or politicians did so. We do not want them to come, but I want answers from them." The violence in many parts of northeast Delhi has snuffed out at least 38 lives and injuries to over 200. Widespread arson has also resulted in gutting of scores of vehicles, houses, shops, some religious places, schools and other properties. Dangote Fertilizer Limited has begun to pre-test before the inauguration of its $2 billion Granulated Urea Fertilizer complex located in the Dangote Free Zone. With a capacity of three million tonnes per annum, the plant is considered as the biggest project in the fertilizer industrys history in the world. Siapem of Italy is the engineering, procurement, and supervision (EPS) contractor for the project, while Tata Consulting Engineers of India is the project management consultant (PMC) for the project. A press release issued by Dangote Group in Lagos, Nigeria, on 27 February stated that several critical sections of the plant are going through various stages of the test-run. Virtually all the sections of the plant such as Central Control Room, Ammonia and Urea Bulk Storage, Cooling Tower, Power Generator Plant and Granulation Plant, have been completed and are undergoing pre-testing. Already, Dangote Fertilizer has started receiving gas supply from the Nigerian Gas Company and Chevron Nigeria Limited under the Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement to supply 70 million standard cubic feet per day (Scf/d) of natural gas to Dangote Fertilizer Limited. The project, which will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the construction and related fields, will provide a major boost to the agricultural sector by significantly reducing the importation of fertilizer in Nigeria, and ultimately removing the need for imports when the plant is operating fully. Group Executive Director for Strategy, Portfolio Development and Capital Projects of Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said Nigeria would be able to save $500 billion from import substitution and provide $400 million from exports of products from the fertilizer plant. Thus, the supply of fertilizer from the plant will be enough for the Nigerian market and neighbouring countries, he said. Edwin said: I am happy that by the time our plant is fully commissioned, the country will become self-sufficient in fertilizer production and even have the capacity to export the products to other African countries. Right now, farmers are forced to utilise whatever fertilizer that is available as they have no choice, but we need to know that the fertilizer that will work in one State may not be suitable in another State, as they may not have the same soil type and composition. The same fertilizer you use for sorghum may not be the fertilizer you will use for sugar cane. Edwin concluded: The management of the complex is confident that the fertilizer business will deliver reasonable profit to the company and its shareholders as it is projected that population growth and the need for food production will jack up the consumption of Urea fertilizer beginning from 2020 when production of the product would have commenced in earnest. The current consumption of Urea, estimated at a dismal 700,000 tonnes per annum by Nigerian farmers, is said to be due to very poor usage and is believed to be the cause of poor product yield, which threatens food security in the country. By [the end of] 2020, the Nigerian population is projected to increase to about 207 million which would lead to increased food production. Estimates point out that around five million tonnes of fertilizer are required per year in Nigeria in the next five to seven years bifurcated into 3.5 million tonnes of Urea and 1.5 million tonnes of NPK while current production levels in Nigeria were at 1.6 million tonnes by 2019. Credit: APO Stormont's health committee has agreed to classify coronavirus as a "notifiable disease", which would allow a judge to legally compel someone suspected of having the disease to undergo medical testing. Although health officials have warned this power is highly unlikely to ever be used, it highlights the seriousness with which the Department of Health (DoH) is taking the situation. The DoH's chief environmental officer, Nigel McMahon, briefed committee members on Thursday regarding coronavirus, now known as Covid-19, recommending they agree to adding the virus to the list of "notifiable diseases", as per Schedule One of the Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967. Schedule One of the Act includes dozens of infectious diseases, such as foot and mouth disease, bird flu and TB.. Mr Mahon said: "The primary effect of making this statutory rule under the 1967 Act is that it would require medical practitioners to share information with the Public Health Agency (PHA) if they are aware of someone who has contracted the disease. "This would ensure the health and social care service as a whole can respond." He said we are in "exceptional times" regarding the emergence of the virus and he wanted to make members aware of the powers contained within the act, which would now be available to health officials. The statutory rule is due to come into effect on Saturday. "In relation to notifiable diseases under the 1967 Act, this would allow the Public Health Agency to seek an order from a district judge to require someone suspected of having coronavirus to undergo medical testing," he explained. The introduction of the statutory rule would also make it an offence for someone with the virus to go to work. People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll questioned what evidence would be required for someone to be forcibly tested, and if this would raise any human rights concerns. "To my knowledge these powers have not been used, as most people would comply with medical advice," he said. "Broadly speaking the evidence to support making an order would have to be provided by the director of the Public Health Agency. "They would have to state person is likely to have the disease and any action proposed would have to be in the interest of the person's family or wider public." "The person would need to be ill or the medical practitioner would need to suspect they are ill, perhaps through a initial presumptive test." In terms of issues around human rights, Mr Mahon said the DoH is seeking to iron out the differences in legislation the UK and Republic of Ireland and take a "consistent approach". "There are certain checks and balances in place and we would be confident they would be carried out appropriately," he added. A DoH spokesperson said the decision is subject to negative resolution procedure before the assembly. "The primary effect of making Covid-19 disease notifiable under the 1967 Act is to require medical practitioners to share patient information with the Public Health Agency if they become aware, or have reasonable grounds for suspecting, that a person they are attending has coronavirus disease (Covid-19)," they said. "This information is vital in alerting the Public Health Agency to cases or suspected cases of Covid-19, to help ensure that the Health and Social Care system as a whole can quickly respond, and for surveillance and tracking of the spread and epidemiology of the disease. "Health Minister Robin Swann has also expressed his thanks to the Committee for their support." While there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Northern Ireland, 52 people have been tested. Five schools have also put in place precautionary measures after pupils came home from half-term ski trips to Italy, where there have been a number of deaths due to the outbreak. Some pupils have been sent home. Health officials have warned that it is inevitable that coronavirus will hit Northern Ireland. An isolation ward is on standby at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast should there be any confirmed cases. A BBC television debate organiser has revealed how the broadcaster is so desperate to create diverse panels it follows a 'clumsy grid system' scrawled on a white board in order to tick-off identities including 'woman', 'northern', 'Tory' and 'progressive'. The anonymous political producer, who is tasked with drumming up panels of relevant and interested politicians for public debate, has revealed how the BBC now adopts an 'increasingly haphazard' method when organising debates. And among the reasons for this, the producer claims, is that the broadcaster is so terrified about ensuring balanced viewpoints on all political shows that its bid to ensure diversity 'swiftly descends into farce'. Its method involves following an 'identity Sudoku', the debate organiser claims, with BBC staff tasked with ensuring a list of identities are present in its debates to fend off any perceived criticism about a lack of diversity in its panel. The broadcaster is so terrified about ensuring balanced viewpoints on all political shows that its bid to ensure diversity 'swiftly descends into farce', an anonymous debate organiser has claimed (pictured, a BBC Brexit debate) Panelists on the BBC's political shows are shoehorned into an 'identity Sudoku' to ensure diversity, the debate organiser claimed (pictured, Nigel Farage on The Andrew Marr show earlier this month) In an anonymous opinion piece for The Guardian, the producer said: 'A whiteboard would be marked up with a clumsy grid system. 'The grid would revolve around a set of key identities such as 'woman', 'northern' or 'poc' (person of colour). These would then be cross-categorised with political stances such as 'Brexiteer', 'Tory' or 'progressive'. 'Our task would then be to ensure that any proposed panel contained a complete balance of all these attributes.' In one 'notable' instance, when trying to find an 'authentic' northern voice for a political show, possible panelists were vetoed in place of Yorkshire newspaper owner Danny Lockwood. The broadcaster's method involves following an 'identity Sudoku', the debate organiser claims, with BBC staff tasked with ensuring a list of identities are present in its debates to fend off any perceived criticism about a lack of diversity in its panel (pictured, BBC's Question Time) The BBC recently made June Sarpong (pictured above) its first Creative Diversity Director His tone was seen to more directly signal his real northern identity, according to the identity Sudoku. But, several produces mentioned that he was, in fact, a reactionary who had in the past mocked the 'Zorro' outfits worn by some Muslim women. A flaw in the grid, however, meant it did not have any disqualifying catergories with the main beneficiaries of the system including the European Research Group - who did not have to be reached via special advisers and professional press teams. Controversies over panelists on BBC shows Shortly before 2019's December election Labour's Jon Ashworth pulled out of an episode of BBC's Question Time after the programme came under fire for its all-male panel. Ashworth, who was the shadow health secretary in Jeremy Corbyn's election lineup, said he had 'no idea' the panel would be entirely male when he agreed to participate, and agreed to let fellow Labourite Anneliese Dodds take his place. The BBC clarified that it does not intend to have all-male panels but relies on parties putting forward female candidates. One month earlier teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg and Supreme Court president Lady Brenda Hale were among five people chosen to guest edit BBC Radio 4's Today programme during the Christmas and New Year period. Artist Grayson Perry, rapper George The Poet and Charles Moore, former editor of the Daily Telegraph, were also picked to edit the high-profile news show. The choice of guest editors proved controversial with claims that - with the exception of the extremely conservative Mr Moore - they are slanted on the other side of the political spectrum. Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said: 'It's the BBC's normal left-wing remain bias. It's what we've come to expect from the BBC. I am disappointed but not surprised at their selection.' In September 2018 the BBC's launched a new-look daily politics show which sparked a storm of criticism for its all-female line-up. Viewers compared the new Politics Live show to Loose Women and jibed that 'woke' producers had pushed their political correctness too far. But Rob Burley, the editor of the BBC 2 show, hit back at the criticism and said he has 'literally zero shame about an all-women panel'. Politics Live launched with a panel of six female MPs and political pundits, including Amber Rudd and Emily Thornberry. Advertisement The news comes soon after the BBC ununveiled plans to promote black and ethnic minority staff as 'senior leaders' in order to create a more 'inclusive' organisation, as the broadcaster vows to become 'more representative of the UK'. The corporation's former boss, Tony Hall, who resigned in January, outlined the plan just weeks before he stepped down. It came after the company previously announced the appointment of June Sarpong as Director of Creative Diversity. In an email to staff in December, Hall proposed the strategy of the BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) talent, with the subject heading of the email entitled 'Going further in building a creative, inclusive BBC'. Hall penned: 'We can't be the creative, inclusive organisation we want to be if we're not representative of the whole of the UK. 'We're making some good progress, but we want to do more, particularly in relation to senior leaders.' He said they had taken immediate action to promote a generation of talented leaders that they believe will bring the 'diversity we need'. Also that month, BBC staff were told to hide their work ID cards in public to avoid being confronted by angry members of the public. The corporation faced accusations of a political bias row during Brexit debates. The broadcaster ran a Wear It In, Don't Wear It Out campaign, reminding their staff to keep their ID cards covered up outside. Months later, the BBC was thrust into the headlines once more after high profile and highly paid BBC presenters were revealed to be facing the axe after a cull of 450 jobs in the corporation's news department was unveiled in January. Staff were left reeling at the scale of the cutbacks, which will see around one in 13 roles go and are part of an 80million savings programme. Newsnight, BBC2's flagship current affairs show, is among the programmes bearing the brunt of the cuts, along with popular radio station Radio 5 Live and the World Service, which will lose 50 roles. As a result, the BBC, which has about 6,000 news staff, will cover fewer stories and plough more money into its online output, saying it was currently 'spending too much' on 'traditional linear broadcasting'. The late-night chat show hosts have been attempting to crack jokes about the coronavirus as countries around the globe work to combat it spreading. It may have killed at least 2,800 people worldwide, but this didnt stop Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert from mining the situation for a few laughs mainly targeting the way the Trump administration is handling the situation. Noah, in particular, said he felt comfortable that Vice President Mike Pence is the face of the White House's response to the virus considering he has been quarantining himself from women all his life. Meanwhile, Colbert quipped: Now concerns of a global pandemic are growing but fear not, the president knows he has a solemn duty to proetct... himself, because the Trump campaign is afraid the coronavirus wil hurt his re-election bid." Referencing Trump's phone call to Ukraine, in which he requested details on Joe Biden's son, Hunter, Colbert continued: "I look forward to that transcript being released: Hello Ukraine I need dirt on a Hunter Coronavirus. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty He shared a clip of Trump saying theres a very good chance youre not gonna die, adding sarcastically: Thats very comforting, thank you very much. Colbert continued: Fear of the virus has led many to wear masks in the United States and the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) has released this actual graphic detailing which styles of facial hair are best for wearing respirator masks, and which ones do not work. Highlighting an image of a bearded person with a big cross over his face, Colbert jokily exclaimed: Oh my God, all of Brooklyn is dead. The daughter of a fugitive Mexican cartel leader was arrested in Washington on Wednesday afternoon, hours after a federal judge declined to release her brother, who is awaiting the start of a trial on drug charges. The apprehension of Jessica Johana Oseguera, who is facing money laundering charges, was made by the DEA and confirmed to Mexican newspaper El Universal by the family's lawyer, Victor Beltran Garcia. Her father, Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, is the leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel, considered the most powerful criminal organization in Mexico. Jessica Johana Oseguera, the daughter of Mexican drug lord Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, was apprehended in Washington on Wednesday by the DEA. She is facing money laundering charges Beltran Garcia accused the Mexican and United States governments of making up 'lies' and said her legal issues were resolved in 2017 by a court in the western state of Jalisco, confirming that she was not involved in organized crime. The DEA alleges that Oseguera cleaned the cartel's illicit earnings through two of her businesses, Mizu Sushi Lounge and Tequila Onze Black. Both companies were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2015. 'The lady does not have any businesses at all in the United States. There [are no charges] in that country against her,' Beltran Garcia. 'I don't know why they intrude and invade the sovereignty of a country ... to create soap operas to fabricate a crime that has not been committed and try to prosecute here in the United States'. DailyMail.com reached out to the DEA for comment. The arrest of the Mexican-born Oseguera comes a week after her American-born brother, Ruben 'El Menchito' Oseguera Gonzalez, was handed over to U.S. federal officers last Thursday. Before her arrest, a judge stopped short of releasing him after federal prosecutors had argued last week that El Menchito was an obvious flight risk and should remain in custody. El Menchito's father is Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes (pictured), the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Mexico's most powerful criminal group Ruben 'El Menchito' Oseguera Gonzalez was extradited from Mexico to the United States last Thursday. He was born in San Francisco and is the son of Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes Oseguera Gonzalez, who made his initial court appearance last Friday, had requested extra time in order to hire a lawyer. The new defense lawyer, Danny Onorato, opted not to oppose the government's position, clearing the way for his client's trial to begin this Friday. The 30-year-old has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute large quantities of cocaine and meth, and use of a firearm in commission of a drug trafficking offense. If convicted, he faces at least 15 years in prison. El Menchito is considered to be the second-in-command behind El Mencho, who remains a fugitive. The U.S. government is offering $10 million for information leading to his arrest. El Menchito was arrested in 2015 and spent several years fighting extradition. Federal prosecutor Brett Reynolds told the court last week that Jalisco New Generation Cartel is considered by the United States to be 'one of the largest, most dangerous drug cartels' and that El Menchito constituted a 'serious flight risk' and should remain in government custody. Kaduna State University (KASU) has expelled about 80 students accused of engaging in various forms of examination malpractices during the 2018/2019 academic session. The Coordinator of the Kafanchan campus of the institution, Prof Ahmed Ahmed, stated this on Wednesday during the 2019/2020 matriculation ceremony for new students in Kafanchan. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the matriculation of new students was done simultaneously in the Kaduna and Kafanchan campuses of the institution. Mr Ahmed noted that out of the 80 students expelled, 10 were from the Kafanchan campus. He described the development as sad, considering the stiff competition for admission into the institution. Ahmed said: With the increase in students population over the years, comes serious challenges, the most disturbing being the issue of examination malpractices. In the 2018/2019 session alone, about 80 students were expelled from the university for various examination misconducts; of this number, 10 came from the Kafanchan campus. This development is sad, given the stiff competition students have had to face in gaining admission into the institution. He also stated that the university was grappling with the menace of cultism as well as use of illicit drugs and banned substances, among others, adding that the institution had zero tolerance for such vices. As you take your oath this morning, I want to remind you that KASU has zero tolerance for all the vices mentioned earlier and you should steer clear of them. Face your studies, because that is what you are here for, and I wish you the best in your studies,he said. Also speaking, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Yohanna Tella, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Muhammad Tanko, said a total of 4,650 students were formally admitted at the ceremony, with 700 of them in Kafanchan Campus. Mr Tella enjoined the new students to make the most of the opportunity to study in the university, by being dedicated to their academic pursuit. You should count yourselves lucky to be among those admitted out of the thousands who applied to be here. We expect you to contribute your own quota towards the growth of this university by being dedicated to your studies and by maintaining law and order,he said. Mr Tella, however, identified inadequate facilities as one of the major challenges facing the university. He commended the state government for releasing funds to keep the institution running. ALSO READ: School Makes Students Wear Cardboard Boxes To Prevent Exam Malpractice [Photos] Its a common refrain: technology moves at warp speed; policy not so fast. But never before has so much new technology been adopted and put to use by the economy in a relatively short period of time, while raising a litany of concerns about its impact. In just a few years, technologies once considered niche have become mainstream. Just look at how fast artificial intelligence, drones, e-scooters and cryptocurrencies have emerged as major and disruptive players. Compounding this growth is the insatiable need for data. To feed the demand, telcom companies are building bigger and faster networks. Computing power needs to keep pace or stay ahead of the demand from these and other innovations, fueling new generations of automation, robotics and high-performance processing. In government, it has meant multiple hybrids of on-premises and cloud infrastructure even as industry players make competing claims about quantum breakthroughs. Artificial Intelligence Once again, policymakers are playing catch-up, trying to constrain the worst elements of these new technologies without strangling their innovative and economic impact. Problems with data privacy have taken center stage and tied to it are some key tech elements, such as AI. Exacerbating these issues are the inconsistent, often weak efforts by government to protect everyones personal information from hackers and data thieves. And what to do about all those drones in the air and e-scooters on the streets?To make sense of what is going on with these very big digital issues, we have put together this report to bring some clarity and intelligence to the trends underway and what is happening on the regulatory and legislative fronts.--Two years ago, the outlook on artificial intelligence was largely optimistic about its impact on productivity in just about every sector of the economy, from farming to health care. Efforts to legislate or regulate AI were practically nonexistent. But as companies and governments have increased their use of AI in the workplace, demands have grown to rein in the technology and are likely to expand in 2020.The biggest factor is the rapid rise of facial recognition. The technologys vast capabilities first caught the publics attention when reports came out of China about its use as a surveillance tool on citizens, especially ethnic minorities. In 2016, Amazon introduced Rekognition, an identification technology available through subscription to law enforcement agencies and private companies. Rekognition and tools like it have spread, thanks to better algorithms that can identify a persons features, lower tech costs and, most importantly, AI, which makes it possible to sort through vast data sets of images at high speeds to find a match. Facial recognitions use of AI and its rapid adoption by law enforcement as a way to identify suspects and bad actors quickly put the technology in the crosshairs of privacy groups. Their chief worry: the implications of a still immature software tool that could run amok without proper constraints. In May 2019, San Francisco passed a ban on the use of facial recognition by police and other city agencies. Since then, at least a dozen local governments have set restrictions on government surveillance broadly, including the use of AI software, according to LexisNexis State Net. Concerns about AIs impact on privacy have also led to legislation at the state level. Last year, California enacted AB 1215, which imposed a three-year moratorium on the use of facial recognition software in police body cameras. The state is one of 20 that have introduced legislation in 2019, the majority of which would restrict or ban the use of this particular form of AI. A bill signed into law in Illinois, and taking effect this year, requires employers to inform job applicants about the use of AI during the hiring process. A growing number of firms are using interview bots to evaluate personal characteristics, including facial expressions, body language, word choice and tone of voice, according to Jennifer Betts, an attorney who specializes in labor law. Firms that use the technology must provide applicants with a written explanation of the technology and acquire their prior consent to be assessed by AI. Writing in the, Betts pointed out that the Illinois law, known as the Artificial Intelligence Video Interview Act, highlights a myriad of privacy concerns for employers evaluating the costs and benefits of incorporating AI technology into their hiring practices. Other states are beginning to address the issue of deepfakes, which are AI-altered audio and video, often of celebrities and politicians, that make them appear to say and do things that did not actually happen. Already, several federal bills have been introduced that attack deepfakes, but only a handful of state bills have been introduced namely in California, Texas and Massachusetts. In Texas, a bill introduced by state Sen. Bryan Hughes would criminalize the creation of such deepfakes meant to injure a candidate or influence the result of an election. The bill has been criticized by civil rights groups as an infringement upon free speech rights. Last year, on Capitol Hill, congressional Democrats introduced a bill called the Federal Algorithmic Accountability Act, which would provide federal oversight of AI and data privacy, including the regulation of AI systems that make decisions impacting consumers. It would require organizations to audit their AI tools and platforms for bias and discrimination and take corrective action to resolve any issues. Oversight responsibility would be in the hands of the Federal Trade Commission. The bill is unlikely to become law, according to Betts. But it could be a harbinger of things to come. -- Cybersecurity For state and local governments, 2019 was the year that cybersecurity could no longer be ignored. Large, coordinated ransomware attacks in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and many other states across the country showed the growing power of malicious hackers to wreak havoc on communities big and small through financial pressure and disruption of services. Costing the nation upwards of $7.5 billion in damages last year alone, the attacks targeted organizations that had previously seen little action: One study showed an increase in attacks on schools, while another showed attacks on hospitals rose by an estimated 65 percent In spite of this, attempts to ameliorate the problem legislatively have had real shortcomings. A recently introduced bill in Maryland , for instance, has sought to criminalize the possession of ransomware if a person intended to use it, but the law faces an obvious problem: Most hackers use identity cloaking technologies and deploy their attacks from locations greatly removed from their targets. Enforcement of such a law, in many cases, would be impossible. If punishment for hackers is mostly a dead end for policymakers, an alternative strategy and one were likely to see more of in the coming year has been to bolster defenses. Unfortunately, this is more an aspiration than a reality for many governments because of financial constraints: Almost half of states do not have a separate cybersecurity budget and spend a total of 1 to 2 percent of their overall IT budgets on security. Cybersecurity staffing issues have been an obvious problem for states for a long time, and the problem is even more egregious for most cities A workaround for these deficiencies has been to encourage smaller governments to lean on the federal government for assistance in areas like preparedness and best practices, most predominantly from the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Agencies like CISA have the expertise, technology and manpower to deliver defenses and intelligence that state and local bodies simply do not possess. Bills seeking to emphasize CISAs facilitator role include ones like the Cybersecurity State Coordinator Act , which would create CISA cybersecurity liaisons to partner with state and local officials on security and defense. Similarly, a bill introduced and passed by the U.S. Senate last year would create a federal Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Team through DHS that would be responsible for assisting entities that have already been hit by a cyberattack of some kind. In an attempt to help governments help themselves, a recently introduced bill would create a $400 million fund, administered by CISA , from which communities could apply to receive grant money to shore up their defenses, including areas like staffing, cyberhygiene, and regular testing. At the same time, CISA has also announced its intentions to assist governments across the country with their election security preparations during the 2020 presidential race. At the end of the day, its likely to be an uphill battle either way, but increased partnerships between the state, local and federal levels of government will likely mitigate the costs of cyberattacks in the long run. -- Data Privacy State lawmakers are increasingly concerned about protecting personal data. Agreeing on how to do it at a time when individual information is everywhere remains a huge challenge. A total of 160 bills addressing consumer privacy have been introduced this year in 26 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Thats a lot, but roughly the same number of bills were introduced in about the same number of states in 2019. Few of them reached the governors desk. All around the country, legislators are struggling to find the right balance between protecting individuals information while not burdening businesses with excessive regulation. Theyre not thinking only of Silicon Valley concerns. These days, all kinds of companies collect and use data. My concern is that our data is being used in ways that we never could have imagined, that were not giving our permission to monetizing our data, plus straight-up violations of privacy, says Andrew Zwicker, who is drafting a privacy bill in the New Jersey Assembly. Im also working hard to drive New Jerseys innovation economy. Zwickers bill will be based on the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, a set of privacy rights enshrined by the European Union in 2018. That same year, California legislators passed their own comprehensive privacy rights law, known as the California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA. Like GDPR, the California law gives individuals the ability to access data that companies hold on them. California went further than the Europeans in allowing consumers ways of opting out of data collection, particularly children. There are other key differences between the regulatory schemes, especially when it comes to the fine print. CCPA appears to be the model most states are looking at now, including Massachusetts and New York. Weve seen a number of states introduce or reach out for discussion about broad privacy bills like we have in California, says Hayley Tsukayama, who focuses on state legislation at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a public interest law firm in San Francisco. Industry lobbyists are warning legislators, however, that the California model may be unworkable. In fact, they note that the 2-year-old law is itself still very much a work in progress. Although CCPA took effect on Jan. 1, the state attorney general is barred from enforcing its provisions before July. The ultimate scope of its regulation is still under debate. Meanwhile, Californians for Consumer Privacy, the group behind a 2018 ballot measure that prodded passage of the CCPA in the first place, is now proposing a new initiative for this Novembers ballot that would amend that law significantly. Even as California sorts out its approach, however, other states are acting. Last year, Nevada enacted a law that, like the CCPA, allows consumers to opt out of the sale or use of their personal information, although the Nevada laws definitions and scope are narrower. The Silver States law is now the model for proposed legislation in Florida. In the meantime, considerable attention is being paid to Washington state. On Feb. 14, the state Senate passed, by a near-unanimous vote, a bill that would give residents the right to access data about themselves and correct or delete information. They could also opt out of having their data used for ad targeting. The Senate version dropped a provision that would have allowed consumers to sue when there are violations. A similar bill passed the Washington Senate last year, but died in the state House. Sponsors have only until the scheduled March 12 adjournment date for this years short session to win passage in both chambers. Although industry groups like Washingtons legislation better than the CCPA, consumer rights groups complain it isnt strong enough. It picks and chooses from GDPR in ways that benefit companies more than consumers, says Tsukayama. Even as states wrestle with the privacy question, local governments are pursuing their own policies, notably facial recognition bans that have been put in place in cities including San Francisco and Oakland, Calif., and Somerville and Cambridge, Mass. All this activity has the tech lobby and other business groups concerned about having to respond to overlapping but contradictory laws and policies across the nation. The best solution is a comprehensive federal privacy law that empowers people to understand how personal information they share is collected, used and protected, says Robert Callahan, senior vice president of state government affairs with the Internet Association, a tech industry trade group. An inconsistent patchwork of privacy protections leads to a false sense of consumer privacy, and its on Congress ... to act on a comprehensive federal law that establishes consistent standards for consumers and businesses across all industries. There are plenty of draft discussion bills floating around Capitol Hill, but as yet there appears to be no ready consensus in Congress about how to handle privacy concerns. The Uniform Law Commission has started work on model state-level legislation, but its not expected to release its template until later in the year or perhaps in 2021. That means legislators in individual states will continue trying to navigate the tricky currents of privacy policy on their own. Look, the federal government is for a variety of different reasons unable to act, says Zwicker. I always hear we need a national solution, and I 100 percent agree, but were not seeing any federal action, so its incumbent on me as a legislator to act. -- Drones 5G and Broadband Drones, in various forms, have been around since the late 19th century, but have gained widespread popularity in the past decade thanks to rapid advances in technology. The private sector uses these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to monitor powerlines, petrochemical plants and sewage pipes as well as to deliver packages. State and local governments have used drones to assist police in their 911 call responses, count homeless populations and monitor wildfires.Beginning in 2013, states started introducing various types of legislation for drones, ranging from defining what a drone was to how they could be used in the public and private sectors. By 2017, 38 states had considered some type of drone legislation and 24 had passed laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. On June 21, 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released the first operational rules for routine non-hobby use for drones.As drone use continues to grow, so have uncertainties about how they should be regulated. Assistant Professor Pablo Rangel of Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, thinks that legislators need to team up with researchers to make more informed decisions regarding drones. For successful regulation to occur, there must be a connection between legislation, the governments, local researchers and private industries so that the laws are comprehensive and successful, he says.One way to do this is to fly drones in a controlled environment. Most states currently require drones to stay within a pilots line of sight as a safety precaution. Last November, New York received approval from the FAA to operate a 50-mile corridor that will allow researchers and companies to fly drones without chase planes or maintaining line of sight and develop plans for managing air traffic and long-distance drone technology in a controlled space.This is very good, actually, that theyre starting to deal with these kinds of corridors, explains Professor Rangel, who has conducted studies on drones. It allows people to work with [the drones] in a realistic capacity.The corridors will also build public acceptance, which Rangel believes is one of the main issues with drone technology. Many people have grown increasingly worried about the privacy and safety risks of UAVs. During Superbowl LIV, drones were banned within a 30-mile radius and up to 18,000 feet above Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla., even though the move was precautionary, with no evidence of a credible threat This fear of drones concerns Rangel because if the public isnt happy with it, then there wont be any developments this year or anytime in the future. Its the task of researchers, government, media, everyone to try and promote the best parts of [drone technology] so it can be studied to create regulations and developments can be made to ensure safe drone usage, he says.Regulating the technology is difficult because every state has a different focus and different perspective when it comes to what should be permitted, according to Rangel. Without some agreement between legislatures, researchers and private companies, drone regulations will be extremely slow to develop, which could increase public fears around safety, privacy and surveillance. If the industry is selling a product, people are going to buy it, even if there are no regulations of it, he says.If states create laws that constrain drones, then the technology will simply adapt to avoid any mandates that limit their use. If one state decides to make drones illegal but neighboring states allow them, the technology will leapfrog over state lines. If a state bans drones but one of the states counties allows them, drones will still fly. The reality that we all face in 2020 is that technologies dont disappear, says Rangel. They transform into different perspectives.--Telecom companies are rolling out 5G wireless networks across the country, calling the technology the next evolution of high-speed Internet. With its much higher speeds, this seems to be the case. 5G, however, poses a major infrastructure challenge A network using 5G technology requires a dense rollout of devices, often mounted on public infrastructure, including utility poles, along rights of way within municipalities. The number of devices will far exceed what is currently installed to run the nations existing 4G cellular network. As telecom firms increase their deployment of 5G, questions have been raised concerning the installation of the network hardware, especially around which level of government has the power to regulate approval of where the devices can be installed and how much compensation localities should receive for the use of their rights of way by the telecoms.In 2018, the Federal Communications Commission issued its Declaratory Ruling and Third Report and Order , which essentially took the power to regulate 5G rollout out of local government hands by setting up its own set of rules, with the aim of making it easier and faster for telecom companies to install the technology on public infrastructure nationwide.In addition to these federal rules which were unsuccessfully challenged in court by a coalition of local governments a number of states have taken legislative action to override local government installation rules as well, establishing their own timelines and pricing levels for the use of city-owned property. Jurisdictions ranging from New York City to a coalition of cities in Florida have challenged state-level rulings that remove or curtail local control. While there is a broad consensus that high-speed 5G Internet should be rolled out as expediently as possible, disagreements persist between localities and many states over what exactly should be sacrificed to enable this, with legislative action filling in gaps in some instances.In terms of broadband, state governments have shifted their thinking away from the traditional view of high-speed Internet as a luxury for some to a utility that all residents need to support vital opportunities such as access to health care, employment and education. This year in Washington, D.C., nearly a dozen state government officials attended an event hosted by Pew Charitable Trusts, and discussed this shift, as well as actions being taken both executive and legislative to extend broadband access to residents, along with affordable rates and skills training so that the public at large can take advantage of the technology in meaningful ways.These officials agreed that there is no easy answer for providing broadband to all residents, rich and poor. They considered giving municipalities more leeway to establish city-owned broadband networks, but found the option viable in some areas and problematic in others. Its clear, however, that a new momentum for broadband in state government has taken hold, some of which is codified by legislative actions.At the federal level, progress around speeding up broadband adoption is happening at a slower pace but is also being pushed forward by the idea that broadband access is in the nascent stages of becoming a utility. To this end, the U.S. House of Representatives held its first-ever hearing about digital equity earlier this year, hinting at a sea change in thinking at the federal level as well.-- Mobility Digital Issues on the Horizon Scaling back car driving, and the greenhouse gases they create, will continue to be a mobility trend in 2020 as policymakers and industry leaders look for opportunities to expand the appeal of public transit, micro-mobility and the electrification of the transportation sector.In transit agencies from Houston to Seattle , bus routes have been reimagined to improve their desirability and efficiency through the use of more direct routes, traffic signal priority technologies or bus-rapid-transit lanes. Some systems, like the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority , plan to eliminate fares entirely.Meanwhile, expect budding relationships among transit, micro-mobility and other forms of transportation to increase as transit agencies continue to integrate trip-planning with mobility services and systems, and start to close the gap between booking those complete trips and paying for them. Already, transit agencies like MTA in New York and TriMet in Portland have begun to implement contactless payment where riders can use their mobile devices or contactless credit cards for fare payment in one seamless swipe.This year could also be the year of micro-mobility 2.0 as scooter providers become more serious players on the urban mobility landscape, forming substantive relationships with cities, becoming advocates for expanded and improved infrastructure and honing a business model with a focus on sustainability.Bird released in San Francisco its beefed-up Bird Two scooters, which can better handle the rigors of city use with features that include improved batteries, puncture-resistant tires and self-reporting damage sensors. Improvements like these make the devices less throwaway and longer lasting. Also, expect some winnowing within the scooter industry as it evolves from a nascent novelty to businesses with a plan for the long term.This could lead to a shakedown in the [scooter] industry, Quemuel Arroyo, the global head of community at Charge , and a former chief accessibility specialist for the New York City Department of Transportation, toldin January. You have too many operators. Too many people doing things. And that wasnt going to last. And what youre seeing now is, the heavy hitters, the big operators that have the funds to sustain themselves through the shakedown, will be the ones were left with.Several states are considering legislation aimed at regulating various aspects of the micro-mobility business, with legislation introduced in Maryland New Jersey and Virginia . A bill in New York would require cities with a population of more than one million residents to have riders of e-scooters, e-bikes or conventional bikes wear helmets. A bill introduced in New Jersey would require scooters to have safety flags.The march toward electrifying transportation is well underway. Expect to see electric mobility reach more transportation vehicles, including those we dont often think about: airport cargo movers and forklifts along with more commonly used heavy-duty vehicles like city transit buses.The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is moving forward with a landmark rule to require the gradual phasing in of zero-emission buses and trucks in the coming decade. CARB has also launched its new Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) to speed up the adoption of off-road freight equipment. Meanwhile, automakers will introduce more EV models edging into SUVs and trucks, with the price parity narrowing between gas-powered and electric-powered cars.--Several digital trends are in the various stages of adoption, making their policy implications less clear. Because of their potential to change, even disrupt, traditional business practices, they are worth following this year.. At its core, blockchain is an open, decentralized ledger that records transactions between two parties in a permanent way without needing third-party authentication. This creates an extremely efficient process that has the potential to dramatically reduce the cost of transactions.Blockchain transactions can be permissionless, in which the transactions are open to anyone to view or participate, or they can be permissioned, which limits the transactions to specific groups of users. Blockchain got its start as a way to bring trust to digital currencies. But other uses for blockchain have emerged and include online voting, medical records, insurance policies, property and real estate records, copyrights and licenses and supply chain tracking. Twenty-eight states have introduced legislation relating to blockchain in 2019, according the National Conference of State Legislatures, with 27 bills and resolutions enacted or adopted. . Bitcoin emerged in 2008 as the first digital currency not tied to any legal framework of any state or country. Since then, the cryptocurrency has followed a wild trajectory of popularity, value swings and, at times, outright hostility. What has emerged is a growing realization that some regulation could bring order to the currency and others like it, reducing its role as a favored form of money for criminals and opening up a dialogue on how it can be used in business.The federal sector has not set any direction around cryptocurrency regulation, leaving the states to handle the matter. So far, they have mainly focused on the use of cryptocurrencies as legal tender in business transactions (including taxation), imposing authority on operations of cryptocurrency exchanges as money transmitters, and the status of smart contracts and ethereum tokens , according to Investopedia While few states have taken the regulatory lead on all three aspects of cryptocurrencies, New York and California are further ahead than others. In contrast, Massachusetts and Washington state, hotbeds of tech innovation, have either opposed digital currencies or have not enacted any legislative action.. Todays technological breakthroughs depend on speed. The faster data can be processed, analyzed and acted on, the better the result. Edge computing is about putting the software that runs the application as close as possible to the data that feeds it and the people who use it. Just about every sector of todays economy, including government, will benefit from edge computing.The rise of self-driving, autonomous vehicles and telehealth are two examples. So, too, are chatbots, such as Alexa, which are growing in popularity for personal and retail purposes. In government, edge computing tells transportation departments how much salt to put down on a road, helps police conduct criminal forensics in their patrol cars, allows drones to conduct aerial analysis of wildfires and can even tell public works the best time to pick up garbage.Edge computing depends on several key technological components, some of which are facing government regulation. High speed, wireless networks is one factor. Another is artificial intelligence. Any legislation or regulatory requirement on these digital issues could impact how quickly and comprehensively edge computing can mature and take hold. --Government TechnologyGoverning. Eversource Energy announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement to purchase the Massachusetts natural gas assets of Columbia Gas for $1.1 billion from NiSource. The acquisition will bring Columbia Gas operations in Massachusetts under local ownership by the largest energy company in New England, Eversource said in a news release after the stock markets closed. Eversource and NiSource expect to close the transaction by the end of the third quarter of this year. The announcement came the same day as the announcement that Columbia Gas of Massachusetts has agreed to pay a criminal fine of $53 million in a plea agreement with federal prosecutors over the 2018 gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley region that killed one person, injured many others and damaged homes and businesses. Contacted after the announcement, spokesman Reid Lamberty said Eversource didnt know that the plea agreement would be announced Wednesday. The transaction will require approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities and the U.S. Justice Department under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. The companies said that, under the asset purchase agreement, liabilities related to the Merrimack Valley explosions will remain the responsibility of Columbia Gas current parent company, NiSource. Columbia Gas was also held at fault for a 2012 gas explosion in Springfield. The city reached an $850,000 settlement with NiSource in 2013. NiSource also reached private agreements with individual landowners and businesses. Columbia Gas currently serves 330,000 natural gas customers in more than 60 communities in Massachusetts including Springfield, where it has a service center on Roosevelt Avenue and about 200 employees. Eversource has its own electrical maintenance depot nearby at 300 Cadwell Drive. Eversource has 300,000 natural gas customers already, in addition to its 1.5 million electric customers in 51 communities across the state. Many communities that Columbia Gas serves with natural gas already receive electric service from Eversource. That includes Springfield, which currently has both companies. In total, Columbia Gas has more than 700 employees across its Massachusetts service territory. Eversource has more than 8,000 employees across Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Eversource will be making offers of employment to all Columbia Gas employees on terms and conditions similar to those that apply to its own workforce, Lamberty said. He said Eversource will work with consumer groups and regulators over the next 30 days as the purchase is reviewed by regulators. In its news release, Eversource said it will bring these advantages to Columbia Gas customers: Ownership by a larger, locally focused company with expertise and resources to excel at delivering safe and reliable energy for customers Improved safety and reliability through additional investments in infrastructure upgrades The advantage of locally based gas dispatch and emergency response in Massachusetts Expanded opportunities to benefit from Eversources energy efficiency programs Improved potential to participate in demand response and other clean energy initiatives Potential for reduced gas supply costs and increased reliability through portfolio optimization and management A commitment to maintain appropriate staffing levels that enable safe and reliable operations Strong financial profile with access to Eversources top-tier credit ratings, which helps to lower financing costs for customers Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno said he communicated Wednesday with Eversource executives. They have reassured me that they will continue to serve our community and provide the quality of service that our residents and businesses deserve, Sarno said. "I look forward to again meeting with the leadership team of Eversource in the very near future. To continue to build on our good working relationship for the betterment of our Springfield residents and business community. By Silke Koltrowitz ZURICH, Feb 27 (Reuters) - The coronavirus is keeping tourists away and hitting sales of British retailer Watches of Switzerland, particularly in its London boutiques, the company said on Thursday. Tourists from China, where the virus originated in December, have traditionally been the biggest buyers of Swiss watches. Chief Executive Brian Duffy said in the nine months since the company's initial public offering the share of sales to Chinese nationals had fallen from around 10% to 7.8%. "The impact of coronavirus and Chinese tourists not coming has been particularly sensed since the beginning of February," he told Reuters. "It obviously impacted Chinese New Year plans which are normally a spike in business." Organisers of the Geneva watch fair said on Thursday they were cancelling their event due to the virus. The rival Baselworld show is still scheduled to take place from April 30. Duffy said there was some evidence of brands shipping unsold stock from China to other markets. "There will be stockbuilding because consumption clearly has reduced in China and a lot of Chinese-dependent markets, Hong Kong and Switzerland probably being the next obvious." Demand for Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet timepieces in particular was so strong there were actually supply constraints, he said. "So if there's a reduction in one consumer group, it'll be to the benefit of others," Duffy said, adding they'd not had any additional allocation of product yet. Watches of Switzerland, which also owns Mappin & Webb, Goldsmiths and U.S.-based Mayors, reported like-for-like sales growth of 8.9% for the nine months to Jan 26. But the company, which has 127 showrooms, saw a slower 6.8% increase in the last three months of that period. The group's biggest shareholder, private equity firm Apollo Global Management, sold a stake worth 118.8 million pounds ($154.37 million) in the retailer last month, reducing its stake to 42.1%. "It's not their business holding major shareholdings in public companies so it's a reasonable expectation they'd sell down over a period," Duffy said. ($1 = 0.7696 pounds) (Reporting by Silke Koltrowitz; Editing by Nick Macfie) Mario Tama/Getty Images Some Uber drivers, anxious about the coronavirus outbreak, say they've taking matters into their own hands to avoid exposure to the illness. On web forums and in interviews with Business Insider, drivers said they're avoiding picking up passengers from airports, cutting down their hours, and cleaning their cars more frequently. US health officials have warned companies to operate under the assumption that an outbreak could occur in the United States in the near future. Drivers said they haven't heard any official communication from Uber about best practices for avoiding transmission or how the company planned to act in the case of an outbreak. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. uber passenger airport For Uber drivers, letting dozens of travelers into their personal vehicles every day is routine. Coronavirus may be changing that. US experts and government agencies have warned that an outbreak of COVID-19, the coronavirus disease, could be imminent, but Uber drivers say they haven't heard any official guidance from Uber itself. As a result, drivers are taking matters into their own hands as fears of the virus swirl. In interviews with Business Insider, Uber drivers echoed fears that have been circulating in web forums for drivers over the past month. (Drivers are referred to by only their first names to protect their identities, which Business Insider has verified.) "I work in the [San Francisco] Bay Area and stopped doing airport pickups and cut my hours way back," Yoo, a California Uber driver, told Business Insider. "This same car I use for Uber is the same car I drop my daughter off at school in." Other drivers have taken broader measures in the wake of coronavirus reports. Michael, an Uber driver in Washington, DC, said he's been "cracking the window on rides" in an attempt to avoid catching germs. Nate, a driver in Las Vegas, said he has cut back his hours across the board. "My significant other is reluctant to let me work. It's a common topic of discussion in my rides now, often jokingly, but with a hint of underlying nervousness from all parties," he told Business Insider. "I typically Lysol the car ... after I get anyone in the car coughing." Story continues On a subreddit for Uber drivers, people have debated whether to worry about the coronavirus over the course of the past month, bickering over whether the ridesharing industry would be affected by the "disruption" the CDC has warned, or whether the concerns amount to "fearmongering." A lack of top-down communication from Uber isn't helping the confusion. "I'm sure they don't want to cause a stir and make less drivers want to go out which equals their money not being made," Nate told Business Insider. "This is a new type of situation so I think they are remaining complacent but acting as they need." Drivers said Uber hadn't issued any official statement to drivers or the general public about its plans for addressing COVID-19, but it has acted in at least one case. A coronavirus patient in London took an Uber to the hospital; after the incident was reported, Uber said it temporarily suspended the driver's account out of "an abundance of caution." Uber did not respond to Business Insider's requests for comment. Got a tip? Contact Aaron Holmes at (706) 347-1880 or at aholmes@businessinsider.com. Open DMs on Twitter at @aaronpholmes. You can also contact Business Insider securely via SecureDrop. Business Insider ATLANTA, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Habitat for Humanity International, Lowe's and approximately 6,000 women volunteers will unite in more than 235 communities in the United States, India and Canada for International Women Build Week, March 1-8, to highlight the global need for safe and affordable housing. A prelude to International Women's Day, the global event aims to build and improve 540 homes while raising awareness of housing issues facing women and their families. "More than 18 million U.S. households spend half or more of their income on a place to live, and almost 31 percent of women-headed households with children are below the poverty level," said Sue Henderson, vice president of U.S. operations, Habitat for Humanity International. "History has proven that women and their families have the power to make remarkable changes and spark meaningful conversations. With the support of Lowe's and thousands of volunteers around the world, we will advocate for positive change in the housing needs of women and their families." In the U.S., one in six families must choose between having a place to call home and paying for food, health care, childcare, education or reliable transportation. Habitat for Humanity and Lowe's are calling on women across the world to help bring attention to this important issue by raising a hammer with their local Habitat chapter. "Lowe's and Habitat have seen first-hand the transformative power women can have when we come together for communities in need," said Jennifer Weber, Lowe's executive vice president, human resources, and board chair of the Lowe's Foundation. "More than 138,000 volunteers have built or repaired more than 5,325 homes during our 12-year partnership of supporting International Women Build Week, and this year, we encourage all women, whether a home improvement professional or a do-it-yourselfer, to join a build alongside other women. Together, we can make a difference to improve access to safe and affordable housing in our communities." The Lowe's partnership with Habitat began in 2003, and since then, the company has committed more than $71.1 million to support the nonprofit. Lowe's longstanding support of Habitat has helped more than 6,500 Habitat partner families improve their living conditions. Anyone above the age of 18 can participate in International Women Build Week by volunteering with their local Habitat organization or by joining the conversation. All experience levels are welcome to participate. To learn more, visit habitat.org/womenbuild or follow #BuildHer and #WomenBuild on social media to share and view stories from around the world. About Habitat for Humanity Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org. About Lowe's in the Community Lowe's has supported the communities where its associates live and work for more than 70 years. As a FORTUNE50 home improvement company, Lowe's is committed to creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts through nonprofit partnerships. Across every community we serve, Lowe's associates donate their time and expertise through the Lowe's Heroes volunteer program. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter. SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International Related Links https://www.habitat.org Police here on Thursday detained Communist Party of India (CPI) members after they attempted to burn an effigy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding his resignation over Delhi violence. Speaking to ANI, CPI leader Chada Venkata Reddy said that the Union Home Minister should take responsibility for the recent incidents of violence in North-East Delhi. "Home Minister Amit Shah should resign taking responsibility for Delhi violence. Amit Shah and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi are taking anti-people policies. They are doing injustice to the nation, Constitution and democracy. We are demanding the immediate resignation of Amit Shah as Home Minister," Reddy said. The death toll in the violence in North-East rose to 34. Delhi Police has registered 18 FIRs and 106 people have been arrested in connection with the violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coronavirus is coming to America, and the countrys top health experts say theres little we can do to prevent that. Heres what you need to know Thursday, Feb. 27, about the rapidly evolving situation in Oregon and the U.S.: Total U.S. cases: 60, which includes 45 people who were brought back from Wuhan, China or the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan. Total U.S. deaths: zero. Total world cases: 82,104, of which 78,630 are in China. The other 3,474 cases are in 44 different countries, according to the World Health Organization, including South Korea, Italy, Iran and the United States. Total world deaths: 2,801, including 2,747 in China and 54 in other countries. California case: Officials confirmed what appears to be the first coronavirus case in the U.S. in a person who hadnt traveled to China or had close contact with someone sick with the virus. The case could mean that the virus is spreading in U.S. communities, health officials said, which would make the outbreak harder to control than if each new case is connected to someone already known to be ill. President Trump: The president minimized the risk of a coronavirus outbreak Wednesday, saying it may get a little bigger; it may not get bigger at all. He distanced himself from public health officials statements that an outbreak in the United States is inevitable, but said the U.S. is very, very ready for whatever the COVID-19 outbreak brings. He put Vice President Mike Pence to lead the administrations response. Markets: Markets are down sharply again. The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank nearly 1,200 points Thursday, deepening a weeklong global market rout caused by worries that the coronavirus outbreak will wreak havoc on the global economy. Rumor control: Oregon officials had to dispel a rumor Wednesday that a child was sick with the coronavirus. A Facebook post claimed a kid had checked into a Kaiser emergency room in Hillsboro and was diagnosed with an infection the same day. That wasnt possible, an Oregon Health Authority spokesman said, because the agency hadnt heard about it and because it takes at least a few days to get results back from the federal government. There are still no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Oregon. Businesses: Intel, Oregons largest employer, has ordered a halt to all workers business-related travel to China and other countries affected by the outbreak. Its a precautionary measure, the company said Tuesday, and people already in those countries dont have to immediately return. Flying abroad: Spokanes Gonzaga University has suspended all courses for its 161 students studying abroad in Florence, Italy, because of the coronavirus outbreak in that country. There are at least 370 cases in Italy, and twelve people have died, according to the World Health Organization. Emergency kits: Those in government charged with protecting the public have said its time to start thinking about what to do if an outbreak comes to Oregon. One thing to consider is to check in on your emergency prep kit something that is good to have with or without the danger of a viral infection. What about masks? Speaking of preparation, health experts say theres no need to make a run for facemasks or respirators, though people who are sick should wear one or the other to protect others from an infection. The most important thing to do is to protect yourself and others by washing your hands regularly, not touching your eyes and mouth with dirty hands and covering your coughs and sneezes. And that advice applies to warding off influenza and the common cold as much as it applies to the new coronavirus. New resource page: U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley on Thursday launched a resource page for Oregonians seeking information about COVID-19, including the number of cases in Oregon and information on risk of exposure, prevention and treatment. -- 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. Boris Johnsons communications chief applied for jobs on both the Leave and the Remain camps during the Brexit referendum, reports suggest. Lee Cain, who is director of communications at Downing Street, was said to have told colleagues he applied for senior roles at both Vote Leave and Britain Stronger In Europe during the run up to the Brexit vote. The former journalist was hired by the Brexit campaign as head of broadcast, before going on to hold roles at the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs and the Foreign Office under Mr Johnson. Mr Cain also worked on the prime ministers Tory leadership campaign, accompanying him into No 10 after his victory last summer. An old colleague from his time as a journalist told PR Week: He told me: I just want to get into politics. Ive applied for two jobs and Ive got one of them. Recommended Starmer demands probe on selective press briefing Ive applied for head of broadcast for Remain and head of broadcast for Leave. If this ever comes out Ill be in a lot of trouble. At that point he had no experience or understanding of politics. His boss, Mr Johnson, famously drafted newspaper columns arguing for both Leave and Remain as he wrestled with which side to back in the Brexit debate. David Chaplin, former director of strategic communications at Stronger In, said: We were inundated with applications for press positions and built a very strong team. Lee Cain was never interviewed but he may well have applied and missed the cut. Neither Downing Street nor Mr Cain have responded to requests for comment. Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Britain votes to leave the European Union - 23 June 2016 A referendum is held on Britain's membership of the European Union. Fifty-two per cent of the country votes in favour of leaving AFP via Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? David Cameron resigns - 24 June 2016 David Cameron resigns on the morning of the result after leading the campaign for Britain to remain in the EU Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Theresa May takes the reins - 13 July 2016 Theresa May becomes leader of the Conservative party and prime minister, winning the leadership contest unopposed after Andrea Leadsom drops out Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? High Court rules parliament must vote on Brexit - November 2016 - 3 November 2016 The High Court rules that parliament must vote on triggering Article 50, which would begin the Brexit process Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Article 50 triggered - 28 March 2017 The prime minister triggers Article 50 after parliament endorses the result of the referendum Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? May calls snap election - 18 April 2018 Seeking a mandate for her Brexit plan, May goes to the country Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? May loses majority as Labour makes surprise gain - 8 June 2017 After a disastrous campaign, Theresa May loses her majority in the commons and turns to the DUP for support. Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party makes gains after being predicted to lose heavily AFP/Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Negotiations begin - 19 June 2017 David Davis and Michel Barnier, chief negotiators for the UK and EU respectively, hold a press conference on the first day of Brexit negotiations. Soon after the beginning of negotiations, it becomes clear that the issue of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic will prove a major sticking point AFP/Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? MPs vote that withdrawal deal must be ratified by parliament - 13 December 2017 The government suffers a defeat in parliament over the EU withdrawal agreement, guaranteeing that MPs are given a 'meaningful vote' on the deal Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Boris Johnson resigns as foreign secretary - 11 July 2018 Following a summit at Chequers where the prime minister claimed to have gained cabinet support for her deal, Boris Johnson resigns as foreign secretary along with David Davis, the Brexit secretary Reuters Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Draft withdrawal agreement - 15 November 2018 The draft withdrawal agreement settles Britain's divorce bill, secures the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and vice versa and includes a political declaration commiting both parties to frictionless trade in goods and cooperation on security matters. The deal also includes the backstop, which is anathema to many brexiteers and Dominic Raab and Esther McVey resign from the cabinet in protest Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? May resigns - 24 May 2019 After several failed attempts to pass her withdrawal agreement through the commons, Theresa May resigns Reuters Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Johnson takes over - 24 July 2019 Boris Johnson is elected leader of the Conservative party in a landslide victory. He later heads to Buckingham Palace where the Queen invites him to form a government Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Parliament prorogued - 28 August 2019 Boris Johnson prorogues parliament for five weeks in the lead up to the UK's agreed departure date of 31 October. Stephen Morgan MP Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Prorogation ruled unlawful - 24 September 2019 The High Court rules that Johnson's prorogation of parliament is 'unlawful' after a legal challenge brought by businesswoman Gina Miller Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Johnson agrees deal with Varadkar - October Following a summit in Merseyside, Johnson agrees a compromise to the backstop with Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar - making the withdrawal agreement more palatable to Brexiteers Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Final Say march demands second referendum - 19 October 2019 As parliament passes the Letwin amendment requiring the prime minister to request a further delay to Brexit, protesters take to the streets in the final show of force for a Final Say referendum Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Johnson wins 80 seat majority - 12 December 2019 The Conservatives win the December election in a landslide, granting Boris Johnson a large majority to pass through his brexit deal and pursue his domestic agenda Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Withdrawal deal passes parliament - 20 December 2019 The withdrawal agreement passes through the commons with a majority of 124 Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? EU parliament backs UK withdrawal deal - 29 January 2020 Members of the European parliament overwhelmingly back the ratification of Britain's departure, clearing the way for Brexit two days later on 31 January. Following the vote, members join hands and sing Auld Lang Syne AFP/Getty Mr Cain was previously revealed to have dressed up in a giant chicken costume to taunt politicians during the 2010 general election, while working as a journalist for The Mirror. The Mirror Chicken, a longstanding tradition on Fleet Street, appears whenever the paper feels politicians are ducking scrutiny. The visit of the United States (US) President Donald Trump will be remembered for its extravaganza apart from the ostensible chemistry between the two leaders. The visit also resulted in upgrading the India-US partnership to the level of a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The $3-billion defence deal saw India purchase Apache and MH-60R helicopters: A deal to benefit the US military establishment, and upgrading our security environment. Bilateral relationships bloom only when both sides understand and sympathise with each others concerns. Let us list some of Indias concerns that were left unaddressed by the US: First, we were hoping for a big and comprehensive trade deal, a win-win for both sides. That was not in the offing. Closing such a deal by the end of the year seems highly unlikely. Second, there was no forward movement in the outstanding H1B visa issue and a totalisation agreement. Third, Trump no longer regards India as a developing country. This provides him the rationale for removing India from the list of countries benefited by the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which allows for lower tariff for Indias products exported to the US. Trump was not persuaded to revisit that issue. Trump continues to repeat that India was the highest tariff country in the world, and that the US has to be treated fairly. The US wishlist includes lowering our tariffs and allowing for market access to US milk, dairy and meat products, a demand India has resisted so far. But our inability to source crude oil from Iran because of US sanctions has burdened us with increased costs for importing crude from the US. The president also hoped for larger investments of Indian businesses in the US and increased oil and gas supplies to bridge the gaping trade deficit. In fact, none of our national concerns have been addressed by the US. The presidents hurricane visit was meant for his domestic Indian diaspora constituency to garner support from a community that has in the past tilted towards the Democrats. To say that the visit was extraordinary and that Modi is a nice man who is doing a fantastic job means little when looked at from the prism of our national interest. From the perspective of Indias standing in this part of the world and Trumps endorsement of New Delhis position, again the outcome was less than desirable. On Pakistan, Trump reiterated his willingness to mediate on Kashmir, chose not to criticise Pakistan, claiming Prime Minister Imran Khan is his good friend. On the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in India, Trump said that the US could not be counted upon to take any action across 8,000 miles. Clearly, the US is not willing to take sides and India is left on its own to deal with Pakistan in the manner that it chooses. While we believe that we have the capacity to punish Pakistan for any misadventure in India, Trumps statement is hardly any reflection of the warmth of the relationship between the two countries. In fact, in all the actions of the US running up to the visit of the president and during his stay, one got the feeling that for him America first is a national commitment and friendship with India is conditional upon that. Given the fact that there is likelihood of an agreement between the US and the Taliban in Afghanistan, there was no clarity about Indias role. Given such a deal, Indias position is likely to become even more vulnerable. Trump gave a veiled warning with reference to the importance of a secure 5G wireless network. He called this network a technology tool for freedom, progress, prosperity where it could be even conceived as a conduit for suppression and censorship. We are aware that the US neither allowed ZTE nor Huwaei to participate in its 5G wireless network. Trumps statement sought to guide our policy prescriptions by hinting at a possible threat to Indias security if the 5G network were to be laid by Huwaei or ZTE. President Trump knows where his countrys national interest lies. He wants US troops out of Afghanistan as quickly as possible to make it a talking point in the upcoming presidential election. He has made no commitments on behalf of his administration in combating the increasing Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region. He is also aware that India is not a vassal State, which will willingly subjugate its national interest by allowing large-scale US naval presence in this part of the world. Trump wants the trade deficit to be reduced, Indian tariffs to be lowered and US goods, especially agricultural produce, to be accessible to Indian markets. On top of that, Trump will bat for expanding online networks of multinationals with deep American commercial interests. E-commerce is a new tool to capture one of the largest markets in the world. Has Trump moved even an inch in sympathising with Indias national concerns? The chemistry between the two leaders is the governments single achievement. Kapil Sibal is former Union Cabinet minister The views expressed are personal Teachers take too much grief from students, receive too little respect from administrators and have no time to plan for lessons, argued lawmakers on Tuesday, as Alabama considers a plan to codify a so-called "Teacher Bill of Rights." Those rights, ranging from the right to remove unruly students from the classroom to the right to be free of burdensome paperwork, are spelled out in the bill that worked its way through a legislative committee hearing on Tuesday. Teachers have to put up with a bunch of crap that, in my opinion, they shouldnt have to put up with, Rep. Kerry Rich, R-Albertville, one of the bills sponsor told the committee. Rich said he modeled the bill, HB214, after Louisianas Teacher Bill of Rights and consulted laws from other states, including California, Texas and Missouri. Teachers are, to my knowledge, said Clint Daughtry, attorney for the Alabama Education Association, the only group of college-educated professionals that I know of that run the risk on a daily basis of being hit, kicked, slapped, scratched, what have you. He said many of the rights in the proposal are already a part of state law, but more can be done to support teachers in the classroom. The bill of rights covers 10 areas: The right to be free from frivolous lawsuits and immunity where appropriate, The right to use discipline, including corporal punishment, in accordance with board policy, The right to remove persistently disruptive students from the classroom, including when a student is impudent or defiant, The right to have their professional judgment respected by administrators when in accordance with board policy, The right to teach in a safe, secure, and orderly environment that is conducive to learning, The right to be treated with civility and respect, The right to communicate with parents and ask them to participate in appropriate student disciplinary decisions, The right to be free from excessive and burdensome paperwork, The right to have a mentor assigned to them when they first start teaching, and The right to have time to collaborate with other teachers during the school day or week. Opponents of the law argued in the hearing that some of the added protections could make it more difficult to fire bad teachers. Attorney Carl Johnson, whose firm represents many school boards across the state, said the bill is too vaguely worded and could invite lawsuits. As currently written, Johnson said, the bill could interfere with actions school boards take to get rid of underperforming teachers by creating a right to on-the-job training and mentoring. But the bill had more advocates than opponents on Tuesday. Something must be done to regain the respect teachers once held in our community, said Stephen Bunt, the member services director for the Alabama Coalition of Educators. His organization, he said, receives numerous calls every year from members who have been mentally and/or physically abused in schools by students from grades as early kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade. That abuse, Bunt said, has been as serious as having bones broken, being punched and kicked in the stomach while the teacher is pregnant, and having computer monitors, desks, chairs, books, and anything (students) can get their hands on thrown at them by students at school. Many committee members that spoke had either a family member that is a teacher, served on a local board of education, or had been a teacher themselves. Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, said this bill could help raise awareness of what teachers are dealing with on a daily basis. Were not talking about entitlements, Garrett said. What people really dont understand are the behavioral issues, the mental health issues, the paperwork issues, the things (teachers) are consumed with that are not teaching. Teacher shortages are already impacting Alabamas classrooms, he said, and a bill like this could go a long way to show teachers theyre supported at the state level. The committee could vote as early as next week. Rich said he wants to work with Johnson and others who may be worried about how the bill is worded. But, he said, I dont want to lawyer this thing up and just make it crazy and thats what we do way too often, in my opinion. The West Bengal government is planning to opt out of the Centre's 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme due to "differences of opinion" with the central government, a state minister said on Thursday. Under the scheme, beneficiaries can buy subsidised foodgrains from ration shops in any part of the country. The system ensures that no poor is deprived of PDS entitlement even if that person shifts from one place to another. "We have not received any intimation from the central government in connection with its 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme. There is no question of joining them (the Centre) in this matter," state Food Minister Jyotipriya Mallick told PTI. Citing "differences of opinion" with the Centre, the minister said the West Bengal government has already spent around Rs 200 crore for issuing digital ration cards. "Who will give the amount back to us? We will not be implementing it ('One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme)." "Other than that, there is a huge amount of fund which we are due to receive from the central government... It has reached Rs 6,000 crore," he said. Fund allocation to West Bengal is not the same as that of states like Punjab, though the eastern state happens to be the highest procurer of paddy in the country, Mallick said. "There is complete discrepancy which cannot be understood," the food minister said. The Centre has given states and Union Territories (UTs) time till June 30, 2020 to roll out the 'One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme. Already 10 states -- Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharasthra, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tripura -- are providing portability of Public Distribution System (PDS) entitlements, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan had said last month. The state government is also yet to implement the central government's Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Under the AB-PMJAY launched in 2018, the central government aims to provide health protection cover to 50 crore poor people. Since 2016, the state government has floated a group health protection scheme named 'Swasthya Sathi'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By PTI KOLKATA: Airtel Payments Bank said on Thursday that it has launched the Aadhaar enabled payment system (AePS) which will help people to do transactions at over 2,50,000 of its banking points across India. The system will enable customers, having Aadhaar- linked accounts of any bank, to do transactions at the designated points of the Airtel Payments Bank, the company said in a statement. It allows customers to carry out transactions by using their Aadhaar number or virtual ID to access their bank accounts. The AePS is a bank-led model which allows online interoperable financial transactions at a point of sale (PoS) through business correspondent of any bank using the Aadhaar authentication. The AePS allows six types of transactions, including deposit and withdrawal. "The AePS platform offers ease of secured banking to everyone by using only their Aadhaar. The AePS roll-out is one more step by Airtel Payments Bank to contribute towards the government's vision of financial inclusion," Airtel Payments Bank COO Ganesh Ananthanarayanan said. With arrests of more than a dozen employees and highly publicized troubles at the jail, its little surprise that first-term Sheriff Javier Salazar drew four Democratic and three Republicans challengers in the March 3 primaries. From high turnover of guards and unbudgeted overtime costs at the jail to a fragmented criminal justice system and a longstanding reputation for disciplinary problems, the Bexar County Sheriffs Office has been struggling for more than a decade, with voters pushing out the incumbent sheriff the last three times the office has been on the ballot. There hasnt been a sheriff who served more than one term since Ralph Lopez, who had four terms and was then unseated in 2008 by Amadeo Ortiz. Perhaps Salazars most recognizable opponent is Michelle Barrientes Vela, the former Precinct 2 constable who was indicted in January on official oppression and perjury charges, among others. Vela, 46, inadvertently lost her elected position when she announced she was running for sheriff in September as her home and office were raided by Texas Rangers and FBI agents during the investigation that led to the charges. She declined to comment on her campaign Wednesday. Salazar, 49, has acknowledged that state-required checks of inmates in their cells werent done properly in at least some of a dozen deaths reported last year at the Bexar County Jail, including three suicides. In one of those deaths, a deputy was arrested for falsifying a document. On ExpressNews.com: Sheriff details plan to fix jail woes But the sheriff has said the jail is now more pro-active in making sure low-risk inmates arent languishing behind bars. He said the justice system sometimes unnecessarily incarcerates people with drug addictions, mental illness or an inability to come up with the money to post bond. People are dying in our jails that absolutely should not be there, he said. Transparency in office The jail has also seen numerous erroneous releases and transfers of inmates and Salazar has been open about those mistakes, honoring his promise for transparency when he first ran for office. He said, however, that in this area, too, his staff has been proactive, creating a Booking 101 curriculum for detention officers. His department also has purchased new tracking software and is using a new checklist form that ensures all paperwork is handled properly. Salazar has attributed the botched releases to human error and blatant disregard for our policies and procedures. For achievements during his tenure, he pointed to a decrease in crime and emergency response times. And most deputies now receive training to use body cameras to prevent incidents of excessive force, he said. A former public information officer with the San Antonio Police Department and a 27-year law enforcement veteran, Salazar said he wants to continue cleaning up the department. He said he has tightened up the departments hiring practices and taken swift, decisive action to fire deputies following drunken driving arrests and assaults on inmates. Salazar joined SAPD at age 21 and served on the force for 23 years, including downtown bike patrol, narcotics, executive protection detail and the chiefs office. He then became an internal affairs investigator, communications director and director of SAPDs integrity unit. Salazars campaign filings dating to January 2019 indicate $174,275.67 in contributions and $146,466.15 in expenditures, with $28,242.89 on hand and $14,324.26 in outstanding loans as of Feb. 22. On ExpressNews.com: Judge rejects Velas efforts to keep constables seat Velas three-year run as constable was marred by controversy, including grievances and lawsuits filed by three of her deputies. Last Easter, she was accused of charging a family for security at Rodriguez Park when they wouldnt relinquish the space they had rented a year in advance to make way for Velas family. Earlier in her term there were allegations of improper collection of fines by her deputies serving warrants, a refusal to staff the metal detector at the justice of the peace court building and an ill-fated attempt to bill the county $2,147 for patches declaring Vela the first female constable in Bexar County a milestone achieved by another woman in 1941. Vela, who is out on bond, is awaiting trial on two felony counts of tampering or fabricating evidence, related to the Easter incident. She also faces one felony count of aggravated perjury and three misdemeanor counts of official oppression related to alleged treatment of two of her deputy constables, who are suing her. She lost her constable office when she announced she was running for sheriff too early; the Texas constitution states that if an elected official who has at least 13 months remaining in his or her term announces for another office, the official has resigned. Vela had 15 months left when she made her announcement in September. Vela listed herself as a business owner on campaign finance records. According to her campaign website, her criminal justice career began as a paralegal. She obtained a peace officers license in 2008 and was a reserve deputy in the Sheriffs Office the following year, then worked in municipal government, and later was a reservist in the Precinct 2 constables office before successfully running for constable in 2016. Vela has said she wants to restore pride and integrity at the Sheriffs Office. Her campaign finance reports indicated $6,300 in contributions and $69,580.43 in expenditures, with $8,849.53 on hand and $71,675 in outstanding loans as of Feb. 23. Other challengers Pete Lozano, an eight-year Army veteran and retired state trooper with 23 years of experience with the Texas Department of Public Safety, said Salazar is a good public speaker but lacks leadership skills. He doesnt take responsibility, said Lozano, 67. A former Republican, Lozano had supported former Sheriff Susan Pamerleau, a Republican who was narrowly defeated by Salazar in 2016. Lozano described himself as a police accountability specialist who would seek better pay and consistent application of strong personnel standards in the Sheriffs Office. He has a masters in justice policy from the University of Texas at San Antonio and taught an undergraduate class in law enforcement ethics in the Criminal Justice Department there. Lozanos campaign disclosures indicated $401.80 in contributions, $6,363.92 in expenditures, $1,078.45 cash on hand and $9,494.48 in outstanding loans as of Dec. 31. One of Salazars most outspoken challengers is Sharon Rodriguez, who received her Texas peace officer license in 2012 and worked as a deputy providing courthouse security for just over six months. She recently resigned as a patrol officer in Hollywood Park to run for sheriff. She said her husband, a patrol deputy, would resign if she were elected, to avoid a perceived conflict. Morale is where we need to start, Rodriguez said. Within the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, if you dont know someone, you will never be someone. Her campaign finance reports showed $3,839.86 in contributions and $4,144.62 in expenses. On ExpressNews.com: Early voting turnout brisk in major cities across Texas Another Democratic challenger is Jose Trevino, who has held numerous roles in the Sheriffs Office, including in internal investigations and homicide. He touted his expertise in budgeting and vowed to practice principles of leadership 101, praising deputies in public for good work and punishing in private. Trevino, with 30 years in law enforcement, said he would focus on problems with recruiting and retention. He joined the Sheriffs Office in 1990 and served for 26 years in detention, patrol, field training, instruction and investigation. Trevino now serves at the Texas Attorney Generals Offices Medicaid fraud control unit, and as a volunteer adjunct instructor with the Sheriffs Office, according to his campaign website. Were losing a lot of employees in large numbers, Trevino said. In my opinion, there is not enough foresight and not preparation for the growth of the county and the growth of the agency. Trevinos filings showed $18,170 in contributions, $9,828.50 in expenditures and $6,985.08 on hand as of Feb. 3. GOP primary On the Republican side, former Bexar County Clerk Gerard C. Gerry Rickhoff and law enforcement veterans Gary W. Garcia and Willie Ng are on the primary ballot. Garcia, a sheriffs deputy and warrant officer with 34 years in law enforcement, said inadequate policies and procedures at the jail have contributed to the erroneous releases. He said hes helped the department achieve needed reforms by pointing out problems. He criticized Salazar for speaking to the media about the arrests of deputies in pending cases. I dont think we should go to the media for anybody when theyre arrested, unless its for the safety and the security of the public, said Garcia, a 27-year veteran at the Sheriffs Office, currently assigned as a fugitive apprehension officer. Garcia has said he would restore public trust in the department. His father, David J. Garcia, served as Bexar County District Clerk from 1983 to 1997. His campaign filings showed $2,608 in contributions and $9,611.34 in expenditures, with $625.82 on hand as of Jan. 23. Ng has 26 years experience in law enforcement, having served in the SAPD as a patrol officer and investigator. He served as chief criminal investigator with the Bexar County District Attorneys Office from 2015 to 2018. He is founding owner, president and CEO of Blue Armor Security Services, overseeing about 300 armed and unarmed security personnel in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Waco. Ng is a certified trainer for active shooter and advanced law enforcement rapid response, and a special federal deputy marshal with the U.S. Secret Service. He also touts a background in public service, economic development and nonprofit work. He has criticized Salazar for not adequately addressing underlying factors in the jail mishaps and disciplinary problems among deputies. Ngs filings indicate $170,103 in contributions and $107,601.31 in expenditures, with $10,149.69 on hand as of Feb. 22. Rickhoff was the county clerk for 24 years, but has no law enforcement experience. He first headed the clerks office in 1995, and was defeated in 2018 by Lucy Adame-Clark. His filings indicate no contributions and $2,190.21 in expenditures, with $36,523.04 on hand as of Jan. 23. Early voting continues through Friday, 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. at nearly 40 other locations across the county, including the Bexar County Elections Department, 1103 S. Frio, . For a map and addresses, go to bexar.org/elections Election day is Tuesday; polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day. 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 Berlins businesses cant get enough of Salma Al Armarchis home-cooked Syrian food. Food was always a hobby for Salma, 53. Now a refugee in Berlin, the Syrian cook found her culinary skills in such demand she was able to make a living. Her secret ingredient? Passion. Every time I cook I do it with love, laughs Salma, during a break in her kitchen. When you cook with love, people love the food. Salmas break came in 2016 when she was asked to feed volunteers at Berlins non-profit ReDI school, where her eldest son, Fadi, was taking a free coding course for newcomers. It was a big responsibility as it was the first time a lot of the teachers had tried Syrian food, said Fadi, 32. They loved it. They all thought we already had a catering business. "Every time I cook I do it with love." Salma never set out to be a chef or an entrepreneur. Back home in Damascus, Syria, she cooked for fun, meeting regularly with friends to donate food to people struggling to make ends meet. Then her country descended into war. In 2012, Salma, her youngest son and her daughter, fled to Germany on a tourist visa and applied for asylum. Fadi followed in 2014 as part of a family reunification scheme. Salmas family was safe, but she was struggling. Learning German was difficult, and she was unable to find work in her previous profession. Then, in 2015, tens of thousands of fellow Syrians arrived in Berlin. Salma and Fadi volunteered to help, translating, donating clothes, and even helping others with basic survival German. Salma met many people who, like her, were finding it tough to adapt. Its very hard to find a job at my age, she said. Its my goal to hire other middle-aged people in my kitchen, Then, a chance encounter inspired her to put her cooking skills to good use. When Fadi asked Salma to cater for ReDIs picnic, she decided to pull out all the stops. Borrowing equipment from friends, Salma recruited her other two adult children and a nephew to help make mounds of appetizers in their apartment. The family worked three days straight to get the food ready. "The most difficult step is the first." The picnic was a great success. Salmas food was presented so professionally that the teachers all employed in Berlins booming tech start-up scene began making enquiries. Before long, Fadi was approached by a manager at Cisco wanting catering for a conference. Hiding his surprise, he ducked into the bathroom to call Salma. She agreed, and the business was born. Within two days, mother and son had a menu, a website and space in a temporary kitchen. And they had a name; Jasmin Catering, after the white flowers that cover Damascus in spring. The most difficult step is the first, said Salma. If somebody has an idea, they should just do it. Start with what you have. Just improvise. As the orders started flooding in, Fadi and Salma found a permanent kitchen near the apartment they share in the south of the city. Syrian refugee Salma Al Armarchi (centre), 53, cooks food with her son Fadi Zaim (right), 32, and two employees in the kitchen in Berlin where she runs her company, Jasmin Catering. UNHCR/Gordon Welters Syrian refugee Fadi Zaim, 32, prepares salmon and shrimp finger food in his mother Salma Al Armarchi's kitchen in Berlin, from where she runs her company, Jasmin Catering. UNHCR/Gordon Welters Syrian refugee Salma Al Armarchi, 53, and her son Fadi Zain, 32, buy fresh food in a Turkish supermarket near her kitchen in Berlin. UNHCR/Gordon Welters Syrian refugee Salma Al Armarchi cooks with an employee in the kitchen in Berlin where she runs her company, Jasmin Catering. UNHCR/Gordon Welters Syrian refugee Fadi Zaim, 32, prepares a plate of hummus in his mother Salma Al Armarchi's kitchen in Berlin, from where she runs her company, Jasmin Catering. UNHCR/Gordon Welters Syrian refugee Fadi Zaim, 32, in his mother Salma Al Armarchi's kitchen in Berlin, from where she runs her company, Jasmin Catering. UNHCR/Gordon Welters The next few years were a blur of office lunches, away days and conferences. They cooked for Facebook, McKinsey, Germany's Green Party, embassies and even German Chancellor Angela Merkels office. But for Fadi, the biggest honour was the weddings. There have been four in the past year, all of them for German clients. He puts their success down to adapting oriental dishes to fit local ingredients and always being sure to cater for Berlins large vegan population. "We are happy to be bringing people new tastes." Alongside traditional dishes like Heraa Esbaoo, a pasta stew with bread, lentils and herbs, Jasmin offers alternative versions of Syrian staples, using vegan dumplings in place of minced meat. We offer something different, said Fadi. We find ways of making traditional dishes vegan or vegetarian, which is very popular and healthy. Salma and Fadi now hope to build on their success to secure more regular clients. There is a lot of focus on cuisine here in Europe, said Fadi. And we are happy to be bringing people new tastes. Now more people are breaking down the barrier, trying our food, and liking it. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) saying that its performance in both operations and finance has been excellent. "HAL is among the DPSUs whose performance both in operations as well as finance in the past five years has been excellent. During this time, the company achieved operational clearances on seven platforms including LCA (Tejas) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)," he said while speaking at an event here. Stressing that HAL has also done the overhauling of platforms such as Hawk and Su-30, the Defence Minister said: "India's Defence export is increasing. In the last two years, it has been Rs 17,000 crore. India's dependence can't be on imports for a long time. We don't want to see India only as an importer country. On your capabilities, I would say India will one day become an exporter country." During his address, Singh also mentioned Srinivas Gowda, the player of Kambala game, who was recently in the news. "We recently heard of Srinivas Gowda, the player of Kambala game, who completed 145 m race in 13.62 seconds and he was compared to Olympic champion Usain Bolt as well. I am impressed by his humility when I read that on being asked about comparison with Usain Bolt, he said I am as good as the buffaloes who participated with me in the race," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A young woman who cried out when she was victim of a robbery that she needed the money to pay rent was given some of her money back by the culprit. Judge Sean O Donnabhain jailed David Long, aged 36, for three years at Cork Circuit Criminal Court for the robbery. This was a nasty assault on a vulnerable woman. He was determined to take money from her notwithstanding her reduced circumstances on the occasion, which he must have known. He has an alarming history of robberies. He was dealt with leniently in the past and that had no perceivable benefit. He has considerable problems but he has yet to sort them out. I take into consideration genuine efforts he is making in prison, the judge said. Peter OFlynn said the accused suffered as a result of addiction to heroin and was desperate for heroin on that day. He said Long had written a letter of apology. He showed some consideration for the victim when she did plead for the money back and he gave her some portion of the money back, Mr OFlynn BL said. Detective Garda Mark Durcan said that on April 10, 2019, a young woman withdrew her disability allowance of 203 at St Lukes post office. Det. Garda Durcan said: On exiting, she had a conversation with David Long whom she knew. She states he was asking her to come across the road to the junction of Summerhill North and OMahonys Avenue where she was pulled to the ground and her money bag was taken from her pocket. She said she started crying and pleading with David Long to return the money as she owed it in rent. He took 100 from the money bag and returned the rest of the money to her in the money bag. He warned her not to contact gardai as this would make matters worse. He left the scene. CCTV was gathered from various premises in the St Lukes area and it captures both of them walking away towards St Lukes church. He is seen walking away and handing back something to her on the ground. David Long was living in a tent on St Patricks Quay at the time. A school in Belfast at the centre of a security alert has said it was a false alarm. Police were called to security alert at a school in the Belmont Road area of east Belfast following the discovery of a suspicious device in the area on Thursday evening. A number of homes were evacuated, while part of the Belmont Road and Belmont Church Road was cordoned off. In a statement, it said: On Thursday evening, the Principal and Governors of Strathearn School were alerted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) to a suspicious device found in the grounds of the school. Following a controlled explosion by army technical officers, the device was declared to be a false alarm. The safety of our pupils, staff and neighbouring community remains our utmost priority at all times and, having sought advice from the PSNI, we are assured that school can continue as normal on Friday 28 February 2020. Sen. Hawley to introduce Coronavirus bill aimed at securing medical supply chain As fears about the spread of the novel coronavirus continue to grow, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., plans to introduce legislation on Thursday aimed at securing America's medical supply chain. Hawley's office provided Fox News with a copy of the bill, entitled "The Medical Supply Chain Security Act," along with an outline of its contents. Actually, a pretty interesting move from this Missouri politico that hopes to expose the U.s. reliance in Chinese merch of all kinds. Checkit: Three Irish soldiers were injured in a bomb attack on a multinational convoy of the UN peacekeepers in Mali, the German army announced on Wednesday. The Bundeswehr said the attack took place Tuesday afternoon against the German-led convoy in northern Mali, about 80 kilometers to the northeast of the city of Gao. The roadside bomb hit a German vehicle driven by Irish troops, slightly injuring three people. No German soldiers were injured. Irish soldiers were evacuated by Romanian helicopters to Gao for treatment in a German hospital, the Bundeswehr said. The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, was established in 2013 to help stabilize the Sahel nation. DENVER, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GigSmart, the modern staffing solution connecting businesses with temporary workers, has announced today a One Hour Worker Guarantee. Should any business or individual hiring a GigSmart Worker feel that the Worker is not a good fit for their job, they have one full hour to send the Worker home at no cost to them. Hire Workers risk-free with GigSmart's One Hour Worker Guarantee (PRNewsfoto/GigSmart) GigSmart's Get Workers hiring app gives business users a way to instantly connect with a community of over 150,000 skilled, temporary Workers who are looking for local, hourly work. Available coast to coast across the United States, Get Workers users can hire vetted (background and motor vehicle records checked) and insured Workers for short-term Gig shifts instantly or up to 30 days in advance. As an additional benefit, every Worker now comes with the added protection of the One Hour Worker Guarantee. "We're building the biggest and most inclusive community of temporary Workers in the United States. We want to make sure our business requesters feel extremely comfortable using GigSmart's staffing solutions to hire skilled, temporary Workers," said Rich Oakes, President of GigSmart. "By offering a One Hour Worker Guarantee, there literally is no reason not to try GigSmart if you're in the market for temporary labor." In addition to offering the One Hour Worker Guarantee, GigSmart's temporary staffing apps feature community-vetted ratings and reviews, meaning both the businesses who are hiring and the Workers who are working have the ability to provide feedback once a job is completed. This open-sourced rating and review system results in a higher-quality Get Workers and Get Gigs user base. Businesses and individuals interested in trying out temporary labor can create a free Get Workers hiring account by visiting getworkers.gigsmart.com or downloading the GigSmart Get Workers iOS or Android mobile apps. Available across 24 major U.S. markets, the number of users leveraging GigSmart's two-sided gig economy platforms are growing significantly month-over-month. Businesses can use the GigSmart Get Workers hiring app to access local, vetted, and insured Workers who can be hired on the fly at low costs with no lead time. Individuals can use GigSmart Get Gigs mobile app to access local, on-demand, and scheduled Gigs available across nearly every industry. To create a free Get Workers hiring account or to learn more about GigSmart, please visit www.gigsmart.com. About GigSmart GigSmart is a software development company focused on providing modern solutions to meet the needs of the growing gig economy. GigSmart's hiring platform provides on-demand staffing solutions to connect businesses looking for labor with skilled workers. Launched in December of 2018, GigSmart's Get Gigs and Get Workers apps have already surpassed 250,000 installs. GigSmart's alternative staffing solutions serve 24 U.S. markets in industries like construction, manufacturing, transportation, retail, customer service, and professional services. GigSmart is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with 35 full-time employees. Media Contact: Rich Oakes [email protected] 720.892.6371 Related Images one-hour-worker-guarantee.jpg One Hour Worker Guarantee Hire Workers risk-free with GigSmart's One Hour Worker Guarantee SOURCE GigSmart This speech was delivered by Oscar Grenfell, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Party (Australia) to a public rally in defence of Julian Assange, held in London on Sunday. Oscar Grenfell addresses public rally in defence of Julian Assange Its a great privilege to speak at this meeting, which underscores the global character of our partys campaign for the freedom of Julian Assange, Chelsea Manning and all imprisoned journalists, publishers and whistleblowers. The events defending Assange in Britain, whether organised by the Julian Assange Defence Committee, the SEP or other organisations, have had a major impact across Australia and internationally. Theyve given expression to the immense popular sympathy for Assange here in the country thats holding him as a political prisoner and preparing to hand him over to the war criminals in Washington. Theyve demonstrated that on the Assange case, as on every other issue, there are two Britainson the one hand, the official political parties, the Johnson government, the military and the intelligence agencies, and on the other, millions of workers and youth, who are entering into major struggles for their social and democratic rights. Oscar Grenfell addressing the London rally It is the British authorities that are holding the key to Assanges cell. But they couldnt have trampled on his legal and democratic rights as they have, were it not for the criminal role played by successive Australian governments. Since 2010, all of them have refused to defend Assange, despite the fact that he is a persecuted Australian citizen and journalist. Instead, theyve been among the most enthusiastic participants in the US-led vendetta against Assange and have given succour to all the lies and smears that have been used to isolate him. Indeed, Australian governments have been out in front when it comes to the attempts to shut WikiLeaks down. In 2009, a year before the publication of Collateral Murder and the Iraq and Afghan war logs, Julian revealed that he was avoiding spending time in his country of origin. He said hed received a tip-off that if he returned to Australia, he would be raided by the Australian Federal Police on the orders of the Labor government. The reason was that in 2009, WikiLeaks had released Labors secret list of blacklisted websites. The publication revealed that, contrary to government claims, the targeted websites included political and news sites that had nothing to do with illegal contentin other words, out and out political censorship. Julia Gillard and Hillary Clinton In 2010, when WikiLeaks released the truly historic publications for which Assange has been charged, the Greens-backed Labour government of Julia Gillard reacted with unbridled hostility. Gillard fronted a press conference, in December 2010, at which she declared: The foundation stone of the WikiLeaks organisation is an illegal act. She pledged to aid the US authorities in their investigation of Assange. Gillard said this, the same time as senior US politicians were calling for Assange to be assassinated. The transparent purpose was to block any prospect of Assanges return to Australia and to promote the lies that he was a cyber-terrorist. The Australian police were subsequently compelled to state that Assange and WikiLeaks, in fact, had never committed a crime under Australian law. It should be noted that since leaving parliament, Gillard has reinvented herself as a champion of womens rights and the battle against the mental health crisis. She has appeared at speaking events alongside Hillary Clinton, at which the two persecutors of Assange have been lauded by the corrupt representatives of the upper-middle class as feminist heroes. Donald Trump and Scott Morrison The collaboration in the US-led vendetta against Assange has been continued by every Australian government since. Current conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared that no one is above the law and that Assange must face the music. After he was fawned over by Donald Trump during a visit to Washington last year, an Australian reporter asked Morrison whether the two had discussed Assange. Morrison simply laughed. The Labor Party oppositions response has been no less criminal. Senior Labor leader Tanya Plibersek responded to Assanges arrest on April 11 by resharing a Tweet that declared: There are many cultists on this site, but the Assange cultists are the worst. It branded Assange as a foreign agent guilty of fascist behaviour and seeking to undermine democracy. In November, Labor MPs shut down one of the only discussions of Assanges plight in the Australian parliament over the past 12 months, using anti-democratic procedural rules. The hostility of the Australian political and media establishment towards Assange is completely tied to their support for the US-Australian military alliance and for all of Washingtons predatory wars and military preparations. Barack Obama This connection was exemplified by the Gillard government. In 2011, Gillard hosted Barack Obama, as he announced, from the floor of the Australian parliament, a massive US military build-up throughout the Asia-Pacific directed against Chinathe so-called pivot to Asia. Gillard signed a secret military agreement with Obama, which included the establishment of a new US marine base in Northern Australia and virtually unlimited access to existing Australian bases for US troops. This was on top of the already-existing Pine Gap spy base in central Australia. Operated by the CIA, it is involved in coordinating all US drone strikes throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Edward Snowden revealed that Pine Gap also plays a key role in mass NSA surveillance of the worlds population. In the think tanks and foreign policy journals, it is openly discussed that Australia is on the frontline of US preparations for war with China. This agenda, imposed behind the backs of the population, has been accompanied by rafts of national security legislation, and an anti-China campaign aimed at whipping up a wartime atmosphere. A section of the Pine Gap facility (Credit: Felicity Ruby) Australias support for the persecution of Assange is also bound up with attempts by the ruling elites to suppress mounting social and political opposition. We have seen how explosive the situation is over the past months. Almost overnight, all of the myths about Australia being the lucky country and the land of a fair go were exposed as lies by the worst bushfire crisis in decades. The fires killed 33 people and destroyed more than 2,300 homes. The catastrophe was the direct result of government funding cuts, including to firefighting services, and the refusal of every government to take any action on climate change. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who had been lauded in the financial press as someone who could bring stability only months before, has become a figure of mass hatreda symbol of the contempt of the ruling elite for the lives and needs of ordinary people. The political establishment is aware that it sits atop a social powder keg. Thats why the Australian government has been among the most aggressive in deploying the Assange precedent. Australian Federal Police raiding the ABC headquarters In June last year, the Australian Federal Police raided the Sydney headquarters of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the ABC. The operation was directed against journalists who had published stories revealing Australian war crimes in Afghanistanincluding the killing of civilians and the desecration of corpses. The day before, the federal police raided a News Corp political editor for revealing government plans to expand mass domestic spying. In both cases, the journalists involved could face prosecution. It is no coincidence that the raids were timed one month after the Trump administration released its Espionage Act indictment of Assange. Last week, a federal court upheld the legality of the raid on the ABC. In language that could have been borrowed from the US indictment of Assange, the Australian judge cited as precedent a ruling which declared: the public interest in national security necessarily outweighs the public interest in the free flow of information. The raids followed the bipartisan passage of Foreign Interference laws in 2018. They provide for prison sentences for whistleblowers and journalists who expose national security material. Under the new laws, its an offence for a journalist to even receive classified government information in an email from a whistleblower. In parliamentary submissions, WikiLeaks has warned that the legislation would threaten its own publishing activities, were it based in Australia. As Assange has stated, the attacks against him are only the sharpest expression of a broader assault on press freedom. Our experiences in Australia have demonstrated the essential point that is being raised at this meeting: the fight for Assanges freedom requires the political mobilisation of the working class. Its not going to be achieved through parliament or through the official political parties. Since Assanges arrest last year, the Greens, the pseudo-left groups and the unions have done nothing to mobilise opposition to his persecution. Andrew Wilkie and George Christensen Many here will have seen the visit to Belmarsh Prison last week by Australian parliamentarians Andrew Wilkie and George Christensen. They are the co-chairs of a cross-party group of politicians calling for Assange to be brought home. It must be stressed that this group was formed in October. Prior to Wilkie and Christensens British tour, it had held literally no public events or initiatives in the four months since. The MPs came here after considerable pressure was applied from defenders of Assange and democratic rights. Their visit was only a pale reflection of the immense support that exists for Assange among workers and young people. I want to provide just a few examples: Earlier this month, a petition demanding freedom for Assange was tabled in parliament. It has been signed by over 280,000 people, making it one of the largest in the 110-years of Australian parliamentary history. Last week, the Hills association of Sydney schools passed a motion, which declared: We insist that the federal Morrison government use its diplomatic powers to organise the safe return of Assange to Australia. We resolve to send this resolution to other schools and workplaces. The committee which passed the resolution represents 1,300 teachers. Melbourne teachers at a meeting demanding freedom for Assange Their action followed the passage of a motion by teachers at a working-class school in Melbourne late last year demanding freedom for Assange. It won an international response, being featured on Jimmy Dores popular online show. For so many years, support for Assange has been suppressed, but now it is coming to the surface, and we can anticipate that it will grow substantially over the coming weeks and months. I want to finish by citing a comment made by Terry Hicks to the WSWS last year in support of Assange. Terrys son, David, was arrested by the US military in Afghanistan in 2001. He was taken to Guantanamo Bay and subjected to torture, despite the fact that he was guilty of no crime. Terry Hicks For years, Terry waged a one-man campaign for his sons freedom. In the end, he built a powerful grassroots movement that forced the Australian government to take action to have David Hicks released from Guantanamo Bay and returned to Australia. Terry said: You might get support from high profile people, but the fight to gain Julians freedom depends on ordinary people speaking out. You will win them if you explain the basic issues at stake, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press and democratic rights, and youll be respected for your determination and your honesty. Always remember that the story constantly alters for those who lie, but if youre telling the truth then nothing changes, and the real story will eventually come out. Those are fine words as we begin the next stage in the fight for Julian Assanges freedom. A 19-year-old woman was allegedly raped by three men in two separate incidents within a span of two hours on the night of February 19 in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, police said on Wednesday. All the three accused, including an autorickshaw driver, have been arrested. Narrating the sequence of events, a Rabale MIDC police station officer said that the victim had failed to board a train at suburban Ghatkopar on February 18 while she was with her relatives. The woman then boarded another train and reached Mumbra railway station in Thane district on February 18 night and slept at the station, he said. On February 19, she boarded another train and reached Diva station where she requested a woman beggar to help her in selling her nose ring for money. However, they couldnt sell the ring till night, he said. The woman then started walking the road with the hope to locate the Diva railway station. She reached near a hotel and asked the auto driver to drop her at the nearest railway station. The auto-driver, however, took her to a dilapidated building in Navi Mumbai and raped her, the officer said, adding that the accused left the woman near a temple in the area. The woman then sought help of two men who were riding a scooter in locating a nearby station, he said. The duo made her sit on the two-wheeler, took her to an isolated area near Ghansoli and raped her, the officer said quoting from the complaint. The accused were arrested on the basis of the description given by the victim. The trio were remanded in police custody till February 29. [February 27, 2020] Richardson RFPD Announces Global Distribution Franchise Agreement with Sequans Richardson RFPD, an Arrow Electronics (News - Alert) company, today announced that it has entered into a global distribution franchise agreement with Sequans Communications S.A. (NYSE: SQNS). The global agreement covers Sequans LTE (News - Alert) chips and modules, including solutions for IoT/ M2M, broadband/CBRS, and Sequans' associated evaluation and development kits. Sequans is a leading developer and provider of 5G and 4G chips and modules for massive, broadband, and critical IoT. Sequans' Monarch family of LTE-M/NB-IoT chips and modules features industry-leading low power consumption and global compatibility, and is operator certified. "Richardson (News - Alert) RFPD is a global powerhouse, and their team of technical experts provides the knowledge and expertise required to help customers identify and select the products they need with a process that is streamlined, intelligent and fully backed by engineering know-how," said Georges Karam (News - Alert), CEO of Sequans. "Extending the reach of our chips and modules via Richardson RFPD's wide marketing channels will enable a much larger number of customers to get their LTE-connected products to market faster." "Our team is ready to get Sequans' industry-leading LTE chips and modules into the hands of our global customers who need them for their IoT and broadband LTE products," said Rafael R. Salmi, PhD., Richardson RFPD's president. "Sequans' excellent products, already found in many industrial, telematics, retail, transportation, smart city, private LTE and vertical markets, will be an important piece of Richardson RFPD commitment to the fast-growing IoT market." Featured Sequans products now available through Richardson RFPD include: Monarch modules GM01Q and NB01Q: complete modem solutions, each including an LTE-optimized transceiver and a complete Single-SKU RF front-end to support LTE bands worldwide. Cassiopeia Cat 4 CB410L and Cat 6 CB610L modules: cost-effective leadless chip carrier (LCC) modules designed from the ground up to enable easy and massive deployment of IoT devices on private LTE CBRS networks. CB410L-STK and CB610L-STK: development kits enabling out-of-the-box testing of the modules on a private CBRS network Sequans storefront on the Richardson RFPD website. About Richardson RFPD Richardson RFPD, an Arrow Electronics company, is a global leader in the RF, wireless, IoT and power technologies markets. It brings relationships with many of the industry's top radio frequency and power component suppliers. Whether it's designing components or engineering complete solutions, Richardson RFPD's worldwide design centers and technical sales team provide comprehensive support for customers' go-to-market strategy, from prototype to production. More information is available online at www.richardsonrfpd.com. Follow Richardson RFPD on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Richardson_RFPD. To subscribe to Richardson RFPD's New Products e-newsletter, visit www.richardsonrfpd.com/subscribe. About Sequans Sequans Communications (News - Alert) S.A. (NYSE: SQNS) is a leading developer and provider of 5G and 4G chips and modules for IoT devices. For 5G/4G massive IoT applications, Sequans provides a comprehensive product portfolio based on its flagship Monarch LTE-M/NB-IoT and Calliope Cat 1 chip platforms, featuring industry-leading low power consumption, a large set of integrated functionalities, and global deployment capability. For 5G/4G broadband and critical IoT applications, Sequans offers a product portfolio based on its Cassiopeia Cat 4/Cat 6 4G and high-end Taurus 5G chip platforms, optimized for low-cost residential, enterprise, and industrial applications. Founded in 2003, Sequans is based in Paris, France with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, South Korea, and China. Visit Sequans online at www.sequans.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005124/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A Kentucky businessman has won a state House of Representatives seat that was held by a Democrat since at least the 1960s, earning a shout-out from the president. Richard White, owner of a lumber business and a former real estate developer from Morehead, won District 99 in the Feb. 25 special election, garnering 4,750 votes, or 56 percent. He will complete the unexpired term of Democrat Rocky Adkins, who resigned in December to advise the new Democratic governor, Andy Beshear. While Kentucky is a deeply Republican state with GOP supermajorities in both the state House and Senate, District 99 was represented by a Democrat at least since 1970. White said the district was blue possibly since the Civil War era, though The Epoch Times wasnt able to verify this. Even in 2016, when the district voted almost 68 percent in favor of the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, the state House seat still remained Democratic by nearly the same margin. Whites victory caught the attention of Republican National Committee Chairperson Ronna McDaniel, in addition to the president. Big Story, Big Win Except in the Fake News, which wont cover it! Trump commented on Twitter. White sounded happy about the support. Thats great. This is a pretty historical race, really, he told The Epoch Times in a phone call. Trump Platform White decided to run to provide better representation for the district, he said. A Democratic representative couldnt get to first base on anything in the GOP-controlled legislature, he said. It was important that somebody got in there as a Republican to represent this area and have a seat at the table. His agenda is staunchly conservative and pro-Trump. I support President Trump and his commitment to economic growth for Eastern Kentucky. And, as a businessman of over 44 years, I understand how to create jobs, and the role education plays in our global economy, he said on his campaign website. As a pro-life Christian, I will stand up for your most important constitutional rights, the second amendment, freedom of speech, and religion. He supports Trump for invigorating the economy and also because hes not manipulated by the power base in Washington, D.C., White said. A longtime official in the states Republican Party, White said there was consensus that he was probably the most electable person in the area. I ran a race before, and I had good name recognition, he said. A Modest Campaign The campaign was brief, and White only spent about $50,000, which was far less, he said, than his opponent. He was on five TV stations. I wasnt on a single TV station, White said. The state GOP helped White with several waves of mailings, and he also ran some radio ads, but he believed that what had the biggest effect was door-to-door electioneering, phone calls, and social media. They said a race cant be won with social media, but I think it was in this case, he said. His campaign manager, Valerie Campbell, singlehandedly ran the social media campaign, asking Whites supporters to spread the message. They didnt use paid social media advertising. White also believed he gained support from the gun rights crowd, having recently attended two Second Amendment rallies in the state capital of Frankfort. I was the only one that showed up as a candidate, he said. Whites opponent, Bill Redwine of Sandy Hook, is a former alumni relations official and auxiliary services head at Morehead State University. Hes a former head of the Rowan County Board of Education. His campaign didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. White wont have much time to celebrate, since the primary to run for a full two-year term is set for May 19, with the regular election scheduled for Nov. 3. Redwine is running again, according to the Courier-Journal. From The Epoch Times Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Made Anthony Iswara (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 08:39 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066dc8db 1 Business COVID-19,outbreak,incentives,airfare,Airlines,discount Free The general public is expected to see a drastic drop in airline ticket prices in March as the government prepares incentives to encourage tourism to and within the country amid the COVID-19 outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus. A document issued by the Transportation Ministry and obtained by The Jakarta Post on Tuesday shows that airfares will fall by 40 to 50 percent on routes to 10 destinations deemed most affected by the outbreak. The 10 destinations will include Yogyakarta; Malang, East Java; Manado, North Sulawesi; Bali; Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara; Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara; Bangka Belitung province; Batam and Bintan of the Riau Islands; and all regencies around North Sumatras Lake Toba. The government is very concerned about this matter. [It will] issue important policies to save the tourism industry, which can benefit locals who work in the industry, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio said in a press statement on Tuesday. Airfare discounts make up part of the Rp 298.5 billion (US$21 million) in government incentives, announced on Tuesday, allotted to airlines and travel agents to attract foreign tourists to Indonesia. The incentives will run from March to May. The government hopes to buoy the sinking tourist industry as would-be visitors cancel their vacation plans in the country over fears of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak. The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) has reported 40,000 room and 20,000 visitor cancellations in Bali since the outbreak in early January. The incentive is expected to attract about 736,000 tourists from foreign markets who have a high average spending level on vacation, Wishnutama said. One of the markets highlighted was Australia, whose tourists spend an average of US$1,800 per arrival in Indonesia. Another was the Middle East, whose tourists spent $2,200 on average. The minister added that the expected increase in tourism would contribute about Rp 13 trillion to Indonesias economy. Authorities will allocate a separate Rp 443.39 billion in discounts for domestic tourists to the 10 tourist destinations outlined in the program. In the future, the government will prepare other incentives that will follow the development of the coronavirus and its impacts on the economy in early or late April, said Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. NEW YORK -- When crossing the street, which way do you first turn your head to check for oncoming traffic? This decision depends on the context of where you are. A pedestrian in the United States looks to the left for cars, but one in the United Kingdom looks right. A group of scientists at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute has been studying how animals use context when making decisions. And now, their latest research findings have tied this ability to an unexpected brain region in mice: an area called the anterior lateral motor cortex, or ALM, previously thought to primarily guide and plan movement. This discovery, published today in Neuron, lends new insight into the brain's remarkable ability to make decisions. Flexible decision making is a critical tool for making sense of our surroundings; it allows us to have different reactions to the same information by taking context into account. "Context-dependent decision-making is a building block of higher cognitive function in humans," said neuroscientist Michael Shadlen, MD, PhD, the paper's co-senior author with Richard Axel, MD. "Observing this process in a motor area of the mouse brain, as we did with today's study, puts us a step closer to understanding cognitive function at the level of brain cells and circuits." "If someone is standing uncomfortably close to me on a deserted street, I may try to run away, but if the same event occurred on a crowded subway car, I would feel no such danger," said neuroscientist and first author Zheng (Herbert) Wu, PhD. "My decision to move or not move is dependent on the context of where I am; thus giving a reason behind the choices I make." To investigate how the brain achieves this context-dependent flexibility, the team surveyed several brain areas dedicated to processing and integrating sensory information, but found the critical area to be a part of the motor cortex called the ALM. Previous experiments suggested that the ALM has a relatively simple job: It guides movements of a mouse's tongue and facial muscles. Building on this understanding, the researchers designed a new experiment that required mice to make flexible decisions using their tongues and their olfactory system, which guides their sense of smell. In the experiment, a mouse first encountered a single odor. The mouse had to remember this odor, because after a brief pause, the researchers then puffed a second odor over the nostrils of the mouse. If both odors were the same, the mouse had to lick a tube to the left to get water. If the two odors were different, it had to lick a tube to the right. Previous work on this type of "delayed match to sample" test would lead one to expect that the mouse would use brain areas dedicated to odor perception to make the decision about which way to lick. Recordings of brain activity from these areas seemed to confirm this mechanism. "Based on these recordings, one could imagine that these brain areas have the answer when the mouse receives the second odor," said Dr. Shadlen. "All that's left to do is pass that answer to the brain's motor system to produce the appropriate lick response to the left or right." If this were so, then the motor area should not a play a role until the second odor is provided, and the mouse decides whether the two odors are the same or different. Dr. Wu devised a clever way to test this prediction. He switched off the animals' ALM until just before the second odor was given, turning ALM back on in time for the mice to receive the answer. "According to the standard view, the mice should have been unfazed by this manipulation, as their olfactory system remained intact," said Dr. Shadlen. "Instead they were impaired on the task." "Our results suggest that the ALM was required to solve the question of whether the two odors were a match and then to decide where to lick, prompting us to significantly rethink what the brain was doing to make these decisions," said Dr. Wu. ALM was not known to be involved in odor perception. Dr. Wu therefore took a closer look at the brain cells in ALM. He discovered a new type of neuron in ALM very near the surface of the brain that responds to the first odor. It keeps that information handy until the second odor is received. To explore this unexpected result, the research team turned to theoretical neuroscientist Ashok Litwin-Kumar, PhD, to investigate a variety of potential mechanisms that could account for ALM's role. "Conventional wisdom held that the animals' olfactory brain region should handle scent processing on its own, and then feed information to the ALM, which would then guide the tongue," said Dr. Litwin-Kumar. "But the data told us a different story; the first odor acts as a contextual clue, priming the ALM to then indicate that relationship by deciding which way to lick in response to the second odor." Today's findings, while focused on the ALM, are important for how they can inform scientists' larger understanding of brain function as a whole. "Ultimately, we want to elucidate fundamental principles that explain simple behaviors, but that writ large provide insight into higher cognitive function in humans," said Dr. Shadlen. "An essential step toward that goal is to knit together knowledge about neurons, circuits and behavior using the languages of biology and mathematics. This collaborative project highlights the promise of this strategy." ### Co-senior author Michael Shadlen, MD, PhD, is a principal investigator at Columbia's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, professor of neuroscience at Columbia's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a member of the Kavli Institute for Brain Science. Co-senior author Richard Axel, MD, is University Professor and Nobel Laureate, codirector of Columbia's Zuckerman Institute, professor of pathology and biochemistry at Columbia's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, an Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a member of the Kavli Institute for Brain Science. First author Zheng (Herbert) Wu, PhD, is a postdoctoral research scientist jointly in the labs of Michael Shadlen and Richard Axel at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute. Co-author Ashok Litwin-Kumar, PhD, is a principal investigator at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute, an assistant professor of neuroscience at Columbia's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and a member of Columbia's Center for Theoretical Neuroscience. This paper is titled "Context-dependent decision making in a premotor circuit." Additional contributors include Philip Shamash and Alexei Taylor. This research was supported by the National Science Foundation Next Generation Networks for Neuroscience (NeuroNex) Award (DBI-1707398), the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Simons Foundation. The authors report no financial or other conflicts of interest. Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute brings together a group of world-class scientists and scholars to pursue the most urgent and exciting challenge of our time: understanding the brain and mind. A deeper understanding of the brain promises to transform human health and society. From effective treatments for disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, depression and autism to advances in fields as fundamental as computer science, economics, law, the arts and social policy, the potential for humanity is staggering. To learn more, visit: zuckermaninstitute.columbia.edu. Rebecca Sharibu, mother of the kidnapped Dapchi schoolgirl kept away by Boko Haram, Leah Sharibu, has stormed the United Kingdom to meet... Rebecca Sharibu, mother of the kidnapped Dapchi schoolgirl kept away by Boko Haram, Leah Sharibu, has stormed the United Kingdom to meet Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister on her daughters case. Rebecca spoke with BBC Hausa Service in London, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari was not serious about issues concerning the release of her daughter. Mrs. Sharibu said she traveled to London to seek the assistance of the British Government to free her daughter from the terrorists captivity. The grieving mother told the medium that President Buhari did not contact her family until seven months after the abduction of their daughter. She cried out that nothing has been heard from the President since after he contacted her, and sent down three Ministers, assuring her that Leah was going to be released soon. Rebecca said it was against that background that, she decided to meet the British PM and the royal family to lay her complaints and seek for help. She said, I have come to Britain to lay my complaints. I need their help. They should help me. I will like my daughter to be freed from captivity. My daughter was abducted among others by Boko Haram terrorists. It was seven months later that President Muhammadu Buhari called me. Since their abduction in February, it was seven months later that he called me. When he called me, he told me that my daughter would return, that she would not stay long. Two weeks later, he sent three ministers to our house and they corroborated what Mr. President had told me. The ministers reiterated that Leah would be returned to me, shortly. The Ministers said they were in my house to reassure me that my daughter would soon return. But since that day, I never heard anything again from the government. My major worry now is for the government to do whatever possible and free my daughter from captivity. Because, I am seriously disturbed, but there is nothing I can do. If the government is doing nothing, what can I an ordinary citizen do? She said. Leah Shatibu was abducted from her school, the Government Girls Science and Technology College, Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 2018. The terrorists, however, vowed to keep Miss Sharibu, the only Christian girl among the abducted girls as a slave for life. This followed her alleged refusal to deny her Christian faith and convert to Islam. A New Jersey Catholic church has received backlash after they allegedly denied an eight-year-old boy First Communion because he's autistic and his disability leaves him 'unable to determine right from wrong'. The Saint Aloysius Parish in Jackson Township told the parents of Anthony LaCugna, who is non-verbal, Tuesday that their son could not participate in the religious milestone because of his disability, the boy's father said. They've since singled out the Rev. John Bambrick as the church official who made the controversial decision. 'I just want my son to be treated like everybody else,' his mother Nicole LaCugna told ABC 7. Antony LaCugna (pictured) was told he couldn't participate in First Communion because he's autistic, and cannot differentiate between right and wrong, his parents said Jimmy LaCugna (left) and Nicole LaCugna (right) said they are disheartened by the priest's decision, calling it discrimination against Anthony 'Regardless if it's through church, through school, society. He needs the same rights that we all have'. Jimmy LaCugna, Anthony's father, expressed his disappointment about the church's 'disgraceful and disheartening' actions in a Facebook post that has since gone viral. He wrote: 'Father Bambrick at Saint Aloysis Church in Jackson and the Archdiocese of Trenton came to this position since Anthony is unable to determine right from wrong due to his disability they feel he is not up to the benchmark required to make his communion. 'This is very hard and upsetting to comprehend when we all are created by God and now our son is being shunned from the Catholic faith due to his inability to communicate. 'Father Bambric (sic) of Saint Aloysis Church and the Archdiocese of Trenton should be ashamed of themselves.' Jimmy LaCugna shared a Facebook post about the incident on Tuesday and it has since gone viral Nicole told NJ.com: 'God created everybody. He created my son the way he is for a reason'. '[Communion] is supposed to be a blessed day, not a day of not thinking my son doesnt belong. This is discrimination against my child'. Nicole said that both sides of the LaCugna family have been raised Catholic and continuing the faith through Anthony is important to them. Nicole: '[Communion] is supposed to be a blessed day, not a day of not thinking my son doesnt belong. This is discrimination against my child' The family started the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine process, or religious education classes, two years ago for Anthony at their home in preparation. Nicole said church leaders agreed to the schooling and Anthony planned on receiving First Communion in April. The Rev. John Bambrick (pictured) reportedly made the decision without meeting the family or Anthony 'Ive been very transparent with the church about Anthony from the beginning. I knew my son wouldnt be able to sit still,' she said. They're not sure how Bambrick came to the decision to exclude Anthony, since he's never contacted them directly or even met their son. 'We've never had any communication with him, never, not once. He doesn't even know my son,' Nicole said. Saint Aloysius Parish has since responded on Facebook with a statement that said 'new information has come to light' allowing them to reconsider the move. They wrote: 'Since Monday we have been researching how we could best assist the most profoundly disabled in a better way. 'New information has come to light which allows us to by-pass previous Diocesan Guidelines to better serve this subset population'. The parish further clarified that a new protocol mandates that children in these situations be considered to have a 'inner spiritual' relationship with God. 'The basic concept is the child should be presumed to have an inner spiritual relationship with God and this would be sufficient in these particular cases, thus this is a development of our guidelines based on the latest understanding'. Saint Aloysius Parish in New Jersey released a statement on Facebook saying 'new information has come to light' that allows them to bypass previous guidelines Although the statement said the LaCugna family has been contacted about the shift in policy, Jimmy said the statement doesn't make any promises regarding their son. Jimmy said: 'It doesn't say Anthony can do his communion this year. It doesn't say they will work with us'. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, religious entities are exempt from public accommodations under Title III. 'Religious entities are completely exempt from Title III of the ADA. All of their facilities, programs, and activities, whether they are religious or secular in nature, are exempt,' the website said. Although Saint Aloysius Parish and other religious institutions are not required by law to accommodate special needs people, many people on social media found the action reprehensible. Saint Aloysius Parish (pictured) and other religious institutions are not required to adhere to ADA regulations 'This is just absolutely not What Jesus Would Do. It's disgraceful and the Priests should be ashamed of themselves and seek the Lord for forgiveness,' one person wrote on Facebook. Another said: 'This child is special and made by God. He deserves to make his communion. Go to another priest'. One woman commented that incidents like this are among reasons that people are leaving the Catholic Church. 'I am so sorry. He is a child of God and innocent. No wonder people are leaving the church. This is only one example,' she said. According to the Pew Research Center in 2018, the Catholic Church has faced a decline in membership over recent decades. They report that Catholicism 'has experienced a greater net loss due to religious switching' than any other religion in the U.S. Thirteen percent of all U.S. adults are former Catholics and, in contrast, only two percent of this cohort has converted to Catholicism. 'This means that there are 6.5 former Catholics in the U.S. for every convert to the faith. No other religious group analyzed in the 2014 Religious Landscape Study has experienced anything close to this ratio of losses to gains via religious switching,' they wrote. Additionally, the percentage of Catholic baptisms in the U.S. has dropped from 35 percent in 1965 to 18 percent in 2014. The number of former Catholics rose to 25 million in 2015, the Wall Street Journal reports. This is not the fist time the church has faced public backlash over its policies and procedures. In 2017, a 13-year-old boy claimed he was kicked out of CCD classes because he was openly gay. The church denied the allegations. Other parishes have made headlines for refusing communion over the years. In early February, a Rhode Island Catholic priest sparked outrage for saying 'pedophilia doesn't kill anyone, abortion does' after banning 44 politicians from receiving communion because they're pro choice. Presidential hopeful Joe Biden was denied Holy Communion during a 9am mass in South Carolina because the priest said he advocated for abortion. Joe Biden was reportedly denied Holy Communion in a South Carolina church because of his stance on abortion Father Robert E. Morey, the priest who refused Biden, said he would pray for him. Cady Mansell of St. John, Indiana, was barred from attending her First Communion because she wore a white suit instead of a dress. The nine-year-old's mother took to Facebook and said the suit made her daughter feel 'beautiful'. Cady's father said when he took her to a practice for First Communion, a pastor told him that they were raising the young girl 'wrong'. An in a similar 2012 case, an eight-year-old boy with Down Syndrome was banned from participating in First Communion. The U.S. pedestrian death crisis is getting worse. The Governors Highway Safety Association projected in a new report released Thursday that 6,590 people died on or along U.S. roadways in 2019. That would be the highest yearly total since 1988, the same year George H.W. Bush beat Michael Dukakis to claim the presidency and "Young Guns" was in theaters. It would also be about 307, or almost 5%, more than the 6,283 pedestrians who died in 2018. If the preliminary 2019 data holds, 57,897 pedestrians died from 2009 through 2019, a total approaching the number of names (more than 58,000) on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Pedestrian deaths represent an increasing percentage of total crash deaths, from 12% in 2009 to 17% in 2018, according to the association's report. Each year, thousands of additional people are dying in pedestrian crashes compared to a decade ago, report author Richard Retting said in a statement. Following 30 years of declining pedestrian fatalities, there has been a complete reversal of progress. Pedestrians are at an inherent disadvantage in collisions, and we must continue to take a broad approach to pedestrian safety. Death on foot: America's love of SUVs is killing pedestrians The report, which is based on preliminary data from the 50 states and Washington, D.C., reinforces the findings of a 2018 Detroit Free Press/USA TODAY Network investigation, which found that a significant factor in the increasing number of deaths is the consumer shift from passenger cars to trucks and SUVs. Larger, blunter vehicles are simply more likely to kill pedestrians in a crash. The Free Press/USA TODAY investigation found that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had made the connection at least as early as 2015. NHTSA reported on page 90 of a 195-page report that a dozen studies found that "pedestrians are two to three times 'more likely to suffer a fatality when struck by an SUV or pickup than when struck by a passenger car.'" Story continues The BMW X1 barrels into a pedestrian in a crash test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. One study, which NHTSA cited, found that children aged 5-9 face a fatality risk four times greater in a pedestrian crash involving an SUV or pickup. As in previous reports, other factors are cited as well: More pedestrians are dying at night. Warmer temperatures are prompting more nighttime outdoor activity. Alcohol continues to be an issue for drivers and pedestrians. Distraction, such as from the use of smartphones, remains a problem, although distraction data is considered incomplete. The report, citing data from the first half of 2019, noted that 30 states had increases in pedestrian fatalities while 20 and Washington, D.C., had declines, and New Mexico had the highest rate of pedestrian deaths per resident population, while Vermont had the lowest. Michigan experienced a 5% increase in pedestrian fatalities during the first half of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. Among the solutions that could help reduce pedestrian fatalities include better enforcement of driving violations, such as speeding and distracted driving; improvements in pedestrian infrastructure, such as more mid-block crossings; and wider use of and improvements in automotive safety technology, such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and vehicle designs that limit the potential for injuries to pedestrians. In the past 10 years, the number of pedestrian fatalities on our nations roadways has increased by more than 50%, Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, said a statement. This alarming trend signifies that we need to consider all the factors involved in this rise, identify the high-risk areas, allocate resources where theyre needed most, and continue to work with local law enforcement partners to address the chronic driver violations that contribute to pedestrian crashes. Follow Detroit Free Press reporter Eric D. Lawrence on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Car crashes killed nearly 6,600 pedestrians in 2019, GHSA estimates A top official in the inner circle of Irans president became the latest senior figure in the country to contract the coronavirus, as the number of deaths spiked to at least 26, with 245 cases confirmed. Masoumeh Ebtekar, Irans vice-president for womens affairs in the administration of President Hassan Rouhani, was the most high-ranking official to come down with the flu-like illness, after the head of parliaments national security committee and the deputy health minister also fell sick. To curtail the spread of the virus, Iranian officials urged residents to avoid travel within the country and have cancelled Friday prayer services in Tehran and elsewhere. Covid-19, first identified in China, has hit Iran particularly hard, with its epicentre in the shrine and seminary city of Qom, a crossroads that draws pilgrims, religious students and clergy from across the world. The virus has severely affected commerce and travel in the Persian Gulf region. The number of cases in Kuwait jumped overnight to more than 40, and Saudi Arabia suspended trips to the kingdom for the pilgrimage to Mecca. In Iran, the spread of the virus has further strained the countrys leadership at a time of intense political and economic pressure. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty Containing a public health crisis without causing panic requires public faith in institutions and a measure of transparency by officials. Both qualities are rare in Iran. The cancellation of Friday prayers in Tehran and other cities is unprecedented; the weekly gatherings are a pillar of the regime. The spread of the illness to senior members of the government has underscored the severity of the outbreak. On Thursday, Mojtaba Zonnour, a hardline member of Irans parliament and cleric representing Qom, posted a 40-second video announcing that he was infected and under quarantine. My corona test has come out positive; there is nothing to worry about, he said. God willing our people will defeat the corona. He spoke a day after the deputy minister of health, Iraj Harirchi, looking haggard and pale, posted a video declaring he too had come down with the virus, a respiratory infection with influenza characteristics. Recommended Iran minister appeared unwell before coronavirus diagnosis The extent of the outbreak in Iran has caused neighbouring countries to shut land borders and suspend air links, effectively isolating the country from the much of the world. Iran has also barred Chinese nationals from entering the country. Iranian officials handling of the virus has repeatedly come under question, underscoring a history of mutual mistrust between the clerical regime and the population. On Wednesday, a health official went on television to boast that she was treating coronavirus patients without wearing a surgical mask, in what many saw as a stunt by the regime to downplay the illness. The reported 10 per cent mortality rate in Iran is far higher than the 2 per cent in China, and experts suspect this is because officials are undercounting cases. A group of Canada-based researchers estimates there could be 18,000 infections in the country. [Iranian authorities] dont want to admit that theyre facing a major outbreak, public health expert Kamiar Alaei, who developed HIV guidelines for Iran before being driven into exile, told the Centre for Human Rights in Iran. Because they hid the outbreak in Iran, health guidelines were not promptly updated, and healthcare workers were not trained on how to deal with it. Nobody was prepared or ready for it. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, an architect of Washingtons campaign of maximum pressure on Iran over its support for armed groups and expanding missile programme, this week chided Iranian officials for allegedly covering up the extent of the outbreak. The United States is deeply concerned by information indicating the Iranian regime may have suppressed vital details about the outbreak in that country, he told reporters. All nations, including Iran, should tell the truth about the coronavirus and cooperate with international aid organisations. But the US, eager not to appear to hamper efforts to stamp out the disease, also announced that a Swiss-run channel to funnel medicine to Iran despite its crippling sanctions was fully operational by Thursday. [Authorities] dont want to admit that theyre facing a major outbreak. Because they hid the outbreak in Iran, health guidelines were not promptly updated, and healthcare workers were not trained on how to deal with it. Nobody was prepared for it Kamiar Alaei, Centre for Human Rights in Iran Yet Iranian officials also appear to be at least attempting to give the impression of transparency. State television has covered the outbreak aggressively, and news agencies have posted maps and charts showing the spread of the illness. Authorities worried about the impact coronavirus will have on the economy have taken pains to show they remain firmly on top of the crisis. Your job is very valuable, the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, said in a message to health workers on Thursday. It also increases the value of doctors and nurses in society. In addition, God will surely give you a divine reward. Saudi Arabia has banned all religious pilgrims and foreigners from coronavirus-hit countries from entering the country over outbreak fears, just months before the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Love Is Blind has quickly become one of the most talked-about reality shows on television; following in the footsteps of The Circle, Netflix has entered the reality TV space with an agenda a mission to prove the streaming platform can compete with the likes of ABCs The Bachelor and the gamut of TLC phenomenons. Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox | David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images Love Is Blind features a group of individuals all unrealistically attractive who dare to enter an engagement without ever laying eyes on one another. Once engaged, they meet for a destination honeymoon in Mexico and then move in together to test their relationship under real-life stressors and uncontrollable environmental factors. While the show takes off as a lovey-dovey exploration, it quickly spirals into a dramafest, which is exactly what all viewers crave. Spoilers for the first few episodes of Love Is Blind below As for some of the drama, one guy, Barnett, finds himself in a bit of a love triangle, as he convinces two girls that he is in love with both of them. Then, must detract his words for one, while following his heart and vying for the other. While on the surface, this fact may make Barnett seem like a Joey the ladys man on Friends with a knack for romancing woman Barnett is a lot more like Chandler (for a few obvious reasons). What Barnett from Love is Blind and Chandler from Friends have in common First off, Barnett is a jokester; he always has a sly comment up his sleeve, and a cheesy (often inappropriate) joke tucked in his pocket. And, for a family-friendly show, Chandler pushed the envelope as much as possible when it came to his humor style on Friends. Both the real-life Barnett and the character Chandler rely on their funny bones in social situations. They rely on their sense of humor to foster sympathy and build connections. Rather than delving information about their inner lives turmoil, stressors, family drama, and more they resort to humor as a means of escape, as a way to clear the air of any tension that may be lingering. They use humor to draw people in, as opposed to sincerity or sobriety (two traits often intimately tied to the depth of a connection). Barnett seems uncomfortable with emotions like Chandler Chandler in Friends made fart noises during sincere embraces; remember when Jennifer Anistons Rachel Green was getting ready to leave for Paris, and Chandler couldnt hug her without turning it into a fart hug? Weddings make us weepy. Before they say I do or I don't, we're throwing it back to this never-before-seen footage when they said YES! pic.twitter.com/QAaj5sNNyU Love is Blind (@LoveisBlindShow) February 24, 2020 Barnett seems equally uncomfortable with this depth of emotion; he seems equally uncomfortable with ultra tense moments. Thus, he often cracks a joke to put a smile on everyones face changing the overall tone in a situation from one of pensive reflection to one of casual conversation. The question is: Can Barnett grow? Can he become like Chandler towards the end of Friends the funny man who (sort of) knew when to let a moment boil, as he entered a successful relationship with Monica? Or, is Barnett destined to use humor forever to dodge more difficult subject matters? FCA India, manufacturer of the Award Winning, Made in India SUV, Jeep Compass, recently added a new range of diesel variants in its line up with the very versatile and intelligent 9-speed automatic transmission. Positioned as Urban off-roader the Jeep Compass Diesel Automatic, in the latest TVC Campaign created by Leo Burnett India, sharply showcases its dual capability in urban traffic and also off the road. Urban roads in India have been a challenging terrain due to infrastructural as well as traffic issues. It is on every single working day that vehicle owners dodge potholes, infrastructural construction sites, bottlenecks, and seek shorter routes. Jeep seeks to provide a seamless driving experience with the new Compass Diesel Automatic, which is agile, quick and powerful in such challenging, everyday driving conditions. Speaking about the new campaign, Rahul Pansare, CMO & Head of PR, FCA India said, Brand Jeep has always been about taking on tough challenges and doing things differently. Following the theme, TVC showcases the new Jeep Compass Diesel Automatic navigating effortlessly through a concrete jungle. The deep contrast neo-retro look of the TVC makes it standout in the clutter. Jeep's DNA has been creatively highlighted in this TVC created by Leo Burnett and I think we have a memorable film here. We have already got positive reviews and I am sure this TVC helps strengthen the Jeep brand and deliver the expected results. Added Rajdeepak Das, MD India & Chief Creative Officer South Asia, Leo Burnett, Jeep is an iconic brand known for taking the road less travelled. Our latest campaign showcases the Diesel Automatic avatar of the Jeep Compass - Indias 1st Urban off-roader taking on the urban jungle with ease. The visually striking and sleek film perfectly showcases the Jeep Compass taking on the challenges of the city and conquering them. To emphasize the beauty of this beast, we decided on a retro cool film with the soundtrack and visual style inspired by the evocative golden era. AGENCY CREDITS MD India & CCO, Leo Burnett South Asia: Rajdeepak Das MD India & CSO, Leo Burnett South Asia: Dheeraj Sinha National Creative Directors: Sachin Kamble, Prajato Guha Thakurta Creative Team: Farhan Shaikh, Devang Patel, Shatrughan Tripathi, Pranav Sawant, Namrata Mohindra Account Management: SVP Maninder Bali VP Aman Sheikh Brand Partner Rinesh Jayarathne Brand Associate Kshitij Kalra Films Jignesh Maru Production House: Offroad Films Five health care companies and two health plan administrators reached settlements with the Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office, including three who were accused of violating parity law. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced her office resolved allegations that Harvard Pilgrim, Fallon and AllWays Health Partners violated the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. The office also filed settlements with Beacon Health Strategies, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Optum and Tufts Health Plan to address concerns about mental health reimbursements, provider directories and prior authorization requirements. People shouldnt have to jump through hoops in order to get coverage for mental health care, Healey said during a news conference Thursday morning. They shouldnt have to be forced to go out of network or pay out of pocket because our system unfortunately has been designed in a way or at least has resulted in a way where theres disparate treatment between how we treat behavioral health and how we treat physical health. Five assurances of discontinuances were filed Thursday in Suffolk Superior Court involving the seven companies. Healey called the settlements groundbreaking and projected they would expand behavioral health services for more than one million residents. In the settlements with the attorney generals office, the companies agreed to update provider lists, reform how reimbursements for outpatient behavioral health services are structured and address other violations that created barriers to behavioral health treatment. Some have already made these changes. The companies also agreed to pay a combined total of nearly $1 million to a fund under Healeys office that will promote programs to prevent or treat substance use disorders, increase access to behavioral health care and otherwise help behavioral health care patients in Massachusetts. About 57% of adults who sought behavioral health care struggled to obtain it in 2018, according to a 2018 Massachusetts Health Reform Survey. Those surveyed attributed the trouble securing services to inaccurate online directories, denied coverage from insurance companies and providers declining to accept new patients. An AllWays spokesperson said the company is working with the attorney general to implement its recommendations. In a statement, Harvard Pilgrim said it was glad to resolve the matter with the office but did not agree with Healeys allegations. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care has always been dedicated to supporting our members and providers, including making substantial efforts to improve access to behavioral health care services, the company said in a statement. The company said it provides programs and plans that aim to increase access to behavioral health services, including a 24/7 substance use treatment helpline, access to virtual visits for behavioral health services and covering FDA-approved non-opioid pain management alternatives. Harvard Pilgrim also said it voluntarily raised its reimbursement rates to behavioral health providers in Massachusetts. Fallon referred MassLive to the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans for comment. MAHP President Lora Pellegrini said health care plans in the state have complied with federal and state guidance since the federal parity law took effect in 2008. Yet she said the federal government has failed to provide clear and comprehensive guidance for parity law, leading to ambiguity and uneven application in the law. To ensure a clear and consistent application of the federal law in Massachusetts, it is imperative that the attorney general and state agencies work together to establish a uniform interpretation of the federal mental health parity law and issue state guidance so that Massachusetts consumers, employers, providers and health plans can understand their rights and responsibilities under the law of free competing interpretations. Heres what changes the companies agreed to: Addressing reimbursement rates The settlements reached with Harvard Pilgrim, Fallon and AllWays claim that each insurance company used methods to determine provider reimbursement rates that resulted in lower payments for outpatient behavioral health services than for similar physical health services, Healey said. The companies agreed to change, or have already changed, how they determine minimum reimbursement rates for outpatient behavioral health treatment thats in network. Those changes are expected to lead to higher reimbursement rates for work at all provider levels, including work involving psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. Rebekah Gewirtz, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts chapter, called the agreements announced Thursday a step toward properly compensating social workers and improving access to mental health services. Social workers are on the front lines in Massachusetts, treating and serving the states most vulnerable, yet reimbursement rates for this crucial workforce do not allow many social workers to earn a living wage, Gewirtz said. Prior authorizations Critics argue that prior authorization requirements delay patients from getting treatment they need in times of crisis. Healey identified three insurance companies that her office says imposed lawful barriers for behavioral health treatment that couldnt be justified under the Parity Act. The companies did not require prior authorization for comparable physical health services, according to Healeys office. Fallon, through its administrator Beacon Health Strategies, will no longer require prior authorization for routine behavioral health office visits or for inpatient mental health admissions after a patient is treated in an emergency department. Harvard Pilgrim and AllWays, through the companies administrator Optum, agreed they would not overrule health care providers decisions on how often a patient should make appointments for routine behavioral health visits or the type of treatment a patient should get. Harvard Pilgrim and Blue Cross Blue Shield was accused of imposing unlawful prior authorization requirements on certain patients who sought substance use disorder treatment out of network or outside Massachusetts. The settlements reached with the two companies resolve those allegations, Healey said. Under state law, insurers must cover certain services for substance use disorder without prior authorization. In a statement, Blue Cross Blue Shield said it disagreed with the allegations, saying it did not engage in any deceptive practice. BCBSMA and AGO have differences in views on the best practices for combatting potential health care fraud and ensuring the credentials of facilities outside of Massachusetts, the insurance provider said in a statement. We believe we were compliant with the law; nevertheless, when the AGO shared its concerns, we made good faith efforts and voluntarily amended our practices to be consistent with the AGOs interpretation of the law. The search for a provider According to a 2018 survey by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, about 38.7% of respondents went without mental health treatment the last year. Most of those who struggled to access treatment said providers did not accept their insurance or were not accepting new patients. Behavioral health specialists and advocates have testified in legislative hearings that provider directories have been packed with outdated listings, including doctors who retired, stopped accepting new patients or died. In some cases, psychiatrists and psychologists submitted changes to directories theyre on only to learn the listings werent updated. Many of these directories claim providers are accepting new patients when theyre actually not. Thats a problem, and its really frustrating for patients and families in desperate need, Healey said. Under the settlements, Harvard Pilgrim, AllWays, Fallon, Optum, Beacon, Tufts and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts agreed to improve the accuracy of provider directories. They agreed to make changes that include conducting audits, making timely corrections of inaccurate information and tracking how directory complaints are resolved. The big picture is we know and weve known for far too long that weve got to treat behavioral health the same way that we prioritize and treat physical health, Healey said. We wouldnt expect a person with cancer or diabetes to wait months for an appointment, and somebody needing to see a mental health provider shouldnt have to wait either. In a statement, Tufts said the provider directorys accuracy was the only issue in the agreement into which Tufts Health Plan entered. The Attorney Generals Office has raised concerns about the accuracy of the provider directories of Massachusetts health plans, the company states. We understand how important it is that our members have timely, accurate information to support their health and well-being. An earlier version of this story misstated the companies that were accused of violating parity law. The story has been updated to reflect that. By AFP RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Thursday suspended visas for visits to Islam's holiest sites for the "umrah" pilgrimage, an unprecedented move triggered by coronavirus fears that raises questions over the annual hajj. The kingdom, which hosts millions of pilgrims every year in the cities of Mecca and Medina, also suspended visas for tourists from countries with reported infections as fears of a pandemic deepen. Saudi Arabia, which so far has reported no cases of the virus but has expressed alarm over its spread in neighbouring countries, said the suspensions were temporary. ALSO READ: Over 600 Indian fishermen in Iran seek evacuation over coronavirus scare But it provided no timeframe for when they will be lifted, and the decision left tens of thousands of pilgrims preparing to visit the kingdom from around the world in limbo. "The kingdom's government has decided to take the following precautions: suspending entry to the kingdom for the purpose of umrah and visit to the Prophet's mosque temporarily," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Suspending entry into the kingdom with tourist visas for those coming from countries in which the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is a danger." The measures comes amid a spike in coronavirus cases across the Middle East even as the number has declined in China, where the disease originated. Since its outbreak, the United Arab Emirates has reported 13 coronavirus cases, Kuwait has recorded 43, Bahrain has 33 and Oman is at four cases. ALSO READ: Pakistan suspends flights to Iran after two confirmed cases of coronavirus Iran has emerged as a major hotspot in the region, with 26 fatalities -- the highest death toll outside China. To curb the spread of the disease from people returning from pilgrimages to Iran, Gulf countries have implemented a raft of measures including flight suspensions and school closures. "It's a great concern to the educators, to the students and to the parents," said Ann Marie, a South African expatriate in Bahrain, where many appear on the streets wearing masks. In Kuwait, government institutions suspended the use of fingerprint recognition to clock in and out, while Qatar -- which has no reported cases -- advised its citizens to avoid the traditional greeting of rubbing noses. While no cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia, one citizen is reported to be infected in Kuwait along with four Saudi women in Bahrain -- all of whom had returned from Iran. The umrah, which refers to the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of year, attracts millions of devout Muslims from all over the globe each year. A hajj travel association in Bangladesh said over 1,000 pilgrims, many with non-refundable tickets to Saudi Arabia, were "stranded at Dhaka airport" after being denied permission to board following Riyadh's abrupt announcement. Uncertainty loomed as some 10,000 visas have been issued for umrah and 137,000 people in Bangladesh have signed up for the annual hajj, it added. In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, the decision to suspend visas could affect up to 200,000 pilgrims, the local association for hajj and umrah said. There is still no clarity over how the coronavirus will affect the hajj, due to start in late July. Some 2.5 million faithful travelled to Saudi Arabia from across the world to take part in last year's hajj -- one of the five pillars of Islam. The event is a key rite of passage for Muslims and a massive logistical challenge for Saudi authorities, with colossal crowds cramming into relatively small holy sites. "This move by Saudi Arabia is unprecedented," Ghanem Nuseibeh, founder of London-based risk consultancy Cornerstone Global Associates, told AFP. "The concern for Saudi authorities would be Ramadan, which starts at the end of April, and hajj afterwards, should the coronavirus become a pandemic." The holy fasting month of Ramadan is considered a favourable period by Muslim pilgrims to perform the umrah. Saudi Arabia's custodianship of Mecca and Medina -- Islam's two holiest sites -- is seen as the kingdom's most powerful source of political legitimacy. But a series of deadly disasters over the years has prompted criticism of the Sunni kingdom's management of the pilgrimage. In September 2015, a stampede killed up to 2,300 worshippers in the worst disaster ever to strike the pilgrimage. "As coronavirus spreads, there is serious doubt the hajj will proceed as planned," Gulf analyst Ali Bakeer told AFP. "Past hajj calamities suggest the kingdom does not have the capacity to deal with a mass outbreak during the pilgrimage." The pilgrimage forms a crucial source of revenue for the government, which hopes to welcome 30 million pilgrims annually to the kingdom by 2030. De facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform plan seeks to shift the economy of Saudi Arabia -- the world's top crude exporter -- away from oil dependency towards other sources of revenue, including religious tourism. Pray for South Sudans transitional Government of National Unity formed on 22 February, Yei Diocese Catholic Bishop Erkolano Lodu Tombe tells the faithful in his country. English Africa Service Vatican City Hassan Arun of Catholic Easter Radio, reporting from Yei in South Sudan, says Bishop, Erkolano Lodu Tombe expressed hope that, with the formation of the new government, South Sudans political leaders would give peace a chance. The Bishop made the remarks in his homily, this week, at the Christ the King Cathedral of Yei. Citizens hope the new government will hold After a brutal war that started in 2013, South Sudanese are watching with bated breath and hope that the new government holds. Opposition and former rebel leader, Riek Machar has returned to Juba to take up his position as First Vice President and deputy to President Salva Kiir. He is the First Vice President among four other vice presidents. The 2018 revitalised peace agreement also made provision for 550 members of parliament. The presidency is already working towards forming a cabinet. It is a huge structure which will be costly to maintain. Many, in South Sudan, say if that is the price for peace -so be it. President Kiir asks for forgiveness and prayers Swearing-in Riek Machar, President Kiir declared the official end of the war. He said the country could now proclaim a new dawn and era. Peace was never to be shaken ever again, declared the South Sudanese President. President Kiir and his vice presidents have this week held their first meeting. According to the Sudan Tribune, the revitalised presidency held its first meeting chaired by President Salva Kiir with the participation of the First Vice-President, Riek Machar and the four other vice-presidents: James Wani Igga. Taban Deng Gai, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol and Rebecca de Mabior. The President and all the Vice Presidents have forgiven each other and urged all the South Sudanese also to forgive them and pray for them so (that) we embark on reconciliation, forgiveness and healing of our broken social fabric, read a statement issued by the presidency at the end of the meeting. The fighting has mostly stopped The call was made for the return, to their lands of origin, of displaced persons living in the UN-hosted Protection of Civilian sites and refugees. By and large, the fighting has mostly stopped though there are still pockets of rebel groups who are not signatories to the 2018 peace agreement. If no deal is forthcoming with the alliance of the non-signatory opposition groups, there is potential that the peace could be derailed. President Kiir this week appealed to the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) to join the revitalised peace process. Notwithstanding positive developments, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights cautioned that there were still reports of abuses in some parts of the country. Other terms of the revitalised peace process foresee a permanent cease-fire; unification of the army within eight months with the view to build an ethnically balanced army. Regional countries that helped broker the peace, in particular, Uganda and Sudan will be keen to see the rehabilitation of oil fields and the start of oil production. Church wants the government to prioritise agriculture There is hope, Bishop Lodu Tombe said, that people can now start to cultivate their fields in readiness for the rains. Another of the Bishops expectations is that the government will quickly open-up roads which would allow access to abandoned agricultural projects. Cautious Optimism in South Sudan Bishop Lodu Tombe further advised citizens to pray fervently so that the country does not slide back into war because people were tired of wars. His audience knew what he was referring to: A similar government of national unity collapsed in 2016 when Machar fled Juba amidst renewed fighting. More than 400 000 persons have perished since the war began in 2013. Two million people fled the country as refugees to neighbouring countries. At the same time, another 2 million are said to have been displaced internally. TV doctor Hilary Jones has blasted quarantine at a coronavirus-hit Tenerife hotel after guests said staff were unable to enforce the measures. Some 168 Britons in Tenerife are currently confined to the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in the south-west of the island, after at least four guests were diagnosed with coronavirus. All of those on site were initially told to stay in their rooms but guests began to ignore the advice. Local authorities have now said people without symptoms can move around the hotel, including to the pool and bar. Hotel guests sunbathe by the pool during quarantine (Getty) Social media photos show people not wearing face masks, sunbathing and sharing buffet meals, with fears that the virus will spread rapidly among the guests. Another holidaymaker said an aqua gym class was held on Thursday morning in the communal hotel pool. Steve McHardy, 53, an estate agent from Kinross, in eastern Scotland, and his wife Susan, also 53, are among those stuck in the hotel. A staffer cleans the swimming pool of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel (Getty) During an interview during ITVs Lorraine on Thursday, Mrs McHardy told Dr Jones that they were supposed to be enjoying a four-day sunshine break to celebrate a birthday. But she told the TV doctor they have now been told they will need to stay in Tenerife for at least 14 days. She added: We didnt go out in the beginning but yesterday we went to reception you are allowed to go out with your masks on. Tourists in quarantine wave from inside the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel (AP) At the beginning, we were getting food parcels put to our rooms, but now the only food you can get is at the restaurant so we have to go out now. But Dr Jones responded by strongly criticising the isolation measures at the hotel. Read more: Tenerife hotel placed in quarantine after doctor tests positive for coronavirus He warned that if somebody was diagnosed on the last day of the 14-day quarantine, the entire 14-day period across the hotel would need to start again. A psychologist talks to a group of workers outside the quarantined Tenerife hotel (Getty) He said At the moment, whats happening in that hotel is not self-isolation because people are sunbathing round the pool, going to the restaurant you are in a mass quarantine together. Story continues Read more: Guests at coronavirus-hit Tenerife hotel ignore quarantine to lie on sunbeds My worry, and your worry, will be this that on day 14 when you are ready to come home and somebody tests positive, youre back in quarantine for another 14 days because you will have been exposed. Thats the worry if people dont self-isolate. You havent been given logical guidance to follow and nor is anybody else adhering to that, even if it was there. A face mask and thermometer provided for people quarantined in the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel (Instagram/@llkvk) You could potentially be in quarantine for (another) 14 days if on day 14 somebody tests positive. A 60-year-old man from Derbyshire told PA: I dont think confusion would be the right word to describe it they are just not able to enforce quarantine conditions. Read more: Two new coronavirus cases in UK as patients lfall il in Italy and Tenerife People are able to walk around the buildings and some are even going in the pool. People are walking about and interacting with each other and not wearing masks. Coronavirus cases in Europe (PA Graphics) The Foreign Office has no current plans to evacuate the Britons, but is keeping the quarantine measures under review with Spanish authorities. Meanwhile, the British consulate in Tenerife has distributed letters to those affected. Meanwhile, two more people have tested positive for virus in England, bringing the total number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 in the UK to 15. Several schools in the UK have closed while others have sent pupils home for fear they may have been exposed to coronavirus during ski trips to northern Italy. In Italy, the number of people infected grew to 322, or 45% in 24 hours, and deaths of patients with the virus rose to 11. After the office was removed from public view to make way for the museums new educational spaces, many visitors and not just American ones came looking for it, he said. When we reopen, this will be the only Frank Lloyd Wright interior on public view outside the United States, Mr. Wilk said. He noted that while many museums have period rooms and interiors, theyre very often not quite what they seem: Theyre not complete. This room is very unique, in that everything in it is original: the floors, the walls, the ceilings, the upholstery, he said. The Kaufmann Offices biggest selling point, of course, is that it was designed by Wright, the most famous, or infamous, of all architects, who had what one might charitably call a colorful private life, Mr. Wilk said. But all of that is entirely separate from his remarkable work as an architect. He was one of the most prolific, but also one of the most multifaceted, of all architects. The other remarkable aspect of the piece is that it marked a turning point in Wrights career, coming as it did after a decade-long dry period that extended roughly from the mid-1920s before the Wall Street crash and the Great Depression to the mid-1930s. During that time, Wright built almost nothing, Mr. Wilk said, because he wasnt really in fashion, and he had a reputation as a difficult man. He used the opportunity to publish his autobiography, taught, lectured and became regarded as an older architect whose glory days were behind him. Yet Wrights very autobiography would be the catalyst for a turnaround. It was read by Mr. Kaufmanns artistically inclined son, who was living in Europe at the time. The book had such a profound impact on the younger Mr. Kaufmann that he headed straight back to the United States to introduce his father to Wright. He was convinced that they would get along because they were both thrusting, ambitious men alpha males, Mr. Wilk explained. (IPPB) has achieved the milestone of two crore customers, providing a major impetus to the government's efforts in furthering financial inclusion in unbanked and underbanked areas across the country. "The success of IPPB's business model underlines the government's intent in creating an interoperable banking infrastructure for the public good contributing toward changing the financial inclusion landscape in India," Minister for Communications said on Thursday. was launched by Prime Minister on September 1, 2018. It reached the landmark of one crore customers in the first year of operations. The next one crore customers have been acquired and onboarded in just five months. On average, has been opening and maintaining a run rate of 33 lakh accounts per quarter. "Since its launch, has enabled more than 1.36 lakh post offices and 1.9 lakh postmen to provide a complete suite of banking services at the doorstep of customers providing access to any Aadhaar linked bank account, leading to an increase in rural banking infrastructure by almost 2.5 times," said Prasad. With the launch of Aadhaar-enabled payment system (AePS) services in September 2019, IPPB has become the single largest platform in the country for providing interoperable banking services to the customers of any bank. AePS services are bank-agnostic and are driven by an inexpensive infrastructure enabling low-cost delivery of doorstep banking services to every section of the society without discrimination. The bank has also digitised all the post office counters through a simple QR code to accept electronic payments and also enabled direct payments into various post office saving schemes and purchase of postal products. . Lawmakers should be willing to donate their salaries to the armed forces for the entire duration of the current assembly, a member of the House of Representatives has said opposing the setting aside of a separate fund for the fight against insecurity. Nasiru Ahmed (APC, Kano) made this call on Thursday while the green chamber debated a bill which seeks to provide special financial support, training and modern equipment for the Nigerian Armed Forces. The lawmaker also said the allocation to the defence ministry should be optimised amidst proper scrutiny. We must make sure they (the armed forces) account for the one appropriated for them, Mr Ahmed noted. Other lawmakers also opposed the bill. However, after further debates, the bill eventually scaled second reading. Support Fund The support fund, which would be collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is expected to draw funding from one per cent of the total money accruing to the federation account as well as 0.5 per cent of profit made from investment of the National Sovereign Wealth Fund (NSWF) by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). Sponsor of the bill, Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos), added that the fund is also expected to constitute one per cent of Value Added Tax (VAT) remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CFR) and one per cent of the air ticket contract, charter and cargo sales charge to be collected by the airlines. Deliberations For Oghene Egoh (PDP, Lagos), the stream of funds accruing to the support fund is too much. He argued that since the military had often told the country that insurgency had been technically defeated, they do not need more funding. Have they been telling us lies? Why are we now giving them more money? $1 billion was given to them to fight insurgency and up until now, we are still facing insecurity, he said. The money this bill is intending to give the armed forces in too much. He was on this when House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila cut in. Mr Gbajabiamila asked Mr Egoh to read the provision of section 83 of the constitution. The latter did. Subject to the presidents approval, the section empowers the National Assembly to make provisions for the establishment of a contingencies fund for an urgent and unforeseen need (in order to) meet the need. Luke Onofiok (PDP, Akwa Ibom) differed. He said that the idea of the support fund was noble but it could be done without creating new laws. He urged the House to amend the armed forces act to accommodate the new fund rather than establishing a new law. Rimamnde Shawulu (PDP, Taraba), a former army committee chairman himself, said because the countrys armed forces are understaffed, the fund is more than due. He added that care must be taken on how we lampoon our security personnel as it drops their morale and makes civilians not to cooperate with them and it emboldens insurgency. The ministry of defence has the highest appropriation for 2020. The budget of the ministry stands at 975.7 billion, with 784.6 billion budget for recurrent expenditure, 116.2 billion and 75 billion statutory funds for the North-east operation Lafiya Dole. BOSTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) and the Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX) are pleased to announced that they are joining forces in an acquisition that will result in MITX becoming an exciting new platform within the Chamber for businesses new and old, large and small, that are applying innovation and technology in their growth strategies. "The Chamber is investing in MITX, because we see tremendous value in growing its content, programming, and community," said James E. Rooney, president & CEO of the GBCC. "MITX offers us another opportunity to be more reflective of the region's broader tech and innovation ecosystem and, as a convener, to bring leaders from all industries in this space together to reassert Boston's global leadership in technology and innovation. "Since I arrived at the Chamber, I have been repeatedly asked how our organization can navigate both the old and new Boston business community. My answer is always to say that there is, in reality, only one Boston business community. Regardless of age and size, we all need to embrace the changing demographics of our workforce and the way businesses are changing with the rapid growth in technology." Founded in 1996, MITX is a community of restless knowledge seekers who collaborate and drive how technology is shaping the future of customer experiences. MITX members range from early-stage technology startups to leading global technology giants to companies and individuals from every sector who are leveraging technology to innovate and better serve their customers. MITX curates and develops content, experiences, and interactions to keep members ahead of the pace of change. As of today, MITX is now a program of the GBCC, and all existing MITX members are now GBCC members. In this new partnership, the MITX brand will remain intact and its programs will continue as scheduled. The MITX Board of Directors will become a MITX Advisory Board that will meet regularly to help the GBCC continue to elevate the MITX brand, grow MITX offerings, and advise on issues facing the tech and innovation industry. Three current MITX board members will also join the governing board of the Chamber: Jessica DeVlieger, Rob DeSalvo, and Sarah Fay. MITX President Amy Quigley will work closely with the Chamber for the next several months to oversee the transition; MITX's other full-time staff will join the GBCC team. "Twenty-four years ago, MITX was started with the goal of promoting the growth of businesses focused on commercializing the Internet as part of the innovation economy in Massachusetts," said MITX founder and Board member Michael K. Barron. "Today, MITX plays an important role in the Massachusetts technology innovation ecosystem, and I am excited that MITX will continue to serve the innovation community now with the resources of the Chamber." MITX and the GBCC will officially launch and celebrate this partnership with a half-day April 15 program at Reebok in the Innovation and Design Building, centered on the thematic question: What will it take for Boston to assume its role as the next global tech capital? The event will feature a panel discussion featuring leaders of companies built in Boston, facilitate design-thinking roundtables focused on pressing policy issues facing tech and the broader business community, and a networking reception to foster idea-sharing and collaboration. Learn more about the event here. "MITX has a passionate and engaged community," said Amy Quigley, President of MITX. "As we considered what was next for MITX, we recognized there was an opportunity to better serve our members if we could amplify their voices to impact greater change and forge Boston's position as a tech and innovation hub. Joining forces with the Chamber enables our community to have a bigger seat at the table with the added benefits of advocacy and professional development in addition to the content and community that make MITX special." "Becoming a part of the Chamber is a game-changer for this organization," said Jessica DeVlieger, Chairman of the MITX board and President of Americas, C Space. "Jim, his team and the Board are committed to preserving the MITX brand while also providing us with a much broader platform and greater access to affect the issues that are most important to our community. I speak for the entire MITX Board when I say we couldn't be more excited for what's next!" "The Chamber is known for being the leading convener of the region's diverse and collaborative business community, and we are excited to grow that reputation with the addition of MITX and its membership," said Paul Ayoub, Chairman of the GBCC Board of Directors and Partner at Nutter. "We know that businesses have become more discerning about their engagement with the many business organizations in our region. We believe that the MITX acquisition reinforces the GBCC as the 21st-century model and the leading business association in the region." Carolyn Ryan Senior Vice President, Policy & Research 617-557-7310 [email protected] Related Images mitx-joins-greater-boston-chamber.png MITX joins Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Related Links https://www.bostonchamber.com/about-us/media-center/mitx-announcement SOURCE Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Related Links https://www.bostonchamber.com Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is very upbeat on scientific and engineering progress, but still prefers the special hotline phone to any of the modern gadgets. He shared his ideas on that score Asked about his view on the booming market of IT devices, including smartphones, the Russian president said that progress in science and engineering was unstoppable. "Technological progress cannot be stopped, nor should it be. We wont do this," he said in an interview for the TASS special projects entitled "20 Questions with Vladimir Putin." Replying to a question on whether this progress caused him some discomfort, the Russian head of state said: "I feel at ease because I do not use any of these devices. I merely have other opportunities." Putin added that sometimes he used smartphones to make phone calls. In such cases, his subordinates provided him with any needed gadgets, but situations like that were not frequent. "It is far easier for me to use a special phone line to be connected to any number," he explained. Yemeni forces intercept, shoot down Saudi-led reconnaissance drone in Najran Iran Press TV Wednesday, 26 February 2020 5:29 PM Yemeni army forces, supported by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have intercepted and targeted an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to the Saudi-led military coalition as it was flying in the skies over a mountainous region in the kingdom's southwestern border region of Najran. An unnamed Yemeni military source said Yemeni air defense forces and their allies shot down the drone as it was on a reconnaissance mission over al-Sawh area of the region, situated 844 kilometers (524 miles) south of the capital Riyadh, with a surface-to-air missile on Wednesday evening. The development took place only a few days after Yemeni armed forces unveiled four domestically-built long-range, surface-to-air missile defense systems, which could act as game changers and alter the course of battle in the face of the deadly campaign led by Saudi Arabia against Yemen. The president of Yemen's Supreme Political Council and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Mahdi al-Mashat, who was speaking at a ceremony in the capital Sana'a on Sunday, identified the systems as Fater-1 (Innovator-1), Thaqib-1 (Piercer-1), Thaqib-2 and Thaqib-3. The systems have entered service following successful tests, the official announced. Mashat praised the efforts by the Yemeni Ministry of Defense as regards the development and modernization of the military systems in order to deter or, if need be, confront the enemy. "The new defense systems will change the course of the battle against the coalition of aggression, and pave the ground for the introduction of more sophisticated systems in order to engage enemy targets," Mashat stated. Also on Wednesday, Saudi forces fired barrages of artillery rounds and mortar shells at residential neighborhoods in the Razih district of Yemen's northwestern province of Sa'ada. There were no immediate reports about possible casualties and the extent of damage available though. Elsewhere in the Majzar district of Yemen's central province of Ma'rib, Saudi-led fighter jets carried out three airstrikes, but no casualties and damage were quickly reported. Saudi-led warplanes also launched more than a dozen aerial attacks against al-Ghayl district in the northern Yemeni province of al-Jawf. No reports of casualties and damage were immediately available. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched the devastating campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the goal of bringing back to power the government of former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi and crushing the Ansarullah movement. The US-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, estimates that the war has claimed more than 100,000 lives over the past nearly five years. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have purchased billions of dollars' worth of weapons from the United States, France and the United Kingdom in the war on Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition has been widely criticized for the high civilian death toll from its bombing campaign. The alliance has carried out nearly 20,500 air raids in Yemen, according to the data collected by the Yemen Data Project. The UN says over 24 million Yemenis are in dire need of humanitarian aid, including 10 million suffering from extreme levels of hunger. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Loblaws Inc., a multibillion dollar company, has a $12 million handout from tax-payers, but will not own up to its wrong doing, refusing to accept responsibility, apologize, or compensate for injuries caused as a result of its subpar and dangerous consumable products! TORONTO - George Weston Limited colludes with Trophy Foods, Permian Industries, Allianz Global Corporate, and MGB Claims Consultants Inc. to obtain my signature on their release form rather If you know a student that is seeking a path that will lead to personal fulfillment, a career and technical education (CTE) track can reap many benefits. February is Careers and Technical Education Month, which shines a spotlight on the many different educational opportunities for high school students, college students and adults. CTE includes several different fields, such as information technology, advanced manufacturing and construction. Here are some of reasons students should not overlook gaining a technical education this year. CTE Helps Students Stay Focused A standard academic path isnt best for every student but CTE can be challenging and motivating for some students. According to the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE), taking one CTE class for every two academic classes minimizes the risk of students dropping out of high school. Not only does CTE help some students stay on track, ACTE also reports that the average high school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 93 percent, compared to an average national freshman graduation rate of 80 percent. Modest Educational Costs The cost of college has risen significantly since the 1990s and the shocking sticker price isnt limited to private, highly selective schools, according to U.S. News and World Report. A technical education not only costs less up front, the opportunity to gain more in wages is significant. According to ACTE data, students can attend public community and technical colleges for a fraction of the cost of tuition at other institutions: $3,520, on average, in 2016-2017. Nearly a third (27 percent) of individuals with less than an associate degree, including licenses and certificates, earn more than the average bachelors degree recipient, ACTE reports. Positive Job Outlook In 2020, the youngest boomers turn 56, while the oldest will be celebrating 74. About half of this generation, which filled more trade positions than any other before it or since has already retired, and the rest are within 10 years of leaving a vacancy. That means job prospects for CTE students are promising, especially in residential construction. According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data and analysis by NAHB, the number of residential construction jobs increased by 3,000 in December 2019. Scholarships The Home Builders Association of Greater Siouxland offers scholarships to graduating seniors that are pursuing study in a building-related program, such as construction management, HVAC, electrical wiring, construction technology, civil engineering just to name a few. The application for this scholarship program is available on the HBA website at http://www.siouxlandhba.com/hba-scholarship-program/. The deadline to submit an application is March 27, 2020. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 New Jerseys school funding shakeup continues with Gov. Phil Murphys 2021 state budget proposal, producing another round of winners and losers. The annual changes range from a $55 million increase for Newark Public Schools to a $55 million decrease for Jersey City, which is losing state dollars because of its strengthened local tax base. (Find out how much Murphy proposed for your district in the search tool below.) The governors $9 billion investment in K-12 schools increases funding by $336 million, but only 64% of districts will receive more money. A small fraction of districts, just 12, are flat funded. The rest are losing aid as part of a controversial, years-long reallocation of state money. Murphy, at an event Thursday in Bound Brook, focused on the school funding winners districts long considered losers because they received less aid than the state funding formula said they were owed. Bound Brook was one of those afterthought districts, the Democratic governor said, noting hes helped increase its funding by 124%. Murphy unveiled his $40.9 billion budget plan Tuesday for New Jerseys state government. The state regularly underfunded its school aid formula by more than $1 billion a year under former Gov. Chris Christie. Murphy and other top Democrats have worked to close that gap since he took office in 2018. The governor proposes more funding for 371 districts in 2020-21 and plans to give nearly 200 districts a funding increase of 10% or more. Nearly 90 districts would see an increase of $1 million or more. Our goal has been to pull public education out of this deep hole, Murphy said. "And as I mentioned, were making real progress. But that progress comes in part from what critics say is effectively robbing Pemberton to pay Paulsboro. For years, the state gave every district at least the same funding as it did the year before, regardless of whether its enrollment declined or the local tax base grew. But state lawmakers voted in 2018 to start phasing out the funding those districts would have lost. The result this year is 194 districts will lose a collective $155 million. However, Murphy wants to create a $50 million emergency fund those districts can tap into if they can prove the money is needed and they are trying to reduce their reliance on state aid. Loading... Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook. 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. Lome, Togo (PANA) - In a statement made public by the Embassy of the United States in Togo, Washington has advised Togolese authorities to publish the election results, polling station by polling station, in order to "guarantee everyone's confidence in the final results," PANA reported in Lome Thursday Morrison also said Wednesday that Green quickly spoke negatively about Johnson during his voluntary interview, such as her history of leaving without notice and her continued struggles with drug addiction. Morrison said Green did not express concern about her, and also declined to answer more questions after he was told about the neighbors video footage. The detectives told Green that his statements so far in the interview had been untruthful. So what happened? Green responded. You tell me what happened in that house, said Det. Brad Tucker, who was also interviewing Green. Because she didnt come out of there alive. Thats what you can tell us. Green responded: I aint gonna say nothing else. The trial is expected to last into next week. Johnson moved to Billings roughly two months before she disappeared, in order to be with Green. She had no car and no bank account, and no job upon arrival, Green told police in his recorded statement. Green had moved to Billings from Nevada for a job at Architectural Doors and Hardware. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 17:33:11|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PARIS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and seven others injured in a building fire in the northeastern French city of Strasbourg on Thursday, the local fire service said in a statement. Another 23 were unharmed and received in a gymnasium in the city. The fire has been taken under control, and its cause is still under investigation. According to local media, firefighters responded to the incident at 1:16 a.m. local time (0016 GMT) after receiving an alert that there was smoke in the seven-storey building. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and Mayor Roland Ries of Strasbourg have expressed their condolences to the victims and their families on Twitter. Cathy Silvers is recovering nicely after an adventurous date turned into a nightmare. After a peaceful day mountain biking and hiking in Santa Clarita, the 58-year-old Happy Days star broke her leg while descending down the Southern California mountains, north of Los Angeles on Thursday. The actress described her pain during the excruciating ordeal as 'unbearable' to TMZ, who also revealed her beau carried her downhill for an hour to try and expedite their rescue. Nightmare hike: Happy Days' Cathy Silvers broke her leg while descending down the Southern California mountains, north of Los Angeles on Thursday Avid hiker: Silvers is extremely active and often posts from her frequent hikes; as seen January 15 While Silvers did not pinpoint how exactly her break occurred, while doing some light rock climbing, the outlet reported she 'heard a loud crack' and was unable to walk. The pair, who were only on their second date, were reportedly 'in shock' and took an hour to call the police. Further adding to Silvers' agony, it took hours to locate the actress because of their high altitude. Close call: While Silvers did not pinpoint how exactly her break occurred, while doing some light rock climbing, the outlet reported she 'heard a loud crack' and was unable to walk Better days: The actress described her pain during the ordeal as 'unbearable' to TMZ , who also revealed her boyfriend carried her downhill for over an hour to try and expedite their rescue; pictured in October Eventually, a helicopter successfully spotted the lovebirds and immediately transported Silvers to the hospital. Per the outlet, the avid hiker was found to have two broken bones in her leg and was promptly placed into a purple cast. In addition to thanking her heroic boyfriend, she expressed gratitude to the L.A. County Sheriff Search and Rescue team and Fire Department. Teen star: The New York native was only 19 years old when she landed her iconic role as Jenny Piccalo, in the last few seasons of the classic ABC sitcom The New York native was only 19 years old when she landed her iconic role as Jenny Piccalo, in the remaining seasons of the classic ABC sitcom Happy Days. After playing the beloved boy-crazy teenager, the daughter of the legendary Phil Silvers went to college and earned her degree in marketing from American University. In 2007, she wrote a book called Happy Days Healthy Living and started hosting The Healthy Living Show on the Healthy Living Network. Yearning for a reunion: As other popular series from the Eighties and Nineties continue to make comebacks, she's expressed public interest in a Happy Days reboot As other popular series from the Eighties and Nineties continue to make comebacks, she's expressed public interest in a Happy Days reboot. 'It's time for a comeback. I'm working with writers now on it, cause it makes sense now. We're waiting for the green light, but I'm on board,' she told Too Fab in October. She joked: 'We're gonna stick me behind Arnold's bar. If Henry will do it, he'll live upstairs. If Ronnie wants to come back, we'll put him and Marion in the Cunningham living room.' The Libyan capital's only working airport was hit by rocket fire Thursday, aviation officials said, in the latest violation of a ceasefire between warring sides vying for control of Tripoli. Flights to and from Mitiga International Airport were suspended for more than four hours after what authorities said in a Facebook post was "continuous bombing" of the facility's perimeter. The UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reported "repeated bombings over the past two days" targeting Mitiga, in a Twitter post. The UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), based in the capital, blames such strikes on forces of its rival Khalifa Haftar, an eastern strongman who launched an offensive to take the capital last April. Pro-Haftar forces say the GNA has been using the airport for military purposes. The two sides agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia -- the former backing the GNA and the latter pro-Haftar -- that went into effect on January 12, but there have been repeated violations. The strikes on Mitiga come a day after political talks were due to have started in Geneva, but the rival parties said they were staying away. The talks are to run in tandem with military and economic negotiations as part of a UN-sponsored dialogue aimed at resolving the conflict. A joint military commission wound up talks in Geneva last Sunday with a "draft ceasefire agreement" to be finalised in March, according to UNSMIL. The UN mission "strongly condemned" Thursday's rocket attacks. "These violations are taking place at the moment when Libyans are working with the UN... to put an end to the conflict and the suffering of the Libyan people, which worsens by the day," it tweeted. The fighting since April has left more than 1,000 people dead, according to the UN. Libya has been rocked by violence since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 overthrew and killed the country's veteran leader Colonel Moamer Kadhafi. On Thursday morning, special flight of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Air India arrived in Delhi after evacuating Indians and foreigners from Coronavirus-hit Wuhan and quarantined cruise ship, Diamond Princess, in Japan. The IAF aircraft evacuated 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals from the epicenter of coronavirus Wuhan in China. The C17 transport aircraft landed in Delhi on Thursday early morning that left for China earlier with 15 tonnes of medical supplies. READ | Australian PM downplays coronavirus threat, says 'you can still go to cricket' The Ministry of External Affairs stated, "The Indian Government has evacuated a total of 195 Indians and 41 foreign nationals from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan and quarantined cruise ship, Diamond Princess". Earlier, the External Affairs Minister has described the consignment of relief material as a strong expression of India's solidarity with the Chinese people in their "difficult time". To date, a total of 842 Indians and 48 foreign nationals have been evacuated from China and Japan. In earlier two operations conducted in Wuhan, 640 Indians and seven Maldivians were evacuated. READ | Coronavirus will be under control by end of April: Chinese expert With the help of a special IAF flight, seventy-six Indian nationals returned home. The aircraft also had onboard 23 nationals from Bangladesh, six from China, two from Myanmar and Maldives and one from South Africa, USA, and Madagascar. All evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at the facilities set up by the Indian Army in Manesar. Air India flight repatriates Indians On Thursday, an Air India flight brought back 119 Indians and five foreigners to Delhi. They were on board quarantines cruise ship in Japan. The foreigners who were brought back to India included two from Sri Lanka and one from Nepal, South Africa, and Peru via special Air India flight. READ | Trump advises to treat coronavirus 'like the flu' The External Affairs Minister tweeted, "Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo, carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru who were quarantined onboard the Diamond Princess due to COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you Air India once again." Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo,carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka,Nepal, South Africa&Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020 As per the news agency, three Indian crew members did not board the special flight and conveyed their wish to continue their stay onboard the cruise ship to complete the period of extended quarantine put in place by the government of Japan. While sixteen could not be evacuated as they have been tested positive for the coronavirus. Image Credits: ANI Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) The Environment Department is threatening to sue environmental groups who claimed that air quality in the Philippines is getting worse. They keep on coming up with information which are inaccurate. But with this, we will take legal action against them just to show them that they cannot do this, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda told CNN Philippines on Thursday. Seven environmental groups including Greenpeace Philippines citing a 2019 report by air quality tracking app AirVisual, said air pollution in the country has worsened over the years, with levels of particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) reaching an average of 17.6 micrograms per cubic meter last year. Such pollutant come from combustion of fuels and other sources. Average yearly PM2.5 levels should not go above 10 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the World Health Organization. The groups acknowledged that the report only looked at PM2.5 pollution and did not take into account other pollutants like sulfur oxide, nitrous oxide and ozone. Despite having apparently unsafe levels of PM2.5, the report still did not place the Philippines among countries with the worst air quality, said the groups that also include Clean Air Asia, Center for Energy, Ecology and Development, Health Care without Harm, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, and the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines . But Antiporda said the equipment used in the report to measure air quality is not accredited by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, unlike what the agency uses to monitor air quality in real time. You might be feeding wrong information to the people. You will create chaos, no? Would you imagine sasabihin sa'yo highly polluted ang area na to. Baka hindi huminga ang tao, he said. [Translation: You might be feeding wrong information to the people. You will create chaos, right? Would you imagine, youll be told that this area is highly polluted. People might not breathe anymore.] Antiporda, however, admitted that the countrys air is not that clean. Alam naman natin na again it falls back to the economic status of our country. Marami pang sasakyan diyan na masama yung tambutso. Alam naman natin yang particulate matter 2.5 na yan kadalasan nanggagaling yan sa tambutso ng mga sasakyan din, he said. [Translation: We know that it again falls back to the economic status of our country. A lot of cars here still have terrible exhaust pipes. We know that particulate matter 2.5 usually comes from car exhausts.] He also said that unlike the report cited by the environmental groups, the government does not calculate for the average air quality over a period of time and only monitors it in real time. According to the Environmental Management Bureau, Malabon has the highest PM2.5 level as of Thursday, 7 p.m. with 34.34 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5. North Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Taguig, Pasay, Marikina and San Juan recorded no PM2.5 in the air. In their statement, the seven environmental groups called for better air pollution standards in the country, including improved monitoring, transparency and analysis. CNN Philippines Carolyn Bonquin and Xave Gregorio contributed to this report. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday said all Ohioans must have a sense of urgency of the emerging COVID-19 coronavirus. But he emphasized that so far, no one in Ohio has developed COVID-19 coronavirus. Eight people in the state have been tested for the disease. CDC officials warned this week they expect an outbreak of the new virus in the United States. But we know that this could change and so we have to be prepared," he said during a press conference at MetroHealth Hospital. He said the state will start taking precautions like increasing cleaning and disinfectant state prisons more frequently. He also said the Department of Aging will begin checking on vulnerable populations, and the Ohio Department of Transportation will post information about hand washing at rest stops. Related: What survivalists say youll need in case of a coronavirus outbreak The governor toured the MetroHealth infectious disease unit before the news conference, and said hes been getting daily updates on the virus. He committed to giving the public information about what they know about the coronavirus, when they know it. Since emerging in December in Wuhan, China, the virus has spread to dozens of countries, including worrisome outbreaks in Iran and Italy. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Most patients have symptoms four to seven days after being exposed to the illness. But it can take 2-14 days. DeWine emphasized the state will put out what they what they know about the coronavirus, when they know it. Most people, about 80 percent, who come down with the disease experience mild symptoms, one Chinese study showed, but the disease has proven to be deadly. The mortality rate is about 2.3 percent, the Chinese study showed. In contrast, the flu mortality rate is between .1 and .2 percent in the United States since 2010, University Hospitals infectious disease Dr. Elie Anthony Saade said. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, a CDC official and the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said this week an outbreak in the United States is a question of when, not if. She urged businesses, health professionals and regular citizens to prepare, and said shes advising her own family that there may be a significant disruption of our lives. If there is an outbreak, precautions could include school and business closures. Read more: China coronavirus patients can take a turn for the worse two weeks into the illness, experts say 6 people in Ohio have tested negative for COVID-19 coronavirus CDC says Americans could see severe disruptions with coronavirus, now that disease spread is when not if India attaches the highest priority to its partnership with Myanmar -- a country that stands at the confluence of New Delhi's 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East policy', President Ram Nath Kovind said on Thursday, as he hosted a banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in the honour of Myanmar President U Win Myint. President Kovind added that the India-Myanmar partnership is at the heart of India's vision to create a connected and cooperative neighbourhood and that a peaceful, united, federal, democratic and prosperous Myanmar is in New Delhi's core interest. "India wishes to expand its partnership with Myanmar in key dimensions like energy, transportation, digital connectivity, tourism and heritage management. India is ready to provide more assistance, including developing training centres and new socio-economic infrastructure in rural areas," President Kovind said. Kovind added that India appreciates Myanmar's assurances that the country would not allow groups that are inimical to New Delhi's interests to operate from its territory. "India also appreciates the enhanced coordination and cooperation from the Myanmar Army in maintaining the security of our borders." A banquet was hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the honour of Myanmar President, who is on a four-day visit to India. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over the years, female members of the British royal family have gotten very clever about concealing their pregnancies. Ahead, find out how Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and other royals including Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Princess Diana have kept their growing baby bumps undetected during public outings. The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge are parents to three children together Prince George, 6, Princess Charlotte, 4, and Prince Louis, 1 and needless to say the duchess has become an expert in playing down her baby bump before an official baby announcement has been made. Wear plaid or another print One of Catherines tricks has been to wear a classic print, specifically plaid. Although she has been fond of polka dots too. She seems to have a strong liking for plaid seeing as shes worn the print even when shes not pregnant. According to Readers Digest, on Nov. 30, 2012, only four days before she and Prince William publicly announced they were expecting their first child, she visited a school wearing a plaid coat dress that conveniently skimmed over her body. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits St. Andrews School on Nov. 30, 2012 | Arthur Edwards WPA Pool/Getty Images Catherine didnt come up with this particular wardrobe maneuver on her own. She got it from her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who also wore plaid during her pregnancies with Prince William and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Other royals have used the same technique swapping out the print. Were guessing royal mothers-to-be will continue to wear prints in the early days of their pregnancies because its an easy and nearly fool-proof way to keep the impending announcement from getting out too soon. Cover up with a coat Coats arent just for keeping warm. Theyre great at concealing a growing baby bump. Many royal women have used the coat trick to keep eyes off their changing bodies ahead of pregnancy announcements. Catherines done it, as has Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and of course, Princess Diana. This particular method of disguising a baby bump is especially genius because of royal etiquette that says a woman cant remove her coat in public. Meghan has broken the coat rule on numerous occasions but it comes in handy when all a royal woman has to do to conceal her pregnancy is throw on an oversized coat. Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry on Sept. 20, 2018 | Ben Stansall WPA Pool/Getty Images Kate Middleton mightve had an easier time hiding her pregnancies While typically with each pregnancy women start to show sooner, because of Catherines severe morning sickness known as hyperemesis gravidarum which she experienced with all three of her pregnancies, she and Prince William had to announce they were expecting earlier than normal. Due to the intense symptoms including weight loss of 5% or more of pre-pregnancy weight, Catherine mightve experienced a less noticeable baby bump early on meaning she didnt have as difficult a time concealing her pregnancy. In fact, her particular case got so bad she had to take time off from official royal engagements until the symptoms subsided and she could resume work. Divert attention elsewhere Royals have employed all types of tricks to make sure their pregnancies are hidden in public. Like the Duchess of Sussex, theyve gone shorter with hemlines to divert attention from their midsections to their legs. Theyve also switched up their hair Meghan and Catherine (see below) have both done this as another diversion tactic again, to get eyes to go anywhere else but their baby bumps. Kate Middleton attends Wimbledon on July 3, 2017 | GARETH FULLER/AFP via Getty Images Well have to keep a watchful eye on women in the royal family to see if they use any of these tricks in the future that might signal a baby on the way. They were told to skip Wednesday night's controversial dinner party for the sake of their fragile relationship. And it seems Married At First Sight's Mikey Pembroke and Natasha Spencer enjoyed a meal for two in the safety of their Sydney hotel room. The 29-year-old operations manager was spotted picking up takeaway from a delivery man in pictures taken on October 14, when filming took place last year. Married At First Sight EXCLUSIVE: Married At First Sight star Mikey Pembroke was spotted picking up takeaway before missing Wednesday night's controversial dinner party, which was filmed last year It comes after it was claimed this week that producers told Mikey and 'wife' Natasha Spencer, 26, not to attend the dinner party due to concerns over her mental well-being. And it seems he looked pleased with the decision, smiling as he presumably collected a meal for two. Financial analyst Natasha, 26, was no where to be seen. Dinner for one? He appeared relaxed, despite what was going on behind the scenes. Financial analyst Natasha was no where to be seen Mikey and Natasha were a no-show at the drama-filled dinner on Wednesday's show. It was explained during the episode that they wanted to avoid the 'drama' surrounding the other couples and focus on their own relationship. But a source has since claimed that producers told them not to attend due to concerns over Natasha's mental health. No-show: Mikey and Natasha were a no-show at the dinner party on Wednesday's show. It was explained during the episode that they wanted to avoid the 'drama' surrounding the other couples and focus on their own relationship Claims: But a source has since claimed that producers told them not to attend due to concerns over Natasha's mental well-being 'It all got too much for her,' an insider told Woman's Day this week. 'She wasn't coping in the experiment and with what was going down between certain contestants. It was decided she shouldn't be on camera.' Senior producers elected to keep Natasha in her apartment while the other participants went to the dinner party. Because she wasn't attending, it was also decided that Mikey shouldn't go either. Reports: 'It all got too much for her,' an insider told Woman's Day this week Meanwhile, another source claimed that production company Endemol Shine had arranged a holiday in Bali for Natasha to 'clear her head.' Before Wednesday night's dinner party, Natasha explained that she and Mikey had decided to skip the event because they had 'just started to fix things'. 'This week's for our marriage and the best thing that we can do right now is focus on ourselves, focus on our relationship and just remove ourselves from the drama,' she said. Taking a break: Meanwhile, another source claimed that production company Endemol Shine had arranged a holiday in Bali for Natasha to 'clear her head' Repairing it all? Before Wednesday night's dinner party, Natasha explained that she and Mikey had decided to skip the event because they had 'just started to fix things' Mikey added: 'We know how important those dinner parties are to the experiment. 'But it's imperative for our relationship to avoid the drama... and just concentrate on us before we decide what we're gonna do moving forward.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine Vodafone Idea has said it'll take 15 years for the company to pay pending statutory AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) dues worth Rs 53,000 crore. In a letter to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Finance Ministry and NITI Aayog, the telco has also sought Rs 8,000 crore worth GST (Goods and Services Tax) refund in licence fees and spectrum usage charges amid pressure from the government as well as the Supreme Court. Notably, the DoT's highest decision-making body, Digital Communications Commission (DCC), will likely meet tomorrow to decide if the telcos, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, should at all be given any relief. Vodafone Idea's own estimate pegs its dues at Rs 23,000 crore, the DoT has demanded more than double the amount from the company. So far, Vodafone Idea has paid only Rs 3,500 crore worth of pending dues. Vodafone Idea, which pays 8 per cent AGR as licence fee, wants DoT to reduce it to 3 per cent. It says the government should also reduce spectrum usage charges from 3-5 per cent to 1 per cent. Also Read: Airtel, Vodafone Idea subscriber? Should you port out Industry lobby body COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) have also written a letter to DoT asking to set-off GST credits lying with the government, reduce the license fee and SUC, implement the floor pricing immediately, and restore the confidence of banking sector in the telecom companies. "Internationally, it is a common practice to not charge GST on sovereign payments. There's nearly Rs 40,000 crore of input GST stuck for telecom sector....Banks are currently unwilling to take any risk with respect to telecom sector and are constantly asking telecom operators to reduce their exposures by refusing to issue new bank guarantees or even to renew the bank guarantees. There's a need to give a clear message to banks that government is there to support the sector," COAI letter said. Also Read:AGR-hit telcos set for another jolt; must pay additional service tax, GST on unpaid dues Though Vodafone Idea pegs its pending dues at Rs 23,000 crore, industry experts believe it would be extremely challenging for Vodafone Idea to pay up the amount sought by DoT. Vodafone Idea Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla said in December last year that the company would not put "good money after bad", and that it could rather "shut shop" if the government did not give relief to the company. Vodafone Global CEO Nick Read too had said that Vodafone Idea would head for "liquidation" if the government did not offer relief to the telcos. The telco, which employees over 13,000 direct employees, has also said the continuous pressure to pay the amount could render 10,000 people jobless and create chaos among its 300 million subscribers in India. Telecom companies owe Rs 1.47 lakh crore to the DoT, including Rs 92,600 crore as licence fee and Rs 55,100 crore as spectrum usage charges. Bharti Airtel owes Rs 35,600 crore, while Vodafone Idea has to pay Rs 53,000 crore. Bharti Airtel and Tata Group have also made AGR payments worth Rs 10,000 crore and Rs 2,197 crore to the DOT, respectively. Reliance Communication has pending dues worth Rs 21,200 crore and Tata Group has to pay Rs 13,800 crore, as per DoT's estimates. Of the total pending amount, Vodafone Idea and Airtel collectively have to pay Rs 88,600 crore. Also Read: Vodafone Idea to drop brand 'Idea' from postpaid services Edited by Manoj Sharma PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- A 43-year-old Moss Point man who faked his own death and disappeared for two years is back in Mississippi to face multiple sex crime charges, including the rape of his 14-year-old stepdaughter. U.S. Marshals brought Jacob Blair Scott to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, just under a month after he was captured in Oklahoma. Scott had been taken into custody about midnight Jan. 30 in Antlers, Okla., ending an 18-month search which began after Scott vanished, leaving behind a dinghy boat and suicide note in Orange Beach, Ala. Investigators also found a gun, but little in the way of forensic evidence indicating a suicide and his body was never recovered despite an extensive search. In addition, Scott had withdrawn $45,000 from a bank account -- money that was also never recovered, so investigators believed early on that Scott had faked his own death to avoid prosecution. In late January, shortly after Scott was added to the U.S. Marshals Top 15 Most Wanted list, Marshals received a tip that someone resembling Scott and with the same tattoos was residing in an RV in the Antlers area. Law enforcement arrived at the scene and initially attempted a call out multiple times to get whoever was inside the RV to come out. After a few minutes, a man emerged, but initially refused to provide any information to law enforcement. Marshals, however, checked his tattoos and confirmed they were an identical match and the man ultimately admitted to being Jacob Blair Scott. Scott was held in the Pittsburg (Okla.) County Jail until his extradition back to Mississippi. He will now face a 14-count indictment, including charges of sexual battery, touching a child for lustful purposes and exploitation of a child -- all involving his stepdaughter. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Scott initially came under suspicion after his stepdaughter became pregnant. Scott also faces a charge from the U.S. Marshals office for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Initially, Scott was to have entered a guilty plea to the charges in July 2018, but failed to appear for his scheduled court appearance. He is now scheduled to appear in Jackson County Circuit Court on March 11. #IntoTheWildWithRajinikanth: Discovery channel has dropped the promo of upcoming episode of Bear Grylls' show Into The Wild in which actor Rajinikanth would be featured. Earlier, PM Modi had appeared on Bear Grylls' show ahead of the 2019 General Elections. Actor Rjinikanth would appear on Bear Grylls latest show Into The Wild on Discovery Channel, said reports. The channel shared the promo of the upcoming show on Thursday featuring South Super Rajinikanth with the host, Bear Grylls. Reports said the upcoming episode of Into The Wild was shot in Bandipur Forest which will be broadcast on March 23. Before Rajinikanth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appeared on Bear Grylls popular show, Man vs Wild ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Sharing the 40-second teaser on social media, Discovery channel said, Gear up to venture into the wilderness of India with survival expert Bear Grylls and the ultimate superstar Rajinikanth. #ThalaivaOnDiscovery. The promo starts with jungle scenes, Tigers roar and running deers. Grylls can be seen running a bike and is on a mission to unravel the man behind the legend, Rajinikanth. Gear up to venture into the wilderness of India with survival expert @BearGrylls and the ultimate superstar @Rajinikanth in an action packed adventure. Premieres 23 March at 8 PM, only on Discovery #ThalaivaOnDiscovery pic.twitter.com/zSS4GsSCL4 Discovery Channel IN (@DiscoveryIN) February 27, 2020 A side-close up shot of Thalaviar Rajinikanth was also shown in the promo. Grylls has aked fans to prepare themselves for a new show that will blow their minds. Responding to Discoverys tweet, Rajinikanth wrote, Thank you very much dear @BearGrylls for an unforgettable experience love you. @DiscoveryIN thank you. #IntoTheWildWithRajinikanth Reports said Rajinikanth and Bear Grylls completed the shooting for #IntoTheWildWithRajinikanth in Karnatakas Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Rajinikanth would appeal to conserve water. In a statement, the actor said every Indian will need to come forward and contribute in conserving water. Also read: Coronavirus in India: How to make hand sanitizers at home? Also read: Coronavirus in India: KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan says players, spectators health first People need to join hands and support government to avoid war for water in future, said Rajinikanth. The actor further added he believes Discoverys show would be a perfect platform to spread the word. For all the latest Entertainment News, download NewsX App Oil tumbled to the lowest since early January 2019 on mounting fears of the coronavirus contagion wreaking havoc on economic growth. Futures fell 3.4% in New York on Thursday and are poised for the worst weekly loss since 2014 as the coronavirus spreads further outside of China, roiling financial markets. The S&P 500 sank as much as 10% since last Friday and pushed the index into a correction, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell to the lowest in almost five months. Californias governor said the state was monitoring 8,400 people for the virus on Thursday, adding to the alarm of a global pandemic. We definitely saw some aggressive, panic-like selling, said Rebecca Babin, a senior equity trader at CIBC Private Wealth Management. Theres still some room for downside because emotions are running high with the virus. We need a positive catalyst to put the floor in otherwise the direction is just lower from here. The U.S. benchmark crude has fallen about 23% this year as the virus hits demand for fuels. Investors are assessing whether the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies will be able to agree on deeper production cuts as a response to the coronavirus during a meeting next week in Vienna. Saudi Aramco is already supplying China with 500,000 barrels a day less than normal in March due to the outbreak. OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said the group and its allies are showing a renewed commitment to reaching an agreement that will stabilize oil markets when producers meet. The fast-evolving impacts of the virus mean the challenge is akin to catching a falling knife, Bill Farren-Price, a director at consultant RS Energy Group, now part of Enverus, said in an email. Agree too-small a cut and risk undermining credibility, or over-tighten the market and boost oil prices just at the time when the global economy is flirting with a downturn. PREVIOUSLY: Oil slumps to lowest in a year as fear of virus hit spreads West Texas Intermediate futures for April delivery slid 3.4% to settle at $47.09 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. A measure of oil-market volatility surged to the highest level since September. Brent for April settlement lost $1.25 to end the session at $52.18 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange, putting its premium over WTI at $5.09. So-called time-spreads further down the futures curve have also weakened, with the closely-watched December 2020-2021 differential at the weakest in more than a year on Thursday, highlighting the markets demand concerns. Oil could fall below $30 a barrel if OPEC+ fails to agree to a production cut, Standard Chartered Plc analysts Emily Ashford and Paul Horsnell wrote in a report. Russia has so far resisted pressure from Saudi Arabia for an OPEC+ agreement to cut production further as the virus hits demand. FUEL FIX: Now more than ever, you need our energy news in your inbox. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Michelle Fay Cortez (Bloomberg) Minneapolis, United States Thu, February 27, 2020 11:17 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066e6327 2 World coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,COVID-19,outbreak,US Free US health authorities said theyve identified the first case of coronavirus that doesnt have known ties to an existing outbreak, a worrying signal that the virus is circulating in the US despite reassurances from the Trump administration that its contained. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the patient doesnt appear to have traveled to China or been exposed to another known case of the coronavirus. Health authorities are increasingly concerned about whats known as community spread, where the virus begins circulating freely among people outside of quarantines or known contacts with other patients. At this time, the patients exposure is unknown, the CDC said in a statement. Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of Covid-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Covid-19 is the technical name for the disease caused by the virus. The CDC said the case was picked up by doctors in California, and that the patient may have been infected by a traveler who brought in the disease. It didnt give more information on the patients status. The new case brings the total of known infections in the US to 15, not counting repatriated Americans. The California Department of Public Health said the patient is a resident of Solano County, an area between San Francisco and Sacramento, and that the person was receiving medical care. The patient didnt have a close contact with a known case or a travel history to China, the state said, a sign that health workers are examining the patients history to try and find out how they may have caught the virus and whether other people may be infected without knowing it. We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the US, and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the US would be in California, Sonia Angell, the director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement. The state said the risk to the general public remains low. Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. President Donald Trump listen as Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar speaks to the press about the threat of the coronavirus from the Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. President Trump announced Vice President Mike Pence will lead the Coronavirus Task Force. (Bloomberg/Sarah Silbiger) Trump Press Conference The announcement came minutes after President Donald Trump finished a news conference describing the virus as largely contained. Because of all weve done the risk to the American people remains very low, Trump said Wednesday at the White House. Markets have been roiled by increasing concerns that an outbreak that began in China, infecting more than 75,000 people there and killing over 2,700, has slipped through global efforts to contain it and is now propagating around the world. Whatever happens were totally prepared, Trump said Wednesday evening, adding later: Theres a chance it could get worse; theres a chance it could get fairly substantially worse, but nothings inevitable. The new case in the US may upend that hope. Health experts inside the government and out have called a global pandemic likely, pointing to the viruss flu-like ability to spread, its long period of incubation, and the fact that most people have mild symptoms. While it has a relatively low mortality rate -- some estimates put it around 2% -- infections in large numbers of people could create a significant number of severe cases or deaths. The expansion of outbreaks to Italy, South Korea and Japan has made the spread of the virus to the US more likely, brought in by people traveling to and from those countries. The chances that there will be more importation of the virus into the US has increased in a noteworthy way, said William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. With the virus spreading in those countries, that just means there are more opportunities for the virus -- which doesnt need a passport -- to get onto those planes and come to the United States. / -- PayU, India's leading online payment solutions provider, today announced two key appointments to further fortify its Indian leadership team to scale-up the business and pave the way for its next phase of growth of developing a fintech ecosystem in the region through innovations focussed on payments, credit, and fintech investments. Sudhir Sehgal joins PayU as Country Head to lead PayU's Enterprise Business and will oversee the strategy, development, and distribution of PayU's domestic and international payments for its enterprise merchant portfolio. He will be responsible to grow the business as a full-stack enterprise fintech platform and work towards simplifying the payments for large businesses. Sudhir will operate from PayU's head office in Gurugram. Manas Mishra has been appointed as PayU's Chief Product Officer and he will be tasked with overseeing the formulation and execution of PayU India's product strategy. Based in Bengaluru, he will be responsible for the next generation of PayU's products and ensuring that PayU continues to innovate with solutions impacting merchant and customer experience. Commenting on the appointments, Anirban Mukherjee, Chief Executive Officer, PayU India said, "We are very happy to welcome Sudhir and Manas into these roles, finalizing a phase of expansion in our India leadership team that we first made public late last year. Sudhir, with his vast breadth of experience across payment, credit and banking will help build and scale up our enterprise products portfolio. Furthermore, his proven leadership record and efforts in bringing innovations in business payments will augment PayU's leadership positioning in the enterprise payment segment. This is the kind of expertise and skill sets we need as we continue to innovate from platform and product perspective, to improve the experience of our merchants and consumers. With Manas we have someone with outstanding knowledge of our products and the market. With his in-depth understanding and industry acumen, Manas will lead product innovation and promote the development of our differentiated products and service offerings." Sudhir Sehgal, Country Head - Enterprise Business, PayU India said, "I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for PayU for being pioneers in the digital payment landscape and India's largest online payments processor. I am thrilled to join them and further upscale the enterprise business with products and services based on advanced technology and contribute to PayU's growth journey." Manas Mishra, Chief Product Officer, PayU India said, "At its core, PayU is a leader in providing best in class payment experience with future-ready products and solutions. I am excited to be a part of this innovative and robust organisation which has a unique vision of integrating services on one platform. I look forward to bringing my expertise to PayU as we help build a scalable product portfolio and drive business profitability designed with a sharp customer-first mindset."Sudhir has 20+ years of experience across product and portfolio management, brand management, underwriting, sales, and distribution. His last stint was with HDFC bank as Senior Vice President as part of the core payment business team which spearheaded businesses like consumer cards, merchant acquiring and e-commerce. He has an in-depth understanding of financial products across the Indian landscape and has been instrumental in setting up business units such as mortgage and consumer durable finance. Manas has close to two decades of experience in ad tech, payments and consumer internet space, including his recent role as head of payment experience at Flipkart. He has launched many industry-first features in the payments, refunds and consumer finance space in his prior roles. About PayU India PayU, India's leading online payment solutions provider, is regulated under the Reserve Bank of India and has advanced solutions to meet the digital payment needs of the Indian market. PayU provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology. In India, PayU serves more than 3,50,000 merchants with 70+ local payment methods and is the preferred payments partner for nearly 60% of the e-commerce merchants, including all leading e-commerce companies and a majority of airline businesses. PayU also developed LazyPay in 2017, an alternate lending platform to offer credit solutions such as Small Ticket Credit (Buy Now Pay Later), App-based loans (Instant personal loans) and Point of Sale Credit (Merchant EMI). LazyPay Buy Now Pay Later is currently live on 100+ merchants such as Byju's, Swiggy, Flipkart, Makemytrip, Dunzo, Vodafone, Zomato, Bookmyshow, Oyo, Tata Sky and many more. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/943045/PayU_Logo.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1095730/New_CPO_And_Country_Head_of_PayU_India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) People from around the world have shared snaps of the hilarious signs they have come across. Social media users, largely from the UK and US, spotted the witty posts in cafes, offices and on the side of the road. The pictures, collated in a gallery by Diply, include a snap of a jar of dead batteries with sign reading 'free of charge.' In another picture, a sign written by a cat owner features a picture of the feline with the world 'don't believe his lies', asking people not to feed him. Social media users, largely from the UK and US, spotted the witty posts in cafes, offices and on the side of the road. Pictured, Polly Chester's office cubicle sign was given a witty update Out of power: This snap, taken in the US, shows a clever play on words on dead batteries Good enough to eat! This clever sign in a Vietnamese restaurant, believed to be in the US, imagines 'four' replaced with 'pho' Know the feeling! A US bathroom user put up a sign telling off people who 'repeatedly tried to open it' while there was someone in there for giving the inhabitant 'paralyzing anxiety' Don't slip up! Meanwhile in one British shop the owner joked that you should 'act like your mum is here' as they told customers that there was CCTV in operation Curb appeal: This American bar came up with a funny sign to entice passing customers A paw-ful liar! This little guy's owner was tired of his cat escaping to the cafeteria to get extra food so made sure to let people know he was well-fed 'Can you Spock what's been changed in this picture? (See what I did there? I impress myself sometimes!)', the person behind this New York poster joked An important date: A work place's employee did not forget the anniversary of this US office's coffee machine the day after Valentine's Day Say it out loud! The serial number on this toilet cistern, in the US, reads 'for you to pee into' Truth hurts! This American parent is brutally honest about their child's current state of mind When former President John Dramani Mahama said he had inherited a legacy problem in the power sector and that he wasnt going to manage the situation but fix it permanently, he really had a vision which was going to live beyond decades. There is ongoing unannounced power rationing (DUMSOR) and this was confirmed by the ministry of energy. President Mahama and the NDC invested heavily in building capacity just so we dont experience any future power rationing (DUMSOR) as a result of generation challenges which had been the case in the past. Ghanas peak demand as recorded in 2019 stood at 2,800MW, so, a reserve margin of 20% of the peak demand should give us 560MW. This implies a shutdown of any of the plants should not result in dumsor because they are other plants ready to be substituted for those plants shutdown. In a second scenario...in order to ensure a reliable but sustainable supply of power, most of the thermal plants were converted into dual-fuel plants. Except for Asogli and AMERI which are purely gas-powered plants, plants like Aboaze Thermal Plant, TAPCO, TICO and most of the Thermal Plants are dual-fuel. So, when there is no gas or limited supply of gas, alternative fuel (light crude) can be used to power the thermal plants without having to ration power (experience dumsor). Now, the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCO) informed the government of Ghana about a month before undertaken the ongoing PIGGING (the cleaning of the pipelines). This was to enable the government to adjust and make sufficient alternative fuel to power the dual-fuel plants so that power supply wont be distorted and result to the ongoing dumsor. So, if the government slept on its job maybe because there is no liquidity (money) to buy light crude as alternative fuel or because that isnt a priority, then, the same government cant blame the ongoing maintenance of the pipelines (PIGGING) as the cause of the DUMSOR. This dumsor is self-created; its either due to incompetence or sheer wickedness or that the power sector isnt a priority to President Nana and his energy minister. This is the time to make use of the excess capacity President Mahama invested in and created which was described by this current regime as a waste. Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese (RA-Office of Parliament) A company has started offering their staff six extra days of paid leave to look after sick or injured pets. ICD Property in Melbourne has introduced 'paw-ternity' leave for all staff. The scheme offers up to four days' paid time off to settle in a new animal at home and up to two days to look after sick or injuries animals, or to grieve after a pet's death. The leave is available to take once within the space of 12 months, and workers are required to provide evidence of their circumstances. Sal Quah, who took advantage of the scheme to take care off his puppy Paris, said the policy provides peace of mind for pet owners 'We are taking quite a futuristic approach to what is defined as a family,' ICD Property people development manager Hayley Randall told Nine News. 'Some of us don't have human babies and we treat our fur babies as if they are human babies.' The animal-friendly new policy applies to pet dogs, cats, horses and goats. It gives employees four days paid leave to settle their new pet at home. Sal Quah, who took advantage of the scheme to take care off his puppy Paris, said the policy provides peace of mind for pet owners. 'I could focus on her recovery and come back to work fresh and not having to worry about my fur baby at home,' he said. Dog owner Bobby Kennedy said having the new protocol removes awkward conversations with his boss. 'It's nice to have a fall-back where you don't have to ask for it, it's already just sort of a given,' he said. Tegan McPherson from RSPCA Victoria said sick animals also need love and support. 'It's just as important as if you had to stay home to care for your child,' she said. 'They need someone to take them to the vet and sit there and reassure them and make them feel comfortable.' Senator Kamala Harris Visits Watts to Host Roundtable Discussion on Economic Injustice and Ways to Uplift the Community (L to R) Tim Watkins of WLCAC, Senator Kamala Harris and Tina Watkins (Credit: Office of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris) In the wake of Trumps decision to cut federal funding for working families across the country, Senator Kamala Harris visited the city of Watts to host a roundtable discussion with community leaders to discuss economic injustice. Friday, February 21, Senator Harris visited the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) to meet with various unions, organizations and business owners to discuss the resources and ways to increase the opportunity for residents of Watts. Those in attendance shared their methods of inclusion and ventured into the future regarding how they can help each other. I am so proud to be your representative in the United States Senate, Senator Harris opens the conversation. I wanted us to get together this morning, so I could hear from you in a way that will help inform the work that I do for our state and the people that we fight for. ADVERTISEMENT I want to lift up your voice because you are on the ground doing this work every day; it is an uphill battle. I know its personal to each one of you. I know you work against great odds, but with faith and with a belief in what is possible, knowing what can be unburdened by what has been, Senator Harris encouraged. Along with Senator Harris, others in attendance included representatives from Watts Labor Community Action Committee, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Watts Gang Task Force, Parents of Watts, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, SEIU Local 2015, Unite Here! Local 11, Los Angeles Urban League, LiUNA Local 1309, Community Coalition, Los Angeles Black Workers Center and LA Workforce Development Board. For everyone, Watts is an ideal location as many organizations are lending resources to the community for future development. However, for Senator Harris, choosing Watts as the preliminary location came down to the history of destruction and the promise for a brighter future. A view of the roundtable discussion held at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee hosted by Senator Kamala Harris (Credit: Office of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris) Watts represents both the part of the tragic history of our country in California, which is the failure to bring resources to communities that need them. But also, theres so much great potential and resources in the community that we just need to uplift, Senator Harris stated. She continued, Im here to bring people together to talk about the needs of the community and what we can do in particular, around growing the economy. So thats about building the skills within the community to take on the jobs that need to be filled. Taking into context historical facts that have systematically worked against Black and Brown people to understand these communities did not begin in poverty. ADVERTISEMENT Nearly half of American families cannot afford $400 unexpected expense, she emphasizes on the current conditions. Then when you look at communities of color, particularly Black and Latino communities, the numbers are even worse. The initial conversation focused on how everyone can invest in communities to create jobs and decrease the wage gap in not only Watts but every community in the nation. Senator Harris hopes to work as a catalyst for change, by implementing practices and legislation like the Rent Relief Act, LIFT Act and the 21st Century SKILLS Act. Together, these bills will help keep families in their homes, expand the job pool and access to those jobs while helping middle- and lower-class Californians adjust to the rising cost of living. Last but not least, her commitment to bringing a massive job fair to Watts for all residents with the help of the organizers present at the roundtable. Representatives from the various groups shared stories of triumph, hard lessons and personal accounts from those who have directly benefited from places like the WLCAC. Each spoke from various perspectives to give a full spectrum of whats needed during the introductory meeting with Senator Harris. But the overarching goal for everyone involved is forward movement regardless of the lack of federal funding and other helpful resources. The goal now is integration between organizations and individuals. As we project forward, thinking about how we build up the skills in this community around what needs to be done in the future, as opposed to what has been done in the past, Senator Harris stated. Acknowledging Californias early response to climate change, she uses the example of installing and maintaining wind turbines and solar panels as a job opportunity projected to grow soon. She continued, I would encourage us to think about the jobs that are going to need to be performed to address that. The skills that are required to fill those jobs, for example, wind turbines or solar paneling installation and maintenance. We dont need to come up with new names for those jobs. You know what those are, she asks, continuing, Electricians, pipefitters [and] welders. Lets project and not build up the skills based on the workforce as it existed 50 years. But the workforce as it will need to be over the next 50 years. Senator Kamala Harris in Watts discussing economic injustice within the community (Credit: Office of U.S. Senator Kamala Harris) As this was the first of many, this roundtable opened the door and created a new and stronger relationship with Senator Harris who promised to continue to work with everyone to accomplish the goals set forth and produce a job fair in the summer for residents. I have a great team of people we have offices up and down the state including here in Los Angeles. Were going to be working with all these great community leaders to do a job resource fair in the summer here in L.A., she stated. With positivity and high hopes, she added, Were going to start with Watts and then we will take it one step at a time. A health worker sprays disinfectant inside a Vietnam Airlines airplane at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 21, 2020. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Kham) By Angus Whitley, Kyunghee Park and Nikki Ekstein (Bloomberg) -- Airlines are turning to some of the worlds hardest-hitting disinfectants, capable of stopping everything from sexually transmitted diseases to the MRSA superbug, in the fight against the coronavirus. Qantas Airways Ltd., Korean Air Lines Co. and Singapore Airlines Ltd.s Scoot unit are among carriers that helped evacuate people from the outbreaks epicenter, the Chinese city of Wuhan, and from a cruise ship off Japan. Theyve stepped up aircraft-cleaning efforts as a result, trying to ensure that planes used in rescue missions are safe to be put back into commercial use. The standard vacuum-and-wipe cleanup on board has turned into hospital-grade sterilisations. How was this done? And are there any risks for passengers using the planes when they return to service? Here are some answers: What cleaning products are used? Qantas used Viraclean, a hospital-grade disinfectant made by Sydney-based Whiteley Corp. Its a pink, lemon-scented liquid that kills a range of bacteria and viruses including Hepatitis B and herpes simplex, according to the manufacturer. Surfaces heavily soiled with blood or sweat should be soaked with undiluted Viraclean. Gloves and eye protection are recommended, Whiteley says. Korean Air opted for MD-125. Thats a diluted version of D-125, a cleaning solution made by Microgen and used in industries from health care to poultry farming. The company says MD-125 acts against 142 bacteria and viruses, including salmonella, avian flu, HIV and measles. How are the planes cleaned? Qantas used the same Boeing Co. 747 on its two flights from Wuhan and another from Tokyo back to Australia. It was cleaned for 36 hours. Pillows, blankets, magazines and headphones were all thrown out, the airline said. The cabin was sprayed twice with disinfectant, which covered all the seats, floors, armrests, tray tables, overhead luggage bins and walls. The cabin was then wiped down. The planes air filters, which are similar to those used in surgical theaters, were also replaced. The 747 was back on the Sydney-Santiago commercial route this week, according to data from flightaware.com. Story continues Korean Air used one Boeing 747 on two flights from Wuhan, and an Airbus SE A330 for the third. As well as spraying and wiping down the cabin, cleaning teams replaced seat covers and dividing curtains near the galleys and disinfected the luggage hold, the airline said. The planes were only allowed back into service with the approval of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Korea. Scoot, a low-cost carrier owned by Singapore Airlines, sprayed a mist of industrial-grade disinfectant throughout the cabin -- a process known as fogging. What about the future? It might be possible to disinfect the inside of a plane without any chemicals at all. ACT.Global, whose cleaning system has been used in hotels and on cruise ships, developed a spray-on film that allows a plane cabin to essentially clean itself -- for 12 continuous months. When the transparent coating is exposed to light, a photo-catalytic reaction occurs that kills microbes and purifies the air, according to the Danish company. Chief Technical Officer Christopher Luscher said the product, which is called Premium Purity, has tested effective against coronavirus strains. Whats being done right now? Many airlines have stepped up normal cleaning procedures to limit the risk of contamination. Singapore Airlines removed hot towels on some services and took away some of the shared reading material thats usually found in the back of seats. After each flight, meal trays and television screens are disinfected, while headsets, headrest covers, pillow covers and blankets are all changed, the company said. The cabin air filter system has similar performance to those used in hospital operating rooms, according to the airline. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., perhaps the airline outside mainland China most affected by the health crisis, says it is disinfecting all cabin surfaces after each flight, including baby bassinets. Any plane with a confirmed coronavirus case is cleaned and disinfected again, Cathay said. Hot towels, pillows, blankets and magazines are no longer provided on flights to and from China, while inflight duty-free sales have been suspended. Korean Air has removed pillows and blankets on flights to mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mongolia. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. Exoneree Terrance Lewis stands outside the Stout Center for Criminal Justice. He's one of three former prisoners listed as plaintiffs in a lawsuit to stop prison gerrymandering in Pennsylvania. Read more Sentenced to prison as a teenager, Abdallah Lateef lost his right to vote for the 31 years he spent in a state prison in rural Greene County, more than 300 miles from home. But he was counted in the U.S. census as a resident of that county and remains so today, almost three years after returning home to North Philadelphia. As a formerly incarcerated person, coming into that knowledge and the understanding of that, to me in many ways was reminiscent of the thought of what it was like to be an enslaved person, said Lateef, who registered to vote a week after being released from a life sentence for participating in a robbery in which an older accomplice shoved the victim, who died 18 days later of heart failure. You couldnt vote. Yet, your body was counted to create power within small rural counties that otherwise would not receive the representation. Thats why Lateef and two other former prisoners-turned-activists exoneree Terrance Lewis and former juvenile lifer Robert Saleem Holbrook are suing to stop the practice known as prison gerrymandering. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the law firm Ballard Spahr filed the suit Thursday in Commonwealth Court on behalf of the three men, the NAACP, and student groups from the University of Pennsylvania who argue that, as Philadelphia residents, their vote is being diluted. The respondents include the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Gov. Tom Wolf. Wolfs spokesperson told The Inquirer last year that the governor agrees prisoners should be counted based on their home or last known address. Wolfs spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit. If they prevail, it would be more than just a moral victory: According to an analysis published by two Villanova University criminologists last year, Philadelphia would gain one or two state House seats simply by counting incarcerated people by their home counties. If prisoners are counted as living in their residence of origin, there is a substantial likelihood that an additional majority-minority district in Philadelphia would be necessary, professors Brianna Remster and Rory Kramer wrote in their report. As it stands, they said, the incarcerated are not only missing from their communities, they are also advantaging other communities. Specifically, NAACP Legal Defense Fund lawyer Cara McClellan said, it has the effect of inflating the political power of predominantly white rural distracts where most of Pennsylvania prisons are located, while diluting the vote and representational power of largely black and Latino communities in urban districts from which most of the states prison population originates. The NAACP filed a similar lawsuit in federal court in 2018 taking on prison gerrymandering in Connecticut. That lawsuit is still pending. More than 12,000 prisoners or about 25% of the state prison population are from Philadelphia. A 2018 Inquirer analysis found that at least 80% of Philadelphians in state prisons were housed more than 100 miles from home. State Rep. Joanna McClinton, a Philadelphia Democrat, has introduced legislation to count prisoners as if they were in their home districts a practice that has already been adopted by neighboring states New York, Maryland, and Delaware. While the bill has bipartisan sponsorship, it has not advanced out of committee since it was introduced in March 2019. As of 2018, the Census Bureaus official position favored what continues to be the status quo in most of the country: Counting prisoners anywhere other than the facility would be less consistent with the concept of usual residence, since the majority of people in prisons live and sleep most of the time at the prison. But those who were counted that way said they were ignored by the lawmakers who nominally represented them. While working in the law clinic at the State Correctional Institution Greene, near the southwestern corner of the state, Lateef repeatedly tried to contact his state representative to express the need for criminal-justice reform. He never received a response. Our representatives had more power to thwart any meaningful reforms that were coming from the districts we actually lived in, he said. Holbrook, who was 16 when he was involved in a drug deal in which someone was shot and killed, served 27 years of a life sentence before he was released to Delaware County. Years later, he is still considered a Greene County resident for purposes of apportionment. He said hes not just fighting for his own rights. By counting us in those rural districts, it increases everything from the resources those districts get to the voting power those districts get in the state legislature, Holbrook said. For us, its being disenfranchised on a personal level. But collectively Philadelphia is being disenfranchised. English Danish Company announcement no 08-20 27 February 2020 With reference to section 31 of the Danish Capital Markets Act it is hereby disclosed that North Media A/S today has crossed the 10%-threshold regarding North Media A/S possession of treasury shares. The threshold has been crossed due to the ongoing purchases made under the current share buyback programme disclosed in the company announcement no. 03-2020. As a consequence of the purchases of treasury shares North Media A/S today is in possession of 10.07 % of the voting rights and share capital of the company. For further information Kare Wigh, Group Executive Officer & CFO, mobile +45 25 65 21 45 This document is an unofficial translation of the Danish original. In the event of any inconsistencies, the Danish version shall apply. Global Prayer Campaign Aims to Penetrate 'Fortress of Islam' 'Resist fear and hatred' says leader of 30 Days of Prayer for Muslim World, April 24 - May 23, 2020 PRAYING FOR MUSLIMS: Coinciding with the observance of Ramadan -- a period of fasting and prayer for Muslims-- 30 Days of Prayer guides participants on a journey through Islam around the world. Visit Coinciding with the observance of Ramadan -- a period of fasting and prayer for Muslims-- 30 Days of Prayer guides participants on a journey through Islam around the world. Visit www.30DaysPrayer.com/booklets to order prayer booklets. NEWS PROVIDED BY 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World Feb. 27, 2020 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 27, 2020 / Christian Newswire / -- Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are expected to join a targeted global prayer campaign for the Islamic world during the Muslim month of Ramadan, April 24 - May 23, 2020. The 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World ( The 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World ( www.30DaysPrayer.com ) aims to help Christians "see Muslims the way God does," using an illustrated daily prayer guide booklet that can be ordered in bulk for churches and other groups. Coinciding with the observance of Ramadan -- a period of fasting and prayer for Muslims -- 30 Days of Prayer guides participants on a journey through Islam around the world. "While media sound bites about Islamic extremism can incite anger, fear and even hatred towards Muslims, we seek to resist this temptation to generalize, and instead resolve to respond and pray with the mind and heart of Christ," said Paul Filidis, the North America event organizer. Stretching from North Africa to Southeast Asia and beyond, Islam has 1.6 billion adherents -- but the "fortress of Islam" is not as impenetrable as many Christians think. Missions experts -- called missiologists -- today report that tens of thousands of Muslims have come to faith in Christ over the past few decades -- coinciding with the annual 30 Days of Prayer event, which started in 1993 and has distributed more than 1.6 million prayer booklets in North America alone. "We're seeing multiple movements of God in the Islamic world like we've never seen before, involving tens of thousands of people," said Dr. David Garrison, researcher and author of A Wind in the House of Islam. "The simple fact is that 84 percent of the historical movements of Muslims coming to Christ have happened over the past 20 years -- and it's clear that 30 Days of Prayer has played a vital role." Dreams, Visions, Encountering Christ Thousands of Muslims today are having dreams and visions of Jesus Christ, said Garrison. "God is real, and Jesus is real they're not being converted just to a historical doctrine or cultural religion, but they're encountering the living Christ." Launched during a small gathering of Christian leaders in the Middle East -- affiliated with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) -- 30 Days of Prayer has now mushroomed into a global event with millions of participants. "We had no idea that this would become such a strategic event, especially since this was launched long before the 9/11 terrorist attacks," said Filidis, who became a Christian on the "hippie trail" to Afghanistan in the 1970s and developed a love for the Muslim world. "In America, we're inundated with frightening images and scary news items about the Islamic world -- but these do not reflect the majority of Muslims," Filidis said. "30 Days of Prayer seeks to educate people about Islam and mobilize Christians to pray strategically for Muslims -- people like you and me, searching for the truth." Devout Muslims take the month of Ramadan seriously, and "the pressure is on," Filidis said, for them to fast from sunrise to sunset. "Some Muslims are even preoccupied with whether swallowing their own saliva might invalidate their fast," he said. "We're asking people to pray that Jesus Christ will meet with them during this time." The 30 Days Muslim Prayer Guide booklet -- available in both adult and children's versions -- aims to educate and inspire people not only to "pray knowledgeably" for the Islamic world but also have a "Christ-like attitude" towards Muslims. "God is mixing the people of the earth, and everyone probably knows a Muslim in their community," said Filidis, who also produces annual prayer guides for Hindu and Buddhist intercessory prayer movements. "We shouldn't be afraid to introduce ourselves to our Muslim neighbors." 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World (www.30DaysPrayer.com) is an international movement that began in 1993, calling the church to make a deliberate but respectful effort to learn about, pray for, and reach out to our Muslim neighbors. It coincides annually with the important Islamic month of religious observation -- Ramadan -- a time when Muslims are more deeply aware of spiritual matters. SOURCE 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World Related Links The Best of Show drawing from the 2019 Tennessee Annual Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest is now a collectible waterfowl stamp. Orders are being taken for the collectible stamp that is produced annually and sold for conservation education through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Erica Brock from Lafollette was honored as the 2019 Tennessee Best of Show last spring as announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which hosts the annual contest. As a student at Campbell County High School, Ericas winning artwork depicted a pair of redheads and was created with mixed media using a combination of colored pencil, acrylic, and pastel. She received the Jeanette Rudy $1,000 scholarship from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation and other prizes. Since 1999, a collectible stamp has been created from the annual Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp program contests Best of Show. The program is an art contest managed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service designed to teach the importance of conserving wetlands habitat and waterfowl to students. It pairs science, the arts, and other core subjects to creatively teach greater awareness of our natural resources. As part of the program, students are invited to participate in an annual art competition. Creating an entry is a valuable experience. It helps students tie together lessons on animal form and function, plant science, observation, wetland habitats, and more. In the visual arts, students practice sketching, drawing, painting, and composition. The public is invited to purchase the collectible stamp. Each state stamp is numbered and printed in full color, measuring 1 2/8 by 2 inches. In addition to this years stamp, stamps since 1999 are available. Funds from the sale of the stamp will be used for habitat improvement. Stamps are $10 each and there is a $1 processing per order and they may be ordered by completing the Wildlife Stamp order form located in the Watchable Wildlife Information under Wildlife Enthusiasts on the TWRA website at www.tnwildlife.org. Students from across Tennessee participate each year in the contest. The TWRA The entry deadline is each March and winners are presented awards at a ceremony in the spring. (To obtain a copy of the free curriculum or for more information on the Junior Duck Stamp Program, contact the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge at (731) 642-2091. Winners from all 50 states compete with best-of-show winners each year. The winner of the national winners becomes the artwork used for the Federal Junior Duck Stamp each year. The public is reminded that the State of Tennessee Waterfowl stamp is voluntary and not required to hunt. However, the Federal Duck stamp is required to hunt waterfowl in Tennessee. 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. Her Majestys Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver participates in a Passex with Her Majestys Australian Ship (HMAS) Toowoomba during Operation Projection Asia Pacific in the Timor Sea, May 28, 2018. (Master Corporal Brent Kenny, MARPAC Imaging Services ET01-2018-0150-226) Prioritize Indo-Pacific to Revamp Canadas Foreign Policy and Defence, Say Experts Engaging with India and working with US are key to deterring threats in critical region OTTAWAA reinvigoration of efforts in the Indo-Pacific alongside U.S. initiatives should guide the next iteration of Canadas foreign policy and defence, experts say. Canada has to think carefully about what its roles are in the Indo-Pacific in concert with the United States to promote security globally, Robert Spalding, retired U.S. Air Force general and former senior director for strategy at the National Security Council, told The Epoch Times. There are two parts to that. One is deterrence and the other is preventing coercion, Spalding said. Both of them are important. Gen. Robert Spalding speaks on a panel at the Macdonald-Laurier Institutes annual dinner in Ottawa on Feb. 19, 2020. (John Major/Macdonald Laurier Institute) Canada is said to have a ways to go in the face of those mandates. Former ambassador to China David Mulroney described Canadas foreign policy as foreign policy on autopilot, where flattery often replaces facts, in a keynote speech at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) annual dinner in Ottawa on Feb. 19. The Indo-Pacific represents the chance for Canada to upgrade its foreign policya chance to reset on the Asia-Pacific. And India is a cornerstone of the strategy, as demonstrated by U.S. President Donald Trumps visit on Feb. 2425, during which India bought over US$3 billion of military equipment. Engagement in the Indo-Pacific is a top priority for the Trump administration, as indicated in a State Department update of strategy last November, which pointed to Chinas export of repressive practices that undermine the conditions that have promoted stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific for decades. Canadas foreign policy faces a challenge in prioritizing scarce resources, but observing U.S. strategies can provide some guidance and may work to create even better mutual relations. HMCS Vancouver arrives at the port of Singapore after its transit from Hong Kong, on Operation Projection Asia Pacific, on May 16, 2018. (Master Corporal Brent Kenny, MARPAC Imaging Services ET01-2018-0150-156) Mulroney said the Indo-Pacific focus is not about a Sino-American rivalry for supremacy. Its actually an expression of concern by like-minded nations that care about the rule of law and proper global governance. China begins to count heads when it faces opposition, and when there are enough people in the room who are in opposition, they begin to think of things in a different way, he said during a panel discussion at the MLI event. Its convenient to portray this as a Sino-American battle for hegemony, but it should be portrayed as much more than that and Canada can help. Canada has been a valuable member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the transatlantic economy has been a success for North America and Europe. MLI Munk senior fellow for foreign policy Shuvaloy Majumdar said helping shape the transatlantic order has prepared Canada well for the Indo-Pacific. After all, Canada is not only an Atlantic and Arctic nation but also a Pacific oneand the balance of power is shifting toward the Orient. For Canada to be successful, we ignore the Indo-Pacific region at our peril, Majumdar said during opening remarks at the MLI dinner. India as a Valuable Ally Canada and the United States have plenty of work to do together on a number of fronts to secure their democracies and assist allies in upholding the rule of law and personal freedoms in the face of rising influence from authoritarian statesprimarily China. The United States views India as a counterweight to China and the Indo-Pakistani border is critical to its Indo-Pacific plans, as it could be an ideal launchpad for U.S. forces. India has boycotted Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, and its rapidly growing economy and population of over one billion gives the United States and Canada a valuable ally. But the challenge of the Indo-Pacific is that its difficult for Western militaries to operate there due to separation by vast oceansan altogether different situation from that in the Middle East and Europe. Canada can be of considerable serviceproviding refuelling options for naval operations is but one example. We have to think differently about how we project power in that region, Spalding said, speaking on the panel alongside Mulroney. The Chinese military far outpaces what the United States can do in the region. Indo-Pacific Over the Arctic Besides the Indo-Pacific, the Arctic is another region where the United States and Canada share similar objectives as allies. Cyber threats and, of course, the matter of Chinese telecom giant Huawei in relation to 5G infrastructure are also challenges for national security that both countries are dealing with. The first thing Canada can do to get on the same page as the United States is to reject Huawei from any involvement in its 5G infrastructure, Spalding said. David Mulroney speaks on a panel at the Macdonald-Laurier Institutes annual dinner in Ottawa on Feb. 19, 2020. (John Major/Macdonald Laurier Institute) Probably the most important thing right now is focusing on whats going on with Huawei and [intelligence] sharing, he said. [Canada] not basically having Huawei in their systemI think thats probably most important near-term. The U.K. recently decided to allow Huawei to play a role in its 5G networks and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the Brits to reconsider. Its going to be a big problem between the United States and Canada particularly in intelligence sharing, and theyve already said that with the Five Eyes partners, so this is a big issue, Spalding added. Beyond that, focus on the Indo-Pacific should take precedence over the Arctic, he said. While the U.S.-Canada joint North Warning System in the Arctic is badly outdated, Spalding said allies have plenty of deterrent capabilities vis-a-vis the Russians but no similar tools in the Indo-Pacific to counteract Chinese or Russian influence. I definitely think that prioritizing the Indo-Pacific is much more important than focusing on Russia [in the Arctic], he said, adding that the Arctic is much more about the U.S.-Canada relationship. Global Power Shift to Asia In a speech to the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations on Feb. 21, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne spoke about the deep transformations and uncertainties the world is undergoing, including rising inequalities, declining human rights, and selective application of international law. He also acknowledged the shift of direction of global power. We also see it with a rise in economic, political, and diplomatic power from the West to Asia, he said. Mulroney said that while hes very concerned about the way forward with China, Canada is fortunate to have the United States as its neighbour; however, Canada needs to gain greater awareness of its international role to guide its foreign policy. I think the window is still there we still have a reserve of goodwill in the world, he said. Theres time, but theres not unlimited time. The Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the purchase of Bucks Landing, a 33-acre addition to the protected public land along San Pablo Bay. The $1.59 million purchase price will have no impact on the county's General Fund budget as the board's approval allows Marin County Parks to accept a $500,000 grant from the State Coastal Conservancy's Climate Ready Program. The grant brings the acquisition price down to $1.09 million, and the balance of the purchase will be funded by Measure A, a 2012 voter-approved quarter-cent countywide sales tax for parks, open space and agriculture in the county. Of Measure A's funds, 13 percent is set aside for land acquisitions and easements, according to Marin County Parks. Marin County Parks has negotiated with the owners of Bucks Landing, known as Gallinas Landing LLC, since 2016. The property that straddles North San Pedro Road contains wetlands and forest, and it has provided boat access to San Pablo Bay under private ownership for approximately 70 years. The property, located 2.3 miles northeast of the Marin County Civic Center along North San Pedro Road and a quarter-mile from China Camp State Park's western boundary, was once used as a roadside bar, brickyard and boat storage area. Its location south of Gallinas Creek will ensure public access to the Bay, county officials said. "Protection and preservation of tidal marshes and wetlands like these on San Pablo Bay are so important for habitat, sensitive wildlife populations and for sea level rise resilience," Marin County Parks Director and General Manager Max Korten said in a news release. 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 following is partial transcript from a Portland mayoral debate hosted by the Columbia Corridor Association on Feb. 26 featuring Portland mayor Ted Wheeler, mayoral candidate Sarah Iannarone and mayoral candidate Ozzie Gonzalez. Some of the questions and responses have been condensed for clarity. Click here to read the story about the debate. Click here to view other questions and responses. Corky Collier, debate moderator and executive director of Columbia Corridor Association: There have been several new taxes designed to improve funding for housing and the homeless. In 2016. it was $256 million in the Portland Housing bond measure. In 2018, $652 million for the Metro bond measure for affordable housing. And now we have a new $250 million Metro bond measure going to the ballot for homeless services with a lot of support from business groups. But let's keep this in perspective. According to [Metro Council President] Lynn Peterson at a CCA breakfast forum last year, the $652 million property tax will only achieve about 10 percent of what we need. ECONorthwest said the new $250 million bond measure going to the ballot in May is insufficient to reach tens of thousands at risk. So, my question is, we know that we havent yet raised enough money. We know its not enough. How do we know how much we need? Wheeler: So, the question of how much we need is what I'm going to leave to the economists. I can't tell you how many exactly we need. I know how many units of housing, workforce and affordable housing is described as needed and it's about 30,000 units that we don't currently have. But the problem is much bigger than housing. So I'm going to take a step back and talk to you about what we've done. We have built the appropriate partnerships and collaborations, not only with other governments like the Multnomah County government, where we have a Joint Office of Homeless Services, but also working with the private sector, with labor unions, with the philanthropic and religious communities and of course, a multitude of service providers throughout the region. So, we've got the right partnerships. We've focused on the right strategies. We know that when we invest in prevention to keep people in their homes, especially those who are identified as being at the greatest risk of falling into homelessness, that's effective. Last year, about 7,000 people receive those services -- people at high risk of becoming homeless. We've doubled our shelter capacity in the last four or five years. We've changed the way we provide services. We know that the fastest growing segment of homeless in our community are the unsheltered homeless, and almost all of the growth in the unsheltered population are chronically homeless. These are people who've been on the streets the longest and they're people with co-existing conditions other than a lack of housing. They also have substance abuse issues, mental health issues or other issues. And we have focused on that population. So we have the two new navigation centers, the navigation teams. This latest measure for Metro will provide the services, the mental health and addiction services and job training services to help people be successful in the housing that we are creating, both in the public sector and in the private sector. Iannarone: Ive released a comprehensive housing plan on my website. You can find it at Sarah2020.com/housing. And my claim there is this, that my planning background and my expertise with Portlands city bureaus, this deep working knowledge that I have of how things are going or not, is going to be an asset in the challenges that we face. In 2015. Then-Mayor Charlie Hales declared a housing state of emergency. Weve not since seen a strategic plan that tells us how much stock do we need for every level of people at the income spectrum in our community? We know that theres a lot of housing being brought online for people earning 300 percent of the median family income. But we dont really have a good sense of how were going to leverage our resources in a meaningful way over a short term, three- to five-year period, to address needs at every level of the income spectrum. We also have a lot of red tape in the city thats costing the people who bring housing on line a lot more money than it needs to be. We need to streamline our development processes. We need to think about how we can make it more cost effective on the front end, so that we can then do meaningful value capture for the luxury housing, market-rate housing, on the back end. And also be thinking in terms of innovation. So, where are the rethinking of city code where we can look at those unused pieces of land that we haven't thought about before? And where is that inventory? How can we really partner effectively across the city, even across the region to understand, what is Portland's share of the burden here? We need to make sure that our neighbors around the region are doing their fair share in this: Gresham, Beaverton, etc. The cost of more laissez-faire approaches are staggering for us. Were not even keeping up and, at this critical time, barely keeping up is falling critically behind. So we need to take a more task force, strategic short term look at those supplies. -- Everton Bailey Jr. For Europe, the coronavirus could not have arrived at a worse time. This was the year with Britain out, terrorism waning and the migrant crisis at an ebb that the European Union had hoped to repair and revive its cherished goal of open internal borders. But cases of the virus have emerged nearly daily in new European countries in Spain, Greece, Croatia, France, Switzerland and, on Wednesday, in Germany. Many of them can be traced back to Europes largest outbreak, in Italy, where more than 300 people are now infected. As the cases spread and multiply, calls for closing borders have grown louder, most predictably from the far-right and populists who were never fans of the blocs open border policy. So far no country has taken that drastic step, but privately European officials warned that this could change quickly. On Wednesday, the blocs top official for communicable diseases said that Europe needed to prepare more broadly for the kind of crisis that has hit northern Italy. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty Our current assessment is that we will likely see a similar situation in other countries in Europe, and that the picture may vary from country to country, said the official, Andrea Ammon, director of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. We also need to consider the need to prepare for other scenarios for example, large clusters elsewhere in Europe, she added, speaking at a news conference in Rome. While she urged far greater coordination among European Union members, she stopped well short of recommending that they start shutting their borders. Other health experts argued that such a step would be of dubious benefit in any case. Recommended Woman tests positive with coronavirus for second time after recovery Travel restrictions dont work: People find another way around it; it might only slow the virus down, said Dr Clare Wenham, of the London School of Economics Global Health Initiative. The free movement of people and goods is a cornerstone of the European Union, referred to by the shorthand Schengen, after the city in Luxembourg where the 1985 treaty that created what is now a 26-nation, passport-free zone was signed. Europeans consider it one of the blocs biggest achievements. But if it has nurtured prosperity and become a fundamental building block of European identity, it has also, practically speaking, been suffering a death by a thousand cuts. The latest came in 2015, when a number of countries suspended Schengen to allow full control over their borders and stop refugees who had landed in Greece and elsewhere from making their way to the wealthier European north. The rules allow for the temporary reintroduction of border checks for specific reasons, including terrorist attacks, major migrant surges or health emergencies. The key, though, is the word temporary. A country can suspend the rules, but it needs to explain why its doing it, and in theory it cant carry out border controls for longer than two years, according to existing rules. In what experts argue is an abuse of the rules, Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Norway have practically scrapped Schengen and have been checking passports of travellers arriving from other member states for the past 4 1/2 years, using legal manoeuvres to circumvent the two-year limit. Schengen is in a very poor and problematic state, said Marie De Somer, head of the migration program at Brussels-based think tank European Policy Centre, adding that restoring it to its full functionality hinges on changing the blocs asylum and migration rules. The virus is yet another challenge, as it has given new ammunition to nationalists who want to see borders tightened or restored even before the contagion arrived. Eric Ciotti, a French parliamentarian from the region bordering Italy and a member of the right-wing Republican party, called for reinforced border controls before it is too late. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, weighed in, also calling for border closures with Italy. And in Switzerland, which isnt an EU member but does participate in the border-free area, Lorenzo Quadri of the right-wing Lega dei Ticinesi called for a closed-doors policy. It is alarming that the dogma of wide-open borders is considered a priority, he said. Long before the virus, many nationalists, led by Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, had complained that Europe could not have open internal borders if its outer borders were weak, allowing asylum-seekers to enter unchecked. The European Commission was trying to put together a plan to fix Europes asylum system, including bolstering Frontex, the EU border agency, by adding staff and funding and stepping up its operations at the blocs external borders. But the plan is facing resistance because it also aims to create a system for distributing asylum-seekers, something Hungary is likely to veto. The divisions over the policy are manifold. Germany wants all countries to take refugees whether they like it or not. Greece wants asylum-seekers quickly taken out of its detention centres. Italy doesnt want rescue boats to take refugees to its ports. The list of complaints goes on. Professor De Somer said that its impossible to know the true effect of the suspension because Germany and the other countries that have reintroduced border controls have shared little information on how theyre using these checks and with what outcomes. We have very few figures on how the suspension of Schengen affects people, and its likely theres not much to show for it. That tells us this is about symbolism rather than about practical issues: Its about politics rather than policy, she said. European officials working on a migration overhaul that will affect borderless travel say that the virus is at the very least a setback for their efforts, as it offers populists another opportunity to underline the importance of national border controls. The virus, some officials said, could offer a reason to kick the can down the road, avoiding a thorny subject bound to cause division. Professor De Somer, of the European Policy Center, is more optimistic. She thinks that even if border checks are reintroduced because of the virus, it could be an opportunity to show that Schengen is flexible and can work to protect citizens. If health experts and the commission recommend this, then it would show the system actually can function even in a crisis, she said. The catch? The checks would need to be lifted according to the rules, when the threat from the virus goes away. The New York Times BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Nargiz Ismayilova - Trend: Azerbaijan has approved a deal on the purchase of US Chevrons share by the Hungarian MOL Group oil and gas company in the development of Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) block of fields in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea and in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline, Ibrahim Ahmadov, deputy head of the SOCAR Public Relations and Event Management Department, told Trend. With the approval from Azerbaijan, MOL will become one of the full members of the consortium on the development of the ACG block and the BTC pipeline, Ahmadov said. On Sept.20, 1994, the government of Azerbaijan and a group of international oil companies representing eight countries signed the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli Production Sharing Agreement, which later became known as the Contract of the Century. The Contract was extended in September 2017 until mid-century. ACG participating interests are: BP (30.37 percent), SOCAR (25 percent), Chevron (9.57 percent), INPEX (9.31 percent), Equinor (7.27 percent), ExxonMobil (6.79 percent), TPAO (5.73 percent), ITOCHU (3.65 percent), ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) (2.31 percent). In November 2019, Hungarian MOL Group company signed an agreement with Chevron Global Ventures Ltd and Chevron BTC Pipeline Ltd to acquire a 9.5-percent stake in the development project of the ACG block of oil and gas fields and an 8.9-percent stake in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline project. The total value of the contract is $1.5 billion, taking into account adjustments at the closing of the transaction, which will be financed through the existing liquidity of the company. Upon completion of this transaction, MOL will become the third biggest partner in the ACG. The transaction is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2020. The total length of the BTC pipeline is 1,768 kilometers, of which 443 kilometers run through the territory of Azerbaijan, 249 kilometers run through Georgia, and 1,076 kilometers go through Turkey. The construction of the pipeline began in April 2003, and it was first filled with oil on May 18, 2005. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IsmailovaNargis I am very fortunate to be the mother of twins, a boy and girl who attend a co-educational school in Sydney. I received a phone call from the school on Wednesday to say there had been an incident while they were at camp. Murdered in an act of terror called domestic violence ... Hannah Clarke with children Laianah, 4, Aaliyah, 6, and Trey, 3. A few boys had told my son they thought his sister was cute and wanted to ask her out. These are 12-year-olds, mind you. Another boy later approached my son and said words to the effect: "I like your sister and Im going to rape her." My son's horror to hear these words the rage and hurt he felt were enormous. I commend the school for the way it promptly handled the situation. After discussions with teachers, it emerged the boy who made the remark did not know the meaning or connotation of the word "rape". Who knows where he had heard it? Video games, social media, TV? Perhaps he overheard conversations at home. My children are so lucky to be at a school that cares and doesnt take these situations lightly. It so happens, however, that their terrible experience coincided with the entire nation stopping to ask hard questions about the way some men treat women and, with it, how we are influencing our boys to regard and treat girls. It happened in the same week that the federal Parliament stopped to pay tribute to Hannah Clarke and her three children, so horrifically murdered in Brisbane in an act of domestic violence. OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says he will make a renewed push for compensation for families of people who died in the Ukraine International Airlines crash on a three-country trip to eastern Europe next week. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Foreign Affairs Minister Fran?ois-Philippe Champagne responds to a question during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says he will make a renewed push for compensation for families of people who died in the Ukraine International Airlines crash on a three-country trip to eastern Europe next week. Champagne said Thursday he will meet top airline officials in Ukraine, as part of a two-track approach to securing compensation for the families of the 57 Canadians who were killed last month when Iran shot down a Ukrainian plane leaving Tehran for Kyiv. He will discuss the efforts to press for financial compensation from both Ukraine International Airlines and Iran, which has admitted it fired two missiles at Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, killing all 176 people on board. Citizens of Britain, Sweden, Afghanistan and Ukraine also died, and Champagne is chairing an international response group for foreign ministers from those countries to keep pressure on Tehran. In Kyiv, Champagne said, he will first try to speed up the compensation the airline must pay under international aviation law. "I have made a plea to them to accelerate that payment. It's statutory. What I was told is that a law firm had been appointed in London to deal with that ... we were providing the next of kin information for that payment to be effected as soon as possible," Champagne said. "So next week, I will be pushing for that. The families deserve to be paid and deserve to be paid quickly." Champagne said his scheduled meeting with the chief executive of the Ukrainian airline will be his second priority. The minister is still pushing Iran for compensation and plans to raise it in an upcoming call with the response group of foreign ministers. "Once Iran has admitted full responsibility, it comes with consequences, one of which is obviously to compensate the family under international standards." In Latvia, Champagne will visit the 600 Canadian troops who have been leading a NATO battlegroup in that country since 2017. The battlegroup, which includes soldiers from several other countries, is one of four such forces in the Baltics and Poland that were established to respond to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014, to discourage further military incursions. Canada has made a commitment to the mission to 2023 but Karlis Eihenbaums, Latvia's ambassador to Canada, said his country would like to see that extended because the problems with Russia including disinformation campaigns show no signs of abating. While NATO has accused Russia of interfering in Western elections, Russian information attacks on Latvia centre on rewriting history to glorify its Soviet Union past, said Eihenbaums. And that is ramping up as the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War is being celebrated this year, he said. "They're coming back with the Soviet narrative blaming the West for the war, basically, and putting themselves out as liberators of everything," he said. "Those who came to liberate from Nazism stayed and occupied huge parts of Europe, including Latvia. This occupation lasted until 1991." Champagne will also use the visit to push for support for Canada's bid for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council during a meeting with his Latvian counterpart, Edgars Rinkevics, said Eihenbaums. Eihenbaums said Latvia isn't making its voting intention known in advance of June's secret ballot at the UN General Assembly, where Canada is competing against Norway and Ireland for two seats for a two-year term that would start in 2021. Champagne will also visit Poland, which is another member of the 29-country NATO alliance. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. LONDON Britain laid out its opening demands for upcoming trade talks with the European Union on Thursday, including a blunt threat to walk away from the negotiating table if there is no progress within four months. The two sides appear headed for a rocky first round of negotiations as they try to forge a new relationship following the United Kingdoms departure from the now 27-nation bloc. Britain and the EU both say they want to reach a free trade agreement, but have starkly divergent views on how it should be overseen and what constitutes fair competition between their two economies. The EU says Britain must agree to follow the blocs rules in areas ranging from state aid to environmental protections, and give European boats access to United Kingdom fishing waters, if the two sides are to strike a good deal. But Britain is demanding the right to diverge from the blocs rules in order to strike new trade agreements around the world, and to give the British government a freer hand to intervene in the United Kingdom economy. In pursuit of a deal we will not trade away our sovereignty, Michael Gove, the minister in charge of Brexit preparations, told lawmakers in the House of Commons. That conflict will be one of the big hurdles in talks, which are due to begin Monday in Brussels. Britain left the EU on Jan. 31 but remains bound by the blocs rules until a post-Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31. A divorce agreement between the two sides allows for the transition to be extended for two more years, but British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists he will not agree to that. That leaves the two sides just months to seal a wide-ranging deal. Jill Lawless is an Associated Press writer. DEEP-Dig (DEcEPtion DIGging) ushers intruders into a decoy site so the computer can learn from hackers' tactics Instead of blocking hackers, a new cybersecurity defense approach developed by University of Texas at Dallas computer scientists actually welcomes them. The method, called DEEP-Dig (DEcEPtion DIGging), ushers intruders into a decoy site so the computer can learn from hackers' tactics. The information is then used to train the computer to recognize and stop future attacks. UT Dallas researchers presented a paper on their work, "Improving Intrusion Detectors by Crook-Sourcing," at the annual Computer Security Applications Conference in December in Puerto Rico. They presented another paper, "Automating Cyberdeception Evaluation with Deep Learning," in January at the Hawaii International Conference of System Sciences. DEEP-Dig advances a rapidly growing cybersecurity field known as deception technology, which involves setting traps for hackers. Researchers hope that the approach can be especially useful for defense organizations. "There are criminals trying to attack our networks all the time, and normally we view that as a negative thing," said Dr. Kevin Hamlen, Eugene McDermott Professor of computer science. "Instead of blocking them, maybe what we could be doing is viewing these attackers as a source of free labor. They're providing us data about what malicious attacks look like. It's a free source of highly prized data." The approach aims to solve a major challenge to using artificial intelligence for cybersecurity: a shortage of data needed to train computers to detect intruders. The lack of data is due to privacy concerns. Better data will mean better ability to detect attacks, said Gbadebo Ayoade MS'14, PhD'19, who presented the findings at the recent conferences. "We're using the data from hackers to train the machine to identify an attack," said Ayoade, now a data scientist at Procter & Gamble Co. "We're using deception to get better data." Hackers typically begin with their simplest tricks and then use increasingly sophisticated tactics, Hamlen said. But most cyberdefense programs try to disrupt intruders before anyone can monitor the intruders' techniques. DEEP-Dig will give researchers a window into hackers' methods as they enter a decoy site stocked with disinformation. The decoy site looks legitimate to intruders, said Dr. Latifur Khan, professor of computer science at UT Dallas. "Attackers will feel they're successful," Khan said. Governmental agencies, businesses, nonprofits and individuals face a constant threat from cyberattacks, which cost the U.S. economy more than $57 billion in 2016, according to a report to the White House from the Council of Economic Advisers. As hackers' tactics change, DEEP-Dig could help cybersecurity defense systems keep up with their new tricks. "It's an endless game," Khan said. While DEEP-Dig aims to outsmart hackers, is it possible that hackers could have the last laugh if they realize they have entered a decoy site and try to deceive the program? Maybe, Hamlen said. But that possibility does not worry him. "So far, we've found this doesn't work. When an attacker tries to play along, the defense system just learns how hackers try to hide their tracks," Hamlen said. "It's an all-win situation -- for us, that is." ### Other researchers involved in the work included Frederico Araujo PhD'16, research scientist at IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center; Khaled Al-Naami PhD'17; Yang Gao, a UT Dallas computer science graduate student; and Dr. Ahmad Mustafa of Jordan University of Science and Technology. The research was supported in part by the Office of Naval Research, the National Security Agency, the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. State-owned Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd currently licensed for crop insurance in the country, sought the regulator's approval to diversify into more agricultural and rural insurance products, a top company official said on Thursday. The single product insurance company said it aims at offering "comprehensive" insurance solution for the rural population rather than restricting itself to crop insurance. "We want to launch a comprehensive insurance policy and already applied with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority for their permission," AICIL chairman and managing director Malay Kumar Poddar said. He was talking to reporters on the sidelines of The Bengal Chamber organised Rural Connect 2020. Poddar said he expects the IRDA approval in the near future for rural comprehensive insurance product that will cover all areas related to agriculture, aquaculture, animal husbandry and farm equipment. He also expects to bring down the cost of crop insurance with the comprehensive policy by covering all risks of a farmer's livelihood. AICIL offers crop insurance to West Bengal's tailored product after the state did not roll out the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMBFY). West Bengal agriculture chief advisor to the chief minister Pradip Kr Mazumdar said the state offers crop insurance free of cost to all farmers. In PMFBY, a farmer has to bear the cost of 2 per cent of the sum assured while the rest is borne by the Center and respective state governments. AICIL said during last Kharif crop in Bengal it had covered 35 lakh farmers in 15 districts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rankers data-driven approach to publishing has allowed us to increase our staff by 50% in two years, build out our proprietary IP in an otherwise struggling industry, and develop a game-changing, personalized TV recommendation app launching in March 2020. Inc. magazine today revealed that Ranker is No. 102 on its inaugural Inc. 5000 Series: California list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing California-based private companies. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the California economys most dynamic segment. For someone who loves all types of rankings, its an honor to be included and ranked so high on a prestigious list of fellow California-based companies, including 9th in Los Angeles, said Clark Benson, CEO and founder of Ranker. Rankers data-driven approach to publishing has allowed us to increase our staff by 50% in two years, build out our proprietary IP in an otherwise struggling industry, and develop a game-changing, personalized TV recommendation app launching in March 2020. The companies on this list show stunning rates of growth across all industries in California. Between 2016 and 2018, these 250 private companies had an average growth rate of 422 percent and, in 2018 alone, they employed more than 49,000 people and added $5.6 billion to the California economy. Companies based in the largest metro areasLos Angeles, the Bay Area, and San Diegobrought in the highest revenue overall. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Series: California, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria, can be found at inc.com/inc5000-series-california-2020. The companies on this list demonstrate just how much the business sector impacts Californias economy, says Inc. editor in chief Scott Omelianuk. Across every single industry, these businesses have posted revenue and growth rates that are beyond impressive, further proving the tenacity of their founders and CEOs. The Inc. 5000 Series: California Summit & Awards event to honor the companies on the list will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at The LINE Los Angeles (3515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90010). About Ranker Ranker, a Quantcast Top 50 site in the US, attracts more than 40 million monthly unique visitors worldwide and is the leader in fan-powered rankings on just about everything. Whatever the topic - TV, movies, video games, sports, brands, food, lifestyle - Ranker puts the vote into the hands of millions rather than a few critics to answer the questions we are most passionate about. Over 1 billion votes now power Ranker Insights, a treasure trove of psychographic correlation data that delivers personalized consumer recommendations (if you like X, youll also like Y, Z), and also audience insights to marketers, studios, and platforms seeking a deeper understanding of consumer tastes and preferences. Ranker made #187 on Deloittes 2019 Technology Fast 500 featuring the fastest growing companies in North America and Built In LAs Top 50 Mid-Sized Companies To Work For in 2020. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Ranker also has offices in Chicago and NYC. Methodology The 2020 Inc. 5000 Regional Series is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2016 and 2018. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2016. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2018. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2016 is $100,000; the minimum for 2018 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Media The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. Bachelor Nation star Chad Johnson denied laying a hand on his ex-girlfriend Annalise Mishler Wednesday, two days after his arrest on felony domestic violence and robbery charges Los Angeles following a fight between the pair. The 32-year-old reality star posted a three-minute-plus clip to Instagram in which he emphatically denied any physical violence against women: 'There was never any domestic abuse of any kind - I have never laid hands on a woman anytime in my entire life.' The Jenks, Oklahoma native explained how he was raised to respect women, and takes domestic issues very seriously. The latest: Bachelor Nation star Chad Johnson, 32, denied laying a hand on his ex-girlfriend Annalise Mishler, 25, Wednesday, two days after his arrest on felony domestic violence and robbery charges Los Angeles following a fight between the pair 'I was in the Marine core; I was taught core values, I have a sister, I am a very overprotective brother, if she ever felt in danger, I would want her to call,' he said. 'If any women out there ever feel like they are in any danger, I urge you to call 911.' Johnson, who's been seen on The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise, explaining how the evening with Mishler unfolded from his perspective after Mishler accused him of punching a hole into her wall during a drunken rage on Sunday. He said following the breakup, he 'was devastated,' as 'it was like losing [his] best friend,' and broke a two-month stretch of no alcohol against his better judgment. 'Whenever I do drink, I don't act right - so I screwed up and I drank,' he said. 'I had made a promise to myself and to my girlfriend that I wouldn't do that anymore.' 'Core values': The reality star said he takes domestic violence seriously, adding, 'I have a sister, I am a very overprotective brother, if she ever felt in danger, I would want her to call' Mistake: Johnson admitted that he broke a two-month stretch of no alcohol against his better judgment Johnson said that he initially smoothed the situation over, but things got inflamed when Mishler discovered that he'd downloaded a dating app, leading to a back-and-forth that resulted in clips Mishler posted online. Johnson said he attempted to smooth things over the following day and 'wasn't mad at' Mishler for posting the clips online. 'I totally understand why she did that, I still love her very much,' he said. Johnson admitted he 'was very down at the time' and 'very upset' and made a stupid decision and grabbed her phone and ... just threw it, threw it outside.' He added: 'I can totally understand why Annalise felt threatened whenever I took her phone, but I am 100 percent confident any type of domestic abuse charges are going to be dropped, because there was never any time of domestic abuse at all whatsoever - never laid my hands on a woman.' Hole in the wall: The Sunday night posts included shots of fist-sized holes in the apartment wall Outburst: Mishler accused Johnson of lashing out at her and punching a hole in her apartment's wall during a drunken rage. The pair are seen in November 2019 above Phew: Annalise noted that she was lucky to have already asked for her key back; pictured in May Mishler had previously shared footage of Johnson appearing to shout threatening things from outside her apartment. She said the altercation began after her boyfriend got 'drunk for the first time in 50 days' over the weekend. Talking directly to the camera in another video, Annalise explained how things began when she confronted him after seeing alerts from the dating app Hinge on his phone. But instead of explaining himself, Chad allegedly exploded. 'He went crazy,' she said, 'On me. Like, how dare I have the audacity.' The Sunday night posts included shots of fist-sized holes in the apartment walls, as well as a followup video of what appeared to be the reality persona verbally attacking Mishler while she tried to get back into her apartment. Illustrating the damage, Annalise told followers: 'So Chad just got drunk for the first time in like 50 days and punched a hole in my wall, for no f***ing reason.' 'This is the reality of my life, which is great,' she said sarcastically, then showing her 'traumatized' calico cat. Unreasonable: Illustrating the damage, Annalise told followers: 'So Chad just got drunk for the first time in like 50 days and punched a hole in my wall, for no f***ing reason' Witness: 'This is the reality of my life, which is great,' she continued, then showing her 'traumatized' calico cat Unacceptable: Her next posts showed her boyfriend Chad screaming from outside of her apartment and trying to maneuver his way inside Her next posts seemed to show her boyfriend of several months Chad allegedly screaming from outside of her apartment. Annalise noted that she was lucky to have already asked for her key back. She is then heard confronting Chad from within her apartment, telling him to look at the damage, which he denies he had anything to do with. 'Go home, you're scaring me,' Mishler said. The clip takes a shocking turn as Johnson then tells Annalise 'Good f***ing luck then. I hope you f***ing die' while continuing to bang on the door. Things continued to escalate according to Mishler's video. On top of another clip, she wrote: 'Then he screamed the r-word at me over and over and all my neighbors came out and I heard him screaming at them.' Strangely, she then blamed herself for the incident telling the camera: 'Look, I know I'm the idiot. I'm aware, OK?' Hours later Annalise returned to Instagram with an update. Protecting herself: She is then heard confronting Chad from within her apartment, telling him to look at the damage, which he denies he had anything to do with Awful: The clip takes a shocking turn as Johnson then tells Annalise 'Good f***ing luck then. I hope you f***ing die' while continuing to bang on the door Reasons: Talking directly to the camera in another video, Annalise explained how things began when she confronted her boyfriend after seeing alerts from the dating app Hinge on his phone She thanked everyone who reached out to her, writing: 'Wow so many nice messages today.' Johnson allegedly returned again on Monday, and the couple were engaged in another argument. 'Things escalated this morning and are being taken care of now. Update soon maybe, I'm being guilted for sharing this/"ruining his life" and i know that's not true but it's still scary ya know.' 'He took my phone and chucked it while I was calling 911 this morning so if you've tried texting/calling that would be why i'm not responding lol.' By Monday evening, the police had arrested Chad, a standard step that occurred after they reportedly saw red marks on Annalise's face. The robbery charge appears to stem from him taking her phone as she tried to call 911. Back for more: Johnson allegedly returned again on Monday, and the couple were engaged in another argument; still from The Bachelorette Double trouble: By Monday evening, the police had arrested Chad, a standard step that occurred after they reportedly saw red marks on Annalise's face. The robbery charge appears to stem from him taking her phone as she tried to call 911 Chad later gave a quasi-apology to TooFab in which he claimed he had blacked out during the altercation and didn't remember it. 'I had a little relapse... well I wouldn't call it a little relapse,' he said. 'Big relapse.' He tried to excuse his behavior by attributing it to him and Mishler breaking up. 'I've been so stressed man, just sitting in my car crying sometimes, just losing my mind. And to top it all off, the one person I'm closest to doesn't get me a lot of times,' he continued. 'I just lost it.' 'I don't remember actually seeing her,' he continued. 'I drank to the point where I didn't even know I was with her. I just gotta take the Instagram Story's word that I was there.' Freak out: 'He went crazy,' she said, 'On me. Like, how dare I have the audacity' Better times: Chad and Annalise have been dating for several months This isn't the first time Chad's violent temper has gotten him into trouble. The reality star first appeared on JoJo Fletcher's season of The Bachelorette in 2016 where he was portrayed as the villain and earned the nickname Bad Chad. He was invited back to Bachelor In Paradise the same year but was given the boot after he got drunk and slung violent threats at fellow cast members. Before hooking up with Annalise, Johnson was rumored to have had a relationship with former Playboy pinup Kendra Wilkinson. PARIS - French authorities on Thursday reported twenty new cases of people infected with the new virus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total in the country to 38, including two deaths. The jump in figures prompted concern as French President Emmanuel Macron warned earlier that the country was bracing for an epidemic. The head of Frances national health agency, Jerome Salomon, said 24 people were in hospital Thursday, while 12 others have been cured. French health authorities have found that 12 of the new patients, including three working on a military base, are all connected to two previous cases in the Oise region, north of Paris: a 60-year-old Frenchman who died this week and another Frenchman who is in intensive care in the northern city of Amiens. French authorities are still trying to determine how they contracted the virus since they did not travel to a risk zone. The man who died this week was a teacher in a middle school in the Oise region. He had not been in contact with schoolchildren for the past two weeks. Amid other new cases are people coming back from Italy and others who take part in a group tour to Egypt. Health Minister Olivier Veran said French authorities priority was now to get the spread of the virus under control, as neighbouring Italy was the site of Europes biggest cluster of cases. The new figures come as French President Emmanuel Macron visited a Paris hospital Thursday and warned that we are facing a crisis, an epidemic that is coming. He later travelled to Naples, in southern Italy, for a bilateral summit. The first death in France was an 80-year-old tourist from China. PUEBLO, Colo. The Army has destroyed about half of the 2,600 tons (about 2,360 metric tons) of mustard agent contained in decades-old shells stored at a southern Colorado chemical depot. Walton Levi, the site project manager of the Pueblo Chemical Depot, made the announcement Wednesday, calling the milestone a tremendous achievement and one that I am very proud to announce and one we all can celebrate. The plant started operating in September 2016 and has eliminated more than 220,000 munitions. The depot is eradicating 780,000 shells filled with thick liquid mustard agent many of them dating to the Cold War under an international treaty banning chemical weapons. Mustard agent, which was first used in World War I, can maim or kill, blistering skin, scarring eyes and inflaming airways. Afghanistan's Ghani Postpones Presidential Inauguration Until March 9 By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan February 26, 2020 Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has postponed his inauguration for his second term until March 9, amid a bitter dispute with his main election rival. The delay was due to "rumors" about the spread of the new coronavirus and the short notice for world leaders to attend the ceremony, Afghanistan's presidential palace said in a statement on February 26, a day before the ceremony was initially scheduled to take place. Last week, Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission declared Ghani the winner of the September 28 national election, but outgoing Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah rejected the long-delayed results, declared his own victory, and said he would form his own government. The U.S. peace envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, welcomed Ghani's decision to postpone his inauguration, saying the delay "will allow time for necessary consultations so that the best interests of Afghanistan and its people are reflected and preserved by the new government." "As the electoral process has concluded, President Ghani, as the declared winner, and other leaders should ensure that the new government is inclusive and reflects the aspirations of all Afghans," he tweeted. Widespread allegations of fraud in Afghanistan's 2014 presidential election led to a political crisis between Ghani and Abdullah that was resolved by a U.S.-brokered power-sharing agreement. Under that deal, Ghani became president, while a new office of chief executive officer was created for Abdullah. The February 26 announcement comes amid a week-long "temporary reduction in violence" agreed by the United States and the Taliban that has been seeking to overthrow the Western-backed government in Kabul. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on February 25 that should the arrangement be observed, Washington was prepared to signed a deal with the Taliban that would lead to a reduction in 13,000 U.S. troops in the country and for unprecedented negotiations between the militants and the Afghan government. The Taliban has so far refused to talk directly with the Kabul government, calling it a puppet of foreign powers. Afghan officials have reported one confirmed case of coronavirus in the country. The disease has infected more than 80,000 people globally, causing over 2,700 deaths, mainly in mainland China, where the virus originated. With reporting by dpa, AFP, Reuters, and Radio Free Afghanistan Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-ghani- postpones-presidential-inauguration -march-9/30456130.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ISLE DE JEAN CHARLES, La. Its all but assumed this island will one day disappear beneath the waves. Perhaps the water will only cover the road, leaving Isle de Jean Charles a Venetian ghost town in Cajun country. Maybe the water will rise higher, or the island will sink lower, and only rooftops will be visible to passing boats and those wondering what used to be here. By then, those who could say will no longer be around to tell. At least, thats the plan. The state of Louisiana is three years into an ambitious $48 million plan to move Isle de Jean Charles residents northward onto the mainland. Most are French-speaking members of the Isle de Jean Charles Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribe, a group of interrelated and indigenous descendants of tribes whose ancestors fled the Trail of Tears and found refuge in the bayous. Since 1955, they've seen the island shrink from 22,000 acres to 320, a loss of 98 percent. Barrier marshland responsible for keeping floodwaters low withered away. Mink and muskrat traps now turn up empty on these ancestral hunting grounds. Land loss and higher storm surges led to an exodus of residents. After Hurricane Barry, more abandoned houses than ever dot the landscape, and it's estimated that less than 50 still reside where a community of 400 once thrived. Those remaining on Isle de Jean Charles have been dubbed the nation's first climate change refugees, a title many in the tribe dislike despite the attention it's garnered their cause. Starting in the '70s and '80s, as storms come in and go out, so do the people, said Chantel Comardelle, secretary for the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribe. And weve noticed a transition away from cultural traditions and a disconnect as a tribal community. If that continues, the culture is lost. Since the topic of resettlement was first broached 20 years ago, Isle de Jean Charles has been the subject of numerous articles, climate change reports, and books. It also inspired the 2012 film "Beasts of the Southern Wild." Story continues Now the world is watching as Louisiana undertakes its first-ever attempt at climate change-fueled resettlement. The state has purchased a sugar cane field 40 miles north as the site of the new community, and Louisiana's Office of Community Development (OCD) has spent the past two years asking residents what would make a federally-funded housing community feel more personal. "We not only want to help carry that culture and sense of community up to the new location. We want it to be so it attracts folks back who had to leave before," said Pat Forbes, the executive director of OCD, which applied for the grant with participation from the tribe. Many hope this will provide a blueprint for the future as rising seas are projected to advance upon more low-lying communities. Louisianians learn in grade school that, on average, a football field of coast is devoured every hour by the hungry tide. In 2013, the NOAA wiped 31 place names from their Louisiana charts. They were placed in the "historical" category. But Isle de Jean Charles presents a unique challenge for Forbes' office. It secured $48 million of federal grant money in 2016, but the plan is no longer supported by tribal leadership, and it's yet to be seen if the new settlement will be the clarion call that reunites a scattered tribe. Houses can be built. Gardens can be replanted. But how do you package a sense of home for an indigenous people that's losing theirs? And how do you make sure it doesnt break in the move? If the resettlement would go 100 percent perfect, theres still a loss and mourning thats going to happen," Comardelle said. You can replace a house. But you cant replace a home. Its water all over the place For outsiders, the road into Isle de Jean Charles is perhaps the first indicator that something is amiss. The narrow, two-lane ribbon of asphalt connecting the island to the mainland sits level with the Gulf. On a windy day, water washes onto the surface from whichever side the gusts blow. During storms, the road disappears beneath the tide entirely. "Whenever high tide comes, we cannot go out. It may not be flooded here on the island, but the road becomes impassable," said Father Roch Naquin, a retired priest and native of the island. Island Road is the only road connecting Isle de Jean Charles to the mainland. Residents say it floods at high tide. The 86-year-old Naquin fondly remembers life before the mainland bridged his home to the outside world. Sitting on the porch of his raised house, gazing at a horizon once blocked by trees, it's what Naquin no longer sees that will be difficult for the state to replace. Pastures of pigs, cows and chickens. Fisherman hauling in the fresh catch. Crops of okra, potatoes, green beans and melon. Among the live oaks and pecan orchards were vines and trees Naquin's father, a traiteur or faith healer, would apply medicinally. But the island is empty now, and Naquin no longer remembers the names of his father's healing herbs. It's been a while since he's had to say them. "We don't have that anymore. Now we just go to the doctor," Naquin said. Hurricane Barry brought eight feet of water to Isle de Jean Charles prompting some to consider if they should stay. Isle de Jean Charles residents were never wealthy, but farming and fishing sustained life on the relatively secluded ridge of marsh. Elders of the tribe love to tell how they didn't learn of the Great Depression until after it had ended. Like many island residents, Father Roch is a direct descendant of Jean Charles Naquin, for whom the island is named. According to the tribe's oral history, life on Isle de Jean Charles bloomed from a forbidden union between Frenchman Jean Marie Naquin and Native American Pauline Verdin. The couple was exiled and moved to the narrow ridge of marsh that Jean Marie named for his father. Four of their children married Indians the tribe's preferred term from various tribes, and the isle's isolation led to the families and tribes blending together over time and forming a tight-knit community. Today, facial features repeat as often as last names, and those born on the island still sprinkle sentences with bits of French. Okra might be "okee gumbo." Those who once hunted pouldeau, a type of waterfowl, will tell you they no longer roost in these waters. Isle de Jean Charles is pronounced "Eel de Jean Shawl." Tulane University linguist Nathalie Dajko began studying south Louisiana French dialects in 2006. Even then, the effects of climate change on the island were apparent. Family photos of Isle de Jean Charles residents no longer matched the backyards where they were taken. Dajko was particularly struck by an encounter in 2008, when she showed a satellite image to a local while helping a colleague search for an Indian burial mound. "They were like, 'This is out of date. This is all water, this is all water. This is so wrong. How old is this picture?'" Dajko said. "It was from 2005. Three years and it was just drastically changed." Isle de Jean Charles wasn't always an island. Residents who didn't want to row a pirogue a flat-bottomed canoe across the water to nearby town Pointe Aux Chenes could take the wagon trail through the marsh if the tide wasn't high. A satellite image from 1963 shows more grass than water. The opposite is true today. "Now all the marsh is gone," Naquin said. "It's water all over the place." While climate change now threatens Naquins home, mankind had a hand in sinking it. Levees built along the Mississippi River after the 1928 Flood Control Act stopped freshwater floods that had kept the marsh alive and the land elevated with fresh, fertile sediment. Around the same time the road was planned, oil companies took interest in the land the government had called "uninhabitable swamp" until 1876 and cut canals around the island. The influx of saltwater killed the marsh grasses. Trees that once offered shelter from hurricane-force winds were turned a skeletal white by the salt. "It let the water in faster and hastened the soil sinking," Naquin said. From then, years became measured in hurricanes and floods. Naquin's family's house stood on two-foot blocks and had never flooded since it was built in 1957. In 1964, Hurricane Hilda put a foot of water in the home for the first time. "And it just continued on, Naquin said. Hurricane Juan came (in 1985) and put a lot of water in the house so I told my mother I think we need to raise the house up a little bit. So we put it on eight-foot blocks and we were okay for a couple of hurricanes. Then Hurricane Lili came in 2002 and it put a couple inches of water in the house. So I said, I guess its time to go higher again. Each hurricane drove more neighbors away. Now Naquin's house sits 11-feet off the ground, and there are fewer people than ever to help rebuild if the water keeps rising. Father Roch's namesake, Saint Roch, is the patron saint of miraculous cures. Even so, the idea of the island being saved is beyond him. His phone still buzzes with requests for prayers though it's been 21 years since his last Sunday sermon. When left alone, he prays for the island, and hopes its residents be open to leaving it. "If there's an opportunity to move to higher ground, common sense says take advantage of it," Naquin said. The planned site of the resettlement community for Isle de Jean Charles residents in Schriever, La. Building a new home The new Isle de Jean Charles will be no isle at all. Instead, it's a 550-acre sugarcane field an hour's drive north of the coast in Schriever, Louisiana. The property, purchased by the state for $11 million this year, has a 0.2 percent chance of flooding, meaning that mathematically, one flood is expected in the area every 500 years. It's the exact plot of land Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribe Chief Albert Naquin chose for the tribe when he began planning a resettlement community in the early 2000s. For the past two years, OCD's resilience policy analyst Jessica Simms has traveled to the island, spending days on porches with Isle de Jean Charles residents willing to leave for a new life. They discussed preferred housing style and spacing. Some residents have begun gathering indigenous plants for the new community. A lake is planned for the new property, though some residents were concerned about learning to fish in freshwater after a life spent in the salt. "What's struck me is the strong attachment to place. The island is how residents know who they are. It's their identity compass, in a way, and the process of making a decision to move off the island...it's probably the most difficult thing they've done," Simms said. Simms and Forbes are not ignorant to the potential for culture shock, even as the state tries to replicate an existing one. "We can't recreate their ability to walk out the backdoor and catch shrimp with a cast net. Not and get them up to a place that's safe where they wanted to be," Forbes said. "The architecture, the plants they have there, the wetlands and water features available, all those things are important. And we're going to do all those things. But it's not going to be like living on the island." But for Chief Naquin, whose resettlement proposal was used in the submission of the state's HUD application, the plan is a far cry from his vision. Four boys sit on a pirogue, a flat-bottomed canoe many Isle de Jean Charles residents used to get to the mainland before Island Road was built in 1953. "I asked for them to take (the tribe) out of the paperwork," Naquin said. "It's the people from the island, but not the tribal community." Elected chief of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribe in 1997, Naquin had first bristled at the thought of mass resettlement. The premise was initially suggested in the early 2000s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which was then planning a 72-mile system of dams, levees and locks designed to protect the coast called the Morganza-to-the-Gulf project. Isle de Jean Charles, which had 277 residents at the time, was not included in the plans. Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District director Jerome Zeringue announced the system would provide hurricane protection "to over 90 percent of the residents and told reporters, There were a few people left out, unfortunately. Naquin wrote the Corps asking the island to be included. When the Corps suggested relocation instead, Naquin was incensed. "History is being relived all over again for the Indian community of the Island," Naquin wrote in a 2002 letter to the Corps. "History has it that Indians were always being relocated to reservations by the white man." But the more Naquin considered the idea, the more it appealed to him. Naquin fled Isle de Jean Charles in 1975 after losing a second home to floodwater. The tribe estimates that 700 of its members are now scattered across south Louisiana. What if Naquin led the charge for a new home? One where every member of the tribe was welcome, where old traditions could be made new away from the greedy arm of the Gulf. There would be a community center with a museum to teach future generations about their ancestors. There would be a store like the one his grandfather used to own on the island where his cousin would play Hank Williams tunes. Sales would support the older members, some of whom live on social security and can't afford mainland property tax, utilities or insurance. That was what Naquin envisioned. When the state received $48 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Naquin thought he had saved his culture and reunited his people. Three years later, he no longer believes that. After more than a decade spent convincing island residents to flee for higher ground, Comardelle said the tribe "is no longer participating" in the resettlement process, and the chief said he is "proud" of those who want to stay. "I want them to stay," Naquin said. "We're not getting what we bargained for. The state took it over and it was supposed to be a model community with a community center with child care, elderly care. A lot of activities so kids can play in a safe environment. But all that kind of got shoved in a hole and we can't get it out. It's very disappointing, actually. I'm very depressed." Rumors of outsiders offering to buy Isle De Jean Charles camps has prompted some to put up signs such as this. A chiefs vision versus a states plan The rift between the state and the tribe formed after the relocation grant was awarded. The OCD discovered that not all occupants of Isle de Jean Charles belonged to Naquin's tribe. A few residents are members of the United Houma Tribe, and one resident is not affiliated with any tribe. While Naquin insists the plan had never been to exclude any island residents, federal law prohibits discrimination against anyone in the building of a housing project, and the state's publicity of the project became less about the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribe and more about those who lived on the island since Hurricane Isaac struck in 2012. SUBSCRIBE: Help support quality journalism like this. Those who met that requirement would get a house in the new community. For anyone who once lived on the island, a lot will be provided as long as they can afford to build a house on the property. In Forbes' mind, the mission had never changed. A threatened community would be rescued from the coast. Those who wanted to stay on Isle de Jean Charles can stay. And the new settlement's vacant lots offered an opportunity for reunion that's been a long time coming. "If we wanted to just move people out of harm's way, we would follow the standard model of buyouts and just give everybody money to buy a house somewhere," Forbes said. "HUD wouldn't have given us money for that. People have done that 1,000 times. What they gave us money for was to not only get folks out of harm's way, but to figure out how to do that in a way that not only helps them maintain the culture of the island, but really start to build it back to what it was before." An Indian house made of mud and palmetto in Fa La, Louisiana. The Isle de Jean Charles Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Tribe says their early homes were similarly constructed. And the state has already been able to apply the lessons learned in the Isle de Jean Charles resettlement. Since plans for the Schriever community began, the state has begun a buyout program for the Pecan Acres community in Pointe Coupee Parish, which has flooded 17 times since the subdivision was built in the late 1970s. All 40 households will move to a new community together. Another perennially flooding community, Silver Leaf in Ascension Parish, is also being relocated. "Isle de Jean Charles is a much bigger objective of trying to reconstitute that community to its own population, culture, sense of community. They have shrunk a great deal. We're trying to build a community that is big enough, vibrant enough and has economic opportunities close enough that we can have people coming back to the community," Forbes said. Naquin and Forbes' goals sound the same. And yet, the chief is convinced his dream of reuniting his tribe in a homestead chosen by his people and for his people has been dashed. Twenty-three families have agreed to move to the settlement, which won't be completed for a few more hurricane seasons. Until then, OCD has used some of the funds to pay for temporary housing for 22 households. Seven families have accepted state assistance, but will build elsewhere rather than live in the planned community. If the state fails to convince enough current and former Isle de Jean Charles residents to fill the lots, they will be opened to the general public. "It's not the material thing. It's the visiting. It's the family ties we used to have that we don't have anymore," Naquin said. "We were trying to get together. And the way the state has it is just going to split us apart more than we are now. "My vision was too great, I guess. Not realistic." Why is Isle de Jean Charles disappearing? A timeline of land loss Whats next The design phase is not expected to be completed until late spring and will be followed by the bidding and building phases. The state expects to send out lawyers over the summer to explain to residents their legal obligations should they move to the new settlement. And here's where the challenges begin for a community that is poor by mainland standards but has historically had little need for money. Most Isle de Jean Charles residents don't pay property taxes, due to the low property value, or flood insurance. Those who accept a house from the state will have to pay both. Forbes said the state is calculating the change in cost of living and is working to find ways to offset new costs with solar panels or energy efficient housing designs, adding, "You have to make sure they can afford to live in a new place." Island Road is the only road connecting Isle de Jean Charles to the mainland. Residents say it floods at high tide. Should a community member find they can't afford it, there would likely be no home on Isle de Jean Charles to return to, whether or not it's taken by the water. Those who accept state assistance are barred from repairing any property they own on Isle de Jean Charles, a common stipulation with federal buyout programs that will ensure the wooden camps fall into disrepair. The road to the island was repaved in 2011, but it was not raised and Terrebonne Parish officials told the tribe the road will not be fixed again. The state has said it will allow former residents to visit Isle de Jean Charles as long as it is accessible, but no government entity will have a hand in prolonging its lifespan. "We have a unique situation here because these are not vacation homes," Forbes said. "This is their ancestral home that we're trying to leave them access to. But at the same time the federal interest is not served by having other people move to this obviously dangerous place to live." This is my home Pushing his bike down Island Road, one hand carrying a bucket and a cast net, Edison Dardar sees no danger. Dardar was born on the island. He made a living catching shrimp from these waters, though he now only catches enough for his family and his cat. His surname goes back centuries, appearing on headstones in the island's lone cemetery and in post-hurricane newspaper clippings, where a Terry Dardar tells a reporter, "I ain't moving. I been living here all my life." It's a mantra Dardar has adopted, even as more lots go empty around him. Isle de Jean Charles resident Edison Dardar casts his net for shrimp. A retired fisherman, seafood is still integral to life on the island and hearkens back to how residents sustained themselves before a road connected them to the mainland. "Why am I going to leave a good place to live in a place I don't know nothing? This is my home. Fish when I want. Holler if I want to holler. They have no shrimp, fish or crabs in their backyard. I do," Dardar said. It doesn't matter if he's approached by government or God. Dardar is content being one of a handful of residents who will not be moved. He doesn't believe the island is shrinking, and he's unphased by the thought he might be wrong. Three times Dardars house has not been where he left it. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew pushed the house off its three-foot risers and into the middle of the road. Before that, Hurricane Camille put the home he built next to his neighbors. We came back, jacked it up. We put it back on the block, Dardar said. There has always been a place to put it back. Edison Dardar works on a porch railing damaged by Hurricane Barry on Isle de Jean Charles on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019. Two months ago, Dardar vowed not to leave his home as Hurricane Barry lumbered close to shore. The next day, Dardar found himself hanging from a Coast Guard helicopter, watching his island sink beneath the eight-foot surge. Again, he was able to return. But even as that becomes less of a guarantee, Dardar is content to enjoy Isle de Jean Charles until the ocean swallows it whole. On this particular morning, Dardar is working to repair a porch railing damaged by Barry. The storm swept away his front steps and shook most of the unripe persimmons from his tree, but otherwise, his house is still safe on its 12-foot stilts. "When I need insurance on a 12-foot house, then it's time to go," Dardar said. As is his routine, Dardar eventually stops working, grabs his bucket, climbs onto his bike, and pedals to the dock where he tosses his cast net every day. As he nears the road leading into the island, he passes a clock tacked to a utility post. It features a portrait of The Last Supper above the clock face, and the hands have stopped ticking. "Nobody knows when Isle de Jean Charles is going to go. Only God knows that," Dardar said. I got a grandpa buried in the cemetery over there. Thats my dream. This is my home. News tips? Questions? Call reporter Andrew Yawn at 334-240-0121 or email him at ayawn@gannett.com. Climate collision: Loss and survival in a changing world Across America, the jobs and traditions, cultural touchstones and ways of living that have defined our communities are changing fast. A warming planet is reordering how we live and how we see ourselves. Its putting our homelands and historic sites underwater, disrupting how we harvest crops, catch fish and raise livestock. Its raising our risks of diseases and disrupting how we run our businesses and cities. As the planet changes, Americans are changing with it. Some will reinvent old ways to survive in a new world. Others wont have time, or space, to adapt. Their livelihoods, histories and homes will become the climates casualties. All year, the USA TODAY Network explores America, from its inundated coasts to its peaks of melting snow, to reveal these stories of change. These are the climates casualties and its survivors. This story was published in partnership with The American South, your source for journalism that exposes the wrongs and celebrates whats right about the region. This article originally appeared on The American South: Climate refugees: Isle de Jean Charles tribe searches for new home Megan Thee Stallion Speaks on Working With Pharrell, Her New Project Suga & Dealing With Celebrity Gossip Robyn Mowatt Robyn Mowatt is a staff writer at Okayplayer where she The Texas rapper expresses her thoughts on her late mother, dating gossip and more in her latest interview. Megan Thee Stallion has been experiencing one of the most successful runs the music industry has seen in quite some time. For carving out that path and garnering cult fans along the way, she recently was crowned as a cover star on Rolling Stones latest digital issue. In a new interview for the publication, she candidly shares her perspective on celebrity gossip, chasing her degree and what its been like juggling touring. In the feature written by Charles Holmes, Megan breaks down how she is at times bothered by misogynistic celebrity gossip. People think that if Im hanging out with anybody, it got to be, Oh, theyre having sex. Why cant I just be turnt up with my friend tonight? She expands on this by sharing: I have a little anxiety, because Im still going through the grief from losing my mother and my grandmother. Then I have to get on the internet and see these motherfuckers talking about me? That shit really be pissing me off sometimes. When touching on the losses of both her mother and her grandmother in 2019 she expresses: My mama is a very strong woman. She raised me to be super strong. If I got the platform to spread positivity, Im gonna do it. Its not hard to believe that Megan turned her rough moments into what many would begin referring to as a Hot Girl Summer. These significant deaths also serve as inspiration behind why she is still in school despite the non-stop traveling she does for performances, shoots and more. Elsewhere in the interview, Megan expresses that she plans to release her upcoming project Suga on May 2, her mothers birthday. The Neptunes, SZA and Kehlani are also confirmed collaborators for the release. She actually flew down to Miami to record alongside Pharrell who nicknamed her Megan Thee Machine due to her tireless work ethic. I would go in and write a song and the beat would sound one way, but by the time he gets done to it, its a whole new song, she added. Head over to Rolling Stones website to read the feature. Description GIS - 27 February, 2020: A total of 16 families eligible under the Full Concrete Housing (FCH) Unit Scheme, from across Mauritius, received yesterday, keys of their housing units. The Permanent Secretary of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity and Economic Empowerment, Mrs Rajwantee Ramrukheea was present on that occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Ramrukheea indicated that Government is putting a lot of emphasis on alleviating the poor conditions of living of people who are at the lower rung of the social ladder. She pointed out that owning a house symbolically represents an important part of the life of each and every citizen, contributing to the welfare of the family. She further indicated that as at date 136 FCH housing units have already been completed, out of which 120 units have already been handed over to beneficiaries. The FCH project, a joint collaboration of the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF) and the Ministry of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment, has as objectives to provide decent housing units of 50 m2 to vulnerable families. These housing units is among the various governmental measures to eradicating poverty and improving the quality of life of vulnerable members of the society. They are equipped with all the necessary facilities, amenities, security and a harmonious environment where beneficiaries can live an active and healthy life in better conditions. 2.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Trump never told his HHS Secretary Alex Azar that he was replacing him with Mike Pence as the leader of the Coronavirus response. The Washington Post reported: Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, who has been leading the coronavirus task force, was blindsided by the White House decision to put Vice President Pence in charge of the response to the virus outbreak, according to five people familiar with the situation, who said Azar learned of the decision only moments before the Wednesday evening press conference. Pence is scheduled to run a coronavirus task force at HHS on Thursday, two sources familiar with the plans said. One senior administration official said Pence was going to HHS to lead the meeting, instead of the White House, as a show of support to Azar. Somebody had to take the fall for the stock market plummet, and Trump decided that Mike Pence is the person who can reassure Wall Street. The problem is that the decision to replace Azar with Pence is the latest to reveal that Trump is everything that Wall Street hates. Trump is chaos, instability, and erratic decisionmaking. Trump doesnt have the guts to tell his own staff when they are being demoted. Mike Pence isnt going to lead a market rally. Suddenly, deciding that Pence is the guy to run the Coronavirus response does not make Trump look competent and in charge. A pandemic is looming, and Trump is showing that he is in completely over his head. In this Feb. 22, 2020, file photo, a police officer stands guard by the Fairview Development Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., after if was announced that the center may be used to house coronavirus patients. (Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register via AP) Californias Orange County Declares Local Health Emergency Over New Coronavirus Orange County, California, declared a local health emergency on Feb. 26 in response to the new coronavirus but said there are no confirmed cases in the county. Orange County Health Officer Nichole Quick said at a press conference that the global outbreak of the coronavirus is a rapidly evolving situation. The declaration lets the county be nimble and flexible in responding to the potential community spread of the new virus, Quick said. One example of the powers it bestows: county officials can ask for mutual aid from surrounding counties and/or state or federal partners if they run out of resources. The declaration gives Quick all the tools necessary to deal with the threat of an outbreak, including enabling her to take any action necessary to control any potential epidemic, added Orange County Vice Chairman Andrew Do. Donald Wagner, the county supervisor, said in a statement that the 60 confirmed cases in the United States led to the declaration, not because I necessarily believe the public is in more danger, but because the federal and state governments refuse to give us enough information to discharge our public health responsibilities. In this Feb. 22, 2020 file photo, Mary Cahill, left, leaves a news conference where officials discussed the proposal for housing coronavirus patients at the Fairview Development Center in Costa Mesa, Calif. (Mindy Schauer/The Orange County Register via AP, File) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said this week that Americans should plan for community spread of the new virus. Thats when patients become infected from a local source. Most patients in the United States became infected in China or Japan and were isolated after arriving in the country. The first case of possible community spread was announced on Wednesday. Orange County is at the center of a conflict with the federal government. Authorities wanted to transfer dozens of people who tested positive to the Fairview Development Center but a federal judge temporarily blocked the plan after Costa Mesa filed a legal request. Do told reporters that the declaration would have been made even if the Fairview situation hadnt happened, citing the CDC warnings. When you have the CDC saying its just a matter of when and the warnings were very, right, graphic in that our daily lives will be significantly impacted, Do said. Those are not easy things, things that the CDC say passively, usually. So when they have to describe the situation in those urgent terms, we take those things seriously. Community workers and volunteers wearing face masks sort and pack groceries from a supermarket purchased through group orders after supermarkets stopped selling to individuals, in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Hubei Province, China, on Feb. 24, 2020. (China Daily via Reuters) He noted that a Korean Air flight attendant diagnosed with the virus in South Korea may have worked on a flight into and out of Los Angeles International Airport. But there are no current incidents in the county, Do added. A patient reported around a month ago has recovered. The new virus, which causes a disease called COVID-19, emerged in China in December 2019. It has symptoms similar to the flu, including coughing, a fever, and a headache. There is no vaccine or proven treatment. Experts say ways to avoid the virus include frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding sick people, and not touching ones nose, eyes, and mouth with unwashed hands. People who show symptoms are asked to contact the authorities and may be asked to self-isolate at home or go to the hospital. Officials do not know how easily the virus is transmitted between people. The incubation period is currently estimated at two to 14 days. The United States declared COVID-19 a public health emergency on Jan. 31. U.S. officials have been funneling travelers from China to 11 airports. Some 46,016 have been screened as of Feb. 23, according to the CDC. Eleven of those were referred to a hospital and tested for the virus and one tested positive. Non-U.S. citizens traveling from China are blocked from entering the United States under the declaration. For the first time, a team of scientists at the University of Central Florida has created functional nanomaterials with hollow interiors that can be used to create highly sensitive biosensors for early cancer detection. Xiaohu Xia, an assistant professor of chemistry with a joint appointment in the NanoScience Technology Center, and his team developed the new method and recently published their work in the journal ACS Nano. "These advanced hollow nanomaterials hold great potential to enable high-performance technologies in various areas," says Xia. "Potentially we could be talking about a better and less expensive diagnostic tool, sensitive enough to detect biomarkers at low concentrations, which could make it invaluable for early detection of cancers and infectious diseases." Because hollow nanomaterials made of gold and silver alloys display superior optical properties, they could be particularly good for developing better test strip technology, similar to over-the-counter pregnancy tests. Currently the technology used to indicate positive or negative symbols on the test stick is not sensitive enough to pick up markers that indicate certain types of cancer. But Xia's new method of creating hollow nanomaterials could change that. More advance warning could help doctors save more lives. In conventional test strips, solid gold nanoparticles are often used as labels, where they are connected with antibodies and specifically generate color signal due to an optical phenomenon called localized surface plasmon resonance. Under Xia's technique, metallic nanomaterials can be crafted with hollow interiors. Compared to the solid counterparts, these hollow nanostructures possess much stronger LSPR activities and thus offer more intense color signal. Therefore, when the hollow nanomaterials are used as labels in test strips they can induce sensitive color change, enabling the strips to detect biomarkers at lower concentrations. Test-strip technology gets upgraded by simply replacing solid gold nanoparticles with the unique hollow nanoparticles, while all other components of a test strip are kept unchanged. Just like the pregnancy test, the new test strip can be performed by non-skilled persons, and the results can be determined with the naked eye without the need of any equipment. These features make the strip extremely suitable for use in challenging locations such as remote villages." Xiaohu Xia, an assistant professor of chemistry, UCF The UCF study focused on prostate-specific antigen, a biomarker for prostate cancer. The new test strip based on hollow nanomaterials was able to detect PSA as low as 0.1 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL), which is sufficiently sensitive for clinical diagnostics of prostate cancer. The published study includes electron microscope images of the metallic hollow nanomaterials. "I hope that by providing a general and versatile platform to engineer functional hollow nanomaterials with desired properties, new research with the potential for other applications beyond biosensing can be launched," Xia says. Collaborators on the study include Zhuangqiang Gao, Zheng Xi, Haihang Ye, Zhiyuan Wei and Shikuan Shao from UCF's chemistry department; Qingxiao Wang and Moon J. Kim from the University of Texas at Dallas, and Dianyong Tang from Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences in China. Gao and Xi are postdoctoral scholars in Xia's lab, partially funded through UCF's Preeminent Postdoctoral Program. The study was partially funded through a National Science Foundation CAREER grant (CHE-1834874). Xia, who has a joint appointment at the NanoScience Technoloyg Center, has multiple degrees in biomedical engineering and worked at Georgia Tech as a postdoctoral fellow and at Michigan Tech as an assistant professor before joining UCF in 2018. He has published more than 50 journal articles and has more than 5,800 citations. He has received multiple grants and presented around the world. She's one of the highest paid models in the business. And Doutzen Kroes showed why she's been raking in the big bucks as she posed for a lingerie campaign with Hunkemoller. The Dutch supermodel, 35, looked sensational in her Doutzen Stories campaign, which saw her model a variety of skimpy garments. Worth it: She's one of the highest paid models in the business. And Doutzen Kroes showed why she's been raking in the big bucks as she posed for a lingerie campaign with Hunkemoller In one striking shot, the mother-of-two modelled a skimpy black bra and briefs that highlighted her enviably toned abs. Another eye-catching snap saw Doutzen slip into a baby pink bustier and suspenders that complemented her tanned complexion. Towering stiletto heels added yet more height to her model frame, whilst her glossy golden locks were styled in bouncy curls. Lovely in lingerie: The Dutch supermodel, 35, looked sensational in her Doutzen Stories campaign, which saw her model a variety of skimpy garments Blonde bombshell: In one striking shot, the mother-of-two modelled a skimpy black bra and briefs that highlighted her enviably toned abs Legs eleven! Doutzen looked phenomenal as she posed up a storm for the sexy photoshoot Doutzen began her modelling career in 2003, and is said to be one of the highest-paid models, with an estimated income of more than $5 million per year. Back in 2014, she came in second on the Forbes top-earning models list, estimated to have earned $8 million in one year. Style maven Doutzen was a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2008 to 2014, and in 2013 she made history as the first model to land four different solo international covers of Vogue's September issue in a single year. Striking: Another eye-catching snap saw Doutzen slip into a baby pink bustier and suspenders that complemented her tanned complexion Ab fab: Doutzen showcased her toned abs and lean legs in a sexy cut-away bodysuit Experience: Doutzen is used to modelling lingerie after working as a Victoria's Secret Angel The supermodel balances her modelling feats with raising her children Myllena Mae Gorre, five, and Phyllon Joy Gorre, nine. She brings up her children with husband Sunnery James, whom she married in November 2010 in Eastermar, Netherlands. Doutzen admitted last year that she has been taking extra care of her skin because she wants to 'age beautifully'. The blonde beauty told Vogue: 'You know, you take advantage of having anything good in your life and my skin has always been good. But obviously Im ageing and want to take care of [it] so I age beautifully.' Nagpur, Feb 27 : A day after an ugly spat erupted between the ruling Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party over Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis' "bangles' remarks, a Sena leader on Thursday knocked the doors of RSS for help. In a detailed Facebook post, Vasantrao Naik Sheti Swavlamban Mission (VNSSM) President Kishore Tiwari has urged the intervention of RSS to stop the Fadnavis couple from creating unnecessary political controversies which are spoiling relations among "like-minded Hindutva parties in Maharashtra and other parts of India". Posting a copy of the letter penned to RSS General Secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Tiwari has referred to the "bangles' remarks of Fadnavis and later his celeb-banker wife Amruta jumping into the fracas by suggesting that state Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray was a "worm" in a social media post. "Aditya Thackeray responded in a polite and sober manner demanding an apology from Fadnavis for his 'disgraceful' remarks as bangles are worn by the strongest of all, the women. Amruta Fadnavis hit back by saying 'a cocooned worm will never understand the 'pun' of life! Its meant to thrive on the glory of the silken life woven for its comforts by its ancestors'," he cited in the letter. The controversy between the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the BJP was highlighted first by IANS on Wednesday. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received Defense Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili on February 27, who is in Armenia on an official visit. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, welcoming the visit of the Georgian Defense Minister and his delegation to Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan emphasized the importance of the continuous development of the Armenian-Georgian strategic relations. Pm Pashinyan noted that defense partnership is one of the key components of bilateral partnership and attached great importance to the the bilateral cooperation plan for 2020 signed on February 27 between the MoDs of the two countries. Irakli Garibashvili noted that he is glad to visit friendly Armenia again, a country with which Georgia has close friendly and firm partnering relations. He expressed satisfaction for the cooperation with the Armenian Defense Minister and the meeting with him during which cooperation plan for 2020 was signed. The interlocutors discussed issues related to bilateral relations, including in the defense sphere. Pashinyan and Garibashvili emphasized that the two peoples are linked with centuries-old historical, cultural ties and Christian values, which serve as firm basis for the deepening of the friendly cooperation. Referring to the challenges for regional security, Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Garibashvili exchanged views on peaceful settlements of conflicts and highlighted joint efforts for achieving them. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Several WhatsApp groups and role of people from outside Delhi is under the scanner in connection with the recent incidents of violence in the north-eastern part of the capital, sources said. Delhi Police has registered 18 FIRs and 106 people have been arrested in connection with the violence in North-East Delhi. "The build-up to violence started on Monday morning. Phones that have been seized revealed that proper mobilisation was being done. Chats include for stones to be brought at Maujpur, Babarpur, Chand Bagh and Kardampuri. Moreover, hate speeches, rumour-mongering and plan for attacks were discussed," sources said. "Apart from locals, police has found outsiders, from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, came in numbers and participated in the violence. Only on Tuesday evening, borders were sealed," sources added. Sharing details regarding the use of weapons, sources informed that rounds were exchanged on Monday and Tuesday. They said that not only police came under attack from heavy stone-pelting, but protestors also used country-made revolvers in several places. Intelligence Bureau Officer Ankit Sharma's body was also recovered from the Chand Bagh area here on Wednesday. Delhi Police has formed a special team to probe Sharma's murder case. "He was beaten and tortured. Before dumping him in a drain, a stone was used to beat him," sources said. "Apart from rioting, looting and robbery took place at several places and involvement of local gangs is being looked into," sources further said. At least 28 people, including a police head constable, have died, while around 200 people have sustained injuries in the violence that raged for three days in North-East Delhi. Properties worth crores of rupees have been damaged in the arson. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Many endangered species on Earth are on the verge of being extinct and little is being done to fix that problem. With the death of the lone golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) that inhibited the Umananda (originally called Bhashmachal) Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra in Assam, the species has become extinct on the island. Twitter According to the Assam Tribune, the exact cause of Langurs death is yet to ascertained and maybe answers will emerge after a postmortem. However, some conservationists think that a physical ailment, prolonged loneliness and depression suffered by the primate might have played a major role in shortening its life. Golden langurs are critically-endangered species that are endemic to Bhutan and some parts of western Assam. It is one of the most endangered species of India, is closer to extinction. Twitter The habitat of Umananda is not suitable for the golden langur, primarily a leaf-eater. While it does get its share of fruits from those offered by devotees to the temple, it also feeds on items such as bread, cake, biscuits, etc. which it is not supposed to consume. Inbreeding had been another persistent issue detrimental to their health, the Assam Tribune quoted a Forest official as saying. Till some years ago the river island had a healthy population of golden langur but it plummeted to just five in some time. After the death of two others, the forest department relocated three golden langurs to the Assam state zoo in 2011. Twitter According to a report the government has initiated several efforts to protect and preserve the 500 Golden Langurs (2019 census) that are left in Assam. The declining population of the langurs is also a result of declining food reserves and increasing incidents of human-animal conflict. Cashless tolls and two new bridges with wider lanes are getting the credit for a 57% drop in crashes at the Goethals Bridge. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey officials announced the findings Wednesday, based on a comparison of 2014 and 2019 crash rates that showed a drop from 5.37 crashes per million vehicles to 2.29 crashes last year. Individual crashes dropped from 149 crashes in 2014, prior to construction of the new twin span, to 81 crashes in 2019, officials said. The first of the twin bridges opened in 2017. The reduction in crashes occurred despite an increase in traffic by more than 7 million vehicles on the Goethals last year. The Port Authoritys three Staten Island crossings have cashless tolls where traffic doesnt stop to pay tolls, but passed under gantries with cameras and E-Z Pass readers. A bill for the toll is sent to the owners of vehicles without an E-Z Pass account. Plans call for the Port Authority to roll out cashless tolling at the agencys three Hudson River crossings by 2021. One approach from the Palisades Parkway to the George Washington Bridge has already been converted to cashless tolls. Officials also credited the wider 12-foot lanes and shoulders on the new Goethals Bridge for also reducing the overall crash rate for drivers and improving response time when there is a crash. Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. 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 An Oklahoma atheist group is fighting back against a bill that could require all Oklahoma state buildings to display the national motto, In God We Trust. Earlier this week, House Speaker Charles McCall sponsored the bill that was approved 6-1 in the House Rules Committee, according to Fox News. It will advance to the House floor and if passed and signed into law, it will take effect on November 1. But critics of the bill, American Atheists, believe the new law could hurt the state. It sends the harmful message to atheists, agnostics, Buddhists, Hindus and other polytheists that they are unwelcome in Oklahoma, said American Atheists Oklahoma State Director Tim Ward. First Liberty Institute, a religious freedom advocacy group, responded to the complaint, saying the motto would bring unity to the state and country. Despite the claims of the perpetually offended, there are few things in our country today more unifying across the cultural and political spectrum than our national motto, said Roger Byron, senior counsel at First Liberty. During a time of confusion and division in our nation, the Oklahoma House is right to provide a visible reminder of a common state and national heritage. The signs would cost more than $85,000 of taxpayer money. Oklahoma isnt the first state to introduce a bill pushing forward the national motto. As previously reported by the Associated Press, Kansas has pushed to place In God We Trust on government buildings and schools, though it has faced pushback from the community and Democratic lawmakers. These bills are not innocuous. Theyre part of a larger strategy, said American Atheists spokesman Tom Van Denburgh. A lot of these campaigns are focusing on children. I mean, if you put In God We Trust in schools, youre trying to essentially indoctrinate them. Meanwhile, South Dakota found success. As of last year, all public schools in the states 149 districts must display the phrase in at least a 12 inches by 12 inches poster. Photo courtesy: Public Domain/U.S. Capitol Mikaela Mathews is a freelance writer and editor based in Dallas, TX. She was the editor of a local magazine and a contributing writer for the Galveston Daily News and Spirit Magazine. Turkish experts will come to Ukraine in the coming days to select sites for the construction of 500 apartments for displaced persons from Crimea within the framework of agreements between the presidents of Ukraine and Turkey. "I and President of Turkey Erdogan agreed to construct 500 apartments for Crimean displaced persons. In the coming days, the Turkish side comes to Ukraine to select the sites for construction," President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said at the Age of Crimea forum dedicated to the Day of Crimea's Resistance to Russian Occupation, an Ukrinform correspondent reported. He added that the state also needed to fight for Ukrainian youth living in Crimea, to facilitate their access to educational services and help settle down in Ukraine. During his visit to Kyiv on February 3, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would help Ukraine provide housing for about 500 Crimean Tatars. ol 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 deadly coronavirus epidemic will cost world tourism at least $22 billion owing to a drop in spending by Chinese tourists, the head of the World Travel and Tourism Council said Thursday. The COVID-19 epidemic has killed more than 2,760 people, mostly in China -- where it first emerged in December -- and infected more than 81,000 in over 45 countries. "It is too soon to know but the WTTC has made a preliminary calculation in collaboration with (research firm) Oxford Economics which estimates that the crisis will cost the sector at least $22 billion," Gloria Guevara told El Mundo daily. "This calculation is based on the experience of previous crises, such as SARS or H1N1, and is based on losses deriving from Chinese tourists who have not been travelling in recent weeks," she said. "The Chinese are the tourists who spend most when they travel." The loss figure, which equates to about 20.2 billion euros, is the most optimistic scenario envisaged by the study which was published on February 11 by Oxford Economics, taking the hypothesis of a 7.0 percent drop in overseas trips by Chinese nationals. But the losses could more than double, reaching as much as $49 billion if the crisis lasts as long as the SARS outbreak, which erupted in November 2002 and was brought under control in July 2003. And it could spiral to $73 billion if it lasted longer than that, Oxford Economics said. The economies most likely to suffer would be those most dependent on Chinese tourism, such as Hong Kong and Macau, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines, researchers found. On Wednesday, the WTO urged countries to avoid taking health measures that would cause "unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade" saying travel restrictions needed to be proportionate to ensure they did not have "negative repercussions on the tourism sector". Even as President Donald Trump sought to reassure the American public that the risk for the spread of coronavirus in the United States remains low, school districts are likely to be on the front lines in efforts to limit its impact. Trump, who announced Wednesday night that Vice President Mike Pence will now oversee the federal governments efforts to respond to coronavirus, said he believes that American schools should be prepared to respond. I think schools should be preparing, Trump said in a response to a reporters question in the Wednesday night news conference. Get ready just in case. Warnings earlier this week from federal health officials that the spread of coronavirus was inevitable in the U.S. has put many school officials on urgent notice. Within hours of the warnings from officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Daniel Domenech, the president of the AASA, the School Superintendents Association, was fielding calls and emails from superintendents seeking more information on what they should do. The superintendents, as you can imagine, are very nervous and very concerned about this, Domenech said. They are not health specialists, and, certainly, they are not specialists in epidemiology. They are looking for concrete details from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to respond, what to communicate to parents, when to actually shut down a school system if that becomes necessary, and other factors they should consider, Domenech said. Its definitely something thats keeping them awake at night, Domenech said. Are they prepared for it? Right now, they are operating on their own instincts, waiting for information on what to do and when to do it. During the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak in 2009, the AASA acted as a conduit of health information between districts and the CDC, sharing health updates and guidance from the federal agency with all superintendents and then sending back information from districts on things like suspected cases of infections and school closures related to the swine flu, Domenech said. Domenech contacted the CDC on Tuesday, and he expected to receive guidance from the agency late Wednesday, which will be distributed to districts, he said. The risk of contracting coronavirus in the U.S. remains low, according to health officials. As of Wednesday afternoon, about 60 cases had been confirmed in the country, with 15 of them detected in the country. Some Districts Are Not Waiting on Feds In the absence of concrete federal directives over the last month, districts have been working with the state and local health officials to come up with guidelines for students and families. Some have already canceled overseas tripsor declared a moratorium on study abroad programs. Theyve developed online and take-home resources for students and parents on healthy practices to prevent spread of the flu, such as regularly washing hands for at least 20 seconds, coughing into elbows, and staying home if they feel sick. Many districts have direct links to the CDCs website an as additional resource to their school communities. The Seattle district, for example, noted on its website that it was working with the county public health department and the city to share the most current health information with its community. And the district stressed that although the coronavirus started in China, having Chinese ancestryor any other Asian ancestrydoes not place a person at higher risk for this illness. The district has a large Asian student enrollment. A spokeswoman for San Francisco Unified said the district, through letters and information on its website, has shared tips with families and staff on preventing the spread of illness, along with the CDC guidance on self-quarantine. And in the San Diego school district, officials had posted clear directives for how school staff should approach students and employees who recently traveled to China. For example, students or staff whove recently traveled to China should be excluded from school only if that person has signs of a respiratory illness. Robust Plans in Some Districts The Miami-Dade County district was already moving ahead with preparation efforts long before the statement from the federal health officials. Shortly after it became clear in January that the coronavirus was spreading in China, Miami-Dade officials pulled out their pandemic plan, which the district has had since the early 2000s, and started updating it, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said. Education and prevention messages have been prevalent in the district since January, including on its website, social media, and messaging to parents, Carvalho said. I thought that it took a while for educational entities to be brought into this important narrative nationally, he said. If you think of one entity in most communities across America where you have large concentrations of individuals congregate periodically, every single day, and then go back to their respective communities, from a biological perspective, that should automatically ring an alarm bell in terms of preparation. Tips on good handwashing and hygiene techniques are posted in the districts more than 400 schools. A section on coronavirus can be found on its website. Since reviewing its pandemic plan, the district has added more hand sanitizer throughout the system, especially in places like the cafeterias and gymnasiums where large groups of students congregate. Sanitizers will be added to school busesthe first point of contact with the school system for many in the systemand at building entrances and exits. In a situation where a student shows symptoms of the flu or coronavirus, the district can deploy a robotic tele-health deviceessentially an iPad on a mobile platformthe schools nurse can use to connect with medical experts at St. Nicklaus Childrens Hospital to help with remote diagnosis. The mobile devices will eliminate layers of communication and help the district and school official make critical decisions as quickly as possible, if necessary, Carvalho said. The district got the devices years ago, and is now looking to get some more, Carvalho said. We did it especially for cases like these, Carvalho said. In the event of a flu, [where] three or four cases report to the office with the same types of symptoms, it is important to have a face-to-face conversation with health officials. And, more important than that, is the remote ability to be able to diagnose via a school clinic, through a nurse, who can in real time upload the results through this technology to hospitals. Thats going to be very, very helpful to us in Miami-Dade. The districts experiences with hurricanesincluding instances where its had to shut down for long periods but keep classes goingputs it in a good position to continue students learning if schools must be closed, he said. The district has a 1:1 program, with devices that come with internet access for high school students who live in poor communities. It also has access to content from Florida Virtual School, which is grade and age appropriate and aligned to standards. Its not going to be an exact replacement between that direct face-to-face interaction between [the teacher] and pupil, Carvalho said, but it is an alternative that will provide continuity of educational opportunity with these students. Less than ideal, but we do have the capacity and the means to do it. Moving ahead, the district will soon add three- to five-minute lessons on coronavirus that will be delivered in class to tell students what they can do to prevent the spread of the illness and what they should do if they have symptoms. Theres also telephone messages to parents and PSAs that Carvalho filmed. I really do believe in times like these, part of the preparation is effective communicationcreate a groundswell of information and awareness out to the community, he said. The district has also cancelled trips abroad, many of which were scheduled for countries that are now impacted by the virus. And its made changes to the way it registers newly enrolling studentsthey are now registered at one of two special sites where nurses can screen for illnesses. And students who arrive from countries with known outbreaks may be asked additional health questions, Carvalho said. Common-Sense Approaches With high turnover in superintendents offices, this will be the first potential epidemic that many will be facing, Domenech said. And the needs may differ from community to community. Those in rural communities, where healthcare may not be as readily available, superintendents will have to take that into consideration. And while technology has improved drastically in recent years making it easier for districts to continue classes even if schools are physically closed, access to computers and the internet vary from community to community. While money may be a concern as schools ramp up prevention efforts, Domenech said that will not be the primary worry for district leaders. I assure you they will do whatever needs to be done, Domenech said. I dont want to go as far as saying, budgets be damned. But when it comes to making decisions about the lives of kids, they will make those decisionsbudgets be damned. Districts also have to strike the right balance in their responses to avoid creating unwarranted fear and panic. There are things that need to be done now, and others that will become necessary as the need arises, Carvalho said. For example, the district may have to consider eliminating or having fewer and smaller assemblies, staggering dismissal times so that there are fewer number of students leaving and entering at the same time, and increasing the frequency of cleaning. In conditions like these, there is a delicate balance between awareness, information, preparation, avoidance and quite frankly over stimulating a concern that can lead to a certain degree of unwarranted fear, he said. We dont want that. We want to strike a balance. Still, Carvalho said school officials were already thinking about the preventative efforts that federal health officials mentioned on Tuesday. They were practical, common-sense approaches. I cannot think of any one element of information specifically the guidance to schools that we had not contemplated over the past two months, Carvalho said. And I would dare say that most of my colleagues across the country would feel the same waythat this is what we prepare for, whether it is a hurricane, an outbreak, a lockdown of the school where you have to aggregate or separate studentsWe prepare and drill for that. This is a different type of circumstance, obviously, but its one within our radar of possibilities. Geneva, Feb 28 : WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that the world is at a "decisive point" to tackle the coronavirus outbreak as new cases outside China have outnumbered the new cases reported in the Asian country. "We are at a decisive point," Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO) was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency on Thursday. "For the past two days, the number of new cases reported in the rest of the world has exceeded the number of new cases in China." "And in the past 24 hours, seven countries have reported cases for the first time: Brazil, Georgia, Greece, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan and Romania," he added. The WHO chief explained that by referring it as a "decisive point," he was underlining both sides of a coin. On the positive side, he said, there's the signal that "when you do containment measure like China is doing, you can actually see a decline in the cases and ultimately it can be contained". On the other side, the increase of cases in the rest of the world, especially in Iran, Italy and South Korea, is bad news, he said. "Then the two (sides) combined, it shows that we are actually in a very delicate situation where the outbreak can go in any direction, based on how we handle it," he warned. The WHO chief reiterated his call for all countries to act aggressively and swiftly. "Aggressive, early measures can prevent transmission before the virus gets a foothold." he said. A STUDENTS' Union has asked people to "consider their attendance" at a ball in Limerick if they have travelled to coronavirus-affected areas. An official with Mary Immaculate College Students' Union issued an email to students this Thursday morning in relation to the MIC Ball that is taking place in Limerick city this Thursday evening. There are no confirmed cases in Ireland, which is one of many countries in Europe that has not been hit by the virus following outbreaks in China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. The event is not cancelled, and the email was sent as a "precaution". The official has asked students not to be alarmed by the communication. The MICSU official wrote: "Dear student, in advance of tonights MIC Ball we would ask you all to be mindful of the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 across Europe. As you know there have been no confirmed cases in Ireland to date but we would ask students who have been to the following areas and who may have come into contact with the virus to consider their attendance at tonights ball China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Iran, Japan, Tenerife, [and] the following regions in Italy - Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna or Piedmont." He also asked students to consider their attendance if they have, in the past 14 days, been in contact with a Covid-19-positive patient, or If in the past 14 days, an individual has attended a hospital/healthcare facility where patients with novel coronavirus are being treated. "Please do not take any unnecessary alarm from this email it is simply a responsible and precautionary measure due to the large volume of people who will be in attendance at the event. We hope you enjoy your night." Mohammed Sahil had brought his 50-year-old wounded father to the GTB Hospital on a motorcycle two days ago, but on Thursday evening, he collected his body wrapped in a starch-white shroud. Tears trickled down his cheeks as Parvez Alam's body was wheeled into an ambulance on way to Muzaffarnagar, the deceased's native place. A grieving Sahil had been waiting anxiously at the GTB Hospital for the last two days and doctors handed over the body after conducting post-mortem. The death toll in Delhi's worst riots in more than three decades climbed to 38 on Thursday as the violence ebbed but did not subside completely and thousands of people began picking up the pieces of their shattered lives and livelihoods. Asked where would he bury his father, Sahil said, "We have got 'walid sahab's' (father's) body, and we are taking it to Muzaffarnagar." "Our relatives are afraid to come to Delhi, so we are taking him to Muzaffarnagar, where the burial will take place," the 26-year-old told PTI. Alam was born in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh but had migrated to Delhi. He had a garage in Civil Lines initially and then moved to Wazirabad, his son recalled. "People, Hindus and Muslims, knew my father. He always stood for social harmony. But, all he got in return from society was a bullet in his back," Sahil said. Recalling the horror, Sahil, a resident of north Gonda area, said his father ran a garage and was trying to pacify people from both the communities to not engage in violence. "As he stood near the door of our home last night, a bulled hit him in the back, and he collapsed. We ran after we saw him on the ground," the weeping son recalled. But, that was only the beginning of horror, says Sahil, who assisted his father in running the garage. "We called 100 number for police but got no response, we tried emergency ambulance number, but again in vain. We then tried to reach out to police, but they did not help us," Sahil alleged. The northeast Delhi resident said he then requested a friend to "lend me his scooty" to travel to the GTB Hospital, about 5-6 km from his residence. At the mortuary at the hospital, scenes of grieving family members added to the sombre ambience. Bihar native Deepak Kumar, 34, who worked in a manufacturing unit in Gokulpuri in northeast Delhi was also among the victims. Ajay Kumar, his brother wept as he collected Deepak's body, wrapped in white shroud, from the morgue. "We belong to Ara district. I and Deepak had moved to Delhi to make a living. Deepak's wife and children are back home in Bihar. A bolt of lightning has fallen on us. What will I tell to his wife," Ajay said, before leaving for Ara in an ambulance that carried his brother's body. Azra Khatun too was inconsolable outside the mortuary of the GTB Hospital, as she waited to receive the body of her nephew, Ashfaq Hussain (22), an Indira Vihar resident, who was killed during the communal violence in northeast Delhi. "Hussain got married to Tasneem on February 14 and we were very happy, but fate snatched him from us," Azra said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 14:51:48|Editor: yhy Video Player Close PARIS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and seven others injured in a building fire in the northeastern French city of Strasbourg on Thursday morning, according to a statement of the local fire department. The evacuees from the building have been received in a gymnasium and the fire is under control now. High techniques bring relief to Vietnamese citizens Having endured a twin pregnancy with common placenta, 27-year-old Vuong Thi Linh from Phuc Tho district in Hanoi burst with happiness after she successfully gave birth to two babies in her 33rd week of pregnancy. As soon as she was diagnosed as having twin embryos with common placenta and blood transfusion syndrome, Linhs unborn children were treated in the uterus by the doctors at the Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (HOBH) to ensure they could develop healthily until birth. Linh was diagnosed very early and entered the hospital in the 12th week of pregnancy. She was managed in the twins group with a single placenta until the 20th week of gestation when the twin blood transfusion syndrome was discovered, explained Nguyen Thi Sim, deputy director at the Centre for Screening, Prenatal and Neonatal Diagnosis under the HOBH. At week 23, the doctors found that one embryo had run out of amniotic fluid and it could not move because of being tightly wrapped, while the other had an abundance amniotic fluid leaving the mother finding it very difficult to breathe. Facing this situation, doctors at HOBH decided to conduct emergency surgery. The doctor carefully considered health and survivability of the fetuses when doing the surgery, said Sim. Their navel cords were located at the sides and not at the centre of the placenta, meaning it was difficult to nourish them well. We thought a lot before deciding to keep both pregnancies because it was a risky thing. Finally, after 40 minutes, the intervention was successful. Linh was closely checked and treated in the following weeks and eventually gave birth to two healthy babies. The technique of fetus intervention is the most difficult, even the worlds pinnacle technique in curing and treating unborn children in order to prevent them from harm, but it has a success rate of 90 per cent and is very humane, Sim asserted. According to Sim, the two babies have begun to breathe well, and are breastfed and cared for at the Neonatal Department. So far, our hospital has successfully used this technique for seven cases, five of which were completely implemented by Vietnamese doctors. Meanwhile, the Hanoi Heart Hospital (3H) has made an impression on the world with new techniques in cardiology. Over the years, 3H has developed comprehensively in terms of both scale and professional level to become a complete hospital in the field of cardiology with the five specialisations of surgery, intervention, internal medicine, paediatrics, and cardiovascular metabolism. Nguyen Quang Tuan, director of 3H, said that without key technologies the world would not know about Vietnamese medicine. This is also a bridge to help patients access modern interventions in the world, right at home with lower costs, he said. With the determination to conquer all challenges, the hospitals physicians have implemented many modern intervention techniques. We have focused on researching and implementing intensive cardiovascular examination and treatment techniques, aiming to create 5-10 new techniques to be applied in hospitals, Tuan added. According to Tuan, Vietnams leading intensive techniques, which are on a par with other countries in the region and around the world on cardiovascular interventions, including diagnosing and treating congenital and acquired heart conditions for low-weight newborn babies; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) techniques in case of circulatory failure; and acute respiratory failure. Another hospital in Hanoi that has contributed to levelling up Vietnams medical fortunes is Hanoi Oncology Hospital (HOH), which has also developed a new method of checking and curing patients. Recognising the increasing demand of being cared for by international experts of high repute while patients major barriers are language and geographical distance, HOH has implemented a remote consultation system called Telemedicine. With this, patients will be consulted online by leading doctors, professors, and oncologists at the hospital as well as others in Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States, where the hospital has set up co-operation with others. Being fully equipped with the latest-generation television equipment systems, data storage, and transmission systems, doctors and physicians can communicate conveniently and give accurate consultation results to determine the best treatment for patients, ensuring the confidentiality of treatment information. Moreover, Telemedicine will help patients save money, travel time and, above all, give them peace of mind when being treated in an environment familiar to the doctors and relatives, enhancing patient belief in fighting against diseases and other ailments. Developing new techniques using technologies have transformed Vietnam into a safe and cheaper treatment destination, not only for Vietnamese people but also non-nationals, taking Vietnams healthcare system to new heights globally. A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reveals that Colorado River has dried up by twenty percent, and may lose approximately one-fourth of its natural flow by 2050 as temperature increases. Scientists point to the melting of snowpack due to warmer temperature and lack of precipitation as the culprit of the river's decreasing flow. The warm temperature was also the reason behind the 16% decline of river flow during the 2000-2017 drought years. Researchers link warmer temperature and lack of precipitation to climate change. Researchers also predict that average natural flow will decrease by 9 percent for every 1.8 degrees increase in temperature. Loss of water supply is looming for approximately 40 million people and 5 million acres of farmland that are dependent on the river. By 2050, there are two possible grim scenarios: water flowing in the river is reduced by 14-26 percent or a more substantial decrease of 19-31 percent. The scenario with higher greenhouse-gas concentrations has a more decreased flow than the scenario with lower greenhouse gas concentrations. reported Chris Milly, a senior research specialist with USGS. 40 Million People and 5 Million Hectares Affected The decrease in river flow will greatly impact the water supply of approximately 40 million people and the 5 million acres of farmland from Wyoming to Southern California that depend on the river for water supply. The Colorado River drainage basin spans at 246,000 square miles and covers various states such as Arizona and parts of California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. The river length is 1,450 miles from Colorado and Wyoming and across the border into Mexico. Lake Mead and Lake Powell, two major reservoirs are also sourced from the river and supplies several cities including Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and agricultural lands in California and Mexico. The majority of the areas of the basin are in moderate drought conditions, while some areas are facing severe drought, which also exacerbates the problem of dwindling water supply. Melting Snow Scientists at USGS pinpointed albedo, or the reflectivity of snow plays a major role in the river's sensitivity to warming. The study team analyzed the trends toward decreasing snowpack in the Colorado River basin. The snow reflects light, thus its reduction indicates that the basin absorbs more sunlight. The sunlight, on the other hand, triggers faster evaporation from the snowpack. The greater the evaporation coming off from the basin means decreased water in the river thereby affecting the 40 million people and 5 million acres of irrigated agricultural lands, Milly explained. This new research confirms a 2018 study that Brad Udall, water and climate scientist at Colorado State University and scientists from the University of California, Los Angeles in which they found that half of the reduction of river flow is due to increasing temperatures. In the study which estimated a business-as-usual scenario of greenhouse gas emissions, results concluded that global warming will likely cause the river to decrease by 35% or more this century. Walt Disney Company-owned streaming platform, Hotstar, has sparked controversy by censoring a recent show by John Oliver critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Citizenship Amendment Act. Although the video is available on YouTube channel, Hotstar, which currently offers over 1,00,000 hours of TV content and movies across 9 languages, chose not to stream the show on its website. An email to the company seeking a response on the issue remained unanswered. Emmy award winner John Oliver termed the combination of NPR and Citizenship Act "diabolical". Oliver talked about Modi's journey from being denied an American visa after the Gujarat riots in 2002 to becoming the Prime Minister and then hosting American President Donald Trump in Gujarat. Oliver also highlighted the widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 and took a dig at the US President Donald Trump calling Modi "the father of India", given that this title is used for Mahatma Gandhi. This isn't the first instance of censorship on Hotstar. In November 2019, it had cut out parts of one of the episodes of the same show as it made jokes on Disney, which is also the parent company of Hotstar. Tiruchirappalli: As many as 505 gold coins weighing 1.716 kilograms were found in a vessel while digging near the Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaikaval here on Wednesday. Temple authorities stated that the unearthed coins, 504 small and one big gold coins, have letters in the Arabic script etched on them which could date back to 1000-1200 CE. They stated that the coins, buried in a vessel, were found at the depth of about seven feet. Authorities stated that the vessel, along with the gold coins, has been handed over to police by the Hindu religious and charitable endowment department. The recovered vessels and the coins were kept in a treasury for further investigation. HONOLULUBail will remain at $5 million (U.S.) for a mother arrested in Hawaii over the disappearance of her two Idaho children, a judge ruled Wednesday. Lori Vallow wore an orange jumpsuit in court on the Hawaiian island of Kauai for a hearing on her request to reduce bail. After the judge denied the request, her lawyer, Craig De Costa, said she is waiving an extradition hearing, which had been scheduled for March 2. She wants to expedite her return to Idaho, De Costa said. Kauai prosecutor Justin Kollar said he will work with Idaho authorities on logistics for her departure. The judge set a March 4 status hearing to make sure she has been picked up. Kauai police arrested Vallow last week on an Idaho warrant. She has been charged with two felony counts of child abandonment. Seven-year-old Joshua (JJ) Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan have not been seen since September. Their disappearance captured worldwide attention after authorities pleaded for help in finding them. Police in the city of Rexburg, Idaho, have said they strongly believe that Joshua and Tylees lives are in danger. Earlier this week, her Kauai lawyers filed a motion asking the judge to reconsider Vallows $5-million bail. On Wednesday, De Costa urged Judge Kathleen Watanabe to ignore the publicity, ignore the hype and set reasonable bail. Vallow, 46, is a flight risk, prosecutors said. Given the extensive media attention, she is clearly aware that the authorities have prioritized her case, prosecutors said. She also has the means to move across an ocean. Prosecutors noted that Vallows husband, Chad Daybell, had $152,000 in a First Hawaiian Bank account. Police also have said Vallow and Daybell have lied about the childrens whereabouts. Vallow, also known as Lori Daybell, is also accused of disobeying a court order that required her to bring her children to Idaho authorities last month. De Costa said she is fighting the order because it would allow authorities to take her children into foster care. The tangled case includes investigations into three deaths. Vallows estranged husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed in Phoenix last July by her brother, Alex Cox. Then Cox, who claimed the shooting was in self-defence, died of unknown causes in December. Vallow moved her family to Idaho in late August. In October, Chad Daybells wife, Tammy Daybell, died of what her obituary said was natural causes. When Daybell married Vallow roughly two weeks after Tammys death, law enforcement became suspicious and had her remains exhumed. Test results on Daybells remains and toxicology results for Cox have not yet been released. Rexburg police questioned Daybell and Vallow about the missing children in late November, and when detectives returned the next day for a followup interview, the couple had left town. In December, Idaho authorities asked police on Kauai for help finding the couple. On Jan. 26, Kauai police served a search warrant on a vehicle and condo the couple were renting in the resort town of Princeville. The couples move to Kauai was pre-planned, De Costa said. Kollar said its concerning that it seemed to have been planned before Vallows husband died. Kauai police did not arrest Daybell and he doesnt face any charges. Daybell visited his wife Tuesday at the Kauai Community Correctional Center, said Toni Schwartz, a spokeswoman for the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. Calling it 'deplorable', Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raised the issue of transfer of Justice Muralidhar on a day he came down heavily on the centre as his brother and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi brought in Judge Loya sarcastically whose circumstances of death created a political row. Priyanka tweeted: "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful." Making a case for independent judiciary, she went on to allege, "Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the government's attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable." Rahul Gandhi joined in as well by tweeting:" Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred." Judge B.H. Loya was presiding over the Sohrabuddin Sheikh case, when he died in December 2014 at Nagpur under mysterious circumstances. The Ministry of Law and Justice on Wednesday transferred Justice S. Muralidhar of the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The transfer came on a day when a High Court bench headed by Justice Muralidhar passed a series of orders with regard to the violence in northeast Delhi and said that "another 1984-like situation cannot be allowed to happen in the city under its watch." As many as 27 people have lost their lives while over 200 have been injured after clashes between pro and anti-CAA protesters turned violent in northeast Delhi. The transfer order is now read in connection with his strong stance against the government. "In exercise of the power conferred by Clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to transfer Justice S. Muralidhar, Judge of the Delhi High Court, as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and to direct him to assume charge of his office in the Punjab and Haryana High Court," read a notification of the Law Ministry released on Wednesday. Recently, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the transfer of Justice Muralidhar to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Though the transfer was procedural but the day of the government's issuance of notification has now sparked off a political row. The United States has declared the leader of the Iran-backed Kataib Hizbullah (KH) militant group in Iraq a terrorist following a number of recent rocket attacks on bases hosting U.S. and other foreign troops in Iraq. A State Department official on February 26 said the United States had listed Ahmad al-Hamidawi, head of the armed faction of the group, as a "specially designated global terrorist." The action will freeze U.S. assets that he might hold and make any transactions with him a crime. Kataib Hizbullah wasdeclared a terrorist group in 2009. "Today we are intensifying our pressure on this terrorist group," Nathan Sales, the State Department counterterrorism chief, told a news conference. He asserted that the group's goal was to "advance the Iranian regime goal of turning Iraq into a vassal state." Sales said the group "continues to present a threat to U.S. forces in Iraq." The U.S. military has blamed Shi'ite paramilitary groups, including KH specifically, for the rocketing and shelling of bases hosting U.S. forces in Iraq and of the area around the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. "KH has claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks against U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq, including [improvised explosive devices] attacks, rocket-propelled grenade attacks, and sniper operations," a State Department statement said. It added that on December 27, it "launched a rocket attack against an Iraqi military base near Kirkuk, killing Nawres Hamid, an American civilian contractor, and injuring four U.S. service members and two members of the Iraqi security forces." It also said that "KH was reportedly involved in sniper attacks on peaceful protesters in Baghdad, which killed more than 100 people and injured another 6,000. Iraq has been hit by massive street protests by demonstrators expressing anger over what they call the "elite's" takeover of government and over foreign influence, including that of Iran, in the country. The protests led to a violent crackdown by government forces, but there were also attacks on protesters by many Iran-backed groups, including KH, according to activists and U.S. officials. Attacks on U.S. and coalition forces have also increased since the January 3 U.S. killing of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad's airport. Iran has acknowledged some of the attacks directly, including a missile strike on Ain al-Asad and another air base hosting U.S. troops in Iraq, calling them revenge for the Soleimani killing. LIZABETH MENZIES, Contributor / Centers for Disease Control and /AFP via Getty Images Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD has been cleared by the Centers for Disease Control and Orange County Public Health after an unconfirmed report of a students possible exposure to novel coronavirus, according to the school district. In a Wednesday night news release, the district said it had been made aware a student might have been exposed to the virus and removed the child from the campus after contacting their parents. Hyderabad: Faced with the prospect of shelling out around Rs 1.70 lakh a month towards electricity bills for beautification drive involving wrapping streetlights of city with LED light strips measuring hundreds of metres, GHMC officials, who had come up with the idea of light strips in the first place, are now said to be mulling about limiting the LED lights to festival periods. A total of 948 streetlight poles in Khairatabad and Secunderabad zones of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation have been decorated with white LED light strips. A senior official at GHMC headquarters said the decision to beautify streetlight poles was taken by respective zonal offices of the corporation. GHMC, as an entity, was not privy to this decision-making process. The zonal offices have been given the powers to take up beautification works and the head office has no say in this matter, the official disclosed. With the cost of LED strips for each pole estimated between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 depending on the length of the strip that averages to 13 metres the two GHMC zones are estimated to have spent anywhere between `28 lakh and `38 lakh just on the cost of LED strips. While officials maintain that LED lighting has been a hit with people with requests coming in for installing them in more areas of the city, their installation is not without risks, according to Professor K. M. Lakshman Rao, who heads the civil engineering department at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. These LEDs are adding to the intensity of lighting on the streets, which is not a good thing. While each streetlight is of about 120 watts capacity, the LEDs are taking this to anywhere between 300 and 400 watts, he said. It not just costs more in terms of power bills for GHMC, such additional lighting is not safe for road users, who might be distracted by it, or find themselves unable to adjust to the increased intensity of lighting, especially when they are hit by bright headlamps of vehicles coming from the opposite direction. Usually, people require one or two seconds of reaction time to avoid an accident, the professor pointed out. The spatial dimensions of being on a road lit in this manner differ from person to person. Frankly, I am worried about the safety aspect of this additional lighting, he stated. Lakshman Rao also said that the current LED streetlights, as well as the LED strips around the poles, are much more cooler in terms of their light emission. Ideally, streetlights should be of a warmer tone, something that is emitted by the likes of sodium vapour lamps of the past, he maintained. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 09:05:08|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and South Korea should jointly strive to minimize the COVID-19 outbreak's impact on bilateral exchanges as well as economic and trade cooperation, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday night. In a phone conversation with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Wang suggested that on the basis of effective epidemic prevention and control, the two countries should help their affected industries and enterprises ride out the current difficulties, maintain the stability of their industrial chains and supply chains, and push forward bilateral practical cooperation. Few people on Earth are so exploited as children trafficked into the sex trade. And now they are being exploited again, by President Donald Trump. My administration is putting unprecedented pressure on traffickers at home and abroad, Trump declared at a White House meeting on trafficking. My administration is fighting these monsters, persecuting and prosecuting them, and locking them away for a very, very long time. Weve had a tremendous track record the best track record in a long time. Ive been reporting about human trafficking all over the world since the 1990s, so part of me is thrilled that a president is highlighting this issue. Ivanka Trump has made it a signature issue, and she organized the White House event. The president used the occasion to announce a new White House position to oversee anti-trafficking efforts, and all this high-level attention could be very helpful. Yet its increasingly clear that this is less about protecting children and more about exalting Trump, whose administration is actually prosecuting fewer traffickers and making it harder for some trafficking survivors to get help. As a result, major anti-trafficking organizations boycotted the White House session. Over the last three years, we have watched with horror as the administration has dismantled protections for trafficking survivors, said Martina Vandenberg, the president of the Human Trafficking Legal Center in Washington, who stayed away. Using human trafficking for pernicious political purposes is new, she added. It is a Trump administration invention. The Human Trafficking Legal Center reports only 146 federal trafficking indictments in 2019, down from 204 in the last year of the Obama administration. A whistleblower complaint alleges the administration diverted anti-trafficking money from well-respected nonprofits to less-effective organizations like Hookers for Jesus. Foreign women and children who have been trafficked into Americas sex trade are eligible for a special visa, the T visa, under a program with bipartisan support, but the administration in 2019 approved only 500 T visas, down from 748 in 2016, and wait times are now three or four times longer. The administration now threatens to deport trafficking survivors who are denied T visas, so applications have fallen. The administration also has made no attempt to address underlying causes of trafficking, such as child poverty. Americas foster care system, for example, is dysfunctional and amounts to a pipeline for traffickers. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine last year offered an important road map to cut American child poverty by half, a step that would reduce trafficking, but the administration has ignored it. We are losing the war on trafficking, mostly because we have made this all about prosecutions, Vandenberg said. We are doing almost no prevention. Rachel Lloyd, who was trafficked into the sex trade as a teenager, now runs an excellent program in New York City called the Girls Educational and Mentoring Service, or GEMS, which helps girls who have been trafficked. Lloyd said that when she realized that the administration was only engaged in a PR effort, she turned down a position on an administration advisory panel and also declined a $10,000 donation from Ivanka Trump for GEMS. Why would we give them cover and validation? asked Lloyd, whose memoir, Girls Like Us, is one of the best books on trafficking. Human trafficking is one of the pre-eminent moral challenges of our time. The International Labor Organization estimates that worldwide, some 10 million children exist in forms of modern slavery. In Cambodia, I once saw terrified young girls being sold for their virginity; in Pakistan, I saw a brothel owner determined to kill a girl who had escaped. Trumps exploitation of trafficking victims for his own purposes is particularly sad because this is a rare issue where Democrats and Republicans have worked productively together: Evangelical Christians and liberal feminists both have done heroic work for 20 years. Rep. Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey, has done outstanding work on this issue, as has Gloria Steinem. Its useful for a president to speak up about trafficking, to keep the issue on the agenda. But Trump sensationalizes in lurid terms: Women are tied up, theyre bound, duct tape put around their faces, he has said. Its usually more complicated than that, and survivors are irritated that Trump cites trafficking as a reason to build his border wall. This is an issue that doesnt need overdramatizing, said Lloyd, who was nearly killed by her pimp. Shaquana Blount, who was trafficked at age 14 in New York and is now 30, put it this way: The presidents sensationalization of sex trafficking is a spit in the face to myself and many survivors, as his narrative does not fit ours. It is his own. Twitter.com/NickKristof Strong growth momentum: 8.3% revenue growth of which 3.8% organic Acceleration of the diversification in medical and home care: serving 470,000 clients in 2019, x2 since 2016, Expansion of the portfolio by 4,528 beds over the period, totalling 82,675 beds end 2019 Operating margin (EBITDA) improved by +50 bps to 14.8% Increased staff intensity compensated by efficient cost structure Positive impact from the diversification of activities and Asset Smart strategy: Real estate ownership reaching 22% Strong cash generation of 231m 353m of targeted investments to support the Group's buy and build strategy Targeted expansion of geographical footprint with entry into 2 new countries: Spain 2,000 beds in 2019 Netherlands with a pipeline of 1,300 beds by 2021 Investment in increased medical reach, development in home care and innovative digital solutions Value of real estate portfolio reaching over 2bn (x2 since 2016) Solid financial structure in a context of acceleration of the Group's development: Stable Adjusted EBITDA /debt ratio x3.1 and Loan-to-value 52% In caring hands corporate project: Korian pioneers 15 specific ESG commitments to create a positive impact for clients, staff and stakeholders Acceleration in 2020 and strong confidence in 2021 guidance 2020: c. 9% of growth in revenue and an EBITDA margin at least 15% 2021: above 4.2bn revenue and 15.5% EBITDA margin, c. 300m operating FCF Proposed dividend up by 10% to 0.66, with an option for payment in new shares Regulatory News: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005909/en/ Environment and Social responsibility (Graphic: Korian) Korian (Paris:KORI): "The excellent results of the Group in 2019 demonstrate the success of the accelerated transformation of the company: thanks to our 'Buy and build' strategy, we have been able to diversify our offering in order to provide personalized care for a growing number of fragile and elderly people and their families and to enlarge our European footprint through our entry into Spain and the Netherlands." stated Sophie Boissard. "The launch of our new corporate project 'In Caring Hands' in 2019 aims to consolidate our commitment to our clients, their families and to our employees and to society. We are happy to be the first care company to materialise this commitment with 15 comprehensive ESG targets." The consolidated audited financial statements for 2019 were approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting of 27th February 2020. The Statutory Auditors are in the process of issuing a report with an unqualified opinion. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with the new IFRS 16 standard. For purposes of comparability, the financial information below is presented excluding the application of IFRS 16. _____________________ 1 The figures in this press release are presented excluding IFR16. The financial statements for FY 2019, which are published in accordance with IFRS 16, are included in the full-year financial report available on the Company's website, in the Finance section from 28 February 2020. The income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows appended to this press release include the impacts of IFRS 16. Q4 revenue and full year revenue and results Strong growth momentum fuelled by accelerating organic growth, enabling dynamic transformation of the Group Revenue in Q4 2019 increased 8.3% to 934.9 million, This reflects the Group's strong development momentum, both through organic growth, at 3.8% and bolt on acquisitions. In 2019, revenue totalled 3,612 million, up 8.3%. Organic growth, which was up +3.8% compared to +3% a year earlier, reflected the solid contribution of the historic activities of the Group and the success of the transformation to being a complete service provider offering a range of services and care solutions for the fragile and elderly. All geographies of the Group showed significant growth and the medical segment in particular has shown significant growth in 2019, around 10% across the Group, capitalising on the transformation of the network in France and an active bolt on strategy, notably in Italy. The acceleration of the medical activities, supporting the diversification of services to provide more outpatient and ambulatory care, is, together with the dynamic ramp up of the home care activities, behind the Group's capacity to provide services to around 470,000 clients in 2019, twice as many as 3 years ago. The Group has added 4,528 beds to its portfolio in 2019 and 90 new facilities, reaching narly 83,000 beds and 900 facilities at the end of the year. Korian's multi-local and strategy aims to be able to provide a diversified care pathway, at a local level in the 600 living areas where the Group is implanted. In 2019 the Group entered 2 new geographies with the aim to build the same level of density and diversified care as is being built in its existing countries. The Group has now over 15 facilities (with nursing homes and clinics) 2,000 beds in Spain and is building a diversified platform in the Netherlands with 4 lines of service: specialised Alzheimer care, palliative care, assisted living apartments and geriatric rehabilitation centres. By2021 these will represent 1,300 beds and 22 facilities. In total the Group has completed 20 acquisitions in 2019, representing 353m of investment. The acquisitions have been focused on diversifying the offering, solidifying our local presence and innovative, digital solutions for our clients. The build part of our strategy has been particularly active in 2019, with 28 greenfield or transformation projects delivered in all of the Group's geographies and a pipeline of over 142 projects: 'New Korian House' projects for care platforms with nursing home care, day care and assisted living: 45 projects Clinics and medical platforms: 22 projects Co-living and small sized care communities: 200 projects of which 30 Ages Vie projects to be opened in 2021 Service residences: more than 20 projects The Group's EBITDAR in 2019 is 948m and the EBITDAR margin is stable at 26.2%. In order to ensure long term continued growth Korian has been investing in its teams, to support the quality at work of its employees. Therefore staff costs have risen faster than revenue, compensated by the efficient management of operating expenses, particularly in France and Germany. By country In France2, strong revenue growth of +7.1% (versus +3.9% in 2018) including Spain, was fuelled by increased organic growth of 3.2% up +50 basis points against 2018. The acceleration of the revenue growth is the result of the dynamic activity of the Healthcare division in France; the contribution of new activities (such as home care and co-living) and upgrade of the existing facilities, notably through the Boost renovation programme of over 2,000 rooms by the end of 2019 and the ramping up of the newly acquired portfolio in Spain. The EBITDAR margin remained stable at 27.1%. In Germany, revenue also increased significantly by +5.3% versus 3.5% in 2018. This solid growth was driven essentially by the acceleration in organic growth to +4.5% (versus +3.7% in 2018), following a focus on revenue management and an increased care mix. Investment in staff continues to be a priority in Germany, more than offset by efficient management of other costs and resulting in an increased EBITDAR margin of 26.2% up 50 basis points since 2018. In the Benelux3region the reported growth remained high at 18.2% (versus 20.3% in 2018) following the Senior Assist acquisitions, the organic growth is strong with +5.7% in 2019 up 200 basis points versus 2018 resulting from the continued ramp up of some facilities. The EBITDAR margin decreased to 25.2% (versus 25.9% in 2018) following the integration of the Netherlands portfolio with a number of facilities ramping up and a pipeline of development. In Italy, revenue was up by +9.3 driven by a dynamic acquisition strategy with a focus on healthcare services and a local cluster approach in key regions. This has allowed the number of clients that Korian Italy provides services to increase by over 150% in 3 years and the strategy of specialisation has fuelled an increase of 50 basis points in organic growth to 2.2%. The EBITDAR margin remains stable at 23.7% (versus 23.6% in 2018) in a context of rapid growth. Korian's EBITDA totalled 535.1 million in 2019, up 12.2% on 2018. As a result, the EBITDA margin increased by 50 basis points to 14.8%. The EBITDA margin improvement has been driven by the business mix: higher levels of outpatient care, home care and diversified services have contributed for 20 basis points of this improvement. A significant contribution of 30 basis points is linked to the Asset Smart strategy Korian now owns 184 facilities representing over 2 billion in value. These facilities are in all of the Group's geographies and now represent 22% of the value of the real estate assets operated by the Group. In 2019 the Group invested 279m in real estate. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to 337.7 million, i.e. 9.3% of revenue (versus 9.4% in 2018). Net profit (Group share) totalled 136 million, an increase of 10.4% versus 2018 after income tax expense of 64.7 million and a tax rate of 32%. Stong financial structure maintained The Group has generated 231m of operating free cash flow4 in 2019 representing an increase of 13%, fuelled by the increased EBITDA and improved working capital management. The cash conversion ratio of the EBITDA is 43%. Maintenance capex, included here, represent 2.7% of revenue having increased in 2019. Korian's balance sheet remains strong in a context of high growth and investment, with an adjusted leverage of x3.1. The Group's net financial liabilities increased to 3,157 million from 2,724 million at 31 December 2018, around half of this increase comes from an increase in real estate debt. The real estate debt represents 1,062 million compared to a real estate portfolio value of 2,035 million and therefore a Loan-to-value ratio of 52%, versus 51% in 2018. ________________________ 2 Included Spain ( 25.5m) 3 Included Netherlands ( 12.4m) 4 The change is calculated on the basis of operating free cash flow as restated in 2018 2019 and 2020 Human Resources initatives In 2019 the Group recruited more than 11,000 new permanent staff members, contributing to reinforcing the organisation of the staff across the network, and expects recruite 12,000 permanent staff in 2020, bringing the net recruitment to 2,500 people between 2019 and 2020. The Group has significantly invested in training, with notably more than 4% of staff integrated into qualifying training paths, up 20% mainly France and Germany. New apprenticeship schemes have been launched in France and Germany, for chefs and care staff. In 2020 Korian will launch a proprietary apprentice training centre in France dedicated to nursing staff and create a learning hub located in Lyon with selected digital partners, in order to produce digital and on site learning materials for the Group. The Group has developed in partnership with IFG Executive Education Group the first European 3 year qualifying training course specifically designed for Korian care site managers, to be rolled out across the entire Group in 2020. Korian is committed in 2020 to continuing its investment in its staff and is proud of its high level of engagement of its teams at 75%5 in 2019. ___________________ 5 IPSOS survey with 25,000 participants Environment and Social responability Given the role and responsabilities of the Group towards its clients and their families, towards its employees, towards our local communities and towards society at large, Korian has decided to take 15 measurable ESG commitments covering the 5 key dimensions of the Group's environment and social responsabilities. These objectives aim to impact positively: providing the best quality care to our clients and the best support to their loved ones; improving the quality of work and ensuring attractive career paths for our employees; contributing to 'ageing well' in a society facing the challenge of longevity; participating in local communities; and combatting climate change through the Group's actions to reduce its carbon footprint. All these commitments have specific related action plans and will be measured and reported on a regular basis starting from 2020. Outlook With a pipeline of over 15,000 beds, the acquisitions announced so far in 2020, including the expansion in the Netherlands, the acquisition of 5 Sante clinic group and the strong results of 2019, the Group anticipates an acceleration in 2020 to reach a revenue growth of c. 9% and an EBITDA margin above 15%. The Group therefore confirms with a strong confidence its objectives for 2021: revenue above 4.2bn, EBITDA margin above 15.5% and operating free cash flow generation of 300m. Dividend Proposition Annual Shareholder Meeting The Board of Directors will submit to the next Annual Shareholders' Meeting to be held on May 28, 2020, the distribution of a dividend of 0.66 euros per share (compared to 0.60 per share for the previous years) with an option for payment in new shares. The Board, acting on the recommandation of the Compensation and Appointment Committee, will also propose the following renewals in the Board's membership to the shareholders at Annual Meeting: to re-appoint Christian Chautard as a Director for a three year term. It also decided that if Christian Chautard is re-appointed as a Director, the Board will re-appoint him as their Chairman following the Annual General Meeting for the same duration as his term of office as Director, to re-appoint Dr. Markus Muschenich for a three year term. Moreover, the Board has noted the departure of Jerome Grivet after 8 years as part of Korian's Board of Directors and Chairman of the Investment committee. The Board thanks him for his insight, continuous support and remarkable contribution to the development of the Group. The Board will therefore propose to the Annual Shareholder Meeting to appoint Philippe Dumont, Credit Agricole SA Deputy General Manager, Head of Insurance and CEO of CAA and Predica, as Director for a three year term. Finally the Board will propose to the shareholders to appoint Mrs. Sophie Boissard, Chief Executive Officer, as Director for a three year term. The Board of Directors has taken note that the term of office of PSP Investments will expire at the close of the 2020 General Meeting and thanked their representatives warmly for their participation to the Board and the Committees to which they contributed. At the close of the General Meeting on May 28, 2020, the Board of Directors would thus have 50%/50% split between female and male Directors and 50% Independant Directors. Presentation of 2019 results Analyst meeting The presentation of 2019 results will be held on Friday,28 February 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Le Cercle d'Aumale, 22, rue d'Aumale, 75009 Paris (admission starting at 9:30 a.m.). This presentation will be broadcast live at the www.korian.com website (investors section) or via the following link: https://channel.royalcast.com/korianen/#!/korianen/20200228_1 A deferred version will be available online during the day The presentation document will be available before the presentation. Next communication 29 april 2020: Revenue 1st quarter 2020 (after close of market) About Korian Korian is the leading European Care and Support Services Group for elderly and fragile people. www.korian.com Korian has been listed on Euronext Paris Section A since November 2006 and is included in the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Health Care, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid Small and MSCI Global Small Cap Euronext Ticker: KORI ISIN: FR0010386334 Reuters: KORI.PA Bloomberg: KORI.FP APPENDICES REVENUE In m 1st Quarter % Change % Revenue Revenue 2019 2018 Reported Organic France* 424.8 400.4 +6.1% +3.0% 48.7% Germany 233.6 223.7 +4.4% +4.4% 26.8% Belgium 123.7 100.8 +22.6% +6.7% 14.2% Italy 89.5 81.1 +10.4% +2.5% 10.3% Total revenue 871.6 806.1 +8.1% +3.8% 100.0% Including Spain 3.9m In m 2nd Quarter % Change % Revenue Revenue 2019 2018 Reported Organic France 440.0 412.1 +6.8% +3.2% 49.1% Germany 239.4 226.0 +5.9% +5.0% 26.7% Belgium 124.6 103.3 +20.6% +5.6% 13.9% Italy 91.7 86.5 +6.0% +1.0% 10.2% Total revenue 895.7 827.8 +8.2% +3.8% 100.0% Including Spain 4.3m In m 1st Half-Year % Change % Revenue Revenue 2019 2018 Reported Organic France 864.9 812.5 +6.4% +3.1% 48.9% Germany 473.0 449.7 +5.2% +4.7% 26.8% Belgium 248.3 204.1 +21.6% +6.1% 14.0% Italy 181.2 167.6 +8.1% +1.7% 10.3% Total revenue 1,767.30 1,633.90 +8.2% +3.8% 100.0% Including Spain 8.2m In m 3rd Quarter % Change Revenue 2019 2018 Reported Organic Revenue France* 442.2 415.3 +6.5% +2.8% 48.6% Germany 243.2 230.6 +5.5% +4.7% 26.7% Belgium 133.1 108.8 +22.3% +6.9% 14.6% Italy 91.9 84.9 +8.2% +2.7% 10.1% Total Revenue 910.3 839.6 +8.4% +3.8% 100.0% Including Spain 4.3m ** Including Belgium and Netherlands (6.9m) In m 9 month % Change Revenue 2019 2018 Reported Organic Revenue France* 1 307,00 1 227,90 +6.4% +3.0% 48.8% Germany 716.2 680.3 +5.3% +4.7% 26.7% Belgium 381.3 312.9 +21.9% +6.4% 14.2% Italy 273.1 252.4 +8.2% +2.0% 10.2% Total Revenue 2,677.6 2,473.5 +8.2% +3.8% 100.0% Including Spain 16.3m ** Including Belgium and Netherlands (6.9m) In m 4th Quarter % Change Revenue 2019 2018 Reported Organic Revenue France* 453,9 416,50 +9.0% +4.0% 48,5% Germany 244,9 232,5 +5.3% +3.9% 26,2% Belgium 134,2 123,2 +8.9% +3.8% 14,4% Italy 102,0 90,8 +12.3% +2.5% 10,9% Total Revenue 934.9 863.0 +8.3% +3.8% 100.0% Including Spain( 9.1m) ** Including Belgium and Netherlands (5.5m) In m Full year 2019 % Change Revenue 2019 2018 Reported Organic Revenue France* 1,760.9 1,644.40 +7.1% +3.2% 48,7% Germany 961.1 912.7 +5.3% +4.5% 26,6% Benelux** 515.5 436.2 +18.2% +5.7% 14,3% Italy 375.0 343.2 +9.3% +2.2% 10,4% Total Revenue 3,612.50 3,336.50 +8.3% +3.8% 100.0% Including Spain( 25.5m) ** Including Belgium and Netherlands (12.4m) INCOME STATEMENT m FY 2019 IFRS 16 FY 2019 Excluding IFRS 16 Adjusted Including IFRS 16 Revenue 3,612,5 3,612.5 Staff costs (2,005.3) (2,005.3) % of revenue 55.5% 55.5% Other costs (659.1) (3.6) (662.7) % of revenue 18.2% 18.3% EBITDAR 948.1 (3.6) 944.6 % of revenue 26.2% 26.1% External rents (413.0) 353.3 (59.7) % of revenue 11.4% 1.7% EBITDA 535.1 349.8 884.9 % of revenue 14.8% 24.5% Amortisations, Depreciations and Provisions (197.4) (313.2) (510.6) EBIT 337.7 36.5 374.3 % of revenue 9.3% 10.4% Non current expenses (15.7) (15.7) Operating income 322.1 36.5 358.6 % of revenue 8.9% 9,9% Financial result 119.9 (63.2) (183.1) Net income before tax 202.2 (26.6) 175.5 Income tax (64.7) 5.4 (59.3) % tax rate 32.0% 20.2% 33.8% Minority interests (1.5) (1.5) Net profit Group share 136.0 (21.3) 114.7 BALANCE SHEET Assets In thousands of euros 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 Goodwills 2,504,154 2,311,822 Intangible fixed assets 1,943,860 1,822,819 Property, plant and equipment 2,031,514 2,292,431 Rifht of use 3,441,069 Financial assets 38,152 57,296 Deferred tax assets 76,259 140,132 Non-current assets 10,035,008 6,624,501 Inventory 33,909 17,113 Trade receivables and related accounts 284,047 235,611 Other receivables and current assets 235,870 192,666 Financial instruments assets 4,619 3,213 Cash and cash equivalents 344 786 550,361 Current assets 903,232 998,964 Total assets 10,938,240 7,623,465 Liabilities In thousands of euros 31.12.2019 31.12.2018 Share capital 413,641 409,882 Premiums 902,503 881,765 Reserves and consolidated results 1,242,043 1,264,538 Shareholders' equity (Group share) 2,558,187 2,556,185 Non-controlling interests 11,449 11,814 Total shareholder's equity 2,569,637 2,567,999 Provision for pensions 85,454 70,769 Deferred tax liabilities 534,627 583,287 Other provisions 57,028 115,982 Borrowings and financial debt 2,408,004 2,861,096 Lease liabilities 3,315,424 Other non-current financial liabilitiess 38,544 32,132 Total non-current liabilities 6,439,082 3,663,266 Provisions for less than one year 12,607 12,482 Trade payables and related accounts 369,942 315,111 Other liabilities and accruals 733,205 635,523 Borrowings due within 1 year and bank overdrafts 453,481 412,948 Lease liabilities below 1 year 331,270 Derivative financial instruments 29,016 16,136 Total liabilities 1,929,522 1,392,200 Total liabilities 10,938,240 7,623,465 CASH FLOW STATEMENT m FY 2019 IFR 16 FY 2019 Excluding IFRS 16 Adjusted Including IFRS 16 EBITDA 535,1 349,8 884,9 Non cash others (38.8) 12,2 (26.7) Change in WCR 6,5 0 6,5 Operating Capex (99.0) (99.0) Operating Cash Flow 403,8 362,0 765,8 Income tax paid (58.9) (58.9) Financial expenses paid (114.3) (63.2) (177.5) Operating Free Cash Flow (OFCF) 230,6 298,8 529,4 Development capex (99.4) (99.4) Financial investments (bolt-on acquisitions) (254.3) (254.3) Net Free cash flow (FCF) (123.2) 298.8 175.6 Dividends paid (33.4) (33.4) Real estate investments divestments (278.8) (278.8) Non-cash adjustments to net debt other 2.2 (393.4) (391.2) Net debt variation (433.2) (94.6) (527.8) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005909/en/ Contacts: INVESTOR RELATIONS Sarah Mingham VP Investor Relations and Financing sarah.mingham@korian.com Tel: +33 (0)1 55 37 53 55 Carole Alexandre Deputy Head of Investor Relations carole.alexandre@korian.com Tel: +33 (0)7 64 65 22 44 PRESS CONTACT Marjorie Castoriadis Head of Media Relations marjorie.castoriadis@korian.fr Tel: +33 (0)7 63 59 88 81 Bridget Cleary was an Irish woman who was killed by her husband in 1895. The stated motive for the crime was her husband's belief that she had been abducted by fairies with a changeling left in her place. Written and performed by Eve OMahony, Brigid Cleary [sic] tells the story of the infamous case of the Tipperary witch-burning. The story is told by Brigid herself, as she narrates the story of her death at the hands of her husband. Her story weaves together a picture of Ireland during times of political strife when the twentieth century is being ushered in but where legends persist. Clearys death has remained famous in popular culture. A popular Irish nursery rhyme reads, Are you a witch, or are you a fairy/Or are you the wife of Michael Cleary? Be prepared to be mesmerised this Friday at Fennellys Cafe in Callan - doors at 8pm, show at 9pm, 15 on the door. Onto music, and this weekend serves up some fantastic offerings. Arborist are a band of substance, of layers, of intrigue. The Northern Irish outfit recently played a set in Rollercoaster Records but return once again to the Marble City with a gig in the Set Theatre. They came to the attention of critics with their debut single, the Americana-tinged 2015 release Twisted Arrow. Their 2016 debut album Home Burial was nominated for the Northern Irish Music Prize and released to critical acclaim, with Mojo hailing it as a staggering debut of depth and substance. Catch them on Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are 16, for more visit set.ie. Up for something more trad and country? Chris Kavanagh's act The Legend of Luke Kelly channels the Dubliners voice with great passion and gusto. A must for fans. See him this Friday at the Watergate Theatre at 8pm - watergatetheatre.ie. Some notable weekend offerings where not a penny need be spent to get in the door include: Sofa Sessions at Billy Byrne's (Thursday) at 9pm, Music Junkies at Rafter Dempseys (Friday) at 10pm and Generation 5 and Tomas Jackman (Sunday) at Kytelers Inn, from 6.30pm. If you're on a weekend rollover then Matt The Millers has you covered with Monday Night Madness, from 6pm. For even more listings check out our Gig Guide! IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ivantis, Inc., developer of the novel Hydrus Microstent , a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device designed to lower eye pressure for open-angle glaucoma patients, announced today the first-ever, four-year follow-up data for a MIGS device in an FDA pivotal trial. The latest findings from the HORIZON study confirm the benefits of the Hydrus Microstent seen in earlier follow-up and establish those benefits are maintained over a longer term, notably a reduced need for invasive secondary glaucoma surgery and medications to control glaucoma. These important benefits were observed without increased safety risk associated with Hydrus surgery. No other MIGS device has presented outcome data in a pivotal trial beyond 2 years. The HORIZON study is the largest prospective, randomized, controlled trial conducted for a MIGS device and the first to have a global span. The study included 556 patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma treated across 38 centers in nine countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. The study was designed to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the Hydrus Microstent for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients undergoing planned cataract surgery. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive cataract surgery plus the Hydrus Microstent or cataract surgery alone. The two-year results of the trial provided the foundation for FDA approval of the Hydrus Microstent. At that time, the effectiveness outcomes exceeded those reported in any other MIGS pivotal trial, and the Hydrus Microstent was approved in the U.S. in August 2018. This first-of-its-kind, four-year update of HORIZON is being presented at the 2020 annual meeting of the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) on Feb. 27 at 7:00AM in Washington, D.C. by Douglas Rhee, MD, professor of ophthalmology and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at University Hospitals / Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio. Key Four-Year HORIZON Findings Being Presented at AGS Include: 65% of Hydrus Microstent patients remained glaucoma medication-free, compared with 41% in the cataract surgery only arm. This represents the highest margin of total medication elimination compared to a control group reported for any MIGS pivotal trial. Statistical analysis shows that 2.1% of Hydrus Microstent patients required subsequent invasive glaucoma surgery compared with 6.0% of the cataract surgery-only patients, which represents a clinically meaningful and statistically significant difference. This finding is consistent with the HORIZON three-year data, where, for the first time in a MIGS study ,a statistically significant reduction of invasive high-risk secondary surgery was shown. The overall safety profile of cataract surgery plus implantation of the Hydrus Microstent was similar to cataract surgery alone, including stabilization of endothelial cell density loss (ECL) from 2 to 3 years and from 3 to 4 years. Peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) at 4 years remained stable at 13% (4.3% obstructive, 8.7% non-obstructive). When we offer treatments to our patients with glaucoma, we have two goals in mind: preserve vision and delay the need for surgery, said Nathan Radcliffe, MD, associate clinical professor of ophthalmology, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and editor of Glaucoma Physician, and a pioneer in MIGS procedures. These data demonstrating that the Hydrus Microstent can continue to reduce the need for surgery after four years is incredibly encouraging and reassuring. But it becomes a game-changer when we see what is happening to patients who do not receive a MIGS device. Of the patients who required filtration surgery in the control arm, a significant portion had mild glaucoma at the outset of the trial. This shows that glaucoma does not discriminate, and it is impossible to predict which of our patients has disease that will or will not advance aggressively. Intervening early with MIGS devices like the Hydrus Microstent at the time of cataract surgery, even for mild disease, may go a long way toward preserving vision. We have a responsibility to be offering these types of options to our glaucoma patients. It is important to recognize that patients in clinical trials tend to be more compliant with their medication, so the real-world rates of surgery for glaucoma without a MIGS device may be even higher than those reported in the HORIZON 4-year update, said William Wiley, MD, medical director of the Cleveland Eye Clinic and Clear Choice Laser Eye Center in Ohio and one of the most experienced MIGS users in the United States. As a cataract surgeon I tell all my patients with cataracts and glaucoma that this is a one-time chance to treat both conditions at the same time and make a positive lifestyle change to decrease or eliminate the need for medication drops. It is reassuring to see the clinical benefit the Hydrus Microstent is providing compared to cataract surgery alone continues to be maintained now through four years. It was an organizational choice, not a regulatory requirement, to follow patients beyond two years for effectiveness, and we are proud that we have sponsored this level of clinical science, planting the flag with twice the follow-up duration of any other MIGS pivotal study, said Dave Van Meter, president and CEO of Ivantis, Inc. Glaucoma is a long-term, progressive disease that many patients live with for decades. To see, after four years, that use of the Hydrus Microstent equated to three times fewer patients undergoing hole in the eye surgery is tremendously gratifying for us and demonstrates once again that the Hydrus Microstent delivers best in class outcomes in the MIGS category. As a recognized leader in evidence-based medicine in MIGS , we intend to continue to follow HORIZON patients out to five years. About the Hydrus Microstent Roughly the size of an eyelash, the Hydrus Microstent is a next-generation MIGS device designed to reduce eye pressure by reestablishing flow through Schlemm's canal, the eye's natural outflow pathway. When placed in the canal during minimally invasive microsurgery, the device restores the flow of fluid in the eye, using a tri-modal mechanism of action: The Hydrus Microstent creates a bypass through the trabecular meshwork, allowing outflow of aqueous humor. It then dilates and scaffolds Schlemm's canal to augment outflow. Its length spans 90 degrees of the canal to provide consistent access to fluid collector channels in the eye. The Hydrus Microstent is one of the most rigorously researched and thoroughly studied MIGS devices, with more than 4,000 cases treated globally in controlled clinical studies and registries, in patients with a wide range of disease severities. CAUTION: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. INDICATIONS FOR USE: The Hydrus Microstent is indicated for use in conjunction with cataract surgery for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) in adult patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). CONTRAINDICATIONS: The Hydrus Microstent is contraindicated under the following circumstances or conditions: (1) In eyes with angle closure glaucoma; and (2) In eyes with traumatic, malignant, uveitic, or neovascular glaucoma or discernible congenital anomalies of the anterior chamber (AC) angle. WARNINGS Clear media for adequate visualization is required. Conditions such as corneal haze, corneal opacity or other conditions may inhibit gonioscopic view of the intended implant location. Gonioscopy should be performed prior to surgery to exclude congenital anomalies of the angle, peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS), angle closure, rubeosis and any other angle abnormalities that could lead to improper placement of the stent and pose a hazard. PRECAUTIONS The surgeon should monitor the patient postoperatively for proper maintenance of intraocular pressure. The safety and effectiveness of the Hydrus Microstent has not been established as an alternative to the primary treatment of glaucoma with medications, in patients 21 years or younger, eyes with significant prior trauma, eyes with abnormal anterior segment, eyes with chronic inflammation, eyes with glaucoma associated with vascular disorders, eyes with preexisting pseudophakia, eyes with uveitic glaucoma, eyes with pseudoexfoliative or pigmentary glaucoma, eyes with other secondary open angle glaucomas, eyes that have undergone prior incisional glaucoma surgery or cilioablative procedures, eyes that have undergone argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), eyes with unmedicated IOP < 22 mmHg or > 34 mmHg, eyes with medicated IOP > 31 mmHg, eyes requiring > 4 ocular hypotensive medications prior to surgery, in the setting of complicated cataract surgery with iatrogenic injury to the anterior or posterior segment and when implantation is without concomitant cataract surgery with IOL implantation. The safety and effectiveness of the use of more than a single Hydrus Microstent has not been established. ADVERSE EVENTS Common postoperative adverse events reported in the randomized pivotal trial included partial or complete device obstruction (7.3%); worsening in visual field MD by > 2.5 dB compared with preoperative (4.3% vs. 5.3% for cataract surgery alone); device malposition (1.4%); and BCVA loss of 2 ETDRS lines three months (1.4% vs. 1.6% for cataract surgery alone). For additional adverse event information, please refer to the Instructions for Use. MRI INFORMATION The Hydrus Microstent is MR-Conditional meaning that the device is safe for use in a specified MR environment under specified condition, please see the Instructions for Use and Patient Information Card for details. Please refer to the Instructions for Use for complete product information. About Ivantis Ivantis, Inc. is a privately held company established in 2007 to design, develop and commercialize new technologies to treat eye disease. Investors include New Enterprise Associates, Delphi Ventures, Foresite Capital, RA Capital Management, Ascension Ventures, EDBI, GBS Ventures, MemorialCare Innovation Fund, Merieux Development, and Vertex Healthcare. The company is headquartered in Irvine, California. Ivantis and Hydrus are registered trademarks of Ivantis, Inc. All rights reserved 2019. www.IvantisInc.com Media Contact Capwell Communications info@capwellcomm.com 949-999-3303 SOURCE Ivantis, Inc. Related Links http://www.IvantisInc.com Before leaving for India, Donald Trump had congratulated Bernie Sanders, frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, for winning the Nevada caucuses. But he mischievously added in parenthesis: Democrats would work to deny him the nomination. Pulling back a frontrunner will create chaos in Democratic ranks. In that case, Narendra Modi may well have held a two-term US President in a tight embrace at Ahmedabads Motera stadium. So far, the Democratic race has similarities with the primaries, which led to a Hillary Clinton-Donald Trump contest in 2016. Back then, what was in bad odour with the electorate was the Washington establishment. The two who reached out for the establishments jugular from two diametrically opposite ideological positions were Mr Trump and Mr Sanders. But the Democratic National Committee (DNC) had set its heart on Ms Clinton as the partys nominee for President. In doing so, it overlooked a crucial detail: the national mood was against the establishment, and Ms Clinton, more than most, was the core of the establishment. We all know what happened. Since I was witness to the drama on that fateful night of the election results, let me reproduce bits of what I wrote: A dozen or so friends, who had assembled in Lucknow boy turned New Yorker Nusrat Durranis trendy DUMBO loft under the Brooklyn Bridge, did not have the heart to uncork champagne bottles because we were not sure which one of the Clinton supporters in the party might be offended. So champagne bottles stood on the table like a row of brooding bishops. Our adorable Jewish world banker friend couldnt bear to look at the screen. I feel faint; I must leave. Another from the state department was on frantic long distance calls advising her family to prepare for the worst. A neighbour banged frantically at the door, and barged in, beads of perspiration on her brow. She could not bear to watch the results alone. Our very own Surjit Bhalla had dutifully alerted New Delhi: Mr Trumps victory would be the end of Western civilisation. The reason I have indulged in this bit of nostalgia, even on the pain of being repetitious, is quite straightforward: the nomination race scripted by the DNC and the improvisations introduced en route could make November 2020 resemble its 2016 version when the partys biased high command waylaid Mr Sanders when he was ahead in the popularity stakes, by citing a 1962 law. Now, in 2020, once again Mr Sanders is ahead in the field. This should not surprise observers because the Bernie Sanders phenomena did not recede even after 2016. In fact a Fox News poll in 2017 established his exceptional popularity. The poll showed Mr Sanders +28 rating above all US politicians on both sides of the political spectrum. Trevor Timm of the Guardian, London, wrote: One would think with numbers like that, Democratic politicians would be falling all over themselves to be associated with Sanders, especially considering the party as a whole is more unpopular than the Republicans and even Donald Trump right now. Yet instead of embracing his message, the establishment wing of the party continues to resist him at almost every turn. That was written in 2017. The situation remains unchanged. In fact, there seems to be a greater urgency in Democratic ranks to stop Mr Sanders than to stop Mr Trump winning a second term. This priority has been explicitly spelt out by that superior pundit of American journalism, Thomas Friedman of the New York Times. As early as November, 2019, he began to promote Michael Bloomberg, billionaire and former New York mayor, as the Democratic nominee. Mr Friedman demonstrates impeccable manners by making a disclosure: Bloomberg philanthropies has contributed to the museum Mrs Friedman is building in Washington to promote reading and literacy. He agrees: capitalism is not working for enough people in America. Having thus protected himself, Mr Friedman eulogises the billionaire aspirant in a column titled Why I like Mike. What can anyone say if the NYT grants him his self-indulgence and not just once. By the time the Democratic race for the nominee hots up in January, Mr Friedman produces another Michael Bloomberg boosting column. If senator Joe McCarthy were to reappear by some magical incantation, he would hold Mr Friedman in a tight embrace for the columnists disdain for an avowed socialist. The Trump machine will cast Mr Sanders as Che Guevara and it wont even be that hard. Just consider the scale of the exaggeration: Americas best-known columnist conjures up images of Che to scare Americans away from Mr Sanders. The senator from Vermont has to be painted in lurid colours because he describes himself as Democratic Socialist, dedicated to a platform which seeks to reverse inequality. To make Mr Trump a one-term President, Mr Friedman and his ilk have located the surefire Democratic winner Mike Bloomberg. This most favoured candidate crossed over from the Republican Party just the other day. Frisk and search operations against blacks and hispanics was a racist nightmare during his terms as New York mayor. Stories of his sexist misbehaviour are legion. He shall be forgiven all his misdemeanours. His big bucks matter. He catapulted onto the stage for the eighth Democratic debate in Las Vegas without having gone through the normal process of primaries. He made a donation of $350 million to the NDC, has already splurged $400 million on ads. Who knows, a billion may still be in the pipeline. American exceptionalism possibly bestows on aspiring candidates a choice: they can drudge their way to the nomination by mobilising the people or, they can simply buy the nomination, off the shelf. In the end the likes of Mr Friedman will probably enlighten us which way to the top is more Democratic? Mr Trump may well thump his pal on the back during the Motera stadium festivities: You were clever endorsing me at Howdy Modi; the disarray in Democratic ranks will prove you right. The writer is a senior journalist and commentator based in New Delhi Rents for commercial spaces in HCM Citys main streets have been decreasing in recent months due to lower demand, according to experts. A house for lease in HCM City. Photo nld.com.vn Rents for commercial spaces in HCM Citys main streets have been decreasing in recent months due to lower demand, according to experts. Thin, a veteran housing broker in the citys central area, said many landlords have recently sought his help to find tenants. But it has become very difficult, and they have to wait unless they slash rental by 10-30 per cent, he said Property owners on some major streets have in fact reduced rents by 10-20 per cent since the end of last year, including some who have not been able to find tenants for a long time. Phan Cong Chanh, director of Phu Vinh Group, a real estate company, told Nguoi lao dong (Labourers) newpaper there have never been so many vacant properties as now. For instance, on a short stretch on Tran Quang Khai Street in District 1 there are more than 20 premises available for lease, 20-30 per cent cheaper than before in some cases, he said. Leasing has become difficult due to disadvantages in the market and the effect of the COVID-19 epidemic, he said. Nguyen Hong Hai, chairman of Vina Office Company, said businesses that lease commercial space and offices have restructured themselves and cut prices to retain customers. "In my opinion, eateries and fast moving consumer goods shops, if they do not cut losses now, will continue to incur them for at least four to six months before the market gets better. Small businesses in the food and beverage and fashion industries can only sustain losses for a maximum of six months, and so if they do not see bright prospects soon, should close down, he said. Hoang, owner of a coffee shop on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street in District 3, said he opened just three months ago and now with the epidemic, he was worried about what was in store. If I make losses for six to eight months, I will definitely go bankrupt, so I am thinking of returning the premises to the landlord or releasing it." Last month Hoang Lan of District 10 paid a deposit of VND15 million ($645.7) to rent a house for opening a coffee shop. She planned to open this month, but found that amid the epidemic fears many coffee shops had little customers and so gave up the idea and agreed to forfeit the deposit. According to real estate experts, the commercial property market may not recover until the third quarter of this year and so businesses and landlords need to lower rentals. It is time for customers to look for new places in better locations and with more reasonable prices, they said. Hai said many tenants are willing to lose their deposit or three months rent they paid in advance to find a better location. Offices for lease also face the same situation, experts said. They said many businesses are cutting costs and reducing personnel and so would move to smaller places. They forecast that grade B and C offices of 30-50sq.m area and with rents below $20 per square metre would become popular soon. VNS VN real estate investors advised to put eggs in many baskets To minimize risks as the real estate market has decelerated, investors have been told not to pour all their money into one project. Police threw down stop sticks near the I-65 and Interstate 80/94 interchange. The now westbound Subaru drove over it, before both left tires went flat near the Broadway exit, the SUV flipped and landed on its roof, police wrote. All five were arrested and taken to St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart for evaluation, charges state. WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- NETWORK hosted a gathering at the National Press Club to release their new report, Raising Rural Voices: Listening to the Hopes and Hardships of Rural Communities. Moderated by Lawrence O'Donnell, Sister Simone, four rural participants, and audience members held a robust discussion on rural life in America and what policymakers in Washington could do help rural communities. "I invite you to embrace a culture of encounter as you read this report," said Sister Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director of NETWORK. "The report findings are based on rural roundtables we held in every region of the United States to listen to the lived realities of more than 250 people. We learned that rural communities are proud of where they live, close to nature and in strong relationship with their neighbors. But at every roundtable from Poetry, Texas to Wabasha, Minnesota and Davis, California to Amsterdam, New York participants carried with them the feeling that their perspectives simply do not matter. That's why we're releasing this report and bringing this conversation to Washington to raise rural voices and continue our work to create a society that promotes justice and the dignity of all people." "In my freshman economics class, my professor's solution to every rural problem was to move. That's what the economist sees. People have for 100 years been making that choice. Sister Simone has been talking to the people who say 'No, this is where I am. This is where we want to be.' That's a commitment to place," said Lawrence O'Donnell, host of MSNBC's The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. For video, photos, and additional information, click here. "It has been a problem that industrial users, especially mining companies, have used limited water resources for their benefit at the expense of local water users first, the depletion of our water table and second, contamination," said Antonio Trujillo, the principal of St. Joseph Mission School in San Fidel, New Mexico. "Cibola County is ground zero to some major water contamination from uranium mining. Our school is not far from these sources of contamination." "I just want my community to be heard, for the representatives to meet with our people, for them to come and see how most of the community is struggling to be reemployed," said Sr. Robbie Pentecost, a Franciscan Sister who has been serving Central and Eastern Kentucky for over 25 years. "The community wants to work, but we need better access to jobs. The work I am doing at the New Opportunity School for Women can't solve all of our problems. We need support and real programs that address our unique challenges." "We do not have wide access to health care," said Melanie Powell, Executive Director of the Tutwiler Community Education Center in Tutwiler, Mississippi. "Our community has to drive two hours for specialists. We have health and wellness programs, but that isn't enough when people need to see a doctor." "Agriculture is not just a livelihood, it is a way of life," said Kari Simpkins, owner of Ag Environmental Systems, LLC, in Connersville, Indiana. "Understanding the art and science of the land and applying those principles is a crucial part of sustainable, prosperous farming." About the Report In 2019, NETWORK staff visited 17 rural communities, listening to and documenting the concerns of over 250 people. From immigration to health care to transportation, the report findings showcase how rural problems need rural solutions, and all too often, how policymakers fail to address these issues. Read the full report here. About NETWORK NETWORK - advocates for justice inspired by Catholic sisters - educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. NETWORK has a nearly 50-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org SOURCE NETWORK Senior AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Gopal Rai on Thursday said the party's stand on violence remains clear that strictest punishment must be given to anyone associated with spreading it. Their reaction came after family of an Intelligence Bureau (IB) staffer, who was found dead in a drain near his home in northeast Delhi's riot-hit Chand Bagh area, accused AAP councillor Tahir Hussain of being behind the killing. Family members of Ankit Sharma, 26, alleged that Hussain and his associates were behind the killing. Hussain rejected the allegations. Sharma had gone missing on Tuesday and his body was found in a drain near his home in on Wednesday. Reacting to the allegations, Singh said they have heard Hussain's side of the story too and he has been claiming that he is innocent. Singh said the party's stand remains clear that strictest punishment must be given to anyone associated with spreading violence. Another AAP leader and Environment minister Gopal Rai said irrespective of religion or caste, a probe must be conducted and action taken against those found responsible for inciting violence. "I have just one thing to say - irrespective of religion and caste, a probe must be conducted and action must be taken even if it is Tahir Hussain or it is (BJP leader) Kapil Mishra," Rai told reporters. Thirty-four people were killed and over 200 injured in the communal clashes that broke out in northeast Delhi three days ago after violence between anti and pro Citizenship (Amendment) Act groups spiralled out of control. Frenzied mobs torched houses, shops, vehicles, a petrol pump and pelted stones at local residents and police personnel. Jaffrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar are among the areas mainly affected by the riots. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former president Barack Obama has demanded South Carolina television stations to stop running an ad attacking former vice president Joe Biden. Obama, who has yet to endorse Biden, released a statement through a spokesperson condemning pro-Trump PAC The Committee to Defend the President for using his words out of context and in a way that made it appear he was attacking his former vice president. He also sent a cease-and-desist letter, which you can read here. Also Read: Protesters Interrupt Biden's Closing Remarks at Nevada Democratic Debate This despicable ad is straight out of the Republican disinformation playbook, and its clearly designed to suppress turnout among minority voters in South Carolina by taking President Obamas voice out of context and twisting his words to mislead viewers, said his representative, Katie Hill, in a statement. The statement went on, In the interest of truth in advertising, we are calling on TV stations to take this ad down and stop playing into the hands of bad actors who seek to sow division and confusion among the electorate. [T]his unauthorized use of President Obamas name, image, likeness, voice and book passage is clearly intended to mislead the target audience of the ad into believing that the passage from the audiobook is a statement that was made by President Obama during his presidency, says the cease-and-desist letter, referencing audiobook clips from Obamas memoir used over footage of Biden. The passage was in fact a statement made by a barber in a completely different context more than 20 years ago. This is the stuff they are doing out in the open. In February. By October? Ugly pro-Trump ad weaponizes audio of Obama, showing whats coming, wrote Obama campaign manager and White House senior advisor David Plouffe on Twitter, earning a retweet from Hill. Of course, retweets are not necessarily endorsements. Neither are demands to stop playing ads that make a former colleague look bad. Biden still has not received the official stamp of approval from his one-time boss. Read original story Obama Demands South Carolina Stations Stop Running Misleading Ad Where He Appears to Attack Biden At TheWrap Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut will visit Ayodhya on Thursday, ahead of Maharashtra Chief Minister and party chief Uddhav Thackeray's visit to the city. Raut will also meet the district magistrate and make necessary arrangements for the visit. "On the completion of 100 days of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will visit Ayodhya to pay homage to Lord Ram," Raut had informed on January 22. He had also said that Ministers of its alliance partners (Congress and NCP) can also accompany the Chief Minister. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government was formed in November last year after the BJP failed to prove its majority in the State Assembly. This will be Thackeray's first visit to Ayodhya after becoming the Chief Minister in November last year. Shiv Sena, a former ally of Bharatiya Janata Party, is a strong supporter of the construction of a Ram Temple at the Ramjanmabhoomi site in Ayodhya. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign diplomats have laid flowers on the Moscow bridge where Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was fatally gunned down five years ago. The deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Bart Gorman, and the ambassadors of several European countries were among those marking the anniversary of Nemtsov's killing on February 27. Gorman called on the Russian authorities to find those who masterminded and ordered Nemtsov's killing. A liberal politician who was a deputy prime minister during Boris Yeltsin's presidency and became one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent opponents, Nemtsov was shot on February 27, 2015, as he strolled with his girlfriend along a bridge a stone's throw from the Kremlin. He was 55 years old. The brazen killing stunned the country, sent a chill through civil society, and prompted many to reflect on what Russia might have become if Nemtsov's meteoric political rise in the 1990s had continued -- if he, and others like him, had come to power at the end of the decade rather than Putin and others with roots in the Soviet security services. In July 2017, a Moscow court found five men from the North Caucasus region of Chechnya guilty of Nemtsov's murder and sentenced them to long prison terms. Nemtsov's death reverberated across Russia and beyond its borders, as evidenced by the numerous ceremonies set to commemorate the late politician throughout the day in several other Russian cities, as well as abroad. In the Czech Republic, a square where the Russian Embassy is located in Prague will be officially renamed after Nemtsov. Other cities have already undertaken similar moves. On February 29, a march to honor Nemtsov will take place in Moscow, which the capital's authorities have authorized. With reporting by RFE/RL's Russian Service, Interfax, and TASS Vivek Kuchibota has denied reports that the film he is making with Naga Shaurya, directed by Avasarala Srinivasa Rao, has been shelved. He asserted that 50 per cent of the shoot had been completed. We have to shoot the remaining film in USA and because of the delay in visas for some of our artistes and technicians, the shooting has been delayed. The film is definitely on, dont believe in rumours, confirms Vivek, adding that it is shaping up well. Malavika Nair is playing the female lead opposite Naga Shaurya in the film. The story takes us through the life of a person from the age of 18 to 32. Its a different story and calls for the actor to have a different look, so this is taking some time, says Vivek. The next schedule of shoot will probably start in March, according to Vivek. Five Sri Lankan fishermen were on Thursday arrested for allegedly fishing in the Indian territorial waters by the Navy. The fisherfolks from Thalaimannar in the island nation crossed the internatinonal border and were fishing on the Indian side this morning when a team of naval personnel on patrol duty arrested them and brought them to Dhanushkodi along with their boat, marine police said. They were handed over to the Marine police, who registered a case and are investigating. This is the second such incident in less than a month. Three Lankan fishermen were arrested by the Navy for fishing off Dhanushkodi on February 15. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) welcomes US President Donald Trump (L) to the NATO summit at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast of London on December 4, 2019. Peter Nicholls | AFP | Getty Images The U.K. is about to start trade negotiations with the United States, but some experts doubt they'll achieve a far-reaching deal anytime soon. The two countries announced in January their intention to conclude an agreement in 2020. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that both economies are similar and "it should be much easier" to reach a deal, as a result. However, analysts are only expecting a "shallow" agreement, given the upcoming U.S. presidential election and recent disputes over 5G and digital taxation. "I don't have high expectations and don't expect anything major to happen soon. There are both political and technical obstacles standing in the way of a comprehensive trade deal between the two," Fredrik Erixon, an international trade expert at the Brussels-based think tank ECIPE, told CNBC Tuesday. The British government announced in late January that Huawei will be allowed to participate in the country's 5G network, though with some restrictions. This decision was not been welcomed by the White House, where officials believe that the Chinese firm poses a security threat. At the same time, the U.K. has also said it will go ahead with plans to tax tech giants, which are mostly large American firms. The U.S. believes such a tax discriminates against their homegrown companies. Moritz Kraemer, chief economic advisor at advisory firm Acreditus, said that in principle negotiations should be smooth, but there are a "series of rubs." He cited the dispute over 5G, digital taxation and President Donald Trump's "America First" approach as some of the obstacles. "While both sides claim that a comprehensive deal is possible this year, that remains doubtful. The U.S. side will be absorbed by the nearing presidential election and the U.K. side should have its hands full negotiating with the EU," Kraemer said via email. In addition, given the time pressure to conclude a deal before the end of the year, analysts do not expect anything broad or wide-ranging. "It is our expectation that, although it will not be signed, much less ratified, before the U.S.'s November 3 election, there will be significant progress toward the U.S.-U.K. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by then. That said, the noise about the FTA will be louder than the actual substance of the deal," Anna Rosenberg, head of Europe and the U.K. at the advisory firm Signum Global, said in a note to clients. Brexit in the way The U.K. left the European Union on January 31, but it is still bound to follow EU rules until the end of a transition period, due to last until late December. In the meantime, U.K. officials can negotiate trade deals with other countries, but these can only take effect from the moment that transition period ends. A shallow agreement will make both sides able to score some political points. Fredrik Erixon Director at ECIPE During this time, the British government will also be busy figuring out new commercial links with the EU. This could further complicate negotiations with the United States. "EU-U.K. trade discussion will limit the negotiating freedom with the U.S. For example, should the U.K. end up adhering to EU food standards, which we expect in some areas, a deal with the U.S. involving agriculture will be more limited," Rosenberg from Signum Global said. In 2018, the U.K.'s total trade with the EU reached 641.9 billion ($831.02 billion). In contrast, its total trade with non-EU countries stood at 657.2 billion for that year. The U.K. government has embarked on a trade deal bonanza, looking to reach agreements with various countries to compensate for its departure from the EU. At the moment, the U.K. is negotiating with Canada, Mexico and Ukraine, to name just a few. Canada last night refused to keep guarding Harry and Meghan when they step down as working royals. In what will be seen as a humiliation for the couple, the Mounties said they would no longer pay for their security after March 31. This means the cost of round-the-clock protection for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and baby son Archie which could run to millions of pounds will fall on UK taxpayers. It is the first time Canada has confirmed it has been helping to guard Harry and Meghan since they settled on Vancouver Island last November. But last night it announced this would cease from April in keeping with their change in status. Meghan Markle is pictured above taking her two dogs for a walk with baby Archie with Canadian security guards Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are pictured above earlier this month. It is said that costs to keep the couple safe are continuing to soar Prince Harry is pictured above leaving Victoria International Airport in Victoria Harry and Meghan's travels this year and where they are expected to be going in March Canada has a legal obligation to provide security to so-called internationally protected persons. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry DROP bid to trademark Sussex Royal name Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have abandoned their bid to trademark the Sussex Royal brand in Britain to cash in on their links to the monarch. Documents filed at the Intellectual Property Office show a request to use the names Sussex Royal and Sussex Royal Foundation for commercial and charity activities in the UK had been removed. It followed the Queen's decision that they could not use the 'Royal' label after deciding to step down as working royals and move to North America. An application to use the royal trademark on toiletries, beer, toys, jewellery and sporting goods in Europe is still active. That is despite the couple saying last weekend that they would not use the word 'Royal' overseas. Advertisement The Sussexes arrived there on a temporary visit in November as full working royals, and the Mounties gave them protection as they always have on such visits with Canadian taxpayers picking up the bill. But now Harry and Meghan intend to live in North America to pursue lucrative commercial careers and will quit as senior working royals on March 31. In a statement, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said yesterday: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex choosing to relocate to Canada on a part-time basis presented our government with a unique and unprecedented set of circumstances. The RCMP has been engaged with officials in the UK from the very beginning regarding security considerations. 'As the duke and duchess are currently recognised as internationally protected persons, Canada has an obligation to provide security assistance on an as-needed basis. At the request of the Metropolitan Police, the RCMP has been providing assistance to the Met since the arrival of the duke and duchess to Canada intermittently since November 2019. 'The assistance will cease in the coming weeks, in keeping with their change in status. Prince Harry greets Justin Trudeau in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in London during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in April 2018. Mr Trudeau had previously promised that the couple would be safe when in Canada The Duchess of Sussex, then Meghan Markle, speaks to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the One Young World summit in Ottowa in September 2016. Mr Trudeau previously said that any security arrangements for the couple would be confidential Harry and Meghan spent their first Christmas with baby Archie at this 10million waterfront mansion on Vancouver Island in Canada Who will foot the bill for Meghan and Harry's security costs? The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RMCP) today revealed that they will cease to provide security for Meghan and Harry once they officially step back from their royal duties. Canadian officials said that this had been a deal that was brokered with the Met Police in London. In their roles as senior royals, the couple had their security paid for by the state and once they step back from these officials roles in the coming weeks it has not yet been clear as to who will foot the bill. According to the Royals' 2018-2019 financial reports, physical security is not covered by the Sovereign Grant. The costs are likely to fall on British taxpayers even when the prince and the former actress move to Canada on a permanent basis. This could be due to the fact that Harry has been a high-value target since serving in the military. But Prince Harry is still set to receive money from his father from the Duchy Estate and could use these funds to pay to keep his family safe. Harry is worth an estimated 30million, made up partly from funds left in a trust to him by his mother, Princess Diana, inheritance from the Queen Mother (which reportedly included her jewels) and partly from his earnings as a captain of the Army. If Meghan were to go back to acting she could be in for a princely sum of money, as she made 3million from appearing on American TV show Suits. Advertisement The decision puts the globe-trotting couple in a potentially explosive predicament. As recently as last Friday, when they updated their personal website, the Sussexes were adamant they are legally entitled to year-round police protection. In a statement they said: It is agreed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son. This is based on the dukes public profile by virtue of being born into the Royal Family, his military service, the duchesss own independent profile, and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over the last few years. But with Canada now refusing to help, the responsibility for protecting the Sussexes will be placed solely at the feet of the Metropolitan Police and UK taxpayers. The annual cost of keeping a team of UK officers to guard them in Canada for most of the year and accompany them on trips around the world has been estimated at 1million at the very least. The only other option would be for the couple to agree to pay for their own security guards. Some have suggested they might accept the kind of arrangement favoured by Tony Blair, who pays for his own bodyguards for lucrative foreign business trips. But the duke and duchess appear unwilling to do this, given the strength of their recent statement. Dai Davies, who led the Mets royalty protection unit, said: Its the first time in 300 years of royalty protection that anyone has ever done this to a member of the Royal Family. The Duke of Sussex released this photograph of him with baby Archie on New Year's Eve, while the family were in Canada Police in Canada have today revealed that they will stop paying Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's security costs after the pair officially step back from royal life (the couple are pictured above in London last month) The couple insisted in their statement last week that they need security 'to protect them and their son' amid controversy surrounding protection costs 'Just call me Harry!': Prince DROPS his royal title as he returns to Britain without Meghan to launch an eco-friendly tourism firm in Edinburgh - after arriving by train The Duke of Sussex this week embarked on his final round of engagements as a senior working royal as he launched a new eco-friendly travel firm in Edinburgh - and asked delegates 'just to call him Harry'. Prince Harry, who will step down as a senior royal in less than five weeks, is in the Scottish capital for a 'working summit' of the Travalyst partnership, which will feature a grading system for users to track their carbon emissions. Before he took to the stage on Wednesday, host Ayesha Hazarika, a former Labour adviser, said: 'He's made it clear that we are all just to call him Harry. So ladies and gentlemen, please give a big, warm, Scottish welcome to Harry.' Asking to be addressed simply as Harry, he said the industry in Scotland was at the forefront of making the sector greener Harry flew to Britain from Canada on a commercial flight earlier this week and arrived in Edinburgh on an eco-friendly LNER train from London King's Cross station, with taxpayer-funded Scotland Yard bodyguards. The 35-year-old Duke, who is officially known as the Earl of Dumbarton when in Scotland, has been stung by criticism over the past six months of his frequent use of private jets while campaigning on environmental issues. Advertisement There are two options now for them and us: that the Met will carry on guarding them and footing the bill, which is unacceptable to many, or they agree a system where they make a contribution to the costs personally. But their statement doesnt seem to suggest they would wish to do that. With budgets straining at the moment, this is a huge problem that the Met will have to get a grip on and quickly. It was previously reported that Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau had given the UK a commitment that his government would contribute to the costs, although this was never confirmed. Recent polls found that only one in five Canadians believes paying for the couples security is an appropriate use of state funds. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation delivered an 80,000-signature petition to Mr Trudeaus office opposing footing the bill. There has been similar opposition in the UK. Buckingham Palace and the Met refused to comment last night, and it was clear Scotland Yard had been caught unawares by the Canadian statement. A spokesman for the Sussexes said: Buckingham Palace does not comment on the details of security arrangements. There are well-established independent procedures to determine the need for publicly-funded security. Scotland Yard is already carrying out a full review of security for the duke and duchess. A joint committee made up of the Home Secretary, the Mets royalty protection command chief, and palace officials are assessing whether their 24-hour protection should continue. Mr Davies has estimated the bill will exceed 1million a year for their close protection team and extra uniformed police required on engagements. He said the cost of each officer will reach 100,000 for salary, overtime, overseas allowance, pensions, flights and accommodation. Harry is in the UK completing his last official engagements as a senior royal, and will be joined by Meghan next week. Today he will record a charity single for his Invictus Games Foundation with rock star Jon Bon Jovi at Abbey Road Studios in London. Prince Harry was seen carrying his own suit through Edinburgh Waverley earlier this week (left) after arriving with his team (right). The team are believed to be part of his UK security team that is funding by the UK taxpayer Russian President on Thursday revealed there was a secret plan to use a double to make public appearances for him, while insisting he vetoed it -- and that he is the real Putin. Putin's comments showed that a conspiracy theory widespread on the internet that the Russian strongman has been impersonated over the years or even replaced by a lookalike is not entirely without basis. TASS state news agency showed Putin a list of popular Russian-language Internet searches including "Putin double proof". "Are you real?" the interviewer asked. "Yes," said Putin. He said he has never had a double but when asked if the idea had ever been discussed, he confirmed it had. "I refused to have doubles," Putin said. "It was during the hardest times of the fight against terrorism." Putin as prime minister and then president oversaw the second war against separatists in Chechnya from 1999 to 2000. After Russian armed forces claimed victory, Islamist insurgent attacks became frequent in the North Caucasus while suicide bombers targeted Russia's main cities. "Was that in the early 2000s?" asked interviewer Andrei Vandenko, who is doing a series of interviews with Putin to mark 20 years since he became president. "Yes," said Putin. "The double would go where things were dodgy?" asked Vandenko. "Well yes, go, put in appearances," Putin confirmed. Conspiracy theories have long circulated suggesting that Putin had died and been replaced by a lookalike. These centred on the 67-year-old's apparent lack of signs of ageing, the disappearance of bags under his eyes and his seemingly worsening knowledge of German, which he learned when working as a Soviet agent in East Germany. In 2015, Putin disappeared from public view for 10 days, unleashing a frenzy of speculation that he had once again become a father, been deposed in a palace coup, fallen ill, had cosmetic surgery or even died. "It's boring without gossip," Putin said after reappearing. People returning to Vietnam from countries and territories stricken by the Covid-19 are quarantined in a zone managed by the Hanoi Military High Command in Son Tay Town. Photo by VnExpress/Dung Nguyen. Hanoi must prepare for several scenarios in fighting the novel coronavirus outbreak, including locking down some city streets, says its Party Secretary Vuong Dinh Hue. The capital, as a popular tourist destination and where multiple branches and headquarters of international agencies are located, needs to be thorough in its preparations to stave off the Covid-19 advance, said Hue. He was speaking Thursday during a visit to the Duc Giang General Hospital, one of five Hanoi hospitals designated to receive, quarantine and treat Covid-19 patients. The other four hospitals are the Ha Dong General Hospital, Dong Da General Hospital, Bac Thang Long General Hospital and Thanh Nhan Hospital. Duc Giang General Hospital director Nguyen Van Thuong said they have prepared a quarantine zone with about 70 beds. Among Hanois 10 million-strong population is a large South Korean community, especially in districts like Thanh Xuan and Cau Giay, Hue noted. "If something happens, where can we quarantine the people? What Vinh Phuc Province did was to quarantine an entire commune (Son Loi), which is good. While quarantining a rural area is easy, how can we do it in an urban area, where houses and streets are closely intertwined with one another?" Hue said, adding that authorities must consider ways to quarantine entire streets if necessary. South Korea has made international headlines over the last few days as the worst-hit country after China, with 1,766 coronavirus infections in total, many in the southeastern city of Daegu and nearby North Gyeongsang Province. Vuong Dinh Hue, Hanois Party Secretary, at Hanoi's Healh Department on February 27, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Vo Hai. As of Wednesday, around 650 people coming from outbreak areas were quarantined in zones managed by the Hanoi Military High Command, said director Nguyen Khac Hien of the municipal Health Department. These zones are expected to receive about 800 more within Thursday, he added. The Hanoi Military High Command has made plans to build more field hospitals should the virus continue to spread. These would be situated in Me Linh Districts Son Tay and Xuan Mai towns, with a total capacity of around 2,000 beds. Vietnam has suspended entry from all coronavirus-hit countries and territories since Tuesday, to include cities in South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran. The countrys last Covid-19 patient of the 16 confirmed infections so far was discharged Wednesday. Vietnam has recorded no new infections over the past two weeks. Previously, Hanoi Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung said the city currently accommodates 21,000 South Koreans, more than 8,400 Japanese and over 2,700 Chinese. The global death toll from the Covid-19 epidemic has reached 2,808, mostly in China, followed by Iran at 22, South Korea at 13 and Italy at 12. Actor Sharwanand had been banking on his recent film Jaanu, but it failed miserably at the box-office. The remake of the hit Tamil film 96 got positive reviews and was critically acclaimed, but audience rejected it. Sharwanand was confident about its success, but is now a disappointed man. The actor has gone abroad for a short break, according to a source. He was supposed to continue shooting for Sreekaram, but told the makers that he needed a small break. He has been giving continuous flops and this has impacted his upcoming film too. He was very upset, added the source. Sharwanand is expected to return in a few days to complete work on the film. Mumbai, Feb 27 : Actor Raghubir Yadav, who has starred in films like "Lagaan", "Peepli Live", "Sui Dhaaga" and "Newton", has been accused by his wife Purnima Kharga of fathering a 14-year-old son with actor Sanjay Mishra's wife. Kharga, a former international Kathak dancer, has accused Yadav of cheating, and filed for divorce, reports timesofindia.com. According to the portal, Kharga has further accused that the actor is in a live in relationship with actor Sanjay Mishra's wife Roshni Achreja and that they have a 14-year-old son. She also said that after seven years of marriage, Raghubir fell in love with actor Nandita Das while working on a Raj Barot show. Kharga filed for divorce earlier this week and sought an interim maintenance of Rs 1 lakh and a final alimony of Rs 10 crore, reports timesofindia.com. Purnima and Raghubir are estranged. Their 30-year-old son lives with his mother. Under the Criminal Procedure Court procedure, Kharga gets a maintenance of Rs 40,000 a month but according to a Mumbai Mirror report, she has stated that the payments are never made on time. She has also said that Raghubir has transferred most of his assets in Achreja's name to avoid paying maintenance. 3 1 of 3 David Ames / GT Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Show More Show Less 3 of 3 NEW HAVEN City police will conduct a checkpoint for motorists driving under the influence Friday night into Saturday morning, according to the department. Capt. Anthony Duff said officers will man a checkpoint on State Street at its intersection with Wall Street. The operation is set to begin Friday at 7 p.m. and expected to conclude Saturday at 3 a.m., he said. Global Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) Market, by Type (Single Quadrupole LC-MS, Triple Quadrupole LC-MS, and Ion Trap LC-MS), by Sensitivity (High Flow, MicroFlow, and Nano Flow), By End User (Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry, Hospital and Research Laboratories, and Academic and Research Institutes), and by Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) it is expected to be valued at US$ 3,683.7 million in 2019, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 12.0% over the forecast period (2019 2027), as highlighted in a new report published by. Increasing research and development expenditure in the healthcare sector and increasing product launches by market players are expected to drive the market growth Increasing product launches by market players, in order to offer advanced solutions for efficient analysis of samples in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, and other sectors is expected to drive the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry market growth. For instance, in June 2017, Thermo Fisher launched a fully automated analyzer, Cascadion SM clinical analyzer system with selectivity and sensitivity of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The fully automated analyzer can be customized easily to be compatible with the laboratory information systems. Request Free PDF Research Report Brochure @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/3102 Moreover, initiatives taken by regulatory authorities regarding adoption of LCMS technique for testing and analysis in the biopharmaceutical industry is expected to drive growth of the LCMS market over the forecast period. For instance, in October 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended pharmaceutical companies to use Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) for testing N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in ranitidine products. The NDMA is found to be carcinogenic in nature. Browse 28 Market Data Tables and 23 Figures spread through 186 Pages and in-depth TOC on Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) Market- Global Forecast to 2027, by Type (Single Quadrupole LC-MS, Triple Quadrupole LC-MS, and Ion Trap LC-MS), by Sensitivity (High Flow, MicroFlow, and Nano Flow), by End User (Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry, Hospital and Research Laboratories, and Academic and Research Institutes), and by Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in this market Press Release, click the link below: http://bit.ly/2T1CxkJ Furthermore, key players and other organizations are focused on strategic collaborations to offer training programs for researchers, scientists, and other personnel, in order to boost drug discovery in emerging economies. For instance, in August 2019, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya held a training session for researchers from ten African countries for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) training, to help analyze live molecules in food, medicine, and organic compounds. The training was co-funded by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and the Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN). The key players operating in the market are focused on adopting acquisition and collaboration strategies, in order to expand their product offerings in potential markets. For instance, in September 2019, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Cedars-Sinai entered a collaboration for developing advanced liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry workflows for screening and targeted quantitation of protein-based biomarkers for complicated diseases. Key Takeaways of the Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Market: The global liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 12.0% over the forecast period, owing to product launches by market players. For instance, in 2018, Shimadzu Corporation launched Nexera Mikros, a micro flowrate-compatible liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer which provides ten times higher sensitivity. On the basis of sensitivity, the microflow segment held a dominant position in the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry market in 2018, owing to its vast application in research which includes proteomics, biomarker discovery, bioanalysis, and environmental analysis, which is attributed to its higher sensitivity Among end-user, the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries segment held a dominant position in the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry market in 2018, owing to increasing innovations to accelerate drug development. For instance, in May 2018, SCIEX launched BioPharmaView Software 3.0 solution for complete LC-MS multiple attribute methodology (MAM) workflow, which enables detailed characterization of biologics for use by biopharma researchers. Key players operating in the global liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry market include Danaher Corporation, PerkinElmer, Inc., Waters Corporation, Bruker Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., Shimadzu Corporation, JEOL Ltd., and Newomics, Inc. Direct Purchase the Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) Market Report at @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/3102 Detailed Segmentation: Global Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Market, By Type: Single Quadrupole LC-MS Triple Quadrupole LC-MS Ion Trap LC-MS Global Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Market, By Sensitivity: High Flow MicroFlow Nano Flow Global Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Market, By End User: Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry Hospital and Research Laboratories Academic and Research Institutes Global Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Market, By Region: North America By Type: Single Quadrupole LC-MS Triple Quadrupole LC-MS Ion Trap LC-MS By Sensitivity: High Flow MicroFlow Nano Flow By End User: Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry Hospital and Research Laboratories Academic and Research Institutes By Country: U.S. Canada Latin America By Type: By Sensitivity: By End User: By Country: Brazil Mexico Argentina Rest of Latin America Europe By Type: By Sensitivity: By End User: By Country: Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific By Type: By Sensitivity: By End User: By Country: China India Japan Australia South Korea ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East By Type: By Sensitivity: By End User: By Country: GCC Israel Rest of Middle East Africa By Type: By Sensitivity: By End User: By Country/Region: South Africa Central Africa North Africa Company Profiles Danaher Corporation* Company Overview Product Portfolio Financial Performance Key Highlights Market Strategies PerkinElmer, Inc. Waters Corporation Bruker Corporation Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Agilent Technologies, Inc. Shimadzu Corporation JEOL Ltd. Newomics, Inc. About Coherent Market Insights: Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity. Contact Us: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com U.S. Office: Name: Mr. Shah Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154, U.S. US : +1-206-701-6702 UK : +44-020-8133-4027 JAPAN : +050-5539-1737 Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, made a 19.9% return on investment last year, earning a record 1.69 trillion Norwegian crowns ($180 billion) as stock markets rallied, it said on Thursday. The $1.1 trillion fund's return for the year was stronger than that of its benchmark index, it added. "2019 has been a very good year for the fund ... this is the greatest increase in value in a single year in the fund's history," said central bank Governor Oeystein Olsen, who chairs the fund's board. Last year's return on investment amounted to almost $34,000 for each of the 5.3 million people living in Norway, and the overall value of the fund is now equivalent to about $207,000 for every man, woman and child. The fund holds stakes in more than 9,000 companies globally, owning 1.5% of all listed stocks. It also invests in bonds and real estate. Apple Inc and Microsoft Corp contributed the most to the fund's return in 2019, followed by Nestle SA, while the worst performers were Nokia Oyj, Pfizer Inc and Swedbank AB, it said. The fund, which saves revenue from the oil and gas industry, is now worth three times Norway's annual gross domestic product, and its returns provide vital funding for the country's extensive welfare state. The 2019 accounts were the final annual report of Chief Executive Yngve Slyngstad, who announced late last year he will soon step down after a dozen years in the job. A successor to Slyngstad, yet to be appointed by the board of the central bank, is expected to take charge within the next few months. The Khojaly genocide, perpetrated by Armenian nationalists at the end of the 20th century, became one of the gravest crimes against humanity. The Khojaly residents became victims of nationalist illegal armed groups who fought against the Republic of Azerbaijan and hired, in particular, the second battalion of the former Soviet motorized rifle 366th regiment under the command of Seyran Ohanyan. External forces were also involved in unleashing and prolonging the Karabakh conflict. At the same time, there are many people in Armenia and among the Armenians of the Diaspora who condemn the genocide of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly. Unfortunately, this is not the only example in world history when people, under the influence of absurd nationalistic ideas, putting one nation above another / others, turn into nonhumans. Perhaps the dissemination of documentary evidence of illegal acts will help prevent new atrocities. The Vestnik Kavkaza invites you to familiarize yourself with the chapters from the book Khojaly through the Eyes of Eyewitnesses, which has become a valuable resource for studying the genocide and bringing the truth about it to the world community. Each of the surviving Khojaly residents has its own story. Garyagdy Guliyev: "Of the seven children who died four days from the cold and hunger in the forest, the sister-in-law only managed to save my daughter" The frosty February season was about to cede its rights to spring. At that time, the city was shrouded in anticipation of the coming spring - the time of love, dreams and hopes. But fate decreed otherwise. No one could have imagined that on a cold February night, he would fall prey to sinister plans hatched by cunning, vile and treacherous invaders. The sun was setting, and time seemed to freeze, dreams were destroyed ... Khojaly became the land where humanity was drowned in blood ... Conscience tormenting me for being alive In February of each year, Khojaly's pain torments the heart as if it were yesterday. Witness of the monstrous act of genocide - almost 80-year-old Garyagdy Guliyev is tormented by the fact that he survived that night. Now he lives in a settlement for internally displaced persons in Goranboy. In his declining years, a man cannot find peace, thinking about that fateful night, he says that the wound in the heart does not heal even in the grave ... - I had a big, happy family, I was the father of two sons and three daughters. He worked at the state farm. On February 25, I went out on a night shift when suddenly there was a roar of military equipment in the upper part of Khojaly. It was thought that these are exercises. There were posts everywhere. Our house was near the airport. Suddenly a city of bullets and shells rained down on the city. The houses of the Meskhetian Turks collapsed, people rushed in all directions. Realizing that the situation was getting worse, I rushed home. The guys were waiting for me. My wife's sister, Sadagyat, was with us with three children. Having dressed, we left the house. The invaders already blocked the road to Askeran, so we headed to the nearest mountain. Crossing the river, we reached the forest. They took the direction to Kyatik. There were about 500 people. We were told that the invaders had ambushed upstairs, so we had to change direction. On the way to the village of Dehraz, they fired at us. Many of ours died. We took refuge in the forest. Children were freezing from the cold. Someone knew the way to the Agdam village of Gyulably. Following him, we continued on. I could not leave my wounded brother in the forest My brother Tahir (born 1956) served in the army. He was injured and barely reached us in the middle of the night, bleeding. We continued the journey together. Tair lost a lot of blood and could not go, he prayed to leave him and go. But I couldnt do this, how could I leave my wounded brother to certain death ?! I told my relatives that they should go with the others, and we will slowly catch up with them. We had to stay with my brother in the forest. Taking a notebook out of my pocket, collecting the hazel branches, I somehow made a fire. Tahir felt a little better. But he repeated again and again - leave me here, save the children from the hands of these savages. Of course, I did not agree. Having picked it up, I set off on a journey, but did not find mine, apparently, they went in a different direction. We spent 3 days in the forest. February 28, we went to the village of Dehraz. Glancing from above, I noticed the traces of the wheels, passing through which we reached Gulabla. My younger brother Garsalan lived in Agdam. He also came to Gyulably. I asked about my own, but he replied that they had not reached. Having entrusted him with Tahir, I decided to return and find the family. My brother asked me not to do this, they say, you will perish. I replied that if my family is captive, then I should be there. It turns out that my family at that time was not in captivity, but in God's abode ... Six fell asleep forever, turning into monuments of ice All who had got out of the forest were not and were not. I cried like a baby. At the sight of my daughter Shakhla and her aunt Sadyagat in Gyulably, hope flickered in my heart. My are alive, flashed through my head. When my daughter, with tears in her eyes, spoke of four-day wanderings in the forest and the horrors that fell to their lot, despair gripped me. I was shocked, my mind, as if clouded ... It turns out that having parted with me, my family, the sister-in-law and her three children were ambushed. Many women from their group were killed. The screams of the unfortunate people, the blood flowing through the snow in the river, scared my 14-year-old daughter Ravana to death, the girls heart was broken with fear and horror. The wife buried her in the snow. People rushed in all directions. The wife and sister-in-law with the children took refuge in the forest. With them were my relatives from a neighboring village. Uncle Rashid, seeing women and children dying in the cold, told his youngest son to give up, telling them to pick up people who were dying in the forest. He hoped that the captives would then be exchanged. The son did not disobey his father, surrendered. He was so beaten that he was unable to utter a word. When he woke up, he realized that he was on a farm with the rest of the captives. He told about all the invaders, but those who promised to pick people up from the forest did not go there ... The unfortunate travelers, abandoned in a snowy forest to their fate, fought desperately for life. My wife Sarah pressed 11-year-old Nurana and 7-year-old Shukur to her chest to somehow warm them, but soon they all died in the cold, turning into monuments from ice. Three children of my sister-in-law (girls 12, 7 and 4 years old) could not bear the torment. The death of children is an inescapable maternal grief, what could be worse? My 16-year-old daughter, Shakhla, managed to survive this nightmare. Together with the sister-in-law they wandered through the forest with all their might in the hope of escape. Having decided that there were no more alive, the invaders removed the cordon. So, Sadagat and Shakhla got out of the forest, safely reaching Gulabla. The grief of loss to this day is given in pain in the heart. I saved my brother by losing three children and a wife. Tahir was cured, but when he found out about my family tragedy, he considered himself the culprit. He died of mental torment three months later, in May ... A primary school and a GP surgery have closed as two people who returned from Italy and Tenerife have tested positive for coronavirus in England. The headteacher of Burbage Primary in Buxton, Derbyshire, which has 350 pupils, told Sky News the school was shut because a pupil's parent has tested positive for COVID-19. A message was sent to parents via multiple social media platforms on Wednesday night saying the decision had been taken as a "precautionary measure and to enable a deep clean to be completed". But health officials said there was no need for the school to be shut. Dr Fu-Meng Khaw from Public Health England East Midlands, said: "My team have spoken to the school, assessed the risk and confirmed there is currently no information to suggest that there is any increased health risk to any pupils or staff at the school. "And no public health reason to remain closed at the current time." :: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker It comes as Buxton Medical Practice announced it was closed because of a confirmed case. "We have a confirmed case of coronavirus, we are liaising with Public Health England the CCG to ensure all appropriate actions are taken. Please do not come to the practice," the GP surgery said in a statement. Confirming the two new cases which brings the total in the UK to 15, Professor Chris Witty, chief medical officer for England, said the patients had been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres. He said: "The virus was passed on in Italy and Tenerife and the patients have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres in Royal Liverpool Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, London." In other developments: More than 82,100 people have been infected with COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by coronavirus, resulting in more than 2,800 fatalities. Most of the casualties have been in China, where the disease originated, but the virus has steadily spread across the globe. Story continues In the UK, 7,132 people have been tested for the virus, and out of the more than a dozen that have tested positive, eight have since been discharged from hospital. At least eight schools have closed while others - including Prince George's school - have sent pupils home amid fears they may have been exposed to coronavirus during half-term trips to affected areas in northern Italy. Italy has the highest number of cases in Europe, with more than 500 people infected, and 14 people have died. In the Middle East, there have been 26 fatalities in Iran which has the highest death toll outside China. In the United States, which has 60 cases, President Donald Trump said "there's no reason to be panicked" and he has put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of overseeing the country's response. After Brazil confirmed Latin America's first case this week, the virus has reached every continent except Antarctica. With the surge in coronavirus cases around the world, on Tuesday the number of new infections outside China exceeded those recorded inside the country for the first time since the start of the viral outbreak in December. Around 160 British tourists stuck in quarantine at a Tenerife hotel over coronavirus fears have been told they must stay in isolation for 14 days. One British guest, who did not want to be named, told Sky News on Thursday there is a "real fear" among holidaymakers that they will catch the virus. "There is a WhatsApp group for us Brits. Main concern being expressed is the lack of consistency with regards to hygiene," they said. "Restaurant was open last night. Buffet style so people are wandering around food without face masks. We collected food and took it back to our room. We know others were prevented from doing that. "My blood pressure meds ran out yesterday. I was given alternative just for last night so I am short again. "There is real fear amongst the Brits is we will catch this." They added: "Do not let anyone tell you the hotel staff are letting us down. They are putting themselves in danger and are doing what they can." COVID-19 has been fatal in 2% of reported cases, with the elderly and ill the most vulnerable, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). There is no vaccine yet for the new viral infection, which health officials think spreads mainly from droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The symptoms include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. Advice is for people to wash their hands with soap and water and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Adrian Wail Akhlas and Prima Wirayani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 17:09 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206704b58 1 Business Indosat-Ooredoo,profit,telecommunications,stocks,financial-report Free Publicly listed telecommunications provider PT Indosat booked a significant profit in 2019 after recording a loss in 2018, thanks to tower sales and improvements in its cellular business. Indosat recorded a net profit of Rp 1.56 trillion (US$111.2 million) throughout 2019, bouncing back from a loss of Rp 2.43 trillion in 2018. The company pocketed Rp 26.1 trillion in total revenues or higher, almost a 13 percent year-on-year (yoy) increase as its cellular business grew robustly. Last year, Indosats cellular business pocketed Rp 20.7 trillion in revenue or a 14.7 percent yoy jump as data traffic soared by more than 71 percent. It also sold 3,100 telecommunications towers to PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi (Mitratel) and PT Professional Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Protelindo) in an all-cash transaction amounting to Rp 6.39 trillion. This sale will support Indosat Ooredoos strategic plan to further improve our network experience, thus [improving our services] to customers, Indosat CEO Ahmad al-Neama said in a statement on Thursday. We have invested to expand our 4G network coverage and improve our performance. These steps have contributed to an increase in our subscriber base and data traffic volume. Stocks of the company, traded at the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) with the code ISAT, fell by 4.6 percent on Thursday against the Jakarta Composite Indexs (JCI) loss of 2.5 percent. The stocks have lost almost 37 percent of their value in the last year, Bloomberg data showed. As we move forward, we aim to continue to play a leading role in Indonesias digital ecosystem and deliver further improvements in our services and customer experience that will create value for our stakeholders, said Al-Neama. Indosat plans to set aside a capital expenditure of between Rp 8.5 trillion and Rp 9.5 trillion this year to support its efforts to reach a growth target that is in line with market revenue growth. The company has taken further steps to improve its financial situation by laying off 677 employees as part of changes to its organizational structure. It aims to be more agile and focus on customers and market demand. Indosat director and human resources chief Irsyad Sahroni said in a statement on Thursday that 90 percent of the laid-off workers had agreed to the compensation packages offered by the company. He made the statement following a visit by the House of Representatives Commission IX overseeing manpower on the same day. We told [the commission] that our business reorganization has run according to the plan and has been well accepted by the affected employees, [that the company has] taken fair steps in line with prevailing regulations and has communicated directly and transparently with all employees during the process, Irsyad said. This was a difficult [decision] to make but necessary for Indosat Ooredoo to survive and grow. However, Indosat workers union conveyed a different message, saying it is thankful and warmly welcomes the House Commission IX and the Manpower Ministrys joint decision to ask Indosat Ooredoos management to halt the lay-offs. The Indosat workers union calls on Indosat Ooredoos management to [] to find the best solution for the employees and the company in accordance with prevailing laws and the collective working agreement, the union said in a statement on Thursday. By Pete Schroeder WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - U.S.-based banks and brokers are in discussions with federal regulators about allowing staff to work from home and other business continuity arrangements amid the spread of the coronavirus, the head of a top financial trade group said on Thursday. The industry is reviewing and updating contingency plans in order to minimize any potential disruption to the financial markets that could be caused by personnel being unable to work onsite, said Kenneth Bentsen Jr., said chief executive of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA). "We are communicating with the government, and obviously we will rely upon the appropriate officials, particularly both our regulatory officials and public health officials, to guide us " he told Reuters on Thursday. "But the firms are also going through what they would do in a pandemic situation that could impact market operations," he said, adding that most firms have playbooks for handling a range of business disruptions, including pandemics. In addition to remote working arrangements, financial firms could potentially move staff to backup locations away from major cities, he said. Several major banks in Hong Kong and Singapore - including HSBC, Morgan Stanley and DBS Bank - have restricted travel to mainland China and are allowing staff to work from home. On Tuesday, Chevron Corp asked about 300 British employees to work from home indefinitely after an employee in its London office reported a flu-like illness. The financial industry is also discussing with regulators rules that may need to be temporarily waived if staff are unable to get to work, since some functions require personnel to be physically onsite. For example, processing trades and monitoring trading communications remain heavily manual processes, he said. The Wall Street planning effort comes amid growing fears that countries are struggling to contain the flu-like virus, prompting governments from Iran to Australia to shut schools, cancel big public events and stock up on medical supplies. Story continues On Thursday, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission told Reuters it is closely monitoring trading as fears of a pandemic pummel markets, sinking global equities, pushing oil futures to their lowest in a year and roiling wheat and corn markets. The Basel Committee of banking regulators, an international regulatory body, said banks and regulators should be ready to share information across borders as it tries to assess the financial stability implications of the outbreak. Federal regulators published guidance in 2007 on how the financial industry should plan for a potential pandemic. That followed a 2007 exercise in which the government and financial industry tested the resilience of banks and other financial firms in the face of a hypothetical flu pandemic. That three-week exercise found that while there would be a significant impact on the financial sector, markets would continue to operate. SIFMA typically coordinates the industry's continuity planning efforts, and carries out regular drills. "Our job is to do as much preparedness as we can ... and to be as resilient as possible," said Bentsen. "That's been up and running for several weeks now, and we're prepared." (Reporting by Pete Schroeder; editing by Michelle Price and Jonathan Oatis) The Troops Smoke Out Minor Convictions In Kansas City Municipal marijuana pardons will 'open' options for veterans KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Less than two weeks after Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas' office it would begin the process of pardoning misdemeanor marijuana convictions, more than a dozen applications have come in. And for homeless veterans, that move from Lucas could be a step toward getting back on their feet. EPIC Weed Forgiveness Thousands of Kansas Citians with minor marijuana charges could soon be pardoned KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Thousands of Kansas Citians with minor marijuana convictions in municipal court could soon get their records wiped clean. In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Quinton Lucas will announce the details of his plan to launch the Municipal Marijuana Pardon Initiative. Mayor Q Explains Weed Pardon KC mayor talks about pardoning people with city marijuana convictions Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas talked Tuesday about the process to pardon people with city marijuana convictions.This was one of his campaign promises last year. Lucas said he will pardon many people who have been convicted of low-level charges of marijuana or possessing marijuana paraphernalia.The mayor said the pardon decision reflects America's changing attitude toward marijuana."We're going to make it more fair. Kansas City Weed Weed Roll Up Kansas City Launches Process To Help Clear Marijuana Convictions More Easily As city and state governments across the country legalize marijuana, Kansas City's mayor wants to make it easier to clean the slate for people convicted of some cannabis-related offenses. Mayor Quinton Lucas introduced an online system Tuesday afternoon that lets people convicted on municipal marijuana possession charges in Kansas City ask for pardons - free of charge. Almost a week has passed since theeffort started and so far weed is still widely available and enforcement of the law has grown even more confusing.This week we've seen just a bit of support for the weed forgiveness but not much excitement over the potential of reefer restorative justice . . . After the jump we share a quick round-up of news links on the topic . . .Developing . . . SPRINGFIELD The chairman of the citys Ward 2 Democratic Committee says he will run for state representative in the 9th Hampden District, joining two other Democrats in the race for the seat currently held by state Rep. Jose F. Tosado. Sean Mullan, of Green Lane, announced his campaign in a statement Thursday. I thank Rep. Tosado for his hard work, especially on mental health, substance abuse, and recovery issues. His example in this area is one I will follow, Mullan said. Mullan, 35, is a lifelong resident of the district, which covers a section of Chicopee and precincts in Wards 2, 5, 7, 8 and 9 in Springfield. He holds a bachelors degree in political science from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester and a masters degree in education from Elms College in Chicopee. A longtime substitute teacher in Springfields public school system, Mullan is now the office manager at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. Mullan said his priorities include supporting small business growth, east-west rail and a significant increase in state school funding. We are constantly left behind by Boston," he said. I will fight for our share of state revenue to build a strong future for our neighborhoods and families. Tosdado, the districts Democratic representative since 2014, announced his retirement in January. Two other candidates City Councilor Orlando Ramos and School Committee member Denise M. Hurst have said they are running for the seat. The just concluded visit of US President Donald Trump and his mega event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad dominated the discussion on the second day of the budget session of the Gujarat Assembly here on Thursday. During a discussion on the motion of thanks on Governor Acharya Devvrat' address to the assembly, Trump's visit found mention on several occasions. While opposition Congress MLAs tried to corner the government over the extravaganza related to the 'Namaste Trump' programme at the Motera Stadium, legislators of the ruling BJP lauded the event, saying a global leader had showered praises on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Referring to some media reports, Congress MLA Lalit Kagathara, in a satirical tone, said he does not have a problem over the government spending Rs 100 crore-Rs 200 crore on Trump's visit. "He was your guest and it is obvious that the government would do everything for him. You can spend Rs 100 crore or Rs 200 crore for his visit, despite knowing that your own people are starving. "But, I am sure that the people of Gujarat can observe fast for two days and give you the money if you don't have it to welcome your guest," said Kagathara. The American president along with US First Lady Melania Trump held a roadshow in Ahmedabad with Modi on February 24. Later, both the leaders addressed over one lakh people at the 'Namaste Trump' event. Taking a jibe at the BJP government for constructing roads connecting some areas to the Motera Stadium just ahead of the high-profile visit, Congress MLA Harshad Ribadiya said Trump should have been brought to the Gir forest to see lions. "I wish you had brought Trump to Gir for showing him Asiatic lions. Despite several representations, a road connecting Sasan-Gir to Visavadar is yet to be built. "If Trump had come there, our road would have constructed by now," said Ribadiya, the MLA from Visavadar in Junagadh district. Responding to Congress jibes, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said Trump showered praises on Modi and appreciated his style of working. "It was indeed a matter of pride for us that Trump came. He showered praises on our PM in the presence of around 1.25 lakh people and both of them, holding hands, announced to wage a war against Islamic terrorism. "One need a 56-inch chest to fight terrorism. Trump also praised Modi and his working style," Jadeja said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Glenmark Pharmaceuticals on Thursday said it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC for commercialising its novel nasal spray Ryaltris in the US. The company, however, did not disclose the amount that it stands to receive from Hikma. The licensing pact for Ryaltris has been signed between the company's Swiss subsidiary, Glenmark Specialty SA and Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma). Ryaltris is a novel fixed-dose combination nasal spray of an anti-histamine and a steroid, indicated for treatment of symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) in patients over 12 years of age. Under the terms of the agreement, Mumbai-based Glenmark will be responsible for the continued development and regulatory approval of Ryaltris by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). Hikma will be responsible for the commercialisation of Ryaltris in the US following approval. Hikma would also have the ability to produce the product utilizing its nasal manufacturing capabilities in Columbus, Ohio, it added. Glenmark said will receive an upfront payment, regulatory approval and commercial milestone payments as well as royalties from Hikma for Ryaltris. The agreement with Hikma is Glenmark's fourth regional licensing deal for Ryaltris. The company has already signed licensing deals for commercialising Ryaltris in China, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. "We are happy to partner with Hikma in the US as Ryaltris is a perfect strategic fit in their near-term plan to build a branded nasal spray portfolio. This partnership gives us an opportunity to tap into the largest pharmaceutical market in the world," Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Chairman and MD Glenn Saldanha said. "This step is aligned with our vision to make Ryaltris the first global brand of Glenmark by launching it in several markets across the globe," he added. Hikma Generics President Brian Hoffmann said Hikma is the largest supplier of generic nasal sprays in the US and adding Ryaltris is a significant step forward in expanding the company's US nasal spray leadership into branded medicines. "It will allow us to leverage our strong, existing specialty salesforce already calling on doctors with our specialty portfolio, and to potentially leverage our nasal spray manufacturing capabilities in Columbus, Ohio. We look forward to bringing this important new treatment option to millions of US patients," Hoffmann added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Arkansas' licensing program for medical marijuana dispensaries has come to a screeching halt -- at least for now. A legal dispute has led a judge to order a suspension of the activity by the state. The decision, by Pulaski Country Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen, arises from a lawsuit brought against the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission and two related state agencies. In the suit, privately owned dispensary operator Medicanna alleged that a less qualified peer, Nature's Herbs and Wellness, received a license instead of them. In ordering a halt to the state's licensing program, Griffen wrote that there was "substantial likelihood" that the Commission did not comply with proper administrative procedures mandated by the state. Neither the Commission nor its parent agency, the Alcoholic Beverage Control, has commented officially on the matter. Medicanna is based in the city of Pine Bluff, roughly 45 miles south of the state's largest and capital city, Little Rock. Griffen has set a hearing for Tuesday, March 3, on a possible preliminary injunction against the state, which would keep the suspension in force. Although Arkansas voters opted to legalize medical marijuana in a 2016 ballot initiative and business has been brisk, the industry has not had a quick rollout in the state -- its first dispensaries only opened their doors in the middle of last year. At the moment, the state is home to 32 dispensaries. Publicly traded cannabis companies are rather thin on the ground, although Grassroots -- apparently soon to be folded into would-be acquirer Curaleaf (OTC:CURLF) -- has one. Neither Grassroots nor Curaleaf has yet weighed in on the Arkansas licensing suspension, or the Medicanna controversy. Curaleaf's stock dropped by nearly 7% in trading on Wednesday. Union Finance Minister on Thursday said that investor sentiment has not dampened after the anti-CAA protests and the recent Delhi violence. Addressing a press conference, she said the investors she met in her recent visit to Saudi Arabia had expressed willingness to invest more in the country. When asked about the Delhi violence and anti-CAA protests, Sitharaman said: The sentiment of has not been dampened. Sporadic violence was reported from riot-hit areas in north-east Delhi, even as an eerie calm prevailed across the neighbourhoods in Jafrabad, Maujpur, Chand Bagh, Gokulpuri and surrounding areas, with the death toll reaching 38 on Thursday. Two Special Investigation Teams (SITs) have been formed to investigate the rampant violence in parts of Delhi, over the contentious citizenship law, since Sunday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Thursday that the government will give Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives in the communal violence. He also said that the government will bear the cost of treatment of those injured. Those seriously injured will get Rs 2 lakh, the chief minister said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Delhi High Court (HC) that 48 FIRs have been lodged and there be no judicial intervention till normalcy is restored in the national capital. A Bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar granted four weeks to the Centre and the police to file replies to the PIL seeking lodging of FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. ALSO READ: Who will succeed Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik amid Delhi violence? In the meantime, Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, days after the Supreme Court made the recommendation. The judge was hearing the Delhi violence case and the late evening notification came on a day when a Bench headed by him expressed anguish over the Delhi Polices failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. Responding to retaliation, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said the judge was transferred following the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium, asserting that a well-settled process was followed. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct fresh exams for students who have not been able to appear for papers in other parts of the national capital because of the violence, officials said. The board has sought details of students who failed to appear for exams due to the prevailing situation in the city. It has postponed class 10 and 12 exams, scheduled on February 28 and 29, in the affected areas. An FIR was registered on Thursday against AAP councillor Tahir Hussain for allegedly being involved in the killing of Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma, police said. He has been suspended from primary membership of the party till completion of probe, say AAP sources. By Thou shalt not troll. Thus spake Pope Francis while addressing tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square on on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent - a 40-day period of fasting, repentance and reflection leading up to Easter Sunday, when Catholics often give up some Earthly pleasure or practice, like eating sweets or using social media. The number of subscribers to Independent.ie has passed 5,000 since a paywall was introduced on February 11th, the company has told staff. It comes as financial results today show the takeover of Independent News and Media last year immediately boosted the profitability of new owner Mediahuis, as well as contributing five months of higher revenue. Results published this morning show Mediahuis Group had combined revenue last year of 857.9m including five months of Irish sales, that was up 39pc on 2018. Recurring earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (r-ebitda) was 118.9m. Belgium headquartered Mediahuis has emerged a significant European media group through a series of acquisitions in recent years, including in Ireland. The company reported a net recurring result or profit after tax but before exceptionals - of 50.7m. That was up almost 10pc on 2018, but reduced to 15m once one off costs including those associated with buying INM and restructuring costs elsewhere were accounted for. The 145.6m INM takeover had a relatively small impact on leverage, nudging Mediahuis net debt from 1.7 times to 1.8 times earnings and to just over 201m in cash terms. Mediahuis Group CEO Gert Ysebaert said investment in 2019, including in digital acceleration, will translate into higher profitability in 2020. This ambition combined with our belief in strong independent journalism and the power of our group to guide brands through the digital transformation, ensures that Mediahuis has all the assets necessary to develop further into a strong European media company, Mr Ysebaert said. Mediahuis is now one of the leading media groups in each of Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland with a range of national and regional print and online titles in all three markets. In Ireland, its titles include independent.ie, the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, Sunday World and regional papers including the Kerryman, and titles including the Belfast Telegraph in Northern Ireland. In Belgium Mediahuis owns De Standaard; and in the Netherlands it publishes NRC Handelsblad and Der Telegraaf. The latest results say digital subscriptions increased in both Belgium and the Netherland last year as a result of a strong digital strategy, in combination with the increasing willingness of consumers to pay for online journalism. In Ireland, independent.ie introduced a pay wall this month, in line with that group strategy. The same digital subscription service will be extended to the Belfast Telegraph later in 2020. In 2019 Mediahuis announced plans to close the Citywest print plant in Dublin scheduled to finish service this spring with print moving to plants in Cork and Newry. The whole thing, it was long looooong, was how the jury foreman Bernard Cody put it to the New York Daily News. It was stressful. Related: Rose McGowan: Weinstein 'could be one of the biggest serial rapists in history' As understatements go, that was a good one. Seven weeks of high-wire courtroom drama; six hours a day of intense testimony from a succession of women crying on the witness stand as they described being sexually attacked by Harvey Weinstein; five days of nerve-shattering deliberations before the jury found the fallen movie mogul guilty of rape and a criminal sex act. So yes, it was long and it was stressful. Now the Weinstein jury of seven men and five women, who collectively dispatched the once-powerful Hollywood titan to a prison cell, are facing a fresh challenge. The pressure of the trial at the New York supreme court is over, but the scramble has only just begun by TV and cable networks to secure their exclusive stories about how they reached their verdict. Unlike other jurisdictions such as the UK, where the media is strictly forbidden from eliciting jurors accounts of criminal trials, in the US the first amendment right to free speech ensures that it is open season from the moment the 12 women and men are discharged from their duties. In high-profile cases such as the Weinstein trial, which was seen as the first big test in a court setting of the #MeToo movement, an entire media industry has developed around gaining exclusive access to key jurors. TV channels employ researchers to sit in court for the duration of the trial specifically to identify the jurors and approach them the instant the verdict is handed down. A day after the trial ended Inside Edition was the first out of the gate with an on-camera of a woman identified only as juror N0 2 . Tensions were very high, everyone was very nervous, the juror said about the deliberations. The moment when the jurors found themselves in unanimous agreement they had their verdict and Weinstein was about to become a convicted criminal was tough. My hands were sweating. I felt like my heart was gonna pop out of my chest. Story continues Juror No 2 said she didnt even know who Weinstein was when she was called in for jury selection. Im sorry, I didnt know who he was until someone broke it down for me and I was Oh, thats him, she told Inside Edition. The jurors most interesting insight was that behind the closed door of the jury room, one of the 12 became dominant in deliberations. We had one person take control, he was the person that put everyone on the right path. Which one of the seven men fits that description will probably never be known. Before they were allowed to go their separate ways, the judge in the case, James Burke, gave the jurors firm instructions. You can freely talk to the media if you like, Burke told them, but you would be wise to stick only to your own experiences of the trial. Try not to disclose the views expressed by other members of the jury as that would be to betray the trust that your peers placed in you. TV bookers will be desperately trying to single out that assertive male juror who swung the discussion towards its conclusion, sending Weinstein to the prison ward of Manhattans Bellevue hospital where he is now being held after complaining of chest pains on his way to the notorious lock-up on Rikers Island. He will be brought back to court on 11 March for sentencing. One other juror will be the subject of fierce competition among the networks to get her onto camera juror No 11. A real estate broker in New York, she became the subject of heated legal argument in court when Weinsteins defense team objected to her being part of the jury on grounds that she had written a soon-to-be-published novel about a predatory older man taking advantage of younger women. Once the trial was underway, defense lawyers made a second attempt to have her booted off the jury, forcing the woman to be hauled in front of Burke. Investigators employed by Weinstein to surveil the internet activities of all the jurors discovered that juror No 11 had reviewed a novel called My Dark Vanessa, referring to the isolation of the title character and the repulsiveness of her predator. Burke listened to the defense argument, then ruled that the juror had done nothing wrong. Juror 11 was sent back to complete her jury service, looking mighty displeased. She has indicated to the Guardian that she has no plans to talk to the press at present. But that doesnt make her immune from the advances of television, and with her debut novel scheduled to be released in the summer she may find the publicity irresistible. B ritish 111-year-old Bob Weighton has been hailed as the oldest man in the world following the death of the title's previous holder. Chitetsu Watanabe died at the age of 112 in Japan on Sunday, just days after claiming his Guinness World Record certificate. Mr Weighton was born in Hull on March 29, 1908, and on his 111th birthday last year told Sky his secret for longevity was to "avoid dying". Reacting to the latest news, Mr Weighton, a former teacher and engineer who still lives in his own flat, said: Well, I dont really feel satisfied because it means someone else has died." Mr Weighton, 111, has said his key to success was to 'avoid dying' / PA Wire/PA Images He downplayed the title and said: I just accept it as a fact, its not something I ever intended, wanted or worked for but its just one of those facts of life. You might find it amazing but its just one of those things. A young Bob Weighton (back) from Alton / PA Guiness World Records said it expects to confirm the record holder soon, with Mr Weighton set to receive the accolade for being the world's oldest male. Mr Weighton, who turns 112 next month, was formerly Englands oldest man then became Britains oldest after Scotlands oldest man, Alfred Smith, from St Madoes in Perthshire, who shared the same birthday with him, died last summer. The greatest changes in the world have been in travel and communication Mr Weighton says / PA As well as having shared his birthday with Mr Smith, Mr Weighton also shares the same birthday with Britains oldest woman Joan Hocquard, from Poole, Dorset. Britains second-oldest woman, Violet Davies-Evans, from Spalding, Lincolnshire, was born on the following day. A man shows a leaf-blower to clear away snow after a January 2014 snowfall. After the snow stopped that year, KYW ratings tumbled, evidence of how the weather affects listenership. Read more How the corporate climate change ultimately will affect the future of KYW Newsradio 1060 remains unclear, but the weather sure has changed at a station whose audience is accustomed to the predictable. Since Feb. 10, longtime listeners have been hearing new but quite-familiar voices on the venerable news station, including NBC10 meteorologist Glenn Schwartz, for whom this is a most improbable homecoming. Schwartz and colleagues Bill Henley and Kristal Klei are now doing most of KYWs drive-time forecast chores, a KYW official said. Schwartz et al. replace the CBS3 weather team, which in 2014 supplanted AccuWeather, which had been a KYW staple for more than 40 years. Its the latest shift in KYWs weather, as it fights to adapt to a challenging media climate. READ MORE: KYW Newsradio 1060 launches partnership with NBC10, Telemundo62 KYWs long reign at or near the top of the ratings had a lot to do with the rhythm of its news, traffic, and weather reports especially the weather. For decades, the KYW Storm Center was the bread, milk, eggs, and firewood of impending weather doom. On snow days, with its hold on the closing numbers, it ruled a beacon of hope for millions of schoolchildren willing to put aside their passion for learning for a day. READ MORE: Reader memories: Listening to KYW for school snow closures KYW has retained a decent-sized audience, but it no longer matches those of its halcyon days. The unfortunate thing is that theres so many other places to get news, weather, traffic, and sports," said David Allan, professor of marketing at St. Josephs University and media specialist who had a 20-year radio career, including stints at WUSL-FM and WJJZ-FM. READ MORE: KYW ratings skid Once upon a time, Newsradio was considered a revolutionary idea, but Allan said that today KYW is not unlike a top-40 station. And it is confronting some of the same issues as the folks who play the tunes: That music also is available elsewhere. For Allan, KYW is part of his muscle memory. I think, Why am I listening to this?" he said. I still listen. And evidently so do a lot of other people. Although in the latest ratings it trailed several FM stations, some owned by Entercom, which bought KYW in 2017, KYW still had a comfortable lead as No. 1 on the AM band. All-news, all the time When Westinghouse Broadcasting Co. announced on June 18, 1965, that its newly acquired Philadelphia radio affiliate, KYW, would become a 24-hour news station, The Inquirer called it a radical innovation. Who possibly would listen to news all day to the music of a clacking teletype machine? The answer: By 1970, KYW was claiming the largest audience in the Philadelphia market, and by the mid-1970s, KYW was averaging as many of 1.4 million listeners a week, based on Arbitron ratings. It consistently clocked a late-arriving all-news rival, WCAU-AM, which eventually gave up the format. KYW not only was an all-news pioneer, it also broke ground in its approach to weather, and that likely was a significant factor in its dominance. The AccuWeather forecast Traditionally, radio weather was a rip-and-read operation: Wire services transmitted the National Weather Service forecasts and hourly temperatures, which were then read dutifully on the air. But in 1972 KYW signed on to a nascent weather company, AccuWeather Inc., based in State College and founded by Philadelphia and Central High School alumnus Joel Myers. It was only his second entry into the media market. Myers, a Penn State professor, insisted that his forecasters be savvy communicators. One of the masters was Elliot Abrams, another Central alum, who would become one of KYWs most recognizable voices, the regular forecaster during morning drive time and a sine qua non during storms. The AccuWeather meteorologists offered specificity what time snow might start; how elevation would affect accumulations; where the rain/snow line might be that wasnt available in government forecasts at the time. The AccuWeather-KYW relationship would endure more than four decades. Hurricane comes full circle Another of Myers early hires was Glenn Schwartz, also a Central alum, plucked out of a Penn State meteorology class after he beat Myers in a forecasting competition. In 1972, he made his broadcast debut on KYW. "It was a big thrill to be able to do that, Schwartz recalled. Schwartz later did a stint at the National Hurricane Center and happened to be there during Hurricane Gloria, which hit the Jersey Shore in 1985. He was asked to do an interview with a radio station a common request for meteorologists at the center during major storms and he agreed. Coincidentally, the station was KYW. Whats ahead As Bernie Shimkus, research director at Harmelin Media, a media consulting service and one of the regions largest ad agencies, has pointed out, consumers can customize traffic and news alerts on their phones. (As for weather alerts: Be still my throbbing iPhone.) READ MORE: Tornado and storm warnings invading your phone? Making you numb? Forecasters are worried. | Maria Panaritis Radio stations are relying on personality to draw listeners, Allan said, adding that KYW on-air personnel have become more animated. KYWs prime ally evidently is old listening habits. Its a generational thing. The demographics are getting older," said Allan. On the plus side, the older demographics are a little more fashionable to ad agencies. But, yes, they would far prefer the younger crowd. In the end, whatever Entercom does with KYW and its other properties will transcend the quality of the five-day forecasts, Allan said. I think its a business deal thats going to lead to other partnerships, he said. Something deeper going that really has a little to do with weather. (Newser) The mother of two missing children in a convoluted case out of Idaho will return to that state to face charges. In what East Idaho News describes as a surprise move, an attorney for Lori Vallow told a judge in Hawaii Wednesday that she will not fight her extradition. The judge declined to reduce her bail from $5 million at the same hearing. Two of Vallow's children, Tylee Ryan, 17, and Joshua "JJ" Vallow, 7, have not been seen since September. Vallow currently faces charges including felony counts of desert and nonsupport of children, per CNN. Vallow waived extradition to "expedite her return there, so she can defend herself against these false accusations," said attorney Craig De Costa in court. story continues below Vallow, who was identified in court as Lori Daybell, the last name of her new husband, generally gave one-word answers at the hearing, notes NBC News. (Her husband also is under suspicion.) She is expected to be sent back to Idaho next week. Her defense team tried to convince the judge that she was not a flight risk and deserved to have her bail reduced, but prosecutors countered that "she has resided in numerous states in recent years and is in open defiance to court orders." After the judge declined to reduce bail, Vallow's attorney announced she was waiving extradition and preferred to return to Idaho. (When the snow melts, a search for Tylee may take place in Yellowstone National Park.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Alfred Cang (Bloomberg) Singapore Thu, February 27, 2020 14:05 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066f344c 2 Science & Tech Chinese,ducks,locust,Pakistan,crop-failure Free A troop of special Chinese ducks is waiting to be deployed to neighboring Pakistan to fight a swarm of crop-eating pests that threaten regional food security. At least 100,000 ducks are expected to be sent to Pakistan as early as the second half of this year to combat a desert locust outbreak, according to Lu Lizhi, a senior researcher with the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The ducks are biological weapons and can be more effective than pesticide, said Lu, who is in charge of the project in tandem with a university in Pakistan. One duck is able to eat more than 200 locusts a day, Lu said in a telephone interview on Thursday, citing results of experiments to test the ducks searching and predation capabilities. A trial will start in Chinas western region of Xinjiang later this year before the ducks are sent to Pakistan, Lu said. Farm worker carries bundle of rice during rice harvesting in Chiniot district of Punjab province, Pakistan, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (Bloomberg/Asad Zaidi) Swarms of desert locusts have been spreading through countries from eastern Africa to South Asia, destroying crops and pastures at a voracious pace. The pest plague, together with unseasonal rain and a scourge of low quality seeds, has hit major crops in Pakistans largest producing regions, weighing on its already fragile economy. And it has also migrated into India. It will be crucial for China, which shares a land border with Pakistan and India, to prevent an invasion. However, China does have some shield in the form of the Himalaya mountains that stand as a barrier between the Indian subcontinent and the Plateau of Tibet. A group of Chinese agricultural experts visited Pakistan this week to help control the locust outbreaks as the plague moves eastwards, according to a report posted on the website of Chinas consulate-general in Karachi. A desert locust sits on a corn stalk in a field in Mathiakani, Kitui County, Kenya, on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. (Bloomberg/Patrick Meinhardt) To gauge how serious a locust attack can be, look to Africa. The cost of fighting desert locusts in the continents east has doubled to $128 million, with more countries being affected each day, the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization said. The situation remains extremely alarming in the Horn of Africa, while there has been a significant movement of swarms over the Arabian Peninsula that reached both sides of the Persian Gulf, the FAO said in its latest locust watch report. Hundreds of students and family members packed into the College and Career Academy center at Fishers High School for African American Heritage Celebration Night on Feb. 20. Students had an hour to peruse historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) such as Kentucky State University, as well as sororities and fraternities. Not many people are educated on the HBCUs, said Fishers freshman Trinity Kendrick, so its a great space for everyone to come and learn and potentially find their college. Joel Coston, a junior at Fishers, was one of the busiest students in the center, pacing the hall in his traditional African garb. It gives students an opportunity to see colleges that they could go to, he said, especially that would show them the culture about how we live. The event, organized by the schools Future Black Leaders club, also featured student art presentations and performances from dancers, vocalists and the jazz band. Fishers High School has an African American student enrollment of about 8%, according to data from the Indiana Department of Education, and hosts the Black History Month celebration each year. It gives us a chance to show how we really feel about our cultures to tie us back to the past, Coston said. We have a lot of posters around here that just really show you how we feel. Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick. Its fun because both recordings come from woman-fronted bands that sound like theyre at an apogee of execution and creativity (even as you hope they arent). Most interestingly, both play with the notion of that Chicago sound by discarding it. Once upon, Chicago bands were identifiable by a particular sound, best described (aside from that Chicago sound) as normal, but not. It started in the 80s, when many of us remember hearing Big Black and thinking, Chicago band even before knowing that it was. Naked Raygun twisted up punk, Out of Order burnished hardcore with an eerie skirl that the late, great Manipulation turned into a jackhammer, and on it went. Band after band from here had a clear, regional sonic identifier. Spiderweb, the first released song from Ratboys in 2009 also had that Chicago sound, like really smart art kids doing an alt-country cut for a horror movie soundtrack. 'Flattering press, nice photos, no major gaffes.' 'Both sides will be very happy as they are clearly measuring 'success' by a different yardstick than the world used in the past.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi with United States President Donald J Trump at the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad, February 24, 2020. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Daniel S Markey -- Senior Research Professor in International Relations at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC -- is a distinguished observer of the India-United States relationship. "India-US ties will suffer politically if the two sides no longer believe they share core values, and while this may not be an issue for President Trump, there is obvious discomfort in the US Congress over the direction that PM Modi is taking India," Professor Markey tells Nikhil Lakshman/Rediff.com about the impact of President Donald J Trump's 36 hour visit to India. While President Trump played glowing tribute to Mr Modi and India, he also said the US relationship with Pakistan is very good and his government is working with Pakistan to crack down on terror groups. In January he met with Imran Khan in Davos and said US-Pakistan have never been closer -- while in Ahmedabad he said America loves India and will be a loyal friend. In your opinion, how is America strategising its relationship with both these countries with traditional animosities? Is the balance tipping towards India? What about America's need for Pakistan more than ever since Trump is looking at a US draw down of troops in Afghanistan before the November election? Ever since the George W Bush administration, strategists in Washington have attempted to 'de-hyphenate' relations with India and Pakistan. Above all, this has meant avoiding being held hostage to Indo-Pakistani hostility and aiming to build stronger ties with both New Delhi and Islamabad. At the latter stages of the Obama administration and into the Trump administration, an 'India tilt' was evident. The United States continues to see India as the essential counterweight to China in Asia, and an improved relationship with New Delhi is imperative, even if it never amounts to an alliance. On Pakistan, the Trump administration has shifted from a sharply coercive and punitive approach intended to force a strategic shift by Islamabad on its use of terrorist groups to a mixed strategy, in which Washington has eased up on some of the pressure (for instance, by welcoming PM Imran Khan to DC and showering him with affection), while still keeping coercive tools at the ready (for instance, the continued gray listing of Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force list). Looking ahead, there is every reason to anticipate that Washington will continue to try to play this balancing act, especially if it continues to believe that Pakistan is not spoiling the negotiations in Afghanistan. President Trump's visit to India also demonstrates that he is able to draw closer to New Delhi even though he has nice words to say about Pakistan. India will buy helicopters worth $3 billion. President Trump said he wants the US as India's leading defence partner --- is this the biggest success of the Trump visit even though the deal was almost done even before Mr Trump's arrival? For a famously transactional President, isn't this meagre pickings from a State visit? The trip to India did not deliver anything that traditional analysts of US foreign policy would consider a triumph or breakthrough deal. But by Trump's standards, it was an enormous success. Flattering press, nice photos, no major gaffes. Both sides will be very happy, as they are clearly measuring 'success' by a different yardstick than the world used in the past. Do you think a security relationship is the bedrock on which the India-US relationship in the 21st century stands? The sale of military hardware, military to military ties, etc. Does this diminish the importance of other obstacles in the relationship like, for instance, the inability to reach a trade deal? US policymakers tend to believe that a healthy relationship with India should be built on three pillars: Commerce, values, and geopolitics. It will be more difficult to avoid trouble if the ties are only based on the geopolitical or security/defence pillar. India will itself have trouble developing into a global power if it doesn't get its economy humming, and that will require reforms, to include greater openness to trade and investment. India-US ties will suffer politically if the two sides no longer believe they share core values, and while this may not be an issue for President Trump, there is obvious discomfort in the US Congress over the direction that PM Modi is taking India. To be sure, the United States has had strong, decades-long relations with States like Saudi Arabia that have been founded on relatively narrow bases. But those relationships are also subject to more frequent criticism and political squabbling in DC. India is unusual for having enjoyed sustained, bipartisan affection for over two decades. How will the Trump visit define India-US relations in the next decade? Do you agree with President Trump's declaration that the India-US relationship has never been as good as it is today? Do you see an actual basis to that assertion considering that the relationship has floundered for much of the last decade from the heady years of the Bush second term? I do not agree that the US-India relationship is better than ever. President Trump's hyperbole is intended to mask limited tangible progress in the relationship under his watch and it completely misses the major points of friction that have emerged over trade, as well as the growing American unease and concern over Indian policies in Kashmir and on the citizenship issue. On the other hand, President Trump managed to get through his trip without a setback or embarrassment. This -- and the fact that US-India relations have avoided a steep falloff or major crisis in the past three years -- counts as a success, considering the current state of US relations with many of its other partners around the world. Looking ahead, this "non-failure" keeps the door open to new opportunities for progress in the future. Finally, what are the three major gains if any for India and the US from this visit? Did it achieve anything beyond brand building for the two leaders? First, continued progress on defence sales is good for the bilateral relationship and for India's potential as a great power. Second, avoiding a contentious interaction over trade disputes postpones a showdown that would have been bad for both economies. Third, seeing America's president express affection for India builds public support for closer ties with the United States, and over time, that should make it easier for leaders in New Delhi to pursue concrete policies that are more closely aligned with Washington. " " People sunbathe atop decrepit communist-era bunkers on the shore in Qerret Beach, Albania on July 13, 2011. GENT SHKULLAKU/AFP via Getty Images In the wake of World War II, Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha began remaking his war-torn country in the image of Stalin's Soviet Union. That is, he ruled with terrifying menace, stoking isolationism and Cold War paranoia. Then, in the 1970s, with an ominous national mood firmly in place, he began building the bunkers. Bunkers large and bunkers small, bunkers underground and bunkers scattered openly through the countryside. Bunkers obvious, and bunkers secret. The stated idea was that these reinforced concrete bunkers (bunkeret in Albanian) would serve as defensive positions during an enemy invasion that never came. Ordinary civilians were trained to rush to the bunkers in case of emergency and conditioned by propaganda to be ever vigilant against any and all foreign enemies. It was part of Hoxha's "people's war" strategy, which relied on guerilla war tactics executed by non-soldiers. He wanted his citizens gjithmone gati, or "always ready," and most were required to do at least a little military training each year. Ultimately, though, what was really happening was that they were being conditioned to obey the hardline regime. Because of the perpetual secrecy surrounding Hoxha's administration, the bunkers were planned and built with few public details. Engineers were moved from one work site to another, to make it impossible for anyone to fully understand the scope of the project. As such, records are scarce and no one knows how many were constructed; numbers range from roughly 175,000 to nearly 750,000. Factory employees worked around the clock to make the necessary materials. Some bunker designs were light enough to be carried piecemeal into the mountains by mules and men. Others were dropped into place by helicopter. Still others were virtual cities, meant to survive nuclear strikes. The project was so massive that it may have required three times as much concrete as France's equally incredible Maginot Line, which tried (and failed) to thwart Nazi hordes. Some experts estimate Albania's bunkers cost twice as much as the Maginot, too. Notably, the bunker strategy didn't sit well with officials in the standing army, in part because the clunky and often cramped bunkers weren't actually useful for professional soldiers. But that, of course, was beside the point. "The bunkers were also about showing off the regime's military, technical and strategic ability at a time when Albania was increasingly alone geopolitically and in that sense they did serve a function," says Elidor Mehilli, a Hunter College associate professor of history, via email. "They were concrete things, but they also carried a kind of symbolic value. The official party propaganda spoke of Albania as 'a fortress.' The regime meant that metaphorically, in the sense of defending Communism." " " A bunker from the time of dictator Enver Hoxha stands near Berat, Albania. Thousands of bunkers were built for an invasion that never came. Bildagentur-online/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Indeed, Hoxha had cut off relations with neighboring Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union and even China, feeling these countries had either strayed from the hardline Socialist path, or else were warming relations with Western countries. Having no allies made Albania one of the most isolated countries on Earth. The bunkers were allegedly to keep the country safe from its many enemies. "Their building was above all for public consumption and not for any military purpose," adds Artan Hoxha, a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, by email (he's no relation to the dictator). "The regime was aware that the bunkers would not help in contemporary warfare." Advertisement An Underground Town of Bunkers In a town named Kukes, what started as a series of bomb bunkers slowly evolved into what became an underground town. It had huge rooms, interconnected tunnels and command centers, and it was meant to provide self-sufficient shelter for up to 10,000 people for half a year. The government regularly conducted drills in which townspeople rushed to this huge labyrinth; eventually, they were so proficient in this exercise that the entire town could sequester itself within seven minutes. Yet because of the way the underground city was intentionally segmented, no one had any idea how large it really was not even the construction workers who built it. Once inside, residents were forbidden to move around. Advertisement Albania Today The bunker building ended with the death of the dictator in 1985. Since then, "Albania has undergone dramatic changes," says Mehllie. "This year marks 30 years since 1990, when the Communist regime began to collapse. Albania has become an open society, which is a big deal, since it was one of Europe's most unforgiving dictatorships. At the same time, the transition has not been easy. Many Albanians have left the country since, seeking opportunities elsewhere, including here in the U.S." "Today, [Albania] is the most pro-European and pro-American country in the ex-communist bloc. I think this speaks for itself," adds grad student Hoxha. In the meantime, the old bunkers remain. Given their inherent ruggedness, it's too costly and time-consuming to remove most of them. Instead, enterprising Albanians are converting them often in spite of government opposition for other purposes. In rural areas, they're used to shelter livestock or to store grain. Desperate homeless people use them, too. Teenagers, who in this poor nation lack cars, often use the bunkers for romantic encounters. " " A woman cooks food inside a bunker that was turned into a house. GENT SHKULLAKU/AFP via Getty Images Some bunkers now serve as memorials and museums, which put the horrors of the Communist regime on display. Others have been converted into coffee shops, bars, pizzerias and lodging for tourists. And how do Albanians perceive the bunkers today? "I am not sure most Albanians care about them," says Mehilli. "It's mostly tourists who are obsessed with the bunkers as a kind of curiosity. Most Albanians, I would say, are worried about corruption, poverty, and whether there will be a better future for their children." NOW THAT'S INTERESTING After the first prototype bunker was built in the 1950s, Enver Hoxha asked the lead engineer how confident he was in his creation. He replied, "very confident." Hoxha ordered the engineer inside the bunker, and then instructed a tank attack, all the better to test the building's integrity. The engineer walked out unharmed, but no doubt shaken. Then, Albania began its bunker-building frenzy in earnest. Airports, often hemmed in by neighbourhoods, highways or water, already struggle to keep up with the rising number of air travellers. And the number is expected to keep going up to more than seven billion globally by 2035, an airline trade association says, nearly doubling from 2016. So while airports are expanding their physical facilities where they can, governments and the travel industry are leaning more heavily on technology, especially artificial intelligence, to process more air travellers more quickly. The airports in Osaka, Japan and Abu Dhabi have tested autonomous check-in kiosks that move themselves to help manage peaks of passenger flow. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Miami International Airport are among those using visual sensors to monitor passenger line lengths and how quickly people are moving through security checkpoints. Managers can use the information to adjust where they need more workers and to send passengers to shorter lines. Passengers can see how long their wait will be on signs or on a phone app. The goal is to help reduce travellers worries about whether they are going to make their flight. For international flights, more airlines are installing what are known as self-boarding gates that use a photo station to take and compare a photo of the traveller with the picture in the persons passport and other photos in Customs and Border Protection files. The gates, which are using facial recognition technology, replace agents who check boarding passes and identification cards. Seven per cent of airlines have installed some self-boarding gates, and about a third of all airlines plan to use some type of this gate by the end of 2022, according to SITA, a technology company serving about 450 airports and airlines. Sherry Stein, head of technology strategy for SITA, said the goals are to reduce hassle for passengers, speed boarding and increase security. Still, there are privacy concerns over the use of the photos. The general public doesnt receive much information about how the photos will be used or stored, said Oren Etzioni, chief executive of the Allen Institute for AI in Seattle. So even though we consciously give up our privacy, we still worry that these kinds of digital records can be used against us in unanticipated ways by the government, our employer, or criminals, he said. A photo taken at the airport leaves another digital footprint that makes us more traceable, he added. The Department of Homeland Security said it did not retain photos of U.S. citizens once their identities were confirmed at airports. Technology similar to that used in self-boarding gates is being deployed for some foreign passengers arriving in the United States. Miami International Airport, for example, began using facial recognition screening at its facility for international passenger arrivals in 2018 and reported that it can screen as many as 10 passengers per minute using the technology. Travellers who have been to the United States previously step up to facial recognition stations, and a customs official checks their passports to make sure they are valid. First-time visitors still need to present a passport or visa and agree to have their fingerprints and photos taken. Some of the new technology is aimed at easing language difficulties. Kennedy International Airport in New York recently installed three AI-based real-time translation devices from Google at information stations around the airport. Travellers choose their language from a counter-mounted screen and ask their questions aloud to the device. The device repeats the question in English to the person at the station. That person responds in English, and the device translates that aloud to the travellers. Artificial intelligence is also being used behind the scenes to reduce the time airplanes spend at the gate between flights, which can mean shorter waiting time for passengers who have boarded and buckled up. London-Gatwick, Quebec City and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airports are among about 30 around the world testing or installing a visual AI system made by Swiss company Assaia. The system uses cameras pointed at a plane parked at the gate to track everything that happens after the aircraft lands: how long it takes for fuel and catering trucks to arrive, whether the cargo door is open, and even if employees on the ground are wearing their safety vests. While humans can do each of these tasks, monitoring and analyzing the operations of these various functions can speed the turnaround of the plane and prevent accidents, according to Assaia. After the same plane has, for instance, been filmed doing hundreds of turnarounds at a particular airport, the AI system can identify the elements or situations that most often cause delays, and managers can take corrective action. Accidents like ground crew injuries or service vehicle collisions can also be analyzed for their causes. The time an airplane spends waiting for a gate after landing or waiting in line to take off could also be reduced. A group at SITA focused on airport management systems is helping to design technology that can synthesize data from many sources, including changing aircraft arrival times, weather conditions at destination airports and logistical issues to improve runway schedules and gate assignments. Artificial intelligence software can also make a difference with rebooking algorithms, Etzioni said. When weather or mechanical issues disrupt travel, the airlines speed in recomputing, rerouting and rescheduling matters, he said. The data streams get even more complex when the whole airport is considered, Stein of SITA said. A number of airports are creating a digital twin of their operations using central locations with banks of screens that show the systems, people and objects at the airport, including airplane locations and gate activity, line lengths at security checkpoints, and the heating, cooling and electrical systems monitored by employees who can send help when needed. These digital systems can also be used to help with emergency planning. The same types of sensors that can be used to supply data to digital twins are also being used to reduce equipment breakdowns. Karen Panetta, dean of graduate engineering at Tufts University and a fellow at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, said hand-held thermal imagers used before takeoff and after landing can alert maintenance crews if an area inside the airplanes engine or electrical system is hotter than normal, a sign something may be amiss. The alert would help the crew schedule maintenance right away, rather than be forced to take the aircraft out of service at an unexpected time and inconvenience passengers. At the moment, people, rather than technology, evaluate most of the data collected, Panetta said. But eventually, with enough data accumulated and shared, more AI systems could be built and trained to analyze the data and recommend actions faster and more cost effectively, she said. No major incident was reported from the northeast district of Delhi in the last 36 hours, the Home Ministry said Thursday night. The ministry issued a statement around 10 PM after Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation in the violence-hit parts of the city in a meeting with seniors officials and the top police brass. The ministry said there was no major incident in last 36 hours in any affected police station of Delhi's northeast district, while 514 suspects were either arrested or detained for questioning. Further arrests would be made in the course of investigation, the MHA said. Prohibitory orders imposed under section 144 of the CrPC will be relaxed for a total of 10 hours Friday in view of improvement in the situation, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Egypt says the kingdom's decision to suspend entry for the minor Umrah pilgrimage is in line with Islamic Sharia Related Saudi Arabia halts pilgrimages over coronavirus Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta, the country's religious authority responsible for issuing fatwas, said on Thursday that it backs Saudi Arabia's decision to halt entry into the kingdom for the Umrah pilgrimage over fears of the spread of the coronavirus. "The decision is in line with the provisions of Islamic Sharia to preserve the lives and safety of pilgrims," the prestigious Islamic institution said in a statement. Dar Al-Ifta said it "firmly supports" the kingdom's efforts to preserve "the safety and stability of religious rites" and all the measures it takes to guarantee this. Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites of Islam, announced on Thursday that it is temporarily halting foreigners entry for the Umrah pilgrimage, as well as tourism from countries where the epidemic has spread. The decision, which comes months ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage which draws millions of Muslims, bars pilgrims from the holy city of Mecca and suspends visits to Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina. An official at Cairo International Airport said the decision goes into effect on Thursday and that all flights scheduled for the day would be suspended. Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority informed local tourist firms about the new decision, saying in a letter that Umrah flights will be suspended until further notice. Million of Muslims from around the world travel every year to perform minor pilgrimage rituals (known in Arabic as Umrah), which starts at the beginning of the year and reaches its peak in the fasting month of Ramadan, which is set to begin at the end of April. The new coronavirus, which emerged late last year in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has infected more than 82,000 globally and killed about 2,800, mostly in China. The deadly virus has spread to about 30 countries including in some in the Middle East, but there have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Saudi Arabia. Search Keywords: Short link: Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (OTC: MCREF) (Metals Creek or "the company") announces that the company has acquired through staking a 100% interest in the five prospective PGM-Cu-Ni targets totaling 1851 hectares (ha) northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Falls Lake Platinum Group Minerals (PGM) project is located approximately 50 kilometers (km) northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario in the Escape Lake area. This area has recently seen extensive PGM-Cu-Ni exploration resulting in the discovery and delineation of magmatic sulfide mineralization associated with mafic-ultramafic intrusions in close proximity to major structural breaks. The Thunder Bay North (TBN) and Escape Lake Projects has recently been optioned to Regency Gold Corp. (See Benton News Release October 10, 2019). Drill results include a down hole intercept of 46.65m with 5.27 grammes per tonne (g/t) Pt and 4.55 g/t Pd with 1.154% Cu and 0.465% Ni (See Benton Resources news release July 2, 2019). The Escape Lake area has seen significant success in PGM-Cu-Ni exploration over the last few years, including North American Palladium's (Partnered with Transition Metals) Sunday Lake Project located approximately 28km west of the TBN. North American Palladium continues to expand on the recent discovery of magmatic sulfide mineralization within the Sunday Lake intrusion. Historically, the Escape Lake area has not seen any significant sustained exploration activity for PGM mineralization until the discovery of magmatic sulfides on the Thunder Bay North Project. Recently the area has seen significantly more exploration activity however remains vastly underexplored for PGM-Cu-Ni style mineralization and holds high exploration potential for the discovery for additional magmatic style sulfide mineralization. The five recently staked claim blocks that comprise the Falls Lake PGM project exhibit discrete magnetic signatures similar to that of the magmatic conduits present on the TBN project which host the PGM-Cu-Ni mineralization. Also associated with the recently staked claim blocks are lake sediment anomalies which exhibit similar profiles and pathfinder elements to the lake sediment anomalies present within the area of the magmatic sulfide mineralization at the TBN project as well as structural breaks proximal to these prospective anomalies. The closest Metals Creek claim block to the TBN project contains a portion of the Greenwich Lake Intrusive Complex which is interpreted to be a part of the same magmatic conduit system which hosts the TBN mineralization and ties on to their current land holdings. One discrete anomaly west of Sunday Lake also exhibits a strong reversely polarized magnetic signature indicative of a potential mafic-ultramafic intrusion which is analogous to the mafic-ultramafic intrusions that also host the TBN and Sunday Lake zones. Based on research to date, this anomaly has not seen any PGM-Cu-Ni exploration work performed to date. Alexander (Sandy) Stares states "Metals Creek is fortunate in that our VP Exploration, Michael MacIsaac, held various positions including Exploration Manager with North American Palladium (Lac Des Iles Mines) from 1998 to 2008 and MEK's Senior Project Geologist Don Heerema was an exploration Geologist at NAP from 2002 to 2008. Both Geologists have extensive PGM-Cu-Ni experience and were instrumental in a number of the discoveries at NAP including the Offset Zone. Management believes that the TBN and Sunday Lake discoveries are forming the basis of a new PGM-Cu-Ni camp. MEK personnel will continue to compile historic data and once field season arrives, the company plans to map and prospect these claim blocks." Michael MacIsaac, P.Geo and VP Exploration for the Corporation and a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for this release, and supervised the preparation of the information forming the basis for this release. About Metals Creek Resources Corp. Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property from Newmont Corporation, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF). In addition, Metals Creek has signed an agreement with Newmont Corporation, where Metals Creek can earn a 100% interest in the past producing Dona Lake Gold Project in the Pickle Lake Ming District of Ontario. Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company at the number below. Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO Metals Creek Resources Corp telephone: (709)-256-6060 fax: (709)-256-6061 email: astares@metalscreek.com MetalsCreek.com Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes Facebook.com/MetalsCreek To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52853 Omicron Outbreak: Night curfew in Kerala from Dec 30, no New Year celebration post 10 pm Kerala cop kicks, beats up passenger for travelling without ticket on train, video goes viral Complete lockdown in Kerala? Here's what Health Minister has to say New Covid curbs in Kerala: Attendance at marriages, funerals capped at 50 Koodathayi serial killer Jolly Joseph attempts suicide by slitting wrist, admitted to Kozhikode India oi-Madhuri Adnal Kozhikode, Feb 27: Koodathayi serial murders accused Jolly Joseph, who allegedly poisoned six members of a family to death, attempted suicide in jail, was admitted to Kozhikode Medical College with a slit wrist. Earlier this month, the sixth charge sheet was filed against murder accused Jolly Thomas. The first target of Jolly was her mother-in-law, who she murdered in 2002. Jolly fed her poisoned mutton soup. Next in her target list was Jolly's father-in-law who was identified as Tom Thomas. He was murdered in 2008. In 2011, Jolly killed her husband Roy Thomas and their son. Roy's death was at first stated to be suicide. The post-mortem was done only after his uncle insisted on it. Keralas serial murder case using cyanide cracked The SP said police had lot of evidence against Jolly and there was no question of her husband having committed suicide. No post-mortem was conducted on other bodies as the family had not suspected any foul play, he said. Police had collected evidence from the remains of others who had died after exhuming their bodies. Eight years after Roy's death on September 30, 2011 following consumption of cyanide-laced food, Jolly and two others were arrested on October 5 last year as a Special Investigation Team began its probe into the six deaths that had occurred between 2002-2016, following a complaint from Roy's US-based brother. While Roy parents --mother Annamma Thomas died in 2002 and father Tom Thomas died in 2008. Annamma's brother Mathew died in 2014 and two relatives Sili and her one year old daughter in 2016. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 For years, Jolly had posed as a B.Tech lecturer in NIT Kozhikode. As investigations began, it was found she was not even a graduate and had fake degrees and fake NIT identity cards. After Roy's death, Jolly had got married to Shaju, whose wife Sili and daugter were among the dead. Simon said the investigating team was preparing charge sheet in five other cases as well. (with PTI inputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 9:29 [IST] During October 2016September 2018, in 15 of 35 country or regional programs supported by the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the increase in PrEP coverage among the general population was approximately triple that among female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender women. Critical factors associated with successful PrEP implementation in these populations include stakeholder engagement, existing PrEP delivery guidelines, HIV service provider training, and a drug procurement system. The U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest bilateral funder of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and control programs worldwide, currently supports implementation of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce HIV incidence among persons at substantial risk for infection, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender women (hereafter referred to as key populations). Recent estimates suggest that 54% of all global new HIV infections in 2018 occurred among key populations and their sexual partners (1). In 2016, PEPFAR began tracking initiation of PrEP by key populations and other groups at high risk (2). The implementation and scale-up of PrEP programs across 35 PEPFAR-supported country or regional programs* was assessed by determining the number of programs reporting any new PrEP clients during each quarter from October 2016 to September 2018. As of September 2018, only 15 (43%) PEPFAR-supported country or regional programs had implemented PrEP programs; however, client volume increased by 3,351% over the assessment period in 15 country or regional programs. Scale-up of PrEP among general population clients (5,255%) was nearly three times that of key population clients (1,880%). Among key populations, the largest increase (3,518%) occurred among MSM. Factors that helped drive the success of these PrEP early adopter programs included initiation of national, regional, and multilateral stakeholder meetings; engagement of ministries of health and community advocates; revision of HIV treatment guidelines to include PrEP; training for HIV service providers; and establishment of drug procurement policies. These best practices can help facilitate PrEP implementation, particularly among key populations, in other country or regional programs to reduce global incidence of HIV infection. International, national, subnational, nongovernmental, and academic PEPFAR implementing partners reported PrEP data from country or regional programs for eight quarters (i.e., OctoberDecember 2016 through JulySeptember 2018). The primary outcome measured was the number of persons (including new enrollees) who received PrEP during the reporting period, disaggregated by key population group (i.e., female sex workers, MSM, and transgender women). To assess implementation and scale-up of PrEP, the number and percentage of the 35 PEPFAR-funded country or regional programs that reported PrEP initiation among key populations or the general population and the number of new PrEP clients in each program were determined. The relative percentage change in PrEP initiation for the general population and that in the key populations over time were also compared. Country or regional programs with >150 new key population clients across multiple quarters totaling 1,000 clients were classified as early adopters of PrEP among key populations. The threshold of 150 clients per quarter was determined by a minimum enrollment rate of 50 key population clients per month during a quarter. Using previous analyses of PrEP implementation (3,4), critical factors and scale-up accelerators that facilitate early coverage and rapid growth among PrEP programs were identified. This list of factors was provided to implementing partners in the early adopter programs, who were asked to determine whether these factors were relevant to the growth of their respective programs. During the analysis period, 35 PEPFAR-supported country or regional programs were assessed. Substantial scale-up of PrEP initiation among 15 of these programs took place, commencing with 888 new clients during OctoberDecember 2016 and ending with 30,644 during JulySeptember 2018 (Figure), representing a 3,351% overall increase among general population and key population clients over the assessment period. Scale-up of PrEP initiation among the general population (5,255% increase) was nearly three times that among the key populations (1,880%), and the increases in PrEP initiation within the key populations substantially varied among key population groups (Table 1). For example, the largest increase in enrollment of new clients within the key populations occurred among MSM (3,518%), whereas the increase among transgender women was substantially lower (573%). The percentage of new key population clients among all new PrEP clients varied over the analysis period (range = 29%56%) and was 32% in the most recent quarter (JulySeptember 2018). Overall, among 35 PEPFAR-supported country or regional programs, 15 (34%) have reported providing PrEP services to general population clients, and 13 have reported providing PrEP services to key population clients. Among all PEPFAR-supported programs, six (Asia Region, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe) were classified as early adopters of PrEP for key populations. Implementing partners in five of these programs (all except Vietnam) identified critical factors for early adoption of PrEP (Table 2), including national and regional stakeholder meetings with strong ongoing engagement and advocacy from ministries of health, community advocates, and multilateral partners such as the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). Five early adopter programs included PrEP services in national treatment and prevention guidelines despite the lack of favorable legal environments to safeguard key populations from violence and discrimination. Early programs also reported standardized, routine HIV service provider training and the ability of their governments to procure PrEP. Factors that accelerated PrEP scale-up included active government ownership of the national PrEP program and innovations in PrEP service delivery. Most governments supported PrEP programs by drafting policies and guidelines, developing or adapting PrEP training curricula, accrediting sites, and collecting and reporting data. PrEP marketing innovations, including promoting PrEP outside the typical clinical platform through drop-in centers or key population safe spaces; on social media; at meeting places such as sex clubs and gay bars; and in the community through peer outreach also were critical accelerators (5). Academy Award-winning actor George Clooney is surprised and saddened following a report that claimed children were found working on coffee farms linked to Nespresso. The 58-year-old has served as an ambassador for the coffee brand since 2006, with Nespresso listing sustainability and workers rights as priorities of the company. However, the British investigative series, Dispatches, has uncovered children working at six of Nespressos suppliers in Guatemala, according to CNN. George Clooney attends the Catch 22 UK premiere in May 2019 / Getty Images Reported by Anthony Barnett, footage from the documentary, which is set to air on Monday, is said to show children working for up to six days a week on the farms. Quick to respond to the reports, Clooney released a statement to Deadline, noting the company has work to do and praising the investigation that revealed Nespressos shortcomings. Having grown up working on a tobacco farm from the time I was 12, Im uniquely aware of the complex issues regarding farming and child labor, Clooneys statement began. Thats why I joined the Sustainability advisory board of Nespresso seven years ago along with the Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade International, and the Fair Labour Association among many others with the goal then, as it remains to this day, to improve the lives of farmers. After listing some of the ways Nespressos Sustainability Advisory Board has helped farmers, Clooney stated, The simple truth is that this program is overwhelmingly positive for coffee farmers around the world. With that in mind it is also imperative to have talented investigative reporters showing the board where they have yet to succeed, he went on to say. George Clooney in Edinburgh, Scotland, in March 2019 / Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images We knew it was a big project when it started 7 years ago, and honestly I was surprised and saddened to see this story. Clearly this board and this company still have work to do. And that work will be done. I would hope that this reporter will continue to investigate these conditions and report accurately if they do not improve. CLEVELAND, Ohio President Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge to fill a slot on the federal bench in Cleveland. Judge J. Philip Calabrese, 48, was nominated to fill the seat of federal Judge Christopher Boyko, who took senior status in January. The Shaker Heights Republican enjoys the support of Ohio Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, as the pair relied on the recommendations of a bipartisan commission that conferred on candidates. The support of both Ohio senators from opposite sides of the aisle substantially increases the chances of Calabrese earning the approval of the U.S. Senate. However, whether Calabrese is ultimately confirmed this year remains to be seen, as his appointment is now at the whims of senators during a presidential election year. I am pleased the president has nominated Judge Philip Calabrese to be the next federal judge in the Northern District, Portman said in a news release. "Judge Calabrese has been a dedicated public servant on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. I know if confirmed, he will serve in this role admirably. Calabrese said in the news release that it is an honor to be nominated for the federal bench, which is a lifetime appointment. He said he was proud to have the support of both senators, as well as the president. He referred a reporter to the statement when contacted Wednesday evening. A former civil litigation attorney and partner at the Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur law firm, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Calabrese in June to the county court bench to replace Judge Pamela Barker, whom Trump also appointed to the federal court. The seat is up for election in November, and Calabrese had registered to run to retain it. He is the former president of the Federal Bar Associations Northern District of Ohio chapter and graduated from Harvard Law School. He also works as an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Trump, like all presidents before him, has the opportunity to transform the federal courts in Ohio and nationally, and has seized the opportunity by appointing large numbers of judges for district and appeals courts across the country. He has also appointed two U.S. Supreme Court justices. Federal judges often work hard to maintain their judicial independence, but the federal courts have been ground zero for partisan issues such as abortion and voting rights. In Cleveland, federal judges have heard the majority of the local high-profile cases alleging police misconduct. They have also presided over some of the most serious criminal prosecutions, such as most of the cases involving defendants implicated in the Cuyahoga County corruption scandal. Trump on Wednesday also nominated U.S. Magistrate Judge James Knepp of Toledo to become a federal district judge there. Knepp has been a magistrate judge since 2010 and is nominated to replace Judge Jack Zouhary, who took senior status in July. He also nominated U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Newman, whose courtroom is in Dayton, to fill a federal judge position in the states southern district vacated by U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett taking senior status. Read more: New judge appointed to Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court bench U.S. Senate approves Pamela Barker for Cleveland federal judgeship Federal judge in Cleveland to take senior status next year Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market Overview The Global Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market is slated to display a CAGR of 8.1% from 2017 to 2023 (forecast period). It can touch a significant valuation by 2023. High prevalence of smoking, alcoholism, and obesity are main factors driving the market growth. Sedentary lifestyle led by patients as well as history of pancreatic can play a major role in the market. Low approvals of drugs are likely to lead to lax regulations for making the availability of medications at an affordable price. The conduction of clinical trials by pharmaceutical companies in collaboration with research institutes can augment the market size by the end of the forecast period. Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer characterized by the presence of abnormal growth on the tissues of the pancreas. Endocrine and exocrine are two major types of pancreatic cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pancreatic cancer is the twelfth deadly type of cancer, with seven out of ten cases caused by alcoholism. Market Research Future (MRFR) has stated in its global pancreatic cancer treatment market report the numerous drivers, opportunities, and threats faced by existing players offering drugs as well as new entrants. Request Free Sample Copy at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1638 Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market Segmentation The global pancreatic cancer treatment market is segmented by type, treatment, and end-user. Based on the type, pancreatic cancer treatment market is segmented into endocrine pancreas cancer, exocrine pancreas cancer, and others. Based on the treatment, pancreatic cancer treatment market is segmented into chemotherapy, surgery & radiation therapy, targeted therapy, biologic therapy, hormone therapy, and others. Among these, the chemotherapy is segmented into taxanes, antimetabolites, anthracyclines, and alkylating agents. Targeted therapy is sub-segmented into tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. While, the hormone therapy segment is sub-segmented into aromatase inhibitors, estrogen-receptor modulators, and others. Targeted therapy is expected to be the best-performing segment in the treatment segment due to popularity of targeted therapies and combination therapies showing efficacy as compared to other methods. Based on the end user, pancreatic cancer treatment market is segmented into hospitals & clinics, research institute, and others. Hospitals & clinics are expected to generate maximum revenue due to availability of the latest treatments, capacity to handle large volumes, and acceptance of reimbursement coverage schemes. Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market Regional Analysis Asia Pacific (APAC), the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA) are the regions discussed with respect to the market report. The Americas can dominate the global market due to increased government funding for research and development, large pool of cancer patients, and large healthcare expenditure. Presence of major companies and their concerted efforts in development of drugs and imaging techniques to combat pancreatic cancer can augur favorably for the market in the region. Europe is the second largest region for the market due to increased government support for research and development. Investments by countries such as France and Germany for expediting the cancer research can work in favor of the global pancreatic cancer treatment market growth. The APAC region is touted to exhibit growth of a rapid pace due to allocation of funds by governments, large patient pool, and development of existing infrastructure in the healthcare sector. Massive demand for new treatment methods in South Korea and India can be opportune for the expansion plans of the global pancreatic cancer treatment market. Lastly, the MEA region can exhibit dull growth due to limited access to treatments and low awareness levels among patients regarding the disease. Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market Competition Outlook Diffusion Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Inc., Celgene Corporation, Sun BioPharma, Inc., Clovis Oncology, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Novartis International AG, OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals Inc., Polaris Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Midatech Pharma PLC, Oncolytics Biotech, Pharmacyte Biotech Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, and others are prominent manufacturers of drugs and medications in the global pancreatic cancer treatment market. Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Industry News A recent report by the Wilmot Cancer Institute confirmed the succession of the shrinking of pancreatic cancer cells in murine models. The combination therapy consisting of immunotherapy and radiation therapy has been successful in mice and may see an extended application on humans in the coming years. Table Of Content Report Prologue Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope Of The Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.2 Restrains 4.3 Opportunities 4.4 Challenges 4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators 4.6 Technology Trends & Assessment Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Market Factor Analysis 5.1 Porters Five Forces Analysis 5.1.1 Bargaining Power Of Suppliers 5.1.2 Bargaining Power Of Buyers 5.1.3 Threat Of New Entrants 5.1.4 Threat Of Substitutes 5.1.5 Intensity Of Rivalry 5.2 Value Chain Analysis 5.3 Investment Feasibility Analysis 5.4 Pricing Analysis TOC continued Browse More Related Research Reports at: 3D Bioprinting Market Report Forecast to 2023 | MRFR CBD Oil Market Research Report Global Forecast till 2024 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. Contact: Akash Anand Market Research Future +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com MONTREAL, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2020 Sherwin-Williams' Top 50 colors, 31 of them are grays. For Behr and Benjamin Moore, grays are also favorites in a neutral palette, along with whites of course, which are still unbeatable. Exterior color trends are in sync. After several years of black and natural wood, people are ready for something new. In both manufacturers' exterior paints as well as aluminum and vinyl sidings, combining different grays is the emerging trend. Garaga Garage Door Displayed: Shaker-Modern XL Design, 16x8 Size, Iron Ore Walnut Color, and SatinWindows Iron Ore Walnut The 2020 Garaga garage door color to watch Attuned to emerging trends, Garaga has crafted a color combining the richness of walnut wood grain with an elegant and intense gray that adds incredible depth. Lots of possibilities. Because people want their home to be unique. Just like them! Garaga's Iron Ore Walnut color is first available for the Standard+. This is really appealing for homeowners who want to have better insulation and a better look, since this model provides an R-16 insulation value and 15 different panel designs. So whether people want to enhance their home's traditional charm or, on the contrary, give it a modern touch, they will find the style they're craving. Garaga's Iron Ore Walnut is also available for the carriage-house style Townships Collection. People who love the beauties of yesteryear and want to give a rustic, yet upscale, barn-style look to their garage doors will literally fall in love with them! They will be able to create a unique carriage house look by choosing an Iron Ore Walnut door and adding contrasting Ice White or Black overlays. Their garage doors will be the wow of the neighborhood. Building or renovating a house is so stressful. There are so many details to consider, so many choices, and so much different information. People want the colors of their different exterior materials to harmonize perfectly. They will be looking at them for more than 20 years. Garaga's team keeps this in mind when it develops new colors and new designs. That's why Garaga's new Iron Ore Walnut color blends perfectly with: Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore exterior and interior paint Gentek Iron Ore aluminum and vinyl sidings Why choose a drab garage door when there are so many gorgeous designs, colors, and windows to create something unique? A garage door might take up to 45% of a house facade. It adds curb appeal to a home for more than 20 years. Paying a visit to a dealer's showroom is time well invested. Seeing the colors and the embossed designs with one own eyes changes everything. Media Contact Genevieve Fortin Email: [email protected] Related Images garaga-2020-new-iron-ore-walnut.jpg Garaga 2020 New Iron Ore Walnut Color Garaga Garage Door Displayed: Shaker-Modern XL Design, 16x8 Size, Iron Ore Walnut Color, and SatinWindows SOURCE Garaga Inc. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 15:42 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066fa43d 1 Business e-money,digital-payment,transaction,bank-indonesia,Destry-Damayanti,consumer-behaviour,e-wallet Free Electronic money (e-money) transactions in Indonesias retail market skyrocketed by 173 percent in January from a year earlier, with nonbank fintech dominating the scene as the country works its way toward a cashless society, the central bank says. Bank Indonesia (BI) senior deputy governor Destry Damayanti said that the growth of e-money in retail transactions had especially picked up in the past two years, as consumers shifted to the ease of noncash options. Last January, the growth of e-money was 173 percent year-on-year. So, it is growing in dominance, Destry said during a panel discussion on CNBC Indonesias Economic Outlook 2020 in Jakarta on Wednesday. E-money transactions reached Rp 15.8 trillion (US$1.1 billion) in January this year, close to tripling last years Rp 5.8 trillion transactions, according to BI data. The possibility, if we look [ahead], is that the players change, from banks to nonbanks for the retail [market], Destry added, explaining how Indonesias consumers were moving away from ATM and debit cards as payment options. The top-five e-wallet mobile applications in Indonesia based on the number of monthly active users between 2017 until 2019 were Gojek, OVO, DANA, LinkAja and Jenius, according to a joint study between iPrice Group and App Annie. Most of them are nonbank players. Read also: Fintech payments triumph as GoPay, OVO dominate scene In addition to that, the number of electronic platforms has grown steadily in the past couple of years. The latest data from BI recorded 41 licensed e-money platforms as of February 2020, up from 38 last year. This shows that a growing number of players is trying to benefit from e-wallet transactions, which were already valued at $1.5 billion in 2018, according to the joint study. Indonesias consumers are the driving force behind this growth. Between 2017 and 2018, digital consumers in Indonesia grew from 64 million to 102 million, 53 percent of the total population in Indonesia, according to a recent study done by Facebook in collaboration with Bain & Company. With the growth of digital consumers, online shopping is predicted to increase 3.7 times from $13.1 billion in transactions in 2017 to $48.3 billion in 2025, the study says. A JP Morgan report on Indonesia's e-commerce insights in 2019 explains that the e-commerce market growth in Indonesia will be driven by its youthful population, where the average age of the countrys population is just 30.5 years. Indeed, half of all Indonesians are aged under 30, and there is a rising middle class, the report stated. Out of the total 264 million population, internet penetration amounted to 32.3 percent and 40 percent for smartphone penetration, another contributing factor in the growing adoption of digital payments. The developments bode well for Indonesias move toward a cashless society, which started many years ago. In 2014, the central bank initiated the national noncash movement (GNNT) as Indonesia eyed becoming Southeast Asias digital hub. (ydp) MEXICO CITY No women in offices or schools. No women in restaurants or stores. No women on public transportation, in cars or on the street. A country without women, for one day. Thats the vision of an alliance of feminist groups in Mexico that fueled by the rising violence against women and girls, including two horrific murders that appalled the nation this month have called for a 24-hour strike by the countrys female population on March 9. The action is to protest gender-based violence, inequality and the culture of machismo, and to demand greater support for womens rights. Promoted under the hashtag #UNDIASINNOSOTRAS, A Day Without Us, it has gained extraordinary momentum across this country of more than 120 million, with wide-ranging buy-in from the public and private sectors, civic groups, religious leaders and many, if not most, women. The support has cut across the boundaries of class, ethnicity, wealth and politics that fracture this nation, and has given organizers hope that this might be not just a monumental event but also a watershed moment in the modern history of Mexico. Another Great Year: Good Performances on High Comparatives Regulatory News: SEB SA (Paris:SK): Consolidated financial results (m) 2018 2019 Change 2018/2019 Sales 6,812 7,354 +8.0% +5.8% LFL Operating Result from Activity (ORfA) 695 740 +6.5% Operating profit 625 621 -0.8% Profit attributable to owners of the parent 419 380 -9.4% Net debt at 12/31 1,578 1,997 +419m* Proposed dividend per share 2.14 2.26 +5.6% * Incl. IFRS16 impacts: 334m % calculated on non-rounded figures Statement by T. de La Tour d'Artaise, Chairman and CEO of Groupe SEB "2019 marks for the Group another year of organic growth above 5%, for the sixth consecutive year. All Group geographies and all product lines posted higher revenue, generating strong financial performances, with an Operating Result from Activity up 6.5%. 2020 begins against a backdrop made of uncertainties as for the general environment, heightened by the coronavirus epidemic. This crisis, whose duration and impact it is still too early to assess, is once again demonstrating the engagement and the solidarity of our teams worldwide. I would like to send a message of support and thanks to all our employees and partners concerned, and particularly to our Chinese teams who have done a remarkable work since the beginning of the crisis. I am confident in the strength of our strategic model based on balanced growth brands, geographies, product categories and distribution channels and on a worldwide industrial footprint. This model, along with the promising and resilient industry we are part of, has so far always enabled us to get through crises and stay the course over the long term. It is part of an approach based on environmental and social responsibility that is recognized widely and creates value for everyone." SALES Groupe SEB recorded sales of 7,354 million in 2019, up 8.0% including organic growth of 5.8%, a currency effect of +1.0% (71 million) and a scope effect of +1.2% (75 million), reflecting the consolidation of Wilbur Curtis on 11 months and Krampouz on 3 months. This solid business momentum arises from: - Consumer sales growing firmly, up 5.2% like-for-like, nurtured by all geographic areas and all product lines; - Professional activity which continued its fast development, up 12.1 like-for-like, despite demanding 2018 comparatives. This strong performance has been achieved in an overall complicated and volatile environment. Representing the 6th consecutive year of organic growth above 5%, it reflects the relevance of Groupe SEB's strategy. OPERATING RESULT FROM ACTIVITY (ORfA) The Group posted Operating Result from Activity (ORfA) totaling 740 million in 2019. In five years, the Group has doubled its reported ORfA. With growth of 6.5% compared with 2018 ORfA, it includes a slightly negative currency effect (-5 million vs. -45 million in 2018), a scope effect (Wilbur Curtis and Krampouz, +9 million) and a method effect (IFRS 16, +9 million). The organic growth in 2019 Operating Result from Activity stands at 4.7% and can be explained as follows: A volume effect of +141 million , reflecting favorable business trends, both in Consumer and Professional activity; , reflecting favorable business trends, both in Consumer and Professional activity; A +8 million price-mix effect, which factors in continued upselling driven by new products, lower price increases due to moderate currency effects and higher promotional pressure; price-mix effect, which factors in continued upselling driven by new products, lower price increases due to moderate currency effects and higher promotional pressure; A limited increase ( +5 million) in the cost of sales thanks to reduced raw material costs in 2019 and continued productivity gains; in the cost of sales thanks to reduced raw material costs in 2019 and continued productivity gains; A +37 million increase in investments in growth drivers (innovation, operational marketing and advertising), representing 10% of revenue; increase in investments in growth drivers (innovation, operational marketing and advertising), representing 10% of revenue; A controlled increase in sales, marketing and administrative expenses: 31m, in line with revenue growth of the business and mainly reflecting investments in Group's retail network as well as in salesforce for Professional Coffee. Furthermore, ORfA 2018-2019 bridge, as well as sales bridge, has been adversely impacted by two specific events: (i) a -20 million impact stemming from Groupe SEB Deutschland (related to trade conditions that derogated from the Group's principles) and (ii) a -24 million impact linked to PIS-COFINS in Brazil (recognition of a tax receivable on previous fiscal years for 32 million in 2018 and 8 million in 2019). OPERATING PROFIT AND NET PROFIT Groupe SEB reported operating profit of 621 million in 2019, versus 625 million in 2018. The total includes a discretionary and statutory profit-sharing expense of 35 million, versus 34 million in 2018, and the Group's contribution to the 2019 employee share ownership plan for 2 million. It also comprises other operating income and expense of -82 million (-36 million in 2018) including notably: Restructuring provisions in WMF's Consumer business, for approximately 40 million, covering mainly industrial asset impairments (closure of cookware site in Geislingen) and estimated labor costs (voluntary redundancy plans); Accounting adjustments related to business practices at Groupe SEB Deutschland that derogated from the Group's principles. Amounting to nearly 20 million, these adjustments refer to 2018 financial year. Net financial expense came out at -61 million in 2019 (versus -32 million in 2018), including recognition of an IFRS 16-related expense for 15m. As a reminder, in 2018, net financial expense also included a 13 million income related to the fair value adjustment of the optional part of the ORNAE bond (neutral effect in 2019) and the recognition of positive interest income on the tax receivable in Brazil for 21 million (3 million this year). Profit attributable to owners of the parent ended at 380 million, versus 419 million in 2018, factoring in a higher level of non-recurring expenses. This comes after a tax charge of 131 million, corresponding to an effective tax rate for the 2019 financial year of 23.5%, and after minority interests of 49 million (43 million in 2018) for which the increase reflects Supor's performances in China. BALANCE SHEET At December 31, 2019, consolidated equity totaled 2,628 million, up 321 million on end-2018. At end-2019, net debt amounted to 1,997 million, from 1,578 million a year earlier, increasing by 419 million, primarily due to the IFRS 16 impact, for 334 million. Excluding this impact, the increase in debt of around 85 million is attributable to acquisitions made in the financial year (Wilbur Curtis and Krampouz) and a dividend payout of 137 million. Free cash flow remained robust, ending at 367 million in 2019, including in particular an increase in Capex as well as financial and tax expenses during the financial year. At end-2019, the working capital requirement (WCR) stood at 1,215 million, representing 16.5% of sales, in line with the solid performance delivered in 2018. Despite frequently tougher market conditions, the Group has continued its efforts to best manage inventories and trade receivables. The Group's year-end debt to equity ratio was 76% (63% excl. IFRS 16) compared against 68% at end-2018 and the net debt/adjusted EBITDA ratio came out at 2.1x, including an impact of the IFRS 16 implementation in 2019 of 0,2x.Excluding IFRS 16 impact and acquisitions, the ratio at December 31, 2019, would stand at 1.6x DIVIDEND Meeting on February 25, 2020, the Board of Directors proposed the distribution of a dividend of 2.26 per share in respect of the 2019 financial year, up 5.6%. The increase reflects both the good performances achieved in 2019, notably as for the operating profitability, and the Board's trust in the Group's continued development, despite the lack of visibility linked to Covid-19. For shareholders having held shares under the registered form for more than two years, the dividend will be increased by a loyalty bonus of 10%, taking the total dividend to 2.49 per share (for holdings below 0.5% of the capital). The coupon detachment date is set for May 22 and the dividend will be paid on May 26, 2020. COVID-19 IMPACTS The Group has 42 industrial sites worldwide, including 7 in China which manufature for both the Chinese domestic market and for the rest of the Group. Regarding the industrial activity in China, 6 out of 7 factories have resumed their activity between February 17 and 24, depending on sites, with a gradually ramp-up according to workers availability. We estimate, at this stage, a return to full production capacity at the end of March. As regards of our seventh factory in Wuhan, Chinese authorities do not consider lifting the lock-down before mid-March. Given these circumstances, Supor is transferring its most urgent production needs from Wuhan to other sites or subcontractors. In addition, almost all subcontractors have restarted their production with a progressive ramp-up. At this stage, our inventories are sufficient to meet needs. As regards of commercial activity, China remains the most impacted country. To date, the loss in sales for the first quarter can be estimated at around 250 million (comprising the severe impact of Covid-19 and the demanding 2019 comparative linked to Chinese New Year). OUTLOOK The geopolitical context remains uncertain and the issues linked to the current sanitary crisis are large-scale and hard to quantify over the full year. As it stands, trends for commodities are more favorable than last year. However, the Group expects in 2020 higher currency volatility than in 2019. Apart from the crisis challenges, the Group is on a path of organic sales growth and increase in its Operating Result from Activity. However, visibility over the coming months is limited. Moreover, our 2019 comparatives are high, especially at the beginning of the year. Hence, we expect lower first-quarter performances, due to demanding comparatives in China as well as for Professional Coffee and to the negative impact of Covid-19 on Supor's domestic sales since February. The Group endeavors to limit the impact of the epidemic on its business in 2020, in particular by leveraging the flexibility of its manufacturing facilities. During this complicated period, it remains focused on its long-term vision, based on profitable and responsible growth. Groupe SEB's consolidated and company financial statements at December 31, 2019 were approved by the Board of Directors on February 25, 2019. CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT ( million) 31/12/2019 31/12/2018 31/12/2017 Revenue 7,353.9 6,812.2 6,484.6 Operating expenses (6,614.1) (6,117.4) (5,824.0) OPERATING RESULT FROM ACTIVITY 739.8 694.8 660.6 Statutory and discretionary profit-sharing* (37.2) (33.6) (37.6) RECURRING OPERATING PROFIT 702.6 661.2 623.1 Other operating income and expense (82.1) (35.6) (43.6) OPERATING PROFIT 620.5 625.6 579.5 Finance costs (41.1) (32.8) (34.9) Other financial income and expense (19.6) 0.9 (36.7) Share of profits of associates PROFIT BEFORE TAX 559.8 593.7 507.9 Income tax (131.5) (131.2) (99.3) PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD 428.3 462.5 408.6 Non-controlling interests (48.6) (43.5) (33.6) PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO SEB S.A. 379.7 419.0 375.0 PROFIT ATTRIBUTABLE TO SEB S.A. PER SHARE (in units) Basic earnings per share 7.63 8.44 7.56 Diluted earnings per share 7.58 8.38 7.50 * including 2019 employee share ownership plan expenses CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET ASSETS (in m) 31/12/2019 31/12/2018 31/12/2017 Goodwill 1,611.3 1,484.9 1,467.5 Other intangible assets 1,261.9 1,183.2 1,170.6 Property, plant and equipment 1,248.0 839.5 820.5 Investments in associates Other investments 100.4 51.0 33.8 Other non-current financial assets 38.6 16.9 15.4 Deferred taxes 96.3 79.2 62.9 Other non-current assets 58.0 57.1 10.6 Long-term derivative instruments assets 3.4 2.5 3.4 NON-CURRENT ASSETS 4,417.9 3,714.3 3,584.7 Inventories 1,189.1 1,180.5 1,112.1 Trade receivables 1,159.7 1,087.2 1,015.8 Other receivables 175.1 144.7 100.0 Current tax assets 57.4 36.3 73.5 Short-term derivative instruments assets 20.5 40.1 45.6 Other financial investments 10.2 260.7 216.8 Cash and cash equivalents 785.5 612,7 538.7 CURRENT ASSETS 3,397.5 3,362.2 3,102.5 TOTAL ASSETS 7,815.4 7,076.5 6,687.2 LIABILITIES (in m) 31/12/2019 31/12/2018 31/12/2017 Share capital 50.3 50.2 50.2 Reserves and retained earnings 2,395.1 2,130.2 1,806.6 Treasury stock (52.8) (82.4) (67.3) Equity attributable to owners of the parent 2,392.6 2,098.0 1,789.5 Non-controlling interests 234.9 208.6 174.8 EQUITY 2,627.5 2,306.6 1,964.3 Deferred taxes 222.3 235.8 216.7 Long-term provisions 339.5 334.1 354.0 Long-term borrowings 2,301.8 1,857.9 2,067.3 Other non-current liabilities 55.2 45.8 47.3 Long-term derivative instruments liabilities 17.1 7.9 20.7 NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,935.9 2,481.5 2,706.0 Short-term provisions 107.8 73.9 90.0 Trade payables 1,044.8 1,029.9 905.8 Other current liabilities 527.6 519.3 351.7 Current tax liabilities 74.1 52.6 51.7 Short-term derivative instruments liabilities 27.1 25.7 39.5 Short-term borrowings 470.6 587.0 578.2 CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,252.0 2,288.4 2,016.9 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 7,815.4 7,076.5 6,687.2 On a like-for-like basis (LFL) Organic The amounts and growth rates at constant exchange rates and consolidation scope in a given year compared with the previous year are calculated: using the average exchange rates of the previous year for the period in consideration (year, half-year, quarter); on the basis of the scope of consolidation of the previous year. This calculation is made primarily for sales and Operating Result from Activity. Operating Result from Activity (ORfA) Operating Result from Activity (ORfA) is Groupe SEB's main performance indicator. It corresponds to sales minus operating costs, i.e. the cost of sales, innovation expenditure (R&D, strategic marketing and design), advertising, operational marketing as well as commercial and administrative costs. ORfA does not include discretionary and nondiscretionary profit-sharing or other non-recurring operating income and expense. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA is equal to Operating Result from Activity minus discretionary and non-discretionary profit-sharing, to which are added operating depreciation and amortization. Free cash flow Free cash flow corresponds to the "net cash from operating activities" item in the consolidated cash flow statement, adjusted from non-recurring transactions with an impact on the Group's net debt (for example, cash outflows related to restructuring) and after taking account of recurring investments (CAPEX). Net indebtedness This term refers to all recurring and non-recurring financial debt minus cash and cash equivalents, as well as derivative instruments linked to Group financing. It also includes financial debt from application of the IFRS 16 standard "Leases" in addition to short-term investments with no risk of a substantial change in value but with maturities of over three months. Loyalty program (LP) These programs, led by distribution retailers, consist in offering promotional offers on a product category to loyal consumers who have made a series of purchases within a short period of time. These promotional programs allow distributors to boost footfall in their stores and our consumers to access our products at preferential prices. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding Groupe SEB's activity results and financial situation. These forecasts are based on assumptions which seem reasonable at this stage but which depend on external factors including trends in commodity prices, exchange rates, the economic environment, demand in the Group's large markets and the impact of new product launches by competitors. As a result of these uncertainties, Groupe SEB cannot be held liable for potential variance on its current forecasts, which result from unexpected events or unforeseeable developments. The factors which could considerably influence Groupe SEB's economic and financial result are presented in the Annual Financial Report and Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers, the French financial markets authority. The balance sheet and income statement included in this press release are excerpted from financial statements consolidated as of December 31, 2019, examined by SEB SA's Statutory Auditors and approved by the Group's Board of Directors, dated February 25, 2020. Live webcast and presentation at 2:30 p.m. on our website: www.groupeseb.com or click here Change of date Please note that, following a change in the communication schedule of Supor, our subsidiary listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, the publication date of Q1 2020 Sales and Financial data has been modified. Initially set for April 27th, it has been postponed to April 28th, 2020. Below you will find the updated schedule. Next key dates April 28 | after market closes Q1 2020 sales and financial data May 19 | 3:00 pm (Paris time) Annual General Meeting July 23 before market opens H1 2020 sales and results October 26 after market closes 9-month 2020 sales and financial data Find us on www.groupeseb.com World reference in small domestic equipment, Groupe SEB operates with a unique portfolio of 30 top brands including Tefal, Seb, Rowenta, Moulinex, Krups, Lagostina, All-Clad, WMF, Emsa, Supor, marketed through multi-format retailing. Selling more than 350 million products a year, it deploys a long-term strategy focused on innovation, international development, competitiveness and service to clients. With products being present in over 150 countries, Groupe SEB generated sales of approximately 7.3 billion in 2019 and had more than 34,000 employees worldwide. SEB SA SEB SA N RCS 300 349 636 RCS LYON with a share capital of 50,307,064 - Intracommunity VAT: FR 12300349636 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226006088/en/ Contacts: Investor/Analyst Relations Groupe SEB Financial Communication and Investor Relations Isabelle Posth and Raphael Hoffstetter comfin@groupeseb.com Phone:+33 (0) 4 72 18 16 04 Media Relations Groupe SEB Corporate Communication Dept Caroline Philips com@groupeseb.com Phone: + 33 (0) 6 49 82 28 45 Image Sept Caroline Simon Claire Doligez Isabelle Dunoyer de Segonzac caroline.simon@image7.fr cdoligez@image7.fr isegonzac@image7.fr Phone:+33 (0) 1 53 70 74 70 Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Market Research Future published a research report on Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market Research Report - Global Forecast till 2023. Report gives a clear picture of current market scenario which includes past and estimated future market size. The report provides detail information and strategies of top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study about different markets segments and regions. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Treatment Market Synopsis Market Research Future postulates that the global Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Treatment Market is estimated to demonstrate 3.5% CAGR throughout the forecast period (2017-2023). Factors such as increasing patient pool and screening for better treatment options are likely to favor the market growth worldwide. Multiple sclerosis is referred to as an inflammatory, chronic, and an autoimmune disease which generally affects the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis is referred to as an inflammatory, chronic, and an autoimmune disease which generally affects the central nervous system. It especially affects the communication between the brain and other body parts. Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease in which the insulating covers of the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain are damaged.. Global Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market: Segmental Analysis By mode of drug type, the global multiple sclerosis treatment market has been segmented into immunosuppressant, immunomodulators, and others. By mode of the route of administration, the global multiple sclerosis treatment market has been segmented into oral, injectable, and others. By mode of diagnosis, the global multiple sclerosis treatment market has been segmented into simple electrical stimulation tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, lumbar puncture and others. By mode of end-users, the global multiple sclerosis treatment market has been segmented into clinics, hospitals, and others. Regional Insights Geographically, the multiple sclerosis treatment market spans across regions namely, America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa. Among all the regions, America is considered to occupy the largest market share owing to the presence of U.K. in this region. U.S. is estimated to dominate the market due to the increasing R&D activities for better treatment of the disease and extensive development in the medical sector. An increasing number of hospitalization procedures owing to healthcare penetration in Canada and the U.S. are estimated to propel the market growth. Additional factors influencing the market growth are the high concentration of key hospitals and good reimbursement rates. European is presumed to occupy the second largest market share and is likely to retain its dominance over the years. The growth is credited to the augmenting healthcare industry along with healthcare penetration. The region is mainly led by economies like France and Germany, where Germany is considered to be the fastest growing region due to the presence of its large pharmaceutical industry. The Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace and is presumed to lead the market owing to the large unmet needs coupled with the fast-developing healthcare sector in this region. South East Asian economies like India, China, and Malaysia highly contribute to the market growth. Additionally, penetration of the healthcare sector is likely to fuel the future multiple sclerosis market. Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market Research Report, By Drug Type (Immunomodulators, Immunosuppressant), By Route of Administration (Injectable, Oral and Other), By Diagnosis (Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scans, Simple Electrical Stimulation Tests, Lumbar Puncture), By End Users (Hospitals, Clinics and others) - Forecast till 2023 @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/multiple-sclerosis-treatment-market-940 Industry Updates January 16, 2019: In a clinical trial of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, researchers had found that while most of the patients on standard therapy were showing progression, the vast majority of patients who already underwent the stem cell transplant did not. An experimental treatment which was conducted for multiple sclerosis is now showing promise. A new study had found that a single stem cell transplant delays or stop the symptoms better than some medications. Browse Other Healthcare Related Reports Medical Tourism Market Laser Therapy Market 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 Contact: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com Education & Career How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020 Top Skills, Education, and Experience 27.02.2020 17:14:40 - For the 3rd consecutive year, we have asked the data. In a nutshell, here are the latest research results that we have found: The typical data scientist is a male, who speaks at least one foreign language and has 8.5 years of work experience behind their back. They are likely to hold a Masters degree or higher and most definitely use Python and/or R in their daily work. (live-PR.com) - Data science has been one of the trendiest topics in the last couple of years. But what does it take to become a data scientist in 2020? For the 3rd consecutive year, we have asked the data. In a nutshell, here are the latest research results that we have found: The typical data scientist is a male, who speaks at least one - Data science has been one of the trendiest topics in the last couple of years. But what does it take to become a data scientist in 2020?For the 3rd consecutive year, we have asked the data. In a nutshell, here are the latest research results that we have found:The typical data scientist is a male, who speaks at least one foreign language and has 8.5 years of work experience behind their back. They are likely to hold a Masters degree or higher and most definitely use Python and/or R in their daily work. How we collected and analyzed our data: The data for this report is based on the publicly available information in the LinkedIn profiles of 1,001 professionals, currently employed as data scientists. The sample includes junior, experts, and senior data scientists. To ensure comparability with previous years and limited bias, we collected our data according to several conditions. Location 40% of the data comprises data scientists currently employed in the United States; 30% are data scientists in the UK; 15% are currently in India; 15% come from a collection of various other countries (Other). Company size 50% of the sample are currently employed at a Fortune 500 company; the remaining 50% work in a non-ranked company. These quotas were introduced in light of preliminary research into the most popular countries for data science, as well as the employment patterns in the industry. Alright, without further ado How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: Overview For the third year in a row, the verdict is in. There are twice as many male data scientists as there are female. This trend, while unfortunate, is not really surprising as the field of data science follows the general trend in the tech industry. In terms of languages spoken, a data scientist usually speaks two English and one other (often their mother tongue). When it comes to professional experience, we find that you cant really become a data scientist overnight. It takes 8.5 years of overall work experience. Interestingly, this is an increase of half a year compared to the data in 2019. Another interesting observation is that data scientists have held their prestigious title for an average of 3.5 years. Last year, that metric stood at 2.3 years. While our study is not based on panel data, we can make the claim that once you become a data scientist, you are likely to stay one. Regarding programming languages, in 2018, 50% of data scientists were using Python or R. This number increased to 73% in 2019 to completely break all records this year. In 2020, 90% of data scientists use Python or R. And no, you are not the only one who finds it amazing. Such a high adoption rate in such a short time period is an absolutely stunning feat for any tool in any industry ever. Finally, your level of education will most definitely make a difference when trying to become a data scientist. About 80% of the cohort holds at least a Masters degree. That amounts to a 6 percentage point increase from last year. Previous experience Each year, we look at the previous work experience of a data scientist. This part of the results proved to be the most useful for aspiring professionals, figuring out the common career paths to becoming a data scientist. To reiterate, in 2020, data scientists had 3.5 years with the title and 8.5 years in the workforce on average. But what did the data scientist do before becoming a data scientist? According to our sample, they were already a data scientist! Or at least half of the cohort (52.4%). If we compare this value with previous years, there were 35.6% such cases in 2018 and 42% in 2019. So, year after year, the position becomes more and more exclusive an observation we could infer from their average work experience. This insight suggests that there arent too many career options after being a data scientist. In other words once a data scientist, always a data scientist. At least thats the situation in 2020. Regarding other relevant career paths, starting out as a data analyst is still the preferable path (11% overall), followed by academia (8.2%) and Data science intern (7.0%). This breakdown is one of the most consistent segments of our yearly research since 2018. Hence, you can bet your data scientist career on it. Education Education is one of the 3 major sections of most resumes and thats not likely to change. Educational background serves as a signal to your future employers, especially when you dont have too much experience. So, what education gives the best signal if you want to become a data scientist? According to our data, the typical data scientist in 2020 holds either a Masters degree (56%), a Bachelor (13%), or a Ph.D. (27%) as their highest academic qualification. These statistics might not seem counter-intuitive at first. However, there is actually a considerable drop in Bachelor degree only data scientists compared to 2019 (19%) and 2018 (15%). Data science requires an advanced level of expertise. And thats typically acquired through graduate or postgraduate forms of traditional education, or through independent specialized study. Blog / Articles / How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020 Top Skills, Education, and Experience become data scientist in 2020, how to become a data scientist in 2020 How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: Introduction Data science has been one of the trendiest topics in the last couple of years. But what does it take to become a data scientist in 2020? For the 3rd consecutive year, we have asked the data. In a nutshell, here are the latest research results that we have found: The typical data scientist is a male, who speaks at least one foreign language and has 8.5 years of work experience behind their back. They are likely to hold a Masters degree or higher and most definitely use Python and/or R in their daily work.How we collected and analyzed our data:The data for this report is based on the publicly available information in the LinkedIn profiles of 1,001 professionals, currently employed as data scientists. The sample includes junior, experts, and senior data scientists. To ensure comparability with previous years and limited bias, we collected our data according to several conditions.Location40% of the data comprises data scientists currently employed in the United States; 30% are data scientists in the UK; 15% are currently in India; 15% come from a collection of various other countries (Other).Company size50% of the sample are currently employed at a Fortune 500 company; the remaining 50% work in a non-ranked company.These quotas were introduced in light of preliminary research into the most popular countries for data science, as well as the employment patterns in the industry.Alright, without further adoHow to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: OverviewFor the third year in a row, the verdict is in.There are twice as many male data scientists as there are female.This trend, while unfortunate, is not really surprising as the field of data science follows the general trend in the tech industry.In terms of languages spoken, a data scientist usually speaks two English and one other (often their mother tongue).When it comes to professional experience, we find that you cant really become a data scientist overnight.It takes 8.5 years of overall work experience. Interestingly, this is an increase of half a year compared to the data in 2019. Another interesting observation is that data scientists have held their prestigious title for an average of 3.5 years. Last year, that metric stood at 2.3 years. While our study is not based on panel data, we can make the claim that once you become a data scientist, you are likely to stay one.Regarding programming languages, in 2018, 50% of data scientists were using Python or R.This number increased to 73% in 2019 to completely break all records this year. In 2020, 90% of data scientists use Python or R. And no, you are not the only one who finds it amazing. Such a high adoption rate in such a short time period is an absolutely stunning feat for any tool in any industry ever.Finally, your level of education will most definitely make a difference when trying to become a data scientist. About 80% of the cohort holds at least a Masters degree. That amounts to a 6 percentage point increase from last year.Previous experienceEach year, we look at the previous work experience of a data scientist. This part of the results proved to be the most useful for aspiring professionals, figuring out the common career paths to becoming a data scientist.To reiterate, in 2020, data scientists had 3.5 years with the title and 8.5 years in the workforce on average.But what did the data scientist do before becoming a data scientist?According to our sample, they were already a data scientist! Or at least half of the cohort (52.4%). If we compare this value with previous years, there were 35.6% such cases in 2018 and 42% in 2019. So, year after year, the position becomes more and more exclusive an observation we could infer from their average work experience.This insight suggests that there arent too many career options after being a data scientist.In other words once a data scientist, always a data scientist. At least thats the situation in 2020.Regarding other relevant career paths, starting out as a data analyst is still the preferable path (11% overall), followed by academia (8.2%) and Data science intern (7.0%). This breakdown is one of the most consistent segments of our yearly research since 2018. Hence, you can bet your data scientist career on it.EducationEducation is one of the 3 major sections of most resumes and thats not likely to change. Educational background serves as a signal to your future employers, especially when you dont have too much experience. So, what education gives the best signal if you want to become a data scientist?According to our data, the typical data scientist in 2020 holds either a Masters degree (56%), a Bachelor (13%), or a Ph.D. (27%) as their highest academic qualification.These statistics might not seem counter-intuitive at first. However, there is actually a considerable drop in Bachelor degree only data scientists compared to 2019 (19%) and 2018 (15%). Data science requires an advanced level of expertise. And thats typically acquired through graduate or postgraduate forms of traditional education, or through independent specialized study.Blog / Articles / How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020 Top Skills, Education, and Experiencebecome data scientist in 2020, how to become a data scientist in 2020How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: IntroductionData science has been one of the trendiest topics in the last couple of years. But what does it take to become a data scientist in 2020?For the 3rd consecutive year, we have asked the data. In a nutshell, here are the latest research results that we have found:The typical data scientist is a male, who speaks at least one foreign language and has 8.5 years of work experience behind their back. They are likely to hold a Masters degree or higher and most definitely use Python and/or R in their daily work. typical data scientist, become a data scientist 2020 But such generalizations are rarely helpful. Not only that, they could be misleading and sometimes discouraging. That is why we have sliced and diced the data to reveal a number of different insights. Please use the list above to navigate through the article or simply read the whole piece. To give you the best perspective possible as we go through the different takeaways, we will also make comparisons to previous years surveys. If you first want to get acquainted with what it took to become a data scientist in 2018 and 2019. How we collected and analyzed our data: The data for this report is based on the publicly available information in the LinkedIn profiles of 1,001 professionals, currently employed as data scientists. The sample includes junior, experts, and senior data scientists. To ensure comparability with previous years and limited bias, we collected our data according to several conditions. Location 40% of the data comprises data scientists currently employed in the United States; 30% are data scientists in the UK; 15% are currently in India; 15% come from a collection of various other countries (Other). Company size 50% of the sample are currently employed at a Fortune 500 company; the remaining 50% work in a non-ranked company. These quotas were introduced in light of preliminary research into the most popular countries for data science, as well as the employment patterns in the industry. Alright, without further ado How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: Overview For the third year in a row, the verdict is in. There are twice as many male data scientists as there are female. This trend, while unfortunate, is not really surprising as the field of data science follows the general trend in the tech industry. In terms of languages spoken, a data scientist usually speaks two English and one other (often their mother tongue). When it comes to professional experience, we find that you cant really become a data scientist overnight. It takes 8.5 years of overall work experience. Interestingly, this is an increase of half a year compared to the data in 2019. Another interesting observation is that data scientists have held their prestigious title for an average of 3.5 years. Last year, that metric stood at 2.3 years. While our study is not based on panel data, we can make the claim that once you become a data scientist, you are likely to stay one. Regarding programming languages, in 2018, 50% of data scientists were using Python or R. This number increased to 73% in 2019 to completely break all records this year. In 2020, 90% of data scientists use Python or R. And no, you are not the only one who finds it amazing. Such a high adoption rate in such a short time period is an absolutely stunning feat for any tool in any industry ever. Finally, your level of education will most definitely make a difference when trying to become a data scientist. About 80% of the cohort holds at least a Masters degree. That amounts to a 6 percentage point increase from last year. Previous experience Each year, we look at the previous work experience of a data scientist. This part of the results proved to be the most useful for aspiring professionals, figuring out the common career paths to becoming a data scientist. To reiterate, in 2020, data scientists had 3.5 years with the title and 8.5 years in the workforce on average. But what did the data scientist do before becoming a data scientist? According to our sample, they were already a data scientist! Or at least half of the cohort (52.4%). If we compare this value with previous years, there were 35.6% such cases in 2018 and 42% in 2019. So, year after year, the position becomes more and more exclusive an observation we could infer from their average work experience. previous experience, become a data scientist This insight suggests that there arent too many career options after being a data scientist. In other words once a data scientist, always a data scientist. At least thats the situation in 2020. Regarding other relevant career paths, starting out as a data analyst is still the preferable path (11% overall), followed by academia (8.2%) and Data science intern (7.0%). This breakdown is one of the most consistent segments of our yearly research since 2018. Hence, you can bet your data scientist career on it. Education Education is one of the 3 major sections of most resumes and thats not likely to change. Educational background serves as a signal to your future employers, especially when you dont have too much experience. So, what education gives the best signal if you want to become a data scientist? highest level of education received According to our data, the typical data scientist in 2020 holds either a Masters degree (56%), a Bachelor (13%), or a Ph.D. (27%) as their highest academic qualification. These statistics might not seem counter-intuitive at first. However, there is actually a considerable drop in Bachelor degree only data scientists compared to 2019 (19%) and 2018 (15%). Data science requires an advanced level of expertise. And thats typically acquired through graduate or postgraduate forms of traditional education, or through independent specialized study (see Certificates below). But while specialization is important, too much specialization, such as a Ph.D. is not a prerequisite to breaking into data science. In fact, the percentage of PhD-holders has been unremarkably consistent over the years, constituting approximately 27% of our sample. The Masters degree, however, is solidifying its position as the golden standard of academic achievement necessary to become a data scientist in 2020. We are observing a 20% increase in the professionals who hold a Masters degree compared to the 2019 cohort (46% in 2019 vs 56% in 2020). A Masters degree is a great way for a Bachelor to specialize in a given field. Generally, there are two types of Masters degree choices: increasing your depth (dig deeper into a topic) or increasing your breadth (change your focus to diversify your skillset). One assumption is that people with Economics, Computer Science or other quant Bachelors degree have pursued a trendy data science Masters. This is further corroborated in our section on fields of study. Arguably, there is another factor at play here as well, and this is the increased popularity of the field. Industry reports like Glassdoors 50 Best Jobs consistently named Data Science the winner in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Google searches for data science have at least quadrupled over the last five years as well. This certainly plays to the increased interest in data science as a career, and as a result, to a more selective hiring process in certain regions (see Country and years of experience below). Finally, although data science is becoming a more competitive field, more than 10% of data scientists successfully penetrate the field with only a Bachelors degree (13%). Its true the number is lower than what weve observed in the last two years (19% in 2019 and 15% in 2018). Nevertheless, data science remains accessible to Bachelor holders. In fact, if we look at country-specific data, a more nuanced picture emerges. Country and Degree As we stated in the Methodology section in the beginning of this article, we gathered our data according to location quotas; data scientists in the USA comprise 40% of our data, data scientists in the UK contribute to 30% of our observations; India and the rest of the world each comprise 15% of the 2020 cohort. That said, the increase in data scientists holding a Masters degree is widely observed in both the UK and the States (54% and 58%, respectively, compared to 44% in 2019). In India, the number of data scientists holding a Masters has also grown by 16% in 2020, compared to previous years (57% in 2020 vs 49% in 2019 and 2018). Interestingly, this doesnt correspond to a comparable decrease in data scientists who have an undergraduate degree in India (32% in 2020, compared to 34% in 2019), which is still the highest percentage of Bachelor-holders across our cohort. Both Ph.D. graduates and professionals holding degrees from our Other cluster are also seen less frequently in the current research than they were in previous years. As we mentioned above, it is plausible that a specialization with a trendy data science Masters is becoming the preferred career path of many people in the field. Its also worth noting that you dont need a Ph.D. to become a data scientist in India. In fact, postgraduates with a Ph.D. make up only 3% of our data scientist sample in India; this is both 30% less than the US data, and the least represented cohort in India. So, these data corroborate two tentative conclusions. Academically, a Masters degree is establishing itself as the most popular degree for becoming a data scientist across the globe. And, if you are holding only a Bachelors degree, India provides the best career opportunities for starting a career in data science. Area of studies What is the best degree to become a data scientist? If you have followed the industry (or at least our research) over the past years, you would be inclined to respond with Computer Science or Statistics and Mathematics. After all, data science is the lovechild of all these disciplines. But you would be mistaken. In 2020, the best degree to become a data scientist is Data Science and Analysis! At long last Data Science and Analysis graduates have made their way to the top of our research! Before we continue with this analysis, a note on methodology. Because there is a massive number of uniquely nuanced and correspondingly named degrees in the academic world, we grouped our data into seven clusters of areas of academic study: Computer science, which does not include machine learning; Data science and analysis, which includes machine learning; Statistics and mathematics, which includes statistics and mathematics-centered degrees; Engineering; Natural sciences, which includes physics, chemistry, and biology; Economics and social sciences, which includes studies pertaining to economics, finance, business, politics, psychology, philosophy, history, and marketing and management; Other, which includes all other degrees the data scientists in our sample pursued. So, Data science and analysis is finally the degree thats most likely to get you into data science. Awesome! Compared to both 2019 (12%) and 2018 (13%), were seeing a significant increase in the professionals whove graduated with a data science specialized degree in 2020 (21%). Given our previous observations (see Education above), it doesnt come as a surprise that the majority of these degrees are at Masters level (85% of the Data science and analysis cluster). Therefore, it seems like data science is a preferred specialization for any quant Bachelor. This finding suggests traditional universities are beginning to respond to the demand for data scientists. And, in line with that, offer curriculums that develop the data scientist skillset. Another marked trend is that the Data Science and Analysis degree is becoming the affirmed gateway degree into data science, especially if youve previously graduated from a different field. Consider, for example, the top 3 degrees obtained by data scientists in 2019 and 2020: 2019 Computer Science (22%) Economics and social sciences (21%) Statistics and Mathematics (16%) 2020 Data Science and analysis (21%) Computer Science (18%) Statistics and Mathematics (16%) Data Science and Analysis has obviously taken the lead from Computer Science. Whats more, its appearance has completely removed Economics and social sciences from the top 3 ranking, even though this specialization was a close second in 2019. Graduates form the Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Other fields constitute approximately 11% of our data each. And, we can say this hasnt changed much compared to previous years. Interestingly, most women in our sample most likely earned a Statistics and Mathematics related degree (24% of the female cohort). In comparison, men most likely earned a degree in Data Science and Analysis (22%), with Computer Science (19%) being a close second. In general, data science is considerably well-balanced in terms of best degrees to enter the field. You can become a data scientist if you have a quant or programming background Or if you further specialize in Data Science and Analysis. And the way to do that is either through a traditional Masters degree or by completing a bootcamp training or specialized online training programs. How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: Online courses and Degree With data scientists coming from so many different backgrounds, we may wonder if their college degrees have proved sufficient for their work. Even with no research, the answer is no way. No single degree can prepare a person for a real job in data science. Actually, data scientists are closer to nerds than to rock stars its less about talent and more about hard work. Therefore, you can bet that they take their time to self-prepare. In our research, we have used the closest LinkedIn proxy available certificates from online courses. Our data suggest that 41% of the data scientists have included an online course, which is practically the same as the past two years (40% in 2018 and 43% in 2019). Note that not all people post all their certificates, so these results are actually understatements. Degree and Direct hires Can you become a data scientist right after graduation? While not unheard of, the data suggest that it is unlikely. Less than 1% of our cohort succeeded in becoming a data scientist without previous experience. And they either had a Ph.D. or a Masters (80% of these men, and 100% of the women). A quarter of these direct hires also reported having received an online certification. Something we found interesting is that the direct hires in our cohort almost completely mirror the profile of the typical data scientist in 2020 (see above). That said, lets discuss what kind of experience you need to become a data scientist, if youre not in that lucky 1%. Years of experience The typical data scientists in 2020 has been working as a data scientist for at least a year already (70% of our cohort), with the highest number of data scientists being in their 3-5 years bracket (28%) followed by data scientists in the 2-3 years bracket (24%), and in their second year on the job (19%). Data Scientists in their first year on the job constituted 13% of our 2020 data. These are all interesting statistics, especially when considered in relation to 2019 and 2018 data. More specifically, were observing a nearly 50% decrease in the number of data scientists who are just starting out their careers in 2020 (13%), compared to data scientists starting out in 2019 and 2018 (25%). Given the increase in average experience as a data scientist, we can conclude that these professionals stay within the field, making it harder for junior people to enter. The second interesting trend here is the increase in number of data scientists who are in their 3-5 and 2-3 years on the job, compared to the past two years. In 2018, 25% of data scientists had more than 3 years of experience, whereas in 2020, this number is reaching 44%, constituting a 76% increase in this cohort. This indicates that data science experts and senior data scientists are staying in the field, rather than moving to some other industry. Nonetheless, we mentioned that there are some important cross-country differences that invite further exploration. So, lets consider these in more detail in the next section! Country and years of experience A cross-country analysis of the on-the-job experience of the data scientist reveals a curious trend. In terms of seniority, the data scientists in the US cohort were certainly the most experienced in our data. More than 50% of the cohort were at least on their third year working as data scientists, with 20% on the job for more than 5 years. he US is the least friendly environment for career starters in data science. Only 8% of our US cohort was in their first year as data scientists, and 15% in their second. According to our data, the data science field in the UK is easier to penetrate. 11% of the UK sample were starting out their career as data scientists, whereas 20% were already in their second year on the job. Nonetheless, the largest represented group in the cohort were professionals in their third or fourth years on the job (29%). If youre looking for the country that offers the most opportunities to career starters, the data suggests that this is India. More than 50% of our sample consisted of data scientists within their first or second year on the job. This is great news for someone who is just getting started with data science and wants to nurture their expertise into a career. Of course, this data doesnt come as a surprise, with some of the worlds largest companies opening offices in Bangalore and Hyderabad, including Amazon, Walmart, Oracle, IBM, and P&G. The rest of the world, or our Other country cluster shows a more balanced distribution of data science professionals regarding years of experience. A little less than 20% of the cohort is in their first or second year as data scientists, a little over 20% are in their third or fourth, and a quarter were in the 3-5 years bracket. That said, its worth mentioning that the largest players in our Other country cluster were Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Germany. Therefore, we can tentatively say that data science is becoming a more prominent field in Western Europe, and since the field is not yet flooded with data science talent, both junior and mid- to senior professionals are in demand. Programming skills of a data scientist When looking for programming languages proficiency, we had to turn to the LinkedIn skills currency endorsements. While an imperfect source of information, they are a good proxy of what a person is good at. I would not be endorsed by my colleagues for Power BI, if I were mainly training ML algorithms, would I? With this clarification out of the way, lets dig into the data. Python dethroned R a year or so ago, so we wont comment too much on this rivalry. Moreover, knowing that 90% of the data scientists use either Python, or R, we could completely close the topic here and move on. But that would be a bit ignorant, especially towards SQL! 74% of the cohort speaks Python, 56% know R, and 51% use SQL. Whats especially noteworthy here is that SQL has grown in popularity by 40% since 2019 (36%), making it a close third after R. Now, there are various factors that could contribute to this number. One possible explanation is that companies dont always understand the data scientist position well. This leads them to hire data scientists and overload them with data engineering tasks. For instance, the implementation of GDPR and the massive reorganization of data sources in data warehouses placed some data scientists in the unfavorable position to lead or consult on such projects. Inevitably, SQL had to be added to their toolbelt for the sake of getting the job done. This phenomenon is getting more and more attention not only in the context of SQL, but also Big data structures related to database management. As a result, data scientists have acquired new skills at the expense of writing fewer machine learning algorithms. Another important point in favor of SQL is that BI tools such as Tableau and Power BI are heavily dependent on it, thus increasing its adoption. And thats why SQL is going further up, even catching up with R. The programming languages picture is completed by MATLAB (20.9%), Java (16.5%), C/C++ (15.0%), and SAS (10.8%). Once again, LaTeX (8.3%) is also in the top 10. Why? Well, academia does not harm your chances to become a data scientist as we see from the background of our cohort. F500 and coding language We cant stress enough how important are Python and R for the data science field in 2020. However, their strengths are their flaws, when it comes to big companies. Python and R are both open source frameworks that can be buggy or not well documented, unlike well-established languages such as MATLAB or C. And the data does indeed confirm this claim. Take Python for one 70% of F500 data scientists employ Python against 77% of non-F500 data scientists. This sounds like unpleasant news, but in fact, it isnt. Both Python and R have been closing the gap over the years. It seems like F500 companies are rethinking their organizations and are much more inclusive of the new technologies as compared to the data in 2018. Apart from the different rate of employment of Python, the rest of the breakdown by coding languages remains uninterestingly consistent. Country and coding language In the past, your country of employment would dictate many of your life decisions what language to learn, what rules to abide by, and what customs to respect or adopt. But does this apply to coding languages? Since 2018 we look into USA, UK, India and Rest of the world. Our findings used to show that R was winning the people over Python in the USA and India. On the other hand, UK and Rest of the world were already slowly phasing out R in favor of Python. Well, USA and India are no longer lagging behind when it comes to Python adoption. In other words, Python is now king in all countries. Hence, your best bet at becoming a data scientist is to bend the knee and join the Pythonistas in their search for data-driven truth. For the record, the breakdown by coding language is consistent across countries with R and Java taking the biggest hit from the Python supremacy in 2020. SQL remains unaffected and even gains a bit of traction as compared to previous years. How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: Conclusion For a third consecutive year, the 365 Data Science research into 1,001 current data scientists LinkedIn profiles reveals e. And what a year it is! This research reveals that the field is ever-evolving and adapting both to the needs of businesses and its growing popularity in academia and around. Universities are catching up with the demand while Masters is establishing itself as the golden standard degree. Python continues to eat away at R, but SQL is on the rise, too! India has earned the spot of best country for starting a career as a data scientist by demonstrating higher demand for junior data scientists than the US and the UK. It is also the place to be if you only have a Bachelors degree. Of course, we are tremendously interested in how these trends will develop in the following 2-5 years. But in the meantime, let us know if you think weve missed anything of interest! We are on a mission to create an informative and ultimately helpful account of the data scientist job and how it changes with time. After all, making the best career decision for yourself means being informed! So, stay curious, grow your programming skill set, and good luck in your data science career! foreign language and has 8.5 years of work experience behind their back. They are likely to hold a Masters degree or higher and most definitely use Python and/or R in their daily work.typical data scientist, become a data scientist 2020But such generalizations are rarely helpful. Not only that, they could be misleading and sometimes discouraging. That is why we have sliced and diced the data to reveal a number of different insights.Please use the list above to navigate through the article or simply read the whole piece. To give you the best perspective possible as we go through the different takeaways, we will also make comparisons to previous years surveys. If you first want to get acquainted with what it took to become a data scientist in 2018 and 2019.How we collected and analyzed our data:The data for this report is based on the publicly available information in the LinkedIn profiles of 1,001 professionals, currently employed as data scientists. The sample includes junior, experts, and senior data scientists. To ensure comparability with previous years and limited bias, we collected our data according to several conditions.Location40% of the data comprises data scientists currently employed in the United States; 30% are data scientists in the UK; 15% are currently in India; 15% come from a collection of various other countries (Other).Company size50% of the sample are currently employed at a Fortune 500 company; the remaining 50% work in a non-ranked company.These quotas were introduced in light of preliminary research into the most popular countries for data science, as well as the employment patterns in the industry.Alright, without further adoHow to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: OverviewFor the third year in a row, the verdict is in.There are twice as many male data scientists as there are female.This trend, while unfortunate, is not really surprising as the field of data science follows the general trend in the tech industry.In terms of languages spoken, a data scientist usually speaks two English and one other (often their mother tongue).When it comes to professional experience, we find that you cant really become a data scientist overnight.It takes 8.5 years of overall work experience. Interestingly, this is an increase of half a year compared to the data in 2019. Another interesting observation is that data scientists have held their prestigious title for an average of 3.5 years. Last year, that metric stood at 2.3 years. While our study is not based on panel data, we can make the claim that once you become a data scientist, you are likely to stay one.Regarding programming languages, in 2018, 50% of data scientists were using Python or R.This number increased to 73% in 2019 to completely break all records this year. In 2020, 90% of data scientists use Python or R. And no, you are not the only one who finds it amazing. Such a high adoption rate in such a short time period is an absolutely stunning feat for any tool in any industry ever.Finally, your level of education will most definitely make a difference when trying to become a data scientist. About 80% of the cohort holds at least a Masters degree. That amounts to a 6 percentage point increase from last year.Previous experienceEach year, we look at the previous work experience of a data scientist. This part of the results proved to be the most useful for aspiring professionals, figuring out the common career paths to becoming a data scientist.To reiterate, in 2020, data scientists had 3.5 years with the title and 8.5 years in the workforce on average.But what did the data scientist do before becoming a data scientist?According to our sample, they were already a data scientist! Or at least half of the cohort (52.4%). If we compare this value with previous years, there were 35.6% such cases in 2018 and 42% in 2019. So, year after year, the position becomes more and more exclusive an observation we could infer from their average work experience.previous experience, become a data scientistThis insight suggests that there arent too many career options after being a data scientist.In other words once a data scientist, always a data scientist. At least thats the situation in 2020.Regarding other relevant career paths, starting out as a data analyst is still the preferable path (11% overall), followed by academia (8.2%) and Data science intern (7.0%). This breakdown is one of the most consistent segments of our yearly research since 2018. Hence, you can bet your data scientist career on it.EducationEducation is one of the 3 major sections of most resumes and thats not likely to change. Educational background serves as a signal to your future employers, especially when you dont have too much experience. So, what education gives the best signal if you want to become a data scientist?highest level of education receivedAccording to our data, the typical data scientist in 2020 holds either a Masters degree (56%), a Bachelor (13%), or a Ph.D. (27%) as their highest academic qualification.These statistics might not seem counter-intuitive at first. However, there is actually a considerable drop in Bachelor degree only data scientists compared to 2019 (19%) and 2018 (15%). Data science requires an advanced level of expertise. And thats typically acquired through graduate or postgraduate forms of traditional education, or through independent specialized study (see Certificates below).But while specialization is important, too much specialization, such as a Ph.D. is not a prerequisite to breaking into data science. In fact, the percentage of PhD-holders has been unremarkably consistent over the years, constituting approximately 27% of our sample.The Masters degree, however, is solidifying its position as the golden standard of academic achievement necessary to become a data scientist in 2020.We are observing a 20% increase in the professionals who hold a Masters degree compared to the 2019 cohort (46% in 2019 vs 56% in 2020).A Masters degree is a great way for a Bachelor to specialize in a given field.Generally, there are two types of Masters degree choices:increasing your depth (dig deeper into a topic)or increasing your breadth (change your focus to diversify your skillset).One assumption is that people with Economics, Computer Science or other quant Bachelors degree have pursued a trendy data science Masters. This is further corroborated in our section on fields of study.Arguably, there is another factor at play here as well, and this is the increased popularity of the field.Industry reports like Glassdoors 50 Best Jobs consistently named Data Science the winner in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.Google searches for data science have at least quadrupled over the last five years as well. This certainly plays to the increased interest in data science as a career, and as a result, to a more selective hiring process in certain regions (see Country and years of experience below).Finally, although data science is becoming a more competitive field, more than 10% of data scientists successfully penetrate the field with only a Bachelors degree (13%). Its true the number is lower than what weve observed in the last two years (19% in 2019 and 15% in 2018). Nevertheless, data science remains accessible to Bachelor holders. In fact, if we look at country-specific data, a more nuanced picture emerges.Country and DegreeAs we stated in the Methodology section in the beginning of this article, we gathered our data according to location quotas; data scientists in the USA comprise 40% of our data, data scientists in the UK contribute to 30% of our observations; India and the rest of the world each comprise 15% of the 2020 cohort.That said, the increase in data scientists holding a Masters degree is widely observed in both the UK and the States (54% and 58%, respectively, compared to 44% in 2019).In India, the number of data scientists holding a Masters has also grown by 16% in 2020, compared to previous years (57% in 2020 vs 49% in 2019 and 2018).Interestingly, this doesnt correspond to a comparable decrease in data scientists who have an undergraduate degree in India (32% in 2020, compared to 34% in 2019), which is still the highest percentage of Bachelor-holders across our cohort. Both Ph.D. graduates and professionals holding degrees from our Other cluster are also seen less frequently in the current research than they were in previous years. As we mentioned above, it is plausible that a specialization with a trendy data science Masters is becoming the preferred career path of many people in the field.Its also worth noting that you dont need a Ph.D. to become a data scientist in India.In fact, postgraduates with a Ph.D. make up only 3% of our data scientist sample in India; this is both 30% less than the US data, and the least represented cohort in India.So, these data corroborate two tentative conclusions. Academically, a Masters degree is establishing itself as the most popular degree for becoming a data scientist across the globe. And, if you are holding only a Bachelors degree, India provides the best career opportunities for starting a career in data science.Area of studiesWhat is the best degree to become a data scientist? If you have followed the industry (or at least our research) over the past years, you would be inclined to respond with Computer Science or Statistics and Mathematics. After all, data science is the lovechild of all these disciplines. But you would be mistaken.In 2020, the best degree to become a data scientist is Data Science and Analysis!At long last Data Science and Analysis graduates have made their way to the top of our research!Before we continue with this analysis, a note on methodology. Because there is a massive number of uniquely nuanced and correspondingly named degrees in the academic world, we grouped our data into seven clusters of areas of academic study:Computer science, which does not include machine learning;Data science and analysis, which includes machine learning;Statistics and mathematics, which includes statistics and mathematics-centered degrees;Engineering;Natural sciences, which includes physics, chemistry, and biology;Economics and social sciences, which includes studies pertaining to economics, finance, business, politics, psychology, philosophy, history, and marketing and management;Other, which includes all other degrees the data scientists in our sample pursued.So, Data science and analysis is finally the degree thats most likely to get you into data science. Awesome!Compared to both 2019 (12%) and 2018 (13%), were seeing a significant increase in the professionals whove graduated with a data science specialized degree in 2020 (21%). Given our previous observations (see Education above), it doesnt come as a surprise that the majority of these degrees are at Masters level (85% of the Data science and analysis cluster). Therefore, it seems like data science is a preferred specialization for any quant Bachelor.This finding suggests traditional universities are beginning to respond to the demand for data scientists. And, in line with that, offer curriculums that develop the data scientist skillset. Another marked trend is that the Data Science and Analysis degree is becoming the affirmed gateway degree into data science, especially if youve previously graduated from a different field.Consider, for example, the top 3 degrees obtained by data scientists in 2019 and 2020:2019Computer Science (22%)Economics and social sciences (21%)Statistics and Mathematics (16%)2020Data Science and analysis (21%)Computer Science (18%)Statistics and Mathematics (16%)Data Science and Analysis has obviously taken the lead from Computer Science.Whats more, its appearance has completely removed Economics and social sciences from the top 3 ranking, even though this specialization was a close second in 2019.Graduates form the Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Other fields constitute approximately 11% of our data each. And, we can say this hasnt changed much compared to previous years.Interestingly, most women in our sample most likely earned a Statistics and Mathematics related degree (24% of the female cohort).In comparison, men most likely earned a degree in Data Science and Analysis (22%), with Computer Science (19%) being a close second.In general, data science is considerably well-balanced in terms of best degrees to enter the field.You can become a data scientist if you have a quant or programming background Or if you further specialize in Data Science and Analysis. And the way to do that is either through a traditional Masters degree or by completing a bootcamp training or specialized online training programs.How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: Online courses and DegreeWith data scientists coming from so many different backgrounds, we may wonder if their college degrees have proved sufficient for their work.Even with no research, the answer is no way. No single degree can prepare a person for a real job in data science.Actually, data scientists are closer to nerds than to rock stars its less about talent and more about hard work. Therefore, you can bet that they take their time to self-prepare. In our research, we have used the closest LinkedIn proxy available certificates from online courses. Our data suggest that 41% of the data scientists have included an online course, which is practically the same as the past two years (40% in 2018 and 43% in 2019).Note that not all people post all their certificates, so these results are actually understatements.Degree and Direct hiresCan you become a data scientist right after graduation? While not unheard of, the data suggest that it is unlikely. Less than 1% of our cohort succeeded in becoming a data scientist without previous experience. And they either had a Ph.D. or a Masters (80% of these men, and 100% of the women). A quarter of these direct hires also reported having received an online certification.Something we found interesting is that the direct hires in our cohort almost completely mirror the profile of the typical data scientist in 2020 (see above).That said, lets discuss what kind of experience you need to become a data scientist, if youre not in that lucky 1%.Years of experienceThe typical data scientists in 2020 has been working as a data scientist for at least a year already (70% of our cohort), with the highest number of data scientists being in their 3-5 years bracket (28%) followed by data scientists in the 2-3 years bracket (24%), and in their second year on the job (19%).Data Scientists in their first year on the job constituted 13% of our 2020 data.These are all interesting statistics, especially when considered in relation to 2019 and 2018 data. More specifically, were observing a nearly 50% decrease in the number of data scientists who are just starting out their careers in 2020 (13%), compared to data scientists starting out in 2019 and 2018 (25%). Given the increase in average experience as a data scientist, we can conclude that these professionals stay within the field, making it harder for junior people to enter.The second interesting trend here is the increase in number of data scientists who are in their 3-5 and 2-3 years on the job, compared to the past two years.In 2018, 25% of data scientists had more than 3 years of experience, whereas in 2020, this number is reaching 44%, constituting a 76% increase in this cohort. This indicates that data science experts and senior data scientists are staying in the field, rather than moving to some other industry.Nonetheless, we mentioned that there are some important cross-country differences that invite further exploration. So, lets consider these in more detail in the next section!Country and years of experienceA cross-country analysis of the on-the-job experience of the data scientist reveals a curious trend.In terms of seniority, the data scientists in the US cohort were certainly the most experienced in our data.More than 50% of the cohort were at least on their third year working as data scientists, with 20% on the job for more than 5 years. he US is the least friendly environment for career starters in data science. Only 8% of our US cohort was in their first year as data scientists, and 15% in their second.According to our data, the data science field in the UK is easier to penetrate.11% of the UK sample were starting out their career as data scientists, whereas 20% were already in their second year on the job. Nonetheless, the largest represented group in the cohort were professionals in their third or fourth years on the job (29%).If youre looking for the country that offers the most opportunities to career starters, the data suggests that this is India.More than 50% of our sample consisted of data scientists within their first or second year on the job. This is great news for someone who is just getting started with data science and wants to nurture their expertise into a career.Of course, this data doesnt come as a surprise, with some of the worlds largest companies opening offices in Bangalore and Hyderabad, including Amazon, Walmart, Oracle, IBM, and P&G.The rest of the world, or our Other country cluster shows a more balanced distribution of data science professionals regarding years of experience. A little less than 20% of the cohort is in their first or second year as data scientists, a little over 20% are in their third or fourth, and a quarter were in the 3-5 years bracket. That said, its worth mentioning that the largest players in our Other country cluster were Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Germany. Therefore, we can tentatively say that data science is becoming a more prominent field in Western Europe, and since the field is not yet flooded with data science talent, both junior and mid- to senior professionals are in demand.Programming skills of a data scientistWhen looking for programming languages proficiency, we had to turn to the LinkedIn skills currency endorsements. While an imperfect source of information, they are a good proxy of what a person is good at. I would not be endorsed by my colleagues for Power BI, if I were mainly training ML algorithms, would I?With this clarification out of the way, lets dig into the data. Python dethroned R a year or so ago, so we wont comment too much on this rivalry. Moreover, knowing that 90% of the data scientists use either Python, or R, we could completely close the topic here and move on.But that would be a bit ignorant, especially towards SQL!74% of the cohort speaks Python, 56% know R, and 51% use SQL. Whats especially noteworthy here is that SQL has grown in popularity by 40% since 2019 (36%), making it a close third after R. Now, there are various factors that could contribute to this number.One possible explanation is that companies dont always understand the data scientist position well. This leads them to hire data scientists and overload them with data engineering tasks. For instance, the implementation of GDPR and the massive reorganization of data sources in data warehouses placed some data scientists in the unfavorable position to lead or consult on such projects. Inevitably, SQL had to be added to their toolbelt for the sake of getting the job done.This phenomenon is getting more and more attention not only in the context of SQL, but also Big data structures related to database management. As a result, data scientists have acquired new skills at the expense of writing fewer machine learning algorithms.Another important point in favor of SQL is that BI tools such as Tableau and Power BI are heavily dependent on it, thus increasing its adoption.And thats why SQL is going further up, even catching up with R. The programming languages picture is completed by MATLAB (20.9%), Java (16.5%), C/C++ (15.0%), and SAS (10.8%). Once again, LaTeX (8.3%) is also in the top 10.Why?Well, academia does not harm your chances to become a data scientist as we see from the background of our cohort.F500 and coding languageWe cant stress enough how important are Python and R for the data science field in 2020. However, their strengths are their flaws, when it comes to big companies. Python and R are both open source frameworks that can be buggy or not well documented, unlike well-established languages such as MATLAB or C.And the data does indeed confirm this claim. Take Python for one 70% of F500 data scientists employ Python against 77% of non-F500 data scientists. This sounds like unpleasant news, but in fact, it isnt. Both Python and R have been closing the gap over the years. It seems like F500 companies are rethinking their organizations and are much more inclusive of the new technologies as compared to the data in 2018.Apart from the different rate of employment of Python, the rest of the breakdown by coding languages remains uninterestingly consistent.Country and coding languageIn the past, your country of employment would dictate many of your life decisions what language to learn, what rules to abide by, and what customs to respect or adopt. But does this apply to coding languages?Since 2018 we look into USA, UK, India and Rest of the world. Our findings used to show that R was winning the people over Python in the USA and India. On the other hand, UK and Rest of the world were already slowly phasing out R in favor of Python.Well, USA and India are no longer lagging behind when it comes to Python adoption. In other words, Python is now king in all countries. Hence, your best bet at becoming a data scientist is to bend the knee and join the Pythonistas in their search for data-driven truth.For the record, the breakdown by coding language is consistent across countries with R and Java taking the biggest hit from the Python supremacy in 2020. SQL remains unaffected and even gains a bit of traction as compared to previous years.How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020: ConclusionFor a third consecutive year, the 365 Data Science research into 1,001 current data scientists LinkedIn profiles reveals e. And what a year it is!This research reveals that the field is ever-evolving and adapting both to the needs of businesses and its growing popularity in academia and around. Universities are catching up with the demand while Masters is establishing itself as the golden standard degree.Python continues to eat away at R, but SQL is on the rise, too!India has earned the spot of best country for starting a career as a data scientist by demonstrating higher demand for junior data scientists than the US and the UK. It is also the place to be if you only have a Bachelors degree.Of course, we are tremendously interested in how these trends will develop in the following 2-5 years. But in the meantime, let us know if you think weve missed anything of interest! We are on a mission to create an informative and ultimately helpful account of the data scientist job and how it changes with time. After all, making the best career decision for yourself means being informed!So, stay curious, grow your programming skill set, and good luck in your data science career! Press Information: 365 Data Science ul. "Hristo Belchev" 1, 1000 Sofia Center, Sofia Contact Person: Vladimir Ninov Marketing Manager eMail: eMail Web: http://365datascience.com 27.02.2020 17:14:40 - Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party. A 32-year-old man who was wanted on assault warrants was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly stealing a car and then leading authorities on a chase from New Hampshire to Massachusetts, police said. Officers in Salem, New Hampshire alerted Massachusetts State Police around 7 p.m. that they were pursuing a suspect accused of stealing a Honda Accord. The person was driving southbound on Interstate 93 toward the border between the two states, according to a statement from state police. Troopers took over the pursuit near Andover roughly 10 minutes later and then deployed a tire deflation device around 7:21 p.m. on I-93 in Woburn, the statement said. The suspect vehicle struck the tire deflation device and about a minute later came to a stop near Exit 36 in Woburn, state police said in the statement. MSP Troopers converged on the suspect and took him into custody without incident. Donald Fraize, a Londonderry, New Hampshire resident, was later booked by state police. Exact charges were being finalized Wednesday night. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2020 -- The Data Center Server Market is poised to grow substantially over the forecast period 2020 - 2025, owing to growing technological advancements in the domain. The report initially talks about crucial information, such as market share, size, and growth rate for providing a better picture of the market to the business owners and stakeholders. Owing to increasing funding in the industry, producers are inclined towards new product development. The literature further highlights details on the demanding pattern by consumers for the manufacturing companies to plan their production accordingly and satisfy the increasing demands of consumers. Get PDF Sample Copy @ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/sample/78448 Recent Trends and Developments Activities in the Data Center Server Industry: - Growing demand for improved construction equipment - Increasing adoption of growth strategies like mergers and collaboration by the Data Center Server operating players - Growing funding for modernizations in the Data Center Server product - Explosive demand from the developing economies for the product - Large number of players launching new products and indulging in innovations that ultimately boosts the overall industry growth Industry Categorization: The Data Center Server Market report is segmented on the basis of material type, application, distribution channel, and end user. Experts have studied every segment to provide crucial information that will help the producers increase their end customers considerably by the end of 2026. Every segment elaborates details on the leading sub-segment including statistics for real-time information to business owners and associates. Operating players in the Data Center Server market can effectively track key opportunities in different categories and plan future growth policies, eventually. Region-wise Analysis: Regionally, the report describes details on major economies across the globe. The study offers combination of quantitative and qualitative information on the existing trends in the key economies and details on import and export status, number of market players in the region, product awareness among consumers, and demographic details. This will give a clear understanding to the manufacturers regarding product demand and will help them product the required quantity of goods. Order a Purchase Copy @ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/checkout/78448 Key Reasons to Purchase the Data Center Server Market Research Report: Viewpoint on the existing trends and developments in the industry, including current market scenario for better forecast for the near future Provides accurate track of the market progress and industry opportunities for the vendors Information for planning strategies for growth, expansion, and identifying key opportunities and prospects in the industry Ready information on essential market aspects, which can also be used for presentations, internal reports, business strategies, etc. Major Players in Data Center Server market are: NEC Oracle Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP Hitachi Dell Technologies SGI Inspur Lenovo IBM Super Micro Computer Bull (Atos) Huawei Most important types of Data Center Server products covered in this report are: SAN System NAS System DAS System Most widely used downstream fields of Data Center Server market covered in this report are: Industrial Servers Commercial Servers Table of Content: There are 13 Chapters to thoroughly display the Data Center Server market. This report included the analysis of market overview, market characteristics, industry chain, competition landscape, historical and future data by types, applications and regions. Chapter 1: Data Center Server Market Overview, Product Overview, Market Segmentation, Market Overview of Regions, Market Dynamics, Limitations, Opportunities and Industry News and Policies. Chapter 2: Data Center Server Industry Chain Analysis, Upstream Raw Material Suppliers, Major Players, Production Process Analysis, Cost Analysis, Market Channels and Major Downstream Buyers. Chapter 3: Value Analysis, Production, Growth Rate and Price Analysis by Type of Data Center Server. Chapter 4: Downstream Characteristics, Consumption and Market Share by Application of Data Center Server. Chapter 5: Production Volume, Price, Gross Margin, and Revenue ($) of Data Center Server by Regions (2015-2020). Chapter 6: Data Center Server Production, Consumption, Export and Import by Regions (2015-2020). Chapter 7: Data Center Server Market Status and SWOT Analysis by Regions. Chapter 8: Competitive Landscape, Product Introduction, Company Profiles, Market Distribution Status by Players of Data Center Server. Chapter 9: Data Center Server Market Analysis and Forecast by Type and Application (2020-2025). Chapter 10: Market Analysis and Forecast by Regions (2020-2025). Chapter 11: Industry Characteristics, Key Factors, New Entrants SWOT Analysis, Investment Feasibility Analysis. Chapter 12: Market Conclusion of the Whole Report. Chapter 13: Appendix Such as Methodology and Data Resources of This Research. Access Full Report @ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/78448/global-data-center-server-industry-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: 2nd Floor, Manikchand Ikon, B-Wing, Dhole Patil Road, Sangamwadi, Pune 411001 +1 347 767 5477 (US) +44 131 463 4161 (UK) + 91 8956 767 535 (IN) Email: sales@marketgrowthinsight.com A new hostel will soon come up at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for the students belonging to the Northeast besides a regional convention centre in Delhi, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Thursday. Singh said new bamboo clusters and technology centres will also come up in Jammu and Kashmir with the help of the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) for providing technical support to the local farmers as the newly created Union Territory has great potential for bamboo entrepreneurship. These issues were discussed at a review meeting of the Ministry of DoNER which was chaired by Singh. Construction of a new hostel for the students of the Northeast in JNU is going on in full swing. The project undertaken by the North Eastern Council will be of great help to the students of the region, Singh said. Similarly, work for the first ever North East Convention Centre, to be located at Delhi's Dwarka, is going to start shortly, he said. The minister was told in the meeting that nearly 93 per cent of the DoNER ministry budget for the current fiscal has been spent so far, according to an official statement. Singh asked the officials to achieve 100 per cent target till the end of this fiscal. Earlier, about 75 to 80 per cent of the budget used to get spent for the ministry in the whole year, the statement said. It was brought to the notice of the minister that against a total package amount of Rs 586.20 crore under the Social and Infrastructure Development Fund (SIDF), projects worth of Rs 587.17 crore have been sanctioned by the Ministry of DoNER, it said. Out of this, an amount of Rs 504.10 crore has already been released and balance amount will be released on receipt of physical and financial reports from the concerned state governments, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 02:06:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The United Nations Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in Syria, at the UN headquarters in New York, on Feb. 27, 2020. The United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ursula Mueller on Thursday said that civilians remain extremely vulnerable in northeast Syria, while an estimated 1.9 million people require humanitarian assistance. UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations relief official on Thursday said that civilians remain extremely vulnerable in northeast Syria, while an estimated 1.9 million people require humanitarian assistance. Among these people, the majority, 1.34 million people, are in areas outside of Syrian Government control, Ursula Mueller, UN assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council. "Over the past weeks, renewed hostilities in and around Tal Tamer district have displaced an additional 1,600 civilians to Qamishli, while another 800 people have arrived in Ar-Raqqa," Mueller added. This adds to the hundreds of thousands of people already displaced in northeast Syria. Although the United Nations and its humanitarian partners scaled up the response in the northeast in the second half of 2019, Mueller warned that significant gaps remained, especially after the adoption of Security Council resolution 2504 and the removal of Al Ramtha (Syria/Jordan border) and Al Yarubiyah (Iraq/Syria border) as authorized crossing points. Mueller added if viable alternatives to Al Yarubiah are not found for medical items, the gap between the humanitarian response and humanitarian needs will increase further. "The first shortages are expected already by March for medical facilities providing reproductive health care, that were previously supported by cross-border operations," Mueller said, adding that "a larger gap in medical items could occur by May." Senior Research Associate at Cory Library, Dr Sandy Shell, and Cory Library Head, Dr Cornelius Thomas On 18 of February 2020, the Cory Library hosted the launch of Indoda Ebisithanda (The Man Who Loved Us): The Reverend James Laing among the amaXhosa 1831-1836, edited by Dr Sandy Shell, Senior Research Associate at Cory Library. This volume was compiled from the journals of Rev James Laing, writing about his missionary life among the amaNgqika at Mkhubiso/Burnshill in the Amathole Mountains of the Eastern Cape. Cory Library Head, Dr Cornelius Thomas, chaired the event and the eminent historian of the amaXhosa, Prof. Jeffrey Peires, acted as discussant. The book launch was accompanied by an exhibition which included all four volumes of Laings journals covering the years 1830-1872, volumes of minutes of the Presbytery of Kaffraria, maps positioning the mission station and surrounding Amathole area and photographs of the gravestone of his first wife, Margaret who died in 1837. The significance of Margarets tombstone and later, in 1872, of James Laings own gravestone, is that the inscriptions were written in isiXhosa. The tombstones of other missionaries in the same area were all inscribed in English, indicating the level of respect and affection accorded Laing and his wife by the amaNgqika. Dr Shell extended her gratitude to Professor Howard Phillips, Chair of Historical Publications of South Africa (HiPSA), for his skilful editing and for the privilege of positioning this volume as the first in the third Series of the re-branded society (formerly the Van Riebeeck Society). She thanked her former colleagues in the Cory Library at Rhodes University (where the original Laing journals are held in the Librarys extensive Lovedale Collection), as well as her former colleagues in Special Collections at the University of Cape Town Libraries, the staff of Special Collections in the National Library of South Africa (Cape Town campus), and the staff of the Western Cape Archives for their support and assistance. Dr Shells aim in editing Laings journal was to emulate, as far as possible, what historian Candy Malherbe had done to make sensitive and imaginative use of missionary society archives in reconstructing African experiences. She pointed out that Laing was a gentle and loving man who earned the trust of the amaNgqika, and grew particularly close to the Great Wife of the late King Ngqika, uSuthu, and Ngqikas Right Hand son, Nkosi Maqoma. During the War of Dispossession of 1834-1835, this trust manifested significantly when Maqoma sent his wife, his children and his horses to Laing for safekeeping James Laing was a Scotsman, not an Englishman, and Dr Shell pointed to the parallels between the tribulations suffered by the amaXhosa at the hands of the English colonial government and the sufferings the Scottish people experienced in conflict with the English. Certainly, with Laings insatiable interest, affection and compassion, came empathy and he deplored the aspirations, opinions and behaviour of the colonisers in Grahamstown writing that: The feeling in this town against the black and yellow people is bad indeed. Surely people so much under the influence of prejudice are unfit for the enjoyment of that power which they seek. His contestations with the colonial government in Grahamstown illustrate how strongly he felt about the oppression of the amaXhosa by the colonisers. In his journals, Rev Laing describes vividly and in detail his difficulties in learning isiXhosa. He noted that his initial linguistic struggles, particularly mastering the various clicks, constituted the greatest barrier which I see between me and the [amaXhosa] but he was determined to persist. With his growing fluency in isiXhosa, came Laings gradual acculturation into the societal microcosm he shared with the amaXhosa. The full impact of the subliminal depths of this acculturation is evident from one of Laings obituaries in which the writers describe a delirious Laing lying on his deathbed in January 1872, fancying he could see all his friends ranged around him. He babbled volubly to these friendsin isiXhosa. There is much linguistic value in his records as he describes the process to learning isiXhosa and correctly pronouncing the clicks within the language. Through his records it becomes evident that he earns the trust of the amaNgqika as he witnesses their customs and traditions and is given insights into the genealogical lineage of the royal houses of the amaRharhabe and the amaGcaleka through his oral interviews with significant elders in the Amathole region. Both Dr Shell and Peires noted that diaries and journals, written in the moment, are more valuable and frank than memoirs, primarily because they are untouched by hindsight and do not rely on memory for accuracy. More than 1,500 people attended Laings funeral at Burnshill in 1872. Shortly thereafter, J. Masingata penned an obituary in Isigidimi samaXhosa in which he referred to Laing as indoda ibisithanda (the man who loved us) a further mark of the affection for Laing among the amaNgqika and the amaXhosa as a whole. A second launch of the book took place on 20 February at the Amathole Museum, Alexandra Road, King Williams Town. The current Nkosi Ngqika, his sisters and councillors as well as representatives from the House of Traditional Leaders attended the gathering following which Dr Shell presented Nkosi Ngqika with a copy of Indoda Ebisithanda. Source: Communications Please help us to raise funds so that we can give all our students a chance to access online teaching and learning. Covid-19 has disrupted our students' education. Don't let the digital divide put their future at risk. Visit www.ru.ac.za/rucoronavirusgateway to donate As the primaries begin to thin out the field of potential Democrat opponents, one thing is becoming increasingly obvious to many voters: There are actually no credible challengers who could defeat President Trump. This is not just wishful thinking by a partisan political observer, it is a statement of fact that can be easily illustrated for readers who may not follow politics closely. One of the most astute politicians of our generation, 42nd President William Jefferson Clinton, kept a note posted on a bulletin board above his desk that read: Its the economy stupid. The phrase was coined by his 1992 Campaign Director and political advisor, James Carville. It served as a daily reminder that voters are typically more concerned about the economy than any other campaign issue. Of course the Democratic party is now trying to divert attention away from the amazing economy we are currently enjoying and focus instead on Donald Trumps personality. What else can they do? Donald Trump is not a career politician. In fact, as most every voter knows, he has never held elected office at any level, and thats an attractive quality in todays toxic political environment. While he is the ultimate outsider, hes a successful New York businessman who knows the inside political games that career politicians play better than the politicians themselves. He is a master at exposing the corruption and hypocrisy of his opponents. But regardless who the Democratic Party ultimately nominates, whether its the nearly 80 year old socialist Bernard Sanders of Vermont, the New York multi-billionaire Michael Bloomberg, or even the quickly fading Joe Biden of Delaware, none of them possess the broad support needed to defeat the Trump coalition. Donald Trump displayed his genius as a candidate in 2016 by listening to his campaign pollster Tony Fabrizio and targeting blue collar workers in rust-belt states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. A Republican presidential candidate hadnt won Michigan since George H.W. Bush in 1988. But Trump blanketed the Midwest with campaign rallies and focused on his strategy on reviving the manufacturing sector and stopping the job losses we suffered since NAFTA. Obama had infamously said some of those jobs (manufacturing jobs) just arent coming back. Then when Trump promised to replace NAFTA with a better deal, Obama doubled down and said hows he gonna do that, what magic wand does he have? Well, President Trump is a businessman who understands how to negotiate deals, in fact, he wrote the book on it. So in spite of nonstop attacks, accusations and obstruction by the Democrats in Congress, President Trump renegotiated the terrible NAFTA deal, and replaced it with a much better one that puts America and American workers first: the USMCA (United States Mexico Canada Agreement). The new agreement was signed by President Trump earlier in February and the first place he came to talk about it was DANA Inc. right here in Macomb County. As the founder of Auto Workers for Trump 2020 I was invited to attend along with my co-worker at the Ford Sterling Plant, Mike Quitter. We witnessed firsthand how much Macomb County workers appreciated our president renegotiating NAFTA like he said he would in 2016. Its about jobs, jobs, jobs. Promise made, promise kept. Brian Pannebecker of Harrison Township is a spokesman for Auto Workers for Trump 2020. French English VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 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 welcome John Fowler, founder of one of Canadas top consumer brands 7ACRES and former President and CEO of the Supreme Cannabis Company, Inc. (TSX: FIRE) from 2014 to 2019. John Fowler is the principal of Blaise Ventures Inc., a full-service consulting firm that has been engaged by the Company to support the execution of its strategic priorities to license, operationalize and solidify a path to profitability for the Companys key assets including: Propagation Services Canada (PSC), Edibles & Infusions Corporation (Edibles & Infusions), AAA Heidelberg Inc. (AAA) and Farmako GmbH (Farmako). John and his team will further assist AgraFloras management team in identifying, evaluating and executing on accretive corporate opportunities including potential acquisitions, dispositions or new revenue channels in domestic or international markets. I entered 2020 looking for strong assets in the cannabis industry where I felt that our team could contribute to building strong and sustainable businesses, with a focus on engaging with key consumer segments to drive profitability and return on investment for shareholders, said John Fowler, Principal of Blaise Ventures. I spent the latter part of 2019 meeting with a wide range of cannabis companies throughout Canada, and was particularly impressed by AgraFloras market opportunity, which is further amplified by its key assets. Properly aligned, the Companys assets are well positioned in 2020 to transform from development projects into customer-focused businesses that fill unmet Canadian consumer demand in true commercial cannabis edible production, high potency low cost cannabis flower, and craft cannabis. In addition, I saw an important International segment in the Farmako subsidiary which presents a great opportunity to organically scale one of Germanys leading medical cannabis distributors into a leading distributor of medical cannabis for all of Europe. To date, John Fowler and Blaise Ventures have been focused on driving forward the licensing and commercialization of PSC, a large-scale greenhouse facility located in Delta, BC, as well as Edibles and Infusions, a highly automated cannabis edible facility located in Winnipeg, MB. Supported by a team equipped with deep industry experience and working directly with Health Canada, the Company expects its facilities to be licensed, operationalized and revenue generating before the end of 2020. Both PSC and Edibles & Infusions will focus first on driving revenue through wholesale transactions, thus accelerating revenue ramp-up while reducing associated selling and marketing costs. The Company will leverage Johns extensive network of large and medium sized Canadian licensed producers, brands and processors to further expedite revenue generation within its wholesale model. Given the relative lack of large-scale, professional gummy manufacturing and the growing opportunity for well-priced, high-potency cannabis flower, Management believes that both PSC and Edibles & Infusions are well positioned to emerge as market disruptors when they enter revenue in Q4 2020. When I started in the cannabis industry, I did not have the luxury of experienced partners given how nascent this evolving space was at the time, said John Fowler. Furthermore, we had to build our business in an environment of uncertainty with respect to how the regulations and retail landscape would develop. AgraFlora is in an enviable position as it commercializes its assets at a time where most market dynamics are known. Cannabis 1.0 and 2.0 products are in the market and we have real consumer data to know what makes customers happy and what drives their demand. We also have a clear understanding of margin expectations within our B2B Channels, direct to consumer, as well as medical and recreational channels. 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 1 DINKY BAGS Good things come in small packages. Mini handbags might not be the most practical investment, but theyre perfect if you only need to carry a phone and lipstick. Plus, theyll instantly update any outfit. Here are two of our favourites from the great designs landing this spring. 2 LORD OF THE RINGS Signet rings have always been a sign of wealth and status although Del Boy was a fan, too. But chunky gold rings were all over the catwalks of Givenchy and J.W. Anderson, and have spilled onto the High Street. Aquamarine birthstone Alex Monroe at libertylondon.com Shop 3 LOVE LACROIX? London-based label Rixo has raided the archives of Parisian fashion house Christian Lacroix and reimagined its designers most iconic prints for its new collection, including on this polka dot dress (425, rixo.co.uk) and top (265). Expect puff-sleeved dresses, 1960s-inspired mini-skirt suits and ruffles aplenty. 4 JOIN THE CHAIN GANG Online retailer Net-a-Porter has reported that searches for chain jewellery have increased by 130 per cent and were not surprised. Since designer brand of the moment Bottega Veneta dressed models in jewellery Mr T would be proud of, the fashion world has been accessorising accordingly. Get the look with this chain bracelet (110, missoma.com). 5 OLD FOR NEW Thanks to fashions eco push, Mulberry has launched a secondhand initiative. Trade in your old bag at a participating store for credit to spend on a new one, or take it in to get it restored. Old-season Mulberry: the Alexa, Selwood, and a saddle bag 6 NEW-WAVE NEON Its time to turn your back on understated navy, black and grey, and embrace acid brights. If the catwalks of Valentino, Versace and Balmain are anything to go by, minimalism is out and Day-Glo colours are most definitely in. Struggling to see how this will work in your everyday wardrobe? If youre not ready to invest in a green neon summer dress, like Essentiel Antwerps fabulous bow design (215, essentielantwerp.com), look for knits, tailored trousers or eye-catching accessories. Trousers Kenzo at netaporter.com Shop 7 HIP TO BE SQUARE Love them or loathe them, the 1990s classic square-toed sandal is back with a vengeance. They are everywhere on the High Street just in time for you to treat yourself and start praying for sunshine. Block heel By Far at matchesfashion.com Shop 8 TIME TO SHINE Vinyl has entered the mainstream, and its now entirely acceptable to be seen in a high-shine trench at the school gates/office/swanky dinner (delete as applicable). One star buy is this blue version from Topshop (79, topshop.com). Zara and & Other Stories also have a selection of laminated looks to choose from. Dubai, Feb 27 : A Dubai court has sentenced an Indian cleaner to one year in jail after he was found guilty of stealing as many as 86 expensive watches, worth over 8.3 million dirhams ($2 million). The 26-year-old cleaner, who was accused of stealing the valuables from a watch and jewellery shop where he worked, was sentenced on Wednesday by the Dubai Court of First Instance, the Khaleej Times said in a report. Two Pakistani men (cousins), aged 44 and 25, both fugitives, who were accused in absentia for possession of the stolen watches, received one year imprisonment each. The court ordered deportation of all the three men after they have served their jail terms. A complaint was filed on January 6 this year at the Naif police station. "On December 25 last year, I was in one of my shops when an Indian salesman brought to my attention that a watch, worth 30,000 dirhams, was found in its box in the trash bin," the owner said in the complaint. According to the owner, they then checked the shop's CCTV cameras which captured the cleaner taking the watch, putting it in a box and dropping it in the trash bin so he could smuggle it outside the shop later. When the owner asked the defendant about the theft in the presence of the latter's brother who was asked to come to Dubai from India, the cleaner confessed he had stolen two watches worth 250,000 and 270,000 dirhams. He sold each of them to a Pakistani man for 10,000 dirhmans and claimed he was not yet paid for the second one. During the public prosecution investigation, the defendant admitted to stealing the watches and then selling them to his two accomplices. Donald Trump has appointed his vice president, Mike Pence, to oversee the US governments response to the rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak despite his long record of statements that go against science, and his history overseeing a disastrous HIV epidemic in his home state. Mr Pences appointment has also been met with derision, given Mr Trump himself expressed disdain in 2014 when Barack Obama appointed an Ebola Czar with zero experience in the medical area and zero experience in infectious disease control. But while Mr Pence doesnt have a background in medicine, he does have plenty of opinions about science, many of which owe little to the field and instead derive from his own social conservatism. And as governor, he has previously put those views into practice. As democratic representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez put it: Mike Pence literally does not believe in science. It is utterly irresponsible to put him in charge of US coronavirus response as the world sits on the cusp of a pandemic. This decision could cost people their lives. Pences past decisions already have. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty In 2000, Mr Pence wrote an op-ed in which he denied the risks of smoking. Time for a quick reality check, he wrote. Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesnt kill. He is also a longtime climate change sceptic, and has often expressed doubt about the theory of evolution. And he has also advocated directing federal funds away from organisations that celebrate and encourage the types of behaviours that facilitate the spreading of the HIV virus in favour of those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behaviour. In fact, Mr Pences history on HIV is a theme that runs particularly strongly through his record and is the single thing thats causing the most outrage at his appointment. While serving as governor of Indiana, Mr Pence faced an outbreak of HIV in the south of the state, mainly among intravenous drug users. Many had become addicted to opioid painkillers and ended up sharing needles with other HIV-positive addicts. The outbreak soon started to overwhelm public health agencies in the area. Scott County, home to 24,000 people, saw more than 200 cases; HIV had previously been all but unknown there. And because many people in the area were misinformed about the virus or afraid to report their symptoms to health authorities, both prevention and treatment programmes proved very difficult. Mr Pence was soon under pressure to authorise a response including the set-up of needle exchanges of which the governor, a hardline social conservative, was a longtime opponent. He believed that needle exchanges encouraged intravenous drug use, despite abundant public health research indicating the opposite. And his initial response to the pressure was not to start opening more exchanges, but to pray. He first declared the outbreak a public health emergency in March 2015, saying the number of cases had reached epidemic proportions and that the time had come to act: Im prepared to make an exception to my long-standing opposition to needle-exchange programmes. This is a public health emergency driven by intravenous drug use. The emergency order called for a temporary needle exchange programme to be set up but only in Scott County. Mr Pence later signed a law making it easier for other counties to start needle exchange programmes; however, to get authorisation to do so, they had to prove that they were suffering HIV or hepatitis C outbreaks of their own. Mr Pence expressed gratitude to the legislators who put the bill together: This measure will save lives and give public health officials the broadest range of options to confront this and other public health emergencies in the future. Today, some affected areas of the state are recovering, and Scott County has addiction centres and needle exchanges in place. But Mr Pence, who cut funding for crucial health agencies and then dragged his feet on the response, is still blamed by many for what happened. Meanwhile, many counties in rural America are deemed at risk of HIV outbreaks among intravenous drug users including several in Mr Pences home state. And so the former governor will now oversee the government response to an outbreak that Dr Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Centre for Immunisation and Respiratory Diseases, recently declared essentially inevitable. Its not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness, she said. As the USs public health systems brace for the coming epidemic, Mr Pences record in Indiana doesnt seem to be inspiring much hope. Click here to read the full article. When Jason Rubin, 50, decided to build his dream house in Beverly Hills, he made sure his daily drive home would be as thrilling as anything youd find in a video game. After turning his matte-gray Lamborghini onto the winding, narrow streets above Sunset Boulevard, he climbs steadily higher to a dead-end, passes through a metal gate, slips into his parking spot and, with the press of a button, descends into a glass-walled underground garage. Game over. Rubin, a video-game pioneer, VR trailblazer and vice president of special gaming initiatives at Facebook, has built an impressive career on the strength of his imagination. He published his first game, Ski Crazed, while still a teenager. A game he designed in his 20s, Crash Bandicoot, was a king-pin at Sony in the 90s, peak Play Station era. As his lifestyle changed and expanded over the years, he bought and remodeled homes in both New York and Los Angeles. But the house that he and his wife, Agnes Ambrus, built for their family, which includes two young daughters and three large dogs, is a feat of engineering and pure luxury that exceeds this wild dreamers wildest dreams. More from Robb Report I designed a digital model of what I thought I wanted the house to look like, says Rubin, who is padding around in his socks, stepping over the occasional dog toy and baby gate. He laughs and shakes his head at his naivete. But, you know, I have no idea how big a bathroom should be. His vision was primarily built around views, the kind this city is famous for. Today, heavy gray clouds pass across the expanse of sky outside the towering walls of windows, but the effect of having all of west Los Angeles to the Pacific Ocean spread out under your feet is no less stunning. To turn this rough concept into a reality, Rubin enlisted architect Paul McClean, based south of LA in Orange. Rubin had admired McCleans work on other houses in the neighborhood, some of which are equally imposing in size and embody that angular, modern sensibility that is woven into the identity of Southern California. Story continues Jason had a real 3-D visuality, which some clients dont have, which made it a really fun collaboration, says McClean. Fun might not be the first word that comes to mind when considering the logistics of constructing a nearly 12,000-square-foot house atop and down the side of a steep canyon. McCleans challenge was to find a way to build vertically while still maintaining a feeling of openness, allowing for staggering views from every room and creating outdoor lounging and entertaining spaceseven when the house and its accompaniments gobble up every inch of a relatively modest 30,000-square-foot, irregularly shaped lot. Making the design puzzle even more intricate: McClean had to work around the existing footprint of the pool and patio. The Rubins had been living on the property in a house that was outdated and not ideal for their growing family, but by the time they hired McClean, theyd already rebuilt the pool and its deck. The house had to go, but the pool needed to stay. Another obstacle was Rubins distaste for garage doors, of all things. When you drive up to most houses, the first thing you see is this giant garage, and its hard to make that attractive, says Rubin. What McClean came up with is a five-bedroom tri-level house with a floating staircase that connects the lower-level gym, media room and guest rooms with the open-plan main level and the top-floor family bedrooms. By installing two elevator platforms, which lower the cars to the garage (visible from the media room), McClean both eliminated an eyesore and created more ground-floor living space. To open up the structure and remove some of its density, he created an open-air light well running through the center of the home. The effect is a transparency and airiness that belie its size. That contrast is what McClean is known for. Its shelter, but its a little bit tenuous. Its not enclosure, McClean says. A lot of our homes feel that way, including my own. Theres a lightness to it so you can connect to the environment around you and see the sky and nature. Ive been an architect for 25 years, and weve had our firm for 20. All I ever do is modern homes. The last 10 to 15 years weve done nothing else. Once you have that experience of living in a home like this, its hard to go back and live in a traditional place. Steel beams and an infinity-edge pool, even with a retractable cover, might not strike every parent as baby-friendly choices, but McClean says that children appreciate modern houses more than one might think. Children learn and learn well. They appreciate the light and the connection to nature. I wish I could have grown up in a house like that, he says. There is one important distinction between the Rubins house and the other homes of similar size and scale in this neighborhood, and thats the total absence of what Rubin refers to as bling. If you were to build or remodel a house around here that you wanted to flip, or sell immediately, youd have to make it shiny, he says. Thats what people around here want. You wont see any polished chrome or glossy marble in this house, though. We used stone, but its honed. I like steel and brushed metal. The floors all had to be dog- and child-friendly, not slippery or easily scratched. We wanted the house to have an industrial aesthetic, adds McClean. It needed to be durable and hold up to a little more use. Its not a designer palace, where every little thing is precious. The floors are a kind of porcelain, chosen for their durability. We did want it to feel warm, not to be too cold. So we picked woods that would bring warmth into the house, tonally. Another notable difference is that the mechanisms for many of the houses more unusual features are on display, such as the glass walls that tilt open to remove the barrier between the indoor and outdoor living spaces, and the hydraulic platforms that deliver Rubins cars to the garage. Rubin gestures to a simple industrial-looking panel with a key and lock, a green button and a red button, and the exposed steel rods that lift the heavy glass walls. He likes to see how things work. I think most people would want to cover this up, but I like the industrial feel to it, he says. When it came time to furnish the home, McClean and Rubin brought on interior designer Michael Fullen, who was briefed that this was a high-traffic house, intended to absorb kindergarten birthday parties, Agness family visiting from her native Hungary and sophisticated entertaining that maximizes that expansive view in the evening. Fullen designed the custom sofas and seating, which are upholstered in high-tech indoor-outdoor fabric, known for being both durable and soft. Finding pieces large enough not to be dwarfed in the cavernous rooms was a test. The volume of space was a large consideration in appropriately sizing furniture, says Fullen, explaining his decision to commission custom pieces from craftspeople across the country. The dining-room table is nearly 14 feet long, and the top is cut from a single length of black walnut with a concrete inset. The cocktail table in the living room is also from a single tree slice, measuring six feet square. Sculptural light fixtures are suspended from the towering ceilings, and recessed dimmable exterior lights make the house appear to glow in the evening or on dark winter days, which do happen in LA on occasion, even in Rubins stylized world. This is not the day to see this house, he says, disappointed that the constant drizzle hasnt broken to offer a glimpse of the sprawling blue sky. He presses a button to raise a thin sun-filtering shade in the master bedroom, revealing a still-magnificent view, this time of the hillside to the northwest. At this altitude, and from these angles, privacy is not an issue for the Rubins. We figure if someone wants to go to the trouble of getting their binoculars out and look all the way up here, they must really want to see what goes on in the house, he says with a shrug. I guess theyll just get to peek inside. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 Even though construction on the Intermediate Treatment Facility (ITF) in Sunter, North Jakarta, has shown no progress since its groundbreaking in late 2018, its developer has disbursed financial compensation to most of the families that were displaced by the project. PT Jakarta Solusi Lestari (JSL), a joint-venture company formed by city-owned developer PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) and Finnish energy company Fortum that was tasked to develop the ITF, also held a financial management course for residents on Monday on how to manage their money. Titin Suhentin, 38, was among the participants. Originally from Karawang regency, West Java, Titin said she was initially shocked by the relocation but was later relieved she would be compensated Rp 39 million (US$2,820). 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 Education researcher finds teacher merit pay program improves student outcomes Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 MANHATTAN Do teacher merit pay programs improve student test scores? According to a Kansas State University College of Education researcher, the answer is yes. Tuan Nguyen, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, published "Teacher Merit Pay: A Meta-Analysis" Feb. 22 in the American Educational Research Journal, one of the top and most respected journals in education research. His co-authors were Lam Pham, a doctoral candidate at Vanderbilt University, and Matt Springer, associate professor of educational policy and leadership at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. "We are pleased that this research on merit pay has been published and will provide researchers and policymakers with critical information as teacher merit pay is a contentious issue and one that has important implications for policy and practice in the United States," Nguyen said. "Merit pay can improve student test scores, and the results are more positive when teachers are given opportunities to grow and they can trust their evaluations." Teacher merit pay, also called performance pay or differentiated pay, is a system of pay incentives meant to reward teachers with additional salary or a bonus based on some measures of their performance and evaluation. Merit pay was implemented as a response to the single-salary schedule used by the vast majority of U.S. school districts where the primary factors of determining salary are degree attainment and teaching experience. But Nguyen said these two factors are weakly correlated with student academic outcomes. "Teaching is a complex process that's difficult to incentivize, potentially making merit pay an untenable system that may inadvertently cause harm to students and teachers," he said. "There are many studies with mixed findings, and there are plenty of reasons why merit pay may not work as a system," Nguyen said. "Instead of brushing these critiques aside, my co-authors and I took the time and effort to examine these arguments and consider whether they could be addressed empirically." To determine whether merit pay can raise student achievement, Nguyen and his colleagues examined the existing literature on merit pay with a particular focus on rigorous quantitative studies. They found, overall, merit pay programs can modestly raise student achievement, but the effect is strongly correlated with program design features such as opportunity of professional development, more sophisticated teacher evaluation systems and amount of pay. "In short, merit pay can increase student test scores, but the effect is highly contextual to program designs and characteristics," Nguyen said. "Merit pay can work, but there are important questions of how to fine-tune and experiment with better and more informed program designs to improve how merit pay works." No grant funding supported this study. Nguyen earned dual bachelor's degrees in mathematics and physics and minors in psychology and history of science from the University of Oklahoma. He earned a Master of the Arts in teaching at Washington University in St. Louis and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University in education leadership and policy studies with a doctoral minor in quantitative methods. Nguyen's research interests include teacher leadership and school improvement, teacher policy and teacher labor market, and financial aid and postsecondary persistence. To The Eagle: There is something terribly wrong in Washington DC. Namely the Senate, Congress and the White House. Partisanship, I dont think, has ever been this horrible; could I be wrong? The head of our countrys security comes to Congress to let them know what is going on, and then Trumps snitch, Nunes, runs to the White House (again), and tells that a report not favorable to Russia and Putin was given. That in turn creates a Trump tantrum, and he immediately fires the head of intelligence, then installing a temporary (among many temps, without Senate votes) inexperienced yes man. Meanwhile Mitch McConnell is blocking votes on election security bills, voter rights bills and similar good bipartisan bills. We are getting closer to "peace" with the Taliban, while they go on killing. We left our Kurdish allies, who are, as I write, being slaughtered by Assad, Russia and Turkey. But my biggest concern, for this country I love, is Trump. Trump was given the green light, after his Senate acquittal, so that he can do whatever he pleases with no repercussion. Sadly, he has the Republicans (by name only), in the Senate and House so scared of him that they dare not speak. Now the same goes for the rest of government, as he now has installed temporary yes men in almost every sector, doubt me? Look it up! This is how dictators are born! I pray it will be stopped in November. It has to be a decisive vote or he will have it tied up in court for years. Most Republicans say it cant happen here, and I hope they are right, but I see too many steps in that direction. Poul Toftemark Rosburg EDWARDSVILLE The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Academic Relations Committee (ARC) has accepted Southern Illinois University Edwardsvilles School of Business into its Internal Auditing Education Partnership Program (IAEP) program as an IAEP Internal Audit Foundation Program. SIUE is the only university affiliated with the St. Louis Chapter of the IIA to receive the designation and only the fourth accounting program in Illinois to be recognized. ARC Chairman Rudrik du Bruyn, CIA, sent a congratulatory letter to SIUE Associate Professor of Accounting Jamie Hoelscher, PhD, CIA, and said, The Academic Relations Committee has demonstrated its firm belief that SIUE will make impactful contributions to the next generation of internal auditors. Being recognized as an IAEP program puts our program in both a national and global spotlight, said Hoelscher, who will serve as SIUEs IAEP coordinator. While only four schools in the state have this designation, less than 40 schools in the United States have it, with roughly 55 schools globally receiving it. It is a formal acknowledgement of our departments ability to prepare students for a career in internal audit. Hoelscher said the process took years of work and collaboration between the SIUE Department of Accounting faculty and the St. Louis IIA Chapter. SIUE had to demonstrate a commitment to offering internal audit-related coursework in its curriculum by qualified faculty. Extensive documentation was warranted to show course offerings, course availability, faculty qualifications, faculty contributions to the profession and a resources commitment to ensure students get appropriate exposure to the necessary coursework. Du Bruyn noted that participation in the IAEP program identifies SIUE as a forward-thinking school that recognizes the importance of the internal auditing profession as a career choice. SIUE is to be commended for bringing internal auditing education to its academic curriculum in order to prepare future internal auditors, he said. Inclusion in the IAEP program helps us to strengthen our partnership with our local St. Louis IIA chapter and further enables our students to bridge the gap with the profession, Hoelscher said. Increased access to educational and practice-based resources at the local and global level will be available for our students and faculty alike. Our students will have more direct access to the profession, with increased guest speakers in the classroom, access to local and global workshops, training and networking events, as well as increased opportunities for internal auditing internship and jobs not only in the St. Louis area, but also globally. In addition, our students will be recognized as coming from a school that places a strong emphasis on professionally developing internal auditors for the workforce. A formal presentation will be given at the Internal Audit Student Exchange (IASE) on September 18-20 in Orlando. MONTREAL, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gildan announced the launch of a multi-year partnership with the Beale Racing team, featuring Gildan as the primary sponsor while also providing visibility to the American Apparel, Comfort Colors and Prim + Preux brands. As part of the partnership, Beale Racing will advertise Gildans brands on cars, uniforms and all merchandise during 30 plus race events across the United States. We are excited to partner with Beale Racing once more to strengthen the visibility of our brands and continue to position our apparel as a preferred choice in the motorsports industry says Mike Hoffman, President, Sales, Marketing and Distribution, for Gildan. We are proud to be associated with a highly successful and respected team and I look forward to a winning partnership he added. For many years, Gildan has been a trusted supplier for our team said John J. Beale, owner and driver for Beale Racing. We are thrilled that Gildan chose to partner with us again to promote its brands to our fans he added. The sponsorship will support Gildans marketing and sales objectives of pursuing continued awareness and growth in the imprintables and retail apparel industries. About Gildan Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel which markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, under a diversified portfolio of Company-owned brands, including Gildan, American Apparel, Comfort Colors, Gildan Hammer, Prim + Preux, Gold Toe, Anvil by Gildan, Alstyle, Secret, Silks, Kushyfoot, Secret Silky, Therapy Plus, Peds and MediPeds, and under the Under Armour brand through a sock licensing agreement providing exclusive distribution rights in the United States and Canada. Our product offering includes activewear, underwear, socks, hosiery, and legwear products sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters or embellishers, as well as to retailers that sell to consumers through their physical stores and/or e-commerce platforms, and to global lifestyle brand companies. Story continues Gildan owns and operates vertically-integrated, large-scale manufacturing facilities which are primarily located in Central America, the Caribbean Basin, North America, and Bangladesh. With approximately 53,000 employees worldwide Gildan operates with a strong commitment to industry-leading labour and environmental practices throughout its supply chain in accordance with its comprehensive Genuine Responsibility program embedded in the Company's long-term business strategy. More information about the Company and its corporate citizenship practices and initiatives can be found at www.gildancorp.com and www.genuineresponsibility.com, respectively. Media inquiries: Genevieve Gosselin Director, Corporate Marketing and Communications (514) 343-8814 ggosselin@gildan.com As violence in the North East area of Delhi rages over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday asserted that any person who is found guilty should be given stringent punishment. He urged that if any Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) person is found guilty then that person should be given stringent punishment. "There should be no politics on the issue of national security," added the CM. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, CM Kejriwal made the comments at the backdrop of reports that AAP councillor Tahir Hussain is involved in the riots that took place in the Chand Bagh area. "If those involved in riots are found to be from AAP, stringent punishment should be given. No rioter from whichever party they belong should be spared," CM Kejriwal on Hussain. The clashes between pro and anti-CAA protesters, which has claimed the lives of at least 37 people and left hundreds of others injured in northeast Delhi, has made the situation in the national capital tense. CM Kejriwal said, "Violence has come down since yesterday, we have decided to announce relief for the riot victims. Those injured can get treated in private hospitals through the 'Farishte' scheme, this scheme was launched for accident victims but riot victims have been added to it too. We are trying to get food to curfew affected areas." The Delhi CM announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to families of those who died in the clashes, in case of a minor victim Rs 5 lakh, Rs 2 lakh to those seriously injured, Rs 3 lakh for those who have been rendered orphans, Rs 25,000 for rickshaws that were burnt. Compensation of Rs 5 lakh for homes that were burned and compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh for loss of shop in the riots. Under the Delhi government's 'Farishte' scheme of free-of-cost medical treatment at any private hospital, those affected in this violence can get medical treatment. "Riot victims will get free treatment even in Private Hospitals under Farishtey Dilli Ke scheme. Delhi Govt will provide all medical assistance to the victims. Delhi govt to bear expenses of treatment of those injured in riots and admitted to private hospitals," said CM Kejriwal. Amid appeals for calm and peace from PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and several top political leaders, the security forces conducted a flag march in different parts of Northeast district to monitor the situation in the area. By Ofeliya Afandiyeva The infrastructure is almost ready for the transportation of Azerbaijani oil to the Mozyr Oil Refinery in Belarus from Ukraine through the Odessa-Brody pipeline, a source within the Belarussian oil pipeline operator Gomeltransneft Druzhba" JSC has said. Azerbaijans State Oil Company (SOCAR) recently signed a contract with Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry (Belneftekhim Concern) on the transport of two oil tankers with a total volume of 160,000 tons. We have confirmed the agreement with SOCAR to supply two tankers with a total volume of 160,000 tons of oil, the spokesperson of the Concern Alexandr Tishenko said. SOCAR has signed an agreement to supply Belneftekhim Concern with one tanker consignment of Azerbaijani oil in the amount of about 80,000 tons. "There is an agreement on the supply of one tanker consignment to Belneftekhim. Negotiations were underway on the second consignment. A tanker with Azerbaijani oil will be dispatched from Supsa port, SOCARs official Ibrahim Ahmadov told local media. SOCAR is planning to start oil transportation to Belarusian Belneftekhim Concern on March 20. On January 21, The President of Belarusia Alexander Lukashenko stated that the country would try to stand up 30-40 percent of all oil imported from Russia and Belarus should import 30 percent of oil through the Baltic countries and Ukraine. Note that the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline was built in 2001 between the city of Odessa on the Black Sea and the city of Brody in the Lviv Oblast, where it was docked with the Druzhba oil pipeline. The pipeline has been idle since 2014. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Public health investigators are tracing the steps of a woman who returned to Canada from Iran nine days before going to Sunnybrook hospital with emerging COVID-19 symptoms, while the GTAs Persian community calls on Ottawa to help Iranian-Canadians trapped in Tehran amid an outbreak there. All Canadians are worried, but I think were very, very worried about our friends and family, especially if theyre old, Pouyan Tabasinejad, vice-president of the Iranian Canadian Congress, said of a community still reeling from the devastating Ukrainian airline crash in January. At least 19 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in Iran, which has the highest death toll outside China. Many of the cases have been in the capital city of Tehran, but there are fears people fleeing to other areas will spread the virus throughout the country. Its a really difficult time right now, Tabasinejad said. The Iranian Canadian Congress has also put out an urgent call to the federal government to repatriate Iranian-Canadians, as was done with Canadian citizens stuck in China and on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. The non-profit organization said it has received dozens of emails from people trapped by cancelled flights and sealed local borders. The situation is complicated by the fact Canada has not had diplomatic presence in Iran since 2012. Tabasinejad is also concerned about the high number of deaths in Iran compared to the number of reported cases, and says recent sanctions have strained the health-care system. From face masks to hand sanitizer, everything is in short supply, he said. The new Toronto case was revealed as health authorities brace for person-to-person transmission in Canada. You want to make sure youre planning and prepared. That is key, Dr. David Williams, Ontario s chief medical officer of health, said Wednesday amid widening concerns about the rapid spread of the new coronavirus around the world, including troublesome clusters in Iran and Italy. Toronto public health staff were interviewing the patient, identified only as a woman in her 60s, to determine what risks she may have posed to others between her return from Iran on Feb. 15 and her trip to Sunnybrook hospital in a mask on Monday. This is careful work that needs to be done in a very detailed fashion so that we can come up with an appropriate risk assessment and inform the public, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Torontos chief medical officer, told a news conference at Queens Park. Its not yet known how widely the woman circulated in the Toronto area, including whether she went to work or attended large social functions. She was sent home from Sunnybrook to self-isolate with two members of her family. Its not surprising to learn of this news as we have a very mobile population with a lot of international travel, so its quite likely that we will continue to see more people presenting with symptoms and a travel history to affected areas in the world, she said. That is why the Toronto agency is working with the province and other levels of government to develop a plan for the potential of local spread, de Villa added, maintaining the risk in Ontario remains low, with no person-to-person transmission so far. The airline and flight number of the woman were not revealed. She went to Sunnybrook with a cough, sore throat, body aches and occasional fever after informing hospital staff she was on the way so they could take precautions. All the protocols were followed, all the infection prevention and control procedures were in place, said de Villa. Toronto public health staff will be reaching out to the womans contacts if deemed necessary. Williams said its time to step up readiness as the new coronavirus that originated in China has spread to dozens more countries. There are growing expectations the World Health Organization could declare a pandemic, meaning the virus never before seen in humans is spreading out of control on a global scale. We have been preparing from day one, he acknowledged, citing China, Japan, Hong Kong, Italy, Iran, Singapore and South Korea as countries of concern. New measures include ramping up Ontarios capacity to test the nose and throat swabs used to detect the virus. The provincial public health lab has been doing 30 to 40 tests daily and can perform 1,000 but that may not be enough if a large cluster of cases suddenly develops, Williams added. What happens if we have to go to 2,000 or 3,000? How are we going to prepare for that? Youve got to do that preparation now. Should a large cluster of cases develop as has happened in areas of northern Italy that have now been cordoned off Williams would not rule out recommending closing off whole communities in Ontario if self-isolation or mandatory quarantines dont work. However, he noted, any such potential measure is way down the road. As of Wednesday morning, Ontario has 14 people awaiting test results for the new coronavirus. In Ottawa, deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo told the Commons health committee late Wednesday that the risk of disease spread in Canada remains low, with just seven confirmed cases in B.C. and five in Ontario. Nine of the 12 confirmed cases have been traced to travellers from China or their contacts, and three have been traced to travellers from Iran, which reported a surprisingly large outbreak this week. Canadian authorities are still in containment mode of the outbreak, said Njoo, but are trying to sensitize the public that things could change. Were also starting to prepare for a possible pandemic, he said. So we cant do this with our eyes closed and not recognize what might happen weeks and months from now, which has nothing to do specifically with whats happening in Canada but whats happening internationally. Liberal MPs expressed concern about the readiness of Canadas health system to accommodate a surge in infections, let alone a pandemic. Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski, a Thunder Bay emergency physician who worked through the H1N1 and SARs outbreaks, asked Njoo whether the Public Health Agency or the provincial health systems had the money and other resources they need to gear up for or deal with a pandemic. Njoo appeared to surprise Powlowski when he could not answer how ready the provinces are, saying it is a provincial responsibility. He added that Ottawa has what we call surge capacity support. Should a province require additional support, maybe equipment in our emergency stockpile system, we can meet that request. Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux challenged Njoo about whether Canadas borders should have been closed to travellers from China at an earlier stage. Njoo insisted that closing borders has never proven effective in terms of stopping a viral outbreak. COVID-19 has killed more than 2,700 people, mostly in China, and infected more than 80,000 around the world. With files from Tonda MacCharles (Newser) A teenager in Pakistan who went out to cut grass for cattle fodder ended up being eaten by lions in a safari park, authorities say. The remains of 17-year-old Muhammed Bilal were found Wednesday in the lion enclosure at Lahore Safari, the BBC reports. The teen, who lived in a nearby village and sometimes did odd jobs at the zoo, disappeared Monday. "We found his clothes in the lion enclosure and then later came across the skull and bones when workers went to feed the animals," Chaudhry Shafqat, deputy director of the Lahore Safari Park, tells AFP. story continues below Officials believe the teenager must have climbed a 12-foot fence to cut grass from the rear of the lion enclosure. "We kept searching for him at all possible places. We then thought of visiting the safari on the likelihood of finding some clue to his whereabouts," the boy's father tells Dawn. "But to our utter shock, we found the remains of our beloved son. I have six childrenthree daughters and three boysand Bilal was the eldest," he says. The father says Muhammed was mentally stable and left home in a "cheerful mood" Monday. (Read more Pakistan stories.) Cookie Preferences Cookie List Cookie List A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website when visited by a user asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting for our advertising and marketing efforts. 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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. 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. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that the incidents of violence which had rocked several areas of north-east Delhi for the last three days and in which 34 people had been killed had reduced since yesterday. The chief minister announced compensation for the victims and their families and added the state government was working to rehabilitate the survivors. Any person who is found guilty should be given stringent punishment. If any Aam Aadmi Party person is found guilty then that person should be given double the punishment. There should be no politics on the issue of national security, Kejriwal said. Watch | Delhi riots: CM Kejriwal calls for strict action against whoever found guilty The Delhi chief minister announced the Farishte scheme for those affected by the riots and added that the government was sending food and other supplies to the affected areas where shops too had been torched in the violence spanning over three days. The people affected by the riots are getting medical treatment in private hospitals and their expenses will be reimbursed by the Delhi government, Kejriwal said in a press briefing. Also read | Tahir Hussain, the man at centre of AAP vs BJP row over Delhi violence He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of those who had been killed in the riots. For children, whose parents had died, the Delhi government has sanctioned Rs 3 lakh. For those people whose houses have been completely burnt, the government will provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh and if the houses have been partially damaged, the residents will get Rs 2.5 lakh as compensation. For burnt, uninsured commercial units, the government will provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh. An app is also being developed by the Delhi government for people to file their claims, and it will be released in a day or two, Kejriwal said. The Delhi government will set up special camps for people to get documents that have been burnt during the arson. Emphasizing that peace committees would be formed in most localities, the Delhi CM said, There should be no politics on the issue of national security. At least 34 people, including a police head constable, have died while around 200 people have sustained serious injuries in the violence that continued for three days in north-east Delhi. Also read | Riots a part of life: Haryana ministers shocker on Delhi violence Stunning microscope images released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal the new killer coronavirus in unprecedented detail. Shown as blue dots, the virus, now dubbed SARS-CoV-19, can be seen roving around and invading human cells. The sample is the first of its kind capture using a transmission electron microscope by CDC scientists. It was taken from the first coronavirus patient in the US, a 36-year-old man from Snahomish County in Washington state, who recognized his own symptoms of the disease after traveling to Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak. The CDC's latest microscope image of the deadly new coronavirus shows its particles as blue spheres that have worked their way inside the walls of various types of human cells Now, the outbreak has spread to more than 82,500 people worldwide, including 60 in the US, where the first case of a coronavirus patient with no obvious exposure - like travel to China, being a passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, or contact with someone who falls into either category - suggests community spread may have started. Scientists around the globe are scrambling to understand the new virus in order to develop optimal vaccines and treatments for the newly emerged disease before it claims the lives of any more than than the 2,800 victims it has already killed. Viruses are strange, tiny beasts. In fact they're so small that they can't be seen with a light microscope like you would find in most high school or college classrooms. Instead, the CDC scientists had to use a more high-powered transmission electron microscope to see the particle. A transmission electron microscope offers about a 1,000 times more powerful view of the tiny virus particles, called virion. Under the microscope, the round, blue virus particles are visible sneaking into several different cell types. The more densely packed the blue particles are, the greater the viral load, or level of infection. Because they're so simplistic, viruses can't survive and multiply on their own, which is why they have to find a host to live off of. They piggy back on the enzymes of other living things to derive energy with which to replicate. Identifying the shape and structure of the virus won't stop it, but it gives scientists important clues in how to disarm it. Coronaviruses, as a family, are named by the resemblance of their shape to a corona, or crown (not to be confused, as many social media users have done, with the beer). Bacteria are cells, made up of organelles, the same basic structures that make up humans, animals and plants, but viruses are built different. Instead, they consist of just either DNA or RNA, enclosed by a protein shell, called a capsid. Some have an additional outer layer. Inside the blue viral particles black dots of the viral genome - the virus's genetic material and identity - can be seen One virus differs from another in its genetic makeup - the RNA and DNA - and the proteins on its exterior that give it the ability to penetrate the membranes of other cells. Inside the blue virions in the CDC's latest images, the viruses genome can be seen as tiny black dots inside its protein wall. Coronaviruses' shells are ringed by spiked shells that give them the resemblance of a crown. These spike proteins appear as slightly fuzzy points protruding from the circumference of each virus particle in the vibrant photos released by the NIH. Sequencing the new virus's spike proteins is what allowed other NIH scientists - namely, Michael Letko and Vincent Munster - to identify it as a close relative of SARS. And its similarity to SARS led the World Health Organization to not only name the virus SARS-CoV-2 (and the disease it causes COVID-19), but to create a naming convention that links the two viruses together. Proteins making up these spikes also suggest to the scientists that this virus originally came from bats, and that mutations to them along their evolutionary progression are what make the virus able to penetrate human cells - particularly respiratory ones. In the microscope images, the cells can be seen emerging from some cells to go attack other ones, sometimes in very concentrated clusters. PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaskela Law LLC announces that a shareholder class action lawsuit has been filed against Tupperware Brands Corporation ("Tupperware" or the "Company") (NYSE: TUP) on behalf of investors who purchased shares of Tupperware's common stock between January 30, 2019 and February 24, 2020, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Tupperware investors who suffered an investment loss in excess of $100,000 are encouraged to contact Kaskela Law LLC (D. Seamus Kaskela, Esq.) at (888) 715 1740, or by email at [email protected], to discuss this action and their legal rights and options. Additional information may also be found at http://kaskelalaw.com/case/tupperware-brands-corporation/. On February 24, 2020, Tupperware issued a press release reporting preliminary fiscal 2019 financial and operational results. Therein, the Company disclosed, among other things, that it was "conducting an investigation primarily into the accounting for accounts payable and accrued liabilities at its Fuller Mexico beauty business to determine the extent to which these matters may further impact results and to assess and enhance the effectiveness of internal controls at this business." The Company further disclosed that "total impairments for Fuller Mexico are expected to be approximately $31 million. The total pre-tax impact for 2019 is approximately $50-52 million." Following this news, shares of Tupperware's common stock declined $2.61 per share, or over 46% in value, to close on February 25, 2020 at $3.11 per share, on heavy trading volume. IMPORTANT DEADLINE: Investors who purchased Tupperware's common stock during the Class Period may, no later than April 27, 2020 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative in the action. Tupperware investors are encouraged to contact Kaskela Law LLC to discuss their legal rights and options with respect to this action. Kaskela Law LLC exclusively represents investors in securities fraud, corporate governance, and merger & acquisition litigation. For additional information about Kaskela Law LLC please visit www.kaskelalaw.com. SOURCE Kaskela Law LLC Related Links kaskelalaw.com Interview: Gates Foundation CEO says China's efforts against coronavirus help save lives around the world NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's efforts to identify potential treatments and vaccines for COVID-19 have contributed to a global response to the virus in ways that could save lives around the world, said Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In a written interview with Xinhua on Wednesday, Suzman said that "we want to acknowledge that the people of China are bearing the brunt of this challenge, and we want to praise the many frontline responders who are doing heroic work to control the spread of COVID-19." "Their efforts are not only helping China, they are helping the entire world," he said. Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently written back to Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, after receiving a letter from the U.S. business leader on support for the fight against the novel coronavirus. In his letter dated Feb. 20, the Chinese president wrote: "I deeply appreciate the act of generosity of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and your letter of solidarity to the Chinese people at such an important moment." "President Xi's remarks resonate very well with us at the foundation," said Suzman. "We are grateful for President Xi's recognition of our foundation's work on COVID-19 response and deeply committed to continuing to support the global response efforts, with a focus on driving innovation and closer collaboration with our partners in China and beyond." He said that at the global level, the foundation strongly supports the World Health Organization's efforts to help countries detect, isolate and treat people who may be infected with COVID-19. "If cases can be effectively identified and isolated, there is a chance of interrupting virus transmission and preventing a global pandemic. Critical to the success of this effort will be the commitment of all nations to share data in a timely and transparent way," he said. "We're grateful for the collaboration that Chinese health authorities have demonstrated and are eager to help facilitate deeper partnership," he said. He said that previous experience has shown that coronavirus outbreaks are challenging and need better global cooperation. "There is still more to do," he said, "and we hope that the COVID-19 outbreak will spur further action at the national, regional, and global levels to strengthen the world's emergency response capabilities." Rapid communication as well as timely and transparent data-sharing are essential to improving preparedness and response, he said. Everyone involved in the effort needs to work together to build better platforms for real-time sharing of epidemiological data, pathogen genetic sequencing data, and other information that can help researchers and national leaders make the right choices at the right time to accelerate the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics, he added. "We believe that governments need to work together and invest in new platforms capable of producing new drugs and vaccines that can be developed, tested, and produced in billions of doses within days or weeks of an outbreak," he said. Suzman said the good news is that exciting new technologies are helping scientists accelerate the development of viable vaccine candidates. He said that what is needed are new production platforms that would enable governments to quickly produce the millions-to-billions of doses required once a safe and effective vaccine has been identified. This is something that the Gates Foundation is committed to doing in collaboration with international organizations and Chinese partners in vaccine research and development, he added. The foundation initially committed 5 million U.S. dollars to response efforts in China in late January. An additional funding of up to 100 million dollars will help catalyze a rapid and effective international response. He said the additional funding also includes direct grants to Chinese partners. "It's incredibly important to the foundation's mission that we support international efforts to fight COVID-19 and help develop the tools and technologies," he said. TORONTO - An Ontario judge has sided with a group of former students who sued a Christian boarding school over abuse they suffered decades ago, finding the institution's leaders used their "absolute" power to torment pupils. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - An Ontario judge has sided with a group of former students who sued a Christian boarding school over abuse they suffered decades ago, finding the institution's leaders used their "absolute" power to torment pupils. The now-defunct Grenville Christian College "engaged in systemic negligence" from the early 1970s to the late 1990s and will have to pay yet-to-be-determined damages to the former students, Justice Janet Leiper ruled Thursday. "The headmasters were the absolute masters of the Grenville domain, indulging in acts of petty cruelty and doling out disproportionate physical and emotional pain to vulnerable or less-favoured students," she wrote, noting the late J. Alastair Haig and Charles Farnsworth were accountable to neither a board nor a written policy. The school in Brockville, Ont., advertised itself as an Anglican institution, and had ties to an authoritarian American sect called the Community of Jesus. Leiper's decision said the school worked to "mould" students using the teachings of the sect, adding it also hid its most hard-line practices from patrons and parents while failing to keep records of its most extreme disciplinary measures. "It required the appearance of happiness, enforced by strict discipline," Leiper wrote of the school. She found class members residential students who attended the school between 1973 and 1997 were either harmed or put in harm's way because of the negligence and abuse. "The hidden cost for many students came in the form of lack of privacy, physical and emotional stability, autonomy and well-being," Leiper wrote. The students testified they were cut off from communicating with their families, kept under constant surveillance and subjected to "exorcisms" and so-called "light sessions," in which they were forced to confess real or imagined sins in front of staff and peers. Leiper's decision said one of the two headmasters was privvy to details of female students' sexual experience. Such knowledge, as well as the contents of the "light sessions," often fuelled gender-based taunts and criticisms. "There was active 'policing' of girls' bodies, mannerisms and clothing," she wrote. "Girls could be chastised for swaying as they walked, or for crossing their legs and risking their slips becoming visible to boys. Clothing inspections could be accompanied by negative messages about the female form or sexuality." Students were also forced to spy on one another and snitch on those they caught sinning, court heard. Some said they were beaten with wooden paddles to the point of injury. Another accused one of the headmasters of touching him sexually. Leiper rejected the defence's claims that the plaintiff's witnesses shouldn't be believed, saying she found them credible. She also rejected arguments that the corporal punishment was standard at the time, pointing to evidence that the institution was using such methods years and decades after a provincial report known as "Hall-Dennis" said it should be abolished in schools. Loretta Merritt, who represented the plaintiffs, said the ruling marks more than just a legal victory. "It's incredibly validating for the witnesses who gave evidence," she said. "They now have a judge who believes that what they said happened was true. A judge who found that that conduct by the school fell below the standard of care." The case has been referred back to the case management judge to figure out damages. Defence lawyer Geoff Adair said his clients are considering an appeal but will decide on it "in due course." Adair, who represents the school as well as the estates of the two deceased headmasters, declined further comment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. Meanwhile many roads have been blocked by floodwaters, including those leading to 150 villages around the city of Aligudarz, 70 near Delfan, 60 near Kuhdasht, 15 near Poledokhtar and 20 near Chegeni. Iranian opposition President Maryam Rajavi urged Iranians, especially young people, to support flood-hit areas Mrs. Rajavi, the head of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), said: I call on all valiant youths of Lorestan, Ilam and other western provinces to launch a national solidarity effort to deal with the floods and aid the flood-stricken compatriots. Young people must take the initiative and rush to the aid of our flood-hit compatriots. The facilities usurped by the clerical regime must be placed at the disposal of the public. The ruling mullahs criminal cover-up, dissemination of misleading information and inaction have multiplied the scale of damages and human and material loss. I call on all valiant youths of #Lorestan, Ilam and other western provinces to launch a national solidarity effort to deal with the floods and aid the flood-stricken compatriots #Iran pic.twitter.com/SryJuxI8hi Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) February 25, 2020 There are currently flood warnings in 50 cities across Iran, but those in Lorestan Province say that authorities are failing to take adequate measures to deal with the floods and provide aid. Of course, this is far from the first time that the regime has failed to address a disaster with the urgency it needs. In January, unprecedented floods hit Sistan Baluchestan, Hormozgan and Kerman provinces, during which at least four people died and thousands were displaced. These floods caused extensive damage to many impoverished areas, with 500 villages affected in Sistan Baluchestan alone and 20,000 houses destroyed, while a further 130 towns and villages lost electricity. In Nikshahr, 200 villages lost internet and telephone communications, which means that theres no word on their condition, while many other villages were completely submerged in water, which meant that people lost the little belongings they had. Many of the roads that connect villages and towns in the region were submerged in water, with several roads and at least one bridge destroyed. The people here were in dire need of help, with some scaling trees to avoid the rising water, but none came from the regime. The regime stole the peoples wealth to serve its own malign purposes, using the peoples assets to fund repression and terrorism, but there is no money left to restore and rebuild, let alone to prevent. Read More: Iran Floods: Natural Phenomenon or the Result of Mismanagement? Iran suppresses protest over lack of response to floods using Iraqi militias W HERE TO DRINK Theres certainly no shortage of watering holes across Belgium. Known for its long history of brewing, you can find a beer house on every corner try Dulle Griet in Ghent for the biggest selection of beer in the city (also known as the shoe bar as you have to leave one shoe as a deposit when ordering its famous yard of beer). Dulle Griet in Ghent For an after-hours nightcap, wander along to Hotsy Totsy, where live jazz and a 5am closing time promise to sweeten your evening considerably. In Bruges, if sipping on an ale isnt your thing, take to The Old Chocolate House for a velvety, make-your-own hot chocolate that will sit as great on your feed as it does on your taste buds. WHERE TO SHOP Ghent is a hub for cool, independent boutiques, but pay careful attention to their limited opening hours. Visit Helen B & Vrienden for an array of illustrated ceramics and prints, and bakery Alice for its candy-pink interior (a Wes Anderson fans paradise). The rosy interior at Alice Take to the quiet side streets to find Shelter, which is less charity shop and more mecca for the streetwear aficionado. In Bruges, Dille & Kamille has the best homeware on offer bring an extra suitcase to fill with its Labour and Wait-esque pieces. WHERE TO STAY Head to central Bruges for the Rococo-decorated Maison le Dragon, where old mingles with new. Its step-gabled facade houses 18th-century floor-to-ceiling murals, with rooms modern enough to be supremely cosy (hello, ensuite Jacuzzi). Maison le Dragon Ghents 1898 The Post is where slick city-dweller meets Gothic antique fanatic, with spiral staircases leading to slick cocktail bars and white marble bathrooms. (maisonledragon.be;1898thepost.com) WHAT TO DO Climb the thigh burn-inducing steps of the Belfry of Bruges to pay homage to Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrells famous cinematic getaway (and to get the best view of the city). Rest weary limbs at the brewery Bourgogne des Flandres, where a tour ends with a canal-side frothy pint. Fill your culture boots with a visit to the renowned Adoration Of The Mystic Lamb in Ghents St Bavos Cathedral: 12 painted panels, one very famous sheep. Adoration of the Mystic Lamb / Alamy Stock Photo WHERE TO EAT MUSKEGON, MI A rusty railroad overpass on Muskegons main thoroughfare that didnt leave a great impression is about to get a makeover. The city commission on Tuesday, Feb. 25, approved spending almost $70,000 to clean and paint the unsightly railroad bridge on Seaway Drive between Laketon and Hackley avenues. It could eventually get a mural. In a 5-1 vote, Muskegon commissioners agreed to pay Seaway Painting, a Livonia-based industrial painting company and the lowest bidder out of three, $68,385 to vapor blast and paint the overpass. The money will come from the citys public improvement budget, and could draw from money that was allocated last year but never spent, said Leo Evans, the citys public works director. After the bridge has been cleaned of oil and debris, it will be painted in a neutral color, said Evans, with the ultimate aim of commissioning a mural to cross it. The city will provide traffic control in order to lower Seaway Paintings bid, Evans said. He added that his team has had some discussions with the Michigan Department of Transportation about possibly tapping into state trunkline funds in order to foot that bill, he said. Although the city committed the funds on Tuesday, private fundraising is also underway through the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, said Jerry Wiersma, a member of the Muskegon Rotary, which has advocated for this project and is taking a lead on fundraising. About $6,000 in private donations have been raised so far, Wiersma said, adding that he anticipates being able to raise a lot of donations for this. This map shows the location of the railroad bridge overpass that the city will pay to deep clean.Google Maps Commissioner Ken Johnson asked why the city was being asked to approve the full amount of the project if fundraising is underway. City manager Frank Peterson responded that having the citys support for the project signals to potential donors that its a serious project. This is about a partnership, he said. Sometimes when we step up and take the lead on something, it gets people interested, especially from the philanthropic side, to put their money in as well. Johnson ultimately voted for the project, alongside Mayor Stephen Gawron and Commissioners Teresa Emory, Michael Ramsey, Dan Rinsema-Sybenga. Vice Mayor Eric Hood was absent. Commissioner Willie German voted against the project, saying he did not feel that it was urgent. The work will begin in the next three to four months, weather permitting, Evans said. Originally, the city had requested bids to also work on the overpass bridge over Seaway between Sherman Boulevard and Broadway Avenue in Norton Shores. Both bridges are owned by CSX railroad. That proved too expensive, Peterson said. But beginning one project could springboard the next, with Muskegon taking the project lead in commissioning bids because it has the staff resources, he said. Norton Shores isnt going to want to have an ugly bridge if you guys have the best one around, Wiersma said at Tuesdays meeting. According to Peterson, conversations about fixing up the bridges began at least four years ago. But CSX, MDOT, and the cities of Muskegon Heights and Norton Shores all had to be at the table. It took a lot of luck and almost an act of God to get all these people at a table together, said Wiersma. It also once seemed like a prohibitively expensive enterprise: quotes for sandblast cleaning both bridges reached about $750,000, said Wiersma, although the effects would last about 20 years. By using water instead of sand, and focusing on just one bridge for now, the price is less than $70,000 for cleaning that will last about 10 years, he said. Wiersma also said he has talked with the director of the Lakeshore Museum about eventually hosting a contest with local artists to install a mural along the bridge. Instead of it being, Welcome to the Rust Belt Muskegon with our rusty bridges, its going to be a showpiece and people are going to talk about it, he said. Read more on MLive: Road to remain closed during U.S. 31 overpass repair in Muskegon County Norton Shores eyes repairs for Lake Harbor bridge over Mona Lake channel Michigan uses road warranties on nearly every project. Are they worth it? European Union flags flutter in the breeze during the second day of a special European Council summit in Brussels on February 21, 2020, held to discuss the next long-term budget of the European Union (EU). The United States and Europe have ample monetary and fiscal resources to promote economic growth and a harmonious development of their free-market democracies. If that sounds like a truism, think again. Political leaders, especially those in Europe, are now forced to recognize that errors of economic policy have led to rising poverty, unemployment and decaying social infrastructure laying the foundation to social dissent, violence and political instabilities. In spite of that, there is no guarantee that those leaders will act to correct their policy mistakes. That certainly seems to be the case of the European Union, a huge economic system accounting for nearly one-third of the industrialized world's combined economic output. Last week, the EU's 27 leaders spent 28 hours of inconclusive "negotiations" about decimal points (varying between 1.065% and 1.074%) for their contributions to the common budget covering the period of 2021 to 2027. According to media reports, the "thrifty four" Austria, Denmark, Sweden and The Netherlands dug in to lead what was called a "war of attrition" with the spendthrifts. The penny pinchers apparently ignored the solidarity implied by the treaty they signed for an ever closer economic and political union. Looking down on their poorer fellow members, they ignored more than one-half of EU economies with unemployment rates above the union's 6.2% average, 3.2 million of young people without jobs and a meaningful future, and 113 million people (22.4% of the total) at risk of poverty and social exclusion. And, shockingly, the "thrifties" did not even spare a thought for the 17% living in absolute poverty in the prosperous post-modern EU democracies. The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US federal government entity that monitors, analyses and reports on threats to religious freedom. New Delhi: In what has turned out to be a huge international embarrassment for India just hours after US President Donald Trump left Indian soil, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on Wednesday morning said it was alarmed by reports of deadly mob violence targeting Muslims in New Delhi and urges the Modi government to rein in mobs and protect religious minorities and others who have been targeted. The USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan US federal government entity that monitors, analyses and reports on threats to religious freedom. The US Presidents two-day visit to India had been overshadowed by the deadly riots that rocked north-eastern Delhi on Monday and Tuesday, which had also caught the attention of the US media contingent accompanying him. Questions are also being raised on why law and order could not be maintained in all parts of the national capital, especially at a time when a high-profile visit of a top foreign leader such as the US President was taking place. Just on Tuesday evening at his press conference, President Trump had declined to discuss the controversy over Indias Citizenship Act (CAA) and the violence in parts of Delhi but told had reporters that he had discussed the issue of religious freedom with PM Modi, including specifically (the subject of) Muslims and Christians. He had added that India has worked very hard to have great and open religious freedom and that this (religious freedom) is what he (PM Modi) wants. I dont want to discuss that (the CAA). I want to leave that to India and hopefully, theyre going to make the right decision for the people, the US President had added. In a joint statement issued meanwhile that vindicated New Delhis concerns about cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, the two leaders also called on Pakistan to ensure that no territory under its control is used to launch terrorist attacks, and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot. Residents wait to be given access to shop in a supermarket in small groups in the Italian town of Casalpusterlengo, Lombardy, on February 23, 2020. Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images Italy is in the grip of the worst outbreak of the novel coronavirus outside Asia, with at least 233 confirmed cases and 12 deaths so far. Authorities recorded the spike in cases earlier this week, though how it came about has remained unclear. Now there appears to be some clarity. According to Italy's Corriere della Sera, one of the first people to contract the virus had to wait 36 hours at a hospital in Lombardy before he could be tested. Health authorities didn't prioritize him because he hadn't recently come from China, Corriere della Sera said. During those 36 hours he had contact with hospital staff and visiting friends and family, Corriere della Sera reported. They may have gone on to spread the virus. Italy's prime minister on Monday admitted that the hospital had mishandled the case, but rowed back his comments the next day, CNN reported. Lombardy is the worst-hit region in Europe. Officials have sealed off almost a dozen towns and canceled major events in an effort to contain the outbreak. Neighboring countries are monitoring their borders. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Italy appears to have mishandled one of its first cases of the novel coronavirus, which made it spread further and turn the country into the most badly-affected outside Asia. Italy recorded a dramatic uptick in coronavirus cases this week with at least 233 cases and 12 deaths as of Wednesday morning though the source and methods of the spread has been unclear. Now there appears to be some clarity. According to Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper, a 38-year-old man with coronavirus symptoms had to wait 36 hours at a hospital in Lombardy before he was tested for the virus, during which he had contact with hospital staff and visiting friends and family. The man, identified only as Mattia, was admitted to the emergency room in Codogno, Lombardy, early on February 19 with respiratory problems, reported the Corriere della Serra and CNN. Story continues Mattia was tested at around 4 p.m. on February 20 36 hours after being admitted and at 9 p.m. the infection was diagnosed, according to Corriere della Sera. The delay in testing was because he wasn't recently returned from China, the newspaper said. However, according to Corriere della Sera, the alarm was not raised and Mattia not moved to the ICU until midnight three hours after the diagnosis. After this, his doctors and nurses, who assumed they had to self-quarantine, were recalled to their duties, and the emergency room he visited wasn't vacated until late morning on February 21, Corriere della Sera said. His wife, who is pregnant, has also been diagnosed with the disease, but country authorities say her condition is "not worrying at all," CNN reported. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in May 2018. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi The Corriere della Sera report comes shortly after Italy's prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, appeared to admit fault of the Lombardy hospital before rowing his statement back shortly afterward. He told reporters Monday: "There has been a management of the hospital not entirely proper according to prudent protocols, which are recommended in these cases, and this has certainly contributed to the spread," according to CNN. However, he seemed to contradict that statement the next day, telling a press conference that a report from Lombardy authorities demonstrates the "full correctness" of the hospital staff's actions, CNN said. When asked what had gone wrong, he added: "This is not the time for controversy," according to CNN. "Our health system is excellent, our precautionary measures are of the utmost rigor and we trust that, by virtue of the combined provisions [...] we will promote a containment effect," Conte said. Military officers wearing face masks stand outside Duomo cathedral, closed by authorities due to a coronavirus outbreak, in Milan, Italy, on February 24, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo Italy's health ministry had relaxed its official guidelines for hospitals' coronavirus response shortly before Mattia was admitted, Corriere della Sera reported, suggesting this might have been why he took so long to be tested and quarantined. The paper said that on January 22, the guidelines advised swabbing anyone who "shows an unusual or unexpected medical development, especially a sudden deterioration despite proper treatment." This changed on January 27 to apply only to people who had connections to China which did not apply to Mattia. Lombardy where Mattia was diagnosed is the worst-hit region in Europe. Most of Italy's cases are concentrated there. Italian authorities sealed off 11 towns, including ten in Lombardy, on Saturday. They also canceled public events, leaving soccer teams playing in empty stadiums and the fashion house Giorgio Armani holding its Milan Fashion Week runway show in an empty theater as a precaution. As of Wednesday, a total of 233 cases have been recorded in Italy. Twelve people have also died all of whom were reportedly elderly or had other preexisting health complications. Tourists wearing protective respiratory masks in Rome on January 31, 2020. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images Walter Ricciardi, a World Health Organization committee member who also advises the Italian government, said it is "no coincidence" that other countries have fewer cases than Italy, reported CNN. However, he told CNN that Italy's recent responses to the crisis "are going in the right direction," adding: "All the organization and management mechanisms are entrusted to the regions, unlike other countries that have a single command line, and so it is no coincidence that they currently have fewer cases than we do." Read the original article on Business Insider Words Can Hurt! Growing up as little children, we learned the rhyme, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Whoever came up with that, lied. Words can hurt and sometimes even deeper than being physically hit. What someone says can penetrate deep within our minds and subconscious and stay with us for a lifetime. I personally know what it feels like to hear negative comments from friends and family growing up and it has taken me a lifetime to change the trajectory of how I think about myself. Because of my childhood experiences, I was determined when I became a mother to plant positive seeds in my children (and others) about who they are and how much they are loved. Recently in the news, and widespread across social media, we heard that Snoop Dogg was upset with Gayle King for how she questioned Lisa Leslie in an interview pertaining to Kobe Bryant and the 2003 rape case. I understand the frustration he must have felt regarding the situation and tainting Kobes legacy (especially so soon after his tragic death). However, there was no excuse for the language he used and for the platform (social media) he used to express his thoughts. I know that he eventually made a public apology and I am happy he was man enough to do so; but once something has been put out into the universe, the initial damage is done, and it can take a long time for healing and forgiveness to take place. True forgiveness and healing can happen but will be a process. I am an advocate for forgiveness, and I do believe it can change lives forever once given and received. It is crucial for all of us to give some serious thought about what we say and do before we do it. Oftentimes when we act hastily and move forward with anger or bitterness, we often regret how weve behaved later. When in this space, I recommend you first STOP and think about everything and what the consequences might be if you say something that can hurt other people. Count to 100 and if time is not of the essence, sleep on it. Sleep and space can add an entirely new perspective on how to handle a situation. Secondly, after youve had a chance to think about the situation, then think about how you would feel if someone responded to you in the same manner. Put the mirror on you. Finally, in sharing how you feel, be respectful and if it isnt positive you dont have to do it publicly (and especially not on social media). Every action causes a reaction and sowing negativity very rarely produces a positive result. ADVERTISEMENT I want to be clear; I understand that some situations may cause for a serious or hard conversation, but we always have the option to express ourselves in a proper tone. In the case between Snoop Dogg and Gayle King, because of the way it was put out into the atmosphere, it caused others to get involved and take sides. We all have the right to our opinions, but when they affect others, we should care enough about the greater good than to just put people on blast and call them out of their name. After all, regarding the scenario between Snoop and Gayle, I dont believe she meant to be malicious, but rather as a journalist she may have just been trying to make sure she covered all her bases. It may have been perceived as insensitive to some, but I dont believe her heart was in the wrong place. Lets try and give people the benefit of the doubt before we speak. Family, theres enough negativity in the world; we dont need to continue the cycle. Keep your head up and, when in doubt, your mouth shut. Healing Without Hate: Its a choice. Its a lifestyle. Pass it on! Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is an international coach, consultant, trainer, author and speaker. The enormously popular video-sharing app TikTok has been savaged by the top boss of Reddit in a string of scathing comments about the Chinese app. CEO and co-founder of Reddit Steve Huffman called TikTok 'fundamentally parasitic' and urged people not to install 'that spyware on your phone'. He also singled out the fingerprint scanning technology the app uses and said it was 'truly terrifying'. As the conversation wandered towards TikTok, Mr Huffman vehemently rejected the notion that American start-ups could adopt certain aspects of TikTok's blueprint. It comes as market researchers predict TikTok, made by the Chinese firm ByteDance, will surpass ten million users next year in the UK alone. Scroll down for video CEO and co-founder of Reddit Steve Huffman (pictured) called Tik Tok 'fundamentally parasitic' and urged people not to install 'that spyware on your phone' at a Silicon valley panel meeting TIKTOK: A CHINESE-OWNED SOCIAL MEDIA APP SPECIALISING IN SHORT VIDEO CLIPS TikTok is a Chinese social media app where users can live stream, create short videos and music videos and Gifs with a host of functions. TikTok's tagline is 'Make every second count'. It was the most downloaded app in the US in 2018 and the world's fourth most downloaded app in 2018, ahead of Instagram and Snapchat. TikTok is known in China as Douyin where it was launched in 2016 and then made more widely available around the world in 2017. Douyin is still the version of the app used in China, available to download separately to TikTok. It offers users a raft of colourful modification and editing tools including overlaying music, sound, animated stickers, filters and augmented reality (AR) for creating short videos. The Beijing based social network has more than 500 million active users and the company is now worth more than $75 billion (58 billion). In 2020 Donald Trump called for the US arm of TikTok to be sold to an American company over fears the China-owned app posed a national security risk. Talks are under way between ByteDance, Oracle and Walmart over US operations after Trump threatened a download ban in the US. Advertisement The damning remarks were made while he was speaking on a panel that also featured former Facebook VP of Product Sam Lessin. It was a gathering of investors and entrepreneurs at a one-day conference called 'Social 2030'. Mr Huffman said: 'Maybe I'm going to regret this, but I can't even get to that level of thinking with them. 'Because I look at that app as so fundamentally parasitic, that it's always listening, the fingerprinting technology they use is truly terrifying, and I could not bring myself to install an app like that on my phone.' He later piled more scorn onto the short-form video platform, saying: 'I actively tell people, "Don't install that spyware on your phone."' MailOnline has approached TikTok for comment. The focus of the conference was to spot trends and emerging themes in social apps, of which TikTok is a budding phenomenon. TikTok is wildly popular with children and young adults due to the bitesize, easily digestible content the app specialises in. In January, it topped the list of most downloaded apps in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, despite still being banned in China. TikTok is wildly popular with children and young adults due to the bitesize, easily digestible content the app specialises in. In January, it topped the list of most downloaded apps in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, despite still being banned in China According to SensorTower, a mobile analytics site, TikTok was the most downloaded social media app worldwide with 104.7 million installs. This represents a 46 per cent increase from January 2019 and puts it ahead of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter HOW CAN PARENTS ACTIVATE TIKTOK'S FAMILY SAFETY MODE? Parents first need to open the app on both their and their child's phones and go to 'Privacy and Settings'. Under 'Digital Wellbeing', they need to select 'Family Safety Mode'. They must then identify which phone belongs to the adult and which to the child. Scanning a QR code from one phone with the other links the accounts and lets the parent control the following features: Screen Time Management: Control how long their teen can spend on TikTok each day. Direct Messages: Limit who can send messages to the connected account or turn off direct messaging completely. Restricted Mode: Restrict the appearance of content that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Advertisement According to SensorTower, a mobile analytics site, TikTok was the most downloaded social media app worldwide with 104.7 million installs. This represents a 46 per cent increase from January 2019 and puts it ahead of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Industry analyst firm eMarketer has revealed TikTok will likely reach ten million users in the UK by next year. It predicts that this year the UK user base of TikTok will grow 67.0 per cent to 8.12 million people and continue to grow and surpass ten million by 2021. 'TikTok had a breakout year in 2019, and it is incredibly popular among teens at this point,' said eMarketer principal analyst Debra Aho Williamson. 'Some are spending multiple hours per day on the app, which is a testament to the incredible stickiness of its scrolling video format. 'But it has yet to develop a strong following among older generations.' She's a two-time Golden Globe-winning actress who has wowed fans and critics in acclaimed period series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Now Rachel Brosnahan is set to shed her 'Midge' Maisel skin to take on a new role in the upcoming sci-fi comedy Distant, alongside co-star Anthony Ramos (In The Heights). Will Speck and Josh Gordon are once again working as a team to direct the film that was written by Spenser Cohen (Extinction). New role: Rachel Brosnahan, 29, signed on to star in the upcoming sci-fi comedy Distant The Speck and Gordon team are best known for directing such films as Blades Of Glory (2007), The Switch (2010) and Office Christmas Party (2016). In Distant, the story follows an asteroid miner who, after crash-landing on an alien planet, must contend with the challenges of his new surroundings. Those challenges include making his way across the harsh terrain where he finds the only other survivor a woman who's trapped in her escape pod, according to Deadline. Acclaimed: Brosnahan has won two Golden Globes and a Primetime Emmy for her role as Miriam 'Midge' Maisel in the comedy-drama series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Speck and Gordon will also serve as executive producers with Jonathan Rothbart and Matt Hirsch. Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (Midnight Special), Fred Berger (La La Land), and Anna Halberg (Extinction) will produce. Production for Distant is slated to begin in March 2019. Along with her two Golden Globes in 2018 and 2019 for Mrs. Maisel, Brosnahan, 29, has also won a Primetime Emmy Award For Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series in 2018 for her portrayal as the aspiring stand-up comedian. Back for more: The Marvelous Mrs Maisel was renewed for a fourth season in December 2019 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was renewed for a fourth season in December 2019. Brosnahan's Hollywood resume also includes a recurring role in the political thriller series House Of Cards (2013-2015), for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, as well as the lead in the drama series Manhattan (2014-2015) and films Beautiful Creatures (2013) and Louder Than Bombs (2015). She is also set to star in the upcoming American-British film, Ironbark, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch. The film, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020, is expected to drop sometime in the fall. Dr. Osvaldo Lopez, co-founder of CEI, will serve as the Company's Chairman, while Arbor's President, Dr. Chris Albanis, will lead the new Company as founding CEO. The new Ocular Partners platform will initially serve more than 20 providers, including some of the nation's leading cataract, cornea, refractive, glaucoma and retina surgeons with more than 125,000 service encounters annually through nine clinical locations throughout Chicago. Ocular Partners is committed to providing outstanding clinical and surgical care to patients through a personalized and compassionate approach to medicine and provides administrative services to practices in its network. Dr. Lopez said, "Forming Ocular Partners and having Arbor and CEI join forces creates the premier eye care organization in Chicago. CEI was established more than four decades ago with the single objective of delivering exceptional eye care to our patients. My partners and I are excited to come together with MoonSail, Plenary and our distinguished colleagues at Arbor to lead the nation's premier ophthalmic services platform." Dr. Albanis commented, "With a history of clinical and surgical excellence dating back to the 1940s, our common passion for preserving and restoring the gift of sight will continue to serve as the foundation. Ocular Partners seeks to affiliate with, recruit and retain the best and brightest clinicians and surgeons. Our new financial partners understand and support our shared vision of clinical and surgical excellence, innovation, leadership, close ties to the academic community, strong work ethic and physician-directed culture." Joseph Acevedo, Co-Founder and Managing Director of MoonSail Capital, said, "MoonSail is dedicated to unlocking value in lower middle market companies with a special focus on the fragmented healthcare services sector. Powerful macro trends support the prospective demand for vision care and we are honored by the opportunity to work with such a distinguished group of physician leaders and operationally focused investors to build a great company. Dr. Albanis is an incredibly dedicated and talented physician, she brings years of experience as a manager and she serves as a leader in the ophthalmic community. Dr. Lopez has the respect of the broader eye care community, has long been a well-known innovator in his field and has been recognized at multiple levels with honors and awards." Toni Pelaez, Managing Partner at Plenary, said, "As locals who had carefully studied the fragmented ophthalmology market nationally, we are thrilled by the opportunity to partner with two of the premier practices in greater Chicago. With MoonSail's buy-and-build expertise and financial support we are confident we will propel the growth of the Ocular Partners platform." Muzinich & Co. provided financing and made a co-investment in the transaction. McGuireWoods provided legal advice to MoonSail and Plenary. About Ocular Partners Ocular Partners was formed in 2020 to be the premier, clinically and surgically-focused eyecare platform in the Midwest. Its partner practices comprise leading independent providers of best-in-class vision care services in the greater Chicago area, with more than 20 providers in nine locations, and 10 specialties including cataract, cornea, refractive, anterior segment, glaucoma, surgical and medical retina, oculoplastics (eyelid, tear duct, orbital and cosmetic), comprehensive ophthalmology and optometry. The Ocular Partners platform features a cohesive team of physicians and includes doctors who are world renowned in their sub-specialties and who have pioneered life-changing surgeries. The team's doctors have a passion for educating the next generation of doctors, with many serving as faculty at university training programs or lecturing around the world. Ocular Partners is the leading eyecare services provider supporting eyecare practices, formed through the affiliation of Chicago Eye Institute and Arbor Centers for Eyecare. It is physician-owned and physician-led, with backing from private investors MoonSail Capital and Plenary Partners. http://ocularpartners.com About MoonSail Capital MoonSail Capital is a private investment firm with committed capital that seeks to invest in and build leading lower-middle market companies in partnership with founders, operating executives, family offices and independent sponsors. MoonSail has special focus in healthcare services acquisition platforms where it seeks to lead value-added investor groups in control buyouts. The MoonSail team features dedicated, experienced investors who bring a partnership mentality, buy-and-build experience and operational knowledge to each situation. Typically, MoonSail targets founder and family owned businesses with minimum EBITDA of $2 million. With offices in Los Angeles and San Juan, Puerto Rico, the firm invests across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. https://moonsailcapital.com About Plenary Partners Plenary Partners is a private investment firm founded in 2009 with offices in Chicago and San Francisco focused on partnering with lower middle market owner managed businesses throughout the U.S. Plenary approaches investing with a personal touch, recognizing opportunities realizable with the addition of not only capital, but with the right catalyst and execution, coupled with strong collaboration between the entrepreneur and investor. The founders of Plenary have been investing together for over 15 years and have led investments in multiple healthcare verticals as well as in technology, industrials, consumer products and businesses services. http://plenarypartners.com Media Contact Lambert & Co. Kristin Celauro [email protected] or 732-433-5200 Or Jennifer Hurson [email protected] or 845-507-0571 SOURCE MoonSail Capital, LLC Related Links https://moonsailcapital.com STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- This is getting ridiculous. An epidemic of bank robberies continued to plague Staten Island Thursday afternoon, with a heist being reported at the TD Bank branch at 1818 Victory Blvd. in Castleton Corners. A man walked into the bank around 1:45 p.m., passed a note to the teller and made off with approximately $600, said a spokesman for the NYPD. The robber, described as a white male in his 50s with a beard standing about 5 feet, 8 inches, fled in a dark green Nissan, police said. He was wearing a medical mask, a yellow jacket with a fur hood, police said. Several NYPD squad cars responded to the bank after the incident. Officers could be seen cordoning off the front entrance with yellow tape. The incident marks the second stick-up at a financial institution in the borough in less than 24 hours, and the ninth robbery or attempted robbery at a bank on Staten Island since Jan. 21. This is the second incident to occur on Victory Boulevard during the wave. Five have taken place on Forest Avenue. NYPD RESPONSE Police officers descended on Castleton Corners minutes after the incident was reported. Cops initially appeared to focus their search in the area surrounding the Todt Hill Houses, where officers can be seen knocking on doors and looking in lots. INSIDE THE WAVE On Jan. 21 just before 2 p.m., a man with his face covered went through the drive-thru at Santander Bank, located at 1850 Victory Blvd. in Castleton Corners, and sent a note through the pneumatic tubing system demanding money, police said. The man allegedly wrote in the note that he had previously placed a bomb at the ATM located inside the building and that if he drives off with no bills, he will set it off in 15 seconds, according to police. The man did not receive any money and fled the scene driving a red Ford truck. Police released images of the vehicle later that week. No arrests have been made in connection to this incident. BANK ROBBERY IN GRASMERE Only four days after the first attempted robbery, on Jan. 25, a man wearing a camouflage jacket entered a Santander Bank located at 1320 Hylan Blvd. in Grasmere, approached a teller and passed a note demanding cash, police said. The man was able to walk away with $600 and fled the bank, according to police. On Feb. 3, police arrested Ivo Bogdamovic, 49, of 1st Place, Brooklyn, in connection to the heist and charged him with robbery. BIZARRE INCIDENT AT 2 BANKS, INSTAGRAM VIDEO On Jan. 30 a man entered a Northfield Bank at 519 Forest Ave. in West Brighton at around 1:30 p.m., announced it was a robbery and left without any money, police said. After only eight minutes, the same man entered the Victory State Bank located at 755 Forest Ave. and, after a brief conversation with a female employee screamed it was a robbery, according to police. I just want yall to know its a mother f-----g robbery, he shouts in a selfie-style video he allegedly posted on social media. Everybody put your hands on the floor. Get your hands on the f-----g ground right now. Nobody reacts to the man, who walks out of the bank, the video shows and police confirmed. Police arrested Augustin Nadreau, 25, of the 100 block of Treadwell Avenue, in connection to both incidents. NYPD LINKS 3 ROBBERIES; RELEASES IMAGES OF MAN SOUGHT On Feb. 10, the NYPD released surveillance images of a man sought in connection with three bank robberies. The first robbery allegedly committed occurred on Jan. 29 at approximately 11:30 a.m. when an unknown man entered a Northfield Bank branch, located at 1481 Forest Ave. in Port Richmond, and handed a bank teller a note demanding money, according to police. In that incident, the man walked away with approximately $2,000, police said. Three days later, on Feb. 1, a man entered a Richmond County Savings Bank in Sunnyside, and handed a note demanding money, according to police. The man received over $7,000, police said. In the third incident, on Feb. 10, a man entered a Chase Bank location located at 666 Forest Ave. in West Brighton at approximately 1:36 p.m., and handed a bank teller a note demanding money, according to police. The teller complied and the individual fled the scene with approximately $7,500, according to the NYPD statement. Overall, the man received approximately $16,500. LATEST FOREST AVE. INCIDENT On Wednesday, Feb. 26, a man made off with $500 when he walked into the TD Bank branch at 1600 Forest Ave. in Port Richmond Center and passed a demand note, the NYPD said in a statement. Police released a surveillance image of a man sought for questioning in that case. He was initially described as a white male between the ages of 30 and 40. He was wearing a black jacket, black pants and sunglasses, police previously said. REPORT TO POLICE Anyone with information about any of the above incidents is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 (TIPS). For Spanish, dial 1-888-577-4782 (PISTA). The public also can submit tips on the Crime Stoppers website, or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential. KINDERSLEY, SASK.A woman from a town in west-central Saskatchewan is accused of murdering her infant daughter. Kindersley RCMP say on Sept. 27, 2018, Mounties responded to a report of a one-month-old infant in cardiac arrest. Police say the efforts of EMS responders and physicians could not save the girl. An autopsy lead investigators to believe the death was suspicious. Police say Teenie Rose Steer, who is 28, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. She is to appear in Rosetown, Sask., provincial court on Thursday. A federal court ruled unanimously Wednesday that the federal government could withhold grants from cities and states that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, a decision that could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, observers say. The city of Albany is one of the municipalities in the nation that faces the threat of lost funding over its status as a sanctuary city. The three judges on the Second Circuit Appeals Court ruled that the U.S. Attorney General's office could impose conditions on cities that declared themselves "sanctuary cities," reversing a circuit court judge's earlier ruling. These conditions help the federal government enforce national immigration laws and policies supported by successive Democratic and Republican administrations, U.S. Circuit Judge Reena Raggi wrote in the opinion. But more to the authorization point, they ensure that applicants satisfy particular statutory grant requirements imposed by Congress and subject to Attorney General oversight. In 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the U.S. Department of Justice would crackdown on cities that refused to help federal agents find and detain undocumented immigrants, preventing them from accessing more than $250 million in grants to local law enforcement. Seven states, including New York, filed a lawsuit arguing that the attorney general's conditions were unconstitutional. Todays decision rightfully recognizes the lawful authority of the Attorney General to ensure that Department of Justice grant recipients are not at the same time thwarting federal law enforcement priorities. The grant conditions here require states and cities that receive DOJ grants to share information about criminals in custody," a DOJ spokesman said in a statement. Still, the judges opinion conflicts with rulings from three other appeals courts, which had previously sided with the states. Because of this, some jurisdictions may use that conflict to continue to follow sanctuary policies, the DOJ spokesman said. There's nothing in the ruling that compels sanctuary cities, such as Albany, to change their policies. While were certainly disappointed with the Second Circuits ruling, the City continues to be in compliance with applicable federal laws and remains eligible to receive the justice assistance grant funding the Albany Police Department was awarded, said David Galin, chief of staff to Mayor Kathy Sheehan. He noted that the city was awarded federal justice assistance grants (JAG) of approximately $64,000 in 2017 and $66,000 in 2018 from the program during the two years mentioned in the court's decision. Albany was also eligible for more than $64,000 in such funding in 2019. Aside from possible impacts on funding for law enforcement, Capital Region immigrant advocates and attorneys said the decision would allow the federal government to follow a policy that harmed all citizens, not just undocumented immigrants. Ladan Alomar, the executive director of Centro Civico, a non-profit that serves the Latinx community in the Capital Region, said many communities and businesses have benefited from undocumented immigrants labor. Withholding grants from sanctuary cities discounts that reality, she said. Its punitive, and it hurts all Americans, Alomar said. Im devastated the state of New York is going to be held hostage for caring about and acknowledging immigrants. More for you Advocates implore Cuomo to fund immigrant legal services Camille Mackler, director of immigration policy at the New York Immigration Coalition, said she anticipates the ruling will be appealed and end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. Obviously, we are disappointed, especially since that other courts ruled that its not permissible to withhold funds, and, at its core, this is one more way they (the Trump Administration) are targeting New Yorkers. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Dan Irizarry, an advocate for the Latinx community who has lived in the Capital Region for 35 years, said he is concerned the ruling might stop other communities from creating sanctuary policies. Irizarry said a major argument for sanctuary cities is that it makes people feel safe and that they can turn to law enforcement to report crimes. The purpose of this decision is to make an example of a blue state like New York, to hold it up and say, if you choose to harbor undocumented people, this is what will happen to you, Irizarry said. The states' lawsuit argued that the attorney general's conditions on the JAG grants were unconstitutional and sued to force the federal government to release the funding. In November 2018, a U. S. Circuit Court judge agreed. But the three justices in Wednesday's ruling found that the Justice Departments requirements did not violate the Constitution or the federal law guiding agencies on how they can implement their own rules. As part of the application for the 2017 JAG program, the federal government asked that applicants certify that they were not preventing any officials from sharing citizenship information with federal immigration authorities, let federal authorities know when undocumented immigrants were being released from local jails and have a policy to let immigration officials meet with suspected undocumented immigrants who were incarcerated. President Donald Trump attacked sanctuary policies in his State of Union speech last month and said he supported legislation that would allow residents of sanctuary cities or states who are victims of violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants to sue those jurisdictions. In 2017, Mayor Kathy Sheehan issued an executive order codifying the city police department's policy to not question individuals on the basis of immigration status, except when necessary to investigate criminal activity by that person. "I am committed to ensuring that equity and social justice guide all city of Albany decisions, and this executive order is another example of that commitment," Sheehan said at the time. "It is a fact that our city is safer because of the trust, relationships and partnerships cultivated in our neighborhoods as a result of community policing and 21st century policing strategies." New York City and Ithaca have similar policies in place, while several other New York counties have declared their jurisdictions will not honor detention orders from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement or similar entities, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. The scope of these "sanctuary" policies vary across the country and can govern what information localities share with ICE, whether localities detain non-citizens at the request of the federal government, and what access federal immigration officials have to state and local properties. WASHINGTON The State Department today announced the designation of Ahmad al-Hamidawi, the leader of the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia group Kataib Hezbollah, as a global terrorist a day ahead of the expected confidence vote by Iraqs parliament on a new government. The Iraqi militia group, which is a part of the Iraqi government-backed Popular Mobilization Units, has been designated as a global terrorist group by the United States since 2009. The United States killed Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a Jan. 3 drone strike at Baghdad International Airport that targeted and also killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani. In addition to storming the US Embassy in Baghdad in late December, Kataib Hezbollah actively uses violence and terror against innocent civilians to advance the Iranian regime goal of making Iraq a vassal state, US counterterrorism coordinator Nathan Sales told journalists at the State Department today. Such groups drain life and vitality out of Iraq, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker said. The designation of Hamidawi was made possible by US President Donald Trumps expansion of an executive order last fall that does not require the US government to tie the individual member of the designated terrorist group to a specific terrorist attack, Sales said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a call with Iraqs Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi on Sunday, stressed Iraqs obligation to protect US and coalition diplomats, forces, and facilities, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a readout of the call. Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister-designate Allawi discussed the protest movement and the urgency with which Iraqs next government must put an end to the killing of protesters, seek justice for those killed and wounded, and address their legitimate grievances. We are beginning to engage with the government of Iraq such as it is, on the nature of our strategic relationship, including economic and diplomatic issues and our presence on the ground, Schenker said today, adding there will not be a withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. Ahead of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's slated meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Bhubaneswar on Friday at the Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) meet, the BJP Thursday said she was making "futile attempts" to save TMC leaders involved in scams. The Trinamool Congress leadership was quick to return fire saying Banerjee attending the meeting was an attempt to maintain a working relationship with the Centre. Banerjee, who has been a bitter critic of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Population Register (NPR) and any nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC), would meet Shah during the EZC on Friday for the first time after the enactment of the amended citizenship law in December. She had not attended meetings of the Niti Aayog and several others convened by the BJP-led government at the Centre. Her decision now to take part in the EZC meeting to be chaired by Shah has raised eyebrows in the political circles here. "It seems good sense has prevailed in the TMC leadership. She is going for the EZC meeting after opposing policies of the Centre and skipping several meetings called by it. It seems that she is trying to make some desperate attempts for a setting to save her party leaders," West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said. "But let me make one thing very clear - our leader Amit Shah will never go for any sort of setting," he asserted. Several TMC leaders have been interrogated in the chit fund scam in the state by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. State government officials and the TMC leadership were tight lipped when asked whether Banerjee and Shah would hold any one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of the EZC meet in Bhubaneswar. Reacting to Ghosh's statement, TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee asked him to stop making "baseless and foolish statements". "These are baseless allegations. We don't want to comment on Dilip Ghosh's statement and make him a hero. In a federal structure, it is expected that both the state and central governments will have a working relation," he said. Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Chowdhury wondered why Banerjee and her party were yet to condemn the BJP for the communal violence in Delhi. He also urged her to boycott the EZC meeting in protest against the Delhi riot. The opposition CPI(M) took a dig at TMC saying that Banerjee's attending the EZC meeting was part of a "tacit understanding between the BJP and the TMC". "When all political parties are demanding Amit Shah's resignation, the TMC is maintaining a stoic silence," CPI(M) legislative party leader Sujan Chakraborty said. Banerjee wrote a poem on Wednesday condemning the violence in Delhi and sought answers for the incidents of vandalism and arson. She had on Tuesday expressed concerns over the incidents of arson and violence in the national capital and appealed to people to maintain calm and peace. Coal royalty revision, railway projects and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) are some of the issues that are likely to figure in the Eastern Zonal Council meeting at Bhubaneswar on Friday. The meeting will be chaired by Shah and attended by the chief ministers of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Treasury Designates Martyrs Foundation Companies and Officials as Global Terrorists February 26, 2020 Washington The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) three Lebanon-based officials and 12 Lebanon-based entities linked to the Martyrs Foundation, part of Hizballah's support network. Specifically, OFAC designated Atlas Holding for being owned or controlled by the Martyrs Foundation, as well as senior Atlas official Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi, and ten Atlas-affiliated companies. Jawad Nur-al-Din and Sheikh Yusuf Aasi were also designated, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, for being leaders or officials of the Lebanon-based Martyrs Foundation, which was designated for supporting terrorism in July 2007. Mirath S.A.L., which is owned or controlled by Jawad Nur-al-Din, was also designated today. "Hizballah profits from the sale of goods vital to the Lebanese peoples' health and economy, such as pharmaceuticals and gasoline," said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. "The Trump Administration stands with the Lebanese people, and we are committed to exposing and holding accountable Hizballah's terror-funding business schemes." Hizballah put the Lebanese banking sector at risk through its deep coordination with Jammal Trust Bank, which was designated as an SDGT in August 2019. Atlas Holding a company controlled by the Martyrs Foundation and subordinate to Hizballah's Executive Council along with several of its subsidiaries banked freely at Jammal Trust Bank despite their open affiliation with previously designated Hizballah entities. In fact, Jammal Trust Bank facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions through the Lebanese financial system on behalf of Atlas Holding and its subsidiaries, and aided Hizballah officials in evading scrutiny on these accounts from Lebanese banking authorities. Hizballah was designated by the Department of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in October 1997 and as an SDGT pursuant to E.O. 13224 in October 2001. As noted in previous Treasury actions, the Lebanon office of the Martyrs Foundation acts as an Iranian parastatal organization and is an integral element of Hizballah's global terror support network. It provides services such as financial support to the families of killed or imprisoned Hizballah members, as well as to families of suicide bombers from HAMAS and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. ATLAS HOLDING Atlas Holding is owned or controlled by the Martyrs Foundation. Atlas Holding owns or controls at least ten companies in numerous sectors in Lebanon, including fuel, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and clothing. According to corporate registration information, the Martyrs Foundation and its senior official Sheikh Yusuf Aasi are listed as founders of Atlas Holdings. As of late 2017, Atlas was among several entities identified as being subordinate to Hizballah's Executive Council, which takes advantage of its entities' legitimate and civilian appearance to conceal money transfers for Hizballah's military use. Although the funding from these Executive Council companies went into Hizballah's coffers and military activities, Hizballah hoped that the seemingly legitimate business funds could protect Hizballah from sanctions. KASSEM MOHAMAD ALI BAZZI Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi is a leader or official of Atlas Holding. Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi serves as the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Atlas Holding as of 2019, and is the company's largest shareholder. Additionally, according to corporate registration information, he serves as an official for several of Atlas Holdings' subsidiaries, including Amana, Amana Plus, Medic, Shahed Pharm, City Pharma, al Kawthar, and Global Touristic Services. JAWAD NUR-AL-DIN Jawad Nur-al-Din is a leader and official of the Martyrs Foundation. Jawad Nur-al-Din serves as the Director General of the Lebanon-based Martyrs Foundation. In this capacity, he oversees payments to the families of Hizballah fighters who have been killed, and has coordinated these payments with senior Hizballah officials such as SDGT Hashim Safi al-Din. As a senior official of the Lebanon-based Martyrs Foundation, he works closely with senior Hizballah officials and publicly represents the Martyrs Foundation alongside senior Hizballah officials including Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hashim Safi al-Din was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 in May 2017. Hassan Nasrallah was designated pursuant to E.O. 12947 in January 1995, pursuant to E.O. 13582 in September 2012, and pursuant to E.O. 13224 in 2018. SHEIKH YUSUF AASI Sheikh Yusuf Aasi is a leader or official of the Martyrs Foundation. In his role with the Martyrs Foundation, Sheikh Yusuf Aasi has publicly advocated for the foundation in light of U.S. sanctions against Hizballah and the rising number of Hizballah operatives killed in Syria. Additionally, Sheikh Yusuf Aasi is one of the founders of Atlas Holdings, which is being designated today for being owned or controlled by the Martyrs Foundation. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT & DRUGS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (MEDIC) Medic is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. According to corporate registration information, founders of Medic include both Atlas and Bazzi. Atlas is the majority shareholder for the company, and Bazzi, who holds fewer shares, serves as the Director General, Chairman, and authorized signatory for the company. SHAHED PHARM Shahed Pharm is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. According to corporate registration information, senior Martyrs Foundation official Jawad Nur-al-Din is listed as one of its founders, along with Atlas Holdings, and Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi is listed as a shareholder, director, and authorized signatory for the company. AMANA FUEL CO. Amana Fuel Co. is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. According to corporate registration information, Atlas Holdings controls the majority of shares in the company, and Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi is listed as a founder, director, and authorized signatory for the company. AMANA PLUS CO. Amana Plus Co. is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. According to corporate registration information, Atlas Holdings is a founder of, and the largest shareholder for, Amana Plus Co. Jawad Nur-al-Din and Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi are also listed as company founders, with Bazzi also serving as the Director General, Chairman, and authorized signatory of the company. AL KAWTHAR Al Kawthar is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. Also of note, corporate registration information lists Atlas Holding and Martyrs Foundation CEO Jawad Nur-al-Din as founder of Al Kawthar, and Atlas is a majority shareholder in the company. AMANA SANITARY AND PAINTS COMPANY L.T.D. Amana Sanitary and Paints Company L.T.D. is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. According to corporate registration information, Atlas and Jawad Nur-al-Din are both founders of the company, with the majority of the company's stock being allocated to Atlas. CITY PHARMA S.A.R.L. City Pharma S.A.R.L. is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. According to corporate registration information, Atlas is a founder of the company along with Jawad Nur-al-Din, and Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi was the authorized signatory for the company. GLOBAL TOURISTIC SERVICES S.A.L. Global Touristic Services S.A.L. is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. According to corporate registration information, the company was founded by Atlas, Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi, and Jawad Nur-al-Din. Additionally, Atlas is the majority shareholder in the company, Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi is the authorized signatory, and Jawad Nur-al-Din and Kassem Mohamad Ali Bazzi are members of the board of directors. MIRATH S.A.L. Mirath is owned or controlled by Jawad Nur-al-Din. According to corporate registration information, Jawad Nur-al-Din is the chairman of the board, majority shareholder, as well as a founder of, and authorized signatory for, Mirath S.A.L. SANOVERA PHARM COMPANY SARL Sanovera Pharm Company SARL is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. CAPITAL S.A.L. Capital S.A.L. is owned or controlled by Atlas Holding. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS The Treasury Department continues to prioritize disrupting the full range of Hizballah's illicit financial activity, including its financial support network. As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of these targets that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons. In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the individuals and entities designated today may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to an enforcement action. Furthermore, the individuals and entities designated today are subject to secondary sanctions pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended. Pursuant to this authority, OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on the opening or maintaining in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account by a foreign financial institution. Read identifying information related to today's action here. #### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Prague has renamed a square in front of the Russian Embassy after Boris Nemtsov, honouring the slain Russian opposition leader. The change did not immediately draw an angry response from Moscow, as did some other recent moves in the Czech capital, such as a plan to remove the statue of a World War II Soviet commander, Marshall Ivan Stepanovic Konev. Nemtsov was an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and was murdered near the Kremlin five years ago. Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib unveiled the new street sign on Thursday, a few days after the municipality approved the modification. I understand the new name is an expression of solidarity with the opposition in Russia and the human rights movement, Hrib said. Nemtsovs daughter, Zhanna Nemtsova, thanked Prague during the ceremony. Boris Nemtsov was a representative of humanism in Russian politics, Nemtsova said. We had only few of them in history, unlike many tyrants, she said through a translator. Washington D.C. and Lithuanias capital city of Vilnius have also honoured Nemtsov in the same way in recent years. The Constitution Health Plaza at 1930 S. Broad St. in South Philadelphia was previously slated to host the nation's first supervised injection site. But after opposition, advocates put that plan on hold and the medical center said it would no longer rent space to them. Read more After intense opposition, the backers of a supervised injection site in South Philadelphia have placed their plans on hold, a decision announced a short while before the medical center set to rent them space said it would no longer allow the site to open in its building. Officials at Safehouse, the nonprofit formed to open the site, said that a federal judges ruling grants them the legal authority to open but that they wanted to hold more community meetings before doing so. The nonprofits landlords at Constitution Health Plaza also cited community concerns in their decision to cancel Safehouses tenancy. Our vision for Constitution Health Plaza has always been to serve as a gateway to South Philadelphia, providing premier health care services to our community. Our relationship with our tenants and neighborhood is the key to achieving that goal," said Anthony Campisi, a spokesperson for Constitution Health Plaza, 1930 S. Broad St., adding that the health center initially offered space to Safehouse because it felt it had a responsibility to save lives. That would appear to quash Safehouses current plans, unless it finds a new facility for a safe injection site, a place for people in addiction to use drugs under medical supervision, and be revived if they overdose. The move comes just two days after the announcement of the sites opening, which swiftly drew opposition from surprised community members and politicians who panned what they saw as a lack of community input. Some of those politicians Councilmember Mark Squilla, whose district abuts the site, and Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson, whose district would have hosted the site said they were pleased with the delay. Squilla said that he was eager to restart discussions over the site in a way that could have input from the community." But Johnson said he doesnt support any kind of site in his district. The community has spoken, and were relieved, he said. Mayor Jim Kenney issued a statement saying that, in light of the developments, and the strong concerns voiced over the past two days, its clear that no site will open imminently." He continued: I am glad that this will allow Safehouse more time to examine its options, and to engage the community. It will allow those with concerns more time to get answers. And it will allow everyone to take a deep breath and focus on the ultimate goal of this effort: to save the lives of fellow Philadelphians who are struggling with addiction. Kenney said he still supports such sites and remains committed to finding a way for one to open. Meanwhile, Safehouse organizers said they did not know how long they planned to delay an opening. We want to talk to folks. We heard, clearly, that people were concerned with the process, that people wanted more time to discuss it to get more details, and we want to honor all of that," said Ronda Goldfein, Safehouse vice president. We want people to not be afraid of this initiative. We want people to recognize this is lifesaving, and I think people want to know that. But they need more detail. She added: Its important to note that notwithstanding the difficult conversations with neighbors and the landlords ultimate refusal to move forward, supervised injection is still legal in Philadelphia. Goldfein said the organization is still moving forward but will take a few days to consider its options. She said Safehouse still had a responsibility to save lives amid the citys overdose crisis. Earlier this week, she said that the quick announcement of the South Philadelphia location was a critical move amid an overdose crisis that has killed nearly 3,500 Philadelphians in the last three years. Former Gov. Ed Rendell, a board member at Safehouse, said, too, that the site will move forward with community meetings and consider other locations, including mobile units. This is never easy, he said, but he added that similar community concerns were raised about needle exchanges in the 1990s an initiative that Rendell himself authorized as mayor of Philadelphia. Earlier Thursday, the U.S. attorney in Philadelphia asked a federal court to halt plans to open the site and called Wednesdays news conference announcing the facility a dumpster fire. William M. McSwain, an outspoken critic of the plans, said in a statement Thursday that the U.S. District Court should stay its final order which found in favor of site operators while a lawsuit his office filed makes its way through the appeals process. Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Gerald A. McHugh issued a ruling that a 30-year-old law targeting so-called crack houses doesnt apply to Safehouse. In court papers appealing the decision Thursday, lawyers for the federal government wrote that the initial ruling will radically alter the approach to opioid addiction treatment in Pennsylvania without input from federal medical authorities or state legislators, and that neighbors deserve an appellate courts weighing in. READ MORE: Philadelphia City Council is scrambling to oppose the countrys first supervised injection site Ronda Goldfein of Safehouse is the wife of David Lee Preston, an editor at The Inquirer. He is not involved in coverage of this story. A controversial first-time District Court judge running for re-election is facing a Democratic primary challenge from a veteran assistant district attorney who has prosecuted cases in the judges court. Juvenile District Judge Arcelia Trevino is squaring off against Bexar County prosecutor Jacqueline Herr Jackie Valdes in the March 3 election. Early voting started last week and continues through Friday. Trevino, who has not returned numerous calls for comment, is under fire for repeated absences, for leaving her workload to associates and most recently for ousting two prosecutors from her courtroom, apparently because she thinks they support Valdes. Valdes, married and the mother of five, said she entered the race because she wants to bring back integrity, professionalism and credibility to the court, one of three that handles juvenile cases. WIN TICKETS: Spurs Nation is giving away four box seat tickets to the March 22 home game. If elected, she said, she wants to make sure youths in the juvenile justice system are there for the right reasons for committing violent crime noting a 29 percent increase in the juvenile court caseload compared to 2019. They dont all belong in court, she said. There are other options. We need to focus on the kids with weapons, and use other options for those who suffer from drug addiction or mental health issues. Since she announced she was running, Valdes has been working in an administrative position in the district attorneys office and is not prosecuting cases in juvenile court. Trevino touted 10 years of law practice when she beat incumbent Judge Laura Parker who had held the seat since its inception in 1999 in the Democratic sweep of 2016. According to a biography on Trevinos court website, she implemented STRIVE Court, a specialty docket and judicially monitored program aimed at helping children in the juvenile justice system who have difficulties meeting educational goals. She also oversees two other specialty courts for youths in the juvenile system one for mental health and another for substance abuse. However, since she took office in 2017, critics say Trevino has been chronically absent and often has canceled hearings at the last minute after parents and caretakers have taken off work to attend the mandatory meetings with their children. On ExpressNews.com: Judge boots prosecutor from San Antonio courtroom over spouses political donation Critics also say she disregards carefully negotiated plea agreements that have been negotiated between prosecutors and defense lawyers. When shes absent, Trevino has leaned mostly on associate judges, mainly Pat Garza, who predates Trevino, and recently, Frank Sandoval, to hear her docket. Last week, Trevino had a baliff remove prosecutor Khristina Fielder, an assistant district attorney with 17 years of experience, from her courtroom just before hearings began, saying Fielder and her partner had a conflict of interest. The judge refused to say what the conflict might be or identify the partner; Fielder has no business partner but she is married. Fielder told the judge she didnt know any of the juveniles in court that day or their parents, so there was no conflict there. But Fielders husband made a contribution last year to the Valdes campaign. Previously, Trevino had a baliff remove another prosecutor who was sitting in her courtroom observing a case. Trevino refused to say why she was having the observer removed from a hearing that was open to the public, but the prosecutor had attended an after-hours fundraising event for Valdes. District Attorney Joe Gonzales said he wanted to discuss the removals with Trevino but she wouldnt meet with him. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Daphne Previti Austin in the general election. Austin, whos running in her primary unopposed, previously has served as presiding judge of 289th Juvenile District Court. She was unseated by Carlos Quezada in 2018. 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 The global tally of people diagnosed with coronavirus passed 100,000 on Friday, while the number of cases in the UK saw its biggest jump to date. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, confirmed a second person with Covid-19 had now died in Britain, as the number of patients in the country rose to 164 up from 116 the day before. In other developments: More than 4,000 people have been placed in quarantine across New York state, where 33 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, according to governor Andrew Cuomo Italys death toll rose by nearly 50 on Friday to 197, while the number of confirmed cases surpassed 4,000 Boris Johnson announced 46m extra funding for research into developing a coronavirus vaccine, saying he hopes one would be ready to use in around a year Facebook shut its London offices over coronavirus after an employee tested positive Two teenagers were arrested over an attack on a Singaporean man in London, during which they allegedly shouted I dont want your coronavirus in my country At least 3,400 people have died across the world after being infected with Covid-19, figures showed on Friday. The US saw its death toll rise to 15, after another person who had tested positive for the virus died in Washington bringing the total number of fatalities in the state up to 12. Donald Trump has signed an $8.3bn (6.4bn) emergency funding bill to combat the disease - but also claimed erroneously that its spread had been "stopped" and that cases were "very few because we have been very strong at the borders". Two people have now died in the UK who were both suffering from underlying health conditions, according to the health secretary. An elderly man died at Milton Keynes Hospital on Thursday after testing positive, it was announced on Friday evening. Meanwhile, Downing Street said it was accelerating work on the next phase of its response to the virus, saying it was upping efforts to delay its spread. The decision followed warnings from the chief medical officer that it is highly likely that the infection will spread in a significant way, according to a No 10 spokesperson. Multiple countries announced their first confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Friday, including Colombia, Togo and Serbia. The Vatican also revealed its first positive diagnosis, saying that a patient was being treated within its walls after attending a three-day conference nearby. Pope Francis who has cancelled several public events in recent weeks after suffering from a slight cold tested negative for coronavirus on Tuesday. The Netherlands reported its first death from the infection on Friday, after a 86-year-old man died at Rotterdam hospital. The growing number of cases and deaths in new countries came as the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged nations to make containing the deadly virus their top priority. The UN agency stressed that slowing down the epidemic allowed hospitals to prepare and saves lives, while warning that there was no evidence that spread would wane as the northern hemisphere gets warmer. It is a false hope to say yes it will just disappear in summertime, like influenza virus, the executive director of WHOs emergencies programme, Dr Mike Ryan, said. There is no evidence right now to suggest that that will happen. Some countries announced stricter measures to combat the virus spread, with France saying it would close schools in badly-hit areas for two weeks. The country counted more than 600 cases of coronavirus on Friday, jumping by 190 compared to the day before, according to the head of the public health service, Jerome Salomon. Meanwhile in Italy the worst-hit European country cases soared to 4,636 compared to 3,858 on Thursday. Its death toll rose by 49 to reach 197, according to the Civil Protection Agency. Chinas Hubei province, where the outbreak started, reported zero new cases over 24 hours for the first time during the outbreak, excluding its capital Wuhan, where the first cases of Covid-19 were reported last year. Companies also announced infections among their staff, with Facebook shutting its London office for deep-cleaning after an employee was diagnosed with the virus and British Airways saying two baggage handlers had tested positive. The UN also took action amid Covid-19s spread, saying that key meetings in the run-up to its climate summit in Glasgow would be cancelled. The number of cases rose to 164 in the UK on the same day that the PM announced extra funding to develop a vaccine to fight the infection, saying he hoped a vaccine could be developed in about a year. The announcement followed the UKs chief scientific adviser telling BBC Radio 4s Today that he did not believe one will be discovered in time for the current outbreak. It is not unreasonable to assume that we will end up with a vaccine and we may do so in a year or 18 months, Sir Patrick Vallance said, which is remarkable when you consider just a few years ago it would have taken 20 years to do that. The UK government has attempted to reassure the public that they will continue to have necessary food and other supplies amid shortage fears driven by Covid-19. George Eustice, the environment secretary, held talks with supermarket and trade body bosses over food supply contingencies on Friday and said he was reassured retailers were taking all the necessary steps to keep shelves well-stocked. Meanwhile in the UK, two teenagers were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a Singaporean student, allegedly shouting about coronavirus as they launched their attack. Additional reporting by agencies Seattle, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2020 -- Worldwide Market Reports recently released "Global Acoustic Saxophone Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2027" that centers around the latest developing trends and technologies in the Acoustic Saxophone Market having few Years of forecast period 2027 and considering Market status study from 2019 to 2027. The saxophone or sax is a conical instrument of the woodwind family, usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece like the clarinet. It was invented by Adolphe Sax in the mid-1840s. The saxophone is most commonly associated with popular music, big band music, and jazz, but it was originally intended as both an orchestral and military band instrument. Saxophone players are appropriately called saxophonists. Request a Sample Copy: https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/sample/2497 Scope of the Report: This report focuses on the Acoustic Saxophone in global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application. Acoustic Saxophone is mainly classified into the following types: Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone and Baritone Saxophone. It's mainly used for Professional Performance, Learning and Training and Individual Amateurs. At present, the major manufacturers of Acoustic Saxophone are Conn Selmer, Yamaha, Yanagisawa, KHS, Buffet Crampon, Cannonball, Sahduoo, etc. The top five of them is holding about 85.97% sales market share in 2016. Conn Selmer, Yamaha, Yanagisawa and KHS which have leading technology and market position, are well-known suppliers all around the world. Global giant manufactures headquarters mainly distributed in France, Japan, Taiwan, and USA. The manufacturers in France and Japan have a long history and unshakable status in this field. Manufacturers such as Conn Selmer have relative higher level of product's quality. As to Japan, Yamaha has become as a global le ader. Production Locations of these leading brands mainly distributed in China and Taiwan areas. On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Soprano Saxophone Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone Baritone Saxophone Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Conn Selmer Yamaha Yanagisawa KHS Buffet Crampon Cannonball Sahduoo Saxophone This report studies the global Acoustic Saxophone market, analyzes and researches the Acoustic Saxophone development status and forecast in North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.) Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Ask for Discount: https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/discount/2497 Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into Professional Performance Learning and Training Individual Amateurs Table of Contents 1.1 Acoustic Saxophone Introduction 1.2 Market Analysis by Type 1.2.1 Soprano Saxophone 1.2.2 Alto Saxophone 1.2.3 Tenor Saxophone 1.2.4 Baritone Saxophone 2 Manufacturers Profiles 3 Global Acoustic Saxophone Market Competition, by Manufacturer 4 Global Acoustic Saxophone Market Analysis by Regions 5 North America Acoustic Saxophone by Countries 6 Europe Acoustic Saxophone by Countries 7 Asia-Pacific Acoustic Saxophone by Countries 8 South America Acoustic Saxophone by Countries 9 Middle East and Africa Acoustic Saxophone by Countries 10 Global Acoustic Saxophone Market Segment by Type 11 Global Acoustic Saxophone Market Segment by Application 12 Acoustic Saxophone Market Forecast (2017-2022) 13 Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and Dealers 14 Research Findings and Conclusion Else place an Inquire before Purchase "Global Acoustic Saxophone Market Size, Status and Forecast 2027: https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/quiry/2497 If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want. About Worldwide Market Reports Worldwide Market Reports is your one-stop repository of detailed and in-depth market research reports compiled by an extensive list of publishers from across the globe. We offer reports across virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. The in-depth market analysis by some of the most vastly experienced analysts provide our diverse range of clients from across all industries with vital decision making insights to plan and align their market strategies in line with current market trends. Worldwide Market Research's well-researched inputs that encompass domains ranging from IT to healthcare enable our prized clients to capitalize upon key growth opportunities and shield against credible threats prevalent in the market in the current scenario and those expected in the near future. Mr. Shah Worldwide Market Reports Tel: +1 415 871 0703 Email:sales@worldwidemarketreports.com 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154, U.S Boris Johnson is preparing to tear up part of the Brexit deal as he sets out his red lines today for a trade agreement with the EU. The British prime minister has made it clear he will not be bound by the political declaration attached to the EU Withdrawal Agreement, which sets out ground rules for a trade deal. Downing Street sources said the rules of engagement agreed by Mr Johnson last year had been superseded by promises made in the Tory manifesto on which he was elected. Mr Johnson believes he is within his rights to go back on previous agreements covering areas including Northern Ireland, fishing rights and state aid. It puts him on a collision course with Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, who says the political declaration must be followed to the letter. The political declaration, originally requested by Theresa May, is a statement of intent from both sides setting out their broad aims for a trade deal. Mr Johnson signed up to it when the UK parliament passed the Withdrawal Agreement in January. However, No 10 pointed out Brussels had quietly dropped some commitments it made in the political declaration when it published its own negotiating mandate this week, proving the agreement was not binding. Among agreements to be ditched are the acceptance of a "level playing field" that was designed to yoke the UK to EU standards and regulations, an agreement to negotiate over fishing rights, and rules governing trade between Britain and Northern Ireland. "The prime minister's mandate was derived from the manifesto, published after the agreement of the political declaration and is clear about the government's intention, which is to get a Canada-style trade agreement and take back control of our borders, laws and money," a senior Tory source said. Earlier this month Mr Johnson said progress on agreements for financial services and personal data protection would be "a test of the constructive nature of the negotiating process". ( Daily Telegraph, London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Call 2 Worship February 27 Union Rescue Mission holds a groundbreaking ceremony for Angeles House on Feb. 28, at 11 a.m., at 13200 Avalon Blvd., in Los Angeles, said Rev. Andy Bales, CEO. The new bridge facility will provide housing for 86 families when completed. For details, call Kitty Davis-Walker at (213) 673-4585 or (213) 507-5562. ADVERTISEMENT First United Methodist Church of Compton has fish dinners available every Friday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., at 1025 S. Long Beach Blvd., in Compton, said Pastor Arnetha Inge. The United Methodist Men sponsors the event. A choice of catfish or red snapper is offered, along with side dishes, for a donation of $10. For information or pre-orders, call (310) 678-0875. Holman United Methodist Church plans the Heritage Festival on Feb. 29, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 3320 W. Adams Blvd., in Los Angeles, said Interim Pastor Paul A. Hill. For details on all events, call (323) 703-5868. Minority Health Institute, Inc. presents History of Blacks in Medicine Lecture & Luncheon on Feb. 29, at 1 p.m., at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Keck Auditorium, 1731 E. 120th St., in Los Angeles. Richard Allen Williams, M.D., will speak followed by a reception featuring the Raw Sugar Jazz Band. The donation is $25 in advance and $40 at the door. For tickets, visit https://sievent.com/e/a3e415. AME Community Lenten Caravan, hosted by eight AME churches, continues on March 4, at 7 p.m., at Price Chapel AME Church, 4000 W. Slauson Ave., in Los Angeles, said the Rev. Benjamin Holmes, host pastor. The Rev. Godfrey Patterson, pastor of Second AME Church, will preach. On March 18, Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church will host the service at 7 p.m., said Pastor Mary S. Minor. The Rev. Dr. Larry Campbell, pastor of First AME Pasadena, will deliver the sermon. PrayerCare America presents Heal Your Life on March 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Life Enrichment Ministries, 823 Manchester Ave., in Los Angeles, said Dr. Cheryl Y. Price, founder. Heal Your Life offers prayer to boost and correct our bodys natural healing systems, as well as education in natural healing modalities, self-care practices, and preventative health care. To learn more, email [email protected] ROCHESTER An Olmsted County Public Health Services official informed families and school administrators on Wednesday that there were confirmed cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, at Mayo High School. The letter to the school community, which was written by Disease Control Specialist Maggie Winkel, informed parents and guardians that their children were "considered to have had an exposure." However, it did not indicate how many confirmed cases there were at the school. The letter said The Minnesota Department of Health recommends children be tested for pertussis if they have a cough that lasts for seven days or more. Early symptoms of whooping cough may present themselves as similar to those of the common cold, such as a runny nose, possible low-grade fever, and a mild cough. The cough will develop after a week or two. "The cough occurs in bursts and may end with a high-pitched whooping sound and sometimes vomiting. Between bursts of coughing, the person appears well," Winkel said in the letter. ADVERTISEMENT Winkel also said in the letter that whooping cough can last four to six weeks and may result in pneumonia, especially in infants. The coughs are more common at night. There are two vaccines that can help prevent whooping cough. The Department of Health recommends people with the whooping cough stay home until they have "taken antibiotics for at least five full days and are no longer infectious to others." According to the Department of Health, there have been 10 confirmed or probable cases of whooping cough reported in Olmsted County and one case reported in Fillmore County in 2020 as of Feb. 14. There were a total of 44 cases throughout the state as of Feb. 14. Dublin, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Asia-Pacific Cross-Border B2C E-Commerce 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report found that Cross-border B2C E-Commerce is gaining popularity among consumers in Asia-Pacific. Over the past two years, the share of digital buyers making purchases from sellers in other countries increased from above 50% to three-quarters. The top drivers of international online purchases include better prices and product quality, as well as access to exclusive products and brands not available domestically. At the same time, long delivery times, high shipping costs and lack of payment options are cited among the main barriers to cross-border E-Commerce trade. China outpaces others in cross-border E-Commerce development The countries with the highest cross-border online penetration rates in Asia-Pacific are China and Australia. China is also the region's biggest E-Commerce exporter, thanks to the international popularity of China-based E-Commerce marketplaces such as AliExpress. Online shoppers from Indonesia, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand buy from China more than from any other country, according to a 2019 survey cited in this report. Other popular destinations for cross-border online shopping by consumers in Asia-Pacific include Japan, South Korea, the USA and the EU. Key Topics Covered: 1. Management Summary 2. Global Developments Cross-Border B2C E-Commerce Sales Forecast, in USD billion, and in % of Total B2C E-Commerce Sales, 2023f Cross-Border Online Shopper Penetration, in % of Online Shoppers, August 2019 Cross-Border Online Shopper Penetration in Selected Countries, in % of Online Shoppers, By Total Cross-Border Shoppers And Daily/Weekly Cross-Border Shoppers, September 2019 Top 5 Exporting Markets in Cross-Border B2C E-Commerce by Share of Purchases, in %, September 2019 Breakdown of Actions Cross-Border Online Shoppers Would Take If Imports From China Would Be Taxed Higher with Additional EUR 10 per Item, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers, September 2019 Reasons for Buying Cross-Border, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers, September 2019 Top Reasons For Cross-Border Online Shopping Cart Abandonment, September 2019 Breakdown of the Latest Cross-Border Online Purchase by Value in EUR, and Weight, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers, September 2019 Breakdown of the Latest Cross-Border Online Purchase by Delivery Costs in EUR, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers, September 2019 Breakdown of the Latest Cross-Border Online Purchase by Delivery Time, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers, September 2019 Share of Cross-Border Online Shoppers Expecting Delivery Within 6 Days If They Paid For It, in %, April 2019 Selected Localization Features Preferred by Cross-Border Online Shoppers, % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers, July 2019 Breakdown of E-Commerce Websites Purchased From In Latest Cross-Border Online Purchase, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers, September 2019 Top 10 Shopping Apps by Downloads, incl. Cross-Border E-Commerce Apps, by Total Downloads, App Store Downloads, and Google Play Downloads, January 2020 3. Asia-Pacific 3.1. Regional Cross-Border Online Shopper Penetration, in % of Online Shoppers, January 2019 Share of Online Shoppers in Asia-Pacific Who Had Cancelled a Purchase When Finding Out The Retailer Was Not Based In Their Country, in %, by Australia, China, Hong Kong, and South Korea, January 2019 Breakdown of Online Purchases by International and Local, in % of Online Shoppers in Asia-Pacific, by Australia, China, Hong Kong, and South Korea, 3 Months to January 2019 Top 3 Countries Purchased From in the Latest Cross-Border Online Purchase, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in Australia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and New Zealand, 2019 Share of E-Commerce Companies Selling Internationally, in %, by Australia, China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, January 2019 Top 10 Mobile Shopping Apps in Southeast Asia, incl. Domestic and International, by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, Q1 2019 Overview of the Cross-Border Offering of Lazada in Southeast Asia, incl. Cross-Border GMV Growth, 2018 vs. 2016, Top 5 Cross-Border Seller Locations, Top 3 Cross-Border Import Categories, March 2019 3.2. China Cross-Border B2C E-Commerce Market Overview and Trends, February 2020 Cross-Border E-Commerce Sales, in CNY trillion, and Breakdown by B2B and B2C, in %, 2013 - 2018 Cross-Border E-Commerce Sales, in CNY trillion, and Breakdown by Exports and Imports, in %, 2013 - 2018 Cross-Border Retail E-Commerce Imports, in CNY billion, and Year-on-Year Change, in %, Q2 2017 - Q2 2019 Cross-Border Online Shoppers in China, in millions, and Year-on-Year Change, in %, 2017 - 2020f Breakdown of Cross-Border E-Commerce Imports by Product Categories, in %, Q1 2019 E-Commerce Imports of FMCG, in CNY billion, and Share of Total E-Commerce Sales of FMCG, in %, 2016 - H1 2019 Share of Consumers in China Who Buy Premium Products From Offline Stores Opened by Cross-Border E-Commerce Companies, in %, Compared to Global Average, 2018 Reasons to Experience Offline Stores of Cross-Border E-Commerce Platforms, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in China, 2019 Factors Most Important to Cross-Border Online Shoppers, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in China, Q1 2019 Criteria For Choosing a Cross-Border E-Commerce Website, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in China, Q1 2019 Breakdown of Cross-Border Retail E-Commerce Imports, by Platform, in %, Q3 2019 Share of Post-90s Generation Among Import Consumers on Tmall, in %, July 2019 Average Delivery Time From Tmall Global Fulfilment Warehouses, by Warehouse Location, in Days, July 2019 Cross-Border Retail E-Commerce Exports, in CNY billion, and Year-on-Year Change, in %, 2013 - 2018 Breakdown of Cross-Border E-Commerce Exports by Product Categories, in %, 2018 Breakdown of Cross-Border E-Commerce Exports by Destination Countries, in %, 2018 Cross-Border Retail E-Commerce Exports, in USD billion, and Year-on-Year Change, in %, 2014 - 2021f Overview of AliExpress, incl. Annualized Paid GMV, Number of Active Customers, Number of countries and Regions Covered, Top 10 Destination Countries by GMV, Number of Local Payment Channels, and Number of Languages Supported by Real-Time Translation, August 2019 3.3. Japan Cross-Border Online Shopper Penetration, in % of Online Shoppers in Japan, August 2019 Cross-Border B2C E-Commerce Imports from China and the USA to Japan, in JPY billion, 2018e - 2022f Cross-Border B2C E-Commerce Exports from Japan to China and the USA, in JPY billion, 2018e - 2022f Share of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in Japan Who Made Their Most Recent Cross-Border Purchase From Amazon, in %, September 2019 3.4. South Korea Cross-Border E-Commerce Imports, in KRW billion, 2017 - 2019 Cross-Border E-Commerce Imports, by Product Category, in KRW billion, and Year-on-Year Change, in %, 2017 - 2019 Breakdown of Cross-Border E-Commerce Imports, by Region/Country of Origin, in %, Q3 2018 & Q3 2019 Cross-Border E-Commerce Exports, in KRW billion, 2017 - 2019 Cross-Border E-Commerce Exports, by Product Category, in KRW billion, and Year-on-Year Change, in %, 2017 - 2019 Breakdown of Cross-Border E-Commerce Exports, by Region/Country of Destination, in %, Q3 2018 & Q3 2019 3.5. India Cross-Border Online Shopper Penetration, in % of Online Shoppers in India, August 2019 Top 3 Countries Purchased From in the Most Recent Cross-Border Online Purchase, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in India, September 2019 Reasons for Choosing to Shop Cross-Border Over Domestic Online Shopping, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in India, April 2019 Top Factors Important to Shoppers When Purchasing Cross-Border, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in India, January 2019 Overview of Amazon Global Selling Program in India, incl. Launch Date, Annualized Exports, 2019 & 2023f, Number of Exporters, 2016 & 2019, and Number of Products Offered, 2016 & 2019 3.6. Australia Cross-Border Online Shopper Penetration, in % of Online Shoppers in Australia, by Total Cross-Border Online Shoppers and Daily/Weekly Cross-Border Online Shoppers, September 2019 Breakdown of E-Commerce Spending by Consumers in Australia by Seller Location (Domestic and International), by Product Category, in %, December 2019 Top 3 Product Categories Purchased in Latest Cross-Border Online Purchase, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in Australia, 2018 Top 3 Websites Purchased From in Latest Cross-Border Online Purchase, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in Australia, 2018 Top 5 Reasons For Cross-Border Online Shopping Cart Abandonment, September 2019 3.7. New Zealand B2C E-Commerce Sales, by Domestic and Cross-Border, in NZD billion, 2017 & 2018 Top 3 Countries Purchased From in the Most Recent Cross-Border Online Purchase, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in New Zealand, September 2019 Top 3 Websites Purchased From in Latest Cross-Border Online Purchase, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in New Zealand, 2018 3.8. Indonesia Reasons for Choosing to Shop Cross-Border Over Domestic Online Shopping, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in Indonesia, April 2019 Share of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in Indonesia Who Purchased Cross-Border Due to The Product/Brand Not Being Available Domestically, in %, September 2019 Top 3 Countries Purchased From in the Most Recent Cross-Border Online Purchase, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in Indonesia, September 2019 3.9. Vietnam Cross-Border Online Shopper Penetration, in % of Online Shoppers in Vietnam, 2018 Share of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in Vietnam Who Purchased Directly And Via An Intermediary, in %, 2018 3.10. Singapore Share of E-Commerce Merchants in Singapore Selling Cross-Border, in %, and Cross-Border Share of E-Commerce Sales of Merchants Selling Internationally, in %, August 2019 3.11. Malaysia Cross-Border Online Shopper Penetration, in % of Online Shoppers in Malaysia, 2018 Top 10 Countries Purchased From in Cross-Border Online Shopping, in % of Cross-Border Online Shoppers in Malaysia, 2018 For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4ykkdb Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Evan Vucci / Associated Press WASHINGTON President Trump declared Wednesday that the U.S. is very, very ready for whatever the coronavirus threat brings, and he put his vice president in charge of overseeing the nations response. Trump sought to minimize fears of the virus spreading widely across the U.S. But he said he was ready to spend whatevers appropriate, even if that meant the extra billions of dollars that Democrats have said is necessary to beef up the U.S. response. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York unveiled an $8.5 billion coronavirus proposal. Trump had told Congress earlier this week that the government needed to spend $2.5 billion to fight the virus. AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) (the "Company"), a leading provider of high-quality single-family homes for rent, today announced that the Board of Trustees declared a dividend of $0.05 per share on the Company's common shares for the first quarter of 2020. The distribution will be payable in cash on March 31, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 13, 2020. The Board of Trustees also declared a per share quarterly distribution on the Company's cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred shares of $0.40625 per share on the 6.5% Series D shares, $0.39688 per share on the 6.35% Series E shares, $0.36719 per share on the 5.875% Series F shares, $0.36719 per share on the 5.875% Series G shares and $0.39063 per share on the 6.25% Series H shares payable in cash on March 31, 2020 to shareholders of record on March 13, 2020. About American Homes 4 Rent American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is fast becoming a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high-quality, good value and tenant satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of December 31, 2019, we owned 52,552 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states. Additional information about American Homes 4 Rent is available on our website at www.americanhomes4rent.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that relate to beliefs, expectations or intentions and similar statements concerning matters that are not of historical fact and are generally accompanied by words such as "believe," "expect," "will," "intend," "anticipate" or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements include the payment and anticipated timing of the payment of distributions of the Company's common and preferred shares. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the Company's management considers these expectations to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control and could adversely affect our cash flows and ability to pay distributions. Additional information about these and other important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform to actual results or changes in expectations, except as required by applicable law. Contact: American Homes 4 Rent Investor Relations Phone: (855) 794-2447 Email: [email protected] SOURCE American Homes 4 Rent Related Links https://www.americanhomes4rent.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Imanuddin Razak (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 15:00 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066f6e85 1 Opinion military-reserve-component,Indonesian-Army,#commentary,military,minimum-essential-force,defense-ministry,Indonesian-Military,TNI,defense-budget,weaponry-modernization,military-modernization,military-service Free While it remains unclear whether the arms procurement to fulfill the Minimum Essential Force (MEF) military modernization program will continue as planned, the Defense Ministry is introducing a mass-based national defense system to ensure the country can match its neighbors. Defense Ministry Director General of Defense Potential Bondan Tiara Sofyan announced last week the government would recruit young people as military reservists sometime in the middle of this year. The recruitment will implement Law No. 23/2019 on the management of national resources for state defense. Enacted last September, the law stipulates that the military reserve is a voluntary service that can be mobilized to help the Indonesian Military (TNI) deal with armed threats. The ministry is now seeking potential candidates aged 18 and above to enroll in the program. It is expected about 25,000 reservists will be gradually recruited. The new scheme has received a lukewarm welcome particularly from military observers and human rights activists, who have expressed concerns about potential abuse of the military reserve component as a tool to suppress civil society groups. They also fear the criminalization of reservists who decline to answer the call to military service. Such opposition makes sense given the lack of clarity behind the introduction of the new defense scheme. Perhaps the government, in this case the Defense Ministry, could explain the urgency for implementing the 2019 law, particularly the establishment of the military reserve component. There seems to be no indication of an armed threat, particularly from external forces, that requires immediate recruitment of military reservists to support the TNI as the guardian of the state against external threats. As the ministry emphasizes the need to strengthen the TNI, it would be reasonable to assume that the threats are real and imminent. It could be concluded too that the number of TNI personnel is not sufficient to meet their responsibility to protect the vast archipelago and its people. There are few exact figures on the number of TNI personnel, but it has been estimated that there are some 400,000 active servicemen and women within the three TNI services the Army, Air Force and Navy. There are no official or standard guidelines on the ideal posture of a countrys military either. Yahya Muhaimin, a senior military observer, who served as education minister under then president Abdurrahman Wahid, has set the ideal number of military personnel at 1 percent of a countrys population. Based on Yahyas ratio, the country falls short of 2.2 million soldiers. When it comes to the defense budget, it is an open secret that 40 percent of the money goes on payroll, 30 percent on operational expenditure and the remaining 30 percent on arms procurement, military/defense facilities and infrastructure, and maintenance. If the country intends to increase the number of service personnel by 2.2 million, the state budget allocated for defense may not be enough to ensure the well-being of those personnel, let alone to modernize the TNIs primary weaponry systems and the three services day-to-day operations. This is perhaps the reason why the Defense Ministry has proposed the formation of the military reserve component, which may not sap the defense budget because the reservists will only be called up when the state needs them. On normal days it would be business-as-usual and after the end of their service the reservists could return to their workplaces as participation in the reserve will not affect employment rights as stipulated in the 2019 law. The establishment of a reserve component has only reinforced demand for the government to build a professional military institution through the modernization of the national defense system and improvement of personnel welfare. The MEF military modernization program is inevitable if Indonesia wants to possess a strong military with an effective deterrent, in particular because future warfare will rely much more on high tech defense equipment. The MEF was introduced in 2010 by President Joko Jokowi Widodos predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and will end in 2024, the final year of Jokowis second term. Included in the shopping list are the latest generation of jet fighters for the Air Force, the ongoing joint production and development of submarines with South Korea for the Navy, as well as infantry, artillery and armored weapons procurement for the Army. Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has gone on an international roadshow to a number of European countries in the past few weeks meeting European governments, particularly their defense ministers, and defense companies apparently discussing possible defense cooperation and procurement. It remains to be seen whether the ministers series of European visits produces a recommended shopping list for the countrys weaponry-modernization program. Or is the establishment of the military reserve component an alternative to the stalled or delayed weapons procurement? The government needs to answer these questions, otherwise doubts, indeed suspicions, will continue to linger. The government also needs to provide clarity about the sustainability of the much-anticipated MEF program. 27.02.2020 LISTEN The Member of Parliament for Sagnarigu Constituency in the Northern Region, A.B.A Fuseini has asked the President, HE. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to render a detailed account of his administrations fight against illegal mining to Ghanaians. However, he tasked the president to give a financial account of how much he spent on his failed fight against galamsey. The law-maker accused the President of sweet-talking Ghanaians into believing his resoluteness in ending illegal mining. President Akufo-Addo should tell us the amount of money he got from the missing excavators because he has deceived Ghanaians big time in an attempt to fight galamsey, A.B.A Fuseini told Kwaku Dawuro on Pae Mu Ka on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7 The president should account for Ghanaians how much went into his failed fight against illegal mining and should also as a matter of urgency and a responsible punish the culprits who were involved in the missing excavators' scandal. A.B.A Fuseini revealed that the national campaign against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey was coy to enrich members of the ruling party. He believes the scandal surrounding the missing of about 500 excavators from illegal miners has exposed the presidents nakedness. Hundreds of the missing excavators have miraculously found their way to the collection centre. Police CID had begun investigations into the matter, but even before they conclude investigations into the bizarre disappearance, over 300 excavators have mysteriously found their way into the yard of the collating centre at Madina in Accra. ---KingdomfmOnline An RFA blogger held in Vietnam for more than a year is set to go on trial on Feb. 28, but his lawyers will not attend, citing fears that both members of the defense team may not be allowed to enter the court, the lawyers say. Speaking to RFAs Vietnamese Service on Thursday, Dang Dinh Manha lawyer representing blogger Truong Duy Nhatsaid he has now formally asked the court in Hanoi to postpone the trial because the second member of his team was never summoned to attend. Ngo Anh Tuan, my colleague in representing Truong Duy Nhat, and I have discussed how to defend our client at every stage of these proceedings. So now if I attend the trial alone, we will not be able to follow our plans as we had hoped, Dang said. Therefore, I have requested that the trial be postponed. It will be wrong if the trial goes ahead against our clients wishes, Dang said, adding that he has not yet received a response to his request to put the trial on hold. Also speaking to RFA, attorney Ngo Anh Tuan said he had never received an official notice setting a date for Truongs trial and requiring him to be present. For this reason, I will not come to the court tomorrow, because they can now refuse to allow me in, he said. If we are not present in court, the trial cannot take place unless Truong Duy Nhat agrees that it can go ahead without his lawyers being present, and I am sure that he wont agree to this, he said. But if the trial is postponed, the court can announce a new date and they can then send us the authorizing documents. Truong Duy Nhat, a weekly contributor to RFAs Vietnamese Service, disappeared in Bangkok in late January 2019 amid fears he had been seized by Vietnamese agents, and two months later was revealed to be under arrest in Hanoi. Kidnapped in Thailand Nhat, who had earlier been jailed in Vietnam from 2013 to 2015 for his writings criticizing Vietnams government, was charged by police investigators in July 2019 with abusing his position in a case involving the sale of public land at an eventual loss to the state of over VND $13 billion. The new charge was filed after investigators failed to find sufficient evidence to convict him on an earlier charge of illegally acquiring property, his wife and a family friend told RFA in an earlier report. Truong Duy Nhat had already been charged with a serious crime, but now he is being prosecuted for another crime for which he could be sentenced to from 10 to 15 years in jail, attorney Ngo Anh Tuan said. Speaking to RFA, Truongs daughter Truong Thuc Doan, now living in Canada, said she agrees with her fathers lawyers decision not to take part in the trial set for Friday. I believe that my father will ask that the trial be postponed, as both his lawyers wont be allowed to be present. If the trial goes ahead anyway, this will be a violation of the law, she said. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Huynh Le. Written in English by Richard Finney. BOSTON, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Business Development & Marketing Transformation (BDMT) Global, the international division of TribalVision Worldwide, announced today an exclusive partnership with We The People (WTP), the world's only multichannel crowdfunding retail chain and a Global Crowdfunding Product Accelerator. In an effort to support the crowdfunding community and FCBC, Suzy Im, the Head of BDMT Global speaks at FCBC Go Global , the world's first virtual crowdfunding expo on Saturday, February 29. As a renowned business developer, Im will share the importance of a solid growth strategy before launching a crowdfunding campaign and what building blocks of global expansion a company with global ambitions needs in place to succeed. The event will feature insights from the invited crowdfunded CEOs of the brands that have gone global: Hyper CEO and Founder ($10M on Kickstarter), Gadget Flow CEO of the platform with 28M+ monthly hits, and CEO and Founder of ThinkBoard, an early FCBC participant. We The People logo Under the joint partnership, BDMT Global & WTP plan to provide comprehensive brand setup and launch services, such as: Foundational custom strategic advisory for new brand setup including and beyond crowdfunding, detailing a coherent and comprehensive growth strategy and plan Crowdfunding campaign promotion - online and via Livefunding (WTP proprietory store-based prototype promotion to potential backers, simultaneous with the online campaign) (WTP proprietory store-based prototype promotion to potential backers, simultaneous with the online campaign) Business development outreach and global marketing during and after campaign completion to launch you in the U.S. When the product is ready, WTP provides specialty retail stores to sell in, where each product and its story is showcased in a way that it's never lost among hundreds of SKUs from big brands. "In order to position your company for long-term success, you must start with a well-thought-out business growth plan and sales strategy," said Suzy Im, SVP of TribalVision Worldwide & Founder of BDMT Global. "It is best to start strategizing before funding so that you can take advantage of your crowdfunding campaign as a stepping stone towards global brand awareness. For about the same investment you will have to put into marketing your campaign, you can get that plus much more from working with WTP+BDMT team." BDMT Global, headquartered in Boston, expands entrepreneurs' network of partnerships, creates strong industry references in the U.S. market, generates distribution channels, and maximizes sales efforts to help entrepreneurs expand globally. "Creators are in need of business support along with a way to link up around the world," says Jay Kang, CEO of WTP. "We are excited to provide exclusive comprehensive growth opportunities and support for creators to connect globally!" WTP recently announced the grand opening of its Silicon Valley store at the Westfield Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara on March 5th. WTP plans to showcase launched and prototype products from crowdfunding campaigns around the world along with the Livefunding effort to provide a tangible "touch-and-feel" opportunity for potential backers at their store. The FCBC Go Global Expo is on February 29, from 3:30pm - 11:00pm PST. Visit https://wtpstore.co/ and register at https://fcbc.co/events/goglobal/ . ABOUT BDMT GLOBAL & TRIBALVISION WORLDWIDE Business Development & Marketing Transformation (BDMT) Global, an international division of TribalVision Worldwide (an Inc.5000 company), is an outsourced growth & marketing implementation team offering strategic go-to-market, business development that combines the digital growth skillset from TribalVision as the parent company to help international entrepreneurs and companies trying to break into the U.S. market. Visit https://BDMTGlobal.com , https://TribalVision.com Contact: Hannah Ebanks 8572040743 [email protected] SOURCE BDMT Global One by one, more and more countries are reporting cases of the new coronavirus. Governments and doctors on the front lines are scrambling for solutions and everyday life around the globe is being disrupted in a manner thats not been seen in recent times. The global count of those sickened by the virus hovered around 82,000, with 433 new cases reported Thursday in China and another 505 in South Korea, where the military called off joint drills planned with American troops. Irans caseload surged by more than 100 cases. The spread of the virus is having an impact all round the world. Here are some of the latest developments: HUNTING FOR PATIENT ZERO From California to Italy and beyond, more cases are popping up with no clear origin. These are people who did not travel abroad, or were not linked to another known case. Health authorities in all these places are working hard to find the original source, or "patient zero," using what's called contact tracing, or finding all the people the patients were in contact with them. In a highly mobile world, that's increasingly difficult. STAY AWAY, FOREIGN PILGRIMS Saudi Arabia has responded to the fears by banning foreign pilgrims from visiting Islams holiest shrines. That will change the face of this years annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, and disrupt plans for millions of faithful from around the world who come to the kingdom to pray together. The decision illustrates how tense the situation is across the Gulf region and the wider Middle East as a whole largely as a result of the spike in deaths and infections in Iran. Iran has now seen more virus deaths than anywhere except China, where it first emerged at the end of 2019. LOOSENING SOME IMPORT RULES In Iran, the front line of Middle East infections, officials loosened rules barring the import of many foreign-made items to allow in sanitizers, face masks and other necessities, and removed overhead handles on Tehrans subways to eliminate another source of germs. JAPAN SKIPS SCHOOL Japan, too, is increasingly worried, and made a decision Thursday that's sure to have its 12.8 million schoolchildren secretly celebrating. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he wants all elementary, middle and high schools nationwide to remain closed until spring holidays in late March. Japan now has more than 900 cases, including hundreds from a quarantined cruise ship. France, Germany, Monaco and other countries near Italy are telling parents to keep their kids home from school if they've been anywhere near the growing number of zones worldwide hit by virus outbreaks. One reason for the school warnings: growing concern about the rise in the number of untraceable cases of the virus. BEEFING UP BORDERS Germany has a new way of trying to retroactively track down everyone who may have been exposed to an infected person. Its introducing new landing cards for people arriving from countries most hit by the virus. Thats among measures around the world by authorities trying to keep the virus from spreading in their own countries. Pakistan halted flights to and from neighboring Iran. Prague suspended flights from South Korea. Cyprus is adding more police and health workers at crossing points between the internationally recognized state in the south and a self-declared Turkish Cypriot state in the north. But EU officials insisted that the virus doesnt stop at borders, saying that if a case is identified at the border, its probably too late and the spread is likely anyway. Peru put specialists on round-the-clock shifts at its biggest airport, Argentina took the temperature of some new arrivals and El Salvador added bans for travelers from Italy and South Korea. TRUMPS INTERVENTION U.S. President Donald Trump is under fire for the government's response to the crisis he's voiced his unhappiness at how concerns over the virus' spread has hit the stock market hard. But given how acute the concerns are, Trump has sought to defend his administration's record as the number of cases in the U.S. are expected to pick up. He has put Vice President Mike Pence in charge of coordinating the efforts. But that hasn't made everyone happy, nor has it calmed the mood. Health officials stressed that schools, businesses and individuals need to get ready. CHINAS GROWING CONFIDENCE Now that there are more cases being reported outside China than inside, Chinese authorities are eager to shed the virus stigma and questions about its early handling of the epidemic. President Xi Jinping said Thursday: We have the confidence, the ability and the certainty to win this war against the epidemic. And famed Chinese respiratory disease specialist Zhong Nanshan predicted Chinas outbreak should be basically under control by the end of April. He credited strong measures taken by the government and the work of medical workers for helping curb the spread. FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES A man originally from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the global outbreak, who contracted the virus was charged alongside his wife in Singapore for allegedly lying about their whereabouts as officials tried to stem further infections. In Colombia, which has yet to report any cases, officials reminded residents they could be jailed for up to eight years if they violate containment measures. And in South Korea, the National Assembly passed a law strengthening the punishment for those violating self-isolation, more than tripling the fine and adding the possibility of a year in prison. Dateline: United Kingdom A woman played her violin while surgeons removed a brain tumor from her skull. According to CNN, doctors instructed violinist Dagmar Turner to play her instrument during brain surgery to ensure that they didn't affect her ability to play music. Turner was suffering from a brain tumor located in her right frontal lobenear areas of the brain that are responsible for coordinating delicate movements in the left hand. A team of medical experts mapped out Turner's brain before the surgery to find out which areas were active while she played the violin. According to surgeons, some spots of the tumor were separated from crucial brain areas by only the width of a credit card, creating a potentially risky situation. But surgeons were able to successfully remove more than 90 percent of the tumor, and Turner was allowed to leave the hospital after only three days. Neurosurgeon Keyoumars Ashkan reportedly came up with the idea of having Turner play during surgery to monitor her status. We perform around 400 resections (tumor removals) each year, which often involves rousing patients to carry out language tests, but this was the first time I've had a patient play an instrument, he wrote in a press release. Turner told reporters that she hopes to be fully recovered soon and plans to return to playing violin with the Wight Symphony Orchestra. Dateline: Kentucky Two newlywed police officers recently had to cut their chicken dinner short to stop a robbery in progress. According to NPR, Detective Chase McKeown and Officer Nicole McKeown of the Elizabethtown Police Department were enjoying a meal together at Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers in Louisville, Ky., on their night off. The couple has been married for six months. While sitting in a booth at the restaurant, the couple saw a man wearing a mask enter the building. Last week, at a news conference, Nicole told reporters that they knew there was a problem when the man approached the cashier. I saw her hands go up like this and I'm like, 'Is he doing what I think he's doing?' Nicole McKeown told reporters at a news conference last week. There was literally no question, said Chase McKeown. We just looked at each other: 'Is this what's going on? Let's go.' We just did what we felt like we had to do. Security camera footage from the restaurant shows the couple draw their firearms and circle around the center of the room before ordering the would-be robber to drop his weapon. He does so, and then runs out the door. The couple pursued the man and held him at gunpoint in a neighboring residents' yard. The man was arrested when Louisville Metro Police Department officers arrived. When asked if they would be returning to the restaurant, Nicole McKeown assured reporters that they would. I love Raising Cane's, she said. Dateline: California Residents of Santa Monica, Calif., were outraged to find that a pornographic film had been produced at one of their public libraries during regular business hours. According to CBS Los Angeles, the video was shot at the Ocean Park Library branch and uploaded to PornHub. The more-than-10-minute film features a woman exposing herself while walking on the streets of Santa Monicaeven committing a lewd act in front of an elementary schoolbefore entering the public library. There, she undresses and performs sexual acts while discussing her fear of being caught. It is unclear when the video was shot. In a statement, the city called the video deeply disturbing. Lewd acts in the public library are a violation of library rules and against the law, it said. Staff did not have knowledge of the incident when it took place. But repercussions for making the video appear to be unlikely. Committing a lewd act on public property is reportedly only a misdemeanor crime, and police officers are required to witness the act themselves before arrests can be made. Santa Monica police are investigating, however. The film has reportedly been removed from PornHub. Dateline: United Kingdom A former Irish drug dealer lost more than $59 million worth of bitcoin codes he hid in a fishing rod case. The Irish Times reports that Clifton Collins had collected around 55 million (more than $59 million) worth of bitcoin made from illicit drug sales. To hide the codes required to access the funds, he printed them out on a piece of paper in 2017 and hid it in the aluminium cap of a fishing rod case at his rented home. Soon after, police arrested Collins for drug possession. He was sentenced to five years in jail and subsequently never returned to his rented property. While he was incarcerated, his landlord had the house cleared and took Collins' belongings to the dumpincluding the fishing rod case. Workers at the dump told police they remembered seeing discarded fishing gear, but waste from the dump is shipped to Germany and China, where it's incinerated. Authorities were able to confiscate all 12 online accounts owned by Collins, but have so far been unable to access them. A number of witnessesincluding Collins' landlord and the people who helped him set up his bitcoin accounts corroborated Collins' story. Collins told police that losing the codes is his punishment for being stupid. Before becoming an illegal cannabis producer, he was a beekeeper. Authorities say they hope technological advancements will make it possible for them to access the money in the future. Former Nixon aide: Presidency under siege is bad for the nation Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Dems Vow To Impeach Trump Again Even If He Wins 2020 Election -- And They Could Succeed, reads a headline in the International Business Times. Donald Trumps legions of enemies are doing the nation no great service by laying siege to his presidency. I have worked in a White House under siege, and its not pretty for either side, and especially the country. In 1969, as Nixons aides were setting up the new administration, they could still remember the riot-fueled fires burning mere blocks from the White House just months before. In fact, inner cities across America were aflame. Nixons young team felt if they did not stop the assault, the nation would fall. Rarely has there been a better example of you had to have been there. The view from inside the White House is drastically different from that looking in. Studies show that people suffering the siege mentality see themselves as heroic victims, become paranoid, and share a distorted groupthink. The siege mentality in the Nixon White House resulted in actions that ultimately brought down the president, unwittingly by his own people. The belief surged through Nixons campaign organization and seeped into the White House that perhaps Fidel Castro was helping finance the campaign of Senator George McGovern, Nixons opponent in the 1972 presidential race. A team decided to break into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex and bug phones to confirm Castros alleged involvement. Ironically, just as the Democrats in the Trump era tried to prove Russian maneuvering for Trump in 2016, so, in 1972, some Republicans hoped to prove Castros collusion with McGovern. The would-be buggers were caught, and the Watergate scandal swept down on Washington and the nation. In the months that followed, Nixons enemies, rather than limiting their inquiry to objective investigation, determined to wipe Nixon off the map. As that effort expanded, the siege mentality intensified in the White House. Nixon tragically allowed himself to be drawn into discussions about how to cover up the scandal. He was, in the eyes of many, on the verge of impeachment, when on August 9, 1974, he resigned the presidency. Lyndon Johnson, Nixons predecessor, had also come under siege over the Vietnam War, and announced on March 31, 1968, that he would not seek a second term. In 2007, Thomas Lynch wrote in The New York Times about the pressures on Johnson in the summer of 1967. There was a distant, ugly war and a siege mentality in the White House. Lady Bird Johnson, the presidents wife, described the atmosphere as frustrated, unable to explain or control, but you never cease trying. Presidents are humans like all the rest of us and have their breaking points that a long siege can ultimately weaken, leading to disastrous consequences. Former Trump aides Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie looked at the problem of the siege against Trump in Trumps Enemies: How the Deep State Is Undermining the Presidency. The assault on the 45th president began immediately following Donald Trumps victory in the 2016 presidential campaign (when) Democrats concocted the absurd story of Russian spies and international plots as an excuse for Hillarys humiliating defeat. They tried to defeat (Trump) during the campaign, said Bossie. They tried to delegitimize him during the transition. And now they are trying to run him out of town through impeachment. Some sincerely believe Trump is a danger to America. The presidency is not exempt from criticism. This is a republic, not a tyranny under dear leader. But the Constitution stipulates how opposition is to be carried out in an orderly way. Truly objective journalism is vital for the nation, but agenda-driven media worsen the paranoia of the siege mentality. Objective investigation and oversight are constitutional duties of Congress but hijacking constitutional processes to meet the demands of the oppositions agenda is an attempt at a coup. The reason the siege strategy puts the nation in jeopardy is revealed in the outcomes, which can be seen in the 4 Rs: Reactionism: People under siege often react in extreme ways, imperiling those they lead Restraints breaking down: The longer a siege is in place, and the worse it gets, the more those under siege cast of all restraints to break the siege Reality muddled: Reality is distorted as paranoia and deprivation intensify under siege conditions Retaliation sought: When the besieged are at last set free, the passion for revenge is so strong that ongoing conflict spreads chaos throughout society Trumps enemies do the nation no service by laying siege to his presidency, but Trump does not serve the nations best interests by prodding his opponents. Both sides could learn a lot from the episode when young David had the opportunity to kill King Saul. The Bible says Saul had gone into a cave apparently to relieve himself. David, against whom Saul was laying siege, found him there, though Saul didnt see David. Rather than killing the man who wanted him dead, David sliced off the corner of Sauls kingly robe and later even regretted that. David said he would not touch Gods anointed. David, though besieged, had no passion to destroy his enemy. Now is the time to lift the siege against the Trump presidency, rein in the voices that stoke it, and apply the wisdom of David who refused to destroy King Saul when he had the golden opportunity. David understood that it would be much more than King Saul that would die in that cave Davids integrity before God and the ultimate well-being of the nation. That big-picture vision and wisdom are needed now to end the siege and the craziness it provokes. For the sake of the nation. TOLEDO, Ohio - Two state policies that stopped some refugees and children of immigrants from getting drivers licenses in Ohio have been struck down by a federal judge. The separate rulings will affect an estimated 4,000 people in Ohio, most of them teenagers who are U.S. citizens and were blocked from getting drivers licenses because of the immigration status of their parents, said civil rights groups behind the lawsuits. The organizations that challenged the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles policies said both were discriminatory because they denied licenses or state identification cards to people who are lawfully living in the U.S. U.S. District Court Judge Edmund Sargus in Columbus overturned the policies in rulings issued on Tuesday and last week. A spokesman for the Ohio Attorney Generals office said they are reviewing the decision. In one of the lawsuits, a group challenged the states denial of drivers licenses to teenagers, many of whom are citizens born in the U.S. The teens, their attorneys said, were rejected because of a policy that requires a parent or guardian to prove lawful immigration status so that they can cosign for their child. The case of a 15 1/2-year-old from Toledo was cited. He was denied a temporary drivers permit in 2017 because his mother only had a Mexican passport and identification card. He was denied again when he tried to have his mothers friend, who is a U.S. citizen, act as a cosigner. Being able to drive is fundamental to accessing many human rights like working, attending school, caring for family members and obtaining medical care, said Emily Brown, a lawyer with Advocates for Basic Legal Equality. Attorneys for the state had argued that the motor vehicles bureau has a legitimate reason in verifying the cosigners identity, saying divers licenses are a primary form of identification and that it has an interest in verifying the information. But the judge said the policy created a distinction between American citizens who are minors and targets only those minors whose parents lack lawful status. The other ruling overturned a policy that required refugees who came to the U.S. more than two years ago to prove they were now permanent residents before granting them licenses. The state said it was simply verifying that the plaintiffs are still authorized to stay in the U.S. and regulating drivers license to comply with the federal Real ID, a special license that requires documents proving citizenship. But the judge said the state was going above federal law and creating a new category determining whether a refugee is lawfully in the U.S. The state policy encroaches on the federal governments exclusive authority to make immigration classifications, Sargus wrote. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 21:47:51|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A protected Sumatran elephant (elephas maximus sumatranus) whose foot was caught on a deadly snare set up by poachers has been rescued by the Indonesian Natural Resources Agency, media reported Thursday. The elephant suffered from serious wounds when discovered in a deep forest of Aceh province's district of Bireun at the northern tip of Sumatra Island. Based on the information from villagers, the animal had got snared for about three weeks, head of the agency in the province Agus Arianto said. A deep cut was found at its left-front foot caused by the wires of the snare, according to him. To treat its wound, the elephant was rushed to the Training Center for Elephant in Saree village, Aceh Besar district, according to the agency. The Sumatran elephant is a sub-species of Asian elephant which is extremely rare with their number just over 2,000 based on the estimation in 2000. The mammals are found exclusively in Sumatra Island, but their population has severely shrunk as they have lost more than 80 percent of their habitat due to deforestation. We Must Hear from Bloomberg's 'Kill It' Victim NEWS PROVIDED BY Catholic League Feb. 27, 2020 NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 / Christian Newswire / -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue (photo) comments on Michael Bloomberg's treatment of female employees: In the South Carolina presidential debate, Senator Elizabeth Warren commented that when she was a special-education teacher she was happy not to have a boss like Michael Bloomberg. She recounted how he allegedly said to one of his pregnant employees, "Kill It!" Bloomberg denied the accusation. In 1997, Bloomberg was sued by Sekiko Sakai Garrison. He settled with the Japanese woman, but neither the amount nor any other information about the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) has been made public. Bloomberg must not be allowed to get away with this. Succumbing to public pressure, he said last week that he will release Garrison from the NDA. But neither he nor his company has reached out to her. Bloomberg should contact her immediately. In the Catholic Church, NDA's are not tolerated (they once were). While there are legitimate reasons for having NDA's, such as protecting the privacy rights of victims, those who are in public office, or are in pursuit of it, must be held to a higher standard. This is doubly true of presidential candidates. There are other reasons why Bloomberg must come clean. Last year a Bloomberg L.P. spokesman told ABC News that the company rarely settles disputes, preferring to take their case to the courts. What was different about this case? Why didn't Bloomberg take his chances in the courts? Why did he find it necessary to settle? Garrison's lawyer told ABC News that she may be willing to speak if the NDA were to be voided. Justice demands that this be done. Consider what we know already. According to Garrison's lawsuit, on April 11, 1995, at approximately 11:20 a.m., Bloomberg posed for a picture with two female workers and a group of students from New York University in the company snack area. He noticed Garrison standing nearby and struck up a conversation with her. "How's married life? You still married?" She said everything was going along just great, and that she was pregnant. Bloomberg responded, "Kill it!" Stunned, she asked him to repeat what he said. "Kill it!" He then muttered, "Great! Number 16!" He was expressing his unhappiness with the sixteen women who were out on maternity leave. Who is telling the truth? Bloomberg or Garrison? We can't be certain but it sure looks like she is. There are several reasons for drawing this conclusion. Garrison understood Bloomberg's remark as suggesting she abort her baby in order to keep her job. She was visibly upset with him and told several managers in the company what happened. In August 1995, four months after this incident, Garrison filed a complaint with the New York Division of Human Rights. According to ABC News, she spoke to "ten people within the firm, five of whom were managers." What did they do for her? According to her lawsuit, filed two years later, nothing. It's actually worse than nothing. "The managers told her to ignore the comment, forget it ever happened and not to act on her complaint. These managers reiterated threats of termination if plaintiff pressed the complaint." The day after the "Kill It" episode, Garrison went to work but was so distraught and ill that she had to leave. She called in sick the next day. She was subsequently fired. Some in the media are portraying this as a he said/she said type of dispute: Bloomberg says he never said "Kill It!" and she says he did. But this account is false. There is at least one witness. David Zielenzinger, a former Bloomberg technology worker, told the Washington Post he heard the conversation. "I remember she had been telling some of her girlfriends that she was pregnant. And Mike came out and I remember he said, 'Are you going to kill it?' And that stopped everything. And I couldn't believe it."Zielenzinger said this was vintage Bloomberg. "He talked kind of crudely about women all the time." Bloomberg learned from some employees that Garrison was upset with him after their exchange. His remarks are telling. [She made handwritten notes of the call, which were obtained by the Post.] Bloomberg called her at home and left a lengthy voice mail. He asked her to give him a call, saying he learned from another employee that "you were upset." He said that "whatever you heard wasn't what I said and whatever I said had nothing to do with pregnancies." Why, then, did Bloomberg apologize? Here is how he ended the call. "I apologize if there was something you heard but I didn't say it, didn't mean it, didn't say it." A spokesman for the company did not deny this account. Why would anyone apologize for something he never said? More important, why, if he never said it, would he say he "didn't mean it"? This indicates that he did say it, objecting only to her interpretation of what he meant when he advised her to "Kill It!" What should she have thought? That he was joking about his suggestion that she kill her baby? Did he think she would burst out laughing? What kind of man speaks this way? Bloomberg had a thing about Garrison. Did he see her as an easy mark? She was the only Japanese woman working in sales in the New York headquarters at the time. Here are some things he allegedly said about her before his infamous "Kill It!" remark. In front of male employees who knew her boyfriend, he asked her, "Are you still dating your boyfriend? You giving him good [he used a slang term for oral sex]?" On another occasion, after pointing toa newly-hired older female who was conversing with an overweight male salesperson, he asked Garrison, "If you had to, would you rather do THAT or THAT?" When Bloomberg spotted Garrison wearing an engagement ring, he said, "What, is the guy dumb and blind? What the hell is he marrying you for?" A week later, he said to her, "Still engaged? What, is he THAT GOOD in bed, or did your father pay him off to get rid of you?" Bloomberg once broke up a conversation between Garrison and a male employee at a business convention so he could make a crude comment about the male employee's girlfriend (she was also an employee).As she entered the elevator, he said, "That is one great piece of ass. You must be a great f***." On another occasion, when Bloomberg saw Garrison wearing a dress he didn't like, he told her, "Don't like the dress. Your ass looks huge in it." He made this comment to her on several occasions whenever she wore a new outfit. One day Bloomberg saw Garrison return from lunch with a Tiffany shopping bag. "You ARE a real Jap" he said. He was either referring to her Japanese heritage, or, more likely, commenting on her acting like a "Jewish American Princess." Either way he was denigrating her and making an ethnic slur. Bloomberg looks even more guilty when we consider that his contempt for pregnant workers is not confined to Garrison. Less than two years before his alleged "Kill it!" comment, Bloomberg learned that one of his employees, who had just given birth, was having a hard time finding a nanny. He yelled at her in front of a large group of employees. "It's a f*****g baby! All it does is eat and s***. It doesn't know the difference between you and anyone else!" Bloomberg then made a racist comment. "All you need is some black who doesn't even have to speak English to rescue it from a burning building!" The woman burst into tears in front of her co-workers. If the CEO speaks this way in front of his employees about pregnant women, it should come as no surprise that he toleratesindeed promotesan environment where sexual comments and behavior are not uncommon. This explains why Garrison's lawyer, Bonnie Josephs, said, "The atmosphere was toxic and harassing." It wasn't just Garrison whom he spoke to this way. In court filings, women employees of Bloomberg allege he said such things as, "I'd like to do that piece of meat"; "I would DO you in a second"; "I'd like to f*** that in a second"; "That's a great piece of ass." He did not hide his sexism. In September 1996, in front of employees and news reporters at a conference in Toronto, he allegedly said, "I would like nothing more in my life than to have Sharon Stone sit on my face." Bloomberg set the tone for his entire company. Garrison's immediate boss routinely displayed wind-up toys in the shapes of a penis and a vagina on his desk. He also placed them on her desk, and when she complained, he did it over and over again. This same man bragged to her about a male employee who performed oral sex on his secretary while she sat on his shoulders in their office. It is hardly a surprise to learn that when Bloomberg was mayor of New York City, his company continued to foster a morally corrupt workplace. In 2007, a lawsuit of discrimination against pregnant women and new mothers was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It was conveniently dismissed in 2011, but not before 67 women said they were prepared to join the case. Bloomberg, they said, took aim at women after they became pregnant and after they took maternity leave. Bloomberg's disdain for pregnant women is of a piece with his politics. His passion for abortion is so strong that as soon as he became mayor of New York City, he issued an executive order that forced medical students training to become an obstetrician or a gynecologist in a city hospital to learn how to abort a baby. "Kill it!" is something this man can't seem to get enough of. We need to see the NDA. If Bloomberg gets away with this, it will be a huge setback for the rights of all women, especially pregnant women and their babies. He should initiate the contact and she needs to go public with her account. Contact Jason Schechter, communications director for the Bloomberg campaign: jschechter12@bloomberg.net SOURCE Catholic League Related Links Poppy Award Given To Visit Tuolumne County View Photo Yosemite, CA Yosemite National Park, along with the Yosemite Gateway Counties (Tuolumne, Mono, Mariposa and Madera), received an inaugural award from the organization Visit California. At Visit Californias biennial Poppy Awards held in San Diego, the regional tourism leaders were honored with the Excellence in Destination Stewardship award. It was in recognition of a collaborative digital influencer campaign. The funding for it came via a grant from Yosemite National Park to encourage travelers to visit the region during off-peak days or season, use public transportation and to arrive early. We are extremely honored to collectively receive this award, stated Scott Gediman, Chief of Public & Legislative Affairs at Yosemite National Park. Our gateway partners have been instrumental in working closely with us in getting the message out about how to visit the park responsibly. Visit California CEO Caroline Beteta says, The Poppy Awards celebrate the best and brightest in California tourism promotion and inspire the industry to continue on a path of innovation and creativity. The event was held at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina and attended by around 800 tourism leaders. It was hosted by Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley and the host of Vision Californias California Dream Eater series, Chase Ramsey. CO 2 concentrations in the air continue to rise rapidly, and a rapid reduction in man-made emissions is becoming increasingly important. In order to assess the effectiveness of political measures, timely and reliable emission levels are needed. However, current methods are costly. The European Space Agency ESA is therefore working on the development of new satellites which will be able to determine CO 2 emissions in the future - with the help of Empa. Cities are veritable CO 2 spinners, but how much emission is actually emitted can hardly be reliably determined at present. Current estimates are based on statistics and activity data from transport, industry, heating and energy production. The evaluation of these data is complex and the results are only available with a long delay. Estimates are also uncertain, as precise figures are often not available and simplified assumptions must be made - for example, in the case of heating. Although the current network of ground stations is useful for tracking the increase in CO 2 in the atmosphere, it is not currently dense enough to provide reliable information on the emissions of individual countries or even individual cities. Researchers working on improved emission determination For this reason, the EU, together with ESA, is developing a system for monitoring CO 2 emissions. A key component of this is the CO 2 M satellite mission ("Copernicus Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring"): From 2025, the first CO 2 M satellites are to be sent into orbit to produce global maps of atmospheric CO 2 concentrations using spectroscopic measurements. This will make it possible to determine where and how much CO 2 is emitted by industrial plants, cities and countries. These measurements would reduce the current uncertainties in estimating CO 2 emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels. ESA relies on Empa's expertise to equip the satellites with the appropriate measurement technology. "We were able to give ESA various recommendations for equipping the satellites," says Gerrit Kuhlmann of Empa's Air Pollution / Environmental Technology department. The difficulty in determining CO 2 emissions is to distinguish between anthropogenic and biological signals. The respiration of vegetation causes strong fluctuations in the distribution of CO 2 . The satellite must therefore be able to separate these from man-made emissions. The idea: a combined measuring device that detects CO 2 , but also additionally nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). Because: "The combustion of coal, oil and gas produces not only CO 2 but also nitrogen oxides. However, these are not produced during the natural 'breathing' of the biosphere," says Kuhlmann. An additional NO 2 instrument should therefore be able to "filter out" anthropogenic CO 2 signals. Empa simulates satellite measurements In order to test this idea, Kuhlmann and his team simulated the distribution of CO 2 and NO 2 concentrations for the year 2015 with a spatial resolution not achieved before. The elaborate simulations were carried out on the fastest high-performance computer in Europe, the "Piz Daint" at the Swiss computer centre CSCS in Lugano. They were able to show that a combination of CO 2 and NO 2 measurements provides better and more reliable results than if only one CO 2 measuring device had been installed on the satellite. The cheeky male baboon who went on a rampage at a Sydney hospital after escaping with with his two 'wives' has finally had his vasectomy. The 15-year-old male baboon and his female accomplices escaped on Tuesday evening after a lock failed on the truck or crate transporting them at a Royal Prince Alfred Hospital research facility in Camperdown. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the 'Houdini' baboon had his planned vasectomy on Thursday morning. 'Baboon ''Houdini'' update: vasectomy has been completed this morning as planned. Procedure went well,' he wrote on Twitter. 'He is now sleeping/resting. His two female family members are relaxed and happy.' The 15-year-old male baboon (pictured) had a vasectomy on Thursday, two days after escaping a Sydney hospital Health Minister Brad Hazzard tweeted on Thursday that the male baboon has had the snip The baboons that escaped the Sydney Royal Prince Alfred Hospital are seen munching on carrots and a banana The baboons were contained by police and medical experts before handlers from Taronga Zoo tranquillised them. Mr Hazzard on Wednesday said the primates were doing well and resting after a 'big day out', and the male's vasectomy had been delayed until Thursday. The health minister on Thursday confirmed the vasectomy had been performed. 'Baboon 'Houdini' update: vasectomy has been completed this morning as planned. Procedure went well. He is now sleeping/resting. His two female family members are relaxed and happy,' Mr Hazzard said in a tweet. The baboons, which are involved in research on reproductive health, kidney disease and gestational diabetes, will be returned to their western Sydney colony after the male recovers. Mr Hazzard has rubbished claims the animals were being used for research into human-baboon hybrid organs to address the transplant crisis. Two of the three baboons who escaped the Sydney hospital are pictured eating carrots A group of baboons (pictured) escaped from a research facility at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown on Tuesday During the Tuesday's dramatic escape a woman told 2GB Radio that her daughter, who is an occupational therapist at Royal Prince Alfred, had helped to wrangle the baboons. She texted me, 'Mum, they were psychotic',' she said. Mr Hazzard said the baboons are used for medical research in the hospital. 'The research includes reproductive issues, kidney disease, gestational diabetes, a whole range of research areas and with the conclusion of the research they return to the colony in Western Sydney and they usually just live their lives out until old age,' he said. The incident has re-ignited concerns over animals used in experimentation. Residents of a Chinese city are being rewarded with payments worth up to 1,100 (10,000 yuan) if they report symptoms of coronavirus otherwise known as Covid-19 and then test positive. Health officials in Qianjiang, located 90 miles to the east of Wuhan, are stepping up efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which has so far infected 197 people in the city. In the wider Hubei province, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, more than 65,000 cases and 2,615 deaths have been confirmed by the World Health Organisation. A number of cities within the eastern region have begun offering cash rewards in an attempt to encourage members of the public to volunteer for medical checks. The Qianjiang task force handling the citys epidemic said residents would be entitled to the full 1,100 payment if a coronavirus diagnosis is confirmed. Those who have previously tested positive will not be eligible. Residents not immediately ruled out as suffering from the disease will be given 110 (1,000 yuan), while those declared to be suspected cases will earn 220 (2,000 yuan), Reuters reports. Outside of Qianjiang, which has a population of about one million people, the city of Huangguang and Wuhan district of Hanyang have also offered cash rewards to encourage people displaying symptoms to come forward, though payments have not been as high. Elsewhere in China, the southern technology hub of Shenzhen is moving to outlaw the consumption of dogs and cats, with authorities clamping down on the wildlife trade that some scientists suspect led to the coronavirus outbreak. The proposed regulations from the city government list nine meats that are permitted for consumption, including pork, chicken, beef and rabbit, as well as fish and seafood. Mainland China reported 433 new cases of coronavirus infections on 26 February, according to the National Health Commission, up from 406 on the previous day. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty The total number of confirmed cases in China has now reached 78,497. The number of new deaths stood at 29, the lowest daily rate since 28 January, and down from 52 the previous day. Chinese authorities are also turning their attention to potential sources of infection from abroad, with the number of new cases outside China now exceeding those domestically. More than 40 countries have reported infections. On Wednesday, cases were detected for the first time in Brazil, Pakistan, Norway, Greece, Romania and Algeria. Additional reporting by Reuters Police under fire for not filing FIRs, decision sought today. A security official stands in front of a burning shop following clashes over the new citizenship law, in Gokulpuri area of northeast Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI photo) New Delhi: In a strongly-worded message to the government both at the Centre and in Delhi to work together to combat the unrelenting violence that hit parts of the nations capital for the fourth consecutive day, the Delhi high court on Wednesday said it cannot let another 1984-like riot to happen in the country. The court also expressed anguish over the Delhi polices failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders on the CAA-linked violence, asking the police commissioner to take a conscious decision on it by Thursday. The court asked the special commissioner of police, who was present at the hearing, to forthwith convey its anguish to the commissioner and observed that the city had seen enough violence and it should not see another 1984-type anti-Sikh riots-like situation. We cant let another 1984 scenario happen in this city; not under the watch of this court, Justice S. Muralidhar observed, adding: We heard that one IB officer has been attacked. These things should be immediately looked into. The court was referring to the anti-Sikh riots that killed over 3,000 people in Delhi alone. A bench of Justices Muralidhar and Talwant Singh said when the police can register 11 FIRs in incidents like arson, looting and stone-pelting, why did it not show alacrity when it came to alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders Anurag Thakur (also a Union minister), MP Parvesh Verma and former Delhi minister Kapil Mishra. The bench said: Why are you not showing alacrity when it comes to registration of FIR in these cases?... We want peace to prevail. We do not want the city to witness another 1984 riots. This city has seen enough violence and anguish. Let it not repeat 1984. The courts comment came after it watched a video of Mr Mishra, who has a history of making hate-filled communal rants, make yet another incendiary speech in northeast Delhis Maujpur neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon, after which major violence erupted in the area. The court noted in its order that special commissioner Praveer Ranjan has assured he will sit with the police commissioner on Wednesday itself and view all video clips and take a conscious decision on the issue of lodging of FIRs and convey it to the court on Thursday. It made it clear it was not confining the proceedings to the video clips of these three BJP leaders, and the court will look into other clips as well. In a local court, the Delhi police said on Wednesday that prima facie no cognisable offence was found for lodging FIRs against Mr Thakur and Mr Verma for their alleged hate speech in relation to the anti-CAA protests at Shaheen Bagh. The submissions were made in an action taken report (ATR), filed before additional chief metropolitan magistrate Vishal Pahuja, who was hearing a complaint by CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat seeking FIRs against Mr Thakur and Mr Verma. The court, which reserved orders for March 2 on whether to direct the police to lodge FIRs, had on February 5 directed it to file an ATR. In the ATR filed Wednesday, the police said legal opinion had been sought in the matter and requested the court to grant more time to file the final report, court sources said. The report said the word gaddar (traitor), used in the rally by Mr Thakur, does not point to any particular section of society... Surmises and conjecture cannot be the basis for initiating any legal action. In the Delhi high court, the jam-packed courtroom saw heated arguments between solicitor-general Tushar Mehta and Delhi government standing counsel Rahul Mehra, on who would represent the police commissioner. Both Mr Mehra and Mr Mehta differed on the issue of registration of FIRs over the hate speeches. While Mr Mehta said the court should wait for the response of the authorities on lodging FIRs against the three BJP leaders, Mr Mehra said there was no reason not to do so and FIRs should be registered against everyone involved in the violence. Mr Mehta said he has spoken to the highest authority and any decision taken by the court now may aggravate the situation. Mr Mehra, however, felt that FIRs should be registered at this stage if a cognisable offence had been committed and later, if enough evidence is not found, the police can file a cancellation report. At least 27 people have been killed, including a Delhi police officer and an Intelligence Bureau officer, and about 200 people have been injured in the clashes, which began Sunday afternoon as groups for and against the controversial citizenship law clashed in Maujpur, where Mr Mishra was speaking. The court said the highest constitutional functionaries who move with Z-security should reach out to affected people to give them confidence that law was functioning. The court also urged Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia to visit the affected areas for confidence-building measures, and instructed the Delhi police to ensure safe passage for the injured to medical institutions with adequate facilities. The court appointed lawyer Zubeda Begum as amicus curae (friend of the court) to coordinate between the victims and agencies providing medical assistance and safe passage to riot victims. It directed that a helpline be set up for the victims and private ambulances be provided. It also directed the setting up of night shelters and community halls with basic facilities like blankets, medicine, food and sanitation for the victims. The court grilled Mr Mehta, who was appearing for the Delhi police, over Mr Mishras video and a plea, filed late Tuesday night, seeking lodging of FIRs and arrests of those involved in the violence. The plea referred to the BJP leaders video and held him responsible for inciting and orchestrating violence. Asked if he and the Delhi police had seen the video in question, Mr Mehta claimed he did not watch television. A senior police officer in the courtroom said he had seen speeches by Union minister Anurag Thakur and BJP MP Parvesh Verma both of whom have also repeatedly made hate-filled communal rants but not that by Mr Mishra. Justice Muralidhar remarked: I am really amazed at the state of affairs of the Delhi police and asked the court staff to play Kapil Mishras video clip in the courtroom. The speeches by Mr Mishra, Mr Thakur, Mr Verma and several other BJP leaders made during the campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections this month have been severely criticised by the Opposition and civil society for appearing to encourage violence against those protesting against the amended citizenship law. Mr Thakur was caught on video urging people to goli maaro (gun down) traitors shortly before lone gunmen opened fire at the anti-CAA protesters in Delhi. A patient in California has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus despite no known links to any outbreaks overseas. The case may be proof that the fatal illness has begun spreading within communities in the US, the CDC warned. The news came as President Trump held a White House press conference outlining his adminstration's response to the epidemic but downplaying how widespread he expects it to become. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the case Wednesday night but did not release any additional details. It takes the number of confirmed U.S. cases up to 61. All of the 60 other cases have had confirmed links to the disease - either traveling from abroad or being in close contact to those who had. Health officials have been on high alert for what they call community spread. Earlier U.S. cases included 14 in people who traveled back from outbreak areas in China, or their spouses; three people who were evacuated from the central China city of Wuhan; and 42 American passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship who were evacuated by the federal government to the U.S. from where the ship was docked in Japan. The CDC reported the case just hours after Trump gave a defiant speech on the liklihood of the virus reaching pandemic levels within the US. "This ends. This is going to end," the president said. "Hopefully sooner rather than later." He sharply broke with what top US health officials said on Tuesday when they said it is a matter of when the virus arrives in the United States. "No, I dont think it's inevitable. It probably will, It possibly will," he said. "This will end. ... Nothing's inevitable." Mr Trump described his administration as "very, very ready" to deal with the virus. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 13:11:36|Editor: yhy Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) on Thursday launched an online platform for investors to apply for importing production equipment, construction materials, and production inputs for their projects. The CDC will review all applications electronically by utilizing the National Single Window (NSW) platform, said a CDC's statement, adding that all investors can submit their import applications through their website. Speaking at the launching event, CDC's Secretary General Sok Chenda Sophea said some 101 companies had created accounts to use the platform, and 16 of them had already submitted their applications via the website. "I believe that this new platform will help investors to reduce time and unnecessary expenses," he told about 200 participants at the event. Many citizens argue that whether you are for or against vaccines, the state is still taking away your right to choose. But doesnt every law take away choice? The Equal Pay Act takes away the choice of an employer to determine a wage based on sex. While this takes away the employers choice to be sexist, it protects employees. While these Senate bills are taking away the right of parents to use religious exception to not vaccinate their child, these bills are protecting the right to a healthy life for those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons such as the 4-year-old who has leukemia, the newborn who attended her first church service or your neighbor who is expecting. CJ Rosenbaum will provide brand protection tools specifically developed to stop counterfeit sales on Amazon. CJ Rosenbaum will share inside information about brand protection on Amazon obtained through unauthorized interviews of Amazon's staff in India, working with thousands of online retailers and brands and other sources. Attendees at the New Orleans event will learn how to write warranties that provide legitimate and effective grounds to stop people and companies from stealing their brand's sales. CJ stated that "two huge goals will be addressed: Effectively preventing anyone from selling your products under the US First Sale Doctrine, and; How to get Amazon to pay attention to your intellectual property rights." In addition to CJ Rosenbaum's Brand Protection courses, Nicole Leinbach Reyhle, RetailMinded.com, is providing attendees with The Retail Lab where Amazon thought leaders will provide insight into making more money in the online retail industry. Click here for a video outlining CJ Rosenbaum's presentations. Rosenbaum Famularo, P.C., is a law firm based in Long Beach, New York that helps people and companies that sell products on Amazon.com and other Amazon websites around the world. The firm has staff in Long Beach, New York, and Shenzhen and Yiwu, China. The firm has published six books specifically focused on selling products and intellectual property rights on Amazon. [email protected] / 1-877-9-Seller SOURCE Rosenbaum Famularo, P.C. Related Links www.amazonsellerslawyer.com Story Highlights 53% satisfied with position of U.S. in the world today 60% think U.S. rates favorably in eyes of the world 37% of Americans think President Trump is respected by world leaders WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans are more satisfied with the position of the U.S. in the world today than they have been since February 2003. The eight-percentage-point increase in this measure since last year is owed mostly to Republicans, among whom 85% are satisfied, up from 74%. Independents' satisfaction edged up to 48% since 2019, and Democrats' satisfaction plateaued at 19%. Partisans have been consistently divided in their assessments of the United States' position in the world over the last 20 years, with Republicans and Democrats expressing high levels of satisfaction when their party occupies the White House. However, the current 66-point gap in Republicans' and Democrats' satisfaction levels is the largest recorded by Gallup. This measure, from a Feb. 3-16 Gallup poll, has been tracked each year since 2000. During that time, Americans' satisfaction with the position of the U.S. in the world has been as high as 71% in 2002, several months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and as low as 30% in 2008 , in President George W. Bush's final year in office when the U.S. remained mired in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the past year, the U.S. economy has been strong and President Donald Trump has made some strides in his dealings with other nations, most recently signing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. At the same time, he has also come under criticism for his dealings with China, Iran and Russia. Republicans Continue to Boost Overall Favorability of U.S. Global Image Gallup has simultaneously tracked a similar measure gauging Americans' view of how the U.S. rates in the eyes of the world. The latest 60% of the public who think the U.S. rates "very" (16%) or "somewhat" (44%) favorably on the global stage is the highest measured since a 61% reading in April 2003 but well below a post-9/11 favorability high of 79%. Favorability has been rising since the beginning of Trump's second year in office -- largely as a result of Republicans' heightened favorable views. Although the current overall favorability is similar to last year's 58%, the gap between Democrats and Republicans, at 50 points, is the highest recorded by Gallup. Most Americans Still Say Trump Isn't Respected by Foreign Leaders While majorities of Americans now have positive views of the United States' global image, that positivity does not extend to their impression of how the U.S. president is viewed by other world leaders. Currently, 37% say leaders of other countries around the world have respect for Trump and 61% say they do not. This year's reading is up six points from a year ago. Republicans (74%) are much more likely than independents (27%) and Democrats (6%) to think Trump is respected. The 68-point gap between Republicans and Democrats on this measure is not uncommon over the past two decades, though it is at the higher end. While the current overall 37% reading is a high for Trump, it is far from the highs recorded for his two most recent predecessors -- George W. Bush (75% in 2002) and Barack Obama (67% in 2009). Yet, it is quite similar to Americans' views of Bush at the same point in his presidency. A slim 51% of Americans, however, said Obama was respected by world leaders at a comparable point in his presidency. Comparison of Americans' Perceptions of Respect for U.S. President at Start of Fourth Year in Office Do you think leaders of other countries around the world have respect for the president, or do you think they don't have much respect for him? Respect him Don't have much respect % % Donald Trump, Feb 2020 37 61 Barack Obama, Feb 2012 51 44 George W. Bush, Feb 2004 39 57 GALLUP Bottom Line As Trump fights to stay in the White House and remain the leader of the free world, Americans are feeling more positive about the United States' global image than they have since 2003. The readings about global perceptions of the U.S. among all Americans are roughly in line with those in 2004 when Bush won a second term in office. Yet, Trump is also faced with the fact that 37% of Americans think he is respected by leaders from other countries. This data is similar to recent Gallup World Poll findings which showed that median approval of U.S. leadership among residents of 133 countries and areas was 31%. View complete question responses and trends. Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Tahir Hussain is under fire after allegations that he is involved in the killing of Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma. The 26-year-old IB officials body was pulled out of a drain on Wednesday in Chand Bagh area in Northeast Delhi, which has seen worst riots in the last two decades. The drain is close to Hussains house and Sharmas family has blamed him of leading the mob to kill the 26-year-old. Hussain is the councillor from Ward number 59, Nehru Vihar, which comes under Mustafabad assembly constituency in east Delhi and is about seven kilometres from Chand Bagh. He won the municipal election in 2017. The 42-year-old was the richest candidate in the ward in 2017 municipal elections as he had declared assets worth Rs 16 crore in the affidavit. Of the 13 affidavits analysed by Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), on average, the candidates from Nehru Vihar own Rs 1 crore in net assets. Hussain had further said in his affidavit that he is a businessman and there are no criminal cases against him. Also Watch | Delhi violence | Punish if guilty: AAP on leaders name in IB staffers murder The AAP leader has denied any involvement in the riots or Sharmas death. In a Facebook post on Thursday, he said that protesters had broken into his house on February 24, after which he contacted the police and they whisked him and his family away. The police then took control of the building. When i returned on February 25, the people in the area started raising slogans against me. The police then advised me to leave the area, and I have not ben to that house since then. I dont know who did what in that house, Hussain said in the post in Hindi. People in the neighbourhood have alleged that Hussain played an active role in the riots that engulfed the area since Sunday. Some unverified videos have gone viral on social media where a man appearing to be Hussain is seen with a stick in his hand, based on which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leader Kapil Mishra have upped the ante against AAP. The AAP leader had released a video earlier on Thursday in which he rejected allegations against him. These are lies and baseless accusations. For our safety, my family and I had moved away from our home on Monday in police presence, he said in the video which was released by AAPs social media head Ankit Lal. It is wrong to target me. I and my family have nothing to do with it, Hussain futher said in the video. Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the partys stand remains clear that strictest punishment must be taken against anyone associated with spreading violence and added that Hussain has given his statement on the matter. The violence in Northeast Delhi started after a face-off between pro- and anti-CAA protesters on Sunday and has caused at least 33 deaths, including a Delhi Police Head Constable and an IB staffer. A mother-of-five who self-medicated on heroin as a painkiller became addicted to the drug and had to undergo rehab treatment for nearly a year before beating the habit, a judge was told. Judge Gerard Griffin, in assessing personal injury damages for Megan Creighton (33), who was injured in a traffic accident, said her heroin addiction could not be laid at the door of the defendant. Devastated "Clearly it was not medically advised and there cannot be any damages allowed in that regard," Judge Griffin said. Ms Creighton, of Pinewood Green Lawn, Balbriggan, told Dublin Circuit Civil Court she had been devastated as a result of the neck and back injuries she suffered in a crash with a 40-tonne truck at Malahide Roundabout, Swords, in December 2016. She sued Roskell Transport Ltd, of Newcastle, Co Dublin, for damages of up to 60,000 for personal injuries. Ms Creighton told barrister Philip Fennell, for the defendant, that gel and anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by her doctor had not been helping. "I had got morphine-based tablets from a friend and later started using heroin," she said. Ms Creighton said that from the opiates she obtained from a friend she had progressed to heroin and became addicted to the drug and had to go "into treatment" for 11 months. She told the court she suffered pain to her neck and back as a result of the accident and at times was unable to lift her children. Her one-year-old had been in the back of her car, which had been dragged on to the roundabout after the truck had run an amber light. She remembered screaming and beeping her horn and alleged that a company representative had accepted liability at the scene. Afterwards, they would not answer her calls. Truck driver Jacej Gorchel said he had a green light and in his rear mirror had seen Ms Creighton's car drive towards him. He denied his lorry had dragged the car. Judge Griffin said the court had no doubt the trailer of the truck was in Ms Creighton's lane, and he found the transport company 100pc liable. From medical reports, he believed she had suffered minor injuries to her neck and shoulder and had back difficulties, and awarded her 8,000 damages with district court costs. TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) The Tippecanoe County coroner had identified three teenagers involved in a deadly Wednesday morning crash. Two boys were killed and another was taken to the hospital for surgery. The coroner said 17-year-old Dalton Kendall and 16-year-old Kyle Richardson were killed. Lt. Brian Lowe said detectives believe Kendall was the driver and Richardson was the front seat passenger. The third boy, 16-year-old Quinton Crabtree, is still in the hospital. All three were students at Harrison High School. Lt. Brian Lowe said Crabtree is stable, but critical, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. An online fundraiser to cover Crabtree's medical expenses had already raised more than $2,000 as of Thursday afternoon. The crash happened about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday near Lovetree Lane and County Road 100 North. Witnesses reported to police that a 2011 Nissan Altima was traveling fast before it left the road and hit a tree. When deputies arrived, Kendall and Richardson were found dead inside the car. Crabtree was outside and was rushed to the hospital. The crash was serious and the vehicle was split into three pieces. A reconstruction team said it was snowing, but the road was not icy at the time of the crash. Family has been notified. Kendall and Richardson's preliminary cause of death is multiple blunt force trauma due to motor vehicle accident. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected, according to police. The Tippecanoe School Corporation has provided extra support staff for Harrison students. Claire Danes definitely had one stylish night on the town. The actress, 40, rubbed shoulders with the fashion elite as she attended a party thrown in her honor by Town & Country Magazine on Wednesday night. Claire, who currently graces this month's cover of the magazine, was looking picture perfect in a chic black-and-white dress as she posed up with fashion designer Zac Posen inside the Sant Ambroeus West Village in New York City. Fashion elite! Claire Danes posed with her friend, designer Zac Posen, as she attended a Town & Country party thrown in her honor in New York City on Wednesday Even while standing beside the designer, Claire shone through as she showed off her own style prowess. There was no need for Claire to feel nervous around the designer, however, as the pair have been friends for many years, with Zac even interviewing her for this month's issue of Town & Country. Claire was looking fabulous that night rocking a strappy pair of black high heels whilst carrying a matching clutch. She wore her short blonde hair down in loose waves, and used a dash of makeup to compliment her radiant features. Claire's leading man! Hugh Dancy was looking suave in a dark suit with his hair slicked back Strike a pose: Danes was looking fabulous in her black-and-white dress as she posed alongside fashion designer Wes Gordon and You don't say? Danes was totally enthralled in conversation Elsewhere in the bash, Claire's husband Hugh Dancy was looking dapper in a sharp suit with slicked back hairstyle. Wednesday night's bash was all about Claire and the final season of her hit Showtime series, Homeland, which will be coming to an end this year after nearly a decade on television. Claire said the end of the long-time series won't really hit her for another six months, when she would ordinarily be filming a new season. Center of attention: Danes seemed to be loving the spotlight as she mingled with guests Night on the town: The Romeo & Juliet actress sat right next to her good friend over dinner 'I think it will really catch up with me in another six months, when I would have been returning to film the next season,' she explained to Zac during their interview. The pair also reflected fondly on the blue gown Zac designed for her for the 2016 Met Gala, where Claire was helped out in the bathroom by none other than Uma Thurman. 'You were a really good sport. That dress was heavy,' Zac remarked. 'I was careful not to imbibe any liquids, because the bathroom situation was not easy. I remember I went in there before it was too crowded, and Uma Thurman was in the bathroom and she helped me,' she said. The final season of Homeland will officially come to a close on April 26, 2020. Cover girl! Danes graces the March cover of Town & Country magazine F ears of a coronavirus pandemic hitting Britain grew today as a leading expert warned that the number of cases in Italy and other countries is far higher than reported and two new cases were confirmed in the UK. Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty announced that one person, understood to be a Londoner who recently returned from Italy, was being treated at the Royal Free Hospital in the capital. A second individual, who had been in Tenerife and is believed to be linked to a coronavirus-hit hotel in lockdown on the island, was being cared for at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. The cases take the total so far here to 15, including four who were repatriated from the Diamond Princess luxury liner in Japan. 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 The Italian authorities have sealed off about 12 towns in Lombardy and Veneto to try to contain the spread of the virus, with the number of cases officially put at 400 last night, an increase of 80 on the previous day, with 12 deaths. However, Professor Neil Ferguson, director of the Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College, London, said there were definitely thousands of cases in northern Italy. The great majority of cases for this virus we think have quite mild disease and they are not being detected, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. If there is an outbreak in the UK, people could be advised to minimise social contact, he added, but quarantining of whole towns or cities, as happened in China and Italy, is unlikely. Londoners wear Coronavirus masks - In pictures 1 /61 Londoners wear Coronavirus masks - In pictures A man wearing a protective mask travels on the underground tube Reuters A woman wearing a protective face mask Jeremy Selwyn A man and woman wearing protective face masks on a bus PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A woman shopper wears a protective mask as she walks down an aisle in a supermarket in London AFP via Getty Images A man wearing a face mask waits to board an underground train on the Central Line at Bank station in London AP A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A woman wearing a protective face mask walking down Oxford Street in London PA A woman wearing a mask walks by the Emirates Stadium Action Images via Reuters A man is seen wearing a protective face mask at Waterloo station Reuters A woman wears a surgical mask as she walks through Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport Reuters A fan in the stands wears a mask during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridg PA A man wearing a protective face mask walking down Oxford Street PA Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A person wears a mask in a display of street style outside the BFC Show Space show in London PA Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A commuter on the tube wearing a face mask Jeremy Selwyn A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridge Getty Images People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A man wearing a face mask walks past an entrance sign for Bank underground train station AP The coronavirus outbreak will unlikely lead to a Tube ban PA People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A woman wearing a face mask on the London Underground. PA People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A pedestrian wears a face mask whilst walking along High Holborn PA A pedestrian wears a face mask whilst walking along High Holborn PA A man wears a mask as he takes a photograph in China Town AP A man in a hazmat suit and face mask cleans the Ritchie Street Health Centre, Islington PA A commuter at Euston wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter at Euston wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A man arrives at Euston Underground wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn St Pancras Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn Jeremy Selwyn Staff in suits at St Thomas's Hospital today Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A man wears a face mask as he stands near an electronic arrivals board at Terminal 4 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images A man wears a face mask as he walks along the Thames embankment AFP via Getty Images A woman wearing a protective face mask is seen on London Bridg Reuters As the Government sought to delay any major outbreak here until the summer when the NHS will be under less pressure: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned: There is every indication that the world will soon enter a pandemic phase of the coronavirus. He triggered an emergency response plan which aimed to ensure hospitals have enough medical supplies, personal protective equipment and staff. Chinese health officials said 14 per cent of patients discharged from hospital after recovering from the virus later tested positive again. "Plan But Dont Panic": What Can You Do To Prevent The Spread Of Coronavirus? London Mayor Sadiq Khan is to hold a high-level meeting to ensure the capitals readiness and resilience for further cases of coronavirus, including considering concerns over the risk of its spread on the Tube. One of Londons top private schools, Dulwich Prep London, became the latest to announce it was closing for a few days as a precautionary measure after two pupils returned from Italy feeling unwell. The FTSE-100 and other stock markets dropped sharply this morning as concerns grew over a pandemic, with trillions wiped off the value of shares globally in less than a week. Criminals are disguising themselves as World Health Organisation officials to steal money or sensitive information with phishing emails about the coronavirus threat, the WHO warned. Donald Trump put US vice president Mike Pence in charge of Americas coronavirus response, insisting the risk remained very low. Trump says US very, very ready to handle coronavirus as outbreak grows He defended his handling of the crisis after being criticised for earlier lashing out at the media, accusing it of trying to make the Caronavirus [sic] look as bad as possible. There have been 59 cases in the US, including 42 American passengers repatriated from the Diamond Princess. French President Emmanuel Macron visited a hospital in Paris that has been treating coronavirus patients. Two people have died from the virus in France, a 60-year-old French man and an 80-year-old Chinese tourist. Officials in Germany were racing to trace contacts of infected individuals after health minister Jens Spahn said: We are at the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic in Germany. So far there have been 21 confirmed cases. South Korea reported 505 new cases, taking the total to 1,766, with 13 deaths, with a large proportion of them linked to a religious cult in the southeastern city of Daegu. Irans state news agency said 22 people had died from coronavirus, with 141 cases confirmed, though this is believed to be a huge underestimate. China reported 433 new cases yesteday to take the total to 78,497, with 29 more killed and a death toll so far of 2,744 people. Professor Ferguson, a government adviser in his role on the Committee on New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats, suggested the case figures were under-reporting. Health officials in the UK are so concerned about the quarantine area in northern Italy that they have imposed similar advice to returning Britons as for the Hubei region at the centre of the outbreak in China to self-isolate for 14 days even if they do not have symptoms. Whats been clear is that there has been transmission in Italy ongoing and not detected for at least three weeks and probably more like a month, said Professor Ferguson. Behind each one of those deaths probably lies about a thousand cases. He added that the scale of the disease meant it could not be contained by chasing cases, isolating them, but that large scale community measures, as happened in China, Hong Kong and Singapore, could reduce transmission. Containment measures could buy time to push an outbreaks peak into the summer rather than the spring or the autumn. The vast majority of people recover from coronavirus. HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Destination Pet today announced that Bryan Mooney will join the company as Senior Vice President. Mooney will assume the role effective immediately, reporting to Shane Kelly, Global CEO. As part of his role, Mooney will lead the integration of new assets into the Destination Pet family as well as leading the vendor relations process of the veterinary and pet care services company. Mooney has more than twenty-five years of leadership experience, most recently serving as Director of Administration for the State of Idaho Governor's Cabinet. Before joining the Governor's Cabinet, Mooney was the Vice President of Operations for AmerisourceBergen Animal Health Division, the leading animal health distributor globally. Prior to his two decades at MWI Veterinary Supply Company, Mooney was with Stuart Pharmaceuticals. "Bryan Mooney is a highly regarded leader with significant experience in the animal health industry," said Shane Kelly, Global CEO of Destination Pet. "He comes to us with a long track record of success, and his experience and leadership will help us with our aggressive growth plans, serving our customers and business partners, while expanding our footprint." The company has also rounded out its board of directors, adding Rolf Classon, former CEO and Chairman, Executive Committee of Bayer HealthCare. The board of directors also includes Meghan FitzGerald, who is Chairman of the Board; Shane Kelly, Global CEO of Destination Pet; Jonathan Muir, Chief Executive Officer of L1 Holdings and L1 Investment Holdings; and Ivan Zhivago, Investment Partner of L1 Health and Chair of the Investment Committee of Destination Pet. About Destination Pet Founded in 2017, Destination Pet is a leading pet health care and services company operating in 14 states across the United States. Focused on the complete well-being of the pet, the company takes an integrated approach to delivering high quality pet care and a convenient and streamlined customer experience for pet parents. With convenient access points to extending services including veterinary medicine, overnight and day care, grooming, and training, Destination Pet has built a comprehensive integrated offering and serves as a partner of choice for pet owners, veterinarians, and animal care specialists. Backed by more than a century of combined experience, Destination Pet is led by a world-class management team with a legacy of innovation in the pet care and services industry. For more information, please visit destinationpet.com. SOURCE Destination Pet Related Links www.destinationpet.com 02/27/2020 Photo (c) Sinenkiy - Getty Images Not to one-up Jennifer Garner, but when you pull out a branded credit card to pay for something, do you give it a second thought as to just how many points or miles youll get in return? Or is your branded plastic of choice simply one you chose because it came with some attention-grabbing sign-up come-on like a 30,000 mile bonus? Or, like many travel vets, did you simply bottom-line it by joining the loyalty rewards program of the airline you fly the most? Breaking everything down from the point/mile to blackout dates for rewards travel is a gargantuan hassle. Fortunately, WalletHub has just released its 2020 Best Frequent Flyer Program, which ranks the 10 largest domestic airlines based on 23 key metrics. The scorecard Best frequent flyer program: Delta SkyMiles, which picked up its fifth straight honor from WalletHub. The best return on investment: WalletHubs calculator showed Alaska Airlines had the most rewards value, at $20.23 per $100 spent. Hawaiian Airlines comes in second, with $16.20 per $100 spent. Best airline credit cards: That nod goes to Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Lufthansa Credit Card. Manage your expectations If what WalletHub discovered is an indicator of what airlines will be amping up rewards-wise in 2020, then its all good for the consumer. The survey found that four of the 10 largest airlines are tempting travelers with more rewards in 2020 than in 2019 by an average of 14 percent. What is a mile worth? Lets just say that youve got to spend a lot to get anything substantial back -- unless youre just saving for a toaster. At as little as a penny per mile, dream vacations are likely to cost an even prettier penny in making that happen. Its also a subjective judgement. When determining the value I get per mile for premium cabin awards, I base it on what I would have otherwise been willing to pay for a flight, and not the actual retail cost, is how OneMileAtATimes Ben Schlappig looks at it. In other words, a roundtrip ticket in Cathay Pacific first class might cost $30,000 if paying in cash (unless youre booking from Vietnam to North America, in which case its $800), when in reality Id maybe be willing to pay $3,000 for it. Therefore the value Im getting out of my miles is based on the $3,000 number, rather than the $30,000 number. Mileage value In Bens point-crunching, Alaska Airlines came out on top, just like it did in the WalletHub survey and how it often does on the best-of airline studies at ConsumerAffairs. Heres Bens top 20 as far as the per cent/mile value consumers will get from airline-branded credit cards: Rank Program Value 1 Alaska Mileage Plan 1.8 cents/mile 2 Korean Air SkyPass 1.5 cents/mile 3 Aegean Miles+Bonus 1.4 cents/mile 4 Air Canada Aeroplan 1.4 cents/mile 5 American AAdvantage 1.4 cents/mile 6 Asiana Club 1.4 cents/mile 7 Avianca Lifemiles 1.4 cents/mile 8 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer 1.4 cents/mile 9 United MileagePlus 1.4 cents/mile 10 Air France-KLM Flying Blue 1.3 cents/mile 11 British Airways Executive Club 1.3 cents/Avios 12 Japan Airlines Mileage Bank 1.3 cents/mile 13 JetBlue True Blue 1.3 cents/point 14 Southwest Rapid Rewards 1.3 cents/point 15 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles 1.2 cents/mile 16 Delta Sky Miles 1.2 cents/mile 17 Etihad Guest 1.2 cents/mile 18 Lufthansa Miles & More 1.2 cents/mile 19 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club 1.2 cents/mile 20 Emirates Skywards 1.0 cents/mile Be flexible Each airline has its own built-in rules for how its awards program works. Some -- like United -- allow consumers to book travel as much as 11 months in advance. Others -- like Southwest -- are variable, but they do post those dates in advance. Because airlines use yield management to get their own best-bang, what a flight might cost in points three months out might be double what it wouldve been 10 months out. In some situations, as little as a few days separation can make a profound difference. Million-mile flier and ConsumerAffairs reader, Bill Rieke, shared with us a Delta Airlines awards chart where 21,000 rewards miles were required to fly from Cincinnati to Baton Rouge on March 17; but waiting until March 20 to fly out would require a near-double 41,000 miles. While it can be difficult (and probably more difficult than it should be) in some programs to redeem free flights, consumers willing to be flexible in the time of the reward flights will generally come out okay, confirmed Charles R. Taylor, Professor of Marketing at the Villanova School of Business. For elite flyers, the benefits of shorter check-in lines, free baggage, customer service hotlines, and occasional or frequent complimentary upgrades are very real. Sorry, but some homework might be required The simple truth is that to get the truest indicator of what credit cards will work best for your bucket list of perks, itll a little work on your end, so sharpen your pencil. Studies like these are great places to start and, for some added balance, ConsumerAffairs has prepared a guide on the Best airline credit cards, a comparison of airline credit cards, and how to best maximize miles. David Cheeseman AN ARSONIST who firebombed a terraced house while an elderly man slept inside has been jailed for 18 years. David Cheeseman (32), of Central Drive, Rawmarsh, threw petrol bombs at the property on Belmont Street, Holmes, just after 2.30pm on June 8, 2018. He was sentenced to 14 years, with an extended licence period of four years, at Sheffield Crown Court last Friday. The house in Holmes which was firebombed by Cheeseman. Cheeseman was found guilty of arson with intent to endanger life at a four-day trial at the court last year. He was later found guilty, at a separate trial, of robbery and attempted robbery for stealing a car from a pregnant woman and trying to take a dog walkers vehicle the following day. LOS ANGELES -- It took several days to test a coronavirus patient in Northern California who might be the first to have contracted the disease through community exposure in the United States. The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County, according to the state Department of Public Health. UC Davis officials said the patient arrived at UC Davis Medical Center from another hospital Feb. 19. But the patient was not tested until Feb. 23. "Upon admission, our team asked public health officials if this case could be COVID-19. We requested COVID-19 testing by the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), since neither Sacramento County nor the California Department of Public Health is doing testing for coronavirus at this time. Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered. UC Davis Health does not control the testing process," the medical center said in a statement. On Feb. 23, the statement added, "the CDC ordered COVID-19 testing of the patient, and the patient was put on airborne precautions and strict contact precautions, because of our concerns about the patient's condition." The positive test results came back Wednesday, the medical center said. UC Davis said that "because of the precautions we have had in place since this patient's arrival, we believe there has been minimal potential for exposure here at UC Davis Medical Center." Still, the hospital has asked a "small number" of employees to stay home and monitor their temperature. "We are handling this in the same way we manage other diseases that require airborne precautions and monitoring," the statement said. Since Feb. 2, more than 8,400 returning travelers from China have entered California, according to the state health department. They have been advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and limit interactions with others as much as possible, officials said. It is not clear how the person became infected, but public health workers could not identify any contact with people who had traveled to China -- the epicenter of the outbreak -- or other areas where the virus is widespread. The case was reported out of Solano County, home to Travis Air Force Base, where some travelers from China have been quarantined. CDC officials have also warned that although the virus is likely to spread in U.S. communities, the flu still poses a greater risk. President Donald Trump on Wednesday named Vice President Mike Pence to coordinate the administration's response while asserting that "the risk to the American people remains very low." Public health officials who flanked Trump at a rare news conference in the White House briefing room were noticeably less upbeat, repeatedly warning that the deadly COVID-19 virus -- which has infected 60 Americans, including the newly confirmed case in California -- still could spread quickly in the U.S. "The trajectory we're looking at in coming weeks and months is very uncertain," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the CDC's principal deputy director. "We can expect to see more cases in the United States," said Alex Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Conservative women share personal experiences in countries with socialist policies Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A panel of women leaders at the Conservative Political Action Conference shared personal experiences with socialism abroad to denounce the idea of the economic system being advanced by the far-left in the United States. On Thursday morning, CPAC hosted a panel featuring Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Joni Ernst of Iowa, which was moderated by Townhall.com editor Katie Pavlich. During her comments, Ernst recalled her brush with a socialist country while a student at Iowa State University where she got the opportunity to go on an agricultural exchange trip to the Soviet Union. I lived on a collective farm where my family had no running water, they were farming with horses and wagons, explained Ernst. They had no refrigerator, they had no automobile, they shared one bicycle among all the family members. That was socialism, folks. Living in poverty. Ernst explained that when the whole community would come together during the evenings with the American students, they asked them what is it like to be an American? and what is it like to be free? They hungered for the opportunity and the freedoms that we have as a country, continued Ernst, stressing that socialism is not what we should be striving for. She added that if thats what were striving for as a United States, Im not going to have any of it in response to Democrats in Congress and presidential hopefuls who are attempting to advance socialism. Pavlich recalled a time when she went to the Peoples Republic of China a couple of years ago as part of a delegation of professional journalists. We went to a university to speak to translator students about America and they were allowed to ask questions and they asked about the First Amendment, a basic right that we have, recalled Pavlich. One of the young women, one of the students who asked a question was condemned after that for asking, because they ask a bunch of American journalists, we obviously defended the First Amendment and the right to speak out, and she was punished for that. Considered the largest annual gathering of conservatives in the United States, CPAC is being held at the Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center at National Harbor, Maryland, through Saturday. The theme of this years CPAC is America vs. Socialism, featuring several speakers and sessions centered on examining the ideology. Other prominent scheduled speakers include President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, and several members of Congress, among others. The CPAC focus on socialism comes as Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., an avowed Democratic Socialist, is gaining support in the Democratic presidential primary season. Sanders finished second in the Iowa Caucus, was declared the winner of the New Hampshire Primary, and won the Nevada Caucus. He has defended the idea of Democratic Socialism, comparing it to the New Deal reforms of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Roosevelt helped create a government that made transformative progress in protecting the needs of working families. Today, in the second decade of the 21st century, we must take up the unfinished business of the New Deal and carry it to completion, Sanders said in a speech last year. Now, we must take the next step forward and guarantee every man, woman and child in our country basic economic rights the right to quality health care, the right to as much education as one needs to succeed in our society, the right to a good job that pays a living wage, the right to affordable housing, the right to a secure retirement, and the right to live in a clean environment. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 16:05 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066fcd4c 1 Business pre-employment-card,Sri-Mulyani,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati,economy,coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus,Wuhan-coronavirus-in-Indonesia,outbreak Free The government will move up the distribution of the much-vaunted pre-employment cards to March in a bid to mitigate the adverse effects of the coronavirus outbreak on the countrys economy, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said. Rp 10 trillion [US$719.57 million] has been allocated for 2 million people to receive the pre-employment cards and to begin vocational training, said Sri Mulyani in Jakarta on Wednesday. The implementation was supposed to be mid-year but the President has said that it will now start in March. Through the pre-employment card program, President Joko Jokowi Widodo hopes to reduce the unemployment rate and teach new skills to Indonesias workforce to keep up with the ever-changing digital economy and combat job losses as a result of automation. Sri Mulyani said some 500,000 jobseekers would receive the card during the first stages of the programs implementation, during which the government would disburse Rp 2 trillion for training. The government is ready to conduct the program in order to boost economic growth in the first quarter, which will be [adversely] affected by the coronavirus, she said. The government has also prepared Rp 443 billion in incentives for airlines and travel agents to lure foreign visitors, providing 30 percent discounts for tickets to a number of destinations for three months. Furthermore, the government will also make Rp 3.3 trillion available for regional governments to compensate them for losses due to the governments decision to waive restaurant and hotel taxes for the next six months. As of Thursday, more than 80,000 confirmed novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases had been reported in at least 40 countries, including neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Australia. There have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases in Indonesia to date. (awa) MILWAUKEE The man who opened fire at the Molson Coors plant Wednesday, killing five co-workers and himself, had been involved in a long-running dispute with a co-worker that boiled over, according to law enforcement and brewery sources who spoke to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Anthony N. Ferrill, 51, had worked as an electrician for more than 20 years, about 17 of them at Molson Coors, according to multiple sources and online employment records. A co-worker who asked not to be identified for fear of being disciplined said that Ferrill believed he was being discriminated against because he was African-American and that he frequently argued with at least one of the victims, a fellow electrician. The co-worker said Ferrill often watched movies on his phone during the day, which the other electrician took issue with, and that the two accused each other of going into each others' offices and stealing tools or tampering with computer equipment. What we know: Hours before Molson Coors shooting, Wisconsin lawmakers said state's gun laws won't change About a year ago, the employee said, Ferrill started saying he believed brewery workers were coming into his home, bugging his computer and moving chairs around. "I was, are you serious, Anthony? What? We all kind of joked about it, saying we should maybe get him an aluminum hat. Things just started getting weird. But he was dead serious about it," the co-worker said. Investigators walk to a home believed to be that of the Molson Coors shooter in the 8200 block of West Potomac Avenue in Milwaukee on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. But another co-worker, Keith Giese, said Ferrill seemed fine when he saw him earlier this week. "I never had a clue. I talked to him a couple of days ago and he seemed fine to me," Giese said. "I had no idea that there was a problem, that somebody could snap like that." As word spread Thursday that Ferrill was the shooter, co-workers and neighbors echoed that surprise. "He was a very good electrician, a very good worker and I couldnt say anything bad about the guy," said Phillip Rauch Sr., who retired in April after working with Ferrill for 15 years. "Every time I worked with him, he was always in a good mood." Story continues Ferrill was a licensed industrial journeyman electrician and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Milwaukee. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1987 to 1991 and was honorably discharged, according to Rick Flowers of Milwaukee County Veterans Services. Anthony Ferrill Neighbors shocked Police continued to occupy Ferrills home Thursday; detectives and officers occasionally emerged with items. Police tape still surrounded the house, which has a play set in the backyard, as neighbors struggled to reconcile the helpful man they knew with the heinous act authorities say Ferrill committed. Neighbor Erna Roenspies said Ferrill sometimes helped her around the house, especially after her husband of 60 years died three years ago. She last saw Ferrill about a week ago when he came to help her with a faulty hot water heater. He was like my son, Roenspies said Thursday. He was a person who would help anyone in the neighborhood. This, its a shocker. I still dont believe it. She said Ferrill was a gun collector, putting them together in his home. He told her it was his hobby. I said, I hate guns. I dont want to see them,' she said. And she said she never did. Elizabeth LaPine has lived in the neighborhood for 11 years. She said she once saw what she believed to be a gun safe delivered to the home. I knew he was interested in guns, LaPine said. She said it was hard to believe Ferrill was the shooter. I would never believe it ... that he could do something like that, LaPine said. He didnt give me the impression that there was anything wrong. It didnt seem like there was anything different. Ferrill had a Doberman pinscher named Lucas, LaPine said. Like others who live in the neighborhood, LaPine said Ferrill looked out for his home and his neighbors. He had given me his phone number about a year ago, LaPine said. He said If you see anybody messing around the house or anything like that ... give me a call. Contributing: Ashley Luthern, Mark Johnson, Rory Linnane, Talis Shelbourne, Mary Spicuzza, Maria Perez, Raquel Rutledge, Ricardo Torres, Bruce Vielmetti and Cary Spivak of the Journal Sentinel; Nick Penzenstadler of USA TODAY This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Molson Coors shooter had long-running dispute with co-worker At last weeks annual PubWest conference, 225 publishing professionals from around the country focused on the trade shows central theme: Practical Solutions for Big Ideas. While there were no sessions dedicated exclusively to childrens programming, kids publishers and booksellers shared a number of ideas and solutions throughout the weekend. It was very enjoyable and a great learning experience, said PubWest executive director Kent Watson, who coordinated the program that ran from Feb. 2022 in Portland, Ore. We had a great amount of small- and medium-sized publishers this year. Fridays keynote, Ensuring a More Literate Future for All, focused on the critical role that childrens publishers, booksellers, librarians, and teachers play in giving children from all backgrounds a chance to experience the transformative power of reading and writing. We know that writing changes lives. The data tells us so and our experience working with young people tells us so, said Laura Brief, CEO of 826 National, a nonprofit that teaches creative writing to 80,000 students around the country. We also know that this tool is not equitably distributed across the United States, Brief said, urging the publishing professionals in the audience to fight for more diverse voices in the publishing industry and more programs to show all children how to wield the power of writing. I really look forward to the day when [former] 826 students are sitting in those seats and having a huge impact on the publishing industry themselves, she said. Literary Arts executive Andrew Proctor also joined the panel, sharing how his organization connected with a diverse community of young readers through the annual Portland Book Festival and a city-wide youth poetry slam. Literature is this broad range of storytelling, he said, outlining the wide variety of programming supported by the nonprofit. Now we have 1,400 kids come to our poetry slams and we host all kinds of storytelling events. He encouraged attendees to imagine how they could reach young readers beyond traditional publishing. We changed the idea about what our mission is, and it was like all this oxygen came blowing into a stuffy room, he said. The keynote also included passionate defenses of libraries, a common theme throughout the weekend. Libraries are truly embedded in their communities. They represent the people that live in those areas, said keynote moderator Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, who emphasized the role that libraries play in offering children books that reflect the diversity of their neighborhoods. Gonzalez is the project lead at the Panorama Project, an interdisciplinary effort to measure and explore the influence of more than 16,000 public libraries in the United States. Go to libraries in your region, because they are required to understand their communities, Gonzalez said. Thats an easy way to engage directly with providers in the community. If you claim you want to reach other audiences, start right there. At the "New Publishing Leaders and How They Can Change the Industry" panel discussion, graduates and current students in Portland State Universitys Book Publishing program shared ways publishers can reach more diverse audiences. For example, students from the Book Publishing program staff Ooligan Press, a nonprofit trade publisher. Each May, Ooligan partners with Literary Arts for the "Oregon Writers of Color Showcase." Writers of color can submit work in March, and 10 will be chosen by a committee of writers of color who serve as judges. Those 10 writers will read their work in front of Oregon publishers at the special event in May. Making Community Connections Every year, PubWest gives a scholarship so that one young publishing professional can attend the conference. This year, Leah Hernandez won the award for founding Young Authors Publishing, a childrens book publisher who helps share the stories of underrepresented children. The nonprofit offers young authors an eight-week Experience Program that helps participants write a childrens book, create a plan to publish their work, and learn some fundamentals of financial literacy. This is the first time that Ive actually been in the same room with other publishers and other people in the industry, which is invaluable, Hernandez said, as she explained her companys model. Eighty percent of our book royalties go to a savings account for each young author who is living in poverty or living in low-income communities. We are telling diverse stories from diverse audiences, and their stories need to be shared, she said. During the Connecting in Your Niche, panel on Saturday, a few publishers with childrens book offerings shared the themes that made them special, ranging from West Margins Alaskan folklore picture books to Hazy Dells monster-themed board books. Monsters are an ideal avatar, said Kyle Sullivan from Hazy Dell, explaining the logic behind his presss board books about legendary monsters like Chupacabra, Sasquatch, and Krampus. Theyre rough around the edges and they make mistakes. They are identifiable by anyone regardless of your gender, socioeconomic background, ethnic background, he said. West Margin publishing director Jennifer Newens shared her experience of branching out into a new niche with graphic novels. I have an editor who comes from comic book and graphic novel publishing, and shes really passionate about it. So I want to nourish her experience working for me and taking the lead on the graphic novel acquisitions. She has a knowledge base that can help teach us what are the best practices as we enter into this new genre, she said. Newens spoke about various niches explored in West Margins books for adults and children, broadening her advice with a general slide that offered guidelines to help childrens authors or publishers hoping to expand into a new niche: Be true to your mission statement Tap into the strengths of your team Explore the bookstore-look for price points, formats Analyze the audiencewho is your reader? Talk to agentsidentify best practices Talk to your distributoridentify best practices Look into awardsidentify whats getting the attention Tie it to an existing genre on your list Dont be a one-hit wonder Plan a strategy and be passionate about it The Power of Reader Engagement Much of PubWests programming encouraged real-world encounters with young readers at libraries, bookstores, schools, or other literary festivals. On Saturday, keynote speaker Charlotte Abbott told the audience that genuine reader engagement matters now more than ever. The founder of FutureProof Content Strategy, Abbott has worked on reader engagement projects with National Public Radio, Brooklyn Public Library, and NetGalley. Reader engagement makes for a better long-term investment in spending precious marketing dollars, she said, comparing real-world efforts to money spent hiring social media influencers on Instagram, YouTube, or chasing rented audiences on Amazon, Google or Facebook. According to Abbott, that kind of social media marketing carries unpredictable risks. Theres no guarantee that the audience who advertise today will be there tomorrow, she said. At the Book Festivals: A Practical Approach panel on Saturday, Liz Olufson, public programs coordinator at Literary Arts, offered advice for childrens programming at literary festivals. Olufson has helped program the Portland Book Festival, Portland Arts & Lectures, The Archive Project, and other events for Literary Arts. She shared one key strategy she learned over the years: letting any kid under 17 get in for free. This makes any literary event more accessible and fun for young readers. Also, having a dedicated YA stage is another way to keep kids excited. We recognize that this fan base is ravenous, dedicated, and so excited, Olufson said. We give them a place where they can go and just nerd out for their entire day. All PubWest conversations about childrens publishing eventually returned to the power of public libraries. In the Relationships with Libraries discussion, all the panelists agreed that publishers must nurture partnerships with librarians. Sno-Isle Libraries collection services assistant director Jessica Russell stressed importance of a librarians role as a literary guide for young patrons. Reader advisory can be lists, curated collections, and library displays, she said. Some of the most powerful reader advisories happen when a librarian is checking a book out to a customer and says, You love Six of Crows. Have you have you read this YA novel? Moderator Guy LeCharles Gonzalez added his own thoughts. Libraries are not only a major source of free marketing for books and publishers, he said. But they also remain an active nurturer and developer of both current and future readers. So having libraries is a key part of your relationships. Finally, the library panelists shared the joy of being able to connect young readers with a particular bookespecially when that book speaks to the diversity of the local community. We want diverse materials with good representation, said Russell, recalling how her young patrons were looking for books about the Houston rap scene. A lot of the kids were really interested and immersed in that, she said, And there were some small presses that have books that we were able to purchase and make available. That was incredibly exciting and fulfilling, to be able to hand those books to those kids. They felt seen and reflected, and their interest was uplifted. HONOLULUBail will remain at $5 million for a mother arrested in Hawaii over the disappearance of her two Idaho children, a judge ruled Wednesday. Lori Vallow wore an orange jumpsuit in court on the Hawaiian island of Kauai for a hearing on her request to reduce bail. After the judge denied the request, her defense attorney, Craig De Costa, said she is waiving an extradition hearing, which had been scheduled for March 2. She wants to expedite her return to Idaho, De Costa said. Kauai Prosecutor Justin Kollar said he will work with Idaho authorities on logistics for her departure. The judge set a March 4 status hearing to make sure she has been picked up. Kauai police arrested Vallow last week on an Idaho warrant. She has been charged with two felony counts of child abandonment. Seven-year-old Joshua JJ Vallow and 17-year-old Tylee Ryan have not been seen since September 2019. Their disappearance captured worldwide attention after authorities pleaded for help in finding them. Police in the city of Rexburg, Idaho, have said they strongly believe that Joshua and Tylees lives are in danger. Earlier this week, her Kauai defense attorneys filed a motion asking the judge to reconsider Vallows $5 million bail. On Wednesday, De Costa urged Judge Kathleen Watanabe to ignore the publicity, ignore the hype and set reasonable bail. Vallow, 46, is a flight risk, prosecutors said. Given the extensive media attention, she is clearly aware that the authorities have prioritized her case, prosecutors said. She also has the means to move across an ocean. Prosecutors noted that Vallows husband, Chad Daybell, had $152,000 in a First Hawaiian Bank account. Police also have said Vallow and Daybell have lied about the childrens whereabouts. Vallow, also known as Lori Daybell, is also accused of disobeying a court order that required her to bring her children to Idaho authorities last month. De Costa said she is fighting the order because it would allow authorities to take her children into foster care. The tangled case includes investigations into three deaths. Vallows estranged husband, Charles Vallow, was shot and killed in Phoenix last July by her brother, Alex Cox. Then Cox, who claimed the shooting was in self-defense, died of unknown causes in December. Vallow moved her family to Idaho in late August. In October, Chad Daybells wife, Tammy Daybell, died of what her obituary said was natural causes. When Daybell married Vallow roughly two weeks after Tammys death, law enforcement became suspicious and had her remains exhumed. Test results on Daybells remains and toxicology results for Cox have not yet been released. Rexburg police questioned Daybell and Vallow about the missing children in late November, and when detectives returned the next day for a follow-up interview the couple had left town. In December, Idaho authorities asked police on Kauai for help finding the couple. On Jan. 26, Kauai police served a search warrant on a vehicle and condo the couple were renting in the resort town of Princeville. The couples move to Kauai was pre-planned, De Costa said. Kollar said its concerning that it seemed to have been planned before Vallows husband died. Kauai police did not arrest Daybell and he doesnt face any charges. Daybell visited his wife Tuesday at the Kauai Community Correctional Center, said Toni Schwartz, a spokeswoman for the Hawaii Department of Public Safety. By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher By Jung Min-ho Seven Chinese students at Daegu University have returned home over the past week in fear of the new coronavirus from China. Hankook Ilbo, sister paper of The Korea Times, Thursday that two Chinese students left for home after briefly staying at the dormitory in Gyeongsan, a city near Daegu where hundreds of COVID-19 infections have been reported since last week. "The students' parents were uneasy about the situation here and asked them to come back," a Daegu University official said. "It's ironic that Chinese students leave (for China) in fear of the virus (from China)." This comes after five other Chinese students who recently came to Gyeongsan for the new semester returned home on Feb. 24 over the same concerns. Among 33 Chinese students who signed up for the dormitory, only one has checked into the facility, the official said. The COVID-19 virus, which emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December, had killed 13 people and infected nearly 1,600 in Korea as of Thursday morning. In mainland China, the death toll from the virus has surpassed 2,700, with more than 78,000 cases. Opalesque Industry Update - Summit Partners, a leading alternative investment firm, today announced the promotion of five professionals globally. Scott Ferguson and Sergio Mur were promoted to Principal; and Chris Bon, Olivia Ley and Jono Pagden were promoted to Vice President. "We are pleased to recognize the achievements of Scott, Sergio, Chris, Olivia and Jono with these well-deserved promotions," said Peter Chung, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Summit Partners. "These talented professionals have served our limited partners and our portfolio companies with distinction. We are proud of the positive impact they've made at Summit Partners and beyond." Scott Ferguson has been promoted to Principal. Scott joined Summit as an Associate in 2009, was promoted to Senior Associate in 2012 and returned to Summit as a Vice President in 2015. Scott is based in Summit's Menlo Park office and focuses primarily on the technology sector. His board and investment experience includes Calypso Technology, HelpSystems (acquired by H.I.G. Capital), MercuryGate, Perforce Software (acquired by Clearlake Capital), Teaching Strategies and Trintech. Prior to Summit, Scott worked for Piper Jaffray in the Technology Investment Banking Group. He holds a BS in finance from the University of Kansas and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Sergio Mur has been promoted to Principal. Sergio joined Summit's London office as a Vice President in 2016. He has been an active member of Summit's Peak Performance Group, leading engagements with numerous Summit portfolio companies including Advance Medical (acquired by Teladoc), Signavio, DentalPro (acquired by BC Partners), Syncron and Siteimprove. Prior to Summit, Sergio worked as a Vice President of European Operations at Cerberus Capital, in business development at Privalia (acquired by vente-privee.com), planning and analysis at TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX) and M&A at J.P. Morgan. Sergio holds a CEMS Master in international management from St. Gallen University in Switzerland and a Master in business management from ESADE Business School in Spain. Chris Bon has been promoted to Vice President. Chris joined Summit's London office as an Associate in 2016 and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2019. He is a member of the firm's Growth Products & Services team. His investment experience includes Normec, OnRobot, ProGlove and Sipartech (acquired by Blackstone). Prior to Summit, Chris worked in M&A advisory at J.P. Morgan. He holds a BCom in economics from the University of Toronto and an MSc in finance from HEC Paris. Olivia Ley has been promoted to Vice President. Olivia joined Summit's Menlo Park office as an Associate in 2017 and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2019. She is a member of the firm's Healthcare & Life Sciences team. Her portfolio experience includes Healthline Media (acquired by Red Ventures). Prior to Summit, Olivia worked at Castlight Health and The Advisory Board Company. She holds a BA in English literature from Princeton University. Jono Pagden has been promoted to Vice President. Jono joined Summit's London office as an Associate in 2016 and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2019. He is a member of the firm's Healthcare & Life Sciences team. Jono's investment experience includes Advance Medical (acquired by Teladoc) and zahneins (acquired by PAI Partners). Prior to Summit, Jono worked on the Retail/Healthcare and U.K. M&A teams at Goldman Sachs. He holds a Bachelor of Business Science, with honors, in accounting and finance from the University of Cape Town. Once again, Senator Lindsey Graham has sponsored the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Once again, on Tuesday, the measure failed, this time 53-44, with two Democrats supporting it, and two Republicans voting against it. As Graham put it, we vote on this every year. As the title suggests, the act would ban abortions after 20 weeks, once the fetus can feel pain. Right on cue, abortion supporters labeled the act outrageously restrictive, and the idea that children in the womb feel pain as scientifically disputed. That the measure failed is no surprise, but to call it outrageously restrictive ignores abortion laws across the rest of the world. Germany and France both restrict abortions at 14 weeks of gestation. Norway restricts at 12 weeks, as does Ireland. Even notoriously liberal Sweden restricts abortions at 18 weeks. In other words, the Pain-Capable Act, especially given the way we protect animals in our country, is quite reasonable. And if its reasonable, the other bill introduced Tuesday should be seen as downright obvious and humane. As Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana described from the Senate floor: the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act mandates that if a baby is born alive following a botched abortion, the doctor must protect that baby and give the same medical care that any other baby would receive. Then he added, Is that too much to ask for? Unfortunately, once again, it was; 41 senators, all of them Democrats, voted to block the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which was sponsored by Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse. Again, like the previous piece of legislation, the title accurately describes what the measure seeks to accomplish. Unlike many other pieces of legislation, the language of the measure is straightforward and easy to understand: If an abortion results in the live birth of an infant, the infant is a legal person for all purposes under the laws of the United States, and entitled to all the protections of such laws. Furthermore, Any health care practitioner present at the time the child is born alive shall ... exercise the same degree of professional skill, care, and diligence to preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would render to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. That this Act is considered controversial proves that the ideology of abortion has slipped any of the surly bonds of rationality. Given the straightforward clarity of the Born Alive Protection Acts title and substance, the language used by its opponents should be noted too. In an online article that practically celebrates the failure of these two bills, CNN called the Born Alive Protection Act an abortion restriction bill. Perhaps they received that talking point from Planned Parenthood, who claimed in their communication that the bill pushes misinformation meant to end access to abortion. But the bill says nothing at all about a womans access to abortion. In fact, it acknowledges the fact of abortion. It even assumes an abortion was attempted and does nothing to penalize or criminalize anyone seeking or anyone performing an abortion. All it does is confront the reality that babies sometimes survive abortion attempts. But the worst abuse of language award still goes to CNN, for this line from the article, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, would require abortion providers to work to preserve the life and health of a fetus that was born following an attempted abortion as they would for a newborn baby I am not making this up. CNN reporter Caroline Kelly literally referred to a fetus that is born and contrasted that with a newborn baby. All of this underscores something Chesterton said, If words arent worth fighting for, what on earth would be? Or even better, one attributed to Confucius, When words lose their meaning, people lose their lives. Simply put, Christians must engage this battle at the level of language. Words matter. Definitions matter. Truth matters. And human lives are at stake. Publication date: February 27, 2020 Photo courtesy: Rawpixels BreakPoint is a program of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. BreakPoint commentaries offer incisive content people can't find anywhere else; content that cuts through the fog of relativism and the news cycle with truth and compassion. Founded by Chuck Colson (1931 2012) in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on today's news and trends. Today, you can get it in written and a variety of audio formats: on the web, the radio, or your favorite podcast app on the go. John Stonestreet is President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and radio host of BreakPoint, a daily national radio program providing thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview. Al-Hind hospital, a small clinic with one ward and only fifteen beds, is open to the victims of riots in the Old Mustafabad region of northeast Delhi. Initially run as a small clinic, the hospital has now opened up another floor to accomodate victims. Al-Hind hospital, a small clinic with one ward and only fifteen beds, is open to the victims of riots in the Old Mustafabad region of northeast Delhi. Initially run as a small clinic, the hospital has now opened up another floor to accomodate victims. Run by MA Anwar, a local doctor from Mustafabad, the hospital has admitted over 500 patients within the first two days of riots breaking out in the northeastern districts of the National Capital. In the absence of beds, the hospital has arranged for carpets and plastic sheets for patients. Mustafabad is a Muslim dominated area surrounded by Hindu dominated areas on all sides such as Bhajanpura, Dayalpura and Gokulpuri. Since the riots broke out over three days ago, Anwar, who runs the hospital, says he has not slept. "I hadn't anticipated this kind of thing would happen here. I have been living here for the past ten years, and nothing communal has happened before. It's small hospital and we are ill-equipped to handle such a high casualty rate. I haven't slept in the past two days because I am constantly attending to patients," Anwar said. According to Anwar, 75 percent of the patients came with severe bullet and pellet injuries. The rest had suffered head injuries due to stone pelting in the area. *** Spread over a small area of just about 300 square yards, Al-Hind hospital has successfully offered first aid and immediate treatment to victims of the riots in an attempt to keep a check on casualties. According to reports, at least 34 people have died in the riots that continued unabated for over three days. "With our small setup, we are doing our best to control the situation. But it's not just the hospital the people in this area are also helping in whatever way they can," the chief doctor, who is overseeing the situation said. The doctors said that given the lack of equipment and other medical facilities, people got creative when it came to helping people. "When the hospital told us that they are not able to procure ORS for the patients (given the curfew), we used water and sugar and used it as an alternative syrup at home for the patients," a family member of an injured said. "They are doing their best, but we also have to help." Citizens are also pitching in by sending regular supply of food and tea to the hospital. The hospital administration is trying all sorts of jugaad for instance, the hospital exhausted its supply of gloves, but the administration recycled the used gloves by sanitising them in boiling water. At least, ten physicians from the area have joined in to help the hospital treat the overwhelming number of patients coming in. The hospital staff have, so far, pitched in with over 4 lakh rupees worth of facilities for the patients."We are not taking money from the patients. I and others have invested everything we had to save them," a staff at the hospital said and added that the religious identity of the patient was irrelevant. With severe injuries to his head, Abdul Mukeem, who is now stable, was admitted in Al-Hind. He said, "My small tailor shop in lane no. 8 had been burnt and I was attacked by a mob. I was not even protesting, I had gone to to buy grocery. After the attack, I passed out and was brought to the hospital by some young boys. I did not even have to worry about the cost of my treatment. They took care of it." *** Ambulances are not able to reach the hospital due to curfew in various areas. There is also the fear of being attacked. Anwar calls it an "administrative failure". Describing his ordeal, Anwar shared an audio clip of his conversation with a policeman when he dialled 100 for help during the riots. "Sir, there is a lot of commotion in the area, stone pelting is happening. We don't know when we might be attacked. Please help." The police officer can be heard saying, "Aag thodi lag rahi hai (There is no fire, right?)" to which Anwar responds by saying, "No, there is no fire but we are very afraid we might be attacked any minute." The policeman uses strong abusive language and says, "Jaisey kara hai tumney waisey bhukto. Abhi toh dekho beta kya hoga, azaadi milegi... (Face the consequences of your actions. Just wait and watch now... you'll be free...)." Anwar recalled another incident when a patient, who was declared brought dead at Al-Hind, was being taken to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital's mortuary. "With great difficulty we arranged for a cab. But on the way, a mob started running behind us with sticks, rods and swords. We somehow reached the mortuary but we were so afraid thinking that the body might be defiled by the mob on our way." Another patient with a case of severe head injuries, with his skull almost crushed, was brought to Al-Hind. They referred him to GTB. According to Anwar, they put the patient on a stretcher and took him till the main road, which is at least a kilometer away from the hospital. "From there, we expected the police to help. But the police refused. "They said that one of theirs had died because of us. Let some of your people also die first," Anwar said quoting the policemen, who were referring to the death of constable Rattan Lal. Severe cases of injuries at Al-Hind were referred to GTB hospital. But to transport the patients, Al-Hind had to face extreme difficulties. Anwar said there was a scarcity of ambulances, the police did not cooperate and amid raging riots, people were afraid and hence hesitant to leave the area. The scarcity of ambulance was also due to the fear of ambulance drivers being attacked. Anwar said that the presence of police force did not reassure anyone. "With so much police around, arsoning, stone-pelting continued and everyone was scared. Doctors, nurses and drivers were scared to enter these areas as they feared for their own lives. But in such times, it's important to remember your duty. As the medical profession is all about saving lives, no matter what it takes." And Al-Hind hospital has not backed down. Initially ill-equipped to handle such a situation, the hospital has now received help from civil societies and a few doctors. A team of eight doctors five from AIIMS, one from Jamia Hamdard and two from JNU's medical team have arrived at the Al-Hind to help. One doctor from AIIMS, who volunteered pro bono help, said, "When I read about the violence, I immediately reached out to seniors in the hospital and asked if we could help in any way. They responded positively and we immediately formed a team and got here." He further added that the police had not offered them any safety. He has, so far, witnessed and treated cases of extreme head injuries and trauma for those who are trying to escape the carnage. Harjeet Bhati, a senior doctor at AIIMS, is one of the five from the team sent to Al-Hind. "When we heard that even ambulances are not able to reach, we thought how will basic medical facilities reach here? So we formed a team of eight doctors and came here to help." So far, he has seen cases of bullet injuries, head injuries and multiple fractures. "Patients are scared to leave their locality even if it is to go to bigger hospitals for better treatment. They are insecure, scared of the violence and unwilling to leave. In such a situation, treating them here is our best bet," he added. The chief doctor at Al-Hind said, "Somebody offered to take me and my family out of here until the riots stopped, but the hospital is flooded with patients, I couldn't leave them. And my family cooperated so I could stay and help save lives no matter what it takes." Two major Victorian universities have released care packages for Chinese students affected by the coronavirus outbreak including thousands of dollars in travel grants, fee discounts and the option to withdraw from subjects at any point for free. About 85,000 Chinese international students enrolled in Australian universities remain overseas with most Victorian university semesters starting this week or next week, and the federal government has instructed universities to offer students "maximum flexibility". La Trobe vice-chancellor John Dewar said Chinese students trapped overseas would receive up to $2000 in travel grants. Credit:Jeremy Piper On Thursday the federal government extended the China travel ban to at least March 7. It is understood the government was considering an exemption for universities like the one announced for about 760 high school students, but it has not been granted. Married At First Sight's dinner party descended into chaos on Wednesday. But as the cheating scandal between Hayley Vernon and Michael Goonan unfolded, there was one eyebrow-raising moment that many viewers missed. Jonethen Musulin, who was watching from a safe distance, took things to another level by gesturing at Michael and saying: 'I don't trust that c**t.' 'I don't trust that c**t': As the cheating scandal unfolded on Wednesday's episode of Married At First Sight, many viewers didn't notice Jonethen Musulin (pictured) dropping the C-bomb It's believed that producers only caught the slur at the last minute, as a version of the episode released to the media included the word uncensored. It's not the first time the C-word has been uttered on Married At First Sight. Last year, jilted groom Bronson Norrish called his cheating 'wife', Ines Basic, a 'c**t' during a tense commitment ceremony. Phew! It's believed that producers only caught the slur at the last minute, as a version of the episode released to the media included the word uncensored. Pictured: Michael Goonan He was scolded for his bad language by relationship expert Mel Schilling. But Mel's response sparked a fierce backlash as viewers accused her of singling out Bronson for swearing while failing to address Ines's 'abusive' behaviour as well. A petition demanding she be sacked eventually attracted 70,000 signatures. Remember them? It's not the first time the C-word has been uttered on Married At First Sight. Last year, Bronson Norrish called his 'wife', Ines Basic, a 'c**t' during a commitment ceremony Hayley's secret kiss with Michael was exposed at Wednesday night's dinner party. The pair had hooked up a week earlier in Vanessa Romito and Chris Nicholls' apartment after a boozy night out. At the time, Michael's 'wife', Stacey Hampton, was in Adelaide with her children, and Hayley's 'husband', David Cannon, was down the hallway in his room. He said, she said: During Wednesday's dinner party, Michael (left) dodged allegations he was unfaithful by insisting he was 'too drunk to remember' what happened. But Hayley (right), who prides herself on being honest regardless of the consequences, insisted they had in fact kissed During the dinner party, Michael dodged allegations he was unfaithful by insisting he was 'too drunk to remember' what happened. He acknowledged that he was acting 'stupid' and flirting with Hayley on the night in question, but claimed he had no recollection of kissing her. Hayley, who prides herself on being honest regardless of the consequences, told the group they had in fact kissed. Meanwhile, Stacey took her husband's side and accused Hayley of 'taking advantage' of Michael while he was drunk. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine By Express News Service KOZHIKODE: An Indian Union Muslim League delegation will visit the riot-hit northeast Delhi on Thursday. The party leaders will take stock of the situation and meet Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Home Minister Amit Shah. The IUML working committee meet held here on Wednesday sought the arrest of BJP leader Kapil Mishra for instigating violence through his speech. IUML unequivocally condemns the violence unleashed by Sangh Parivar and police on the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protesters. The central government, which ought to give protection to human life and property are taking a lackadaisical attitude, said the IUML state president Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal. The party demanded the resignation of Amit Shah. The meet flayed the double standards of the state government in dealing with anti-CAA protests. take steps to stop violence: Pinarayi TPuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said a sense of insecurity prevails in the national capital. In a statement issued here, he said hate campaigns is now rampant in the national capital. He also urged the Union Home Ministry to take strict action against those behind the violence. Even journalists are being attacked. Its a matter of concern that BJP leader who indulged in hate speech is roaming scot-free. Iraq's parliament on Thursday adjourned a session to approve a new cabinet proposed by Prime Minister-designated Mohammed Allawi, state television reported. It said the parliament had failed to convene a quorum as many lawmakers unhappy with Allawi's ministerial nominees boycotted the session. The delay prolongs political deadlock after mass anti-government protests forced the resignation of former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in November. He remains in a caretaker capacity. Those demonstrations, which broke out in October over lack of jobs and services and quickly spiralled into demands for the removal of Iraq's dysfunctional ruling elite, were met with force by security forces and powerful militia groups. Around 500 people have been killed in unrest since then. Protesters have mostly rejected Allawi as nominee for the premiership saying that he is part of the existing system that they view as corrupt. According to Iraq's constitution, Allawi must get a cabinet approved through parliament or President Barham Salih will need to appoint a new candidate. Search Keywords: Short link: Disney shocked Wall Street at 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday when it suddenly announced that CEO Bob Iger would step down and become executive chairman, handing the CEO reins to Bob Chapek, effective immediately. This was somewhat of a shock to us as shareholders, said Timothy Lesko of Granite Investment Advisors. Theyre usually much more scripted than this. Iger, who became CEO in 2005, had twice extended his tenure in the role. He originally aimed to step down in 2018, but in March 2017 Disney (DIS) extended his contract through July 2019; then, in December 2017, Disney extended him through the end of 2021. In his book last year The Ride of a Lifetime, Iger revealed that he seriously considered a 2020 presidential run, but it was Rupert Murdoch who killed that plan when he told Iger he would only agree to sell 21st Century Fox if Iger committed to staying on as CEO through 2021. Iger will still be at Disney through the end of 2021, but as chairman, and he told CNBC that in his new role he will focus on the creative side of the company. As we looked at the businesses, we felt we have a great set of assets, we have a great strategy, Iger said. Whats next? And what was next in terms of my own priorities is making sure that the creative pipeline of the company was really rich, that all of our creative engines were working extremely well, and I wanted to spend more and more of my time on that. The only way I was able to do that was to give up the day-to-day running of the company, to pass the torch on to Bob [Chapek]. That makes it sound like Iger isnt going anywhereit sounds more like he will simply shift from being the most important to the second-most important executive at the company. But its Chapek, who ran Disney Parks for the past five years, who will be the face of Disney to Wall Street. There were signs that the creative side was becoming Igers passion. Last year, he told Businessweek that he watched every episode of the Star Wars streaming series The Mandalorian, which was the creative anchor of the launch of Disney+, three times for quality control: First, to give some notes. Second, to see the rough cut and the impact of the notes. And now, just recently, I watched all the final cuts so that I could be blown away by how it looks. Story continues Of course, the abruptness of Igers resignation has led to some to question whether there is a hidden reason, like his health or some kind of imminent personal scandal. Iger said on a Disney conference call on Tuesday that is not the case. Many onlookers will still wonder otherwise. (That was also the case when Nike CEO Mark Parker suddenly stepped down last year.) It seems like there might be more to this story than were hearing so far, said Lesko on Tuesday just after the Iger news broke, though he added, This is not a turnaround story, its a transition story... we expect a good transition. A legacy of success Whether or not there is any hidden reason for his early move to chairman, as far as his CEO legacy is concerned, Iger is going out on top. His 15-year run as Disney CEO was objectively excellent, characterized by five ambitious acquisitions, four of which look absolutely brilliant in hindsight. The jury is still out on the fifth. Igers leadership and M&A decisions made Disney our Yahoo Finance Company of the Decade. Disney CEO Bob Iger poses on the red carpet with sith stormtroopers upon arrival for the European film premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in London on December 18, 2019. (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images) Those acquisitions were: Pixar in 2006 ($7.4 billion); Marvel in 2009 ($4 billion); Lucasfilm in 2012 ($4.05 billion); MLBAM Tech in 2017 ($2.58 billion total spend); and 21st Century Fox in 2019 ($71.3 billion). The acquisitions helped grow Disneys market cap by $175 billion during Igers tenure. Iger in his book details the assuaging and ego-pacifying he had to go through to make each of those deals happen. For Pixar, he had to get Steve Jobs on board with the sale. For Marvel, he had to get cozy with the enigmatic Israeli billionaire Ike Perlmutter. For Lucasfilm, he had a testy haggling with George Lucas, who wanted the Pixar deal (in the end he would get $4.05 billion, a symbolically higher price tag than Marvel). And to buy Fox, Rupert Murdoch made Iger promise to extend his tenure as CEO to ease the transition. (Some analysts believe Disney overpaid for Fox; it will take a few years to judge that fairly.) Prioritizing streaming Apart from the acquisitions, the tail end of Igers CEO tenure has been characterized by pushing the direct-to-consumer endeavors, meaning streaming. That has included ESPN+ and Disney+ (both powered by the majority acquisition of BAM Tech, which had quietly been known for years as the best back-end video streaming company in the industry), and now Hulu. Last year, Iger made it clear where the companys future stands when he called streaming our number one priority. That may have presaged his passion for the content side of things. Disney in 2018 and 2019 dominated the box office, smashing its own records. That run happened thanks to the breadth of its franchises, which grew thanks to Igers buying. Disney had seven billion-dollar movies in 2019, and they came from all over its intellectual property portfolio: two Marvel movies (Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame), two live-action remakes of Disney animated classics (Aladdin and Lion King), one Pixar sequel (Toy Story 4), one Disney Animation sequel (Frozen 2), and one Star Wars film (Rise of Skywalker). Now, as Marvel enters Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and amid reports of Star Wars fatigue, theres no guarantee Disney will be as successful at the box office in 2020 and beyond, but the streaming side of things is becoming as important, and thats where Iger is focusing his energy. Thats why Chapek makes sense, since he comes from Disney Parks, which remains the profit engine for the company, even if the content right now has all the glitz and buzz. Daniel Roberts is an editor-at-large at Yahoo Finance and closely covers Disney. Follow him on Twitter at @readDanwrite. Read more: Disney's 'Hamilton' movie could usher in new boom of musical movies Disney is Yahoo Finances Company of the Decade Disney+, Apple TV+ and Netflix can coexistfor now Dark Phoenix was a giant bomb from Fox that hurt Disney earnings Disney says streaming is now its number one priority The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday accused the Opposition parties of politicising the violence in Delhi and for raising questions on why National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has taken charge of the situation. Union minister Prakash Javadekar said instead of helping the government calm the situation down, Congress, the principal Opposition party, was asking questions to politicise the issue. He lashed out at the Congress leadership for demanding the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah. Senior party leaders refuted charges that there was an administrative lapse that led to the violence, which left over 20 dead and hundreds injured and there was inaction to curtail clashes. All steps that should be taken to curb violence are being taken; all efforts are underway to ensure normalcy is restored in the areas where violence broke out, a senior BJP functionary said. He denied the allegation that the administration was nudged into taking action following Prime Minister Narendra Modis intervention. To CPI leader Sitaram Yechurys quip about the NSA visiting the troubled areas, the leader said, His (NSA) visit actually shows how seriously this issue is being dealt with. Addressing the media, Yechury had said, If NSA is supposed to be in-charge of Delhi Police then what is the role of the home minister? The BJP, however, hit back, claiming that the home minister had been monitoring the situation round the clock and it was his decision to send the NSA to take stock of the situation and reach out to the people. Since violence erupted on February 24, he has been monitoring the situation on a round the clock basis. He called a high-level meeting at his residence the same evening with the home secretary, Director IB, senior officers of IB, Delhi Police Commissioner and other senior officers for over three hours. There was a follow up meeting till 1 am, said a second functionary aware of the details. The following day Shah met leaders of mainstream political parties and officials apart from meeting the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The appointment of SN Srivastava as special commissioner of Police was done on his (Shahs) instructions; the attempts made to insinuate that the home minister is not in charge are fallacious, said the second functionary. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Cheyenne Tozzi was spotted on Kurnel Beach in Sydney shooting Australian designer's Camilla Franks' upcoming collection on Wednesday. The 31-year-old looked every bit the bohemian supermodel as she posed on a large horse in what appeared to be a swimwear collection. The Australian model stunned with dramatic tribal-inspired face paint and tousled hair which featured a messy top-bun, with feather, ribbons and loose-braided dreadlocks. Striking: On Wednesday, Cheyenne Tozzi posed on horseback as she shot designer Camilla Franks' upcoming collection in Sydney Dramatic: The Australian model, 31, stunned with dramatic tribal-inspired face paint and tousled hair which featured a messy top-bun, feathers, ribbons and loose braided dreadlocks Large gold bangles decorated her slim arms, with a silver wrist-cuff with a feather-design acting as a main accent against the warm-toned hardware. Keeping with the brand's signature bold designs, Cheyenne was first styled in a black floral long-sleeve one-piece swimsuit as she perched on the mighty steed. Draped on top of her was a wreath of black fake palm fronds, amplifying the already dramatic ensemble. Elegant: The former Australia's Next Top Model mentor was later cloaked in an white floral bat-wing kimono, which was paired with a strappy one-piece swimsuit Detailed: The intricate design featured a Victorian-inspired mirror and dagger print, as well as warm-toned florals and ruby-red apples Stunning: Cheyenne led the magnificent black horse with an elegant gold tasseled rope The former Australia's Next Top Model mentor was later cloaked in an white floral bat-wing kimono, which was paired with a strappy one-piece swimsuit. The intricate design featured a Victorian-inspired mirror and dagger print, as well as warm-toned florals and ruby-red apples. In the pictures, Cheyenne led the magnificent black horse along with an elegant gold tasseled rope. Powerful: In the next ensemble, the dark-blonde bombshell donned a cheetah-print one-piece swimsuit and matching short sarong Windswept and interesting: An oversized, brown distressed hat was perched on the tattooed model's head, with a white X painted across her forehead In the next ensemble, the dark-blonde bombshell donned a cheetah-print one-piece swimsuit and matching short sarong. An oversized, brown distressed hat was perched on the tattooed model's head, with a white X painted across her forehead. Each look was more dramatic than the last, as Cheyenne was next styled in baby blue wide leg trousers, a matching bikini and cheetah-print headscarf. Gorgeous: Each look was more dramatic than the last, as Cheyenne was next styled in baby blue wide leg trousers, a matching bikini and cheetah-print headscarf The pants were highly detailed with a leafy design, brown flowers and angels. A true professional, Cheyenne wasn't afraid to get down in the sand to pose up a storm. She flaunted her slim figure in a magenta pink bikini set, styled with a matching flowy kimono throw-over and intricate material tied into her hair. Pop of colour: She flaunted her slim figure in a magenta pink bikini set, styled with a matching flowy kimono throw-over and intricate material tied into her hair Pretty in pink: The bold design featured large parrots, tigers and tropical florals The bold design featured large parrots, tigers and tropical florals. Designer Camilla Franks was also in attendance, pictured petting the large animal in between shots. Enjoying the gorgeous weather, the fashion brand's mastermind later decided to lay down in the water fully clothed. Killer dad Rowan Baxter planned to murder his ex-partner and son from a previous relationship years before killing his wife Hannah Clarke and their three kids. Nikki Brooks, Hannah's best friend, shared chilling details of Baxter's history of violence - and revealed how the abusive husband boasted about his aggressive behaviour to his own wife. The 42-year-old told her of his evil plot to kill his ex-girlfriend and their son Isaiah back when the relationship had just ended and even admitted he bought a rope to carry out the murders. 'He'd driven to do it. He'd prepared what he needed to kill Isaiah and [Isaiah's mother] and then didn't do it,' Ms Brooks told The Australian. 'Isaiah would have been maybe seven or eight. It was the first time she was going to leave him as well.' Scroll down for video Rowan Baxter had told Hannah of his evil plot to kill his ex-girlfriend and their son Isaiah (centre) back when the relationship had just ended and even admitted he bought a rope to carry out the murders, a friend revealed The 42-year-old (pictured with his family) is believed to have been abusive to his wife Hannah Clarke for a decade before she took out a domestic violence order against him Baxter had also told Hannah about a separate incident during which he nearly beat someone to death after he 'lost his mind' in a road rage attack when Isaiah was still a baby. He was later convicted of grievous bodily harm over the incident. Isaiah Baxter, now 22, shared his support for the Clarke family in the wake of the horrific murder-suicide, while speaking out against his killer father. The young man revealed he too had been a victim of abuse at the hands of Baxter growing up, saying 'his appalling parenting caused irreversible damage to my mental health'. 'If I could take the place of Laianah, Aaliyah, and Trey I would in a heartbeat,' he said in a heartbreaking letter to the family. Friends have since come forward with stories of Baxter's abusive and controlling behaviour over the years and up until his horrific attack. Rowan Baxter had an obsession with porn and was abusive to his mum growing up, his cousin revealed Alana Hampson revealed her cousin Rowan showed 'little hints' of cruelty throughout his life and had a particular aggression and contempt towards women as a child 'I knew he had it in him. I just thought, hopefully, any person would be able to pull themselves back,' Ms Brooks added. Baxter's cousin Alana Hampson, who lived with him in New Zealand after she ran away from home as a teen, said Rowan had 'dark secrets' that turned him into a cruel monster capable of killing his three children. 'He was a monster, even when he was a kid, I think he was a monster... He was very controlling and manipulative,' Ms Hampson told Newshub. 'I didn't like to be around him because I felt uncomfortable. The way Rowan used to speak to his mother was... disrespectful.' Ms Hampson said Baxter had an obsession with sex and treated women with contempt from a very young age. 'I think that Rowan should have been going through counselling as a kid,' she said. 'The kids got into porn, always looking at porn [and] his mum accepted it, he treated his mum like c**p. She was a nice lady.' Baxter burned his estranged wife Hannah Clarke and their three young children alive in their family car in a vicious act of domestic violence before he killed himself at Camp Hill, Brisbane, last week Nikki Brooks, Hannah's best friend, revealed how Baxter would boast about his aggressive behaviour to his own wife Baxter's mum died of a brain aneurysm when he was in his 20s which Ms Hampson believes sent him on a downward spiral. She revealed Baxter himself was a victim of abuse, started having sex at a young age and had an 'ugly' life growing up, but was never able to change for the better. The 42-year-old is believed to have been abusive to his wife Hannah Clarke for a decade before she took out a domestic violence order against him. He lost custody of his children in February after he breached the order, and just a couple days later, killed them and his wife by setting them on fire. Ms Hampson had previously told Daily Mail Australia Baxter had shown a particular aggression and contempt towards women as a child. 'There was a lot of violence and rough play... Rowan was disrespectful to women and talked dirty to females... He was f***ed in the head,' she said. Her mother, Dorothy Ann Baxter, is the sister of Rowan's father. Dorothy Ann described her nephew as 'a good boy' who must have 'lost the plot'. 'He's lost the plot. I don't know. He couldn't handle it then one day he just lost it ... But I know he wouldn't do it out of his own mind so he had to be just lost the plot ... I'm not saying Rowan was good for what he did but people do lose the plot,' she said. It comes after another cousin on Rowan's mother's side, Sandra Taylor, told Daily Mail Australia he had a 'dangerous sense of possession and entitlement over his wife and children'. Rowan Baxter's cousin Sandra Taylor (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia she feared he would murder his estranged wife Hannah Clarke 'Rowan believed that women are two things - to be a house cleaner, and to be a prostitute,' the mother-of-one said. 'This was a man with a level of hatred and disrespect for their mother so great that he would make this choice - the most horrifying and despicable of choices.' She said that while she was 'shaken to the core' upon learning what her cousin had done, she was not surprised. Baxter burned his estranged wife Hannah Clarke and their three young children alive in their family car in a vicious act of domestic violence before he killed himself at Camp Hill, Brisbane, last week. Laianah, aged four, Aaliyah, six, and Trey, three, died on the scene. Hannah died in hospital on Wednesday after suffering horrific burns to 97 per cent of her body. Three days before the quadruple murder-suicide, Baxter told a friend he wouldn't do 'anything stupid', the Sydney Morning Herald reported. The pair spoke for two hours as the friend feared Baxter was suicidal after his estranged wife Hannah Clarke took out a Domestic Violence Order against him. Baxter, 31, jumped out of the white SUV (pictured) engulfed in flames yelling 'he's poured petrol on me' and was hosed down by a heroic bystander During the conversation Baxter revealed he was devastated that he was not allowed to see his children. Talking about Ms Clarke, he said 'she can do whatever she wants to me but don't take my kids away from me, that's all I've got left in life,' the friend told the newspaper. The friend also revealed that when they parted ways after the meet-up he warned Baxter not to 'do anything stupid'. 'The last thing I said to him as he was walking away was 'mate, don't do anything stupid' and he sort of turned as he was walking away and he just said 'no mate, I'm not going to do anything stupid.' I was sort of thinking that he might self-harm,' he said. The friend said that Baxter was suffering extreme depression that drove him to become a 'monster' three days later. 'If someone told me Rowan was capable of that, I would say, no way, not to his kids. He loved his kids more than anything else in the world,' the friend said. The coronavirus outbreak has literally brought the entire world to a halt. Claiming more lives than the SARS epidemic of 2002-2003, major events like the MWC have gotten cancelled and with the virus spreading further, more and more people are getting scared to travel. The coronavirus is spreading like crazy not just in China but several other parts of the world. We strongly recommend that you hold on to your travel plans as flying around, even to countries without cases of Coronavirus is a risky affair. However, if you still wish to step out, always keep a track of the number of cases in specific countries using Here Maps whore constantly updating the numbers in real-time. Here Maps As of now, these are the countries which you should ideally be avoiding to reduce the chances of contracting the novel coronavirus and have a hassle-free journey. China It all started here. And even though global authorities strictly warn travellers from entering the Hubei province in China (as it was the epicentre of the outbreak), other areas in China are equally dangerous. Guangdong has over 1340 confirmed cases, Henan has over 1100 confirmed cases and the list just goes on. The safest thing you can do is avoid China entirely from your travel plans as its not just risky to contract the virus, but several countries arent allowing people coming from China enter. Some are even putting them under a 14-day quarantine after entering. Reuters Hong Kong and Macau Hong Kong is one of the popular tourist destinations in Asia and it is also the most easily accessible by Chinese citizens. Hong Kong has 91 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, whereas Macau -- another tourist destination that people from Hong Kong usually travel to -- has 10 confirmed cases. South Korea After China, South Korea has seen a considerable spike in the number of people getting infected from the novel coronavirus, with over 1200 confirmed cases as the situation only gets worsened with every passing day. 12 people in South Korea have died due to infections. Of the 1,261 confirmed cases, 710 were linked to Daegu and 317 to North Gyeongsang Province, which includes Cheongdo, as per South Korean authorities. In case you wish to travel to South Korea, it is strongly advised that you avoid going to the aforementioned cities. Reuters Japan Another unexpected spike in the number of cases has been witnessed in Japan 853 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of February 25th. Moreover, authorities have cancelled major events for a two-week period to avoid large gathering of people and spreading of the coronavirus. Major hotspots for the coronavirus outbreak in Japan are Hokkaido, Tokyo and Aichi prefectures, followed by some cases in Saitama, Kanagawa, Wakayama as well as Okinawa. Singapore Singapore is a tourist destination like no other. However, as of now has a total of 93 cases have been confirmed here. Authorities are on a lookout for people coming from China and other hotspots and urged those citizens to not step out of their homes and stay under self-quarantine since February 18. People who have breached this notice have gotten their PR visas terminated. Reuters Italy Italy is the newest country on the list to see a considerable spike in the number of cases of COVID-19. As of yesterday, around 11 people have died of the coronavirus with over 300 confirmed cases. The country has announced a lockdown on 12 towns. Most infections have come from regions Lombardy and Veneto from Northern Italy which include popular tourist destinations Milan and Venice. Iran Outside of China, Iran is one of the top three hotspots for the novel coronavirus with 140 confirmed cases including Irans deputy health minister and an MP. It has also claimed 15 lives in Iran as of now. In the end, we strongly recommend that you hold on to your travel plans as flying around, even to countries without cases of Coronavirus is a risky affair. If you still wish to step out, always keep a track of the number of cases in specific cases using Here Maps whore constantly updating the numbers in real-time. Middle East, Europe report more coronavirus deaths The number of coronavirus cases rose to more than 80,000 globally as the disease continued to spread faster in the Middle East, Europe and other parts of the world, with more deaths in Italy. The Indian government on Tuesday said it is awaiting Chinas clearance to evacuate remaining Indians from virus-hit Wuhan, even as the toll from the novel coronavirus in mainland China reached 2,663. Indians on board the coronavirus-hit cruise ship anchored at a Japanese port will also be brought back on Wednesday. Iran's deputy health minister has tested positive for coronavirus, according to a video broadcast on Irans state television. In the video, pre[ared by the minister himself at a news conference, Iraj Harirchi put on a brave face and admitted he was infected. "I too have been infected with coronavirus." Addressing the media in Tehran on Monday along with government spokesman Ali Rabiei, Iraj Harirchi denied a lawmaker's claim that 50 people had died from the virus in the Shiite shrine city of Qom, saying he would resign if the number proved accurate. But, on Tuesday, the minister said, "I too have been infected with coronavirusI had a fever as of last night and my preliminary test was positive around midnight. "I've isolated myself in a place since. A few minutes ago, I was told that my test was final, and now I am starting medication. A prominent Iranian reformist politician, Mahmoud Sadeghi, also announced he had tested positive for the virus. "My coronavirus test was positive. I send this message but I don't have much hope of staying alive," Sadeghi said in a tweet. Iran confirmed three more deaths and 34 new infections on Tuesday, taking the country's overall death toll to 15 and infection tally to 95. The Islamic republic has been hit by the deadliest coronavirus outbreak by far outside China, the epidemic's epicentre. Iraq health ministry also reports four new cases of coronavirus. In Europe, Italy reported the most cases as the new coronavirus spread south on to Tuscany and Sicily. Civil protection agency reported a surge in the number of infected people and Rome convened emergency talks. Three more people infected with the coronavirus have died in northern Italy, the chief of the civil protection agency said, bringing the death roll from the worst outbreak of the illness in the country and Europe to 10. Japan's Dentsu confirmed coronavirus infection and instructed employees to work from home. Japanese authorities also urged telecommuting and staggered shifts to curb coronavirus. Austria reported two cases of coronavirus while Croatia confirmed its first case of coronavirus infection. A 70-year-old man tested positive for the coronavirus in Switzerland's southern canton of Ticino, on the border with Italy, Swiss health authorities said, confirming their country's first case. The US and South Korea are considering scaling back joint military drills amid coronavirus scare. But US President said coronavirus problem will be over soon. Fears of a soaring viral outbreak are gripping the South Korean city of Daegu and the surrounding area, with residents struggling as they try to stay away from a virus that has already sickened hundreds of people in the region, killing at least 10 of them. South Korea to launch mass coronavirus testing while the United States pledged $1 billion for developing a vaccine. In Geneva, the World Health Organisations (WHO) China mission chief Bruce Aylward said the world is simply not ready for Coronavirus. Bruce Aylward's comments came after WHO announced that the epidemic had peaked at its epicentre in China, where it has killed more than 2,600 people and infected over 77,000 others. He also said other countries were also not preparing quickly enough to react in case they were hit hard by the outbreak. "China knows how to keep people alive from COVID... That is not going to be the case everywhere in the world," he said. "It is a serious disease." Aylward also said his team's findings in China appeared to belie theories circulating that the number of cases being detected is only the tip of the iceberg and that a lot of undetected transmission is going on. "There is not a lot of evidence of that," he said. Cyrell Paule and Eden Dally welcomed their first child, son Boston Eden, less than three weeks ago on Sunday, February 9. And on Thursday, the couple were all smiles as they attended their first public event together as new parents in Sydney. Cyrell, 30, certainly had that new mother glow as she showed off her post-baby frame in a figure-hugging black dress. Lots to celebrate! New parents Cyrell Paule (right) and Eden Dally (left) attended their first public event in Sydney on Thursday night, just two weeks after welcoming first child together The reality TV star couldn't contain her grin as she cuddled up to partner Eden - who is known for his appearance on the inaugural season of Love Island Australia in 2018. Cyrell appeared to celebrate the evening out at the VIP launch of Burwood's first luxury hotel with a glass of Champagne. She paired her look with black heels and a cross-body bag with a silver chain. Meanwhile, Eden, 27, was dressed casually for their date night in jeans, a black button-up shirt and white sneakers. Mama on the town! Cyrell, 30, certainly had that new mother glow as she showed off her post-baby frame in a figure-hugging black dress Pour the Champagne! Cyrell and Eden appeared to cheers to newfound parenthood while out at the VIP launch of Burwood's first luxury hotel The couple announced the birth of their first child, son Boston Eden, on Tuesday, after weeks of being unable to decide on a name. Cyrell told New Idea that they originally liked the name Cruze, but Cyrell's sister named her own child that. The couple met in March 2019 after Cyrell's 'marriage' to Nic Jovanovic on MAFS ended when they decided they were better off just being friends. The pair began dating officially within a matter of weeks, and Cyrell later moved into Eden's $2.9million family home in Drummoyne, Sydney. They announced they were expecting their first child together in August. New parents: The couple announced the birth of their first child, son Boston Eden, on Tuesday, after weeks of being unable to decide on a name Current 2020 Married At First Sight stars Mikey Pembroke and Ivan Sarakula were also at the event. Looking to have secured a true bromance during filming their season of the controversial reality series last year, they posed for many photos together. In a sign that one of their 'marriages' lasts beyond the show's renewal vows, Ivan was pictured wearing his wedding ring. This could mean Ivan is still with TV 'wife' Aleksandra Markovic, however she was not at the event alongside her beau. Boys' night out! Current 2020 Married At First Sight stars Mikey Pembroke and Ivan Sarakula were also at the event Where's Aleks? While Ivan was still wearing his 'wedding' ring to TV 'wife' Aleksandra Markovic, she did not attend the event alongside her beau Wedded bliss: One of only two true success stories from Married At First Sight, Cameron Merchant and Jules Robinson, flaunted their loved-up newlywed glow on the red carpet Wild thing! Jules wore a zebra-print dress that flattered her curves One of only two true success stories from Married At First Sight also flaunted their loved-up newlywed glow on the red carpet. Season six's Cameron Merchant and Jules Robinson looked the picture-perfect pair as they gave the cameras their best angles. Jules wore a zebra-print dress that flattered her curves, while her husband Cam wore a pink suit jacket with jeans and brown brogues. Former Bachelor star Sogand Mohtat also made an appearance in a white dress with a micro handbag. The announcement of a Mr India trilogy has created a buzz in the Hindi film industry. While some are curious to see how the cult classic film will be rebooted, the director of the 1987 movie, Shekar Kapur has been miffed with the announcement. His stance is that, and rightfully so, no one took his permission to remake the movie and so this is a moral violation of his copyright over it. Not only Shekar, but one of Mr India's lead actors, Anil Kapoor also expressed disappointment when he heard the news. However, its producer Boney Kapoor seemed to be in the know which has caused confusion among the makers of the original film. Shekar explained what the situation is, and what legal steps he is planning to take to tackle this, in an interview. Speaking to Mid-Day, Shekar said, "Where is the director's ownership on the material he has created? It (the reboot) is based on what I have created. Now, I am in touch with lawyers all over the world to (tackle) the issue. It's about creating a new understanding of creative authorship of the principal director of a film. The model is (followed) in many nations of the world, including Australia, and the US. As the director, I am the prime author of the movie. I must have rights to the future remake of the film created by me. This calls for a change in the constitutional copyright laws. This is not about Mr India anymore." A few days back, Ali Abbas Zafar took to social media to announce that he will be writing and directing the trilogy, which will be produced by Zee Studios. Talking about Boney's role in the trilogy, Shekar said, "[When I questioned him], he (Boney) said nothing is set in stone. Anil was equally disturbed that he didn't know about it. It's time to have a serious legal discussion here to reinterpret the copyright act so that it accords authorship of a film to the principal director. This is not directed at Boney, or the current director, or Zee Studios. It is directed at the act itself." Mr India starred Anil and Sridevi as the lead couple with Amrish Puri as the villain. ALSO READ: Sridevi Never Wanted A Mr India Sequel! ALSO READ: Shekhar Kapur Is Unhappy With Mr India 2 Announcement! ALSO READ: Sonam Kapoor Lashes Out At Ali Abbas Zafar For Announcing Mr India Trilogy To the Editor: Re Trump Taps Pence to Lead Response as Virus Spreads (front page, Feb. 27): Why should we be worried by President Trumps naming Vice President Mike Pence to coordinate the governments response to the coronavirus? Mr. Pence has an established and proven record in the scientific field. Many of us remember that Mr. Pence wrote: Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesnt kill. He is also a longtime climate change denier. And, of course, he has denigrated the theory of evolution while championing creationism. As governor of Indiana, when H.I.V. started its rampage, Mr. Pences proposed solution was to have those seeking assistance change their sexual behavior. He initially refused to open needle exchange programs to stop the spread of the virus. Instead, he said the most important thing we can do is pray. Mike Pence has succeeded already, because that is exactly what I am doing now. Not only for myself and my family but for my country. Coronavirus cases in Europe have leapt this week, with hundreds confirmed in northern Italy (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Two further patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15, according to the Department of Health. The virus was passed on to one patient in Italy and to the other in Tenerife. A school and a GP surgery in Buxton, Derbyshire, have been shut down due to one of the new cases. Burbage Primary School told Sky News the school was closed because a parent had tested positive. Meanwhile, Buxton Medical Practice urged people not to go to the practice on Thursday due to a confirmed case of coronavirus. The patients have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres in Royal Liverpool Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital, London. The latest UK cases emerged as European countries struggled to contain the virus. Update on #coronavirus: Two further patients in England have tested positive for #COVID19, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15. Patients have been transferred to specialist NHS infection centres. More info: https://t.co/NIDom2yqyM pic.twitter.com/aoWIuKR7Ps Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) February 27, 2020 A woman seen on a tube wearing a face mask. A total of 15 people in the UK are now being treated for Covid-19 (SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Italy has confirmed at least 400 cases and 12 deaths after a severe outbreak in the north of the country. Austria, Croatia and Switzerland also reported their first cases linked to the outbreak in Italy, while Spain and France recorded new ones, also involving people who had been to northern Italy. Read more: What could a coronavirus worst-case scenario look like in the UK? France recorded its second death on Wednesday, a 60-year-old Frenchman who died in a Paris hospital. Dr Tom Wingfield, senior clinical lecturer at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, said: The new patients diagnosed today in the UK and now being managed in specialist infection units in Liverpool and London are not surprising and do not change the understanding of what the outbreak will look like in the UK. Story continues There are likely to be some more cases in the coming weeks but the UK public can be reassured that we have experienced teams in place to manage the isolation and care of people diagnosed with coronavirus and perform robust tracing and screening of their contacts. Some 168 Britons have been told to isolate themselves at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife after a three tourists staying there tested positive. Footage shared by a British guest on Wednesday showed tourists strolling through the hotel grounds and swimming in the pool without masks, despite instructions to stay inside their hotel rooms. Travellers returning to the UK from northern Italy were told they may need to self-isolate as part of measures to stop the spread of illness. Schools and businesses have been urged not to overreact as the coronavirus continues to spread. Read more: Germany 'at start of coronavirus epidemic' At least eight schools in the UK have closed while others including Prince Georges have sent pupils home amid fears they may have been exposed to coronavirus during trips to northern Italy. However, Public Health England (PHE) said that its general advice is not to close schools a message echoed by health secretary Matt Hancock. Businesses have been advised that employees do not need to wear face masks, as the government looks to combat panic over the illness. Guidance published by ministers says face masks are only recommended to be worn by symptomatic individuals to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to other people. The Business Department and PHE recommended that the best way to reduce any risk of infection is good hygiene and avoiding direct or close contact (closer than two metres) with any potentially infected person. Garvan Walshe is a former national and international security policy adviser to the Conservative Party. Michel Barnier got his orders on Tuesday. They are the product of three years of a negotiation in which all trust has been eliminated. If I were a Brexteer who wanted maximum divergence, Id open the champagne. But if I had shares in British-based manufacturing industry, Id get on the phone to my broker. The Commission and EU member states have instructed Barnier to make three main demands that this Government will find it very difficult indeeed to acept. He has been told to obtain the UKs agreement Not to lower the level of labour regulation below that which will obtain at the end of the transition period Not to lower the level of environmental protection below the same level; crucially, he is required to get the UK to apply the precautionary principle in such regulation, which excludes alignment with American environmental standards To apply European Union State aid rules to and in the United Kingdom. This is not all. The EU has also taken care to include demands for enforcement arrangements binding in UK domestic law. It is doing what the stronger party always tries to do in negotiations, and transfer the risk, in this case of the UK trying to compete with the EU through deregulation, as Economists for Brexit argued during the referendum campaign that the UK should, and many others including the Prime Minister have repeated since. Though there is in practice little chance of environmental or labour deregulation at the moment, the UK committed the Bond Villain fallacy of announcing its plan for world domination in advance, lulling the EU into a false sense of insecurity. State aid, admittedly, is a more serious risk as long as the techno-Gaullist Dominic Cummings is around. Large dollops of it will be needed to deal with the cost of tariffs ocaused by an Australian-style that is, non-existent trade deal. It seems strange to me to leave the EU to implement the policies of Francois Mitterrand, but what would I know? I campaigned for Remain on the grounds that European integration was a capitalist conspiracy. The EUs determination to apply conditions for the elimination of tariffs places limits on the UKs economic policy, though not ones that are in themselves too onerous. The British economy is, after all, dominated by services, not manufacturing. The application of tariffs on manufactured goods does not hinder the financial services sector, higher education, or the english language media market. The UKs incentives for tech startups are among the most generous and easiest to access. And even the elments of manufacuring that have the highest value added, namely the conceptualisation and design of products are, as the economist Richard Baldwin argues, essentially intangible. And even though EU freedom of movement, which had been essential to staffing the high value service sector has ended, the new points-based system can be adapted to ensure adequate labour supply for jobs like these. A high technology service oriented UK doesnt necessarily require a zero tariff free trade agreement. The dilemma that such an outcone would cause the Government is rather social and political. It would increase the weight in the economy of the tech and financial sectors, while making significant parts of the manufacturing sector, which is dependent on a European network of supply chains, unviable. The extent to which different parts of the country would suffer from different problems would increase. In London and the South East, pressure on house prices and space would increase. In the Midlands and North, the decline in employment quality, as industrial jobs were replaced by low skill service sector employment, would feed into local wages and living standards, even if national averages disguised this divergence. Fiscal transfers justified as befitting a One Nation Conservative Government could reduce this inequality but would have to be paid for. How long a globally oriented service sector would be sustained under a high tax burden is very much an open question. The nature of the Governments majority makes this dilemma starker still. The election delivered Conservative MPs located precisely in these industrial areas that are vulnerable to the Governments own policy of divergence. If divergence is indeed chosen, means will need to be found to compensate the losers. Infrastructure sounds like a good idea, but takes years to plan and build, and requires planning objections to be overcome. Its benefits accrue slowly, and over the decades of its lifetime. In any event, people with the right skills will need to be found to build it. There is not in fact a pool of easy-to-employ people available, and employable people were not in fact displaced by an immigrant work force. In reality, not only did immigrants not take our jobs, but the other side of the coin is that there arent British people available to do the jobs from which they were supposedly displaced, because they werent displaced. The Government has got its Brexit. Now it needs to make the painful choices that come with it. A former New Jersey woman who authorities say plotted with her son to have her husband and sister killed more than 25 years ago has been indicted on murder and conspiracy charges, officials said. Her son, who officials allege carried out the murders with his best friend, was indicted Wednesday, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office said. Ted Connors, 47, and Delores Morgan, 66 were indicted on seven counts of murder and conspiracy for the shooting death Nicholas Connors - Morgans husband and Connors stepfather - in Long Branch in May 1995 and the December 1994 stabbing death of Ana F. Mejia, the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office said. Morgan collected a $200,000 life insurance policy shortly after her husband was killed and along with her son, moved to Florida, where they lived for the past quarter century. A former best friend of Connors - Jose R. Carrero, 48, of Jackson - pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of conspiracy to commit murder for his role in the slayings. Carrero, who agreed to testify against Connors and Morgan, is expected to receive five to 10 years in state prison on each charge when he is sentenced. Nicholas Connors was found shot to death on the couch of the Long Branch home he shared with Morgan, then known as Dolores Connors, on May 14, 1995. Two of their children, then 13 and 12, slept through the crime. Mejia was found dead inside her Long Branch apartment on Dec. 8, 1994. She was stabbed 23 times. A white substance smeared around the 24-year-olds mouth and nose, first thought to be cocaine, was later determined to be baby formula, authorities have said. Her two children, 3 and 1, were there, but unharmed. Ted Connors recently admitted to police he was a drug dealer in the 1990s in Long Branch and his mother was aware of it, authorities said. Connors told police he had lost money because Mejia was arrested with her boyfriend in a drug case in 1994, giving him a motive to kill her, officials said . But Connors attorney, Jonathan Petty, argued earlier this month that numerous people involved in drug dealing would have had motive to murder Mejia, who was perceived as a possible snitch in the drug investigation. Petty said a search warrant was executed at her apartment a week before her murder and police found a kilo of cocaine and more than $130,000. Morgan, Connors and Carrero were each arrested in January. All remain held at the Monmouth County jail in Freehold Township. 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. Jailed Gulnara Karimova Offers $686 Million Frozen In Swiss Bank For Freedom By RFE/RL's Uzbek Service February 26, 2020 Gulnara Karimova, the imprisoned eldest daughter of the late Uzbek President Islam Karimov, has offered to return $686 million to the country's treasury in exchange for closure in the latest court case against her. Karimova made the offer in a letter to her father's successor, Shavkat Mirziyoev, posted by her London-based daughter Iman Karimova on Instagram on February 25. In the letter, she said her health is deteriorating and that she has not seen her children for years. "Also, to preserve my family and my health, under the right conditions I am ready to release all claims to financial sums, the only money left to my family and frozen in Switzerland, to allow for the simplified closure of the case [against me], namely without a public trial, while I would assign $686 million to the state," the letter, written in Russian, says. Karimova, who has been jailed in Tashkent since March 2019, also complained in her letter that an estimated $1.2 billion in property and cash confiscated from her and her children during previous court cases has never been considered by Uzbek courts as compensation for damages to the treasury caused by her activities. Uzbekistan's Supreme Court has said that a new trial against Karimova and "others" began on January 8. The Uzbek Prosecutor-General's Office said in August 2019 that the new case against Karimova was linked to allegations that she illegally bought state-owned shares of two cement plants that she later sold to foreign businessmen. The 47-year-old Karimova, once seen as a possible successor to her father, has been also tied to money-laundering investigations in Sweden and Switzerland. She was placed under house arrest in Tashkent in 2014 when her father was still alive and ran the country. Karimov died in 2016 and Mirziyoev became his successor soon afterward. In December 2017, Karimova was sentenced to a 10-year prison term, but several months later the sentence was reclassified to house arrest and shortened to five years. In March 2019, she was placed in jail for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest. Also in March 2019, the U.S. Justice Department named Karimova as part of a major international bribery scheme, charging her with conspiracy to violate U.S. foreign corruption laws. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/jailed-gulnara -karimova-offers-686-million-frozen-in-swiss -bank-for-freedom/30455680.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan on Thursday announced to suspend all flights to Iran, the new hotbed of coronavirus epidemic, as authorities scrambled to screen hundreds of people who recently arrived from Tehran after two persons returning from the country tested positive for the deadly virus. The land and rail links with Iran, where the coronavirus epidemic has claimed 26 lives and has infected 245 people, the highest outside China where COVID-19 originated, have already been snapped due to the scare of infection. "Aviation Division has decided to cease all direct flights between Pakistan and Iran with effect from midnight between February 27 and 28 till further notice," Joint Secretary of Aviation Abdul Sattar Khokhar said. Special Advisor on Health Zafar Mirza on Wednesday confirmed the first ever detection of coronavirus patients, including a 22-year old man from Karachi who returned from Iran on February 20. The government has now collected the data for 1,500 people in Sindh province who have arrived in Pakistan from Iran recently, Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister for the southern province, told a press conference. Pakistan's Sindh and Balochistan provinces closed all educational institutions after the first two cases of novel coronavirus were reported in the country. Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani announced on Twitter that all Govt and private educational institutions will remain closed on Thursday & Friday (27th & 28th Feb). Balochistan government announced to close down all educational institutions across the province till March 15. An official handout said that the government took the step as a precaution to protect children from coronavirus. Mirza in a late night media interaction in Quetta, capital of Balochistan, said that both the patients came from Iran but they were in stable condition. He said the government had taken effective protective measures well in time to stop the outbreak of virus throughout the country. He urged the citizens with travel history of Iran and China and having coronavirus symptoms to contact the medical experts. Meanwhile, there are reports of shortage of face masks in the country as prices shot up. Authorities have asked the people not to get panic as there was no threat of spread of the disease in the country. Also, military spokesman said that the health ministry is tackling the situation effectively but armed forces would also provide all help to contain the virus. "As far as the armed forces are concerned, we are absolutely ready to help out as and when the government asks us, and all our facilities are alert to the situation," he said during media interaction in Rawalpindi. The virus has spread to more than 30 countries, killing over 2,700 and infecting 80,000, mostly in China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An exterior view of the Goldman Sachs New York headquarters in New York City on April 15, 2019. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Wall Streets Capitulation to Diversity Mandates Social-justice creep into corporate boards is useless diversion Commentary In late January, Goldman Sachs made waves in the financial sector when it announced that companies seeking its help to get listed on stock exchanges had to have at least one diverse board member. The mandate will begin on July 1 for U.S. and European companies; the following year, the requirement will increase to two board members. In the wake of the #MeToo movement, corporate America is trying to enhance its public image. Thats understandable, but two wrongs dont make a right. Quotas are counterproductivelittle more than feel-good mandates that come at the expense of merit and profit. We might miss some business, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon explained, but in the long run, this, I think, is the best advice for companies that want to drive premium returns for their shareholders over time. As the largest underwriter of U.S. companies going public, Goldman Sachss decision is a big deal in the initial public offering (IPO) world. Nevertheless, its just the latest in deep-pocketed incumbents tripping over each other to show whos the wokest and most moral relative to smaller players. BlackRock Inc. and State Street Global Advisors, for example, vote against directors at any companies whose boards dont include a female member. Bankers arent the only ones pushing for more diverse corporate boards. The state of California now requires at least one woman on the board of directors for every publicly listed corporation based in the stateunder penalty of a fine of up to $100,000. Californias mandate follows in the footsteps of a Norwegian 2008 law that requires publicly listed corporations to reserve 40 percent of board seats for women. The European Commission has also pushed a similar quota. Goldman Sachss diversity mandate shouldnt be a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to the financial sector. More and more corporations are trying to become woke as the social-justice-minded Generation Z makes up an ever-larger portion of the consumer base. So-called environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment is booming. Do Gender Mandates Bring Results? In 2018, the Economist examined the Norwegian law, which penalized noncompliance with the forcible dissolution of the company. This has inspired similar laws all over Europe, although with less draconian penalties. European companies have rushed to comply, and in some countries, female membership on corporate boards has increased four- or fivefold, according to data from the European Institute for Gender Equality. However, the broader results of the laws have been underwhelming, to say the least. For example, Norway found some companies decided to go private rather than comply with the new law. In France, corporations gamed quotas by reducing the number of directors. In addition, the mandates generally havent delivered on their promises of superior performance. While proponents of gender quotas have argued more women on boards would increase the bottom line, the reality is that companies have had mixed results, with no positive correlation between profitability and gender quotas. A recent 2019 study on the Norwegian quotas found a negative effect of mandated female representation on firm performance, reducing profitability by 12 percent. To rub salt into the wound, affirmative action generally hasnt helped employees down the ladder. A 2015 study by law professor Darren Rosenblum of Pace University found having more women on boards in France didnt change the substance of corporate decisions such as layoffs. Rosenblum also found the views of female board members followed no distinct or favorable pattern. Except for the sliver at the top, known in the literature as the golden skirts, quotas havent helped female employees. In Norway, having more women on corporate boards didnt encourage women to climb the ladder, and it didnt shrink the gender pay gap for most employees. In Italy, while female board members increased fourfold since the 2011 quotas, researchers found no spillover effects on the representation of women among the listed companies top wage earners. Finally, even with these mandates, the rate of female management in the largest firms in most European countries remained comparable to that of the United States. Notwithstanding California, the United States hasnt had legally mandated gender quotas in private business. Being open to women on corporate boards, on a meritocratic basis, is noble. However, the results from Europe show mandates dont help profitability nor improve the working conditions of female employees. By their own objectives, gender quotas have proved unsuccessful. Wall Streets Hollow Social Justice Despite the fact that gender quotas havent produced tangible differences in decision-making, the pressure for companies to hire more women directors is on the rise. Even if futile and counterproductive, woke capitalism appears to be marching on, driven by identity politics. Goldman Sachss stance is ultimately meaningless. First, theres nothing to stop companies going public with the minimum number of female directors and then dismissing them once theyre listed. Second, Goldman Sachs is hardly the only IPO underwriter on Wall Street. How many corporations will jump on the affirmative-action bandwagon remains to be seen. If such mandates benefited profits or efficiency, they would stand on their own merits. Since the evidence from Europe points to the contrary, their popularity rests on intimidation and coercion rather than logic. All else held equal, investors want to grow their fortunes, and gender quotas dont help. Many of those pushing woke diversity mandates forget that the financial world still has competitive marketsa far cry from the social-justice media and academic circles that advocates are immersed in. Such mandates could easily backfire with more conservative investors and see them pull their money away from these companies and invest elsewhere. Indeed, economists have identified an affirmative-action penalty, whereby the stock market reacts negatively to board-diversity announcements. As for companies, they still have many other options to underwrite their IPOsor they can simply choose to stay private, making public launches even rarer. Startups are seeing the benefits of generous private capital markets and of not being subject to busybody regulators. Not without irony, small investors lose out because they tend to lack access to these private-equity deals. Without a clear profit or efficiency motive, Goldman Sachss push for more gender diversity is little more than a well-timed public-relations campaign. Woke capitalism may be gaining ground inside Wall Street, but it cant escape the laws of economics. This fad would best fall as quickly as it rose. Fergus Hodgson is the founder and executive editor of Latin American intelligence publication Econ Americas. He is also the roving editor of Gold Newsletter and a research associate with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. 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She knew more than my best friend about my life, said the 41-year-old Eltingville resident about her mother. So when she was diagnosed with appendix cancer in 2015, Paveros world started to fall apart. At the time, Paveros main job was caring for her toddler, so she moved her mom into her home. I fixed up the spare bedroom for her so I could take her to Sloan [Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan], said Pavero. My daughter and I were very much involved in taking her to treatments. All through it, I had a positive outlook. ...There was no way I was going to lose my mom. But after a year-and-a-half of doctors visits and treatment, Pavero was told there was nothing else the physicians could do for her mother. Around the same time I got this bad news, my brother called and said there was something wrong with my father, said Pavero, who has four siblings. He was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer and had an aneurysm in his heart. Both of my parents were actually in surgery at the same time, said Pavero. My siblings in Jersey were taking care of my dad, James Lyons, and I was taking care of my mom. We were going to different hospitals and doctors appointments. My dad never knew my mom wasnt going to make it. He passed away after a month. The cancer turned into bone cancer. Before she knew it, Pavero had lost both her parents in less than a two-month period. EVERYTHING WENT DARK Usually, Im a very positive person. But everything was dark at that time for me, she said. I was waking up with the weight of the world on my shoulders. I couldnt imagine how I was moving forward without my mother -- my biggest supporter, my biggest cheerleader. Thats when Pavero wrote an inspirational poem. And at the same time, she began painting as part of the self-healing process. She kept the poem on her nightstand to remind her to focus on the things in life for which she is grateful. That led to the creation of her company, Vickle Pickle, and an item called the Gratitude Stone. Before my parents got cancer they were moving, and when we were cleaning out their storage facility, we found two packages of river rock stones -- the same stones I had started painting as part of my healing process, she said. It was like a gift from my mother telling me to go for it, and to do this, she recalled. HER INSPIRATION Pavero said her biggest inspiration for starting the business was her daughter. I was told Id never have a child, so my mom used to call my daughter, Giuliana, my miracle, recalled Pavero. After losing my mother, I had to focus on my miracle and all the good I still had in my life. Gratitude Stones are supposed to serve as a daily reminder of all the positives in life, she explained. I remember being at a party with a bunch of moms and telling them about the stone I had by my nightstand. I told them Id just focus on three things Im grateful for every morning. They all wanted them. Before I knew it, I had 200 orders, she said. Each item consists of a colorful, unique hand-painted stone and two poems. Each stone is boxed. One poem explains what a Gratitude Stone is, and the other explains what you can do with your stone, she said, adding that the item is a popular gift for people who are going through difficult times. The stones, which also contain words, such as blessings, love and "courage, are sold in many gift shops across the country and through Instagram. They are a beautiful reminder to focus on the positive things in life, Pavero said, noting she has donated a lot of stones to kids with cancer. She said she also recommends the stones be paid forward. After people get through a tough time, they should give their stone to someone who needs it, she explained. VICKLE PICKLE AT A GLANCE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicklepickleboutique/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicklepickleboutique/ New Businesses in Focus is a weekly column that relates the stories of new Staten Island businesses owners. If you have a new business on Staten Island, e-mail porpora@siadvance.com. MORE NEW BUSINESSES IN FOCUS COLUMNS: FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER Kargil war hero and Northern Command Chief Lieutenant General Y K Joshi on Thursday presented 83 gallantry and distinguished services awards and nine 'Veer Naris' awards at an investiture ceremony here. Kanika Rane, the widow of Major Kaustubh Rane, who was martyred in an encounter with terrorists on the Line of Control (LoC) in August 2018, received the Sena Medal awarded to her husband. She has joined the Army after her husband's death. During the ceremony at the Udhampur-based Northern Command headquarters, the Army Commander presented five Bar to Sena Medals (gallantry) and 73 Sena Medals (gallantry) to the brave soldiers, Defence PRO, Northern Command, Lt Col Abhinav Navneet said. Eight of the awards were conferred posthumously and the martyrs' kin received the honour, he said. Lt Gen Joshi also presented a Yudh Seva Medal, two Sena Medals (distinguished) and nine Vishisht Seva Medal to soldiers for their selfless service to the nation. The Army Commander also presented the unit appreciation to 18 units for their overall outstanding performance in the command theatre in the year 2019, the PRO said. Speaking on the occasion, the Army Commander commended all ranks of the Northern Command for their dedication and devotion to duty in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. During the event, AWWA (Army Women Welfare Association) Regional President, Northern Command, Ina Joshi also interacted with the families of the posthumous awardees, reassuring them unstinted organisational support. The widow of Major Kaustubh Rane, martyred in an encounter with terrorists on the Line of Control (LoC) in August 2018, has followed in her husband's footsteps. Kanika Rane (29), whose photos receiving and embracing the Tricolor that draped her husband's body on his final journey touched hearts across the country, cleared the Service Selection Board (SSB) exam, and joined the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. Kanika's decision was driven by her husband's desire to serve the country and her own childhood dream of joining the Army. Kanika cleared the exam (under the category 'widows of defence personnel who died in harness') in the first attempt. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) SMITHERS, B.C. - The hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en sat down Thursday with senior government ministers to discuss a pipeline dispute that has caused protests across the country, shutting down freight and passenger rail services. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 26/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. CN Railway workers check the railroad crossing gate as they prepare to resume service after Ontario Provincial Police made arrests at a rail blockade in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, near Belleville, Ont., on Monday Feb. 24, 2020, during a protest in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Nation hereditary chiefs attempting to halt construction of a natural gas pipeline on their traditional territories. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld SMITHERS, B.C. - The hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en sat down Thursday with senior government ministers to discuss a pipeline dispute that has caused protests across the country, shutting down freight and passenger rail services. Federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and British Columbia Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser began the long-sought talks in the late afternoon and wrapped after about three hours, with a plan to resume Friday morning. "Productive talks and we're continuing tomorrow," said Fraser, adding the mood in the room was "very good, very respectful" but it's not appropriate to discuss the details of what took place. "We don't want to jeopardize anything. We had a productive day today and we're hoping for a very solid day tomorrow, too." Bennett said it was a "very good start." Freda Huson, a spokeswoman for the Unist'ot'en camp that has been set up near the pipeline work site, said the meeting Thursday only covered introductions and the mood was respectful. She said she will not attend on Friday because the meeting will only involve the head chiefs and government officials. Hereditary Chief Na'moks left without making a statement. Before the meeting began, both the RCMP and Coastal GasLink said they agreed to conditions requested by the chiefs to allow the discussions to progress. The natural gas company agreed to a two-day pause in its activities in northwestern B.C., while the RCMP committed to ending patrols along a critical roadway while the negotiations unfold. The chiefs praised the moves in a statement released before the talks got underway. "We believe these conditions provide the space we need to be able to sit down at the table in good faith and a positive path forward," the statement read. "We are so close and have called on the provincial and federal governments to support this de-escalation of activities so that this issue can be resolved." The chiefs said the meeting with Bennett and Fraser is a "first step," noting both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan declined invitations to discuss the long-simmering issues that have gained fresh urgency in recent weeks. The chiefs' opposition to a natural gas pipeline cutting across their traditional territory, coupled with their efforts to limit police presence on their lands, have sparked shows of support across the country that have halted rail service for the past three weeks. Bennett said she hoped the meetings would pave the way to end the dispute and protests. "Obviously this is very important," she said moments after arriving in Smithers. "We reaffirm our interest in talking to the Wet'suwet'en Nation and their issues of title and rights." Horgan said he has met with the hereditary leaders twice over the past year and a half and is prepared to sit down with them again, but there need to be conditions for constructive dialogue. Fraser understands the community's governance issues and Bennett represents the Crown in Canada, so the best way forward is for them to be at the table, he said. "I think that this is a good step. I've been seeking peaceful dialogue for a couple of weeks and here we are," he said. "I'm looking forward to harmony as a result of those discussions." Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller said the meeting was a victory for open dialogue and peaceful resolution, but it is only the beginning as there are underlying rights and title issues that will take time to resolve. Wet'suwet'en community members are divided on the pipeline and about a dozen supporters of the project gathered outside the Office of the Wet'suwet'en while the meeting took place. Bonnie George, a former Coastal GasLink employee who describes herself as a Wet'suwet'en matriarch, handed out a statement that she attributed to the Wet'suwet'en people. "The public attention brought to our community is having a negative effect on our people and eroding our traditional ways," George said, reading from the statement. Hereditary chiefs are not decision-makers on their own and are instead meant to reflect the consensus of their clan or house and reach decisions together inside a traditional setting called a Feast House, she said. George said she wasn't invited to the meeting but she went into the room with others and they made a statement, telling the gathering that the entire nation needs to be represented. The dispute over the Coastal GasLink pipeline project has been raging for months, but entered a new phase on Dec. 31, 2019, when the B.C. Supreme Court granted the company an injunction calling for the removal of any obstructions from any roads, bridges or work sites it has been authorized to use in Wet'suwet'en territory. The RCMP moved in to enforce that injunction on Feb. 6. Hours later, protesters started holding up railway traffic outside of Belleville, Ont., in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, thwarting freight and passenger rail travel. In Ottawa, one Conservative MP questioned Thursday whether the blockades constitute acts of terrorism. Doug Shipley put the question to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair during testimony at the House of Commons public safety and national security committee. The rookie MP said he was asking on behalf of a constituent who sent him an email after a handful of protesters in the Belleville area lit fires near and on railway tracks the day before actions that were denounced by Trudeau. "This resident wanted to know if the current illegal blockades that are happening across Canada are being deemed as a terrorist activity?" Shipley asked. Blair said they were not, adding the government should not interfere with the police's ability to identify and investigate criminal activity in their jurisdiction. "It's very appropriate that I be careful in doing that because I do not want to interfere with the operational independence of both the police and our prosecutors," he said. "But at the same time that was terribly unsafe, deeply concerning." RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki testified at the same committee hearing, saying the Mounties have discretion on how to enforce an injunction. "Of course, enforcement is the last option," she said. "It's about dialogue and trying to find a peaceful resolution to the blockades." The Ontario Provincial Police took down a major blockade near Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory earlier this week. But about 20 demonstrators gathered near train tracks in Kingston, Ont., farther east along the same line, on Thursday morning. Local police said the group gathered on the Canadian National Railway Co. overpass, but train traffic had not been affected and officers were monitoring the situation. Police in Victoria said two protesters were arrested for mischief after using a substance to write messages that included profanity on the building, driveway and walkway of the B.C. legislature. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. With files from Michelle McQuigge and Liam Casey in Toronto, Mike Blanchfield in Ottawa, and Beth Leighton and Laura Kane in Vancouver. Trump Campaign Sues New York Times For Libel Over Russia Story By RFE/RL February 26, 2020 WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump's reelection campaign has filed a libel lawsuit against The New York Times (NYT), accusing it of falsely asserting a trade-off between Russian officials and the president's 2016 campaign. The lawsuit was filed on February 26 with the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, the state's trial-level court, and is the first time Trump's political operation has taken legal action against a U.S. news outlet since he took office. Specifically, the litigation concerns an opinion piece published in March 2019 and written by Max Frankel, the newspaper's executive editor from 1986 to 1994. It was headlined "The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo" with a subhead adding, "The campaign and the Kremlin had an overarching deal: help beat Hillary Clinton for a new pro-Russian foreign policy." Quid pro quo is a Latin term meaning a favor in exchange for a favor. The lawsuit argues that this assertion "is false" and that the NYT published the essay "knowing it would misinform and mislead its own readers." It also alleges the NYT harbors "extreme bias against and animosity toward" Trump's re-election campaign. The newspaper defended the opinion piece on freedom of expression grounds. "The Trump campaign has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable," Eileen Murphy, a spokeswoman for the NYT, said in a statement. "Fortunately, the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgments and conclusions, especially about events of public importance," Murphy added. "We look forward to vindicating that right in this case." Trump often refers to various news media outlets as "fake news" and has called elements of the U.S. news media "the enemy of the American people." An investigation by former Special Counsel Robert Mueller chronicled Moscow's campaign of hacking and social-media propaganda to bolster Trump's 2016 candidacy and damage his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. The probe discovered numerous contacts between people associated with Trump's campaign and Russians. Mueller concluded he didn't have enough evidence to show a criminal conspiracy between Trump's team and Russia but also didn't exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice related to the investigation. Trump's reelection campaign has retained Charles J. Harder, a lawyer with a reputation for waging combative legal battles against prominent news media outlets, according to the NYT. With reporting by Reuters and The New York Times Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-campaign- sues-new-york-times-for-libel-over- russia-story/30456666.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Donald Trump during a briefing Wednesday on a potential health crisis blamed a sudden stock market sell-off slide on a comments by Democratic candidates at a debate rather than the risk of a looming coronavirus pandemic. Trump, who encouraged Americans to buy stocks even after a 1,000 point drop in the Dow during his trip to India earlier this week, was asked how the disease might affect markets and the economy, with millions quarantined in China and the illness spreading to Italy and the Middle East. Trump pointed a finger at his Democratic presidential opponents not the illness that caused him to summon top officials to the White House for his first briefing with reporters from the White House briefing room. President Donald Trump blamed a sudden market slide on 'Democrat candidates standing on that stage making fools out of themselves' not on fears of a coronavirus pandemic 'I think the financial markets are very upset when they look at the Democrat candidates standing on that stage making fools out of themselves and they say if we have a president like this and there's always a possibility it's an election, who knows what happens,' Trump said. Trump added that he thought 'we're going to win' and 'by a lot.' He spoke hours after seven Democrats squared off for a debate in Charleston, with democratic socialist Bernie Sanders drawing fire due to his strong performance and polling. 'But when they look at the statements made by the people standing behind those podiums, I think that has a huge effect, yeah,' Trump said. He doubled down when asked if he didn't think the drop a 7 per cent sell-off had to do with coronavirus. Trump attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and said 'quite a bit' of the market sell-off came from people watching his Democratic rivals debating. The first Democratic debate was back in June, and the market started tanking the day before the Charleston debate ''I think the financial markets are very upset when they look at the Democrat candidates standing on that stage making fools out of themselves,' said Trump People wear face masks as a precaution to the outbreak of Coronavirus in Italy, during the weekly General Audience at St. Peter's Square. The General Audience is held every Wednesday, in Saint Peter's Square, which can accommodate around 80,000 people People are seen leaving the arrivals terminal at Sydney International airport on January 29, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has now killed 132 people - mostly in China - and as of Wednesday morning had 6,000 confirmed cases while thousands more people remain under observation Trader Frank Masiello works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 at the start of a major sell-off The Dow dropped 7 per cent over two days amid concerns about the outbreak 'I think it did. But I think you can add quite a bit of sell-off to what they're seeing because they're seeing the potential I think we're going to win I feel very confident of it,' he said acknowledging that his theory rests in part on Wall Street pricing the possibility he would lose to a Democrat. 'I do believe in terms of CNBC and in terms of Fox Business, I do believe that that's a factor, yeah and I think after I win the election I think the stock market's going to boom like it's never boomed before,' Trump said. 'The stock market the day after went up like a rocket ship,' he said. Trump's unorthodox call came during an urgent health briefing where he took numerous partisan shots at Democrats while also saying he would accept billions more in coronavirus response funds Democrats are demanding. 'They can do whatever they want,' he said. 'Well be satisfied whatever it is.' He brought up his signature and controversial border wall, for which he has reprogrammed money from defense and other issues. It wasn't very easy for the wall, but we got that one done,' Trump said. When asked about criticism made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he slapped back by calling the California Democrat 'incompetent' and calling Sen. Charles Schumer 'cryin' Chuck.' Trump also suggested under Pelosi, Democrats would lose the House again - and he said impeachment 'lifted my poll numbers up by 10 points.' 'She's trying to create a panic,' Trump said. 'And there's no reason to create a panic because we have done so good.' Trump also attacked Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, who demanded three times the coronavirus response funds Trump asked for. 'Instead of making a statement like that she should be saying we have to work together because we have a big problem, potentially, and maybe it's going to be a very little problem,' Trump said. 'I hope it's going to be a very little problem but we have to work together. Instead [Pelosi] wants to do the same thing with cryin' Chuck Schumer,' he said, appending his usual Schumer insult. 'He goes out and he says "the president only asked for $2.5 billion dollars. He should have $8.5 billion." This is the first time I've ever been told that we should take more ... and we should be working together. He shouldn't be making statements like that,' Trump said. 'We have to all work together. You cant say bad things,' Trump said. During the presser, Bernie Sanders, currently the Democratic frontrunner, sent out a statement blasting Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, who was present at the White House briefing, for not guaranteeing during Congressional testimony that a coronavirus vaccine would be affordable to all. 'Under the Trump doctrine, if you are wealthy you can buy a vaccine and not succumb to the sickness. If you are poor or working class, you may have to get sick or even die,' Sanders said. 'That is an outrage. That is unacceptable. We need a vaccine that is available to all, not just those who can afford it.' At first, Kaia Rolle, 6, appeared not to understand what the police officers were doing. What are those for? she said, eyeing the zip ties the officers had brought to the school office in Orlando, Fla. Its for you, one officer responded. As he tied them on, she started to sob: No, dont put handcuffs on. Help me! Newly released body camera footage, first published by The Orlando Sentinel this week, captured these and other jarring details of how the officers arrested Kaia in September and led her through the school into the back of a police vehicle, despite her anguished pleas for them to let her go. Kaia was arrested after throwing a tantrum at school earlier that day in which she kicked a school staff member, her grandmother has previously said. The arrest had already prompted fierce criticism of the rough treatment of young children by law enforcement. The officer, Dennis Turner, who also arrested a 6-year-old boy in a separate episode on the same day, was terminated from his job in September. Elsa Hosk showed her flat stomach in a short pinstriped jacket while taking a stroll Wednesday in New York City. The 31-year-old Swedish model wore a black crop top underneath her one-button grey jacket that she paired with separate striped grey trousers. Elsa added some flair with a black belt with a large golden buckle and carried a black Bottega Veneta purse on a thick golden chain-link strap. Urban chic: Elsa Hosk displayed her urban chic style in a cropped pinstriped jacket and combat boots Wednesday while out for a stroll in New York City She completed her outfit with black Dr. Martens leather combat boots from the Raf Simons X Dr. Martens collaboration. The Victoria's Secret Angel accessorized with sleek black sunglasses. Elsa earlier this month walked the runway for Laquan Smith during New York Fashion Week. She also was spotted last week at Milan Fashion Week in Milan, Italy. Suited up: The 31-year-old Swedish model wore a black crop top underneath her one-button jacket that she paired with separate striped grey trousers Combat boots: Elsa completed her outfit with black Dr. Martens leather boots from the Raf Simons X Dr. Martens collaboration Designer purse: She also carried a black Bottega Veneta purse on a thick golden chain-link strap Elsa has walked in the Victoria's Secret show since 2011 and earned her Angel wings in 2015 She opened the Victoria's Secret show in 2016. The style icon has modeled for a wide range of designers from high end Christian Dior to H&M's affordable high street fashion. Top model: Elsa, shown earlier this month walking the runway for Laquan Smith during New York Fashion Week, has been a Victoria's Secret Angel since 2015 Elsa has been dating Tom Daly, the co-founder and creative director of Running Vision, which specializes in sunglasses made for running. They've been together since 2015. Elsa celebrated her 31st birthday with Tom last November at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Dublin, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches: European Market Overview" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report includes EU market analysis and defines all the tobacco-free brands of nicotine pouches, also known as nicotine snus. The analysis of tobacco-free nicotine snus included 17 brands marketed in the EU and, in particular, 137 products were studied that varied in flavor, nicotine strength and portion weight. Numerous limitations and restrictions are in place throughout the EU on the sale of oral tobacco products, the non-tobacco nicotine snus brands have emerged as a popular alternative to tobacco-based portion pouch products. The large tobacco manufacturers appear to be adopting tobacco-free nicotine pouches as a focus of corporate harm reduction strategies, and accordingly, given the opportunity to switch existing smokers from cigarettes to oral products at profitable margins, the level of innovation in this segment is likely to increase in the short to mid-term. The rapid growth of the smokeless oral nicotine pouch market has resulted in new market entrants and new products configurations available in the European market. Scandinavian snus manufacturers are increasingly switching to non-tobacco compositions infused with nicotine and flavors as an alternative to tobacco as part of their current brand offerings. Consumer acceptance for these tobacco-free oral smokeless products has grown in recent years, with rapid adoption throughout Scandinavia, Central Europe and increasingly in Eastern Europe. In this latest forty-page novel nicotine oral smokeless products report, analysts present a detailed overview of current portion pouch product offerings by major category manufacturers as well as new market entrants in Europe. The report comprehensively sets out detail on: Sizes and types of nicotine pouches The current regulatory environment in Scandinavia and the EU Current package offerings Current portion pouch sizes by brand Nicotine pouch content by brand Total nicotine content per package Average pouch weight by brand Average total weight per brand Total pouch count per brand Flavor profile analysis for the overall nicotine pouch category Conceptual packaging designs Average pricing by brand Companies Mentioned Altria Group British American Tobacco (BAT) Imperial Brands Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Swedish Match Any strategic planning adviser, competitive analyst, marketing specialist or sales professional in the nicotine or tobacco pouch smokeless market will find this report to be an invaluable ready-reference guide to brand and product characteristics in the category. Key Topics Covered 1. General Tobacco-Free Snus industry overview 1.1. Tobacco-free snus definition 1.2. Regulation in the EU region 1.3. Snus relative patents 1.4. Types of cellulose packing 1.5 Types of packaging boxes 1.5.1 Real designs 1.5.2 Concept designs 2. EU Non-tobacco snus market analysis 2.1. Average weight of portion 2.2. Average quantity of portion per package 2.3. Average weight of per package of portions 2.4. Labelled nicotine content per portion 2.5. Packages analysis 2.6. Flavor profiles analysis 2.7. Price range for tobacco-free snus 2.8. EU Brands ownership 2.9 EU Brands presence in CIS market 2.10 EU Customs statistics for tobacco-free snus 2.10.1 Import from Sweden 2.10.2 Import from India Conclusions List of Charts Chart 1. Weight of portion in EU market, g Chart 2. Quantity of portions in the EU market, items Chart 3. Weight of all portions in a package in EU market, g Chart 4. Nicotine content per portion in the EU market, mg Chart 5. Analysis of boxes by shape Chart 6. Availability of tobacco-free snus flavors in EU Chart 7. Price for a pack of snus in the EU, Euro Chart 8. EU brands by type of ownership Chart 9. EU brands presence in the CIS market Chart 10. Import ratio from Sweden and India to EU countries by HS code 24039990 in Jan - Oct 2019 (value in 1000 EUR) Chart 11. Import from Sweden to EU countries by HS code 24039990 in Jan - Oct 2019 (value in 1000 EUR) Chart 12. Import from Sweden to EU countries by HS code 24039990 in Jan - Oct 2019 (value in 1000 EUR) Chart 13. Import from India to EU countries by HS code 24039990 in Jan - Oct 2019 (value in 1000 EUR) Chart 14. Import from India to EU countries by HS code 24039990 in Jan - Oct 2019 (value in 1000 EUR) List of Tables Table 1. Regulation acts in the European Union Table 2. Patents for snus Table 3. Types and weight of the portion of snus For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u9oypz Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. March is Womens History Month and the Kenosha History Center is highlighting women in American history. On June 10, 1919, the State of Wisconsin joined Illinois and Michigan in being the first to ratify the 19th Amendment, which recognized the hard-fought right of women to vote in the United States. Over a year later, Tennessee became the required 36th state to ratify the amendment for it to become law. As a result, 2020 is the centennial year of Womens Suffrage. To join in the nationwide celebration and especially the celebration in Kenosha County, the Kenosha History Center, 220 51st Place, is hosting exhibits throughout this year drawing attention to womens history and suffrage. Suffrage exhibit Carthage College intern Mia Morton has researched and designed the Kenosha History Center exhibit celebrating Womens Suffrage in Kenosha County. The exhibit looks at the figures and events in the efforts of local women to win the recognition of their civil rights, and the opposition to suffrage. Suffrage divided Kenoshas women between reformers and staunch traditionalists who asked Why force a woman to vote? The exhibit will run through the fall of 2020. Public Freedom/Private Space The museums ongoing Womens History exhibit Public Freedom/Private Space looks at women in the early 20th century. As their place in public society was slowly won, the separate spheres of Victorian society transformed into shared public and private spaces. The exhibit makes use of the Dovie Horvitz Womens Collection, a curated collection of items representing the public and private lives of ordinary women from 1850 to 1950, and will be on display through 2020. The collection was donated to the History Center by Mrs. Horvitz, and an online database for the collection is available from the UW Library system at the following web address: https://uwdc.library.wisc.edu/collections/doviehorvitz/ 31 Days of Womens History The museum will be showing an ongoing exhibit 31 Days of Womens History,. Each day, the center will highlight an item from the Dovie Horvitz Womens Collection, and put it on display. After 31 Days, there will be 31 items that cover a wide range of Womens History from 1850 to 1950. The Kenosha History Center does not charge admission. The events are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. For more information, contact the center at 262-654-5770. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 India has cancelled all flight operations from Iran -- the Middle Eastern country which has reported the most fatalities from novel coronavirus outside of China, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced on Thursday. It may be noted that two Iranian airlines -- Mahan Air and Iran Air -- operate from Iran to Indian cities. Iran has reported as many as 245 cases of coronavirus, while 26 people have died of the infection since the beginning of the outbreak. Earlier in the day, Pakistan had also announced the suspension of flight operations to and from Iran, effective from midnight of February 27, after 2 cases of coronavirus were reported in the country, involving people who had recently returned from Iran. Coronavirus first originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has since then killed more than 2700 people in that country alone, while cases have been reported in several countries across the world, including India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New Delhi: A special Air India flight carrying 119 Indians and five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru, who were on board the coronavirus-hit quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, landed in New Delhi on Thursday (February 27, 2020) morning. Government has thanked the Japanese authorities for facilitating the evacuation of people. "Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo, carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities.Thank you @airindiain once again," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a tweet. Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo,carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka,Nepal, South Africa&Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020 As many as 138 Indians including 132 crew and six passengers were among the 3,711 people on board the luxury cruise ship, which was quarantined off Japan on February 5 after it emerged that a former passenger had tested positive for the virus. Of these, 16 were tested positive for coronavirus and will stay in Japan for treatment, while the remaining will be repatriated to India. The repatriation is being facilitated by the Indian government.Coronavirus has infected more than 80,000 people in 37 countries, causing more than 2,600 deaths in the past few months. Earlier this month, India had evacuated as many as 640 of its nationals from Wuhan -- the capital of the Chinese province of Hubei which has been the epicentre of the novel coronavirus. After four years, Google has added five new languages to its Translate service. As the official blog notes, Google Translate now offers support for five more languages including Kinyarwanda, Odia (Oriya), Tatar, Turkmen, and Uyghur, which are reportedly spoken by more than 75 million people worldwide. The latest addition takes the total capabilities of Google Translate to 108 languages. Google uses machine learning coupled with inputs from the Google Translate Community for languages without a lot of web content. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) [February 27, 2020] New Supercluster Investment to Improve On-Farm Logistics and Food Traceability The project will help farmers become more efficient and achieve higher returns while improving traceability along the value chain CALGARY, Feb. 27, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, Protein Industries Canada in partnership with an industry consortium, announced an investment of $ 9.25 million into a project that will help improve on-farm logistics and food traceability through an integrated data platform. This innovative project will utilize data from the farm gate, through the entire supply chain, to make on-farm practices more efficient, increasing consumer traceability while reducing input costs and the overall environmental impact of the sector. "The Protein Industries Supercluster project is showing the way for increased collaboration between SMEs by bringing together partners from across the agriculture value chain. Both Canadian consumers and farmers will benefit from reliable farm-level data that can support Canada's reputation as a supplier of traceable food ingredients, and a champion of sustainable farming practices," The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry said. The consortium, consisting of Provision Analytics from Calgary, AB; Verge Technologies from Calgary, AB; Skymatics from Calgary, AB; and Coutts Agro from Kindersley, SK will invest, $4.6 million or half of the total project budget, with Protein Industries Canada's co-investment making up the other half. This project brings together the expertise of Coutts Agro, a large-scale farming operation, with technologies from Verge Technologies and Skymatics, which uses digital mapping and optimization technologies to help farmers improve in-field operations by capturing information around input application, fuel use and more. Verge Technologies software results in fewer passes required to maintain a field, leading to reduced fuel costs and mitigating a producer's environmental impact. This dataset will be used by Provision Analytics to create linkages to support food traceability, transparency and key metrics associated with energy efficiency. "This project is truly ground-breaking for the Canadian agriculture and food sector," CEO of Protein Industries Canada Bill Greuel said. "The collaboration and scope of this project, from on-farm through to processing captures the spirit of the Supercluster. By bringing together partners from across the value chain, the project will improve the traceability of our agri-food products across the chain of custody and provide metrics for sustainability initiatives, ensuring that Canada's reputation as a safe and reliable supplier of healthy, sustainably produced food is protected." This will be the first project to attempt to correlate farm level practice through the value chain from production to processing. Historically, all notions of sustainability and traceability have been constrained to individual steps of the value chain. This project brings together the different touchpoints to support traceability and sustainability initiatives and advance Canada's agriculture and food sector. "We're excited to work with Protein Industries Canada, Verge Technologies, Skymatics and Coutts Agro. The project gives the opportunity to de-commoditize Canadian crops, and find real, differentiating value in products as they move through the supply chain. We will leverage this direction to accelerate our data science team to drive value to the Canadian agriculture industry," co-founder and CEO of Provision Analytics Erik Westblom said. "Our shop drives urgent customer success and a culture for finding issues in the world's most important supply chain. We capture food safety and traceability information to help customers find business efficiency and meet compliance demands. The investment from Protein Industries Canada will help us find additional value through the development of machine learning algorithms associated with food waste reduction, caloric efficiency, water usage and carbon impact, from crop product through processing." "We are very excited to be working with this consortium group and the Protein Industries Canada on this exciting project," CEO of Verge Technologies Ryan Johnson said. "Our focus at Verge Technologies is to drive efficiency within farming operations by providing tools that allow farmers to optimize the productivity of their in-field machinery. Focusing on efficiency in field means that farmers save time, reduce input costs and fuel consumed as well as making better soil management decisions. All of these outcomes lead to cost savings for the farmer and more sustainable farming operations. With the support we are receiving from Protein Industries Canada by way of funding and partner access we are making this a reality for Canadian farmers." "At Skymatics we see real value in allowing growers and producers to leverage every bit of their on-farm data and information to help grow their business in terms of efficiency and profitability," CEO of Skymatics EJ Burrows said. "We're excited to have the support of Protein Industries Canada as we begin this project with Provision, Verge Technologies and Coutts Agro to further develop and prove the value of bringing greater data transparency and traceability to the Canadian Ag industry." "Thank you to everyone at Protein Industries Canada, Provision Analytics, Verge, and Skymatics for making our group's application a success. Never has the pace of changing demands around food been so great," Vice President of Coutts Agro Matt Coutts said. "As farmers we take great care to sustainably produce safe food while improving outcomes for all stakeholders, including the environment. With this project, our group is able to create a future where the Canadian agriculture sector is on the right side of history and Canadian Farmers are participating in the associated value creation." This is Protein Industries Canada's fourth approved project and the first that falls under the data category. This project will have demonstrated benefits beyond plant protein to the entire agriculture and food sector. By providing transparency through traceability and production methods, Canada will be further distinguished as a safe and trusted suppler of food. About Provision Analytics: Provision Analytics has a dedicated focus on digital Food Safety, Traceability and Analytics within the food value chain. Our goal is to provide a single, unified location for aggregate food supply chain information. The company's proprietary data structure relies on complex mathematics, allowing for performance 4,660 times faster than the world's fastest blockchain, while operating with 35 times less cost. The solution minimizes the overhead of regulatory compliance through digital data capture, workflow management, and production reporting; this immediate focus allows for growing analytical capability through the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Provision Analytics aims to work in conjunction with industry partners to provide a cohesive and collaborative approach to creating transparency in the food value chain, while generating incentive and upside for everyone. About Verge Technologies: Verge Technologies is innovating at the convergence of digital, precision and autonomous agriculture. Focused on optimizing movement of in-field agricultural equipment, the Verge Technologies team of rocket scientists, farmers, computer programmers and dealmakers is playing a key role in pushing the boundaries of traditional farming practices through enabled, optimized and autonomous operational solutions. Dedicated to adding real value to farmers, Verge Technologies' flagship product, First Pass, uses proprietary algorithms to create optimized in-field route plans for GPS enabled machinery. First Pass reduces miles driven, equipment wear and tear, hours worked, fuel, seed, fertilizer, chemicals and overall greenhouse gas emissions produced during farming activities. About Skymatics: Skymatics provides transformative solutions to the agricultural industry as well as the insurance space by allowing for greater data transparency, collaboration and analytics within the Ag insurance workflow. Skymatics' core product offers producers and ag insurers with automated crop damage assessments and verification in ways never seen before as we leverage remote sensing data, on farm data and innovative analytics to automate processes to take crop insurance claim assessment from days to down to minutes. About Coutts Agro: Coutts Agro Ltd. is a family farm located near Kindersley, SK. They operate and produce grain and oilseeds on roughly 100,000 acres. A leader in adopting new technology, they were the winner of the 2018 Land O' Lakes Innovation in Sustainability Award. SOURCE Protein Industries Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] A judge today said that while society is demanding justice in the case of the killing of Lyra McKee, justice 'is no good if it is seen to be biased or one sided or not scrupulously fair.' District Judge Barney McElholm was speaking as he released 52-year-old Paul McIntyre, of Kinnego Park in Derry, on bail. McIntyre is charged with the murder of Lyra McKee on April 18 last as well as a charge of possessing a weapon with intent to endanger life and professing to be or being a member of the IRA on the same date. During his first appearance, several issues were raised by the defence regarding the height of the defendant as well as a report on the photographic evidence. At today's hearing, a police officer said that they had ascertained the height of the person in some of the photographs as being the same as McIntyre by comparing the figure beside a lamppost. She said the police had looked at gait evidence but decided to rely on clothing analysis as this had 'most merit' in this case. She said police also considered build analysis but the person in the photos was wearing bulking clothing so there was little merit in that. The officer also addressed the criticism made in the last hearing of the expert's conclusion that McIntyre was 'a suitable candidate' to match the person in the images. The court was told that expert had found 'powerful support' in relation to some of the photos and 'strong support' in others that it was the same person. She also told the court that she had spoken to a community support worker and also the person whose car had been hijacked and both said they did not know McIntyre and would not be giving evidence. Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey said that in the sequence of photos that allegedly connected McIntyre to the murder there is no lamppost to measure against. He said the only evidence particular to the murder charge was the clothing analysis. The police officer said the photographic evidence showed someone police believed to be McIntyre carrying petrol bombs and then that person was linked to the murder on the basis of being a co-conspirator. The officer said that there were 18 similarities on the clothing which she accepted was mass produced. Mr Harvey said the main evidence in the prosecution case was the expert evidence of the photographs. He called into question the expertise of the author of the report and queried whether the report had been added to. Judge McElholm said that the defence would be entitled to see all the preliminary reports and any changes would have to be explained. Mr Harvey said that there was no evidence linking the man kneeling down to the murder and said this man 'could have been tying his shoelaces'. He argued there was nothing on the reports that had not been there when the High Court granted McIntyre bail in October. Mr Harvey added that the prosecution had 'insurmountable obstacles' to get over. The judge said: "This particular murder met with universal condemnation from society and the minority of people who did not condemn it I can't understand these people, they are barely human." Stating justice must be fair, Judge McElholm said he had gone into the law because he did not like the 'way things were going in the 1970's' He granted McIntyre bail with the added condition he report to police daily. A prosecution barrister indicated they would be appealing the decision. McIntyre will appear again on March 26. Savvy travellers will be familiar with subscribing travel protection to safeguard their upcoming trips. Its easy to assume that when were on holiday, everything will be smooth sailing and we come home refreshed and filled with joyful memories. Thats not always the case, and thats where travel protection kicks in. If something were to happen from something as minor as luggage delay to life-threatening emergencies, a proper travel protection, be it travel insurance or travel takaful, can be really helpful. Here are some instances where your travel protection plan can provide compensation. 1) Travel inconveniences: flight delays, lost luggage, travel misconnections, and more Whether we like it or not, travel inconveniences are bound to happen even if weve taken the necessary precautions. Flight delays are especially common at busy airports, and weve all heard of someone whos had their luggage damaged or even lost by the airline. These circumstances, and other inconveniences such as flight overbooking, travel misconnection, and more are almost always covered by a travel protection plan. For every travel inconvenience you experience in your trip, you can claim for compensation and receive a payout, with few supporting documents required. That said, be sure to take a closer look at your contract wordings. Eligibility for travel or luggage delay, for example, always has a minimum time frame before kicking in its usually at least 5 hours. 2) Emergency medical and dental expenses While compensation for travel inconveniences are great to have, a travel protection plan genuinely comes in useful when something more serious happens during your trip. Whether it is a road accident, a stroke, or even a serious case of food poisoning, medical treatment abroad can leave bad memories and potentially long-lasting damage to ones finances. When youre covered by a travel protection plan, you can claim for all eligible medical expenses youve incurred while on your trip. Some travel protection plans, such as MHinsure, have a Cashless Hospitalisation Admission feature which guarantees medical expenses on your behalf and settling claims directly with the hospital or other medical/service provider wherever possible. This eliminates the hassle of claiming the expenses when you return. 3) Accidental death/disablement and repatriation costs For the absolute worst-case scenario, a travel protection plan offers financial assistance for accidental deaths and disablement if they occur during the covered trip. In addition, the plan will also provide financial compensation to assist with the repatriation of mortal remains. There is always a time frame to make these claims, however. If you miss it, you wont be able to get any compensation. So do read the contract wordings to make sure. 4) Loss of travel documents Another common nightmare occurrence, especially for those visiting popular cities. Pickpockets tend to target tourists as easy targets for many obvious reasons, but they usually take more than what they need in this case, its usually things like your passport and other travel documents. This not only leaves you broke in a foreign land, but also be unable to return home unless you find your way to the embassy and issue a temporary document. While a travel protection plan will not protect you from being pickpocketed, you can be comforted not only by the fact that you can get some of the money you lost back via compensation, but some plans also offer something called lost passport assistance. As its name suggests, the insurer may provide a hotline or service to assist customers with the procedure to obtain a temporary passport to return home with. Get Protected With MHinsure We may take all the necessary precautions before our trip, but a lot of things are quite simply out of our control. Thats why having travel protection is really important to safeguard ourselves from the unpredictable. MHinsure by Malaysia Airlines offers comprehensive travel protection at affordable prices, and can be subscribed by those travelling on Malaysia Airlines as well as other airlines, too. MHinsure offers three travel protection plans (Basic, Value, and Premier) that include a wide range of benefits, such as: Luggage Delay Benefit up to RM1,500 Travel Delay Benefit up to RM4,200 Travel Misconnection Benefit up to RM1,200 Emergency Medical and Dental Expenses Benefit up to RM1 million Accidental Death Benefit up to RM500,000 Repatriation Benefit up to Unlimited Loss of Travel Documents Benefit up to RM5,000 MHinsure also offers Syariah-compliant travel protection, making Malaysia Airlines the only airline in Malaysia to offer travel takaful products. Additionally, passengers can earn 1 Enrich Mile for every RM1 spent on an Annual Travel Protection plan. Check out MHinsure for more information on its travel protection plans. Terms & conditions apply MHinsure Travel Insurance is underwritten by Etiqa General Insurance Berhad (9557-T) (Licensed under Financial Services Act 2013 and regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia) with assistance provided by Cover-More. MHinsure Travel Takaful is underwritten by Etiqa General Takaful Berhad (1239197-A) (Licensed under Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 and regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia) with assistance provided by Cover-More. 0 0 votes Article Rating SHARE VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auramex Resource Corp. (the Company or Auramex) (TSX.V: AUX) reports that exploration is progressing at the past-producing Georgia River gold mine, with the geological team reviewing and analyzing drill core from previous operators. This high-grade gold mine, which last operated in 1939, was explored from the 1970s by several companies with the intent of restarting the mine. Work by Auramex has generated compelling evidence in support of a large gold target underlying the area of previous work. The present work is aimed at refining drill targets for a first test of that projected gold zone. The current program includes measurements of rock composition by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and measurements of spectral reflectance in the visible and short-wave infrared wavelengths. Both sets of measurements are being conducted on samples of historic diamond drill core from the mine area, with the samples selected during 2019 relogging of the core. Results will be combined with planned petrographic and whole-rock lithochemical analyses and with results from structural mapping of the Mine and Hume Creek areas to assemble a clear picture of the ancient hydrothermal system. It is now recognized that only a small part of that massive system was worked by the past producing mine. The Georgia River project is closely associated with an Early Jurassic intrusion, a hallmark of large gold deposits in the Golden Triangle. A regional-scale deformation zone provided the plumbing system for hydrothermal fluids related to the intrusion. Surface samples spanning more than a square kilometre on surface carry gold values in excess of a gram per tonne, demonstrating the extensive nature of the system. Historic values in the old workings and in the drill core show the potential of that system to host high gold values. Auramex President and CEO Lawrence Roulston noted: An enormous amount of work was done by previous operators at the Georgia River gold mine but focused around the old mine. Auramex augmented the prior results with airborne geophysics and other information. There is clear evidence of an extensive geological system with potential for a large gold deposit underlying the previously mined area. Results of the work by Auramex geologists suggests that the area of the mine workings is peripheral to the core of the hydrothermal system. The work now underway is aimed at developing vectors toward the most prospective areas within that system as a basis for designing a drill program. The technical disclosure in this release has been read and approved by Dr. Paul Metcalfe, PhD, P.Geo., a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101. About Auramex Resource Corp. Auramex is focused on exploring a large and highly prospective property portfolio in the Stewart camp, at the southern end of the Golden Triangle in British Columbia. The Companys extensive knowledge in the Golden Triangle aims to maximize shareholder value by deploying a systematic and comprehensive exploration approach, that fuses traditional and emerging, cutting-edge exploration techniques. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Lawrence Roulston President & CEO For further information, contact: Nancy Curry Corporate Communications info@auramex.com www.auramex.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. JEFFERSON CITY Hourly wage workers at private and religious schools in Missouri could be exempted from the states minimum wage law under legislation approved in the House Thursday. On a 94-53 vote, the House approved a plan that could result in pay cuts for teacher aides, cafeteria workers and bus drivers. It now heads to the Senate for further consideration. Rep. Tim Remole, R-Excello, who sponsored the proposed change said private schools are concerned that they will have to raise tuition costs, delay construction projects or reduce services because of the added wage costs. He also said the change would level the playing field between private and public schools, which are exempt from the minimum wage law. Remole said many of the people affected by the legislation are retirees who are working at the schools out of a sense of mission. They work there because they want to, Remole said. No one is forced to work there. RICHMOND, Va. Sean Mee walked the streets of this city's trendy Fan District with a simple message: Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg will "get it done." Mee, whose late wife spent 10 years battling cancer, said he was convinced that the self-funding billionaire Bloomberg could deliver on his highest priority of providing healthcare for those who need it. The 63-year-old retiree was initially interested in Pete Buttigieg but after hearing the former South Bend mayor make a big fundraising appeal for his Super Tuesday push, Mee said he decided his campaign lacked the war chest needed to win the White House. "I don't know how you can't take the fight to President Trump when you're struggling like that," he told USA TODAY. Mee was among a handful of volunteers who spread out on Sunday from the Bloomberg campaigns office in the Fan District, walking through the neighborhood lined with historic Victorian homes. On Monument Avenue, a main boulevard in the Fan District, statues of Confederate leaders like Robert E. Lee coexist with a statue of black tennis star Arthur Ashe. Just a couple miles west of the city's downtown, the Bloomberg field office occupied a former dance studio on the city's busy Broad Street sandwiched between a cell phone shop on one side, and a dentist on the other. A boba shop sat just down the block from the office for staff and volunteers to get their fill of milk tea. Democratic candidates and their supporters were in favorable territory in the heavily Democratic city, where Hillary Clinton won 78.6% of the vote in the 2016 general election. No, you step aside: Bloomberg's rivals 'shocked' after he suggests they leave the race Although Bloomberg has spent more than a half-billion dollars nationwide on digital, radio, and TV ads and offered high pay scales for staff, the campaign was running what seemed to be a traditional ground game in Richmond every volunteer had a clipboard, a map, and a list of houses to knock on. Story continues Bloomberg, who joined the presidential race in November, is staking everything on Super Tuesday, when a third of the delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination are up for grabs. With 99 pledged delegates at stake, Virginia is a state that could be crucial for him. Other large Super Tuesday states include California, Texas and North Carolina. The former New York City mayor has had to scale up quickly. The Fan District office opened just two weeks ago, and three others in Arlington, Roanoke, and Charlottesville opened earlier in the month. The campaign has since hired over 80 staffers, added three other offices in Manassas, Hampton Roads, and Danville, and deluged the state in at least $4.8 million in radio and television advertisements, according to ad-tracking firm Advertising Analytics. According to analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project, of the 2,697 ad airings in the Richmond media market from Jan. 1 until Feb. 23, 87% of the ads were from the Bloomberg campaign. Who is running for president in 2020? An interactive guide Bernie Sanders, the Democratic frontrunner, has two offices in Virginia and has spent a little over $12,000 on ads, Advertising Analytics says. The Biden campaign announced a "six-figure" ad buy in eight Super Tuesday states on Wednesday, though his team had not aired ads before then. Recent polling suggests Bloombergs strategy may have paid off, with a Monmouth University poll from earlier in February putting him and Sanders tied at 22% in the state among Democratic voters. Both Bloomberg and Sanders would beat Trump in head-to-head matchups, according to a Roanoke College poll released Feb. 24. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. But as the former vice president struggles to raise cash after weak showings in the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire, some residents were curious about Bloomberg. 'I like Mike!' Like countless other volunteers who had given time to presidential campaigns, the Bloomberg volunteers knocked on doors, pitched their candidate, and then marked down the results of their conversations. Over a couple of hours, Mee knocked on the doors of 11 homes where residents seemed receptive to Bloombergs message. The backlash Bloomberg faced from protesters a week and a half earlier at the Virginia Democratic Party's Gala in Richmond was not evident as volunteers walked around. I like him too! said some residents out walking their golden retriever who noticed Mees Bloomberg 2020 sticker and clipboard. Another man shouted as Mee walked away, "we're old and have mortgages" to explain why he and others on his block would be supporting Bloomberg instead of Sanders. Another man flashed his "I like Mike" yard sign after he opened his front door and saw the Bloomberg volunteer. Every home was offered campaign brochures touting Bloomberg's record as New York City mayor and reducing gun violence, and if they wanted one, a volunteer offered to drop off a yard sign. Fiery debate: Sanders takes brunt of attacks in showdown ahead of Super Tuesday Kathey Moore, a 69-year-old retiree out canvassing to collect signatures for Virginia Democrats Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Donald McEachin, said I like Mike as Mee passed by. Moore told USA TODAY she viewed the former New York City mayor as a problem solver who would assemble an excellent team in the White House. She backed Sanders in the 2016 election as a protest vote against Hillary Clinton, viewing her as too corporate. But this year, she's worried that candidates too far to the left might not be able to win in the general election on Nov. 3. Bloomberg's support was tested in his first debate last week in Nevada where he faced an onslaught of criticism from the other candidates, but his supporters did not seem to mind. Moore acknowledged Bloomberg's performance in the first debate was horrible to watch. Moore said, though, that Bloomberg had to explain his decisions to one of the toughest audiences," and in her opinion, he did a "fabulous job as mayor Mee also said the Nevada debate was "hard to watch," but in his mind, the country wasn't looking to hire a "chief debater" but was "hiring a chief executive of the United States." For the Bloomberg volunteers, their support for the former mayor came down to a test of electability against Trump. Another volunteer, Sammie Hubbard, told USA TODAY he decided to support Bloomberg after a lot of research on the other candidates. Walking back to the Bloomberg field office after canvassing, the 29-year-old EMT said he was a committed Democrat and a "fan of Bernie" but believes Sanders can't win. An army of staff Despite the candidate's wealth which Forbes estimates at over $59 billion the Richmond field office of the Bloomberg campaign was a spartan affair the mirrors in the former dance studio had only recently been papered over. Two tables laid out in the front of the office were covered in campaign paraphernalia and snacks like chips and Costco-brand sparkling water. "I like Mike" signs covered the walls in the campaign's red-and-blue hue, and piles of neatly stacked T-shirts sat on shelves. All merchandise on the campaign website was sold at-cost, and shirts and lawn signs were free for the taking inside the office. Because of Bloomberg's resources, he's been able to offer higher-than-average salaries, allowing him to amass an army of staff in almost all states. Democratic presidential candidate, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg visits Ironclad Coffee Roasters with Richmond Mayor Lavar Stoney on January 7, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. A month after Bloomberg entered the race, the campaign said it had over 170 staff working across 20 states. Now, according to the Bloomberg campaign, they have over 2,400 staff, with 2,000 staff deployed in 43 states and territories, and 400 staff in their Times Square headquarters in New York City. They have poured resources into other Super Tuesday states, opening 24 offices in California, 19 in Texas, eight in North Carolina, and seven in Tennessee. A posting for a Bloomberg campaign field organizer position advertised a $6,000 per month salary $72,000 on an annualized basis. The Sanders campaign advertised a $42,000 a year salary for a field organizer in Nevada, or about $3,500 per month. Tom Manatos, who runs a prolific political jobs board, told USA TODAY in a phone interview the Bloomberg campaign was offering far and above the best salary and accommodations for campaign staffers. Tavarris Spinks, who had been active in local Democratic politics and was the former Secretary of the Richmond City Democratic Committee, told USA TODAY the Bloomberg campaign had also been hiring "at least a few" people from the Richmond City Democratic Committee. "He's really going hard in Richmond and Virginia," Spinks said, noting his home had already been canvassed twice by the Bloomberg campaign, though he supported Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. The campaign had made up for its late entry into the race by picking up talent from defunct campaigns, too. Tyler Tucker, the deputy Virginia state director, had worked for Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign. Adnan Mohamed, the Virginia political director, previously worked for Beto O'Rourke and Seth Moulton. And Renzo Olivari, the Virginia communications director, previously worked for Kamala Harris. Sanders' campaign did not allow USA TODAY to visit its field office in the city, but the campaign's presence is still felt. Despite his lopsided loss to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 primary at both the city and state level, a building-sized mural of Sanders decorated the side of an art gallery off Broad Street, a main thoroughfare in Richmond. It was created after the 2016 Virginia primary by two muralists who wanted to show their support for the Vermont senator, according to RVA Magazine. The wall used to have "Feel the Bern" painted next to it, but the block letters had since been painted over. A Bernie Sanders mural on the side of an art gallery in Richmond, Va. Richmond residents split Despite the outreach and spending by the campaigns, other Richmond voters were still weighing their options. Byron Hunter, a 36-year-old healthcare administrator walking along the city's waterfront, said he was still undecided, but he had followed the debates and was "slightly disappointed" by Bloombergs performance in the Nevada debate. Hannah Kissel-Smith, a 27-year-old resident physician, told USA TODAY she was trying to vote from a strategic point of view, which led her to support Warren, because Kissel-Smith thought she could win more moderate voters than Sanders. She had supported entrepreneur Andrew Yang before he dropped out of the race. The election still elicited excitement from other residents. Maya Blacken, a 20-year-old Virginia Commonwealth University student, said she was voting in her first presidential election a "decent one to have as my first time, and it's important enough" she said. She wanted to vote for a candidate who "I think has the best chance of winning since I don't want Trump to win" which led her to both Biden and Sanders as potential choices. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bloomberg: Here's what a billionaire's Super Tuesday campaign is like Korean Air launched a direct cargo flight connecting Budapest and Seoul. The flight will operate twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays, using a Boeing 777. Korean Air earlier said it will operate a direct passenger flight between Budapest and Seoul from May to October. Foreign ministry state secretary Levente Magyar told the launch event that last year was special in the history of Hungary-South Korea relations. It marked the 30th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic ties and South Korea became the largest foreign investor in Hungary, with 2.5 billion euros invested representing nearly half of all foreign investments, Magyar said. MTI Photo: Koszticsak Szilard Across his career, Crawford has a track record of building and leading exceptional creative teams, creating innovative strategies, and driving consumers to purchase a calling card of Zimmerman's DNA. He has led integrated campaigns for world-leading brands including Southwest Airlines, BMW, Kohler, Land Rover, AT&T, Krispy Kreme, and others. "In the ever-shifting advertising landscape, consumers are attracted to brands with the ability to relate to their individual tastes like never before. At its core, I think Zimmerman has been tailor-made to specifically target these traits. We'll build our clients' business by putting breakthrough, well-crafted work on the table that focuses on those consumers. I'm looking forward to working along-side Wade Alger and am extremely excited to be part of the Zimmerman team," said Crawford. "David is amazingly talented and also one of the greatest humans I know. I am so glad he is on our team," said Wade Alger, Zimmerman's new Chief Creative Officer. "Creative talent is more critical than ever as the degree of difficulty to drive the Immersive Commerce needs of our clients grows every day. David understands the need for Creative ideas to arm brands to sell anywhere and everywhere," said Michael Goldberg, Zimmerman's CEO. "Growth is never optional here. We must grow the business of our clients and the people who bravely do the work, as that is the only right way for the agency to grow as well," added Jordan Zimmerman, Founder and Chairman of Zimmerman. About Zimmerman Advertising Zimmerman Advertising, an Omnicom Group company, is the leading integrated, retail agency in the country. Zimmerman's clients represent some of the most prominent retail brands in the country, including McDonald's, Nissan, Tire Kingdom, Kay Jewelers, Five Below, AutoNation, Transitions, Planet Fitness and Essilor. Headquartered in South Florida, the agency has retail service offices throughout the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta. For information on the agency, visit http://www.zadv.com . SOURCE Zimmerman Related Links http://www.zadv.com The Romanian national who died in the armed attack in Hanau, Germany, has been repatriated on Thursday, a release of the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) sent to AGERPRES informed. Foreign Affairs Minister Bogdan Aurescu ordered that the amounts necessary for the repatriation be ensured from the special funds allocated to the MAE budget for managing consular crisis situations.The MAE, through representatives of Romania's General Consulate in Bonn, granted consular assistance to the family of the deceased person, by fulfilling all the specific procedures in such cases, the quoted source mentions."The Foreign Affairs Ministry gives thanks to TAROM airline company and the representatives of the Frankfurt International Airport for the support granted in the repatriation demarches, the members of the family accompanying the funeral transport with the same flight," the release mentions. AGERPRES After a commanding performance in Nevada last weekend, the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination sure does seem to be swinging Bernie Sanders way. With South Carolina and Super Tuesday now beckoning, theres also a chance for the Independent senator from Vermont to further consolidate those gains. But some recent polling data suggests that both he and the Democratic primary pack still have a hill to climb in the three battleground states that will more than likely determine the election. The good news is Sanders topped his rivals in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, according to a recent University of Wisconsin poll. But the poll also shows the general election contest between President Donald Trump and the top-tier Democratic contenders including Sanders all within the margin of error. Trump carried Pennsylvania by a scant 44,000 votes in 2016, or less than a percentage point, by converting working-class Democrats and former Obama voters in the blue-collar southwestern and northeastern sections of the state. And if youve been to Trump rallies in those parts of the state in the intervening three years, and I have, then you know that the support remains as seemingly unshakable as ever. A Quinnipiac University poll of swing state voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin released late last week suggests Democrats once again may need to sweat the Keystone State in 2020. If its a political truism (and it is) that a strong economy makes it tough to defeat an incumbent president, then the Quinnipiac poll is replete with warning signs in Pennsylvania. Clear majorities of registered voter respondents said they approved of Trumps handling of the economy and believe the states economy is either improving or staying about the same. If GDP growth is positive above about a percentage point, the incumbent party is, more likely than not, going to win the election, Lynn Vavreck, a UCLA political science professor, told PBS NewHour earlier this month. Thats not great news for Democrats, but the new poll also offers three reasons why party loyalists should be encouraged they can swing the state back to their column this fall. On a more positive note for Sanders and his Democratic rivals, Trump remains deeply unpopular in the Keystone State, where a majority of voters (52-44 percent) disapprove of his job performance. Second, the poll also found that the White Houses ongoing trade wars with, well, everyone has eaten into Trumps popularity. While the economy tends to be Trumps wheelhouse, Pennsylvanians were equally split (47-49 percent approve) of Trumps handling of trade issues. And third, theres the mounting evidence suggesting that Trumps tax cuts and his economic policies havent been the boon to blue-collar workers that the administration claims it has. As University of Maryland/Baltimore County economist David Salkever wrote in a Feb. 11 op-ed, total real compensation slipped 0.22 percent from the end of 2016 to September 2019. So the next time you read a story about a rise in pay, try to see if it reports the wage data in nominal or real terms, and if it includes fringe benefits too. If its only nominal wages, the numbers may mean a lot less than they seem, Salkever wrote. The trick for Democrats in Pennsylvania and the rest of the battleground states will be figuring out how to convince voters the prosperity they currently enjoy is not the result of Trumps stewardship, but rather the steady gains built during the Obama era. And there is clear and compelling evidence to prove that case. Sanders, with his own brand of blue-collar populism, has the opportunity to show that hes the logical steward of that legacy. But theres a good chance that cautious Keystone State voters could get turned off by some of his more radical proposals, such as one requiring large companies to surrender a 20 percent ownership share to their employees. It will fall to the centrist wing Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar to counter Sanders momentum and make the case for their economic bona fides. And Elizabeth Warren, the avowed capitalist who wants to reform the system from within, will have to make a similar argument. Whether thats enough to counter Trump is anyones guess. But the slender margins in Pennsylvania suggest that Democrats dont have to convince all voters, they just have to convince enough of them. John Micek is the opinion editor and political columnist for PennLive/The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 US President Donald Trump has often faced backlash for not addressing or taking the issue of climate change seriously. He once called it a "hoax". The climate change denier has been slammed many times by climate change activist Greta Thunberg. Commenting on the climate change science recently, Mark Ruffalo who is popular for playing the role of Hulk in Avengers, has tagged Trump as the world's "public enemy number one", and urged people to "get radical" in their protests against the politician. During an interview with Sky News, Ruffalo took his campaign against the president to another level as he said there are no problems in the world bigger than Trump. "I think the world should consider my president as public enemy number one at this point. What we do probably in the next ten years will be crucial to the future of the planet, and this is only gonna become more and more evident to us. We're not, we're not going backwards from here. And it's not just this story, this is a system," he said. ADF When asked if he believes there exists heroes in the world, Mark Ruffalo praised climate change activist Greta Thunberg as well as radical protest group Extinction Rebellion. He said that it is because of the disruptive demonstrations that the organisation uses in order to promote their cause shall be the way forward. "It's happening all over. And we're gonna have to make people uncomfortable. We're gonna have to get radical. We're gonna have to do peaceful, um, peaceful demonstration. Peaceful protest, peaceful actions that stop the system." Ruffalo has been vocal about his dislike for Trump and has frequently slammed him in posts on his social media handles. The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm mortars, as well as grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and rifles. Russia's hybrid military forces on February 26 mounted 10 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded and another one as killed in a booby-trap blast. Read alsoUkrainian soldier killed in booby-trap blast in Donbas Defense Ministry "The Russian Federation's armed forces violated the ceasefire 10 times on February 26," the press center of the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on February 27. "One member of the Joint Forces was killed in a blast of an explosive device of unknown origin. Also, one Ukrainian defender was wounded amid enemy shelling and the other one sustained combat-related injuries." The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm mortars, as well as grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Under attack were Ukrainian positions near the towns of Maryinka and Avdiyivka, and the villages of Pavlopil, Orikhove, Zolote-4, Novotoshkivske, and Luhanske. The enemy did not attack Ukrainian positions from 00:00 to 07:00 Kyiv time on February 27. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday blamed outsiders, and political and anti-social elements for the riots that rocked Delhi over the past three days and urged the Union home minister to bring in the army if needed and impose curfew in all violence-hit areas in north-east Delhi. Speaking in the Assembly, Kejriwal urged people to reject the politics of hate and said neither the Hindus nor the Muslims have benefited from the violence. To prove his point, the chief minister read out names of the deceased along with their religion including that of the police and of those injured. His remarks came at a time when he has been criticised for not intervening in the days since the violence began. On Wednesday, he finally visited some of the stricken areas for the first time. As many as 27 people have died so far in the riots that occurred in northeast Delhi and over 300 have been injured. I want to show who faced losses from the riots. Everyone lost. More than 20 people have died. Veer Bhan died, he was a Hindu. Mohammad Mubarak died, he was a Muslim. Parvesh died, he was a Hindu. Zakir was a Muslim. Rahul Solanki was a Hindu, Mohammad Furqaan a Muslim and Rahul Thakur was a Hindu. Maut toh dono ki ho gayi Hinduo ki bhi ho gayi, Musalmano ki bhi ho gayi, aur policewalon ki bhi ho gayi (Hindus, Muslims and policemen all have died), Kejriwal said. After the Assembly session, Kejriwal along with deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, and Aam Aadmi Party leaders Sanjay Singh and Gopal Rai met Satish Golcha, special commissioner of police at the office of the DCP in north-east Delhi. After meeting the policemen, the chief minister went to Maujpur and Shiv Vihar to talk to the residents and affected families. Earlier, addressing the newly elected MLAs in the House for the first time, Kejriwal on Wednesday announced that the Delhi government will give 1 crore to martyred head constable Ratan Lals family and a job to a next of kin in his administration. Our own brother, head constable Ratan Lal was martyred not for saving a Hindu or a Muslim. He was martyred for saving the country, he said. The chief minister further said that Rahul Solanki had gone to bring milk when he died in the riots. If you go and tell his mother that dont worry, we have killed 10 Muslims and taken revenge of your sons death, will she care? he said. While explaining to the House that he and all AAP MLAs did everything possible within their powers to restore peace and rescue people in the affected areas, Kejriwal said police deployment, despite their best efforts, was inadequate on many occasions. In my understanding, the police tried a lot to bring the situation under control But, many times when we were talking to the lower rung police personnel they said they had no orders from above on whether to take action or not. Many videos were also viral that some policemen were helping anti-social elements. Action should be taken against them, the chief minister said. The chief minister said he was closely monitoring the violence-hit areas and the requirement of doctors and beds to treat the victims, while AAP MLAs and volunteers carried out peace marches. Several MLAs such as Vishesh Ravi of Karol Bagh tied up with local Aman committee members to hold meetings with the residents asking them to be wary of messages and videos on social media and messaging apps. On Tuesday, Kejriwal attended a meeting called by Union home minister Amit Shah and requested that borders of the Capital be sealed. A day later, Aam Aadmi Party leaders Sanjay Singh and Gopal Rai questioned the Centre for not sealing the borders. The two AAP leaders also questioned Shah for not visiting the riot-hit areas or issuing any statement urging people to maintain peace. Kejriwal on Wednesday morning also wrote to Shah demanding deployment of the Army and a curfew in all sensitive areas. The chief minister started his speech by saying the world has been watching two pictures of Delhi over the last three days one, of the first lady of the United States Melania Trump visiting a Delhi government school and appreciating the happiness curriculum. The other of the riots. Today, Delhis people have two options one is to stand united and build a beautiful future for each other irrespective of religion and caste. The second is to kill each other and count the corpses. A modern Delhi cannot be built on the foundation of corpses. It can be built only on the foundation of schools, water, roads, power, and health, Kejriwal said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On Tuesday night, after the latest Democratic debate, Ann Coulter tweeted: Sen. Warren has convinced me that Bernie isnt that worrisome. Hell never get anything done. SHES the freak who will show up with 17 idiotic plans every day and keep everyone up until it gets done. Vicious reactionary that she is, Coulter cut to the heart of Elizabeth Warrens promise. Warren has an almost supernatural ability to identify problems before anyone else and to work relentlessly to solve them. Of all the Democratic candidates, she would make the most effective president. (Full disclosure: My husband, a graphic designer and creative director, works as a consultant for her.) In 2007, Warren, then a Harvard law professor, wrote an article in the journal Democracy calling for the creation of what she called a Financial Product Safety Commission. It is impossible to buy a toaster that has a one-in-five chance of bursting into flames and burning down your house, she wrote. But it is possible to finance an existing home with a mortgage that has the same one-in-five chance of putting the family out on the street. This was before a cascade of mortgage failures set off the financial crisis, which she foresaw. The Coast Guard Karnataka conducted a community interaction programme with fishermen at Bunder village here to sensitise the local fishing populace on safety and security at sea. Around 50 fishermen and personnel from the state fisheries department, coastal security police (CSP) and Customs attended the programme on Wednesday, a Coast Guard release here said. During the interaction, the fishermen were apprised of the present security scenario and the important role they play as eyes and ears at sea. They were encouraged to share any untoward or suspicious activities at sea with the Indian Coast Guard. The fishermen were also briefed about various safety precautions to be adhered to while operating at sea including the use of safety equipment. They were asked to carry boat registration papers including biometric identity cards and Aadhaar cards during their fishing expeditions and also operate in groups or buddy systems so that they can help each other in the event of an emergency. Assistant Commandant Apoorva Sharma sensitised the gathering about the importance of heeding to weather warnings and collecting weather updates before venturing to sea. Meanwhile, the second intelligence sharing meeting was also held by the district headquarters, Coast Guard Karnataka at Panambur on Wednesday. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was nominated as lead intelligence agency (LIA) for sea borders by the Centre's Group of Ministers (GoM) in 2003. ICG Karnataka has been proactive on intelligence sharing in the area of responsibility (AoR) of Karnataka with the help of other central and state government intelligence agencies to safeguard its 320-km coast line. DIG S B Venkatesh, district commander, chaired the meeting in which delegates from various agencies exchanged intelligence inputs. They also provided feedback on the inputs shared during the last meeting held in January at the CG district headquarters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) on 25 February 2020 signed a service agreement with Joint Stock Company, Russian Railways Logistics for a seamless cargo movement between India and Russia. CONCOR and Joint Stock Company, Russian Railways Logistics executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation and collaboration in promoting intermodal transportatfon of cargo over the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Pursuant to this MoU, both the organizations have signed the service agreement on 25 February 2020 at New Delhi. This service agreement gives broader responsibilities for transporting the cargo from India to Russia and vice-versa under a single invoice. This seamless transportation of containerized cargo will benefit both exporters and importers in India and Russia. It will also facilitate reduction in transit time and cost of transportation compared to the existing transportation via Suez Canal. This association is expected to pave way for a seamless cargo movement between India and Russia, with greater economic movement. Joint Stock Company, Russian Railways Logistics is the largest multimodal logistics operator in Russia and CIS countries. Shares of CONCOR were down 0.46% at Rs 513.25. The scrip traded in the range of Rs 520.65 and Rs 503.25 so far during the day today CONCOR is engaged in transportation of containers (rail and road), and handling of containers. The firm is also engaged in the operation of logistics facilities, including dry ports, container freight stations and private freight terminals. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maintenance workers in the bowels of the Tokyo Metro system are being assisted by remote-controlled 8.5-inch wide drones. The remote-controlled 2.5 pound (1.15kg) drone is encased in a plastic sphere to protect it from any unfortunate bumps and knocks while navigating the labyrinth. Cameras on the custom-built drone will allow operators to scan hard to reach parts of the tunnel network for signs of damage. Current methods involve humans using a torch and looking up to see signs of damage and then having to use vehicles and platforms to reach them. Maintenance workers in the bowels of the Japanese metro system are being assisted by 8.5-inch wide drones. The remote-controlled 2.5 pound (1.15kg) drone is encased in a plastic sphere to protect it from any unfortunate bumps and knocks in the labyrinth Tokyo Metro runs 85 per cent of the sprawling subway network of the nation's capital city and is using the drones to inspect upper regions of the tunnels. The drones are small and easy to control and their inspections do not require the time-consuming and expensive erection of platforms and scaffolding. They can also get closer to the walls to search for signs of deterioration that a human being can, Japan News reports. The drones are small and easy to control and their inspections do not require the time-consuming and expensive erection of platforms and scaffolding in the same was as a manual check. A Tokyo Metro drone was first launched on February 6 on the Hanzomon Line and a press event revealed the technology this week A Tokyo Metro drone was first launched on February 6 on the Hanzomon Line and a press event revealed the technology this week. There are plans to roll out drone inspections to all its nine lines in future. 'We want to use drones to do more for safety,' a company official said. The drone can fly for up to five minutes continuously at an altitude of up to 164 feet (50 meters) above from the operator. In a demonstration, an employee flew a drone through a training tunnel and used on-board cameras to capture images of areas near the ceiling and vents. The video can be live streamed onto computers so engineers can scour for signs of weakness that would require further inspection. Tokyo Metro subway network consists of nine independent lines which spans 121 miles (191km). Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2020 -- Advance Market Analytics released a new market study on Global Smoking Cessation Drugs 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 Smoking Cessation Drugs Forecast till 2025*. Some are the key players taken under coverage for this study are GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom), Imperial Tobacco (United Kingdom), NJOY (United States), Novartis (Switzerland), Pfizer (United States), Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (India), The Harvard Drug Group (United States), Fontem Ventures (Netherlands) and Reynolds American (United States). Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, which is addictive. Smoking cessation refers to the process of stopping tobacco smoking. Tobacco contains nicotine which is addictive and the regular consumption or more consumption of it makes the process difficult for quitting. This process has helped in preventing cause of death worldwide. Various smoking cessation are used discontinuing the process of tobacco smoking which includes abruptly quitting without assistance, cutting down then quitting, behavioral counselling and others. According to AMA, the Global Smoking Cessation Drugs market is expected to see growth rate of 18.56% Free Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/48593-global-smoking-cessation-drugs-market 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 report GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom), Imperial Tobacco (United Kingdom), NJOY (United States), Novartis (Switzerland), Pfizer (United States), Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (India), The Harvard Drug Group (United States), Fontem Ventures (Netherlands) and Reynolds American (United States). ** 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/48593-global-smoking-cessation-drugs-market Market Drivers - Rising Number Of Smoker Around The Globe - Stringent Government Rules And Regulation - High Awareness Of Risk With Use Of Tobacco Market Trend - Rising Usage Of E-Cigarette - Innovation In Smoking Cessation Products - Ban On Tobacco Advertisement Restraints - High Prices Associated with Smoking Cessation Drugs - Chronic Restriction Of A Target Behavior Based On Personally Set Limits To comprehend Global Smoking Cessation Drugs market dynamics in the world mainly, the worldwide Smoking Cessation Drugs 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. Get Reasonable Discount on This Premium Report @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/request-discount/48593-global-smoking-cessation-drugs-market Try a limited scope research document specific to Country or Regional matching your objective. GET FULL COPY OF United States Global Smoking Cessation Drugs market study @ --------- USD 2000 And, Europe Global Smoking Cessation Drugs market study @ --------- USD 2500 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 Smoking Cessation Drugs, by Market Segmentation and Geography (value, volume**) (2013-2018) ------ USD1400 Global Smoking Cessation Drugs By Type: Chewing gum, Sublingual tablets, Inhaler, Patch, Lozenge, Spray By Application: Hospital Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies Prescription : Prescription drugs, OTC Theraphy : NRT, Non-Nicotine Pharmacotherapy Global Smoking Cessation Drugs 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 Smoking Cessation Drugs - 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 Smoking Cessation Drugs, 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 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. About Author: Advance Market Analytics is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enable clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As. Contact Us: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com New Delhi/IBNS: A case has been filed against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Tahir Hussain in connection with the alleged murder of Intelligence Bureau (IB) official Ankit Sharma during the ongoing Delhi violence. He also faces charges related to spreading of violence and arson in parts of north east Delhi. An FIR has been registered under section 302 IPC (Murder) at Dayalpur police station and name of AAP Councillor Md. Tahir Hussain has been mentioned in the 'Details' section of the FIR, soruces told IBNS. The AAP has suspended Hussain from the primary membership of the party. Hussain will remain suspended until the charges against him are cleared. Earlier on Wednesday, kins of Ankit Sharma, whose body was reportedly found in a drain in Chand Bagh, alleged that the 26-year-old IB officer was kidnapped and murdered by Tahir Hussain and his followers while he was returning home from office. Md. Tahir Hussain, an AAP councilor from Ward no. 59 (Nehru Vihar) of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), has been accused of inciting his community's people during the communal violence over Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest and leading an attack from his house's rooftop. Officials said than multiple locations belonging to Tahir Hussain had been raided earlier in afternoon and his house and factory have been sealed. A raid is on to detain Tahir. The AAP councilor, however, denied all allegations against him and claimed his house as well as rooftop were 'hijacked' by rioters. "I was forced out of my home and my rooftop was taken over by miscreants who pelted stones and petrol bombs," Hussain told IBNS. "I wasn't involve in the violence and I had called the police after miscreants entered my house, but, police arrived after several hours," he added. "All these allegations against me are false." Multiple video clips, authenticity of which have not been examined by IBNS independently, have gone viral on social media platforms which show a man resembling to Tahir Hussain leading an attack from a house's rooftop during the Delhi violence. Meanwhile, the death toll in the Delhi violence has climbed up to 38 with one more death reported on Thursday evening. Senior officials of Delhi Police have announced to constitute two Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe the deadly communal violence that roiled North East parts of Delhi since Sunday. The violence was preceded by a clash between the supporters and protestors of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which aims to grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi but not Muslim refugees who came to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan due to religious persecution before 2015. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Afterpay Limited (ASX: APT) (Afterpay) is pleased to release its half year results for the six-month period ended 31 December 2019. OVERVIEW GLOBAL H1 FY20 H1 FY19 Variance Underlying sales $4.8b $2.3b 109% Active customers1 7.3m 3.1m 134% Active merchants1 43.2k 23.2k 86% Afterpay net transaction margin $102.0m $46.7m 118% Gross loss as % underlying sales2 1.0% 1.2% 17% (improvement) (all currency figures are in Australian dollars unless otherwise stated) Key Operating Highlights Continued growth in global underlying sales, up 109% compared to H1 FY19, with a run rate of over $11.0b per annum (based on Q2 trading). per annum (based on Q2 trading). Global expansion momentum continued with accelerated growth in the US and UK. US underlying sales (over $1.4b in H1 FY20) were more than five times H1 FY19. in H1 FY20) were more than five times H1 FY19. Current US and UK underlying sales run rate of over $4.3b per annum (based on Q2 trading). The addressable online opportunity from our contracted or currently integrating merchants in the US and UK is ~$30b 3 which is equivalent to the total addressable retail online opportunity in Australia . per annum (based on Q2 trading). The addressable online opportunity from our contracted or currently integrating merchants in the US and UK is which is equivalent to the total addressable retail online opportunity in . Our In-store offering in ANZ continues to grow and currently represents approximately 24% of total ANZ underlying sales. An additional 14.2k store fronts are offering In-store compared to H1 FY19. store fronts are offering In-store compared to H1 FY19. Record number of active customers at 7.3m globally, averaging over 16,800 new customers per day in H1 FY20 and increasing to over 22,900 per day in November and December 2019 . globally, averaging over 16,800 new customers per day in H1 FY20 and increasing to over 22,900 per day in November and . An 86% increase in global active merchants on the Afterpay platform was driven by strong growth in all markets. Customer purchasing frequency continued to grow across all markets. Increased frequency has translated to lower gross losses and higher margins, validating the benefits of our business model. Net transaction margin (NTM) as a percentage of underlying sales, our key indicator of operating profitability, has remained stable at 2.1% notwithstanding a lower contribution from late fees and a higher contribution from newer markets, which are initially lower margin. Substantial investment made to pursue our global expansion strategy. Our growth opportunity is reflected in our current pipeline of new and integrating merchants which are yet to materially contribute to underlying sales. Increased investment will continue into H2 FY20 and support plans to launch In-store in the US in H2 FY20 and expansion into new markets with Canada being the next target market. being the next target market. Notwithstanding increased investment in growth, maintained positive EBITDA (excluding significant items) of $6.8m in H1 FY20. in H1 FY20. Afterpay continues to attract world-class talent with several senior executives recruited to the executive leadership team. Key Financial Performance Total Group income of $220.3m was 96% higher than H1 FY19. was 96% higher than H1 FY19. Total Afterpay income 4 of $212.2m was 105% higher than H1 FY19. of was 105% higher than H1 FY19. Merchant margins remained stable at 3.8% (3.7% in H1 FY19) demonstrating the appeal of our shared value business model to merchants. Gross loss as a percentage of underlying sales was materially lower at 1.0% (reduced from 1.2% in H1 FY19) despite strong growth in newer markets, which initially have a higher loss rate. Net transaction loss (NTL) improved by 24% from 0.6% (H1 FY19) to 0.5% (H1 FY20) with the improvement in gross loss more than offsetting lower contribution from late fees. Afterpay NTM was $102.0m , a 118% increase on H1 FY19, while Afterpay NTM as a percentage of underlying sales remained stable at 2.1%. This was achieved notwithstanding a lower contribution from late fees and an increased contribution from new and developing markets. , a 118% increase on H1 FY19, while Afterpay NTM as a percentage of underlying sales remained stable at 2.1%. This was achieved notwithstanding a lower contribution from late fees and an increased contribution from new and developing markets. EBITDA (excluding significant items) was $6.8m , 51% below H1 FY19. This was driven by a material investment in marketing, people and technology targeted towards accelerating growth in existing markets and expanding our platform for further geographic expansion and product development. , 51% below H1 FY19. This was driven by a material investment in marketing, people and technology targeted towards accelerating growth in existing markets and expanding our platform for further geographic expansion and product development. The Group recorded a statutory loss after tax of $31.6m for the period which was impacted by one-off and non-cash items including share-based payments expenses. for the period which was impacted by one-off and non-cash items including share-based payments expenses. Capacity to scale has increased with an increase to total available funding, including from a new US warehouse facility ( US$200m ) provided by Goldman Sachs, and extension of the Group's overall maturity funding profile. Current liquidity and additional growth capacity within our $1.1b of total warehouse facilities provides scope to fund incremental annualised underlying sales in excess of $15.0b above our current run rate. Investing to Exceed Mid-Term Targets Ambition to reach 9.5m active customers by the end of FY20. active customers by the end of FY20. Ambition to exceed previously stated mid-term target of approximately $20b+ by the end of FY22. Ongoing investment in global talent with particular focus on the sales, product and technology teams. New key hires include: Global Chief Product Officer, David Katz (ex Fanatics, Groupon); Global Chief Marketing Officer, Geoff Seeley (ex Airbnb); Chief Enterprise Risk Officer, Cassandra Williams (ex CBA); ANZ Sales Director, Katrina Konstas (ex AMEX); VP Product Design, Scott Polchleb (ex WeWork); US Head of Finance, Laura Nadler (ex Visa). (ex Fanatics, Groupon); Global Chief Marketing Officer, (ex Airbnb); Chief Enterprise Risk Officer, (ex CBA); ANZ Sales Director, (ex AMEX); VP Product Design, Scott Polchleb (ex WeWork); US Head of Finance, (ex Visa). Continued investment in existing market acceleration (customer and merchant acquisition) as well as global expansion with preparations well underway to launch In-store in the US in H2 FY20 and pursue new target markets. Canada will be our next market to launch in 2020. will be our next market to launch in 2020. While there will be a continued focus on net transaction margins in each market, short term profitability at the Group level will be impacted by increased investment in accelerating growth in new and developing markets. REGIONAL PERFORMANCE H1 FY20 H1 FY19 CHANGE % Underlying sales (A$) 4.8b 2.3b 109% ANZ 3.1b 2.0b 55% US 1.4b 0.3b 445% UK 0.2b ~ ~ Active customers 7.3m 3.1m 134% ANZ 3.1m 2.5m 26% US 3.6m 0.7m 443% UK 0.6m ~ ~ Active merchants 43.2k 23.2k 86% ANZ 35.5k 21.8k 63% US 7.4k 1.4k 421% UK 0.4k ~ ~ ANZ Continued customer growth in our most mature market, with the increase of new customers tracking consistently over past 12 months. Customers who joined the platform in FY15-FY17 are now purchasing at an average of approximately 23 times per annum. ANZ experiencing high profitability as a result of higher customer acceptance and higher frequency which also drives greater data and insights and lower losses. In-store gaining momentum, now representing approximately 24% of ANZ underlying sales. Remains largest growth opportunity in this market. Large new verticals still nascent and growing, representing a significant growth opportunity. Most recent merchants and platforms to sign up include eBay, NAB Health HICAPS, and Webjet which are set to come online in 2020. US Underlying sales more than double H2 FY19 and more than five times H1 FY19. US contribution in H1 FY20 represented more than 30% of Group underlying sales. Underlying sales run rate at $3.8b per annum based on Q2 FY20 trading. per annum based on Q2 FY20 trading. In-store to be launched prior to end of FY20 creating significant underlying sales growth opportunity. Largest active customer market at 3.6m with over 1.0m new customers acquired in November and December 2019 alone. with over new customers acquired in November and alone. Active merchants of 7.4k , nearly double H2 FY19 and more than five times H1 FY19. UK Underlying sales of approximately $200m achieved in first full half of trading, with December 2019 run rate in excess of $650m per annum. achieved in first full half of trading, with run rate in excess of per annum. Active customers reached over 0.6m , broadly in line with the US at the same stage post launch. , broadly in line with the US at the same stage post launch. Three of the UK's largest ecommerce retailers (ASOS, Boohoo and Marks & Spencer) are already onboarded to the Afterpay platform in the first year of operation. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATION Partnerships with Visa and Mastercard include incentives and processing cost benefits and will facilitate new product development opportunities. Lite Integration product enables enterprise merchants to integrate with the Afterpay platform faster. Major retailer, Finish Line, was able to launch on the platform prior to the 2019 holiday season as a result of this innovation. Variable First Payment product now has 35,000 merchants enabled globally and our Cross Border Trade product, currently operating between Australia and New Zealand , will be expanded to the UK by the end of FY20. and , will be expanded to the UK by the end of FY20. Afterpay platform related features and tools relevant to our customers and merchants continue to be developed as the platform continues to evolve. Afterpay's platform is becoming a powerful retail ecosystem that links brands with hard to reach, mainly millennial customers. Lead referrals from our shop directory to our merchant partners increased to approximately 14m per month in Q2 FY20, up from approximately 9m per month in Q1 FY20. REGULATION Afterpay is supportive of an Australian industry code and welcomed the Draft BNPL Code of Practice released for public consultation. Submission lodged to Australia's Senate Committee inquiry into FinTech and RegTech with Chair, Elana Rubin and CEO, Anthony Eisen , appearing before the inquiry in February 2020 . Senate Committee inquiry into FinTech and RegTech with Chair, and CEO, , appearing before the inquiry in . Submission made in response to Reserve Bank of Australia Issues Paper on surcharging. Afterpay provided arguments against the introduction of surcharging that focused on the fact that its service is not comparable to existing regulated payment forms and provides considerable services to merchants that exceed the value of the merchant fee charged. Afterpay submissions are available at https://www.afterpaytouch.com/results-reports. AUSTRAC is considering the independent auditor's report received (as announced on 25 November 2019 ). Afterpay is continuing to work on implementing recommendations made in the report. ). Afterpay is continuing to work on implementing recommendations made in the report. Included within general and administrative expenses is the recognition of a $1.5 million provision for estimated settlement costs related to an ongoing regulatory matter. The Group does not foresee any material disruption to its ability to offer services, or any ongoing financial impact, as a consequence of this matter. BOARD UPDATE We are pleased to announce that Pat O'Sullivan will be joining the Afterpay Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director in March 2020 . will be joining the Afterpay Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director in . Pat is currently Chair of ASX listed company carsales.com Ltd (ASX:CAR) and was formerly a Director of the following listed companies: APN Outdoor, iSentia (ASX:ISD), iiNet, iSelect (ASX:ISU) and Marley Spoon (ASX:MMM). Pat's appointment follows the appointment of Gary Briggs as Independent Non-Executive Director announced in November 2019 . as Independent Non-Executive Director announced in . Global recruitment process to appoint further Independent Directors continues. AFTERPAY'S CEO AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, ANTHONY EISEN COMMENTS: "The strong metrics announced today reflect our team's efforts to considerably accelerate sales growth across our global business, while at the same time balancing business performance and developing our team, infrastructure and capabilities for the future. "We more than doubled our underlying sales and the number of active customers on our platform compared to the same time last year which indicates our differentiated business model continues to resonate with customers and merchants. "Our global expansion is accelerating with the US and UK growing at considerably faster rate than what we experienced in ANZ. The US now represents over 30% of the Group's total underlying sales and has the largest number of customers actively using the platform. "Our success compounds as more customers transact more frequently, from a broader cohort of merchants, across a larger global footprint. We are confident in our strategy of investing to significantly expand our platform of customers, merchants and new markets because of our ANZ experience, where high customer frequency and retail penetration has been matched with low losses and strong profitability. "Early customer cohorts in Australia are now transacting at an average of 23 times per year and our customers in the US and UK are following the same trajectory at the same point in the lifecycle. "We are now focused on exceeding our mid-term underlying sales target of over $20b by FY22 and we are aiming to reach 9.5 million active customers by the end of this financial year. While this will impact Group profitability in the short term, we expect to achieve higher profitability in each market as they mature over time, in-line with our ANZ experience. We believe we have the right strategy, the right people and the right business model to continue our momentum and deliver long term value for our shareholders." Authorised by: Anthony Eisen CEO & Managing Director For further information, contact: NOTES: IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ALL CHANGE CALCULATIONS MAY NOT EQUATE DUE TO ROUNDING, ALL METRICS ARE AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2019 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. 1. ACTIVE IS DEFINED AS HAVING TRANSACTED AT LEAST ONCE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. 2. GROSS LOSSES ARE DEFINED AS AFTERPAY RECEIVABLES IMPAIRMENT EXPENSE AS A PERCENTAGE OF UNDERLYING SALES. 3. MANAGEMENT ESTIMATE. 4. AFTERPAY TOTAL INCOME INCLUDES AFTERPAY INCOME AND OTHER INCOME, EXCLUDES PAY NOW REVENUE SOURCE Afterpay Related Links http://afterpay.com Armenia has agreed to take part in fresh NATO-led military exercises that will be held in Georgia later this year, Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Gharibashvili said during a visit to Yerevan on Thursday. I am glad to note that Armenian soldiers will take part in the Noble Partner multinational exercise that will be held by NATO member and partner states in Georgia, Gharibashvili said after talks with his Armenian counterpart Davit Tonoyan. I hope that in the future the Armenian side will continue to be actively involved in such exercises, he added at a joint news briefing. According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, the drills will be held near Tbilisi in September. They are aimed at strengthening Georgias defense capability and interoperability with NATO member and partner forces and improving regional partnership, the ministry said in a recent statement. The Armenian military last participated in NATO-led exercises in Georgia, also codenamed Noble Partner, in August 2018. It declined invitations to join similar war games that were held in Georgia in September 2018 and in March 2019. Russia, Armenias main military ally, has denounced such drills. Tonoyan made no mention of Armenian participation in the upcoming exercises in his statement to the press. He stressed instead the importance of a plan of Armenian-Georgian military cooperation for this year signed by the two defense ministers. Also, agreements were reached on expanding cooperation in a number of other spheres without including that in our bilateral program, Tonoyan said without elaborating. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian reaffirmed his governments commitment to deepening Armenias strategic relationship with Georgia when he met with Gharibashvili later in the day. He said defense and security is one of the important components of bilateral ties. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 18:14:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Fu Min XIAMEN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Italian professor Luigi D'apolito and his family have stayed put for over a month in a coastal Chinese city amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, but his life is by no means boring. As a mechanical and automotive engineering expert at the Xiamen University of Technology, D'apolito does research work from home, cooks Italian food for his family and does indoor exercises for bodybuilding every day. It was an unusual Chinese Lunar New Year for D'apolito after he moved to Xiamen, a city in eastern China's Fujian Province, in September 2012. The family had planned to return to his Italian hometown to spend the holiday this year. However, they gave up. "We agreed that to stay at home was the best choice, not only for ourselves but also for the society," D'apolito said. He has received lots of guidance on how to prevent the epidemic from the local government. "The city's science and technology bureau had specially invited medical experts to open online courses for foreigners in Xiamen, which helps us better understand the virus and how to protect ourselves in the right way," he said, adding that the bureau also established a WeChat group for foreign experts to answer their questions at any time. Meanwhile, the residential community where D'apolito lives has strengthened its security by taking the temperature of residents entering the neighborhood, making sure people who had traveled to other places are placed in 14-day quarantine, and sending out brochures about the disease and prevention knowledge. "We feel safer with all those measures," D'apolito said. "We believe that the disease is under control through the efforts we had put together." Although the spring semester remains postponed, he communicates with his peers via emails or video conferences. "It is safe and effective," he said. D'apolito praises what the Chinese government has done to curb the disease. The measures include updating the epidemic information in various ways to keep the public well informed, mobilizing resources as quickly as possible and releasing a slew of measures like tax cuts to help enterprises survive the hardship. D'apolito also tried his best to contact the factories he knew and donated medical supplies including silica gel protective masks for organizations and neighborhoods on the frontline. "Lots of volunteers have joined the battle regardless of their own safety. It is so touching," he said. What impresses him most is the Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals, two makeshift hospitals in the virus-hit Wuhan, which were built at lightning speed. "It is a miracle not only for me, but also for those who had been infected with the disease. China has created many miracles. I believe we can win the battle soon," D'apolito said. Javedullah Khan, the bureau chief for Urdu language newspaper Ausaf, was gunned down on February 25 in Matta, 40-kilometres northwest of Pakistan's Swat Valley. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemn the brutal killing. According to senior police official Muhammad Ijaz Khan, the 36-year-old journalist was killed when two gunmen opened fire on his vehicle. He died at the scene. A police guard accompanying him was unhurt in the attack. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. A local peace committee member Fatehullah Khan called this a "targeted attack." PFUJ said the remote Swat Valley made efforts to gather information challenging, but investigations revealed Khan was also a member of the local peace committee and had received threats from terrorists prior to his death. Khan was a former correspondent for Dawn in Mingora, also in Swat Valley and the younger brother of prominent Al-Jazeera journalist Hameedullah Khan. PFUJ said as many as 14 members of Khans family have been killed since 2008. According to reports, Khan's relatives were targeted for their involvement in anti-Taliban peace committees formed to help defend villages from militant atrocities. Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai was shot as a teenager by a Taliban gunman in the area in 2012. Khan was laid to rest at an ancestral graveyard in Shakardarrah village on February 26. Large crowds gathered to attend the funeral, including many journalists.PFUJ president GM Jamali and secretary general, Rana Muhammad Azeem, consoled Khans family and demanded the Pakistan government provide justice. PFUJ said: "The journalists working in far flung areas are facing problems to perform their duties in a dangerous atmosphere and they have to sacrifice their lives in the line of duty. The Government should pay compensation to the family of Javid Khan. Khan is the second journalist to be murdered in Pakistan this year, following the recent murder of Aziz Memon ten days ago. Memon was found dead in an irrigation channel in Southern Sindh with a wire wrapped around his neck. IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said:The IFJ mourns the tragic death of Javedullah Khan. The dangers of reporting in remote and complex regions such as the Swat Valley jeopardises the free flow of information when journalists are forced to live in fear. The IFJ condemns the brutal murder and urges authorities to conduct a review and reform the mechanisms in place to protect journalists. SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- VetsinTech, the leading national non-profit dedicated to advancing career opportunities for veterans in the tech industry, today announced plans to host its 3rd annual Invasion in San Francisco. Invasion 2020 will be a large assembly of veterans and their spouses from the San Francisco Bay Area and around the country. Veterans, who are in various levels of transition out of their military careers into the civilian workforce, will convene and participate in a 2-day gathering that spotlights employment, education, and entrepreneurship exclusively in tech. Executives from the technology industry's most successful companies, venture capital firms, recruiters and HR, engineers, and others spanning a range of sectors with a high-tech focus will deliver keynotes, lead workshops, participate in panels and networking events. "Last year, more than 400 veterans came from all over the country to meet, network, and obtain insights from Fortune 100 tech founders and executives about employment opportunities, education, and entrepreneurship," noted Katherine Webster, Founder and CEO of VetsinTech. Veterans and their spouses will be able to meet and mingle with veteran program recruiters from Amazon, Adobe, BMC, Cisco, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Oracle. Keynotes for Invasion include Steve Blank, Lean Startup Creator and Professor Stanford & U.C. Berkeley and Lieutenant General Al Lynn, Vice President, Defense Information Systems at Cisco. VetsinTech serves as a bridge to support current and returning heroes with re-integration services, connecting them to the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area tech network and national technology ecosystem. The technology sector's network can serve as an invaluable springboard and advantage to job opportunities in tech. About VetsinTech Based in San Francisco, with more than 30,000 vets strong and 15 chapters across the country, VetsinTech is the leading national non-profit devoted 100% to springboarding veterans into tech careers. VetsinTech harnesses the national technology ecosystem to benefit veterans returning from active military duty and who want to apply their exceptional training, skills, and experience to a new career in technology. Comprised of technology industry leaders and former service members, VetsinTech is the only non-profit that supports our veterans through tech-based programs and opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. For more information, interested parties can visit www.vetsintech.co . For more information, interested parties can visit www.vetsintech.co. Contact: Katherine Webster VetsinTech 650.888.8377 [email protected] SOURCE VetsinTech Related Links http://www.vetsintech.co Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Qatar on Thursday, just two days prior to the signing of a landmark peace deal between the US and the Taliban in Doha to end more than 18 year long Afghan war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. The US is set to sign a peace deal with the Taliban on Saturday provided that a week-long reduction in violence across Afghanistan holds, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a recent statement. The Taliban also released a statement confirming the plan to sign a peace deal that day. During his day-long visit, Prime Minister Khan will meet Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani and the two leaders will discuss matters related to the bilateral ties and regional development, according to an official statement. During the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Qatar, the focus will be on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on regional developments, the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement. This would be the second visit of Prime Minister Khan to Qatar after taking office in 2018. The Emir of Qatar visited Pakistan in June 2019 and the visit resulted in strengthening the bilateral economic collaboration in diverse areas, the statement said. Qatar has invited Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to attend the peace deal signing ceremony in Doha. President Donald Trump said on Monday in India that the landmark Afghan peace deal had received tremendous support. Trumps remarks came after the US and the Afghan Taliban started a seven-day partial truce ahead of the possible peace deal to end more than 18-year-long war. The longstanding war has killed tens of thousands of civilians and Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Some 2.5 million Afghans are registered as refugees abroad and another two million are displaced within their country. The agreement struck during talks between the US and the Taliban, if maintained, may secure a peace deal that would lead to a withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. The US currently has less than 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, but military officials would not confirm the exact number. French English ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Radisson Mining Resources Inc. (TSX-V: RDS, OTC: RMRDF): (Radisson or the Company") is pleased to announce the significant expansion of the ongoing drill program at its flagship OBrien project, from 20,000 m to 60,000 m. The OBrien gold project is located along the Larder-Lake-Cadillac Break halfway between Rouyn-Noranda and Val-dOr in Quebec, Canada. (See figure 1 and 2). The ongoing drill program, announced in August 2019, represents the companys first exploration program to test targets defined by the new litho-structural model (released February 2019). A key objective of the first round of drilling was to further validate the model and better define high potential targets for resource expansion and conversion. Highlights: The ongoing drill program which commenced in August 2019, has been expanded to 60,000 m (from 20,000 m) Since August 2019, approximately 20,000 m of drilling have been completed, with results released for 13,780 m. An additional 40,000 m of drilling has started in the last week of February. Drilling will continue with at least two surface drill rigs operating 24x7. The expanded drill program will focus on: 1. Resource expansion and conversion within and outside the July 2019 resource boundary. 2. High-priority exploration targets established down-plunge of high-grade enrichment vectors. Radisson is fully funded to complete the 60,000 m drill program Current cash balance of $7.8 M1 All-in drill costs at OBrien are averaging $110 - $120/m, well below the industry average. 1 As at February 25, 2020. See: O'Brien current resources longitudinal section Lower 36E longitudinal section Since the commencement of the program in 2019, drilling at OBrien has continued to deliver excellent results demonstrating the continuity of high-grade mineralization within and below the current resource area. We believe this is a testament to our robust litho-structural model that has proven to be quite accurate in targeting high-grade mineralization both in the Upper and Lower zones. The model comprises 63 mineralized zones, that in places show sub-vertical enrichment trends very similar to structures mined previously at the old OBrien mine where 90% of the historic production came from only three veins with an average grade of 15.25 g/t Au. In particular, we are encouraged by our success at the Lower 36E Zone, the primary target of drilling so far, where multiple high-grade gold intercepts suggest good continuity of mineralization within what appears to be a high grade enrichment vector now drilled from 550 m to 955 m. (See Press releases from October 29, 2019, January 17, 2020 and February 7, 2020). While there has been limited deep drilling to the east of this area, our model and historical information suggests the potential for additional steeply plunging enrichment vectors at set intervals from west towards east. Our expanded drill program will target these vectors within and below the current resource area. This is the largest drill campaign undertaken at OBrien, and with a robust model to guide our targeting efforts, we are optimistic that results will drive meaningful resource growth, demonstrate the OBrien projects exploration potential and unlock significant value for our shareholders. We look forward to providing the market with regular exploration updates in the coming months as we ramp up our expanded program, commented Mario Bouchard, President and CEO. PDAC 2020 Radisson is pleased to announce its participation at the Prospectors Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2020 Conference at both the Investors Exchange and the Core Shack held in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The management wishes to invite investors to visit the company at: Investors Exchange from March 1 to 4, 2020 Booth # 2908 Core Shack from March 1 to 2, 2020 Booth #3105A Qualified Person Richard Nieminen, P. Geo, Exploration manager, acts as a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. Radisson Mining Resources Inc. Radisson is a well-financed gold exploration company focused on its 100% owned OBrien project, located in the Bousquet-Cadillac mining camp along the world-renowned Larder-Lake-Cadillac Break in Abitibi, Quebec. The Bousquet-Cadillac mining camp has produced over 21,000,000 ounces of gold over the last 100 years. The project hosts the former OBrien Mine, considered to have been the Abitibi Greenstone Belts highest-grade gold producer during its production (1,197,147 metric tons at 15.25 g/t Au for 587,121 ounces of gold from 1926 to 1957; Kenneth Williamson 3DGeo-Solution, July 2019). For more information on Radisson, visit our website at www.radissonmining.com or contact: On behalf of the board of directors Mario Bouchard President and CEO, director For more information on Radisson, visit our website at www.radissonmining.com or contact: Hubert Parent-Bouchard Director, Corporate development 819-763-9969 hpbouchard@radissonmining.com Certain information contained in the press release are subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals. 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 All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to, those relating to the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, the development of the OBrien project and generally, the above About Radisson Mining Resources Inc. paragraph which essentially describes the Corporations outlook, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements and future events, could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. A description of assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward looking information can be found in Radissons disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about managements endeavours to develop the OBrien project and, more generally, its expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important risk factors and future events could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. Oregon has a lot of extremely busy state parks, but it also has plenty of places that see few visitors at all. This week on the Peak Northwest podcast, we talk to Seth Miller, executive director of the Oregon State Park Foundation, to discuss the least visited state parks from 2019. Even the best traveled Oregonians may scratch their heads at some of these tiny waysides and campgrounds, but there are several parks on the list that are truly spectacular, and well worth the lengthy road trip thats often required to see them. Here are some highlights: How do state parks calculate these numbers in the first place? Counting down the five least-visited parks in Oregon from 2019. Why do so few people visit these parks? Some of these least-visited state parks are incredible destinations in their own right. How to find some of the best, least visited state parks in Oregon. We jump around to a few of our other favorite park sites around the state. See Jamies story on the 20 least popular Oregon state parks, and the 20 most popular Oregon state parks from 2019. Watch a video of bighorn sheep being flown into Cottonwood Canyon. Heres the full episode. You can subscribe to Peak Northwest on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Follow Peak Northwest on Instagram at @PeakNorthwest. -- Jim Ryan and Jamie Hale Los Angeles, Feb 27 : Hollywood star Ben Affleck wants his children to always know how much he cares about and respects their mother and his former wife Jennifer Garner. Affleck has three children with Garner -- Violet, 14, Seraphina, 11, and Samuel, seven. They split in 2015 after 10 years of marriage, they have remained close as friends, and as co-parents of their children, reports aceshowbiz.com. "It's important for my kids to know that I respect and care about Jen and she treats me the same way. I have a lot of respect and gratitude toward her. And I wish her the very best," Affleck told People magazine. He added: "I'm very grateful and respectful of her. Our marriage didn't work, and that's difficult. Both of us really believe that it's important for kids to see their parents respect one another and get along, whether they're together or not. When you have children with somebody you're connected to them forever. And I'm very lucky she is the mother of my children." Affleck's comments come just days after he called his divorce from Garner the "biggest regret of his life" in an interview with the New York Times. And in his chat with People, he said that as a child of divorced parents himself, divorce is not something he ever wanted his offspring to have to go through. But to make the situation as easy as possible for their children, Ben and Jennifer vowed to be as honest with them as they could be. "My parents got divorced when I was young and I know how painful that is, and I knew that they (kids) would have to go through that publicly. But kids are resilient. They appreciate the truth," he said. LOS ANGELES - It has all the hallmarks of an only-in-Los Angeles crime: A thief stole a hearse with a body inside then went on a wild ride, ending with a chase and a crash on a busy freeway. Authorities say they found the body undisturbed inside a casket Thursday morning and took James Juarez into custody after the crash, which closed the 110 Freeway during the morning commute. The crime began Wednesday night, when the suspected thief stole the black Lincoln Navigator from outside St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in East Pasadena. The Los Angeles Sheriffs Department pleaded with the thief whose identity was not known at that point on social media to return the body in a post that was widely shared online. Out of all the bad decisions you have made, at least make one good one & bring back the deceased person & casket inside the Navigator, it tweeted. Juarez, 25, was booked Thursday on suspicion of grand theft auto, police said. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Local media have reported that the body remained in the vehicle while a mortuary attendant brought a different body into the church and thats when the SUV was stolen. On Thursday morning, a witness reported seeing the SUV and was following it. Los Angeles police officers pursued the hearse on local streets and onto the freeway until it crashed around 7:45 a.m. At least one officer was involved in the crash, though Los Angeles police did not immediately have details about it. No one was seriously injured, police said. Video footage from news helicopters showed that it has heavy front-end damage. The Sheriffs Department did not identify the mortuary. __ Associated Press Writer Brian Melley contributed. Religious riots between Hindus and Muslims in New Delhi, India have left about 38 people dead, and 200 injured since Sunday. The protests are centered around a new citizenship law, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which was passed in December 2019 by the Parliament of India. The CAA grants an easier path to citizenship for Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jain, and Parsi, who are illegally in the country if they can show they were persecuted because of their religion in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, NBC reports. According to reports, Muslims were specifically excluded from the CAA causing hundreds of Indian Muslims to protest in the streets. Recently, protestors from Mustafabad have been met by violence initiated by Hindu mobs. Muslim resident Fakhruddin Ahmed shared with CBS News, that a sit-in protest was broken up by a Hindu mob shouting Hindu religious slogans, which led to retaliation. While police are present at the protest-turned-riot, they are accused of not stopping the violence. According to CBS News, on Wednesday, Indias Supreme Court criticized polices lack of timeliness, noting that had police responded to riot situations in a timely manner, lives could have been saved. According to Rouf Khan, the Hindu mobs wielded iron rods, bricks and bamboo sticks and attacked the homes of Muslims amid chants of "Jai Shri Ram," or Victory to Lord Ram, the popular Hindu god of the religious epic Ramayana. Muslim residents fled from their homes to a nearby mosque for refuge. Furthermore, Khan overheard the Hindu mobs requesting that kerosene be poured out and burn everything down. Additional areas such as Chand Bagh, Bhajanpura, Gokulpuri, Maujpur, Kardampuri and Jaffrabad were televised with streets littered with mangled remains of vehicles, rocks and burned tires. The ongoing riots in New Delhi are considered to be the deadliest in decades." Sundays conflict began just before President Trump made his first visit to India. Photo courtesy: Pixabay/Photos Pixels Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven. DUBLIN, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Polystyrene Global Market Report 2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global polystyrene market was worth $42.70 billion in 2019. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8% and reach $62.25 billion by 2023. The polystyrene market has been geographically segmented into North America, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, South America and Middle East & Africa. In 2019, Asia Pacific accounts for around 52% of the market. The demand for packaging products has increased recently, particularly in emerging economies such as China and India. As the size of the middle-class grew in these countries, the consumption of processed foods, poultry, meat and agricultural products increased. According to the World Bank, China's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita increased from $8,759 in 2017 to $9,771 in 2018 and India's GDP per capita increased from $1,981 in 2017 to $2,010 in 2018. The increase in per-capita income in these economies resulted in the emerging middle-class purchasing more packaged goods. The demand for packaged goods increased the consumption of polystyrene for their packaging, driving the market. Stringent regulations on plastic materials were a major restraint on the polystyrene market. Many of the products in the polystyrene market are potentially hazardous during the manufacturing stages because the manufacturing processes involve reactions that can be dangerous unless controlled carefully. Government agencies and regulators are strictly assessing and managing the risks involved in the production and use of polystyrene. Many cities in the USA, decided to ban polystyrene products from schools and other civic buildings. In January 2019, New York City implemented citywide ban on single-use foam containers. In October 2019, The Integrated Waste Management Authority passed the ordinance to ban polystyrene in entire San Luis Obispo County. Polystyrene manufacturers are instructed to be compliant with complex regulations that govern labeling, handling, manufacturing and shipping and storage of the product, leading to an increase in compliance costs for the manufacturers. Construction and packaging sectors in developing countries are increasingly using the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). EPS provides design and structural cohesion to construction projects and possesses physical and mechanical properties required for insulation. It is mostly used in the construction sector due to properties of closed air low thermal conductivity, low water absorption, lightweight, mechanical resistance, and sound resistance. EPS offers sound weight and volume performances compared to other building materials making construction simple. In February 2019, INEOS Styrolution, a styrenics supplier headquartered in Germany completed acquisition of two polystyrene sites from Total S.A. for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition includes two polystyrene production sites in Ningbo and Foshan and two related offices in Guangzhou and Shanghai. The transaction will increase INEOS Styrolution's manufacturing footprint in Asia, and provides access to the domestic market in China. Total SA is a multinational oil and gas company headquartered in France. Major players in the market are A.Schulman Inc., ACH Foam Technologies, Inc., Alpek S.A.B. de C.V, Americas Styrenics LLC, Atlas Roofing Corporation, Austrotherm GmbH, BASF SE, BEWiSynbra Group, Brdr. Sunde as, Chi Mei Corporation. Key Topics Covered 1. Executive Summary 2. Polystyrene Market Characteristics 3. Polystyrene Market Size and Growth 3.1. Global Polystyrene Historic Market, 2015 - 2019, $ Billion 3.1.1. Drivers Of The Market 3.1.2. Restraints On The Market 3.2. Global Polystyrene Forecast Market, 2019 - 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion 3.2.1. Drivers Of The Market 3.2.2. Restraints On the Market 4. Polystyrene Market Segmentation 4.1. Global Polystyrene Market, Segmentation By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) General-Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS) High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) 4.2. Global Polystyrene Market, Segmentation By End Use Industry, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion Automotive Industry Electronics Thermal Insulation Industries Pharmaceuticals Consumer Industry Packaging Industry Construction Industry 4.3. Global Polystyrene Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2015-2019, 2023F, 2025F, 2030F, $ Billion HVAC Insulation Rigid Packaging Seating Flexible Packaging 5. Polystyrene Market Regional and Country Analysis Companies Mentioned A.Schulman Inc. ACH Foam Technologies Inc. Alpek S.A.B. de C.V Americas Styrenics LLC Atlas Roofing Corporation Austrotherm GmbH BASF SE BEWiSynbra Group Brdr. Sunde A.S. Chi Mei Corporation DowDuPont DuPont de Nemours Inc. ePS Designs Flint Hills Resources Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation Formosa Plastic Corporation HIRSCH Servo INEOS Styrolution Group GmbH Innova Kaneka Corporation Knauf Group Kumho Petrochemicals Ltd. LG Chem Loyal Group NexKemia NOVA Chemicals Corporation Owens Corning Inc. Penoplex SPB LLC Ravago Group SABIC Saint-Gobain Isover S.A. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/25ku75 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 A UK court on Thursday extended till March 24 the remand of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is fighting his extradition to India in the nearly $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case London: A UK court on Thursday extended till 24 March the remand of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is fighting his extradition to India in the nearly $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case. Modi appeared via videolink from Wandsworth Prison in south-west London for the hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Thursday, which coincidentally also marked his 49th birthday as per the date of birth he confirmed to the court. "A trial has been set in May. The purpose of today's hearing is to set the next call-over hearing, which will be on 24 March," said Judge David Robinson. Modi's extradition trial is scheduled for five days starting 11 May, with the case management hearings in the matter set to begin once all the evidence has been handed in to the court for the trial. The diamond merchant had made a last-ditch bail application in November last year with an "unprecedented" house arrest guarantee, akin to those imposed on terrorist suspects, as well as citing mental health issues from being behind bars at Wandsworth since his arrest in March 2019. But the bail plea was turned down by Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot over continued fears of witness intimidation and failure to surrender before the court for his extradition trial this year. The UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which represents the Indian government in the extradition proceedings, said the prospect of an appeal for bail in a higher court has been exhausted as the UK High Court had already turned down Modi's plea earlier last year. Modi is meanwhile expected to appear for "call-over" hearings every 28 days at Westminster Magistrates' Court until the case management hearings for his extradition trial kick in. He denies the charges of fraud and money laundering and his defence team, led by barrister Hugo Keith, has claimed that the Indian government has wrongly "blackened" Modi's name as a "world-class schemer". As part of the change in circumstances required for a fresh bail application, Modi's lawyers had offered to double the bail bond security offered to the court, from the previous GBP 2 million to GBP 4 million. They had also informed the court of attacks on their client from fellow inmates at one of England's most overcrowded prisons. Modi has been behind bars at Wandsworth since his arrest on 19 March on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard on charges brought by the Indian government. During subsequent hearings, the UK court has been told that Modi was the "principal beneficiary" of the fraudulent issuance of letters of undertaking (LoUs) as part of a conspiracy to defraud PNB and then laundering the proceeds of crime. His extradition trial is scheduled between 11 May and 15 this year. The Ambassador of Norway to Uganda Ms Elin Ostebo Johansen has revealed that they are in unique position of providing technical assistance to the relevant oil and petroleum institutions through the oil and development programme. Ms Elin said during the launch of a new report on oil and gas sector dubbed Ugandas perspective on oil and gas peddled at extending opportunities for multi-stakeholder engagement. The report was compiled by Maendeleo ya Jamii (MYJ) and the Albertine oil and gas districts association (AGODA) following thorough research conducted in 2019 in the Albertine region. The report which is part of the MYJ and AGODA multi-year project entitled elevating local priorities in Ugandas petroleum development was funded by Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). Petroleum industry is often expected to address the gaps in social services and much as it has done in a number of areas. The expectation that it can and should do more usually remains Ms Elin said Stories Continues after ad She noted that Norway is working with other development partners to of Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands and Austria to harmonies their support to the state and non- state institutions through DGF and are making contribution in oil and gas sector at all levels by working with local communities, CSOs and other actors in the sector. Commercial quantities of oil were first discovered in Uganda in 2006 around Lake Albert in the western part of the country. The current estimate of the countrys petroleum reserves is 6.5 billion barrels of which 1.4 to 1.7 billion barrels is estimated as recoverable in addition to 670 billion cubic feet of associated and non-associated natural gas. Since then government of Uganda has embarked on planning for commercialization of the resources, which includes the phased development of a refinery. Use of crude oil to generate electricity and export of crude oil to international markets by pipeline via Tanzania. According to the report, engagement between various stakeholders, facilitated by MYJ and guided by previous community and company assessment (CCA) resulted into a number of significant benefits to the oil and gas sector including progress in addressing protracted and complex issues such as land management and conflict, access to information and engagement opportunities. The report indicates that there has been improvement of relationship in company recruitment practices, market access for local goods and services, improvement of relationships and self-efficiency among stake holders groups, formation of influential and tenacious community and local government association. The report highlights that there is inadequate information flow from central government, contracted companies to explore oil and acquisition of jobs depends soliciting bribes. It also indicates that there is corruption tendencies during compensation of land owners. The Executive Director of AGODA, Godie Kwizera noted that communities and local governments are resident stakeholder of the oil and gas industry and as such bear the heaviest weight and impact of the industry. Local governments and communities have embraced the concept of multi stakeholder engagement over the last eight years. As a result, local governments have coalesced around AGODA and communities in Buliisa, Hoima, Kikuube and Madi-Okello have formed associations among others. A man was hit and killed by an SUV on Wednesday while trying to cross U.S. 281. The man, in his 60s, was crossing 281 from east to west at about 7:30 p.m. near the Wurzbach Parkway overpass. Officer Douglas Greene, a San Antonio Police Department spokesman, said the man made it to the fast lane as a black SUV was approaching. The driver was in the process of changing lanes to let a vehicle behind him pass to the left, and he was checking his right-side mirror to make sure the lane was clear when he heard his front passenger scream, SAPD said. The driver of the SUV did not see the man in time and struck the man, Greene said. He said the driver stopped to help and call 911. Emergency personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene, police said. Two people inside the SUV, including the driver and a passenger, were not injured, police said. The driver showed no signs of intoxication and was cooperating with police. Greene said the driver is not facing any charges. He stressed the importance of calling 911 in such incidents as opposed to driving away. Stopping and rendering aid can simply mean calling first responders to the scene, Greene said. The pedestrian is still unidentified and police are trying to use his fingerprints to make the identification, SAPD said. Religious minorities in Pakistan continue to face violence and repeated attacks on their places of worship and government's failure to amend the blasphemy law provisions led to violence against them, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said on Thursday. Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, briefing the ongoing 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on human rights developments around the world, mentioned the case of Junaid Hafeez, a university lecturer in Pakistan, who has been sentenced to death in December for blasphemy. "Religious minorities in Pakistan continue to face violence, repeated attacks on their places of worship, and discrimination in law and practice," Bachelet said. "The (Pakistan) Government, despite recommendations from international human rights mechanisms, has not amended or repealed blasphemy law provisions which have led to violence against religious minorities, as well as to arbitrary arrests and prosecution," the former Chilean president said in a statement on Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law. "The death penalty remains mandatory for blasphemy, and in December, the Multan Court sentenced Junaid Hafeez to death on a blasphemy charge, in contravention of international human rights law," she said. Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan, with even unproven allegations often prompting mob violence. Anyone convicted, or even just accused, of insulting Islam, risks a violent and bloody death at the hands of vigilantes. Rights groups have said the blasphemy laws are routinely abused to seek vengeance and settle personal scores. On Wednesday, Pakistan's Minister of Human Rights Shireen Mazari while addressing the UNHRC session said the government was committed to uphold and protect the rights of children, women and minorities through the enactment of progressive legislations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gold prices continued to fall for the third consecutive day on February 27 hitting Rs 42,613 per 10 gram in the Mumbai bullion market as the rupee strengthened. The yellow metal had hit an all-time high of Rs 43,590 on February 24. However, the downside is capped as the rapid spread of coronavirus outside China has raised the appeal of the safe-haven precious metal. The rate of 10 grams 22-carat gold in Mumbai was Rs 39,034 plus 3 percent GST, while 24-carat 10 gram was Rs 42,613 plus GST. The 18-carat gold quoted at Rs 31,960 plus GST in the retail market. While the number of fresh coronavirus cases in China has come under control, it has picked up pace in others such as Iran, Italy, South Korea, and a few European countries, among others. Among other things, the US core durables and Q4 GDP numbers will remain in focus. The broader trend on Comex could be $1,620-1,670 and on the domestic front, prices could hover in the range of Rs 42,200-42,950, said Damani. The gold/silver ratio that refers to the amount of silver required to buy an ounce of gold stood at 90.60 to 1. Silver prices fell Rs 135 to Rs 47,030 per kg from its closing on February 26. In the futures market, gold rate touched an intraday high of Rs 42,820 and an intraday low of Rs 42,456 on MCX. For the April series, the yellow metal touched a low of Rs 37,530 and a high of Rs 43,788. Gold futures for delivery in April gained Rs 153, or 0.36 percent on the MCX trading at Rs 42,657 per 10 gram in evening trade in a business turnover of 14,859 lots. Gold contracts for June delivery were up Rs 182, or 0.43 percent, at Rs 42,892 per 10 gram in a business turnover of 8,479 lots. The value of the April contract traded so far is Rs 3,653.52 crore and June contract saw the value of Rs 98.16 crore. Similarly, Gold Mini contract for March rose Rs 201, or 0.47 percent at Rs 42,553 in a business turnover of 8,564 lots. On the hourly chart, strong support in gold was seen around Rs 42,500 levels. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) was trading below 60 levels indicating low momentum in prices. Source: Axis Securities If prices sustain below the mentioned support levels on an hourly basis then we may expect prices to correct down till Rs 42,400 levels on an intraday basis, according to Axis Securities. The broking firm advised its client to sell April Gold around Rs 42,800 level with a stop loss at Rs 42,900 and a target of Rs 42,700. MCX Gold price is expected to trade positively with good short-term support at Rs 42,100 levels and intermediate support at Rs 42,370, according to Motilal Oswal. The broking firm advised its clients to buy targeting higher resistance at Rs 42,760-42,950 zone. The brokerage firm said spot gold is expected to trade in a range of $1,625-1,665 range with positive bias. At 12:46 pm (GMT), spot gold gained $11.76 at $1,651.24 an ounce in London trading. A US-China trade war, the coronavirus outbreak and US President Donald Trumps visit to India are insisting factors for India to surpass China. Firstly, the trade war has negatively affected the trade relations between these two nations. The US has restricted imports from China through innumerable tariffs and duties. The US has been a major destination for goods manufactured in China so far. However, the share of Chinese goods going to the US has declined from 21.6 per cent in 2018 to 18.4 per cent last year. For India again, the US is a major exporting destination and Indias ... [February 27, 2020] ASUS Republic of Gamers Teams Up with Microsoft's Mixer Community ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announced its debut on Microsoft's (News - Alert) interactive livestreaming platform, Mixer, in addition to welcoming its first six Mixer Partners to the ROG Stream Team: Driggsy, Exellion, JordinLaine, LuckyShots, Simby and VinnyB. ASUS ROG will kick off its first interactive stream featuring ROG Stream Team Partners at mixer.com/ASUS_ROGNA at the Mixer booth during PAX East, taking place from February 27 to March 1 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005174/en/ ASUS Republic of Gamers joins Mixer and welcomes its first six Mixer Partners to the ROG Stream Team (Photo: Business Wire) "ASUS partnering with Mixer streamers shows the community that anything is possible with hard work. It is possible to partner with your favorite company no matter the platform," said Simby, one of the newest members of the ROG Stream Team. "I'm so excited to finally be able to tell everyone about my first sponsorship, and it being with ASUS is absolutely mind-blowing!" ASUS Republic of Gamers is more than just hardware. Since 2006, ROG has played an active role in the global gaming community through partnerships at events and with gaming personalities and organizations, with the goal of fostering greater gaming experiences for all. By joining Mixer's interactive community-driven approach to livestreaming and supporting up-and-coming Mixer talent through the ROG Stream Team, ASUS ROG continues to empower present and future gamers, streamers and gaming talent with the tools they need to compete at their best. "This is an exciting time to join a community-focused platform like Mixer as both an active member and sponsor for te latest additions to our ROG Stream Team family. We're looking forward to bringing gamers new experiences through continued innovation, community involvement and support for emerging talent in the gaming and esports scenes," said Gary Key, Head of Marketing at ASUS North America. Since the beginning of Mixer in 2017, the team has put its thriving community at the center of its vision for the future of livestreaming. Mixer is focused on creating the best experience and building a truly next-generation streaming service for its community. "We're thrilled to welcome ASUS Republic of Gamers to Mixer at PAX East," said Jenn McCoy, Head of Mixer Marketing at Microsoft. "ROG is one of the most active and recognizable PC gaming communities globally, and it's fantastic to see a respected hardware company like ASUS support our talented streamers on Mixer and provide them with even more opportunity for growth and expansion." Please join ASUS ROG in welcoming the latest ROG Stream Team family on Mixer: Driggsy at mixer.com/Driggsy Exellion at mixer.com/Exellion JordinLaine at mixer.com/JordinLaine LuckyShots at mixer.com/LuckyShots Simby at mixer.com/simby VinnyB at mixer.com/vinnyb Learn more about ASUS Republic of Gamers at asus.com/us/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ and join the ROG Elite Rewards loyalty program at rog.asus.com/us/elite. About ROG Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world's best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, laptops, desktops, monitors, audio equipment, routers and peripherals. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. Learn more about the choice of champions at http://rog.asus.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005174/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Italys Eni and Spains Naturgy have reached an agreement with Egypt to resolve a series of disputes over the Damietta gas liquefaction plant in northern Egypt, paving the way for the facility to restart by June, the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral ressoruces and the companies said on Thursday. The agreement will end Naturgys business interests in Egypt and dissolve a joint venture between Naturgy and Eni, while Eni and state-owned Egyptian firms will increase their holdings in the Damietta plant. The facility, which has a capacity of 7.56 billion cubic meters per year, has been idle since the end of 2012 when a popular uprising hit gas supplies in Egypt and the government was forced to import gas to meet domestic demand. But recent discoveries mean Cairo now has a surplus of gas that it can export through liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. Last year, Egypt exported more than 3 million tonnes of LNG, up from 1.5 million tonnes in 2018 and 850,000 tonnes in 2017. The Damietta plant was 80% owned by Union Fenosa Gas (UFG), the joint venture between Eni and Naturgy, with the rest split evenly between the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) and Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC). Under Thursdays agreement, the plant will now be 50% owned by Eni, 40% by EGAS and 10% by EGPC. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said that as the agreement comes into effect, all arbitration awards against Egypt will be settled and all disputes between Egypt and the two companies concerning the Damietta plant will be terminated. Eni, the biggest foreign oil and gas producer Libya, discovered Egypts biggest-ever gas field Zohr in 2015 and has a series of other assets in the Mediterranean. It will take over the contract for the purchase of natural gas for the Damietta plant and secure corresponding liquefaction rights, increasing its LNG portfolio by 3.78 billion cubic metres per year. Eni, like other majors, is looking to decarbonise its business activities and sees LNG and gas as important resources in that transition. Naturgy, meanwhile, hailed the agreement as a positive step in its plan to reduce its exposure to gas procurement contracts. LNG prices are trading at multi-year lows. The Spanish firm will also pocket $600 million in cash and most of UFGs $300 million-worth of assets outside Egypt, not including its Spanish business. Since a management reshuffle in 2018, Naturgy has focused on cutting costs and moving out of countries including Colombia, Italy, Moldova and South Africa. Eni said it would take over UFGs marketing of natural gas in Spain, bolstering its presence in the European gas market. Search Keywords: Short link: YEREVAN. Employees of the AIDS prevention center of Armenia are holding a protest outside the government building today. They demand that a professional discussion be held on the merger of the two medical centers. By the decision of Minister of Health Arsen Torosyan, the Republican Center for AIDS Prevention and the "Nork" Republican Infectious Clinical Hospital in Yerevan shall be merged. The staff of the center disagrees with the minister's decision and has expressed its dissatisfaction. The Republican Center for AIDS Prevention posted on Facebook that by Minister Torosyan's order, center director Samvel Grigoryan had been dismissed on February 25. By another ministerial order, Artur Berberyan was appointed acting director of the center. Yesterday, police apprehended Aram Hakobyan, deputy director of the center. After his release, he told reporters that he had been apprehended on suspicion of committing arbitration. "A great honor and a huge responsibility." Few words summarized how Robert Mardini is preparing himself to assume his new responsibilities. On October 31, Mardini, a 47-year-old Swiss-Lebanese, won the post of ICRC Director-General, capping long years of humanitarian work. He is to move to Geneva next month for his new position after spending more than a year in New York as ICRC head of delegation and permanent observer to the United Nations. Mr. Mardini receives the Orient-Le Jour in his office, a stone's throw from the U.N headquarters, for an interview during which he looks back on his career: 22 years in the field, at ICRC headquarters and at the United Nations. From war-stricken Tripoli Robert Mardini is a child of war. "Three years after I was born in Tripoli, the civil war broke out in Lebanon," he says. A period he recalls as "difficult," especially when his fathers business - he owned a photo lab which was "one of the first in the city that developed color pictures" - started to suffer . Street wars, car bombs, bombings" are what he remembers from this period. It was also around this time that he discovered the Lebanese Red Cross, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "I saw them work and help the most disadvantaged, and it was something that stayed forever in my mind. Mardini obtained his scientific baccalaureate from the French Lycee in Tripoli in northern Lebanon. He was planning to pursue his education in Lyon, but ended up in Switzerland where he studied engineering at the "Ecole polytechnique federale de Lausanne (EPFL). In 1996, he spotted during a business-student forum an ICRC stand. " For me then, the ICRC offers first aid, because this is what I saw them doing during my childhood in Lebanon. When he learned that the international organization had an engineering unit, he jumped on the occasion and applied. "I was hired in no time. Neutrality and impartiality Mardini was first dispatched to Kigali, Rwanda, after the 1994 genocide, which had left 800,000 dead, according to a UN report. He remained there for a year and a half. In 1998, he was sent to Iraq where he was in charge of the rehabilitation of the pumping and drinking water treatment stations. It was during his first field missions that Mardini understood the importance of the ICRC which "operates in a polarized environment, where people no longer trust one another, and where neutrality and impartiality, the two basic principles of the organization, become essential." He said representing the ICRC means "how to put your convictions aside and negotiate for others. Neutrality and impartiality become second nature. After his mission in Iraq, he was called back to the committees headquarters where he joined the Water and Habitat division to develop the ICRCs expertise in civil engineering. While based in Geneva, Mardini continued to travel back and forth to help the teams working on the ground. He visited Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Burundi, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, Yemen and Syria. Gradually, he kept on climbing the ladder: first as an expert in civil engineering, then deputy chief and head of the Water and Habitat division. In 2010, he was appointed deputy general director of the ICRC, and in 2012, he served as regional director for the Near and Middle East, a post he held until July 2018. If he had to choose one country that particularly marked him during his field visits, it would be Yemen. "I first discovered this country in 2006. I think it is one of the most striking humanitarian disasters ever." His field experience enabled him to best carry out his mission as an ICRC representative to the United Nations. At the Security Council, we try to bring the experiences of those affected to the center of discussions, de-politicize the debates as much as possible, influence states when they vote for resolutions to strengthen the protection of civilians trapped in conflicts, and optimize humanitarian access, he explained. The ICRC, he said, is an organization of more than 20,000 employees, and has a budget of $ 2.2 billion. Between 2011 and 2019, the ICRC budget increased by 70%. This is not an indicator of success, but rather a sign that armed conflicts can no longer be resolved by the parties to the conflict and the international community. " Robert Mardini knows well that his mission will not be an easy one. We are in an increasingly polarized world; a world where humanitarian action is often politicized and used by one or the other in order to support their own version of events." His main objective, as he is preparing within a few weeks to assume his new responsibilities, "is that the ICRC remains relevant to those affected by armed conflicts... and for these people to know that the committee can play an essential role even during the darkest times. (This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour on the A mother has been accused of 'being cheap' for asking other parents to contribute to the cost of her son's birthday party. The parent invited her son's school class to his fifth birthday celebration at Gravity trampoline park in Hull. But parents of the classmates were astounded to discover they would need to pay at least 10 for drinks, food and specialised socks to allow them to use the trampolines - after the mother admitted to only paying the entry fee for each child. Taking to Mumsnet, one mother expressed her displeasure at having to fork out the extra money after the boy's parent failed to book the party package - which would have included socks and food - saving herself 156. Parents on the UK discussion site were divided, with some claiming that paying for tickets 'was already enough', while others insisted she was being 'cheap'. A mother has been accused of 'being cheap' when arranging her son's party after asking parents to pay towards it. The parent invited her son's school class to his fifth birthday celebration at Gravity trampoline park (pictured) in Hull Taking to Mumsnet, one mother expressed her displeasure (above) at having to fork out the extra cash for special socks and food, after the boy's parent failed to book the 'party' package The mother whose child was invited to the event took to Mumsnet to ask if she was being unreasonable to think that the parent hosting the party should cover all costs. She said: 'DC (Darling child) was invited to a classmates 5th birthday party at a jump trampoline place. WhatsApp message to whole class inviting and giving time location etc. 'Another message received a few days before party saying "If you have the socks already, bring them. If not, you can purchase them there". 'As I've been to one of these parties before I know the socks are usually included in the party, but I didn't think too much about it. 'Turns out she has paid entry for all of the attendees, but not for the socks or entry fee for parents. Yet some thought the mother was well within her rights to not book the party package, because she had invited so many children 'So she hasn't booked it as a party. When another parent inquired about food she said that we would all be going to McDonald's around the corner after the jumping. 'I'm going to presume she is paying for the meals but who knows. So when I attend I will have to buy the socks, pay entry, and no doubt spend a fortune on drinks as she hasn't got any jugs put on like they do for parties. Then have to traipse round to McDonald's after. 'Am I being unreasonable to think that she is being cheap, and rude? She hasn't made this clear to other parents that this will be happening. It will cost each parent at least 10, some more as there are siblings invited. 'My DH (darling husband) doesn't think it's a big deal which is why I'm asking here. I just feel it's a big no no to do this. FWIW (for what it's worth) she is not struggling for money in the slightest.' Other parents were divided in their opinions. Reaction: Many others disagreed though, saying they too would be annoyed over the situation Some thought the mother was well within her rights to not book the party package, because she had invited so many children, whilst others said they too would be 'miffed.' One mother said: 'I don't see the issue. She has pre-warned you and as you've been before. I don't see why you can't reuse or take you own cheaper socks along with a bottle of water.' Another said: 'It wouldn't bother me as long as I knew.' Many others disagreed though, with one mother writing: 'I know paying for entry for so many children must be costing a fortune. But wouldn't you just invite less and do a proper party? I would. 'She's worded it as a party on the WhatsApp group. What if some of these parents don't have the money to pay when they turn up? It's so cringeworthy!' Another said: 'It's like a Miss Popular party with out the cost. If money is an issue then she should invite fewer guests.' Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment I am so glad to learn that President el-Sisi of Egypt has ordered three days of mourning and a full military funeral for former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. For 30 years, Mubarak walked a tight rope of controlled democracy, while cracking down on Islamists. His repeated warnings regarding the Muslim Brotherhoods intent to Islamize the country were proven correct after his departure from office in 2011. Former President Mubarak was a shrewd tactician and clever politician in his dealings with Israel. He talked peace and sought peace. And yet, he would not make any moves that would anger the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Unlike his predecessor President Sadat, who was known for his dramatics, Mubarak sought quiet and behind-the-scenes diplomacy. As Mubarak began to age in office, many of his trusted advisers began to abuse their power. Some of the police apparatus took advantage of the presidents relative isolation from running the day-to-day operation of the country to assert their own power and increase their own wealth. In many ways, Mubaraks ouster and the Muslim Brotherhoods rise to power taught the most ardent Muslim Brotherhood supporters a very painful lesson. In less than 12 months after seizing power, the Muslim Brotherhoods rule brought the nation to its knees economically. Yet, it also brought 15 million Christians to their knees in prayer. Now, with the benefit of history, no one can deny that the rise of President el-Sisi to power was a direct answer to the Christians prayers. President el-Sisi has proven that he is truly Gods gift, not only to Egypt and the region but also the world. Unlike Mubarak, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is a man of true integrity without intrigue. He has brought about stability, prosperity and equality among the different factions, taking bold measures to outlaw the Muslim Brotherhood, protecting Christian minorities and even rebuilding churches. He understands the danger of political Islam. He does not feel beholden to political correctness. The leaders of the United States and Europe would do well to listen to him. Egypt can now say goodbye to President Mubarak while its citizenry is at peace and looking forward to great prosperity under the leadership of another son of the military. By Alistair Smout and Sarah Young LONDON (Reuters) - The planned expansion of London's Heathrow Airport was declared unlawful on environmental grounds by a court on Thursday, a ruling that could sink the $18 billion project that has been dogged by decades of dispute and indecision. In a victory for climate change campaigners, an appeal court judge said that a failure to take into account the government's commitments on climate change was "legally fatal" to the plans to build a third runway at Europe's busiest airport. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been a vociferous opponent of the expansion, which was approved under the previous government. During last year's election campaign, he said he would have to find some way of honoring an old promise to lie down in front of bulldozers at Heathrow to halt the plans. The government said it would not appeal the ruling, raising questions about the future of a project which has been hotly debated in Britain for almost half a century. In order for the new runway to now proceed, the Department for Transport would need to amend its policy statement, but it was silent on the matter on Thursday. "We take seriously our commitments on the environment, clean air and reducing carbon emissions. We will carefully consider this complex judgment and set out our next steps in due course," Transport Minister Grant Shapps said. Heathrow and its supporters argue that Britain's exit from the European Union makes the expansion project critical to ensuring the country can increase trade with the rest of the world. The planned third runway would be the first full-length runway built in the London area for 70 years. Heathrow is the United Kingdom's biggest port by value, accounting for 40% of exports in 2019, but its two runways are operating at full capacity, and the airport will in two years be eclipsed as Europe's busiest by Paris, after previous attempts to expand it failed. Story continues Ten years ago, a plan for a new runway was scrapped, before a government-appointed commission carried out a three-year study which again recommended the expansion in 2015, giving rise to the latest project. 'EXCITING IMPLICATIONS' The judge said that in its current form the government's policy failed to take into account climate change commitments made by the government when it signed up to the Paris Agreement in 2015. "That, in our view, is legally fatal to the ANPS (Airports National Policy Statement) in its present form," said judge Keith Lindblom. The government will now have to rework the policy if it wants it to go ahead, he added. Heathrow Airport, owned by Spain's Ferrovial, the Qatar Investment Authority and China Investment Corp, has said that it will appeal the decision in the Supreme Court, even though the government is not. "This is not the end of the road. This is very fixable," CEO John Holland-Kaye told Sky News on Thursday. Heathrow believes that a recently launched UK aviation industry plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will help it see the decision overturned. Environmental campaigners such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, and the local authorities who oppose the expansion were delighted with the ruling, saying the recognition of climate change commitments could have consequences for other projects. "This judgment has exciting wider implications for keeping climate change at the heart of all planning decisions," said Will Rundle, Friends of the Earth's head of legal. Under the 14 billion pound ($18.2 billion) expansion plan, Heathrow's new runway would open in 2028. Should it be scrapped, airlines and business groups will be seeking answers on where new capacity can be added as Britain's second busiest airport, Gatwick, south of London, is also full in the summer months. In 2014, Johnson favored a 112-billion-pound plan to build a new airport in the Thames Estuary, but the Airports Commission rejected it as being too expensive, risky and complicated. Global airline industry body International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on Britain to back the Heathrow project. "The government must show leadership, back expansion, and ensure that the UK gets the sustainable airport capacity it needs to retain its place as a global trading nation," said IATA's CEO and director general Alexandre de Juniac. (Reporting by Alistair Smout; Writing by Sarah Young; Editing by James Davey/Guy Faulconbridge/Pravin Char) SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sauce Labs Inc. , the leading provider of continuous testing solutions that deliver digital confidence, today announced the formation of its first-ever Open Source Program Office, further strengthening its already significant investment in the broader open source community. The new department will develop, define, and implement the companys long-term open source strategy while paving the way for increased contribution to high-value community projects. The office will be led by John Kelly, the companys recently appointed chief technology officer, and will include notable open source experts and community contributors such as Christian Bromann, Diego Molina, and Isaac Murchie. The establishment of this office is an acknowledgment that open source is the soul of our company, said Kelly. We were co-founded by the creator of Selenium, and our legacy of open source leadership is why so many customers trust us to build digital confidence. As a company and a community, we have only scratched the surface of whats possible with open source, not just with established projects like Selenium, Appium, and WebDriverIO, but also with newer ones like Puppeteer and Playwright. The opportunities are endless and were excited to increase our contributions. In addition to establishing and executing the companys open source strategy for its own solution offerings, the new department will work directly with leaders of open source projects both established and emergent to drive increased collaboration across all of Sauce Labs. The group will also continue to grow and nurture the companys popular and long-standing Open Sauce program, which provides free access to its continuous testing platform for qualified open source projects. Sauce experts appointed to Selenium leadership committees The formation of the new Open Source Program Office comes just days after multiple Sauce Labs experts were appointed to critical leadership committees for the Selenium project, the de facto standard open source tool for automated testing of web applications. Marcus Merrell, senior director of field services for Sauce Labs and a long-standing leader within the Selenium community, was appointed to the Selenium Project Leadership Committee, while both Molina and Titus Fortner, senior solution architect, were appointed to the newly formed Selenium Technical Leadership Committee. The appointments were announced at last weeks SeleniumCamp Conference in Kiev. The companys deep ties to the open source community extend beyond Selenium as well. Murchie is currently the Project Lead for Appium, the de facto standard for automated testing of mobile applications, and Bromann is the Project Lead for WebDriverIO, a JavaScript-based test automation framework for cross-browser testing. In addition, Bromann, Fortner, Merrell, and Molina were the only vendor delegates at the recent W3C Browser Testing and Tools Working Group, which endorsed WebDriver as a Recommended standard. The company is also closely involved in a number of foundations that maintain open source projects, including the OpenJS Foundation, where Bromann is a member of the Cross Project Council, helping foster collaboration between projects and the larger community. The companys expanded investment in the open source community comes amid a period of significant growth. Nearly 3 million tests are now run each day across its continuous testing cloud platform, which spans thousands of browser/OS, mobile emulator, simulator and real device combinations. About Sauce Labs Sauce Labs is the leading provider of continuous testing solutions that deliver digital confidence. The Sauce Labs Continuous Testing Cloud delivers a 360-degree view of a customers application experience, ensuring that web and mobile applications look, function, and perform exactly as they should on every browser, OS, and device, every single time. Sauce Labs is a privately held company funded by Toba Capital, Salesforce Ventures, Centerview Capital Technology, IVP, Adams Street Partners and Riverwood Capital. For more information, please visit https://saucelabs.com . We watch the Democratic presidential candidates crossing the country like a band of Keystone Cops, trying to figure out whos the furthest to the left, sticking to untenable and unworkable ideas like the Green New Deal, and who can promise free stuff. Back here in the real world, a difference is apparent. In their Frequently Asked Questions the EIA states about 8% of U.S. energy is from wind and solar. There are stark limitations to these forms of energy reliant upon a secondary source. A CNSNews Oct. 19, 2016, story stated, solar power remains more expensive than electricity generated from conventional sources despite generous government subsidies. The EIA report shows about 20% is nuclear, but no one talks about nuclear power anymore. Many oppose using sand for fracking, but ignore the fact that sand is a major component of glass as tons of sand are used for solar panels. The battle for energy independence has been a long one. With Congress, President Barack Obama lifted the ban on crude oil exports in late 2015 in an omnibus spending package, providing a much-needed lift. Removal of these limitations gives U.S. oil companies the opportunity to compete openly for specific types of crude oil, and allowing companies to sell other types of crude used for other purposes. In a statement published on Wednesday, Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi said the Islamic Republic must immediately free all political prisoners, including the November protesters, to protect them from contracting coronavirus (COVID-19). Some Iranian prisons including Karaj Central Prison and Evin have reportedly been infected with the deadly virus in the past few days. According unofficial reports the unacceptable sanitary conditions in these prisons may cause an epidemic. "Fear is spreading of yet another crime against humanity by the regime, this time inside the prisons. The Islamic Republic must immediately free all prisoners of conscience," Prince Reza Pahlavi, a leading opposition figure said in his statement and added: "The regime and its leaders are responsible for any harm - including through contraction of the coronavirus - that may be caused to any of those who remain unjustly detained in its dungeons". Ali-Asghar Jahangir, Head of Iran's Prisons Organization, on Wednesday ordered prison wardens across the country to take special measures to prevent the coronavirus outbreak in the country from spreading to prisons. Wardens are to avoid sending prisoners to courts unnecessarily or transfer them between prisons, he said and advised them to limit prison visits to so-called "cabin visits" from behind glass windows. On February 23 in a letter to Chief Justice Ebrahim Raeesi, the families of 14 political figures who have been imprisoned for demanding Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's resignation, said the Judiciary will be responsible if coronavirus infection spreads among inmates and leads to a "massive human tragedy" and demanded that they be allowed to go on furlough. Judiciary authorities have not officially acknowledged the concerns of the families or responded to their letter. With porous borders, creaking hospitals and large illiterate populations, Afghanistan and Pakistan face a potentially devastating health crisis after the new coronavirus erupted in neighbouring Iran. Islamabad has closed official border crossings while Kabul has suspended all travel to the Islamic republic, which has reported 19 deaths and a total of 139 infections making it one of the hardest hit countries outside the virus epicentre China. But experts fear the measures could prove ineffective with thousands of people refugees fleeing violence, Shiite pilgrims, smugglers and migrants looking for work likely crossing the long, poorly patrolled frontiers every day. The virus has spread to more than 30 countries, killing over 2,700 and infecting 80,000, mostly in China. But new outbreaks in Europe, the Middle East and in Asia have fanned fears of the contagion taking hold in poor nations which lack the healthcare infrastructure to cope.- Pakistan announced Wednesday its first two cases of the virus. Officials said one of the infected individuals was a 22-year-old Karachi male who had acquired the virus in Iran. While they did not confirm where the second case was reported, local media placed it in Islamabad. Afghanistan meanwhile announced Monday its first virus infection involving a patient who had recently been in Iran where millions of Afghans live. Afghan television and radio broadcasts have begun advising people on how to prevent transmission of the virus, while residents have rushed to buy face masks straining supplies and sparking a tenfold increase in the cost of a single mask at some pharmacies in the capital Kabul. We are worried, we dont have a proper functioning health system and the borders are open. All we can do is take some preventive measures and pray to God to help us, said Ihsanul Haq, a government employee. Afghanistans healthcare system is in tatters after more than four decades of war, with the few available hospitals focused mainly on basic care and trauma. They lack the expertise to deal with infectious diseases. It could be a disaster if the virus really spreads all over the country. There arent that many health centres, said Wali, a Kabul-based physician, who specialises in viral infectious diseases. The government is doing what they can to contain the spread of the virus. But it is very difficult. Adding to the challenge of limiting the spread of the virus is the Afghan tradition of greeting family and friends with handshakes, hugs and kisses. A largely illiterate population also makes it difficult to educate people about ways to stop the transmission. People are illiterate, you cant get the message through to them, Wali said. Unprepared Across the border in Pakistan there are growing fears over how the country would deal with a potential outbreak. Islamabad has a history of failing to contain infectious diseases such as polio, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Adding to the challenge, hundreds of thousands of quack doctors are thought to be working across the country and scandals involving the use of dirty needles in healthcare settings have eroded public trust in the system. Some Pakistani students trapped in the Chinese city of Wuhan where the virus was first detected in December told AFP recently they were nervous about returning to their country if authorities were to evacuate them. We are worried about how the authorities are going to treat us when we go back to Pakistan some students who went back told us the officials treated them very badly, Ruqia Shaikh said. While Pakistan has closed land borders with Iran, it has maintained air travel to and from China increasingly a source of trade and commerce for the country. There is a limited concept of prevention unfortunately. I fear its not well prepared at all for any health emergency, Pakistani public health expert Arshad Altaf told AFP. Pakistan this week moved quickly to quarantine at least 270 people near the Iranian border after a group of pilgrims returned and briefly mixed with other residents. That came hours after Pakistan sealed off its frontier with Iran in southwestern Balochistan province, which remains vulnerable to a public health emergency. Decades of fighting a separatist insurgency and militant violence, along with neglect from the central government, have left the impoverished area with little infrastructure. Ziaullah Langove, Balochistans home minister, said there were nearly 10,000 Pakistanis still in Iran, mostly students and pilgrims that Iranian officials were planning to send back in small groups. At the Taftan border crossing long queues of trucks waited in hope of being allowed into Iran, as residents and officials donned surgical masks. There is no information sharing whatsoever, said resident Khuda Baksh, chiding officials for failing to keep locals informed about the situation. There is fear and panic among the public, our business and lives are at risk. SOURCE: AFP The leaders of Algeria and Polisario have received a resounding slap in the face by Spain, when foreign minister Mrs. Arancha Gonzalez Laya ordered the leaders of the radical leftist party Podemos and of the extreme rightist Vox not to interfere in the Western Sahara issue, which falls under the exclusive authority of her department. In a phone conversation last Sunday with her Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita, Mrs. Gonzalez reaffirmed that Spain does not recognize the so-called SADR and has not changed its stand on the Sahara. This took aback the Polisario leaders who were trying to take advantage of the sympathy of some Spanish left-wing political parties to undermine the excellent ties existing between Morocco and Spain. Last week, Spanish Secretary of State for Social Affairs, Nacho Alvarez, posted a tweet on his departments official account, expressing Podemos support to the Polisario after he received in Madrid a so-called Sahrawi minister. Mr. Nacho Alvarez deleted his tweet after he was reprimanded by the leader of his party, Pablo Iglesias, who told him that only the foreign ministry is entitled to make comments on the Sahara conflict. For his part, the leader of rightist Vox party, Santiago Abascal also urged his close-assistants not to make any statement or undertake any action contrary to the official position of the Spanish State on the Sahara conflict. We refuse that our party be exploited by some associations and political networks with ties to the Polisario Front as this issue is used by Algeria in its showdown against Morocco, said Mr. Abascal in a statement posted on his partys official website. Deeply upset and furious by the Spanish governments stand, the Algerian rulers decided to postpone a visit Spanish foreign minister was scheduled to pay to Algiers on Feb.26. [February 27, 2020] ventureLAB's Tech Undivided Initiative Prepares Emerging Tech Companies to be Investment-ready in Six Months Inaugural cohort of female-led companies to have access to an expert Strategic Mentor Network comprised of industry leaders and seasoned entrepreneurs that will enable a more equitable tech sector and reduce unconscious bias MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 27, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, ventureLAB, a leading technology hub in Markham, York Region, announced its inaugural cohort of companies and Strategic Mentor Network for Tech Undivided, a new initiative aimed at supporting women and underrepresented persons working in tech founders and industry leaders alike. Tech Undivided bridges inclusivity gaps by creating gender-balanced networks with diverse representation, and works with founders, investors, and companies to prepare them for business and investment success by reducing unconscious bias. The Government of Canada supported the Tech Undivided program in August 2019 with a $1.7-million investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) as part of the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES). Since 2011, ventureLAB has supported over 100 female-led tech companies that have raised over $6 million in investment and generated over $17 million in revenue. Tech Undivided Inaugural Cohort In fall 2019, ventureLAB issued a call for female-led tech companies with breakthrough products that have the potential to significantly impact society to participate in Tech Undivided. The seven selected companies, listed below, will work with industry experts, investors, and seasoned entrepreneurs to prepare them for Seed or Series A funding. AIH Technology Inc., an AI computer vision company that offers Facial Recognition as a Service (FRaaS) through its facial recognition algorithm. an AI computer vision company that offers Facial Recognition as a Service (FRaaS) through its facial recognition algorithm. Alexio Corporation provides affordable enterprise-class cyber-security for smaller networks and users, helping to safeguard them from risks like hacking, ransomware, data loss, and human error. provides affordable enterprise-class cyber-security for smaller networks and users, helping to safeguard them from risks like hacking, ransomware, data loss, and human error. Boss Insights provides insights on business borrowers and accelerates lending without taking additional risk. provides insights on business borrowers and accelerates lending without taking additional risk. Retainify Technology Inc. helps companies increase the frequency of giving and receiving feedback by tracking the sentiment of employees throughout their employment lifecycle and sharing the feedback data back to business leaders, in order to proactively identify and address issues early to mitigate business risks. helps companies increase the frequency of giving and receiving feedback by tracking the sentiment of employees throughout their employment lifecycle and sharing the feedback data back to business leaders, in order to proactively identify and address issues early to mitigate business risks. PurPicks, a network of organic beauty reviews which helps women buy online with confidence. a network of organic beauty reviews which helps women buy online with confidence. TROES Corp. , a Canadian-based, Advanced Battery Energy Storage company, specializing in Intelligent Ditributed Energy Storage solutions. , a Canadian-based, Advanced Battery Energy Storage company, specializing in Intelligent Ditributed Energy Storage solutions. TAKULabs, TAKU Retail is the only POS for retail that increases footfall in brick and mortar stores. Tech Undivided Strategic Mentorship Network The Strategic Mentorship Network is a diverse and curated list of high-caliber business leaders, seasoned entrepreneurs, academic professionals, investors and industry experts who have committed their knowledge, resources and time to supporting the growth of the Tech Undivided companies. The mentorship network is gender-balanced and diverse, and brings together leaders with broad expertise. Alan Rego , Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Procter & Gamble , Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Procter & Gamble Chris Matys , Founder, Ignite.ai , Founder, Ignite.ai Christine Haen , Program Management Director, Radeon Technology Group, AMD , Program Management Director, Radeon Technology Group, AMD Daniel Staheli , Senior Director, Windows Software Platform Group, AMD , Senior Director, Windows Software Platform Group, AMD Danielle Graham , Investment Principal, Dreammakers Ventures , Investment Principal, Dreammakers Ventures Danny Christidis , AMD Fellow - Radeon Technologies Group, AMD , AMD Fellow - Radeon Technologies Group, AMD Frederick Glady , Principal, Frederick Glady Barrister and Solicitor , Principal, Frederick Glady Barrister and Solicitor Heather Sham , Sr Director Platform Engineering, AMD , Sr Director Platform Engineering, AMD Jolie McMillian , Sales and Operations Leader Transformative Technology (PayPal and Adobe Alum), ServiceNow , Sales and Operations Leader Transformative Technology (PayPal and Adobe Alum), ServiceNow Katie Salem , CEO & Co-Founder, Women Round the World , CEO & Co-Founder, Women Round the World Nadia Khatir, Sr. Manager, Graphics Diagnostic, AMD Manager, Graphics Diagnostic, AMD Nastaran Bisheban, VP of Global Delivery, Raakuten Kobo Pouneh Hanafi , VP Marketing, Tulip Retail , VP Marketing, Tulip Retail Steven Lili Hoo , Founder and CEO, InGameAd Interactive (IGA) Tech Undivided Launch Event Please join us for the launch of Tech Undivided on Tuesday, March 3, at ventureLAB from 9:30AM - 12:00PM. Hear from the team that made Tech Undivided a reality, the inaugural cohort, the strategic mentor network, and local dignitaries, followed by hors d'oeuvres and refreshments. Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Time: 9:30am-12:00pm Location: ventureLAB, 3600 Steeles Ave E., Markham, ON *Media interviews will be made upon request. To learn more about Tech Undivided, visit www.venturelab.ca/tech-undivided . Quotes "Our goal with Tech Undivided is to ensure all founders and people working in tech receive the same opportunities for funding, success, and advancement in the workplace. Tech Undivided goes beyond supporting women working in tech, but aims to remove unconscious bias in the industry and beyond. ventureLAB is located in the City of Markham, Canada's most diverse city, making it an ideal location for this initiative. We look forward to pushing the boundaries towards a more equitable tech sector and workforce." Melissa Chee, President and CEO, ventureLAB "We recognize the importance and the wide-reaching benefits of supporting women entrepreneurs. That's why we are so pleased to support ventureLAB to help provide access to financing, advice and networks for women entrepreneurs in Ontario. With this investment, through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, we are taking another step toward breaking down barriers to success, and doubling the number of women-lead businesses in this country. We look forward to seeing more and more women entrepreneurs thrive with this support." - The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages "Supporting women in business is not just the right thing to do, but it is good for the bottom line. We have witnessed the accomplishments that ventureLAB has had on this community and look forward to the success that Tech Undivided will bring to women entrepreneurs in and across the York region." The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade About ventureLAB ventureLAB is a leading technology hub located in Markham in York Region, Canada's second largest tech cluster. Through its programs focused on capital, talent, technology, and customers, ventureLAB has supported over 2,000 tech companies and entrepreneurs, including 100 companies that have raised over $100 million and created 3,500 jobs. ventureLAB's innovation hub is a 50,000 square foot facility that is home to over 45 tech companies and partners that employ more than 300 people. At ventureLAB, we grow globally competitive tech titans that build-to-scale in Canada. www.venturelab.ca About TECH UNDIVIDED Tech Undivided's vision is to build an inclusive tech ecosystem that is not biased or divided by gender. By focusing on and supporting diverse and underrepresented women-led tech companies while working with women and allys, Tech Undivided removes unconscious bias faced by women and underrepresented persons. About FedDev Ontario For more than 10 years, FedDev Ontario has actively worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation and growth in Canada's most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving their productivity, growing their revenues, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Read more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario. SOURCE ventureLAB [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Colombo: Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday thanked India for evacuating two Sri Lankans on board a coronavirus-hit cruise ship docked off Yokohama in Japan. An Air India flight on Thursday brought back 119 Indians. The foreigners who were also evacuated along with the Indian nationals included two from Sri Lanka and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru. Rajapaksa in a statement said the acting Indian High Commissioner in Colombo informed him that two Sri Lankans on board the Diamond Princess ship were flown out of Tokyo and arrived safely in Delhi. My heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), the government of India...for facilitating the evacuation," the statement said. They were among the 3,711 people on board the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at the Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on February 3. The ship was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the disease. Post Indias capitulation in Wellington, captain Virat Kohli wanted to protest his side from external factors and instead, asked them to focus on their skills, learn from the mistakes committed and then march on to Christchurch. It the first look of the pitch for second India vs New Zealand Test match is anything to go by, it will be another stern examination for the Indian batting order. The task of the Indian management will also be cut out - they will be expected to make a couple of tactical changes to the side and here in this article, we take a look at three selection conundrums facing India ahead of the second Test match. ALSO READ: India predicted XI for 2nd Test: Kohli could opt for two big changes Prithvi Shaw vs Shubman Gill Prithvi Shaw had a forgettable match in Wellington and there were concerns raised over his technique against the moving ball. However, captain Virat Kohli backed the young man to ace conditions and then take on the bowling attack. India could be forced to make a change as Shaw skipped training two days before the match owing to a swelling on his left foot. Although he has not yet been ruled out, Shubman Gill comes back in focus and what could work in his favour is that he has been a man in form in New Zealand conditions with the India A side. Also Read: Records speak for themselves: Boult expects India to fight back in 2nd Test Ravichandran Ashwin vs Ravindra Jadeja Looking at the track, New Zealand could well be go in with an all-pace attack. Will India go the same way, or will they include a spinner in their arsenal? R Ashwin had a good match with the ball in Wellington, but his batting form has dipped massively since 2017. The Indian management could hence, look at Ravindra Jadeja as the spinning all-rounder in the side and he could be used as a defensive option from one end. ALSO READ: Kohli vs Wagner - the rivalry that is expected to light up Christchurch Spinner or Umesh Yadav New Zealand coach Gary Stead hinted at going ahead with an all-pace attack for the Christchurch Test. Neil Wagner, who is back after a paternity break, will walk into the side. Kyle Jameison, who was might impressive with both bat and ball in Wellington, will be hard to drop and since, Ajaz Patel was not used too much in the 1st Test, the Kiwis could well attack with pace. India have Umesh Yadav in the ranks and he is a bowler who could make use of the conditions on offer as he relies on swing and seam. Hence, Kohli could be tempted to give him a go instead of a spinner and India too could go in with 4 frontline quicks. Ishant Sharmas injury can also force Kohli to go for Umesh or Navdeep Saini, or India can go for both the bowlers and drop a spinner. Johnson insists Britain wants a relationship with Europe based on the friendly cooperation between sovereign equals. Britain will not negotiate any arrangement in which the U.K. does not have control of its own law and will not be subject to any E.U. institutions, including the Court of Justice. For easier War and Peace reading (C8), Allan Roberts of Marrickville "prefers the Readers Digest abridged version: 'A Russian called Peter tried to kill the Tsar but missed'. Excuse my failure to acknowledge sources but I can't recall the London pub I heard it in, sometime around 1987." Inspired by Richard Frazer (C8), Steve Cornelius of Brookvale pledges to resume reading Xavier Herberts 1463-page tome Poor Fellow My Country, which he first began reading the day after sailing out of Sydney bound for Italy on the Galileo Galilei on 19 March, 1976. While never one to discourage reading, Granny thinks that perhaps Steve could use some of that time to instead write his own book about this particular voyage. "It was a six-week voyage which featured three epidemics, a diversion to pick up a seriously ill seaman from a merchant ship, an on-board riot near Acapulco (broken up by the use of knotted ropes and fire hoses) and the arrest of several passengers by Mexican police." It may not be the road to Las Vegas and there are no bats, but there is some Gonzo level crazy going on here. Randi Svensen of Wyong dismisses all the fuss about War and Peace (C8) as "a storm in a samovar". "On finishing it, after five months, the lesson Id learnt was that life was too short to read books just because you feel you should." Pretty much sums up Granny's own feelings about Proust's Remembrance of Times Past (or In Search of Lost Time, depending on the translation). Or, as Andrew Taubman of Queens Park dubs it, "the Everest to the K2 of War and Peace." The baboon escapades near RPA hospital led Stephanie Edwards of Roseville to surmise that "the unfortunate male baboon clearly didn't have private health insurance. If he had, his operation would have been scheduled for the specialist care at Taronga Zoo rather than a public hospital." Patricia White of Casino is pleased to announce that she celebrates her 21st birthday on Saturday (C8). "I will then share the same age as my granddaughter." SAGINAW, MI Burglars have once again struck Saginaw Countys Target store, along with another such store in neighboring Midland County. Saginaw County Undersheriff Mike Gomez said that at 1:24 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, deputies responded to a break-in alarm at the Target at 2772 Tittabawassee Road in Kochville Township. They threw something through the front door, thats how they let themselves in, Gomez said. They went back to the electronics and took some PS4s, games, and game stations. We dont know how many or the value of what was taken yet. Theyre doing an inventory. The thieves had fled before deputies arrived. Having looked at the stores security video footage, deputies believe there were three culprits who arrived in an SUV, Gomez said. We sent messages to surrounded counties and Midland found that their (Target) had been broken into an hour before ours, Gomez said. The Target located at 6820 Eastman Ave. and connected to the Midland Mall was similarly burglarized at 12:42 a.m. Wednesday, according to Midland Police Detective Sgt. Tonya Laubscher. In that instance as well, three subjects arrived in an SUV, threw a rock through the business front doors, and stole numerous electronics. Gomez referenced a similar break-in at the Saginaw County Target on Jan. 5. In that incident, burglars used a large rock to smash two sets of glass doors and made off with thousands in iPads and iPhones. A rash of Target burglaries have occurred throughout Michigan since 2020 began, with stores in Brighton, Woodhaven, Allen Park and Dearborn also struck. The incidents remain under investigation. Related: Thieves at Saginaw County Target store knew exactly what they were doing 3 Detroit-area Target stores hit in rash of targeted burglaries throughout the state NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Facial Injectable Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Botulinum Toxin Type A, Calcium Hydroxylapatite, Polymer Fillers), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027 Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05867071/?utm_source=PRN The global facial injectable market size is anticipated to reach USD 21.57 billion by 2027. It is expected to exhibit a 11.8% CAGR during the forecast period, owing to advancements in facial rejuvenation procedures and the increasing importance of medical aesthetics across the globe. Development in products and procedures, as well as a change in patient demographics, is helping dermatologists and physicians treat multiple facial areas.These advancements help dermatologists or physicians develop customized treatment for patients and facilitate the use of combination products to obtain better outcomes. All these factors are expected to assist in market growth over the forecast period.Augmented products such as Botulinum Toxin Type A (BoNTA) and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers are used in combination to improve outcomes, especially in the lower face procedures. HA fillers are mostly preferred by physicians due to their better acceptance (few instances of hypersensitivity reactions), biodegradable nature, and high viscosity as well as for the longevity they provide to the restored volume. Minimally invasive surgeries are used for facial rejuvenation, endoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, and other procedures.These procedures are gaining popularity over time owing to faster recovery, low instances of postsurgery infections, lower pain, reduced scarring, and high accuracy and maximum benefits. For instance, as per the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), more than 23.0 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures were performed worldwide in 2017 and the number of HA-based surgeries performed was nearly 3,298,266. Such factors are expected to contribute to the growth of this facial injectables market over the forecast period. Further key findings from the study suggest: The hyaluronic acid segment held a lucrative market share in 2019 and is expected to witness a significant CAGR over the forecast period owing to increasing preference for combination treatments, such as hyaluronic acid with BoNTA The BoNTA segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to increasing application in aesthetics and therapeutics The aesthetics segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period owing to increasing expenditure on aesthetic procedures coupled with rising awareness regarding physical appearance among consumers North America is expected to dominate the facial injectables market over the forecast period due to the growing geriatric population, consumer disposable income, and a surge in the number of facial procedures Some of the key market players are ALLERGAN; Ipsen; Merz Pharma; Suneva Medical, Inc.; Medytox, Inc.; Sinclair Pharma; Bloomage BioTechnology Corporation Limited; Anika Therapeutics, Inc.; Prollenium Medical Technologies Inc.; and Galderma S.A. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05867071/?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 The coronavirus epidemic in Iran has cost 26 lives, the health ministry announced Thursday, with seven new deaths reported over 24 hours as the spread appeared to accelerate. Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour also told a press briefing that 106 more cases of the disease had been confirmed, raising the tally of infections to 245, the highest outside China where COVID-19 originated. The additional cases made up the highest number for a single day since Iran announced its first cases on February 19. Among the latest sufferers of the new coronavirus is Mojtaba Zolnour, head of parliament's national security and foreign affairs committee, who appeared in a video posted by Fars agency saying he was in self-quarantine. The cleric is a deputy for the Shiite holy city of Qom in central Iran where the country's first cases were detected. The announcement by Zolnour comes two days after another top official, deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi, head of the government's coronavirus task force, said he too had contracted the virus. On Wednesday, Iranian authorities announced domestic travel restrictions for people with confirmed or suspected infections. They also placed curbs on access to major Shiite pilgrimage sites, including the Imam Reza shrine in second city Mashhad and the Fatima Masumeh shrine in Qom. Visitors to the shrines will be allowed to visit on condition they are provided "with hand-washing liquids, proper (health) information, masks", Health Minister Saeed Namaki told a conference. They must "not gather together in groups but just pray and leave", he said. In affected areas, school closures will be extended for three days, and universities for another week starting from Saturday, he said. Also in these regions, the main weekly Friday prayers will be suspended, Namaki said. "All of these decisions are temporary and if the situation changes, we might intensify or ease them," Namaki added. International health experts have expressed concern about Iran's handling of the outbreak. But Tehran insists the situation has been "improving". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov assures that he has heard nothing about the meeting of the foreign ministers in the Normandy format scheduled for late March. "I have not heard, except your question, that a meeting of foreign ministers in the Normandy format is scheduled in a month," Lavrov told a Russian journalist at a joint press conference with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albania's Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Edi Rama in Moscow on February 27, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Lavrov also commented on the possibility of holding a Normandy format summit in April. According to him, Russia will discuss the data of the next summit "only when everything that was agreed upon in Paris, including normalization on the ground, mine clearance, political issues related to the Steinmeier formula, consolidation of aspects of special status on a permanent basis in the legislation of Ukraine, is fulfilled." "And the second requirement is that we will talk about the date of the new summit when we prepare the draft final document and sign it. This will be done in order to avoid attempts to ruin already reached agreements during the summit: I mean the disengagement of forces and equipment that must have taken place along the demarcation line, but President Zelensky changed the draft, which had been agreed with his staff," the Russian minister added. The Russian foreign minister once again stated that the Russian Federation opposed the deployment of UN peacekeeping mission to Donbas and the establishment of its control over the territory of some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and governance structures as a necessary condition for holding free and democratic elections. On February 26, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko announced that a meeting of foreign ministers in the Normandy format is planned in a month to prepare the Normandy Four summit. ol Kevin Parker was suspended from his role at the Bank of Queensland after staff became aware of the email on Wednesday A councillor has been suspended from his day job as a banker after emailing colleagues a racist story comparing Aboriginals to criminals who refuse to get a job. Kevin Parker was suspended from his role at the Bank of Queensland after staff became aware of the email on Wednesday. Mr Parker, who is also a Councillor for the Dubbo Shire Council, sent the email to at least 21 colleagues. The email described a fictional movie titled 'Jet Black', an Aboriginal take on the story Snow White, featuring seven dwarfs by the names of 'Dealer, Stealer, Mugger, Carjacker, Shoplifter, Drinker, Bludger', NITV reported. 'The world's first aboriginal version of SNOW WHITE... has been put on hold due to an industrial dispute,' the email read. 'All seven Aboriginal dwarfs, Dealer, Stealer, Mugger, Carjacker, Shoplifter, Drinker, Bludger, have walked off the set. 'After refusing to sing the HI Ho song. All 7 are insisting they have no F***ing intention of singing ITS OFF TO WORK WE GO.' Mr Parker acknowledged he had sent the email and said it had been from a Facebook post. 'I do admit that I did send it on, I did get it off the Facebook and it was certainly no malice meant,' he told the ABC. 'When I first saw it I just had a bit of a chuckle to myself, sort of light humour I didn't think there was any malice in it. 'I don't see it as being racist and it wasn't meant to be racist, it was just something I forwarded on.' Mayor of the Dubbo Region, Ben Shields, said the email was 'disturbing'. Mr Parker has been suspended from his role at the Bank of Queensland after the email surfaced 'A copy of an email sent by a Councillor from a non-Dubbo Regional Council email account has been forwarded to me,' Councillor Shields said in a statement. The contents of the email are disturbing and absolutely do not align with the values of myself or Dubbo Regional Council.' Deputy Mayor, Stephen Lawrence, said the community deserved better. 'The community, especially Aboriginal people, are entitled to expect better from elected representatives,' he wrote on Facebook. 'I want to say sorry as a Councillor for the conduct of my fellow Councillor. I hope he does what needs to be done.' The Bank of Queensland said an investigation is undergoing. 'The employee involved has been suspended while BOQ conducts a full investigation into the matter,' a spokesperson said. 'BOQ has a strict Code of Conduct and does not condone or accept behaviour that falls below the community, and our own, expectations. 'This incident does not reflect how BOQ aspires to treat our First Nations People and we offer our sincerest apologies.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Parker for comment. Luxembourgers, cross-border workers and foreign nationals alike - more and more pensioners are leaving the Grand Duchy for sunnier climes, according to the Fondation Idea. Retiring in the sunshine may be a cliche but there is truth behind it, as verified by the growing number of pensioners leaving the Grand Duchy. The Chamber of Commerce think tank, Fondation Idea, said the amount of pensions exported to non-resident beneficiaries had more than doubled from 2010 to 2019, going from 609 million to 1.3 billion euros. Le montant des pensions est passe de 609 millions d'euros a 1,3 milliards d'euros en a peine 10 ans! / RTL/ Fondation Idea/ IGSS Unsurprisingly, these pensioners have a tendency to settle in the one of the three neighbouring countries, Portugal, or Italy. Some are foreign nationals who worked and resided in Luxembourg, but returned to their home country after retiring, while others are former cross-border workers, or simply Luxembourgers seeking the sun. ALMOST A THIRD OF PENSIONERS LIVE ABROAD Due to the gradual retirement of cross-border workers active in Luxembourg from the 1980s onward, the number of non-residents claiming pension expenses rose from 21.5% in 2010 to 28% in 2019. While cross-border workers represent almost 45% of the Grand Duchy's workforce, they were less likely to receive a pension. However, over time the proportion of exported pensions will gradually approach 45%, as future non-resident pensioners will for the most part have spent their entire careers in Luxembourg. ATHLONE, Ireland, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Innocoll Holdings Limited, a specialty pharmaceutical company and portfolio business of Gurnet Point Capital, announced today that it has resubmitted the New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for XARACOLL (bupivacaine HCl collagen-matrix implants), an investigational drug-device for the management of postsurgical pain after open inguinal hernia surgery. Innocoll anticipates a 6-month review by the FDA. About XARACOLL XARACOLL is a late-stage bioresorbable collagen-matrix surgical implant being developed by Innocoll for the management of postsurgical pain relief through the delivery of bupivacaine, a local anesthetic, at the surgical site. XARACOLL is a registered trademark of Innocoll Pharmaceuticals Limited. About Innocoll Holdings Limited Innocoll Holdings Limited is a global specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Athlone, Ireland. Innocoll Holdings Limited and its subsidiary, Innocoll Pharmaceuticals Limited, are focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceutical technologies to meet some of today's most important healthcare challenges. Innocoll Holdings Limited is a portfolio business of Gurnet Point Capital. www.innocoll.com About Gurnet Point Capital Gurnet Point Capital is a unique healthcare fund founded by Ernesto Bertarelli and led by Christopher Viehbacher, who, together, have decades of expertise in an industry for which they share a passion, both as Chief Executives and as investors. With an initial allocation of $2 billion, GPC is investing long-term capital and supporting entrepreneurs in building a new generation of companies. Based in Cambridge, MA, its remit is global, encompassing life sciences and medical technologies. The fund invests across all stages of product development through to commercialization and does so with an approach that is a hybrid of venture and private equity investing strategies. www.gurnetpointcapital.com SOURCE Innocoll Holdings Limited Related Links http://www.innocoll.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thu, February 27, 2020 11:11 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066e5521 2 World Mahathir-Mohamad,Malaysia,Prime-Minister,Anwar-Ibrahim,power Free Malaysia's king summoned Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday, as the country waits for an end to the political chaos caused by his shock resignation as prime minister amid an intense power struggle. Decades-old political rivals Mahathir, 94, and Anwar Ibrahim, 72, have both sought the prime minister's job, leaving the king to decide who governs the country next or whether fresh elections should be called. Mahathir, who agreed to act as interim prime minister after resigning earlier this week amid political maneuvering between his coalition and the opposition, on Wednesday proposed a unified administration without political party allegiances. A spokesman for Mahathir's office said Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had called him for a meeting at 11 a.m. The spokesman did not know why. The king has met all the 222 elected members of parliament over two days in a bid to end the crisis, which comes as Malaysia faces a flagging economy and the impact of the new coronavirus. The resignation of Mahathir broke apart a coalition with Anwar that had scored a surprise election victory in 2018, and was not part of a pre-election promise that Mahathir would eventually cede power to Anwar. Anwar said on Wednesday he was opposed to forming a "backdoor government" and that three parties from the former Pakatan Harapan ruling coalition had proposed his name to the king as candidate for prime minister. "We wait for the decision of the king," he told a news conference. By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova Nargis Fund presents video dedicated to Khojaly genocide, committed in 1992 against hundreds of Azerbaijanis by Armenians. Some 613 people were killed, 1,000 civilians of various ages became disabled as a result of the bullet wounds received. As many as 106 women, 63 young children, 70 old men were killed, eight families were completely destroyed, 25 children lost both parents, 130 - one of the parents. On the night of the tragedy, 1,275 civilians were captured, and the fate of 150 of them is still unknown. 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, nearly one million Azerbaijanis were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities that were started by the Armenian forces due to occupation. A temporary cease-fire agreement was signed between the countries in 1994, however a final peace deal has not been reached yet. Peace negotiations mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have yielded no results to this date. Since 1992, negotiations have been underway for a peaceful settlement of the conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. In 1993, the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions (822, 853, 874 and 884) on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, due to the unconstructiveness of Armenia, they still remain on paper. For the first time, a team of scientists at the University of Central Florida has created functional nanomaterials with hollow interiors that can be used to create highly sensitive biosensors for early cancer detection. Xiaohu Xia, an assistant professor of chemistry with a joint appointment in the NanoScience Technology Center, and his team developed the new method and recently published their work in the journal ACS Nano. "These advanced hollow nanomaterials hold great potential to enable high-performance technologies in various areas," says Xia. "Potentially we could be talking about a better and less expensive diagnostic tool, sensitive enough to detect biomarkers at low concentrations, which could make it invaluable for early detection of cancers and infectious diseases." Because hollow nanomaterials made of gold and silver alloys display superior optical properties, they could be particularly good for developing better test strip technology, similar to over-the-counter pregnancy tests. Currently the technology used to indicate positive or negative symbols on the test stick is not sensitive enough to pick up markers that indicate certain types of cancer. But Xia's new method of creating hollow nanomaterials could change that. More advance warning could help doctors save more lives. In conventional test strips, solid gold nanoparticles are often used as labels, where they are connected with antibodies and specifically generate color signal due to an optical phenomenon called localized surface plasmon resonance. Under Xia's technique, metallic nanomaterials can be crafted with hollow interiors. Compared to the solid counterparts, these hollow nanostructures possess much stronger LSPR activities and thus offer more intense color signal. Therefore, when the hollow nanomaterials are used as labels in test strips they can induce sensitive color change, enabling the strips to detect biomarkers at lower concentrations. advertisement "Test-strip technology gets upgraded by simply replacing solid gold nanoparticles with the unique hollow nanoparticles, while all other components of a test strip are kept unchanged," says Xia. "Just like the pregnancy test, the new test strip can be performed by non-skilled persons, and the results can be determined with the naked eye without the need of any equipment. These features make the strip extremely suitable for use in challenging locations such as remote villages." The UCF study focused on prostate-specific antigen, a biomarker for prostate cancer. The new test strip based on hollow nanomaterials was able to detect PSA as low as 0.1 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL), which is sufficiently sensitive for clinical diagnostics of prostate cancer. The published study includes electron microscope images of the metallic hollow nanomaterials. "I hope that by providing a general and versatile platform to engineer functional hollow nanomaterials with desired properties, new research with the potential for other applications beyond biosensing can be launched," Xia says. Collaborators on the study include Zhuangqiang Gao, Zheng Xi, Haihang Ye, Zhiyuan Wei and Shikuan Shao from UCF's chemistry department; Qingxiao Wang and Moon J. Kim from the University of Texas at Dallas, and Dianyong Tang from Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences in China. Gao and Xi are postdoctoral scholars in Xia's lab, partially funded through UCF's Preeminent Postdoctoral Program. The study was partially funded through a National Science Foundation CAREER grant (CHE-1834874). Xia, who has a joint appointment at the NanoScience Technoloyg Center, has multiple degrees in biomedical engineering and worked at Georgia Tech as a postdoctoral fellow and at Michigan Tech as an assistant professor before joining UCF in 2018. A worshipper (L) wears a face mask to protect against the coronavirus while sitting in a pew at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Ash Wednesday on Feb. 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) CDC Announces First US Case of Coronavirus With Unknown Origin Health officials announced on Feb. 26 that the latest confirmed case of COVID-19 in an individual in Northern California may be the countrys first case of human-to-human transmission from an unknown source. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement on Wednesday night that the patient has no known sources of exposure, like close contact with confirmed carriers of the virus. It added that the individual had no relevant travel history before the case was detected through the U.S. public health system. At this time, the patients exposure is unknown, the agency said. Its possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States. Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown. The agency added there is a possibility that the individual may have been exposed to a returned traveler who was infected, and will update the public as they get more information. The California Department Of Public Health said that the unnamed individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento County. Hospital officials said in an email that the patient had been transferred to UC Davis Medical Center as a suspected virus patient on Feb. 19. However, the CDC did not immediately test the patient as they did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19. The CDC began testing four days later. Due to precautions put in place for the patient, there is minimal risk to patients and staff at the facility, according to the hospital. If confirmed, the new case would mark the first known instance of human-to-human transmission of the virus among the general public in the United Statessomething health officials warned would likely happen at some point. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said earlier this week that it was not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness. The authorities in California said that despite the announcement, the health risk from novel coronavirus to the general public remains low at this time. While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate, the department said in the statement. From the international data we have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80 percent do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization. California is carefully assessing the situation as it evolves, it added. The case marks the 60th in the United States, including 42 who returned from the Diamond Princess cruise ship that remains held off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, and three who were evacuated from Wuhanthe epicenter of the virus in China. The CDCs statement comes after President Donald Trump named Vice President Mike Pence as the leader of the coronavirus task force. He said: Whatever happens. were totally prepared. We are ready, willing, and able. Pence will now be working with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in an all-of-government effort to coordinate the administrations coronavirus response. When asked about updates on a possible vaccine, Trump responded, The vaccine is coming along well, and we think this is something that we can do fairly quickly. Of the 15 people [to have contracted the virus] eight of them have returned to their homes, to stay at their homes until theyre fully recovered. One is in the hospital. And five have fully recovered. And one we think is in pretty good shape, he added. Intermatic has been in business for almost 130 years and has operated its global headquarters out of Spring Grove for the past 60 years, Grow stated. The company plans to start operations in Libertyville by February 2021, she said. No stranger to controversy, Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy has now suggested that lessons can be learnt on how to control the 'engineered disturbances' of Delhi from the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident of China. Thousands of pro-democracy protesters were killed on June 4, 1989 in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square as the People's Liberation Army launched a brutal crackdown on those demonstrating there against the ruling Communist Party of China for weeks. 'Remember Tienanmen Square, Beijing in 1988? And how Deng Xiaoping handled it? Perhaps there is a lesson there on how to handle the engineered disturbances of NE Delhi! I'm sure all comrades will agree!' Roy tweeted on Wednesday only to delete it later. In the tweet, he wrote 'Tienanmen' for 'Tiananmen' and also mentioned the year as 1988. The Governor on Thursday defended his tweet when he told reporters, "What is contained in the tweet is there. I am not going to hallucinate it." In response to a Twitter user's reply to his post, Roy, who is former West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party president, wrote, 'Deng (Xiaoping) rescued China from the murderous cult of Maoism and took it to today's dizzy heights!' In his Twitter profile, Roy describes himself as a 'right-winged Hindu socio-political thinker, writer and ideologue. Also Governor, Meghalaya'. He also questioned the timing of the riots. 'Disturbances in NE Delhi (communal,as per Times Now) were engineered to coincide with the US President's visit. Trump, like a true statesman, did not discuss India's internal matters like Art 370 abrogation, ban on Teen Talaq or CAA. Egg on the face of Left-Islamists (sic),' he said in another tweet. Last year, Roy created a furore when he appealed to people to 'boycott everything Kashmiri' following the Pulwama terror attack on a Central Reserve Police Force convoy. He had also triggered a storm last July by claiming that Bengali boys sweep the floors of houses across the country these days and Bengali girls dance in Mumbai's bars. Yulianna Avdeeva has never forgotten her first piano recital. She was 6 years old, waiting backstage to unveil two pieces from Pyotr Tchaikovskys Childrens Album, Op. 39. Her parents and instructor did their best to assuage any pre-performance jitters. Dont be afraid of those eyes upon you, they said. Such reassurances might make most children self-conscious seas of faces, watching me? but not Avdeeva. She loved music. She loved filling space with music. To perform it before an audience seemed the most natural gift to give. At the moment I walked onto the stage I was so fascinated by the atmosphere, Avdeeva, now 34, said in a recent conversation with The E. I was not scared at all. In fact, I was very sad when I finished playing. That was it. This passion to share music with other people it hasnt changed. Her life's been informed by such fascinations from the beginning, when as a curious child in Moscow, Russia, she began using her parents piano to find, replicate and perfect melodies shed heard. This led to enrollment at Gnessin State Musical College, founded in 1895 by three sisters whod studied at the Moscow Conservatory. Illustrious alumni include composer Lev Knipper, pianist Boris Berezovsky and, now, Yulianna Avdeeva, who recalled her time at the institution with affection. I was definitely very lucky with my first teacher, she said. She explained to me this magical world of music. It was not just me sitting and practicing; I was diving into a magical world with wonderful stories I could tell through this language. Although already a multiple-award-winning performer by her early 20s, Avdeeva earned international acclaim when she won the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2010, held every five years in the composer's native Warsaw. It was a near-perfect confluence of events: she triumphed during Frederic Chopin's bicentennial, and is only the fourth woman to claim the title 45 years after her predecessor, Bella Davidovich. The citys always worn Chopin with pride; its airport was renamed in his honor in 2001 and his still-extant haunts remain popular tourist destinations. The admiration was mutual: In fact, upon his 1849 death in Paris, Chopin gave his actual heart to Warsaw, where its been interred at the Holy Cross Church ever since. But he was more visible than usual in 2010 when a high-tech multimedia Chopin museum opened in Warsaws Ostrogski Palace and his countenance lined boulevards colored in his music. You can visit so many places connected to Chopin, Avdeeva said. Its possible to see his pianos, his personal belongings, his diary, his last apartment even locks of his hair. Its very special, I have visited so many times, but every time Im in Warsaw, I feel like hes very close, like you could meet him on the next street when youre walking in the center. (As for the competition) I still have to ask myself: 'Was it me? Was it a dream?' I cant believe its been 10 years. It feels very close. It was a very special time for me. This week, Avdeeva explores a compelling program devoted to three other Romantic-era composers with a 4 p.m. Sunday, March 1, performance at Oregon State University's LaSells Stewart Center as part of the Corvallis-OSU Piano International Steinway Piano Series. (See info box for details.) The afternoon begins with Robert Schumanns Fantasiestucke, Op. 12, an alternately melancholic and ebullient eight-piece tableau written in 1837 as its German author began suffering the initial effects of what may contemporarily be diagnosed as bipolar disorder. Avdeeva considers the Fantasiestucke an autobiographical composition, a very personal statement or reflection of his state of his mind and soul. Its kind of a personal diary. I like it very much. Avdeeva then visits Franz Schuberts four-movement "Wanderer" Fantasy in C Major (1822), one of her childhood favorites if in part for its demanding, dazzling dexterity. As an adult she admires the emotional juxtapositions that inhabit the piece. The 'Wanderer' is a very tragic, very sad character, she said. The rest of Fantasy is completely the opposite. The transformation from tragic to hopeful is something very unique even in Schuberts music. Ludwig van Beethoven dominates the programs second half, first with his Fantasia in G minor, Op. 77 (1809), birthed during the composers prolific improvisational period. Thats how it feels when you play it, Avdeeva said. It consists of many different sections and characters, so its not a typical Beethoven piece. Its one of his most brilliant pieces for piano. Fantasia is followed by the "Eroica" Variations in E flat major, Op. 35, a precursor to the epic might of Beethoven's exuberant Eroica in 1803. This is a real piano piece, Avdeeva said. It has all of the pianos possibilities for Beethoven, with some beautiful arias before the fugue, which looks forward to the final works of his life. The creative mind he had was so fascinating. Im very happy to bring this program to Corvallis. Nearly 30 years after her first keystroke en route to the perfectly executed note, Yulianna Avdeeva remains riveted by the magical world of music, eager to share that enchantment with those not-so-scary figures beyond the stage. Love 0 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. Prudential was planning a major overhaul before US hedge fund Third Point demanded a break-up this week. The 172-year-old life insurer, which is mainly focused on Asia, has been considering options to reduce its exposure to Jackson, its US annuities specialist. This could include a sale to a rival or a private equity buyer, or spinning it off and listing it on the stock exchange. The most likely route would be that Prudential would list Jackson but retain a large stake. US conundrum: 172-year-old life insurer Prudential , which is mainly focused on Asia, has been considering options to reduce its exposure to Jackson, its US annuities specialist But Prudential, which began life in London in 1848 and famously insured more than 320 victims of the Titanic, has come under siege from activist investor Third Point before it could share its vision with investors. The hedge fund, run by billionaire Dan Loeb, has yet to meet the Prus board, led by chairman Paul Manduca and chief executive Mike Wells. Third Point recently acquired a 5 per cent stake in Pru worth 1.8billion, now the funds biggest holding. It believes that a break-up can double its value, and wants Jackson to list in the US and for the remaining Prudential business to move to Asia. Both companies could retain a secondary listing in London, allowing UK shareholders to remain invested. But Loeb also wants the Pru to ditch its historic London headquarters. The Pru no longer has any business operations in the UK after last year spinning off its European arm into M&G, now a separately listed company in the FTSE 100. But almost half of the shareholders are long-term UK funds, looking after the pensions and savings of British people. Analysts point out that the City is widely seen as the insurance capital of the world and, with Pru expanding into Africa and Asia, London is a convenient midway point. Third Point wants Pru to cut all ties with Jackson and its representatives will be in London to meet the company in the next month. The Pru unveils 2019 results on March 11, when it is expected to give an update on its thinking over Jackson. As with Clarice in The Silence of the Lambs, Cecilias seeming voyeurs and predators are everywhere. A job interview with a smarmy architect leads to evidence that her ex-boyfriend is not dead yet. In Whannells films first and terrifically startling burst of violence (no spoilers), Cecilias fate as a victim of a monstrously clever blackmailer appears sealed. Her nemesis deploys his cloak of invisibility for somewhat more frightening purposes than Oberon in A Midsummer Nights Dream ever did, let alone Harry Potter and the gang. Hovis has unveiled a duo of English muffins as it looks to tap into the premium bakery category. The range comprises English Muffins with Sourdough and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Muffins. Both are sold in four-packs and have an rsp of 1.00. Hovis has partnered with Barbers Farmhouse Cheesemaker for the cheese muffins which are made using West Country milk sourced from Barbers farms and those nearby. Hovis added that the new muffins align both brands and will provide consumers with a premium eating experience. The English Muffins with Sourdough, meanwhile, have been fermented for 72 hours before being traditionally baked on a griddle. Both will be available in selected Asda stores this month and in Morrisons from 16 March. We are excited to be working with Barbers on our new West Country Farmhouse Cheddar muffins, said Jeremy Gibson, marketing director at Hovis. The synergies in our outlook have enabled us to create a really tasty and premium product that meets consumer demand for authentic ingredients that showcase traditional production techniques and celebrate the story behind ingredients. Muffins have become a core component of a British brunch, as 34% of consumers believe it has replaced traditional weekend lunches, according to analytics firm Mintel. Brunch now represents 14.1% of all at home breakfast occasions. Both of our new muffins offer us with a real point of differentiation, catering to growing consumer trends of premium brunch at home, sourdough and delicious products, added Gibson. The new products will extend the Hovis premium range, which includes Seeded Batch and White Bloomer. Hovis said the premium offer is core to its strategy for growth as it looks to increase its market share. President Donald Trump with members of the president's coronavirus task force speaks during a news conference at the Brady press briefing room of the White House, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020, in Washington. Read more WASHINGTON President Donald Trump faces a critical personal challenge in grappling with the new coronavirus outbreak: asking Americans to believe him after he and some of his top advisers have contradicted federal scientists in playing down the threat. Keenly aware of the stakes not just for public health but also his credibility, Trump conducted a lengthy press conference Wednesday evening aimed at reassuring everyone that he has the crisis well in hand. Trump surrounded himself with his administration's top health experts. And he encouraged Americans to be prepared for the virus' potential spread. But he continued to minimize the risk, saying the outbreak may get a little bigger; it may not get bigger at all. And he continued to distance himself from the stated opinion of public health officials that it's inevitable the virus will spread within the United States. As businesses, schools and people in general think about preparing, the X-factor may be an unpredictable president who has clashed repeatedly with scientists in his own administration and tends to see any crisis through the lens of his own reelection chances. I don't think it's inevitable, Trump said at the news conference, where he announced Vice President Mike Pence would lead the administration's response to the outbreak. I think it has a chance that it could get worse. There is a chance you can get fairly substantially worse. But nothing's inevitable. He also said he had recently learned that thousands die from the flu each year, contrasting that to the coronavirus. After two days of the stock market tumbling, Trump took to Twitter Wednesday morning to blame the media and Democrats for causing undue alarm and harming American financial markets. He singled out MSNBC and CNN for doing everything possible to make the Caronavirus look as bad as possible, including panicking markets, if possible, and added that incompetent Do Nothing Democrat comrades are all talk, no action. He blamed part of this week's stock market slide on people's reaction to Tuesday night's Democratic debate and the possibility one of those candidates might replace him. And Trump acknowledged that the outbreak could have an impact on GDP but insisted that the U.S. economy is still doing great. The setting for Trump's evening press conference the White House press briefing room was meant to offer a sense of calm and assurance by the Republican president. It was only the second time in his presidency that Trump had spoken from the podium in that room, and aides acknowledged he was trying to underscore that he has the situation under control and understands the gravity. In advance, Trump played down the mortality rate for a pathogen that has been confirmed to have killed 2,700 people globally. His top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, echoed Trumps outlook, saying Tuesday that the U.S. had contained the threat of a domestic outbreak. Trump's and Kudlows comments were at odds with warnings from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials who said American communities need to prepare now for when the disease starts spreading domestically. There have been just 60 confirmed cases in the U.S. The messaging by the White House is unhelpful, said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University. What the White House is doing is conveying a sense of overconfidence. ... Of course, we do want to maintain calm with the public, but it flies in the face of facts." Trump's public efforts to project calm masked a behind-the-scenes focus. During his 36-hour visit to India, Trump received briefings from staff and periodically checked the impact on Wall Street, tweeting at all hours to try to reassure Americans and the markets about the spread of the virus. Trump expressed deep concern to aides about the effect on the markets, according to White House officials and Republicans close to the West Wing. Trump has tied his fortunes to Wall Street more closely than any of his recent predecessors and has made a strong economy his No. 1 argument for reelection. As the media coverage of the virus has increased, Trump has grown concerned that even fears of an outbreak would stagger Wall Street, leading him to wonder aloud if Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar was the right person to lead the administrations response, the officials said. Since the start of the crisis, Trump has been reluctant to blame China, where the virus originated, for fear of upsetting President Xi Jinping or damaging ongoing trade talks. But he is also fearful he could be accused of being unresponsive to the crisis. At the urging of a number of his internal and outside advisers, he directed the White House to adopt a more public presence, leading to a briefing by officials and emails to the press stressing the administrations response. Americans want to see their president taking charge and showing leadership, and that is exactly what President Trump is doing," said Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany. Privately, aides said concerns have spiked in recent days inside the Trump reelection campaign. Republicans close to the White House are keenly aware of the political implications of a pandemic scare. In 2014, the GOP aggressively criticized the Obama administration's handling of the Ebola epidemic, which it later credited with helping the party seize back the majority in the Senate. The most pressing concern, aides said, is not the possibility of widespread outbreak in the U.S. Trumps aides do believe existing monitoring and restrictions are working but the downstream effects of the virus on the global economy and public sentiment. The virus has already shut Chinese factories that are part of the U.S. supply chain. Mark Zandi, an economist at Moodys Analytics, estimated Wednesday that U.S. growth could slow to 1.7% this year roughly the same level as in 2016. He said the situation could become worse if a pandemic emerges. The U.S. economy is more insulated from the impact of the virus, but it is not immune, and it too would likely suffer a downturn in this scenario, Zandi said. Trump moved swiftly to severely curtail most travel to China a month ago, a move administration officials believe slowed the spread of the virus to the U.S., even if it drew criticism for being too extreme in the moment. Until now, federal health authorities have been preparing for the coronavirus arrival in the U.S. with little if any White House interference. Theyre following the playbook: pandemic preparedness plans that were put into place in anticipation of another flu pandemic, but will work for any respiratory-borne disease. Part of those plans call for educating the public on what to expect if the virus begins spreading in U.S. communities, such as school closures or calls for people to telework. One of the lessons learned in prior crises is not to offer false assurances when scientists have questions about the illness. As Trump plays down the threat of an outbreak, his past attacks on government scientists on everything from hurricane forecasts to climate change and his reputation for straining the truth all factor into the credibility of his message. The flap over Trumps off-base comments about Hurricane Dorian last fall when he went so far as to display a weather map that had been altered with a black marker to extend the hurricanes possible path demonstrated the pitfalls when a president veers from the message provided by government scientists and career professionals. Trump, who pilloried President Barack Obama over his response to the Ebola epidemic, now finds himself having to fend off a wave of criticism from Democratic presidential rivals who claim he's discounted science and has inadequate response plans. At Tuesdays presidential debate, Mike Bloomberg claimed there's nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing. Sen. Amy Klobuchar criticized Trump for trying to cut back funding of the CDC and the National Institutes of Health. Trumps budgets have proposed cuts to public health, only to be overruled by Congress, where theres strong bipartisan support for agencies like the CDC and NIH. Instead, financing has increased. Associated Press writers Josh Boak, Lauran Neergaard and Darlene Superville contributed to this article. Janelle Monae has become know for turning some pretty wild red carpet looks. And the Moonlight star brought her A-game to Paris Fashion Week, giving the models a run for their money. She cut an avant-garde look in black and white Wednesday as she attended the Harper's Bazaar Exhibition celebration. Avant-garde: Janelle Monae cut an avant-garde look in black and white Wednesday as she attended the Harper's Bazaar Exhibition celebration at Paris Fashion Week The 34-year-old wowed in a white Jean Paul Gaultier dress with black stripes and long billowy sleeves. The sleeves and the hem were trimmed with long feather fringe, as well as a Victorian style feathered collar. The horizontal stripes of the dress curved with her torso to accentuate her feminine figure, as Gaultier does best. She complemented the look with a pair of black and sparkling silver strappy Louboutin stilettos. Stunning in stripes: The 34-year-old wowed in a white Jean Paul Gaultier dress with black stripes and long billowy sleeves Fringe moment: The sleeves and the hem were trimmed with long feather fringe, as well as a Victorian style feathered collar Feminine figure: The horizontal stripes of the dress curved with her torso to accentuate her feminine figure, as Gaultier does best Accessorizing: She complemented the look with a pair of black and sparkling silver strappy Louboutin stilettos. The ensemble was finished with a black Ruslan Baginskiy beret featuring jeweled accents and a pair of black feather earrings by XIV Karats Hair goals: She turned around to reveal her hair in a long detached extension with sectioned ponytails The ensemble was finished with a black Ruslan Baginskiy beret featuring jeweled accents and a pair of black feather earrings by XIV Karats. She turned around to reveal her hair in a long detached extension with sectioned ponytails. The Dirty Computer artist took to her Instagram story on the way to the event, teasing a glimpse at her look from the backseat of her car. Monae was seated at a table with Diane von Furstenberg and Dita Von Teese at the star-studded event. She also shared a video of Christian Louboutin busting a move at the party, which was held at Musee des Arts Decoratifs. Feeling cute: The Dirty Computer artist took to her Instagram story on the way to the event, teasing a glimpse at her look from the backseat of her car Dinner companions: Monae was seated at a table with Diane von Furstenberg and Dita Von Teese at the star-studded event She was just making a splash during a vacation to the Dominican Republic. But Brooke Burke looked more than pleased to be back at home in LA on Wednesday. The 48-year-old model-turned-TV hostess couldn't hide her delight as she fetched lunch with boyfriend Scott Rigsby at Avra in Beverly Hills. Lunch date: Brooke Burke was all smiles while out with beau Scott Rigsby in Beverly Hills on Wednesday Wowza: The duo couldn't keep their hands off each other after lunch Brooke looked classic and cute as she dressed up a tee shirt and jean shorts combo with a smart grey blazer. Her jacket had a pop of color with a hot pink smiley face on back. Elongating her legs, Burke added strappy nude stilettos that matched her leather purse. The former Playboy model accessorized with a cheetah-print belt, big sunglasses, and several delicate necklaces Smitten: The 48-year-old model-turned-TV hostess couldn't hide her delight while out to lunch Smart dresser: Brooke looked classic and cute as she dressed up a tee shirt and jean shorts combo with a smart grey blazer Leggy lady: Elongating her legs, Burke added strappy nude stilettos that matched her leather purse Smile! Her jacket had a pop of color with a hot pink smiley face on back Meanwhile, Scott looked handsome in a muscle-hugging grey shirt and khaki pants. The pair couldn't keep their hands off each other after lunch, seen sharing a passionate smooch as they waited at valet. Brooke giggled as her new love pulled her in close for a kiss. Flirty: The pair couldn't keep their hands off each other after lunch, seen sharing a passionate smooch as they waited at valet All eyes on you: Brooke giggled as her new love pulled her in close Brooke seemed happy to be back in California after enjoying some sunny time in the Dominican Republic. News of the couple's relationship first emerged last August, less than a year after Burke filed for divorce from husband of seven-years David Charvet. Brooke only had great things to say about Scott when asked about him last fall. New flame: News of the couple's relationship first emerged last August, less than a year after Burke filed for divorce from husband of seven-years David Charvet. They're seen in November 2019 above Explaining how her kids were in full support of the relationship, she told People: It is awesome because he is a great father. 'He has two children and that is one of the things that I love most about him. He is really kind and responsible and devoted, so our kids are getting to know each other. Its a big deal, but it is really loving and kind, and I am really happy.' 'He is a sweetheart, a really sweet guy. Yesterday I used the "B" word. I was like, "Whoa! Boyfriend?! Babe, do you want to be my boyfriend?!" I had to change his name in my contacts to "Boyfriend."' The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ruled that strikes, rallies and gheraos that affect regular classes should not be held on the campuses of schools and colleges. It observed that those who are not participating in the strike have every right to attend their classes and no one should force them to participate in agitations that affect smooth conduct of classes. The HC verdict has evoked sharp reactions from many student outfits and political parties which they said would affect students rights and their plan to carry out peaceful protests. Though the court had banned politics on campuses earlier also it was not implemented in the state and the court had passed several strictures against it. The important verdict came in the wake of some private schools in Pathanamthitta moving the court with a plea to restrain student politics. Though the court had banned politics on the campus earlier also it was not implemented properly and students were suffering due to frequent disruptions of classes during strikes, they contended. Agreeing with their contention the court said academic institutions were only meant for studies and they should not be venues for strikes and protests. It also held that nobody has the right to override a students right to study and action can be against those who indulge in strikes, rallies and gheraos that affect regular classes. The court said campuses can have peaceful discussions and sharing of thoughts in a peaceful manner. It also held that students and others who force students to take part in the strike can be dealt with the law as it was the infringement of the basic right of the student. Almost all political parties in the state including the ruling CPI(M), opposition Congress and BJP said such a blanket ban would not do any good to the student community and urged the government to file an appeal against it. Peaceful protests are part of democracy, said opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran also said it was not feasible in a politically vibrant society like Kerala. Many student organisations like the Students Federation of India, Kerala Students Union and ABVP also expressed their concern over the verdict. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar takes questions during a briefing with members of the president's Coronavirus Task Force in Washington on Jan. 31, 2020. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Congress Grills Public Health Officials on Coronavirus Preparedness Since the beginning of 2020, the coronavirus has spread to 38 countries and is showing no signs of slowing down. For this reason, Congress has been prompted to act to get as much information about the United States ability to respond to a potential spread of the virus on its soil. Due to the rapidly evolving epidemic, it is essential the United States response remains well-coordinated and flexible. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency, prompting other U.S. agencies to respond. On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing on COVID-19. Five Republican members and five Democratic members asked questions about the Health and Human Services Departments response to this outbreak. Azar told lawmakers that the total supplemental funding needed would be $2.5 billion to cover expenses that the administration believes are appropriate for 2020 and would go through the end of the fiscal year. Part of the supplemental request is funding for state and local government efforts. Chairwoman Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) questioned the Trump administrations budget cuts from other public health areas, such as the $200 million in cuts to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, $700 million in cuts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and $3 billion from the National Institutes for Health. She asked if the administration would be willing to reconsider these cuts. The secretary said that the cuts would not impact functioning to those areas. Azar described how the agency is using a pandemic influenza plan as a guide in preparing for a response to the current coronavirus outbreak. I was one of the architects of the original pandemic plans back in the Bush administration, Azar said. That work is foundational, its definite, thats what set up our entire state, local, and federal program, any type of viral outbreak like this. Innovation is vitally important, thats why two of the key legs of the supplemental request are to develop vaccines and therapeutics for this novel virus. Azar said that in the event of a community outbreak, they would not quarantine whole towns and cities because that only creates more panic and people find ways to leave, spreading the virus. Instead, they would use community-based litigation steps and social distancing. When questioned about the development of anti-microbial medications, Azar said: Weve supported development of 16 novel antibacterial projects, I believe three have actually come to market. What were finding, though, is theres a market failure question here, where youre basically asking a company to develop a drug, but then not to have it used much. Stephen M. Hahn, Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, told the committee that drug manufacturers are required to tell their agency when theres a potential disruption to the drug supply. When the applicants apply to the FDA, they might provide, for example, IV manufacturers for the precursors to the drug, and then five manufacturers for the actual final drug. To date, Hahn said he has not gotten any such sign from their manufacturers. Referring to the drug stockpile of active pharmaceutical ingredients companies have available Hahn said, Weve received no reports of shortages and found no shortages and prescription drugs coming from China, and we have discussed this with manufacturers and private companies and adequate supplies currently exist. Congressman Michael Burgess (R-Texas) said the coronavirus spread should motivate the United States to bring manufacturing back home, reducing reliance on other countries for these important medicines. Burgess asked Robert R. Redfield, Director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if he was satisfied with Chinas sharing of information and the World Health Organization report about the spread of the virus in China. Without going into any detail Redfield said, Theres good scientific interaction between us. Congressmembers also asked about the chain of command in the decision-making process for coronavirus emergency response. Specifically, who gives permission for an infected American citizen to reenter the United States. If its in a foreign country, the ambassador of the president is the final word on representing the United States, said Azar. As far as the United States capacity to test for the virus, Redfield confirmed there are 12 CDC labs that can test for the coronavirus. Redfield said they are currently working to expand that number significantly. Anthony S. Fauci, Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institute for Health, said they are at phase one in development for a vaccine, which takes months because it needs to be first tested on animals and then a few dozen humans. Phase two will need $140 million and take six months to a year to test 1,000 patients, and then after it has been finalized, the CDC will work with private drug companies to manufacture the vaccine. From start to finish, the development of a vaccine could take 12 to 18 months. Health officials know that this virus is highly transmissible, but are still studying how long an infected person can transmit the virus and how it spreads. Redfield said: Thats something thats still up in the air and the way you get the answer to that is you try and isolate. We know that there are individuals who are actually able to transmit when they are without symptoms. As far as keeping vaccines affordable, Azar said, We absolutely share your passion around ensuring affordable access to medicines, but the private sector must have a role in this, we will not have a vaccine, we will not have therapeutics without the private sector. The CDC issued a statement on Tuesday saying its not a matter of if but when we will see the rise of coronavirus cases in the United States. Azar concluded his testimony by reiterating that theres no change to anyones daily life from this, that the country has pandemic plans. Theres a playbook for this, he said. And were executing against that but we have to be realistic and transparent that we will have more cases. Burgess said in a statement prior to the hearing that he hopes to get information about the level of preparedness. It is my hope that by delaying the onset of the virus in the United States, we have enhanced our preparedness activities and our communities will be ready. U.S. health agencies are working together to protect the American people from the outbreak. So far, they have been successful in curbing infections in the United States because of coordination efforts between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, and state and local public health officials. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM) ("Transition", "the Company") invites you to meet with Company representatives at Booth #2126 in the Investors Exchange at the PDAC 2020 Mining Convention to be held from March 1-4, 2020 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), Toronto, Canada. The PDAC, held annually, is considered the world's premier mineral exploration and mining convention. Transition Metals looks forward to updating shareholders and conference attendees on its many attractive projects and exploration plans for 2020. The Company will be showcasing the following high-quality projects that are available for option, acquisition or joint venture: Saturday Night PGM-Ni-Cu Project: The Company holds a 100% interest in the property that is located 16 kilometres west of the Sunday Lake PGM discovery near Thunder Bay Ontario (a Joint Venture between the Company and Implats). Drilling of a magnetic anomaly by Transition at Saturday Night intersected a PGM mineralized, buried mafic-ultramafic intrusion that is similar to the Sunday Lake discovery (reference PR). Highland Gold Project: The property covers a widespread cluster of high-grade gold occurrences in an area that has seen very limited exploration. The property is 107 square kilometres in size and is located 60 kilometres northwest of the city of Sydney, Nova Scotia. Transition has completed work highlighting large scale structures, strong alteration and widespread bedrock mineralization that are consistent with aspects of an epithermal gold system. Drilling to date has returned up to 9.14 metres grading 23.22 g/t Au (see Company news release of January 14, 2019). Wollaston Copper Project: The 151 square kilometer property in central Saskatchewan covers copper showings interpreted to have potential to host sedimentary-hosted copper mineralization similar to, with rocks interpreted to be on-strike equivalents to, the Janice Lake Project located 65 kilometres to the north. The Janice Lake Project is being advanced by Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (RTEC) that is currently constructing a 99 kilometre access road and a temporary 65-80 person work camp to support drilling and mineral exploration at Janice Lake. Recent drilling by Rio Tinto Canada returned widespread copper mineralization (example; 0.41% Cu and 4.2 g/t Ag over 57.1 metres, including 0.95% Cu and 9.7 g/t Ag over 13 metres; see Company news release of October 10, 2019). Maude Lake Ni-Cu-Co-PGM Project: Located 10 kilometres north of Schreiber, Ontario, the property consists of staked mining claims covering approximately 150 square kilometres. The property sits on the southern limb of the Archean Hemlo-Schreiber greenstone belt and covers the contact between mafic to felsic volcanic lithologies to the south and the Crossman Lake granitic pluton to the north. Base metal sulphides occur as massive to vein-like and net-textured aggregates along the contact between the mafic-ultramafic intrusion to the south and the granite to the north. The massive sulphide showing is exposed across approximately 75 metres and recent channel sampling returned high grade mineralization including 2.09 % Ni, 0.64 % Cu and 0.32 g/t PGM (Pt+Pd+Au) over 4.0 metres (see Company news release of October 15, 2019). Fostung Tungsten Project: The Fostung mineralization is a skarn-type, tungsten deposit located within calcareous Huronian metasedimentary units unconformably overlying Precambrian basement rocks near Espanola 70 kilometres southwest of Sudbury, Ontario. The property hosts an historic tungsten trioxide (WO3) skarn resource that in 2007 was stated to contain an Inferred Mineral Resource of 12.4 million tonnes (Mt) grading 0.213 wt. % WO3 (see Company news release of November 14, 2019). The resource estimate completed on the Fostung Property that is mentioned in this release was completed at the request of Golden Predator Mine Inc. in 2007 by SRK Consulting Inc1. The report states a CIM classified Inferred Mineral Resource of 12.4 Mt of mineral material with 0.213 wt.% WO 3 using a 0.125 wt.% cut-off based on information from 44 drillholes totaling 9,185 metres completed from 1966 to 1986. The Company discloses that a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the issuer is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserve. Furthermore, the Company has not independently verified the samples and grades presented in this release and consider them to be historic in nature. Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report on Resources, Golden Predator Mines Inc., Fostung Project Foster Township, Ontario, Canada. Prepared by SRK Consulting, November 30, 2007. Transition has not done sufficient work to classify this historical estimate as a current mineral resource hence it should not be relied upon. Please visit the PDAC event website for registration information. We look forward to seeing everyone at the PDAC. Qualified Person The technical elements of this press release have been approved by Mr. Greg Collins, P.Geo. (PGO), a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Transition Metals Corp Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM) is a Canadian-based, multi-commodity project generator that specializes in converting new exploration ideas into discoveries. The award-winning team of geoscientists has extensive exploration experience which actively develops and tests new ideas for discovering mineralization in places that others have not looked, often allowing the company to acquire properties inexpensively. Joint venture partners earn an interest in the projects by funding a portion of higher-risk drilling and exploration, allowing Transition to conserve capital and minimize shareholder's equity dilution. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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. Further information is available at www.transitionmetalscorp.com or by contacting: Scott McLean President and CEO Transition Metals Corp. Tel: (705) 669-1777 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52898 We all shared a general sense of disappointment in the wines. They were inconsistent, which was not unexpected. After all, the 2016 and 2017 vintages were very different. In 2016, the growing season was long and moderate, and many of the wines have been described as fragrant and nuanced, while 17 was hot and dry, producing wines that were often exuberantly fruity. Inconsistency might also be attributed to differences in microclimates, altitude and soils, with some of the wines coming from limestone, sandstone and marl, and others coming from clay-rich soils. More telling than inconsistency, however, we found too many bottles to be unbalanced, dominated either by tannins or acidity or a lack of one or the other. And in quite a few bottles, possible intricacies were overwhelmed by richness, sweetness and power, regardless of the vintage. Thera said some of the wines felt forced, as if they were trying to be something they were not. She likened them to people squeezing themselves into suits that were too tight. Eliza said many of the wines were incomplete, lacking the sort of qualities that are at the heart of sangioveses appeal, while Florence said they were short in character. That said, the wines we did like were balanced, combining bittersweet fruit flavors with lively acidity, earthiness and the sort of structure indicating that the wines would be capable of aging for five to 10 years. None had the dusty purity, grace or transparency that I have enjoyed in so many Chianti Classicos, but those are not qualities Ive often seen in Rosso di Montalcinos. Still, we did like quite a few of the wines. Our favorite was the 2016 Uccelliera, rich and tannic, with earthy, lingering flavors of sweet and bitter red fruits. Right behind it was the sweet, spicy and floral 2017 Ciacci Piccolomini dAragona, which was also our best value at $25. Delhi is still in shock and many areas are still tense owing to the riot-like situation that erupted in the national capital a few days back and continues today. Shocking and heartbreaking videos of people being beaten up by goons and police allegedly assisting them are going viral. There have been accusations that this was a planned attack as most houses and shops that have been burnt in Chand Bagh reportedly belonged to Muslims. Amid all the violence a few rays of hope have shone through the cracks. People on different social media platforms have been raising funds and urging people to make donations for people affected in the riots. Heartwarming news of Hindu families providing shelters to Muslims are spread across the internet. Gurdwaras across northeast Delhi also offered shelter to their Muslim brethren. In one part of Delhi, a gurdwara opens its doors to Muslims and anyone who needs shelter. In Seelampur, Dalits blocked the roads against mobs, sheltered their Muslim neighbours. Police and politicians have forgotten their duty; but the people have courage and heart.#DelhiRiots Nilanjana Roy (@nilanjanaroy) February 25, 2020 But other religious institutions have also come forward to offer support to Muslims affected by riots. The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) condemned the dastardly attack in northeast Delhi in which killed at least 22 people. NCCI has urged the Churches and Christian Organisations in the vicinity of the affected areas to respond appropriately to those in need, National Herald India reports. Representative Image/Twitter In a statement, NCCI said, Humanity has been knocked down one more time. Our houses burnt. Our kindred killed. Our peace destroyed, and future betrayed. We have not learned from our past. In what happened in parts of New Delhi, our national capital, we have been brought down to ashes once again. According to the report, the body has appealed to the members of the different Christian traditions to help each other, and all others of different faiths, traditions and ideological persuasions in their neighborhoods. AFP NCCI has criticised the governments inability to curb the sensitive situation before it was too late, The statement said, The explicit or implicit complicity and tacit approval of those in power and authority, and the blame game to cover inaction and poor response to early warnings. We urge our constituents everywhere to stand in solidarity with victim communities in their locales and foster an atmosphere of peace and human security across the country. We will not be overcome. WE SHALL OVERCOME. On Ash Wednesday, we resolve to rise from the Ashes It is heartening to see that when one religious minority is subjected to violence, other religions stand in solidarity and offer the support that's needed. The Embassy of Vietnam in Seoul has requested the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide information related to a COVID-19 patient who had arrived in Vietnam from South Korea Foreign Ministrys Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang According to Foreign Ministrys Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang, the request was made in accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR). On February 26, the Steering Committee for COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control urged competent authorities to tighten control of border gates amid complicated developments of the epidemic in several countries, including South Korea. All Vietnamese nationals returning home from South Korea must be quarantined in accordance with the current regulations, the Committee ordered. The Committee, established on January 30, also tasked local authorities to monitor health of those who entered Viet Nam over the last 14 days. Earlier on February 25, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed a directive asking the foreign ministry to promptly inform South Korea, other countries and territories about Viet Nams measures to contain spread of the COVID-19 epidemic to the Southeast Asian country. South Korea reported another daily spike in the number of new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, sending the Northeast Asian countrys total infections to 1,595, according to Yonhap News Agency. Vietnam reports 31 new coronavirus suspects As of February 26, 31 more people have been categorised as suffering from suspected coronavirus infection due to symptoms such as fevers or coughing after arriving in Vietnam from outbreak areas. As of February 24, only one new suspected case was reported. However, this number increased by 30 the following day. Most of the suspected cases are from outbreak areas and have a fever or coughing symptoms. They are being monitored at quarantine locations or medical facilities. In total, 5,675 people are being monitored for having close contact with suspected cases or arriving in Vietnam from outbreak areas. Two new suspected cases were reported in Hanoi on February 25. The capital is also monitoring 23 people from South Korea and 21 people from other outbreak areas. Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said they would still have to face more challenges as the outbreak enters a new phase. Plans are currently being drawn up to monitor and quarantine South Korean tourists and Vietnamese returning from South Korea. Tightened management is being encouraged to avoid similar cases like in Vinh Phuc Province. "All state agencies are working hard to prevent the outbreak. The public must stay calm and follow trust-worthy sources of information," he said. Hanoi is preparing to reopen schools. The city hasn't reported any confirmed cases. 78 people were suspected and only one is still being monitored. The city has issued sanitation guidance to teachers, parents and pupils. The 5th disinfection will be carried out this weekend. 1,320 people have been tested for the virus in Vietnam. All 16 confirmed cases in Vietnam have been cured and no new cases have been reported since February 13. Khanh Hoa Province declared Coronavirus-free The Ministry of Health has declared the southern central province of Khanh Hoa to be coronavirus-fee after no new patients were reported for 39 days. The declaration for the province which is home to the tourist city of Nha Trang is in line with the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases. However, the ministry has asked the province to continue virus prevention and control as the epidemic remains a global concern. The first coronavirus case in Khanh Hoa was recorded on January 31 after a hotel receptionist was tested positive for the virus. She met with two Chinese visitors, who were later confirmed to be Vietnam's first cases of coronavirus infection on January 17. Following the treatment at a local hospital, she then recovered and was discharged. Since then, the province has found no new Covid-19 cases. Vietnam has recorded 16 coronavirus patients, but all of them have fully recovered and discharged from hospital. Thai Binh to quarantine everyone returns from Covid-19 outbreak areas The northern province of Thai Binh will quarantine everyone, including Vietnamese, returning from coronavirus-affected areas starting from February 26. They will temporarily stop issuing permits to foreign workers to work in Thai Binh, especially to those that come from outbreak areas. All cases returning to Vietnam from outbreak areas will be quarantined for 14 days at Thai Binh Military School. Those that attempt to avoid quarantining will be forced to comply. Thai Binh authorities will also cancel the series of events to celebrate 130th anniversary of the establishment of the province as well as cultural events and festivals. As of February 26, 16 people have returned to Thai Binh from South Korea and are being monitored. Thai Binh has a total of 24 suspected cases but all of them have tested negative. There are about 2,600 to 2,700 Thai Binh people that are working in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do in South Korea, not to mention students and freelancers. Thai Binh also has a large number of people from South Korea and China. The provincial authorities have built several scenarios for different situations. In case the number of people that must be quarantined spikes, the Thai Binh Military Command will turn their halls and barracks into quarantine areas for 1,000 to 1,200 people. Meals worth VND80,000 (USD3.50) per person per day will be provided. Nguyen Hong Dien, party secretary of Thai Binh, asked state agencies to tighten monitoring over the travelling patterns to ensure that everyone that comes from or returns from outbreak areas will be quarantined. Dtinews/VGP/Lao Dong New Delhi, Feb 27 : Around three dozen Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel donated blood at the GTB Hospital, here on Tuesday, to help aid the hospital in meeting the demand arising from the rush of those hurt in violence, officials said. A group of 50 CRPF personnel were sent to the hospital. Of them, 34 donated blood and the rest were asked to be standby, said an official. "The donation was made to supplement the blood bank of the GTB Hospital where fatal and non-fatal victims of the riots were being admitted since Monday," the official said. The riots have claimed 38 lives and left over 200 injured. It erupted in northeast Delhi on Sunday night and turned deadly on Monday. Meanwhile, over 1,300 central armed police forces personnel, which included the CRPF, the Border Security Force (BSF), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), donated blood at a mega blood donation drive, organised by the AIIMS, here on Thursday. About 500 CRPF personnel, 400 from the CISF, 350 from the BSF and 100 from the ITBP donated blood at the camp, a senior CAPF official said. CISF Director General Rajesh Ranjan, BSF chief V.K. Johri and ITBP Director General S.S. Deswal led their personnel at the AIIMS blood donation drive. "I don't want the pink cup," my 6-year-old stepson says. "Pink's for girls." My 12-year-old son takes the pink cup, fills it with juice, and takes a gulp. "It's not," he says. "Pink's for boys, too." It was a fleeting moment during a typically frenetic family mealtime. But it made me pause and smile. Against all odds namely deep-rooted societal sexism my efforts to raise a feminist son appear to be paying off. So much of feminism focuses on widening options for our daughters, and that's obviously imperative I'm raising feminist young women, too. But we need to widen options for our sons at the same time. "It's important to raise boys to be feminists not only so they can be strong allies for disadvantaged people, such as women and minorities, but also because it is healthier for the boys themselves," says Taryn A. Myers, Ph.D. associate professor of psychology at Virginia Wesleyan University. "It lets them know that it is okay to experience and show emotions, which is much more psychologically healthy than our current thought of 'man up' and 'real men don't cry.'" It's also part of a wider effort to improve society for all. "If we want to make a difference in the rates of sexual assault, domestic violence, etc., we need to teach boys not to do these things instead of teaching girls how to protect themselves," says Myers. These patterns can be hard to break, because they tend to be passed down through generations. But while I wouldn't say raising my son (and daughters) to be feminists is effortless, it's definitely not rocket science. Little things go a long way if you put them in place from the very beginning. For instance, all the kids had (and have; my youngest daughter is 14 months) a wide range of toys available to them not just dolls and a play kitchen for my girl and trucks and a wooden toolbox for my boy (yawn). I don't follow outdated gendered color rules, and I try to model by example at every opportunity. Story continues Role modelling is a huge part of teaching kids about gender equality, says Talya Miron-Shatz, Ph.D., CEO of Buddy&Soul and a visiting researcher at Cambridge University. "It starts with either mom or dad driving the car, and paying at a restaurant," she says. "It continues with the mother having a role and a standing in the world and in her own eyes. Beyond this, it's all about treating our children as people, not as a 'girl who must help mom set the table' and a 'boy who should go out and play ball.'" Indeed, ensuring kids have a powerful mother or female figure in their lives is important, Miron-Shatner says. "If it's always the mothers who chaperone school trips because the fathers are working, making money, and being important people in the world, it's hard for a child to internalize that women and men are or should be equal." This is the definition of radical feminism, Miron-Shatz explains. It's not about burning bras or hating men. It's simply viewing gender roles as equal. "In this sense, 'radical' means 'coming from the root,'" Miron-Shatz says. "When you're raising your boy to be a feminist, you're teaching him to be a better, more equal person." Direct conversations about all aspects of gender equality are also vital. Myers advises talking about consent early but also practicing what you preach. For instance, don't make your boy hug anyone he does not want to hug, and help him get comfortable asking for permission to hug or kiss someone. Some of the biggest hurdles for parents trying to change the narrative about gender are those thrown in our path by others, whether that's fellow parents who describe my daughter as "boyish" because she'd rather climb trees than paint her nails, or male characters on TV and in movies who never cry. Emily Kane, professor of sociology at Bates College and the author of The Gender Trap: Parents and the Pitfalls of Raising Boys and Girls, says her research clearly shows that parents worry a lot about how the world will judge their kids if they don't conform to gender norms. "When parents enforce gendered expectations it is often out of fear their children (especially their sons) will be teased, ostracized, or otherwise excluded if they don't fall into line with those expectations," she explains. "We can all help by avoiding judgment, and those small, everyday assumptions about what a kid will enjoy or be good at based on their gender." It surprises me that even in 2020, when #MeToo is still fresh in our minds and issues like the gender pay gap, gender identity, and abortion rights are demanding media coverage and at the center of social media conversation and debate, parents still don't think gender equality should be on their radar. Instead, many rely on the timeworn "boys will be boys" and "girls will be girls" adage, which assume that gendered patterns in childhood are rooted in nature. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about other parents. "They may certainly reject what you are doing, and you may have to explain to your son that not everyone believes that all people are equal, but that in your household, you do," Myers says. Similarly, you can't control media messaging, but Myers suggests turning troubling TV and movie moments into opportunities to talk to our kids about appropriate ways to address conflict in real life. Now that my son is almost a teenager, I have to have faith that the work I've put in up to this point will serve him well over the next few years, when he becomes increasingly independent and starts to figure out what he stands for. "Education is like a compass you build into your child," Miron-Shatz says. "They will know right from wrong, and will be more likely to act in the right way, either as a teenager, or afterwards. We can't always be near our kids when a challenge arises, but it's our duty to create that internal compass in them." Want more essential commentary and analysis like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for The Week's "Today's best articles" newsletter here. More stories from theweek.com What if Super Tuesday clarifies nothing? Harvard scientist predicts coronavirus will infect up to 70 percent of humanity Lady Gaga's 'Stupid Love' music video is surprisingly reminiscent of Power Rangers The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that Americans need to start preparing for a possible coronavirus outbreak stateside. One unexpected way you can do that? Shaving, apparently. The CDC issued a handy infographic about which types of facial hair could potentially interfere with the effectiveness of a mask or a facepiece respirator and lead to the spread of the virus. Soul patches, handlebar mustaches and other upper-lip styles the organization has dubbed the Zappa, the walrus and the toothbrush (which most of us would more likely recognize as a Hitler mustache, and why would anybody have one of those in 2020?) are safe, while beards, stubble and mutton chops could put you more at risk. Kenya has decided to ban the slaughter of donkeys for use in Chinese medicine, a practice condemned by animal rights activists as cruel, unnecessary and devastating to donkey populations in Africa, a minister said on Thursday. Agriculture Minister Peter Munya told AFP that the ban, imposed earlier this week, came after "people petitioned my office to ban the slaughtering of donkeys because theft of donkeys to sell had increased". A ministry statement said rampant theft of donkeys was hitting farmers who use them to transport agricultural produce and water, and causing "massive unemployment". Four abattoirs dealing in donkey meat have been given a month to stop the practice. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) hailed Kenya's decision to "cut ties with a cruel trade that sentences gentle donkeys to miserable deaths by the millions." "No one needs donkey skin except the animals who were born in it," said PETA Senior Vice President of International Campaigns Jason Baker. Donkey skins are exported to China to make a traditional medicine known as ejiao, which is believed to improve blood circulation, slow ageing, and boost libido and fertility. It was once the preserve of emperors but is now highly sought after by a burgeoning middle-class. A PETA investigation last year showed donkeys being cruelly beaten by workers, or dead after long truck journeys from neighbouring countries. UK-based animal welfare organisation The Donkey Sanctuary told AFP at the time that there were tales of the animals being rounded up and machine-gunned or bludgeoned to death China is increasingly looking to Africa to satisfy demand as its own donkey population has nearly halved in recent years. However several African countries have now banned Chinese-funded abattoirs or implemented policies to stop the export of donkey skins to China. Donkeys reproduce slowly and do not handle stress well, and activists have raised fears that populations could be wiped out in east Africa in a matter of years. US Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders has received a glowing report in a communist Cuban newspaper after he praised some of former dictator Fidel Castro's social programs in a TV interview. Communist Party newspaper Granma referenced in its report the US Senator's praise of 'some of the social programs implemented by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro' including its 'progress in education and Cuba's role in 'sending doctors worldwide'. Senator Sanders has been vocal in his praise for parts of Cuba's history of late, insisting communist dictator Fidel Castro's regime was 'not all bad' and praising his health care system during the 1980s. Communist Party newspaper Granma referenced in its report the US Senator's praise of 'some of the social programs implemented by the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro' including its 'progress in education and Cuba's role in 'sending doctors worldwide' Cuban President Fidel Castro waving to participants of the traditional May Day parade attended by thousands of people in Havana's Plaza of the Revolution in May 1998 The Granma report failed to mention the Vermont senator's description of the country as 'authoritarian in nature'. The article offered its take on the Democratic race, saying that Sanders seemed 'unstoppable' and described him as 'one of the strongest candidates for the nomination of the Democratic Party to the November presidential elections'. The presidential hopeful refused to back down in his support of the Cuban dictator during a Democratic debate on Tuesday evening, when he defended the remarks he made in a CBS News '60 Minutes' segment aired on Sunday praising the 'massive literacy program' of Cuba's late leader. He added that, after Castro took power in 1959, 'the first thing he did' was initiate a literacy program. Fidel Castro died in late 2016 and was replaced as leader of the Communist Party by his brother Raul. In response to critics in both Democrat and Republican parties who jumped on his Cuba comments during the Democratic debate on Tuesday night, Sanders sought to clarify his position. He said: 'I have been extremely consistent and critical of all authoritarian regimes all over the world, including Cuba, including Nicaragua, including Saudi Arabia, including China, including Russia. 'What I said is what Barack Obama said in terms of Cuba - that Cuba made progress on education', Sanders said to loud boos from the audience. Sanders speaking to the media in the spin room after the Democratic presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gaillard Center on Tuesday Fidel Castro and his brother Raul attend a parade in Havana, Cuba, on December 2, 1996 He continued: 'When dictatorships - whether it is the Chinese or the Cubans - do something good, you acknowledge that. But you don't have to trade love letters with them. 'I think teaching people to read and write is a good thing. That is a fact. End of discussion.' Sanders also came under attack from the Biden and Buttigieg campaigns. Former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign released one of its strongest attacks yet on the Democratic frontrunner. It said Sanders 'seems to have found more inspiration in the Soviets, Sandinistas, Chavistas, and Castro than in America'. Fellow candidate, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg added: 'Someone who wants to be the nominee of the Democratic Party is telling people to look at the bright side of the Castro regime. We've got to be a lot smarter about this.' But Sanders responded: 'I know if you look at the media, they say, ''Bernie's ideas are radical and they're extreme, they're out of the mainstream''. I don't think that that's true. Candidates Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer speaking after the Democratic presidential primary debate at the Charleston Gaillard Center Late Cuban President Fidel Castro arriving in Santa Elena de Uairen, Venezuela, in 2001 'Is guaranteeing health care to all people as a human right a radical idea? Is addressing the existential threat of climate change a radical idea?' Sanders' questions were met with chants of 'No' from the crowd, leading him to say, 'I rest my case'. Seven candidates took part in the debate beginning at 8pm in Charleston - the tenth debate of the campaign cycle. Sanders is in pole position heading into South Carolina's primary on Saturday and the debate could offer the final opportunity for other Democratic hopefuls, Joe Biden in particular, to halt his momentum. Sanders, 78, emerged largely unscathed from the last debate and went on to win the Nevada caucuses, but he is expected to come under fire from all directions in the lead up to the primary vote. MILWAUKEEIn a city renowned for its brewing tradition, the sprawling Molson Coors campus was an icon in itself, a place known for decades to Milwaukee locals as the old Miller Brewery. But Wednesday afternoon, officials said, a worker still in his uniform stormed the facility and began shooting. He killed five people, all fellow employees. Its frightening, said Rep. Gwen Moore, a Democrat whose district includes Milwaukee. Its anathema to the kind of culture that we expect. This is heartbreaking because Milwaukee is a very friendly city. The police chief, Alfonso Morales, said the gunman, a 51-year-old from Milwaukee, was dead and had appeared to have killed himself after the attack. He said police were continuing to search the more than 20 buildings on the Molson Coors campus, where about 1,000 people work. Late into the evening Wednesday, some workers remained stuck inside the complex waiting for police to finish their search. As police officers with rifles stood near the site of the shooting Wednesday evening, residents gathered in shock. I heard the sirens and came out to see what was going on, said Shelly Zais, 59, who lives nearby. I figured someone had to be killed; there were so many sirens. I knew it was different. State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, a Democrat whose district includes the Molson Coors complex, said the facility was a point of pride in Milwaukee. The company, still known to many in the area by its former name, MillerCoors, continued to invest in the city and pay competitive wages even when some other employers left. In October, Molson Coors announced that it was closing its Denver office and shifting some jobs to Milwaukee, as part of a corporate restructuring plan that was expected to result in the loss of 400 to 500 jobs across the company. The district has changed over the years, and so has the community surrounding MillerCoors and they stayed, Johnson said. Theyre committed. Morales said Molson Coors executives were travelling to Milwaukee and were expected to provide more information late Wednesday. Our top priority is our employees, and well provide updates in conjunction with the police as we are able, the company said in a statement. In recent decades, there has been a spate of mass shootings in U.S. workplaces. Last February, a disgruntled employee who had been fired from his job returned to a suburban Chicago factory in Aurora, Ill., with a .40-calibre Smith & Wesson handgun with a laser sight, which authorities said he used to kill five of his former co-workers. In 2010, a man caught stealing beer from a distribution warehouse in Manchester, Conn., shot and killed eight people and took his own life after offering his resignation. In 2003, an employee of military contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. killed seven people at a company plant near Meridian, Miss., before turning a gun on himself. Kiandre Ford, 27, who works in the lobby of the Harley-Davidson building nearby, said he got a phone call requesting that the building be locked down after the company alerted that there was an active shooter in the area. We heard from higher-ups I didnt know what was going on myself, Ford said. I got a call, and the Harley-Davidson building is now on lockdown. The complex is in the heart of Milwaukees Miller Valley, about five kilometres west of downtown, and includes a corporate office, a skywalk and a health and fitness centre, according to Hunzinger Construction Co., which renovated the campus. As officials gathered at the shooting scene, workers and their friends waited nervously to learn the names of the victims. Lt.-Gov. Mandela Barnes, who said he had made frequent visits to the complex over the years, was among those bracing for the news. Ive socialized with a lot of folks who work in those halls; Ive spent time with them, Barnes said, adding that he was afraid to see whose lives were lost in this tragedy. After the novel coronavirus outbreak, Chinas investment projects in Laos have been affected to varying degrees. By February 18, 2020some projects have resumed their production and construction in a well-organized manner while actively controlling the epidemic situation. Located in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone is co-founded by China Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd (YCIH) and the Vientiane Municipal Government. One person in charge stated that the investment corporations and enterprises have resumed their work and the construction projects are under progress. The Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone adheres to the principle of management localization. Chinese and foreign employees jointly undertake the construction and establishment work of the Development Zone. After the outbreak, an epidemic prevention and control working group was set up, responsible for formulating relevant countermeasures such as online management as well as joint management by both China and Laos. Chinese staff work online and actively collaborate with foreign staff to guarantee the work is carried out on the track. The Vientiane-Vangvieng Expressway stretches 113.5km. It is the first part of the Vientiane-Boten Expressway, which is also constructed by YCIH. The Vientiane-Vangvieng Expressway construction has officially resumed on February 10. After the resumption of the construction of Vientiane-Vangvieng Expressway, strict guidelines have been implemented for epidemic prevention and control. For example, adopting closed-off management, applying real-name attendance system at the entrance, and implementing temperature screening at living and office areas. Mobile monitoring vehicles are arranged at the construction site for storing epidemic prevention supplies, meanwhile, isolation rooms are set up at the site to conduct comprehensive sanitation and disinfection. The Kunming-Vientiane (K-V) railway, as an important project of the Belt and Road, is also being constructed smoothly with epidemic prevention and control measures in place. At present, the Kunming-Vientiane (K-V) railway (Laos section) project is at a key stage nearing completion. All participating units have been assigned construction tasks as well as epidemic prevention and control work in order to reduce the impact of coronavirus as much as possible. A Chinese constructer said, The management team of the project has decided not to leave for the Spring Festival. Most of the management personnel and the operators are still at the construction site. The construction is to a large extent not affected by the epidemic situation, and the production schedule is advancing according to plan". Chen Hongbing, an overseas Chinese who has been living in Luang Prabang for 13 years, told the reporter that We are glad to see the continuous construction of China-Laos railway and everyone is looking forward to the railway being opened as scheduled. The Kunming-Vientiane (K-V) railway is the first international railway mainly invested by China after the Belt and Road Initiative was initiated, adopting Chinas technical standards and using Chinas devices to directly connect with Chinas railway network. The line stretches over 1,000km in total. After being put into operation, the railway will substantially cut down travel time from Kunming to Vientiane. (Compiled by Fu Yihan and Zhang Xinfeng) A team of the University of Barcelona has studied for the first time the presence of microplastics in the coasts of Barcelona, thanks to the participation of the citizens gathering scientific samples. The study, published in the journal Science of Total Environment, is a pioneer citizen science study worldwide, since it analyses a hard-access area for oceanography research ships, due its too shallow depth and chance to run aground, and the danger it involves regarding swimmers. To sample the unexplored area, researchers Elsa Camins, Miquel Canals, William P. de Haan and Anna Sanchez-Vidal, from the consolidated Research Group on Marine Geosciences of the Faculty of Earth Sciences of the UB, in collaboration of the Spanish delegate of the NGO Surfrider Europe, worked on a net which can be dragged by a paddle surfboard. "This net allows us to get valuable scientific samples from an inaccessible area for other kinds of boats, while we involve citizens in this and raise environmental awareness on plastic pollution", says Anna Sanchez-Vidal. "Many studies have modelled the abundance and features of microplastics that are adrift in the open sea -continues the researcher- but there was no information on the microplastic pollution in littoral areas, where it is believed there is the largest flow of plastic in the marine environment and where the microplastic generation and overlap of these with marine ecosystems is bigger". Study in Prat and Barceloneta beaches With this lack of data, researchers launched a citizen science project as part of Elsa Camins' final project of the bachelor's degree on Marine Sciences. In collaboration with Surfrider Europe, they designed the new net, called paddle trawl, to adapt the net oceanographers usually use in the paddle surf boards. Once it was designed, the NGO volunteers gathered samples in Barceloneta and Prat beaches, and these were later analysed in the laboratories of the UB research group. According to the authors, this study is "a change of paradigm and it opens the door to citizen participation getting samples with a space and time resolution which has not been carried out by any study so far". The first results of this collaboration show the areas of the Barcelona coasts have an average microplastic concentration of about 112,000 units per km2, reaching a maximum of 330,000 units per km2 (many are polyethylene and polypropylene fragments), average values similar to those found in the open sea in the Mediterranean or areas of accumulation of microplastics in great ocean gyres. "We think breakwaters can cause a concentrating effect of microplastics in the swimming areas of Barceloneta, but we need studies with a higher time-resolution", says researcher William P. de Haan. A growing research project After the good results obtained with the new sample device, the research team is carrying out a wider study in the Barceloneta beach, where volunteers from the same NGO are gathering samples every 15 days, which are later analysed in the UB. "The objective is to determine the temporary variability in the abundance of microplastics in the coastal area, and therefore the mechanisms of entrance, transport, accumulation and exportation offshore", says Anna Sanchez-Vidal. Moreover, together with Surfrider Foundation Europe, they launched a collaboration with the Catalan Association of Oceanic Paddle to get scientific samples not only during their training but also during trips around the Costa Brava and Balearic Islands. "This is a strategy to advance in the scientific knowledge regarding pollution due plastics while it involves citizens and raises environmental awareness on this global crisis", concludes the researcher. Pollution due microplastics, the environment and our health in danger The relevance of microplastics as a key indicator of the environmental state of the oceans is recognized by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the UN Program for the Environment and the World Health Organization. Its presence in the planet and its properties of durability (resistance to degradation processes), chemical composition and ability to absorb toxic substances (persistent organic pollutants, metals) make it a dangerous waste. Also, due its small size, microplastics are usually eaten by a great variety of marine organisms, and can expand in the trophic chain and therefore get to humans. ### (Newser) Steven Seagal's "action hero" status may have waned a bit since the Under Siege days, but the actor still finds himself in the headlines quite a bit, often for odd or disturbing reasons. The latest headline is no exception: Seagal has been charged with unlawfully promoting cryptocurrency without revealing that he was receiving said cryptocurrency in exchange. Back in 2017, per Engadget, Seagal touted Bitcoiin2Gen (B2G) on his social media platforms, and also put out a press release amusingly titled, "Zen Master Steven Seagal Has Become the Brand Ambassador of Bitcoiin2Gen." What he didn't mention: He was promised $250,000 in cash and $750,000 worth of B2G tokens in exchange for endorsing the 2018 initial coin offering (similar to an IPO) of B2G, per the Hollywood Reporter and Yahoo Finance. story continues below According to the "anti-touting" provisions of federal securities law, "any celebrity or other individual who promotes a virtual token or coin that is a security must disclose the nature, scope, and amount of compensation received in exchange for the promotion." Seagal settled with the SEC without admitting wrongdoing; per CNN, he agreed to pay back the $157,000 he received, more than $16,000 in interest, and a $157,000 penalty. He also will not promote any securities for three years. "These investors were entitled to know about payments Seagal received or was promised to endorse this investment so they could decide whether he may be biased," says the chief of the SEC enforcement divisions cyber unit. B2G has courted controversy in other ways; Tennessee warned its residents about the cryptocurrency (which fought allegations that it was a pyramid scheme) and New Jersey ordered it to cease and desist after it failed to register as a security. (Read more Steven Seagal stories.) RAPID CITY, S.D., Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced the closing of its previously announced $100 million equity issuance. The company issued 1,222,942 shares of its common stock to a single investor through an underwritten registered transaction. Net proceeds from this transaction will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including funding the companys capital expenditures program and repayment of outstanding short-term debt. Black Hills also announced that senior executives from the company will be meeting with investors during the month of March at conferences and at investor offices. Updated investor materials will be available on the companys website at www.blackhillscorp.com after the market closes on Friday, Feb. 28. The company expects to discuss recent events, including the completed equity issuance and earnings guidance for 2020, with investors. Black Hills is reaffirming its 2020 earnings guidance range of $3.55 to $3.75 per share available for common stock, as adjusted, based on its latest guidance assumptions dated Feb. 6. Black Hills Corporation Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Investor Relations Jerome E. Nichols 605-721-1171 jerome.nichols@blackhillscorp.com 24-Hour Media Relations Line 888-242-3969 Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statement This news release includes forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward looking statements. This includes, without limitations, our 2020 earnings guidance. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which we believe are reasonable based on current expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and trends affecting our business. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that, among other things, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, the risk factors described in Item 1A of Part I of our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and other reports that we file with the SEC from time to time. New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements emerge from time-to-time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, or the extent to which any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We assume no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Another wet and windy weekend ahead as Met Office issue weather warning for Storm Jorge This article is old - Published: Thursday, Feb 27th, 2020 Theres more wet and windy weather on the weekend with the Met Office issuing a warning for Storm Jorge. A yellow warning is in place across parts of Saturday and Sunday for large parts of England and Wales with gusts expected to reach 70 mph in some parts. The Met Office say that Storm Jorge is also set to bring more heavy rainfall over the next few days. Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Paul Gundersen, said: This weekend well see another named Storm bring strong winds to parts of the UK with several wind and rain warnings in place. On Friday a band of rain associated with Storm Jorge will move across the UK we have issued rain warnings for parts of Wales and northern England, where rain will be heaviest and we could see 60-80mm possible over the highest ground. South-westerly winds will strengthen through Saturday morning and itll turn widely windy except for northern Scotland, with wind warnings in place for Northern Ireland, Wales, southern Scotland and much of England. Where warnings are in place gusts of 50-60mph are likely quite widely with 65-70mph possible in coastal areas, however the strongest and most damaging winds are expected across the Republic of Ireland. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Harris, added: As Storm Jorge begins to weaken and clear later on Saturday well see a trend back to slightly colder conditions, with some snow over hills and mountains in the north of the UK and a mixture of rain and hail showers in the south. Away from much of Scotland itll remain blustery on Sunday, although not quite as windy as Saturday. The weather looks likely to remain rather cold and showery into next week and theres a chance of further wet and windy weather around the middle of the week, although confidence in details are low at this stage. HELSINKI, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In a drastic turn to eliminate coal as the main source of district heating, The City of Helsinki today kicks off the Helsinki Energy Challenge - a global one million euro competition to find the future of urban heating. With the aim to find a solution sustainable in the long term, ideas presented must not rely on fossil fuel or biomass fired heating. With the aim of becoming carbon-neutral by 2035 and with coal banned from energy production in Finland from 2029, Helsinki is strongly dedicated to the decarbonisation of cities. Several cities already have ambitious plans to reduce carbon emissions. The City of Helsinki takes things one step further in declaring that it will not rely on biomass-fired heating, making the city's energy production not just fossil free, but truly sustainable. In line with the strong commitment to decarbonisation, Helsinki Mayor Mr. Jan Vapaavuori is taking radical action by launching a global one million euro challenge competition, urging innovators from around the world to propose game-changing solutions for the future of urban heating. "Solving the urban heating challenge is crucial to reach global climate goals. Cities have a key role to play in the transition to a low carbon economy, and Helsinki is now taking an initiative to lead the way. We invite innovators from all around the world to use our city as a testbed to develop not just fossil free, but truly sustainable, solutions. Together, we will create the future of heating to fight global warming," says Mayor of Helsinki, Mr. Jan Vapaavuori. The goal of the challenge is to find solutions that can be implemented in Helsinki by 2029 and that potentially could contribute to decarbonising city heating around the world. The City of Helsinki is committed to openly sharing the solutions and knowhow gathered from the challenge. Cities such as Toronto, Amsterdam, Vancouver, and Leeds as well as organisations like the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council and C40 City Solutions Platform, are already supporting the initiative, to name a few. "Climate change is a global crisis that will not be solved by quick fixes. With over half of the city's heat coming from coal, we hope that our shift to sustainable energy can help inspire other cities and act as a real life case that a transition is possible. Taking this next step might lead to a revolutionary breakthrough in our pursuit for a more sustainable city life." says Mr. Vapaavuori. The scope of Helsinki's heating system allows for a range of solutions, from large to small scale, but the ideal combination of solutions is yet to be found. The winning proposal could just as well include technological and business model innovations, as it could be a solution requiring system-level transformation. Proposed solutions will be evaluated based on climate impact, impact on natural resources, cost, implementation schedule, implementation feasibility, reliability and security of supply, and capacity. About the Helsinki Energy Challenge: The Helsinki Energy Challenge is a challenge competition, open globally to anyone who can propose a sustainable heating solution for Helsinki - consortiums, start-ups, larger and more established companies, research institutions, universities, research groups and individual experts. The only requirement is that participants should join the competition as a team. The challenge is open for submissions from February 27, 2020 until May 31, 2020. By early July, finalists will be invited to a co-creation phase, which includes a 3-day boot camp, where they are provided support to develop their proposals, before presenting them to an international jury of experts who will name the winner(s). The winning solution(s) will be presented in November and awarded with one million euros. Read more about Helsinki Energy Challenge at the website: www.energychallenge.hel.fi For more information, please contact: Laura Uuttu-Deschryvere Project Director Helsinki Energy Challenge City of Helsinki Tel. +358-40-717-6415 laura.uuttu-deschryvere@hel.fi Mayor Jan Vapaavuori's Special Adviser Maira Kettunen City of Helsinki Tel. +358-50-357-7197 maira.kettunen@hel.fi CONTACT: City of Helsinki city.helsinki@hel.fi www.hel.fi Anne Hamalainen Communications Tel. +358-40-849-6065 anne.hamalainen@hel.fi This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/city-of-helsinki/r/helsinki-searches-sustainable-city-heating-solutions--global-challenge-competition-launches-today,c3046085 The following files are available for download: If updated, they could lay down another sequence of measures that would be in line with Ukrainian legislation. Minsk agreements are useful for Ukraine as they provide for the return of the occupied territories, says Minister of Defense Andriy Zagorodnyuk. In an interview with LB.ua, the top defense official said the government was ready to fulfill the agreements it "inherited" from 2015. "They were drafted under certain circumstances, which are now irrelevant. They have nuances that could be interpreted ambiguously. This applies to security and border," the minister said. The agreements can be altered, the minister believes, which may lead to the new sequence of measures being established. "First, control over the border, then holding of elections," Zagorodnyuk explained. Read alsoUkraine must not end Donbas war at expense of territories or sovereignty, top security official says "We have a clear outline of actions. There are Minsk agreements, negotiations. And if any modifications can be raised, this will be discussed. Now we, as the Ministry of Defense, follow the documents that we have," said the minister. Answering a question about his personal opinion regarding the possibility for upgrading the agreements, the defense chief said that "any agreement can be improved." "From a security perspective, the Minsk agreements are suitable for us, since they provide for the handing back of territories back under Ukraine's control, the disarmament of illegal groups, and pullback of foreign troops," the minister said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said Ukraine had been working on a new version of the Minsk agreements, despite Russia's position on the issue. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cypress Development Corp. (TSX-V:CYP) (OTCQB: CYDVF ) (Frankfurt: C1Z1 ), 2019 press release, NORAM was contracted to examine the downstream portion of the revised extraction flowsheet for Cypress' Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada. Testing was conducted at BC Research Inc., a member of the NORAM Group of companies in Richmond, British Columbia. The program utilized both synthetic and actual solutions generated from Cypress' large leach tests conducted at Continental Metallurgical Services ("CMS") in Butte, Montana. The tests simulated the purification solution and concentration steps within a portion of the NORAM-Cypress developed flowsheet. Initial results are positive and indicate the target levels of lithium concentration and rejection of impurities in solution were achieved. The pending, final report will be used to update the mass balance in the process flowsheet and complete the remining step in the Company's ongoing Prefeasibility Study ("PFS") on the project. NORAM Test Results Step Li (ppm) Mg (ppm) Ca (ppm) Fe (ppm) Al (ppm) Feed 380 3340 339 2270 1395 Purified 360 54 15 40 10 With respect to the PFS, the Company and its consultants are actively working to complete the study. The resource model, pit design, production schedule, and site selection and infrastructure studies for the processing plant are completed. The design is based on mining 15,000 tonnes per day of material in an effort to produce 25,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate equivalent("PEA"). Sulfuric acid remains a major consumable for the project. Quotations for an on-site sulfuric acid plant, sulfur supply and transportation were obtained. Issues related to leaching and filtration were resolved and the NORAM test program completes the remaining critical design element required for the PFS process flowsheet. 2019 Drill Intercepts Hole Top (m) Bottom (m) Interval (m) Grade Li (ppm) GCH-07 3 91 88 1,189 GCH-08 3 87 85 1,226 GCH-09 2 75 74 1,115 GCH-10 3 54 51 1,130 GCH-11 5 87 82 1,115 GCH-12 2 81 80 1,252 The project's PFS is limited to the Dean and Glory mining claim-blocks totaling 4,780 acres. An additional 1,280-acre claim-block was part of the Company's 2019 lawsuit against Centrestone Resources, LLC, and was excluded from the PFS. This contiguous claim block is located south and east of the project's initial proposed mine area. These mining claims include the lands on which Centrestone Resources drilled two exploration holes. On December 16, 2019, the District Court entered an oral order granting summary judgment in favor of the Company on its claims against Centrestone Resources LLC. On February 6, 2020, the District Court entered its written order for summary judgment. The District Court set a hearing on April 21, 2020 in Goldfield, Nevada, to hear the Company's damage claim. Todd Fayram, QP, of Continental Metallurgical Services, LLC., is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information in this release. About Cypress Development Corp.: Cypress Development Corp. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing the Company's 100%-owned Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada. Exploration and development by Cypress has discovered a world-class resource of lithium-bearing claystone adjacent to Albemarle's Silver Peak mine, North America's only lithium brine operation. The size of the resource makes the Clayton Valley Project a premier target with the potential to impact the future supply of lithium for the fast-growing global lithium-ion battery market. Cypress Development Corp. has approx. 90.1 million shares issued and outstanding. To find out more about Cypress Development Corp.. CYPRESS DEVELOPMENT CORP. "Dr. Bill Willoughby" WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, PhD., PE Chief Executive Officer For further information contact myself or: Don Myers Cypress Development Corp. Director, Corporate Communications Telephone: 604-639-3851 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: info@cypressdevelopmentcorp.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh onThursday lauded the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited forachieving operational clearance on seven platforms, includingLight Combat Aircraft and Light Combat Helicopter, andoverhauling Hawk and SU 30 MKI. Singh was speaking after inaugurating the new Light Combat Helicopter production hangar at the helicopter division of the city-headquartered HAL. Noting that HAL faces stiff competition from private defence industries, Singh asked the DPSU to take this changingenvironment as a challenge and grab the opportunities toincrease their competitiveness in the international market. The LCH is completely ready for operational induction and Helicopter Complex is fully geared up for the production of LCH, the HAL said in a statement quoting its Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan. The new hangar will augment LCH productioncapacity to reach a peak production of 30 helicopters per year, HAL said. The techno commercial proposal for 15 Limited SeriesProduction helicopters has already been submitted by HALin March 2018 and the order is awaited. The total projectedrequirement is for around 160 helicopters, it said. HAL officials apprised Singh of the progress of new design and development programme of indigenous Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH). he full scale mock-up was showcased to the Minister, the release said. The IMRH (for IAF, Navy and Army) is proposed as areplacement to the existing medium lift helicopters such asMi17s, Kamovs and Seakings which will phase out in the nexteight to ten years and HAL is keen to complete the developmentof IMRH during this time, it said. "Induction of indigenous IMRH will result in considerable savings of foreign exchange. Preliminary Project Report for Development has been submitted to MoD for sanction of funds by CCS," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 20-year-old suspect accused of stabbing a mother and daughter in a Wells Fargo bank branch in December has been transferred to the Oregon State Hospital for treatment and an evaluation of his ability to help in his own defense. At a Feb. 10 hearing, Washington County Circuit Judge Ricardo Menchaca committed Salvador Martinez-Romero to the state hospital for hospital level care, according to the order filed with the court. The judges decision came in response to a motion filed by Martinez-Romero. Records regarding Martinez-Romeros mental state have been sealed by the court. Lawyers for Martinez-Romero expressed concerns about their clients mental competency during an early court appearance. Martinez-Romero faces a charge of first-degree murder, as well as three counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of first-degree assault and seven counts of first-degree robbery in connection with the Dec. 18 spree, which left a path of destruction at a Beaverton shopping center and in suburban neighborhoods. Janet Risch, 72, of Beaverton died at the scene and Debra Thompson, 53, of Beaverton was critically injured at a Wells Fargo branch in the Murrayhill Marketplace. That day, authorities say, Martinez-Romero was dropped off at the Murrayhill Marketplace and entered the Safeway grocery store, where he bought the knife used in the attack. Police said he then burst into the Wells Fargo bank and fatally stabbed Risch, who was in the bank with her daughter. Thompson was wounded in the neck during the assault. The pair were the only customers in the establishment at the time. After fleeing Wells Fargo, Martinez-Romero confronted Ian Day, 27, of Beaverton, in the parking lot of nearby Planet Fitness, police said. Martinez-Romero allegedly stabbed Day and stole his car. He then confronted a woman named Martha Bashir, 50, in the driveway of her house in a neighborhood near Southwest Walnut Street, stabbed her and stole her car, police said. His next court date is May 19, when the judge will take up Martinez-Romeros mental capacity to take part in his own defense. -- Noelle Crombie; ncrombie@oregonian.com; 503-276-7184; @noellecrombie Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Oil prices continued their steep decline on Thursday, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude falling more than 5% at the low to $45.88 per barrel a price not seen since Jan. 2019 as fears of the coronavirus outbreak, and what it could mean for crude demand, continue to batter prices. "Current forecasts of crude oil demand have fallen off a cliff. As China is the largest consumer in the world, the unclear impact of the coronavirus is driving WTI lower and lower," KKM Financial founder and CEO Jeff Kilburg said to CNBC. "As China is the largest consumer in the world, the unclear impact of the Corona virus is driving WTI lower and lower," he added. After falling more than 5% in early trading, U.S. West Texas Intermediate pared some of its losses to settle 3.37%, or $1.64, lower, a level not seen since Jan. 2019. WTI posted its fifth straight session of losses, and tumbled even deeper into bear market territory, currently sitting 29% below its 52-week intraday high level of $66.60, reached last April. International benchmark Brent crude fell to $50.97 per barrel, its lowest level since Dec. 2018, before paring some of the losses to settle 2.34% lower at $52.18 per barrel. As the number of coronavirus cases outside of China rises, GRZ Energy founder Anthony Grisanti said it remains to be seen how much crude demand will be impacted. "Demand for oil was weak before all this started because of the China trade war, and I would expect this to continue," he said Thursday on CNBC's "The Exchange." "There's nothing in the horizon that says this is going to improve anytime soon." Nearly two months after news of the novel coronavirus first emerged in China, there is still much that scientists dont know about the source of the outbreak. The race to find the viruss provenance, however, has been made more difficult by the Chinese regimes lack of transparency, according to experts. There are so many questions about the origins of the virus because the Chinese government didnt provide enough transparency regarding the early investigation of the outbreak, Sean Lin, a former virology researcher for the U.S. Army, told The Epoch Times. Chief among these questions is where the outbreak originated. While Chinese officials have suspected the birthplace of the outbreak to be the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, a wild animal and seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, recent developments cast doubt on that claim. A Jan. 24 study by a group of Chinese researchers published in The Lancet medical journal analyzed the first 41 cases of coronavirus patients in Wuhan and found that 14 out of those patients had no link to the seafood market. Crucially, the researchers could not find an epidemiological link between the first patient, who became ill on Dec. 1, 2019, and later patients. That date also contradicts reports from Chinese health authorities, who said the first patient exhibited symptoms on Dec. 8, 2019. One of the studys authors later confirmed to the BBC that the first patient was a man in his 70s who was bedridden after suffering a stroke. He didnt have a connection to the marketa revelation that opens up the possibility that the virus may have spread elsewhere before entering the market. A recent study, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, by a group of researchers affiliated with Chinas Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Institute for Brain Research suggested that the coronavirus was introduced from outside the market, then rapidly expanded inside the crowded facility in early December 2019 before spreading to the whole city. Based on an analysis of the viruss genome data, the researchers postulated that the virus began spreading from person to person in early December, or possibly even in late November. Missing Information While genetic studies may gradually provide more detail on the outbreaks evolution, the task of tracing the path of the disease has faced challenges because Chinese authorities havent released information about which animals were present in the market, nor whether they have tested animal samples from the market or elsewhere in Wuhan. Such information is critical in identifying the animals that might have carried the virus before it jumped to humans. Guan Yi, director of the State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases at Hong Kong University, traveled to Wuhan with his team in January in hopes of tracking the animal that was the source of the virus. He criticized Wuhan authorities for disinfecting the market, essentially halting any possible investigation. Theres no crime scene, Guan told Chinese financial magazine Caixin in a Jan. 23 interview. Lin expressed similar concerns, saying: The problem is that the Chinese government so far has not shown any testing result of any animal sample collected in Wuhan. So you cannot draw a clear understanding of how the bat coronavirus jumped to humans. Bats are thought to be the original host of the virus, formally known as SARS-CoV-2. Its then thought to have jumped to another animal or animals, called an intermediate host, before jumping to humans. Bats werent sold at the Wuhan market. Palm civets, mammals found in Asia, were the intermediate host of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), an outbreak originating in China in 2002, while camels were the intermediate host of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), an outbreak in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Researchers traced the original hosts to bats in both outbreaks. The novel coronavirus was found to have 96.2 percent genetic similarity to a coronavirus found in a horseshoe bat in 2013, called RaTG13, in southwestern Chinas Yunnan Province1,000 miles from Wuhan. Interestingly, Chinese scientists from the Wuhan Institute of Virology didnt publish the genome for RaTG13 until Jan. 23 this year. Yuhong Dong, a viral infectious diseases expert and chief scientific officer at the Swiss-based biotech firm SunRegen Healthcare, told The Epoch Times that such a genetic similarity isnt enough to justify that RaTG13 is a direct source of SARS-CoV-2, as a similarity of around 99.9 percent is needed to be identified as an immediate ancestor. Coronaviruses have more than 30,000 RNA nucleic acid bases. Even a genetic difference of only 4 percent means that at least 1,200 bases are different. This difference of 1200 bases is still significant, Dong said. Recently, scientists at the South China Agricultural University in Chinas Guangdong Province announced that SARS-CoV-2 had a 99 percent match to a coronavirus identified in pangolinssuggesting that the scaled animal may have served as an intermediate host. The team of scientists reviewed more than 1,000 samples and found 70 percent of the pangolins carried viruses from the same family of pathogens as SARS-CoV-2. However, they havent released the study or any data from the testing. They also havent disclosed where the pangolins they tested came from, making their claim impossible to verify, Dong said. Genetically Engineered? Some people have offered a theory that the coronavirus could be a result of genetic engineering or a lab accident, possibilities that Lin and Dong cant be ruled out at this stage. Dong says it may be extremely challenging to prove if the virus was engineered, since such a process could be done without leaving any distinctive evidence. I havent seen a scientific article that can clearly explain its natural origins, its natural reservoir, and its closest predecessor, Dong added. The question of whether human action could have led to the virus has drawn considerable attention, with some media and scientists labeling it as a conspiracy theory. Lin says such a label has no place in the scientific inquiry. When people question the origin, it doesnt mean its a conspiracy theory. People just dont know enough about how the virus mutated, Lin said, adding there are many questions yet to be resolved. Particular mutations in amino acids of the virusmaking it more transmissible to humansare unusual in an academic sense, Fang Chi-tai, a professor at National Taiwan Universitys (NTU) College of Public Health, said at a seminar hosted at NTU on Feb. 22, adding that such mutations were unlikely to have formed in nature in one go. From an academic point of view, it is indeed possible that the amino acids were added to COVID-19 [the disease caused by the novel coronavirus] in the lab by humans, Fang said, Taiwan News reported. Other scientists have dismissed the idea, saying the virus came from a natural evolutionary process. Richard H. Ebright, laboratory director at the Waksman Institute of Microbiology and a professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Rutgers University, said that based on the genome sequence and properties of the virus, there is no basis to suspect the virus was engineered. But Ebright did leave open the possibility that the virus entered the human population through a laboratory accident, because the bat coronavirus RaTG13 and closely related bat coronaviruses also are known to have been present in a lab, he told The Street website, referring to the coronavirus collection at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The first human infection also could have occurred as a lab accident. The Wuhan Institute, located a few miles from the Huanan market, has publicly denied it was the source of the outbreak. Dong said that she would like to have seen more transparency from the institute, such as disclosures of all viruses it was studyingso outsiders could verify whether it had a connection with the outbreak. Eva Fu contributed to this report. From The Epoch Times Saudi German Hospitals (SGH) Group has officially announced the opening of its newest hospital in Dammam, in the presence of HRH Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province. The new facility is SGH Groups first hospital in the Eastern Province and its 11th hospital in the region. This is in line with the groups strategic expansion plans which aim to extend the groups presence in the Kingdom and the region--providing world-class medical care, an SGH statement said. Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, president, Saudi German Hospitals Group, said: We are proud to announce the opening of our first hospital in the Eastern Province, which affirms our commitment to reach to every patient in Saudi Arabia. We aim to provide patients with easy access to premium international healthcare close to home, so that they do not need to travel abroad for medical care. This newly-opened Saudi German Hospital in Dammam is part of a much bigger project, the Batterjee Medical City. It will include a medical college, housing and specialty hospitals where the highest medical services will be provided. This is of course in line with the developments of the health care sector as part of the Saudi Vision 2030, he added. The newly opened hospital is a state-of-the-art facility offering comfortable spaces for patients and visitors, equipped with the latest medical equipment and technology. The hospital has a capacity of 300 beds and is staffed by highly trained medical professionals of all kinds of specialties and sub-specialties. TradeArabia News Service For the role of Baby June, the script specifically calls for someone who can easily jump up and then end the physical feat by doing the splits. I walked in the room and said: Can any of you do the splits? One girl raised her hand and proved her experience that she could also both act and sing. Youve got the part. was my immediate response to her. An 11-year-old entrepreneur is chasing his dreams and making a difference in his community at the same time. Obocho Peters, a Brooklyn, New York fifth-grader who has the title of CEO for Obocho's Closet, is on a mission to help low-income families save money on clothes while also advocating for the importance of education. He first created his online thrift shop, which sells donated clothes and shoes for children under $10. His business, I Am Obocho LLC, was established in 2018. In December, he officially achieved his goal of opening a physical store location in Brooklyn's Flatbush neighborhood on his 11th birthday. MORE:Black History Month: Celebrate black authors with these book picks He said the idea first emerged after he went to see "Avengers: Infinity War" and asked his mom for toys of characters from the film. He learned that she couldn't afford them, so he sold some of his old clothes to get money to buy them. That's when he said he realized that other kids around him may have the same issue and that he wanted to help. "I was inspired by all the superheroes helping to make the world a better place," Obocho said. "I wanted to be a hero myself by helping my mom." From there, he started collecting donations from the community and raised more than $10,000 from his GoFundMe campaign to open his shop. He says that he knew that he needed a space after his home started to fill up with donations. Prior to getting his shop, Obocho spread the word about his business by setting up shop at his local discount store Bargain Land along with selling items as a vendor at events. His mother, Sasha Peters, who is a single mother originally from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, believes that parents' investment into their children's dreams plays a huge part in their child's success. PHOTO: Obocho Peters, an 11-year-old entrepreneur, receives a hug from his mother, Sasha, at his thrift shop located in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Feb. 17, 2020. (Mariya Moseley/ABC News) "You have to nurture kids when they come up with ideas and you have to pay attention to everything they say because they're telling you how to groom them to be a better version of themselves," she told ABC News. Story continues Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams awarded Obocho as one of the "Heroes of the Month" last June --- an honor that celebrates people for their bravery, selflessness and service. Adams says that he's proud that his team got to give Obocho the distinction because of his "sense of his obligation to give back." "This young man personifies the great things young people are doing across our country and particularly in Brooklyn," Adams told ABC News. PHOTO: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams honors young CEO Obocho Peters as Hero of the Month at a ceremony in June of 2019. (Erica Krodman/Brooklyn Borough President's Office) In addition to Peters assisting her son with the launch of his website, she also registered him for business classes after school to help cultivate his entrepreneurial spirit. She also became inspired to fulfill her dreams of becoming a fashion designer and seamstress and recently quit her job as a social worker. She said that she also plans to help her son build his brand, which includes operating his social media pages and coordinating events. Among the local events are financial literacy sessions where Obocho hosts dozens of participants ranging from 5 to 55 years old. The seminars, which have nearly tripled with participants since the first session, are geared towards teaching families how to save for college. Peters says that for her, seeing her son's personal growth is one of the things she's most proud of as she recalls him being a "shy kid" who would frequently have panic attacks before speaking engagements --- and with the help of mentors such as local entrepreneur and music artist, Mental Barton, he's already beginning to break out of his shell. Earlier this month, he received a standing ovation while delivering opening remarks during a Black History Month event hosted by The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce as he discussed his business and future endeavors. MORE: Sixth graders recreate iconic book covers for Black History Month Barton, who has been mentoring Obocho for about two years, says that he's grateful for the chance to help him build "his own voice and abilities" by allowing him to join him on stage during performances across New York City. "His drive and vision has gotten much bigger... I see him breaking outstanding barriers," Barton said. 11-year-old opens thrift shop to help families in need originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Tehran, Feb 27 : The outbreak of coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, in Iran has affected 245 people whereas the death toll so far is 26, Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced on Thursday. Kianush Jahanpur, head of Public Relations and Information Centre of Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said that Iran has increased the number of laboratories for testing the virus infection to seven. These will be increased to 22 in the following week, Xinhua reported. Iran announced the first cases of viral infection in the central Qom city on February 18. An earlier report said an Iranian lawmaker had tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. "I give this message (of being affected by the virus) while I am less hopeful about staying alive," Xinhua quoted lawmaker Mahmoud Sadeghi as saying to local media on Wednesday. On Tuesday, a Ministry of Health and Medical Education official said the country's deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi had also tested positive for COVID-19. Mohammad Reza Qadir, president of Qom Medical Sciences University, has also tested positive. Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday ordered Chief Minister Kamal Nath government to impose an immediate ban on single-use plastic and polythene in the state. The court ruling came when the bench of Justice Sheel Nagu and Rajeev Srivastava was hearing a PIL seeking to make the environment free from plastic. The petition, filed by activist Gaurav Pandey through advocate Awdhesh Singh Bhadoria in January 2018 stated that even after Madhya Pradesh administration issued a notification in May 2017 to ban polythene. It said that the polythene is being used at a big scale causing harm to the environment. In the order, the High Court ruled that the Madhya Pradesh administration should not allow the production and distribution of polythene. The court also directed to the state government to establish small industries which will manufacture bags made of paper and clothes as an alternative to single-use plastic and polythene. It said that the prices should be kept at a minimum. The bench also asked the government to establish plants for clean water across every city in order to ban single-use plastic bottle for drinking water. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) During tax season, people have a lot on their minds, like tax forms, numbers and that looming April 15 deadline. One thing many aren't thinking about is the opportunity that refunds present to ramp up their emergency savings. About 72% of Americans received a refund on their taxes in 2019. This extra jolt of cash can be a perfect chance to start or increase rainy-day savings funds. The IRS already makes it easy for filers by allowing them to deposit their refund into up to three different accounts. People can automatically deposit portions of their tax refund into a checking account, as well as a savings account, or they can buy a U.S. savings bond. Unfortunately, statistics show too many Americans aren't saving for the unexpected during tax time or any other period. According to the Federal Reserve, 27% of adults would borrow or sell something to cover a $400 unexpected expense. Another 12% would not be able to cover the expense at all. A survey conducted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority in 2018 showed that less than half of American adults have an emergency fund sufficient to cover three months' worth of expenses. More from Invest in You: 3 questions to ask before launching a new business How to teach your kid to think like an entrepreneur Dream of being your own boss? Take this quiz This is troubling, because our research shows a strong association between savings and the whole picture of a consumer's financial well-being. Financial well-being means security and freedom now and in the future. If people don't save for emergencies, they cannot buffer themselves against unexpected shocks in the short term. And if they can't do that, it's going to be harder for them to recover and achieve bigger financial goals, such as parents saving for college for their kids or people saving for retirement. Through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's "Start Small, Save Up" initiative, we work to increase opportunities for people to save and to empower them to achieve their emergency savings goals. Promoting savings when people are expecting their refunds is one such opportunity and it is now part of a broader, three-part strategy. First, we plan to work with employers to prioritize emergency savings for their workers. For example, we support the idea of offering employees direct deposit options that make savings automatic, sending part of each paycheck into a savings account. New Audio Technology Poised to Boost Audio Quality ENSCHEDE, Netherlands, Feb. 26, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fabless semiconductor company Axign B.V. , which specializes in audio controller components, today announced that it has received an equity investment from KBC Focus Fund as the lead investor, together with Innovation Industries and Oost NL . This investment round enables Axign to mass produce and launch their new audio devices worldwide. Additionally, the new funding will support the development and introduction of next-generation devices for cost-sensitive applications, such as active speakers and streaming audio systems. Axign B.V. has developed a digital feedback audio chip that provides dramatically improved audio quality. The device, the AX5689, is fully qualified and ramping into mass production. According to Jeroen Langevoort, Axign CTO and founder, The AX5689 enables audio system designers to more easily implement high sound quality in traditional high-end systems, and now enables superior audio quality in mid-range and lower-end systems, sound bars, connected streaming and smart speakers, as well as multi-channel AV receivers and TVs. All are product targets for the AX5689. The company is excited to bring its audio controller chip into platform developments of world-renowned audio consumer brands and expects several of these brands to announce production programs later this year. Rudi Severijns, investment director at KBC Focus Fund, explains, Axigns technology brings the best audio experience to consumers in the mainstream and high-performance audio segment, but also allows brands to optimize overall system costs. We are excited to support the Axign team to market and sell the AX5689 flagship solution. According to Hans van Leeuwen, Axign CEO, The feedback we have received from highly knowledgeable customer engineering and management sources is fantastic. The device is configurable and is perfect to use in a company-wide audio solution platform. It is available now in volume shipments. Story continues Please visit http://www.axign.nl for more information. About Axign Axign is a fabless semiconductor company serving worldwide audio markets in professional, consumer and automotive audio. Its first flagship product is a breakthrough audio controller chip that combines the highest reference audio performance in the market today with a lower-cost bill of materials for audio system manufacturers. The chip is especially suited for active speaker systems in streaming audio devices. For more information, please visit http://www.axign.nl . About KBC Focus Fund The KBC Focus Fund is a 50 million venture capital fund that focuses on advanced technology with a particular focus on semiconductor, nanotechnology and IoT. We focus on Belgium and surrounding countries where well-known expertise centers are located. The KBC Focus Fund leverages on the network and expertise of KBC Group and is managed by KBC Securities , with solid knowledge of the tech ecosystem with experienced teams in M&A, Finance, R&D, and Sales. The KBC Focus Fund aims to be long-term partners for entrepreneurs. Contact: Rudi Severijns, Tel +32 2448 5279, Rudi.Severijns@kbcsecurities.be About Oost NL Oost NL is the development company of East-Netherlands. We are strengthening the regional economy by investing in entrepreneurs in the eastern part of the Netherlands. We allow entrepreneurs to innovate, invest and internationalize to accelerate their growth. Oost NL makes the necessary financing and its network, knowledge and expertise available to entrepreneurs. With funding from the central government and the provinces of Gelderland and Overijssel and the Twente region, Oost NL invested in more than 220 companies with total fund assets under management of more than 330 million euros. The province of Overijssel has made 41.5 million available through the Innovatiefonds Overijssel to stimulate the regional economy and employment in the province and to promote innovation. Investments are made through loans and participations. Oost NL is fund manager. For more information, visit https://oostnl.com/en About Innovation Industries Innovation Industries1 is a leading venture capital firm that invests in high-tech, med-tech and agri-food-tech companies in The Netherlands. Innovation Industries maintains a hands-on management style, sharing its experience, knowledge and connections with entrepreneurs. Portfolio companies are actively supported in order to strengthen the value proposition, improve the time to market, identify and realize global strategic partnerships, and avoid the typical start-up pitfalls. With 250 million under management, Innovation Industries typically invests between 1-15 million in a single portfolio company but can provide follow-on funding of up to 25 million per company. Innovation Industries collaborates closely with the Dutch technology institutes. Contact: Sander Verbrugge, Investment Director, sv@innovationindustries.com , +31 6 2036 9419. www.innovationindustries.com . 1 The Innovation Industries is supported by InnovFin Equity, with the financial backing of the European Union under Horizon 2020 Financial Instruments and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) set up under the Investment Plan for Europe. The purpose of EFSI is to help support financing and implement productive investments in the European Union and to ensure increased access to financing. ALBANY Dozens of community members came out to a Board of Zoning Appeals hearing Wednesday on whether to declare a West Hill grocery store a nuisance property. The owners of Delaware Grocery at 36 Judson St. were asked to explain why the streets outside their store has been the site of hundreds of police calls. Board members also questioned city officials about loitering, littering, home values, and other issues. The city filed a complaint in December following the third homicide in a year near the store. The store, along with two others in the city, are owned by the Nagi family. Faisal Nagi, nephew of the stores owner, told the board they had tried to comply with the citys demands and many of the calls were a function of that. Thats what were supposed to do, call if we cant handle (a situation), he told the board. Now theyre using it against us when we call. There have been three homicides near the store in the last year and since 2017 Albany police have been called to more than two dozens incidents involving violence near the store including aggressive groups and large fights. Detective Commander Vincent Foley told the board that officers were called to the store hundred of times for minor incidents including property checks that did not involve the store or its employees. Churchill: Store isn't to blame for West Hill's violence Councilman Jahmel Robinson, who represents the neighborhood near the store and who filed the complaint to the board, said the store has refused to address the loitering and littering. Calling the store a violent, hostile place, Robinson told the board he had talked with neighbors who had found bullet holes in their homes and family members who had relatives shot near the store. The answer is close that store, he said. Attorneys for the store argued to the board that the direct operation of the store had not caused the violence and that nothing in the citys case supported that. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. I dont think shuttering the store is a solution to a community problem, said Nagis attorney, David Rowley. Other speakers said they believed the store served a vital purpose in the neighborhood, offering food, medicine and other conveniences within walking distance. Board members said they would not make a decision at the Wednesday meeting. Instead, they will likely discuss the issue at the next board workshop and announce a decision at the March meeting. That decision could include shutting the store for a period of time or limiting its business hours. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 09:45:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SANTIAGO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chile's economic outlook is "quite favorable" despite months of political unrest in the country, Finance Minister Ignacio Briones said on Wednesday. "We should stress that we have a scenario of positive growth," Briones said in a meeting with foreign correspondents. "Even though we would like (to see) it (growth) to be much higher, we think it is a quite reasonable scenario given the scope of the crisis we have had," he said. The government has forecast a 1.3-percent growth for 2020, "relatively higher" than the central bank projection of 1 percent, noted Briones. That figure is "very much in line with the expectations of local and international analysts," so the government will maintain the growth forecast, he added. Briones recalled that prior to the outbreak of anti-government protests in mid-October, a 3.3-percent expansion in gross domestic product (GDP) was forecast. "Today, we are lowering it by two points, which is a large downgrade," he said. Demonstrations first erupted against a hike in subway fares in capital Santiago, then spread across the country as Chileans expressed their discontent with the high cost of living, lack of public services and growing inequality. In response, the government has organized a plebiscite in April on whether or not to change the Constitution to better address the wealth gap in one of Latin America's leading economies. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Even as the Rs 18,621-crore suburban rail project for the city awaits green signal from the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs, the nodal agency in Bengaluru has begun preparatory works for implementing the project. Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Enterprises (K-RIDE) has called for tenders in connection with two separate works, totalling to nearly Rs 1.73 crore for the project. One is to carry out a survey in and around Bengaluru for the over 600 acres of land estimated for putting in place the project. The other is to survey and identify the utilities that lie along the route of the proposed project. The deadline for submitting interest is March 24. Asked about the rationale behind calling for tenders when the project approval was pending, a top railway official said, We need to keep the preparatory works ready so that when the approval comes, we can begin right away. The project will cover four corridors Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna (Bengaluru City)-Yesvantpur-Yelahanka-Devanahalli-Kempe Gowda International Airport; Baiyappanahalli-Banaswadi-Lottegehalli-Whitefield-Yesvantpur-Chikkabanavara; Kengeri-Cantonment-Whitefield; and Heelalige-Baiyappanahalli-Channasandra-Yelahanka-Rajanakunte. British Airways has cancelled its flights to Italy. Thousands of Brits face having their holiday plans ruined by coronavirus as it continues to spread across Europe and British Airways has now cancel flights to bug-ravaged Italy. The UK government has advised against all but essential travel to 10 towns in the north of Italy, primarily in the Lombardy region. More than 400 people have been infected across the country a surge of 25 per cent in 24 hours, with 12 dead. The crisis continues to grow in Europe as Spain, France, Croatia, Austria and Switzerland have all recorded new cases this week and Greece, North Macedonia and Georgia all recorded their first cases. The World Health Organization said yesterday that the virus is now spreading faster outside China. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates They were cruelly parted within days of entering the Love Island villa. And Jess Gale broke down in tears as she reunited with her twin sister Eve for a glamorous night out with their fellow Islanders on Wednesday. The sisters, 20, shared a clip of themselves back together on Instagram with Jess telling her sibling: 'I never want to leave' through tears. Emotional: Jess Gale broke down in tears as she reunited with her twin sister Eve for a glamorous night out with their fellow Islanders on Wednesday Jess captioned the video: 'Back with my soul mate. No one will ever compare.' Eve also shared the clip and wrote: 'SHE'S BACK'. And the girls certainly celebrated in style as they had shots with the likes of Jess' boyfriend Ched Uzor, 23, Siannise Fudge, Demi Jones and Luke Mabbott. Eve became the first person to be dumped from the villa following a dramatic recoupling, resulting her being torn apart from twin Jess. Journey: Eve became the first person to be dumped from the villa following a dramatic recoupling, resulting her being torn apart from twin Jess Reunion: The sisters, 20, shared a clip of themselves back together on Instagram with Jess telling her sibling: 'I never want to leave' through tears Stronger together: The girls were inseparable as they got ready for TV appearances together Following the arrival of two male bombshells in the form of Connagh Howard and Finley Tapp, the ladies had been battling it out to win their affections. However, it was Eve who lost out as she wasn't chosen to be in a couple, meaning she had to pack her bags and leave the South African abode for good. In emotional scenes, Eve urged her sibling to continue in the villa after she had offered to leave with her, telling her: 'You know I want you to try, I wouldn't let you walk away with me. I can't hold you back.' Smitten: Jess went onto find love with Ched and the loved-up couple made the final, placing fourth in the overall quest to find love (pictured touching down in London on Wednesday) Jess went onto find love with Ched and the loved-up couple made the final, placing fourth in the overall quest to find love. It was not an easy journey for Jess to meet the man of her dreams. The VIP hostess entered the villa with Eve and quickly set her sights on Mike Boateng, who had embarked on a relationship with Leanne Amaning. After he was left single from being dumped by customer service advisor Leanne, 22, the ex-police officer didn't waste time in attempting to reignite a romance with Jess, who was coupled up with Luke M. While their rekindled romance seemed promising, Casa Amor saw Mike pursue Priscilla Anyabu, while the blonde flirted up a storm with Ched. Jess and Mike marked the end of their on-off fling when he returned to the villa with model Priscilla, 25, with the student fully focusing her attention on scaffolder Ched. Ahead of the final, the pair decided to label themselves 'exclusive'. Jess admitted she needs her sister's approval of their relationship before she can be his girlfriend - but Eve came into the villa during the friends and family episode and seemed more than happy with her sister's choice. Identity and access management in 2022 - what will the future look like? As we enter into 2022, there is still a level of uncertainty in place. Its unclear what the future holds, as companies around the world still contend with the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote working has been encouraged by most organisations and the move to a hybrid working system has become business as usual, for the majority of businesses. Some have reduced their office space or done away with their locations altogether. Following best security practices With all this change in place, there are problems to deal with. According to research, 32.7% of IT admins say they are concerned about employees using unsecured networks to carry out that work. Alongside this, 74% of IT admins thought that remote work makes it harder for employees to follow best security practices. This need to manage security around remote work is no longer temporary. Instead, companies have to build permanent strategies around remote work and security. The coming year will also create a different landscape for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). Here are some key predictions for next year and what to start preparing for in 2022: The reality of SMB spending around security will hit home SMBs had to undertake significant investments to adapt to remote working SMBs had to undertake significant investments to adapt to remote working, especially in comparison to their size. They had to undertake significant digital transformation projects that made it possible to deliver services remotely, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Weve seen a shift in mindset for these companies, which are now more tech-focused in their approach to problem solving. According to our research, 45% of SMBs plan to increase their spending towards IT services in 2022. Around half of all organisations think their IT budgets are adequate for their needs, while 14.5% of those surveyed believe they will need more, to cover all that needs to be done. Identity management spending to support remote work For others, the COVID-19 pandemic led to over-spending, just to get ahead of things and they will spend in 2022, looking at what they should keep and what they can reduce their spending on. Areas like identity management will stay in place, as companies struggle to support remote work and security, without this in place. However, on-premise IT spending will be reduced or cut, as those solutions are not relevant for the new work model. Services that rely on on-premise IT will be cut or replaced. The device will lead the way for security We rely on our phones to work and to communicate. In 2022, they will become central to how we manage access, to all our assets and locations, IT and physical. When employees can use company devices and their own phones for work, security is more difficult. IT teams have to ensure that theyre prepared for this, by making sure that these devices can be trusted. Wide use of digital certificates and strong MFA factors Rather than requiring a separate smart card or fingerprint reader, devices can be used for access using push authentication There are multiple ways that companies can achieve this, for example - By using digital certificates to identify company devices as trusted, an agent, or strong MFA factors, like a FIDO security key or mobile push authentication. Whichever approach you choose, this can prevent unauthorised access to IT assets and applications, and these same devices can be used for authentication into physical locations too. Rather than requiring a separate smart card or fingerprint reader, devices can be used for access using push authentication. Understanding human behaviour Alongside this, it is important to understand human behaviour. Anything that introduces an extra step for authentication can lead to employees taking workarounds. To stop this, it is important to put an employee education process in place, in order to emphasize on the importance of security. The next step is to think about adopting passwordless security, to further reduce friction and increase adoption. Lastly, as devices become the starting point for security and trust, remote device management will be needed too. More companies will need to manage devices remotely, from wiping an asset remotely if it gets lost or stolen, through to de-provisioning users easily and removing their access rights, when they leave the company. Identity will be a layer cake Zero Trust approaches to security Identity management relies on being able to trust that someone is who they say they are. Zero Trust approaches to security can support this effectively, particularly when aligned with least privilege access models. In order to turn theory into practical easy-to-deploy steps, companies need to use contextual access, as part of their identity management strategy. This involves looking at the context that employees will work in and putting together the right management approach for those circumstances. For typical employee behaviour, using two factor authentication might be enough to help them work, without security getting in the way. How enterprises manage, access and store identity data There will also be a shift in how enterprises manage, access, and store that identity data over time For areas where security is more important, additional security policies can be put over the top, to ensure that only the right people have access. A step-up in authentication can be added, based on the sensitivity of resources or risk-based adaptive authentication policies might be needed. There will also be a shift in how enterprises manage, access, and store that identity data over time, so that it aligns more closely with those use cases. Identity management critical to secure assets in 2022 There are bigger conversations taking place around digital identity for citizenship, as more services move online as well. Any moves that take place in this arena will affect how businesses think about their identity management processes too, encouraging them to look at their requirements in more detail. Overall, 2022 will be the year when identity will be critical to how companies keep their assets secure and their employees productive. With employees working remotely and businesses becoming decentralised, identity strategies will have to take the same approach. This will put the emphasis on strong identity management as the starting point for all security planning. Irshad Ahmed (57), a daily wager, and his family left their home in Bhagirathi Vihar in north-east Delhis Mustafabad area on Wednesday morning. Their home of 20 years was no longer a safe place. The distressed family moved into their relatives house in New Mustafabad, less than 400m away from their home and across the Brijpuri Road, which divides the Hindu-dominated Bhagirathi Vihar and Muslim-dominated New Mustafabad. Shaken by the violence that unfolded in the area, especially on Brijpuri Road, Ahmed says he just wanted his family to be safe. We quietly left home around 7am. We didnt take anything; just a change of clothes. It is safer to be with your own people (community), says Ahmed, adding that he was worried about the safety of his daughters, aged 17 and 22. My son has gone to Aligarh to attend a wedding. I asked him to stay there till the time situation gets back to normal back here, he said. As Delhi Police officers and paramilitary personnel manned Brijpuri Road on Wednesday, several Hindu and Muslim families crossed the road to be at a safer location and be with their own people. There was large-scale violence in the area on Monday and Tuesday as rioters ran amok pelting stones, ransacking shops and setting shops, houses and mosques on fire. The streets, on Wednesday, lay deserted, littered with bricks, stones, charred vehicles, broken bottles, tyres and shoes of people trying to escape the mobs. The tension and fear were palpable. Shutters of shops were down; some half-burnt, others broken. It was a common sight in all the riot-affected areas such as Shiv Vihar, New Mustafabad, Prem Nagar, Chaman Park, Bhajanpura, Karawal Nagar and Dayalpur. Tightly holding the hands of his five-year-old twin granddaughters, Chaman Lal (60), along with his two daughter-in-laws and son, walked towards the Pushta Road. He requested the police to allow them passage, as he was sending his family to a relatives place in Harsh Vihar. Lal, a carpenter, however, chose to stay back. I have to guard my property. I know of someone whose house was ransacked by rioters. I cant take a chance, he said. Lals friend Suresh Guptas home was ransacked a day earlier. After the violence, we shifted to a friends house. But the next morning, my house was ransacked. We have lost everything, Gupta said. Recalling what he saw on Tuesday, Lal said he has never seen such destruction in the area, not even when the Babri Masjid was razed in Ayodhya in 1992. In Shiv Vihar near Gokalpuri, it was the same story. Asma (32), carrying just a small bag stuffed with clothes, along with her mother and brothers family, was dropped off by a police vehicle at riot-ravaged Muslim-dominated Chaman Park around 5pm Wednesday. The two families were rescued from nearby Hindu-dominated Shiv Vihar where people said violence was still on. A drain separates the two neighbourhoods. An exhausted Asma walked up to the entrance of the colony, barred by a large bamboo stick by residents to keep the mobs out. Finding the area relatively safer, Asma and her mother have come to stay with her brother who has a house in Chaman Park. She said houses were burnt in the area by a huge mob Tuesday night. I cant believe I am still alive after two nights of just seeing houses going up in flames and screams of people running for their lives. The Hindu families in my lane saved us from the mob. They hid us inside. It was only today that we mustered the courage to step out, Asma, who owns a rented accommodation in Shiv Vihar, said. In neighbouring Prem Nagar, Hindu families safeguarded the few Muslim families in the colony from the mob. There were just three Muslim families in our area. They wanted to go to their relatives homes. So we contacted the police for help, Babloo Goswami, a resident of Prem Nagar, said. On Wednesday, Rapid Action Force personnel escorted these families to Mustafabad. Mohammad Hanif, 45, a resident of Karawal Nagar, said his grocery shop was burnt by rioters on Tuesday. He locked his house and came to stay at his brothers place in New Mustafabad. I have got my wife and children here. I dont know what happened to my house back there. We just wanted to save our lives first. Nisha, a homemaker and resident of Bhagirathi Vihar, left her home with her three-year-old daughter and husband to stay with her sister in New Mustafabad. They are burning homes and shop. They are not from our colony, but outsiders. It is not safe for anyone, neither Hindus nor Muslims, she said. (TNS) Even as a resident in Tennessee's wealthiest county, Gov. Bill Lee's cattle farm in Williamson County still lacks access to high-speed broadband connections, similar to most of the rural parts of Tennessee.Lee, who allocated $20 million in his first year as governor to broadband expansion in rural areas, is proposing to boost such state support to $25 million next year to help address the digital divide between areas with broadband service and those left behind."Maria, maybe this will be the year we finally get broadband on the farm," Lee quipped to his wife and first lady, Maria Lee, during his State of the State address when he proposed the additional funding for rural broadband.Since Tennessee created the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Grant program in 2017, the state has allocated $45 million to support broadband deployment in unserved areas of Tennessee. The program provides grants of up to $2 million to Internet Service Providers to pay up to half the cost for fiber line extensions or other technologies to bring faster Internet connections in areas without broadband service.Crystal Ivey, broadband director for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, concedes that the state money, though significant and able to leverage matching money from telecom providers, still isn't enough to extend high-speed Internet service to every home and business in the state."It's not nearly enough to meet the need, which we know is billions of dollars," Ivey said. "In the first three years of the grant, we had $190 million of grant requests for $45 million of funding so clearly we are showing there is a demand for this kind of funding and the providers in these communities are seeking this kind of assistance in getting service out to this underserved areas."Even though the state program isn't able to meet all of the needs in Tennessee, a new study of government assistance programs across America highlights Tennessee's program among nine states that have developed effective broadband initiatives to advance high-speed Internet services."These states are doing things well with programs that other states can learn from," said Kathryn de Wit, manager of the broadband research initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts, which released a 48-page analysis of state programs Wednesday. "What's clear from our research is that states taking on this issue with funding matters. It's a national problem that is felt at the local level and it requires every level of government cooperating and collaborating together in order to close the digital divide."Nationwide, the Federal Communications Commission estimates at least 21 million households and businesses lack access to broadband services. The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations estimated in a 2017 report that connecting the up to 160,000 unserved homes in areas of Tennessee ineligible for funding through the FCC's Connect America Fund would cost $125 million to $799 million."More and more policy makers are seeing why broadband really matters," de Witt said. "This isn't something seen as a 'nice to have' anymore or just about Netflix and cat videos, as important as those may be for some. What we increasingly hear from policy makers is the concern over what their communities are missing out on by not having high-speed reliable broadband with economic development, workforce development, healthcare, education and opportunities for people to age in place."Ivey said the state will soon announce its third year of funding recipients in its broadband grant program and Lee is pushing for a 25% jump in funding in fiscal 2020-21.In the first two rounds of its grant-matching program, Tennessee was able to invest $25 million and leverage $30 million from the private sector, but it received more than $128 million in grant requests. Ivey said the state program is designed to work closely with other broadband support programs from the federal USDA, Appalachian Regional Commission and Federal Communications Commission along with telephone, cable and rural telephone cooperatives that currently provide broadband service."They are the ones with their boosts on the ground pulling the infrastructure," Ivey said.Tennessee is not only trying to expand access to broadband but also the number of users. Libraries in rural areas are getting a share of the grant money for digital literacy and instruction and some libraries have added hot spots."I think increasing the digital literacy of an area directly impacts the investment that we are making in that infrastructure," Ivey said. T he London Stock Exchange has plunged to a 13-month low amid fears around the coronavirus outbreak. Worldwide markets are also suffering, with around $3.6 trillion (2.8 trillion) wiped from portfolios. On Thursday, the FTSE dropped 2.6 per cent, losing 177 points to 7,436. More than 81,000 people in almost 40 countries have been infected with coronavirus, including 15 in the UK. Londoners wear Coronavirus masks - In pictures 1 /61 Londoners wear Coronavirus masks - In pictures A man wearing a protective mask travels on the underground tube Reuters A woman wearing a protective face mask Jeremy Selwyn A man and woman wearing protective face masks on a bus PA A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn A woman shopper wears a protective mask as she walks down an aisle in a supermarket in London AFP via Getty Images A man wearing a face mask waits to board an underground train on the Central Line at Bank station in London AP A woman with a plastic box over her head on the London Underground. PA A woman wearing a protective face mask walking down Oxford Street in London PA A woman wearing a mask walks by the Emirates Stadium Action Images via Reuters A man is seen wearing a protective face mask at Waterloo station Reuters A woman wears a surgical mask as she walks through Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport Reuters A fan in the stands wears a mask during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridg PA A man wearing a protective face mask walking down Oxford Street PA Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A person wears a mask in a display of street style outside the BFC Show Space show in London PA Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A man who appears to be homeless sleeping wearing a mask in Victoria Jeremy Selwyn Commuters with masks on during the Coronavirus outbreak Jeremy Selwyn A commuter on the tube wearing a face mask Jeremy Selwyn A woman wears a mask while crossing London Bridge Getty Images People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A man wearing a face mask walks past an entrance sign for Bank underground train station AP The coronavirus outbreak will unlikely lead to a Tube ban PA People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A woman wearing a face mask on the London Underground. PA People wear masks at Holborn underground Station Jeremy Selwyn A pedestrian wears a face mask whilst walking along High Holborn PA A pedestrian wears a face mask whilst walking along High Holborn PA A man wears a mask as he takes a photograph in China Town AP A man in a hazmat suit and face mask cleans the Ritchie Street Health Centre, Islington PA A commuter at Euston wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter at Euston wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A man arrives at Euston Underground wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn St Pancras Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn Jeremy Selwyn Staff in suits at St Thomas's Hospital today Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A commuter arrives at St Pancras wearing a mask Jeremy Selwyn A man wears a face mask as he stands near an electronic arrivals board at Terminal 4 of London Heathrow Airport AFP via Getty Images A man wears a face mask as he walks along the Thames embankment AFP via Getty Images A woman wearing a protective face mask is seen on London Bridg Reuters Aston Martin warned that Chinese customers are falling, while Asian-focused bank Standard Chartered warned the economy in the region was taking a hit and Microsoft said computer sales were suffering. Airlines and holiday firms have been hardest hit, with shares in Tui, easyJet and British Airways owner IAG all down heavily. EasyJet has suffered more than most, with shares collapsing 26 per cent in a week, as holidaymakers postpone trips and businesses reduce travelling. China, which has 96 per cent of the worlds 81,109 Covid-19 cases, has released billions of pounds worth of money into its economy to arrest any collapse. Production lines in China have been hard hit by the coronavirus (Reuters) / REUTERS Large parts of the country have been put on lock down following the outbreak, which started in Hubei province. China has released around 800 billion yuan (89 billion) to banks and in loans in a bid to keep companies going. Some world traders had expected stock markets needed a correction because they had been trading at record levels in recent months. But some were questioning whether this was more than a correction. Ipek Ozkardeskaya, of Swissquote bank, said: The slide we are seeing right now is not the correction of the recent stock rally, but the markets understanding that the coronavirus outbreak would translate into significantly lower earnings and an anaemic global growth. If we add the fact that the crisis has only started outside China into the mix, there is a meaningful shift in stock valuations. There was some good news for businesses, however, as Reckitt Benckiser revealed sales of cleaning and hygiene products have increased. Hopes were dashed on Wednesday when stock markets in the US rose in the morning, but as the day progressed they fell, with traders unimpressed with an intervention from Donald Trump. Companies hate uncertainty, and with China accounting for 20 per cent of the worlds manufacturing, along with high-spending middle-classes not travelling, businesses are starting to assess the impact of any long-term outbreak. Listen to today's episode of The Leader podcast: BAKU -- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the actual goal of Azerbaijani investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilovas arrest and detention was to silence and punish her for her work. Azerbaijan sentenced Ismayilova to 7 1/2 years in prison in 2015 on what human rights groups called trumped-up charges. She was conditionally released in 2016 but is still subject to a travel ban. In its February 27 ruling, the Strasbourg-based court said it had found in particular that one of the charges against Ismayilova was based on a false complaint made under coercion, while other charges were not backed up by facts. The court held that Azerbaijan was to pay Ismayilova a total of 25,000 euros ($27,400) in respect of damage, costs, and expenses. Amnesty International, which has recognized Ismayilova as a prisoner of conscience, welcomed the ECHR ruling, but the London-based watchdog insisted that the injustices committed by the Azerbaijani authorities against Khadija are not yet over. She has a criminal record, as unfair convictions against her have not been quashed, and arbitrarily imposed restrictions, including a travel ban, are still in place, said Amnesty Internationals deputy director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Denis Krivosheev. Krivosheev also urged the Azerbaijani authorities to stop misusing the law for politically motivated prosecutions designed to silence peaceful critics. Earlier this month, the ECHR ordered Azerbaijan to pay compensation to two opposition activists jailed on drugs charges. The Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Maafo, has assured of governments commitment not to overspend in this election year. Mr. Osafo Maafo, under whose tenure as Finance Minister in the 2004 election year saw a budget deficit of 2.18 percent, says he, together with the Minister of Finance, will ensure that the government does not finance any unplanned item. The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, during the 2020 budget statement started the assurances that the government will stay within its budget. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo also said the government will be guided by the Fiscal Responsibility Act in this regard. In his assurance, the Senior Minister said: the President will accept that if [the Finance Minister] and myself go to one position, he wouldn't oppose it. He will make sure that, the right thing is done and that Ghana sets an even better example for this election year than ever before. I am so determined that we can do this for the sake of posterity. When you overspend and create that kind of bad book, the efforts you have to make to correct those is too much and therefore you should not make such mistakes to enable the poor suffer just because you are going to be austere, he added. The Senior Minister was speaking at the 2020 Africa Impact Forum by the Africa Leadership Initiative on the theme, Building to last, leadership versus systems. Role of the Fiscal Responsibility Act One of the measures the state has put in place to control spending is the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which was passed in 2019 as Ghana exited an International Monetary Fund programme. The Act prevents the managers of the economy from overrunning its budget by 5 percent. It is also meant to help ensure fiscal responsibility, macroeconomic stability, and debt sustainability. Despite these measures, observers have cast doubts on the governments commitment not to overspend. The Economist Intelligence Unit, for example, has predicted that the government will struggle to lower its expenditure this year. In the last election year, in 2016, Ghana's budget deficit target was 5.3 percent but the deficit eventually recorded was 7.8 percent. Four years prior, in 2012, the target was 6.7 percent but the deficit ended up reaching 12.5 percent. ---citinewsroom Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Amber Milne (Reuters) London, United Kingdom Thu, February 27, 2020 13:05 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066ed45c 2 People George-Clooney,Nespresso,Guatemala,child-labor,coffee,advertising,Nestle Free Oscar-winning actor George Clooney has said that he is surprised and saddened after an investigation revealed child labor at Guatemalan coffee farms linked to the Nespresso coffee he advertises. The investigation carried out by Britain's Channel 4 News shows children working on six farms in Guatemala, the largest coffee producer in Central America. The farms allegedly supply to Nestle-owned coffee giant Nespresso where Clooney is brand ambassador. "Clearly this board and this company still have work to do. And that work will be done, Clooney said in a statement. Read also: George Clooney is knight in latest quest for Nespresso coffee Clooney, who worked on his family's tobacco farm in Kentucky during summer holidays as a child, said he was "uniquely aware of the complex issues regarding farming and child labor". Nespresso, headquarted in Switzerland, says it sources all its coffee beans ethically and said in a statement it was investigating the allegations. We have immediately stopped purchases of coffee from all farms in the region and we will not resume purchases until we are able to investigate and be assured that child labor is not being used, said Nespresso chief executive Guillaume Le Cunff. A Thomson Reuters Foundation investigation in December found that coffee produced by forced labor in Brazil was stamped slavery-free by top certification schemes and sold at a premium to major brands like Nespresso. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday accused the BJP of taking Mahatama Gandhi's name only half-heartedly and resorting to a drama by talking of Gandhi and Nathuram Godse in the same breath. Gehlot made the blistering remark during his reply to the debate of 2020-21 budget in state assembly. Quoting Rabindranath Tagore that humanity is greater than nationalism, Gehlot also asserted that it is a debate on the humanity that is presently going on in the country. You (BJP leaders) take the name of Swami Vivekananda with pride. You have now started taking the name of Mahatma Gandhi half-heartedly. But it is the height of a drama that you talk of Gandhi and Godse together, he said. What did Pragya Thakur said... what Anant Hegde stated? You (BJP) people have amazing courage that you have adopted both Gandhi and Godse, he said. Targeting the prime minister, Gehlot said he used to say "Desh nahi bikne dunga" but Air India was being sold. Air India is being sold... what is happening to the LIC. Subramanian Swami has called the selling of Air India as an anti-national step, he said. On the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Gehlot said the government resorted to discrimination on the basis of religion, which has become an issue, triggering violence erupted in the country. It has tarnished the image of the country, he said. The prime minister and the home minister were silent on the matter. When Congress president Sonia Gandhi held a press conference, the prime minister tweeted for peace. Where was he hiding before? he said. He said that protests on CAA, NRC were being held in the country and US President Donald Trump's visit took place amid this. We are concerned over the situation in the country. Whatever is happening is not good, he said, while calling upon the BJP members to come forward to extricate the country from the present situation. Speaking on the financial situation of the state, he said the state government has managed to handle the financial condition adroitly. He said the finances of several states was in poor condition with ten states including Chhattisgarh, Goa, Manipur and availing special fund withdrawal facility from the RBI. The budget is the mirror of a government's vision and we have thoughtfully focused our budget on seven resolutions. Despite adverse financial condition, the state government has presented a fabulous budget which has been welcomed by the people, he said. We are doing good financial management, he said, adding, that some states will also face crisis in giving salaries to employees. He said the government was working on further strengthening the financial condition of the state. On the issue of illegal sand mining, he said he was disappointed over the issue, adding that it was a matter of investigation as to who had been getting Rs 5 crore a month from Bajri mafia during previous government's rule. The chief minister reiterated that the government of India should accord the the eastern canal project, aimed at addressing water crisis in 13 districts of the state, the status of national project. He also asked the BJP members to cooperate with the state government in mounting pressure on the central government for seeking central aid for the state. Leader of Opposition Gulab chand Kataria earlier said the government has failed to fulfil its promises made in previous budget. He also alleged that the government has manipulated financial figures. Gehlot, who also holds the finance portfolio, had presented the state budget 2020-21 in the assembly on February 20. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Man sentenced for Blue Ridge Parkway murder A 22-year-old Asheville man was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his co-worker on a Blue Ridge Parkway hiking trail, U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced. U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger handed down the sentence about six months after Derek Shawn Pendergraft pleaded guilty in the murder of Sara Ellis. When a life is cut short at the hands of another individual, no prison sentence is ever long enough to make things right for the victims loved ones, Murray said. Todays sentence will not bring back Sara to her family and friends who miss her and think about her every day, but it is my sincere hope that everyone impacted by this heinous crime can find solace in knowing that Saras killer will never walk free among us again. According to court documents and statements made in court, Pendergraft, who worked at the Pisgah Inn, murdered his co-worker, Sara Ellis, during the perpetration of aggravated sexual abuse on July 24, 2018. The murder occurred on the Blue Ridge Parkway, within the special territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and within the Western District of North Carolina. Pendergraft pleaded guilty last August to first degree murder and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse resulting in death. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. All federal sentences are served without the possibility of parole. Realism demands in The March heighten, of course, because the story is a documentary one, not a quest for a princess or stolen gold. The eight-minute experience moves through four scenes, from joining the marchers on Constitution Avenue heading toward the National Mall on Aug. 28, 1963; to being in the back of the crowd as Dr. King is announced; to standing just in front of the long reflecting pool between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial and seeing King for the first time; to being right there with him for his concluding paragraphs. Editors note: A lethal virus named COVID-19 has struck China. The authorities and the public have been working tirelessly to tackle it and made remarkable progress. It is the efforts of many ordinary Chinese people - doctors, volunteers, police officers and government officials - that have stopped the virus from spreading further around the world and brought the epidemic under control. Their names must not be forgotten, and their stories will not go untold. To remember those who have made great contributions to the fight against COVID-19, we have launched a new column named Heroes Fighting COVID-19. At a time when courage and love are needed more than ever, we will share heart-warming stories that focus on ordinary Chinese people who have devoted their lives to fighting the epidemic with bravery and selflessness. "The day that man allows true love to appear, those things which are well made will fall into confusion and will overturn everything we believe to be right and true. Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy On a chilly morning on February 23, Xia Sisi, a 29-year-old doctor in Wuhan, took her last breath, leaving behind her 2-year-old son and beloved career. 40 days earlier, she had begun devoting herself to the fight against COVID-19, a lethal virus that has swept China and taken many lives. (Photo provided by the family of Xia Sisi, source: Chutian Metropolitan Daily) Call my name, I will always be there Xia was the youngest doctor at the gastroenterology department of Xiehe Jiangbei Hospital in Wuhan, and was known for her kindness to patients, as well as her outstanding medical skills. "'Call me if the patients need me, and I will always be there.' This was her pet phrase and motto. Whenever there was an emergency, Xia was always there. Whats more, she offered free treatment to the poor," said Qiu Haihua, Xias team leader. (Photo provided by the family of Xia Sisi, source: Chutian Metropolitan Daily) It was her great love for the patients that brought her back to the wards on January 14, when she heard that a 76-year-old patient, who apparently showed symptoms of COVID-19, needed medical care. Though he wasnt her patient, she volunteered to stay with him, spending several sleepless nights in the hospital to come up with a treatment plan. Thanks to her superb medical skills, the patient soon recovered. But Xia was then diagnosed with COVID-19 and confined to a special ward for treatment. During her stay in the hospital, she continued to send messages comforting her colleagues, insisting that she would return to her post as soon as she was cured. Despite Xias positive attitude, she soon fell into a coma that lasted for over two weeks, and never woke up again. Devastated family Xias husband and parents are all medical professionals. Her whole family have cured countless patients, but were unable to save their beloved daughter and wife. (Photo provided by the family of Xia Sisi, source: Chutian Metropolitan Daily) She didnt even have time to say goodbye, said Wu Shilei, Xias husband, We made a vow to love each other forever, taking care of our parents and son, but the epidemic has changed everything. Our son is still waiting for his mother to come back. Every time the telephone rings, the little boy runs to pick up the phone, hoping to hear his mothers voice. Weve been telling him that his mother is busy treating patients in the hospital, said Wu. If Im unlucky and die because of the virus, I hope you can be strong and take care of our parents and our son. - Xias last words to her husband. Eternal spirit Like all young women, Xia loved shopping with us, and dying her hair in fashionable colorsI just cant believe she left us so quickly, said Chen Changna, Xias colleague. (Photo provided by the family of Xia Sisi, source: Chutian Metropolitan Daily) Though Xia has departed, her office is still filled with her belongings. Flowers, letters and candles cover her desk, showing just how much her colleagues loved her. Like Xia, many of her colleagues are still fighting on the frontline against the virus. As doctors, we shall never retreat, and we will battle the virus with our lives, said Qiu. (Photo provided by the family of Xia Sisi, source: Chutian Metropolitan Daily) Chinese telecom giant Huawei said Thursday that it would begin manufacturing radio equipment for next-generation 5G networks in France. The 200-million-euro (USD 218-million) facility will employ 500 people and produce equipment for the European market, Huawei chairman Liang Hua told a press conference in Paris. The announcement comes two weeks after France said it would not bow to American pressure to exclude Huawei from supplying equipment for its 5G networks -- a stance also taken by Britain. While saying it would not discriminate against Huawei, the French government said it would nonetheless prioritise European operators, such as Nokia or Ericsson. The US contends that Huawei is too close to the Chinese government and that its equipment could be used as a tool for spying -- a contention the company has denied. A US court last week dismissed a challenge by Huawei to a ban on the purchase of its products by US federal agencies. 5G, or fifth generation, networks offer vastly higher cellular communication speeds compared with the 4G networks currently used widely, which could unlock a variety of new applications. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There were five individuals who went to work today, just like everybody goes to work, and they thought they were going to go to work, finish their day and return to their families. They didnt and tragically they never will, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. Conservative co-host Meghan McCain has truly made her mark on ABCs daytime talk show The View. Often coming to verbal blows with fellow panelists Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, and especially Joy Behar over political matters, McCain has proven she speaks her mind regardless of who may or may not agree with her. Fans of the show may not realize that McCain once hosted her own program with a political platform on a pioneering network directed at millennials. The Views Meghan McCain | Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty Images McCains career pre-View As the daughter of the late Senator John McCain, the talk show co-host knows her way around the world of politics. The graduate of Columbia University and former intern of Newsweek and Saturday Night Live has also written several books, and kept a blog reporting from her fathers 2008 Presidential campaign. Serving on radio shows and as a contributing writer for the Daily Beast, some of McCains previous television gigs include contributor on MSNBC and co-hosting Fox News Outnumbered before joining The View in 2017, as reported by Closer Weekly. McCain previously revealed that she was even extended an invitation to be on one of NBCs most popular former reality shows. I was asked to be on The Apprentice several times and said no, McCain recalled, according to People, saying she even got a call from then-future-President Donald Trump trying to recruit her for the NBC hit series. He [Trump] left a voice message and I didnt call back. I didnt want to be an Apprentice, McCain said. In 2013, the co-host of The View got the opportunity to host her own show on a new network that was targeting her own demographic. Targeting millennials McCain launched her road-based talk-reality TV program Raising McCain in September 2013 on Pivot TV, a start-up cable network aimed at drawing in millennials. I am a socially liberal Republican, she said in 2013, according to SF Gate. And in many ways, I have been ostracized from my party. I have been ostracized in the media as well. I am too conservative for MSNBC, and I am too liberal for Fox. Where am I going to go? Im going to go to Pivot. And honestly, I believe I am here because I believe in more than this country is being given right now when it comes to news and the media. The View co-host wanted to mix things up in the shows format by having a different guest co-host with her for each episode, making the program a bit more unique from the traditional talk show style. I really wanted the guest hosts to take a little adventure, a little journey with me, McCain said. Its kind of like 21 Jump Street, where they get their assignment from headquarters. Topics covered on McCains show included Internet privacy, marriage equality, immigration reform, and feminism. McCains goal was for the show to be more of a dialogue than a one-way narrative. I wanted to do a show thats much more conversation with the audience, because oftentimes I watch TV, and I feel like Im watching someone whos preaching to me because they have all the answers, she told SF Gate. Its not stuff that I really am ever drawn to. Not raving over Raising McCain Critics werent huge fans of Raising McCain, writing that the shows host proved the negative stereotypes of millennials. The media wished that millennials, as a group, could be self-absorbed, entitled and unimaginative; Meghan McCain rose to the challenge, one reviewer from Salon wrote. Its tempting to write some sort of contrarian defense of her new show, Raising McCain. But, honestly, theres only so much up-speak one critic can take, Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker commented. Some reviewers offered some positives on the show, giving McCain props for her attempt at trying something different on the air, yet still couldnt get on board. McCain has opted to create something more civic-minded, a news hour that makes a good faith effort to Dig deep into the issues that matter most to our generation,' Willa Paskin of Slate wrote. So, respect to Meghan McCain for aiming higher than various Palins. And thus concludes the complimentary portion of this review. The show was on the air from September 2013 to January 2014. McCain was then put on the networks program TakePartLive as a co-host, which was cancelled in December of that year. Pivot TV ended up folding in October 2016, yet McCain has continued a successful career and is clearly enjoying her view from the ABC talk show table. Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma on Thursday wrote to Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal seeking the inclusion of women members in the Council of Ministers. NCW, in a release, said that the commission received an email/letter on February 20 requesting it to take up the matter with the Delhi Chief Minister for the inclusion of at least one women in the Cabinet/Council of Ministers of Delhi government by amending Article 239 (5) of the Constitution. "The Commission Chairperson, Rekha Sharma has written to Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, on expressing the concern of no women representative has been given a berth in his Council of Ministers," read the release. It added, "It has been conveyed that various kinds of equality, including political equality, political leadership, and power-sharing is one of the most basic, intrinsically valuable as it is the key to equality on other realms, and all citizens are supposed to be given equal representation and leadership irrespective of gender." Sharma has also requested Kejriwal to consider inducting a couple of women Legislators in the Council of Ministers of Delhi Assembly stating it would help them achieve equality of rights as well as participate in the development of the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Companies big and small in Co Kilkenny are being urged by leading businessman Bobby Kerr to play their part in supporting people affected by cancer. The Newstalk broadcaster, who was diagnosed with head, neck and mouth cancer in 2015 and is now cancer free, is encouraging companies to host a workplace event to raise funds this Daffodil Day. Mr Kerr said, I know first-hand the devastating effect a cancer diagnosis has on a person and their loved ones, and how important it is to have supports available. Ground-breaking research and much-needed services for cancer patients, which money raised on Daffodil Day helps to fund, are used to help the thousands of us diagnosed with cancer each year. Businesses can play a part in raising funds this Daffodil Day by hosting a workplace fundraising event or volunteering in their local communities to sell daffodils. As well as giving back to the community, taking part in Daffodil Day is, in my experience, a real morale booster for staff, he added. Launching the Irish Cancer Societys corporate appeal Mr Kerr was joined by Elizabeth Arnett, Director of Corporate Affairs at Ulster Bank, and also by LinkedIn employee Owen Morgan. Louise OBrien, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager with Boots Ireland, who are the official partners of Daffodil Day, also attended the launch. Ulster Bank will have daffodils for sale in all of their 88 branches in the Republic of Ireland, with some branches also holding fundraising events and Ulster Bank colleagues are contributing 400 volunteering hours to support Daffodil Day. Ulster Banks Director of Corporate Affairs, Elizabeth Arnett said, We are delighted to be supporting Daffodil Day again this year. The work of the Irish Cancer Society is hugely important; it is a cause that resonates with our colleagues and customers across the country on a very personal level, and we are very glad to be able to help in raising money and awareness for Daffodil Day 2020. Individual employees taking initiative in their own workplaces can also have a big impact on Daffodil Day, as shown by Owen Morgan who works in LinkedIn. The Customer Success manager, who lost his mum to a rare stomach cancer almost four years ago, said his employer is keen to allow him to spend time on a charity that is so close to his heart. He said, When my mum was ill we used the Night Nurse service for four nights which was just beyond what I could have expected. They were so warm and when my mum was at her worst, they made the best of the situation and really helped us as a family to deal with everything. Averil Power, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society said, More than 40,000 people each year receive a cancer diagnosis and it is something that effects every community and workplace around the country that is why it is such a special opportunity for businesses both on a national and a local level to get involved with Daffodil Day and make a difference to those touched by a cancer diagnosis. The Irish Cancer Society relies on public donations to fund 97% of its income, and needs to raise 4m on Daffodil Day alone. This money is used to fund crucial services like our Daffodil Centres, free counselling and our Volunteer Driver Service. We want our services to be available for everyone who needs them. We simply cannot do this without the publics support." More than 100 companies have already signed up to supporting this years Daffodil Day which takes place on March 27th, in partnership with Boots Ireland. The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee today approved a bill that would take one step out of the death penalty appeals process at the state level, with Republicans supporting the legislation and Democrats opposing it. The committee voted 4-3 in favor of the bill by Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, that would send death penalty case appeals directly to the Alabama Supreme Court, bypassing the Court of Criminal Appeals. The bill also says the Supreme Court would give death penalty cases priority over other cases and expedite them to the extent possible. The bill approved today is a new version of the original bill, which would have given the Court of Criminal Appeals sole jurisdiction over death penalty cases as the state level. Ward, chairman of the committee, is sponsoring the legislation that was initiated by Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth. The intent is to shorten the duration of death row appeals, which now average 14 years, according to Ainsworth. Christine Freeman, executive director of the Middle District of Alabama Federal Defenders Program, Inc., spoke in opposition to the bill. She read off a list of nine Alabama death row inmates who she said have been exonerated. She said the amount of time to win their appeals ranged from three years to 28 years. Efficiency is a great goal, but not at the expense of justice, Freeman said. Advocates for the bill have said it is modeled after the system in Texas. But Freeman said Texas has public defender programs that Alabama lacks. We should not be adopting expediency of other states without also adopting protections they have, Freeman said. Ward said death row defendants would still have fair routes of appeal, including through the federal courts. Ward has been one of the Legislatures top advocates for criminal justice reforms but has said the bill was motivated out of concerns for public safety. Ainsworth said he was motivated to bring the bill because of the deaths of seven Alabama law enforcement officers who were slain by gunfire since January 2019. Voting in favor of the bill were Sens. Ward; Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville; Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery; and Larry Stutts, R-Sheffield. Voting against it were Sens. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham; Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile; and Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro. Wards bill now moves into position for consideration by the Senate. Rep. Connie Rowe, R-Jasper, is sponsoring the same bill in the House. This story was edited at 10:44 p.m. to say that the bill approved today was a new version of the original. PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 15:04:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 953 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV:MMG)(OTC:MMNGF) ("Metallic Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a summary of progress made over the past 12 months and an overview of planned exploration programs for 2020 at its flagship Keno Silver project, and McKay and Silver Hill project in the Yukon and La Plata silver-gold-copper project in Colorado.HighlightsDuring the past year, Metallic Minerals completed significant exploration programs on its Yukon and Colorado projects designed to delineate, refine and advance targets for follow-up drill testing.In October the Company closed a private placement financing of $2.75 million with a strategic level investment by Eric Sprott.In early September the Company announced its acquisition of the La Plata silver-gold-copper property in southwestern Colorado and initiation of its first exploration program on the project.In August the Company announced the identification of two additional multi-kilometer early-stage targets in the eastern half of the Keno Hill silver district expanding the number of new large-scale targets to 10.Based on new discoveries from the Company's regional exploration program around McKay Hill, additional claims were staked at Silver Hill, significantly expanding the size of the land package in the region north of the Keno Hill silver district.Final results from field programs at the Keno Silver, La Plata, McKay and Silver Hill projects are expected to be announced starting over the next several weeks in advance of initiation of field programs in 2020.Greg Johnson, CEO and Chairman, stated: "The focus of Metallic Minerals' exploration field programs over the past year have been to synthesize the extensive historic exploration data covering each of the properties with our new surveys and exploration tools in order to advance the highest priority targets for follow-up and first-stage drill testing in the upcoming field season. Our objective, through the integration of surface sampling, mapping, drilling and geophysics, along with ground and satellite-based multi-spectral imagery, is to rapidly advance the most prospective targets toward developing new mineral resources in these proven productive mining districts. During 2019, several new mineralized discoveries were made, and existing zones were extended as a result of these efforts. The Company is well funded to be able to complete the next major milestones on our strong portfolio of projects and look forward to reporting a series of announcements from these programs, along with providing more details on our 2020 programs." Keno Silver ProjectSince its founding in 2016, Metallic Minerals has consolidated the second-largest land position in the historic Keno Hill silver district of Canada's Yukon Territory, covering 166 square km ("km2") and located directly adjacent to Alexco Resource Corp's operations. The Keno Hill silver district is one of the worlds highest-grade producing districts with nearly 300 million ounces of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources1,2. Metallic Minerals' Keno Silver project includes 8 high-grade, shallow past-producing mines that have yet to be subjected to modern exploration due to previous unconsolidated land ownership.Exploration by Metallic Minerals continues to systematically build on the Company's 3D geologic database covering the east, central and western portions of the Keno Hill silver district with a total of 81 drill holes completed on the project since 2007. Work to date has advanced three targets in the central and western parts of the district to step-out drilling stage and several additional targets to drill-ready status along the known historically productive trends that are on strike with past-producing mines. In addition, recent exploration has refined and expanded10 new priority multi-kilometer-scale early-stage targets for reconnaissance drilling in the under-explored eastern part of the district where highly elevated silver, lead and zinc in soils and high-grade rock samples have been identified.Pending results from additional multi-spectral studies, geophysical survey interpretation, and surface sampling geochemical sampling will further refine and prioritize targets for drilling in 2020.La Plata ProjectThe recently acquired La Plata silver-gold-copper project, located approximately 26 km northwest of Durango, Colorado, covers 33 km2 in the historic high-grade La Plata mining district. A total of 49 historic drill holes completed from the 1950s to 1970s by Rio Tinto and Freeport-McMoRan, along with trenching on the property, demonstrate the presence of a large-scale, multi-phase, precious-metals-rich porphyry system containing copper, silver and gold. Surrounding the porphyry system is a multi-kilometer-scale mineralized system with high-grade silver-lead-zinc and epithermal silver-gold in structures and replacement bodies that was the focus of historic shallow mining in the district. Modern systematic exploration at the La Plata project has the potential to rapidly extend the size of the known mineralized system and to identify and expand the higher-grade zones within the broader porphyry and epithermal mineralized zones.Fieldwork completed by Metallic Minerals at La Plata in 2019 focused on assessing key characteristics of the various styles of mineralization through mapping, prospecting, and soil sampling. A property-wide soil and rock sampling program was completed to establish mineralized anomalies and domains for the various styles of mineralization. In addition, interpretation of airborne geophysics, satellite-based multi-spectral remote sensing, and the new surface sampling is underway. The Company is currently working to refine the 3D geologic model from historic drilling and trenching in preparation for the next phase of exploration in 2020.McKay and Silver Hill ProjectThe McKay and Silver Hill properties cover 55 km2 of claims located approximately 50 km north of the Keno Silver project and show potential to host significant district-scale silver-gold-copper-lead-zinc mineralized systems similar to those at Keno Hill.Exploration at McKay Hill has identified six kilometric-scale targets based on soil and rock sampling. To date the Company has identified 37 high-grade silver-gold-copper-lead-zinc vein structures at McKay Hill, that have seen very limited modern exploration. As part of Metallic Minerals' broader regional exploration program at and around McKay Hill, which was partly funded by the Yukon Geological Survey's innovative New EBRD country strategy identifies Banks operational and strategic priorities Supports improvement of business environment and inclusion Promotes regional integration and connectivity The EBRD Board of Directors has approved a new country strategy for Tajikistan. The programme sets out the Banks priorities in the country for the period 2020-25 and addresses issues such as a volatile macroeconomic environment, a challenging business climate and vulnerability to climate change factors. In the strategy period, the EBRD will aim to improve Tajikistans infrastructure, its regional connectivity and employment opportunities in the country. Tajikistan has one of the youngest populations of all the economies in which the Bank invests. The EBRDs operational and strategic priorities in Tajikistan will be based on the following three pillars: strengthening the competitiveness of businesses and improving the business environment fostering regional integration, energy reform and infrastructure connectivity supporting wider access to better infrastructure and business services for women, young people and underdeveloped regions. Regional cooperation is key to Tajikistans sustainable economic development, for the expansion of trade and for its energy security. Positive economic developments, including better interstate relations and connectivity, will allow the EBRD to support necessary reforms and facilitate the countrys transition to one based on private-sector growth. The EBRD will be aiming to increase the size and scope of its operations. It will continue financing infrastructure and energy sector projects, as well as providing support for private sector companies. To date, the EBRD has invested 839 million through 135 projects in various sectors of Tajikistans economy. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Qatar on Thursday, just two days prior to the signing of a landmark peace deal between the US and the Taliban in Doha to end more than 18-year-long Afghan war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. The US is set to sign a peace deal with the Taliban on Saturday provided that a week-long reduction in violence across Afghanistan holds, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a recent statement. The Taliban also released a statement confirming the plan to sign a peace deal that day. During his day-long visit, Prime Minister Khan will meet Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani and the two leaders will discuss matters related to the bilateral ties and regional development, according to an official statement. "During the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Qatar, the focus will be on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on regional developments," the Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement. This would be the second visit of Prime Minister Khan to Qatar after taking office in 2018. The Emir of Qatar visited Pakistan in June 2019 and the visit resulted in strengthening the bilateral economic collaboration in diverse areas, the statement said. Qatar has invited Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to attend the peace deal signing ceremony in Doha. President Donald Trump said on Monday in India that the landmark Afghan peace deal had received "tremendous support". Trump's remarks came after the US and the Afghan Taliban started a seven-day partial truce ahead of the possible peace deal to end more than 18-year-long war. The longstanding war has killed tens of thousands of civilians and Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Some 2.5 million Afghans are registered as refugees abroad and another two million are displaced within their country. The agreement struck during talks between the US and the Taliban, if maintained, may secure a peace deal that would lead to a withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. The US currently has less than 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, but military officials would not confirm the exact number. (Image credit: PTI) Brian Cashman and Derek Jeter arent best buddies, but they arent sworn enemies. Cashman oversaw the end of Jeters Hall-of-Fame career and the former Yankees captain began his run as Miami Marlins CEO by trading Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees (it seemed like a good idea at the time for New York). Now the stars might be aligning for another Jeter-Cashman trade. The Yankees are down two starting pitchers with left-hander James Paxton recovering from back surgery and right-hander Luis Severino facing Tommy John surgery. Cashman has insisted his first instinct is to look at internal candidates to fill out the rotation. But MLB.com put together a list of potential trade targets should Cashman change his mind. No. 5 on the list is Marlins left-hander Caleb Smith. Caleb Smith is 28 years old and about to become eligible for salary arbitration. Hes also coming off a breakthrough of sorts in 2019, with 28 starts, 153 1/3 innings, a 4.52 ERA and a 26.0% strikeout rate. Smith, who was drafted by the Yankees in 13 and made his MLB debut with New York in 17 before being dealt to Miami in November of that year, is more of a back-end option. However, he is under club control through 23, which means hed be more than just a rental. And as we saw with the Giancarlo Stanton trade two years ago, Derek Jeters Marlins are not afraid to swing creative deals with the Yankees. As for the rest of MLB.coms list: 1. Robbie Ray, LHP, D-backs. He was rumored to be a trade target of Cashmans last summer. But general manager Mike Hazen would like to see more of his young pitchers before any Ray trade, meaning the Yankees likely would have to seriously overpay. 2. Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Giants. Samardzjia, in the final year of a five-year contract, already asked to wear No. 2 (he was kidding). But if the Yankees decide to acquire someone, this might be Cashmans first telephone call. Buy Yankees tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek 3. Johnny Cueto, RHP, Giants. Hes 34 years old, has made just 13 starts in the past two seasons and will make $21.8 million in each of the next two seasons (with a $5 million buyout for 2022). In short, Cueto is a huge gamble with a potentially huge payoff. 4. Chris Archer, RHP, Pirates. Another player connected to the Yankees before the trade deadline last summer. Hes due $9 million for this season, with an $11 million club option for 2021. ... New GM Ben Cherington doesnt have any attachment to Archer, making him a prime trade candidate. Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook. DIBERVILLE, Mississippi -- Hotels often offer an array of amenities, from fitness centers to restaurants and lounges, swimming pools, laundry services and the like. But one coast hotel offers something few others do -- dogs. Conceived by Teresa Johnston, the Director of Sales at Home 2 Suites, a Hilton property, in DIberville, the Fostering Hope program pairs rescue dogs from the Humane Society of South Mississippi with hotel guests. The hotel is an extended-stay property which, according to Johnston, has about 50 percent of its rooms occupied by military personnel. I knew I wanted to do something for dogs on a unique level, Johnston said of the programs genesis. Im a dog-lover and Ive been in the hospitality business my entire career. When I came to this extended-stay hotel, I knew I wanted to do something unique. She approached her general manager, who supported the idea and then got a green light from both hotel ownership in North Carolina and Hilton corporate. Johnston purchased a gazebo-style dog kennel and set it up in the hotel lobby, in full view of anyone coming or going and, in on Oct. 23, 2018, the hotel welcomed its first rescue dog, Skipper, to the property. Since then, the Fostering Hope program has resulted in 34 rescue dogs finding permanent homes. When a dog arrives at the hotel, Johnston explained, she and the staff are, in essence, fostering the dog. But hotel guests are invited to spend time with the dogs -- walking them around the hotel property, even keeping them overnight in their rooms. She also noted there are criteria for the hotel to accept a dog: it must be small, heartworm-free, spayed/neutered, and microchipped. I dont want to saddle my guests with expensive heartworm treatments, Johnston said. Many of the hotels military guests are not able to adopt a dog because of their frequent transfers to other locations, but there is such demand for a canine companion there is a waiting list at the front desk. While having the dogs on property has proven invaluable for guests away from home for long periods, the ultimate goal is to find the dogs permanent homes. If someone comes in and wants to adopt a dog who is being fostered by a guest, the dog gets adopted, Johnston said. I dont get any flak from that, because everyone understands the ultimate goal is to find permanent homes for these dogs. Richard and Emillee Dale of San Antonio, Texas, and their family provided one of the 34 permanent homes found so far. On the coast to visit children living in Biloxi, Emillee Dale said they stayed at the Home 2 Suites property because they are Hilton rewards members. We went in and noticed they had a dog there, Dale said. "My husband noticed him right away and bonded with him really quick. The kids took him for a walk a few times and he came and said goodnight to us a few times. My husband and I have two other rescue dogs and were big proponents of adopting rescue dogs," Dale continued. "We just fell in love with him, but I had kind of talked myself out of it because we already had the other two dogs. But my husband came back the next morning and said he wanted to adopt him -- and hes normally not like that. He just really fell in love with him and they still have a close bond. The Dales dog carried the name Jocko when they met him, but has since been renamed Drakkar." Dale said Drakkar took very ill recently and nearly died, but after treatment is now back home and doing well. She said they had stayed at the hotel before and were familiar with the program, following it through the hotels Facebook page, but I didnt expect my husband and my family to so quickly bond with a dog. The program is so awesome, it really is, Dale said. Teresa had done great things for all these animals. I told her if she were ever interested in bringing the program to San Antonio, Id love to help and volunteer in some capacity. But its not just travelers who adopt the dogs. Through both the Facebook page and the Humane Society website, local residents have come to the hotel to adopt a dog. And the staff isnt immune to falling in love with the dogs, either. Staff member Vince Nargot adopted one, too. Chico became the fifth dog in Nargots household. Johnston said since the program began in 2018, it has exceeded her expectations. Especially when I see children with the dogs, she said. "I love taking care of my military people, but when I see a child bonding with a dog that isnt perfect, it makes me happy. My very first adoption was a little chihuahua mix with a ripped ear named Chauvo. "Parents were here with their daughter and when they saw Chauvo they said Oh my, weve been wanting to get her a dog. Who would have thought wed find it in a hotel? We had some hotel employees who were skeptical of the program, but when they saw this little girl with the dog, it was all over. The Fostering Hope program has drawn attention from numerous publications, including elite travel magazines, Johnston said. I have guests who will specifically stay here because of this program, she said. Its put our little hotel on the map. I just thought this would be wonderful for the property and help the Humane Society at the same time. The Good Feeds Us All Tour is an extension of the brand's 2019 advertising campaign of the same name. It rolled out with a heartwarming commercial featuring Joey, a young boy who learns American sign language in order to ask his deaf classmate if she would like to share his sandwich. "Good feeds our connections. Good feeds us all," the voiceover reminds us. According to Beth Fehrenbacher, senior brand manager for the Hormel Natural Choice brand, the idea of the Good Feeds Us All Tour developed organically from a discussion around bringing the advertising campaign to life. "We are continuing our brand legacy of doing a little bit more, a little bit better and shining a light on those in our communities who are also doing a little bit more and a little bit better," she said, emphasizing that small gestures lead to big results and that food is often the common denominator. "Food is at the center of so many special events," Fehrenbacher said. The Good Feeds Us All Tour began at the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, an homage to the Joey commercial. From there, the tour made its way to Dallas, Texas, where Hormel Foods team members highlighted and helped the Birthday Party Project, an organization that throws themed birthday parties with all the trimmings for kids who are often forgotten. "Our mission is to bring joy to children through the magic of birthdays," said Kimberly Nielsen, director of operations for the Birthday Party Project. " Not everybody has a home, but everybody has a birthday. To be able to bring that to a child who needs a little extra joy It just brings communities together." The 8-year-old nonprofit began with a party at one agency in Dallas, Texas. Today there are nearly 50 parties each month in 15 U.S. cities. Children in the system, young mothers without partners and homeless children are among the beneficiaries. In addition to celebrating the work of the Birthday Party Project in other cities, the Good Feeds Us All Tour has the following stops and organizations on schedule: Be Strong ( Louisville, Ky. ) is an organization focused on preventing bullying, isolation and suicide among school-aged young people. The organization's We Dine Together Initiative is student led and focuses on important acts of kindness in their communities. The Hormel Natural Choice brand team will be partnering with a local student group to deliver sandwiches and resources to homeless women and children in transitional housing. ) is an organization focused on preventing bullying, isolation and suicide among school-aged young people. The organization's We Dine Together Initiative is student led and focuses on important acts of kindness in their communities. The brand team will be partnering with a local student group to deliver sandwiches and resources to homeless women and children in transitional housing. United Service Organizations, Inc. ( Washington D.C. Metro ), founded during World War II, empowers connections by keeping United States servicemen and servicewomen connected to their families and communities while away from home. This tour stop is focused on the Mobile USO unit that travels the country providing services and assistance to the military and their families. ), founded during World War II, empowers connections by keeping servicemen and servicewomen connected to their families and communities while away from home. This tour stop is focused on the Mobile USO unit that travels the country providing services and assistance to the military and their families. My Jump ! ( La Quinta, Calif. ) is a nonprofit organization that helps seniors achieve what's left on their bucket lists, with a focus on those living at low-income. Here, the Hormel Natural Choice brand team will work with My Jump ! to fulfill more dreams while providing sandwiches in the process. ! ( ) is a nonprofit organization that helps seniors achieve what's left on their bucket lists, with a focus on those living at low-income. Here, the brand team will work with ! to fulfill more dreams while providing sandwiches in the process. In-between these major initiatives that are part of the Good Feeds Us All Tour, the Hormel Natural Choice brand team will be celebrating and spotlighting random acts of kindness by individuals as they are discovered. According to Fehrenbacher, at the heart of the Good Feeds Us All Tour is a desire to show consumers what the brand is stands for, metaphorically speaking. "We want consumers to see that we care," she said. "The tour is about finding opportunities where sandwiches can connect people and be the catalyst to allow those connections to take place. This isn't about us coming in to save the day. It's about giving those who are already doing it a platform to share their stories." ABOUT HORMEL FOODS INSPIRED PEOPLE. INSPIRED FOOD. Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $9 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include SKIPPY, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three straight years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "The 100 Best Corporate Citizens" list for the 11th year in a row, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement Inspired People. Inspired Food. to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/. SOURCE Hormel Foods Related Links http://www.hormelfoods.com Iraq's vital religious tourism sector was already suffering after months of protests, political turmoil and sanctions hitting pilgrims from neighbouring Iran - then the novel coronavirus arrived. In the southern Shiite holy city of Karbala, hotels have closed and face masks are more common on the street than the full-length black veils worn by female pilgrims. Visitors are scarce at the golden-domed tomb of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, despite twice-daily visits by health officials to sanitise the site. Haidar, who sells rosaries and holy soil from the shrine, said his business had already been hit hard since mass anti-government protests broke out in October. "We haven't been selling anything because of the lack of visitors from Iran and the Gulf," he said, rows of colourful beads glistening on the shelf in his shop. "Now, on top of everything, the coronavirus outbreak happened." Millions of Shiite pilgrims, many from neighbouring Iran, visit shrines in Karbala and nearby Najaf every year, especially during the huge annual Arbaeen commemoration. In "normal" times, income from pilgrims creates jobs for hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and brings in billions of dollars per year, constituting almost the only form of tourism in a country ravaged by decades of conflict. But Iraq now has five confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus -- all traced to Iran -- and visitor numbers are plunging yet further. The first confirmed case of the virus was an Iranian national studying in a Shiite seminary in Najaf, another shrine city around 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of Baghdad. The authorities responded by closing the land borders with Iran and banning the entry of foreign nationals travelling from the Islamic republic and other affected countries. This week, they even took the exceptionally rare step of closing Najaf's Imam Ali mausoleum. The site is one of the holiest sites for Shiite Muslims, who flock there to kiss and caress the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law. Until October, the city hosted more than 5,000 visitors per day, 85 percent of them Iranians, said Saeb Abu Ghneim, head of the city's association for hotels and restaurants. "Najaf had 350 hotels. At least 300 have closed and those that remain open have a five to 10 percent occupancy rate," he told AFP. The virus itself has yet to hit Karbala, halfway to Baghdad, but the city has not been spared the fallout. "Religious tourism in Karbala is currently zero," said Sahib Zaman, deputy head of the city's chamber of commerce. "No money is coming in. No tourists are coming because of the situation." The novel coronavirus is just the latest disaster to strike religious tourism in Iraq's Shiite holy cities. US sanctions against Tehran, the plummeting Iranian rial and tit-for-tat bombings between Washington and Iran on Iraqi soil had forced cash-strapped pilgrims to stay home. Ahead of the Arbaeen commemoration in October, Iraq had scrapped visa fees for cash-strapped Iranian nationals to boost their numbers. But mass anti-government protests in Baghdad and Iraq's south starting that month further hit visitor numbers. "There have been demonstrations and violence, American sanctions against Iran, the devaluation of the Iranian rial," Najaf official Abu Ghneim said. "Just when tourism just started to pick up again, we had a case of an Iranian infected with coronavirus." Fear of the virus has left Najaf's streets deserted and schools closed. The only crowds are in pharmacies, where people flock to buy disinfectants and medical masks. In the street leading to the Imam Ali shrine, waiters stood outside restaurants, eagerly trying to convince a few passing pilgrims to come inside. "It's fresh, it's fresh!" one of them shouted. A Najaf resident said the same street had been packed with pilgrims before the protests, with restaurants full and waiters scrambling to take never-ending orders. For Shiite cleric Fadel al-Bdeiri, the tourism downturn is a sign that Iraq should wean itself off Iranian dependance. "The Iraqi community, especially in Najaf, pinned great hopes on Iran, so they opened hotels for Iranians and didn't buy any goods except from Iran", he told AFP. But the rupture in trade and travel between the two countries has shattered Najaf's economy, he said. "Iraqis thought that Iranians would stay forever... this was a mistake. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk Government Portal Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk stated that he did not write the resignation letter and did not discuss this issue with President Volodymyr Zelensky. I wrote no letters and did not discuss any issues with the president, Honcharuk said. According to the PM, the government continues to work as usual. Meanwhile, Hocharuk noted that he met businessman Serhiy Tihipko. I reviewed over 20 persons last month. We really need to strengthen government by some advisors or some positions who understand well what the industry is, he added. Earlier, media published information that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky might appoint businessman Serhiy Tihipko as Prime Minister of Ukraine instead of Oleksiy Hocharuk. Later, Zelensky confirmed that he held a meeting with Serhiy Tihipko concerning the work in the government. According to the Ukrainian president, he holds interviews with many people. On January 15, Honcharuk found himself in the wiretapping scandal; Ukrainian media leaked the embarrassing conversation among Honcharuk, ministers of his Cabinet, members of the President's Office and National Bank officials. The interlocutors discussed the ways how to explain President Zelensky's pros and cons of the declining dollar exchange rate. Apparently, the officials referred to Zelensky's poor economic education. On January 17, Honcharuk filed the resignation letter to President Zelensky. However, the Ukrainian president rejected the resignation of premier. Despite the steady stream of thousands of desperate people fleeing the violence in Idleb, no new camps are being set up to protect the vulnerable people reports Alsouria Net. With hundreds of thousands of displaced people reaching the Syrian-Turkish border over the last few weeks, and a large number of them remaining out in the open despite the low temperatures and the presence of women and children, a number of questions have emerged about the reasons for the shortcomings of the humanitarian organizations, both local and international, in terms of coping with the disaster and securing tents and food aid for the displaced people. With tens of thousands of people from the Idleb and Aleppo countrysides arriving in the Afrin area and the Euphrates Shield area, as well as villages in northern Idleb, a large number of them have not been able to find temporary shelter, according to a number of sources on the ground, contacted by Alsouria Net in these areas. Alaa Nanoua, one of those recently displaced from the village of Maarat al-Nasaan in the Idleb countryside to the city of Afrin in the northwestern Aleppo countryside, claims that the mosques and temporary shelter centers and schools are filled with displaced people, and they have no housing, which caused him to go back with his family to the Atmeh camp and to set up with all his relatives in one tent. A number of humanitarian organizations have been prevented by some local agencies from opening up new camps, claiming that Turkey intends to return these people to their areas. Atef Nanoua, head of the Molham Volunteering Team, said in a post on Facebook on Feb. 13, 2020, that there had been a decision not to set up camps in the northern Syrian cities. He added, Unfortunately we do not have anything. There has been a decision not to set up camps in the cities of northern Syria, and there has been no pressure from the notables in these cities, to protect our people from the displaced areas. Nanoua laid the blame on humanitarian organizations for ignoring the suffering of thousands of civilians and a lack of pressure on decision makers, saying, The directors of the NGOs fear for their organizations licenses. The heads of the local councils fear for their positions. We have been prevented from setting up tents on our land. Regarding the reasons for stopping new tents from being set up for displaced people, Ahmed Abu Shaar, head of programming in the Molham team, said that the recent disaster was beyond the capabilities of the local humanitarian organizations, while the international organizations need a long time to respond to new disasters because of the major amounts of bureaucracy that governs their work. Abu Shaar told Alsouria Net that the reasons for the lack of mobilization to build new housing were due to the fact that, setting up camps in the Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield areas needs approval from the Turks, and they have not given that yet. He said that these areas, have not seen any new camps set up, despite the huge number of displaced. The aid activist continued: With regards to Idleb province, the lack of funding is the main reason that prevents the NGOs from setting up new camps. Each camp needs a major amount of money, beginning with renting the land, and then up to sewage networks, putting gravel on the ground, and other expenses that are beyond the local NGOs capabilities. Means of pressure In the same context, an aid official working in a humanitarian organization active in northern Syria discussed the obstacles put in place by the Salvation Government, with pressure from Turkey not to set up new camps for displaced people near the Turkish-Syrian border. The official, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said that the Salvation Governments agency for affairs related to displaced people, responsible for humanitarian issues, had prevented the group from working and setting up a new camp, composed of 500 tents near the Atmeh village, on the pretext of not having completed a study. The official added that this problem was faced by a number of NGOs recently, and attributed the reason to an attempt by the Salvation Government to put pressure on Turkey and to send newly displaced people to the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch areas to find a solution for the current situation. The aid official said that some informal tents, which had been set up by some displaced people in informal areas were removed and that their owners were asked to go to new places. The Humanitarian Response Coordinators team said in a statement on Thursday that nine displaced civilians in the camps in northern Syria had died from the brutal cold and poor heating. 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. Private equity giant Blackstone has snapped up a student housing firm for 4.7billion in one of the UK's biggest ever property deals. The US company is buying London-based IQ from Goldman Sachs and the Wellcome Trust as demand for university accommodation surges in response to the growing number of students. Britain is the second-largest market for rooms outside North America, with about 140 universities attended by 2.4m undergraduates and post-graduates. Blackstone is buying London-based IQ from Goldman Sachs and the Wellcome Trust as demand for university accommodation surges in response to the growing number of students It has prompted estate agent Knight Frank to recently value the sector at a staggering 50billion. IQ was started in 2006, with Wellcome as one of the founding investors, and merged with Goldman Sachs' student housing business in 2016. It owns 28,000 beds and has another 4,000 more in the pipeline. The takeover is thought to be the second-largest property deal ever in the UK, after the 5.8billion takeover of Songbird Estates in 2014, Goldman Sachs said. James Seppala, head of Europe real estate at Blackstone, said: 'British higher education is globally renowned and we are delighted to invest meaningful capital to support IQ's further growth.' Property firms have turned to Britain's budding build-to-rent sector as traditional home building and selling falters. Student housing is seen as particularly lucrative, with universities predicting an increase of around 171,000 attendees over the next four years. That has prompted a string of deals, including IQ competitor Unite's takeover of Liberty Living Group for 1.4billion last year. The IQ sale comes after Blackstone said it would use cash from a 11billion Saudi-backed infrastructure fund to invest in Britain. IQ's portfolio is mainly in London, where it is the largest owner of student accommodation. It also owns sites in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Its swish private rooms are a far cry from those that most graduates would have lived in during their university days. Many have private bathrooms or kitchens, and facilities include gyms, games rooms, private cinemas and luxury community areas. One 'platinum' studio in London was yesterday going for 2,752 per month. It includes a double bed, television, dining table and chairs, study desk, kitchenette with dishwasher, underfloor heating, wi-fi and bathroom. Blackstone's takeover of IQ is expected to give it even more financial firepower to expand. Rob Roger, IQ chief executive, said: 'With student numbers in the UK at an all-time high, and growth set to continue in the coming years, there has never been a more exciting time to be a leading player in the sector.' Aaron Walker, financial advisor, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Feb. 26, 2020. (NTD Television) SALT LAKE CITYA memorable Valentines Day came late for Aaron Walker and his wife who purchased tickets to Shen Yun Performing Arts on Feb. 14, 2020, and attended the classical Chinese dance performance on Feb. 26. Walker is a financial advisor who works for the Bank of Utah Investments Center. He loved seeing New York-based Shen Yun, felt grateful that they chose to come to Salt Lake, and even lamented the fact that the show he saw that evening could not be seen again once its 2021 season begins next year because it creates all-new choreography, stories, and music each season. I loved the colors, the pastels. And the costumes were beautiful. I loved the way that the dancing was so flowing and energetic, how it seamlessly brought together the strength of the Chinese culture and yet at the same time brought together the beauty of it as well. I really enjoyed the performance and the music, Walker said. It really moved me. I was really moved by the performance. The persecution one I found that very moving, he added, pointing out one particular story. Walkers initial feedback about Shen Yun almost completely describes the companys mission, which is to revive Chinas traditional culture, from its ancient heavenly legends to its modern-day spiritual practices that espouse moral principles and divine beliefs. The portrayal of persecution Walker refers to is contained in a few of the vignettes Shen Yun presents. Ever since the Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949, they have sought to wipe out Chinas authentic spirituality. This effort continues with the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners today, which Shen Yun includes in its storytelling dances. Walker related to these stories of persecuted faithful and recognized it as a deeply human experience. Its very moving. Its a very moving art form. I think that when you touch the human heart in a way that other cultures it brings people together because they, we all have human experiences. Were all part of the human family and I feel like when the spiritual part is brought into a performance like it is in Shen Yun, it really is a moving experience. I was really moved by it. Im sad that I dont get to see the same performance next year because I hear that every year they change their performance and update their choreography. And thats an amazing thing that they can do that every year, Walker said. Shen Yuns artistic director composes anew each season the classical music that accompanies the performance. Shen Yuns orchestra is unique in the world for deftly blending a familiar Western orchestral sound with expressive Chinese instruments and melodies. I was amazed that they were able to incorporate it so seamlessly, Walker said about Shen Yuns orchestra. I didnt hardly notice it except when I looked down at the orchestra box and saw the unique instruments there and saw how well that was brought into the performance. Lastly, Walker was deeply touched by Shen Yuns spiritual themes and ideas. Acknowledgment of the Creator and the legend that Hell one day return to earth appears in Shen Yun since its artists carry on that ancient Chinese belief. It was remarkable. Im a very spiritual person and I think a lot of people are spiritually connected in one way or another. Especially through their chosen religion, he said, adding that he found it remarkable to see unique connections between the ancient Chinese spirituality and his own church and religion. Walker said it was a joyful realization for him. And the fact that it was brought through music as well as dance, was a very moving experience for me. I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and Im so grateful that Shen Yun took the time to come out here and present it to Salt Lake. Im grateful that they are able to take parts of the ancient culture of dance, and tumbling, and music and instruments and bring it all together into one great act, Walker said. With reporting by NTD Television and Brett Featherstone. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. BEIRUT In the Middle East, even virus outbreaks are political. The coronavirus has killed 26 people in Iran the highest toll outside of China where it originated. Many of the over 240 confirmed cases in the region have links to Iran, including dozens in Kuwait and Bahrain, six in Iraq and two in Lebanon. That spread has put renewed scrutiny on Tehran, with many of its regional foes blaming it for mishandling the outbreak. In sharp contrast to Europe, were countries kept borders with Italy open despite a cluster of virus cases there, Irans neighbors have all announced measures to cut links with the country, either completely closing their borders and suspending air traffic or limiting travel. In an extraordinary move that reflects the growing concern, Saudi Arabia on Thursday banned foreign pilgrims from entering the kingdom to visit Islams holiest sites in Mecca. As the virus spreads, so has the criticism directed at Iran. But it has fallen along familiar political fault lines, with regional politics shaping the accusations. In the Gulf countries where anti-Iran sentiment runs high, Saudi-funded media was quick to blame Iran. Something is rotten in the state of Persia: the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaging in a large-scale cover-up of the coronavirus epidemic that could wreak misery on the lives of millions, wrote Mohammed Alyahya, the editor-in-chief of Al-Arabiya English outlet based in Dubai. He added: This is not a government that can be trusted to tell the truth, even when lives are at stake. One Dubai-based newspaper wrongly claimed in a front-page headline that all cases of the new coronavirus in the region came from the Islamic Republic. That would be convenient for the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms home to Dubai whose 13 coronavirus cases predominantly trace back to China. The UAE has projected the Chinese flag on the worlds tallest building and ensured long-haul flights by local carriers Etihad and Emirates continue to Beijing even as other airlines stopped flying to mainland China. Thats in part due to hopes that Chinese tourists and investments will help the countrys ailing real estate market and wider economy as oil prices remain low. Blaming Iran for the outbreak increases Irans isolation and also comes as both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have encouraged the harder line against Tehran that has been taken by U.S. President Donald Trump. In countries like Iraq and Lebanon, where politicians and public opinion are sharply split between pro- and anti-Iran camps, the reaction has been predictable. Many Lebanese who support an Iran-allied political coalition led by the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah group have remained silent on the issue, while some backers of rival groups blame Tehran for the spread of the virus into the country. Thank you, Iran, for allowing a jet carrying people infected with coronavirus to enter our airspace. Is this the way countries cooperate and is this the help that your promised Lebanon? said the editorial of the local MTV station, a harsh critic of Hezbollah. The countrys two coronavirus cases are two Lebanese women who returned home on a Feb. 20 flight from Qom, the Iranian city hit hardest by the virus. Critics assailed Tehran and the Hezbollah-supported Lebanese government for allowing the plane to land in Beirut. Protesters picketed the Health Ministry on Wednesday, urging authorities to ban flights from countries with high infection rates. Hezbollahs deputy secretary general Naim Kassem hit back, saying that politicizing the outbreak is immoral and that only people with no conscience or humanity would do so. In neighboring Iraq, where anti-government protesters have also been railing against Irans heavy-handed political influence in their country, many people have expressed open resentment at Tehrans handling of the crisis as well as the performance of their own Iran-allied caretaker government. The government closed Iraqs borders to Iranian nationals after an Iranian religious student tested positive for the virus in the Shiite holy city of Najaf this week, but kept the frontier open to Iraqis. Since then, four more members of the same family in the northern city of Kirkuk and a young man in the capital of Baghdad have tested positive after returning from Iran. We sympathize with the Iranian people from a humanitarian point of view, but we will not sympathize with the Iranian government no matter what, said Muhammad Baqir, a 22-year-old protester from Najaf. Iran did not offer anything to Iraq. All it did is steal and support militias and now it is exporting viruses, he added, saying the outbreak is sure to blunt the momentum of Iraqs protest movement over contagion fears. Ihsan al-Shammari, an Iraqi political analyst, said the outbreak came at a time when Iraqis already were demonstrating against Iranian interference in their country. The appearance of the coronavirus and its arrival in Iraq via Iran exacerbates this anger and serves as yet another catalyst against Iran, he said. Afghanistan confirmed its first coronavirus case Monday, and the victim had crossed into the country from Iran over the border into Herat province. There was general anger and blame that the government in Kabul was not doing enough to protect its citizens. Shakeb Soroush, a 21-year-old university student in Kabul, said both China and Iran were careless and didnt act quickly enough to halt the spread of the virus but we cant blame them for everything. While Afghanistan has closed its borders with Iran, Soroush said there were unofficial crossing points that are not under government control. We are so concerned that the death toll could rise here because we dont have enough facilities, he added. ___ Associated Press writers Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and Rahim Faiez in Kabul, Afghanistan, contributed. Oil prices could bounce around between $50 and $70 through 2025, with both demand growth and supply growth slowing, according to a new report. The oil market faces a steep supply surplus in the near-term due to the coronavirus and the prospect of demand destruction and economic deceleration. But the U.S. shale industry likely wont rebound from its current slump, at least not to the explosive growth rates of recent years, keeping supply in check. Shale production economics in the US continue to point to a Brent price floor around $50/bbl or a WTI price floor of $45/bbl, Bank of America Merrill Lynch wrote in its report. In other words, shale drillers cannot make money below $50 per barrel. By the same token, shale will grow with WTI $65 per barrel or higher, the bank said. But others have warned that this isnt just a cyclical downturn the shale industrys blistering growth rate may be over. Schlumbergers CEO Olivier Le Peuch sees U.S. shale growth slowing to between 600,000 and 700,000 bpd this year before falling to 200,000 bpd in 2021. Beyond that, it could plateau and not return to growth, Le Peuch told Reuters. Shale production growth will go to a new normal...unless technology helps us crack the code, he said. Given that the industry is roughly $150 billion in hole over the past decade, the elusive promise of some future technology to crack the code, seems speculative. Shales best days may be in the past. Related: How Cobalt Could Fuel Hydrogen Adoption The latest EIA data shows production set to decline in March in all major basins aside from the Permian, with the Anadarko basin in Oklahoma, for example, expected to lose 10,000 bpd. The Anadarko basin is expected to lose 16,000 bpd in February. Meanwhile, pressure on global finance to back away from fossil fuels is likely to only grow. [E]nvironmental risks will start to impact energy asset values in a meaningful way, further reducing investment and setting the stage for increased oil price uncertainty in the years ahead, Bank of America said. Big banks have already announced a slew of new financing restrictions on oil sands, Arctic oil, and coal. A new campaign by environmentalists called Stop the Money Pipeline aims to ratchet up the pressure on banks, insurance companies, institutional investors and asset managers to shut off the financial spigot to oil and gas drillers. Its still early days on this front. For shale companies built on a mountain of debt, slower production and negative cash flow will push a lot of drillers under water and unable to avoid bankruptcy. Already, there have been more than 200 bankruptcies in the North American oil and gas sector since 2015, according to Haynes and Boone. More are inevitable. So, slowing U.S. shale could keep global supply growth in check. But peak demand also looms. In its report, Bank of America Merrill Lynch says that demand will peak by 2030. By that year, roughly 35 percent of global auto sales will be electric, the bank says, up from 5 percent today. By 2050, EVs will capture virtually 100 percent of the market. In other words, a switch to electric vehicles starting in the early 2020s would be strong enough to cause demand to peak within a decade, Bank of America said. Related: 3 Energy Sectors Most Threatened By The Coronavirus The bank said that global demand growth could slow from 1.35 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2021 to just 0.59 mb/d in 2025. Ultimately, then, that means that both supply growth and demand growth are slowing, which is a bad equation for a sector that needs to continually grow in order for a lot of the finances to make sense. The finances of shale E&Ps, as previously mentioned, are already a mess. But OPEC, too, faces a conundrum. Bank of America assumes that the cartel continues to cede market share in order to prevent oil prices from falling. The group could cut deeper this year, and then be stuck at those production levels through the middle of the decade, the investment bank said. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. No major incident was reported from the North East district of the national capital in the last 36 hours, the Union Home Ministry said late on Thursday evening, adding that 514 suspects were either arrested or detained for questioning. The ministry issued a statement around 10 PM after Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation in the violence-hit parts of the city in a meeting with seniors officials and the top police brass. The ministry stated that the situation is slowly returning to normal and the prohibitory orders under Section 144 will be relaxed for a total of 10 hours on Friday in view of the improvement in the ground situation. Till now, 48 FIRs, pertaining to clashes, loss of lives or property, etc., have already been registered and further FIRs would be registered in due course. Further arrests would also be effected in the course of the investigation. The Delhi Police has separately set up two SITs for investigating serious offences. Nearly 7,000 Central Para-Military Forces have been deployed in the affected areas of North-East District since February 24. Besides, Delhi Police has also deployed three Special CPs, six Joint CPs, one Additional CP, 22 DCPs, 20 ACPs, 60 Inspectors, 1,200 other ranks and 200 Lady Police under the overall supervision of Commissioner of Police to effectively guide and supervise Police response so as to contain and normalise the situation. The MHA citizens have been requested not to lay credence to any rumour. Delhi Police has set up helplines--22829334 and 22829335--for round-the-clock assistance. "Two Security personnel sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to restore law and order. Besides, nearly 70 Police personnel and senior officers have been injured in these unfortunate incidents. Adequate steps have been taken to ensure medical support to the injured," added the MHA. "As a confidence-building measure among different sections of the society, Delhi Police has started holding Peace Committee Meetings across Delhi to normalise the situation and improve inter-community harmony. Such Peace Committee Meetings would continue till situation normalises. So far, nearly 330 Peace Committee Meetings have been organised in various districts of Delhi in the last two days. Apart from this, meeting with Residents Welfare Associations (RWA) and Market Welfare Associations (MWA) have also been convened in several areas. Such Peace Committee/RWA/MWA has been attended by different sections of the society including Civil Society Groups, representatives of different political parties including Congress, AAP, BJP, etc.," added the Ministry. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation has already initiated steps to clean the streets and repair damaged public properties in riot-affected areas. Other civic agencies are also ensuring the civic amenities to the citizens is restored as soon as possible. Movement of traffic on the highway and connecting roads is returning to normal. 12 Police Stations out of the 203 PSs in Delhi (about 4.2% of the geographical area) have been affected by these riots, while normalcy and communal harmony has prevailed elsewhere in the national capital. Three communities where the groundwater was contaminated by firefighting foams used on defence force bases until the early 2000s have reached an "in-principle" settlement with the federal government in separate class actions. Residents of Oakey in Queenslands Darling Downs, Williamtown in NSW and Katherine in the Northern Territory had brought actions against the Defence department, claiming it was liable for resulting issues including lowered land values. Aviation rescue and firefighting training exercises involving toxic foam in 1998. Credit:United Firefighters Union The contamination had been found to stem from the use of firefighting foams containing per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances which accumulate in the soil. Authorities in the United States have linked similar chemicals to health issues in laboratory animals. Investigations have previously uncovered cancer-clusters there and in Australia. Saudi Arabia bans religious visits to Mecca and Medina over coronavirus fears The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia suspended visas for pilgrims visiting the Kingdom and Mecca or Medina for the purpose of 'Umrah or visiting the Prophets Mosque. Umrah is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca undertaken by thousands of Muslims from all over the globe each month, throughout the year. #Statement | Proactive Preventive Measures to Prevent the Arrival of the New Coronavirus (#COVID19) to the Kingdom pic.twitter.com/fuBAWq19Du Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) February 26, 2020 In a statement it issued the ministry said that they have been following developments of the virus for some time and are implementing approved international standards as a proactive preventive measure to prevent the arrival and spread of the new coronavirus (Covid-19) to the Kingdom. The ministrys statement revealed that it will also suspending: Entry for those travelling into the Kingdom with a tourist visa, if they have come from countries where the virus has been spreading. Saudi nationals and citizens of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council with national identity cards from travelling to and from the Kingdom, with the exception of Saudis who are abroad. Visas for tourists visiting from countries where the new virus is a "danger". 'The Kingdom affirms that these procedures are temporary, and is subject to continuous evaluation by the competent authorities, the statement said adding that these precautions are based on on the recommendations of the competent health authorities. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm#CoronaVirus#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/TEYvIW1Wbd Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) February 26, 2020 Stating that it is taking efforts to provide the utmost protection to the safety of citizens and residents,the foreign ministry of Saudi Arabia called on its citizens not to travel to countries where the new Covid-19 is spreading. Even as the epicentre of the disease in China reports a decline in the number of fresh cases, Iran is emerging as a coronavirus hotspot in the region, where 15 people are reported to have succumbed to Covid-19. Aaron Brady, who denies the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, told his girlfriend to "tell the truth" after she lied to police officers about his whereabouts on the night of the shooting, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Jessica King told the trial that she initially did not tell police the truth because Mr Brady was on bail and under curfew and she didn't want to get him into trouble. She later realised "what this was about" and when she spoke to Mr Brady on the phone he told her: "Go in and change that and tell the truth". Ms King also described Mr Brady as a "messer" and "a bit cheeky" and said he was always "smiling and joking". She said he came to her house the night of the shooting and was the same as always. She agreed with defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC that there was no "bother on him". She further revealed that when Mr Brady told her he had work that night from 8pm to 10pm she presumed he meant he was working in a diesel laundering yard near her home in south Armagh. Mr Brady (29) from New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh has pleaded not (NOT) guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Donohoe (41) who was then a member of An Garda Siochana on active duty shortly before 9.30pm on January 25, 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. Mr Brady has also pleaded not (NOT) guilty to a charge of robbing approximately e7,000 in cash and assorted cheques on the same date and at the same location. Ms King told Lorcan Staines SC for the prosecution that she started going out with Mr Brady around September 2012. On the 24 January 2013 she said she went to Ridley's nightclub in Dundalk with some friends. Her friend's boyfriend picked them up and they collected Mr Brady along the way but he was "annoyed" that she was wearing "a boy's hat" and wanted to know where she got it from. She said she had expected that they would go for a house party on nearby Lough Road where Mr Brady sometimes stayed with friends but instead he was dropped off and she went home. The following day they put the argument behind them and in a series of text exchanges he told her he was working that night loading a lorry. She understood him to mean he was working in the diesel laundering yard on Concession Road. She said she later deleted some of those messages before handing her phone to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) because she "knew things were a bit more serious" and she was "afraid of getting him in trouble with the diesel and the curfew and I just panicked." That evening Jade Fitzpatrick called to Ms King's home on Concession Road and they spent the evening in Ms King's bedroom watching a film and looking at shoes on the internet. At 22.47 that night she received a text from a second phone belonging to Mr Brady saying: "You awake babes.. Sorry other phone went dead couldn't text you." She also missed a call from the same number and she texted him back to say she was awake. He asked if he could call over and she said, yeah. He arrived a short time later, came up to her room and they watched a movie. "We probably had the craic and that was it," she said. At one point she said Mr Brady went downstairs and came back and said he had seen on the news about the garda who was shot. He didn't say anything else about it, she said. Mr Brady left at between 2am and 3am when his friend, who drives a BMW, collected him. The witness could not remember if Mr Brady was communicating with anyone else while he was in her house. He was wearing a Liverpool jumper, jeans, white Air Mac runners and his hair was gelled, she added. She later noticed that Mr Brady had left behind his second phone and texted him to let him know. The following day she missed a call from Mr Brady's main phone at 13.33 and received a text from him saying "ring me" at 13.41. When she spoke to him he said he had been stopped by the gardai at a checkpoint. He said roads were closed off and it "could be to do with what had happened at the credit union". He told her he and his friend were questioned about it and he asked her to say that he was at her house "a bit earlier and left a bit earlier in case I get in trouble with the curfew". Members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland called to Ms King's house and asked if she was Mr Brady's girlfriend and what time he was at her house. She told them he arrived at 19.30 and left at 21.30. She said: "I was afraid of getting him in trouble over the curfew and I didn't realise what it was about." She said she later corrected the times to the gardai. When asked why she said: "We had realised what this was all about and Aaron said to me on the phone, 'go in and change that and tell the truth.'" Mr Brady arrived at Ms King's home some time around 11pm and left, she said, at about 2.30am. Ms King also spoke about a phone conversation she had with Mr Brady after he had moved to America. She had been told something about a stolen car that he was involved with some years earlier, before he knew her. She said she was angry about it and he told her he was "a part of it" but named two other men who he said had stolen the car. He said he hadn't ever been in the car and didn't steal the keys for the car. Asked what would have happened if she thought he was involved in that kind of thing she said: "I wouldn't be with him. He knew that. I just think he knew I wouldn't put up with something like that." Under cross examination Ms King told Michael O'Higgins SC for the defence that in January 2013 there had been a plan that Mr Brady would buy Ms King's sister's car and give it to her. She said this had caused "hassle" as her parents "weren't too thrilled about the car being bought between sisters". She was, she said, "sick and tired of the car" and by mid-January had decided there was not going to be any deal with the car. She further agreed with Mr O'Higgins that Mr Brady had emphasised the need for her to tell the truth about the times when he arrived and left her house. Jessica's mother Alison King told Brendan Grehan SC for the prosecution that she remembered Mr Brady arriving that night while she was watching the Late Late Show. She thought that he left at about 2.45am. One juror of the 15 who were sworn was discharged today and the trial continues in front of Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of seven men and seven women. Seoul social welfare fundraiser revealed that the long-term couple had donated 100 million Korean won or about 83,000 USD from each of them. The donations, according to Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah are not only for the prevention of the widespread occurrence of the virus but also for the people who have already been diagnosed and have no means to pay for medical confinement and treatment. The organization added that as the numbers of people who get affected rise, the prices for the necessary equipment to protect them rise as well. There is an increase in demand for face masks, vitamins, and sanitizers but the supplies are becoming more and more limited. As a result, the prices surge. Unfortunately, the people who have been diagnosed to have COVID-19 are from lower-class families as well. The couple's donation is a big help not just to these people but to society as a whole. These donations will be used to buy masks and sanitizers to be given freely to the public. Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah are one of the most beloved Korean celebrity couple in the world, and it's easy to know why. They have also been dating for 5 years already and some are hinting that the couple may get married anytime soon. This is all the regurgitation of a slam against me that the former mayor brought up in his trial trying to save himself, Stidham said in June, adding he and Glass were obviously in a relationship so it doesnt always appear the greatest. We were married and it was done. The Khojaly genocide, perpetrated by Armenian nationalists at the end of the 20th century, became one of the gravest crimes against humanity. The Khojaly residents became victims of nationalist illegal armed groups who fought against the Republic of Azerbaijan and hired, in particular, the second battalion of the former Soviet motorized rifle 366th regiment under the command of Seyran Ohanyan. External forces were also involved in unleashing and prolonging the Karabakh conflict. At the same time, there are many people in Armenia and among the Armenians of the Diaspora who condemn the genocide of Azerbaijanis in Khojaly. Unfortunately, this is not the only example in world history when people, under the influence of absurd nationalistic ideas, putting one nation above another / others, turn into nonhumans. Perhaps the dissemination of documentary evidence of illegal acts will help prevent new atrocities. The Vestnik Kavkaza invites you to familiarize yourself with the chapters from the book Khojaly through the Eyes of Eyewitnesses, which has become a valuable resource for studying the genocide and bringing the truth about it to the world community. Each of the surviving Khojaly residents has its own story. That nightmarish night is the apogee of pain and suffering, inescapable sadness, the tragedy of children, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, the angry cry of the incinerated fathers land, a wound gaping in our souls for years. From the stories of the surviving prisoners of Khojaly, blood runs cold. Yashar Shahmaly oglu Alimamedov was born in Khojaly on November 5, 1956. After graduating from school, he entered the Ganja Construction College, where he studied in the 1976-1979-ies. In 1982-1987 received a correspondence education at the Technical University in Tyumen. During the occupation of Khojaly, Yashar Alimamedov worked as the chief engineer for the construction of the Agroprom production association. His father, Shakhmaly Alimamedov, was a teacher with 50 years of experience. - After the Askeran events, we felt that Khojaly would become another target. Put up posts. The largest caliber weapons in our arsenal were machine guns. We were only helped by the detachment of the National hero Agil Guliyev, there was no more help. The city was defended by ordinary citizens. Three times I sent my family to Agjabadi and once to Yevlakh. After we were inseparable. We were already ashamed to send families to relatives. Khojaly only appropriated the status of a city, it was not believed that the invaders would decide to storm. On February 25, a roar of tanks and heavy artillery was heard. In the evening, at about 10 p.m., an assault began from the airport and a place called Alma Bugs. My brothers and I were in shifts at the post. At the time of the assault, I was at the 1st post, arranged on a railway track near the farm. The city was subjected to massive shelling from artillery shells. The invaders set fire to the airport, people rushed in all directions. On foot, nationalist units were advancing on the city. From everywhere, bullets rained down on us. There was no other way, it was necessary to leave. I hurried home. We left the house well after midnight ... Family scattered Some people hurried to take refuge in the forest, the rest fled along the banks of the Gargar River. I transferred my father across the river. Brother was at the post. I had to wait for him. We stood for quite some time, but he never showed up. After some time, the son-in-law said that a group of people was coming to us. Father was waiting for my sister. We decided not to go in a crowd, but to divide into groups. On one side of the river I walked with my family and several people, on the other - my father with a group of people. We agreed to meet at the mouth of the river. When everyone gathered, his father was gone. He stayed to wait for my brother and sister. The weather was frosty, snowdrifts were knee-deep. We were about 60-70 people, we walked up the forest. Having traveled a fairly large distance, we suddenly stumbled upon the invaders. They began to shoot, killing and injuring several of us, the rest hid in the forest. My son Siraj and I were on opposite sides. Nearby was my classmate Khuraman (with two children) and her brother, Rovshan. We hid in the bushes. Soon the shooting ceased. I climbed out of hiding and set off in search of a family. When the shooting started, Siraj was next to my brother Faik. Traces were visible everywhere in the snow, but there were no people anywhere. I hailed mine, my voice echoed. Out of despair, I cried out loudly, and the invaders re-opened fire. We rolled down. They suffered losses again - they were wounded and killed. Unable to stand, I looked up from our group, climbing up. By all means, I had to find my six-year-old son - dead or alive. My wife found me, walking barefoot in the snow 4-5 kilometers away The tracks above led right and left. I decided to go right. The snow was stained with blood. Suddenly I heard voices - three Khojaly people were talking. Together we managed to get out of the forest. We were walking towards the village, when suddenly a woman, noticing us, began to vote Turks, Turks. I had to leave. The invaders fired after us. Falling into the snowdrifts, we walked about five kilometers at night and got lost. They stuffed their mouths with snow to suppress hunger and thirst. Suddenly there was a rustling sound behind. Turning around, I saw my wife, asked where Siraj was. She said that during the skirmish, his son was in Faiks arms, fleeing from the bullets, fleeing scattered. My wife was looking for me, having walked many kilometers barefoot in the snow. I quickly cut my waistcoat, tearing her frozen legs into a patchwork. We set off on a journey. Snowdrifts were knee-deep. Having exhausted themselves after a long journey, they decided to arrange a halt at the hillock. All night until the morning we hit our feet in the ground, so as not to freeze. The next morning we found footprints in the snow leading down. After walking a little, we saw two behind the hill. As soon as he saw us, one of them hid. Another began to show the way to Agdam. I immediately realized that these were invaders. But still, yielding to the assurances of Kamil, who believed that it was ours, he went in the direction indicated by them. Soon we were surrounded. Hiding in the forest failed. Launching the landing in white robes, the invaders captured us. Blindfolded, we were taken on a country road. One Armenian, crying, brought us food, but she was so hit that the woman fell face down. The bread brought by her was crushed. We lost consciousness from the beatings We were brought into the stall. Among the captives were my father, father-in-law, brothers Faik and Namik, son of Siraj. They searched us, then monstrous tortures began. It was a real nightmare. Before our eyes, people were killed, scalped and burned. Blindfold was unbearable to watch. Then they gathered half-dead women with frostbitten legs into the car, apparently hoping to exchange them. Among them was my wife. They also wanted to send Siraj with the women, but the boy screamed heart-rendingly dad, dad! And they left him with me. In captivity, we were brutally beaten with butts, clubs, glands. We lost consciousness from the beatings. Each time my son threw himself at me in tears, begging the executioners not to beat me. In captivity, they broke my nose, fingers, burnt my hand. Our legs were frostbitten. Having placed an automatic machine, the tormentors forced us to stand for four hours on one leg. Poking me in the ground, they condemned: you wanted this land, for now, eat it. My brother Namik spoke Russian, so the secretary of the Askeran region Sasha Fomin took him as a driver. The Armenians knew him well. Arriving at the farm, they immediately took Namik. Until now, nothing is known about him. Before our eyes, the nationalists killed two twin brothers of the Meskhetian Turks. We were held captive for two days. The Armenians wanted to take Siraj from me, but with all my strength I pressed the baby to me. Somehow, completely exhausted from severe beatings, he released his son from his hands. Looking at Siraj, one of my offenders said in Armenian: what a good boy, he should be sent to Yerevan. The child was dragged out in tears. I rushed after him, but a strong blow knocked me down. From helplessness I began to sob. Then a man named Samvel came in. He lived in Askeran, doing car repairs. I always gave him to repair his car. Seeing me, he came closer. He promised to help get out of here and return my son. Looking around me, Samvel burst into tears and went out. After a while, he brought Siraj in his arms. The son was torn from crying. Clutching it to my chest, I sobbed like a baby. After a couple of hours, Samvel came again, ordering him to pack up. He intended to exchange us. I objected that my brothers and other relatives were here, but he was adamant. Samvel categorically stated that only me and Siraj could take out. We were put in an UAZ, jam-packed with captive women and children. They wanted to torture me in front of my son Samvel drove us in the Askeran direction. We were stopped at the post. Around were Russian soldiers. Everyone vied with each other that they would kill us here. My employee, named Garik, grinned maliciously, saying: Bah, Yashar, what people! And you said, our Karabakh, see now whose is it ?! Your house is now mine. Everything here is ours. We were pushed into UAZ again and taken along Khojaly. The road was littered with corpses, blood flowed in a river. The occupiers looted. The prisoners were driven into the premises of a kindergarten in Arminevan, in Askeran. The invaders alternately came in, insulted us, and beat us. Then we were taken to the bullpen. A man named Karo, who worked as the head of the fire department in Askeran, recognized me. He said that he would certainly get even with me because I supposedly once threw a stone at him, cutting his head. I was dragged into a room. Everything here was in blood. I immediately realized that this was a torture room. Karo was bursting with the urge to kill me. Siraj gripped me in fear. Karo hit him so that the poor child flew away a couple of meters, losing consciousness. He put the barrel of a gun to my head. At that moment I wanted to die. Most of all I was afraid that my son would be killed before my eyes, I certainly would not have endured it. The man standing near Caro hit me from behind in the neck. I crashed to the floor. He grabbed my hair and began struggling to clatter my shoulder blades. Then their commander Vitaly Balasanyan came in, making me flat on the floor. We worked with him in a restaurant, grew up together (they say that he rose to the rank of general in Armenia). He told Caro to stop torture, dragged me and transferred me to another room where Siraj was. Suddenly, shots were heard. It turns out that Karo, angry that he could not complete what he had begun, decided to throw his anger at my brother Faik. After torture, he shot him in the neck and heart. Faik was only 23 years old. He was a student. The next morning, Vitaly said that they were taking me to exchange. There were about twenty of us. They led us through the ranks of soldiers. Who kicked, who beat us with sticks and butts, pricked with bayonets, knives. I just did that put forward his hands, blocking his son. Limbs were taken away from the blows. Somehow we were loaded into a car, taken to Agdam and handed over to ours. March 2, we were saved from captivity. Faik was buried in Agdam. His grave remained in the lands occupied by Armenians. Namik went missing. For some time we lived in Agdam, then we moved to Yevlakh. Now they have found refuge in the village of Agjakend, Geranboy district. The Khojaly tragedy claimed the lives of my brothers, two cousins, aunt and her daughter. The legs were amputated by the test. As soon as it gets colder, my legs are taken away, recalling the horrors of that unfortunate night. Mom cried out her eyes over her sons - Namik and Faik, the unfortunate woman went blind and died. Sorry, I cant talk ... The narrative resurrected in memory of our interlocutor the scenes of grief experienced by him. Retelling the events of those days, tears came to his eyes. The cherished dream of Yashar Alimamedov is to visit the grave of his brother in Agdam at least a day before his death, to see Khojaly for the last time, scoop up a handful of his native land and kiss it. Inflation at 7% in December; highest rate in 40 years PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Reel World Story Time Motion picture writer/ director/ producer (Beethoven, The Flintstones, Jingle All the Way, Snow Dogs, Are We There Yet?) and occasional University of New Mexico instructor Brian Levant started his Sitcom Boot Camp at UNM three years ago. The annual six-week class allows a small number of students to create, develop, rewrite (and rewrite and rewrite) an original half-hour, network-style pilot for a situation comedy. This Thursday, Feb. 27, Levants students are set to show off their skills by staging a live reading of this years finished sitcom script, Showdown in Lobo Village. The readingwhich also happens to be the class final examtakes place from 7 to 8:30pm at the Elizabeth Waters Center for Dance (located inside Carlisle Gym on UNMs Main Campus). Students and local professional actors have been tapped to participate. Levant says the popular annual event showcases his pride in the quality of UNMs fast-expanding Film & Digital Arts Department, and he promises that this years reading will be a rousing show. This event is open to the public. Admission is free. View in Alibi calendar Straight From the Source Jennifer Jenkins, an English professor at the University of Arizona, will be at the Museum of International Folk Art on Sunday, March 1 from 2 to 4:30pm to discuss her Tribesourcing Project. Tribesourcing is described as a digital humanities project where existing social studies films from the American Indian Film Gallery, made in the 1950s and 60s, are re-recorded with new narration by Native American community members and tribal elders. This tribesourcing method allows for identification and dissemination of local knowledge that might otherwise be lost. During the talk Jenkins will demonstrate how the merging of old video and new audio works on tribesourcing.com. The Museum of International Folk Art is located at 706 Camino Lego in Santa Fe. View in Alibi calendar Local + Independent The New Mexico Film Foundation teams up with the Jean Cocteau Cinema to present another local Indie Screening on Tuesday, March 3 from 7 to 9pm. In addition to offering a glimpse at more than 15 New Mexico filmmakers shorts, trailers and works in progress, this months Indie Screening will present this years winner of the George R.R. Martin Screenwriting Grant. Tickets to this event are $5. The Jean Cocteau Cinema is located at 418 Montezuma Ave. in Santa Fe. For more info go to nmfilmfoundation. org. View in Alibi calendar Muppet Man In conjunction with its ongoing Jim Henson exhibit, the Albuquerque Museum (2000 Mountain Rd. NW) screens the documentary Jim Henson in Performance this Wednesday, March 4, starting at 10am. The film focuses on Hensons talents as a performer, inhabiting such iconic characters as Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Ernie and the Swedish Chef. Rare archival footage illuminates the development and evolution of these classic Muppets and more. Museum Director Andrew Connors introduces the film and discusses Hensons cultural impact. Admission to the film is free. There is a $5 special exhibit surcharge to view The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited. View in Alibi calendar Chinese Scientist Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Stealing US Trade Secrets Worth Over $1 Billion A Chinese scientist was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for stealing more than $1 billion in trade secrets from his former employer, U.S. petroleum company Phillips 66, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced on Feb. 27. Tan Hongjin, 36, a Chinese national and U.S. permanent resident, was arrested in December 2018 and pleaded guilty last November to charges relating to stealing trade secrets after admitting to downloading research materials from Phillips 66 without authorization. While the company wasnt identified in the DOJ press release, it was named in court documents. The stolen information related to the manufacturing of an unspecified energy product estimated to be worth roughly $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion, according to an affidavit filed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Tan was an associate scientist for Phillips 66 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, from June 2017 to December 2018. He was assigned to work with a team to develop next-generation battery technologies for lithium-based battery systems. Lithium batteries are widely used in electronic gadgets such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets. The DOJ said Tan downloaded hundreds of files to a thumb drive on Dec. 11, 2018, and then submitted his resignation on the same day. The next day, he returned to the company, claiming that he had forgotten to hand over the thumb drive before leaving the company. It was discovered that five files had been deleted from the thumb drive. A subsequent FBI probe showed that Tan had downloaded them onto his personal computer hard drive. According to court documents, Tan told a co-worker at the company that he planned to return to China. Then, during the FBI investigation, the agency found on Tans laptop an employment agreement from a Chinese company that produces lithium-ion battery materials. Unscrupulous individuals like Hongjin Tan seek to steal American trade secrets to take home to China so they can replicate our technology, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores for the Northern District of Oklahoma said in a press release. The federal judge also ordered Tan to pay $150,000 in restitution and spend three years on probation following his release from prison. This investigation and prosecution uncovered another instance of Chinas persistent attempts to steal American intellectual property, U.S. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a press release. Phillips 66 didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. This prosecution is among a growing list of cases targeting Chinese state-sponsored theft of U.S. trade secrets. Earlier in February, a Texas man, Shi Shan, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being convicted of stealing U.S. marine technology to benefit China. The technology related to syntactic foam, which is a strong, lightweight material that has both commercial and military applications, such as deep-sea oil and gas drilling. FBI Director Chris Wray has previously said the agency has about 1,000 investigations involving Chinas attempted theft of U.S.-based technology, in all 56 field offices, covering almost every industry and sector. Frank Fang contributed to this report. The most serious terrorists should be handed 'whole life' jail sentences and die behind bars, a former head of MI5 said last night. Jonathan Evans, who retired as director general of the Security Service in 2013 and is now a cross-bench peer, also said he fully backed the Government's tougher terror sentencing laws which were passed yesterday. But the former spy chief went further, suggesting there should be even more stringent sentences, adding that the system was currently 'too complex'. Speaking at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, Essex, Lord Evans said: 'I think there's a case for whole life tariffs and from my perspective it would not be a major problem if they were introduced more widely for very serious terrorist offences.' Whole life tariffs are usually imposed on the very worst murderers such as serial killers and child killers. Jonathan Evans (pictured) said he fully backed the Government's tougher terror sentencing laws which were passed yesterday Emergency legislation passed through Parliament last night ending the automatic release at the halfway point of a terrorism sentence offenders will instead have to serve at least two-thirds of their term. All releases will also have to be approved by the Parole Board. Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans announced in the Commons that the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill which was passed by MPs earlier this month has now become an Act. The legislation, which will affect around 50 prisoners, ensures terrorist offenders serve two-thirds of their sentence before they are considered eligible for release. Before being freed they would need to be reviewed by a panel of specialist judges and psychiatrists at the Parole Board. The House of Lords backed the Bill unamended in one sitting on Monday evening. The Act has been passed just two days before the next terror prisoner is eligible to be freed. Sunderland shopkeeper Mohammed Zahir Khan, originally from Birmingham who was jailed for four-and-a-half years in May 2018 after posting material supporting so-called Islamic State on social media, was due for release on February 28. Mr Evans told MPs: 'I have to notify the House in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967 that Her Majesty has signified her royal assent to the following Act: Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Act 2020.' The release date change follows the Streatham terror attack earlier this month in which Sudesh Amman stabbed two bystanders with a knife he had grabbed from a shop. The 20-year-old had been jailed in December 2018 for possessing and distributing terrorist documents but had been freed midway through his sentence less than a fortnight before the attack. The law will apply to offenders sentenced for crimes such as training for terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation, and the dissemination of terrorist publications. Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: 'No terrorist should be released early only to kill and maim on our streets. Protecting the public is Government's first duty and our message is clear enough is enough. 'From today, terrorist offenders will only be released before the end of their sentence if the independent Parole Board is satisfied they no longer pose a threat, and they will face the strictest possible conditions and monitoring upon release.' In addition, all terrorist offenders will be subject to robust safeguards upon release, which could include notification requirements, restrictions on travel and communications, and imposed curfews. Colorado Politics senior political reporter Joey Bunch is the senior correspondent and deputy managing editor of Colorado Politics. His 32-year career includes the last 16 in Colorado. He was part of the Denver Post team that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013 and he is a two-time finalist. By Laman Ismayilova Nargis Fund presents video dedicated to Khojaly genocide, committed in 1992 against hundreds of Azerbaijanis by Armenians. Some 613 people were killed, 1,000 civilians of various ages became disabled as a result of the bullet wounds received. As many as 106 women, 63 young children, 70 old men were killed, eight families were completely destroyed, 25 children lost both parents, 130 - one of the parents. On the night of the tragedy, 1,275 civilians were captured, and the fate of 150 of them is still unknown. 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, nearly one million Azerbaijanis were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities that were started by the Armenian forces due to occupation. A temporary cease-fire agreement was signed between the countries in 1994, however a final peace deal has not been reached yet. Peace negotiations mediated by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs have yielded no results to this date. Since 1992, negotiations have been underway for a peaceful settlement of the conflict within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group. In 1993, the UN Security Council adopted four resolutions (822, 853, 874 and 884) on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. However, due to the unconstructiveness of Armenia, they still remain on paper. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 03:29:40|Editor: yan Video Player Close RABAT, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Wednesday sent a message of condolence to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi over the death of former Egyptian President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak. In his message, Mohammed VI said he learned with great sadness of the passing away of former President Hosni Mubarak. The king recalled Mubarak's devotion to the supreme interests of his country and the strong ties of friendship and high esteem he maintained with Morocco, as well as his commitment and determination to defend Arab and Islamic causes. Mubarak, who died at the age of 91, had served as Egyptian president for nearly 30 years until he resigned as a result of mass protests that erupted in the country in 2011. He was jailed for years on charges of corruption and killing protesters, but was freed in 2017 after being acquitted of most charges. Veteran journalist and former Bhopal bureau chief of PTI Arvind Sharma died after prolonged illness at a private hospital here on Thursday, his family members said. Sharma was 66. His wife had passed away a few years ago. Sharma retired from PTI in 2014. Last rites will be performed in the evening, his family said. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, former chief ministers Digvijay Singh and Shivraj Singh Chouhan and public relations minister P C Sharma expressed grief over the veteran journalist's death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To mark the launch of their Clancourt's new office space at Station Building Two in Dublin 2, the Kenny family donated 2,400 to the Peter McVerry Trust for the homeless. Located on the corner of Hatch and Harcourt streets, Station Building Two is steeped in history, having formerly served as the Harcourt Street Railway Station terminal for the line to Dundrum and Shankill. It was also the site of a famous train crash on Valentine's Day 1900, which saw a locomotive overrun its stopping points and crash through a wall, to hang 30 feet above Hatch Street. Subsequently the building became the Pod Night Club, one of Dublin's most iconic social venues. Now Joint agents Knight Frank and CBRE are quoting 65 per sq ft for its 15,425 sq ft of collaborative office workspace which is accessible through a dedicated reception at ground level off Hatch Street. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 15:08:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- "Need plumbers or electricians?" "Installing air-conditioners?" "Having trouble sealing your windows? Maybe I can help." The messages were left for "Smiley Kangbao," a construction worker who had been live-broadcasting building the Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan on video-sharing platform Kwai (Kuaishou in Chinese). Social video-sharing platforms like Kwai, described as capturing life outside China's biggest cities, are providing unique perspectives on how common Chinese support each other, their hometowns and cities like Wuhan during the novel coronavirus outbreak. Unlike the SARS outbreak nearly two decades ago, smartphones, WiFi and affordable unlimited data plans are now an integral part of daily life. And unlike traditional social platforms, celebrity accounts and internet influencers are less popular on Kwai. A variety of unembellished user-generated content makes it an authentic place for common Chinese to express and share during hard days. Kangbao finds live-streaming the most efficient way to recruit workers. Carpenters, plumbers, painters and electricians left messages, asking if they could do something for Leishenshan Hospital. The next day, they might appear on Kangbao's live-stream. Laosan is a truck driver from Cangzhou, Hebei Province, more than 1,000 kms from Wuhan. After posting a video of kissing his son good-bye, he drove non-stop to Wuhan to deliver building materials for Huoshenshan Hospital. Back at home, Laosan shared how he isolated himself in case he was carrying the virus. Rong Jian, from Yanxia Village, Jiangsu Province, is known for selling succulent plants via live broadcasts. He had been broadcasting epidemic prevention work at road checkpoints, village offices and fever-screening sites, calling on villagers to be cautious. On Feb. 15, Zhu Hong, 39, donated blood at Jinyintan Hospital, from which she was discharged 14 days earlier. She had been posting videos about her days in hospital and calling on recovered patients to donate blood after learning convalescent plasma proves effective in treating seriously ill COVID-19 patients Amid the national effort to contain the virus, videos shared by frontline health workers are top hits. Huang Wei, a doctor from Wuhan, is one of the "myth-busters" on Kwai. "Can vinegar fumes prevent infection?" "If alcohol can kill the virus, can drinking strong whisky prevent the COVID-19?" Huang answered the questions with patience and his followers made him promise to take care and stay well. Huang always remembers to give useful tips, like ventilation, setting up a buffer area at the entry of an apartment and cleaning cell phones with disinfectant wipes. "Little Nurses in Camouflage," a group of nurses from Gansu Province, posted a video of arriving in Wuhan on Jan 27. Last Thursday, a patient said in their broadcast on Kwai: "Thank you for saving me from despair, physically and psychologically." From daily scenes at makeshift hospitals, to set meals and rest areas, the young nurses urge their families and friends not to worry, with their names and hometowns written on the back of their protective suits. "May makeshift hospitals go out of business soon," a follower wrote back. NRS, City Harvest - New York City's largest food rescue organization, the United Bodegas of America (UBA) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYC/EDC) co-sponsored a Lunch & Learn program last week, for owners of New York City's bodegas and convenience stores. Last week's Lunch & Learn session was held at Fairway Market's facility in the Bronx. The program included presentations by NRS on its POS+ services for bodega owners, by City Harvest on expanded offerings of fresh and nutritious foods to-go, and by NYC/EDC on their programs and incentives for independent small businesses. "New Yorkers appreciate the many ways in which neighborhood bodegas and convenience stores contribute to our local communities," said Elie Y. Katz, founder & CEO of NRS. "These stores are places where neighbors take time to talk, catch up on local happenings and find foods and supplies for their favorite meals. The bodega owners who joined us at the first Lunch & Learn were excited to learn about powerful tools and strategies to help them build stronger businesses and compete successfully against larger retail chain stores." NRS operates a robust POS network plus NRS PAY merchant services for independent retailers across the U.S. Over 8,000 retailers use NRS' POS platform to organize and manage their business, attract new customers and increase their revenue. At the Lunch & Learn, NRS team members introduced their POS plus network with premium features and check-out solutions tailored for bodega owners. The Rev. Eric Cosentino, who serves on the Board of Directors of IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), the parent company of NRS, said, "IDT is here to help bodega owners and smaller retailers. If there is something they need and we can provide it, we'll always go the extra mile." Radames Rodriguez, President of United Bodegas of America (UBA) and a bodega owner in the Bronx, said, "Running a bodega in New York is a labor of love. It's a tough business. We need better tools and offerings to bring in and retain new customers, and to operate more profitably. I hope that every bodega owner will take the time to learn how the UBA's partnership with National Retail Solutions, City Harvest, and the City's Economic Development Corporation can help our bodegas expand and thrive in New York." Last week's Lunch & Learn is the first in a series for bodegas and other neighborhood retailers, according to Elie Y. Katz. "We are deeply committed to helping New York City's bodegas prosper for the long run, and there is a lot going on to help these retailers prosper and expand. We are working with our co-sponsors on a second event to be held this summer that will introduce more fresh and interesting approaches for retailers. We welcome new organizations interested in participating in our next event to contact us. Please stay tuned for additional details." About National Retail Solutions (NRS): NRS operates a point-of-sale (POS) terminal-based platform plus NRS PAY credit card processing for independent retailers and bodega owners nationwide. The platform provides a robust portfolio of tools to help these retailers compete more effectively, including inventory tracking, store statistics, user management, one-touch Boss Revolution PIN-less recharge, and integration with the BR Club customer loyalty program. Consumer packaged goods (CPG) suppliers are able to leverage the NRS platform to provision promotions, coupons and special offers to independent retailers and their predominantly urban customer bases nationwide. NRS is a subsidiary of IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT). SOURCE National Retail Solutions Related Links https://nrsplus.com UPGRADE (2018) Stream on HBO platforms. The filmmaker Leigh Whannell is behind the adaptation of H.G. Wellss The Invisible Man that hits theaters this weekend. While many may be most likely to know Whannell as a screenwriter (Saw and Insidious), he has directed a couple of other movies. The most recent of those, Upgrade, is an action-horror romp that stars Logan Marshall-Green as Grey Trace, a man of the near future who has a technology implant that gives him superhuman abilities. He uses them to avenge his wifes killing. Upgrade is an energetic, superficially slick, latter-day B-movie of the but dumb category, Glenn Kenny wrote in his review for The Times. That is, its kind of like RoboCop, but dumb, and also like Ex Machina, but dumb. In this respect the movie manages to be pretty funny. BLUEBIRD (2019) Rent on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu and YouTube. Bluebird Cafe, the landmark Nashville venue known as a haven for songwriters, is shown off in this documentary. The movie captures Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Jason Isbell, Steve Earle and other musicians praising the cafe. In 2017 Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe came to Canberra to champion the cause of marriage equality before the historic parliamentary vote. Just over two years later, he is back in Canberra on a very different mission. This time, he wants to stop a vote. Olympic champion Ian Thorpe is urging the Morrison government to scrap its religious discrimination bill. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The Olympic gold medallist visited MPs from across Parliament on Thursday, urging them to scrap proposed religious discrimination laws because, he says, it will have a "huge impact on the LGBTIQ community in particular". "I believe in an Australia that has a sense of a fair go," he said on Thursday. WASHINGTON - Frustrated Democrats again lambasted Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell Thursday as they marked a year of Senate inaction since the House passed landmark gun control legislation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi acknowledged that Democrats have been here before complaining about McConnells legislative graveyard but she said Democrats were energized to accelerate a drumbeat on calls for McConnell to allow a Senate vote on a House-passed bill to expand background checks for gun purchases. McConnells name came up repeatedly at a raucous House ceremony marking the one-year anniversary of the House bill. Speaking a day after a gunman killed five people at a Milwaukee brewery, Pelosi said McConnell was giving new meaning to his self-described nickname as the grim reaper of Democratic legislation. Its very sad that the Grim Reaper has decided that more people will die because he is the Grim Reaper, Pelosi said. One hundred people a day die from gun violence. Not all of them could be saved by this legislation, but many could. More than 39,000 people were killed by firearms in 2018, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a number that advocates said translates into more than 100 gun-related deaths per day. More than 60 per cent of gun deaths are by suicide, with a small number of accidental deaths. The death toll includes thousands of children under 18 killed by firearms, a number Pelosi called haunting. Addressing McConnell directly, Pelosi asked: Why do think your political survival is more important than the survival of our children? Give us a vote. Her words were met by thunderous applause from lawmakers, advocates and survivors of gun violence gathered in an ornate room outside the House chamber. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also drew applause when he scolded President Donald Trump for offering mere condolences after the countrys latest mass shooting. An employee at one of the nations largest breweries gunned down five co-workers in Milwaukee Wednesday before killing himself. Enough words! Schumer shouted. How about a little action on gun control? Under McConnells leadership, the Senate has taken up zero gun-related legislation since the House passed the background checks bill last February, Schumer said. He and others made circles with their fingers and held them up to demonstrate the Senates inaction. A spokesman for McConnell declined to comment. In the past, McConnell has dismissed Democrats call for gun-control legislation as theatrics. McConnell refuses to allow a vote on the background checks bill because he says its not clear the Senate would be able to pass the legislation or that Trump would sign it into law. For Democratic leaders, Its all about trying to scare people, McConnell said in September after a similar Democratic news conference. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said McConnell and other Republicans should get used to the idea of Democrats speaking up about gun safety. Were building a political movement, and it is coming to get every single Republican who votes against this bill on background checks, he said. Either you are with 90% of the American people (who support expanded background checks) or you are with the NRA, Murphy said, referring the National Rifle Association, the gun industrys top lobbying group. If McConnell continues to allow the NRA to be in charge of the Senate ... he is going to be the minority leader very soon, Murphy said. If that, a supporter yelled. McConnell faces a well-funded challenge from Democrat Amy McGrath in Kentucky. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., also focused on McConnell, citing statistics from the nonpartisan Gun Violence Archive that 232 Kentucky residents were killed by gun violence in the year since the House approved the background checks bill. We are here today because Americans are dying, and more die every day because Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans lack the spine to stand up to the NRA, Kelly said. Kelly, who represents Chicago, said her state and city have strong gun safety laws, but neighbouring states do not. We need universal background checks legislation to stop Indiana and Wisconsin guns from killing kids in Chicago, she said, citing statistics that more than half the guns used in crimes in Chicago come from out of state. After back-to-back mass shootings in Ohio and Texas last summer, Trump embraced calls for strong background checks only to backpedal. Ideas the administration has considered include so-called red-flag legislation to allow officials to take away guns from people believed to be dangers to themselves or others and quicker imposition of the death penalty for mass shooters. Little progress has been made, and gun control supporters do not expect major legislation to emerge before the presidential election. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Trump has embraced the mantle of gun rights champion, repeatedly warning supporters at his rallies that Democrats will take your guns away. Last month, he labeled Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam a whack job as the Democratic governor moves to tighten gun laws following a mass shooting in Virginia Beach. By Azernews By Akbar Mammadov The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Prosecutor Generals Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan have made a joint statement on the 28th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. The joint statement published on February 26 reads that the crimes committed in the Azerbaijani town [Khojaly] were not an isolated or sporadic act, but part of Armenias widespread and systematic policy and practice of atrocities. The intentional slaughter of the civilians in Khojaly was directed at their mass extermination only because they were Azerbaijanis Investigation conducted by the Military Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan has fully proven the involvement of a number of military servicemen and other persons in the perpetration of the Khojaly genocide. The investigation made decisions on their accusation according to the articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan on genocide, torture, deportation of the population, violation of international humanitarian law during the armed conflict and other criminal offenses. It is also stated in the statement that the Khojaly genocide and other crimes against humanity committed by Armenia in the course of the ongoing aggression against Azerbaijan run counter to the Geneva Convention and other human rights related documents and conventions. It is mentioned in the statement that as a result of Armenias ongoing aggression, Azerbaijan has lost one-fifth of its territories, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions, and over one million ethnic Azerbaijanis living in these areas, as well as in Armenia, have been subjected to ethnic cleansing and expulsion. It was also mentioned that the material damage exceeding 170 million dollars has been inflicted to the government and individual as a result of Khojaly's occupation. Azerbaijani is taking consistent measures in the national level as well as within the international legal framework to bring to justice those responsible for the grave offenses committed against the civilian population of Azerbaijan during the conflict, the statement concluded. The Delhi High Court on Wednesday slammed the Delhi Police over its 'state of affairs' while directing it to take 'conscious decision' with respect to the lodging of FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders in connection with the CAA violence and convey its decision to the court by Thursday The Delhi High Court on Wednesday lashed out at the police for its handling of the recent violence in the northeastern part of the city. The court directed the police to take a "conscious decision" with respect to the lodging of FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders in connection with the CAA violence and convey its decision to the court by Thursday. A bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Anup J Bhambhani passed the order following a day-long hearing on a plea filed by advocate Colin Gonsalves on behalf of activist Harsh Mander seeking an FIR against BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma for making hate speeches, which allegedly instigated the violence. The court took on record the assurance by special commissioner Praveer Ranjan that he will sit with the police commissioner and view all video clips and take a conscious decision on lodging of FIRs. The court also said that its order applies to all inflammatory speeches and not just the three BJP leaders. The high court also issued notices to the parties concerned on the plea filed by the Centre seeking to be impleaded in the case. The violence which started on Sunday following a clash between pro-CAA and anti-CAA protesters in Jaffrabad and spread to several parts in northeast Delhi since then has left 22 people dead and over 180 injured. Court slams Delhi Police During the hearing on the plea on Wednesday, the bench of Justices Murlidhar and Bhambhani also came down heavily on the Delhi Police, saying it is "amazed" at the police's state of affairs. The court made the remarks after Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime branch) Rajesh Deo told a bench of Justices S Muralidhar and Talwant Singh that he had not seen the clip where BJP leader Mishra allegedly made a speech instigating violence in northeast Delhi. During the hearing, the court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared at the court on behalf of the Union government and represented the police officer, if they had seen the video clip of Mishra making alleged hate speeches. While Mehta maintained that he does not watch television and has not seen those clips, Deo said he has watched the video of BJP leaders Thakur and Verma, but has not of Mishra. On the submission made by the police officer, Justice Muralidhar remarked, "I am really amazed at the state of affairs of the Delhi Police", and asked the court staff to play Mishra's video clip in the courtroom. Are you saying that even the Commissioner of Police has not seen the video related to one? This is too serious a matter. I am amazed at the state of affairs of Delhi Police. : Justice Muralidhar#DelhiRiots #DelhiBurns #DelhiCAAClashes @KapilMishra_IND pic.twitter.com/UpkcyRdYLC Bar & Bench (@barandbench) February 26, 2020 Deo had appeared in the court in the afternoon following the court seeking the presence of a senior police officer's presence in the court in the morning. Decide on FIR by Thursday: HC During the argument, Mehta said that the high court should wait for the response of the authorities concerned on the issue of lodging FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders. During the hearing, Mehta said any decision taken now may aggravate the situation. Delhi government's standing counsel Rahul Mehra contended however that there was no reason to not lodge the FIRs against the leaders. Mehra said that FIR ought to be lodged against everyone involved in the violence. 'The attackers belong to the party in power, while the police was a mute spectator. Such is the tragic state of affairs in this city', Colin Gonsalves#DelhiBurns #DelhiRiots Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) February 26, 2020 According to Live Law, arguing on behalf of the petitioner, advocate Gonslaves said: "This is one of the most serious cases that has ever come before this court. They (the BJP leaders) not only gave speeches, their affiliated people went on to attack people while chanting 'Goli Maro Gaddaro Ko'. It has become such a popular slogan," he submitted after playing the BJP leader Thakur's speech for the court's viewing. Besides Mishra, Verma and Thakur's speeches, the court also played video of another BJP leader Abhya Verma. "They're physically exhorting their supporters to take up arms he submmits," Gonsalves argued, according to LiveLaw, adding, "Police allowed people to get killed. They were protected by the party in power." Objecting to Gonsalves argument, Mehta said that there has been selective public outrage on the three videos urged the court to not not exercise its extraordinary jurisdiction. He also said the statements by BJP leaders Verma and Thakur were made several days back and it was not urgent to be heard today. The court observed, "Does that not make it even more urgent. When the commissioner was made aware of such statements, does he need someone to approach him to take action? As a law officer, you answer whether this prayer (for lodging FIRs against three BJP leaders) is not urgent." Mehta replied, "I am not saying it is not urgent, but it can wait till tomorrow." Mehta also assured the court that FIRs will be filed in right time. To which, Justice Murlidhar remarked: "What's the appropriate time, Mr Mehta? The city is burning." As the hearing progressed, Justice Murlidhar directed his ire to the police, saying, "When you have multiple clips of inflammatory speeches, what are you waiting for? Why aren't you registering the FIR?..." "Just register FIRs. You showed alacrity in lodging FIRs for arson; why aren't you showing the same for registering FIR for these speeches?...When you've registered FIRs for damages to property, why aren't you registering it for these speeches? Don't you want to even acknowledge the presence of a crime? "When the SG himself is saying that these videos are inflammatory, why aren't you registering the FIRs? The entire nation is asking that question," Justice Mulridhar said while directing the police to inform the court of its decision on filing the FIR by Thursday. Court Appoints Zubeda Begum as amicus curiae On Wednesday morning, the court appointed advocate Zubeda Begum as amicus curiae to coordinate between the victims and various agencies. It further asked the director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) to provide a sufficient number of qualified professionals to cater to the victims suffering from post-trauma stress. The court has put up the matter for further hearing on 28 February. The court said that the highest constitutional functionaries who move with Z-security should reach out to the affected people to give them confidence that law is functioning. Don't want a repeat of the 1984 riots: HC Hearing the plea in multiple sittings over Wednesday, the court observed in the morning that the police does not need its direction to take action in relation to the violence and that the police should take suo motu action as "this is very important" "This is time to reach out and do confidence by building. We can't let another 1984 scenario happen in this city; not under the watch of this court," the bench observed, according to NDTV. The matter was mentioned for urgent hearing before Justice Muralidhar's bench as the bench headed by the Chief Justice was not holding the court on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, the court had told Central Government's standing counsel Amit Mahajan representing Delhi Police Commissioner that since they were served with an advanced copy of the petition they should come with instructions during the day. It also issued notices to the Delhi government, Delhi Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police of northeast Delhi. The petition filed by Mander and activist Farah Naqvi also sought setting up of a special investigation (SIT) team to inquire into the incident and compensation for those killed and injured in the violence. The petitioners had also sought directions to the Centre for the deployment of the Army to maintain law and order in the national capital and areas where the "communal attack on people are most ferocious", but the court refused to pass any order on that. The matter will be heard again on Thursday. With inputs from PTI Customers have been left without parcels after struggling homewares retailer Ishka had its Australia Post account frozen. The family-owned chain, which has been in business for almost half a century, says Australia Post has frozen its postal account. It left more than 2000 parcels for online customers undelivered after administrators at Cor Cordis took charge of the retailer last Thursday. Ishka owner and chief executive Toby Darvall described the latest predicament as 'terrible'. Scroll down for video More than 2000 parcels for online customers undelivered by Australia Post, according to Ishka owner and chief executive Toby Darvall (pictured) 'Now all of those orders are just sitting there because Australia Post won't pick them up,' Mr Darvall said in a statement. 'It means thousands of customers won't get their parcels and we will probably have to immediately lay off 60 staff.' 'Australia Post really has a monopoly in the home delivery of online parcels and we have no other option but to send through Australia Post. To compensate affected customers, Ishka has offered to refund the Australia Post fee and give out a free $10 voucher if they pick up their parcels in store. 'All we want to do is to continue to trade with Australia Post in exactly the same way we have for years. We even offered to pay for future services upfront but they won't accept it. We don't want any extra favours. We're just fighting to stay alive and preserve 500 jobs,' Mr Darvall said. Ishka has offered to refund the Australia Post fee for affected customers whose parcels haven't been delivered, along with a free $10 voucher if they pick up their parcels in store (pictured) Australia Post has since assured customers that the matter is being addressed and will be rectified. 'We have been working closely with the appointed administrator Cor Cordis on this matter, with the aim of returning to a normal credit relationship as soon as possible,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'In the meantime, Ishka can continue to use Australia Post services on a pay-as-you-go arrangement.' Australia Post also assured Ishka can still distribute parcels on a pay as they go system at any Australia Post outlet, or provide payment upfront for services. Established in 1971 as a craft studio in Melbourne, Ishka eventually grew to 60 stores around Australia. Despite launching a 'everything must go' sale, Mr Darvall vowed to do everything he can to keep the business open and save the jobs of staff. 'After some very tough months, that may now come to an end I am so sorry to have to let you know that we have made the difficult decision to put our business into voluntary administration,' he announced in a heartfelt open letter to customers last week. 'So now we will try absolutely everything we can to save it and stay in business and keep our beautiful stores open! We are working day and night to save Ishka but we need your help too.' It began almost half a century ago as a craft studio (pictured) in Melbourne suburb Glen Iris The retailer has suffered an estimated $5 million in losses in recent months. 'We have explored every option but it has been a devastating summer,' Mr Darvall told Seven News last week. 'We have traded through three recessions. This is a 50-year-old business that has been very resilient.' WATFORD CITY -- Rocio Casanova-Wurzer is a lifeline for new families in North Dakota's oil patch. She started in November as a bilingual family liaison for McKenzie County School District No. 1. Her position is somewhat unique in North Dakota schools. She provides Spanish translation and support services for families of the Watford City-area school district, helping them navigate through and acclimate to the school system. She has helped with parent-teacher meetings, activity registration, vaccination appointments, even family notifications to schools. "Something as simple as 'My son is not going to be able to attend school today, he's sick,'" she said. Casanova-Wurzer's family arrived three years ago in Watford City, where her husband works in the oil industry and her son attends high school. She studied architecture in Mexico and previously translated for American and European clients of a Mexico construction business. She is one of eight full-time staff of the school district's English learner program. She says her services have been well received by parents who don't speak English and want to communicate with teachers or school staff about their children's grades, conduct or activities. "They feel in a way a relief to have somebody that speaks their language and can communicate their needs to the school," she said. 'Bringing them into the fold' Watford City and other western North Dakota school districts have seen ballooning enrollment correlated with the Bakken oil boom, which brought thousands of new workers and families to the state. Superintendent Steve Holen said the district has a 2019-20 enrollment of about 1,850 students in grades K-12. That's an exponential increase over the last decade, when enrollment began to skyrocket from about 600 students. The district built and opened a new high school in 2016 and is building a new elementary school set to open this fall. Enrollment projections for 2020-21 put the school district over 2,000 students. English learner students in the district have increased along with school enrollment, from under 100 in the 2015 and 2016 fall semesters to 230 now, according to figures from Holen. That's about 12% of the student body. More than 200 of the district's English learner students speak Spanish as their first language, but the English learner program serves students of 12 other languages, including Tagalog, Thai and Mandarin Chinese. The liaison position came about as a "hybrid" to meet the need for English learners at the same time the school district hired social workers who evolved into family facilitators as a resource for all students, according to Holen. He said the liaison position is for more than translation, but is to help students and families grow comfortable with the school district and build relationships. "We just felt it was kind of a proactive approach, a little bit, to bringing them into the fold because they're a major part of our school district and we wanted to make sure they felt wanted and appreciated," Holen said. 'Connecting with families' The district's school board approved the position at the recommendation of school administration. English Learner Coordinator Mari Rasmussen said the school district conducts annual assessments for English skills. Holen said the English learner program includes four teachers, three aides and the liaison. "Our focus is to support students in becoming proficient in English so that they can be successful in the classroom," Rasmussen said. School Board President Pam Ramage said the liaison role is all about the goal of inclusiveness and welcoming new residents to the community. She noted the school district also has a new multicultural club for students of all grade levels and their families to share refreshments and visit with each other. "I think it's great that we've become a very diverse community, and that brings in a lot of new opportunities for understanding one another's cultural differences and perhaps your life experiences," Ramage said. Watford City High School Principal Randy Cranston said Casanova-Wurzer has done a good job of "bridging that gap" between the schools and non-English-speaking families new to the district. "I think all of us still have some work to do in regards to making sure that we're using her to her abilities and making sure that we're connecting with the families, still," Cranston said. Similar roles? Casanova-Wurzer's position is somewhat unique compared to larger school districts in North Dakota. Fargo Public Schools does not have a position similar to bilingual family liaison. But it contracts for translation services if needed for families, has bilingual English learner paraeducators and has social workers who work with English learner families, district spokeswoman AnnMarie Campbell said. North Dakota's largest school district, Bismarck Public Schools, employs 28 interpreters/translators who are on call for families needing help with registration, teacher notifications, and meetings and school events. English Learner Coordinator Wendy Sanderson said all the district's interpreters go through an orientation process before beginning their work with families. Bismarck has interpreters for 24 languages but is seeking additional interpreters for Chuukese, Marshallese, Vietnamese, Liberian English and Thai, Sanderson said. Bismarck Public Schools has 367 students in its English learner program and 37 on its monitoring list for the academic progress of students who have left the program. Bismarck Public Schools has 13,304 K-12 students. Mandan Public Schools does not have a position similar to bilingual family liaison, according to district spokeswoman Jessica Petrick. But the role is part of a grant request from the district to North Dakota's Department of Public Instruction. Petrick said the district hopes to have the position available next year. Mandan Public Schools has 3,933 K-12 students, 115 of whom are English learners who collectively speak 12 languages, Petrick said. The district also employs a number of English learner teachers and paraeducators in its elementary, middle and high schools. Casanova-Wurzer said word of mouth and parent nights have helped spread the word of her services. She has regular hours but sometimes answers calls in the early morning and at night. "I don't mind it," she said. "It gives me a sense of being helpful to people." Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 8 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 11 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. As the coronavirus continues to spread, with outbreaks appearing in South Korea, Italy, Iran, and elsewhere, travelers and travel providers are being forced to rethink plans and make adjustments. If you're concerned about the virus, your options for a cancellation or refund may be limited, but as the situation continues to develop, refund policies are likely to change as the virus moves closer toward pandemic status. Here's what you need to know about canceling or changing your travel plans because of the coronavirus. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. As the coronavirus continues to spread around the world, travelers are starting to rethink work trips and vacations. A worker sprays disinfectant at a Daegu railway station as part of preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus on February 26, 2020. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images Global tourism is bracing for a major slowdown as countries other than China struggle to contain outbreaks and travel restrictions and airline cancellations reach new markets. "If there was previously a temptation to view the coronavirus as a China or Asia issue, then developments this week must force a shift in mindset," Nick Wyatt, head of travel and tourism research at GlobalData, said in an email to Business Insider. "With the news that 12 towns in Italy are on lockdown and countries like Austria and Croatia announcing their first cases, it is readily apparent that the impact is likely to be felt on a more global scale than was perhaps previously envisaged." The spread of the virus has been swift, with new hotspots popping up around the world almost daily. In addition to China, outbreaks have been found in Italy, Iran, and South Korea. If you're scheduled to travel to a country with a confirmed outbreak, you may be able to cancel your trip and get a full refund. Airlines around the world including the major three US airlines: American, Delta, and United have suspended routes to China. However, refund policies vary tremendously among different airlines and depend on your destination. Story continues If you're simply canceling a trip because you're worried about the virus, odds are you won't be able to get a refund even with travel insurance, whether you purchased it separately or used your credit card's coverage. "The only travel insurance that would be helpful in that scenario is when you pay extra for a 'cancel for any reason' plan," Ted Rossman, an industry analyst at CreditCards.com, told Business Insider. "If you're just canceling out of fear of traveling and getting sick, that's not a good enough reason." People who get sick before their trips and are worried about traveling with a weaker immune system may be able to invoke their insurance plan's trip-cancellation coverage, provided they have a note from a doctor, Rossman said. While travelers may have better luck asking their airline and hotel for a refund or cancellation, most travel providers are only offering that if you're scheduled to fly to the most seriously affected regions that is, China, South Korea, and starting this week, Italy. If you're absolutely set against traveling during the coronavirus spread even if you're going somewhere without the virus Rossman suggested that instead of walking away and losing the whole value of your trip, paying a change fee to reschedule it for the summer, or to another destination. "Even if you're really worried and you don't want to travel, look into changing plans rather than canceling them, because usually the fees are better in that instance. Maybe you could reschedule your trip for later, or pick a different destination," he said. "You'll probably pay some fees, but you won't lose the whole trip." The situation is changing fast, and as new hotspots and outbreaks are reported, it's likely that airline and travel policies will change too. We've rounded up the refund and rescheduling policies of major airlines below, and the effects that the virus is having across their routes. We'll continue to update this page as the situation develops. Delta became the first US airline to expand travel waivers and cancellations beyond China. A passengers waits for a Delta Airlines flight in Terminal 5 at Los Angeles International Airport, May 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images Delta suspended its direct flights to China earlier this month, with low demand making the operation of the flights commercially unfeasible. For anyone whose flights were not affected (for instance, passengers booked on Delta but transiting with a partner airline through another country), Delta has issued a travel waiver, allowing passengers to change flights without a fee, or cancel them altogether. On Wednesday, Delta added Seoul-Incheon Airport, South Korea, to the travel waiver. Delta also issued a travel waiver for travel to anywhere in Italy, where a new outbreak of coronavirus was recently identified. Passengers who choose to cancel their flights won't get a refund; instead, they can apply the value of their ticket to a new flight within a year. If a passenger's flight is cancelled by Delta, the airline will reach out with instructions, including how to claim a refund. If the travel waiver applies to your itinerary, you can change or cancel your flight by visiting the My Trips section of Delta's website, clicking on Modify Flight, and choosing the relevant option. The full China and South Korea travel waiver applies for travel scheduled between January 24 and April 30. Trips must be rescheduled or cancelled before May 31 for the waiver to apply. The travel waiver applies for passengers scheduled to fly to, from, or through: Beijing, China (PEK or PKX) Shanghai, China (PVG) Seoul-Incheon, South Korea (ICN) The Italy travel waiver applies for travel scheduled between February 25 and March 15. Trips must be rescheduled or cancelled before March 15 for travel by April 3. The travel waiver applies for passengers scheduled to fly to, from, or through any city in Italy. American Airlines issued a new travel waiver for South Korea, in addition to mainland China and Hong Kong. american airlines REUTERS/Mike Blake American Airlines similarly cancelled its flights to China as demand fell, tentatively planning to resume flying in late April. For passengers scheduled on flights that were still operating, or who were flying to certain other affected areas, the airline has issued a series of travel waivers. Travelers to mainland China and Hong Kong can change their flights, postpone travel, or cancel their tickets without a change or cancellation fee. Those traveling to Seoul can change or delay their flights but will still have to pay cancellations fees if they decide to call the trip altogether. They can also change their origin or destination city to Tokyo. Passengers can make a one-time change online as long as they aren't changing origin or destination city by visiting the "find your trip" page and selecting "change trip" in the toolbar. For any other changes, passengers should contact reservations at 800-433-7300 from the US, or at the relevant phone number listed on this page. The full mainland China travel waiver applies for travel scheduled between January 24 and April 24, as long as tickets were bought by January 24. Trips must be rescheduled for travel by June 1, 2020, for the waiver to apply. The travel waiver applies for passengers scheduled to fly to, from, or through: Beijing, China (PEK or PKX) Shanghai, China (PVG) The Hong Kong travel waiver applies for travel scheduled between January 28 and April 24. Trips must be rescheduled for travel by June 30, or cancelled before the originally scheduled date. The Seoul Incheon, South Korea travel waiver applies for travel scheduled between February 24 and April 24. Trips must be rescheduled for travel by June 30. Visit this page for full details on the travel waivers. United similarly added a South Korea travel waiver. United Airlines ASSOCIATED PRESS Although United has also cancelled its flights to China and Hong Kong, it issued several travel waivers for passengers scheduled to travel to the region. It added a South Korea waiver this week. The airline is allowing passengers to change or delay their flights without fees. Passengers scheduled to fly to China and Hong Kong can also choose to cancel their flights and receive a full refund. The full China travel waiver applies for travel scheduled between January 24 and April 30. Trips must be rescheduled for travel by June 30, or cancelled before the original travel date, for the waiver to apply. The travel waiver applies for passengers scheduled to fly to, from, or through: Beijing, China (PEK) Chengdu, China (CTU) Shanghai, China (PVG) Similar terms apply for flights to, from, or through Hong Kong, for travel scheduled between January 28 and April 30. Passengers scheduled to fly to, from, or through Seoul Incheon, South Korea, between February 24 and June 30 can change their flights without a fee for travel by June 30. Refunds are not available for Seoul travelers. On Thursday, United added a travel waiver for parts of northern Italy. The waiver applies for travel scheduled between February 27 and April 30. Trips must be rescheduled for travel by April 30 for travel after that, the change fee will be waived, but a fare difference may apply. The travel waiver applies for passengers scheduled to fly to, from, or through: Bologna, Italy (BLQ) Genoa, Italy (GOA) Milan, Italy (BGY) Milan, Italy (LIN) Milan, Italy (MXP) Trieste, Italy (TRS) Turin, Italy (TRN) Venice, Italy (VCE) Verona, Italy (VRN) To change or cancel your flights, visit the "view your reservation" page and select "Change Flight." If you're eligible for a refund, you can request it at this page. You can see the full travel waiver details here. JetBlue will waive change and cancellation fees for all new bookings. JetBlue A321neo 4 David Slotnick/Business Insider JetBlue doesn't fly to any of the affected regions, but said on Wednesday that it would suspend change and cancellation fees for any new reservations starting on February 27. The waiver would apply to all bookings made through March 11, for travel by June 1, 2020. It applies to all fares, including basic economy. In a statement, the airline said the move was designed to boost customer confidence for anyone on the fence about whether or not to book a trip because of the outbreak. Hawaiian Airlines suspended its service to Seoul Incheon, South Korea. Hawaiian airlines Louis Nastro/Reuters Hawaiian Airlines announced Wednesday that it was temporarily suspending its five-times-a-week service between Honolulu and Seoul from March 1 through May 1. Passengers scheduled to travel before May 1 can reschedule their flights for any time before October 31 without a fee, or request a refund. Passengers can also reschedule flights for after October 31 change fees will still be waived, but there may be a fare difference. Contact reservations at 1-800-367-5320 to make a change or request a refund. Visit this page to read more about the travel waiver. British Airways cancelled flights to Beijing and Shanghai. british airways Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images British Airways cancelled its normal flights to Beijing and Shanghai until April 17. The airline is offering refunds or rescheduling for people booked on those flights, saying that it will offer additional information on later dates. While the airline is still flying to Hong Kong, it will allow passengers booked before May 31 to postpone their travel. The airline is also offering a travel waiver for passengers flying to northern Italy. Passengers traveling by March 2 can reschedule their trips for any time later in March. To make changes, the airline says to visit the "Manage My Booking" page, or contact reservations at +44 (0) 203 250 0145. Lufthansa Group cancelled China flights, but is not offering waivers otherwise. FILE PHOTO: A Lufthansa Airbus A380-800 aircraft lands at Frankfurt Airport in Frankfurt, Germany April 29, 2019. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo Reuters Lufthansa Group including Lufthansa itself, Swiss, and Austrian Airlines suspended flights to mainland China until March 28. The airline said it would also reduce service to Hong Kong in March, based on demand. The airline said that passengers could request a refund via the "My Bookings" page, or could rebook their flights to a later date. You can learn more about the cancellations and refund process here. Air France will allow people traveling to China or Italy to reschedule their flights. Air France Airbus A350 PASCAL PAVANI/AFP/Getty Air France cancelled flights to mainland China until through at least March 28. If you're still booked on an operating flight to China between now and May 31, you can reschedule your trip to anytime before June 30. You can also postpone trips to anywhere in Italy if you're scheduled to travel between February 25 and March 15. The new travel date must be before April 3. You can find the full travel waiver details here. Business Insider AKRON, Ohio Police have issued an arrest warrant for an Akron man they believe is responsible for a string of robberies along Copley Road in the West Akron neighborhood. Harold Hamilton III, 25, is wanted on a charge of aggravated robbery in connection with the robbery of a Walgreens on the 1300 block of Copley Road on Jan. 29, police say. Hamilton also is a suspect in the robberies of a Family Dollar on the 900 block of Copley Road on Jan. 26, a Little Caesars Pizza on the 1200 block of Copley Road on Feb. 4, and CVS on the 1300 block of Copley Road on Feb. 12. Hamilton is about 6-foot-4, 220 to 240 pounds, and should be considered armed and dangerous, police say. He reportedly frequents both the Akron and Barberton areas. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by Summit County Crimestoppers for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of Hamilton, police say. Anyone with information can call detectives at 330-375-2490. Individuals also can also text tips to TIPSCO at 274637 (CRIMES). Harold Hamilton III, 25, of Akron. (Akron Police) More crime-related content on cleveland.com: Body found dismembered and burned in Cleveland identified as Painesville woman Duo charged after shot fired at mans car during Cleveland road-rage incident, records say Former St. Edward High School teacher gets probation for trying to meet teen for sex Man with gun threatened employee of temporary homeless shelter at Cleveland church, police say Judge sentences Cuyahoga County Jail corporal to prison for turning off body camera, pummeling restrained inmate Cleveland pastor charged with compelling prostitution of child (CNN) US President Donald Trump on Wednesday placed Vice President Mike Pence in charge of the US government response to the novel coronavirus, amid growing criticism of the White House's handling of the outbreak. At a White House news conference, Trump also did not close the door to Senate Democrats' call for over $8 billion in emergency funding for anti-coronavirus efforts. "We'll spend whatever is appropriate. Hopefully we won't have to spend so much because we really think that we've done a great job in keeping it down to a minimum," Trump said. Trump returned from India to see his administration on the defensive over his administration's handling of the coronavirus, as Cabinet officials were grilled in Congress and Democrats panned the White House's budget request to fight the virus. The stock market decline has especially exacerbated Trump's rising concerns over how to stem the outbreak of the coronavirus even though he has publicly declared the virus to be "very much under control in the USA," multiple people tell CNN. Investors are growing concerned about the economic impact of the coronavirus, as is the President, whose reelection campaign is banking on a strong economy. Trump has been publicly downplaying the novel coronavirus' effects, because he thinks doing otherwise could cause further panic in the markets -- and he's been frustrated with officials issuing warnings about the unknowns of the virus's spread. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is one aide who encouraged Trump to downplay the latest developments, at least publicly, one person says. "I think that's a problem that's going to go away," Trump said Tuesday in New Delhi. But that same day, one of the top officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans that health experts foresee the coronavirus that has killed thousands abroad spreading in the US. "We expect we will see community spread in this country," said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. "It's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness." As CNN previously reported, Trump has been privately lashing out at officials for coronavirus-related decisions. His instinct has been to seal off the US from those testing positive, even Americans, though he acknowledged at a press conference in India that allowing them back into the US was the right thing to do. According to administration sources, Trump has been displeased with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar -- for failing to keep him updated on crucial decisions concerning the virus -- and Messonnier -- the CDC official who has been a public face of the coronavirus response -- for what officials claim is overly fatalistic messaging. The appointment of Pence came after the White House denied it was considering appointing a czar to oversee the administration's response outbreak. Lawmakers have also called on Trump to appoint someone to oversee the response, which came up during a clash over the administration's request for more coronavirus funding. Some White House officials accused HHS of requesting disproportionate amounts of money to cover up what one official described as Azar's "mismanagement." Fight over funding Trump's return to Washington also corresponds with the start of a potential federal funding fight to respond to the virus. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, is expected to request $8.5 billion to combat the coronavirus, according to a senior Senate Democratic aide. That's a dramatic jump from the $2.5 billion in total funding and only $1.25 billion in new funding the White House has proposed. Travel restrictions under consideration Earlier this month, the US began implementing travel restrictions on foreign nationals who had visited China and US citizens who have been near the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in China's Hubei province. Before Trump announced the China restrictions, there was a debate inside the White House about the logistics of applying such a ban. And behind the scenes, Trump is pushing for more travel restrictions on countries where the virus is spreading to, administration officials tell CNN, but so far, no decisions have been made. Administration officials have been privately weighing imposing additional travel bans similar to the one the US has already imposed with regard to foreigners who have been in China, a senior administration official and sources close to the White House said. "If it gets to the point where we need to do that, we will," a senior administration official said. The administration increased the travel advisory warning for Japan and South Korea earlier this week, so those two countries would be likely targets for increased travel restrictions. There have been more than 80,000 cases of coronavirus globally and the death toll has risen to more than 2,700, the majority in mainland China. The US has 60 confirmed cases, US health officials said Tuesday, a number that is expected to grow. Despite the spread of the virus, World Health Organization officials are not yet calling this a pandemic, though they're close. In January, the WHO declared the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern." This story has been updated with comments from President Trump's news conference. Actor George Clooney has said he is "surprised and saddened" after an investigation revealed child labour at Guatemalan coffee farms linked to the Nespresso coffee he advertises. The investigation carried out by Channel 4 Dispatches shows children working on six farms. They allegedly supply coffee beans to Nestle- owned giant Nespresso, where Clooney is brand ambassador. "Clearly this board and this company still have work to do, and that work will be done," Clooney said in a statement. The star, who worked on his family's tobacco farm in Kentucky during holidays as a child, said he was "uniquely aware of the complex issues regarding farming and child labour". Nespresso, headquartered in Switzerland, says it sources its coffee beans ethically and said it was investigating the claims. "We have immediately stopped purchases of coffee from all farms in the region and we will not resume purchases until we are able to investigate and be assured that child labour is not being used," said chief executive Guillaume Le Cunff. Nespresso said it works alongside NGOs including the Rainforest Alliance to ensure certain standards are upheld. Sacks The Dispatches documentary is set to feature video footage of children as young as 11 working on at least one farm in Guatemala alleged to supply Nespresso. Since Nespresso, was contacted by the programme makers, it revealed it had found 15 of its farms across the world raised reports of child labour in the past four years, with none in Guatemala. It added: "Nespresso has zero tolerance of child labour. It is unacceptable. Where there are claims that our high standards are not met, we act immediately." A total of six farms were filmed by Dispatches, all with children picking coffee beans or hauling heavy sacks. Mr Le Cunff said the firm had stopped buying coffee in regions under the spotlight. "The idea is to really be on the ground, go farm by farm, and we really think that this programme can have a positive impact," he said. The company said it has also doubled the number of spot checks carried out at farms in the Fraijanes region, and Mr Le Cunff has dispatched the head of its own ethical AAA labelling alongside the Rainforest Alliance. He added that questions would be raised with the company's NGO partner to improve audits of coffee farms, although he admitted farms are given "a day or two days'" advanced notice of spot checks. Current rules to gain Nespresso's own ethical labelling must include no child or forced labour, although workers are only expected to be paid the local minimum wage, which is 8.30 a day in Guatemala. Dispatches, which is broadcast on Monday at 9pm, is also expected to allege that poor pay is forcing children to help support families by working rather than going to school. Nespresso bosses say it pays a 40pc premium for coffee to farmers, although the only control over the pay to pickers is by asking for local minimum wage laws to be enforced. The firm declined an interview with Dispatches, saying it was unwilling to without the names of the farms identified ahead of broadcast. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hemostemix Inc. (Hemostemix or the Company) (TSXV: HEM; OTC: HMTXF) provides the following update: Further to the Companys press release dated February 25, 2020, the Company confirms it will be appearing in the Court Queens Bench of Alberta (the Court) on February 27, 2020 at 1PM MST to consider the report to be provided by Grant Thornton Limited (Grant Thornton), as court appointed agent, in regards to the viability and veracity of closing of the proposed financings of the Company by March 2, 2020 and comment on the ability and viability of the Company to repay amounts owing to J.M Wood Investments Ltd. (Wood) in full. The Company confirms it provided Grant Thornton with unredacted copies of subscription agreements required pursuant to the February 21, 2020 Court order. This Court proceeding is further to Woods application to the Court for the issuance of an order appointing a receiver on January 24, 2020, the January 31, 2020 Consent Order and the February 21, 2020 Court order. The Company initially received a demand letter from Wood on October 1, 2019 in regards to US$1,100,000 (Cdn$1,456,140.63) advanced pursuant to the July 31, 2019 loan agreement between Wood and the Company (the Demand Loan). The demand letter included certain forbearance provisions delaying repayment by up to 120 days, which the Company complied with. On January 9, 2020, Wood sent the Company a Notice of Default and Demand for the immediate repayment of the May 15, 2019 $500,000 Convertible Debenture issued to Wood and $1,172,175.33 Demand Loan plus 12% interest. The Company disputes the effective dates and principal amounts owing of the Notice of Default and Demand. The Company believes the total principal amounts owing to Wood is $1,956,180.50 plus interest. The Companys press release dated February 25, 2020 provides additional disclosure of the demand letters provided by Wood and recap of the events leading to the receivership application, Court proceedings, Court orders, and appointment of Grant Thornton. PRIVATE PLACEMENT UPDATE The Company expects to complete a first closing of its unit financing (the Financing), as previously announced on January 2, 2020 and February 25, 2020, consisting of up to 300 million units at one cent per unit for gross proceeds of up to $3 million on or about February 28, 2020, subject to receiving TSX Venture Exchange approval, which is expected shortly. Each unit will comprise of one common share of the Company and one share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional common share in the capital of the Company at a price of five cents per warrant, for a period of one year from the date the units are issued. As previously disclosed on January 2, 2020, the Financing is being conducted in reliance on the Exchanges temporary relief measures set out in the Exchanges bulletin of April 7, 2014, (the "Temporary Relief Measures". In order to comply with the Temporary Relief Measures, the closing of the Financing is also subject to providing to the Exchange with written confirmation from subscribers and shareholders holding not less than 50% of Companys issued and outstanding shares (after giving effect to the Financing) that they will vote in favour of the proposed ten for one share consolidation (the Consolidation). The net proceeds of the private placement will be used to repay all indebtedness owning to Wood ($2,089,000 to be paid into Court), legal expenses ($30,000), audit expense ($30,000), costs for a statistician to perform an interim clinical trial analysis and report ($50,000), pay certain accounts payable ($50,000) and the balance for unallocated working capital. Please refer to the January 2, 2020 news release for additional terms and conditions of the private placement. Insiders of the Company intend to subscribe for units under the Financing. Any subsequent closings must be completed on or before April 4, 2020. LITIGATION UPDATE Management of the Company believe that Jed Wood and J.M. Wood Investments Ltd. are using the application for the appointment of a receiver to obtain a collateral advantage in litigation and using the proceedings to prevent the Company from closing the private placement, which is a necessary prerequisite to repaying the outstanding debt. Further to the Companys press release dated February 25, 2020, the Company provides the following additional chronological update and recap of the events leading up to the action filed against the Company by Aspire Health Science, LLC (Aspire) in Orange County, Florida. The Company and Aspire entered into an original license agreement dated February 15, 2018 (the Original License) which granted Aspire a limited license for the Companys ACP-01 technology in certain jurisdictions. The Company also entered into a Contract Manufacturing Agreement with Aspire dated February 15, 2018 (the Manufacturing Agreement) for the manufacturing of the Companys ACP-01 product for the clinical trial and for research and development. The Manufacturing Agreement was terminated on October 31, 2019. As previously announced, the Company and Aspire entered into an amended license agreement dated September 30, 2019 (the Amended License) which included, among other amendments, the payment of USD$1,000,000 to the Company within 30 business days from execution of the Amended License Agreement. Following the reconstitution of the Companys Board of Directors and management team in December of 2019, on December 5, 2019 the Company provided written notice to Aspire that the Amended License was rescinded as a result of Aspires failure to pay the Company USD $1,000,000 as required under the Amended License, as announced in the Companys press release dated December 11, 2019. Aspire alleges that they paid a total of USD$1,000,000 to Hemostemix creditors on December 12, 2019 in satisfaction of the Amended License payment, which Aspire noted in their January 28, 2020 action. The Company disputes these purported payments as satisfaction of the license fee and reaffirms its position that it had rescinded the Amended License on December 5, 2019 as Aspire did not pay the Company the USD$1,000,000 payment as required under the Amended License. On February 3, 2020, the Company was served with a claim filed by Aspire in the Circuit Court of the 9th Judicial Circuit in and for Orange County, Florida regarding the dispute settlement mechanism under the Amended License. On February 13, 2020, Aspire issued a press release that it filed an amended motion for a speedy hearing in relation to the previously announced legal proceeding initiated against the Company. Management of the Company believes this is merely another attempt to prevent the Company from closing its financing and forcing the Company into receivership. On February 20, 2020 Thomas Smeenk, on behalf of the Company, filed an affidavit through the Companys attorney, Allen Dyer Doppelt + Gilchrist, P.A. in Florida and the Company filed a motion to dismiss this action. Subsequent to closing the first tranche of the Financing and full payment to Wood to discharge the current security interests in favour of Wood, the Company intends to: Set a record date for an Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders within 60 days of the first closing, which includes a resolution to approve a consolidation of the Companys common shares on a ten old for one new basis; Complete a second closing of the Financing on or before April 4, 2020; Appoint a clinical trial manager or chief scientific officer to take over management of the current Phase II clinical trial and complete a midpoint analysis of the data, including assessing a futility analysis of the data; and Appoint a Chief Financial Officer and search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer. The Company intends to hire a clinical trial manager or chief scientific officer to take over management of its Phase II clinical trial from Aspire. The Company will also need to engage a new manufacturing partner should the Company wish to enroll additional patients in its trial. There is no certainty that the Company will be able to identify a new manufacturing partner nor enter into an agreement on terms suitable to the Company, or at all. To-date, the Company has requested that Aspire provide all clinical trial data and material to the Company. However, Aspire has not provided such information and continued to manage the clinical trial pursuant to the Amended License even though the Company rescinded such Amended License on December 5, 2019. Aspires press release dated February 13, 2020 also announced that it had suspended patient recruitment for the Hemostemix clinical trial due to lack of certainty regarding the Amended License until the outstanding legal matters are sufficiently resolved. The Company intends to aggressively support its position that the Amended License was rescinded and that Aspire must return all Company clinical trial material immediately. The Company intends to appoint a new Chief Financial Officer shortly after the full payment to Wood and discharge of the current security interests. The Company is continuing its search for a new CEO and will provide a further update on management appointments when available. ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX Hemostemix is a publicly traded autologous stem cell therapy company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company developed and is commercializing its lead product ACP-01 for the treatment of CLI, PAD, Angina, Ischemic Cardiomyopathy, Dilated Cardiomyopathy and other conditions of ischemia. ACP-01 has been used to treat over 300 patients, and it is the subject of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind trial of its safety and efficacy in patients with advanced critical limb ischemia who have exhausted all other options to save their limb from amputation. On October 21, 2019 , the Company announced the results from its Phase II CLI trial abstract presentation entitled Autologous Stem Cell Treatment for CLI Patients with No Revascularization Options: An Update of the Hemostemix ACP-01 Trial With 4.5 Year Followup which noted healing of ulcers and resolution of ischemic rest pain occurred in 83% of patients, with outcomes maintained for up to 4.5 years. The Company owns 91 patents across five patent families titled: Regulating Stem Cells, In Vitro Techniques for use with Stem Cells, Production from Blood of Cells of Neural Lineage, and Automated Cell Therapy. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential, and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could, or should occur. Although Hemostemix believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates, and opinions of Hemostemix management on the date such statements were made. By their nature forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the Companys ability to fund operations and access the capital required to continue operations, close the $3,000,000 unit financing, the appointment of a clinical trial manager or chief scientific officer and other management including a CFO and CEO, the Companys stage of development, the ability to take over and complete its current CLI clinical trial, the ability to engage a new manufacturing company to manufacture ACP-01, complete an interim clinical trial review and report and futility analysis and the results of such, the success of litigation involving Aspire, future clinical trials and results, long-term capital requirements and future developments in the Companys markets and the markets in which it expects to compete, risks associated with its strategic alliances and the impact of entering new markets on the Companys operations. Each factor should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Hemostemix 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. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties are contained in the Companys filing with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com. L&T delivers second offshore petrol vessel ICGS Vijaya to Coast Guard L&T Shipbuilding, today handed over offshore patrol vessel, ICGS Vijaya (OPV-2), the second of seven offshore petrol vessel being built at L&T;s shipyard in Tamil Nadu to the Indian Coast Guard. The 2,160-ton vessel, designed and constructed by L&T under a March 2015 ministry of defence contract, wad delivered ahead of schedue, the company stated. The first vessel of the series ICGS Vikram was handed over as a curtain raiser for DEFEXPO-2018. The delivery of ICGS Vijaya comes close on the heels of the launch of OPV-3 on 28 August at the L&T Kattupalli shipyard. The work is simultaneously in progress on the OPVs 4, 5 & 6 that are at different stages of completion L&T said. So far, 40 interceptor boats have been delivered out of the series of 54 boats designed and built for the Coast Guard while the remaining 14 are also ready for delivery, with the programme being about two years ahead of schedule. The Floating Dock FDN-2 for the Navy, designed and built for the first time in India, was delivered in March 2018 and is fully operational at Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Commenting on the occasion, SN Subrahmanyan, MD & CEO of Larsen & Toubro, said: Delivery of ICGS Vijaya ahead of contractual schedule reinforces our impeccable record of accomplishments in defence shipbuilding. Going forward, with commitment, huge infrastructure and talent pool in place, L&T aims to contribute significantly towards making Indian Coast Guard and Naval Fleet self-reliant. Jayant D Patil, whole-time director (defence) and member of L&T board, said: Delivery of ships continuously ahead of schedule has won the confidence of our esteemed customers. L&T has pioneered in developing indigenous defence technology for the Indian Armed Forces for the past three decades. With a wide range of defence solutions on offer, L&T is diligently working to realize Make in India in defence through a series of success stories across defence domains. Vice Admiral B Kannan (Retd.), MD & CEO L&T Shipbuilding, said: Early delivery of ICGS Vijaya is yet another testimony of L&Ts focused efforts on innovation, quality and speed of execution. Modern shipyard facilities and layout that enhances efficiency, in-house design, modular construction, high level of pre-outfitting, and innovative digital solutions have enabled L&T to achieve this new standard amongst Indian Shipyards. We are proud of attaining yet another benchmark in Indian shipbuilding by accomplishing better than design performance for both ICGS Vikram and ICGS Vijaya established in just two sea sorties. Most duty stations overseas are overwhelmingly safe, but sometimes bad things happen. When it goes down, military members and dependents need to be evacuated in a hurry. Most recently, the threat isn't global terrorism, hostile forces or a natural disaster -- it's COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus. While the coronavirus has not yet triggered evacuations from military bases overseas, it's not something anyone can rule out at this point. There have been facility closures in Vicenza, Italy, and bases in Germany are preparing for a potential lockdown. A soldier in South Korea is the first U.S. military member to contract the disease, and a military dependent has also tested positive in South Korea. So combating the spread of the virus is no doubt a top priority for military brass. The best way to do that would be to keep the military out of harm's way entirely. And it wouldn't be the first time the U.S. left in a hurry. If history serves, it's better not to mess around. 1. Cyprus, February and July 1964 UNFICYP peacekeeper escorts elderly Greek woman across bridge in Ayios Theodoros, from Turkish sector to Greek sector. (United Nations) On Dec. 21, 1963, violence erupted between Greek and Turkish residents of Nicosia, the capital of the island nation. Two Turkish Cypriots were killed, and eight others, both Greek and Turkish, were wounded. In the days that followed, armed bands of opposing ethnic groups roamed the city streets, shooting indiscriminately. In what came to be known as "Bloody Christmas," dozens were killed. Read: What Happens When an Overseas US Military Base Is Evacuated? By February, the United Nations was ready to send in 10,000 peacekeeping troops to reassert law and order. On Feb. 9, however, bombs went off near the American embassy. Almost immediately, the U.S. government ordered the evacuation of all military personnel and dependents. In July 1964, more would be evacuated to Beirut after the toppling of the Greek-led government in Nicosia. Turkey would invade the island later that month. 2. South Vietnam, 1965 Dependents of American servicemen depart Saigon in 1965. It might come as a surprise that, at the outset of the American involvement in Vietnam, more than 1,800 U.S. military dependents accompanied service members in Saigon. As the Johnson administration ramped up its attacks on the North, however, American dependents were forced to leave. Military dependents were returned to the United States, but many diplomatic and intelligence officials' families discussed forming "exile colonies" in Thailand and Hong Kong. "A couple of hours away is better than 20 hours aways," one wife told an Associated Press reporter. 3. South Vietnam, April 1975 A South Vietnamese helicopter is pushed over the side of the USS Okinawa during Operation Frequent Wind, April 1975. The helicopter, which carried two Vietnamese officers, a woman and two children, had to be disposed of to make room for the extensive Marine Corps helicopter operation helping to evacuate the city of Saigon. (U.S. Marine Corps) On April 3, 1975, President Gerald Ford announced that the Vietnam War was over for the United States in a speech at Louisiana's Tulane University. He also announced that C-141 Starlifter aircraft had begun to repatriate American troops, personnel and their dependents, along with Vietnamese orphans. Over that month, almost 400 U.S. Air Force sorties evacuated 45,000 people from South Vietnam as North Vietnam closed its grip on the southern capital of Saigon. But the U.S. ambassador and embassy staff, along with thousands of South Vietnamese refugees, remained. In the closing days of April 1975, the U.S. launched Operation Frequent Wind, in which Marine Corps and Air Force special operations helicopters departed from Navy aircraft carriers to evacuate the remaining American officials and whatever refugees they could. In the mission's last two days, 71 helicopters flew more than 2,000 air sorties between Saigon and the 7th Fleet. 4. Lebanon, February 1984 Marines stand in front of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, which was destroyed by a terrorist bomb attack. The Marines are members of a multinational peacekeeping force. (U.S. Marine Corps) In 1975, Lebanon's fractured ethnic and religious groups descended into what would become a 15-year civil war for control of the country. Regional neighbors, the United Nations and even the U.S. Marine Corps couldn't bring stability to the country. Marines died defusing bombs and were shot by snipers. Finally, on Oct. 23, 1983, two truck bombs struck the multinational peacekeeping force barracks in Beirut, killing 220 leathernecks, 41 other U.S. service members and 58 French paratroopers. At the time, it was the largest non-nuclear explosion ever recorded. Four months later, President Ronald Reagan announced that the Marines would be leaving Beirut for good, save for a small force to guard the U.S. embassy. 5. Liberia, August 1990 and April 1996 U.S. citizens and others evacuated from Monrovia, Liberia, are led away from a U.S. Air Force MH-53 Pavelow helicopter at the airport in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on April 11, 1996. (Senior Airman Richard M. Heileman/U.S. Air Force) The United States doesn't have a history of colonialism in Africa, but the one place where similar ties exist is Liberia. The West African country was founded by repatriated former slaves from the United States. When civil war erupted in the country in the late 1980s, American involvement was scaled back and, by 1990, U.S. citizens in the country were evacuated by the Marine Corps. Later that year, rebels would execute Liberian President Samuel Doe. Some Americans stayed in the country despite threats from rebel leader Prince Johnson to round up foreigners. In April 1996, heavy fighting again broke out around the country, and the U.S. military led a daring evacuation of all Americans as bodies littered the streets of Monrovia. 6. The Philippines, June 1991 Military and civilian personnel stop at a distribution point to collect food and water for their trip to Naval Station, Subic Bay, during the evacuation of Clark Air Base. Mt. Pinatubo is visible in the background on the upper left corner. (U.S. Air Force) On June 15, 1991, Mount Pinatubo on the Philippine island of Luzon erupted, the end result of months of seismic activity and smaller magmatic eruptions. While the days leading up to the major eruption saw ash clouds more than 80,000 feet high, the June 15 eruption launched ash even further and damaged the nearby U.S. military facilities at Clark Air Base and Naval Base Subic Bay. As a result, Pacific Air Forces ordered both installations evacuated, and the U.S. military began to move 20,000 troops and their families from the Philippines to Guam and then on to the U.S. A few "Ash Warriors" stayed behind during the eruption, but very few Americans ever returned. Both bases are now controlled by the Philippine government. 7. Lebanon, July 2006 Airman 1st Class Jared Lamber walks down the aisle of a C-17 Globemaster III during evacuation procedures from Lebanon to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 23, 2006. (U.S. Air Force/Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall) In one of the largest overseas evacuations of Americans ever, the U.S. military pulled out some 15,000 citizens as Israeli Defence Forces and Hezbollah fighters clashed at Israel's border with Lebanon. After Hezbollah made an unprecedented border raid into Israel, the IDF responded with a large air campaign targeting Hezbollah's military sites and Beirut's international airport. Then, Israel launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. Two days later, the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, along with civilian boats, began a Dunkirk-like exodus of Americans out of harm's way. For 34 days, the IDF fought a "surprisingly well-trained and equipped" Hezbollah. It took the U.S. military 17 days to clear its citizens from the line of fire. 8. Japan, March-May 2011 Members with the Japanese Search and Rescue team search through the damage and debris on March 17, 2011, in Unosumai, Japan. (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock) In March 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck the coast of Honshu, Japan's main island. The resulting tsunamis caused a major meltdown at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima. Radioactivity began spewing into the air as the meltdown progressed and the water from the spent fuel pools began to leak. The Japanese government established a 12- to 18-mile evacuation zone. The U.S. military established a 50-mile zone and began moving its people out. The U.S. military and Japanese Self-Defense Forces moved as quickly as possible to respond. The U.S. 7th Fleet assembled 19 ships, 140 aircraft and 180,000 personnel to relieve the Japanese people and evacuate the areas affected. Nearly 15,000 people were evacuated and more than 8,300 bodies recovered. It was the SDF's largest mission ever. 9. Turkey, March 2016 An Air Force crewmember carries a military dependent out of a C-17 Globemaster III at Baltimore Washington International Airport, Md., April 1, 2016. (Staff Sgt. Andrew Lee/U.S. Air Force) In the wake of a coordinated Islamic State bombing and shooting attack in Brussels, Belgium, that left 35 dead, including a U.S. Air Force officer and his family, the Pentagon ordered the evacuation of military dependents at bases in Turkey. The evacuation affected airfields in Incirlik, Izmir and Mugla, resulting in the removal of 670 military dependents. Read: U.S. Military Families Ordered to Evacuate Turkey Though the military didn't have specific intelligence on ISIS targets in Turkey, the move was "taken in an abundance of caution." While military family members were taken back to the U.S., service members would continue their tours in Adana -- what family members called "a new 15-month deployment." -- 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. Inside Hook As the Associated Press reports, director Roman Polanski will be a no-show at the Cesars the French equivalent to the Oscars this year after womens rights groups called for a boycott of the ceremony in light of a new rape allegation against the filmmaker. Polanski told the AP that the protests amounted to a public lynching, and he addressed the rape claim by saying, Fantasies of unhealthy minds are now treated as facts. We know ahead of time how this evening will play out. The Confederation of British Industry has backed farmers' calls for a standards commission to advise government during Brexit trade negotiations. UK farm leaders have frequently called on government to back up its assurances on upholding British farmings standards by creating a trade commission. Such a move would ensure that any future trade policy does not undermine farming's high environmental and animal welfare standards. During the NFU Conference on Tuesday (25 February), the CBI, which represents 190,000 businesses of all types, said it 'absolutely supports' the proposal. The director general of the group Dame Fairbairn said that without a trade standards commission the UK would 'not get the right kind of deals'. We can scramble, we can get the right voices around the table and thats our offer to government," she said during a panel session at the conference. "We havent done these kind of trade deals for 40 years, and if you look at whos good at doing them and what characterises a good trading set-up, its really close engagement between governments and business groups. Standards in trade sounds like a techy thing, but they encapsulate who we are as a country. We are just beginning to realise that we need an evidence-based conversation about the kind of place we want to be." She added: "Thats why we are saying to government, create that proper framework for debate and discussion. "When the NFU talks about the need for an expert commission, the CBI absolutely supports the principle behind that. The NFU is also calling for legal provisions in the Agriculture Bill to ensure food imports do not undermine British farmers. During the session, NFU President Minette Batters said that a recent trip to the US with Dame Fairbairn had highlighted how much uncertainty remained in the UKs trading position. Mrs Batters said: The US published its negotiating positions in 2017 and the overriding part of our conversations over there were around where are yours? Dame Fairbairn added: Trade is a contact sport and theres always a lot of noise, but the business community has started with a sense of optimism after the gridlock of last year. We are hoping to see pragmatism and a strong evidence base. We absolutely respect the governments mandate, and they have said we are going to see some friction. I think there is a recognition that this government is prioritising sovereignty over rules. "There is some waking up and smelling the coffee to do, but within that I still think we can have a pragmatic trade deal. Attacking the Centre for overnight transfer of Delhi High Court Justice Muralidhar, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Thursday claimed that not only the democratic institution but the judiciary itself is blatantly "suppressed and undermined". "A strong and independent judiciary has been the backbone of this country. The country is witnessing a dictatorship which is continuously gaining ground, wherein not only the democratic institution but the judiciary itself, are blatantly suppressed and undermined," said Venugopal in a statement. He cornered Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for immediate and overnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar, who highlighted the role "played by certain BJP leaders in instigating the mob and directed the Delhi police to take urgent action". The Congress leader claimed that the action taken by Muralidhar was a clear "proof of the discomfort on part of Prime Minister Modi and Shah over fears of an impartial investigation exposing their complicity in the Delhi riots." He said: "The decision to transfer the Judge is hardly surprising given the fact that the BJP which had unashamedly instigated the mob and provided complete impunity to those who called for violence, took such a malicious decision under cover of darkness." Venugopal further asked Modi-Shah duo to clarify as to why are they "afraid" of an impartial and fair investigation. "Are they worried about the fact that at the end of the day questions will be asked on their complicit role in terms of both in inaction as well as instigating the mob? This brazenness and highhandedness are a clear rebuff to the families, who lost their dearest ones as well as the tens of thousands of the citizens who believe in the democratic values of our constitution," he said. Asserting that the judiciary in our country is guided by one principle above all others- 'Satyamev Jayate', he said: "Modi and Shah cannot hide behind untruth and highhandedness all the time." A government notification directing Justice Muralidhar to assume charge of his office in Punjab and Haryana High Court was issued on Wednesday. Justice S Muralidhar along with Justice Anup J. Bhambhani also heard a matter related to Delhi violence on Tuesday midnight. They heard a plea seeking safe passage of injured victims of violence in New Delhi to medical institutions with adequate facilities. The Bench had then directed the Delhi Police to ensure safe passage of the injured victims by deploying all resources, as well as to make sure they receive immediate emergency treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Justice Joseph said emphasising that the violence and the consequent loss of life was on account of police inaction. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up Delhi police for not taking action against those who had made inflammatory speeches and said that if it had acted as required by law and in time the violence that claimed nearly 20 lives could have been averted. Justice K.M. Joseph, part of the two-judge bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, said: If you had acted the way law required you to act and stopped people from making inflammatory remarks the spiral of violence could have been averted and lives saved. Lack of professionalism of the police is the main problem here. If you had not allowed people to get away after inflammatory remarks, all this would not have happened. If you act the way law requires to act, you will see the difference, Justice Joseph observed hitting out at Delhi police for its inaction. The court was obviously pointing to police not taking cognisance of BJP leader Kapil Mishra making inflammatory remarks against those opposing Citizenship Amendment Act. I will say, Justice Joseph retorted when solicitor general Tushar Mehta said that the observation from the judge may demoralise the police during these tense times. One of my constables has died. My DCP is injured. He is on ventilator. Let us not demoralise the police by saying anything now. We do not know what the situation on the ground is, Mr. Mehta kept imploring the court. This will happen if you allow people to get away. Unless you get the police to act, there will be no difference. Look at how police acts in the U.K. Do they require somebodys nod? If somebody makes an inflammatory remark, police swings into action immediately, Justice Joseph said emphasising that the violence and the consequent loss of life was on account of police inaction which did not act the way it was expected. PNL's (National Liberal Party) Political Bureau on Thursday evening decided to endorse Nicusor Dan's candidacy to City Mayor, the chiarperson of the Bucharest branch, Violeta Alexandru, informed. She said the decision was taken unanimously and that she will bring up the proposal for the party to endorse this candidate at the meeting of the Executive Bureau of the PNL on Friday."The decision was taken unanimously to endorse the candidacy of Mr. Nicusor Dan to City Mayor. Based on this unanimous decision, tomorrow, at the Executive Bureau of the PNL, I will propose to the leadership of the party to approve this proposal to endorse the candidacy of Mr. Nicusor Dan to City Mayor. (...) This candidate guarantees us that we will have the results that we want at the City Hall, which is to defeat Gabriela Firea and build a professional team at the level of the City Hall, to lead Bucharest out of the bankruptcy it's facing right now, and to develop the city and make it the civilized city that the Bucharesters have all the rights to aspire to," said Violeta Alexandru.She showed that actions and a political programme are to be put together in the next period for the candidate to City Mayor.Violeta Alexandru said an electoral alliance with other parties, such as USR-PLUS (Save Romania Union - Liberty, Unity, Solidarity Party), is "desirable" in Bucharest for the local elections."We are open to discussions with the other actors from the other political parties that represent the Opposition to PSD today," said the chairperson of PNL Bucharest.She specified the Liberals are ready with their candidates to the Bucharest districts."We are still to discuss with the other partners, to check if they are open to dialogue," she said.Nicusor Dan voiced hope that the Executive Bureau of the PNL will confirm the endorsement for his candidacy at the Friday meeting."The current disastrous local administration is close to the end of its term (...). We had entire neighborhoods that didn't have heat this winter, the traffic is increasingly more jammed with every year that passes, we rank 4th in Europe, in this respect, while we compete with much bigger cities, such as Moscow or Istanbul, and pollution reaches alarming levels. And for each of these problems we net to harmonize our solutions. We will have a discussion in the following weeks," said Nicusor Dan.He said the administration of the Capital City must have "a simple interaction with the businessmen.""We must stimulate development in those areas where we are competitive, such as in the creative industries, and the City Hall can play the role of an interface between what the business environment expects and what the Buchares schools produce. We must build centres of excellency to put Bucharest on the global map of business meetings," said Dan, who voiced hope he will be able to discuss about all these matters with the other forces in the Opposition from Bucharest.He reiterated that, if he becomes general mayor, he will support the dissolution of the districts in the Capital City."I believe it's necessary not just to dissolve the districts in Bucharest, but also to have a single administrative unit to include Ilfov area," said Nicusor Dan.He also presented several measures in combating pollution, as well as the connection to the centralized heating system, the control of the construction sites, washing the streets, collaborating with the Bucharest Environmental Guard for the landfills, creating a green space registers, planting one million trees and stopping the "chaotic and absurd pruning" of the trees. AGERPRES (Source: SunStar) LOCAL health authorities have found the 26 South Korean nationals who flew in from Daegu City, North Gyeongsang province on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Jaime Bernadas, director of the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas, said most of them are staying in hotels in Lapu-Lapu City. Weve already identified them. For now, were treating them as PUMs (persons under monitoring). Well confine them in hotels as we wait for developments while they revise the protocol to cover those areas that will be included in the travel ban, he said in a mix of Cebuano and English. PUMs are those persons who came from a place affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and/or have contacts with infected persons but do not manifest symptoms of the disease that include fever, cough and colds. Patients under investigation (PUIs) are those who manifest symptoms of the disease. Bernadas said there is no need to impose a lockdown in the places where the foreigners are staying since they will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine and will not be allowed to move around. A day after the South Korean tourists arrived in Cebu, the Philippine Government announced a travel ban on Filipinos going to South Korea and travelers from North Gyeongsang from coming to the Philippines. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease approved the twin ban due to the Covid-19 outbreak in the South Korean province. Only permanent residents of South Korea or those studying or working there will be allowed to travel to the East Asian country. Filipinos and their foreign spouses or children and holders of permanent resident and diplomatic visas traveling from South Korea will be allowed entry to the Philippines. As of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, 60 of the 61 PUIs in Central Visayas had been discharged but were still being monitored. In its latest Covid-19 tracker, the DOH reported that only one PUI is still confined and undergoing treatment in the region. Story continues No new confirmed Covid-19 patients were confined anywhere in the country although the DOH continues to monitor a total of 615 cases nationwide. Of the number, 548 were discharged from medical facilities but are still being monitored by DOH, while 64 PUIs remain in isolation in various hospitals. The only three confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country the 38-year-old woman from Wuhan, China; her 44-year-old male partner who died; and the 60-year-old Chinese woman who already returned to China were included in the tally. Globally, the viral outbreak that began in China has infected 82,000 people. Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella wants the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to monitor vessels from South Korea. Since the PCG, in coordination with the Bureau of Quarantine, already has its own protocol, Labella requested the two offices to include vessels from South Korea in addition to China, Macau and Hong Kong in their monitoring. In a letter to PCG Central Visayas commander Joseph Badajos, Labella requested him not to allow ships to dock unless their crew tested negative for symptoms of Covid-19. He also asked the BOQ to help the PCG screen the crew of ships that are set to dock in the ports of Cebu City. Labella said authorities have been too focused on airports, adding that seaports should also be a major concern. (WBS With AP, JJL) The Delhi High Court allowed the Centre to be impleaded as a party in the PIL seeking lodging of FIRs and arrests in the northeast Delhi communal violence, and adjourned the case till 13 April. The day after a bench headed by Justice S Murlidhar castigated the Delhi Police for its 'inaction' and said the court did not "want a repeat of 1984", a new bench gave the Centre and police four weeks to reply to a Public Interest Litigation seeking FIRs against three BJP leaders for alleged hate speeches and said that the next hearing would be on 13 April. The bench comprising Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar allowed the Centre to be impleaded as a party in the PIL filed by activist Harsh Mander seeking FIRs and arrests in the northeast Delhi communal violence. The court had on Wednesday granted the Centre only a day's time to decide whether a FIR was to be filed against BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma. The Centre on Thursday transferred Justice Muralidhar to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, about two weeks after the recommendation by the Supreme Court collegium on 12 February. His transfer came in for sharp criticism from sections of the Opposition, with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi tweeting: The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isnt shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the governments attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable. pic.twitter.com/KKt4IeAMyv Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 27, 2020 'Condition not conducive for FIRs' On Thursday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was quoted by Bar and Bench as saying, "The condition is not conducive at this moment. FIRs will be registered at an appropriate time." Mehta made the same argument on Wednesday, but his statement had met with vehement disapproval from Justice Murlidhar, who had said, "What's the appropriate time, Mr Mehta? The city is burning." Mehta said on Thursday, "I have avoided making statements which are not conducive. Authorities have examined all audio-video material. We have decided to defer the registration of FIR." He added that the FIR would be filed at an "appropriate time." However, the Delhi government's counsel Rahul Mehra opposed this submission, saying, "When 11 FIRs have already been registered with respect to the Delhi riots, why not register FIR for hate speech?" He added that the filing of an FIR is just the first step of an investigation, and it can always be cancelled later, and said, "The paramount consideration today is the well being of citizens." In response, Mehta was quoted as saying by Live Law as saying that the petitioner was not seeking an FIR over the violence, but over speeches of political leaders. Colin Gonsalves, representing the petitioner, said that "go and kill" has become the favourite slogan of a particular political party, and claimed that the attackers are also participating in the rallies held by these political leaders. He further remarked, "This court needs to send out a message that no one will be spared for making hate speeches." The court has granted four weeks' time to the Centre to file a counter affidavit and posted the matter for further hearing on 13 April. Court slams Delhi Police On Wednesday, a bench of Justice S Murlidhar and Justice Talwant Singh lashed out at the police for its handling of the recent violence, saying it is "amazed" at the police's state of affairs. The court made the remarks after Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime branch) Rajesh Deo told the bench that he had not seen the clip where BJP leader Mishra allegedly made a speech instigating violence in northeast Delhi. During the hearing, the court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared at the court on behalf of the Union government and represented the police officer, if they had seen the video clip of Mishra making alleged hate speeches. While Mehta maintained that he does not watch television and has not seen those clips, Deo said he has watched the video of BJP leaders Thakur and Verma, but has not of Mishra. On the submission made by the police officer, Justice Muralidhar remarked, "I am really amazed at the state of affairs of the Delhi Police", and asked the court staff to play Mishra's video clip in the courtroom. With inputs from PTI The Prince of Wales with his Aston Martin DB6 as he arrives for a visit to the Aston Martin Lagonda factory at St Athan in Barry, Wales. (PA) Luxury carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda (AML.L) on Thursday announced a turnaround plan, as it revealed widening losses and slipping sales. The struggling car maker said pre-tax losses grew by 53% last year to 104.3m ($134m). The business also slipped to an operating loss of 36.7m, compared to an operating profit of 72.8m in 2018. Revenue and sales both fell by 9%. The car maker sold 5,862 vehicles last year, which brought in 997.3m. Aston Martins debt rose by 53% to 876.2m last year and the business now has leverage of 7.3 times earnings. Shares were down 12% by mid-morning in London. The stock has fallen over 70% since Aston Martin went public in October 2018. Aston Martin's shares dropped further on Thursday. Photo: Yahoo Finance UK Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda president and Group CEO, said 2019 had been extremely challenging. While retail sales grew, we were unable to generate the revenue and profits we had originally planned, Palmer said. Aston Martin Lagonda faced severe liquidity pressures as a result, he said. The pressure led Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll to step in and rescue Aston Martin last month. Stroll, the owner of the F1 team Racing Point, took a 16.7% stake in the business worth 182m. Read more: Aston Martin rescue deal agreed as F1 billionaire buys stake As announced last month, we are proposing an equity fundraising of 500m to improve liquidity, stabilise the balance sheet and provide a platform for the future, Palmer said. The equity raise includes a proposed investment of 182m from a consortium led by Lawrence Stroll. Aston Martin Lagonda said in a separate statement that shareholders, including Mercedes-Benz, had fully underwritten a rights issue to raise 317m alongside Strolls investment. Shares will be sold to investors at a 47% discount to Wednesdays closing price. Stroll is joining Aston Martins board as executive chairman as part of the deal. Separately, chief finance officer Mark Wilson is leaving the business. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Honda RB16 during the Formula 1 Winter Tests at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 26, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Palmer said he would use the 500m to reset, stabilise and de-risk the business, positioning it for controlled, long-term profitable growth. Story continues The company has already announced it is delaying its electric vehicle programme as it focuses more on near-term projects such as the DBX, its first ever SUV. Aston Martin said Thursday it took a 39m charge from mothballing the electric car programme. We are focused on turning around performance, restoring price positioning by operating a pull vs push model, reducing dealer inventories to a luxury norm and delivering a more efficient operational footprint, Palmer said. Read more: Aston Martin among the worst performing stocks of 2019 James Bonds car maker said sales would continue to fall in 2020 as Aston Martin tries to restore its luxury image. The company warned that performance this year would be significantly dependant on the launch of the new DBX later this year and warned that the spread of COVID-19 could hurt business. So far the impact has been limited. Bank of America analyst Kei Mueller and team said the outlook for 2020 was very bleak and extremely vague. Palmer said: With our revised plan and appropriate funding in place, I believe we will have the building blocks in place to secure the necessary financial turnaround of the business consistent with our position as a luxury automotive company. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK OTTAWA - The controversial use of facial-recognition tools will soon be scrutinized by MPs. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Members of the House of Commons committee on information, privacy and ethics voted this week to examine the technology's effects on civil society, privacy rights, minorities and vulnerable populations. NDP Critic for Indigenous Youth Charlie Angus makes his way to the podium for a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - The controversial use of facial-recognition tools will soon be scrutinized by MPs. Members of the House of Commons committee on access to information, privacy and ethics voted this week to examine the technology's effects on civil society, privacy rights, minorities and vulnerable populations. New Democrat MP Charlie Angus, who put forward the idea, suggested the committee study use of the emerging tools by governments, police, companies and individuals. Advanced digital applications now allow computers to quickly sift millions of stored images and match them against photos of a person taken at places such as an airport, demonstration or sporting event. In an unusual statement Thursday, the RCMP said it has been experimenting with facial-recognition technology supplied by U.S. firm Clearview AI in investigations of online child sexual exploitation. "Only trained victim identification specialists ... use the software primarily to help identify, locate and rescue children who have been or are victims of online sexual abuse," the statement said. According to the RCMP, Clearview AI's techology has been used in 15 cases and has led the Mounties to two children who were being victimized. The force has also tried the technology out "to determine its utility to enhance criminal investigations," the statement said. The MPs will look at how the technology affects the privacy, security and safety of children, seniors and various racial communities. They will also investigate how the tools can be used for criminal harassment or other illegal surveillance purposes, as well as any links between Canadian police and technology firms that market such applications. Angus told the committee the first step will be getting a better understanding of "the growing power of artificial intelligence" and how it can lead to biased results that infringe on people's rights. His push for the review drew support from Liberal MP Michael Levitt, who called it a "most important study in an area that is moving so, so rapidly." "I think this issue is a defining issue of our time." The federal privacy watchdog and three of his provincial counterparts announced last week they will look into the use of Clearview AI's technology. Privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien said he will be joined in the probe by ombudsmen from British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. Media reports have raised questions and concerns about whether the company is collecting and using personal information without consent. Privacy regulators in every province and territory have agreed to develop guidance for organizations including law enforcement on the use of biometric technology such as facial recognition. The RCMP's statement said the federal police will work with Therrien to devise guidelines and policies on how to use the technology properly. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. Joe Biden has a dominating lead over his fellow Democratic candidates in South Carolina in a new poll released just days before the primary elections in the fourth and final early primary contest state. A Monmouth University Poll released Thursday shows the former vice president with 36 per cent among Democratic primary voters, which is 20 percentage points ahead of the No. 2 candidate in South Carolina. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders earned 16 per cent in the state, battling it out for a close second place with billionaire Tom Steyer, who amassed 15 per cent up 11 percentage points from the last poll. In the three other early voting states combined, Sanders earned the most delegates with 45, while Steyer, who comes in last in national polling of the eight remaining candidates, has not earned any so far. Former Vice President Joe Biden has a dominating lead in South Carolina, according to the most recent poll in the final early primary contest state Biden's campaign has downplayed his big losses in Iowa and New Hampshire by claiming he would make up for it in more diverse states describing black voters as his 'firewall' Joe Biden holds 36 per cent support, compared to No.2 candidate Bernie Sanders, who earned just 16 per cent in the South Carolina poll Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (left) and billionaire Tom Steyer (right) are battling it out for a distant second place in South Carolina with 16 per cent and 15 per cent respectively Among black voters, Biden has an even more dominating lead with 45 per cent support with that voting bloc. With that demographic, Sanders drops to third black behind Steyer, who holds 17 per cent support to the progressive senators 13 per cent. Bidens lead in the first southern state to cast its ballots is in line with his claim that he holds popularity among black voters, since South Carolina Democrats are majority black. Throughout the campaign so far, Biden has performed surprisingly poorly in the early primary contest states, which he has attributed to the lack of racial diversity in Iowa and New Hampshire, in particular, where he came in fourth and fifth place respectively. He came in second place in Nevada, which has a more diverse electorate, but it wasnt even close earning 20 per cent of the vote to Sanders nearly 47 per cent. Bidens campaign has viewed black Democratic primary voters as its firewall, and the former vice president left New Hampshire before the polls closed to campaign in South Carolina, a state where one-third of the primary electorate is black. No other candidate earned in the double digits, with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren earning 8 per cent in the early primary state, a drop of 8 percentage points. Pete Buttigieg, who has struggled to earn support with the black community, earned only 6 per cent in South Carolina, where one-third of the Democratic primary voting bloc are black Former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who has struggled to gain support among the black community but has performance surprisingly well in the early primary contest states, fell to fifth place of the eight remaining candidates. He earned 6 per cent in the Monmouth poll conducted February 23-25, which is still up 3 points from before, but when it came to black voters he only saw 2 per cent support. Still 15 per cent of South Carolina Democratic primary voters are undecided, even as they prepare to head to the polls Saturday. Donald Trump won the Republican primary in South Carolina in 2016 earning 32.5 per cent of the vote in a crowded primary field. He also won South Carolina in the general elections that year by nearly 15 per cent, earning 54.9 per cent to Hillary Clintons 40.7 per cent. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday thanked India for evacuating two Sri Lankans on board a coronavirus-hit cruise ship docked off Yokohama in Japan. An Air India flight on Thursday brought back 119 Indians. The foreigners who were also evacuated along with the Indian nationals included two from Sri Lanka and one each from Nepal, South Africa and Peru. Rajapaksa in a statement said the acting Indian High Commissioner in Colombo informed him that two Sri Lankans on board the Diamond Princess ship were flown out of Tokyo and arrived safely in Delhi. My heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), the government of India...for facilitating the evacuation," the statement said. They were among the 3,711 people on board the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at the Yokohama port, near Tokyo, on February 3. The ship was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be the carrier of the disease. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) White House Extends Russia Sanctions Over Ukraine Situation For One Year By RFE/RL February 26, 2020 U.S. President Donald Trump has extended for one year a series of previously imposed sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine, in particular, forcibly annexing the Crimean Peninsula and further destabilizing the country. Trump's executive order was signed on February 25 and includes a package of sanctions that have expanded in scope over time since March 6, 2014. They were first introduced by the administration of former President Barack Obama and broadened three more times in 2014 as well as in 2018. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the order to invade Crimea in early 2014 after the Moscow-friendly Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovych, abandoned office and fled the country amid a popular uprising that opposed his increasingly corrupt and authoritarian rule. Moscow then started supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine in a war that has killed more than 13,000 people and uprooted more than 1.5 people from their homes in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Trump's order says Russia's actions, including its "purported annexation of Crimea and use of force in Ukraine...undermine democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine; threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and contribute to the misappropriation of asstes." To "deal with that emergency," the sanctions "must continue in effect beyond March 6, 2020," the executive order says. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/white-house -extends-russia-sanctions-over-ukraine-situation -for-one-year/30456342.html Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook has said that the company will open its online store in India in 2020 followed by the first Apple-branded physical store by 2021. Cook was responding to a question by one of Apples shareholders about the companys plans for India during the company's annual shareholder meeting in California. We needed to get approval from the government to go in there ourselves rather than with a domestic partner, Cook said. I dont want somebody else to run the brand for us, he further added. Cook did not reveal the exact timeline of the store launch during the meeting. However, the announcement does confirm Apple stepping its foot in Indias online market this year. The Cupertino-based tech giant has been in talks with the Indian government for quite some time over subsidies and easing of import duties before opening its own stores in the country. Apple was previously expected to launch its first online store in India between January and March, i.e. Q1 2020. The decision was made after the Indian government eased Foreign Direct Investment regulations in August 2019. Reports in January started emerging about Apple postponing its online store plans for India, citing logistical issues. The company was said to be working on the issues thereby delaying the launch of its online store further. Cook is expected to visit India between June and July 2020 to take stock of the India business, including an expansion of its manufacturing plans, exports, and rollout of both company-owned online and brick-and-mortar Apple stores. Cook has repeatedly stated that India is a key market for Apple. The companys latest iPhone, the iPhone 11, along with the iPhone XR has helped Apple made a 41 percent growth year-on-year (YoY) in Q4 of 2019. (With inputs from Reuters) The UN rights chief called Thursday on the authorities in Guinea to ensure this weekend's votes are transparent and inclusive, warning that any escalation in the country's crisis would be "profoundly harmful". Guinea, a country with a long tradition of political turmoil, is to vote on Sunday in a referendum and in a legislative election. The referendum on constitutional changes is seen by critics as a ploy by President Alpha Conde, 81, to stay in power for a third term, after a decade in power. Months of protests against the referendum have resulted in "dozens of deaths," Michelle Bachelet told the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday. "Reports also indicate that ethnic divisions are deepening, with increasing incitement to hatred and violence on social media and at political rallies," she said. "Any further escalation of this crisis could be profoundly harmful." Bachelet highlighted a warning about "serious irregularities in the voters' register" from the international association of French-speaking countries, OIF, earlier this week. "I urge the authorities to avert greater turmoil and ensure that the electoral process is transparent and inclusive," she said. Guinea has suffered serious unrest over the plans for constitutional reform. At least 30 people and a gendarme, have lost their lives, according to an AFP tally. Jailed under previous hardline regimes, Conde became Guinea's first democratically elected president in 2010. He was returned to office by voters in 2015 for his second and final five-year term under the current constitution, but critics say he has become authoritarian. Earlier this month he left the door open to running for a third term, saying there was "nothing more democratic" than the referendum on constitutional change. The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC) has called for a boycott of the vote. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HR Technology Leaders Throughout Asia Recognize SHL For Best Assessment Provider, Great Workplace For HR Services, Best Solution And Best Psychometric Testing Provider SHANGHAI, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SHL, the global leader in talent innovation, continued to build momentum in one of its highest-growth markets, winning five awards across Asia in November and December 2019. Each award recognized SHL for its leadership in the industry as an employer or for the company's talent solutions. Human Resource Online produced a special edition of its publication HR Vendors of the Year 2019, showcasing the best-in-class HR service providers of Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. SHL was honored as Best Psychometric Testing Provider in Singapore and Best Psychometric Testing Provider in Hong Kong. China's leading HR management think tank, HR Flag, presented SHL with one of its Innovation Awards, naming SHL's Leader Edge as a Best Solution in 2020. In addition, HR Flag's Employer Branding Institute recognized SHL as one of the Great Workplace of HR Services Industry in China for 2020. Finally, Top HR, a leading HR professional publication in China, hosted its HR Pioneer Awards in China and honored SHL as the Best Assessment Company of the Year in Greater China. "We are humbled and honored by the recognition in these five awards," said Arthur Rassias, SHL's Chief Revenue Officer. "It reflects the strong commitment SHL has in Asia to provide the best talent solutions available, and help businesses grow the workforces they need to be successful." The awards come amid SHL's recent acquisition of Aspiring Minds as well as a strategic partnership with IBM Kenexa announced earlier this month, continuing to position SHL as the leading global provider of Talent Solutions on the market. Learn more about SHL's talent solutions here. About SHL SHL exists to help you win. At a time of unprecedented change, we provide deep people insights to predict and drive performance. Our world-class talent solutions empower leaders and their teams to make unbiased decisions throughout the employee journey. With 40+ years of talent expertise, cutting-edge assessment science and more than 45 billion data points, we have an unparalleled view of the workforce. SHL partners with organizations of all sizes - from start-ups to multinational firms - worldwide to deliver proven business results from people investments. www.shl.com Contact Kristina Iniguez PR@shl.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/997807/SHL_Logo.jpg [February 27, 2020] ColorTokens Named Gold Winner for Micro-segmentation at Cybersecurity Excellence Awards SANTA CLARA, California, Feb. 27, 2020 /CNW/ -- ColorTokens Inc., a leader in new-generation, zero-trust cloud security, today announced that it was honored in five categories at the 2020 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards. The company took home the Gold Award for its Micro-segmentation product and earned four Silver Awards for excellence in Cloud Security, Zero Trust Security, Endpoint Security, and Application Security. Each year, the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards evaluate hundreds of products, companies, and services from the world's leading cybersecurity companies. Winners are determined based on leadership, excellence, and results in cybersecurity. "Winning the battle against modern cyberattacks requires a comprehensive, proactive approach to security. That's why we've built products that not only visualize ad detect known and zero-day threats, but ensure customers stay ahead of them. We're thrilled that the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards have delivered such a strong endorsement of our solutions," said Rajesh Khazanchi, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of ColorTokens. The Cybersecurity Excellence Awards are produced by Cybersecurity Insiders in partnership with the Information Security Community on LinkedIn, tapping into the vast experience of over 400,000 cybersecurity professionals to honor the industry's best. ColorTokens' success at the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards comes on the heels of the company taking home an event-best six awards at RSAC 2019, including Next Gen Security Company of the Year. The ColorTokens Xtended ZeroTrust Platform protects from the inside out with unified visibility, micro-segmentation, zero-trust network access, and cloud workload and endpoint protection. Built 100% in the cloud, the ColorTokens Xtended ZeroTrust platform provides a simple and scalable new-generation security solution that's helping enterprises automate and secure their cloud migration, achieve faster time-to-compliance for PCI, HIPAA, and GDPR, prevent breaches across endpoints, networks, and multi-cloudsall while making zero trust security and networking a reality. About ColorTokens ColorTokens Inc., a leader in proactive security, provides a modern and new generation of security that empowers global enterprises to single-handedly secure cloud workloads, dynamic applications, endpoints, and users. Through its award-winning cloud-delivered solution, ColorTokens enables security and compliance professionals to leverage real-time visibility, workload protection, endpoint protection, application security, and zero-trust network accessall while seamlessly integrating with existing security tools. For more information, please visit colortokens.com Media Contact: Rajesh Khazanchi [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/colortokens-named-gold-winner-for-micro-segmentation-at-cybersecurity-excellence-awards-301012490.html SOURCE ColorTokens Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Just one from Srinagar has joined a terror group this year: Kudos to the Indian Army India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Feb 27: Local recruitment and terror attacks have gone down considerably in Jammu and Kashmir. While this is an impressive development, the Indian Army has however flagged concerns on the rise in violations along the Line of Control. With regard to the recruitment, sources tell OneIndia that in 2018 220 youth had joined terror outfits as opposed to the 120 in 2019. This is a remarkable dip and the figures will be much lower in 2020, the source also added. In 2019, 161 terrorists were killed as opposed to the 254 in 2018. This only signals that the number of terrorists in the Valley is gradually coming down. However the highlight of this is that most of the terrorists who have been killed are top commanders of the various terror groups that operate in the Valley. NBWs issued against Khalistani terrorist for dropping arms in Punjab via drones This year only five persons have joined the terror ranks. In Srinagar, just one person joined a terrorist group, the source also said. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 In 2018, 318 terror incidents were reported and in 2019 it came down to 173. This year the number of terror incidents reported stands at 11. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, February 27, 2020, 7:24 [IST] Honoring the 2020 California Casualty Awards for Teaching Excellence Recipients California Casualty President and CEO, Joe Volponi, took the stage at the NEA Foundation's 2020 Salute to Excellence Gala as he introduced the 45 educators chosen by their peers for one of public educations highest honors the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence. The NEA Foundations 2020 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, D.C. on February 7 was an evening filled with inspiration, appreciation and celebration. California Casualty, a long-term sponsor of the event, was present to pay tribute to the 45 educators chosen by their peers for one of public educations highest honors the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence. The gala was attended live by more than 800 individuals with hundreds more watching online via live stream. California Casualty President and CEO, Joe Volponi, helped present the awards to the deserving recipients. Educators and support professionals make a huge impact on our communities - Each and every day you make a difference, not merely in our local communities, but throughout our world. You nurture, inspire and prepare our future leaders. We value educators, understand your dedication, and appreciate the positive impact that you make on all our lives. Its my pleasure to introduce you to 45 of your finest Champions As each awardee came to the stage, they said a few words to acknowledge the passion they feel and the support they receive as a public school educator and union member. This years awardees are fulfilling the promise of public education in classrooms, schools, and communities from coast to coast, says Sara A. Sneed, President and CEO, The NEA Foundation. Each awardee has met a very high standard, and together, they are celebrated for a shared commitment to educational excellence, innovative approaches to student learning, and support for their peers. We are grateful to California Casualty for its recognition and celebration of the very best in education. We are proud to honor these exceptional educators and show our appreciation for their incredible work says Beau Brown, Chairman, California Casualty. The awardees exemplify educators ability to be a positive force in their students lives. Alhassan Susso, a 12th grade social studies educator at International Community High School in the Bronx, NY, took home the top honor: the NEA Member Benefits $25,000 Award for Teaching Excellence. California Casualty gave a $150 stipend to each Awardee to purchase items to enhance classrooms. ABOUT THE NEA FOUNDATION GALA The NEA Foundations Salute to Excellence in Education Gala is an annual celebration of public school educators and education support professionals. The NEA Foundation presented awards to exceptional educators and dedicated supporters of public education from across the country. Sussos award was the evenings finale. The event was hosted by John W. Marshall, motivational speaker and son of Thurgood Marshall, our nations first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice. It also featured performances by the Counterpoints. ABOUT CALIFORNIA CASUALTY California Casualty has been serving the insurance needs of educators for nearly 70 years and is the only auto and home insurance company to earn the trust and endorsement of the National Education Association (NEA). Learn more about the special rates and educator-specific benefits available through the NEA Auto and Home Insurance Program by visiting http://www.calcas.com/NEA, or by calling 1.800.800.9410. Europeans no longer shake their heads when hearing such talk. Theyre convinced Washington is out to try to break up the union. The administrations open support for Brexit is seen as but the first step. One top German official told me that Washingtons support of the Three Seas Initiative, which seeks to counter Russia by improving infrastructure linking the Baltic, Black and Adriatic seas, was really designed to split eastern European EU members from their western counterparts in an effort to destroy the union. LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (HIK, HIK.L) announced signing of an exclusive US license agreement with Glenmark Specialty S.A., a Swiss subsidiary of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, to commercialise Ryaltris or olopatadine hydrochloride and mometasone furoate nasal spray. Ryaltris is an investigational fixed-dose combination nasal spray for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Hikma will provide Glenmark with an upfront payment, regulatory approval and commercial milestone payments as well as royalties. Hikma also announced results for 2019 with group revenue improving 7% to $2.207 billion. Group operating profit rose 33% to $493 million, while basic earnings per share rose 72% to 200.8 cents. Group core revenue grew 6% to $2.203 billion, group core gross profit grew 7% to $1.144 billion. Group core operating profit rose 10% to $508 million. Looking ahead, Hikma expects 2020 Injectables revenue to grow in the low to mid-single digits, Generics revenue to be in the range of $700 million to $750 million, Branded revenue to grow in the mid-single digits in constant currency. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks at a campaign Get Out the Vote Event in Charleston, South Carolina, February 26, 2020. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., unveiled a bill Thursday to divert money from President Donald Trump's border wall to the U.S. coronavirus response. As concerns rise about the outbreak spreading in the U.S., the 2020 Democratic presidential candidate argued the $1.25 billion in emergency funding sought by the president is inadequate. With the proposal, Warren not only aims to confront a budding public health crisis but also looks to knock a Trump policy she has called racist and divisive. "The coronavirus outbreak poses serious health, diplomatic, and economic threats to the United States, and we must be prepared to confront it head-on," Warren said in a statement. "Rather than use taxpayer dollars to pay for a monument to hate and division, my bill will help ensure that the federal government has the resources it needs to adequately respond to this emergency." Warren is among the Democratic presidential candidates who have focused more on the coronavirus this week. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first potential community transmission of the virus in the U.S. a person who did not have the travel history or contact with a patient that would have put them at risk. Top presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former Vice President Joe Biden, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Warren have criticized the Trump administration's response to the coronavirus. Warren and Bloomberg have already put out out plans to improve responses to public health crises. WADMALAW ISLAND, S.C. - Benjamin Gadsden was so certain that Joe Biden would be the Democratic Party's strongest nominee against President Donald Trump. "I think he's the best," Gadsden, 80, said several weeks ago. "He's a seasoned politician." Biden had been a well-known member of the Senate for nearly four decades, topped off by eight years in the White House as former President Barack Obama's number two. None of the other candidates could boast such an impressive resume, Gadsden said. He had never even heard of most of them, except for Bernie Sanders, and he hadn't heard of him before 2016. Over the past three weeks, however, Gadsden's confidence in Biden has wilted, much like the former vice president's poll numbers, after disappointing showings in the first three nominating contests. Sanders, I-Vt., has emerged with the most delegates so far and has gained strength in South Carolina, threatening Biden's longtime lead before Saturday's primary. "I am a bit concerned," Gadsden, a retired warehouse worker, said in a recent interview. "Not too long ago, he was up front, and now he's nearly on the bottom. If he doesn't turn it around pretty soon . . ." His daughter Tamika Gadsden, 39, is not surprised that Biden's candidacy flagged. She said his campaign had always lacked energy, relying not on passion but on long-standing support among state party leaders and on voters' fond memories of his time in the Obama administration. She tried to talk to her parents, but after some heated discussions, especially with her mother, she let it go. Still, she is not happy to see them so dispirited by Biden's struggling campaign. Besides, her candidate, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is also struggling, and Gadsden is frustrated that there's little time left for her to pick off potential Biden defectors. "I thought she would have done better in New Hampshire," Gadsden said, irked that Warren is being outspent by billionaire candidates who have raised their profiles with expensive ad buys and, in the case of Tom Steyer, paid top dollar for organizers in South Carolina. Undaunted, Gadsden took advantage of early voting and cast her ballot last week for the senator from Massachusetts. "I see her trying to rally the troops and vowing to turn around her campaign - and she might," Gadsden said, adding that she has been heartened by Warren's performances in the past two debates and has not given up hope that the senator will win the nomination. And despite his concerns, Benjamin Gadsden says he will vote for Biden. "I'm not gonna bail on him," Gadsden said recently. "I think Biden will have a better shot in South Carolina than he's [had] so far in Iowa and New Hampshire. But if South Carolina is going to be the only state he's depending on, it could be a problem for him. It's going to take more than South Carolina for him to get the nomination." African American voters, particularly older ones like Benjamin Gadsden, have overwhelmingly supported Biden, fueling the lead he held in national polls until recently. South Carolina's black voters, in particular, were seen as his firewall, blunting anyone else's rise here. Biden was the best known in a field that at one time included more than two dozen candidates, and the notion that he would be able to win over white swing voters in the general election made him a reasonable choice for many black voters. His support among younger black voters like Tamika Gadsden was always weaker, with many underwhelmed by his nostalgic message of returning to a pre-Trump America. For voters seeking a political leader to confront systemic racism and economic inequity, Biden's long and complicated record and some of his comments during the campaign seemed like a continuation of those institutional biases. Younger voters also have found Sanders and Warren as the more attractive alternatives because of their proposals for universal health care, student loan forgiveness and free college tuition, and promises to level the economic playing field. The debate among the Gadsdens and others on Wadmalaw Island mirrors the one going on between generations of black voters across the nation. Wadmalaw Island, about 23 miles south of Charleston, has roughly 5,000 residents, more than half of whom are black. After the Union Army seized South Carolina in the Civil War, white plantation owners fled the islands, leaving behind their lucrative rice fields and enslaved African Americans, many of whom were given plots of land. During Reconstruction, some owners reclaimed portions of the land, but the former slaves still established communities in which they retained their culture and sense of independence. Over time, however, economic hardship has forced many to sell their land or lose it to unscrupulous real estate agents. Benjamin Gadsden was born on Wadmalaw. Following the path of millions of black Southerners during the first half of the last century, Gadsden headed north as a young adult, along with two older sisters who had moved to Woodbridge, New Jersey, during the Great Migration. Tamika Gadsden calls them "Jim Crow refugees." He returned to Wadmalaw in 1996, to be close to his ailing father, with his wife, Trudy, and Tamika and her twin brother, Terence. Tamika Gadsden remembers being devastated, as most 10th-graders would be, to get uprooted from friends and favorite places and relocated to a rural landscape with one road in and out of town. She headed back to New Jersey for college and stayed after graduation, working for a time in government and in a retailer's corporate offices. Then, on a visit home several years ago, she drove over a bridge and saw sunlight dancing on the water. She decided she wanted to come home. Gadsden is part of a reverse migration, in which African Americans are moving to the South, searching for a lower cost of living, a better quality of life and, for many, closer proximity to extended family. She lives with her mother and father in a rambler on Maybank Highway, the main thoroughfare that connects Wadmalaw and the other islands to the mainland. More than half of the nation's African Americans live in the South, where the Republican Party has had a lock on most political power since the 1950s. But Tamika Gadsden and others see the region on the cusp of change, pushed by its growing population of people of color. Last year, for instance, black voters along with liberal whites and Latinos and Asian Americans nominated African American Democrats for governor's races in Florida and Georgia. Both nearly upset their Republican rivals. She has jumped into the fight, working as an organizer for Black Voters Matter, an independent group focused on educating and mobilizing African Americans in the rural South. Separately, she is among the 100 activists who endorsed Warren under the banner of Black Womxn For. She has talked up Warren's campaign on a radio show and a podcast that she hosts. Presidential candidates rarely venture out to Wadmalaw or neighboring islands. Voters who want to see the candidates in person usually have to go to Charleston. That's where Mildred Mitchell first saw Barack Obama. "On January 10. It was my birthday," she said. Mitchell, a longtime friend of the Gadsdens, lives about a quarter-mile off Maybank Highway, in the country version of a cul-de-sac: A rutted dirt road, the drive even more treacherous during a rain spell, empties into a clearing with four houses. The land on which she lives has been in her husband's family for more than 80 years. Long ago, the yards would have been filled with children, but only grandparents live there now. Her grandchildren are in New York, where Mitchell lived for 47 years before moving back to Wadmalaw in 2007, just in time for Obama's historic bid. She recalled seeing him speak for the first time. She was taken by "his charisma . . . the way he spoke. He had a young voice. He really was a young man." Mitchell, 78, a retired hospital employee, was a poll worker in 2008 and remembers the excitement - and the tension - around that primary, when the senator from Illinois upset Hillary Clinton, who initially had been favored to win South Carolina. She thought Obama's policies, particularly the Affordable Care Act, were good for the country, and she hates that Trump seems intent on undoing his legacy. That was why she was leaning toward Biden, even though she was concerned about his age. His fifth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary, she said, was "heartbreaking." "I want somebody that can beat Donald Trump," she said. Right now, she is not sure who that is. Mitchell's cousins, Mattie and her son Shawn, had never been sold on Biden. Mattie Mitchell, 67, grew up on Wadmalaw and came back home after earning a degree from Claflin University, about 90 miles north, in Orangeburg. She taught elementary school for 40 years. Fourth grade was her favorite, she said, because that was the year she could see the children really starting to grow up. She wants a president who cares about children, especially black children, who she said are being shortchanged by inequities in the public school system. "We need fair and equity in funding. Our schools are not being treated fairly, and it's wrong," she said. She rejects conservative arguments for "school choice" initiatives as a solution. "If you make all schools the same, you don't need choice," she said. In December, Mattie Mitchell said, she was still looking over the candidates. As much as she admired Obama, particularly his fight to push through the Affordable Care Act, she didn't see that as a reason to automatically support Biden. "I will judge Biden by what he's going to bring to the table, how he's going to help the American people," she said. Mitchell, who now lives in Charleston, said in a recent interview she thought the attention to Biden's son Hunter's work in Ukraine had hurt the former vice president, and she's now leaning toward Sanders. She likes his call for canceling student debt and his Medicare-for-all proposal. "I could still change my mind," she cautioned, although she said she's ruled out Warren because she doesn't think a woman can win in the nation's toxic political climate, and she doesn't know enough about Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. She said she is skeptical of billionaires Steyer and Mike Bloomberg, who is not on the South Carolina primary ballot. "I don't know if they really realize what it's like for the people, the underdogs, who really need all this help," she said. "I don't know if they really understand the needs of our people." Her son Shawn Mitchell, 33, said he found Bloomberg's sudden visibility, particularly his ubiquitous ads on TV and social media, disconcerting. He was offended by ads that both the former New York mayor and Trump ran around the Super Bowl that featured the stories of black women who had experienced trauma and had been helped by the politicians. "I was like, so are we going to try to put up a liberal billionaire against a conservative billionaire?" Mitchell said. Early on, he said, he supported Sanders because of his promise to forgive student loans. Mitchell finished dentistry school in 2014 with debt that was so high he couldn't get financing to open a practice in his hometown. He resorted to crowdfunding to help pay down his student debt, which allowed him to get the business loan he needed to start his practice, Sweetgrass Dental Associates, which opened in January in North Charleston. Bloomberg's rise in the contest reminded him of his residency in New York, where he was stopped a few times by police. Mitchell said he cannot abide Bloomberg's candidacy because of his mayoral policy that prompted police to stop and frisk residents - mostly young, nonwhite men. Just as worrisome, he said, is the notion that the presidency is for sale. "I know people have their gripes with Bernie because of the socialist label. I still agree with him. He evens the playing field for those of us who don't have power and don't have a voice," Mitchell said. His wife, Myriam, and 30-year-old twin brothers, Trevor and Julian, also are with Sanders. The Wadmalaw families have one thing in common: None expressed excitement about their choices, even as all vow to vote. They said they were frustrated by the large, chaotic field of candidates, although Tamika Gadsden said she liked the variety. Mostly, they said, they felt a duty to participate in the election and a desire to defeat Trump. But there is no swooning like they all recalled from 2008, when they helped boost Obama's candidacy at a critical moment. Benjamin Gadsden shrugged off one of the criticisms of Biden - his occasional racial insensitivity, particularly in the past. "Show me the perfect man," he said. He believes people can change, and he doesn't think Obama would have chosen Biden as his vice president "if he was so bad in that area." He added, "White folks, in general, are not 100 percent in our corner. I don't care how much they try to portray that image, they are not 100 percent for us." Benjamin blamed "bickering" among the Democratic candidates and Republican investigations into Hunter Biden for having "knocked Biden off course." Now he is worried that his worst fears will come true. "I do not have any desire to see Trump coming back," he said. "But as it stands now, I think he's a shoo-in." Tamika Gadsden said she thinks black voters should demand better. That's why she's backing Warren, who has talked about issues that affect black women specifically, like the racial disparity in maternal mortality and workplace salaries. Looking back, Gadsden questioned how much Obama did to challenge and change systemic racial disparities in the criminal justice, economic and educational systems. But she said his election was an important cultural victory - an affirming image of a black family and black achievement. Gadsden said she is not dispirited by the upheaval of the current field. "I think black people aren't expecting perfection; there's no perfect candidate, but I think that, honestly, we've got more choices than we've ever had," she said. "I think people keep offering these hot takes as opposed to looking at this as a remarkable moment. . . . I think we still have a lot of candidates to choose from." Five months after a 61-year-old woman was murdered and her house robbed, police on Thursday arrested a father and son for the crime. The accused, Rajender Sharma and his son Amir Sharma of Bihar had broken into the victim, Kamlesh Kaurs house, in Dau village, Ramgarh, on the Chandigarh-Kharar highway on the intervening night of September 15 and 16. The accused were arrested in Bihar. Amir was staying in Ramgarh in September 2019. He along with his father and four others strangulated Kaur to death when she woke up upon hearing the six accused sneaking around the house. Her family had been asleep in another room. Police are conducting raids to arrest other accomplices, said Kuldeep Singh Chahal, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Mohali. The father-son duo were produced before a court in Kharar and sent to police remand till March 3. Kaur had been staying with her son Rajiv, a medical representative, daughter-in-law Shilpa, and two granddaughters. Police said Kaur had been sleeping in the first room, while her son, wife and granddaughters were asleep in the third room. the second room was locked from inside. The accused had entered the house through the room, in which Kaur was sleeping around 1am. Kaur, who was bed-ridden, could not ward of the attackers. After killing her, the accused tried to enter the adjacent room which was locked from inside, by removing the windows glass. Hearing the noise, Shilpa woke up and raised an alarm. The accused attacked her too but fled after Rajiv rushed to her rescue. Police said the accused had stolen a water cooler. It was found abandoned at a distance of around 100m from the house. The post-mortem report confirmed that Kaur was strangulated to death. A case under Section 460 (house-breaking by night punishable where death or grievous hurt caused by one of them) of the Indian Penal Code was registered at the Balongi police station. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pakistans fresh efforts to fight terrorism and promote security is affording the US to expand trade between the two countries and in the region, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has said after meeting the countrys top leadership here. Ross was in Islamabad on Wednesday, a day after US President Donald Trump concluded his high-profile maiden visit to India, and called on Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Minister of Energy Omar Ayub Khan and others. Building on the productive discussions between President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, I met with Prime Minister Khan and his economic team today in Islamabad to explore ways to grow the US-Pakistan trade and investment relationship, including in the energy and digital sectors, Ross said in a statement. Deepening our economic ties will provide measurable benefits for our two nations, Ross said while thanking the Pakistani leaders willingness to engage in frank conversations. The US Commerce Secretary recalled President Trumps statement in New Delhi when he said, Our relationship with Pakistan is a very good one. Ross noted that the US was Pakistans largest export destination and American companies have a long history of doing business in Pakistan, contributing to its economic development and providing high-value jobs. The work Pakistan has begun to do to fight terrorism and promote security is affording the US and Pakistan the opportunity to strengthen and expand trade in the region and between our countries, Ross said. In a stern message to Pakistan, India and the US on Tuesday asked Islamabad to ensure that no territory under its control is used to launch terror attacks and strongly condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms. A joint statement said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks. The two leaders also called for concerted action against all terrorist groups, including Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, the Haqqani Network, D-Company, Al-Qaeda, ISIS and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. At a press conference, the US president also said that ways to deal with terrorism figured prominently in his talks with Prime Minister Modi who, Trump stressed, is determined to check the menace. In his statement, Ross said the Department of Commerce will continue to facilitate private sector engagement between the US and Pakistan through organising Pakistani business delegations to America and regional trade shows. It will also support technical exchanges on trade facilitation, energy, intellectual property rights, and good regulatory practices. Our conversations provided opportunities to reinforce the critical importance of improving Pakistans business environment, including through developing a consistent tax framework, promoting regulatory transparency, and strengthening the intellectual property ecosystem, he said. This includes ensuring the free flow of data, which is crucial to businesses in all sectors of the economy and essential to helping Pakistan integrate into the global digital ecosystem, Ross said. According to the American embassy in Islamabad, the US exported USD 2.6 billion worth of goods to Pakistan in 2019. American companies made more than USD 1.4 billion in direct investments in Pakistan since 2016, the embassy tweeted. [February 27, 2020] GIGABYTE and ZutaCore Partner to Provide Pre-Configured, Warrantied, Cooled-by-ZutaCore Servers SAN JOSE, Calif. and TAIPEI, Taiwan, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- GIGABYTE Technology Co. Ltd, a global leader in precision engineered servers, and ZutaCore, a waterless, two-phase, liquid cooling company, have announced their partnership to bring to market their first pre-configured, warrantied Cooled-by-ZutaCore GIGABYTE servers. GIGABYTE's rack servers are ready-to-integrate solutions that combine a high level of performance, energy efficiency and overall reliability for the most demanding server applications. ZutaCore's HyperCoolTM technology provides innovative direct-on-chip evaporative cooling to meet and surpass the challenges posed by server-level hot spots and edge computing requirements, while mitigating the risk of IT failure. This major server OEM partnership with ZutaCore enables the scalability of HyperCool by leveraging GIGABYTE's established global network. Now, for data center owners and operators in need of world-class servers that easily integrate into trusted rack systems equipped with the latest in liquid cooling, this provides a clear path to creating a full solution. For example, the pre-configured GIGABYTE servers can be easily implemented alongside the recently announced Rittal HPC Cooled-by-ZutaCore solutions, which will be demonstrated at next week's OCP Global Summit at booth B9. With this platform, customers have the unprecedented benefit of trusted IT racks from Rittal and leading servers from GIGABYTE, combined with waterless, two-phase, direct-on-chip, liquid cooling technology from ZutaCore for a fully qualified strategy to address the ever-growing demands of high power processors. "GIGABYTE is thrilled to be the first major server OEM providing Cooled-by-ZutaCore servers to the data center market," said Daniel Hou, CTO, GIGABYTE. "As we invest more into the advancement of liquid cooling technology, we believe ZutaCore is a partner that shares our goal of providing efficient, high performance cooling solutions that look at the massive problem of cooling in a completely new and extremely effective way. It is becoming clear that liquid cooling is an important technology that will be capable of keeping up with future cooling demands. With ZutaCore's direct-on-chip, waterless, two-phase technology we are going beyond what our hyperscale and colocation customers are asking for so we can evolve with them." Now customers can use easily integrated servers from GIGABYTE combined with a Rittal HPC Cooled-by-ZutaCore technology platform to tranform data center economics and push the boundaries of cooling. The HyperCool solution is a complete hardware system, enhanced by a software-defined-cooling platform that alleviates cooling challenges at the chip, server, rack, POD and data center levels, consistently, in any climate. With ZutaCore, customers can triple computing densities on a fraction of the footprint and halve costs. Furthermore, two-phase liquid cooling is prepared for any evolution in high-powered chips, as there is no limit to what it can cool as processors progress upwards of 1000W. "We have always looked at the full picture to understand the many pain points that drive decision making in data centers," said Udi Paret, President, ZutaCore. "While we feel we have cracked the code on cooing and improving overall data center economics, we know this is not possible without being closely aligned with leading, global companies who address the bigger picture. By bringing to market Cooled-by-ZutaCore GIGABYTE servers we take the guessing out of the equation. Customers already know and trust GIGABYTE and can now extend that belief in a truly scalable cooling platform from ZutaCore to effectively dissipate heat generated by the most powerful processors on the market." Representatives from GIGABYTE and ZutaCore will attend the 2020 OCP Global Summit from March 4-5 at the San Jose Convention Center. At the Rittal booth, number B9, visitors can view an interactive demo of their Cooled-by-ZutaCore GIGABYTE servers. Specifically, the TO22-Z61 GIGABYTE servers will be available as pre-configured for Cooled-by-ZutaCore solutions. You can learn more about the Cooled-by-ZutaCore TO22-Z61 GIGABYTE server at: https://www.gigabyte.com/Racklution-OP/TO22-Z61-rev-10-20 About GIGABYTE GIGABYTE is an engineer, visionary, and leader in the world of tech that uses its hardware expertise, patented innovations, and industry leadership to create, inspire, and advance. Renowned for over 30 years of award-winning excellence, GIGABYTE is a cornerstone in the HPC community, providing businesses with server and data center expertise to accelerate their success. At the forefront of evolving technology, GIGABYTE is devoted to invent smart solutions that enable digitalization from edge to cloud, and allow customers to capture, analyze, and transform digital information into economic data that can benefit humanity and "Upgrade Your Life". For more information and news on GIGABYTE products, please visit the official GIGABYTE website: http://www.gigabyte.com About ZutaCore ZutaCore is a waterless, two-phase change, liquid cooling technology company, unlocking the power of cooling and revolutionizing data centers. The HyperCoolTM technology platform alleviates cooling boundaries at the chip, server, rack, POD and data center levels. The HyperCoolTM solution is a complete hardware system, enhanced by a software-defined-cooling platform, yields unparalleled heat dissipation at the chip level, triples computing densities on a fraction of the footprint and halves costs. Designed by a veteran team in Israel and enabled by 14 patent-pending innovations, HyperCoolTM is a near plug-and-play system that delivers consistent results, in any climate. ZutaCore's R&D center is in Israel with HQ office in California. For more information, please visit http://www.zuta-core.com/. Media Contacts Nandita Geerdink, Head of Marcom, ZutaCore 415.269.4493 [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gigabyte-and-zutacore-partner-to-provide-pre-configured-warrantied-cooled-by-zutacore-servers-301012438.html SOURCE ZutaCore [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Facemask vendors wear protective facemasks as a prevention measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus alongside a street in Quetta, Pakistan on Feb. 27, 2020. (Banaras Khan/AFP via Getty Images) Coronavirus Cases Popping Up in New Countries but Others Go Weeks Without New Patients: WHO Seven countries have reported cases of the new coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, but others have gone weeks without reporting any new cases. Brazil reported its first case on Wednesday. It was the first case in the Americas outside of the United States and Canada. Georgia, Greece, Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, and Romania also confirmed at least one new case each of the virus after previously having none. My message to each of these countries is: this is your window of opportunity. If you act aggressively now, you can contain this coronavirus. You can prevent people getting sick. You can save lives, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference in Geneva on Thursday. No country should assume that it wont see cases. That could be a fatal mistake. This virus does not respect borders. It does not distinguish between races. Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias (C-R) speaks during a meeting in Thessaloniki, in the region of Central Macedonia, on Feb. 26, 2020. Greece on Feb. 26, 2020, reported its first coronavirus case, a woman who had recently travelled to northern Italy. (Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP via Getty Images) Countries should be ready to detect cases early, isolate patients, trace contacts, provide care to patients, and prevent hospital outbreaks and community transmission. Medical workers should have an isolation unit or units ready for patients and have stockpiles of medical oxygen, ventilators, and other equipment in the case of confirmed cases. Governments should ensure health workers are properly equipped and trained to deal with the virus. Scientists should know how to correctly take samples from patients and have the right chemicals to enable testing of the samples. And measures should be put in place at borders and airports to test people for symptoms. The epidemics in Iran, Italy, and South Korea show what this coronavirus is capable of, Tedros said. Italys case count has shot up to 528, with 12 confirmed deaths, as of Thursday, the most of any country outside of Asia. South Korea reported 505 new cases on Thursday, making the total number 1,766. The death toll there is 13. Iran has officially reported 254 cases and 26 deaths but experts believe the country, like China, is underreporting the true figures. WHO has continually relied on the Chinese Communist Partys official figures, which are undercut by internal documents obtained by The Epoch Times. Tedros claimed at the press conference that one of the key messages from China is that with the right measures, the virus can be contained. A nurse cares for patients in a ward dedicated for people infected with the coronavirus, at Forqani Hospital in Qom, 78 miles (125 kilometers) south of the capital Tehran, Iran on Feb. 26, 2020. (Mohammad Mohsenzadeh/Mizan News Agency via AP) Tedros said other countries have not reported a case of COVID-19, the disease the virus causes, for more than two weeks after confirming at least one case. Those countries are Belgium, Cambodia, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Finland and Sweden were in a similar situation but both reported new cases on Wednesday. The spread to Brazil was the first case in South America and Luiz Henrique Mandetta, Brazils minister of health, told reporters that researchers would be able to see how the virus behaves in a tropical country in the middle of summer. Asked if treating the disease in South America would be different, WHO expert Maria Van Kerkhove said that treatment anywhere would be the same. The approach is exactly the same, she said at the Geneva conference. The new virus has symptoms similar to the flu. Nine out of 10 patients have a fever and 70 percent of cases have a dry cough, WHO said. Experts recommend prevention techniques used during flu season, including frequently washing hands and not touching the nose, mouth, or eyes with unwashed hands. People who show symptoms should stay home and, if they must go out, wear a mask to protect others from getting sick. New Delhi/IBNS: Hours after the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) stated that the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith in connection to the Delhi violence, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said such comments are factually inaccurate and misleading. In response to a query regarding comments made on recent incidents of violence in Delhi, MEA Official Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "We have seen comments made by USCIRF, sections of the media and a few individuals regarding recent incidents of violence in Delhi. These are factually inaccurate and misleading, and appear to be aimed at politicising the issue." He said the government is working hard to restore normalcy in the violence-hit areas. "Our law enforcement agencies are working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. Senior representatives of the Government have been involved in that process," Kumar informed. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself made public appeals to bring peace and calm. "Prime Minister has publically appealed for peace and brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time, said he. This comes as USCIRF Chair Perkins said that: "ongoing violence we are witnessing in Delhi and the reported attacks against Muslims, their homes and shops, and their houses of worship are greatly disturbing. One of the essential duties of any responsible government is to provide protection and physical security for its citizens, regardless of faith." USCIRF Commissioner Anurima Bhargava said the "brutal and unchecked violence" across Delhi cannot continue. "The Indian government must take swift action to ensure the safety of its citizens," she said. She also mentioned that the "Delhi Police have not intervened in violent attacks against Muslims, and the government is failing in its duty to protect its citizens." Besides USCIRF, US Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and a number of other American lawmakers have expressed grave concern over the violences in several parts of Delhi which claimed 38 lives so far. However, US President Donald Trump did not wish to make any comment on the violence, which took place during his visit to India. "I heard about the individual attacks but I did not discuss it. It is up to India," he said. The unleash of violence in Delhi was preceded by a clash between the supporters and protestors of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which aims to grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi but not Muslim refugees who came to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan due to religious persecution before 2015. SALEM Democrats in the Oregon Legislature signaled this week that they are unwilling to give up on passing bills to address climate change, despite ongoing boycotts by Republicans in both the House and Senate that have prevented remaining lawmakers from holding votes. In a low-key and extremely brief House Rules Committee meeting Tuesday, they advanced three new pieces of legislation that largely mirror initiatives that environmentalists are working to get on the November ballot. No Republicans attended the committee meeting; most GOP members fled the Capitol earlier this week to prevent votes on a controversial Democrat-backed greenhouse gas cap-and-trade bill. Taking the climate issue to voters was environmentalists backup plan, one that would be expensive and likely based on Washington voters defeat of a carbon fee in 2018 challenging to win. Of course, cap and invest remains our only legislative priority, said Brad Reed, a spokesman for the pro-cap-and-trade group Renew Oregon. We filed the ballot measures back in the fall for the very reason that we knew the legislative process couldnt be depended upon to function as its supposed to and we wanted to give Oregonians assurance climate action would happen one way or another. Reed said the new bills do mirror our ballot initiatives pretty closely, but he did not predict they would achieve much in the current legislative stalemate beyond reminding Oregonians about the ballot initiatives. In a statement issued through her spokesman Tuesday, House Speaker Tina Kotek said the bills were drafted to make it clear that there are other more aggressive options that could be taken. Kotek said she remains committed to passing the cap-and-trade bill. House Bill 4173 and House Bill 4171 would set new greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, either directly or by instructing the states Environmental Quality Commission to do so. The measures would empower the commission to set regulations to achieve those goals. Thats similar to Initiative Petition 50. House Bill 4170 would mandate 100% renewable and carbon free electricity in Oregon by 2045, similar to Initiative Petitions 48 and 49. House Joint Resolution 204 would amend the state Constitution to allow the Legislature to designate up to half of proceeds from a fuel tax to be spent as lawmakers choose, not necessarily put into the State Highway Fund, as current law directs. That would address a criticism by opponents, that much of the money raised by cap-and-trade would have to go into the state highway fund. Three of the four bills, with the exception of House Bill 4173, include a provision that would place them on the November ballot and only allow them to take effect if approved by voters. Its not clear if environmental groups will have the time and money they would need to pass the similar initiatives. A political action committee associated with the initiatives does not hold the millions of dollars that successful ballot campaigns typically require in Oregon, and recent financial data on the 501(c)(4) Renew Oregon Action Fund is not available since its most recent tax return filed with the Oregon Department of Justice is for 2018. Last year, Initiative Petitions 48 and 49 were held up when Secretary of State Bev Clarno determined they violated a provision in the state Constitution that says initiatives can only address a single subject. However, Reed said backers of the initiatives won a legal challenge to Clarnos decision and all the initiatives are now proceeding through more routine ballot title challenges. Supporters have until July 2 to gather more than 112,000 valid signatures to get each of the initiatives on the November ballot. Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 | @hborrud Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. As the old saying goes, what goes up must come down. U.S. stocks have lost $3.4 trillion in market value since last Wednesday's close amid concern that the coronavirus outbreak will further damage an already slowing global economy. If youre worried about your retirement savings, portfolio managers have some advice: Stay the course and remain calm. If you just cant stomach the stock markets losses this week, experts say its time to ask yourself: What's my appetite for risk? One of the worst things someone could do is make changes to their portfolio in reaction to the last two days, says Tom Plumb, president at Plumb Funds. But if you think your portfolio is too risky, you should develop a new plan over the next three to six months. Save better, spend better: All the money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here Here are four moves experts say could help protect your investments during volatile periods, such as the bumpy stretch caused by the coronavirus: 401(k): Coronavirus fears shouldn't stop you from investing in stocks Monitoring markets: Dow jumps 300 points as investors assess economic fallout from virus 1. Review your investments Pay attention to where youre invested and which companies are most likely to be affected, portfolio managers say. Daniel Milan, managing partner at Southfield, Michigan-based Cornerstone Financial Services, says the effects from the virus outbreak on the stock market will be short-lived and has cautioned his clients to not let fear drive their investment decisions. When dealing with a virus like this, its important for investors to review and recalibrate their long-term goals, Milan says. If fear is driving you to make emotional decisions in the stock market, then thats a sign that you weren't allocated appropriately for the long term, he says, referring to how investors chose to split their portfolio between stocks, bonds and other assets. 2. Consider trimming exposure to Asian stocks Story continues One thing to consider is how much direct exposure you have to emerging-market stocks in Asia. Milan suggests trimming your exposure to Asian stocks in the travel and retail industries that will probably see a slowdown in earnings growth because of shutdowns, supply issues and a drop in consumer spending. Spending by consumers accounts for nearly half of Chinas economic activity. If they opt to stay home instead of shopping or traveling, that would depress tourism and threaten earnings growth for consumer-oriented companies in Asia. 3. Evaluate multinational companies U.S.-based multinational companies with large exposure to China's economy are grappling with production delays from the virus, including industries such as manufacturing, automotive, airlines and technology. Semiconductor companies, for instance, derive much of their revenue from China and could face challenges in the near term. Apple announced it wont meet its earnings outlook for the quarter because of supply chain interruptions. United Airlines and Mastercard warned this week that the outbreak will hurt their finances. Cheaper stocks are a good thing for investors over a long-term horizon, and some of the weakness among those areas could serve as an opportunity to buy stocks whose prices are lower, experts say. 4. Strengthen positions in US-focused companies U.S.-focused companies in industries such as utilities, real estate and consumer staples businesses that make basic household goods could serve as a shelter from virus-related issues. These companies typically have little exposure to international supply chains. Telecom companies such as AT&T and Verizon tend to offer favorable dividends for investors, analysts say, which could offer further protection for investors. As bond yields have fallen to record lows, stocks with steady dividend payouts have become more attractive. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 401k and coronavirus: 4 ways to protect your 401(k) funds from fears Trading could be volatile as traders roll over positions in the F&O segment from the near month February series to March series. The February 2020 F&O contracts expire on Today, 27 February 2020. Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could fall 56 points at the opening bell. Overseas, most Asian stocks were trading lower on Thursday as the rapid global spread of the coronavirus left investors on edge. In US, stocks finished mostly lower on Wednesday, with the Dow and S&P 500 index falling for a fifth straight day, as investors digested reports on the spread of China's coronavirus to Europe and the Americas. Back home, domestic shares declined for the fourth straight session on Wednesday amid weak global cues. The spread of the coronavirus has rattled investors across the globe who fear new outbreaks will push down global demand. The S&P BSE Sensex, fell 392.24 points or 0.97% at 39,888.96. The Nifty 50 index declined 119.40 points or 1.01% at 11,678.50. The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 3336.60 crore yesterday, 26 February 2020, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 2785.67 crore, yesterday, 26 February 2020, as per provisional data. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 00:34:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close GABORONE, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday morning laid a wreath in commemoration of the fallen heroes in Gaborone at the Three Chiefs monument. First Lady Neo Masisi and other senior government officials joined the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), family and relatives to pay tribute to the fifteen soldiers who lost their lives in line of duty during an ambush that took place on February 27, 1978, in Lesoma by the then Rhodesian Armed Forces. Speaking at the commemoration, Gotsileene Morake, Deputy Commander of the BDF, said Botswana continues to enjoy peace, sovereignty and economic stability due to the selfless effort of our fallen Heroes and Heroines. "It is upon us as a nation, that we should live and maintain their legacy, show our commitment and support to their effort, show our appreciation towards their sacrifice, celebrate the achievements and foundation they laid for us. For their ultimate sacrifice, and show our allegiance that we shall never forget," he said. The BDF held Fallen Heroes Day commemorations in various parts of the country on Thursday to celebrate all fallen war heroes who perished in the line of duty supporting peacekeeping operations. CHICAGO, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- RedSky Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce the successful completion of E911 Certification testing with Microsoft Teams Direct Routing approved Session Border Controllers (SBC's). These SBC's include Ribbon, Oracle, and Audio Codes. This testing was completed in conjunction with tekVizion, which provides independent validation of interoperability between elements in business communication solutions. RedSky can now offer its 100% cloud based E911 solution to service providers, resellers, and enterprises for their Microsoft Teams Direct Routing customers. "RedSky continues to invest in the manufacturer certification of our products and services so that our customers can purchase and deploy with confidence," offered Jerry Eisner, ENP, Vice President, Public Safety. RedSky's certified products and services support the major UCaaS providers bringing our customers into compliance with current Federal and State regulations. For more information on RedSky's products and services, please contact Ken Rosko, Vice President of Business Development, at 312-432-5935 or [email protected]. About RedSky RedSky is the leading provider of on-premise and cloud-based E911 solutions with more customers, more technology, and more experience than any other provider. More than a million workers, students, guests and visitors rely on RedSky for E911 protection. RedSky leverages legacy standards as well as the new National Emergency Number Association (NENA) i3 standards for Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) to help organizations provide effective 9-1-1 emergency response, comply with state E911 regulations and meet business requirements for safety, risk management and efficiency. For more information, visit www.redskyE911.com. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SOURCE RedSky Technologies Related Links http://www.redskye911.com * Japan is planning to ban entry by foreign nationals who have visited certain regions in the Republic of Korea (ROK) due to outbreaks of COVID-19 there, government sources said Wednesday. The foreign ministry in raising its alert level, advised Japanese people to avoid making trips to the region that were not essential. * All Thai banks have launched packages of relief measures to help businesses and individual customers affected by the COVID-19 virus outbreak, the severe drought and the appreciation of the baht and a flagging economy, said the Thai Bankers' Association on Tuesday. * A total of 322 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Italy, of whom 10 have died, Angelo Borrelli, chief of the Civil Protection Department and extraordinary commissioner for the coronavirus emergency, told a televised press conference Tuesday afternoon. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday said that authorities expected measures taken to prevent the coronavirus from further spreading across the country to be effective. * The United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced Tuesday the suspension of all flights to and from Iran, the official WAM news agency reported. The UAE was the first among the Gulf countries to report COVID-19 cases. According to the country's Ministry of Health and Prevention, 13 patients tested positive for COVID-19, and three of them have recovered. * A Turkish Airlines plane, departing from Tehran in Iran and due to arrive in Istanbul, was diverted to Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday over the suspicion of COVID-19 infection and passengers onboard have been taken under quarantine. A total of 132 passengers and crews will be kept under observation for 14 days, the Turkish Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca said in a written statement. * Omani Ministry of Health revealed on Tuesday that the number of COVID-19 cases in Oman has risen to four. The ministry emphasized that all cases are in stable conditions. It called upon travelers from countries with COVID-19 infections to contact the ministry so that they can be instructed regarding quarantine procedures for a period of 14 days and follow other preventive measures. * US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that a possible US-Taliban peace deal will include a timetable for conditions-based US troop withdrawals and the start of the intra-Afghan negotiations. * The Philippines has banned single-use of plastics, including plastic bags, straws, and spoons and forks, in government offices. * Indian police on Tuesday evening issued shoot-at-sight orders in the affected areas in New Delhi, as communal violence over the controversial citizenship law intensifies in the capital, officials said. Meanwhile, the death toll in the violence over the citizenship law has risen to 13. Over 180 people including policemen were injured in the violence. * All schools under the supervision of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have been ordered to close from Wednesday until Friday, as air quality in the capital worsened Tuesday. * Chilean President Sebastian Pinera on Tuesday said a newly-enacted tax modernization law will finance his government's national welfare program. The law enacted on Monday aims to promote economic growth, investment and job creation, Pinera said at an event at the presidential palace in Santiago. * Belarus has signed a protocol with Russia on compensation for polluted oil, Vladimir Sizov, deputy chairman of the Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim, said Tuesday in Minsk. Belarus expects to be paid US$15 per barrel of polluted oil, Sizov told reporters. * The council of ministers of Lebanon announced on Tuesday that the country has stopped the religious flights over fears of the spread of coronavirus, MTV local TV channel reported. * A Russian delegation will pay a visit to Turkey on Wednesday to discuss situation in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday. * Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Tuesday issued royal orders to reshuffle the cabinet. * Algeria and Qatar on Tuesday confirmed that they share convergent views on prevailing regional and international issues. The remarks came as Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani wrapped up a one-day visit to the North African nation at the invitation of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. * Up to 39 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in an anti-IS operation in the Iraqi province of Salahudin, the Iraqi military said on Tuesday. Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) on Thursday organised a protest march against the violence in Delhi and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Register of Citizens (NRC) and Population Register (NPR) in the city's Goripalayam area. A large number of people participated in the protest. Abdul Rahman, vice president of TNTJ, said: "The Central government has passed CAA against the people of India." "The protest against CAA has been going on for over 60 days in India. Violence has taken place against the peaceful protesters in Delhi. The violence in the capital has brought shame to us on a global scale," he added. He also demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At least 38 people have lost their lives in violence in Delhi and many others left injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman has been left completely blind in one eye and will soon lose sight in the other after a tattoo artist botched an attempt to dye her eyeballs black. Aleksandra Sadowska from the city of Wroclaw in the west of Poland had gone to the tattooist after deciding she wanted to emulate a rap artist called Popek, who also had the whites of his eyes dyed black. The bungled procedure left the 25-year-old model complaining of pains in her eyes which the tattooist is reported to have said was normal and could be treated with painkillers. Based in the Polish capital Warsaw, the tattoo artist named in local media as Piotr A., is facing three years in prison for unintentionally severely disabling the woman. Aleksandra Sadowska wanted to imitate her favourite rap artist but now faces being completely blind after the failed procedure in the Polish capital After losing complete sight in her right eye, Aleksandra was told by doctors that the damage was irreparable and that she would soon lose sight in her left eye too. During the subsequent investigation it was found that the tattooist had made serious mistakes in the process, including using body ink for tattooing skin, which should not come into contact with the eye. The woman's lawyers told local media: 'There is clear evidence that the tattoo artist did not know how to perform such a delicate procedure. 'And yet he decided to perform it which led to this tragedy.' Postings on social media last year suggest Aleksandra was initially happy with the outcome before her condition started to deteriorate The brave model described herself as a food and animal lover on Instagram and vows not to let the loss of her sight bring her down Resolute Aleksandra said: 'Unfortunately, for now doctors do not give me much optimism for improvement. The damage is too deep and extensive. I'm afraid I will be completely blind.' She added: 'I will not lock myself in the basement and get depressed. I have sadness behind me, but I live on.' The tattooist, who still runs his salon where he carries out mainly ear piercings, has now been charged, four years after Aleksandra's ordeal began. He has pleaded not guilty. The court case is expected to start soon. R ochelle Humes has confirmed that she wouldnt consider returning to a career in the music industry. The presenter, 30, found fame as part of S Club Juniors and then as a member of girl band The Saturdays, who have been on hiatus since 2014. She now appears as a guest host on ITVs This Morning and has also co-presented game show The Hit List with husband Marvin as well as The Xtra Factor. Speaking to Red magazine, Rochelle said that she really cant see herself returning to singing as she doesnt think that lifestyle would work for my family at all. The star said that she's unlikely to return to music / Chiara Romagnoli / Red Im grown up enough to never say never, but no, I really cant, she told the publication. I dont know how people do it. I dont think that lifestyle would work for my family at all. Were realistic about that. We know that if we want one of us to always be there as a constant for the kids, we cant both shine at the same time. Her comments shortly after Marvin and his JLS band mates announced that they would be reuniting for a UK tour later this year. Rochelle appears on the cover of Red magazine / Chiara Romagnoli / Red Rochelle and Marvin married in 2012 and are parents to Alaia-Mai, six, and Valentina, two. The former Saturdays star said that having a family of her own has given her closure after being raised by her mum following her parents split. Rochelle Humes: Family Album - In pictures 1 /18 Rochelle Humes: Family Album - In pictures @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes @rochellehumes Its definitely given me the closure I was searching for when it came to my dad, she said. When I had my own family, I just wasnt fussed about that any more. There are times when Marvins chucking the kids up in the air and theyre saying, Daddy, get off me! and I shout, Noooo! Let Daddy! Because they dont know how lucky they are. Marv is the dad I wouldve given my right arm for. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 07:04:59|Editor: yhy Video Player Close Visitors view exhibits introducing China's village life at the "Countryside, The Future" exhibition in New York, the United States, on Feb. 20, 2020. An on-going exhibition presented by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas in New York City highlights how China has been dramatically redefining its vast countryside with continuous investment in infrastructure and poverty alleviation. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) NEW YORK, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- An on-going exhibition presented by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas in New York City highlights how China has been dramatically redefining its vast countryside with continuous investment in infrastructure and poverty alleviation. "Countryside, The Future," on view through Aug. 14, aims to put the world's countryside, or the 98 percent of the Earth's surface not occupied by cities "on the agenda again," Koolhaas told Xinhua at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum when the show opened to public on Friday. CHINA'S NEW COUNTRYSIDE MODEL Drawn from original research on the rapidly changing rural areas across the globe, the exhibition fills the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed spiralling gallery of Guggenheim with an immersive, multi-sensory installation, offering an overview of rural areas from its historical importance, its importance in the 20th century, to its current state and how it can be used in the future. China's rural revitalization, featured in the exhibition on the fourth level of the museum's rotunda, provides an important example of the ways that the countryside can be used, said Koolhaas, who has visited China for over 100 times and who is known for his striking, often gravity-defying structures, including China Central Television's Beijing headquarters. The installation on China's new countryside include four sections respectively themed "collective economy," "cultural tourism," "rural e-commerce" and "high-tech agriculture" as well as a comparative study on the data of rural development in China, Europe and the United States in recent years. It is a joint project based on the field work by the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) in Beijing and Koolhaas' research studio Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) in four villages in China's Henan, Guizhou, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces. "We could not have done this without collaboration with CAFA ... This furniture is designed by them and it helps (visitors) really understand what is going on in China," said Koolhaas, pointing at the tables and chairs that form a replica of an encircling conference room in rural China. "China is currently one of the only countries that has a policy of keeping the countryside as a viable environment, as a place where there are new opportunities created," he said. The rural revitalization strategy, first put forward during the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017, aims at achieving the basic modernization of agriculture and rural areas by 2035, and the grand goal of a strong agriculture, a beautiful countryside and well-off farmers by 2050. "I think that to some extent China is a model of what should happen also in other territories in the countryside," he said. "What we find striking, and what I think is maybe the most, the deepest reason that I have admiration for China is that they never give up trying, and continuously make an effort at improvement." "It's not surprising that some of the (Chinese) posters that seemed like fantasies in the 80s are now kind of being realized simply because of the systematic work, systematic effort and systematic thinking of the Chinese in terms of their own future," he said. "If you're in China, you feel that people have a feeling that they are making their own future." Koolhaas also hailed China's contribution to the sustainable rural development in other countries through its Belt and Road Initiative. "We are showing how China deals with its own country. But we also show how China makes a contribution to other countries. We look at the railway, as part of the Belt and Road (Initiative) project in Kenya. And so we look at what is the effect of the Chinese railway in an African country," he said. The Chinese-built Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), 485 km in length, saw 1,000 days of safe operations on Feb. 24 following its launch in May, 2017. The modern railway replaces the meter gauge railway constructed more than 100 years ago during the British colonial rule, a marked improvement in efficiency and comfort. COUNTRYSIDE CANNOT BE NEGLECTED "Countryside, The Future," as noted by some experts, marks Koolhaas's striking embrace of the decidedly non-urban, the broader category of the "countryside" after the architect spending decades devoted deconstructivism and an unapologetic sense of urbanity. Forty years ago Koolhaas launched his city-focused book Delirious New York. "In this case I have a very clear message," said Koolhaas, "People predicted by 2050, 80 percent of mankind will live in cities, and 20 percent of mankind will live, on the countryside." "I think we cannot tolerate and we cannot let that happen, because it means that basically the largest part of the world would be ignored, neglected, not maintained and not be there as a kind of wonderful place to go to or to exist in," he said. In addition to China, Koolhaas and his team also explored a series of case studies in Kenya, Germany, France, Italy and the United States that address topics such as artificial intelligence, human-animal ecosystems and other phenomena that are drastically changing the Earth's landscapes. It is "particularly meaningful" to present it in one of the world's great museums in one of the world's densest cities at a time that the world is facing an "inevitable global challenge" with long-term implications for the sustainable development of all countries, Koolhaas said. "Maybe it seems a little bit crazy. Uh, but New York is the center of communication in the world. And basically what I wanted to do with this show is to tell the world as much as possible that we have been looking at cities too much and that we should look at the countryside, and pay a lot more attention to the countryside than we are doing," he said. "If you're in cities you barely notice kind of global warming. But if you're in the countryside, as soon as you go out of the city, you realize the weather is strange, or there are irregularities in terms of expectation," he said. "One of the key things that we are also showing is that this is an interesting moment, because all regimes, all political systems, are realizing that something has to be done." "And whether they want to or not, they will have to communicate, and we'll have to collaborate. And one of the things we all know is that we have to keep nature in a more careful way," he said. Koolhaas said he was very much encouraged that so many visitors, especially the youngsters, have shown such a strong interest in the exhibition. "I think it means a lot. And also it means a lot that you see a young people reading. Yeah, they're reading the text. Supposedly young people are not interested in reading any more, but actually they read," he said. Although its not possible at this time, the State Hygienic Lab soon should have the capability to test patients for the novel coronavirus that is spreading rapidly across the world, Iowas top public health official said this week. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing testing kits for COVID-19 to state public health laboratories, including the state of Iowas Coralville-based lab, State Epidemiologist and Medical Director of the Iowa Department of Public Health Caitlin Pedati told state senators during a Human Resources Committee meeting Wednesday at the State Capitol. Testing for the respiratory virus currently can be done only at CDC facilities. Pedati said there were errors noted in the first testing kits sent to the state public health labs, and that the CDC was in the process of reissuing those kits. She estimated Iowa should receive those kits in the next two weeks. While the risk for an outbreak in Iowa still is low at this time, Pedati said the state public health department is prepared to take on any new cases of the respiratory virus that was first identified in December. Any time we have the emergence of new virus thats able to infect people, this is a serious public health concern, Pedati said. But I want to emphasize this is precisely the kind of concern that the state works with federal and local partners to prepare for. There is no community spread in the country as a whole, meaning risk only is associated with those who recently have traveled to China. However, federal public health officials announced earlier this week that a spread of coronavirus in the United States is inevitable. As of Wednesday, more than 81,000 cases have been confirmed in dozens of countries. Some countries, including Italy, Spain, Iran and Japan, have canceled public events and issued travel advisories in an attempt to stem the sudden uptick of cases there. Two Iowans who had traveled to mainland China were tested earlier this month for COVID-19 and the results came back negative, according to the state public health department. Twelve individuals who are not exhibiting symptoms, but may be at risk are under observation by the state public health department for a period of 14 days. An additional 30 Iowans have completed that 14-day public health monitoring. The United States reported 53 total confirmed cases as of Wednesday, according to the World Health Organization. But the situation is changing rapidly, and Pedati said its important for Iowans to prepare for COVID-19 in the same way they would prepare for a flu season or anything that can affect their health. The Iowa Department of Public Health recommends everyday preventive tools to help Iowans stay healthy if an outbreak would occur. Those include washing hands often with soap and water, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, covering coughs and sneezes and most important, Pedati said staying home when you are sick. She also noted it can be a frightening situation for some, so its important that Iowans seek out good, accurate information. Theres still much we dont know, but we will share as we find out more, Pedati said. We want people to recognize this is the type of work public health prepares for. Weve been doing this for decades. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, in some cases even leading to death. Symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Individuals who experience these symptoms and have returned to Iowa from mainland China since Feb. 3 should contact the Iowa Department of Public Health or their local county public health department. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 27, 2020) - Relay Medical Corp. (CSE: RELA) (OTCQB: RYMDF) (FSE: EIY2) ("Relay" or the "Company"), a developer of MedTech innovation, is pleased to announce the filing of a provisional patent entitled Precision Optical Chambers Device, System, and Method of Manufacturing Same, for its HemoPalm-CX Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) CO-Oximetry device. The patent's main claims cover the single-use blood sample cuvette designed to be used with the HemoPalm-CX. The patent describes a precise and inexpensive method for producing an optical cavity for the purpose of making accurate spectrophotometric measurements on samples of human whole blood. The design solves the problem of manufacturing consistent optical chambers with very short path length, within an inexpensive disposable diagnostic cartridge and/or cuvette. The cartridge is designed for manufacturing at high volume, as well as for ease-of-use in point-of-care testing environments. The design features direct coupling to common sample syringes and a tube insert to ensure representative sampling. Fig 1 HemoPalm-CX single-use blood sample cuvettes To view an enhanced version of Fig 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/952/52908_5bc4ab42a4e538bf_001full.jpg Fig 2 HemoPalm-CX single-use cuvette and syringe To view an enhanced version of Fig 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/952/52908_5bc4ab42a4e538bf_002full.jpg Relay's HemoPalm-CX portable POCT CO-oximeter complements bedside and near-patient blood gas analyzers that do not have CO-OX capabilities. CO-oximetry measurements are crucial in critical care settings such as the Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department and Emergency Medical Services. In addition to providing hemoglobin fractions that are critical to a full understanding of a patient's oxygenation status, the accurate total hemoglobin (and calculated hematocrit) can facilitate transfusion decisions, particularly where POCT blood gas instruments only provide unreliable conductimetric hematocrit measurements. Mass healthcare events, such as the recent coronavirus outbreak, demonstrate the need for new solutions to combat and contain diseases in the world. Point of care-testing platforms, such as HemoPalm, offer critical data immediately to health care workers to help determine the appropriate treatment and care in hospitals and rural clinics. China offers a large rapidly advancing market, an aging population, a developing health care system and an ability to quickly adopt new healthcare technologies. Relay Medical plans to continue actively exploring opportunities in China for joint-development of medical devices tailored to the Chinese healthcare market. In order to support development activities in China, Relay Medical has released a HemoPalm website in Mandarin (https://www.hemopalm.com/mandarin). To view the content in English, please visit the Relay Medical Website at www.relaymedical.com/hemopalm-corp. In early January, Relay Medical announced that Patent No. 201580025752.6, Joint Spectroscopic and Biosensor System for Point-of-Care Testing, was granted in China. VIDEO: HemoPalm Proof of Principle Prototype Demonstration https://youtu.be/TFxwuP8NkLA About Relay Medical Corp. Relay Medical is a MedTech innovation Company headquartered in Toronto, Canada focused on the development of novel technologies in the diagnostics and data science sectors. Website: www.relaymedical.com Contact: W. Clark Kent President Relay Medical Corp. Office. 647-872-9982 ext. 2 TF. 1-844-247-6633 ext. 2 investor.relations@relaymedical.com Bernhard Langer EU Investor Relations Office. +49 (0) 177 774 2314 Email: blanger@relaymedical.com Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for HemoPalm Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/52908 Melody Rose ignores the elephant in the classroom (Opinion: Another Oregon college has closed. The pressure on higher-education isnt letting up, Feb. 19). Her column spotlights college closures across the nation in terms of supply challenges and demand challenges. But she doesnt mention what perhaps is the most important reason: the product. What have failed colleges been teaching? Perhaps customers are rejecting modern classroom instruction, and the financial numbers no longer work. At Marylhurst University, which closed in 2018, the classroom atmosphere changed during the middle of the past decade. Classes shifted from welcoming places for nontraditional students into courses led by a faculty of political activists delivering a judgmental mix of left-wing issues and politics. Since Dr. Rose was Marylhurst president during part of this transformation, perhaps the product being sold in her classrooms can be noted as part of the reason for the schools financial failure. Failed products rarely lead to good financial numbers. What happens in the classroom matters. At Marylhurst, I believed my faculty mission was to teach students how to think, not what to think. Too many recent faculty members, as I saw it, no longer felt that way. The tradition of hanging up your ego on the coat hooks outside the classroom disintegrated into mindless political correctness. Students spoke routinely to me about it. This change started before but continued during Dr. Roses watch. She suggests we just accept what is and steel ourselves for more contraction in the industry. I encourage your readers to see a wider picture. Dr. Roses prescription is the disease, not the cure. John F. Cullicott, Lake Oswego Cullicott was an adjunct professor at Marylhurst from 1997 to 2015. WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, an East Texas Republican, was the lone Texan and one of just four members of Congress to vote against a bill making lynching a federal hate crime, legislation that sailed through the House on Wednesday. The so-called Emmett Till Anti-lynching Act drew broad bipartisan support, including from nearly every member from Texas, where 468 people were lynched between 1885 and 1942 the third most in the nation, according to the Texas State Historical Association. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Gohmert, of Tyler, said he has trouble with the federal nexus of lynching and argued the bill sends entirely the wrong message about how serious this is, because it only allows for a 10-year maximum prison sentence. Under Texas law, the defendants could have gotten the death penalty, he said. I regret needing to vote no, but I just felt like this is too serious to be handled at such a low level. Gohmert has in the past opposed hate crime legislation, including in 2009 when he deemed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act another great leap forward on the gay rights agenda that intrudes on First Amendment freedoms of speech and religion. Congress has tried and failed for more than 100 years to pass legislation adding lynching to the books as a hate crime. The bill is named after Till, a 14 year old who was brutally murdered in 1955 in Mississippi after a white woman accused him of whistling at her and grabbing her. The Senate earlier this year unanimously passed similar legislation and President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill. For subscribers: On Juneteenth, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee makes case for reparations for descendants of slaves The House bill was co-sponsored by six Texas Democrats: U.S. Reps. Filemon Vela of Brownsville, Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, Al Green and Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston, Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas and Marc Veasey of Fort Worth. This piece of legislation is more than 100 years in the making, Green said on the House floor. This is the unfinished business of this House and we have much more unfinished business Its time, in fact it is past time. Jackson Lee, who is pushing legislation to establish a commission to consider reparations for slavery, said on the House floor that this bill is an important standard and statement that also hopes to bring about the debate and passage of her bill. Lynching was the most heinous act of intimidation and violence against slaves and those that came after, she said. ben.wermund@chron.com Just call him Harry. The British prince who is preparing to step back from royal duties would normally be referred to as "sir" or "his royal highness." But as he was introduced to speak about sustainable tourism at an event in Scotland on Wednesday, the Duke of Sussex said the formality no longer was necessary. "He's made it clear that we are all just to call him Harry," conference host Ayesha Hazarika said. "So ladies and gentlemen, please give a big, warm Scottish welcome to Harry." The request reflected the seismic shift underway in the British monarchy. Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, say they will walk away from most royal duties starting March 31, give up public funding and try to become financially independent. The couple, who were named the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their wedding day, have also abandoned plans to use the "SussexRoyal" brand because of U.K. rules governing the use of the word "royal." Harry spoke at an event for Travalyst, a coalition he founded along with companies such as Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, Trip.com and Visa. The conference in Scotland was a discussion of sustainability in travel, including creating an online scoring system to rate the eco-friendliness of different flights, accommodations and vacation experiences. Harry warned that the growth of tourism is damaging some of the world's most cherished sites. "If we do not act and in a large part get ahead of the inevitable surge, this massive increase will mean risking more of the world's most beautiful destinations closed or destroyed, more communities becoming overwhelmed, more beaches shut because of pollution, and animals and wildlife driven from their natural habitat which has a huge impact on communities and reduces tourism opportunities," he said. Associated Press Adventure writer Cussler dies at 88 Clive Cussler, the million-selling adventure writer and real-life thrill seeker who wove personal details and spectacular fantasies into his page-turning novels about underwater explorer Dirk Pitt, has died. Alexis Welby, spokeswoman for Cussler's publisher Penguin Random House, says he died Monday at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 88. The cause was not disclosed. The Illinois-born Cussler dispatched Pitt and pal Al Giordino on exotic missions highlighted by shipwrecks, treachery, espionage and beautiful women, in popular works including "Cyclops," "Night Probe!" and his commercial breakthrough, "Raise the Titanic!" Cussler's plots ranged from the bold to the incredible. "The Treasure" features an aspiring Aztec despot, the hijacking of a plane carrying the United Nations secretary-general and soldiers from ancient Rome looting the Library of Alexandria. In "Iceberg," the presidents of French Guiana and the Dominican Republic are the ones in danger, during a visit to Disneyland. In "Sahara," a race across the desert somehow leads to new information about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Associated Press Cops: Woman locked boyfriend in luggage Authorities in Florida have arrested a woman accused of zipping her boyfriend into a suitcase, recording his repeated cries for help and leaving him locked inside until he died, according to sheriff's office documents. Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff's Office took Sarah Boone, 42, into custody on second-degree murder charges in the death of Jorge Torres Jr., 42, the agency said in a statement Tuesday. Boone called 911 Monday afternoon from her Winter Park home and told dispatchers her boyfriend was dead, news outlets reported. Investigators said she claimed they had been drinking the night before and agreed it would be funny if Torres got into the suitcase during a game of hide-and-seek, according to court records obtained by news outlets. Boone reportedly admitted she zipped Torres into the suitcase, went upstairs to bed and awoke the next morning to find him still inside and unresponsive, the documents alleged. The sheriff's office said Boone's statements didn't line up with video evidence found on her phone showing a blue suitcase facing downward with Torres trying to free himself. In the video, he called for help and yelled that he couldn't breathe, authorities said. Boone could be heard laughing and saying: "That's what I feel like when you cheat on me," investigators wrote in the documents. Associated Press Staff at a charity shop have shared their astonishment after receiving 400 bags of donations from one person, with contents estimated to be worth tens of thousands. The British Heart Foundation in Largs, North Ayrshire in Scotland, recently received the immense donation, which consists of designer clothes and accessories. The items in the donation, the majority of which still have tags attached, came from the family of a local woman who passed away after suffering a heart attack. The family, who requested to remain anonymous, received a visit from the charity shops branch manager, Glynnis Whannel, who helped them place the donated items in bags. According to Ms Whannel, it may be the largest donation the Largs store has ever received. (SWNS (SWNS) Its a lady who died and her husband contacted us and asked if we wanted the donation, the charity shop worker said. Theres a whole lot of dresses, then theres skirts, blouses, shoes and handbags that match the dresses. Shes also given us a lot of bric-a-brac were getting a lot of books and kitchen stuff. Ms Whannel described the quality of some of the donated garments as incredible. (SWNS (SWNS) The Largs shop hasnt seen this much before, not this quantity or this quality, she said. The quality is incredible 99 per cent of its still got tags on, and most of the ones that dont have tags on are pretty much brand new. It must be worth tens of thousands. Its modern stuff. Ms Whannel expressed her gratitude towards the family for their huge donation. New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity Show all 8 1 /8 New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity Nearly 1,000 people slept in Times Square on Saturday night. The demonstrators were part of the World Sleep Out, which saw events in 52 cities over the weekend. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity The World Sleep Out raises funds for charity. As demonstrators slept in sleeping bags around the world, the charity group worked to raise its goal of $50m (38m) in funds to combat homelessness. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity Participants sprawled out on cardboard and yoga mats. Im nervous about the rats, Jeanette Guzman, who came to the sleep out from Queens with her entire family, told The Independent. But we want to feel what its like, and what homeless people go through sleeping on the streets and also to raise funds. Getty Images for The World's Big New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity Will Smith met with participants and performed in Times Square. The actor spoke about his film, The Pursuit of Happiness, and performed the hit theme song from his TV series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams also attended the sleep out. Ill tell you what: if you look around New York City, there are loads and loads of vacant luxury apartments that we didnt need while there are 60,000 people homeless, said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who was in attendance at the event and spoke to the crowd about housing being a human right. Getty Images for The World's Big New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity Josh Littlejohn said the city's "can do" spirit helped the event come to life. To my great surprise and real delight, they signed off on us closing down the entire stretch of Times Square, he said. Its kind of one of those things thats been happening a lot with this campaign, very serendipitous. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity Participants came from all over to help raise funds. Joshua Mazediak-Amey, who was from the UK and with a group of interns at the United Nations attending the Times Square event, told The Independent: I believe its important that those who work for the UN show the fact that were committed to actually getting on the ground and being with people that we are willing to come and be a part of things when theyre sort of on-the-ground movements like this opportunity tonight. Getty Images for The World's Big New Yorkers sleep in Times Square to raise money for homeless charity The group told The Independent nearly 1,000 people slept in Times Square on Saturday night. The World Sleep Out aims to raise $50m (38m) in donations for charities including the Malala Fund, the Institute of Global Homelessness and more. Mr Littlejohn has also established a new charity called the Worlds Big Sleep Out Trust. All of the donations raised in the US as part of the trust would be managed by UNICEF USA. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Were forever grateful it goes towards research. Its just incredible a donation, she stated. I cant believe there are so many people that can be so kind. Its been tough for the family, but Im also appreciative of what theyve done. James Jopling, head of BHF Scotland, explained that the organisations research is only made possible thanks to generous donations like this, adding that BHF Scotland is very grateful. Heart and circulatory diseases claim the lives of nearly three in 10 of us in Scotland, and there are around 700,000 people living with these conditions every day, so we still need to do more, Mr Jopling said. Wonderful donations to our shops like this enable our vital work to continue and we cannot thank the donors enough. DELAWARE, Ohio, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a world leader in industrial packaging products and services, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Consumer Packaging Group ("CPG") business for $85 million in cash to Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK). Greif expects to use the proceeds for debt repayment. "We are pleased with the conclusion of the CPG strategic review process," said Pete Watson, Greif's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The sale of CPG allows us to de-lever our balance sheet and optimize capital allocation plans. By divesting these assets, we can refocus our business on our core industrial franchise and our stated strategic growth priorities in Intermediate Bulk Container production and reconditioning and containerboard integration." Greif's CPG business consists of seven converting facilities that manufacture folding cartons for consumer packaged goods businesses. Subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, the companies expect to complete the transaction by March 31st, 2020. Greif expects no material impact to its Fiscal 2020 outlook or Fiscal 2022 financial commitments from this divestiture and reaffirms its expectation of at least $70 million synergies over 36 months from the closing of the Caraustar acquisition. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Greif for this transaction. Allen & Overy LLP served as Greif's exclusive legal advisor. About Greif, Inc. Greif is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services and is pursuing its vision: In industrial packaging, be the best performing customer service company in the world. The Company produces steel, plastic and fibre drums, intermediate bulk containers, reconditioned containers, flexible products, containerboard, uncoated recycled paperboard, coated recycled paperboard, tubes and cores and a diverse mix of specialty products. The Company also manufactures packaging accessories and provides filling, packaging and other services for a wide range of industries. In addition, Greif manages timber properties in the southeastern United States. The Company is strategically positioned in over 40 countries to serve global as well as regional customers. Additional information is on the Company's website at www.greif.com . Forward-Looking Statements Except for historical information, all other information in this release consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, expectations and other information currently available to management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those forecasted, projected or anticipated, whether expressed or implied. The most significant of these risks and uncertainties are described in Part I, Item 1A under "Risk Factors" of the Company's most recently filed Form 10-K, as amended by the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to such risk factors. Except to the limited extent required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact: Matt Eichmann 740-549-6067 [email protected] SOURCE Greif, Inc. Related Links http://www.greif.com JOS, Nigeria, February 26, 2020 (Morning Star News) Nearly six years after Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls from a high school in northeastern Nigeria, the Chibok area in Borno state is under threat of annihilation from the rebel group and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), area leaders said. While 112 of the kidnapped girls remain in captivity, Boko Haram abducted another 22 people in the predominantly Christian Chibok area in December, according to a statement from the Kibaku Area Development Association. The Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA) wishes to cry out and put it on the record that we are being targeted for attacks and annihilation, whether at home or wherever we are, Dauda Iliya, head of the association, said in the statement issued from Abuja on Feb. 3. Our people and homelands are in danger. Our homes, farms, barns, and places of worship are destroyed. We are unable to exercise our religious freedoms as we prefer. Our very existence is under grave threat. Iliya said 11 parents of the girls kidnapped in 2014 have been killed in subsequent attacks, and eight other parents have died from post-traumatic disorders such as heart conditions related to the abduction of their daughters. Of 20 Chibok girls parents our kinsmen and women who are now deceased, 11 were killed during the Boko Haram attacks, eight died of heart conditions as a result of trauma, with those alive subsisting with various degrees of heart conditions and trauma along with their resultant effects, he said. Among the 22 people kidnapped in December, five were abducted in the nearby Kwarangilum community in a Boko Haram attack on Christmas Eve, with the rebels burning down houses and carting away live cattle, sheep, goats and chickens, he said. Five days later on the 29th of December in Mandaragrau, 17 Chibok indigenes were kidnapped, Iliya said. We also do not notice much effort by the government to permanently end the scourge of Boko Haram terrorism, and restore peace in our homelands in particular, and the northeast in general; nor the return of our 112 daughters held in captivity for close to six years. The area has been under constant attack by Boko Haram, which seeks to impose sharia (Islamic law) throughout Nigeria, for 10 years, he said. Boko Haram terrorists on Feb. 18 attacked two predominantly Christian communities in Chibok County, Kwarangilum and Forfor villages, residents said. The terrorists [simultaneously] attacked the communities around 6 p.m., shooting indiscriminately and burning down houses, Maina Kapi told Morning Star News by text message. Please, your prayer is needed because today Boko Haram entered Kwarangilum area of Chibok. Habakkuk Aboki, another area resident, said Islamic extremists also attacked another part of Chibok County in January. In January 2020, two Christians were killed in Payasatan-Bilaburdar village, also here in Chibok, he said by text message. Confirmation of the killings and names of the victims could not be obtained from the area, which is subject to frequent communications blackouts. Nigeria ranked 12th on Open Doors 2020 World Watch List of countries where Christians suffer the most persecution but second in the number of Christians killed for their faith, behind Pakistan. If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved. If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/? Article originally published by Morning Star News. Used with permission. Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Kylie Ellway OKLAHOMA CITY The state Legislature on Wednesday recognized the contributions of the Cherokee Nation. The Senate offered the tribe a citation by Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, recognizing its commitment to its citizens, the state and the mutual success and prosperity of both. The Cherokee people value honor, education, and personal self-reliance and the Cherokee Nation strives to achieve and maintain an enriching cultural identity, economic self-reliance, and a sovereign government, the citation said. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. was allowed to address the Senate on the floor of the chamber. Hoskin said the Cherokee Nation has a $2.16 billion annual impact on the state. It employs 11,000 people and supports 20,000 jobs, Hoskin said. A key to success of the tribe has been its ability to find friends and neighbors to build a better future, he said. He said the nation is in the business of building relationships. Ephemeral Earth companions may be very common, according to Michele Bannister, an astronomer at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. They are orbiting roughly the same space that we are, and some will get into the right spot where it can nudge into a ballet with us. And then its like any dance: you do a couple spins together, and go your separate ways, she says. Theres something beautifully transient about it. Astronomers at the Minor Planet Center, an international body that tracks asteroid discoveries, announced the find on Tuesday. With only a few nights of data, its too early to say exactly what 2020 CD3 is made of. But many astronomers are convinced it is not a leftover from a rocket launch or other human activity. It might be the size of a small car. It would probably fit in a bedroom, even in San Francisco or New York, says Alessondra Springmann, an astronomer at the University of Arizona. Alex Azar, Donald Trump's health secretary, has told politicians he cannot guarantee that a coronavirus vaccine will be affordable to everyone once it has been developed. Giving evidence to Congress on the administration's efforts to contain the deadly virus, Mr Azar said: "We would want to ensure that we work to make it affordable, but we can't control that price, because we need the private sector to invest. Price controls won't get us there." He also appeared to contradict the president by saying he did not believe the virus would simply die out when the weather gets warmer, a contention Mr Trump made last week. He was speaking shortly before the president was due to hold a news conference on how he is planning to protect Americans from the deadly virus. Mr Trump has been criticised by both Democrats and Republicans for not doing enough to combat the threat of the coronavirus. Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Show all 10 1 /10 Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A man wearing a face mask crosses a road in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of the empty entrance to the UniversitA Cattolica (Catholic University) in Milan, northern Italy, on 24 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Empty streets in Daegu, South Korea, on 23 February 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone sanitation worker sits near the closed Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, on February 24, 2020. Reuters Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A view of a deserted street in Codogno, northern Italy, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty Italian police officers set a road block in Codogno, Northern Italy, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A supermarket closed in Codogno, one the northern Italian towns placed under lockdown, on February 23, 2020. EPA Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty A lone cyclist wearing sanitary masks pedals in the center of Codogno, Northern Italy. LaPresse via AP Coronavirus: Streets around world left empty An empty road at the entrance of the small Italian town of Codogno on February 23, 2020. AFP via Getty He has requested $2.5bn, which would go towards developing a vaccine and stockpiling protective gear like face masks. However, the Democrats say it will cost at least $8.5bn to make sure the virus does not spread. The president has also faced criticism for proposing to take $535m out of a budget to fight ebola. Earlier, the Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "This is shameful. He puts forth a proposal now that is meagre, anaemic in terms of addressing this. Ebola, we did $5bn. And now they're trying to take the ebola money and spend it here. "What he's doing is late, too late, anaemic. Hopefully we came make up for the loss of time but we have to have professionals in place, resources that are adequate and not use scare tactics about people coming back to our country." It is thought Mr Trump may be planning to appoint a coronavirus czar to coordinate his government's response, as Barack Obama did with the ebola crisis in 2014. Boris Johnson is ready to walk away from Brexit trade talks and prepare the UK to leave the EU without a deal at the end of the year if sufficient progress is not made by June, according to a new document setting out the governments stance for negotiations. The document revived fears of a no-deal crash-out, with tariffs and other trade barriers on imports and exports and likely disruption to ports and airports from 1 January next year. The negotiating mandate set the scene for a Brexit bust-up when talks on the future UK-EU relationship begin in Brussels on Monday, with Britain insistent it will not sign up to European rules and regulations. Labour accused Mr Johnson of showing a cavalier disregard for peoples livelihoods, while the TUC said he was recklessly endangering working peoples jobs and rights. And the pound slumped against a range of currencies as markets responded negatively to the prospect of a no-deal outcome. Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Show all 20 1 /20 Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Britain votes to leave the European Union - 23 June 2016 A referendum is held on Britain's membership of the European Union. Fifty-two per cent of the country votes in favour of leaving AFP via Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? David Cameron resigns - 24 June 2016 David Cameron resigns on the morning of the result after leading the campaign for Britain to remain in the EU Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Theresa May takes the reins - 13 July 2016 Theresa May becomes leader of the Conservative party and prime minister, winning the leadership contest unopposed after Andrea Leadsom drops out Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? High Court rules parliament must vote on Brexit - November 2016 - 3 November 2016 The High Court rules that parliament must vote on triggering Article 50, which would begin the Brexit process Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Article 50 triggered - 28 March 2017 The prime minister triggers Article 50 after parliament endorses the result of the referendum Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? May calls snap election - 18 April 2018 Seeking a mandate for her Brexit plan, May goes to the country Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? May loses majority as Labour makes surprise gain - 8 June 2017 After a disastrous campaign, Theresa May loses her majority in the commons and turns to the DUP for support. Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party makes gains after being predicted to lose heavily AFP/Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Negotiations begin - 19 June 2017 David Davis and Michel Barnier, chief negotiators for the UK and EU respectively, hold a press conference on the first day of Brexit negotiations. Soon after the beginning of negotiations, it becomes clear that the issue of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic will prove a major sticking point AFP/Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? MPs vote that withdrawal deal must be ratified by parliament - 13 December 2017 The government suffers a defeat in parliament over the EU withdrawal agreement, guaranteeing that MPs are given a 'meaningful vote' on the deal Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Boris Johnson resigns as foreign secretary - 11 July 2018 Following a summit at Chequers where the prime minister claimed to have gained cabinet support for her deal, Boris Johnson resigns as foreign secretary along with David Davis, the Brexit secretary Reuters Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Draft withdrawal agreement - 15 November 2018 The draft withdrawal agreement settles Britain's divorce bill, secures the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and vice versa and includes a political declaration commiting both parties to frictionless trade in goods and cooperation on security matters. The deal also includes the backstop, which is anathema to many brexiteers and Dominic Raab and Esther McVey resign from the cabinet in protest Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? May resigns - 24 May 2019 After several failed attempts to pass her withdrawal agreement through the commons, Theresa May resigns Reuters Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Johnson takes over - 24 July 2019 Boris Johnson is elected leader of the Conservative party in a landslide victory. He later heads to Buckingham Palace where the Queen invites him to form a government Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Parliament prorogued - 28 August 2019 Boris Johnson prorogues parliament for five weeks in the lead up to the UK's agreed departure date of 31 October. Stephen Morgan MP Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Prorogation ruled unlawful - 24 September 2019 The High Court rules that Johnson's prorogation of parliament is 'unlawful' after a legal challenge brought by businesswoman Gina Miller Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Johnson agrees deal with Varadkar - October Following a summit in Merseyside, Johnson agrees a compromise to the backstop with Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar - making the withdrawal agreement more palatable to Brexiteers Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Final Say march demands second referendum - 19 October 2019 As parliament passes the Letwin amendment requiring the prime minister to request a further delay to Brexit, protesters take to the streets in the final show of force for a Final Say referendum Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Johnson wins 80 seat majority - 12 December 2019 The Conservatives win the December election in a landslide, granting Boris Johnson a large majority to pass through his brexit deal and pursue his domestic agenda Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? Withdrawal deal passes parliament - 20 December 2019 The withdrawal agreement passes through the commons with a majority of 124 Getty Brexit timeline: How did we get here? EU parliament backs UK withdrawal deal - 29 January 2020 Members of the European parliament overwhelmingly back the ratification of Britain's departure, clearing the way for Brexit two days later on 31 January. Following the vote, members join hands and sing Auld Lang Syne AFP/Getty Both sides are playing tough as talks commence, with EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier warning on Tuesday that Brussels will not accept a deal at any price if it suspects the UK of planning to cut corners on standards and subsidies to gain unfair commercial advantage. London accuses Brussels of trying to inflate the scope of an agreement signed by the prime minister in October which committed both sides to maintaining a level playing field on environmental protections, workers rights, health and safety rules, state aid and taxation. The new document set out the UKs ambition for a Canada-style comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA), which officials admit will mean extra red tape checks and controls for businesses and travellers at ports and airports. And it rejected the EUs insistence that an agreement along the lines of Canadas deal which provides for zero tariffs on many goods is not on offer to the UK because of its geographical and economic closeness. But the mandate also insisted that Mr Johnson is ready to leave on World Trade Organisation terms, effectively paving the way for a no-deal Brexit. Preparations for withdrawal with no deal, including new infrastructure at ports and the recruitment of more border staff, will not wait until talks collapse but begin straight away. The 30-page mandate stated that the UK government will not accept any role for the European Court of Justice in dispute resolution mechanisms following Brexit. Mr Johnsons government hopes the broad outlines of an FTA can be ready for finalisation by September, it said. But it added: If that does not seem to be the case at the June meeting, the government will need to decide whether the UKs attention should move away from negotiations and focus solely on continuing domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion. The UK will make its decision on the basis of whether good progress has been possible on the least controversial parts of negotiations by that point. In the House of Commons, Labours Brexit spokesperson Paul Blomfield accused Mr Johnson of taking serious risks with the economy, jobs and peoples livelihoods and displaying a cavalier disregard for the consequences of failure to get a deal. But cabinet minister Michael Gove, who unveiled the mandate in parliament, said: We are confident that the negotiations will lead to outcomes which work for both the UK and the EU. This House, our European partners and above all the British public should be in no doubt at the end of the transition period on 31 December, the United Kingdom will fully recover its economic and political independence. We want the best possible trading relationship with the EU, but in pursuit of a deal we will not trade away our sovereignty. Mr Gove said the prime minister had made his vision on the UKs future relationship with the EU crystal clear during the campaign for Decembers general election. And he claimed that the result of the election when a majority of voters backed parties offering a second Brexit referendum had comprehensively confirmed public support for our direction of travel. Mr Gove said the UK wanted a relationship based on friendly co-operation between sovereign equals, adding: We respect the EUs sovereignty, autonomy and distinctive legal order, and we expect them to respect ours. We will not accept nor agree to any obligations where our laws are aligned to the EU or the EUs institutions, including the Court of Justice. Frances OGrady criticised the negotiating mandate (PA) TUC general secretary Frances OGrady said: The government is recklessly endangering working peoples jobs and rights. By abandoning the level playing field, ministers are deliberately undermining important protections, like the right to paid holidays and safe limits on working hours. And by making it harder to trade with the EU, theyre putting jobs and living standards on the line. A good deal with the EU should be this governments priority. But instead, Boris Johnson is gambling with peoples livelihoods by again threatening a disastrous no deal. And Liberal Democrat acting leader Ed Davey said: Once again we have seen the prime minister is more interested in brinkmanship and pleasing the Tory backbenches than working with the EU to build a sustainable trading partnership. Finalising an agreement by 2021 is already unlikely. Narrowing the timeframe even more is nothing short of reckless. The Liberal Democrats will oppose the governments negotiating stance and fight for the closest possible trading partnership with Europe. The chair of the European Movement, former Conservative cabinet minister Stephen Dorrell, said: This is the first time since the end of the Second World War that the government has outlined a mandate for negotiations that will not tear down borders to trade but erect them. Despite claiming to be pro-trade and pro-enterprise, this government is actively taking steps to isolate ourselves from our closest neighbours. Boris Johnson and his government must not be permitted to use Brexit as an opportunity to do away with regulations protecting workers, the environment and standards. The UK mandate breaks from the EUs approach by proposing a range of separate agreements on fisheries, law enforcement, judicial co-operation, transport and energy, rather than a single over-arching treaty. For the first time, the government revealed it will conduct a consultation on its plans, inviting businesses, economists and other experts to offer their assessment of the likely impact on the UK economy. But there was no commitment to publish the outcome. The last government assessment, released in 2018, suggested that leaving on WTO terms would hit the UK economy by as much as 9 per cent of GDP over the longer term. The document revealed that the government is not seeking continued participation in the European Arrest Warrant scheme, instead calling for agreement on fast-track extradition arrangements similar to those between the EU and Norway and Iceland. There was alarm over indications that ministers are backing away from continued involvement in the Erasmus exchange scheme for university students. The mandate said the government will consider options for participation in elements of Erasmus+ on a time-limited basis, provided the terms are in the UKs interests. Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Layla Moran described it as a disaster for young people. Boris Johnson told us that there is no threat to the Erasmus scheme but now hes revealed that the UK has one foot out of the door, said Ms Moran. Instead of ensuring that our universities remain open, international and outward-looking, these proposals show that Brexit means going it alone. Instead, the UK will presumably waste millions on a replacement scheme that wont match Erasmuss reputation or size. Universities UK said the benefits of Erasmus were broad and clear and called for a stronger commitment to the programme as negotiations unfold. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Budi Sutrisno and Apriza Pinandita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 21:52 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20670fef0 1 World COVID-19,Taiwan,migrant-workers,undocumented-worker,coronavirus,outbreak,Indonesian-citizen Free An Indonesian citizen identified as a 30-year-old undocumented worker in Taiwan was declared Wednesday the countrys 32nd confirmed COVID-19 case after caring for an 80-year-old man who also tested positive for the viral disease. Local media outlet taiwannews.com reported on Wednesday that the Indonesian woman contracted the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 while taking care of the man at a hospital. He was yet to be confirmed infected when she took care of him from Feb. 11 to 16. By the time the man was diagnosed for COVID-19 on Sunday, the woman had moved to another place. Authorities began searching for her whereabouts after they discovered she was an undocumented migrant worker. The police found her on Monday when she was taking care of another patient in a different hospital. She was immediately put in an isolation room on Monday evening before eventually being diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday. Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) deputy director Chuang Jen-hsiang said as quoted by taiwannews.com that the woman had mild symptoms [of the viral disease] and was currently staying in a hospital isolation ward. The Taiwan Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) found that she traveled by train and a bus serving Route 38 between New Taipeis Shulin and Banciao districts multiple times between Feb. 16 and 19. She had also met with a friend visiting from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan on Feb. 18. Read also: Indonesian domestic worker in Singapore recovers from COVID-19 Chuang said those who came into direct contact with both the Indonesian woman and the elderly man she cared for in the hospital had tested negative for the disease. Taiwans CDC, however, was still searching for others who might have come into contact with them outside the hospital, the deputy director went on to say. A separate taiwannews.com report mentioned that the Indonesian woman had livestreamed her experience in quarantine on Facebook and TikTok. She also exposed her face and revealed information about the hospital to viewers. She posted a message on her Facebook account saying "Mbak nya santuuyyy pdhl + kena virus CORONA" (This woman is so relaxed despite testing positive for the novel coronavirus infection). During the livestream, she sang merrily and showed the IV needle in her hand, and presented a medical prescription on which the name of the hospital was visible. The video and screenshots of her livestream have been widely shared on social media among the migrant worker community in Taiwan. According to the report, Taiwanese health authorities are not allowed to disclose the names of hospitals treating virus-infected patients to avoid unnecessary panic both inside and outside the hospital. Concerned migrant workers later reported the incident to local health authorities, who may decide to hand out punishments under Taiwanese law. The Foreign Ministrys director for citizen protection, Judha Nugraha, said Thursday the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office (KDEI) in Taipei had confirmed the womans status as an undocumented migrant worker who worked as a caregiver. He added the womans condition was stable. Read also: Taiwan remains safe for travelers: Tourism bureau KDEI Taipei has coordinated with Taiwans health authorities to ensure that she is handled as well as possible. We will continue to closely monitor the condition of the migrant worker, Judha said. The trade office was also coordinating with Taiwanese authorities regarding her medical treatment fee, the director said. Workers rights NGO Migrant CARE executive director Wahyu Susilo said the woman should remain in Taiwan to undergo proper medical procedure there. It might be technically difficult if she wants to fly back home. Since she has been treated in an isolation room, its better for her to remain where she is and receive proper treatment, Wahyu told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. He added that he hoped authorities could provide the best care for the migrant worker regardless of her legal status. In regard to World Health Organization standards, I think Taiwanese authorities should set aside the patients status and focus on the treatment. Hugh Ji had been looking forward to returning home to South Korea with his Canadian wife and two of their friends for a trip that included stops in Seoul and a visit to Jeju island. But when he saw the mounting number of novel coronavirus cases in his homeland, he didn't hesitate to postpone the two-and-a-half week vacation. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. South Koreans tourists gather after returning from Israel at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. South Korean tourists returned home from Israel on Tuesday after the Israeli government imposed entry ban on South Koreans over concerns about new coronavirus. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Ahn Young-joon Hugh Ji had been looking forward to returning home to South Korea with his Canadian wife and two of their friends for a trip that included stops in Seoul and a visit to Jeju island. But when he saw the mounting number of novel coronavirus cases in his homeland, he didn't hesitate to postpone the two-and-a-half week vacation. The 34-year-old Calgary resident said his decision was firm, even when he was initially told he'd have to pay hundreds of dollars to rebook. "It's not about the money," he said. "It's health issues." The rash of new coronavirus cases appearing in Italy, Iran, South Korea and Japan over the past week has prompted Canadians like Ji to rethink their travel plans, even as travel industry professionals call for calm. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne has said Canadians should think carefully about where they and their families are planning to travel for spring break in light of the virus's spread overseas. He suggested Wednesday that people examine the online travel advisories posted by Global Affairs Canada before leaving for their vacations, though he noted the federal government can't predict whether the coronavirus will spread. But Julia Kent, director of public and government affairs for CAA Atlantic, says aside from a few specific regions, there haven't been a lot of issues. "Unless you have plans to go to China, you should probably proceed as planned," she said in a phone interview this week. The CAA describes itself as one of Canada's largest leisure travel agencies. "Generally speaking, when you compare coronavirus to the flu, it is far less widespread and less impactful." Still, many people are expressing concerns. In Edmonton, two Catholic schools cancelled spring break trips to Japan and two other schools cancelled the Italian portion of a European trip after cases spiked in the north of the country. Lori Nagy, a spokeswoman for the school board, said the cancellations were prompted by worries that students could be exposed to the virus or be subjected to lengthy quarantines when they try to return. "We do not feel it is appropriate to send our students and staff into an area that has already been affected by the coronavirus when the (World Health Organization) has indicated that the spread seems inevitable, and containment processes are potentially unable to ensure the safety of all our travellers," she wrote in an email. Students at a high school in Gatineau, Que., who were expected to leave Wednesday for a trip to Japan also had their trip cancelled at the last minute, according to Christian Laforest, a spokesman for the Draveurs school board. On its website, the tour company that was organizing the school's Japan trip, EF Educational Tours, said tours to China and now northern Italy have been switched to other destinations, and the company "will continue to implement measures that extend beyond those recommendations for the safety and support of our travellers." For Ji, rebooking wasn't as easy as he'd hoped. He said he was first told he'd have to pay fees of $500 to cancel his trip, or $150 to rebook, plus the difference in ticket price. But by end of Tuesday, Air Canada updated its policy to add airports in northern Italy and South Korea to the list of destinations where travellers can rebook without penalty. Ji has since changed his dates to June, free of charge. Global Affairs Canada has advised against non-essential travel to China and issued a Level 2 health advisory for South Korea, Iran and northern Italy, which urges travellers to take precautions, such as avoiding large crowds, or avoiding travel if they have underlying health conditions. (The government already advises against non-essential travel to Iran for security reasons.) Kent suggests looking to those warnings for guidance. She said most major travel providers and travel insurance companies would issue full refunds only in the case of a government advisory against non-essential travel, meaning those who wish to travel elsewhere may be stuck paying for some or all of their trips. There has been a lot of attention on Yokohama, the Japanese port city where the cruise ship Diamond Princess was docked with 3,500 passengers under quarantine. More than 690 people were sickened on the ship, and three died. 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. Bari Golin-Blaugrund, senior director strategic communications for Cruise Lines International Association, said the industry has adopted enhanced protocols to address the virus. "No person, no matter if they are passenger or crew, will be allowed to board any of our ships if they have travelled in or through the affected areas ... China, and that includes Macau and Hong Kong, within the previous 14 days prior to embarkation," she said. Cruise Lines International Association added that member ships are required to have medical facilities on board, and that by the time passengers and crew reach the ship, they have in many cases "gone through one or more health screenings already especially those travelling to meet their ships via plane." While the association said it did not have any information about booking levels, it said that "history suggests that when there are world events like these, there is generally a level of discomfort about travel." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020 With files from Kevin Bissett in Fredericton, N.B. This award embodies AGBs visionby recognizing boards that are strategic partners of their institutions, help to advance student success and well-being, and enhance institutional vitality, said Henry Stoever, AGBs president and CEO. We look forward to honoring this years six selected boards at The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), the premier organization representing higher education governing boards, today announced that six boards have been selected to receive the 2019-2020 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership. The Nason Award, established in 1992, is presented in partnership with TIAA to higher education governing boards that demonstrate exceptional leadership and initiative. This years honorees were chosen from among more than 30 nominations illustrating the critical work of boards from public and private institutions, statewide systems, and institutionally related foundations. This years Nason Award recipients are: Anne Arundel Community College Board of Trustees (MD) The Anne Arundel Community College Board of Trustees demonstrated bold leadership in its efforts to achieve equity to advance student success and completion for all students, adopting a bold new strategic plan that challenged the status quo and prioritized student needs amid declining enrollment and funding. This resulted in systemic change that prioritizes equity and completion through a transformed student experience and provides comprehensive professional development to enable student success and academic excellence. Arizona State University (ASU) Enterprise Partners Board of Directors In under 20 years, ASU has placed itself among the nations premier research universities, accompanied by a 20-point rise in the four-year graduation rate, during a remarkable expansion in student enrollment. These accomplishments stem from the alignment of the ASU community around its charter as an inclusive, public-serving institution, and the Enterprise Partners boards focus on optimizing entrepreneurial initiatives to support ASUs goal of serving as a model institution for social impact nationally and globally. Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Board of Trustees (CA) LMUs Board of Trustees has successfully implemented a process of continual self-evaluation and self-improvement to ensure its ability to drive institutional growth and success. This practice, combined with a shared governance approach and a collective commitment to demonstrating effective leadership, has led to improvements in undergraduate academic quality, professional programs success, increased enrollment, and better fiscal health. McDaniel College Board of Trustees (MD) The McDaniel College Board of Trustees worked as a cohesive group to complete a thorough curriculum assessment, with a goal to strengthen academic programs by aligning offerings with the interests of current and prospective students. The process, which relied heavily on shared governance, resulted in attracting the largest freshman class in the history of the college while exceeding funding goals by more than $1 million. Parker University Board of Trustees (TX) During a time of crisis following a devastating tornado that caused extensive damage to the university, the Parker University Board of Trustees acted swiftly to ensure rapid deployment of resources to restore operations as quickly as possible. Prior to this, the board had already showed decisive leadership in enabling the transition from a small chiropractic college to a fully comprehensive university. The board overcame internal challenges to become more focused and successfully develop a new strategic plan that inspired a spirit of adventure and exploration at the university. The result was an enrollment increase of 20 percent, among other successes. Southern Oregon University (SOU) Board of Trustees In just four years of existence, the SOU Board of Trustees exhibited courageous leadership to advance the institution and the value of higher education regionally and nationwide. During a major period of transition, the brand-new board hired a new president, revitalized community relationships, and collaborated with the universitys administration as well as a broad and inclusive strategic planning committee that included trustee representation, to create and implement a transformative strategic plan. That plan concentrated on curriculum and pedagogy as well as demographic shifts; addressed financial stability; supported sustainability and the universitys ecological bioregion; focused on creativity and innovation; aimed to create a truly diverse and inclusive campus; and highlighted regional economic, cultural, and social development. This award embodies AGBs visionby recognizing boards that are strategic partners of their institutions, help to advance student success and well-being, and enhance institutional vitality, said Henry Stoever, AGBs president and CEO. We look forward to honoring this years six selected boards at our national conference. Recipients will receive their awards at their institutions spring board meetings, and they also will be honored at AGBs 2020 National Conference on Trusteeship in Washington, DC, April 5-7. This years selection committee included: William Collins, chair emeritus, St. Johns University Board of Trustees Katie Herschede, vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff, Widener University Eleanor Horne, member, AGB Board of Directors; member, The College of New Jersey Board of Trustees Melik Khoury, president, Unity College Monroe Miller, vice chair, AGB Board of Directors; member, Johnson C. Smith University Board of Trustees John Ottenhoff, senior consultant, AGB Consulting, and a former interim chief operating officer, AGB The Nason award is named for higher education leader John W. Nason, who served as the chair of the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council and helped more than 4,000 interned students continue their college studies across the nation during World War II. AGB would like to thank TIAA for its support of the Nason Award. Learn more about AGBs Nason Award at AGB.org/Award. The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) is the premier membership organization that strengthens higher education governing boards and the strategic roles they serve within their organizations. Through our vast library of resources, educational events, and consulting services, and with nearly 100 years of experience, we empower 40,000 AGB members from more than 2,000 institutions and foundations to navigate complex issues, implement leading practices, streamline operations, and govern with confidence. AGB is the trusted resource for board members, chief executives, and key administrators on higher education governance and leadership. By PTI PATNA: The Bihar Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution for the second time in just over a year favouring a caste-based census in 2021. Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary made the announcement in the assembly during the pre-lunch session. "This is an appropriate time when the House should convey its sentiments to the authorities concerned for a caste-based census. The proposed census 2021 be conducted on caste basis," Choudhary said. He said Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had made a proposal for a similar resolution during the debate on adjournment motion on Tuesday on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register in the assembly, which found support from all other political parties in the House. The Bihar Assembly had on February 18 last year passed a unanimous resolution for carrying out caste census. Caste-based census was conducted way back in 1931, the chief minister had said. Whether that is coal or rabbits on a treadmill, we need the lights to come on when we flip the switch, Soliday said. We are in transition and all were asking is to be able to manage it. Coronavirus: Citing Crowded Prisons, Husband Of Renowned Attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh Calls for Iranian Release of Political Prisoners 02/27/20 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Reza Khandan, a women's rights activist and the husband of prominent imprisoned human rights attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh, has called on Iranian authorities to release his wife and other prisoners to the extent possible to protect them from contracting the potentially deadly COVID-19 coronavirus in overcrowded prisons and detention centers. Reza Khandan and Nasrin Sotoudeh (file photo) "After my detention last year, I was incarcerated with 60 people inside a 72-square-meter room," he wrote on Facebook on February 26, 2020, referring to the time he spent in Tehran's Evin Prison for peacefully advocating women's rights. "The room was in a ward with 10 large and small rooms holding 250 people. The first person who enters the area without initial symptoms of the disease can immediately infect hundreds of people with the virus." Khandan's post comes on the heels of an open letter signed by relatives of other political prisoners calling on Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi to free their loved ones on furlough (temporary leave) until the coronavirus threat is contained. Following is a translation of Khandan's Facebook post provided by the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI): The lives of prisoners are seriously in danger because of the spread of the coronavirus and the high possibility that it may reach inside prisons. The judiciary is responsible for anything that may happen in this regard, especially considering the fact that the political prisoners are innocent and there is no reason to hold them in prison. All of them must be released. Non-political prisoners, as many as possible, should be freed on bail until the disease is contained and sufficient arrangements made to control the entry of people infected to this virus inside prisons. After my detention last year, I was incarcerated with 60 people inside a 72-square-meter room. The room was in a ward with 10 large and small rooms holding 250 people. The first person who enters the area without initial symptoms of the disease can immediately infect hundreds of people with the virus. Brazzaville, Congo (PANA) - Representatives of different departments of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and experts from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will from 27-29 February meet here to validate the ECCAS gender and agriculture action plan, official sources said here Wednesday Strengthening its advisory board, Ola, one of the worlds largest ride-hailing companies, today named Gautam Bambawale as Senior Advisor for Corporate and International Affairs. A retired bureaucrat, civil servant and executive, Gautam has played multiple diplomatic roles during his 34-year career with the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). He has served as India's Ambassador to Bhutan and China as well as the High Commissioner of India to Pakistan between 2016 and 2017. Gautam also held a number of positions where he was directly involved with advancing Indias relations with Japan, China, and South Korea amongst other countries. With his extensive experience in international relations, Gautam will play a key role in advising Ola on its Corporate Affairs initiatives across India and the global markets in which it operates. Speaking on his appointment, Gautam Bambawale said, Ola has driven transformational growth for Indias mobility ecosystem and created deep social and economic impact in its journey of just under a decade. As the company builds on its endeavour to build mobility, not just for India but for consumers globally, Olas philosophy of collaborating with local governments and communities will only help it build more relevant and sustainable solutions for users and drivers. I am excited to join Bhavish and the Ola team in this journey of becoming an institution that is globally respected and is a hallmark of collaboration. Bhavish Aggarwal, Co-founder and CEO, Ola said, I am very excited to welcome Gautam as a Senior Advisor to Ola. His experience in international relations and diplomacy from his three decades of service to the nation will play an invaluable role in Olas next phase of growth across global markets. He added, "In our mission to build mobility for a billion people, we also have the opportunity to build a global brand that every Indian can be proud of. I look forward to working closely with Gautam as we build Ola into a globally respected mobility company." Apart from serving in multiple diplomatic roles, Gautam was Indias first Consul General in Guangzhou (China) (20072009); the PMO (20022004); and served as the Joint Secretary for East Asia, MEA (20092014). Currently a Professor and a member of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, at the Symbiosis International University, Pune, Gautam earned his M.Phil. in Economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said he's 'optimistic' China is getting coronavirus under control and has pointed to the company ramping up iPhone production as proof. A total of 2,744 people have died in the country out of 78,497 Coronavirus cases but on Monday the number of newly infected people outside the Hubei Province where COVID-19 originated - was down to just nine. It was a dramatic drop compared to 900 new cases reported February 3 and Cook used the figures as reference during an appearance in Alabama Thursday. 'It feels to me that China is getting the coronavirus under control,' Cook told Fox Business. 'You look at the numbers, they're coming down day by day by day. And so I'm very optimistic there.' Scroll down for video Tim Cook said Thursday: 'It feels to me that China is getting the coronavirus under control. You look at the numbers, they're coming down day by day by day. And so I'm very optimistic there' He said factories are reopening and employees are working through COVID-19. Workers are seen inside a Foxconn factory in the township of Longhua in the southern Guangdong province May 26, 2010 Most of Apple's iPhones and other devices are made in China. Cook told analysts in January the company's supply chain was being affected by the outbreak. Mr Cook said the company was seeking ways to minimize supply disruptions despite some of its suppliers being in Hubei. Thursday he highlighted the fact that Apple get parts from 'everywhere in the world'. 'On the supplier side, we have suppliers you know, iPhone is built everywhere in the world,' Cook explained to Fox Business' Susan Li. 'We have key components coming from the United States, we have key parts that are in China, and so on and so forth. 'When you look at the parts that are done in China, we have reopened factories, so the factories were able to work through the conditions to open, they're reopening.' iPhone production slowed as Apple closed factories amid the outbreak but Cook explained to Fox Business' Susan Li: 'iPhone is built everywhere in the world' Chinese factories were forced to shut down for several weeks after COVID-19 spread. it originated in Wuhan in the Hubei province Factories, businesses and shops across mainland China that manufacture iPhone parts remain closed to prevent the spread of the infection. Chinese factories were forced to shut down for several weeks after COVID-19 spread. Apple previously said work is starting to resume around the country, 'but we are experiencing a slower return to normal conditions than we had anticipated'. California-based Apple relies heavily on China for its grand-scale product consumption in addition to product production. And last week the tech giant sounded the alarm to investors that it doesn't think it will meet its second quarter financial guidance largely because the coronavirus outbreak in China majorly cut iPhone production. They also said the demand for iPhones is down in the country after they were forced to close or cut the hours at their 42 Chinese retail stores. 'The health and well-being of every person who helps make these products possible is our paramount priority, and we are working in close consultation with our suppliers and public health experts as this ramp continues,' Apple said in a statement. Apple was expected to launch a new iPhone March 31 - costing half the price of the usual fresh releases. Last week the tech giant sounded the alarm to investors that it doesn't think it will meet its second quarter financial guidance largely because the coronavirus outbreak in China majorly cut iPhone production. Pictured is the market summary on Thursday Cook was in Birmingham to launch the Education Farm as part of Apple's ConnectEd education program But Cook added about Apple Thursday: 'They're also en-ramp. So I think of this as sort of the third phase in getting back to normal, and we're in phase three of the ramp mode.' This week an inside source told Reuters 'there is no face-to-face work being done'. If Chinese factories were instead to remain idle through May 1, it would likely cripple retailers' crucial back-to-school and fall seasons, experts predicted, adding that factories would need to start ramping up production by March 15 in order to meet deadlines for summer goods. Cook was in Birmingham to launch the Education Farm as part of Apple's ConnectEd education program. 'Coding lets students of all ages breathe life into new ideas, solve problems and prepare for the jobs of the future, Cook tweeted. 'Honored to join Birmingham's students, teachers and visionary leaders in opening Ed Farm a new education hub where students can connect, learn and create!' BARHEMSYS is the first and only antiemetic to be approved for the rescue treatment of PONV in patients who have failed prior prophylaxis using current standard of care 1,2 An estimated 16 million surgical patients each year in the US suffer from PONV despite receiving prophylaxis 3 BARHEMSYS is also approved for the prevention of PONV, either alone or in combination with an antiemetic of a different class Conference call scheduled for 10:00 am CET, Thursday 27 February This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014. Cambridge, UK and Indianapolis, US 27 February 2020: Acacia Pharma Group plc (Acacia Pharma or the Company) (EURONEXT: ACPH), a hospital pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new products aimed at improving the care of patients undergoing significant treatments such as surgery, other invasive procedures, or cancer chemotherapy, announces that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BARHEMSYS (amisulpride injection) for the prevention and treatment of PONV in adult patients. The approval of our first product represents a significant milestone in Acacia Pharmas evolution into an integrated hospital pharmaceutical company with strong development and commercialization capabilities, commented Mike Bolinder, Acacia Pharmas CEO. I would like to thank the Acacia Pharma team and stakeholders that have delivered this new treatment option for the millions of adult surgical patients each year suffering from, or at risk of, PONV. Our goal is for BARHEMSYS to become established as the new standard of care in the US for the treatment of PONV in patients who have failed standard prophylaxis, the area of highest unmet need. The results of our extensive clinical program also allow us to offer BARHEMSYS as an option for the prevention of PONV in higher-risk patients and settings, where combination prophylaxis can be valuable. We are on target with our commercial preparations and expect to launch BARHEMSYS in the second half of this year. Professor TJ Gan, Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at Stony Brook University in New York, said: PONV remains a major problem for surgical patients and there have been few therapeutic advances over the past 20 years. It is often considered by patients to be the most undesirable complication of surgery, even worse than pain. It is therefore very welcome to be able to add BARHEMSYS to the treatment arsenal, especially for rescue treatment of patients failing standard prophylaxis, where we previously had no approved agent. We are delighted that BARHEMSYS has gained FDA approval, said Acacia Pharmas Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gabriel Fox. BARHEMSYS demonstrated significant benefits in the treatment and prevention of PONV in four pivotal trials. We are grateful to all the clinical investigators, hospital staff and, above all, patients who have made this approval possible through their participation in our clinical development program. BARHEMSYS is an intravenous formulation of the selective dopamine D 2 and D 3 antagonist amisulpride (2.5 mg/mL). The New Drug Application (NDA) submitted by Acacia Pharma for BARHEMSYS, which included four positive Phase 3 studies, contained data gathered from more than 3,300 surgical patients and healthy volunteers. The approval for BARHEMSYS covers the treatment of PONV in patients who have received antiemetic prophylaxis with an agent of a different class or who have not received prophylaxis and the prevention of PONV, either alone or in combination with an antiemetic of a different class. The Company owns global rights to BARHEMSYS and intends to directly commercialize the product in the US through its own sales channel, having built critical sales, marketing, medical, and operational infrastructure and capabilities over the past two years. The Company plans to launch BARHEMSYS in 2H 2020. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving patients who had failed the most commonly used antiemetic prophylaxis, a single 10 mg dose of BARHEMSYS (n=230) was significantly more effective than placebo (n=235) at treating patients (42% vs 29%; p=0.003).1 In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in patients at the highest risk of suffering from PONV (Apfel score 3 or 4), a single 5 mg dose of BARHEMSYS in combination with another antiemetic (n=572) significantly improved protection from PONV compared to placebo plus another antiemetic (n=575; 58% vs 47%; p<0.001).4 The most common side effects observed across the four pivotal studies, reported in at least 2% of adult patients who received BARHEMSYS and at a higher rate than placebo were: infusion site pain (6% vs 4% with placebo), chills (4% vs 3%), hypokalemia (4% vs 2%), procedural hypotension (3% vs 2%), and abdominal distension (2% vs 1%). Serum prolactin concentrations were measured in one prophylaxis study where 5% (9/176) of BARHEMSYS-treated patients had increased blood prolactin reported as an adverse reaction compared to 1% (1/166) of placebo-treated patients. Acacia Pharmas second product, Byfavo (remimazolam injection), was recently in-licensed from Cosmo Pharmaceuticals NV and an NDA is currently under review by FDA for use in procedural sedation in adults. The application has a target PDUFA action date of 5 April 2020. Subject to approval, the Company also intends to launch Byfavo in the US during 2020 and to commercialize Byfavo using the same sales and marketing infrastructure. Conference Call Information The Acacia Pharma management team will host a conference call today, Thursday 27 February 2020, at 10:00 am CET (09:00 am GMT). Please join the event conference 5-10 minutes prior to the start using the password Acacia Pharma and any of the phone numbers provided below. Password: Acacia Pharma Belgium 0800 746 68 The Netherlands 0800 022 9132 United Kingdom 0808 109 0700 United States 1 866 966 5335 International +44 (0) 20 3003 2666 The conference call presentation can be accessed prior to the call by visiting the investors section of the Companys website (Financial Reports and Presentations) at www.acaciapharma.com. A recording of the conference call will be available in the same place for 30 days following the call. Contacts Acacia Pharma Group plc Mike Bolinder, CEO Christine Soden, CFO +44 1223 919760 IR@acaciapharma.com Citigate Dewe Rogerson (Financial PR) Mark Swallow, Frazer Hall, David Dible +44 20 7638 9571 acaciapharma@citigatedewerogerson.com About Acacia Pharma Acacia Pharma is a hospital pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new products aimed at improving the care of patients undergoing significant treatments such as surgery, other invasive procedures, or cancer chemotherapy. The Company has identified important and commercially attractive unmet needs in these areas that its product pipeline aims to address. Acacia Pharmas lead product, BARHEMSYS for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), has been approved by the US FDA, with US launch planned for 2H 2020. Byfavo (remimazolam injection), an ultra-short-acting and reversible sedative/anesthetic investigated for use during invasive medical procedures, such as colonoscopy and bronchoscopy, is in-licensed from Cosmo Pharmaceuticals NV for the US market. The NDA for Byfavo has been filed with the US FDA, and the target PDUFA action date is 5 April 2020. APD403 (intravenous and oral amisulpride), a selective dopamine antagonist for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), has successfully completed one proof-of-concept and one Phase 2 dose-ranging study in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Acacia Pharma is based in Cambridge, UK, and its US operations are centered in Indianapolis, IN. The Company is listed on the Euronext Brussels exchange under the ISIN code GB00BYWF9Y76 and ticker symbol ACPH. www.acaciapharma.com About PONV PONV is a common complication of surgery, occurring in approximately 30% of surgical patients and up to 80% of high-risk patients. It is associated with the use of anesthetic gases and opioid painkillers and is particularly common following gynecological, abdominal, breast, eye, and ear operations, especially those lasting an hour or more. PONV has been ranked as the most undesirable of all surgical complications in some patient surveys, even worse than pain.5 Acacia Pharma estimates that approximately 65 million surgical procedures are conducted in the US each year that are eligible for antiemetic use to prevent PONV. Based on market research, Acacia Pharma estimates that the total market in the US for high-risk prophylactic and rescue treatment comprises an estimated 34 million patients annually.3 About BARHEMSYS BARHEMSYS is a selective dopamine-2 (D 2 ) and dopamine-3 (D 3 ) receptor antagonist, which Acacia Pharma has developed and protected for the management of PONV. BARHEMSYS is indicated in adults for: treatment of PONV in patients who have received antiemetic prophylaxis with an agent of a different class or who have not received prophylaxis prevention of PONV, either alone or in combination with an antiemetic of a different class www.BARHEMSYS.com Important Safety Information for BARHEMSYS (amisulpride) Injection Contraindication BARHEMSYS is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to amisulpride. QT Prolongation BARHEMSYS causes dose- and concentration-dependent prolongation of the QT interval. The recommended dosage is 5 mg or 10 mg as a single intravenous (IV) dose infused over 1 to 2 minutes. Avoid BARHEMSYS in patients with congenital long QT syndrome and in patients taking droperidol. Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is recommended in patients with pre-existing arrhythmias/cardiac conduction disorders, electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia), congestive heart failure, and in patients taking other medicinal products (e.g., ondansetron) or with other medical conditions known to prolong the QT interval. Adverse Reactions Common adverse reactions reported in 2% of adult patients who received BARHEMSYS 5 mg (n=748) and at a higher rate than placebo (n=741) in clinical trials for the prevention of PONV were: chills (4% vs. 3%), hypokalemia (4% vs. 2%), procedural hypotension (3% vs. 2%), and abdominal distention (2% vs. 1%). Serum prolactin concentrations were measured in one prophylaxis study where 5% (9/176) of BARHEMSYS-treated patients had increased blood prolactin reported as an adverse reaction compared with 1% (1/166) of placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse reaction, reported in 2% of adult patients who received BARHEMSYS 10 mg (n=418) and at a higher rate than placebo (n=416), in clinical trials for the treatment of PONV was infusion site pain (6% vs. 4%). Use in Specific Populations Lactation Amisulpride is present in human milk. There are no reports of adverse effects on the breastfed child and no information on the effects of amisulpride on milk production. BARHEMSYS may result in an increase in serum prolactin levels, which may lead to a reversible increase in maternal milk production. In a clinical trial, serum prolactin concentrations in females (n=112) increased from a mean of 10 ng/mL at baseline to 32 ng/mL after BARHEMSYS treatment and from 10 ng/mL to 19 ng/mL in males (n=61). No clinical consequences due to elevated prolactin levels were reported. To minimize exposure to a breastfed infant, lactating women may consider interrupting breastfeeding and pumping and discarding breast milk for 48 hours after receiving a dose of BARHEMSYS. Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Renal Impairment Avoid BARHEMSYS in patients with severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2). The pharmacokinetics of amisulpride in patients with severe renal impairment have not been adequately studied in clinical trials. Amisulpride is known to be substantially excreted by the kidneys, and patients with severe renal impairment may have increased systemic exposure and an increased risk of adverse reactions. No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (eGFR 30 mL/min/1.73 m2). Drug Interactions BARHEMSYS causes dose- and concentration-dependent QT prolongation. To avoid potential additive effects, avoid use of BARHEMSYS in patients taking droperidol. ECG monitoring is recommended in patients taking other drugs known to prolong the QT interval (e.g., ondansetron). Reciprocal antagonism of effects occurs between dopamine agonists (e.g., levodopa) and BARHEMSYS. Avoid using levodopa with BARHEMSYS. Please click to access full Prescribing Information for BARHEMSYS. BAR HCP ISI 02/2020 PP-BAR-1062 02/2020 2020 Acacia Pharma Group Plc BARHEMSYS is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Acacia Pharma Limited. Forward looking statement This announcement includes forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and projections about future events. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as "believe", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "will", "should", "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and its subsidiaries and investments, including, among other things, the development of its business, trends in its operating industry, and future capital expenditures and acquisitions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances. Any forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Group's business, results of operations, financial position, prospectus, growth or strategies and the industry in which it operates. Save as required by law or applicable regulation, the Company and its affiliates expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this announcement whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. References 1. Habib et al. Anesthesiology. 2019;130(2):203-212. 2. BARHEMSYS [package insert]. Indianapolis, IN: Acacia Pharma Inc; 2020. 3. Data on File. Acacia Pharma Inc. 4. Kranke et al. Anesthesiology. 2018;128(6):1099-1106. 5. Gan TJ, et al. Anesth Analg. 2014;118(1):85-113. Washington, Feb 27 : An employee of a beer brewery in the US state of Wisconsin shot dead five of his colleagues before killing himself, police said. The incident took place on Wednesday at the Milwaukee campus of beer brewer Molson Coors, whose chief executive officer, Gavin Hattersley, told employees in an email that the gunman was "an active employee" at the facility, reports Xinhua news agency. Milwaukee Police Department said in a news release that it "received multiple calls of a shooting" at 2.08 p.m. and found six fatalities upon arrival at the scene, including the 51-year-old shooter, who "died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound". The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are assisting the investigative effort of the Milwaukee Police Department, which has not yet determined the motive behind the shooting and said there was no active threat. Earlier it was reported that seven people were killed in the shooting. President Donald Trump offered condolences at a news conference inside the White House press room. "Our hearts break for them, we send our condolences," Trump said. "It's a terrible thing. Our hearts go out to the people of Wisconsin and their families." Molson Coors campus in Milwaukee is also a major tourist attraction exemplifying the city's rich history of beer brewing. Too many child victims of county lines drugs gangs are being treated as criminals by the police, a watchdog warns today. Vulnerable children are being prosecuted despite 'clear evidence', in some cases, that they have been ensnared by gangsters to work in the violent drugs trade, it said. HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services concluded: 'Too many children are being criminalised when they shouldn't be.' A report by the watchdog said police forces are failing to use all available techniques to combat the exploitation of children by county lines gangs. Surprise visit: Police force their way into a house in Liverpool during raids targeting suspected drug dealers 'The police have much more to do to protect children who are vulnerable in these circumstances,' it said. 'Too often, children are still likely to be prosecuted despite clear evidence of coercion. The police aren't yet using all the tools available to them to protect children who are forced to commit crime. 'As a consequence, children who are the victims of abuse and exploitation are routinely criminalised unnecessarily.' The report comes amid growing concern over county lines gangs, which are linked to increasing violence in provincial towns and shire counties. They recruit children and teenagers to transport drugs from cities to the provinces. County lines crimes are named for the phone lines used to arrange drug deals. In January Boris Johnson vowed to 'roll up' the gangs, whom he said were 'killing young kids' and damaging communities. Home Secretary Priti Patel has said police estimate 10,000 children may be involved in county lines gangs The Prime Minister pledged to 'cut the head off the snake' as he takes charge of a new Cabinet committee on criminal justice. Home Secretary Priti Patel has said police estimate 10,000 children may be involved in county lines gangs. Some studies have said children as young as eight are being ensnared in gangs. Today's report said: 'If a child is arrested or prosecuted it is much less likely that any safeguarding referral will be submitted.' 56 held in raids across North Police have arrested 56 people for drugs offences in raids aimed at disrupting county lines gangs. Five forces carried out 11 raids across the North and recovered 'significant' amounts of Class A drugs and cash, including 20,000 from one Liverpool address. Thirty-six people were arrested on Merseyside, ten in Lancashire, two in Cumbria and five in Scotland. Three were held at railway stations and on trains. Police said five 'vulnerable young people' were being safeguarded after the raids. Advertisement The report which looked at a range of child protection issues also found that police and agencies such as social services are 'not proactive enough' in identifying children who could be at risk of abuse not just from county lines gangs but from sex abuse, violence at home and other threats. It also found flaws in the way some forces monitor paedophiles and other serious offenders after they are released from jail, which means that 'some sexual and violent offenders may not be receiving the scrutiny they deserve'. Chief Constable Simon Bailey, child protection spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: 'We are alive to many of the issues in this report. We are already committing increasing resources to [protecting children].' But he added: '[The report] correctly points out that the demands on the police service have increased at a time when our resources have fallen. 'We are dealing with a perfect storm of increased reports of non-recent abuse, ever growing online offences and the challenges of familial abuse.' Hyderabad: US-based healthcare firm, Providence, on Thursday, announced its plans to invest around $100 million and hire 2,000 employees by 2024. The $26 billion dollar healthcare firm is the fourth US company to open a facility in the city in the last four months. Speaking at the inauguration of the Hyderabad Global Innovation Centre, Providence India senior vice president Murali Krishna said, The GIC has been launched to focus on technology and development in the healthcare industry. Hyderabad being a hub of innovation, we look forward to building world class capabilities to enable and deliver Providences vision, driving a lasting social impact. I am excited to build a team that will apply technology and innovation to transform care. The GIC, which will be 350-member strong by the end of the calender year and would ramp up to 2,000 in 3-4 years, will be headed by Mr Krishna, who joins Providence from Microsoft. The development centre, first outside the US, will focus on engineering, data intelligence, digital innovation, professional services, cyber security, application development and tech support. The GIC will build and innovate with Big Data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Oracle Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Web Development, Natural Language Processing, Analytics, and other emerging technologies, the company said. Meanwhile, B.J. Moore, executive vice president and CIO, Providence said, Technology plays an important role in bringing Providences vision of Health for a Better World to life. The GIC was inaugurated in the presence of Telangana state IT minister K.T. Rama Rao and US Counsel General for Hyderabad, Joel Reifman. Broadly, there are three shades of employment. There is regular employment, contractual and freelancing. This decade's avatar of freelancing is the gig economy where the worker is an independent contractor who relies on digital platform companies for work. But what if some of the rules of the sharing economy are applied to employment? The result could be a new form of work where one human resource is shared between two companies. A Vadodara-based start-up, Sharedpro, is promoting a model where talent is optimised. Smaller companies find it difficult to hire a data scientist, for instance - they are both expensive and rare in India. Sharing the employee becomes cost effective. The employee, on the other hand, divides the eight-nine hours between the two companies and earns like a regular employee. ALSO READ:Average job creation falls to 4 month low: EPFO Business Today recently spoke to Sujit Singh, Co-founder and CEO of Sharedpro. He thinks the human resource sharing model is a cross between regular employment and freelancing. Here's how it works: Initially, say two companies might have similar job openings. Sharedpro does the matchmaking between employees and the two employers. The first employer interviews candidates and shortlists. The shortlisted candidates are next evaluated by the second employer and one candidate is hired. Second, once the employers agree to hire, who gets to do the payroll is decided. Sharedpro negotiates - while one employer holds the payroll, the second pays the hired employee via the Sharedpro platform. There are cases where no company wants to hold the payroll. In such cases, the payroll is outsourced to a third party. ALSO READ:Rs 6.5 lakh crore haircut, 1.1 million job losses; is IBC really a success? The final issue relates to how the employee divides time between the two employers? The companies and the employee agree to shifts. An 8-hour work day can be split into a 9 am-1 PM slot and a 3 PM-7 PM one, for instance. An app helps the employee manage all his tasks. It has features such as 'shift requests'. Sharedpro has access to the employee's data such as reporting time, whether they are getting paid on time or not. While the employment agreement is signed between the employer and the employee, Sharedpro's agreement is for operations and support. Singh says his company is currently operative in Vadodara and is launching in Delhi NCR in March. He has 18 companies who work on the sharing model till date and another 28 have signed up. "We are trying partnerships with co-working spaces. They have 25-30 employers in the same premises. Sharing becomes quite easy," the co-founder says. Sharing professionals in demand includes Dev Ops engineers, graphic designers, data analysts, Machine Learning engineers, and content creators. ALSO READ:Microsoft employs second-highest number of engineers from India: Satya Nadella Not only has Saudi Arabia suspended issuance of visas to their kingdom for Umrah and visiting the Prophets mosque, but it also suspended entry of tourist visa holders coming from countries where the coronavirus is spreading. India is in this list. (Photo: AP/Representational) Hyderabad: The coronavirus pandemic has forced Saudi Arabia to suspend pilgrimage visas. On Thursday it announced the suspension of pilgrimage and tourism, and said it was suspending the issue of Umrah and visitor visas. This has hit local service providers looking forward to the start of the peak Umrah season when 5,000 pilgrims were expected to fly from the city. Travel agents said they had already paid advances for air tickets and accommodation in the two holy cities of Mecca and Madina. Not only has Saudi Arabia suspended issuance of visas to their kingdom for Umrah and visiting the Prophets mosque, but it also suspended entry of tourist visa holders coming from countries where the coronavirus is spreading. India is in this list. The Kingdom emphasised that the procedures were temporary and subject to continuous evaluation by their health authorities. Saudi Arabia welcomes millions of Muslim visitors all year round with the peak during the Haj pilgrimage. The Kingdom introduced a new tourism visa last October for 49 countries including India. It issues approximately six to seven lakh visas for Umrah every week to nationals of various countries. India ranked fifth in terms of the worlds top nationalities that visited Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. In a week, lakhs of Indian pilgrims set foot in Saudi Arabia. More than 25 lakh Indians perform Umrah every year. Muslims prefer to perform Umrah during holy days like Shab-e-Meraj (the night when the Prophet ascended to Heaven) and Shab-e-Barat (known as the night for forgiveness) apart from the month of Ramzan. Umrah pilgrims from around Telangana and Andhra Pradesh used to embark from Hyderabad International Airport through service providers in Vijayawada, Kurnool and Kadapa in AP, and Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, Karimnagar and Niza-mabad in Telangana. Catherine Pugh, the former mayor of Baltimore, was sentenced to three years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to federal crimes related to sales of a childrens book series she wrote. U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow also ordered Ms. Pugh, a Democrat, to pay more than $400,000 in restitution and to forfeit nearly $700,000. She faces three years of supervised released once she completes her prison sentence. The defendants scheme to cheat the taxpayers of Baltimore was as bold as it was brazen, and todays sentence shows that the punishment for those actions is swift and severe, said Alfred Watson, assistant special agent in charge of the F.B.I.s Baltimore field office. In a video that her lawyers submitted to the judge late Wednesday, Ms. Pugh said she accepted full responsibility for her actions. Im so sorry, she said. I messed up. I really messed up. India on Thursday asked Pakistan's close ally, Turkey, to refrain from commenting on the internal affairs of the country and also cautioned Ankara against encouraging cross-border terrorism. India's reaction came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Thursday criticised the country after communal riots in Delhi left at least 38 people dead. "I can but only advise the Turkey to refrain from commenting on the internal affairs of India and develop a better understanding of the democratic practices," First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission Vimarsh Aryan said while exercising the right of reply after Pakistan raised concerns over human rights in Jammu and Kashmir at the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council here. "I also caution them not to encourage cross-border terrorism," Aryan said. Turkey has been backing Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and President Erdogan has angered India by raising the issue at the UN General Assembly. He has also criticised the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. "India right now has become a country where massacres are widespread. What massacres? Massacres of Muslims. By who? Hindus," AFP quoted Erdogan as saying during a speech in Ankara after violence broke out this week in Delhi between Hindus and Muslims over the amended citizenship law. Erdogan, a devout Muslim, sees himself as a defender of Islam, often taking public stands on issues concerning the faith and its followers, the AFP report noted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ever since late last year, people in various parts of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, have been reporting a foul, sulfur-like smell that comes and goes, seemingly at random. So far no one has been able to pinpoint its source or its nature. It all started in October of 2019, when a strong odor was reported nearby Aston, Pennsylvania. In November, people in Ridley Township alerted authorities about that same smell on Veterans Day. Then in December several 911 calls were made from Brookhaven about a strong smell in the air that some likened to that of petroleum or sulfur. Several townships reported the mysterious odor in January as well, and earlier this week it made its presence felt in Glenolden as well. Experts are still struggling to find out whats causing the smell, but they are having a tough time figuring out how it can travel around the 200-square-mile Delaware County, and how it disappears as suddenly as it arrives. Photo: tpsdave/Pixabay A lot of the folks who are working on this have never seen anything quite like it, Virginia Cain, community relations coordinator for the state DEP, told The Philadelphia Inquirer. Something that comes and goes, seemingly at random. Usually with a case like this, wed normally get repeated complaints from the same group of people. But seeing it in such a widespread area makes you wonder: Is it coming from a facility? Or something thats moving? No one seems to know where the smell could be coming from; at one point, the people of Norwood, a borough with a population of under 6,000, worried that it could be coming from their landfill, but that is unlikely considering that the smell is reportedly a petroleum/sulfur-like, and has been reported all over Delaware County. Authorities have been having problems with their investigations primarily due to how fast the mysterious smell comes and goes. When we get on scene it only lasts a short period of time, Brookhaven Fire Chief Rob Montella told NBC Philadelphia. By the time we get our monitors out it usually dissipates in 10 to 15 minutes. The challenge were up against when youre on the ground level is, the wind can be blowing in different directions, depending on where you are, Tim Boyce, director of emergency services for Delaware County, confirmed. By the time someone gets to where the report came from, it might not smell anymore. Several oil and gas pipelines are located in Delaware County, but the fact that the smell has been reported over such long distances, makes it unlikely that a single leak could be the cause. An investigation is still ongoing, but several months after the smell was originally reported, no one has any solid leads. No one has been able to figure out where its coming from, State Rep. Leanne Krueger (D-161) told NBC Philadelphia. This story is somewhat reminiscent of the Windsor Hum, the mysterious sound that has been plaguing the Canadian city of Windsor for several years, only instead of sound, its smell. George Herbert Walker Bush waited until the end of his presidential term to pardon the executive branch officials involved in the Iran-Contra affair of Oliver North fame. That is where arms were secretly sold to Iran and the proceeds were used to fund the Contras in Nicaragua. The attorney general at the time was William Barr. Trump seems unable to do the same. He could wait until after the election either way. So far he has worked behind the scenes to put pressure on Barr to reduce Stones sentence and review the case into Flynn. Barrs complaint about Trumps tweets seem more like giving Trump the opportunity to make assertion about his presidential powers. In any case, Trump does not have the patience to wait until the fall, but is not yet ready to take the political risk of pardoning everybody in the Mueller probe. Instead, he continues to throw twitter tantrums. George Magakis, Jr., West Norriton Township, Montgomery County Beautycounter founder and CEO Gregg Renfrew didnt set out to create a beauty company. She wanted to lead a movement. After learning about the toxic chemicals used in many beauty products, Renfrew decided to take on the industry with a new brand of safe, non-toxic cosmetics. Our job is to show that regulation wont stifle innovation and there is a future where all beauty is clean beauty, Renfrew says. Shes determined to create a world where consumers can trust that the products they are using are free of harmful chemicals, and her first stop is Capitol Hill. For the past six years, Renfrew has met with lawmakers to push for stricter federal regulation over this massive industry, which last saw a legal update in 1938. She sees the European Union, which has banned over 1,300 ingredients, as an example of the difference this kind of legal action can make. The U.S. has banned only 30 [ingredients] to date, says Renfrew. I think you have a right to know what youre putting on your body. In response, Beautycounter created the Never List, which includes ingredients linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption, that will never appear in their products. I think the future of commerce is in companies that are doing well and doing good simultaneously, Renfrew says. We cant afford not to. In this episode of How Brands Are Born, see how Renfrew is using beauty products to spark political action. How Brands Are Born is presented by Cardone Ventures, in partnership with Original Stories Media. Learn how Grant Cardone and Brandon Dawson can help your business transform and scale to 10X levels HERE. Related: Cosmetics With a Cause: Why Gregg Renfrew Is Fighting to Reform the Beauty Industry Meet the Eco-minded Entrepreneurs Who Are Making Money and Saving the Planet at the Same Time Green Is The New Black: The Gravitational Move Towards Organic & Natural Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved A 14-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing incident that forced the lockdown of a schoolyard west of Brisbane earlier this month. Police will allege the boy seriously assaulted two others at the Rosewood school about 11.30am on February 6 before fleeing on foot. Rosewood State High School went into lockdown after the students were injured. Credit:Google Maps He was arrested a short time later on a nearby street. The school, Rosewood State High, was placed in lockdown after the incident. A 12-year-old boy was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening abdominal wounds. A 13-year-old sustained minor injuries to his hand. Logan Day stands outside his family's new home in Kentucky. Longtime California residents, the Days left the state last year, citing rising costs of living and impacts of increased regulation as some of the reasons. (Courtesy of September Day) Lifelong Residents Who Left California Last Year Speak of Frustrations With the Golden State IRVINE, Calif.A longtime resident of Pinon Hills, Calif., Shannon Larison moved to Kentucky last March. She feels the middle class cant survive in California. House prices are astronomical, Larison told The Epoch Times. Trying to raise a family therewe have five childrenit was just too hard. We were originally going to retire to Kentucky when it was time to retire, and we said, You know what, lets do it now. Within 30 days, we left. Shes part of a Facebook group called, Leaving California, which its administrators describe as a group dedicated to helping people leave California for a better life, less traffic, lower taxes, less regulation, better education, lower cost of living. California residents have been leaving the state at an increasing rate for the past several years, according to the Legislative Analysts Office. Last year, California had the top domestic migration loss in the nation, with about 200,000 more people leaving the state than coming into it. Of course, California is also the most populous state, so larger numbers are expected in its population statistics. But its attracting residents from other states at the lowest rate in the nation, and losing more of them every year. The high cost of housing has been a top reason for leaving, according to multiple polls in recent years, including a Sept. 2019 poll by the University of CaliforniaBerkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (Berkeley IGS). That poll found more than half of registered voters had considered leaving the state. It also found more conservatives wanting to leave, citing the political climate in the blue state as the reason. The Epoch Times spoke with several residents who left California last year to see their reasons and how theyve fared in the move. They are all part of the Leaving California Facebook group. Crime, Homelessness I think a lot of the [propositions] that have been put into place are not helping anything, between the crime rate and [homelessness], said Starr Langella, a former lifelong resident of Laguna Niguel who moved to Texas last August. Nobodys taking care of the homeless like they should be doing, which is causing more issues. Proposition 47 is one such proposition thats been criticized for increasing crime. It passed on the Nov. 2014 ballot. The proposition, also known as the Reduced Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative, has been under scrutiny from police officers who say it prevents them from making arrests. It defines theft under $950 as a misdemeanor, so most suspects will receive a ticket and be released following their court date, California Police Chiefs Association President Ronald Lawrence told The Epoch Times in January. Keith John, a former marine and police officer in Orange County, moved to Idaho last September. He said Proposition 47 was making the state increasingly unsafe. The way the crime reform was going, like with Prop. 47, and just letting all these guys out of prison that had these huge mental health issues, you know it was getting dangerous, John told The Epoch Times. I mean all the homelessness is just out of control. I dont know how theyre ever going to get a handle on that. Its sad, youve got all these people out on the street with mental health issues that really need help, but they dont do anything about it, he said. Los Angeles Police Department officers patrol on bicycles past a homeless man napping with cigarette in hand at his encampment on a downtown sidewalk on June 7, 2017. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images) In 2018, the state had more than 115,000 homeless people. Orange Countys homeless population jumped to 7,000 last year, up from 4,792 recorded in 2017. Governor Gavin Newsom called the homelessness issue a disgrace in his State of the State Address on Feb. 12 and suggested doctors should be able to write prescriptions for housing like they do medicine. In his administrations budget plan at the start of the year, Newsom allocated $1 billion in taxpayer funds to combat homelessness. Taxes, Housing Langella said crime and homelessness were reasons for moving to Texas, but she also cited Californias high property taxes as a reason for leaving. California is one of the states with the highest property taxes, behind nine other states, at a cost of nearly $3,000 per year for the median value of a home, which is $384,200. We were starting to see decline in what Orange County was 30 years ago to where its come now, with the [propositions] that have adjusted thingsits just more taxes, more taxes, more taxes. And we werent getting anything out of it, she said. Californias state sales tax is the highest in the country, at 7.25 percent. Coupled with local sales taxes, which vary from city to city, that can rise to 10 percent. Demonstrators gather at a T.E.A. (Taxed Enough Already) Party in Santa Monica, Calif., on April 15, 2009. (David McNew/Getty Images) In the lead with state income taxes as well, California has 10 personal income-tax rates ranging from 013.3 percent, depending on how much a resident earns. Entrepreneurs may pay multiple additional business taxes. Langella is married to a military veteran and has four kids. In Texas, they now have a 3,200-square-foot home and almost a half acre of property. They paid a third of the price they had paid for their home in California. Unfortunately it seems like the Democratic side doesnt have all the answers yet, so I think they need to work together as two parties to figure out a better option, Langella said. I am not to the far left, Im not to the far right. Im right in the middle politically, she said. John loves California and it took him five years of thinking about moving to finally make the move. He echoed Langellas sentiments. It was a great place to live in my 20s and it was a lot of fun and I had a good time, but Im 41 now, and things change and I became a homeowner and you start to see all the regulation in California and how it just drains your bank account, John said. Its such an overregulated state. The taxes are so high that the cost of living is insane. Youre making $100,000 in California and youre barely living. John said the state has become unsustainable and he doesnt know how people in their 20s are going to be able to buy a house ever. Unless theres a complete 180 [degree change] on these policies, or the cost of housing drastically drops, I just dont see [residents staying], John said. I bought my house in Idaho for $500,000 with half an acre of land, and thats pricey for Idaho. But half a million dollars in California is going to buy you a condo in Lynwood, which is insane. The Berkeley IGS poll last year found that 82 percent of young voters between 1829 considered leaving the state due to the rising costs of housing. Farming Is Going to Die Former Loma Rica resident, September Day, moved to Kentucky last April with her husband and children. Day said her husband, who worked for agricultural manufacturing company John Deere, was fearful about the future of farming in the state. He started coming home and saying, The farmers are talking about selling their land and leaving because of all the [carbon] laws and regulations, Day said. Theyre having to upgrade all their tractors in order to run them in California, and he just said, Im getting scared because I feel like the future of farming is going to die in California. Day said she was on anxiety medication because of how stressful living in the state was. It was just constantly feeling like, whats next? Brian and September Day at their new home in Kentucky. (Courtesy of September Day) Brian and September Day with their son, Logan (C). (Courtesy of September Day) The Days had a small ranch. Some of their friends kept cattle on it periodically to raise their babies and graze the land to keep the field grasses down because of high fire danger. They also raised chickens. Irrigating the pastures for cattle, the price just kept going up every season to be able to irrigate and keep our land green so we could try to mitigate any further fires, Day said. When we first moved there, it was $200 a season to do that, and it was going to go up to $1,000 a season to do that this year. We couldnt afford to stay. In Kentucky, she said, their quality of life has improved drastically. She said of California, If youre a hard working middle-class person, you cant survive there. Delhi High Court on Thursday issued notices to Delhi government, Police and others seeking their response on a plea filed by a student of Jamia Millia Islamia University, seeking a compensation of Rs one crore over the alleged police brutality at the campus on December 15. The petition, filed by Md Mustafa (27), also sought directions for registration of an FIR against the "offences committed by police forces" during the incident. The plea sought directions to pay a compensation of at least Rs 1 crore for physical and mental losses suffered by the petitioner and also sought reimbursement for the expenses of medical treatment incurred including the cost incurred for travelling while accessing the hospital for treatment and surgeries. On December 15, Delhi Police had entered the campus of the university after violent protests erupted in the area. The action followed a day of demonstration against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) where some protesters had set buses and vehicles on fire in Jamia Nagar area of South Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police Briefs The Selectboard of Croydon, New Hampshire, ruled unexpectedly on Feb. 18 that it would abolish the town police department and rely instead on the New Hampshire State Police for law enforcement, reported the Valley News. Croydon Police Chief Richard Lee, the sole member of the police department for almost 20 years, told the News he was asked to turn in his equipment, including his uniform, badges and the keys to his police cruiser, so at the meeting's conclusion, Lee faced the board president and "gave them my uniform shirt. I gave them my turtleneck, I gave them my ballistic vest. ... I sat down in the chair, took off my boots, took off my pants, put those in the chair, and put my boots back on, and walked out the door." Lee walked about a mile in 26-degree temperatures before his wife picked him up. The Selectboard released a statement saying the decision was "an action based upon value for the cost of the department." Resident Rick Sampson told reporters, "What kind of a town lets their chief of police walk out in a snowstorm in his underwear?" Oops An unnamed 33-year-old woman from Herminie, Pennsylvania, took an unconventional route home after a night out drinking on Feb. 16, according to City of Duquesne police. Driving a Mazda CX-5, the woman left a tavern and ended up in a rail yard near the Port Perry Railroad Bridge, a narrow span that carries one set of tracks over the Monongahela River. "The vehicle did quite well, considering it is not a locomotive," noted police, and the driver traveled a significant distance along the bridge before getting stuck. WPIX reported she called 911 for help at about 2:40 a.m., and Norfolk Southern stopped all rail traffic while the car was removed from the tracks. Police arrested the driver for DUI. The Passing Parade Three friends were wrapping up a night of dinner and drinking on Feb. 15 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, when things got "a little out of control," according to a police report. As the night wore on, Kasey Margaret Westraad, 24, became increasingly amorous toward a resistant female friend, the friend told police, eventually escalating to the point that a naked Westraad pursued the woman outside, punching her several times in the face. Myrtlebeachonline.com reported Westraad was charged with third-degree assault and battery, damage to property and resisting arrest. The Smell Test Police in Speyer, Germany, gave chase after they were passed by a car driving at high speed with its lights off on Feb. 14. The suspect, a 26-year-old man, pulled over and ran from the car, leaving a trail of scent that was so distinct officers said they were able to follow it from the car to the man, who was hiding behind a hedge. "Due to the cloud of perfume that was detected inside the car and on the man," police said, "it was possible to identify him as the driver," the Associated Press reported. His breath didn't smell so good, though: He was far over the alcohol limit. Wait, What? The woman who attempted to board an airplane with her emotional support peacock made headlines, but in Port St. Lucie, Florida, one man is questioning why his particular support item has been banned from the dialysis center where he takes treatments three times a week. Nelson Gibson first brought an 8-by-10-inch photo of President Donald J. Trump to comfort him as he endured the 3 1/2-hour treatments, then exchanged that for a small cardboard cutout of himself standing next to a Trump photo. When he next arrived with a life-size cutout of the president, no one complained, Gibson told WPBF, but on Feb. 11, "they told me it was too much and it wasn't a rally." "It just feels like bringing something from home to make you comfortable," Gibson said, noting that others bring items, including one woman who pops bubble wrap during the entire treatment. "That's very nerve-wracking," he said. It's unclear whether Gibson will return to the center for treatments. Extreme Measures Tensions are running high in China, where the coronavirus has affected thousands of people and sparked instances of panic-buying. AFP reports that supermarkets have experienced runs on staples such as rice and pasta, but in Hong Kong, a gang of men wielding knives attacked a delivery driver in Mong Kok on Feb. 17, making off with hundreds of rolls of toilet paper worth about $130. Police said the missing rolls were recovered, and two suspects were arrested. Locals seemed baffled, with one woman telling a TV station, "I'd steal face masks, but not toilet roll." Government at Work Ontario's new license plates hit the roads on Feb. 1, sporting a pleasing color of blue with white numbers and letters. During the day. At night, all that's visible is a shiny blue rectangle, according to complaints on Twitter -- the numbers and letters disappear, which makes them a problem for law enforcement. "Did anyone consult with police before designing and manufacturing the new Ontario license plates?" wrote Kingston Police Sgt. Steve Koopman. "They're virtually unreadable at night." The CBC reported a government spokesperson saying authorities "are currently looking into this," but Lisa Thompson, Ontario's minister of government and consumer services, saw a political angle: "Sticking with the status quo Liberal plate that was peeling and flaking was not an option," she said. "We absolutely have confidence in our plates." Must-See TV Police in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, arrested Robert Lee Noye, 52, on Feb. 17 and charged him with first-degree harassment and false imprisonment after his victim told them Noye kidnapped her and forced her to watch the 1977 historical miniseries "Roots" "so she could better understand her racism," The Gazette reported. He allegedly told her if she did not sit for the entire nine-hour series about slavery, he would "kill her and spread her body parts across Interstate 380 on the way to Chicago." Annals of Entitlement Seloni Khetarpal, 36, threw a tantrum worthy of the terrible twos on Feb. 13 when she "repeatedly" called 911 to report that her parents had shut off her cellphone, according to court documents. Khetarpal demanded that officers respond to her home in Jackson Township, Ohio, and was warned that she should only call 911 for a legitimate emergency. Several hours later, News5 Cleveland reported, she called back, became "belligerent" and told the dispatcher she thought it was a legitimate issue. She was arrested and charged with disrupting public services. Awesome! Hell, Michigan, is inviting 29 couples to "take the leap" and tie the knot in their fair city on Feb. 29, 2020 (Leap Day), all at no cost, MLive reported. Outside the tiny chapel there, at 2:29 p.m., Reverend Vonn will join the couples in a mass ceremony. "Imagine having only to remember your wedding anniversary every four years," said the reverend. "There are some couples that are paying officiant and chapel fees to be married in the chapel at different time slots. It is going to be one Helluva Day." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 OTTAWAA meeting between Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs and the federal and British Columbia government is expected to take place Thursday. Nationwide rail and road blockades have been popping up for weeks as a show of support for the hereditary chiefs of the First Nation in northwestern B.C., who oppose a natural gas pipeline project cutting across their traditional territory. Chief NaMoks, who is also known as John Ridsdale, says the meeting scheduled to start Thursday afternoon and continue Friday. It was abruptly cancelled Wednesday afternoon, but NaMoks says he and the other hereditary chiefs were notified it was back on several hours later. He says they were told the cancellation was a miscommunication. A spokesman for the office of the B.C. premier says the report of a rescheduled meeting is promising, but the provincial government was not in a position to confirm it until Thursday morning. The federal governments could not immediately be reached for comment. Hopes for a breakthrough crumbled into an apparent impasse Wednesday after the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs accused the British Columbia and federal governments of refusing an offer to meet amidst the ongoing demonstrations in support of their anti-pipeline cause. The statement late Wednesday flew in the face of expressions of optimism from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and several federal ministers, who said earlier in the day that progress was being made to strike a direct dialogue with the B.C. nations hereditary leadership. The Wetsuweten statement said the hereditary chiefs had graciously invited both levels of government to enter into talks, but that they abruptly cancelled. Officials from the B.C. and federal governments were quick to challenge that characterization, with one official from the prime ministers office stating that it was the chiefs who rescinded an invitation to meet late Wednesday. Dinize Ste ohn tsiy, a wing chief of the Wetsuweten who is also known as Rob Alfred, told the Star he was part of the discussions amongst the hereditary leadership on Wednesday. He said they were very close to a deal to finally agree to a face-to-face meeting with government emissaries, but that the federal government pulled out when the chiefs said they would not call on activists who have blocked rail lines and staged rallies in cities across the country to de-escalate their demonstrations. It wasnt even a sticking point it was a deal breaker because we had basically the deal done to meet, he told the Star by phone from B.C. Once the federal government found out that they wont publicy ask other nations to stop supporting us, they said talks are off. In an emailed statement Wednesday night, B.C. Premier John Horgans office expressed regret about the situation, stating it is unfortunate that they had not been able to agree to a meeting with the Wetsuweten hereditary chiefs. We had hoped the hereditary chiefs would agree to a period of peace and respect during the talks, which would include encouraging their supporters to remove blockades, the statement said. We remain interested in meeting with Wetsuweten Hereditary Chiefs and will continue to engage with them and the Federal Government in hopes of finding a resolution. An official from the B.C. government who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the sticking point was over the question of whether the Wetsuweten chiefs would call on other demonstrators to stand down. Another official from the federal government, who agreed to speak on background, said Ottawa expected a meeting was imminent after the Wetsuweten chiefs invited Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett to travel to their northern B.C. territory for a meeting. Of course there would be an understanding that, yeah, were going to call for calm and focus on a path forward thats peaceful, the official said. There would have been an understanding that all parties involved would want a peaceful and productive outcome. The apparent setback came after statements of optimism from Trudeau earlier Wednesday, who spoke to reporters on Parliament Hill of positive progress in efforts to set up a face-to-face dialogue between the chiefs and federal and B.C. Indigenous relations ministers. The optimism was echoed by federal Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett and Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller, who left the Liberal caucus meeting Wednesday with a hopeful expectation of progress. Bennett pointed to the work of Nathan Cullen, a former NDP MP appointed by B.C. to facilitate discussions with the chiefs, and told reporters to expect information about steps forward Wednesday afternoon. At the same time, the government continued to emphasize the need for dialogue and urged demonstrators to take down barricades blocking highways and railroad tracks. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said local police are responsible for upholding the law, after Mohawk activists in Tyendinaga, Ont. were seen standing in front of a moving train, throwing rocks at it, and placing flaming tires on the tracks. The hereditary chiefs have previously called on the RCMP to dismantle a satellite detachment in their traditional territory, and to stop patrolling a logging road leading into to the Unistoten healing camp and a construction site for the Coastal GasLink. Meanwhile, demonstrations supporting the Wetsuweten continued across Canada. Indigenous youth in Victoria said from the steps of the B.C. legislature that they will occupy ministry offices and rail lines to hold all levels of government accountable to Indigenous peoples. And in Kahnawake, Que., Mohawk demonstrators reinforced their blockade of Canadian Pacific rail tracks with concrete barriers and rocks, with Grand Chief Joseph Norton stating the local Mohawk nation is considering filing a legal challenge of the court injunction to clear the tracks. In Winnipeg, local police were reportedly investigating graffiti sprayed outside the Manitoba RCMP headquarters and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, the Liberal MP for Saint BonifaceSaint Vital, told reporters on Parliament Hill that his constituency office was also vandalized. Photos posted by CTV News Winnipeg showed red graffiti sprayed across the office windows that said: Shut Down KKKanada and U Fail Us. Its disappointing when that happens, because the way out of this issue is through dialogue, not vandalizing something or violence, Vandal said. We need to talk to each other, and we need to set the right stage and the right table for that. With files from The Canadian Press Read more about: KAMPALA The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has questioned whether the country will hold the elections come 2021 due to increased violations of the Ugandans preparing to participate in the elections. This followed the matter raised by Medard Sseggona (Busiro East) on the increased shooting and killing of innocent Ugandans by men in uniform. This week, the police patrol vehicle knocked and killed Ritah Nabukenya a People Power supporter and yesterday security officers shot and killed Kyeyune Denis also a people power supporter at Nansana, killings Sseggona tasked the Minister of Internal Affairs to clarify. Sseggona accused the police of abusing the Public Order Management Act 2015 he says is being used to curtail any political public meeting by issuing guidelines that contravene that act even when the politicians meet all that is required from them. Speaker Kadaga noted that she has received several MPs who have been blocked from organizing their constituencies wondering whether candidates will be allowed to campaign and directed the Minister of Internal Affairs, Jeje Odong to explain where the police officers get directives they implement which are undemocratic. The Speakers directive was backed Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality) and Geofrey Macho (Busia Municipality) who wondered why police is in great panic. In a related development, Latif Ssebagala (Kawempe North) also wants Parliament to prevail over the Ministry of Internal Affairs and police in particular over their silence on the anonymous paper circulations around Kampala listing a number of MPs who are going to be killed. Ssebagala presented before Parliament the purported hit list of MPs and wondered how police can be reluctant on such a matter more so in Kampala city that is filled with Cameras which would provide assistance to police in its investigations. Ssebagala appealed to parliament not to take malicious circulations lightly as such threats have ever happened to many big people who have been assassinated. Related Starting a business is a difficult, yet rewarding task. The needs of a community should be considered in deciding which type of business you want to establish. If you live in a town where there is a vast number of the Hispanic population, consider the following business ideas to tap into the Latino market: English Language School An article from Profitable Venture, many migrants who came from Spanish-speaking nations will be struggling to learn a new language. If you have extra cash to spare for a business, an English Language is one of the best options. This has a high chance of getting profits in communities where there is a huge population of people who are not fluent in the English language. Aside from setting up a regular-type of school, your business may also offer home service. This is a good service for people who are too busy to attend a regular school. Daycare Center The Hispanic community is one of the speediest growing groups in the United States of America. Also, Latinos are known to be hardworking people. One additional feature to add to this business idea for Latinos is the ability of the Daycare center to teach both Spanish and French to its students. The reason for this suggestion is the story that some immigrant parents prefer that their children will also learn their parents' native language. Restaurant and Bar for Latinos Another good business idea for Latinos is the establishment of a restaurant and bar business that serves Latino dishes such as encebollado, burritos, tacos, candle rice enchiladas, fajitas, and quesadillas. Radio Station If you can handle a Spanish-language radio station, then this is a good business venture. Also, Hispanic communities will surely tune in to your station if they find a good collection of Latino music being played. Information about various Latino communities is also a good part to put in your radio station's daily program. Grocery Store If you lack the funds to invest in a capital-intensive business, then establishing a grocery store. Choosing a good location and having a good stock of goods favored by the Hispanic community should be prioritized when deciding to start this type of business. Books and Stationery Store Business Bookshops and Stationery Store businesses have a high chance of giving its owners high profits in locations where there is a significant number of Latinos in the community. Selling religious items such as books is also a good way to attract a huge number of clients. Health Care Center If you are a medical professional, setting up a health care center in a town where there is a huge population of Hispanic people is a good idea. It is a business that gets clients in good numbers. Fitness and Nutrition Center Hispanic have the highest total of the obese population in the United States. This is the reason why a Fitness and Nutrition Center business is an ideal venture for their community. If you are affiliated with the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition, then you can choose to establish this type of business. There is a high chance of getting good profits from this type of business idea for Latinos. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 02:19:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close OTTAWA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian government will stop paying for British Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's security costs soon, according to CBC Thursday. In a statement to CBC Thursday morning, Public Safety Canada confirmed that the Canadian government has been paying for the couple's security costs intermittently over the past three months. "As the Duke and Duchess are currently recognized as Internationally Protected Persons, Canada has an obligation to provide security assistance on an as-needed basis. At the request of the Metropolitan Police, the RCMP has been providing assistance to the Met since the arrival of the Duke and Duchess to Canada intermittently since November 2019. The assistance will cease in the coming weeks, in keeping with their change in status," the statement read. The Canadian government had kept quiet about whether Canada was responsible for the couple's security costs, which reportedly could be around 10 million Canadian dollars (about 7.5 million U.S. dollars) a year. The British couple announced last month that they wanted to reside part-time in Canada and they also announced to forgo their royal titles as part of their decision to step back from royal duties. Katherine Johnson, the venerated NASA mathematician who was depicted in the film Hidden Figures, died Monday, NASA said in a tweet. She was 101. Ms. Johnson helped our nation enlarge the frontiers of space even as she made huge strides that also opened doors for women and people of colour in the universal human quest to explore space, said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a statement. At NASA we will never forget her courage and leadership and the milestones we could not have reached without her. Her groundbreaking contributions to bringing Americans in space were plenty: Johnson worked on the first NASA mission in 1961 to carry an American, Alan Shepard, into space. In 1962, she verified computer calculations that plotted John Glenns orbits around earth. Per NASA, Glenn entrusted Johnson to calculate the trajectories by hand more than the state-of-the-art computers available at the time, which were often prone to breaking down. Over the course of her 33-year career, Johnson also contributed to Apollo missions, helped the agency transition to computers and went on to win five NASA Langley Research Center Special Achievement awards. She retired in 1986. I loved going to work every single day, she told NASA. Before she began her stint at NASA, she taught at black public schools in Virginia. In her later years, she continued working with students encouraging them to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Born in West Sulphur Springs, West Virginia in 1918, Johnson made history, per NASA, by becoming the first black woman to integrate the graduate schools at West Virginia University. In recent years, her accomplishments and those of black women in NASA were bolstered by the visibility of the book Hidden Figures and the film adaptation starring Taraji P. Henson, playing Johnson, Octavia Spencer, who played Dorothy Vaughan and Janelle Monae, who played Mary Jackson. The film centred on the racially segregated computing unit at what is now the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, that Johnson and other black women worked at as human computers until 1958. Hidden Figures was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and grossed more than $200 million worldwide. At the 2017 Academy Awards Ceremony, Johnson was brought on stage and honoured. President Barack Obama awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest honour for civilians, in 2015. Two years later, NASA dedicated a computational research facility in her honour. Most recently, NASA renamed a building in West Virginia her home state after her in 2019 at the urging of a congressional bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. Industry needs to focus on sustainable packaging materials as one can not allow them to be a source of waste to spoil the environment, a top government official said on Thursday. Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan said that packaging material should be biodegradable, re-usable and recyclable. "We need to focus on this aspect. We cannot allow packaging to be a source of waste... littering the environment, spoiling the ecosystem and cause potential damage to animals," he said. He was addressing a national conference on packaging, organised by Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) here. "We need to address this by making right choice of material," he said. Further, Wadhawan said that there was a need encourage entrepreneurship and skilling to promote growth of the sector. Speaking about the sector, IIP Joint Director Madhab Chakraborty said that the current Indian market size of the sector is about USD 32 billion. He said three new centres of the institute are coming up at Guwahati, Bangalore, and Andhra Pradesh. "We have got land for all these three centres," he said adding that there was huge demand in the sector for industry to work on innovative environment-friendly materials. The IIP is a national apex body which was set up in 1966 by the packaging and allied industries and the Ministry of Commerce with the specific objective of improving the packaging standards in the country. The institute is an autonomous body working under the administrative control of the ministry. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the Delhi government and law enforcement authorities made efforts to pick up the pieces in the wake of the violence in the National Capital's northeast district on Thursday, BJP leader Kapil Mishra, whose 'ultimatum' comment was allegedly the catalyst for three days of riots, remained defiant and blamed sustained protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) for the violence. As the Delhi government and law enforcement authorities made efforts to pick up the pieces in the wake of the violence in the National Capital's northeast district on Thursday, BJP leader Kapil Mishra, whose 'ultimatum' comment was allegedly the catalyst for three days of riots, remained defiant and blamed sustained protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) for the violence. Addressing a press conference, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced an ex-gratia sum of Rs 1 lakh and a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased as the toll in the violence rose to 38 on Thursday, with at least 200 injured. Announcing a slew of measures, he also said that the government will bear the cost of treatment of those injured in the violence and are admitted to private hospitals under the government's 'Farishte' scheme. When asked about the alleged involvement of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor Tahir Hussain in the riots and in the killing of an Intelligence Bureau staffer Ankit Sharma, Kejriwal stated that every rioter should be punished, irrespective of the party. "If those involved in the riots are found to be from the AAP, give them double punishment," Kejriwal said. He also insisted that the issue of security should not be politicised. On Thursday, reports emerged saying that bits of broken bricks and glass was found on the terrace of the AAP councillor's home. Later in the day, he was booked on charges of murder and arson. Hussain, however, has denied involvement in the killing and called the allegations against him "baseless". On the other hand, Mishra, who is being criticised for his alleged hate speech against a particular community, sought to pin the responsibility for the riots on the anti-CAA protesters. Speaking to reporters at an event on Thursday, Mishra alleged that the sustained, nationwide protests had been "violent from the beginning". "Some people are creating hatred against police. These include leaders and activists. This violence should end. This selective silence should end. This is false secularism and false liberalism," he added. Mishra further defended his statement on 23 February in which he demanded that Delhi Police clear the road of a day-old anti-CAA protest in the Jaffrabad area of the district. He had given the police an "ultimatum" of getting it done in three days. On Thursday, also referring to the allegations against Hussain, he said, "No question is being asked to people who are talking about dividing country or those on whose terrace petrol bombs were found. But someone who only requested for road to be cleared as it was causing inconvenience to 35 lakh people is being called a terrorist." "There was nothing inciting in my statement. I was talking to a police officer that the road be cleared. If you call those blocking the road as 'agitators' and those asking to clear it as 'terrorists', it shows your bias. I don't want to comment on a sub-judice matter," he said. Arvind Kejriwal announces relief measures for victims of Delhi violence Kejriwal listed out several peace and rehabilitation measures in a press conference on Thursday. Kejriwal also said an immediate relief of Rs 25,000 would be given to those whose houses have been burnt, while the government would also provide free books and uniforms to students who have lost them to the riot. The violence mainly hit the northeast Delhi, and localities such as Jafrabad, Maujpur, Babarpur, Yamuna Vihar, Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh, Shiv Vihar are among the areas majorly affected. Kejriwal said the Delhi government will bear the cost of treatment of those injured in the violence and have been admitted to private hospitals. The families who lost any minor member would get Rs 5 lakh as ex gratia, while those seriously injured will get Rs 2 lakh, he said. Those who have suffered minor injuries will get Rs 20,000, and the orphaned children will get Rs 3 lakh, he announced, adding special camps will be set up for people to get essential documents they lost in the arson. He said that round-the-clock helpline numbers for riot-affected people will also be set up and four night magistrates have been deployed to coordinate relief and rehabilitation activities. Delhi HC gives Centre 4 weeks to reply on plea seeking FIRs against BJP leaders A day after Delhi High Court Justices J Muralidhar and Talwant Singh expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by three BJP leaders, Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma, and Mishra, a bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel hearing the case on Thursday took a lenient stance by making the Centre a party in the PIL and giving it four weeks to file its reply. On Wednesday, the court had pulled up the security force for the lack of FIRs over the hate speeches and asked Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to take a "conscious decision" on it by Thursday. Justice Muralidhar was transferred late on Wednesday evening to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, days after the Supreme Court collegium had made the recommendation. On Thursday, the bench, also comprising Justice C Hari Shankar, said that "looking at the complexity of the situation", the Central Government was seeking more time to file a reply to the plea. When the arguments commenced post-lunch on Thursday before the new bench, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta at the outset said some of the alleged hate speeches in question were three weeks to more than a month old and yet instead of waiting for one more day the matter was mentioned by the petitioners before the bench headed by Justice Muralidhar on the ground that there was "great urgency". Mehta said the petitioners could have waited for one more day as the matter was listed for hearing before the Chief Justice's bench on Thursday. The SG said that everyone was trying to restore normalcy in the National Capital and urged the court not to intervene at this stage as it would not be conducive to maintaining law and order in the city. He further said: "Considering the prevailing situation, it is the considered opinion of the police authorities that any decision at this juncture may not be conducive for restoration of normalcy. The decision (on lodging of FIR) will be taken at an appropriate stage in accordance with law." The SG also submitted that the authorities have examined all the audio/video clips and other material including that on Twitter and "after having carefully considered all these materials, a conscious decision is taken to defer the decision on the question (of lodging FIR)". Mehta had insisted for the registering of FIRs to be postponed in the hearing on Wednesday also, but the court had insisted that the Delhi Police make an informed decision at the earliest. Two SITs formed to probe Delhi violence cases Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Thursday transferred northeast Delhi riots probe to the crime branch. The cases will be probed by two Special Investigation Teams (SITs), officials said on Thursday. The police has so far filed 48 FIRs. The teams will be headed by Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) Joy Tirkey and Rajesh Deo. The teams will have four Assistant Commissioner of Police-rank officers each and the probe will be supervised by Additional Commissioner of Police BK Singh. Four days after the spate of violence began, the Delhi Police on Thursday said that the situation is normal and no untoward incident was witnessed from northeast Delhi where violence erupted on 23 February. "Situation is normal. No incident took place today. Adequate forces have been deployed. Forty-eight FIRs registered so far, more FIRs are being registered as we are getting more information. Three hundred and fifty Aman (peace) committee meetings have been held so far," Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa told reporters. "We will address all the individual cases. An investigation is going on. We have multiple clips of footage. As the investigation progresses in all the cases, we will share the details. We are investigating from all angles," said Randhawa. Police was apathetic, says SAD MP in letter to Amit Shah Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Naresh Gujral wrote a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah accusing the Delhi Police of inaction and apathy when he called for assistance for acquaintances during the violence that broke out in northeast Delhi this week. The letter was also addressed to the Commissioner of Police Amulya Patnaik. "Last night, at around 11.30 pm, I received a desperate call from an acquaintance that he and 15 other Muslims were trapped in a house near Gonda Chowk in Maufpur, and that the mob outside was trying to break into the premises," he said in the letter, adding that he called the police helpline and "explained the urgency of the situation". "However, much to my disappointment, no action was taken on my complaint and those 16 individuals received no assistance whatsoever from the Delhi Police. If this is the situation when a Member of Parliament makes a complaint personally, it is not surprising that certain parts of Delhi continue to burn while the police stands by apathetically," he concluded. Gujral likened the police's inaction during the northeast Delhi violence to that in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the letter. Congress meets President Ram Nath Kovind over Delhi violence Accusing Home Minister Amit Shah of "abdication of duty" during the communal violence in Delhi, a Congress delegation led by party chief Sonia Gandhi on Thursday urged President Ram Nath Kovind to call for his resignation and remind the Centre of its "raj dharma". Reading out parts of the memorandum that the party submitted to the president, Sonia said both the Delhi government and the Centre remained "mute spectators" instead of trying to take remedial measures to control the situation. "We call upon you and the constitutional office you hold, that the life, liberty and property of the citizens is preserved, secured and protected. You should immediately call for the removal of the home minister given the gross ineptitude, abdication of duty and his inability to contain the situation. "We owe this to the citizens who have lost their loved ones, their homes and their livelihood and most of all their long cherished amity and brotherhood. We hope you will take decisive action on this matter," she told the media outside Rashtrapati Bhavan after meeting the president. With inputs from agencies [February 27, 2020] STORE Capital to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences STORE Capital Corporation (NYSE: STOR), an internally managed net-lease real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests in Single Tenant Operational Real Estate, today announced that members of its executive team will participate in two upcoming investor events: Citi 2020 Global Property CEO Conference-Monday, March 2 through Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. STORE Capital President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher H. Volk will participate in a U.S. Net Lease REIT panel on Monday, March 2 at 1:40 pm ET. Mr. Volk will be joined by other company executives for one-on-one meetings with investors Monday morning through Tuesday evening. through Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. STORE Capital President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher H. Volk will participate in a U.S. Net Lease REIT panel on Monday, March 2 at 1:40 pm ET. Mr. Volk will be joined by other company executives for one-on-one meetings with investors Monday morning through Tuesday evening. Morgan Stanley Triple Net REIT Day-Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at Morgan Stanley headquarters in New York City. STORE Capital executives will conduct one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the day. ir.storecapital.com/Presentations. Individual investor conference presentations are not webcast. About STORE Capital STORE Capital Corporation is an internally managed net-lease real estate investment trust, or REIT, that is the leader in the acquisition, investment and management of Single Tenant Operational Real Estate, which is its target market and the inspiration for its name. STORE Capital is one of the largest and fastest growing net-lease REITs and owns a large, well-diversified portfolio that consists of investments in more than 2,500 property locations across the United States, substantially all of which are profit centers. Additional information about STORE Capital can be found on its website at www.storecapital.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005931/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] So Vice President Mike Pence is heading up the US governments response to the coronavirus outbreak. Is that some sort of sick joke? Because I find it hard to think of anyone less suited to manage a complex healthcare crisis. As governor of Indiana, Pence slashed public health spending and then delayed the vital introduction of needle exchange programmes, which contributed to the states worst ever outbreak of HIV Pence has a track record of making wild claims about pubic health. Back in 2000 he penned an infamous opinion piece in which he called for a quick reality check Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesnt kill. But each year nearly half a million Americans die because of tobacco smoking. Such easily available statistics didnt stop Pence making a series of pro-tobacco choices as a member of Congress and governor. As it happens, Pence has received more than $100,000 in campaign donations from tobacco companies. It would be lazy and Pence would say wrong to conclude that Pence was simply being bought off to pass legislation that would benefit his particular funders. That said, Pence has received fossil fuel funding in the past and has consistently lobbied for fossil fuels, in particular coal. Koch Industries donated $300,000 to Pence in 2012. This was a drop in the ocean of the $127m that Koch Industries are estimated by Greenpeace to have spent financing individuals and organisation that have attacked climate change science and policies. Pence has previously disputed the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes startling statements such as Global warming is a myth. The global warming treaty is a disaster. the earth is actually cooler today than it was about 50 years ago. In fact, most climatologists agree that, at best, global warming is a theory about future climactic conditions and cannot be proven based upon the historic record. But Pences less than enthusiastic response to science goes beyond worldly dollars and cents. Its much more fundamental than that. Pence is an evangelical Christian and has disputed the science of evolution saying Charles Darwin never thought of evolution as anything other than a theory. He hoped that someday it would be proven by the fossil record but did not live to see that, nor have we In a 2009 interview, Pence refused to say that he believed in evolution instead saying God created the heavens and the Earth. There is absolutely no reason why someones religion should affect their understanding and assessment of climate and health science. Many outstanding scientists also profess faith to a particular religion. But Pences anti-science must be seen in the context of the Trump administrations continual attempts to manufacture alternative facts. Trump gives every indication of being a chronically deluded individual given to self-aggrandising speculation. The Washington Post still updates its list of lies the president has told since taking office. It currently stands at more than 16,000. Beyond the continual erosion of trust in the institution of the presidency, the toxic impact of these continual lies is the muddying of what is known. Even reality. Facts matter yes, but the way in which knowledge is produced matters more. When it comes to science that means careful collection and analysis of data. It means trust in the methods of science which are often very difficult to understand for those not directly involved. As abstract as this all often seems, when it comes to public health, the science is absolutely crucial because it will importantly determine how many people will suffer as the disease develops. How should people should be tested for this new virus? How should suspected individuals be treated? How should social distancing such as cancelling large events be managed? How should travel and transport be controlled? How should research budgets be adjusted to speed up vaccine research and production? Having an individual like Pence not just involved, but actually leading the response, represents at best an impediment to effective decision making. At worst, an unhinged mix of Trumpian and evangelical ideology will ignore the science and people will die. NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Market Overview The Middle East & African biopesticides market was valued at USD 55.6 million in 2019 registering a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period of 2020-2025. The consumption volume of biopesticide market was 34.0 thousand metric ton in 2019, registering a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period of 2020-2025. There is an increase in demand for organically grown food, due to severe adverse health effects caused by rampant usage of chemical fertilizers in the region. This, in turn, has stimulated farmers in these regions to look for safe farming practices, such as usage of biologically extracted plant growth promotors, such as biopesticides, which has a minimal effect on the environment. The high cost associated with usage of biopesticides is restraining the market's growth. The lack of infrastructure for commercial mass production of biopesticides in the region is contributing to the high cost for these fertilizers. By product segment, bioinsecticide is expected to register the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. The drastic reduction in the area of harvest in Africa, due to the increased incidence of pests and insects in crops, is driving the growth of the market for bioinsecticides.By crop type, the crop-based application of biofertilizers held the largest market share. The recent outbreak of fall armyworm in Africa caused severe damage to crops, such as maize. This factor, in turn, has created a demand for low-risk pest management practices, such as usage of biopesticides, in the region.Foliar mode of biopesticides application is largest and fastest growing segment among various modes of application of biopesticides in the region. The rapid translocation rate to different parts of the plant is the factor driving its demand. In Africa, South Africa accounted for the fastest growth of the biopesticides segments. The presence of regional regulatory bodies, such as South African Bioproducts Organization, which is involved in various campaigns and framed regulatory guidelines, is promoting the use of biopesticides in the region. In Middle East, Egypt accounted for fastest growth of the biopesticides segment in the region. The increasing demand for organic food products, particularly for export, has encouraged the farmers to utilize bio-inputs, such as biopesticides to increase crop production in the region. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865883/?utm_source=PRN Scope of the Report For the purpose of this report, biopesticides have been defined as the commercially manufactured products derived from natural materials, such as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. The market studied includes biopesticides applied by farmers and the large commercial growers in crops and in non-crop agricultural practices. The companies in the Middle East & African market operate in B2C format. The market size estimations have been presented on the basis of consumer level. The market has been segmented by product, by formulation, by mode of application, and by crop type. The geographical scope of the biopesticides market has been limited to the Middle East & African region. Key Market Trends Increasing Organic Farming Practices The increasing levels of health consciousness among people worldwide is boosting the demand for organic foods, in order to avoid adverse health effects caused by chemical substances, or genetically modified ingredients in inorganic food. In order to address the growing need of organic and safe food, the growers are following safe farming practices, which have minimal impacts on the environment. The growers prefer biologically extracted plant growth promoters in place of synthetic products.Notably, the organic acreage in the Middle East & Africa region, was recorded at 1.74 million hectares in 2015, which significantly increased by about 20.1% by 2017, reaching 2.09 million hectares. Thus, the notable increase in the organic acreages in the region, indicates the increasing importance of organic farming practices, such as usage of biopesticides in the region. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and their catastrophic effects on the soil organisms are the factors boosting the demand for clean and organic food from the millennials of both the regions. The millennial population increased by 18.9%. The increasing population and the increasing awareness about healthy food them are the factors that are expected to boost the demand for biopesticides. Furthermore, significant research activities are undertaken to identify and develop the usage of biopesticides in the country, especially due to the pest infestations in the African region. Thus, the increasing infestations by pests have made biopesticides the viable alternative to chemical pesticides in sustainable pest management programs. Baculoviruses, such as nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) and granulovirus (GV), are used as successful biological pesticides in the region.Thus, the increasing pest infestations and the increasing focus on sustainable organic farming practices in the region are the factors simulating the demand for biopesticides as the viable alternative to the chemical pesticides in the region. This factor is expected to boost the demand for biopesticide products in the future Foliar Application Dominates the Market The foliar segment of the market was valued at USD 27.1 million in 2019 registering a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. The consumption volume of the foliar segment was 16.8 thousand metric ton in 2019 registering a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period.The concentration of biopesticides used in foliar sprays is much more than that used for seed treatment or soil treatment, as biopesticide is applied directly to the plants. The use of foliar sprays is the most efficient and quick solution for plants under stress.The advantage of using foliar sprays is that all the quantity applied is utilized by the plant, helped by rapid translocation rate to different parts of the plant. The sprays are used with different types of nozzles, which can be changed on the basis of the target pest. Hydraulic nozzles, hollow cone nozzles, and twin fluid nozzles are some of the types of nozzles that are being used for biopesticide application. Among them, hydraulic nozzles are more popular, with a larger market share, compared to others. Thus, the introduction of different kinds of foliar sprays is likely to ultimately increase the overall market revenue in the Middle Eastern countries.The African bollworm is one of the major pests in Southern Africa, which has a significant impact on a wide range of crops, including beans, citrus, cotton, maize, tomato, drying wheat ears, lettuce heads, and even rosebuds. Therefore, to control the spread of the disease, a foliar spray at a low dosage rate of 200 ml/ha is necessary to protect the crop from damage. One of the top players in the biopesticides market, Marrone Bio Innovations, has developed biopesticides, such as Regalia, which can be applied as foliar sprays, was patented under OMRI. Thus, certifications by major companies are expected to capture the key portion of the market, which, in turn, driving the biopesticides in the region. Competitive Landscape The market studied is consolidated with major players holding 65.4% of the market share and others holding 34.6% of the market share. BASF SE, FMC Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd, and Bayer AG are the major players in the market studied. Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd holds a market share of 25.2% in the region. The company sells its products through its subsidiary Philagro South Africa (SA). Philagro SA has extensive distribution network in Africa region, which gives an edge from its competitors. Additionally, Philagro SA also sells and markets Valent Biosciences Corporation bio-insecticides and other bio-rational products in the region. Major players are launching custom-tailored products that fulfils the farmer requirements in the region. For instance, in July, 2017, Marrone Bio Innovations shipped its first bio-fungicide REYSANA to Morocco region for use by tomatoes, grapes, and cucurbits growers in the region. Reysana contains the same ingredients as Regalia, a bio fungicide sold across 10 countries worldwide.The other prominent players who are active in the region includes Koppert Biological Systems, Omnia Holdings Limited, and Novozymes A/S. These players are strengthening their position by expanding their operations in the region. For instance, in November 2017, Koppert Biological Systems, a producer of biological solutions for horticulture and agriculture, extended its presence in Africa by opening a subsidiary in Western Africa with Ivory Coast being the regional hub. Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - Report customization as per the client's requirements - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05865883/?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 By IANS NEW DELHI: As Delhi limps back to normalcy after the three days of violence and arson in several parts of the city's northeast that claimed over 38 lives and left more than 200 injured, including policemen, the sense of fear persisted in residents' minds. The residents of the violence-hit areas said they wanted early return of peace and harmony, but also pointed to the police inaction during the clashes. On Thursday, the IANS correspondent visited several riot-hit areas of northeast Delhi, like Bhajanpura, Khureji Khas, Chand Bagh, Moonga Nagar and Karawal Nagar, to gauge the ground reality. ALSO READ: Delhi riots - Death toll mounts to 38 The people could be seen venturing out on streets, several vehicles plying and shops being opened. Firoz Ahmed, whose tour & travels shop was torched by the mob on Sunday, said, "I have come to my shop after three days to access the damage." When asked if the situation had become normal, he said, "No, it's still tense. Many shopkeepers guard their establishments in the night to prevent any untoward incident." In Khureji Khas, which was visited by Special Commissioner of Police S.N. Shrivatsava, the people expressed their yearning for peace and harmony. Several people also recounted the experiences that only strengthen the faith in general humanity. Shagufta, a resident of Gokal Puri, said, "We were stuck in our houses during the violence. Our Hindu brothers of the colony ensured our safety. They shifted us out to Khureji Khas where our other family members lived." ALSO READ: Muslim man loses 22-year-old son in Delhi riots, his worry now is safety of Hindu neighbours "We are alive today due to them," Shagufta said. Shahana, a woman from Bhajanapura who also took refuge at the home of her relatives in Khureji Khas, said, "After the violence broke out on Sunday, we were terrified. Our cloth shop in Bhajanpura was gutted." "We feared for our safety. The next day our neighbours helped us to reach here and we are thankful to them," she said. On the heavy police deployment in the area, Shabana said, "We are safe till the police is here. But once the deployment is decreased, the real test will begin." ALSO READ: Home set afire by rioters, Delhi family finds hope in 'miracle baby' Zainab, a resident of Moonga Nagar in the Chand Bagh locality, said her shop and house were gutted on Monday afternoon. On who were they and could she identify them, she said, "They were not locals. They were outsiders. We have been living here for decades, and celebrate festivals together. They would have never want to harm us. It was outsiders who did this to our house." On communal harmony, Zainab said: "We want to live together. We have no problem with our neighbours. But the police must identify the culprits who did this to us." Some metres towards the Chand Bagh area, a community house adjacent to the AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain's home was gutted along with shops and houses. Dozens of burnt vehicles could be seen strewn on streets. The 3-km stretch from the Bhajanpura to Karawal Nagar was littered with bricks, stones, shattered glasses, torched vehicles, and razed houses on the sides. All that conveyed the tale of sufferings the residents had to undergo due to riots. It all started with clashes on Sunday between pro- and anti-new citizenship law activists, which took a violent turn only to become free-for-all riots to scorch the city, instilling fears among residents that may take some time to wane. The duke of Sussex has asked to be addressed simply as Harry ahead of March 31, when he and Meghan Markle, his wife, will officially... The duke of Sussex has asked to be addressed simply as Harry ahead of March 31, when he and Meghan Markle, his wife, will officially split from the royal family. Harry was speaking on Wednesday at the Travalyst event at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in Scotland, a country in the United Kingdom, while embarking on his final round of engagements as a senior working royal. During the launch of the eco-friendly travel agent firm, he asked to be addressed by his name rather than his royal title. Hes made it clear that we are all just to call him Harry. So ladies and gentlemen, please give a big, warm, Scottish welcome to Harry, Ayesha Hazarika, the event host, said while inviting him to the stage. The 35-year-olds speech dwelt largely on how to rejig global tourism while canvassing the need to emulate the Scotland model. Scotland is one of the fastest growing tourism destinations worldwide and its at the forefront of a more sustainable approach, which is why your insight into these issues is so incredibly valuable, he said. This will be the first time Harry will be visiting the UK after leaving for Canada on January 20, following a summit with the Queen. The duke of Sussex and his wife will be officially stepping down from their royal duties in less than five weeks. Meghan had recently argued that there was nothing legally stopping them from using their Sussex royal name. Four people have died in fresh violence in Indonesia's troubled Maluku islands. Soldiers shot dead two Muslims travelling by speedboat across the harbour off the provincial capital Ambon. Malik Selang from the city's Al-Fatah mosque says two more Muslims were also killed by security forces on Friday. At least ten people were injured in both incidents, he said. Military and government officials confirmed gun battles had occurred but gave no further details. "We have witnesses to testify that the soldiers killed them (the four men) even though there was no rioting or unrest," Mr Selang said. The violence comes less than 48 hours after the Indonesian military announced that the 17 battalions currently based in the province would be reduced to four by February. The islands have been enjoying a period of relative calm. The Government had hoped that the violence, which began in January 1999, was waning. On Friday people from both faiths marked the second anniversary of the beginning of the clashes with services of commemoration. From left, Democratic presidential candidates, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and businessman Tom Steyer, participate in a Democratic presidential primary debate at the Gaillard Center, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Charleston, S.C., co-hosted by CBS News and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)AP Apple has decided to take a step further to make its presence felt in India. Tim Cook, Apple's CEO on Wednesday in the company's annual shareholder meeting announced that Apple will open its e-store in India sometime this year, TechCrunch reported. The company will also set up its first flagship brick and mortar store next year in 2021. Currently, Apple sells its products through third-party stores and via online retail platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Croma. By going online, Apple can attract a lot of customers and give serious competition to existing brands which dominate the e-commerce arena where gadgets are concerned. It's not before long that the Cupertino, California-based device and services will sell iPhone, iPads and Apple Mac computers through its e-store. I am a huge believer in the opportunity in India. It's a country with the vibrancy and demographics that are just unparalleled, Cook said in a shareholder meeting. Cook further said that approval from the government was needed to go in ourselves (in the Indian market). I don't want somebody else running the brand for us. Cook said. We love our customers in India and we're eager to serve them online and in-store with the same experience and care that Apple customers around the world enjoy. The Apple CEO had said in August. He, however, did not give a launch date and said it would be announced soon. There were talks about Apple's brick and mortar store opening in India by Q3 2020. According to a report by Bloomberg, India eased its FDI norms that forced companies like Apple to source 30 per cent of their production locally. For years, iPhone makers have been trying to work their way against these rules to include exports as part of the requirement. Apple's first company-owned brick and mortar store is likely to open in Mumbai, according to reports. Apple's decision to go up front with its own experiential stores comes at a time when rival brands are focusing on offline experience stores to assert the brand presence. OnePlus has been working on its flagship offline stores in select cities to reach out to a wider set of customers, which will operate alongside its existing retail stores. Brands like Xiaomi, Realme and Oppo are also jumping in on the bandwagon with a lot of premium offline outlets. Samsung currently rules the offline space. Apple's production and availability has been suffering a bit, owing to the Coronavirus endemic in China. Earlier, the company had made an announcement saying that they would not be able to meet their targets for the March quarter, owing to the virus. With Apple's executives and workers not being able to return to their workplaces in China, the company has been experiencing delays. WASHINGTON At a private event last week, Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, stated a reality that economists treat as conventional wisdom but that the Trump administration routinely ignores: The United States needs immigration to fuel future economic growth. We are desperate, desperate for more people, Mr. Mulvaney told a crowd in England. We are running out of people to fuel the economic growth. He said the country needed more immigrants but wanted them in a legal fashion. Mr. Mulvaneys sentiments are at odds with President Trumps crackdown on undocumented entries and family-based immigration into the United States. But they reflect the viewpoint of economists and many in the business community, who say that immigrants are needed to power the U.S. labor market as growth in the native-born work force rapidly slows as the population ages and people have fewer children. Immigrants have already been a crucial source of new workers, accounting for about half of the labor forces expansion over the past two decades. But the foreign-born population has been expanding only tepidly during Mr. Trumps tenure. That slowdown could have long-lasting and profound repercussions, economists warn. Bella Hadid has often been compared to Carla Bruni and the ladies have joked about their likeness in the past. The model, 23, and the former French first lady, 52, have posed with Burberry's creative director Riccardo Tisci on the cover of ELLE France, and their resemblance has never been so striking. Wearing quilted dresses from the fashion house, the duo look like mother and daughter in the striking image. Cover stars: Bella Hadid, 23, has posed with her 'twin' Carla Bruni, 52, on the cover of French ELLE magazine, joined by Burberry's creative director Riccardo Tisci Sharing a snap of the cover, Bella wrote: 'Dreaming ... My soul twins @carlabruniofficial @riccardotisci17 all together for @ellefr by the amazing @markseliger thank you for this incredible moment RT ... will never forget. love you two so dearly!!!' Bella later posted: 'Grazie @riccardotisci17 for bringing us to shoot together for the first time ... most fun day ever, i love you both so much it hurts! @carlabruniofficial @riccardotisci17 !!! @brunedemargeri'. The American beauty's fans were quick to comment on the snaps, expressing their amazement at how alike they look. Fan reaction: The American beauty's fans were quick to comment on the snaps, expressing their amazement at how alike they look One wrote, 'Ok but YOU TRULY ARE TWINS', while another shared, 'You guys look like a family ', and a third added, 'Carla Bruni looks so much like bella'. Former catwalk model Carla previously joked she'd discovered her 'hidden daughter' during a chance meeting with Bella during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2018. The pair bumped into one another at the Fashion For Relief event and posed for a series of pictures. So similar! Former catwalk model Carla previously joked she'd discovered her 'hidden daughter' during a chance meeting with Bella during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2018 Bella - who is the daughter of Yolanda and Mohammed Hadid - seemed to share all the same features as long-lost twin Carla. From their similar shoulder-length brown haircuts to their straight noses and pursed lips, the duo could hardly be told apart. Bella has also been following in the Italian-French star's footsteps by carving out a career in modelling. Lookalikes: Bella (left, on the catwalk), who is the daughter of Yolanda and Mohammed Hadid, has followed a very similar path to Carla (right, in 1996) She is currently one of the most in-demand campaign and catwalk stars, regularly working with such brands as Dior, Moschino and Balmain. Carla's heyday was around the same age in 1987, when she was signed to City Models at 19. She subsequently worked with designers and fashion houses such as Givenchy, Paco Rabanne, Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano and Yves Saint-Laurent. While modeling, Carla was also known for dating Eric Clapton and Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger, before going on to marry former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. Candidate suspends campaign after Overdose Chris Taylor, a Safford city councilman, announced this week that he is suspending his congressional campaign and seeking treatment for substance abuse after a heroin overdose. The Gila River Herald reported that Taylor, an Army veteran who volunteers as a firefighter in Safford, was found unresponsive at his home by a family member and was administered Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Taylor was one of at least three Republicans running to challenge incumbent Democrat Tom OHalleran in Congressional District 1, which includes parts of the Tucson area and southern Pinal County. In a statement on Facebook, Taylor said hes not going to hide from this. Im not ashamed of what happened. I wish to sincerely apologize to the amazing people who have supported me. I dont know what went wrong. I recently relapsed after having so many solid years in sobriety. I have to figure out where I went wrong, he wrote. Stock markets in the US and Europe staged a rebound from hefty losses recorded this week due to the spread of coronavirus and concerns over its impact on the global economy. (stock picture) Stock markets in the US and Europe staged a rebound from hefty losses recorded this week due to the spread of coronavirus and concerns over its impact on the global economy. All three main American equity gauges were positive in the wake of a more than 6pc slide in the benchmark S&P 500 over the past two days. Ten-year treasury yields climbed from the record low close set on Tuesday. European shares erased losses at the positive start of US trading, while Asian equities closed lower. "Technical bounce dominating at the market open. Dow is up over 300 points, erasing some 20pc of the prior two sessions' losses," Mohamed A El-Erian, of Allianz financial group, wrote on Twitter. Risk assets are struggling to rebound as coronavirus cases climb outside the epicentre in China, whose giant economy is reeling under the virus's impact. "With normal activity taking longer to recover than seemed likely earlier this month, we now think that China's economy will contract outright in year-on-year terms this quarter, for the first time since at least the 1990s," said consultancy Capital Economics. "The leadership appears to be readying significant stimulus which should restore employment and output by the third quarter, but the hit to output during the first half of the year will still result in much slower annual growth," it said. South Korea said its national infection total rose to more than 1,000, while American health officials on Tuesday warned that they expect the epidemic to spread in the US. The number of companies warning of a hit to profits rose too. Guinness owner Diageo, the world's biggest spirits maker, expects profits to be hit by up to 200m (238m), while French food giant Danone told investors that the virus would shave 100m off first-quarter sales in China. Traders are also eyeing rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve in the event of a major economic shock. "The ultimate impact remains entirely unknown at this stage," said Eleanor Creagh, a Sydney-based strategist at Saxo Capital Markets. "And uncertainty is the enemy of conviction." Additional reporting Bloomberg The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has supported the setting of quotas for the immigration of 5,000 IT professionals from abroad, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation Oleksandr Bornyakov has reported on Facebook. "Today [on February 26], the Cabinet of Ministers supported the setting of the quota for the immigration of 5,000 highly qualified specialists for employment in our IT companies from abroad," he said. Bornyakov added that this would allow foreigners to obtain a permanent residence permit that will make it easier for them to live in Ukraine for the long term; they will not be required to obtain annual work permits for the use of foreigners' work; their employment is carried out on the same conditions as for Ukrainian citizens; they are not tied to specific terms of stay in Ukraine; they are not tied to a specific job or position; they have the opportunity to immigrate to Ukraine with their family; they will be able to get registered as a sole proprietor (FOP). Bornyakov said that Ukrainian IT companies lack specialists, so the government has decided to attract foreigners. op Dallas, Texas, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market 2020 2026: Internet of things is an advanced technology adapted by many companies and industries for betterment of the work processes. In the construction work, the IoT application involves machine controlling, site monitoring, fleet management and others. Every IoT system must address 4 fundamental categories of device management, configuration and control, provisioning and authentication, namely, monitoring and diagnostics, and software updates and maintenance. The main advantage of IoT is automation with the tasks. Several tasks are been automated using IoT, helping the companies to reduce cost of operation and saves time leading to the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market. Request a sample of Internet of Things (IoT) technology Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/3903368 The companies adapting advanced technologies to make the processes easier for the customers and employees is another factor leading to the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market. It is an interconnection link between various devices, home appliances and other things. There have been certain technological advances in the sensors. The data generated by IoT is used by various companies and individuals for better understanding of the operations. There are issues with connectivity of the network in many areas of low network or high congestion or changing government regulations and standards which may also hamper the growth of Internet of Things (IoT) technology Industry. Certain factors may cause hindrance to the growth of the global IoT in construction market such as the construction site are vulnerable to hijacking, Keeping the software updated and meeting the customer demands may also effect this industry. The Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market is categorized into several segmentation including application, type, and region. Browse Full Internet of Things (IoT) technology Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-internet-of-things-technology-market-report-2019-competitive-landscape-trends-and-opportunities Based on the application, the market is divided into: Automotive & Transportation Building Automation Oil & Gas Consumer Electronics Others Based on the type, industry is classified into Professional Services Managed Services Others Looping on to the regional overview, the industry is a wide range to North America, USA, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Asia Pacific, China, Japan, and Africa, UAE, South Africa, France, UK, Russia, Italy, South America, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Columbia. Leading players of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market includes: International Business Machines (IBM), Alphabet, General Electric (GE), Hitachi, PTC, Softbank, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Stmicroelectronics, Symantec, Cisco Systems, Texas Instruments, Intel, Qualcomm, Microsoft. Table of Content Covers: 1 Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market Overview 2 Global Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market Landscape by Player 3 Players Profiles of Internet of Things (IoT) technology Industry 4 Global Internet of Things (IoT) technology Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type 5 Global Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market Analysis by Application 6 Global Internet of Things (IoT) technology Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2014-2019) 7 Global Internet of Things (IoT) technology Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2014-2019) 8 Internet of Things (IoT) technology Manufacturing Analysis 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers 10 Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market Dynamics 11 Global Internet of Things (IoT) technology Market Forecast (2019-2026) 12 Research Findings and Conclusion 13 Appendix Direct Purchase Single User copy of Internet of Things (IoT) technology Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase-single-user/3903368 Part-II Global Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market 2020 2026: The Internet of things system connects all the computing devices with each other. The devices connected may also include digital machines, objects, mechanical devices, animals or even people. These components are given unique identifiers known as the UIDs. This IoT system has the ability to transfer data or information over the network without any manual or machine interference. With the increase in digitalisation and penetration of smartphone devices, there are certain technological advancements taking place all over the globe to improve the existing machineries and systems for a better performance of these devices or better tasks. The IoT technology being one of them. The key driver of the Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market is the companies adopting the new technologies and improving their systems and making their company processes easier with the advanced technologies. Request a sample of Internet of Things (IoT) technology Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/3682520 There is an introduction of IoT in all the sectors whether it is telecom, IT, Agriculture, Security and many more. The rapid growth and applications being created from IoT is rising the market for the Internet of Things (IoT) Networks. Certain factors may cause hindrance to the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market such as the systems are vulnerable to hijacking. There is a threat to security and privacy of the data that is available online. The passwords are at a risk of theft. Keeping the software updated and meeting the customer demands may also effect the Internet of Things (IoT) technology industry. The Industry is categorized into several segmentation including application, type, and region. Based on the application, the global Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market is divided into: Asset Tracking Smart Metering Smart City Smart Home Wearables Other End-use Criteria Based on the type, industry is classified into: Platform Service Browse Full Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-internet-of-things-iot-networks-market-report-2019-competitive-landscape-trends-and-opportunities Looping on to the regional overview, the market is a wide range to North America, USA, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Asia Pacific, China, Japan, and Africa, UAE, South Africa, France, UK, Russia, Italy, South America, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Columbia. Leading players of the global Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market includes: Nokia Networks, Ceva Inc., Mediatek Inc., Cypress Semiconductor Corp., NXP Semiconductor N.V., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Ingenu, Silicon Labs Inc., Intel Corp., Microchip Technology Corp., Ericsson, Texas Instruments Inc., Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Gainspan Corp., Senet Inc., Synopsys Inc., Commsolid Gmbh, Sequans Communications S.A., U-Blox Holding Ag, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sierra Wireless, ST Microelectronics N.V., Nwave Technologies, Qualcomm Inc., ZTE Corp., Nexcom International Co. Ltd., Sigfox S.A., Nordic Semiconductor Asa, Atmel Corp., Telstra Corp. Table of Content Covers: 1 Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market Overview 2 Global Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market Landscape by Player 3 Players Profiles of Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Industry 4 Global Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type 5 Global Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market Analysis by Application 6 Global Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Production, Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2014-2019) 7 Global Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2014-2019) 8 Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Manufacturing Analysis 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers 10 Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market Dynamics 11 Global Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Market Forecast (2019-2026) 12 Research Findings and Conclusion 13 Appendix Direct Purchase Single User copy of Internet of Things (IoT) Networks Report @ https://www.orbisresearch.com/contact/purchase-single-user/3682520 About Us: Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients. Contact Us: Hector Costello Senior Manager Client Engagements 4144N Central Expressway, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas 75204, U.S.A. Phone No.: USA: +1 (972)-362-8199 | IND: +91 895 659 5155 Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.com Montgomery County Circuit Judge Greg Griffin today dismissed a lawsuit filed by Nancy Worley over leadership of the Alabama Democratic Party, ruling that he had no jurisdiction to settle a party dispute. The decision is a victory for party members who voted last year to replace Worley as party chair. Worley filed the lawsuit in an unsuccessful effort to block the meeting where Rep. Chris England of Tuscaloosa was elected to replace her. Issues remaining in the case include the question of who was now the legitimate chair of the party. England and his backers had asked Griffin to dismiss the case, arguing that the court did not have jurisdiction. Im glad that this is behind us and now we can start working together to get Democrats elected up and down the ballot, England said today after the ruling. Worley said the case might not be over. We will discuss an appeal and we will also look at the possibility of a federal case, she said in a text message. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels of Huntsville said Griffins ruling today made it a good day for the Democratic Party. Daniels supported the change in party leadership. Griffin had said in court last week that he was leaning toward ruling that he did have jurisdiction but decided differently in a one-page order today. This Court lacks jurisdiction over what appears to be an intra-political-party dispute regarding the officer elections and governance of the Alabama Democratic Party, Griffin wrote. As a result, this case is DISMISSED. Worley and her supporters had argued that the court had jurisdiction and urged Griffin to allow the case to proceed. The dispute goes back to at least August 2018, when the State Democratic Executive Committee reelected Worley as chair, a position she had held since 2013. Worley defeated a candidate backed by U.S. Sen. Doug Jones. Some members of the SDEC filed complaints with the Democratic National Committee over how the election was conducted. The DNC determined there were irregularities and ordered the party to hold a new election and approve new bylaws. The DNC set deadlines that passed. Jones helped organize efforts by SDEC members who wanted to replace Worley. They met on Nov. 2 and voted to elect England as chair and former state Rep. Patricia Todd as first vice chair. Worley and her supporters, including longtime party leader Joe Reed, have maintained that Worley was reelected at a Nov. 16 meeting attended by a different faction of the SDEC. The Democratic National Committee supported Englands side in the dispute and recognizes him as the party chair. England has been functioning as chair and certified the parties candidates for Tuesdays primary. This story will be updated. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar testified Wednesday that he couldn't promise a coronavirus vaccine would be made available to Americans who couldn't afford the medicine. Azar's remarks outraged Democrats, including presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts who demanded he, "should stop putting profits ahead of people's lives." But Azar's comments reflected less his priorities than our broader system, which dictates that, even in the face of a public health threat, the cost of drugs could well be prohibitive for many who need them because of runaway pricing. Prescription drug spending in the United States has soared in the past decade, fueled by rising prices. Nearly one in four Americans say affording their prescription drugs is difficult, while three in 10 say they haven't taken their medicines as prescribed due to costs, according to polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Government budgets are strained as well, as taxpayers pay the increased costs of prescription drugs provided through Medicare, Medicaid and other government programs. A critical mechanism for containing prescription drug prices is the formulary system. Formularies are lists of drugs covered under a particular health plan, divided into tiers that determine how much customers will pay out-of-pocket for those drugs. When health insurers place drugs on preferred tiers, patients have lower cost-sharing burdens; when health insurers place drugs on less-preferred tiers, the patient's burden is higher. Thus, in prioritizing certain drugs over others, the tiering system - in theory - drives consumers to choose drugs that are both high-quality and cost-effective. But anecdotal evidence has emerged that something is seriously amiss with the formulary system. Media reports and scattered lawsuits have hinted that some health plans are punishing patients for purchasing generics, rather than brand-name drugs, or completely excluding generics from reimbursement. My research has uncovered widespread abuse of the formulary system that is costing patients and taxpayers billions of dollars. Revisiting the historic roots and development of the formulary system may point the way forward to addressing this under-noticed but costly problem. Formularies in this country can be traced to the days of the American Revolution. After George Washington's grim retreat down the Delaware River in the winter of 1778, the wounded were treated in a chapel in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Facing shortages and disarray, an enterprising doctor wrote the "Lititz Pharmacopoeia" to standardize medical practices for field hospitals of the Continental Army. Colonial medicine blurred the line between pharmacist and physician, and the publication provided directions for preparing medications with available ingredients. Other formularies followed, helping hospitals separate legitimate cures from snake oil and standardizing the composition of medicines. Throughout the 19th century, national formularies offered a combination of information about history, usage, dosage and preparation of medicines - sometimes in response to changing societal mores. For example, the Civil War-era obsession with elixirs, which are sweetened potions containing alcohol and water, prompted the development of what became known as "the National Formulary." These references gradually took on legal force as the states used them as a guide for proper composition and purity. With the passage of the federal Food and Drug acts of the early 20th century, formularies gained national legal status and focused increasingly on drug effectiveness. Thus, for the first 150 years, formularies served primarily clinical functions and worked reasonably well, despite their varying content. The vast scale of the World War II penicillin effort ushered in a new approach to drug development and manufacturing, and the industry blossomed. As more medications became available to treat diseases, hospital formularies became indispensable to manage inventory and supply. Indeed, using formularies for inventory management became a requirement in 1965 for hospitals and other health-care organizations to receive accreditation. Formularies evolved into the realm of cost containment in the 1970s, as escalating costs drove the health insurance industry away from fee-for-service and toward "managed care" - in which patients paid set fees for health-care treatments and networks of doctors agreed to a fixed amount of compensation for particular services. To contain drug costs, health plans developed formularies for covering the drugs patients purchased at retail pharmacies. They set the lowest cost drugs, mostly generics, in the "most preferred" tier; higher cost drugs, mostly name brands, in the next tier; and expensive specialty drugs in the least-preferred tier, with some drugs left off entirely. The amount a patient would pay depended on the tier level, with the goal of channeling doctor and patient choices toward the least pricey, best option for a drug. In the contemporary era, formularies are supposed to play multiple roles. They no longer serve as a guide for the composition and purity of medicines - that role shifted to the Food and Drug Administration - but they do carry the burden of ensuring a drug has sufficient medical justification for coverage, managing supply and most important, driving patients into more cost-effective medicines. Over time, however, formularies have begun shifting health-care costs onto patients. Although generics are the most cost-effective drugs, they are increasingly disadvantaged in Medicare plans. Between 2010 and 2017, the percentage of generics on the most-preferred tier dropped from 73% to 28%. This is tough on patients given that in prescription drug plans covered through Medicare (including stand-alone Medicare drug plans and private health plans that contract with Medicare), the average out-of-pocket payment triples from the most-preferred tier to the next. Although the patient pays triple, the health plan pays roughly the same amount for generics on those two tiers. Thus, by moving generic drugs onto pricier tiers, the health plan is pocketing more money for drugs that cost them the same amount. During the same period, the percentage of "irrationally tiered" drugs - that is branded drugs placed on the same or more-preferred tier than a generic with the same active ingredient - increased from 47% to 74%. This irrational tiering comes at an enormous cost to government budgets and individual patients. Looking only at the actual out-of-pocket costs paid by patients and the additional amounts paid by the federal low-income subsidy program, tier misplacement cumulatively cost society $13.25 billion over seven years. The problem is worsening, with annual wasted costs increasing roughly 8,000% from $50 million in 2010 to over $4 billion in 2017. What appears to be happening is brand-name drug companies can use their market presence, volume-based rebates and the incentives of the rebate system to secure an advantageous position on an insurer's formulary - or to entirely exclude competing drugs from reimbursement. In a system where rebates are shaping the formulary, generic drugs have been increasingly misplaced and disadvantaged in the arena of health-insurance reimbursement. Herein lies the problem. The increasing power of the rebate system has disrupted the functioning of the formulary system. Some may argue that putting expensive brand-name drugs on cheaper tiers and forcing patients to pay more for generics is a good thing because it fuels volume-based rebates and the rebate system may help control premium costs. Putting aside the circularity of that argument - after all, the rebate system itself may be driving up drug prices and putting pressure on premiums in the first place - any such calculation is fraught with uncertainty. Right now, it seems to be putting dollars in the pockets of many players in the distribution chain - including drug companies, middle players and health plans. What is clear, however, is the measurable, extra cost shelled out by patients (along with the government programs that directly subsidize those costs) when cheaper drugs are placed on irrational tiers. There is a simple, elegant solution that could help return formulary tiering to its intended path: requiring that health plans use list price as the basis for tier placement. Although perhaps counterintuitive, basing tiering on list price has the potential to realign incentives within the formulary system. Hidden rebate deals would become less appealing to drug companies if their drugs couldn't secure a better position on the formulary in return. At the same time, drug companies with high prices would find their drugs deeply disadvantaged, making price increases less attractive in the first place and eliminating the need for rebates. In other words, basing tiering on list price would unwind a vicious cycle. We need a functioning generics market if we hope to constrain prescription drug markets, and formulary reform is a critical step in supporting it. If generic markets are not competitive and thriving, little ground can be gained. Although there is no silver bullet, basing tiering on list price is a streamlined approach for cutting through a wide swath of perverse incentives and manipulations. After all, at the end of the day, it is the price that matters. - - - Feldman is author of "Drugs, Money, & Secret Handshakes: The Unstoppable Growth of Prescription Drug Prices" and the article "The Cancer Curse: Regulatory Failure by Success." At least 18 Turkish soldiers had been killed in Idlib before the deaths of the soldiers Thursday, according to a tally by the Associated Press. Erdogan said earlier Thursday that three Turkish soldiers had been killed in Idlib. It was not clear whether those deaths were included in the total cited by the governor. What to look for on the back of a painting an expert guide From its auction and exhibition history and provenance to notes from the artist on which way is UP, the details found on the verso can significantly enhance a paintings value 1. Who, what, when... and where First and foremost, youll want to know who painted your picture. Artists started signing their works around the 15th century, and while their signatures are most commonly on the front, in more recent times they have been applied to the reverse. Christies specialists can check signatures by looking them up in the artists catalogue raisonne and, sometimes, even narrow down the date a work was painted based on the evolution of a signature over time. Ben Nicholson, O.M. (1894-1982), 1945 (still life). Oil and pencil on board. 18 x 19 in (47 x 48.9 cm). Sold for 509,000 on 26 June 2017 at Christies in London. Artwork: Angela Verren Taunt. All rights reserved, DACS 2020 Nicholsons address in Cornwall has been added bottom left of the back of the picture The artist will usually also have provided a title or date. And sometimes more besides. As well as signing, naming and dating his works on the reverse, the British artist Ben Nicholson (1894-1982) often included his address, says Christies Modern British and Irish Art specialist Alice Murray. Its a lovely addition that helps you build the story behind the artwork. 2. Materials can narrow down a paintings origins Artists began switching from working on wooden panels to canvas in the 15th and 16th centuries because it enabled larger paintings. Painting on copper sheets also became fashionable in the 17th century. Stamps and labels from the suppliers of these materials can contain the names and addresses of their businesses. Reference lists such as Alexander Katlans American Artists Materials Suppliers Directory can be used to track them down, and in turn, narrow down when and where a work was made. Pieter Brueghel II (Brussels 1564/5-1637/8 Antwerp), The Outdoor Wedding Dance. 16 x 20 in (40.5 x 52 cm). Oil on oak panel. Sold for: 1,202,500 on 9 July 2015 at Christies in London The reverse of a 16th-century oil painting panel showing the brand of the city of Antwerp a pair of hands above a castle. The mark dates from 1617, when new regulations drawn up by the Antwerp Joiners Guild stated every joiner is from now on obliged to punch his mark on frames and panels made by him, on pain of a fine of three guilders Comparing the date the materials were purchased with the date the artist signed the finished work can even give you an idea of how long it took to complete. The types of materials used to create a works board, cradle or stretcher, along with how it was constructed, also vary over time and between places. Soft wood, such as poplar, was used in Italy, while hard wood, for example oak, was used in Britain and the Netherlands. Another clue can be obtained from how the canvas is fixed to the stretcher staples replaced nails after the 1940s. 3. Labels indicate provenance and exhibition history When a gallery or museum displays a work of art it often attaches a label to its back that indicates the artists name, the pictures title, and usually a date, inventory number and address. With the advent of the internet it has become much easier to research these labels, explains Impressionist and Modern Art specialist Veronica Scarpati. For example, the Museum of Modern Art has digitised all of its exhibition catalogues, press releases and lender lists as far back as 1929. Sano di Pietro (Siena 1405-1481), The Madonna and Child. On gold ground panel. 16 x 11 in (41.2 x 29.6 cm). Sold for 170,500 on 9 July 2015 at Christies in London The back of Pietros painting with stencils, stickers and labels, including those of London dealer Thomas Agnew & Sons and New York gallery Wildenstein & Co. Other key players to look out for include institutions such as the Royal Academy or the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and dealers like Richard Green, The Fine Art Society or Wildenstein & Co., as seen, top right, on the back of the picture shown above. Other labels that record a paintings journey can come from conservators, customs and border controls, or even defunct bureaucratic mechanisms such as the Nazis Chamber of Culture, which stamped its double-headed eagle logo on to the back of the art it looted. 4. Inscriptions will also have a story to tell Private collectors throughout history have added their own names to the back of a work. King Charles I of England (1600-1649), for example, branded his initials CR topped with a crown onto the reverse of works in his royal collection. Ivon Hitchens (1893-1979), Hills and Darkening Sky: Rain over the Downs. Oil on canvas. 12 x 18 in (31.7 x 47 cm). Sold for 32,500 on 23 January 2020 at Christies in London. Artwork: The Estate of Ivon Hitchens. All rights reserved, DACS 2020 Allen Freers handwritten provenance is on the bottom of the stretcher for Hills and Darkening Sky On the back of this landscape [above] by Ivon Hitchens (1893-1979) you have the stamp of his wife, Mollie, as well as a later, handwritten note placing it in the collection of Allen and Beryl Freer, explains Alice Murray. Sebastiano Conca (1680-1764), The Madonna and Child Releasing Souls from Purgatory. Oil on canvas. 18 x 12 in (46.7 x 31.2 cm). Sold for 10,000 on 5 July 2019 at Christies in London The back of Concas painting features a handwritten inscription indicating that is was gift to one D. Domenico Guastaferro In 2019, Christies sold a painting [above] by Sebastiano Conca (1680-1764), which contains an old hand-written note that describes its title, date and the fact it was a bozzetto or sketch for painting, as well as providing some provenance that it was gifted to one D. Domenico Guastaferro in July 1748. If you decide to add a support to the back of your painting, it might be an idea to use Perspex so that the labels remain visible, or ask a paper conservator to carefully transfer them onto the new board. 5. Inventory numbers reveal a works auction history Since the early 19th century Christies has marked the back of pictures with an inventory number. Initially these numbers were stencilled in black ink, while other auction houses used chalk. (Today, rather than stencilling numbers on the back of pictures, it is more common for a sticker with a barcode to be applied.) These numbers correspond to records that tell us when and where something was sold, and sometimes who sold it and what price was paid, explains Christies librarian and archivist Lynda Macleod. The Christies archives in London has details of most of the sales held during the auction houses 254 years in business. When cataloguing paintings these stencils allow us not only to piece together provenance, but also to see if the work has been attributed to different artists in the past, adds Olivia Ghosh, a specialist in Christies Old Masters department. Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (1606-1669) and Studio, Man with a Sword. Oil on canvas. 40 x 35 in (102.3 x 88.5 cm). Sold for 2,200,000 on 3 December 2013 at Christies in London The reverse of Rembrandts Man with a Sword showing its auction stencils, and in the centre, an 1898 Amsterdam exhibition label In 2013, Christies sold a portrait by Rembrandt (1606-1669)and his studio which had 272ER stencilled on the back. That pointed us to a 1928 auction at Christies of a collection belonging to Sir George Lindsay Holford, Ghosh explains. From there we traced the paintings provenance back to his father, Robert Stayner Holford, who was the founder of the Burlington Fine Arts Club and owned three other Rembrandts, all now in museums. Knowing these details can add great value to a painting. 6. If the painting has been lined, repair work may have been carried out If the rear of the canvas has traces of glue around the edges, or feels thick and new, the painting may have been lined. This refers to the process of attaching an additional layer of canvas to the original surface in order to repair holes and tears and stabilise the painting. Lining a canvas was, and still is, a common practice for Old Master paintings, says Ghosh. In the past it was often done with a heavy hand, but now it can be completed without damaging the paints surface. Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell, R.S.A., R.S.W. (1883-1937), The Avenue, Auchnacraig, circa 1927. Oil on canvas. 25 x 30 in (63.5 x 76.2 cm). Sold for 83,750 on 23 November 2016 at Christies in London F.C.B. Cadell left clear instructions on the back of his works about how to care for them in the future The Scottish colourist F.C.B. Cadell (1883-1937) left clear instructions regarding how to maintain the condition of his works on their reverse, says Alice Murray. On the back of The Avenue, Auchnacraig [above] are the words Absorbent ground/NEVER varnish, because Cadell felt the chalky quality of his paint surface was of utmost importance. 7. Warped stretchers can be a giveaway that it has been hung in humid conditions Major cracks in the work might indicate that it has been hung in a hot, dry place, such as above a fireplace, while warped stretchers could suggest it lived in a bathroom. Neither are advisable, states Ghosh. Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993), Ocean Park #108, 1978. Oil on canvas. 78 x 62 in (198.1 x 157.5 cm). Sold for $5,723,000 on 13 November 2019 at Christies in New York. Artwork: Richard Diebenkorn Foundation The reverse of Diebenkorns painting helpfully explains which way up it should be hung While not venturing so far as to specify where they should be hung, some artists, such as Richard Diebenkorn (1922-1993), helpfully leave notes to indicate their correct orientation. On the back of the work above Diebenkorn has written in pencil TOP, with an arrow pointing upwards. Sign up today The Online Magazine delivers the best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe 8. On rare occasions, the back of a painting can even reveal another work of art Every now and again the back of a painting can reveal something that rivals the importance of the work of art on the front, such as a handwritten note by the artist or even a second picture. Materials have historically been expensive, so impoverished artists were known to try out different compositions on the same supports, Ghosh explains. Applied XLabs is a new startup building tools that can automate data-gathering for journalists and eventually, for knowledge workers in other industries. The company is emerging from Brooklyn-based Newlab, with The Boston Globe as its launch partner. It will be led by Francesco Marconi (pictured above), who was previously R&D chief at The Wall Street Journal and head of AI strategy at the Associated Press. Marconi told me that there's a tremendous amount of data out there that could be useful to journalists, whether that's inside public company filings or academic climate change research. But data-driven journalism remains a sliver of the industry, because "only a handful of organizations have the internal resources to create these types of tools, these types of analyses." The plan is for Applied XLabs to develop products to help newsrooms, starting with The Globe, automatically pull data and generate insights. Vinay Mehra, president of The Boston Globe, said the hope is to use AI to improve the information that Globe journalists provide to different communities. For example, Mehra said that The Globe has been expanding its coverage in Rhode Island, partly in response to the disappearance of local newspapers and the resulting "news deserts." When the team started talking to the community about what kind of coverage they wanted to see, they came up with a long list of ideas like restaurant openings and closings. (That's something news startup Hoodline, co-founded by Extra Crunch Managing Editor Eric Eldon, has also tried to tackle with data and automation.) But providing comprehensive coverage in these areas is tough with a small newsroom, Mehra said: "We can't keep throwing journalists at this." So the idea is to "mine that data" and make existing journalists more effective. At the same time, he emphasized that he doesn't see AI as a way to replace journalists or justify newsroom cuts, and he noted that The Globe continues to hire. Story continues "We cant sit back and ignore these technologies that are coming out every day," Mehra said. "The opportunity here is to redefine what is possible with AI, to expand our own thinking and horizons around how we do journalism today and how we serve these communities." Marconi added that ultimately, these tools could also be sold to knowledge workers in a variety of industries. Newlab "The same way that you have Salesforce for managing the sales process, we are building the platform for knowledge workers," he said. "The reason why its so important to start with news and why we're working with journalists [is] the threshold is really, really high. If you are able to build products and seeds of information that editors can use and sign off on, then you can quickly expand into other industries." Applied XLabs is also the first startup to emerge from Newlab's venture studio program. When we first visited Newlab back in 2016, it described itself as a workspace for companies in robotics, AI and other fields. Now it has created a studio model where it aims to bring together "diverse stakeholders" to create new companies in frontier tech. "There is a substantial investment from Newlab, and in addition to capital, Newlab is providing all of the back-office services," Marconi said. "I get the stability of an established company with the freedom, flexibility and creativity of a new venture." After approving of subsidies last year, the FCC now requests that carriers submit their Huawei, ZTE telecom info to receive a government subsidy. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says that small rural carriers, those who currently own Huawei or ZTE telecom equipment, must submit their information to qualify for the government subsidy. Its not necessarily the case that every carrier has Huawei and ZTE equipment. And yet, there are a number of small, rural carriers that own Huawei or ZTE hardware. These carriers are the ones the FCC is requesting information from. Why is the FCC requesting this information from carriers? The FCC requests this information from US companies because they must upgrade their telecom equipment. As of last May, the Trump administration has declared Huawei and ZTE threats to national security. The Chinese Government has been accused of espionage. Huawei is accused of using mobile and telecom devices to spy on Huawei clientele (including US customers). To avoid Chinese espionage, the FCC requests small carriers ditch Chinese equipment and upgrade to another telecom maker. Advertisement The FCC has approved Universal Service Fund subsidies. Still, it needs information from businesses before approving telecom subsidies. The FCC wants to know just how many carriers are using Huawei and ZTE equipment currently. It needs to see just how much money will be required for the upgrade effort. Huawei denies espionage claim Huawei denies espionage claims. It says that the US has no proof. However, there is proof of Huaweis ability to spy on customers. The Shenzhen OEM has a number of software and hardware loopholes in its telecom and mobile equipment. The company receives large subsidies in China from its Beijing government. Government subsidy in China is a privilege few other companies share. Government officials own the majority of the company. The Huawei CEO, Ren Zhengfei, owns a mere 2% of the company. Who owns the rest? Current employees have military backgrounds. They work with the government on a number of technological projects. Huawei employees must flash the Huawei logo to publish research papers with government approval. Huawei spies on political opponents of foreign governments. The company has digital surveillance safe cities in Uganda and Zambia. This report was detailed by the Wall Street Journal some months ago. And its digital surveillance clients, like Uganda, are brought to Beijing headquarters when training their police forces. Huawei has its logo in the main room of the Ugandan police headquarters. It is a strange thing that, like its logo on research papers, attests to the governments love of Huawei. Huawei itself is a Chinese word meaning the advancement of China. It doesnt get more pro-Chinese nationalist than that. Advertisement Huaweis lawbreaking reputation Additionally, when Huawei is not being pro-government, it is under suspicion of crimes. CEO Ren Zhengfeis daughter and Huawei CFO, Meng Wanzhou, is guilty of bank fraud. She has been arrested in Canada for violating US sanctions against criminal countries. Huaweis own track record with building wireless networks for rogue countries such as North Korea only adds to the suspicion. Coronavirus detection app shows espionage potential Some still find the claims against Huawei false. And yet, the new coronavirus outbreak shows just how dangerous Huawei is. With the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, Beijing has created a Close Detector app to determine if someone comes in contact with a coronavirus victim. How can Beijing know if someone has come into contact with a victim? How can the app tell someone, who types in their governmental number, by the way, if they are at risk? Some digital surveillance and face detection are at play here. Of course, Huawei isnt to blame for this app. The app is good in that it aids Chinese citizens with regard to a deadly disease. And yet, if Huawei is a government entity in disguise, and Beijing can create an espionage app, think of what it could do to an entire mobile device, telecom device, or device collection. Advertisement The problem with some who disapprove of the Federal Governments stance toward Huawei is that they see it as being without proof. And yet, theres plenty of proof. When one sees Huawei as a government entity, not just an innocent casualty in the midst of a political war, then one can see Huawei as a government extension which makes Huawei more dangerous than ever. Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal on Thursday directed the Delhi Police to ensure adequate deployment of security forces to maintain law and order situation in the North-East district. Baijal held a review meeting which was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Government of Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), Special Commissioners of Police (Law & Order) and other offices. "LG directed Delhi Police to ensure continued adequate deployment of security forces, patrolling an area domination exercise, swift and effective response to any situation, prompt registration of FIRs and its expeditious investigation, prevention of any untoward incident, strict enforcement of directions under section 144, visible police presence with outreach and confidence-building measures," said an official release. Baijal also instructed for setting up sufficient numbers of Help Desks/Help Lines and its wider publicity to ensure timely help to the victims and their families. "Special CP (Vigilance) Sundari Nanda assisted by officers of appropriate seniority from East Delhi Municipal Corporation, Health Department and District Administration to meet the injured/ families of deceased personally and ensure that all steps are taken to provide all possible assistance to them," the release quoted Baijal saying. Apart from above, all the staff of the police stations of the North East District has been deployed round the clock to pacify and calm the situation. "As confidence-building measures amongst all strata of the society, Aman committees already constituted in the area have been re-activated and about 14 meetings have been organized in North-East District with the stakeholders of the Aman Committee," it added. Meanwhile, two Special Investigation Teams (SIT) were constituted under the crime branch to investigate the violence. The police have registered 18 FIRs and arrested 106 people in connection with the violence in which 38 people, including a police head constable and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Ankit Sharma, died. Around 200 people have sustained serious injuries in the communal violence that raged for three days in several areas of North-East Delhi. Properties worth crores of rupees have been damaged in the arson. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DETROIT -- A federal judge didnt believe the apology given by a Michigan woman convicted of fraud after she misled more than a dozen couples regarding potential adoptions. However, U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman was unable to hand down the sentence he wanted due to sentencing guidelines, according to the Associated Press. That meant Tara Lee, the 36-year-old woman convicted in the scheme has the chance to walk free one day. Unfortunately I cant give it to you. It would be a no-brainer," U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman said regarding her preferred sentence. You deserve life. Youve ruined peoples lives for generations. Friedman eventually handed out a 10-year and one month prison sentence to Lee. The sentence came after Friedman listened to several victims share their stories on how Lee deceived them, stole their money and gave them false hope about adopting a child. An estimated 17 families were schemed by Lee who told the families she could help them adopt and even went so far as to share progress updates with the families. Lee also encouraged different families to buy things for their soon-to-arrive children such as car seats, cribs and clothes. Eventually, Lee would tell the families the expectant birth mother backed out and the couples were no longer going to adopt the child they were promised. Lee would make up names of potential birth mothers and went so far as to share an ultrasound photo with one couple. Prosecutors alleged Lee collected more than $2.1 million from the families between 2014 and 2018. Lee cried as she spoke in court, asking the judge for mercy in the process. I would swim any ocean, I would climb any mountain to undo the hurt that I did," Lee said while addressing the court. I pray every night for the forgiveness of everyone on that indictment and everyone not on that indictment. Friedman shrugged off the apology saying Lee was evil and that shes done damage to the families that cannot be undone. You ripped their hearts. You put an arrow through their hearts, Friedman said. Although he could not impose the life sentence he wanted to, Friedman added a specific requirement for Lee to complete her sentence. Friedman ordered Lee to read aloud and record an estimated 40 written statements that were submitted by victims ahead of the hearing. If you miss even one word, youre going to start over again, Friedman said. Mumbai, Feb 27 : Filmmaker-choreographer Remo DSouza is impressed with "Step Up 2" fame Hollywood actor-choreographer Robert Hoffman's new music video "Aag Ka Gola L.A", noting how Hoffman and his work have inspired him. "I am very happy that Robert is here. It's great to see him here because you all know that I made a dance film, and I got inspired after watching 'Step Up'. And here, I am standing with Robert who has been a part of 'Step Up'. He is great dancer and actor," said Remo, while intracting with the media when Robert Hoffman visited his shooting set. Remo added: "You see a very different Robert in this video, because we have seen him dancing on streets and in a cool avatar and this (music video) is very intense and serious kind of a thing, which is very amazing. It shows that he is a great actor." Sharing his experience meeting Remo D'Souza, Hoffman said: "He is a gentleman. I enjoyed speaking with him. I appreciate being welcome to the set. I am very excited about how colorful this set is." The video of "Aag Ka Gola L.A" features Robert Hoffman with Jas Sagu. The song is sung by Saurabh Shetye and composed by Saurabh Durgesh. The video is directed by Arsala Qureishi. Remo, who has directed dance films like "ABCD: Any Body Can Dance", "ABCD " and "Street Dancer 3D", did his bit to hardsell Hoffman's video: "I have come here to support Blow Media's video 'Aag Ka Gola L.A'. It is a premiere video.." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Samsung Mobile is Indias Most Desired Brand in 2020 according to TRA Research victory in six editions of the report. The brand also led the list in 2018, 2015 and 2013 reports as well. Technology giant Apple takes the 2nd place up one rank from last year, having climbed steadily over the years from rank 290 in 2015 to the exalted place this year. Samsung features again at 3rd rank in the Consumer Electronics Category. Sony TV, the GEC channel is a debut entry and rises by an impressive 594 ranks to occupy the 4th position this year followed by Maruti Suzuki at 5th. The Austin-based laptop maker Dell secures 6th rank; Samsung in Televisions at 7th, Amul Milk at 8th, Honda Activa at 9th and Hyundai at 10th follow sequentially. The MDB 2020 list has 394 new brand entries which did not feature in the last edition. N. Chandramouli, CEO, TRA Research, said at the launch of the report, Desire is a longing for a brand irrespective of its need, and the success of a brand is highly dependent on the desire quotient it emanates. The brands which feature in this list have been able to exude a deep magnetic pull that impacts the consumer at a subliminal level. TRAs syndicated research is based on our proprietary Brand Desire Matrix which measures consumers expressions of desire on 36 intangible attributes of a brand. MDB 2020 lists 1000 brands across 326 Categories and 39 Super-Categories. The F&B Category has 159 brands in the report and FMCG features 129, totalling 28.8% of the listing. Automobile features 75 brands, Consumer Electronics lists 59 and BFSI & Personal Accessories have 56 brands each. The Fashion-to-Financial Services conglomerate, Tata Group, leads with 29 brands featured, of which ten are Category leaders. Godrej Group has 11 brands listed with three Category leaders and Amul gets 9 brands included in the report of which eight top respective Categories. Indian brands dominate the top 100 of Indias Most Desired list featuring 42 brands, followed by 15 American, 12 Japanese and 11 South Korean brands. 6 German brands also feature of which three luxury car brands dominate the list. 4 UK brands make it to top 100, and the three Chinese brands which are included in the list are from the Mobile Phone category. AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Acadeum, developer of the popular Academic Sharing Platform, which now supports a network of more than 200 colleges and universities to share online courses, today announced a $7 million Series A investment led by the Lumina Foundation and along with Rethink Education, LearnStart and Socratic Ventures. "Lack of access to in-demand courses all too often presents a barrier to completion for students," said Brad Kelsheimer, vice president and chief financial officer with Lumina Foundation. "Through its course-sharing marketplace, Acadeum addresses this challenge by supporting colleges and universities in unlocking their collective course capacity to help students get the courses they need when they need them." Founded in 2016, Acadeum supports the formation of course-sharing consortia for institutions of higher education, including the Council of Independent Colleges, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, and Digitex. The consortial model allows faculty to review and select courses from other participating institutions that, unlike transfer courses, fully count toward graduation requirements, GPA, and financial aid. To date, Acadeum's platform has powered more than 150 separate consortia, resulting in 5,000 students completing courses. Institutions have used the consortial model to advance a variety of solutions to improve retention and graduation rates, while collectively generating over $10 million in additional revenue. "Our work is rooted in a belief that deep collaboration is at the core of lasting innovation in higher education, as it has been in many other sectors," said Josh Pierce, CEO and co-founder of Acadeum. "It reflects the transformative impact of interoperability and open networks to expand access and options for students while simultaneously enabling institutions to specialize and refine sustainable financial models." By facilitating consortia between and among institutions, Acadeum's Academic Sharing Platform, allows colleges and universities to seamlessly exchange academic resources, student and enrollment data, and financial payments. Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, now uses the platform to offer online courses from other institutions to better meet the needs of Eureka students at risk of dropping out. Through this model, Eureka has increased first-year retention by 6.4% while adding more than $400,000 of revenue in the 2019-2020 academic year. This investment will allow Acadeum to grow and strengthen the communities of course-sharing institutions while expanding the use of best practices through the consortial model. About Acadeum Acadeum is a network of colleges and universities committed to sharing high-quality online courses to improve student success. Together, we're unlocking the collective potential of institutions to ensure that all learners have access to the courses they need when and where they need them. More than 200 colleges and universities are powered by Acadeum's cross-enrollment platform to access these course-sharing networks and improve student retention and completion while increasing institutional revenue. To learn more about Acadeum, please visit: www.acadeum.com SOURCE Acadeum Related Links http://www.acadeum.com Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/26/2020 -- According to the new market research report "IGBT & Thyristor Market by Packaging Type (IGBT Discrete, IGBT Module), Power Rating (Medium Power IGBT, High Power IGBT), Voltage (Below 400V, 600-650V), Application (Power Transmission Systems, Motor Drives), and Region - Global Forecast to 2024", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global IGBT market size is estimated to grow from USD 5.3 billion in 2020 to USD 6.6 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 4.6%. The global thyristor market size is expected to grow from USD 781 million in 2020 to USD 849 million by 2025, at a CAGR of 1.7%. The key factors fueling the growth of the IGBT and thyristor market are the implementation of government initiatives in various countries towards the replacement of aging power infrastructure, and the adoption of electric motors in industrial, commercial, and residential applications. Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=1323 "IGBT module accounted for a large share of the IGBT market in 2019." IGBT module accounted for a large share of the IGBT market in 2019, driven by the increasing adoption of electric and hybrid electric vehicles all over the world. Countries such as Germany, the US, China, and Belgium have contributed significantly to the global sales of EVs/HEVs. IGBT modules are suitable for high-power applications, such as EVs/HEVs. Moreover, government initiatives undertaken around the world to promote the use of HVDC systems for long-distance power transmissions are fueling the demand for IGBT modules. HVDC projects such as Viking Link (UKDenmark), RussiaJapan Energy Bridge (RussiaJapan), Buk DangjinGodeok HVDC transmission link (South Korea) are expected to foster the growth of the market for IGBT modules in the near future. "Demand for medium-high power IGBT expected to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period" The high power IGBT (more than 1 MW) is projected to lead the IGBT market with the highest CAGR from 2020 to 2025. This growth is attributed to the growing adoption of high-power IGBTs in HVDC systems, wind turbines, solar inverters, and EVs/HEVs. High-power IGBTs can operate on more than 1 MW power, which makes it suitable for high-power applications. The replacement of aging power transmission lines to HVDC and FACTS has contributed significantly to the growth of high-power IGBTs. Atlantic Wind Connection Transmission (US), Grain Belt Express Clean Line (US), and TransWest Express Transmission (US), Zhou Shan, Gezhouba Shanghai (China), Tian-Guang (China), and Three Gorges Changzhou (China), Russia Japan Energy Bridge (RussiaJapan) are some of the HVDC projects that have had a significant impact on the market growth. "Power transmission systems accounted for the largest share of the global thyristor market in 2019" The power transmission systems application held the largest share of the thyristor market in 2019. The major factor contributing to the growth of this application is the increasing deployment of thyristors in HVDC systems and FACTS due to their low-power loss capability. HVDC systems and FACTS employ thyristors to DC to AC and AC to DC conversion. Increasing number of HVDC and FACTS projects, such as the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) Transmission Lines (China), RussiaJapan Energy Bridge (RussiaJapan), Atlantic Wind Connection Transmission (US), BRITIB Project (SpainFranceUK), and the Grain Belt Express Clean Line (US), has driven the market growth over the years. Browse in-depth TOC on "IGBT & Thyristor Market" 105 Tables 70 Figures 184 Pages Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=1323 "APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period." APAC is projected to lead the global IGBT market at the highest CAGR from 2020 to 2025. This growth can be attributed to the increasing sale of electric and hybrid electric vehicles in APAC countries. China, Japan, South Korea, and India are the major markets for EVs/HEVs in APAC. In 2018, China alone accounted for 98% of the global sales of electric buses, which has contributed significantly to the dominance of APAC. Initiatives taken by the governments of APAC countries to promote the use of these vehicles are expected to further drive the market demand in the near future. For instance, the Indian government approved the subsidy of USD 1.4 billion to support domestic manufacturers of electric vehicles. Also, the presence of a few of the world's largest wind farms and major solar power projects in the region has driven the growth of the IGBT market. Infineon Technologies AG (Germany), Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. (Japan), ON Semiconductor (US), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), and STMicroelectronics (Switzerland) are the key players in the IGBT & thyristor market. These players are increasingly undertaking strategies such as product launches, partnerships, collaborations, contracts, agreements, acquisitions, and expansions to increase their market share. Related Reports: HVDC Transmission Market by Component (Converter Stations, Transmission Cables, and Others), Project Type (Point-to-Point, Back-to-Back, and Multi-Terminal), Technology (CCC, VSC, and lCC), Application, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2024 GaN Power Device Market by Device Type (Power, RF Power), Voltage Range, Application (Power Drives, Supply & Inverter, and RF), Vertical (Telecommunications, Consumer, Automotive, Military, Defense, Aerospace), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Sanjay Gupta MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com RAANANA, Israel, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- DriveNets , the networking software company today announced that the Open Compute Project (OCP) have selected UfiSpace, Credo and DriveNets to give the first ever live demonstration of a Distributed Disaggregated Chassis (DDC) model as proposed to the OCP by AT&T . The demonstration in the OCP Experience Center on March 4-5th will be the largest live demonstration of a distributed router cluster ever given in public. The technology is aligned with the vision of TIP (Telecom Infra Project) who also invited DriveNets and UfiSpace to advise on their Disaggregated Open Router Initiative and ensure its alignment with the OCP's efforts around network disaggregation. "This demonstration is a key milestone in our efforts to open and disaggregate the traditional network architecture. The demonstration by UfiSpace, Credo and DriveNets is a great proof point for our vision of building any size router in a flexible, low-cost way - from a single white box to a cluster of white boxes supporting a single router entity of 100Tbps," said Rajeev Sharma, Software and Technologies Director, OCP Visitors to The Experience Center will see a software based router with a cluster size of 96Tbps with a mix of 100G and 400G interfaces. Participants are also invited to the Experience Centre Lightning Talks for detailed information on the solution. Following the event, DriveNets, UfiSpace and Credo are planning to submit the design of this demonstration to the OCP as an official reference design. "We believe that the need to substantially increase network scale, while controlling its cost, created an inflection point for service provider networking. High-scale disaggregated routers suitable for core and edge networks, like the one demonstrated with DriveNets Network Cloud, offer a new foundation upon which the market can build an open and more profitable model. Our new subgroup committed to it DOR (Disaggregated Open Router) will be aligned with the OCP efforts singling the strength of support and unity for this end," said Attilio Zani, Executive Director TIP In September AT&T submitted their whitebox design to OCP and DriveNets is building on this vision of a large scale distributed routing solution running over a disaggregated cluster of white boxes with new innovative vendors such as UfiSpace, Credo and others bringing fresh energy and possibilities to the service provider market. A Heavy Reading report recently found that almost half of service providers predict a radical overhaul of their networks in the next three years. "Collaboration with OCP and TIP is an extension of our efforts to build an industry ecosystem that supports our vision of disaggregated core and edge networks. Demonstrating a large routing cluster of 96Tbps with white boxes from UfiSpace, connected by Credo's innovative HiWire technology CLOS Active Electrical Cables and running DriveNets Network Cloud is a triumphant moment for the industry," said Ido Susan, CEO and Co-Founder, DriveNets About DriveNets DriveNets helps Communications Service Providers (CSPs) take advantage of the greatest demand surge in Telco history, substantially growing their profitability by changing their technological and economic models. DriveNets' solution Network Cloud changes the traditional networking architecture that has been in place for the past twenty years by adapting the architectural model of hyperscalers to Telco-grade networking. Network Cloud is a cloud-native software that runs over standard white-boxes, radically simplifying the network's operational model, offering Telco-scale performance at a much lower cost. DriveNets was founded by Ido Susan and Hillel Kobrinsky, two successful Telco entrepreneurs. Susan previously co-founded Intucell, the company that invented the Self Optimizing Network (SON) which was acquired by Cisco in 2013 for $475 million. Kobrinsky founded the web conferencing specialist, Interwise, which was acquired by AT&T for $121 million. About Credo Credo is a leading provider of high performance, mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for the data center, enterprise networking and high-performance computing markets. Credo's advanced Serializer-Deserializer (SerDes) technology delivers the bandwidth scalability and end-to-end signal integrity for next generation platforms requiring single-lane 25G, 50G, and 100G connectivity for 100G, 200G, 400G, and 800G port enabled networks. Credo's HiWire Active Electrical Cables deliver plug and play 400G connectivity today that is more affordable than optical solutions and more reliable than copper. For more information, please visit: www.credosemi.com. About UfiSpace Ufi Space Co., Ltd. spearheads the 5G network white-box platform solution by providing US major network operator the capability to support legacy baseband unit systems and next-gen 5G baseband unit systems operating at 10/25 Gbps and with backhaul speeds of 100/400 Gbps. UfiSpace has been a champion for open commodity hardware and disaggregated NOS architecture which enables a more flexible, scalable and cost-effective alternative to the traditional proprietary, closed system. UfiSpace leverages its expertise in hardware platform together with orchestration and virtualization techniques developed by partners to accelerate 5G deployment and the transformation in software defined infrastructure. Media Contact Judith Arkush ju[email protected] +972-52-351-7698 SOURCE DriveNets Margate's iconic Lucy the Elephant will be listed on Airbnb for the first time. Read more Tired of staying at Shore houses each year that sort of all blend together in your memory? Now, a lucky few can have a one-of-a-kind experience staying inside a famous giant elephant. On Thursday, Margates Lucy the Elephant joined the ranks of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, the Goodyear blimp, and Mattels Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse as iconic and nostalgic and short-term Airbnb listings. Lucy, one of the oldest examples of a building in the shape of an animal, is one of the first National Historic Landmarks to appear on Airbnb. In a special promotion, the beloved six-story wooden elephant will be available for one-night stays on March 17, 18, and 19 only. Two adults per night can book a stay at airbnb.com/lucy starting at noon on March 5, first come, first served. Children arent allowed. READ MORE: Lucy the Elephant, endangered no more, gets a 20- year lease to stay in Margate A stay will cost $138 per night, in honor of the 138 years Lucy has been welcoming visitors to the Jersey Shore town. Airbnb users are increasingly looking to stay in unique places like Lucy, the company says. Airbnb guests also can sleep in a UFO in the United Kingdom, a fairy-tale-inspired boot in New Zealand, a covered wagon in Arizona, and a supersized spud in (where else?) Idaho. Airbnb and the Save Lucy Committee, the nonprofit that restored and looks after Lucy and manages her social calendar, reached out to each other at the same time with the idea to add Lucy to the list. Airbnb sent a team a few weeks ago. They fell in love with her. Cause how could you not? said Rich Helfant, executive director of the Save Lucy Committee. Helfant, whose voicemail tells callers to have an elephant-astic day, has been volunteering for Lucy for more than 50 years and will host those who stay. READ MORE: Lucy the Elephant is Margates Eiffel Tower | Opinion The Margate landmark originally was built to attract real estate buyers to the area. Each year, more than 130,000 people visit the elephant, which is typically open for tours and events. She hosted President Woodrow Wilson. She was a tavern for one season in 1903, until several kerosene fires put an end to that. Shes been the site for weddings and bat mitzvahs and a run for president. Lucy held a Valentines Day dinner for 13 couples this month, complete with a harpist. READ MORE: See photos of the Jersey landmark Lucy the Elephant from over the years. As Margate Mayor Mike Becker told The Inquirer in 2018, Lucy is Margate. Anything we can do to promote the city, were very much in favor of, he said Wednesday. Lucys 50-year lease on the city-owned land where she stands was set to expire at the end of 2019, but Margate officials approved a 20-year lease for Lucy to stay put, ending speculation about the elephants fate. The lease will renew automatically every five years. Staying in Lucy should appeal to lovers of roadside Americana, as well as elephants, Airbnb spokesperson Liz DeBold Fusco said. She just really inspires your imagination. Shes just so charming. Everyone has fond memories of her, she said. Theoretically, there is an audience of millions of people around the world who love Lucy and would want to spend the night. READ MORE: Margate in 2018: Were not trying to evict Lucy the Elephant Lucy hasnt hosted overnight guests since 1902, when a British family of six called her home for the summer. In a nod to the time, Airbnb transformed the elephants interior, which was largely empty, into a Victorian cottage, with period-specific wall art and furnishings and Oriental rugs. Theres a lounge area and queen-size bed. Some local art and mirrors adorn the inside walls of Lucys belly, which has heat and air-conditioning. Guests can dine at the table in her head. They can gaze at the beach through the windows of Lucys eyes and sides or from the riding carriage on top of her back. But one thing Lucy doesnt have is a bathroom. So Airbnb is renting a trailer with a toilet, sink, and shower that will be parked at Lucys side. Helfant knows there will be lots of interest in sleeping over, but he said the committee doesnt intend to turn Lucy into another Shore rental. Our intent was to find a vehicle to help create further awareness of Lucy and spread the word beyond surrounding Jersey Shore towns, he said. Airbnb is making a substantial donation to the Save Lucy Committee toward ongoing preservation, said Helfant, who along with Airbnb declined to disclose the amount. The gift during the Shores off-season is very welcome, he said. The donation will go toward a major renovation. Lucys many layers of paint must be stripped down to the tin that covers her wooden structure so she can be repainted. Its set to cost a cool half-million dollars. The committee has no plans to open Lucy for more overnight rentals beyond the three days in March. But, Helfant said, nothing is ever off the table when it comes to Lucy. When the Night Noodle Markets train rolls into Perth each year you can always be sure to find a new crowd-pleaser. The Night Noodle Market will move from Elizabeth Quay to Yagan Square. And this year, if the reviews from around the rest of the country are to be believed, that will be newcomer Kumokumo with its luxurious dessert souffle pancakes. Their specialty is a Japanese soft cream, a unique formula not available anywhere else in Australia inspired by Japans Cremia, made with 25 per cent cream and with a 10 per cent milkfat content. That compares to traditional soft serves fat content of six to eight per cent which means Kumokumos offering is incredibly creamy. A clothing store has refused to stop selling T-shirts with 'wife basher' written on them despite backlash following recent domestic violence cases. Krazy Tees in Mandurah in Western Australia sells clothing with various provocative phrases. The store has come under fire for a shirt in its window with 'wife basher' emblazoned on the chest over the Swan Brewery logo. Krazy Tees in Mandurah have come under fire for selling t-shirts with 'wife basher' written on them Store owner Anthony Hiscox defended the shirt, despite a recent spate of horrific domestic violence cases around the country. 'Obviously it's a joke,' Mr Hiscox told The Mandurah Mail. Mr Hiscox said he hadn't received any complaints about the shirt in store and would be leaving them out for sale. 'We're certainly not trying to glorify anything - at the end of the day it's a t-shirt, and that's the old nickname for Emu Export,' he said. The clothing store sells t-shirts with various provocative and grotesque phrases on them The store also sells shirts that read 'I got crabs in Mandurah' and 'I'm not gay but $20 is $20.' A Halls Head resident who chose to remain anonymous was scathing of the store for advertising the shirt after Rowan Baxter murdered his family in Brisbane last week. 'What type of person would deliberately dress a mannequin in that and put it in the window? It just beggars belief that Krazy Tees would do something like this,' she said. She said she would not be shopping at Krazy Tees again. Daily Mail Australia have reached out to Krazy Tees for comment. Our guide to dance performances happening this weekend and in the week ahead. BALLET VLAANDEREN at the Joyce Theater (March 3-5, 7:30 p.m.; March 5, 8 p.m.; through March 7). Also known as the Royal Ballet of Flanders, this Belgian company marks its 50th anniversary with a program by three top international choreographers flaunting its polished contemporary style. Kaash, by Akram Khan, depicts a version of the goddess Shiva, with design by Anish Kapoor and a score by Nitin Sawhney, who also contributes music to Sidi Larbi Cherkaouis sensual duet, Faun, with a modern take on Debussys late 19th-century symphonic poem Prelude a lapres-midi dun faune. Rounding out the program is Ten Duets on a Theme of Rescue by Crystal Pite. It exhibits her mix of sleek turbulence and shadowy elegance. 212-242-0800, joyce.org KIMBERLY BARTOSIK at New York Live Arts (March 4-7, 7:30 p.m.). For this choreographer, the body is a vessel for all the turmoil of our lives, which expresses itself through unbridled exertion. In her new work, Through the Mirror of Their Eyes, the captivating performers Joanna Kotze, Dylan Crossman and Burr Johnson are a volatile trio swirling around the stage like a hurricane to a score by Sivan Jacobovitz. Then, in comes three young dancers Dahlia Bartosik-Murray, Hunter Liss and Winter Willis who deftly navigate the tempest and ultimately lead the way. Like Bartosiks previous work, this one captures the chaos of the world and proposes a path forward. 212-691-6500, newyorklivearts.org [Read about the events that our other critics have chosen for the week ahead.] DANIEL LEVEILLE DANSE at the 92nd Street Y (Feb. 28, 8 p.m.; Feb. 29, 4 and 8 p.m.). This Montreal company is the latest participant in the 92Ys Harkness Dance Festival, in a performance of The Fading of the Marvelous, by the Canadian choreographer Catherine Gaudet. In the work, five dancers men and women, all topless move together in unison under bright lights, then separate into spastic solos in which they explore competing sensations. They get sweatier and sweatier until theyre grooving and glistening under moody lights, illustrating Gaudets interest in how the body transforms individually and collectively. 212-415-5500, 92y.org A multimillionaire before the age of 30, Elon Musk is known for his eccentric hobbies and entrepreneurial endeavors. Born in South Africa, the Tesla Motors giant moved to the United States in 1992. He became highly successful after launching Zip2 Corporation at the height of the internet boom. Musks company was acquired by Compaq Computer, and in 1999 Musk created PayPal. He sold to eBay in 2002, making his first billion. This led to his newest endeavor, SpaceX, which is working on the development of commercial space travel. Aside from his business ventures, he has also found time for love. Social media is currently exploding with rumors that Musk is expecting another child. Elon Musks family life Elon Musk | Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images In 2000, Musk married Justine Wilson. Together they had six children, all boys. Their first child died from SIDS in 2002. His twin boys, Griffin and Xavier, were born in 2004. Two years later, triplets, Kai, Saxon, and Damian were born. The couple divorced in 2008, and Musk began dating Talulah Riley, whom he eventually married in 2010. They divorced in 2012, remarried in 2013, and divorced again in 2016. Once the rocky relationship was finally over, Musk went on to date Johnny Depps former girlfriend, Amber Heard. They also had an on-again-off-again relationship, breaking up in 2017, getting back together in January of 2018, and splitting up again for good in February. In May of 2018, Musk began dating Canadian feminist alternative musician Grimes. Musks relationship with Grimes In 2018, Musk appeared at the Met Gala with Grimes on his arm. According to Page Six, the couple met online when Musk discovered a joke about artificial intelligence on Grimes Twitter account. Musk reached out to Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher. With a double major in psychology and philosophy and a minor in Russian Studies, she seems to be a match for Musks mental gymnastics. They started dating and, as with past relationships, have experienced an on-again-off-again romance. After the Gala, the two unfollowed each other on social media but then reconnected soon thereafter. Grimes was recently seen with Musk in the Cybertruck prototype as they drove around Los Angeles together. Grimes cryptic pregnancy announcement on Instagram In January of 2020, Grimes posted a photo to Instagram showing her pregnant belly with a red triangle drawn on it. There was no caption, leaving people to wonder if this was real or her interpretation of art. Musk responded cryptically to the post, saying x is y. Grimes posted again, with a semi-nude photo of herself, with a fetus photoshopped onto her stomach. The image was later removed from the Instagram platform. Then came a fury of memes, as the internet speculated whether Musk was the father. In February of 2020, Grimes confirmed on Instagram that she was 25 weeks pregnant, stating, Fake or real? Haha. Wow Im starting to feel bad haha how do yall cope with working and having a baby. Im sorry I havent been promoting my album properly or on social media more. This whole thing has been a bit of an ordeal. Had some complications early on, a decent second trimester but starting to hurt everywhere at 25 wksz. What the future holds for the couple Musk has not posted any confirmation of becoming a father again on his Twitter account. The couple was spotted together at a Kardashian Christmas Eve party in December of 2019. So, for now, it seems their relationship is in the on status. Only time will tell in the next few months, whether the couple has what it takes to stay together and raise a child. Eleven per cent of lead tests from school and daycare water samples exceeded the national safety guideline last year, according to new provincial data analyzed by the Star. In the past three years, more than a third of schools and daycares that tested for lead 36 per cent had at least one exceedance of Health Canadas guideline of 5 parts per billion (ppb). More than half of public schools that tested in that time 54 per cent registered at least one exceedance. Dozens of exceedances of lead a neurotoxin that has been shown to impact cognitive development and lower IQ in children were recorded in some the provinces most distinguished educational institutions. At Upper Canada College, one of Ontarios priciest private schools, 88 of the 478 tests registered in the data 18 per cent exceeded the Health Canada guideline. The wellbeing and safety of our community is a central priority at Upper Canada College, the school said in a written statement. UCC has and will continue to conduct regular sampling and testing of all drinking water fixtures across campus in accordance with the Provincial Safe Drinking Water Act. The new findings follow the publication of a national investigation, conducted by nine universities and 10 media organizations, including the Star, Global News and Concordia Universitys Institute for Investigative Journalism, in November in which two previous years of lead testing data analyzed showed more than 2,400 Ontario schools and daycares exceeded the federal guideline for lead in drinking water. The new data from the 2018-19 school year shows a slight increase in the percentage of lead exceedances over the previous two years up from 9 per cent to 11 per cent. There remains no provincial policy mandating school boards to report lead exceedances to parents and students. In November, Environment Minister Jeff Yurek said parents and students could be better informed when lead exceedances are found, saying Ive spoken with the minister of education to look to how we can remedy this situation going forward...We know we can do better. No policy changes have followed. Yurek declined interview requests for this story. In a written statement, ministry officials said the province has provided $1.4 billion in funding in the 2018-19 school year to renew Ontario schools and ensure that major repair and replacement work can be undertaken, which could include replacement of plumbing systems and fixtures. The backlog of school repairs currently sits at an estimatedf $16 billion. The ministry statement says the province also requires schools and daycares to make lead test results and flushing records from the past two years available to the public during business hours. That is a form of transparency that failed to provide knowledge of lead risks to Jack Wilson and Emma Stuart-Kiss, two 17-year-olds at Ursula Franklin Academy in Toronto. Following the Stars investigation in November, the two began investigating the water theyve been drinking during their high school years. We were shocked, said Stuart-Kiss, editor of the school newspaper, The Franklin. (We) are very concerned with the lead levels in our school and the lack of transparency surrounding them...We have both been attending our school for four years and have never been informed of the lead exceedances. In a recently published opinion piece for the school paper, Stuart-Kiss wrote: Through the deflection of blame and failure to surpass the low bar of Ministry regulations, it becomes apparent that without action and outcry, nothing will change. Apparently, safety and accountability are too much to ask for. Wilson, who is planning to study journalism in university next year, obtained all of the schools tests and reported all but three water fixtures at Ursula Franklin Academy have shown at least some amount of lead. There was 20 ppb in 2017 and we've been drinking that water without knowing. At University of Toronto Schools a prestigious Toronto private school temporarily operating out of a building on Humbert Street in Toronto, 31 exceedances of the federal guideline triggered a 21-per-cent overall exceedance rate. Rosemary Evans, principal of the school with 667 students in Grades 7 to 12, said the high lead levels prompted staff to cap off a drinking fountain and place "handwashing only" signs on sinks in science labs, classrooms, bathrooms. Following publication of the stories in November, the school sent information to parents and students. But the messaging did not detail the number or nature of exceedances at the school, Evans said. She said a clear ministry policy would help guide schools in what they should be communicating to parents and students. "If everybody had to conform to the same standard, that would help. If it applied across the board to all schools, that would clarify the expectations. I think it's a necessity to pay attention. This is a significant health issue. You have to find a way to meet the standard. Over the past three years, dozens of schools and daycares have measured dramatic lead spikes above 1,000 ppb a level experts say can immediately impact blood lead levels in a child and risk harm to cognitive development. Last year alone, 13 schools and daycares broke the 1,000 ppb level in their test results. For nearly two decades, a water fountain inside Woodbridges Lorna Jackson Public School dispensed drinking water to students without being tested for lead. When school officials did test it in 2018, they discovered some of the highest lead spikes in the province including single highest reading in Ontario last year at 7,150 ppb along with another at 1,880 ppb and an overall exceedance rate of 54 per cent. All of the high readings were taken from a single water fountain, said Kori Zsigmond, environmental safety officer with the York Region District School Board. We tried to troubleshoot. We replaced components and valves. But I could never pinpoint the cause...I wish I had a definitive answer on where it came from. The exceedances were logged over 10 months between May 2018 and February 2019, the data shows. The school, which has 450 students, ultimately removed the fountain from use in November of last year, Zsigmond said. John XXIII Elementary School in North Bay (amalgamated in 2014 to Holy Cross) also logged two exceedances above 1,000 ppb (1,740 and 1,610 ppb) and an overall exceedance of 50 per cent with 12 tests over the national guideline. Nine of the exceedances were from three fixtures that were removed and replaced with one new fixture and plumbing, said Kate Bondett, a spokesperson with the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board. Two other fixtures in exceedance have tested under 5 ppb when flushed and continue to be flushed daily prior to school opening for the day, said Bondett in a statement. We continue to adhere to provincial guidelines and act diligently when test results indicate action is required. Sainte-Marie Catholic Secondary School in Temiskaming Shores had 68 exceedances of the national guideline 52 per cent of all tests including readings of 1,270 and 959 ppb. Richard Loiselle, director of communications with Le Conseil scolaire catholique de district des Grandes-Rivieres, which includes the 300-student Sainte-Marie high school, said officials replaced faucets and added posters beside others warning they cant be used for water consumption. The French Catholic board does not have a policy for informing students and parents about lead exceedances, said Loiselle. I know we dont have a policy but whether or not we inform parents, I dont know. We follow the ministry guidelines. Among daycares, Christopher Childrens Centre in Cambridge topped the list of exceedances with 21 last year 37 per cent of all tests. The daycare services infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Parents were not notified because the centre was closed for the summer at the time of the initial testing, said Bryan Stortz, a spokesperson with the Region of Waterloo which operates the centre. Neither children nor teachers were present during that time and there was little if any risk. Health Canada adopted the 5 ppb guideline last year cutting it in half from 10 ppb in response to growing concerns about the long-term health risks from lead. While Ontario continues to use 10 ppb threshhold for lead in water, provincial officials told the Star they are reviewing the federal standard for adoption. Experts agree there is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (C) speaks to passengers on board the Westerdam cruise ship in Sihanoukville, Feb. 14, 2020, after the liner docked after being refused entry at other Asian ports due to fears of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Hun Sen called on China Wednesday to airlift raw materials to Cambodia to keep the garment sector in the country working through the coronavirus epidemic that has stifled industry and travel around the region. Hun Sens appeal, made at a speech in the presence of Chinas ambassador, came as Southeast Asian countries continued to struggle with the impact of the COVID-19 sickness on their economic ties with China and the thousands of citizens living there or in coronavirus-hit South Korea. Cambodia, whose textile sector gets some 60 percent of its inputs from China, could leasing aircraft from Phnom Penh's airport to help transport raw materials if China agreed, Hun Said said at a speech to open a highway. We could rent the cargo planes from Cambodia to transport raw materials from China, he said. It could help the survival of our workers who are facing the loss of their jobs due to the factories being shut down, because of the raw materials shortage, he said, speaking in the presence of Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian. Wang gave no reply. On Monday, Hun Sen unveiled plans to give tax breaks to garment factories, as well as other subsidies from the national budget. He proposed paying workers 40 percent of the current minimum wage for up to six months in the event that production is suspended, while the government provides workers an additional 20 percent of the minimum wage over the same period. Some factories in Cambodia have decided to suspend their workers for a short time due to the materials shortage and the effect of the Covid-19 in China. In Vietnam, meanwhile, the countrys national steering committee for COVID-19 prevention and control called for a quarantine on all Vietnamese people returning from South Korea, , which the largest national total of COVID-19 anywhere outside China, where the virus first emerged. The Vietnamese Health Ministry has mandated that all passengers coming from coronavirus affected areas be quarantined for 14 days. The Vietnamese government -- which estimates that there are some 200,000 Vietnamese people living, studying or working in South Korea has ordered the ministries of education, training and labor to provide lists of students, laborers and others from Vietnam who reside in South Korea. Vietnams Ministry of Labor said Monday it was working on a plan to bring home about 20,000 Vietnamese overseas laborers in affected areas like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. The ministries were also told to spread the word to citizens with relatives living in South Korean to avoid travel to other areas in South Korea. Vietnam has imposed strict controls at border gates and airports on travelers from or through the infected areas and repatriated Vietnamese would have to undergo a 14-day quarantine. On Tuesday, Ho Chi Minh City Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong said an outbreak would catch the city of 9 million people without enough doctors or nurses. He told state media that citys hospitals can hold only 900 patients, while if the 322 communes or districts in the city had just three infected cases each, it would mean that nearly 1,000 patients would require quarantine and treatment. These requirements would exceed the citys pool of available medical personnel, he said. In Myanmar--which has millions of its citizens living outside the country in Thailand, China, South Korea and Japanthere is rising concern about the coronavirus, even though the country has not had a case. On Tuesday, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi said that her government aimed to evacuate the Myanmar citizens who has been stranded in China and want to return to Myanmar. It was not clear when this would happen, amid airport closures, quarantines and other travel restrictions. Myanmar migrant worker Than Lay, working in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, said he was getting by on simple foods, with roads and markets near him closed. Ive relied on a small food stall in the neighborhood for my daily meals, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. We cant have a decent meal since the markets are closed. We have only dried rations like rice, cooking oil, salts, eggs and seasoning. We dont have fresh meat and fish now, added Than Lay, who is one of an estimated two million Myanmar nationals living in China. Similar restrictions were affecting many of the 50,000 Myanmar expatriates in South Korea, said Win Myint Oo, a Myanmar resident of Seoul. It is almost impossible to get out of Seoul for now since there are blockages. Very few people go out and dont go to the crowded places, he told RFA. Zeyar Tin Win Htin, a Myanmar diplomat working in South Korea, said his office was scrambling to help migrant workers keep their papers in order amid the epidemic. As for our embassy, we have been providing services related citizenship, such as the extension of passport or certificate of identification, he said. Reported by Khet Mar for RFAs Myanmar Service, and by the Khmer and Vietnamese Services. Translated by Pheap Aun, Huy Le and Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Paul Eckert. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS. The Sumgait pogroms marked the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, when Azerbaijan responded to the peaceful appeal of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination with mass violence and pogroms of Armenians. This in fact also formed the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: to ensure the security of the people of Artsakh through exercise of their right to self-determination, reads the statement issued by the Foreign Ministry of Armenia on the anniversary of the Armenian pogroms in Sumgait. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, the statement runs as follows, Today we are commemorating the victims of the anti-Armenian pogroms in Sumgait. In the closing days of February, 1988, the Armenian population of Sumgait was subjected to mass killings and atrocities, perpetrated with unspeakable cruelty. The Sumgait pogroms marked the beginning of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, when Azerbaijan responded to the peaceful appeal of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh to self-determination with mass violence and pogroms of Armenians. This in fact also formed the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: to ensure the security of the people of Artsakh through exercise of their right to self-determination. The Sumgait atrocity was the first identity-based mass crime in Europe since the end of the Second World War, and it was followed by better planned new crimes of wider scale in Baku, Kirovabad and occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic - Shahumyan region, parts of Martakert and Martuni regions. Azerbaijani authorities assessment of Sumgait massacre clearly reflects the absence of their willingness to solve the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. For three decades Azerbaijani authorities shifted their assessment tactics - from glorification of perpetrators to blaming victims in organizing the pogroms. Only the absence of will of the Azerbaijani side to take responsibility for massive and grave human rights violations, and their genocidal intent against Armenians remain unchanged. Today we commemorate the victims of the Sumgait massacres with a strong commitment to prevent such crimes against the Armenian people. The University of California (UC) strike is a political struggle. UC strikers and supporters can hear Socialist Equality Party presidential and vice-presidential candidates Joseph Kishore and Norissa Santa Cruz speak next week at townhall meetings at UC Berkeley (March 3), UC Los Angeles (March 4), and San Diego (March 5). Read her statement on the UC struggle here. For striking graduate students at the University of California (UC), Santa Cruz (UCSC), today marks Doomsday 2.0, the administrations new deadline to submit withheld Fall 2019 grades. The original deadline was set for last Friday by UCSC Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Kletzer and UC President, and former Obama Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. But after grad students defied administration threats of dismissal, which would open up international students to deportation, and voted to continue their grade strike beyond the deadline, the administration decided to push the deadline back to midnight tonight. Eighty-five of the initial 200 graduate students have withstood pressure and not submitted Fall 2019 grades. What originated as a grading strike by 200 graduate teaching assistants (TAs) in Fall 2019 became a full wildcat teaching strike three weeks ago. The strikers main demand is a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of $1,412 to cover the recent astronomical rise in rents. The strike has garnered widespread support among undergraduates and faculty at UCSC, with rallies nearing 1,000 people. The success of the strike requires the broadest possible mobilization of the entire working class in California and beyond. If Napolitano makes good on her threat to fire striking graduate students, workers across California must mobilize in their defense. This is not simply a campus issue, but a political struggle against the Democratic Party, which has diverted billions from education and other social necessities to fund the profits of the American ruling class. The strike has gained strong support across the UC system, with sympathy actions at nearly all of the 10 UC campuses. UC-Santa Barbara graduate students voted yesterday to begin a teaching strike today in support of UCSC TAs, and are calling for COLA of their own of $1,807.51. Graduate students have rallied in support at UC Davis, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, and most recently UC Riverside. At the same time, 12,000 Santa Clara County workers may strike on Friday and 14,000 Northern California Safeway workers have passed a strike authorization by 95 percent, demonstrating the potential for a broader struggle uniting graduate students with the working class throughout the region. The potential also exists to link up the strike with the global fight in defense of education; only last week, more than 200,000 teachers struck in Ontario, Canada against underfunded education programs. The strike needs to spread for us to win, explained a UCSC undergraduate psychology major who asked to remain anonymous. Rejecting claims by UC administration and the Democratic Party that there is no money for education, they continued, They [UCSC] paid $300,000 per day for police presence at the strike. So, theres money in the budget for that, but not for COLA? Not to mention the $175 million that the UC President [Janet Napolitano] hid. And the money is going to line the pockets of the UC admins and elites that invest into the corporation. Their claim that theres no money in the budget is complete BS and only serves to redirect attention back to the strikers to make it seem as if theyre in the wrong for asking for more benefits. Speaking on the effects of low graduate student wages, the student explained: Its becoming unsustainable for [grad students] to continue their education and its much the same with undergrads at UCSC and students across America and the world. Its becoming a commodity that only the rich can afford to maintain their wealth, while poor people shovel themselves into debt and work until theyre dead to pay it off. The struggle isnt confined to just the university system, the student added, but a government that puts profits over people. While the strike now is contained to the UC system, universal changes are needed across higher education. The central force seeking to divide and weaken this objectively growing movement of the working class is the corrupt trade union apparatus. The Napolitano administration is relying upon the no-strike clause in the starvation contract bargained by United Auto Workers Local 2865 to back up her threats to fire the striking grad students. The union itself is working systematically to isolate and undermine the wildcat strike. In an email to graduate students at Berkeley, UAW Unit Chair Gerard Ramm rejected the demand of a widely signed petition at UC Berkeley for a sympathy strike if UCSC strikers are fired. The letter declared that the UAW would enforce the no-strike clause and refuse to defend the UCSC strikers or any UC Berkeley students who took sympathy wildcat action beyond filing a grievance. Kletzer herself played a major role in the original UAW graduate student union drive at UC Berkeley in the 1980s. The fluid boundaries between the union apparatus and the university administration shows that the union functions as an arm of management. It is a repetition of the experience in the auto industry, where the UAW controls billions in company stock and is embroiled in a massive corruption and bribery scandal. Meanwhile, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has been forced to call out nearly 12,000 Santa Clara County workers, less than an hour away from UC Santa Cruz on Friday if the county refuses to reinstate a planned 3 percent wage increase by 4 PM today. However, there can be no doubt that the SEIU is working behind the scenes to prevent a strike at the eleventh hour or limit its scope or duration as much as possible. The SEIU previously called an ineffective ten-day rolling walkout, which it ended without any gains. As for the 14,000 Safeway workers The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union only called a strike authorization vote after workers to stay on the job without a contract for a year and a half. UC Berkeley students report that at COLA meetings on campus, many students are strongly opposed to the official UAW line and want to fight with the UCSC strikers. Faced with a potential collapse in support for the UAW, pseudo-left tendencies such as the Bread & Roses caucus of the Democratic Socialists of America are promoting illusions that the UAW and other unions can be reformed. Keith Brower Brown, Bread & Roses caucus member and UAW representative at Berkeley, declared in an article on the caucuss The Call website that graduate students should support the Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD) movement within the UAW. Brown notes that the UC UAW leadership opposed the failed campaign by UAWD to trigger a special UAW convention to amend the unions constitution and calls on students to pressure them to support itin 2021, when UAWD will try again. Above all, Brown opposes any suggestion that grad students break from the union and organize independently. We want to make clear we dont agree with the harsh accusations against Local 2865 leaders that a small minority of members have made in recent years, Brown says. Nobody gains by ignoring the fact that the UAW 2865 leaders we know have been passionately committed organizers, who have revitalized our unions strength and solidarity in long-neglected campuses and departments. In fact, these passionately committed organizers are working hand-in-glove with the university administration to defeat the strike. Browns statements make clear that the role of union reformers is to reinforce the domination of the trade union bureaucracy in the face of a growing mood of rebellion among the rank and file. It also exposes the political duplicity of the DSA itself, which lends critical political assistance to the Democratic Party even as it is carries out attacks against worker and students. The way forward for graduate students is not to hand the initiative back to the corrupt UAW, but to concretize their break with this organization through the formation of rank-and-file strike committees that are prepared to defy the efforts of the UAW to shut down the strike. These committees will provide the means for graduate students to break through the union attempts at isolation and mobilize the full support of the working class, who are facing the same attacks on wages and living standards. Canadians will stop footing Prince Harry and Meghan Markles security bill in the coming weeks, according to the Office of the Minister of Public Safety. In a statement to the Star on Thursday afternoon, the office wrote that as the Duke and Duchess are currently recognized as Internationally Protected Persons, Canada has an obligation to provide security assistance on an as-needed basis. At the request of the Metropolitan Police, the RCMP has been providing assistance to the Met since the arrival of the Duke and Duchess to Canada intermittently since November 2019. The assistance will cease in the coming weeks, in keeping with their change in status. The RCMP has been engaged with officials in the UK from the very beginning regarding security considerations, according to the statement. The revelation, originally reported by CBC News on Thursday morning, comes after months of speculation and debate over Canadas responsibility legal, moral, or otherwise in protecting the couple. Harry and Meghan spent their Christmas in North Saanich, B.C., a tiny community on Vancouver Island of around 11,000. The couple announced earlier this year that they will walk away from most royal duties starting Mar. 31 as they give up public funding and try to become financially independent. The Sussexes website says they will continue to require security, but cannot provide more details for safety reasons. With files from The Canadian Press. Ted Fraser is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ted_fraser Read more about: Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, , has kicked against suggestions that members of the Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) should be recruited into the new security outfit created by South West governors, Amotekun. Alhaji Yaqub Bello, a former Chairman of MACBAN in the state, made the suggestion on Monday February 24th during a public hearing on the Oyo State Security Network Agency Bill, 2020, also known as Amotekun bill. While declaring his support for the new security outfit, Bello said Some of us have been in Oyo state for over 40 years, cohabiting with the natives, married Yoruba women and have children. So, our request is to include Myetti Allah as members of Operation Amotekun to enhance the job of the outfit, since we know the terrain of where we rear our cattle. Having Fulani among the outfit will make it easier for Amotekun men to distinguish between genuine herdsmen and the criminals while on patrol. A Fulani man can also serve as an interpreter while interrogating any suspected herdsman. FFK is of the opinion that this will not work. Taking to Twitter to air his objection, he wrote Recruiting Miyetti Allah into Amotekun is like recruiting demons into an army of angels. Its like recruiting hyenas into an army of lions. Its like recruiting vultures into an army of eagles. Its like recruiting sharks into an army of dolphins. Simply put: KO LE WERK!Its like recruiting Nazis into the Israeli Defence Force. Its like recruiting the Ku Klux Klan into the ranks of the Black Panthers. Its like recruiting Hutus into an Army ofTutsis. Its like recruiting the white Boers into Nelson Mandelas ANC. I say it again: KO LE WERK! A woman with flu-like symptoms walked into a 50-bed Vacaville hospital and was treated for three days before her health deteriorated and she was transferred to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and five days after that, she tested positive for the new coronavirus. New details emerged Thursday of the patient, a Solano County resident who is the first case of an individual in the U.S. for whom officials do not know the source of illness, raising the possibility that the virus is circulating in the community. The patient, who is not being identified, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Wednesday. Public health authorities are trying to trace all contacts the woman had after she became sick, but they are not saying where she lives, where she went in her community before she sought care, or who may be at risk of exposure. Dozens of staff members at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville who had contact with her have been asked to stay home and monitor themselves for symptoms. Some may be placed under quarantine, said Dr. Bela Matyas, public health officer with Solano County Health and Social Services. The total number of possibly exposed health care workers was unknown but less than 100, officials said. The womans family is under isolation, and her co-workers have been identified and their risk evaluated, Matyas said. In addition, some workers at UC Davis Medical Center are isolating themselves at home. The Solano County patient was only potentially infectious for about a three-day window, Matyas said at a news conference Thursday in Fairfield. We can be very aggressive in identifying all the contacts in the community. He said that though the source of the womans infection is unknown, the risk to the general public remains very, very low. While at VacaValley Hospital, the woman was intubated and put on a ventilator, a procedure that can put health care providers at-risk because droplets of respiratory fluid can become aerosolized and easier to breathe in. Steve Huddleston, vice president of public affairs with NorthBay Health Care, which oversees VacaValley Hospital, said the hospital stopped taking new patients for a few hours after the woman was diagnosed at UC Davis Medical Center, but reopened again Thursday morning and is operating as usual now. The woman was transferred by ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center the morning of Feb. 19. Doctors there said they were concerned that the diagnosis of coronavirus was delayed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Doctors had asked her to be tested the day she arrived, but the CDC didnt agree until four days later, on Feb. 23. A UC Davis vice chancellor wrote in an internal email that the CDC did not initially agree to the testing because the woman did not meet its criteria, which include recent trips to China or contact with someone who has the disease. The CDC changed those testing criteria Thursday to include people who have been hospitalized with a fever and severe respiratory illness like pneumonia, without an alternative diagnosis. At a news conference in Sacramento Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said California currently has about 200 testing kits not enough to meet public health needs. But he said the CDC had promised to provide more in the next few days. He said the federal government may open testing sites in California so that the kits do not need to be sent back to the CDC headquarters in Atlanta for analysis. Its simply inadequate to do justice to the kind of testing that is required to address this issue head-on, Newsom said. We have been assured of our capacity to significantly, exponentially increase the capacity to test. Newsom said the news Wednesday that the virus has possibly begun to spread into the community was not a surprise to state officials, given the large amount of travel between California and Asia. He said the state is monitoring more than 8,400 people who had arrived in California on flights from the region. As of Thursday, 28 people in California besides the Solano County woman have tested positive for coronavirus. Eighteen of those people were passengers on the cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan. They were quarantined at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, then moved to nearby hospitals. Nine other patients were infected while they were in China, where the coronavirus first appeared, and one person contracted the virus from her husband, who had traveled to China and was already sick. The Solano County case is the first in the United States with no known source of infection. Travis Air Force Base is in Solano County, but state officials said there was no evidence the hospitalized county residents case was connected to the quarantine site. Still, as local officials tried to allay concern about a connection between Travis and the patient, a whistle-blower said federal employees deployed to assist quarantined Americans at Travis and at March Air Force Base in Riverside were inadequately trained for infection control and had insufficient protective gear. A Washington Post report Thursday said some of those workers were allowed to leave the quarantined area and could have spread the coronavirus. Matyas said that Solano County may not be the first place in the country to have community illness its just the first place to report it. The virus could be spreading in other communities where public health officials havent been looking for it. Because Solano and Sacramento counties have treated previous patients with coronavirus including people who were quarantined at Travis they are just way more aware and attuned to it, Matyas said. There are probably community-acquired cases in other parts of the country now. They dont know what to look for. He added that with the virus now presumably circulating in the county, the public health response shifts from containment to mitigation; in other words, from preventing the virus from entering the community altogether, to slowing down the spread of illness. Newsom said California was prepared to handle the spreading virus because of its previous experience with recent epidemics like the Ebola virus, and there was no better-resourced state in America to address this issue head-on. We have history and expertise in this space, he said. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Lauren Hernandez contributed to this report. Erin Allday and Alexei Koseff are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com, alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday, @akoseff As political and religious leaders in the Gulf push their national agendas, women must find their own ways to balance newfound freedoms with existing social and religious pressures. By Alainna Liloia Arab women, long relegated to the private sphere by law and social custom, are gaining new access to public life. All countries of the Arab Gulf now have workforce nationalization policies that aim to reduce dependency on migrant labor by getting more women into the workforce. Saudi Arabia set a goal of 30 percent female labor participation by 2030. In Kuwait, female citizens outnumber male citizens in the workforce. And across the Gulf, women outnumber men in higher education enrollment. Women are making political inroads in the region, too. In Qatar, four women have been appointed to ministerial positions since 2003. Eleven women have held cabinet positions in Kuwait since 2005, including health minister, transportation minister and finance minister. Even Saudi Arabia, which notoriously restricts womens rights, reformed the guardianship system that grants authority over women to their male relatives. Since August 2019, women may obtain passports, travel abroad and register marriages and births on their own. These changes have real world benefits for Arab women, giving them greater economic independence and a voice in domestic and international affairs. But Arab Muslim women in the Middle East still face substantial social and legal inequalities. Even as governments in the region tout female advancement abroad, my research on women in the Arab Gulf finds, at home they still enforce traditional gender roles. Women as symbols of Islam The discovery of oil in the Arab Gulf in the 1930s turned these Islamic monarchies into global players. One result of this globalization was that Western leaders put pressure on the region to modernize their laws and customs. Championing womens advancement is one way Gulf rulers can present a positive international image. This helps maintain good political, military and trade relationships with Europe and the United States and allays criticisms of human rights violations. In recent years, Arab Gulf women have also fought hard for their rights. Saudi women successfully campaigned for the right to drive, which was granted in 2018. In Kuwait, activists are now pushing for better protections against domestic violence. But Gulf rulers still need the support of conservative citizens and influential religious leaders, too. And these sectors of the population have repeatedly raised fears of Westernization threatening local language, dress styles, food and cultural traditions. One way Gulf rulers manage this tension, Ive found, is by promoting Quranic interpretations that relegate women to traditional roles like bearing and raising children and caring for their families. Celebrating womens domesticity is an easy way to signal their governments commitment to what they consider Islamic values. In Qatar, for example, the National Vision 2030 an economic and social development blueprint states that Qatar has maintained its cultural and traditional values as an Arab and Islamic nation that considers the family to be the main pillar of society. And the Qataris propping up this pillar are women. Through their nurturing of language, codes of ethics, behavioural patterns, value systems and religious beliefs, women play an indispensable role in upholding traditional familial and cultural values, reads a government document building on the proposals laid out in the National Vision 2030. Religion and gender There are, of course, more gender-equal interpretations of the Quran. Islam itself does not require repressing women. But throughout history male leaders in the Gulf have associated patriarchal gender roles with religious purity. And clerics, who have significant social and political influence in the region, enforce conservative readings of Islamic law that subordinate women. For example, women in all of the Gulf states must receive the approval of a male guardian to marry. In Qatar, single women under 25 require permission to travel abroad, and Qatari men can argue in court to stop their wives from traveling. In Saudi Arabia, men can file a disobedience complaint against female relatives for leaving the house without permission. In Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, a man can stop his wife from working if he feels her employment interferes with her domestic responsibilities or religious conduct. As a result, women in Gulf countries find themselves caught between two contradictory agendas for the 21st century. What women want Many Qatari women Ive interviewed say they struggle to balance the conflicting expectations between domestic responsibilities and emerging professional opportunities. Sheikha, an unmarried Qatari in her late 20s who works as an academic adviser, told me she often wonders: I have a job and future plans. Why should I marry? I dont want to say that marriage erases the dreams, she said, but sometimes with the family commitment you cant do it. Qatari women like Sheikha tend to face significant social pressure to settle down and have children by a certain age and to make sure their education and career goals do not get in the way of domestic responsibilities. Not all the pressure is external. Many women I met hold conservative views on marriage and the family, too. I started work when my last daughter got married, Amina Al-Ansari, an associate professor at Qatar University, told me. Before that, I took care of the house and kids. Al-Ansari, like all 15 Qatari women I interviewed, believes caring for the family is a womans religious duty. Still can't have it all Conservative Qataris also view women working or studying in a gender-mixed environment as a violation of Islamic values and a sign of Westernization. Thats why Amal Al-Shammari, a 32-year-old Qatari who now runs a cultural association for expatriates and tourists called Embrace Doha, attended Qatar University the countrys only gender-segregated university. My parents wanted me to go there to keep a good reputation. Guys assume you have lots of relationships if you go to gender-mixed universities, she told me. My parents wanted me to stay with the conservative way. As political and religious leaders in the Gulf push their national agendas, women must find their own ways to balance newfound freedoms with existing social and religious pressures. There is always development, improvement, but always tradition, religion, and culture, the professor, Al-Ansari, told me, summing up these tensions. We are living under the umbrella of religion. Alainna Liloia, Ph.D. Student, University of Arizona This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. City Editor Tom Roeder is the Gazette's City Editor. In Colorado Springs since 2003, Tom has covered the military at home and overseas and has covered statehouses in Denver and Olympia, Wash. His main job, though, is being dad to two great kids. (Alliance News) - GlaxoSmithKline PLC on Thursday said its filing for the use of Trelegy Ellipta in adult patients with asthma has been accepted by the European Medicines Agency. The pharmaceutical company said the regulatory body has accepted its submission seeking an additional indication for the use of Trelegy Ellipta - which is a once-daily, single inhaler triple therapy - as a treatment for asthma in adults. Glaxo said its Phase three clinical study demonstrated a statistically "significant" improvement in lung function compared with Relvar/Breo Ellipta. "The study showed that triple therapy in a single inhaler provides a potential new treatment option for asthma management in patients uncontrolled on ICS/LABA," said Glaxo's Vice President of Respiratory Medicine at Innoviva Paul Meunier. Trelegy Ellipta was approved in the European Union in November 2017 for the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who are not adequately treated by an ICS/LABA combination, or a combination of LABA and long-acting muscarinic antagonist, Glaxo said. It added that if its submission is approved by the European Medicines Agency, it will be the first once-daily single inhaler triple therapy available for asthma and COPD. The company said that regulatory applications have also been submitted for the Trelegy duplicate licences, Elebrato Ellipta and Temybric Ellipta. Submissions for the use of Trelegy Ellipta for the treatment of adult asthma patients were also accepted for filing in the US by the Food & Drug Adminstration in December 2019, and in Japan by the Ministry of Health, Labour & Welfare in November. Glaxo shares closed 0.2% lower at 1,629.80 pence each on Thursday in London. By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. The HSE is seeking court protection for a severely intellectually disabled and autistic man amid concerns he is living with his mother in squalid conditions and has not accessed necessary services for some time. The condition of the man, now aged 30, appears to have regressed over years despite many attempts to engage with him and the HSE is concerned about his mother's "reluctant and inconsistent" attitude to professionals providing services, which he has not received since late 2018, the High Court was told. The mother had cancelled more than half of scheduled appointments with service providers and even a bid by one provider to take the man, now aged 30, out of his home for a hot chocolate had not proceeded, Paul Brady BL, for the HSE, said. He was making an ex parte (one side only represented) application today for orders with a view to having the man made a ward of court. Counsel told High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly the man was diagnosed with intellectual disability and autism in 2007 and received respite care in a faciity from 2012. He lived with his father for a short time before going to live with his mother following which there were difficulties, Mr Brady said. Counsel said a service provider had in 2016 arranged for the mother's home, then in "very bad condition", to be cleaned amid concerns including bins not being put out for months, dirty mattresses, rooms full of rubbish and rats. The man's mother was given respite money for a clear-out which appeared to have gone missing but, because a contingency plan had been put in place, the house was cleaned, he said. It appears the situation concerning the house now is "exactly as before", Mr Brady said. A report indicated there were more difficulties in 2017 when an application for wardship had been considered, counsel said. A services provider was instead engaged which had provided a report outlining their efforts over a year and the difficulties they experienced in trying to get the man's mother to engage with them "in any meaningful way". Their efforts, including to take the man out for a hot chocolate, were not reciprocated by the man's family, he said. There was also a referral to a mental health disability team but staffing issues arose, he added. This application for an order for a court medical visitor to assess the man in the context of a wardship inquiry was brought because of a view he is of unsound mind, is living in "significant squalor" at home and the lack of contact with services. The HSE view is that engagement with the man's mother may have to end because she has cancelled more than half of scheduled appointments made for him, counsel said. The mother is concerned about the wardship application but efforts will be made to engage with her positively about that, he added. Mr Justice Kelly was satisfied, on the evidence before the court, to appoint a medical visitor to assess the man; to appoint a guardian ad litem to represent his interests and to grant liberty to notify the man's mother in regard to the HSE's application. Australian shares suffered their largest fall in over four years on Friday, driven by what some described as panic selling as coronavirus fears escalated sharply. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 tumbled 216.7 points, or 3.3 per cent, to close at 6441.2, extending the slide from the record highs hit a little over a week ago to over 10.5 per cent. It was the largest percentage one-day fall since September 29, 2015. Combined with steep falls in the previous four sessions, the index skidded 9.8 per cent for the week, the largest decline since the height of the GFC in October 2008 and the second-largest fall since the benchmark was created in early 2009. From the close last week, the market shed just under $210 billion in value. I think theres panic today, genuine panic. These are massive moves, said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone. This isnt just retailer traders getting out. This is systematic money, fund manager money coming out. I dont want to be a doomsday person, but this feels like the market is preparing itself to something akin to the GFC. Every sector fell by 1 per cent or more during the session, led by materials and information technology which both slumped 4.7 per cent apiece. Software company WiseTech was slammed, falling 10.8 per cent to $15.10, closing at a 15-month low having shed over 61 per cent of its value since September last year. Buy now, pay later provider Afterpay was also hammered, tumbling 9.1 per cent to $33.17. The big miners dragged the materials sector lower with BHP shedding 4.5 per cent to close at a 13-month low of $33.60. Rival Rio Tinto fell by a smaller 3.5 per cent to $87.27. Financials, the largest sector by market capitalisation, was also hit hard with a fall of 3.1 per cent. All the big four banks slumped more than 2.7 per cent, led by the Commonwealth Bank which fell 3.1 per cent to $81.78. Macquarie Group also shed 3.3 per cent to $134.83. Other blue-chip names were also drawn in the downdraft with CSL sliding 2.5 per cent to $309.44, Newcrest Mining 8 per cent to $26.30, Woolworths 3.5 per cent to $38.80 while Woodside Petroleum skidded 3.5 per cent to $27.92. Reflecting the tone of the session, of the 20 largest companies on the benchmark index, the top performer was Telstra which eased 0.3 per cent to $3.43. Next in line was Brambles which slid 1.7 per cent to $11.96. For me right now, the question is what will be the circuit breaker. What is that thing thats going to cause calm in markets, said Peppertones Weston. For a long period of time, equities have done nothing but go up on the premise of liquidity, buy-backs, central bank support and that very low implied volatility will keep going on. Whats happening here is investors being unsure of what the circuit-breaker will be like weve had during other major shocks? Reflecting heightened uncertainty, the S&P/ASX 200 Volatility Index (VIX) spiked to the highest level since the UK Brexit referendum in June 2016, indicating the skittish moves seen this week could extend well into March given uncertainty as to what human and economic toll the coronavirus may bring. Mr Weston agrees, suggesting the selloff feels like it has way more legs and is different to market pullbacks seen recently. Investors see the coronavirus spread outside of China at quite an aggressive pace and thats all they really care about. Theyre not listening to governments. They dont trust governments because they know politicians are trying to calm the public. Theyre looking at the spread of the virus and wondering how much worse it can get, he said. The closure of schools, the quarantining of people and shutting of borders is going to have a massive impact on the global economy, and thats what we cant model. When we cant price risk, stock markets do what weve seen. A group of data activists has written to the government seeking to stop public and private access to central vehicle databases -- Vahan and Sarathi -- over concerns that the publicly available information could be misused by rioters for purposes of targeted violence. The letter by the Internet Freedom Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, to the ministry of road transport & highways, ministry of law and the Delhi government, says the possibility of misuse of the vehicle owners data has potential of serious security risk. It suggested people could target vehicles of members of different communities by using their registration numbers to find out personal details. In context of recent violent clashes in Delhi, disturbing reports emerged this morning which suggested that a database for vehicle registration called Vahan was exploited by malicious actors in identifying vehicles owned by Muslim vehicles, which were allegedly being burnt down. Although, this has not been confirmed by any formal news sources we feel this brings to light a serious human security risk emerging from the ethos of governing personal data, the letters, written on Wednesday, said. The letter also asks the Centre to seek a legal opinion from the law ministry on the legality of the transport ministrys bid to monetise the databases. The transport ministry currently stores data related to licences and registrations in Sarathi and Vahan the governments web-based databases of all driving licences and vehicle registrations. The information, including the name and addresses of the vehicle owners, can be searched through the portal without any passwords or security checks. Numerous vehicles were torched in the Delhi riots. There is, however, no direct link with the arson and the use of the Vahan and sarathi portals. The ministry of road transport and highways did not respond to HTs queries. An official from the ministry of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said, requesting not to be named: This is a pre-existing database and though we do not have any immediate intention to change it, the National Informatics Centre will have to take a call. (Inputs from Amrita Madhukaliya) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Birbhum: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a notice to a Bangladeshi student, who was allegedly a part of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest, to leave India. This comes in the wake of an anti-CAA protest that took place in the Birbhum district of West Bengal by Left-wing student protestors, in which the female student, Apsara Anika Mim, also took part. The protest took place on January 8 and Left-wing students of Vishva-Bharti University held a protest in front of the Vishva Bharti's central office. Anika is a first-year student of Silpa Sadan. On the basis of this, the MHA sent a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asking Anika to leave the country within 15 days. However, the Left-wing student, Somnath Sau have claimed that Anika was not involved in the protests. The incident came to light after pictures of her protesting went viral on social media. CPM leader Mohammad Salim has questioned the move of Visva Bharti University and said, "It is utterly wrong to ask the student to leave the country. There is no written law where it is mentioned that foreign students can't be a part of protests." He added, "The Centre is scared of the students and the students can be a part of protests but they can't join a political group." A woman who drove uninsured while under two disqualifications has been given a suspended prison sentence. At last weeks sitting of Portlaoise District Court, Dorota Glebocka (29), with an address at 1 Brockra Walk, Bellingham, Portlaoise, was charged with having no licence or insurance, at Clonroosk Little, Portlaoise, on January 27 this year. Inspector Barry Collins told the court the accused had three previous convictions. She was driving in breach of two driving disqualifications at the time. Defence, Mr Barry Fitrgerald said his client had an appalling road traffic record. He said the last driving disqualification had been imposed in her absence, as she was in Poland at the time. Defence said the accused was very frightened of the prospect of a prison sentence and she had no support from the father of her child. He said she promised not to drive again. Judge Catherine Staines imposed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for one year on the accuseds own bond of 100, and disqualified her from driving for six years. If you drive again in breach of three disqualification orders you will go to prison, Judge Staines warned the accused. Vladimir Putin has put to rest rumours he uses body doubles for security, admitting that he has in fact been offered such measures but rejected them. The Russian president said he dismissed an offer to use a lookalike for personal protection during a conflict in Chechnya. Mr Putin told Russia's Tass news agency that the plan dated back to the early 2000s, during "the most difficult moment of fighting terrorism". In the interview, a broadcaster noted the long-running conspiracy that Mr Putin uses an actor for protection, saying keywords such as "Putin's double" were among some of the most popular internet searches relating to the president. He asked: "Are you real?" The 67-year-old assured the interviewer that he was in fact who he said he was, and that he "declined these body doubles" each time they were offered. One of these occasions was apparently after a near-miss in 1999, when the former KBG agent was fighting a war against separatists in Chechnya. He has previously said a helicopter he was using in Chechnya had come under fire. But he did not say why he rejected the offer for a lookalike. In the interview, he also reiterated that he does not own a personal mobile phone, saying he feels "more comfortable" relying on protected communication. New Delhi: As protests against amended citizenship law turned violent in northeast Delhi, the Zee News Editor-in-chief, Sudhir Chaudhary, visited the violence-affected areas and met people who bore the brunt of the riots. When the Zee News team went to the violence-hit Chandbagh area, and spoke to those who have lost their near and dear ones they repeatedly alleged one person responsible for the violence. The man alleged to be the kingpin behind the riots is Haji Tahir Hussain. Tahir is a corporator of Aam Aadmi Party from Ward 59 of Nehru Vihar, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, under Mustafabad assembly constituency falling in the North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency. The affected people told Zee News that a lot of weapons and other objects were kept in Tahir Hussain's house and hundreds of rioters congregated at his place and hurled stones, petrol bumbs at other people's houses. Some people stated that several rounds of bullets were also fired from the roof of the corporator's house. The ground reality revealed the sinister homework as well as preparation ahead of the riots, showing a well thought out conspiracy. It also presented mounds of stones, petrol bombs, bullets and weapons, but from where these objects came is the subject of investigation for the Delhi Police. The brother of Ankit Sharma, an IB employee killed in the riots, told Zee News that Tahir Hussain was behind the killing of his brother. He said that hundreds of rioters took refuge at Tahir Hussain's house, and they showered stones from there, besides firing bullets and throwing petrol bombs. IB AAP #DangeKaSachOnZee pic.twitter.com/xp6Jk629We Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) February 26, 2020 Notably, the funeral of Ankit Sharma is scheduled at his native village Etawah in Budhana tehsil of Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh. Ankit Sharma, who has been posted in Delhi's IB office along with his father Ravindra Sharma, was killed by unidentified miscreants while returning home from duty on Tuesday evening. His body was dumped in a drain in Chand Bagh area. The death toll in the communal violence in northeast Delhi has reached 32 on Thursday. It was at 27 till Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the AAP corporater has denied his involvement in the death of Intelligence Bureau employee Ankit Sharma, through a video release. He also defended himself claiming that he was a victim of mob violence and was rescued by the police. Since 2014, Iran has pivoted toward Eurasia in an obvious shift in strategy. Signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was the first serious step in this shift of focus. Two Central Asian states, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, are already members of the Russia-led union, while the Uzbek president said in recent months that the country would cooperate with the EAEU. Tajikistan is still reportedly considering membership. Iran has put in place other mechanisms to enhance trade relations with Central Asia, The Diplomat writes in the article How Iran and Turkey Compete in Central Asian Trade. In December 2019, Tehran hosted two Joint Economic Commissions with delegations from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, a third was held in Tashkent. Regular direct flights from Iran to four Central Asian cities Almaty, Tashkent, Dushanbe and Bishkek resumed at the beginning of 2020 after intermittent interruptions. Occasional tensions between Iran and Tajikistan have been calmed by negotiations. In the case of Turkmenistan, a gas dispute between Ashgabat and Tehran soured relations but negotiations continue. With Uzbekistan, relations began to thaw in the post-Karimov period. Meanwhile, Turkey has enjoyed a comfortable position among Central Asias post-Soviet trade partners. According to the OEC, in 2017 combined trade (import & export) with Kazakhstan was $2.35 billion, $1.49 billion with Uzbekistan, $1.4 billion with Turkmenistan, 351 million with Tajikistan, and $442 million with Kyrgyzstan. Western sanctions on Iran impeded its pivot to Eurasia, with Turkey enjoying an advantageous opportunity as a result. For example, a former official at Irans Communications ministry explained that Turkey has occupied part of the Iranian ICT market in Central Asia. All this has happened, however, with Iran presenting Turkey a shorter, faster, safer and cheaper route to Central Asia (in comparison to northern routes from the north Caucasus). This has led to Turkeys increasing dependence on Iranian transit routes to Central Asia. According to a report of Irans Customs Administration (IRICA), Turkeys trade with CIS countries through Iran in 2019 was 1.08 million tons. In 2016, this figure was only 565,000 tons. In a way, Iran has been a noteworthy bridge for Turkeys trade with Central Asia. The dependency stemming from this bridge relationship has given Iran a degree of geographical leverage to take advantage of in regional trade rivalries. In October 2014, just a year before the sanctions were suspended under the JCPOA, Iran increased transit tariffs for Turkey, by multiplying the rate to distance in kilometers from 0.32 to 0.8. Subsequently, in January 2015, Iran announced that it would no longer provide fuel to Turkish trucks. Can Acun, an analyst from the Foundation for Political Economic and Social Research, explained that Iran was perhaps trying to increase Turkeys costs for its exports. He characterized the two countries relations as a rivalry and added: Iran is also trying to get Turkish goods markets in Central Asia. Turkey began more seriously pursuing Trans-Caspian projects after the first bridge contest. In January 2015 a trade official announced Turkey was considering alternative ways to cross the Caspian Sea to avoid delays along the route across Iran. There were plans to carry about 25,000 trucks (approximately 450,000 tones of cargo) annually over the Caspian Sea using ferryboats and Ro-Ro ships from the newly constructed Alat port in Azerbaijan to Turkmenistans Turkmenbashi port. Ata Serdarov, Turkmenistans ambassador to Turkey confirmed the plan. It could cover all Turkish trade to Central Asia without crossing Iran. In 2017, Ankara signed another similar agreement with Kazakhstan and then in February 2018, joined coordination committee for Trans-Caspian International Transport Route which established in 2013 by Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan. However, the 100 percent growth of Turkish cargo crossing Iran to former Soviet states from 2016 to 2019 proves that during the last five years, the alternative route has not worked properly. In fact, Turkeys transit dependence on Iran has also increased. Problems with developing alternative routes are rooted in disputes between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan on Caspian resources, and more importantly, the lack of a dispute settlement body within a legal regime. Nonetheless, The Convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea signed in August 2018 by the seas littoral states paved the way for more Trans-Caspian initiatives, and renewed hope in Turkey. Irans indirect response to Turkeys efforts in this bridge contest has been providing transit initiatives to land locked Central Asian states such as the Ashgabat Agreement (a multimodal transport agreement between India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for creating an international transport and transit corridor), Iran-Kazakhstan-China transit corridor, from Caspian port on Irans Bandar Anzali to Aktau (Kazakhstan) and then to Chinas Urumqi, the connection of Irans second railway to Central Asia thorough Incheboron (opened on Dec 2014 by Presidents of Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan) and recent negotiation for a railway corridor that links Tajikistan to Turkey through Iran, as a part of ECO agreements. The initiatives aimed promotion of bridge role to Central Asia, based on geographical advantages. The result will indirectly counterbalance the Trans-Caspian projects. Northrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/27/2020 -- According to the new market research report "Combined Heat & Power Market by Capacity (>10 MW, 10-150 MW, 151-300 MW, >300 MW), Prime Mover (Gas & Steam Turbine, Reciprocating Engine, Fuel Cell), End-User (District Energy, Residential, On-Site Industrial & Commercial) - Global Forecast to 2023", The global CHP market is estimated to reach USD 20.69 Billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 27.01 Billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 5.48%, during the forecast period. The market is set to grow due to the increasing demand for energy efficiency and government incentives and programs to promote CHP. The Above 300 MW segment is expected to hold the largest share of the combined heat & power market, by capacity, during the forecast period. The Above 300 MW segment consists of large coal, nuclear, or natural gas fired power plants, with gas turbines and steam turbines as the prime movers. The segment caters mainly to the utilities, district heating & cooling end-users. The segment is expected to be driven by the rising adoption of natural gas fired power generation in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China and South Korea. The phasing out of coal-based power generation has given rise to large-scale natural gas-fired cogeneration plants. The rapid demand for heat and steam in industries and requirement of municipal district heating & cooling is driving the growth in this segment. The shale gas boom in North America is another driving factor for growth in this segment, with utility-scale natural gas fired power plants being set up in the region. Browse and in-depth TOC on "Combined Heat & Power Market" 83 - Tables 36 - Figures 143 - Pages Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=26572447 The fuel, natural gas segment is expected to grow at a high CAGR during the forecast period Natural gas is the fastest growing segment in the Combined Heat & Power market. The growth of this segment is mainly due to the rising share of natural gas in the energy mix in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China. The shale gas boom in the US has also contributed to rise in natural gas-fired power generation in North America, and thus driving the CHP market in the region. The utilities, district heating & cooling segment is expected to dominate the combined heat & power market, by end-user, in 2018. The utilities, district heating & cooling segment refers to the supply of thermal energy generated at a central facility for applications such as space heating or water heating, steam provision throughout a city or district, and industrial complex or for cooling through trigeneration to provide chilled water. Utilities can use CHP systems to monetize heat generated as a by-product of electricity generation, combined with the savings from high operational efficiency of these systems to up to as much as 80% as compared with just 30% for non-CHP setup. The market for utilities, district heating & cooling segment will be driven by increasing energy efficiency regulations and compliance needs for utilities, the need to reduce carbon emissions and the cost savings offered by CHP systems, especially in regions of Europe and Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific: Expected to be the leading market for CHP during the forecast period. The Combined Heat & Power Market has been analyzed with respect to 6 regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. The market in Asia Pacific is expected to lead the Combined Heat & Power market, by region. The increase in natural gas in the energy mix and need for energy efficiency in countries such as China, South Korea, and India is driving the market for Combined Heat & Power in the region. Rise in distributed power generation and emerging technologies such as fuel cell based micro-CHP has opened new opportunities for growth in the region. Ask for Sample Copy @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=26572447 To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes the profiles of some of the top players in the Combined Heat & Power market. These include GE (US), Siemens (Germany), 2G Energy (Germany), Wartsila (Finland), Mitsubishi Hitachi Power System (Japan), FuelCell Energy (US), and Clarke Energy (UK). The leading players are trying to understand the markets in developing economies and are adopting various strategies to increase their market shares. Please Explore Relevant Report: Generator Sales Market by Type (Diesel, Gas), Application (Standby, Peak Shaving, Continuous), Power Rating (<100 KVA, 100-350 KVA, 350-1000-2500 KVA, 2500-5000 KVA, >5000 KVA), End-User (Residential, Commercial, Industrial)- Global Forecast to 2024 Micro Combined Heat & Power (Micro CHP) Market by Type (Engine, Fuel Cell), Technology (Internal Combustion Engine, Rankine Cycle Engine, Stirling Engine, PEMFC, SOFC), Application (Residential, Commercial), & Region - Global Forecast to 2020 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 7500 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Sanjay Gupta MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA : 1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com I was delighted to be asked to write this piece because Northern Ireland has always had a very special place in my life. From my ancestors from Glenarm on the Antrim coast, to my rugby playing days, to a lifelong association with organisations such as The Ireland Funds, Co-operation Ireland and the British Irish Association, which I now chair, I have equal respect for the different hopes and aspirations of all. A significant part of my motivation in running for a seat in the Irish Senate is a desire to spend an even greater part of my life on this issue at this important and sensitive time. I think this question has to be looked at both from a Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland perspective. In looking first at Northern Ireland, genuine reconciliation and building real relationships remain the unfinished part of the Good Friday Agreement. There has obviously been much progress in the period - and lots of examples where trusted relationships have been built - but much remains to be done. Without wishing in any way to rehash the elements of the Brexit topic, it can't be denied that it has had an unfortunately polarising effect. This lack of reconciliation and real, trusted relationships has a number of consequences. Expand Close Hugo MacNeill on the attack as an Ireland full-back in 1987 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hugo MacNeill on the attack as an Ireland full-back in 1987 It has implications for the nature of society today in Northern Ireland. However - and this is where it is important for the topic I have been asked to address - I firmly believe that it also has implications for the longer-term ambitions of both the major traditions. For the unionist community, that is a Northern Ireland that is genuinely valued and treasured by the rest of the United Kingdom; for the nationalist community, greater constitutional alignment with the Republic, or a united Ireland. I fully respect the genuineness of these objectives. However, I believe that, without reconciliation and trusted relationships, it is very difficult - if not impossible - for either of the main traditions to genuinely achieve their objectives. I fully appreciate that there are many shades of opinion within these traditions and an increasing number of people who do not define themselves in this way, as illustrated in the recent University of Liverpool study. However, I think the basic premise holds true. As someone who lived in England for 18 years, I don't think that Northern Ireland has been valued and embraced to a full extent by the rest of the United Kingdom. Recent political events around the various elements of Brexit have confirmed the suspicions of many Ulster unionists. However, it cannot be denied that the view of Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK has been substantially influenced by various images of discord that they have seen for many years. I genuinely understand the desire of the nationalist community to push on with a border poll. The pursuit of unity is a completely legitimate aspiration. However, as the late Seamus Mallon argued in his book A Shared Home Place, it is potentially dangerous to push ahead with such a poll without both (a) having a very detailed understanding of exactly what is involved and, equally importantly, (b) having created the context and environment in which it has a chance of succeeding. I appreciate that the book was subject to criticism on some points, but what came out of it was a generosity of spirit and a willingness to reach out and understand the views of 'the other side'. Recent referenda have shown the danger of not being very precise as regards what is being asked. With respect to the Republic, I believe there is a long way to go to understanding the genuine identity of Ulster unionism. It is also not clear what the Republic might pay for any change in the constitutional position, either in monetary terms or willingness to be generous on matters of identity. This is, in large part, due to the history that we learnt in school. Irish history has been taught as the journey, with its various ups and downs, to being an independent state. 'Independent', in our case, meant being not British. Therefore, many have difficulty in comprehending that someone is genuinely British and Irish at the same time. It was shown in the recent BT Sport programme Shoulder to Shoulder. Former Irish rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll was talking to his former team-mate and successor as captain Rory Best. "I don't get it," said Brian. "You are Irish and British." "Yes," said Rory Best OBE. This echoed the words of the great Ulster poet John Hewitt, who talked about the various layers of his true identity, including being Irish and British. There has not been sufficient thought, or discussion, given in the Republic to what elements of Britishness would be included in any united Ireland (or a federal Ireland) - rejoining the Commonwealth, the role of Stormont, representation in the Irish parliament, increased taxes to fund the NHS and other services, changes to flags and anthems, commemoration of Ulster culture and so on and so on. There is very little understanding of the distinct elements of Ulster culture. I took my daughter to Belfast last July 12 to watch the Orange parade. I asked myself, what were those who were proposing a border poll doing to accommodate the identity of those who were marching by in such numbers? When you see the ongoing criticism of the singing of Ireland's Call before rugby and other sporting events, you feel like saying, "If you have problems with Ireland's Call, wait until you get on to the hard stuff". I think the Republic would be very wary of taking on a Northern Ireland that was not at peace with itself. To the extent there was any genuine threat of a return to loyalist violence, attitudes in the Republic could harden very fast to the idea of such a poll. In conclusion, would it not be more constructive if the leaders of unionism set out a clear, generous, inclusive vision of a Northern Ireland for all within the UK? Equally importantly, would it not be extremely helpful if the leaders of nationalism also articulated a clear, generous and inclusive vision of greater alignment, or unity, with the Republic and what it would mean precisely for northern unionists? I would respectfully suggest that the immediate focus should be on building real and trusted relationships and demonstrating real political leadership. As Bill Clinton said in Belfast on the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, "Compromise should not be seen as weakness". That will then create the options, should people wish to pursue them, of successfully achieving not only short-term, but other, long-term, goals. Hugo MacNeill is chair of the British Irish Association and a candidate for the Irish Senate. A former Irish rugby international, he was a member of the team that won the Triple Crown twice, in 1982 and again in 1985 PHOENIX - Former Phoenix-area Sheriff Joe Arpaio lost a bid to erase his criminal conviction for disobeying a 2011 court order, but claimed victory Thursday after an appeals court said the verdict no longer has any legal consequence because of President Donald Trumps pardon. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals explained Arpaio was pardoned before he could be sentenced and that the final judgment in the case ended up dismissing the contempt charge. They cant use that conviction against me in a court of law, Arpaio said. Thats a win. Gabriel Jack Chin, a professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law, agreed. Even though Mr. Arpaio did not get the district courts findings vacated, he still won his case. The Ninth Circuit clearly ruled that after the pardon there is neither a conviction for criminal purposes (say, sentencing in the future), nor a finding of fact binding in any future criminal or civil cases, Chin added. On the other hand, the underlying facts are out there for whatever the court of public opinion wants to do with them. Arpaio was convicted for disobeying an order barring his traffic patrols that targeted immigrants. The 87-year-old lawman, who was defeated for reelection in 2016 after six terms, had argued the misdemeanour contempt of court conviction should be removed from his record so it cant be raised against him in future court cases. A 2017 lower court decision said Trumps pardon removed his possible punishments and that pardons dont erase convictions or the facts of cases. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday rejected Arpaios request, saying the verdict no longer has any legal consequence because of the pardon. Special prosecutor Christopher Caldwell had previously said there were no legal consequences to the verdict. The U.S. Department of Justice, which had won the conviction, later sided with Arpaio after the pardon was issued and argued the conviction should be expunged. Arpaio was accused of prolonging his immigration patrols for 17 months to boost his 2012 re-election. He has acknowledged continuing the patrols but insisted his disobedience wasnt intentional. A 25-year-old woman has tested positive for coronavirus. The first case of the novel coronavirus in Poland has reportedly been registered in the Polish city of odz. A 25-year-old woman has tested positive for the coronavirus, Poland's Express Ilustrowany reported on February 27. Read alsoUkrainian woman tested positive for coronavirus hospitalized in Italy media She spent a month in Thailand and returned to Poland on February 22; she was feeling unwell. According to media reports, the test for the coronavirus showed a positive result, she is being examined. There is no yet official confirmation or refutation of the report about the coronavirus case in Poland. As UNIAN reported earlier, the Chinese authorities reported an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown origin in Wuhan late in December 2019. The causative agent of the disease was a new type of coronavirus, COVID-19. The virus is transmitted from person to person, with the incubation period lasting at least two weeks. On January 30, the World Health Organization declared an international emergency over the spread of the novel coronavirus from China. Buried in the fine print of a document filed as part of the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy last week is a brief mention of a potentially huge asset: "original Rockwell paintings." The disclosure that the organization owns works by Norman Rockwell, the American painter and illustrator, is hardly a surprise since the artist and Scouts have been linked for more than a century. But the acknowledgment of those valuable assets, potentially worth millions to creditors, could set off a legal fight over their future. With the Boy Scouts estimating they'll face about 1,700 lawsuits over alleged sexual abuse dating back decades, the nonprofit is under pressure to sell off its holdings to pay victims. By filing for bankruptcy, the organization has tried to provide itself a path to carry out that process in an orderly way. The Boys Scouts of America declined to comment for this story. Was it dishonorable to file bankruptcy?: Did the Boy Scouts violate their own code by filing for Chapter 11? Why Boy Scout Rockwell art is at risk While the group is expected to argue that real estate owned by local Scout councils is not part of the bankruptcy and therefore did not include the local property in its initial court filings by mentioning the artwork it appears to be conceding that its collection could be at risk of liquidation to satisfy creditors. The decision could be fraught one for the Boy Scouts. The group's clean-cut image sprung in part from the hand of Rockwell, who created artwork of scouts saluting, serving and adventuring for the covers of Boys' Life, the organization's magazine, for more than half a century. The Scouts join past bankrupt institutions, like Polaroid and the city of Detroit, that faced pressure to sell off cherished artworks to pay off debts. The federal bankruptcy judge appointed to oversee the Scouts' case could eventually be forced to decide whether the collection should be sold if the debtor and creditors can't agree to a resolution. Story continues "The tension between the law and these emotional connections that sustain and support the institution in many ways is a very real issue for the court to deal with," said Houlihan Lokey managing director of Steve Spencer, a restructuring adviser who has counseled companies on the potential sale of art in multiple bankruptcies. Nicholas O'Donnell, leader of the art and museum group at the law firm Sullivan and author of the Art Law Report blog, said it'll be a "tough argument to make" that the Boy Scouts should be allowed to keep the paintings. But that doesn't mean the organization won't try. Theres already the tension of, Yes, a terrible thing happened, but do we have to hamstring the Boy Scouts of America going forward" and thus leave the organization without valuable assets it may need down the line, he said. "Particularly with respect to these images, which are so closely associated with the Boy Scouts, youre going to see a lot of backlash on that. How much could Rockwell paintings be worth? How much could the Rockwell paintings be worth? The record sale at auction for a Rockwell painting was $46 million for "Saying Grace," an oil-on-canvas piece depicting a mealtime prayer that Rockwell painted in 1951, according to auction house Sothebys New York. Sexual abuse allegations prompt filing: Boy Scouts files Chapter 11 bankruptcy Boy Scouts bankruptcy: What we know about victims, assets and the future of scouting A painting of that value would be worth more than the Boy Scouts' most valuable national property, its sprawling Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, which the organization estimated is worth $40.1 million. Sotheby's, which sold "Saying Grace" in 2013, declined to comment further on the value of the artist's work or the Boy Scouts' collection. A Boy Scout-themed Norman Rockwell painting is displayed on July 22, 2013, during an exhibition at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Boy Scouts of America disclosed in a bankruptcy document that the group owns original Rockwell paintings, which could be sold off to pay sexual abuse victims. Rockwell works continue to fetch premium values, said Barbara J. Sussman, an accredited member of the American Society of Appraisers. Sussman who has appraised Rockwell art before, including works of "substantial value" featuring scouts declined to speculate on the value of the Boy Scouts' collection. But she said about eight Rockwell paintings have sold for "multi-millions" of dollars, while "quite a few" have sold for about a million and many have sold for hundreds of thousands. "Norman Rockwell is really an American icon," Sussman said. "He hits the heartstrings of people when they see it. His images resonate with nostalgia." Art aficionados and tourists will soon have an opportunity to peruse the collection to assess it for themselves. In an arrangement made long before the bankruptcy, the collection is poised to go on exhibit at the Medici Museum of Art in Howland, Ohio, beginning March 22, under the name "Norman Rockwell: American Scouting Collection." The Boy Scouts' fine-art collection includes more than 350 pieces, including 65 original Rockwell works, as well as items by Rockwell mentor J.C. Leyendecker and Rockwell mentee Joseph Csatari, museum spokeswoman Beth Kotwis-Carmichael wrote in an email to USA TODAY. "The museum staff is in the early stages of surveying the collection, which includes paintings, drawings and prints," Kotwis-Carmichael said. Kotwis-Carmichael referred questions on the value of the collection to the Boy Scouts, which declined multiple requests to provide more information. Art in Polaroid, Detroit bankruptcies If past bankruptcies involving art are any indication, the items could be sold: Polaroid : In the second bankruptcy of Polaroid, filed in 2008, the debtor reaped millions of dollars from the sale of thousands of photos taken by Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, William Wegman and others, Spencer said. City of Detroit : In the largest Chapter 9 bankruptcy in U.S. history, filed in 2013, the city's Detroit Institute of Arts owned masterpieces by the likes of Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso and Matisse. Estimates of the collection's value ranged up to about $8 billion, and creditors pressured the city to consider selling art to pay down debts. But the collection was eventually preserved as part of a compromise involving philanthropic contributions and state dollars, which were used instead of money from painting sales to limit the level of pension cuts. Johnson Publishing Co.: The one-time publisher of "Ebony" and "Jet" magazines which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation in April recently auctioned off its collection of paintings, drawings and other artwork. The company also sold off its historic photo archive to a consortium of philanthropic organizations that plan to donate the items to museums and research groups. In Chapter 11 bankruptcies like the Boy Scouts' case, debtors have a legal obligation to consider selling their assets, including art, to pay their creditors, Spencer said. Jeff Anderson, an attorney representing victims of sexual abuse who are seeking compensation from the Boy Scouts, said it's too early to say whether the creditors will pursue a liquidation of the art. "I think it will depend upon how candid the Boy Scouts of America are," he said, calling on the organization to reveal what he alleged was the full scope of sexual abuse that occurred over the last several decades. "If theyre looking to come clean ... then they will have no problem, Im pretty confident, preserving things like that." In previous bankruptcies involving Catholic dioceses, abuse victims did not pursue a liquidation of cherished religious relics, Anderson said. "We said that's off-limits completely," said Anderson, who represented victims in some of those Catholic church cases. But "these," he said, referring to the Rockwell paintings, "we could not say are automatically off-limits." Rockwell personal ties to Boy Scouts The emotional connection between the Boy Scouts and Rockwell, who died in 1978 at age 84, runs deep. Rockwell was first hired by the Boy Scouts to create a series of pen and ink drawings for the "Boy Scouts Hike Book" and was appointed art editor of Boys' Life, the Scouts' magazine, at 19, according to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. At 22, in 1916, he began working for The Saturday Evening Post" at which point he resigned his salaried job at Boys Life. But he continued to include Scouts in his artwork, including images on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post. And in 1925, he returned to work with the Boy Scouts, creating 51 annual illustrations for the Boy Scout calendar. It's unclear if those illustrations are part of the group's collection. In 2018, the Norman Rockwell Museum featured the artist's 64-year relationship with the Boy Scouts in a special exhibition. Museum spokesperson Alyssa Stuble declined to comment on the Boy Scouts' Rockwell collection. "We cant technically answer questions about paintings that are not in our collection and that we know relatively little about because they are not under our care," she said. Sussman, the fine-arts appraiser who has evaluated Rockwell works, said the artist's work continues to attract collectors because of its "surprising freshness and spontaneity," as well as its quality. Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boy Scouts may sell Norman Rockwell art to pay sexual abuse victims Michigan lawmakers, legislative staff and state employees took a dive into chilly waters Thursday as part of the legislative Polar Plunge event. Participants braved the February cold and dove into a pool in front of the Michigan Capitol for the event, with many dressed in extravagant costumes to celebrate the occasion. The annual event raises money for Special Olympics Michigan and is one of 30 plunges taking place around the state. Those who took the plunge raised $14,800 in total for the organization, according to the event website. Learn more about the Polar Plunge and see the remaining Polar Plunge 2020 events in Michigan on the Special Olympics Michigan website. Related coverage: Records set at Polar Plunge at Clark Lake Watch the 2020 Polar Plunge at Clark Lake Unique outfits, cold water help to raise $84,000 at Fenton Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Michigan The Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade (ICIT) has decided to introduce anti-dumping duties on the import into Ukraine of aerated concrete blocks originating from Belarus. "The final anti-dumping measures are applied for a period of five years by introducing the charging of the final anti-dumping duty at a rate of 34.19%," the commission said in the Uriadovy Kurier newspaper on February 25, 2020, which the agency received yesterday. The decision concerns building blocks from porous structural and heat-insulating concrete according to tariff heading 6810 11 originating from Belarus. The final anti-dumping duty is charged as a percentage of the customs value of goods. The Commission's decision shall enter into force in 30 days from the date of its publication. According to the State Statistics Service, in 2019, imports of building blocks for the specified tariff heading from Belarus amounted to 338,400 tonnes for $13.9 million, while exports to the country amounted to 858 tonnes for $273,000. In general, Ukraine imported of such goods for $14.6 million and exported for $2.3 million in 2019. Mohd Mustafa, a student at the Jamia Millia Islamia University has approached the Delhi High Court seeking compensation for injuries suffered by him allegedly in police action against anti-CAA protesters on December 15 last year. Mustafa, in his plea, has sought that the authorities be directed to pay a compensation of at least Rs one crore for physical and mental losses suffered by him. He has also sought direction for reimbursing the student the expenses of his medical treatment that he had already incurred, including the cost of travelling to hospitals. The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought response of the Centre and the AAP government on the student's plea. A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar issued notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi government and police seeking their stand on the plea which also wants registration of an FIR into the offences allegedly committed by the police forces. The court listed the matter for further hearing on May 20. BCCL Earlier, on February 17, another similar petition had come up for hearing before the high court which sought response of the Delhi government and police on the plea. It was filed by Shayaan Mujeeb who contended that he was in the university library on December 15, 2019 studying, when police personnel entered the building and allegedly beat up the students there. BCCL The court was initially of the view that the petitioner ought to have filed a civil suit if he was seeking compensation as the claims made by him would have to be proved through evidence that cannot be done in a writ petition. Another Jamia student Mohd Minhajuddin had also moved a plea seeking a probe into the incident and demanding compensation for injuries he suffered. Minhajuddin, according to his plea, lost vision in one eye in the incident. On December 15 last year, a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act near Jamia Millia Islamia turned violent, with demonstrators pelting stones at police and setting public buses and private vehicles on fire. Police later entered the university, firing teargas shells and baton-charging students. BCCL Even though the police had initially denied this, CCTV visuals which emerged later proved otherwise. The crackdown on Jamia students had triggered protests across the country, mostly led by students, condemning the police crackdown on students. It was also one of the triggers that gave a massive momentum to the anti-CAA protests. (Natural News) Online marketplace Amazon is removing from its website several products that claim to stop the spread of and even cure the new COVID-19 virus. In doing so, however, the retail giant may actually harm consumers by preventing them from being able to purchase sanitizing products that really do kill the coronavirus on surfaces such as door handles and elevator buttons. The decision came a week after the companys meeting with the World Health Organization (WHO) at Facebooks offices at Menlo Park, California. According to a report by CNBC, Amazon, alongside other tech giants, discussed with the WHO several plans on how to stop the spread of misinformation about the novel coronavirus on their respective platforms. According to Amazon, the pullout of items is part of its crackdown on a large number of sellers who have recently cropped up on their website, some of which are offering books that stoke fears about the virus, as well as vitamin C products that are being touted as cures for the new disease. Among the other products being removed from Amazons online shelves are surgical face masks. In a letter obtained by CNBC, Amazon told the masks seller that it would remove its listing from the market because it made unapproved medical marketing claims. The retail giant, however, also told sellers that it would consider reinstating the flagged product listings online if the prohibited medical claims were removed from product descriptions. Despite its crackdown, several products have seemingly escaped Amazons filters, including several disinfectant sprays and cleaners, which are advertised as being able to kill the COVID-19 virus. The larger truth, however, is that many of these products no doubt really do kill coronavirus on surfaces, but Amazon is prohibiting the public from being able to see this information. As of press time, major governing bodies like the CDC and WHO have not officially recognized any cleaning products, pills or wipes as effective agents against COVID-19, which has infected 80,998 and killed 2,763 in China alone, as reported by Natural News. COVID-19 hits Amazon supply chain Aside from the flagging of items advertised as COVID-19 cures and treatments, Amazon is also taking precautionary measures to shield itself from possible supply-chain interruptions, especially in preparation for its global Prime Day sales event an event that saw the tech giant notching a record high in terms of sales in 2019. (Related: Still think the global supply chain is fine? Proctor & Gamble warns of 17,600 products using 9,000 materials from 387 factories in China ALL impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.) Amazon, which sources the majority of its products from COVID-19-hit China, is now stockpiling its inventories despite its lean inventory business model a response perhaps to the factory closures caused by the outbreak of the disease in the Asian nation. In fact, according to a report published by CBS, Amazon has ordered six to eight weeks worth of products instead of its usual two- to three-week stash. Similarly, several of Amazons third-party suppliers and sellers are cutting back on their advertising and marketing efforts on the online marketplace, presumably in order to decrease possible demand for their goods and avoid shortages. Out of an abundance of caution, we are working with suppliers to secure additional inventory to ensure we maintain our selection for customers, Amazon has said in a statement. We are monitoring developments related to the coronavirus and taking appropriate steps as needed, the company later added. The recent crackdown on products advertised as being effective against COVID-19, as well as Amazons stockpiling of China-made products, are the latest issues to hit the retail giant, which alongside other major online retailers, Walmart and eBay was previously hit with allegations that it was selling counterfeit and even unsafe and expired goods. Amazons product pullout an unprecedented misstep Amazons decision to take out items that could potentially stem the spread of COVID-19 seems foolhardy considering the fact that the rest of the world is dealing with medical supply shortages in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. This is the situation in the province of Hubei the epicenter of the COVID-19 wave. According to Cao Guangjing, vice governor of the province, there is still a shortage of medical supplies in their area, adding that while some of the factories that manufacture protective gear such as face masks and other supplies have bounced back, some plants have still not fully resumed production. The shortage still exists, Cao said in a Reuters report. A similar scenario is unfolding in the Southeast Asian nation of the Philippines, where the first recorded death of a COVID-19 patient outside of China occurred. In metropolitan areas such as Cebu City one of the cities the patient visited as part of a tour before falling sick suppliers are currently forced to ration protective gear such as masks after pharmacies instated a one box per person policy in order to prevent potential hoarding. Things arent much different in the capital region of Metro Manila, where panic and hysteria have likewise led scores of civilians to virtually ransack pharmacies and medical supply stores for face masks and other important items such as disinfectants, eventually prompting the deployment of police and additional security personnel to help manage the panicked crowds. Sources include: CNBC.com PopularMechanics.com QZ.com CBSNews.com BusinessInsider.com Reuters.com AlJazeera.com Rappler.com (CNN) The US Supreme Court dismissed on Wednesday the pending case of Lee Boyd Malvo, who was convicted for his role in the serial sniper shooting spree that rocked Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia 17 years ago. Last fall, the court heard arguments in the case after a lower court ordered a new sentence for Malvo, who was 17 when the crimes were committed in 2002 and was originally sentenced to life without parole. In court, lawyers for Malvo said his sentence deserved a fresh look because the Supreme Court had issued new guidance on juvenile offenders in recent years. At the time, Virginia argued against Malvo. The one-sentence order, which was expected, comes two days after Virginia's governor signed a bill making juvenile offenders who were sentenced to life imprisonment eligible for parole after serving 20 years. Both sides told the Supreme Court there was no reason to continue the case. Malvo, who is now 35 years old, was one of two people convicted in the sniper attacks that left 10 dead. His partner in the shootings, John Allen Muhammad, was executed in November 2009 in Virginia for his part in the spree. The ruling is is likely to have a broader impact on other inmates who were convicted as juveniles because Malvo is also serving life sentences for his crimes in other states. Last year, the justices struggled for more than an hour discussing the impact of their own prior cases as well as the details concerning Virginia's sentencing scheme. The case came after the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who wrote a landmark opinion in 2005 barring the death penalty for juvenile offenders. In 2012, the justices held that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for juvenile offenders violate the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Four years later, the court said the decision applied retroactively. At oral arguments, Virginia argued that the sentence of life without parole could stand because Malvo's sentence was discretionary, not mandatory. Justice Elena Kagan had questioned, however, whether Virginia properly considered Malvo's age. She pointed out that the 2012 decision, which she wrote, could be summarized in two words: "youth matters," and that a sentencer must treat children differently from adult offenders. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, on the other hand, repeatedly questioned a lawyer for Malvo on the meaning of the court's precedents and how they would impact cases where the judge or jury did not just consider a sentence of life without parole. FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis today announced a second 18-year-old charged with first-degree murder in relation to a Fairview Heights homicide. Danayeous Macon of St. Louis was charged Wednesday as Dominic Wilbourn, 18, of Swansea, was charged with first-degree murder Tuesday in relation to the shooting death of Kameron J. Dorsey, according to St. Clair County States Attorney James Gomric. Macon has a bond set at $1 million. He is currently being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center in Clayton, Missouri waiting to be extradited. Wilbourn previously had a bond of $1 million but was reduced Wednesday to $500,000. He is currently being held at the St. Clair County Jail. The shooting occurred on Feb. 19, 2020, at the residence of Dorsey. Police were called after reports of gunshots from the residence were heard at 8:40 p.m., Wednesday night. As first responders arrived on the scene, they found the body of Dorsey in his garage. The two were invited over by Dorsey to socialize that night. Prior to arriving, Macon and Wilbourn created a plan to rob Dorsey of any cash he had. During their interaction, one of the subjects fired several shots into Dorsey which would ultimately kill him. Both fled as family members heard the shots and rushed to the garage to find Dorsey on the floor and called 911. One of the subjects knew Dorsey prior to the murder, investigators have deemed the murder premeditated and not a random act of violence. Service revolvers were used in the majority of the cases. In one case at Redfern, where Detective-sergeants Hughes and Turner were- wounded by a young man who afterwards shot himself to avoid being arrested, a stolen American .45 Service automatic was used. During the past six months persons have been shot in New South Wales, 10 fatally. Most of the shootings took place in Sydney during the past two months. Two of the persons alleged to have fired the shots later committed suicide. Danger Of Gang Warfare Police are gravely concerned with the number of unlicensed pistols that are being secretly held in Sydney, and they fear an epidemic of gang warfare and other shootings unless there is a more rigid check on guns issued for military use, as gangsters and other criminals are offering big prices for firearms. Under thc law no person shall purchas carry or have in his possession any pistol unless he holds a licence, and llcences are granted only, by the police to persons of good character who desire to possess a pistol for the protection of their life or their property. The only persons, exempt are members of thc Navy, Army and Airf Force, gunsmiths, and owners of shooting galleries. Notorious Gunmen In Sydney at the present time, accord ing to the police, there are hundreds of unlicensed pistols and revolvers, many in the possession of notorious gunmen, women with a criminal record, and others who own them merely as souvenirs. The war is blamed for the big increase in the number of revolvers illegally held. When Servicemen from the United States arrived here they brought thousands of .45 pistols, and police believe that, hundreds of them got into the hands of criminals and others. Many of the recent gun victims in Sydney have been either shot dead or wounded by bullets of .45 calibre. Several of the weapons used by Sydney gangsters were' originally the property of the- American Navy, Army, or Air Force. They were taken, in various ways from the Servicemen to whom they were issued and most of them are still in the possession of members of the underworld. None has been registered and the police are able to find an odd one only after it has been used to kill or wound someone. Priceline stores have run out of hand sanitiser amid growing fears the coronavirus is developing into a global pandemic. Increased demand has forced some chemists to ration supplies, including a number of Priceline stores in Sydney which are limiting the number of products customers can buy. The pharmacy chain is also experiencing shortages of the product online, with 26 different types of antibacterial hand sanitiser completely sold out. On Thursday Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the federal government would be launching an emergency response plan to deal with the coronavirus, and warned 'the risk of a global pandemic is upon us'. Individual outlets of Priceline pharmacy have been limiting customers to how much hand sanitiser they can buy according to 9 news The pharmacy chain is also experiencing significant shortages of the product on its website (pictured) 26 different types of antibacterial hand sanitiser are completely sold out on Priceline Australia's website (pictured) Priceline's Wynyard store manager Yucando Garcia told 9news they've been struggling to meet demand. 'We have actually been out of stock for a good three weeks. Anytime we get a little bit of stock, maybe 12-24 in one day, they go,' Mr Garcia said. 'We obviously say to each person there is a maximum of two or three because we want everybody to be able to buy some.' A Priceline spokesperson said any decision to limit customer purchases around hand sanitiser are made by individual stores. The spokesperson said the rationing is not a directive among stores across the company. The Wynyard chemist has sold about 75 1L bottles of hand sanitiser in the past month, when it would normally only sell five. Australia's supermarkets are facing a similar shortage of the products. A Priceline spokesperson told 9news any decision to limit customer purchases around hand sanitiser are made by individual stores A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia said they're working to get the product back on the shelf as the chain struggles to meet high demand. 'We are currently experiencing shortages of some antibacterial hand wash and sanitiser products in our stores due to higher than usual customer demand,' the spokesperson said. 'We are working very closely with our suppliers to get these products back on shelves as quickly as possible.' At rival Coles, it's a similar story- and they're also reporting low stock of items like stationary, clothing and electrical goods. A sign posted outside of Chemist Warehouse's store in Chatswood reading 'no masks available, out of stock' A Coles Spokesperson told 9news they have been impacted by challenges overseas. Why medical supplies are selling out Face masks have been in high demand over the bushfire season Now, face masks are seeing increased demand due to corona virus fears However, face masks are not 100% effective as they do not completely seal off the mouth and nose Face masks are more effective at quarantining an infected person Professionals say that washing your hands is the best protection as it can stop virus from spreading This is why hand sanitisers are selling out across Australia Advertisement 'Logistics remain challenging, especially through some major ports and, like most retailers, we have been impacted by the extension of Chinese New Year, which saw factories closed for longer than planned and delays in production due to staff requiring government permits to return to work' the spokesperson said. The shortage of hand sanitiser and face masks started in January as hysteria began to set in around the coronavirus outbreak. Images from Chemist Warehouse's store in Chatswood last month showed shelves empty of hand sanitiser and face masks. A representative from Chemist Warehouse Chatswood previously told Daily Mail Australia they were uncertain when stock would be back on the shelf after selling out. 'Masks have been in really high demand,' the representative said. 'Since the beginning of January, the masks have been in short supply.' Chatswood Chemist Warehouse received a delivery of face masks in the beginning of January and ran out before the end of the month. The retailer has been trying to order more every day to keep up with customer's demand. Chemist Warehouse Chatswood stock ten different brands of hand sanitiser, and all had been sold out on January 30. Their delivery at the start of January lasted less than one day, with the entire shipment of stock being sold out in one morning's trade. Signs have been put up in chemists around the country including Chemist Warehouse in Chatswood to notify customers that there are no supplies of face masks and hand sanitisers A sign posted in a Chemist Warehouse store in Brisbane, where no face masks were available After a day of splashing around at the pool and the beach, I was ready for bed. Scrolling through the news, I spotted an item about a Japanese couple infected with the new coronavirus. Theyd spent time in Maui and Oahu more specifically, in bustling Waikiki Beach where my family was vacationing for a few days. I sat up, no longer sleepy, and read the rest of the article with growing dread. Where they stayed sounded vaguely familiar, and I read it aloud to my husband. We walked through that lobby today, he confirmed. It was the time-share housed on the same property as our hotel, located next door to the crowded kiddie pool. Logically, I understood their visit was nearly two weeks ago and theyd since returned to Japan. What about all the people in between, though? The people they might have had contact with, say, the hardworking staff, who could have been put at risk? Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle Last month, when a friend told me that she was going to avoid Lunar New Year celebrations, I was taken aback. It seemed like an overabundance of caution; if she was willing to go to other places with crowds, she put herself at risk for the more commonplace flu. In the weeks since the virus has gone viral, the world has been gripped by fears about this mysterious illness. This week, federal officials warned that the spread of the novel coronavirus to these shores is inevitable and that we should prepare ourselves, and Mayor London Breed declared a state of emergency. My expatriate friends in China face an uncertain future: One family that had been vacationing abroad before the virus began to take hold is now bunking with relatives in Taiwan. Another couple is hunkered down in Shanghai, doing exercises at home, watching television and playing games. Over drinks recently, I swapped travel tips with a globe-trotting friend who told me about researchers who conducted a study of transcontinental flights: Pointing a planes air nozzle onto our hands would help ward off contamination, and sitting in the window seat also makes you less prone to catching something, compared with the aisle. She also swore that a nasal saline rinse beforehand offered protection, and another friend said she wipes down tray tables. Backed by science or not, these rituals seem like talismans to make us feel safe about traveling, packed together for hours, while the air recirculates in the airplane cabin. I wanted to separate fact from fiction though. Its been disturbing to read news reports about business falling off at Chinatown restaurants, because patrons are scared off; my friends and I are making plans to patronize such businesses now. Ive also heard about reports of slurs hurled at Asian Americans, who have been demonized as dirty and diseased an old stereotype rearing its head again. After hearing the couple had been in the vicinity of our hotel, I could feel myself falling prey to my fears, picturing everywhere they might have gone, everything they might have touched or breathed upon. If their bodies had ached, wouldnt a dip in the hot tub relax them? 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 worried about them, too: how scared they must have been as the symptoms came on, hoping that it would soon pass and that they hadnt come down with the coronavirus. I wished them a speedy recovery and hoped that they felt cared for and safe. The hotel assured me theyd been working closely with state health officials and reminded me to wash my hands regularly. (As if I hadnt already started calling for the elevator with my elbow!) Id been vigilant for weeks, after getting sick myself earlier this month. Whatever it was a cold? the flu? hit the boys harder, and they were still recovering on our vacation with chesty coughs and runny noses. Then my husband went down with chills and a fever. We spent most of the time holed up while they rested, with occasional field trips along the water to a cat cafe, where the felines napped in the pools of sunshine, and the local library, a haven for our family whether at home or on vacation. A memorable vacation not for the local sights or stunning hikes but as a reminder of the preciousness of our health and of our families. Waking up in the middle of the night, Gege said, Hi, Mom, and snuggled beside me. I stroked his hair until he fell asleep, and then I did too. Vanessa Huas column appears Fridays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com SULPHUR, La., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Versa Integrity Group, Inc. ("Versa"), an industry leader in a wide range of non-destructive industrial inspection and testing, has closed a transaction to acquire Element Integrity Group, Inc. ("Element"). Element provides innovative mechanical integrity and non-destructive testing services to the petrochemical industry, including in consulting, program implementation, inspection, verification and testing. Element has over 60 employees across offices in Bartlesville, OK, Karnes City, TX and Houston, TX. Element was founded by industry veterans Nick Brown and Brandon Revard who have built a team of experienced, specialized asset integrity professionals. Element shares Versa's commitment to safety, quality and customer service. The acquisition of Element will bolster Versa's provision of asset integrity services and expand its presence into Oklahoma and the Eagle Ford. About Versa Integrity Group: Versa Integrity Group, Inc., a portfolio company of Dorilton Capital, is a leading non-destructive testing, mechanical integrity, rope access, heat treatment and advanced services provider. The company's team is made up of over 900 engineers, API inspectors, rope access climbers, NDE technicians and support professionals. Versa has 23 offices primarily located throughout the gulf region and is headquartered in Sulphur, LA. For more information, visit Versa's website at www.versaintegrity.com/. About Dorilton Capital: Dorilton Capital ("Dorilton") provides long term, patient capital to lower middle market companies across a variety of industries. As a partner, Dorilton works with entrepreneurs on growth while preserving the legacy and culture of their companies. For more information, visit Dorilton's website at www.doriltoncapital.com/ For media inquiries and relevant opportunities, please contact [email protected] SOURCE Versa Integrity Group Related Links http://www.versaintegrity.com If its just a question of Mr. Weavers version of events, thats going to be the standard: Was it reasonable? he continued. Is it reasonable to think that a person who comes up on your vehicle in the middle of the night might be carrying a weapon? I suppose if Im just playing devils advocate or angel's advocate, I dont know could he have driven away? Without being there or knowing if it was a place he had to be, I dont know that that was an option. Avon and Somerset Police have warned parents that a climate change protest in Bristol on Friday, attended by campaigner Greta Thunberg, has grown so large it could be unsafe for their children.(PA) Parents have been warned that a climate change protest being attended by campaigner Greta Thunberg has grown so large it could be unsafe for their children Avon and Somerset Police expect thousands of people to attend the Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate, starting at the citys College Green, on Friday to hear the 17-year-old climate activist speak. The force said there was potential for protesters to be hurt from either tripping, falling or being crushed by the crowds. With many children expected to skip school, police have said parents are responsible for their children. Ten of thousands of marchers participated in a march in Hamburg that Greta Thunberg attended in February 2019. (PA) Attendees are also being advised to make their own safety arrangements. Swedish climate change campaigner Thunberg is due to address the event before protesters march around the city centre to highlight the danger to the planet from climate change. A similar protest last year attracted 15,000, organisers said, and it is believed there could be more as people want to see the teenager speak. Greta had originally intended to visit London, but as the area planned for the protest in the capital was too small the organisers had recommended Bristol instead. File photo dated 14/08/19 of environmental activist Greta Thunberg. (PA) Police and Bristol City Council have warned of major disruption due to the event and said people from across the UK were planning on attending. In a joint statement, Mike Jackson, the council executive director, Bristol police commander Superintendent Andy Bennett said: We have seen a number of protests over the last year however this one will be significantly larger so we want to ensure that anyone planning to attend is prepared and able to make their own safety and safeguarding arrangements. Parents are responsible for their children. The council and police are not responsible for unsupervised children. File photo dated 14/08/19 of climate activist Greta Thunberg, who will be followed by documentary cameras for a new TV series. Bristol City Council and the Avon and Somerset Police are unable to accurately predict how large this event will be however we have confirmation of people travelling from across the UK to attend. They said that some roads would be closed by the council in order to reduce the risk of harm to motorists, pedestrians and protesters - warning people not to underestimate the scale of the protest. Story continues Read more: Greta Thunberg's parents 'thought her climate activism was a bad idea' In terms of big crowds, there is the potential for trips, slips, falls and crushing. People can easily be separated from their friends and family, they continued. Greta Thunberg during the ninth day oif COP25 Chile-Madrid at IFEMA Madrid on 11 Dec 2019.(ALTERPHOTOS/Manu R.B./Sipa USA) Two years ago, Greta started missing lessons most Fridays to protest outside the Swedish parliament building, in what turned out to be the beginning of a huge environmental movement. She has become a leading voice for action on climate change, inspiring millions of students to join protests around the world. FELTON, California, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With reference to the report published by the experts, the scope of the global IT Professional Services Market was appreciated by US$ 562.06 billion during 2017. It is likely to touch US$ 1,070.28 billion by the completion of 2025, increasing by a CAGR of 8.4% during 2018 to 2025. Development in demand for knowledge centered amenities and inclination for customizable and flexible specialized facilities are motivating the global IT professional services industry. IT professional services proposes an incorporation of services for example enterprise cloud computing services, ITO services, IT support & training services, and project-oriented services into the operations of business. Enterprises are choosing for IT professional services regardless of the business vertical they be a member of due to multiple profits, for example precise predicting and Business Intelligence (BI), assistance in enhancing the operations of business , minimalizing the expenditure, and growing the administrative incomes. Likewise, business analytics services support enterprises and administrations in recognizing openings of business development and defining spaces for saving of cost. Drivers: By way the globalization is growing and rivalry between the companies is powering, the establishments are moving to new-fangled marketplaces to increase their base of customer. This consequences in the necessity for IT proficiency between the enterprises. To overcome these encounters, enterprises are contracting out their necessities of IT services to the third-party suppliers of these services. Furthermore, as the undercurrents of the market are altering and clienteles are becoming additionally empowered, establishments are likewise altering their models of business to encounter the necessity of the clienteles. The enterprises are ever-changing in the direction of digital networks to distribute their services by means of mobile application or internet. This is inspiring the enterprises to contract out their needs of IT services and focus on their essential business proficiencies. The acceptance of cloud computing on extensive measure likewise performances by way of a most important strength motivating the development of the IT professional services market. Such as an enterprises choose for the cloud centered services, it has turn out to be stress-free for the suppliers of IT professional services to supply services by means of cloud technology. Real lessening of the cost is additional most important cause for the development of the market for IT professional services. The acceptance percentage of IT professional services observers a speedy rise because of the decreasing the costs of IT infra structure and general expenses. Additional profits, for example greater degree of flexibility, easiness of deployment and superior administration of storage too have initiated a gush in the development of the IT professional services industry. Get Sample PDF and read more details about the "IT Professional Services Market" Report 2025. Restraints: The possibilities of cyber-attacks, data breaks, stealing of privacy, discounts in free trade and lack of expert labor force is able to hamper the development of the market for IT Professional Services. Classification: The global IT professional services market can be classified by End Use, Deployment, Type and Region. By End Use, it can be classified as Marketing & Communication Companies, Technology Companies, Consulting Companies and Others. By Deployment, it can be classified as Cloud, On Premise. By Type, it can be classified as Enterprise Cloud Computing Services, ITO Services, IT Support and Training Services, Project-oriented Services. Regional Lookout: By Region the global IT professional services industry can be classified as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America, and Middle East & Africa. The North America is the principal state in the global market for IT professional services. In the world, the U.S.A has the finest substructure for IT and technology. It is growing the acceptance of IT services within the state. Similarly, government of the U.S.A proposes for the IT sector, the finest tax margins. It is proposing additional tax reduction than the international criterions. The existence of most important companies, for example Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, and AWS in the U.S.A. likewise increases the development of the market within this province. The U.S.A has been a front-runner in subcontracting a number of business service area. It is responsible for maximum services contract out, internationally. This has increased the acceptance of IT professional services within this province. The Asia Pacific market for IT professional services is estimated to take the maximum development during period of forecast. This can be credited to global enterprises contracting out their back-end processes to low price Asian nations. Such as the developing markets continue to grow well, the necessity for knowledge centered professional services is estimated to experience substantial development. In the Middle East & Africa region, small and medium enterprises likewise estimated to describe a continued escalation in the acceptance of IT professional services. Companies: Some of the important companies for IT professional services market are: Oracle Corporation, International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation, Fujitsu Limited, Cap Gemini SA, Accenture PLC, Microsoft Corporation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (H.P.E.), DXC Technology Company, Auto task Corporation. Additional notable companies are: Wipro Limited, Tech Mahindra Limited, Prod apt Solutions Private Limited, Lux soft, Genpact, AT&T Inc., Vodafone PLC, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), NTT DATA Corporation, Infosys Limited, Happiest Minds Technologies, Cognizant, and Atos SE. Browse 109 page research report with TOC on "Global IT Professional Services Market" at: https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/it-professional-services-market Market Segment: IT Professional Services Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) Project-oriented Services ITO Services IT Support & Training Services Enterprise-Cloud Computing Services IT Professional Services Deployment Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) On-premise Cloud IT Professional Services End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) Technology Companies Consulting Companies Marketing & Communication Companies Others IT Professional Services Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany U.K. Asia Pacific China India Japan Latin America Brazil Middle East & Africa Browse latest market research reports available with Million Insights: About Million Insights: Million Insights, is a distributor of market research reports, published by premium publishers only. We have a comprehensive market place, that will enable you to compare data points, before you make a purchase. Enabling informed buying, is our motto and we strive hard to ensure that our clients get to browse through multiple samples, prior to an investment. Service flexibility & the fastest response time are two pillars, on which our business model is founded. Our market research report store, includes in-depth reports, from across various industry verticals, such as healthcare, technology, chemicals, food & beverages, consumer goods, material science & automotive. Contact: Ryan Manuel Research Support Specialist, USA Million Insights Phone: +1-408-610-2300 Toll Free: 1-866-831-4085 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.millioninsights.com/ Blog: https://millioninsights.blogspot.com/ SOURCE Million Insights SPRINGFIELD White Lion Brewing will open its brewery and tasting room at Tower Square in May, one of the buildings owners said Wednesday. The news came as Vid Mitta one of several investors who bought the 50-year-old mall, hotel and office complex two years ago gave an update on the building during an unveiling ceremony for the James Kitchen sculpture Tower Squares." White Lion has announced a sneak peek tour and open house of its new setup from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. Tower Square General Manger Fred Christensen said Springfield-based White Lion ran into construction complications because the space it is leasing once a restaurant called Spaghetti Freddys was not built to handle the weight of brewing tanks full of liquid. There is a basement under the space, and Christensen said the floors have been reinforced. Longtime second-floor tenant Skin Catering, meanwhile, is expanding into first-floor space in the Tower Square mall that was most recently a convenience store, Mitta said. In June 2017, MassMutual announced plans to sell Tower Square, including the 28-floor office tower, mall, hotel, parking garage and Steiger Park across Main Street. A year later, the investors Mitta, of Lexington and Dinesh Patel, of East Longmeadow, and Rohit Patel and Kamlesh Patel, of Maine bought the hotel for $10.5 million and the office tower, mall, parking decks and park in a separate $7 million deal. MassMutual has since moved its Barings investment management operation out of the office tower. At the hotel, $10 million worth of renovations are underway and will be done by the end of 2020. Mitta said he expects to have the Marriott branding back once work is completed. The owners displayed artist mock-ups of the new hotel space behind Kitchens sculpture. UMass will continue its tenancy for an additional five-years, Mitta said. Wellfleet, an insurance company owned by Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway, moved its headquarters from Roosevelt Avenue into Tower Square last year. On Wednesday, Mitta said Wellfleet is looking to take even more space in the office tower. Wellfleet plans to put its name on the building, Christensen said, but the work has been delayed until spring. We are looking at several interesting prospective tenants right now, primarily in the office tower, he added. Speaking at the sculpture unveiling, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno thanked the partners for breathing new life into Tower Square. They took a challenging property, Sarno said. And brought an eclectic mix to downtown Springfield. The disgraced former mayor of Baltimore was sentenced to three years in federal prison Thursday for arranging fraudulent sales of her self-published children's books. Catherine Pugh arranged for her 'Healthy Holly' books to be sold to nonprofits and foundations to promote her political career, fund her run for the city's highest office, and buy a new house. As part of the double-selling scheme, organizations paid Pugh $859,960 for orders of more than 132,100 copies but only 73,200 were ever printed. The orders were never completed but Pugh pocketed an estimated $800,000 from the sales for her own use. In November, she pleaded guilty to 11 charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the government and two counts of tax evasion. Catherine Pugh, 69, was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Thursday Federal authorities accused Catherine Pugh of double selling the books, keeping many for self-promotion purposes and failing to deliver them to institutions they were purchased for. They are seen here removing items from her home in April as part of the investigation Copies of former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh's self-published 'Healthy Holly' illustrated paperbacks for children were resold instead of being delivered to Baltimore school children The 69-year-old veteran Democratic politician apologized ahead of her sentencing in the federal court in Baltimore on Thursday and said that 'no one is more disappointed than me'. The scandal has shaken Maryland's largest city, which for years has struggled with grinding poverty, political mismanagement, record crime rates and police abuses that led to massive riots. And it made a mockery of Pugh's inaugural promise to restore trust in Baltimore's leaders. Pugh was elected mayor in 2016 and resigned under pressure in May 2019 as authorities investigated bulk sales of her 'Healthy Holly' paperbacks, which netted her an estimated $800,000. The scandal broke in March 2019 around the book series which features an African American girl who promoted exercise and nutritional eating habits. The thousands of books that were sold to promote good eating habits and combat obesity were never delivered to the city's children and were instead resold for further profit. The Healthy Holly books were intended to promote good eating habits and combat obesity but were never delivered to the city's children as Pugh resold the books and kept the profit Former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh, center, and her attorney Steven Silverman, right, arrive for a sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Thursday, February 27. Pugh pleaded guilty in November 2019 to federal conspiracy and tax evasion charges U.S. Attorney Robert Hur, second from left, speaks to reporters after former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh's sentencing hearing at U.S. District Court in Baltimore on Thursday Federal authorities accused Pugh of double selling the books, keeping many for self-promotion purposes and failing to deliver them to institutions they were purchased for, including the Baltimore City Public Schools. Pugh used the proceeds to fund straw donations to her mayoral campaign and buy and renovate a new house. Pugh was also sentenced on Thursday to serve three years of supervised release after getting out of prison and was ordered to pay more than $411,000 in restitution and to forfeit more than $669,000 to the government. Prosecutors had asked U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow to sentence the former mayor to nearly five years in prison, while her attorneys suggested a term of one year and a day. Dozens of people submitted letters to the federal judge pleading for leniency, including Kweisi Mfume, the former NAACP leader and Democratic nominee for Maryland's 7th Congressional District. Five people spoke in support of Pugh during the hearing, including her former high school teacher. The disgraced former mayor of Baltimore Catherine Pugh arranged for the books to be sold to nonprofits to promote her political career and fund her run for the citys highest office Former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh pocketed an estimated $800,000 from the scheme "This isn't the last you'll hear of Catherine Pugh" Following sentencing on fraud/tax charges Catherine Pugh apologized and said she will now rebuild her life. She will serve 3 yrs in federal prison pic.twitter.com/R5awIIhwVZ Jayne Miller (@jemillerwbal) February 27, 2020 But U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow said she found it ironic that Pughs supporters flaunted her commitment to public service. 'It was precisely that reputation for good work that enabled her to commit those offenses,' Chasnow said. Pugh apologized to the city once again as she appeared outside the court after her sentencing. 'Nobody loves Baltimore more than I do,' she said. 'I know that Baltimore will move forward. There are great people out there I hope that will take over the reigns, but what I want the citizens of Baltimore do is to continue to believe in the future of our city. 'Again, I apologize to the city, the state ... This is a time for me to rebuild my life.' Pugh, helped by longtime aide Gary Brown Jr., carefully carried out the scheme over more than seven years, starting when she was a Maryland state senator and into her tenure as Baltimore's mayor. Brown and another Pugh associate, Roslyn Wedington, await sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy and tax fraud. A detailed accounting of the sales presented by prosecutors revealed that organizations paid Pugh $859,960 for orders of more than 132,100 copies. But only about 73,200 copies were printed. Federal agencies raided City Hall, the home of Mayor Catherine Pugh and several other properties as the investigation into the mayor's business dealings for sales of the self-published Healthy Holly books widened in March 2019. She resigned in May 2019 Federal agents remove items from the home of Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh in April 2019. She pleaded guilty to tax evasion in November 2019 and was sentenced to three years In their sentencing memorandum, prosecutors said Pughs personal inventory of books never exceeded 8,216 copies, but she resold them repeatedly through the elaborate scheme. The University of Maryland Medical System - one of the state's largest employers - was Pugh's biggest book customer, and will receive $400,000 of the $411,000 in restitution payments. The remaining $11,000 will go to the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. The medical system paid her a total of $500,000 for 100,000 copies that were meant to be distributed to schoolchildren, but about 60,000 of those books were sent to a city warehouse and a Pugh office where thousands were removed to give to other customers. Prosecutors say Pugh never delivered the other 40,000 books the health system purchased for city schools. While serving in the state Senate, Pugh sat on a committee that funded the medical system. She also sat on the hospital network's board from 2001 until the scandal erupted in March. The former mayor returned the last $100,000 payment. Other Pugh customers include CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Kaiser Permanente, which insure city employees. Some of their multiyear, multi-million-dollar contracts were awarded before Pugh took office, and some were awarded afterward, prosecutors said in a court filing. 'While there is no evidence that Pugh attempted to extort or solicit bribes from any of the foregoing companies or organizations, the fact that she repeatedly and almost exclusively targeted them suggests that Pugh leveraged the power of her elected office to corruptly solicit money from companies and organizations that might be beholden to her,' prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum. The memorandum added that none of those who bought the books were even aware of their existence until Pugh mentioned them. Prosecutors said 93.6% of the book purchases, totaling $805,000, were bought by corporate buyers with an interest in 'obtaining or maintaining a government contract'. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Reuters) London, United Kingdom Thu, February 27, 2020 12:04 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066e8a7a 2 Entertainment johnny-depp,amber-heard,Court,Britain,Hollywood Free Hollywood star Johnny Depp appeared in a London court on Wednesday to hear his lawyer argue that Depp's ex-wife had lied when she accused him of beating her in comments quoted by the tabloid newspaper the Sun. Depp, the 55-year-old star of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, is suing the tabloid's publisher, News Group Newspapers, and its executive editor Dan Wootton for libel over an article Wootton wrote in 2018 calling Depp a "wife beater". Depp himself attended the High Court for the first day of the pre-trial review. The trial proper is due to start on March 23 and last two weeks. Both Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard accused each other of physical abuse during their relationship. Heard first made allegations in 2016, which Depp denied. "One of them is lying and doing so on a grand scale," said a skeleton argument submitted by Depp's lawyers and distributed to journalists. Read also: Thousands sign petitions to remove Amber Heard as LOreal spokesperson "It is a very important function therefore of this libel trial that these allegations are tested, and either proved or disproved." The onus in the case is on the Sun to prove that it has not committed libel. It will argue simply that the article is not defamatory because it is true. The skeleton argument requested that the court agree to hear witnesses living in California by video-link during the London afternoon, to accommodate the eight-hour time difference. News Group Newspapers is owned by the New York-listed News Corp. There were calls for Jimmy Savile to have the knighthood removed posthumously. (Press Association) Buckingham Palace pushed back against public calls for Jimmy Savile to be stripped of his knighthood after his death, it has emerged. After his death in 2011, aged 84, Savile was accused of sexual abuse against hundreds of people, ranging in ages from eight to 47. As a result, there was a public outcry for Savile to have his knighthood removed posthumously. The case prompted the Cabinet Office to consider whether there should be a formal change to mean awards can be forfeited posthumously. However, according to notes released to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse released this week, palace officials did not think there was any need to change policy on honours, because the honour effectively dies with the recipient. While precedent is that the honour or appointment dies with the person, its not uncommon to continue to hear a person referred to as Sir or Dame in obituaries. Savile can still be referred to as Sir Jimmy. Read more: How a pro-paedophile group lobbied the government to legalise sex with children in the 70s and 80s The report from the IICSA says that memos to the Cabinet in 2012 stated: We have consulted the Palace informally. They consider that the current policy should be maintained as they are firmly of the view that an individual is honoured in their lifetime and the honour is for the duration of their life. The date of death should mark the closure of any affair. There is also the question of what advantage there would be in the Forfeiture Committee considering cases concerning deceased individuals. Prince Charles talking to Frank Bruno and Jimmy Savile in 1998. (Getty Images) It may satisfy immediate media hunger for action to be taken, but it can be argued that forfeiting an honour after death would have a greater impact on the individuals family and friends they would be the ones to suffer rather than the individual. Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment. Read more: Number of people seeking help about viewing online child sex abuse images doubles Appointments like OBEs and Knighthoods can be reviewed or cancelled if a recipient is deemed to have brought the honours system into disrepute. This only applies to living members. Story continues Prince Charles meets Sir Jimmy Savile during his visit to Scarborough. (Press Association) In the paper considered by the Cabinet Office in 2012, convention and long-standing precedent were given as reasons not to change the previous system which stopped the forfeiture committee considering stripping members who have died. Considerations which had to be made included whether the next of kin of deceased members would have the opportunity to submit a written representation to the committee before a decision was made and whether there would be a time limit on cases. The Palace had also commented on the use of the London Gazette for recording posthumous forfeitures, with the report stating they had informally expressed a lack of enthusiasm. Read more: Questions over Watson peerage following abuse reports dismissal of his claims The Duke of Edinburgh with Jimmy Savile in 1975. (Getty Images) Savile lost several of his awards from other organisations after he died, including being a Freeman of the Borough of Scarborough, and honorary doctorates from the universities of Leeds and Bedfordshire. His name was removed from street signs put up in his honour and the headstone on his grave was removed and broken up at the request of his family. The report from the IICSA showed the political establishment had spent decades turning a blind eye to allegations of child sexual abuse. But it found no evidence of a Westminster paedophile ring, allegations dating back to 2012 that kickstarted the multi-million pound inquiry. The latest IICSA report recommended the Cabinet Office reconsider policy on posthumous forfeiture, in order to consider the perspectives of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. GENESEE COUNTY, MI Three people in Genesee County and three people in Saginaw County have been monitored for the coronavirus, officials confirmed. The trio in Genesee, who traveled from mainland China, were cleared of the virus after they self-quarantined at home for 14 days. Genesee County Health Officer John McKeller said they didnt demonstrate symptoms that warranted testing for the virus. He did not say whether the people were in the same family or group, or were individuals who didnt know one another. Two people in Saginaw County were cleared after being monitored for 14 days and one person is still being monitored, said Carissa Hillman, the emergency preparedness coordinator for the county. All three have voluntarily self quarantined. She did not say whether the people were in the same family or group, or were individuals who didnt know one another. The coronavirus, a virus like the flu that causes respiratory illness, broke out in China but has spread internationally. On Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned the virus is going to spread into U.S. communities. The first U.S. case of coronavirus was reported in California on Wednesday, according to a report from the CDC. The Genesee County residents self-quarantined and were in daily communication with health officials, McKeller said. They were asked to monitor any symptoms, limit their interaction with others and to keep track of their temperature. Im glad to say those three people have been cooperative and completed the 14 days of monitoring, McKeller said. People usually experience symptoms within seven days. If they go 14 days without experiencing symptoms, theyre cleared of having the disease. The county followed similar monitoring protocols when the Ebola outbreak occurred, McKeller said. I recognize people are frightened and confused because this is a new disease that isnt well understood, McKeller said. McKeller doesnt want to minimize peoples worries but to put it into perspective, the CDC reported that in the U.S. about 12,000 people have died from the flu in the 2019-2020 season. Taking that into consideration, the flu is a more dangerous virus right now, McKeller said. The county is in daily communication with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as to whether any travelers from China are staying in Genesee. A rapidly changing situation Nobody in Bay County has required monitoring yet. Joel Strasz, the countys health officer, said its hard to say when a mass-produced vaccine will be made for coronavirus. Part of the problem is that we still have a lot to learn about the virus and disease, Strasz said. Its a rapidly changing situation. Monitoring is limited to Travelers coming from China right now, but Strasz said that could change soon. Now that we see more cases in South Korea, Italy and Iran, those travel requirements may change. It really depends on how the situation plays out, Strasz said. Bay County is following the same protocols as Genesee. Strasz said theyre in daily communication with the CDC and the state. Soon, he plans on reaching out to schools about preventive measures they can take to limit the spread of the virus. Part of managing the symptoms is limiting the spread of the disease, which goes back to the basics of public health, Strasz said. The more important outreach at this point is working with healthcare providers. Bay County has a strong relationship with McLaren Bay Region and is in daily communication with the hospital. Genesee County is also discussing prepping for community spread of the virus with three local hospitals. Screening patients for coronavirus McLaren Flint and its offsite locations have implemented a coronavirus patient screening tool to standardize a process at all patient points of entry. Points of entry include the emergency room, pre-admission testing, McLarens surgery center and Flint physicians offices. Hospital administrators and infection control staff have tools related to screening patients or potential patients carrying the virus. "We will keep the screening tool in place and adjust it if necessary by remaining vigilant regarding current CDC recommendations, said Binesh Patel, chief medical officer at McLaren Flint. We have had temporary visitor restrictions in place since early January due to influenza and we highly recommend anyone who is not feeling well to refrain from visiting patients in the hospital, especially if they have a fever or cough. If a patient is found to have the coronavirus, isolation measures will be taken by the hospital. Communication will also be made with the county, state and the CDC. More testing and treatment of the patient would take place in cooperation with all the agencies. Hurley Medical Center is following the CDCs guidelines for the coronavirus. We are working in coordination with our Infectious Disease Physicians at Hurley and following our Infection Control and Prevention Plan for an influx of infectious patients, said Ann Newell, who is Hurleys Infection Control Manager. Its uncertain if residents in Saginaw, Midland or Lapeer counties have been monitored or tested. Health officials from the counties didnt immediately respond to MLive-The Flint Journals request for comment. If regular flu season, as well as the spread of this coronavirus, has you thinking about what hygiene and cleaning supplies you have on hand, youll want to stock up on items like antibacterial soap and, in the event that youre unable to wash your hands, a hand sanitizer with a high alcohol content. While the CDC has said wearing personal masks is not necessary if you are feeling well, some people are ordering boxes of them to have on hand. If you are cleaning countertops, tabletops, door handles and faucets in an effort to get ride of germs around your home, make sure to use disinfecting wipes designed to kill viruses. Shared Approach Aims to Bring Applications Closer to End-Users and Enable the Implementation of Innovative Enterprise Services Leading operators; China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, EE, KDDI, Orange, Singtel, SK Telecom, Telefonica and TIM have joined forces, with the support of the GSMA, to develop an interoperable platform to make edge compute capabilities widely and easily available. The platform to be developed in 2020, will make local operator assets and capabilities, such as latency, compute and storage available to application developers and software vendors enabling them to fulfil the needs of enterprise clients. Operators have agreed to work together to develop an Edge Compute architectural framework and reference platform, and the GSMA has launched an Operator Platform Project to support this exciting operator initiative. Initially, the platform will be deployed across multiple markets in Europe and progressively extended to other operators and geographies to achieve global reach. Operators can offer enterprises unmatched proximity to their customers and deliver high performance. For enterprises, these capabilities create an opportunity for expansion to local or international markets whilst maintaining compliance with local regulatory and data protection laws. Telco Edge Cloud will: Be open and inclusive Provide data protection and sovereignty mechanisms Offer carrier-grade reliability, security, trustworthiness Leverage existing technology solutions; as appropriate, including, but not limited to, aggregation platform solutions such as MobiledgeX, or the interconnection mechanisms developed as part of the GSMA MultiOperator MEC experience. "Operators are very well placed to provide capabilities such as low latency through their network assets," said Alex Sinclair, CTO at GSMA. "It is essential for enterprises to be able to reach all of their customers from the edge of any network. Based on the GSMA Operator Platform Specification, Telco Edge Cloud will provide enterprise developers and aggregators with a consistent way to reach connected customers." "Edge cloud will build a unified network edge ecosystem, providing diversified and customised products and services, and multiple platform capabilities. It will also realise more extensive boundary-crossing cooperation to meet the requirements of digital transformation of various vertical industries," said Xiongyan Tang, the Chief Scientist of China Unicom Network Technology Research Institute and the Chief Architect of China Unicom Intelligent Network Center, China Unicom "Edge Cloud has an exciting potential to enable and enhance many innovative experiences for our customers. I welcome this operator initiative to take ownership of the edge opportunity by joining forces to deliver our capabilities in a federated edge service," said Claudia Nemat, Board Member Technology Innovation at Deutsche Telekom. "Leveraging MobiledgeX as platform partner and aggregator in the federation puts operators on the best track to create scale, bring in the developer community and make a market impact." "Edge Cloud is a promising opportunity to enable the development of services that need low latency connection and to meet various service demands from enterprise customers. The innovation of telecommunication services will be accelerated by the enhancement of service quality and the customer experience in real-time applications such as cloud XR and cloud gaming," said Yoshiaki Uchida, Member of the Board, Executive Vice President, Executive Director, Technology Sector at KDDI "To address the edge-cloud computing market, operators need to work very closely together to create an interoperable platform and to monetise their extremely valuable assets," said Mari-Noelle Jego-Laveissiere, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technology and Global Innovation Officer, Orange. "We, at Orange, believe that it is a must-have to unleash new business opportunities enabled by both edge computing and 5G. That's why we are proud to support the GSMA Telco Edge Cloud initiative." "We believe that a cross-border edge cloud platform which serves bandwidth needs and lower latency requirements, is what's needed at this time as it allows organisations with multi-market operations to deploy and manage time-critical applications closer to where the data is collected. We look forward to collaborating with GSMA and the other telcos on this exciting initiative," said Mark Chong, Group CTO of Singtel "Edge Cloud is a key enabler to unlock the full potential of emerging applications such as AR/VR, cloud robots, and smart factory with improved QoS, real-time intelligence, security and data privacy. In order to provide a seamless global MEC experience to our customers, it is critical that mobile operators around the world come together and join forces," says Dr. Kang-Won Lee, Vice President and Head of Cloud Labs at SK Telecom. "SK Telecom is excited to collaborate with global partners, bringing our edge cloud experience and tech leadership to the team to realise the vision of mobile edge cloud." "The market needs an Edge Cloud that meets the enterprise demands to service their customers. Telecom operators are in an extremely good position to provide a trusted and open Edge Cloud, so enterprises can maximise their service offering and business opportunities being as close as needed to their customers," said Enrique Blanco, Group CTO, Telefonica "Edge Cloud is a fundamental asset for the new requirements of many business segments and customers," said Elisabetta Romano, Chief Innovation Partnership Officer, TIM "Edge Cloud will be a formidable enabler to transform the network from a "bit pipe" to an effective digital business platform, thanks to flexible computing capacity and low access latency to computing resources." The GSMA Operator Platform Project The GSMA's Operator Platform Project intends to develop a framework for operators to expose and monetise their network capabilities. Operators will offer through the Operator Platform edge compute, storage and connectivity to their customers leveraging: their existing relationships with enterprises who already have use cases requiring edge, their vast local footprint/real estate, an inimitable position for stringent security and data privacy, residency, sovereignty and the organisational competence from the experience of providing highly reliable (five nines) services over a distributed and capillary network environment. Cloud capabilities will be treated as a subset of edge. -ENDS- About the GSMA The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 750 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences. For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005232/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts: For the GSMA GSMA Press Office pressoffice@gsma.com Caitlin Gosai cgosai@webershandwick.com The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Switzerland has risen to four, the countrys health authority said on Feb. 27. In the western canton of Geneva one person was tested positive for the virus, while it was also confirmed in a couple in the southeastern Alpine canton of Grisons, it added. All three patients are isolated in the hospital. Their condition is good, the Federal Office of Public Health said. Denmark and Estonia on Thursday confirmed they had each detected their first known cases of COVID-19. The Danish Health Authority said that its first patient was a male who had recently returned from a ski holiday in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Reuters reported. He tested positive on Wednesday night and is in self-isolation at home. In Estonia, Tanel Kiik, the Minister of Social Affairs, told Eesti Television that their first patient is an Iranian citizen who arrived in the country on Wednesday. They are now being quarantined. At least five European countries confirmed their first known cases on Wednesday: Georgia, Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, and Norway. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that the government would ask all elementary, junior high, and high schools to close from March 2 until spring break, typically around the end of March. He was speaking at a meeting of the governments task force to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. Saudi Arabia on Thursday halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam just months ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, a move coming as the Mideast has over 220 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The extraordinary decision by Saudi Arabia stops foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure the worlds 1.8 billion Muslims pray toward five times a day. It also said travel was suspended to Prophet Muhammads mosque in Medina. The decision showed the worry about the outbreak potentially spreading into Saudi Arabia. The epicenter in the Mideasts most-affected country, Iran, appears to be in the holy Shiite city of Qom, where a shrine there sees the faithful reach out to kiss and touch it in reverence. The hardest-hit nation in the Mideast is Iran, where Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 19 people have died among 139 confirmed cases. Experts are concerned Iran may be underreporting cases and deaths, given the illnesss rapid spread from Iran across the Persian Gulf. For example, Iran still has not confirmed any cases in Mashhad, even though a number of cases reported in Kuwait are linked to the Iranian city. In Bahrain, which confirmed 33 cases as of Thursday morning, authorities halted all flights to Iraq and Lebanon. It separately extended a 48-hour ban over flights from Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, through which infected travelers reached the island kingdom off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said there were no immediate plans to quarantine cities but acknowledged it may take one, two, or three weeks to get control of the virus in Iran. As Irans 80 million people find themselves increasingly isolated in the region by the outbreak, the countrys sanctions-battered economy saw its currency slump to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar in a year on Wednesday. Epoch Times staff contributed to this report. The Zhovtnevy Court of Dnipro has freed former Members of Parliament from Opposition Bloc Oleksandr Vilkul and Dmytro Kolesnikov from criminal liability due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. The relevant rulings were published in the register of court decisions, the ezine Trial Reporter has said. The MPs had been charged under Part 2 of Article 364 (abuse of power or official position, which led to grave consequences) of Ukraine's Criminal Code. The sanction of the article prescribes punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of up to six years, and the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution is 10 years. After the transfer of the cases to court, the charges were changed to Part 2 of Article 367 (official negligence) of Ukraine's Criminal Code. This crime qualifies as moderate, with a statute of limitations of five years, which allowed the defense to petition for the closure of cases. It is noted that the defendants had the opportunity to insist on the continuation of the proceedings after the expiration of the limitation period to establish the truth. The Vilkul case was closed on January 28, 2020. The indictment referred to Vilkul's actions from March 2010 to December 2012, when he headed the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration. He was accused of illegally changing the intended purpose of 21 hectares of collective property of the successors of the former collective farms with the lease of OJSC Ordzhonikidze Mining and Processing Plant. The losses of the victims amounted to more than UAH 12 million. In addition, the state suffered losses in the amount of UAH 486,000 from the removal of soil cover without special permission. Vilkul was also charged with illegally changing the type of land with an area of 45.4 hectares for LLC ART LAND, which created conditions for further illegal changes to the purpose of land use. Damages were estimated at UAH 5 million. The charges were later reclassified to a lighter article, and Vilkul's lawyer filed a petition for his release from liability due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. The defense continues to insist that all actions of Vilkul were lawful and justified, that no crime was committed and criminal proceedings against him are politically motivated. Vilkul himself gave written consent to close the case and emphasized that he did not consider himself guilty. The prosecutors did not raise any objection to the satisfaction of the request. The heads of village councils and collective farms also agreed to change the charge. The court closed the case, noting that the establishment of guilt was not decided. The prosecutor and representatives of the victims retained the opportunity to go to court to recover damages in a civil procedure. A similar ruling was made in the case against Kolesnikov, who headed the State Agency for Management of State Corporate Rights and Property of Ukraine under former President Viktor Yanukovych. According to the prosecution, Kolesnikov approved changes to the property list of the state enterprise, which is not subject to privatization, that did not include two buildings. In the future, this allowed the sale of objects excluded from the list. The amount of damage to state interests exceeded UAH 16 million. Kolesnikov has denied guilt and did not object to the exemption from criminal liability and the closure of the case due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Serhiy Melnychenko of Dnipro's Zhovtnevy Court delivered both rulings. ATO inspect a car in the Belmont Road area of east Belfast on February 27th 2020 (Photo by Kevin Scott for Belfast Telegraph) An east Belfast school has confirmed a suspicious device found under a female teacher's car was a "false alarm". Police were called to the scene of the alert in the Belmont Road area following the discovery of the object on Thursday evening. The Belfast Telegraph understands the teacher works at Strathearn School. A number of homes have been evacuated, while part of the Belmont Road and Belmont Church Road have been cordoned off. In a statement issued by Lanyon Group on behalf of Strathearn School, a spokesman said: "On Thursday evening, the Principal and Governors of Strathearn School were alerted by the PSNI to a suspicious device found in the grounds of the school. "Following a controlled explosion by army technical officers, the device was declared to be a false alarm. "The safety of our pupils, staff and neighbouring community remains our utmost priority at all times and, having sought advice from the PSNI, we are assured that school can continue as normal on Friday." Security alert in east Belfast pic.twitter.com/pRbDRQckXT Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) February 27, 2020 Police said at 9.50pm that the security alert had ended. Inspector Natalie McNally said: "Police responded to a report of a suspicious object discovered under a vehicle at a school in the Belmont Road earlier this evening. "Following examination the object has been declared as nothing untoward and the road has now reopened. Residents have been allowed to return to their homes. We're grateful to local people for their patience." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Asip Hasani (The Jakarta Post) Tulungagung Thu, February 27, 2020 07:24 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066d586a 1 National KPK,search,Supreme-Court,Nurhadi,bribery,Tulungagung,East-Java,Most-Wanted-List Free Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators have searched on Wednesday the house of Suhada Sumarni, the father-in-law of former Supreme Court secretary and graft suspect Nurhadi Abdurachman, in Tulungagung, East Java, as part of the antigraft bodys effort to locate the suspect, who is still at large. Eight investigators were seen entering the house at around 10 a.m. East Java Police officers assisted the search by guarding the premises. The search was completed at 1 p.m. when KPK investigators were seen leaving the house. They told me that they were looking for Pak Suhadas son-in-law, who is on the most wanted list now. They searched through some piles of documents in the house but didnt confiscate anything, local community head Nuryadi said after the search. He added that the house had long only been occupied by a housemaid. Read also: Former Supreme Court secretary accused of accepting Rp 46b in bribes Suhada is the father of Nurhadis wife Tin Zuraida, an expert staff member at the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry. Nurhadi was named a graft suspect for allegedly accepting bribes in the form of nine checks and Rp 46 billion (US$3.2 million) in cash in connection with three cases handled at the Supreme Court between 2011 and 2016. The KPK put Nurhadi on the most wanted list on Feb. 13 after he failed to answer the antigraft bodys summons for questioning twice. The commission also named Nurhadis son-in-law Rezki Herbiyono and PT Multicon Indrajaya Terminal director Hiendra Soenyoto, who was suspected of promising Nurhadi nine checks from the company, suspects in the case. They were also put on the most wanted list. Graft busters have on several occasions searched for Nurhadi, including at his house in South Jakarta and his office, the Rahmat Santoso and Partners law firm, which is owned by Nurhadis brother-in-law, in Surabaya, East Java. (kuk) [February 27, 2020] Studycat Donates Free Use of Its Children's Language Learning Apps Globally HONG KONG, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global edtech firm Studycat Limited is donating a month's free use, globally, of its award-winning Fun Series language learning apps teaching 3-8 year-olds English, Chinese, Spanish, French and German. This expands on Studycat's earlier donation of free use of its apps in the Greater China region, launched on February 4th, 2020, which received a massive response, demonstrating the urgent need for safe home learning resources for young children at this time. To sign up, those interested can visit the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or Studycat's website : https://studycat.com/in-this-together/ Access to the apps is effective immediately. In suitable cases, the company will also offer complimentary use of its productdesigned for educational institutions, Fun English for Schools. Mark Pemberton, co-founder of Studycat, said: "We deeply empathize with all families affected by the virus epidemic. With schools disrupted in many areas, us parents now face a practical challenge of caring for our younger children as this situation unfolds. We need easy-to-use resources, delivering productive activities for our kids to do safely at home. Our apps were designed specifically for safe home use and we are proud to help families in some small way during this concerning crisis" "We are deeply concerned for anyone impacted by this virus outbreak. We are determined to do our part, helping to mitigate some of the burden brought on by school disruption", added Mateo Solares, co-founder of Studycat. "We are committed to helping young children at this time, allowing them to learn new things while having fun, turning their minds to something constructive." Studycat enables safe and convenient home learning of beginner-level English, Spanish, Chinese, French and German, as well as literacy and critical thinking. Its huge variety of fun online games, puzzles, songs and interactive exercises encourage creativity and collaboration. The company's website, studycat.com, also offers hundreds of creative worksheets to help fill time productively, which families will have access to on the company's website. Established in 1999, Studycat was started by experienced educators Mark Pemberton, Mateo Solares and Jason Bakkum. They began their journey as a brick-and-mortar language school before moving into game-based digital learning in 2006 and app stores in 2011. About STUDYCAT Studycat is an international leader in children's online language education, empowering young children around the world to enjoy learning a foreign language with innovative learning applications that connect homes and schools. The company's consumer solutions help children aged 3-8 learn beginner-level English, Chinese, Spanish, French and German effectively, achieving superior outcomes, using a blended approach of online and offline games and exercises. Studycat's English-language learning content is aligned with Cambridge Young Learners, a well-recognized academic curriculum and exam system. Built on the premise that young children learn most effectively through play and are motivated to study by having fun, Studycat's apps have been downloaded more than 11 million times worldwide. Connect with Studycat on Twitter @Study_cat, Facebook @ Studycat.net. and LinkedIn or visit studycat.com Press Contact: Mark Pemberton | [email protected] | +886 939626382 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/studycat-donates-free-use-of-its-childrens-language-learning-apps-globally-301012510.html SOURCE Studycat [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] As she gazes adoringly at her happy youngest child, Donna Reynolds can only marvel at what little Eithne has been through in her two short years. Diagnosed in the womb with hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), the future was unknown and terrifying for Donna and her husband John. Now, two years on, the Larne couple are proud of the incredible strength and resilience of their little girl who, as well as five brain surgeries, has coped with a list of other medical complications. Today, in a moving interview, Donna is happy to offer encouragement to other parents facing a similarly devastating diagnosis - and she pays tribute to her employers and the charity Shine which have provided unwavering support. Donna (35), a bank manager, and John (45), a photographer, have two other girls, Niamh (12) and Orlaith (4). It was when Donna was 20 weeks' pregnant with Eithne that they first found out something was wrong. "The scan showed she had fluid on the brain and an enlargement of the chambers of the brain," Donna explains. "They said if she survived the birth they did not know if she would be brain damaged. "It was heartbreaking. The rest of my pregnancy was just stress and worry. It was very difficult even to talk about and we didn't talk about it, we couldn't go there because it was too hard. "We went in for my C-section and there was just silence. All the other couples in the hospital were so excited about giving birth, while we were terrified." Expand Close Sisterly love: Eithne with Niamh (right) and Orlaith / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sisterly love: Eithne with Niamh (right) and Orlaith Donna says that during her pregnancy she and John did get some reassurance from Shine who have provided support ever since. After the devastating news was broken at the 20-week scan the couple were given a leaflet on the charity and advised to contact them. "John contacted Marie McGonnell from the charity a couple of days later - she then came to our home and sat down with us and talked us through all the possible scenarios that may happen," Donna says. "Although Marie couldn't tell us what would happen after birth, she made us feel comfortable with the situation and we both drew inspiration and support from the visit. "From then until now Shine has been supporting us as a family and we are so thankful to them." After the scan, Donna was transferred to be cared for by specialists who discovered that the cause of her brain enlargement was a blockage in one of the chambers. Alarmingly, this meant that Eithne's fluid would continue to build up. Eithne is so resilient and doesn't let anything get to her - she just bounces back Donna Reynolds Donna was monitored closely throughout the remainder of the pregnancy. And when Eithne was born it was to very relieved parents who were able to spend an hour with her before she was taken to neonatal intensive care. Eithne had an MRI scan when she was one day old to confirm she had congenital hydrocephalus. Things appeared optimistic as her neurosurgeon was initially satisfied that immediate surgery was not required on her brain. However, other medical problems were discovered and Eithne had to have abdominal surgery when she was just nine days old - and five days after this she was able to go home for the first time. However, she was soon back in hospital to have the first of several brain surgeries which aimed to help the drainage of fluid. Indeed, most of Eithne's first year was taken up with regular visits to hospital for surgeries on her brain and dealing with other health issues. She developed asthma at three months old, had to have a brace placed on her leg because her hip wasn't fitting into its socket correctly, and then in April it was discovered she had an allergy to cow's milk, eggs and peanuts. As both parents have full-time jobs Donna was grateful that she had supportive employers who allowed her to take a career break to be with her daughter. She is not due to return to work until next month. As a self-employed photographer, John will be at home to care for Eithne when Donna goes back to her job as a bank manager. "In the first year I couldn't even have contemplated going to work and I feel so lucky that my employers were so supportive," Donna says. Expand Close Eithne Reynolds and mother Donna / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eithne Reynolds and mother Donna "Even in the second half of my pregnancy when they knew about the complications, everyone in work was wonderful. "It will be hard going back, but John will be here and he will work around Eithne. If he has to do a job when I am at work, I will take a holiday to cover. It has made such a difference that we have been able to do that and for me to know I have a stable job to go back to." Despite everything she has been through, little Eithne is described by her mum as "the funniest, sweetest, most caring and heartfelt little girl". Not only has Eithne taken so many hospital surgeries and procedures in her stride, but her sisters too have coped with the impact her many illnesses have had on the family. Donna is proud of all her girls and how they have coped with the family's heartbreaking situation. "Eithne has been through a tough couple of years and she is great, she is so resilient and doesn't let anything get to her - she just bounces back," Donna explains. "It helps us to see how she just gets on with things. Orlaith was only two-and-a-half when Eithne was born so it was tough on her as, all of a sudden, we were in and out of hospital. "Niamh was very good with her and she stepped up to be the big sister and tried to make sure she was okay. They are both really protective of Eithne and particularly now with her allergies they are very careful to make sure she doesn't eat anything she shouldn't. "It's been tough on all of us but things could have been so much worse." As for the future, little Eithne will always have to have her condition monitored. As for her development, her parents are delighted that she is on track cognitively, although there are some delays with her mobility. "She is able to crawl and can walk with a mobility walker for short distances while being supervised," Donna says. "And we have been told there is a possibility she might have a learning difficulty but at the moment we are planning for a mainstream nursery and primary school. "We will just have to wait and see what develops as we don't yet know the impact or if she will have a learning difficulty. "With the help of our physiotherapist Ruth, Shine and medical teams at our local hospitals we look forward every day to Eithne's continued development and are blessed to have her as part of our little family and world." Donna says that Shine has proved a lifeline to both her and John over the past two years. The couple attend a meeting with other mums and dads every couple of months and have developed a solid support network through the group. "The charity has been amazing and even though we have been through a lot I would urge any parent facing what we had to face during our pregnancy to keep positive - you don't have to be in a dark place alone as there are people there to support you." Shine, a charity working throughout Northern Ireland, Wales and England, is dedicated to improving the lives of people with hydrocephalus and spina bifida. Congenital hydrocephalus affects one in every 1,000 babies born in the UK, making it the most common reason for brain surgery in children. How Shine helps people with hydrocephalus Shine has regular support groups for parents in Northern Ireland. Hydrocephalus can also develop at any point in a person's life (acquired hydrocephalus) as a result of infection, haemorrhage or injury to the brain. The condition causes fluid inside the head and spine (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) to accumulate in the brain. Left untreated, it can lead to increased pressure on the brain and in some cases is life-threatening. Prompt treatment is almost always required and usually involves surgery to implant a shunt - a thin tube - into the brain so that excess CSF can be diverted (normally to the abdomen) to relieve pressure on delicate brain tissues. In the UK 3,000 shunts are inserted every year. For more information, visit www.shinecharity.org.uk. APEIRON Biologics AG, a biotechnology company with an approved product on the market as well as a broad preclinical and clinical pipeline, today announced the launch of a Pilot investigator-initiated clinical trial (IIT) with APN01, a recombinant human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (rhACE2), to treat patients with severe coronavirus infection in the People's Republic of China. The randomized, unblinded trial will treat 24 patients for seven days to obtain preliminary data on the impact of rhACE2 on biological, physiologic, and clinical outcomes, as well as safety in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. These data will be assessed to ascertain whether a Phase 2B clinical trial in a larger number of patients is warranted. The trial is being supported by a global team of leading experts: Intensive care specialist, Prof. Arthur Slutsky, Scientist, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, and Prof. of Medicine, Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada) and Prof. Haibo Zhang, Prof. of Anesthesiology, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto; Prof. Nanshan Zhong and Prof. Yimin Li, both of the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health and leading physicians in fight against COVID-19 in China, will oversee the trial; and Prof. Josef Penninger, Scientific Director and Professor of the Life Science Institute of the University of British Columbia, Canada. To address this unfortunate crisis and dreadful disease our team has at short notice been able to bring together a worldwide team of experts and scientists. Our drug candidate APN01 has been proven safe and well tolerated in patients in previous clinical PhI and PhII trials. We are delighted and proud that we can now start treating infected patients in China." Peter Llewellyn-Davies, Chief Executive Officer of APEIRON Biologics AG "Our lab provided the first in vivo proof that ACE2, which we had cloned and made the first mutant mice, is the essential receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 and that ACE2 has the potential to protect the lung from injury by collaborating with Prof. Chengyu Jiang at PUMC in Beijing. I am excited that based on our research and developments, the potential of APN01 (soluble human ACE2 protein) for the treatment of patients suffering from the novel coronavirus infection is now being explored in clinical trials," stated Prof. Penninger, MD, co-inventor of APN01, founder of APEIRON, member of its supervisory board and Professor at the University of British Columbia. "ACE2 has been shown to be essential for early viral infection of the SARS-CoV virus, which spread rapidly around the world in 2003. The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 also relies on the ACE2 receptor to infect human cell. Thus, treatment with recombinant human ACE2, can be used to block viral spread, and may minimize lung injury, and multiple organ dysfunction, and ultimately decrease mortality in patients with COVID-19." explained Prof. Slutsky. After seven days of treatment, the trial data will be evaluated and potential further clinical development will be assessed by APEIRON and the IIT team. This trial cooperation has been supported by Dr. Liqun Zhang and team of Angalpharma Co., Ltd (Suzhou, China), for coordinating the Chinese clinical trial with the support of dMed Pharmaceutical Co., a CRO team based in China. The ex-con who allegedly brainwashed his daughter's college roommates into a sex cult was called a 'f****** a**hole' by a woman believed to be the aunt of an alleged victim in court today. Lawrence Ray, 60, appeared for a pre-trial conference after being arrested earlier this month on charges including extortion, sex trafficking and forced labor. He limped into court with his ankles shackled and wearing dark blue prison clothes shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday. The pre-trial conference before Judge Lewis Liman at Manhattan Federal District Court revealed the evidence that the FBI has turned up after executing search warrants. Lawrence Ray, 60, appeared for a pre-trial conference after being arrested earlier this month on charges including extortion, sex trafficking and forced labor It included 44 hard drives, 37 cellphones, five laptops, four palm pilots, three cameras, seven recording devices and a polygraph machine. Prosecutors told the court that they are sifting through the devices to figure out what belongs to Ray and what belongs to his alleged victims. Prosecutors said that they also discovered Ray's email account which contained 200,000 messages and four iCloud accounts of videos, pictures and audio files. Hundreds of photos were also discovered at Ray's home in Piscataway, New Jersey, and in a storage unit he kept. The judge has allowed ten weeks for prosecutors to prepare the evidence, some of which may be subject to a protective order which will be decided on next week. Ray allegedly used physical and psychological threats and coercion to indoctrinate a group of students who attended the elite liberal arts college, Sarah Lawrence, with his daughter Talia between 2010 and 2018. He has pleaded not guilty. A magistrates court hearing is scheduled for Monday to assign defense counsel to Ray and hear a request for bail. The ex-con who allegedly brainwashed his daughter's roommates at Sarah Lawrence College (above) in Bronxville, New York, into a sex cult was called a 'f****** a**hole' by a woman believed to be the aunt of an alleged victim in court today Ray allegedly used physical and psychological threats and coercion to indoctrinate a group of students who attended the elite liberal arts college (above) with his daughter Talia between 2010 and 2018 Ray's public defender Marne Lenox also asked the judge to issue an order for medical attention for the 60-year-old at Metropolitan Correctional Center. She said that he is diabetic and 'has other medical issues not being adequately addressed while he is incarcerated'. The judge declined to sign an 'open-ended' order for medical issues that were unexplained but said he would address Ray's diabetes with the prison. The next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for March 19. As he left the courtroom, a woman who had been seated on the back row, walked towards Ray and called him a 'f****** a**hole'. She declined to speak following the hearing and was escorted into an elevator by a court security officer. Lee Chen, whose apartment Ray used for some of the alleged abuse, was also in court today. Ray moved into his daughter's dorm at the college, just north of New York City, after leaving prison in 2010. Ray limped into court with his ankles shackled and wearing dark blue prison clothes shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday. The pre-trial conference before Judge Lewis Liman at Manhattan Federal District Court revealed the evidence that the FBI has turned up after executing search warrants He is alleged to have forced some of the male and female students into making sex videos, which were used to coerce and extort them, forcing one victim into prostitution, along with cheating them out of $1million. Investigators seized large amounts of materials including 20 to 40 electronic devices from the Piscataway home of the alleged conman who reportedly had ties to mobsters and New York City police commissioner Bernie Kerik. Assistant US Attorney Danielle Sassoon previously told a judge that investigators, who conducted about 17 interviews with victims, were told that Ray would sometimes use a woman's electronic device to take sexually explicit materials and then seize it. She said he would also direct victims to write 'sensitive and incriminating things' in journals that he would then use against them, including videos of Ray berating a victim and using sexually explicit content in the alleged extortion. Ray, who goes by Larry, is shown in a 2016 interview where he described being assaulted by a mafia boss. FBI revealed evidence of the 'sex cult' included 44 hard drives, 37 cellphones, five laptops, four palm pilots, three cameras, seven recording devices and a polygraph machine Ray was living in New Jersey with two of the former students both of whom he called his wife, it was claimed. He was arrested at the home, which belongs to a friend, on February 11. At the time of Ray's arrest, US Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said Ray used 'physical, sexual and psychological abuse' to extort money from five different students at Sarah Lawrence College. He convinced them they were indebted to him, subjecting them to 'grueling interrogations' that spanned hours and deprived them of food and sleep, he said. At least one of the women was forced into prostitution and Ray collected over $500,000 from her, prosecutors said. He would video her encounters with customers and use them to extort money and force her to continue in prostitution, investigators claim. Other victims were allegedly threatened with knives. Prosecutors said Ray solicited false confessions from more than a half-dozen victims for crimes they did not commit, and coerced them to make payments they didn't actually owe and couldn't afford. He began his alleged coercion by holding 'therapy sessions' with his daughter and her friends after he was released from prison and moved into her dorm room at Sarah Lawrence College, prosecutors allege. Some were coerced into working without pay to install an irrigation system on a property his family owned in North Carolina, it was claimed. His daughter Talia, now 30, currently lives at the home in Pinehurst. She declined to be interviewed by DailyMail.com. Ray was previously known for his role in helping to send former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik (right), a close confidant of Rudy Giuliani, to prison. At the time, Ray, who had been the best man at Kerik's wedding, was under indictment in a $40 million stock scam Journals, financial records along with cellphone videos, described as 'particularly disturbing' will be examined, prosecutors said. The prosecutor said evidence would eventually be shown to defense lawyers under secrecy rules meant to protect the identities of victims. Sassoon also said statements Lawrence Ray made after his arrest on Tuesday will be turned over to defense lawyers so they can prepare for trial. Ray subjected his victims to 'sexual and psychological manipulation and physical abuse' from 2010 to 2018, indictment stated. He starved some of the girls, the indictment claims, by placing a lock on the refrigerator, while forcing them to carry out labor to 'repay him' for purported damages they had caused to his home in Manhattan. Ray also used 'sleep deprivation, psychological and sexual humiliation, verbal abuse and threats of physical violence', the indictment states. In an article published by New York magazine last year, some of Ray's alleged victims detailed the violent and sadistic abuse. One male student, who was questioning his sexuality, described Ray making a garrote out of crushed aluminium foil and twisting it around his genitals. The young man was also forced to put on a dress by Ray and go into the lobby of the apartment building they were staying at on the Upper East Side. On his return to the apartment, Ray gave him a dildo and told him to penetrate himself with it in front of the group. At one time, after allegedly damaging the oven in the apartment, Ray threatened to dismember him with a knife. Another male student was allegedly put in a sleeper hold by Ray, causing him to black out. Prosecutors allege Ray used physical and psychological threats to extort victims. One woman was allegedly forced into prostitution and Ray would video her sexual encounters with customers to extort her Ray was previously known for his role in helping to send former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, a close confidant of Rudy Giuliani, to prison. At the time, Ray, who had been the best man at Kerik's wedding, was under indictment in a $40 million stock scam. The felon also reportedly had connections to mobsters and intelligence officers. Kerik told DailyMailTV that his former friend is a 'predator'. He said: 'He's a conman. He is somebody that's a detriment to society. Hopefully, justice will take its course and he'll be held accountable for his crimes.' In interviews with New York magazine, whose story last year prompted the federal investigation, Ray said he believed he was being poisoned as part of a conspiracy hatched by some of the students and Kerik, who denied any involvement. The president of Sarah Lawrence College searched for an explanation in a letter to the college community. 'Perhaps because the apartment in question was a small townhouse with its own entrance, students in other housing would not necessarily have been aware of the presence (and have told us they were not) of this students father,' President Cristle Collins Judd wrote the day after Ray's arrest. WASHINGTON The White House moved on Thursday to tighten control of coronavirus messaging by government health officials and scientists, directing them to coordinate all statements and public appearances with the office of Vice President Mike Pence, according to several officials familiar with the new approach. But on a day that the White House sought to display a more disciplined strategy to the administrations communications about the virus, Mr. Trump used an evening event honoring African-American History Month to rail against the news media, claiming it is overstating the threat, and to congratulate himself for keeping the number of cases low. I think its an incredible achievement what our countrys done, Mr. Trump said, noting that he had moved quickly to ban travel from China after the emergence of the virus. Even though a total of 60 people infected with the coronavirus are in the United States, he ignored all but the 15 who did not initially contract it overseas. Fifteen people is almost, I would say, a miracle, the president bragged. The comments came just a few hours after Mr. Pence convened a meeting of the coronavirus task force composed of some of the nations top public health officials. The vice president made it clear that they would report to him. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, February 27, said that the Indian Air Force plane which was sent to Wuhan to provide for medical supplies has brought back 76 Indians and 36 nationals from seven countries to India. Taking to the micro-blogging site Twitter, Jaishankar said that he appreciated the facilitation provided by the Chinese government. He also said that 36 nationals belonged to Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA, and Madagascar. The IAF plane which was sent to China with 15 tonnes of medical supplies landed in Wuhan on Wednesday. On its return from Wuhan, the IAF flight has brought back 76 Indians & 36 nationals from 7 countries - Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar. Appreciate facilitation by Chinese government. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 27, 2020 READ | India's Consignment Of 15 Tonnes Medical Supplies Reaches Coronavirus-hit Wuhan In China Jaishakar further thanked Air India for recusing the Indian Crew members and passengers aboard the Diamond Princess Cruise. The Air India flight also brought back five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, and Peru, he added. Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo,carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka,Nepal, South Africa&Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020 A special word of appreciation for our team @IndianEmbTokyo for their sustained efforts which made this happen. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 27, 2020 READ | Indians Aboard Diamond Princess Cruise Board Air India Flight, To Be Brought To Delhi IAF sends medical consignment Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs had said the medical supplies will help augment China's efforts to control the outbreak of coronavirus infection which was declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. It said the aircraft carried medical supplies comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment. Consignment (15 tonnes) of Indian medical relief for #COVID19 lands in Wuhan. Strong expression of our solidarity with the Chinese people at this difficult time. Thank you @IAF_MCC and @EOIBeijing for your efforts. pic.twitter.com/v2ph3LHogM Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2020 "The assistance being sent today is also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year," the MEA said in a statement. READ | Air India Extends Suspension Of Its China Flights Till June 30 138 Indians were quarantined in Japan After being quarantined for over 23 days in Japan, all Indian Crew members and passengers aboard the Diamond Princess Cruise boarded an Air India flight, sent by the government of India on Wednesday. The passengers and crew will be brought to Delhi first. A total of 138 Indians, 132 crew and 6 passengers, were among the 3,711 people, on board the ship when it docked at the Yokohama port near Tokyo, on February 3. It was quarantined after a passenger who disembarked last month in Hong Kong was found to be a carrier of the disease. The ship has the largest cluster of COVID-19 cases outside China. Two former passengers of the ship have also been reported dead. Coronavirus outbreak The new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has claimed more than 2,744 lives in mainland China, according to the National Health Commission and has infected more than 81,000 people since December 2019. The virus originated from a seafood market in Wuhan city, where animals were being traded illegally. Hubei province in China has been most affected by the contagious disease, which is also the epicentre of the virus. READ | Coronavirus Outbreak: Air India Cancels Flights To Shanghai, Hong Kong Till June 30 Sitting in the economy class of an airplane can be tiring especially if the journey is long. And seems like Air New Zealand is in the mood to offer some relief to its economy travellers. Reportedly the airlines will soon install bunk beds in economy for some of its long flights. However, there is still a year to go before customers could get the chance to stretch their backs, reports The Guardian. Air New Zealand According to the report, the airline has filed patent and trademark applications for what might be called the Economy Skynest. The Skynest is reported to have six full-length sleep pods, 200cm long and 58cm wide each. The Skynest will have three levels of beds and two beds on each level. The beds will have a pod hotel design, a full-size pillow, sheets and blankets, earplugs, and a privacy curtain, basically a lot of business class experience in economy. Air New Zealand may even include other features like a USB outlet and a reading light. Air New Zealand Mike Tod, the companys chief marketing and customer officer said that New Zealands longest haul flights will have this facility, including the Auckland to New York service launching next year. The flight will be 17 hours and 40 minutes. The cost of the Skynest has not yet been decided and it is yet to be determined. However, a spokeswoman for Air New Zealand told Guardian Australia that the cost for the pods would be separate from the cost of booking a seat on the flight. The concept is designed as a pod you go to during the flight. You will still have your economy seat separately for the other portion of the flight, The Guardian quoted her as saying. Air New Zealand Customers will even be allowed to book a session during the flight rather than the whole flight. One need not worry about the hygiene apparently as the cabin crew will make sure to change and freshen up the pods with new bedding for each session. Talking about it all, Air New Zealands head of airline programmes, Kerry Reeves was quoted by The Guardian as saying that it is a prize worth chasing and one that we think has the potential to be a game-changer for economy class travellers on all airlines around the world. Air New Zealand is known to come up with ways to make its passengers comfortable one of which is Skycouch. Skycouch allows people to convert their entire row into a makeshift bed. It was launched in 2011 and then revamped in 2018 for kids. Well, Indian airlines, are you listening? The Maharashtra legislative assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution recommending to the Centre to accord Marathi the status of a "classical language". The resolution was moved by Minister for Marathi language Subhash Desai. The one line resolution asked the Centre to take a decision to declare Marathi as a "classical language". Speaking on the issue, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said Marathi was an ancient language, older than even Sanskrit. All political parties in the state should step up efforts to persuade the Centre to accord classical language status to Marathi, he said. Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan (Congress) said it was during his tenure that a committee was set up on the issue under the chairmanship of litterateur Rangnath Pathare who gave a 500-page report on classical language status for Marathi. "We forwarded the report to the Centre in July 2013. But then there was a change in government (at the Centre in May 2014). "In the last few years, efforts to get classical status for the Marathi language have not yielded result. At the same, five languages have been declared as classical," he said. Chavan felt there was need to set up a committee of litterateursand experts for follow-up action on the issue. Ashish Shelar (BJP) said the Marathi language was 1,500 to 2,000 years old and there was proof for back this claim. Ravindra Waikar (Shiv Sena) wondered if there was no political will in the state to take up the matter with the Centre. Members also demanded that an all-party delegation go to Delhi for follow-up action with the Centre. They lamented that despite Marathi fulfilling all criteria of a classical language, it had not been accorded the status so far. The resolution coincided with 'Marathi Bhasha Din' (Marathi language day) which is celebrated on February 27, the birth anniversary of Jnanpith award winning poet the late V V Shirwadkar. As of now, six languages -- Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia -- have been given the status of classical languages. The criteria adopted by the Centre to determine the eligibility of a language for classical status include its recorded history over a period of 1,500-2,000 years, body of ancient literature and whether its literary tradition is original, among other yardsticks. In the past, the Centre has said a proposal for granting classical language status to Marathi was under active consideration of the Ministry of Culture. Languages declared as classical are given certain benefits by the Human Resource and Development Ministry. These include setting up centres for their study and international awards for their scholars. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government will host RAISE 2020 - an event focussed on artificial intelligence - on April 11-12 in New Delhi. RAISE (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment) 2020 will be organised by the government in partnership with industry and academia. The summit will be a global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and charter a course to use AI for social empowerment, inclusion and transformation in key areas like healthcare, agriculture, education and smart mobility, among other sectors, an official statement said. Ahead of the summit, Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) organised an industry consultation with industry representatives, chaired by IT Secretary Ajay Prakash Sawhney. MeitY Additional Secretary Gopalakrishnan S, Abhishek Singh (President and CEO of National e-Governance Division) and other government officials were part of the consultation. Industry associations like FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM and NASSCOM, companies including Intel, AWS, KPMG, IBM, Oracle as well as AI startups participated in the consultation. We are extremely delighted to announce the first of its kind two-day summit- Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020. In our opinion, a data-rich environment like India has the potential to be the worlds leading AI laboratory which can eventually transform lives globally, Sawhney said. AI technology is a powerful tool that can be used to create a positive impact in the Indian context, further becoming the AI destination for the world, he added. RAISE 2020 will facilitate an exchange of ideas to further create a mass awareness about the need to ethically develop and practice AI in the digital era, Abhishek Singh said. Strong complementarity of both companies' product offerings Walter to continue seeking accretive acquisitions MONTREAL, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - In its quest to become a global leader in the safety and productivity industry, Walter Surface Technologies is pleased to announce the acquisition of ArcOne, a provider of industrial safety products based in Taunton, Massachusetts. Through this acquisition, Walter adds a unique personal protective equipment product line to its offering, complementing both its high-end metalworking products and its workplace safety seminar program. "We are very excited to welcome ArcOne to the Walter family. ArcOne brings a solid network and expertise that will allow us to continue our mission to help our customers work better. Walter has always had a strong focus on the health and safety of our customers. Now, with ArcOne, we can concretely better serve them with high quality personal protection equipment, helping them work effectively as well as safely," said Marc-Andre Aube, CEO of Walter. "This transaction is an unequalled opportunity to build up our activities in the North American market as we continue to evaluate other growth strategies, namely through accretive acquisitions," he added. Edward Martin, President of ArcOne, welcomes the new relationship: "We saw in this opportunity the perfect alignment of both products and values. We are proud to see ArcOne adding its unique safety products line to Walter's renowned and robust offering. The fit is right, the timing is right. We are poised for more growth and excitement." Following this transaction, ArcOne will continue to operate under its own brand. The transaction is effective immediately, and activities for both customers and suppliers remain unchanged. About Walter Surface Technologies Walter Surface Technologies provides innovative solutions for the global metal working industry. From high performance abrasives, power tools and tooling to industrial parts washing systems, cleaners, degreasers and lubricants Walter focuses on helping its customers work better. Founded in 1952, the Company is established in 7 countries throughout North America, South America and Europe. International headquarters is in Montreal and U.S. headquarters is located in Windsor, Connecticut. Key certification and awards include, Wall Street Journal Award; Deutscher Material Preiz; American Eagle Award; CleanTech Cleaning Technology Award. For more information, please visit www.walter.com. About ArcOne ArcOne is a manufacturer of industrial safety products and personal protection equipment, including auto-darkening welding helmets, safety glasses, hard hats and respiratory protection products. ArcOne is well known for being innovative with both technology as well as the marketing of all its products and has been a major force in the evolution of the Auto-Darkening welding helmet business since the early 90's. Most of our products are designed and engineered at our Taunton, MA facility. For more information, visit www.arc1weldsafe.com. SOURCE Walter Surface Technologies (Natural News) Scientists and conservationists make an alarming statement: Australias Great Barrier Reef is on the brink of another major coral bleaching. As per official records, this will be the third bleaching event happening in the reef system within the last five years. Bleaching is a phenomenon wherein coral polyps expel the zooxanthellae or algae living inside their tissues. This causes the coral to lose its color and turn white, hence the term bleaching. Experts say this usually happens because of several triggers, such as pollution, bacterial infection, changes in salinity, exposure to oil and chemical spills, erratic temperatures and sedimentation. In a stable environment, coral polyps live in an endosymbiotic relationship with algae, which provide up to 90 percent of the corals energy. In 2016, bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef killed between 29 and 50 percent of the reefs corals. In 2017, the bleaching extended into the central region of the reef system. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia (WWF), while corals are incredibly resilient creatures, their full recovery can take decades. The largest coral system on the planet, the Great Barrier Reef is composed of over 2,500 individual reefs and 900 islands. The reef, located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland in Australia, stretches for over 2,300 kilometers over an area of approximately 348,400 square kilometers. It also serves as a marine sanctuary for over 4,000 mollusk species, 1,500 species of tropical fish, 400 species of corals, 125 species of sharks, 30 species of whales and dolphins, and six species of marine turtles. It also serves as a home to dugongs, as well as saltwater crocodiles and sea snakes. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) placed the Great Barrier Reef on its list of World Heritage sites in 1981. In recent years, however, the organization has registered official concern about the reefs condition. According to a report by the Guardian, the organization may potentially place the reef in its In Danger list as it reviews the area in June during a meeting in China. (Related: Hope for reef fish: Ocean currents bring food to fish populations in damaged coral reefs.) The Great Barrier Reef is on a knife-edge, Richard Leck, head of oceans at WWF-Australia, said in an interview with The Guardian. We will know in the next couple of weeks whether we now have a mass coral bleaching event for the third time in only five years. Terry Hughes of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University said that another major bleaching event would be a further blow to tourism a major contributor to the regions economy. According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the reef earns over 5.6 billion Australian dollars from tourists every year. All is not lost While the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMC) confirms a 2019 report by the Australian government that described the Reefs status as being very poor, it says the situation can still be reversed if it gets support from both the government and private individuals and groups. According to the AMC, the problems surrounding the Great Barrier Reef can be solved by addressing several key issues such as poor water quality and fishing. AMC, in a statement, said the Queensland and Australian Governments should commit to fully funding the implementation of new regulations aimed at improving water quality in the Reef. Not only that, but it must also take necessary steps to reduce pollution, as well as conduct reforestation programs focusing on key habitats like riverbanks and wetlands. Another key factor in re-establishing the Great Barrier Reef, according to AMC, is the establishment of healthy populations of sharks, as well as the reduction or elimination of the incidental capture of endangered Reef wildlife such as inshore dolphins, sawfish and dugongs. The Australian people want the Federal Government to protect the Reef, the AMC said. The time to do so is now. Sources include: TheGuardian.com WWF.org.au WHC.UNESCO.org MarineConservation.org.au A glamorous fitness fanatic has been charged by police for her alleged role in helping to coordinate a 'dial-a-dealer' drug service. Sarah Rutherford, 29, originally from Bridgewater, in the United Kingdom, was arrested at a home in Greenacre, in Sydney's south west on Thursday by detectives from the Drug and Firearms Squad, as part of an investigation into illicit drug supply across the city. Police raided Rutherford's home and allegedly found mobile phones, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and documents which were all seized. A glamorous fitness fanatic has been arrested in Greenacre in Sydney's west on Thursday after allegedly helping to coordinate a sophisticated drug delivery service in the city Police allege Sarah Rutherford, 29, was part of a drug supply ring operating in Sydney The woman was charged with a string of offences including supplying a prohibited drug of a commercial quantity and supplying drugs on an ongoing basis (some of the drug allegedly seized are pictured) Rutherford, was later charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (between indictable and commercial quantity x2), supply prohibited drug (between small and indictable quantity), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, and knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime. Police will allege she coordinated a drug delivery service across Sydney and supplied more than 300 grams of cocaine between September 2019 and February 2020. Rutherford, originally from Somerset in England, was refused bail and is set to appear in the Bankstown Local Court on Friday. The arrest was part of Strike Force Delaven, established in July 2019 by the State Crime Commands Drug and Firearms Squad. The strike force is tasked with investigating the supply of illicit drugs across Sydney. Investigations are continuing. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 14:18:44|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) meets with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on the sidelines of the 56th Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Feb. 15, 2020. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi) The epidemic will have an impact on bilateral exchanges as well as on economic and trade cooperation, but the two sides need to jointly strive to minimize it, Wang said. BEIJING, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- China and South Korea should jointly strive to minimize the COVID-19 outbreak's impact on bilateral exchanges as well as economic and trade cooperation, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday night. In a phone conversation with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Wang suggested that on the basis of effective epidemic prevention and control, the two countries should help their affected industries and enterprises ride out the current difficulties, maintain the stability of their industrial chains and supply chains, and push forward bilateral practical cooperation. Wang updated Kang on the latest progress in China's fight against the epidemic, saying that China and South Korea, as close neighbors, help each other and share weal and woe. China thanks South Korea for its continuous strong support for China's fight against the epidemic, which the Chinese side bears in mind, Wang said. Local residents wait to pay at the counter in a shop in Seoul, South Korea, Feb. 24, 2020. As of Thursday morning, the number of infected patients in South Korea totaled 1,595, up 334 from the previous day. The country raised its four-tier virus alert to the highest "red" level on Sunday as the virus infections soared for the past week. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang) Noting that China feels sympathetic about the recent aggravation of the epidemic in South Korea, Wang said that the Chinese side highly commends the rapid and effective prevention and control measures taken by the South Korean side and believes that South Korea will prevail over the outbreak at an early date. "South Korea's hardships are our own," Wang said, adding that the Chinese side stands ready to provide necessary assistance to the South Korean side and support its government and people in fighting the epidemic. Wang suggested that the two sides establish and improve communication and exchange mechanisms between their relevant departments, inform each other of their respective policies and measures in a timely manner, and carry out cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment, as well as drug and vaccine research and development. According to the practices of various countries, including China's experience in fighting the COVID-19, controlling and reducing unnecessary cross-border movement of people at an early date is of crucial importance to preventing the spread of an epidemic, Wang said, adding that China is willing to communicate with South Korea on this issue. He stressed that the two countries share the same goal of more effectively protecting people's lives and health. A video cheering for China in fighting against novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) is played in Gwanghwamun Station in Seoul, South Korea, Feb. 18, 2020. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has been playing videos cheering for China in fighting against NCP outside the government building and in several subway stations since Feb. 15. (Xinhua/Wang Jingqiang) Wang voiced belief that after the two sides jointly defeat the epidemic, China-South Korea friendship will be further strengthened and bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields will become more vibrant. Wang said the epidemic will have an impact on bilateral exchanges as well as on economic and trade cooperation, but the two sides need to jointly strive to minimize it. For her part, Kang said that since the COVID-19 outbreak, South Korea and China have been supporting and helping each other. While briefing Wang on measures against the epidemic in South Korea, Kang said the South Korean government has launched the highest level of response and President Moon Jae-in has visited the frontline to inspect and guide the work. There are reasons for the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in South Korea in recent days, said Kang. South Korea is confident of halting the further spread of the epidemic and hopes to continue to strengthen communication and cooperation with China to jointly meet the challenge, she added. Michelle Bridges is determined to return to normality after what has been an undeniably difficult month for the celebrity fitness trainer. In a post on Instagram on Thursday, the 49-year-old revealed she was back in the gym following her recent drink driving charge and split from partner Steve Willis. 'So to lighten the load, take a breath, and smile, I do what I do best. Train. With friends who I adore @simonefortemakeup at a fun place,' she captioned a Boomerang video of herself and friend Simone Forte working out together. 'Time to smile': On Wednesday, Michelle Bridges (right) returned to the gym with a friend after admitting it's been 'the toughest time of my life' following her drink driving charge and split from Steve Willis. Pictured with Simone Forte (left) She added: 'Bottom line? Be surrounded by those who love you, sweat it out and have a laugh. Love rules. #timetosmile'. Just a day earlier, Michelle shared a moody photo of herself gazing out at the ocean during a sunrise after what has been a trying month. 'The last month has been the toughest time of my life...' she began, before thanking her loved ones. Pensive: Just a day earlier, Michelle shared a moody photo of herself gazing out at the ocean during a sunrise after what has been a trying month 'I have received so many messages of kindness from both strangers and people I know. The biggest thank you to you all. 'I know the remorse and guilt won't go away, but I'm determined to keep moving forward, working hard and being thankful for all the good in my life.' The former Biggest Loser star was caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.086 with her four-year-old son Axel in the car at about 11.25am on Australia Day. Regrets: The former Biggest Loser star was caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.086 with her son Axel (pictured) in the car at about 11.25am on Australia Day She fronted Waverley Local Court last week, where she pleaded guilty after earlier being pulled over in Sydney's Bellevue Hill. Michelle was fined $750, her licence was disqualified for three months, and she will be required to install an alcohol interlock device in her car for a year. 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep remorse, shame and humiliation [over] this incident and extreme lack of judgment,' she said outside court last Tuesday. Speaking out: 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep remorse, shame and humiliation [over] this incident and extreme lack of judgment,' she said outside court last Tuesday 'I would like to apologise to my family, friends and community for this gross error in judgment and the consequences of these actions will haunt me forever. 'I ask for your forgiveness to my greater community and my family and I thank you for your support.' Shortly after news broke of her drink driving charge, Michelle expressed her regret in a statement to The Daily Telegraph on January 27, and revealed her split from her partner Steve, 43. Over: Shortly after news broke of her drink driving charge, Michelle expressed her remorse in a statement on January 27, and revealed her split from Steve, 43, (pictured) 'I would like to express my deep regret for breaking the law, this was a terrible mistake and an error of judgment,' she wrote. 'This behaviour is inexcusable, and I am absolutely devastated and embarrassed to find myself in this position. 'It has been a very difficult time for me the last few weeks dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship.' Kitty Spencer proved she can rock any look as she donned three seperate outfits during filming in Marbella. Princess Diana's niece, 29, oozed glamour in a rose-embellished shirt when filming in the Spanish city for Puerto Banus' 50th anniversary campaign, of which she is the face of. The model then showcased her fashion prowess again with a quick wardrobe change, swapping her stylish top for an elegant maxi dress, embellished with lace and vibrant flowers. She teamed the colourful, spaghetti strapped frock with tan wedges and eye-catching, square sunglasses while sporting a tight ponytail. Finally, she was seen changing into a lime green dress for the photocall following her shoot. On the go: Lady Kitty Spencer, 29, turned heads as she stepped out in Marbella yesterday to film the Puerto Banus' 50th anniversary campaign Busy bee: The model wore three outfits, with the above being an elegant maxi dress, embellished with lace and vibrant flowers Finally, she was seen changing into a lime green dress for the photocall following her shoot The strappy dress boasted a straight neckline and was cinched in at the waist, falling to just below the knee. She flashed a black diamond ring on her right ring finger, not thought to be the one gifted to her by her 61-year-old fashion tycoon fiance Michael Lewis. Teaming it with sleek blow dried hair, stud earrings and white strappy sandals, she looked in good spirits as she took to the stage to be the voice of the festival. The strappy dress boasted a straight neckline and was cinched in at the waist, falling to just below the knee She flashed a black diamond ring on her right ring finger, not thought to be the one gifted to her by her 61-year-old fashion tycoon fiance Michael Lewis Relaxing: Kitty was captured walking around the set and relaxing on a boat front with a friend Looking good: During filming, Kitty was seen driving a classic-looking, cream convertible car Meanwhile, her first outfit, the statement rose embellished shirt, was loosely knotted at her hips and left partially undone, highlighting her slender frame and offering a glimpse of the model's toned midriff. She teamed the statement shirt with white three-quarter trousers and matching slip-on shoes, while cradling her phone and a charger pack in her hand. Looking especially radiant in the Spanish sun, the socialite wore her golden locks in a tight French braid as two stray pieces framed her face. Showstopping: Kitty teamed her colourful, spaghetti strapped frock with tan wedges and eye-catching, square sunglasses while sporting a tight ponytail Beaming: Kitty couldn't keep the smile off her face as she filmed in the popular Spanish city All in the details: The model teamed her extravagant frock with a pair of golden hoop earrings Looking good ladies! Kitty shares a grin with her fellow models as they are filmed in the city The South African-born model showcased a smooth complexion, with a smattering of glamorous makeup accentuating her features. Kitty was captured walking around the set and relaxing on a boat front with a friend, before making a wardrobe change. With cameras capturing her every move for the commercial, Kitty cut an elegant figure in a floral, billowing skirt and a see-through blouse, featuring a green bra underneath. Stylish: Princess Diana's niece, 29, oozed glamour in a rose embellished shirt when filming in the Spanish city Elegant: Kitty's stylish garment, which was loosely knotted at her hips and left partially undone, highlighted her slender frame and offered a glimpse of the model's toned midriff Chic: Looking especially radiant in the Spanish sun, the socialite wore her golden locks in a tight French braid as two stray pieces framed her face Teamed with white high heels and a dainty pink bag, Kitty looked every inch the model as she swaggered along the street with a selection of shopping bags. Later, she was filmed driving in a classic-looking, cream car, before gracefully getting out of the vehicle. Her appearance comes after insiders told the Daily Mail that she had agreed to marry 61-year-old fashion tycoon Michael Lewis following a Christmas proposal. Outfit two: With cameras capturing her every move for the commercial, Kitty cut an elegant figure in a floral, billowing skirt and a see-through blouse, featuring a green bra underneath Working it: Later, she was filmed driving in a classic-looking, cream car, before gracefully getting out of the vehicle Kitty's (pictured) appearance comes after insiders told the Daily Mail that she had agreed to marry 61-year-old fashion tycoon Michael Lewis following a Christmas proposal Michael has three adult children and was previously married to a woman named Leola in 1985. Kitty, who was spotted at the tycoons 19million mansion in central London last summer, told the Mail at the time that she didnt feel in any rush to start a family. I can see myself having children at some point, she said, but Im only in my 20s. I do have friends my age who are having children, and they are so, so, sweet, but I think everyone should do things in their own time. Kitty's (pictured) last boyfriend was Italian property magnate Niccolo Barattieri di San Pietro, who was also significantly older than the socialite At the beginning of the month one of Kitty's friends told the Daily Mail: 'Michael proposed to Kitty before Christmas.' Pictured: Kitty in Spain lying next to a woman The friend added: Shes been in Cape Town for the holidays and told her mother and the rest of the family. Michael is loved by all of them. Despite his wealth, hes very humble and low key.' Pictured: Kitty in Marbella Having a lovely time: Kitty sits in the passenger seat of a convertible car as she's driven through the streets of Marbella Lewis' previous wife, Leola, signed a prenuptial agreement but it's not yet known whether Kitty will do the same. Kitty's last boyfriend was Italian property magnate Niccolo Barattieri di San Pietro, who was also significantly older than the socialite. At the beginning of the month one of her friends told the Daily Mail: 'Michael proposed to Kitty before Christmas. Shes been in Cape Town for the holidays and told her mother and the rest of the family. Michael is loved by all of them. Despite his wealth, hes very humble and low key. It's a high-wire act, a movie that could easily have crashed and burned. That it does not has something to do with the shared intensity of character and performance. All three main actors share the stage as equals and the level of commitment is remarkable. Loading Hedges is like a wounded animal here, always close to violence. This older Otis has become like his father, a loaded gun of emotions, without ever going to war. The 12-year-old Otis, "Honey Boy" to his father, is the embodiment of innocence between these two men, the site of a battle between experience and hope. Noah Jupe is heartbreaking as this kid who's growing up too fast, both loving and hating his damaged, ravaged father, whom he supports with his acting. Honey Boy explains a lot about LaBeouf, both the talent and the notorious behaviour. It's a brave and beautiful film in that sense, an expiation and an explanation, but without rancour. It seems weird to call it a love story, but that is surely what it is. This is not to be missed. Read Paul Byrnes full review here. The Invisible Man It so happens that H.G. Wells novel The Invisible Man was published in 1897, at almost the same moment as the invention of cinema. Over the years, a number of notable filmmakers have made movies clearly, if not always officially indebted to Wells novel, writes reviewer Jake Wilson. To a list that includes James Whale, John Carpenter and Paul Verhoeven we can now add Australias Leigh Whannell best-known as the creator of the gruesome Saw series, which centred on the Mabuse-style villain Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), a specialist in deadly booby traps. For Whannell, theres something irresistible about this sort of enigmatic mastermind, who stays out of view while turning his victims into puppets to be manipulated. Whannell's 2018 science-fiction thriller Upgrade was a variation on the theme and so, too, is his updated Invisible Man, where the title character the entrepreneurial scientist Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) is barely glimpsed for much of the running time. Instead, we follow Adrians wife Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss), after she escapes their abusive marriage in the opening sequence escape being the operative word, since their modernist beachside home resembles an upmarket version of a high-security prison. Even when shes theoretically safe from her persecutor she cant get him out of her head, nor does the news of his apparent death bring any lasting relief. Elisabeth Moss comes up against the patriarchy in The Invisible Man. Where other thriller heroines gradually fall apart, Cecilia starts out petrified and descends into a state hard to distinguish from madness. Moss performance puts the emphasis on mental and physical abjection, making us feel Cecilias disgust with her own weakness to the point where we might fear identifying with her too closely. Moss intensity is almost too much for the film, which otherwise has a self-conscious B-movie mode, with sparsely dressed sets, expressionistic sound design and few concessions to realism. Still, Whannells long apprenticeship as a screenwriter has paid off: while this is only his third feature as director, he is adept at using the stock moves of the thriller and horror genres, giving the sense that the mechanisms of popular cinema are being laid bare. Sometimes we seem to be watching events from a distanced, third-person perspective, as if they were playing out on a stage. Other shots could be through Adrians eyes, yet its not always clear where he might be lurking, or if hes present at all. Thus were forced to share Cecilias paranoia: Adrian is everywhere and nowhere at once. Along with his invisibility, he seems to have acquired almost superhuman strength and agility, as well as the capacity to move without making a sound. Loading All this allows us to read him as a metaphor for patriarchal ideology not just a single aberrant individual, but an omnipresent, intangible force that keeps women in their place. Whannell plays on the theme very knowingly, making us guess how far various male characters will prove to be versions of the one guy. But is this Invisible Man a feminist statement, in any serious sense? Or are we more aligned with the villain, gloating over the heroines pain and terror? As in so many films about women in trouble, the question is impossible to answer, but the ambiguity fascinates in its own right. Read Jake Wilson's full review here. Motherless Brooklyn Edward Norton wrote, directed, produced and starred in this smart, good-looking crime movie. These talents should put him on the way to becoming a Hollywood powerhouse but as a producer-director, Norton likes to dwell in the land of the moderately-priced feature with an emphasis on character rather than spectacle, and this makes him a member of an endangered species, writes reviewer Sandra Hall. Edward Norton plays a man with Tourette Syndrome in Motherless Brooklyn. Credit:Warner Bros. Pictures Hes had Motherless Brooklyn in the works for 20 years. Its a controversially comprehensive re-working of a well-regarded 1999 novel by Jonathan Lethem, who raised no objections, were told, when Norton decided to roll back the books contemporary setting to Brooklyn in the 1950s. Some of the books fans have felt otherwise, becoming the films most vocal critics. Nostalgia was not Nortons only motive for the change. Nor was the fact that he thought Lethems hard-boiled dialogue was going to sound cheesy on screen in a modern context. A student of New Yorks social history, he wanted to re-jig the story to explore the political double-dealing that shaped the citys architecture and planning during a pivotal decade. His bad guys are developers and politicians with no time for kindly notions such as affordable housing and community spirit. Nortons hero, Lionel Essrog, a private eye with a small-time agency, is pitched into a labyrinthine political conspiracy when his boss, Frank Minna, is shot dead by mobsters in the course of a case in which hes been involved. Played with admirable restraint by Bruce Willis, Frank has been Lionel's father-figure, the only person whos shown any interest in understanding the effects of the Tourettes Syndrome that has plagued him since childhood. For readers of the novel this was one of its most potent and unexpected attractions. It describes Lionels co-existence with his Tourettes, which he nicknames Bailey, with mordant humour and a lot of insight into the sensations it produces. Nortons translation contents itself with the broad outlines, although the films hard-edged jazz score, with its Wynton Marsalis trumpet solos, does make a direct connection with the tumult going on in Lionels head. As unlikely screen heroes go, hes one of the most engaging to come along in a while. And the film has a great villain in Alex Baldwins corrupt politician. Like Donald Trump, Baldwins Moses Randolph suffers from an acute case of monumentalism. He wants to build and re-build and never mind the people whose lives are left in the rubble. Read Sandra Hall's full review here. Miss Fisher And The Crypt Of Tears Even in her big-screen debut, television sleuth Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) has never gone in for disguise. Detective work is merely her hobby. Being Phryne is her vocation, being the centre of attention is her modus operandi and her numberless costume changes are all part of her armoury, writes Sandra Hall. Phyrne Fisher (Essie Davis) doesn't quite go undercover in Morrocco in Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears. This means that her star power has always thrown the rest of the series cast into shadow. This includes Nathan Page as her love interest, the country policeman Detective Jack Robinson. Yet he, too, has made the leap to the big screen in Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, which takes them into the desert in 1929 on an Indiana Jones-type quest involving camels, scarabs, an emerald the size of an emus egg and corrupt British officials manipulating the politics of the region for their own nefarious purposes. Its an especially ambitious agenda, given the fact the film was partly financed by crowdfunding. Much of it was shot in Morocco, a favoured location for movie companies telling any story set in the Middle East, and its producers were lucky enough to be able to take advantage of a Jerusalem set that Ridley Scott left behind after shooting there in 2005. The result is a tribute to the Australian film industrys flair for making do but, sadly, thats not enough to overcome a fundamental failure in tone. Just when youve decided that the director, Tony Tilse, and screenwriter Deb Cox are going to embrace the films essential ridiculousness and turn on a bit of sharp-witted self-parody, they straighten their faces and revert to creaky melodrama. Its an odd effect. You feel as if youre being treated to a series of jokes by someone whos forgotten all the punchlines. The gags are there but they never realise their potential. And the can-do spirit does wax and wane. This time, Cox didnt adapt the script from one of the novels by Phrynes creator Kerry Greenwood. Its an original and if there is to be a sequel, as the producers clearly hope there will be, could somebody please polish up the pratfalls and punch up the dialogue. Read Sandra Hall's full review here. Undertow Victorian filmmaker Miranda Nations Undertow puts you right inside the head of Claire (Laura Gordon) and its an excessively gloomy place to be, writes Sandra Hall. Claires grief over the loss of her stillborn baby has pitched her into a depression worsened by her belief that her husband, Dan (Rob Collins), is having an affair with a teenager. Is she right or is this particular obsession another result of the delusions produced by her despair? Claire (Laura Gordon) and Angie (Olivia Dejonge) are drawn to each other in the Australian thriller Undertow. Its the kind of question that might have delighted Hitchcock but Nation isnt much interested in turning her film into a psychological thriller in the Vertigo mode. Shes more preoccupied with the contrast between Claires state of extreme introspection and the hyper-masculine world where Dan finds his consolation for the death of their child. Hes an official with the local AFL club and theres a lot to keep him busy. He is not involved with a teenager but Brett (Josh Helman), the clubs star player, is. Shes 16 and shes pregnant, which means Dan is fully occupied trying to see if he can contain the damage from the impending scandal. But its Claires story. She seeks out Angie, the teenager, and becomes fixated on her and her pregnancy, as if conflating it with her own. Its hard to see exactly whats going on because Claire doesnt really know either. Shes a news photographer and she uses the camera to try to understand whats happening to her, compulsively photographing everything and everybody, including Angie, whos played brilliantly by Olivia Dejonge. She gives us a girl whose sexual precocity is undercut by the fact shes way in over her depth. Flattered at first by Claires attention, shes full of a foxy bravado but its melting away fast. COLUMBIA As eyes turn to South Carolinas Democratic primary this weekend, lawmakers are considering a major change to the process by requiring voters to register with a party. And with announced plans by Republicans to upset Saturday's turnout by coming out in favor of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a passionate Joe Biden supporter wants anybody who votes in the primary to be required to take part in 2024's Democratic primary, as well. Both proposals are headed to the Senate Judiciary Committee for action. "What we have in South Carolina is an orchestrated attempt by the Republican Party to come into the Democratic Party and select who they view as the weakest candidate in the Democratic Party primary," state Sen. Marlon Kimpson, D-Charleston, said Wednesday. A Republican-led bill would require residents to sign an application certifying allegiance to a party on voter registration forms. It would apply to all elections moving forward from a still-to-be-determined implementation date. Under the bill, voters would commit themselves to a political affiliation filed with the state Elections Commission, although they could switch that designation up to 60 days ahead of an election. You should pick which party you want to participate in, Sen. Rex Rice of Easley said during a Wednesday Senate Judiciary subcommittee meeting on his proposal. Anderson Republican Richard Cash is a co-sponsor. The Palmetto State is one of 15 with an open primary, meaning voters dont have to be affiliated with a particular party in order to participate. Talk of revamping South Carolina's voting process comes in the midst of a push by some Republican leaders for rank-and-file support of Sanders. That's why Kimpson said he's sponsoring legislation locking those who vote on Feb. 29 into the 2024 primary, with a sunset provision after that. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Other lawmakers said the move is likely unconstitutional but approved it with a clause to release voters from requirement if they sign an affidavit acknowledging their participation was in good faith. "We don't want to disenfranchise voters, and people do change their minds," said state Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg. Kimpson said he was upset that a party's primary could be undermined by outsiders with malicious intent to sway an outcome. "I think it's wrong for either party to have an orchestrated effort to hijack the other party's election," Kimpson said. Both proposals have a slim chance of becoming law this year, with their legislative process just beginning and an April 10 deadline for bills to get from one chambers floor to the other. Over the last six months, the states elector rolls grew by 70,715, pushing the number of eligible voters for Saturdays primary to almost 3.3 million. Lynn Teague of the South Carolina League of Women Voters said her organization opposes limiting access to the state's primaries. "Disenfranchising legitimate voters by closing primaries would be an outcome that I don't think any of us should support," she said. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-28 01:48:26|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- In order to avoid coronavirus infection, Palestine on Thursday urged Palestinians to avoid travel abroad unless necessary, including travel for pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia's Mecca city. Palestinian authorities called on Palestinians not to travel abroad, particularly for international conferences for the time being, in order to avoid contraction of the disease, unless absolutely necessary. The Palestinian Ministry of Waqf and Religious Affairs said in a statement that travel to the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage is suspended, based on recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Saudi authorities. Saudi Arabia has suspended pilgrimage visas for the time being, in an effort to ensure public safety during the Hajj season, which starts in July. Palestine is still free of coronavirus cases but has declared a national emergency strategy to prevent the outbreak. KYIV. Feb 27 (Interfax-Ukraine) The State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) has registered a criminal case on pressure from former U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden on former Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin. "The SBI has added information on the criminal offence to the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations," Shokin's lawyer Oleksandr Teleshetsky said during a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency on February 27. The case was opened under an appeal from Shokin. The court obliged the SBI to register the proceeding. In his motion, Shokin spoke of pressure put on him by Biden, Teleshetsky said. "The reason for the pressure was the investigation being conducted by the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine into grave crimes of international corruption linked with the activities of former Ecology Minister of Ukraine Mykola Zlochevsky and top managers at the Burisma company," he said. Shokin's motion was filed with the State Bureau of Investigations back on January 28, 2020, but information about the criminal offence was added to the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations only on February 24 after the country ordered the bureau to register the case, Teleshetsky said. The case was opened under Part 2 of Article 343 (on the charge of interfering in the work of an official of a law enforcement agency), he said. Even though Shokin included Biden's name in the motion, which prompted the opening of the case, the investigation itself mentions only a "U.S. citizen," without giving any names, Teleshetsky said. The SBI is also handling criminal cases opened in response to Shokin's motion on charges of disclosing pretrial probe secrets to employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, he said. "Bearing in mind the fact that a possible suspect in all three of these criminal offences could be Joseph Biden, as a person who, in our opinion, is involved in these events, we deem it necessary to merge all the cases into one, in order to ensure an effective investigation and set up a competent investigative group, as well as a group of experienced prosecutors who can ensure the investigation within a reasonable period of time," Teleshetsky said. It is also advisable to invite the U.S. to take part in the investigation, he said, adding that he would forward the relevant request to the Prosecutor General's Office. "We'll definitely do this. This is one of the priorities in this criminal investigation, because this case can't be investigated without involving mechanisms of international legal cooperation," Teleshetsky said. "Judging by remarks Biden allowed himself to make in public, Viktor Mykolayovych Shokin has sufficient grounds to believe that it was him [Biden] who masterminded and, to a certain extent, perpetrated those criminal offences to which Shokin alerted the law enforcement agencies of Ukraine," he said. Greek law enforcement agencies, in turn, are investigating Shokin's mercury poisoning in 2019, Teleshetsky said, adding that Shokin himself links this incident to Biden. "The results of this investigation are not yet available today. We don't have sufficient grounds to assert...file motions and requests with the law enforcement agencies of Greece before they establish the objective truth in all circumstances... Possibly, they will appear tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," he said. As reported, in a number of interviews, U.S. President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudolph Giuliani has claimed that the former vice president interfered in Ukrainian politics and was involved in incidents of corruption. For instance, Giuliani alleges that former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Shokin was dismissed at Biden's request, allegedly for investigating Burisma's connections with his son Hunter Biden. Shokin said in late January 2020, that he had survived mercury poisoning in Greece five months before, after which he had to undergo lengthy medical treatment. The agencys signature policy under Trump, an aggressive expansion of private health care for veterans known as the Mission Act, is facing ballooning costs since it launched last June, officials told lawmakers this month. They acknowledged they do not know how many veterans are participating and whether patients are waiting shorter times to be seen by private doctors when compared with the VA system. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters Tuesday that its no longer a matter of wondering if the coronavirus will hit the U.S., but when. Suburban school officials like Harris say they have been preparing for this possibility since the initial outbreak of the virus was reported in China. Swiss Confirm 3 New Coronavirus Cases, Now 4 in Total The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Switzerland has risen to four, the countrys health authority said on Feb. 27. In the western canton of Geneva one person was tested positive for the virus, while it was also confirmed in a couple in the southeastern Alpine canton of Grisons, it added. All three patients are isolated in the hospital. Their condition is good, the Federal Office of Public Health said. Denmark and Estonia on Thursday confirmed they had each detected their first known cases of COVID-19. The Danish Health Authority said that its first patient was a male who had recently returned from a ski holiday in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Reuters reported. He tested positive on Wednesday night and is in self-isolation at home. In Estonia, Tanel Kiik, the Minister of Social Affairs, told Eesti Television that their first patient is an Iranian citizen who arrived in the country on Wednesday. They are now being quarantined. Area Director Geir Bukholm and Department Director Line Vold of the Institute of Public Health hold a press conference on the first coronavirus case in Oslo, Norway, on Feb. 26, 2020. (Terje Bendiksby/NTB Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) At least five European countries confirmed their first known cases on Wednesday: Georgia, Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, and Norway. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that the government would ask all elementary, junior high, and high schools to close from March 2 until spring break, typically around the end of March. He was speaking at a meeting of the governments task force to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. Saudi Arabia on Thursday halted travel to the holiest sites in Islam just months ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage, a move coming as the Mideast has over 220 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The extraordinary decision by Saudi Arabia stops foreigners from reaching the holy city of Mecca and the Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure the worlds 1.8 billion Muslims pray toward five times a day. It also said travel was suspended to Prophet Muhammads mosque in Medina. The decision showed the worry about the outbreak potentially spreading into Saudi Arabia. The epicenter in the Mideasts most-affected country, Iran, appears to be in the holy Shiite city of Qom, where a shrine there sees the faithful reach out to kiss and touch it in reverence. A worker disinfects a public bus against coronavirus in Tehran, Iran, in the early morning of Feb. 26, 2020. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo) The hardest-hit nation in the Mideast is Iran, where Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said 19 people have died among 139 confirmed cases. Experts are concerned Iran may be underreporting cases and deaths, given the illnesss rapid spread from Iran across the Persian Gulf. For example, Iran still has not confirmed any cases in Mashhad, even though a number of cases reported in Kuwait are linked to the Iranian city. In Bahrain, which confirmed 33 cases as of Thursday morning, authorities halted all flights to Iraq and Lebanon. It separately extended a 48-hour ban over flights from Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, through which infected travelers reached the island kingdom off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said there were no immediate plans to quarantine cities but acknowledged it may take one, two, or three weeks to get control of the virus in Iran. As Irans 80 million people find themselves increasingly isolated in the region by the outbreak, the countrys sanctions-battered economy saw its currency slump to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar in a year on Wednesday. Epoch Times staff contributed to this report. Well, it was no knockout blow but it was certainly a decent jab to the sweetbreads. Sajid Javid's resignation speech to the Commons yesterday may have lacked Sir Geoffrey Howe's verbal pyrotechnics against Margaret Thatcher, but it will have rattled a few Downing Street teacups all the same. Modest, witty, stylishly courteous, the ex-chancellor's ten-minute sermon was more of an elegantly crafted bomblet, designed not to destroy or maim, merely to leave the Number 10 furniture caked in soot. It was a speech almost entirely devoid of malice or self-pity which, in essence, marked its potency. The ex-chancellor appeared dignified. The Prime Minister, meanwhile, who is said to feel remorse about shafting friendly cove Saj, shifted and wriggled like a contorting ragworm. Sajid Javid's resignation speech to the Commons yesterday may have lacked Sir Geoffrey Howe's verbal pyrotechnics against Margaret Thatcher, but it will have rattled a few Downing Street teacups all the same, writes Henry Deedes The Saj entered the chamber for the first time since his defenestration just as Boris was called for PMQs, hoping to draw as little attention to himself as possible. Fat chance. As he made that long, unfamiliar walk to the backbenches all eyes fixed upon him. Stopping momentarily to say hello to Theresa May, he chose a sniper position several rows directly behind the PM, rather than Sir Geoffrey's famous 45-degree vantage point. When Speaker Hoyle called his name at 12.31pm the moment PMQs was done, the whole chamber, Prime Minister included, remained firmly in their seats. Saj, flanked by his old University friend Rob Halfon (Harlow) and recently deposed transport minister Nus Ghani (Wealden), began by speaking warmly of the opportunities he'd had to 'give back to the country that has given me so much'. As talk turned to his resignation, Labour's frontbench craned forward like a pack of llamas, thirsty for the juice. Stopping momentarily to say hello to Theresa May, he chose a sniper position several rows directly behind the PM, writes Henry Deedes Mr Javid admitted he had been unwilling to accept the PM's demand, supposedly at the behest of his senior aide Dominic Cummings, that he sack his team of advisors. Such a move, he said, would not have been in the national interest. 'Advisers advise, ministers decide and ministers decide on their advisers,' he said. Oof! He did not wish to go into the personalities, apparently. Cue howls of disappointment. Boring! Though anguish quickly turned to laughter when Saj added: 'The Cummings and goings, if you will.' Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, who had arrived especially to hear the speech, proffered a little round of applause. Jeremy Corbyn waggled a rubber-soled foot gleefully. Even Priti Patel afforded herself a little matronly titter. Saj allowed himself a moment to drink the appreciation in, his acorn-shaped dome, which appeared to have felt the recent swipe of the barber's razor, glowing with satisfaction. Although not a natural speaker, he was remarkably composed. He seemed more languid, less robotic than usual. The Prime Minister, meanwhile, who is said to feel remorse about shafting friendly cove Saj, shifted and wriggled like a contorting ragworm (Pictured: Boris Johnson) There were generous words for his successor Rishi Sunak, whom he had originally lobbied to be his deputy in the Treasury and then for him to remain during the reshuffle. 'I didn't quite get my way on that one,' he joked. To finish, he issued a simple broadside at the PM: Cut taxes. The Tory backbenches cooed with agreement. After months as the unwanted partner in this Government, Sajid Javid was having his moment. Boris grimaced throughout, his complexion at times as pink as a pot of taramasalata. Having spent the past two months walking on rose petals, those ten minutes were undoubtedly his least comfortable since the election. As for PMQs, Jeremy Corbyn put in his best shift for years, focusing on the PM's refusal to visit any of the regions affected by the recent floods. Corbyn boasted of visiting blameless Pontypridd. The PM should do the same sometime, said Corbyn, rather than being a 'part-time Prime Minister.' He then advised Boris to stop hiding and 'show people that he actually cares, or is he too busy going about some other business?' Other business? Whatever could he mean? Boris flapped around as though he'd turned up for a chemistry practical hopelessly underprepared. My scorecard judged the bout a 6-0 win for Jezza, though I'm not sure the PM will care. Javid's rapier-like turn will have discomforted him far more. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Ukraine's ex-prosecutor general has filed a complaint against former US vice president Joe Biden, accusing the contender for the Democratic nomination of repeated pressure seeking to force his dismissal. Viktor Shokin, prosecutor in 2015-2106, filed the complaint with a Kiev court which in turn has filed a request with Ukraine's investigative office the DBR to open a probe, his lawyer Oleksandr Teleshetsky told AFP. Contacted by AFP, the DBR could not confirm if an investigation had been opened. Allegations that President Donald Trump had sought to pressure Ukraine to launch a probe into Biden's family prompted his impeachment, although he was later acquitted by the Senate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who took office in May last year, has sought to keep his distance from the affair without harming relations with Washington or taking sides. According to Teleshetsky, Biden had "called repeatedly" for Shokhin to be fired while he was working as prosecutor general. He was at the time leading a probe into Ukrainian gas group Burisma, where Biden's son Hunter had a seat on the supervisory board. The lawyer insisted that Shokin had no intention of interfering in American affairs or the electoral process in the United States. The complaint has "no political character", he said. Biden is one of the leading Democratic contenders seeking the nomination to challenge Trump in this year's presidential elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Writings on the Wall In 1990, my wife Rose and I decided to take my three nephews on a vacation to Huntsville, Alabama, and Disney World in Orlando, Florida. They Read more [February 27, 2020] Zipwhip and The Riveter Announce Scholarship for Women in STEM Zipwhip, the creators of Texting for Business, and The Riveter, a modern-day union of working women and allies, have announced a joint scholarship program aimed at supporting young women in science, technology, engineering and math. The Women in STEM Scholarship will help one female student further her education in a STEM field. The selected student will receive $1,500 from Zipwhip and a six-month Riveter Ally membership, which includes access to all workshops and programs sponsored by The Riveter and other public programs in their spaces, as well as an allotment of floating desk coworking hours per month. Zipwhip believes that greater workforce diversity leads to stronger products, better financial performance and more connected employees. By investing in women in science, technology, engineering and math programs, Zipwhip aims to improve the candidate pipeline and help women pursue their passions for tech and innovation. "In order for a company to be truly innovative it needs to have a culture where people can speak their mind openly and honestly, and where a diversity of ideas is brought forth," said John Lauer, Zipwhip CEO. "That's why we're investing in increasing diversity in the tech industry and at Zipwhip. We know that the best products are built when people with different perspectives and backgrounds have a seat at the tabl." This joint scholarship was a natural choice for Zipwhip and The Riveter, as Zipwhip is a founding corporate partner of the coworking network. Zipwhip employees can access The Riveter's coworking spaces, events and programming for free as a benefit provided by the company. "The Riveter was founded to break down the barriers women face throughout their careers and to make certain all women have equity of opportunity in the workplace," said Amy Nelson, CEO and founder of The Riveter. "This program will further that mission in a field that has been one of the worst for women historically yet has incredible potential to shift power and resources." The Women in STEM Scholarship is open to women in any city or nearby community where The Riveter operates: Seattle; Bellevue, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Dallas; Minneapolis and Denver. The winner will be announced on The Riveter and Zipwhip blogs on June 1, 2020 after the winner is contacted directly. Women in these cities enrolled in a technical undergraduate program at an accredited university or college, or enrolled in a technical bootcamp, are invited to apply before May 17, 2020, by visiting www.zipwhip.com/lp/scholarship. About Zipwhip Zipwhip empowers companies to communicate with their customers in the most effective and preferred way possible - text messaging. As the pioneer of Texting for Business, Zipwhip first enabled text messaging to and from existing landline, VoIP and toll-free phone numbers in 2014. Zipwhip's direct network connectivity, intuitive cloud-based software and an enterprise-grade API mean businesses can use any computer or mobile device to securely and reliably reach their customers, every time. Your customers are only a text away: https://www.zipwhip.com. About The Riveter The Riveter is a network of community and coworking spaces built by women, for everyone. The Riveter offers innovative spaces, learning and development programming that spans industries and career stages, and flexible membership plans. Launched in May 2017 in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, The Riveter has grown to include seven locations in Seattle, WA, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert), Austin and Dallas, TX with many more locations planned for 2019 and beyond. The Riveter's mission to redefine the future of work has been featured on TODAY, The Washington Post, Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., Quartz, Bloomberg (News - Alert) Technology, and more. www.theriveter.co View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005554/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] More than a third of beer-drinking Americans admit they wont purchase popular Mexican beer brand Corona in light of the ongoing coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak, according to a recent survey by New York-based agency 5W Public Relations. 5WPRs survey, which polled more than 730 imbibers via telephone between February 25 and 26, discovered that 38 percent of beer-drinking Americans now wont buy Corona under any circumstances. Additionally, 14 percent of those who reported drinking Corona regularly said they now wont purchase Corona in a public venue. Finally, 13 percent of beer drinking Americans admitted being confused regarding whether Corona beer is related to the deadly coronavirus thats currently circling the globe. Multiple media outlets have recently reported an uptick in online searches for corona beer virus and beer coronavirus. Market research firm YouGov in February reported that Corona beers buzz scorea net score based on whether U.S. adults have heard anything negative or positive about the brandhas fallen from 75 at the beginning of January to 51 as of late February. There is no question that Corona beer is suffering because of the coronavirus, said 5WPR Founder and CEO Ronn Torossian. While the brand has claimed that consumers understand there's no linkage between the virus and the beer company, this is a disaster for the Corona brand. After all, what brand wants to be linked to a virus which is killing people worldwide? The highly contagious coronavirus, which was first identified in Wuhan, the capital of Chinas Hubei province, has since spread to more than forty other countries. More than 82,167 cases have been confirmed since February 27, including 2,801 deaths. The virus has sent the stock market reeling and has decimated the U.S. tourism industry, with Oxford Economics global advisory firm Tourism Economics projecting the outbreak has resulted in a $10.3 billion loss to the U.S. tourism sector. Corona is the highest-selling imported drink in the U.S. The pale lager is a property of Mexican brewer Grupo Modelo, itself a subsidiary of Leuven, Belgium-based brewing titan A-B InBev. A-B InBev also markets Anheuser-Busch, Beck's, Michelob, Stella Artois and Hoegaarden. Latest Rosneft sanctions ratchet up U.S. threats for foreign firms dealing with Venezuela FILE PHOTO: Rosneft logo is pictured on a safety helmet in Vung Tau By Luc Cohen CARACAS (Reuters) - Washington's move this week to sanction a trading unit of Russian oil giant Rosneft for its ties with Venezuela's state-run PDVSA escalated threats facing non-U.S. firms and will likely spur "overcompliance" by companies, analysts and industry sources said. The U.S. government on Tuesday blacklisted Rosneft Trading, SA, the Geneva-based trading arm of Rosneft that has emerged as one of PDVSA's main intermediaries since previous rounds of sanctions targeted the Venezuelan company last year, in an effort to oust President Nicolas Maduro. The measure explicitly prohibited U.S. companies from dealing with Rosneft Trading after a three-month wind-down period. But in a Q&A published alongside the new measure, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said "non U.S. persons" unable to wind down dealings with the company by May 20 "may seek guidance from OFAC." "It's the first clear, written indication that non-U.S. third parties should be on guard, because after May 20 they could be targeted," said one Venezuelan oil industry source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. A separate OFAC move last August, which threatened sanctions against anyone doing business with Venezuela, halted a long-standing trade relationship between PDVSA and Chinese companies CNPC and PetroChina Co <601857.SS>, limiting their business relationship to joint production in Venezuelan oilfields. The Kremlin on Tuesday said the new U.S. sanctions were illegal and would not affect Moscow's ties with Caracas. Rosneft said Washington had "repeatedly" said its activities in Venezuela did not violate the restrictions, and that the company would "consider its options for legal protection." But OFAC's measures could dissuade Rosneft Trading's other customers from dealing with the unit while complicating access to financing, as companies seek to avoid U.S. scrutiny, said Peter Harrell, a fellow at the Center for a New American Security and a former State Department official focusing on sanctions. Story continues "Whether it's for Rosneft Trading in this regards, now, or for companies that deal with Rosneft Trading throughout the world, they are on notice that they are all susceptible to sanctions," a senior U.S. administration official told reporters on Tuesday. Already, global commodity trader Trafigura Group has said it would comply with U.S. sanctions on Rosneft Trading. India's Reliance Industries , the second largest buyer of Venezuelan crude, said it would continue talks with Washington to ensure its purchases were compliant with sanctions. Another Indian customer, Nayara Energy, said it complies with applicable sanctions. 'ALTERNATIVE PATHS' To be sure, Rosneft could try to use other, non-sanctioned entities to continue its dealings with Venezuela. TNK Trading International, another Rosneft subsidiary, also regularly lifts crude directly from Venezuelan ports, according to internal PDVSA documents seen by Reuters. "Should Moscow aim to continue channeling Venezuelan crude exports, it will find alternative paths to circumvent today's U.S. sanctions," Andrew Bishop of Signum Global Advisors wrote in a note to clients on Monday. The sanction on Rosneft Trading also comes less than a month after OFAC renewed a license allowing U.S. oil major Chevron Corp to continue operating in Venezuela, where it has joint ventures with PDVSA and recently resumed direct crude exports. Moscow has branded that unfair competition. U.S. special representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams said on Tuesday that Spanish oil company Repsol, another PDVSA customer, would have to change its activities "as we move forward." Repsol declined to comment. "The U.S. will likely continue to try to scare non Western companies from backing the Maduro regime. But it is highly unlikely the U.S. will force Western companies, certainly not U.S. companies, out of Venezuela's oil patch," said Raul Gallegos, Andean director for consultancy Control Risks. "Russia and [President Vladimir] Putin will continue to support the Venezuelan regime, aside from what measures Rosneft may take to protect its commercial interests elsewhere," he said. (Reporting by Luc Cohen; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Tom Brown) Copyright 2020 Albuquerque Journal Thirty-nine people are vying to be the next leader of the states largest school district, with over 80,000 students. Albuquerque Public Schools current Superintendent Raquel Reedy announced in October that she will retire at the end of this school year, starting a monthslong search. The Board of Education is aiming to announce her successor, who will be the 29th APS superintendent, in May and have someone officially taking over the role on July 1. The deadline for online applicants was Monday; 22 men and 17 women applied. Our community and our Board of Education want the new superintendent to put the needs of students first and be a seasoned educator. Those are a couple of the main, primary characteristics, board President David Peercy told a news conference on Wednesday. There was a nearly even split of in-state and out-of-state applicants. Peercy said the board is considering a salary range of $225,000 to $300,000. Reedy makes a little more than $276,000 annually after a recent 11% raise. The board president said typical contract lengths for a superintendent in large urban districts are three to five years. Seven of the candidates for APS superintendent currently work for the district, including Associate Superintendents Gabriella Blakey, Troy Hughes and Madelyn Serna Marmol. Last year, Blakey was a finalist for the Everett Public Schools superintendent position in Washington. She was part of APS revamp effort for schools labeled in need of more rigorous intervention, or MRI, by the previous administration of the Public Education Department, playing a big role in the districts highly touted Genius Hour, an extra hour of unique learning each school day. I grew up in Albuquerque Public Schools as a student, attending Sandia Base Elementary School, Van Buren Middle School and Highland High School, and continued to serve the district as a teacher and administrator, she wrote in her application. In addition to APS leadership, district teachers and principals applied, among them Kimberly Finke, principal of Whittier Elementary School. Whittier was threatened with closure after it was designated an MRI school and Finke was brought on to turn the school around. In her application, she says the school had increases in math and English proficiency rates in one year. Famed French emperor and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte is credited with saying, Leaders are dealers in hope. I believe that is what Albuquerque Public Schools needs right now (a) dealer in hope and I believe I am that person, she wrote in her application. Vickie Bannerman, Volcano Vista High School principal, also applied, highlighting improved academic proficiency rates and decreased suspension rates at the school under her tenure. Roughly 33% of the applicants have either been a superintendent or are currently in the leadership role, according to APS. That includes Taos Municipal Schools Superintendent Lillian Torrez, who said in her application that she would like to finish her career at APS and that 25 years of her career were with the district as a teacher and in administrative roles. Clayton Municipal Schools Superintendent Stacy Diller, Carrizozo Municipal Schools Superintendent Wesley Todd Lindsay and Deming Public Schools Superintendent Arsenio Romero also applied. Peercy said search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates will begin reviewing the resumes, checking references and working on background checks. The board is reviewing the candidates and will meet with the search firm on March 4 to determine semifinalists; finalists are expected to be determined later in March. Eventually, there will be forums where the community can meet and hear from finalists who are looking to be the new APS leader. Hiring a superintendent is one of the most crucial responsibilities of the board. The board president said that getting the right person in the role is imperative, adding that the board could appoint an interim superintendent if it needs to further the search. The stakes are pretty high, and this is a difficult process, Peercy said. WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange issued a defiant protest in court yesterday, opposing the flagrant abuse of his fundamental legal rights in extradition proceedings brought against him by the United States government. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen in a prison van traveling to Westminster Magistrates Court in London, Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 [Credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein] Assange spoke from the dock on day three of extradition hearings at Belmarsh Magistrates Court. The multi-award-winning journalist has been charged under the Espionage Act and faces 175 years in prison for exposing US war crimes, illegal mass surveillance and torture. Incarcerated at Belmarsh maximum security prison for nearly 12 months in virtual solitary confinement, Assange is being held in violation of international law that prohibits torture and arbitrary detention. He is incarcerated at Belmarsh solely on remand. At the start of proceedings yesterday morning, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser informed the court that Assange was medicated and might have difficulty following proceedings. Just after 2.00 pm, she asked Assanges lawyer Gareth Peirce whether her client was able to concentrate or needed a break. Rising from his seat in the dock, Assange approached the bullet-proof glass panels separating him from the body of the court, telling Peirce in evident distress that he was under constant surveillance by prison guards, I cannot communicate with my lawyers or ask them for clarifications without the other side seeing. The other side has about 100 times more contact with their lawyers per day What is the point of asking if I can concentrate if I cannot participate? Assange, who has struggled to hear proceedings for much of the past three days, told Peirce, Im as much a participant in these proceedings as I am a spectator in Wimbledon. Assanges intervention provoked undisguised hostility from Baraitser. She declared that Assange had no legal right to address the court unless he was testifying, calling a brief adjournment. When proceedings resumed, Edward Fitzgerald QC indicated he would make an application for Assange to sit with his legal team. Fitzgeralds unexpected request paralysed Baraitser, who appeared like a marionette with cut strings left dangling. Do I have the jurisdiction to issue such an order? she asked James Lewis QC, after he indicated the prosecution would be neutral in relation to Assanges request that he be removed from the dock. Perhaps he could be handcuffed to the desk, Lewis suggested. It puts me in a difficult position with regard to the assessment of risk, Baraitser told the court, with Fitzgerald replying, We respectfully submit he is a gentle man of an intellectual nature and theres no reason he shouldnt be able to sit with us. More confusion followed, with Baraitser querying whether the defence teams request amounted to an application for baila suggestion that was immediately shot down by Lewis, who told Baraitser he would undoubtedly object to any bail application. He would need to take instruction on the matter overnight, he told the judge. The surreal exchange highlighted the legal no-mans land into which Assange has been thrown. Fitzgerald is scheduled to make an application to the court for Assanges removal from the dock by 10.00am today. The outrageous show trial being staged by British authorities has elicited not a word of protest this week from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn or his shadow chancellor John McDonnell. Appearing yesterday in Prime Ministers Questions, Corbyn focused on the governments response to the UK floods, saying nothing about the fate of the worlds most famous political prisoner being decided ten miles away. After a brief pose of opposition to extradition, McDonnell declared last week that Labour would be constrained in raising Assanges plight by the sub judice rule. This is a convenient excuse for political cowardice and duplicity. Had he chosen to do so, Corbyn could have spoken out against the brutal treatment meted out to Assange every day this week and demanded his immediate release whatever the consequences. Legal arguments yesterday focused on the UK-US extradition treaty. Assanges defence team argued that the 17 charges against him under the Espionage Act (and a separate charge of computer crime) were pure political offences. Fitzgerald told the court, This is about policy in Guantanamo, policy in the Iraq war, policy in the Afghan war, loss of civilian life, torture and war crimes. Article 4 of the Anglo-US Extradition Treaty states that extradition shall not be granted if the offence for which extradition is requested is a political offence. It should therefore bar Assanges extradition for the espionage conduct alleged. However, the prosecution claims that since this specific provision of the treaty is not incorporated into English law, it is irrelevant to the court proceedings. The UK Extradition Act (2003), passed by Tony Blairs Labour government alongside a raft of anti-democratic counter-terror legislation, removed the political offences exception. Seeking to uphold the exception, Edward Fitzgerald QC mounted a powerful case for the defence, referencing centuries of legal principle and internationally recognised standards of human rights. The bar on extradition for political offences is regarded throughout the world as a fundamental protection, Fitzgerald argued. It is contained in every one of the USs extradition treaties with Western democracies, including the Anglo-US treaty ratified in 2007. Moreover, said Fitzgerald, In case after case the courts have stressed the importance of respecting treaty obligations as a cardinal principle that guides the whole extradition process and the way the courts should approach it. Responding to the prosecutions claim that this treaty has no basis in domestic law and so cannot grant Assange any rights, Fitzgerald referred to section 87 of the Extradition Act (2003). According to this section, the judge must decide whether a persons extradition is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, adopted into English law through the Human Rights Act (1998). The extradition treaty is the whole substratum to Assanges extradition. To ignore its exception for political offences was clearly an abuse of process and therefore constituted arbitrary detention, breaching Article 5 of the ECHR. Fitzgerald then delivered a profound examination of the fundamental legal principles at stake. The right to liberty is not just the right to liberty in accordance with tabulated statutory provisions, but the wider test of is this non-arbitrary? He continued, due process of law is a compendious expression that invokes the concept of rule of law itself and universal standards of justice. Fitzgerald cited three key cases to make his point. Firstly, R v Mullen (2000), in which abuse of process was successfully invoked because the behaviour of the British authorities in the extradition procedures involved them acting in breach of public international law. Secondly, Thomas v Baptiste (2000), where the Privy Council found that the due process clause of the Trinidad Constitution invokes the concept of the rule of law itself, allowing defendants to appeal to a treaty unincorporated into domestic Trinidadian law. As Fitzgerald was forced to spell out in a British court in 2020, the due process law in Magna Carta is still part of our law. Thirdly, Neville Lewis v Attorney General Jamaica (2001), which held that the constitutional concept of the protection of law trumped the Jamaican states reliance on the very authorities cited by the prosecution in the Assange case. The same constitutional concept is established in the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution, which is the cornerstone of the constitutional protections offered to its citizens. Fitzgerald concluded, the prosecutions simplistic rejection of any reliance on the requesting states duties under public international law ignores the fact that the abuse of process jurisdiction is there to protect against the disregard for the rule of law, of which international law itself forms a part. Putting the matter more sharply, the prosecution seeks to appeal to a wholly reactionary, nationalist, black letter reading of the lawresting on the anti-democratic legislation of the Blair government. Prosecutor James Lewis QCs rebuttal claimed that Assange is not entitled to derive any rights from the treaty. Parliament had expressly abrogated the political offence exception with the Extradition Act (2003) and that therefore the operation of the law has deprived Mr Assange of the challenge he wishes to make. Lewis admitted, It may be slightly surprising to other foreign states but in English law the treaty is irrelevant. The hearing continues. Editor's Note The Yakima Herald-Republic published a yearlong series of reports, "Not Forgotten," to mark the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which was signed Feb. 19, 1942, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The order made it legal to remove people from military areas as deemed necessary or desirable." Though the Yakima Valley was outside Military Area No. 1 west of the Cascades, the boundaries were moved east to include it after several Yakima County organizations such as the Grange, the American Legion and some newspapers pushed for it. The Yakima Valley was home to three cities with thriving communities built by people Japanese ancestry Wapato, Toppenish and Yakima. Evacuation of the Yakima Valleys Japanese communities took place June 4-5, 1942. A total of 1,017 men, women and children 683 of whom were born in the U.S. were transported to the Portland Assembly Center in Oregon, where they stayed for about three months. They then were taken to the Heart Mountain Relocation Center near Cody, Wyo. Only about 10% returned to the Valley. See all of the stories at http://www.yakimaherald.com/special_projects/not_forgotten. Pratik Bhakta Delaware-headquartered GoScale has acquired Washington DC-based Indiez through a mix of cash and stock component, giving the company a toehold in the United States. The deal will see the Indiez team bring its clients and engineers on to the GoScale platform. Both GoScale and Indiez are in the business of connecting technology companies with remote-working engineers through a marketplace model. While Indiez has a large presence in the United States, GoScale is present primarily in India and Southeast Asia. The acquisition will give GoScale access to a large base of companies in the US and also their pool of engineers too. (Also read: Engineers look for remote work as tech breaks geographical barriers) Founded by Nitesh Agrawal, Indiez had a six to eight-member team based out of India and the US, which will join GoScale. They have a base of 10,000 engineers on the platform who will now be available on the GoScale platform as well, we will also get access to their clients in the US, GoScale cofounder Raghu Bharat said. GoScale has 150 engineers on its platform. GoScale is a bootstrapped startup launched by Bharat and three other engineers--Shubhanshu Srivastava, Nirmaan Agrawal and Dheeraj Lalchandani. Indiez, on the other hand, started in 2016 and raised $500,000 in a seed round from Haresh Chawla, partner at True North who invested in his personal capacity. The investor wont make a complete exit through this acquisition, said Bharat. They were already clocking a revenue of half-a-million dollars, but their clients were smaller in size, hence their average ticket size is smaller than us, he said. GoScales clients include Swiggy, Tokopedia, Grab, Amazon, and Uber. GoScale intends to replicate the success of American players like Toptal and UpWork, who started with helping American tech companies tap into the talent pool of Eastern Europe. It intends to do the same but with Indian engineers. GoScale not only connects engineers with large tech companies, but it also helps companies with no physical presence in India to tap into local talent. Bharat said GoScale hired engineers on their behalf, managed payroll and took care of legal formalities, thereby playing the role of a middle layer in the remote-working space. Through the acquisition, the company wants to expand operations in the US and also onboard more engineers to expand its scope of work. It is also looking for an investor which would help Bharat and the team to scout for talent and clients globally. If they have come up with some goofy excuse, taking care not to manhandle lead pipes from now on, that may allow them to say See, we arent seeing high lead since we switched to these new meters, said Miguel del Toral, who led a 2013 EPA study of Chicago homes that revealed how lead levels in tap water could spike for months or even years after pipes had been disturbed by street work or plumbing repairs, including the installation of water meters. WASHINGTON As she rose to stand in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 6, the eyes of the nation were upon Elise Stefanik. President Trump was celebrating his acquittal in the impeachment trial the day before with a freewheeling address that excoriated his critics and praised his supporters. One by one, members of Congress stood to receive fulsome praise from the president, whether about their looks, their legal acumen or their reelection prospects. There was little doubt that Stefanik would be among those thanked by Trump. During the impeachment hearings that took place in the House of Representatives in November, she emerged as a conservative celebrity for her dogged defense of the president. Its most incredible whats going on with you, Elise, Trump said to Stefanik. You were killing them. Rep. Elise Stefanik, joined by her Republican colleagues, speaks to reporters at the Capitol on Jan. 23 during a break in the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Impeachment appears to have been a boon for Trump, with the president enjoying the highest approval ratings of his presidency. Impeachment has also been a boon for Stefanik, who in November will defend the northern New York seat in the states 21st Congressional District that she has held since 2015. Stefaniks most recent campaign filing revealed that she raised $3.2 million in the last three months of 2019. That exceeded the reelection haul of progressive darling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., according to New York politics outlet City & State. Stefanik has raised money from the likes of former libertarian presidential candidate Ross Perot Jr. and Karl Rove, the mastermind behind George W. Bushs successful 2000 presidential campaign. While the amounts they donated are not enormous, the donations themselves are significant, adding credibility to the notion that Stefanik is indeed a conservative on the rise. At the same time, she has accepted contributions from a disgraced casino magnate, as well as from a Florida-based donor who made racist statements about President Barack Obama. While impeachment has proved helpful for her fundraising, its also sparked a backlash against her. Before impeachment, no national effort to unseat Stefanik was underway: Trump won NY-21 by 14 points. Story continues That had also been Stefaniks margin over Tedra Cobb, a county politician who is challenging her for the seat again. Shes not vulnerable in 2020, concluded polling expert Dave Wasserman, observing that Stefanik is well-aligned with her North Country district, which voted twice for Obama before moving sharply right in 2016. Impeachment, however, has focused progressive ire at Stefanik, potentially making the race more competitive than it would have otherwise been. In one tweet sent in the midst of the House impeachment inquiry, George Conway, the Republican attorney who is one of Trumps most ferocious opponents, called Stefanik lying trash and urged his 940,000 followers to give to her opponent. They did, with Cobb reporting $2.05 million in contributions in the final fiscal quarter of 2019. Act Blue, the progressive political group, has also singled her out. We dont need another grandstanding Trump sycophant in Congress, it says on an anti-Stefanik fundraising page. Stefanik is acknowledged by President Trump at the White House the day after his acquittal. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) All this has turned a picturesque swath of the Adirondack Mountains into a proxy battle over the Trump administration, with Stefanik having become as both supporters and detractors will note a symbol of loyalty to Trump. Like many Republicans, Stefanik cast impeachment as a partisan affair, an effort they charged Democrats launched to negate the 2016 election and sway the 2020 contest. The first public testimony in the impeachment inquiry came on Nov. 13 of last year, with appearances from William Taylor, then the acting ambassador to Ukraine, and George Kent, a top State Department official. As they had in earlier closed-door depositions, both career public servants provided testimony that was critical of Trumps efforts to pressure Ukrainian authorities to open investigations that could benefit him. Stefanik pushed back against their narrative. In crisp and focused questioning of the two witnesses, she had them concede that Ukraine did struggle with corruption and that, despite concerns, Ukraine still received the aid Trump was accused of withholding until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced investigations that could help Trump politically. She also compelled Taylor to say the Trump administration had provided more military aid to Kyiv than the Obama administration had. Just hours after that testimony, Stefaniks reelection campaign sent an email to supporters. WATCH: I EXPOSED ADAM SCHIFF, the subject line said. The body of the email shows a prominent Elise for Congress logo. Today, millions of Americans tuned into the first public hearing focused on impeachment, the text of the email reads. This is after two months of closed door meetings in the basement of the Capitol as part of Adam Schiff's Regime of Secrecy. WATCH my questions from today. There follows a YouTube clip of her questioning Taylor and Kent. The email ends with an appeal for funds: Please donate today to stand against this partisan political process orchestrated by Adam Schiff. Members of Congress can be as partisan as they want in their appeals, but they are forbidden from using footage of hearings, or floor proceedings, in fundraising efforts. In a letter sent on June 7, 2018, the House Ethics Committee reminded legislators that rules specifically prohibit the use of footage of House Floor activities and committee proceedings for any partisan political purpose. The Stefanik campaigns YouTube page which features the campaign logo also contains several videos from the impeachment inquiry. The clips have titles like Adam Schiff Refuses to yield to Stefanik at Impeachment Hearing Day 2. A complaint regarding Stefaniks use of impeachment footage was filed by Susan Delehanty, a Stefanik constituent who lives in the Adirondack Mountains region of New York, and sent to Omar Ashmawy, chief counsel of the Office of Congressional Ethics, on Dec. 9. In her complaint, Delehanty asked Ashmawy to initiate an investigation into Stefanik, who according to the letter seems to have violated well-established House ethics rules that prohibit the use of official House resources for partisan campaign purposes, including House committee proceedings. The letter notes that in addition to the fundraising email and the YouTube channel, Stefanik sent out clips of the impeachment hearings from a Twitter account associated with her reelection campaign. Delehanty told Yahoo News that while she is a supporter of Stefaniks opponent, Cobb, I am sick and tired of Stefanik putting herself and her party ahead of the North County, she said in a written statement. I watched in shock at the Congresswomans partisan behavior in the House Intelligence Committee Hearings this November. A spokesman for the Office of Congressional Ethics declined to comment on the complaint, though Delehanty was sent an email acknowledging that it had been received. The spokesman said that if an investigation were to be launched, Stefanik would be notified. The results of such an investigation would not necessarily be made public. In an email exchange with Yahoo News, Delehanty reiterated that she was acting out of principle. She said she was incensed by Stefaniks behavior during the impeachment inquiry. When she saw that Stefanik was using impeachment clips to raise funds for reelection, she said, her anger compounded. She adds that she researched how to file a complaint and discussed the matter with like-minded friends, including individuals affiliated with the Cobb campaign. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff speaks during the Senate impeachment trial. (Reuters/U.S. Senate TV/Handout via Reuters) It was the Cobb campaign that initially notified Yahoo News of the existence of the complaint. A spokesman for the campaign declined to say whether anyone from the Cobb camp helped Delehanty in writing it. When pressed on the matter, Delehanty did not divulge specifics regarding how the complaint was drafted. I would say my letter was a group effort, but I had total control of the final product, she said. The Stefanik campaign maintains that it did nothing wrong. Our office has never been notified about an ethics investigation since Congresswoman Stefanik was sworn into office, said Stefanik spokeswoman Maddie Anderson, who is both part of her campaign and her House office staff (such arrangements are not uncommon in Washington). Several top ethics attorneys who reviewed Delehantys complaint agreed with its core argument. I think Rep. Stefaniks use of video of the House hearing to solicit political contributions is a serious violation of that rule, says Larry Noble, the former general counsel of the Federal Election Commission. The rule is clear, and so is the guidance given by the House Ethics Committee. Donald K. Sherman, general counsel of the ethics watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington a group that routinely opposes the Trump administration agrees with that assessment. House Ethics Committee guidance clearly prohibits Members from using video of committee proceedings for campaign purposes, said Sherman, who was previously a high-ranking Senate attorney, which Rep. Stefanik appears to have done nine times in the last six months. It seems that in her rush to defend the misconduct of a corrupt President, Rep. Stefanik has joined him in breaking ethics rules for political purposes. Stefanik has also been criticized for sending a Jan. 9 fundraising appeal that showed a doctored photograph of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The image was manipulated to make Pelosi look older and more sinister. Stefanik took the criticism in stride: Thanks @washingtonpost for your article promoting & advertising my donation page urging Pelosi to stop her political games, she wrote on Twitter. The message included emojis of stacks of cash, which Stefanik said were flying in. The money does appear to be flying in. But with that comes scrutiny of who is doing the giving. Cobbs campaign has recently begun to criticize her for taking money from Steve Wynn, a Las Vegas hotelier worth $3.1 billion. The onetime finance chairman of the Republican National Committee, Wynn was accused of sexual improprieties in 2018. Stefanik also received $5,600 in 2019 from Steven Alembik, who was widely criticized in 2018 for making racist statements about President Obama and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ron DeSantis, who was then a Florida gubernatorial candidate, was pressured to return Alembiks donations, though he ultimately declined to do so. Alembiks page on LinkedIn contains several photographs of him and DeSantis. Stefaniks campaign said it condemns Alembiks racist statements and will continue to speak out clearly and consistently against racism and sexism. Her campaign declined to say whether she would return the money. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Newsnights Emily Maitlis has been named network presenter of the year at the Royal Television Society Awards for her jaw-dropping interview with the Duke of York (Ian West/PA) Newsnights Emily Maitlis has been named network presenter of the year at the Royal Television Society Awards for her jaw-dropping interview with the Duke of York. The Andrew interview, in which he was grilled over his relationship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, won scoop of the year while the BBCs flagship current affairs show was also named daily news programme of the year. In announcing Maitlis as the winner of presenter of the year, judges said: In a year of political chaos, her nose for nonsense led to bruising encounters with politicians and her interview with a member of the Royal family will live on in history. Emily Maitlis was named network presenter of the year for her car-crash interview with the Duke of York (Mark Harrison/BBC/PA) Newsnights bombshell interview with Andrew at Buckingham Palace made headlines around the world, was branded a car crash for the prince and was followed by his withdrawal from public duties. Victoria Derbyshire had been nominated for presenter of the year after her programme was axed by the BBC due to cuts. Overall, the corporation won 10 of the 19 categories during Wednesdays ceremony in London, followed by Sky News on five. For Sama, the Oscar-nominated documentary, won in the international current affairs category. Judges praised the Bafta-winning film as outstanding, adding that co-director and narrator Waad Al-Kateab old her story, combining the intimate with the macro, with breathtaking courage, stamina and determination. Already a winner of many awards, here is another. Broadcast journalist Christiane Amanpour won the outstanding contribution award. Video of the Day The awards ceremony was hosted by Sky News presenter Anna Botting. A Las Vegas man was sentenced on Thursday to 50 years to life in prison for brutally abusing his two eldest daughters and beating his three-year-old to death. Justin Bennett, 26, of Henderson, in January pleaded guilty to murder and 31 counts of child abuse in the 2016 killing of his middle child, Abygaile Bennett. According to court documents, the toddler was hit in the chest with such force that her heart burst. Her laundry-list of injuries also included a broken back and three fractured ribs. Justin Bennett, 26, from Nevada, on Thursday was sentenced to 50 years to life for beating his three-year-old daughter, Abygaile (right), to death and abusing the toddler and her sister Prosecutors said Bennett, pictured in this undated photo with his wife, Korie Morimoto, and their three young daughters, tortured their two eldest girls for 18 months In exchange for Bennett's plea, prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty against him, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He will be in his 70s when he becomes eligible for parole. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson told 8 News Now last month that his office accepted the plea deal after Bennett's defense team presented credible information that he suffers from mental illness. On the morning of July 1, 2016, police and paramedics were called to the home of Bennett and his wife, Korie Morimoto, in the 2400 block of Tilden Way in Henderson, where three-year-old Abygaile was found unconscious. The toddler was rushed to St Rose Dominican Hospitals, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy later revealed that Abygaile died of blunt-force trauma to the chest that tore the right atrium of her heart, and that she had a host of other injuries indicating chronic physical abuse, including a bruised lung. Abygaile's father was arrested and charged with her murder and the protracted abuse of the girl and her older sister, then aged four. An indictment stated Bennett (center) would punch Abygaile and her 4-year-old sister, throw them against the wall, force feed them mustard and cover their mouths and noses An indictment filed in the case has laid out in graphic detail 18 months of torture Bennett had inflicted upon his two eldest daughters. his youngest child, aged two at the time, was apparently spared. According to the document, Bennett would kick and punch the two girls, throw them against the wall, force-feed them mustard and cover their mouths and noses as punishment for lying. Abygaile was killed in July 2016 with a punch to the chest that ruptured the right atrium of her heart. Her autopsy showed the child also had a broken back and ribs Bennett would also make Abygaile and her older sister stand against the walls, and if they fell down or cried from exhaustion, he would beat them. He would also force feed them white habanero peppers. 'These were so hot it would cause the children to foam at the mouth,' the prosecutor said. 'Their eyes would be bleeding with tears, and he would cover their mouths until they would swallow.' On one occasion, according to the indictment, Bennett cut open a wound on the head of one of the girls that had not healed. A prosecutor stated that in the days leading up to her beating death, little Abygaile had her back broken and suffered three broken ribs. During his initial interview with police, Justin Bennett said on the morning of Abygaile's death, he went into the bedroom to check on her and her sisters as they slept and found a blanket wrapped around the childs neck, reported the station KTNV. Unable to wake her up, Bennett said he tried splashing water on the toddler's face, then carried her downstairs and proceeded to perform CPR before calling for help. When asked about his approach to discipline, Bennett said the 'punishment fits the crime,' according to an arrest report. Korie Morimoto, Bennett's wife (left), has been charged with child abuse and allowing child abuse or neglect with substantial bodily harm After initially denying that he spanked his children, the father-of-three later admitted to using a wooden spoon to strike their bare buttocks. Speaking to police on the evening of Abygaile's slaying, the dad said the toddler came into his room that morning screaming and crying. About 10 minutes into her tantrum, he said he got angry, took the girl into the bedroom and put his hand on her mouth to stop her screaming. When asked by detectives if he thought that is what a good father would do, Bennett reportedly replied that he is not a good father. At the time of Abygailes death, her mother, Korie Morimoto, was in Texas taking part in a US Air Force training program. She was later charged with child abuse and allowing child abuse or neglect with substantial bodily harm. Her case is still pending. Morimoto and Bennett had been investigated by Child Protective Services in early 2016 after the parents accused each other of punishing their daughters too harshly. In the end, investigators from a third-party company contracted by the county agency to review 'low-priority' cases concluded the couples three children were not in any danger and recommended that Bennett and Morimoto enroll in a parenting class. In 2019, Clark County awarded a $100,000 settlement to Abygaile's maternal grandmother, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit. New York, Feb 27 : Drivers of expensive cars like the BMW and Audi are least likely to stop for crossing pedestrians, according to a new study. Published in the Journal of Transport and Health, the study from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) found that people who drive fancier vehicles are less likely to share the road with other users and empathise less with pedestrians. Drivers on a whole aren't all that great at stopping for pedestrians waiting at crosswalks: Of 461 cars that researchers examined, only 28 per cent yielded, the researchers said. But the cost of the car was a significant predictor of driver yielding, with the odds that they'll stop decreasing by three per cent per $1,000 increase in the car's value, they added. "It says that pedestrians are facing some challenges when it comes to safety, and it's really concerning," said study lead author Courtney Coughenour, Professor at UNLV. "Drivers need to be made aware that they legally have to yield. It's hard to say whether they're not yielding because they don't know the laws or because they don't want to yield, further study is needed to examine that. Until then, the bigger thing is driver education," Coughenour added. The study, which analysed video data from an earlier UNLV study, also found that motorists overall yielded less frequently for men and people of color waiting at mid-block crosswalks than for women and whites. It is also consistent with findings from similar studies on the topics of driver yielding behaviours associated with social class, race, and gender. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in the US, the average risk of severe injury for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle reaches 10 per cent at an impact speed of 16 mph, 25 per cent at 23 mph, 50 per cent at 31 mph, 75 per cent at 39 mph, and 90 percent at 46 mph. The research team said their findings are important to public health, given that pedestrian injury and survivability are low even when struck at low speeds. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a public land-grant research university in Nevada. The 332-acre campus is a public institution that was founded in 1957. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Monalisa Foster didnt know bananas were supposed to be yellow. The bananas she ate were green. It wasnt her fault. She grew up in Nicolae Ceausescus communist Romania, where food was scarce and people waited in line for rations. Now, especially with the presidential election coming up, Monalisa worries that the U.S. could be headed down the same path with socialism. She writes a story based on her childhood in the short story Pretending to Sleep. Shes seen and heard things in America that remind her of her childhood in a communist country. And shes terrified. Everybody Wanted to Go to America Monalisa found out that bananas should be yellow by a friend whod made it to America. She came back to Romania and told Monalisas family about the magical place where food could be had without standing in line. Where you could travel to another state without papers. Where bananas were yellow. Everybody wanted to go to America, she told The Stream. Everything in America was better. Everybody knew it deep down because we would get television signals and no matter how much [the government] tried to suppress them, we still got staticky images. The castaways on 'Gilligans Island' had a better standard of living than we did. It confirmed everything theyd heard. Monalisa and her mom escaped Romania in late 1977, when Monalisa was 8 years old. She was one of the lucky ones. I am so grateful that we were able to get out because things got worse after we left. Soul-Crushing Romania Life was brutal in communist Romania. The state tried to force couples to become pregnant. They had the gynecology police, which would go into factories and make sure that women were having sex with their husbands and getting pregnant. They state wanted people to have children, but many people didnt. If you cant feed your kids, you dont want them to suffer. You dont have them in the first place. Since the law required that couples have children, yet parents could not afford to feed them, Romanian orphanages were bursting at the seams. That is how intrusive they were in your life. It didnt matter to them if you could feed those kids, it didnt matter to them if you were trying to be a responsible person. All they wanted was cannon fodder. Monalisa described what healthcare was like in communist Romania. She had her tonsils and adenoids removed when she was first or second grade. I was dragged (yes, dragged, because I didnt want to go because no one told me why I was there) into a room that was filthy even by the standards of a person (me) who lived in a very old house with dirt floors and an outhouse and chickens and rabbits raised for food in the back yard. She went in barefoot and in a hospital gown. They strapped her into a dentist chair. They knocked me out with chloroform. When I woke up, my pillow was drenched in blood (mine). No one had cleaned me up (because at some point Id voided both my bladder and bowels). There was no ice. No pain medication. Nothing for the swelling. No antibiotics. You either lived or you didnt. People who root for Bernie Sanders socialism think its the kind of socialism that comes out of your dorm room bong where you sit around stoned thinking that somehow, magically, human nature is going to change and all of a sudden people are going to just give you stuff because you want it. Romanians were also not allowed to leave their city to travel elsewhere without express permission by the government and identification papers. I remember going fishing with my great uncle and getting on a train to go fishing and needing special papers just because it was across an inner border. Monalisa wishes that Americans could truly experience the soul crushing thing that is communism. I mean, if you dont get it, that people were so badly off that they stopped [having children] If you dont get that, I honestly dont know what I can say or what I can show you that is going to change your mind. Changing America But would knowing communism make a difference? America isnt the same place Monalisa came to as a child. It used to be that nobody could tell me what to think. Notice I said used to, okay? It used to be that I could say what I thought and not have to be afraid, but thats not true anymore because if I say the wrong thing, people might drop me from their publication, you know, or my employer might fire me because I said something offensive. America no longer has free speech. What we have is mob rule on free speech. People who root for Bernie Sanders socialism think its the kind of socialism that comes out of your dorm room bong where you sit around stoned thinking that somehow, magically, human nature is going to change and all of a sudden people are going to just give you stuff because you want it. What they really want is called theft. They think that socialism is what private charity is. Its radically different because its one thing when I reach into my own pocket to make the world better. Its quite another when I reach into somebody elses. It isnt just taking care of everybody and having good feelings. Freedom for Security Theres no such thing as a free lunch. Free food means that somebody has to provide it. So now Ive made a slave out of the farmer and the trucker and the butcher, Monalisa says. And free healthcare has made slaves out of the doctors and nurses and the people that make your medicine. Free education says youve made slaves out of the teachers. So every time you put free this or free that you are actually taking away somebody elses freedom because nothing is free. Monalisa wants people to do their research. Its all out there. All you have to do is educate yourself. Yet people refuse to because theyre so wound up in their own feelings that they have stopped thinking. America has stopped thinking and theres nothing but feeling. Its all about how does this make me feel? instead of what is this going to mean? Its frightening. Theres no better place than America, she says. This is one of the things I despair about because even back in Romania, we knew there was a better place to go. Well, if things go wrong, if we all of a sudden become a socialist America, where do you go? There is nowhere else to go. This is it. This article was originally published by The Stream here. On Feb. 26, 2020, Syracuse University temporarily banned travels by its students, faculty and staff to South Korea, where there had been the biggest outbreak of the coronavirus anywhere outside of China. The announcement came one day after the university announced the suspension of its study abroad program in Florence, Italy and a month after stopping all university-related travel to China where the outbreak began in December. While there have been no confirmed cases of the virus in New York State, Federal health officials warned Tuesday it is a matter of when, not if, the virus will spread in the U.S. While federal, state and local officials look to create emergency plans for when a larger outbreak occurs, here is a look back over the past 20 years at Central New Yorks reaction to fears over potential epidemics. Do you remember getting caught up in the fears over the swine flu, SARS, the bird flu and the Zika virus? A SARS survival kit survival kit from 2003. SARS stops travel to Toronto On March 28, 2003, The Onondaga County Health Department reported that a 17-month-old girl had been infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the first time the flu-like illness which had filled hospital rooms overseas appeared in the county. The girl had recently returned to the area after a visit to China with her family. This was quickly followed by a local 44-year-old woman being stricken with the illness. SARS was a respiratory disease with symptoms much like pneumonia and created a worldwide panic. The rapid spread of a mysterious and lethal flu-like illness from China to Central New York is one more frightening reminder of how vulnerable all of us are in a world where borders have lost much of their meaning, a Post-Standard editorial said on April 3, 2003. By then, 2,200 people in 15 countries had been affected, with 78 deaths. The Onondaga County Health Department was flooded with calls from panicked residents. Syracuse and Cornell University called students back who were studying abroad, and Carrier Corp. told executives that they should refrain from any unnecessary travel to Asia. A local adoption agency postponed all trips to China. Director of Preventive Services Cynthia Morrow, M.D. holds a press briefing Monday at the Onondaga County Civic Center regarding a possible SARS case in Onondaga County in July 2003. We put out messages to all of the hospital emergency department, Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Lloyd Novick said. If they have patients that fit any of the criteria for SARS, the patients are to be isolated, masked, and the health department must be informed. By the end of April, Central New Yorkers were told to avoid traveling to Toronto, where the SARS epidemic had taken the greatest toll in North America. Popular travel packages to the city to see Mamma Mia and the Toronto Blue Jays were cancelled. While a full-blown epidemic did not occur in the United States, there were no reported deaths in America, SARS did allow Syracuse hospitals and the county health department to create an emergency plan should something like it ever happen again. Medical Technician Anna Katrina Varlese injects eggs with a sample of fluid made of a swab from a chicken and antibiotics in the Avian Lab at Cornell Universitys Animal Health Diagnostic Center. Cornell University is testing for avian influenza in December 2005. Bird flu leads to emergency plan In November 2005, word of an avian flu, or bird flu, pandemic terrified everyone. It was at first a problem in Asia before moving into Europe, where the disease ravaged poultry stock and killed 62 people. Human cases had been traced to people who had been in contact with infected birds, but there were fears that could change. Associated Press medical writer Margie Mason reported from Vietnam that health experts expected the virus would mutate into a form easily spread from person to person, igniting a global outbreak that kills millions. Many Asian countries had banned poultry imports and New Zealand planned to seal its borders when human-to-human transmission was first reported. In Central New York there were no cases of the bird flu, but local officials were nervous and began making preparations. Theres no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission, period, Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Morrow said. If that changes, and thats a huge if, then were dealing with the potential for a pandemic. But we do not have any concern of pandemic flu now. Schools and churches could possibly be closed, and concerts, festivals and other social gatherings could be called off. Concerns over the bird flu, spurred further action on creating a county-wide preparation plan should the worst happen. Among the assumptions and recommendations: The absentee rate during a pandemic will be up to 40 percent at local workplaces, causing severe economic and social disruptions. Workers, schoolchildren and others in public places will be told to practice social distancing, staying at least three feet away from each other. Businesses are being told to prepare for up to three waves of a flu pandemic in Central New York, spaced several months apart. Each wave will last six to 12 weeks. During a pandemic, the health commissioner could order the closing of schools, universities, theaters and other places of public assembly. Those closings could happen if the virus has reached neighboring states, even if no infected people have shown up in local emergency rooms. As a public health person, Im not going to wait until we have dead children to close down the schools, Morrow said. Onondaga County would establish 14 local points of distribution to serve population centers in Syracuse and its suburbs. Medicine, food and water would be distributed at each location. The addresses of the distribution centers will be kept secret until a pandemic hit so that large crowds would not gather at once should the need arise. One distribution center might become a drive-through vaccination warehouse. People would simply stick an arm out a car window for a flu shot. But first a vaccine would have to be developed. That could take six to nine months after a pandemic starts. You cant create a vaccine to a virus that doesnt exist yet, Morrow said. Fabius-Pompey school district custodian Heather Vadala of Jamesville wipes down desktop surfaces in a classroom, some of what she described as "high-touch areas," after spraying a self-acting disinfectant Wednesday at Fabius-Pompey High School. This type of cleaning is done every day, but the school will be closed until next week for more thorough cleaning after a student there was confirmed to have contracted swine flu. Jim Commentucci / The Post-Standard The swine flu was deadly Central New York went on a swine flu alert on April 27, 2009 after a Cortland County man, working in Madison County caught the flu while in Mexico, the epicenter of the disease where more than 20 people had died. County health departments throughout Central New York contacted schools, nursing homes, doctors offices and businesses to alert them about swine flu, also known as H1N1, and asked them to be on the lookout. Syracuse hospitals began posting signs asking people not to visit patients if they have flu symptoms and recently returned from Mexico or other places where swine flu cases have popped up. Morrow, the Onondaga Countys health commissioner, said people should be concerned about swine flu, but they should not panic. Most of the U.S. cases of swine flu have been mild, resulting in only one hospitalization, and appear like regular seasonal flu, she said. The most important things people can do is stay home if they are sick, wash their hands and cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing, she said. In May, after students tested positive for swine flu at Fabius-Pompey and Ed Smith Elementary School, the schools were temporarily shut down. Rothschilds Home Healthcare Center general manager Edward Tily is shown with a new shipment of isolation masks, which are flying off the shelves as people worry about the swine flu. The store quickly sold out Monday. Michelle Gabel/The Post-Standard By the end of the month there were 20 confirmed cases in Onondaga County. The first local death occurred on June 3, 2009, at which time there were more confirmed cases per capita of swine flu in Onondaga County (9.3 cases per 100,000 people) than anywhere in the state, including New York City, which was believed to be the diseases epicenter. In July, when cases of swine flu began to taper, there were 93 confirmed cases and three deaths. In the fall, a vaccine for the swine flu began to be administered. It would take about 100 health-care professionals working 60 days just to vaccinate the 55,000 high-risk patients Onondaga County estimates it would handle, Morrow said. Delivering all those flu shots would be a logistical challenge unlike anything public health officials have seen in recent memory. Its a huge undertaking, Morrow said. Weve never, across the country, done such an unprecedented vaccination campaign. SUNY Upstate Medical University scientists from left, Dr. Timothy Endy, Dr. Joseph Domachowske and Dr. Sriram Narsipur, greet U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer during a visit Wednesday, May 4, 2016. Schumer says researchers at the medical university can help find ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the Zika virus. (Provided photo) The Zika Virus For a city as synonymous with mosquitoes as Syracuse, there was bound to be some fears after the Zika virus became big news during the spring and summer of 2016. Widespread in Central and South America and islands in the Caribbean, pregnant women infected with Zika gave birth to babies with microcephaly and other severe brain defects. Much like with the coronavirus, there was some thought that Zika could lead to the postponement of the Summer Olympics, held in Brazil in 2016. While the type of mosquito that was responsible for spreading the disease could not survive in Central New Yorks climate, that did prevent Onondaga County officials from erring on the side of caution. The county Health Department promised to keep an eye out for the Zika-carrying mosquitoes in the traps set for the Eastern equine encephalitis carrying variety and U.S. Senator Charles Schumer argued that SUNY Upstate Medical University should play a leading role in finding ways to prevent and treating Zika. In May 2016, an Onondaga County couple did test positive for the Zika virus after traveling abroad. Read More Syracuse is a silent city: Remembering the influenza epidemic of 1918 Cholera, smallpox, scarlet fever: Epidemics which swept through Syracuse during the 19th century This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle at jcroyle@syracuse.com or call 315-427-3958. 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. Supporters of the Wet'suwet'en on Kawehno:ke. After the OPP dismantled the Tyendinaga blockade, First Nation blockades popped up across Canada in show of support for the Wet'suwet'en. Akwesasne started a fire in support of Wet'suwet'en soon after the RCMP took down part of the Tyendinaga blo... Actress Selma Blair was one of the biggest stars of the late nineties and early 2000s, a quirky star known for her intensity and comedic timing. She has had a very successful career in both television and film and has even branched out to narrate audiobooks and appear in theatre productions. In recent years, Blair has become notorious for another reason her revelation of her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. With friends and fans rallying around Blair as she battles her illness, the actress has opened up to her followers on Instagram many times, showing the gritty symptoms of her disease. Recently, Blair shared another emotional post with her social media fans, praising a book that has made a huge difference in her life and in the way she approaches her day-to-day life. How did Selma Blair become famous? Selma Blair | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Selma Blair was born in 1972 in Detroit, Michigan. As a child, Blair had a wide variety of interests and studied photography. During her freshman year, Blair attended Kalamazoo College, where she began acting in local productions. Bitten by the acting bug, Blair moved to New York City at the age of twenty with the intention of pursuing a career in the arts. In the early nineties, Blair was hard at work trying to advance her career. She attended acting classes and eventually started auditioning for smaller projects like television commercials. After working in commercials and television shows, Blair started working in movies. Some of her early roles include parts in films such as The Broccoli Theory, Strong Island Boys, Gone Again, Brain Candy, and Scream 2. After close to a dozen films, Blair got her big break with a prime role in the popular 1999 movie Cruel Intentions. The film became an instant cult classic and Blairs role as Cecile Caldwell earned her a lot of buzz and paved the way for other major roles. When did Selma Blair get diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? In 2001, Blair once again worked with her Cruel Intentions co-star Reese Witherspoon when she appeared in Legally Blonde. By this time, Blair was a certified star and had the luxury of choosing her projects carefully. Blair began mixing up her acting work, appearing in both independent films as well as more mainstream hits. A few of Blairs other major films include Hellboy, In Good Company, The Fog, The Alibi, and Feast of Love. On a personal level, Blair and her boyfriend, Jason Bleick, welcomed a son named Arthur in July 2011. Although Bleick and Blair broke up in 2012, they have remained committed to co-parenting their son. In late 2018, Selma Blair revealed that after years of health issues, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The immune disease has made Blairs life harder in many ways, but she has shared much of her journey on Instagram, giving inspiration and insight to the community of people who support her. How did Selma Blair find hope while living with chronic illness? Recently, Selma Blair took to Instagram again to share her love for a book that she credits for helping her get through some of the most difficult moments of her day-to-day life. The book Suffer Strong is written by a couple learning to live with a new normal, and their positive mindset has clearly provided Blair with great joy. As she stated, I am in awe. Please read it. You will thank them. I do. Thank you. She added: Hope. Hope heals. And so does honesty I have found. Many of her followers thanked Blair in the comments section, acknowledging her strength and positivity in the face of adversity. Theres no doubt that she will continue to inspire others as she continues on her MS journey. At a time when the Central government is looking for big-ticket investment in the mining sector and improving its productivity, the segment may face hurdles to attract foreign investors due to policy and regulatory issues, overseas mining companies' officials said. Even as the government has taken several policy measures to open up the sector, issues such as "liability burden" and the system of selecting lowest bidder (L1) for awarding contracts or projects are major concerns for the deployment of quality technology in any mining project, they observed. They said the Indian mining sector needs international technology for improving its productivity and achieving sustainable growth. "The government has taken several positive policy measures but the factor like 100 per cent liability is a major concern as international technology solution providers are just partial stakeholders in any project. On the other hand, best services and technology may not be found at the cheapest cost," Australian company Mineral Technologies regional manager Glen D'Costa told PTI in an interview. He was here as a part of the Australia-India Business Exchange 2020 delegation. Explaining further, D' Costa said the involvement of technology partners for any mining project is about 15 per cent but as per current regulations, the foreign collaborators need to bear 100 per cent liabilities of a project. "Australian companies in India are looking to create value by investing in systems and processes. This cannot be done always as the lowest bidder. The government needs to take a look at this," D' Costa said. However, the practice of selecting L1 or lowest bidder in any project is relevant not only for government departments but even for private firms. The Downer Group was evaluating opportunities in India in operation of mines and acting as MDO, he said. Another mining software and services company, Mine Excellence managing director Amit Bhandari said there is reluctance in adopting technology in Indian mining which can minimise cost and reduce risks of accidents. D'Costa said policy stability is also very important for attracting foreign investors. Last year, the mining of monazite mineral by the private entities was "abruptly prohibited", which is a concern for foreign investors, they said. The government had said that it prohibited mining of atomic minerals by private entities and will grant operating rights to only state-run companies to "safeguard" strategic interest of the country. Atomic minerals zirconium, monazite and thorium are found in abundance along several beaches of the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) New York State Police are asking for the publics assistance to find the owner of two wedding rings that were lost at a Watertown mall. Police said the rings were turned over to mall security, who then reached out to state police on Jan. 22. Police ask that anyone who recognizes the jewelry contact New York State Police at 315-366-6000 and refer to case 9390195. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Chris Libonati anytime: 585-290-0718 | Email | Twitter 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. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Several local activists and public defenders joined New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams in an information session on bail reform at the Central Family Center in Stapleton Wednesday night. The discussion, held in Q & A format, aimed at clarifying the doubts about 100 attendees had about the recent bail reform that was implemented on Jan. 1 of this year. The new criminal justice reforms drastically changed the way bail is applicable to defendants. Under the new law, people accused of non-violent offenses, like criminally negligent homicide, second-degree burglary and robbery, among others, could be released without bail. With bail reform, certain charges and crimes, you dont have to be in custody while you fight your charges,'' said Kelvin Richards, a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society. "You are home and when people are home they are better situated to work with the defense attorney to communicate and discuss the case better. There is no pressure. Debbye Poleshuck, 71, of West Brighton, said when people are forced to spend time at Rikers Island, they are put into a Les Miserables situation. People are pressured into a plea bargaining, she said. You shouldnt be serving a sentence when you are innocent. Nicole Triplett, of the New York Civil Liberties Union, echoed Richards feeling. Before the bail reform was implemented, the criminal justice system was criminalizing poverty and criminalizing race, she said. Release was always an option only for those who could afford it, said Triplett, adding that because of the new laws, things are more even for everyone, regardless of their race, as well. Olvsoji Oluwole, 42, of Concord, said bail reform is a race class issue. Should people who commit low-level crimes remain in jail because they cannot afford bail?, Oluwole asked. I think there would be more sympathy for white working people. In the timeframe of just one month, the law received a strong backlash on multiple occasions, especially when Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said during a press conference on Jan. 24 that there was a correlation between the spikes in certain crimes in New York and the new bail reform. But for Triplett, there is simply not enough data to draw that conclusion yet. Williams added that officials and the media started blaming things on bail reform before it even happened, like anti-Semitism. The media is not talking about the thousands of people who have been impacted positively by the bail reform, he added. Multiple local politicians criticized the new law, arguing that it would put dangerous people back onto the streets of Staten Island. Nobody wants a less safe city, Williams said. We all live here. Out families live here. District Attorney Michael E. McMahon highlighted the cases of two recidivist felons to give an example of the potential hazards of the new reform during a legislative breakfast in January. McMahon previously 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. Councilman Joe Borelli recently sent a letter to to Albany requesting the New York State Assembly and Senate allow their citizens to cast their vote and decide whether or not to keep the recent bail reforms in place. This suggestion would allow New York state residents to express their opinion in regard to bail reform instead of the legislators, Borelli (R-South Shore) wrote in the letter. Please keep in mind that if there is inaction on your parts in regard to this topic, the issue of bail reform will continue to be discussed in our communities and in the news media outlets. On Wednesday, however, the panelists shared a different perspective, saying that those who are released under the new law would be more inclined to seek help from community-based programs. The criminal justice reform starts within us, said Harvey Murphy, of JustLeadershipUSA, an organization that focuses on reducing the jail population and on closing Rikers Island. We have to change at the dinner table how we speak, as far as inmates, criminals. They are not inmates. They are human beings. So far in Chicago, weve had two cases, Lightfoot told reporters yesterday. Now am I going to sit here and say with absolute certainty that we wont have any other cases? No, I will not, but I want to make sure that people understand as they continue to go about their normal lives, we have extremely well thought-out, well-planned responses in the event that the virus appears again in anyone else in Chicago. Click here to read the story. Jason Kenney and his UCP party made the decision last week to abandon the master agreement between their government and Albertas doctors. This unilateral decision has stunned the medical community and its impact will be far-reaching for Albertas health care system and patients. The collapse of Albertas oil and gas economy has had a devastating financial impact on the province and its citizens, including the recent scuttling of the Teck Resources oilsands project. And while calls for reigning in the deficit are reasonable, the cancelling of agreed upon contracts is more tyranny than democracy for a premier with prime ministerial ambitions. Kenneys approach to his relationship with his medical experts is straight from the Donald Trump playbook. The presidents disdain for expertise is transparent and it seems that the UCPs declaration of war against physicians demonstrates its own ignorance of recent Ontario provincial history. When Ontarios doctors faced repeated unilateral action from successive governments, they lacked an effective mechanism for recourse. It wasnt until the establishment of a binding arbitration framework that physicians were granted the same rights as other collective labour groups across the province. Albertas doctors are facing the same reckoning and one of their first courses of legal action will use recent Ontario precedence to make their case. Nevertheless, binding arbitration with doctors, while a contractual obligation, was not a deterrent for the Ford administration to attempt to withdraw from it. The blowback was swift and the government was forced to come back to the table. It seems short-sighted that Kenney would ignore these similar pitfalls of his ally. Perhaps the most compelling part of this saga thus far has been how Albertas minister of health, Tyler Shandro, engages in a contentious social media campaign against doctors. What used to be respectful, if firm, public and back-channel dialogue on labour disagreements with physicians, has devolved into openly aggressive postures by the government. Shandro, it seems, has bet the farm on a Trumpian philosophy to resolve the impasse. For those paying attention, its clear that the Alberta Medical Association is happy trading haymakers. In many ways, its willingness to show its teeth and take it to the Kenney government on social media is new, unchartered waters for provincial medical associations. It is, in real-time, rewriting the rule book on how to deal with an unruly, and possibly unlawful, government bully: fight fire with fire. The potential legacy of this dispute is that Alberta may inspire provincial medical associations to have the courage to find and use their voice. Aside from the need to do so with government negotiations, the battlefield of social media medical misinformation is a growing public health threat that these associations have been slow to be a counterweight to. Ultimately, the Alberta Medical Associations growing ease and skill with this platform represents a significant turning point in medical politics. Governments and others have officially been put on notice. Adam Kassam (@AdamKassamMD) is a Toronto-based physician who writes about health care and public policy. Read more about: ALEPPO A large number of displaced Syrians arriving from Idlib province and the western and southern Aleppo countrysides have reached the city of al-Bab in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo, after escaping the military operation launched by Syrian regime forces and their allied fighters who took over large opposition-held areas. The air and ground bombings of villages and civilian towns in the countrysides of Idlib and Aleppo forced thousands of families to flee in the largest wave of displacement in record time. The United Nations reported Feb. 21 that about 900,000 people have been displaced due to the fighting in Idlib since December. Al-Bab, which is under the control of the Turkish-backed armed opposition in the Operation Euphrates Shield area, is considered one of the largest cities in the area and has undergone a great urban expansion during the past two years, qualifying it to receive more people. This is why a large number of displaced people chose it as their destination. But they still face many difficulties, the most important of which is being able to find housing due to the increased demand and the lack of housing for rent, while some landlords exploit the situation and require large sums. Families are forced to sleep in temporary shelters established by the local council in the city, and activists are working to help the displaced cover living expenses until they find housing that suits their financial capabilities, which seem very pricey in light of the displacement crisis. Al-Monitor visited a number of displaced persons arriving from the Idlib and Aleppo countrysides. Mohammed Abdullah, who left the city of Saraqeb in eastern Idlib in mid-January that is, a few days before the regime forces took control of the city Feb. 6 told Al-Monitor, After we arrived in the city of al-Bab, I spent an entire week trying to find a house that suits my financial capabilities. Finally, I found an apartment for me and my family of eight for $100 a month, the equivalent of 100,000 Syrian pounds. The landlord stipulated that I pay six months of rent in advance, so that is $600 at once. Omar Ahmed, displaced from the city of Darat Izza in the western countryside of Aleppo, told Al-Monitor, I had to rent an apartment that is still under construction, and it lacked a lot such as windows and doors. Within 10 days of our stay in the apartment, the lessor completed construction. Ahmed added, The apartment is small and not enough for my family of 10. I pay a monthly rent of $50, the equivalent of 50,000 Syrian pounds. The head of the Real Estate Offices Syndicate in al-Babs local council, Ahmed Taleb, told Al-Monitor, The expensive rent in al-Bab is due to several reasons most notably, the high demand due to the increase in the number of displaced people arriving in the city, while some landlords are exploiting the demand crisis and the low exchange rate of the Syrian pound against foreign currencies. The number of real estate offices in the city has recently increased, and work in this field has become active due to the demand for housing. There are some well-off families who opt for buying apartments instead of renting, and others have rented under-construction apartments since the important thing [for many displaced] is to take shelter under harsh weather conditions, Taleb added. Mohammed Hajjar, owner of a real estate office that rents homes in al-Bab city, told Al-Monitor, I expect to see an expansion of construction in al-Bab during the coming period, especially residential apartments, with the aim of renting them and investing in the real estate sector, which seems profitable in light of the great demand for housing and the increasing number of displaced people coming here from other Syrian areas. Ali Abdul Karim al-Mawhoub, 63, from the Idlib countryside, told Al-Monitor, My family and I arrived in the city of al-Bab in mid-February, and we have yet to find a suitable house for rent; we now live in a shelter in the city. The rental rates are high, and I could not find an apartment or a house for less than $100 per month. I cannot afford such a rental since we are all unemployed now that I have lost my farmland and my house in the Idlib countryside. Meanwhile, Zakour al-Hamad, who owns a real estate office in the city of al-Bab, told Al-Monitor, Indeed, the prices of houses and apartments in al-Bab are high, especially those with a large area, and their rental prices reached $200, the equivalent of 200,000 Syrian pounds. The larger the apartment and the more room it has, the higher the monthly rental. Hamad noted, Greed and renting homes at high prices is not a general case here in al-Bab. There are a number of homeowners who have given me their names and addresses in order to offer them to the displaced for free. But the number of housing available in the city is not enough for this large number of displaced people coming from Idlib and the countryside of Aleppo. Photojournalist Mustafa Batheesh from al-Bab, who is working with a group of activists for the relief of displaced people, told Al-Monitor, We have established several temporary shelters in the city to house the displaced people, whose numbers are constantly increasing in light of the continuous waves of displacement. Most of the shelter centers were established thanks to donations collected from the people of the city. Mohammed al-Hallaj, director of the Response Coordination Group, a humanitarian nongovernmental organization working in Idlib, told Al-Monitor the number of displaced people from the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo reached 933,000 people 200,000 men, 324,000 women and 513,000 children. He said they headed toward camps, cities and towns in the operations Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield areas in northern Aleppo, and al-Bab is one of the cities that have received large numbers of displaced people. Hallaj noted that life has become almost impossible in the areas being bombed by regime forces by land and air, but people still face difficulties in the areas they are displaced to as well. A soul patch may be bad fashion, but it might be better for protecting yourself from coronavirus than a hipster's beard, according to the top health officials in the US. An infographic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows how different styles can prevent face masks and respirators from sealing against the face. The chart was initially released in 2017, but has resurfaced after a top CDC official warned on Tuesday that it's no longer 'a question of if...but when' the coronavirus will spread in the US. Being clean shaven or having side whiskers, soul patches and handlebar mustaches will allow the respirator mask to fit properly. However, styles such as a stubble, a full beard, and mutton chops are not recommended because they would likely interfere with a respirator. An infographic with 36 facial hairstyles shows which ones fit under a mask or respirator and which ones interfere the masks' effectiveness In total, the infographic lists 36 different facial hairstyles ranging from clean shaven to a fu manchu mustache that hangs below the chin. The CDC recommends 12 styles as appropriate for a face mask: clean shaven, soul patch, side whiskers, pencil, toothbrush, lampshade, Zorro, Zappa, walrus, painter's brush, Chevron and handlebar, However, a little stubble, a standard beard and dozens of other styles could reduce the effectiveness of the respirator's exhalation valve if the two come into contact. The infographic says goatees, horseshoe and villain mustaches can work as long as hair doesn't cross the mask's seal. The CDC says facial hair can't act as a filter because it is not dense enough, meaning individual hairs are too large to capture tiny particles. In fact, the agency says research has found facial hair under the sealing surface of a mask causes anywhere from 20 to 1000 times more leakage compared to those with clean-shaven faces. Clipping facial hair to fit under a mask is not new advice. A soldier who served with Adolf Hitler - who has perhaps one of the most recognizable mustaches in the world - says the German chancellor shaved his facial hair to accommodate a mask. Alexander Moritz Frey wrote in an essay that when Hitler was serving in World War I, he was told to clip his mustache to its toothbrush shape so it would fit under a respirator mask and, when the War was over, he kept it. However, some historians debate this and say the Fuhrer was just wearing a popular style at the time. A solider who served with Adolf Hitler says he shaved his mustache from its long length (left) into is classic toothbrush shape (right) so it would fit under a respirator during World War I. Some historians debate this and say Hitler was just wearing a popular style at the time Masks and respirators have been among the most widely used protective equipment to prevent the spread of the virus. But the CDC does not recommend routinely using respirators outside of workplace settings. As of Wednesday, more than 80,000 people worldwide have been infected with coronavirus and more than 2,700 have died. So far, 60 cases have been confirmed in the US - 14 in the nation and 45 evacuated from either the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and or from China. After two persons returning from Iran tested positive for the deadly coronavirus in Pakistan's largest city Karachi, all educational institutions in Sindh and Balochistan provinces have been closed. On Wednesday, a young man tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Karachi the first confirmed case in Pakistan. Shortly after, another case was confirmed and both have returned from Iran, Special Advisor on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said. Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani announced on Twitter that "all Govt and private educational institutions will remain closed on Thursday & Friday (27th & 28th Feb)." Balochistan government announced to close down all educational institutions across the province till March 15. An official handout said the government took the step "as a precaution to protect children from coronavirus." "I can confirm first two cases of coronavirus in Pakistan. Both cases are being taken care of according to clinical standard protocols & both of them are stable. No need to panic, things are under control," Mirza tweeted on Wednesday. "If you or somebody you know have recently returned from China, Iran or a country where #COVID?19 is prevalent and if there are symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty in breathing, please report by calling at 1166," he was quoted by the Dawn on Thursday. Mirza in a late night media interaction in Quetta, capital of Balochistan, said that both the patients came from Iran but they were in stable condition. Pakistan has closed its border with Iran where at least 19 people have died from the virus. He said the government had taken effective protective measures well in time to stop the outbreak of virus in Pakistan. He urged the citizens with travel history of Iran and China and having coronavirus symptoms to contact the medical experts. Meanwhile, there are reports of shortage of masks which are considered as the basic precautionary measure to protect one against the coronavirus. Authorities have asked the people not to panic as there was no threat of the spread of the disease in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) DANBURY Police evacuated more than 200 people from the state Superior Courthouse Thursday morning after a police officer called in a suspicious white powder. Multiple state and local police locked down the entrance to the building at 146 White St., and the citys hazardous material unit was called to the scene to test the substance. It turned out to be Tylenol. The very small amount of powder was positively identified as a acetaminophen, the active ingredient in the painkiller Tylenol, said James Gagliardo, a spokesman for the city fire department shortly before noon. He said the substance may have been a crushed pill, and was not a threat to anyone in the area of the incident. State Police were sent to White Street after the initial call around 10:19 a.m. The citys hazardous materials team arrived at 10:35 a.m., as people were leaving the courthouse. State police said a woman entering a metal detector at the entrance to the court building reached into her bag and placed something in her pocket. When the woman was confronted by the marshals, a white powdery substance had come out of an envelope and that was now on the ground of the main entrance, state police said. The woman was not able to explain what the object was, and the building was evacuated and city fire department called in, police said. Police could be seen searching a woman in handcuffs, who was later released. No charges were filed, police said. According to dispatch reports, a police officer reported a white powder substance found in the lobby. Mayor Mark Boughton said the substance was tested by the hazardous materials team, and he was briefed by Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour. Multiple state and local police were on scene, as well as judicial marshals. A HART bus was called to the scene to give those who had evacuated a warm place to wait. Another crowd of about 100 people were sent to the student center at the Western Connecticut State University campus to get out of the cold, university police told dispatchers. Authorities set up across the street from the courthouse. The health department arrived by 11:05, and an EMS team was also called in. Police began clearing the scene shortly before noon. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Trevor Hunnicutt and Simon Lewis (Reuters) Charleston, United States Thu, February 27, 2020 16:29 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20670194d 2 World #USA,#Elections,Democratic-party,presidential-candidate,Joe-Biden Free Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden won the endorsement of an influential black congressman from South Carolina on Wednesday, which could prove pivotal as he competes with national front-runner Bernie Sanders for the support of the state's African-American voters in Saturday's primary. Recent opinion polls show Biden, once the leading candidate in the race to be the party's candidate in November, losing ground nationally with black voters to the surging senator from Vermont. US Representative James Clyburn's endorsement carries weight in a state where African Americans make up about 60% of the Democratic electorate and where Biden is counting on a good showing after a fourth-place finish in Iowa, fifth place in New Hampshire and second in Nevada. Sanders, a democratic socialist, has taken command of the Democratic race after his resounding win in Nevada last week. Three days after South Carolina's primary, voters in 14 states will go to the polls for the crucial Super Tuesday contests. At an event in North Charleston on Wednesday, Sanders touted his momentum and went after Biden by name, saying he would not be able to generate the turnout needed to defeat Republican President Donald Trump on Nov. 3. "We have come a long, long way," Sanders said of his position in the top two of the state's most recent opinion polls, along with Biden. Clyburn, the No. 3 Democrat in the US House of Representatives, endorsed Biden at a news conference, saying he could "think of no one with the type of integrity, no one more committed to the fundamental principles to make this country what it is than my good friend." Biden responded: "I'm here, heart and soul, with everything I've got to earn the support of the people of South Carolina. Nothing is expected or guaranteed." Most of the Democratic candidates started Wednesday with speeches at a breakfast in South Carolina hosted by the National Action Network, founded by civil rights leader Al Sharpton. The event focused on mobilizing black churches to get out the vote. Rep. James Clyburn announces his endorsement of Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden in North Charleston, South Carolina, U.S., February 26, 2020. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz) UNPRECEDENTED AD SPENDING The South Carolina and upcoming Super Tuesday elections come amid unprecedented spending on advertising by candidates and their supporters. Led by the two billionaires in the race - progressive activist Tom Steyer and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg - campaigns and political action committees (PACs) backing them have spent nearly $900 million on TV and digital ads since January 2019, according to the Wesleyan Media Project, which tracks campaign spending at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Bloomberg has spent the most, dropping $377 million on 444,000 ads since entering the race just three months ago, while Steyer has spent $145 million. Those amounts dwarf the $62 million spent by this time in the campaign by a super PAC supporting Republican Jeb Bush in 2016, then the highest amount spent up to this point in a presidential nominating race. So far this cycle, Sanders has spent about $20 million and Biden $4.7 million, the university said. Trump has spent about $17 million on ads so far. Bidens campaign announced on Wednesday that it was making a six-figure broadcast and digital ad buy in Super Tuesday states including Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina, where the Democratic electorates also have a high percentage of black voters. Cash-strapped Biden is also counting on a wave of free media should he win South Carolina. Denise Washington of Georgetown whispers into the ear of Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden during a campaign event in Georgetown, South Carolina, U.S. February 26, 2020. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz) SHOTS AT SANDERS The candidates acknowledged the sharp jabs they threw at each other hours earlier - in Tuesday's debate they repeatedly attacked Sanders as a risky choice to lead the party in November - but pledged to eventually unify behind one candidate. Pete Buttigieg, the moderate former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, criticized Sanders during the debate for the changing estimates on the costs of his proposals such as government-run healthcare. "I can tell you exactly how it all adds up. It adds up to four more years of Donald Trump," Buttigieg said. Sharpton, in introducing Sanders at the breakfast, urged the crowd not to get caught up in the "socialist" branding, noting that the tag has been used in the past to discredit leaders of movements. "Socialism, capitalism, it all has not worked out for black folks," Sharpton said. "If socialism is on your mind, read about what they said about Martin Luther King Jr. and others." Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has also sought to differentiate herself from Sanders, a friend and progressive ally. She campaigned at the historically black South Carolina State University in Orangeburg on Wednesday, hoping that strong back-to-back debate performances would give her a boost after disappointing finishes in the first three states. "I'm the woman who's going to beat Donald Trump," she said, before listing policies to combat combating racial inequities such as voter disenfranchisement, as well as funding historically black colleges and ending the criminalization of marijuana. Auburn University is temporarily suspending travel to South Korea for students, faculty and staff due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus. The university had previously suspended travel to China, the epicenter of COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus. The situation in Italy, which has seen a number of coronavirus cases, is being monitored. Students, faculty and staff who returned from those countries within the last four weeks or have been exposed to someone who is ill and has traveled to one of those locations is asked to call the Auburn Medical Clinic. Our highest priority is the safety and well-being of our campus community, said Auburn Interim President Jay Gogue. We are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution. The University of Alabama has suspended travel to China while Jacksonville State University has placed a moratorium on all university-funded international travel. Spring Break caution Auburn is also encouraging students who are traveling for spring break particularly those traveling to countries affected by the virus to take necessary precautions to protect their health and that of others. You can see more on precautions here. Auburns Spring Break is March 9-13. The Democrats claim Trump is mishandling the coronavirus threat and that they'd do better. They're wrong. Their proposals are redundant, vapid, or dangerous. During the recent debate, three candidates discussed the coronavirus. Amy Klobuchar urged treatment and quarantine which is (a) obvious and (b) what Trump is doing. She accused Trump of ignoring the world (he hasn't) and wants to improve education. Biden did his inevitable "I already did that response," referring to Ebola (which, thankfully for America, stayed in Africa). Bernie Sanders accused Trump of idiocy for predicting that the virus would end in April. What Trump said was that influenzas generally go away once winter ends, something that is scientifically correct. Bernie said he would work with WHO (which Trump has done). In addition to those statements, all three say Trump cannot address the coronavirus because he withdrew funds from the CDC and NIH. On Wednesday, Pelosi issued a formal statement that also says Trump cannot fight the virus because he has shrunk government: "The American people need a well-coordinated, whole-of-government, fully-funded response to keep them safe from the coronavirus threat. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has mounted an opaque and chaotic response to this outbreak. "The Trump Administration has left critical positions in charge of managing pandemics at the National Security Council and the Department of Homeland Security vacant. The Trump Budget called for slashing almost $700 million from the Centers for Disease Control. And even now, the Administration continues to devalue Americans' health security by ransacking funding from other vital public health needs. "The House will be advancing a strong, strategic funding package with transparency and accountability that fully addresses the scale and seriousness of this public health crisis." She held a short little press conference making the same point: "Hopefully we can make up for the loss of time...and not be using scare tactics about people coming back to our country." Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the Trump administration's response against coronavirus is "latetoo lateanemic." https://t.co/GfPH6SyIMF pic.twitter.com/H6QZATNyeD ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 26, 2020 At a town hall on Wednesday, Elizabeth Warren insisted she'd stop work on our southern border: "'I'm going to be introducing a plan tomorrow to take every dime that the President is now spending on his racist wall at our southern border and divert it to work on the coronavirus," Elizabeth Warren says #CNNTownHall pic.twitter.com/I3WTbNlBzV CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 27, 2020 Warren seems to have forgotten that, when Obama allowed illegal aliens to overrun America's southern border, America was hit by a rash of contagious diseases that hadn't been seen in America for decades. Trump's Thursday press conference destroyed this silliness. He attacked Pelosi for her unserious political attacks: I think Speaker Pelosi is incompetent. She lost the Congress once. I think she's going to lose it again. I think she's incompetent and I think she's not thinking about the country. Instead of making a statement like that, where I've been beating her routinely, at everything, instead of making a statement like that she should be saying, "We have to work together because we have a big problem, potentially, and maybe it's going to be a very little problem, I hope that it's a very little problem, but we have to work together." Instead she wants to do the same thing as crying Chuck Schumer...it's so bad for the country. She's trying to create a panic and there's no reason to panic. All they're trying to do is get a political advantage, This isn't about political advantage. We're all trying to do the right thing. He also explained that his decision to cut dead weight in government health departments during the good times in no way hampered his ability to call on their resources in times of crisis. Lastly, Trump emphasized how helpful it had been that he'd quickly stopped flights from China. Moreover, the administration has started quarantining those people who were arriving from China. Health and Human Services secretary Alex Azar emphasized what a gift these actions have been to America: Finally, we've been implementing the prudent policies the president announced last week to reduce the risk of transmission by travelers. We've implemented temporary quarantines of U.S. persons who have recently been to Hubei province, and we've asked for voluntary self-monitoring quarantines for U.S. persons who have recently been elsewhere in mainland China. We've required that all other individuals who have recently been to mainland China wait 14 days, the outer limit of the incubation period of the virus, before coming to the United States. These steps are a targeted approach aimed at slowing the virus's spread to and within the United States, giving our government and the global community more time to take preparedness measures, understand the virus and develop medical countermeasures. Trump is right about the Democrats. They offer nothing in the way of solutions, and some of their plans such as weakening the border are actually counterproductive. They're just talking in the hopes of diminishing Trump's election chances, with no regard for the fact that they may be increasing the existential risk of epidemic disease in America. February 26, 2020 Release Readout of Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist's Meeting With Kosovo President Hashim Thaci Principle Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Charles E. Summers provided the following readout: Deputy Secretary of Defense David L. Norquist met today with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci in the Pentagon. The Deputy Secretary reaffirmed the strong relationship between the United States and Kosovo, our shared values, and Kosovo's status as a sovereign independent nation. Deputy Secretary Norquist congratulated Kosovo on the first year of a 10-year transition plan for its Ministry of Defense and the Kosovo Security Force. The Deputy Secretary noted Kosovo's continued support to counter the efforts of Russia and China who continue their desired expansion of influence in the Western Balkans. He also stressed the department's encouragement for Kosovo to build on the momentum created through the efforts of Special Presidential Envoy Richard Grenell. Kosovo and Serbia must resume efforts aimed at comprehensive normalization of relations in order to ensure a stable and secure environment in the Western Balkans. https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2095532/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biotechnology major on Thursday said the US health regulator has issued a Form 483 with two observations after inspecting its Bengaluru-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) facility. The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) had conducted a post approval and GMP inspection of company's small molecules API manufacturing facility at campus in Bengaluru from February 20 to February 26, 2020, a Ltd Spokesperson said in a regulatory filing. "At the conclusion of the inspection the agency issued a Form 483, with two observations, which are procedural in nature," it added. The company is confident of addressing these observations expeditiously and will respond to the FDA with a corrective and preventive action plan (CAPA) in a timely manner, the spokesperson said. The US health regulator issues observations by means of a FDA Form 483 notifying the company's management of objectionable conditions at the facility inspected. Biocon shares on Thurday ended 0.17 per cent up at Rs 299.20 apiece on the BSE. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) Purdue University has once again won the Polar Plunge Campus Challenge. Hundreds of people were "Freezin' for a Reason" on Purdue's campus and it paid off. Purdue raised over $80,000 this year, topping the list of Indiana colleges for the ninth year in a row. That money will go to Special Olympics Indiana. A portion of the money will also help out local Special Olympics teams with everything from uniforms and equipment to training costs. Event leaders told News 18 this year was the biggest turn-out they've seen so far. The fundraiser ends in March. If you would like to donate click here. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The global workflow management system market size is expected to reach USD 24.8 billion by 2025 and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 27.7% from 2019 to 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Workflow management systems (WFMS) facilitate seamless and automated execution of workflows. It permits the users to model and define workflows, set their budget limitations and deadlines, and decide the environments in which they are supposed to be executed. The systems then proceed with the evaluation of these inputs and implement them within the predefined constraints. These systems are majorly focused on automating document-driven business processes and ultimately improving efficiency. Workflow management systems are increasingly being deployed across different industry verticals, including BFSI, healthcare, retail, IT & telecom, and transportation. Technological advancements in the BFSI industry is contributing to the growth of the market. The workflow management software and services help in reducing the efforts of manually entering the data and managing the business processes. Moreover, enhanced concentration on streamlining of business processes is another major factor contributing to the growth of the market. Streamlining of business processes helps in improving the efficiency of business processes along with better utilization of resources. Appian; IBM Corporation; Bizagi; Nintex Global Limited; Newgen Software Technologies Limited; Oracle Corporation; Pegasystems Inc.; Software AG; SourceCode Technology Holdings, Inc.; and Xerox Corporation happen to be the leading players in the market. An increasing number of companies are coming up with innovative solutions to streamline the business processes and offer everything on one single platform. For instance, in September 2019, Zoho One, an India-based cloud computing company, launched a new workflow management application. The application allows customers to manage, create, and enhance their business processes with the help of an intuitive interface. The newer version of Zoho One is devised to offer organizations all, on a unified technology platform, right from sales and marketing, operations and business intelligence, finance and HR, and more. Companies need to experiment with the potential of these solutions and optimize workflow management software solutions accordingly to gain a competitive edge. Implementation costs happen to be a major restraining factor in the growth of the market. However, growing concerns for privacy and data security across enterprises is another major factor responsible for restraining the market growth. Also, reduced operating flexibility and difficulty in the integration of newer technologies with the outdated hardware is further responsible for restricting the market growth. Further key findings from the report suggest: The software component segment dominated the market in 2018 with more than 65.0% market share and is projected to continue to dominate the market by 2025 The consulting services segment dominated the market and accounted for more than 39.0% of market share in 2018 and is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period The cloud deployment segment dominated the market in 2018 with more than 66.0% market share and is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of over the forecast period North America accounted for the largest share of over 48.0% in 2018. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecast period. Grand View Research has segmented the global workflow management system market on the basis of component, software, service, deployment, vertical, and region: WFMS Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025) Software Services WFMS Software Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025) Production Messaging-based Web-based Suite-based Others WFMS Service Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025) Consulting Integration Training & Development WFMS Deployment Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025) Cloud On-Premise WFMS Vertical Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025) BFSI Healthcare Retail IT & Telecom Transportation Others WFMS Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe U.K. Germany Asia Pacific China India Japan Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East & Africa Access full research report on global workflow management system market: www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/workflow-management-systems-market Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 22:58:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Indian authorities Thursday announced visa of arrival facilities for the nationals of Japan and South Korea have been suspended in wake of COVID-19. "In view of threat posed by COVID-19, visa on arrival facilities to nationals of Japan and South Korea is suspended with immediate effect," reads a communication issued by Bureau of Immigration, federal home ministry at Anna International Airport, Chennai. "All concerned airlines are hereby directed to only accept those passengers from these countries who have a regular visa on their passports." The order as per directions comes into force with immediate effect. Indian has reported three confirmed COVID-19 cases. However, they were immediately quarantined and later discharged from the hospital after showing signs of improvement. India's federal health ministry launched a helpline number to provide support to people regarding queries on COVID-19. Health teams have been deployed at 21 airports, seaports and border crossings across the country to screen the visitors. The health ministry is also circulating the precautionary measures recommended by World Health Organization for the COVID-19 prevention. Democratic Party leaders are sweating over the prospect of Democratic nominee Bernie Sanders - and also a fractured party. The New York Times reported Thursday that former President Bill Clinton has been calling old friends and venting about Sanders, fearing his nomination could wipe out the party in the general election. Sanders was Hillary Clinton's primary opponent in 2016. Former President Barack Obama, on the other hand, signed on to a party fundraising email Thursday afternoon that's central theme was all about unity. BERN DOWN THE HOUSE: The New York Times reported Thursday that former President Bill Clinton has been calling old friends and venting about the prospect of a Democratic nominee Bernie Sanders, who Clinton thinks will tank the party in November Former President Barack Obama doubled down on what The Times reported, as he signed onto a fundraising email for Democrats Thursday that had the central theme of party unity. Some Democrats have asked Obama to broker a truce between Sanders and other candidates Democrats are nervous that Bernie Sanders could ruin the party's chances of winning the White House in November. They are also fearful that Sanders won't get enough delegates to win the nomination outright, leading to a brokered convention 'We must throw our unified support behind our future nominee and Democrats across the country so that, no matter who wins, they'll have the resources they need to win,' Obama wrote, asking party members to finance the Democratic Unity Fund. 'Committing to party unity is not always easy,' Obama's note continued. 'But it is what this moment in our politics - and our history - demands of us.' 'There is too much at stake to let division and hatred win this race,' the ex-president added. Obama was doubling down on the Times' reporting, which said that he had no interest in getting involved in the current Democratic primary race - and viewed himself as a party leader who could help heal the wounds if a rough nomination fight splinters the party badly. Obama has been asked by some party members, according to The Times, to broker a truce between Sanders and some of the moderate candidate, which include Obama's Vice President Joe Biden. The ex-president was also asked to broker a truce between Sanders and the more establishment wing of the party. He's declined. One big fear is that Sanders will enter the convention with a plurality of delegates, but not enough to win the nomination outright. If one candidate doesn't have a majority of pledged delegates on the first ballot, superdelegates - party officials, including members of Congress - can voice their pick on the second ballot. Also on the second ballot, pledged delegates can defect to another candidate. Sanders and his team are arguing that if Sanders has the most pledged delegates - from winning primaries and caucuses - but is short of a majority, he should still get the nomination. Most Democrats disagree. The Times interviewed 93 superdelegates and only nine held Sanders' view. A number of them had zany suggestions on how the Democrats could build a White House winning team from the embers of a Democratic National Convention floor fight. Some suggested nominating a candidate on the floor who decided against running for president - or already dropped out. White knight candidates included Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat who could bring along his swing state, or Sen. Kamala Harris, who dropped out before nominating contests started earlier this month. William Owen, a DNC member from Tennessee interviewed by The Times, floated picking Michelle Obama as vice president. 'She's the only person I can think of who can unify the party and help us win,' he told the newspaper. 'This election is about saving the American experiment as a republic. It's also about saving the world. This is not an ordinary election,' Owen said. [February 27, 2020] Aldo Solar starts distributing Growatt inverters in Brazil MARINGA, Brazil, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Growatt has established partnership with Aldo Solar, the largest distributor in the Brazilian PV market. This came after Growatt increased its investments and marketing activities in the country. Early last year Growatt expanded its global presence and set up its Brazil Service Center in Mogi das Cruzes to provide faster and better service for local customers. Aldo Solar has also announced the partnership on its website and given high recognition for Growatt's brand and PV solutions. "The partnership with Growatt brings the certainty that we will deliver competitive solutions to the Brazilian market for distributed generation solar energy," said Aldo Pereira Teixeira, president and founder of Aldo Solar. "In addition to that, we'll be able to use Growatt OSS (Online Smart Service) system where we can monitor an manage the systems remotely. It makes O&M much easier and less costly. With this partnership, we hope to bring advanced and reliable solar energy to all Brazilians." The agreement between Growatt and Aldo Solar focuses on the distribution of residential and commercial PV solutions including off-grid inverters of 3-12KW capacity, on-grid single-phase inverters of 5-8KW and on-grid three-phase inverters of 20-75KW. Growatt will provide local guarantee, support and technical assistance. Aldo Solar is positioned to become Growatt's hub in Brazil with local inventory and prompt delivery of products for distributed generation solar. Growatt Co-founder and Vice President Frank Qiao congratulates Brazilian team on the partnership, "Aldo Solar is very professional company in Brazilian solar market. It has excellent sales, service and logistics systems. There're a lot of potential for us to achieve. By working with Aldo Solar, Growatt will bring the best products and services to Brazilian market and make impressive achievements in the region." Qiao has high expectations for Growatt in Brazil, "Brazil is among the world's top five residential solar markets and Growatt highly values the Brazilian market. In 2020, we aim to gain the NO.1 position of the market share!" View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aldo-solar-starts-distributing-growatt-inverters-in-brazil-301012493.html SOURCE Growatt [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday told the Legislative Council that 348 cases related to the Koregaon Bhima violence have been withdrawn by the state government so far. He said this in response to a query by Congress legislator Sharad Ranpise. "Of the total 649 cases filed against several people in Koregaon Bhima violence, 348 cases have been withdrawn so far. Rest of the cases will be withdrawn as and when the inquiry gets over," he said. Deshmukh also said that the state government was considering to set up an inquiry commission under the Maharashtra Police Act to probe the Elgar Parishad case. He said he was disappointed over the way the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe into the Elgar Parishad case. The minister said he had received several representations complaining that the previous BJP-led dispensation stamped the people who spoke against the government as "urban naxals". According to Pune police, the Elgar Parishad conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, was supported by Maoists and inflammatory speeches made at the event led to caste violence at Koregaon Bhima war memorial in the district the next day. The Centre had last month transferred the probe into the Elgar Parishad case from the Pune Police to the NIA, a move then criticised by the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress. However, the state government had later changed its stand and said that it had no objection to the central agency taking over the probe. Responding a query by BJP member Vinayak Mete about whether cases filed against Maratha youths during the protests over reservation for the community have been withdrawn, Deshmukh said, "Of the total 548 cases, 460 have been withdrawn so far." "Similarly out of the total five cases filed in connection with the agitation against the proposed Nanar refinery project, the state government has so far withdrawn three cases," he added. Talking to reporters outside the state legislature later, Deshmukh said, "These cases have been withdrawn as per norms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 17:44 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206707069 1 News Qatar-Airways,inflight-catering-service,inflight-meals,nasi-goreng Free Qatar Airways, the national carrier of Qatar, is offering Indonesian dishes as part of its onboard dining experience Quisine. Served for passengers on Jakarta-Doha flights, the Indonesian dishes are available as main courses for breakfast and dinner. Among the dishes on offer are nasi dengan semur ayam (steamed rice with chicken stew), nasi dengan ayam bumbu Bali (steamed rice with traditional Balinese seasonings), nasi kuning dengan santan gulai ayam (yellow rice with chicken coconut curry), semur daging dengan saus krim mustard (braised beef with creamy mustard sauce), daging cincang dengan saus krim lobak (braised diced beef with creamy horseradish relish sauce), kwetiaw goreng lada hitam (fried flat noodles with black pepper sauce) and bihun goreng saus tiram jahe (fried glass noodles with oyster ginger sauce). The menu will be changed every three months. The airline takes special requests from passengers as long as they inform the staff in advance. 'Bihun goreng saus tiram jahe' (fried glass noodles with oyster ginger sauce) is one of the Indonesian dinner dishes served on select Qatar Airways flights. (JP/Rian Alfiandi ) Decha Mingkwan, Qatar Airways culinary development manager, said he collaborated with Indonesian chefs when designing the menu. The challenge was how to make the taste consistent, Mingkwan said at the Experience Quisine event in the Purantara In-Flight Catering office at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday. We tasted, adjusted the taste and created the recipe. We also standardized the recipe. We want every single portion to be consistent. He said nasi goreng and mie goreng were the most popular dishes among passengers. "That's why we cannot leave these dishes [out]," Mingkwan said. Read also: Qatar Airways named best airline for fifth time, Garuda Indonesia out of top 10 The airlines Quisine has improved the dining experience for economy class passengers flying to and from Indonesia by increasing its portion sizes 20 percent for appetizers, 25 percent for main courses and 50 percent for desserts. Passengers will also have more options in the economy class, such as Godiva chocolate, individual bottled water and sparkling wine. The airline also offers olive oil-infused focaccia bread. Ajay Jacob, Qatar Airways country manager for Indonesia (second left), poses with Decha Mingkwan, Qatar Airways culinary development manager (second right) at the Experience Quisine event on Feb. 26 at the Purantara In-Flight Catering office at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten. (JP/Rian Alfiandi ) Ajay Jacob, Qatar Airways country manager for Indonesia, said the airline was focusing on passengers' comfort and experience by improving the serving portions of their in-flight meals. "We want our passengers to have unique experiences on board, Jacob said. Qatar Airways also aims to reduce single-use plastics by using silverware instead of plastic cutlery. It has recently seen an 80 percent increase in its use of recyclable and biodegradable products. Launched in April 2019, Quisine is intended to enhance the onboard dining experience for passengers in economy class. The flights that provide Quisine travel to and from Brussels, Cardiff in Wales, Gothenburg in Sweden and Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. Qatar Airways serves round-trip routes from Doha to Jakarta and from Doha to Bali three times a day. The airline is scheduled to open new routes this year, including to Osaka, Japan; Santorini, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Nur-Sultan and Almaty, Kazakhstan; Accra, Ghana; Cebu, the Philippines; Lyon, France; Trabzon, Turkey; Siem Reap, Cambodia; and Luanda, Angola. (wng) Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: The US set a new record for fintech funding in 2019, with $59.8 billion in investment compared to $58 billion in 2018, according to the 'Pulse of Fintech', a report by KPMG. According to the report, the top deals in the US in H2'19 included the $22 billion acquisition of First Data by Fiserv, the $3.5 billion acquisition of Assurance IQ by Prudential, and the $850 million acquisition of Axioma by Deutsche Boerse. Corporate investment in the US was very strong in 2019, with corporates investing $6.9 billion in fintech - a significant increase compared to $5.9 billion in 2019. Meanwhile, fintech investment in the Americas region dropped slightly in 2019 with $64.2 billion in fintech investment compared to $65.5 billion in 2018. While the US accounted for a large majority of the fintech investment seen in the Americas, other countries also attracted large deals, including the $821 million acquisition of Canada's Solium by Morgan Stanley (rebranded Shareworks by Morgan Stanley) and the acquisition of Argentina-based Prisma Medios de Pago for $725 million. Despite the small decline in annual funding, fintech VC investment in the Americas achieved two consecutive quarterly record highs in Q2'19 ($5.6 billion) and Q3'19 ($5.9 billion), the report pointed out. In terms of fintech funding, Brazil saw a very strong increase with $890 million invested compared to $567 million in 2018, said KPMG. A Costco store in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, hangs a notice saying it is limiting customers' purchase to instant ramen to two boxes per day per member car, due to low stocks. / Yonhap By Kim Jae-heun Instant noodle maker Nongshim said Wednesday that one of its warehouses was emptied recently after it failed to keep up with a sudden surge in market demand caused by the ongoing coronavirus epidemic. People nationwide are rushing to buy hand sanitizers, instant noodles and rice amid growing fears that the coronavirus will become a global pandemic and could lead to grocery shortages. A Nongshim representative said he couldn't confirm which warehouse was emptied, and that it was too early to say whether hoarding by panicked shoppers would empty shelves of its products elsewhere, and in worse-hit areas such as Daegu. "Our warehouses are emptied occasionally depending on the time and location," he said, stressing that this happens from time to time. Nongshim CEO Park Jun Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Dove Creek is ready for children of all abilities to learn how to swim safely in their state-of-the-art facility and 90 pool. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has announced its newest franchise location now open at The Shops at Dove Creek at the intersection of Loop 1604 and Potranco Road in San Antonio, Texas. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Dove Creek opened as the 107th worldwide Aqua-Tots Swim Schools franchise location on Monday, February 17, 2020. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has been the leader in the swim instruction industry since 1991, offering comprehensive swim curriculum for children from four months to 12 years old. With over 100 locations in 14 countries, families all over the world can experience the dedicated, year-round, indoor swim facility where their children can become safe and confident swimmers. The new 5,000 sq. foot swim school is the third Aqua-Tots location for Franchise Owner Arlette Belver, who owns two other locations in the San Antonio area, one at The Rim Shopping Center and the other in Helotes. Arlette was inspired to pursue a business endeavor with Aqua-Tots after a near-drowning experience involving her daughter. My daughter, Vanessa, was involved in a canoe accident and nearly drowned when she was four years old, said Arlette. As a result, she was very fearful of the water. To help her overcome this, I took Vanessa to Aqua-Tots Swim Schools near our home. When I walked through the doors, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life and my future. I wanted to help the children in our community by equipping them with water safety skills to prevent drownings and help them overcome any fears they might have in the water. My daughter became an amazing swimmer, and her experience and transformation are things I continue to share with as many children and families as possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death among children ages one to four years old. This reality is met with encouraging research by Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, who found that consistency in formal swim lessons reduces the risk of drowning by 88% among children ages one to four. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Dove Creek wants children to enjoy their small group lessons with friends and is offering a $25 referral credit when families refer a friend who enrolls in swim lessons. Beyond group lessons, Aqua-Tots Dove Creek offers semi-private, private and Fast Track lessons as well as the Special Needs Aquatic Program (S.N.A.P.) and birthday parties. For those interested in becoming a part of the growing Aqua-Tots family, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Dove Creek is currently hiring swim instructors and front desk team members. To apply, visit aqua-tots.com/contact/careers/. About Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Aqua-Tots Swim Schools serves over 100 communities worldwide, offering dedicated, year-round, indoor swim instruction, community outreach and drowning prevention education to children of all abilities from four months to 12 years old. As the worlds largest swim school franchise, their hand-selected instructors are passionate about teaching children how to remain safer in and around the water, using tried and true curriculum, 28+ years in the making and trusted worldwide to teach 2.9 million annual swim lessons. To learn more, visit http://www.aqua-tots.com. Storyful A cat owner in Sao Paulo may need to pack for vacations in private from now on, as it appears their kitty is quite fond of curling up in a suitcase.Natalia Cara de Medeiros, who runs an Instagram account dedicated to her pet cat Jazz, shared footage of the feline sitting happily in her half-full suitcase to her YouTube channel.In a caption for the video, de Medeiros said Jazz was abandoned along with four other cats.They all got adopted and she was the only one left. One of the neighbors tried to take her in, but she didnt want to; she had chosen us and slowly made her way into our home, she wrote.And it looks like de Medeiros home isnt the only thing Jazz has made her way into: Like all cats, she is very curious and loves enclosed spaces, so of course, she couldnt resist it when she saw an open suitcase lying around, de Mederios added. Credit: Natys Adventures via Storyful [February 27, 2020] Dallas ESC Region 11 Celebrates STEAM Education With 4th Annual STEAM Carnival Two Bit Circus Foundation and Dallas Education Service Center Region 11 (ESC11) are teaming up to bring the fourth annual STEAM Carnival to Dallas/Fort Worth on March 2 - 4, 2020. Designed as a Trojan horse to get kids engaged in science, technology, engineering, art, and math, STEAM Carnivals allows kids to design, build, and produce their own interactive, hands-on carnival, including drones, robotics, and many more STEAM-based exhibits and activities. At this sold-out event, over 3,200 students and 300 educators will come together from 77 local districts to celebrate STEAM education. STEAM Carnivals are designed to inspire creative thinkers through playful, meaningful, immersive experiences - to cultivate the next generation of inventors and advance environmental stewardship while providing maximum social impact. "STEAM Carnival is something that ESC11 looks forward to every year as a great opportunity to not only promote STEAM education, but to encourage environmental responsibility, teamwork, and a sense of community through a variety of exciting projects," said Rory Peacock, Deputy Executive Director for ESC11. "Having the support of Two Bit Circus Foundation is incredible because of the expertise that the Two Bit team brings to creating and implementing these programs." STEAM Carnival is comprised of four different zones, including an impressive student showcase featuring Crate Collaborative - a crate rerouted from the dumpster to provide a blank canvas for students to design and build arduino-based games. Other zones include a high-tech carnival midway, a warehouse for hands-on making, and a final act, where students can explore life-size dinosaurs, a helicopter flown in Vietnam, a technology bus, and more from partners including Lockheed Martin (News - Alert), Microsoft, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and government entities such as Kimbell Art Museum and NASA. "ESC11's passion and support for hands-on STEAM education is impressive," said Dr. Leah Hanes, CEO of the Two Bit Circus Foundation. "STEAM Carnival has been an incredible event for the Dallas community and we can't wait to see all of these projects and games that students will create and bring in March." MEDIA DAY DETAILS Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2020, from 8 AM to 3 PM Location: ESC (News - Alert) Region 11 1451 South Cherry Lane White Settlement, TX 76108 Other Details: Due to security requirements, STEAM Carnival will be a closed event, however, members of the press are invited to attend. Please contact [email protected] to RSVP and/or for more information. About ESC 11 ESC Region 11 is one of 20 education service centers established by the Texas State Legislature in 1967, and known as the Texas System of Education Service Centers. As an intermediary educational agency, ESC Region 11 provides professional development, technical assistance, and management of educational programs to 77 public school districts and 70 charter campuses. The Region 11 area includes 70,699 educators and more than 593,516 students. Covering 10 counties of North Texas, Region 11 services an area of 7,843 square miles; roughly equal to the state of Massachusetts in size. School districts in this region range in size from Fort Worth Independent School District's large metropolitan schools to small rural districts with only one building housing a total of 80 students in grades K-9. The ESC Region 11 is centrally located in White Settlement, Texas, just west of Fort Worth, and is surrounded by many community and cultural resources. About Two Bit Circus Foundation Two Bit Circus Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is on a mission to increase access to STEAM education opportunities in communities around the world. A collection of successful STEAM-based programs including Imagination.org, LA Makerspace, Trash for Teaching, and STEAM Carnival, Two Bit Circus Foundation aims to cultivate the next generation of inventors, advance environmental stewardship, and spur community engagement by providing schools and youth of all means with access to hands-on STEAM learning, modern maker tools, and upcycled materials. Architected for maximum social impact, the organizations are able to expand STEAM education programs worldwide, bringing STEAM Lab Makerspaces, Creativity Chapters, STEAM Carnivals, Imagination's Cardboard Challenge sparked by Caine's Arcade, and more to schools, libraries, and at-risk communities worldwide. Imagine a world where creativity and entrepreneurship are core social values nurtured in schools, homes, and communities everywhere, where all children are taught to be creative thinkers and doers, and encouraged to make their very best ideas happen. For more information, visit www.twobitcircus.org or follow @TwoBitCircusorg and #TwoBitCircus. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200227005685/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 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. A former housekeeper at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official residence is suing the leader's wife Sara for pain and suffering allegedly caused during her employment there, the housekeeper's attorney said Thursday. Opheer Shimson says his client is demanding USD 190,000 in damages for the abuse from Sara Netanyahu. He said the woman, an immigrant from France in her mid-50s and a mother of five who wished to keep her identity secret, worked at the residence for five months until last November, when she was injured from a fall caused by what he described as Sara Netanyahu's tyrannical demands. He said the woman, a staunch supporter of the prime minister, kept a diary detailing the verbal abuse she endured from his wife. "She adores the prime minister and saw her work at his home as a form of national service," Shimson told The Associated Press. "But she's been traumatized by her experience. Everyone knew what was going on there, and no one can say otherwise." Sara Netanyahu has been accused of abusive behaviour toward her personal staff before. This, together with accusations of excessive spending and using public money on her own extravagant personal tastes, has earned her an image as the Israeli Imelda Marcos, the Philippines' former first lady who became infamous for her massive collection of designer shoes. Last year, Sara Netanyahu was convicted of misusing state funds after she reached a plea bargain settling allegations that she overspent some USD 100,000 of state money on lavish meals. She'd previously been indicted for graft, fraud and breach of trust. In 2016, a court ruled the prime minister's wife mistreated a housekeeper and awarded the man USD 42,000 in damages. Several other employees have accused her of abuse, mistreatment and harassment. Another pending lawsuit alleges she forbade a former staffer to eat or drink on the job and required her to change her clothes dozens of times a day. The plaintiff, who is also seeking damages, says Sara Netanyahu also required her to wash her hands dozens of times a day and dry them with a towel separate from the one used by the Netanyahu family, The Netanyahus have angrily rejected all the charges, calling them part of a media-orchestrated campaign against the family to oust them from power. Israel heads to the polls next week for its third election in less than a year. Two weeks later, Benjamin Netanyahu goes on trial for charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust stemming from accusations he accepted lavish gifts from billionaire friends and promised to promote advantageous legislation for a major newspaper in exchange for favourable coverage. The latest allegations against Sara Netanyahu include details on a bevy of berating comments she unleashed on those who worked for her. Shimson said the personal diary would be presented in court as evidence. "Enough, save me, I want to die, the problem is that I don't have any choice and everyone knows that," reads one of his client's entries, which was first published on Israel's Channel 12 "It's impossible to live every day with a psychopath. I'm dying to leave before it's too late." In another entry, she said Sara Netanyahu screamed at her for forgetting to throw out the garbage, called her stupid and dirty and demanded she take a shower. The woman wrote that Sara Netanyahu accused her of trying to cause friction with the prime minister. She said to me: 'What do you want? For me to be like you, divorced?' she wrote. "Even the prime minister told her to stop. She was in a trance. In the afternoon she had a fit, lay down on the ground, screamed and screamed like a lunatic, and shook with rage. She rolled around on the floor, and said that all of that was because of me. The ruling Likud Party denounced the TV report about the lawsuit as a cruel, false, recycled and gossipy piece that was timed for release on the eve of elections and whose purpose was to harm the Likud. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An official of the Boston Business Improvement District has been chosen to be executive director of the new Chattanooga BID. The local BID board on Wednesday approved the selection of Steve Brookes, who joined the Downtown Boston BID in March of 2011. He serves as the Boston BID's Clean & Hospitality Operations Director. In that role, he oversees the team of the BID's 45+ Clean & Hospitality Ambassadors. He also continually communicates with city of Boston departments, property owners and managers, students, visitors and more to provide services to the BID's 34-block area. Before working for the Boston BID, he was the operations manager for the American Hospitality Academy in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He worked at the Waterfront Partnership, as well as Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. He attended and graduated from Elon University in North Carolina. The hiring is subject to working out a contract with him. Gordon Stalans, chairman of the BID finance committee, said $130,000-$135,000 was set aside in the overall budget for the post. He said the salary would be in the $100,000-$110,000 range. The board would also provide moving expenses and pay for a trip for him and his family to check out Chattanooga. The board wants him in place by early March to interview finalists for the vendor that will be in charge of carrying out the various BID programs, including cleaning, litter pickup, graffiti removal, landscaping and downtown ambassador programs. There were 46 candidates that were narrowed to nine by a consulting firm. There were five finalists who were interviewed. The consulting firm said Mr. Brookes was the unanimous top choice and he received rave reviews from his references. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan today received newly appointed Ambassador of Canada to Armenia Alison LeClaire (seat in Moscow). Greeting the guest and congratulating her on her appointment, Tigran Avinyan attached importance to further expansion and deepening of the cooperation with Canada and expressed gratitude to the Canadian government for the support that it has provided to democratic reforms in this major period for Armenia. Expressing gratitude for the reception, Alison LeClaire highly appreciated the changes that have taken place in Armenia following the Velvet Revolution and stated that there is a strong foundation for further development of the relations between the two countries. The interlocutors shared the view that the volumes of trade turnover dont match with the existing potential and, in this context, discussed the opportunities for intensification of economic ties, particularly in the IT and agriculture sectors. courtesy of the artist Show Up! At the Show To which you better go Tourism companies in China are taking various measures to boost business as the pneumonia outbreak continues to keep the sector grounded. The Palace Museum offers virtual tour of the museum. (Photo/The Palace Museum) The online travel agency Ctrip has launched nearly 7,000 audio guides for free to over 3,000 tourist destinations in China and abroad since February 19. In the future, it also aims to give users the chance to visit scenic spots through short videos and live broadcasts. The travel agency has established a special fund of 1 billion yuan to support its partners, such as airlines and hotels, and will also reduce their fees. Another online travel service provider, Tongcheng-Elong, has taken a different approach. In addition to encouraging its 5,000 employees to sell fresh food on the platform to create profits during this period, it has also started to offer training programs through live broadcasts, according to Wu Zhixiang, Chairman at Tongcheng-Elong Holdings Ltd. Many online travel agencies have provided online courses to help professionals in the industry better prepare themselves for business opportunities. The travel platform Fliggy, for example, attracted nearly 2,000 merchants with its live courses. Sun Jie, CEO of Ctrip, remains optimistic about the future of tourism companies. The millions of orders on the platform were delayed, not cancelled, during the recent Spring Festival, Sun said, adding that he is certain customers will come back after the epidemic. (Alliance News) - Rolex seller Watches of Switzerland Group PLC on Thursday said it is on track to meet full-year expectations after reporting a third-quarter sales rise. In the 13 weeks to January 26, revenue was 13% higher at GBP257.9 million from GBP228.7 million a year prior. UK sales were up 7.0% year-on-year at GBP183.3 million, with US sales climbing by just shy of a third to GBP74.6 million. On a like-for-like basis, total third quarter sales were 6.8% higher, amid 6.1% growth in the UK and a 9.0% uptick in the US. For the nine months to January 26, revenue was 16% higher year-on-year at GBP686.6 million. Chief Executive Officer Brian Duffy said: "We are delighted to report another robust quarter, which was in line with our expectations, as we continue to capitalise on our market leading position and strong brand partnerships. "The sales performance during the third quarter was broad-based with several brands delivering double-digit growth. Our Christmas trading in the UK was strong despite the competitive and promotional wider market backdrop. Holiday sales were also strong in the US in what were overall positive trading conditions. Our jewellery business performed well relative to the market with positive customer reaction to the new ranges." By segment, there was a 16% year-on-year third quarter sales rise in luxury watches, though sales in luxury jewellery and fashion fell by 1.0% and 9.7%, respectively. Alongside Rolex, Watches of Switzerland sells other luxury brands such as Cartier, Omega, TAG Heuer, and Breitling. It joined the London Stock Exchange in June. Duffy added: "Looking ahead to the final quarter of the current financial year, improved visibility of luxury watch supply leaves us confident that we are on track to meet guidance for the full year. Whilst there has been a delay in the final completion of the Fraser Hart transaction, we expect it to close imminently. "We continue to monitor the effects of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak on the wider market and global trade." The coronavirus spread has caused uncertainty in markets globally. It has led to a number of events being cancelled. The upcoming annual trade show of the Swiss watchmaking industry in Geneva was cancelled in view of the worldwide spread of the contagion, the organisers announced. The decision not to hold the April 25-29 fair was taken "in order to protect the health and well-being of all our guests," they said in a statement. On Thursday Geneva authorities reported Switzerland's second Covid-19 case, dpa reported. The man was tested positive after returning from a trip to Milan in Italy. Watches of Switzerland shares were 1.2% lower at 344.80 pence each in London on Thursday morning. By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. According to rental site Zumper, median rents for a one bedroom in Greater Uptown are hovering around $1,269, compared to a $1,180 one-bedroom median for Houston as a whole. So how does the low-end pricing on a Greater Uptown rental look these days and what might you get for your money? We took a look at local listings from Zumper and Apartment Guide to find out what price-conscious apartment seekers can expect to find in the neighborhood, which, according to Walk Score ratings, is moderately walkable, is relatively bikeable and has good transit options. Read on for the cheapest listings available right now. (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. 1617 Fountain View Drive Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom short stay apartment at 1617 Fountain View Drive, which, at 600 square feet, is going for $847/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect a swimming pool and garage parking. In the unit, you're promised a dishwasher and a balcony. For those with furry friends in tow, this rental is pet-friendly. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the full listing here.) 2035 Winrock Blvd. Check out this 930-square-foot one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom townhouse at 2035 Winrock Blvd., listed at $949/month. The building offers assigned parking and on-site laundry. In the unit, you'll find a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting, a dishwasher and a walk-in closet. Good news for pet lovers: This property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Look out for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. (Here's the listing.) 3323 McCue Road Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom short stay apartment at 3323 McCue Road, which, with 662 square feet, is going for $972/month. The building offers garage parking and a swimming pool. You can also expect to find a balcony and a dishwasher in the apartment. For those with furry friends in tow, this rental is pet-friendly. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (Check out the listing here.) 845 Augusta Drive This one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit, situated at 845 Augusta Drive, is listed for $980/month for its 698 square feet. You'll find a walk-in closet and a renovated kitchen in the unit. Pets are not welcome. When it comes to building amenities, expect secured entry, a swimming pool and assigned parking. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the 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, 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. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fadli and Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Batam/Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 08:20 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad2066d94bd 1 National coronavirus,novel-coronavirus,nCoV-19,SARS-CoV-2,COVID-19,health-ministry Free Concerns about how the Indonesian government is handling the novel coronavirus outbreak have grown as none of the 132 Indonesian lab tests for the virus have come back positive as of Wednesday. This week, a hospital in Semarang, Central Java, and another in Batam, Riau Islands, each reported the death of a patient who had symptoms similar to the new coronavirus. Both patients tests came back negative, officials said. The patient in Semarang, an Indonesian national aged 37, died not of the coronavirus disease (COVD-19) but of bronchopneumonia, said Kariadi General Hospital medical and nursing director Agoes Oerip Poerwoko on Wednesday. The patient had tested negative for the coronavirus based on an observation from the Health Research and Development Agency [Balitbangkes] in Jakarta. Balitbangkes did the examination, Agoes said. On Wednesday, the Batam Health Agency reported the death of a 61-year-old Singaporean man. He went to the emergency room of a private hospital with symptoms consistent with those of the coronavirus on Feb. 20. The private hospital sent him to Batams referral hospital for the coronavirus after the doctor found he had fever and shortness of breath. The agency, however, said he died of another illness, not COVID-19, because the patients test results for the virus came back negative. Read also: It is not COVID-19: Indonesian health official mixes up disease and virus The diplomatic community in Jakarta and public health experts, however, have raised concerns about the accuracy of the lab tests. A leaked document circulated throughout the diplomatic community in Jakarta and obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday warns of diplomats critical concerns about Indonesias handling of the new coronavirus. The document instructs diplomats to provide messages such as, We believe it is critical for your government to be actively conducting case detection, the Herald reported. Another point was, Many hospitals do not have adequate PPE [personal protective equipment], not enough isolation beds, and specimen transportation is inadequate, according to the Herald. The reference to inadequate specimen transportation reflects concerns some of the specimens tested for coronavirus may not have been properly refrigerated in transit, the report said. The World Health Organization states that each of the specimens should be stored and shipped at 4C if they will reach the laboratory in less than 72 hours and should be stored at -20C or ideally 80C on dry ice or liquid nitrogen if they will reach the laboratory in more than 72 hours. A microbiology researcher from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Sugiyono Saputra, suggested Indonesian health authorities send samples from suspected coronavirus patients to the WHO-appointed referral laboratories for confirmation amid growing skepticism at home. By doing so, we can evaluate our testing capacity. We can also take required countermeasures if some of the samples eventually test positive, Sugiyono said, adding that referral laboratories were spread across 15 countries, including Australia, Thailand and neighboring Singapore. He warned against complacency in handling the deadly virus as many things could go wrong during the sample-testing process. [Errors] can result either from the tools or the humans that perform the testing. Read also: COVID-19: 188 Indonesians from World Dream cruise ship to be quarantined on uninhabited island Samsuridjal Djauzi, an immunology expert at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital said not all tests were 100 percent accurate. The results depend on how [testers] take, store and send the specimens. They also depend on the testing tools. A false result positive or negative can occur if there is an error in the procedure. Samsuridjal said it was not entirely impossible for Indonesia to have zero cases. However, he said Indonesia should have tested more specimens. The Indonesian Health Ministry reported that, as of Tuesday, it had tested 132 specimens from 44 hospitals in 22 provinces and that all had come back negative. Singapore has conducted more than 1,200 tests and Malaysia more than 1,000. Health Ministry disease control and prevention director general Anung Sugihantono declined to answer the Posts questions about the growing concern about the lab testing procedure. Balitbangkes head Vivi Setiawaty did not respond to the Post's request for comment. (aly) Ardila Syakriah and Suherdjoko contributed to this report from Jakarta and Semarang ATHENS The Greek government was scrambling on Thursday to resolve an escalating crisis on the Aegean Islands, after violent clashes with residents forced it to withdraw most of the riot police officers it had sent to guard the sites of planned migrant camps. Hundreds of officers were dispatched this week to the islands, where camps already hold thousands of migrants, in response to increasingly angry protests over the construction plans. But their presence only heightened tensions. Dozens of officers and 10 residents were injured on Wednesday in clashes on Lesbos and Chios, with two officers sustaining shotgun wounds. Much of the force boarded ferries back to the mainland on Thursday. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was to meet with the islands mayors later Thursday in an attempt to thrash out some kind of compromise, but his government remained adamant that it would proceed with its plans. Rebekah Mercer, an influential donor to conservative causes including groups that deny climate science has quietly stepped down from the American Museum of Natural History, one of the countrys most prominent science museums. The museum, where Ms. Mercer served two three-year terms, said Thursday through a spokeswoman: Ms. Mercers term expired in December 2019 and her position on the board came to an end at that time. Members may serve up to three consecutive terms; the museum did not say if Ms. Mercer had sought election to a third term. Ms. Mercer did not respond to messages seeking comment. Her presence on the board prompted protests after The New York Times reported in 2017 that the Mercer Family Foundation which Ms. Mercer operates with her father, the New York investor Robert Mercer had given nearly $8 million to organizations including those that reject the scientific consensus on climate change. Among these beneficiaries are the Heartland Institute in Illinois and Breitbart News, the influential right-wing website that was run by Stephen K. Bannon, Mr. Trumps former chief strategist. Its easy to second-guess government agencies. Few state agencies have a more challenging and heart-wrenching job than the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, which works to address abuse, neglect and home dysfunctionality in every corner of the state. In the face of too many of our families dealing with the stressors of poverty, unstable housing, underemployment, undereducation and lack of quality child care, CYFD works to keep children safe and families together. But sometimes child safety and family unification are mutually exclusive. That appears to have been the case with 4-year-old James Dunklee, the object of a CYFD safety plan after his mother, Krista Cruz, took him to an urgent care in October with an injured shoulder and doctors found additional injuries including multiple scratches and a bruise on his genitals and contacted CYFD. The apparent linchpin of that so-called safety plan? Cruzs housemate, 26-year-old Zerrick Marquez, was not to care for little James. Just two months later, James was dead. Albuquerque police say Marquez was babysitting him on Dec. 10 in the Southeast Albuquerque apartment he and his girlfriend shared with Cruz and James when Marquez called 911 to say he had fallen on the child, who was unconscious and not breathing. An autopsy showed a skull fracture and lacerations of internal organs inconsistent with that version of events. Last week Marquez was charged with child abuse resulting in death. (He had not been assigned a public defender and neither his family nor Cruz could not be reached for comment.) So was James death preventable? Did CYFD know Cruz and James were continuing to live with Marquez? How often does the agency check on compliance with such conditions, and when did it in James case? And if CYFD knew Marquez was caring for James, why didnt the agency opt to return the child to the step-grandfather who says he raised James for much of his short life? CYFD is investigating, and a spokesman declined to answer questions. There may be some privacy issues, but there is also a 4-year-old at the morgue. It simply amplifies the concerns there may be few teeth, little follow-through and minimal desire to defy the family unification gold standard when it comes to protecting New Mexicos most at-risk children. Kevin Nelson says he is James grandfather by marriage, and last year Cruz wanted to take James out of his home and got CYFD involved. The agency reportedly told Nelson he could not keep the child from his mother. Apparently it didnt matter Cruz had been evicted from her apartment and had no place to live, according to Nelson. Now prosecutors say incriminating text messages between Marquez and his girlfriend include how they hated Cruz and James, talked of beating the children in the home and planned to lie to Cruz about a bruise on James. While CYFD is investigating the childs death, an outside entity needs to investigate how CYFD handled this case and whether anything could have prevented things from going so fatally wrong. As we said, its easy to criticize a massive bureaucracy like CYFD with the benefit of hindsight. But the case of James Dunklee must be thoroughly and independently investigated to ensure the next safety plan is worth the paper its written on. And that theres a real plan to keep the next child safe. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. March is Contemporary Art Month, but you can get a jump it now. As usual, some exhibition spaces opened their CAM exhibits a few weeks early. Blue Star Contemporarys spring exhibitions is a collection of book-themed works by artists from across the country and around the world. And theres Topographies of Truth, the eighth edition of the CAM Perennial and the first time the show has been hosted by the McNay Art Museum. Heres a look at both must-see shows: Blue Star Contemporary The five spring exhibitions at Blue Star all deal in some way with books. They are all unified around a common thread of books as inspiration or source material or as a medium for the work, said executive director Mary Heathcott. The work in the exhibits includes actual books in a variety of forms Arturo Herrera takes books he finds at flea markets and transforms them into small paintings; Sarah Welchs Giveth and Taketh installation invites visitors to read comics in a space that brings some of the illustrations in them to life as well as pieces for which the artists drew their inspiration from books. Candace Hicks Secret Passage installation is particularly fetching. It holds pieces from two series Hicks has been working on. Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray /Blue Star Contemporary / In the center of the space, an oversized hand-sewn composition book has been opened up and suspended in the air, inviting visitors to stand and read the text within. There also are two peepholes at the rear of the space; visitors can peer into them and get some additional information that fits in with the text. On ExpressNews.com: Artist Cruz Ortiz is leaving San Antonio I took this idea of secret passage to think about that phrase and its double meaning, Hicks said during a media preview of the exhibition. A secret passage can be very Scooby-Doo, and it can be a secret tunnel or treasure. Ive always been fascinated by that idea. In the case of this book, the secret passage refers to a secret or a coded text, and so you can read this story and discover the mystery. White shelves line the gallery, each holding several smaller hand-stitched notebooks. Visitors who would like to peer inside at Hicks notes about coincidences that pop up in her reading can put on white gloves and open them. Each of the notebooks is different inside and out. Hicks has been making them for 14 years as a series called Common Threads. The spring exhibitions can be seen through May 3 at Blue Star Contemporary , 116 Blue Star. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on First Fridays. Admission ranges from $3 to $5 and is free Thursdays after 4 p.m. and on First Thursday and First Friday. Info, bluestarcontemporary.org; 210-227-6960. McNay Art Museum Curator Lee Hallman selected works by nine San Antonio artists for the CAM Perennial: Jimmy James Canales, Anthony Francis, Nicholas Frank, Raul Gonzalez, Mari Hernandez, Megan Harrison, Buster Graybill, Jasmyne Graybill and Amada Miller. They all had a very strong point of view, no matter what their medium or their message was, said Hallman, associate curator at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. I didnt have a theme in mind when I started the process, but as I was narrowing down my list, different strands of commonalities started to emerge. I was trying to think of what these artists have in common because theyre so diverse we have photography, painting, sculpture, video, installation and I came up with this idea of truthtelling because it felt like all of the artist were trying to convey something about either their truths or a truth about the world we live in now. On ExpressNews.com: Removal of video from exhibit sparks cries of censorship Hernandez is represented by a suite of intriguing black-and-white portraits in which the artist depicts herself as various historic characters in an ongoing series of work that connects three fields that started developing at around the same time in the 19th century: photography, criminology and physiognomy, a pseudoscience that held that a persons potential for criminal behavior could be determined by their facial structure. These types of theories and pseudosciences are rooted in these larger issues that we deal with today, such as racial profiling and stereotyping and the way that we judge an individual based off of their characteristics, she said. What early criminologists would do is they would layer photos of criminals on top of each other in order to come up with the ideal image of the criminal. So that same process of layering portraits of people on top of each other, they would sort of outline the structure of the face and then they would have this image of what to look for in people to predetermine if you were predisposed to criminal behavior. In the work, I took that same process of layering the photos and created these. Jimmy James Canales Other highlights include Canales Chrome Mirrors Suit, a sculptural jacket made of shiny bicycle mirrors as well as a video of him in the suit, gazing at his reflection and preening while Roberta Flacks The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face plays; a group of small pieces by Gonzalez in which he depicts his work as an artist and as a stay-at-home dad; and Buster Graybills R.MUTT: Renegade Modernist Utility Travel Trailer, a survival vehicle/art studio thats parked on the grounds. Topographies of Truth can be seen through May 17 at the McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels. A reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 10. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. General admission ranges from $10 to $20 and is free from 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdday nights and on the first Sunday of each month. Info, mcnayart.org ; 210-824-5368. More CAM highlights Those shows are just the beginning. Heres a look at a handful of other cool shows and events to check out: Kickoff: The annual kickoff to CAM includes music by DJ Novasoul and Ay Papis food truck. 6 to 9 p.m. March 6 at Blue Star Contemporary, 116 Blue Star. Info, contemporaryartmonth.org. Flores Silvestres/ WILDflowers: Jesus Toro Martinez, who owns the Lone Star Art Space in the Lone Star Art District, is showing his own work in this exhibit. Martinez uses natural materials bee pollen for yellow and tar for the pistils in paintings of sunflowers to mix his own pigments. Through March 27, Mexican Cultural Institute, 600 Hemisfair Plaza Way. Info, icm.sre.gob.mx/culturamexsa. Liz Trosper / Texas Women: A New History of Abstract Art: If you havent already seen the San Antonio Museum of Arts first big show of 2020 or if youd just like to see it again you might want to take part in the Fierce Females happy hour tour. Those who go can sip wine while they gain insights into the artwork. 5:30 p.m. March 13, San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W. Jones. $3 for museum members and $5 for non-members plus museum admission. Info: samuseum.org; 210-978-8100. Model Talks: Pamela Dean Kenny, a terrific actress, is presenting this solo show drawn from her experiences as a model for artists. She also will take questions from the audience during the performance. Opens March 13. 8 p.m. March 13-14 and 4 p.m. March 15, Jump-Start Theater, 710 Fredericksburg Road. $10 to $20. Info, jump-start.org; 210-227-5867. 24 Hours of Flowers: John Philip Luna continues his series Love Sick by painting flowers for 24 hours straight in his home studio, which will be open to the public during the process. The project is designed to comment on the complexity of falling in love. 6 p.m. March 20, 419 McKay Avenue. CAMMIE Awards: CAMs wraps up with one last celebration. 6 to 8 p.m. March 27, Chris Park, 111 Camp Street. Visit contemporaryartmonth.org for a complete CAM schedule. dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN On Sept. 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, forcing the world to go to war for a second time. The massive and lengthy war resulted in an estimated 75 million people deaths before it was called to an end on Sept. 2, 1945, with the surrender of the Japanese. In the years since, there have been hundreds, if not thousands, of books written and movies made about World War II. These projects cover the war from every anglethat of Allied and Axis soldiers, civilians, resistance fighters, prisoners of war, Jewish people and other persecuted peoples; the list could go on. With the limited amount of free time most of us have today, it would be impossible to read all of these books or watch all of these movies. So Stacker has made it a little easier for you by rounding up the 50 best WWII movies of all time. MPs prepare for battle on Ulster veterans as Lewis wont commit to amnesty The spotlight is back on the Governments approach to veterans of the Troubles in Northern Ireland after Brandon Lewis, the new Secretary of State, refused to say whether there would be an amnesty. According to the Belfast Telegraph, he was pressed on the subject during a recent visit to Londonderry. Whilst reiterating the Prime Ministers commitment to cracking down on vexatious claims, Lewis said that the decision to take individuals to court was the business of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS). The issue is back in the news after one former soldier, Eddie Spud Murphy, apparently took his own life after he was questioned by the PSNI about his actions while on duty in Northern Ireland. Meanwhile dozens of Tory MPs have set up a new campaign group to press the Government to introduce legislation to protect ex-servicemen from prosecution for actions undertaken whilst serving in Ulster. Its leadership includes Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Owen Paterson, and Mark Francois. They formed the campaign after the deal struck by Julian Smith, Lewis predecessor, to get Stormont back on its feet revived the provisions from the 2014 Stormont House Agreement on reviewing every death in the Troubles from 1969 onwards. This undercut the Governments policy on veterans and more, as we noted at the time. as the Government ties itself in knots over the Irish Protocol Veterans arent the only area in which the Governments policy on Ulster is deeply confused. Todays papers continue to carry the story that ministers are (intermittently) talking up the prospect of the UK reneging on the controversial Irish Protocol the policy which introduces a customs border between Northern Ireland and the mainland. Experts are already warning that such a move would put trade deals with the EU and the US at risk, although there is growing speculation that Boris Johnsons strategy is not really geared towards securing a deal with Brussels at least. But the line on this is not consistent. Just today, for example, Michael Gove appears to have promised the DUP that there wont be a border down the Irish Sea a mere ten minutes after pledging that the Government would uphold the Protocol, which mandates one. The Prime Minister got Brexit done by apparently abandoning explicit promises to the Unionists about his opposition to any internal partition of the UK. Will he now try to pull the same trick twice but this time on Brussels? Carlaw talks tough on immigration Its a sad but probably inevitable feature of devolution that politicians face strong temptations to seek political capital by squaring off against the centre. So this week Jackson Carlaw, the newly-elected leader of the Scottish Conservatives, embarked on a bid to lobby the Government over its plans to introduce a new, points-based immigration system. He was reportedly responding to fury in Tory circles north of the border over the introduction of a plan which might not adequately cater to Scotlands particular immigration needs. The new leader also welcomed Nicola Sturgeons proposals for a separate Scottish visa quickl rejected by the Government and made a point of telling a TV crew that he would decide policy in Scotland irrespective of the UK party line. This latter is a curious statement, as the national party doesnt have a line on devolved policy and Carlaw most certainly wont be setting reserved policy. However Alister Jack has since come out to bat for the scheme, which as weve noted has the potential to be much more flexible than its draconian mood music suggests, and has been publicly supported by Adam Tomkins, a senior Tory MSP. SNP showdown over Davidsons seat reflects broader divisions For years now, one of the defining features and biggest advantages of the SNP has been their phalanx-like discipline. No infighting or factionalism amongst the Nationalists instead the whole machine marched in lock-step behind first Alex Salmond and then Sturgeon as they fought to break up the United Kingdom. Such cohesion is unusual, and requires a few factors to maintain: a very strong party leadership, deep commitment to a common cause, and a sense of momentum towards it. Obviously the Nationalists are as committed to independence as ever, but the other two pillars are starting to crumble. The lack of progress since Brexit in 2016 has opened up a split between gradualists, who insist on playing the long game, and fundamentalists who think the cause ought to be fairing better and think the solution lies in more aggressive and unorthodox tactics. Meanwhile the First Minister is weakened by the looming shadow of Salmonds trial. She has few winning outcomes: if he goes down on most of the charges, it will raise questions of what she knew and when; if he walks free then the biggest of the SNPs big beasts will be back on the scene and out for blood after what he feels was a betrayal by his Party. This internal struggle now has a proxy in the form of the selection contest for Edinburgh Central, the Holyrood constituency being vacated by Ruth Davidson at the next Scottish election. Angus Robertson, the SNPs former Commons leader, is seeking the nomination on a platform of loyalty to Sturgeon but Joanna Cherry, an ally of Salmond who currently sits at Westminster, is running against him. Paris Hilton's parents are demanding the lawsuit brought by their former housekeeper be dismissed and are now accusing the woman of stealing from their home, DailyMail.com can reveal. Kathy and Rick Hilton, who are worth a reported $300million, filed their answer to the lawsuit brought by their former housekeeper Isabel Reina Gonzalez Hernandez last summer. They deny Hernandez's allegations that they failed to provide her required meal breaks or pay her overtime wages. According to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, the couple say that if the court finds they owe their former employee anything, it should be offset by 'plaintiff's theft of items from defendants' home.' Paris Hilton's parents Kathy and Rick Hilton are fighting back against their former live-in housekeeper after she sued them The wealthy couple are demanding the lawsuit brought by housekeeper Isabel Reina Gonzalez Hernandez be dismissed Last summer, Hernandez filed a lawsuit accusing her employers of failing to pay required overtime, not providing her with required meal and rest periods, and unfair business practices. Hernandez filed the lawsuit last summer claiming the Hiltons failed to provide her required meal breaks or pay her overtime wages She was hired to be a live-in housekeeper and was to be paid a weekly salary. Hernandez claims she worked overtime hours but was failed to be paid for it. According to the Labor Code, live-in employees cannot work more than 12 hours consecutively in a 24 hour period and are required breaks. But Hernandez said she worked for the Hiltons more than 12 consecutive hours, without being allowed the three hours of off-duty time. At times, she claims, she worked more than 10 hours during each work period without being provided with a second meal break. Hernandez, who worked for the family for at least four years, also claims she worked more than five days per week without a day off. On the sixth and seventh days that Hernandez claims she worked, she said she was never paid the required overtime pay. The suit states that the Hiltons 'knowingly and intentionally' failed to provide Hernandez with accurate pay statements. Hernandez sued seeking damages in excess of $25,000 plus attorney fees. Hernandez sued seeking damages in excess of $25,000 plus attorney fees. The Hiltons deny the allegations and are now accusing her of stealing from their home Kathy and Rick Hilton deny all of Hernandez's claims, saying that she has been paid all income, compensation, wages and salary 'to which she has ever been entitled.' They are asking for the lawsuit to be dismissed. According to court documents filed in Los Angeles, the couple 'are entitled to a complete and/or partial offset against each and every cause of action alleged in the Complaint.' They couple believe the amount should be established at trial 'based in part or in whole' on alleged theft from their home. Kathy and Rick claim the suit should be barred by the 'doctrine of unclean hands' which means they believe Hernandez had no grounds to file against them because she is acting unethically or has acted in bad faith. Copenhagen-based brand Saks Potts unveiled its latest collection at a basement car garage in Paris last night, and revealed a tougher aesthetic than that of the colourful fur-trimmed belted leather coats with which it found fame. The collection was in fact called Biker and among the leather-centric motocross themed line-up was a pair of lace-up front leather trousers so wonderfully outlandish, theyve instantly become one of the best things we have seen all fashion month. The trousers, which came in electric blue, rust brown and black, have a slightly low-rise hip, giving them a very early 2000s feel, and come with matching leather moto-jackets, should one be bold enough to commit to a full look. The collection was inspired by the world of biker culture and R&B icons, in particular the lewd leathery ensembles loved by Dirrty-era Christina Aguilera. Saks Potts While we can picture the likes of Rihanna and Cardi B (both of whom have been seen sporting the brand's aforementioned fur-trimmed coats) clamouring to get their hands on such leg corseting, well admit these outre offerings might not be everyones cup of tea. Leather trousers are however set to continue to be a big trend for this year, and there was plenty of less intimidating leathery loveliness elsewhere in the collection. In fact, if Barbara Potts and Cathrine Saks have anything to do with it, we will be living head-to-toe in the stuff come autumn. Saudi Arabia cut travel to Islams holiest sites, South Korea toughened penalties for those breaking quarantines and airports across Latin America looked for signs of sick passengers Thursday as a new virus troubled a mushrooming swath of the globe. With the illness pushing its way into a sixth continent and the number of sick and dead rising, the crisis gave way to political and diplomatic rows, concern that bordered on panic in some quarters, and a sense that no part of the world was immune to the diseases spread. Viruses dont know borders and they dont stop at them, said Roberto Speranza, the health minister in Italy, where northern towns were on army-guarded lockdowns and supermarket shelves were bare. Schools throughout Japan were being closed for weeks to try to stop new transmissions. As growing parts of Europe and the Middle East saw infections and a first case was found in South America, air routes were halted and border control toughened. But for an illness transmitted so easily, with its tentacles reaching into so many parts of the world, leaders puzzled over how to keep the virus from proliferating seemed willing to try anything to keep their people and economies safe. In South Korea, the hardest-hit country outside China, four Busan markets known for colorful silks and a dizzying array of other wares were shuttered while the countrys military sent hundreds of its doctors and soldiers to aid in treatment and quarantines. In Iran, the front line of Mideast infections, officials loosened rules barring the import of many foreign-made items to allow in sanitizers, face masks and other necessities, and removed overhead handles on Tehrans subways to eliminate another source of germs. Peru put specialists on round-the-clock shifts at its biggest airport, Argentina took the temperature of some new arrivals and El Salvador added bans for travelers from Italy and South Korea. The holy city of Mecca, which able-bodied Muslims are called to visit at least once in their lives, and the Prophet Muhammads mosque in Medina were cut off to potentially millions of pilgrims, with Saudi Arabia making the extraordinary decision to stop the spread of the virus. With the monarchy offering no firm date for the lifting of the restrictions, it posed the possibility of affecting those planning to make their hajj, a ritual beginning at the end of July this year. We ask God Almighty to spare all humanity from all harm, the country said in announcing the decision. Disease has been a constant concern surrounding the hajj, with cholera outbreaks in the 19th century killing tens of thousands making the trip. More recently, another coronavirus that caused Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, prompted increased public health measures, but no outbreak resulted. COVID-19s westward creep including a case in California in the United States that does not appear linked to overseas travel had some countries warning their people to obey measures intended to keep a single case from blossoming into a cluster that could paralyze a community. A man originally from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the global outbreak, who contracted the virus was charged alongside his wife in Singapore for allegedly lying about their whereabouts as officials tried to stem further infections. In Colombia, which has yet to report any cases, officials reminded residents they could be jailed for up to eight years if they violate containment measures. And in South Korea, the National Assembly passed a law strengthening the punishment for those violating self-isolation, more than tripling the fine and adding the possibility of a year in prison. It came later than it should have, said Lee Hae-shik, spokesman for the ruling Democratic Party, calling for further non-partisan cooperation to address the outbreak. Countries efforts to contain the virus opened up diplomatic scuffles. South Korea fought prohibitions keeping its citizens out of 40 countries, calling them excessive and unnecessary. China warned Russia to stop discriminatory measures against its people, including monitoring on public transit. Iran used the crisis to rail against the U.S., which it accused of a conspiracy that was sowing fear. The global count of those sickened by the virus hovered around 81,000, with 433 new cases reported Thursday in China and another 505 in South Korea, where the military called off joint drills planned with American troops. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 / Auryn Resources Inc. (TSX:AUG)(NYSE American:AUG) ("Auryn" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that due to increased interest, a second allotment has closed in its previously announced non-brokered private placement through the issuing of an additional 3,062,500 common shares (the "Shares") priced at CAD$1.60 per Share for gross proceeds of CAD$4.9 million (the "Offering"). Auryn raised a total of CAD$15 million through the issuance of 9,375,000 common shares in February 2020, putting the Company in a strong financial position. No commissions were paid on the second allotment. A Message from Ivan Bebek, Executive Chairman & Director: "2020 is going to be an exciting year for Auryn shareholders as the Company is anticipating drill permits for two major discovery opportunities in Peru. The Company appreciates the continued support that it receives from shareholders and insiders in these financings and is pleased to welcome additional accretive investors." Proceeds from the placement will be used to fund continued surface exploration at its Sombrero and Curibaya projects located in southern Peru and for general working capital. The Shares issued under the Offering are subject to a four-month hold period under Canadian securities laws. The Shares have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and have not been offered or sold in the United States other than pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. Any Shares sold to investors in the United States are "restricted securities" and subject to restrictions on resale under the U.S. Securities Act. On Behalf of the Board, Ivan Bebek Executive Chairman and Director For further information on Auryn Resources, please contact Natasha Frakes, Manager of Corporate Communications at (778) 729-0600 or info@aurynresources.com. About Auryn Auryn Resources is a technology-driven junior exploration company focused on finding and advancing globally significant precious and base metal deposits. The company has a portfolio approach to asset acquisition and has seven projects, including two flagships: the Committee Bay high-grade gold project in Nunavut and the Sombrero copper-gold project in southern Peru. Auryn's technical and management teams have an impressive track record of successfully monetizing assets for all stakeholders and local communities in which it operates. Auryn conducts itself to the highest standards of corporate governance and sustainability. About Sombrero This project consists of the North Sombrero and South Sombrero properties, comprising over 130,000 hectares owned or optioned by Auryn Resources. The copper-gold Sombrero mining concessions are located 340 kilometers SE of Lima in southern Peru and are hosted in the Andahuaylas-Yauri belt. This belt is interpreted to be on the north-western margins of this Eocene-Oligocene aged copper-gold porphyry and skarn belt that hosts the Las Bambas, Haquira, Los Chancas, Cotambambas, Constancia, Antapaccay and Tintaya deposits. The project is characterized by a strong structural control and significant copper and gold values from historical surface samples. The principal targets at Sombrero are copper-gold skarn and porphyry systems and precious metal epithermal deposits. About Curibaya Auryn acquired 100% ownership of the Curibaya property in 2015 and the adjacent Sambalay and Salvador concesssions in 2019, which collectively consist of approximately 11,000 hectares. The Curibaya project covers the regional Incapuquio fault zone and subsidiary structures, which are interpreted as one of the fundamental controls for both epithermal and porphyry styles of mineralization within the region. Forward Looking Information and Additional Cautionary Language This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking information is information that includes a proposed financing and completion if a proposed loan amendment as well as information relating to or associated with the acquisition and title to mineral concessions. In addition to the stated conditions to complete the transactions forward looking statements involve other known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different (either positively or negatively) from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2018 and subsequent continuous disclosure filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at www.sedar.com and the Company's registration statement on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. The Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Auryn Resources Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/578151/Auryn-Closes-Additional-CAD49M-in-Non-Brokered-Private-Placement B: 20200227 08:01:01 :B: :B: Stock Code: 000553(200553) Stock Abbreviation: ADAMA A(B) Announcement No.2020-7 ADAMA Ltd. Announcement of the Resolutions of the 21st Meeting of the 8th Session of the Board of Directors The Company and all members of its board of directors hereby confirm that all information disclosed herein is true, accurate and complete with no false or misleading statement or material omission. The 21st Meeting of the 8th Session of the Board of Directors of ADAMA Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the Company) was held via on-site and video conference meeting on February 26, 2020 following notifications to all the directors by email on February 24, 2020. Five directors were entitled to attend the meeting and five directors attended. The meeting complies with all relevant laws, regulations and the Articles of Association of the Company. The following resolutions were deliberated and adopted: 1. Proposal on Changes of Senior Executives of the Company On February 26, 2020, the Board received notice from Mr. Chen Lichtenstein informing the Company of his resignation as the President & CEO due to his nomination as the CFO of the newly formed Syngenta Group Co., Ltd. with responsibility also for Strategy and Integration, a wholly owned subsidiary of China National Agrochemical Co., Ltd. (CNAC) and to which CNAC is transferring its direct stake in the Company. Mr. Chen Lichtensteins resignation will come into effect upon the appointment of the new President & CEO entering into effect on March 1, 2020. Following his resignation, Mr. Chen Lichtenstein will remain a director of the Company and its fully owned subsidiary, ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd.(Solutions). The Board appoints Mr. Ignacio Dominguez as the President & CEO of the Company also acting as legal representative of the Company. The Companys CFO, Mr. Aviram Lahav will also assume a concurrent position as Deputy CEO. The above both appointments will be effective from March 1, 2020. As of the date of this Announcement, Mr. Chen Lichtenstein does not hold any stock of the Company. The Board highly values and deeply appreciates the significant contribution Mr. Chen Lichtenstein made to the Company during his tenure. This proposal was passed with 5 affirmative votes, 0 negative votes, and 0 abstentions. 2. Proposal on the Remunerations of the Senior Executives The Board hereby approves (1) a secondment agreement to be signed between the Company and Solutions so as to facilitate the payment of the remuneration to Mr. Ignacio Dominguez as President & CEO of the Company through Solutions since the date of his appointment; (2) the adjustment of the remuneration of Mr. Aviram Lahav due to his appointment as CEO of Solutions and deputy CEO of the Company; and (3) the payment of short term incentives to the senior executives Chen Lichtenstein, Aviram Lahav and Michal Arlosoroff, to be paid also to other senior employees in Solutions, including Mr. An Liru, due to their contribution to the maximization of the cooperation with the controlling shareholder and its subsidiaries according to the Remuneration Policy for Senior Executives in ADAMA Ltd. published on February 22, 2019. The related-directors Chen Lichtenstein, An Liru refrained from the vote. This proposal was passed with 3 affirmative votes, 0 negative vote, and 0 abstention. 3. Proposal on the Remuneration Plan for Non-independent Directors The Board approves the remuneration plan of the non-independent directors as follows: (1) A non-independent director who holds a management position in the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries, shall receive the remuneration set for such position and will not be entitled to any additional remuneration for serving as a director. (2) A non-independent director who doesnt hold a management position in the Company or any of its subsidiaries, may receive a monthly remuneration which shall not exceed USD 30,000 plus VAT (if applicable) linked to the relevant CPI, as determined by the Compensation and Appraisal Committee depending on the comprehensive appraisal on such director. This proposal was passed with 5 affirmative votes, 0 negative votes, and 0 abstentions. This proposal needs to be submitted to the shareholders meeting for approval. 4. Proposal on Providing Guarantees in Favor of a Wholly-owned Subsidiary The Board of Directors approves to provide joint liability guarantees for the loans of ADAMA Anpon (Jiangsu) Ltd. For details, please see the Announcement on Providing Guarantees in Favor of a Wholly-owned Subsidiary published on www.cninfo.com.cn on the same day. This proposal was passed with 5 affirmative votes, 0 negative vote and 0 abstention. This proposal subjects to the approval of shareholders of the Company. 5. Proposal on Signing the Supplemental Agreement to the Equity Purchase Agreement The Board of Directors approved the Company to sign the Supplemental Agreement to the Equity Purchase Agreement with Jiangsu Huifeng Agrochemical Co., Ltd. For details, please see the Announcement on Signing the Supplemental Agreement to the Equity Purchase Agreement published on www.cninfo.com.cn on the same day. This proposal was passed with 5 affirmative votes, 0 negative vote and 0 abstention. It is hereby resolved. Board of Directors of ADAMA Ltd. February 27, 2020 Profile of the President & CEO Mr. Ignacio Dominguez is Spanish and was born in 1960. Up till his election as President & CEO of the Company, Mr. Ignacio Dominguez served as the co-Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of the Company's fully owned subsidiary, ADAMA Agricultural Solutions Ltd., and is a member of its Executive Committee, a senior management forum. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez has served in several management positions in the ADAMA group for almost 20 years and has more than two decades of experience in the AgChem industry. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez holds an M.Sc. in Physics, specializing in automatic calculus, artificial intelligence structure of microprocessors and programming languages, from Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez does not directly or indirectly hold the Companys shares. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez has no connected relations with shareholders holding more than 5% of shares, actual controllers, and other directors, supervisors and senior executives of the Company. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez has never been punished by the CSRC and the Exchange and does not fall into any situation stipulated in Article 3.2.3 of Guidelines of Standard Operation of Listco in SZSE. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez is not a dishonest person subject to enforcement. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez meets all the qualifications set forth by laws and regulations. Stock Code: 000553(200553) Stock Abbreviation: ADAMA A(B) Announcement No.2020-7ADAMA Ltd.Announcement of the Resolutions of the 21stMeeting of the 8th Session of the Board of DirectorsThe Company and all members of its board of directors hereby confirm that allinformation disclosed herein is true, accurate and complete with no false ormisleading statement or material omission.The 21st Meeting of the 8th Session of the Board of Directors of ADAMA Ltd.(hereinafter referred to as the Company) was held via on-site and video conferencemeeting on February 26, 2020 following notifications to all the directors by email onFebruary 24, 2020. Five directors were entitled to attend the meeting and five directorsattended.The meeting complies with all relevant laws, regulations and the Articles ofAssociation of the Company. The following resolutions were deliberated and adopted:1. Proposal on Changes of Senior Executives of the CompanyOn February 26, 2020, the Board received notice from Mr. Chen Lichtensteininforming the Company of his resignation as the President & CEO due to hisnomination as the CFO of the newly formed Syngenta Group Co., Ltd. withresponsibility also for Strategy and Integration, a wholly owned subsidiary of ChinaNational Agrochemical Co., Ltd. (CNAC) and to which CNAC is transferring itsdirect stake in the Company. Mr. Chen Lichtensteins resignation will come into effectupon the appointment of the new President & CEO entering into effect on March 1,2020. Following his resignation, Mr. Chen Lichtenstein will remain a director of theCompany and its fully owned subsidiary, ADAMA Agricultural SolutionsLtd.(Solutions).The Board appoints Mr. Ignacio Dominguez as the President & CEO of the Companyalso acting as legal representative of the Company. The Companys CFO, Mr. AviramLahav will also assume a concurrent position as Deputy CEO. The above bothappointments will be effective from March 1, 2020.As of the date of this Announcement, Mr. Chen Lichtenstein does not hold any stock ofthe Company.The Board highly values and deeply appreciates the significant contribution Mr. ChenLichtenstein made to the Company during his tenure.This proposal was passed with 5 affirmative votes, 0 negative votes, and 0 abstentions.2. Proposal on the Remunerations of the Senior ExecutivesThe Board hereby approves (1) a secondment agreement to be signed between theCompany and Solutions so as to facilitate the payment of the remuneration to Mr.Ignacio Dominguez as President & CEO of the Company through Solutions since thedate of his appointment; (2) the adjustment of the remuneration of Mr. Aviram Lahavdue to his appointment as CEO of Solutions and deputy CEO of the Company; and (3)the payment of short term incentives to the senior executives Chen Lichtenstein,Aviram Lahav and Michal Arlosoroff, to be paid also to other senior employees inSolutions, including Mr. An Liru, due to their contribution to the maximization of thecooperation with the controlling shareholder and its subsidiaries according to theRemuneration Policy for Senior Executives in ADAMA Ltd. published on February 22,2019.The related-directors Chen Lichtenstein, An Liru refrained from the vote. This proposalwas passed with 3 affirmative votes, 0 negative vote, and 0 abstention.3. Proposal on the Remuneration Plan for Non-independent DirectorsThe Board approves the remuneration plan of the non-independent directors as follows:(1) A non-independent director who holds a management position in the Companyand/or any of its subsidiaries, shall receive the remuneration set for such position andwill not be entitled to any additional remuneration for serving as a director.(2) A non-independent director who doesnt hold a management position in theCompany or any of its subsidiaries, may receive a monthly remuneration which shallnot exceed USD 30,000 plus VAT (if applicable) linked to the relevant CPI, asdetermined by the Compensation and Appraisal Committee depending on thecomprehensive appraisal on such director.This proposal was passed with 5 affirmative votes, 0 negative votes, and 0 abstentions.This proposal needs to be submitted to the shareholders meeting for approval.4. Proposal on Providing Guarantees in Favor of a Wholly-owned SubsidiaryThe Board of Directors approves to provide joint liability guarantees for the loans ofADAMA Anpon (Jiangsu) Ltd. For details, please see the Announcement on ProvidingGuarantees in Favor of a Wholly-owned Subsidiary published on www.cninfo.com.cnon the same day.This proposal was passed with 5 affirmative votes, 0 negative vote and 0 abstention.This proposal subjects to the approval of shareholders of the Company.5. Proposal on Signing the Supplemental Agreement to the Equity PurchaseAgreementThe Board of Directors approved the Company to sign the Supplemental Agreement tothe Equity Purchase Agreement with Jiangsu Huifeng Agrochemical Co., Ltd. Fordetails, please see the Announcement on Signing the Supplemental Agreement to theEquity Purchase Agreement published on www.cninfo.com.cn on the same day.This proposal was passed with 5 affirmative votes, 0 negative vote and 0 abstention.It is hereby resolved.Board of Directors of ADAMA Ltd.February 27, 2020Profile of the President & CEOMr. Ignacio Dominguez is Spanish and was born in 1960. Up till his election asPresident & CEO of the Company, Mr. Ignacio Dominguez served as the co-ChiefCommercial Officer (CCO) of the Company's fully owned subsidiary, ADAMAAgricultural Solutions Ltd., and is a member of its Executive Committee, a seniormanagement forum.Mr. Ignacio Dominguez has served in several management positions in the ADAMAgroup for almost 20 years and has more than two decades of experience in the AgChemindustry.Mr. Ignacio Dominguez holds an M.Sc. in Physics, specializing in automatic calculus,artificial intelligence structure of microprocessors and programming languages, fromUniversidad Complutense de Madrid.Mr. Ignacio Dominguez does not directly or indirectly hold the Companys shares. Mr.Ignacio Dominguez has no connected relations with shareholders holding more than 5%of shares, actual controllers, and other directors, supervisors and senior executives ofthe Company. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez has never been punished by the CSRC and theExchange and does not fall into any situation stipulated in Article 3.2.3 of Guidelines ofStandard Operation of Listco in SZSE. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez is not a dishonestperson subject to enforcement. Mr. Ignacio Dominguez meets all the qualifications setforth by laws and regulations. A TAXI firm has ended up in court and has had to pay more than 2,000 after it attempted to save money by switching a tamper-proof security seal on a meter. Ivoylo Martinov, originally from Bulgaria, of Whitethorn Park, Palmerstown, Dublin, and his firm Martin Taxi Service were summonsed to appear at Dublin District Court. He and his business were accused of offences under the Metrology Act in connection with tampering with a taximeter seal. It followed an investigation by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Charges against Mr Martinov himself were dropped after his firm entered a guilty plea, prosecution counsel Eoghan Cole told Judge Anthony Halpin. Metrology inspector Kevin Barry told the court that one of the firms taxis was brought fora compliance check to ensure the meters security seal was intact in 2018. The seal ensured the meter was working correctly. It was found that a sticker seal on the device was from a meter that had been in one of the firms other cars. It would have cost 90 to have the proper seal on the meter. Mr Martinov agreed to pay 2,000 in prosecution expenses. Judge Halpin noted from defence counsel Matthew Holmes that Mr Martinov had caused himself a lot of difficulty and expense. The director of the firm had no previous convictions and there was no evidence of any over-charging, the judge was told. Judge Halpin also noted how much it had ended up costing the taxi firm. He said that he would apply the Probation of Offenders Act if there was a 250 donation to charity. The case was adjourned until a date in July. The prosecution was brought by the NSAIs Legal Metrology division, which oversees inspection of consumer measuring instruments. When Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons decided to set up his own live music venue in south London in 2016, he never intended to become a restauranteur. Lovett is a serial entrepreneur he was selling tickets to parties in his teens, had an IT business before he went to university and started the label and publishing company Communion before Mumford and Sons ever played a note. Omeara, a 325-capacity venue near London Bridge, was intended to be his answer to the decline in grassroots venues in the capital and a place for young bands to try out their craft. But he quickly realised that it would take more than live music to make the business stack up. He decided he needed to run the bars and serve food: businesses that could make money even when the stage was empty.fc In March, he will open the doors on his second venue in a multimillion-pound development at Kings Cross. Goods Way is built on Lovetts business model for the industry, one that he describes as concentric circles of live music at the centre, insulated by restaurant businesses that operate seven days a week to bring in cash. When the District of Columbia commissioned the Douglass and LEnfant statues, it was always our intention to bring them to the Capitol as equal with the states, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton said in a statement. Now, with historic momentum as our D.C. statehood bill is headed to the House floor for passage this year, the LEnfant statue is a potent symbol that D.C. equality and D.C. statehood are on the way. As the largest democracy of the world, India is abode to an enormous population of 1.3 billion people and counting. In the era of technological advancements, a large concentration of the nations population has migrated to metropolitan areas in search of better employment, education or simply migrated post marriage. But millions of citizens who fail to partake in casting their vote due to geographical constraints. It is a citizens fundamental right to move within the country and it is a citizens fundamental right to vote, but one of the either was being compromised! Laying impetus towards the impending cause, The Times of India launched its largest-ever collective campaign, Lost Votes, aimed at getting the right for voting for those who have moved away from the address where their vote is registered. Drawing nation-wide attention, the publication with each step in the campaign parsed awareness to millions of migrated voters and concerned citizens on the importance of casting their vote and urgency of addressing the gap. As per the insights gained during the campaign roll-out, 290 million eligible voters were unable to exercise their right to vote, due to migration without a permanent local address. TOI became the voice of the people via their Lost Votes campaign, urging the Election Commission to find an effective, immediate and permanent solution. Following the year-long campaign, the Election Commission recently announced that they are working on a technology-led solution that will address the issue so that there are no more lost votes. Speaking about the impact of the Lost Votes campaign, Mr. Sanjeev Bhargava, Director The Times of India said We launched the LOST VOTES campaign last year. Powerful and simple thought: people temporarily not living in the place where their vote is registered are unable to vote. And the number of such eligible voters is close to 30 crores!!! This campaign demanded tech solutions to enable these lost votes and give back the fundamental right to these citizens of India. More than a million-people pledged support to this campaign. And less than a year later the election commissioner has announced the start of this journey. We are proud to be instrumental to the strengthening of our democracy!! Not surprisingly at TOI we say, Change Begins Here OMJASVIN M D By Express News Service CHENNAI: Built in 1975, the tenements at Grey Nagar in Pulianthope have been home to hundreds of families. In 2017, cracks began to appear on the buildings and even a few parts collapsed. Now, it has been announced that the structure would be demolished by June and new five-story buildings costing Rs 60.43 crore would come up in the area. Though the plan to demolish was announced in August 2019, following Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvams visit to the area, further proceedings got stalled due to resistance from the residents to vacate. The Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) had planned to raze the 448 tenements and the new ones, to be built under the Prime Ministers Housing for All Scheme, would be later handed over to residents. However, the residents refused to vacate fearing that the flats would not be handed over to them after construction. They also said that the Rs 8,000 given by TNSCB as one-time-payment to find another house was not at all enough. Forget rent, the advance for renting a house in North Chennai is minimum Rs 20,000. How can we manage our expenses with such a meagre compensation? asked R Kokila, one of the residents. Another issue they raised was the board examinations. Thousands of students from the tenements are studying in schools nearby and their studies would get severely affected if we move now, another resident said. A few of them also demanded TNSCB to find them alternative accommodations somewhere nearby. All our work and kids studies are based in areas nearby. We cant shift to far-off places, G Kamalakannan, another resident said. On Monday, the authorities held a meeting with the residents and they reportedly agreed to vacate homes by May end.Once they vacate, we will raze down the buildings and build new ones in 18 months, an official with TNSCB Division 3 (Vyasarpadi) said.The cost of one 400 square-feet flat is Rs10 lakh. The Central government would contribute Rs 1.5 lakh while the State government would provide Rs 7 lakh. The remaining Rs 1.5 lakh has to be funded by the house beneficiaries, the official added. Mountains of garbage Ever since the demolition notices were issued in late 2019, garbage collection from the tenements ceased. When Express visited the spot, massive mounts of rotten garbage dumped over several months was found behind each building. Residents also alleged that officials had threatened to disconnect power supply if they dont vacate. Rs 60cr worth five-story buildings to come up in the area 448 housings at Grey Nagar were planned to be razed BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.27 By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend: Kazakhstan is currently in the process of acquiring information on those of its citizens who want to return from South Korea, Kazakhstans Minister of Healthcare Yelzhan Birtanov said, Trend reports. Birtanov said that Kazakhstan is actively monitoring situation on coronavirus infection spread in South Korea. The growth rate amounted to about 48 percent over the last 24 hours. This is very high. The highest growth rate in China was 65-70 percent, Thus, in the case that the situation in South Korea will get worse, well think on taking more serious measures, Birtanov said. He added that as of now Kazakhstan is advising its citizens to refrain from visiting South Korea. We are currently in the process of acquiring information on Kazakh citizens who wish to return from South Korea in order to make it possible for them to come back before the situation worsens, the minister said. Birtanov added that some 30,000 Kazakh citizens are currently in South Korea. On Feb. 25, 2020, Chairman of Kazakhstans Civil Aviation Committee Talgat Lastayev said that Kazakhstan is looking into limiting flights to countries where coronavirus is spreading. The outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan - which is an international transport hub - began at a fish market in late December 2019. The number of people killed by the disease is nearing 3,000. Over 82,000 people have been confirmed as infected. Some sources claim the coronavirus outbreak started as early as November 2019. The symptoms include cough, headache, fatigue, fever, aching and difficulty breathing. It is primarily spread through airborne contact or contact with contaminated objects. Chinese health authorities say that the majority of the people who have died were either elderly or had underlying health problems. Aside from Mainland China, the cases of coronavirus spreading have also been confirmed in South Korea, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Iran, Thailand, the US, Taiwan, Australia, Malaysia, Germany, Vietnam, the UAE, the UK, France, Macau, Canada, Philippines, India, Russia, Spain, Lebanon, Nepal, Cambodia, Israel, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Egypt and Sri Lanka. --- Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh By William Schwartz | Published on 2020/02/26 Following the successful conclusion of "Dr. Romantic 2" the cast and crew had been set to depart for a reward vacation on February 27th. The vacation was to last four days and three nights. However, concerns regarding the COVID-19 outbreak have scaled back this reward vacation. Advertisement Only those cast and crew who want to go are being expected to go. This is always the general rule for reward vacations, but under normal circumstances the idea of a person refusing one is unthinkable. However, due to the travel advisory put out by the South Korean government, several relevant persons to the production, including the main actors Han Suk-kyu and Ahn Hyo-seop, expressed concerns about the project. "Dr. Romantic" announced that they would not reveal which cast members were going on the vacation and which had declined. Written by William Schwartz ___________ "Dr. Romantic 2" is directed by Lee Gil-bok, Yoo In-sik, written by Kang Eun-kyeong, and features Han Suk-kyu, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Joo-hun, Shin Dong-wook, Yoon Na-moo. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2020/01/06~2020/02/25, Mon, Tue 22:00 on SBS. Fabian Flores Alameda, age 2, holds the hand of his father, Fabian Flores Aguirre, as he marches across the floor of his family's home in Horsham, Pa. The child is fighting cancer, but the Trump administration has denied the family's request to stay in the U.S. while he gets treatment in Philadelphia. Read more Fabian Flores Alameda is not yet 3, too young to comprehend the lethality of the cancer that pummels his small body or the nature of the crisis that confronts his immigrant parents. He has multiple lesions in his skull. A plaster cast envelops his weakened left leg, which fractured as he played and jumped around his home. Fabians best chance for survival depends on continuing to receive chemotherapy and care at St. Christophers Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, according to his doctors. But now the Trump administration is threatening the toddlers undocumented mother and father with deportation to Mexico, where they say their child could not get the treatment he needs. Living in Mexico will be a death sentence for my child, said Fabians mother, Damaris Alameda Ramos. They sought a grant of deferred action, a temporary bar on deportation that allows migrant families to stay and work in the country while battling serious conditions like leukemia, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. The Feb. 11 denial by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has devastated the Horsham Township couple, leaving them frightened and emotional. The Trump administration ended the program in August telling families they had 33 days to leave but resumed accepting applications a month later after an outcry from physicians, families, and elected officials. Advocates worried that even with the program technically restored, the administration would simply accept applications and turn them down. Its not clear whats happening nationwide. But two local attorneys said theyve seen only denials from the USCIS Philadelphia field office. Conshohocken immigration lawyer Audrey Allen, who represents Fabians parents, said all five applications she has filed since September have been denied. But across the river, at a USCIS office in New Jersey, the two applications she submitted were approved. It shows that its completely political, Allen said. READ MORE: Immigrant families with severely ill or disabled children now face deportation by Trump administration Immigration attorney Ricky Palladino said hes recently received three denials from the Philadelphia office, and in a fourth case the mother of an 8-year-old girl with blood cancer was denied while her father was approved. Philadelphia USCIS officials declined to discuss the criteria for evaluating deferment requests, or to say how many have been approved or denied since September. A spokesperson said that counts of deferment decisions are not part of agency record-keeping, so no figures are readily available. The agency gets about 1,000 requests a year, and most of those are denied, the spokesperson said. Still, the spate of denials raises questions about whether somebody above the field office, higher up in USCIS, has provided a new directive, or a layer to the processing of these cases, said Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, director of the Center for Immigrants Rights Clinic at Penn State Law. We dont know the answer to that. Shes identified about 30 cases nationwide where decisions have been rendered since September, but said they show no clear trend of denials or approvals. More information is needed to know if the program has truly, fully been reinstated, she said. The public understandably wants to know whats going on with this program, Wadhia said. The level of the accountability is higher now. USCIS said it does not comment on specific cases, such as that of Fabians family. Technically only Fabians parents are at risk, because he and his 6-year-old sister are U.S. citizens by birth. But the couple cant imagine leaving their stricken son behind nor taking him to Mexico. I know my son would die if we were forced to return to Mexico, said Fabians father, Fabian Flores Aguirre. His parents say that despite his illness, Fabian is a happy child. During a recent interview the boy playfully crawled in and out of his parents laps, snacking on a doughnut that covered his chin with chocolate frosting. Ramos cares for Fabian full time, managing the appointments, medicines, and blood tests, and Aguirre, who works for a cleaning company, switched to the night shift so he can be home during the day. Deferment provides no permanent immigration status. But until Trump shuttered the program, Republican and Democratic administrations had for decades commonly granted deferments, recognizing that American medical care was key to saving lives. READ MORE: A South Jersey migrant family with a cancer-stricken child can stay in the U.S. for treatment So far neither Ramos nor Aguirre, both 27, has received a Notice to Appear, the charging document that signals the start of deportation proceedings. Aguirre was barely a teenager when he crossed the southern border into Arizona in September 2007, traveling from Phoenix to Los Angeles to Philadelphia and finally to Queens, N.Y. He said he came to this country because he needed a job to support his parents in Mexico. In Queens he was arrested for trying to enter a bar while underage. Last year Aguirre was charged with drunken driving, and entered Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, an alternative program that frees court time by moving first-time offenders to treatment. ARD carries no finding of guilt and is not considered a conviction under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Ramos entered the United States without permission in November 2012, making her way to Denver and then to Philadelphia. She and her siblings needed jobs, she said, so they could send money to pay doctors in Mexico, where her mother was ill with diabetes. She and Aguirre grew up in the same small town of Chiautzingo, in southeast Mexico. They reconnected in this country, fell in love, and married in 2013. Last spring the family was playing in the yard, the parents said, when they noticed a small bump on Fabians forehead. They thought it was a bug bite. But a week later it was still there, and doctors were puzzled. Subsequent blood tests, X-rays, and an imaging scan led to Fabians April 19 hospitalization at St. Christophers. He was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, known as LCH, which occurs in one of every 200,000 children, usually between ages 1 and 3. Excess immune-system cells build up in the body, and patients can develop masses of tissue in the skull or long bones of the arms and legs, causing pain, swelling, and breaks. I never expected this to happen to my son, Ramos said, adding that shes grateful hes not in pain, even though his skull is fracturing. LCH can be diagnosed as high risk or low risk. Fabian has the high-risk diagnosis, which is more difficult to treat. Side effects can include stunted growth, skeletal defects, trouble hearing, or neurological problems. With proper care, often including chemotherapy, 80% of high-risk patients can survive, according to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Tennessee. Fabians parents say they cant get that treatment in Mexico. In large cities there, excellent specialty-trained physicians and well-equipped hospitals serve the wealthy, while others go without. The care in their hometown consists of one doctor at a small clinic. Its just crushing, Allen said. These kinds of programs of relief were created for these exact situations. Wouldn't like to pre-empt any findings of Court of inquiry as it is a very fair process: IAF chief on chopper IAF aircraft brings back 76 Indians, 36 foreigners from coronavirus-hit Wuhan India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Feb 27: An Indian Air Force aircraft on Thursday evacuated 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan. The C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft was sent to Wuhan on Wednesday and it carried 15 tonnes of medical supplies for coronavirus-affected people in China. On its return, the aircraft brought back 112 people including 23 citizens from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives and one each from South Africa, the US and Madagascar. Earlier, India had evacuated around 650 Indians from Wuhan in two Air India flights. "In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, China in these three flights," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Coronavirus: 124 evacuees from Japan cruise ship back home, head to ITBP quarantine facility On the medical supplies delivered by India to China, the MEA said they will help augment the country's efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak which has been declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. NEWS AT 3 PM, FEBRUARY 27th, 2020 "The assistance is also a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year," it said. Quinnipiac shows a similar spread, as well as strong ratings from moderate and conservative Democrats. And a vast majority of Democrats, 93 percent, say they would back Sanders against Trump. As a point of comparison, 88 percent say the same for Pete Buttigieg. Sanders also fares well against the president in preliminary matchups. He has led Trump in nearly every poll since the start of 2019 and does better than most other candidates in the crucial swing states Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that delivered Trump the White House. Yes, head-to-head polls arent as reliable now as theyll be in the summer, after the conventions, or in the fall, when the general election campaign starts in earnest. But if, on the strength of the polls, you believe a candidate like Biden can beat Trump, then you should think the same of Sanders. As for the fear that Sanders would be another McGovern? Hyperpolarization makes that highly unlikely. In todays political environment, winning either partys nomination gives you a high electoral floor. If Sanders does lose, he wont lose big. The easiest objection to all of this is that Sanders has never been scrutinized like a presidential nominee. What will voters think when they learn hes a socialist, democratic or otherwise? How will they react to footage of Sanders praising Cuba or singing This Land Is Your Land while on a honeymoon in the Soviet Union? Sanders has strong personal appeal, but can it survive an onslaught of Republican attacks? Will voters punish him for flying too far from the mainstream? The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has started formal negotiations on the signing of a bilateral agreement on cooperation, free trade and partnership with the United Kingdom, the ministry has reported on its Twitter account. "Official talks have begun with the UK delegation on a bilateral agreement on political cooperation, free trade, and partnership. Key issues: strategic partnership and visa dialogue between Ukraine and the United Kingdom," the tweet reads. , . : pic.twitter.com/HBaGByGC5F MFA of Ukraine (@MFA_Ukraine) February 27, 2020 The UK left the European Union on the night of January 31 to February 1. Earlier, UK Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons said in a video message that the United Kingdom will remain a good friend and reliable partner of Ukraine even after the country leaves the EU. She noted that Britain hopes to deepen and expand cooperation with Ukraine in the coming years. This requires the signing of a new bilateral agreement between Britain and Ukraine on trade and political relations, the work on which is currently underway and should be completed by the end of the year. op [February 27, 2020] Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter Program Awarded Second Low Rate Initial Production Contract as Flight Tests Progress ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT), will build 12 additional HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters (CRH) following a second Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract award by the U.S. Air Force, known as Lot 2, and valued at over $500 million. The award follows a string of significant program milestones in 2019, including first flight, a Milestone C decision by the Air Force, and award of the first Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract for 10 aircraft. The HH-60W is an all-new helicopter based on the proven UH-60M Black Hawk and customized for the U.S. Air Force's rescue mission. "This second contract award demonstrates the confidence the U.S. Air Force has in Sikorsky's proven ability to deliver and support the next generation combat search and rescue helicopter," said Greg Hames, Sikorsky's CRH Program Director. "Our team works daily and in close collaboration with our customer to ensure we build and deliver this highly capable and much-needed helicopter to the warfighter." Since achieving the Milestone C decision from the Air Force in September 2019, which moved the CRH program into low rate initial production, the program continues to progress, reaching key milestones and executing an aggressive flight test schedule. Currently seven CRH aircraft are in flight, two of which arewith the Air Force at Duke Field, Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, with all aircraft engaging in expanded flight tests to support the path forward to Required Assets Available (RAA). Low rate initial production of CRH Lot 1 aircraft major assembly is underway, with Lot 2 assembly to follow. The program remains on track to meet contract delivery of RAA in 2020. The HH-60W arrived today at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, the site of the annual Air Force Association (AFA) Air Warfare Symposium, offering a first-hand look of the much-anticipated aircraft to service members who perform critical search and rescue operations. The Air Force also assigned the new helicopter its proper name Jolly Green II in a name reveal event hosted by Barbara M. Barrett, Secretary of the Air Force. View the reveal video here. "We respect the long tradition of assigning a moniker that communicates the CSAR mission. Jolly Green II is a fitting tribute to its history and to airmen and women worldwide," said Dana Fiatarone, Sikorsky's Vice President, Army and Air Force Systems. "The name is greatly respected by our workforce past and present and it's an honor to build this critical aircraft for the Air Force and bring it to the symposium today to provide our customer with the opportunity to view the Jolly Green II in person. We look forward to continued production and executing on the recent Lot 2 contract award." The HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter is significantly more capable and reliable than its predecessor, the HH-60G Pave Hawk. The aircraft hosts a new fuel system that nearly doubles the capacity of the main fuel tank on a UH-60M Black Hawk, giving the Air Force crew extended range and more capability to rescue those injured in the battle space. The HH-60W specification drives more capable defensive systems, vulnerability reduction, weapons, cyber-security, environmental, expanded adverse weather sensor capabilities, and more comprehensive net-centric requirements than currently held by the HH-60G. The U.S. Air Force program of record calls for 113 helicopters to replace the Pave Hawks, which perform critical combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations for all U.S. military services. A total of nine aircraft will be built at Sikorsky's Stratford, Connecticut, facility during the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the program ? four EMD aircraft and five System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA). For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/crh. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sikorsky-hh-60w-combat-rescue-helicopter-program-awarded-second-low-rate-initial-production-contract-as-flight-tests-progress-301012821.html SOURCE Lockheed Martin Corporation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] CEBU City will soon be forging a sisterhood agreement with a city in the Republic of South Africa to promote culture and trade. This was announced after Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe Netshitenzhe, South African ambassador, paid a courtesy call on Mayor Edgardo Labella on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. She was received by Special Assistant to the Mayor Jerone Castillo since Labella was still in Manila. Castillo said both parties agreed to establish a sister-city relationship, adding that it will be the first of its kind with a city in South Africa. We can collaborate and have a strengthened relationship between Cebu City and the city of South Africa, he said. Castillo said South Africa is set to appoint an honorary consul that will be based in Cebu City. He also said they are waiting for an invitation from the city in South Africa for their official visit. Castillo said South Africa and Cebu share a lot of things in common, which made the agreement to forge a sister-city relationship much easier. (JJL) Shannon Whitehouse who passed away this week after a long battle with illness Relatives of a brave Co Tyrone woman who raised more than 60,000 for charity after being diagnosed with a rare cancer have paid tribute to their "star who will shine forever" following her death. Shannon Whitehouse (26) spent last year undergoing aggressive treatment for a rare tissue and bone cancer only to be told last month that it had not worked and it was incurable. The young Coalisland native, who passed away on Tuesday, then spent what was to be her final weeks raising money for Northern Ireland charity The Boom Foundation. Her funeral will take place tomorrow morning with Requiem Mass taking place at the Church of the Holy Family, Plater's Hill in Coalisland. Yesterday her heartbroken cousin Kelly McCrea described Ms Whitehouse as the "girl who inspired the world". "The strongest lady I've had the privilege to know," she wrote on Facebook. "For her family, and mine, my heart bleeds. "You are a star that will shine bright forever." She said: "The legacy you have left behind is one to be proud of. No more suffering dear cousin. "Shannon Whitehouse you are the true meaning of bravery! Love you little woman. Rest in peace with the Angels." Ms Whitehouse's brother, Pierce announced the passing of his sibling - who he called by the nickname 'Shannies' - on social media, saying: "It's with great sadness I say our beautiful sister passed last night." He ended his post saying that he loved his late sister. Another cousin, Fred Whitehouse, said the family had been "totally blown away by the love and support shown by everyone around the world". "Shannon's story has touched many lives, she brought a light to the Boom Foundation she wished to help, we will do everything to continue spreading the awareness and shining for Shannon," he added. The posts have received dozens of messages, with social media users also paying their own tributes to the young woman. One person said Ms Whitehouse was a "courageous" and "very beautiful young woman, inside and out". Last month, Shannon told the Belfast Telegraph that following her prognosis, she just wanted to devote her time left to her family and charity. "People keep asking me what I want to do with the time I have left and if I want to go away anywhere, but I spent last year in hospital and I am just happy to be home with my family and chilling out," she explained. "Honestly, that's all I want to do at the moment." She added: "Spending time with them at home now is really all that I want to do. "Raising money for Boom has really given me a lift." Leona Rankin, trustee of the Boom Foundation, said yesterday in a statement that Ms Whitehouse had been a "truly inspirational young woman" who devoted the reminder of her life to helping others. "(She had) given great hope and strength to others at a time when she could have been unashamedly selfish," said Ms Rankin. "In such a short time, Shannon made an enormous contribution to the Boom Foundation and also to the wider sarcoma community. "Raising in excess of 60,000 for the Boom Foundation, her positivity and strength was legendary." Offering her heartfelt condolences to Ms Whitehouse's loved ones, the charity boss continued: "As trustees of Boom, and with Shannon's friends, we will celebrate her life and achievements through our continued determination to improve the landscape for everyone affected by sarcoma in Northern Ireland. "It was an honour to have met such a kind and generous young woman who we will never forget." Ms Whitehouse is survived by her parents Siobhan and Thomas and sisters Maurade (29) and brothers TJ (31) and Pierce (23) and her three-year-old nephew Brodie. A funeral notice said Ms Whitehouse's death was very deeply regretted by her sorrowing parents, brothers, sister, brother-in-law Peter, nephew Brodie, dear friends Laura, Aine, Bronagh, Michelle and Natalie, and wider family circle. The notice also asked donations in lieu of funeral flowers to be made to the Boom Foundation. A brokered convention happens when a candidate fails to win a majority of delegates after the first round of voting, something that has not occurred with either party since 1952. Delegates then keep voting until a nominee is picked. In between votes, horse trading and negotiating may go on behind the scenes, with candidates promising each other the vice presidency or another job in exchange for dropping out. PR-Inside.com: 2020-02-27 23:43:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 865 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 GOLDEN, CO / ACCESSWIRE / February 27, 2020 /Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. (OTCPK:VODG), dba Vitro Biopharma reports on a potential therapy of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections by stem cell transplant. While this therapy is not a method to eradicate or cure Coronavirus, there is evidence to support the concept that infected patients may be more likely to combat and survive infection. First, stem cells resist viral attack by the expression of certain genes known as interferon gamma stimulated genes (ISGs). These are expressed in stem cells prior to their differentiation. (Wu, X, et al, Cell 172: 423, 2018). Hence, stem cells would be expected to survive even if transplanted into a patient with an active Coronavirus infection. Also, it is known that stem cells rejuvenate and regenerate cells in the body through various processes involving reduction of inflammation, secretion of substances that protect cells, transfer of mitochondria, reduction of cell death, anti-oxidative effects and improvement of immune system function. These effects are likely to increase survival in patients infected with Coronavirus. Also, there is direct evidence of stem cell protection against viral infection. Influenza virus A/H5N1 causes acute lung injury that was reduced by human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in mice and the treatment increased survival (Chan, et al, PNAS 113:3621, 2016).Vitro Biopharma has operated a highly regulated, FDA-compliant commercial biologics manufacturing facility for several years and is cGMP compliant, ISO9001 Certified, ISO13485 Certified, CLIA Certified and FDA registered. All clinical manufacturing occurs in a certified sterile clean room with extensive and advanced testing to assure the absence of contamination. Furthermore, in numerous patients treated to date by IV infusion of our AlloRx Stem Cells there have been no significant adverse events while we have gained evidence of efficacy. We presently supply our AlloRx Stem Cells to DVC Stem in the Cayman Islands for treatment of inflammatory conditions. We plan to begin recruitment of patients for a trial of stem cell therapy of musculoskeletal conditions in the Bahamas during spring 2020.Dr. Jim Musick, CEO said, "We are pleased to be positioned to offer stem cell therapy for Coronavirus infection. While there are several factors related to the possible extent of this global infection, stem cell therapy represents a therapeutic option to fight the virus and increase survival while effective vaccines are being developed. Our existing off-shore partners offer stem cell transplant services and we are in contact with CDC officials regarding potential US-based stem cell transplants into infected individuals." About Vitro BiopharmaVitro Biopharma, for over 10 years, has supplied major biopharmaceutical firms, elite university laboratories and clinical trials worldwide with Mesenchymal Stem Cells, the MSC-Grow Brand of cell culture media, various stem cell derivatives and stem cell-derived differentiated cells. We also manufacture primary fibroblast cells and an expanding line of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) from various tumors including lung, breast, melanoma, pancreatic, glioblastoma and colorectal tissues. Our CAFs are purchased by major pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical firms to advance immunotherapy of cancer.Out of our years of research, we developed our patent-pending and proprietary line of umbilical cord-derived stem cells AlloRx Stem Cells now being used in offshore regenerative medicine clinical trials. Our stem cells are used in regenerative medicine clinical trials with our partner in the Cayman Islands www.DVCStem.com . We have a recently approved clinical trial using our AlloRx Stem Cells to treat musculoskeletal conditions at The Medical Pavilion of the Bahamas www.tmp-bahamas.com in Nassau. We are supporting clinical studies of stem cell therapies using our AlloRx Stem Cells for osteoarthritis, neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease while pursuing select US markets for stem cell therapies.We support our regenerative therapies with NutraVivo/STEMulize, a nutraceutical Stem Cell Activator that has been shown to induce proliferation, migration and epigenetic modification of human adult stem cells. NutraVivo improves overall cellular wellness and significantly increases expression of anti-aging genes.Forward-Looking StatementsStatements herein regarding financial performance have not yet been reported to the SEC nor reviewed by the Company's auditors. Certain statements contained herein and subsequent statements made by and on behalf of the Company, whether oral or written may contain "forward-looking statements". Such forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "expects" and "hopes" and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's plan of business operations, product research and development activities, potential contractual arrangements, receipt of working capital, anticipated revenues and related expenditures. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, acceptability of the Company's products in the market place, general economic conditions, receipt of additional working capital, the overall state of the biotechnology industry and other factors set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulations, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.CONTACT:Dr. James MusickChief Executive OfficerVitro Biopharma(303) 999-2130 Ext. 1E-mail: jim@ vitrobiopharma.com SOURCE: Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. Republican Kathaleen Wall put an additional $210,000 of her own money into her campaign for Congress on Tuesday and has now spent a total of $4 million in her bid to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land. Wall is battling in a 15-person Republican primary and is by far the biggest spender. The other Republican candidates in the race have combined to spend $2.2 million for the 22nd Congressional District seat. The district includes most of Fort Bend County, parts of northern Brazoria County and southeastern sections of Harris County. Most of Walls spending has been on ads that have saturated local TV stations as she aligns herself with President Donald Trump. Shes tried to make the case during her campaign that she is the candidate who can best help Trump fight illegal immigration and build a border wall with Mexico. Wall, a longtime GOP campaign donor herself, has a history of spending big on her campaign. In 2018, she spent $6.2 million in a GOP primary for the 2nd Congressional District in Houston but finished in third place. Know the candidates: Houston Chronicle 2020 primary election voter guide; San Antonio Express-News 2020 primary election voter guide The only other candidate in the Republican primary for the 22nd District with even $1 million to spend in the race has been Pierce Bush, the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush. Just since the start of 2020, Bush has raised over $425,000, including donations from former Houston Astros great Nolan Ryan, Gallery Furniture owner Jim Mattress Mack McIngvale and Houston Texans CEO Cal McNair. It has been humbling to see so many people step up and support this campaign, Bush said. In his campaign mailers, Bush has said hes the candidate who can help Trump most in Congress. In those mailers, he stresses his support for building the border wall where it is needed and adding more Border Patrol agents. Former Pearland City Councilman Greg Hill has raised just under $400,000 for his campaign, which includes $40,000 in loans to it. Fort Bend Sheriff Troy Nehls has raised $303,000 but is also getting help from a Super PAC called One Tough Sheriff that has reported raising just short of $100,000 to support Nehls. For subscribers: Fort Bend primary drives up early voting traffic Wall isnt the only big self-funder in the race. Republican and retired Marine Jon Camarillo has raised $117,000 for his campaign, but $100,000 of that is a loan from himself to it. Businessman Bangar Reddy has raised $113,000, including at least $25,000 in loans hes made to his campaign. No other candidate in the GOP primary has more than $100,000 to spend on the race. Wall this week also picked up big endorsements. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is supporting her campaign. Paul partly grew up in Brazoria County while his father Ron Paul was a congressman. Rand Paul graduated from Brazoswood High School and attended Baylor University. Bush has his own share of big endorsements. Olson, former U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Atascocita, actor Chuck Norris and former Astros pitcher Roger Clemens have backed Bushs campaign. For subscribers: Houston-area Congressional District 22 has nations biggest GOP primary field Election day is March 3. Democrats Sri Preston Kulkarni, former Pearland City Councilman Derrick Reed, attorney Nyanza Davis Moore and retired electrician Carmine Petrillo III are battling in the Democrat primary. Kulkarni, who won the Democratic nomination in 2018 but lost to Olson, leads the field in fundraising. He has raised $1.2 million. Reed has raised $156,000, and Moore has raised $150,000. Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority today released the 2019 year-end statistics for cargo and passengers moving through the Port of Vancouver. Overall, cargo through the port was 144 million metric tonnes for the year, down 2% from the 2018 record of 147 million metric tonnes but the second highest in port history. Sectors that experienced declines, including foreign petroleum products and domestic forest products, were offset by record growth in other sectors including potash, grain and containers. We saw strong trade growth through the port during the first half of 2019 that reached record levels, and a softening in the back half due to various issues affecting global markets, said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Despite these challenges, and during one of the most uncertain years for global trade, we still saw the second highest volume of cargo through the Port of Vancouver to date. This speaks strongly to the diverse number of trading partners and range of cargo handled by terminals at the Port of Vancouver, which ensures the entire port remains resilient, regardless of variations in any one sector or commodity. Strong global demand for Canadian grain resulted in a new record of 28.3 million metric tonnes for both containerized and bulk cargo, a 3.5% increase over 2018. Increases in wheat, up by 16%, and specialty crops, up by 14%, offset the 19% decrease in canola exports, which was largely due to a 62% decrease in canola exports to China. While grain products reached record levels in 2019, this sector was the most significantly impacted by tariffs and trade challenges with China, resulting in a 37.3% decrease in grain exports to this economy. In fertilizers, potash exports increased by 2% to a record amount of 9.4 million metric tonnes. Sectors experiencing declines included foreign petroleum products, down 42% over 2018. Year-over-year fluctuations in volumes through the port for this sector are not uncommon and were largely affected by U.S. refineries buying crude from U.S. sources, use of transportation alternatives, and product pricing. Domestic forest products declined 6% due to a reduction in local milling activities. The number of automobiles imported through the port was down by 1%, mostly as a result of lower Canadian sales. Shipping container quantities, measured by 20-foot equivalents or TEUs, were a record 3.4 million TEUs, a slight increase of 0.1% compared to 2018 results. While the sector is forecast to continue to grow, 2019 results reflected a number of factors including trade conflicts and shipping lines adjusting services based on market conditions. Container trade through the Port of Vancouver is driven by Canadian demand for imports, and the resulting availability of empty containers has been essential for Canadian businesses wanting to ship goods to international markets. Approximately $1 in every $3 of Canadas trade in commodities and goods beyond North America move through the port, much of it in containers. With projected long-term growth in container trade, the port authority is leading two container terminal projects and has partnered with government and industry to invest in road and rail and other infrastructure projects to support a more fluid supply chain. The Centerm container terminal expansion project will increase the existing terminal footprint by 15% and reconfigure terminal operations, which will increase capacity by about 65%. The proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project is a new terminal which, when complete, would add nearly 50% more container capacity to the Port of Vancouver. These projects are needed to meet the forecasted demand for trade of goods in containers, and will serve Canadians well into the future. With a federal mandate to make sure the port is ready to handle Canadas growth in trade, the port authority has long taken an active role, in collaboration with government and industry, to lead and deliver a number of projects aimed at fixing bottlenecks and increasing trade network capacity throughout the region. As Canadas international trade continues to grow, it is our job as a Canada Port Authority, along with all those who make up the Port of Vancouver, to make sure the port is ready to handle the increasing trade through Canadas west coast, continued Silvester. Against a backdrop of global change and disruption, the Port of Vancouver presents a great opportunity for our region and local communities to access jobs and internationally-sourced goods, and for businesses here to access foreign markets. With respect to the cruise sector, the Port of Vancouver cruise terminal at Canada Place welcomed a record 1.1 million cruise passengers, representing a 20% increase over 2018, as demand for cruises to Alaska from Vancouver continued to be strong. Id like to thank all of our port operators and stakeholders for their commitment to contribute to a more fluid and efficient supply chain and increased capacity at the Port of Vancouver, said Silvester. In collaboration with port terminal operators, marine carriers, rail and trucking companies, government, and all those who make up the Port of Vancouver, we are working to ensure our port is ready and able to help Canada meet its trade goals. More information Backgrounder Overall cargo is down 2.0% to 144.2 million metric tonnes (MMT). is down 2.0% to 144.2 million metric tonnes (MMT). Container quantities reached a new record, up 0.1% to 3.4 million TEUs due to stronger export traffic of 1.6 million TEUs. reached a new record, up 0.1% to 3.4 million TEUs due to stronger export traffic of 1.6 million TEUs. Breakbulk cargo decreased 5.7% to 17.2 MMT. Woodpulp declined 6.2%, while logs decreased 5.8%. decreased 5.7% to 17.2 MMT. Woodpulp declined 6.2%, while logs decreased 5.8%. Bulk dry cargo increased 0.9% to 91.1 MMT. Coal decreased 1.8% while grain is up 0.9%, potash is up 2.0% and sulphur is up 8.9%. increased 0.9% to 91.1 MMT. Coal decreased 1.8% while grain is up 0.9%, potash is up 2.0% and sulphur is up 8.9%. Bulk liquid tonnage is down by 25.5% over 2018 due to a 34.6% decrease in petroleum products and a 10.8% decline in canola oil. is down by 25.5% over 2018 due to a 34.6% decrease in petroleum products and a 10.8% decline in canola oil. Cruise passenger traffic is up 20.4%. Media contact Danielle Jang Media Relations Advisor 604.340.8617 Danielle.Jang@portvancouver.com California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that 33 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and the state is currently monitoring at least 8,400 others a day after U.S. health officials confirmed the first possible community transmission of the coronavirus in a Solano County resident. "This is a fluid situation right now and I want to emphaize the risk to the American public remains low," said Dr. Sonia Y. Angell, California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer during a press conference. "There have been a limited number of confirmed cases to date." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesn't know exactly how the new California patient, who's receiving medical care in Sacramento County, contracted the virus. The patient didn't have a relevant travel history or exposure to another patient with the virus, the CDC said Wednesday. California health officials said the patient wasn't under quarantine before her diagnosis and was out and about in her community. A San Francisco Public Works Community Clean volunteer wearing a face mask removes trash on a street in the Chinatown district of San Francisco, California, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images "We are currently in deep partnership with CDC on one overriding protocol that drives our principle focus right now and that's testing, and the importance to increase our testing protocols and to have point of contact diagnostic testing as our top priority not just in the state of California but I imagine all across the United States," Newsom said at a press conference. Newsom said five of the 33 patients who tested positive for the virus have since left the state. It wasn't immediately clear whether the 33 positive cases were part of the group of Diamond Princess passengers who were evacuated from the cruise ship that was quarantined off the coast of Japan. The U.S. had 60 cases as of Wednesday night, 42 of which are people who were on the ship, according to the CDC. California health officials have 200 testing kits on hand and will be receiving more over the next few days, Newsom said. "We have just a few hundred testing kits and that's surveillance testing as well as diagnostic testing. That's simply inadequate to do justice to the kind of testing that is required to address this issue head on," he said. Newsom said that the CDC has made "firm commitments" to improve the state's testing capacity, but did not provide details, such as how many testing kits the agency has agreed to send to the state. Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, the fourth Working Group activity (WG4) of the Master Trainers Programme (MTP) on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) was held in Kampala, Uganda on 10-14 February 2020. A total of nineteen (19) customs officials from East Africa, who has been nominated as the PCA WG members got together again for this WCO/JICA joint sub-regional workshop to make another progress to achieve the ultimate objective of the MTP. This workshop is the fourth in a series of progressive activities to be undertaken by the five Revenue Authorities in East Africa, namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, to enhance their knowledge and capacity on the implementation of PCA under the Trade Facilitation and Border Control Project that is jointly supported by the WCO and JICA. The Master Trainer Program or MTP is a program that has been implemented to develop sustainable training capacity within the Customs administrations by 1) developing a pool of well-experienced trainers and 2) regionally featured training materials and programs to be used by these trainers. With the support extended by the experts from the WCO, East African Community (EAC Secretariat) and Japan Customs, through the three activities so far held since 2018, the nominated officials worked together to improve their knowledge on PCA knowledge/techniques and training skills/competence. They also initiated their work to develop training materials/program at the last WG activity taking into account the unique regional needs and issues/challenges. In the WG4, they intensively worked together further to finalize their training materials including the presentations and case studies to meet their needs. The participants demonstrated again their great ownership under the MTP. Both the WCO and JICA welcomed their positiveness and reaffirmed their support to the continued efforts of Customs administrations in East Africa to ensure sustainable capacity development. For more information contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org Citroen expanded its lineup towards the bottom by introducing an electric, two-seater city car you don't need a license to drive. Called Ami, it was developed with both private users and car-sharing programs in mind. The newest addition to the Citroen range is about a foot shorter than a Smart ForTwo, shaped like a vacuum cleaner attachment, and named after a slightly more conventional-looking vintage model introduced in 1961. It looks like a car, and it's ostensibly marketed as one, but the French government begs to differ; the Ami joins the Renault Twizy in the light quadricycle segment, meaning anyone can drive one without a license as long as they're at least 14. The catch is that its top speed is limited to precisely 27.9 mph on flat ground, of course. Power comes from an eight-horsepower motor, which is enough to move a 1,070-pound vehicle. Citroen quoted up to 43 miles of driving range thanks to a 5.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery stuffed under the floor. Charging the tiny pack takes three hours when using a standard 220-volt outlet found in every European house, though it's also compatible with public charging stations. Fourteen-inch wheels deliver "easy handling," according to the firm. See Full Image Gallery >> Visually, the Ami takes the quirkiness Citroen is known for to new heights with a head-turning, opinion-splitting design loosely inspired by the Ami One concept unveiled in 2019. It offers space for two passengers in closed, heated cabin with a panoramic sunroof and windows that flip up manually like on the emblematic 2CV. The interior is more practical than its dimensions suggest because users have numerous storage bins at their disposal. The instrument cluster consists of a small, rectangular LCD screen. Want music? There's a smartphone cradle for that, and a place to put a Bluetooth-enabled speaker. Want navigation? Again, use the cradle. Keeping the Ami as basic as possible allowed Citroen to make it cheap, though there's no word yet on where it's built. Story continues Citroen envisions several use cases for the Ami. Motorists can lease one for 19.99 (about $22) per month after making a 2,644 (around $2,900) down payment. They can purchase their Ami (which, by the way, means "friend" in French) for 6,000, or approximately $6,600, or they're able to reserve one for roughly 30 cents a minute via app-based car-sharing programs in select cities. It's cheaper than many scooters no matter how you look at it. Those who choose to buy or lease one will be able to order it online and get it delivered straight to their door, Amazon-style. Citroen has a website where you can learn more, will begin taking orders on March 30, and the first deliveries are scheduled for June. Related Video: You Might Also Like Has anyone in American history been subjected to as much casual, unfounded calumny as Donald Trump? Lincoln, possibly. It is hard to think of anyone else. Among other things, it is an article of faith in the Democratic Party that President Trump is a racista claim for which there is literally zero evidence. Ilhan Omar, always in the vanguard, tweeted this yesterday: No matter how hard he tries, he cant stop Black and brown people from existing.https://t.co/1IBbbs7i1I Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 26, 2020 Omar thinks nothing of accusing the President of the United States of trying to prevent billions of people from existing. According to her, he wants them all dead and is tryi[ng] to bring about that result. Apparently no one on the Left ever stops to think whether this is a sane assertion. The context of Omars tweet is immigration. She apparently doesnt understand that President Trumps immigration policies (enforce existing law as required by the Constitution, and do what is possible to move our system toward a merit-based approach like Canadas) primarily benefit black and brown Americans, at the expense of rich whites who like cheap labor. Does President Trump hate black and brown people and want to prevent [them] from existing? That is Omars claim. My own observation has been different. Twice now, I have been present in the East Room of the White House while Trump has welcomed a raucous group of 300 to 350 young black Americans. The rapport between Trump and these audiences has been striking. They have repeatedly broken into chants of TrumpTrumpTrump, USA, USA, USA and Build that wallBuild that wall. Ilhan Omar might not understand the impact of illegal immigration on the wages of many black and Hispanic Americans, but these young black people do. I took this picture in the East Room last Fall, while President Trump was speaking. At least 95% of those in the room were black. They loved Trump, and Trump loved them: Casual slander is nothing new in politics, of course. But alleging that the President of the United States is trying to bring about the non-existence of billions of people represents a new low. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) Three Filipinos who were quarantined at New Clark City showed symptoms of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed Thursday. Duque told CNN Philippines that the three have coughs and colds and have been admitted to Jose B. Lingad Hospital in Pampanga for evaluation. He also said nose and throat swabs from the three have been sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for testing. There are 458 Filipinos quarantined at Athletes Village in New Clark City in Tarlac, 440 of them are part of the crew on board the coronavirus-hit cruise ship Diamond Princess. Five are tourists, while 13 were part of the repatriation team that fetched Filipinos on board the cruise ship which was quarantined for 14 days off the coast of Japan. All of them had previously tested negative for coronavirus before they were quarantined again in New Clark City. All Filipinos under quarantine are monitored twice a day to see if any of them would develop flu-like symptoms. Once any of them would exhibit signs and symptoms, they would be immediately referred to designated hospitals, she added. Seventy Filipino crew members of the Diamond Princess who tested positive for the coronavirus remain admitted in hospitals in Tokyo, Japan, while 10 have recovered and were discharged. The Philippines has only confirmed three cases of coronavirus. Two have recovered, while one died the first death due to the virus outside of mainland China. An emaciated lion that was saved from abuse in a circus is now so weak it can no longer stand after losing more than half its body weight in a zoo. Jupiter had been living in an animal shelter in Cali, Colombia, after being saved from a life of circus exploitation where it had its claws cut off. But the healthy lion was transferred to the Los Caimanes zoo in the city of Monteria last year - where it rapidly dropped to just 14st and is so thin its ribs are poking through skin. An emaciated lion that was saved from abuse in a circus is now so weak it can no longer stand after losing more than half its body weight in a zoo Jupiter had been living in an animal shelter in Cali, Colombia after being saved from a life of circus exploitation where it had its claws cut off Reports state that the lion which weighed around 47st when it was transferred has now lost more than 31st. Jupiter's former carer at the shelter, Ana Julia Torres, said he now has kidney and live damage and is so thin she 'could not recognise him'. 'He weighs 90 kilogrammes (14st), he cannot stand up or move, he is thin, and he has his kidneys and his liver damaged, I could not recognise him,' she said. 'I felt a heartbeat and I knew I had to come and see him. I need to look after him so he knows his mother is here. We have a special connection as mother and son, a loving connection.' Jupiter's former carer at the shelter Ana Julia Torres (pictured) says he now has kidney and live damage and is so thin she 'could not recognise him' Reports state that the lion which weighed around 47st when it was transferred has now lost more than 31st The Administrative Department of Environmental Management (DAGMA) announced in 2017 that the lion would have to leave the shelter as the facilities could not guarantee the welfare of the animal. It is unclear why the lion has lost so much weight. The Colombian Minister of Defence Carlos Homes Trujillo has announced that the lion will be transferred back to the city of Cali this Thursday. It is unclear if it will be transferred to the Villa Lorena shelter again. Holmes Trujillo said on Twitter: 'After defining all the procedures with Dagma, the Air Force will transfer the lion Jupiter to Cali.' It is unclear why the lion has lost so much weight. The Colombian Minister of Defence Carlos Homes Trujillo has announced that the lion will be transferred back to the city of Cali this Thursday Schools in the UK could be closed for more than two months if the coronavirus outbreak intensifies and becomes "out of control", England's chief medical officer has said. Professor Chris Whitty's warning comes as two tested positive for COVID-19 in Derbyshire and Northern Ireland recorded its first case - bringing the total confirmed cases in the UK to 16. He also said onward transmission between people in the UK without recent travel to affected virus hotspots was "just a matter of time". Professor Whitty said if the virus becomes a global epidemic there could be a potential "social cost", which may include cutting the number of mass gatherings and shutting schools for several weeks. He said: "One of the things that's really clear with this virus, much more so than flu, is that anything we do we're going to have to do for quite a long period of time, probably more than two months. "The implications of that are non-trivial, so we need to think that through carefully. "This is something we face as really quite a serious problem for society potentially if this goes out of control." Professor Whitty added: "If this becomes a global epidemic then the UK will get it, and if it does not become a global epidemic, the UK is perfectly capable of containing and getting rid of individual cases leading to onward transmission." One of the new cases - a parent of a pupil at Burbage Primary in Buxton, Derbyshire - contracted the virus in Tenerife, where 168 Britons have been kept quarantined in a hotel this week. The school has now been shut. A GP surgery, Buxton Medical Practice, has also been closed as a result of the other confirmed case. The person contracted the virus in Italy, which has become the worst affected country in Europe with more than 400 cases and 14 deaths. Several schools have closed over fears of COVID-19 contact. Others have sent pupils home, including Prince George and Princess Charlotte's primary school Thomas's Battersea. Story continues But Public Health England's general advice is for them not to shut. The government has said people returning from the coronavirus epicentre - Hubei province in China, as well as Iran, lockdown areas in northern Italy, and special care zones in South Korea - should self-isolate at home and call NHS 111. People returning from a number of other countries including the rest of China and Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore should self-isolate if they develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath. It also said that those returning from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and northern Italy above Pisa should self-isolate if they show symptoms. So far there have been at least 2,810 deaths worldwide, the vast majority in China, and at least 82,550 confirmed infections, most affecting Chinese citizens. BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 27 By Nargiz Ismayilova Trend: The volume of assets of Azerbaijans State Oil Fund (SOFAZ) amounted to $43.3 billion as of January 1, 2020, SOFAZ Deputy CEO Israfil Mammadov told Trend. On January 1, 2020, the volume of assets of the SOFAZ increased by 12.5 percent compared to January 1, 2019, Mammadov said. As of January 1, 2019, the volume of assets was $38.5 billion. Mammadov noted that an increase of assets and oil revenues were higher than forecast due to income from asset management. In 2019, the budget of SOFAZ provided for an average annual export price of crude oil at about $60. Oil prices in international markets were higher than this indicator, and the average selling price was $64. This, in turn, created favorable conditions for the effective fulfillment of the sterilization and saving functions of SOFAZ, as well as the growth of foreign exchange reserves. The Azerbaijans State Oil Fund was established in 1999 with assets of $271 million. According to the SOFAZ's regulations, its funds may be used for the construction and reconstruction of strategically important infrastructure facilities, as well as for addressing important national problems. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@IsmailovaNargis Because Pakistan does not have any law of data protection, international internet firms are reluctant to comply with the rules, said Usama Khilji, director of Bolo Bhi, an internet rights organization based in Islamabad, the countrys capital. The standoff over Pakistans digital censorship law, which would give regulators the power to demand the takedown of a wide range of content, is the latest skirmish in an escalating global battle. Facebook, Google and other big tech companies, which have long made their own rules about what is allowed on their services, are increasingly tangling with national governments seeking to curtail internet content that they consider harmful, distasteful or simply a threat to their power. India is expected to unveil new censorship guidelines any day now, including a requirement that encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp tell the government how specific messages moved within their networks. The country has also proposed a new data privacy law that would restrict the activities of tech companies while exempting the government from privacy rules. Vietnam passed its own cybersecurity law in 2018, with similar provisions to what Pakistan passed. Singapore recently began using its rules against fake news to go after critics and opposition figures by forcing social networks like Facebook to either take down certain posts or add the governments response to them. The unified resistance by Facebook, Google, Twitter and other tech companies in Pakistan is highly unusual. Companies often protest these types of regulations, but they rarely threaten to actually leave a country. Google pulled its search engine out of China in 2010 rather than submit to government censorship of search results, but LinkedIn agreed to self-censor its content when it entered China in 2014 and Apple acceded to Chinese demands to remove apps that customers had used to bypass the countrys Great Firewall. The siblings are alleged to have been involved in the operations of their father, one of the most important figures on the U.S. list of alleged traffickers, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, according to court documents. Known as El Mencho, the elder Oseguera Cervantes leads one of Mexicos most powerful drug organizations, according to U.S. authorities, and his pursuit is being led by the same prosecutors who netted the conviction last year of Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Loera. New film Military Wives, starring Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, is based on the inspirational choir of the same name. The phenomenon bloomed into the Military Wives Choirs, a charity which supports 2,300 women from the military community in 76 choirs across the UK and abroad. Here, nine original members tell JILL FOSTER how they found their voices... WE WERE FILMED AT OUR MOST VULNERABLE Nicky Scott, 51, a teaching assistant and former sergeant in the Army, lives in Barnstaple, Devon, with husband George, 52, a Royal Engineer, and their daughters Ginny, 18 and Isla, 16. From left to right: Angela Fyffe, Larraine Smith, Lucy, Sharon Bristow and Sam Graham tell their stories of why they joined the Military Wives Choir From left to right: Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon Horgan and Gareth Malone pose with members of The Military Wives Choir at the UK Premiere of Military Wives at at The Cineworld Leicester Square on February 24, 2020 Whenever your loved one is deployed, you wonder whether youll ever see them again. In 2010, Georges regiment had just been sent to Afghanistan and it was a tough tour with several fatalities and serious injuries. When I heard a choir was being set up, I leapt at the chance to join. The TV cameras filmed us when we were scared, anxious and vulnerable but the crews were so sensitive. It was not always the women crying but the camera crews as well. One of my highlights was singing for the Queen at Andrew Lloyd Webbers house in 2012. It was crazy. She was just sitting there on the sofa listening to us and smiling. Another poignant moment was performing on Slapton Sands in 2015, where nearly 1,000 American Troops were killed in Operation Tiger, one of the rehearsals for D-Day. Many of the widows were there and the moment we started singing Well Meet Again, there wasnt a dry eye. Ten years on, I still get so much strength from the choir. Pictured left to right: Julia Millen, Nicky Scott, Beth Trantham and Mechelle Sellers Nicky Scott, 51, a teaching assistant and former sergeant in the Army, lives in Barnstaple, Devon, with husband George, 52, a Royal Engineer, and their daughters Ginny, 18 and Isla, 16 IT GAVE ME THE SUPPORT I NEEDED Larraine Smith, 56, choir lead of Plymouth Military Wives Choir, is married to Brandon, 59, who completed a career in the Army and now serves in the Royal Artillery Reserves. They have four daughters and four grandchildren. the choir has given me so much friendship that was hardly there before. Years ago, when I lived in Germany, I had a four-month-old baby and all the women were in their own cliques at coffee mornings. I felt uncomfortable and very lonely. Larraine Smith, 56, choir lead of Plymouth Military Wives Choir, is married to Brandon, 59, who completed a career in the Army and now serves in the Royal Artillery Reserves. They have four daughters and four grandchildren. But years later, when I joined the choir it gave me a feeling of belonging. Ive lost several very close family members over the past decade and Ive been hundreds of miles away from them, feeling completely useless. Getting a hug from someone at choir has really helped. One of my personal highlights was becoming involved with a charity for homeless veterans. We sang Christmas carols for them and donated gift bags. Its been incredibly rewarding. JOINING CHOIR CHANGED MY LIFE Mechelle Sellers, 52, is a teaching assistant and mother of three aged 19, 18 and 14. Now separated from her partner, who serves in the Royal Marines, she lives in Plymouth. When friends told me about the choir, I said: No, its not my cup of tea. Id never heard of Gareth Malone and I didnt sing but they persuaded me to go and Im so glad I did. It changed my life. Within three weeks, we were all going through a pretty scary time. Our loved ones were on tour in Afghanistan and were being hit quite badly. Mechelle Sellers, 52, is a teaching assistant and mother of three aged 19, 18 and 14. Now separated from her partner, who serves in the Royal Marines, she lives in Plymouth Friends lost husbands and we were all nervous about the knock on the door. After we performed at the Royal Albert Hall, an elderly lady grabbed my hand and said: Im so proud of you girls, youve given us all a voice. I started crying and we had a hug. Weve been to 10 Downing Street to sing for the Prime Minister, we sang at Twickenham and have appeared on This Morning. It felt surreal sometimes, singing for thousands at the O2, then coming home exhausted to cook meals and help with homework. My partner and I split three years ago but he still lives nearby. The fact Im no longer with him doesnt mean I cant be involved. The choirs have now expanded to help mothers, sisters and ex-partners of military personnel. IVE MISSED TWO OF 120 CONCERTS Angela Fyffe, 53, lives in Catterick with husband Mark, 50, who served in the Scots Guards and the Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS). When I joined our little choir of 12 other women in April 2010, I never imagined it would grow into such a phenomenon or indeed that a film would be made. Ive met some wonderful ladies and performed at the Royal Albert Hall and Abbey Road. Ive only ever missed two of 120 concerts and I rarely miss a rehearsal. Army life can be stressful. I had some issues with one of my sons but there was always someone at choir who offered me a shoulder to cry on. Singing helps with emotional trauma. We have doctors and nurses who say it brings them a sense of relief after work. Im one of only three original members left in the Catterick choir. It must be intimidating joining such an established group but were always very welcoming. MUM ENCOURAGED ME TO JOIN IN Sharon Bristow, 44, co-founder of the Military Wives Choirs charity, lives in North Devon with husband Eric, 55, a Royal Marine. They have two children, William, 13, and Isabelle, nine. My mum encouraged me to join the choir when Eric was deployed. I was a little nervous but wanted my children to meet other children from military families. After that first concert at the Festival of Remembrance, we all said goodbye to each other and thought that was it. Sharon Bristow, 44, co-founder of the Military Wives Choirs charity, lives in North Devon with husband Eric, 55, a Royal Marine. They have two children, William, 13, and Isabelle, nine But a few days later we were asked if wed record Wherever You Are. New film Military Wives will star Dame Kristin Scott Thomas (left) The rest is history. We always knew other ladies could benefit from the choir experience which is why a small group of military wives volunteered to set-up the Military Wives Choirs Foundation. Now we have a community supporting thousands of women. The choirs have created a sense of identity for them theyre no longer just the wife. MY SON HEARD ME IN AFGHANISTAN Sam Graham, 50, a teaching assistant, lives in Norfolk with husband Kevin, 52, who served in The Light Infantry. Her three sons, Daniel, 29, Ben, 27, and Jake, 25, have also served or are serving in the military. Before the choir started, there were times I felt very isolated. Due to Kevins job, wed sometimes receive calls in the middle of the night to say a soldier had been killed or seriously injured. Every time the phone rang, I feared the news was about one of my boys. But the choir instinctively knew when I was anxious and provided incredible support. Sam Graham, 50, a teaching assistant, lives in Norfolk with husband Kevin, 52, who served in The Light Infantry One of my most memorable performances was at a homecoming for troops in York Minster. Thankfully my son was flying back from Afghanistan but several families attending had sons and daughters who never returned. The most surreal experience was when my son Dan messaged in 2012 to say hed heard our choirs version of the Coldplay song, Fix You, on Forces radio in Afghanistan. I got shivers down my spine. Ive moved from Catterick to Norfolk. Ive now joined Marham Military Wives Choir. Im proud to think our little choir in Catterick has left such a legacy. WE MANAGED TO MAKE GARETH CRY Beth Trantham, 44, a nursery owner, lives in Barnstaple with husband Nick, a Royal Marine Warrant Officer. They have three children between them aged 19 to 22. One of my most memorable moments was when we sang a version of Abbas Thank You For The Music to Gareth. We changed the words for him and he had a little cry. Another highlight was performing at the Remembrance Service at the Royal Festival Hall in 2011 on my daughters birthday. Gareth autographed a picture of himself and wrote: Thank you for letting me borrow your mum! Beth Trantham, 44, a nursery owner, lives in Barnstaple with husband Nick, a Royal Marine Warrant Officer. They have three children between them aged 19 to 22 Later we sang at the Diamond Jubilee. We met celebrities like Graham Norton, Paul McCartney, Ant and Dec, Robbie Williams, Chris Evans and Gordon Ramsay who were all lovely. There are several moments in the film which came from our experiences having children running around our feet in rehearsal, the scene where the ladies try their hand at knitting, and the fact that the choir wears jeans and white shirts for one of the concerts. Thats what we wore for our first public appearance. Im proud of what weve achieved in the past decade. Even today, when I sing the words to Wherever You Are (the song lyrics were made up from letters to and from those serving abroad) Im singing them to Nick. I WAS AT UNI DURING HUBBY'S FIRST TOUR Lucy, 30, from Devon, serves in the Army Reserves, in the Adjutant Generals Corps. Her husband, a 30-year-old Royal Marine Commando, has to remain anonymous. I was only 21 and still at university when my husband was deployed to Afghanistan. It was his first tour, so I had no idea what to expect and I was very anxious. The choir helped distract us all from what turned out to be a difficult tour with many casualties. In rehearsals, our emotions were validated and we shared a sense of belonging. Lucy, 30, from Devon, serves in the Army Reserves, in the Adjutant Generals Corps. Her husband, a 30-year-old Royal Marine Commando, has to remain anonymous Ill never forget the first time that we all heard the lyrics of Wherever You Are read out in a rehearsal. They are words that every military family can connect to and it was very emotional. Weve had so many memorable moments over the last ten years. We have supported each other in the best and worst times. WE SANG FOR THE QUEENS JUBILEE Julia Millen, 60, a volunteer mentor, lives near Catterick with husband Nick, 61, who was a Colonel in the Royal Dragoon Guards and Commander of Catterick Garrison. The couple have four children between them and four grandchildren. Women are often left on their own when loved ones are deployed. As singing releases feel-good hormones, coming to the choir is a chance to do something for ourselves. Julia Millen, 60, a volunteer mentor, lives near Catterick with husband Nick, 61, who was a Colonel in the Royal Dragoon Guards and Commander of Catterick Garrison Over the last decade weve had great fun. My highlights include singing outside Buckingham Palace for the Queens Diamond Jubilee and recording Sing by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber, at Abbey Road in 2012. Im looking forward to seeing the film as much of it was filmed in Catterick Garrison. The choir are planning on singing outside the cinema beforehand. For more information see militarywiveschoirs.org The Kelso School District is taking steps to keep opioid overdose reversal medication in its two high schools. School Board President Mike Haas said on Wednesday the district is considering a policy to direct high schools to have the reversal medication, any form of naloxone, on hand to align with new state laws. While its a new policy for Kelso, Haas said it was recommended by the Washington State School Directors Association. The policy, which was read for the first time at Mondays school board meeting, calls for at least one dose of the medicine in both Kelso High School and Loowit High School. The board recognizes that the opioid epidemic is a public health crisis, and access to opioid-related overdose reversal medication can be life-saving, the recommended policy says. The policy also calls for there to be a staff member or nurse trained to administer the medication. Kelso employs one district nurse. According to the policy, if an overdose is suspected, staff should first call 911. Then the nurse or trained staff member will follow the Washington Department of Health steps for administering the reversal medication. The policy allows the medication to be used anywhere on school property, including the playground and school bus, and during in-state field trips. The next Kelso School Board meeting will be at 6 p.m. March 9, at the Coweeman Middle School. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Coronavirus is causing a shortage of wedding dresses just before the peak season, a Labour MP warned. Chris Bryant said many dresses sold in Britain come from China and bridal stores 'have found it really difficult because the factories have been closed'. He called on the Government to make sure there is financial support offered to struggling retailers, warning: 'There is a real danger to many of these businesses that they are going to suffer enormous financial loss.' Far-East fashion suppliers are among the imports that are being threatened by the disease. It comes as electronics manufacturer MTA was forced to close its main Italian plant due to coronavirus quarantine issues with one chairperson saying it would be a 'disaster for the supply chain'. Production lines at Fiat Chrysler have also been bought to a standstill, with Renault, Peugeot, BMW also been forced to close. Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW rely heavily on parts made in China and said the full impact of the virus on their supply chains is not yet fully known. Many dresses sold in Britain come from China and bridal stores 'have found it really difficult because the factories have been closed' (stock image of woman in a dress shop) Overview of a production line at German car maker Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg, northern Germany Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Mr Bryant had raised the 'much broader point' that so many things are made in China, adding: 'This is true of drugs and pharmaceuticals and right across the board, especially clothing.' Mr Hancock said he was working with the Treasury on a 'response to supply chain problems'. The whole industry is 'suffering', according to one retailer, as the production of wholesale bridal gowns relies heavily on Chinese suppliers. An extended Lunar New Year break in a bid to curb the virus spreading saw factories closed for a prolonged period. Chris Bryant said many dresses sold in Britain come from China and bridal stores 'have found it really difficult because the factories have been closed' Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Mr Bryant had raised the 'much broader point' that so many things are made in China Although many employees returned to work earlier this month, shutdowns at lace mills and other fabric suppliers could also prompt a setback in production at factories in China. Number of new coronavirus cases reported outside of China EXCEEDS those in the country for the first time, the WHO says More coronavirus cases are now being reported each day outside China than inside the hardest-hit nation, the World Health Organization has said. Just 411 patients were struck down yesterday in China, where 96 per cent of COVID-19 cases have been recorded since the crisis began in December. But data obtained by the UN-agency show 427 cases were recorded outside China, amid a worrying spike in Italy, South Korea and Iran. The WHO's director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom admitted the sudden jump in cases was 'deeply concerning' as fears of a pandemic continue to grow. The number of new daily cases in China has dropped dramatically since the beginning of February, and there are now more new infections elsewhere in the world Advertisement James Waddington, of bridal dress manufacturer Romantica of Devon, told the PA news agency that the average wedding dress has a 16-week lead time. 'Most of them are not made to measure, but that dress is made specifically in that size, colour and length, for a specific bride, and that's the way the wholesale market operates,' he said. 'That means it's virtually impossible to bulk on stock, because nobody really has stock. 'I've got about a thousand dresses in my warehouse, which might sound like a lot, but I've got 250,000 iterations of my product. 'So the chance of me being able to fulfil just one dress from my stock is pretty unlikely. 'If the Chinese government closes the factories down, if the factories don't get to reopen, what happens to our production? 'The problem is that our factory buys their lace from lace mills. My factory might guarantee me that it's going to reopen, but what happens if the lace mill doesn't reopen?' He said the company had begun to ship half-finished dresses to the UK for them to be completed at local factories, due to potential for a lack of materials in China. 'A lot of people order their wedding dress a year before the wedding. So those are orders that I can push back,' he added. One manufacturer said that misinformation around the spread of the virus, known as Covid-19, had left retailers asking if staff or brides could catch the virus from the dress. 'The level of hysteria is agony,' the manufacturer said. 'I've had at least five bridal shops ring me up in the last month asking me if they should be wiping down the dresses in case they've got coronavirus on them.' The British Bridal Suppliers Association, which represents the interests of bridal manufacturers and suppliers in the UK and Ireland, acknowledged that the coronavirus outbreak was causing concern to retailers. It said on its website that many brands had revised their standard delivery times to avoid disappointment for brides. A Houston firefighter remains hospitalized Thursday morning after a driver crashed into the lounge area of an East End fire station late Wednesday. Several firefighters were relaxing in the lounge at Houston Fire Station 18 at the intersection of Lockwood and Telephone when all but one of them received a call for service around 10 p.m., according to HFD Asst. Chief Ruy Lozano. Moments later, an allegedly intoxicated driver careened off the street and slammed through the brick building, Lozano said. MORE FROM JAY R. JORDAN: Spring woman convinced a bank she was Tilman Fertitta, police say The one firefighter who remained in the lounge was knocked unconscious by flying debris and was rushed to a nearby hospital. He lost consciousness at one point and possibly suffered a concussion, authorities said. No other firefighters were hurt. The driver, who was unscathed, will be charged with driving while intoxicated, according to Sean Teare, chief of the Harris County District Attorneys Vehicular Crimes Division. Those charges could be upgraded as the investigation continues, Teare said. Had it occurred a few minutes earlier, a number of firefighters could have been directly in the line of this car, Teare said. While any one of our firemen being transported (to the hospital) is unacceptable, its a miracle that what were dealing with is right now is all were dealing with. The identity of the driver was not immediately released. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday lashed out at Delhi government and Centre, accusing them of being mute spectators as violence continued unabated in Northeast Delhi. She once against demanded the dismissal of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Gandhi led a delegation of senior Congress leaders, and met President Ram Nath Kovind to seek normalcy and peace in violence-hit Delhi. Instead of taking active steps to remedy or diffuse the situation, the central government as also the newly-elected Delhi government, have remained mute spectators as completely mindless rage, designed violence and organised looting of property has continued unabated, Gandhi told reporters after meeting the President. Watch | Centre, AAP were mute spectators during Delhi violence: Congress The delegation consisted of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, party leaders Ahmed Patel and Randeep Surjewala. We called upon President to suggest to him that what has happened in last four days in Delhi is a matter of great concern and a matter of national shame in which at least 34 people have died and 200 people are injured. It is a reflection on total failure of Central government, said Dr Singh. Sonia Gandhi said that the President assured the delegation of looking into their concerns. The number of deaths in the northeast Delhi communal violence over the amended citizenship law is now 34, according to senior officials. The partys highest decision-making body, the Congress Working Committee (CWC), met on Wednesday and adopted a resolution condemning the violence in Delhi. Addressing a press conference after the CWC meeting, Sonia Gandhi had demanded resignation of Amit Shah. Orange will be the first global telecom operator to integrate satellite-based revolutionary terabit-scale O3b mPOWER communications system in its network, to support the growing demand for connectivity in Africa Orange, one of the world's leading multi-service telecommunications operators and present in 18 countries in Africa, will be the first telco to adopt the ground-breaking O3b mPOWER, SES's next-generation Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite communications system, to exponentially ramp up its consumer and business services, starting in the Central African Republic. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226006105/en/ Orange and SES Team up on O3b mPOWER Communications System and Open a New Era for Satellite Connectivity Innovation (Photo: Business Wire) O3b mPOWER is the world's only fully-funded non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) broadband system in development today. Positioned at only 8,000 kilometres away from Earth, the system will power low-latency high-throughput solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into existing terrestrial networks. When operational in 2022, O3b mPOWER will provide multiple terabits of throughput globally to drive digital transformation and cloud adoption virtually anywhere on the planet. The highly flexible O3b mPOWER constellation comprises ultra-high-capacity, low-latency, high-power MEO satellites, each with up to 5,000 fully-shapeable and steerable beams that can be shifted and scaled in real-time to meet customers' demands. The system is ideally suited for domestic cellular backhaul and simultaneous international IP trunking applications. Orange has been a customer and early adopter of SES's current generation O3b MEO managed services since 2017. Orange is a strategic partner for SES with its large presence in Africa and the Middle East, and with satellite gateways in several countries on the continent. With O3b mPOWER, Orange will substantially increase its low-latency MEO-enabled capabilities to support the growth of its bandwidth demand, driven by the ever-growing customer base, the new digital uses and financial services. The revolutionary system will enable Orange to offer high broadband and seamless connectivity, while extending geographical reach. In addition, Orange Central African Republic will leverage the world's only multi-orbit network, utilising SES's MEO and GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) satellites to connect and aggregate 2G/3G traffic from remote base stations around the country to the core network in the capital of Bangui. This gives the operator a single source for cellular backhaul and core IP transit, as well as a consistent and seamless experience between the MEO and GEO services. "We are thrilled to be partners and early adopters of this innovation with SES, and to be able to offer high-quality connectivity in the most remote locations of the Central African Republic. This longstanding partnership fully aligns with our mission of building smarter and open networks to bridge the digital divide in Africa, and to increase the speed and geographic reach of our network," said Jean-Luc Vuillemin, Executive Vice President at Orange International Networks Infrastructures and Services. "This new agreement marks a very important milestone for both our companies and also for the broader industry. With the innovative O3b mPOWER system, Orange and SES are revolutionising the telco market, and the way networks can be extended and improved," said JP Hemingway, CEO of SES Networks. "With its ability to power a wide range of telecommunications needs, including cellular backhaul and high-performance cloud connectivity, O3b mPOWER together with other terrestrial infrastructure is key to connecting remote and underserved regions in the most economically viable way." About SES SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries over 8,300 channels and has an unparalleled reach of over 355 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200226006105/en/ Contacts: Suzanne Ong Public Relations, SES Tel. +352 710 725 500 suzanne.ong@ses.com Places in History The Building that Dominated Inland Water Trade in British Burma The former Irrawaddy Flotilla Company building in 2019. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company (IFC) monopolized inland river trade during the colonial period in Myanmar (then Burma). Originally, the company was based at No. 50 at the corner of Strand Road and Pansodan Street, which is the Myanma Port Authority building today. The white steel-framed building on Pansodan Street opened in 1933 after more than two years of construction. The brick-built, five-story structure was designed by AG Bray and built by Arthur Flavell and Co. The recessed neo-classical facade with 12 Corinthian columns provides an air of grandeur and stopped direct sunlight from entering the offices. An enormous entrance canopy supported by gold-painted supports stretches across the sidewalk and some of the street. The tower stands out with a pitched roof and arched windows, reaching above the riverfront skyline. Above the Pansodan Street entrances the words Irrawaddy Chambers remain carved into the stonework. The interior was decorated with a graceful two-way staircase, chandeliers, office fitted with teak and glass, shining floor tiles and two elevators. The IFC headquarters was one of the finest buildings in Yangon (then Rangoon) along with the house of the IFC general manager, which is now the residence of the British ambassador on Alanpya Pagoda Road. The Scottish-run IFC was established in 1865 in Yangon. It put its many ships at the disposal of British troops when they annexed Upper Myanmar. It was with an IFC ship that the last monarch, King Thibaw, was brought to Yangon. With the British having colonized the whole country, the IFC became the backbone of inland water transport. The IFC controlled trade along the Irrawaddy River up to Bhamo and Katha in the north. It transported the prince of Wales and viceroy of India during their visits, conveyed orders from London and transported colonial troops around. From the headquarters, the British and Indian managers, including many Scots, sent instructions to regional offices across the country. They managed cargo and passenger transport, sending express mail and organizing exports such as rice, fuel and teak to the ocean-going vessels. The four most senior managers lived on the top floor of the buildings with servants. Ethnic Mon tycoon Nar Auk and Ma Hninzi and others used their wealth to challenge the IFC. However, they could not compete in the price war as the IFC provided free transport with presents and complimentary meals to passengers. The rivals eventually went bankrupt and had to sell their ships to the IFC. Ferry services owned by Indian firms also lost out in the price war with the IFC. Despite a rising anti-colonial movement and violence against the Indian and Chinese communities in the 1930s, the IFC expanded its business, operating a fleet of more than 600 ships with over 10,000 staff. Annually, the IFC transported 8 million passengers and half of the countrys freight, becoming a recognized global name in river transport. A company pamphlet from the 1930s described the diversity of cargo: Great bales of cotton, bags of rice, blocks of jade, lacquerware, silk, tamarind, elephants sometimes, woven mats, maize, jaggery, bullocks, marble Buddhas, oil cake, tobacco, timber. Goods coming from Europe included cars, corrugated iron, condensed milk, matches, aluminum, sewing machines, soap, cigarettes, cement and whisky. However, World War II ended the IFCs dominance. The IFC building was taken over by the British military amid Japanese airstrikes as the command discussed how to retreat from the city. Japanese troops sank the IFCs ships and the company destroyed more than 500 vessels, almost the entire fleet, during the British retreat. To stop ships falling into Japanese hands, around 200 vessels were sunk near Mandalay and the remainder scuppered at Katha. The Siam and Mysore were used as hospital ships but later were also sunk. A manager wrote on May 3, 1942: Katha is a sight, vessels anchored 10 abreast and all deserted. The last train has gone, the town is evacuated. Parties are told to sink every vessel. During the war, the IFC held discussions with the governor of Burma, Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith, about rehabilitating river transport in India. The IFC headquarters was revived after the war but political changes signaled that the golden days would not return for the IFC. On June 1, 1948, six months after independence, the government of Anti-Fascist Peoples Freedom League nationalized the IFC. It used the building for inland water transport. It was renamed the Water Transport Corporation in 1971 and then adopted its current name, Inland Water Transport, in 1989. The department is overseen by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The 87-year-old building retains much of its grand exterior. But little remains inside. Offices have been fitted that fail to match the original structure. The elevator is still in use although it breaks down periodically. Ventilation is very good. The building has good natural light. We can even work with natural light even during blackouts, said an official at the Myanma Port Authority. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko You may also like these stories: The Free British Colonial Library in Myanmar that Welcomed Everyone The House That Shaped Myanmars History Myanmars Panglong Monument Embodies a Promise of Democracy, Autonomy and Equality VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th February, 2020) Austria will continue to cooperate with Italy and Germany to combat the spreading of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Europe, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, Kurz held a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, during which the trio discussed the current epidemic situation. "We will continue to work closely with Italy and Germany, to warn each other even more actively and take all necessary measures to protect the population as much as possible," Kurz wrote on Twitter. On Tuesday, Austria's first two cases of coronavirus were detected in the southern state of Tyrol, bordering disease-stricken Italy. As of Wednesday, COVID-19 has infected 81,000 people worldwide with the death toll now over 2,700. Ever since the coronavirus outbreak started in Italy, several European countries reported first virus cases on their soil, including Switzerland and Croatia. The ruling JD(U) in Bihar on Thursday rejected speculation stemming from the alleged 'nazdeekiyan' (closeness) witnessed in the assembly premises here over the last couple of days between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and opposition RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and said it is firmly with the NDA. JD(U) state unit president Vashishtha Narayan Singh pointed at the 'vishvaman' (spewing of venom) by Yadav against the state government in his public statements when asked about his meeting with Kumar inside his Vidhan Sabha premises chamber on Tuesday. Pictures of Kumar and Yadav having tea with Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary after the day's proceedings on Wednesday went viral on social media. "Koi nazdeekiyan nahi (there is no closeness with RJD)....We (JD(U)) are firmly with the NDA and will remain so," Singh told reporters here answering their questions on it. "In public life people do meet each other despite political differences. Coordination at some level between the government and the opposition is required. This helped in passing the resolution against National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) unanimously. Nothing further should be seen in this," he said. "While hazarding a guess with regard to our relations with Yadav's party (RJD) please do keep in mind his 'vishvaman' against us for getting a clearer perspective," Singh said. The 20-minute-long meeting between the chief minister and Yadav had followed heated exchanges during a debate on an adjournment motion moved on CAA-NPR-NRC by Yadav and others with the demand that the House pass a resolution against these like many other states. The chief minister had read out from a letter written by the state government to the Centre requesting that the contentious clauses be dropped from the NPR form and suggested that it be treated as a resolution, endorsed by the House and the Centre be notified about the same. Kumar had also admonished Yadav on the floor of the House for making personal attacks against him. He had said, "Your father (Lalu Prasad) has a right to do so, but not you." After the meeting, which was seen as a rapprochement gesture on the part of the embarrassed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, the post-lunch session saw the budget being tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi. Following this, the speaker moved a resolution proposing that the NRC be deemed unnecessary and the NPR be held as per the previous format, wherein details like places of birth of parents were not required. The resolution was passed unanimously, virtually taking the sting out of the Congress-RJD combine campaign in Bihar against CAA-NPR-NRC since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is a partner in power in the state too acquiesced, though it expressed bewilderment afterwards. Singh also sought to make light of the star-studded rally underway at the Gandhi Maidan, where intellectuals and artistes from across the country have gathered to lend their support to Communist Party of India (CPI) rising star Kanhaiya Kumar's drive against CAA-NPR-NRC. When parties seem to be left with no concrete programmes, their people embark on tours for saving the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha member remarked. The Janata Dal (United) machinery, he said, has geared up for the assembly polls due within nine months and the party's might will be on display at a 'Karyakarta Sammelan' on March 1, which is expected to be attended by not less than two lakh people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former Texas police officer is fighting to get his job back a second time after he's been fired twice for 'vile' pranks, this time defecating in a women's toilet, not flushing and smearing a brown substance on the seat. Matthew Luckhurst, who was a bike patrol officer with the San Antonio Police Department, was originally terminated in October 2016 for giving a homeless person a feces sandwich, but then won his job back on a technicality. An arbitrator put Luckhurst back on the force citing a rule that says an officer cannot be punished for conduct that occurred more than 180 days prior to the discipline, but did not excuse the act. Matthew Luckhurst, who was a bike patrol officer with the San Antonio Police Department, is fighting to get his job back a second time after he's been fired twice for 'vile' pranks, this time defecating in a women's toilet, not flushing and smearing a brown substance on the seat Luckhurst, pictured during an arbitration hearing this week, was originally fired in October 2016 for giving a homeless person a feces sandwich, but won his job back on a technicality Luckhurst now is fired again after the department learned of another prank where he defecated in a woman's restroom, did not flush and smeared a brown substance on the seat Luckhurst, however, was fired again after the department learned of another prank that happened the same year. The officer was found to have defecated in the women's restroom, not flushed and smeared a brown substance on the seat. During his second bid to get his job back this week, Luckhurst took full responsibility for the prank and said, 'in hindsight, it was immature,' reports KSAT. The former officer, responding to questioning from the city's attorney on Tuesday, called the incident 'a joke,' and insisted that a second officer who was implicated for similar behavior actually did not participate in the prank. Luckhurst also denied he smeared the brown substance on the seat, which he said was a coffee product. Instead, he claimed he put small balls of the product on the seat and suspects they may have melted. A day earlier at the start of the arbitration hearing, the city's attorney charged that Luckhurst harassed, intimidated and degraded female officers with the prank. San Antonio Police Officer Jessica Medrano testified she was nauseated upon discovering the unflushed feces, and it was noted that she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant at the time. 'I had a lot of nausea during my pregnancy. As soon as I smelt it I wanted to vomit. I was gagging,' said Medrano, KSAT reports. She said she was left 'mad and disgusted' and declared she would never work with Luckhurst again. 'It's led to mistrust between the citizens of San Antonio and our department, that our officers have had to answer for his actions,' the officer said.' At the start of the arbitration hearing, the city's attorney charged that Luckhurst (middle) harassed, intimidated and degraded female officers with the prank San Antonio Police Officer Jessica Medrano (pictured at Luckhurst's arbitration hearing) testified she was nauseated upon discovering the unflushed feces, and it was noted that she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant at the time Police Chief William McManus was called as a witness Wednesday and said he doesn't think Luckhurst deserves to come back to the police department. The chief testified that he stands behind his decision to fire Luckhurst for playing a 'prank' involving excrement, calling the behavior 'vile and disgusting.' Attorney Ben Sifuentes, who is representing Luckhurst, questioned the chief about other bike patrol statements that suggested what happened was widely recognized in the department as 'just a joke.' Police Chief William McManus during the arbitration said he doesn't think Luckhurst deserves to come back to the police department. He said he stands by his decision to fire Luckhurst for playing a 'prank' involving excrement, calling the behavior 'vile and disgusting' The lawyer also brought up other incidents of harassment where he said the discipline was not termination. One example was a 2016 incident involving an officer who was found to have inappropriately touched a 21-year-old female 'police explorer' during a 'ride-along.' The officer received was given a 10-day suspension under McManus. Sifuentes also brought up an incident where he said an San Antonio police captain had a penis engraved on a gun for another male officer. He claimed that despite complaints from women on the force, the captain was not disciplined. The arbitration is expected to conclude on Thursday. The Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, on Wednesday said the army will soon embark on the recruit... The Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, on Wednesday said the army will soon embark on the recruitment of Nigerian youths into the force to enable it to fight insurgency in the northeast of the country. Buratai, who was represented by Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Akpan, the Director Directorate of Army Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve, DARRR, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi at the exco-Chambers Government House, Abakaliki. According to him: The normal army that was trained to engage particularly in conventional warfare are having a lot of problems as you can see in the North-Eastern region. So, recently the Chief of Army instituted Special Forces concept; a special skill that you can use to fight war. This special training will now be integrated in every training in the Nigerian Army. So, this means that anybody that is recruited in the Nigerian Army with effect from now, will have to go through that process. It is a tough training, it requires a lot of physical and mental fitness. So, we need young men and women who are physically fit, he noted. He noted that those from the age of 16 and above would be employed in the Nigerian Army with four credits including English and Mathematics in not more than two sittings, urged the youths of Ebonyi state to massively apply for recruitment into the Army when its portal opens for recruitments which he said will soon commence. In a swift reaction, the Governor Chief David Umahi, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, decried shortchanging of the people of the state in the recruitment of the Nigerian Army. He alleged that people from other parts of the country usually take up the identity of Ebonyi people and take all the state quota in any army recruitment. Before our ascension into office, what had obtained in the southeast particularly in Ebonyi state is that people have been shortchanged in the army. They will pull out en-mass for recruitment and after they had returned home jubilating that they are going to be recruited in the army that the report on them is favorable for their engagement in the military. The story will be that only two or three of them are engaged and when you go to look at the list, you will discover that men from other region will answer Ebonyi state name, take up the identity of our people and take the quota that is meant and reserved for Ebonyi state. We are not happy with such unpleasant situations and I believed that our governor has complained severally about it. We think that having men like you and the Chief of Army Staff will resolve such intractable problem that we have been having in Ebonyi State, he said. At Tuesday night's Democratic debate, billionaire presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg got a little too honest. Referring to the wave of newly elected congressional Democrats who flipped control of the House of Representatives in 2018, Bloomberg said, "Twenty-one of those were people that I spent $100 million to help elect. All of the new Democrats who came in, who put Nancy Pelosi in charge and gave the Congress the ability to control this presidency. I boughtI, I got them." That one slip, "I bought," is probably not the message that Bloomberg wanted to convey. But it got a lot of people's attention, with both Justice Democrats, the progressive political action committee, and Donald Trump Jr. seizing on the comment. One of those 21 Democrats whose campaign benefited from Bloomberg is Lucy McBath of Georgia's 6th district. McBath's 17-year-old son was murdered in 2012, after a white man started shooting at him and his friends because he thought their music was too loud. A group funded by Bloomberg, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, spent $1.25 million to help elect McBath in 2018, according to the Washington Post, helping her flip a historically Republican seat. McBath endorsed Bloomberg in the Democratic presidential primary. Since the election, conservative groups have had their sights on McBath. In an interview in May of last year, National Rifle Association president Carolyn Meadows said that her stance on gun control "didnt have anything to do with [McBath's election]. It had to do with being a minority female." Meadows, who also led a group that opposed the construction of a Martin Luther King Jr. monument, later apologized. And on Wednesday, Camille Gallo, the regional press secretary for the National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to elect Republicans to the House of Representatives, tweeted out that the NRCC was trolling McBath over Bloomberg's comments. To drive home that they believed her seat was bought and paid for, Gallo apparently sent McBath a "For Sale" sign with her name on it. Story continues The optics of labeling a black woman from the south as "for sale" seems lost on Gallo, particularly on the day when the House passed the Emmett Till anti-lynching bill, but that's not surprising since the NRCC doesn't seem to have had much success working with black candidates. As the Pew Research Center reports, the 116th Congress is the most racially diverse in U.S. history, yet there are just two black RepublicansSouth Carolina's Tim Scott in the Senate and Texas's Will Hurd, who last year announced he didn't plan to seek reelection to the House. McBath took the NRCC's trolling and turned it into a call for donations. On Twitter, she wrote, "These attacks began on day one. They harassed my elderly mother-in-law. The NRA said I only won bc Im a 'minority woman.' Each time, I did what I learned all too well after the death of my sonfight back." The Bureaucratic Method Inside the Federal Bureau Of Way Too Many Guns There's no telling how many guns we have in Americaand when one gets used in a crime, no way for the cops to connect it to its owner. The only place the police can turn for help is a Kafkaesque agency in West Virginia, where, thanks to the gun lobby, computers are illegal and detective work is absurdly antiquated. On purpose. Thing is, the geniuses who work there are quietly inventing ways to do the impossible. Originally Appeared on GQ The Leinster Regional Final of the Irish Restaurant Awards took place in the Knightsbrook Hotel tonight where the top restaurants in each county for 2020 were announced. All of the Offaly winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland Titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards. These will be held in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin on Monday 18th May, 2020. The Offaly winners were as follows: Best Restaurant Sponsored by Tindal Wine Merchants - Offaly - The Blue Apron Restaurant Best Chef Sponsored by BWG Foodservice - Offaly - Kenan Pehlivan of The Blue Apron Restaurant Best Newcomer Sponsored by Monin - Offaly - Conway & Co Best Restaurant Manager AIB Merchant Services - Offaly - Paula Moran-Tahraoui of Sirocco's Best Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant Sponsored by Frylite - Offaly - Sli Dala Restaurant at Kinnitty Castle Best Customer Service Sponsored by Dolmen Insurance Brokers - Offaly - Lana Asian Street Food Tullamore Best Gastro Pub - Sponsored by Elavon - Offaly - Hennessy's Best Cafe - Sponsored by Illy - Offaly - The Foxy Bean Pub of the Year - Sponsored by Jameson Ginger and Lime - Offaly The Chestnut Best Wine Experience - Sponsored by Gilbeys with Bibendum - Offaly - Spinners on Castle Street Best World Cuisine Sponsored by Stafford Lynch - San Pellegrino - Offaly - Shishir Best Free From Sponsored by Peroni Libera - Offaly - Woodfield Cafe Best Kids Size Me - Offaly - The King Oak Best Local Food Hero Sponsored by The Irish Times - Offaly - Margaret Deverell of Hereford & More Best Emerging Irish Cuisine Sponsored by Manor Farm - Offaly - Woodfield Cafe Best Casual Dining - Sponsored by Just Eat - Offaly - The Brewery Tap Over 700 restaurant owners and staff celebrated their hard work and achievements at the Awards, which saw many well-known restaurateurs of Leinster turn out to see if they had won one of the prestigious awards. Speaking at the awards early this evening, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Adrian Cummins said; Now in their 12th year, the Irish Restaurant Awards continue to showcase the incredible food that is on offer in the cafes, pubs and restaurants of Ireland, as well as recognising the teams behind these establishments and the hard work and dedication that they put in. With well over 100,000 nominations received from the public this year, the standard for the judging process was higher than ever. "Ireland may be a small country, but it boasts everything from fine dining to high quality gastropubs, from the comfort of traditional Irish food to exploring the world though exotic world cuisine, the Irish restaurant industry has much to offer. We have an appreciation for what we eat and where our food comes from, as well as the dedication of those working in the food industry. Food outlets were nominated under the categories of Best Customer Service, Best Cafe, Best Gastro Pub, Best Free From, Best Casual Dining, Best World Cuisine, Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant, Best Chef, Best Restaurant, Best Wine Experience, Pub of the Year, Best Restaurant Manager, Best Kids Size Me, Local Food Hero, Best Emerging Irish Cuisine and Best Newcomer. The Restaurants Association of Ireland would like to extend a huge thank you to our sponsors of this year's Irish Restaurant Awards: The Irish Times, Tindal Wine Merchants, BWG Foodservice, Elavon, Dolmen Insurance Brokers, Frylite, Just Eat, Jameson Ginger & Lime, Monin, Stafford Lynch - San Pellegrino, Peroni Libera, Illy, Gilbeys with Bibendum, AIB Merchant Services and Manor Farm. Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-27 08:13:25|Editor: ZD Video Player Close Medical workers select medicinal materials at the provincial hospital of Tibetan medicine in Xining, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Feb. 26, 2020. Tibetan medicine is used to help fight the coronavirus in northwest China's Qinghai Province. The provincial hospital of Tibetan medicine has produced a batch of anti-virus medications featuring Tibetan medicine. Local Tibetan medicine hospitals also produced medications to prevent virus infection and distributed them to the public for free. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., pauses as he speaks at a campaign event in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., United States - The "Volunteer" badge pinned to Sheila Archer's Bernie Sanders T-shirt is a bit of an understatement. Archer, from Allentown, Pa., cashed in a week of her vacation time and spent hundreds of dollars of her own money the plane ticket alone was $400 to help organize events, make phone calls and staff rallies such as the one Wednesday in the South Carolina resort community of Myrtle Beach. "I like his honesty and his integrity; I like that he is for the working people, as opposed to himself, like a lot of our other politicians," Archer said as she doled out greetings and "Bernie" placards to some of the more than 2,000 people who showed up in the middle of a rainy weekday at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Those other politicians "are more concerned about what's in it for them, and he's more concerned about what's in it for us." The Sanders-supporter stereotypes were on full display Wednesday, from the flower-power Volkswagen Bus in the parking lot and the "Tuck Frump" buttons for sale at the merchandise table to the flowing paisley dresses in the audience and the earnest, feel-good hip-hop playing before Sanders took the stage. But Archer, a true believer in the 78-year-old Independent senator from Vermont since his unsuccessful nomination battle with Hillary Clinton began in 2015, insisted it's less about Sanders himself than it is about the ideas he espouses a grassroots movement she believes will persist in the U.S. for as long as it takes. "I truly believe that if Bernie takes the nomination, he'll beat Donald Trump. But if he doesn't get the nomination and we have to wait until 2024 with another progressive candidate, we'll get behind that progressive candidate," she said. "Just because Bernie may not be in the next election, doesn't mean we won't be. We believe in his ideas, and he wants his ideas to carry on." As the undisputed front-runner in Democratic race and with the clock running down on his rivals, Sanders was standing at ground zero during Tuesday night's televised debates. But if he suffered any lasting bruises, he wasn't showing it in Myrtle Beach. "We're going to win this election, not just because Trump is a liar and a fraud. We're going to win this election because we are putting together the strongest grassroots movement this country has seen in a long time," he said. "The things we want to bring about aren't going to be done easily. The truth is that the only way, historically, that real change has ever taken place is never from the top on down, only from the bottom on up it's the only way real change ever, ever takes place." In many ways, the policies driving that grassroots movement strike a familiar note for Canadians. Sanders likes to point out that he lives just minutes from the Canadian border when talking about his centrepiece policy, Medicare for All, and how his northern neighbours enjoy access to a publicly funded health-care system at half the cost of America's private-insurance patchwork. He talks at length about income inequality, gender discrimination, climate change and wage parity issues that have long been a frequent preoccupation for Canada's federal Liberal government. And Wednesday's crowd erupted in paroxysms when he promised to use his executive-order powers as president to legalize marijuana on Day 1 in the White House. But anyone who thinks a Sanders presidency would automatically put the U.S. in ideological lockstep with a more progressive country like Canada is kidding themselves, said Robert Oldendick, a political-science professor at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Even with Sanders in the White House, the composition of the Senate and the House of Representatives currently controlled by the Republicans and the Democrats, respectively is a critical factor in getting things done, Oldendick said. "Do the Democrats also take back the Senate and maintain the House, or does one or both of those split? Because if they don't get a majority in both, then there's no way anything that he is proposing, any of the proposals that are central to him, will get passed," Oldendick said. "It would be essentially four years of stalemate again with not much getting done. ... I just don't see a presidency of a candidate like Sanders being that much of a game-changer." A new Pew Research Center study released Thursday illustrates the frustration in the U.S. with politics as usual. While Canadian and American respondents to the survey were largely in sync, one metric jumped off the page: while 66 per cent of Canadians said they were content with how democracy is working in their country, only 39 per cent of Americans felt the same way. Some would-be nominees, such as Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., have warned against the risk of a Sanders nomination fracturing the party, alienating centre-right voters who fear his message of "democratic socialism" and handicapping "down-ballot" Democratic candidates. "If you want to keep the House in Democratic hands, you might want to check with the people who actually turned the House blue, 40 Democrats, who are not running on your platform," Buttigieg told Sanders during the debate, a reference to the Democratic "blue wave" of the 2018 midterms. "They are running away from your platform as fast as they possibly can." For Archer and others at Wednesday's rally, that sort of anti-Bernie panic is little more than primary-season hysteria hysteria she's confident will fade away once Sanders takes the helm. "This is kind of what you do, you kind of dust things up and then let things settle down. I think once they see what strong support he has, how big this grassroots movement is, I think everybody will get behind him," she said. "Change is hard especially when you've had the same thing for decades. It will be OK; I really believe that." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2020. Follow James McCarten on Twitter @CdnPressStyle Many people aspire to start their own business, but succeeding in the commercial marketplace is easier said than done. Companies led by inexperienced people unfamiliar with the legal requirements they need to fulfill are particularly susceptible to failure. Nevertheless, many business owners jump into the competitive marketplace without doing enough research when it comes to covering their legal bases. Dont start a business without first thoroughly preparing yourself. Here are eight legal requirements you need to fulfill when you start a business, and the costs associated with letting these important concerns fall by the wayside. 1. Protect your personal assets The most important thing to consider when launching your own business is how you intend to protect your personal assets. No budding business owner wants to think about failure, but the truth of the matter is that many new companies struggle to earn a profit and collapse. Even those that are successful might find themselves the victim of an unjust lawsuit that eats up time, money and energy. To avoid a lawsuit being the end of not only your business but also your personal financial security, its imperative to protect your assets by forming an LLC. A limited liability company, as the name implies, limits the degree to which you as the business owner are liable for damages incurred by customers. Thus, a customer who sues your company after receiving a faulty product or inadequate service wont be able to touch your personal finances or bank account. Related: Nine Common Legal Mistakes Small Business Owners Make Take plenty of time to research forming an LLC, as this is a lengthy process but an essential one that must be done by the books. 2. Check if you must publicize your company Depending on where you live and where you intend to open your business, you may face extra hurdles when forming an LLC or similar legal entity. Some states and cities require that you publicize news that youve formed a company by posting a statement in a local newspaper, for instance. Failing to take this step could result in a stiff fine or a refusal on behalf of state authorities to recognize your new business. At least three states have newspaper publication requirements: Arizona, Nebraska and New York. Residents of those states should pay special attention to the rules. 3. Understand you must insure your workers In most states, business owners (particularly those with more than five employees) are legally required to insure their workers in a number of ways. Offering workers compensation insurance to those who are injured on the job and incapable of providing for themselves, for instance, is required in most of the United States. Many amateur business owners attempt to cut down on the costs associated with running a company by mitigating their insurance rates, but understand that skimping out on workers comp could seriously backfire and cost you dearly. Related: The Top 7 Legal Documents for Every Startup Wise entrepreneurs would do well to check out a state-by-state comparison of workers compensation requirements and should not delegate this responsibility to someone else. Some small businesses may be exempt, but when you start growing, keep in mind that you'll need to think about worker's compensation soon. 4. Dont skimp out on general liability insurance If you thought workers compensation claims would be the only thing you needed insurance for, think again. General liability insurance is perhaps the most important time of insurance coverage any business can have, as it keeps you safe from generic claims of wrongdoing and will ensure you can keep the lights on should you be sued. If a customer is walking between the aisles of your store before slipping and injuring their back, your general liability insurance is going to be what kicks in to protect you after they sue you for damages. Similarly, if one of your products is defective and harms the user, general liability insurance will guarantee that your business doesnt have to close its doors while reworking its entire manufacturing and logistics process. 5. Ensure youre not violating trademarks Trademark and copyright violations arent something that can or should be shrugged off, so every budding entrepreneur should take time to ensure that the name theyve chosen for their business isn't already trademarked. If you launch a new company and begin advertising your operations without checking if your name is already taken, you could receive a cease and desist form or even a subpoena in the mail. Formally register your name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office if you want to sleep soundly at night, convinced that your business name is yours and yours alone. 6. Dont forget about federal taxes Now that youve clarified that your name is permitted and youve purchased expensive insurance, it seems only natural that you should get down to business. Before you can open your doors, however, you need to address the issue of how youll be paying federal taxes. Unless you want the IRS knocking on your door, youll need to apply for an Employer Identification Number online via a holding company, which will allow the U.S. government to differentiate between your business and others when collecting what its owed. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Take some time to browse the EIN page on the IRS website if youve not taken care of this already. 7. Check if your industry needs licensing These days, there are few generic businesses left, as specialization is the key to success in the modern economy. Certain industries require you to attain a license before opening your doors, however, so dont think you can leap straight into a specialized area without doing your homework beforehand. Related: How to Choose the Best Legal Structure for Your Startup Check out a list of professions that require licensing across the United States and ensure that your documents are up to date if you want to avoid legal trouble. Medical professionals, legal experts and other professionals in important industries should take special precautions when checking their licensing requirements. Malpractice lawsuits can be ludicrously expensive, so don't skip this step. 8. Hire a good lawyer Finally, every business needs a good lawyer to call upon when things inevitably go wrong. In this day and age, its only a matter of time until you're dealing with a lawsuit, and when the subpoenas arrive youre going to want solid legal expertise to rely on. Thoroughly vet the lawyers in your area and dont be afraid to ask them why theyre the best choice for your business. Always remember that lawyers who cant answer your questions in a satisfactory manner wont be capable of seriously defending your business. Invest plenty of time, energy and money in finding the right legal experts to help protect your business, and your new company will be up and running in no time. Related: 5 Legal Tips for Small Businesses and Startups Related: 8 Surprising Signs You Could Be an Entrepreneur The Best Cities for New Small Businesses (Infographic) 8 Legal Requirements When You Start A Business Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved VV Balakrishna By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The State government would put on hold the National Population Register (NPR) work for the time being. It would move a resolution in the Legislative Assembly urging the Centre to implement the old format of NPR, instead of the revised one proposed for 2020 Census. Sources close to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao told Express on Wednesday that the TRS government was against the new format of the NPR. Along with a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the Assembly, another resolution suggesting the Centre to dispense with the new format of NPR too would be adopted in the forthcoming budget session of the Legislature, the sources said. The State can take up the census for 45 days between March 1 and September 30. Given this, the government, which has opposed the CAA, also wants to buy some time to take up the NPR work. It may be mentioned here that the States like West Bengal and Kerala have decided to put NPR work on hold. The TS too would follow suit, the sources said. Though the States cannot stop the NPR work, the move to stop all the activities with regard to NPR would bring some pressure on the Centre to make some modifications in the new NPR format, the sources added. Top official shunted out A senior IAS officer issuing orders to carry out NPR work when TS has decided to put it on hold has irked the government. According to sources, the officer was shunted out of the GAD some time ago. He was posted in a relatively less important department. But when his orders created flutter in several departments, the State transferred him again recently. He has not been given any posting so far. Earlier, based on the orders issued by the officer, the School Education Department issued instructions to schools not to schedule any examination between January 1 and March 15, 2021. Some district collectors too issued similar orders. Coming to know of this, the government transferred him again, the sources said. VETO power given to permanent members of Security Council have been exercised several times in the past by one permanent member or the other for self centred purpose,creating a road block for peace process. by N.S.Venkataraman UN Security Council has 15 members, of which USA,UK,France,China and Russia are 5 permanent member states and 10 other member states are elected periodically for specific period as members of the Security Council. In the last several decades after formation of UN Security Council, 5 permanent members have not shown any better quality of wisdom or better commitment for world peace, that distinguish them from other countries and justify their permanent membership . Compared to other over 190 member states of UNO, permanent members of UN Security Council have not exhibited any superior and pro active approach to the world issues. Many people have started thinking that UN Security Council is not serving useful purpose for the cause of peace. On the other hand, in the last several decades it has created hindrance for the efforts to promote peace and harmony in the world. By and large, UN Security Council has not been really useful, since any one of the permanent members have VETO power to prevent unanimous decision on any issue, if it would not meet the demand and need of any permanent member. Certainly, providing VETO power to the permanent members is one of the worse forms of anachronism in the organizational structure and decision taking process of Security Council and this is an extremely severe flaw made at the time of formation of UNO. VETO power given to permanent members of Security Council have been exercised several times in the past by one permanent member or the other for self centred purpose,creating a road block for peace process. Obviously, permanent members of the Security council have not been able to take holistic view on most matters with global interests in view and have shown self centered attitude to protect their interest and that of the allies. Their strategies have often been guided by their narrow political and sectarian approach with least concern for world peace and welfare of the global community. Often proceedings of the Security Council are marked by acrimonious debates and counter productive arguments with hate speech and mutual accusations not being uncommon . In such situation, with self interests of individual permanent member receiving the highest attention and priority, Security Council has not been able to emerge as productive wing of UNO to promote peace in the world. Original decision, when UNO was conceived, to give special VETO power to five permanent members in Security Council was an attempt by the five permanent member states to enhance their importance and exercise control over UNO and the world events. Today, countries like Japan, Germany, South Korea, India are all advanced technologically to a high level and they conduct themselves with dignity. Japan and Germany have technological capability even better than a few permanent member states. With the world situation changing dramatically now compared to the time when UNO was formed after World War II,why should the countries like Japan, Germany should be treated as less important countries than the five permanent member states to become eligible for becoming permanent members of UN Security Council ? There is no logic or reason in this. There is no justification to treat Japan and Germany as lesser countries, in view of their role in World War II several decades back. Today, the commitment of Japan and Germany to world peace is total, perhaps even greater than a few permanent members of UNO. It is very important that the UNO should not only be fair in taking decisions with regard to peace process but should also appear to be fair and democratic and the decisions of UNO should be world decisions and not that of five permanent members. The urgent need is that UNO should remain as an organization of member states in all respect with equal status for every member state. This can happen only with the abolition of UN Security Council. By abolishing Security Council, there would not be any vacuum. On the other hand, all major decisions towards protecting and restoring peace in the world can be taken with participation of all member states and taking decisions, with majority world opinion being ascertained by voting process. Non existence of Security Council would enable the UNO to take decisions, in which there would be transparency with nobody complaining about any decisions, since majority views would prevail. It appears that abolishing Security Council is a pre condition for restoring genuine and lasting peace in the world today. Further, this would pave way as forward step towards forming some sort of world government, as far as peace process is concerned. Dr. Raghavendra Tirupathi worries about the lack of a good, fast test. Such a test could become essential, now that Pennsylvania is bracing for the likely spread of the new coronavirus. It would quickly determine whether someone had the new coronavirus, known as COVID-19. That in turn would dictate what medical care the person needs, whether they must be isolated to protect others, and whether to begin tracing other people who had contact with the person and might have to be quarantined. But a locally-done test is lacking. Samples from people who might be infected are being sent to a federal laboratory in Atlanta, which takes up to 48 hours to return results. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided states with testing kits, but they turned out to be faulty and were shipped back. The CDC is working on the problem, but its unclear how long it will take. Im hopeful the CDC will be able to get around this misstep and come back with robust testing, said Tirupathi, the medical director of Keystone Infectious Diseases and chair of infection prevention at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvanias secretary of health, on Wednesday had no estimate on when a test will become available. When the CDC provides test kits, she expects testing will be handled by the state at its lab near Philadelphia. Tirupathi said it would be ideal to have a test that can be done at local hospitals and produce results within about 90 minutes, similar to a regular flu test. He said it might require the government giving emergency approval to test manufacturers or local commercial testing labs. Thats just one of many things consuming the thoughts of public health officials, especially since Tuesday, when Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the CDC said that sooner or later, coronavirus will spread in the US. Its not so much a question of if this will happen," she said, "but more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness. In the event of a major outbreak, Pennsylvania and beyond faces potential shortages of such things as protective items for health care workers, and breathing ventilators, which have been needed to treat some of those stricken with COVID-19. But Levine, updating reporters on Wednesday, said Pennsylvania is well-prepared, with everything it currently needs. For weeks, Levine said, the health department has been planning and coordinating with hospitals, county health departments, emergency medical responders and other entities that would have a role in an outbreak. She said her department has participated in countless calls with the CDC, and has activated the states emergency command center, which increases the ability to monitor for cases and react. She further said the state has existing, well-rehearsed plans for dealing with such an outbreak. While some tweaking is underway, she expected it to be finalized within a day. Also, the state has a stockpile of supplies such as protective equipment for front line health workers, as well as breathing ventilators. Im very confident the Pennsylvania Department of Health, along with our county partners, hospitals, emergency medical services, are up to this task, Levine said. Still, she acknowledged that in the event of a major outbreak, supplies of certain things, including ventilators, would become strained. Levine stressed there are no known cases of the new coronavirus in Pennsylvania. Some people are being monitored for it, but Levine wouldnt disclose how many, citing privacy reasons. In the event of a confirmed case in Pennsylvania, the public and news media would be quickly notified, Levine said. As of Tuesday, there were about 80,000 cases worldwide of COVID-19 and about 2,700 deaths, with the vast majority in China, with a much smaller number of cases, and some deaths, in 14 other countries. But concern intensified in recent days as the result of troubling outbreaks in Italy, South Korea and Iran. An official of the U.S. National Institutes of Health this week said the world is teetering, very, very close to a pandemic, which refers to a global outbreak. There have been 57 cases and no deaths in the United States. All the cases involved people who had traveled in China or Asia, or who had close contact with people who did. In the event of a U.S. outbreak, much of the response would focus on treating the sick, isolating them to prevent spread, and quarantining people, typically for 14 days, who may have been exposed. Another tactic could involve canceling or restricting large gatherings of people. Planning and preparation have intensified for businesses, schools, stadiums and others. Businesses have been asked to consider ways employees could work from home to avoid exposure and spread. Similarly, schools have been asked to consider online learning in the event of local outbreaks. Hospitals are being urged to consider telemedicine, which could be used to care for some people without them leaving their homes and possibly spreading the illness. People will be advised to stay at least six feet away from people who are sick are appear to be sick. Levine on Wednesday said COVID-19 appears to be more contagious than regular flu and also more deadly. Some have recovered easily, with others developing severe problems such as pneumonia in both lungs. In China, the death rate has been 2% to 4%, although the death rate seems lower in areas outside China. Its not as contagious as measles, she said. People who are older or who have other medical problems face the greatest risk, Levine said. Tirupathi, the infectious disease specialist, said its possible U.S. hospitals will become significantly strained, and have to set up medical tents in areas such as parking lots, as some hospitals did during the 2009 pandemic of H1N1, or swine flu. He said both a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 and a medicine to treat it are in development, but it will likely take 3-6 months for either to become available. Still, he believes the United States has taken many effective preventive steps, such as channeling travelers returning from China into 11 airports and screening them for symptoms, and monitoring those who may have been exposed. I continue to be optimistic about the CDCs efforts, Tirupathi said, adding that the CDC has been very transparent regarding the outbreak. I would hope that would continue if we get in the thick of things. In 1961, Fred Adams then a theater professor with two years of experience at the College of Southern Utah (now SUU) and Barbara Gaddie, his girlfriend (they married in 1963), were in a laundromat when they hatched the idea for a Shakespeare festival in Cedar City. Adams went to Ashland, Ore., to study how the Oregon Shakespeare Festival worked. He came back to Cedar City, and cajoled the Lions Club to donate $1,000 the entirety of the first festivals budget in 1962. Townspeople and students built sets, props and costumes. Salt Lake Tribune The Sikh community has always come to the rescue of those in distress. Nothing restricts from helping other people, be it in India or anywhere else in the world. They are brave, hold human beings in high regard and do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of their religion, caste or geographical factors. During times when hate has taken the throne, the Sikh community has always gone out of their way to make sure that they can help as many people as they can. They are the worlds good Samaritans and their compassion will be spoken about till the end of time. Twitter 1. Two Sikh brothers served chai and langar to protestors at India Gate. The recent CAA protests have unified so many people, especially students who have been protesting for a very long time now. In order to make things better for the ones voicing their concerns regarding the new Citizenship Amendment Act, two Sikh brothers showed up to a protest at India Gate and served chai and langar to those present. Just two men from the Sikh community doing what they always do -- making life easier for others. This is why we call Singh is King... Here is video of Sikh brothers who arranged chai langar in India Gate for protestors... Truly Heroes https://t.co/M8UYTQUyBG pic.twitter.com/iaqm81QrP3 Saddam (@Hussain_Md_) December 16, 2019 2. The Seva Food Bank in Canada feeds low-income families. It is no surprise to anyone that Sikhs are an extremely important part of Canadas culture. The Seva Food Bank came into being in 2010 and ever since then, their main agenda is to provide free meals to families who have low incomes. They even make sure they make changes to their menu based on the culture of the people they are feeding to make things even more convenient for them. SikhNet 3. Gurdwaras opened their doors to riot victims in Delhi. After the gruesome violence that took place in Delhi in areas like Babarpur, Maujpur, Seelampur and Vijay Park, gurdwaras opened their doors to those affected by the brutality. They provided them with shelter, food and most importantly, safety. The Sikh community never fails to watch out for their fellow human beings and with what is happening right now, this is one of the most important steps that they can take to ensure that people remain safe. Wikipedia 4. The Gurdwara Singh Sahib Sabha fed food to people who were hit by the Assam floods last year. Be it man-made disasters or natural ones, Sikhs are the first ones in line to lend a helping hand. When Assam suffered one of the most devastating floods in 2015, it was not their government that came to their rescue but the Sikh community did. They provided thousands of people with food and made sure that no one was left out. Twitter 5. The Khalsa Aid is one of the biggest Sikh organisations that help people from all over. The Khalsa Aid is a UK-based organisation that came into existence in the year 1999. Ever since then, they have been helping people from all over the world whenever disaster has hit them. To them helping others is their main goal and there have been times when they have put their own safety aside to achieve that goal. Langar Aid which is an extension of Khalsa Aid had their volunteers travel to the Iraq-Syria border and fed nearly 15,000 refugees. Khalsa Aid 6. When Sikhs bought water for double the price to provide it to drought-hit Maharashtra. 2016 was a dry year for the state of Maharashtra but that did not hinder the Khalsa Aid from coming to peoples rescue. Volunteers from the international organisation apparently bought water for double the price to provide the people of the affected areas. Twitter 7. Sikhs of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee came together to provide langar to flood-hit victims in Uttarakhand. While the government was not able to care for its own people, the Sikhs of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee got together to serve langar to people whose livelihoods were destroyed by the floods in Uttarakhand in 2019. SikhNet 8. Two Sikh men took off their turbans to save a man from drowning. Everyone knows how holy the turban is to Sikh people. In spite of that being true, two Sikh men did not think twice before taking theirs off in order to help a man who was drowning in a canal in Chandigarh. The two brave men tied the two turbans together and brought the drowning man back to the ground and saved his life. Twitter 9. Sikh volunteers gathered together to help stranded people during the 2015 floods in Mumbai. 2015 was a devastating year for Mumbai as thousands and thousands of people were left stranded on train stations after floods hit the metropolitan city. Several Sikh volunteers from a number of NGOs came together and visited different train stations to feed the stranded people who had nowhere else to go. Twitter 10. United Sikhs helped victims after the terror attack in Paris. 2015 was a dark year for Paris when the city witnessed suicide bombings and mass shootings which left the city in a devastated state. United Sikhs is a civil rights and humanitarian non profit organization which is also U.N. affiliated group and it came forward and opened its doors to people seeking shelter, food and safety. They even provided free rides to Parisians and organised blood donation drives for those in need. United Sikhs 11. A Sikh man took off his turban to save a bleeding childs life. A Sikh man is prohibited from taking off his turban in front of people but that did not stop this young man from Auckland to ignore religious protocol when he came across a child who had met with a road accident. The 22-year-old Sikh man, Harman Singh came running towards the childs rescue when he overheard the accident and without hesitating, took off his turban to control the childs bleeding head. Facebook A community like no other -- full of compassion, peace and harmony. Just what the need of the hour is. Britain published its opening demands for trade talks with the European Union on Thursday, delivering a blunt threat to walk away from the table if there is no progress within four months. The two sides appear headed for a rocky first round of negotiations as they try to forge a new relationship following the UK's departure from the now 27-nation bloc. Britain and the EU both say they want to reach a free trade agreement, but have starkly divergent views on how it should be overseen and what constitutes fair competition between their two economies. The EU says Britain must agree to follow the bloc's rules in areas ranging from state aid to environmental protections, and give European boats access to UK fishing waters, if the two sides are to strike a good deal. But the UK is demanding the right to diverge from the bloc's rules in order to strike new trade deals around the world and bolster the British economy. In pursuit of a deal we will not trade away our sovereignty, Michael Gove, the minister in charge of Brexit preparations, told lawmakers in the House of Commons. Britain's negotiating mandate insists that we will not agree to any obligations for our laws to be aligned with the EU's, or for the EU's institutions, including the Court of Justice, to have any jurisdiction in the UK. That conflict will be one of the big hurdles in talks, which are due to begin Monday in Brussels. Britain left the EU on January 31 but remains bound by the bloc's rules until a post-Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31. A divorce agreement between the two sides allows for the transition to be extended for two more years, but British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists he will not agree to that. Johnson's Conservative government says the U.K. will be leaving the bloc's structures including its single market for trade in goods and services as of January 1, 2021. Britain hopes by then to have a trade agreement with the bloc similar to the one struck between the EU and Canada. Such a deal would eliminate tariffs and quotas on trade and goods, but it's less clear what it would mean for the services sector that makes up four-fifths of Britain's economy. The EU-Canada deal also took years to strike now the two sides have just months. Britain's negotiating guidelines insist that there is limited, but sufficient time to get a deal. The document says a broad outline of an agreement should be done by June. It warns that if there is not sufficient progress by then, the U.K. could walk away and focus on domestic preparations to exit the transition period in an orderly fashion. Britain's tough talk is unlikely to impress EU negotiators, who already accuse Johnson of trying to water down commitments Britain made in the divorce deal that paved the way for the country's seamless departure on January 31. That withdrawal agreement dealt with three broad issues citizens' rights after Brexit, Britain's liabilities after 47 years of service and the need to maintain a frictionless border between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. (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 Apriza Pinandita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, February 27, 2020 18:48 685 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad20670aacb 1 World India,Muslim,Muhammadiyah,sectarianism,religious-attacks Free Indonesias second largest Muslim group, Muhammadiyah, is voicing its concern over religious violence in India, where deadly clashes between Hindus and Muslims triggered by a newly enacted citizenship law have broken out in the capital New Delhi. The organization condemned the sectarian violence and attacks against Muslims as they were "clearly against human rights principles", Muhammadiyah secretary-general Abdul Muthi said. Violence broke out this week after Hindu groups objected to Muslims taking to the streets against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which eases the way for religious minorities except Muslims from India's neighboring countries to gain Indian citizenship. Seen as the worst sectarian riots that have hit the Hindu-majority country in decades, the unrest has left 32 people in Delhi dead as of Thursday. Similar protests in December resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, AFP reported. Muhammadiyah urges the Indian government to stop any kind of discrimination and violence against people, especially the Muslims, Abdul told The Jakarta Post on Thursday. The deadly turmoil has attracted the world's attention, including of people in Indonesia, with many criticizing the acts of the Hindu community the major supporter of the citizenship law against the Indian Muslim community. On Thursday morning, hashtag #ShameOnYouIndia topped the trending topics on Twitter in Indonesia, with at least 46,000 tweets posted about the incidents, most of which condemned the violence. The Indonesian government has yet to issue any statement over the turmoil in India so far. Muhammadiyah further urged Indonesia, in its position as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, to bring up the issue on the international stage, Abdul said, adding that he hoped other member states also condemned the crisis. What is happening there could threaten peace in South Asia and the world, he added. "It can't happen soon enough," Newsom said. "Testing protocols have a been frustration for many of us." The woman's case is considered the first sign that coronavirus, which has killed more than 2800 people around the world, may be spreading in a US community. The woman wasn't tested for the disease for four days, despite an immediate request to the CDC, because she didn't meet the strict criteria for the test, according UC Davis Medical Centre, where she is being treated. The CDC has not responded to that charge. But federal health officials have said clinicians always have discretion to order the test for people who do not meet the criteria. The state of California is calling the case, first reported by The Washington Post, its first instance of community transmission. The patient brought herself to NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, a 50-bed community hospital in Vacaville, with flulike symptoms on February 15, according to a person briefed on the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Loading Staff members at the hospital asked the woman about travel and contacts under CDC guidelines, but she did not meet the criteria for someone who should be tested for the virus, since she had not recently travelled to China or had contact with someone who is a confirmed case, according to Aimee Brewer, president of NorthBay Healthcare, which owns the hospital. The hospital is "meticulously tracing" anyone who may have come into contact with the patient, and monitoring scores of dozens of staff members who may have been exposed, Brewer said in a statement. She added that any staff members who had direct contact with the woman have been tested for the virus and are tracking their health at home. So far, there have been no positive tests, she said. Asked about the risk to other patients at the hospital, Brewer noted in an interview that the woman had a private room at the hospital, and "we believe strongly that our patients are protected." "We are going through the records and security footage to make sure we know every person who has been in contact with the patient to determine if they are a low, medium or high risk," she said. "We did that last night and are finishing it up today." California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to members of the press at a news conference in Sacramento on Thursday. Credit:AP Staff members at NorthBay inserted a tube into the woman's lungs to help her breathe, a procedure experts say increases risk of exposure to the virus because it can aerosolise respiratory droplets, according to the person briefed on the case. When the woman's health continued to decline, Brewer said, she was transferred to UC Davis Medical Centre in Sacramento, which has more capacity and expertise with pulmonary issues. UC Davis officials said she arrived there February 19. "Community spread" would represent a significant turn for the worse in the battle against the virus. To date, the United States has 60 known cases of the infection, with 59 among people who travelled to Asia or were close contacts of people who went there. Most, 42, picked up the virus while quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off Japan. Loading How the woman acquired the respiratory disease COVID-19 is unknown. "It's possible this could be an instance of community spread of COVID-19, which would be the first time this has happened in the United States," the CDC said in a statement, referring to the disease caused by the coronavirus. The health agency left open the possibility "that the patient may have been exposed to a returned traveller who was infected." Two UC Davis officials sent an email to employees Wednesday that said the patient arrived at the medical centre February 19 but was not tested until Sunday because the person did not meet the criteria for testing. That includes recent travel to China or close contact with a confirmed case. The patient arrived from another hospital in Northern California, according to the email send to UC Davis Medical Centre employees from David Lubarsky, vice chancellor of human health sciences, and Brad Simmons, interim chief executive. "When the patient arrived, the patient had already been intubated, was on a ventilator, and given droplet protection orders because of an undiagnosed and suspected viral condition," they wrote. "Since the patient arrived with a suspected viral infection, our care teams have been taking the proper infection prevention (contact droplet) precautions during the patient's stay." UC Davis asked the CDC to conduct a test for the virus because local and state labs were not doing so. "Since the patient did not fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, a test was not immediately administered. UC Davis Health does not control the testing process," they wrote. The CDC ordered a test Sunday, and additional precautions were taken, they wrote. The agency confirmed the positive test Wednesday. Kris Concepcion, fire chief and acting public information officer in Vacaville, said county officials had issued a directive not to transport new patients to two local hospitals - NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville and NorthBay Medical Centre in nearby Fairfield. Concepcion declined to say why those orders had been given. Steve Huddleston, vice president of public affairs at NorthBay Healthcare, declined to comment. He said the hospital was directing all inquiries to the California Department of Public Health. The person briefed on the situation said the ban on new patients lasted through Wednesday night. Vacaville City Manager Jeremy Craig said he was told by the Solano County Public Health Department not to send patients to NorthBay VacaValley hospital Wednesday but was not given any reason. The city is anxious to know whether there is a coronavirus case in the community. "We are telling our residents to just take the normal flu precautions," he said. "We don't have any news at this point." Reached by telephone, Erin Hannigan, chairwoman of the Solano County Board of Supervisors, indicated that the CDC was handling the situation. Asked whether the local government was taking any steps in response to the reported case, she said, "It's one person, so we have to keep it in perspective" and then hung up. The two hospitals are in Solano County, home to Travis Air Force Base, where hundreds of Americans repatriated from China and others brought home from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have been kept in quarantine. Many of them have been released. The health department said it has begun tracing people who may have come into contact with the coronavirus-infected individual. "We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the US, and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the US would be in California," said Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health and state public health officer. The virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has killed 2801 people and sickened more than 82,000 as it has spread around the globe, reaching every continent except Antarctica. The CDC on Tuesday warned Americans that community spread is almost certain to occur, and to prepare for significant disruption in their daily lives. President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening appointed Vice President Mike Pence as the new head of the task force coordinating the battle against the virus. Grab launches the Grab Ventures Ignite programme in Vietnam to facilitate's the government's startup ecosystem ambitions Grab Ventures Ignite will nurture and support promising Vietnamese startups in their journey to become national champions in Vietnams tech startup ecosystem, in line with the governments national strategy to create 10 technology unicorns by 2030. Vietnam is the first country in Southeast Asia where Grab is launching Grab Ventures Ignite (GVI), its early-stage startup support programme. GVI brings Grabs unique strengths and capabilities as a regional tech platform to nurture Vietnamese early-stage startups. The launch of GVI marks the expansion of Grabs umbrella of startup programmes which currently includes Grab Ventures Velocity (GVV), Grabs flagship startup scale-up programme. GVV has so far supported the growth of 15 startups regionally across two batches of the programme. In support of the Vietnamese governments objective to develop the national startup ecosystem, GVI signed a strategic partnership with Vietnams National Innovation Center under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Under the partnership, GVI and the NIC will collaborate jointly in planning and executing the GVI programme, accelerating the development of digital economy and providing potential startups with support. GVIs programme partners include regional venture capital firm Gobi Partners, coworking space developer Toong , YKVN, and collaborations with Amazon Web Services. Participating startups also benefit from a curated immersion programme hosted in Singapore by Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority and cross-border sharing with Singapore-based startups. Programme winners will be offered investments and in-kind benefits. The startup ecosystem in Vietnam is growing incredibly fast, and tech clusters are also expanding geographically. We are proud to be part of this growth story and actively contributing to it, whether it's through our R&D centre in Ho Chi Minh City, investing in partnerships with local startups like Moca, or enabling millions of people in Vietnam to have greater access to digital services, said Nguyen Thai Hai Van, managing director of Grab Vietnam. Today, we are excited to launch GVI with the backing of the Vietnam National Innovation Center and other world-class partners. With GVI , we are committed to encouraging tech entrepreneurship and support the growth of the vibrant startup ecosystem in Vietnam, she said. GVI will evaluate startups based on a range of criteria, including but not limited to core team strength, sector attractiveness, value proposition, business model, and possible synergies with Grabs ecosystem. The programme will announce up to five winners and each winner will have a chance to win up to $150,000 in investment. Gobi Partners is Grabs funding partner for this programme. This makes GVI investment one of the biggest amongst Vietnam's startup programmes so far. All startups in the cohort will also have the opportunity to raise more funding from external investors during the Demo Day at the end of the programme, which will be attended by prominent investors from across the region. In addition, all programme participants will receive cloud benefits of up to $100,000 each. Each programme winner will receive six months of co-working space as well as legal and financial advisory at the end of the programme. All programme participants will get access to 14-weeks of world-class expert workshops, one-on-one mentorship from senior leaders, immersion trips to regional Grab markets, as well as peer learning and networking. As part of Grabs strategic collaboration with IMDA-PIXEL, participating startups will benefit from Grabs cross-border sharing to better understand the market landscape. Startups interested in applying for the GVI accelerator programme can apply by April 10, 2020 here. For more information about GVI, click here. A private equity firm seeking to buy rights to operate the internets .org suffix says it will limit price increases and create an advisory board with veto powers to ease concerns from the nonprofit community. Ethos Capital has offered $1.1 billion to buy the Public Interest Registry, the nonprofit corporation that runs the databases containing more than 10 million .org names registered worldwide. Organizations ranging from the Girl Scouts of the USA and Consumer Reports to the American Bible Society have opposed the sale, warning of potential price gouging and censorship. Californias attorney general and four congressional members have also requested information on the deal. In January, a group including three Bay Area residents formed the Cooperative Corporation of .org Registrants, in an effort to contest Ethos bid. Its incorporation papers say it will manage the org domain for the benefit of its registrants. Its directors include Bill Woodcock, executive director of the Berkeley nonprofit Packet Clearing House, which provides technical services to the .org domain. Ethos Capital has its headquarters in the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius. It wasnt immediately clear whether the concessions are enough to satisfy critics. The limit on price increases will expire in eight years, and most of the advisory boards initial members will be appointed by the Public Interest Registrys board. Domain names have historically been used by computers to find websites and send email, and their value grew as companies and groups adopted them. Though domain names are less prominent these days as more people reach websites using search engines and apps, they are still important for email addresses, billboards and other non-digital advertising. The Public Interest Registry is owned by the Internet Society, a nonprofit founded by many of the internets early engineers and scientists. In that role, the registry collects annual fees of about $10 per .org registration. The Internet Society uses some of that revenue to fund advocacy and administrative programs, which include creating technical standards for the internet. A sale to Ethos Capital wouldnt immediately affect existing .org names. Although .org is often associated with nonprofit organizations, it can be registered by anyone, including for-profit corporations and individuals. That wont change if it gets a for-profit owner. But some critics worry that future policies could reduce protections for domain name owners. For instance, websites can suddenly become unreachable if whoever owns the registry suspends a .org name at the urging of a government or business rival, without giving the website a chance to plead its case. Critics are particularly concerned about the possibility of authoritarian countries using this tactic against human rights groups and other nongovernmental organizations. Critics are also worried that financial pressures on a for-profit company could result in higher prices. Ethos agreed last week to limit price hikes to an average of 10% per year for eight years. Ethos said it will also let an advisory body veto proposed modifications to registry policies on censorship, freedom of expression and use of .org registration and user data. Ethos also said it expects the registry will contribute $10 million to a new fund to support unspecified initiatives benefiting .org registrants. Ethos said it will make its promises binding by amending an agreement with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which oversees domain names. We have been listening closely to stakeholder feedback both positive and negative and have been working diligently to address these specific issues head on, said Erik Brooks, Ethos founder and CEO. We are taking these actions to show that we stand firmly behind the commitments weve made and most importantly behind the registrants and users. ICANN was expected to rule by mid-February on Ethos bid. But Ethos said the registry has granted the organization an extension to March 20. Chronicle staff contributed to this report. Robert Jablon is an Associated Press writer. Iran has canceled Friday Prayers in Tehran over the coronavirus outbreak, state media report, as the authorities confirmed that infected cases in the country spiked by more than 100. Health Ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on February 27 that the number of deaths linked to the coronavirus outbreak in Iran has increased by seven to 26 over the past 24 hours -- the highest death toll outside of China, where the disease emerged in December. A total of 245 people had tested positive for the virus -- an increase of 106 on the previous day, Jahanpour told a news conference, adding that the large number of new cases came from more labs now testing for the virus. More than 82,000 people in about 40 countries have been infected with the new coronavirus, mainly in China. COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, has killed more than 2,700 people globally. The Middle Eastern country has become the main hot spot of the virus in the region, where more than 350 cases have now been reported. Many of those cases have been linked to travelers who had gone to the Islamic republic for religious visits. As governments ramped up measures to battle a looming global pandemic, Iranian authorities announced domestic travel restrictions for people with confirmed or suspected infections, and placed curbs on access to major Shiite pilgrimage sites. In affected areas, school closures will be extended for three days, and universities for another week starting from February 29, Health Minister Saeed Namaki told a news conference. State TV later reported Friday Prayers in Tehran had been called off, and semiofficial news agencies quoted officials as saying the prayers would also be canceled in other cities. Chinese citizens were banned from entering the country, according to state news agency IRNA. A graphic published by IRNA showed that people were diagnosed with the disease in 20 of the country's 31 provinces. The most affected of those remained the central province home to the city of Qom, a popular place of religious study for Shi'a from across Iran and other countries. Epidemiologists fear Iranian officials are underreporting the number of cases of the new virus. In an interview with the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran on February 26, public-health expert Kamiar Alaei said Iranian authorities "don't want to admit that they're facing a major outbreak." The Iranian health-care system has the capacity and infrastructure to counter a coronavirus outbreak, but officials have not rapidly and effectively mobilized the country's resources "due to political concerns," according to Alaei, who has worked on HIV/AIDS prevention and other infectious diseases in Iran. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia on February 27 suspended visas for visits to Islam's holiest sites for the umrah pilgrimage, which goes on all year round. It was not clear if the annual hajj pilgrimage, which this year begins in July, will be affected. Pakistan shut schools in Sindh and Balochistan provinces, suspended flights to and from Iran, and began to screen hundreds of people who had recently arrived from its neighbor, officials said. The South Asian countries reported two cases of the infection on people who had recently traveled to Iran as part of groups of pilgrims from Pakistan's Shi'ite minority. The Iraqi government ordered the closure of schools and universities, cafes, cinemas, and other public spaces until March 7. Travel to or from some of the worst affected countries, including China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Italy, were also banned. Russia's Federal Tourism Agency recommended national tour operators suspend tours to Iran, Italy, and South Korea until the outbreaks there are brought under control. The move came after Moscow announced it would stop issuing visas for regular and transit travel for Iranian citizens. With reporting by Reuters, BBC, AP, and AFP The Queen is our head of state! a college student of mine proudly shared one day. Commonwealth countries have the Queen as head. Umm, no, they dont. Not all. I had to break that bubble. Not in India? Nope. When we sent the British Empire packing, we sent the Queen along. Indigenous leaders are protesting the singing of God Save the Queen in the Ontario Legislature this week. It is a reminder of their painful past, one that many Indigenous communities around Canada still feel the after shocks of. I have no beef with the Queen. Not much point holding a grudge against someones ancestors. However, it does strike me, that with its huge, and increasing, immigrant population, many of whom are from formerly colonized countries still trying to lift themselves from the theft that colonialism was, this doesnt seem to be a custom that is likely to last long term. I am an Indian, currently living in Canada. Like societies all around the world, we are no strangers to oppression ourselves, and not just from colonialism. For all our glorious past, we also have our caste system, that even though weakened today, is a formidable foe for anyone challenging it. We are also no strangers to communal tensions that come, inevitably, from diverse communities living together. In fact, even as I write this, Delhi, the national capital, is burning. Observers say it is increasingly turning into Hindu-Muslim clashes, others are calling it a state-backed pogrom of Muslims, a potential revisit of the Sikh massacre of 1984. This is not the India we grew up in, or the India that our freedom fighters fought for. It is, however, an India that politics and politicians can play with at will. We all are humans with frail egos, wherever in the world we may be. Indians also understand feudalism. Weve had our aristocrats, kings and rich landlords, each level of entitled society doing its oppression thing. Is it the entitlement of the majority community the new kings in a democracy that makes them tone deaf to the sentiments of minorities? I often ask myself variations of this question. I belong to a privileged community in India and only in recent years have started questioning thought processes we were conditioned to accept as normal. Is the singing of God Save the Queen the rallying cry of a feudal mindset or the swan song of a dying breed? Canada welcomes hundreds of thousands of new immigrants every year immigrants who carry communal and social baggage from their home countries to Canada, even as they leave their home countries behind. The Doug Ford government would do well to concentrate on building social harmony and integrating all people instead of resurrecting old ghosts. In the meantime, new migrants to Canada like myself must learn to discard our negative baggage and learn to be Canadians and if that requires snow shovelling and developing a taste for poutine (gravy on fries! Seriously?), then, sigh, so be it. God Bless Canada. Lom Harshni Chauhan is a writer and faculty in Conestoga College School of Business Read more about: OTSEGO COUNTY, MI A Michigan man is accused of sexually assaulting a young relative of a woman he was in a relationship with. Christopher James Elmhirst, 32, of Gaylord has been charged with one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct of a person under 13 and two counts CSC second degree of a person under 13. All three counts are felonies. Troopers from the Michigan State Police Gaylord Post started investigating Elmhirst after they were contacted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Childrens Protective Services in January regarding the report of a minor child who had allegedly been sexually assaulted. The MSP Gaylord Post worked with the Roscommon Child Advocacy Center to conduct an interview of the child. The suspect, Elmhirst, was in a relationship a family member of the victim, according to police. Elmhirst was arrested on Feb. 11 and later arraigned in the 87-A District Court in Otsego County. He is being held in the Otsego County Jail on a $125,000 bond. His next court date is a felony pretrial scheduled for March 5. By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 27, 2020 | 07:57 AM | PADUCAH West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Clemens Fine Arts Center will host a panel discussion about socialism on Saturday. The panel discussion, which is part of the center's new Exposure Series, will begin at 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public. A century ago, many cities in the United States elected socialist mayors and socialist ideas have influenced important federal programs like Social Security and Medicaid. This panel discussion will explore a new movement towards socialism in the United States and look at it through the lenses of economics, politics, sociology and ethics. Expert panelists for the discussion will be WKCTC's Dr. Kevin Gericke, professor of economics and leadership and David Nickell, professor of philosophy and sociology and Murray State University's Dr. Drew Seib, associate professor of political science. The center's Exposure Series focuses on enabling audiences and artists to explore ideas about the world with an interdisciplinary and more education-based approach. "I want this discussion to be just that, a discussion." Says Todd Birdsong, the Clemens Fine Arts Center director. "Words and labels are so loaded in our current political and social climate and it is easy to dismiss an idea as being too extreme, or confusing it with a different association," he said. "I believe this idea in particular needs some clarification, and I hope the evening sheds some light and new information on the topic." D ozens of British tourists are among 130 guests at a coronavirus-hit hotel in Tenerife who have been told they are able to leave the quarantine. There are around 700 tourists, including 160 Britons, in lockdown at the Costa Adeje Palace Hotel after a Italian guest tested positive for the virus. The Minister of Health said on Thursday a cohort of 130 tourists staying at the hotel are free to leave after being declared low risk. It is understood around 50 of those are British guests. Those who can leave are understood to have arrived on Monday, after the guest who was diagnosed had already left. A statement from the Foreign Office said: We are urgently seeking clarification from the Canary Island authorities following their announcement that 130 tourists of different nationalities will be granted permission to leave the Costa Adeje Palace Hotel. We continue to offer support to all British nationals at the hotel. The four-star hotel has been in lockdown, with its doors padlocked, since the weekend when the Italian doctor tested positive. Coronavirus: Costa Adeje Hotel lockdown in Tenerife 1 /32 Coronavirus: Costa Adeje Hotel lockdown in Tenerife A police officer stands by a barrier in front of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel where the number of coronavirus cases has doubled AP People stand on their balconies of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel AP General view of H10 Hotel, which is on lockdown after novel coronavirus has been confirmed in Adeje Reuters Tourists sunbath at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel in La Caleta AFP via Getty Images Police officers stand outside of H10 Hotel, which is on lockdown after novel coronavirus has been confirmed in Adeje, on the Spanish island of Tenerife Reuters Spanish police officers stand outside the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife, Canary Island, Spain AP Emergency workers rest at a health control outside H10 Hotel, which is on lockdown after novel coronavirus has been confirmed in in Adeje, on the Spanish island of Tenerife REUTERS PA AP A woman looks from a terrace of H10 Hotel, which is on lockdown after novel coronavirus has been confirmed in Adeje, on the Spanish island of Tenerife, Reuters General view taken on February 25, 2020 of the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel in La Caleta, where hundreds of people were confined to their rooms after an Italian tourist was hospitalised with a suspected case of coronavirus. - Tourists staying in a four-star hotel on the Spanish island of Tenerife AFP via Getty Images H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife, Canary Island, Spain, Google A police officer controls the road to the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife, Canary Island AP via Reuters An employee wears a protective mask as he talks with guests inside a hotel under lockdown after a coronavirus case was identified in Adej via Reuters Tourists stand on the balcony of their rooms at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace Hotel in La Caleta AFP via Getty Images H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife, Canary Island, Spain Google AFP via Getty Images A Spanish police officer sets a barrier blocking the access to the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife, Canary Island, Spain AP A Spanish National Police car is parked outside a hotel under lockdown after a coronavirus case was identified in Adeje, in the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife via Reuters Spanish police officers patrol outside the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife, Canary Island AP Employees wearing protective masks arrange water bottles in the lobby of a hotel under lockdown after a coronavirus case was identified in Adeje, in the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife via Reuters H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife, Canary Island, Spain, Google H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife, Canary Island, Spain, Google StreetView Guests are facing being held for up to 14 days, but some have complained that staying put places them at greater risk. Meanwhile, Downing Street has defended the response to the situation in Tenerife. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: The Foreign Office has been in contact with more than 100 British nationals who are staying in the hotel. They are providing them with support, they are also in regular contact with local authorities and tour companies to share information. World Health Organisation: Coronavirus has pandemic potential The quarantine is being managed by the Spanish authorities. We understand that those guests who have been assessed by medical staff and who are not showing symptoms are free to move around within the hotel. Pressed on whether there would be an evacuation flight for Britons, the spokesman said: We base all our decisions on medical and scientific advice and everything is kept under review. It comes as two more people were diagnosed with the virus in the UK. One of the new cases a parent at a Buxton primary school in Derbyshire contracted the virus in Tenerife, where 168 Britons are being kept in a hotel on the south west of the island. The other contracted the virus in Italy, which has become the worst affected country in Europe with more than 400 cases and 14 deaths. One patient has been taken to the specialist infectious diseases centre at the Royal Liverpool Hospital and the other to the Royal Free Hospital in London. Buttigieg won the most delegates in the Iowa caucuses on Feb. 3 and did well in the New Hampshire primary a week later. But he trails in South Carolina, which will vote Saturday, and is in the middle of the pack in Virginia, one of 14 states that will vote on Super Tuesday on March 3. With porous borders, creaking hospitals and large illiterate populations, Afghanistan and Pakistan face a potentially devastating health crisis after the new coronavirus erupted in neighbouring Iran. Islamabad has closed official border crossings while Kabul has suspended all travel to the Islamic republic, which has reported 19 deaths and a total of 139 infections -- making it one of the hardest hit countries outside the virus epicentre China. But experts fear the measures could prove ineffective with thousands of people -- refugees fleeing violence, Shiite pilgrims, smugglers and migrants looking for work -- likely crossing the long, poorly patrolled frontiers every day. The virus has spread to more than 30 countries, killing over 2,700 and infecting 80,000, mostly in China. But new outbreaks in Europe, the Middle East and in Asia have fanned fears of the contagion taking hold in poor nations which lack the healthcare infrastructure to cope. Pakistan announced Wednesday its first two cases of the virus. Officials said one of the infected individuals was a 22-year-old Karachi male who had acquired the virus in Iran. While they did not confirm where the second case was reported, local media placed it in Islamabad. Afghanistan meanwhile announced Monday its first virus infection involving a patient who had recently been in Iran where millions of Afghans live. Afghan television and radio broadcasts have begun advising people on how to prevent transmission of the virus, while residents have rushed to buy face masks -- straining supplies and sparking a tenfold increase in the cost of a single mask at some pharmacies in the capital Kabul. "We are worried, we don't have a proper functioning health system and the borders are open. All we can do is take some preventive measures and pray to God to help us," said Ihsanul Haq, a government employee. Afghanistan's healthcare system is in tatters after more than four decades of war, with the few available hospitals focused mainly on basic care and trauma. They lack the expertise to deal with infectious diseases. "It could be a disaster if the virus really spreads all over the country. There aren't that many health centres," said Wali, a Kabul-based physician, who specialises in viral infectious diseases. "The government is doing what they can to contain the spread of the virus. But it is very difficult." Adding to the challenge of limiting the spread of the virus is the Afghan tradition of greeting family and friends with handshakes, hugs and kisses. A largely illiterate population also makes it difficult to educate people about ways to stop the transmission. "People are illiterate, you can't get the message through to them," Wali said. - Unprepared - Across the border in Pakistan there are growing fears over how the country would deal with a potential outbreak. Islamabad has a history of failing to contain infectious diseases such as polio, tuberculosis and hepatitis. Adding to the challenge, hundreds of thousands of quack doctors are thought to be working across the country and scandals involving the use of dirty needles in healthcare settings have eroded public trust in the system. Some Pakistani students trapped in the Chinese city of Wuhan -- where the virus was first detected in December -- told AFP recently they were nervous about returning to their country if authorities were to evacuate them. "We are worried about how the authorities are going to treat us when we go back to Pakistan -- some students who went back told us the officials treated them very badly," Ruqia Shaikh said. While Pakistan has closed land borders with Iran, it has maintained air travel to and from China -- increasingly a source of trade and commerce for the country. "There is a limited concept of prevention unfortunately. I fear it's not well prepared at all for any health emergency," Pakistani public health expert Arshad Altaf told AFP. Pakistan this week moved quickly to quarantine at least 270 people near the Iranian border after a group of pilgrims returned and briefly mixed with other residents. That came hours after Pakistan sealed off its frontier with Iran in southwestern Balochistan province, which remains vulnerable to a public health emergency. Decades of fighting a separatist insurgency and militant violence, along with neglect from the central government, have left the impoverished area with little infrastructure. Ziaullah Langove, Balochistan's home minister, said there were nearly 10,000 Pakistanis still in Iran, mostly students and pilgrims that Iranian officials were planning to send back in small groups. At the Taftan border crossing long queues of trucks waited in hope of being allowed into Iran, as residents and officials donned surgical masks. "There is no information sharing whatsoever," said resident Khuda Baksh, chiding officials for failing to keep locals informed about the situation. "There is fear and panic among the public, our business and lives are at risk." mak-zz-emh-ds/wat/amj/axn/bfm/jm/bfm The European Union is bracing for the economic hit from the new coronavirus epidemic, but it is still too early to estimate the magnitude, the bloc's commissioner for the internal market said Thursday. Tourism is already feeling the pinch because "our Chinese friends haven't been coming to Europe for two months," Thierry Breton told a conference. He said supply chains reliant on China, including for the auto, medical, electronic, wood and toy industries, were also being affected. The commissioner spoke after a Brussels meeting of EU economy ministers. If the disruptions continue, the EU stands ready to deploy economic support measures for virus-hit sectors after another ministerial meeting next month, Breton said. Right now, however, "it's too early to say" what those measures would entail. "We are currently analysing the situation." He added: "It's too early to measure the precise impact" from the coronavirus on Europe's economy. Italy is the hardest-hit member state, with an outbreak in its economically important north responsible for a dozen COVID-19 deaths. At a briefing for journalists, EU officials said the bloc was currently in a "containment phase" of identifying infection cases and coordinating on preparedness plans. One official said the EU was well-prepared and that, while other clusters such as that in Italy may well occur, overall the risk to the bloc was no more than "moderate" because of member states' capacities to respond. Closing Europe's borders -- either its external borders or its internal, passport-free Schengen borders -- was not seen as advisable or effective, the officials said. However, there was a possibility that authorities might soon look at cancelling "mass gathering events" such as sporting fixtures, concerts and other opportunities for transmission if it was deemed a good way to slow the virus's spread. One official said information from Japan that one Japanese woman appears to have been reinfected with the coronavirus after recovering was worrying and had to be verified. "That has massive implications for the model that has been constructed" in the EU, the official said. In a Brussels event hosted by the German Marshall Fund think tank gathering European Commission officials and Asian diplomats and experts, one participant said the virus outbreak was posing a "huge challenge" for China. "The coronavirus epidemic breaks a path towards a 'weak China' scenario," the participant said on condition of anonymity, pointing to the risks of internal instability in China and disrupted supply chains. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) House Intelligence Committee majority counsel Daniel Goldman (R) and House Judiciary Committee minority counsel Steve Castor at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the grounds for the impeachment of President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 9, 2019. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) Top Impeachment Investigator Steps Down From House Intelligence Panel A former federal prosecutor who played a role as an impeachment investigator for House Democrats is leaving his role on the Intelligence Committee. Daniel Goldman joined the committee at the beginning of this congressional session as the director of investigations and ultimately led the questioning of government officials during last years impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. He appeared in public hearings, asking questions related to whether Trump committed impeachable offenses by allegedly withholding aid to Ukraine in exchange for investigations. Trump has categorically denied the allegations. Goldman told CNN Thursday that it was an honor of a lifetime to work for House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) before saying that he, Schiff, and other committee members were attempting to provide a vital check on the president, as the Constitution requires Congress to do. Im indebted to my colleagues for working tirelessly in pursuit of that objective, he told the network. While I am eager to return to New York to spend some much-needed time with my family, I know that the committees work will continue apace under Chairman Schiffs leadership. House intelligence chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) at a press conference about the impeachment inquiry of President Trump, at the Capitol in Washington on Oct. 2, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Over the past year, Dan Goldman has provided strategic guidance, wise counsel and steady leadership to our Committee through a turbulent, but critical time, Schiff said in a statement about Goldmans departure. We know that the team Dan helped us build from scratch will continue their important work, and while we will all miss him in the committee, we know that his family is excited to get him back. Goldman is the third attorney who was involved in the House impeachment inquiry to leave the House in the past month or so. Barry Berke and Norm Eisen, two other lawyers who had partaken in the effort, left the House Judiciary Committee, although they were more involved in the making the constitutional case for Trumps removal, according to Politico. Ultimately, the president was impeached in the House in a party-line vote, although he was eventually acquitted by the Senate weeks later. Goldman had previously worked as a top prosecutor at the U.S. attorneys office in the Southern District of New York. During an interview on the Stay Tuned with Preet podcast, which is hosted by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, Goldman said the panel is still considering issuing a subpoena to former Trump national security adviser John Bolton, who Senate Democrats tried to compel for testimony in the Senate trial. Reports have said that the departures of Goldman, Berke, and Eisen suggest that Democrats are moving away from investigations into the Trump administration amid the 2020 election. A heroic ferry captain plunged 40ft into muddy water during the dramatic rescue of a drowning woman. U Myint Aye hurled himself from the top of his ship after a female passenger slipped into the water as he attempted to dock at the Dala port, near the Pansodan Ferry Terminal on the Yangon River in Myanmar. The experienced sailor, 60, also managed to steer the ferry away from the edge to avoid crushing the struggling woman during the brave rescue at around 10.30am on February 18. The captain, along with two other crew helped drag 34-year-old Khin Chan Mya to safety, as a crowd of locals helped pull them up to dry land. The woman was shocked but still conscious, and rushed straight to the local hospital. The dramatic moment captain U Myint Aye (top left of picture) launched himself from the top of his ship to save a drowning woman. Khin Chan Mya, 34, fell in as the vessel attempted to dock at the port on the Yangon River in Myanmar Two other crew members followed their captain into the water and helped drag the woman on to dry land as passengers and bystanders watched One of the passengers said the woman took a wrong step as the ship approached the port. 'I saw that she was falling onto the water when the boat reached the pier,' he said. Shortly after saving her life, the captain was pictured holding a glass of beer, still wearing the same clothes - alongside his two drenched deck-hands. The trio later received recognition of their incredible rescue from town officials. The captain said: 'At that time I did not think about any risks to my own life. 'I jumped just because I wanted the woman to be safe. I am old now, it is fine if I die, the young woman should be alive.' U Myint Aye, (pictured centre), is flanked by two crew members as he toasts his successful rescue The captain and the crew were also honoured with plaques showing pictures of their rescue. U Myint Aye said he has worked on ferries for more than 40 years and plans to retire at the end of this year. He said he lost count of the number of people he has saved from drowning. He added: 'I am very proud of myself that I have saved so many lives during my working life.' The rapidly spreading coronavirus is set to wipe out profit growth for U.S. companies this year, according to Goldman Sachs. The outbreak will result in S&P 500 earnings holding at $165 per share in 2020, down from a previous estimate of $174, the Wall Street firm predicted. Our reduced profit forecasts reflect the severe decline in Chinese economic activity in the first quarter, lower end-demand for U.S. exporters, disruption to the supply chain for many U.S. firms, a slowdown in U.S. economic activity, and elevated business uncertainty, wrote David Kostin, chief U.S. equity strategist at Goldman. CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK INTENSIFIES RECESSION WORRIES The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has sickened at least 81,109 people globally and killed 2,762, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization. Hundreds of millions of people have been locked down in China, paralyzing supply chains and causing companies to temporarily shutter their doors or reduce operations. Additionally, airlines have canceled flights to and from China, schools have been closed in Japan and Saudi Arabia has canceled pilgrimages to Mecca and other holy sites. WHAT IS A SUPPLY CHAIN? The fallout has run deep among U.S. companies that do business with China, particularly among those that rely on production inside the country. On Wednesday evening, Microsoft warned that delivery of parts for its personal-computing unit, which accounts for about one-third of revenue, has been impeded more than previously expected. The warning follows similar comments from tech giants Apple and HP, and may be just the beginning. The 20 largest contributors to S&P 500 earnings, which account for a third of earnings, trace roughly 18 percent of their inventory costs to Greater China and 3 percent to both South Korea and Japan, Kostin wrote. Notably, South Korea has the second-most confirmed cases with 1,261, according to the WHO. While supply-chain issues are top of mind for some companies, others -- including Canada Goose, Estee Lauder and Ralph Lauren -- are worried about the outbreak curbing foot traffic in stores and damaging consumer demand. Story continues Chinese consumers, many of whom have been sidelined by the virus through either the temporary closing of stores or the grounding of U.S. flights into and out of the country, accounted for 33 percent of spending in the global luxury market in 2018, according to the management consultancy Bain & Co. Kostin says the gap between yields for the U.S. 10-year Treasury and corporate earnings is about twice its usual size, suggesting that if the 10-year falls to 1 percent, then the S&P 500 will fall to 2,900 before rebounding as the end of the year approaches. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS A scenario where the COVID-19 outbreak does not worsen significantly would be consistent with a year-end level of 3,400, he wrote. The index hovered around 3,000 on Thursday. Related Articles The underground cigarette factory discovered by the Guardia Civil on an estate in Monda leaves behind it a trail of crossing life stories. You only have to dig a little - in the most literal sense of the expression - to find them. The saddest side, the hardest of all, is that of the six Ukrainian workers, who flew into Malaga Airport from their homeland and, as soon as they set foot on Spanish soil, were whisked off in a van to the estate which at first sight appeared to be attractive and well-kept riding stables. From that moment, they did not see the sun again for a month. They descended the 14 rungs of the ladder in the secret bunker, and the door above their heads was slammed closed and weighted down with a heavy container, shutting off all natural light. It very nearly became their gravestone. The Ukrainians, all former workers in tobacco factories, knew exactly how to use the old packaging machine which had been dismantled in Poland and bought by the organisation on the black market. They ate and slept in the same bunker, ventilated only by a closed circuit of air which worked with a generator fuelled by diesel. The suspect was leading a quiet life in an apartment in Malaga's Soho district with views of the port On the day of the police operation, nobody refuelled the generator because the police had raided at 5am and arrested the heads of the organisation. The six 'moles' were about to suffocating to death. When the Guardia Civil finally found the bunker and led them out, they gasped desperately for air, relieved to be free and alive, even though they were wearing handcuffs. The Guardia Civil say the head of the criminal organisation is Daniel Dobbs, a 31-year-old British man normally known as 'Dobbo'. In 2014, he was sentenced to 13-and-a-half years in jail in the UK after being arrested with another four men when a drugs laboratory was discovered in Doncaster. The police seized about two million pounds worth of amphetamines and ingredients to produce narcotic substances worth another 2.3 million. The young Brit was serving his sentence at the Hatfield Lakes open prison in South Yorkshire. On 2 November 2018 he failed to return from temporary leave. In March last year the UK's National Crime Agency released his photo and asked the public to help find him. They suspected that he had gone to Spain and was using a false name - and they were right. He was known here as Clayton James Wathen, and was living a quiet life in a comfortable sixth-floor apartment in the Soho district of Malaga, with views over the port. However 'Dobbo' knew that his luck could change any day, and that is why, when officers from the Guardia Civil's Rapid Action Group broke his door down, he knew exactly what he had to do. He ran out to the terrace, walked along the narrow ledge like a tightrope walker, passing three apartments, and ended on the terrace of a woman who had an attack of nerves when she saw him rushing through her apartment and into the patio. From there, he used the drainpipe to climb down six storeys, nearly 18 metres, to ground level, where there was the entry to a hotel. The Guardia Civil officers took less time to find him there than they did to discover the bunker in Monda. He was hiding behind a pile of frying pans. The authorities say he was working with another British man, Andrew George C., who was living with his family in a villa he was renting for 10,000 euros a month. He is said to have bought a warehouse on a Malaga industrial estate, which was on sale for one million euros. He paid cash for it. 'Dobbo', who is considered one of the heads of the group, had been sentenced to 13-and-a-half years in jail in the UK after being caught with four others running an illegal drugs laboratory in Doncaster. Congress and the administrations that occupied the White House for most of the post-World War II era have a seemingly unbreakable habit of kicking what has become a rusty can down the road. The latest example is President Donald Trumps $4.8 trillion 2021 budget proposal. His plan, like nearly every presidents, is dead on arrival to Congress. What also isnt unusual is the proposal doesnt address specific issues that are of importance to farmers. The nations system of locks and dams, many of which were built with a limited shelf life, are falling into disrepair and do not function efficiently. The Upper Mississippi portion of the system, which goes from Minnesota to St. Louis, needs major repair work. Why is it important that something be done? The Upper Mississippi system generates $600 billion in annual economic activity and moves 60 percent of the nations grain. Its aged structures include 29 locks and dams. Much of it was constructed in the 1930s with an expected 50-year life span. ADVERTISEMENT It is accepted that a more effective system would generate increased profits for farmers. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees the locks and dams, is falling behind on maintenance. The current backlog is estimated at approximately $1 billion. Nearly a decade ago, the American Society of Civil Engineers graded the system, giving it a heart-wrenching D- in terms of shipping efficiency. It is disheartening that the presidents 2021 budget proposes slashing the Army Corps of Engineers funding. The budget includes $5.96 billion in gross discretionary spending for the corps Civil Works Program. That would be a significant drop from the $7 billion that was allocated in the final 2020 budget. The president proposes to slash the Civil Works budget by 22 percent, which is a similar percentage he asked for in the 2020 budget. Other presidents have in recent times recommended similar cuts. Whats different this time is the budget offers no money for construction on ongoing priority navigation projects that are cost-shared by the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. The fund is supported through a 29 cent a gallon fuel tax imposed on shippers. In 2020, Congress provided $335 million to fund priority waterway projects. There are reasons why the Mississippi River lock and dam construction projects have gained little traction among elected officials and the general public. Improvements are expensive and taxpayers who are dealing with congested freeways and potholes dont see the benefit of improving barge flow on the Mississippi. For the most part, most do not know about the significant role the system plays in moving commodities. Environmentalists argue that waterway projects threaten wildlife habitat. Sooner or later, the nation must be willing to confront the problems posed by a deteriorating infrastructure. President Trump and Congress held meetings about infrastructure improvement projects in 2018 and for a short time, it appeared that a bipartisan agreement was possible. ADVERTISEMENT The talks ended in acrimony and no recent effort has been made to negotiate. For the nations good, the White House and Congress must make a serious commitment to maintaining and improving the lock and dam system on the Upper Mississippi and all along the river. The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has reportedly confirmed 334 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the south-eastern city of Daegu. This has surged the figures to a total of 1,595, which is the largest spike in the country so far. South Korea has also reported its 13th fatality related to COVID-19 virus infection. A 23-year-old service member from the US special forces stationed in South Korea is among those tested positive from the coronavirus. The soldier was based in Camp Carroll in a town near Daegu and visited both Carroll and nearby Camp Walker in recent days. The US military health officials along with South Korea health committee were now tracing his contacts to determine if he transmitted disease further, confirmed reports. Meanwhile, the Military drills involving troops from South Korea and the United States have reportedly been postponed until further notice, with soldiers from both countries among those infected. Read: Mongolia Halts Flights From South Korea To Prevent Spread Of Coronavirus Read: US, South Korea To Scale Back Military Command Post Training Amid Coronavirus Dread S Korea initiates full-scale support system The South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited the Daegu area earlier amid the rapid surge in the coronavirus cases, said reports. He visited Daegu Medical Centre and held a meeting with officials at the disaster control and safety centre to discuss containment measures to stem the spread of the malignant virus. He told the media that his government initiated a full-scale support system to combat the Wuhan virus. He urged that the health officials must expect the deceleration in the new cases moving further. Countries including the Philippines and Hong Kong have sealed their borders with South Korea, the largest impacted country with coronavirus outbreak outside mainland China. John Lee, the security chief for Hong Kong said that the country has issued a red travel alert, therefore, anyone who resided in South Korea in last fortnight would be denied entry to international finance hub, as per reports. The Philippines imposed restrictions on travellers from South Korea and barred Filipinos from touring to the East Asian nations amid the outbreak. The partial ban was reportedly placed on South Koreas North Gyeongsang, one of the most impacted regions from coronavirus. Read: 76 Indians, 36 Foreigners Evacuated From Coronavirus-hit Wuhan Taken To ITBP Quarantine Facility Read: China Coronavirus: Death Toll Climbs To 2,744 Amidst Decline In Cases School & Education, Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases By Chris Boyle Published: February 25 2020 Franchising opportunities available in cities across Long Island, including Baldwin, Bay Shore, Flushing, Lynbrook, Manhasset, Massapequa and Patchogue. Huntington Learning Center, the nations #1 revenue producing tutoring and test prep provider specializing in individualized academic programs for K-12 students, has recently opened up a limited number of franchising opportunities for professionals in cities across Long Island, including Baldwin, Bay Shore, Flushing, Lynbrook, Manhasset, Massapequa and Patchogue, and is excited to invite local entrepreneurs to join the company in its mission to give the best education possible to students across the New York Metro area. Huntington is well established in the franchise world, and especially so in New York and New Jersey, where we opened our first centers over 40 years ago, said Anne Huntington, President of Huntington Learning Center. As the nations top revenue-producing tutoring franchise and a recognized leader in the franchise industry as a whole, we have established best-in-class processes and procedures which allow our franchisees to both achieve business success and to change the lives of students and families in their communities. Our franchisees generate 53% more revenue than our closest competitor, and thats because we focus on two cornerstones of our business: fulfilling our vision of world-class student results and franchisee profitability. Huntington Learning Center, which was founded by Ray and Eileen Huntington in 1977, began offering franchising opportunities in 1985, and has since grown to approximately 300 locations nationwide. The family-run company is proud of its track record of success, including being named a Top Franchise by both Entrepreneur Magazine and the Franchise Business Review in 2019, as well as receiving top honors by Training Magazine for its employer-sponsored training and development programs and accolades from Newsweek for its excellent customer service. The company has also been ranked #39 on Entrepreneurs Franchise 500 Top Franchise Brand list, as well as a Top 50 Franchise for Women and a Top 50 Franchise based on Franchisee Satisfaction. Company President Anne Huntington, the second generation of family leadership for Huntington Learning Center and executive-in-charge of the companys strategic vision and franchising growth, believes that Huntingtons success stems from its deep understanding of the challenges its students face, the companys dedication to serving each individual students needs, and its programs proven ability to get results. My mother was an educator. She witnessed the struggles that many students face when it comes to learning and developing the skills and confidence that they need to succeed in school and beyond, said Huntington. In 1977, she and my father, Ray, a Fortune 500 business analyst and college level teacher, set out to not only create a learning system that delivers real results for students, but to create a place where families could feel comfortable and excited about learning. For our family, Huntington Learning Center is far more than just a business - its a chance to help students be all that they can be while at the same time giving something absolutely vital back to the community. Its a rewarding responsibility. What sets us apart from our competitors is that we are dedicated to providing the best education possible and the highest level of staff and resources to every student who walks through our doors, Huntington continued. We are proudly accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and Western Association of Schools and Colleges, our teachers are certified and trained in the Huntington methodology, and we hold regular training sessions at all levels to ensure that our teams across the country are delivering on our mission. Huntington Learning Center offers individualized instruction in phonics, reading, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry and other sciences, to more than 50,000 students annually. HLC also offers prep courses for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams, and its students have seen incredible results. Parents gravitate toward our centers ability to foster a learning environment where their students can thrive and reach new milestones, said Huntington. In 2019, students who participated in our standardized test prep programs reported an average increase of 229 points on the SAT and 5.4 points on the ACT, as well as offers of $71,000 in scholarships on average. Total scholarships awarded to Huntington students surveyed was $187 million. Our programs develop the skills, confidence and motivation to help students succeed in and out of the classroom, and the results truly speak for themselves. (Bloomberg) -- Apache Corp. is officially calling it quits on a highly publicized but disappointing shale discovery in West Texas after vehemently defending the prospect for about three years. The Houston-based company posted a roughly $3 billion writedown on its Alpine High project, a find from 2016 that fizzled when it turned out to hold more natural gas than oil. Apache will instead focus on offshore riches in Suriname, where the explorer recently struck crude and enlisted French oil titan Total SA as a partner. Apache has no current plans for future drilling at Alpine High, Clay Bretches, chief executive officer of Apaches pipeline spinoff, Altus Midstream Co., said in a statement. RELATED: Apache: Layoffs impact Midland office Apache rose as much as 10% on Thursday, even as almost every other oil producer in the S&P 500 Index slumped amid coronavirus fears. The company is shifting capital spending to focus on places like Suriname and Egypt rather than near-term growth opportunities -- industry shorthand for shale. The Alpine High was announced in September 2016 to much fanfare and claims the field held 3 billion barrels of crude and 75 trillion cubic feet of gas. But it quickly became apparent that that corner of the prolific Permian Basin was far richer in natural gas and its byproducts than more-valuable oil. The Alpine High became even more worrisome for investors as gas supplies in the region ballooned and prices cratered. When Alpine High was announced in 2016, we had great hope for what it could mean for Apache, John Christmann, Apaches CEO, said during the companys fourth-quarter earnings call on Thursday. In the end, a number of factors were problematic at Alpine High. He cited steeply lower prices for gas and gas byproducts, as well as a lack of infrastructure to handle that output. He also said productivity improvements did not materialize. Christmanns comments were in stark contrast to his past defense of the Alpine High. At the start of 2018, he told analysts that the play would really hum even with gas prices at $2. As recently as May, Apache said that investors didnt have an appreciation for the potential cash flow generation from the liquids play at Alpine High. Star Geologist But roughly five months later, the star Apache geologist who led discovery of the field abruptly left. At the time, the departure of Steven Keenan, Apaches senior vice president of worldwide exploration, raised red flags for the companys other high-profile prospect -- offshore Suriname. RELATED: Apache closing San Antonio office, cutting nearly 300 jobs Apache calmed investors who were nervous Suriname would be a bust last month when it disclosed a major discovery. The announcement came shortly after Apache brought Total aboard to help develop the project on Surinames Block 58. We are currently drilling the second well on Block 58, Sapakara West-1, and are encouraged by what weve seen so far, Christmann said in Wednesdays statement. The company has plans for a third, and likely a fourth, exploratory well. Across its business, Apache sees the need for a permanent reduction in headcount in response to slowing shale activity. Altus Midstream, meanwhile, will look for new customers to fill its pipes. We are aggressively pursuing third-party volumes to replace declining production from Alpine High and maximize throughput at our Diamond processing facility, Bretches said in Altus fourth-quarter earnings statement. 2020 Bloomberg L.P. The Congress on Thursday hit out at the government over the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge S Muralidhar, alleging that the Modi dispensation was waging a battle of revenge against the judiciary. The Congress on Thursday hit out at the government over the transfer of Delhi High Court Judge S Muralidhar, alleging that the Modi dispensation was waging a battle of revenge against the judiciary. Muralidhar was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, on a day when a bench headed by him expressed "anguish" over the Delhi Police's failure to register FIRs against alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders Parvesh Verma, Kapil Mishra and Anurag Thakur. Click here to follow LIVE updates on Delhi Violence Over CAA Protest Taking a dig at the government over Muralidhar's "sudden" transfer, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasn't transferred." Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case of Gujarat, died of cardiac arrest in Nagpur on 1 December 2014, when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter. Remembering the brave Judge Loya, who wasnt transferred. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 27, 2020 Upping the ante against the Modi government, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Centre's attempts to "muzzle" justice and "break people's faith in an upright judiciary are deplorable". The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isnt shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certianly sad & shameful. Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the governments attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable. pic.twitter.com/KKt4IeAMyv Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 27, 2020 "The midnight transfer of Justice Muralidhar isn't shocking given the current dispensation, but it is certainly sad and shameful," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted. "Millions of Indians have faith in a resilient & upright judiciary, the government's attempts to muzzle justice & break their faith are deplorable," she added. Calling the transfer a classic "hit-and-run injustice" by the BJP government, senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said the saffron party's "politics of revenge" has been exposed. "It seems those doing justice in-country will now not be spared," he said at a press conference. "Delhi HC Judge S Muralidhar transferred by the government to save BJP leaders in Delhi violence case," he alleged. Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad came down heavily on the Opposition party for these remarks and said that Muralidhar's transfer came following the recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium, asserting that a "well-settled process" was followed. The minister's reaction came after the Congress alleged that Justice Muralidhar was transferred by the government to save BJP leaders in the Delhi violence case. "Transfer of Honarable Justice Muralidhar was done pursuant to the recommendation dated 12 February of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India," Prasad wrote on Twitter. He said while transferring a judge, his or her consent is taken. "The well-settled process has been followed," Prasad added. He said a judge's consent is taken before transferring him or her. Continuing his attack on the opposition party, Prasad said the people of India have rejected the Congress and "hence it is hell-bent on destroying the very institutions India cherishes by constantly attacking them". Referring to a tweet by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the death of Judge Loya, the Union minister said the Loya judgement had been well-settled by the Supreme Court. "Those raising questions do not respect the judgment of the apex court pronounced after elaborate arguments. Does Rahul Gandhi consider himself above even the Supreme Court," he asked. Prasad said the government respects the independence of the judiciary. "The record of Congress in compromising the independence of the judiciary, superseding judges even of Supreme Court during Emergency is well known. They rejoice only when the judgment is of their liking otherwise raise questions on the institutions itself," he said. Prasad said the party which is the "private property of one family" has no right to lecture about objectionable speeches. "The family and its cronies have routinely used the harshest words against the Courts, the Army, the CAG, the PM and the people of India," the minister said. NEW ORLEANS The winner-take-all system Texas and 47 other states use to assign Electoral College presidential votes is constitutional, a federal appeals court said Wednesday. A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans unanimously upheld a lower courts dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the Texas system. It was the latest defeat for organizations challenging such systems in Texas and three other states. Cases are pending at the appellate level in at least two of those cases. Domingo Garcia, national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, a lead plaintiff in the case, said he expects the issue to wind up at the Supreme Court. LULAC said in a news release that it was considering its next move. The league and its allies could request a rehearing by the full 5th Circuit, which has 16 active members, or go straight to the Supreme Court. The 5th Circuit ruling cited appellate and Supreme Court decisions dating back to the 1960s that have upheld the winner-take-all system. It rejected challengers assertions that electors should be allocated proportionately, based on a percentage of the popular vote for each presidential candidate. Among those pushing the challenges are LULAC and attorney David Boies, who represented then-Vice President Al Gore in the litigation over the Florida vote count in the 2000 presidential election. The challenges say the winner-take-all system violates the one-person, one-vote principle arising from constitutional equal protection and freedom of association rights. But the 5th Circuit panel cited court precedents holding that each citizen in each state is afforded the opportunity to vote and that the winner-take-all system does not deprive anyone of that right. The panel also rejected other arguments, including the assertion that the winner-take-all system causes national candidates to ignore Texas voters while focusing on swing states, and that it diminishes the incentive of voters whose party or candidate is lagging in state polls to cast a ballot in a presidential race. The opinions author, Judge Jerry Smith, said there is a critical distinction between a system that diminishes voters motivation to participate and one that burdens their ability to do so. Smith said while the winner-take-all system may indirectly decrease the incentive of members of perennially losing political parties to vote, it does not hinder their actual ability to vote. LULAC also has challenged winner-take-all systems in California, Massachusetts and South Carolina. Decisions in the California and Massachusetts cases are pending at separate federal appeals courts. Luis Vera, attorney for LULAC, stressed in an interview that the lawsuits do not challenge the electoral college system established by the Constitution. Its the manner in which the states have applied it, he told The Associated Press. EU diplomats call for full compliance with international human rights standards European Union's Permanent Mission to the OSCE has assured that the EU remains committed to non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. EU diplomats noted that at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, the sixth anniversary was being marked of the illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Russia. The delegation says the EU remains committed, "including through restrictive measures", to "non-recognition" of this act, which was "in violation of international law and OSCE commitments. We mark @OSCE Permanent Council today 6 yrs since #Russia illegally annexed #Crimea. This act which we do NOT & will NOT recognize is violation of intl law & #OSCE commitments. Remain committed to non-recognition policy including through restrictive measures. #CrimeaisUkraine EU at OSCE (@EUOSCE) February 27, 2020 "Human rights situation in Crimea deteriorates since Russia's illegal annexation: systematic repression of those opposing the annexation and restriction on fundamental freedoms and persecution of Crimean Tatars. EU calls for full compliance with international human rights standards," the separate tweet reads. The tweets were complimented with a "CrimeaisUkraine" hashtag. Bill Browder is the founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, through which he became the largest foreign investor in Russia until 2005. Sergei Magnitsky was his lawyer. Through sharp practices with a new twist, Russian authorities misappropriated three of Browders companies and used them in a scheme to take $230 million from the Russian government in the form of a tax refund. When Magnitsky figured out what had happened and declined to go along with the authorities, the authorities took Magnitsky into custody on false charges. Once he was in custody, the authorities tortured and killed him. In the 2015 memoir Red Notice Browder tells the story in riveting fashion. Browders grandfather, by the way, was Earl Browder, the former head of the Communist Party USA. He ran for president on the Communist ticket in 1936 and 1940. Browder tells the family story in sketchy form early in the book. Although there is much more to it, as Browder tells it the background serves mostly as an unbelievably ironic element to the tale that is the focus of the book. Since Magnitskys murder, Browder has dedicated himself to exacting justice in some form from the perpetrators. He names the names of the guilty and memorializes their deeds. To get his campaign off the ground in 2010, he funded a series of short documentaries that he called Russian Untouchables. They are posted on their own YouTube channel. The English-language version of episode 1, for example, on Artem Kuznetsov, is posted here. Browders grandfather was a famous Communist, but Browders memoir doesnt let us in on Browders own politics. I have no idea how he leans politically. Politicians of both parties come off well in the book: Senators Ben Cardin, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, and Roger Wicker, for example, along with former Attorney General John Ashcroft. By contrast, only one Senator comes off extremely poorly: John Kerry. Kerry comes off poorly for several reasons. One of them is his reflection of the Obama administrations hostility to Browders efforts. Browder surmises that Kerry was angling to succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and refused to do anything that would land him crosswise of the Obama administration. In chapter 32 (Kyle Parkers War), Browder sketches the opposition of the Obama administration (i.e., the Obama State Department) to Browders efforts. Browder frankly states that ever since Barack Obama had become president in 2009, the main policy of the US government toward Russia had been one of appeasement. The administration had even created a new word for it: reset. Browder explains that in practical terms it meant that the United States wouldnt mention certain unpleasant subjects concerning Russia so long as Russia played nice in trade relations and nuclear disarmament and various other areas. Browder continues this theme in chapter 37 (Sausage Making). Browder exposes the duplicity of the Obama administrations opposition to the Magnitsky Act as it cruised through Congress but for the opposition of Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Kerry in the Senate. Cardin struck back against the opposition in the 2011 Washington Post column Accountability for Sergei Magnitskys killers. The bill stalled in the Senate until Russia joined the WTO in the spring of 2012. As Browder explains, the United States would have been left out of the resulting benefits of trade with Russia if the Jackson-Vanik Amendment were not repealed. Jackson-Vanik had to go; the Magnitsky Act became part of the legislative horse trading. Browder describes Kerrys performance at the June 2012 Foreign Relations Committee hearing at which the Magnitsky Act was passed out of committee: He began the meeting with a strange speech about how the United States is not a perfect country, and the people in that room should be very mindful of the need for the United States not to always be pointing fingers and lecturing and to be somewhat introspective as we think about these things.' Browder observes: Kerrys fuzzy diplospeak made it clear that he was there only because he had to be, and that he couldnt reconcile himself with what had to be done. As I read the book, Browder put me in mind of Jake Gittes in Chinatown. Browder doesnt realize that he is over his head doing business in Russia. His Russian friends warn him Russian stories never have happy endings. As Browder wrangles with Putins thugs, I wanted to shout, Forget it, Bill. Its Russia. In the last chapter of the book Browder himself reflects: If I could do it all over again, I would never have gone to Russia in the first place. I would gladly trade all my business for Sergeis life. I now understand how completely naive I was to think that as a foreigner I was somehow immune to the barbarity of the Russian system. Browders little window on the foreign policy of the Obama administration in the matter of Putins Russia on the one hand serves as a useful reminder and on the other hand forms a telling backdrop to the Russia hoax perpetrated by Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party, the Obama administration, and their handmaidens in the American press. Chief of WaterSense Wastewater Management at the EPA Veronica Blette said she was at a loss for words when she hear Donald Trump railing against water in toilets and faucets Environmental Protection Agency officials are exacerbated with one of Donald Trump's rally bits railing against inefficient water systems, especially regarding toilets and faucets. Emails revealed between officials overseeing the WaterSense program at the EPA showed reactions to Trump's rant at his Milwaukee, Wisconsin rally where he lamented that toilets had to be flushed 15 times to work and faucets had poor water pressure. 'I can't even,' Chief of WaterSense in the EPA's Office of Wastewater Management Veronica Blette blasted in an email to a handful of colleagues December 6, expressing her loss of words over the president's remarks. She attached a video of Trump making remarks to reporters at the White House in early December claiming the EPA would be 'looking very strongly at sinks and showers and other elements of bathrooms,' at his direction. He also insisted in the video attached to the email people 'end up using more water' because they are 'flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times as opposed to once.' Blette sent another tweet to her coworkers highlighting one of the president's tweets, and she wrote, 'Sigh.' The emails were provided to NBC News as part of a response to a Freedom of Information Act request. 'I can't even' Blette said in internal emails with a video of Trump attached telling reporters at the White House that people end up using more water because they flush the toilet 15 times During a rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Trump repeated these sentiments, claiming with the regulations at the EPA people don't 'get any water' and only get 'drips' from their faucet The comments shared by Blette were later repeated several times, especially at the president's rallies, where he bashed federal agencies for regulations on toilets, showers, sinks and dishwashers. 'Toilets and showers. You do not get any water,' Trump told rallygoers in Milwaukee last month. 'They put restrictions on them and now they are permanent. Try going and buying a new faucet. Turn it on and no water comes out,' he said. 'I have this beautiful head of hair. I need a lot of water,' Trump added. 'You go into the shower and drip. Drip.' He also railed against dishwashers, claiming they don't clean the dishes and that people run the dishwasher then realize it's still dirty when the cycle is done. WaterSense brand manager, Beth Livingston, also sent an internal message between herself and a faucet company executive suggesting '[you] have your work cut out for you convincing No. 45 on your program.' WaterSense brand manager Beth Livingston (pictured) also sent an email saying, 'Nothing like a challenge' and told a water faucet company executive that it was going to be hard 'convincing No. 45 on your program' 'Nothing like a challenge!' Livingston responded to the internal emails on December 9. 'We don't like faucets that only put one drop of water on my hands LOL the only ones I think of that might actually just drip are for Barbie doll play houses!' she continued. Trump's complaints echo those in conservative circles regarding environmental regulations, especially in regards to water. The WaterSense program was launched in 2006 and aims to create a standard to use less water than the mandate requirement under the Energy Policy Act. According to the EPA's website, WaterSense-approved toilets, use about 20 per cent less water than the federal standard and can reduce the amount of water used for toilets in a household by 20-60 per cent annually. The company will double the benefit for its customers that are frontline healthcare workers, as a gesture of appreciation for their efforts and sacrifices in caring for patients. These frontliners are people working in a general practitioner clinic, specialist centre or hospital, including but not limited to doctors, nurses, radiographers, pharmacists, administrative staff, and janitors. These benefits are applicable to COVID-19 cases that are diagnosed from February 01 until September 30, or when the DORSCON level is lowered to Green, whichever is earlier. AXA is offering a full premium refund for those who decide to cancel their travel plans and request a cancellation of their travel policy. The company also responded to the Singapore Red Crosss appeal for more blood donors, as the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted the number of donors visiting blood banks. AXA encouraged its employees, tied representatives, and customers to donate blood through a drive that will last from March 03 to March 08. AXA will donate SG$30 to The Courage Fund for every employee, tied representative or customer, who donates blood during this period, up to a maximum of SG$50,000. Furthermore, the insurer will donate 100 care packs to cancer patients, survivors and their families who are beneficiaries of AXAs corporate responsibility partner Singapore Cancer Society, as well as vulnerable seniors identified by the SG Cares Volunteer Centres at Woodlands and Toa Payoh, operated by Care Corner Singapore. Each care pack includes a thermometer, face masks, hand sanitiser, hand wash, and vitamin C tablets. Brandon police are investigating after a man was allegedly shot at a residence on Sixth Street early Wednesday morning. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/2/2020 (685 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Police tape surrounds a home on the 300 block of Sixth Street across from Ecole New Era on Wednesday. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun) Brandon police are investigating after a man was allegedly shot at a residence on Sixth Street early Wednesday morning. Police were notified at approximately 8 a.m. that a man had attended the Brandon Regional Health Centre with a gunshot wound to his upper body. The man was treated and released with minor injuries. Investigation revealed the gunshot had taken place at a residence in the 300 block of Sixth Street approximately an hour before the man attended the hospital. Ecole New Era School, St. Augustine School and Prairie Hope High School were notified of the investigation and asked to secure and hold students until investigators had released the scene. Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident are still ongoing. The Brandon Sun Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Thursday blamed the previous dispensation for a dip in the in the state and claimed that his government was working to improve it. Addressing the Legislative Council he said a district-wise look at would show that it was Rs 600,000 in Noida and Rs 3,200 in Balrampur. "Balrampur, Chitrakoot and Chandauli could have also been developed just like Noida but the previous governments did not try to strike a balance and that is the cause of this disparity," Yogi stressed. He said, "The in the state is almost half of the average. But when our government completes its term in 2022, it will be touching the average." The Adityanath government has presented Rs 5,12,860.72 crore budget for 2020-21 last week. He also charged the previous governments with discrimination in extending benefits of development schemes. "The Central government has selected 112 aspirational districts all over the country of which eight are in Uttar Pradesh. These districts are near the average on the development front," Adityanath said. Giving an account of the works done by his government, the chief minister said a Rs 15,000-crore scheme to provide potable water in every household of the Bundelkhand region is on the cards. Medical colleges are being set up in 16 districts including Amethi, he said, adding that when BJP came to power in the state, there were 16,264 bank branches which has now gone up to 18,869. Earlier, there were 8 crore 62 lakh bank accounts and now there are 16 crore 36 lakh accounts, he said. Photo CITES SUCCESS OF GOVT ON ALL COUNTS, IN SHARP CONTRAST TO PREVIOUS SAD-BJP GOVT Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said he was ready to give up his life rather than give the states scarce water resources to other states. Advertisement Wrapping up the debate on the motion of thanks on the Governor's address, the Chief Minister declared that Punjab did not have surplus water and, in line with internationally accepted riparian principles, would not allow transfer of water from basin to non-basin areas. His Government had made every possible effort to achieve this and shall continue to work in for protecting the water rights of Punjab, to ensure the livelihood of millions of Punjabi farmers and landless farm labourers, said the Chief Minister, pointing out that protecting the states water was a top priority for his government, as per the 'Nawen Naroye Punjab Layee Captain De Naun Nukte' (nine points of Captain for rejuvenated Punjab) based on the party manifesto released during the 2017 Assembly polls. Expressing immense satisfaction over his governments overall performance in the past three years, the Chief Minister said they had achieved major success on all fronts, including elimination of drugs from the state, maintaining law and order, ensuring Ghar Ghar Rozgar, debt waiver scheme for farmers besides providing affordable Bijli, Paani and Safai Suraksha for trade, business and industry. Advertisement Apart from these, initiatives like reservation of 50 percent seats for women in PRIs and ULBs, free housing for homeless families belonging to Scheduled Castes and other weaker sections, enhanced reservation of 15 percent in educational institutions to economical weaker sections besides raising the eligibility income limit from Rs. 6 to 8 lakh and appointment of 4300 Guardians of Governance (GoGs) from amongst ex-servicemen to oversee the execution of all socio-economic development programmes had been widely appreciated by one and all, said Captain Amarinder. Referring to the various measures taken by his government for saving the States precious water resources, the Chief Minister said that apart from enactment of the Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation) Act 2020, the government had also piloted a unique project namely Pani Bachao Paisa Kamao, aimed at incentivizing farmers to save water and earn money by consuming lesser ground water. The project, under which agriculture consumers are given a fixed electricity entitlement for every month of the year and no bills are issued to the farmers, will be expanded under the Budget 2020-21, he said. The Chief Minister further said his government would complete the Shahpur Kandi Dam Project in 2022-23 and would also make every possible effort to complete the Kandi Canal, along with attendant water courses, by providing requisite finances during 2020-21. Advertisement Underlining his governments commitment to transparency in governance and accountability in public services, the Chief Minister announced that they had decided to enact a new Lokpal Legislation, likely to be tabled in the House soon. The legislation will cover all officials, right from the CM downwards, he added. Captain Amarinder termed as insufficient the free housing for homeless families belonging to SC and other weaker sections, and said his government was now working to restructure its policies and programmes to ensure not only that every houseless household in the State has a house, but he or she has a pucca house. On the issue of women empowerment, for which 50 percent of seats had already been provided in PRIs and ULBs, the Chief Minister said his government was now working on a state-wide women development programme for financial and economic security of all women headed households in the State. Advertisement Referring to the Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY) to ensure that benefits of governments socio-economic programmes reach the deserving beneficiaries, the Chief Minister disclosed that so far 10.69 lakh people had benefitted, which was in sharp contrast to the previous SAD-BJP government, which had in fact misappropriated the benefits of poor to their party cadres. The Chief Minister listed various other unique initiatives of his government, including the Smart Village Campaign (SVC), under which Rs 818 crore of the Rs 1000 crore allocation had been spent on 16011 development works in the villages. The programme would be expanded further in the next two years, he said. Listing the success of the Mission Tandrust Punjab, Captain Amarinder said strenuous efforts had been made under the Mission not only to check food adulteration and water contamination but also the superfluous use of fertilizers and agro-chemicals by the agriculturalists. The government had also reduced consumption of Urea fertilizer by 4.48 lakh metric tonnes and consumption of DAP by 1.83 lakh metric tonnes, resulting in saving of Rs. 704.51 crore as input cost of the farmers. On the critical issue of stubble burning, the Chief Minister said his government had spent Rs. 525 crore on 56,000 crop residue machines during the last three years, for effective crop residue management. The number of Health and Wellness Clinics would be further taken up from 1369 to 2000 by the end of next month, thus ensuring health for citizens from birth, on the lines of advances nations such as UK and Canada, he added. Speaking about MGNREGA, the Chief Minister said that his government had achieves results that were three times better than the previous regime, having spent over Rs. 600 crore every year as compared to about Rs. 200 crore per annum spent by them. His government had generated 634 lakh man-days during the last 3 years as compared to 844 lakh man-days generated by the previous government during the last 10 years, he added. In the past three years, said Captain Amarinder, his government had made major strides in repairing the rural link roads and had now decided to revisit the policy to construct new link roads and provide for pucca rasta to all those habitations/ basties which have a minimum population of 25 persons as also to provide for phirnies across the villages. On the issue of rural drinking water and sanitation, open defecation free status had been achieved for all villages and provision of potable drinking water had been completed in all the rural habitations of the state, said the Chief Minister. He also expressed satisfaction over the hike and successful disbursements of the Old Age / Widow Pension, pointing out that while the previous government spent Rs.550 crore per annum, his government was spending over Rs.1500 crore per annum to disburse pensions to all eligible persons, the number of which has gone up from 17,35,351 in March 2017 to 23,90,456 in December 2019. The Chief Minister termed the Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna as a unique achievement of his government, which is providing a comprehensive health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakh to 48 lakh families as compared to partial insurance cover of Rs.50,000 provided to about 31 lakh families by the previous SAD-BJP government. The Government of India had asked us to provide this facility to only 14.96 lakh households under the scheme called Ayushman Bharat, he added. Captain Amarinder said his government had decided to revamp Public Distribution System (PDS) to make it more open and transparent, by providing Smart Ration Cards, which shall ensure coverage of all eligible beneficiaries with full transparency and honesty. To ensure ease of living for the poorest of the poor in our urban areas, his government had also decided to enact a new Slum Dwellers Act and a new Punjab Transfer and Management of Municipal Properties Act, said the Chief Minister. We shall also revisit the policy to regularize the colonies to make it simpler in our endeavour to dissuade such illegitimate property development in future, he added. In addition to the achievements under the Urban Environment Improvement Programme (UEIP), the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart City Projects, the government had also approved a Rs. 650 crore project to clean the Budha Nullah. The Chief Minister also spoke in detail of about the investment made in infrastructure, particularly communication infrastructure. Unlike the previous SAD-BJP government, his government, said the Chief Minister, was operating Sewa Kendras on a self-sustaining model, without any burden on the State. His government was also working on a scheme to tackle the menace of stray cattle and requisite funds would be provided for it in the budget, he added. US sanction on Chinese firms rebuked as 'long-arm jurisdiction' Global Times By Yang Sheng and Yang Kunyi Source:Global Times Published: 2020/2/26 23:13:41 The manager of a high-tech Chinese company sanctioned by the US for "helping" Iran's missile program denied on Wednesday that his company sells products to Iranian entities while Chinese observers believed that the US latest move shows Washington has never restrained from bullying practices as it imposed"long-arm jurisdiction"to sanction Chinese firms and exercised hegemonism as China is fighting arduously against the COVID-19 outbreak. The US announced on Tuesday it was imposing sanctions on 13 foreign entities and individuals in China, Iraq, Russia, and Turkey for supporting Iran's missile program. The US State Department said the action included new sanctions against three Chinese firms, a Chinese individual and a Turkish company. Gaobeidian Kaituo Precise Instrument Co (Kaituo), which is listed on the sanctions list, specializes in the production of accelerometers widely used in aviation, aerospace and petroleum. Luo Dingwen, a manager of the company and also the Chinese individual on the US sanctions list, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the US' investigations on the company have been going on for almost two years based on his best knowledge, but he is not sure of the exact reason for the sanction, nor has the company been directly contacted by the US. The US State Department says Luo "has also been involved in supplying sensitive items to Pakistan's missile program," the VOA reported. Luo said Kaituo does not directly sell its products to any foreign clients, nor does it have a license for direct exports, and has zero business ties to any entity based in Iran. Kaituo's current international business involves only small-scale cooperation with clients in the US and the UK, where the company sells its sensors through third party agents. "Our products are mostly used for oil drilling in the petroleum industry," Luo said, "and not for any military use." Chinese observers said that the long-arm jurisdiction by the US is illegal as it is not based on UN Security Council resolutions, and this kind of hegemonic behavior will offend more countries and the US will be more isolated. While China is fighting the COVID-19 and making great efforts to minimize the impact to the rest of the world, the US has not restrained from bullying practices and insists on making trouble. This again reflects the US' immorality, observers noted. Luo suspects that Kaituo's business ties with Raybeam Optronics, a company based in North China's Hebei Province that produces optical equipment and thermal imaging systems, might be the most likely reason it was targeted by the US. Raybeam was also put on an earlier list by the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation of the US State Department in May last year, and was barred from selling products to companies in the US. The company sells products such as laser rangefinders and thermal imaging systems. China's Ministry of Commerce responded to US sanctions on Raybeam in May, saying that it opposes US "long arm jurisdiction," and that China opposes any country which uses its own laws to oppose any Chinese company or individual. China will take necessary measures to protect the legal rights of Chinese companies, China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Professing Christian Madison Prewett saving herself for marriage, walks away on 'The Bachelor' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Luke Parker, who was outspoken about his Christian faith and call for sexual purity on last years The Bachelorette, defended Madison Prewett after she stood by her purity convictions on The Bachelor this week. My face when the fantasy suite situation is too familiar (emoticon). With that being said I havent been watching this season but I got the lowdown and I am proud of @madiprew for standing firm in her convictions. Keep doing you girl! Parker said on Instagram. Prewett, 23, was seen on this weeks episode of The Bachelor, telling Peter Weber that she would not be able to continue their relationship if he slept with other women on the show. The Alabama native has been open about her Christian faith throughout the show. Im not in any way trying to come across as judgmental but at the same time, those are my expectations that I have in life, she told Weber on the Fantasy Suite episode. In a week from now, if youre down on one knee and six days before that you slept with somebody else, I just cant wrap my mind around that. I dont want to feel like a bad person for the standards that I have. Im so proud of who I am and the choices that Ive made and the standards that I have, she said on her date. And its been so freakin hard in this because Ive had to look past a lot of things no, Im not OK with a guy to be kissing other women but Ive fought and Ive gotten here. Ive sacrificed a lot and Ive compromised a lot. But one thing she was not willing to compromise was sexual purity. Prewett had already been honest with Weber earlier regarding her convictions and being uncomfortable with him being intimate with other women on the show. My faith is literally everything to me and I have saved myself for marriage. I cant keep moving forward and continuing this relationship if I dont get the clarity and peace and confidence that I need, she said. In no way do I want to give you an ultimatum. But for me, actions speak louder than words. When Weber, 28, admitted that he had been intimate with one or more of the other women, Prewett excused herself and walked away. In an interview with People, Weber said he said he wished they had the conversation sooner but doesnt fault her at all for what she told me because I was very clear with all the women from the very first night to please share whats ever on your heart. He also didnt consider Prewetts words an ultimatum, noting, She simply felt I needed to know what she was feeling and I could see how uncomfortable it was for her to have that conversation with me. But at the end of the day, Im a hypocrite if I tried to say that that wasnt right for her to do that. While the episode ends with Weber apologizing and asking her to stay, that was not the case for Parker when he was honest about his standards in last years Bachelorette. Also during the fantasy suites episode, Parker, a professing Christian, told the bachelorette, Hannah Brown, that he would not be able to stay if she had slept with other men. Brown, also a professing Christian, responded angrily and criticized Parker for judging her. She admitted to having physical relations with some of the contestants, said Jesus still loves her, and then sent Parker home. The episode sparked discussions online about Christians and premarital sex. DECATUR The Decatur School District and the union that represents teaching assistants failed to reach an agreement after a three-hour mediation session Wednesday, the union said. In a statement, Paula Busboom, president of the Decatur Federation of Teaching Assistants, said: Here we are again: another mediation session, another example of the Boards complete lack of understanding of our members jobs, our students needs, and the Decatur community. The decisions they are making are harming our district. This unwillingness to budge shows an utter lack of empathy with our members and complete disrespect for the students and parents of our district. "We arent asking for much. We dont have high salaries. We live paycheck-to-paycheck like most people in our city. We simply want a contract that wont make our family budgets even tighter. We want a contract that ensures job security for our own peace of mind and so our students can learn and grow with the teaching assistants they know and trust. Denise Swarthout, chief communications officer for the school district, released the following statement: "Representatives from Decatur Public Schools and the Decatur Federation of Teaching Assistants (DFTA) met this evening with a federal mediator to continue contract negotiations. DPS and DFTA spent more than three hours negotiating and had productive discussions, but have not yet come to an agreement. "Another negotiating session will be scheduled soon, and we will communicate any movement toward an agreement as soon as we can." This was the eighth meeting since August involving a federal mediator. The main sticking points in the talks, which started in April, have been over health insurance and compensation. The district says it is offering reasonable plans, while the teaching assistants say they cannot afford the proposed increases in the cost of insurance coverage. Teaching assistants and supporters gathered outside of the Keil Building ahead of the mediation. Jon Nadler, a field service director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said the union has been trying to work with the school board. "We've proposed some movement on our end," Nadler said. "We've moved, I think three or four times on the whole package proposal." Details regarding the newest proposals have not been released to the public. The union represents 275 hearing interpreter, licensed practical nurses, hearing-vision technicians and teaching assistants who have been working without a contract since the school year started in August. Tammy Stanke, a representative from the Champaign Federation of Teachers, participated in the rally Wednesday afternoon, offering words of encouragement. "Without (teaching assistants) how many teachers would be alone in the room with 25-plus students?" Stanke said. "We are behind you. We support you." The dispute between the district and teaching assistants was one item on a list of grievances included in a petition presented to the school board Tuesday during an open session meeting. The non-binding petition, which had 685 signatures, was created by parents and former educators who said they had no confidence in board members. TIMELINE 2019 April: Contract negotiations involving just district and union representatives start. August: A federal mediator meets for the first time with the district and union. It is unclear how many negotiating sessions took place before a federal mediator was involved. September: Second negotiation with federal mediator; teaching assistants union threatens to strike if they cannot settle a contract with the district. Union members begin picketing outside of the Keil Building. October: Two meetings with federal mediator; teaching assistants strike between Oct. 29-31. November: Teaching assistants return to work on Nov. 1 but it takes several days for their health insurance to be reinstated. The two sides meet with a federal mediator. December: The two sides meet again for a negotiation session with federal mediator present. No deal is reached. 2020 January: A federal mediation session is held on Jan. 6; no agreement is reached. February: The district and union officials meet on Feb. 26 for a mediation session following a rally. Nadler said the support from the petitioners is welcome. "We are stuck with this board until the next election, but hopefully we will get our contract settled before then," Nadler said. PHOTOS: Decatur Federation of Teaching Assistants and Chicago Teachers Union march in Decatur Contact Analisa Trofimuk at (217) 421-7985. Follow her on Twitter: @AnalisaTro Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 0 FILE PHOTO: The logo of AB InBev is pictured outside the brewer's headquarters in Leuven BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The world's largest brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev forecast a 10% decline in first-quarter profit on Thursday after the coronavirus outbreak hit beer sales during the Chinese New Year, sending its shares skidding. The maker of Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois said the virus had led to a significant decline in demand in China - both at bars and drinking at home, notably during the Chinese New Year. The outbreak, along with an expected weaker Brazilian market, could lead to a 10% drop in first-quarter core profit (EBITDA) on-year, AB InBev said, adding that it expected 2020 core profit growth of between 2% and 5%, with most expansion occurring in the second half. The Belgium-based company, which sells more Budweiser in China than in the lager's key U.S. market, said the disease shaved up to $285 million off its revenue in China in the first two months of this year, 2.3% of its first-quarter group revenue last year. It is the latest drinks company to warn that the outbreak is taking a toll on business, following Diageo's alert on Wednesday that the fast-spreading virus in greater China and the Asia Pacific region could knock up to $260 million off its profit in 2020. Nightlife ground to a halt in China in the third quarter last year, with many bars and restaurants shutting down due to the COVID-19 virus, AB InBev CEO Carlos Brito said, echoing comments from the world's third largest brewer Carlsberg . BRAZIL ALSO WEIGHS "Our business is all about going to restaurants, to nightlife, going out with friends, it's really about to go back to normal, we're preparing for the surge when things return to normal," Brito told reporters on a call. Shares in AB InBev were down 7.5% to 57.25 euros in morning trade, the second weakest performer in the FTSEurofirst index <.FTEU3> of leading European stocks. Jefferies analysts said in a note that growth "is challenged with no more synergies and weak pricing". Story continues More than half of the company's 33 Chinese breweries have reopened with the exception of the one in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, Brito said. The virus that can lead to pneumonia is believed to have originated in a market in Wuhan late last year. The company's fourth-quarter core profit declined 5.5% to $5.34 billion, worse than market expectations of a 1.9% drop. "Our performance in 2019 was below our expectations, and we are not satisfied with the results," Brito said. Profit from both key markets - the United States and Brazil - dropped after AB InBev had oversupplied wholesales to the former earlier in the year, while higher costs for commodities and a weaker Brazilian real dented sales in the Latin American country. AB InBev said results in Brazil in the first quarter would not match the very strong figures of the first months of 2019, when an exceptionally late Carnival led to revenue growth of 16.7%. (Reporting by Marine Strauss; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) New limited-edition Californian brandies from Germain-Robin Californian brandy maker Germain-Robin has unveiled two limited-edition releases following its takeover by Gallo. Flagship expression Germain-Robin and Germain-Robin XO have been released in limited runs of 1,400 and 900 bottles respectively and will be on sale from March. The new releases also come with redesigned packaging: each bottle is stamped with the brand's distinctive redwood tree icon. The Germain-Robin, retailing at $75 (58), is a new expression based on Californian colombard grapes, while the Germain-Robin XO ($125/96) uses pinot noir grapes. Both are distilled in Pruhlo Charentais pot stills and aged in air-dried Limousin oak barrels. Hubert Germain-Robin, co-founder of Germain-Robin, and Gallo's master distiller David Warter worked together on the releases. Warter said: "Learning from Hubert, a master distiller and blender who changed the way brandy is perceived around the world and whose family history with brandy dates back centuries, was exceptional." Gallo has appointed Eric Entrikin as master sommelier and spirits brand ambassador for Germain-Robin. He is the only master sommelier to work exclusively for a spirits brand, making his appointment an exciting development for Gallo and the Californian brandy category. Entrikin said: "Germain-Robin has always been special to me as it was the first American brandy ever placed on the top shelf alongside the best cognac." 27 February 2020 - Bethany Whymark Britain will likely secure only temporary access to the European Union financial market under a broader trade deal in which finance may take a back seat to sectors such as fishing, financial industry officials said on Wednesday. Britain and the EU start talks next week on a trade deal that would come into effect next January after the standstill transition period that followed Brexit last month expires. Europe is Britains biggest market for financial services exports, worth about 26 billion pounds annually, and access to the bloc would be under the EUs equivalence system. This refers to UK rules effectively staying largely aligned with those in the bloc. It offers much patchier access than at present and can be canceled within 30 days in some cases. Britain is already technically equivalent, but this does not mean equivalence would be switched on and that there could be conditions and trade-offs with other economic sectors, Stephen Jones, chief executive of UK Finance, a banking industry body, told a House of Lords committee. If an equivalence designation can be granted, it is likely, I would suggest, to be temporary in almost every case, and it is likely to be capable theoretically of being withdrawn at short notice, Jones said. On that basis, businesses will then have to decide whether (that is) an adequate and robust basis on which to rely on. Unloved Sector EU equivalence assessments are separate from the trade talks but will be taken into consideration, EU officials have said. The bloc wants access to UK fishing waters, raising the political temperature in Britain. Financial services are more important to us than them, theres a potential opportunity for them to extract other concessions from us, Bruce Carnegie-Brown, chairman of the Lloyds of London insurance market, told the lawmakers. The financial sector was in a bad place due to the financial crisis, which makes it harder for politicians to defend it, Carnegie-Brown said. There is some risk that because of its complexity and the fact that it is hard to touch, that the much more tangible issues of things like fish and motor cars are more real for people in terms of Brexit impacts than financial services are. Banks that use London as a gateway to the EU have opened hubs in the bloc and the hit to UK tax revenues could be 3-5 billion pounds in the short term, Jones said. Obtaining equivalence for wholesale financial markets should be a priority given that it would outweigh any benefits from diverging from the blocs rules, Jones said. We dont aspire to strike out on our own unless we want to be isolated, Jones said. (Reporting by Huw Jones; editing by Gareth Jones) Topics Europe Uk 1. emblem consisting of an object such as an animal or plant; serves as the symbol of a family or clan (especially among American Indians) 2. something that stands as an emblem or an honored symbol 3. a clan or family identified by their kinship to a common totemic object YEREVAN, 27 FEBUARY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 27 February, USD exchange rate up by 0.10 drams to 478.49 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 2.21 drams to 523.13 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 7.28 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.08 drams to 617.20 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 231.60 drams to 25150.99 drams. Silver price down by 3.87 drams to 278.06 drams. Platinum price down by 627.65 drams to 14137.72 drams. The Late Late Show to broadcast in Limerick next March at the University of Limerick, RTE have announced. RTE say the broadcast aims to showcase the "best and brightest of Irish talent" and celebrate Ireland and "community spirit" in the weekend leading up to St Patrick's day this year. Taking place on Friday, March 13, the show will be the first time in Ireland that the Late Late Show was filmed outside of Donnybrook since an external broadcast from Wexford Opera House in 2008. In October 2018, The Late Late Show took place in London. Speaking on the decision, host Ryan Tubridy said: "Since The Late Late Show came back in September, we have noticed an appetite with viewers for a celebration of Ireland, what's great about this country of ours, the wonderful people, the positives." "The point of our upcoming trip to Limerick is that we are celebrating the best of Irish," he said "whatever walk of life you are in, whatever professional field you happen to be in, wherever it happens to be, we will be looking at you and saying 'we think you are wonderful'. "In a world that tends to focus on the negative too much, we like to strive to buck that trend. Irish people love this island, The Late Late Show loves Ireland and we cannot wait to get this show on the road and head West. Dr. Des Fitzgerald, President, University of Limerick, said: "We are all thrilled at the University of Limerick to be chosen as the venue for the first live outside broadcast of the RTE Late Late Show in Ireland in over a decade." "Our University Concert Hall is the ideal venue to host Ryan Tubridy and a huge studio audience next month. We look forward to seeing the RTE trucks rolling onto campus on March 13th." This week University of Limerick faced criticism from it's student union, UL Student Life, over its decision to double-up some single rooms. In a statement UL Student Life said they were "appalled" at the accommodation situation and that the rooms under proposal were never designed for two people. Concerns about the illegal marijuana market in Massachusetts became even more heightened last year as people here in the state, and across the country, started to fall ill from vaping. For Commissioner Britte McBride of the state Cannabis Control Commission, the vaping crisis became a fairly significant watershed moment that reinforced the need for multiple state agencies to collaborate on an effort to target the illicit marijuana market and the ability to address a public health crisis. I think the vape crisis really drove home the need for there to be an ability to respond in perhaps a broader way and provide a mechanism to collaborate with other agencies in ensuring that the public is kept safe, McBride said in an interview. One option, as recommended in a recent report by the CCC and the state Attorney Generas office, is establishing a multi-agency illicit marijuana task force. That task force would coordinate efforts between state agencies like the CCC, Massachusetts State Police, Department of Public Health, Department of Revenue and others. The report does not advise establishing any additional criminal penalties related to the illegal marijuana market and instead leaves an open pathway for those who are selling illegally to apply for a license to enter the legal market. Additionally, the report seeks to expand the state Department of Revenues authority to assess excise taxes on illegally-sold marijuana at the same rates as products sold legally. By creating an administrative penalty its really speaking to wanting people to use those avenues to come into the legalized market and indicating that were serious about enforcing if you choose not to come into the legalized market, but doing it in a way that really tries to stay true to where the policies have been going in the last few years in regards to criminalization," McBride said. With the recommendation of the task force on the table, McBride says legislative action would be necessary to establish the group. State Sen. Michael Moore and Rep. Hannah Kane, a Democrat and Republican, respectively, both from Central Massachusetts, filed legislation calling for such a task force last year. Currently, the legislation has been sent to study and is undergoing refinements. Kane said shes confident the bill will have the support of legislators. A task force would put its focus on high-profile, sophisticated operations, Kane said, and not someone who grows at home and illegally sells to a small handful of friends, for example. One of the things that needs to change in the law is we need to give the Department of Revenue the ability to assess excise tax on the illegal, illicit market players the same way we do on the legal marketplace, Kane said. In the instance of some of these large-scale recent take-downs of illegal players, DOR would be able to assess the excise on top of the product amount that was caught as part of that bust. An avenue for illegal sellers to enter the legal market was an important part of the pending legislation, mirrored in the CCC and AGs report. We want to provide this opportunity to various individuals who may want to start a business, Moore said. The problem we have with marijuana, because of the federal restrictions, you cant get money from banks. For the person who is a small business owner or a small investor, you cant get seed money. Beyond allowing an avenue to the legal market, the task force would help keep residents safe by working to ensure products are not available to anyone younger than 21 and would have a group in place to address any gaps in safety. With the vape crisis, many people who fell ill were using unregulated products purchased online. In my view, theres always going to be the march toward trying to develop other better more advanced products, McBride said. That provides a platform for people to be manipulating and counterfeiting things and that is going to always be an issue. The legislators, as well as the CCC and AGs office, see the existing multi-agency illegal tobacco task force as a model that highlights collaboration amongst several state agencies. The tobacco task force was created by the legislature in 2015 and is funded through its own line-item in the state budget. Its co-chaired by the Department of Revenue and Massachusetts State Police and includes representation from the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Department of Public Health, state treasurers office and AGs office. Nationwide, the number of cigarette sales is decreasing, corresponding with a smaller amount of cigarette smokers, according to a March 2019 report by the tobacco task force. That trend exists in Massachusetts. However, excise tax collections for the sales of tobacco products like chew and cigars has risen. According to the tobacco report, that growth may be the result of increased tobacco enforcement by the tobacco task force. The tobacco task force suspends tobacco licenses of retailers selling untaxed tobacco products and issues civil assessments for unpaid tobacco excise taxes, like what is proposed for the marijuana task force. Law enforcement agencies and local police departments in Massachusetts have identified large-scale operations in recent years. A Milton woman was nabbed by federal authorities last year, accused of running an illicit marijuana business that exceeded $14 million in revenue during a two-year period. Moving away from criminal penalties and really reserving criminal penalties for instances where there are intentional, knowing, harmful actions is a really key piece to understanding why its important to have these groups around one table and then shifting to something that allows for administrative penalty, said McBride. Massachusetts is one of several jurisdictions that is looking at administrative penalties like taxation rather than increased criminal penalties, McBride said. The CCC and AGs report encouraged the legislature to consider a funding mechanism for the task force, possibly a dedicated line-item budget appropriation or an expenditure from the Marijuana Regulation Fund. Related Content: ALBANY, New York, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Some of the most significant factors of growth in the global ePharmacy market over the forecast period are increase in internet penetration, use of mobile apps, and easy availability of medicines at the convenience of a click. Increase in adoption of e-prescriptions is also underlying growth in ePharmacy market over the forecast period. As per Transparency Market Research, "The global ePharmacy Market is set to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 12.3% from 2019 to 2027, reaching market valuation of USD 158.2 bn. by the end of the period. The growth is attributable to a growing preference for buying medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, online. As people experience hectic work schedules and increasingly rely on mobile apps for a number of everyday needs, the convenience of having medicines delivered at the doorstep gains massive popularity." Key Findings of the ePharmacy Market Study One of the major factors of growth of ePharmacy market is increasing internet penetration and use of mobile apps and use of North America to gain benefits of high internet penetration over the forecast period; 88% of population using internet in the region to gain benefits of high internet penetration over the forecast period; 88% of population using internet in the region Europe to also witness growth owing to high internet penetration 73.5% to also witness growth owing to high internet penetration 73.5% Factor that would support growth of e-Pharmacies is increasing adoption of e-prescriptions Explore 58 pages of top-notch research, incisive insights, and detailed country-level projections. Gain business intelligence on global ePharmacy market by Geography - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Latin America. Read Detailed TOC of the Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/397 ePharmacy Market: Key Driving Factors A number of factors are underlying growth of global ePharmacy market over the forecast period, states Transparency Market Research. The most prominent ones among them are outlined below: A massive shift in consumer preference towards online purchase of medicines is marked by better internet access, development of technology in the domain, and a notable tilt of the millennial consumer towards convenience Availability of certain medicines which might not be easily available in local offline pharmacies is also contributing to the growth of global ePharmacy market Increasing use of mobile apps is also a factor that is contributing to growth in popularity of ePharmacies; mobile apps are highly preferred not just for buying medicines but also for prescription refills; benefits of buying medicines quickly and easily mark high adoption rate A number of retail pharmacies are providing medicines on online channels; CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens are cases in point with mobile apps introduced to tap into the pool of online buyers Key Impediments for ePharmacy Market Players Despite a positive projection of growth for the global ePharmacy market, certain factors hamper growth, restraining the market from reaching its real potential. One major factor is presence of ePharmacies that are illegitimate. In the year 2015, NABP marked some 10,668 online pharmacies as 'Not Recommended'. This puts the patients at risk of contaminated or counterfeit medicines. Download a PDF Brochure of Report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=397 ePharmacy Market: Region-wise Analysis In 2018, North America led the global ePharmacy market and as per Transparency Market Research, the trend will continue into the forecast period, ending 2027; Europe to follow North America in terms of growth owing to growing preference of online shopping led the global ePharmacy market and as per Transparency Market Research, the trend will continue into the forecast period, ending 2027; to follow in terms of growth owing to growing preference of online shopping Growth in the North American region will be underscored by presence of robust healthcare industry, high penetration of internet, high adoption rate of the trend of online shopping, availability and rapid advancement of technology, and presence of strong market players Asia Pacific would grow at a significant CAGR, creating impressive growth opportunities for global ePharmacy market players; factors growth is owed to include increase in disposable incomes, improvement in internet penetration, and growth of e-commerce industry would grow at a significant CAGR, creating impressive growth opportunities for global ePharmacy market players; factors growth is owed to include increase in disposable incomes, improvement in internet penetration, and growth of e-commerce industry In Asia Pacific , countries such as Philippines , Vietnam , China , South Korea , India , and Indonesia will contribute massively to the growth rate Analyze ePharmacy market growth in 30+ countries including US, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Russia, Poland, Benelux, Nordic, China, Japan, India, and South Korea. Request a sample of the study Competition Landscape The global ePharmacy market is a vendor landscape that is both fragmented and competitive. Some of the significant players that are leading growth in the market and are also profiled in the market report by Transparency Market Research include Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., CVS Health, Dr. Fox Pharmacy, DocMorris N.V., Rowlands Pharmacy, PlanetRX.com Inc., Online Drugstore, Well Pharmacy, and Lloyds Pharmacy among others. Some of the strategic moves the players resort to in order to gain a competitive edge include mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships and collaborations. Synergistic alliances often lead to better market penetration, combining of resources, and better market position. Technology also plays an important role in the growth of global ePharmacy market. Purchase this report - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=397